Azure Scale Beast

A few days later...

Xia Ruoxue was dressed in a black martial arts outfit, tailored to fit her body snugly and elegantly.

The martial arts outfit was embroidered with red patterns for adornment.

A saber hung from her waist, its blade inlaid with blue jade, emitting a faint blue glow.

Xia Ruoxue sat alone on a floating boat, which gently drifted on the Flowing Cloud River.

She sat quietly on the edge of the boat, the breeze caressing her hair, her clothes fluttering in the wind.

She gracefully poured wine into a cup. The wine seemed to be the color of the Flowing Cloud River water, clear and transparent as crystal.

She raised the cup, took a sip, and closed her eyes, savoring the taste for a long time...

She held a slender flute in her hand, bringing it gently to her lips.

As she breathed, beautiful notes drifted from the flute, melodious and yet poignant. The notes echoed on the Flowing Cloud River with the melody Xia Ruoxue played, exuding a tranquil and mysterious atmosphere.

Xia Ruoxue's gaze was deep and determined. Her solitary figure on the tranquil waters of the Flowing Cloud River perfectly embodied the phrase "alone."

Suddenly...

Xia Ruoxue turned her head and saw a luxurious small boat slowly approaching. Two strangers in brocade robes stood on the deck. One of them stared sharply at Xia Ruoxue and asked, "Are you Xia Ruoxue?"

Xia Ruoxue nodded.

"Young Master is waiting for you," one of the strangers said.

Xia Ruoxue stood up, glanced at the calm water below, and leaped onto the other boat.

The Flowing Cloud River was located inland from Black Mountain. Inland only had small rivers, which could only accommodate small boats.

Although this boat was considerably larger than Xia Ruoxue's light skiff, it was still just a small boat.

"Miss Xia, please!" The brocade-robed man pulled aside the curtain on the boat.

The curtain was lifted...

A familiar face appeared before her. Xia Ruoxue's face showed a thoughtful expression. Although only four months had passed, they seemed like strangers now.

"Long time no see," Xia Ruoxue politely forced a smile.

Upon seeing Xia Ruoxue, a flicker of surprise flashed in Lin Yunzhi's eyes, but he immediately resumed a cordial smile. He enthusiastically stepped forward and gently reached out to touch Xia Ruoxue.

Xia Ruoxue took a slight step back, distancing herself from Lin Yunzhi's touch. Her gaze was cold and distant, and she couldn't help but frown.

"Young Master Lin, I am already married. Our relationship is over. Please maintain proper etiquette and know your boundaries," Xia Ruoxue's voice carried a clear sense of distance.

Hearing this, Lin Yunzhi's eyes deepened, and an unspeakable sense of loss and anger surged within him.

"Xiao Xia, you were taken! How could you fall for a bandit? You can't have true feelings for him. I am the one who truly loves you," Lin Yunzhi said, patting his chest.

Xia Ruoxue retreated warily, her hand already reaching for the saber at her waist.

Falling Phoenix Thirteen Blades!

It was the only martial art she relied on when navigating the jianghu.

Lin Yunzhi completely ignored Xia Ruoxue's martial arts skill, but her wary attitude stung his heart even more.

"Xiao Xia, has that guy cast a spell on you? Are you poisoned? You must be blinded! Can our ten years of feelings really not compare to that bandit?" Lin Yunzhi said emotionally.

"That's right, you're right! He's a bandit! But what about you? You're a liar! What's this Blood Demon White Bone Technique? And! The plague in the fishing village ten years ago, was it caused by your Lin family!?" Xia Ruoxue suddenly roared like a madwoman.

"How do you know about the Blood Demon White Bone Technique?" Lin Yunzhi's voice carried a hint of coldness and threat. He stared at Xia Ruoxue, trying to find an answer.

Xia Ruoxue remained silent, watching Lin Yunzhi warily.

"Who told you?" Lin Yunzhi asked again.

"Did my uncle tell you? Why! Why would he betray the Lin family?" Lin Yunzhi's voice was filled with anger and confusion. He couldn't accept this fact.

Then, a mad smile spread across Lin Yunzhi's face: "Fine! Since you know, you won't escape. When I refine you into a bone slave, we can be together forever!"

Xia Ruoxue drew her saber, and Lin Yunzhi drew the long sword hanging from his waist.

The former lovers finally faced each other with swords drawn.

The ultimate end for lovers in this world is either love or mutual destruction.

"Zhi'er, be careful!" the boatman shouted loudly.

Thwack!

The moment Lin Yunzhi drew his sword, a blade shot out from under the water, piercing the wooden boat and stabbing Lin Yunzhi's foot.

He let out a muffled groan and knelt on one knee, using his sword to prop himself up on the deck. Blood seeped from his foot, and he felt dizzy and disoriented, clearly poisoned.

Li Shuidao had been in the river all along. With his strike successful, he retreated and attacked the other person.

The old boatman was a master, at least at the mid-stage of the Spirit Channeling Realm.

The water beneath the boat began to churn strangely.

The old boatman wielded his giant oar and smashed it fiercely into the water.

Rumble, rumble, rumble.

A pool of spring water was shattered by his movements, the water churning restlessly...

Suddenly.

A person in black leaped from the water, sword in hand, and attacked the boatman's back.

The boatman's eyes sharpened. His back instantly grew a patch of azure scales. This was Azure Scale Skin, a divine ability from the Azure Scale Hall's cultivation methods.

The Cangzhou Lin Family's affiliated immortal cultivation sect was the Azure Scale Hall, and the Lin Family cultivators naturally practiced its methods.

Clang, clang, clang...

The silver sword light struck the azure scales, sparks flying and producing the sound of metal hitting metal.

"You impudent brat, daring to challenge this old man?"

The boatman roared, his arm muscles bulging like steel cables. With a twist of his body, he lunged at Li Shuidao.

BOOM!

The punch arrived with a whistling wind, the force exploding and rumbling.

BANG!

Li Shuidao didn't dodge, taking the punch head-on.

After all, he had diligently practiced the Jade Toad Qi Cultivation Art and the Golden Toad Qi Locking Method, and had confidence in his physical body.

The two collided with a deafening roar.

Unable to brace himself in mid-air, Li Shuidao was sent flying backward, falling back into the water and splashing it up.

The moment he hit the water, a large azure crocodile, over ten feet long, swam towards Li Shuidao. Its tough body moved effortlessly through the water, azure light flashing all over.

This was an Azure Scale Beast, the overlord of Cangzhou's waters, and a Companion to Azure Scale Hall cultivators.

The boatman, Lin Yuanren, was also the last elder of the Lin Family and Lin Yunzhi's greatest trump card.

This mission to capture Xia Ruoxue was crucial for the family's revival and could not afford any mistakes. Lin Yunzhi had naturally brought the family's only elder along to ensure success.

After knocking Li Shuidao into the water, Lin Yuanren's mind stirred. The Azure Scale Beast hidden in the river instantly burst from the water and lunged at Li Shuidao!

Lin Yuanren revealed a cruel smile, imagining Li Shuidao being torn to shreds...

Water Surge Stealth Technique!

Li Shuidao vanished into thin air...

The Azure Scale Beast poked its head out of the river, looking left and right. Its previously ferocious eyes now looked as vacant as a fool's.

Where... did he go?

Lin Yuanren frowned in thought. Suddenly, his eyes sharpened. He felt a sharp pain in the sole of his foot. Looking down, he saw a sharp blade piercing through from the bottom of his foot, leaving only half the blade exposed.

With Lin Yuanren's cultivation, the Azure Scale Armor couldn't cover his entire body.