Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: I Have Acquaintances in the Heavenly Realm - Chapter 30

Lan Wangji flew his sword closer to Wei Wuxian, who immediately hopped onto Bichen. Wei Wuxian patted his chest; standing on Bichen always felt more secure standing in mid-air with nothing under his feet was still a bit unnerving.

He turned to Lan Wangji and said with a smile, “Lan Zhan, look—being a Heavenly Official is truly wonderful. They don’t even need to fly by sword; they can just stand and fly in thin air.”

Lan Wangji nodded. “Mn.”

Once he had steadied himself, Wei Wuxian turned back to He Xuan. “Lord Ghost King, what is the method you mentioned?”

He Xuan replied, “A Water Abyss is also an evil entity produced by the resentment of ghosts. Since it is composed of ghostly resentment, it can naturally be controlled.”

Wei Wuxian understood He Xuan’s meaning immediately. However, this Water Abyss was so formidable and massive—how could it be easily controlled, let alone completely eradicated?

Clearly, Lan Wangji was thinking along the same lines. His brow furrowed slightly as he asked, “How can it be easily controlled?”

He Xuan said flatly, “That is why I said there is a way; it only depends on whether you can do it.”

Wei Wuxian rubbed his chin thoughtfully. After a moment, he said, “Many thanks, Lord Ghost King. Regardless of whether it can be done, it is at least a solution. It’s better than draining the lake and letting the bed bake in the sun.”

Lan Wangji said urgently, “Wei Ying!”

Wei Wuxian took Lan Wangji’s hand and said, “Lan Zhan, I know! ‘Do not overreach, act within one’s capabilities,’ right? We’ll think of a way together; this is just one option, isn’t it? Don’t worry, I won’t act recklessly like I did in my past life. My person and my life belong to Hanguang-jun now—I will definitely cherish my life.”

Only then did Lan Wangji relax. “Mn.”

Wei Wuxian left several talismans around the perimeter of Biling Lake; if there was any change in the Water Abyss, he would receive a notification. Since it couldn’t be suppressed for now, this was all they could do until they returned to brainstorm further.

The Gusu Lan Sect had also sent disciples to inform the residents of Caiyi Town to stay out of the water for the time being, to avoid disturbing the Water Abyss and causing further loss of life.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji returned to Cloud Recesses first. The matter of the Water Abyss was urgent; they had to report to Lan Qiren and the sect elders immediately to discuss if there were any better solutions.

Xie Lian and the others remained in Caiyi Town. The town was built alongside the lake, and the encroachment of the Water Abyss had caused significant psychological and logistical distress for the residents. The Biling Lake they had relied on for generations had suddenly become a monster that swallowed the living. They had no choice but to pray silently that the “immortals” of Cloud Recesses would quickly restore the lake to its original state.

The streets, usually bustling, now saw only a few scattered vendors. It was the peak of loquat season, but the beautiful golden fruits sat lonely and ignored. The young girls who sold them had no heart for calling out to customers; they sat by the shore with their baskets, chins resting in their hands, gazing gloomily at Biling Lake.

Though it wasn’t lively at the moment, the architecture and decor of Caiyi Town spoke of its usual prosperity. Xie Lian approached a young girl selling loquats and asked with a smile, “Excuse me, how much are these loquats?”

The girl, who had been lost in thought, turned around. Seeing a white-clad youth who was exceptionally handsome smiling at her, she immediately blushed with shyness. She reached out and took two loquats, saying softly, “No charge. I’ll give them to you.”

Xie Lian replied, “How can I take them for free? Since I am taking your loquats, I must pay for them.”

The girl said, “They won’t sell anyway. Besides, you’re good-looking, so I want to give them to you.”

Shi Qingxuan reached up to tidy his hair and said with a laugh, “Little sister, look at me—am I good-looking? Can you give me two to eat as well?”

The girl looked up and saw a strikingly beautiful woman, as lovely as a goddess descended to earth. In her life, she had seen many handsome men many of the immortals at Cloud Recesses were very good-looking but such a beautiful woman was rare. She stood up happily and said, “Sister, you are so pretty! This is the first time I’ve ever seen a woman as beautiful as you.”

Shi Qingxuan laughed even harder. “Then, little sister, can you give this sister two loquats to eat?”

The girl nodded. “Of course! You’re so pretty, I’ll give you a few extra.” She took four loquats from her basket and handed them to Shi Qingxuan.

Shi Qingxuan took them and gave Xie Lian a triumphant wink. Xie Lian shook his head helplessly.

Xie Lian gave a light cough and asked, “When did Biling Lake become like this? Do you know, miss?”

The girl, A-Nan, replied, “About seven or eight days ago. The water started getting darker and the current got faster. But we people of Caiyi Town are expert swimmers—we grew up on this lake—so a faster current isn’t a huge problem for us. But early this morning, the water turned completely black, and it started swallowing people…”

Seven or eight days ago? Wasn’t that exactly when they had first met Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji? As expected, the breaking of the restrictions had caused some ill things to change.

Xie Lian thanked the girl and insisted on paying, eventually buying an entire basket of loquats to take back to Cloud Recesses.

On the way back, Shi Qingxuan ate a loquat and asked, “Your Highness, can we really not help?”

Xie Lian looked at the sky and said, “It’s not that we can’t help, but that we must not. Such is the Heavenly Way; no one can reverse it. Furthermore, Master Wei and the Second Master Lan are the saviors of this cultivation world. If we intervene recklessly, this world will fall into chaos, and their destinies will be affected.” Thinking of the Kingdom of Xianle and his former self, Xie Lian said earnestly, “Qingxuan, the Heavenly Way cannot be reversed.”

Shi Qingxuan sighed, “Sigh! Then we can only hope Master Wei and the others can resolve the Water Abyss quickly and return peace to Caiyi Town. The wine here is so good, the loquats are delicious, and the girls are so…”

He Xuan suddenly stopped walking. “The girls are what?”

Shi Qingxuan smiled and said, “The girls are so generous! Hahahaha, didn’t she just give us loquats?” Having said that, he peeled a loquat for He Xuan, removed the pit, and held it to He Xuan’s lips.

He Xuan ate the loquat and said flatly, “We’re almost at the mountain gate. Qingxuan, change back.”

Shi Qingxuan opened his mouth to speak, but Xie Lian added, “Yes, Qingxuan, you should change back. Don’t let the others see you; we don’t want to cause unnecessary trouble.”

Shi Qingxuan nodded. “Alright.” With a shimmer of light, he transformed back into his male form.

The disciples guarding the gate saw the four return carrying a basket of loquats. Hanguang-jun had specifically instructed that these four were honored guests. They immediately stepped forward to take the basket, saying, “Daozhang Xie, these loquats are heavy. I will have someone deliver them to the Jingshi shortly.”

Xie Lian smiled and said, “Then I shall trouble you.”