Dual Cultivation God Returns-Chapter 496 Peaceful Surface hides Turbulent Waters

?The meeting ended with no conclusive decision, with everyone needing time to ponder on the arguments made.

Though there was one resolution, which was the approval of giving Wu Long access to their Sect's secret manuals and techniques in acknowledgement of his role in the survival of the Frozen Garden Palace and the alliance of the sects.

"You now have the very core of the Frozen Garden Palace..."

Qiu Yilao spoke as she gave him an old-looking but beautifully designed Spatial Ring.

"I am aware of how much trust that is"

Wu Long did not make light of what was given to him.

"I would also like to thank Prime Disciple Xue for your help in persuading the Elders"

He then turned to Xue Bing standing to the side who only shook her head.

"I only spoke my true thoughts on the issue"

"I know"

A subtle smile touched his lips when her replied.

Qiu Yilao slightly widened her eyes, sensing an almost unnoticeable, yet undeniable change in the atmosphere between the two.

"Then, I will start working on these to return them into your hands as soon as possible.

I will not attend the next meeting where you will decide the fate of this proposal, or the one with the Disciples if you agree to proceed with the arrangement.

So I would be grateful if you could notify me of the results"

Wu Long raised the ring he received, alluding to the texts within it, as Qiu Yilao nodded to his words, and then he left to head for the Peak of Unity.

But as soon as he exited the hall, he was stopped by Chu Ren, the Imperial Prince's right hand man.

"Daoist Wu, I would like to respectfully request a bit of your time"

"Should we pick a better spot?"

"That would be most appreciated"

The two disappeared from where they stood, and their figures then could be found on a remote platform on one of the outer edges of the Sect.

"May I inquire about your intentions toward Her Highness?"

"I intend to find a solution for the problem she is having in her cultivation, and am interested in her personally"

"...the honesty is quite surprising"

"I have nothing to hide, least of all my intentions, nor do I feel the need to"

"Because you believe we cannot stop you?"

"That too but more than that there is no reason for you to"

Chu Ren slightly narrowed his eyes.

"Then shall we test that..."

The sclera of his eyes lit up with a yellowish glow as his palms became surrounded by Spiritual Qi of the same color shaped like two claws but by then a palm was already by his throat.

Wu Long's posture did not change much, he looked as if he simply raised and stretched his hand toward the old man's throat, his fingers in a relaxed pose as only the middle finger directly pointed to the Adam's apple.

There was no unusual Spiritual Qi movement or any signs, a simple and natural movement, but the old man's eyes widened, and then flashed with acceptance.

'As I thought, my senses did not fail me when we first met... this man...'

Chu Ren's hands relaxed, Spiritual Qi dissipating as he was at the mercy of the young-looking man before him, who lightly smiled and put down his hand as well.

"My deepest apologies Daoist Wu, I-..."

The old man then began bowing, but was stopped by a hand landing on his shoulder.

"No need for all this formality. You had to make sure if I could protect her"

"...please accept my gratitude and respect for your understanding"

"Haha, still, it is not like she agreed to become my woman already. Aren't you jumping ahead a little?"

"Surely you jest, Daoist Wu. I may be old but I would be blind if I did not see the eyes she looks at you with. Don't you think you are playing around too much in front of this old man?"

"Hahaha, fair enough.

Though, it is not like I am playing, you know? I am just giving her the time and space to make that decision on her own"

"Hmm, very thoughtful"

The old man nodded with appreciation while Wu Long shrugged.

"Also, please tell His Highness the Crown Prince that our maneuvers in the Tingren Kingdom, and subsequently the other Kingdoms are about to start"

Wu Long's tone then shifted, and Chu Ren, whose expression turned a little more friendly and relaxed, nodded with a serious demeanor returning to him, the two parting ways.

"Shall I get that old geezer to understand who he's messing with?"

Lian Zhiqiu spoke as soon as Wu Long entered and he chuckled, shaking his head.

"It's not so good to eavesdrop and peek, Zhiqiu"

"Oh come on, it's not like it is the first time... and the contents are more innocent this time. Besides, you know I monitor almost any irregularity within the Grand Formation"

The Palace Master twirled a lock of her hair with a playful smile, sitting in a relaxed pose.

"Heh, I can't argue there...

Say, you wouldn't happen to know about constructing a 9th-

tier Mortal Grade Forging Array?"

The orange-red eyes of the beauty widened with surprise at the sudden unusual question as her fingers playing with the lock of hair stopped for a moment, and then resumed motion.

"Hmm, though I cannot say I did it before as I have only reached Mortal Transcendence Realm not long ago, but if you have the formulas and structure..."

She made a pondering expression, and seeing him nod as she slowed down, smiled, sitting up in a more forward pose.

"...then it should be doable. I assume you want to use the Dragon Vein as well as the Grand Formation?"

"As brilliant as ever, indeed. That should give the Forging Formation enough of a boost to handle Profound Grade materials"

"Profound Grade?"

Lian Zhiqiu's eyebrows went up at his words.

"Hahaha! This should be interesting, give me some time with this and then we can proceed"

She took hold of a rather large scroll he gave her, her eyes glinting at the challenge.

"Thank you"

He smiled, and she rolled her eyes, as if saying 'Do you even have to say that?', hurriedly unsealing the scroll with interest and some excitement.

Wu Long made a light laugh, seeing a look of a professional appearing in her eyes as they quickly ran through the text and schematics on the first revealed part of the scroll.

He did not leave, sitting down on the sofa not far from her, taking out the ring he received from Qiu Yilao.

---

Five days passed in the relatively peaceful Yin Yang Unity Palace, while a war raged in the shadows of the continent, where no one could see it.

Old Yen was constantly working in the background, not only amassing more subordinates and sending them to the mansion to be trained by Butler Bang, but working with Madam Liang's long established networks to disrupt the so far smooth workings of Gu Zhen's operations.

Grand Elder Gan's delegation left, provided a safe passage to their Sect by the Thousand Eyes Information Bureau, though Wu Long did not foresee any trouble for them even if they traveled in the open.

The reason for that was shared with why he instructed Sui Luxiao to commence her talks with the Tuamei Kingdom right after the trouble in the Winter Forest, because Gu Zhen's ego has been sated with a 'win', birthing a temporary period during which he would not be sensitive to any small setbacks.

In the end, the Tuamei Kingdom's delegation left to report to their Crown, since Sui Luxiao's trade proposal was too lucrative for them to outright decline as they planned, but they did not have the authority to accept it.

Meanwhile Wu Long spent most of his daytime studying the archives of the Frozen Garden Palace, and evenings in the company of his ladies. He also joined Song Lingfei for an evening walk twice, not declining her invitations.