The morning of the third day.
Thin mist shrouded the sea, and the air carried a salty, damp tang.
On the deck of the Shushan Warship, Daoist Chen Yuan stood at the bow with Bai Wuya, Liu Ye, Lu Tian, and the others.
Chen Changqing wore a clean blue Daoist robe, the Immortal-Slaying Sword strapped to his back. He looked fresh and invigorated.
"Have you packed everything?" Daoist Chen Yuan asked.
"Everything."
"What about pills?"
"Packed them."
"Life-saving talismans?"
"Those too."
Daoist Chen Yuan was about to ask another question when Bai Wuya clapped him on the shoulder.
"Enough, senior brother. Keep this up and you'll be checking whether he remembered to put on his pants."
Daoist Chen Yuan glared at Bai Wuya and gave an irritated snort.
Lu Tian leaned against the mast with his arms folded and a blade of grass between his lips.
"Little martial nephew, if you find anything fun in the Divine Pool, remember to bring some back for your youngest martial uncle."
"Why don't you go in yourself?" Chen Changqing countered.
"I didn't win the championship. I couldn't get in even if I wanted to." Lu Tian rolled his eyes. "You think I don't want to?"
Liu Ruyan walked over, holding a brocade box.
"Junior brother, Hua Yao sent someone to deliver this Nine-Turn Soul Restoration Pill. She said it was just in case."
Chen Changqing accepted the box and opened it for a look. The pill was emerald green throughout, giving off a medicinal fragrance that refreshed his heart and lungs.
The Nine-Turn Soul Restoration Pill was a sacred life-saving medicine personally refined by Hua Gu. As long as a single breath remained, taking it would preserve one's life.
"Thank her for me." Chen Changqing stowed the brocade box in the Heaven Treading