Chapter 423 - 421: A Different Island 2222

The ice around the raft had all turned into slush. ’Looks like they’ve really been busy these past two days.’

After getting into the sea, she moved step by step. It looked slow, but she covered much more distance than before.

She strolled leisurely through the sea. It was unclear if a batch of creatures had just been cleared out, but in any case, it was quiet down below.

There weren’t even any small fish or shrimp.

She could still see Bramble’s white roots drifting around the raft.

’They seem to be coordinating quite well with each other.’

As she went further out, she would occasionally encounter one or two medium-sized fish, but none of the large ones she had seen during yesterday’s chaotic battle.

Thinking of the taste of Sea Beef, Faye Yardley found herself hoping, for the first time, to run into a couple more.

But clearly, her luck wasn’t good enough to get whatever she wished for. She didn’t encounter any Sea Beef, but she did manage to pick up two Wooden Treasure Chests along the way.

Speaking of which, she really did need to open more Wooden Treasure Chests and Iron Treasure Boxes, as those were the only way to get various fragments.

After circling back to the raft from the sea, Faye Yardley looked up at the sky. An Ordinary Island Entry Order allowed for an 8-hour stay on an island. If she used it now, half of that time would likely be spent at night.

But since she had already decided to go, Faye Yardley didn’t dwell on it.

Before setting off, she asked her brother and the Master if they wanted to go to the island together.

After getting affirmative replies from both, Faye Yardley changed into a clean set of clothes and used the Island Entry Order.

As expected, due to the frozen sea surface, the system directly shortened the travel time. The moment she used it, the raft was instantly in a different location, surrounded by dense fog.

She used the Invitation Cards, and soon Ethan Yardley and Master Veridian appeared by her side.

"Yardley, you should call my eldest disciple, too. He’s just idle anyway."

Faye Yardley hummed in agreement, first confirming that Zephyr Sterling wanted to come before sending the invitation.

By the time Zephyr Sterling appeared, the raft had also passed through the foggy area, and the island ahead was now visible.

The island looked like a primeval forest, filled with lush greens in every shade.

Unexpectedly, the island had a clean, old-fashioned little dock. The raft came to a stop not far from it, and Faye Yardley leaped directly from the raft onto it.

The others also made their way ashore. They looked around; although trees were everywhere, it was clear that the dock area had been tidied up by someone.

[Welcome to Island No. 2222. The Island Master is away from home. Please do not violently force open the Island Master’s door, or something bad will happen~]

This was the first time Faye Yardley and the others had received this kind of landing reminder.

Lucy White scrambled straight up a tall nearby tree, looked back and forth, and said quizzically, "There’s no house here. Where’s the door?"

Ethan Yardley pointed to the sea beyond the dock. "Look."

Normally, the sea surface should reflect its surroundings, but the reflection in the water was something else entirely.

It didn’t even show their figures.

Looking at the reflection on the sea, one could indeed see a huge house, and the large tree Lucy White was on corresponded exactly to one of the main gate pillars.

’Wow. If we had just walked into the woods behind the dock, we would have literally walked right through the front door of Island Master 2222’s home.’

Faye Yardley looked at the reflection in the sea and said, "Since we can’t go through the door, let’s bypass the gate and climb over the wall."

Master Veridian agreed. "That could work. But wait a moment. Let this old Taoist first try to open the door in a civilized manner."

Then, they saw him take a few Copper Coins from his bag. He chanted under his breath, his feet constantly shifting positions.

He then tossed the Copper Coins into the sea. Ripples spread across the surface, and Faye Yardley and the others actually heard the sound of knocking.

This was followed by the heavy, creaking sound of a door opening.

Faye Yardley glanced behind her. The trees were still the same trees, but for some reason, everything felt much brighter.

’The Island Master’s door opened on its own, so it should be fine for us to go in, right?’

"Guests, please enter."

A gentle voice reached the ears of everyone present.

Although Faye Yardley found it a bit absurd, since the other party considered them guests, it was only natural to offer a gift when visiting.

So, she took a pair of beautiful glass bottles filled with Peach Blossom Brew from her bag, along with a box of assorted pastries made by Willow, and held them out. "We arrived in a hurry. It’s a small gift, I hope the Island Master doesn’t mind."

The items in her hands vanished into thin air. The gentle voice spoke again, this time sounding much more pleased. "You are too kind, guests. My master likes them very much. Please, come in."

The group entered in single file.

Unexpectedly, after entering the forest, the view suddenly opened up. Before them was a flat expanse of land planted with beautiful, artfully arranged flowering trees.

Many beautiful birds and butterflies danced and weaved through the flowers.

"Wow, it’s beautiful," Faye Yardley couldn’t help but praise.

Before they came in, the trees outside were clearly real. After all, Lucy White had climbed one, and Faye herself had touched the branches and picked a leaf to smell.

But after stepping through the "door," it was a completely different world.

Even though she herself possessed a Talent for illusionary Barriers, she couldn’t see anything out of place here.

"Guests, please make yourselves at home. Each guest may pick up to three flowers and capture up to three birds or butterflies."

"Thank you."

Lucy White looked at Faye Yardley, and only after seeing her nod did she dash toward the flowerbeds and start trying to catch butterflies.

But, magically, even when she was sure she’d caught one, her open palm would be empty.

Master Veridian’s interest in this place was completely piqued. "Oh my, this place is wonderful, absolutely wonderful."

With that, he took out his Copper Coins and began another ritual.

Zephyr Sterling watched for a moment, then also tried to catch a bird. The sensation of it in his grasp was very real, but the feeling of it slipping away was even more so.

"Faye, stop just looking. These butterflies are hard to catch, and the flowers are probably hard to pick. Don’t waste time." Ethan Yardley believed that you couldn’t figure things out just by watching; you had to get your hands dirty and experience it yourself.

Faye Yardley hummed in agreement and walked toward the flowers on the left. The blossoms were beautiful, each with its own unique posture, but when she reached out, she couldn’t touch them. It was as if this was a world of illusions, like flowers in a mirror or the moon on the water.

’In that case...’

Faye Yardley immediately activated her third Talent.

The scene around her changed in an instant. The flowers were still the same flowers, but now they could be touched.

She walked and watched, but didn’t stop for any particular flower.

Although every flower she passed was beautiful and distinctive, Faye Yardley always felt something was missing.

She couldn’t say what exactly it was.

But she knew that none of them was the flower she was looking for in her heart.

She simply followed her feelings, weaving through the flowerbeds.

A small pink and white butterfly flew to her side of its own accord, fluttering up and down before her eyes as if inviting her to catch it.

Seeing that Faye Yardley was paying it no mind, the little pink and white butterfly grew anxious.