Chapter 258

Chapter 258: The Illusion of Time

Leng Cangqiong spoke, causing a chill to creep into Lou Yun’s heart. Truly, this elder brother’s temperament was too fiery and volatile!

If you could truly bring those three under your command, they’d be a great asset. Especially the formation they set up—even I was utterly bewildered inside it, with no idea how to break out. Had you not arrived in time, I would’ve exhausted all my spiritual energy to sink this whole Carefree Island into the sea!

Yet perhaps only he possessed the power to sink an entire island.

As the two conversed, the Three Brothers of the Lu Family hurried over, their hands empty; clearly, they’d stored everything in their magical instruments.

Lu Da said, "Great Island Master, Island Master, we’re ready to leave!"

"Hmm," Lou Yun nodded. "Then let’s depart."

The five men each summoned their magical weapons. Leaping onto them, they transformed into five streaks of silver light, shooting toward Divine Weapon Island.

During the journey, Lou Yun inquired in detail about the origins of the Lu brothers. He learned they were indeed identical triplets, sharing a near-psychic bond uncommon among ordinary people. Consequently, their cultivation levels, mastery of formations, and other skills were practically identical.

Most astonishingly, even the magical weapons they materialized were identical—three small crescent shovels.

Having likely remained on Carefree Island for far too long, the Lu brothers grew increasingly animated along the way—admiring the scenery, joking, and roughhousing like three old mischeivous spirits.

Thus, they returned uneventfully to Divine Weapon Island. Hovering above it, Lou Yun didn’t descend immediately. Instead, he addressed the Lu brothers: "Look—this is the Divine Weapon Island I spoke of. Can you utilize its natural environment to help me set up a formation?"

Hearing "formations," the three instantly brightened with interest. In their minds, this must be a test from Lou Yun, the Island Master and a formation master himself. Why else would he delegate this task?

They immediately flew toward three different directions, surveying Divine Weapon Island’s terrain from above. After completing their circuit, they regrouped, murmuring intently amongst themselves.

In less than half an hour, they returned before Lou Yun. Lu Da announced, "Island Master, we’ve surveyed it. We can set up an Illusory Heaven Formation using the island’s features. Though less potent than Carefree Island’s Deceiving Heaven Formation, it’ll be nearly impossible for ordinary people to breach."

Lou Yun knew nothing of the Illusory Heaven Formation or the Deceiving Heaven Formation. Since the trio claimed they could do it, and the effect aligned with his needs, he saw no reason to question further. Giving a slight smile, he replied, "Good. Help me establish an Illusory Heaven Formation then, but there’s no rush just yet. First, I’ll take you to meet some friends."

At that very moment, Chang Xiang and Leng Cangqiong exclaimed simultaneously: "Hmm? Something’s wrong!"

Lou Yun froze. "What?" he asked aloud, while urgently extending his spiritual awareness downward to Divine Weapon Island.

The scan stunned him. Utterly no energy fluctuations emanated from the island below!

Nearly three hundred magical weapons masters and about seventy ordinary folk had voluntarily remained. That many people gathered on one island, even deliberately suppressing their auras, couldn’t possibly conceal all energy traces—certainly not enough to evade the detection of Chang Xiang, Lou Yun, and Leng Cangqiong.

This meant only one thing: Divine Weapon Island was now completely deserted!

Leng Cangqiong’s expression instantly froze. "I’ll investigate first!"

Without another word, his figure flickered downward from the sky toward Divine Weapon Island. The Lu brothers exchanged bewildered glances before turning to Lou Yun, uncertain what was happening.

Lou Yun took a deep, stabilizing breath. "About three hundred people should’ve been on that island. Now, not one soul remains. Something has occurred. Follow me down!"

After speaking, he plunged straight toward the island, the Lu brothers close behind.

Upon landing, they saw Leng Cangqiong had already surveyed most of the area at lightning speed. Lou Yun needed no explanation, for he witnessed scenes he wished he hadn’t.

Corpses lay strewn haphazardly everywhere—at least fifty or sixty by a rough count. Most faces Lou Yun recognized as belonging to Divine Weapon Island’s members.

Blood from the corpses had long dried. Shattered common weapons littered the ground. Death had clearly claimed them some time ago.

What happened? What unfolded on Divine Weapon Island? Why did so many die?

Suddenly recalling Xia Zhilan, Wen Hou, and the others, Lou Yun lunged urgently toward the dwellings. But Leng Cangqiong blocked his path. "Their bodies aren’t here."

Lou Yun’s heart eased momentarily, yet he pressed urgently: "Elder Brother, what’s going on?"

Leng Cangqiong’s brow furrowed. After a pensive pause, he stated grimly, "Plainly, a large-scale battle erupted after we left. Only two possibilities: either outside forces attacked the island, or internal conflict tore it apart. Either way, the carnage was horrific."

Lou Yun shut his eyes briefly, pain etching his face. Though many of them were strangers whose names he couldn’t recall, each had chosen to join the Divine Weapon Alliance and follow him. They were his sworn brothers—comrades he’d never wished to see die like this!

At that instant, Lou Yun felt thrust back into witnessing Zuo Mingyang’s men perish in flames. Uncontrollable fury surged within him again.

Whoever the perpetrators—outside attackers or inner traitors—Lou Yun vowed to make them pay in blood.

Only one detail baffled him: "Elder Brother, we were gone merely two days! Who could slaughter so many in two days?"

Before Leng Cangqiong could respond, Lu Da cautiously piped up: "Island Master, you should know…you alone spent nearly half a month inside that formation!"

What! Lou Yun whirled around, his gaze fiery and accusingly fixed upon Lu Da.

Despite his vastly superior cultivation, Lu Da couldn’t meet those devouring eyes. He averted his gaze timidly. "The formation warped your senses. You lost track of time’s passage. But we outside knew precisely: you spent fourteen and a half days in there! The Great Island Master remained for fifteen days straight."

Lou Yun clenched his eyes shut. He hadn’t remotely imagined his perception of mere hours spanned fourteen actual days!

Beside him, Leng Cangqiong’s brow knotted equally tight, as baffled by their distorted sense of time.

This mystery explained Divine Weapon Island’s tragedy. A devastating conflict in two days seemed unlikely—but fifteen days? More than sufficient.

Lou Yun began pondering the cause: external invasion from Domineering Island’s Mo Linsheng? Or internal strife among members whose loyalty he’d questioned (save Mei Yuanmu and a handful)?

Leng Cangqiong closely examined the wounds on the bodies, seeking clues to the battle.

Finally, Lou Yun broke the silence: "Elder Brother, I believe Mo Linsheng is behind this. Our island’s strength wasn’t overwhelming, but Wen Hou, Tie Sha, Mei Yuanmu, and others were Earth-level practitioners or stronger. And with Miss Shui’s power…if it were mutiny, their combined strength should’ve contained it. And survivors should linger even after internal bloodshed."

He continued grimly, "Domineering Island lies barely a thousand miles hence. Fifteen days suffice to mobilize troops. Mo Linsheng reigns strongest over the Eastern Ling Sea Area. If he led his forces to assail Divine Weapon Island…it’s entirely plausible. They slay resisters, abducting all others."

Leng Cangqiong neither affirmed nor rebutted the theory. Instead, his gaze locked fiercely onto the body of a dead fish.

It measured at least a meter long, now sun-baked to leathery desiccation—utterly lifeless.

Lou Yun didn’t disturb Leng Cangqiong’s focus, though he couldn’t guess the elder’s thoughts. He trusted Leng Cangqiong’s experience far surpassed his own.

At last, Leng Cangqiong spoke, his eyes still fixed on that fish. "Why would such fish appear here?"