Chapter 244

Chapter 244: The Function of the Divine Artifact

There was little need for Xiao Tong to elaborate further. Lou Yun already knew the remaining events.

After listening to Xiao Tong’s account, Lou Yun fell into deep contemplation. He had finally gained a rough understanding of past events. As Lou Yun remained silent, naturally, so did everyone else.

After a quiet pause, Xiao Tong noticed no sign of Lou Yun speaking and couldn’t help but urge: "Lou Yun, I’ve told you everything you asked. Now shouldn’t you honor your promise?"

Lou Yun snapped out of his thoughts, about to nod and dismiss Xiao Tong. Yet, Chang Xiang interjected: "Ask him one more thing — how did they make the energy above this stretch of ocean so chaotic?"

Lou Yun also wished to know this but hadn’t recalled it immediately. Prompted by Chang Xiang, he realized: "Xiao Tong, one last question. Answer it, and you may leave."

"Ask away! I’ve said this much already; a few more questions hardly matter," Xiao Tong shrugged, smirking without sincerity.

Lou Yun then repeated Chang Xiang’s words verbatim.

At this question, Xiao Tong’s expression instantly shifted. His eyes darted swiftly, clearly pondering how to answer. After a moment, his face smoothed into a mask of feigned surprise: "What chaotic energy? I don’t understand the meaning of your question."

Even as he spoke, he deliberately glanced at the sky, adding, "The energy here is perfectly normal!"

Though Xiao Tong’s act was convincing, Lou Yun had already noted the earlier shift in demeanor. His current performance felt deeply disingenuous; his evasion was transparent.

"Xiao Tong, between honest folk, no veiled words. We’re both intelligent men. Put on your act well, but you know the consequences. To repeat: answer this truthfully, and you live. Otherwise, today, you’ll find it very difficult to leave this place."

Xiao Tong’s smile twisted into ferocity: "Lou Yun, spare me your threats! Do you truly dare kill me?"

Lou Yun burst out laughing: "Ha! Xiao Tong, for a man of your age, are you truly this naive? Why wouldn’t I dare kill you? Remember — every last member of your Nine Tribes owes a blood-debt to my Lou Family! Not only do I dare kill you, I dare slaughter your entire Xiao Family!"

By the end, Lou Yun’s voice crackled with palpable malice.

Xiao Tong was neither stupid nor ignorant; Lou Yun spoke truth. He had merely been probing. The outcome was clear: refusal meant death. His eyes flickered, thinking quickly: "Fine… I’ll tell you. But you must promise me one condition first."

"What condition?"

"Promise you won’t seize my belongings with your greater numbers once I speak."

Lou Yun blinked, then quickly grasped the implication: this chaotic energy stemmed from an object Xiao Tong possessed, which he now feared Lou Yun might steal.

Lou Yun sneered repeatedly: "Xiao Tong! You vastly underestimate me. Trinkets from your Nine Tribes hold no interest for me. Rest assured — I give my word: none present will touch it. Not a single person."

He understood men like Xiao Tong. A blunt promise, explicit and backed by inclusion of Leng Cangiong and the others, was needed.

Instantly reassured by Lou Yun’s vow, Xiao Tong offered a changed smile: "Of course I trust the honor of Clan Head Lou. Very well — the chaos over this sea is because each of us four has brought forth our family’s Sacred Divine Artifact."

"The Nine Families once devised an array utilizing our Sacred Divine Artifacts. Aligning more than two of them within the formation activates their power… distorting surrounding energies. Simply put — the more artifacts used in the formation, the greater the strength, the more extensive the range of distortion, the wilder the chaos. This time, with four Divine Artifacts… we achieved this."

The revelation struck both Lou Yun and Leng Cangiong silent. Each felt a cold shock wash over them. What Sacred Artifacts could wield such power?

Altering energy within an area? Understandable. But distorting the vast energies across such a wide ocean with only four artifacts? Just what were these objects?

Xiao Tong asserted loudly: "Clan Head Lou — the answer is given. Surely you won’t demand to know what these Divine Artifacts are? Even if you slay me, I cannot speak of that! They are unique to each family! To disclose them… is a death sentence if I return."

Lou Yun watched him. His mind had already guessed the truth. Had he not given his promise — and were he not a man of his word — his hand might well have seized it from Xiao Tong then and there.

Lou Yun offered a cold smile: "‘Divine Artifacts?’ Pah! Merely the Divine Heavenly Weapons your Nine Tribes received! Barely fit to be called Divine Artifacts! Utterly shameless boasting!"

Xiao Tong’s expression shifted again — though his recovery was swift: "Precisely! To the exalted Clan Head Lou, our humble ‘treasures’ are nothing. Surely beneath your notice. Now then… may I depart?”

After a visible hesitation, Lou Yun stepped aside: “My word holds. Go.”

Xiao Tong wasted no time: "Ha! A man of your word, Clan Head Lou! Farewell — though I suspect we shall meet again!"

With that, he strutted boldly off before the assembled group.

All watched his retreating back vanish. Not one asked Lou Yun to reconsider pursuit. They understood his character: once he granted freedom, it was absolute. Duplicity — promises made but broken — was not his way.

"Huuu!" Lou Yun exhaled deeply. His gaze swept over his companions. He smiled, pointing first to Leng Cangqiong: "Everyone, this is my elder brother — Leng Cangqiong!"

Hearing the name, only Xia Zhilan gave a faint start. Shui Lingluo and Wen Hou remained impassive. Shui Lingluo had never heard of Leng Cangqiong; Wen Hou had, but his steady nature kept reaction hidden.

Lou Yun then introduced the others to Leng Cangqiong before pressing urgently: "Brother, what brought you here? And with Helian Xingye?"

Leng Cangqiong offered a slight smile: "I simply couldn’t rest easy. Second Brother dispatched those ‘Heavenly Decree Leaders’ from the Divine Weapon Alliance to protect you… but only four? What if encountering a truly formidable foe? So I came. As for Helian Xingye… he sailed alone. When I saw him, his boat had just capsized. I inquired his destination — upon hearing ‘Biko Island,’ I questioned further. He stated he needed to rescue you… thus I brought him along."

His tone was light, but Lou Yun, knowing his brother’s nature, felt poignant warmth surging through his chest, deeply moved.

Leng Cangqiong’s character had slowly thawed through contact with Lou Yun, the Lou Family… and his own sister. Previously, if seeing Helian Xingye drown, he’d have simply watched, coldly indifferent. Helian Xingye, equally proud, made extracting the truth no small feat.

Leng Cangqiong continued: "The Lou Family, including my sister, arrived safely at Yulu Mountain Manor days ago. Second Brother settled them. Don’t worry."

This news meant everything to Lou Yun: "Elder Brother, you have my deepest gratitude!"

Leng Cangqiong waved it off: "Spare me!"

The brothers exchanged hearty laughter.

Lou Yun’s venture to Biko Island concluded successfully. Besides Tie Sha and Wen Hou draining copious spiritual energy, the price was minimal. Xia Zhilan was rescued.

There remained no purpose on the island. They backtracked by the original route. Feng Yang, stationed nearby with the boat, spotted them early. He ordered sailors to row swiftly ashore. Once onboard, at Lou Yun’s direction, they sailed towards the island formerly known as Shuotai Island… now Divine Weapon Island.

All occupied themselves with rest and recuperation. None spared a glance for the sea’s fading beauty.

After settling everyone — especially Xia Zhilan — Lou Yun finally entered his own cabin. The door shut; he immediately summoned Chang Xiang.

Chang Xiang manifested silently before him, expression tinged with faint amusement… as if anticipating the call.

Lou Yun met his gaze without speaking. Yet, one thought churned relentlessly in his mind: Should I ask… or shouldn’t I?