Chapter 22: News from Windgate Island

The Yan family's motorcade slowly pulled away from Wang'ao Village, traveling along the coastal highway toward the city of Fuling. The road was exceptionally busy—far more crowded than when they had arrived—and most of the vehicles seemed to be moving with hurried anxiety.

Yan Ruobing sat in the soft chair of the recreational vehicle, lost in thought. She remained indifferent to the bustle outside the window. Seeing her deep in contemplation, Shuisheng chose not to disturb her. Instead, he pulled out his copy of *The Essence of Immortal Power* and began to study it repeatedly. Although he had already memorized the text by heart, he found that with each careful reading, he gained new insights.

Sitting in close proximity, the faint, cool fragrance drifting from Yan Ruobing reached his senses. His heart skipped a beat as he thought of the bra that had inexplicably appeared at the door of his shed. At the time, he hadn't understood why the young mistress had been so enraged that she burned the item to ashes on the spot. Now, as he replayed the events in his mind, he realized the truth: that object must have belonged to her, perhaps even an intimate garment, which explained her fury.

Yet, why had it appeared at his doorstep?

Even now, he could not bring himself to believe it was the work of Mei Yulang. He didn't think Mei Yulang could have made a round trip between Fuling City and the village in a single night, let alone manage to steal an intimate item from the Yan family's eldest daughter. The Yan family was a formidable clan with vast resources and countless powerful experts; how could a sleazy character like Mei Yulang possibly pull that off?

"Um... Miss, I have a question, though I'm not sure if I should ask..." he finally ventured.

"If you aren't sure whether you should ask, then don't," Yan Ruobing replied without lifting her head.

Very well, he would not ask.

"Actually, I don't necessarily need those two items," Shuisheng said. "If you want them back, take them. The *True Water Manual* is here..." He pulled the manual from his backpack, along with the two halves of the crystal ball. "Though I don't know how this crystal ball broke, and the drop of water inside... it’s gone, too."

He was unaware that the "Drop of Returning Void Water" had already been absorbed by Mei Yulang into his own body, becoming one with him.

"Keep them," Yan Ruobing finally said. Though she appeared calm, her irritation had not yet dissipated. She deeply regretted the decision to bring this boy onto her vehicle and seat him directly across from her. While he was a rather charming youth—spirited, a touch of mischief hidden within his refined features, and a sense of resolve beneath his clear-eyed gaze—the type who would surely be popular among girls—every time she caught sight of his face, she was reminded of her own undergarment pressed against it. The mere thought made her want to lash out.

"Miss, will you really arrange a place for me to stay in Fuling City?" Shuisheng asked, tucking the book and the broken crystal ball back into his bag.

"Yes," the young mistress replied.

"And will you also find me a job at the Yan estate?" Shuisheng continued.

She hadn't really thought that far ahead regarding a job; after all, he was merely bait or a hostage to her. "Yes," she said, sounding somewhat annoyed.

"Then I'll be a city dweller from now on," Shuisheng said, appearing pleased.

Yan Ruobing had no desire to continue the conversation, and the atmosphere in the cabin grew stifling.

Wen Fengxian, who served as both driver and bodyguard, answered a phone call—presumably from someone named "Uncle You"—inquiring about their status. Wen reported that the matter was resolved and they were on their way back. It seemed Uncle You mentioned he was heading to Fengmen Island to cross the boundary point into the other world, instructing Wen to keep the young mistress safe while he was away.

After hanging up, Wen Fengxian asked, "Miss, speaking of that boundary point, would you like to go see it?"

Yan Ruobing seemed uninterested. "Fengxian, how many boundary points have we entered over the last few years? Not to mention distant ones, in the last five months alone, we’ve entered four across Nanhai and Dongming provinces. The 'Wangxian Continent' on the other side, while strange and filled with wonders, is no longer unfamiliar to us, is it? There's nothing worth seeing."

"Miss, you are the prized jewel of the Yan family, sheltered from the hardships of the world," Wen Fengxian sighed. "Going to the other world isn't for sightseeing; it's to bring back valuable goods to sell and save up for a dowry."

"Ha, are you really worried you won't be able to get married?" Yan Ruobing offered a rare, slight smile. "If a dowry is the only thing standing in your way, that's easy. Name your price, and I'll pay it."

*Perhaps the young mistress isn't as cold-hearted as she seems,* Shuisheng thought to himself.

The display screen in front of Yan Ruobing suddenly shifted, indicating an incoming video call from Yan Ning.

"Connect," she said softly.

The call connected automatically, revealing Yan Ning’s young, handsome face.

"Miss, there is a famous scenic spot on the coast here called 'Husband-Gazing Cliff.' Legend has it that five hundred years ago, a fisherman's wife waited bitterly for the return of her husband who had set sail..."

Before he could finish, Yan Ruobing cut the connection.

"That fellow is as unreliable as ever, spouting nothing but nonsense," she said coldly.

Wen Fengxian remarked, "Though unreliable, he has been secretly tailing this boy and keeping watch outside the Fuling headquarters of the Heavenly Court for days just to wait for him to emerge. He has put in the effort."

Although Yan Ning lacked great strength, he was a direct descendant of the Yan family and Yan Ruobing’s cousin. As the deputy captain of the Third Guard, he held status and was handsome. Wen Fengxian held a secret affection for him.

The screen shifted again, showing another incoming call from Yan Ning.

*Calling again? Is there an emergency?* Yan Ruobing knit her brows. "Connect."

"Miss! We just received urgent news. The boundary point on Fengmen Island, across from the Husband-Gazing Cliff, has finally stabilized as of yesterday—it’s now possible to enter!" Yan Ning’s handsome face appeared on screen, filled with excitement and a hint of sycophancy.

"So what? Have you never been to another world?" Yan Ruobing replied, her voice tinged with displeasure. She had already known about that yesterday.

"Miss, there is new information today! I’m patching in Yan Tong’s signal—you’ll see for yourself!" Seeing her ready to hang up again, Yan Ning hurried to reroute the video call.

The screen changed to show a scene at the coast of an island. A middle-aged man with short stubble appeared. "Greetings, Miss. I am Yan Tong, captain of the Fourth Special Task Guard. I am currently on Fengmen Island, 500 meters from the boundary point! We haven't entered the other world yet. The interference with electromagnetic signals is slightly weaker here, which is why I can report this important situation to you."

"Proceed," Yan Ruobing said, her expression softening slightly at the mention of an important situation.

The Yan family maintained twelve guard squads and six special task squads, each under the direct command of key family members. The guard squads were responsible for protecting the family's territory and assets, while the special task squads were generally deployed for various missions. This Fourth Special Task Guard was one of those directly under the young mistress's command.

"Miss, please look at this." Yan Tong shifted the camera lens, revealing a group of people surrounding a massive, white, seal-like beast, though it was the size of an elephant. A trail of blood stretched out beneath its body. "People who have emerged from the portal say that beyond it lies an ice-locked island. They found a stone tablet at the junction of the beach and the land inscribed with the words 'Ice Prison Island.' We have temporarily named the place Ice Prison Island."

"The first group of psychics to enter killed this monster on the ice floes of the outer beach. It is massive and possesses immense strength. We have tentatively labeled this giant creature the 'Ice Prison Bear.'"