C276 Silverfrost Dragon

The Zhao family had established a covert connection with Dragon Lake over a year ago. After Zhao Yafu's triumphant return from the Moonfall Sanctuary, having successfully performed the Dragon Devour, it became clear to Dragon Lake that the Zhao family had assimilated the spirit of the dragon whelp entrusted to Zhao Yafu. The premature demise of the dragon whelp was likely no longer a secret.

Aware of this, Dragon Lake awaited an opportunity for vengeance, and their destruction of the Zhao family seemed justified. Yet, the circumstances had changed.

"The Dragon Attendants from Dragon Lake are probably unaware of the Zhao family's current state," Yu Yuan said, unconcerned. "Should the Dragon Attendants actually strike at the Zhao family, they might find themselves in a world of hurt."

Zhao Dongsheng had not explicitly stated it, but Yu Yuan had detected a shift in him toward the pure dark arts. Zhao Yafu's absence since her return had raised his suspicions. Barring any unforeseen events, the Zhao family must have secured a more formidable ally, likely owing to Zhao Yafu's influence.

"Dragon Lake is known for its tendency to pick on the weak and back down from the strong. What's the issue? Does the Zhao family from Asvetaesi have a history with them?" Bai Shenshen of the Sacred Hands, examining the pill in her hand, inquired, "Could their passage through here lead to complications?"

Yu Yuan turned his attention to Wei Feng. With the gag removed from her mouth and her hands still bound, Wei Feng responded with a detached tone, "The Blackfang Legion has no dealings with Dragon Lake. Their presence here is irrelevant to us."

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

In that moment, a subtle tremor passed through him. Utilizing the spiritual link between the heaven soul and Yu Zhu's enigmatic mental energy, he became aware of the fierce battle unfolding on the mid-lake island. Though the details of the clash were unclear to him, he understood that Yu Zhu had encountered a more formidable contingent of the Blackfang Legion. She had managed to entangle the legion's warriors with a group of nine from Winter's Bite and Thunder Sect.

The brutal conflict was nearing its end. The Blackfang Legion soldiers, led by Yu Zhu, had inflicted heavy casualties on the cultivators from Winter's Bite and Thunder Sect. Out of seven young trial-takers, five had met a tragic end.

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

"In the Blackfang Legion, there's an unusually tall man wielding a long spear. Who is he?" Yu Yuan inquired after a pause, turning once more to Wei Feng. "What's his rank within the Blackfang Legion? And what level has he achieved in his cultivation?"

The message from Yu Zhu was cryptic and lacked clear details.

Wei Feng was taken aback, eyeing him as if he were some kind of monster. "You claimed to be unfamiliar with our Blackfang Legion. How do you know of him?"

"I have a special means of communication with the mayor of Asvetaesi," Yu Yuan fabricated smoothly. "The city's guards have reported that another detachment of the Blackfang Legion has struck a heavy blow against the Winter's Bite and Thunder Sect, taking out nine of their members. You'll be pleased to hear that five of the younger members are dead, and both Lei Xiao and Liu Wei have been gravely wounded. They're currently on the run."

Wei Feng's face broke into a satisfied grin upon hearing this news.

As they conversed, the pill in Bai Shenshen's hand flickered intermittently.

"The Dragon Attendant from Dragon Lake is drawing ever closer," Bai Shenshen said with a hint of anxiety. "Out here in the wilds, those from Dragon Lake have a reputation for their dishonorable actions. I'm not sure if they've detected our presence."

Yu Yuan's impression of Dragon Lake was less than favorable, based on the information he had received from the Zhao family and Loong Tianxiao.

In his previous life, he had minimal dealings with Dragon Lake, and on the rare occasions when their paths crossed, he never showed them any warmth.

He was privy to more insider knowledge about Dragon Lake.

"If they're indeed targeting the Zhao family, it could spell trouble if they discover my identity," Yu Yuan mused, furrowing his brow. "Back in the Moonfall Sanctuary, I had a cordial relationship with Zhao Yafu. The Zhao family and my own Yu family quickly formed an alliance after the downfall of the Huang family. It's possible that Dragon Lake might have caught wind of my connection to the Zhao family."

"And if that's the case?" Bai Shenshen prompted.

Yu Yuan squinted thoughtfully, not responding right away. He pulled out the pipe Yuan Lianyao had given him, contemplating whether to send a message.

Yu Zhu was too far away. Even if she set out immediately, she wouldn't make it here in time.

I wonder if Yuan Lianyao's smoke signal might backfire, leading the people from Dragon Lake straight to us?

And even if we're talking about Asvetaesi's guards, could they really hold off Dragon Lake?

"First things first, let's conceal our presence and find a place to hide."

After a moment's consideration, Yu Yuan went to assist Wei Feng and began searching for a hiding spot within the dense woods.

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

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

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

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

"Over there, there's a hollow tree I've scouted before." Ning Ji, momentarily taken aback, pointed towards a few massive, withered trees that would take three people to encircle and said to Yu Yuan, "Let's hide inside that tree hollow."

"Okay." Yu Yuan immediately took action.

Bai Shenshen and Ning Ji followed suit.

"Is this really going to be effective?"

Inside the hollow tree, Wei Feng's eyes brimmed with skepticism. "So, we're the Dragon Attendants from Dragon Lake. If anyone reaches the Subtlety level, couldn't they just detect us with their spiritual sense?"

"Do you even know what pill Bai Shenshen is holding?" Yu Yuan asked.

Wei Feng shook her head.

"It's a Dragon Seeking Pill," Yu Yuan said with a slight smile. "I'm not sure how Bai Shenshen came by the Dragon Seeking Pill, but with it, we're under a natural shield. It's not very effective against other cultivators, but for the Dragon Attendants of Dragon Lake, including actual dragons, it offers concealment."

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

"Considering you're acquainted with the owner of the cast-iron sign, didn't he share with you about the various extraordinary pills?" Yu Yuan asked, surprised. "Or did he only teach you the chaotic practices of the Poison Cult?"

Wei Feng let out a cold huff and fell silent.

Half an hour later, Yu Yuan, hidden within the tree hollow, looked up, his face suddenly tensing with gravity.

Wei Feng glanced up, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a gasp of astonishment.

A silver dragon with scales that glittered like stars soared through the sky above them, its body nearly a hundred meters long. Astride the dragon's back was a row of cultivators, each one wearing an expression of icy resolve, their silence absolute.

Yu Yuan, unable to make out the details from such a distance, sensed the gravity of the situation. Both the silver dragon and the Dragon Attendants from Dragon Lake exuded an air of solemnity.

Neither the silver dragon nor the Dragon Attendants spared a glance for the lush forest beneath them, as if they had not even bothered to extend their spiritual sense to probe their surroundings. They were clearly fixated on a specific destination.

The silver dragon remained in Yu Yuan and Wei Feng's view for only a brief moment before vanishing from sight.

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

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

Yu Yuan nodded.

"A Silverfrost Dragon, likely of the seventh level!" Bai Shenshen inhaled sharply. "The Nagas have long been in decline, hidden away in the depths of the seas and islands across the three continents. A seventh level Silverfrost Dragon is roughly equivalent in power to one in the Spirit Walk state. What could they possibly want, leading so many Dragon Attendants?"

Among the Nagas, a seventh level Silverfrost Dragon was considered exceptionally powerful.

Such a dragon, accompanied by its Dragon Attendants, signified a significant mobilization.

Could the Zhao family truly warrant such an overwhelming response?

A seventh level Silverfrost Dragon, along with its Dragon Attendants, could decimate all the cultivators in Asvetaesi.

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

"Then where?" Bai Shenshen pressed.

Yu Yuan's frown deepened as he turned to Wei Feng.

Wei Feng's face paled. "Could it be Uncle Li's location?"

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

Wei Feng nodded frantically.

"Judging by the direction, it seems so," Yu Yuan said gravely.

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