Shen Gurong remained expressionless, four large characters flashing across his forehead: "Expelled from the Sect."
Wen Liubing, half-hanging from the boat's edge, despite vomiting profusely, still bravely promised Shen Gurong, mumbling, "Master, everything is entrusted to Sanshui... umm."
He then vomited again.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Just keep vomiting, you little radish.
Shen Gurong had given up all hope on this person named Sanshui who was seasick. The small boat swayed precariously beneath his feet, the menacing cries of water ghosts filled his ears, and everyone around him was useless.
Oh, Mu Zhe doesn't count; he's still a child.
Shen Gurong secretly tried to activate his spiritual power again, only to find that, just like last time, it wouldn't circulate within the water ghost's barrier.
Xue Manzhuang finally snapped out of his daze. Completely confused, he didn't even consider why he was in this strange place. His first instinct upon seeing Shen Gurong was to lunge at him.
But the moment he moved, the entire boat began to rock violently again. Mu Zhe stumbled and fell overboard, but Shen Gurong swiftly caught him in his arms.
Wen Liubing vomited even more violently beside him.
Shen Gurong, holding Mu Zhe, felt a terrible headache coming on: "Xue Manzhuang, can you transform back into your demon form?"
Xue Manzhuang swayed back and forth, still calling out "Feng Xue." Hearing this, he seemed like a well-trained spirit pet, chirping and transforming on the spot into a phoenix with shimmering, iridescent feathers, flapping his wings and obediently flying onto Shen Gurong's shoulder.
The boat's weight instantly lessened considerably; at least it was no longer swaying precariously like before.
Xue Manzhuang squatted in front of Shen Gurong, his little mouth smacking, "Chirp chirp chirp!"
Shen Gurong was startled, then realized, "You can use spiritual power?"
Xue Manzhuang looked blank, tilting his head and chirping, "Chirp?"
Wen Liubing weakly explained to his master, "The only people who can't use spiritual power within the water ghost barrier are those who make eye contact with him. Xue Manzhuang was caught up in it because of the phoenix spiritual power within you, so he doesn't count."
In short, of the four, only Shen Gurong couldn't use spiritual power; the others were completely unaffected by the water ghost barrier.
Shen Gurong's lips twitched. He looked at Xue Manzhuang, who looked completely bewildered and only knew how to peck at him, and Mu Zhe, who seemed terrified and was buried in his arms. He placed his last hope on Wen Liubing, hoping he could be of even the slightest use.
Wen Liubing… Wen Liubing vomited again.
Shen Gurong: "…"
Fine, he'd have to rely on himself after all.
The sound of a boat approaching slowly drew near, and soon the water ghost's figure appeared in the thick fog.
He emerged from the fog, his pale eyes fixed on Shen Gurong. His palms seemed stained with even more blood as he paddled into the water, each stroke leaving a trail of bright red blood on the dark surface, a bizarre sight.
The water ghost said, "Shen Feng Xue."
Shen Gurong forced himself to stay upright and nodded slightly, "We meet again."
Mu Zhe, who was holding Shen Gurong's lean waist, overheard Shen Gurong thinking: "Ugh, he's so ugly! We're both blind, but I, the Holy Lord, am as beautiful as a celestial being."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Shen Gurong watched him get closer, outwardly calm as if he already had a plan, but inwardly he was panicking: This water ghost doesn't seem to be very bright. No, he had to think of a way to coax him again.
Mu Zhe: "..."
What does '...coax him' mean?
Was he just ignorant, or was his master just too good at inventing new words?
He wondered what kind of teacher could produce an oddball such as Shen Gurong.
Xue Manzhuang, perched on his shoulder, was extremely excited. This was the first time he had been so close to Shen Gurong without any resistance.
In his excitement, he instinctively started pecking at Shen Gurong's face.
Shen Gurong, deep in thought, turned his head to dodge Xue Manzhuang's sharp beak. Growing impatient, he simply raised his hand to shield his face.
Xue Manzhuang, in his excitement, accidentally pecked the back of Shen Gurong's hand, leaving a red mark on his jade-like hand, which quickly oozed blood.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Xue Manzhuang: "..."
Shen Gurong, clinging to his last shred of dignity as the Holy Lord, refrained from beating Xue Manzhuang to the ground. Xue Manzhuang, probably realizing he'd caused trouble, timidly stepped forward and swallowed the drop of blood.
Wen Liubing was a beat slower, saying, "Don't..."
But it was too late.
The next moment, a flash of red light enveloped Xue Manzhuang and Shen Gurong, and a complex talisman seemed to spin rapidly beneath their feet, slowly forming a chain that locked itself in place.
A locking sound echoed in the void, followed by the slow disappearance of the light.
Shen Gurong was completely bewildered, not understanding what had happened.
Wen Liubing weakly said, "The demon race and cultivators form a blood pact, the array contract is complete, and Xue Manzhuang is now Master's spirit beast..."
Every time he turned to speak to Shen Gurong, he would turn away and vomit. If Shen Gurong didn't know Wen Liubing was afraid of water, he would have wondered if he was so repulsive to make him feel this way.
Shen Gurong's lips twitched slightly: "But I didn't intend to form a pact with him."
Shen Gurong roughly understood the existence of pacts from Shen Feng Xue's memories. Among cultivators, disciples, daoist partners, demon beasts, and even spiritual artifacts, they all have corresponding pacts, but usually, both parties need to be willing for the spirit array to activate.
Xue Manzhuang...
Wen Liubing said, "Xue Manzhuang's pact with Master isn't a natal spirit beast pact, but a spirit beast recognizing its master pact... um."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong thought, "Just go ahead and vomit, don't say anything."
Seeing that Shen Gurong wasn't asking any more questions, Wen Liubing continued vomiting.
Xue Manzhuang, completely oblivious, stared blankly at Shen Gurong, tilting his head, unaware that he had just betrayed himself.
If word got out that the young master of the demon race had recognized a human cultivator as his master, the world would surely laugh their heads off.
However, Shen Gurong couldn't afford to think too much now, because the water ghost was right before him.
After the water ghost arrived, he grasped the boat pole in his palm, using it as a guiding stick, gently probing the inky water.
He was three steps away from Shen Gurong's boat. The boat's pole protruded, and a subtle change appeared on the water ghost's face. He whispered, "Why are there four this time?"
Shen Gurong, feigning ignorance, said calmly, "Zhuxie Sect already knows about your journey from Dongting to Fuxian City, during which you've slaughtered innocent lives. Do you really think you can kill me right under Zhuxie's nose?"
The water ghost paused, his brow furrowing slightly.
Were the other three Zhuxie disciples who had followed them?
Seeing that he seemed to be wavering because of his feigned strength, Shen Gurong was about to feel secretly pleased when the water ghost suddenly said, "No, that's not right."
Shen Gurong gasped again, "Hmm?"
The water ghost tilted his head slightly, the oars bobbing gently, stirring ripples. "No, although there are four people on the boat, one has incomplete spiritual power, one is a demon cub, and the other… although his spiritual power is formidable, he's currently a tangled mess, no match for me at all."
Shen Gurong: "…"
Shen Gurong hadn't expected that someone so blind could so accurately sense the spiritual power of others, and immediately became somewhat uneasy.
After the water ghost finished speaking, a slight, sinister smile appeared on his lips. "You're panicking. I knew I was right."
The boat looked crowded, but not a single one of them was a real fighter.
Shen Gurong's hands trembled with panic. Mu Zhe, who had been supporting his swaying body with the arm he was holding, looked up slightly at his pale face.
Shen Gurong looked down and met his gaze, assuming he was terrified. He forced a hug and whispered, "Don't be afraid."
Mu Zhe's eyes widened slightly, and he hesitated for a moment before nodding gently.
Knowing Shen Gurong was probably terrified, his calves cramping, yet he was still trying to comfort himself, Mu Zhe's heart trembled slightly. He reached out and gently rubbed Shen Gurong's cold palm.
I'm not afraid, and you shouldn't be afraid either.
Shen Gurong didn't notice Mu Zhe's action; his gaze was fixed on the boat pole in the water ghost's hand.
He remembered that the last time he escaped the water ghost's barrier, it seemed the water ghost had tapped the side of his boat with that pole.
Shen Gurong took a deep breath, watching the water ghost approach, and silently made a decision.
If it gets any closer, I'll leap over and snatch the boat pole. Shen Gurong, naive and innocent, thought that sending Sanshui and the others out first would be fine.
Mu Zhe was stunned again, gripping Shen Gurong's hand even tighter.
Shen Gurong, when nervous, tended to overthink: Ah, I'm truly a wonderful master in the Three Realms.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe almost choked, barely managing to hold back a cough.
His master's true nature was truly...
Indescribable.
Shen Gurong stared intently at the water ghost approaching him, calculating the distance in his mind.
Just half a step more, just half a step.
He stared intently at the water ghost's boat pole. Just as the boat was about to approach, the water ghost suddenly stopped.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Come on then!
The water ghost, perhaps guessing his thoughts, smirked coldly, raised its long boat pole, and slammed it down hard on Shen Gurong's boat. He also "knocked," but with just one strike, he snapped the entire boat in half.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong: "!!!"
The boat beneath their feet was instantly broken by the boat pole, and the three of them, along with a bird, plummeted straight into the dark water.
Xue Manzhuang was startled, screaming shrilly as he grabbed Shen Gurong's white hair, trying to hold him back from falling.
In the chaos, a lock of Shen Gurong's white hair was snapped off, causing him to nearly cry out in pain.
Xue Manzhuang, hair in his mouth, eyes filled with tears, desperately flew upwards, only realizing after a moment that he only had a broken lock of hair; the beauty was still below.
Xue Manzhuang: "!!!"
Xue Manzhuang, tears still streaming down his face, flew back down.
But when he flew back and saw the scene on the water, he froze for a moment, then his eyes practically sparkled with hearts.
On the dark water, Shen Gurong's boat had become a pile of wood chips, replaced by vast fields of lotus flowers that seemed to have sprung up from nowhere.
The dying Wen Liubing and little Mu zhe sat amidst the lotus blossoms, unswallowed by the water.
And the source of Xue Manzhuang's excited chirping—Shen Gurong—was dressed in a blue robe, his feet resting on white lotuses, his white hair disheveled and draped over the lotus leaves, not a single strand of it touching the polluted water.
Shen Gurong had no idea what had happened. He only felt a powerful surge of spiritual energy erupt within him in the chaos, and when he regained consciousness, he was standing atop a lotus flower with an air of profound mystery.
His calves trembled slightly with lingering fear, but he forced a cold, aloof demeanor, coldly staring at the stunned water ghost.
The water ghosts, seemingly surprised that he could use spiritual power, froze for a moment before lifting the boat pole, creating streaks of inky water. They transformed into vengeful spirits, baring their fangs and claws, and lunged at Shen Gurong.
Shen Gurong remained expressionless, his eyes icy cold.
He thought: Ah! A ghost!
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe thought that if he told anyone what Shen Gurong was thinking, he would definitely be called delusional.
The Holy Lord Shen, noble as a snow lotus, unapproachable, how could he possibly be afraid of ghosts and have a talkative, impulsive nature?!
Just as the vengeful spirits were about to pounce, Shen Gurong suddenly heard a helpless sigh beside him.
Shen Gurong was startled, and before he could react, he felt someone appear behind him.
He turned his head slightly, but saw no one.
The seemingly invisible person exuded a familiar, chilling aura, slowly extending a hand to grasp Shen Gurong's cold fingers. Only then did Shen Gurong realize that a spirit sword had appeared in his hand.
It was still Shen Feng Xue's natal sword—Lin Xia Chun.
The person behind him held his hand, helping him raise the sword. With a gentle swing, like a child playing with a wooden sword, the hideous vengeful spirit paused for a moment, then suddenly exploded in mid-air, turning into drops of dark water that splashed into the water like a heavy rain.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Who is this? This is me?
The person behind him was close to him, gently holding his wrist.
Despite this eerie scene, Shen Gurong surprisingly didn't feel afraid. He even had a moment to let his mind wander, feeling as if this sensation was similar to when he was a child learning to write, his teacher holding him close and teaching him calligraphy.
A voice from behind whispered, "That's how you use a sword. Have you learned it?"
Shen Gurong suddenly trembled and whispered, "You are... Shen Feng Xue?"
The person didn't speak, seemingly acknowledging it.
He gently grasped Shen Gurong's hand, his voice clear and cold like a deep pool: "You must learn how to survive on your own."
Shen Gurong frowned, about to ask again, when the hand slowly dissipated.
Because of the sudden release of the person's grip, Shen Gurong's hand, holding Lin Xia Chun, sank, almost falling off the sword.
Shen Gurong immediately gripped the sword tightly, and the water ghost condensed its vengeful spirits again, now close at hand.
He had no time to think, desperately recalling the sword techniques Shen Feng Xue had taught him, and facing the countless vengeful spirits that lunged at him again, he raised his sword and swung it without blinking.
With a deafening boom, Lin Xia Chun's power was astonishing, severing all the vengeful spirits that lunged at him again.
The vengeful spirits transformed into water droplets, pouring down like a torrential rain onto the water's surface with a soft, pattering sound.
Mu Zhe and Wen Liubing were both stunned.
The water ghost stood completely frozen in place, gripping the boat pole tightly, its expression a mixture of fear and coldness as it stared at Shen Gurong.
Shen Gurong, dressed in a blue robe, stood with his eyes lowered amidst a lotus growing from the polluted water, his ethereal beauty like that of a celestial being.
Quickly, Wen Liubing was the first to react, his eyes shining as he exclaimed, "Master is mighty!"
At the same time, Mu Zhe heard his master praising himself in his mind.
"The Holy Lord is mighty! Shen Weifeng truly lives up to his reputation!"
Shen Gurong was unusually excited, starting to act as if he were having a sleepy spell, entertaining himself and putting on a show for himself.
Shen Weifeng! Young Master Shen is a peerless hero, let us admire your magnificence once more with a single sword strike!
No, I need to keep a low profile.
Please, Holy Lord Shen.
Alright then.
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe buried his head in a lotus flower, his shoulders trembling slightly.
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