FRGNM -Chapter 149 Emerging from Seclusion

From within the sea, a woman dressed in white slowly rose into the air. Her long black hair draped over her shoulders, freely blown about by the sea breeze. Her hands were clasped together before her chest, holding a piece of white jade.

Time seemed to stand still. The woman standing upon the surface of the sea slowly opened her eyes, a smile blooming in her gaze. The Hetian jade in her hands released a faint white glow, enveloping her whole body.

She began to dance casually, her graceful figure moving upon the sea’s surface. With her arms spreading lightly, her beautiful form tapped the water, and the seawater around her surged outward like spiraling whirlpools. The smile at her lips was breathtakingly radiant. Like the Goddess of the Luo River emerging from the sea, she leapt lightly and landed steadily on the ground.

“Boom!”

Lightning above her head descended with terrifying speed, striking straight toward her crown.

The woman merely raised her hand calmly. White light burst forth as she caught the falling lightning with indifference. With a casual flick of her hand, the dark blue lightning condensed in her palm, then was gently guided back into the sea.

A roar even louder than thunder erupted. Fish in the sea were sent flying into the air. With a light tap of her finger, the Hetian jade in her hand transformed into a pure white necklace that settled around her neck.

“You’re back?” Someone who had long been waiting in the courtyard smiled faintly and nodded as he looked at the returning figure.

The confident woman nodded in return, then lightly leapt forward, reaching out toward another direction.

The boy who had been writing in the courtyard immediately darkened his expression. His hands moved like the wind as green Dou Qi burst forth, surging outward like a roaring dragon.

The white figure lightly dodged aside, lips curling upward as her hand landed on the boy’s shoulder. “Yizhui, still so mischievous.”

“Mother—so it was you. I thought it was Uncle and the others.” Three years later, the once-young boy had grown to about 1.67 meters tall. Nearly ten years old, his brows now strongly resembled that man. Every movement carried a naturally commanding presence that could easily captivate countless girls.

Steadiness blended with mischief—this was the kind of young man he had become.

“What are you talking about, Brother Yizhui? Look at what you wrote—it looks like it was chewed by a dog!” A playful pink figure snatched the letter paper from the table, glanced at the writing, then tugged down her lower eyelid and made a silly face.

The little girl had grown quickly as well, gaining a touch of gentleness while losing some of her former dominance. She resembled Ling Ruoxi by three parts, but looked even more like that man.

Wrapping her arms around both children, Ling Ruoxi kissed them hard on their cheeks. “Did you behave and listen to your uncles properly?”

“Of course! We both have magical beasts protecting us, so we cultivate three to four times faster than ordinary people. I can already beat up bad guys now!” As Yimeng spoke, she patted her hands together. A streak of yellow Dou Qi burst forth—she had already reached the late Yellow Rank. With a bit more time, she would join Yizhui as a Green Rank Dou Qi practitioner.

For ordinary people, entering the Green Rank before thirty was already a luxury. Yet these two little ones cultivated at an astonishing pace. Moreover, on Dragonwalker Continent, twelve- or thirteen-year-old children were as mature as seventeen- or eighteen-year-olds on Earth—so much so that even Ling Ruoxi herself was momentarily dazzled by Yizhui’s appearance.

Seeming to sense what his mother was thinking, Yizhui shivered and waved his hands quickly.
“I don’t want to sleep with you, Mother! A real man shouldn’t cling to his mother. Besides, you always steal my blanket and leave my butt exposed!”

“Go on—what’s wrong with Mother sleeping with you? Which part of you haven’t I seen?”
Ling Ruoxi pressed his head playfully. Should she blame this world for making people mature too early?

Meanwhile, Yimeng drooped her head, tugging on Ling Ruoxi’s wrist as she said softly, “Mother, after today, Uncle Li is leaving us.”

“He… is leaving?” Ling Ruoxi’s heart trembled. What she feared most had finally arrived. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes as she strode quickly toward the inner courtyard.

A gentle breeze rose, carrying the rich aroma of food. The table was laden with a feast, yet no one moved their chopsticks or spoke. They simply sat there in silence.

“What’s wrong?” She remembered that when she first returned, the food here would always be snatched clean. Could it be that no one had an appetite now?

Yizhui and Yimeng took their seats as well, but neither showed any desire to eat. Ling Ruoxi picked up her chopsticks, tasted a few dishes, and commented casually, “This one’s a bit salty, that one’s too bland, this meat needs to be cooked longer, and this—”

“Mother, Uncle Li is leaving. How can you still eat?” Over three years, Yizhui had grown especially fond of the always-smiling man.

His vast knowledge and apparent omniscience deeply attracted him. Boys naturally admired those stronger than themselves and took them as goals to surpass.

Even Yizhui was the same. Though he was often teased by him, now… if King Li Yi of the Eastern Capital truly left, he didn’t know what he would do.

Setting down her chopsticks, Ling Ruoxi looked at the men seated there—including the still-smiling Eastern Capital King. Resting her clasped hands beneath her chin, she smiled faintly. “So what should I do now? Act heartbroken?”

“Mother, that’s not it… Don’t you feel sad too?” Yimeng pressed a hand to her chest and looked at the Eastern Capital King with pouting lips.

“My heart hurts so much. Thinking that Uncle Li is leaving and I won’t see him again—I don’t even feel like eating. And Father Fang said that from now on, Uncle Li will be our enemy…”

“I don’t want Uncle Li to be our enemy! What kind of enemy helps us?” Tears slid down Yimeng’s cheeks as she sobbed softly.

The grown men present wouldn’t cry like women, but they didn’t feel any better either.

Gaining such a formidable enemy was even worse than having a fool for a teammate.

Qiongyu Immortal Island—he had to go. No one could stop him. After all, he had already said so three years ago. Today was merely the final day.

Patting Yimeng’s head, the smiling man nodded gently. “Yimeng, why are you still crying? Aren’t you very strong? You have powerful magical beasts—if you ran into a bad uncle like me, I’d have to avoid you.”

“No, I don’t want to! I don’t want to be Uncle Li’s enemy, and I won’t ever attack Uncle Li. Stay, Uncle!” Clutching the Eastern Capital King’s robe, Yimeng sobbed and buried herself into his chest. She was afraid that after today, she would never again have this fatherly embrace.

Turning his head toward Ling Ruoxi, the Eastern Capital King smiled calmly. “You can now use Dou Qi perfectly, but remember—Hetian jade isn’t omnipotent. The spiritual energy stored inside it can only help you temporarily. Your Dou Qi may disappear at any time. You’ve already obtained the cultivation method of the Poison Scripture. Your current strength rivals that of a Purple Venerable. However, to infiltrate Qiongyu Immortal Island, you must conceal your true strength and alter your appearance. Tomorrow, I’ll head to Qiongyu Immortal Island and take you along. Consider this the last time I help you.”

“Thank you.” Ling Ruoxi smiled faintly and nodded. She then looked at the others and said calmly, “Fang Xu, Senior Brother, may I ask you both for something?”

“Go ahead,” Fang Xu replied with a gentle smile. He had long grown accustomed to such moments. Even if they became enemies, he would always stand by Ling Ruoxi’s side and protect her.

“Three years ago, Luo Mingyu entered the Evil King Cave. His life or death is still unknown. I don’t know how he’s doing. So I want you to go to Evil King Island and help that man—will you?”
She herself needed to infiltrate Qiongyu Immortal Island directly, so they could coordinate from inside and out.

Tang Yinhai glanced at Fang Xu. Having lost his freedom, he now followed Fang Xu’s orders alone. Setting down his teacup, Fang Xu nodded with a smile. “No problem. I can help. I can also call Nangong Mo and Ye Ningfeng over. They both broke through to Purple Venerable a few days ago.”

“So fast!” Reaching Purple Venerable required long years of refinement. Ling Ruoxi herself had no innate Dou Qi, but because the spell left behind Purple Venerable-level energy, she had directly advanced.

Nodding, the Eastern Capital King smiled lightly. “Yes, very fast. They were lucky. Unfortunately, Qiongyu Immortal Island only accepts women today—otherwise, they could go too.”

“It’s fine. I alone am enough,” Ling Ruoxi replied.

Yimeng, still clutching the Eastern Capital King’s wrist, hurriedly cried out, “Mother, I want to go too! I want to rescue Grandma! Didn’t you say they only accept women? I’m a girl too—they’ll definitely take me!”

“It’s too dangerous. You can’t go there.” Ling Ruoxi frowned. These two children were her treasures—if anything happened to them, she would never forgive herself.

Besides, this was her responsibility alone. The children could not be involved.

This time, the Eastern Capital King didn’t indulge Yimeng. He gently patted her head and shook his head with a smile. “No, little Yimeng. Once you come of age, you can go to Qiongyu Immortal Island. That island doesn’t accept girls who haven’t yet come of age. Pinky swear—when you do, Uncle will take you there.”

“Okay…” Hooking her delicate little finger with his, Yimeng wiped away her tears. It was agreed—once she came of age, she would go to Qiongyu Immortal Island.

In the pitch-black cave, icy cold devoured everything. No light, only endless loneliness.

Those guarding the cave entrance had already lined up, awaiting the return of that familiar figure.

Under the sunlight, a silver-white figure slowly walked out. The sharp-featured man stood beneath the sun, his eyes closed, hiding those beautiful pupils.

Raising a hand to his brow, the man tilted his head slightly upward. His long lashes trembled as star-like black eyes opened, gazing at the warm world before him—finally feeling that trace of warmth.

“Your Majesty!”

The seven figures standing guard instantly knelt down, heads lowered in silence.