This was already the last water source along the way. Beyond this point lay the human inhabited areas and the territory of Gonan Academy, where many cultivators resided, making it entirely unsuitable for a Water Spirit to live long-term.
晏娇娇 could only summon the Water Spirit alone again and said to her with a troubled expression, "You've seen many bodies of water. This place is no worse than others. Why don't you stay here? It won't be safe if we go further."
The Water Spirit glanced at the lake again and then resolutely shook her head, "No."
"Then what kind of place do you actually want to stay in?" 晏娇娇 asked helplessly, "Or how about you stay here for now, and I'll come back to take you to a place that meets your requirements when I find one in the future?"
The small Water Spirit then flew onto 晏娇娇's shoulder, sat down, tilted her small head to look at 晏娇娇's face, and smiled innocently, "You."
"What?" 晏娇娇 was bewildered.
Seeing this, the Water Spirit leaned forward, resting her small head against 晏娇娇's cheek and nuzzled her like a small animal, saying, "You, and with you."
This time, 晏娇娇 understood and exclaimed in surprise, "You want to be with me?"
The Water Spirit looked up and nodded happily. She had already expressed this many times. She didn't want to live alone in a body of water anymore; she just wanted to be with 晏娇娇!
Natural spirits would indeed recognize a master. If they willingly recognized someone, they would be devoted and inseparable. And 晏娇娇 was the master she had chosen.
"Then will you always live in the Spiritual Jade space? Won't you mind if the water tank is too small?"
The Water Spirit still smiled innocently, but her gaze was as firm as before, "That's fine too."
Fine for what?
晏娇娇 hadn't expected that her intention to find a home for the Water Spirit would result in her becoming the Water Spirit's home.
Moreover, if a natural spirit were abandoned by its master, it would pine away and die. 晏娇娇 couldn't possibly refuse the Water Spirit's innocent and clear eyes.
It was her own fault for not realizing the Water Spirit's feelings sooner. At the very first water source, she had sensed the Water Spirit's momentary desire to stay. If she had insisted on the Water Spirit staying then, she could have lived freely there instead of now wanting to huddle in the water tank within the Spiritual Jade space.
Seeing the hesitation on 晏娇娇's face, the Water Spirit seemed to sense 晏娇娇's unwillingness to take her along. Tears immediately welled up, and she looked heartbroken.
"Don't cry," 晏娇娇 was completely at a loss. She steeled herself and said, "If you want to come, then come. At most, I'll build a lake for you in the Spiritual Jade space later!"
The Spiritual Jade space was so vast; accommodating a small lake shouldn't be a problem.
Upon hearing this, the Water Spirit immediately jumped up from 晏娇娇's shoulder and, as usual, flew in mid-air, circling 晏娇娇's head.
Spiritual Jade: Did you ask for my opinion?
"Sister, can we go now?"
东方旭's childish voice was heard, clearly showing his impatience. The child, having heard about the many fun things and delicious food in Gonan City and that they wouldn't have to hide anymore, was eager to reach Gonan City quickly.
晏娇娇 winked at the Water Spirit, who understood and returned to the Spiritual Jade space. Only then did 晏娇娇 walk over.
蓉儿 was still a little worried and said to 晏娇娇, "Eldest Miss, will the people from the Yan family really not cause trouble in Gonan City?"
晏娇娇 comforted her with a smile, "No, they won't. Gonan City is full of powerful experts, and Gonan Academy represents the highest realm of cultivation on the Boundless Continent. Anyone who causes trouble in Gonan City will be subject to the city's laws."
Having traveled this far without incident was already a great fortune. 晏娇娇 looked at a corner of Gonan City and took a deep breath.
That would be the starting point for 晏娇娇's new journey. Gonan Academy, she was determined to obtain it.
The carriage continued to move forward, and finally, as dusk approached, they reached the outskirts of Gonan City. Through the city gate, 晏娇娇 looked at the prosperous and peaceful scenery within, feeling as if she were in a different world.
东方旭 and 蓉儿 were also extremely excited. As they entered the city, they were mesmerized by the night view of Gonan City.
"It's even livelier than Kunyang City," 蓉儿 couldn't help but exclaim. "Are we going to live here from now on?"
晏娇娇 nodded and pointed to a towering building in the east. "That's the formal Gonan Academy. When I enter the academy, I'll have to live there. I'll buy a courtyard for you in Gonan City, and we can reunite on holidays."
蓉儿 was astonished. She hadn't known that entering Gonan Academy meant a boarding system. And she was well aware of 晏娇娇's financial situation; where would she get the money to buy a courtyard in the valuable Gonan City?
For a moment, 蓉儿 felt like she was a burden to 晏娇娇.
晏娇娇, unaware of 蓉儿's thoughts, felt that since they had finally reached a safe place, they should relax. She immediately chose the most luxurious restaurant within sight and said, "Let's have dinner here tonight."
蓉儿 was unwilling and pulled 晏娇娇, whispering, "Eldest Miss, we should be more frugal."
She had already decided that she would find more work in the future to save money, which she could then use to subsidize 晏娇娇.
晏娇娇 then noticed something unusual from 蓉儿's distressed expression. She suddenly understood and chuckled, "Rong'er, you don't need to worry about these trivial matters. I have money."
Saying this, 晏娇娇 casually handed 蓉儿 another bag of silver. "Take this as pocket money. I'll be going to the Gonan Academy's entrance selection the day after tomorrow. You and Xu'er stay in Gonan City and behave yourselves."
蓉儿 was stunned and quickly tried to refuse, but 晏娇娇 firmly pushed the silver into her arms and then pulled her into the luxurious restaurant.
A high-end restaurant was naturally different. The interior decoration was exquisite and elegant, with each room being a private booth, situated along the river, offering excellent views.
晏娇娇 casually picked a private room and was about to enter when she heard a familiar voice.
"Sister Ru Xue, please order this dish. I'll call a waiter to bring it for you."
晏娇娇's steps halted. The voice came from the adjacent private room. 蓉儿 and the others, of course, didn't have 晏娇娇's hearing and were happily entering their chosen room.
晏娇娇 heard footsteps approaching the door of the adjacent room and quickly slipped inside, closing her own room's door.
The people next door walked out. 晏娇娇 glanced through the crack in the door and saw that it was indeed Chen Wen Yu's niece, Chen Bing Bing. In her childhood, she had relied on Chen Wen Yu, who often stayed at the Yan family's residence, and was also 晏 Ru Xue's little follower.
Based on what she had just said, 晏娇娇 could be certain that 晏 Ru Xue herself was in the adjacent private room.
She had thought that after suffering a setback from Sheng Mo Bai, 晏 Ru Xue would be dispirited for a few days. She hadn't expected her to rush to Gonan City so quickly.
What a persistent nuisance. She wouldn't have a moment of peace for several days.