Chapter 6 Escape

"Ji Anran, the Island Master wants you to come for questioning!" At that moment, a disciple's voice rang out, and a powerful force emerged around the waters, gently lifting both Liang Xi and Ji Anran. Liang Xi found the whole situation fascinating—though only a few hours had passed, emerging from the lake once more felt as if a lifetime had gone by. "Ah, the air outside is indeed better. Though the waters are mysterious, hmph, it's nothing I'm eager for!" Liang Xi took a deep breath, feeling himself transformed. Ji Anran, however, wore a cold expression, no longer showing the anger and embarrassment she had displayed in the lake.

Liang Xi knew Ji Anran harbored deep contempt for Hanjiang Island; if she could, she would never set foot here again. The disciple guiding them had never seen such a beautiful girl; Ji Anran was only fifteen, yet her beauty was already remarkable—when she grew up, she would surely be unrivaled.

"Why are you staring? What is it? Do you think I'm beautiful?" Ji Anran noticed the disciple's flustered gaze and smiled lightly.

"Miss Ji, you'll surely be the most beautiful woman in the world someday. It's understandable this senior has never met such a lovely girl and is a bit nervous," Liang Xi replied, thinking himself familiar enough with Ji Anran to speak freely.

"N-no... yes... no," the disciple stammered, his face growing redder as Ji Anran's clear eyes fixed on him, as if he were caught in an illusion. If this kept up, he'd surely suffer serious injury. Thinking this, Liang Xi quickly infused him with the chill of Moon Han, ensuring his mind remained clear.

The disciple was instantly jolted by the cold, regaining his senses. Due to his limited cultivation, he coughed up blood, grateful to have survived and dared not speak out of turn again.

"Three years, and I've only reached the second realm of Mirror Flower—Dreamlike. The Dreamlike realm has three moves: Entering the Dream, Dream Soul, and South Branch. Just now I only made him enter the dream, and he couldn't resist. It seems that, apart from a few Island Masters, the rest on Hanjiang Island are all useless!"

"Liang Xi, if you hadn't acted just now, this kid would have been finished. I see, you just enjoy opposing me, don't you?" Ji Anran shifted her anger onto Liang Xi.

Liang Xi was delighted. "You venting all your anger onto me—that's just right. Your Mirror Flower is an extraordinary art of illusion; if one's cultivation is insufficient, it's impossible to resist. But I understand your feelings are complicated. On one hand, you're constrained by your mother and can't act against the Island Master. On the other, you've endured much unfair treatment over the years. There's fire in your heart—if you don't let it out, it won't do. So it seems I'm the perfect target for it."

"My master told me that cultivation of illusions depends most on one's true heart. Though we've not known each other long, I see your heart is good; otherwise, how could you withstand the backlash of such arts?"

Liang Xi had already resolved: if the Island Master truly made things difficult for Ji Anran, he would protect her. Why? Perhaps, after learning her story, he felt a touch of pity.

"You want to protect me? How laughable! I used Mirror Flower to see your heart. Tell me, if I were plain-looking, would you be so eager to help?"

"We've only just met, yet you're so concerned for me. What do you want? Are you, perhaps, fond of me?" Liang Xi was taken aback. Did he really help her just because she was beautiful? If he said no, that would be a lie, but it wasn't the main reason.

"Think carefully before you answer. I'm not using Mirror Flower now; I want to know your true feelings."

"If I tell you, it's true—I do feel close to you because of your beauty. That's one reason. Another is that you were willing to share your story with a stranger like me. That alone makes me want to help you."

Ji Anran herself did not know why she confided her long-hidden feelings to this boy she'd just met. But after saying them, she felt much better. "All right, you're honest enough. Actually, you're quite handsome yourself."

As they spoke, the disciple led Liang Xi and Ji Anran to Siyun Hall. "Island Master, Miss Ji and Senior Liang have arrived."

"Good, then you may leave!" The disciple, not daring to linger, quickly departed. He had been terrified the entire way, afraid that any wrong word might cost him his life.

Ji Anran hadn't returned to Siyun Hall in a long time. As a child, she played here with Jiang Xuehan, her mother watching nearby, her gaze full of gentle warmth. Now, Siyun Hall remained, her mother was a memory, and those who played with her had changed dramatically.

Tears shimmered in Ji Anran's eyes, but she quickly caught herself and regained her composure, returning to her usual calm demeanor.

"You haven't been home for three years. As your father, I've missed you greatly. I've told you this before. What happened at Lanjiang Platform—I can overlook it. As long as you admit your mistake to me, you will still be my good daughter."

"Mistake? Ha! Tell me, Island Master, what mistake have I made? Was it something I said, or is it that I haven't returned home in three years? If you ask me, even if time turned back, I'd still do it again, and I wouldn't regret it. Island Master, you're only asking me to admit fault for your own pride. You've always been like this—your pride comes first, and the lives of others mean nothing to you!"

"Enough! I won't allow you to speak to me like this. When you hadn't left home, you showed me respect. Look at yourself now—is there any trace of who you were? I grieved deeply for your mother's death. Fine, there's already a rift between us, and further discussion is pointless. I know about your causing Xuelian's death in her dream. I don't blame you!"

"You don't blame me? Ha! You indulged Xuelian in killing my mother. Today, let's settle things once and for all!" Ji Anran felt no attachment to the man before her. She had spent three years mastering Mirror Flower for this moment. Suddenly, a fierce surge of true energy erupted, and Ji Anran struck with both palms—a move called Plucking Leaves, centered on skill, lightness, and speed. Her hands danced gracefully, movements increasingly rapid, leaving afterimages.

Plucking Leaves treats all opponents' weapons as leaves—the more leaves, the stronger the move. Jiang Xuehan hadn't expected that, after three years, his daughter had mastered Beauty's Hand to such a level. If he didn't counter, he'd surely be suppressed, and his pride would suffer.

"Hmph! If your master Hua Lian used Beauty's Hand, it would be a supreme skill. But you can't hurt me with Plucking Leaves now—impossible!" Jiang Xuehan summoned water vapor around him and struck with a powerful palm—the second realm of Wangjiang Palm: Unyielding Continuity.

Plucking Leaves is skillful; Unyielding Continuity is forceful. To overcome force with skill, the user must be more powerful, or the weaker side is injured.

Liang Xi saw the Island Master's palm become ever fiercer. If he didn't act, Ji Anran would likely die. He used Snow Upon Snow to dissolve Wangjiang Palm. "Island Master, what are you doing? Anran is your daughter. You would kill her? I can't just stand by!"

"Well, boy, you dare challenge me? That's your Snowflake Fist, isn't it? Hmph, I knew you weren't a docile one. I taught you Water Manipulation, and now you raise your hand against me? Do you really think you can match me? Why did you and your senior come to Xuanzhou? I know well—you've seen Shui Linglong, haven't you? You came for her, didn't you?"

"I considered you both talented and valued you highly, but now it seems I was mistaken. If you want to prove yourself, fine. You used ten moves against Xi Tianjian and have brought honor to Hanjiang Island. Let's set a challenge: twenty moves. If you win, you and your senior can leave freely. If you lose, stay out of my family affairs!"

"Liang Xi, this is my own matter. You must not interfere. Island Master, you know Liang Xi fought Xi Tianjian and hasn't recovered his strength. You want to take advantage? I'll fight you myself!"

Jiang Xuehan glared at his daughter. "You would fight your father for an outsider? Good, you're truly my daughter. What? You two stick up for each other—have you fallen for him?"

Liang Xi was speechless at Jiang Xuehan's words. He helped Ji Anran because of her beauty—human nature, nothing to do with love. About to retort, he heard Ji Anran say calmly, "Yes, I've taken a liking to this boy. What will you do?"

"Though he talks wildly, he's handsome, and in my moment of danger, he stood up for me. You claim to be my father, but when mother was killed by Xuelian, did you act as a father? You did not! When Xuelian bullied me with your indulgence, did you act as a father? Still no!"

"When I returned after three years, did you ask how I fared outside? My master has always treated me well, but what if I hadn't met her? Did you consider what would have happened to me? Never!"

"Your heart has never held anyone but yourself. You want me to admit fault—never. I say this now: Liang Xi is under my protection!"

Ji Anran's sharp questions left Jiang Xuehan's face shifting between red and pale. "Good, good, good! This is a child of the Illusion Spirit Sect—clear in enmity and affection, unlike Jiang Xuehan, always muddle-headed! You seem to care nothing for me. You imprison my disciple before my eyes and bully these juniors!"

"If you're so capable, let's settle the twenty-move challenge between us. Bullying juniors is no feat!" Hua Lian stepped into Siyun Hall, her dislike for Jiang Xuehan evident—he was a mean, unkind man. If not for Anran's plea, she would never have let her disciple return here to be bullied. She had hoped father and daughter, after three years, would share heartfelt words, but Jiang Xuehan had not changed at all.

"Hua Lian, this is Hanjiang Island, not your Illusion Spirit Sect. I discipline my own daughter—it's not your place to interfere. Your Beauty's Hand and Mirror Flower may be unrivaled, but I am not afraid. In Hanjiang Island, I fear no one!"

Hua Lian smiled brighter. "I'm hardly an outsider. Your daughter is my last disciple, beloved by all in the Illusion Spirit Sect. As her master, I won't let her be wronged. Enough talk—do you accept the challenge or not? If not, let the juniors leave now. If you want to fight, I'll accept."

Without further words, Hua Lian leaped forward, hands attacking swiftly. She used Plucking Leaves, but with remarkable ferocity. "Anran, I told you before—the essence of Plucking Leaves is to counter all the world's hand techniques. No hesitation—strike fast against fast. Wangjiang Palm is formidable, but Beauty's Hand at its peak will prevail!"

Liang Xi watched hands flying, fingers advancing and retreating, incredibly nimble. How could Plucking Leaves be so precise? It attacked the enemy's weakness with one's own strength, akin to Falling Star from Cloud Recording, but Liang Xi's cultivation was too low to use it now. Normally, observation was needed first, but Hua Lian's fingers seemed innately sensitive to weaknesses, each strike landing exactly on Wangjiang Palm's vulnerable points.

The Unyielding Continuity of Wangjiang Palm relied on immense internal strength. Ordinary opponents would be intimidated, but Beauty's Hand was its nemesis. At this moment, Plucking Leaves destroyed Wangjiang Palm's internal energy. Jiang Xuehan felt this and shifted from the fierce Unyielding realm to the gentle Unthought realm. Each palm was as light as the river breeze. Instantly, a soft wind enveloped Hua Lian in Siyun Hall.

"Hua Lian, my Wangjiang Palm took years to create. The Unthought realm is gentle, but this wind is a soft barrier—no matter how strong your Beauty's Hand, you can do nothing. The essence of Plucking Leaves is finding weaknesses, but if there are none, your move is useless!"

"Master!" Ji Anran's face changed; she knew how powerful Wangjiang Palm was. The core of Unthought was to break force with gentleness, similar to Plucking Leaves. Her master now faced a true rival!

"Girl, why cry? I told you, Wangjiang Palm can't defeat me. Watch my Floating Fragrance!" A faint aroma drifted in. Floating Fragrance was a supreme movement technique of Beauty's Hand; the person moved with the scent. Within the Unthought Palm, Hua Lian's speed increased. If the palm moved forward, Floating Fragrance moved in reverse—opposing directions made escaping easy.

Boom—Unthought Palm was broken, Hua Lian's palm sharp. "Brother, try my palm technique. My Beauty's Hand is all about speed—I always believed speed is the essence of martial arts. Today proves it. If you want to defeat me, it won't be easy."

A fragrant breeze swept through; Hua Lian's figure became elusive. Wangjiang Palm, now, missed every strike. Unthought Palm was the gentlest of all, but Jiang Xuehan forgot Hua Lian's specialty was illusion. As his mind wavered, the fragrance entered him; images of icy jade cicadas appeared—he had entered a dream.

"Jiang Xuehan, your palm technique is impressive, yet I'm still your nemesis. With Entering the Dream, you can't awaken for now. Masters often disdain illusion, thinking it mere trickery. They're not wrong—illusion is deception, but the cleverer one is, the easier to deceive."

Hua Lian had inherited and developed her art, creating the supreme Mirror Flower illusion skill. Entering the Dream reflected one's thoughts and memories.

"You did well at Lanjiang Platform—standing up for my disciple showed great courage. My disciple, shaped by her environment, is inevitably extreme and unruly. As her master, all I can do is pass on my skills to prevent her being bullied."

"As for the light in her heart, I think only you can provide it." Liang Xi felt awkward. He helped Ji Anran out of impulse, nothing more. He would have done the same for anyone. But his true feelings were unspoken—otherwise, what kind of person would he be?

"Well, since you don't speak, I'll take that as agreement. As for Jiang Xuehan, don't worry. He can't escape soon; he's trapped in his own dream. This man never valued illusion—today, let him taste its power."

"Just Entering the Dream to trap me? Hua Lian, you underestimate me. The Water Manipulation Art has three realms; only I have reached the highest, Like Water. With a clear heart, all illusions are ineffective!" Jiang Xuehan's eyes snapped open, striking with Unyielding Continuity, splitting his internal energy into three and knocking down the three.

"Since things have come to this, I may as well finish you all—eliminating strong threats from Hanjiang Island!"

"When it comes to chilling energy, I'm number one in Xuanzhou. Liang Xi, I've always admired you. If you hadn't stood up for Ji Anran, I'd have kept you around. But you've used Moon Han energy too much, making your meridians cold. With my Like Water, it's snow upon snow—normally harmless, but in battle, it can destroy you instantly!"

"Since you and your senior entered Xuanzhou, I knew you had Cloud Recording. But your master never told you—Cloud Recording is an untrainable divine skill. Its sole purpose is to harm. Moon Han energy is the coldest, most destructive force; ordinary warriors either die or are crippled. That you survived is a miracle—now, the miracle ends."

Liang Xi felt as if plunged into an icy abyss. He had known Moon Han energy was powerful, using it often in battle, but never realized it left hidden dangers. Today, Jiang Xuehan exposed them, taking the upper hand.

"And you, Ji Anran, as my daughter, always opposed me. I went east, you went west. I've given you many chances—just admit fault, and all is forgiven!"

"But you're stubborn. Why keep you? If you grew stronger, I'd never sleep easy. Your Mirror Flower, if complete, could use Mirage to fend me off. But years ago, the final realms—Mirage and Mist—disappeared. It's fate! As a Hanjiang Island disciple, you learned another sect's skill—you're a traitor. Tell me, what fate awaits you?"

Ji Anran's face shifted, knowing he spoke truth, but her choice remained unchanged. "No matter how many times, I will never be a disciple of Hanjiang Island!"

He seemed to expect her answer, snorting coldly without concern. His real challenge was Hua Lian; if she was distracted, even if he broke Entering the Dream with Like Water, victory was uncertain.

"Hua Lian, your Illusion Spirit Sect is famed for illusions. I admired you, but your Mirror Flower is too powerful. So, I'll have my junior Wan Ruyu act."

"That's right, Senior Wan loved your disciple Shui Linglong by my design. I didn't expect him to succeed. Now, you three have seen my true face—you must not leave alive!"

"So it was you. Linglong always told me she didn't steal Mirror Flower, but all evidence pointed to her. As sect master, I had no choice. With rumors about Linglong, she couldn't defend herself, and in anger, left the sect. She's waited for Wan Ruyu in Yunjiang, bound by the promise never to enter Xuanzhou without Mirror Flower. She's stayed in Yunjiang all these years. Yes, I knew it all, but as her master, I failed to trust my disciple. I am unworthy!"

"No, not trusting her was the normal reaction. If you had believed Linglong then, it would have hurt me. Hmph, I've said too much—now you know everything. Time for you to die!"

"Since I completed Like Water, today is the first time I've used it! I'll use you as practice, to see how strong it truly is! Like Water takes the power of all waters with a calm heart. Water is the gentlest, and also the hardest! Jiang Xuehan struck with both palms—one gentle, one forceful, alternating, the power crashing endlessly upon the three. This was the final move of Wangjiang Palm's second realm: Heaven's Water Unity."

To unleash its full power, one must master Like Water; otherwise, forcing both powers is unbearable.

A figure arrived just in time, blocking the astonishing strike—Zhuang Yunzheng. He had left Lanjiang Platform intending to visit his junior, later learning that his junior and Ji Anran were at Siyun Hall. Delighted, he knew the Island Master valued his junior's talent, so he came to Siyun Hall, overhearing the shocking words.

He learned everything about Cloud Recording's Earth Volume. Why had their master never mentioned it? He concealed his presence, waiting until the Island Master tried to kill, then struck with Sun-Moon Radiance's Burning Heaven to counter the move.

"Zhuang Yunzheng, well done. You dared withstand my powerful strike. You're a threat—a none of you four will leave alive!"

The commotion in Siyun Hall alarmed the four sub-island masters and disciples, who quickly surrounded the hall. "You four arrived at just the right time. Liang Xi, Zhuang Yunzheng, and my dear daughter—ambitious wolves trying to kill the Island Master! Fortunately, my skills are unmatched and easily defeated them. But Zhuang Yunzheng is formidable. Issue my command—they must not leave alive!"

Yao Qianshui glanced at the Island Master, then at the fallen Liang Xi and Ji Anran. "Rest assured, Island Master, we'll stay here and ensure they don't escape. But since this concerns Miss Ji Anran, we're not inclined to act—please understand!"

It would be easy to act, but if the Island Master regretted it later, what then? Everyone knew the Island Master's temperament. Zhuang Yunzheng must have learned something he shouldn't; thus, the Island Master wanted them dead. Hua Lian was focused, aware Jiang Xuehan dared attack her. "Senior, take my junior and Miss Ji away—I'll hold them off."

Hua Lian knew staying would only make things worse. "Good boy, brave enough!" She took Liang Xi and Ji Anran, leaping away, disappearing quickly. The four sub-island masters did not stop them. Zhuang Yunzheng, seeing his junior safe, unleashed Burning Heaven in full force.

But Jiang Xuehan was a master of decades. One strike was nothing to him—his eyes burned with killing intent, the air seeming to freeze. "Good boy, let me show you the power of Water Manipulation!" The moisture in the air gathered around Jiang Xuehan, his figure becoming elusive. The essence of Wangjiang Palm was lightness; with Water Manipulation, Siyun Hall became a vast water prison. Three powerful strikes landed on Zhuang Yunzheng.

Zhuang Yunzheng countered, but his strikes missed. "Hahaha, Sun-Moon Radiance is a top-tier palm, but you haven't mastered it. And in this water prison, every move you make is under my control. Let's see what you do next!"

Zhuang Yunzheng was resolute, his moves steady despite danger. Sun-Moon Radiance's sixth move, Burning Heaven, was purely forceful—the only one he could use now, fitting his current strength. There were eight moves, each requiring the right mental method; now he used only Burning Heaven, making it more skillful, paired with Shooting Sun Steps. No matter if Jiang Xuehan used real or feigned moves, nothing escaped his reach.

Shooting Sun Steps was said to have been invented by Hou Yi; once used, the opponent's position was clear. Soon, Jiang Xuehan found himself trapped by pure yang energy. He had thought Zhuang Yunzheng would be powerless in the water prison, but the boy's single palm strike was dominant. The steps were mysterious; wherever Jiang Xuehan went, Zhuang Yunzheng could seal it off.

Water Manipulation required focus; after a hundred moves, water and fire clashed, Jiang Xuehan still unable to defeat Zhuang Yunzheng. He grew impatient. Zhuang Yunzheng seized the moment, striking fiercely—Jiang Xuehan spat blood, his Like Water realm shattered.

This battle amazed the four sub-island masters, especially Yao Qianshui, who had never accepted Shang Ruyi's superiority. Now, seeing Sun-Moon Radiance's power, he was shocked, knowing he would never duel Shang Ruyi—a regret.

If a single palm could match the Island Master, what would happen if all eight moves were used? The four island masters lost all desire to fight.

Zhuang Yunzheng's confidence soared; he had never imagined Burning Heaven would be so powerful. He didn't know the effort Shang Ruyi had spent creating Sun-Moon Radiance. If fully mastered, it would be the world's greatest palm.

But Zhuang Yunzheng's cultivation was still lacking; prolonged use would cause internal injury. He guessed his junior and the others were now safe, so he used Bird Fantasy Dance to leave Siyun Hall and Hanjiang Island. All happened so quickly, no one could react.

Jiang Xuehan's killing intent surged. He had revealed many secrets today—if Liang Xi survived, they would become a threat. "Junior Wan, of my four juniors, only you have received my Wangjiang Palm. Let's pursue them together—they must not leave Xuanzhou!"

Wan Ruyu understood—past matters had now been exposed. "Don't worry, Island Master, even without your command, I will pursue Liang Xi and Zhuang Yunzheng. They caused the deaths of my two disciples; we are sworn enemies. Senior, you've just fought hard—your energy can't recover. Leave the pursuit to me!"

With that, Wan Ruyu vanished, but even with his deep cultivation, he couldn't catch up. Liang Xi and Zhuang Yunzheng were truly formidable. But did they think they could escape him?

"Zhuang Yunzheng, Liang Xi, you both must be severely injured. I know the Island Master's power well. Come with me; I'll plead with him for mercy. We're acquaintances—why let things come to this?"

His voice echoed around Hanjiang Island, but no one answered. Zhuang Yunzheng, using Cloud Recording's resonance, found his junior, whose face was covered in frost. He leaned against Ji Anran, who never imagined such closeness with a boy she'd only met half a day ago. Her heart warmed—this stubborn boy had gone so far for her.

If not for her, he would be fine now. She really was unlucky—those close to her always suffered. Her master's face was grim. They hid in Tianji Mountain, remote and perilous, with Yunjiang behind them. Climbing here had cost much energy; now, even a single step forward was impossible.

Ji Anran had never imagined such intimacy with a boy she'd just met. Her heart was warmed. "You stubborn boy, you'd better be all right, or I'll never forgive you. Weren't you always spouting nonsense? Why are you so weak now? You don't know—I really like listening to you talk."

"Because, no one has ever dared say such things to me. You're the first."