Zhao Nuanyue wanted to say something, but seeing how happy Wang Yuan and Li Qiong were, she knew it would only annoy them.
'Instead of trying and failing to persuade Li Qiong and Wang Yuan, only to have them resent me for it, I might as well focus on Liu Lanhua and Wang Dadan.' Her attention had been so focused on Li Qiong and Wang Yuan that she hadn't noticed someone following a short distance behind them, their eyes glinting with a dark, greedy evil!
Zhao Nuanyue had heard that Liu Lanhua planned to make her move within the next ten days, so she decided to frequently use her consciousness to check on Liu Lanhua's activities.
Using her consciousness always left her feeling a bit drained. Fortunately, Zhao Nuanyue would wake up feeling clear-headed and refreshed, with no physical discomfort. This gave her the confidence to use this incredible power.
Over the next few days, Liu Lanhua kept appearing near Li Qiong and Wang Yuan, making it seem like a series of coincidences, though her intentions were anything but.
As for Zhao Nuanyue, she was too quiet. Her features were nice, but her skin was dark and she wasn't as fair and pretty as Li Qiong and Wang Yuan. Besides, she always had Zhao Nuan Yang with her, which made her a difficult target. Consequently, Liu Lanhua showed little interest in Zhao Nuanyue, focusing instead on winning over the two gullible girls, Li Qiong and Wang Yuan.
Zhao Nuanyue, on the other hand, breathed a small sigh of relief. It meant she didn't have to deal with Liu Lanhua's sickeningly sweet act.
Zhao Nuanyue didn't know what was going through Liu Lanhua's mind. If she did, she would have argued that her brother was never a burden. 'Even if he has some mental issues, his presence is still a form of protection for me.'
Sure enough, it only took a few days for Li Qiong and Wang Yuan to get chummy with Liu Lanhua. They hit it off so well they practically became her goddaughters.
By frequently using her consciousness to listen in through the water, Zhao Nuanyue picked up some clues from Liu Lanhua. 'Oh god, the woman is actually planning to use some kind of drug! Where did she even get it?'
'But how exactly does Liu Lanhua plan to arrange this sordid affair?'
Liu Lanhua didn't reveal the details, and Zhao Nuanyue couldn't read her mind, so all she could do was keep a close watch.
Zhao Nuanyue's consciousness flowed forward with the current, free and relaxed. She was really starting to enjoy this state. She explored all of Nianqiao Village, but found only waterweeds and small fish in the river—nothing particularly interesting. So, she decided to venture further out.
The waters outside the village were indeed more expansive. But when Zhao Nuanyue's consciousness had traveled about two or three kilometers away from Nianqiao Village, she found she could go no further. Instead, a force began to pull her back, completely beyond her control.
Back in her room, Zhao Nuanyue's physical body lay motionless on her bed. She could only let her consciousness be dragged back by the pulling force. It drew her closer and closer to her home, finally stopping beneath the riverbed, under the very foundation of the Dragon King Temple, where she discovered a dark void.
The irresistible suction originated from this very spot.
After a wave of dizziness, Zhao Nuanyue's consciousness found itself in a place that resembled the bottom of a well. The floor was paved with bluestone slabs, and the water was crystal clear. It was a magnificent room, its walls adorned with paintings of various dragons and auspicious clouds.
'Where am I?'
Zhao Nuanyue was astonished and a little apprehensive. As she looked around, she began to suspect this place had to be connected to her strange new ability.
"You have come." A weak, ancient voice echoed from the direction of a massive Dragon King Statue. Only its eyes moved; the rest of it was completely still.
The statue looked exactly like the one in the Dragon King Temple above.
Zhao Nuanyue stumbled back a couple of steps, startled, but she gathered her courage. "Was it you?" she asked. "Were you the one who gave me this incredible power?"
"Yes, little girl," the ancient voice replied, a note of kindness within it. "I have been in a deep slumber ever since I was sealed five hundred years ago. A few years ago, someone broke my statue and the seal upon it, allowing me to slowly awaken. But before I had a chance to rejoice, I discovered that my remaining Mana was not replenishing. In fact, it was steadily decreasing. It was then I realized this world was not the one I left behind. The Spiritual Energy is depleted. This is the End of Dharma Era."
Zhao Nuanyue was finding it hard to follow, but she managed to grasp the gist of it.
'This old being... he might be the Dragon King!'
"Grandfather, are you the Dragon King?" Zhao Nuanyue asked. "I'm living in the Dragon King Temple right now. I was just cleaning it a little while ago. The statue in there looks exactly like you! Since you gave me this amazing ability that lets me swim through the water like a little fish, I promise I'll do anything I can to help you."
The Dragon King Statue seemed pleased. "I don't need you to do anything for me," he said. "My Mana is nearly gone. If I don't leave soon, I will fade into nothingness. But for centuries, the people of this land have worshiped me, aiding my cultivation. If I disappear, this place will collapse and be submerged by water. The villagers won't just lose their homes—many will die. That is a future I do not wish to see. Therefore, before I depart, I hope you will help the villagers, which in turn will help you. Do good deeds, punish evil, and accumulate merit. You will be rewarded with good fortune in the future."
When you receive help, you must return the favor.
This was a principle Zhao Nuanyue lived by. She wasn't a ruthless person by nature, but she did believe in an eye for an eye.