Han Li glanced from afar at the giant fish several zhang long, then flew above the sea vessel. After circling briefly a couple of times, he looked down toward the ship.
It was clear that the people on board had noticed Han Li’s arrival. After a few loud shouts, a large crowd surged out from the cabins—numbering two to three hundred—instantly packing the deck.
As soon as they spotted Han Li hovering mid-air, expressions of awe appeared on their faces, and they all bowed respectfully toward him.
Just as Han Li was feeling somewhat bewildered, a middle-aged man dressed in the most luxurious attire stepped forward from the crowd. With a nervous expression, he said a few words, then stood with his hands at his sides, seemingly awaiting Han Li’s instructions.
Han Li rubbed his nose and let out a few bitter laughs. He couldn’t understand a single word the other had spoken. Without a common language, how could they communicate? This gave him a headache.
Seeing that Han Li did not speak immediately, the middle-aged man grew somewhat panicked and urgently said a few more words. Though Han Li couldn’t understand the meaning, he could tell the man seemed to be explaining something to him.
Frowning slightly, Han Li thought for a moment before suddenly speaking in standard Tiannan language: “Is there anyone among you who understands what I’m saying? If so, step forward and interpret for me!” As soon as he finished speaking, he swept his gaze over the crowd below.
The middle-aged man looked utterly confused, clearly not understanding Han Li’s words. The others appeared equally baffled.
With a helpless sigh, Han Li repeated the same sentence in several ancient languages he knew. He had learned these ancient tongues back when he had to master convoluted incantations for his cultivation. When he spoke one particular language, an elderly man with gray hair in the crowd finally showed a flicker of understanding.
Seeing this, Han Li was overjoyed and immediately pointed at the old man.
“Sir, do you understand what I’m saying?” Han Li spoke slowly in that ancient language. After all, he rarely used it and was quite rusty.
Hearing this, the old man hesitated for a moment before stepping to the middle-aged man’s side. He replied respectfully in the ancient tongue, “This humble one is Wang Changqing. I did indeed study this immortal language in my youth! May I ask what instructions the immortal master has?”
Seeing that the old man truly understood the ancient language, a faint smile appeared on Han Li’s face. Suddenly, he flashed forward, landing right in front of the old man, startling both the old man and the middle-aged man.
“You must have realized that I don’t speak the local language. Please tell them that I’m merely passing through and wish to ask a few questions. There’s no need for alarm,” Han Li said gently.
Earlier, he had thoroughly scanned the large ship with his spiritual sense and found only mortals on board, with no cultivators present. That was why he felt at ease descending.
After speaking, Han Li paid no attention to the old man’s murmured explanations to the middle-aged man. Instead, he waved toward the divine wind above, and a pure white magical tool carrying Qu Hun slowly descended onto the deck.
At Han Li’s command, Qu Hun stepped out, while the small vessel rapidly shrank into a beam of white light that flew into Han Li’s hand and was stored away in his pouch.
Having done all this, Han Li glanced sideways.
He noticed that although the mortals on the ship still wore respectful expressions, none showed any astonishment. This indicated they were likely accustomed to the methods of cultivators. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have taken it so calmly. It seemed either the people on this ship were no ordinary folk, or cultivators were common in these parts and didn’t bother hiding their abilities from mortals.
Han Li pondered this thoughtfully.
By then, the old man had relayed Han Li’s words to the middle-aged man. The latter was first taken aback but soon wore an expression of delight, excitedly chattering a long string of words toward Han Li with an extremely thrilled demeanor.
Seeing the man’s reaction, Han Li was momentarily puzzled and instinctively turned to the old man for clarification.
The old man naturally understood Han Li’s intention and hurriedly stepped forward to explain, “Immortal Master, this Mr. Gu is the owner of this ship. He wishes to invite you to reside on his Kuixing Island and is willing to cover all expenses for your cultivation.”
“Kuixing Island?” Han Li stroked his chin, appearing noncommittal.
Noting Han Li’s indifferent expression, the middle-aged man’s eyes grew even more eager, and he launched into another rapid speech. From his ingratiating smile, Han Li could guess without translation that the man was likely reiterating his invitation to Kuixing Island.
Before the old man could translate, Han Li waved his hand dismissively and said, “First, tell the ship owner that I’m new to this area and unfamiliar with the situation. I won’t agree to anything rashly. Once I’ve learned more, I’ll decide whether to visit his Kuixing Island. For now, since I don’t understand your language, I’d like to accompany this ship for a few days. I hope he will allow this, and I’d like you, sir, to teach me some of the local language and customs.”
The old man listened attentively and promptly relayed the message to the middle-aged man.
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man’s face clearly showed disappointment, but he still bowed respectfully to Han Li. He then barked a few orders to the others behind him, and the crowd quickly dispersed back into the cabins. After saying a few words to the old man, he too retreated backward and left.
Thus, only the old man and Han Li remained on the deck.
Seeing this, the old man smiled and said to Han Li, “Immortal Master, Shipowner Gu has agreed to your request and has even prepared a superior cabin for you. Please follow me.”
Han Li nodded faintly in agreement. Thus, the old man named Wang Changqing led the way, while Han Li and Qu Hun followed him into the cabin.
“It’s enormous!” was Han Li’s first thought upon entering. The cabin was a maze of corridors and passages, with countless rooms. Along the way, a few mortals they encountered automatically stepped aside with looks of reverence.
After following the old man through several turns, Han Li and Qu Hun arrived at a large wooden door.
Without hesitation, Wang Changqing pushed it open, then stepped aside to let Han Li enter first. Han Li didn’t stand on ceremony and entered the room with Qu Hun, glancing around.
The room was quite impressive! Not only was it spacious, but it also felt airy and fresh. What surprised Han Li most was a peculiar small potted tree in the corner.
The tree had a straight trunk without any branches, covered with triangular leaves the size of palms. The entire tree shimmered with a silvery glow, as if forged from pure silver. Han Li gazed at it with curiosity.
“It seems the Immortal Master has never seen a Silver Horn Tree before! This tree is indeed rare. Not only is it visually striking, but it also purifies the air in stuffy places, making it a treasured possession for seafarers. Even our wealthy shipowner only managed to acquire three or four of them,” the old man explained respectfully, noticing Han Li’s surprised expression.
Han Li smiled faintly but said nothing. He could easily detect the old man’s attempt to ingratiate his employer.
Han Li instructed Qu Hun to guard the door and took a seat on a chair in the room. Wang Changqing stood somewhat stiffly before him, not daring to sit casually.
Seeing the old man’s unease, Han Li smiled kindly and said, “Mr. Wang, there’s no need to be so formal. Please take a seat. I have some matters I’d like to consult you about.”
Hearing this, Wang Changqing repeatedly declined with “I wouldn’t dare,” appearing genuinely apprehensive.
Seeing this, Han Li frowned slightly but didn’t press further.
After a moment’s thought, he asked directly, “I’m a cultivator who has just arrived here from elsewhere. Could you first introduce me to the local geography and customs? Of course, if you could also share some information about us cultivators, that would be even better. I will surely reward you handsomely, sir!”
Han Li’s expression remained calm as he spoke.
Wang Changqing thought for a moment before slowly replying, “Since the Immortal Master has come from outside, you must already know this is the sea territory of the Scattered Star Seas, specifically the southwestern corner. There are three major islands nearby—Weixing Island, Kuixing Island, and Sangxing Island—as well as several dozen smaller islands, all inhabited by both cultivators and mortals.”
“The customs here are similar to those in other sea regions. Each island is governed by a cultivator with the highest cultivation level, who acts as the island master responsible for protecting the island. Other cultivators who choose to settle on the island and take up certain duties receive a yearly allocation of spirit stones from the island master for their cultivation but must follow the island master’s orders. Those who wish to live on the island without taking up duties not only receive no spirit stones but must also pay a certain amount to the island master each year to remain.”
At this point, Wang Changqing paused, a look of yearning appearing on his face, as if he greatly admired cultivators.
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