After being reincarnated, I cultivated immortality.

Han Xiaobao scratched his head and asked, "What is an inner core? Is it important?"

"When you reach the Golden Core stage in your cultivation, a Golden Core will condense in your dantian. The inner core of a demon cultivator is equivalent to our Golden Core, which is very important," Bai Shu explained earnestly.

He nodded emphatically: "Yes, Xiao Bao understands."

After the initial surprise and curiosity subsided, Chi Yi and the others went about their business, waiting for the mermaid to wake up before making any further moves.

A gentle breeze swept across the sea, creating ripples that quickly dispersed.

The afternoon sun was quite strong. Xi Lan, who was still unconscious, frowned. She felt very dry, and her face and part of her tail were burning from the sun. She unconsciously let out an uncomfortable groan.

As Xi Lan gradually regained consciousness, she slightly opened her eyes. The glaring sunlight made it difficult for her to see her situation clearly for a moment, and she subconsciously reached out to shield her eyes for a while.

After a while, she finally saw where she was. She was lying in a large vat filled with water, but her head and a small part of her tail were still above water. No wonder she felt like those two parts had been dried out earlier.

"Sister, you're awake." A child's voice rang in her ear.

Xi Lanxin instantly became alert and slowly turned her head, only to see a five or six-year-old child staring at her with bright eyes. Seeing that it was just a child, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I..." Xi Lan's voice was hoarse and dry when she opened her mouth. She knew it was because she hadn't drunk water in time.

Before she could even think of asking for some water, Han Xiaobao shouted, "Master, brothers and sisters, come quick! She's awake!"

Xi Lan saw several people walking over from a distance and surrounding her in a circle.

Chi Yi, Hua Rongyi, Kong Bai, Ling Lili, Yun Fan, Bai Shu, and Lu Qiu smiled kindly at Xi Lan, who looked wary.

Chi Yi said, "Don't be afraid, we mean no harm. It was just a coincidence that we caught you."

Bai Shu nodded: "Yes, that's right. And I also treated you, otherwise you wouldn't have woken up so quickly."

"In a way, we saved you. As long as you pay the reward, we won't hurt you." Ling Lili's doll-like face was full of sincerity.

Xi Lan frowned. "Really?"

Chi Yi and the others nodded, and Hua Rongyi said, "Of course it's true."

Xi Lan pointed at Kong Bai and said, "A monk does not lie. I want you to speak."

Kong Bai, who was called out, was a little surprised, but still complied with Xi Lan's request and said, "This humble monk guarantees that what we said is true."

As Kong Bai finished speaking, Xi Lan felt much more at ease. She had heard from her clansmen that monks do not lie, for fear of offending Buddha.

If Chi Yi and the others knew what she was thinking, they would probably say that she was really naive and had never seen the dangers of the world. She was just a monk, and who knew if he was a Buddhist practitioner?

Fortunately, Xi Lan was lucky to encounter them and Kong Bai. They claimed to be bad people, but they wouldn't kill innocent people indiscriminately.

"Cough cough cough..." Xi Lan couldn't help but cough a few times.

Lu Qiu, being very perceptive, brought her a kettle of water and a cup, intending to pour it for her to drink. Xi Lan immediately snatched the kettle and poured the water into her mouth.

"Don't rush, take it slow," Lu Qiu reminded him.

After drinking the water, Xi Lan finally felt much better. She handed the empty kettle to Lu Qiu and politely said, "Thank you."