I'll Quit Being a God

Chapter 429: A Lifetime of Fortunate Events

The sight of Jiu Mie's gloating expression left Lu Heng rather speechless.

This old monk has no qualms about getting involved in a spectacle,

Lu Heng pondered for a moment and said, "I suddenly remember that there are matters in Hanyu Mountain that I must attend to promptly. I won't be able to accompany both of you on this trip to Sanxian Island. Farewell, my dear friends."

Speaking thus, Lu Heng paid no heed to the reactions of Jiu Mie and Candle Dragon. He swiftly used his divine escape technique to leave the sinister storm and attempt to distance himself.

However, in the instant Lu Heng's escape light became visible, a massive red curtain suddenly appeared in the sky. This curtain materialized from nothingness, initially just a dot, but instantaneously expanded and diffused upon its appearance, immediately shrouding an area of a hundred miles in all directions.

Furthermore, it continued to spread outward.

Soon, the entire expanse above the Return Ruins was concealed by this vast scarlet curtain, rendering the heavens invisible.

And after this scarlet curtain closed off the canopy of the heavens, it astonishingly commenced its descent, swiftly reaching the very edge of the Return Ruins, shrouding all external radiance.

In the blink of an eye, the vast and expansive world of the Return Ruins was completely enveloped, with not even a trace of a crevice leading to the outside world visible.

Inside the red fabric, a radiant array of stars emerged, resembling the arrival of a starry night.

Witnessing this scene, Lu Heng was left dumbfounded, exclaiming, "What is this situation?"

Candle Dragon stroked his bearded chin and chuckled, saying, "This is the treasured artifact of the Dragon Clan, known as the 'Fire Cloud Envelop'. It was refined from the evening glow of the Eastern Sea, consuming the painstaking efforts of thirteen generations of Dragon Emperors."

"Once the Fire Cloud Envelop unfurls, within the domain of the Return Ruins, thus erecting a distinct realm that outsiders find arduous to penetrate. Naturally, those within also face considerable difficulties should they seek to venture outside."

Candle Dragon chuckled and said, "It seems that Friend Lu Heng won't be able to return to Hanyu Mountain for the time being."

The words of Candle Dragon made Lu Heng's eyebrows twitch in surprise.

He immediately looked towards the elegant young man in white before him and said, "Brother Bai Xing, why did Dragon Emperor suddenly activate the Fire Cloud Envelop? Does this mean I am still unable to return home?"

Regarding this, Bai Xing quickly explained, "Fear not, Wolf God, this matter is not targeted at you specifically, but rather it is a tradition of our Dragon Clan. Every time the century arrives and the Dragon beings who have traveled the seas return to the mountain, the Fire Cloud Envelop is activated to prevent malevolent spirits from infiltrating the Dragon Palace."

"After the banquet to reward the returning Dragon beings from their expedition, this Fire Cloud Envelop will naturally be activated."

Bai Xing explained earnestly, "If the Wolf God is eager to return to the mountain, you can accompany me to the island and find the revered Dragon Emperor. You can explain the situation to her, and perhaps Her Majesty would be willing to activate the Fire Cloud Envelop early, allowing the Wolf God to depart."

After Bai Xing finished speaking, Jiu Mie chuckled and patted Lu Heng on the shoulder, saying, "Come, my friend, let us go to the island to meet the Dragon Emperor and persuade her to let you depart."

The Candle Dragon also nodded and said, "Indeed, the Dragon Clan does have this custom. I can attest to it. This custom has a history of several tens of thousands of years."

Lu Heng had a puzzled expression on his face, "You haven't been to Sanxian Island for tens of thousands of years, have you? How do you know so much about it?"

The Candle Dragon chuckled and gently stroked his chin, unabashedly saying, "As the saying goes, by keeping to the shadows, one can know all the affairs of the world. Though I, the Candle Dragon, rarely venture outside, my kin are spread across the four seas, and I am well informed of all the happenings beyond our realm."

Lu Heng was speechless.

Is this shameless friend really the same Candle Dragon, who was once aloof, sinister, exuding a powerful aura, and akin to a top-tier villainous cultivator named Zhu Jiuyou?

Lu Heng silently looked towards the elegant young man in white robes, then continued, "May I ask, Young Master Bai Xing, how long does it usually take for the Flame Cloud Envelop to dissipate once it is unfurled?"

Bai Xing respectfully performed a bow and said, "In response to the Wolf God, once the Flame Cloud Envelop is unfurled, it will remain in place until the grand banquet is concluded, the inspection of the three islands is completed, and it is ensured that no malevolent spirits have infiltrated the Dragon Palace, only then it will be removed."

"Short periods may be three to five years, while longer ones could span several decades. As for the specific timeframe, this junior is also not certain, and everything will be subject to the judgment of the esteemed Dragon Emperor."

"If the safety of the island is confirmed, perhaps it will be lifted in three to five years."

"On the contrary, if unforeseen circumstances arise, it is also possible that it may not be lifted for several decades."

As Bai Xing uttered these words, a slight bead of sweat formed on his forehead.

Observing his nervous demeanor, Lu Heng couldn't help but sigh helplessly and said, "Dragon Emperor must trust you greatly to have sent you to greet us… Is Brother Bai's flying speed very fast?"

Lu Heng's inquiry caused more perspiration to form on Bai Xing's forehead.

Seeing this situation, Lu Heng sighed once again and said, "Alright then, since it is so, let us go to the island and meet Dragon Emperor. I believe His Majesty Dragon Emperor will not deliberately make things difficult for me."

Lu Heng spoke as such, and Bai Xing immediately breathed a sigh of relief, hastily responding with a smile, "Of course, of course. This junior will lead the way ahead."

In the mist and clouds, the noble young master clad in white garments underwent a miraculous transformation, once again assuming the form of a majestic five-clawed silver dragon. With the resonant sound of the dragon's roar, the silver dragon soared directly towards the distant horizon.

Lu Heng and the other two followed closely behind, as the demonic winds and dark clouds appeared somewhat glaring under the canopy of fiery clouds adorned with countless stars.

In the end, under the guidance of the White Dragon, Lu Heng and his companions entered into a realm veiled by pristine white clouds.

As Lu Heng passed through the mist, he sensed a fleeting and ethereal sensation, as if traversing beyond the confines of the world.

This sensation persisted for a prolonged duration, and when they emerged from the clouds once again, the scene before them had undergone a transformation.

The pitch-dark and profound abyss of the Return Ruins still stands beneath their feet, casting a shadow as it veils the sky adorned with countless stars. However, amidst the celestial canopy and the abyss, there no longer exists the emptiness that once prevailed.

Three colossal floating islands manifested before Lu Heng.

Amidst the ethereal mist and haze, those three immense islands stretched boundlessly. Though referred to as islands, they had already grown to the scale of vast continents.

When Lu Heng and his companions materialized, the sound of dragons' cries echoed ceaselessly across the island. From the foremost Penglai Island, dozens of streaks of light swiftly emerged, appearing before Lu Heng in an instant.

At the forefront stood a young figure, adorned with a crown and robed in dragon-embroidered attire. This young maiden appeared to be merely seven or eight years old, yet her countenance was solemn and her bearing extraordinary. The aura of dragons roared around her, and with every gesture and step, she exuded a commanding presence that inspired both respect and awe.

After she appeared with dozens of dragon clansmen, she then performed a respectful salute towards Lu Heng and his two companions, saying, "I am Dragon Emperor Xiu Ya, humbly greet the three fellow Daoists."

Upon the ominous wind and dark clouds, Candle Dragon and Jiu Mie tacitly took a step back, accentuating the presence of Lu Heng.

Moreover, these two comrades-in-mischief remained silent, flawlessly embodying the roles of diligent attendants.

In response, Lu Heng could only sigh helplessly, taking the lead to speak, "I'm Lu Heng of Hanyu Mountain, I pay my respects to the Dragon Emperor."

Lu Heng spoke up, and only then did Jiu Mie chuckle in response and return the greeting, saying, "Jiu Mie."

Candle Dragon, on the other hand, let out a gentle "Hmm" and replied, "Candle Dragon."

Both individuals, however, shared the same inclination for sparing words.

However, it was evident that the Dragon Emperor didn't mind these matters.

Or rather, in her eyes, there was only Lu Heng.

In the presence of all eyes, she smiled and turned towards Lu Heng, saying, "I have long heard of the illustrious name of the Wolf God. Today, having the opportunity to meet you, is truly a fortunate event in Xiu Ya's life. We have prepared a modest wine on the island, and I humbly request the Wolf God's esteemed presence for a conversation."

The unabashed enthusiasm expressed was so genuine that there was no need for any pretense.