The disciples in the dining hall started discussing among themselves.
"No wonder the battle ended so quickly this time; it turns out the leader of North Canglong was killed. Junior Brother Zhao is indeed formidable!"
"I said long ago that Junior Brother Zhao is no ordinary person, and today proves it."
However, some people did not speak, instead quietly glancing toward a group seated in the corner of the dining hall.
Seated there were the Instructor Elders of Azure Dragon Temple.
Everyone knew these Instructor Elders never got along with Zhao Ya, and this alliance was formed specifically to resist the attacks from North Canglong and Separation Tower.
Now, hearing all this praise for Zhao Ya, the disciples who trained with the Instructor Elders dared not utter a word, for fear of displeasing them.
Yet unexpectedly, at this moment, the Instructor Elders nodded in acknowledgment as Zhao Ya walked in, with some even raising their cups in salute.
To this, Zhao Ya naturally responded with a smile.
The scene left the crowd utterly astonished.
What’s going on?
Since when did these Instructor Elders change their attitudes?
Only a few people knew the details but remained silent.
After all, this was a welcome change, indicating the deep rift among the factions of South Canglong was starting to mend.
Only Shen Yunshen looked on disdainfully, muttering softly.
"A bunch of lowlifes, bah!"
Zhao Ya knew Shen Yunshen always looked down on these Instructor Elders, so he simply smiled.
The excitement of the banquet tonight hardly needs mentioning, especially with Zhao Ya’s arrival, which drew many to toast him.
Zhao Ya accepted all comers, finishing cup after cup, drinking heartily with everyone.
It continued until midnight, when the crowd finally dispersed.
Zhao Ya politely declined Shen Yunshen’s invitation for another round of drinking, returning to his own courtyard instead.
By this time, the rain had already stopped; the freshly washed night sky hung a crescent moon like a hook.
Zhao Ya washed his face, brewed a pot of tea, and then sat down in the courtyard.
Even someone as strong as Zhao Ya felt a trace of fatigue after such a fierce battle.
Looking up at the moon above, a sense of indescribable loneliness welled up within Zhao Ya’s heart.
He wondered what that foolish girl Zui’Er was doing at this moment.
But soon, Zhao Ya suppressed these thoughts, drank the tea in one gulp, tidied his clothes, and then leaped into the night, quickly vanishing into the vast darkness.
Zhao Ya first arrived at a dilapidated temple thirty miles away, carefully sensing before continuing forward according to the guidance of the Insect Powder.
Thus, he searched while walking.
Soon, Zhao Ya arrived at a desolate mountain dozens of miles away and began searching around.
A moment later, beneath a large stone before the mountain, Zhao Ya found three neatly arranged stones and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The reason Zhao Ya ran to this place in the middle of the night instead of sleeping was to confirm whether Wu Bao’Er was safe.
Previously, he and Wu Bao’Er had confirmed a very detailed secret communication system, and it finally became useful at this moment.
These three neatly arranged stones signified that she was not only safe but also had not aroused Ye Xunhuan’s suspicion.
Undoubtedly, this was the best outcome.
Because it also meant he had successfully planted a stake among the high ranks within Separation Tower.
Zhao Ya then picked up a stone and placed it behind, indicating that he had received the message.
Zhao Ya knew Wu Bao’Er would certainly return to check, as Ye Xunhuan and others could not have gone far.
Since Jingping Saint had emerged from seclusion and was stabilizing his realm, it also meant they were soon going to mount a large-scale attack.
This probe was an obvious demonstration.
If so, Ye Xunhuan would certainly choose a nearby place to hide, waiting for the opportunity to strike.
Thinking this, Zhao Ya placed a broken tree branch behind the four stones.
This represented his intention to meet with Wu Bao’Er here in three days, ensuring his own safety before doing so.
After completing everything, Zhao Ya finally settled his mind and turned back to Azure Dragon Temple.
Unbeknownst to Zhao Ya, the fierce battle that took place in front of Azure Dragon Temple today was spreading at a terrifying speed.
Wanghai Tower.
Pei Quan’an was drinking with Nangong Yanran and several junior sisters when he received the news.
At that moment, his drunkenness instantly cleared.
Without so much as goodbye, with a heavy expression, he stood up and quickly followed the messenger away.
Leaving the junior sisters bewildered, not knowing what had occurred.
"Senior Sister Yanran, what happened to Senior Brother Pei? Why did he leave in such a hurry?" a woman asked.
Nangong Yanran shook her head, "I don’t know either; perhaps something important came up that the Tower needs him for."
Despite saying so, Nangong Yanran also felt uneasy, sensing that something significant had happened.
With Pei Quan’an gone, the girls lost interest in staying and soon dispersed.
Nangong Yanran’s current status was quite unique.
Though she hadn’t been in Wanghai Tower for long, having climbed the ranks using the strong alliance with Pei Quan’an and Elder Shen Jiu’s protection, few in Wanghai Tower dared to offend her.
But today was an exception.
When she reached the front of Wanghai Tower to investigate what had happened today, the guards at the door stopped her.
"Sorry, the Tower Master has ordered that unless one is an Elder or an invited disciple, no one is allowed entry."