"The strength of the Lower Mountain Fierce Tiger Realm itself is quite mediocre, but its backing is formidable. The Great Cheng Garden Treasure Mountain is well-reputed even among the Ten Thousand Realms, especially the freakishly demanding Horizontal Refining Skill of that Child."
"What do you mean by ’freakishly demanding’?" Zhao Ya asked, somewhat puzzled.
"It’s exactly what it sounds like. Other Horizontal Refining Cultivation Techniques only require maintaining one’s Primordial Yang for practitioners to remain as a child. But the cultivation technique of Great Cheng Garden Treasure Mountain demands such extremity that even interacting with women is forbidden—more extreme versions even refrain from speaking to women."
As he spoke, Shi Bolong wore a bizarre expression.
"Imagine how terrifying it would be to see a group of men who have never interacted with women from birth gathering to cultivate."
Zhao Ya was equally astonished.
What kind of Horizontal Refining Cultivation Technique demands such stringent conditions?
However, Zhao Ya quickly put himself at ease.
With countless cultivation techniques emerging in the Ten Thousand Realms, it’s normal not to understand everything.
"We need to procure some supplies from the Lower Mountain Fierce Tiger Realm, then take a southwest path, travel for another hundred days or so, and if all goes well, we will reach a prosperous area."
"Is the Pure Bright Realm located there?" Zhao Ya asked in return,
"Of course not, the Pure Bright Realm is much farther. I told you before; the vastness of the Endless Sea is beyond imagination, something you can only feel by experiencing it yourself," Shi Bolong said.
"So how long will it take to reach the Lower Mountain Fierce Tiger Realm?"
"Well, at our current speed, we should arrive in about three days," Shi Bolong calculated.
Zhao Ya nodded, intending to organize some documents when suddenly the Snake Woman pushed the door open and entered.
"Sir, it’s meal time!"
Several exquisite dishes, their enticing aroma alone was enough to stimulate one’s appetite.
Shi Bolong chuckled, maneuvered his wheelchair to the table, then picked up the chopsticks and began to eat.
Zhao Ya did not move his chopsticks, just sighed slightly, and then said to the Snake Woman, "Alright, you’ve been hiding for days, let her come out."
"Yes, sir!" The Snake Woman showed no surprise, bowed slightly, and then turned to leave.
After it left, Shi Bolong laughed while eating, "Sir, this Fox Woman is so proactive, why don’t you just take her in? You’re not really planning to sell her, are you?"
Zhao Ya glanced at him without uttering a word, yet it sent a chill through Shi Bolong’s entire body; he immediately lowered his head, not daring to make any more noise.
At this moment, the Snake Woman returned, followed by a woman who was peeking curiously at her surroundings. Upon seeing Zhao Ya, her face lit up with joy, eager to rush over but hesitant, eventually calling out timidly.
"Sir!"
Zhao Ya said nothing, merely leaning against the chair with his fingers gently tapping on the armrest.
The atmosphere in the control room immediately became extremely oppressive.
Neither the Snake Woman nor Shi Bolong dared to breathe loudly.
The woman in question was, of course, Liu Yuhuan.
Originally, Zhao Ya instructed her to follow Wu Bao’Er and live well in Beyond the World, but Liu Yuhuan did not listen. Instead, she somehow sneaked onto the Black Ship and convinced the Snake Woman to let her stay there.
Zhao Ya realized this only after the ship departed, but by then, they were already deep into the mists of the Wuyang Sea; it was impossible to send Liu Yuhuan back.
Helplessly, Zhao Ya chose to turn a blind eye and pretend not to know what was happening.
Liu Yuhuan eventually helped the Snake Woman with the cooking, and her culinary skills improved rapidly, soon surpassing those of the Snake Woman.
This was why Shi Bolong previously mentioned the improvement in the Snake Woman’s cooking skills.
Now that the truth was inevitably exposed, Zhao Ya demolished the pretense and had Liu Yuhuan come over.
Time passed, and the Snake Woman felt drenched in sweat, filled with apprehension.
It was unsure whether it did right or wrong, but the Fox Woman reassured it, promising that Sir would not be upset.
It thought this was reasonable; the young Fox Woman was the dream of many men, and Sir, youthful as he was, would surely favor her and not blame him.
But unexpectedly, there seemed to have been a mistake.
Zhao Ya appeared very angry.
That’s why the Snake Woman was so uneasy.
Just as it was about to kneel in apology, Zhao Ya finally spoke.
"Why did you sneak onto the ship, for what purpose?"
"Of course, to serve you, Sir. I’ve become quite good at cooking..." Liu Yuhuan’s voice lowered as she spoke, finally bowing her head under Zhao Ya’s sharp gaze.
"I want to see what the outside world looks like and learn where our tribe comes from."
At this juncture, a hint of confusion flickered over Liu Yuhuan’s face.
She had always been curious about her own origins since she seemed different from the other kids.
The tribe said she was favored by heaven.
But what it truly meant, not even the chief nor her sister could explain properly.
Until Shi Bolong mentioned the Qingqiu Fox Race once, Liu Yuhuan felt as if something deep inside her was profoundly stirred.
She wanted to see what this place relating to her own bloodline was like.
Seeing Liu Yuhuan’s expression, Zhao Ya’s anger dissipated.
Additionally, Zhao Ya himself was intrigued by the Qingqiu Fox Realm.
He had continually carried the Profound Fox Jade Canon obtained from the Profound Fox Tribe, occasionally studying it, yet it yielded no results.
Nevertheless, he felt that a grand secret was hidden within the Jade Canon.
Even if Liu Yuhuan hadn’t come, Zhao Ya would contrive a way to visit the Qingqiu Realm.
"Now that you’ve come, fulfill your duties, sincerely work on the ship, and do not slack off, understood?" Zhao Ya said.
"Yes, I assure you!" Liu Yuhuan replied, chest puffed up with determination.
Zhao Ya waved his hand, "You may leave now."
"Yes!"
Just as Liu Yuhuan and the Snake Woman were about to turn away, Zhao Ya signaled to the Snake Woman to halt.
"Stay here, I have a few questions for you."
The Snake Woman stopped in her tracks, respectfully inquired, "Sir, do you have any instructions?"
"Who gave you the audacity to hide Liu Yuhuan?" Zhao Ya straightaway questioned.
The Snake Woman turned deathly pale, stammering, "She... she said she was your maid, to serve you, so... so I dared..."
"In the future, mind your own business and handle your responsibilities, understood?" Zhao Ya coldly reprimanded.
The Snake Woman bowed her head, her forehead already drenched in sweat.
"Yes!"
"Go then!"
The Snake Woman hurriedly left.
Zhao Ya, without turning back, said, "Quickly finish your meal, and let’s hurry en route. Aim to reach the Lower Mountain Fierce Tiger Realm soon."
"Alright!"
After ravenously finishing the meal, Shi Bolong steered the ship at full speed toward the Lower Mountain Fierce Tiger Realm.