"So it's Fellow Daoist Mei and company! This old man and several disciples were passing through when we spotted the commotion on this island from afar, so we came to see what was going on. We only just arrived ourselves. But you two siblings are surely well-versed — can you discern anything from this celestial omen?" The old man surnamed Zhao seemed to know the pair, and he greeted them with a face full of smiles.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao jests. Even you cannot make sense of this celestial phenomenon — how could my brother and I? Still, judging by how the yin energy is congealing, I fear that if a treasure truly emerges, it will be a dreadfully ominous one!" the woman replied in a refined, gentle manner, while her brother merely nodded indifferently, wearing an expression that warned others to keep their distance.
The old man was not angered by this. He gave a light cough and was about to say something more.
But just then, a melodious flute sound drifted over from the distance, followed by flashes of green light along the far horizon. A point of light flew toward them, growing ever closer.
The graceful woman surnamed Mei heard the flute, and her elegant features shifted several times, though she quickly composed herself and appeared unperturbed.
The old man surnamed Zhao was momentarily stunned, then seemed to recall something. He stole a few more glances at the woman, a peculiar expression crossing his face.
The man beside the woman remained expressionless, but a flash of irritation passed through his eyes.
Moments later, the green light drew near.
It was a young man, soaring through the air with a jade flute held before him. He was handsome, his white robes billowing in the wind, cutting quite the dashing figure.
"I, Fu, guessed correctly. Miss Mei has indeed come to this place." The white-robed man flew right up to the group before finally lowering his flute, calling out to the woman surnamed Mei with undisguised delight.
"Fellow Daoist Fu — you've come as well," the woman said, a trace of helplessness flickering across her face. Her words were strained, making it clear she was not pleased to see him.
"What exactly are you after? My sister has already told you she has no interest in being your dual cultivation partner, yet you persist in pestering her. Don't tell me that just because you have a Core Formation master, you think we wouldn't dare drive you off." The woman's brother spoke in a cold, hoarse voice.
"I am genuinely fond of your sister. As long as Miss Mei remains unmarried, I shall remain at her side. Surely Fellow Daoist Mei will be moved by my devoted heart!" The white-robed man gazed at the woman surnamed Mei with lovesick eyes, his expression full of ardent devotion.
Hearing this, the woman's cheeks flushed crimson. She stamped her foot and turned her back on him, refusing to engage further.
Her brother's face took on a fierce, vicious look — made all the more grotesque by his deathly, corpse-like complexion.
But the white-robed man simply stared at the woman's retreating figure, paying no attention to anyone else.
"Ahem! Why must the three of you be so headstrong? In a little while, I expect even more fellow cultivators will arrive. If a treasure truly is about to emerge on the island, you'd best act quickly. Once there are too many people — or worse, a Core Formation stage senior arrives — there won't be any chance left." The old man surnamed Zhao's eyes darted about as he interjected smoothly, steering the conversation back to the island.
All three froze slightly at his words.
"Oh! The phenomenon over the island is beginning to change." The white-robed man had been wearing a nonchalant expression, but after a casual glance, his look shifted entirely.
The old man and the Mei siblings looked as well, startled.
Sure enough, the roiling dark clouds overhead had suddenly begun spinning around a central point, continuously pulling in vast amounts of yin energy from the surroundings. The mass was expanding rapidly. Before their eyes, a massive, dark shape was taking form.
"What is that? Could the treasure be about to emerge?" The woman's face drained of color, her voice trembling with alarm.
"Whether it is or isn't, we should watch and see. Perhaps our fortune has finally arrived?" The man surnamed Mei gazed at the astonishing spectacle unfolding over the island, a peculiar glint passing through his eyes.
"But what if it isn't a treasure, but some expert cultivating a supreme-grade technique? If we approach, might we not offend them?" The woman hesitated at her brother's words.
"There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If you want a treasure, you must be willing to take risks. Besides, if some senior truly is on the island, we can simply pay our respects and withdraw." The man's voice turned cold, his tone impatient.
With that, he disregarded the others, stamped down on his sword-shaped magical artifact, and shot off toward the island.
The woman stared for a moment, then urged her own artifact forward with a worried expression, following close behind.
The white-robed man hesitated briefly. Then, glancing sideways and seeing that the old man surnamed Zhao had not moved, a flicker of suspicion crossed his face.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, aren't you going to investigate? It was you who first suggested we go searching for treasure on the island. Could you have changed your mind so quickly?" He furrowed his brow as he asked.
"This old man was merely offering a suggestion — I never said I would go myself. Moreover, on this trip, I've brought along a number of junior disciples and have no wish to take such risks. If there truly is a treasure, I'll leave it to the three of you." The old man chuckled, stroking his beard with an easy, candid air.
"Hmph! Quite the smooth talk, Brother Zhao. I suspect you're using us as expendable scouts!" The white-robed man glared at the old man, but after casting one more glance at the departing woman surnamed Mei, he transformed into a streak of light, gritted his teeth, and gave chase.
The old man watched the departing streak of light from behind with a smug, amused smile, giving a slight shake of his head. After a long moment, he murmured to himself.
"A beautiful woman is a calamity. Once you're tangled up with matters of the heart, I reckon your troubles are only beginning." He muttered the words under his breath.