Chapter 297: Jade Mist Water Palace

Chapter 297: Jade Mist Water Palace

When Madam Silver Pool woke again, she found herself lying in a small boat, a man’s robe draped over her chest, carrying the familiar scent of its owner.

The bright sunlight shone down, almost blinding.

She shielded her eyes with her hand and slowly sat up, seeing Young Master Chuan sitting cross-legged at the bow of the boat, seemingly cultivating some kind of technique.

He sat motionless, steady as a boulder. One could clearly see strands of Heaven and Earth Profound Qi converging into his body, like bridges of mist.

The effects of the Intermediate Healing Elixir had been fully absorbed by Madam Silver Pool’s body. Her external injuries had almost completely healed, and her strength had recovered considerably—enough, at least, to stand and walk.

"Where is this?" Madam Silver Pool asked softly.

Her voice was beautiful, tender and moving, like a spring breeze brushing against one’s face. It made her sound like a sixteen-year-old girl, still innocent and carefree.

Ning Xiaochiao ceased his cultivation of Heaven and Earth Profound Qi and said, "The Jade Mist River. Our boat has been drifting downstream for two days now. We should already be a thousand kilometers away from the Imperial City."

Ning Xiaochiao knew Ji Hanxing’s tracking skills were formidable, so he hadn’t taken Madam Silver Pool to Ghost Manor. If Yue Wuyang were to follow them there, it would spell disaster.

The best way to evade Ji Hanxing’s tracking was to travel by water.

The flowing river diluted their scent, making it harder to trace.

Madam Silver Pool, with her delicate hands, neatly folded the robe and handed it to Ning Xiaochiao, bowing slightly. "Thank you."

Ning Xiaochiao took the robe without another word, put it on, and resumed his cultivation.

Madam Silver Pool glanced at him before also beginning to meditate and heal her injuries. Yue Wuyang and the Crown Prince could catch up at any moment. The stronger she was, the better her chances of survival.

She was now on the same boat as Young Master Chuan. All she could do was wait for her injuries to heal before returning to the Imperial City.

The boat drifted downstream, and by the fourth day, they had left the territory of the Imperial City and entered the domain of White Dragon City.

At dusk, the setting sun hung over the river, casting a golden glow across the water.

Rustling sounds came from the riverbanks, startling a flock of waterfowl into flight.

"Finally, another boat!"

A one-armed man stood atop a red tree, balancing on a leaf as if suspended in midair, showcasing his formidable Martial Path cultivation.

His gaze was sharp as an eagle’s, his pupils flashing with lightning as he stared at the small boat drifting down the river.

"Boss, this boat is pretty small. Probably not much to gain from it."

Hidden beneath the tree, a group of Martial Artists also watched the boat cautiously.

The one-armed man snorted. "The Jade Mist River’s currents are fierce. Even a large ship could be shattered by the waves and sink to the bottom. Yet this wooden boat has made it here unscathed. I’d bet my life that the people aboard are no ordinary folk!"

"Boss is wise. Let’s hope they’re a pair of fat sheep." A sixty-year-old man clutching a cane, half his teeth missing, spoke with a lisp. "This time, I’ll personally test their mettle!"

The one-armed man nodded.

Ning Xiaochiao was originally sitting cross-legged at the bow of the boat, cultivating, when suddenly, his Mental Energy seemed to sense something. He immediately opened his eyes.

Madam Silver Pool had already recovered thirty percent of her cultivation, and her Mental Energy was no weaker than Ning Xiaochiao’s. She also noticed something unusual, her bright gaze fixed intently on the water’s surface.

Ning Xiaochiao stood up, and six strands of Profound Qi surged from his palm, condensing into six Dragon-Tiger forms that plunged into the water.

Instantly, the river churned with rolling Water Waves and swirling whirlpools, the sounds of a struggle echoing from beneath the surface.

Six Martial Artists burst out of the water, unleashing their Martial Arts Divine Abilities to shatter the six Dragon-Tiger Profound Qi manifestations. They tread upon the waves, their bodies not sinking, surrounding the small boat in the center.

These six Martial Artists were all Top-Tier Martial Artists, capable of holding their own in battle, each exuding a cold and ruthless killing intent.

Ning Xiaochiao swept a dispassionate glance over the six and said, "Are you men sent by the Crown Prince, or by the Cloud Marquis?"

Instead of answering, the six Martial Artists exchanged puzzled looks.

A Sixty-Year-Old Man leaped out from the riverside forest, stepping lightly upon the waves as if he weighed no more than a feather, standing firmly on the water’s surface with an air of arrogance. "We are from the Jade Mist Water Palace. If you know what’s good for you, hand over your valuables, and perhaps we’ll spare your lives."

A Short Martial Artist among them stared greedily at Madam Silver Pool, who sat in the boat, and said, "The man can leave, but the woman stays."

From the moment they surrounded the boat, the six Martial Artists had all fixed their gazes on Madam Silver Pool, unable to look away.

It couldn’t be helped—Madam Silver Pool was simply too beautiful, her demeanor elegant and enchanting, like a bewitching fairy. She was easily ten times more stunning than the most beautiful courtesan in White Dragon City, a beauty they would never normally have the chance to lay eyes on.

"What is the Jade Mist Water Palace?" Ning Xiaochiao frowned slightly. He had assumed these were pursuers sent by the Crown Prince or the Cloud Marquis, but unexpectedly, this group had appeared out of nowhere.

Madam Silver Pool sneered mockingly. "The Jade Mist River is the lifeblood of the Yulan Empire, stretching from north to south. Along its banks, many insignificant gangs and factions have gathered. The Jade Mist Water Palace is likely just one of them."

The Sixty-Year-Old Man’s expression darkened. "You speak with quite the arrogance. Do you not know that in the past year alone, the Jade Mist Water Palace has forcefully subdued sixteen gangs, becoming the most powerful faction in this region with over ten thousand members? And yet you still call us insignificant?"

Madam Silver Pool smiled like a blooming flower and nodded. "A mere ten thousand rabble would scatter like dust the moment the imperial military comes knocking."

One of the Martial Artists laughed. "Fair lady, it’s clear you’re a noble from the Imperial City, with broad knowledge. But you probably don’t realize the true might of our Jade Mist Water Palace. Even some Marquis Houses in the Imperial City might not compare. After all, our Palace Master is a Martial Venerable!"

"A Martial Venerable!"

Both Ning Xiaochiao and Madam Silver Pool were slightly taken aback. They glanced again at the cultivation levels of these Martial Artists—indeed, they were all experts, not mere river gangsters.

Any faction with a Martial Venerable at its helm was not to be underestimated. If they weren’t careful today, they might just capsize in a tiny ditch.

A Martial Artist who had reached the Fifth Level of the Divine Body Realm laughed and said, "Beautiful lady, come with us to the Water Palace. As long as you serve us brothers well, we’ll spare your man."

Madam Silver Pool cast a seductive glance at Ning Xiaochiao, her eyes brimming with charm, and replied, "I’m afraid my man won’t agree to that."

Her flirtatious smile was devastating—like that of a peerless enchantress—leaving the six Martial Artists present utterly spellbound, their desires burning uncontrollably.

Even the sixty-year-old man couldn’t tear his aged eyes away from Madam Silver Pool’s fair and delicate cheeks, his gaze growing feverish.

A lean Martial Artist swung his blade at Ning Xiaochiao, aiming to cut down this nuisance.

The others also attacked simultaneously, their blades surging with Profound Qi as they slashed toward Ning Xiaochiao’s vital points.

"Seeking death!"

Ning Xiaochiao summoned a layer of "Cloud and Sunset Returning Qi," unleashing towering waves that pushed the lake water up to a height of 9 meters, forming a wall of water.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The six Divine Body Realm Martial Artists were struck by Ning Xiaochiao’s Martial Arts Profound Qi, their bodies instantly reduced to dust—not even a single intact bone remained.

The sixty-year-old man, standing far away, was still sent flying over 100 meters by the overwhelming Profound Qi fluctuations.

Had he been any closer, despite his cultivation at the First Level of the Transcendent Realm, he would have met certain doom, perishing on the Jade Mist River.

"Y-you… who exactly are you?" The old man trembled in terror, realizing he had encountered a true master.

"Ning Xiaochiao."

A venomous voice suddenly resounded, shaking the entire Jade Mist River and sending waves dozens of meters high crashing against the embankment with deafening roars.

Ning Xiaochiao quickly steadied the boat, but it was still flung away by the tremendous force, tossed into the churning waves.

Who is it? How did they recognize my true identity?

He had used "Cloud and Sunset Returning Qi" precisely because he was certain Madam Silver Pool wouldn’t recognize it, ensuring his identity remained hidden.

But it seemed another supreme expert was present—one who had identified him through his Martial Arts Divine Ability.

"Who’s there?"

Ning Xiaochiao felt an immense pressure bearing down on him, the surrounding Space seemingly frozen, the vast river surface coated in an icy chill that numbed one’s bones.

A one-armed middle-aged man landed on the water, standing opposite Ning Xiaochiao, and sneered coldly, "Brat, even with that mask, I recognize you. Do you still remember me?"

Ning Xiaochiao naturally recognized him and clasped his hands in greeting, smiling. "So it’s the former Chief Altar Master of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao—Mu Honglai."

This middle-aged man was none other than Mu Honglai, once the Chief Altar Master of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao.

After failing in his bid to become the Dao’s leader and having his arm severed by the Ninth Lady, he fled and gathered his remaining forces to establish the Jade Mist Water Palace.

Despite losing an arm, Mu Honglai still possessed the cultivation of a Martial Venerable. He ruthlessly suppressed the gangs along the Jade Mist River, swiftly becoming the Chief Leader of dozens of water factions, commanding tens of thousands of followers.

This is the advantage of having formidable personal cultivation—even if you're displaced, you can immediately rise again as a formidable figure.

Mu Honglai's current downfall was largely caused by Ning Xiaochiao, and his heart burned with resentment. He said, "Ning Xiaochiao, you’ve ruined me! I could have been the leader of the Heavenly Annihilation Dao, but now I’m reduced to being an outlaw. If I don’t kill you today, I’ll never quell the hatred in my heart."

"Senior Mu, calm down—please, stay calm! I’m now the heir of the Jian Pavilion Marquis House. If you kill me, you’ll completely offend them. Not only will the Demon Sect have no place for you, but even the imperial court will hunt you down. It’s not worth it!" Ning Xiaochiao sighed.

Mu Honglai sneered, "The murder of my son is an unforgivable grievance. Do you think I fear offending the Jian Pavilion Marquis House?"

Mu Honglai’s Martial Soul surged from his body, hovering above his head and taking human form. It seized control of the surrounding space, pressing down with an overwhelming force.