Chapter 132 Pawn

Of course, this treacherous ship, the Salamander clan would not board, for Xuanji Laozu was Hongjun's good corpse.

If Qing Ling's guess was correct, Hongjun might be closer to the Phoenix clan than the Dragon clan. Therefore, the existence of the Salamander clan was very likely to push the tide, allowing the Eastern Desolation to be controlled by the Phoenix or Qilin clans.

But he had to outwardly win them over and treat them equally.

Qing Ling wanted to protect Xishan, and Xishan belonged to the Dragon clan's vassals. Xuanji Laozu, transformed from Hongjun's good corpse, wanted the Eastern Desolation to be broken and weakened.

The two seemed to be in opposition, but they were not contradictory. Qing Ling only protected his Xishan, and Hongjun only disrupted his Eastern Desolation.

The crowd fell silent for a moment. Patriarch Giant Crow raised his eyebrows and said, "Fellow Daoist, does this mean that our Eastern Desolation can no longer engage in large-scale war?"

Everyone glanced at Patriarch Giant Crow. Among the tribes of the Eastern Desolation, the Giant Crocodile clan was the one that most wanted to cease hostilities. Their ancestral land had already been lost by more than half, while the Black Lizard clan was the one that least wanted to stop the war.

Shan Kun, the Old Ape, wore a gloomy expression. If it were merely a small skirmish among the tribes of the Eastern Desolation, he would not have paid much attention. However, since it concerned the overall trend of the world, he had to be cautious. "My Mountain River Giant Ape clan will be the first to defend the border and will no longer promote large-scale war."

Everyone was stunned. Just as Xuanji Laozu was about to speak, Qing Ling, knowing that the Salamander clan's stance absolutely forbade him from speaking in opposition first,

immediately interjected, "My Xishan Spirit Snake clan will naturally defend our ancestral land and will not encroach upon another clan's territory by even an inch!"

Seeing this, Giant Crow followed suit, "My Giant Crocodile clan also wishes to remain peaceful and guard our territory!"

Xuanji Laozu sighed inwardly. Although he had the intention, he also had to conceal his identity. If the Salamander clan, allied with Xishan and the Giant Apes, opposed this, it would be unusual.

Patriarch Black Pattern frowned, sweeping a displeased glance over everyone present, "This all depends on your word, Xishan. If you say to stop the war, then it stops. If you have some hidden machinations within, we will all fall into your trap, won't we?"

Qing Ling narrowed his eyes, a hint of coldness in his gaze. That Black Veil woman from the Black Lizard clan who was a Great Luo had almost annihilated the entire Xishan clan back then.

"Fellow Daoist Black Pattern, my Xishan is willing to explain this matter to all of you for your sake, for the sake of all tribes in the Eastern Desolation, and even more so for the sake of the Dragon clan.

If you do not cooperate, it matters not. When I meet our Lord God, the Primordial Azure Dragon, and state my case, I will make it clear.

Furthermore, you, who stir up trouble and do not fear the threat of the Phoenix clan, could it be that you have already become one with the Phoenix clan?"

"Nonsense!" Patriarch Black Pattern's expression changed drastically. If this accusation of being a rebellious dragon was pinned on him, even the slightest misstep could lead to the destruction of his Black Lizard clan.

"Cease your baseless accusations. How could my Black Lizard clan betray our master?

My Black Lizard clan is also willing to uphold this oath."

Seeing that everyone had expressed their stance, Xuanji Laozu could only agree outwardly. However, his plans in his heart had not ceased.

Qing Ling smiled outwardly, cupping his hands, "Thank you all, fellow Daoists, for understanding the grand scheme and upholding righteousness, and for jointly protecting the Eastern Desolation. Once this matter is concluded, I will report to the Primordial Azure Dragon."

Upon hearing the words "Primordial Azure Dragon," Patriarch Black Pattern's face instantly broke into a smile, "Then I hope Fellow Daoist will speak well of us. Our clan will now withdraw to fifty thousand li beyond the border of Xishan's ancestral land."

Qing Ling naturally agreed, and then escorted each Patriarch away. Above Xishan, as the mighty figures departed, the sky returned to silence.

Entering Xishan, Qing Ling waved his sleeve, dismissing his clansmen, and only discussed important clan matters with Granny Hua Geng and the elders of the clan.

Afterward, Qing Ling entered Hundred Springs Valley. The hundred or so flower spirits, having not seen him for a long time, were all very excited.

"The Upper God has finally come to see us!"

"Has the Upper God forgotten us?"

"Yes, we haven't seen you for so long, and Lord Tree God and Lord Lotus God have also left."

"We've become unwanted flowers!"

"We've become unwanted flowers!"

...

Qing Ling was overwhelmed by the noise and could only appease them, "Don't worry, everyone. When I return, I will take you all to our new home."

Only then did the little spirits stop crying incessantly.

Looking at the familiar cave dwelling, Qing Ling's face was filled with memories.

He wished he could stay in Xishan forever, taking a nap in Hundred Springs Valley, sleeping for ten thousand years, living a leisurely life, his existence poetic and picturesque.

But he could not. Qing Ling still had many things to do.

He needed to protect the Tongtian Jianmu, and he needed to protect Xishan. His Dao also needed him to protect it.

Qing Ling sat in the quiet room, his primordial spirit activating the Fu Chun Divine Seal, his divinity throbbing. The rules of heaven and earth formed lines, connecting two realms across immense distances.

A void painting appeared.

Qing Ling bowed, respectfully saying, "This minor god, Qing Ling, pays his respects to the Lord God!"

In the image, a man in dark blue robes stood tall, a three-foot sword of flowing clouds and green edges hanging at his waist. He was handsome and resolute, exuding a powerful masculine charm that could captivate all female beasts.

"Oh? You still remember that I am your Lord God." The man in dark robes in the image looked at Qing Ling from afar with a half-smile, his faint smile adding a third part to his ethereal aura.

Qing Ling was momentarily embarrassed, then smiled, "It is this minor god's lack of strength. Not having reached Great Luo, I cannot use this divine power transmission technique."

"Enough, no need to be so reserved. We are both gods of Spring, our divinities are close, there is no need for pleasantries. Moreover, you should indeed not spend too much time with me, lest calamities befall you with the aura of tribulation entering your body," Azure Dragon said with a hint of helplessness.

"Yes, this minor god remembers.

However, I have an important matter to report today.

The Phoenix clan is likely to invade the Dragon clan within the next three to fifty epochs. This is a piece of information I inadvertently overheard from a former sacred son of the Phoenix clan."

Unexpectedly, Azure Dragon did not show surprise. He merely stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky, and said leisurely, "A battle between my Dragon clan and the Phoenix clan is inevitable! It is only a matter of time."

Qing Ling nodded, and said faintly, "Our Lord God's divine abilities are indeed vast. However, the Phoenix clan seems to be colluding with the Qilin clan. If the two clans go to war, I'm afraid..."

"It is of no consequence!" Azure Dragon Ancestor's sword intent surged, even across the void image, it made Qing Ling tremble.

"You need to know that my Dragon clan is not only powerful in combat, but our intelligence is no less than that of the Phoenix clan. How could we, who are so wise, care about those petty schemes?

Qing Ling, you only need to remember to protect yourself. You are the Dragon clan's contingency, everyone of my Azure Dragon.

Some time ago, my clan's Zhulong went to the Spine of Pangu and reportedly entered the legendary Pangu Hall, leaving behind his bloodline.

My Dragon clan has thousands of contingency plans, but your contingency plan is particularly important to me.

Therefore, you must remember to always prioritize your own life!"

Qing Ling was slightly moved. Even though he knew he was just a chess piece, as a chess piece that had the emotional investment of the player, he was destined to be extraordinary!

Qing Ling did not get to personally visit Azure Dragon in the East Sea, but it was equivalent to having met him.

Now, Qing Ling needed to do one more major thing: to accompany Granny Hua Geng to the Dudou Land!