A Blessing in Disguise

Damn!

What a stroke of absolutely rotten luck!

The Black Dragon Divine Guards were filled with panic and a sense of bitter injustice, terrified by the sudden communication.

They didn't even know what Young Master Liu looked like, having never laid eyes on such a prominent figure. Yet, the Fallen God Palace had dumped the task of finding him on their heads. This was a disaster falling straight from the sky!

Yao Qianji was especially frantic, already rising to his feet and bowing repeatedly.

It was as if he wasn't holding a communication jade slip, but the very lives of everyone in the Black Dragon Divine Guards.

Even so, the voice transmitted from the jade slip grew even colder.

"One day at most. You must find the Young Master's whereabouts within one day."

"This is Elder Liu's personal divine decree. How dare you haggle over it? If you dare speak another insolent word, your Black Dragon Divine Guards will lose all right to exist within the Divine Lands!"

Whoosh!

The cold tone drained the color from everyone's faces!

Yao Qianji also paled in fright, having already cursed Young Master Liu a thousand times over in his heart.

Son of a bitch!

What the hell is this damn Young Master Liu doing!

Instead of staying comfortably in the divine palace-like floating islands, what's he doing running around the outer regions? He's nothing but a walking calamity!

No matter how he raged inwardly, Yao Qianji wouldn't dare show the slightest hint of disrespect.

This order came from a high elder of the Fallen God Palace, after all.

In the face of such a personage, their Black Dragon Divine Guards were utterly insignificant. A single word from them could render a lifetime of effort worthless, with their lives thrown in as well!

Yao Qianji was burning with anxiety, knowing there was no room for negotiation left.

In his desperation,

he hurriedly pleaded with a pitiful and utterly subservient tone.

"My lord, please be wise and discerning!"

"We have never met Young Master Liu. Searching for him like this is no different from finding a needle in a haystack. We beg for your magnanimity, to grant us a wisp of Young Master Liu's aura…"

As his words fell,

ripples stirred in the void within the great hall, and a phantom figure slowly materialized, immediately causing everyone present to prostrate themselves in reverence.

The phantom figure slowly extended a finger and pointed. A stream of light, dim like a willow leaf, drifted down.

"This is the Young Master's aura."

"There are seven hours left until tonight's event. Do not toy with your own lives!"

With one cold glance, the phantom figure dissipated.

Yao Qianji cupped that faint wisp of light in both hands as if it weighed a thousand pounds, bowing and making salutations repeatedly!

Once the presence of the other was completely gone,

this once-mighty figure stood up, drenched in a cold sweat of fear.

He roared out on the spot, the sound like thunder!

"Quick! Hurry and bring the sect's supreme treasure, the Moonstar Instrument! A single moment's delay, and we'll all be buried with him!"

As his thunderous shout echoed, the great hall of the Black Dragon Divine Guards descended into chaos!

The Black Dragon Divine Guards scurried about in confusion, their former air of superiority gone, faces now only showing panic. After a flurry of activity, they finally, panting heavily, hauled in a massive treasure object.

The treasure resembled an alchemy furnace, with a mirror crafted from supreme-grade immortal jade embedded on its front.

Yao Qianji approached with both hands and carefully placed the wisp of light into it.

A mist of chaotic energies swirled and intertwined.

Within the mirror,

a scene appeared: a mountainous area surrounded by yellow sand. At the foot of the mountain, many people were laboring, a steady stream of figures pushing carts and transporting ore. Among them were quite a few wearing the armor of the Black Dragon Divine Guards.

Even covered in dust, the outlines were still recognizable.

Yao Qianji and the others stared, their eyes growing wider and wider, looking as if they'd seen a ghost.

"This…"

"This place seems to be the Northern Desert Barren Domain?"

"It appears to be one of our Black Dragon Divine Guards' mining sites?!"

"Holy shit! That Young Master Liu actually went to our sect's mining site?!"

A wave of shocked whispers erupted.

The look of suspicion and shock flickered briefly, instantly replaced by the joy of a narrow escape from certain doom. Everyone in the hall successively showed urgent delight, hurriedly looking towards Yao Qianji!

"Since this Young Master is at the mining site in the Northern Desert Barren Domain, regardless of his intentions, we've at least found a trace. We can give an account to the Fallen God Palace now."

"Whew…"

"Fortunately, it was just a scare in the end!"

"Sir, please quickly send a message to Captain Hu guarding the mining site!"

Yao Qianji also caught his breath slightly and hurriedly took out a jade slip.

Just as everyone said, since it was their own mining site, things should be manageable. Whatever this Young Master's purpose might be, they needed to first secure him. As long as they could fulfill the Fallen God Palace's demand, any price was acceptable!

Even the potential output of Starfall Crystal Sand was not worth hesitating over!

Yao Qianji was, after all, a capable figure, reaching a decision in an instant.

But after sending several messages, there was still no response from Captain Hu…

Immediately,

Yao Qianji's gaze became suspicious and unsettled. A sudden sense of foreboding welled up in his heart. His heart, which had just settled, was now lodged in his throat again!

Before he could utter a word, the others watched with eyes full of tension!

Seeing everyone on the verge of anxiously asking questions,

Yao Qianji decisively slapped the table and stood up, his face darkening to the extreme!

"Hu Tao has not responded at all. Something must have happened at the mining site!"

This statement instantly silenced the great hall!

The few who had shown some initiative moments ago were now stunned by the cloud of suspicion hanging over reality. Considering the life-or-death consequences, no one dared to speak up on their own anymore.

Yao Qianji paced back and forth for a few breaths, no longer bothering with these useless subordinates!

After pondering,

he had no choice but to take out a jade slip to contact the great personage from the Fallen God Palace.

"My lord, we have discovered some traces of the Young Master!"

A faintly approving voice came from the jade slip.

"Oh?"

"It seems you have indeed exerted yourselves. Where is the Young Master now?"

Hearing this, Yao Qianji's brow relaxed slightly.

Just as he expected, reporting some information first at least showed they were trying. The other party would then be slightly more lenient. Such nuances were not something ordinary people could grasp.

Then, Yao Qianji immediately reported truthfully.

"I report to you, my lord."

"Young Master Liu's last trace of aura stopped at a mining site in the Northern Desert Barren Domain. This mine falls under our jurisdiction. We should have immediately gone in person to respectfully welcome Young Master Liu, but for some reason, all communication with the mining site has been lost. It seems somewhat suspicious…"

"This subordinate was just about to lead a team to investigate. What does my lord think?"

After his respectful and detailed report,

the tone from the jade slip softened somewhat, as if rather pleased.

"Hmm, you have indeed not disappointed me."

"Since you have found the Young Master's whereabouts, swiftly welcome him back. Proceed as you suggested. If you encounter any difficulties, just invoke the name of my Fallen God Palace."

"I presume no one would dare refuse to give some face, right?"

As these words sounded,

Yao Qianji revealed a flattered and honored smile, immediately bowing deeply as if facing not a jade slip, but a heaven-shaking opportunity bestowed by a supreme figure!

"We respectfully obey your command, my lord!"

Once the light from the jade slip faded,

everyone in the hall wore looks of reverence!

"Sir, how brilliant!"

"As expected of Sir Yao, to even handle the Fallen God Palace so adeptly, using this opportunity to find the Young Master to gain the favor of such a great personage!"

"All thanks to Sir's masterful planning, our Black Dragon Divine Guards have actually turned misfortune into fortune!"

"Such skill is matched by few in the Divine Lands!"

"Sir Yao's prowess shakes the world, we are far from your equal!"

After a round of praise,

a flash of pride crossed Yao Qianji's eyes. His reputation wasn't for nothing. Without a thousand schemes, could he have reached his current position?

Eager to seize this opportunity, Yao Qianji hurriedly stored away that precious wisp of aura.

Waving his hand to issue orders, his face brimming with triumphant spirit!

"By my command!"

"All members of the Black Dragon Divine Guard, advance swiftly to the Northern Desolate Wastes to welcome Young Master Liu!"

The stern command reverberated.

A vast, mighty procession rippled through the air. Led by Yao Qianji, they tore through the void and departed. The Black Dragon Divine Guard was in high spirits, as if they had already ascended the very pillars that hold up the heavens.

Every member was filled with eager anticipation, impatiently awaiting the return of Young Master Liu!