Raindrops still drummed against the cabin roof.

Of course, the sound of rain on a roof is entirely different from the sound of rain on the sea. The former is sharper, the latter more muffled.

At this moment, Fan Qingqing had been freed from the silence spell. With eyes lowered, nose touching heart, she remained perfectly still, like a statue, though not truly in samadhi. By the sound of her heartbeat, she was clearly nervous.

Uriel leaned against the cabin wall, seemingly lost in thought with his eyes closed. One could hear his long, slow breaths. Even with his injuries, he still possessed the confidence and composure of a powerful cultivator.

Lin Youxie, meanwhile, was seated in meditation, adjusting her breathing. However, her breaths were somewhat erratic, indicating a troubled mind.

Every sound, in Jiang Wang’s ears, was so distinct.

Different sounds carried different emotions. Even a three-year-old could discern their mother’s mood from her voice; this was not a new concept. But because of his cultivation of the voice component of the Five Immortals Dreaming Commandment, this world had indeed become more concrete.

Jiang Wang couldn’t help but wonder, if he could find the matching art medium and truly reproduce the ‘Sounding Immortal Canon’, perhaps even cultivating the ‘Ear Immortal’…

What would this world of sound look like?

If he cultivated the ‘Eye Immortal’, it wouldn’t be difficult to sense the weight of gazes, and it might even be possible to shatter them.

The legacy of the Myriad Immortals Palace was truly something to yearn for. What would the original Myriad Immortals Paying Homage Painting be like?

Rain came and went, tides rose and fell.

During Jiang Wang’s cultivation, the rest of the journey passed peacefully, without further disturbance.

The dragonbone ship from Ice Phoenix Island held some sway among the nearby archipelagoes. Though not as prominent as the Li family of Stone Gate in the State of Qi, no one would carelessly provoke it.

And Jiang Wang, seated on the ship, had already become famous throughout the islands. Those who knew him wouldn’t dare stir trouble. Those who didn’t wouldn’t even get past Li Yin.

Neither Hell’s Gate nor the Tian family made any further moves.

Four days later, in Linhai Commandery.

Li Yin returned alone on the dragonbone ship. Jiang Wang, with Fan Qingqing, bid farewell to Uriel and Lin Youxie.

In what ways is a nation’s might manifested?

One of them is the immense sense of security among its citizens.

From the moment their feet touched solid ground, everyone who disembarked from the ship felt a weight lift from their shoulders.

Everyone knew clearly that this was the State of Qi. Qi’s laws and regulations set the baseline for all conduct, and no one could disregard them.

Naturally, Fan Qingqing, Uriel, and Lin Youxie, who were fleeing for their lives, were relieved. Jiang Wang, who had been covering for them throughout, also breathed a real sigh of relief.

“I owe you a favor for this matter,” Uriel said.

Jiang Wang didn’t know if his injuries had healed. But his voice was increasingly steady and powerful, a reflection of his confidence.

After entering the Qi territory, an experienced God-Apprehending Blue Badge holder could wield terrifying power.

Lin Youxie echoed, “There will be recompense.”

Jiang Wang thought for a moment: “I actually do have one thing I’d like to ask for your help with.”

In the State of Qi, the value of a favor from a renowned constable like Uriel had vast potential for imagination.

For Jiang Wang to be so eager to cash it in seemed a bit short-sighted.

But people like Uriel and Lin Youxie would naturally understand that this was Jiang Wang’s way of expressing his desire to avoid excessive entanglement with them.

“Speak your mind,” Lin Youxie said.

At this moment, it was different from when she was investigating Jiang Wang. Given her inherent pride beyond her investigative duties, she naturally wasn’t willing to pester him and insist on becoming fellow travelers.

So if Jiang Wang wanted to clear the debt of favor, she wouldn’t stop him.

“It’s like this,” Jiang Wang didn’t care what they thought, and went straight to the point: “I met a friend in the maze realm named Chu Mi. During our breakout, he unfortunately sacrificed himself and didn’t leave anything behind before he died. I’d like to know about his past, and what I can do… He was banished to the maze realm for a crime, had narrow eyes, and came from the Liang Shang Lou.”

“Knowing the name is enough,” Lin Youxie said crisply. “I’ll get the information to you within three days.”

This matter wouldn’t be difficult for Jiang Wang to investigate himself; it would merely require a word with Zheng Shangming. For Lin Youxie, it was even simpler.

The simpler the matter, the more obvious the desire to keep a respectful distance.

Therefore, Lin Youxie’s response was also brief.

“Then I’ll trouble you,” Jiang Wang said politely. “You can send it to Chongxuan Sheng’s Xiashan Villa at that time.”

Lin Youxie didn’t ask where Jiang Wang was staying, naturally confident that she could find him in three days, no matter where he was then. There was no other meaning to it.

And by giving the address directly, Jiang Wang was hoping Lin Youxie wouldn’t seek him out. It was almost like avoiding a plague god; business was business, and favors were favors, clearly delineated.

Lin Youxie looked at him deeply and only said: “Alright.”

Then she turned and left with Uriel.

The Chongxuan Sheng whose name was mentioned was currently gnashing his teeth on Wudong Island.

The newly established Zhenhai Alliance had intricate internal relationships. It was difficult for those who were not seasoned island cultivators to understand its complexities. Chongxuan Sheng hadn’t been overseas for long and, logically, should have endured the initial period quietly and acted with a low profile to avoid the misfortune of being caught in the expansion of the Diaohai Tower.

But once Jiang Wang’s matter was resolved, he redirected his energy to management and quickly found his stride.

Since he didn’t plan to stay overseas for too long, he rushed through things and kept busy.

After finally returning to Wudong Island that day, what awaited him was the Yang Valley cultivator Fu Yanqing, who had been lingering on Wudong Island for several days, and a debt that could be called terrifying…

A full four thousand Yuan Stones!

What did this mean?

One Yuan Stone was equivalent to one first-grade Meridian Opening Pill, equivalent to an ordinary storage box.

The excellent Squirrel Box sold by the Mo family last year for a handsome profit only cost three Yuan Stones.

Did Jiang Qingyang invent some Dao technique that involved smashing people with Yuan Stones? Was his hidden identity actually a descendant of a merchant family?

Or did he buy his achievements in the maze realm? Otherwise, how could he be in so much debt!

Annoyed as he was, Chongxuan Sheng had no choice but to obediently pay.

Others didn’t know Jiang Wang’s family fortune, but how could he not? That kid was completely focused on cultivation and had no energy for making money, nor did he have any business acumen. The Desheng Chamber of Commerce was mostly managed by him; the guy surnamed Jiang basically lived off his salary.

When that guy returned to Zhuang Country, he even had to find excuses to sponsor a good portion of his travel expenses.

Four thousand Yuan Stones… he would probably have to sell this guy off!

He also doubted the price greatly. Who could say for sure what happened in the maze realm? It couldn’t be that whatever you said it was worth was what it was worth, and whatever you said was owed was what was owed, right?

But since Jiang Wang himself admitted it, he could only hold his nose and accept it. When he handed over all the Yuan Stones, it felt as if someone had taken a knife to his flesh… It hurt badly!

After seeing off the beaming Fu Yanqing, Chongxuan Sheng said irritably, “Where is that person from the Tian family? Invite him in!”

Chongxuan Xin went off dejectedly.

This guy had failed to show off his wealth earlier and had been very embarrassed these past few days.

Taking advantage of the interval while Chongxuan Xin was away, Chongxuan Sheng said fiercely, “Just you wait and see, I’ll make that guy surnamed Jiang work like an ox and a horse for me!”

The nearby Fourteen tilted his helmet and said nothing.

(There will be an extra chapter tonight.)

Also, it is currently