Volume Three, Chapter Ninety-Nine: Little Mi

Ye Yun withdrew his flute and produced a comb, saying, "Although this is not a spiritual artifact, it is a top-grade Daoist treasure. Its quality even surpasses the instruments your master possesses. Keep it safe."

"Thank you, Junior Brother Fan." Mo Xiaomei accepted the comb with delight and toyed with it in her hands. Curiously, however, there was not a trace of joy in her eyes.

"Junior Brother, when did you arrive? Did you see anyone else at Tianchi Peak?" Unexpectedly, Mo Xiaomei asked this out of the blue.

Taken aback by the sudden question, Ye Yun looked slightly flustered. "No... I didn't see anyone! Did something happen? Was there someone else there?"

Mo Xiaomei glanced at An Shu, smiled, and said, "It’s nothing, just asking. Let’s not waste time; catching the lecherous thief is the priority."

Mo Xiaomei placed heavy emphasis on the word "lecherous." Ye Yun immediately agreed, "Right, right, let’s go after the lecherous thief." With that, he turned, his eyes turning cold and stern, and he flew off in a rush.

Mo Xiaomei looked at An Shu and smiled, "Let’s go, Junior Sister."

She then followed in Ye Yun’s wake. Watching their retreating figures, An Shu sighed and followed after them.

Yu Mu had been lurking in the river, drifting with the current, never daring to surface. During his time in the water, he practiced the *Immortal Path Record* and the *Rejuvenation Art* every day.

He did not know how long or how far he had drifted. One day, the water current suddenly slowed, and the riverbed widened. Unable to suppress his curiosity, Yu Mu prepared to surface for a quick look.

Before he could break the water, a large net descended, ensnaring him. Yu Mu was alarmed and struggled, but the more he fought, the tighter the net cinched around him.

From above the water came a cheerful, childish voice: "Grandpa, keep going! It’s so heavy, it must be a big fish! Hehehehe~"

"Wow! Why is it a big white pig!?" The cheering turned into astonishment.

As he broke the surface, Yu Mu saw a small boat drifting in the middle of the river.

At the side of the boat, a little girl dressed in floral cloth, looking like a doll, was blinking her large, curious eyes at him. She was adorable, with her hair tied in two small pigtails secured by red ribbons that fluttered in the river breeze. Her egg-shaped, fair face was filled with a carefree smile.

Beside her was an old man, looking to be in his seventies or eighties. His face was weathered, covered in deep wrinkles, and his calloused hands gripped the fishing net.

Though aged, the man was nimble. With a flick of his wrists, he tossed the net, pulled, and with a splash, Yu Mu landed on the boat.

As Yu Mu hit the deck, the little girl ran over, but the old man pulled her behind him and said to Yu Mu, "Fellow Daoist, you had best reveal your human form!"

Yu Mu was shocked; it was clear this old man was no ordinary mortal. He quickly transformed back into a human and said, "Please don't be angry, sir. I did not mean to deceive you, nor do I harbor any ill intent."

Before the old man could speak, the little girl poked her head out from behind him, exclaiming in surprise, "So you're a pig demon! Why were you hiding in the water?"

"Mi'er, don't be rude."

The little girl playfully stuck out her tongue and said sweetly, "I know, Grandpa."

The old man turned to Yu Mu and asked, "Young friend, what is your name?" As he spoke, he shook the net, and Yu Mu stood up.

"I am Yu Mu. Sorry to bother you, sir."

Seeing that Yu Mu looked simple and harmless, the old man relaxed his guard. "So it is Brother Yu. I am surnamed Wei, and this is my granddaughter, Mi'er. Mi'er, greet the big brother."

"Hello, Big Brother," Mi'er said obediently.

"Hello, Mi'er."

The girl was truly adorable. Yu Mu searched for a gift but found nothing suitable. Finally, he took out a peach and handed it to her. "Mi'er, I don't have much, but please take this peach."

"Thank you, Big Brother." Before Old Wei could instruct her, Mi'er bowed to Yu Mu while clutching the large peach.

"It's just a peach, no need for thanks." Yu Mu was happy; despite their first meeting, he was fond of the innocent child.

Old Wei hadn't paid much attention at first, but the moment Mi'er bit into the peach, his eyes widened, and he snatched the fruit from her hands.

Mi'er, still savoring the sweetness, stared at the stolen peach with wide, innocent eyes, looking pitiful.

Old Wei brought the peach to his nose and sniffed it deeply. His expression changed drastically. "Brother Yu, this... this is too precious. Are you..."

Old Wei suddenly stopped himself, returned the peach to Mi'er, and told her, "Mi'er, this gift from Big Brother is too heavy. You must kowtow to him, quickly!"

Though confused, Mi'er knelt down obediently.

Yu Mu tried to stop her, but Old Wei held up a hand. "Brother Yu, you must accept these kowtows, otherwise our hearts will not be at peace, and we cannot accept such a valuable gift."

Yu Mu had no choice but to accept.

Once Mi'er stood up, she devoured the peach in one go, patted her little belly with satisfaction, let out a sweet burp, and said with dazed, sleepy eyes, "Grandpa, I'm so dizzy and sleepy."

With that, she fell into a deep slumber, her face flushed with warmth.

"Oh! No, I forgot that this peach can make people tipsy. Old Man Wei, is Mi'er alright?"

Yu Mu realized his mistake; even Meng Fang would get drunk from his peaches. He worried whether a child could handle it.

Old Wei smiled faintly. "It is fine. Mi'er can handle it."

Old Wei watched Mi'er intently, yet he didn't seem worried. Yu Mu was amazed but dared not interrupt, so he watched from the side, unsure of what to look for.

Soon, a massive amount of water spiritual energy began to gather toward the boat, quickly swirling into a torrential force. Yu Mu’s expression changed—he had never seen such a display.

Old Wei seemed to have anticipated this. He continuously cast spells, forming layers of barriers to prevent the energy from overflowing.

The immense water energy enveloped the sleeping Mi'er. She looked like an infant in a swaddling cloth, undergoing a baptism of water essence.

*What is happening?* Yu Mu had never encountered such a thing, nor had he even heard of it. It didn't look like enlightenment or a breakthrough. *What could this be?*

Old Wei said nothing, and Yu Mu dared not ask. This strange scene lasted for over an hour. Finally, the river calmed, but Mi'er remained fast asleep, as if nothing had happened.

"Brother Yu, I cannot tell you about Mi'er's situation. Perhaps if fate allows, she will tell you herself in the future. My apologies." Old Wei sounded sincere, clearly burdened by a secret.

Yu Mu did not mind. He smiled and said, "Old Man Wei, you are too formal. As long as Mi'er is well, that is all that matters."

Yu Mu glanced at the empty river and asked, "Old Man Wei, where are you headed?"

Old Wei looked up at the sky and said leisurely, "We have no destination. Mi'er and I just drift wherever the current takes us."

"Ah!" Yu Mu was surprised.

"And you, Brother Yu? Where are you going?" Old Wei asked in turn.

"I am going to Dragonfall City."

"Oh? You are going to the center of the continent? That is quite far from here! Even using teleportation arrays, it will take some time."

"Yes, I need to reach Batu Continent and the Continent of Sages. I was wondering which way is closer."

"There are no cities with teleportation arrays nearby, but the small town we passed yesterday sells Thousand-Mile Cranes. Using one will be faster and save your energy. I shall take you there."

"Thank you, Old Man Wei. If you tell me the direction, I can go myself. No need for you to backtrack."

Old Wei chuckled, "My granddaughter and I are content wherever we go; there is no such thing as backtracking for us. Don't be so polite."

"Then thank you very much." Yu Mu insisted no further.

"Brother Yu, since you are traveling such a vast distance, why were you lurking in the river? Isn't that much slower?" Old Wei suddenly asked the question that had been puzzling him.

"It is because..."