hhnovel Chapter 256: Trapped on Blackwood Island
Chapter 256: Trapped on Blackwood Island
To escape the pursuit of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, Gu Ran had specifically chosen Blackwood Island, a remote and secluded location.
The neighboring islands were far from Blackwood Island. For anyone attempting to travel by flight, they’d have to brave the vast, boundless sea.
Even a cultivator at the Inquiring Journey realm would need considerable time to reach the nearest islands.
By then, it was likely that the teleportation array would have been repaired.
The teleportation array is currently down,
Feng Liu thought.
So, we’re all essentially trapped on Blackwood Island.
A brief, cold glint flashed in his eyes as he stepped forward and addressed Gu Ran. "Brother Niu, since leaving isn’t an option, wouldn’t it be better to stay with us at the Feng estate for the time being?"
"Absolutely," Feng Hongbo added with a nod.
"Young friend Niu Qing, surely you won’t turn down this honor I’m offering?" he added, his voice carrying a seemingly friendly chuckle.
Yet, beneath his pleasant tone, a trace of irritation simmered.
The death of his close friend, You Dan, had already darkened Feng Hongbo’s mood.
Gu Ran’s public rejection of his almost fawning invitation was an affront to his authority as the lord of Blackwood Island.
If it weren’t for the secrets he sought from Gu Ran—and the risk of losing out on valuable gains—Feng Hongbo would have made a move against him long ago.@@@@
"Very well, then. It seems I’ll owe you a debt, senior," Gu Ran agreed with a nod.
With his current strength, even if the Feng Clan harbored ill intentions, they would struggle to harm him.
Why not agree and perhaps even take advantage of their resources along the way?
"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent!" Feng Hongbo laughed heartily, nodding in satisfaction as he clasped his fist and palm together in a respectful salute to Gu Ran. "Young friend Niu Qing, please accompany me. Though we’ve only just met, I feel a strong connection with you, as if we’ve known each other for years!"
"Please!" Gu Ran returned the salute, then joined Feng Hongbo as they took off toward the heart of Blackwood Island.
Feng Liu and the other members of the Feng Clan followed closely behind.
Meanwhile, the chaotic battlefield was already being cleared—the demonic beast carcasses claimed by Jiang Chen, while the fallen cultivators were gathered by their respective families.
At the same time, from a distance, Jiang Chen retrieved an Image Projection Stone and infused it with his Dao Origin Power.
The events on Blackwood Island following Jiang Chen’s departure immediately appeared within the Image Projection Stone.
To avoid any unforeseen complications due to Gu Ran’s protagonist status, Jiang Chen had resolved to exercise extra caution this time, refraining from using his divine sense to directly monitor Gu Ran.
Before leaving, he had cleverly hidden an Image Projection Stone within a cultivator’s body, specifically to record Gu Ran’s actions and movements.
For added security, Jiang Chen delayed accessing the Image Projection Stone, giving it a moment before beginning his review.
As expected, he’s stayed on Blackwood Island,
Just then, a rustling sound echoed through the hall.
A beam of light, radiating a powerful aura, appeared near the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect.
"It’s Holy Son Jiang Chen returning!" someone announced.
"Holy Son Jiang Chen is unharmed!"
"As expected. It’s no small feat for a Transcendence realm demon to cross the Bottomless Abyss channel. The ones breaching our Lustrous Yang Domain are likely just ordinary Dao Palace realm demons."
Visible relief and joy spread across the faces of the gathered crowd.
In an instant, they transformed into a flurry of afterimages, soaring into the sky to greet Jiang Chen.
"Fellow Daoists, the demons invading from the direction of Blackwood Island were led by a Peak-stage Dao Palace realm demon. I’ve already eliminated it," Jiang Chen said, getting straight to the point.
"I’ve also dealt with the stronger demonic beasts within the demonic beast tide. The rest are yours to handle as you see fit."
"Furthermore, death warriors from the Purple Heaven Holy Land will soon arrive here."
"Regarding that, act as if you’re unaware," he added firmly. "And as for Gu Ran, no one is to make any rash moves. I have a plan in place."
"Yes, Holy Son Jiang Chen. Rest assured, we won’t act recklessly," replied Ji Yilan and others eager to stay in Jiang Chen’s favor, complying without hesitation.
...
Before long, the death warriors sent by Ji Mingxiu arrived at the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect.
There were over a thousand of them, with three at the Inquiring Journey realm, while the rest were cultivators at the Heavenly Origin realm or below.
They appeared no different from ordinary people, their expressions and emotions diverse, making it nearly impossible to tell they were death warriors at a glance.
"Excellent!" Jiang Chen said, clearly pleased with the group, and promptly led them toward Blackwood Island.
Given his speed, it didn’t take long for Jiang Chen to reach the vicinity of Blackwood Island.
He then instructed a few of the death warriors to pose as refugees seeking shelter and head toward Blackwood Island.
As for himself, he found a secluded spot some distance away and began cultivating.
Time was valuable, and Jiang Chen intended to use it wisely.
...
On Blackwood Island, Gu Ran attended the banquet the Feng Clan had organized in his honor.
All the island’s distinguished figures were present, each one enthusiastically toasting to him, their eagerness unmistakable.
Some had even brought along beautiful young ladies, hoping to catch Gu Ran’s interest or perhaps spark a connection.
But how could Gu Ran be swayed by such shallow, ostentatious displays?
Fragments of memories occasionally surfaced in his mind—glimpses of a scale far beyond the Immortal Martial Continent—leaving him indifferent to the allure before him.