Free Web NovelChapter 385: Dalliance Discord (3)
The meeting of the Elders from the Dual Washwood Commerce concluded in less than an hour.
Once the assembly had concluded, the Elders dispersed from the main hall of the Dual Washwood Commerce. They returned to their residences or departed from the mountain to resume their respective activities.
As the Elders departed, a spectrum of expressions was evident. Some wore pensive looks, while others left with sombre expressions. It was clear that the outcome of the assembly had a significant impact on each Elder, leading to varying reactions.
Upon leaving the main hall of the Dual Washwood Commerce, Xiyamu Saman directed venomous glares at Riuzi Aihamaide and the elderly man standing by his side.
The elderly man had snow-white hair and a lengthy white beard that extended to his chest. His countenance displayed profound wrinkles, a testament to the years that had passed, but his eyes held the wisdom accumulated throughout his life’s journey.
The elderly man ranked as the third most powerful individual in the Dual Washwood Commerce. Furthermore, he wielded the greatest influence among the Elders and within the entirety of the Dual Washwood Commerce, second only to Riuzi Aihamaide, Xiyamu Saman, and Elder Anmuna Ansali.
His name was Zanyou Er Abiding. While he held deep loyalty to Riuzi Aihamaide, his utmost allegiance was to the Dual Washwood Commerce. Every choice and deed he made were consistently driven by the welfare of the Dual Washwood Commerce, even if it required him to oppose one of the commercials’ leaders.
At the Elder’s assembly, Zanyou Er Abiding had allied with Riuzi Aihamaide, advocating for the payment of Black Lady’s ransom to secure the safe return of Elder Anmuna Ansali. This was the very reason Xiyamu Saman glared at him with such disdain. Zanyou Er Abiding had directly opposed her during the convention, eroding her influence with his cunning words.
Due to the stance taken by Zanyou Er Abiding and Riuzi Aihamaide, a majority of the Elders were inclined to support paying Black Lady’s ransom to secure the return of Elder Anmuna Ansali. Xiyamu Saman, on the other hand, only had the backing of two other Elders who were against paying the ransom.
Each of the Elders was acutely aware of Anmuna Ansali’s significant contributions to the Dual Washwood Commerce. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to state that she was among the very few individuals who had played a pivotal role in the foundational growth of the Dual Washwood Commerce during its early days.
Wealth could be regained over time, but sacrificing a formidable Elder and a foundational figure of the Dual Washwood Commerce for the sake of riches was a significant loss. Anmuna Ansali held far greater importance than mere material wealth, which was nothing more than a worldly possession.
Furthermore, the Dual Washwood Commerce would suffer a severe blow to its reputation if it were to lose an Elder and a foundational figure at the hands of a group of bandits.
Overall, the Elder’s assembly had yielded a favourable outcome for Riuzi Aihamaide. Nevertheless, even though the Dual Washwood Commerce had decided to undertake the rescue of Elder Anmuna Ansali, it was evident that this attempt would demand an immense expenditure of human resources and wealth.
Riuzi Aihamaide and Zanyou Er Abiding proceeded to walk together toward Riuzi Aihamaide’s abode. Upon entering the residence, they settled down and engaged in a discussion regarding the different strategies for establishing contact with Black Lady and the White Cloud Bandits. They also deliberated on the ransom amount, as well as the logistical details for its payment and delivery.
Following a thorough discussion and the formulation of their initial plan, Zanyou Er Abiding took his leave from Riuzi Aihamaide’s residence to tend to other pressing affairs. This left Riuzi Aihamaide alone in his abode.
Just as Riuzi Aihamaide was contemplating the fate of Anmuna Ansali, a chilling and unfeeling voice resounded in his mind, saying, "Interesting."
Riuzi Aihamaide was startled, and he swiftly extended his aura and unveiled his divine sense while simultaneously activating a defensive Martial Skill to guard against a potential ambush. "Who’s there?!" He shouted.
"Who I am is of no consequence. I have a proposition for you, one that ensures the safe return of Anmuna Ansali." It was, in fact, Tang Yin who had communicated with Riuzi Aihamaide, thoroughly surprising him.
"You don’t even have the courage to reveal yourself. Why should I trust you?" Riuzi Aihamaide retorted with a tone of derision and disdain, but his cautious demeanour suggested a different opinion.
"Very well." Tang Yin replied, and then, in a split second, he effortlessly breached Riuzi Aihamaide’s aura and defensive Martial Skill, appearing right before him.
In Tang Yin’s right eye, a golden vortex swirled, resembling the sun, while his left eye emitted a blue glimmer, reminiscent of the moon’s glow. It was the Sun-Moon Great Illusion Art! freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Riuzi Aihamaide was instantaneously ensnared within the profound depths of the Sun-Moon Great Illusion Art. As a Spirit Ascension Realm cultivator, even an ordinary mere gaze from Tang Yin could render Riuzi Aihamaide utterly powerless, not to mention the full effect of the Sun-Moon Great Illusion Art. freeweɓnovel.cøm
Within the illusion of the Sun-Moon Great Illusion Art, Riuzi Aihamaide stood there with a bewildered expression. Tang Yin’s two words echoed incessantly within his mind, growing louder with each repetition.
Furthermore, Riuzi Aihamaide realized that he had been transported to a different place altogether. He was no longer within the mountain at his residence, where he had stood just moments ago. Instead, he found himself within a vast expanse of darkness, resembling the limitless void. However, the fact that he remained unharmed by any Space Principles assured him that he was not truly in the void.
BANG
Suddenly, the darkness encircling Riuzi Aihamaide crumbled into oblivion, and a nightmarish ambiance, saturated with a slaughterous fog, overtook the former obscurity.
"What is this?!" Riuzi Aihamaide’s horrified cry escaped him. Only now did he grasp the power of the entity he had just offended.
The crimson, slaughterous fog churned relentlessly, akin to a tempestuous sea, and condensed into the form of a titanic, domineering demon. Riuzi Aihamaide, terror-stricken, had never encountered a creature of such colossal proportions in his entire existence.
With a malevolent grin etched upon its face, the gargantuan demon, forged from the crimson, slaughterous mist, raised its mammoth hand, spanning several kilometres in width, and brought it down upon Riuzi Aihamaide.
It felt as though the entire world were collapsing upon him, as an overwhelming torrent of pressure bore down upon his wretched form. He crumpled to his knees, his bones creaking and shattering under the immense weight.
He could only helplessly tilt his head upward, witnessing the colossal palm descending upon him. The last sight before his vision plunged into darkness was the visage of the crimson demon, its malevolent grin stretching from ear to ear as it savoured Riuzi Aihamaide’s sheer terror.
Back in the real world, Tang Yin stood before Riuzi Aihamaide’s motionless body, as if time had halted for him. His gaze appeared vacant and lifeless, as though his very soul had been spirited away.
Tang Yin waited patiently for Riuzi Aihamaide to snap out of the Sun-Moon Great Illusion. While Tang Yin had the ability to either end Riuzi Aihamaide’s life within the illusion or keep him stuck there forever, he didn’t aim to do either of those. His sole intention was to frighten Riuzi Aihamaide to make him fully aware of Tang Yin’s power, ensuring that Riuzi Aihamaide wouldn’t dare to reject his proposal.
Once Riuzi Aihamaide had been ensnared by the enormous hand of the crimson demon and fallen unconscious, Tang Yin swiftly freed him from the clutches of the Sun-Moon Great Illusion Art.
Nonetheless, Riuzi Aihamaide remained in an unconscious state, even though he hadn’t suffered any harm. He had been thoroughly convinced that the illusion he had just experienced was reality and that his soul had been consumed by the crimson demon. In his mind, Riuzi Aihamaide believed that he was deceased.
"Wake up, you hopeless romanticist." Tang Yin projected his divine sense into Riuzi Aihamaide’s soul and forcefully roused him from his unconscious state.
Once Tang Yin used his divine sense to awaken Riuzi Aihamaide, the latter’s eyes gradually blinked open. He gazed about in bewilderment, as though he couldn’t quite fathom that he was still alive.
His eyes then locked onto Tang Yin. As the recent events played out in his mind, Riuzi Aihamaide swiftly grasped the fact that the individual standing before him was the tremendously potent being whom he had recently incurred the wrath of. It was only at this moment that he comprehended that the crimson demon and the apparent demise he had experienced were nothing more than illusions.
With a blend of embarrassment and solemnity, Riuzi Aihamaide respectfully clasped his hands in a formal greeting. "Greetings, Senior. I am Riuzi Aihamaide. How may I be of service to you?"
"Good, you know your place." Tang Yin responded with a nod of approval. This was exactly the result he had aimed for when he had chosen to immerse Riuzi Aihamaide in the Sun-Moon Great Illusion Art, complete obedience.
