Chapter 385: 383, Mountain and Sea City
In the Sea of Clouds.
Li Xiao grasped the column tightly, her face turning pale as the cries for help echoed incessantly.
The voice of Cang Lan in the Sea of Clouds was gone.
The sound of the Giant Demon flapping its wings was also gone.
All that remained were cries from above, and an uncertain fate looming ahead.
Crack!
Suddenly a loud crash sounded, and the roof of the pavilion seemed to have been lifted off by something. Screams followed one after another, accompanied by the sound of the wind eventually fading into silence.
"Could it be that I’m going to die here too?" Li Xiao closed her eyes, clutching the column tighter. Hearing the pavilion falling apart and people being swept away by the wind, she held on even tighter.
It’s unclear how much time passed; all sound had ceased around her.
The calls for help.
The screams.
All vanished without a trace.
"Am I really the only one left?" Li Xiao’s expression was complex. She looked up to find the ceiling gone, clearly seeing a Giant Demon clutching its demon body as it flew downwards.
Bang!
A huge shock suddenly hit, causing Li Xiao’s deathly grip to abruptly release, sending her rolling down the slope. The world seemed to spin around her at that moment.
The sensation was agonizing, but she felt grateful.
Because she could still feel pain, unlike the others who had already died in the sky.
...
On the Flying Ship.
"City Lord of Cloud Sea, are you surprised?"
Lin Kewu smiled and asked from the side, then quietly introduced Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds to Yang Xi and the others, who showed expressions of awe upon learning he was the City Lord of Cloud Sea City.
However, seeing his current awkward state, the aura of the City Lord seemed less radiant.
By comparison, the Sect Leader still seemed so "dazzling."
To put it frankly, they had never met anyone whose presence surpassed that of the Sect Leader.
After hearing Lin Kewu’s words, Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds responded awkwardly, "Indeed, very surprised, didn’t expect Sect Leader Wen..."
As he spoke, Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds looked around.
He confirmed it was a ship— with sails and a cabin.
It’s just that this ship seemed to defy his understanding because it was a flying ship.
Indeed!
The origin of Wen Ping is not simple, as he had imagined, not the kind he had acknowledged—a Sect Leader from a declining sect.
He was truly glad now, grateful to have had the chance to meet someone like this and survive today.
Before Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds could express more gratitude, Wen Ping replied indifferently, "It’s just a casual affair, not worth mentioning. But I want to know, City Lord of Cloud Sea, why aren’t you staying in Cloud Sea City, and instead coming here alone?"
"Sect Leader Wen... Thank you. If not for you, this old man might have met a grim fate." Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds smiled faintly, "As for coming here... it’s a long story. Nothing can be done now, those children are gone."
"Who are those people?"
"They are all geniuses selected by various powerful forces and the Hundred Sects Alliance, intended to be sent to the Four-Star Influence in Xuanse Lake for further cultivation. In previous years, I escorted them without issue, but this year I didn’t expect the Mountain Guardian Demon King to personally come out to hunt..." With these words, a bitterness rose on the lips of Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds.
Three hundred people.
All first-class geniuses.
More than 30 of them had reached the Profound Realm by the age of 25—these were people held dearly by the various forces usually. But today’s accident led to their demise.
Though no one can guarantee survival on the path of cultivation, dying under the claws of the Demon Race at the best age still makes one feel some regret.
What pained him most was losing Kun Duo, the Great Demon who had accompanied him on countless adventures, almost like a brother for decades. Yet today, without words, they parted forever.
"City Lord of Cloud Sea, where do you plan to go now?" He knew next to nothing about Xuanse Lake, but Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds was different, visiting annually. If he served as a "guide," it would save a lot of trouble.
Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds was silent for a moment, then replied, "When it’s convenient for Sect Leader Wen, just let me down. I still need to go to Xuanse Lake... matters need explaining there. Once this old man returns from Xuanse Lake, I will surely visit Sect Leader Wen personally to show my gratitude."
With that, Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds took out a white triangular token from his bosom—inscribed with the word "cloud."
Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds continued, "This is my City Lord’s Order. If Sect Leader Wen needs anything while in Cloud Sea City, it will be as if I were there... Though it’s insufficient to express my gratitude, please accept this humble token. Once I return from Xuanse Lake..."
"Enough."
Wen Ping interrupted him and didn’t reach for the token.
That token might be a treasure to others, but for him, being treated as a City Lord in Cloud Sea City? How does that compare to being an Immortal Sect’s Sect Leader?
"No need for these pointless gestures. I’m heading to Xuanse Lake as well. Since you go to Xuanse Lake annually, I have some things to ask you." In Xuanse Lake, asking anyone or asking someone at Half-Step Mountain Suppression Realm for advice are vastly different, "As long as you answer my questions, it won’t be like I saved you for nothing."
"Sect Leader Wen is going to Xuanse Lake? That’s excellent." Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds felt delighted, as if he found a protector.
This feeling hadn’t emerged since he took over Cloud Sea City 70 years ago.
When he closed his eyes waiting for death, a fleeting thought in his mind suddenly emerged—to serve the savior like a horse and ox. But Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds quickly shook his head.
He quickly stored this thought away—of course, he would keep this promise.
Once this matter is settled, Cloud Sea City will submit!
"Sect Leader Wen, just let me know. I shall speak freely."
Wen Ping didn’t know that Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds had such thoughts at that moment, directly asking, "I want to know, where is Iron Mountain Pavilion?"
"Iron Mountain Pavilion..."
Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds immediately searched his memory regarding Iron Mountain Pavilion.
"Sect Leader Wen, are you talking about the Four-Star Sect Iron Mountain Pavilion?"
"Hmm."
Wen Ping was delighted, thinking to himself: Just as he suspected, Iron Mountain Pavilion is indeed a Four-Star Influence.
Since Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds knew about it, he must know its location.
Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds continued, "I remember Iron Mountain Pavilion is in Mountain and Sea City. I have a map of Xuanse Lake... That’s where Mountain and Sea City is, in the southwestern part of Xuanse Lake."
With that, Cang Lan of the Sea of Clouds took out a Beast Skin Map from his Storage Ring, pointing here and there.
"If Sect Leader Wen needs it, this map is yours as a token of thanks." Though harder to obtain than the Vortex Map, compared to Wen Ping’s lifesaving favor, this thing isn’t worth mentioning.
Wen Ping took the Beast Skin Map, examining the map, then silently asked the system in his mind.
"System, how long to reach Mountain and Sea City?"
"After entering Xuanse Lake, it will take another day," the system responded.