Chapter Forty-Six

Gu Liuyun was swept into the sea by a towering wave, salty seawater rushing into his mouth and nose, the roar of the ocean filling his ears. He mustered a faint trace of spiritual power within to shield his body, drifting with the current. How long he floated, he could not say, until he felt his body brush against a hard reef and struggled to climb onto it.

“Cough, cough…” Spitting out seawater, his vision gradually cleared. He found himself on a desolate, uninhabited island. The island was lush with vegetation, yet it exuded an eerie silence.

A faint hissing sound caught his attention. Alert, Gu Liuyun scanned the surroundings and saw countless poisonous insects swarming from all directions, their multicolored bodies emanating a nauseating stench. These venomous creatures resembled centipedes but had spider-like pincers—clearly extraordinarily venomous.

“Oh, going all out, huh? Starting with such a tough challenge?” Gu Liuyun muttered with a smirk, though his eyes betrayed no trace of panic. In his previous life, as a celestial sovereign, what great storms and trials hadn’t he faced? Mere poisonous insects were hardly a match for him.

With a thought, a faint golden spiritual force gathered at his fingertips. He softly commanded, “Break!”

The spiritual energy transformed into a streak of golden light, instantly obliterating the surrounding venomous insects. The smell of scorched flesh filled the air.

Brushing dust off his clothes, Gu Liuyun wore a relaxed and carefree expression.

Suddenly, two startled voices came from nearby: “Liuyun!”

Following the sound, he saw Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao rushing from behind another reef, their faces etched with worry and anxiety.

“Brother Liuyun, are you alright? You scared us to death!” Chen Jiaojiao clutched him tightly, her voice trembling with tears.

Ye Manman also asked with concern, “Are you hurt? What about those poisonous insects…”

“It’s just a small matter, a mere drizzle,” Gu Liuyun smiled gently, ruffling Chen Jiaojiao’s hair. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Only then did the two young women relax, gazing at Gu Liuyun in admiration.

“Brother Liuyun, you’re incredible! How did you do that?” Chen Jiaojiao asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

“Well…” Gu Liuyun feigned secrecy with a sly smile, “Some secrets are not for the world to know.”

Suddenly, a sultry voice drifted from the forest: “Who killed my precious pets?”

A woman in a flowing white gauze dress emerged slowly, her icy gaze fixed on Gu Liuyun, a hint of murderous intent in her tone…

Chapter 45: Treasure Found and Enmity Born on a Deserted Island, Departing with Elegance

A chill ran through Gu Liuyun’s heart, yet he remained composed.

He smiled faintly, preparing to mount his sword and leave, but suddenly sensed a powerful force emanating from beneath the island, beckoning him.

The force was familiar and strong, arousing his curiosity.

“Manman, Jiaojiao, stay here and don’t move. I’ll be back soon,” Gu Liuyun instructed, then followed the direction of the calling.

He entered a dense forest, brushing aside thick fallen leaves, arriving at a clearing.

The summons from below grew stronger, and he detected a familiar spiritual aura.

Delighted, Gu Liuyun realized this power undoubtedly belonged to a relic left by an immortal cultivator.

He closed his eyes, concentrating to pinpoint the exact location of the treasure.

After a moment, he uncovered a concealed entrance by clearing away thick soil, revealing the gateway to a secret chamber.

Gently pushing open the stone door, he found it filled with various magical artifacts and treasures of gold, silver, and jewels.

Under the dim light, these treasures shimmered dazzlingly, overwhelming the senses.

“Cha-ching! This haul is a jackpot!” Gu Liuyun thought with satisfaction, swiftly storing the treasure into his Sumeru Space.

Feeling his strength surge significantly, his heart brimmed with fulfillment and excitement.

After gathering the treasure, Gu Liuyun returned to find Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao confronting the woman in white.

White Bai’s eyes flickered upon seeing Gu Liuyun clutching the treasure.

“Brother Liuyun, what’s this…” Chen Jiaojiao asked in surprise.

Gu Liuyun smiled faintly, gesturing toward the depths of the forest. “Let’s go. There’s another surprise waiting for us.”

Following the trail of the summoning feeling, they soon discovered an injured woman—it was White Bai.

Seeing Gu Liuyun, gratitude flashed in her eyes: “It was you… who saved me?”

Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao watched silently nearby, a subtle, ambiguous atmosphere blossoming among them.

Gu Liuyun smiled softly but said nothing.

He already had his plans; this grudge was far from over.

As they prepared to leave, White Bai’s expression suddenly darkened. Her gaze fell on the charred corpses of the poisonous insects scattered on the ground, anger flashing in her eyes. “You killed these poisonous pets?”

Gu Liuyun smiled faintly, walking over to gently pat White Bai’s shoulder. “Sometimes, feelings can be tougher to deal with than poisonous insects.”

With that, the group departed the island with ease and grace, leaving White Bai alone, her expression complex and troubled.

She burst from the forest, immediately spotting the blackened bodies of the insects, a foul stench assaulting her nostrils.

Her face instantly paled; she staggered, nearly falling.

These poisonous insects were her carefully nurtured venomous pets—her greatest support—and now…

“Who did this?!” White Bai’s voice trembled, laced with uncontrollable fury.

Gu Liuyun shrugged casually, wearing a carefree expression. “That’d be me. What’s the matter?”

“You!” White Bai glared fiercely, eyes blazing with rage. “How dare you kill my precious pets! Do you know how important they were to me?!”

Gu Liuyun spread his hands innocently. “Well, they were blocking my way. Besides, I didn’t know they were your pets—I thought they were attacking me.”

White Bai was rendered speechless with anger. She took a deep breath, struggling to calm herself. “I want your life!”

With that, she vanished in a flash, transforming into a white shadow as she lunged at Gu Liuyun.

A sharp dagger appeared in her hand without warning, aimed straight for his throat.

A playful smile curled at the corner of Gu Liuyun’s mouth. He tilted his body slightly, effortlessly dodging White Bai’s strike.

He flicked her forehead lightly with a finger and teased, “Little lady, don’t be so rash. All this fighting and killing—it’s not good.”

White Bai blushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger, swinging her dagger again at Gu Liuyun.

Her strikes were deadly and lightning-fast, but Gu Liuyun seemed to be toying with her, easily evading every attack and flashing confident smiles.

Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao nearby couldn’t help but laugh at the scene.

They knew Gu Liuyun’s strength was unfathomable; there was no need to worry about him getting hurt.

White Bai, frustrated and desperate, stopped panting, her eyes red-rimmed.

She glared at Gu Liuyun like an angry little kitten.

Seeing that enough was enough, Gu Liuyun didn’t wish to linger.

He dusted off his clothes and turned to Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao. “Let’s go. It’s time to leave.”

“Alright!” Chen Jiaojiao followed gleefully, while Ye Manman smiled sweetly, linking arms with Gu Liuyun as they departed the island together.

Their figures gradually faded into the distance, leaving White Bai standing alone, her face full of complicated emotions.

Gu Liuyun knew this was only a minor episode; his journey to find the fragments of the Seven-Colored Stone was far from over.

“This shard seems to be…” Gu Liuyun murmured, his gaze fixed on the horizon.