The master of the ship arriving at Pagoda Island was someone Sauron expected, but Zhi Yan did not.
Huai Bingyi!
The direct disciple of the Sky Priest of the Dragon Temple, and the Young Master of Bazhou.
He was the man whom Princess Wanwan of Yaozhou was completely infatuated with.
He disembarked from the grand ship and headed toward the massive Pagoda. There, he encountered Sauron, who was practicing the Art of Spiritual Materialization, alongside his temporary teacher, Zhi Yan.
Upon seeing Zhi Yan and Sauron, he let out a long sigh of relief.
Zhi Yan said in astonishment, “Senior Brother Huai, how did you get here?”
She then cast a glance toward Sauron. He had insisted that a ship would definitely arrive within three days. She had not expected one to actually appear, let alone that it would be Huai Bingyi.
Sauron was certainly no prophet, he had simply deduced it.
His ambush had nothing to do with Huai Bingyi. Huai Bingyi had come in search of the Demon Blood, tracking down the Doom Demon Emperor.
Back in the royal capital of Zhidu, his relationship with Zhi Yan had been perfectly harmonious. However, Zhi Yan had suddenly turned her back on him and refused to see him again.
Even though he had still finalized the arrangements for the armor and weapons with Duke Zhi Ting, he was bound to investigate the reason behind Zhi Yan’s sudden change of heart.
With his resources and intellect, it was undoubtedly an easy task for him to discover that Princess Wanwan of Yaozhou had ambushed Sauron.
Everything that followed was only logical. If it had been for Sauron alone, he certainly would not have intervened. But since Zhi Yan had also gone missing, he had no choice but to set his current affairs aside and follow Wanwan’s clues all the way to Pagoda Island.
Before arriving, he could only pray continuously in his heart, hoping against hope that Zhi Yan was still alive.
Now, seeing that Zhi Yan was indeed alive, he felt an immediate wave of relief.
Yet right after that, he noticed a change in her.
She, who was already at the very pinnacle of beauty, had somehow become even more breathtaking.
It was as if a jade statue had suddenly come to life.
At this moment, her beauty was truly enough to stir one’s very soul.
“I apologize to you both on behalf of Wanwan,” Huai Bingyi said.
Zhi Yan replied, “There is no need. In fact, I should thank her. This journey could be considered a blessing in disguise.”
Huai Bingyi asked, “Shall we leave now, then?”
“Alright,” Zhi Yan said.
Strangely enough, when facing others, she reverted to her usual calm, detached, and ethereal demeanor.
However, she was currently wearing a tight red gown. This caused her divine aura to be laced with a hint of allure, making her look like a goddess who had descended into the mortal realm, possessing a distinctly captivating charm.
Sauron could not help but think of Zhuang Zhixuan. Ever since they emerged from the Pagoda, she had been hiding in her room, refusing to come out.
Firstly, this was due to the cold treatment she received from Zhi Yan and Sauron.
Secondly, she had suffered severe injuries in certain private areas and needed to lie down to recuperate.
Sauron entered the castle and walked up to Zhuang Zhixuan’s room, knocking on the door.
At that moment, Zhuang Zhixuan was applying ointment to her sensitive injuries. The torn skin had already healed, but it remained somewhat red and swollen.
Hearing the knock outside, she gave a sudden, violent shudder.
“Speak!” Zhuang Zhixuan said coldly.
Sauron said, “The ship is here.”
“What of it?” Zhuang Zhixuan snapped.
Sauron said, “Pack your things and let us get moving.”
Zhuang Zhixuan said, “I am not leaving. I am staying right here.”
The moment Zhuang Zhixuan had been forced into the Pagoda, she had essentially been abandoned by Princess Wanwan of Yaozhou.
Following that, such scandalous events had transpired between her and Sauron.
Since leaving the Pagoda, Zhi Yan and Sauron had been inseparable, neither of them casting a single glance her way or speaking a word to her. She felt entirely superfluous.
She had been raised by Yaozhou since childhood, spending her limited years practicing martial arts and following Wanwan.
It could be said that aside from martial arts, she knew how to do nothing else.
Now abandoned by Wanwan, she truly had no idea where to go. Since this island was currently deserted, staying here alone seemed perfect, allowing her to escape the entire world.
However, the food, fruits, and vegetables within the castle would eventually spoil. Without supplies, it would be impossible to survive for long on this desolate island.
Furthermore, having lost the protection of its special energy, the Pagoda would soon be unable to sustain its height of over eight hundred meters and would inevitably collapse.
Therefore, if she chose to remain on this deserted island, she likely would not survive for long.
Sauron said, “There will not be enough food here. Staying will mean starving to death.”
“It has nothing to do with you,” Zhuang Zhixuan said coldly. “Just leave, I do not wish to speak with you.”
Sauron was about to persuade her further.
“Leave!” Zhuang Zhixuan shouted coldly, hurling a bottle toward the door.
“Fine, go ahead and die here then,” Sauron said coldly, turning to walk away.
For some reason, upon hearing those harsh words, Zhuang Zhixuan’s heart trembled with a sharp pang of pain, and tears involuntarily slipped down her face.
As she listened to the fading sound of Sauron’s footsteps, her tears flowed uncontrollably.
However, after walking a few dozen meters, Sauron shook his head helplessly and retraced his steps.
“Get lost!” Zhuang Zhixuan raged from inside.
Sauron grabbed the door handle and gave it a violent shake, snapping the wooden bolt inside instantly before stepping straight into the room.
At that moment, Zhuang Zhixuan was completely unclothed, sitting with her legs apart as she applied the ointment.
Seeing Sauron suddenly burst in, she was entirely stunned, losing all capacity to react.
Sauron glanced over and remarked, “It is so swollen. Just how wild were you back then?”
Unable to endure it any longer, Zhuang Zhixuan grabbed a nearby sword and slashed directly at Sauron.
Sauron snatched the ointment away, intending to help her apply it, given that it was rather inconvenient for her to do so herself.
Zhuang Zhixuan’s sword remained held over Sauron’s head, as she hesitated, unsure whether she should actually strike.
Once he finished applying it, Sauron said, “Alright, get dressed and let us go. I am pressed for time and have no leisure to waste on your tantrums.”
“I am not leaving, I will stay here,” Zhuang Zhixuan insisted coldly.
Without another word, Sauron grabbed her python skin martial attire and began forcing it onto her.
“I am not leaving, I want to stay here,” Zhuang Zhixuan cried out, struggling fiercely, seemingly forgetting that her martial arts prowess was a hundred times greater than Sauron’s.
*Smack, smack, smack…* Sauron delivered several sharp slaps to the fleshier parts of her bottom.
The woman stood frozen as if struck by lightning, completely forgetting to struggle.
Sauron pulled the trousers upward with force, only to find that her bottom was too voluptuous, making it impossible to pull them up all the way. Becoming impatient, he tossed them aside and said, “Put them on yourself.”
Zhuang Zhixuan truly felt as though she had received an electric shock. After a long silence, she suddenly said, “Go out first.”
Her voice, though cold, carried a distinct trace of bashfulness.
Sauron stepped outside. Soon after, the sound of splashing water echoed from behind the door, the woman was actually washing herself again.
A quarter of an hour later, she emerged. Wearing her snakeskin warrior attire, her athletic and voluptuous figure was almost too intense to look at directly. Her scorching hot body seemed ready to burst from her clothes, and her incredibly long legs were enough to make anyone’s nose bleed at a glance.
It was truly bizarre. At this moment, Zhuang Zhixuan possessed not a single trace of a masculine appearance. Although she still wore a stern expression and kept her hair cropped to a mere two inches, her physique was so remarkably athletic and shapely that every curve was accentuated. Coupled with the subtle allure hidden deep within her eyes, she looked like a thoroughly sexy, striking woman at first glance.
Sauron even felt that she had no need for long hair, her current short hairstyle was perhaps the most alluring option.
Huai Bingyi led the three of them onto his grand ship.
Once aboard, he surrendered the three finest cabins on the vessel to Sauron and his companions.
This man truly made everyone feel completely at ease at all times, and his attitude toward Zhuang Zhixuan was exceptionally friendly.
“Brother Sauron, we are several thousand miles from the mainland, which means we will be sailing for several days and nights. There is no need to rush to rest. Let us go drink wine and play the zither,” Huai Bingyi invited warmly. “Junior Sister and Miss Zhuang should join us as well.”
“Very well,” Zhi Yan agreed.
Zhuang Zhixuan instinctively glanced toward Sauron. Seeing no reaction from him, she said coldly, “I am not going, I wish to rest.”
Not wanting to exclude her, Huai Bingyi turned to Sauron and said, “Brother Sauron, do help persuade her.”
“Let us go,” Sauron said.
With that, Zhuang Zhixuan lowered her head and followed them to the largest cabin.
There, Huai Bingyi had already prepared a feast with wine, accompanied by numerous beautiful maidservants and a small orchestra.
Even though they were on a ship, this cabin spanned at least a hundred square meters, and the grand vessel itself had an estimated displacement of several thousand tonnes.
It appeared that Huai Bingyi did not reject a luxurious lifestyle.
Huai Bingyi personally poured the first cup of wine for Sauron, Zhi Yan, and Zhuang Zhixuan.
Sauron raised his cup and drank it down. Huai Bingyi watched him with a tense gaze, and the moment Sauron finished, he eagerly asked, “How is it?”
“This is the finest wine I have ever tasted in my life,” Sauron replied.
Hearing this, Huai Bingyi was immensely pleased and said, “I will not reveal the recipe, but I spent several years perfecting it. There are only thirty catties in total, and I brought ten catties with me this time. We shall finish it all tonight.”
Sauron was certainly not lying. The wine was exquisite to the absolute limit, defying any description.
The balance of sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy notes, along with its deep, lingering aftertaste, was truly intoxicating. It was an absolute wonder how Huai Bingyi had managed to brew it.
With four people present, the ten catties of wine were divided into four flasks, each containing two and a half catties.
Huai Bingyi and Sauron drank cup after cup.
Suddenly, Zhi Yan inquired, “Senior Brother Huai, you have not returned to Bazhou for all these years, remaining inside the Sky Palace instead. What brings you to the mortal realm this time?”
Huai Bingyi replied, “Master sent me to retrieve something, an item Brother Sauron likely knows a thing or two about.”
He was remarkably straightforward, offering no concealment whatsoever. As expected, he was searching for the Demon Blood and hunting the Doom Demon Emperor.
After consuming over half a catty, a flush appeared on Huai Bingyi’s pale face from the alcohol, and he grew noticeably animated. He walked over to the zither and said, “Brother Sauron, everyone claims your zither skills are unparalleled. Shall we have a duel today?”
“Why not,” Sauron replied.
With that, Huai Bingyi began to play the zither while drinking.
His musical talent was extraordinary, far surpassing Zhi Ning and even exceeding that of High Cultivator Byron. He was the most skilled player Sauron had ever encountered.
Furthermore, his very first piece was one of extreme difficulty.
Upon finishing, he looked at Sauron with a challenging gaze and said, “Your turn, Brother Sauron.”
His brand of provocation did not cause discomfort, rather, it felt genuine and endearing.
Sauron did not back down either, stepping up to the opposite zither to begin his performance.
Drinking while playing, his opening piece was none other than *The Finger Breaker*.
Once the performance concluded, Huai Bingyi gave a direct thumbs-up and remarked, “Brilliant! Let me try another.”
Thus, the two men continued to play and drink simultaneously.
The melodies they selected became increasingly eccentric and difficult.
Sauron progressed from *Exodus* to *Croatian Rhapsody*, then to *Don Juan*, followed by *English Country Tunes*, and onward to the *Third Piano Concerto*.
Some of these pieces were compositions he could never have executed back when he was on Earth.
Now, however, due to his immense mental strength and extraordinary spiritual talent, he could perform them with absolute ease.
Combined with the incredible potency of the wine, Sauron played with wild abandon and unbridled passion.
He and Huai Bingyi matched each other piece for piece.
In the end, they performed over a dozen melodies.
Zhi Yan listened in astonishment, as did Zhuang Zhixuan.
The maidservants and musicians present also gazed at the two men with absolute admiration.
This was arguably the most elite concert in the world, with no equal whatsoever.
The only pity was that it took place aboard a ship, with virtually no audience to witness it.
Eventually, Sauron and Huai Bingyi had not only drained their own shares but had finished the wine belonging to Zhi Yan and Zhuang Zhixuan as well.
This was high-proof alcohol with a high percentage of volume. To consume five catties per person without relying on dragon energy at all was astonishing.
In the end, both men were thoroughly intoxicated. Huai Bingyi was in an even worse state, unable to walk as he crawled directly under the table.
“Awesome…” Huai Bingyi managed to give a thumbs-up, muttering, “You are the only one whose zither skills can rival mine. In my entire life, I have never looked up to anyone, but you… Sauron… you are remarkable, absolutely brilliant!”
The drunken Huai Bingyi was entirely incoherent, his gentlemanly demeanor and soothing charm completely vanished.
He then slapped Sauron on the shoulder, leaning close to his ear to whisper, “I see that Zhi Yan looks perfectly proper on the outside, but her eyes carry a hidden passion. Have you slept with her?”
Although he intended it as a whisper, his drunken state meant he had no control over his volume, causing his words to echo throughout the entire cabin.
“No…” Sauron replied drunkenly, “It was she who slept with me, time and time again, over and over. My waist feels as though it is about to snap right now. If not for that, I could have played even better. My back is sore, and I can barely sit up!”
At this moment, Zhi Yan, who usually maintained a calm and goddess-like demeanor before others, could not stop a blush from rising to her cheeks, throwing a fierce glare at Sauron’s back.
Following that, Sauron and Huai Bingyi collapsed beneath the table, spouting endless drunken nonsense.
Unable to listen any further, Zhi Yan stepped forward to hoist Sauron up, saying, “Alright, you have made a scene all night, it is time for bed.”
Sauron looked over, stroking her face as he mumbled, “How can you want it again? Come on then!”
He then began to strip off his clothes.
Zhi Yan gave him a sharp pinch, lifting him up directly to tuck him under her arm before marching toward the cabin.
Meanwhile, the maidservants gathered to assist Huai Bingyi.
“Sauron, do you know how to play chess?” Huai Bingyi called out toward Sauron’s retreating figure.
“I do, I am even more formidable than AlphaGo,” Sauron replied.
“Come play chess tomorrow, I will definitely defeat you!” Huai Bingyi declared.
Sauron asked, “What if you lose?”
Huai Bingyi answered, “If I lose, I will go kidnap my sister and bring her for you to sleep with.”
“It is a deal!” Sauron managed to say, though his words were cut short by a cry of pain as Zhi Yan pinched his waist viciously, causing him to flinch violently.
Zhuang Zhixuan remained silent, following them back to the quarters.
Reaching her room, she stopped at the threshold to open the door.
As Sauron was carried past Zhuang Zhixuan by Zhi Yan, he noticed she had not entered yet, so he delivered a firm slap to her rounded, firm bottom, slurring, “You seductive woman, I know you wish to sleep with me. But Zhi Yan alone is enough to drain me completely, if I add you to the mix, I will end up dead. So do not go harboring any ideas about me…”
Zhuang Zhixuan’s face turned crimson, her entire body shaking with rage as she spat, “Shameless!”
She then dashed into her room, slamming the door shut with a resounding crash.
Upon returning to the room, Sauron instantly collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep slumber.
Very soon, he was stripped entirely bare by Zhi Yan, and a snow-white, jade-like body aligned itself over him.
“What are you doing?” Sauron mumbled, entirely dazed from the alcohol.
“Sleeping with you,” Zhi Yan replied, moving with intense passion over Sauron’s body.
For some reason, the Sauron of tonight made her incredibly emotional, exuding an boundless charm.
The next morning, Sauron woke up without a headache, though his waist was aching so intensely that he could barely straighten his back.
It was evident that the quality of the wine was exceptional, which meant it did not cause a hangover.
However, the aftermath of the binge was indeed uncomfortable, leaving his entire body weak, particularly his lower back, which felt completely exhausted.
Glancing to the side, he saw Zhi Yan sitting nearby, engrossed in a book. Her flawlessly beautiful face seemed to radiate a soft glow, enveloped in an enchanting luster.
“You are awake, why did you drink so much?” Zhi Yan asked softly.
Sauron massaged his lower back, pleading miserably, “Yan, please let me off tonight, alright? I truly cannot take any more, let me recover for a few days.”
Zhi Yan’s face flushed slightly as she gently massaged Sauron’s waist, murmuring, “Very well, I shall spare you tonight. I will make sure to nourish your body properly once we return.”
Seeing his stubbled face, she could not resist leaning down to plant a kiss on his lips.
She then assisted Sauron with his washing, shaved his face, and brought over some medicinal porridge for him to consume.
“By the way, Senior Brother Huai came looking for you earlier to play chess, mentioning it was agreed upon last night,” Zhi Yan noted.
She meticulously helped Sauron into his brocade robe before adding with a charming smile, “Do you still recall what you did and said last night?”
Sauron replied, “I have a faint recollection, though it remains rather hazy.”
“Let us go, Senior Brother Huai must be growing impatient,” Zhi Yan said, wrapping her arm around his as they stepped out of the cabin.
Huai Bingyi was indeed waiting anxiously, his hangover symptoms appearing far more severe as he continuously shook his head to relieve the discomfort.
Upon spotting Sauron, he immediately urged, “Come, come, come, you take the black pieces.”
Following the heavy drinking and zither duel of the previous evening, Huai Bingyi’s attitude toward him had become far more casual. Observing the intimacy between Zhi Yan and Sauron, he let out a soft sigh.
“I have never lost a game of chess in my life,” Huai Bingyi remarked, holding a white piece.
Sauron joined in the boasting, replying, “What a coincidence, I have never lost in my life either.”
With that, Sauron began placing his pieces.
Initially, the moves were executed rapidly, but the pace gradually slowed down. Even at its slowest, however, it was far swifter than Wanwan’s pace had been.
The contest remained highly competitive, with neither gaining a clear advantage.
It was worth noting that Sauron was currently utilizing his brain, enhanced by the Demon Star and immense spiritual power, to play the game. His calculation capabilities were superior to Earth’s Google AI, AlphaGo.
Despite this, he remained evenly matched with Huai Bingyi.
Huai Bingyi was genuinely formidable, possessing chess skills that were far superior to Wanwan’s.
After more than two hours, Huai Bingyi held a white piece in his hand, hesitating for a long time without placing it.
Eventually, he tossed it down casually and remarked, “Alas, I have lost.”
Huai Bingyi had indeed lost, though only by half a piece.
This marked his very first defeat, as he had never anticipated that anyone in this world could surpass him in chess.
As for the zither duel the previous night, the two had been considered evenly matched, though in terms of the complexity of the melodies, Sauron had held a slight advantage.
Today, in the realm of chess, Sauron had secured another victory by half a piece.
Huai Bingyi could not help but comment, “The denizens of the One Temple and Four Continents are truly looking at the sky from the bottom of a well.”
He then glanced at Zhi Yan before turning back to Sauron, adding, “Your skills in the zither and chess surpass mine by half a fraction, and your artistry in painting is likely not inferior to mine either. Coupled with the fact that you are far more handsome and elegant than I am, it is no wonder Zhi Yan chose to follow you over me.”
Hearing this, Zhi Yan could not resist looking at Sauron’s face, offering a subtle smile.
Huai Bingyi said, “Come, let us play another round, I shall take the black pieces this time.”
The second game resulted in a loss for Sauron, also by a margin of half a piece. He had not held back, it was simply that Huai Bingyi was incredibly proficient.
However, during the third round, Sauron emerged victorious once more.
Over the days that followed, Sauron spent almost every day in Huai Bingyi’s company, engaging in conversation, playing chess, painting, or performing on the zither.
During the nights, he was granted only a single evening of rest. Every other night, he was thoroughly worn out by Zhi Yan, experiencing a sensation that fluctuated between heaven and hell each time.
He and Huai Bingyi truly became the closest of friends.
The two resonated with one another like soulmates sharing a deep understanding.
Regarding many matters, perspectives, and even the deepest truths of this world, they shared a common bond.
While Huai Bingyi’s martial arts prowess was thousands of times superior to Sauron’s, neither of them ever raised the subject of martial skills.
Several days and nights passed in this manner.
Finally, the grand ship docked, returning them to the mainland.
“Farewell!” Huai Bingyi extended his arms, adding, “If you do not find it too distasteful, we could share an embrace.”
Sauron stepped forward to give him a brief embrace, causing both men to shudder slightly.
They mutually resolved that regardless of how close their friendship might be, they would strictly confine their future embraces to women.
“Farewell,” Sauron said.
Following that, he and Zhi Yan mounted their manticore beasts, which had been gifted to them by Huai Bingyi.
Zhuang Zhixuan also mounted a manticore beast, yet she remained uncertain of her destination, feeling as though the vast world offered no place for her to belong.
Though she felt a lack of direction, a certain shadow seemed to linger within her heart.
Nonetheless, she refused to travel alongside Sauron, being a person of immense pride.
Aboard the ship, following the night they had shared drinks, she had not encountered Sauron again, choosing to remain secluded within her quarters.
Sauron had made no attempt to seek her out, nor had he extended any invitations or spoken a single word to her.
She was determined not to offer her warmth to someone who treated her with cold indifference. Even if Sauron were to extend an invitation or go so far as to beg her, she would absolutely refuse to accompany him.
As for where she should go, she had no inkling, though wandering the world seemed a reasonable option. Given her exceptional martial skills, there was nowhere she could not venture.
Once Sauron and Zhi Yan mounted their manticores, they accelerated toward the east, in the direction of the Kingdom of Wrath.
Zhuang Zhixuan had initially intended to head toward the opposite direction of the west, but the west was bounded by the ocean, so she directed her manticore toward the north instead.
Immediately after, Sauron’s impatient voice echoed from behind her.
“Zhuang Zhixuan, what are you doing? Let us go!”
Far from offering a genuine invitation, his tone was cold and laced with impatience.
Instantly, Zhuang Zhixuan’s heart skipped a beat, and she thought coldly to herself, “Hmph, I would rather die than follow you.”
Yet for some inexplicable reason, her hands seemed to act independently of her will, pulling the manticore’s reins to redirect the beast toward the east.
“No, I cannot go, am I truly going to throw my dignity on the ground for him to trample upon?”
Despite her internal admonishments, she continued to guide her manticore eastward, maintaining a tight position behind Sauron.
Unable to contain herself, she delivered a sharp slap to her own face.
She truly despised her own lack of resolve, allowing herself to be led by the nose by a man who had not even offered her a pleasant countenance.
Thus, the three riders proceeded at maximum velocity toward the Kingdom of Wrath, targeting the direction of Tianshui City.
.