Chapter 418: The Dao
After a considerable amount of time had passed, Candle Dragon finally regained his senses.
He gazed at the figure of Lu Heng before him, then glanced at Jiu Mie, murmuring, "Erba God Man, these sixteen little creatures, did indeed once serve the Emperor and were members of the ancient Heavenly Court."
"But these sixteen little creatures held the lowest position in the ancient Heavenly Court, and were of no significant importance. There were countless ancient gods who have served the Emperor, and these sixteen little creatures were insignificant in comparison."
"Their cultivation strength is average, apart from their skill in escaping, which is worth mentioning, they are practically useless."
"Why would the Emperor entrust such a significant secret to them?" Candle Dragon pondered, finding it increasingly difficult to comprehend.
Because those sixteen little creatures are truly wicked and untamable, not to mention utterly chaotic. Even the enemies from beyond the realm couldn't be bothered with these sixteen little creatures.
It can be described as something abhorred by both the enemies and their companions.
Yet, the Emperor entrusted such a crucial secret to them?
However, these sixteen little creatures are completely unreliable. There are far more ancient gods in the Heavenly Court who are safer and more deserving of trust than them…
Whispering to himself, Candle Dragon pondered in bewilderment.
Upon seeing this, Jiu Mie cleared his throat and said, "In fact, my dear friend Candle Dragon, there's no need to overthink. Perhaps it was just at that moment when the Emperor needed someone, and these sixteen little creatures happened to be the only ones left by his side."
"Many times, the master also experiences moments of helplessness, you know."
Jiu Mie smiled and explained, "In any case, now that we have received news about the River Map and the Luo Book, how about the three of us go and find these two treasures? I'm not particularly interested in the secret techniques recorded in the two treasures, old ascetic cultivator, I simply desire to witness the scene of the so-called Heavenly Lord in person… My friend, do you happen to know the whereabouts of the fabled Sanxian Island in the sea?"
Jiu Mie's inquiry snapped Candle Dragon out of his reverie.
Candle Dragon looked at Lu Heng and Jiu Mie before falling into a brief silence. After a few moments, he slowly uttered, "Indeed, I am aware of the location of Sanxian Island in the sea, but… but perhaps this information from Friend Lu Heng is false."
"Perhaps it is simply a fake news released by the Erba God Man, the River Map and the Luo Book cannot possibly be sealed on Sanxian Island in the sea."
Jiu Mie was greatly astonished by Candle Dragon's words and asked, "Oh? How so?"
Candle Dragon explained, "Sanxian Island in the sea consists of three ancient islands in the East Sea. They are named Penglai, Yingzhou, and Fangzhang."
"These three immortal islands have existed since ancient times, even predating the era of the Emperor. They stand majestic in the void, beneath which lies the Eastern Sea Return Ruins, an eerie and frightful place that few mortal beings can traverse."
"In the world, only the Dragon race has the freedom to enter and exit Sanxian Island in the sea. Therefore, this place has always been a blessed land for the Dragons, and all Dragon beings of the Celestial Desolation Realm reside on Sanxian Island in the sea."
"Based on my understanding of these three immortal islands, it is unlikely that there is any treasure trove on them. If the River Map and the Luo Book are truly stored on Sanxian Island, the Dragon beings who have lived there for generations cannot be unaware of it."
"And every time the Earthly Catastrophe arrives, as the Dragons gather on Sanxian Island, external enemies from other realms will send powerful beings to surround and annihilate them, leaving no survivors."
"Even if the River Map and the Luo Book can deceive the Dragons on the island, they cannot deceive the plundering of those external enemies. If they were on it, they would have long been discovered."
"Therefore, I can assert that Sanxian Island in the sea cannot possess the River Map and the Luo Book. This must be the distorted words of those sixteen little monsters, the Erba God Men, uttered in their dying moments."
After Candle Dragon finished speaking, he pondered for a moment, then sighed and said, "However, if you two friends are curious, I wouldn't mind taking you on a visit to Sanxian Island in the sea… What do you think? Are you interested in exploring Sanxian Island?"
Candle Dragon switched the topic with a cheerful smile and suddenly became enthusiastic.
This peculiar transformation made Jiu Mie somewhat astonished.
Lu Heng's heart skipped a beat as he suddenly recalled the matter Ao Tianxing had mentioned. The Dragon Emperor had once said that she intended to marry the person who wields the heavenly thunder?
It is evident that Candle Dragon, this old fellow, is well aware of this matter. Not only does he know about it, but he also intends to bring Lu Heng, the one who wields the heavenly thunder, to the island to meet the Dragon Emperor…
Lu Heng immediately said, "Paying a visit to Sanxian Island is not a big deal, but before we go, you two friends must promise me one thing. If you agree, not only will we explore Sanxian Island, but I will also accompany you on an expedition to the Eastern Sea Return Ruins."
Jiu Mie was even more astonished by Lu Heng's words. After thinking for a moment, he chuckled and said, "There's no harm in speaking frankly, my friend. I will completely follow your lead."
Candle Dragon also nodded repeatedly and said, "I am the same as Friend Jiu Mie, I will completely follow your lead. Friend Lu Heng, you may freely express your request."
Once they made the promise, Lu Heng spoke, "Once we arrive on the island, you must not address me as Lu Heng, nor reveal my true identity. I will adopt an alias during our stay. Furthermore, in the event of any conflicts that arise on the island, I will refrain from taking action and rely on you, my two friends, to handle it… How does this condition sound? It shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
"Indeed, it is not difficult," Jiu Mie said with a peculiar look as he glanced at Lu Heng and then at the smiling Candle Dragon. After some contemplation, he continued, "Very well! I promise my friend that I will abide by your instructions."
Jiu Mie glanced at the Candle Dragon beside him and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Candle Dragon, my friend, what about you?"
Candle Dragon's smile brightened as he nodded and said, "I am the same, completely following Friend Lu Heng, and will never go against it."
And so, both of them agreed to it.
However, for some unknown reason, even though they both agreed, Lu Heng couldn't shake off the feeling of unease in his heart.
Staring at his two mischievous friends in front of him, Lu Heng said, "I have entrusted my entire livelihood and even my life in the promises of you two friends. You must not deceive or betray me…"
Jiu Mie nodded repeatedly and said, "No problem, my friend, don't worry. We will definitely fully trust and never expose the fact that you are the Wolf God of Hanyu Mountain."
Candle Dragon also nodded with a serious expression and said, "I am the same."
Regarding this, Lu Heng still felt uneasy. However, he couldn't think of any other solution.
He could only stare at the two of them and say, "So when do we set sail for Sanxian Island?"
After a brief calculation, Candle Dragon said, "Sanxian Island opens once every century at sea. The next opening will be in nine years."
"At that time, the dense fog formation on the three islands will be activated. The ancient dragon, known for its mastery of manipulating clouds and rain, will retreat to the island. We can take advantage of this period to enter."
Candle Dragon said, "Dear friends, you may each return to your respective dwellings. Let us reunite, on the autumn equinox, nine years hence, at the Cliff of Dao. Together, we shall embark on a journey to the three islands of the sea… What say you?"
Candle Dragon looked at Lu Heng and Jiu Mie.
Jiu Mie smiled and said, "It's not like the Cliff of Dao gathering that happens once every ten years. We don't need to go there every time. Let's meet at Friend Lu Heng's Hanyu Mountain on the autumn equinox nine years from now."
"Hanyu Mountain has a prominent landmark, so let's choose this place as the starting point. It will also save Friend Lu Heng from the trouble of bringing his entire family around… What do you think, Friend Lu Heng?"
Lu Heng chuckled and said, "I naturally agree… What about you, my esteemed friend Candle Dragon?"
Candle Dragon nodded and said, "I have never been to Hanyu Mountain before… In that case, let us meet again at Hanyu Mountain on the autumn equinox, nine years from now."
