I'm just an ornamental fish in the water.

Gong Ji is lying; he's lying to the old ox.

His visit to the Luoshui Temple was not, as he claimed, to ask the Goddess of Luoshui for confirmation, based on his certainty that the old ox was kind.

Jiang Li witnessed Gong Ji's prayer at the Luoshui Temple from beginning to end, and Gong Ji's emotions were revealed during the prayer.

That emotion was definitely not pleading, but rather trepidation, fear, and unease.

What did Gong Ji say at that time?

"That old ox didn't try to seduce me; on the contrary, it showed me great concern. I really don't know if it's good or evil."

These are Gong Ji's original words. It seems like he is protecting the old ox, but why can't showing concern in every way be a form of manipulation?

He lost his parents at a young age and was mistreated by his older brother and sister-in-law. He inherited nothing of the family business and was only given an old ox that was about to die.

Clearly, Gong Ji has a clear understanding of himself. He knows that what people like him fear most is not coercion or enticement, but rather gentle and considerate treatment.

But the first time in his life he had felt such tenderness was not from a person, but from an old ox that had suddenly been able to speak human language.

Naturally, he was afraid of the old ox, and of a beast that could suddenly speak human language.

Of course he should be afraid; any normal person would be afraid—it's only human nature. But the problem is that Gong Ji's attitude towards the old ox was far too normal.

Sincere and honest, his words were full of dependence, and every sentence contained the phrase "we depend on each other for survival".

But is this really Gong Ji's true thought?

"Perhaps, I'm just overthinking it."

Jiang Li thought to herself silently.

After all, to be fair, after encountering such a thing, coming to a temple and being in front of the gods, one might suddenly relax, and then become more and more afraid as one thinks about it.

It's possible that he released his fear and anxiety at the temple, which calmed him down and made him believe that the old ox wouldn't harm him.

This possibility cannot be ruled out.

"Let's see. Anyway, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave here anytime soon."

Jiang Li sighed inwardly. He had no better option at the moment. The Wind Envoy and the others were nowhere to be found, and he was trapped in this pool. Not to mention transforming into human form, he couldn't even use his magic power.

They can't even speak.

Jiang Li slapped the water with his tail, backed away a little, and then suddenly tried to jump to the edge of the pool. However, just as he was about to reach the shore, he seemed to hit an invisible wall and was bounced back.

With a "plop," Jiang Li fell back into the water.

"Just as I expected..."

Jiang Li swayed helplessly, feeling utterly abandoned and given no chance of leaving.

He thought that even if he couldn't use his magic power, he still had cultivation, and even in his true form as a red carp, he could live for a long time even out of water.

If all else fails, just go ashore and hop back to Luoshui.

Once I return to Luoshui, I can calmly and slowly settle the score.

But clearly, the black-robed man who trapped Jiang Li here had also taken this into account.

Jiang Li swam in the pool and saw the small slope leading from the pool to the stream, which looked like a small, exquisite waterfall.

*Whoosh!*

Jiang Li's tail fiercely cleaved through the water and rushed towards the slope.

Even an ordinary fish could easily swim up such a small slope if it had enough strength. But Jiang Li couldn't do it no matter what she did; that feeling of crashing into an invisible wall returned.

After falling back into the pool, Jiang Li was not disappointed.

Because this was exactly what he had expected.

After all, the man in black robes had even considered the possibility of Jiang Li getting ashore, so how could he possibly overlook such an obvious loophole?

He was now firmly trapped in the pool, with no possibility of escape.

Unless the Empress or the True Man Ge Xuan appear here, there is absolutely no way to get out on your own.

But the Empress just happened to leave Luoshui at this time and her whereabouts are unknown. And Master Ge Xuan is always elusive, so how could we possibly meet her here?

Even Prince Feng Mu returned to the Water Official Emperor's residence early, supposedly summoned back directly by the Water Official Emperor. Before leaving, he told Jiang Li to come visit him when she had time...

But my princess, going to the Heavenly Court is easy for you, but for me it's harder than a fish leaping over the Dragon Gate.

Jiang Li muttered to herself.

Out of sheer boredom, it opened its mouth underwater.

With a "pop," Jiang Li spat out a perfectly round, resilient bubble that rose at a perfect angle.

Sunlight shines through the shallow water onto the bubble, reflecting a magnificent array of seven colors.

It slowly rose, rose, until it floated to the surface, and then shattered with a "pop".

Yes, the basics are still there; they haven't fallen behind yet.

Jiang Li found joy in her suffering and silently gave herself a thumbs up in her heart.

One should never forget one's roots, just as one should not forget one's origins as a fish.

I wonder if my friends at Wanyuchi have chosen a new "top performer" yet, and I also wonder if my skill of "how to spit out the perfect bubble most likely to attract the empress's attention" has been passed down.

Jiang Li was lost in thought.

I don't know why that man in black robes imprisoned me here.

We can't just let ourselves witness the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, can we?

If only it were that simple.

Jiang Li subconsciously focused her thoughts on the mysterious man in black robes.

That seemed to be a woman?

Jiang Li was somewhat uncertain. The black-robed man was wrapped up tightly, but Jiang Li saw him reach out. Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, the cultivator's terrifying memory still allowed Jiang Li to discover the clue.

The man in black robes stretched out his fingers; they were slender, fair, and had long fingernails.

He's either a pervert or a woman.

The former is more likely!

Jiang Li secretly thought to himself, and he didn't hesitate to assume the worst about the black-robed man who suddenly appeared.

There's no other reason than that this guy's appearance was too sudden and his actions were too bizarre.

By attacking the people of the Luoshui Divine Palace by the Luoshui River, aren't you afraid of the Empress's revenge when she returns?

Or perhaps the man in black robes didn't know the Empress's background or origins?

It's unlikely...

Jiang Li immediately dismissed this conjecture. The black-robed man's methods felt both familiar and unfamiliar to Jiang Li. That immense power to manipulate space at will was remarkably similar to the so-called domain that the Empress had unleashed in Yanshi County, which was derived from water escape techniques. At the very least, they should be methods of the same level.

Even if there is a difference, it is definitely not significant.

With such abilities, how could he not know what kind of being the Empress is?

If that's the case, then it's even more terrifying.

They knew the Empress's background and power, yet they still dared to do it.

And why me?

Did that man in black robes also know about my so-called great fortune?

And, do they want to exploit this point?

But how could He know? This secret of His was known only to King Yu, the Queen, Feng Mu, and the Great Teacher and the True Man Ge Xuan, with whom He had once been in close proximity.

These people don't seem like the type to talk nonsense, and there's no possibility that they were being coerced into questioning them.

I can't figure it out; there's just too little information.

Time passed slowly as Jiang Li pondered deeply, and soon evening arrived. *Buzz!*

Just then, beams of divine light descended from the sky, heading straight for the pool. Within each beam of light, one could vaguely see a fairy dressed in ethereal robes.

Jiang Li was startled.

Why did they arrive so quickly?