"Mr. Xu, I’ve told you, this room is very dirty and not suitable for living..."
Xiaoyu’s voice drifted softly, like a candle flickering in the dark night, or a spirit lurking beneath its light.
Standing still, You Su felt the cold like icy lake water spreading to his feet. He slowly turned his head, and his eyes returned to their stark black-and-white form.
During the past few days while sailing on the azure barge through the sea of clouds, he had been practicing controlling his eyes, and now he could control their appearance at will.
"Xiaoyu was right, it’s quite dirty, really not suitable for staying."
Holding an oil lamp, You Su turned around, unable to see the girl’s face in the dark.
Xiaoyu blinked and stepped aside, saying, "Mr. Xu, why don’t you co aboard first?"
Following her suggestion, You Su stepped into the cabin. Yet the cellar door remained open, as the damp, cold, fishy wind blew from inside, as if haunted souls were striking against him.
He summoned his courage and calmness, having witnessed far more terrifying scenes that could hardly shake his resolve:
"Xiaoyu, it’s already late, why aren’t you asleep?"
"Mr. Xu, do you feel I’m disturbing you?"
Xiaoyu chuckled lightly, her face half-drenched in the yellow glow of the lamp, half concealed by the night, leaving her expression indistinguishable.
"Intruding without permission is my fault, how could it be called disturbance? Since it’s not livable, I’ll just go sit at the bow of the ship."
You Su closed the cellar door, as the dining table seamlessly reassembled onto the cabin, he then put the oil lamp down and prepared to return to the bow.
Xiaoyu watched his retreating back, and suddenly spoke:
"Mr. Xu... Is that opportunity at Jade Ring Pool very important to you?"
Without turning around, You Su hesitated for a mont before replying:
"Yes."
"But Mr. Xu, you should know that items displayed in shop cabinets aren’t called opportunities; the flowers hidden amidst cliffs are. And once you climb the cliff, turning back won’t be so simple."
You Su gripped the hilt of the Mo Song Sword firmly, its rough texture designed to prevent slipping. He had held the Mo Song Sword countless tis before and rembered every rugged groove on its hilt. At this mont, the feel of the sword reassured him of his resolve to climb the cliff.
"Miss Xiaoyu understands the principle, yet I have my reasons for needing that opportunity."
You Su declared steadfastly, then suddenly turned around to gaze at the girl who had given him nurous hints, and asked:
"Miss Xiaoyu ca here seeking an opportunity too, didn’t you?"
"Mr. Xu is indeed perceptive."
"It seems you have your reasons for wanting it too." You Su chuckled, "Otherwise, you wouldn’t be pretending to be soone else’s granddaughter."
"Why can’t there be two siblings who are granddaughters?"
"Miss Xiaoyu may not know, but my hearing is sharp. Even the sound of a cat stepping across the windowsill at night, I can hear clearly. Yet I didn’t hear the sound of you opening the door or walking, which ans you deliberately concealed the sound using your skill. So you’re different from Xiaoyu, you’re a cultivator, deliberately hiding your cultivation."
Xiaoyu glanced at You Su, her gaze vaguely disdainful, replying insincerely:
"Mr. Xu, you are correct."
"Only those with deep connections to Jade Ring Pool can enter it; I suspect... Miss Xiaoyu played the role of ’Xiaoyu’ aiming for the opportunity held by Mr. Yu from Jade Ring Pool."
You Su’s guess wasn’t unfounded, for Mr. Yu, though a mortal, was the only fisherman upon Jade Ring Lake, suggesting he wasn’t an ordinary mortal and likely had intricate ties with Jade Ring Pool.
"No need to flaunt it once you’ve guessed."
Xiaoyu finally shed the warm and hospitable guise of a fisherman’s daughter, her tone disdainful yet noble, as if this was her true voice.
"I’ve warned you already; if you’re still intent on entering Jade Ring Pool, proceed at your own will." Xiaoyu turned away, ready to return to her room.
You Su called out to her, hesitating, "Xiaoyu... how did she end up like that?"
"Mr. Yu never told , he only collected treasures from the Immortal Family by selling fish, just to save enough for the Immortal at Jade Ring Pool to heal his granddaughter."
Xiaoyu waved her hand impatiently, "Don’t ask anymore, I need to rest."
The door closed silently, yet making no sound. You Su never saw her chant any skill, yet an invisible soundproof barrier seed to follow her.
Their conversation remained silent to those outside, and You Su was secretly startled by the girl’s mastery of skill.
Gripping the sword hilt tightly, he stood at the bow of the ship, letting the lake breeze caress him. The lake remained calm, yet his heart stirred.
This trip to Jade Ring Pool might not be as simple as he imagined.
But he couldn’t let Master be trapped at Lotus Pool because of him forever, since setting out, he hadn’t intended to turn back.
...
As dawn just began to unfold, the rising sun peeked out, and the morning glow drove away the autumn mist, dazzling, making it hard to gaze directly.
A cool mountain breeze conveniently swept by, dispersing the clouds instantly, revealing the verdant peaks, the blue lake, and the lone boat amidst the smoke, akin to an eternal masterpiece from a grand painter.
You Su put down the bowl, having finished off the steaming fresh fish porridge.
Sitting beside him, Xiaoyu elegantly wiped her lips with a handkerchief, stitched from luxurious Liuyun Brocade, an unlikely accessory for a fisherman’s daughter, although You Su did not notice these details.
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