Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

Just as Ling Fei entered the Sword Tomb to begin his secluded cultivation, back at the academy, Shangguan Yurou and Shangguan Qingmu returned from Longtan Town.

Shangguan Hong immediately asked about Elder Ling's situation.

"We went to Longtan Town but didn't find Elder Ling," Shangguan Yurou said, a look of disappointment on her face.

She had, after all, promised Ling Fei that she would accomplish this task for him.

However, she hadn't managed to fulfill his wish.

She had wanted to keep waiting in Longtan Town, but she was worried about Ling Fei's safety and had rushed back to the academy.

"You didn't find Elder Ling?" Shangguan Hong's brows furrowed. "What about Marquis Yun? Did he find Elder Ling?"

"No," said Shangguan Qingmu. "From what we gathered, Elder Ling has been frequently going out to gather herbs for the past six months. Each time he returned, his complexion looked much better. Half a month ago, Elder Ling left Longtan Town again with Xue Xi to gather more herbs. By the time we arrived, Marquis Yun had already left."

"We heard Marquis Yun also went to search the nearby mountain ranges but couldn't find any trace of Elder Ling. Because of that, we left a letter with Xiaoman's parents, asking them to pass it on to Elder Ling. It details everything that has happened to Ling Fei recently, along with the message he wanted to convey."

"So no one has seen Elder Ling?" Shangguan Hong nodded slightly, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Father, how is Ling Fei now? I heard he's back at the academy?" Shangguan Yurou asked, her face full of concern.

On the way back, she had run into many people from Celestial River Academy and naturally heard a lot of news.

"Ling Fei is indeed at the academy," Shangguan Hong said. "He's fine for now, but he's still in a great deal of trouble."

"Oh," said Shangguan Yurou. "Can I go see him?"

"Not right now. His whereabouts must not be exposed," Shangguan Hong said, his expression grave.

"Oh." Disappointment filled Shangguan Yurou's eyes.

"Qingmu, you said earlier that Elder Ling's complexion would improve every time he returned?" Shangguan Hong asked suddenly, a glint in his eye.

"Yes," Shangguan Qingmu nodded. "Many people in Longtan Town said so."

'Could he be gathering herbs to heal his own injuries? If his wounds have recovered somewhat, could he be strong enough to face a Celestial Pill Realm Cultivator?' Upon hearing this, Shangguan Hong's eyes lit up as he murmured to himself, 'Ling Fei's talent is extraordinary, far beyond that of ordinary Clan Members. And Elder Ling is shrouded in mystery. Even injured, he gave me the impression of being far beyond a typical Primordial Pill Realm Cultivator. Could he be a Cultivator at or above the Celestial Pill Realm?'

At this thought, a fervent light flickered in Shangguan Hong's eyes.

'If he is a Cultivator at or above the Celestial Pill Realm, then even injured, he would still possess some deterrent power. Perhaps he could help Ling Fei resolve this crisis.' The more he thought about it, the more excited Shangguan Hong became. As he carefully recalled his memories, the evidence of Elder Ling's extraordinariness grew stronger.

Ling Fei's Cold Qi was already something no ordinary person could possess.

And now, Ling Fei had used a mysterious Sound Wave Secret Technique within the ancient ruins to dominate his peers.

All signs pointed to the fact that this father and son were anything but simple.

'That's it! Elder Ling! I must find Elder Ling! Perhaps if I find him, this whole affair can be resolved easily.' At that moment, Shangguan Hong's face was flushed with excitement.

'The Primordial Pill Realm experts of my Shangguan Clan are completely unwilling to get involved, and they even stop me from meddling. Even with Wan'Er going to the Imperial Capital, there's no guarantee she'll get an audience with the Emperor. The chances of resolving Ling Fei's crisis are too slim. But if I can find Elder Ling, everything will be much easier.'

'Besides, the world sees Elder Ling as a sickly old man in his twilight years. If I go looking for him, no one will be too suspicious or try to stop me, which increases my chances of success.'

'There's no time to lose. I must set out at once.' Abruptly, Shangguan Hong's gaze sharpened as he made his decision.

"Yurou, Qingmu, you two stay here. I'm going out for a bit." After giving this instruction, Shangguan Hong went to find Vice Dean Zhou.

"You're going out?" Vice Dean Zhou looked surprised to hear that Shangguan Hong was leaving.

"Yes. I'm going to find an old acquaintance to save Ling Fei," Shangguan Hong said simply.

He didn't want anyone else to know his true intentions at this time.

The fewer people who knew about this, the better.

Otherwise, if word got out and complications arose, it would be troublesome.

"Alright. Go on and don't worry," said Vice Dean Zhou. "I'll handle everything here at the academy."

"I'll be troubling you then, Elder Zhou." With that, Shangguan Hong mounted a Profound Eagle and flew directly toward Longtan Town.

...

「Just an hour later.」

In the northern skies of Celestial River Academy, a man in a Python Robe, riding a Winged Serpent, flew toward the campus.

The man on the back of this strange serpent was none other than Marquis Yun.

"Marquis Yun is here!"

"Quick, report to the Dean! Marquis Yun is here!" Before the Marquis had even arrived, the news had already spread throughout Celestial River Academy.

"He's fast." Inside the council hall of Celestial River Academy, the eyes of many elders glinted.

"Zhou Tao, go and activate the academy's protective Grand Array!" Elder Dean Han's gaze sharpened as he spoke to Vice Dean Zhou.

"Yes, sir!" Vice Dean Zhou nodded.

Then, Elder Dean Han scanned the people in the hall, rose to his feet, and said, "Everyone, come with me to meet this Marquis Yun."

"Yes, sir!" The three Primordial Pill Realm experts beside him, as well as the other elders, all rose to their feet.

At that moment, within Celestial River Academy, Light Patterns surged upward, enveloping the entire campus.

WHOOSH!

And just then, in front of the academy, a flickering shadow appeared. Marquis Yun, riding his Winged Serpent, had arrived at the gates.

However, swirling Light Patterns ahead formed an Array's Light Shield, blocking his path.

The sight sent Marquis Yun into a rage.

"Han Yuan, Zhou Tao, is this the attitude of your Celestial River Academy?" a deep voice rumbled from Marquis Yun's lips.

The sound reverberated in all directions, and many Celestial River Academy students who were outside heard it clearly.

'Marquis Yun is here?' At once, the students of Celestial River Academy looked up toward the Void. Upon seeing the imposing Winged Serpent, their expressions turned grim. 'Now that Marquis Yun has come to kill, can Young Master Ling survive?' Everyone began to worry for Ling Fei.

At that very moment, figures flickered in the sky above the academy as a massive Profound Eagle flew over.

"Marquis Yun, what business do you have coming to my Celestial River Academy in such an aggressive manner?"

Atop the Profound Eagle, Elder Dean Han stroked his long beard and spoke lightly, but when his eyes looked forward, they flashed like lightning.

Though his tone was calm, a powerful aura erupted from him.

It was an aura that only someone in the Celestial Pill Realm could possess.

The other three Primordial Pill Realm elders followed behind him.

"Han Beihai!" Seeing Elder Dean Han fly over, Marquis Yun's brow twitched, a trace of apprehension in his eyes. Then, raising his gaze, he said haughtily, "I have come this time on official orders to arrest the criminal Ling Fei. I ask that you hand him over so that I may report back on my mission."

"Heh heh, Marquis Yun comes on orders to arrest a criminal, you say? I wonder, on whose orders might that be?" Elder Dean Han chuckled, stroking his beard, appearing perfectly calm and composed.

'This old bastard is asking the obvious. Is he trying to stall for time?' Hearing the dean's words, Marquis Yun's gaze turned cold.

'No matter what, I am a Duke, the Vice Dean of the Royal Academy, and a member of the Royal Family.'

'So what if this Elder Dean Han was also ennobled as a marquis by the Celestial Emperor?'

'All land under heaven is the sovereign's territory; every soul on its shores is the sovereign's subject!'

'How could a mere subject compare to a dignified member of the Royal Family like me?'

'Logically, when I come in person to arrest a criminal, Celestial River Academy should have thrown its gates open in welcome.'

'But now, not only has Celestial River Academy activated its Array to block me, they even dare to question on whose authority I act.'

'They're showing me, Li Yunyi, no respect at all!'