After the incident with Grandmaster Nan Shuo, Jiang Wang temporarily halted his journey on Crescent Isle.

Zhao Wuyan, having been deceived once, seemed to have gained enlightenment. She no longer obsessed over cultivation and instead spent her days admiring the scenery and enjoying herself. Xu Xiangqian still followed her closely, pestering her incessantly.

While managing the affairs of his family’s near-sea archipelago, Li Longchuan was often roped into their outings.

Jiang Wang, on the other hand, refused to leave his residence, unwilling to be used as “trade bait” by Xu Xiangqian.

He simply announced that he was entering secluded cultivation, but in reality, he was both cultivating and awaiting the arrival of Chong Xuansheng and Jiang Wuyou.

During his days observing the near-sea archipelago, he exchanged letters frequently with Chong Xuansheng, and the plan to rescue Zhu Biqiong was repeatedly revised and reinvented.

The things that could be done on Linzi’s end had already been completed, and it was almost time for everyone to come to the sea and make final preparations.

Descending from the Platform of Swords, Jiang Wang concluded his cultivation in the Illusionary Realm of Grand Void for the day.

His ranking in the Inner Palace Realm only advanced to seventy-seventh place because he had not used any supernatural powers or his unique Dao techniques. Furthermore, he spent most of his time exploring his Inner Palace.

He hoped to find his second Hidden Treasure before the Sea Sacrifice began, but this was not something that could be rushed. He had to gently pass over the Hidden Treasures he had encountered because they did not suit him.

The fifteenth day of the third month had passed in cultivation, and his blessed land ranking had fallen again, from Mount Discussion to Mao Gong Terrace.

The changes he had been expecting in the Illusionary Realm of Grand Void had not yet occurred, but they were gradually approaching.

This was the feeling that the “Blessed Land” gave him, but perhaps because he had never truly “owned” a Blessed Land, he had not received clearer guidance.

Jiang Wuyou arrived on Crescent Isle on the twentieth day of the third month. Chong Xuansheng had gone to No-Winter Isle midway and did not travel with her.

Coincidentally, Yan Fu, who had been wandering the near seas, was also returning to the island on this day.

Or perhaps it was not a coincidence.

Because before coming to Crescent Isle, Yan Fu had sent a letter to inform a few people, but his simple and honest friends seemed to have forgotten and no one reminded him that Jiang Wuyou was also on the island at this moment.

Holding a banquet to welcome Jiang Wuyou at the Spring Breeze House was naturally inappropriate, and places like teahouses were too quiet for a welcome feast.

In the end, they settled on the Three Flavors Manor.

The name sounded like it had something to do with Jiang Wang’s Samadhi True Fire, but it was entirely different. It came from the saying, “Reading scriptures is like eating rice, reading history is like eating delicacies, and reading philosophical works is like eating pickled sauce.”

The Three Flavors Manor was named in this way to describe the taste of food in terms of the beauty of poetry and books.

Their most famous dish was the seafood banquet.

Those attending the banquet were Jiang Wuyou, Jiang Wang, Li Longchuan, Xu Xiangqian, Zhao Wuyan, Zishu, and Yang Liu.

Everyone sat facing each other in pairs, with a dining table set before each person, adorned with various exquisitely prepared seafood.

It was somewhat strange for Yang Liu to be at the banquet, but he was determined to compete with Xu Xiangqian during this period, and he would not allow Xu Xiangqian to have the opportunity to be alone with Zhao Wuyan.

Jiang Wang even refused him on the grounds that he was short on money, but he immediately said that he could pay for it himself. Jiang Wang and the others held a banquet in this hall, so he booked the banquet hall next door.

In his repeated “confrontations” with Xu Xiangqian, his skin became thicker at a rate visible to the naked eye. In short, he grew very quickly.

In the end, he joined the banquet in such an awkward manner.

The matter of rescuing Zhu Biqiong was temporarily only discussed privately by Jiang Wang, Jiang Wuyou, and Chong Xuansheng. Therefore, they only talked about their experiences at sea during the banquet.

Jiang Wuyou mentioned that she had encountered a case of sea beasts losing control on her way here. Jiang Wang also said that he had encountered it and personally killed one.

Yang Liu immediately picked up the conversation, “Recently, there have indeed been more cases of sea beasts losing control. My Fishing Sea Pavilion has also noticed it and has arranged for an investigation. The results will be out soon.”

The implication was that Qi people did not need to worry too much about this kind of thing.

However, Jiang Wuyou seemed not to hear it and asked, “Then, in your personal opinion, what do you think is the reason?”

She knew very well that Yang Liu was a direct disciple of the Fishing Sea Pavilion, and the question was very direct.

Yang Liu shook his head, “This matter cannot be easily judged. We need to wait for a thorough investigation before we can have an accurate statement.”

Although he and Xu Xiangqian had behaved a little childishly in pursuing Zhao Wuyan, he was by no means foolish. When it came to matters involving the sect, he was very tight-lipped.

Jiang Wuyou didn’t mind and turned to Zhao Wuyan, “Miss Zhao, what do you think?”

Zhao Wuyan did not decline. After pondering for a moment, she said, “The methods of controlling sea beasts were created many years ago and it is time for innovation.”

She did not speculate on the direct causes of the frequent cases of sea beasts losing control, but directly pointed out the fundamental problem.

As for whether the sea beasts’ loss of control was a kind of self-evolution of the sea beasts, or the ulterior motives of some forces, or even involved the sea tribe, she did not talk about any of it. But everything was implied in her words.

She was truly formidable.

Li Longchuan interjected, “Speaking of which, we Ice Phoenix Isle also have a sea beast, but the control method is different from what the Fishing Sea Pavilion has passed down. I wonder if it has been cracked. I also wonder what is behind the frequent sea beast losing control this time and whether there will be bigger storms.”

Now that the conversation had reached this point, Yang Liu, as a cultivator from the Fishing Sea Pavilion, could no longer pretend to be unaware and had to say, “Actually, our Fishing Sea Pavilion already has some clues. The specific progress is not easy to say, but we will definitely handle it before mid-April.”

After saying that, without waiting for everyone to ask further, he turned to Jiang Wuyou, “I haven’t asked Your Highness yet, why did you personally come to the sea? This place is much more prosperous than Linzi.”

“Linzi cannot be compared, but it also has unique scenery.” Jiang Wuyou did not care whether he was speaking positively or negatively. She sat there with heroic spirit exuding from her, “This time, I came to the sea for two reasons. First, I have some affairs to deal with on Jue Ming Isle. Second, I also want to attend the Sea Sacrifice ceremony. What? Brother Yang, do you have any advice?”

Among the group, her temperament was most similar to Li Longchuan’s, and they were both very valiant. Li Longchuan came from a family of generals, and Jiang Wuyou’s foundation was also in the military.

Among the three major palace lords of Qi other than the Crown Prince, Jiang Wuyou relied more on military forces, Jiang Wuqi relied more on political forces, and Jiang Wuxie relied on the Sect Affairs Office, receiving more support from the royal family. They stood in a tripod formation and competed with each other.

Yang Liu immediately laughed, “How dare I talk to Your Highness like that? The entire Fishing Sea Pavilion welcomes you to attend the Sea Sacrifice!”

“You don’t need to welcome me.” Jiang Wuyou smiled lightly, “The Sea Sacrifice is an activity for the entire near-sea archipelago, not unique to any one family. Our Jue Ming Isle also has a share in participating. We just need to work together to make it lively.”

In the end, it was still a matter of primary and secondary importance.

The Fishing Sea Pavilion was obviously unwilling to have its position as the leader of the sea challenged, but it could not completely cut off Qi’s influence. Instead, it could only watch helplessly as this overlord of the Eastern Region gradually expanded outwards.

The Fishing Sea Pavilion wanted to always maintain its maritime hegemony, and Qi, after sitting firmly in the position of the overlord of the Eastern Region, was also seeking the maritime status that the Yang Kingdom had in the past.

The two sides joined forces because of the war with the sea tribe and the Maze Realm, but the competition between them never stopped.

It had not stopped in the past, it had not stopped now, and it would not stop until one side completely surrendered.

Yang Liu pursed his lips and was about to say something.

Suddenly, a voice came from outside the hall.

The emotions in this voice were light, free, and unrestrained, revealing the master’s very good mood.

“Brother Jiang, have you been happy these past few days?”

Yan Fu stepped into the banquet hall with light steps, and the cheerful tone gradually weakened, “Greetings… Your Highness?”