Chapter 260

Chapter 260: The Hard Truth

The idea was one that Lou Yun would rather die than believe. He shook his head forcefully, trying to keep his expression calm as he faced Feng Yang. "Continue!"

Feng Yang was visibly frightened by the fierce look in Lou Yun’s eyes just now. In all his time knowing Lou Yun, he had never seen such a demeanor. Now, quite distracted, he nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then reluctantly went on.

Though the people of Domineering Island were numerous, led by an expert of the Heaven-level realm like Mo Linsheng, the population of Divine Weapon Island was also vast, especially with no shortage of earth-level magical weapons masters.

When Mo Linsheng directly commanded his forces to charge from the sky to attack the people on Divine Weapon Island, Wen Hou and Tie Sha immediately confronted Mo Linsheng. They both knew Mo Linsheng was the most formidable opponent. To win this battle, they first had to tie down the strongest.

Mei Yuanmu, while directing his subordinates to meet the enemy, rushed to Xia Zhilan and Shui Lingluo’s side. He knew Xia Zhilan was Lou Yun’s fiancée and resolved to ensure her safety no matter what.

This demonstrated that Mei Yuanmu had truly wholeheartedly given his life over to Lou Yun!

Had the situation continued this way, the Divine Weapon Island forces might not have won, but at least they wouldn’t have lost. Mei Yuanmu felt somewhat reassured.

However, no one expected that at this moment, Shui Lingluo, who had been standing by, suddenly acted. What astonished everyone even more was that with a wave of her hands, she summoned a water dragon from the sea. Instead of striking Mo Linsheng’s men, this water dragon charged directly at the Divine Weapon Island people!

Shui Lingluo’s action dealt a severe blow to the morale of everyone on Divine Weapon Island. Even Mo Linsheng’s men were baffled by this development. Xia Zhilan, who had always regarded Shui Lingluo as an elder sister in her heart, was utterly unable to accept this reality and instinctively froze in shock!

Shui Lingluo then seized Xia Zhilan. A stream of water, summoned from nowhere, circled around her body, its menacing point directed precisely at Xia Zhilan.

Shui Lingluo loudly ordered everyone to cease fighting and began negotiating with Mo Linsheng. Her terms were simple: she could help Mo Linsheng easily conquer Divine Weapon Island, but in return, Mo Linsheng had to take all captives and leave together.

This condition was more than agreeable to Mo Linsheng. Though Divine Weapon Island’s people wanted to refuse, they dared not stand by and watch their island master Lou Yun’s fiancée die before their eyes. Furthermore, Wen Hou and Tie Sha gave up resistance first, surrendering meekly. Naturally, everyone else lost the will to fight.

In the end, apart from those who had died in battle, Mo Linsheng captured almost everyone from Divine Weapon Island without breaking a sweat!

As for why Feng Yang was hiding here, it was because Mei Yuanmu, upon seeing Shui Lingluo threatening Xia Zhilan, had secretly mentally transmitted a message telling him to do so.

Feng Yang had been hiding here now for five days. It wasn’t that he feared death, but because he remembered Mei Yuanmu’s words: he had to tell Lou Yun everything that happened that day, exactly as it occurred.

Fortunately, Lou Yun finally returned and discovered him, allowing Lou Yun to learn the truth of events.

Yet, this truth was a devastating blow to Lou Yun.

In his heart, he had long considered Shui Lingluo one of them. He wouldn’t have been surprised by betrayal from anyone else, but it had to be Shui Lingluo!

Why? Why was that? Why did Shui Lingluo betray him and help others against him?

Lou Yun did not voice these questions; he only screamed them internally. He knew no one else could give him the answers.

Closing his eyes, Lou Yun tried his best to calm the impatience and anxiety within him, seeking stability.

When he reopened his eyes, he immediately looked at Feng Yang. "Do you know where Domineering Island is?"

Feng Yang nodded hurriedly. "I know! It’s not far from here!"

"Good. Take me to Domineering Island."

Feng Yang naturally agreed. However, when he glanced at the others present, a trace of hesitation crossed his face. After hesitating for a long time, he finally couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, "Big Brother Lou… just these few of us going?"

Lou Yun shook his head. "Of course not. Just you and me."

This statement made everyone frown. Leng Cangqiong was the first to voice displeasure. "Third Brother, what do you mean? Are you planning not to let me go?"

Lu Da and the others, having listened to Feng Yang’s account, basically understood what had transpired. Living long in the Eastern Ling Sea Area, they knew Mo Linsheng’s character well. Furthermore, they were eager for Lou Yun to help them overcome their bottleneck in formations. They quickly added, "Island Master, you can’t go alone. The three of us will definitely go with you!"

Lou Yun turned his head to look at the four men, his face filled with intense killing intent. "Big Brother, Lu Da, I’m not stopping you from going. But this entire matter arose because of me… because I misjudged a person, leading to this situation. I need to ask Shui Lingluo: what transgression has I, Lou Yun, committed against her that she would do such a thing?"

The cumulative rage from his subordinates’ deaths, the fall of the entire Divine Weapon Island, and the capture of his friends and subordinates – all this combined paled in comparison to the fury he felt at Shui Lingluo’s betrayal. Thus, he had somewhat lost his rationality.

Leng Cangqiong stared coldly at him for a long while before speaking. "We have no issue with you confronting Shui Lingluo. But do you think that since she betrayed you without you knowing, she wouldn’t anticipate you returning to seek her out? Would she just obediently wait there? Domineering Island must now be full of traps, lying in wait for you… and for me!"

"Also, with your strength alone, do you believe you can reach Shui Lingluo? Third Brother, though I cannot see through your magical weapon realm and don’t know your exact strength, I am certain you are currently no match for a Heaven-level magical weapons master. If you go alone, the only path is death!"

This silenced Lou Yun. He had to admit he had been too impulsive.

Seeing Lou Yun’s reaction, Leng Cangqiong knew his words had their desired effect and continued, "Right now, what we need to do isn’t to rush to rescue them on Domineering Island. We must first calmly think of a strategy!"

For someone of Leng Cangqiong’s temperament to speak of calm consideration in this situation showed the lengths he was going to change himself, all for the sake of his brother.

Once Lou Yun’s mind cleared, his thoughts naturally raced. Leng Cangqiong’s guidance helped him quickly grasp many issues.

"Big Brother, you’re right. I was too impulsive. Going alone is definitely unwise. And Shui Lingluo knows I went to find you. She can anticipate that upon my return, seeing the island like this, Domineering Island would be my first stop. So she and Mo Linsheng must have some ambush set up waiting for us."

"However, even with an ambush, I can’t abandon Wen Hou, Tie Sha, and the others. I have to rescue them as soon as possible!"

Leng Cangqiong nodded. "I’m not saying we cannot go. While Shui Lingluo knows of my existence and has likely set an ambush for both of us, don’t forget we now have them three with us!"

Leng Cangqiong’s gaze shifted towards the Three Brothers of the Lu Family. Though these brothers avoided conflict, each was a solid King rank magical weapons master with undeniably formidable strength.

Three King rank magical weapons masters, plus one imperial-level magical weapons master – this group had the power to go anywhere unchallenged!

Lu Da and his brothers quickly nodded in agreement. "The Great Island Master is right. We’ve dealt with Mo Linsheng before. Once he tried to seize our Carefree Island, got trapped in a formation and couldn’t escape. We ended up letting him out – so he’s still wary of us! If we go along, we can definitely help."

Before Lou Yun could speak, Leng Cangqiong added, "Here’s my proposal: you wait here. Lu Da, you and your brothers carry on setting up your formations. Attend to nothing else. I will go to Domineering Island first to survey the situation. After all, a thousand leagues is only a moment’s journey for me. When I return, we’ll figure out our next steps."

Hearing Leng Cangqiong was going alone, Lou Yun protested, "Big Brother, you going alone is dangerous! I go with you!"

He feared Leng Cangqiong intended to take on the entire Domineering Island by force.

Leng Cangqiong gave a faint smile. "Third Brother, if I advised you against going alone, would I do something so foolish myself? Besides, don’t forget, other than you and Qianrou, I don’t care about anyone else."

Lou Yun thought for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. "Alright then, Big Brother. Go fast, come back quickly, and be careful!"

"Mm. Relax. I’ll be back soon."

With those words, Leng Cangqiong vanished. A fleeting gleam of light appeared on the far horizon and was gone in an instant.

The others followed Leng Cangqiong’s instructions. The Three Brothers of the Lu Family spread out across Divine Weapon Island, busy setting up the Illusionary Sky Formation. Lou Yun, together with Feng Yang, buried the bodies of their fallen brothers.

About half a day later, a streak of light appeared in the sky. Leng Cangqiong had returned!

The five of them quickly put aside their tasks and rushed forward, eager to hear what had transpired.

They saw Leng Cangqiong’s face bore an expression of deep perplexity. Facing their expectant gazes, he spoke without waiting for their questions. "Strange… there was not a single soul on Domineering Island!"