Just after Nan Shangfeng and Yuan Ming left East Extreme Island, Ouyang Qiang and others, tracking both the Forgetful Taoist and the young man with a mole, also departed from East Extreme Island.

Among them, the actions of the Forgetful Taoist appeared particularly suspicious.

As soon as he left the Ten Thousand Treasure Tower, he changed his aura, attire, and appearance in a hidden place, trying to shake off those secretly tailing him.

Little did he know, Dongji Palace and the other two major forces had already laid down an inescapable Heaven and Earth Net. Despite changing his appearance multiple times on the way, he was never able to shake off his trackers, instead causing these forces to become increasingly suspicious of him.

However, after they followed him all the way, they found that the Forgetful Taoist merely wanted to hide his seclusion location. During this period, he made no contact with others and returned directly to the isolated island where his cave mansion was located.

When Jin Chen and the others broke open the defense magic array on his island, he thought it was someone coveting the treasure he won at the auction and fought back with all his strength, but was soon completely suppressed.

However, after Jin Chen and others conducted a Soul Search on him, they found that he had no relation to Yuan Ming or Yun Luo Fairy. He bought the spiritual materials they used as bait just to refine high-grade elixirs.

Jin Chen and the others looked at each other. To prevent any leaks, they mercilessly killed the Forgetful Taoist to keep it quiet and erased all traces on the island.

On the other side, Long Yuhuan and others, tracking the young man with a mole, were even more speechless.

After leaving the Ten Thousand Treasure Tower, he was not in a hurry to leave East Extreme Island but rented a manor instead and moved in with two concubines.

For two whole days, he was wholeheartedly studying the art of the bedchamber, not stepping outside even once.

In the end, Bai Yuan and others, unable to bear it any longer, forcibly broke in and captured him.

After a round of interrogation and soul searching, they also found nothing.

In a great hall of Dongji Palace, Ouyang Qiang and others gathered to review this operation.

"This operation failed. Does anyone have anything to say?" Jin Chen asked with a gloomy expression.

"Perhaps those two received some information and did not attend this auction at all," Ouyang Qiang, also looking displeased, said.

After speaking, she looked towards the side of the hall, where an elliptical white light screen floated, showing the image of Nan Shangfeng with women in his arms.

This operation was a collaboration of the six powers, and although Nan Shangfeng was reluctant, he was still dragged in to remotely attend this meeting.

"Palace Master Ouyang, why are you looking at me? Do you suspect me? I've never met Yuan Ming or Yun Luo Fairy, so why would I leak the information?" Nan Shangfeng laughed.

"Never met them? Who can be sure of that? Everyone knows you are a lecher; it's possible you've long fallen under Yun Luo's skirt," Ouyang Qiang said.

"Palace Master Ouyang, I thought you were a calm and composed beautiful lady, but it turns out to be nothing more, throwing a tantrum when the task fails, what's the difference from a shrew?" Nan Shangfeng chuckled.

Already in a terrible mood due to the complete failure of the operation, Ouyang Qiang rose abruptly, golden arcs flashing around her body.

"The situation is already bad enough, there's no need for you two to make it worse," Jin Chen frowned and said in a deep voice.

Ouyang Qiang dared not offend Jin Chen and suppressed her anger by force.

"None of us wanted to see the mission fail. Although Fellow Daoist Nan is somewhat carefree, I accompanied him for most activities after reaching the island. The information was not leaked by him," Zhu Yu coughed and explained for Nan Shangfeng.

Bai Yuan and Zhu Yu never suspected Nan Shangfeng, they looked at Ouyang Qiang: "The reason for the task's failure lies in the intelligence. Palace Master Ouyang, where did you get the information that Yuan Ming and Yun Luo would come to participate in the Ten Thousand Treasure Auction?"

"The new owner of Qingjin Building." At this point, Ouyang Qiang would not cover for anyone, directly saying.

"Qingjin Building? I remember it being an industry of the Su Nu Sect. Could it be that the Su Nu Sect is behind all this?" Bai Yuan murmured.

"We can't rule out their suspicion. After the mission failed, I tried to contact the new owner of Qingjin Building multiple times but received no response. Other people at Qingjin Building said that the owner left Qingjin Building more than ten days ago and disappeared," Ouyang Qiang said as she attempted to shrug off responsibility.

"It seems likely that this affair is indeed orchestrated by the Su Nu Sect," Long Yuhuan said.

Bai Yuan and Zhu Yu nodded.

Seeing this, Ouyang Qiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The main reason for this mission's failure was her credulity in Qingjin Building's intelligence. Now by shifting the blame to Su Nu Sect, her burden of responsibility was lessened.

"How boring, this young master has no interest in listening to your summary of failures here. You all can chat among yourselves; I will take my leave." Nan Shangfeng sneered and cut off the communication.

"The island is loose on the outside and tight on the inside, continue the search for several more days," Jin Chen said with a sigh, not minding Nan Shangfeng's departure.

...

The night grew deeper.

In the sky, the stars were sparse, with only a solitary moon hanging high, casting moonlight as bright as frost and snow, only to be quietly swallowed by the boundless sea, revealing some light only during the surging waves.

Many newly awakened fish demons and sea beasts surfaced, bathing in the moonlight, breathing spiritual energy, maintaining a peculiar harmony with each other, unwilling to disturb the tranquillity beneath the moon.

But suddenly, a low rumble sounded, revealing a massive flying boat in the sky, its deck ablaze with lights, filled with singing and dancing, a picture of revelry.

However, the group of Little Demons were startled by the surge of Spiritual Power from the Flying Boat as it crossed over, scrambling to dive into the seawater, fearing they would be caught and made into fish stew for someone's midnight snack.

But the patrolling guards on the deck paid no attention to this group of Little Demons. At this moment, they stood guard outside, listening to the voluptuous sounds echoing from the ship's cabins, feeling somewhat restless inside.

"Even on a journey, such extravagance—they really know how to enjoy themselves," one guard muttered quietly.

"Silence! If Lord Nan hears you, you'll suffer for it," the guard patrolling with him quickly chastised.

Yet as he spoke, he turned his head to glance at the ship's cabins, eyes full of envy.

Meanwhile, within the ship's cabins, Nan Shangfeng, surrounded by women, ended the communication with Jin Chen and the others.

"A bunch of fools, Yuan Ming and Yun Luo Fairy have been missing for over a hundred years, it's not that easy to find them," Nan Shangfeng spat on the ground, speaking with disdain.

"The Young Master is right," a group of enchanting female cultivators agreed.

Though Nan Shangfeng, as usual, held an enchanting female cultivator in his arms, his hand was not as free-wandering as usual. While his face bore a smile, he seemed somewhat distracted.

"Forget it, I'm tired, you all leave," suddenly, Nan Shangfeng sighed, raising his hand to pat a female cultivator's shoulder beside him, ushering them all out.

The group of female cultivators were of course puzzled but dared not disobey Nan Shangfeng's wish, obediently retreating.

"Does Young Master Nan have something troubling him?" Ruan Lianyu, who had been standing by Nan Shangfeng's side, hesitated for a moment before asking.

"Sigh, it's just the thought of returning to the Sect to face all those bothersome matters, I've lost my mood," Nan Shangfeng shook his head, lying down wearily, as if pondering something.

The Ruan Brothers exchanged a glance, not daring to ask more, only lowering their heads silently, continuing to guard Nan Shangfeng without a word.

What they didn't know was that at this time, Nan Shangfeng, who appeared to be deep in thought, was actually communicating with Yuan Ming inside the Void Palace.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, we need to head west next, returning to the Daluo Sect. It may take another half-year or more to reach the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range. During this time, I'll have to trouble you to remain in the Void Palace for a while longer," Nan Shangfeng said respectfully.

"No worries, you needn't concern yourself with me. Just act as you usually would, lest others notice anything amiss," Yuan Ming replied.

He had already completed what needed to be done in the Dongji Sea; it was time to leave. Now, with various forces relentlessly pursuing him, leaving with Nan Shangfeng naturally posed the least risk.

"I will certainly act cautiously, ensuring no one notices anything amiss," Nan Shangfeng hurriedly assured.

Yuan Ming grunted an acknowledgment, then looked up at the sky.

Besides being within Nan Shangfeng's body, he had left a few soul crows on the Flying Boat to observe the situation outside.

Through these soul crows, Yuan Ming quietly watched the dark ocean.

"Kid, I didn't expect you to be so sentimental. Are you reluctant to leave the Dongji Sea?" The Void's voice suddenly arose.

"Senior Kong, have you finished refining the Cloud Dream Immortal Pillow?" Yuan Ming asked quickly upon hearing this.

A flash of white light appeared beside Yuan Ming, and the Void's figure emerged: "It's far from over, still refining the materials."

Yuan Ming was somewhat disappointed.

"Kid, you haven't answered my question yet," the Void continued.

Yuan Ming hesitated for a moment before understanding the Void's meaning: "After all, I've spent quite some time in the Dongji Sea."

"This is the fate of a cultivator, always on the road of pursuit, never able to stay in one place for long," the Void said.

"What the Senior says is true," Yuan Ming nodded, though he was rather surprised in his heart.

Since the Void's awakening, he had not been treated to either scorn or orders, and it was the first time they had such a calm conversation.

"Yuan kid, come to think of it, I've never asked you, what is your pursuit?" the Void suddenly inquired.

"Why does the Senior ask this suddenly?" Yuan Ming didn't answer immediately but asked instead.

"You've been refining the Stealing Heaven Tripod's forbidden array quite smoothly, surpassing sixty arrays, much faster than Xia Jie back in the day. I feel I should know more about you," the Void explained.

Yuan Ming was silent for a moment, controlling the soul crows to gaze into the endless starry sky, staying speechless for a while.

"What's the matter, difficult to answer?" the Void asked.

"Of course not, I'm just recalling the past, confirming my answer," Yuan Ming shook his head.

"Oh, and what is your answer?" the Void asked.

"In my youth, I was adrift at the Southern Border, accidentally embarking on the path of cultivation. Later I returned to Da Jin, contended with Chang Chun Temple, then fought with Wu Yue Sect and the Demon World, and in recent years roamed the Dongji Sea... All of this seems compelled by circumstances, unavoidable. Yet fundamentally, it's because I don't want to be constrained by others; I just wish to live free," Yuan Ming looked down at his hands, speaking slowly.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.