Chapter 262

Chapter 262: Seeking Helpers

Wen Hou’s final sentence prompted Lou Yun to ask involuntarily, “Did you discover long ago that Miss Shui was going to betray us?”

“It wasn’t that I discovered she was going to betray us. It was that I noticed the way she looked at you had changed—her attitude toward you wasn’t what it used to be!” Wen Hou paused, thinking seriously for a moment before continuing, “How to put it? Though I don’t understand much about feelings between men and women, I could see it clearly. Before, whenever Miss Shui looked at you, her eyes carried a special emotion. She obeyed your every word. But later, her gaze changed completely—filled with anger and resentment, like she wanted nothing more than to kill you!”

“When exactly did you start noticing this change in her attitude toward Lou Yun?” Leng Cangqiong asked coldly.

“It was the last time at Biko Island, when we saw Miss Xia!”

Wen Hou was exceptionally perceptive. On top of that, he had been standing right beside Shui Lingluo at the time, so he noticed the shift in her attitude. Though he noted the change then, he hadn’t given it much thought. Having no experience in matters of the heart himself, it never occurred to him that a woman’s attitude toward a man could undergo such a drastic transformation—turning deep affection into burning hatred.

Lou Yun stood there in silence, his brows knitted tightly. He was actually aware of the emotion Shui Lingluo had held for him. He just hadn’t ever truly considered it. Later, his attention was entirely occupied by Xia Zhilan, so naturally, he paid no particular heed to Shui Lingluo anymore.

Leng Cangqiong glanced at Lou Yun, then asked Wen Hou, “Go on. What happened then?”

“Well, after all of us entered those bubbles, they began to sink into the sea, descending nearly forty or fifty meters all the way to the seafloor. Then, we were still imprisoned inside the bubbles. A layer of shimmering blue ripples formed over them, blocking all our innate senses and spirit perception abilities.”

“It wasn’t until today, when I couldn’t stand it any longer and managed to escape, that I noticed something. That patch of seabed actually had several decent structures built upon it—clearly constructed by the people from Domineering Island over these past few days. So, I’d guess they seem to intend on living long-term beneath the ocean!”

“But how did you manage to escape?” Feng Yang asked with curiosity.

“Hah, neither my power nor Tie Sha’s had been sealed away. Though those bubbles were very strange, my magical weapon pierced right through one without difficulty. Then, Tie Sha used his spiritual energy to patch the hole so they wouldn’t notice I was gone anytime soon!”

Wen Hou’s account ended, and Lou Yun and the others once again sank into deep thought.

Now every one of their prior questions had been answered. Shui Lingluo’s betrayal wasn’t sudden; she had undoubtedly plotted it for a long time. Mo Linsheng’s appearance merely prompted her to formally act against Lou Yun.

The mass disappearance on Domineering Island had indeed been to avoid Lou Yun and Leng Cangqiong’s retaliation. However, their method of hiding was utterly unexpected. No one could have imagined them hiding underwater, constructing dwellings beneath the waves—apparently even preparing to settle there long-term.

“It has to be said we underestimated Shui Lingluo’s strength,” Lou Yun said with a bitter smile on his face. “I never imagined her water control ability had grown so formidable!”

He himself had been the one to help her destroy the water contract. Yet now, it had resulted in creating a powerful enemy against him. Truly, the ways of the world were unpredictable!

Leng Cangqiong scoffed disdainfully. “Do they honestly think that by hiding underwater, we’ll have no way to deal with them?”

But even as he said this, Leng Cangqiong was well aware of the truth. Underwater, hampered by the water itself, he could not utilize his full strength.

A magical weapons master could hold their breath and wasn’t afraid of water. However, there had never been any record of one being capable of sustained underwater combat—simply because since the dawn of Spirit Weapon Star, no one had ever lived beneath the waves!

Especially facing Shui Lingluo, who could control water itself; stating her near invincibility in water was hardly an exaggeration. Lou Yun himself admitted he stood no chance against her in that environment.

Therefore, even with the might of emperor rank or king rank super experts at hand, Lou Yun dared not recklessly launch an assault. Yet not attacking was also impossible. The many brothers from Divine Weapon Island remained in their clutches, including Xia Zhilan and Tie Sha. The longer they stayed imprisoned, the more uncertain their fates became.

To defeat an underwater enemy, the best strategy was to find someone equally capable of controlling water. After a thoughtful pause, Lou Yun spoke. “Let’s do this: We won’t confront them directly just yet. I’ll return to the land and bring back some helpers.”

Leng Cangqiong asked, perplexed, “Exactly who are you planning to find?”

“Shui Lingluo’s aunt or her younger brother. The Shui family currently has three members who can control water. If we can get just one of them to come, we can face her.”

“The Shui family?” Leng Cangqiong shook his head. “Never heard of them. Third brother, where do you even meet these sorts of people?”

“Well, the thing is, they actually aren’t originally from Spirit Weapon Star. They migrated here from somewhere else.”

Leng Cangqiong and Wen Hou had heard fragments about that other world, but Feng Yang and the Three Brothers of the Lu Family were entirely ignorant. Hearing Lou Yun’s words now, their expressions all registered bewilderment.

Lou Yun waved a dismissive hand. “I’ll explain all that later when there’s time. For now, we proceed as I said. Lu Da, Feng Yang, and Wen Hou—trouble you all to stay put here. I’ll go find someone from the Shui family. If I succeed, I’ll come back immediately!”

The five men nodded. “No problem. We’ll wait for you here.”

He didn’t make specific arrangements for Leng Cangqiong. As long as Leng Cangqiong didn’t attempt to charge Shui Lingluo’s hiding place alone, it was fine.

So, after agreeing on an approximate timeframe, Lou Yun and Leng Cangqiong each stepped onto their magical weapons and left Divine Weapon Island.

The two had been urging their magical weapons to fly at full speed throughout the journey. Therefore, in just over ten days, they could already see the outline of land. At this moment, Leng Cangqiong said, "Third brother, I won’t accompany you to find people. I’ll head back to Yulu Mountain Manor to take a look first, then meet you at Divine Weapon Island!"

Originally, Lou Yun also wanted to return to Yulu Mountain Manor with Leng Cangqiong to see his father and the others. But now, with this serious matter arising, it was naturally impossible. "Alright, big brother. Please give my regards to Qianrou and the others for me."

"Don’t worry. Be careful yourself!"

After saying this, Leng Cangqiong adjusted the direction of his magical weapon and flew towards the location of Yulu Mountain Manor.

Lou Yun arrived at Binhai City. The city was still bustling with people coming and going. Lou Yun’s appearance drew no particular attention from the crowd.

The reason for coming to Binhai City was to see if he could find members of the Divine Weapon Alliance. After all, Mo Linsheng’s strength wasn’t weak either. When he had left here previously, the Eastern Master had mentioned wanting to recruit Ma Ziwei, the City Lord of Binhai City, into the Divine Weapon Alliance. Lou Yun didn’t know if they had succeeded or not.

Lou Yun had just stepped inside the city gate when suddenly a young man walked towards him. The young man respectfully bowed first before speaking, "Might I ask if you are Lou Yun?"

Lou Yun swept his spiritual sense over the young man. He was only a mid-level magical weapons master. Lou Yun nodded, "Correct, that’s me. Who are you?"

The young man’s demeanor became even more respectful. "This subordinate is a disciple of the Eastern Division of the Divine Weapon Alliance. I am stationed here respectfully awaiting the Alliance Master’s arrival by order of the Eastern Master!"

Lou Yun was momentarily stunned, then pleased. "You’re from the Divine Weapon Alliance? How did the Eastern Master know I would come here? Where is he now? I actually need to speak with him!"

"The Eastern Master has assigned disciples at all four city gates to respectfully await the Alliance Master’s arrival. The Eastern Master is currently in the City Lord’s residence. Please follow me, Alliance Master!"

Hearing that the Eastern Master was actually in the City Lord’s residence, Lou Yun knew he must have succeeded in recruiting Ma Ziwei into the Divine Weapon Alliance. He couldn’t help but smile faintly. "Good, lead the way!"

So the two walked towards the City Lord’s residence, one leading, the other following. Lou Yun had originally planned to ask this guiding disciple about the current situation in the Eastern Division. But thinking he would see the Eastern Master very soon, he decided it would be better to ask him directly.

After walking in the city for about a quarter of an hour, they arrived at the City Lord’s residence. Facing the soldiers guarding the entrance, the guiding young man took out a small iron plaque and gave it a slight shake. The soldiers immediately stepped aside, allowing both to enter.

Lou Yun glanced at the iron plaque. He saw the character for "Weapon" (兵) carved on it, presumably a token representing identity within the Divine Weapon Alliance.

The City Lord’s residence was extremely luxurious and magnificent. However, Lou Yun had no mind to appreciate such things now. Following the guide through numerous twists and turns, they arrived at the main hall.

"Alliance Master, the Eastern Master was not expecting your return today, so he could not personally come to welcome you. Would you please wait here briefly? I will go summon him immediately."

"Hm, go ahead."

Lou Yun walked into the main hall and casually took a seat. Servants promptly brought tea and refreshments.

In a very short time, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Two men entered directly. The one walking in front was a middle-aged scholar – the Eastern Master of the Divine Weapon Alliance. The other was none other than Ma Ziwei, the City Lord of Binhai City!

Upon seeing Lou Yun, both men immediately knelt and saluted. "Subordinates pay respects to the Alliance Master!"

Lou Yun stood up and raised them with his hands. "No need for such formality. Rise and speak."

His time as the island master had gradually accustomed Lou Yun to this leadership role. Without realizing it, his movements and demeanor now naturally carried the aura of someone in authority.

The two men stood up. The Eastern Master addressed Lou Yun respectfully, "Subordinate was unaware the Alliance Master would visit Binhai City today. Not being able to personally receive you is this subordinate’s failing. I humbly beg the Alliance Master’s forgiveness."

"I don’t stand on ceremony or formalities! In the future, you needn’t be so polite. We are family," Lou Yun said, waving his hand dismissively with a smile.

"Yes!" The Eastern Master, actually having some understanding of Lou Yun’s temperament and personality, smiled faintly. "Esteemed Alliance Master, is your lofty presence in Binhai City today by arrangement with the four leaders?"