Chapter 815: 量天碧月蛟

Just recently, you were quite vocal and enthusiastic in condemning Zu An. How did you change your tune so quickly?

Zhao Xi, being the most straightforward, was the first to apologize to Zu An, saying, "Lord Zu, I am a crude man, quick to believe rumors. I apologize most sincerely for any offense I caused recently. I hope a man of your stature will overlook the transgressions of a lesser man and not take them to heart."

Meng Pan kept muttering 'mmp' to himself. What does he mean by 'quick to believe rumors'? Who exactly is the 'wind' and who is the 'rain'? Isn't he trying to discredit me?

So he hastily added, "I, Meng, was also blind and misguided by the Gu brothers, which led me to suspect Lord Zu. Everything I did was for the public good, not out of malice towards Lord Zu. I offer my apologies to Lord Zu here. This time, everyone owes their lives to you; you are our savior. Please accept my three bows."

Zhao Xi's face twitched. When it came to shamelessness, the Meng family member truly took the cake.

Following this, various young masters from the great clans offered their apologies and made amends. A group of them then presented valuable items from their persons to Zu An as a gesture of atonement.

They had no choice but to give gifts. Knowing that Zu An had just killed a peak eighth-rank master, their usual self-importance as sixth-rank cultivators now meant nothing. The thought of having offended him just days ago filled them with apprehension, and only by offering gifts could they feel slightly at ease.

Zu An had initially intended to refuse, but Bi Linglong quietly reminded him that it would be better to accept the gifts to pacify everyone, lest any trouble arise.

Zu An had to admit that Bi Linglong was indeed a born leader, and her insight into human nature was certainly superior to his own.

However, he disliked these individuals who were arrogant before and servile now, so he had Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun collect the gifts on his behalf.

Seeing that the Crown Princess Consort did not mind his public display of favoritism, everyone understood even more clearly. Their attitude towards Zu An became even more respectful. Recalling how these two guards had spoken up for Zu An earlier, they knew their relationship must be very good and thus dared not treat them lightly.

Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun, meanwhile, puffed out their chests. Earlier, when they spoke up for Zu An, they were ridiculed by this group. Now, watching a group of normally arrogant young masters fawn over them with smiling faces, they felt an extraordinary sense of vindication.

"You're disturbing my sleep," the Crown Prince said, yawning and stretching as he emerged from his tent. He was completely unaware that he had just narrowly escaped death.

In front of so many people, Bi Linglong still had to give him due respect. She stepped forward to report what had happened.

After listening for a while, the Crown Prince sighed repeatedly. "They're both dead? What a shame, now no one will accompany me to catch rabbits anymore."

In recent days, the Gu brothers, in an attempt to get closer to Bi Linglong, had not stinted on flattering the Crown Prince and taking him out for all sorts of entertainment.

Having long resided in the deep palace, the Crown Prince had never encountered such novelties. He quickly became inseparable from them.

This was also why Bi Linglong had not suspected the Gu brothers earlier. If they truly harbored ill intentions, how could they have served the Crown Prince so diligently?

Hearing the Crown Prince's words, the young masters from the various clans felt a complex mix of emotions. Such a thoughtless Crown Prince was truly...

Alas, their families' fates were tied to his, so they could only grit their teeth and see it through.

After a night of rest, Gao Ying and Pei You's injuries gradually stabilized. After dawn, the main contingent set off, continuing deeper into the mountains.

Pei You told everyone how to track the Azure Moon Flood Dragon. It turned out that someone from the Meng family had entered this secret realm in the past and had inadvertently obtained a scale from an Azure Moon Flood Dragon.

This time, they specifically found a runemaster to create a magical artifact, using the aura from the scale to locate its owner.

Carrying this artifact, the group slowly advanced deeper into the mountains. Many dangerous fierce beast lairs along the way were mostly avoided by taking detours, thanks to Zu An's warnings.

This time, no one raised any objections. On the contrary, a crowd of people offered overly flattering compliments.

Zu An secretly sighed with emotion. The same words he spoke before were met with various sneers and sarcasms, but now everyone was fawning over him. Society truly was realistic.

The group traveled for three consecutive days. Pei You's expression grew serious: "We're almost there!"

In fact, Zu An had already sensed a dense water elemental energy, even without Pei You saying anything.

As the group emerged from the dense forest, the scene before them suddenly opened up. A wide waterfall plunged down into a massive pool below, sending spray everywhere. Under the sunlight, faint rainbows could be seen.

Zhao Xi chuckled, "This dragon really knows how to enjoy itself. No wonder it moved. The scenery and territory here are countless times better than its previous Cold Jade Pool."

Gao Ying frowned, saying, "Something isn't right. This secret realm's mountains are full of powerful fierce beasts, and they clearly have a strong sense of territory. While this place is indeed better than the Cold Jade Pool, does an Azure Moon Flood Dragon, a seventh-rank fierce beast, have the right to occupy such a blessed land?"

Zu An secretly nodded. Last time, Gao Ying had also seen through the Gu brothers' rebellion. Though taciturn, this man was meticulous and indeed a talent. No wonder the Liu family dared to send out a wastrel; they had him to cover their bases.

Meng Pan, who was nearby, said, "Could it be that there are no other water-element fierce beasts here, which allowed it to take advantage?"

Gao Ying hesitated for a moment. "It's not entirely impossible," he said.

Bi Linglong said in a deep voice, "Since we've come this far, there's no reason to retreat. Everyone, prepare for battle."

Soon, the young masters of these families began to act in an orderly manner. One must remember that they were the elites of their respective clans. Although they had been somewhat flustered by the Gu brothers' ambush earlier, this time, being prepared, they still displayed a very high level of competence.

The Crown Prince was kept at the rear by Bi Linglong. No one dared to let him rush to the front and risk danger, otherwise, if anything went wrong, no one could bear the responsibility.

Gao Ying and Pei You were injured. Although they had recovered somewhat during this period, they were still not suitable for high-intensity combat, so they were also kept by the Crown Prince's side.

Of course, Bi Linglong was also shrewd. She had Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun lead the Eastern Palace guards to stand guard here.

She herself, along with Zu An, led the experts from the various clans to surround the area below the waterfall.

"Linglong, go! Linglong, go!" The portly Crown Prince sat on a rock, eating fruits prepared by his guards and cheerfully chanting slogans. For him, this trip was merely a sightseeing tour. He had no idea of the impending danger and simply thought he was watching an animal performance.

Bi Linglong sighed faintly in her heart. She quickly composed herself and led the main contingent to the edge of the pool beneath the waterfall.

The pool was filled with misty vapor, and with the rippling water, it was impossible to see what lay beneath.

Soon, someone took out pre-prepared bait and threw it into the pool. The blood gradually stained the water red. Soon, an angry roar echoed: "Who dares defile my dwelling!"

The water in the pool instantly began to boil. Immediately after, a figure dozens of meters long burst out of the water and coiled in mid-air. Its lantern-sized eyes glared furiously at the people by the pool.

The brown vertical pupils in its eyes were particularly intimidating, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

"Are you sure this thing is seventh-rank?" Seeing the colossal beast in the air, Liu Xian's voice trembled slightly.

Zhao Xi swallowed hard. "Why is it so long and so big? It's much larger than the size described in the intelligence."

Meng Pan couldn't help but take a step back. "Its aura is also much stronger than what was reported," he said.

Bi Linglong's voice turned cold. "No, something's wrong. It can speak human words. That's a sign of an eighth-rank or higher..."

Zu An corrected her, "Not eighth-rank, but ninth-rank."

Bi Linglong's expression changed dramatically, and she immediately ordered, "Retreat quickly!"

It was well known that fierce beasts of the same rank were far more powerful than humans. While Zu An could handle a peak eighth-rank opponent, facing a ninth-rank fierce beast was almost impossible.

As they rapidly retreated, Bi Linglong's heart was filled with doubt. "How can it be so much stronger than what was reported?" she wondered.

Her first thought was that it was a conspiracy by King Qi and the Grand Libation. However, she suddenly recalled that all the fierce beasts they had encountered along the way were much stronger than reported. This secret realm was not exclusive to academy personnel; their families had also entered it three years prior and generally knew the strength of its inhabitants. King Qi could not possibly have the power to elevate so many powerful fierce beasts to a higher level.

"Trying to leave? Do you think you can?!" The flood dragon in mid-air roared, and waves of water shot out, forming a translucent barrier, blocking their escape route.