Dragon Country’s ship had been sailing for ten more days, now close to Crane Island where the Bai Qiong Demon King resided. According to Yan Zhengting’s written account, Zhang Yan quickly calculated that it would take roughly half a month more to reach their destination.
However, to acquire the Sixty-Year Four-Season Water, customary etiquette demanded a formal visit to pay respects.
As Zhang Yan pondered over an appropriate gift for the occasion, he suddenly felt a sense of awareness. Lifting his gaze, he saw a stream of tunneling light, resembling white smoke, gracefully rising from the Far Sea. After a swift turn, the light darted straight toward their position.
In the vast seas, it was not uncommon to encounter a few cultivators traveling on sea boats. Yet, someone flying directly on light was quite rare—such an act was only possible if their cultivation had reached a certain level. Given the direction they had come from, Zhang Yan couldn’t help but take a closer look.
This person appeared astonished at the sheer size of Dragon Country’s ship. Once near, they circled the ship several times before landing on the deck. The white qi gradually dissipated, revealing a short and fat Daoist, who stepped forward, glanced at Zhang Yan, and spoke in a deep voice: "You must be Zhang Yan from Mingcang Sect?"
With a faint smile, Zhang Yan cupped his hands and replied, "Indeed it is me. And you must be Master Lu."
"Oh?" Lu Junbai exclaimed, "You recognize me?"
Zhang Yan brushed his robe sleeve, smiled, and said, "We met briefly at Elder Yan’s birthday banquet two years ago. It was a fleeting encounter—could it be that Master Lu has forgotten?"
Lu Junbai froze for a moment, then his memory clicked. On that day at the banquet, Zhang Yan had been the one guest he couldn’t deal with. With a heavy grunt, he said, "So it’s you."
He hesitated for a moment, then retrieved a jade bottle from his sleeve and tossed it out, saying, "Take it. I know why you’ve come. This is Sixty-Year Four-Season Water collected 120 years ago. Though not as fresh as newly gathered water, it should suffice. The area ahead is perilous—if you value your life, I suggest you turn back soon and avoid lingering here too long."
Lu Junbai had long mingled overseas; how could he not know Xiao Han’s true intention of having him kill Zhang Yan?
To genuinely kill Zhang Yan would mean firmly hitching himself to the ship of the Xuanmen Family—a bond he could never sever. Why would he willingly let someone manipulate him?
Thus, he aimed only to send Zhang Yan away, even if it meant giving up the Four-Season Water, while ensuring he avoided offending the Mingcang Sect and its followers.
Reaching out, Zhang Yan caught the jade bottle. With a broad smile, he said aloud, "I promised Elder Yan that I would come to the East Sea to retrieve several fellow Daoists. I cannot betray that trust. Master Lu, do you know where they are?"
Lu Junbai responded coldly, "Yan Zhengting had previously sent letters. The two fellow Daoists from Linqing Temple and Bi Yu Xuan have already been released. As for my nephew and two grandnephews, there’s no need for you to concern yourself with them. Yan Zhengting won’t say much on the matter."
Smiling lightly, Zhang Yan replied, "I sense that Master Lu seems to have trouble brewing. Why not share it with me? Perhaps, despite my limitations, I might still be able to assist."
Lu Junbai scrutinized Zhang Yan from head to toe, shaking his head. "You’re just a Xuan Guang Practitioner. Even if I were to explain, what could you possibly do about it?"
Zhang Yan shook the jade bottle in his hand, chuckling. "Master Lu has given me this item, yet I would prefer not to accept it without reciprocating. Did Elder Yan ever tell Master Lu that I am a True Disciple of Mingcang Sect? I’ve now established a Cave Mansion outside the sect, overseeing a domain of my own. If you share your difficulties with me now, perhaps I can’t resolve them instantly, but one day, I may repay this favor."
Hearing this, Lu Junbai’s expression softened somewhat.
Zhang Yan’s words of not wanting to owe favors stood in stark contrast to Xiao Han’s impulsive tendency to resort to violence at the slightest provocation. Lu Junbai couldn’t help but ponder: "Could it be that my earlier plans were mistaken? After all, those from the high-and-mighty Xuanmen Families wouldn’t take someone like me, with a Demon Race background, seriously."
Lu Junbai had initially tried to approach Xiao Han in hopes of advancing his own cultivation.
This idea wasn’t unusual. Demons like him, though they ruled parts of the seas, still lagged far behind great sects when it came to cultivation techniques, elixir pills, Dharma treasures, or Cave Mansions.
To further his cultivation, he needed access to Upper-class Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands. Without them, his progress would be painfully slow, and he might expend his lifespan without ever attaining the Great Dao.
Though Upper-class Cave Mansions existed in the East Sea, many were buried beneath deep ten-thousand-zhang trenches. With his current level of cultivation, he couldn’t possibly reach them. There were even rumors of Great Demons hidden in seclusion occupying these places. Even if he found them, what could he do?
Thus, if he could secure support from a prominent Xuanmen sect in East Splendor Continent, even a second-rate sect would be a cause for celebration.
Like his elder sister, Lu Mei Niang. Back then, upon learning that Yan Zhengting was a Direct Disciple of Beichen Sect, she went to great lengths to flatter him, eventually even marrying him.