C276 Silverfrost Dragon

The Zhao family had been covertly aligned with Hidden Dragon Lake for over a year.

Since Zhao Yafu's triumphant return from the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, having successfully absorbed the dragon, it was likely that Hidden Dragon Lake became aware that the Zhao family had assimilated the young dragon's spirit that resided within Zhao Yafu.

The premature death of the young dragon was probably no longer a secret.

With this knowledge, Hidden Dragon Lake seizing the chance to exact revenge and annihilate the Zhao family seemed like an expected move.

Yet, times had changed.

"The Dragon Servitors of Hidden Dragon Lake probably aren't aware of the Zhao family's current strength," Yu Yuan said, unconcerned. "If they do decide to strike, they might find themselves in for a rude awakening."

Zhao Dongsheng had been discreet, but Yu Yuan had sensed that he had shifted to practicing a pure Demon Spell.

Zhao Yafu hadn't been seen since her return, prompting Yu Yuan to speculate.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it seemed the Zhao family had secured a more formidable ally, likely owing to Zhao Yafu's influence.

"Hidden Dragon Lake has a reputation for being a bully that cowers before the strong. What's the issue between them and the Zhao family in Darkmoon City?" Bai Shenshen of the Medicine Sect mused, examining the pellet in her hand. "Could their presence here stir up additional complications?"

Yu Yuan turned to Wei Feng.

With the gag removed and her hands still tied, Wei Feng responded with a detached tone, "The Tusk Troops have no dealings with Hidden Dragon Lake. Their presence here is irrelevant to us."

"That's reassuring," Yu Yuan acknowledged with a nod.

In that moment, a tremor passed through him as he spoke. Tapping into the ethereal link between the Heavenly Soul and Yu Zhu's enigmatic spiritual connection, he became abruptly aware of the fierce conflict that had erupted on the mid-lake island.

The details of the combat were unclear to him.

All he knew was that Yu Zhu had encountered an even more formidable faction of the Tusk Troops and had ensnared them in a clash with nine members from the Cold Yin Sect and the Thunder Sect.

The grueling battle was nearing its end.

The Tusk Troops, led astray by Yu Zhu, had inflicted heavy casualties on the practitioners from the Cold Yin and Thunder Sects, with five out of seven young aspirants meeting a tragic end.

Lau Wei and Lei Xiao had both sustained severe injuries and were now desperately fleeing with a disciple from their respective sects in tow.

"In the ranks of the Tusk Troops, there's an exceptionally tall man armed with a long spear. Who is he?" Yu Yuan inquired after a moment of silence, turning his gaze back to Wai Feng. "What's his rank within the Tusk Troops? And what about his cultivation level?"

Yu Zhu's message had been cryptic and lacked clarity.

Wai Feng was taken aback, eyeing him as if he were some kind of demon. "You claimed to be unfamiliar with our Tusk Troops. How do you know about him?"

"I have a special way of communicating with the Lord of Darkmoon City," Yu Yuan bluffed. "The city's guards relayed that another contingent of the Tusk Troops had struck a blow against nine from the Cold Yin Sect and the Thunder Sect. You'll be pleased to know that five of the younger members perished, and both Lei Xiao and Lau Wei were left gravely wounded, still on the run."

A look of satisfaction spread across Wai Feng's face upon hearing this.

Meanwhile, the pellet in Bai Shenshen's hand flickered, its light waxing and waning.

"The Dragon Servitors of Hidden Dragon Lake are drawing ever closer," Bai Shenshen said with a hint of anxiety. "Those from Hidden Dragon Lake have a reputation for their dishonorable actions. I'm not sure if they've detected our presence."

Yu Yuan's opinion of Hidden Dragon Lake had been soured by the information he'd received from the Zhao family and Loong Tianxiao.

In his past life, he'd had minimal dealings with Hidden Dragon Lake, and on the rare occasions he did encounter them, he never showed them any warmth.

He was privy to more insider knowledge about Hidden Dragon Lake.

"If they're truly after the Zhao family, it could spell trouble if they discover who I am," Yu Yuan mused, furrowing his brow. "During my time in the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area, I got along well with Zhao Yafu. Our Yu family and the Zhao family quickly formed an alliance in the wake of the Huang family's downfall. Hidden Dragon Lake might have caught wind of my connection to the Zhao family."

"And what do we do if that's the case?" Bai Shenshen asked.

Yu Yuan squinted thoughtfully and held off on responding. He pulled out the pipe Yuan Lianyao had given him, pondering whether to send a message.

Yu Zhu was too far away; even if he set out immediately, he wouldn't make it in time.

If Yuan Lianyao's smoke signal was released, wouldn't it just draw the people from Hidden Dragon Lake straight to us?

Besides, could even the guards of Darkmoon City hold them back?

"First things first, let's conceal our presence and find a hiding spot."

After a moment's consideration, Yu Yuan helped Wei Feng to her feet and began searching for a place to hide within the thick woods.

"Is hiding really going to work?" Ning Ji asked, puzzled.

Yu Yuan glanced at the pellet in Bai Shenshen's hand, about to speak, when Bai Shenshen preempted him, "It will work, as long as we're not seen."

"Let's follow her lead," Yu Yuan directed.

Bai Shenshen gave him a surprised look and observed, "Yu Yuan, it's like you know everything."

"Over there, there's a hollow tree. I've checked it out before." Ning Ji, momentarily taken aback, pointed to a cluster of massive, withered trees that required three people to encircle and said to Yu Yuan, "Inside the tree hollow."

"Got it." Yu Yuan acted without hesitation.

Bai Shenshen and Ning Ji followed suit.

"Is this really effective?"

Inside the hollow tree, Wei Feng's eyes brimmed with scorn. "So, they're Dragon Servitors from Hidden Dragon Lake. If any of them have reached the Penetrating Stage, wouldn't their spiritual consciousness penetrate here and reveal us?"

"Do you know what that pellet in Bai Shenshen's hand is?" Yu Yuan inquired.

Wei Feng shook her head.

"It's a Dragon Seeking Pill," Yu Yuan revealed with a slight smile. "I'm not sure how Bai Shenshen acquired the Dragon Seeking Pill, but with it, we're under a natural shield. It might not be effective against other cultivators, but for the Dragon Servitors of Hidden Dragon Lake, including actual dragons, it acts as a cloak."

"There's a pellet like that?" Wei Feng asked, intrigued.

"Considering you're acquainted with the iron plate's owner, didn't he share with you about the various extraordinary pellets?" Yu Yuan asked, surprised. "Or did he only teach you the chaotic practices of the Voodoo Cult?"

Wei Feng huffed coldly and fell silent.

Half an hour later.

Yu Yuan, concealed within the tree hollow, looked up at the canopy, his face suddenly tensing.

Wei Feng glanced up and clapped a hand over her mouth, barely stifling a gasp.

A silver dragon, its scales gleaming brilliantly, soared through the sky above them, its body nearly a hundred meters in length. Astride the dragon's back was a line of cultivators, their expressions stoic and silent.

Yu Yuan, observing from a distance, couldn't make out the details but sensed an air of solemnity surrounding both the silver dragon and the Dragon Servitors from Hidden Dragon Lake.

Neither the dragon nor its servitors glanced around; they paid no heed to the lush forest below. It was as though they hadn't even bothered to extend their spiritual awareness to probe their surroundings. They were clearly intent on a specific destination.

The silver dragon was visible to Yu Yuan and Wai Feng for only a brief moment before it vanished from sight.

Shortly thereafter, Ning Ji and Bai Shenshen emerged from the tree hollow.

"Did you catch that?" Bai Shenshen called out.

Yu Yuan nodded in confirmation.

"A Seventh Level Silverfrost Dragon!" Bai Shenshen inhaled sharply. "The Nagas have long been in decline, mostly hidden in the oceans and islands across the three continents. A Seventh Level Silverfrost Dragon is roughly equivalent to the Soul Wandering Stage in strength. So what could a Silverfrost Dragon, accompanied by a host of Dragon Servitors, be up to?"

In today's world, a Seventh Level Silverfrost Dragon was considered a formidable force among the Nagas. Such a dragon, along with its servitors, signified a significant mobilization.

Was the Zhao family really worth such an overwhelming display of force? A Seventh Level Silverfrost Dragon, along with its servitors, could decimate all the cultivators in Darkmoon City.

"It's unlikely they're after the Zhao family," Yu Yuan mused, a sense of disquiet settling over him. "I noticed that the dragon wasn't headed towards Darkmoon City."

"Then where?" asked Bai Shenshen.

Yu Yuan furrowed his brow and turned to Wai Feng, whose complexion shifted dramatically. "Uncle Li's place?"

"Is this Uncle Li the same person I mentioned before?" Yu Yuan inquired.

Wai Feng nodded frantically.

"Judging by the direction, it seems that's where they're headed," Yu Yuan stated gravely.

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