Chapter 131

He followed the direction indicated by the Luo Pan all the way to the lake's edge, but never reached his destination.

This means the manual was never in the Mantuo Shanzhuang to begin with.

"That direction is Xixia. It seems only Li Qiushui possesses this art."

Jiang Sishui frowned.

Thus, obtaining the "Northern Nether Divine Art of Eternal Youth and Longevity" became even harder and far more troublesome.

Without the sacred scripture, the He Shi Bi Society would inevitably delay his advancement to Tianren.

But Jiang Sishui had already prepared for this and was not at a loss.

As for how to ascend to Tianren, besides the unstable rewards from the system, he had devised three methods himself.

The first was to rely on his extraordinary talent, supplement it with "Ten Directions Annihilation," and build upon the "Northern Nether Divine Art" to create his own sacred scripture.

The second was to wait for Zhu Zhu Wushi to deliver the "Art of Absorbing Power" and the "Golden Immortal Sacred Art."

The third was to go to Jinzhou.

In a few days, he would set out, following the Luo Pan's guidance toward the northwestern region to retrieve the "He Shi Bi" and the "Eight Dragon Pearls," completing the system's side quest—along the way, he would most likely pass through Jinzhou.

There, the two supreme martial arts—"Buddha's Palm" and "Heaven-Scarring Leg"—might be hidden!

Although he did not know the exact locations of the two manuals, with the "Object-Finding Luo Pan" in hand, as long as it still functioned, finding them would not be difficult.

Even if someone else got there first, he could take them by force.

Of course, the best outcome would be to obtain all three—then Tianren would be within reach!

"Northwest direction… the 'He Shi Bi' and 'Eight Dragon Pearls' should originate from 'The Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty' and 'Demon Realm's Dragon Pearls,' right?"

"If the original plot hasn't changed drastically, then I'll have to pay a visit to the Jing Nian Chan Yuan and Qilian Mountain."

Jiang Sishui silently planned his next journey.

As for these next few days, he would first spend time with the women, deepening his bond with them.

At the same time, he would use this time to gain more system rewards and continuously strengthen himself.

Although the system promised generous rewards for completing every task, big or small, no one could guarantee what changes might occur after completion.

Therefore, deliberately delaying task progress to allow time for growth and strengthening was very necessary.

At least in Jiang Sishui's plan, he would achieve Tianren before reaching the Kunlun Secret Realm.

145 Isn't this supposed to be a hero saving a beauty? Did I get the wrong script?

When Jiang Sishui met Huang Rong and Bai Feifei again, it was already night.

Seeing the two women laughing and chatting together, he felt something was odd—as if an unseen atmosphere was quietly shifting.

Yet their harmonious coexistence was clearly beneficial to him, so after puzzling over it, he let it go.

In the following days, while accompanying the women and meditating on "Ten Directions Annihilation," Jiang Sishui also accomplished several tasks.

First, he leveled the flower forest stained with blood, dug down three chi deep, discarded even the soil beneath, then used the "Water-Control Pearl" to push fertile lakebed soil up to fill the gap.

Next, he ordered the servants of the Mantuo Shanzhuang to purchase various flower seeds.

After planting them, the Mantuo Shanzhuang began layoffs.

The criteria were simple: anyone old or unattractive was dismissed.

Of course, there were special cases—those without homes or self-defense ability, those with tragic backgrounds, those with deep ties to the Mantuo Shanzhuang…

Jiang Sishui did not forcibly drive these people away; instead, he relocated them to a smaller nearby island, still under the Mantuo Shanzhuang's protection.

Each person who left received a generous severance payment.

In short, those who wished to leave could go; those who wished to stay could remain—everyone parted amicably.

Then he gave "Ten Directions Annihilation" and the Spirit-Blocking Formation to Huang Rong, leaving her to study and refine them as she saw fit.

The "Water-Control Pearl" he gave to Bai Feifei, entrusting her with the defense of the Mantuo Shanzhuang.

In truth, with the "Water-Control Pearl," the Mantuo Shanzhuang, deep in Taihu, was impregnable—even a Tianren launching a direct assault would be repelled, even destroyed!

But Tianren were not fools; they might launch a surprise attack or sabotage, and the islanders might not remain perpetually vigilant against every whisper and rustle.

Therefore, establishing a large formation on the perimeter as a buffer was essential.

Once the formation was complete, combined with the "Water-Control Pearl," even Tianren who came later would be forced to kneel!

As for half-gods… forget it; those cultivators could already send their soul out of their bodies.

After completing these tasks, on the twenty-fifth day of his journal, Jiang Sishui teleported away from Taihu with Wang Yuyan.

They headed northwest.

He planned to travel during the day and return to the Mantuo Shanzhuang at sunset.

While traveling, he took turns accompanying the women; when returning home at night, he either meditated on "Ten Directions Annihilation" or indulged in tender affection.

He divided his time well, without neglecting either.

…

On a forest path, Jiang Sishui and Wang Yuyan rode the same horse.

Beyond the bustling areas, the surrounding woods were lush and dense.

Jiang Sishui rested his chin on Wang Yuyan's shoulder, their cheeks touching, exchanging words back and forth, leaving behind a trail of laughter and joy.

No extra movements—just a gentle embrace between them—brought a quiet harmony and beauty.

At that moment, a rapid clatter of hooves shattered the warm intimacy between them.

The hoofbeats grew louder, drawing nearer; by sound alone, it was clear they were coming straight toward them.

Yet Jiang Sishui's "Cicada Perception" was not triggered, suggesting the rider was likely just passing by.

Though disturbed, Jiang Sishui was not so tyrannical as to blame a stranger for interrupting him—after all, the road was public, open to all.

Just as he was about to let the rider pass, the rider galloping toward him made him freeze.

"Those eyes…"

The newcomer was dressed entirely in black, a bamboo hat on her head, black gauze covering her face—her features could not be made out.

But her slender, curvaceous figure made it clear she was a woman.

Moreover, the pair of eyes exposed to the air were very beautiful—not large, yet seeming to hold ten thousand emotions within them.

Looking into her eyes, you would feel as though she had a thousand words and ten thousand phrases she wanted to pour out to you.

Her gaze was clearly resolute and steadfast, yet inadvertently carried three parts allure and charm, and three parts frailty and sorrow.

"Pitifully moving and enchanting"—that phrase was made for her!

"Lin Shiyin?"

Jiang Sishui knew those eyes all too well; a name instantly leapt into his mind.

But at once, he rejected the thought: "No, the bearing doesn't match! Lin Shiyin doesn't have this bold and dashing heroine air about her. Then who is she?"

Jiang Sishui could not recall for the moment, but he no longer intended to stand idly by.

At this moment, behind the black-clad woman, a group of people came in pursuit—some on horseback, some executing Lightness Skill.

Among them, a man draped in a dark-green robe flickered and vanished into thin air; when he reappeared, he was already stomping one foot down on a horse's head.

With a "Thousand-Jin Drop," the horse that had been charging at full speed could not bear the pressure and buckled its forelegs, dropping to its knees.

The black-clad woman on the horse, caught off guard, was flung forward by the momentum.

?? Please send flowers??????

"Ninja arts of the Eastern Seas?"

Wang Yuyan saw the green-robed man's body flicker in and out of sight like a ghostly apparition, and could not help showing a look of surprise.

"No, but the principles are likely similar."

Jiang Sishui narrowed his eyes slightly.

Seeing the green-robed man reach out to grab the black-clad woman, he casually snapped off a tree branch and hurled it forward!

Under the infusion of true Qi, the branch shot forth like a sharp arrow.

The green-robed man sensed something, and the hairs on his outstretched arm were stirred up a layer of goosebumps; he hastily withdrew his hand and tilted his head, narrowly dodging the strike.

But he was still half a beat too slow—a bloody gash was scraped across his left cheek.

By then, Jiang Sishui had already leapt into the air and caught the black-clad woman steadily.

The instant the two of them landed, the black-clad woman acted as if she had been struck by electricity—breaking free from Jiang Sishui's embrace at once, then swinging a slap straight at his face!

Jiang Sishui was utterly taken aback.

What's going on?

Why did she hit me?