Chapter 23: News from Wind Gate Island (Part II)

Ice Prison Island. The Ice Prison Bear.

Yan Tong was always thorough in his duties. Rather than rushing blindly into the boundary point without assessing the situation, he chose to observe and gather intelligence first. Once he had the first-hand information, he reported back immediately.

Looking at the gargantuan white beast on the screen, Yan Ruobing’s expression turned solemn. Despite her extensive knowledge and experience, she had never encountered such a magical beast.

Yan Tong shifted the camera to focus on another tall man, who was cradling a fist-sized, multi-faceted purple crystal, showing it off to the crowd.

"This is Zhu Qingtong, the master of the Nanxing Hall of the Wind-Fire Sect and a Level 9 esper," Yan Tong explained. "It was under his leadership that everyone joined forces to slay this giant beast. They found this purple immortal crystal containing an immortal technique inside its body."

There was a distinct note of envy in his voice. A purple-grade immortal crystal (also known as a magic crystal) from an otherworldly beast contained immense, concentrated energy, serving as a potent supplement for espers after grueling battles. Its price was more than five times that of a Blue Star energy crystal of the same size and grade. If it contained an otherworldly immortal technique, its value multiplied at least twenty times over.

For a piece of crystal the size of a fist, anyone with a net worth of less than twenty million Donghua dollars shouldn't even bother asking for the price at an auction.

"Understood," Yan Ruobing said. "Captain Yan Tong, what are your plans moving forward?"

"Reporting to Miss: a large number of espers from various regions have already flooded into Ice Prison Island," Yan Tong replied. "Based on my observations, the energy fluctuations from the boundary point—the Wind-Moving Stone on Wind Gate Island—have become unstable. This is likely a sign that the boundary point is about to vanish. It has been open for seventeen days, but for the first fifteen, a barrier prevented entry. The true emergence of the portal likely occurred two days ago. Calculating from the initial onset of the fluctuations, it will likely only exist for another two days at most."

"I plan to spend an hour and a half stocking up on supplies to withstand the frigid temperatures on the island, then I will set out to enter the boundary point. Regardless of whether we gain anything, I will retreat within two days."

"Very well, Captain Yan Tong. Proceed as planned."

After hanging up, Yan Ruobing fell into deep thought. Suddenly, she turned to Wen Fengxian and said, "Fengxian, turn around. We’re going to Wind Gate Island!"

Wen Fengxian, who always strictly executed the Miss's orders, immediately turned the recreational vehicle around. The Yan family guards trailing behind, confused, followed suit with their power-tracking hounds.

"Miss, didn't you just say that there were too many boundary points and that this one wasn't worth the trip?" she asked with a hint of teasing.

"This Ice Prison Island... it actually seems quite interesting," Yan Ruobing replied.

"Should we report this to the Patriarch?" Wen Fengxian asked.

"No need; he’ll only worry if we tell him," Yan Ruobing said. "Besides, Uncle You has already gone, so we can meet up with him there. With him around, there’s no need to fear any danger."

They were clearly planning to cross the boundary point into the other world. What about him—the one who had been "kidnapped"?

Shuisheng couldn't help but ask, "You're going to the boundary point? Am I going too?"

"What? Are you scared?" Yan Ruobing said coolly. "If you are, get off now, and I’ll have someone send you to Yan Garden."

"Better to die once than live a thousand years in fear! Who's afraid of anything!" Shuisheng felt a surge of bravado; he couldn't show weakness in front of this young lady. "If we're going, we're going! I've been wanting to see the scenery of another world for a long time!"

A child from a rural fishing village, truly vulgar in his speech. The young lady frowned slightly but decided not to bicker with him over such words.

The Yan family convoy drove into Ting'ao Town and headed for the fishing pier. Espers heading to Wind Gate Island were either taking fishing boats from here or from the Wang'ao Village pier. The boats here were more numerous and generally in better condition.

The pier was bustling with people—espers of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. Numerous motorized fishing boats belonging to the locals roared to life, constantly shuttling between the pier and Wind Gate Island to transport people and supplies.

Yan Ning approached them with a few men. His group had originally used Ting'ao Town as their base to track Shuisheng. While Shuisheng was detained by the "Heavenly Court" organization's Fuling Brigade, they had returned to the Yan family, only to come back to Ting'ao Town after his release.

"The Miss is going to the Wind Gate Island boundary point in person?" Yan Ning was stunned.

"Hurry and prepare," Wen Fengxian commanded. "The situation is urgent. We don't have time to call for the Yan family's ships from Fuling Harbor, so we'll rent local fishing boats. Also, since it's bone-chillingly cold at the boundary point, we need to prepare warm clothing and supplies."

Yan Ning didn't dare delay and hurried off to organize everything. Half an hour later, he had rented two motorized fishing boats, and his subordinates had purchased several large crates of supplies. Everyone boarded, and they instructed the captain to head for Wind Gate Island.

Yan Ruobing, Wen Fengxian, Shuisheng, Yan Ning, and four other guards were on the same boat. On the journey, Yan Ning looked at the young man from time to time, wondering why he was accompanying the Miss. She hadn't mentioned her trip to Wang'ao Village to him beforehand.

The fishing boat sped across the sea, and today’s sea breeze felt exceptionally cold. Splashes of seawater occasionally hit their cheeks, icy and numbing.

More than forty minutes later, the boats arrived one after another at the fishing pier on Wind Gate Island. It was barely a pier—just a simple wooden boardwalk extending from the shore into the sea. Fishing boats arrived constantly, dropping off people and unloading cargo before pulling away. The docking space was so limited that they even had to queue.

After disembarking, two people met them at the pier. One was Captain Yan Tong, whom Shuisheng had seen in Yan Ruobing’s video call. The other was a woman in her late thirties with yellowish eyes, thin, tightly pressed lips, and a sallow, haggard face with a greenish tint. On her back, she carried a coiled, thorny green vine.

"Miss, this is Ni Ximei, the inspector for our special task force. She is a Level 5 Wood-element esper," Yan Tong introduced.

An inspector was a position the Yan family had established within their guard corps, modeled after the "Heavenly Court" organization's supervisory committee, responsible for personnel, morale, and disciplinary oversight.

"Hello, Miss." Ni Ximei reached out to shake the Miss's hand, then suddenly remembered something, pulled it back, and smiled sheepishly.

"I apologize, Miss. I'm a Wood-element esper who practices the path of wood-poison, and I'm always working with toxic plants..." she said. "My hands are never quite clean; they’re always covered in poisonous powder and toxins..."

"It’s quite alright," Yan Ruobing said, expressing her full understanding.

"Have you seen Master You?" she asked.

"Yes, we have," Ni Ximei said. "He arrived at 9:25 this morning. He greeted us briefly and then went up to the Wind-Moving Stone by himself."

"Then let's head up," Yan Ruobing said. "Captain Yan Tong, are your people all at the top?"

"Yes, they are all waiting for my orders," Yan Tong said. "Since the Miss intends to enter the boundary point, we will do everything in our power to protect your safety."

Just as they were about to set off, a voice like a broken gong suddenly erupted from behind: "Ni Ximei! If you dare to go to the other world today, our marriage is over! We're getting a divorce tomorrow!"