Ample resources and sufficient respect are indeed incumbent upon those in power. However, to garner more support, the true essence lies in instilling belief in one’s followers that their future is boundless. To be chosen by a greater multitude, one must first become the superior choice.

This is precisely the reason for Chongxuan Sheng’s display of the *Fa Tian Xiang Di* technique. In matters of governance, he already surpasses a great many, by no means inferior to Chongxuan Zun. Now, he seeks to prove his own prodigious talent, demonstrating his capability to become a mighty, extraordinary cultivator. Only then can he vie for more resources from the Chongxuan family, resources he intends to use to influence the outcome of the Diao Hai Lou’s sea sacrifice for Jiang Wang.

He had offered his counsel. He had also attempted concealment. But with Jiang Wang’s firm resolve to rush back to Linzi in such a short span, Chongxuan Sheng found himself without alternatives, left only with the path of unconditional support.

Following Chongxuan Sheng, Jiang Wang walked through the bustling, lively streets, a scene that reawakened his memories of this grand city. The streets of Linzi were largely devoid of the common sight of arrogant young masters oppressing the weak. This was because within the prosperous heart of the Great Qi Empire, dragons lay hidden in abundance. One could throw a stone and strike seven or eight high officials, and perhaps three or four lords. No young master dared to claim impunity within Linzi.

Thus, Chongxuan Sheng’s current swaggering, arrogant demeanor was particularly striking. Yet, he was precisely one of the few scions who *could* afford to act arrogantly in Linzi at this moment, radiating an air of majesty. Compared to his initial arrival in Linzi from the Chongxuan clan lands, when he was cautious and reserved, he was almost a different person. But this transformation was precisely what Chongxuan Sheng wanted others to witness and understand. He was asserting his dominance, solidifying in the hearts of others the consensus that he was already the future head of the Chongxuan family.

Following this stout figure as he strutted through the market, Jiang Wang felt a touch of awkwardness, yet it was still bearable. After all, he was somewhat accustomed to it. It was Fourteen’s occasional glance his way that truly surprised him. Fourteen had not spoken since their encounter. Initially, he had even suspected this black-armored warrior was mute. Later, upon becoming somewhat acquainted, a mere nod sufficed as a greeting, and she rarely opened her mouth.

“How? Is there something amiss with me?” Jiang Wang proactively inquired. Fourteen’s footsteps did not falter, the armor upon her body a soft symphony. She was silent for a long time, finally muffling a single sentence: “His hair is not messy.”

Jiang Wang looked at Chongxuan Sheng’s hair bun, then reacted, quickly fabricating a reply: “Indeed, it is not messy. I merely spoke casually during our spar. This hair bun is neatly pinned, each strand in perfect order, truly of the highest quality!”

Fourteen clearly lacked Chongxuan Sheng’s thick-skinned nature. Upon receiving this praise, she immediately turned her head away in embarrassment.

“Hey, Wang brother.” The swaggering and ostentatious Chongxuan Sheng suddenly turned back: “Why have you become so slick-tongued after a journey far afield? Did that blue plaque task refine you so much?”

Chongxuan Sheng’s reminder jolted Jiang Wang’s memory. He had left the Qi country to pursue and apprehend an assassin from the Hell No Door, a task assigned by the head of the blue plaque. He still needed to report to the North Yamen later. However, compared to that, Chongxuan Fat’s sudden “critique” surprised him more. He pondered for a moment, looking at Chongxuan Fat, then at Fourteen, then at Fourteen again, and then back at Chongxuan Fat… He seemed to suddenly understand why the welcome after his journey had been held at Qingxin Xiaozhu this time. Perhaps not only this time, but henceforth, there would be no opportunity for Chongxuan Sheng to treat him to places as delightful as Red Sleeve Zhao…

“What are you looking at with those thief eyes in the back!” Chongxuan Sheng pulled him: “Walk by my side!”

The armored Fourteen silently walked to his right side. He pulled Jiang Wang to his left side, using his ample frame to separate the two. Jiang Wang allowed himself to be pulled, only laughing heartily, yet saying nothing more. Chongxuan Sheng was clearly annoyed and embarrassed, turning it into anger, and viciously said: “Tell me, on this trip back to Linzi, did your Qiao Yanjun prepare nothing for you?”

Qiao Yanjun was a famous woman in the history of the Qi country, renowned for her extravagance. It was said that upon her marriage, she offered an entire street of Linzi city as her dowry, marrying a seemingly ordinary, unassuming young man. An entire street of Linzi city! The people of Qi country often used Qiao Yanjun’s marriage to describe situations where the woman was wealthy and the man poor. Jiang Wang, having been in the Qi country for so long, naturally understood Chongxuan Sheng’s satire. It was nothing but the same old tune, dragging in his relationship with Ye Qingyu. But he laughed even more happily: “How is it that from your question, I hear a hint of a guilty conscience?”

Jiang Wang felt he had rarely gained the upper hand in their verbal sparring and was involuntarily spurred on, eager to strike while the iron was hot.

Fourteen at the side suddenly spoke: “Almost there!” Her voice was actually very soft, yet inexplicably like the fall of a heavy sword, cleaving mountains and splitting ridges. Jiang Wang awkwardly closed his mouth. Although they were clearly still a distance away, clearly not yet arrived, to force Fourteen, who was not one for conversation, to proactively speak, and then to continue pressing… perhaps he would face a joint attack… right?

Qingxin Xiaozhu.

Fourteen remained as usual, standing in the corner of the room, propped upon her sword. If one were not familiar with her, had not heard her speak, it would be difficult not to mistake her for a sculpture. The black armor on her body appeared even heavier, though it was indeed excellent armor. But it was clearly impossible to reach the height of Fu Yue, not even comparing to Fu Yue after repair. The heavy sword, however, was subtly restrained, appearing somewhat extraordinary. Upon inquiring, he learned it was forged by a highly-paid Lian Shi casting master. With Lian Que’s connection, this sword could not be bad. Of course, it was also impossible to reach the quality of Chang Xiang Si; famous weapons, after all, could only be encountered, not sought.

Jiang Wang and Chongxuan Sheng sat opposite each other. Upon arriving here, they no longer exchanged playful barbs, but directly addressed the main matter. Early in the Taixu Illusion Realm, they had already reached a tacit understanding. Jiang Wang was to directly embark on his journey, while Chongxuan Sheng would undoubtedly gather intelligence. Having had little prior contact, they both knew too little about the nearby sea archipelago.

“I have heard people say, ‘Do not venture out to sea until you have reached the Outer Lou realm.’ What does this mean?” Jiang Wang asked first.

“It seems you have also gathered quite a bit of information. You are truly attentive to that person surnamed Zhu.” Chongxuan Sheng glanced at him, not dwelling on this with any verbal mockery, nor did he ask where he had obtained the information. He probably assumed he had received the intelligence from Lian Shi or the head of the blue plaque, and seriously explained: “This has some relation to the sea sacrifice I was just about to tell you about.”

“I, too, only gained the qualification to know some information after taking over a part of the family’s power. The saying you mentioned has a history of many years, and is still applicable today. This ‘out to sea’ does not refer to leaving the coast of our Great Qi. It refers to that vast ocean outside the nearby sea archipelago… that boundless ocean!”

“The Ocean?” Jiang Wang mused: “What is in the ocean? The water race?” The entirety of the present world’s most vast, and only known, sea domain lay just east of the Qi country, named the Ocean. “Tsang” meaning, a granary of water. It naturally produced food, nurtured countless lives, a word that spoke of greatness.

“No.” Chongxuan Sheng shook his head: “It is the sea race. The water race and the sea race are completely different. The water race are our friends, the sea race… are our enemies!”