Chapter 4860: Bu Tiandao Zun

In a certain stretch of the Sea of Guixu, a streak of blue light appeared on the distant horizon, moving very fast. Soon after, the blue light stopped, revealing a blue-glowing dragon boat with two men and two women standing on it. They were Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, Wang Qiulin, and Ye Haitang.

Considering that Xing Shen might be using a Dao formation to hide, Wang Changsheng had asked Ye Haitang to come and help. They had changed their appearances so that even if they encountered other Dao Venerables, their true identities wouldn't be recognized.

Not long after, Wang Changsheng formed a magic seal, and the blue dragon boat stopped. Ahead was a crimson sea area where the seawater was scarlet, and large amounts of fiery clouds floated high above.

"Why here?" Wang Changsheng frowned. "This place clearly isn't somewhere good. Would Xing Shen hide here?"

"He might not be here," Wang Ruyan said. "Perhaps he threw the relics of the Dao Venerable he killed here to mislead us." Xing Shen must know that many forces were looking for him; it was impossible that he wouldn't be on guard.

"Since Qiulin deduced this location," Wang Changsheng said, forming a magic seal, "let's go investigate it!" The blue dragon boat flew forward, not moving very fast.

Wang Ruyan activated her Li Fire True Eyes to scan, while Ye Haitang used a treasure to investigate for any formation or restriction fluctuations.

After flying for hundreds of millions of miles, the blue dragon boat stopped. Ahead was an island tens of thousands of miles in circumference. The island had dense vegetation, and its terrain was higher in the south and lower in the north.

"It's here," Wang Qiulin said.

"This space isn't stable!" Wang Ruyan frowned. "If we were to fight here, who knows what might happen."

The small golden mirror in Ye Haitang's hand burst forth with dazzling golden light. This treasure was a Heavenly Dao artifact. The golden mirror emitted a stream of golden mist, which landed on the island and slowly moved. It could be clearly seen that there were some faint, flickering grey shadows in certain parts of the island.

"Someone has set up a series of restrictions," Ye Haitang analyzed. "Once the formation is broken, it will trigger a chain reaction. Combined with this unstable space, it's even possible to kill a Dao Venerable."

"I deduced the whereabouts of Dao Venerable Qinghong," Wang Qiulin said. "He couldn't have run here to hide and also set up a series of restrictions. That would be like him being afraid of not dying fast enough. If someone attacked this island from afar, he'd be in trouble."

"In that case," Wang Changsheng asked, "this person might have been killed by Xing Shen, and their relics thrown here. Haitang, are you confident you can break this formation?"

"Yes, I am confident," Ye Haitang said with a confident expression. "This isn't a Dao formation. It's just a fifth-tier grand formation set up using the local terrain. An ordinary Dao Venerable might truly be fooled by it." Dao formations are still very valuable.

Ye Haitang flicked her sleeve, and tens of thousands of black formation flags flew out, scattering high in the sky. As her magic seal changed, the tens of thousands of black formation flags immediately burst forth with dazzling black light, flying in all directions and disappearing into the void and the seabed.

Ye Haitang took out a black-glowing hexagonal formation plate and infused it with a magic seal. Vast amounts of black mist surged from the sea surface, engulfing an area of billions of miles. A rumbling sound came from the void, which twisted and deformed, with cracks appearing, seeming to collapse. The void then lit up with bursts of dazzling black light; the cracks stopped expanding, and the space became stable.

The black mist swirled and churned, with occasional bursts of explosive sounds. Fifteen minutes later, the black mist dissipated, revealing the figures of Wang Changsheng and the other three.

Wang Changsheng held a blue-glowing command flag in his hand. This was a Heavenly Dao artifact. Ye Haitang had successfully broken the formation and obtained a Heavenly Dao artifact.

"Haitang, put it back!" Wang Changsheng instructed. "Reinforce the formation and set up an even more powerful one." The Heavenly Kui Tribe had invited Dao Venerable Butian. He might also deduce the whereabouts of the missing Dao Venerables, so it wouldn't be surprising if he deduced this location.

"How about setting up a Dao formation?" Ye Haitang suggested. "It would be more powerful, wouldn't it?"

"No need," Wang Changsheng said. "This place is capable of killing ordinary Dao Venerables. If we find a better location, it won't be too late to set up a Dao formation then."

Ye Haitang nodded, took the blue command flag, and placed it back in its original position. She also asked Wang Ruyan for three Dao talismans, strengthened the restrictions, and then removed the formation.

Wang Changsheng formed a magic seal, and the blue dragon boat immediately burst forth with dazzling blue light, returning the way it came.

***

Sky Flame Island, the ancestral land of the Essence Fire Tribe.

In a secluded manor, Yan Li, Dou Huai, a full-figured woman in a golden dress, and a stout old man in a golden robe sat inside a blue stone pavilion. The golden-robed old man's expression was grim.

"Daoist Butian, please don't misunderstand," Yan Li said with an ingratiating smile. "I have already sent people to investigate. The Dao Ancestor who ambushed you was controlled by someone. I will definitely send people to thoroughly investigate this matter."

Dao Venerable Butian had appeared in the territory of the Essence Fire Tribe and was attacked by one of their Dao Ancestors. Naturally, this couldn't harm Dao Venerable Butian, but the impact was extremely negative.

"Hmph, Fellow Daoist Yan Li," Dou Huai said grimly, "even if your clansman was controlled by an enemy using a secret talisman, your Essence Fire Tribe bears undeniable responsibility for this matter. You must get to the bottom of it."

The Dao Ancestor of the Essence Fire Tribe was indeed controlled by a secret talisman, which led to the attack on Dao Venerable Butian. Regardless of the reason, the fact remained that Dao Venerable Butian had been attacked, and they had to find a way to appease his anger.

"Of course," Yan Li said. "I suspect this matter is related to the Human Race. I have already given orders to investigate thoroughly. As soon as there's any news, it will be reported immediately, and I will personally apprehend the culprits. Furthermore, this is a small token of my goodwill; please, Daoist Butian, don't disdain it."

Yan Li took out a red storage bracelet and handed it to Dao Venerable Butian. Dao Venerable Butian scanned it with his divine sense, and his expression softened. He said, "For Fellow Daoist Dou's sake, I'll let this matter rest for now."

"Daoist Butian," Dou Huai said, taking out a blue jade slip and handing it to Dao Venerable Butian, "here is the information on the missing Dao Venerables. Please deduce their whereabouts. Even if you can't find them, finding the Heavenly Dao artifacts they used would also be good. We apologize for the trouble."

Dao Venerable Butian scanned it with his divine sense and nodded. He said, "I need a quiet place to deduce. Once I've deduced it, I'll inform you immediately."

"Daoist Butian, please follow me," the woman in the golden dress said, gesturing for him to follow. This was Yan Yao, an early-stage Dao Venerable.

Dao Venerable Butian nodded and left with Yan Yao.

"Fellow Daoist Yan Li," Dou Huai said, his face cold, "your Essence Fire Tribe nearly brought a great disaster upon yourselves."

"We have many clansmen," Yan Li argued, "and he was controlled by an enemy using a secret talisman."

"Is telling me that helpful?" Dou Huai said. "Fortunately, Daoist Butian is fine. Even if he had sustained minor injuries, he might not have worked for us. Those who know would understand it was an attack by an opposing force of your Essence Fire Tribe, but those who don't might think your Essence Fire Tribe intended to harm him. Daoist Butian knows many Dao Venerables and holds great prestige."

"This matter truly was a misunderstanding," Yan Li said with a wry smile. "Fellow Daoist Dou, please speak well of me. Our Essence Fire Tribe truly did not instigate this." He hated the true culprits behind the scenes and sent people to track them down.

"Let this be a one-time occurrence," Dou Huai said. "If there's a next time, I won't be able to protect you either."

Yan Li breathed a sigh of relief and repeatedly assented.