The jade slip thoughtfully provided precise details about Luo Lingmiao's residence. Now all Lu Bingxuan needed was a plausible excuse to visit Wuyun Island.
While casually wandering around could work, aimlessly "stumbling" into someone's private quarters would come across as far too deliberate—and ridiculous. Moreover, lingering near Wuyun Island without reason would only arouse suspicion.
As a Heavenly Root bearer, Lu Bingxuan knew he was already under some scrutiny. Fortunately, most people assumed he was in seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment, just like Xiao Yi of the Fire Lineage. But this cover wouldn't last forever. If he didn't finish the check-in soon, future attempts could prove disastrous.
The system only specified Luo Lingmiao's private chamber bathtub as the check-in location, so whether she was in it or not shouldn't matter, right?
With this loophole in mind, Lu Bingxuan devised a plan. What if I just show up as a guest? All I'd have to do is sneak a peek at the bathtub, or maybe even bring my own. It doesn't say it has to be her bathtub.
The storage feature of his identity token allowed him to carry items conveniently, so he simply needed to grab a bathtub from his pavilion. Now all he needed was a reasonable excuse to visit Wuyun Island.
He headed to the Changyang Hall, where disciples could accept sect missions or requests. According to sect regulations, disciples of every rank were required to complete a certain number of tasks annually. While higher ranks entailed harder missions, the rewards were also significantly better.
However, Lu Bingxuan's rank—automatically starting at Foundation Establishment—meant he could only accept higher-level tasks. Unfortunately, none of the Wuyun Island missions fit his capabilities.
For instance, the first task involved traveling to Sunsea to hunt ten Water Ying Beasts and retrieve their crowns. While Lu Bingxuan knew Sunsea from his master's jade slip map, it was a treacherous area filled with hostile beasts that didn't heed tokens. A reckless trip there could be deadly.
Another task required repairing formations on Wuyun Island, but it demanded proficiency in arrays—a skill Lu Bingxuan lacked. Other missions were similarly beyond his reach.
Frustrated, Lu Bingxuan decided to spend some of his initial contribution points to exchange for a bathtub. Storing it in his token, he ignored the puzzled glances of the exchange disciple and left the hall.
Next, he visited the island's library, hoping to learn more about the Xuanming Dao Body. As a sequence disciple, Lu Bingxuan enjoyed access to about 70% of the library's texts, compared to the 30% allowed for regular disciples.
After an extensive search, he found no specific mentions of the Xuanming Dao Body, though several entries referenced "Xuanming."
Xuanming: Deity of the Moon, Water, Winter, and the North.
Associated with phrases like "Unending winds from Buzhou, Xuanming commands the snow" and "Zhuanxu and Xuanming are both northern gods, masters of slaughter."
"These references all point to a connection with ice and snow," Lu Bingxuan concluded. The descriptions implied immense power, suggesting the Xuanming Dao Body wasn't likely to disappoint.
"The harder the task, the greater the reward, right?" Lu Bingxuan mused. Maybe it's time to take the initiative.
Without further delay, he summoned another orca at the Moon Sea's edge and instructed it to head for Wuyun Island.
Wuyun Island lived up to its name, perpetually shrouded in mist and clouds, likely a result of unique underground spiritual veins. Upon arrival, Lu Bingxuan kept a low profile, hiding his identity token to avoid attention. As a result, he blended in as just another ordinary disciple.
Following the jade slip's directions, he soon reached Luo Lingmiao's residence in the Cloud Veil Pavilion. The pinkish hue of the surrounding mist resembled a picturesque sunset.
Standing before the pavilion, Lu Bingxuan felt a pang of guilt, as though he were a thief preparing to break in. Before he could dwell on it, his identity token vibrated in his pocket.
The message was from Luo Lingmiao herself, triggered by the residence's protective array.
"Senior Brother, why are you loitering outside my quarters? Do you need something?"
Lu Bingxuan hesitated before replying with a single word: "Yes."
Though inwardly mortified, his face remained calm. The years of hardship had honed his composure, allowing him to mask his embarrassment.
Inside the pavilion, the water mist swirled around a young woman soaking in a flower-scented bath. Her fair skin glowed like jade under the steamy haze, and her long black hair was pinned into a neat bun, with loose strands trailing down her graceful neck.
The serene setting was disturbed as Luo Lingmiao received the curt response. She frowned slightly but dismissed her concerns, assuming Lu Bingxuan wanted to discuss Xiao Yi.
Both were Heavenly Root bearers representing conflicting elements—water and fire. Though she was nominally engaged to Xiao Yi, Luo Lingmiao had no affection for the arrangement, viewing it as a political convenience rather than a personal choice.
She sent another message: "Come in, Senior Brother. Please wait while I make myself presentable."
With that, the array opened a path, and Lu Bingxuan stepped inside.
A faint floral fragrance filled the air, but Luo Lingmiao was nowhere in sight. Assuming she wasn't home yet, Lu Bingxuan seized the moment.
Activating his token, he summoned the bathtub he'd brought and jumped into it.
"System, check in!"
Nothing happened.
"D*mn it, no loopholes allowed? You're ruthless!" Lu Bingxuan grumbled, storing the bathtub again.
This time, he focused on the room with the densest water vapor. Following the trail, he soon found himself before the door to the bathing chamber.
"This has to be it."
Pushing the door open, he was immediately enveloped in warm mist. The sound of splashing water and a startled cry came from behind a screen.
Through the translucent screen, he saw a figure hastily sink back into the water, causing a cascade of ripples.