A leap transformed into a dragon.
Ao Yuan coiled amidst the clouds!
"Roar!"
As the dragon's roar echoed, thunderous booms reverberated through the sky.
Rumble!
The heavens cracked open, flashing with lightning and roaring with thunder!
Splash!
The rain fell even harder.
Each drop hitting the saplings erupted in a rhythmic patter.
Vaguely, these trees seemed to be growing taller.
As if the rain provided them with unique nourishment for growth.
In truth, it was precisely so.
Ao Yuan's action was not merely irrigating them with rain.
He had also broken down his beast core and released it through the rainwater.
This was why he needed to create clouds himself, otherwise, wouldn't it be simpler to just use the clouds in the distance?
Splash!
The rain was heavy, lasting for a good half hour.
Only then did it finally stop.
At this moment!
With the descent of the rain, Mount Taibai was already vastly different from before.
Though the surrounding trees had not grown into towering giants, their foliage was lush, showing the nascent form of grand trees.
Perhaps, in not much time, they would fully mature into the appearance of ancient trees.
"This is more like it."
Ao Yuan surveyed the scene below, his gaze sweeping across the verdant surroundings. He nodded with satisfaction.
All the effort he had invested was not in vain.
He was quite pleased with Mount Taibai as it was now, perfectly suited for the survival of demonic beasts.
The only aspect that still needed improvement was something Bai Ling would have to attend to.
He could offer no further assistance in that regard.
"Let's go see how Bai Ling is doing with her studies."
"Oh, right."
As if a thought struck him, Ao Yuan looked down at Dai Xiao Mei and called out, "If Elder Long calls, tell him to proceed as he wishes!"
Ao Yuan mused to himself, and his form gradually faded into the clouds.
Upon hearing this, Dai Xiao Mei felt a flicker of confusion, but she quietly noted it down in her heart.
...
Concurrently.
On some nameless island.
The sun shone brightly, birds sang, and flowers bloomed.
Tall trees abounded, and the scenery was naturally exquisite, showing no trace of human habitation.
However, astonishingly.
Along the coast of this island, hundreds of people lay strewn about.
These individuals had pale faces, and some bore traces of bloodstains.
They lay motionless on the ground, their condition – alive or dead – unknown.
"Cough... cough..."
Finally, after an indeterminate period, a dry cough suddenly broke the silence.
Following this, one person among the hundreds suddenly pushed themselves up.
With a bewildered expression, they held their head with both hands, then cast a glance to their side.
They froze in shock, then as if recalling something, a look of terror crossed their face. "Fortunately, I'm still alive!"
They said, struggling to rise from the ground.
Then, they slowly scanned through the figures scattered around.
Afterward, they seemed to spot someone and paused before hurrying over. They first checked for a breath, and feeling a faint respiration,
The person's heart leaped with joy, and they immediately began to administer aid.
"Mr. Gao... Mr. Gao, wake up, wake up." 138 Reading Network
While performing first aid, they continuously called out.
Perhaps effort paid off.
Before long, Gao Xiong coughed up a mouthful of water mixed with soil and finally managed to pry his eyes open.
"Cough... cough..."
"Mr. Gao, wake up."
"Where... where is this?" Gao Xiong asked, his voice weak.
"This is an island, and I don't know exactly where we are."
Hearing this, Gao Xiong paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Help me up first."
"Okay."
The person agreed and quickly helped Gao Xiong to his feet.
Gao Xiong scanned his surroundings, his entire body tensing, his eyes widening in alarm.
"Wh-what is this situation?" Gao Xiong asked dazedly.
"Mr. Gao, do you remember the storm we encountered by the sea earlier?"
"It's likely because of that storm that we were swept here."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Gao breathed a sigh of relief, his face filled with a sense of fortunate escape.
To be honest, if not for that storm.
They might have perished in the deep sea.
"Mr. Gao, what should we do next?" the person asked again.
"Let's first see if they are alive. If they are, then wake them up," Gao Xiong said after some thought.
"Okay!"
Watching him leave to rouse the others, Gao Xiong held his head, appearing lost in thought.
Truth be told, he had no good ideas at the moment, utterly unsure of what would be the best course of action.
As for retaliating against Ao Yuan.
He dared not even consider it, let alone attempt it.
Even now, the memory of Ao Yuan, who had appeared like a deity, still sent shivers down his spine.
This was completely beyond their ability to resist.
Nor was it something that human strength could withstand.
To counter such power, perhaps only true deities would suffice.
"So what should we do? Should we go and apologize?"
Gao Xiong murmured, his eyes flickering, seemingly swayed by the idea.
Judging by international relations.
Going to apologize to Ao Yuan would undoubtedly be the best option.
This would also save them from constant fear and worry.
But after their previous arrogant pronouncements, and now having to apologize.
Gao Xiong truly didn't know how to apologize, or in what manner.
And more importantly, the word "apologize" was easy to say.
But once they did, where would the pride of the Gaul Nation lie?
In the future, how could the Gaul Nation speak of face on the international stage?
Inevitably.
He felt a pang of regret, wishing that he had made the same choice as the leader of the Northern Bear Nation, which would have completely spared him from this predicament.
At the very least, being like the United States would put them in a far better situation, many times over.
"Alas, one wrong step leads to a cascade of errors." Gao Xiong sighed heavily, desperately searching his mind for a solution.
"Mr. Gao."
"Mr. Gao!"
"Mr. Gao!"
...
As Gao Xiong pondered, a few voices from his side brought him back to the present.
Gao Xiong offered them a weak smile. "How are you all feeling?"
"We can still move, barely."
Gao Xiong nodded faintly and then asked him, "What about the others? How are they?"
"I haven't checked everyone, but I suspect that thanks to the storm, most of us have survived."
As if fearing Gao Xiong's confusion, he further explained, "I've just saved five people, and all five are alive."
Hearing this, Gao Xiong felt a wave of relief.
This was indeed a blessing in disguise.
"Mr. Gao, what should we do next?" the person asked tentatively after a moment of thought.
Gao Xiong heard but did not immediately reply.
He offered a strained smile and waved his hand. "Let's go help them first."
"We can discuss everything else once they've all woken up."
...