Chapter 527: Setting Off
This trip to the Dragon Mountain Empire might encounter many dangers. Lin Feng naturally would not bring Meng Qing along; instead, he had her stay in the Longing Forest, while he himself set off riding Qiongqi.
Before leaving, Lin Feng made another trip to the place where Duan Xinye resided. However, he was shocked to discover that Duan Xinye was no longer in that creek forest mountain mansion, and even her maidservants were gone. This made Lin Feng's heart turn cold. Duan Wuya had such heavy schemes, actually moving Xinye to another place, not allowing him to see her.
Having no other choice, Lin Feng could only give up since he couldn't find her. Stepping onto Qiongqi, the man and the beast arrived at Wuyashan Mountain, which was the gathering point before departure.
At this moment, on the smooth, vast open space of Wuyashan Mountain, a group of figures was already standing. Apart from the people from the Dragon Mountain Empire, they were the geniuses of the Snow Moon Kingdom. Lin Feng casually swept his gaze and found there were nine people in total.
Himself, Lin Feng; Duan Wuya; Yue Tianming; Wu Qing; Yu Qin; Yu Jian; Yun Feiyang; and two others Lin Feng did not recognize. Both of these two were dressed in black robes. Standing there, they exuded a sense of oppressive force, their bodies radiating an aura of indifference. On their resolute faces, there was not a trace of emotion, calm without the slightest ripple.
Moreover, these two simply stood off to the side, not standing together with the others, silently remaining there.
Besides these two, the other seven, along with Duan Wudao, who ranked first among the Eight Young Masters, constituted the latest Eight Young Masters of the Snow Moon Kingdom. It was believed that upon their return, the seats of the Eight Young Masters would be completely rearranged. As for these two who had appeared out of nowhere, they were beyond Lin Feng's expectations. And from their calm, sharp expressions, Lin Feng could sense that these two were no ordinary individuals; their strength was likely very formidable.
"We're just waiting for Crown Prince Wudao."
Ruo Lanshan glanced at the nine people standing before him and spoke, his gaze also falling on Duan Wuya.
On this trip to the Snow Moon Kingdom, what he valued were the nine people before him. As for Duan Wudao, he was recognized throughout the Snow Moon Kingdom, and Ruo Lanshan had long heard of him. He didn't even need to see him to know that this Snow Domain Grand Competition would definitely not be without Duan Wudao.
"Senior Ruo, my imperial brother has always been a loner and doesn't like traveling with others. He asked me to pass a message: we should go to the Dragon Mountain Empire on our own. When the Snow Domain Grand Competition begins, he will naturally represent the Dragon Mountain Empire side and participate."
Duan Wuya said with a smile, causing Ruo Lanshan's brows to raise. Duan Wudao, not going with them?
But after only a moment, Ruo Lanshan nodded. For someone like Duan Wudao, who was domineering and lawless, with incredibly powerful strength, it was normal for him not to travel with them. And he fully believed that Duan Wudao would definitely appear at the Snow Domain Grand Competition, simply based on Duan Wudao's pursuit and obsession with the martial path.
Although others said Duan Wudao was domineering and lawless, wasn't he also single-mindedly pursuing the martial path? A domineering martial path: those who followed prospered, those who opposed perished.
"Alright, then we'll set off first." Ruo Lanshan nodded, not saying much more.
"Senior Ruo, there is one more matter for which Wuya feels extremely apologetic."
Duan Wuya spoke again, startling Ruo Lanshan, who looked at him and asked, "What other matter does Crown Prince Wuya have?"
"Now that my imperial father no longer concerns himself with the affairs of the Snow Moon Kingdom, and my imperial brother is devoted to studying the martial path, the entire Snow Moon Kingdom is managed by me. I simply cannot spare the time to leave. I'm afraid I won't be able to participate in this Snow Domain Grand Competition. I hope Senior Ruo will forgive me."
Duan Wuya bowed slightly to Ruo Lanshan, his eyes filled with an apologetic expression.
His words caused the crowd's gazes to freeze. Duan Wuya, ranked fourth among the Eight Young Masters, and whose actual strength was now unknown, was actually giving up the Snow Domain Grand Competition to stay in the Snow Moon Kingdom.
Even Ruo Lanshan couldn't help but frown. In this Snow Domain Grand Competition, the Snow Moon Kingdom was representing the Dragon Mountain Empire side, so he naturally hoped that their side's strength would be as great as possible.
But at this moment, Duan Wuya told him he couldn't participate, which made Ruo Lanshan quite displeased. After all, Duan Wuya's ranking as fourth among the Eight Young Masters was there. And given Duan Wuya's depth of scheming, his true strength was likely only stronger, not weaker. Although they hadn't known each other long, Ruo Lanshan was also clear that Duan Wuya was a person skilled at hiding himself, very intelligent.
"Crown Prince Wuya, with your strength being so formidable, it would be a pity not to participate in the Snow Domain Grand Competition."
Ruo Lanshan calmed his own state of mind, making his voice devoid of fluctuation.
"Senior, everyone present here is a true outstanding talent of our Snow Moon Kingdom. Their strength is no weaker than mine. Moreover, with my imperial brother being incredibly powerful, capable of matching ten men alone, with them around, whether I, with my insignificant cultivation, go or not has little impact on the overall situation. Additionally, I truly cannot spare myself from the affairs of the Snow Moon Kingdom. I hope Senior can understand."
Duan Wuya said politely. Ruo Lanshan pondered for a moment, then nodded. He knew that, given Duan Wuya's personality, he had probably already made up his mind. It was simply impossible to make Duan Wuya change his mind.
"Since that's the case, I won't force you. It's just a bit of a pity."
Ruo Lanshan sighed, then turned his gaze to the crowd and said, "Alright, even though Crown Prince Wuya is not here, I believe you all can still bring glory back to the Snow Moon Kingdom. Let's prepare to set off."
With that, Ruo Lanshan whistled, and immediately, a series of sharp cries came from the void above. A line of black eagles swooped down, circling around, and in just a moment, they landed before the crowd.
The Dragon Mountain Empire was a long way from the Snow Moon Kingdom. Naturally, Ruo Lanshan and the others wouldn't be traveling on the ground. And for such a distance, if they were to fly through the void, they wouldn't have enough true essence power and mental energy to expend. Using demon beasts as mounts was the most common method.
These swooping black eagles were Black Wind Eagles, profound demon beasts with extremely fast speed, far beyond what a person could achieve by pacing through the void.
There were six Black Wind Eagles, and each one needed to carry three people, which would be just right.
Ruo Lanshan and Jian Chen mounted one Black Wind Eagle, then said to the others, "Everyone, get on in groups of three, one group per Black Wind Eagle. We'll set off now."
The crowd nodded slightly, forming groups of two or three, and mounted the broad backs of the Black Wind Eagles.
However, Lin Feng did not get on a Black Wind Eagle. The fierce beast Qiongqi was extremely fast and was in no way inferior to a Black Wind Eagle.
Taking a step, Lin Feng stepped onto Qiongqi's back. Qiongqi's broad wings spread open, blazing red in color, majestic and extraordinary. It merely glared at the Black Wind Eagles, and those Black Wind Eagles all showed fear in their eyes, the might of the fierce beast fully displayed.
"Lin Feng, would you mind if I come with you?"
A voice sounded. Yun Feiyang came before Lin Feng and asked him.
"Naturally, I don't mind. Come on up." Lin Feng said indifferently. Yun Feiyang had helped him before, so he naturally wouldn't refuse Yun Feiyang's request.
"Whoosh..."
The wind brushed by, and a figure flashed over, causing Lin Feng's gaze to freeze slightly.
This figure that flashed onto Qiongqi's back was all too familiar to him. It was none other than Lan Jiao from the Star Dream Pavilion. Lan Jiao hadn't gone with the people from the Star Dream Pavilion but had chosen to come onto Qiongqi's back with him.
"What, not welcoming me?"
Lan Jiao glanced at Lin Feng, then sat down on her own between Qiongqi's massive wings. She didn't need Lin Feng's welcome; she was very casual.
Lin Feng smiled and shook his head. He naturally wouldn't mind Lan Jiao coming up. Looking at the woman sitting before him, Lin Feng said, "As long as you're willing, I naturally welcome you."
"When did you become so polite?"
Lan Jiao raised her head, scanning Lin Feng, her tone still cold and indifferent, causing Lin Feng to shake his head with a wry smile and say nothing more.
"You've never been to the Dragon Mountain Empire, have you? This trip to the Dragon Mountain Empire might take a few days. Don't you want to get on good terms with me so I can take you on a tour of the Dragon Mountain Empire?"
Seeing Lin Feng silent, Lan Jiao spoke again.
Lin Feng pondered for a moment. He had indeed never stepped outside the borders of the Snow Moon Kingdom. Now that he was going to the empire, he would inevitably need to move around a bit.
Moreover, he currently needed some things that couldn't be found in the Snow Moon Kingdom, and he hoped to obtain them in the Dragon Mountain Empire.
"When we reach the Dragon Mountain Empire, I'll inevitably have to trouble you."
Lin Feng looked at Lan Jiao and said, causing the corners of Lan Jiao's mouth to curl up slightly, a hint of pride flashing across her face. This guy also had times when he needed something from her.
Seeing Lan Jiao's expression, Lin Feng shook his head. This Lan Jiao, what else did she want from him?
Yun Feiyang looked at the two of them, was silent for a moment, then laughed. Interesting. So this woman from the Dragon Mountain Empire also had a bit of admiration for Lin Feng!