Ren Cai suddenly thought of sothing, tapped his forehead, and said, "I’ve been engrossed in conversation with you, my fellow Daoist, and have delayed your journey. Would you like to accompany us?"
"I, as an envoy of my sect, have an important mission on this trip, and it would be inappropriate to delay your journey, Brother Daoist." Zhang Yan politely declined the offer. He was aware of his own situation—while he could deceive using the Broken Jade, in terms of Alchemy Dao, he was undoubtedly not as knowledgeable as Ren Cai and might expose himself if he spoke too much. Hence, it was better to have minimal contact in the future.
Ren Cai looked regretful, and after exchanging a few more words, Zhang Yan rose to take his leave.
The ship owner, Huang Bao, saw Ren Cai politely escorting Zhang Yan out, and couldn’t help but feel impressed. He realized this young cultivator’s background was not simple. However, having seen much of the world, he tactfully avoided asking about Zhang Yan’s origins as Zhang Yan did not ntion them.
He maneuvered the ship below the rock wall. Two Whale Demons threw down six massive hooks, and Huang Bao instructed his crew to secure them to the edge of the ship. He then shouted upwards, and the two Whale Demons above exerted force together. With a series of "hoho" sounds, the entire ship was gradually pulled upwards.
When they reached the entrance above, two more Whale Demons stood in the cave, each extending a pair of hands. They gently lifted the ship over their heads and placed it steadily on the river channel behind. Huang Bao quickly handed over a small bag of Spiritual Shells. One of the Whale Demons pinched it between thumb and index finger, weighed it slightly, and seeing that the amount was sufficient, pushed the ship back into the torrent flowing through the cave.
The river channel in the cave twisted and turned, the currents fierce. A single careless mont could smash the ship against the stone walls, but relying on Huang Bao’s superb piloting skills, they sailed safely despite the thrills. About two hours later, Zhang Yan and Luo Xiao reached a relatively calm lake.
By then, it was already nightti. On the lake’s surface, at intervals of every thousand steps, was a bright light like a caged lantern. As the ship approached, they realized these were actually rmaid Beauties skillfully smiling, holding trays aloft with a dazzling Bright Pearl on each, radiating brilliant colors.
These rmaid Beauties occasionally cast enchanting glances at Zhang Yan, with bursts of soft laughter.
Zhang Yan marveled at the sight, while Huang Bao seed neither surprised nor affected. After sailing for another quarter of an hour, he gradually brought the ship to a water dock and said, "Fellow Daoist, you may disembark here. Follow the waterway south, and you’ll reach ’Nanguai Palace’ at the southern end of the Water Country. With a small fee, the posthouse soldiers could guide you wherever you wish or inquire about matters."
Zhang Yan cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Much obliged to Captain Huang."
Huang Bao reciprocated with a bow, saying, "I will linger in this place for another ten to twenty days. Should you require anything, do not hesitate to command here."
"Captain Huang is courteous. If I have need, I shall surely trouble the captain."
Huang Bao laughed heartily, glanced at the nurous rmaid Beauties on the lake, patted Zhang Yan’s shoulder, and whispered, "Demon Cultivators are often fickle and untrustworthy. Your old brother here has suffered before, so be cautious, fellow Daoist."
Luo Xiao snorted disapprovingly.
Zhang Yan smiled slightly, said nothing more, and bowed in farewell to Huang Bao.
As he and Luo Xiao disembarked, they saw underfoot a waterway glittering with waves, the lakebed visible below with softly glowing White Shells pointing the way south.
Zhang Yan gazed ahead into the distance where a mosaic of lights suggested the location of "Nanguai Palace." But the Spiritual Energy there was disturbed by Primordial Magnetism, making flying impossible. To cross this vast water body, it seed they had to walk on water.
Luo Xiao lightly laughed behind him at this mont, saying, "Young man, worry not. Proceed confidently."
Zhang Yan asked in surprise, "Oh, has Luo Daoist been here before?"
Luo Xiao only smiled in silence.
Zhang Yan shook his head. Since Luo Xiao said so, there must be a reason. He took a step forward and landed on the water when he heard a whistle from nowhere. A carp leapt up beneath his foot imdiately to support him. With each step, another carp would jump into place, letting him step on its back.
He advanced smoothly, each carp jumping just in ti to support his descending foot. After about one or two miles, he saw in the distance a collection of hundreds of massive water palaces connected together. Strings of Bright Pearls hung suspended from the palace eaves, while rows of colorful water lanterns floated on the surface. In front of the grand hall was a bustling market filled with clamorous crowds. A quick glance suggested thousands were here, and if it weren’t for the occasional odd-looking Demon Cultivators among them, one might mistake it for a prosperous human city.
Arriving at the water palace, Zhang Yan soon found the location of Nanguai Palace. Upon entering, he declared his identity to the Posthouse Official and presented his envoy’s letter.
The Posthouse Official, seeing that the envoy was a Pill Master from the Mingcang Sect, dared not neglect him. After checking the envoy’s letter, he respectfully returned it, saying, "Shangguan has spoken that if a representative from Mingcang arrives, they may first stay in Bibo Pavilion. If this is not satisfactory, I will report to Shangguan tomorrow to make further arrangents."
At that mont, a heroic young cultivator happened to enter, overhearing the latter part of the conversation. His face couldn’t help but show anger. He stepped forward and loudly questioned, "Wait, we clearly arrived first, why is there no place for us to stay, yet there’s room prepared for them?"
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