Into The Sea

“Do we really have to bring her?” Ji Lingyue frowned, glancing at Qi Yueyao, who was trailing behind them. “Why do we have to bring her when we couldn’t bring Yun’er?”

“Sect Leader Qi is worried, after all.” Lan Wu looked at Qi Yueyao, offering her a friendly smile. Qi Yueyao coldly glanced at her, then turned away, walking with her junior sister.

Her junior sister was also a rising star in the cultivation world, skilled in talisman arts. She always had a smile on her face. She patted Qi Yueyao on the shoulder, seemingly trying to cheer her up.

After hearing that Lan Wu was going to the other side of the barrier, Danqing had insisted on going with her, pestering Lan Wu until she agreed. As they reached the heavily guarded exit, a cold, hard male voice called out, “Ji Lingyue.”

Ji Lingyue paused, turning around to see Qin Yu standing not far away. “Take her with you.”

A girl in white stepped forward, standing hesitantly beside Qin Yu.

Ji Lingyue frowned. “We’re not going on a picnic.”

Danbai’s eyelashes fluttered, and she instinctively pressed her lips together, lowering her head.

Qin Yu said coldly, “You’re willing to take that useless bird Lan Wu, but not Danbai? Danbai is my direct disciple. She’s been there multiple times, she knows the terrain, and has the sect leader’s permission. Isn’t she more useful than that bird?”

Hearing this, Danqing’s eyes widened. She tilted her furry head. “Is he talking about me?”

Lan Wu quickly patted her little head. “He’s not talking about you. He’s talking about a useless bird. You’re useless at all, right? You’re super amazing!”

“Yeah!”

Lan Wu smiled. “So, you can just pretend he’s talking about himself…”

Qin Yu’s brow furrowed, his gaze heavy as it fell on her. “You…”

“Please speak with respect,” Ji Lingyue interrupted him politely, her voice devoid of warmth. “Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude.”

“Respect?” Qin Yu said, raising an eyebrow. “Do you even know the meaning of respect? You’ve long forgotten what it means to honor your elders and the principles of righteousness.”

“Why should I remember?” Ji Lingyue said calmly. “I have no master, and I’m not a cultivator. So which elders should I respect? What principles should I uphold?”

The air around them instantly grew tense.

Behind her, Lan Wu couldn’t help but curve her lips into a mischievous smile, peeking half her face out from behind Ji Lingyue and boldly winking at Qin Yu.

Qin Yu: …

Danbai looked at the two of them, finally making up her mind. “It’s fine, I don’t…”

Before she could finish, a dark mist curled around her waist and yanked her back. Ji Lingyue placed a steady hand on her shoulder and said in an even voice. “As for Danbai, she can come with us.”

Qin Yu said nothing more, his face dark as he turned on his heel and left.

Once he was out of sight, Lan Wu muttered, “That’s it? He just left?”

Ji Lingyue looked back at her. “Would you have preferred he stayed?”

Lan Wu smiled, her eyes curving. “Of course not. It’s just that after seeing you talk to him like that, I suddenly don’t feel so afraid of him anymore.”

Ji Lingyue hummed. “You don’t need to be afraid of him. I’m here.”

Lan Wu paused, looking into her clear eyes, suddenly feeling the urge to kiss her.

Seeing them dawdling, Qi Yueyao couldn’t help but say impatiently, “Are you done yet? Are you coming or not?”

The woman beside her smiled helplessly, leaning against her. “Why are you in such a hurry, Senior Sister? We don’t have any specific tasks this time. Let them do what they want. We just need to follow along.”

Qi Yueyao frowned, looking at her with annoyance. “I didn’t even want you to come. I wanted Qin’er. Why are you here instead?”

Wen Shiyu pouted innocently. “She’s sick.”

Qi Yueyao didn’t believe her. She turned her head, about to urge them again, but in the blink of an eye, Lan Wu and the others had already passed the checkpoint, with one foot already on the other side of the barrier.

The exit was narrow, allowing only one person to pass at a time. Lan Wu passed through the barrier and walked forward a dozen steps. Her boots sank into the soft sand. She looked up. The faint morning light from the horizon and the low stone houses stretching for miles came into view. The blurry figures swayed in the sand, making it look like a normal and peaceful town at first glance.

But when they entered the streets, they realized that it was completely different from the Shiling City behind them. There were no protective formations, nor were there any shops for daily necessities. There weren’t many people walking around, but each one of them walked with a steady pace, their eyes sharp. As soon as Lan Wu and the others passed through, scrutinizing gazes followed them.

Ji Lingyue glanced around, her voice low. “Most of the people here are at Body Integration stage or higher.”

Danbai glanced at her, explaining softly, “This is the most dangerous place. Anyone who comes here must have the ability to protect themselves.”

As soon as she finished, a figure strode towards them. “You’ve arrived.”

Lan Wu stopped, looking at the stranger in confusion. Danbai introduced him. “This is Shi Lei, the person in charge here.”

Shi Lei offered a polite bow. “I received Elder Ye’s message. I’ll arrange your accommodations. When the scouts return in a few days, they might have the information you’re looking for.”

“Return?” Lan Wu asked, puzzled. “They’re not in the city?”

Shi Lei shook his head. “They’re all scattered outside the city. They only come back once a month.”

Lan Wu nodded, following him to their lodgings while asking, “I noticed there are no barriers or protective formations here. Don’t the demons attack?”

“Of course they do,” Shi Lei said. “When the barrier around Shiling City was first set up, the demons pressed their advantage and fought us for months. Even in recent years, they’ve attacked several more times. Each battle left heavy casualties on both sides. There are even countless corpses buried right beneath our feet.”

Lan Wu paused. “So, are you in a truce now?”

“No,” Shi Lei sighed. “It’s just a brief respite before the next attack.”

He gave a bitter smile. “Humans can cultivate for years and still not improve much. To raise a cultivator above the Nascent Soul stage takes a long time. If they die, they can’t be replaced quickly. But the demons keep coming, wave after wave. If this continues, one day…”

He suddenly stopped, shaking his head. “Forget it. No need to say such unlucky things. There, that courtyard is your lodgings. If you need anything else, please tell me. You can also walk around the city, but remember, do not, under any circumstances, enter the desert on your own.”

Lan Wu and Ji Lingyue exchanged a look, nodding repeatedly. “Of course, we definitely won’t go into the desert.” Lan Wu said with a smile. “Don’t worry, we’re the most reliable people you’ll ever meet.”