Chapter 787: Extra Chapter 4: 24

Initially, Liu Junyan practiced the turtle-breath technique, undergoing forty-nine days of cultivation, successfully merging with the old turtle's inner elixir, and reached the realm of ascension to the higher realm.

Liu Junyan's ascension was not only about himself; he also bore the old turtle's unfinished mission on his person.

If the old turtle had not been persecuted by Xu Chun and successfully ascended to the higher realm as an immortal, the place where it would report for duty would surely be Suedi!

Karma cycles; the bond between the old turtle and Suedi will inevitably produce such a result.

After Liu Junyan merged with the old turtle's inner elixir, the old turtle's karma also fell upon him at the same time.

Therefore, if Liu Junyan had already returned to the mortal world, or if he returned to the lower realm to report for duty, not being in Wufu Town, the likelihood of him being in Suedi would be very high.

Xiao Jiu repeatedly warned herself to stay calm.

No matter how one speculates, and regardless of whether such speculation proves correct after verification, one should remain composed.

Xiao Jiu did not tell anyone about this, nor did she immediately go to Suedi.

As usual, she handled all affairs of Yin Dang Hang, then summoned Hui Moqiong and Huang Fan, saying she had just recovered from a serious illness and wanted to go out for a stroll to relax.

Hui Moqiong and Huang Fan naturally supported Xiao Jiu and promised to look after Yin Dang Hang.

Xiao Jiu then packed her luggage, also bringing the willow-bracelet, placing it at the bottom of the suitcase.

Xiao Jiu did not choose to drive there; instead, she bought a train ticket.

She booked a fairly well-known inn online; that inn was only a few li from the well where the old turtle had originally been sealed.

Xiao Jiu decided that, since it was merely speculation and Liu Junyan had not yet fully remembered himself, she would treat this trip to Suedi entirely as a journey.

To the place where Liu Junyan once struggled.

To the place where Liu Junyan might appear.

To attend an appointment likely to end in disappointment……

Xiao Jiu's mindset was very good.

She thought it was probably because she had undergone that dream trial, and also probably due to the enlightenment from Xingchen's eight-character maxim 'Motionless, uphold the original heart,' which allowed her to be so calm.

In the blink of an eye, more than five years have passed.

More than five years ago, her state of mind when rushing to Suedi was completely different from now.

Xiao Jiu took the train all the way, transferred to a taxi, then rode a tricycle for a stretch of the journey, finally reaching the inn safely.

This inn had been open for many years, always lukewarm in popularity.

Until the heavy rainstorm more than five years ago, and the appearance of the auspicious 'Dragon and Phoenix Presenting Omens' spectacle within the storm, which brought great business to the inn, the inn was formally renamed Dragon Phoenix Elegant Residence.

Dragon Phoenix Elegant Residence is located at the foot of the mountain; the front yard is a large lawn, where barbecues and bonfire parties often take place in the evening; to the west of the lawn lies a lake, along which drone light shows are held.

The backyard is filled with flowers, grasses, and trees, connecting to the mountains further back; it is said that several hot spring pools have been developed on the mountainside, which is also one of the features of Dragon Phoenix Elegant Residence.

Xiao Jiu's booked room is on the second floor.

Standing at the rear window of the room and looking out, all she sees is a lush expanse of greenery.

By nightfall, mist shrouds the mountains, creating a very atmospheric scene.

Staying at Dragon Phoenix Elegant Residence, Xiao Jiu thought of nothing and did not actively make friends.

When there is a bonfire party, she will attend.

When there is a light show, she will also go watch.

When the hot spring pools are open, she has also gone to soak in them once.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye three days passed.

Yet during these three days, Xiao Jiu felt that time was passing very slowly.

So slow that she could truly calm her mind and feel the beauty of everything in this world.

Over the past few years, she has been constantly busy.

In Yin Dang Hang, matters came one after another.

She was busy solving problems for others, and also busy resolving her own affairs.

She had not experienced such a slow-paced life for a very long time.

On the third evening, Xiao Jiu was in a good mood; she poured herself a glass of red wine, leaned against the rear window, and gazed at the misty mountains, as if she had returned to the time when she and Liu Junyan lived in the Qinling Mountains.

Wine does not intoxicate; people intoxicate themselves.

After downing a glass of red wine, Xiao Jiu fell asleep leaning against the rear window.

I don't know how long later, Xiao Jiu was awakened by a faint chill on her face.

She jerked upright, felt her cheek, and then realized it was raining.

The light rain pattered, gradually intensified, then thunder and lightning flashed; raindrops the size of soybeans struck the window, forcing Xiao Jiu to close it.

Xiao Jiu glanced at the time: it was 2:30 a. m.

She felt somewhat gloomy.

What on earth is wrong with this year, why is there so much rain?

It seems wherever she goes, it rains.

And it's all heavy rain.

How strange and odd.

The alcohol's warmth was driven away by the chill brought by the heavy rain, and at the same time, her drowsiness dissipated.

Unable to sleep, Xiao Jiu began to miss Liu Junyan again.

Late at night, in a foreign tranquil land, with torrential rain, her longing grew even more intense.

Xiao Jiu could not help but take out the willow-bracelet she had pressed at the bottom of her luggage and put it on her wrist.

She recalled how, when she returned from Cangwu Mountain, she had placed this willow-bracelet on Liu Junyan's hand, but because his hand was too large, it could only fit halfway, and she couldn't help but laugh.

Just then, the ground suddenly shook violently.

Immediately afterward, the entire ground heaved like a sleeping person turning over, followed by another wave of undulating motion.

Thunderclaps boomed one after another.

Outside came hurried footsteps and a panicked warning: "An earthquake! The water on the west lake is rising; a flood may come. Everyone, grab your luggage and evacuate with us now! Hurry! If you don't leave now, it'll be too late!"

Xiao Jiu didn't bring much—just a small suitcase. She shoved the toiletries she had taken out all back into the suitcase, opened the door, and rushed out.

She wasn't afraid of the earthquake or the flood, but she had to follow the guesthouse's arrangements.

As Xiao Jiu went out, she helped the neighbors evacuate.

The guesthouse acted quickly, arranging a bus.

Travelers without cars all boarded the bus; those who had driven themselves followed behind the bus in their cars, evacuating together.

The evacuation point was just a few li away in the town near the guesthouse.

On the way to that town, the bus passed a place that felt very familiar to Xiao Jiu……the well that sealed the old turtle!

Just as the bus passed that stretch of road, Xiao Jiu saw a bolt of lightning strike straight down toward the old well.

For a moment, lightning flashed and thunder roared, lighting up the night as bright as day.

The ground shook violently, making the bus sway unsteadily.

I don't know if it was an illusion, but at the instant the thunderclap faded, Xiao Jiu seemed to hear a faint……Dragon Roar……

She almost reflexively tried to stand up, but the seat belt held her back.

While reaching to undo her seat belt, she shouted toward the front: "Stop the bus! I need to get off!"

Everyone on the bus stared at Xiao Jiu as if she were crazy.

The driver yelled: "What the hell are you doing?! Stopping here is suicide!"

Only then did Xiao Jiu calm down, merely turning her head and silently gazing toward the old well.

Once they arrived in town, Xiao Jiu got off the bus and ran back……