Chapter 735 - 446: Autumn Hunt and Heaven Worship

In the deep night, Gu Daoling sat cross-legged on the Observatory, gazing at the starry sky.

The stars and moon hung low, his gaze deep and bright.

The light of the stars and moon seemed to intertwine deep within his eyes...

"Hmm!"

While comprehending the orbits of the stars and moon, Gu Daoling suddenly sensed a strange fluctuation of the Power of Law appearing more than twenty miles east of the Divine Cloud Prefecture City.

"What is that..."

The Power of Law can only be comprehended by those in the Dark Grotto Heaven Realm. Even within the Taiyi Sect, such individuals hold the status of elders and elders, rarely appearing in the Mortal World.

Even if they do appear, what could be worth a Dark Grotto Heaven Realm expert taking action?

Moreover, Gu Daoling observed the surge that shot straight into the sky. Although it was clearly an aftershock, seeing a part reveals the whole. It’s evident that the Power of Law east of the city is likely at full power.

Gu Daoling’s figure suddenly seemed to rise with the wind, soaring into the sky. Bathed in the cold light of the stars and moon, he transformed into a streak of black light, shooting swiftly towards the east of the Divine Cloud Prefecture.

The distance of more than twenty miles was but a moment for Gu Daoling!

A streak of black light, like a meteor, streaked across the sky before hovering above that oasis amidst the ten-zhang square desert.

Gu Daoling hovered in the high sky, using the starlight and moonlight to examine the desolate desert below. His eyes fixed on a conspicuous spot at the center of the desert.

From up high, that spot was a small, intact circular patch of grassland.

Gu Daoling’s figure flickered, the next moment hovering beside that circular patch of grassland.

He focused his gaze on the edge of the grassy circle, his expression slightly shifting.

"It’s the Dew-drinking Cicada!"

A hint of doubt flashed in Gu Daoling’s eyes as his Divine Sense swept the surroundings, discovering no signs of life in the expansive wilderness.

The Dew-drinking Cicada, even within the Taiyi Sect, is considered a valuable treasure. Who could have used the Dew-drinking Cicada in this place?

Moreover, from the lingering aftershocks, it was apparent that there was only one source of the Power of Law.

"Could it be someone encountered an attack from a Primordial Qi Realm or Qi Vortex Realm expert and, at the brink of life and death, used the Dew-drinking Cicada to save their life?"

However, since the Dew-drinking Cicada has been used, whether it’s a Primordial Qi Realm or a Qi Vortex Realm expert, they would instantly turn to dust, reduced to traces of remains...

Gu Daoling abruptly turned his head, gazing in the direction of the Divine Cloud Prefecture.

"Could it be someone in the Divine Cloud Prefecture possesses such a precious Dew-drinking Cicada?"

Gu Daoling’s expression turned cold.

"Such recklessness!"

"The Dew-drinking Cicada is a means of protection and life-saving kept by the sect for the future prodigies of the Taiyi Sect to ensure their safety. Even among the elders in the Elder Hall, only three or four could obtain the cicada body from the forefather and still need to refine the Dew of Law to nourish this cicada."

"Such an item, those mortals within the Divine Cloud Prefecture, who are merely wriggling in the mire of fame and fortune, are certainly unworthy of possessing it."

Gu Daoling stayed alone in the Stargazing Pavilion of the Divine Cloud Prefecture because he was disillusioned with some of the sect’s corrupt practices. His straightforward nature couldn’t contain his anger, so he chose to stay away, avoiding what he couldn’t accept.

At this moment, he thought the Dew-drinking Cicada was given by some sect elder, out of pity for a junior with mortal ties, and thus passed on.

From Gu Daoling’s perspective, this was a misuse of public resources for private gain.

In the Divine Cloud Prefecture, within the residence of Zhu Zhengfu, a dark shadow flickered by like a ghost, passing by silently.

It was Duan Rong, returning from outside the city.

His figure stopped beside the side window of a separate courtyard, his Divine Sense enveloping the surroundings. The patrolling soldiers would not approach this place, and on the large green stone in the front yard, Chou Luan lay asleep.

Duan Rong gently opened the window, careful not to make a sound that might disturb Chou Luan’s pretend slumber in the front yard.

He, like a large fallen leaf, slipped into the window, landing silently, then gently closed the window behind him.

Only then did Duan Rong exhale, wiping the fine sweat from his forehead in the darkness.

In the pitch dark, deathly silence reigned, with only the faint breathing of Ruyi clearly audible.

Duan Rong removed his clothing and shoes, returning them to their place, before lying back on the bed.

The Dew-drinking Cicada can only be used three times!

To have wasted one use just now, for no reason at all, in the East Suburb wilderness, was truly painful!

It would be deceitful to say he was not pained!

Having just personally experienced such thrilling power, Duan Rong understood even more what the Dew-drinking Cicada truly was.

To say it’s a heaven-defying life-saving treasure is no exaggeration.

Though it was painful, Duan Rong admitted to himself that using it this time was still worth it.

He needed to confirm one thing: whether Zhu He truly intended to save his life and wasn’t just using him as a pawn to be discarded.

This matter was of utmost importance to him!

Whether it was Zhu He giving him the Dew-drinking Cicada or suddenly pointing him towards the mission to kill Li Shensi in the Divine Cloud Prefecture, it all seemed strange and illogical.

Especially since there were more suitable candidates. Zhu He passed over the seemingly more fitting Wu Shidao and designated him, which was even more bizarre.

Additionally, Zhu He specifically instructed him to make contact with Zhu Zhengfu and others, intentionally exposing him.

Case by case, outsiders might not feel it keenly, but being in the midst, Duan Rong sensed profoundly that this was obviously a trap. Moreover, it was deeply connected to him.

Though he still couldn’t see the full picture, it was clear that Zhu He was using him as a chess piece in someone’s game.