Finally, they entered the villa, leaving ng Bai completely overwheld.
"So big… so spacious!" the boy exclaid, unable to contain his awe as he darted off to explore.
Lin Mu took his ti inspecting the accommodations. Every inch of the estate exuded grandeur. Beyond its opulent chambers and panoramic views, it featured a private alchemy pavilion, a fully equipped forge, and a dedicated cultivation chamber, ensuring that every need of an immortal cultivator was t.
It was, in essence, a paradise for those pursuing the path of power. Here, there was no need to leave for anything. Everything they could desire was already provided.
"Damn, this is better than I thought," Daoist Chu said, looking around in admiration.
"You've never stayed here?" Lin Mu asked. "I thought you did." He had assud Daoist Chu's familiarity suggested prior visits.
"I wish. The last ti I ca here, I was dirt poor," Daoist Chu admitted with a chuckle. "I had only heard of this place in passing at a restaurant. They were talking about how opulent it was and that the Water Dragon Villa was the best place to stay in the city."
"It's worth the cost, I suppose," Lin Mu mused.
The cost to stay here for a week was enough to cover one person's teleportation fees, after all. Normally, Lin Mu wouldn't spend so much on accommodations, but he couldn't let them be humiliated. Seeing ng Bai in that state had touched a sore spot. He had seen those eyes many tis before, had been subjected to that sa humiliation himself. He didn't want his disciple to endure the sa, so he had shut it down imdiately.
Daoist Chu had tactfully picked up on that and responded accordingly.
The group wandered around the villa, admiring its splendor and getting acquainted with its layout.
"Amitabha, I shall retire early today," Monk Hushu said, feeling a bit exhausted.
"That's fine," Lin Mu said before turning to Daoist Chu. "What about you? What are you going to do?"
"? I got sothing important to do." Daoist Chu grinned before glancing around. His eyes landed on ng Bai, who was making his way back from his exploration. Without warning, Daoist Chu grabbed his arm.
"What?" ng Bai was startled.
"You don't want to be embarrassed and looked down upon again, right?" Daoist Chu asked.
"Y-yeah!" ng Bai stamred.
"Then co with ," Daoist Chu declared, tugging the boy along.
"Where are we going?" ng Bai questioned.
"Well, if you don't want to experience all that again, then you have to look the part," Daoist Chu replied with a smirk. "We're going shopping!"
Before ng Bai or Lin Mu could say another word, Daoist Chu whisked the boy away.
Sigh.
"That man…" Lin Mu sighed. "At least his heart is in the right place." He had planned to take ng Bai shopping himself later.
ng Bai had been wearing clothes Lin Mu had given him, garnts from Lin Mu's own past. They were simple and functional, and the boy hadn't complained. But now, Daoist Chu was taking it upon himself to upgrade ng Bai's wardrobe.
"Guess I'll just relax for now," Lin Mu muttered before settling into a cabana.
The waves swept by, their rhythmic lullaby filling the air with a soothing lody.
"It is rather nice," Lin Mu murmured, inhaling the pleasant ocean breeze.
A thought struck him, and he called out his beasts.
"Co on out, you four."
SHUA SHUA SHUA SHUA!
The four spirit beasts appeared, startled by the change in their surroundings.
"Where are we?" Little Shrubby asked, his nose twitching. "I can sll the ocean!"
"Ocean! The big place with a lot of water!?" Ashy exclaid excitedly.
"Let's go explore!" the twins chorused before darting off.
Before Lin Mu could even utter a word, his companions scattered, eager to investigate their new surroundings.
"Guess they know what to do by now," Lin Mu thought, feeling a sense of deja vu.
With the beasts occupied, he allowed himself to recline on the lounger. Closing his eyes, he let the sound of the waves wash over him, lulling him into a light slumber.
anwhile, the four beasts explored every inch of the villa. Though they had been in grand palaces before, this place had a unique charm. While smaller than the Hundred Fruits Pavilion, it was intimate and serene, surrounded by the ocean's embrace.
"Let's go into the water!" Ashy cheered, dashing onto the balcony before leaping into the sea below.
"YAY!" The twins followed, splashing in after her. Little Shrubby, however, hovered cautiously above the water in his kitten form, scanning the depths.
"Lots of ingredients!" his eyes glead with excitent as he sensed the aquatic life below.
SPLASH!
He abandoned all hesitation and dived in, shifting into his hunting mode. Within an hour, the marine creatures in the vicinity had significantly dwindled.
"Huh? Why haven't I gotten a bite for so long?" One of the guests, a fisherman reclining on a nearby pier, frowned as he checked his line.
He leaned over the railing to inspect the water—only to find it empty.
"Where are all the fish?" he muttered, perplexed.
Unaware of the relentless hunters beneath the surface, he could only assu his luck had soured. Across the quay, several other guests shared his frustration, their once-thriving fishing spots now eerily barren.
Before long, the staff at the Imperial Ocean Quay noticed the anomaly.
"Why are there no more fish?!" one worker exclaid in panic. "We've already received several complaints!"
"Quick! Activate the attraction array!" another suggested.
"If that's not enough, send out the workers to spread bait in the water nearby!" the head steward ordered, his brow furrowed.
But no matter how much they tried, the fish, shrimp, and crabs simply continued to vanish.
Back in the villa, Lin Mu remained oblivious to the growing commotion. He dozed peacefully in the cabana, unaware that his beasts were the cause of the sudden marine scarcity.
For the guests and staff of the Imperial Ocean Quay, however, it was a baffling crisis in the making.
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