Just as the voice fell, the two of them suddenly felt heavy on their feet and light on their heads, and they stood up from lying down. The coffin boat suddenly stood up, and then quickly fell down, turning over in a huge somersault!
Hua Cheng held Xie Lian's waist tightly with one hand, and placed the other hand on his head to protect him. He said, "Hold on to me!"
If he were outside, Xie Lian could handle three times the tossing and turning of the boat. The problem was that he was confined to a small space, unable to move freely. He had no idea what he had encountered outside. He could only focus on his guard and worry, thinking, "What if the coffin boat breaks?!"
Hua Chengdao: "It's okay. Don't be afraid if it breaks. With me, you won't sink!"
They were now pressed so tightly together that Hua Cheng practically kissed his hair as he spoke. Xie Lian could even feel the slight tremor in his Adam's apple. His mind drifted slightly, then his attention was once again drawn away by the violent lurching of the coffin boat. The boat seemed like a child's toy, being violently shaken and swung by a thirteen-year-old. As a last resort, Xie Lian held Hua Cheng tightly with one hand and held the coffin tightly with the other.
In the chaos, the two of them went up and down, tossing and turning, changing positions several times, bumping and rubbing every part of each other's body. Although Hua Cheng looked like a teenager, after being banged by him for so long, you would realize that he was hard all over. Xie Lian was so tormented that he saw stars. When he finally felt a break, he found that he had been pinned down by Hua Cheng, and his body was so heavy that he could hardly breathe. Xie Lian barely raised one hand and grasped Hua Cheng's strong forearm that supported him at his side. He groaned softly and said dizzily, "Is that enough?..."
For some reason, Huacheng didn't reply. Before Xie Lian could finish his sentence, his breathing suddenly hitched. He suddenly sensed something unusual happening somewhere within him.
“…………………………”
In that instant, Xie Lian felt a mood even more incredible than seeing the iron tree blossom. At least, seeing the iron tree blossom wouldn't have made his mind go blank like it did now.
The overwhelming shame and embarrassment gathered into a storm even more violent than the one outside the coffin, crushing him to the ground. Xie Lian hurriedly bent his knees, but his position was unfortunate. As he bent his knees, he seemed to touch something he shouldn't have touched, causing Hua Cheng to shout, "Don't move!"
His shout, his tone so stern, made Xie Lian hastily pull his legs back. But if he didn't bend, he was afraid Hua Cheng would notice his body's reaction. He might as well just bang his head against his coffin and die. He could have explained it away as "being forced to do so," but the awkward part was that he'd already experienced it on the island. Once or twice, he could say it was unintentional, but three or four times—how could he explain it?!
In a state of panic, Xie Lian blurted out, "No! Sanlang...don't touch me!"
After a moment of silence, Hua Cheng said in a deep voice, "Okay. Let's go out."
Xie Lian felt as if he had been granted amnesty and said, “Get out!”
Suddenly, a strong feeling of weightlessness came over them, and the coffin boat they were in actually took off into the air!
At the same moment, Huacheng and Xie Lian each slapped the inner wall of the coffin, and the boat instantly shattered. They both escaped and leaped out. Under the moonlight, Xie Lian looked back and saw a massive water dragon, clutching the shattered coffin in its mouth, roaring in the pouring rain, like a tusk crushing food only to find an empty box, enraged. It must have been this same dragon that had seized the boat and swung it relentlessly, tossing it back and forth.
The coffin boat had already set out to sea, drifting for a while before a water dragon swam over and snatched it back. The two landed and returned to Blackwater Island. Two figures appeared on the shore: Water Master Wudu and General Pei Ming. Master Wudu, still holding his seal, braved the wind and rain, seemingly intent on summoning the water dragon. Pei Ming patted him on the shoulder and said, "Brother Shui! Brother Shui, take it easy! This round is over, and we don't know when the next one will come. Save your strength."
It turned out that the sudden downpour had been the accompaniment to Shi Wudu's tribulation. As it gradually died down, Shi Wudu waved his hand, turned to Huacheng and Xie Lian, and demanded, "What's wrong with you?"
“…”
Pei Ming also said, "Yes, Your Highness, please explain what's going on. What are you doing in there?"
When the coffin boat exploded, their tightly embrace must have been clearly seen. Xie Lian blinked and was about to speak when he suddenly realized that he and Hua Cheng, after being tossed around in the narrow coffin boat, had their hair disheveled and their clothes in disarray. They looked incredibly unrefined. Wiping the rain off his face, his cheeks were still burning hot.
Hua Cheng took a step forward, blocking his way. After a moment, Xie Lian coughed softly and said, "...It's nothing serious, it's just... the coffin is too small."
Shi Wudu was puzzled: "I didn't ask that."
Pei Ming pointed to the pile of scrap wood they had left on the beach and said, "You made that coffin, didn't you? Can't you make it bigger?"
“…”
Huacheng and Xie Lian had decided on the shape of this coffin boat together. At the time, it seemed neither of them had considered making it larger. Xie Lian could only say, "That's true. Haha, haha. Did you two just drift near this island?"
Pei Ming said, "That's right. Senior Brother Shui fought the ocean currents of the Black Water Demonic Den all the way, and just arrived on this island, he actually saw a coffin floating on the surface of the Black Water Demonic Den. It's amazing."
Xie Lian's heart slowly lifted as he smiled, "Yes, it's truly miraculous."
Shi Wudu said: "You."
He turned to Hua Cheng and squinted his eyes. "Isn't it said that on a large ship, the only thing that can survive sinking in the Black Water Den is the coffin wood that once held the dead?"
Pei Ming drew his sword and said leisurely, "Yes. We have the coffin, but where is the deceased?"
Hua Cheng also smiled and said, "If you're so obsessed with someone's death, I suggest you commit suicide."
Pei Ming raised his sword towards him and said, "How arrogant! You're worthy of being the Blood Rain Scholar!"
He had indeed guessed it. Hua Cheng laughed heartily. Just as they were about to engage in combat, Xie Lian stepped in front of Hua Cheng and said, "My lords, please be patient. Don't worry, San Lang is doing this with good intentions."
Pei Ming asked, "Sanlang? I've never heard of the name of the Blood Rain Scholar, and what his rank is. Kindness? Your Highness, are you sure you're referring to him?"
Shi Wudu insisted on standing in the most conspicuous position, so he pushed Pei Ming aside and said sternly, "Were you the one behind all this? What was your purpose in luring us to the Black Water Demon Cave? Where is Qingxuan?"
Hua Cheng said, "This is someone else's territory. Do you think I want to come here?"
Xie Lian was already accustomed to this kind of situation, and he deftly changed the subject, saying, "Has Master Feng not been found yet? Didn't General Pei go to retrieve them?"
Pei Ming spread his hands and said, "I was about to fish it out, but Senior Brother Shui, a huge wave hit and washed it away."
Shi Wudu said, "Brother Pei, don't make the mistake. If I don't create waves, the creatures in the sea will come out one after another, and you won't be able to catch them at all!"
Xie Lian hurriedly said, “Don’t get excited, don’t get excited. Well… Master Wind Master and Master Earth Master are together, so it shouldn’t be a big deal.”
Shi Wudu snorted, "Earth Master? What's the use of an Earth Master! He's neither high nor low. He's not a Martial God, and his magic power isn't even as good as Qingxuan's." At this point, he seemed to remember that Shi Qingxuan no longer had any magic power. His face froze slightly, and he fell silent. Xie Lian thought, everyone has their own specialties. Although Mingyi is not a Martial God, and his magic power is not particularly strong, he is not as bad as the Water Master said. Besides, at the Half Moon Pass, the skills displayed by the Earth Master were quite good. Even if they are not top-notch, they are not too bad. Pei Ming also said, "Don't worry too much for now. As long as we don't face the Black Ghost, the Earth Master should be able to handle it."
Hua Cheng laughed and said, "The Heavenly Tribulation has chased you all the way to the Black Water Demonic Den. You've thrown its waters into chaos, and you still expect the owner of this area not to notice?"
Suddenly, Shi Wudu's expression changed slightly, and he pulled out a longevity gold lock from his collar. Pei Ming asked, "Brother Shui, what's going on?"
The longevity golden lock seemed to vibrate slightly in his palm. Shi Wudu said, "Qingxuan is nearby... and he's injured!"
Xie Lian looked at the golden locket, which was exactly the same as the one Master Qingxuan had worn that day, removed to protect the formation, and then discarded. He asked, "Master Feng is still wearing the longevity lock? I remember him taking it off."
Shi Wudu said, "I put it away and put it on him."
It turned out that the two longevity locks were forged from two separate pieces of gold. When they were close together and one of their owners was bleeding or injured, they would resonate with the other, with the closer they were, the stronger the resonance. This wasn't caused by magic, but rather a natural quirk, making it unaffected by the ghostly realm. Shi Wudu removed the longevity lock from his neck, held it by the chain in his hand, held it horizontally in front of him, and slowly rotated it. As he faced a certain direction, the vibration of the gold lock suddenly intensified.
That was the direction of the forest, towards the unfathomable center of the isolated island. Shi Wudu concentrated and said, "Qingxuan is currently on this island."
With that, he strode towards the forest. Pei Ming naturally accompanied him. Xie Lian thought for a moment. Since the Wind Master and Earth Master were on the island, and the Wind Master seemed injured and bleeding, he should find them first. He said, "My Lords, there are little devils lurking in the forest. Beware of sneak attacks."
Hua Cheng followed. Xie Lian had initially wanted to take his hand, but remembering his own disgraceful behavior in the coffin boat, he couldn't help but pull back. Finally, he grasped Hua Cheng's sleeve, not daring to look at his expression. Pei Ming, however, kept turning his head, watching intently, saying, "Xueyu Tanhua, Your Highness, you two are truly inseparable. A Ghost King like you, yet you're so brazenly following us? Aren't you trying to avoid suspicion?"
Xie Lian said calmly, "What did General Pei say? Under the circumstances, he's following along to avoid suspicion. Otherwise, if the two masters were in danger and suspected him of something behind their backs, how would he explain himself?"
Pei Ming said, "He's done this much. What difference does it make whether he's in front of us or not? Wouldn't it be easy to use the clone technique?"
Just as he finished speaking, there was a sharp sound of breaking wind. Pei Ming raised his hand and grabbed a hidden arrow. He said, "Sure enough, there's something there. That was a close call! Senior Brother Shui, be careful..."
Before he could finish his sentence, seven or eight hidden arrows flew towards him with a clanging sound. Pei Ming raised his sword and swept them away, wondering, "What's the purpose of this?"
Shi Wudu laughed and said, "Brother Pei, you'd better be careful!" After that, he quickened his pace.
If they were just lurking in the shadows and shooting arrows, there wouldn't be much to fear, but they were annoying. Pei Ming, impatient, flattened the bushes and soon pulled out a few little ghosts. "You're so brave, aren't you?"
Those imps were sallow and thin, mere minions of the lowest rank. Held in his hands, they cowered in terror, begging for mercy. After all, they were guarding someone else's home, so it was understandable to defend against intruders. Pei Ming threatened them with a few words and then let them go. But when he encountered a particularly vicious and cunning one, he simply grabbed it, rolled it into a ball, and slapped it around in his hands as he walked. The four of them traversed the dense forest, brushing against the leaves for an indeterminate amount of time. The resonance of the golden lock in Shi Wudu's hand grew stronger and stronger, until they finally reached a clearing in the center of the forest.
In the center of the forest was a lake. The four of them walked towards it. Suddenly, Pei Ming said, "Xueyu Tanhua, if you keep joking around, I won't tolerate it."
Huacheng and Xie Lian both looked at him, then at each other. Pei Ming frowned and said, "If you want to fight, then do it openly. I'm not on the same side as those thirty-three priests, so I'm not necessarily afraid of you. Pushing you around from time to time is pointless."
Hua Cheng raised his eyebrows and said, "Brother, you have to believe that this has nothing to do with me."
Xie Lian said, “General Pei, he wouldn’t make such a silly joke.”
Pei Ming asked doubtfully, "Really?"
Xie Lian became alert and said, "Be careful, there might be something else on this island causing trouble."
Pei Ming fell silent. At this moment, Shi Wudu slowed down his pace and said, "Here."
The resonance of the Longevity Golden Lock was strongest here, indicating that Shi Qingxuan was here, very close. However, it was clear from here that there was nothing but a lake. Pei Ming asked, "Could there be a palace underground?"
Shi Wudu stared at the water. Xie Lian said, "It's possible that it's at the bottom of the water."
However, one couldn't just dart into the lake on Blackwater Island. If they did, they might not be able to get out. The lake was perfectly calm, like a giant mirror, reflecting the pale, starless moon hanging high in the night sky. The four of them walked around the lake's edge. Xie Lian was contemplating how to explore the depths of the lake when, caught off guard, a scream pierced the night air.
Shi Wudu was walking in front, Pei Ming at the end. The three of them turned back to see the screaming imp Pei Ming had caught on the road. Its emaciated body lay on the ground, its head missing. Black blood spurted from its neck nearly a foot high, its head flying into the air, screaming. Xie Lian asked, "General Pei, why did you suddenly kill it?"
Pei Ming said, "No!" Before he finished speaking, he sank down and landed on one knee. Hua Cheng smiled and said, "Is there no need for such a grand ceremony?"
However, Pei Ming's expression was filled with shock. He shouted, "Senior Brother Shui, be careful!!!"
But what were they supposed to be wary of? There was nothing else beside the lake except the four of them!
Pei Ming seemed trapped by something invisible. Shi Wudu rushed over to help, but a flash of cold light met his face. He dodged it immediately, but a bloodstain still appeared on half of his cheek. He wiped it with his hand, and his expression suddenly changed.
Xie Lian protected Hua Cheng behind him and said, "Invisibility?!"
Pei Ming finally broke free from the invisible object that was suppressing him and shouted, "Gather together! Don't disperse!"
Shi Wudu didn't care about that. He sensed that the longevity lock was resonating again, and ran around the lake with it, shouting loudly: "Qingxuan! Qingxuan!"
The scene was in utter chaos. However, in the midst of this chaos, Xie Lian suddenly discovered something extremely strange.
The edge of the lakeshore was empty and flat, with nothing there. However, the shore reflected in the lake was not like that.
In the reflection, on the other side of the lake, stood a pitch-black building. The house was eerie, not like a place for human habitation, but more like a prison cell. There was no door, only a single tall window, sealed mercilessly by iron bars. And from within the bars, a pale hand waved desperately, as if begging for help.
Xie Lian suddenly looked up, glancing towards the other side. Indeed, there was nothing there. Shi Wudu was holding the longevity lock. Looking down again, the reflection in the lake revealed a truly forbidding iron prison. Shi Wudu was now standing before this prison, looking around, but couldn't see it at all.
He blurted out, "My Lords! Found it! Look..."
At this moment, his pupils suddenly contracted. Something new appeared in the Black Water Lake.
A dark figure appeared silently behind him and Huacheng.
The author has something to say: That day, I always thought I was the coldest prince, but I found myself stone-cold~
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