Chapter 80: The Upheaval at Azure Profundity Manor

After a while, Zi Tuofeng emerged from the house.

“Haha, Master Tu, I heard from the messenger boy—never expected to find someone of your stature among these useless lot. Truly, you’ve made me see you in a new light!”

Zi Tuofeng laughed heartily as he strode out.

Tu Lu’s lips twitched.

This fellow could change his attitude faster than flipping a page; moments ago, he’d wanted to kill him, and now he wore this friendly façade. Did he really think Tu Lu couldn’t see through his earlier pretense?

“Alright, Master Tu, please go rest in the inner chamber for a while. Once the selection is over, we’ll have a proper drink together!”

“Thank you, Young Master Zi.”

Coming back to himself, Tu Lu couldn’t help but smile slightly as he replied.

Half a day later, to Tu Lu’s surprise, another person had succeeded besides himself.

Although this person had only managed success once, it was enough to astonish everyone.

And it wasn’t any of the renowned inscription masters, but a young man around his own age, named Feng Ru.

“Haha, with the assistance of Master Tu, Master Zhao, and Master Feng, I am truly fortunate! Come, let’s eat and drink!”

Within the private residence, Zi Tuofeng set out an abundant feast, inviting Tu Lu and the other two.

But as Tu Lu swept his mental strength around, he sensed skilled experts lurking in every direction, and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

No matter how Zi Tuofeng tried to disguise himself, one thing never changed: he was always cowardly to his core.

“Master Zi, may I ask what you’ve gathered us here for? What do you require of us?”

As the wine flowed, Tu Lu suddenly clasped his fists and inquired.

Feng Ru’s attention immediately shifted to them.

Only Zhao Yuyang seemed to already know something, paying little heed.

“Master Tu, no need to rush. Once the banquet ends, you may rest for a while. In due time, I shall explain everything to you myself.”

“Then I thank you, Young Master Zi,” Tu Lu nodded.

After the feast, the three made their way to the lodgings arranged for them by Zi Tuofeng.

Since this was the governor’s private residence, designated for guests, and now assigned to Zi Tuofeng, there weren’t many rooms.

Their accommodations were all close together.

“Master Zhao, I heard you’re from Qingxuan Province. May I ask how you came to be here?”

Halfway there, Tu Lu suddenly spoke.

Zhao Yuyang sighed.

“Master Tu, perhaps you don’t know—there was a great upheaval in Qingxuan Prefecture.

A demon clan grand elder appeared, stirring up a beast tide in the Thunder Demon Mountains. Now, Qingxuan Province is aflame with war, impossible to remain there.”

He sighed, “In fact, the origin of this conflict was the city where I lived—Divine Wind City. That demon clan grand elder grew stronger by seizing the Dragon Soul suppressed in the Tianlong Workshop of Divine Wind City, which led to the city’s destruction, leaving nothing but ashes.”

“I barely escaped death in the explosion, but immediately heard of the beast tide in the Thunder Demon Mountains. I had no choice but to flee far from Qingxuan Province, traveling by teleportation until I reached Taixu Province.”

“You’ve suffered much, Master Zhao,” Feng Ru remarked with emotion.

Zhao Yuyang shook his head with a bitter smile.

Once they arrived at their quarters, the three parted for now, each settling into his assigned room. Only then did Tu Lu let out a deep breath.

He finally understood why there had been no news of Tianlong Workshop pursuing him.

It turned out, after Xiaocai and Gongsun Yan parted from him that day, they went straight back to Qingxuan Prefecture and triggered the beast tide in the Thunder Demon Mountains!

In doing so, they exposed themselves to Tianlong Workshop!

At a time like this, Tianlong Workshop would surely focus all its efforts on capturing them, never considering someone as insignificant as him. Even if they did, it was unlikely he’d matter to them.

“It seems I’m safe for now.”

“But I wonder how Xiaocai and Gongsun Yan are faring, and why they chose to act this way. Could it be they now have the confidence to face Tianlong Workshop?”

He shook his head, unable to fathom it, and knowing it was pointless to dwell. For now, he set these thoughts aside.

What mattered most was the present moment.