146: Chapter 146 The Dragon Master's Confession

The voice that suddenly rang out carried infinite coldness.

In an instant, the omnipresent phantoms of the true martial tree trunks around Chang Yingwei vanished, and the intense, extreme killing intent seemed to have never appeared.

The Burning Fire Vajra Ape froze in place, its eyes filled with solemnity, and a trace of confusion emerged from deep within them.

Was there still such a powerful figure in Jianghai City?

The moment that voice rang out, the Burning Fire Vajra Ape had a premonition that if it did not stop, it would be the one to die the next moment.

"Who is it?"

The Burning Fire Vajra Ape stared around, while a flicker of excitement appeared in Chang Yingwei's eyes the moment he heard the voice.

Seeing this, the Burning Fire Vajra Ape became even more certain that there was another expert in Jianghai City, a human stronger than Chang Yingwei, and panic welled up in its heart.

Their strength was not at all inferior to that one in the mountains.

If this existence were to attack it, it would essentially be delivering itself to its death, with nowhere to run.

"Damn humans, they actually lied to me; the strength of Jianghai City is not that simple at all."

The Burning Fire Vajra Ape cursed inwardly, thinking that if it could make it back, it would certainly have a good talk with that person about this matter.

There was one thing the outside world did not know: in the depths of the mountains today, there was only one overlord. In a recent struggle, it, the Burning Fire Vajra Ape, had joined forces with another and still lost to that one.

Now, the Burning Fire Vajra Ape had to obey that one's orders, and its visit to Jianghai City was also at that one's behest.

Some time ago, a human came to the depths of the mountains.

They learned from that human that Jianghai City contained a Spirit Stone Mine.

How could they resist such temptation? Their massive improvement in strength was inseparable from the Spirit Stone Mine.

For this reason, the sole overlord in the mountains was tempted and sent the Burning Fire Vajra Ape to investigate the true strength of Jianghai City.

To see if it was as that person said. Once confirmed, it would directly attack to destroy Jianghai City and claim the Spirit Stone Mine for itself.

Moreover, that one was now only a step away from that level, so what did it matter if it faced encirclement by human experts later?

With enough Spirit Stones, it could take that step; what was there to fear?

The Burning Fire Vajra Ape's thoughts raced, considering many things in an instant, but on the outside, it hurriedly put on an expression of misunderstanding.

"Old Ape was just sparring with him; I had no other intentions."

"This human expert, I believe you must have misunderstood."

"My mountains have an agreement with your Jianghai City, and I would never violate it."

"Since the sparring is over, Old Ape should be leaving now."

The Burning Fire Vajra Ape said hurriedly, then headed toward the mountains. The entire process was without a hint of hesitation, smooth and flowing, though the Burning Fire Vajra Ape was extremely anxious inside.

It was terrified that the human expert would keep it here.

Perhaps its prayers were answered, as the attack it imagined did not come. It quickened its pace, heading toward the depths of the mountains; it had to bring this news back.

Jianghai City could not be touched for now.

Chang Yingwei let out a long sigh of relief. The person who had just saved him was none other than Master Long.

A trace of doubt then appeared in his eyes.

Why hadn't Master Long acted to keep the Burning Fire Vajra Ape there? If Master Long had been willing, it would have been simple.

If it could be kept here, the crisis from the mountains would be greatly reduced, which would be a huge boon for Jianghai City.

"Master Long."

As Chang Yingwei's voice rang out, Master Long's figure slowly appeared before him.

Seeing Master Long, Chang Yingwei could no longer help but ask.

"Master Long, why did you not act to keep the Burning Fire Vajra Ape here? With your strength, it should have been simple, right?"

Facing Chang Yingwei's inquiry, Master Long just looked in the direction the Burning Fire Vajra Ape had left and replied indifferently.

"I could not do it."

"Hmm?"

Chang Yingwei thought he had misheard. How could Master Long not be able to do it? No matter how strong the Burning Fire Vajra Ape was, it was only Tier 3, while Master Long was an existence that had stepped into Tier 4.

The difference in their strength was like heaven and earth.

"We will talk about this matter when we return."

Master Long said slowly. Although Chang Yingwei was still confused, he had to nod. A moment later, after returning to the base, Master Long slowly spoke.

"I know you have many questions in your heart."

"Although I am Master Long now, Master Long is not me."

Upon hearing Master Long's words, Chang Yingwei was stunned. What did that mean? What did it mean that Master Long was not him?

But Master Long's next sentence cleared up Chang Yingwei's confusion.

"I am merely a Clone of Master Long."

"I possess only a portion of his strength."

"The true Master Long is currently locked in battle with a terrifying monster, held fast, and has no time to come here."

Instantly, after hearing these words, Chang Yingwei froze in place, his brain unable to process it for a moment. The Master Long before him was actually just a Clone.

Had Master Long's strength reached such a level?

"Although the strength of this Clone of mine could kill the Burning Fire Vajra Ape, I cannot stop the other two overlord-level Evolved Beasts in the mountains."

"Once I act, Jianghai City will be completely destroyed, with no chance of survival."

"Therefore, I cannot attack it."

"Also, the reason I did not appear earlier is because that voice was emitted by borrowing the power of the main body. Once I reveal myself, they might find out and then attack."

The Master Long Clone explained slowly, and Chang Yingwei finally understood, though he still had a trace of doubt.

"Master Long, how many days can this Clone of yours last?"

"Did you come specifically for Lu Zheng?"

The Master Long Clone then said slowly.

"In one more day, this Clone will dissipate."

"You are right to think so. At first, I felt the Martial Arts World had no future, and its existence was a waste of resources. We urgently needed a Tier 4 expert to stabilize the situation."

"But my disciple threatened me, saying that if I didn't care about Lu Zheng, he would not Cultivate."

"I had no choice but to separate a Clone to come here."

"But I did not expect that Lu Zheng would exceed my expectations, actually breaking through to Tier 3 in such a short time, which also gave me hope—the hope of a martial artist breaking through to Tier 4."

"A Tier 4 martial artist is worth more than several Tier 4 Superpower Evolvers."

Hearing Master Long's words, Chang Yingwei was even more confused. Since Master Long saw hope in him, why would he treat Lu Zheng this way? Shouldn't he be cultivating him well with resources?

"Master Long, if you value Lu Zheng so much, why treat him this way?"

"Isn't that counterproductive to your own thoughts?"