Madam, please ascend.

Chapter 383 The Time of Three
Now that Lan Zhenxin had finally met Yun Yi, she stopped taking her time and sped up her pace.

Several days later, the ship sailed to a seemingly ordinary body of water. Lan Zhenxin stopped the ship and stood there, carefully looking around.

"We've arrived. Guixu is just ahead."

Yun Yi sent out his divine sense to probe beneath the seawater and found that although the outside appeared peaceful, there was a hidden mystery beneath.

It was a tangled, spherical mass, or perhaps a storm hidden beneath the sea. Within it, spiritual energy was chaotic, forming a complex network of pathways on its surface.

Even from a great distance, Yun Yi could feel the terrifying power contained within. Even if someone at the Dao Integration Realm were to rashly enter, they would be deeply trapped and unable to extricate themselves.

Another unexpected thing is that, from a distance, Guixu seems to be alive, expanding and contracting at times, accompanied by a rhythmic breathing.

The waterways in all directions are like strands of hair, swaying gently with the waves, seemingly light and graceful, but actually concealing deadly dangers.

Yun Yi withdrew his divine sense and sighed, "No wonder the Longevity Realm has never been discovered for thousands of years. Hiding in a place like this, whether you can find it or not is one thing, but whether you can leave alive if you encounter it is another."

Lan Zhenxin: "Are you confident you can get out of here unscathed?"

"It's difficult. Even if I can use my sword energy to create an area unaffected by the turbulence, I can't hold it for long."

“I tried to get closer before, but unfortunately my poison technique is much less effective underwater.”

Yun Yi: "Your best move, 'Golden Toad Shedding Its Shell,' doesn't work either?"

Lan Zhenxin said dejectedly, "The golden toad is afraid of water, so this move is completely useless."

Yun Yi sighed, "So, if we hadn't run into Su Qing and learned about the King of Brocade Dragon, you were planning to force your way in with me and Bai Ze?"

"Hehe, that's exactly what I meant."

Yun Yi looked up at the sky. The sun was setting, and half of it had already been swallowed by the sea.

The three of them traveled a long way in the East China Sea and were about to reach the "cape" when the sun set. Once the sun set, the sea would be completely shrouded in darkness.

Exploring the Ruins by moonlight alone would clearly not be a good option.

There's no need to rush in finding the Longevity Realm, Yun Yi said. "Why don't we rest for the night and wait until sunrise tomorrow before taking action?"

Lan Zhenxin naturally had no objections; after all, Guixu wouldn't grow two legs and run away. Besides, tomorrow would definitely require a lot of energy, so she needed to conserve her strength tonight.

Su Qing stood alone at the bow of the ship, leaning against the mast, gazing at the distant sunset.

As the sun sets, a ripple of crimson gold spreads across the horizon, and the clouds in the sky gradually change from pink to purplish-red.

A serene stillness descended at dusk, save for the gentle lapping of waves against the hull, which then splashed up tiny, shimmering sparkles.

Yun Yi quietly walked to Su Qing's side, and the white Ze beast on his shoulder was immediately tinged with a warm orange color.

He could tell that Su Qing was unhappy, but he didn't know what to say to break the deadlock.

The last time they met, the woman was just beginning to experience love, but in the blink of an eye, her beloved had gotten married, which really bothered her.

Lan Zhenxin leaned against the carved ship's side not far away, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the wood grain. She threw some small insects into the water, all non-toxic little things, which attracted many sea fish to fight over them, making it quite lively.

She glanced at the couple stealthily, secretly thinking to herself: "Love is always accompanied by suffering; they'll have to figure out how to win them over themselves!"

Surprisingly, the two did not have a big argument, nor did they say anything sincere.

They didn't even turn their heads to meet each other's eyes, using the beautiful scenery as an opportunity to pour out their hearts.

The two simply stood side by side, enjoying the rare tranquility of the moment.

Su Qing's dress was somewhat similar to the robes of the disciples of the Fuyou Sect, which reminded one of the time spent cultivating on the mountain. Although her cultivation level was low, she didn't have to scheme against others all day long, which was truly rare.

Su Qing suddenly took out a purple bamboo flute from his Sumeru Ring and played it softly. Lan Zhenxin's eyes lit up when she heard the flute, and she also took out a jade flute and put it to her lips to play.

The two played the flute and xiao together, one light and cheerful, the other melodious and graceful.

For a moment, they seemed to be in perfect harmony, with no distinction between good and evil.

Yun Yi's hands were empty. Although he didn't understand music theory, he could still discern the woman's feelings from the sound of the flute.

Su Qing used to be just an ordinary cultivator, preoccupied with his father's illness and devoted himself to the cultivation of alchemy.

Actually, when she first met Yun Yi, she wasn't attracted to him. She only noticed the pleasant herbal scent on this junior brother and deliberately approached him in order to exchange for the Dragon Transformation Fruit for the Crimson Serpent.

'That's strange. When exactly did my thoughts start to change?' Su Qing wondered.

Perhaps it was when she was refining pills with him that she felt inexplicably at ease. Perhaps it was when she saw him take a sword for Song Xinci and almost lose his life that she truly felt heartache.

He thought their relationship was over, but when he heard that someone was plotting against him, he traveled a long way to Dong'an City to help.

Su Qing was both moved and had some thoughts she had never had before.

Could it be that he misses me so much because... he likes me?
Or rather, if they like me even a little bit, that would be enough.

She thought to herself that if she could get rid of her status as the eldest princess and put down the burden of the Great Xia Dynasty, she really wanted to ask him in person.

If he is willing, I will follow him to the ends of the earth.

But Su Qing didn't dare, because she knew she was burdened by worldly concerns, and confessing her feelings to him would only cause Yun Yi more trouble.

Since they met, he has shown her many kindnesses.

If she could, she didn't want to continue troubling Yun Yi; instead, she hoped to one day cure her father. Only then could she take a chance and pursue the life she wanted.

The sun finally set, plunging the world into darkness, with only the moonlight appearing hazy.

Su Qing had unknowingly put down the purple bamboo flute in her hand, hiding her sorrowful expression in the inky night.

Yun Yi couldn't help but ask, "What are you thinking about?"

She said, "I think... how wonderful it would be if I could cultivate in the Fuyou Sect for the rest of my life."

She tried hard to suppress her impulse, but still didn't reveal her true wish to "cultivate with you in the Fuyou Sect for the rest of my life".

A soft chuckle broke the tranquility. Lan Zhenxin quickly apologized and turned to go into the cabin. "I won't disturb you two's whispering!"

Although she said that, she still pricked up her ears to eavesdrop, thinking that she couldn't miss this good show.

Unfortunately, she was disappointed.

Yun Yi and Su Qing didn't say anything after that, they just stood there silently, as if they had turned into two statues.

It's not that we have nothing to say, but rather that there's no need to say more.

Some truths are enough when both parties understand them implicitly.

Lan Zhenxin waited for a long time, but couldn't hear the two of them speak. Gradually, she became sleepy and dozed off without realizing it.

When she suddenly woke up, a night had passed, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and a bright red sun was about to rise in the distance.

(End of this chapter)