Chapter 4652 — There Must Be More to It
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
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.