Zheng Wei walked to the bedside and smiled wryly.
Lu Taobao and three little creatures were lying haphazardly on the bed, each covered by only a small corner of the quilt.
Seeing the four of them still sleeping soundly even in this state, Zheng Wei couldn't help but smile.
However, Zheng Wei did not go forward to cover them with the quilt.
The temperature was moderate, and they wouldn't get sick even without a quilt.
Rather than risk waking the four of them, it was better to let them sleep like this. They would be getting up for breakfast in no time anyway.
Zheng Wei turned around and tiptoed out.
When he reached the kitchen, Shen Xiaoyan and the other were busy with their respective tasks.
Seeing that he was not needed, Zheng Wei turned and walked out.
As soon as he exited the kitchen, he saw Yi Zhixie, whose hair and body were dripping wet.
Zheng Wei blinked in surprise and asked, "Why are you like this?"
How could he be so disheveled, looking as if he had just crawled out of the river?
As he thought this, Zheng Wei actually spotted algae on Yi Zhixie's hair.
Now, without needing Yi Zhixie to answer, he knew that he must have just crawled out of the river.
But, why on earth would he go into the river?
Was it because he smelled so bad that he decided to jump into the river?
If Yi Zhixie knew what Zheng Wei was thinking, he would undoubtedly call him a prude.
His serious demeanor hid a mind that could turn so quickly, making him seem unbelievable.
Yi Zhixie wiped the water from his face and said, "I went to the river to take a bath."
To take a bath in the river?
Zheng Wei raised an eyebrow. Why would he go to the river to bathe?
Yi Zhixie seemed to know what Zheng Wei was going to ask, and he continued directly, "It's because of that layer of black stuff on me, it's so thick and smelly. If I had to fetch water to wash myself, how long would it take to clean it all off? I remember there was a river in the woods when we passed by during the day, so I just went to check it out on a whim. Sure enough, there was a river, and it was very wide with clear water. I just jumped in and had a good wash. See, aren't I completely clean now?"
Yi Zhixie said this with a relaxed and happy expression, and his tone was also very cheerful.
Clearly, he couldn't stand his previous appearance.
Zheng Wei looked at him as he sighed in relief and asked softly, "What happened to the river?"
"What?"
Yi Zhixie clearly didn't understand what Zheng Wei was asking.
"I said, what happened to the river after you took your bath?"
What happened to the river?
Yi Zhixie was a little puzzled. The river was still the river. He had just taken a bath, what else could happen to the river?
Seeing Yi Zhixie's confused look, Zheng Wei knew he wouldn't get any answers.
So, Zheng Wei simply walked out.
Yi Zhixie wanted to follow, but Zheng Wei said without turning back, "Tidy yourself up first before you come out."
Yi Zhixie looked down at himself and realized he was indeed in a sorry state.
How could such a handsome young man appear in such a state?
If he did, wouldn't his reputation of hundreds of years be ruined?
Therefore, without a word, Yi Zhixie flashed back into his room, quickly took off all his clothes, and instantly evaporated the water droplets on his body with spiritual energy. Then, he took out a set of clothes from his spatial ring and put them on.
After changing, Yi Zhixie concisely styled his hair.
Satisfied with his reflection in the mirror, Yi Zhixie opened the door and walked out.
When Yi Zhixie returned to the riverbank, the sky was already bright, and the outside was bustling with noise.
Yi Zhixie secretly found it strange.
Although this was the Holy Spirit Continent, where people focused on cultivation, it was a bit too lively for such an early morning.
Even if people or caravans were entering or leaving the city, it shouldn't have caused such a commotion.
Feeling confused, Yi Zhixie quickened his pace.
When he saw the source of the noise, he was even more bewildered.
The noisiest place was actually the riverbank where he had just bathed.
The most crowded spot was exactly where he had been.
If Yi Zhixie still couldn't see that something was wrong at this point, he would have truly lived his centuries in vain.
Maintaining a calm expression, Yi Zhixie walked over with a curious look, and at a glance, he saw where Zheng Wei was.
After finally squeezing his way to Zheng Wei's side, Yi Zhixie transmitted his voice and asked, "What is going on?"
Zheng Wei's body didn't move, but his voice echoed in Yi Zhixie's mind, "You're asking me? Isn't this all your doing?"
Yi Zhixie was confused. What did this have to do with him?
He didn't know these people, nor did he provoke them to stand here for no reason.
However, as his gaze shifted, and he saw the situation in the river, the words of explanation he wanted to utter died on his lips.
The reason was simple: the river water was now a dense black, emanating a pungent odor.
Furthermore, the blackness of the water was uneven.
In a certain area along the riverbank, the water was darkest, and then as it spread outwards, the color became lighter.
River water is meant to flow, but at this moment, all the blackness was still.
Around the black water, the river water was still flowing slowly.
The river water on both sides was clearly connected, yet distinctly separated.
This in itself was strange, but unexpectedly, in the black water, white objects could be seen floating up and down.
Without a doubt, those must be the fish in the river.
"What is going on!"
"What do you think? That black stuff is clearly poisoned water!"
"Who would be so heartless and cruel to poison the river? This water is connected to the groundwater!"
"I don't know which scoundrel did this. Fortunately, the black water isn't spreading, otherwise, alas..."
"What are you so glad about? Don't you realize that the poisoned water is spreading, just at a relatively slow pace? If nothing is done, the entire river will be polluted sooner or later."
"Easy for you to say, if you're so capable, why don't you do something about it?"
Listening to the endless discussions around him, Yi Zhixie's expression turned very grim.
It wasn't because people were scolding him, but because he himself didn't understand why his body would expel these toxins.
Clearly, he was only injured. What was happening?
There was no good solution at the moment. Zheng Wei and Yi Zhixie slowly withdrew from the crowd, preparing to return and discuss with Shen Xiaoyan and the others.
Since many people were coming to watch the spectacle, Zheng Wei and Yi Zhixie's departure went unnoticed.
As they entered the gate of the Four Seas House, the calm expressions on Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei's faces instantly turned somewhat gloomy.
Coincidentally, Shen Xiaoyan and Namu Zhong came out of the kitchen carrying food. Seeing their grim faces and their recent appearance, they couldn't help but feel a little strange.
"What's wrong?"
Shen Xiaoyan asked, her actions not slowing down.