Chapter 246

Chapter 246: Headquarters of the Divine Weapon Alliance

The common trait shared by every Sky Pride member was the presence of a mysterious energy within their bodies. Its origin was unknown, and they couldn’t fully control it. They had invited Lou Yun to join precisely because they discovered that he also possessed a mysterious power. Moreover, it seemed Lou Yun knew how to control his. Unfortunately, the power Lou Yun possessed was entirely different from theirs.

Hearing Chang Xiang say this, Lou Yun was momentarily stunned. "Brother Chang, do you mean you’ve figured out how to control and master the power inside their bodies?"

Chang Xiang smiled and nodded. "I wouldn’t say I know everything, but I at least have a basic idea now. We can give it a try!"

"Great! I’ll go find Wen Hou and Tie Sha tomorrow!" Lou Yun exclaimed excitedly.

Tie Sha and Wen Hou had helped Lou Yun greatly this time; they had even nearly lost their lives. Lou Yun had felt guilty about this all along and wanted to repay them for their sacrifice. Now, unexpectedly, he might be able to teach them how to control and master the power within their bodies. This, of course, thrilled him immensely.

However, Chang Xiang shook his head repeatedly. "No, no, not yet. Didn’t I just say? I only have a basic idea. To be safer about this, let me think it over more carefully and refine the plan first. Otherwise, if it fails, wouldn’t you be raising their hopes only to dash them?"

Lou Yun had to admit Chang Xiang had a point. He nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll leave this matter to you!"

After exchanging a few more casual remarks, Chang Xiang returned inside Lou Yun’s body. Lou Yun then began to absorb spiritual energy to replenish himself.

Since this was the return journey, there was no need for the intense, closed-door cultivation like on the way here. After replenishing the spiritual energy within him, Lou Yun left the cabin and went out onto the deck. To his surprise, everyone was already gathered there.

Smiling, Lou Yun greeted each person. Their safe return had naturally lifted everyone’s spirits, and Xia Zhilan seemed the happiest of all. Thanks to Lou Yun’s spiritual crystals, she had mostly recovered. She could now sit openly beside Lou Yun, interacting with everyone as his fiancée. For her, this was immense satisfaction!

Lou Yun, however, still needed to ask her something: how had she been captured by the Four Clans and taken to Biko Island? Had the people at the Ancient Weapon Academy noticed nothing? Even if no one else had, surely Old Man Feng would have?

Xia Zhilan carefully organized her thoughts before answering Lou Yun’s questions. "Grandpa Feng left the Ancient Weapon Academy a while back, and no one knows where he went. So, only the teachers are left at the Academy now. That night, I was resting in my room when I suddenly heard a knock. I thought it was a fellow student coming to see me. After asking who it was, I opened the door. The next instant, I felt a great force strike me, and then I passed out. When I woke up, I was already on a boat!"

Lou Yun nodded. Although the Ancient Weapon Academy had a great reputation, that referred specifically to its teaching level. Teaching mainly helped magical weapons masters build a solid foundation. In reality, the cultivation levels of the Academy’s teachers weren’t particularly high. Aside from Old Man Feng, the strongest was the Academy Dean, Dean Xia. His magical weapon realm was only at the Earth level.

In the past, an Earth-level magical weapons master would have seemed extraordinarily powerful to Lou Yun. But after so many diverse experiences, he understood that Earth-level magical weapons masters were actually extremely common throughout Spirit Weapon Star; they were everywhere. Moreover, the Nine Clans, practicing a complete cultivation method, possessed strength surpassing magical weapons masters of the same level. Given this, it made sense that people from the Four Clans could infiltrate the Ancient Weapon Academy and abduct Xia Zhilan.

"Little Lan," Lou Yun said, "I plan to go to Divine Weapon Island first. After staying there a few days, I’ll return to Yulu Mountain Manor. If you want to go home, I’ll see you back first. If you’re not in a hurry, I’ll send someone to the Ancient Weapon Academy with a message, and you can come back to Yulu Mountain Manor with me. While we’re at it, you could meet my family. What do you think?"

Hearing this, Xia Zhilan’s heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey. Her face instantly flushed bright red, and she lowered her head shyly, murmuring softly, "I… I’ll go back with you first."

Lou Yun wanting to take her to meet his family sent a very clear signal; it meant he would formally introduce his fiancée to everyone. Xia Zhilan was extremely willing.

"Good. Once we reach Yulu Mountain Manor, I’ll send someone to inform the Ancient Weapon Academy right away and put your father, Dean Xia, at ease."

"Mmm," Xia Zhilan responded, her attitude as docile and obedient as if she were already Lou Yun’s wife.

However, this loving exchange between the couple pricked Shui Lingluo’s heart like needles. She wished so desperately that Lou Yun was speaking those words to her now, that she could trade places with Xia Zhilan. But she knew this was impossible. All she could do was struggle to suppress her increasingly resentful heart.

The following days passed peacefully. Although concern briefly resurfaced when they sailed through the waters where they had previously encountered the horned tiger fish, nothing appeared this time, not even the six-tailed giant serpent.

Finally, after nearly two months of sailing, they arrived safely back at Divine Weapon Island.

From afar, they could see two men standing imposingly on the island’s dock. They were towering in stature, imposing in looks, and their cultivation level was at least mystery rank or beyond. Clearly, they were responsible for guarding the docks.

Before leaving, four leaders had presided over Divine Weapon Island. They had promised to properly instruct Mei Yuanmu, but Lou Yun still felt a touch of concern. He wasn’t sure of the island’s current state.

As soon as the boat docked, the two burly men on shore immediately came forward, secured the ropes, and anchored the boat. Then, one of them took out a message stone from his pocket and crushed it instantly.

Yang Qianxun modestly gestured for Lou Yun to disembark first. Lou Yun, however, insisted on letting his older brother, Leng Cangqiong, go before him.

Leng Cangqiong didn’t stand on ceremony. Holding his head high and puffing his chest out, he strode ashore first. The two strong men stood by respectfully with bowed heads. As Lou Yun passed in front of them, they called out in perfect unison, "Subordinates respectfully welcome the island master!"

Lou Yun was startled by the title "island master." He looked at them in confusion—these were two men he’d never met. "You’re calling me? You know who I am?"

One of the men quickly replied, "Replying to the island master! Steward Mei had long since drawn portraits of your appearance and instructed everyone on the island to memorize them. Therefore, as soon as we laid eyes on you, we recognized you as our island master!"

"Huh?" Lou Yun scratched his head. He hadn’t expected Mei Yuanmu to go to such lengths. Still, judging by this, it seemed the four leaders had successfully taught Mei Yuanmu well!

By the time Lou Yun and his group had disembarked, a large contingent of people were marching down the path toward the shore, led by Mei Yuanmu himself.

"Island Master! You’ve returned!"

Mei Yuanmu ran up to Lou Yun’s side, his face beaming with a wide smile. After greeting Lou Yun, the men behind him all bowed deeply toward Lou Yun, each showing utmost respect as they proclaimed loudly, "WELCOME ISLAND MASTER!"

The formality of this welcome made Lou Yun a little uncomfortable. However, he managed without showing too much awkwardness, nodding lightly. He turned his gaze to Mei Yuanmu. "Where are the four leaders?"

"Reporting to Island Master, the four leaders departed approximately one month ago."

"Oh," Lou Yun thought. Considering the experience of the four leaders, since they felt confident enough to leave, they must have gained solid control over Divine Weapon Island.

"Fine. Let’s return to the residence to talk further."

Thus, Mei Yuanmu walked ahead, personally guiding the group all the way to the main hall on the island.

Lou Yun had originally intended for Leng Cangqiong to take the seat of honor. Leng Cangqiong, however, waved him off and deliberately took a seat lower down.

At the same moment, Lou Yun received Leng Cangqiong’s voice transmission in his ear: "Third Brother, I know you respect me. But you must remember: you are now the master of this island and the leader of the alliance. Going forward, you must act the part of an island master and alliance leader. In such formal settings, don’t worry about me. Do what needs to be done appropriately. I won’t take offense!"

Lou Yun understood his elder brother was supporting him discreetly. A surge of gratitude filled his heart. He nodded to Leng Cangqiong and said, "Thank you, Big Brother. Third Brother takes your counsel to heart."

So, Lou Yun stopped being modest. He turned and strode to the central master chair in the grand hall. The others were seated along both sides accordingly.

Mei Yuanmu proved very astute. Almost the moment everyone was seated, people brought in refreshments, tea, and fruit.

Only after everything was properly arranged did Lou Yun give a soft cough. He looked at Mei Yuanmu and said, "Mei Yuanmu, I’ve been away for four or five months now. Tell me about the island’s current state."

"Yes, Island Master!" Mei Yuanmu began by bowing respectfully. He then commenced his report. "Reporting to the Island Master: Following your intentions upon your departure, the island currently houses three hundred and forty individuals. Among them, sixty are ordinary people; the rest are magical weapons masters."

"Oh?" This number surprised Lou Yun somewhat. "So many people chose to stay? Did you explain to them that I can’t provide lavish support like the Qiu family? I can’t afford to keep them all!"

Mei Yuanmu smiled reassuringly. "Island Master, you can rest assured. They all volunteered to stay. Furthermore, the four leaders left a specific question for the steward to ask upon your return."

"Speak!"

"The four leaders stated that starting from the day of Lord Island Master’s return, Divine Weapon Island would automatically become the headquarters of the Divine Weapon Alliance. They wished to inquire whether the Island Master agrees!"