Chapter 124: Azure Cloud

Shoushan lounged leisurely, utterly relaxed, as if he hadn't heard Ling'er speak.

"Grandpa Shan," Tian Ling'er turned and saw Shoushan appearing to be asleep.

"Huh?" Shoushan seemed to wake up suddenly, an innocent expression on his face.

Tian Ling'er sighed in resignation, walking over to the rocking chair to sip some tea before lying down to gaze at the sky.

"Grandpa Shan, when do you think Zhongshan will come back?" Tian Ling'er asked again.

Shoushan opened his eyes slightly, "Ling'er, do you plan to wait here for Zhongshan forever?"

"Yes, I'm going to wait until Zhongshan returns," Tian Ling'er said firmly.

"Zhongshan's roots are poor, his cultivation is slow. What's so good about him?" Shoushan asked with a smile.

"Zhongshan is good at everything. You can't speak ill of Zhongshan, or I won't talk to you anymore," Tian Ling'er pouted.

"Alright, alright, I won't say a word," Shoushan chuckled, shaking his head.

"Good," Ling'er nodded.

"So, when Zhongshan returns, what will you say to him?" Shoushan asked, still smiling.

"Uh, I'll say, I'll say..." Tian Ling'er's face turned red, as if embarrassed to speak the next words.

"Ling'er~~~"

Suddenly, Tiansha's voice came from behind them.

Tian Ling'er and Shoushan quickly got up.

"Senior Brother?" Tian Ling'er looked at Tiansha in surprise.

Shoushan, however, quickly moved the two rocking chairs inside the hut and slowly retreated into the Kaiyang Sect formation.

Tiansha watched Shoushan, noting that Shoushan and the guardian of the sect, who managed the Rare Treasures Pavilion, were peculiar presences in the Kaiyang Sect. They always claimed to be on the verge of death and refused to interact with others, but Tiansha had been in the sect for years without seeing either of them pass away.

These two were among the senior generation in the Kaiyang Sect, yet their identities remained unknown. Even the sect master was generally ignored by them. Only Tian Ling'er seemed to have any familiarity with them.

"Ling'er, what were you talking about with Shoushan?" Tiansha asked.

"Nothing much," Tian Ling'er quickly replied.

Hearing her response, Tiansha's brow furrowed, and he instantly calmed down from his earlier impulse.

Ling'er was no longer the same as before.

Recalling what was said in front of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, Tiansha felt a pang of regret. Ling'er was no longer the little girl who used to cling to him.

At this moment, Tiansha felt an urge to slap himself. Why had he said such things back then?

His expression gradually softened, though Tian Ling'er did not notice it at all.

"Senior Brother, did you need something? Is there a reason you're looking for me?" Tian Ling'er asked, puzzled.

"Yes, why are you here? Why don't you go back inside the formation?" Tiansha asked immediately.

"Oh, I'm waiting for Zhongshan to return," Tian Ling'er replied.

Waiting for Zhongshan to return!

Those words felt like a needle stabbing into Tiansha's heart, an unknown frustration welling up inside him, making his heart feel like a balloon about to burst. With Tian Ling'er's words, the pressure suddenly exploded.

Tiansha felt as if he were leaking air, his eyes turning red.

Zhongshan, it's always Zhongshan!

"Senior Brother, what's wrong?" Ling'er asked, puzzled.

Ling'er's words instantly brought Tian Sha back to his senses. This was not the time to be angry, especially not in front of Ling'er.

Suppressing his inner frustration, Tian Sha looked at Ling'er, shook his head, and said, "It's nothing. I was just asking. When Zhong Shan returns, he will definitely come back inside the grand array. Let's go back. Aren't you bored being here alone?"

"No, Senior Brother, you go back. I must see Zhong Shan as soon as possible," Tian Ling'er immediately shook her head, and then her gaze shifted away from Tian Sha.

Watching Tian Ling'er's back, Tian Sha felt a desolate sense of autumn leaves swept away by the wind. Was he being ignored?

Once upon a time, when Tian Ling'er saw him, she was so excited, enthusiastic, and full of admiration. But now? Now everything had changed. Tian Ling'er's attention was entirely on Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan, always Zhong Shan. Hmph!

With a cold snort and a chest full of pent-up frustration, Tian Sha turned and walked back to the grand array of the Kaiyang Sect—

In the Wolf Domain, within a certain valley.

The emperor of the Yin Moon Dynasty, Mr. Shi, General Thunder, and seven others were all present.

Everyone stood behind the emperor, who was conversing with a man in a green robe.

The man in the green robe had a fair complexion, but his pupils were an eerie green. What was even more unusual were his ears—covered in green fur. They were wolf ears. Yes, a pair of wolf ears.

"General Qingyun Wolf, thank you so much this time," the emperor said.

Everyone behind the emperor looked at the wolf-eared man with respect.

General Qingyun Wolf stared at the emperor with his eerie eyes for a moment before saying, "I owe you my life and have no way to repay you. I promised to introduce you to the Supreme and will do my best to speak on your behalf, hoping the Supreme will give you a chance."

"Thank you," the emperor said, full of excitement.

"Hmm, the Tianlang Island has only your Yin Moon Dynasty. The Supreme should consider it. I'll go to the Supreme now. You stay here and don't leave, especially not to the north," General Qingyun Wolf thought for a moment and said.

"The north? Is the north a forbidden area in the Wolf Domain?" the emperor asked in surprise.

"Uh? It's not exactly a forbidden area, but the north is very peculiar. The Young Master often goes there. Just don't disturb the Young Master," General Qingyun Wolf immediately reminded.

"Young Master?" The emperor seemed to grasp something and quickly asked.

"Hmm, just be mindful. I have to go now, or I won't be able to see the Supreme," General Qingyun Wolf said promptly.

"Thank you," the emperor nodded.

General Qingyun Wolf's figure flickered, transforming into a massive fifty-meter tall green wolf. With a step that kicked up a cloud of dust, he leaped out of sight.

Watching General Qingyun Wolf leave, the emperor's clenched fists trembled slightly with excitement and anticipation. Introducing him to the Wolf Clan Supreme—helping General Qingyun Wolf privately to offend a powerful enemy in the past was indeed the most correct decision he had ever made.

If this mission succeeds, the Yin Moon Dynasty will soon be renamed the 'Yin Moon Empire'. Then, they will have enough power to conquer and occupy a part of the Divine Continent.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty," General Thunder immediately congratulated.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty," everyone else also congratulated the emperor.

"The Wolf Clan Supreme has not yet agreed. We cannot call it a success now. Congratulations are premature," the emperor said modestly. However, his tightly clenched fists revealed his excitement.

"General Qingyun Wolf is a disciple of the Wolf Clan Supreme. With him stepping in, it should not be a big problem," General Thunder said. Clearly, in his eyes, this matter was already a done deal.

"Hopefully," the emperor said, excited but not losing his composure, only nodding slightly.

"It will definitely work," General Thunder affirmed immediately.

"What does Mr. Shi think?" The emperor turned to ask Mr. Shi.

"I'm not sure. I hope Your Majesty will gain the Supreme's approval," Mr. Shi replied respectfully.

"Thank you for your kind words," the emperor nodded.

The group then patiently waited—

At the northern seaside, Zhong Shan had just sent off Bei Qingsi. Although he had calmed down, a slight melancholy lingered in his heart. Turning his head, Zhong Shan spotted a small, two-foot-tall silver wolf on a distant hill.

"Awoooooo—"

The little wolf on the hill stared at Zhong Shan and suddenly howled. The howl was long and seemed to carry a note of joy.

Looking at the wolf with its pure, gleaming fur, Zhong Shan frowned, rapidly sifting through his memories.

A demon wolf? Was it that demon wolf?

Back when he first met Zhao Suoxiang, there was a silver wolf that fought with his unruly son Zhong Di. Later, he had released the little silver wolf.

It had the same appearance, the same fur, the same wolf nose, and the same eyes, but its size had doubled.

Was it that little wolf? How did it end up here? How did it find him?

As he pondered, Zhong Shan suddenly recalled another incident. Ever since his last encounter with this little wolf, after being 'spat on' by the wolf, he seemed to be accepted by the wolf clan. Many times when he encountered wolves, they did not attack him. Even in this wolf-dominated Wolf Domain, he moved unhindered. Could it be because of this wolf?

Zhong Shan ran toward the little wolf, and the little wolf also ran joyfully toward Zhong Shan, as if reuniting with a long-lost friend.

Seeing the little wolf so happy, Zhong Shan became more certain of his guess. It was that little wolf, and it still remembered him.

When they met halfway up the mountain, the little wolf seemed extremely excited. Without hesitation, it leaped into Zhong Shan's arms.

"Thud—"

Zhong Shan was knocked to the ground by the little wolf. Of course, Zhong Shan could have easily slapped the little wolf away, but in that moment, how could he?

The little wolf affectionately licked Zhong Shan's cheek with its little wolf tongue.

"Hahaha, okay, stop moving, stop moving," Zhong Shan immediately hugged the little wolf to stop it from moving. Even if it was the wolf clan's way of showing friendliness, Zhong Shan found it a bit overwhelming.

Regardless, escaping from the wolves and entering the Wolf Domain unscathed was all thanks to this little wolf. Zhong Shan felt a deep sense of gratitude towards the little wolf.