Chapter Ninety-One: The Unmarried Woman on Emerald Forest Island

Thunder’s heart jolted in alarm. He had never imagined the enemy would arrive so swiftly, nor that they would possess such overwhelming strength. Even more astonishing, several other powerful spiritual senses swept through the place where Thunder was hiding.

He made an immediate decision: escape! Those formidable spiritual senses were beyond his ability to withstand—at least at the False Pill level, perhaps even Core Formation elves. He followed the direction indicated by his signaling device, leapt onto the Jade Bed, and sped away.

All around was a vast, boundless sea, devoid of any landmarks. Thunder flew under the guidance of the Beidou Orb, unaware that shortly after his departure, six elves appeared at the spot he had just vacated. They were all short and stocky, with fiery red hair—five were at the peak of Foundation Establishment, and one was equivalent to the early stage of Core Formation.

The Core Formation elf was stomping and cursing, his date-shaped head crowned with a wild tangle of red hair. “Which damned bastard killed my disciple and stole the treasure, the Jade Bed? My spiritual sense couldn’t even lock onto him! Follow me, and when we catch him, I’ll make him pay dearly.”

A female elf ventured, “If your spiritual sense couldn’t lock onto him, how do we chase him?”

The Core Formation elf shook his date-shaped head. “Are you brainless? He’s using our tribe’s treasure, the Jade Bed. I have a way to locate him.” He formed a hand seal and closed his eyes. After only ten breaths, he pointed fiercely, leading the group in pursuit along Thunder’s escape route.

Thunder, of course, had no inkling that acquiring the Jade Bed would bring him such trouble. He was flying determinedly in one direction. Suddenly, blue light flashed wildly in his eyes, and a distant spot of green caught his attention. After estimating the distance and direction, he steered the Jade Bed straight towards it.

Five days later, Thunder finally arrived at his destination. Looking at the verdant little island, he shook his head with a bitter smile. From the second day of his flight, he realized he had been locked onto by spiritual senses. He could only accelerate towards this oasis of green in the endless sea, hoping for salvation.

Now, gazing at this tranquil island, Thunder felt no excitement. He knew his powerful pursuers would soon arrive, and the time left to him was no more than an hour. But what could happen in that hour? Did the island offer a hiding place, or perhaps a reclusive master who might aid him?

Thunder adjusted the Immortal Shooter Spear strapped behind his waist, thinking that since escape was impossible, he might as well seek his fortune on the island. If all else failed, he’d use the spear to fight. He was confident he could kill a cultivator of his level in a single shot, but had no such assurance against a Core Formation foe. Besides, his cultivation now only permitted a single shot. If forced into a corner, he would have no hesitations—he’d unleash the spear, replenishing his energy with the ten-thousand-year spiritual power from the Beauty Spirit Smoke Flask, regardless of the fiery energy’s brutality.

Having made up his mind, Thunder stowed away the Jade Bed and set foot on the island. It spanned only twenty-odd miles. At the entrance stood an arched gate, adorned with a golden plaque: Emerald Forest Island.

“Is anyone here?” Thunder called several times but received no reply. He took out a concealment talisman, slapped it onto himself, and crept inward, stealthily.

The lush woods were his first impression—no wonder it was called Emerald Forest Island. Dense, unknown trees grew everywhere, and there was no path. Thunder drew his Nine-Treasure Lotus Staff, hacking his way forward. Suddenly, the scene opened up before him: beneath a thick canopy of green stood a three-story wooden pavilion.

Thunder activated his Divine Thunder Slash, blue light flickering in his eyes as he scanned the pavilion. Its furnishings were simple and elegant, with no sign of a soul. Only then did he feel safe enough to extend his spiritual sense, enveloping the entire pavilion—still, he found no trace of anyone. Boldly, he stepped inside.

Without pausing on the first two floors, Thunder went straight to the top. He wanted to survey the whole island for potential hiding spots. But to his astonishment, he found someone as soon as he reached the third floor.

A woman of remarkable beauty.

Her tall, slender figure was perfectly proportioned, and her blue hair fell quietly over her shoulders. Her eyes were as blue as the sea.

Lanxi?!

Thunder could not believe his eyes. Was this the Lanxi he had longed for day and night? Was he dreaming? Years of rigorous training quickly restored his composure, and he did something odd: he removed his jacket, turned it inside out, and examined it carefully.

Gone! The blue crystal pattern on the back, which had appeared when he used the signaling device Lanxi had given him, had vanished. The disappearance of the crystal meant he had reached his destination.

Once he had confirmed everything, Thunder tore off the concealment talisman and rushed forward to seize Lanxi’s hand. “Lanxi, I’ve finally found you. This time, you won’t suddenly disappear again, will you?”

Lanxi was startled at first, but once she saw Thunder, her expression became calm and cold. She shook off his hand, her words icy: “Thunder, I gave you this opportunity out of gratitude for saving my life. Clearly, you need something from me. Speak plainly—once I help you, we’ll be even.”

Thunder was stunned. This was not what he wanted. Ever since they had parted, he had come to appreciate Lanxi more and more, longing to find her. Yet now, his heartfelt enthusiasm was met with cold indifference. He bared his little tiger teeth in a bitter smile. “Since you’re so clear about it, I won’t say anything else. I just want to ask why you’ve become mortal, where your spiritual power has gone, and why you live alone on a deserted island.”

“That’s none of your business. Just say what you need.”

Thunder had regained his usual demeanor. He dragged over a chair and sat down, grinning. “At least we’re old acquaintances. After so many years, you won’t even offer a cup of tea?”

Lanxi remained silent, caressing the armrest of her chair. Suddenly, a hole opened in the side wall, and a beam of white light shot towards Thunder. He caught it—it was a jade cup filled with a black liquid that emitted wisps of black vapor.

What was this?

Thunder didn’t ask, nor did he hesitate. He tilted his head and drank it all. A pure fragrance of wine wafted from his lips, a cool sensation spread through his stomach, and his whole body felt wonderfully comfortable. “What… what kind of wine is this?”

Lanxi’s face flickered with surprise, but she quickly regained her composure. She hadn’t expected Thunder to trust her so much, drinking without question. Her tone remained cold: “It’s Black Fruit Wine, a specialty of Emerald Forest Island. Now that you’ve had your drink, tell me your business.”

Seeing Lanxi’s icy demeanor, Thunder could only smile bitterly. “I killed two reckless elves—short, red-haired ones. Now I’m being hunted by a Core Formation elf. Do you have any way out?”

“Red Elf clan elders?” Lanxi exclaimed. “The Red Elf clan specializes in thunder techniques—they’re the most powerful attackers among the elves. If you sensed Core Formation cultivation, it must be an elder or above. Their spell type makes their attacks surpass even standard Core Formation. You’re in serious trouble.” Her eyes narrowed as she stroked her chair again, and a grinding sound rose from beneath the floor—slowly, a section of the floor lifted.

“Follow me!” Lanxi led Thunder down into darkness. This was clearly not the second floor, though it lay beneath the third; Lanxi’s prowess in setting traps was evident. No wonder she dared live alone on the island despite her loss of spiritual power.

Thunder had long noticed Lanxi’s loss of power, but he never asked, knowing she had endured some ordeal and not wishing to make her revisit painful memories.

After about half a stick of incense’s time, Thunder entered a sealed cavern where only one figure stood. He could sense the thick spiritual energy emanating from it—equivalent to the tenth level of Qi Refining for a human cultivator.

It was not human, but a spiritual stone golem, crafted entirely from spirit stone. The craftsmanship was impressive, and its proportions matched those of a person. Thunder had never seen or heard of such a thing. What happened next amazed him even more: Lanxi walked over and reached for the golem’s heart.

There was an empty, diamond-shaped cavity with a button on the side. Thunder deduced the cavity was meant for a diamond-shaped premium spirit stone; without it, the golem could not be powered. But what was the button for?

Lanxi pressed the button, and with a creaking sound, the golem split open down the middle, its two halves joined only at the center. Thunder was shocked to discover the golem’s interior was hollow. Lanxi spoke: “This is a crystal golem I crafted with supreme secret arts. It’s only half-finished, and I lack a premium spirit stone, so despite the top-tier technique, it’s a rather useless creation. But now it will serve its purpose.”

Thunder immediately understood. After a brief hesitation, he stepped inside the crystal golem—fortunately, it fit him perfectly. Still, he asked, “Lanxi, you said the Red Elf clan elders are terrifying. Won’t their spiritual sense detect me from my energy fluctuations?”

Lanxi smiled faintly—for the first time since their reunion. “Trust me. Hide well, or find your own way.”

Thunder grinned his little tiger teeth in a bitter smile. He no longer had any options; by his reckoning, the pursuers would arrive at any moment. He could only gamble on this. The concealment talisman was affixed to him once more, and he closed his eyes silently. Lanxi’s hand touched the switch again, and the crystal golem sealed itself shut.