“Senior Sister, where can we find the Winter Marsh Bird now? Shall we go look for it?”

Having left the Three Flavors Manor and returned to their residence on Crescent Moon Island, Zi Shu eagerly tugged at Zhao Wuyan, wanting to talk.

Zhao Wuyan, being the only daughter of the academy’s dean and a junior sister in the academy, was dearly loved by Zhao Wuyan.

She gently stroked Zi Shu’s long hair and said softly, “The Winter Marsh Bird is a migratory bird. Its comings and goings follow their own rules. Let’s not disturb them unnecessarily.”

“Oh.” Zi Shu was a little disappointed but listened to Zhao Wuyan obediently, not insisting. She then asked, “Senior Sister, do you think Yan Fu was right or wrong?”

Zhao Wuyan said gently, “Not everything has a right or wrong answer.”

They were staying in the best inn on Crescent Moon Island. From Zhao Wuyan’s room, the view through the window was the emerald sea.

The window was half-open, and the sea breeze rushed in, gently swirling around Zhao Wuyan’s long hair.

Zi Shu thought her Senior Sister was extremely gentle. It was no wonder so many people were fond of her.

After thinking for a moment, she tilted her head and asked, “Which of those two chasing after you do you think is better?”

Zhao Wuyan glanced at her and asked, “What do you think?”

“I don’t think either of them is good enough! They’re not worthy of you!” Zi Shu giggled. “One is slick-tongued, and the other is overly concerned with his appearance!”

“We women aren’t three-winged birds, nor are we two-winged birds. We don’t necessarily need someone to match us. Flying freely is also as boundless as the sky and the sea.”

Zhao Wuyan looked out the window, all the way to the distant horizon where the outline of islands could be seen.

She thought for a moment and then commented, “Xu Xiangqian is indeed a bit slick-tongued, but from what I saw today, he’s quite good to his friends. He’s a man of loyalty and affection.”

As for Yang Liu, she didn’t even mention him, which was already an answer in itself.

“Oh.” Zi Shu leaned against the windowsill, her hands folded, her chin resting on the back of her hands.

“What about Jiang Wang?”

She seemed to ask casually.

Zhao Wuyan shook her head. She knew that it was common for young women to admire heroes. Jiang Wang’s fame had spread throughout Linzi, attracting some attention, especially with Xu Xiangqian constantly singing his praises (as the “Twin Prides of Ganhua Mountain,” praising Jiang Wang was like praising himself), describing Jiang Wang as one of a kind.

And Jiang Wang himself was clean, disciplined, and clear-headed, making it easy to win people’s favor.

Therefore, she reminded her, “Xu Xiangqian says this person is loyal and affectionate, which is true. But in my opinion, his heart is as firm as iron and difficult to move emotionally. The emotion I’m referring to is romantic love. He’s a good friend, and being loved by him is also wonderful, but liking him one-sidedly is best avoided.”

“What are you saying!” Zi Shu said, feeling embarrassed.

But after a while, she asked again, “People who are difficult to move emotionally are even harder to deal with when they do fall in love, right?”

This time, Zhao Wuyan didn’t answer directly, only gently stroking her little head again, “Silly girl.”

Jiang Wuyou didn’t stay on Crescent Moon Island for too long. After a short stay of two days, she set off for Jue Ming Island. Jiang Wang, in the name of handling a case, also left Crescent Moon Island and went to Huai Island alone.

Jiang Wuyou had asked him why he didn’t ask Xu Xiangqian and the others for help in rescuing Zhu Biqiong. Among the three friends on Crescent Moon Island, Xu Xiangqian’s Green Cliff Academy had prestige, Li Longchuan’s Li family had connections at sea, and Yan Fu… was wealthy. They could definitely be of some help.

But Jiang Wang only replied that it was not appropriate.

Friends are friends, but friendships also have different depths.

Just like Xu Xiangqian and Li Longchuan’s relationship was definitely better than others.

He had risked his life for Chong Xuan Sheng, so he also felt at ease letting Chong Xuan Sheng help him.

His relationship with Jiang Wuyou was an exchange of conditions, which was understandable.

As for Xu Xiangqian and the others, he really hadn’t made any significant sacrifices for them. He didn’t mind some small things, like helping to spend Yan Fu’s money, but when it came to major events like the Sea Sacrifice of the Near Sea Islands, he didn’t think Xu Xiangqian and the others should help him. Nor was he willing to ask.

Debts of gratitude were too heavy to bear, like a mountain pressing on the heart. The fewer the better.

Crescent Moon Island, with its back against the Mirage World and embracing the islands, was named “Huai,” meaning “embrace.” It also had the meaning of remembrance.

The cultivators who died in the Mirage World would miss Crescent Moon Island.

The cultivators who had chosen to stay here forever… they also missed their hometowns thousands of miles away.

This was a weathered island, where countless stories were born and ended.

The first thing Jiang Wang did when he arrived at Crescent Moon Island was to visit Granny Bizhu with the jade pendant.

“You mean… you want to see Biqiong?”

In the stilt bamboo house, Granny Bizhu frowned deeply, as if this was an extremely difficult matter.

At that time, Jiang Wang was looking at the huge transparent fish tank behind Granny Bizhu, observing the colorful fish inside.

Hearing her voice, he turned his attention back and said earnestly, “I came to Huai Island this time to… see Fellow Cultivator Zhu again before the Sea Sacrifice. I know it’s difficult, so I thought of you, Granny. You are her teacher and a Elder of the Fishing Sea Tower. No matter how strict the surveillance is, it shouldn’t prevent you from seeing her.”

“It’s no problem for me to see her,” Granny Bizhu sighed. “But it’s against the rules for outsiders to come into contact with the sacrificial offering before the Sea Sacrifice.”

“I really have no other way.” Jiang Wang earnestly pleaded, “Since our last farewell, Fellow Cultivator Zhu and I have never met again, and after this… please find a way to let me see my friend. If there’s anything that needs to be taken care of, I’ll bear the responsibility.”

“Oh, what are you saying? Where would I need a junior like you to take care of things? It’s just that this matter is indeed not easy.”

Granny Bizhu pondered for a long time, “Like this, wait a few days and see. Granny will think of a way. Once there’s news, I’ll immediately send someone to inform you.”

Before Jiang Wang could bargain further, she asked, “By the way, have you decided on a place to stay yet? Should I have someone arrange it for you?”

This was already a hint to leave.

“No need to trouble you, Granny. I’ve already booked a room at the Azure Cloud Inn.”

Jiang Wang bowed respectfully, “Then I’ll leave this matter to you.”

He thanked her repeatedly before turning around and leaving the bamboo house.

His steps were heavy as he left, appearing worried, but he knew very well that this matter was not difficult for Granny Bizhu. If she couldn’t even arrange a meeting with Zhu Biqiong, then she was too useless as a high-ranking elder, and she wouldn’t be worth his effort.

Her behavior just now was nothing more than an attempt to raise her own value.

But…

He thought. He was putting in effort with Granny Bizhu to save Zhu Biqiong. What was Granny Bizhu up to, acting with him again and again? She shouldn’t know about the existence of the Rouge Mirror, but was she also guessing that Hai Zongming’s pursuit of him had hidden reasons?

But regardless, he had to see Zhu Biqiong once before the Sea Sacrifice to determine her condition. Only then could he determine whether some plans could be implemented.

And this matter really couldn’t bypass Granny Bizhu.

The Azure Cloud Inn was one of the best inns on Huai Island, a tall stilt building. Iron stakes were driven into the seabed, supporting the wooden building above. In front of the gate, clouds and mist were fixed by Daoist techniques, forming Azure Cloud Stairs.

To give people entering the inn a good omen.

Because it shared the same name as Jiang Wang’s immortal technique, he chose this place out of a subconscious affinity.

Granny Bizhu told him to wait, so he waited.

He had enough patience.

He stepped onto the cloud stairs and walked towards the inn.

There were also a few people walking down from the inn.

“What do I have to say to you? I’m not here to listen to your explanations. I only want the result, do you understand?”

It was a youth with a stern expression, walking out surrounded by a group of people.

He spoke with great force, displaying his power and influence.

Jiang Wang could not possibly fail to recognize this person.

They had had very “intimate” contact in the Hidden Star World.

This youth walking towards him was Tian Chang of the Great Marsh Tian Clan.

He had survived the one-month sentence in the Soul-lost Valley.