Guo Lie took Xiao Mousui’s several Hand Palm Thunder strikes head-on and was truly injured badly. Initially, his Primordial Qi had not yet recovered, and after a fierce battle, his situation worsened considerably.
The outer sea was windy and the waves surged violently; he had no place to heal his wounds. However, he was a man of his word. Though he escaped, he did not stray far but returned shortly afterward. Now that the situation was settled, he had no interest in questioning Xiao Mousui’s fate. He asked Zhang Yan for a few Elixir Pills and entered a quiet room to recuperate.
The following day, after a night of restorative breathing, Lu Mei Niang’s Mana was fully replenished. She emerged to offer her thanks.
Zhang Yan engaged in a few polite exchanges with her and calculated the days. It was now mid-October, the perfect time to retrieve the Sixty-Year Four-Season Water. Without further delay, he directed Dragon Country’s Ship toward Black Mountain Island.
During the journey, Lu Mei Niang, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke softly, "My daughter Yan Rong is likely with Xiao Han. She is young, naive, and ignorant of the ways of the world. Later, should she cause offense, I hope fellow Daoist will forgive her."
This young woman was the youngest daughter of Elder Yan. She had been conceived in the womb for over three years before being born. At birth, she already possessed a Cultivation Technique and a Cave Mansion. With the protection of elders, she had never endured hardships or tempering. Despite over a hundred years of cultivation, she had only attained Ming Qi Cultivation.
Previously, it was this young woman who revealed the array formation restrictions on the island to Xiao Han, catching Lu Mei Niang unprepared and leading to her entrapment.
For this type of person, Zhang Yan had no interest in paying them undue attention. He merely remarked, "Lu Daoist, this is your family affair. I certainly will not interfere. However, if anyone dares meddle in my dealings with Xiao Han, do not blame me for showing no mercy with my blade."
Catching the killing intent beneath Zhang Yan’s words, Lu Mei Niang’s heart tightened. Though her cultivation far surpassed Zhang Yan’s, she inexplicably felt a sense of dread standing beside him. She quickly said, "Many thanks, fellow Daoist. Once there, I will ensure she behaves properly myself."
Zhang Yan gave a slight nod without further conversation.
The Dragon Boat sailed onward for a short while until a small island appeared in the distance, spanning barely ten miles in radius. Countless herons soared and circled the island, at the center of which stood a black mountain resembling a mound of earth. It stretched from ground to sky, its peak shrouded by mist and clouds, completely obscured from view.
Lu Mei Niang gazed at the island from afar for a while before suddenly saying, "Zhang Daoist, if you wish to retrieve the Four-Season Water, I am afraid you will have to wait until next month."
Zhang Yan glanced at her and asked, "What makes you say that?"
Lu Mei Niang gently rolled up her sleeve and pointed to the sky, saying, "Fellow Daoist, please look. Beneath the black mountain is a cloud cluster. This is the sign of the impending Jiazi Rain. However, it is not yet ripe, as its color remains pale white. Only when it turns multicolored will the proper time arrive."
Zhang Yan raised his head and observed as Lu Mei Niang described. There indeed was a stagnant white cloud clinging to the mountainside.
Having lived in this region for hundreds of years, Lu Mei Niang was the landlord of this place and was intimately familiar with its surroundings, her words holding unquestionable credibility.
Zhang Yan gazed at the island, his eyes deep and contemplative. He said, "As for who this water belongs to, I must still settle matters with Xiao Han. Lu Demon King, if you find this challenging, you may withdraw."
Although Lu Mei Niang possessed a gentle temperament, she was still a Great Demon who had cultivated for hundreds of years. Naturally, she perceived Zhang Yan’s veiled attempt at recruitment, his words indirectly prompting her to decide whether to stay or leave.
Elder Yan Zhengting’s letter had once said Zhang Yan’s future prospects were boundless. Weighing the pros and cons, she reflected, "I have cultivated for nearly five centuries, yet if I remain unable to achieve the Nascent Soul Realm, I will have no more than a hundred years left of lifespan. This Zhang Daoist’s Zhao You Heavenly Pond is a Grotto Heaven. If I could enter there to cultivate, only then might I grasp enlightenment."
Therefore, after only a brief hesitation, she made her decision and said, "I am willing to accompany fellow Daoist."
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and nodded, saying, "Fellow Daoist, follow me then."
He initiated his tunneling light and soared toward the island, with Lu Mei Niang also taking flight to follow.
As they approached, Zhang Yan swept his gaze across the area, taking in all details of the island’s interior and exterior. Upon a rocky cliff stood two individuals. One of them wore a high crown and wide belt, his appearance handsome yet brimming with arrogance in every glance.
Beside him stood a young woman in white. Her beauty and grace were exceptional, and her features bore a faint resemblance to Lu Mei Niang, undoubtedly Yan Rong.
When they saw two beams of tunneling light approaching, Xiao Han turned his head to look. Although he had never met Zhang Yan, he had seen portraits of him before leaving home. Upon seeing him now, he felt a shock in his heart.
His gaze shifted again, noticing the other person was Lu Mei Niang. His face changed slightly, and in an instant, countless thoughts raced through his mind. Unable to avoid feeling flustered, he inwardly cursed, "How could Fourth Uncle fail to handle even such a trivial matter? How did these two individuals manage to end up together?"
No matter how hard he racked his brain, he could never have guessed that Xiao Mousui had already been eliminated by Zhang Yan. He still believed Xiao Mousui had merely failed to intercept these two during his pursuit.