Chapter 14

“Whoosh…”

The briny sea breeze swept across the shore as ink-blue waves surged and crashed against the dark, jagged rocks under the night sky, their rhythmic roars echoing through the air.

It was still night.

The moon hung low over the sea, casting a golden glow upon the water.

A blinding white light flashed—space above the island seemed to twist momentarily.

Then, the light faded.

Jianchou clenched her teeth against the dizziness and immediately scanned her surroundings—

The earth-shaking chaos from before had vanished.

In its place was a vast, tranquil sea, the scent of salt in the wind, and the occasional cry of seabirds in the distance.

Fudao Shanren was nowhere to be seen.

Just a lone island in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by endless waters.

As far as the eye could see, there were only scattered trees on the island and a small, naturally formed stone ravine nearby.

The water within reflected the moon’s glow, its surface rippling gently.

Jianchou’s legs felt weak, unsteady.

The other four who had appeared alongside her weren’t faring much better—their faces pale, whether from the horrors they’d witnessed in the depths of Qingfeng temple or the disorientation of the teleportation array.

“Senior Sister Jianchou, are you alright?”

Nie Xiaowan, whose hand was still clasped in Jianchou’s, felt her trembling and weakness and turned to ask.

Jianchou pressed a hand to her temple and shook her head.

“I’m fine.”

She hadn’t expected Nie Xiaowan to speak to her first, and a faint smile tugged at her lips.

Nie Xiaowan blinked.

“Teleportation arrays distort space—even seasoned cultivators feel unsteady afterward. You should sit for a while. It’ll pass.”

With that, she reached out to support Jianchou’s arm, gesturing toward a large boulder nearby.

Jianchou hesitated but finally sat down.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

Nie Xiaowan’s ears reddened slightly, as if unused to such gratitude.

She studied Jianchou for a long moment before looking away.

“You’re… different from the people I know.”

“Different?”

Jianchou didn’t know what kind of people Nie Xiaowan usually associated with, but…

“Well, this is just how I am.”

“…”

Nie Xiaowan’s pink lips parted slightly, staring at Jianchou as if she hadn’t expected such a blunt reply.

Jianchou didn’t elaborate.

Instead, she turned her gaze forward.

Xu Lan’er, Zhang Sui, and Zhou Kuang had already recovered from their initial discomfort and were now scouting the island in different directions.

Soon, they returned.

Jianchou noticed the grim expressions they exchanged.

“Did something happen?”

Her only concern now was Fudao Shanren.

Moments ago, they had been in grave danger, but now that they were on this island, all she could do was wait.

Worrying was pointless—she couldn’t help anyway.

But…

Had Xu Lan’er and the others run into trouble?

Nie Xiaowan also noticed the tension and turned to look at them.

Xu Lan’er’s face was dark, Zhang Sui’s lips pressed tightly together, and Zhou Kuang scratched his head in frustration before slamming his giant axe into the ground.

“Something feels off about this place… What do we do?”

The first part was an answer to Jianchou; the second, a question to the group.

Xu Lan’er’s voice was icy.

“The Path of Immortals’ Thirteen Isles—we were supposed to be sent to the Thirteenth Isle!”

“When the teleportation array activated, that beast crashed into the Secret Realm’s barrier,” Zhang Sui said, his tone measured.

“The interference must have disrupted the array. We’ve been sent to the wrong place.”

He paused.

“I’ve seen the maps of the Thirteen Isles before. This is the Twelfth Isle—Severing Karma.”

“So we just head east to reach the next one?” Zhou Kuang brightened.

Jianchou, however, was still lost.

Nie Xiaowan leaned in and whispered, “From the mortal world, if you sail directly east across the sea, you’ll reach the Nineteen Continents. But many lose their way in the vast ocean. The Thirteen Isles act as guideposts. Starting from the eastern coast of the Mortal Realm’s solitary island, there are thirteen major islands aligned eastward. Passing through them all leads to the path of immortality.”

Hence, mortals called it the Path of Immortals’ Thirteen Isles.

Jianchou thought of the legends of immortal mountains beyond the sea and glanced at the lonely island beneath her feet.

Now she understood.

The tales passed down for millennia were merely the beginning of the path.

One island after another—just the first steps on a long, arduous journey.

With Nie Xiaowan’s explanation, Jianchou grasped their predicament.

The teleportation array was supposed to send them to the last isle, where they could easily reach the Nineteen Continents.

Instead, an error had stranded them halfway.

They’d have to travel east to the next island to reach their original destination.

Which meant…

The place where she was supposed to meet Fudao Shanren wasn’t here either.

She surveyed the surroundings and realized she faced an even greater challenge.

While Jianchou and Nie Xiaowan spoke, the other three had been discussing their next move.

By the time Nie Xiaowan finished explaining, they had reached a decision and approached.

Jianchou looked up at them.

Xu Lan’er stood at the front, her gaze briefly flickering to the nine-jointed emerald bamboo in Jianchou’s arms before she spoke.

“Senior Sister, Junior Sister Nie—you heard what we said, right?”

Jianchou noted how forced the words “Senior Sister” sounded, as if dragged out unwillingly.

Amused, she simply nodded.

Nie Xiaowan added, “I’ve also heard of the Thirteen Isles from my elders. They say only the Thirteenth Isle has a direct teleportation array to the Nineteen Continents. Since we’re stuck here, and know nothing about Severing Karma, if there’s another array, we might avoid further trouble.”

She glanced at Zhang Sui.

As the most experienced among them, he shook his head.

“Teleportation arrays are for cultivators from the Nineteen Continents. Why would the Twelfth Isle have one? Even if it did, I wouldn’t know of it. We should focus on how to reach the Thirteenth Isle.”

Silence fell.

Five people, all only at the Foundation Establishment stage—how could they safely cross the treacherous sea?

Monsters lurked beneath the waves, and if they encountered a storm, they’d be swallowed without a trace.

Zhou Kuang, ever the optimist, grinned and rubbed his nose.

“If there’s no other way, we’ll just fly. We’re all Foundation Establishment cultivators—shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Foundation Establishment cultivators could ride artifacts to fly.

But the others hesitated.

Nie Xiaowan stole a glance at Jianchou but said nothing.

Zhang Sui seemed to want to ask something but held back.

Finally, Xu Lan’er stepped forward, her smile sharp.

“Most of us are at least at Foundation Establishment and can ride artifacts. But, Senior Sister Jianchou… what’s your current realm? Can you wield a magic tool?”

Her realm?

Jianchou had expected this question—just not so soon.

She met Xu Lan’er’s gaze and answered truthfully.

“Barely Qi Refining.”

“…”

A heavy silence.

“Ha. Qi Refining…”

Xu Lan’er couldn’t suppress a derisive laugh, her mockery now blatant.

“Don’t take offense, Senior Sister. But the five of us are stranded here. To reach the Thirteenth Ascension Isle, we must cross the sea eastward. Though you’re from Yashan, our cultivation is meager. It’s hard enough ensuring our own safety, let alone carrying dead weight.”

The words were cruel—but not untrue.

Jianchou had just begun her path of cultivation.

Her strength was negligible.

Though she had the backing of Fudao Shanren and the prestigious name of Yashan, others would still look down on her for her weakness.

And now?

To put it bluntly—this was an escape.

To them, she was nothing but a burden.

When disaster struck, even birds of a feather scattered.

Why would these barely allied companions stick their necks out for her?

Jianchou still remembered Xie Buchen’s sword piercing her heart.

She hadn’t expected help from anyone.

She gripped the nine-jointed bamboo and slowly stood, her slender frame straightening until she was slightly taller than Xu Lan’er.

Meeting her gaze, Jianchou smiled faintly.

“You’re right, Junior Sister Xu. We share no ties, save that my master once saved your lives. He and I agreed to meet in two days. Though the location has shifted slightly, it shouldn’t be far. If I travel with you all, I’d only be dead weight. I won’t hold you back.”

Her meaning was clear—she wasn’t clinging to them.

She believed Fudao Shanren had given her the bamboo for a reason.

It was his magic artifact—perhaps he could track her through it.

Since they didn’t want her, she wouldn’t force her way in.

More importantly, Jianchou disliked Xu Lan’er’s attitude.

The others exchanged glances.

Zhou Kuang, indecisive, looked between Zhang Sui and Xu Lan’er—one silent, the other smirking—unsure whom to follow.

Then he noticed Nie Xiaowan biting her lip, as if steeling herself.

His eyes lit up.

“Junior Sister Nie, what do you think?”

Nie Xiaowan glanced at Xu Lan’er, then at Jianchou’s calm expression.

Back in Qingfeng temple, when the earth trembled, this Senior Sister—barely at Qi Refining—had reached out to steady her without hesitation…

She blinked her large, watery eyes and spoke softly but firmly.

“Senior Sister Jianchou is from Yashan, brought here by Fudao Shanren. He saved our lives. Without her, we wouldn’t have made it to this island—we might’ve died outside Qingfeng’s Secret Realm. No matter how you look at it, we owe her. I don’t think we should abandon her.”

“What are you saying?!”

Xu Lan’er’s face twisted.

Her hand flew to her waist, fingers twitching as if ready to draw a weapon.

Zhang Sui and Zhou Kuang exchanged glances but remained silent.

Jianchou, however, was stunned.

Of all people, it was this young girl—practically a stranger—who stood by her.

This wasn’t what she’d expected.

Seeing Xu Lan’er’s aggression, Jianchou grew concerned for Nie Xiaowan.

But the girl showed no fear.

Her delicate brows furrowed, her eyes filled with disapproval as she stared back at Xu Lan’er.

“Senior Sister Xu, are you going to fight me?”

Tension crackled in the air.

Xu Lan’er’s fingers spasmed.

After a tense moment, she slowly lowered her hand and forced a laugh.

“Junior Sister Nie, what nonsense! Why would I?”

“Good.”

Nie Xiaowan muttered under her breath, then turned to Zhang Sui.

“Senior Brother Zhang, if you won’t take Senior Sister Jianchou, I will. But she’s coming with us—do you object?”

Xu Lan’er’s rage flared anew.

Zhou Kuang looked like he was stifling a laugh—poorly.

Zhang Sui studied Jianchou, then nodded.

“Since Junior Sister Nie has offered, I have no objections.”

Nie Xiaowan beamed and grabbed Jianchou’s hand.

“Perfect! Senior Sister, Senior Brother Zhang agreed—we’re going together!”

Jianchou was genuinely surprised.

She realized that during this entire negotiation, Zhou Kuang had merely been a bystander.

Xu Lan’er opposed, Nie Xiaowan supported—and after countering Xu Lan’er, Nie Xiaowan had sought Zhang Sui’s approval.

Once he agreed, the matter was settled.

There seemed to be an unspoken hierarchy here.

One Jianchou didn’t yet understand.

Xu Lan’er flicked her sleeve.

“Since it’s decided, we’ll meditate briefly before setting out.”

Without another glance, she walked away and sat cross-legged to regulate her qi.

The sea breeze carried a refreshing chill.

Jianchou’s gaze shifted from Zhou Kuang to Zhang Sui.

Both gave her polite nods before sitting to meditate.

Only she and Nie Xiaowan remained.

The girl, vibrant in her colorful robes, stuck out her tongue playfully when Jianchou looked at her.

Jianchou chuckled.

“Weren’t you afraid she’d attack you?”

“I was,” Nie Xiaowan admitted.

“But she’s more afraid of me. Among the four of us, she and Senior Brother Zhou are the weakest. I’m only slightly below Senior Brother Zhang. If we fought, she might not win.”

With those words, Jianchou’s confusion dissolved.

Now she understood.

So this was the way of the Nineteen Continents?

The law of the jungle—strength above all.

Looking at Nie Xiaowan’s smug little smile, Jianchou couldn’t help but laugh softly.

So that’s how it is.