The carriage halted.

Judging by the voice, the person who approached was between twenty and twenty-five years old.

Jiang Wang lifted the curtain and saw a young official wearing a brown cap, whose cultivation was only at the Zhou Tian realm. However, his official uniform was enough to make the coachman stop the carriage.

“How old are you?” Jiang Wang’s first question surprised him.

“This humble one is twenty-two,” the minor official answered honestly.

Naturally, an old man and a young person have different voices, but being able to discern the exact age was the work of the vocal department of the Five Immortals’ Dream Command.

Jiang Wang nodded in satisfaction, “Speak, what do you want from me?”

“This humble one is an official under the jurisdiction of Tianfu City. I was instructed to request your presence at the City Lord’s Mansion as soon as I saw you. Our City Lord is waiting there. As soon as I received news of your appearance at the docks, I hurried over.”

The City Lord of Tianfu is looking for me?

Jiang Wang’s heart stirred, and he immediately alighted from the carriage. “I’ll go with you.”

He turned to the coachman and said, “Would you mind waiting here? I’ll set off after I’ve finished my business.”

Seeing that this guest was even connected to the City Lord of Tianfu, the coachman dared not object and bowed respectfully, “Please rest assured, my lord.”

The City Lord of Tianfu had many ways to find Jiang Wang. Not to mention intercepting boats near the sea. Given Tianfu City’s transcendent status in Linhai Commandery, they could have intercepted him the moment he appeared at the docks.

Although this official claimed to have come as soon as he received the news, as if his slow pace was the reason he only found him now, Jiang Wang sensed that the City Lord of Tianfu did not wish to make a grand show of searching for him.

There was something clandestine about this matter.

Could it be… related to the Tianfu Secret Realm?

Jiang Wang’s heart suddenly began to pound.

The minor official of Tianfu City did not talk excessively, and neither did Jiang Wang. He even took out a cloak from his storage box and put it on. They walked in silence, entering Tianfu City discreetly.

The architecture of the City Lord’s Mansion leaned towards the substantial, conveying a sense of solemnity.

The City Lord of Tianfu, whom he had met before, did not put on airs. The moment Jiang Wang stepped into the study, before he even removed his cloak, the City Lord rose to greet him.

“Our Great Qi prodigy has returned!” His words were filled with joy.

He glanced casually at the cloak in Jiang Wang’s hand. Although he did not comment on it, his expression was clearly one of satisfaction.

The City Lord of Tianfu’s surname was Lu, and his given name was Zongxiao.

Being able to govern a place like Tianfu City was no less significant than being a Prefect. Furthermore, he was currently in his prime, still with the possibility of breaking through to the Divine Arrival realm, with immeasurable prospects. His repeated courtesy towards Jiang Wang could be considered a lowering of himself to befriend him.

Jiang Wang, of course, would not be arrogant. He smiled and said, “Seeing the City Lord, I truly realize that I have left the tumultuous sea journey and returned to our own territory.”

Lu Zongxiao laughed heartily, “Yes, we are family, no need for formalities!”

The door to the study had already been closed by the attendants, and the City Lord of Tianfu’s subordinates were guarding outside the door, undoubtedly further indicating the secrecy of this conversation.

Jiang Wang was eager. After exchanging a few pleasantries and sitting down, he said, “Your subordinate mentioned that you summoned me for an important matter. May I know what it is?”

Lu Zongxiao mused, “Brother Jiang, I am a few years older, so I will presume to call you Brother.”

Although the City Lord of Tianfu had a slight tendency to treat people according to their status, his attitude towards Jiang Wang became closer after Jiang Wang’s fame spread throughout the islands.

But Jiang Wang had no grievances or favors with him, and there was no issue of conflicting positions at the moment, so there was no need to push a potential friend away.

Thus, he immediately replied, “Brother Lu, please speak freely.”

Lu Zongxiao had a rugged face and a stubbly beard, usually appearing very dignified.

Now, staring intently at Jiang Wang, the atmosphere naturally became serious. “Brother Jiang, tell your old brother honestly, what is the background of that friend of yours?”

Which friend?

Jiang Wang’s thoughts raced, a mixture of unease and anticipation, from who knows where, prompted him to tentatively ask, “Zhu Biqiong?”

“Precisely, the young lady you sent into the Tianfu Secret Realm.”

Jiang Wang had nothing to hide and honestly said, “She is a good friend of mine, the direct disciple of Elder Bizhu, the Practical Elder of the Fishing Sea Tower. She is innocent and carefree, without any ulterior motives. There is nothing special about her. You should also be aware of her trial at the End of the World Platform, Brother Lu.”

During the Sea Sacrifice Ceremony, True Monarch Chen Du, Wei Xun, was also present.

If Zhu Biqiong had been truly special, it would have been impossible to conceal it from Wei Xun’s eyes.

Jiang Wang explained everything clearly in just a few sentences, leaving Lu Zongxiao with no room for doubt.

But he sat there, still somewhat troubled.

“What is it?” Jiang Wang asked, unable to conceal his urgency. “Has something unexpected happened?”

“I don’t know if it’s good or bad,” Lu Zongxiao sighed and said, “That young lady you sent into the Tianfu Secret Realm… she came out.”

“What?”

Jiang Wang stood up in his urgency, the force in his hand scattered, breaking the armrest of the chair.

He no longer cared about being impolite. “Are you telling the truth?”

“How could this be false?” Lu Zongxiao was also understanding and said gently, “However, this matter is somewhat abnormal. Firstly, back then, you said you were only sending her into the Tianfu Secret Realm to be buried with her relatives, you didn’t mention she would come out. Secondly, the Tianfu Secret Realm’s recovery period has not passed, so there shouldn’t be any naturally occurring gains. Thirdly… you and I both know that given her condition at the time, she was no longer alive. What exactly happened, no one knows.”

Lu Zongxiao did not speak plainly, but he conveyed everything he needed to.

The first meaning was accountability. They had agreed to just send her in for burial, so why was it different from what was agreed upon now? How did they treat their promises, and how did they handle matters? They said it was just to bury someone, but the person they sent in ended up exploring?

Someone only entering and not leaving is completely different from entering and then coming out. The former can only be considered a minor exception, as sending a corpse in has little impact on the Tianfu Secret Realm. The latter, however, completely broke the rule of the Tianfu Secret Realm’s twelve-year exploration cycle.

The second meaning was to inform Jiang Wang how much risk he had taken for this matter. The Tianfu Secret Realm could be said to be the foundation of Tianfu City, the basis for Tianfu City’s transcendent status. I opened the Secret Realm for you ahead of the recovery period, and you pull a stunt like this, it’s not decent.

The third meaning was a reminder. It reminded Jiang Wang that although Zhu Biqiong came out alive, this matter was bizarre, and he should be extra careful.

His words contained both admonishment and an attempt to win over, which showed his shrewdness. He had both laid down the rules and expressed his dissatisfaction, but at the same time, there was a sense of closeness.

It made people feel a sense of kinship even when they knew they were being admonished.

From his words, one could also understand why he was so discreet in meeting Jiang Wang this time. It was simply that the Tianfu Secret Realm was too important, and this sudden change made Lu Zongxiao himself very worried.

“Brother Lu, I guarantee you, in the name of Jiang Wang, that I was absolutely unaware of this matter, and I had no prior plan. I sent Zhu Biqiong into the Secret Realm simply to fulfill her dying wish; she wanted to be with her sister.”

Jiang Wang had always had a very upright attitude towards the responsibilities he should bear. He immediately said, “Why don’t you let me go and see the situation first, and see what exactly happened? I will definitely give you an explanation for this matter!”