The newcomer was Dili Guang. He bowed to the floor and said joyfully, "My lord, elder... Master Cui has returned to the island with Dharma Protector Ding!"
"Good!"
Now that these two Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators had returned, Li Xuanxuan felt the heavy weight on his heart fall away. Li Zhouluo stepped forward happily, "Hurry, invite them in!"
Cui Jueyin soon arrived in ornate robes and his crown. A burly man with a swallow-jaw and tiger-like mustache stood tall and imposing behind him, his sharp eyes shifting with uncanny brilliance. Anyone meeting his gaze felt a chill run down the spine.
It was Ding Weizeng!
"Good, good, good!"
Good news was coming one after another, and Li Xuanxuan walked down the steps. Cui Jueyin bowed immediately, and Ding Weizeng hurried forward to support him gently.
Li Xuanxuan huffed, "With the two of you back, the lake has nothing to fear!"
Ding Weizeng looked slightly embarrassed, while Cui Jueyin explained the entire matter in detail. Li Xuanxuan's aged eyes turned faintly red as he said, "It is enough that you returned safely..."
But Ding Weizeng suddenly dropped to his knees and said respectfully, "My lord, I have only returned briefly to make preparations. I have gathered pills and supplies. I will immediately depart for the Eastern Sea to seek the Daoist Master!"
Li Xuanxuan froze, nearly thinking the man intended to defect. "What?"
But Cui Jueyin quickly explained his intentions. The old man sighed repeatedly, while Ding Weizeng remained stubbornly kneeling. Li Quewan tried to persuade him, "Dharma Protector Ding, if you go to the Eastern Sea and someone traces your movements, they might discover the Daoist Master. Would that not make things worse despite your good intentions?"
Ding Weizeng gently shook his head and replied respectfully, "My bloodline is not of the lake. Even if I search, I will find no trace, and the Daoist Master will not meet me. But if I firmly dive deep into the sea, I can draw the Purple Mansion Realm cultivator's attention, easing the pressure on the Daoist Master."
Li Quewan was about to speak again, but the elder stopped her. He stroked his beard; Li Xuanxuan, though worried for his grandson, understood well that Ding Weizeng's journey to the Eastern Sea would almost certainly stir up turmoil. The man might lose his life, and who knew how many further consequences it would bring.
If Ximing can escape, why would he need him? But if Ximing cannot escape, how could he possibly be of use? Judging by the soul lamp right now, Ximing has not reached the brink of life and death. The Eastern Sea is vast; where would one even begin searching?
He asked calmly, "Did the Daoist Master leave you any instructions?"
Ding Weizeng hesitated slightly. "None..."
Li Xuanxuan continued, "Since you’ve received no instructions, how do you know the Daoist Master is truly injured? Could he not have feigned injury and entered the sea to lure out the enemy? If you rush to the Eastern Sea and ruin his plan, what crime would that be?"
.bg-ssp-10081{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;} Cui Jueyin suddenly understood as Ding Weizeng was shaken speechless. Even Li Zhouluo and Li Quewan stood frozen. Silence fell over them all. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
Cold sweat broke out over Ding Weizeng. He quickly knelt and said, still shaken, "Thank you for your guidance, elder! If not for the elder's caution, I would have committed a grave mistake. I will remain here guarding the lake island and wait for the Daoist Master to return!"
————
On the Purple Essence spirit boat.
The Purple Smoke Gate's spirit boat was spacious; it was far larger on the inside than it appeared from the outside. Though inferior to the Azure Pond Sect's world-renowned Dawn Cloudliner, it was still one of the most luxurious dharma artifacts in existence.
Once they departed from the lake, they soon reached the wilderness. After When Wu settled everyone properly, he returned to the boat’s prow, where his little junior sister Li Quexi was leaning against the rail, enjoying the scenery.
When Wu clasped his hands behind his back and walked over. The girl immediately looked up, smiling with the innocence of a child, which reminded When Wu of his own daughter.
She said with a bright smile, "Senior brother!"
When Wu nodded slightly and replied, "Junior Sister, why are you not with your elder sister?"
Li Quexi replied softly, "My sister and I are not very close. I only met her after I turned nine, when my innate ability proved sufficient and I was brought into the island. Usually, we only greeted each other. Too many people crowded around her back then. I never went to join them and hardly spoke a few words to her."
.bg-ssp-10016{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;display:flex;justify-content:center;}