Night Ling Yuan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who is senior looking for?"
Xuan Wu said kindly, "This venerable one intended to chat with a few old friends, but it seems they've run into some trouble!"
Suddenly, its eyes fell upon "Chong Er" behind Night Ling Yuan, a flash of shock crossing its face.
It swayed its head and said, "Little one, that coffin you're carrying is quite nice. Take it down and let me see."
Night Ling Yuan's face instantly became guarded, and he clutched the Heaven-Shattering Divine Whip in his hand.
Shen Liu Xing also stared at Xuan Wu with a cold expression, a long flute quickly appearing in his hand.
Xuan Yuan Xun and Rong Guang were not foolish. They carefully placed Shang Guan Yu Lin onto the wooden boat, seized the Overlord's Spear, and began to circulate their spiritual energy.
Night Ling Yuan said sternly, "Senior, this coffin is named 'Chong Er,' and it is here to protect my wife. Therefore, I must respectfully decline!"
Xuan Wu looked at their wary expressions and chuckled, "Little ones, don't be nervous! I mean no harm. I merely detected the aura of an old friend on that little girl and wished to investigate."
Night Ling Yuan's expression was solemn, "Apologies, Senior. My wife is injured and cannot converse with you. We are heading to the Divine Remnant Continent to heal her. If you truly wish to converse with her, please wait until she has recovered and returned from the Divine Remnant Continent!"
Xuan Wu paused, "Injured? This venerable one is a water divine beast with healing abilities. Let me examine her injuries; perhaps I can help."
"Really?"
Xuan Yuan Xun, Rong Guang, and Shen Liu Xing asked with joy.
Night Ling Yuan also inquired, "Senior, are you certain you can heal my wife?"
Xuan Wu said displeasantly, "Without seeing her full power, I cannot give you a guarantee!"
Night Ling Yuan shook his head, "Since Senior cannot guarantee it, then let it be. Please allow us to pass!"
Xuan Wu was immediately annoyed.
Originally, with its strength, it could have captured these youngsters in moments and taken that little girl.
However, it did not wish to bully the young and had thus explained itself. Now, being repeatedly refused by these youngsters, its pride was somewhat wounded.
"Little one, are you truly not giving this venerable one any face?"
Night Ling Yuan clasped his fists, "Apologies, Senior! It is not that I am disrespecting you, but if my wife's injuries are not healed within three months, then..."
He paused, then continued, "And we have already lost a month. We are in a great hurry, so I ask for your understanding!"
Xuan Wu snorted, "Fine, fine. In that case, you only need to answer one question truthfully, and this venerable one will let you pass!"
Night Ling Yuan's heart finally settled.
Given Xuan Wu's status, if it promised not to act against them, it would naturally keep its word.
Therefore, he said respectfully, "Please, Senior. I shall tell you everything I know, without reservation."
Xuan Wu nodded, its tone softening slightly, "This venerable one sensed the aura of Azure Dragon and White Tiger on that little girl, and also a faint trace of Vermilion Bird. Tell this venerable one truthfully, do Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Vermilion Bird reside within that little girl?"
Night Ling Yuan thought for a moment, "To be honest, Senior, Azure Dragon and White Tiger are my wife's contracted beasts, but Vermilion Bird is not with her."
Xuan Wu nodded, "How about this? Open the coffin, and this venerable one will try to communicate with Azure Dragon and White Tiger. This venerable one swears by the name of the Water God of the North that I will never harm your beloved. How about it?"
"This..."
Night Ling Yuan hesitated, then finally nodded, "Since Senior has invoked the name of the Water God of the North, I am not one to be ungrateful. Please keep your promise and let us leave after you are finished."
"Rest assured, this venerable one is a Water God; my word is my bond!" Xuan Wu nodded.
"Very well!"
As Night Ling Yuan spoke, he took "Chong Er" down from his back and, with a thought, opened the coffin lid.
Upon seeing Zi Lin Ling, Xuan Wu exclaimed excitedly, "It is indeed the Kunlun Goddess! It is indeed the Kunlun Goddess! It is indeed the Kunlun Goddess!"
Then, a beam of light shot from its mouth towards Zi Lin Ling, causing Night Ling Yuan and the others to change color.
All four of them had not expected Xuan Wu to suddenly break its promise and attack Zi Lin Ling. However, they were too late to stop it.
Thus, the four of them flew forward in unison, attempting to block the light with their bodies.
"This venerable one said I would not harm her. Stand down!"
Xuan Wu spoke, and the bodies of the four were instantly restrained in mid-air, not even the undefeated Night Ling Yuan being spared.
The beam of light landed on Zi Lin Ling, emitting a gentle aura.
Zi Lin Ling was enveloped by the light and floated in the air.
With a spatial fluctuation, the spirits of Long Er, Xiao Hu, and Huang Yi appeared in the air.
Night Ling Yuan and the others were utterly shocked.
To open the contracted space and release the contracted beasts without the master's permission, what terrifying cultivation was required for such a feat?
Xuan Wu exclaimed excitedly, "Boss, Second, Third, it truly is you. You are lucky to have returned to the Goddess's side so soon."
Long Er, Xiao Hu, and Huang Yi looked at Xuan Wu in a daze, simultaneously asking, "Old Turtle, who are you?"
Old Turtle?
The address left Xuan Wu utterly bewildered, and it thought to itself, "What's going on? Boss, Second, Third, why don't you recognize me?"
It had never expected their reunion to be like this.
Xuan Wu said with some disappointment, "I am Xuan Ming! It's us, Xuan Ming!"
"Xuan Ming?"
Fragments of memories suddenly appeared in Long Er's mind.
But before it could see clearly, its head throbbed violently, and it involuntarily transformed into its dragon form.
Xiao Hu experienced almost the same situation. It felt as if something in its mind was about to break through, causing it to see stars from the pain and transform into its white tiger form.
Huang Yi fared slightly better. After all, she was only in spirit form and had not yet merged with her divine body. Therefore, she only felt a sense of familiarity from Xuan Wu.
Seeing Long Er, Xiao Hu, and Huang Yi, Xuan Wu understood that their memories had not fully awakened.
Thus, Xuan Wu quickly spat out two beams of white light, enveloping Long Er and Xiao Hu.
The white light was incredibly gentle, like a pair of soft hands caressing them, causing them to quickly calm down.
Looking at the now-calm Long Er, Xiao Hu, and Huang Yi, a hint of bitterness appeared in Xuan Wu's eyes.