25: Chapter 25 Peach Blossom Island

The waves woke Yang Yuan.

He had slept poorly last night.

That note kept circling in his mind.

He had barely managed to doze off in the early morning hours, but before dawn, the sound of the tide woke him again.

He got up, climbed out of bed, and pushed the door open.

Outside the courtyard, the entire Peach Forest was immersed in the morning mist.

Pale pink flower buds were heavy with dew, densely packed upon the branches.

The sea breeze blew through the forest, carrying the dampness of the ocean and the scent of flowers, feeling cool against his face.

"Cousin-in-law, up so early?"

Lu Wushuang poked her head out from next door, holding a wooden comb and slowly brushing her long hair.

Yang Yuan grunted in acknowledgment and walked out of the courtyard.

The pier was just a hundred paces away.

The seawater was emerald green and translucent; waves crashed against the rocks again and again, churning up layers of white foam.

A few seagulls landed and walked leisurely along the beach.

This was Peach Blossom Island.

He took a deep breath.

The air on the island was exceptionally fresh, making his chest feel clear and comfortable.

"Young Master Yang."

A voice came from behind him.

Yang Yuan turned around; the old man who had rowed the boat yesterday stood at the entrance, carrying a basket of fresh fish.

"Island Master Huang asked me to bring a message: come over at the Shen hour today."

"The rules of the island: the northern cliff is strictly forbidden, but you may walk freely elsewhere."

The old man set down the fish basket and turned to leave.

Yang Yuan carried the fish basket into the courtyard.

Cheng Ying was already up, busy at the stove.

Xue Jian sat on a small stool, waving a bamboo flute around while babbling.

"Did Island Master Huang send these fish?" Cheng Ying looked at the basket. "Quite a lot, enough for two days."

"There are no markets on the island; Island Master Huang arranges all food and lodging."

Yang Yuan washed his face.

"I'm going to look around nearby."

He walked slowly along the seaside to familiarize himself with the terrain.

Peach Blossom Island was larger than it looked.

To the east were gentle slopes, with layers of peach trees covering the path all the way to the mountaintop.

The west was full of cliffs and strange rocks, with waves crashing against them, roaring ceaselessly.

To the north was the Forbidden Ground, where clouds and mist wrapped around the cliffs, obscuring the summit.

Yang Yuan stood on high ground, overlooking the entire island.

Peach blossoms were in full bloom across the mountains, meeting the sky over the sea.

As the wind blew, petals fell, drifting down in sheets.

It was understandable why Huang Yaoshi was willing to reside here permanently.

The environment on the island was far superior to the mundane world.

He focused his mind to look inward, sensing the flow of his Internal Energy.

The Nine Yang Manual operated exceptionally smoothly on this island.

With every breath, a cool energy seeped into his body, slowly converging into his Dantian.

He could truly feel it.

The Aura of this island was indeed special.

When the Shen hour arrived, Huang Yaoshi appeared on time.

He wore a green robe, held a vertical bamboo flute in his hand, and walked with a light, brisk step.

"Are you getting used to living here?" Huang Yaoshi glanced around the courtyard.

"Everything is well, thank you, Island Master Huang." Yang Yuan cupped his hands in salute.

Huang Yaoshi said no more and walked into the main room.

Cheng Ying held Xue Jian and stepped forward to bow.

"Master."

Huang Yaoshi nodded slightly, his gaze landing on the child.

Xue Jian was chewing on the bamboo flute; seeing him, she immediately laughed and waved the flute tube around.

Huang Yaoshi's brows twitched slightly.

He took the child, sat down on the spot, pressed his lips to the flute, and blew a few clear, short notes.

The flute music was clean and gentle.

Xue Jian instantly quieted down, opening her eyes to stare at him intently.

Huang Yaoshi continued to play a long melody.

The rhythm surged and ebbed, carrying the Aura of the ocean tide; it was the opening movement of the Song of the Blue Sea and Tides.

Yang Yuan listened quietly.

He knew the power of this piece; when driven by Internal Energy, it could disrupt a person's mind.

Huang Yaoshi was playing it very faintly now, without any lethal intent, purely to test the child's Aptitude.

The song ended.

Xue Jian raised her own small bamboo flute, brought it to her lips, and blew hard.

Pfft.

The air was scattered, and no melody formed.

But Huang Yaoshi's eyes suddenly lit up.

He set down his flute, looked at Xue Jian, and revealed a rare smile.

"Her breath is insufficient, and her Foundation is still shallow, but her sense of tone is excellent."

He looked at Cheng Ying.

"This child is worth my personal instruction."

Cheng Ying's eyes turned slightly red, and she bowed to thank him.

"Thank you, Master."

"Starting tomorrow, I will come to teach every Shen hour."

"You will listen from the side and supervise her practice on other days."

Huang Yaoshi returned the child and turned to leave.

Yang Yuan walked him to the courtyard gate and couldn't help but ask.

"Island Master Huang, can Xue Jian's Aptitude be considered outstanding?"

Huang Yaoshi paused his steps and looked back.

"More than outstanding."

"Rare in this world."

As his words fell, his figure flickered and completely vanished into the Peach Forest.

Yang Yuan stood in the courtyard, his emotions surging.

Rare in this world.

This statement came from Huang Yaoshi, and it carried immense weight.

The Five Greats had seen all the talents in the world; for him to give such an evaluation was enough to show that Xue Jian's Aptitude was Heaven-Defying.

At that moment, a pale blue System interface popped up.

[Detected that the Host is in a special energy field]

[Environment Assessment: Peach Blossom Island, isolated overseas, Spiritual Qi gathering]

[Verdict: Extremely suitable for Internal Skill Cultivation and accumulating Internal Energy]

[Passive Unlocked: Peach Blossom Island Cultivation efficiency + 30%]

[Note: All Internal Skill practice on this island enjoys a permanent bonus]

Yang Yuan stared at the words, his heart rate suddenly accelerating.

A full thirty percent increase.

He had practiced bitterly in Jiaxing for months, but progress was slow.

Cultivating here for one day was worth nearly two days on the mainland.

Adding the speed boost from the Nine Yang Manual itself, his Cultivation efficiency would directly double.

He suppressed the restlessness in his heart.

No matter how good the Opportunity was, he had to remain steady and grounded.

In the evening, the group sat around the stone table to eat.

The fish soup Cheng Ying stewed was milky white and tender; sprinkled with green onions, it was rich in aroma.

Lu Wushuang ate with gusto and praised it repeatedly.

Xue Jian nestled in Cheng Ying's arms, smacking her little lips after finishing the fish soup, wanting more.

"Slow down, don't burn yourself," Cheng Ying gently advised.

Yang Yuan watched the peaceful scene before him, feeling completely at ease.

Peach Blossom Island was safe enough.

With Huang Yaoshi guarding this place, Li Mochou would not dare to come.

Even if Mongol spies reached the seaside, they could not board the island.

All current crises were completely isolated outside.

His only task now was to become stronger.

Three months to break through to the fourth layer of the Nine Yang Manual.

Master the Finger Flicking Skill and the Yue Maiden Sword Technique, and achieve a state of mastery where they are fully integrated.

Only when his strength was sufficient could he investigate the secret of the short sword, the map fragments, and the movements of the Mongolia.

Yang Yuan set down his bowl and chopsticks and looked out the window.

The night spread out, moonlight covering the sea in silver.

The evening breeze rustled through the Peach Forest.

Everything was just beginning.

After the meal, Yang Yuan went out alone, heading east along the path.

He wanted to thoroughly understand the terrain to prepare for any emergencies.

The path wound up through the Peach Forest, leading straight to the hillside.

The bright moon hung in the sky, its light dyeing the entire Peach Forest pink.

Insects chirped incessantly in the forest, and night birds occasionally flew past, creating a soft sound.

After walking for half an incense stick of time, the path ahead was completely cut off by a rock wall.

The cliff face was steep and filled with strange rocks; there was no way forward.

Just as Yang Yuan was about to turn back, his gaze locked onto an inscription on the rock wall.

Two vigorous characters: Forbidden Ground.

The brushstrokes were sharp and deep into the stone, full of oppressive pressure.

Yang Yuan frowned.

The old man had clearly instructed in the morning that the northern cliff was not to be approached.

This was to the east, yet it was right next to the Forbidden Ground.

He subconsciously took a half-step back.

His gaze shifted downward; hidden at the base of the rock wall was a long, narrow crack.

The crack was extremely narrow, allowing only one person to pass through sideways.

Deep within the crack, a wisp of pale blue light pulsed, flickering on and off.

Yang Yuan's pupils contracted.

It was definitely not ordinary light.

The Nine Yang Manual inside him instantly began to operate on its own, his Dantian warmed up, and he clearly sensed an unusual energy.

A System prompt popped up immediately.

[Detected unknown energy fluctuation]

[Source of fluctuation: Rock wall crack]

[Energy nature: Ancient Seal residue]

[Danger level: Unknown]

[Recommendation: Host's strength is insufficient; contact is prohibited]

Yang Yuan was silent for two seconds and did not step forward.

He firmly remembered this crack and this wisp of light.

Deep within Peach Blossom Island lay an Ancient Seal.

Huang Yaoshi had lived in seclusion here for decades; it was impossible that he did not know.

He kept silent about it; either the Seal was extremely dangerous, or it involved his secret past.

Regardless of which, he was currently not strong enough to touch it.

Yang Yuan turned and headed back the way he came.

Behind him, in the pitch-black crack, the pale blue light continued to flicker quietly.