Chapter 1447: Solitary Island
With Yang Haoran having assigned tasks to each of his trusted subordinates and organizations, the work on Half-Moon Island kicked off with fiery enthusiasm. Because Yang Haoran treated everyone equally, bestowing rewards upon all, everyone was extremely cooperative, none more so than the common folk.
Only one aspect proved considerably more challenging: the issue of the populace's faith. Previously, Yang Haoran was a member of the Yin Division, and naturally, all his subordinates, including the common people, worshipped the Yin Division's Death God. For some, this faith was even deeply ingrained. Changing their beliefs was no easy feat, and it was precisely for this reason that Old Master Wu's work proved considerably more arduous.
Since Yang Haoran had entrusted this task to Old Master Wu, he naturally believed Old Master Wu possessed the capability to handle it well. However, everything has a process and cannot be rushed. He was willing to grant Old Master Wu ample time to resolve the matter.
In contrast, the construction overseen by Zhu Rong and Yao Guozhi, the security managed by Bai Xue, and the food supply handled by Lu Wu were relatively less demanding. However, this was only in comparison to Old Master Wu's duties; truthfully, these tasks were by no means easy either, especially the construction efforts led by Zhu Rong and Yao Guozhi.
Regardless of the difficulty, or whether some tasks were comparatively simpler, in essence, everything had begun in full swing. Yang Haoran, meanwhile, devoted himself to Feng Xiao and Xiang Chuan. His battle with the Tong Continent Great Emperor had left him severely wounded. To recover to his peak state solely through his own abilities would have taken an inordinate amount of time. With Feng Xiao and Xiang Chuan's assistance, this recovery period would undoubtedly be drastically reduced. Returning to peak condition sooner would allow him to proceed with his subsequent plans.
One day, six months later, Yang Haoran departed Half-Moon Island. Two others accompanied him: Zhong Siyu and Ma Ling.
During that earlier battle with the Tong Continent Great Emperor, Yang Haoran had forged a contract with Zhong Siyu. From that moment on, the relationship between Yang Haoran and Zhong Siyu had transformed. Zhong Siyu became Yang Haoran's Guardian Spirit, their destinies irrevocably intertwined.
Yang Haoran brought Zhong Siyu along for this departure from Half-Moon Island because half a year had not been enough for his injuries to fully mend. According to Feng Xiao and Xiang Chuan, Yang Haoran's complete recovery would still require at least several years, all owing to the extreme severity of the wounds sustained in that battle. Yet, he urgently needed to proceed with his next plan. If he were to wait until his injuries were completely healed, he feared complications, hence his necessity to leave Half-Moon Island while still injured.
Therefore, for Yang Haoran, traveling with Zhong Siyu was undoubtedly far safer than traveling with Ye Zhiqiu. Yang Haoran naturally chose Zhong Siyu.
As for why he brought Ma Ling, it was because he would need her assistance later. Without Ma Ling's help, things would become extremely troublesome, something he and Zhong Siyu alone could not accomplish. While in terms of raw power, both he and Zhong Siyu were hundreds of times stronger than Ma Ling, when it came to formations, neither he nor Zhong Siyu could compare to her, even with a massive power surge from Soul Fusion. Thus, Ma Ling was indispensable.
Yang Haoran's departure was not publicized, for he believed it would not benefit Half-Moon Island's initial development. Hence, apart from his most trusted subordinates, no one knew of his leaving, nor that he had taken two others with him.
No, to be precise, he had taken one human and one ghost.
"Yang Haoran, what are you trying to do, bringing us out here so secretively? Where are we going, and what are we doing? Shouldn't you at least tell us? You haven't uttered a single word about it. Could it be that you're planning to kidnap and sell us?"
On a solitary island, Yang Haoran stood at the edge of a reef, facing the crashing waves, his gaze fixed on the vast ocean before him, his expression utterly serene.
Zhong Siyu's reaction was in stark contrast to Yang Haoran's; she was anything but calm. Her face etched with dissatisfaction, she couldn't help but complain to Yang Haoran.
As for Ma Ling, she wasn't as impatient as Zhong Siyu. Although the island was solitary, its scenery had noteworthy aspects, and she was currently looking around with a curious gaze. Zhong Siyu's complaints made Ma Ling cast a glance at Yang Haoran, for she, too, was inwardly curious about the purpose of Yang Haoran's journey. From her vantage point, she could clearly see Yang Haoran's profile. Under her watchful gaze, Yang Haoran offered a faint smile, his eyes still fixed on the distant horizon, and chuckled as he spoke.
"How could I dare kidnap and sell either of you? Besides, I'd be loath to. As for what we're going to do on this trip, you'll find out when the time comes."
Yang Haoran didn't elaborate, and Zhong Siyu, already discontent, found her dissatisfaction instantly intensifying upon hearing his words.
"Hmph, why are you being so evasive? Do you not trust us? If that's the case, there was no need to bring us out at all. I might as well have stayed on Half-Moon Island to cultivate."
Zhong Siyu let out a cold snort, her attitude exceedingly impolite. However, this perceived impoliteness was merely for outsiders. Those familiar with Zhong Siyu knew that her current demeanor was already quite courteous. Had it been anyone else, they wouldn't have been able to persuade Zhong Siyu to come at all. Even if they had successfully lured her here with deceptive means, the likely outcome would have been her killing them in a fit of pique. The fact that she was merely complaining to Yang Haoran, with no intention of striking, was indeed remarkably polite for her character.
"Brother Yang, just tell us what the mission is directly. That way, I can prepare properly, making targeted preparations in advance. Not only will it ensure we're ready for anything, but it will also save us a lot of time later."
Ma Ling thought for a moment, then voiced her thoughts. She clearly understood that Yang Haoran had brought her on this expedition most likely because he would need to use formations. She couldn't conceive of any other reason. However, setting up formations also required time; some formations even demanded specific materials. The more complex the formation, the longer it would take and the more preliminary preparations would be needed. Preparing in advance could indeed save a considerable amount of time.
Yang Haoran had originally intended to ignore Zhong Siyu's complaints, but upon hearing Ma Ling speak up as well, he hesitated before changing his mind.
"For this journey, I'll need a teleportation formation. The teleportation array in the Cloud Haze Mountain Range was completely destroyed by me back then and can no longer be used. This time, I need you to construct another teleportation formation for me. Although it won't be within Jingling Continent, it will still be an extremely long distance from Half-Moon Island. Among all my subordinates, only you are capable of undertaking such a massive project."
Yang Haoran turned to face Ma Ling, then spoke with a faint smile. Ma Ling showed no surprise on her face, as she had already surmised most of it before Yang Haoran even spoke.
"What about me, then?"
Zhong Siyu asked. Hearing her, Yang Haoran turned his gaze to Zhong Siyu, then chuckled faintly.
"My injuries from the last great battle were too severe. Even now, I haven't fully recovered, and I'm far from my peak. Although there are only three of us on this journey, and our small numbers make us less likely to be exposed, we cannot entirely rule out encountering danger. For my safety, and for Ma Ling's, I brought you along. With you by our side, our safety can be maximally guaranteed, and I can feel more at ease. After all, you are currently the strongest expert on Half-Moon Island. No one is your match; Ye Zhiqiu isn't, and neither am I."
Yang Haoran's words weren't merely an explanation to Zhong Siyu; they also contained clear flattery. However, this flattery seemed to greatly please Zhong Siyu. The dissatisfaction on her face instantly vanished, replaced by undisguised smugness.
"Hmph hmph, if we're talking about strength, then indeed, no one on all of Half-Moon Island is my match. You're not, and Ye Zhiqiu is even less so. If you two truly wanted to fight me, even if you came at me together, you'd only become my nourishment. However, the price for me to act is quite high. You're aware of that, aren't you?"
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