Chapter 10, Dragon Spit Island
The girl looked down at the compass, while the magnetic needle in the heavenly pool spun incessantly in circles, making it unreliable for determining direction. She snapped the compass shut and leaped down from the boat canopy, saying, "We cannot set out tonight; lower the sail and we will discuss it again at dawn."
The wooden boat sails towards the setting sun amidst the golden glow, while the vast Luojia Lake remains still, without a trace of wind. Only the ripples stirred by the oars leave winding trails on the calm water's surface
Her ears were filled with a rumbling sound, and she thought this time it was not good; she was afraid she might die here
He waved his hand, "By chance, he encountered a fox, who borrowed his boat. Please come aboard, master!"
Zhaoyan is very happy, "If we find the treasure, won't we become rich?"
If it were an ordinary person, this long howl would be inaudible. However, the Wave Moon Pavilion has a specialized training regimen for assassins, and coupled with her unique physical constitution, she is able to discern that low yet intense sound wave, feeling a vague sense of unease, "It is a whale"
Yar'er laughed and said, "You are a sword; what use is money?" As she spoke, she turned her gaze to the distance and murmured, "I just don't understand what kind of temptation could lead them to trample on human life. If that treasure does not exist, who should be held responsible for the deaths of my parents"
The act of killing is both exhilarating and addictive, and having become accustomed to addressing issues in the most direct manner, it is not easy to become more tactful. However, as Ya'er once told Su Hua, after experiencing profound sorrow and pain, she yearns to embrace the rising sun and the myriad of worldly things. Thus, she clears her home, transforms the pavilion into a building, and opens wide the once mysterious and imposing doors, welcoming the boundless chaos of the world.
As the ship approached Longxian Island, the sun had already dipped behind the mountains. The gaunt and jagged mountain body displayed an eerie hue under a wash of crimson twilight. Yuer called back Chuan Yu and, sword in hand, wandered about. Indeed, Longxian Island lived up to its reputation; around the water's edge, a ring of solidified deep brown foam adorned the surrounding rocks. She broke off a piece and ground it between her fingertips; this "stone" was very light, somewhat resembling amber. Bringing it closer to her nose, a scent reminiscent of musk surged to her head, initially not very strong, but lingering for quite some time, perhaps this is what dragon's spittle is.
Zhuang Yudao is, allowing them to enter the cabin to rest, while he himself leans against the cabin door, keeping watch outside in his clothes
The change came unexpectedly, and by tomorrow there may not be any turning point. Moreover, the visibility is too low, making it unsafe to stop between the two islands. She lifted her chin and said, "Drive on."
In her quest to uncover the secrets of the divine jade, she resolutely ventured into the unknown world, yet her understanding of the divine jade was no greater than that of others. What should she do next? Should she remain by the water's edge waiting for the merman to appear, or should she explore deeper into the land? After a moment of hesitation, she decided to familiarize herself with the terrain first. The exquisite embroidered shoes treaded upon a muddy surface, and she did not notice that the sunken footprints behind her slightly wriggled before quickly returning to their original state
This route is long; after sailing a little farther from the shore, the sails were unfurled. However, due to the calm winds and smooth seas, the sails were of little use. Fortunately, the sword spirit was tireless, with Chongyu and Zhaoyan taking turns day and night. After three days and nights, the outlines of the islands of Taisui and Jilu could finally be seen in the distance
In the history of Wang Shezhou, a Bo Yue Tower was added, serving as a place for storytelling, alleviating worries, and providing meals, but not offering accommodations. Initially, people from the rivers and lakes were apprehensive of its origins, knowing that everyone from the owner to the waitstaff inside were ruthless characters who would kill without hesitation, and thus they dared not patronize it. Later, a young nobleman from the Hot Sea arrived, spending lavishly to host enchanting night feasts from all directions across the sixteen isles, ultimately establishing a series of waterfront pavilions in Wang She. As a result, the number of visitors increased, and the atmosphere of intimidation gradually dissipated. Inside Bo Yue Tower, beautiful women were alluring, and handsome men were vigorous; even if the heroes traveled through thousands of mountains and rivers, if they did not come here to indulge, they would still not attain a proper status in the martial world. Later, a young nobleman from the Hot Sea arrived, spending lavishly to host enchanting night feasts from all directions across the sixteen isles, ultimately establishing a series of waterfront pavilions in Wang She. As a result, the number of visitors increased, and the atmosphere of intimidation gradually dissipated. Inside Bo Yue Tower, beautiful women were alluring, and handsome men were vigorous; even if the heroes traveled through thousands of mountains and rivers, if they did not come here to indulge, they would still not attain a proper status in the martial world.
During the period of the Lan War, the Boyue Pavilion harbored countless assassins and mercenaries. For a price, they would eliminate adversaries and bring calamity to others, leaving a trail of bloodshed wherever they went, and their notorious name was known throughout the martial world
It was fortunate to have smoothly passed through those two small islands, but Zhuan Yu felt that something was amiss, murmuring to himself: "It feels like I've entered a formation, unable to turn back, always spinning inside."
The face of Chaoyan is fresh and lovely, appearing to be only around thirteen or fourteen years old. Nestled beside Yai'er, she softly asks: "Master, what are we going out to sea for?"
As the oars struck the water, they advanced through the strait, hearing the whistling sound of the wind. With a furrowed brow, Ya'er looked around; the wind had risen, yet the fog did not disperse, indicating that Longxian Island did not welcome her arrival
When Long Yi appears, he inevitably brings with him wind and thunder. The remnants of the sun in the sky immediately vanish, followed by a torrential downpour. The surface of the water is filled with monstrous waves, and no matter how great the divine powers, they cannot withstand such a fierce onslaught
Hearing this, Ya'er leaned closer, straining to listen. The water below resembled a massive drum, where even the slightest tap would reverberate with immense sound waves. At first, there was nothing, but after a rush of turbulent undercurrents, a long call echoed from a great depth, as if it were separated by the vastness of the universe, resembling the low, mournful chant of a colossal beast, each sound piercing through the chest, reaching straight to the heart
Zhaoyan stood at the bow of the boat, turned around and asked the owner: "Should we proceed now, or wait for the fog to clear tomorrow?"
Stepping out no more than ten paces, a sudden gust of wind arose, bringing with it flying sand and stones that struck against her face, nearly knocking her off her feet. Yuer raised her hand to shield herself and suddenly heard a thunderous roar coming from afar. Startled, she saw a massive shadow rolling and diving beneath the setting sun. At first, it was indistinguishable, but as it drew closer, she could make out its rugged horns and a body as thick as a giant python; it was a dragon
Yar leaned against the side, lazily sitting atop the boat's canopy, with one delicate shoulder slipping out from the overlapping collar, as pure and round as the bright moon above. The night was pleasant, with countless silver glimmers sparkling on the water's surface. Taking a sip of wine, the spicy threads wound their way down, and even though they had already ventured deep into the Luojia Great Pool, it did not feel cold. There were no references on the water; it took a full two hours of sailing to approach the island that seemed not far away. Strangely, just a moment ago, the weather had been clear, but as they entered the strait, a thick fog suddenly arose, so dense that the opposite shore was unrecognizable. There were no references on the water; it took a full two hours of sailing to approach the island that seemed not far away. Strangely, just a moment ago, the weather had been clear, but as they entered the strait, a thick fog suddenly arose, so dense that the opposite shore was unrecognizable.
These two refined essences bear her blood, with Cha Yan being innocent yet bloodthirsty, while Chuan Yu is steady and mature. In the past, she traveled alone, and during lonely times, there was no one to talk to. Now, with them by her side, she has companions who can also assist her, making it much more convenient than leading a large group of subordinates
With a leap onto the boat, I turned to look at Chao Yan, not knowing when she had arrived at the stern, cheerfully grasping the oar and saying, "I am strong, I will row the boat."
Between the water and the sky, one cannot see one's own hand, with only a lantern hanging from the mast, flickering like a star in the darkness, undying. In such an environment, none dare to fall into a deep sleep, merely closing their eyes to rest. Within the strait, not a breath of wind stirs, while beyond the strait, waves crash against the ship's side. The sound of water gently lapping against the hull grows increasingly dense. Chao Yan pressed her ear against the ship's board, listened for a while, and a look of fear appeared on her face, "Master, what is this..."
The large pond is located to the west. She had traveled far before, but had never left the Yunfu continent. This time, after riding swiftly for half a month, she finally saw the boundary marker of Yunfu, as well as the vastness beyond the continent and the absence of human habitation.
This body of water actually has whales, and judging by the direction of the sound, they should not be too far away. This poses some danger, as a small wooden boat is truly no match for a massive creature that can easily reach over ten zhang in size. If it turns too quickly or accidentally swishes its tail, it is uncertain whether they can safely greet the dawn.
After standing by the water for a while, Chuang Yu returned, gently steering a wooden boat closer. The youth in the coarse hemp robe stood at the bow of the boat, his fair face illuminated by the spring sun, and each stroke of the bamboo pole stirred up a series of clear sounds.
She stood on the last piece of land, gazing into the distance. The water's surface was as calm as a mirror; without the floating clouds, it was impossible to discern where the water met the sky. The twin swords on her back vibrated with a hum, transforming into a human figure that landed behind her. Chuan Yu said, "Master, please wait a moment; I will go fetch a boat."
To find the Lonely Mountain Mermaid Palace, one must first locate Dragon Spit Island. She possesses a map of the waters of the Roga Great Pool, where the scattered islands resemble chess pieces that have not been gathered after a game, lacking any discernible pattern. The location of Dragon Spit Island is quite peculiar; there is a long and narrow entrance between the Taisui and Jilu, and after passing through it, one can reach the island after half a day's journey. However, this place is truly mysterious; it is said that there are dragons on the island, and when they rest on the stone, their saliva floats on the water, accumulating over the years to form ambergris, which is how Dragon Spit Island got its name. As for why it is said that to find the Lonely Mountain Mermaid Palace, one must first find Dragon Spit Island, it is because the merfolk treasure ambergris, and with the whereabouts of the merfolk known, the Mermaid Palace will naturally be close at hand.
In recent years, Ya'er has been wandering the world and has heard some rumors. It is said that the treasure is located in the Jiao Palace on Gushan. However, no one can clearly state the exact location of the Jiao Palace, only that it is above the Luojia Great Pool. The so-called Great Pool should not be understood literally as a lake or pond; it actually refers to the sea beyond the confines. To explore the origins of the divine jade, one must go alone. Therefore, before setting off, a few casual instructions were given, and on an afternoon following a rainstorm, a horse was taken, and the journey began.
However, in the depths of the great pool, the wind and waves were evidently different from those of the first few days of departure; although they were merely a stone's throw away, it required considerable effort to navigate.
Upon exiting the cabin to survey the surroundings, the water appeared pitch black, rendering everything invisible. Unlike land, where there are always ways to escape peril, in the water one can only resign to fate. Fortunately, as dawn broke, the uneven sounds of the long chant gradually faded into the distance. The persistent thick fog still obscured the sky and sun, yet the compass needle aligned with the north-south seabed line. Thus, I raised the sail and set course northward according to the compass's guidance, sailing for more than half a day, and finally emerged from that patch of fog. Looking into the distance, an island resembling a crouching dragon came into view; with just three to five more hours, I would surely arrive.
Ya'er said: "Go find the Lonely Mountain Mermaid Palace, I want to see whether the secrets that the Yue family has guarded for generations truly exist"
She smiled and rubbed her head, reflecting that over the past six years, she had already killed enough people. Under Lan Zhan's deliberate arrangement, the rivals who had died at her hands could be counted among the notable figures from that incident. If one were to eliminate all, it is likely that there would be no one left in the martial world. In both open and hidden dealings, among those who participated and those who orchestrated, how many could be considered innocent
As Ya'er lifted the hem of her skirt, ready to leap, she saw him kneeling at the bow of the boat, leaning forward and extending his hand towards her from afar. She felt a sense of peace within, fully aware that these sword spirits would never betray her. After traversing such a long and arduous journey, she was grateful to no longer be walking alone.
Zhaoyan revealed a sorrowful expression on her face and gently touched her hand, saying: "In any case, we have already killed Lord Boyue. Let us calculate how many people are still at large. Once we return to Wangshezhou, I will eliminate them all for you."
She had no time to dodge and could only raise her sword to meet the attack. It circled above her head, and she barely managed to fend off its claw strike. However, a sweeping tail attack followed closely behind, and she lost her balance, crashing into the water with a loud splash. There are no shallow areas around Longxian Isle; falling in means plunging into an abyss. Yuer is skilled in swimming, but that blow caught her off guard. In her panic, she choked on some water and soon felt a bit dazed, being pulled down by the undercurrents at the bottom of the water. There are no shallow areas around Longxian Isle; falling in means plunging into an abyss. Yuer is skilled in swimming, but that blow caught her off guard. In her panic, she choked on some water and soon felt a bit dazed, being pulled down by the undercurrents at the bottom of the water.
The slightly inebriated person on the roof squinted his eyes to observe the sky; the moon was nowhere to be seen, and a thick, hazy mist rolled in waves, quickly coating his eyelashes with moisture
However, there is no wall that does not let the wind through in this world. Lan Zhan, such a remarkable figure, died in such a strange manner, naturally arousing the interest of the entire martial arts community. Therefore, some matters cannot be avoided simply by wishing to evade them. The Yue family has guarded a secret for a lifetime, and as this secret has reached her generation, it has become so obscure that she must investigate it. If everything truly exists, then the sacrifices made are still meaningful. But if it is merely a rumor, then the smoke of war experienced by the previous generation would be nothing but a conspiracy and a farce. The Yue family has guarded a secret for a lifetime, and as this secret has reached her generation, it has become so obscure that she must investigate it. If everything truly exists, then the sacrifices made are still meaningful. But if it is merely a rumor, then the smoke of war experienced by the previous generation would be nothing but a conspiracy and a farce.