Chapter 684 - 275: Boiling

Zhang Longhu and Chen Youning passed through a heavily guarded corridor, ascended the stairs, and finally arrived at the top floor of the Black Dragon Tower.

The top floor was not a sealed chamber, but a four-sided, open-air observation deck. The sea breeze howled, tearing the clouds and mist into wisps.

Gazing out from this vantage point, the boundless, azure sea and the scattered, star-like islands filled one’s view, a sight that filled one with a sense of expansiveness.

In the center of the observation deck, a figure sat cross-legged with their back to them, facing the vast sea.

The figure was exceptionally short, dressed in a well-fitted black robe. From behind, they looked no different from a seven or eight-year-old child.

Zhang Longhu and Chen Youning walked to a spot a few paces behind the figure, stopped, and bowed respectfully.

"Master."

Hearing them, the short figure slowly turned around.

His face was as tender as a child’s, his skin smooth, yet his eyes were as deep as an abyss.

This was none other than the man whose power shook the Celestial Star Seventy-Two Islands, the one whom even the Cloud Water Upper Sect feared—the Black Dragon Island Master, Mo Yuan.

"You’ve brought them back?"

Mo Yuan’s voice was calm, a stark contrast to his childish appearance.

"Yes. They’ve been settled in the guest quarters to rest," Zhang Longhu replied in a low voice.

Mo Yuan nodded slightly. His gaze swept past Zhang Longhu, rested on Chen Youning for a moment, then returned. "Oh? How is he?"

He was asking for their impression of Chen Qing.

"This Chen Qing... he certainly has some skill."

Zhang Longhu reported truthfully, "He is clearly at the Late-stage Astral Force, yet he was able to take two of Bai Cang’s attacks head-on without suffering heavy injuries."

No expression could be seen on Mo Yuan’s childlike face, but his eyes flickered slightly.

For an Astral Force Realm cultivator to fight a True Essence Realm cultivator and survive was already a mark of an outstanding talent. Moreover, Bai Cang wasn’t a novice in the True Essence Realm, but a master who had completed two refinements.

Although Bai Cang might not have used his full strength at the time, for Chen Qing to achieve this was already an astonishing feat.

"He is a disciple favored by Luo Zhixian, after all. I suppose he must have some real ability."

Mo Yuan said flatly, his tone making it unclear whether he was praising him or simply stating a fact. "However, having just ’some’ ability is not enough."

Zhang Longhu chimed in, "Master is absolutely right. I think it would be quite difficult for this young man to surpass his master, Luo Zhixian, let alone..."

He trailed off, hesitating.

The student surpassing the master is a fine aspiration, but among the countless Martial Artists in the world, how many can truly surpass the one who taught them?

It wasn’t that Chen Qing wasn’t outstanding; it was that the figures standing before him, like Luo Zhixian and the True Inheritor Chief, Nan Zhuoran, were simply too colossal, their brilliance too dazzling to reach.

Mo Yuan didn’t press Zhang Longhu on his unfinished sentence. His gaze turned to Chen Youning, who stood silently beside them like an ice lotus. "Youning, what are your thoughts?"

Chen Youning raised her beautiful eyes, pondered for a moment, and then her rosy lips parted to utter a single word: "Talkative."

Hearing his young disciple’s blunt evaluation, the corner of Mo Yuan’s impassive face couldn’t help but twitch into a slight smile.

"Master, what should we do now?"

Zhang Longhu steered the conversation back to the matter at hand. "In my opinion, Yanzi Dock has lost face this time. With their Island Master dead and an Elder injured, they certainly won’t let this go. They might show up at our door soon, demanding an explanation, or even demanding we hand someone over."

Mo Yuan withdrew his distant gaze, his expression returning to one of indifference. "Pay them no mind. Treat Chen Qing and his companion well. After ten days, let them leave on their own."

Zhang Longhu nodded. "Yes, Master. I will give the orders to treat them as honored guests. We will not slight them in any way."

Mo Yuan’s gaze then fell upon Chen Youning, who stood silently to the side. His tone softened slightly. "How is your Cultivation of the ’Profound Nether Moon Erosion’ coming along?"

Chen Youning replied, "I’ve reached Great Success."

"Excellent."

Mo Yuan nodded, his voice dropping a little lower. "I hope Jiang Lishan... can deliver on his promise. We cannot go all-in and put all our eggs in one basket."

"The foundation of Black Dragon Island was hard-won."

His words were plain, but held a deep, hidden meaning.

Having followed Mo Yuan for many years, Zhang Longhu immediately understood his master’s intention.

"Yes, Master. I understand."

Zhang Longhu replied solemnly.

Mo Yuan said no more and turned back to face the vast, boundless sea.

...

For the next two days, Chen Youning led Chen Qing and Deng Ziheng on a tour around Black Dragon Island.

The island scenery was completely different from the mainland, with its strange reefs, odd-shaped rocks, azure sea, and silver sands creating a unique charm.

At first, Deng Ziheng was quite interested, but after a day or two of wandering, he found it dull and stopped joining them.

On this day, the sea breeze was warm and humid, carrying a salty scent.

Chen Youning brought Chen Qing to a secluded beach.

Fine white sand glittered under the sun as gentle waves lapped at the shore.

Not far away was a fishing village pier on Black Dragon Island, which at this moment was at its busiest time of day.

Chen Youning stopped to gaze at the bustling scene, her cool profile seeming to soften slightly in the sunlight.

Chen Qing watched her back for a moment, then walked up to stand beside her. "Miss Chen, any idea when your esteemed Island Master might have time to see us?"

Chen Youning kept her gaze on the distance. "He is in seclusion."

Chen Qing’s brow furrowed slightly. "You mean we have to wait until he comes out of seclusion?"

"Mmm."

Chen Youning gave a slight nod, confirming it.

’Chen Qing sighed inwardly, wondering if it was the truth or just an excuse.’

He asked no more questions. The two of them walked silently along the beach, their footprints trailing behind them.

As evening approached, the horizon where the sea met the sky was stained a magnificent crimson-orange.

Wisps of cooking smoke rose from many places on the island. In a few open areas, roaring bonfires were lit, and the faint sounds of laughter and cheerful voices could be heard.

Chen Youning led Chen Qing to a stretch of beach some distance from the main settlement, but which offered an excellent view.