Chapter 49: A Great Commotion in Black Curtain City

"What brought you here? Is your business finished now?" Wu Daofa asked with a smile. Elder Quan gestured stiffly toward Susu, "We came to retrieve our Young Mistress."

Wu Daofa nodded, "Since you have retrieved her, you may return."

"But?!"

"Return. Do not violate the oath again. Although three thousand one hundred and fifty-two years have passed, there are still many of those immortals or their descendants who remember. No towers beyond the peaks, no tower-dwellers within the realm." Wu Daofa's brief words left Elder Quan drenched in a cold sweat.

Unlike the younger generation of the Sky Tower, Elder Quan knew that those who pledged themselves to the Sky Tower could only operate within sight of it. The youths mistook this for glory, wondering how immortals could ever walk among mortals.

Elder Quan, however, knew it was clearly a form of imprisonment. He did not know the origin of the oath, but he knew that violators would die. He had long dismissed the ancient promise as a mere legend that had faded with the passing generations; only today did he realize that many had not forgotten. This was a grave matter indeed.

Susu finally began to grasp the situation, and she quickly devised a way to break the deadlock.

"Wu Yue, could you please return Uncle Rees to me?" She winked at him, adding, "As a friend."

Wu Yue nodded. "Hmm. Do you know him?" he asked, gesturing toward Zhang Xuandao.

Susu thought for a moment, then said, "I am not very close with him, but he lived in the Sky Tower for a time and made many contributions. He is one of the rare honored guests of the Sky Tower; many people like him, and my father and the Grand Elder hold him in high regard. If you hand Uncle Rees over to me, you too shall be our honored guest in the future." Susu smiled, revealing two small fangs.

Hearing this, Elder Quan felt weary and broken-hearted. He had vacillated between hope and disappointment for too long today; he just wanted to heave a long sigh.

Wu Yue shook his head firmly. Susu was stunned.

Wu Yue rubbed his nose and said, "Unfortunately, the two of us do not get along."

"Then aren't you offending the Sky Tower again?" Susu asked anxiously.

"I can simply choose not to go there," Wu Yue said, spreading his hands. He had reached this decision after careful consideration; it was obvious that Wu Daofa was at odds with the Sky Tower, and since he valued Yu Fu, was there really a choice to be made?

"Return," Wu Daofa said again. It was the final time.

Two giant dragons carried the four away, leaving them looking somewhat dejected and downcast. Su Mu and the other children stood on their tiptoes watching for a long time, until the dragons completely vanished from sight.

Only then did Su Mu cast a furtive glance at Zhang Xuandao. He felt a deep sense of trepidation about Susu leaving them in the care of this white-robed nobleman. After hesitating, he led the other children away. This was his own little scheme: if the nobleman cared, he would naturally seek them out; if not, then that was a matter for another time.

"Kid, you have made a formidable enemy," Wu Daofa sighed, though his expression remained indifferent.

The frost dragon now looked dejected, resting quietly on Wu Yue's shoulder. Wu Yue acknowledged this with a hum, but did not ask for protection. This was his pride and dignity, perhaps appearing stubborn and foolish.

"However, little one, do not worry. You are a rare talent in my Immortal Spirit Realm; you must be careful as you grow," Wu Daofa said. After a moment of contemplation, a strange rune appeared at his fingertip, and before Yu Fu could react, he tapped it onto his forehead. "I hope I am not forcing your growth." Yu Fu felt a wave of dizziness and heat. A strange, glowing character meaning "Immortal" flashed on his forehead before vanishing.

Wu Daofa added, "The spectacle is over. Go back." He looked at the veiled woman, who bowed gracefully and drifted away into thin air. The Second Ancestor of the Hai family also bowed gently to Wu Daofa before sinking into the earth. The natives of Black Veil City followed suit with a deep bow before vanishing.

Wu Daofa looked at Chai Qingshan and smiled, "The Great Dao is long; if you persevere, you shall reach the pinnacle." Chai Qingshan looked solemn and replied, "Thank you, Realm Master, for your guidance." Despite this, he remained composed. As for Hai Qing, he acted much more normally, offering a respectful junior's bow. Both men departed.

"Do you feel it is unjust?" Wu Daofa asked suddenly, as if just remembering Zhang Xuandao.

Zhang Xuandao shook his head and said calmly, "It is reasonable."

It was reasonable, but not empathetic. Zhang Xuandao did not say it, and no one else did either.

Then, Zhang Xuandao turned and walked away. When he reached the great rift, he tapped his foot gently, and the massive chasm instantly closed without leaving a trace.

Though not a word was spoken, Wu Yue knew that the next time they met, it would likely not be so safe and uneventful.

"Then I shall return as well," Wu Daofa said, leaning toward Yu Fu. "I still do not know your name."

Yu Fu looked at him warily, feeling that this man was overly enthusiastic and surely harboring ill intentions. Especially that strange rune; it felt all wrong to him. But knowing this person was not to be trifled with, he answered quickly, "Yu Fu."

"Yu Fu? A fine name. A name that fits the occasion," Wu Daofa mused, then laughed heartily and vanished without a trace.

"Crazy old man, he scared the life out of me," Yu Fu let out a long sigh of relief.

"What an eye-opener today!" Hou Baiyu sighed deeply.

"What a grand spectacle," Li Wenzhang followed.

Finally, there was Zhao Qingzhi.

Yu Fu let out a scoff, rolled his eyes, and muttered, "Coward."

Hou Baiyu chuckled. Li Wenzhang looked up at the sky sideways, and Zhao Qingzhi glared coldly at Yu Fu.

Just then, another person jumped out. He was also dressed in deep purple and was not bad-looking, but at first glance, there was an air of malice about him.

"Is this Wu Yue? I am Guo Xiefeng. I hereby challenge you; you are not permitted to refuse. However, you may choose the time, place, and method."

Guo Xiefeng stood before them, his purple robes billowing with energy.

Hou Baiyu cursed under his breath; life was truly thrilling. Why did Wu Yue have enemies everywhere he went?

Wu Yue looked at Guo Xiefeng in silence.

Guo Xiefeng said coldly, "If you deny it, or if you refuse, then you shall die."

Wu Yue looked at Guo Xiefeng with regret, causing the man to shudder inexplicably. Wu Yue sighed, "Guo Xiefeng, is it? Well, your brother is calling you home for dinner, or perhaps to collect the laundry." As soon as Wu Yue finished speaking, a flash of green light shot out from the city, and a voice called, "Junior brother, hurry home with me!"

Guo Xiefeng turned and fled.

Wu Yue stretched and said, "Now, I need a good sleep."

The others looked on, bewildered.