Unsheathed

In the darkness of night, the silhouette of Palace Willow Island was still vaguely visible. However, in stark contrast to the other islands that were covered in snow, Palace Willow Island was flourishing with greenery with almost no snow to be seen.

In fact, this wasn't as strange as it appeared, especially after one realized that one of Liu Laocheng's bonded treasures was the Gold-Gilded Fire Spirit Divine Seal, a seal that repelled both fire and water. It was probably the case that Liu Laocheng didn't enjoy the snowy scenery very much, so he had used an immortal technique to clear away the snow and thus make Palace Willow Island stand out among the other islands.

However, it was inconceivable to outsiders that Liu Laocheng was the only person on the huge Palace Willow Island.

A boat that appeared as small as a speck of sand drew closer and closer to the jurisdiction of Palace Willow Island.

When the boat was three kilometers from the island, the boatman pulled his bamboo pole from the lake and said in a hoarse voice, "Chen Ping'an pays his respects to Island Master Liu."

Even though Liu Laocheng didn't offer a reply, Chen Ping'an discovered his boat automatically sailing forward a short moment later, eventually slowing down and stopping at the dock of Palace Willow Island.

Chen Ping'an moored the boat and stepped onto the island. It was midwinter, the coldest time of the year, yet the island was still decorated with gently swaying willows. There was lush greenery everywhere, and the island was so full of vitality that it seemed like it was still summer.

The large majority of the buildings on Palace Willow Island were already derelict and rundown beyond repair. In fact, it was only because Palace Willow Island was used as the location for electing the new ruler of Bamboo Scroll Lake that Cyan Gorge Island had spent some money to repair a few of Palace Willow Island's main buildings.

Yet in the end, Liu Laocheng suddenly charged onto Cyan Gorge Island for some reason, causing Cyan Gorge Island's so-called goodwill to become the butt of jokes for many vagrant cultivators in Bamboo Scroll Lake — Liu Zhimao was truly enjoying good fortune thanks to his good deeds, what with Liu Laocheng immediately visiting Cyan Gorge Island after returning to Bamboo Scroll Lake. This was as expected of someone who had become the River Severing Heavenly Lord, the ruler of Bamboo Scroll Lake. He was truly given a huge honor.

Just as Chen Ping'an was speculating about where Liu Laocheng was right now, the Unpolished Jade Tier vagrant cultivator had already appeared in his view. He appeared to be walking slowly, yet he arrived in front of Chen Ping'an in an instant. Liu Laocheng walked along an uneven path that wound around Palace Willow Island like a belt, and Chen Ping'an made his way over to walk behind him.

"Seeing that you were strong enough to stop me from killing someone on Cyan Gorge Island, I'll give you an opportunity to say three sentences," Liu Laocheng said. "If I'm unsatisfied, I'll see you off the island straight away."