Section 71: Rain Island Saintess Shui Ruolan
"Fairy sister, give me a steamed bun to eat."
"Savior fairy, my old man hasn't eaten for a week. Please grant me a bowl of porridge."
"Fairy Ruolan, my child has been sick for over a month. He's only three years old! Please save him!"
A group of ragged people, including the elderly, children, and girls, surrounded Shui Ruolan, uttering cries of pleading and longing.
"Don't worry, everyone. The porridge stall is right here. Everyone, please line up and get yours one by one. There will be enough for everyone, so please don't worry. Young Master Yao, would you please accompany this aunt to see a doctor for her child?" Shui Ruolan spoke softly, her voice not loud, but it resonated throughout the Nameless village.
The young master Yao, who was mentioned, was elegant and refined. Upon hearing Shui Ruolan's words, he was overjoyed. With deep admiration, he gazed at Shui Ruolan and immediately promised to do his best to treat her.
"Yao Family Island is a renowned family of herbalists among the All-Star Archipelago. Young Master Yao, as the young master of Yao Family Island, you possess superb medical skills. I believe you can cure any ailment with ease." Shui Ruolan smiled slightly, her eyes as bright as the moon.
Encouraged by this, Young Master Yao spoke modestly, but could not hide the smug look on his face. He immediately quickened his pace and followed the anxious aunt.
"Hmph, this young master Yao, he really thinks he's something special."
"There's nothing we can do; none of us are as skilled in medicine as him. His main force of demonic Demon Beast are also Great Demon- tier medicinal herbs, said to possess a hundred medicinal properties, making them among the best materials for alchemy."
"If I had known this would happen, I would have switched to studying medicine. His smug look just now was really annoying."
Inside the soup kitchen, there was a large group of young talents, either the young island lords or the sons of high-ranking officials. Each of them was dashing and debonair. Looking at the gray-haired, filthy, and emaciated villagers around them, they couldn't hide their disgust. However, most of the time, when they looked at Shui Ruolan, their eyes were filled with deep admiration.
These people were all suitors of Shui Ruolan. If it weren't for Shui Ruolan's desire to set up a soup kitchen here, they would never have set foot in this neglected, backward, impoverished village island, which had suffered greatly from war.
On this village island, there are low shacks everywhere, muddy roads, and puddles of foul water. The villagers are all emaciated, with their ribs showing. The elderly move slowly, and even the children hang their heads listlessly.
Among them, Shui Ruolan wore a cloud-patterned dress, her skirt as white as snow. Her jet-black hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall. Her eyes shone like morning stars, filled with a gentle aura.
Her skin was as soft and smooth as jade, like a white lotus flower, rising from the mud unsullied. Her gentle smile and words revealed deep affection and care.
The suitors were once again stunned.
"It's so beautiful..." someone drooled.
"Not only is she beautiful, but she's also so kind. Like the Saintess of Rain Island throughout history, she harbors a heart for saving the world. How touching," someone exclaimed sincerely.
"More importantly, Rain Island holds a special position among the All-Star Archipelago and is ruled by the Water Family, one of the five ancient clans. To marry Shui Ruolan would be a blessing that one couldn't attain even in eight lifetimes."
"I heard that Fairy Ruolan is setting off for Shu Family Island."
"Yes, I've heard about it too. The Fire Quarter Decree has appeared. But in my opinion, a hundred Fire Quarter Decree are no match for one Fairy Ruolan."
" The Fire Quarter Decree is an ancient orthodox text. With its emergence, all the powers of the All-Star Archipelago will surely send delegations to pay homage. This is an ancient tradition, and the Iron Family is no exception. It just so happens that we can travel together with the fairy."
"Tch, you think you're the only one going with me? I'm going to Shu Family Island this time too."
Shu Family Island.
" Shui Ruolan is also coming to pay homage to the Fire Quarter Decree?" During the meeting in the hall, Chu Yun couldn't help but raise his eyebrows upon hearing this information.
"Who exactly is this Shui Ruolan?" Jin Bihan asked, her heart tightening at Chu Yun's reaction.
The old general Old Red Spear Hong Xi, sitting in a chair, stroked his white beard and said, " Shui Ruolan is a very famous young lady in our All-Star Archipelago. She is as beautiful as an angel, kind-hearted, and backed by the Water Family. She is the contemporary Rain Island Saintess, with extremely strong influence, especially among the younger generation."
"How does she compare to Ning Yiyi?" Jin Bihan asked again.
The Old Fish King then said, " Ning Yiyi is 16 years old now, while she is 18. As early as when she was 8 years old, when she became the Holy Maiden of Rain Island, she was already famous among the stars. In the past 10 years, she has done many good deeds, opened soup kitchens, formed a medical group, and often presided over mediation meetings to resolve disputes between various island forces. Her influence is many times greater than Ning Yiyi's."
Old Monkey Qiao, with his lively and carefree nature, glanced at Chu Yun upon hearing this and joked, "I think this girl is quite a good match for the young island lord. If she were to marry into the Water Family, two of the five ancient clans would be on our side. Add to that her influence, and the path to dominating the All-Star Archipelago would be many times smoother."
These words immediately lightened the serious atmosphere in the hall.
"Speaking of which, it is indeed true. My son should be engaged soon," Shu Tianhao said abruptly, glancing at Chu Yun.
Suddenly, the three old generals burst into laughter. They dared to laugh loudly in the hall because of their seniority. As for Wu Datou and Wang Zelong, they dared not, and they held back their laughter with great difficulty.
"A beautiful and graceful woman is the object of a gentleman's affections." Jin Bihan forced a smile, then turned to Chu Yun, slightly gritting her teeth, and asked, "Brother Chu, what are your thoughts?"
" Shui Ruolan ..." Chu Yun murmured, his face grim. Suddenly, he let out a cold snort, "This woman has great ambitions. All the holy women of Rain Island throughout the ages have been like this, hypocritical and deceitful, not a good match for her."
Everyone was slightly taken aback, wondering why Chu Yun held such a view.
"What does Yan Que think?" Chu Yun changed the subject, not offering a direct explanation, but instead asking Yan Que.
Yan Que knew that Chu Yun was testing him again, so he smiled slightly, stood up, and slowly walked into the hall.
He remained calm and composed, displaying an air of unwavering composure and profound wisdom. Over this period of time, he had established himself as the strategist in the eyes of the crowd, and before he even spoke, the hall had already quieted down.
"There's a saying in the All-Star Archipelago: 'A rainbow in the east, rain in the west; the men of the Shu Clan, the women of the Ning Family.' In our All-Star Archipelago, the men of the Shu Clan are exceptionally brave, and the women of the Ning Family are renowned for their intelligence and beauty. Besides these, the easternmost Rainbow Island and the westernmost Rain Island hold particularly special positions."
Yan Que spoke calmly and deliberately, his tone carrying a strong persuasive quality. He continued, " Rain Island is no ordinary place. Over the years, the Water Family has cultivated generation after generation of holy women, actively participating in the power struggles through appeasement. The Iron Family has the widest sea area in the archipelago, but the Water Family has the highest reputation and the strongest influence. Every holy woman in history has been surrounded by a group of suitors. The current holy woman is even more so; among the talented young men, she commands a hundred responses with a single call."
"Setting up soup kitchens, forming medical teams, visiting villages and islands, mediating disputes, etc., who would do these good deeds for no reason? One or two might be understandable, but every generation of holy women does it, simply because they are instructed by the Water Family. The Water Family, one of the five ancient clans, are they not just indiscriminate do-gooders? If they were, how could they have survived to this day?"
Such profound yet simple and easy-to-understand words immediately silenced the room.
"As expected of Yan Que," Chu Yun nodded secretly, full of admiration.
The world is bustling with activity, all for profit. The good deeds of the Water Family's Holy Maiden are nothing more than unusual means employed by her Lineage to pursue their own interests.
Memories from my past life further illustrate this point.
Shui Ruolan eventually married Ning Tianwang. Ning Tianwang was also born from humble beginnings, and although his power expanded rapidly, he lacked a legitimate claim to the throne. Shui Ruolan then presented him with the Water Quarter Decree, which immediately made Ning Tianwang famous, surpassing Tie Ao in reputation.
By submitting to Ning Tianwang's power, the Water Family experienced explosive growth and reaped enormous benefits. Members of the Water Family held important positions in various departments. Some even commented that the Ning Family had become merely a shell of the Water Family. The Ning Family's own members, lacking sufficient foundation, were largely suppressed by the Water Family.
"Both the Shu Clan and Ning Family rose from humble beginnings to prominence rapidly. Ning Tianwang made a mistake by accepting the Water Family's entire control, creating a situation where the guest became too powerful and uncontrollable. The fruits of Ning Tianwang victory were stolen by the Water Family. This is a warning to me. Meanwhile, the Water Family is hiding the Water Quarter Decree, keeping them secret. Yet Shui Ruolan wants to come here to pay homage to the Fire Quarter Decree. Clearly, she harbors ill intentions. How could I possibly marry someone like that?"
Chu Yun sneered inwardly. Although he couldn't say these reasons outright, he already harbored murderous intent towards Shui Ruolan.
" The Water Family is hypocritical, on one hand erecting a virtuous woman as their saint, and on the other hand secretly forming the ' Night Rain ' assassin organization to carry out assassinations and stir up trouble in the archipelago. After the Water Family joined the Ning Family, Night Rain became one of the most powerful weapons in Ning Tianwang's hands. This is true cunning and treacherousness. In comparison, the Ning Family is actually quite honest. Hmph, this Shui Ruolan, I'll have to meet her properly and see who she really is."
Chu Yun possesses memories of his past life, knowing more secrets than most. This allows him to understand the changing times and seize the initiative.
"Let's not talk about that anymore, let's get to the important thing. My son's Heavenly Fox is about to undergo its Spiritual Tribulation?" Shu Tianhao asked with concern. "You have the Heavenly Spirit Trueheart Pill, so you don't have to worry about insufficient spiritual light within your body. However, the Spirit Demon Tribulation of a top-grade Demon Beast is by no means easy to overcome. Are you ready? You can take whatever you need from the island's treasury. If you need anything else, you can tell me now."
"No need. We looted Ning Family Island a while ago, and now we have all sorts of supplies. We also have the necessary Dao techniques; everything is in order." Chu Yun slowly shook his head. "However, I need people to protect me during my tribulation. That way, the Iron Family won't be able to interfere."
This is the advantage of having power; having someone to help you makes the danger of facing tribulation alone much less.
"My son's Heavenly Fox Tribulation is of paramount importance. The Iron Family has no choice but to give up," Shu Tianhao nodded.
"There's no need for that. The Hua family is our ally. We can offer them benefits and let them interfere in the Iron Family's war, trying to drag the Iron Family's war out for as long as possible," Yan Que said, offering a good plan.
"Yes, that's a good idea," Chu Yun nodded in agreement.
"Okay, let's do it that way." Shu Tianhao agreed.
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