Chapter 182

When Brother Ning Chuan's massive, imposing dragon form and the graceful Zhao Min, princess of Shao, whose eyes carried a hint of reverence and allure, slowly stepped out of the cave side by side.

Inside the valley, the previously tense, sword-drawn atmosphere instantly grew even more eerie.

Divine Ability, Wang Chongyang, along with the Golden Wheel Dharma King and the Yin-Yang Elders, who had just regained consciousness from unconsciousness but still looked pale and weak.

Now stood in clear opposition to the surviving Mongol Yuan warriors and the Quanzhen Sect disciples.

Both sides' eyes brimmed with wariness and hostility.

Seeing Zhao Min emerge unharmed from the cave, the Golden Wheel Dharma King and the Yin-Yang Elders both grew anxious, rushing forward several steps to shield the princess behind them.

They feared this capricious, terrifying dragon might harm the princess.

Yet Brother Ning Chuan's gaze did not linger long on Zhao Min.

His pale golden dragon eyes, like two cold searchlights, slowly swept over the three Great Yuan Imperial Masters: the Golden Wheel Dharma King, Lu Lu Zhangke, and He He Biweng.

His gaze held cold indifference and scrutiny, as if weighing whether to crush them outright or keep them alive for some other use.

Crush them immediately?

Or spare them for another purpose?

Zhao Min, sharp as ice, sensed the fleeting kill intent in Brother Ning Chuan's eyes.

Her heart tightened; she knew this was the perfect moment to demonstrate her loyalty.

She quickly stepped forward, arriving beside Brother Ning Chuan, bowing slightly, and speaking in a low voice that blended deliberate flattery with the dignity befitting a princess:

"Lord… Ning Island Master, this humble woman previously offended you—please forgive me."

"I am willing to accept every condition you proposed before, and spare no effort to seek out rare scriptures and cultivation resources across the land to make amends for today's transgression."

"I only beg the Island Master, in light of my sincere heart, to spare the Dharma King and the others this once."

Her words were flawless—clearly showing submission while cleverly framing their relationship as a mere "transaction."

She preserved Brother Ning Chuan's dignity while leaving herself a sliver of room to maneuver.

Those in the valley, hearing Zhao Min's words, instantly understood.

So this Mongol princess and the mysterious Dragon Island Master had reached a secret agreement!

No wonder the Dragon Island Master had let her walk out unharmed!

Yet they were all curious—what kind of deal could make this brutal, tyrannical Dragon Island Master overlook the princess's offense?

Brother Ning Chuan inwardly praised her: Zhao Min was indeed a woman of extraordinary wit, adept at reading the situation.

Her words deftly resolved the awkwardness, preventing the hidden master-servant bond between her and Brother Ning Chuan from being exposed.

And she had also bought a sliver of life for the Golden Wheel Dharma King and the others.

Brother Ning Chuan considered it—Zhao Min's proposal was not without merit.

The Golden Wheel Dharma King and the Yin-Yang Elders had been his enemies, but they were still three formidable Great Masters.

Killing them would be simple.

But if he could make them serve Zhao Min, they would effectively serve him indirectly.

This would strengthen Zhao Min's power and influence within the Mongol Yuan Empire, aiding her in gathering scriptures and resources for him later.

It would also plant a useful pawn for his possible northern campaign.

With this thought, Brother Ning Chuan's pale golden dragon eyes swept again over the Golden Wheel Dharma King and the Yin-Yang Elders.

His voice was calm, yet carried unchallengeable authority:

"On Princess Zhao's behalf, I spare your lives today."

"Take your broken remnants and leave."

"Remember—if this ever happens again, I will obliterate your souls and spirits, leaving you no rebirth for eternity!"

Hearing this, the Golden Wheel Dharma King and the Yin-Yang Elders felt as if granted divine mercy!

They never imagined they could escape this terrifying dragon with their lives!

They immediately prostrated themselves, bowing their heads like pounding pestles, repeatedly thanking him—where was the former dignity of Great Masters?

"Thank you, Island Master, for sparing our lives! Thank you, Island Master, for sparing our lives!"

"From now on, we shall restrain our subordinates and never again dare defy the might of Taohuadao!"

Saying this, they fled like beaten dogs, dragging the surviving Mongol Yuan warriors, leaving behind the stolen Daoist scriptures—daring not to take them—and vanished from the valley without looking back, fleeing toward Mongol Yuan territory.

Zhao Min watched the fleeing, disheveled figures of the Golden Wheel Dharma King and the others, a complex glint flashing in her eyes.

She turned to Brother Ning Chuan and bowed gracefully, her voice carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible allure and gratitude:

"Thank you, Island Master, for sparing our lives."

Before leaving, she cast one last deep look at Brother Ning Chuan—her bright, beautiful eyes shimmered like flowing water, her gaze seductive as silk.

Brother Ning Chuan watched her alluring back and thought inwardly: "What a sly fox—born to be a temptress."

Yet he knew such a woman was deeply cunning and ambitious—far from easy to handle.

Had he not held absolute control over the dragon blood, he would never dare keep such a person near him.

After the Mongol Yuan contingent had all departed.

The valley now held only Brother Ning Chuan, Wang Chongyang, and the surviving Quanzhen Sect disciples.

Wang Chongyang looked at the ruined battlefield and the slain fellow disciples, his heart filled with boundless grief and self-reproach.

He bowed deeply to Brother Ning Chuan, his voice hoarse:

"Thank you, Ning Island Master, for saving us today!"

"Had you not arrived in time, all of Quanzhen Sect might have… ah!"

He could not finish—his voice broke into sobs, heavy with despair.

He, the Grand Master of Quanzhen Sect, the foremost man under heaven, could not even protect his own disciples or his sect's scriptures—forced to be rescued by a beast—how could he bear it?

Brother Ning Chuan looked at Wang Chongyang's hollow, shattered expression and spoke simply:

"It was merely a small effort."

"Since the Daoist Canon of your Quanzhen Sect is what this Seat specifically requested, naturally it cannot be easily snatched away by others."

"Now, take these Daoist Canons and follow this Seat back to Taohuadao."

His tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable command.

Upon hearing this, Wang Chongyang, though his heart was filled with humiliation and unwillingness, knew he had no room for resistance at this moment.

He could only helplessly nod, signaling the surviving disciples to gather the scattered Daoist Canon texts from the ground and reload them onto the carriages.

The group set out once more, fully prepared, heading toward the direction of Taohuadao in the Eastern Sea.

However, this time, their mood was far heavier and more complex than when they arrived.

Brother Ning Chuan did not travel with them; instead, he transformed into a streak of black light, secretly following and monitoring their every move within the clouds.

Soon, under the acceleration of Brother Ning Chuan's Mo Ce "Water-Controlling Art," which was beyond the comprehension of gods and ghosts.

He secretly mobilized his demonic power to summon the sea currents, causing the great ships carrying the Daoist Canons to sail like arrows loosed from a bow, moving several times faster.

Those few great ships filled with the Quanzhen Sect's Daoist Canons then smoothly arrived at the dock of Taohuadao.

The Quanzhen disciples responsible for steering the ships, upon feeling the ship's incredible speed, regarded this mysterious Dragon Island Lord as a being beyond mortals, filled with the utmost awe!

Inside the main hall of Taohuadao.

The Divine ability, Wang Chong, Wang Chongyang, along with Ma Yu, Qiu Qiu Chuji, and other surviving high-ranking members of the Quanzhen Sect.

All stood with respectful expressions, even somewhat fearful, before Brother Ning Chuan's massive dragon form.

They dared not harbor even the slightest contempt or disrespect.