Chapter 197

Chapter 197: Shui Lingluo’s Fury

As Wen Hou steered the magical weapon to change direction, Chang Xiang muttered to himself, “How strange. Why is there such chaotic energy above the sea? Could it be man-made? But if it is man-made, what level of cultivation would one need to affect the energy of the world itself?”

Originally, Wen Hou had intended to find a more secluded spot to drop everyone off. But he noticed that the closer they got to Binhai City, the more magical weapons appeared in the sky. No one even spared a glance at them, and clearly everyone’s destination was Binhai City below. Magical weapons masters were such a common sight here that there was no need to deliberately hide his identity as one.

So Wen Hou simply maneuvered the magical weapon to the city gate of Binhai City before landing. Then the four of them strode openly into the city.

Lou Yun had worried they might need a jade tablet or similar pass to enter, but to his surprise, they entered Binhai City without encountering any obstacles!

Binhai City was a vast port city. Due to its proximity to the sea and its convenient transportation, merchants traveling north and south would stop here to rest and resupply. Over time, the city had grown exceptionally prosperous. Though not a capital city, it far surpassed even Yuyang City, the capital of Gu Feng Nation!

Given Binhai City’s unique status, it naturally couldn’t impose strict checks on all arrivals and departures like other cities. Thankfully, despite attracting all walks of life, people generally respected the rules. Trouble and disturbances within the city walls were rare.

Though the bearing and appearance of the four newcomers stood out — especially Tie Sha’s imposing height and build, and Shui Lingluo’s stunning beauty — they only drew a few extra glances. None caused any particular stir. The people here, it seemed, were world-wise and seasoned.

Walking through Binhai City, the four felt their horizons broaden. None had ever witnessed such a bustling, thriving metropolis. Though outwardly mature for their age, inwardly they were still just young people. The novelty of their surroundings sparked their natural curiosity.

Only Tie Sha remained calm. Even in this vibrant environment, he kept his eyes shut. Seeing nothing, the sights and sounds held no sway over him.

The other three, however, paid him no mind. They happily darted in and out of different shops, admiring the dazzling array of goods.

Soon, they arrived at an accessory shop. Naturally, the three young men had little interest in such a store. But Shui Lingluo, who had grown up in poverty, stared wide-eyed at the colorful adornments, her feet rooted to the spot. Sensing her fascination, Lou Yun offered kindly, “Miss Shui, go on in and take a look. We’ll wait for you.”

“Alright!” Shui Lingluo nodded eagerly and rushed inside.

Lou Yun turned to Wen Hou with an apologetic smile. “Sorry to trouble you both to wait a little.”

After traveling together for so many days, the stiffness and formality between them had eased. Even the usually silent Tie Sha managed a rare “Hmm,” signaling his willingness to wait for Shui Lingluo.

A moment later, Lou Yun suddenly smacked his forehead. “Ugh, my mind! Miss Shui doesn’t have any money on her. If she finds something she likes, she won’t be able to buy it. I’ll go check on her.” With that, he headed inside.

The shop wasn’t crowded — just seven or eight people inside. Besides the shop assistants, all the customers were women. Lou Yun’s entrance as a young man drew their attention. Some women covered their mouths to stifle giggles; bolder ones even teased him outright, leaving Lou Yun embarrassed.

He pretended not to see or hear, focused only on finding Shui Lingluo quickly and leaving.

But after scanning the shop, Lou Yun froze. Shui Lingluo was nowhere to be seen!

The shop wasn’t large — only about twenty square meters — and he could see every corner with one glance. There were ten people inside including the staff, yet Shui Lingluo had vanished.

Because Shui Lingluo had a spontaneously generated energy barrier of water within her, Lou Yun couldn’t use his spiritual sense to locate her. But he was certain — he’d watched her enter this shop with his own eyes.

Counting the time they’d waited outside, barely half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn had passed. Yet now, a living, breathing person had disappeared without a trace!

Lou Yun refused to believe Shui Lingluo had simply vanished on her own. If she was missing, only one explanation remained: the shop had hidden her. Perhaps she was still inside, just concealed from his view for now.

A thought struck him — was this a den of thieves?

The suspicion ignited worry in his heart. Though Shui Lingluo was no longer ordinary, she lacked combat experience. Being a young woman, she was vulnerable. He’d promised to return her safely to Biko Island. Now, before they’d even reached it, he’d lost her. If anything happened to her, he’d never find peace for the rest of his life!

He swept his spiritual sense through the shop and discovered the assistants were cultivators, though of low level.

Low-level cultivators working as shop assistants was commonplace on the Spirit Weapon Star. Back in his own family’s businesses in Crow City, those with lower cultivation levels were often assigned to guard shops. Some store owners even specifically hired cultivators.

Therefore, assistants being cultivators didn’t necessarily brand the shop as illicit. Besides, Shui Lingluo was no helpless maid anymore — she was a cultivator wielding a Water Spirit Weapon. Two low-level assistants couldn’t possibly abduct her and conceal her from Lou Yun and Wen Hou in the span of mere moments. It was impossible!

But then, where was Shui Lingluo? And with so many other customers present, wouldn’t her disappearance cause some commotion?

Suppressing his anxiety, Lou Yun addressed one of the women who had teased him earlier. “Miss, I’m looking for my sister. She just came in here, but I don’t see her now.”

Before the woman could answer, an assistant hurried over. “Ah, you mean the young lady dressed rather plainly? She inquired about a particular style of earring. Since it was a rather unique request, our personnel led her into the inner room. Honored guest, if you’re concerned, you’re welcome to go in and look.”

The assistant emerged from behind the counter and walked to the northwest corner of the room. His hand brushed the wall, revealing a previously hidden door seamlessly blended into its surface. “Honored guest, your sister is inside.”

The door had always been there. Its position in a dimly lit area and its near-identical color to the wall, combined with Lou Yun’s fixation on finding Shui Lingluo, had caused him to overlook it.

Seeing the door and hearing the assistant’s sincere explanation eased his mind slightly, but his suspicion lingered. Hesitating briefly, Lou Yun sent a voice transmission to Wen Hou, quickly explaining the situation and urging him to stay vigilant outside.

After informing Wen Hou, Lou Yun followed the assistant’s welcoming gesture and stepped through the door.

The moment he entered, the door slammed shut behind him with a loud “Bang!” Glancing back, he saw the assistant hadn’t followed. Instantly, Lou Yun knew: this shop was trouble.

If it was trouble, then Shui Lingluo was definitely in danger!

The thought spurred him into action. He prepared to call out Shui Lingluo’s name down the corridor since his spiritual sense was useless here.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed from further ahead, mixed with panicked cries from several men!

No sooner had the noise ahead faded than another explosion boomed directly behind him. Lou Yun, about to charge forward, stopped short and whirled around.

Relief washed over him. The small door, along with the surrounding wall, had been blasted apart. Dust and smoke swirled as two figures, one tall and one short, surged in — Wen Hou and Tie Sha. Wen Hou shouted as he ran, “What happened?”

They’d been guarding the shop entrance when they heard the explosion. Fearing something had befallen Lou Yun and Shui Lingluo, they’d forced their way in, Tie Sha charging ahead with brute force.

Lou Yun yelled back, “I don’t know! The explosion sounded like rushing water — probably Miss Shui’s doing!”

He turned and sprinted deeper into the corridor, Wen Hou and Tie Sha close on his heels.

After charging a few dozen meters, they reached a room. The floor was drenched. A hole roughly two meters wide yawned open in the center, revealing what looked like a basement below, half-submerged in at least a meter of murky water.

Above the water, Shui Lingluo hovered mid-air. Her eyes were wide open, blazing with fury. Before her floated two immense spheres of water. Trapped inside each sphere was a man!

Lou Yun swept his spiritual sense over the scene. Both men’s faces were twisted in agony and terror. Watery cords encircling their limbs bound their arms and legs behind their backs like shackles, immobilizing them completely.

While cultivators could hold their breath by supplying spiritual energy to their weapons, sustaining life required constant channeling. Yet these men, trapped within these watery prisons, displayed raw, unadulterated suffering. It was clear — they couldn’t breathe. Shui Lingluo had forcibly stripped the water of its spiritual energy, suffocating them.

The scene rendered Lou Yun, Wen Hou, and Tie Sha momentarily speechless. They had feared Shui Lingluo would be the victim. Instead, the would-be perpetrators were the ones paying the price. Moreover, it was apparent that Shui Lingluo’s command over water wielded terrifying power.

But what exactly had unfolded here?