Seeing that Li Nianlong wasn't responding, Zhao Ling'er said, "Brother Menglong, I'm heading back to Water Moon Palace. Would you like to come with me?"
"Is it convenient?" Li Nianlong snapped back to reality, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. The entire Immortal Spirit Island was populated by women. He wondered if his presence might cause an uproar among them.
"Convenient?" Zhao Ling'er looked at him with her big eyes, seemingly not understanding his implication.
Li Nianlong cleared his throat. "I mean, I'm a man, and you're a woman. Wouldn't it be inconvenient for me to go with you?"
"Oh, that's what you meant!" Zhao Ling'er blushed slightly, having some understanding of the differences between men and women. She lowered her head and softly said, "It's alright. The island is full of unfortunate women. I trust Brother Menglong won't do anything bad to them."
"I'm just asking if it's convenient. You're the one bringing up 'doing bad things.' What is this all about?" Li Nianlong had several black lines on his face, forcing a smile. "Don't worry, I won't do anything bad!"
As long as they don't do anything bad to me. The whole island is full of women who must be desperate for men. Seeing a handsome guy like me, they might turn into tigers and wolves and tear me apart.
Li Nianlong's mind was filled with lewd thoughts, but when he saw the women on the island, he realized he was wrong. The women here were like paragons of virtue, very careful in their behavior around him. They didn't give him any chance to get close, and their gazes were clear. They might have found him handsome but were not at all aggressive.
Li Nianlong felt a sense of shame, sighing inwardly: These are the kinds of wives one can marry without worry!
Having grown up on Immortal Spirit Island, with only her grandmother and a few servants for company, Zhao Ling'er was very lonely. Li Nianlong's arrival clearly made this young girl very happy. She took him around Water Moon Palace, chattering non-stop like a little swallow.
"Brother Menglong, you're 24 years old? You're eight years older than me!" Zhao Ling'er laughed when she heard his age. "Brother Menglong, is there anything fun outside? Can you tell me?"
"Fun things..." Li Nianlong smiled. "There are many, but just talking about them isn't as interesting. If I get the chance, I'll take you out to see them. I guarantee it'll be eye-opening."
"Really?" Zhao Ling'er's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Of course," Li Nianlong nodded with a smile. "Although Immortal Spirit Island is beautiful, it's too small. It might be a good place to retire when you're old, but you're still young. You should go out and see the world, broaden your horizons and knowledge."
"Mm-hmm," Zhao Ling'er nodded repeatedly, holding out her pinky finger. "Brother Menglong, then you must promise to take me out in the future. Don't lie to me. Let's make a pinky promise."
Li Nianlong chuckled. At his age, making a pinky promise with a young girl felt a bit embarrassing, but since Zhao Ling'er wanted it, he obliged.
"I promise, I'll take you out someday."
"Hehe, it's a deal."
"What's a deal?" At that moment, a cold, elderly voice interrupted. Li Nianlong's eyes gleamed as he turned to see a short, plump old woman glaring at him with murderous intent in her eyes.
It was indeed the Grandmother.
"Ah! Grandmother, you're back!" Zhao Ling'er panicked and instinctively stood in front of Li Nianlong. "Grandmother, don't kill him."
Li Nianlong found it amusing. This old woman couldn't even defeat a big fatty. How could she possibly kill him? Nonetheless, he felt a warm appreciation for Zhao Ling'er's protective stance.
"Ling'er, how could you bring a stranger here? Have you forgotten my warning about the dangers of people? What if he's a bad person?" The Grandmother had already sensed Li Nianlong's aura—righteous and peaceful, without any trace of evil or malice. Moreover, he was tall and handsome. Except for his strange clothing and short hair, which differed from those of the Central Plains people, he had no other flaws. Seeing Zhao Ling'er stand up to protect him, the Grandmother felt moved.
"Grandmother, Brother Menglong is not a bad person. He's actually a pitiful soul. His family is gone, and he was swept here by a tornado. Heaven has a kind heart. Grandmother, let's let Brother Menglong stay on Immortal Spirit Island. We have no men here. He can help with some of the hard labor."
"..."
Li Nianlong smiled wryly. Is my only purpose here to do hard labor?
"No!" The Grandmother instantly transformed into a human-snake hybrid, her face menacing. "This boy's origins are unclear. He must be killed!"
"Grandmother, no!" Zhao Ling'er was frantic. "Grandmother, don't kill him. He... he can't be killed."
"Why not?" the Grandmother asked coldly.
"Because... because when I was bathing in the Spirit Pool, he... he... I agreed to it," Zhao Ling'er stammered.
"..." Li Nianlong widened his eyes, astonished by this shy girl. To protect him, she was willing to destroy her own reputation. In this chaotic era, a woman's chastity was of utmost importance, often more valuable than life itself. By saying this, Zhao Ling'er was essentially telling her grandmother, "I'm already his. If he dies, I won't live either."
"Ling'er..." Li Nianlong was deeply moved.
"You scoundrel!" The Grandmother reverted to her human form, glaring at Li Nianlong. "You have the nerve to take advantage of my precious Ling'er."
Li Nianlong glanced at Zhao Ling'er, who was blushing and giving him pleading looks.
"It was... purely accidental."
"Hmph!" The Grandmother snorted. "You have two choices: marry Ling'er and stay on Immortal Spirit Island forever, or leave behind a hand, a foot, and your tongue, so you'll never reveal the secrets of Water Moon Palace."
"..."
The outcome was inevitable. That very night, Li Nianlong and Zhao Ling'er became husband and wife.
As he looked at the shy girl sitting on the bed, Li Nianlong felt a surge of emotion, holding her hands. "Ling'er, you destroyed your reputation to protect me. How can I ever repay you?"
Zhao Ling'er blushed. "Don't talk about reputation... I'm already Brother Menglong's person now."
Li Nianlong took a deep breath. He couldn't believe a sixteen-year-old girl could be so enchanting. Were ancient girls always this mature? Modern sixteen-year-olds might be physically mature but lacked the sophistication of girls like Zhao Ling'er. She was the dream goddess of every man.
"Brother Menglong, I'm sorry."
Surprised, Li Nianlong asked, "Why are you apologizing, Ling'er?"
With a face full of guilt, Zhao Ling'er said, "Grandmother said you must stay on Immortal Spirit Island forever, or she would kill you. Maybe you'll never leave this place. I'm sorry."
"I see." Li Nianlong smiled and gently touched her cheek. "Ling'er, you don't need to apologize. Being with you, even if I never leave Immortal Spirit Island, is more than enough. To me, you're the most important."
"Brother Menglong..." Zhao Ling'er was deeply moved and nestled into his arms.
"Ling'er..." Her soft body, the sweet fragrance, the beauty under the lamplight—everything about her was perfect. Li Nianlong was overwhelmed with emotion. "Let's... go to bed early."
Zhao Ling'er's face turned crimson. She softly hummed, and they slowly lay down together...
In the warm embrace of the bed, amidst a young girl's gentle moan, flowers blossomed and birds began to sing.
...
Late at night, a few fishing boats appeared near Immortal Spirit Island. A large, dark-skinned man in Miao attire stood at the bow, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he gazed at the island. "It's been ten years, Your Highness. The Witch King has waited ten years for you. This time, I'll bring you back to Miaojiang to reunite with the Witch King!"
Soon, the boats docked. The dark-skinned man left two men to guard the kidnapped fishermen and led the remaining eight men into the depths of the island.
When they reached the lotus pond and saw the shattered statues, the dark-skinned man chuckled. "That boy did well. It's a pity the Forgetful Powder will only take effect tomorrow. Let him enjoy knowing the secret for a little longer."
"Follow me!" The dark-skinned man led his men across the lotus path toward Water Moon Cave. Just then, a tall figure appeared by the stone bridge, shouting, "Stop!"
The dark-skinned man and his men immediately halted, gripping their Miao knives and looking warily at the figure. They were shocked. How could there be a man on Immortal Spirit Island? Wasn't it said that only old, weak women were here?
"Who are you?" Feeling the man's imposing aura, the dark-skinned man's face turned serious.
The person standing before them was, of course, Li Nianlong. Under the moonlight, his figure appeared imposing.
Staring coldly at the Miao people, Li Nianlong's eyes filled with killing intent.
According to the game's plot,
these black-skinned people were supposed to arrive the following night, but that was contingent on Li Xiaoyao spending the night here and leaving the next day.
Since Li Xiaoyao had left Immortal Spirit Island during the day, these Miao people, knowing that Li Xiaoyao had succeeded, naturally took immediate action, arriving a day early.
Even though Li Nianlong had just consummated his marriage with Zhao Ling'er, to protect the lives on Immortal Spirit Island and complete his mission, he waited here alone after Zhao Ling'er fell asleep. Now, his patience paid off.
"To kill you!" Li Nianlong had nothing to say to these Miao people. He plucked a few leaves and, using his skill, flicked them. "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—"
Without any screams, every Miao person was killed on the spot, their skulls pierced by the leaves. The original minor boss in Li Xiaoyao's path to becoming a sword immortal—the dark-skinned man—died without achieving anything, truly dying with regrets.