CHAPTER 929: CHAPTER 128: THE MILLENNIUM PACT—SOARING DRAGON RIDES THE MISTS INTO THE WESTERN REGIONS

From this perspective, perhaps safeguarding the world for harmonious weather might cause the loss of eight hundred years of lifespan to entirely return, even possibly slightly exceed.

The Ancient Red Dragon opened its mouth, Primordial Qi swirling, lifting a piece of white jade to Li Guanyi’s front. Li Guanyi, curious, reached out to catch the object, noticing faint gold marks forming a map-like design.

The Ancient Red Dragon spoke in a deep voice:

"The world is vast, the Central Plains have Red Dragons like myself, have Qilin. The Western Regions, though sparsely populated, are not much smaller than Chen Country. There are Thirty-six Tribes, many wondrous landscapes, could there be nothing akin to myself born there?"

"Eight hundred years ago, I once fought with a beast in the Western Regions, only unsure if it’s still there now. This object I give to you marks the place where I once battled it. If you dare, seek it out."

It seems the Ancient Red Dragon has been searching for this item for some time and has brought it here.

He paused and said: "Today, since you kept your promise, the power of the Nine Cauldrons didn’t excite me, but your deal is not bad, it shows some boldness."

The Ancient Red Dragon sighed: "Alright, alright."

"Call your people."

"I will personally escort you all to the Western Regions."

......

Following the pact with the Red Dragon, Li Guanyi returned joyously. The people at the Heavenly Strategy Mansion heard Li Guanyi say there is a way to directly reach the Western Regions, without the need for the previous merchant group, and they looked at each other, somewhat perplexed.

Mr. Wen He thought for a moment, and said: "There’s no need to waste."

He took out several cups, first placing one on the table.

"Firstly, let Jiangnan pretend that the Lord is still present, to confuse others’ perception."

"Then, the merchant group should set off, slightly ’leaked,’ as ’the merchant group heading to the Western Regions,’ so careful spies can deduce this is where ’Marquis Qin Wu’ is."

Mr. Wen He showed a gentle smile: "Like this, even if someone discerns the disguise in Jiangnan, there’s a second stratagem at play. If someone unravels the merchant group, then we have a third diversion."

"In any event, their attention will have been captured by the merchant group."

"We can even lay a few traps for them."

"Incite discord, use them against each other."

"Meanwhile, the Lord will go to the Western Regions..."

Wen Lingjun: "..."

Yuan Zhi: "..."

Yan Daiqing: "..."

Yan Daiqing patted Li Guanyi’s shoulder, solemnly said:

"Bring him back, truly well done."

......

Li Guanyi took the initiative to seek Whale Hunter. The latter had little patience for Li Guanyi, soon quarreling after a few words, but Li Guanyi spoke of matters concerning the Demon Sect elder and the Master of Divination Huyan Jixuan.

Whale Hunter’s aura grew increasingly ominous.

Li Guanyi said: "I struck with One Sword, leaving the mark of the Chi Xiao Sword."

"In other words, I’ve marked their secret realm."

Whale Hunter’s ominous aura settled.

The young Lord smiled and said: "Great elder, I can find the place, but alone I cannot break in. Away from Jiangnan, my strength will greatly diminish. If the Demon Sect escapes then, wouldn’t it be a pity?"

Whale Hunter mocked a few times, his palm pressed onto Li Guanyi’s wrist:

"Such matters."

"Second brother, big brother truly cannot shirk this responsibility."

"What did you hear them say?"

Li Guanyi said: "They want Shaking Light to personally kill you."

"Besides, great elder, just call me Guan Yi."

Thus, the smile on Whale Hunter’s face grew more gentle.

"Dream on!"

But nobody knew who it was directed at.

Then the next day, the previously prepared merchant group set out gloriously, while the Qilin Army’s detachment headed to the Western Regions was led by Li Guanyi to a mountain in Jiangnan.

Nangong Wumeng questioned puzzled: "Where exactly are we going? Isn’t it to the Western Regions?"

Changsun Wuchou smiled wryly and said: "I don’t know either."

"The Western Regions merchant group has departed, I’ve even written a letter to the Third Young Master... but why come here?"

Mr. Lei paid little mind to these things, considering it an excursion hike. Once atop the mountain, they saw a pavilion with Li Guanyi dressed in cloth, playing chess. Clouds shifted, beside him a silver-haired girl in a hooded robe, Li Guanyi playing white.

With the next move, a ripple in the void.

Obviously, there was no one opposite Li Guanyi, yet a black piece lifted and settled down.

"You’ve come..."

Li Guanyi smiled looking at Mr. Lei, Nangong Wumeng, and the others.

The group returned the gesture, Changsun Wuchou said: "Lord, aren’t we going to the Western Regions? Why come here?"

Li Guanyi said: "It’s from here that we go."

Changsun Wuchou was even more puzzled: "But, this is within Jiangnan’s mountains, diametrically opposite the direction to the Western Regions, moreover, there are no horses, no caravans, how are we going to travel?"

Li Guanyi picked up a white chess piece, it landed with a clink, he smiled and said:

"Elder, you’ve lost."

As the group was puzzled, they suddenly heard a sound like muffled thunder, the clouds amidst Jiangnan’s ravines suddenly streaming quickly, the young Lord’s sleeves billowing.

There seemed a vast breathing, the next moment, the clouds flowed and parted.

Golden-red gigantic scale armor, with a head like a mountain emerging from the sea of clouds, dragon whiskers dangling, dragon horn pointing skyward, pupils large as pavilions settled, vast, indifferent staring at the pale-faced group.

Thus they saw Li Guanyi brush back his clothes, raised the Wooden Sword Dragon Map.

Standing firm here, behind him the Ancient Red Dragon raised its head; great clouds gravely fell between scale armor, smashing apart, becoming threads of clouds, Li Guanyi stood before the giant dragon, thus imprinted upon everyone’s hearts, unforgettable.

Li Guanyi spoke with an indescribable joy and grandeur:

"Certainly."

"This is how we will go!"