Chapter 705: Chapter 365: Jade Girl’s Uniqueness, Fate Sealed at a Glance, Big Catch, Ghost-Faced Bodhisattva
Zhao Ranran leaped out of the lake, her light force was hard to sustain. The expanse of Dongran Lake was vast, advancing rashly could lead to unknown conditions. The crafty Flower Thief had already fled far away. After some contemplation, she decided to first return to the island.
As she stepped onto the island shore, her skirt clung to her, accentuating her figure. She quickly used the "Celestial Favor Sword" to scoop up lake water, like a brush dipped in ink, drawing a circle in mid-air. The lake water hung suspended, transforming into a transparent water mirror. Her martial arts application and evolution appeared divine.
The woman in the mirror had crimson lips, rosy cheeks, eyebrows like distant mountains with a touch of blue, eyes like autumn waters sending ripples. A masterpiece of heavenly craftsmanship beyond reach. One glance, one look, one smile, one frown, all carried unique charm. On her forehead was a natural lotus pattern, and her gaze carried disdain and pride. Yet, in this moment, it was entirely full of worry and fear. She murmured, "Does this count? It shouldn’t count, right? It couldn’t possibly count. If it counts, I’d rather die than acknowledge it!"
She was very agitated, suddenly waving her hand. The water mirror shot into the forest, and several trees fell with a series of "crackling" sounds. Zhao Ranran recalled the ancestral teachings.
It turns out that there was a saying on Daoxuan Mountain:
"Immortal sound not meant for mortals, jade beauty untouched by mundane dust. When the Golden Boy unveils the veil, a golden jade marriage is heaven’s matchmaker."
The Jade Girl of Daoxuan Mountain was compassionate and proudly aloof, having the essential principle of vanquishing demons and saving lives by promoting goodness. Her appearance was pristine and otherworldly, protected by heaven and earth, her fate remarkably unique.
One appearance determines destiny.
The first man to see her true appearance would be deeply entangled in future ties, whether love, animosity, hatred, or hostility, it cannot be easily spoken of. If the Golden Boy unveils the veil, a golden jade marriage, heaven’s force encourages, endless fortune, mutually complementing, becoming legends for eternity.
Now, though the veil remained intact, her appearance had already been glimpsed. The first to see her face was a filthy, despicable Flower Thief.
Zhao Ranran thought, "The ancestors solemnly instructed that the veil must not be casually lifted, and the face must not be casually shown. Now... now that a Flower Thief has seen it, what am I to do? No! At that time, the lake waves surged, the Flower Thief might not have seen, surely he was merely taunting aloud. But the veil touches water and becomes transparent, if he did really see, then... I... I absolutely refuse to be tangled up with a Flower Thief."
Zhao Ranran gradually calmed down, gazing in the direction where Li Xian had fled, resolute in her heart: "Yes, given that, there’s no way I can let him live. Must decisively cut through the tangled mess, regardless of whether it’s an evil bond or a hostile bond, all must be severed by one sword!"
The intent to kill was strong, after a brief rest, she immediately devised a method to seek him out.
...
...
Meanwhile, Li Xian, stepping on the Sinking River Sword, skillfully distanced himself from Zhao Ranran and temporarily escaped danger. He dared not pause for a moment, immediately continuing on the sword, fleeing ten or so miles away at once, finding a small island before nightfall. Thereupon, he disembarked to rest temporarily.
Li Xian thought, "I have fled in such a manner, Zhao Ranran should find it difficult to catch up. With a brief rest, I’ll be more energized to deal with the peril within the lake."
Finding a soft grassy patch, he lay down to rest for half an hour. Then, sitting up cross-legged, he practiced the Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture, transporting and cleansing the dregs of the five viscera, nurturing them, while recovering his qi power drain.
Li Xian had battled many dangers consecutively, consuming a lot of inner Qi. The floating iron raft was already destroyed, along with his dry rations and change of clothes, all lost. Suddenly feeling hungry, noticing many fish beasts in the lake, he began gathering stones on the island to shoot fish.
Catching two fat grass fish, he flayed them, removed the innards, keeping them fresh, found lotus leaves on the island to wrap the fish, sealed in lake mud.
Then he dug a pit in the ground, placed charcoal within, smoldering the enclosed fish beast till cooked. Breaking open the mud ball, the lotus’s fragrance mingled with the fish’s fresh scent, juices dripping along the edge of the leaf.
[You smoked fresh fish, skill level +1]
Li Xian tasted a few bites, feeling very joyful, sweeping away all worries. Devouring everything cleanly like a windstorm, he felt greatly relaxed, leisurely lying in the grass, humming a tune, he said, "Though a rootless duckweed, I still find a kind of carefree wandering."
Still feeling hungry, he repeated the process, catching two more fish to smoke. Unfortunately, there was no seasoning with him, herbs and materials on the island were scarce. Li Xian’s culinary skill, though considerable, struggled with lacking ingredients.
After two full meals, Li Xian was invigorated, his qi power rejuvenated, once more he transported the dregs, practiced the Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture, recovery indeed faster.
[You transported the five viscera’s dregs, skill level +1]
[You transported the five viscera’s dregs, skill level +1]
...
[Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture. Strengthen Viscera Chapter]
[Skill Level: 23169/24000 Great Success]
Gradual accumulation of strength over time, water dripping eventually wears through stone. The Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture’s inner cultivation strengthens the viscera, without any lethal moves, nor protective techniques. Only strengthening the viscera, nurturing the body, enriching the blood and bones, consolidating the foundation. The practice speed is very slow, yet through daily incremental accumulation, the state of perfection is now within reach.
Li Xian kept calm and stayed focused, neither anxious nor impatient, slowly cultivating. When night arrived, he suddenly thought, "After such evasion, I wonder if Zhao Ranran will search for me again. To be safe, I must plan ahead."
He filled and leveled the smoked pit, swept away all footprints along the way. Planting hair around the island shore, then found a bunch of wild grass, hid within and slept soundly. Safely passed the night, hearing no danger, no noise, a slight sense of relief.
The next morning, white mist covered the lake, extremely ghostly and cold. Li Xian took out his map, surveyed the surroundings, silently curse: "If I’m not mistaken, I am now off the map. Yesterday, in haste, I ran recklessly, the lake’s terrain is complicated, once the position is lost, it is difficult to discern again."
He took a compass from his bosom, covered it with the cloak of the Phantom Ghost attire. With great difficulty, he could discern directions, which brought him some comfort. The island was surrounded entirely by lake, sighting neither island nor anything else. The lake water was deep as an abyss, hiding terrifying hazards.
Alone and isolated in this place, as if cut off from the world. Li Xian waited till noon, the climate gradually warmed, the cold mist dissipated. Then gently stroked the "Sinking River Sword," murmuring, "Old friend, you’ve accompanied me the longest. In this circumstance, without your help, I truly would be in trouble."
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