Liuli's Despair, the Third Trait! Turbid Garment Ordained by Heaven, Nine Types of Turbid Garments

Located south of the Southern Heaven Region, Yunan Circuit governs "seven prefectures", "six continents" and "nine cities", covering an extremely vast area.

Domains, provinces, prefectures, states, counties... vast and boundless, brimming with the richest treasures.

This place is "Huaiyin Prefecture," Dongran Lake. The lake is expansive, containing countless islands, and its hidden secrets remain largely unexplored to this day.

Legend has it that...

Dragon tracks were once found here. Deep within Dongran Lake, True Dragon dwells. The lake is abundant with fish, and several Fish Guild are located along its shores. Furthermore, the lake has bred numerous "water bandits" and "water thieves."

It is known as the vast Dongran Lake, home to eight thousand bandits who called themselves heroes and were ruthless enough to devour anyone. The lake is dotted with countless islands, scenic wonders, rare fruits, treasures, and tombs.

Flower boats sailed among them. The sky darkened, thunder rumbled, and a torrential downpour began. White mist rose from the lake's surface, creating a hazy, indistinct scene...

Inside the lowest level of the prison.

Li Xian revealed the "good news and bad news," Bian Qiaoqiao trembled all over, her eyes filled with despair. Nangong Liuli's pretty face turned deathly pale.

After a moment of silence, Bian Qiaoqiao's eyes reddened, tears welling up. She twisted and struggled, her mouth full of complaints. She said she was still young, in the prime of her life. If she were to enter some kind of filthy Water Altar, she would surely be abused and ruined. Her clamor was extremely noisy.

Nangong Liuli had no heart to comfort her, letting her cry and fuss. But having been captured for so long, she had become accustomed to frustration and resentment, and had even tried to commit suicide. Her mind had been tempered and become resilient, and she gradually calmed down.

Li Xian moved a table and chairs, about half a zhang high, and placed them below Bian Qiaoqiao and Nangong Liuli. Although the Flower Cage Sect was despicable, their method of capturing and binding was quite ingenious.

The rope used to bind someone is called "Flower Cord." It is made from the root of the "Tangle-Bloom," which is dried, boiled, and then woven. It has a pale yellow appearance and is similar to ordinary ropes. However, once it binds a person, it is extremely difficult to free oneself.

The rope will move all over the body, but the more it moves, the tighter it becomes. If the captive is fierce and struggles violently without stopping for a moment, the originally withered roots of the Flower Cord will gradually be revitalized, and it will grow flowers and bear fruit. It will not harm the human body, but it will be more secure and add a unique beauty.

Therefore, in the slang of the Flower Cage Sect, "flower-raising master" refers to someone with exceptionally high skills in capturing people. Even if they struggle, the flower cannot escape.

Li Xian observed the knots. The Flower Cord crisscrossed, tightly binding all joints and vital points. The "Tiger-Tendon Cord" bound tendons and bones, making it difficult to move even an inch once entangled. The "Flower Cord" left room for maneuver, but it was relentlessly entangled, becoming tighter and tighter once entangled.

Upon closer examination, the two women had been captured for several months. Some time ago, with the help of their Lineage and Jianghu individuals, a large net was laid to surround them. The two women were locked in an iron box and carried around to evade capture.

The two women were transported to a pleasure boat within the past month and fled along the river. As soon as they boarded the boat, they were hung here. Knowing that there was no hope of escape, they decided to starve themselves to death. They did not eat or drink anything for more than ten days until Li Xian mistakenly boarded the pirate ship, at which point they began to eat and drink again.

Two ropes hung from the top, suspending the two women in mid-air. The more they struggled, the more entangled they became. Li Xian, with her delicate fingers, tried to untangle the knots.

Bian Qiaoqiao had been suspended for a long time, and to have her loosened even slightly was a great blessing. Impatiently urging him on, Li Xian untied the knot, and the rope suspending her loosened.

Bian Qiaoqiao fell straight down, screaming in terror.

Li Xian reached out and caught her waist, preventing her from falling, and gently placed her on the wooden table. Bian Qiaoqiao's waist and abdomen were on the table, and having something to cling to was much better than hanging high up and swaying with the river waves. Her tense posture immediately relaxed, and her eyebrows curved into a smile, looking very comfortable.

Soon, Nangong Liuli was also freed. Lying on the wooden table, her pretty face slightly flushed, she thought, "Lying like this on the table, isn't it like being a dish, at anyone's mercy?"

She glanced at Li Xian secretly. Gradually getting used to this situation, she felt rather inexplicable.

The two women had mastered Spine Molding, their waists concealing immense power. Now, lying prone on the wooden table, they only needed to subtly exert force with their spines to shatter the table. They could then use the broken pieces to launch attacks, making it difficult for ordinary Martial Dao practitioners with rudimentary skills to get close.

Exhausted and weary, Nangong Liuli and Bian Qiaoqiao sighed softly, too lazy to resist any longer. Their muscles and bones, having been inactive for so long, only wished for someone to help loosen their blood vessels. Li Xian fed them as usual, removing fish bones and bones... feeding them fresh white fish meat.

Bian Qiaoqiao, having eaten her fill, fell asleep snoring. Li Xian asked, "Is she really sleepy? Don't you two Sleeping all day?" Nangong Liuli replied irritably, "Try being suspended like this. If you fall asleep even slightly, the rocking of the boat will wake you up from being knocked off your feet."

Li Xian said, "That's true, you guys must have had a tough time." She casually plucked a strand of Nangong Liuli, twirled it, and tickled her foot, secretly asking, "How was yesterday?"

Nangong Liuli's heart skipped a beat, her eyes filled with resentment. Born into a wealthy family, she had always been proper and dignified, upholding the family's reputation. This was the first time she had ever spoken to someone in such a disheveled state. Nangong Liuli blinked and then opened her eyes again, indicating that it was neither a good thing nor a bad thing.

Li Xian gently scratched the sole of the foot with a silk thread and wrote, "The mechanisms here are complex. I have glimpsed a bit, but I am not certain. The probability of failure is extremely high. Please consider carefully whether to give it a try or not."

Nangong Liuli's feet were very itchy, and she suppressed a laugh, blushing with embarrassment. She blinked and said yes.

On the surface, Li Xian engaged in casual conversation as usual, inquiring about his experiences in the Jianghu, the deeds of heroes, and so on. In reality, he was multitasking, secretly writing with a strand of hair. "How is your Martial Dao cultivation?"

Nangong Liuli glanced at the snoring Bian Qiaoqiao and thought to herself, "This good sister of mine is really carefree; she can still sleep at a time like this."

She blinked several times, indicating that they were both at the Second Martial Realm. In the path of Martial Dao, realm is by no means the standard for measuring everything. When the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion evaluates "prodigies" and "talents," it only considers realm as a reference.

Li Xian wrote again, "This place is located in a lake. It is surrounded by deep water on all sides. Is it afraid of the water? Will it sink?" Although he has a way to escape from the flower boat, the surrounding lake and the schools of ferocious fish are also a great problem. If Nangong Liuli and Bian Qiaoqiao are also helpless, the escape plan will die in the womb.

Nangong Liuli frowned slightly. It was common knowledge that the Second Realm cultivators were afraid of water. The blood of the Third Realm martial artists could alleviate the "Clear Ascension, Turbid Descent" process. Nangong Liuli and Bian Qiaoqiao had an extraordinary background. Before they traveled the Jianghu, their elders offered them a blood soup. After the two women drank it, their fear of water was alleviated.

But wading is ultimately dangerous.

She blinked both eyes simultaneously, indicating that she was both afraid and unafraid.

Li Xian thought to himself, "The methods of scions of powerful clans and sects are indeed remarkable." However, he was terrified of water and said, "Alright. Don't be anxious. Over the next few days, I will slowly explain the intricacies of the mechanism and discuss an escape plan with you."

Nangong Liuli thought to herself, "If I can't untie the ropes, even if I know the intricacies of the mechanism, I won't be able to escape the cell."

The two conversed and negotiated. Nangong Liuli could only convey information through eye contact, which was extremely inefficient. However, Li Xian was very clever and could put himself in Nangong Liuli's shoes, guessing what she was thinking. He could always respond accurately. In their back-and-forth exchanges, it was as if they were communicating with each other's hearts.

Nangong Liuli was initially quite surprised, suspecting that Li Xian had mastered Martial Dao techniques such as "Heart-Knowing Art" and "Mind Reading." However, she later realized that this was not the case. During their conversation and discussion, she felt as if their minds were intertwined. She felt an indescribable joy in her heart.

Li Xian secretly transmitted, "The rope matter... is indeed troublesome. The Flower Cage Sect's methods of capturing and binding are first-rate. Even if I were to help untie it myself, it would take quite a while."

"If I expose myself, I'll be in danger. This part... you'll have to try it yourself."

Nangong Liuli was anxiously waiting; if she could find a solution, she would have already tried to escape. Her heart pleaded, her beautiful eyes filled with hope, a sight that evoked pity. "Good hero... I'm truly helpless; I hope you can offer some advice."

Li Xian hesitated, though willing to help, but determined not to risk his life. He wrote again, "These ropes bind your elbows, wrists, knees, ankles... many vital joints. They even bend your hands and feet backward, connecting your wrists. Trying to untie them all is futile."

"To escape, choose the most difficult part to disentangle, separating your hands and feet so you can jump and move. Then quickly escape from the ship."

"In the days to come, I will secretly smear fish blood on your ropes while feeding you. If you manage to escape the boat and jump into the lake, the ferocious fish there will surely attack. The foul-smelling fish blood will attract the fish to attack first, and may loosen the ropes. But the danger is immense, and whether you succeed or not... I cannot be certain."

"And with this method... you two will only be able to escape. Because time is of the essence, and you have almost no ability to resist. If you are captured, it will all be over."

Li Xian is in a precarious situation. All he can do is offer his assistance. Whether he can escape depends on Nangong Liuli's strategy and wisdom.

Nangong Liuli pondered, "This child is indeed clever. This plan is a last resort, extremely dangerous, but it offers a sliver of hope. And it is indeed feasible."

But if one escapes, the other cannot. Nangong Liuli and Bian Qiaoqiao must escape first. If they are even a fraction of a second late, their movements will be hindered, and they will surely be captured.

Nangong Liuli hesitated greatly. She knew the plan was dangerous, but she was very willing to try. If executed properly, it could indeed lead to an escape. However, Bian Qiaoqiao was simple-minded, and if she were abandoned, Nangong Liuli would be lost and helpless, which would be difficult.

She knew Bian Qiaoqiao's temperament well. If she knew this plan, she would also risk her life to try it.

The two women couldn't communicate. Li Xian's ability to subtly send signals by twisting silk and scratching her feet was useless against Bian Qiaoqiao, whose feet were tightly bound in animal-tanned boots.

Nangong Liuli sighed softly. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to leave the chance to escape to Bian Qiaoqiao.

"Bian Mei is not yet twenty, still very young. I've gradually gotten used to being captured. But she's always complaining, so be it... I'll let her have her."

Li Xian packed up the soup box and hung the two women up again before leaving. Nangong Liuli watched Li Xian's retreating figure, her eyes flickering with emotion.

In the following days...

Li Xian fed the animals at noon, taking the opportunity to convey the key principles of the mechanism and briefly describe the distribution and changes of the narrow passages in the ship. Nangong Liuli was very clever and secretly memorized it.

The flower boat's mechanisms are intricate and change with the weather and seasons, containing complex variations no less sophisticated than a martial arts technique.

Li Xian, with his Double Pupils, could see through things and uncover secrets. He also fled with Wen Caishang. Along the way, he used "Five Elements and Eight Trigrams," "The Book of Changes," "Astrology," and many other miscellaneous knowledge in his medicinal cuisine and feng shui.

Although she was not Proficiency in everything, Wen Caishang's knowledge was profound and extensive, and her speech was concise and to the point. She had been cultivating Li Xian as her future husband, and the knowledge she imparted to him must have been condensed and meaningful.

As Li Xian pondered the mechanisms within the ship, the principles and knowledge imparted by Wen Caishang naturally surfaced in his mind. It was as if complex and obscure principles had been transformed into practical applications, appearing before his eyes. Furthermore, with his "Observing Heaven and Earth" and "Clarity the mind," he mastered the various mechanical and mechanical skills without a teacher.

The ship's mechanisms were intricate and its layout complex, revealing the wonders of the universe. Ye Cheng obtained the ship's blueprints and studied them diligently for years before mastering them. Little did he know that Li Xian could glimpse even a fraction of it simply by using his clairvoyance and various other skills...

Over the past few days, Nangong Liuli became curious about Li Xian's identity. After a deep conversation with him, she was utterly shocked.

Li Xian spoke concisely, never elaborating or showing off his knowledge. Nangong Liuli, born into a wealthy family, also enjoyed studying various subjects. From the slightest hint in his words, she could tell that Li Xian had a wide range of knowledge and undeniable talent.

He possessed many insights, far surpassing those of his Lineage elders. In truth, while Li Xian was indeed intelligent, he was still young and his understanding could not possibly reach such a level. His knowledge was inherited from Wen Caishang, and he merely repeated many of her principles.

Nangong Liuli pondered carefully and gradually understood the Mechanism Path of the ship. This place was a "desperate and impenetrable" predicament. However, as the world within the ship changed, it was also very close to a chance for survival.

The layout of the narrow passages and the traps gradually took shape in her mind. She devised a route that would allow her to avoid being seen and escape when they were off guard.

Li Xian had already told her everything he knew. He could no longer help the two women escape. He observed the wind and the moon, and tonight's west wind might be a good opportunity to escape. So he secretly told Nangong Liuli to make a decision quickly.

Nangong Liuli nodded secretly, her gaze firm as she looked at Bian Qiaoqiao. She silently counted the time; the cell was dimly lit by candlelight. Time passed too quickly to be judged, but she kept track of the moments in her mind.

Around 9 PM, the sky grew dark. She knew that Ye Cheng was surely enjoying a sumptuous meal with the ferryman and would have no time to think of her.

He twisted his waist and swayed his body, bumping into Bian Qiaoqiao. Bian Qiaoqiao was half asleep when she was suddenly awakened and looked around in confusion.

With her mouth sealed, Nangong Liuli could not speak. She thought, "Even if I explain the Mechanism Path of this place to Bian Mei, she won't understand. It's better to just tell her how to escape."

Her beautiful eyes widened, looking very serious. When Bian Qiaoqiao saw her bright, fiery eyes, she immediately perked up and looked over, puzzled. Their eyes met, their gazes mingling. Bian Qiaoqiao was simple-minded, but having shared hardships with Nangong Liuli, their feelings were subtly aligned. She immediately understood that Nangong Liuli had devised a plan to escape.

The two women hung separately, about ten feet apart. Nangong Liuli swayed her body, swinging towards Bian Qiaoqiao. The two women swayed from side to side like two pendulum bells, their skirts and hair fluttering.

Nangong Liuli whimpered. Bian Qiaoqiao seemed to understand, and swayed her body towards Nangong Liuli. The two women collided with a "bang".

Taking advantage of the situation, Nangong Liuli grabbed Bian Qiaoqiao's Ponytail. Bian Qiaoqiao then clamped Nangong Liuli's skirt down, thus stopping the ponytail from swaying.

The two women, who had been suspended in the cell, had tried every possible method. They had tried to untie each other's ropes more than a hundred times, but they still could not untie even a little bit.

Bian Qiaoqiao was puzzled and thought, "Sister Liuli still won't give up. Fine... I'll just stay with her." Although she didn't have any hope, she still cooperated.

Nangong Liuli reached out and felt for the knots binding Bian Qiaoqiao's body. Guided by Li Xian, she knew the location of several key knots. Her slender fingers quickly found them, and she thought, "If I untie these two, Bian's hands and feet will be separated, and she'll be freed from her suspension. Although she'll still be bound, she'll be able to move."

"Then, through the narrow passage, escape the pleasure boat and leap into the lake. Her ropes have been smeared with fishy odor; the lake fish will bite and tear at them, and the other ropes will surely loosen. Bian Mei can then use this momentum to escape."

We'll plan it in a little while.

Nangong Liuli reached out to untie the rope, her heart filled with anxiety, wanting to hurry. The knot was in a very remote position; she couldn't reach her own, but she could reach Bian Qiaoqiao's.

With a hidden strength in her fingertips, she untied the knot. Bian Qiaoqiao's hands and feet were finally separated, and her muscles and blood flowed smoothly as if they had been straightened. She felt extremely relieved before falling from the height, landing on her feet.

Bian Qiaoqiao sobbed, "Sister Liuli, I'll help you untie it!" She leaped lightly, using her light-footed skill to land on the table. With her hands still behind her back, she reached out to untie it.

However, without Li Xian's guidance, she would need to put in a great deal of effort to find the knot. This skill of finding the "knot" has an elegant name in the Flower Cage Sect: "Flower Seeking." By then, she might fall into the hands of thieves again. Nangong Liuli trembled slightly, and with a flick of her Inner Qi, she sent Bian Qiaoqiao flying away.

Bian Qiaoqiao was quite surprised and fell to the ground. She landed on both feet, her lightness skill already showing its extraordinary nature. She gracefully flipped in the air and landed steadily, looking at Nangong Liuli in confusion.

Both of them had walnuts in their mouths. Nangong Liuli sobbed, "You should run away first." Bian Qiaoqiao frowned, naturally unwilling.

The two women were unable to communicate due to a verbal barrier. Nangong Liuli had anticipated this situation, so she concealed her strength in her palm and struck at empty space. Because her arm was difficult to extend, her move was quite distorted.

Bian Qiaoqiao, however, recognized that this palm technique was called "Dao Ancestor Silk Palm" (Dao Ancestor's Cotton Palm), Basic Martial Arts of Profound Dao Mountain. The Nangong Clan and Profound Dao Mountain had a long history of close business ties, and although Nangong Liuli was not a disciple of Profound Dao Mountain, she had once entered the mountain to practice.

This move is called "Until We Meet Again". The Cotton Palm... is a light and entangled technique. Profound Dao Mountain is known as the orthodox school of martial arts. Its Basic Martial Arts have been passed down for a long time, and its shortcomings have long been made up. With hard work and dedication, the pinnacle of Peak Mastery can be expected.

Nangong Liuli's palm strike possessed the Peak Mastery of skill. The "Until We Meet Again" move was intended to deliver a decisive blow. Bian Qiaoqiao, deeply understanding the essence of martial arts, thought "Until We Meet Again," implicitly implying "We will inevitably part ways today."

Like close friends saying "Until We Meet Again again" before parting ways, in palm techniques, it's a hidden killing move, a move that connects the beginning and the end.

Bian Qiaoqiao, knowing Nangong Liuli's temperament well, nodded in agreement. Nangong Liuli then unleashed two more moves, "The Great River Flows East" and "Hundred Turns of Tender Entrails," which belonged to the "Dao Ancestor Silk Palm" and "Nangong Long Fist" styles, respectively.

The "The Great River Flows East" technique was coined by the Daoist Ancestor in his later years, lamenting the surging of rivers. The Great Martial Dynasty's river system is complex, flowing eastward and westward... This palm strike points eastward, implying an escape to the east.

The Hundred Turns of Tender Entrails" technique is a family martial art passed down in the Nangong Clan. It is extremely profound. Nangong Liuli and Bian Qiaoqiao are good friends and often discuss martial arts, combining the essentials of both families.

Bian Qiaoqiao was playful and lazy, but she was exceptionally talented in martial arts. She immediately understood the deeper meaning and guessed that there were countless traps and secret passages here. She thought that fleeing eastward might be her only chance of survival.

Bian Qiaoqiao was still bound by ropes, her hands and feet together. She ran to the cell door, but when she bumped it lightly, the door was locked and she was bound by iron chains.

Her eyes flashed, and a finely crafted knife was hidden beneath her animal-tanned boots. Since she was captured and bound, apart from her sword being removed, her clothes and accessories remained intact. No one had expected that such an exquisite knife would be hidden in her boots.

She bit the hilt of the knife, severing the chains. Pushing open the cell door, she used her lightness skill to escape. In a single leap, she covered several meters.

Nangong Liuli watched her leave. After she disappeared into the shadows, a cold wind suddenly blew, and she hung alone in the darkness, feeling an indescribable loneliness and fear.

She was by no means selfless; at this moment, she vaguely regretted giving Bian Qiaoqiao the chance to escape. She imagined that in the future, Bian Qiaoqiao would escape and ascend to heaven, returning to her Profound Dao Mountain. But her own fate would be filled with hardship, and she would not know where she would go or who would control her.

Unable to hold back her tears, it was truly heartbreaking.

Bian Qiaoqiao fled eastward. Soon she reached a narrow passage. With a determined heart, she disregarded everything and fled eastward.

They fled at an extremely fast pace, their hearts pounding with tension, their palms and soles drenched in sweat. The boat passageway was complex and difficult to navigate; heading only eastward made escape virtually impossible. Nangong Liuli's words were blocked, and her "Hundred Turns of Tender Entrails" move actually contained three layers of palm force.

This refers to three "mechanical coping strategies." However, the Mechanism Path are extremely complex, and expecting Bian Qiaoqiao to immediately grasp them and effectively utilize them in her escape is truly asking too much.

Li Xian observed secretly, sighed softly, and thought to himself, "If I don't help her, this girl will definitely go around in circles."

He waited in advance at a certain place, pretending to bump into Bian Qiaoqiao by chance, half chasing and half driving her away... guiding her to escape in the right direction.

Terrified, Bian Qiaoqiao increased her speed. To clear her name, Li Xian shouted loudly along the way. Gradually, more and more people chased after Bian Qiaoqiao.

Suddenly, she saw a bright light before her eyes. She had escaped the cabin and arrived on the open deck. The bright moon hung high, shining like a silver basin. She had not seen the sun for a long time and found it dazzling.

Overjoyed, she was also filled with helplessness. With pursuers closing in and her about to be captured again, she would rather die than suffer such humiliation again.

A sentiment of utmost sincerity.

She jumped straight into the lake, whereupon countless Redfish pounced on her. Ye Cheng late and, upon seeing this, paled. He surmised that this woman, at the Second Martial Realm, with her hands and feet bound, would surely perish if she jumped into the water and was devoured by the fish.

Even if it were salvaged, it would only be a skeleton. It's a pity such a beautiful woman died like this; it's truly heartbreaking.

Ye Cheng asked, "What happened? How did this woman escape?"

Li Xian gazed at the lake, wondering if Bian Qiaoqiao was alive or had survived. Qiao Sanyan said, "We don't know either. We just... suddenly heard that she escaped. Then we chased after her, and she was cornered, so she fled to the lake and committed suicide."

Ye Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of annoyance in his expression, and said to Li Xian, "Wu Cuo, you've been in close contact with this woman. Has anything unusual happened lately?"

Li Xian said, "Nothing unusual was observed." Ye Cheng frowned and pondered. His pleasure boat was ingeniously designed and very secure. If he didn't want to, even a fly would have a hard time escaping the cabin. Coincidentally, he was entertaining the ferryman, drinking and enjoying the lake view, and neglecting his guard. It was at this moment that Bian Qiaoqiao escaped from the cabin, which was an extremely coincidental occurrence.

Li Xian said, "Elder Ye... I've been wondering about this matter. These two women are no ordinary people, so why weren't more guards assigned to watch over the prison?"

Ye Cheng glanced at him, secretly displeased. This explanation was a blaming for his poor arrangements. But it also reminded him that he was the only one who Proficiency the mechanisms on the ship. Anyone else who tried to tamper with it would only suffer greatly.

He thought to himself, "Upon closer examination, this matter is truly my fault. I have a deep understanding of the ship's intricate mechanisms, yet I was negligent and careless, never expecting such an unexpected turn of events."

"This woman's fate is truly beyond help. So be it... Such a beautiful woman, turned into withered bones in the lake. Alas... What's wrong with her becoming a beautiful companion to serve us?"

He was unaware of Li Xian's secret machinations, and he didn't believe that anyone other than himself could unravel the ship's mechanisms and hidden passages. All of this could only be explained by the Unseen.

Ye Cheng was slapped in the face, then thought, "The probability is small, but if another woman also escapes in the same way, this trip would be a huge loss. The extradition envoy holds a prestigious position, and I must treat him with utmost care in preparation for his future promotion. It's inevitable that I might neglect things on the ship."

"Indeed, someone should be chosen to guard that woman. I think this Hua Wucuo so."

He then said, "Wu Cuo, since you've made that suggestion, then... You can keep the rest of the woman under your care, and you'll be moving to the prison from now on. If any further problems arise, I'll hold you accountable."

Li Xian said, "Elder Ye... could you send two more men? If that woman finds out her companion is dead, she'll definitely be furious, and I..." Ye Cheng said, "This is your chance to redeem yourself. The woman escaped, so at least you're guilty of negligence. If we follow the rules, punishing you with your life is not out of the question."

Li Xian said, "Very well, this disciple is willing to take responsibility."

Li Xian tidied up the room. She carried the bedding and mat to the bottom floor and laid them out in a relatively dry spot.

Nangong Liuli was dejected, heartbroken, frustrated, lonely, fearful, and helpless. Li Xian, lying on his side on the floor, curiously observed Nangong Liuli, quite surprised.

He knew that Nangong Liuli's temperament, strength, and intelligence far surpassed Bian Qiaoqiao's. He had communicated with Nangong Liuli Nangong Liuli for a long time and suspected that she was using this opportunity to escape.

To everyone's surprise... the one who escaped was Bian Qiaoqiao.

Li Xian said leisurely, "Hey, your sister has really caused me a lot of trouble. From now on, I'll have to take care of you day and night." Nangong Liuli was taken aback, only then realizing that Li Xian had already laid out a rough mat outside the prison cell.

He lay casually on his side, looking at her. He was extremely carefree, and Nangong Liuli felt comforted by his words.

Nangong Liuli nodded. Suddenly, the boat rocked slightly, causing her to sway from side to side. She couldn't help but feel very sad; in the past, when the boat rocked so violently, the two women would have collided with each other.

Li Xian said, "We've run aground. If I'm not mistaken, we should have reached ' Ten Thousand Reefs Forest ' by now. In another four or five days, we should be able to enter the Water Altar."

He sighed inwardly, "I... by some twist of fate, have truly become a petty thief of the Flower Cage Sect. The Mount Yue Sword Sect, alas, is not meant for me. There's nothing I can do about it."

He held a blade of grass in his mouth, his hands behind his head. He was relaxed and at ease. Since it was difficult to resist, he decided to submit for the time being.

Bored, he uncorked the walnut from Nangong Liuli's mouth. To avoid implicating Li Xian, Nangong Liuli feigned disgust and cursed him. Then she burst into tears, her True Intention.

Li Xian watched the play from the sidelines, offering no comfort but occasionally adding a few sarcastic remarks. His acting was quite convincing.

Knowing there was no hope of escaping, Nangong Liuli looked dejected. Li Xian then tried to find some topics to talk about to help her cheer up, and also asked her some questions she was curious about.

Li Xian said, "Hey. You scions of wealthy Lineage, do you really expect to be fed and clothed without lifting a finger?"

Nangong Liuli said, "Even among Lineage members, there is competition. Spoiled brats indulge in extravagance and pleasure, finding only base enjoyment, which is Non-Self what we seek."

Li Xian asked, "How often does your Lineage raise the cauldron? How is the Essence Food distributed?"

Nangong Liuli said, "You're very interested? I didn't originally intend to tell anyone about this. But since it's really boring, I might as well tell you."

"My Nangong Clan is very large, with many branches. Every month, the branches gather for a meal and consume Essence Treasure. How these treasures are distributed varies from branch to branch. On the day of the change of seasons, all branches gather at the clan hall."

"This month, one can usually receive two portions of Essence Food. The younger members of the clan are often called upon to spar, showcasing their talents and Martial Dao... Among them, those who are eloquent and have outstanding talents bring glory to the lineage. Naturally, they receive preferential treatment in terms of resources."

Li Xian sighed, "Ah... so this is the life of the Lineage's children. It's truly enviable."

Nangong Liuli said, "What's there to envy? Lineage feuds happen all the time. When the lineage gathers for a meal, one must bring glory to one's father. When the Lineage gathers for a meal, one must bring glory to the lineage. There are layers of selection and competition, and the interpersonal relationships are as complicated as a tangled mess."

"It takes a great deal of effort to stand out."

Li Xian said, "You should be content. Do you know what kind of life we poor, lowly people live?"

Nangong Liuli asked curiously, "Tell me about it." Having gradually calmed down, Li Xian said, "Me..." and began to recount his past life.

He made some minor edits, but the main points remained the same: how they were starving and poorly dressed. When talking about Li Xiaofan, he praised him for his ambition and so on.

It was also a rare occasion for him to reveal his true feelings. Nangong Liuli listened to his experiences and couldn't help but imagine. Li Xian's words were interesting, and he could tell the story with many twists and turns.

She was engrossed in the conversation, sometimes asking questions out of curiosity, and sometimes even posing absurd questions. Li Xian would tease her about it before explaining the actual situation.

Li Xian said, "Now you know. Although there is competition within the Lineage, there's no need to worry about Essence Food. We have enough to eat and wear."

Nangong Liuli thought to herself, "I have been supported by my Lineage and have achieved what I have today. Hua Wucuo, who came from a poor background but worked hard step by step to achieve his success, is the most admirable."

"I once cursed him, saying he wasn't even worthy of carrying the shoes of the geniuses of Profound Dao Mountain. But putting myself in his shoes, could many geniuses achieve such accomplishments if they were to leave their Lineage and powerful factions?"

She couldn't help but let her imagination run wild. Through the black iron bars, she observed Li Xian Li Xian. He lay there gracefully, but the dim lighting gave him an air of mystery.

Li Xian said, "By the way, I've heard that the Second Martial Realm is characterized by Turbid Garment Cloak, and that its secrets are very profound. I, a humble disciple, am extremely curious. Could you tell me about it?"

He rambled on about this and that, and that's how he ended up asking this question.

Nangong Liuli truly didn't mind answering. "What do you want to know?"

Li Xian smiled and said, "I want to know everything. Please tell me in detail."

Nangong Liuli was initially deeply saddened. However, Bian Qiaoqiao's departure and Li Xian's arrival actually made her feel somewhat relieved. She gave him a slight glare and slowly said, "Turbid Garment Cloak, you are no less beautiful than Double Wafting Immortal Tone."

"But the Double Wafting Immortal Tone requires collecting musical scores and matching them with martial arts techniques. As for Turbid Garment Cloak, that is determined by fate."

There are several kinds of Turbid Garment in the world.