Chapter 304: Half-Sun Island

Watching the wooden boat speed away, carrying the white-clad figure with his hands behind his back, the two princes, despite their deep unwillingness, had no choice but to turn around and swim back to shore.

Once ashore, both princes—and even Royal Prince Ye—looked toward Ye Zhiqing.

Feeling their gazes, she simply shook her head and said, “Don’t look at me. I have no idea how he stood on the boat… But one thing I can tell you, you might as well head back. The boat is gone, and my master won’t see you again.”

“Father, take care. I’ll be leaving first,” she said before soaring into the air, diving straight into the mist-covered lake.

“Hey! Hey!”

“Zhi’er! Slow down!”

Royal Prince Ye hadn’t even finished speaking before his daughter vanished into the thick fog.

That left the three of them—uncle and nephews—standing there, staring at each other.

After a long silence, the Third Prince turned and walked toward the black-gold carriage, saying in a low voice, “Wait here. He’ll have to come out eventually…”

…

A gentle breeze swept across the lake, rippling its mirror-like surface and creating waves.

As the wooden boat glided over the water, it smoothed out the ripples, leaving behind a fish-tail-shaped wake.

Dressed in white, Gu Ning’an stood at the bow, quietly admiring the beauty of Half-Moon Lake.

From the moment he stepped onto the boat, the dense white mist over the lake had completely vanished before his eyes.

It seemed that the mist, which had long shrouded the lake, was actually an illusion set up by the people of the Hunling Immortal Sect to conceal themselves from the world.

Now that the boat had accepted a passenger, the illusion naturally dissipated.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Gu Ning’an lifted his gaze and saw Half-Sun Island rising above the water.

Together, “Half-Sun Island” and “Half-Moon Lake” formed a perfect circle. A slightly curved line lay in the center, like a masterful brushstroke left by heaven and earth, perfectly dividing and yet seamlessly connecting the lake and the island.

From a distance, the island was lush and verdant, completely covered in green foliage. Towering trees dotted the landscape, and every now and then, birds would take flight from the treetops, soaring into the sky.

As the boat docked, Gu Ning’an had just stepped ashore when a soft voice called out behind him.

“Mr. Gu, I’ll show you the way.”

Turning around, he saw that Ye Zhiqing had caught up. He cupped his hands and said, “Then I’ll trouble Miss Ye.”

“This way, please.” Ye Zhiqing gestured and led Gu Ning’an forward while asking, “Mr. Gu, did you travel here with my father and the others?”

Gu Ning’an smiled and nodded. “Yes. We met on the road, and since we had the same destination, we traveled together.”

“I see,” Ye Zhiqing paused before continuing, “So, Mr. Gu, you actually have your own reason for visiting my Hunling Immortal Sect?”

“Not exactly,” Gu Ning’an said with a slight smile. “I’ve simply heard of the sect’s reputation and came to see it for myself.”

Came out of admiration? Just to take a look?

Was he not worried about making the trip for nothing?

Ye Zhiqing was a little puzzled but said nothing more.

She led Gu Ning’an along the island’s outer edge for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before stopping at a spot where grass met sand.

A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of blooming red flowers, filling the air with a faint floral scent.

Sitting by the lakeshore was a woman dressed in a flowing green dress. Her long hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. She held a bamboo fishing rod in her hands, seemingly absorbed in her task.

“Master, this is Mr. Gu—the one who arrived on the boat,” Ye Zhiqing said.

True Immortal Ling Xi gave a slight nod. “I know… Mr. Gu, what do you wish for my help with? If you haven’t decided yet, you may take a token with you and return whenever you’ve made up your mind.”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an realized that she had mistaken him for one of Great Wu’s princes.

Thus, he cupped his hands and replied, “I am Gu Ning’an, and I am not associated with the princes of Great Wu. I have come here specifically to pay my respects to you, fellow Daoist.”

Fellow Daoist?

Those two words aren’t used lightly!

The person fishing in front of you is a true immortal!

Ye Zhiqing was startled by Gu Ning’an’s words and quickly reached out to tug on his sleeve, giving him a meaningful look.

Seeing this, Gu Ning’an frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…” Ye Zhiqing noticed her master had put down the fishing rod and immediately fell silent.

Daoist Lingxi turned around, and after getting a clear look at Gu Ning’an’s attire, she was momentarily surprised. “Mr. Gu, did you visit the Demon Capital Palace a few days ago?”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an stared into Daoist Ling Xi’s gemstone-like eyes for a moment before responding, “So it was you peering at me back then?”

Their conversation felt completely disconnected, leaving Ye Zhiqing utterly baffled.

Demon Capital Palace? That’s the Flood Dragon Emperor’s stronghold! A place no ordinary person can enter!

And why does Mr. Gu talk so strangely? Saying that a true immortal was peering at him… Immortal cultivators might generally have good tempers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have one at all…

Should I step in and plead for him if Master punishes him?

Would I end up getting punished too?

Just as Ye Zhiqing was caught in a spiral of wild thoughts, Daoist Ling Xi suddenly said, “Indeed, I was the one peering at you.”

Ye Zhiqing almost popped her eyes out of their sockets.

What in the world is going on?!

Why would Master be spying on a mere mortal scholar…?

With that thought, Ye Zhiqing scrutinized Gu Ning’an from head to toe. As she examined him, she secretly muttered:

He is handsome, and his aura is refined. Dressed in white, he does have the air of a cultivator… but he has not a trace of spiritual power. At the end of the day, he’s just a mortal…

“Miss Ye, please be quiet for a moment,” Gu Ning’an turned around and said helplessly.

Ye Zhiqing’s mental fluctuations were too intense, and since she was constantly thinking about Gu Ning’an, her inner thoughts were inadvertently picked up by his formidable divine soul and six senses.

Gu Ning’an hadn’t expected this outwardly cold and composed Young Princess Ye to have such a dramatic inner world…

Before Ye Zhiqing could react, her vision suddenly distorted. The surrounding scenery spun and blurred, shifting away in a strange reversal!

When everything finally settled, she exhaled deeply.

“Just who is Mr. Gu? Can he hear what I’m thinking?”

A quick glance around revealed that she was now inside the Scripture Copying Room. Her scalp instantly tingled.

I should’ve known better than to let my thoughts run wild… Who knows how many copies of the “Heart-Calming Sutra” I’ll have to transcribe before I can leave!

Feeling uneasy, Ye Zhiqing walked up to the desk and cautiously flipped open the cover of the scripture.

The moment she turned the page, she was met with three bold, neatly written characters—

[Three Thousand Copies]