“Your Highness, the talk of a new world is vague and insubstantial, not to be fully trusted. I have recently investigated, and the source of these rumors is either the dark races or people closely associated with them. This is most likely a conspiracy from the Evernight side,” the adjutant reported.
Zhang Boqian nodded, “To find out this much in such a short time, you have indeed made progress. However, although the notion of the new world originates from the dark races, it is not entirely unfounded. Lately, I often have premonitions and feel a vast world faintly.”
This was the instinctive perception of a pinnacle power toward the essence of the world. The Evernight giants were certain of this as well; however, what private interests they had added during the dissemination remained unknown.
Hearing this, the adjutant’s previous doubts dissipated, and he asked joyfully, “Your Highness, does this mean you are on the verge of another breakthrough?”
“Not so easily, just a possibility. If we could see this so-called new world, I may be able to advance further.”
“In that case, please command me. I am ready to brave any danger for Your Highness!”
“For now, we should observe and wait. What I fear is…”
“What do you fear, Your Highness?”
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Boqian replied, “I fear the dark races will use this as bait, carrying their own interests, and under the guise of the greater good, lure some of our people into doing things they shouldn’t.”
“We must indeed be cautious, Your Highness. Rest assured, I will inform you of any movement within the Empire.”
Zhang Boqian nodded and added, “Pay more attention to the Neutral Grounds.”
“Is it because of Qian Ye?”
“That’s only part of it. The Neutral Grounds are quite special. Most of the fragments of the Illusory Valley fell there, not without reason. It is likely one of the weakest points in our world. The passage to the new world may very well appear in the Neutral Grounds.”
“I understand, Your Highness. I have already established a channel there, and we will receive word of any developments immediately.”
After dismissing the adjutant, Zhang Boqian ascended to the ship’s deck and then stepped into the void. He moved through the void as if walking on flat ground, strolling leisurely, covering great distances with each step until he vanished deep into the void.
In the void, a light boat drifted.
It resembled a willow leaf, small like a fishing boat, hardly looking like something that could remain intact in the void.
An old man sat at the bow of the boat, holding a fishing rod, fishing.
Zhang Boqian appeared in the distance and, with a few strides, closed the gap and stood behind the old man. Glancing at the fishing rod, he said, “What big fish are you hoping to catch, Sir?”
The old man replied, “Whichever one can’t resist the bait.”
Strangely, his fishing rod was slightly bent, and the line was taut, stretching endlessly into the depths of the void, as if truly fishing for something.
Zhang Boqian commented, “Some fish are too big, and hooking them might not be a good thing. But your skill has improved, Sir.”
Upon boarding the boat, Zhang Boqian realized it was just an ordinary fishing boat, with no special features, and even the material was civilian-grade. It could exist in the void due to the old man. This seemingly ordinary act, if truly done, would be no less impressive than Zhang Boqian’s crossing the void.
Such extraordinary skills naturally belonged to the Empire’s foremost, the Finger Peak King, Ji Wentian.
He smiled, “A mere trick, inspired by you and the Black Wing heritage. I’m getting old, and the older I get, the more afraid of death I become. I always want more ways to escape and survive. Eventually, I came up with this.”
Zhang Boqian focused on the origin energy fluctuations from the boat, his expression gradually becoming serious. After a while, he bowed, “Thank you for the guidance.”
“A small matter, hardly worth mentioning.”
Finger Peak King did not conceal the flow of origin energy on the boat. With Zhang Boqian’s abilities, he naturally sensed it all. This was akin to teaching a secret technique hand-in-hand. After a brief moment, Zhang Boqian mastered the secret technique.
This secret technique allowed him to maintain his position in the void with minimal energy or to move slowly. Though not as fast as crossing the void, it was more enduring and consumed less, complementing the void crossing perfectly. With this, Zhang Boqian was like a tiger with wings, making the void almost his home turf.
Finger Peak King sighed, “Even with this secret, it doesn’t compare to the Void Blink. The Black Wing was truly a pity.”
“What a pity? If he were alive, he would be another great enemy to our race.”
“The Black Wing initially had no ill will toward us. His change in attitude was due to those greedy and petty individuals. The fault lies with us.”
“His initial lack of hostility doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have turned hostile later. His bloodline descendants will eventually be on the battlefield, and they will likely die at our hands. Whether it’s race, faction, or family, enmity is formed like this.”
Finger Peak King sighed, not refuting.
“Since I, the little fish, have taken the bait, what are you still fishing for, Sir?”
“A live fish.”
As he spoke, the fishing rod suddenly moved, and Finger Peak King pulled hard, bringing up a lively, jumping fish.
He casually set up a pot, snapped his fingers to ignite a flame, and threw the fish into the pot. The moment the fish entered, water naturally appeared, and the pot began to boil gently, perfect for cooking.
Finger Peak King took out a bottle of wine, poured half for himself, and tossed the bottle to Zhang Boqian.
Zhang Boqian didn’t hesitate, taking a deep swig and pausing, “White ginkgo wine?”
“The taste isn’t great, but the effect is. This is a gift from my young Tianqing.” Mentioning Ji Tianqing, Finger Peak King’s eyes twinkled with joy.
“I won’t be polite, then.” Zhang Boqian downed the white ginkgo wine and then started fishing out the cooked fish. The two great kings, one old and one young, ate without utensils, ignoring the scalding water, and quickly finished the pot. Zhang Boqian even drank the fish broth.
Full and content, Zhang Boqian sighed, “Fine wine, fine fish!”
“I waited three days to steal a fish from that guy in the East Sea, how could it not be delicious?”
Zhang Boqian closed his eyes, focusing, and after a moment, his eyes snapped open, “So it comes from the East Sea, you have excellent skills, Sir!”
Finger Peak King smiled, “Getting old, my cultivation hasn’t progressed, so I have to find small tricks to comfort myself.”
“Having eaten the fish and drunk the wine, and being guided, what do you wish to command, Sir? Should I look after Tianqing, or that little one from the East Sea who inherited half of your teachings?”
Finger Peak King replied, “In my youth, I was as impetuous as you. Now, I’ve become cautious and verbose. What do you think of the military department?”
Zhang Boqian coolly stated, “If they don’t hinder me, fine. Otherwise, I’ll kill them, no matter who they are!”
“Is that enough? Their actions are becoming increasingly outrageous.”
“If someone protects them, they naturally fear nothing.”
Finger Peak King sighed, “The Longevity King, technically two generations senior to me. I’m not sure whether I hope he lives longer or just dies.”
“That’s a matter for the Ji family, surely not requiring my interference, right?”
“Of course not. I called you here for two requests.”
“Please tell me.”
“First, when Tianqing and her descendants need help, please look after them.”
“Naturally.”
“Second, accompany me to meet someone, or rather, intercept him, and prevent him from reaching the Neutral Grounds.”
Zhang Boqian was intrigued, “Isn’t there no one you can’t stop, Sir?”
“Behind this person, there’s a shadow of the supreme. In critical moments, a supreme might intervene from afar.”
Zhang Boqian frowned, “Even if a supreme intervenes, you shouldn’t be unable to handle it, Sir?”
Finger Peak King laughed, “I’m old, and I fear death. Having you by my side is more reassuring.”
“Alright, when do we leave?” Zhang Boqian didn’t ask further.
“Since it’s settled, let’s go now.” Finger Peak King put away the fishing rod and steered the boat, heading deeper into the void.
Standing at the bow, Zhang Boqian said, “I thought you’d ask me to look after that little one from the East Sea, Sir.”
Finger Peak King slapped his forehead, “Ah! How could I forget him? Thanks for reminding me, add that as the third request!”
“…”
The light boat swiftly departed.
On top of the Hall of Heroes, Qian Ye slowly opened his eyes. A month of continuous cultivation had refined his origin power, and the eighth node was now full, with a faint aura around it.
Qian Ye sighed, “Still slower than the Great Maelstrom.”
Beside him, Zhuji, curled up, slept soundly. Her clothes were tight, showing she had grown a lot. Now, she looked like a girl of twelve or thirteen, developing into a young woman.
Though he had been in constant cultivation, Qian Ye, linked to the Hall of Heroes, knew everything happening on the ship. All the main cannons were installed, giving the Hall of Heroes the firepower of seven cruisers, not including Chenlu.
The Hall of Heroes was large enough for Qian Ye to install all the main cannons on one side, maximizing firepower. As for the other side, no artificial floating ship could match the agility of a ground insectoid in the void.
Ships that struggled to flank it would find that the ground insectoid could simply turn and face its cannons at them.
What was now lacking were gunners to operate the powerful main cannons.
The engines were also installed and undergoing final adjustments. Qian Ye ordered the Hall of Heroes to fly near the East Sea, stopping at the edge of the continent, while he flew directly to Nanqing City.
A month had passed, and Qian Ye’s desk at the Dark Flame headquarters was piled high with documents. Seeing the stack, Qian Ye felt a headache. He patiently went through them one by one, only finding Song Zining’s letter near the end.
Qian Ye read the letter, his expression turning grave, “Marchioness An passed away, and Zining has returned? Is he aiming to become the Marquis?”
Despite the importance, Song Zining had treated it as a routine message. Thus, it was placed with other documents on Qian Ye’s desk, undisturbed. Such an attitude might indicate something, but Qian Ye, pacing in his study, was still uneasy.
He reread the letter, examining the neat, familiar handwriting, and finally slammed it on the table, summoning Steward Song.
Qian Ye asked directly, “Is Zining returning to the Song Clan to contest for the title of Marquis?”
Steward Song replied, “If Young Master Seven didn’t say so, how would we know? He only instructed me to give you this letter, with no further details.”
Qian Ye nodded, “Prepare a passage within the Empire for me. I’m going to the Song Clan.”
Steward Song was startled, “You…?”
“Whether Zining wants the title or not, I can’t let him suffer in a fight,” Qian Ye said, his calm tone tinged with a killing intent.
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