Chapter 4660 — The Movements of the Spirit Beasts

"They dare to rage but not to speak. At least where the South Continent seas are concerned, even all of them put together wouldn't fill a crack between the Spirit Beast clan's teeth—so of course they don't dare let out so much as a fart." Qi Wenmo gave a helpless, bitter smile, then paused. "For now things are still all right. What I fear is that the Spirit Beast clan will only grow more brazen in the days to come. That's actually another reason I came out this time—to sound out the higher-ups on West Island and see where West Island stands. After that, I'll do my best to make contact with the other powers as well, if only the human factions could unite and hold the Spirit Beast clan in check together."

At those words, the figure of Azure Dragon suddenly flashed through Wei Zhao's mind—above all the attitude he had shown at the birthday banquet, and the words he had said to him!

Earlier it had all been a fog to him, but now Wei Zhao began to understand. Azure Dragon's purpose was likely the same as Qi Wenmo's—both were after the same thing. They simply stood on different sides.

The Spirit Beast clan had always kept itself apart from the world. Though under Vermilion Bird's prodding they had now taken their first step, Vermilion Bird was no fool; he was not so stupid as to think he could make an enemy of the whole world. With every step the Spirit Beast clan took, they had to watch closely how the human factions reacted. If they were besieged by the human powers before they were strong enough, even the Spirit Beast clan could not afford the cost.

Under such circumstances, the new Azure Dragon—raised to his post by Vermilion Bird's own hand—became the obvious choice for dealing with the human factions. His visit to West Island for the birthday banquet was not merely a gesture of goodwill; he must also have harbored the same intent as Qi Wenmo, hoping to seize the chance to probe how West Island's higher-ups viewed the situation in South Continent.

And not only West Island—the other great Cloud-Tier Islands, North Island included, were all parties Azure Dragon had to deal with. At that thought, the corners of Wei Zhao's mouth curved up despite himself. No wonder Azure Dragon had gone out of his way to strike up a conversation with him!

Yet Wei Zhao had still overlooked one thing. Azure Dragon did indeed bear the mission of dealing with the human factions, and he was indeed prepared to find an opportunity to visit North Island. But that could not be the reason Azure Dragon had sought him out—at the very least, that reason was far from sufficient.

Wei Zhao was, after all, nothing more than a special envoy of North Island. In stature he could not remotely compare with a top-ranking elder of the Spirit Beast clan like Azure Dragon. If Azure Dragon truly meant only to visit North Island, why seek him out? Wouldn't it have been better to go to Lan Tieshan?

North Island, West Island, South Continent—and even Central Island. Wei Zhao himself had never realized that he had no small dealings with all these places. He was a small figure, true, but if he were truly put to use, he was the crucial fulcrum on which a lever could pry up all of South Continent!

Azure Dragon had seen exactly this, and that was what had produced the scene at the birthday banquet. Otherwise, a mere Wei Zhao would not even have been worthy of entering his eyes, let alone have him strike up a conversation first.

"A colossus like the Spirit Beast clan is not something the powers of the South Continent seas can contend with. To speak honestly, whatever becomes of the South Continent seas in the end has nothing at all to do with the local powers. It all depends on whether the Spirit Beast clan and the human powers of the other great Cloud-Tier Islands can eventually reach some tacit understanding or compromise—the key lies in what attitude those great figures take," Wei Zhao said musingly.

"Exactly, that's what I think too. That's why I want to find a way to reach the higher-ups of each island. I don't presume to hope for any aid they might give—at least I need to sound out their attitudes first, so that I can be prepared in advance," Qi Wenmo said with a nod.

"Mm, for now that's all we can do. If anything changes later on, remember to send me word at once. I can't promise anything else, but I still have some connections on these Cloud-Tier Islands—perhaps I can be of help," Wei Zhao said after a moment's thought.

"Good, I'll remember that!" Qi Wenmo said, overjoyed.

After these words, the two reminisced a while longer, though they did not talk too late into the night. Qi Wenmo now held the Golden Core of Gathering Infants and could hardly wait to go back and prepare for his breakthrough, while Wei Zhao for his part needed to adjust his condition and consolidate his strength, ready for the coming West Island Trial.

That short letter from Ning Xuefei had completely dispelled the doubts in Wei Zhao's heart. This West Island Trial concerned Ning Xuefei's lifelong happiness—there was absolutely no room for failure!

Though time was pressing, with only two days left, Wei Zhao still decided to go into proper seclusion. He did not seek any astonishing breakthrough, but at the very least he would bring his strength to a more consummate mastery. Wei Zhao had a faint premonition that this West Island Trial would not be easy—a fierce battle was surely unavoidable.

While Wei Zhao was in seclusion, elsewhere in the envoy residence, Xu Lingchong and Kang Jingming unexpectedly received an uninvited guest.

A middle-aged man with a pale, beardless face knocked on their door. At first glance the man was utterly unremarkable, the sort who, thrown into a crowd, could never be picked out again. If one had to name a distinguishing feature, it was that his eyes were small and keenly focused, making it plain at a glance that here was a shrewd businessman.

"This humble one is Dongfang Guo, manager of the Central Chamber of Commerce's West Island branch. Greetings to Special Envoy Xu!" The man performed a grand salute to Xu Lingchong the moment they met—and a standard salute of subordinate to superior, his posture exceedingly low.

"Very well, come in." Xu Lingchong and Kang Jingming exchanged a glance before inviting him into the room. Most people in the Central Chamber of Commerce did not know of the Center's existence, but by the time one reached the level of branch manager, one was necessarily, like Si Haitao of North Island, already an internal member absorbed into the Center.

"What business do you have?" Xu Lingchong went on studying this Dongfang Guo who had come uninvited. He had received no orders or word beforehand, and was rather at a loss as to why the West Island branch manager had come calling. Could it be that he had merely caught wind of something and come to pay his respects?

It was not out of the question. Though the post of branch manager looked glamorous, one's standing in the Center was far below that of Xu Lingchong, a special envoy of North Island, so seeking an opportunity to curry favor was only natural.

"Special Envoy Xu, yesterday this humble one received a secret order from my superiors, instructing me to cooperate with you two in your endeavors and serve as your logistical support," Dongfang Guo said respectfully.

"Logistical support?" Xu Lingchong and Kang Jingming's eyes lit up at the same moment, and they asked at once, "What can you provide? Pills and elixirs, or divine weapons and rare treasures?"

"Heh, you two jest. Our Central Chamber of Commerce does deal in such things, but they're hardly our main line, and in any case they might not show results anytime soon." Dongfang Guo paused, then smiled mysteriously. "What this humble one has brought this time is specially supplied high-tech material—it should be of some use."