Chapter 1825 - 1823: East Island

Wu Suowei's points were ugly but sensible; people like Tang Rao who go directly to Ci Mu Mountain without preparing are numerous, yet few return with all limbs intact and alive.

Imagine a place that can hold a deity with deep powers; such a place must be extremely strict. Compared to Wu Suowei's power, he wouldn't dare to venture to Ci Mu Mountain alone!

"Can't you wish me some good luck? If you weren't my master, I would have already done something utterly outrageous!"

After Wu Suowei gave Tang Rao the address, Tang Rao started speaking with more confidence.

He was just afraid Wu Suowei might not give him the address earlier.

"If you weren't my disciple, I would have already punched you instead of letting you talk back?"

Humph!

Wu Suowei said everything he should and shouldn't say; in Tang Rao's mind, he had already lost his value. Wasn't it time to let him leave?

As Wu Suowei left, Tang Rao did not stop him, taking a step forward sooner than Wu Suowei.

Once he knew where his mother was confined, Tang Rao's thoughts were entirely on his mother, no longer caring about his master Wu Suowei.

Before heading to Ci Mu Mountain, two nuisances had to be dealt with. Tang Rao didn't need to spell it out; everyone could guess it referred to Chen Jingyi and her father who were still staying in Zijing City. During the time Tang Rao was away, if they did something thoughtless, Tang Rao would have to take the blame. Wouldn't that be a huge loss for him?

For dealing with these emotional troubles, Tang Rao thought of two ways: one was to harden his heart and chase them out, becoming a ruthless and heartless person. The second was to let Granny Hua handle it; Granny Hua was more experienced in dealing with these issues than Tang Rao. Women always understand women, and he believed with Granny Hua around, even if Chen Jingyi stayed in Zijing City, she wouldn't be able to stir up much trouble.

Ci Mu Mountain was on Central Island; if it weren't for needing to rely on Elder Rao's Teleportation Array, Tang Rao really wouldn't want further involvement with Elder Rao and Rao Linger.

Using the key that the elder once gave him, Tang Rao drew a circle in the air and inserted the key into the imagined circle, bringing a teleportation array before him.

This time he could do the teleportation from home, unlike before when it took so much money and time. Now he could do it whenever he wanted, saving him a lot of time.

"Tang Rao, welcome back to Central Island!"

From one end of the Teleportation Array to the other on Central Island, it took no more than two or three minutes. North Island remained frigid, while Central Island basked in the sunny summer. Before he could enjoy the beautiful scenery, Elder Rao's head popped in front of Tang Rao.

"Elder, how do you know I'm here? You couldn't have installed some clairvoyant and swift-hearing device, already knowing I'd come to you people?"

Tang Rao's whereabouts were supposed to be secret, not even known to Wu Suowei, let alone someone whose connection was even weaker between Wu Suowei and Tang Rao.

"Not exactly beforehand, just knowing during your journey here. I happened to be nearby, so came to welcome you. During this time, Ling Er didn't cause you trouble at North Island, right?"

The elder spoke very politely, as he was first at fault sending Rao Linger to North Island to find Tang Rao. Naturally, his attitude towards Tang Rao was far better than towards others.

"No trouble, as long as she comes back alright."

Tang Rao didn't want to hear Rao Linger's name; he kept dreaming of Rao Linger professing her love for him, driving him to the brink of mental collapse. Hearing Rao Linger's name in reality, Tang Rao feared she'd suddenly appear and insist on being with him.

Ugh, just thinking about it made his goosebumps fall off.

Luckily, Rao Linger wasn't here!

Elder Rao, however, was befuddled; what did "as long as she comes back alright" mean? He wanted to ask how Tang Rao came back without Rao Linger, considering Tang Rao said Rao Linger had returned—why hadn't the elder heard anything?

"Isn't our Ling Er supposed to be at North Island? Until now she hasn't come back. Didn't she stay with you?"

Rao Linger was the elder's treasure, his cherished jewel. If something happened to her, what purpose would his life serve?!

"North Island recently experienced a Demon Beast tide, and after the tide, she left. You didn't know?"

Tang Rao was puzzled; he assumed Rao Linger must have informed Elder Rao that Tang Rao didn't have feelings for her. Generally, if a father knew his daughter was disregarded and not liked, he wouldn't treat that man kindly. Elder Rao was different; he treated Tang Rao almost like his prospective son-in-law, making Tang Rao's skin crawl. Turns out the elder didn't know Rao Linger wasn't with Tang Rao.

Had Elder Rao not mentioned it, Tang Rao wouldn't have known Rao Linger indeed hadn't returned.

A young girl, even if with Zhou Zhou, where could the two of them possibly go?

"How would I know, Ling Er said she wanted to find you. I couldn't dissuade her so let her go. You say she's not with you, where could she go, unfamiliar with the place?"

The elder was on the verge of tears, desperately upset over his missing treasured daughter.

"Could it be she and Zhou Zhou haven't left, staying on North Island?"

The only conclusion Tang Rao could think of was this.

Apart from Central Island, North Island was the only place they could continue residing.

"But didn't they say they were leaving? Why stay on North Island and not return to Central Island?"

Tang Rao couldn't understand. Elder Rao had lived long enough, surely he knew Rao Linger's mind?

She might say she's leaving yet not actually leave because she's unwilling to part with Tang Rao. Otherwise, any place on Central Island is better than where Tang Rao and his companions were, so what would Rao Linger do staying on North Island?

"If I knew what they were doing on North Island, would I need to ask you?"

The elder's attitude had changed drastically from eagerness, now less friendly as he gazed at Tang Rao again.

Whether Rao Linger returned or not, it surely had ties to Tang Rao!

"My daughter is still on North Island, her safety still a question mark. Why are you coming to Central Island? What's your purpose?"

It takes anyone a moment to adjust to such a sudden change from gentle pleasantry to abrupt harshness.

"I came to Central Island to find a place called Ci Mu Mountain. Do you know the way to Ci Mu Mountain?"

No matter, since Elder Rao's attitude wasn't great already, Tang Rao took advantage of the elder's temper not having worsened, to ask all his questions at once.