Into The Sea

“Zisang Kingdom?”

Lan Wu immediately thought of the story she had heard from Qing He not long ago. She asked in surprise, “Then, can you understand what’s written on it?”

Yuan Zhen studied it for a moment, then sighed. “I’m sorry, although I followed my master for many years, I was only focused on the Eight Trigrams and divinations when I was young. I had no interest in these long-lost scripts, so I’m not proficient in them. I recognize very little.”

Lan Wu’s shoulders slumped in disappointment, “So it’s useless after all?”

“Don’t be hasty, young lady,” Yuan Zhen said calmly. “My master is currently living in seclusion in Ling’an in the northwest. If you two aren’t in a hurry, could you let me take it to him? That would be more convenient.”

“Of course, we appreciate your help.”

Ji Lingyue glanced at Lan Wu, then said indifferently, “Why not just tell us the location? We can find him ourselves.”

Yuan Zhen chuckled, shaking his head with a hint of helplessness. “Does the Immortal Master not trust me? Very well, that works too…”

As he spoke, he suddenly frowned, his gaze drifting behind them. Ji Lingyue paused, instinctively turning around. She saw a snow-white spirit crane slowly flying towards them, its long, luminous feathers shimmering under the golden sunlight.

“Danbai?”

She called out in surprise. The spirit crane folded its wings and landed, gracefully walking to her side.

“What are you doing here?” She stroked Danbai’s wing, then paused, pulling out a thin letter from beneath it.

As Lan Wu looked over, she saw a faint golden light flash across the paper before it turned to ash, scattering in the air. Ji Lingyue frowned, silent for a moment, then asked, “If you were to go find your master, how long would it take?”

Yuan Zhen replied, “If I’m lucky, I’ll find him as soon as I reach Ling’an. If not, and he’s out traveling, it might take a while. But no matter what, I will find him and have him look at this.”

“Alright.” Ji Lingyue nodded, pulling a paper crane from her sleeve. “This will help you find me. When you have answers, please inform me as soon as possible.”

With that, she tugged at Lan Wu’s sleeve. “Let’s go.”

Lan Wu nodded, getting up in a daze and following her. Halfway there, she asked, “Why the sudden change of plans?”

Ji Lingyue said softly, “My master sent a message, asking me to attend the Immortal Sect Competition in a month. We need to return to Mount Haochen now.”

“Immortal Sect Competition?” Lan Wu recalled the event, surprised. “Isn’t that held every ten years?”

“Yes, it’s early this time.” Ji Lingyue lowered her gaze and sighed. “Half a month ago, a small town near the Wangliang City was attacked, with many casualties. There have been frequent demon attacks within the past year, which is quite unusual. I suspect this Immortal Sect Competition is less about competition and more about gathering the immortal sects to discuss a solution.”

Lan Wu stopped in her tracks, staring at her in shock. Ji Lingyue turned back, her voice low. “Lan Wu, the world is becoming unstable.”

Even after boarding the flying ship, Lan Wu remained unsettled. Ji Lingyue tossed a few thousand spirit stones into the formation at the back of the cabin. Noticing Lan Wu’s lingering unease, she said, “You don’t need to worry so much. None of these attacks have involved merfolk. As long as they stay in the sea, they shouldn’t be dragged into any trouble.”

“What difference does it make whether we get involved or not?” Lan Wu said softly. “If things reach a point of no return, how can the sea clans remain untouched?”

She paced around the deck, rubbing her face, muttering to herself, “No, I need to write a letter to my eldest brother.”

“Eldest brother?”

Lan Wu nodded. “After my father died, he became the new sea emperor. Maybe he knows what’s happening in the demon realm, why there have been so many disturbances lately…”

As she spoke, her gaze drifted off, and she turned and walked towards the study on the flying ship, muttering to herself.

Ji Lingyue frowned at her retreating figure, feeling inexplicably displeased. “Lan Wu.”

Lan Wu, however, seemed not to hear her, walking straight into the room and closing the door.

Ji Lingyue was speechless…

She straightened her face, about to call her back, when she heard footsteps below. Ji Lingyue paused, turning to look over the railing. When she saw who it was, she raised an eyebrow. “Princess?”

Xiao Qingyu looked at the massive flying ship with a hint of wonder, then slowly stepped forward, holding out the black ball in her hands. “Immortal Master, please take it with you.”

Ji Lingyue: “…What?”

Xiao Qingyu pressed her lips together, saying firmly. “Please take it with you.”

“Why?”

“If I tell Father the truth, he will definitely choose to kill it,” Xiao Qingyu blinked, her long lashes growing wet as her voice trembled. “I don’t want to deceive Father, but I don’t want it to be hurt either. Xiao Niu feeds on dreams. When I had nightmares as a child, it suddenly appeared by my side and created a beautiful dream for me. It was just passing by, but it stayed because I begged it to. It’s been with me for almost ten years, but this isn’t its home.”

The girl bit her lip, raising her hand higher, her voice choked with emotion. “So, please take it away, and send it back to its home.”

Ji Lingyue frowned, then said softly after a long silence, “Most mortals fear demons. You’re quite rare.”

Xiao Qingyu shook her head, instinctively refuting. “Because Xiao Niu is a good demon, just like Lan Wu. Immortal Master, would you be afraid of Lan Wu just because she’s a demon?”

Ji Lingyue paused. “Of course not.”

She was silent for a moment, then reached out and took the fluffy black ball. “Alright, I promise you, I’ll send it back home.”

The nightmare beast trembled in her palm, its grape-sized red eyes somehow watery. Its body was warm and soft, like a harmless kitten.

It was hard to imagine that it was this creature that had trapped her in an endless nightmare not long ago.

“Thank you, Immortal Master,” Xiao Qingyu gently stroked its head again, then reluctantly withdrew her hand, taking a step back and giving a sad smile. “Then, I wish you a safe journey.”