Light Fortress Chapter 1733 - 385: Internal Meeting_2

His domain shattered, explosive shrapnel tore his flesh, and the Black Silver attribute relentlessly drained his internal source quality. This dire depletion accounts for his current state of utter exhaustion.

"Please... save us."

Amidst the tempestuous downpour, Yin Zhuo fixed his gaze upon the colossal crimson figure, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized it.

Few individuals across the entire Five Continents could navigate to this precise location alone.

This must be a Titled Transcendent.

And no ordinary Titled Transcendent, at that.

Connecting the storm-lashed night with the thunderous red presence, the man's identity was readily discernible.

He was the First Divine Envoy of the Source Tower!

"Besides those from the temple, I also rescued several Transcendents from the Source Tower itself!"

Yin Zhuo transmitted his words with palpable urgency.

Propelled by the relentless tide, the shimmering Light Ball Barrier finally drew near the imposing Red Dragon.

"Esteemed Red Dragon!"

"Honorable Divine Envoy!"

Red Dragon's brow creased slightly as he observed the Source Tower Enforcers, adorned in the pristine white robes of the Light Temple, addressing him with such deference.

"These... are indeed survivors from the Source Tower,"

Yin Zhuo's voice was raspy. "Having lost their vessels, their return from the Ice Sea to the mainland was fueled by an unwavering faith. They faltered along the way; I had no alternative but to transmit faith to them... It was their faith in the Light that sustained them and guided them here."

"..."

Red Dragon remained silent, his frown deepening.

"Have we been adrift for an extensive period? Did we inadvertently trigger the 'time prohibition'...?"

Yin Zhuo tilted his head back, his expression grim, murmuring, "What is the current state of affairs across the Five Continents?"

"A considerable time has passed, though perhaps not as long as you surmise,"

Red Dragon replied deliberately. "Only one month has elapsed since the incident at the Ice Sea Ruins, yet momentous events have unfolded across the Five Continents, and the situation remains exceedingly volatile."

"What is the prevailing external perspective regarding the Ice Sea Ruins incident?"

Yin Zhuo pressed on with his urgent inquiry. "I must present the unaltered truth of the Ice Sea Ruins to the Temple Grand Elder! I shall petition the Holy Judge of [Barrier] for justice, and I will expose the ignoble actions of the East Continent, the North Continent, and the Storm Church to the entirety of the Five Continents!"

Red Dragon maintained his silence.

He resolved to extend compassion to Yin Zhuo and withhold the information that the Temple Grand Elder and Jia Wei had already departed... It was not the opportune moment to reveal such news.

A palpable tension permeated the air above the Ice Sea.

Yin Zhuo faltered, sensing the subtle discordance in the atmosphere.

"What troubles you?"

"Nothing of consequence... I was merely contemplating something. The defensive perimeter surrounding Yuanting Island is heavily fortified by the Storm Church," Red Dragon inquired. "How were you able to transmit your spiritual message back?"

"By concentrating all my spiritual energy."

Yin Zhuo stated solemnly, "It was a desperate gamble. I trusted that the church would not abandon us... If even a fragment of this spiritual message reached someone, rescue would surely follow."

"Your actions were commendable."

Red Dragon offered a nod. "Upper City received your signal."

A smile touched Yin Zhuo's lips, his previous anxiety visibly receding.

"Ten minutes from now, the Cloud Ship will arrive."

Red Dragon posed one final question: "I have one last query... What became of Meriz?"

The mention of this name cast a somber shadow over the occupants of the Light Ball Barrier.

"Regrettably, Upper City's [Giant Moon] perished during the mission in the Ice Sea Ruins..."

Yin Zhuo's voice rasped as he continued, "Meriz's wounds were too grievous to mend; he remains eternally lost within that sea."

Upon hearing this, Red Dragon's perpetually furrowed brow finally smoothed.

"Very well, the matter is settled now."

Red Dragon stated softly, "Next, I shall escort you home."

...

...

The tumultuous tide receded, and the raging waves subsided.

The storm abated, and silence reclaimed the sea.

"Divine Envoy Sir, an unusual aura emanating from the Storm Church has been detected to the northwest."

"Divine Envoy Sir, the Extraordinary Radar has yielded no results. Should we persist with the search?"

As the Source Tower's Cloud Ship docked at the designated rendezvous point, Red Dragon, his boots still damp, returned to the ship's cabin, shaking his head with a heavy sigh. He announced the disappointing outcome of his fruitless expedition. Any optimism that had previously been held in Upper City's command center had all but evaporated.

Indeed, this sea rescue operation had proven to be profoundly enigmatic.

The vessel had ventured over a hundred kilometers offshore.

Yet, no sign of life had been discovered.

Based on prior analyses, at such a distance, traces of the purported "survivors" should have been located.

"Without provisions or the quality of the source... even if they managed to bear a title, returning from the Ice Sea would present a challenge, especially given their probable severe injuries..."

A heavy sense of gloom permeated the Cloud Ship.

"If they couldn't endure, then we wouldn't be able to find any 'trace' of them."

The ocean is truly the most unforgiving entity in existence.

It swallows everything whole.

Vanishing without a trace.

The living can still create some stir; the deceased leave absolutely nothing behind.

Red Dragon retreated to his private quarters in silence. Outside, the clamor persisted, yet it no longer held any significance for him.

Moments ago, he had distinctly felt a summons from the Ancient Literature Society.

With eyes closed.

A wisp of his spirit descended, plunging beneath the tumultuous sounds of the waves, traveling ever deeper until he reached a compact chamber occupied by only four individuals.

"064, the operation has concluded successfully."

Despite the fact that all four occupants of this meeting room were privy to each other's true identities, Red Dragon adhered to his ingrained habit of identifying himself by his numerical codename.