Dual Cultivation God Returns-Chapter 697 A Moment of Peace

Wu Long and Madam Liang met up with Old Yen, who was still gathering intel while getting familiar with the shady side of the town.

It was easy for him to mingle in the droves of newcomers gathering here after the news of the Battle God's Cradle opening were heard.

The search for those who passed through the World Stone continued for a few weeks with no results. It was now rumored that the initial assessment was wrong, and the link was used by a Demonic Beast, or something of the sort, since no Boundless Mortal World dweller could so expertly hid themselves from such an extended search.

The masses of opportunity seekers that seeped into the continent also made it harder to conduct the search, and after yet another fruitless search operation the matter was completely closed.

"...But that is only the outward reason" Old Yen added as they sat in a private room in a small restaurant in the same shady part of the city that Old Yen was inhabiting in this time.

Seeing that both Wu Long and Madam Liang gave him a questioning look, he continued, "There was a rumor that the main agent of the Ember Palm Pavilion in town disappeared, as his subordinates made a ruckus searching for him"

Madam Liang's eyes gave away an amused look, as she could see where this was going, "So they think the Ember Palm Pavilion already has us"

Old Yen nodded, "Most now believe it was a ruse to hide the fact they already found those who came from the Battle God's Cradle"

"And the Ember Palm Pavilion?", Wu Long asked with a thoughtful look on his face.

"They of course deny any accusations, but the Crystal Wood Sect and Seven Extreme Swords Sect are not inclined to believe them, neither is any of the local powers, but that doesn't concern them much", Old Yen reported his findings.

"If that goes on, the other two might use this as a pretext to unite their efforts in pushing out the Ember Palm Pavilion", Madam Liang puffed out a cloud of smoke with a slightly concerned look.

"Mm, while the fact someone is under suspicion is to our advantage, an alliance between two of the three major forces competing for dominance on the continent is not ideal for us", Wu Long nodded, voicing his thoughts aloud while tracing his chin with his fingers.

Old Yen and Madam Liang did not reply, understanding it wasn't a question or statement for them, giving him time to think and also gathering their own thoughts.

For a few minutes the three sat in silence, as the herbal smoke from Madam Liang's smoking pipe drifted in the light of the lantern sitting on the tabletop, providing a dim lighting for the room.

For a few minutes the three sat in silence, as the herbal smoke from Madam Liang's smoking pipe drifted in the light of the lantern sitting on the tabletop, providing a dim lighting for the room.

"Crystal Wood Sect was just humiliated by the City Lord…", Wu Long finally spoke up, as both Old Yen and Madam Liang's eyes shot up at him.

"You want the Seven Swords Sect to avoid that?", Old Yen asked, understanding that it could potentially create at least a small rift between them and the Crystal Wood Sect.

"However, they will still want to make a display upon their arrival…", Madam Liang narrowed her eyes, and drew on her pipe. Her eyes then widened again, as she turned to Wu Long, "unless…!"

Wu Long, chuckled, nodding to her.

"Should I head for the Iron Claw City to await the arrival of the Seven Swords Sect delegation?" Old Yen, asked also reaching the answer.

"No, I still need eyes here, and Madam Liang is too eye-catching when alone", Wu Long shook his head, "We'll send Zhao Biren"

"Ah, a great choice", Old Yen nodded, since Wine Dao masters originally traveled the world, therefore drawing little attention wherever they went.

"Haha, it's also a good opportunity for him to get some air, I think if he spends a bit more time around his father he'll explode", Wu Long chuckled, causing Madam Liang and Old Yen to lightly laugh as well.

Since arriving in the Boundless Profound World, Zhao Xieren's cultivation started slowly moving from the dead spot, and thus his previous subtly apathetic state of surrendering to his fate was gradually alleviated, his demeanor slowly but surely regaining its more confident and strong-willed qualities.

That character, however, clashed with his son's free-willed and laid-back personality, and there were more and more quarrels between the two as the time passed.

"Ah, one more thing, make sure to be careful of the City Lord, better yet, stay clear of the City Manor for the time being", Wu Long then added to Old Yen, who immediately confirmed the received order.

Given permission to go, Old Yen put on a plain wooden mask and went out of the room first.

"He sure is meticulous", Madam Liang chuckled when they were left alone.

"He's under surveillance as any newcomer on these streets", Wu Long shrugged, "And while he can escape the tail, if his face was known he couldn't appear here without at least someone witnessing him"

"And that would link him to you with at lest one meeting", Madam Liang nodded with a smile.

"It's best to preserve what advantages we have, information about us not being known being a major one", Wu Long chuckled.

She nodded, as the room was gradually enveloped in the mist.

—

Wu Long encountered a group of beauties merrily talking and laughing on a terrace of the mansion right after returning to the Mystic Realm and parting ways with Madam Liang, who returned to the Thousand Eyes Palace.

Seeing them suddenly stop talking when he showed up, a chuckle escaped his lips.

"What are you so secretive about?", he asked, looking with an amused gaze first at Xue Bing, and then shifting his eyes to inspect the expressions of the beauties, eventually stoping at Wu Mengqi.

The former was not phased by his gaze, same with Shen Min, Hua Ziyan became a bit restless when his eyes passed her, Cao Mei revealed a light smile, and Wu Mengqi…

"Hehe, not telling ya", she started laughing, followed by Cao Mei and Hua Ziyan who could already see that the former was once again digging a pitfall for herself.

"Is that so?", he chuckled, sitting down with them, "Hmm, I guess I'll have to use various means to get it out of you"

"V-various methods…?", Wu Mengqi stuttered with her eyes widening, and then cleared her throat, turning away with a very 'convincing' calm appearance, "Hmph, who would be afraid of such vague words"

Wu Long's smile became wider, and the look in his eyes became more playful.

A smile flashed in Xue Bing's eyes as she looked at him, noticing that the tension and alertness in his gaze when he came back was very subtly, but still released.

She was already very sensitive to emotions of others, but ever since she received the bond of the Dual Extremes Infinite Unity, she could subtly feel even Wu Long's emotions and the state he was in, despite how incredible he was at controlling them.

It was at that time that she noticed how unbelievably tense he was in reality, always alert, always paying attention to everything happening around him at all times, analyzing, planning, observing. Even when he seemed carefree and easygoing, his mind was constantly working like a never-ending storm.

She could finally understand Ye Ling's words about Wu Long, and why she was so concerned about him needing someone to rely on.

When Xue Bing's physique truly awakened upon advancing to the Essence Awakening Realm, that depth of perception only continued to grow. It was an ability she appreciated, but at the same time worried about.

After all, being around someone you cannot hide your emotions from could be tiring.

But at this moment, she was happy, since she could see that moment when his strained nerves and acutely alert mind was put at least at a moment of peace.