Chapter 67: This Young Master Is Lost

Chapter 67: This Young Master Is Lost

Chen Haoran left one world filled with water and entered another world filled with water. He opened his eyes and saw streaks of sunlight play across the water's surface. Phelps immediately released his grip and swam up. Chen Haoran closed his eyes and swam after him.

Man and sloth emerged and took in deep, greedy breaths. He could feel the warmth of the light on his face and slowly opened his eyes. They stung, and colorful stars exploded across his vision. Cursing, he cycled qi to his eyes, not to enhance but to soothe. After a few minutes, he could see properly again. Phelps was paddling around him too and fro and burbled. Chen Haoran grabbed the restless sloth and swam to the bank. After climbing out of the water he looked back. It was just an ordinary pond. No rushing water or anything that would imply it connected to a huge waterfall.

Phelps was constantly sniffing the air and ground. Chen Haoran refastened the blindfold tied around his eyes and dried it off with a quick flash of qi. Dont lose that for now bud. Phelps had an advantage over other underground creatures in that the cavern wasnt devoid of light. The glowing moss wasnt the sun though, and Phelps's species had been down there for who knew how long. Better to take it safe and slowly let him adjust so as not to damage his eyes.

He picked Phelps up and placed him on his back. Phelps squealed and Chen Haoran felt his grip was tighter than usual. Its okay, he cooed and rubbed Phelps's head.

The pond they had been deposited at was nestled in some forested valley in the Clearsprings Mountains. There was originally supposed to be a Lan family camp nearby as well but Chen Haoran couldnt see any sign of it. Lan Fen had cleaned up well.

He looked back at the pond. Lan Fen would be fine in the secret realm even without her cultivation. The island was safely separated by the river, and she had her Silver Ring space to fall back to should something dangerous arrive.

It would be pretty funny if I said I was leaving and went back wouldnt it?

Phelps burrowed into his shoulder. He awkwardly laughed.

He couldnt stay by Lan Fen forever. It wasnt even about being his own person. Having someone else take care of your problems for you was the best. It was obvious from back in Clearsprings City though that he wouldnt be able to keep up with Lan Fen, not in cultivation but in ambition. Chen Haoran wanted to be strong but Lan Fen wanted to be the strongest. He didnt need to be a prophet to know that her future path would be just as bloody as her revenge was. He was almost swept away because of it once. He wasnt going to do it again.

Chen Haoran sighed and walked off into the unfamiliar valley. He didnt think their paths would cross again. Not if he had anything to say about it at least. He had the feeling she knew that too.

He turned his thoughts away from her and focused on the present.

Where the hell do I go now?

A Liquid Meridian realm is a walking flood. Both in its destructive potential and the life-giving benefits left in its passing. Song Yuelins words echoed in his head.

There was more buzzing. Phelps tried eating the bee and spat it out in disgust.

Liquid Meridian realm. He had just assumed he would reach it one day but now he was closer to it than ever before. He drummed his fingers along his leg. For now getting to the Liquid Meridian realm was a good enough goal. For that, he would need resources. Hed have to go to another city. Somewhere larger than Clearsprings and far away so that he wouldnt have to worry about someone from the city recognizing him. Hed need to get a house, with servants and cooks. Hed tasted the good life and he wasnt about to give it up so easily. Hed stuff Phelps with all the cultivation resources till he became a Liquid Meridian; hed figure out what to do next afterward.

Plan in place he immediately looked back at the sky to determine his direction and-

Nothing. He still didnt know what he was doing. No goals? Lacking a plan? Who was he kidding, its not like he was any closer to finding civilization if he had those.

Chen Haoran sighed. This is the cavern all over again. Past me should have packed that damn map.

He stood up. He could figure out where East was probably, he just had to find Clearsprings City and then follow the roads out of the territory. The buzzing got louder. Chen Haoran frowned and looked over to where Phelps was swatting at another bee. The buzzing was too loud for it to come from just one bee and the sound was getting closer. Did Phelps attract a swarm after he killed the first one? Did its hive sense that? He ran over to Phelps and threw him across his back.

Phelps you better pray these arent cultivating bees. He pulled his sword out and stretched his sense. The source of the buzzing immediately rushed into view. It was neither a swarm nor a bee.

A glossy black, fist-sized beetle flew in front of Chen Haoran. He warily held out his blade and cycled his qi. The beetle hovered, the buzzing coming from the beating of its wings. He could clearly sense the qi within it but he couldnt pin down was level it was at. Just as he was about to make a move a voice in the distance called out.

Brother Chen!

Was that

Xie Jin?