The white-robed immortal's eyes were as clear and cold as ice. Her three thousand strands of black hair, swayed by the ocean currents, resembled black lotuses blooming in the sea, both ghostly and pure.
She faced the colossal eyeball with an unchanged expression and stated matter-of-factly, "I will borrow your dragon pearl, and I will return it another day."
The golden dragon clearly had no intention of lending out its treasure. With a flick of its murderous tail, waves like a whirlpool surged towards her.
[Return my dragon pearl!]
A majestic, low voice boomed in her ears, as if echoing, causing the entire sea to tremble.
With its sharp dragon claws, it could easily cleave stone with a gentle sweep, and its speed was astonishing, almost measured in seconds.
Shen Yue was not so thick-skinned. It was her first time stealing something, and she dared not challenge the dragon. She could only maintain a cold and noble demeanor, dodging and weaving. Compared to the terrifyingly massive golden dragon, Shen Yue was minuscule. In the golden dragon's eyes, she was likely no more than an ant, yet ants that scurried about were difficult to catch.
This further enraged the golden dragon. It reared its head and roared, causing the entire sea to vibrate.
[Damn it!]
[Damn it!]
The Dragon King was furious.
This single dragon's roar made the entire surface of the sea churn. Shen Yue covered her ears, feeling as though her eardrums were about to shatter. Even after the sound ceased, her ears buzzed incessantly.
It's over. What if there are after-effects? She was already blind, and becoming deaf too would be truly tragic.
***
Elder Ye was the most leisurely elder of the Qingyun Sect. Perhaps it was because he had lived longer and seen more, which had turned him into a serene, Buddha-like being. He was not as fixated on the path of seeking enlightenment through sealing demons as other immortals.
Instead, he harbored a particular fondness for various medicinal herbs and plants. For the past few centuries, he had delved deeply into the art of medicine.
His courtyard was almost entirely filled with flowers and plants. Each flower and grass was no ordinary object; they were greatly beneficial immortal items for cultivators.
Every blade of grass and every bloom here was personally watered and nurtured by him. No one else was allowed to touch them; he cherished them dearly.
Elder Ye was tending to his flowers and plants, humming an unknown tune leisurely.
"Elder Ye."
The clear, cold voice startled Elder Ye. He turned his head, his eyes widening in disbelief. The wooden spoon in his hand clattered to the ground in shock.
"You, what is this!"
The white-robed immortal's face was pale, but her full lips were as red as ripe, dewy roses. Her hair ornament was still impeccable, though less rigid than before. A soft, snow-white cloth covered her eyes, and a few strands of hair fell beside her cheeks. Her face, radiant as a blooming crabapple, was like a figure from an ink painting.
Although it seemed there was nothing overtly wrong, Elder Ye detected a strong scent of blood.
He wondered who in this world could possibly injure Xi Yu.
Shen Yue pressed her unnaturally red lips together and said, "Let's talk inside."
Elder Ye immediately dropped the wooden bucket he was holding and led Shen Yue into the palace. As soon as the door closed, Elder Ye eagerly pressed for answers.
"What exactly happened? Your injuries..."
A tickle rose in Shen Yue's throat, which she suppressed with a cough. She opened her palm, and a faint, golden pearl appeared, radiating a soft light.
Elder Ye peered closely and realized it was a dragon pearl!
"You!" Elder Ye's eyes widened, and his beard puffed up in anger. "You actually ventured into the sea alone to snatch a dragon pearl!"
Shen Yue subtly corrected him, "It wasn't snatching; I just wanted to borrow it for a while. Elder Ye, the dragon pearl contains a soul and even has the function of strengthening meridians and bones. I wish to ask you for a favor."
Elder Ye glared at her, his breath coming in puffs.
"What? Is it for your little disciple again?"
The immortal with the white cloth covering her eyes lowered her head slightly, the pale golden dragon pearl floating quietly in her palm.
"Indeed."
Upon hearing this, Elder Ye sighed. "Xi Yu, do not take my words as harsh, but your disciple is a rare talentless individual, utterly unsuited for cultivation. No matter how many treasures you throw at her, it will only be like adding fuel to the fire, a complete waste of effort."
Shen Yue remained unwavering. She simply stated with resolve, "There will always be a way."
Seeing Shen Yue so stubbornly persistent, Elder Ye stopped trying to persuade her. After all, he had tried to advise her numerous times over the years, but Shen Yue had never heeded his words.
He took the dragon pearl and then looked at the pale-faced Shen Yue.
"You are injured. Let me take a look."
He could smell the strong scent of blood emanating from Shen Yue from a hundred meters away.
Her fingers, white and delicate as jade, curled slightly. Shen Yue shook her head, refusing. Her concern lay with something else. "It's nothing, just a minor injury. When will the marrow-cleansing pills be ready?"
Elder Ye's mouth trembled with anger. "Do you cherish that disciple so much? More than your own life?"
Shen Yue merely replied, "It's a minor injury; it will heal in a few days."
In his anger, Elder Ye grabbed Shen Yue's hand hanging by her side and rolled up her wide sleeves, revealing a wound that went deep to the bone.
"How can it heal in a few days? Do you know the Dragon King's claws are highly poisonous!"
Shen Yue fell silent at this, lowering her head slightly. Before Elder Ye, she was rarely seen like a child being reprimanded by a parent.
"This poison is more harmful to those with higher cultivation. Each time it acts up, it will feel like being in an ice cave. The cold will permeate your very marrow, and you will become like a block of ice, silent and motionless, like a living dead person."
To be honest, Shen Yue had not realized the dragon poison was so potent. At first, she hadn't taken it seriously. But hearing Elder Ye describe it so gravely, she couldn't help but furrow her brows. Her pale, flawless skin, like fine white jade, looked sickly. After a long silence, she finally asked, "Can this poison be dispelled?"
"It cannot be dispelled, it cannot be dispelled." Elder Ye, seeing her utter indifference, as if she held her own life in no regard, felt exasperated. "Just wait to become a living dead person."
Shen Yue knew Elder Ye was venting his frustration, so she didn't press for more information. Instead, she returned to her earlier question.
"How long will the marrow-cleansing pills take?"
Elder Ye was truly infuriated by this question. He had watched Shen Yue grow up and knew her personality was as stubborn and unyielding as a rock. She was so persistent that she would likely run headfirst into a wall and refuse to turn back.
He also knew that arguing with Shen Yue would only result in him being the one to get angry. Elder Ye held his forehead, utterly exasperated.
"It will be ready within a month. And you, do not go anywhere. Stay here with me and rest."
Shen Yue hesitated. She had promised to return after one year, and if she delayed further, the deadline would be breached. She worried that Rong Hua might throw a tantrum then.