Chapter 4652 — There Must Be More to It

Only then did Wei Zhao breathe a little easier. South Continent and South Island differed by a single word, yet the gulf between what Qinglong had said was immense. Had he said South Island, Wei Zhao would have known himself recognized beyond doubt; but since the words were South Continent, then it likely referred to the affair of the South Continent Escort Agency's grand gathering...

"Elder Qinglong flatters me. I merely did a friend a small favor—nothing worth mentioning," Wei Zhao said coolly.

"Your 'nothing worth mentioning' left behind a legend among the people of South Continent. Are you saying they are too weak, or that you are too strong?" Qinglong smiled noncommittally, and without waiting for an answer went on: "One day I too shall pay a visit to North Island, and I hope then that Special Envoy Lin will do me the kindness of an introduction."

Having said this, Qinglong paid no heed whatsoever to the astonished gazes of Wei Zhao and everyone else, but turned and went back alone to the South Island guests' section.

What on earth was this creature playing at? Wei Zhao's mind was steeped in doubt. He did not know why Qinglong had suddenly sought him out, still less why it had said such things. What deeper meaning lay hidden here? It was truly baffling.

Wei Zhao was puzzled; the rest of those present found it even more inconceivable. That Elder Qinglong of the spirit beast clan, lofty and aloof, should openly approach a young disciple of North Island's Azure Cloud Pavilion for conversation—such a thing was simply beyond comprehension. However one looked at it, the gap in their stations was far too vast!

Because of Qinglong, Wei Zhao had by now become the focus of the entire hall. Qi Wenmo, who had not noticed him before, was both startled and overjoyed—never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he would meet Wei Zhao on West Island.

Had not every gesture of his stood for the South Continent sea realm, had not the present occasion been too momentous and sensitive, Qi Wenmo would have absolutely charged over and given Wei Zhao a great bear hug. As it was, he could only force down his excitement and wave to Wei Zhao from afar.

Wei Zhao soon noticed. Casting Qinglong from his mind, he made a gesture to Qi Wenmo, signaling that once the birthday banquet was over they would find a time to get together properly.

And while Wei Zhao was greeting Qi Wenmo, Lan Tieshan and Gongsun Jie, likewise seated in the North Island guests' section, had involuntarily sunk into deep thought, their eyes fixed hard upon Qinglong's back as though they meant to see clean through it.

They had heard every word Qinglong said to Wei Zhao just now—clear as day. This was nothing short of a major event, and it must be reported to the higher-ups at once!

Qinglong's sudden emergence to attend the West Island princess's birthday banquet had already seemed highly suspect, and now it spoke of visiting North Island as well—what was the spirit beast clan preparing to do? To come out and wander about so—were they preparing to openly break the covenant concluded between the Spirit Beast King and the human alliance?

The peace the five Cloud-Tier Islands had maintained all these years was due in large part to that very covenant. Without it, given the estrangement between the spirit beast clan and human cultivators, war could break out at any moment—and that would be a catastrophe indeed!

The banquet went on. Yet everyone's gaze still drifted involuntarily toward the South Island guests' section. The shock Qinglong had dealt them was simply too great. Though it was said they had come to offer birthday congratulations to the West Island princess, all could plainly discern in this move the spirit beast clan's restlessness—perhaps this was the sign that the spirit beasts were preparing to step out of South Island!

At this thought, a chill ran through everyone.

The might and terror of the spirit beast clan were beyond question, yet they had never left the bounds of South Island—and so human cultivators could rest easy.

But now, should the spirit beast clan prepare to emerge into the world, it would surely bring a colossal variable to the five Cloud-Tier Islands.

Even if they did not provoke war, the latent threat their presence brought wherever they went would be enough to alter the greater balance. The five great Heaven-Tier islands, quiet for so many years, would inevitably see the winds and clouds rise again—perhaps another age of top-tier chaos!

"I thank all you honored guests for coming from far and wide to grace this occasion. Today is my daughter's coming-of-age ceremony at eighteen, and a rare day of celebration for West Island as well. On behalf of all the sisters of West Island, I thank you all." The moment Ning Shanghe spoke, everyone's eyes finally left Qinglong, and the banquet at last returned to its normal rhythm.

"For the joy of my daughter's birthday, let us all raise our cups and drain them dry. Tonight, no one goes home!" Ning Shanghe said with a smile, lifting her cup.

"Drain the cup, and tonight no one goes home!" the crowd echoed in high spirits, and the somewhat stifled atmosphere was instantly swept away. All raised their cups high and drank them dry.

Ning Shanghe was a woman, but the women of West Island were never to be measured by ordinary standards—and she least of all, as its Island Lord. Serene, she was noble and aloof; warm, she was open and generous. On an occasion like this her every gesture was grand and commanding. Dignitary of an island though she was, she came down in person to propose toasts, making the rounds of every guests' section from first to last, and each time draining her cup with hearty good cheer. The hall erupted in thunderous applause without end—truly, a heroine who yielded nothing to any man!

Since Ning Shanghe came to toast, Ning Xuefei naturally had to follow, and on such an occasion she showed no small measure of her mother's bearing, drinking cleanly and briskly—so much so that even Wei Zhao looked on in some surprise. Surely this girl hadn't been trained for it since childhood?

Wherever Ning Shanghe and Ning Xuefei went, they were of course the one and only focus of the hall. And this time, after reaching the North Island guests' section, they unexpectedly paused deliberately before Wei Zhao. Though they were toasting all the guests from North Island, any discerning eye could see there was plainly a deeper meaning in it.

Feeling the strange looks of the crowd, Wei Zhao smiled wryly to himself. First Qinglong, now Ning Shanghe—twice made the center of attention. Had he been given a protagonist's halo today, that all the great figures must come pay him a visit?

Taking advantage of the toast, Ning Xuefei winked at Wei Zhao, as though trying to convey something. But Wei Zhao was utterly at a loss. Though he and Ning Xuefei were close, they were not yet so in tune that a single glance could tell him her thoughts—what did it mean?

The toasting done, by custom Ning Shanghe should have moved at once to the next guests' section, yet this time she lingered unexpectedly a moment longer, surveying Wei Zhao with a meaningful look, and smiled: "So you are Wei Zhao. Feifei has mentioned you to me many times. I am grateful for the care you have shown her."

"The Island Lord is too kind. Feifei and I are good friends; we help each other, so there is no question of who looks after whom. Feifei has helped me a great deal as well." Wei Zhao was somewhat surprised, but kept a composed, faint smile on his face. (To be continued.) xh118R1052