496: time

"Fellow Daoists, we've met through conflict, and if not for the timing today, I would surely share a drink with you."

"However, I still have important matters to attend to today, so I won't stay here long."

The gloomy middle-aged man took the crystal sphere thrown to him, casually put it into his Storage Pouch, then smiled broadly and bowed to Elder Beihai and Qi Dade.

"Fellow Daoist, please feel free. I will certainly have the opportunity to drink with you in the future."

Elder Beihai returned the bow.

"Let's go."

The gloomy middle-aged man said to the sedan chair beside him.

"Uncle Yin..."

"Hmm?"

Inside the sedan chair, Twentyeighth Young Master's expression was ugly when he saw the matter being dropped just like that. He was about to say something but was met with a look from the middle-aged man.

Twentyeighth Young Master fell silent, no longer speaking.

"Fellow Daoist, please be careful on your journey. If you and your noble junior are noticed by someone with ulterior motives, they might attack you and then pin the blame on our Zhou Family."

Watching the man and the sedan chair about to leave, Qi Dade, who had been silent, transmitted a message to the gloomy middle-aged man.

The gloomy middle-aged man's expression changed. He knew a little about the current situation in the Chaotic Sea and some of the conflicts within it, so he naturally knew that these words were not groundless.

"Thank you for the reminder, I am deeply grateful."

The gloomy middle-aged man bowed in return, then departed into the distance.

After the figures of the man and the sedan chair disappeared into the horizon.

Zhou Yunxing and Zhou Yunqi felt a sense of relief. They flew to Elder Beihai and Qi Dade and bowed to them.

"Two Elders, why have you come?"

Zhou Yunqi's eyes darted around as she asked them sweetly.

"It's all Old Qi's meddling. The Deep Sea Clam Mother isn't even here."

Elder Beihai shook his head and said.

"Later, your life lamps became unstable, and worried something might happen to you, Old Qi and I came looking."

Elder Beihai glared at Qi Dade.

"Haha..."

Qi Dade gave an awkward laugh. He had said it casually, never expecting Zhou Yunxing and the other to actually believe it.

"So, you really were lying to us..."

Zhou Yunxing and Zhou Yunqi were a bit exasperated.

"Cough, this Elder did indeed find a Deep Sea Clam Mother in this sea area back then, so it can't be considered lying to you."

Qi Dade coughed lightly and forced an explanation.

"What happened? Why did you get into a conflict with people from the Great Yu Imperial Dynasty?"

Elder Beihai asked Zhou Yunxing and the other.

"This matter..."

Zhou Yunxing and the other slowly recounted the events.

The four figures disappeared from their original spot, flying towards Gui Zhou Island.

"So that's how it is."

In the air, after Zhou Yunxing and the other finished speaking, Elder Beihai and Qi Dade pondered thoughtfully.

"Elder, that person's injury..."

Zhou Yunxing asked, still somewhat worried.

"It's fine. The Great Yu Imperial Dynasty is merely using Xuan Dao Palace's prestige to bully others. Besides, this matter wasn't caused by you. If they want to falsely blame our Zhou Family, even if we agree, the Old Ancestor would not."

Elder Beihai shook his head, his expression stern.

"Lao Chao's words are not wrong, no need to overthink it."

Qi Dade nodded in agreement.

"We obey the Elder's teachings."

Zhou Yunxing and Zhou Yunqi responded in unison... Half a month later.

At the border of the Eastern Desolate Land, in the Imperial City of the Zhongli Imperial Dynasty.

Three huge spirit boats, adorned with various flags, descended from the clouds, slowly landing outside the Imperial Dynasty.

"Thousand Island Alliance!"

"Those are the Thousand Island Alliance's spirit boats..."

Outside the Imperial City, some Cultivators recognized the origin of these three spirit boats.

In recent years, ever since Cen Ling Dao Palace and Xuan Dao Palace reached a cooperation, the Thousand Island Alliance's influence has deepened in the various Dynasties and Imperial Dynasties within the Eastern Desolate Land.

The Zhongli Imperial Dynasty was no exception. Due to the largest Thousand Island Alliance branch being located within the Zhongli Imperial Dynasty, the number of treasures auctioned and exhibited in this branch over the years was countless.

The fame of the Thousand Island Alliance also grew larger and larger.

"The Thousand Island Alliance's spirit boats have arrived; this Imperial City will probably become lively again."

Some Cultivators sighed, every time the Thousand Island Alliance's spirit boats arrived, they would bring various rare treasures, causing a sensation in the Zhongli Imperial Dynasty.

"Eh? Who is that? How audacious, to dare to collide with someone from the Thousand Island Alliance?"

At this moment, a surprised voice attracted the attention of the Cultivators.

Following the direction the person pointed, they saw a somewhat ordinary figure flying out from the crowd, heading straight towards the three huge spirit boats.

"Hmph! Truly audacious!"

Someone sneered repeatedly. The Thousand Island Alliance was not an ordinary force; its strength was formidable, even surpassing the Zhongli Imperial Dynasty. This person was so bold, truly not knowing his place.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou."

Just as this figure arrived before the spirit boats, three powerful figures appeared together.

"Was this trip smooth?"

Venerable Zhang High Peak of the Zhang Family asked Zhou Leren.

"The item is here."

Zhou Leren nodded, not saying much, and took off the Storage Pouch hanging from his waist, handing it to the three.

He had arrived at the Zhongli Imperial Dynasty a step earlier but had not gone to the Thousand Island Alliance branch alone, precisely to prevent the Thousand Island Alliance branch in the Zhongli Imperial Dynasty from using any means if they saw him alone.

That's why he had waited here for a few days.

"Good!"

Venerable Zhang High Peak and Venerable Bai Yuan's expressions brightened. With this, they had passed this hurdle.

Venerable Cangwu nodded to Zhou Leren, not saying much.

"Let's go, into the city!"

Zhang High Peak waved his hand.

Figures emerged from the spirit boats, heading into the Imperial City.

"That person, that person, how could he..."

Watching that ordinary figure stand together with the three Venerables.

The Cultivators were surprised, then cautiously looked around, fearing that their previous comments had been overheard by others.

That person was clearly not an ordinary individual, and if he knew, they might not fare well.

However, these minor twists and turns left no trace in Zhou Leren's mind... In the central part of the Chaotic Sea, on Cen Ling Island, within Cen Ling Dao Palace.

Venerable Yuan Chen's figure descended from the sky, walking quickly towards the main hall of Cen Ling Dao Palace.

"Palace Master, news from the Zhongli Imperial Dynasty. The people from the three families have arrived."

"All the transported goods are present, however, the seventh-grade deep-sea origin stone we mixed in is missing."

Venerable Yuan Chen bowed and presented the Jade Slip in his hand.

"Hmm?"

At the head of the main hall, the old man in black and white Daoist robes, holding a chess piece, paused, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Missing..."

"Hmph."

"What a method..."

The one in black and white Daoist robes snorted softly.

His hand, holding the chess piece, exerted a little force, and with a snap, the chess piece shattered.

"No rush, we have plenty of time..."

The Cen Ling Dao Palace Master's heart grew cold, and then he waved his hand downwards.

Venerable Yuan Chen understood and retreated out of the hall.