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Chapter 396: Going Against The Current In The Sea of Fire

The grand banquet of the immortal sects had ended, yet he remained there, fixing his gaze on the distant horizon.

"Chief, it\'s already late. Why not return and rest?" a voice beside him urged gently. "We have to rise early tomorrow to prepare for the grand ceremony."

Jiang Shenting shook his head. "Hongqiu hasn\'t returned yet. She said she\'d arrive a day early. I\'ll wait for her a bit longer."

"Perhaps the Lady-I mean Miss Xu has been delayed by something?"

The attendant nearly addressed her as the young lady out of habit, but quickly corrected himself, recalling that her father was no longer the chief.

Jiang Shenting sighed, a heaviness in his tone. "It\'s possible, but there\'s no harm in waiting a little longer. I know she must resent me for taking her father\'s position like this. Whether I can resolve that or not, I must at least treat her with the respect she deserves." He paused and added, "Remember, she is still the young lady of the Whale Gang. Her status remains unchanged. Treat her as you always have."

"Yes." The attendant nodded in agreement.

After turning around and retreating back into the manor, the attendant couldn\'t help but remark to the others, "The chief is truly too kind."

The autumn night was cool, with a chill settling into the air.

After some time, a sharp whistle echoed from the sky, as if a colossal creature had soared overhead before spiraling downward.

Whoosh—

A powerful gust of wind swept through, so fierce that people could not open their eyes. Jiang Shenting\'s hair and robes billowed wildly, yet he remained unmoved.

As the wind died down, it revealed a monstrous beast.

The creature was enormous, with wings that spanned wide and thick, its body armored in scales that shimmered like molten fire. A fiery mane encircled its neck, and its head, resembling a deer\'s, bore sharp, intelligent eyes and a pair of antlers that twisted like chaotic blades.

It was extremely vicious.

As it landed, its gaze locked onto Jiang Shenting, fierce and unyielding, though it made no sound.

Jiang Shenting recognized this beast at a glance.

Feilian[1] was a demonic beast, ranked just below the four great vicious beasts of the world. It had once roamed unchecked, feared by all, until it was subdued by Huang Hanshan, Lord of Thunderbolt Stronghold, who made it his personal mount.

Huang Hanshan had a particular fondness for the beast\'s ferocity and rarely parted from it.

Yet now, the wildness in Feilian\'s eyes was unmistakable. Without Huang Hanshan\'s control, it would likely revert to its vicious instincts in an instant.

"Hahaha!" A booming laugh suddenly erupted from behind the fierce creature.

"Brother Jiang! I didn\'t expect to find you outside the manor welcoming guests at this late hour! I was waiting for Hongqiu because I wanted to travel here with her, which caused a bit of a delay. I hope you\'ll forgive us!"

The voice was loud and rugged, clearly sounding like a man brimming with dominance and power.

Sure enough, a group of cultivators descended from Feilian\'s back, led by a middle-aged man with a broad, weathered face, a grizzled beard, and fierce eyes that gleamed like a predator\'s.

The man stood tall and imposing like a steel fortress, his broad frame, with muscles bulging visibly even beneath his wide robes. Each stride was powerful, reminiscent of a dragon or a tiger, and his laughter rumbled like distant thunder.

Even from a distance, an invisible pressure radiated from him.

As his gaze swept over the gathering, the attendants behind Jiang Shenting—all cultivators themselves—instinctively lowered their heads, avoiding his eyes.

All except for Jiang Shenting himself.

The newly appointed chief of the Four Seas Whale Gang met the man\'s gaze with a slight smile. "Lord Huang, it\'s an honor to have you personally grace us with your presence. I only regret that I couldn\'t escort you all the way from the Southern Regions."

His gaze shifted as he continued, "Hongqiu, you\'re back as well? I was starting to worry about you."

Beside Huang Hanshan stood a tall young woman, dressed in a striking scarlet robe, her hair tied back with a cloak flowing behind her. She was vibrant and full of spirit. At this moment, her gaze was fixed on Jiang Shenting, her eyes bright and intense. When he called her name, she nodded slightly and responded, "Uncle Jiang."

Behind her stood the disciples of Thunderbolt Stronghold, including two of the three young masters, Wei Tiandi and Deng Yixiao. The man with tanned skin, thick eyebrows, and large, commanding eyes was Wei Tiandi, while the man with a long beard and ageless features was Deng Yixiao.

Huang Hanshan\'s favorite disciple, Du Wuhen, however, was stationed at Thunderbolt Stronghold.

"I heard there were mysterious giant waves in the South Sea a few days ago, so I went to investigate," Xu Hongqiu explained. "I also took the opportunity to visit my uncle[2] at Thunderbolt Stronghold."

"Oh?" Jiang Shenting\'s eyes lit up, "Did you gain anything from the trip?"

Xu Hongqiu shook her head, a hint of sadness in her expression. "No, it was a wasted trip."

Jiang Shenting sighed along with her. "Haaaaa..."

"Brother Jiang, don\'t worry. Xu Bashan is my sworn brother. I will find him, alive or dead!" Huang Hanshan declared firmly. "And until I do, you must ensure my niece is well taken care of within the Whale Gang. If anyone dares to bully her, they\'ll have me to answer to."

"Rest assured, Lord Huang," Jiang Shenting replied solemnly. "Hongqiu will always be the young lady of our Whale Gang. Nothing will change."

"Hahaha! Now that you\'ve said that, I\'m relieved." Huang Hanshan stepped forward, patting Jiang Shenting on the shoulder with a bold, reassuring gesture. As he walked away, his voice boomed like thunder, "And if I catch the one who harmed my brother, I\'ll make them suffer so much that they\'ll find no relief in either life or death."

His voice carried far, echoing across the manor grounds.

It was obvious that he had come this time to support Xu Hongqiu.

A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Shenting\'s eyes as he turned to walk alongside Huang Hanshan. He then said solemnly, "There\'s no need for Lord Huang to trouble himself. The Whale Gang will ensure the culprit is brought to justice. Otherwise, the world might think the chief of the Whale Gang can be easily trifled with, and that\'s something that concerns me deeply."

Huang Hanshan laughed heartily, then pointed to Feilian behind him, addressing the attendants of Giant Whale Manor. "My beast will be handled by Thunderbolt Stronghold\'s people. Stay clear of it, or it might eat you if it gets angry!"

...

By the time everything was settled, it was already past midnight.

Jiang Shenting finally returned to his room to rest. He wasn\'t staying in the main hall that traditionally belonged to the chief of the Whale Gang yet, but rather in a side chamber where he had resided as the leader of the Eastern Whale Division. He would officially move after tomorrow\'s inauguration ceremony.

As he approached the chamber, he noticed someone already waiting for him.

"Did Huang Hanshan come?" the person asked.

The man had red hair and a red beard, tall and rugged, dressed in a black robe with his chest exposed.

"He and Xu Bashan have been friends for many years. It\'s no surprise he came to support Xu Hongqiu this time," Jiang Shenting replied as he sat down.

"I think you should get rid of the problem entirely. Why not just kill that little girl too?" the red-haired man suggested casually, as if discussing something as trivial as crushing an ant.

"Going after Xu Bashan was already a risky move. If we target Xu Hongqiu as well, don\'t you think people will start to suspect it was me?" Jiang Shenting replied in a deep voice. "Besides, Xu Bashan may be gone, but the forces he built over the years are deeply entrenched. Even after I become the chief, it will take time to fully gain control over the Northern and Western Whale Divisions. Without Xu Hongqiu, those factions will likely scatter, and it will be nearly impossible to unite them again."

The Four Seas Whale Gang wielded immense power, boasting tens of thousands of members within the gang itself, not to mention the countless affiliated factions that swelled their ranks beyond measure.

This immense power was also the reason it had ascended to become one of the Terrestrial Ten, despite being merely a martial world faction.

Having a lot of people does not always mean having real power in the world of immortal cultivation, but having enough people still makes a big difference.

The connections between these vast factions were intricate and intertwined. The chief could only manage them through a series of key nodes, and if one major node were to suddenly disappear, it would inevitably lead to chaos.

Of course, Jiang Shenting didn\'t explain all of this. He figured that, given the red-haired man\'s limited understanding, it would be difficult to make him grasp the intricacies, even if he tried.

"I don\'t understand all the intricacies. Anyway, I\'m staying here to keep an eye on you. Once you take office tomorrow, don\'t forget our agreement," the red-haired man said.

"Even if you, Chi Menshen[3], forget, I won\'t," Jiang Shenting said, staring at him. Then he asked, "When do you plan to kill Xu Bashan?"

"Heh, no rush," the red-haired man, known as Chi Menshen, also laughed. "Xu Bashan has been in charge of the Whale Gang for so many years. He must have a lot of important information. The more we get out of him, the more it will benefit you."

"Hmph," Jiang Shenting sneered.

He naturally understood the intentions of these people. As long as Xu Bashan was in their grasp, they held a card to keep him in check. As long as Xu Bashan lived, he would be under their control.

"As long as you don\'t mess it up, I won\'t go back on my word," Jiang Shenting said. "If Xu Bashan escapes and makes it back here, I will naturally be doomed, and at that time, I will definitely drag you all down with me."

"Heh, don\'t worry." Chi Menshen said as he patted his chest. "Xu Bashan has been locked inside the belly of the Heaven-Devouring Python by Little Ji, with multiple seals added. If he can escape, I\'ll take your surname!"

...

Inside Python Belly City.

At this moment, everyone was looking at Xu Bashan, who lay at the bottom of a pit surrounded by roaring flames. All they were thinking was that he probably wouldn\'t make it out alive.

So what should we do?

The answer was obvious: run.

But the Inferno Dragon, which was only momentarily delayed by Xu Bashan, was already charging forward again. Who could possibly escape from it?

"Split up and run!"

In this critical moment, Chu Liang could only shout out a desperate command before turning and flying away on his sword.

As the old saying goes, "When your father dies and your mother remarries, everyone is on their own."

In this situation, no amount of sacrifice could stop the Inferno Dragon. It was better to split up and try to give as many people as possible a chance to escape. Though fleeing might only prolong their fear, where else could they hide from the relentless hunt of the Inferno Dragon within Python Belly City?

Upon hearing Chu Liang\'s command, everyone snapped out of their paralyzing fear and scattered like a burst of fireworks, fleeing in all directions.

As the crazed eyes of the Inferno Dragon reflected the tiny figures fleeing, a hint of cruelty and mockery surfaced in its gaze.

"Roaaaaaarrr."

It suddenly opened its mouth wide and let out a muffled roar.

A surge of vibrant crimson-gold flames burst forth, like a blazing red sun emerging from the depths of the sea!

Boom—

The fireball exploded outward, transforming into countless flaming meteors that streaked through the sky, instantly engulfing everyone who hadn\'t managed to escape far enough!

This vicious beast...

Though consumed by its crazed thirst for slaughter, it still remembered the divine abilities of the Inferno Dragon Clan from the South Sea!

There was no chance of survival!

Each burst of flame was like a miniature Inferno Dragon, fierce and unstoppable. In an instant, everyone who had just scattered was blasted down from the sky!

No, there was one person who remained unharmed.

Chu Liang was the first to escape.

Hearing the chorus of screams behind him, Chu Liang was able to see the entire scene with his divine sense. Strangely, not a single flame was directed toward him, as if they were deliberately avoiding him.

What is going on?

Could it be...

A vague suspicion formed in Chu Liang\'s mind.

Before him loomed the image of the ultimate ferocious beast, howling and rampaging, preparing to unleash a sea of flames that would consume everything in its path. The others who had fled with him had already been struck down, their fates uncertain. If he left now, they would certainly perish. For some reason, the Inferno Dragon hadn\'t attacked him.

Should I run?

A fleeting moment of hesitation flashed in Chu Liang\'s eyes, but then he turned back, charging forward with resolute determination, unwavering as he faced the fierce dragon head-on—like a moth flying into fire.

"Roar—" The Inferno Dragon unleashed wave after wave of flames, obliterating everything in its path. Even the sturdiest black rocks crumbled under the relentless burning of the Divine Dragon Fire.

Yet, Chu Liang, charging headlong, arrived directly in front of those blazing golden irises!

He plunged into the sea of flames, confronting the fierce dragon!

At this moment, his figure dove into the overwhelming Divine Dragon flames, appearing so small, yet radiating a spark of light.

Strangely, as his figure was fully reflected in the Inferno Dragon\'s vertical pupils, the ferocity in its eyes seemed to wane.

"Roar..."

The Inferno Dragon hesitated, its torrent of flames pausing as it let out a low, confused growl. The light in its vertical pupils flickered, as if it were struggling with something deep within.

Then, Chu Liang raised his hand, revealing a glowing orb! Though small in his grasp, the light it emitted was as bright as the stars.

I have a shining orb that can illuminate a thousand rivers and mountains!

1. Check Translator\'s Thought for Explanation. ☜

2. Not blood-related uncle. Just sworn brother of her father. ☜

3. This name means The Keeper of the Crimson Door ☜