Return to the City: The Strongest King-Chapter 1765 - 1702: Paradise Beyond the World (Part 2)

However, no matter how much effort Lin Feng had put in over the years, if Qingluan hadn't risked betraying the Dark Night Sect that raised her and opened the Dragon Gate Great Array with Song Xiaodong, all of Lin Feng's efforts would have been in vain. Qingluan was not only the Princess of the Dragon Gate but also the meritorious figure in reopening the Dragon Gate Great Array and revitalizing the foundation of the Dragon Gate. Moreover, Qingluan was his beloved woman, which is why Song Xiaodong was determined to rescue Qingluan at all costs, and his reasons were quite sufficient.

For the first time, Song Xiaodong felt himself facing such enormous pressure and such a difficult situation, with issues of responsibility and choice laid out earnestly before him.

When Song Xiaodong was still just Song Xiaodong, relying on his own ability, he was confident he could provide a happy life for his beloved woman. But now, as the Young Master of the deeply rooted Dragon Gate, he found himself constrained everywhere. His woman's fate was uncertain, and he couldn't immediately protect her but instead had to bear the responsibility as the Young Master for the thousands of Dragon Gate people he had never met, and carry the expectations of Elders like Lin Feng, who had devoted almost their entire lives to the Dragon Gate.

Song Xiaodong's mind started to work rapidly, and he couldn't help but walk faster, striding silently at the forefront of the group.

A group of women followed behind Song Xiaodong, whispering about something. After a while of discussion, they pushed Chu Xianling forward, towards Song Xiaodong.

"Xiaodong, there's no need to worry too much." Chu Xianling walked to Song Xiaodong's side and said to him.

"Qingluan is smart and will not do anything rash. Plus, this island is far from the mainland, and Qingluan won't be able to return to the mainland for a while. We still have time." Chu Xianling spoke softly to comfort Song Xiaodong, shedding her usual fairy-like aura and appearing more like a gentle young wife.

Everyone thought Song Xiaodong was anxious about Qingluan and sent Chu Xianling to comfort him, but Chu Xianling discovered that Song Xiaodong wasn't sullen but rather calm and composed.

"Rest assured, Qingluan certainly won't be in trouble. The Dark Night Sect knows that I, Song Xiaodong, won't abandon my woman and will go to great lengths to save her, so they will surely use Qingluan to trap me. Qingluan is such an important bargaining chip that the Dark Night Sect won't be willing to kill her. Don't worry, I promise you, I'll definitely bring Qingluan back, and then you should treat her well." Song Xiaodong was not flustered; instead, he was calm with confidence.

Looking at Song Xiaodong's determined eyes and handsome profile, Chu Xianling felt an inexplicable admiration in her heart, blushing slightly, and shyly ran back to her sisters.

In no time, the sun had set. The island's scenery was unparalleled. Standing on a high hill, beneath lay lush tropical rainforest, and in the distance, the sea shimmered with light. At the horizon, purple clouds were gathering, and the sun, like a burning copper ball, descended into the boiling sea. Golden rays of light pierced through the clouds, enveloping the entire island, casting shadows from the dense forest onto the ground.

A gentle sea breeze blew, mixed with moisture and the leftover warmth from the day's sun, brushing over the tired faces of the group. Several beautiful women stared in awe at the distant sunset, while Song Xiaodong and the two Elders looked at the imposing and majestic building before them, their expressions grave. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Before Song Xiaodong was the residence of the Dragon Gate Sect Leaders of past generations, quite different in size and style from the Elders' residences they had previously passed. The residence of the Dragon Gate Sect Leader was grander and more ancient, exuding the solemnity and eerie atmosphere of a large ancestral home.

"Young Master, this is the Sect Leader's mansion."

"Is this the place where my parents lived?" Song Xiaodong thought to himself. He had never seen his biological parents, had no impression of them whatsoever. Looking at this grand ancestral home, Song Xiaodong felt not the slightest bit of familiarity.

The mansion's gates were wide open, indicating the sudden events over twenty years ago. Along the way, the path was littered with debris, suggesting how intense the battle between the Dragon Gate and the Dark Night Sect had been back then.

The group entered the courtyard, which was paved with stone slabs with weeds growing through the cracks. As the sky darkened, the sound of insects came from the dilapidated buildings, making the entire courtyard feel like a haunted house.

"Young Master, this is the bedroom of the Sect Leader and the Sect Leader's Wife," Lin Feng introduced to Song Xiaodong.

Looking through the opened bedroom door, it was pitch dark inside, with all the furniture present, but covered with a thick layer of dust.

After roughly introducing the Sect Leader's courtyard to Song Xiaodong, Lin Feng led the group towards the backyard.

The group thought the Sect Leader's courtyard was already quite large, with three courtyards and three rows of houses front and back, yet unexpectedly, the backyard opened up to a vast space where the sound of water grew louder.

The backyard of the Sect Leader's residence was a rock garden with flowing water, rugged stones, and was quite impressive. However, the group had no mind to admire it. Lin Feng led Song Xiaodong to the highest rock formation, introducing, "This rock formation is a miniature version of the entire mountain. Young Master, take a look to get a general understanding of the mountain."

Song Xiaodong listened to Lin Feng's words, carefully examining the several meters high rock formation, circling it. It turned out this mountain resembled Mount Hua, with one side gentle and the other as if split by a Giant Axe at the world's creation—a straight cliff from top to bottom—as if the whole mountain was just half of a complete mountain peak. Song Xiaodong also observed that at the mountain's summit, there was a pool forming a waterfall, cascading down the steep slope, incredibly precipitous and majestic.