A period of time not seen, Tian Chang’s standing within his family seemed to have improved substantially.

Jiang Wang recalled that in the Hidden Star World, even as their leader, he didn’t command absolute obedience from all; yet now, those by Tian Chang’s side were as docile as grandsons under his command.

Of course, with Tian Chang’s inherent nature and strength, truly consolidating his position and suppressing a few individuals was no insurmountable task. In the Hidden Star World, he had merely been in the stage of concealing his talents and biding his time.

What piqued Jiang Wang’s curiosity was why Tian Chang had also journeyed to Huai Island.

Connecting this to the issue of the sea beasts and the bustling movements of Chen Zhi Bo, the chief disciple of Fishing Sea Tower… it seemed the near-sea archipelago had undergone some recent transformation, strongly suggesting a storm was brewing.

Jiang Wang’s primary concern remained whether this turn of events would impact his plan to rescue Zhu Bi Qiong.

Walking to the left-rear of Tian Chang, a middle-aged man, likely having been severely reprimanded by Tian Chang, harbored a flicker of resentment in his heart.

He immediately extended a hand to push Jiang Wang, barking, “Out of the way!”

The Great Marsh Tian Clan’s operations in the sea were considered quite successful. They held sway over two islands, granting them a measure of strength surpassing several other prominent families. One of these, Chong Jia Island, had engaged in a decade-long exchange with the Zhong Xuan family.

Even the disciples of Fishing Sea Tower had not remained in the inns of Huai Island.

Thus, in this locale, they likely felt they had little to fear. They could indeed afford to be somewhat arrogant towards others.

Jiang Wang offered an indifferent smile, even actively stepping aside to make way.

There was no need for him to argue with Tian Chang’s lackey, for in truth, Tian Chang was now under his sway.

Though he hadn’t actively contacted Tian Chang since the events of the Seven Star Tower, it was merely unnecessary. The secret of the Tide Faith Knife and the carnage in the Hidden Star World were sufficient to hold Tian Chang’s life and death in his hands.

Tian Chang’s gaze fell upon Jiang Wang.

“Brother Jiang.” He offered a polite yet distant greeting.

This distance was perfectly natural, as superficially, he had only encountered Jiang Wang twice in the Seven Star Valley; they shared no other intersection.

They were not familiar, yet he recognized Jiang Wang’s reputation, hence the courtesy.

Jiang Wang’s face still bore that indifferent smile, but he merely gave a slight nod in response.

This was the arrogance of a Heaven’s Chosen.

Unrecognized, he could be easygoing. Once recognized, he could not appear too weak, as if bowing his head to the Tian Clan.

Tian Chang extended a hand, patting the shoulder of the displeased middle-aged man. “You lack manners as well.”

The middle-aged man immediately trembled with fear, hastily turning towards Jiang Wang, repeatedly bowing and apologizing. “This humble one was blind and obstructed your path. Please mete out punishment.”

“No harm done.” Jiang Wang raised a hand. “We are all sons of Qi. Venturing out, we should support each other more. There is no reason for internal strife.”

“Your teaching is received.”

Tian Chang nodded in acknowledgment, then continued his descent. The group naturally followed behind him.

And Jiang Wang ascended alone.

Of course, this time no one dared to demand he yield. Instead, everyone squeezed to one side, leaving ample space for Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang had seen Tian Chang, and he had also seen the ordinary, expressionless middle-aged man behind Tian Chang – Tian He.

His smile, initially genuine, became even more relaxed at this moment.

A place where dragons and snakes converged, a time when winds and clouds gathered.

So many intriguing individuals had arrived; it was truly fascinating.

The bright moon hung over the sea; this night was exceptionally peaceful.

The sea tide gently surged, soothing the heart.

The window swung open, and a masked man, clad in a long knife at his waist, flew in naturally, landing in the center of the room, his gaze leveled at the bed.

Jiang Wang was simply sitting cross-legged on the bed.

“You’re late,” he said.

The masked man removed his facecloth, revealing a stern face. He was, of course, none other than Tian Chang.

“My visit to you cannot be detected by anyone. So I waited a little longer.”

“It matters not.” Jiang Wang smiled. “I don’t mind.”

During their daytime encounter, he had reminded Tian Chang that the people of Qi needed to support each other. Tian Chang was a shrewd individual; there was no reason he wouldn’t understand, unless he intended to play dumb. And Jiang Wang absolutely did not lack methods to deal with feigned ignorance.

“What matter do you have?” Tian Chang asked.

He was a very clever man and would not engage in foolishness.

Since the conclusion of the previous Seven Star Secret Realm, Jiang Wang had not sought him out even once. He hadn’t requested information, resources, or anything at all. He certainly didn’t believe Jiang Wang had forgotten him.

Jiang Wang’s lack of demands was simply because the time was not yet ripe, and what he could offer was still insufficient.

He knew how he himself would choose, and thus he believed he also knew Jiang Wang’s choice.

Tonight, he wore a knife, and if he could kill Jiang Wang, he would certainly not hesitate. But as of today, although he had shattered his Inner Mansion, the gap in strength between him and Jiang Wang had only widened.

Therefore, he was quite obedient, just as he was very obedient to Tian An Ping’s words.

Jiang Wang, of course, did not expect loyalty from such a person. As long as he could consistently maintain a suppression of strength and always hold his vital point, that was enough.

“No hurry,” Jiang Wang said. “It’s been a long time. We should chat a bit and reacquaint ourselves.”

“Of course,” Tian Chang replied.

He said “reacquaint ourselves,” but he knew he only possessed the qualification to “be recognized.” He was acutely aware.

“I remember you before, you looked much more amiable. Your expression usually wasn’t like this…” Jiang Wang paused, searching for a suitable word. “Stern.”

“Do you know what place Lost Heart Valley is?” Tian Chang countered.

Though a counter-question, the answer was already implicit. Surviving in such a place, whether willingly or not, some transformations had already become permanent.

Jiang Wang nodded, indicating understanding, and then proactively initiated small talk. “I remember you still had a friend, a member of the Gong Yang family. Why haven’t I seen him today?”

“Died in Lost Heart Valley,” Tian Chang stated flatly.

No resentment or similar emotions could be discerned in his expression. It was as if he were discussing a completely unrelated person, recounting a completely indifferent matter.

But Jiang Wang recalled that the array master named Gong Yang Road was Tian Chang’s most trusted individual at that time.

“I won’t offer condolences, you don’t need comfort.”

Jiang Wang organized his words and said, “Tell me about yourself. What’s your current situation?”

“As you see, I’m living quite well now,” Tian Chang said. “Tian An Ping has granted me considerable power, placing me in charge of some overseas matters.”

“Tian An Ping?” Jiang Wang found this somewhat difficult to grasp.

He had initially assumed Tian Chang’s “rise” was due to garnering support against Tian An Ping. But he hadn’t expected that the person supporting Tian Chang was also Tian An Ping.

He remembered that it was precisely Tian An Ping who had sent Tian Chang into Lost Heart Valley to await death. When he learned this news, he had felt regret, as Tian Chang was an “insider” he had painstakingly cultivated and possessed great potential.

A normal person would not reuse someone they had tortured. Tian An Ping seemed unafraid of raising a tiger that might cause trouble, unafraid of revenge.

“In Lost Heart Valley, I almost went mad,” Tian Chang’s lips curled slightly. “Perhaps this made him feel a connection?”

To be undeniably suppressed, to have life and death, fate itself, easily controlled.

To suffer inhuman torture oneself, with one’s most trusted person also perishing in Lost Heart Valley.

At this moment, he still had the presence of mind to be humorous, to joke about Tian An Ping being mad…

This was too astonishing.

The astonishing aspect was not merely his ability to find joy in suffering. More importantly, it lay in the fact that his fighting spirit had not been completely crushed by Tian An Ping. He was not as fearful of Tian An Ping as he usually appeared. He did experience fear, but he could face it.

And this was the foundation upon which he had the qualification to be an enemy of Tian An Ping.