Have You Also Returned

"Manager, may I ask where the Founding Masters are?" a member of Linglong Pavilion couldn't help but inquire.

"If I knew where they were, would I need to gather all of you?" the middle-aged man at the head of the table snapped. "And I said it's just a possibility, a possibility—do you understand?"

"Yes, Manager."

The Linglong Pavilion member lowered his head.

Knowing the Manager's temper, the others avoided asking further questions that might provoke his ire and instead asked, "Manager, how did you come to know that the Founding Masters might have returned?"

"Good question."

The middle-aged man took a drag from his cigarette and waved his hand. "Three months ago, a great battle took place in the Guihai Domain, which ended with someone self-destructing to decide the outcome."

"But what's strange is that two months ago, another great battle occurred in the Guihai Domain, and this one also ended with someone self-destructing to determine the victor."

"Most crucially, witnesses claim that the person who self-destructed in both battles was the same individual!"

Having said this, the middle-aged man fell silent, lighting another cigarette from the box.

As his words sank in, many in the crowd exclaimed in shock, "The Eighteenth Founding Master?"

"Heh, you brats aren't completely hopeless," the Manager chuckled. "Self-destructing without dying—such an ability has only ever been heard of in the legends of the Eighteenth Founding Master."

With this confirmation, the entire square erupted in commotion.

Many wore expressions of fervent excitement.

To think they might have the fortune of witnessing the legendary Founding Masters of Linglong Pavilion in their lifetime!

"Quiet, quiet!"

The Manager barked. "Right now, these are the only clues we have, and we can't yet confirm it's truly the Eighteenth Founding Master."

"So, to verify whether the Founding Masters have truly returned, we need further evidence."

"Since these Founding Masters always act as a group, aside from the Eighteenth, it would be even better if we could uncover traces of the others in the Cloud Star Domain."

"The reason I've gathered you all here is to have you deploy your subordinates and investigate whether any figures resembling the other Founding Masters have appeared across the Cloud Star Domain."

Below the stage.

Upon hearing the Manager's words, Mei Xian'er's mind immediately conjured up the image of Yi Feng.

Not that Yi Feng resembled any of the Founding Masters.

But his skill at playing mahjong had struck her as unusual—especially the seasoned, battle-hardened demeanor he displayed during the game. Apart from occasionally seeing it in the Manager, she had never encountered such a presence in anyone else.

In short, that aura made her vaguely sense that Yi Feng was no ordinary man.

"Manager, Mei'er has something to report," Mei Xian'er called out loudly.

"Oh? Little Mei'er, what is it?"

The Manager smiled.

"Manager, some days ago, on my Line 8 ship, I encountered a young man like this." Mei Xian'er recounted everything about playing mahjong with Yi Feng in detail, including her observations about his demeanor.

"Oh? Such skill?"

The Manager's eyes gleamed thoughtfully. "You must know, this mahjong was crafted using a specific method passed down by the Founding Masters themselves. No cultivator can cheat at it."

Back then, the Founding Masters had created this game precisely to expand the ranks of the Dragon Division through such means.

Of course.

The Dragon Division was a secretive faction unknown to ordinary people.

"Where is he now?"

The Manager pressed urgently.

No matter who this person was, in his eyes, there was a high chance he belonged to a group similar to the Dragon Division.

That bunch from the Dragon Division...

They were all lunatics!

Even if I encountered any one of them, I wouldn't dare speak too boldly.

Only the Founding Masters could suppress them and bring them under their command, keeping them in reserve for critical moments.

"Uh..."

When asked about Yi Feng's whereabouts, Mei Xian'er looked awkward and rubbed her nose. "He jumped into the sea. By now, he's probably..."

"Then why the hell bring it up?"

The Manager glared at her. "I thought you'd brought him here."

Mei Xian'er flushed with embarrassment.

"I only mentioned it because your talk of the Founding Masters reminded me of him," she explained.

"Enough, enough. We'll deal with it if we cross paths again."

The Manager waved dismissively.

"Cross paths again?"

Mei Xian'er raised an eyebrow. "He's already dead. How would we meet?"

"Don't worry about that. There's a ninety percent chance he's still alive."

The Manager spoke impatiently, though he didn't elaborate.

If Yi Feng truly matched Mei Xian'er's description, he most likely belonged to the Dragon Division—perhaps was even a member himself.

Regardless, the Founding Masters had once instructed that anyone resembling the Dragon Division should not be provoked or pursued aggressively. Let fate take its course.

But Mei Xian'er knew none of this.

Hearing the Manager declare Yi Feng alive, her brows shot up.

This Manager might seem crude and irritable, but he was an unfathomably powerful figure—one of the few who had actually met the Founding Masters.

Though.

Rumors claimed the Founding Masters hadn't thought much of him, he had risen to his position by ingratiating himself with someone even the Founding Masters feared. Yet his strength and far-reaching influence were undeniable.

So if the Manager said Yi Feng wasn't dead, Mei Xian'er believed it unconditionally, whatever the reason.

"So you're alive after all, little one."

"How interesting."

Mei Xian'er licked her lips, a playful smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

"Little Mei'er, stay away from him. Don't provoke him," the Manager added, giving her a meaningful look.

Mei Xian'er froze.

Don't provoke him?

For the Manager to say such a thing only skyrocketed her curiosity to new heights.

"Little one, who'd have thought the Manager would warn me about you like this..."

"Now I'm truly curious about your origins..."

"Alright, dismissed. Report back immediately if you uncover anything." The Manager waved his hand, signaling for his attendants to wheel him away.

Once turned.

His face darkened with worry.

"Founding Masters, I've carried out every task you assigned me thus far, but I don't know what comes next."

"If the results displease you, I hope you won't hold it against me."

"And that person... have you returned as well?"