On Shouming Island, one naturally couldn’t use flying techniques at will. Qi Yuntian exited Feihe Tower with him, and they walked down the mountain path together.
This was the highest point of Shouming Palace. As far as the eye could see, the entirety of Shouming Palace’s scenery was laid out before them. However, the area around the Main Hall remained shrouded in a veil of misty clouds, radiant and resplendent, giving rise to an indescribable feeling. It was clearly the residence of True Master Peng, warded off from prying eyes.
After glancing a few times, Zhang Yan felt a faint dizziness arise. Realizing his cultivation level was still insufficient, he hurriedly averted his gaze.
At that moment, a cultivator wearing a high crown and broad belt, flanked by attendants, came approaching. When that man saw the two of them, he clasped his hands in greeting from afar and said, "Ah, I wondered who it might be. So it’s Brother Qi. Greetings."
Upon seeing this person, Qi Yuntian frowned slightly, gave a perfunctory return salute, then turned his head and said, "Junior Brother Zhang, you go on ahead. I’ll seek you out another time."
Recognizing that this individual might have some complicated background, Zhang Yan chose not to say much. After clasping his hands in farewell, he proceeded alone down the mountain path.
As he passed by that cultivator, the man gave him a deliberate once-over, a playfully mocking look flashing in his eyes. "So you’re the disciple Brother Qi rescued from the Demon Cave? I observe that your Xuan Guang aura is faint and feeble, and yet, you’re worth Brother Qi lowering himself to act? I truly wonder where all the fine talents of our sect have disappeared to."
Zhang Yan paid him no mind but silently committed the man’s face to memory for future reckoning.
Quickening his steps, he soon left Shouming Palace. Sweeping his gaze around, he saw that more and more cultivators were gathering on the island, with numerous flying vessels and carriages appearing at the horizon. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sentiment. When he first arrived, the island was desolate and quiet, with only a few dozen disciples and nothing more. Now that True Master Peng had become a Cave Heaven True Master, throngs of people immediately flooded in, all fearing they wouldn’t curry enough favor.
Yet, after looking a bit longer, the sight of vessels coming and going, and the bustling silhouettes of figures, suddenly felt like an ephemeral dream—passing clouds in the sky. It reminded him of the illusory light he had witnessed earlier from Feihe Tower, giving rise to an inexplicable sense of detachment. Something clicked within him, and he couldn’t help but laugh softly to himself, saying, "Life is but a fleeting dream. My heart is set solely on the Dao. What concern is it of mine how others go about their ways? A hundred years from now, looking back on today, it will all be no more than a passing smile."
With these words, he leapt into the air. A streak of blue tunneling light shot forth from Shouming Island, heading eastward.
Utilizing the power of his sword escape technique, his speed was astonishing, far surpassing his prior journey. In less than a day, he had returned to Spiritual Paper Island.
Luo Xiao, who had been left to guard the island, clearly sensed his return. As the prohibitions lifted, Zhang Yan calmly descended from the cloud and landed on the mountain path.
Glancing ahead, he saw two female cultivators standing together. One was Luo Xiao, and the other was a palace-dressed beauty.
Luo Xiao stepped forward to greet him with a formal bow and said, "Congratulations, my lord, on stepping into the Xuan Guang Realm! This humble servant must offer you her heartfelt felicitations."
Zhang Yan nodded slightly and smiled. "Luo Daoist is too courteous."
The palace-dressed beauty also approached gracefully, her eyes filled with joy. She performed a deep bow with a radiant smile and said, "Greetings to my lord."
Zhang Yan took one look at her and smiled, saying, "Daoist Shang, your successful transformation is truly a cause for celebration."
The palace-dressed beauty bowed deeply once more. This time, her beautiful eyes glistened with tears as she said, "It’s all thanks to my lord’s kindness. Coupled with the prohibitions on this island shielding me from the heavenly tribulation, and Sister Luo’s assistance, I was able to succeed in enduring the tribulation."
It turned out that this was Shang Shang, the Fish Demon Beauty to whom Zhang Yan had granted the Transformation Elixir that day. Now, she had shed her demon shell and taken on human form. From this point forward, her cultivation progress would far surpass what she could have achieved while in her demon body.
Luo Xiao covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. "Don’t drag me into this. When your sisters undergo their transformations in the future, it will still depend on our lord. You should plead with him yourself; I won’t shoulder that responsibility."
Shang Shang’s thoughts were exposed, prompting a rosy blush to bloom on her jade-like cheeks. She lowered her head without a word.
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and stepped forward toward the Cave Mansion. Once inside, he seated himself upon the stone platform and asked, "Luo Daoist, I’ve been away for two months. Has everything in the mansion remained well?"
Luo Xiao bowed and replied, "Reporting to my lord, all matters in the mansion have been managed by Sister Shang, who is exceptionally skilled in such affairs. Everything is in perfect order. The laborers have wanted for nothing in terms of clothing or food. Additionally, two scenic and elegant towers have been newly constructed on the island, which you may wish to visit at your leisure. However, ten days ago, someone delivered a letter accompanied by a Sleeve Bag. Other than that, there have been no other significant occurrences."
As she spoke, she gracefully waved her hand and pulled a letter from her small sleeve. Taking two steps forward, she presented it with both hands to Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan reached out and took it, showing no intention of hiding it from the pair. He opened it, and after reading for a moment, couldn’t help but sigh softly, saying, "Brother Xie, why must you go to such lengths?"