74: Flood Resumption

Although the shimmering light of dawn had yet to pierce through the deep sea mist, for Zhou Wannian, this was the moment that brought him the most peace of mind.

He had just returned from that muddy quagmire known as the Black Algae Forest, his body still carrying a faint stench of fish and rot.

But he didn't have time for a bath. As soon as he entered his Immortal Cave, he headed straight for the large vat in the corner of the cultivation room.

"Squeak, squeak!"

Wangcai was squatting on the stone table, clutching the jade box containing the "Deep Sea Cold Marrow Grass" tightly in his arms, his eyes darting around warily like a little miser.

Zhou Wannian ignored the drama-queen rat; his gaze was entirely captivated by the large vat before him.

This vat, which had originally been filled with over a hundred pounds of heavy water, now had its water level dropped by more than half. The deep blue liquid, once as viscous as mercury, had become much clearer—a sign that its essence had been completely absorbed.

At the bottom of the vat, the water repelling token—once dim and covered in cracks—was now suspended in the remaining heavy water, slowly rotating.

Its originally mottled blue surface was now crystal clear, as if carved from the purest deep-sea sapphire.

The intermittent water-wave patterns on its surface had now connected into a single whole, emitting a soft and rhythmic spiritual light, much like a beating heart.

"Finally... it's fed."

Zhou Wannian took a deep breath, reached out, and carefully fished the token out of the water.

The moment it touched his hand, it wasn't as cold as he'd imagined. Instead, a warm, moist coolness flowed from his palm and instantly spread throughout his entire body.

Hum.

Zhou Wannian felt his body grow light. The water vapor in the surrounding air seemed to have found a long-lost relative, gathering toward him with joy and forming a film nearly invisible to the naked eye over the surface of his body.

This was the high-grade water-repelling halo.

With this layer, not only could he breathe freely in the deep sea, but he could even ignore the water pressure as if he were on land, his movements no longer hindered.

"But that's not the most important part."

Zhou Wannian's eyes burned with intensity as his vast Divine Sense poured out like spilled mercury, following the repaired patterns on the token to delve into its inner core.

Boom!

It was as if a burst of blue light had exploded in his mind.

An extremely complex, three-dimensional structural diagram of an underwater building slowly unfolded within his Sea of Consciousness.

That was the full layout of the Yunzhuan Water Mansion.

The entire Water Mansion looked like a giant upturned conch shell, divided into three levels. The main entrance was located at the "mouth of the shell," marked with dense red runes representing despair-inducing killing arrays and Restrictions.

"So this is where the Qingyun Sect plans to launch their frontal assault."

Looking at the defensive strength of that main entrance, Zhou Wannian couldn't help but click his tongue. "Even if a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator tries to force their way in, they'll likely lose a layer of skin."

His gaze followed the map, finally settling on the very bottom of the Water Mansion, on one side of the "tip of the shell."

There was an inconspicuous, narrow passage there, winding and twisting, connecting to an external underground Dark River.

At the entrance of the passage, a line of ancient small characters was marked:

[Maintenance Passage (Access restricted to token holders only)]

"A back door."

The corners of Zhou Wannian's mouth curled up wildly, and he almost laughed out loud. "I knew it. For a project of this scale, they'd definitely have to leave a maintenance passage. Just like the Chen Family's sewers, it's always the weakest link in the defensive system."

Furthermore, the map showed that this passage led directly to the Water Mansion's 'Power Core Area' and 'Medicine Garden,' completely bypassing the guardian Puppets at the main entrance and most of the killing arrays.

"The Qingyun Sect will be fighting to the death at the front, drawing all the fire."

"While I, holding the key, will take the employee entrance and strike straight at the heart."

"Now this is what I call... professional."

Zhou Wannian withdrew his Divine Sense with satisfaction and tucked the water repelling token close to his body.

Now, the puzzle was complete.

Time: The night of the full moon, three months from now.

Location: The sewage outlet connected to the underground Dark River in the Black Algae Forest.

Items: water repelling token, sea cloud banner, Second-Tier Poison Thunder Drill, Heavy Water Yin Thunder.

Support: A money bag bulging from the 'heavy water Mine Scam,' and a stalk of Cold Marrow Grass that can help him achieve a Breakthrough in his Realm.

"Everything is ready, all that's left is... to run away."

Zhou Wannian stood up and glanced at the sky outside the Immortal Cave.

It was dawn.

But he didn't feel relaxed; instead, he caught a whiff of danger in the air.

There had been so much commotion in the Black Algae Forest last night—the Poison Frog King's riot, and a mysterious person (himself) stepping in to suppress it. Add to that the fact that the Qingyun Sect had already confirmed the location of the Water Mansion.

Bitter Leaf Island would definitely not be peaceful in the days to come.

"Even though Zhao the Abacus treats me like a cash cow now, as the Sect's higher-ups get involved, his influence as an Outer Sect Deacon will only get smaller. What if a domineering Foundation Establishment Elder comes along and rounds up all the Loose Cultivators on the island to use as cannon fodder for scouting?"

"Or those lunatics from the Blood Shark Group—what if they start a purge in the market town to fight over interests?"

As a veteran practitioner of the Gu Dao, Zhou Wannian never pinned his safety on the kindness or luck of others.

"When the wind and waves get high, the fish should dive to the bottom."

He glanced at Wangcai, who was still giggling foolishly while hugging the Cold Marrow Grass.

"Stop laughing and pack your things."

...Half an hour later.

The market town of Bitter Leaf Island was bright with sunshine.

Although a beast tide had occurred in the Black Algae Forest last night, for the Loose Cultivators who were used to living on the edge, life had to go on. As long as they weren't dead, business had to be done.

However, when several Loose Cultivators arrived at the mouth of the alley intending to have their Magical Artifacts repaired, they were stunned.

The shop that had always been booming with business, where people would wait even if there was a long line—"Han Clan Artifact Maintenance"—was tightly closed today.

Two thick door panels sealed the shop shut, and a red paper notice with wet ink was posted on the door:

[Notice to Customers]

[Fellow Daoists, thank you for your patronage. Due to a sudden letter from my wife back home saying our old sow is having a difficult labor, I am urgently needed back to assist with the delivery.]

[Therefore, this shop will suspend operations starting today. The return date is uncertain, ranging from three months to half a year.]

[The Jianghu is vast; may we meet again if fate allows. — Left by Shopkeeper Han.]

"..."

The several Loose Cultivators looked at this absurd notice and exchanged glances.

"An old sow having a difficult labor? Isn't Shopkeeper Han a bachelor?"

"Who knows? Maybe he's earned enough Spirit Stones and wants to retire?"

"Sigh, what a pity. Where else are we going to find a repairman with such good skills and cheap prices?"

While the crowd was buzzing with discussion.

By the second-floor window of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, Zhao the Abacus clutched a teacup and looked at the notice. A look of bewilderment crossed his fat face, which then turned into a knowing smile.

"That old fox runs faster than a rabbit."

He whispered to himself.

As someone in the know, he naturally didn't believe any nonsense about an old sow's difficult labor.

"It seems Brother Han is also a sensible man. He knows Bitter Leaf Island is about to become a place of trouble and has gone to avoid the disaster in advance."

Zhao the Abacus didn't send anyone to pursue him, nor did he get angry.

On the contrary, he even felt a sense of relief.

With the Sect Elders about to arrive, he was worried about how to handle this partner who knew some inside information and was of great use. Since Zhou Wannian had tactfully hidden himself away, it actually saved him a lot of trouble.

"It's better that he hides."

"Once the storm passes, this cash cow will have to come back."

Zhao the Abacus put down his teacup and turned to organize the account books for welcoming the Sect Elders... Meanwhile.

The true protagonist was already long gone from the market town.

Inside the Cold Pool Cave Dwelling.

Zhou Wannian had already activated the lowest level of the defensive grand array. Layers of heavy stone walls descended, sealing the Immortal Cave shut. The Evil Qi of the yin chen wood permeated the area, disguising this place as a lifeless, abandoned cave.

"The world outside is too noisy; it's still more peaceful at home."

Zhou Wannian sat cross-legged by the cold pool, the crystal-clear Deep Sea Cold Marrow Grass placed before him.

"Three months."

"For these three months, I'm going to grind it out right here."

"I will not leave seclusion until I reach the Late Stage Qi Refining."

He picked up the Cold Marrow Grass and took a bite out of it as if eating a radish.

Crunch.

A bone-chilling cold instantly froze his throat and rushed straight to his Sea of Consciousness.

"Refreshing!"

Zhou Wannian shivered, closed his eyes, and circulated the Yang Locking Technique to firmly lock this massive medicinal power within his body.

Outside the Immortal Cave, waves crashed against the shore, and the wind and clouds surged.

More and more unfamiliar faces began to land on Bitter Leaf Island, their powerful Divine Senses intertwining and colliding in the air.

But none of this had anything to do with that "old sea turtle" who had retreated into the abyss.

He was in the darkness, quietly waiting for his transformation.