Chapter 968: The Fisher

“Lu Xuedi, the sky is growing late; why not we move to Qinghedao for a chat?” He Yingcai spoke softly, then added, “Let me, as your senior, fulfill my duty as host.”

As the others conversed, the sun had already sunk beyond the distant hills.

The sky had darkened; it was indeed time to find lodging.

Yet faced with this sudden invitation, Lu Ran did not immediately accept.

He very much wanted to gather more intelligence.

The Thousand Boats Archipelago has countless sects and surely countless people—perhaps someone might know of Master Cheng or Qin Yan’s whereabouts?

Then again, barging into the heart of a faction’s territory could easily lead to being surrounded and killed!

Our side carries plenty of weapons!

Within the Sacred Spirit Mountains, divine weapons and magical artifacts are priceless treasures, enough to make anyone envious.

Ultimately, Lu Ran and He Yingcai were not familiar with each other—even though, well, she was genuinely kind.

And sincere.

He Yingcai noticed Lu Ran’s hesitation and let out a light laugh: “Lu Xuedi, you’ve traveled far and wide over the past half-year—looks like you’ve suffered quite a bit.”

Lu Ran said nothing.

He Yingcai turned toward the island: “Then I’ll have my subordinates bring tea and snacks—I’ll entertain you right here.”

This time, it was Lu Ran who let out a wry smile.

He had lacked the courage.

He Yingcai came alone, yet dared to face them single-handedly!

And here he was, accompanied by all the soldiers of Ruanmen—how could he not set foot on Qinghedao?

Besides, he was already within the Thousand Boats Alliance’s territory; chatting here or on the island made little difference.

Lu Ran turned to Jiang Ruyi and suggested, “Shall we go onto the island?”

Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly: “Alright.”

She had her own judgment on everything He Yingcai had said.

From start to finish, He Yingcai had been open and straightforward—this earned Jiang Ruyi’s deep admiration for the senior.

“Please,” He Yingcai waved her slender hand, and the lotus leaf beneath her feet rapidly expanded.

This technique was the Azure Lotus Divine Art: Sky-Connecting Leaf!

At its peak, the lotus leaf could grow to a hundred meters—truly magnificent!

But now, He Yingcai only expanded it to ten meters—sufficient for several people.

The uniquely curved lotus leaf resembled a jade disc, dotted with dewdrops, carrying them forward across the clear lake.

Lu Ran felt curious, knelt down, and stealthily touched it.

Quite tender~

By the way, the dew on the leaf appeared alongside the leaf itself.

Though fundamentally composed of divine power and useless for hydrating humans, that didn’t stop one from tasting it.

He wondered whether these “Jade Plate Pearls” were as sweet as the misty lake’s waters.

Lu Ran held back, again and again, but ultimately didn’t taste it.

Hmm. Unbecoming of a master’s demeanor!

After passing several oddly shaped islets, Lu Ran and the others arrived at Qinghedao, under He Yingcai’s domain.

“Qinghedao,” Lu Ran murmured, surveying his surroundings.

The island was shaded by lush trees, the air filled with a fragrant, refreshing scent.

“Island Master!”

“Island Master He!” Several voices called out, respectfully.

He Yingcai asked: “Have you notified all the other islands?”

A middle-aged woman reported: “Most island masters are in seclusion.”

The Withered Lotus Island Master sent some Mist Rain Tea.”

The Golden Lotus Island Master sent two boxes of flower-and-fruit pastries.”

The Wind Lotus Island Master arranged for a master of celestial music to come.”

The Ashen Lotus Island Master personally came to visit—he’s waiting for you in the Council Hall.”

“Hmm,” He Yingcai replied, instructing, “Our esteemed guests have arrived—hurry and prepare.”

“Yes!” The group bowed and departed.

He Yingcai turned and gestured: “Please.”

But Lu Ran was now utterly bewildered!

What the hell have you dragged me into?

Tea? Snacks? And a music troupe?

No way!

Am I even in the Sacred Spirit Mountains?

“Lu Xuedi, please,” He Yingcai gestured ahead with one hand.

Lu Ran looked at the Qinghedao Island Master and asked: “Do you all live this comfortably?”

He Yingcai smiled and shook her head: “Just finding joy amid hardship.”

Lu Ran asked as they walked: “You even have a music troupe?”

He Yingcai explained: “The Thousand Boats Alliance is dominated by the Heavenly Lu, Azure Lotus, Support Lotus, and Sword Lotus sects—but some outsiders seek refuge within us.”

Lord Yun Qianzhou is kind-hearted and has taken in a portion of these outsider disciples.”

Lu Ran’s heart stirred slightly.

So someone has already done what He Qifeng intended to do?

The phrase “a portion” was carefully chosen.

Could it mean the Thousand Boats Alliance only shelters a small number of outsider disciples, to preserve the dominance, factional balance, and resource allocation of the four main sects?

If so, the very nature of the Thousand Boats Alliance differs fundamentally from the Forbidden City.

Lu Ran pondered, then asked curiously: “How many people are in the Azure Lotus sect?”

He Yingcai replied: “The Azure Lotus has seven islands, each with fifteen to twenty people.”

Our Qinghedao has eighteen Azure Lotus disciples.”

“That’s quite a few,” Lu Ran said casually.

“The Sacred Spirit Mountains are vast—other regions surely have Azure Lotus disciples too; perhaps even the sect’s main base,” He Yingcai sighed softly. “Too bad I’ll probably never meet them in this lifetime.”

Before she finished, He Yingcai turned to Lu Ran: “Lu Xuedi, your footsteps have covered the Sacred Spirit Mountains—have you ever seen my sect’s stronghold?”

Lu Ran answered honestly: “I haven’t.”

The Sacred Spirit Mountains were simply too vast; though Lu Ran could claim he’d traveled north to the Snow Forest, west to the desert, east across the sea,

if one laid out the full map of the Sacred Spirit Mountains, the paths he’d explored were merely lines.

Not regions.

Take this southern journey: he’d advanced over a thousand kilometers—just one line. How many regions had he missed?

Among them, perhaps some sects still existed.

As they walked and chatted, deep within the dense forest, they came upon a sizable wooden structure.

This was Qinghedao’s Council Hall.

In the dimming light, a bonfire had been lit before the hall’s entrance; the doors stood wide open, and inside sat an old man.

He appeared over sixty, dressed in gray robes, with short gray-white hair, leaning on a cane.

“Qinghedao Island Master,” the old man smiled warmly, rising with his cane.

“Great honor to have the Ashen Lotus Island Master visit! My apologies for not greeting you sooner!” He Yingcai immediately clasped her hands.

“I heard you had esteemed guests arriving, so I came to join the festivities,” the Ashen Lotus Island Master studied the people beside He Yingcai.

He Yingcai introduced: “These two are my university classmates—now the Lord and Lady of Ruanmen.”

The Ashen Lotus Island Master leaned on his cane, carefully observing Lu Jiang, his heart startled:

“What a striking young man.”

“Greetings, Ashen Lotus Island Master,” Lu Ran inwardly recoiled—such overwhelming pressure!

Was this old man a High-tier Sea Realm cultivator?

Or even a Peak-tier Sea Realm?

The Ashen Lotus Island Master’s gaze swept over the hooded figures behind them—seeing Conglong, Mengyan, and Yan Shenjiang—and his astonishment deepened:

“Lord Lu is truly young and accomplished—remarkable indeed…”

“Your reverence flatters me,” Lu Ran began to politely deflect, but the old man suddenly lifted his head.

Where no one could see, the jade pendant hidden beneath the old man’s robes trembled faintly.

The Ashen Lotus Island Master slowly turned, finally gazing at the empty space behind the Council Hall.

His eyes seemed to pierce through the walls, out into the open air, and he murmured: “There’s another one hiding.”

“Hm?” He Yingcai turned to Lu Ran.

“Oh, right!” Lu Ran feigned sudden realization. “There is indeed one more.”

He Yingcai’s expression held a hint of reproach—perhaps their conversation had lasted long enough to foster a touch of familiarity:

“Lu Xuedi, you’re not being honest, are you?”

“I really forgot!” Lu Ran smiled apologetically. “She’s always appearing and disappearing—I never see her.”

When He Yingcai realized that Lu Ran had another guard hidden in the shadows, one who had never been detected.

He Yingcai grew even more curious about the power of the Burn Sect.

And more interested in Lu Ran.

Yet she did not summon her guard out, showing Lu Ran great tolerance, and invited: “Come, let us begin the feast.”

Lu Ran was also curious about this banquet.

Outside the council hall, a bonfire stood high, flames leaping, sparks crackling.

Beside the bonfire sat several square wooden tables and chairs, each laden with tea and pastries.

The evening breeze swept through the forest, bringing the rustling sound of leaves.

Such a relaxed atmosphere made Lu Ran feel it was surreal!

At He Yingcai’s invitation, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi sat down with the Master of Grey Lotus Island.

He Yingcai personally poured tea for them all, then lifted a cup and drained it in one gulp, teasing Lu Ran:

“Don’t worry, it’s not poisoned.”

Lu Ran: “.”

He breathed in the overwhelming fragrance of Rain Mist Tea—and was truly fooled!

As the clear tea entered his mouth, Lu Ran tasted only bitter bitterness.

Damn.

So bitter?

No wonder it’s from Sacred Spirit Mountain!

It’s helping me recall my life in the mountains.

“Here, eat this to settle it.”

He Yingcai pinched a flower-and-fruit pastry between her jade fingers, broke it into pieces, and handed some to Lu Jiang.

She smiled at Lu Ran, then took a small bite herself, making Lu Ran feel slightly embarrassed—he immediately shoved a piece into his mouth.

This peculiar pastry was likely made from a blend of certain herb leaves and flower petals.

Still, it smelled fragrant—but tasted what?

So delicious?

Lu Ran blinked, instantly realizing.

It wasn’t the flower-and-fruit pastry that was sweet.

It was the Rain Mist Tea that was unbearably bitter.

“Lu younger brother, tell me in detail about your adventures in Sacred Spirit Mountain?” He Yingcai asked with great interest, her beautiful eyes fixed on Lu Ran.

The Master of Grey Lotus Island sat quietly beside them, equally curious about this overly young newcomer’s origins.

Unexpectedly, Lu Ran blurted out: “This one’s got no mother—long story.”

Everyone: “.”

Lu Ran was happy to share his story.

He had observed carefully and naturally sensed He Yingcai’s strong interest in the Burn Sect!

Sharing his experiences now was undoubtedly a perfect chance to strengthen his position and make this great sea-realm island master yearn for him!

The Green Lotus believers—these were the sworn enemies of the Thread Shadows. Who wouldn’t want them?

Lu Ran silently organized his words.

“Huh~”

The gentle evening breeze carried a melodious flute tune.

He turned in surprise, gazing past the flickering bonfire, and saw a white-robed man holding a jade flute, eyes closed, playing.

The flute’s melody was graceful and delightful.

Yet it left Lu Ran and the other Burn Sect warriors stunned!

“Fishing Boats Sing at Dusk”?!

This tune… it’s practically cheating!

In a daze, Lu Ran was transported back to the human realm of Great Xia, back to that dilapidated apartment building.

Even back to his childhood.

Every time he watched the “News Broadcast” with his father, then the “Weather Forecast.”

“Senior sister.”

“Hmm?”

“Isn’t this tune… a bit cheating?”

“Lord Yun Qianzhou said Sacred Spirit Mountain is a place that devours hearts and erases humanity,” He Yingcai picked up the teapot and poured Lu Ran another cup.

She whispered: “The Lord advised us to drink tea and eat pastries daily—to remind ourselves we are still human.”

“This tune is also meant to remind the members of the Qianzhou Alliance that we come from the same civilization, that we are blood brothers raised in Great Xia.”

Hearing this, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi exchanged glances.

This Lord Yun Qianzhou…

I’d better meet him someday.

With such steadfastness, such thought and consideration—and he’s still a powerful Second-Rank God: Celestial Phoenix’s devotee.

He’s exactly the kind of person we need to join the Burn Sect and overthrow the gods and demons together.

Lu Ran licked his lips, imagining the alliance lord dreaming grand dreams.

Of course, you eat a meal one bite at a time!

He glanced slightly toward He Yingcai again.

So you, too, must still hold onto your identity as a human, your humanity.

I really want that.

Can’t you all just come into my bowl?

(End of Chapter)