Chapter 18: Gathering of Masters
Yu Qiushui and the others were eager to leave. They all feared Zhu Xiaoyuan’s wrath—even the little white cat, Hong Xiaoyue, had stopped in her tracks, staring intently at Zhu Xiaoyuan.
“Are you full now?”
Zhu Xiaoyuan crouched down, his large hand gently stroking Hong Xiaoyue’s head. The handkerchief An Yue’er had respectfully offered earlier was now casually used by Zhu Xiaoyuan to wipe the little cat’s mouth, before he dumped the cat’s leftover food into the trash along with the bowl.
“Meow, meow!” Hong Xiaoyue struggled for a moment, unable to control herself.
Zhu Xiaoyuan’s hand rested on her, and she found herself unable to move.
“What’s wrong? Haven’t you had enough?” Zhu Xiaoyuan asked.
“Meow, meow, meow…” The cat’s heart cried out: I’m not full at all, I want to keep eating!
…
Yu Qiushui and his companions only dared to speak once they had walked far from the courtyard.
“Princess, today you really went too far,” Yu Qiushui couldn’t help but say.
Senior Zhu actually lost his temper so greatly.
If not for the fact that Senior Zhu had no interest in dealing with them himself, who knew how many times they might have died today?
An Yue’er knew her own behavior had been improper. She stopped and turned back, looking at the now distant house. The longing in her eyes faded, and she smiled softly. “I suppose I was chasing a foolish dream…”
Someone as extraordinary as Senior Zhu would never take a disciple so lightly.
Especially not someone like her.
Being able to improve her own insight today was already a rare fortune compared to others.
An Yue’er shook her head, looking at Yu Qiushui and the others with deep regret.
It was her own greed.
“Princess,” Leng Qianxue couldn’t bear to watch any longer, “Senior Zhu is actually a good person. Today’s matter was unexpected—don’t take it so much to heart. In all things, fate has its own say.”
Leng Qianxue didn’t want to see An Yue’er so dispirited, so she offered a few words of comfort.
“Thank you, I understand,” An Yue’er replied.
She sighed inwardly.
Suddenly, she found herself envious of Leng Qianxue; Leng Qianxue would still be able to visit Senior Zhu in the future, but she…
…
After leaving Zhu Xiaoyuan’s courtyard, Yu Qiushui and the others immediately returned to their sect.
“I think Senior Zhu must have anticipated the so-called Evil God long ago. Or perhaps, he’s been waiting for the Evil God to descend all this time!” An Yue’er pondered deeply along the way.
She spoke these words now with great solemnity.
Yu Qiushui and the others nodded repeatedly—it made perfect sense.
“I have one more piece of news to share with you all,” An Yue’er’s gaze swept over Yu Qiushui and the others.
“The Evil God’s descent in our Anluan Kingdom is very likely because a secret realm there is about to appear!”
“A secret realm?!” Yu Qiushui was taken aback, his pupils widening.
No wonder—that must be why the Evil God chose to descend there. Likely, not just the Evil God, but all manner of supremes and masters would flock to that place.
“Wait a moment!” Huang Xiantang slapped his own thigh.
“That mountain village where Senior Zhu resides—isn’t that the entrance? Remarkable! So everything was within Senior Zhu’s grasp from the very start!”
Huang Xiantang’s eyes shone brightly now, and he couldn’t help but marvel aloud.
“We must prepare carefully. Judging by the current situation, this secret realm is no ordinary matter. If we can participate, surely the rewards will be extraordinary!” An Yue’er declared.
Although she hadn’t succeeded in becoming Senior Zhu’s disciple today, if it weren’t for Yu Qiushui and the others, she wouldn’t have had the chance to meet Zhu Xiaoyuan, much less improve her spiritual insight.
In truth, An Yue’er was deeply grateful to Yu Qiushui and the others.
That was also one reason she shared everything she knew with them.
“Firemoon Sect will begin preparations at once! For this journey to the secret realm, we must give it our all!” Yu Qiushui made the decision after careful thought.
…
The entire Tianwu Realm was in turmoil of late.
Centered on the Anluan Kingdom, all sorts of strange phenomena kept emerging throughout the land.
Everyone was eager to discuss the matter.
“There must be some treasure about to appear in the Anluan Kingdom!”
“Think about it—earthquakes, wild beasts on the move—whatever it is, it must be a great treasure!”
“I’ve heard there’s a hidden secret realm in the mountains of the Anluan Kingdom!”
“Hey! I’ve heard it too—if you could obtain the ultimate treasure of the secret realm, you might ascend to immortality in a single leap!”
People clamored, each with their own rumors.
All the major sects grew restless, selecting their best talents and bringing their treasures, boarding airships bound for the Anluan Kingdom and the location of the secret realm.
None wanted to miss the journey into the secret realm.
Countless powerful factions surged into the Anluan Kingdom, vying to outdo one another.
Everyone held back their strength, preparing for a fierce contest.
…
A magnificent treasure ship sped through the sky.
The roar of the wind was completely cut off by the protective barrier, leaving the deck quiet and serene.
At the stern drifted an enormous lotus.
This was the most distinguished vessel of the Anluan Kingdom’s royal family!
On the treasure ship, a woman stood in splendid attire, her skirts fluttering gracefully.
Behind her stood six guards, each one visibly formidable.
Beside the woman stood a man—handsome, imposing, and clearly of high status.
This woman was Princess An Fei’er, elder sister to An Yue’er of the Anluan Kingdom.
“Brother, An Yue’er arrived long before us. Aren’t you worried she’ll steal your thunder?” An Fei’er’s brows and eyes glimmered with a hint of spring warmth.
“Hmph. The secret realm within Anluan Kingdom is destined to be the home ground of a true power. If I, An Wenxuan, am not present, who else could approach it?” An Wenxuan spoke with supreme confidence and pride.
He was the legitimate eldest son of the royal family!
With his hands clasped behind his back, An Wenxuan seemed to dismiss An Fei’er’s words as unworthy of concern.
The scene grew quiet, only the treasure ship continuing swiftly on its way.
“What’s that?” An Wenxuan suddenly asked.
Directly ahead of the treasure ship, a dazzling streak appeared in the sky, trailing a long, colorful tail.
Upon that tail, it seemed a black dragon was twisting and rolling about.
“It’s the Black Dragon Vessel!” An Fei’er peered closely and could not help but exclaim in surprise.
“The Black Dragon Vessel?”
“It’s the flagship of the Black Dragon Sect—you’ve heard of them, haven’t you?”
One of the greatest powers of the Tianwu Realm, their strength was such that a single stomp would make the realm tremble!
The Black Dragon Sect was founded by Supreme Long Xian, and after generations of accumulated wealth and power, now stood as a transcendent force in the Tianwu Realm.
At a distance, it had seemed less impressive, but as the vessels drew closer, An Wenxuan finally saw the Black Dragon Vessel’s grandeur for what it was.
The entire ship seemed almost alive, twisting through the air like a true dragon, its lines flowing and speed astonishing.
“Is that the Anluan Kingdom’s vessel ahead?” came an ancient voice.
An Wenxuan looked sharply—at the prow of the Black Dragon Vessel, an old man had appeared.
“Greetings, senior of the Black Dragon Sect. I, An Wenxuan of the Anluan Kingdom, along with my second sister An Fei’er, salute you!” An Wenxuan quickly bowed with An Fei’er beside him.