Chapter 3057 - Food in a River Ancestor’s Mouth

In the end, Lu Mu made a decision. He looked at Feng Ruhuo, then said, “This is a matter of grave importance. We need more time to think things over.”

Feng Ruhuo’s expression darkened. “You’re the leader of your sect, but you cannot take responsibility for such a simple decision?”

This wasn’t the least bit polite. On the contrary, his chastising tone visibly enraged the Crimson Kite Daoist Court higher-ups.

Lu Mu said calmly, “If you won’t even give us time to consider, don’t blame us for refusing to give you face.”

Feng Ruhuo’s expression darkened once more. He glared at Lu Mu in silence, then said, “How long do you need to consider? You ought to at least give me a clear timeline, right?”

He didn’t want to push Crimson Kite Daoist Court too hard, either. After all, if Fei Yunzi and Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan returned, they’d present a significant threat.

Lu Mu stretched out three of his fingers. “Three days!”

Feng Ruhuo was so angry that he laughed. “Three days? You need three days to consider something so trivial? You’re obviously just stalling for time!”

He rose, his eyes glinting like ice. “One day! I’ll give you one day to consider, but if you don’t give me a clear answer by this time tomorrow, we’ll just have to make you decide!”

With that, he led the Blackmoon Dragon King, Sage King Qing Jue, and Ying Tian away.

From beginning to end, no one stood in their way. It was as if there was no one else around.

Their disregard was a silent insult, but there was nothing the experts of Crimson Kite Daoist Court could do about it. This situation was more than they could handle; they had no choice but to lower their heads!

Not long after Feng Ruhuo and the others left, one of the Crimson Kite Daoist Court experts couldn’t help but ask, “Sect Leader, what exactly are you planning to do?”

The others looked over, too.

Lu Mu disregarded them, then gazed outside the hall. “You’ll know the outcome tomorrow.”

That night, no one in Crimson Kite Daoist Court could eat or sleep in peace. It was torment!

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, a little boat floated over the waves. There were two people fishing on board, both of them leisurely and relaxed.

“If we weren’t on guard against Heavenly Sovereign Ku Xuan, the two of us could easily flatten Crimson Kite Daoist Court. What need would there be to fritter away our time like this while they negotiate?” said a man in a feather coat and a golden crown. He looked young, with tawny eyes, a fiery complexion, and hair like soft, flowing flames.

This was River Ancestor Luo Yu, “the Falling Feather.” He was an old monster who’d proven his Dao beneath the surface of the River of Destiny a long, long time ago.

He’d left the River of Destiny to cultivate in seclusion in the Southern Sea a long time ago. It was just that almost no one knew about it.

Even fewer knew that the most ancient expert of the Profound Phoenixes, the founder of their clan, was his Dao Partner!

“Don’t be in such a rush, Daoist Brother. The changes to the Sea of Fate are strange and terrifying. Going there recklessly is unlikely to end well for us.”

His companion, a man so fat his body was practically a circle, smiled and said, “Ol’ Ku Xuan and Fei Yunzi brought a copy of the map to the Sea of Fate, but they’ve yet to return, and I suspect that something bad happened to them. Otherwise, they’d have taken over the moment we threatened Crimson Kite Daoist Court.”

The tall fat man sat there like a mountain in miniature, his eyes narrowing into slits. He cut an absurd figure, but in the River of Destiny, he was infamous. Others lost their nerve at the mere mention of his name.

His Daoist Title was Hu Chan, and he was every bit as notorious as the Ape Ancestor.

River Ancestor Hu Chan was the backer of the leading faction of the Western Sea, Divine Stratagems Court. This was common knowledge in the Western Sea.

“There’s no need for us to rush. It’d be safest to wait until we’ve acquired a copy of the map, then set course for the Sea of Fate,” said River Ancestor Hu Chan. He shook his wrists, pulling a fat blue fish out of the ocean.

He laughed, grabbed the fish, and popped the whole thing into his mouth, his cheeks bulging. Blood dripped from the corners of his lips, an unsettling sight.

River Ancestor Luo Yu nodded. “We really shouldn’t rush this. It won’t be too late to wait until after the changes to the Sea of Fate calm down.”

Here, he suddenly changed the subject. “Did you hear about what happened to the Ape Ancestor, Ji Dian, and Bai Mang a few months ago?”

River Ancestor Hu Chan’s smile vanished. “How could I not have heard about this? They say all three of them are most likely dead. My subordinates are investigating to learn more details, and I trust I’ll have answers soon.”

The River of Destiny was boundlessly vast, and its current flowed without end. River Ancestors’ territories were endlessly far apart. There was no guarantee they’d cross paths even once in tens of thousands of years.

River Ancestor Hu Chan had only heard about the Ape Ancestor and the others’ misfortune not long ago.

River Ancestor Luo Yu said, “I have reason to suspect that they met their ends at the hands of Destiny’s Chosen!”

Destiny’s Chosen? The title seemed imbued with terrifying magical power. River Ancestor Hu Chan shifted, his whole body stiffening. “Are you sure?”

River Ancestor Luo Yu shook his head. “I’ve lived quietly in the Southern Sea for a long, long time now, and it’s been ages since I last visited the Sea of Destiny. How could I possibly know for certain?”

He paused, then said, “But I’ve arranged for my people to investigate. If the long-lost Chosen has truly returned...”

Before he could finish, River Ancestor Hu Chan let out a long sigh. “It would be a disaster for us, not a blessing!”

River Ancestor Luo Yu said no more. As River Ancestors, they were naturally well aware of the significance of Destiny’s Chosen’s return.

There was no need for either of them to explain.

It was then that Feng Ruhuo and the others whooshed over from afar.

“They want a day to think it over?” When River Ancestor Luo Yu learned the results of their negotiation, he couldn’t help but laugh. “What could possibly change in just one day? Don’t tell me they plan to bring Ku Xuan back from the Sea of Fate?”

River Ancestor Hu Chan patted his enormous stomach. “I’ll accompany you to Crimson Kite Daoist Court tomorrow. If we can’t negotiate a favorable outcome, I’ll just have to feast!”

He couldn’t help but lick his lips. He was bloodthirsty by nature, and he killed with the aim of satisfying his stomach. There was no telling how many he’d eaten over the years.

River Ancestor Luo Yu smiled. “Rest assured. I have a premonition that Crimson Kite Daoist Court won’t be stupid enough to give you the opportunity.”

The others couldn’t help but laugh. How could Crimson Kite Daoist Court resist this pressure? They’re sure to lower their heads!

A day later, on Goldstone Island, Crimson Kite Daoist Court’s territory.

The more time passed, the heavier and more stifled the atmosphere became.

All of the sect’s leadership had gathered. Someone couldn’t help but ask, “Sect Leader, it’ll be the appointed time in just fifteen minutes. What... have you decided?”

Sect Leader Lu Mu took out a jade slip. “This contains a copy of the map. If I truly have no other choice, I’ll naturally give it up.”

He paused, then said calmly, “I trust that when the founder returns, he’ll understand our predicament. Even if he finds fault, I’ll bear the blame myself.”

Everyone was moved. How frustrated and helpless must the sect leader have felt? Who would have lowered his head like this if he hadn’t been pushed to such lengths?

“Sect Leader, if you were already prepared to compromise, what did you have everyone wait another day for?” someone asked.

The others were confused, too. What good could delaying just one day do us?

They were especially bewildered because they could tell that the sect leader hadn’t used that time to make any other arrangements.

Lu Mu fell briefly silent. “I was waiting for an opportunity. Had it arrived in time, it might have changed things. Unfortunately...”

His gaze was suddenly complicated. He looked outside the hall and said, “It seems it won’t come in time.”

He’d only just said this when someone rushed in to deliver a report. Elder Feng Ruhuo and the others had returned, and this time, they’d brought the two River Ancestors!

Everyone’s hearts clenched. The two River Ancestors actually came in person this time!

They didn’t even need to think to know that things went badly, the two River Ancestors would attack personally!

Everyone felt intense pressure bearing down on them.

River Ancestors! In the Southern Sea, they were comparable to Heavenly Sovereigns!

Even one of them could dominate the entire Southern Sea, forcing all factions great and small to submit, yet now, there were two of them!

Sect Leader Lu Mu’s hopes turned to ash. He rose, then said woodenly, “We cannot avoid disaster, so we must face it. Come, let’s welcome our guests!”

He then set off, leading the higher-ups away from the hall.

Just six people stood outside the sect: River Ancestor Luo Yu, River Ancestor Hu Chan, Feng Ruhuo, the Blackmoon Dragon King, Ying Tian, and Sage King Qing Jue.

It might have seemed like a small group, but this lineup was terrifying to the extreme. They could crush any enemies they encountered in the Southern Sea with ease!

“Have you thought it over, Lu Mu?” Feng Ruhuo stepped forth and asked calmly, his gaze playful.

One look at Lu Mu and the others’ expressions, and it was obvious that they’d lower their heads. Otherwise, why would they be so listless and dejected? Their faces were as unsightly as if they’d just swallowed flies.

Before Lu Mu could respond, River Ancestor Hu Chan grinned. “I actually rather hope they’re bold enough to refuse!”

River Ancestor Hu Chan licked his lips, his greed and murderous intent on full display. “In that case, I might well manage to fill my stomach today!”

Lu Mu and the others’ expressions shifted. Chills coursed through their hearts. He obviously sees us as his next meal!

“Enough. We’ve reached the limits of our benevolence. Give us the map, and be quick about it,” River Ancestor Luo Yu said calmly. He’d always been cold and aloof, and he disdained toying with small fries too weak to block even a single hit.

The atmosphere was stifled and oppressive. All eyes were on Sect Leader Lu Mu.

Lu Mu sighed to himself, forcefully suppressed his bitterness and humiliation, then took out the jade slip he’d prepared.

This was perhaps a perfect example of “enduring grave humiliation for the sake of heavy burdens.”

For the sake of the sect, even Lu Mu, the leader of a peak Heavenly Monarch faction... had no choice but to lower his head.

Feng Ruhuo and the others couldn’t help but laugh.

River Ancestor Luo Yu commented, “See that? I told you they wouldn’t give you the opportunity to eat your fill.”

River Ancestor Hu Chan was visibly disappointed. “They really have no fucking guts!”

Everyone in Crimson Kite Daoist Court was overcome with grief and fury.

But just as Lu Mu was about to give up the jade slip, a dazzling, stingingly bright arc of light shot over from the distance.