"My ability to become such a renowned figure in the Eastern Domain, just based on my looks and demeanor, is already quite heaven-defying!" Xu Fei exclaimed. "I wonder how many young talents will fall for her charms!"
"It seems you are quite pleased!"
Sister Zhao glanced at him, feeling even more displeased. Their trip to the Jade Pool Holy Land was not to admire women. More importantly, Lu Fan was nowhere to be found, and she was constantly worried. Yet, Xu Fei was still in the mood to look at beautiful women.
"Don't worry, I know what you're thinking. However, the appearance of the Jade Pool Saintess is good news for us," Xu Fei said with a smile. "At least we can confirm that the helmsman is safe now. After all, the Jade Pool Saintess appeared, and the Jade Pool Holy Land did not offer any explanation, which is enough to prove everything!"
"Are you that certain?" Sister Zhao gave him a sideways glance, harboring some doubt, as this matter was not to be trifled with.
"What I said will never be wrong!" Xu Fei declared confidently, seeing the matter clearly.
"If it is truly as you say, then that would be for the best!"
Sister Zhao nodded slightly, her heart filled with anticipation. It would be the best outcome if Lu Fan were unharmed.
Meanwhile, within the Peach Garden, Lu Fan could no longer feign ignorance. He used the Divine Emperor Cauldron to collect the peaches, showing no sign of concealment, as if these peaches were his own.
After picking a sufficient amount, Lu Fan turned and left, not lingering in the Peach Garden. There were not many peaches left in the entire garden, and picking any more would truly be immoral.
At the grand gathering, the Jade Pool Saintess smiled at everyone and said, "The Jade Pool Grand Gathering is held once every ten years, and each time we distribute a batch of peaches. This is also a benefit of our Jade Pool Holy Land. Your presence at the Jade Pool Grand Gathering is a great honor bestowed upon our Holy Land!"
"The Jade Pool Saintess truly knows how to speak, earning our admiration!"
Many male disciples chimed in, their eyes lingering on the Jade Pool Saintess. They were quite smitten with such a beautiful woman, but it was a pity that the Jade Pool Saintess was too exceptional, and obtaining her favor would not be easy.
As time passed, the Jade Pool Saintess ordered her disciples to distribute the peaches and smiled at everyone, saying, "These are the peaches of our Jade Pool Holy Land. Eating one can enhance one's cultivation. After the grand gathering concludes, you are all welcome to roam freely and observe our Jade Pool Holy Land."
"The Jade Pool Holy Land has never been open to outsiders. Would it not be inappropriate for us to roam freely?" a man inquired.
"While the Jade Pool Holy Land is not open to the public, it is not an unreasonable place. You are all guests who have traveled from afar, and your presence here makes it only natural for you to observe freely!" the Jade Pool Saintess said with a smile. "However, this particular individual will likely have to stay in the Jade Pool Holy Land for a while longer, as a heart thief has appeared within our Holy Land, and we will not rest until he is apprehended!"
"A heart thief?"
Everyone present was slightly taken aback, not quite understanding the Jade Pool Saintess's meaning. However, from her tone, it was clear that they would have to wait some time before they could easily leave the Jade Pool Holy Land.
"Saintess, we have searched everywhere but found no trace of him."
Several disciples rushed over, their eyes filled with helplessness. They had scoured the entire Jade Pool Holy Land and could not find Lu Fan, which caused them some distress. After all, they dared not disobey the orders of the Jade Pool Saintess.
"I refuse to believe he can burrow into the ground!" the Jade Pool Saintess said coldly. "Seal off the entire Jade Pool Holy Land. If that person cannot be found, we will not give up!"
"We will go search immediately!"
Numerous female disciples nodded, their eyes filled with helplessness. They wondered what Lu Fan was thinking, daring to come to the Jade Pool Holy Land and peek at the Saintess bathing. Wasn't this courting death? If he were truly discovered, his life would be in grave danger.
"What should we do now?" Sister Zhao frowned. "We are confined to the Jade Pool Holy Land. If the culprit is not found, I fear the Jade Pool Saintess will not let this matter rest easily!"
Xu Fei also frowned. If this were the case, it would not be good for them and could even lead to unnecessary trouble.
As they were conversing, Lu Fan appeared behind them, looking rather shifty.
"Helmsman!"
Xu Fei was startled, his eyes filled with shock. He had not expected Lu Fan to appear at this moment, which was quite unexpected, as there were barriers all around, and Lu Fan should not have been able to enter under normal circumstances.
"Keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear!" Lu Fan waved his hand, his expression solemn. He knew very well that the situation was unusual. If the people of the Jade Pool Holy Land were to discover that the person they were looking for was present at the grand gathering, Lu Fan would be trapped with no escape.
Xu Fei and the others nodded, but they were somewhat surprised. They had not expected Lu Fan to enter the barrier so easily. It seemed that the Jade Pool Holy Land would not find Lu Fan so easily.
At the same time, Lu Fan also looked into the distance, his gaze fixed on a certain person, filled with immense anger that could not be concealed.
"Dao Xuan of the Xuan Guang Holy Land has finally arrived. It seems this move was not misplaced!"
Lu Fan said coldly, "Grandfather Shen's great revenge will be avenged today."
"Helmsman, rest assured. Once we leave the Jade Pool Holy Land, it will be the death of that old villain!"
Xu Fei said with a faint cold glint, his expression filled with indifference, as if this was an eternal hatred in their hearts.
Lu Fan nodded at these words. He knew that this matter was of great importance and harbored killing intent towards Dao Xuan.
Meanwhile, the Grand Elder of the Nine Heavens had dispatched people to investigate. Except for those present at the grand gathering, everyone else was being questioned in an attempt to find the person who had disrespected the Saintess.
Unfortunately, after a long search, there was still no news. Just as the Grand Elder of the Nine Heavens was about to give up, two old women descended from the sky, looking extremely anxious. "Someone has trespassed into the Peach Garden and taken countless peaches!"
"How could this be!" The Grand Elder of the Nine Heavens' face changed drastically, his expression filled with shock. He could not have imagined that the peaches in the Peach Garden would be stolen. Those were the possessions of the Jade Pool Holy Land. If such a thing had truly happened, wouldn't it be a great disgrace to the Jade Pool Holy Land? Moreover, with so many peaches lost, who could bear the responsibility?