Jiang Wang was immediately startled.

Someone was lurking nearby, and he hadn’t noticed?

At least in terms of stealth and concealment, Fu Yanqing’s abilities far exceeded his own.

Only after Fu Yanqing exposed him did Jiang Wang sense a faint fluctuation.

And Fu Yanqing had already clenched his five fingers, shattering the hidden figure and forcing him to appear, disheveled, before them.

“Chu Mi?” Jiang Wang’s gaze turned icy.

“No, no, no, don’t misunderstand!” Chu Mi waved his hands in a fluster. “I didn’t want to tie you up and hand you over. I don’t have the strength for that either…”

Jiang Wang’s feat of fighting nine opponents single-handedly was well-known. He didn’t dare harbor even the slightest ill intention.

“Spare the nonsense,” Fu Yanqing said directly. “Hiding sneakily to the side, what are you planning?”

“Lord Qing, had I known you were here, would I dare follow?” Chu Mi clearly feared Fu Yanqing, who had long resided in Dingwei Floating Island, even more. He hurriedly explained, “I saw that Young Master Jiang had an extraordinary background. Just now, Island Master Ding gave him medicine and told him to rest and recuperate. I know a bit about Soul Jade Spiritual Liquid; it’s effective immediately and doesn’t require any rest. So I thought…”

“You thought what?” Fu Yanqing’s face was expressionless.

Only then did Jiang Wang notice two faint black lines twisting behind Chu Mi, undoubtedly the shadows controlled by Fu Yanqing. They had forced Chu Mi out and were now making him extremely uneasy.

Fu Yanqing was young, yet he was called “Lord Qing,” indicating his high prestige in Dingwei Floating Island.

Chu Mi finally dared not hide anything from Fu Yanqing and gritted his teeth, saying, “I think Young Master Jiang has a way to escape, and I want to follow him!”

He had always believed that Jiang Wang had a heaven-defying background and that Ding Jingshan would do everything possible to send Jiang Wang away first. From this perspective, he could be considered a “clever person.”

However, in Dingwei Floating Island’s atmosphere of united resolve, with a stubborn “fool” like Ding Jingshan setting an example, his “cleverness” was undoubtedly out of place.

So Fu Yanqing’s gaze was cold. “Desertion in the face of battle is punishable by military law. You were originally supposed to be released in three years. Now it seems you won’t have to wait that long.”

“Ah, no, no, no, Lord Qing, Lord Qing!” Chu Mi panicked. “But I haven’t escaped yet, have I? It’s just an attempt, an attempt!”

He shook his head frantically. “You can’t do this, you can’t do this.”

Fu Yanqing was amused by his reaction. “If you had already succeeded, in the current situation, where would we even find you to arrest you?”

Sweat beaded on Chu Mi’s forehead as he swallowed nervously. “I can atone for my sins! Didn’t you just say that Young Master Jiang was going to break through and leave the island to resolve today’s disaster? I can help! You know my meager abilities. I’m still somewhat useful!”

Fu Yanqing remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering it.

Jiang Wang looked at him with suspicion, and he immediately added, “Young Master Jiang, I am the best at rooftop acrobatics and concealment in Liangshang Tower!”

As expected, he was from Liangshang Tower. But admitting it only now, in front of Jiang Wang, only made him seem less trustworthy.

Moreover, Jiang Wang’s suspicion had nothing to do with his abilities.

“I wouldn’t dare to accept your help,” Jiang Wang said bluntly.

*Thump!*

To Jiang Wang’s surprise, Chu Mi actually knelt on the ground, pleading in a sorrowful voice, “Please believe me!”

He seemed to have no self-respect as an Outer Tower Realm cultivator, kneeling before Jiang Wang like that!

But this spineless display only made Jiang Wang more reluctant to trust him.

Fu Yanqing had made him aware of the current difficult situation in Dingwei Floating Island—it was almost impossible to defend against the Sea Clan’s full-scale attack. At best, they could make the Sea Clan pay a heavy price.

Therefore, in such a situation, breaking through was a better choice, both for himself and for the entire Dingwei Floating Island.

But breaking through and leaving the island amidst the Sea Clan’s siege was an extremely dangerous endeavor, even with Ding Jingshan and Fu Yanqing’s help. That was why Ding Jingshan had left the choice to Jiang Wang himself.

In this life-or-death gamble, how could Jiang Wang allow someone he couldn’t trust to join?

“If you don’t agree, Lord Qing will definitely get rid of me.”

Chu Mi reached out as if to grab the corner of Jiang Wang’s robe, but he didn’t dare. He could only look at him with panicked, pleading eyes. “Please, you must give me a chance, I beg you!”

He had a strong desire to “stay alive,” the source of which was unknown, but this desire overflowed in every detail of his body language.

“Chu Mi can be trusted.”

Fu Yanqing spoke at this moment. “At least when facing the Sea Clan, Chu Mi can be trusted.”

He looked at Jiang Wang. “Breaking through and leaving the island is indeed difficult. What’s even harder is shaking off the pursuit after the breakthrough. Chu Mi can help you with that.”

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment, then nodded. “I believe Island Master Ding.”

Ding Jingshan’s attitude towards the White Elephant King had already explained everything.

He trusted Ding Jingshan, so he trusted Fu Yanqing, whom Ding Jingshan had sent. Therefore he believed Fu Yanqing’s judgement.

Though he said so, it was hard to say whether he was swayed by Chu Mi’s desire to live or by Fu Yanqing’s judgment… Perhaps it was both.

Even if Chu Mi’s background was bad and his reputation was tarnished, he was still an Outer Tower Realm cultivator, a warrior who had truly fought the Sea Clan in the Maze World. His desire to live was touching.

Before the battle, the Floating Island would definitely not tolerate such cowards, lest they compromise military discipline.

Accompanying Jiang Wang in the breakthrough was an extremely dangerous choice, but it was also an opportunity he had earned for himself.

“Your choice won’t be wrong,” Fu Yanqing said.

It was unclear which choice he was referring to. Agreeing to Chu Mi joining, or choosing to break through.

Jiang Wang only said, “Hopefully!”

In a Maze World region where humans were weak, many things were beyond his control. He was hunting Sea Clan to atone for his crime, yet he had to face such danger. It was truly unfair.

But Jiang Wang didn’t complain.

In this Dingwei region, he had fought hard and achieved the best results, and Ding Jingshan had indeed given him the greatest support within his capabilities.

Then he would give it a try.

He would try again.

“Familiarize yourselves with each other to facilitate future actions,” Fu Yanqing said, slowly sinking into the shadows.

The black lines binding Chu Mi behind him had also disappeared without a trace.

Chu Mi’s tense body immediately slumped. He said weakly to Jiang Wang, “Thank you!”

Jiang Wang only said, “No need to thank me. Bring your best. Otherwise, we might both die outside the island, which would be exactly what the White Elephant King wants!”

How could he not know that his choice to break through, if it failed, would also please the White Elephant King and resolve the war?

For the sake of Dingwei Floating Island’s safety, Ding Jingshan might have had that intention. But at least, Ding Jingshan had given him a choice.

First, the Soul Jade Spiritual Liquid, then sending Fu Yanqing as a helper. He had already done his best to help him break through, and not just put on a show.

“Huu.” Chu Mi panted heavily, apparently still frightened by Fu Yanqing.

After a long while.

“I won’t die,” he said, squinting his narrow eyes and suddenly smiling again.

His smile was cunning.