Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3458: Foe From The Tournament

The leisure boat was larger than Meng Bai had expected. It had a wide wooden deck, soft cushions placed near a low table, and even silk curtains hanging from carved pillars. Two men stood at the back, holding long oars. Their faces were calm, almost blank.

Seeing that there were other people present made Meng Bai relax a little.

’At least we are not alone,’ he thought.

The girl in white smiled and said, "Please, sit. The center of the lake has the best view."

The girl in gray turned to the boatmen. "Row us to the middle."

The two men did not speak. They simply nodded and began to row. The boat glided smoothly across the water, leaving gentle ripples behind.

Meng Bai sat on one of the cushions while the three girls sat around him. Lantern light reflected softly on their faces.

For a while, the talk was simple and easy.

The girl in purple asked, "What kind of food do you like most?"

Meng Bai thought for a moment. "Spicy meat. And grilled beast ribs. My master’s companion, Little Shrubby, cooks very well."

The girl in white clapped lightly. "That sounds delicious."

The girl in gray tilted her head. "What about colors? Do you have a favorite?"

"Blue," Meng Bai answered. "It reminds me of water techniques."

The girl in purple smiled. "That suits you."

Then she asked, "Who is the strongest cultivator you have ever seen?"

Meng Bai did not hesitate. "My master."

All three laughed softly.

"You are loyal," the girl in white said. "But besides him?"

Meng Bai thought again. "I have seen Transcendent level experts. But even then, my master still feels different."

The conversation felt normal. There was no teasing, no flirting, no strange pressure. That made Meng Bai feel safe.

On the table were trays of snacks, spirit fruits, pastries, and two pots, one for wine and one for tea.

The girl in purple poured wine for herself and the other two. Then she looked at Meng Bai.

"Do you drink?" she asked.

Meng Bai shook his head quickly. "Not much. I get dizzy easily."

The girl in white smiled. "Then tea it is."

She poured him a cup of pale green tea. The fragrance was light and pleasant.

Meng Bai took it and drank. It tasted fresh and soothing.

They kept talking.

About travels.

About sect rumors.

About strange beasts seen in different worlds.

Meng Bai drank another cup.

Then another.

He did not even notice how many he had drunk until the fourth cup.

The boat was now near the center of the lake. The palace lights were far away. Only lanterns and starlight lit the scene.

As the talk continued, Meng Bai began to feel a little strange.

It was not pain. Not dizziness. Just a faint heaviness.

He frowned slightly.

"Are you alright?" the girl in gray asked gently.

"Yes," Meng Bai said. "Just... a little tired. Probably from earlier wine."

She nodded. "You have had a long day."

The girl in white poured him another cup of tea. "Drink slowly."

Meng Bai lifted the cup.

But this time, his hand shook.

The cup slipped from his fingers and shattered on the deck.

SHATTER

"I am sorry!" Meng Bai said quickly, standing halfway. "I did not mean to."

The girls laughed softly.

"It is fine," the girl in purple said. "Everyone makes mistakes."

Then she added quietly, "After all, this will be your last mistake."

Meng Bai froze.

"What did you say?" he asked.

The girl in white smiled, but her eyes were cold. "Nothing important. Do not worry."

But Meng Bai’s heart was already pounding.

He tried to circulate his Qi.

Normally, it would respond instantly.

This time, it felt slow. Heavy. Like trying to move mud instead of water.

He frowned deeply.

"Something is wrong," he said. "What did you put in the tea?"

The girl in gray sighed. "You noticed faster than expected."

The girl in purple laughed. "Four cups of poisoned tea and you are still talking. You really are tough."

If not for the fact that Lin Mu had basically reforged Meng Bai’s body and fed him countless pills, he would have long since succumbed to the poison. Just the fact that the poison was affecting him, showed how strong the poison was.

"Poison?" Meng Bai stumbled back a step. "Why would you do this?"

The girl in white looked at him calmly. "Because you are valuable."

"Valuable?" Meng Bai repeated.

"Yes," the girl in purple said. "You are the disciple of Daoist Lin Mu. That alone makes you worth more than a city. This mission will pay well."

Meng Bai shook his head. "If you think harming me will end well, you are wrong. My master will find you."

The girl in gray chuckled. "By the time he realizes, we will be long gone."

Meng Bai tried to move his Qi harder.

It barely responded.

He reached for his communication jade slip.

Nothing happened.

His heart sank.

Then he remembered the emergency talisman Lin Mu had given him. It did not need Qi.

He reached into his robe.

Before his fingers could touch it, a strong hand grabbed his wrist.

The girl in gray had moved in a blur.

"Ah ah," she said softly. "No tricks."

Meng Bai struggled, but his body felt heavy, weak, as if his strength was being drained.

He looked at the boatmen. "Help me! They are trying to kill me!"

The two men did not react. They simply kept rowing slowly, as if nothing was happening.

"They work for us," the girl in purple said casually.

Meng Bai’s eyes widened.

"This will not end well for you," he said through clenched teeth. "My master will not forgive this."

At that moment, the girl in white stepped forward.

Her body shimmered.

The illusion around her face faded.

Her tall form shrank.

Her features changed.

In front of Meng Bai now stood a little girl with big eyes and a familiar face.

"You..." Meng Bai whispered. "Xiao Ling."