Upon hearing Ai Kun's words, Luo Xiu's grip on the fishing rod tightened, and his expression grew increasingly somber. The fishing rod, fashioned from the rib of a Vermilion Bird, seemed unable to withstand the power flowing from his hands. It quivered incessantly, as if it could snap at any moment. Even the air seemed affected by his mood, becoming heavy and oppressive.

Seeing Luo Xiu like this, Ai Kun suddenly became terrified. He obediently squatted on the ground, not daring to utter a sound. What kind of being is this senior? His aura is too terrifying. No, for a personage like him, I must cling tightly to his coattails.

Luo Xiu suddenly stood up. "Ai Kun," he said, "take me to Calamity Extermination Island. I'll reward you handsomely for it."

Ai Kun looked up at Luo Xiu, dumbfounded. He began shaking his head frantically, his facial muscles trembling. He was clearly terrified of that place.

Luo Xiu glanced at him. "Take me there."

Ai Kun's face was a picture of misery. He wanted to refuse but didn't dare open his mouth, because Luo Xiu's current aura was simply too terrifying.

"Fine... okay. But, Senior, if anything happens, you have to take responsibility! I, Ai Kun, fear neither heaven nor earth, but I am terrified of Calamity Extermination Island!"

Luo Xiu said no more and began packing up his fishing gear.

In truth, Luo Xiu had no memories of Luo Xian whatsoever. He only knew of her because Luo Ying had mentioned her a long time ago. According to Luo Ying, Luo Xian was the person in this world who doted on him the most. One could even say that in his previous life, Luo Xiu had been raised by her.

During the Great Calamity of the Slaughtering Land, Luo Xiu had also heard Luo Hao speak of Luo Xian. Furthermore, Luo Qianye had once told him that even if everyone else in the world betrayed him, Luo Xian never would.

Based on this point alone, Luo Xiu was determined to go to Calamity Extermination Island.

Even if he had to cross a sea of stars and brave a mountain of blades, he would rescue Luo Xian!

「A short while later.」

Luo Xiu returned to the tree hollow with his catch. Seeing that Lin Shanshan was deep in meditation, he didn't disturb her. Instead, he called the Snow Kirin out of the hollow to give her some instructions.

"Something urgent has come up, and I need to leave for a while.

"Judging by Shanshan's condition, her comprehension and re-cultivation will take some time. I will do my best to return before she's finished.

"If she finishes re-cultivating and I'm still not back, just wait for me here."

Seeing Luo Xiu's serious expression, the Snow Kirin dropped her usual playful demeanor. "Where are you going?" she asked.

Luo Xiu didn't answer. With a flick of his wrist, a green lotus petal materialized in his palm. He handed it to the Snow Kirin. "Take this. Use it in a critical moment to protect Shanshan."

The Snow Kirin accepted the lotus petal. Her beautiful eyes widened in shock as she looked up at Luo Xiu incredulously. Within the petal, she could feel an immensely powerful and mysterious aura.

"Alright, then. Be careful. We'll wait here for you to come back."

...

Luo Xiu left his entire catch with the Snow Kirin, instructing her to make a delicious meal for Lin Shanshan later. He then turned and left, vanishing into the dense forest in an instant.

Before long, Luo Xiu arrived at the lakeshore again, where Ai Kun was already waiting.

"Senior, are you really going to Calamity Extermination Island?"

"Do you think I'm joking?" Luo Xiu retorted.

"Heh heh, actually, I've thought it through. This time, I'll risk life and limb to accompany you! From now on, you're my boss!" Ai Kun declared. "Boss, you have my complete loyalty! Please accept my bow!"

In that short time, Ai Kun had truly thought things through. He realized that only by following a powerful expert like Luo Xiu could he ever make something of himself. Even though the blessings of his clan's ancestors had allowed him to reach the Emperor Realm, his power was limited. He could call the shots in Jucui State and be considered somebody, but that wasn't nearly enough to roam the Three Thousand Worlds of the Upper Realm.

Luo Xiu made a gesture as if to help him up. "Right, before we leave, please pass a message to all the demon beasts in this forest. Tell them to stay away from that area and not to disturb the two young women. Also, send some food their way occasionally."

"No problem! Leave it to me!"

「Two days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Luo Xiu and Ai Kun arrived in the Middle Domain of Jucui State, finding themselves in a bustling part of Middle Domain City.

Luo Xiu sat at a table, his expression thoughtful as he watched the pedestrians and demon beasts come and go on the street outside. Across from him, Ai Kun was wolfing down his food with complete abandon, his table manners nonexistent.

"Mmm, not bad! These grilled Crystal-Horned Sheep kidneys are bursting with flavor!" Ai Kun mumbled through a full mouth. "And the tongue of this Three-Headed Ancient Bull is pretty good grilled, too! Boss, want some? Don't worry about saving Spirit Jade for me. I, Ai Kun, might lack a lot of things, but Spirit Jade isn't one of them!"

Luo Xiu, who had no appetite, simply shook his head. "When can we depart?"

"Don't be so anxious, Boss. Rushing won't help anyway," Ai Kun said. "You have to understand, our Jucui State's economy isn't doing so well, so we don't have a Myriad Realms Teleportation Array. If you want to travel to other worlds, you can only take a Starry Sky Ferry across the Flowing Thunder River."

"How long will it take to get to Calamity Extermination Island?" Luo Xiu asked.

Ai Kun thought for a moment. "It should take about ten days."

"That long?"

"Ah, damn it, there's no way around it." Ai Kun sighed. "That Flowing Thunder River is incredibly dangerous. You can run into Starry Sky Bandits, and the river itself is full of powerful demon beasts. If our luck is bad enough to encounter them, the entire Starry Sky Ferry could be doomed."

"And if we encounter a Heavenly River Thunder Flood," he added, "it's even more trouble. Even an Emperor Realm expert like me would be finished!"

Luo Xiu nodded and said no more. He knew nothing about the Three Thousand Worlds of the Upper Realm, so for now, he could only rely on his guide, Ai Kun.

While still munching on sheep kidneys, his mouth greasy, Ai Kun asked, "By the way, Boss, what's your plan once we get to Calamity Extermination Island?"

"A direct prison break," Luo Xiu said coolly.

Ai Kun was momentarily speechless. "Boss, that's Calamity Extermination Island! It's filled with all sorts of dangers, not to mention countless Emperor Realm Prison Guards. As for Dao Jade Realm experts, they're a dime a dozen!"

"I've never heard of anyone who dared to stage a prison break on Calamity Extermination Island."

"I am more dangerous," Luo Xiu stated.

Hearing this, Ai Kun froze for a second before giving Luo Xiu a thumbs-up. "Boss, I, Ai Kun, don't admire anyone... but I admire you!"

...

After their meal, the man and the demon arrived at the ferry port in Middle Domain City. Ai Kun spent a large amount of Spirit Jade on two tickets for the ferry.

Luo Xiu looked up, awestruck, at the Starry Sky Ferry slowly descending from the heavens. It was less a vessel and more a small, mobile city.

Ai Kun came over with the tickets and clapped him on the shoulder. "What are you staring at, Boss? Time to get on board."

...

Once all the ticketed passengers were aboard, the Starry Sky Ferry slowly ascended. A protective barrier unfolded around it as it flew toward the vast expanse of the cosmos.

Luo Xiu stood on the deck, his gaze deep as he stared into the distance. Sister... wait for me.

...

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