East Sea, Purple Qi Island.
Quite a few green banana trees had been planted along the white beach. Three of them stood clustered together, their enormous leaves naturally forming a canopy, creating a very simple pavilion.
The pavilion was open on all sides, with a stone table and stone stools in the middle. Before it stretched the vast blue sea, the view broad and unobstructed.
It was midsummer. The blazing sun hung high overhead; the sky was crystalline blue, the sea a deep azure. Wisps of cloud drifted between sea and sky, seabirds flew to and fro... a scene of boundless sea and towering heavens.
A cool breeze stirred beneath the banana trees, sweeping away the summer heat. Sitting within the pavilion, watching the sea and sky, one's heart naturally opened wide.
Yet the few people seated in the pavilion all wore solemn expressions.
Baoyue, the yellow-robed monk seated opposite the seat of honor, said gravely, "Mysterious Underworld and I were old friends. I am deeply saddened that he met with such misfortune.
"I came to the East Sea because I also wish to get to the bottom of what happened to Mysterious Underworld."
Baoyue had handsome features and an enduringly elegant bearing. Though his expression was grave and stern, his voice was soft, even carrying a trace of feminine mellowness.
His voice was neither male nor female, yet it suited Baoyue's temperament perfectly and did not seem inappropriate in the slightest. It was as though he ought to be this way.
White Moon Heavenly Lord, seated beside Baoyue, shot him a sidelong glance. She did not like this Buddhist cultivator whose beauty blurred the line between man and woman. As for Baoyue claiming to be Mysterious Underworld's old friend, that was complete nonsense.
White Moon Heavenly Lord knew Mysterious