Chapter 372 Surrender
A moment later, in the guest hall, Alkaid met Wu Changfeng, who by rights should have been a capable subordinate of Zong Wenxian.
"Sect Leader Alkaid, please take a look."
This Refining Void expert did not hesitate, and directly handed over a Jade Talisman.
Although Alkaid did not understand the reason, he still took the Jade Talisman and probed it with his Divine Sense.
However, with just one look, he stood up abruptly, his eyebrows showing significant surprise.
"This is..."
"The complete layout and trajectories of the Capital Dragon Slaying Formation!"
Wu Changfeng spoke, pausing for a moment, "The Capital Dragon Slaying Formation is the core formation of the Heavenly Dao Sect in Southern Capital, key details of the formation control were previously only held by the Sect Leader and the Vice Sect Leader who oversees the Southern Region. However, eight hundred years ago, during Sect Leader Song's rebellion, the Sect Leader to swiftly suppress the rebellion, disclosed critical information of the Capital Dragon Slaying Formation to several Supreme Elders. Afterwards, he put me in charge of the Southern Region and also informed me of the layout and operational dynamics of the Capital Dragon Slaying Formation."
Upon hearing this, Alkaid frowned.
So many people knew the secrets of the Capital Dragon Slaying Formation?
After a moment, he thought of something, "Among the three Supreme Elders responsible for suppressing the rebellion was Jing Yuntian, wasn't he?"
"Correct."
Wu Changfeng nodded, "Otherwise, the Jing Family couldn't possibly dominate the Carefree Valley in the Southern Region, earning millions of Pure Yang Great Pills every term without reason."
Hearing Wu Changfeng's words, Alkaid finally understood why Jing Zhengyang was confident he could influence the smooth activation of the Capital Dragon Slaying Formation.
This formation...
Had almost become a sieve.
But this was unavoidable.
How could he expect any different when his opponents were people like Zong Wenxian from the Heavenly Dao Sect?
This matter might not have exploded with the Lei Jing Family, but sooner or later, when he faced Zong Wenxian, it would have emerged anyway.
Better to expose it early and deal with it quickly.
"Sect Leader Alkaid, please look at these positions; these are all critical nodes of the Capital Dragon Slaying Formation. As long as someone internal collaborates to sabotage these nodes, it's very easy to disrupt the operation of the Capital Dragon Slaying Formation."
Wu Changfeng explained diligently.
And Alkaid...
His expression was somewhat surprised.
He looked at the Refining Void, "Why are you telling me this?"
Upon hearing Alkaid's words, Wu Changfeng smiled, "Honestly, I'm not very good at expressing my real thoughts with words. What a person is like and what stands they take, I believe actions speak better than words, hence after decades or even centuries of being associated with each other, I think you, Sect Leader Alkaid, would understand what kind of person I am."
"I want to know now."
Alkaid looked at him, "What is the significance of your actions, and what are your motives?"
"Purpose..."
Wu Changfeng pondered for a moment, then said, "Since Sect Leader Alkaid wants to listen, I'll explain."
Alkaid was not in a hurry to leave anymore.
The Southern Region was vast enough that even with the speed of the True Monarch of Chi Sha, he could catch up with this Demon Cultivator in the Refining Void if he delayed for half a day before leaving the Southern Region.
Not to mention, he was only delaying for an hour or two.
"I was born in a small city in Senzhou 6,800 years ago. Although the city lacked top experts, thanks to being located within the Heavenly Dao Sect, my childhood was fairly peaceful. I had thought the whole world was like this, but only when I left Senzhou and encountered the real world, did I truly realize the cruel reality of the world...
In the Northern Sea Star, nearly every location was filled with chaos, slaughter, death, destruction. I encountered many dangers along the way, but I was fortunate because every time I was truly in a life-threatening crisis, I would miraculously encounter a good person or people who helped me survive," Wu Changfeng spoke, his eyes not fluctuating greatly. "My talent isn't great; I only formed my Sunburst Golden Core at the age of one hundred eighty and advanced to Hollow Void when I was eight hundred, and it took me five thousand years from Hollow Void to Refining Void..."
"At least you successfully advanced to Hollow Void."
Alkaid commented.
Advancing to Hollow Void was in itself a capability, achievement, and a type of fortune.
People without sufficient fate, no matter how well prepared, might not be able to take that step.
Just like those candidates on the Hollow Void reserve list, even the one ranked first couldn't guarantee a hundred percent breakthrough to the Hollow Void Realm.
"Yes, I have always been very lucky."
Wu Changfeng said, "Although I have experienced countless trials and witnessed many rises and falls, and even got embroiled in Sect Leader Song's rebellion and its suppression, I still survived. As I mentioned earlier, every time I faced danger, someone noble appeared to rescue me from peril, which in the Northern Sea Star is considered a miracle."
This Refining Void looked up at Alkaid, "So... I feel I should give something back to the world. Thus, while Sect Leader Song was recuperating and waiting for the opportune time, I reported his movements to the Sect Master."
This statement made Alkaid's pupils sharpen.
Song Youque's rebellion had initially all been conducted in secret, but suddenly one day, his ambitions were exposed.
Zong Wenxian continued sending people to investigate, and these investigations quickly targeted critical vulnerabilities, forcing Song Youque to kill these investigators.
Ultimately, this almost overtly provocative act gave Zong Wenxian the opportunity he needed, and with an overwhelming force, he annihilated Song Youque and his followers.
"This is my homeland; what I have wanted to do has always been very simple, which is to repay this place, this land, and sincerely hope people here can live better, free from war, separation, bloodshed, and slaughter... Song Youque's rebellion could never have succeeded. If allowed to grow further, this rebellion could have swept across the entire Southern Region. To prevent the entire Southern Region from being engulfed in war, I did something many may find despicable," Wu Changfeng spoke calmly. "However... I saved the Southern Region, sparing countless individuals from being caught in a war that was bound to sweep across the region."
Alkaid looked at Wu Changfeng.
He would verify whether what he said was true or false.
But...
If it were true, this Refining Void...
Was indeed one of the rare idealists of the Northern Sea Star.
Of course, from Song Youque's perspective, he was a complete traitor.
"Whether under Song Youque's rule or under Zong Wenxian's, the work I did was always diligent and uncomplaining, even... without expecting anything in return."
Wu Changfeng smiled, "That's why Song Youque trusts me a lot. I feel that I can give up my own interests for him, trustworthy and considered a confidant! Similarly, Zong Wenxian also trusts me because, for the past eight hundred years, I have accomplished each task nearly perfectly, fully safeguarding their interests. Moreover, since I desire nothing for myself, they also recognize me."
He slightly bowed his head, "But in truth, everything I have done is only what I ought to do. I am merely... fulfilling my duties."
Fulfilling duties!
Alkaid heard these two words.
Ordinary words that couldn't be more ordinary.
Devoted and responsible!
But such behavior, when taken to the extreme selfishness seen on the Northern Sea Star, is unmistakably exceptional.
And to those who need servants, this is being diligent, worthy of major responsibilities, a good beast of burden.
Therefore, Song Youque and Zong Wenxian both trusted him immensely.
The only thing they got wrong was...
He was devoted and responsible, not for Song Youque or Zong Wenxian, but for the land beneath his feet, the Southern Region.
And for the myriad of living beings dwelling in the Southern Region.
"So, would you act the same way if every individual became the ruler of the Southern Region?"
Alkaid asked, curious.
"There might still be some differences."
Wu Changfeng said, "If Alkaid Sect Leader's displayed abilities were mediocre, I would help the Sect Leader suppress you as quickly as possible to avoid any possible mishaps, but Sect Leader Alkaid… is not the same as Sect Leader Song and the other Vice Sect Leaders. Perhaps, compared to Sect Leader Zong, you could bring a better future to this land…"
"Aren't you afraid that I might get suppressed by Zong Wenxian by then? Even affecting the Southern Region?"
Alkaid asked, curious.
"I won't deny that possibility, but for now, if you have the Capital Dragon Slaying Formation, you will have the capital to confront Sect Leader Zong. Also…"
Wu Changfeng paused, "Compared to Sect Leader Zong's exploitation of this land, you have brought development. From the perspective of the beings living on this land, under your rule, it should be better than under the rule of the Sect Leader."
Alkaid understood what Wu Changfeng meant.
When both parties have the power to withstand each other…
Whoever can bring better development to the Southern Region, he would help them.
This stance... Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire
Alkaid reflected briefly and finally glanced at Wu Changfeng, "You're not dead, and it's indeed because you've met noblemen time and again."
"It should be luck favoring me, at crucial moments, I always manage to make the right choices,"
Wu Changfeng said.
"Your personality also adds quite a lot of color to you, as good as water, which benefits all things without contending,"
Alkaid said.
"You flatter me,"
Wu Changfeng bowed slightly.
Alkaid looked at him, naturally not fully believing his statements.
However…
Wu Changfeng's stance was indeed very peculiar.
It had been so over the years.
And according to the materials involving this Refining Void that he had collected…
Perhaps, he really was an unyielding Refining Void with no desires.
But...
How could that be possible?
Such people were extremely rare in both the Great World and the Alkaid Realm, let alone on the fiercely competitive and perilous Northern Sea Star.
Thus, he must continue observing.
Just as Wu Changfeng had said in the beginning, he is skilled in doing rather than speaking.
Based on his actions and words, one could naturally determine his true character.
Reflecting on this, he said, "Li Hanqiu and Wan Liugui have taken over the Southern Region, but they are not accustomed to many things without assistance, how about you go and assist them both next?"
Saying this, he added, "Of course, they are just Hollow Void War Immortals, while you are an esteemed Refining Void…"
"No matter, as long as it benefits the Southern Region, who leads is not important,"
Wu Changfeng said with a smile.
Alkaid nodded.
Wu Changfeng then discussed several points that might cause problems with the formation before taking leave first.
Alkaid watched him leave, still puzzled.
Is he truly scheming, or...
Are there really such mutant types on the Northern Sea Star?
"Forget it, no need to think over it. As long as I grow quickly enough, strong enough, even the pretenders of honesty will become genuinely honest and keep being so for life."
Alkaid, unable to draw a conclusion, chose not to dwell on it.
He activated the Two Realms Ruler, his figure flickering as he headed straight for the Mysterious State.