Yefutidaolu

Chapter 362 Snooping
Life is sweet?

On the shore? Divine Dynasty?
That same dynasty, filled with infighting among powerful families, power struggles, and the struggles of the lower classes?

That Ancestor Yuanlu could wipe out a world of a billion living beings with a single thought?
Can that place be described as "sweet"?
However... it seems that's indeed the case.

The bustling streets and peaceful neighborhoods of the Divine Dynasty, the mortals who work at sunrise and rest at sunset—for Xiao Bao in front of him, wasn't that just... an saccharine paradise?

In the past, outside the Divine Dynasty, in the area where Jiaolong Lake of Baishan River is located, that old tortoise said something similar to Gao Jian. He said that compared to outside the Divine Dynasty, there are many places inside the Divine Dynasty that want to get in touch with.

At that time, Mr. Zhou, the scholar kept by the old tortoise, dreamed of leaving the academy built by the dragons and going to the Divine Dynasty, which he believed was a land for gentlemen.

But what Takami saw of the divine dynasty...

However, thinking of this, Gao Jian turned to look at Xiao Bao.

“Life in the Divine Dynasty is indeed quite good. I come from the Divine Dynasty, and it’s much better than life in the East Sea. If you can gain my trust, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to take you back,” Gao Jian said.

Xiao Bao was overjoyed and kowtowed again, wishing the master good fortune and happiness.

"Don't be too happy yet. The prerequisite is gaining my trust. I still have many questions for you. Listen carefully. If there are any more falsehoods, I won't give you another chance," Gao Jian warned.

"Yes! Yes! I would never dare to hide it again!" Xiao Bao replied immediately.

"Then stand up and talk," Gao Jian said, raising his hand.

Xiao Bao felt as if he had been granted a pardon, but with a touch of caution, he slowly stood up, holding onto the smooth, reflective edge of the jade table beside him. He still didn't dare to stand up straight, his body slightly hunched over, his hands hanging at his sides, as reserved as a country bumpkin visiting the Grand View Garden for the first time, his eyes only daring to stare at the tips of his filthy, worn-out shoes.

"Sit down." Gao Jian pointed to a round stool next to him.

Xiao Bao was startled and waved his hands repeatedly, "I wouldn't dare! I'll just stand here and answer! I'll just stand here!"

He should sit on that stool? He felt that sitting on it would shorten his lifespan, and he was terrified that something bad would happen.

Gao Jian didn't press the matter. He picked up a cup of tea from the jade table beside him, took a small sip, and then slowly began to speak: "Tell me, how have you survived to this day since you can remember? Where is your home? Where are your parents and relatives?"

Xiao Bao lowered his head and began to recount everything in great detail.

"Reporting to you, sir, this humble servant—"

He began to tell his story.

Most people in the East China Sea don't have homes, and Xiao Bao is no exception. He's lived in that rocky area since he can remember. That place is chaotic, and you can find all sorts of things there.

My parents had long forgotten. Old Fish Head, who scavenged with me, said it seemed they were killed by a stronger competitor during a fight, or perhaps they starved to death? It's unclear. Anyway… it's pretty common; a few people die every day. After seeing so many, honestly, it's not surprising anymore.

He spoke of it casually, as if his parents' deaths were like a sea breeze, leaving little trace.

So he usually just fends for himself. He picks up some seaweed, peels some shellfish, and if he's lucky, he might salvage some scraps that float up from a shipwreck.

As you've seen, the rules of the East China Sea are clear: might makes right.

There are no ordinary people in the East China Sea; farmers and citizens like those in the Divine Dynasty do not exist here.

Here, there are only soldiers.

Xiao Bao was small and weak at that time, so he could only hide, conceal himself, and squeeze through cracks.

He nearly became a snack for passing sea creatures countless times, and was almost beaten to death by other scavengers, but he also developed a set of skills: catching fish, stealing, and taking beatings.

Taking a beating is truly a skill. How to avoid being hit, how to dodge, and how to hide are all techniques. He honed this skill to the point where he could survive, which means... he survived numerous beatings.

As he grew older, he learned to survive in all sorts of gaps, the gaps in interpersonal relationships, the gaps between rocks in the water.

Regardless, he survived.

Later, when I got older, I realized that this wouldn't work and that I needed to build some strength. So I followed an old woman who knew some basic ways to strengthen her muscles and bones, in exchange for sharing half of the food I found with her. Later still, the old woman offended a minor leader of a small gang whose name I didn't know, and was dragged away and dealt with.

So, Xiao Bao was alone again.

Throughout the entire narrative, his storytelling is straightforward and devoid of any sentimentality, as if the events were as commonplace as breathing.

At this point, Gao Jian spoke up.

"Then where did you get your transformation technique and the cultivation method you're currently practicing?" Gao Jian put down his teacup and asked.

While asking the question, Gao Jian was also looking at the other person's delicate face.

To be honest, he was quite good-looking. If he didn't speak, you would definitely think he was a beauty in the making, around twelve or thirteen years old. It's a pity... he's a boy.

Xiao Bao's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. He remained silent for a few moments before continuing to speak, his voice even lower:

"Yes, a few years ago, roughly fourteen or fifteen years ago? I can't quite remember. Back then, in Yuezhou of the Divine Dynasty, weren't they fighting with the True Dragons of the East Sea? It was a fierce battle, and many people, many ships, and many... things died." He tried hard to recall, "Once, I bravely went there to scavenge, hoping to see if there were any corpses of cultivators or fragments of magical artifacts washed ashore by the ocean currents..."

He paused, as if organizing his thoughts: "In the end... we didn't find the body, but we did run into a person. A person... wearing tattered armor, covered in blood, with his intestines spilling out, clutching his chest with his hands. He was leaning against a rock, looking like he was about to die. Judging from his attire, he seemed to be from the Divine Dynasty."

"At that time... I was thinking, should I drag him away and find a place..." Xiao Bao made a biting motion, the meaning of which was self-evident.

In the East China Sea, the strong prey on the weak, and even corpses are considered resources; moreover, corpses are the absolute weak.

Xiao Bao continued his story.

At that moment, the person didn't have the strength to shout or resist. They just looked up at Xiaobao with a strange expression. It wasn't fear, nor was it fierceness; it was just...empty, as if nothing mattered anymore, and perhaps...a little pitiful?
In that instant, Xiao Bao decided it was better not to eat it.

Seemingly sensing something, the cultivator spoke up: "Your eyes are still quite clear, unlike those crazy bastards... Come here and do me a favor."

Xiao Bao imitated the man's tone.

Then he continued, "He said that since I was willing to give him a complete body, if I also agreed to bury him, he would give me something."

“I agreed, and he said he had an oilcloth bag in his arms and asked me to take it out for him, rinse it in some clean seawater, and then give it to him.” “I did as he asked. The oilcloth bag was very stiff, and inside was a piece of… something that looked like jade? It was engraved with many words and pictures. After he got it, he seemed to… breathe a sigh of relief, and his whole body went limp a little.”

He looked at me and said, "Little monster... I'm... about to die... this thing... is a bargain for you."

"He said it was a very powerful cultivation technique called something like... 'Pure Heart Technique,' which he found on the corpse of a very powerful female cultivator. He said this technique was originally meant for women, but men can also practice it, though the effect will be less, probably only about 70% of the power of a woman's body."

The cultivator, who had been smirking as if trying to laugh, gasped in pain and said, "Heh...you brat...if you were ruthless enough...daring to...cut yourself off...maybe...you could train to...perfect perfection!"

Then, right in front of him, Xiao Bao took action.

That man... that soldier from the Divine Dynasty, his eyes were practically bulging out, his mouth agape, looking even more terrifying than if his own intestines were spilling out.

He stared at Xiao Bao for a long time before finally panting heavily, his voice trembling: "Good lad, ruthless... damn ruthless..."

He said, "My name is Gou Zhou. If... if you can actually survive and leave this godforsaken place... cough, find a way... to go to Yuezhou in the Divine Dynasty and give my surname."

Xiao Bao raised his head and looked at Gao Jian. For the first time, a dreamlike longing appeared in his clear eyes as he repeated Wang Laowu's dying words:
He said, 'Life there is messed up too, but... but at least... we don't need... this...'

After speaking, Xiao Bao lowered his head again, reverting to his humble and submissive demeanor, as if he had just recounted a trivial matter.

However, it really is a small matter.

In the infernal world of the East China Sea, power is everything.

Even if you lose other things, you will still have strength left.

If you lose your power, then nothing will be left.

This principle is etched into the minds of every siren struggling to survive.

Takami remained silent for a moment, his fingertips lightly tapping the warm jade table, producing a crisp sound. He looked at the boy, or perhaps the girl? For the sake of a vague fantasy that "the shore is sweet," she could unhesitatingly sever a part of herself.

In short, the emotions surging within him were complex and difficult to describe. In the end, he simply said, "I know, you can go now. Stay in the corner and don't get in the way. I'll take you with me when I leave."

"Yes, sir." Xiao Bao breathed a sigh of relief!
Gao Jian then got up, left some food behind, and went outside.

Outside, Yuan Lu stood there.

Seeing Gao Jian emerge, Yuan Lu said, "We're almost there. There's a city called Jinglong City nearby. Legend has it that a true dragon immortal once traveled through this place, hence the name. Whether that's true or not is hard to say, but it is indeed the largest city in the vicinity. If you want to rest and also want to see that little demon, then I'll give you some time. But... don't make any mistakes. You know what we're here for."

"Don't worry, senior, I know what I'm doing. I just want to... learn more about the East Sea," Gao Jian said.

"Hmm." Yuan Lu nodded, then turned and looked into the distance.

Following Yuan Lu's gaze, Gao Jian saw a hazy yet enormous halo emanating from the deep sea ahead, as if a city of stars had risen from the seabed.

There are no 'island cities' or anything like that in the East China Sea. In fact, all the cities here are underwater.

Before they could finish speaking, the giant ship had already submerged into the water.

The colossal ship, shimmering with spiritual light, instantly unfurled a resilient yet transparent barrier, shutting out the surging seawater. Then, like a giant whale plunging into the water, this colossal vessel swiftly sank into the deeper, darker depths of the ocean.

Then, what appeared before my eyes was a landscape completely different from that on the sea!
The magnificent palaces and halls, carved from a single piece of black jade, float slowly in the city.

Countless enormous coral reefs, each with a vibrant color and bizarre shape, appear to have been refined using secret methods, making them harder than refined steel and sculpted into towering pillars. Shops line both sides of the street, mostly constructed from giant seashells, snail shells, or the skeletons of some kind of behemoth, displaying a dazzling array of strange and wonderful items.

The entire city was filled with a deep, majestic roar of water, the sound of deep-sea currents being guided, restrained, and utilized.

In the distance, several giant deep-sea whales, their bodies pierced by thick black iron chains and their eyes numb with despair, dragged several magnificent palaces, entirely constructed of various gemstones and spirit jade, as they patrolled the city. Wherever they passed, the water surged and all living things gave way.

But aside from all that, the city itself is still incredibly impressive!
Water forms the skeleton, light the adornment. The light does not shine directly, but is constantly refracted and diffused in this endless water dome, enveloping the entire city in a kind of unpredictable, bizarre liquid glow, with the edges of all objects carrying a flowing, blurry halo.

Composed of billions of luminous plankton, it meanders and flows between buildings, guiding the way. Stepping on it is like walking on a flowing river of light, yet your body does not sink.

Coral supports the sky, pearls serve as stars, crystal forms the road, and tortoises carry the courtyard.

Silken ribbons billow and whales sway in the palace, while dragons lurk in the depths of the azure waves.

Treasures are displayed amidst dazzling light and shadow, while a giant whale drags a magnificent palace along.

Do not say that there is no sun or moon in the seabed, for the luminous pearl shines forth.

This was a massive city; it was the first time Gao Jian had ever encountered a major city in the East China Sea.

There are no state capitals here, so almost all cities are 'neutral cities', or rather... each has its own faction, and they fight each other, almost like the Warring States period. Therefore, each city is almost unique, unlike the unified management of the Divine Dynasty.

The giant ship came to a stop at a "dock" outside the city, constructed from a huge giant clam shell.

Yuan Lu's voice came: "One day is the limit." The figure remained in place, showing no intention of disembarking, clearly having no interest in this city.

Gao Jian nodded and turned back into the cabin.

Back in the cabin, Gao Jian said, "Come with me into the city."

Xiao Bao flinched, but immediately got up and followed, trembling with nervousness.

"What are you afraid of?" Gao Jian asked.

“I…I’ve never been to a big city, I’ve only heard that it’s…dangerous inside,” Xiao Bao said immediately.

"I'm here," Gao Jian said, and walked forward on his own.

Xiao Bao watched Gao Jian's retreating figure, then looked back at the giant ship that had given him temporary shelter. Finally, he gritted his teeth, wiped his face with his tattered sleeve, lowered his head, and followed closely behind Gao Jian, keeping a half-step distance behind him, as he stepped into the magnificent and grand Jinglong City.

(Sorry, sorry, automatic updates weren't turned on, so I got out of bed to update!)
(End of this chapter)