Red and Snow sailed toward Jin'ao Island on a small wooden boat they had temporarily rented at the harbor. Three months had passed since leaving Dongsheng Shenzhou, and the continent behind them grew smaller with each passing day. They had endured long stretches at sea, dodging storms and navigating treacherous currents. Snow leaned over the edge of the boat, feeling the spray of saltwater on her fur and listening to the relentless crash of waves. Red held the tiller tightly, his ears pressed back by the wind.
Snow hugged the boat's edge, her small paws gripping the wood. Her ears were flattened by the gusts and her fur whipped about. "Red, is this wind too strong?" she asked, her voice trembling but tinged with excitement.
Red looked at her, a reassuring smile forming despite the tension in his chest. He wanted to calm her, but before he could speak, a massive wave rose from nowhere, smashing into the side of the boat and nearly tipping it over. His heart skipped a beat as he realized that this was no ordinary storm. "Snow, hold on! This is the outer wind and waves of the sea array! We must have entered its edge ahead of schedule," he said, his voice tight.
The two clung to each other as wave after wave crashed over the boat. The wooden vessel groaned under the force, planks creaking as water rushed in. Just when it seemed the boat would break apart, a colossal black shadow rose from beneath the sea, enormous enough to dwarf the small craft.
"Red! Look down there! It is enormous!" Snow cried, her eyes wide with both fear and awe.
The shadow rose higher and revealed the body of a massive turtle. Its shell was as high and wide as a small hill and glistened like black jade, streaked with veins of gold. Its eyes shone with a calm, intelligent light. It lifted a massive flipper and gently scooped Red and Snow onto its back.
A deep, resonant voice echoed across the churning waters. "These waves are not meant for you to cross. You are fortunate I happened to pass this way," the voice said, carrying both authority and serenity.
Snow clutched Red tightly, nearly trembling from the sudden rescue. Red, though shaken, bowed his head and clasped his paws together, his mind racing with gratitude and caution. "Senior, I am eternally grateful for your aid," he said, his voice low but firm.
The giant turtle swam steadily toward calmer waters, each stroke of its flippers creating a ripple of light across the sea. As they reached smoother waters, the turtle's massive form shimmered with bright, golden light. Slowly, it transformed into a woman of imposing yet gentle presence. Her robes rippled like liquid water, flowing around her as if they were alive, and a small dark spiritual mark adorned her forehead.
She finally stepped down from the turtle's back and addressed them with calm authority. "I am Gui Ling, known to the world as the Sacred Turtle Mother."
Red and Snow stared at her, astonished. Snow's ears twitched and her mouth fell slightly open. They had heard stories about the Sacred Turtle Mother before. She was said to be one of the guardians of Jin'ao Island, a legendary figure whose presence was rarely witnessed by outsiders.
Gui Ling continued in a steady, composed tone. "I am a direct disciple of the Jie Sect, one of the four primary successors under the Tongtian Master. The Jie Sect is one of the great schools of the Three Realms, and my master established Jin'ao Island as a center for his teachings. The disciples of the Jie Sect come from all corners of the world. Bloodline, origin, and family status matter little. What matters is affinity, potential, and the heart of the disciple."
Snow's small voice broke the tense silence. "Jie Sect… Tongtian Master… what kind of sect is that?"
Gui Ling smiled faintly, her expression softening. "In the Three Realms, three great sages established schools. In the west, there is Jie Yin Zhun Ti, in Chan Sect the Primordial Celestial, and in our Jie Sect, the master is the Tongtian Master. The Master's teachings spread across the lands, gathering disciples from mortals, spirits, and beasts alike. All who show talent and virtue may be accepted." She turned her gaze to the turbulent waters surrounding the boat. "The outer sea array of Jin'ao Island is perilous. Few outsiders survive the crossing. Why have you risked your lives to reach here?"
Red felt a surge of urgency. He began recounting everything: their past three months escaping from Dongsheng Shenzhou, Elder Tengfei's attempt to seize the small tower, Lingyao's brave intervention, and their night flight across the continent. Every detail, every danger they had faced, he told her without omission.
Gui Ling listened silently, her expression darkening briefly as she absorbed the tale. "Tengfei of Qingli Manor is indeed as greedy and ruthless as reported. He believes himself above others and seizes what he desires without hesitation." Her gaze settled on the small glowing tower clutched in Red's arms. "The fact that it resonates with you shows that it has chosen you as its master. No one else may claim it by force."
Snow's ears twitched nervously. "Senior, will they continue to pursue us?"
Gui Ling shook her head. "Once you step onto Jin'ao Island, you are under my protection. No harm will come to you from Qingli Manor."
She paused, her eyes thoughtful for a moment before speaking again. "Red, Snow, since you have no sect to belong to and seek refuge, would you be willing to join my Jie Sect as disciples?"
The two of them froze.
"We can really become disciples?" Snow's eyes sparkled with hope.
Gui Ling's gentle smile reassured them. "The Jie Sect does not concern itself with origin. You are loyal, kind, and honest. Many of our disciples fall short of these virtues. If you are willing, I will accept you as my disciples and ensure your safety as you begin your life here on Jin'ao Island."
Red and Snow exchanged a glance. Snow squeezed Red's paw tightly. "Red… I want to be a disciple. She is incredible."
Red nodded, his voice firm and filled with quiet determination. "I want that too."
They knelt together and bowed deeply. "We wish to become disciples of Sacred Turtle Mother Gui Ling!"
Gui Ling extended her hands, lifting them gently. Her voice was firm yet warm. "From this day onward, you are my direct disciples."
With a sweeping gesture, golden light spread across the waters. Waves shimmered and shifted, creating a luminous path toward the island's interior. "Follow me," she instructed. "From this moment, you have a place on Jin'ao Island."
Red and Snow followed her, their hearts pounding with anticipation and wonder. The sea, once wild and threatening, now gleamed like molten gold beneath the rising sun. The light path led them toward new opportunities, new trials, and a new home. Jin'ao Island awaited them, a sanctuary and a training ground where they could grow stronger, explore their potential, and face the unknown together.
For Red and Snow, the journey had been long and perilous, but at last, the doors to a new world had opened, and their adventure was only beginning. The wind carried the salt and freedom of the sea as they stepped into the island, ready to embrace whatever destiny had in store.
The waves of the outer sea, once a barrier, now shimmered behind them like a fading memory, and the new chapter of their lives began under the watchful guidance of the Sacred Turtle Mother.
The golden pathway beneath their feet glowed steadily, as if marking the start of a future filled with challenges, companionship, and the promise of a life built together on Jin'ao Island.
Red glanced at Snow, their eyes meeting with unspoken determination. "We made it," he whispered.
Snow smiled, her ears flicking with excitement and relief. "Yes, together."
And with that, the two small figures stepped forward, leaving the stormy past behind, ready to face the mysteries and wonders of Jin'ao Island.
The new world stretched before them, radiant and full of promise, and the story of Red, Snow, and their extraordinary journey continued.