Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

As dawn broke and the sky began to lighten, morning mist enveloped the entire coastline, and a cool sea breeze carrying the scent of sea salt drifted over the scattered houses of the fishing village.

Lin Yan, full of energy, got up early to start a fire, intending to prepare breakfast himself as a surprise for his master. But when he reached the stone bed where Guan Hai Dao Ren was resting, he found the bedding neatly arranged and the bed empty. On the stone table lay a note, the ink still fresh, containing only a few words: "I have urgent business to attend to. Yun Xi and you share a deep connection; protect her on her journey to Laoshan and do not miss the appointed time."

Lin Yan glanced at the note, a slight smile playing on his lips, and chuckled softly, "Master really is Master, always coming and going in such a hurry."

Remembering his promise to Yunxi, he hastily stuffed a steamed bun into his mouth and hurriedly pushed open the door to leave.

He and Yunxi agreed to find a secluded spot in the sea to cultivate together today, refining their sword intent and sea spirit techniques.

Without Jiang Hu and his gang causing trouble, the fishing village's mornings were exceptionally peaceful and serene. Smoke rose slowly from the chimneys of the fishing houses, mingling with the thin sea mist; the occasional crowing of roosters and barking of dogs drifted in, and the waves gently lapped against the beach, making soft, gentle sounds. Groups of early-rising fishermen carried their fishing gear past, greeting each other; the air was filled with the scents of smoke, sea breeze, and faint firewood—a scene of peaceful, warm human warmth.

As I approached Yunxi's fisherman's hut, the door was ajar, and I could hear the suppressed sighs of the fisherman and his wife inside. The usual lively atmosphere of preparing fishing nets and cooking meals in the mornings was completely gone. Just as I raised my hand to knock, I heard the fisherman's wife's voice, trembling with sobs, from inside.

"It's been all night, where did Xi'er go? She said she was going out to check something was wrong last night, and she hasn't come back since..."

The fisherman sighed heavily, his voice filled with anxiety and bitterness: "We've called out, we've searched the entire beach, but there's not a soul in sight. The secret we've kept hidden for so many years can't be kept any longer. Xi'er wasn't our biological daughter; she was never meant to belong to this little fishing village!"

Lin Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly pushed open the door and went inside. The furnishings inside were the same, except the iron pot on the stove was cold, and the seafood porridge that hadn't been finished yesterday was still on the table, long since cold and clumped together. When the fisherman's parents saw that it was Lin Yan, their faces were full of panic and guilt. They quickly got up, and the bloodshot eyes were particularly noticeable, clearly indicating that they hadn't slept all night.

"Brother Lin Yan, what brings you here?" The fisherwoman asked, her voice hoarse as she tried to suppress a sob.

"I had arranged to cultivate with Yunxi today, so I came specifically to find her." Lin Yan's gaze swept across the room, but he didn't see Yunxi or her sword. His brows furrowed. "I just heard from Uncle and Aunt that Yunxi... isn't your biological daughter? And she disappeared last night?"

Now that things had come to this, there was no longer any way to hide it. The fisherman slumped onto a wooden stool, his rough hands clenched, and slowly revealed the secret that had been kept hidden for fifteen years. It turned out that Yunxi was not their biological daughter. Fifteen years ago, during a massive sea storm, they found an infant girl still in swaddling clothes under the cliffs and reefs by the sea. The baby girl was wrapped in a luxurious brocade swaddling cloth, and beside her lay an ancient sword, a string of ancient sword tassels shrouded in spiritual energy, and a piece of sword-shaped black jade. She showed no signs of being damaged by the storm, clearly indicating that she was of extraordinary birth.

The couple had been married for many years without children, so they took the baby girl home, named her Yunxi, and raised her with utmost care. They knew that their daughter was born with extraordinary talents, able to communicate with sea spirits and comprehend a sharp sword intent at a young age, and was no ordinary fisherwoman. However, they couldn't bear to part with her and were afraid that Yunxi would leave after learning about her true identity, so they kept it a secret, hoping that she could live a peaceful life in the fishing village.

"After Xi'er went out last night, we searched all night long, scouring the beach, the rocky caves, and the nearby mountains and forests, but we found nothing." The fisherwoman wiped away her tears, pointing to the empty corner of the wall. "Her sword, even the tassel, was gone. She must have encountered something, or... remembered her past and left."

Lin Yan's heart sank upon hearing this. He and Yun Xi had known each other since childhood, and had fought side by side recently. He knew her to be aloof and decisive, and that she was not the type to leave without a reason. Last night, she sensed something was amiss and went out, which meant she must have encountered a sudden change, not left on her own initiative. Considering that his master had suddenly left a letter and disappeared, and Yun Xi had not returned all night, these two events happening one after another could not be a coincidence.

He gripped the Sea Spirit Pearl tightly in his hand, the sea spirit power within it rippled slightly, as if Yun Xi's aura still lingered. Lin Yan's eyes were resolute as he looked at the fisherman and his wife, and said in a deep voice, "Uncle and Aunt, rest assured, Yun Xi would never abandon you without reason, nor would she break her promise. I will definitely find her. She already possesses the opportunities of Laoshan, as well as the inheritance of a Sea Spirit Master and a Sword Cultivator. Now that she has disappeared, I will search the surrounding area thoroughly, protect her, and go to Laoshan together."

After saying that, Lin Yan turned around and was about to step out the door. A faint aura of a Qi Refining cultivator emanated from his body. He planned to first explore the coastline where Yun Xi had left last night, and then follow the remaining traces of the sea spirit and sword intent to find her.

As the morning mist gradually dissipated, sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone on the beach, but the gloom in the fisherman's hut remained. Yunxi's disappearance and the revelation of her biological parentage instantly filled the once peaceful world with mystery and danger. Lin Yan also made up his mind to set off immediately to search for Yunxi's whereabouts.

"Big brother, where are you going?"

A soft, timid call came slowly from behind, carrying a cautious worry. Lin Yan paused and turned around to see Yi Azhu standing at the door of the small house, dressed in a simple coarse cloth dress, with a small white sea wave flower tucked behind her ear, her eyes full of tender concern.

She had been worried about Lin Yan at home, and was also concerned about Yun Xi, who hadn't returned home late the night before. So, she followed Lin Yan's scent early in the morning, moving very quietly so as not to disturb the people inside. It wasn't until she heard Lin Yan about to leave alone that she couldn't help but ask. Ah Zhu was born with a water spirit body. Although she had only just begun to cultivate and refine her qi, she was exceptionally sensitive to the scents of familiar people around her. This was how she accurately located Lin Yan. She was also gently protecting the Warm Soul Spirit Pearl in her arms, while the newly formed Deep Sea Spirit Pearl was hidden close to her body. The water spirit power within the pearl subtly merged with her own constitution.

Almost the instant Ah Zhu spoke, the spirit turtle, which had been quietly perched on Lin Yan's shoulder and curled up into a small ball, immediately poked its little head out as soon as it smelled the pure water spirit aura on Ah Zhu's body. With its limbs lightly pawing at her, it leaped down from Lin Yan's shoulder and landed precisely on Ah Zhu's outstretched arm, curling up into a warm little fur ball. Its little head even affectionately rubbed against Ah Zhu's wrist, being exceptionally docile and clingy.

This spirit turtle was originally a guardian beast of the ancient sea cultivation tradition. It was intelligent and could distinguish between good and evil. It submitted to Lin Yan, but it was particularly close to A Zhu's innate water spirit body. It seemed to sense the spiritual energy of the same sea as A Zhu. It was usually calm and composed when it was by Lin Yan's side, but when it was by A Zhu's side, it became very docile and lost all its aloofness as an ancient spirit beast.

Looking at his frail yet dependent stepsister, Lin Yan's heart softened. He softened his tone, afraid of frightening her: "Azhu, Sister Yunxi went missing last night. I'm going to the beach to look for her. This place is dangerous. You go back to your lodgings and wait for me. Don't wander off."

Yi Azhu gently shook her head, clutching the hem of her clothes, her eyes filled with unwavering determination. Though her body trembled slightly, she still looked at Lin Yan with firm resolve: "Brother, Azhu isn't afraid. I want to go with you. I have a water spirit body and a sea spirit pearl, which might be of help. The spirit turtle can also warn of danger. I don't want you to go on an adventure alone."

Her voice was soft, yet every word was sincere. Since her father was persecuted by Jiang Hu and Lin Yan became her sworn brother, she had regarded Lin Yan as her only family and support. Her grateful nature made her unwilling to hide in a safe place alone. Even though her cultivation was low, she wanted to stay by her elder brother's side and do her part.

As if understanding Ah Zhu's words, the spirit turtle gently nodded its little head on her arm. A faint blue light emanated from its shell, and it emitted a soft hum towards the sea, seemingly having already sensed a strange demonic aura in the distance. It also seemed to be guiding Lin Yan in the direction of finding Yun Xi, fully demonstrating its role as a guide for the team's opportunities and an alarm bell.

Lin Yan looked at the determination and purity in A-Zhu's eyes, then at the spirit turtle that had issued the warning, and nodded: "Alright, you stay by my side and never leave my sight. Follow my instructions."

Yi Azhu instantly revealed a gentle smile, tightly hugging the spirit turtle on her arm, and quickly followed Lin Yan's side towards the seaside.

The morning light shone on the two people and the tortoise, and the sea breeze gently blew. The atmosphere, which was originally somber because of Yunxi's disappearance, became warmer and more hopeful because of Azhu's company and the tortoise's guidance.