Return to the City: The Strongest King-Chapter 1766 - 1702: Hidden Paradise (Part 3)

"Young Master, watch carefully and remember this spot." Lin Feng pressed a specific position on the fake rock mountain. Suddenly, the ground trembled again, and the surrounding fake rocks seemed to come alive and moved in different directions. When everything calmed down, a door suddenly appeared on the previously empty backyard wall.

"Young Master, in front of you is the core of the Dragon Gate Great Array." Lin Feng and Su Lie said in unison.

Song Xiaodong walked through the gate, discovering he was walking on flat stone steps with water all around him. As he continued forward, the sound of the waterfall grew louder, and Song Xiaodong realized he was strolling through spring water atop the mountain.

Song Xiaodong turned back to speak with the two Elders, only to find that they remained outside the gate.

"Young Master, this is the Dragon Gate Forbidden Area, only you can enter," Lin Feng said, his expression solemn and reverent.

Song Xiaodong's women also stood in a line, craning their heads forward.

"The Dragon Gate Great Array's core will recognize its master. Once the Young Master drips a drop of blood into the core, he will be able to control the array," Su Lie reminded him.

Song Xiaodong proceeded along the narrow steps, gradually reaching the center of the mountain spring.

Song Xiaodong saw a platform half the height of a person at the spring's center. As he approached, he discovered it was a cylindrical stone platform emitting a faint green glow. The top of the stone platform was concave, with a hole in the middle, wide at the top and narrowing toward the bottom.

Song Xiaodong peered into the hole and found water, with an incredibly thin silver needle suspended within, its other end embedded unseen.

Song Xiaodong reached out to touch the silver needle, giving it a gentle flick.

Just as Song Xiaodong thought there was no reaction and breathed a sigh of relief, a series of deep, rumbling sounds emanated from beneath, reminiscent of an earthquake from deep within the earth's crust. The tranquil water surface became lined with ripples, and the women observing from the yard entrance frowned.

"Wow, I just touched it, does it really have to react this strongly?" Song Xiaodong muttered internally, noting how his women never reacted so intensely to his touch.

Everyone distinctly felt an overwhelming pressure from below. Seeing everyone on edge, Lin Feng explained, "There's no need to panic. The Dragon Gate Great Array covers the entire island, so some commotion when activating the array is normal. Once Young Master drips a drop of blood into the stone platform's water, he will be able to restart the array, officially succeeding as Sect Leader."

Song Xiaodong did not hesitate, took out his silver needle from his body, pricked his left index finger, and squeezed out a drop of blood onto the water surface in the stone platform's hole.

The blood dropped into the water, slowly dissolving, and suddenly seemed to have a life of its own. It gradually approached the silver needle in the water, then re-formed into a blood droplet, sliding down the silver needle into the unseen depths below.

After waiting a long time, Song Xiaodong suddenly felt a palpitation, sensing the message from an unknown ancient life form.

"I thought, you have finally lost the legacy, but not unexpectedly."

In an instant, Song Xiaodong understood the secret of the Dragon Gate Great Array.

The entire island manifested an inexplicable transformation, as the previously lifeless island suddenly seemed to burst with vitality. Flocks of birds startled, and the chirping insects fell silent.

Everyone felt the indescribable change, and Lin Feng and Su Lie knew it was a sign the Dragon Gate Great Array was finally operating again.

Song Xiaodong walked back along the steps to the small gate of the backyard, where Lin Feng and Su Lie bowed in greeting, "Greetings, Sect Leader!", their expressions extremely serious.

"Elders, no need to be formal. I, Song Xiaodong, will not fail my mission," Song Xiaodong responded with firm sincerity.

"Brother Xiaodong, what happened just now?" Feng Kexin couldn't help but ask.

"Kexin, this is a matter only known to the Sect Leader, and I truly cannot disclose it." Song Xiaodong gazed fondly at Feng Kexin, his mood considerably lifted.

"Sect Leader, the Dragon Gate Great Array is essential to the foundation of the entire Dragon Gate; this secret must be kept rigorously. It's the result of Dragon Gate disciples exchanging their blood for generations," Su Lie reminded Song Xiaodong.

"Rest assured Elder Su, my parents sacrificed willingly to protect the Dragon Gate Holy Land, and I, Song Xiaodong, will never dishonor my parents' name."

"Sect Leader, it's late. Elder Su and I will arrange for the Sect Leader and Sect Leader's Wife to rest. We will discuss important matters tomorrow."

"Thank you for your hard work, Elders." Song Xiaodong, looking at the white-haired Elders, couldn't help but feel moved. Despite their age, they still exerted themselves for their young Sect Leader.

Sun Yiyi's big eyes rolled around for a moment before saying to the two Elders leading the way, "Elders, you're old and worked hard today, so please don't worry about us. We'll stay with the Sect Leader, enough people to tidy up one room together."

Song Xiaodong caught on and said, "Yes, Elders. We'll clean up ourselves, please rest at ease." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Thank you, Sect Leader."

Song Xiaodong and his group searched the Sect Leader's three-room residence, finally finding a room that could fit six people. Lin Feng and Su Lie sought out their own former residences.

These rooms hadn't been inhabited for over twenty years; though well-equipped, they were covered in a thick layer of dust. Song Xiaodong and his five delicate beauties had never seen such dirty rooms and spent a considerable amount of time cleaning. With windows and doors wide open, dust billowed out from both, leaving everyone coughing repeatedly.