2768 Preparing to Advance a Level
Qiao Mu’s theory turned out to be accurate. In reality, the massive fish was surprisingly lethargic, having taken up residence here for several centuries to indulge in a routine of eating, sleeping, and eating again. It had chosen not to budge an inch.

Had it not been for the intrusion of someone seeking the inherent water, the chances of anyone stumbling into its sphere of influence and being pulled into its cavernous belly were infinitesimal.

Now that it had vanished from their field of vision, they could abandon any hopes of locating it within their lifetimes, as long as it remained concealed.

“You, you!” Zhongli Zhiwei’s anger was pushing her to the brink of collapse. Her trembling finger was pointed at the young crown prince consort, and the word “you” was stuck on repeat, yet she couldn’t manage to utter anything more.

Qiao Mu’s sharp gaze intersected with her petrified state. “Are you no longer attached to your finger?”

Unintentionally, Zhongli Zhiwei retracted her hand swiftly, an instinctual physical response triggered by her fear, unbeknownst to her.

She observed that the young crown prince consort’s body and spirit seemed on the verge of quivering uncontrollably.

“Begone!”

After all, the act of consuming was inherent to an animal’s nature, rendering it beyond reproach.

Since it had now regurgitated all that it had swallowed, this incident could be considered concluded in Miss Qiao’s favor.

/If anyone wished to adopt the stance of righteousness, they were free to persist in pursuing the matter, though these trifling affairs held no interest for her./

Zhongli Zhiwei’s frame shivered, prompting her to hastily retreat two paces.

Meanwhile, Zhongli Zhiyi swiftly intercepted her sister’s retreating form, offering a helpless shake of her head.

Madam née Ma’s daughter possessed a haughty disposition with a dearth of aptitude to match. Her days were consumed by incessant melodrama. Not only was she at odds with the Crown Prince Consort, but even her sibling, whom she had coexisted with for two decades, found her irksome temperament insufferable.

Qiao Mu paid little heed to them, instead urging Mo Lian forward while summoning her own companions. They skillfully maneuvered through the dense thicket of branches and trees.

Her eyes brightened as they emerged.

Beyond lay a somber woodland adorned with towering ancient trees.
Nestled at the heart of a 30-square-meter clearing, a small pond glistened, fringed by lush herbs.

A mere glance was sufficient to reveal a kaleidoscope of vivid colors and a mesmerizing translucent green—a truly remarkable sight.

“Master, look ahead! Look ahead!” Dottie’s voice brimmed with excitement.

Recognizing that the innate water was close at hand, Qiao Mu surged ahead with swiftness, coming to a halt before the water’s edge.

Before them, a delicate pink flower bloomed elegantly in the water.

A single glistening droplet rested at the center of its glossy petals, playfully swaying with the breeze, reluctant to fall.

“Guru.” The water child darted forth from Qiao Mu’s grip, eagerly latching onto the droplet and consuming it.

Swish. The innate water appeared to quiver, but it proved powerless against the dominion of the sacred water. Yielding without resistance, it was promptly drawn into the quilt-like garment, seamlessly merging with the water child’s translucent arm.

In an instant of radiant explosion, Qiao Mu adeptly retrieved the water child into Paradise Planet.

The pink flowers and aquatic plants within the puddle wilted visibly, a transformation perceptible to the naked eye.

Qiao Mu’s heart skipped a beat. Swiftly, she extracted the flower and plant from the water, consigning them to Paradise Planet with urgency. “Qiuqiu, salvage them.”

“Fear not, Master,” Qiuqiu’s assurance rang out promptly.

Simultaneously, Shi Yongqian and his group, initially thwarted by Ma Ta and Hua Tao at the entrance, successfully breached the barrier and surged indoors. Engaging in animated discussions with everyone present, they exclaimed, “Incredible! Look at all these herbs.”

Enthusiasm propelled everyone to fervently uproot and clear the vegetation around the puddle. Their entry into the village resembled a bandit’s intrusion, their rough movements causing Qiao Mu’s eyelids to twitch incessantly.

“You lot.” Qi Xuanxuan was on the verge of halting them, yet Qiao Mu intervened with a raised hand.

/With all these herbs thriving in her Paradise Planet, engaging in such a scramble seemed a pointless endeavor…/