Free Web NovelChapter 1119: Chapter 601: Crisis in the War Alliance Ancestral Land, Underlying Currents Surge (Part 2)
After all, it is possible that the subsequent development will be in a tense situation. At such times, if the Jiuyu Commerce Alliance can come to support, it would also be of great benefit to them.
In this suffocating silence and oppression, time seemed to become thick and slow.
Jiang Shu sat cross-legged in the quiet room of the guest hall, with the space around him rippling slightly like water, isolating the inside from the outside of the palace.
Most of his mind was immersed in the perception of the Heart of Space and the consolidation of power, cultivating his own Space Law. However, he always kept a thread of clarity, like a taut bowstring, vigilant to any disturbance outside.
Moments later, a slight spatial fluctuation came from the palace door, breaking the tranquility.
Liu Yue’s voice sounded, carrying a hint of imperceptible tension.
"Elder Jiang, the Young Alliance Master has come to visit."
Even before his last self-seclusion, Zhan Feng had been designated by the War Alliance as the future Alliance Hierarch of the War Alliance, and his only competitor was his own sister, with a highly esteemed position.
Jiang Shu opened his eyes, a silvery-blue light flickering deep in his pupils.
"Please let him in."
Zhan Feng strode in from outside the palace, trying to lift the hearty smile he usually wore, but that smile seemed somewhat forced and stiff, with a hint of unnoticed concern hidden in his eyes.
His bronze battle armor was shinier than usual, as if freshly polished, and the Bronze Battle Axe hanging at his waist had a restrained sheen, faintly exuding a battle-ready aura.
"Brother Jiang, it seems your cultivation over the past few days has yielded results. The density of your law rivals that of the average Venerable now."
Zhan Feng greeted in a loud voice as he entered, sitting directly opposite Jiang Shu, looking around and clicking his tongue in admiration, though his eyes never quite met Jiang Shu’s.
"Did I interrupt your meditation? How have you found the past few days at the War Alliance?"
He seemed to wander casually, but his gaze inadvertently swept over the spatial restrictions in the hall, his scrutinizing actions were subtle but not beyond Jiang Shu’s spatial perception.
"Stillness often inspires movement; it’s a form of communication when Brother Zhan visits. The War Alliance’s spiritual energy is abundant, perfectly stabilizing my realm."
Jiang Shu remained composed, signaling for Zhan Feng to sit as Liu Yue served the spiritual tea. freewebnoveℓ.com
Jiang Shu noticed that Liu Yue’s fingers trembled very slightly while pouring tea.
Zhan Feng picked up his teacup, sipped it, smacked his lips, as if wanting to say something, but hesitated.
He set down the teacup, wearing his usual hearty smile, but this time, there was a reassuring undertone in that grin. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"Haha, that’s good."
"Oh, I came to inform you that there may be some commotion in the War Alliance these days. If you notice anything unusual, don’t worry; just continue your meditation. No one will disturb you."
Jiang Shu put down his cup, looking at Zhan Feng with calm eyes, following up on his words: "Commotion?"
"Brother Zhan, patrols in the core area have noticeably intensified these past days, and the atmosphere seems unusual. Has something happened?"
"If there’s anything needed, I might be able to lend a hand."
Since he was already an Outer Elder of the War Alliance, coming forward to help when the War Alliance encountered issues was quite normal, and no one could say otherwise.
Upon hearing this, Zhan Feng’s smile froze for a moment, then widened slightly as he forcefully patted Jiang Shu’s shoulder.
"Ah, I knew you were sharp-minded."
"It’s actually nothing major, don’t overthink it!"
He paused, looked around, seeing Liu Yue had already exited the palace, yet his voice unconsciously lowered a bit.
"It’s just... some minor issue over at the Ancestral Land these days, the altar’s energy field has become a bit unstable."
He tried to make his tone sound casual, as if discussing something trivial.
"You know, the Ancestral Land holds immense significance for us humans, enshrining the spirits of our ancestors and holy objects, leaving no room for error."
"With energy fluctuations, the space became a bit chaotic, so the alliance decided to impose a temporary lockdown, investigate potential risks, and invited the Supreme Elders to stabilize the altar."
Zhan Feng was not skilled at lying, and anyone could see the unease on his face and the stiffness of his smile.
The situation was definitely not as simple as he claimed.
"Is it resolved now?"
Jiang Shu pursued the topic, timely showing just the right amount of concern and "belief."
"Of course it’s resolved now!"
Zhan Feng nodded vigorously, with a hint of pride.
"With our ancestors around, no storm can be too daunting to subdue!"
"My father personally dealt with it, rest assured! It’s basically stable now, just need one or two more days of checks to ensure no potential issues before lifting the lockdown."
"Due to this incident, the opening of the Ancient Battle Soul Path will also be delayed for a few days. I was worried you’d be anxious, so just be cautious of your safety these days and avoid wandering near forbidden areas."
"Once the full safety checks are completed, the lockdown will be lifted, and then the Ancient Battle Soul Path will reopen, and we can get back to our activities."
He gulped down a cup of tea, seemingly using the motion to disguise something.
"Don’t worry; it’s a minor issue, just being cautious."
"Once the lockdown ends, I will come to find you to go to the ancient path, and it will surely open your eyes!"
Jiang Shu looked at Zhan Feng’s assured expression of "everything’s settled, under control," calm on the surface, yet waves roiled inside his heart.
The more Zhan Feng acted like this, the more it proved that the War Alliance’s situation was more complex than he imagined.
"I see. Thank you, Brother Zhan, for the information."
"Since it’s just the Ancestral Land’s energy instability, with Uncle Zhan and the Supreme Elders handling it, it’s naturally easily resolved."
"I will be cautious and wait for the ancient path to open."
Zhan Feng saw that Jiang Shu seemed to truly believe him and visibly breathed a sigh of relief, the forced valiant demeanor relaxed a bit.
"Alright, I won’t disturb you anymore. Continue your cultivation and await my news!"
He finished another cup of tea, then got up to leave, hastily, his steps still brisk, but his retreating figure betrayed a sense of urgency and weight.
Once Zhan Feng’s figure disappeared beyond the palace doors, the slight smile of understanding on Jiang Shu’s face vanished instantly, replaced by extreme gravity.
His fingertips unconsciously traced the cold rim of the cup, creating a barely audible friction sound.
"Ancestral Land... minor issue... energy instability..."
Jiang Shu muttered to himself repeatedly with Zhan Feng’s explanation, each word seemed steeped in ice, devoid of any credibility.
The terrifying malevolence that erupted that night, fraught with violence and chaos enough to make even a Venerable shudder, was on a completely different level from the so-called "altar energy fluctuation" or "space instability."
That was definitely the aura of an extremely dangerous and bizarre presence, full of darkness and degeneration, far beyond ordinary energy imbalance.
What chilled Jiang Shu even more was Zhan Feng’s attitude.
Although his words seemed as if he believed them, and his eyes were sincere, that sincerity itself indicated he, too, was likely in the dark.
He earnestly trusted the narrative his father provided him.
Even his son, a core heir of the War Alliance and the Vice Alliance Hierarch, was unaware of the truth!
Zhan Jiuxiao selectively allowed his son to know the "Ancestral Land accident" as a mild excuse, perfectly concealing the truth of the nefarious presence and the fierce battle of the Venerables.
What was hidden behind the cover-up, its severity and secrecy, must be far beyond imagination.
The War Alliance’s lockdown definitely wasn’t just because of some minor issue in the Ancestral Land.
Beneath the calm surface, the raging undercurrents could probably consume countless star systems.
Given the scale of the War Alliance, should anything truly untoward occur here, it could lead to a significant reshuffle of powers within the Inner Ring of the Star Ruins Realm!
In the following two days, the oppressive feeling, seemingly lighter but making people afraid to speak loudly, did not lessen because of Zhan Feng’s words. Instead, across the core region, the atmosphere was like a suppressed tsunami, accumulating even more weighty power beneath the calm surface.
The number of patrolling squads increased, their steps heavy and in unison, the dark gold armor reflecting a cold, murderous light under illumination.
