Chapter 256: Midnight

In this group of ten, five are Nascent Souls and five are in the Core Formation stage.

Among the Core Formation cultivators are Ye Xingde, the True Person, whom Jiang Yu knows, as well as Xu Wu and Qin Zhuo.

The moment the teleportation light surged, Xu Wu's communication jade talisman also flickered, showing that Wan Xiyue was asking about Jiang Yu's whereabouts.

Without waiting for her reply, the teleportation activated; she only managed to shout to her master, "Wan Xiyue is coming."

Meanwhile, Wan Xiyue, who had just returned from gathering herbs and received no reply, decided to ask her master for a slot.

But Yuan Hu Zhenjun firmly opposed her going to Dragon Emperor Island, saying, "Five Core Formation cultivators have already fallen; departing now is not only too late, it will also plunge you into danger."

Wan Xiyue persisted, "Master, there are some spirit herbs there that we don't have."

"Are the Heavenly Origin spirit herbs not enough for you?" Yuan Hu Zhenjun began, but before he finished, he was already before Wan Xiyue, and his hand struck like lightning, sealing the junior disciple's dantian.

"Master?" Wan Xiyue asked, astonished.

Yuan Hu Zhenjun patted her shoulder, "I know you're worried about Jiang Yu, but if you leave, I will worry about you as well.

Think about it: that side is a cluster of cultivation islands, not a hidden realm; you might not even encounter anything there."

"We have communication...

"Communication talismans also have distance limits.

You need not argue; I will not let you go, at least not now.

Even the Grand Void Sect only sent Ye Xingde, and they are still awaiting news."

"Master!" Wan Xiyue understood her master's words, but added, "Elder Ye has some opinions about Jiang Yu."

"Each person's karmic path differs; Jiang Yu has Jiang Yu's experience, and you have your own Dao.

Rather than worry about her, you should improve yourself." Yuan Hu Zhenjun whisked her to a secret training ground, adjusted the formation in a few moves, took away all her entry talismans, and then released her dantian.

Before departing he said, "When someone returns with clarified information and the timing is right, I will personally escort you to Dragon Emperor Island."

"Yes." As long as her master agrees, Wan Xiyue believes she can go, but before that she must spar with fellow sect members entering the formation.

Clang clang

The long sword left its scabbard and plunged into a fierce battle; after only a quarter of an hour, Wan Xiyue was defeated.

"Junior sister, you have ten trials to clear; when you can endure an hour in my hands, you'll have passed this gate.

Again." The senior brother gave her no more rest time, unleashing a sword aura that struck her face.

Wan Xiyue dodged and blocked; the massive force knocked her back repeatedly, and in an instant she was knocked to the ground again.

Yet she sprang up again to meet another sword strike, refusing to believe she couldn't hold out.

Clang clang, the clash of swords echoed in the secret ground.

Jiang Yu did not know that Yuan Hu Zhenjun, using her name, sent the junior disciple to take a beating—oh no, to real combat training.

She lingered near the city gate for almost two quarters of an hour, but did not happen to see any Heavenly Origin cultivators.

She shook her head, returned to the residence, laid out a large table of food, and made Xiao She Biluo and Jiang Tu extremely delighted.

While taking out Guo Jue's vegetarian dishes, she recited the compiled information from various shops: "Zhui Yuan Island has existed for over ten thousand years.

Although it belongs to the Dragon Emperor Alliance, it enjoys a high degree of autonomy.

An ancient legend says that Zhui Yuan Island was founded by a pair of ascended high‑rank Yao cultivators, which is why this sea region is free from Yao Race incursions."

"Yao Race built the island?" Xiao She Biluo dropped the fish meat she was chewing.

"Hmm, I bought many items from a refining shop, and the old shopkeeper told me himself.

Moreover, I suspect the old shopkeeper himself is a shape‑shifting Yao cultivator." Jiang Yu and Jiang Tu, who often spend time together, are more accurate in sensing Yao Race aura.

Now even Jiang Tu widened his eyes, "Could the city lord also be a Yao?"

Jiang Yu spread her hands, "Whether human or Yao, as long as we follow the rules, that's enough.

Even if they're Yao, we are still living thanks to others' blessings, which gives us this place of peace.

You should know that the next human island is tens of thousands of li away, and the teleportation array on Zhui Yuan Island is said to be extremely expensive.

And the islands it can transport to are under the jurisdiction of the Nine Immortals Alliance.

Guo Jue soothed, "The island exudes a harmonious aura, with neither demonic nor Yao evil energy; staying here briefly should pose no obstacles.

In the past, on the East Continent, I have heard of Yao cultivator cities; my master even traveled there."

"I originally wanted to visit someday; if there are shape‑shifting Yao cultivators, we should just practice honestly." Xiao She Biluo, aware that his own combat ability is the weakest among them, thought so.

"Coward." Jiang Tu, back to normal, asked Jiang Yu to add more rice.

"Hmph, you're bold, go fly around the street yourself." Xiao She Biluo, not wanting to lose face, suddenly the two Yao started arguing, tossing all high‑rank Yao cultivators aside.

At this moment, Dragon Soul transmitted to Jiang Yu, "It's quite possible that Yao cultivators built the city.

I once suspected that the palace that trapped me didn't belong to the human race; today, seeing the formation pattern on this wall, it explains the matter well.

Jiang Yu asked, "Tomorrow, would you dare accompany me to see that old shopkeeper?"

"Why not? The Dragon Pearl is very safe; as long as the other party isn't a dragon, it's hard to detect the Pearl's aura.

However, you'd better add another layer of protection for safety." Dragon Soul was unafraid; after all, it was merely a light, floating spirit.

Jiang Yu gladly agreed; after finishing the meal with everyone, she handed Guo Jue the locally purchased cultivation robe. "I think we'll stay on the island for a few days; if no Heavenly Origin cultivators appear, we'll leave."

Guo Jue accepted with thanks, "That's appropriate; at least we need to understand the local conditions thoroughly for any future island incursions.

Tomorrow I'll guard the city gate, you keep exploring, and later we'll swap duties."

However, just after midnight, they heard a Yao beast roar, followed by a crashing boom.

Jiang Yu opened her eyes, sent Jiang Tu toward the Dragon Pearl, and sprinted out to leap onto a rooftop; Guo Jue had already arrived a step earlier.

Moreover, many cultivators were on nearby rooftops, looking up at the protective city array where a massive flood dragon, over a hundred zhang tall, loomed.

It swung its dragon whiskers, which were binding two cultivators, and said, "Come out, someone explain to me why you linger in this vast sea instead of leaving, yet cause a ruckus before my lair?"

The city lord's residence responded swiftly; two Nascent Soul cultivators simultaneously flew out of the array and said, "Dragon King, no need to rush; allow us to ascertain the cause."

And Jiang Yu, after seeing the two bound individuals clearly, inhaled a cold breath, "Xu Wu, Qin Zhuo?"

She postured to fly near midair to get a closer look, but Guojue grabbed her with one hand, saying, "Nascent Soul cultivators have already appeared; we cannot violate the no‑flight edict."

Almost every city has a strict no‑flight order; Chase Origin Island is no exception.

Of course, this rule can be ignored in emergencies, especially for Nascent Soul cultivators, who normally also enjoy privileges.

"Guojue, they don't have the token for Chase Origin Island." Jiang Yu shook off his grasp in an instant, and a Buddhist chant came from afar.

"Amitabha, Dragon King, please don't hold it against me; this humble monk offers my apology."

"Master! My master has arrived!" This time, Guojue was the one who flew up into the sky.