Chapter 590: Chapter 589: Arrival at Iron Cloud Island!

As they spoke, Gu Yuan took out a jade talisman from his storage pouch and handed it to Shi Peiqing, making a promise.

Upon seeing this, Shi Peiqing was overjoyed, and repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Good, good, good, many thanks to Fellow Daoist Chu."

Then, he called his disciple over, instructing them to thank Gu Yuan and perform a salute.

After these formalities, only then did Shi Peiqing hand the jade talisman to his disciple, showing a joyful expression on his old face.

He had no other choice; he only had this one disciple.

If there was no opportunity, that would be it. But now that there was, forming an alliance with someone like Chu He was akin to taking a shortcut for his disciple.

Who is Chu He?

In Shi Peiqing’s eyes, he was surely destined to become a Primordial Spirit True Immortal in the future, and such a person would be a major figure in times to come.

By establishing a relationship early on, his disciple would benefit and gain many intangible advantages in the future.

"No need for formalities."

Gu Yuan smiled.

As if recalling something, he thoughtfully reminded Shi Peiqing: "By the way, there’s something I think it’s necessary to remind you, Fellow Daoist Shi."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Peiqing’s expression changed slightly. He knew that Gu Yuan would not mention anything trivial, so he respectfully urged: "Brother Chu, please speak."

"The Iron Cloud Island will likely become quite lively soon... many will gather for the excitement."

Gu Yuan smiled meaningfully, hinting at something: "So... it’s best you don’t go to Iron Cloud Island. If anything happens, I can’t guarantee your safety."

Shi Peiqing was startled. He wasn’t foolish; he quickly speculated some things.

The Iron Cloud Island was bound to become a den of intrigue, with numerous significant figures gathering. As a minor participant in the birthday celebration, venturing there would likely end poorly.

Though he was a Yin Spirit Giant, under normal circumstances, few would dare provoke him... but those stirring trouble on Iron Cloud Island were far from simple.

Among them were Chaotic Heaven Elder’s old adversaries, and certainly, powerful Yang Shen figures, while the rest were not easy characters.

He was just a regular cultivator of the Yin Spirit Realm, bringing along his disciple, a small burden, only to potentially become an easy target.

Besides, why would Gu Yuan mention this?

Could it be that he also had some insights, or was planning to head to Iron Cloud Island to stir the pot himself?

Shi Peiqing had just witnessed Gu Yuan’s methods firsthand, deeply admiring and fearing his capabilities.

Thus, Shi Peiqing wouldn’t dare take Gu Yuan’s words lightly, promptly expressing his gratitude: "Thanks for the reminder, Fellow Daoist! I understand your intention; I’ll find a secluded place to hide."

Gu Yuan smiled: "That’s the spirit..."

After a few casual exchanges, with repeated thanks from Shi Peiqing and his disciple, Gu Yuan eventually took his leave, disappearing into the distant sky.

...

Gu Yuan’s speed was swift.

It only took him less than six hours to reach the vicinity of Iron Cloud Island.

At this moment, Gu Yuan saw numerous cultivators, either maneuvering magical artifacts and treasures or riding spirit beast-driven cloud cars, heading towards Iron Cloud Island.

These were undoubtedly the guests attending Elder Chaotic Heaven’s seven-thousand-year birthday celebration.

However, Gu Yuan did not proceed onto Iron Cloud Island.

The situation was unclear; not knowing Chaotic Heaven’s plans, should he have set an ambush, he might have walked into a trap.

Though he was merely an avatar, unafraid of any trouble, Gu Yuan was still unwilling to make a wasted trip.

Especially since...

Gu Yuan could feel two immensely strong and intimidating presences filling the heavens and earth, from the northwest and southeast of Iron Cloud Island—inescapably dominating in presence.

Evidently, these were two powerful Yang Shen beings!

Moreover, Gu Yuan knew their identities: Monk Ku Zhu and Granny Mei Hua.

Both were well-known Yang Shen figures in the East Sea Cultivation Realm.

Rumor had it that the two were old acquaintances, once romantically involved, but for various reasons did not become dual cultivation partners.

Interestingly, they both held enmities with Elder Chaotic Heaven, and not ordinary ones.

This information was precisely what Shi Peiqing had shared with Gu Yuan.

The two Yang Shen powers were camped near Iron Cloud Island, with their target clearly being Elder Chaotic Heaven.

Why they haven’t acted yet...

Perhaps they were waiting for the right moment, or it was due to Iron Cloud Island’s activated Mountain Protection Array guarding it fiercely, making any attack difficult.

In any case, Gu Yuan welcomed such developments.

With these two Yang Shen powers as distractions, Elder Chaotic Heaven would naturally focus most of his attention on them, leaving Gu Yuan inconspicuous, beneficial for his strategy.

Gu Yuan sheltered on an ordinary small island several thousand miles from Iron Cloud Island, sitting down to prepare for the spectacle to unfold.

Though right after he settled in, he perceived several divine thoughts swiftly passing over him...

Gu Yuan was deliberately concealing his appearance this time, though not his cultivation.

He knew that revealing was more advantageous than concealment.

In the presence of Yang Shen powers, achieving true concealment was questionable.

Regarding those divine thoughts, despite being nearly indistinguishable, Gu Yuan could speculate on their owners... Chaotic Heaven Elder, Monk Ku Zhu, and Granny Mei Hua.

The last and most covert belonged to Ancestor Jin Sha.

Having reached the realm of Yang Shen powers, their divine thoughts could "see" activities within tens of thousands of miles, apart from similar levels of intervention, nothing could escape their notice.

Thus, Gu Yuan’s presence couldn’t evade these individuals.

Yet, perhaps due to Gu Yuan’s low cultivation, three of the divine thoughts quickly dismissed him, while another lingered with interest, circling him several times before withdrawing.

This made Gu Yuan frown, suspecting he was the focus of a Yang Shen power.

Nevertheless, it was no worry, as preparedness counters challenges.

After all, he was only an incarnation here; even if annihilated, it would bear no impact on his true form, which could persist in dispatching avatars.

Even if this current avatar lacked genuine Lifebound Magical Treasures, truly powerful treasures, or sword arrays, his divine techniques, and mana were identical to his true form.

Moreover, even without his Lifebound Magical Treasures, or sword arrays, he could utilize Great Divine Techniques like Dreaming Illusion Flower to simulate these. Admittedly, the power would inevitably decrease...

Still, Gu Yuan was confident enough to confront a Yang Shen power.

...