"What is the Young Mistress thinking about again?" A maid standing beside the Holy Maiden noticed she had remained motionless for an hour or two and couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing." The Holy Maiden slowly shook her head, a faint trace of melancholy flowing between her brows.
"Is the Young Mistress thinking about whether we'll successfully find the Holy Lord this time?" Bei'er pursed her lips in a slight smile.
"I don't want to find any Holy Lord!" The Holy Maiden sighed softly.
"But that's the Young Mistress's duty." Bei'er's face dimmed considerably as well.
"I know, and I am looking, aren't I? But he hasn't shown up. What can I do?"
"It'd be best if he never shows up. Then the Young Mistress wouldn't have to worry."
"Hush!" The Holy Maiden quickly raised a slender finger to her lips, secretly glancing outside. "You can say that to me, but don't say it outside. It wouldn't be good if Uncle Qian and the others heard."
"I know." Bei'er stuck out her tongue playfully. "But the Young Mistress doesn't need to be too worried. Our Nine Heavens Holy Land has four Holy Maidens. Besides you, the other three are also searching. Maybe one of them will find him."
"It wouldn't be good if any of them found him." The Holy Maiden sighed faintly and stood up. "I'm tired of sitting. Let's go for a walk."
"Okay." Bei'er nodded quickly.
After coming out onto the deck and observing for a while, the Holy Maiden's mood improved considerably. Suddenly thinking of Yang Kai, she quickly asked a disciple on the ship.
Learning that Yang Kai had stayed below in the ship's cabin this whole time without coming out, the Holy Maiden couldn't help but frown slightly.
Because of her innate special abilities, she could generally sense a person's true thoughts. When she had seen Yang Kai before, although she understood he held no hostility or ill intent, she always felt this person was somewhat strange, as if shrouded in a layer of mysterious color that made it difficult for the always-observant Holy Maiden to glimpse his true depths.
Knowing he was safe and settled, the Holy Maiden had no intention of seeking him out for a conversation. After resting for a while, she returned to the cabin.
Days passed one by one. The large ship sailed on the sea for about a month. Suddenly, while meditating in the ship's cabin, Yang Kai caught a familiar scent he longed for.
It was the smell of earth.
He quickly looked out the window. Sure enough, he saw some irregularly arranged islands on the distant horizon.
His spirits lifted, and Yang Kai stood up. Cooped up in the cabin all this time had nearly stifled him. Now that he saw land, he could finally escape this confined space, and his mood instantly became cheerful.
Half a day later, the large ship docked beside an island. Footsteps sounded outside the door, and soon after, a large man named Cheng Fei pushed the door open and shouted, "Kid, we're here. Come out!"
Yang Kai gave a slight nod and followed him out.
On the deck, the disciples of the Nine Heavens Holy Land were disembarking in an orderly fashion. On the island, there were also several martial artists who appeared to be local powerhouses, respectfully welcoming them. Every one of them was all smiles and pleasant.
Yang Kai saw the Holy Maiden of the Nine Heavens Holy Land on the deck. After a moment's thought, he walked over to her.
His movement immediately drew the attention of many martial artists. Uncle Qian's aura surged, his gaze turning hostile as he watched Yang Kai.
It seemed that if Yang Kai made any hostile move, he would immediately face ruthless annihilation.
Yang Kai pretended not to notice and strolled leisurely to a spot near the Holy Maiden. He cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, Miss, for your rescue. I will remember it in my heart. I wish you eternal youth and a long, healthy life!"
The Holy Maiden's eyelashes fluttered slightly. Suddenly, she smiled, finding Yang Kai's words rather different from what others might say. She was a bit surprised and nodded slightly. "You're too kind. In the future, be more careful. Don't get stranded at sea again."
"Thank you for your concern, Miss. Farewell!"
With that, Yang Kai leaped off the large ship and quickly departed.
"Glib-tongued!" Uncle Qian seemed to dislike Yang Kai very much and let out a cold snort.
"I think he was quite sincere." The Holy Maiden watched Yang Kai's disappearing back, a smile still playing on her lips.
Below the ship, many martial artists, old and young alike, were captivated by that smile, staring blankly, mesmerized for a moment. It wasn't until Uncle Qian let out a heavy snort that everyone came back to their senses, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Yang Kai stepped onto the island and strolled casually.
The island had many martial artists coming and going, but the spiritual energy here was rather thin, nothing like the rich and pleasant concentration on the islands occupied by the Water God Temple.
Moreover, there didn't seem to be many powerhouses on this island. Among the local strongmen who had just come to welcome the Nine Heavens Holy Land, the most powerful one was only at the Transcendence Realm, second stage, a white-haired old man on the verge of death.
It seemed the surrounding islands weren't much either. They were probably places controlled by small factions, incomparable to the Water God Temple.
From the comings and goings of people, it was evident that outsiders were not allowed to enter the Water God Temple's territory. But here, it seemed there were many strangers.