498: Three and a half years

However, with Qi Dade by her side, she didn't say much, not wanting to undermine Elder Beihai.

A short while later.

"Lao Chao, Sister-in-law, take care."

A figure in a jade-white robe stood at the entrance of the Immortal Cave, waving with a smile at the two departing figures.

Lao Chao, Lao Chao, how could I possibly have that secret recipe...

Qi Dade's eyes showed sympathy.

Several days later.

Above Gui Zhou Island.

Two figures, one fleeing and one pursuing, streaked across the sky above the Zhou Family Disciples.

"Hiss!"

"Isn't that Elder Beihai and Elder Qi?"

"Did Elder Qi offend Elder Beihai?"

Questions arose in the hearts of the Zhou Family Disciples.

"Why bother with so much? Can we interfere in the Elders' affairs?"

"That's true, but aren't you curious?"

"Hiss! Now that you mention it..."

"..."

Low-voiced conversations echoed in the Void Realm.

Several months later.

A huge spirit boat, bearing a snake-patterned zhou character command flag, emerged from the sea.

On the spirit boat stood figures, some young, some with restrained auras. In the uppermost room of the spirit boat.

Zhou Leren and Venerable Cangwu sat opposite each other, each holding a chess piece, with a chessboard between them.

At this moment, Venerable Cangwu's face was conflicted, his eyes filled with a murky darkness.

The chess piece in his hand lingered, unable to be placed.

A moment later, Venerable Cangwu's face suddenly lit up. He placed the chess piece back into the chess box, and his figure floated up, appearing outside the spirit boat.

"We've arrived!"

Looking at the massive Realm of Clouds and Mist island that now filled his vision.

Venerable Cangwu's face was joyful, like a wanderer returning home after a long journey.

In the uppermost room of the spirit boat.

Zhou Leren looked at the black chess pieces that were beyond recovery, then at the white pieces in his hand, and finally his gaze turned to the slightly excited and exaggerated figure outside the spirit boat, falling into contemplation.

The massive spirit boat broke through the clouds and mist, sailing into Gui Zhou Island.

On Qingyang Peak.

Zhou Leren appeared and sat down opposite the gentle figure, a hint of surprise on his face.

"Third Aunt, how did Elder Qi offend Elder Beihai?"

Zhou Leren thought of the various rumors he had heard after entering Gui Zhou Island and asked Zhou Liyue with some curiosity.

"This..."

"You'd better ask him yourself."

Zhou Liyue's face was hesitant, and in the end, she said nothing.

"Then forget it."

Zhou Leren shook his head. Both Elder Beihai and Elder Qi were Family Elders, how could he inquire about such private matters? After all, the rumors were a bit, well, unspeakable.

Zhou Leren thought to himself, shared some of his experiences from the Zhongli Dynasty, and then took his leave.

Several months later.

A piece of news from the Eastern Desolate Borderland reached the Chaotic Sea.

Free and Unfettered One, the Void Refining Ancestor of the Xiaoyao Sect, was suspected to have fallen.

In the Xiaoyao Sect, Free and Unfettered One was the only strong practitioner in the Void Refining Realm.

After this news spread widely, several forces that had a strained relationship with the Xiaoyao Sect began to probe.

The Xiaoyao Sect retaliated strongly, but there was a hint of being fierce in appearance but faint in courage.

Although this news spread to the Li Luan Sea Region.

It did not concern the Cultivators in the Li Luan Sea Region.

The Xiaoyao Sect's influence did not extend to the Li Luan Sea Region, and it had no ties with the various forces there.

Even if Free and Unfettered One, the Old Ancestor of the Xiaoyao Sect, had truly fallen, it likely had nothing to do with the Chaotic Sea.

The Cultivators merely regarded this news as part of their general knowledge and did not delve deeper.

Time slowly passed.

With the cooperation between Cen Ling Dao Palace and Xuan Dao Palace, more and more Cultivators from the many territories under Xuan Dao Palace headed towards the Li Luan Sea Region.

Among them were also Genius Disciples from various Void Refining, Soul Transformation, and even Nascent Soul (Yuan Ying) forces/power level under Xuan Dao Palace.

The clash between Geniuses was bound to ignite sparks.

The Geniuses in the Li Luan Sea Region successively sparred and challenged the Geniuses who came from the Eastern Desolate Borderland.

Both sides had wins and losses.

The Li Luan Sea Region, where Geniuses had already attracted countless gazes, once again became the focus of many Cultivators in the Chaotic Sea.

Among these powerful figures.

A detached figure with white hair and a sword on his back became increasingly clear in the hearts of many Cultivators.

The name White-Haired Sword Lord of the Qingyang Zhou Clan on Gui Zhou Island continuously grew louder.

This was simply because the strength of that one person and one sword was extremely powerful, his Sword Intent like a rainbow, and the world was startled when his sword was drawn.

Amidst this fervor, occasionally, Cultivators would recall the peerless figure in purple robes and purple hair from back then.

They sighed with regret, wondering when they would once again witness that peerless heroic bearing.

Just as everyone was lamenting.

A figure in purple robes and purple hair was leisurely examining various lightning-elemental spells and Legacies before him.

These were all brought back by Zhou Leren from his trip to the Zhongli Dynasty.

Although their grade was not high, there were still commendable aspects within them.

Zhou Xiutong was watching, lost in thought.

"Grand-Aunt, the lightning-struck wood you wanted."

A figure in a crimson robe arrived, interrupting Zhou Xiutong's reverie.

"Thank you, Dingze."

Zhou Xiutong was delighted to hear this, stood up, and thanked Zhou Dingze.

Zhou Dingze waved his hand, then suddenly spoke to Zhou Xiutong with a slightly wandering gaze.

"Grand-Aunt, it's quite lively outside. Many highly talented individuals have arrived, clamoring that there's no one in the alliance, they're truly arrogant."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Zhou Xiutong replied casually, picking up the lightning-struck wood and studying it carefully.

"Has Grand-Aunt changed her disposition?"

Seeing Zhou Xiutong completely unmoved, Zhou Dingze began to question life.

After Zhou Xiutong emerged from her seclusion, she would occasionally spur him on.

Over these few years, although his cultivation and strength had greatly increased, he had also endured a considerable amount of hardship.

"Alas..."

The Old Ancestor said, only by enduring bitter hardship can one become a superior person. What are these few torments worth?

Zhou Dingze sighed helplessly, comforting himself...

Three and a half years later.

At the bottom of the sea near Gui Zhou Island.

"Ding~"

"Name: Mo Xuan;

Race: Black Water Profound Serpent;

Bloodline: Sacred Beast;

Lifespan: 330 / 32400 years (+);

Talents: Water Control, Wind Control, Cloud Gathering, Heaven and Earth (Qiankun);

Innate Divine Abilities: Summon Wind and Call Rain, Realm of Clouds and Mist, Eye of Heaven and Earth, One Transformation Myriad Forms;

Companion Magic Treasures: mountain sea pearl, clan-guarding divine stele;

Divine Abilities: Water Form: Myriad Transformations, Wind Form - Traceless, Cloud Form: Mist Concealment, Universe - World Transformation, Size As Desired Transformation Divine Ability, Breath Concealment Divine Ability, Six Transformations of the Demonic Body, Riding Clouds and Driving Mist, Dividing Spirit and Transforming Thought, Summoning: Descent of Spirit, mirror of heaven and earth, Lost Void Domain, Body as a Grotto-Heaven, God-Slaying Profound Light (+);

Realm: Mid-stage Void Refinement (+);

clan protecting system Bound: Zhou Family, Clan Chief — Zhou Leyi.

Clan Fortune Points: 7200"