The Immortal Realm is unsafe, and the Mortal and Nether Realms are even less so.
Shui Miao changed his mind. Rather than leaving his loved ones and friends in the Mortal Realm, worrying and fearing for them, he decided it was better to bring them along and journey together.
The Realm of Imagination is safe; even if he himself were killed, the Realm of Imagination would continue to exist.
Along the way, Shui Miao kept pondering: what exactly was this Realm of Imagination?
From a realistic perspective, the realm of imagination was empty and merely imagined.
However, after previously destroying Hu Yuting and annihilating his imagined space, Shui Miao discovered that the world of imagination was indeed real—it wasn’t entirely empty.
Yet Shui Miao couldn’t quite figure it out: what exactly was this existence that lay between emptiness and reality? He even wondered whether the Three Realms he inhabited were someone else’s imagined realm.
This question was difficult to comprehend.
Before he realized it, Shui Miao had already arrived at the Dragon’s Lair Island.
With a sweep of his divine consciousness, he suddenly noticed that half of Dragon’s Lair Island had been occupied by Huide, who had brought along a massive horde of demonic beasts.
Bailian and the others had only occupied half of the island, and it looked rather cramped.
Shui Miao transmitted his thoughts, calling everyone to come out.
Bailian and the others, who had been meditating, became excited upon learning of Shui Miao’s return and hurried out.
However, to Shui Miao’s shock and surprise, the two queen ants from the Realm of Rakshasa had already bred tens of thousands of ant beasts. These ants were even larger than crocodiles, pitch-black all over, and had crawled out in swarms, covering the island so densely that half of Dragon’s Lair looked like a gigantic ant colony.
On the other half, many demonic beasts had also been stirred up and were flying out in droves.
“Hoo!”
A gust of wind blew, and suddenly Huide flew out from the Rakshasa Sea, hovering in midair before Shui Miao. He clasped his fists and smiled as he said, “Master, please rest assured—I haven’t harmed your friends. In fact, I’ve been guarding them daily. It’s just that the demonic beasts I brought back were too many, and many of them can’t swim. They had nowhere to stay, so they had to squeeze in with your friends.”
Huide wore a grinning, apologetic expression, clearly fearing Shui Miao’s disapproval. He was completely different from his former self.
At this moment, Bailian and the others all flew over.
With a thought, Shui Miao drew everyone into the Realm of Imagination. Dividing his focus, he communicated with them while speaking to Huide, “Ao Shuang, I didn’t expect you to still call me Master?”
“Master, you’ve always been my master. All my skills were taught by you. Without you, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I’ve come to understand everything now. I’ve decided to go by Hui De from now on, not Ao Shuang.” Huide exhaled deeply. “Ever since we parted ways in the Immortal Realm, after I returned with a large group of demonic beasts and heard what my father said, I gradually came to terms with things. After all, it’s just a Nuwa Stone. Our power is weak. If you don’t come to take it, others will. At least you would treat me kindly if I gave it to you, but if someone else took it, they might have already killed me.”
“…”
Seeing Huide’s apparent epiphany, Shui Miao couldn’t help but feel that it was somewhat insincere.
After a pause, Shui Miao furrowed his brow and asked, “What is it you want from me?”
At the same time, he channeled his spiritual power, enveloping the ghost generals and the queen ants on half of Dragon’s Lair Island, transporting them all into the Realm of Imagination.
Seeing this, Huide realized that Shui Miao was about to leave with everyone and quickly said, “Master, I… I don’t really have any ulterior motives. I just want to ask you for a favor…”
“What favor? Speak quickly—I’m in a hurry.”
Shui Miao speculated that Huide probably wanted him to give some magical treasures.
Sure enough, Huide spoke up, “Master, here’s the thing—I’m completely empty-handed now, without any magical treasures. Could you, out of our master-disciple relationship, give me a couple of treasures for self-defense?”
“But I don’t have any spare treasures.”
Shui Miao furrowed his brow again. The treasures he had were all in use—how could he casually give them away?
“No, I don’t need the good ones. I just want the Fire Dragon Cannon. And if possible, Master, could you also give me a time-protection treasure?” Huide scratched his head, looking rather embarrassed.
“…”
Shui Miao didn’t respond immediately but fell into deep thought.
“This Huide is unpredictable, his temperament ever-changing, and his mind deeply calculating. He grew up within my Realm of Imagination, familiar with everything about me—my affairs, my personality, my aura… I can’t just be kind without being cautious. If he secretly resents me over the Nuwa Stone and stabs me in the back, I’ll be in serious trouble! Perhaps I should sense his thoughts, test his intentions toward me, and then decide?”
After thinking for a moment, Shui Miao suddenly activated his spiritual power to envelop Huide.
“Master, you’re going to sense my thoughts, right? I’ve actually been prepared for this.”
Huide smiled slightly, relaxed his mind, and allowed Shui Miao to probe him.
He actually guessed my intention… Shui Miao’s heart trembled.
This kind of opponent was hard to guard against!
Huide might even be using reverse psychology, thinking that I would spare him out of pride?
The more Huide acted this way, the more cautious Shui Miao became.
Without hesitation, Shui Miao immediately summoned the power of two Emperor-Divine-level spiritual artifacts and forcefully, decisively, and unrelentingly probed into Huide’s thoughts…
“Damn it!”
“You actually dared to scheme against me!”
Shortly afterward, Shui Miao’s heart trembled again as he discovered that Huide’s innermost thoughts were filled with darkness and malice, brewing all sorts of terrifying plots and schemes.
Yet, within his heart, there was also a sliver of sincerity—a genuine desire to befriend Shui Miao.
However, if certain special events occurred, he would betray Shui Miao without hesitation.
The reason Huide was now flattering Shui Miao was simply because Shui Miao was still powerful. If not for his fear of Shui Miao, he would have already slaughtered everyone on Dragon’s Lair Island.
Huide, mentally controlled by Shui Miao and unable to move his body, could still think. Upon hearing Shui Miao’s fury, he instantly realized that all his hidden thoughts had been completely exposed. A surge of fear overcame him as he desperately begged, “Master, please spare my life! These were merely childish thoughts. You know, a person’s mind has two sides. I was不服气 (discontent), so I had these chaotic thoughts. Please don’t kill me, Master! I still need to take care of my aging father, and I must lead this group of demonic beasts to survive. I can’t die! I no longer desire the treasures. I will definitely change—I swear on my life to reform. If I ever dare to harbor even the slightest disrespectful thought toward my Master again, may I be struck down by lightning and never be reborn for all eternity…”
Huide kept pleading desperately. In his panic, he even transmitted his thoughts, crying out for his father’s help…
“Great Immortal, Great Immortal! The child is just ignorant. If he has offended you in any way, please don’t hold it against him…”
In the Rakshasa Sea, Ao Shuang’s father sensed his son’s call, was startled, and quickly transformed into human form, rushing over to plead.
“…”
Seeing Ao Shuang’s father—aged, frail, and pitiful—Shui Miao couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
He thought to himself that since he had already taken away his loved ones and friends, and since he shared some connection with Huide, killing him would be too harsh. He decided to give him a chance.
“Ao Shuang, you must behave yourself. This will be the last time I spare you.”
Moved by compassion, Shui Miao even gave him the Fire Dragon Cannon, hoping Huide would change his ways and no longer oppose him.
Then, Shui Miao immediately activated the Time-Protective Spirit Pearl and departed from the Rakshasa Sea at full speed.
As he flew, a sense of foreboding lingered in his heart—he felt that Ao Shuang wouldn’t let this go so easily.
Shui Miao flew quickly and soon reached the Rakshasa Sea’s dock.
“Amitabha, friend, please wait a moment!”
Suddenly, a solemn and mighty voice rang in Shui Miao’s ears.
Startled, Shui Miao abruptly noticed a massive monk with a tiger’s back and bear’s shoulders, his face yellowed and gaunt, his eyes fierce, wearing a golden robe, holding a monk’s staff, and wearing a necklace of white bone skulls. Riding a gigantic beast, the monk blocked his path.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage