Chapter 202: The Floating Island in the Endless Sea
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A few days later, a group of one hundred gathered at the gates of Aspiration Pavilion, preparing to journey to the Floating Island. Yu Zhao, Zhou Jin Yue, and Zhang Jun had just arrived when Mo Ci from Hundred Flowers Valley approached them, eager to share the latest gossip.
“Jin Yue, Zhao Zhao, have you heard? The eldest senior brother of Tai Bai Academy has lost his mind and gone mad.”
Zhou Jin Yue and Zhang Jun were both stunned.
“Are you talking about Li Jing Rang from Tai Bai Academy? He’s gone mad?” Zhang Jun asked in disbelief.
Mo Ci nodded mysteriously. “That’s right. Him.”
Zhou Jin Yue frowned. This seemed unusual. She vividly remembered her last argument with Li Jing Rang. He didn’t seem like someone who would lose his mind so easily.
As she pondered, she noticed Zhang Jun craning his neck to look toward the disciples of Heavenly Sword Sect. With a swift motion, she turned his head back and scolded, “Don’t stare!”
Zhang Jun withdrew his neck, obediently listening to his senior sister’s reprimand.
Mo Ci chuckled in delight. She knew Zhou Jin Yue wouldn’t shallowly attribute Li Jing Rang’s madness to Liu Zheng calling off the engagement. From her perspective, this was just karma.
“Serves him right,” Mo Ci added. “Li Jing Rang always aimed higher than his abilities. Trying to balance two relationships? Now the ship has sunk. He had it coming.”
She glanced at Yu Zhao, who seemed lost in thought, her expression calm and devoid of any glee. This reassured Mo Ci even further.
Meanwhile, the disciples of Heavenly Sword Sect glared fiercely at anyone daring to spy on their Senior Sister Liu Zheng. If this wasn’t a clear case of “innocent bystander,” then what was? Li Jing Rang’s own flirtations had backfired. Liu Zheng’s decision to annul the engagement was simply cutting her losses. What fault could there be?
Liu Zheng herself wasn’t overly affected by the incident. However, seeing her junior disciples standing up for her filled her with warmth. Her sword was meant to protect her sect, not dwell on worldly entanglements. If given another chance, she would make the same choice.
After some time, the sect leaders of the Seven Great Sects arrived together. Since the medium required to open the pathway to the Floating Island was jointly guarded by the seven sect masters, all of them needed to be present.
However, besides the expected sect masters, an unexpected figure also appeared.
A cold, piercing gaze landed on Yu Zhao. She remained indifferent, her focus unflinchingly fixed on Sect Master Ji Yuan, not even sparing the slightest glance at the owner of that gaze. Master Qing Yan withdrew his icy stare with equal apathy.
Sect Master Ji Yuan, who had been about to speak, faltered and hesitated, his emotions clearly conflicted.
Meanwhile, tension simmered between the leader of Tai Bai Academy and Sect Leader Chong Yang of Heavenly Sword Sect, as Li Jing Rang’s scandal had evidently strained their relations. Sect Master Bai Lian, sensing an impending storm, wasted no time. He produced the flying boat and urged everyone aboard, skipping any formalities.
The flying boat soon departed Aspiration Pavilion, heading toward the Endless Sea. This vast expanse lay between the Southern and Western regions, perpetually shrouded in mist, its boundaries seemingly infinite. With its sparse spiritual energy and barren resources, few cultivators ventured here—except for the occasional treasure hunter hoping to find the entrance to the Floating Island.
Upon disembarking, the group was met with humid mist clinging to their skin. The surroundings were utterly deserted.
Before proceeding, Sect Master Bai Lian addressed the group with solemnity. “Before entering the Floating Island, there are a few things to keep in mind. The island remains accessible for exactly one year. Once the passage closes, you will be ejected from the island, so make the most of your time there.
“Secondly, though it’s called an island, the terrain is treacherous and ever-changing. Danger lurks around every corner. A single misstep could cost you your life. Caution is paramount.”
His stern words resonated, and the group collectively agreed, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“Let us begin,” Bai Lian instructed.
Sect Master Bai Lian glanced at the other sect masters and chuckled lightly.
Moments later, seven beams of spiritual light emerged from the sect masters, converging into a seven-colored pillar of radiance. The vibrant hues illuminated the surroundings as the mist seemed to come alive, churning violently. A vortex, about the size of a fist, gradually formed at its center. As time passed, the light from the pillar grew increasingly dazzling, and the vortex expanded. Eventually, it became a passageway large enough for two people to walk side by side.
“The passage has opened. Enter in order of rank,” announced Sect Master Bai Lian.
As per tradition, sect teams would proceed first, followed by individual cultivators. Leading the way was Zhou Jin Yue’s five-person team, stepping into the vortex. They were followed by the Heavenly Sword Sect, where Liu Zheng was part of the team.
Despite her unique status, Yu Zhao chose to abide by the rules rather than entering with Zhou Jin Yue’s team. She stayed back to enter alongside the individual competitors.
The groups moved swiftly, and before long, it was Yu Zhao’s turn. Just as she stepped into the vortex, Master Qing Yan discreetly cast a spell that landed on the hem of her garment. None of the disciples noticed, including Yu Zhao herself, but Sect Master Ji Yuan and the other sect masters were well aware.
Sect Master Ji Yuan’s expression darkened. He had anticipated this. “Qing Yan, what did you just do to Yu Zhao?” he demanded.
The other sect masters turned to Qing Yan with puzzled looks, curious about his motives. Qing Yan remained silent, summoning a large water mirror. The mirror reflected Yu Zhao walking through the passage.
Sect Master Ji Yuan reacted with alarm, attempting to shatter the mirror, but Qing Yan blocked him. “Are you afraid?” Qing Yan asked mockingly.
Ji Yuan was incensed by this accusation, his tone icy. “Yu Zhao is not a criminal!”
“You wish to take Yu Zhao as your disciple? Let me show you her true nature,” Qing Yan replied coldly. His piercing gaze conveyed his resolve.
Originally, Qing Yan intended to give Yu Zhao a chance for redemption. However, her defiance and stubbornness made him feel he could not allow the Five Elements Dao Sect’s legacy of thousands of years to be tarnished. He was determined to prevent Sect Master Ji Yuan from taking her under his wing.
Sect Master Ji Yuan scoffed, his voice heavy with sarcasm. “What a farce! This is pure prejudice!”
Knowing Yu Zhao’s every action would now be under Qing Yan’s scrutiny, Ji Yuan regretted not being more cautious earlier. Although the other sect masters were critical of Qing Yan’s actions, they refrained from interfering since it was an internal matter of the Five Elements Dao Sect. Nevertheless, they were curious to see if Yu Zhao truly embodied the traits Qing Yan claimed—a hypocrite unworthy of her position.
Amidst their mixed emotions, a sudden cry broke the tension. “Why did the passage close? I haven’t gone in yet!”
Sect Master Bai Lian and the others turned to see a panicked cultivator. He was the replacement for the twentieth individual spot. According to tradition, the Floating Island passage would only close after admitting the hundredth person, which would have been him. Yet, it had shut prematurely.
Had the rules changed? Or had someone slipped into the passage unnoticed, taking his place?
This unexpected development left the sect masters in confusion and concern. A significant issue had just arisen.