Chapter 3052 - The Hegemons of the Four Seas

Luo Yun’an sat alone in the first pavilion, sipping wine. The mysterious Mister Wen had gone on a stroll. He said he wanted to take some time alone to think.

Luo Yun’an sighed in relief at his absence. Every time he interacted with Mister Wen, he felt as uneasy as if there were a knife against his back.

He found the feeling strange, as Mister Wen was keeping a low profile, and his presence was withdrawn. None of it leaked into the outside world. On the surface, he looked like an ordinary mortal.

But every time they conversed, Luo Yun’an’s nerves tensed, and he felt awed down to his very bones.

Now that Mister Wen was gone, Luo Yun’an could finally relax.

An elderly servant entered the pavilion, bowed, and delivered a report. “Young Master, Mo Hanyi has gone looking for the disciples of Crimson Kite Daoist Court.”

Luo Yun’an’s spirits soared. “Is that so? I’ll actually be curious to see whether or not he dares attack anyone on the Luo Family’s Dragonbone Worldship!”

The old servant found it strange. The Luo Family is on good terms with every major faction of the Southern Sea. Who would be so bold as to cause trouble here?

But it seems the young master expects Mo Hanyi to try something!

Despite his curiosity, the old servant knew better than to ask questions. He knew it wasn’t his place.

“I heard that the Blackmoon Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, Ying Tian of the Nine-Headed Serpents of the Northern Sea, and Sage King Qing Jue of the Western Sea have arrived in the Southern Sea, and that they’re visiting the Profound Phoenixes. Is that true?” asked Luo Yun’an.

He spent his days cultivating in the Divine Firmament Sword Sect, the top faction of the Southern Darkness Continent. Although he’d heard some of what was going on in the Southern Sea, he didn’t know much.

The old servant said hurriedly, “Young master, it’s true. They say the factions of the four seas have gathered to discuss an expedition to the Sea of Fate.”

“The Sea of Fate again...” Luo Yun’an sighed. “Even if the lost Eternal Throne really did resurface, how could just anyone hope to get their hands on it?”

“Young Master, you might not know this yet, but the Blackmoon Dragon King, Ying Tian of the Nine-Headed Serpents, and Sage King Qing Jue have come prepared,” said the old servant. “According to our investigations, all three unparalleled Heavenly Monarchs have brought taboo secret treasures, and they’ve even invited several River Ancestors of the River of Destiny to join them!”

Luo Yun’an couldn’t help but look impressed. Each of the Four Seas of the Eternal Heavens Domain had its top factions.

The Blackmoon Dragon King was from Soaring Dragon Mountain, the greatest faction of the Eastern Sea.

The Nine-Headed Serpents were the uncontested top faction of the Northern Sea.

Sage King Qing Jue was from the Eastern Sea’s top sect, Divine Stratagems Court!

The Profound Phoenixes were the mightiest clan of the Southern Sea, the leader of its six great Heavenly Monarch factions!

These four factions were the hegemons of the four seas. Their foundations ran deep, and their forces were enormous. They gazed down upon all others with pride.

Rumor had it that each of these four supreme factions had the means to contend with Heavenly Sovereign factions.

This was for the simple reason that each had an inextricably close relationship with a River Ancestor!

In the Eternal Heavens Domain’s continents and capitals, River Ancestors were no match for Heavenly Sovereigns, but in the Four Seas, though still suppressed by the Laws, they benefited from the aquatic environment. Here, they could fight Heavenly Sovereigns!

Now, the greatest orthodoxies of the Four Seas had gathered in the territories of the Profound Phoenixes, and they’d even invited the River Ancestors backing them. It was thus obvious that they were dead-set on acquiring the Eternal Throne in the Sea of Fate this time!

“The world... is getting more and more chaotic...” Luo Yun’an sighed.

The Sea of Fate lay in the far reaches of the Southern Seas. It was a taboo stretch of water.

Recent developments in the Sea of Fate had stirred up the world’s winds and waves, drawing the attention of countless terrifying existences.

Now, even River Ancestors were getting involved. Who’d dare say with any certainty that Heavenly Sovereigns wouldn’t show up, too?

“No matter how great the storm, so long as we stay out of the Sea of Fate, it’ll have nothing to do with us. There’s no need for undue concern, young Master,” the old servant said warmly.

Luo Yun’an blinked, then let out a self-deprecating laugh. “It’s true. Someone like me is far from worthy of getting involved. I naturally have no need to fear getting swept into this storm.”

He’d only just said this when the old servant received a message, and his expression shifted. “Young Master, Mo Hanyi brazenly murdered other passengers on board this vessel!”

Luo Yun’an’s eyes narrowed. “Truly?”

“The door of the Crimson Kite Daoist Court disciples’ room has been reduced to powder. Everyone outside saw it clearly. There’s absolutely no mistake!”

Luo Yun’an shot to his feet, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. “Mister Wen was right. There really is something off about Mo Hanyi!”

Every passenger knew that the Dragonbone Worldship belonged to the Luo Family, and everyone knew that Crimson Kite Daoist Court was one of the six mightiest Heavenly Monarch factions of the Southern Sea.

Even under the circumstances, Mo Hanyi chose to murder other passengers out in the open. That was unquestionable proof that he wasn’t the least bit afraid of the Luo Family or Crimson Kite Daoist Court!

Suddenly, Luo Yun’an calmed down and asked, “Did Mo Hanyi flee after killing those people?”

Yue Qiu of Crimson Kite Daoist Court had an extraordinary background. He was the nephew of a grand elder.

If he’d died in Luo Family territory, Crimson Kite Daoist Court wouldn’t just let it go.

“I’m not sure.” The old servant shook his head. “The message didn’t say.”

“I didn’t run.” A calm voice rang out, answering Luo Yun’an’s question.

Luo Yun’an and the old servants looked over in alarm. They weren’t sure when, but the tightly shut door had been pushed open. A young man in blue was standing there quietly, looking right at them.

Luo Yun’an’s heart sank, but he maintained his external calm. “You killed passengers on board our family’s ship. Don’t you think that’s crossing a line?”

The servant went so far as to shout, “You’re far too impudent! How dare you trespass here?”

Su Yi snapped his fingers, and the old servant quivered, then fell to the floor, his body crumbling into ash.

Luo Yun’an looked stricken. The old servant was his Dao-Protector and a Refining the Void Stage Heavenly Monarch in his own right.

Yet now, someone had just killed him with a single light, airy gesture.

Of course Luo Yun’an was startled. How could he not be?

He instantly realized that in carrying out Mister Wen’s orders, he’d kicked an iron board!

Su Yi walked into the pavilion, then casually took a seat and drank from a jug of wine. He said leisurely, “Go on, tell me: why has Yue Qiu targeted me?”

He’d just searched Yue Qiu’s soul, so he understood Luo Yun’an’s involvement, but he couldn’t for the life of him figure out when or how he’d offended anyone in the Luo Family. What had he done to make them resort to such unseemly, petty schemes?

Thus, he’d decided to come look for answers himself.

Luo Yun’an stood there, his whole body tense. His expression shifted erratically.

After a moment, he bowed, then clasped his fist in apology. “Senior, to tell the truth, I had misgivings right from the start. I suspected a problem with your background. Then, by complete coincidence, Yue Qiu came looking for me and asked me to do him a favor...”

Before he could finish, Su Yi interrupted, “I’ve searched Yue Qiu’s soul, and I know all of that. All you need to do is tell me why you seized the opportunity to target me.”

Beads of sweat formed on Luo Yun’an’s forehead. He was inwardly conflicted.

He longed for nothing more than for the mysterious and terrifying Mister Wen to return and resolve the crisis at hand. Unfortunately, at least for the time being, he couldn’t count on any help from Mister Wen.

“Senior, you don’t know this, but I’m the eldest disciple of the leader of the Divine Firmament Sword Sect and the son of the leader of the Luo Family.” Luo Yun’an took a deep breath, then said softly, “Please, give them face and grant me an opportunity to make amends!”

Bang!

A moment later, Luo Yun’an fell to his knees, his mind buzzing and his soul in rending agony. He visibly lost his composure and cried out frantically, “Senior, we really only targeted you because we suspected a problem with your identity. That’s why we recklessly tried to investigate. I swear we had no other intentions!”

He pointed to his chest. “This junior can swear on his Dao Heart that every word I say is true. If I lie, may the heavens strike me down, and may I die an unsightly death!”

It was obvious to everyone that Luo Yun’an was scared out of his wits. He was terrified that he’d meet with the same fate as his old servant.

“Were you really just trying to probe for information?” Su Yi rose, his gaze cold and distant. Imposing pressure swept forth, pinning Luo Yun’an to the ground. His flesh tore, his tendons popped, his bones cracked. Even his organs seemed to split, making it difficult to breathe. Blood poured from the seven apertures of his face.

Luo Yun’an was overcome with panic. If things go on like this, that terrifying pressure will really flatten me!

He could no longer concern himself with anything else, so he cried out, “Save me, Mister Wen!”

But his voice never left the pavilion.

Su Yi looked at him thoughtfully. “Mister Wen? Who’s that?”

Luo Yun’an’s attempts to call for help came to an abrupt halt; he’d obviously realized that shouting would do him no good. He couldn’t help but give in to despair, give up the struggle, and submit.

“Mister Wen is a mysterious expert. I don’t know who he really is, either. All I know is that the sect leader told me to accompany him to the Southern Sea,” Luo Yun’an said bitterly. “I really don’t know anything else about him, and I dare not ask. I just get the sense that he’s an extraordinarily terrifying existence. Every time I’m with him, I feel as if there’s a knife against my back, and my whole body goes taut. He...”

Su Yi interrupted him here. “Where is he now?”

“He left for the market about ten minutes ago. He said he wanted to think some things over alone...” said Luo Yun’an.

But to his surprise, Mo Hanyi vanished from the pavilion before he could even finish his sentence.

Even more terrifyingly, that terrifying pressure pinning him in place remained. He still couldn’t move a muscle.

Why would someone so terrifying be traveling with someone yet to even become an official outer sect disciple of Crimson Kite Daoist Court? And why would someone like him even need to take a Dragonbone Worldship? Couldn’t he just cross the Dark Winds Belt on his own?

Luo Yun’an broke down. He wanted to weep, but he had no tears.

Common sense dictated that someone this terrifying had no reason to hire a Lesser God as a guide, nor would they lower themselves by boarding a Dragonbone Worldship.

Ultimately, they’d misjudged Mo Hanyi right from the start.

But Mister Wen was the true cause of all of this trouble!

Meanwhile, Su Yi appeared silently in the market, his divine sense rippling around him as he walked.