Chapter 124

Cheng Guang nodded and followed the member of the Bureau of the Lamp towards the center of the island.

Yet, his thoughts began to churn silently in his mind.

So Qian Siyuan was also on this island, could it be that the Bureau of the Lamp had already discovered something?

Cheng Guang’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the Bureau of the Lamp member beside him and asked indifferently, “Is something amiss?”

The Bureau member didn’t think too much and respectfully answered, “I don’t know why, but the Heavenly and Earthly Qi here is much thinner than before. Recently, many of the Bureau’s secret agents have lost contact, and Mr. Qian fears that something might go wrong during the martial arts competition. He specifically instructed his subordinates to bring the Princely Heir to the center as soon as you set foot on the island.”

Cheng Guang slowly nodded in acknowledgment.

Yet his gaze became somewhat strange.

He had thought, with the Heavenly and Earthly Qi almost cut off, how did that Princely Heir in the system task manage to survive.

It turns out the Bureau of the Lamp had already sensed something amiss beforehand. It was all because of these back-stabbers hidden in the shadows, so cunning and deeply concealed that even Qian Siyuan, upon sensing something wrong, could not respond effectively.

Especially since the other party had used prohibitions.

These exceedingly rare and unusual Different Treasures.

Even Qian Siyuan, a strong man of the Eighth-Rank King Realm, couldn’t do much with the Heavenly and Earthly Qi nearly severed.

He could only silently protect Cheng Guang.

It seems that only a powerhouse like Qian Siyuan, who still possessed formidable martial prowess even without the empowerment of Heavenly and Earthly Qi, could protect him under those circumstances.

Otherwise, those clad in black robes would definitely take the opportunity to deal with him as well.

In the eyes of those in black robes, Cheng Guang was a delivered surprise.

Cheng Guang exhaled quietly, suppressing the complex thoughts in his heart, and scanned his surroundings.

Crane-Crying Island was shaped like an ellipse, like a shimmering pearl floating on the rippling blue lake.

The island’s perimeter was encircled by a stone wall made of huge boulders that, despite countless storms, stood unyielding. The wall was covered in moss and vines, adding a sense of depth and mystery to the island.

Upon entering the island, the first thing that caught the eye was a towering stone stele at the center, detailing the identity information and vital statuses of all the Martial Academy students.

The martial arts competition was indeed a contest, but it was still conducted with real swords and spears. Even with numerous Martial Cultivation teachers from the Great Wei and Great Zhou Martial Academies guarding the island, it was not guaranteed that they could protect every individual in time.

The center of the island was a grand complex of ancient buildings made from large logs and stones, placed in a harmonious arrangement.

After the students from the Martial Academies arrived on the island, they were not taken here, and this place could very well become part of the battlefield.

So there weren’t many places to hide.

The Central Loft was one of them.

The majority of the staff, along with the deans of the Great Wei and Great Zhou Martial Academies, stood in this location, supervising and overseeing the martial arts competition.

“Princely Heir, Mr. Qian only asked me to bring you here. There are many teachers from the Martial Academies here, and the deans of the Great Wei and Great Zhou Martial Academies are also here. It’s very safe. You can find a place on your own in the loft to watch the competition.”

“This is your Token. If you wish to leave the Central Loft, hang the Token on your waist. Those participating in the martial arts competition wouldn’t dare to attack you at will.”

The Bureau of the Lamp member only brought Cheng Guang here, and after speaking, he respectfully bowed and then his figure disappeared.

Cheng Guang took the Token and weighed it in his hand several times, finding it to be quite heavy.

It was marked with the insignia of the Bureau of the Lamp.

Qian Siyuan had indeed provided him with an additional layer of insurance, fearing that some reckless Great Wei Martial Academy students might attack him.

After hanging the Token on his waist, Cheng Guang did not greet the people from the Martial Academy; instead, he went alone to the top floor of the Central Loft and sat down, surveying the full view of the island.

A considerate Attendant beside him brewed a cup of tea for Cheng Guang and brought it over.

He didn’t know who had arranged this.

While he was pondering this.

An aged yet friendly voice reached his ears.

“Crown Prince, I did not expect you to come here as well. Are you on a mission with the Bureau of the Lamp?”

Cheng Guang turned to look.

He saw an old man.

His white robe was like jade washed by time, pure and profound, blending into the surroundings and offering a sense of tranquility that seemed detached from the mundane world.

The elder’s face was like fallen leaves of autumn, his skin marked with the traces of years, his eyes sunken yet shining with a keen light.

Cheng Guang recognized the person.

The Dean of the Great Zhou Martial Academy, Qiu Zhiman.

The Great Zhou Martial Academy itself was a force at the pinnacle of power in Great Zhou, holding sway over nearly all Martial Arts of Great Zhou. After numerous sects were eradicated by the Bureau of the Lamp, the Martial Cultivation Techniques confiscated were partially kept by the Bureau, but the rest were sent to the Great Zhou Martial Academy.

It could be said that the Great Zhou Martial Academy was the greatest source of new forces for the Bureau of the Lamp.

And the Bureau itself also continuously aided the growth of the Great Zhou Martial Academy.

The Great Zhou Martial Academy, within the Great Zhou Dynasty, was beyond comparison with ordinary sects.

The relationship was intimate, and the connections quite close.

It was not unexpected for the other party to recognize Cheng Guang, but it was a surprise for him to come over to greet him specially.

After all, this was a figure standing on the same level as Cheng Zhihai.

Although Cheng Guang’s status was prestigious, this Qiu Zhiman could have chosen not to regard him at all, to ignore him.