Chapter 702: Chapter 364: Battle of Wits and Courage, Jade Girl Falls into the Water, Veil Reveals Her Face, Li Xian Taunts (Part 2)
Zhao Ranran said, "Junior Zhao Ranran from Daoxuan Mountain." The Jinlong emerged from the lake, flew up into the clouds, circled once, and then landed before her, laughing, "Marvelous, truly marvelous. Since you bear the Zhao name, it’s no wonder you have such divine presence. I dwell within the lake, and by chance caught sight of you, little one, bringing me immense joy."
Zhao Ranran inquired, "Does Senior Jinlong have any deep ties to us at Daoxuan Mountain?" Jinlong replied, "My name is Ao Jin, and in early years I journeyed the rivers from Huangtaojiang. Daoxuan Mountain once supported me greatly. After transforming into a dragon, I resided deep within the mountain. Would you call this a deep connection? Daoxuan Mountain possesses a ’Daoist Book’, which records worldly affairs and sect matters. If you’re interested, you need only peruse it to know my name and deeds."
Zhao Ranran said, "Should I have the chance, I will certainly read the Daoist Book to learn of elder’s illustrious name. Only, why does elder hide within the deep lake rather than roam the boundless ocean?"
Ao Jin expressed, "It’s not hiding, you wouldn’t understand, child. I see you’ve newly entered the mortal world, untouched by dust, like a porcelain doll, bringing many old memories to mind. You mentioned seeking your enemy thief; so be it, since we’ve met, come on, I’ll carry you for a distance."
Zhao Ranran nodded, "Thank you, elder Jinlong!" She then rode the dragon to the depths of the lake to search. After half a day, she discovered the figure of Li Xian, and thus came the recent admiration.
Zhao Ranran watched the Jinlong retreat into the distance, her brow slightly furrowed, she saw footprints on the ground and followed the trail.
Li Xian’s iron float had already been destroyed, sent by airwaves to the island. Observing the island’s environment along the way, he pondered, "This Jinlong is indeed formidable, asserting dominance within the lake. Given my abilities, it would be tough to repel it. This island has tall mountains and forests; judging by its aura, it should be vast. I may possibly leverage the island’s environment to confront the dragon."
Scanning the horizon, he spotted two high mountains in the distance, observing the mountain range’s formations, likely there was a deep gorge between them. If the dragon charges in the mountains, causing landslides, it could severely wound the dragon. He immediately fled toward the mountain.
The deserted island had been long devoid of human presence, with wild wood growth and dense branches overshadowing, leaving hardly a place to set foot. Li Xian treaded the "Seven Stars Step," stepping on branches to escape swiftly, using the Sinking River Sword to cut through trees and clear a path, inevitably leaving traces.
Escaping four to five miles, suddenly a premonition hit his mind. Li Xian immediately shifted left, avoiding quickly. The branch he stood on snapped with a crack, followed by a ’clang clang’ of an unusual sound, a frigid Treasure Sword piercing towards him, a simple and unadorned move yet contained profound martial principles. Li Xian dared not act carelessly, quickly returning the sword in front to guard his body, using the sword to block the sudden thrust.
A sound of ’block’ reverberated. Li Xian flew backward, landing on the ground, pressing branches to break along the way, while bending the wild grass. Holding his stance, his right wrist quivered slightly, the Sinking River Sword emitted a ’ding ding’ enigmatic sound. It turned out the simple thrust actually bore three strands of ’Ethereal Immortal Sound’. The sound’s harmonics still lingered on the sword. With every hold, the sound traveled down his arm, subtly injuring his physique, hindering his Inner Qi.
If unresolved, he would need to abandon the sword and flee. Li Xian secretly protected to guard against the immortal sound, inserting the Sinking River Sword into a tree trunk. He then retrieved the Cyan Sword, gazing ahead intently. Amid green bamboo leaves, a figure gently floated down, light blue silk embroidered shoes lightly tapping the leaves, swaying in the wind, holding a sword in a hand, staring down at Li Xian.
It was Zhao Ranran, who caught up. Her posture ethereal, her charm deep, but she came with hostile intent.
Zhao Ranran said, "You can’t escape, don’t waste strength." Li Xian replied, "What of that old thief dragon?"
Zhao Ranran frowned, "Indeed a flower thief, talks without any decency." Poised to strike. Li Xian hastily said, "Wait!"
Zhao Ranran thought Li Xian had already conceded, momentarily pausing her advance, phoenix eyes sternly gazing. Li Xian teasingly said, "If I surrender, will you spare my life?" Zhao Ranran thought disdainfully, calmly saying, "If you do not surrender, I will kill you here and now."
Li Xian solemnly said, "So I’m destined to die either way? Just whether sooner or later?" Zhao Ranran thought, "Let him perish here, wouldn’t be too hard. Yet making him submit and confess, bringing him back to the Water Altar, deciding his fate thereafter suits me more." Holding the sword indifferently, she said, "If you surrender, there’s still room for debate."
Li Xian said, "Thanks to the Jade Girl’s compassion, deeply grateful for sparing my life. Then please, kindly provide the binds. I will reflect and reform in the days to come." Tossing the sword, pretending to surrender. Zhao Ranran even more disdainfully, "I thought you had some backbone, turns out you’re a slippery, opportunistic seeker. Such a person, exchanging another word with you would tarnish my honor." She then slashed two vines, throwing towards Li Xian’s feet, saying, "Bind your hands and feet, gag with stone, kneel and bow."
Li Xian sneered, "If my mouth is gagged, how can I argue?" Zhao Ranran impatiently said, "Then naturally you’ll be permitted to speak."
Li Xian stooped to pick up the vine, pretending to bind himself. Suddenly his eyes flared with brilliance, he promptly dashed sideways, flicking the vine, ensnaring the Cyan Sword and Sinking River Sword hilts, retrieving remotely into his scabbard and escaping afar.
Zhao Ranran said, "Tricks of the trade, only amused yourself." Preparing to pursue, suddenly felt the wind behind her, she immediately stepped on tiptoe, fluttering gracefully into the air, with a snake tail striking, snapping several large bamboos in half, wreaking havoc.
A brown-green giant python, snakehead hanging from a branch, greedily gazing at Zhao Ranran. Li Xian laughed, "Then ask the Jade Girl to handle this giant python before seeking further trouble with me! Hahaha."
Zhao Ranran glanced sideways at Li Xian, scolded, "Crafty flower thief, deliberately misdirected me!"
It turns out Li Xian had already noticed. This island’s aura is exceptional, since it’s uninhabited, there must be large beasts residing. Earlier, Ao Jin soared in clouds, the Dragon Qi disturbed the island’s giant python. Zhao Ranran, riding the dragon, already carried Dragon Qi with her.
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