Unsheathed

Algae Stream, a large and turquoise canal, was filled with water grass that swayed with the undulating water. It was as if water ghosts were waving at the passers-by.

There were many supernatural stories and literary records about water ghosts seeking living people to replace them in death, with most of these stories using revenge as the main theme.

However, once there was a barrier between yin and yang and a barrier between life and death, it naturally wouldn't be so easy for ordinary water ghosts to obtain freedom from their suffering and find a living person to replace them. Ordinary water ghosts weren't powerful cultivators skilled in a myriad of immortal techniques, after all.

As such, it was indeed true that ghosts from the yin world harmed people, but it was largely false that they were doing so for freedom and liberation. This misconception was born from the falsehoods being continuously spread by scholars, literati, and storytellers.

After leaving the water goddess shrine, Chen Ping'an dragged the unconscious canal master of Algae Stream behind him as he made his way to Verdant Bamboo Lake. Du Yu was still wearing his suit of Divine Dewbearing Armor as he flew on the wind and followed Chen Ping'an, mustering his courage to also visit Verdant Bamboo Lake.

Perhaps it was because Du Yu had already interacted with Chen Ping'an for a long time and been influenced by his behavior, he became increasingly thoughtful and meticulous as he asked about whether or not he should remove his relatively eye-catching Divine Dewbearing Armor, lest his mighty senior be detected too early and lose the advantageous element of surprise.

Chen Ping'an replied that there was no need.

This allowed Du Yu to feel slightly more at ease.

However, what Chen Ping'an said next caused Du Yu's heart to immediately jump into his throat. The mighty senior said slowly, "There might be a huge battle after we arrive on the bank of Verdant Bamboo Lake, but you don't need to do anything at that time, and you can simply treat it as another gamble between life and death. You can pretend to be deaf and mute as you stand on the sidelines. In any case, the situation can only become so bad from your perspective, and you might even be able to make some small profits."

Du Yu smiled and said, "Rest assured, I might not be able to help Senior much, but I guarantee that I definitely won't cause any extra trouble."

Chen Ping'an merely smiled and offered no response.

Du Yu glanced at the canal master and felt as if he were living a different life. He couldn't help but sigh with emotion. His parents had always said that lofty cultivators possessed profound Dao power. However, cultivators with clear backgrounds and immortal forces would always act in relatively predictable manners and be easier to negotiate with.