Chapter 223: Midnight Sea Spirit Transforms into Fish, Lockdown and Coercion

Murong Xue said, "I sense eight auras, all at the Earth Fiend Realm."

Ji Zixuan calculated, "If we fight, how many can you handle?"

Murong Xue fell silent; why would they kill without cause?

"Must we fight? Let us speak properly."

Hearing this, Ji Zixuan knew this naive girl was useless, so she stopped speaking and prepared on her own.

Moments later, the two flying boats had entered attack range.

Murong Xue immediately cast a wind technique, transmitting a warning: "Everyone, we just entered this area, merely passing through, and have gained no treasure..."

But it had no effect.

Worse still, the Blood Shadow Flying Boat accelerated, and as it closed to within a thousand meters, eight spears shot fiercely toward the Swordfish Flying Boat.

The spearheads were four meters long, sharp rhombus-shaped, with eight chains connecting the spears to the other end attached to the Blood Shadow Flying Boat.

Clearly, the Blood Shadow Flying Boat intended to capture the Swordfish Flying Boat.

"What?" Murong Xue was startled, completely unprepared for them to attack without a word.

Ji Zixuan, however, was ready, maneuvering the flying boat into a death spin.

This was a high-difficulty flying boat technique, but Ji Zixuan executed it effortlessly.

"Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh~ Boom!"

Seven spears were dodged, but one still broke through the flying boat's defense and pierced the hull.

"Crack crack crack~" The spear split open, quickly clamping onto the Swordfish Flying Boat.

No matter how skilled Ji Zixuan was, she couldn't withstand the Blood Shadow Flying Boat's lockdown capture.

Seeing its target hit, the Blood Shadow Flying Boat immediately turned and plunged downward.

"Bang!" The thick black chains were instantly pulled taut.

The Swordfish Flying Boat was forcibly turned by this immense force, losing control and plummeting downward.

Murong Xue stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

"Act now!" Ji Zixuan shouted while struggling to control the flying boat, "Are you waiting for them to tie you up?"

Murong Xue gritted her teeth, immediately casting a wind technique to lift the Swordfish Flying Boat and stabilize its horizontal posture.

With her assistance, Ji Zixuan controlled the flying boat, finally avoiding a crash.

But at this moment, the Blood Shadow Flying Boat still dragged the Swordfish Flying Boat toward another mountain peak.

"You control the flying boat," Ji Zixuan commanded. "I will deal with them."

Without waiting for Murong Xue's agreement, Ji Zixuan leaped from the flying boat, transforming into a phantom streaking straight for the Blood Shadow Flying Boat.

Just then, Zhao Xing logged on.

He felt the flying boat shaking violently, clearly under attack.

"Hmm?"

Zhao Xing's nine Myriad Dharma Straw Men simultaneously raised their heads and opened their eyes, looking forward.

In an instant, he understood: they had encountered bandits.

Observing the Blood Shadow Flying Boat with the Heavenly Eye Technique, Zhao Xing immediately gained a general understanding of the enemy's strength.

"Eight Earth Fiend Realm cultivators, average strength." Zhao Xing immediately controlled the Myriad Dharma Straw Men to fly beside the Blood Shadow Flying Boat.

"Eight Earth Fiend Realm cultivators, half martial artists, half spellcasters."

Zhao Xing observed. He had activated the 'Invisible Straw Man' technique.

The people below, including Ji Zixuan, had not detected him at all.

Zhao Xing was not in a hurry to act; he could control the situation and also observe Ji Zixuan's strength.

Facing low-grade opponents, even with the Myriad Dharma Avatar, Zhao Xing could completely crush them.

"Hiss hiss hiss~"

Ji Zixuan held a slender sword, transforming into a silver streak of light, swiftly crashing into the encirclement.

"Very fast; this girl doesn't look like a newcomer to the Earth Fiend Realm." Zhao Xing watched with interest.

He could tell Ji Zixuan was using the Azure Water Sword Technique, a core sword technique of the Azure Water Academy.

After charging in, Ji Zixuan simultaneously faced close-quarters combat with four martial artists and ranged spell attacks from four spellcasters.

"Clang clang clang clang clang~" Although wielding a slender sword, the collisions produced by Ji Zixuan's blade were terrifying, as if the slender sword possessed immense power.

"Handling heavy weight lightly; does this sword weigh a thousand jin?" Zhao Xing was also surprised, recognizing the extraordinary nature of that treasure sword.

Though only a fifth-tier divine weapon, the materials used were substantial; the material alone was enough to forge seven or eight fifth-tier weapons.

"Swish~" After the slender sword knocked aside the combined strike of the four martial artists, Ji Zixuan suddenly appeared beside the enemies to the south.

The slender sword thrust lightly, and the sword-wielding martial artist's face instantly changed.

He felt as if countless swords were thrusting at him, making it impossible to know which one to block.

Moreover, the opponent's speed was too fast.

Waving his battle blade, he could only guard his vital points.

"Thousand Mountain Layer!"

Thousand Mountain Layer was a defensive blade technique; when he cast it, a massive mountain seemed to stand before him.

However, this person clearly had not practiced it thoroughly; the mountain phantom was full of cracks.

Only his vital points were defended; elsewhere, there were many openings.

But if he could withstand this single strike, it would be enough to make this reckless woman pay, because three teammates had already attacked Ji Zixuan's back.

Someone attacked from behind, but Ji Zixuan still firmly thrust her sword.

"Pfft~"

The slender sword pierced through the throat of the knife-wielding martial artist.

It pierced from back to front.

And Ji Ji Zixuan, who stood before him, had been struck by the Fire Elementalist's fire spell and burst into flames.

But after she burned, her body vanished, leaving only a half-torn talisman burning.

"Hah..." The knife-wielding martial artist's eyes widened; he could never have imagined this sword strike would come from behind him.

So this one was an illusion... He died with his eyes open, falling toward the sky.

At the same time, the other three martial artists lunged at empty air.

They too had been deceived by Ji Ji Zixuan's "Talisman Illusion."

"As expected, it is her, the Phantom Assassin under Princess Youruo in a past life!" Zhao Xing stared downward. "Phantom Assassins possess bizarre techniques and numerous methods, especially skilled in utilizing talismans."

Integrating talismans into combat is not something just anyone can achieve.

Timing must be perfect, and one must understand talismans very well; it is basically impossible to use someone else's talismans, so Ji Ji Zixuan herself must be proficient in talisman crafting.

"She is not yet a Talisman Dharma Body, only a Talisman Illusion Body, but that is enough to deceive these people. Her speed is fast; it seems I need not intervene," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Bishui Academy is one of the seventy-two academies of the Great Zhou; graduating with excellent results from an academy is no less difficult than Zhao Xing achieving first place during his training at the Military Bureau of Agriculture back then.

The ensuing battle indeed unfolded exactly as Zhao Xing had predicted.

In the fight, Ji Ji Zixuan deployed four Talisman Illusion Bodies, making it impossible to distinguish true from false.

Only by using his Life-Soul Heaven Eye could Zhao Xing discern which was real and which was fake.

As for the others, they were completely toyed with by Ji Ji Zixuan.

The four elementalists on the boat failed to land any spells on Ji Ji Zixuan; moreover, they could not use any area-of-effect spells at this moment, as their teammates were still inside the area.

"Pfft~"

Before long, the second melee martial artist died, stabbed to death by Ji Ji Zixuan, and fell down.

She perfectly combined the Bishui Sword Art with Talisman Illusion Bodies, keeping the four melee martial artists and the four elementalists on the boat running in circles.

By the time she killed the third person, the four elementalists on the boat had already formed the intention to retreat.

"Unhook! Set sail!"

One of the Fire Elementalists immediately unhooked the towing chain connecting the Swordfish Flying Boat.

He then turned around, intending to control the Flying Boat and escape.

"Whoosh~"

Ji Ji Zixuan flicked her left hand, multitasking, and a flying dagger instantly pinned itself into the back of this Fire Elementalist.

"Vmm~"

The blood-stained flying dagger, stuck in the door panel, continued to tremble incessantly.

"The Bishui Sword Art is effortless, the Talisman Illusion Body is perfectly timed, and she can even spare the mental focus to flick out a flying dagger; fighting eight opponents alone, she still has energy to spare," Zhao Xing praised.

"Heroine, spare my life!"

The other three on the Flying Boat, their psychological defenses shattered, immediately began to beg for mercy.

Ji Ji Zixuan said nothing, swiftly killed the remaining martial artist, and then leaped onto the Flying Boat.

Once a mage is engaged in close combat, they can only be at the mercy of others.

"Pfft pfft pfft~"

The three elementalists were instantly pierced straight through the heart.

Losing control, the Blood Shadow Flying Boat immediately came to a halt.

However, the Swordfish Flying Boat where Murong Xue was located lost control and plummeted downward.

"Rise!"

Zhao Xing cast the Gale Dharma, forcibly lifting the Flying Boat up.

There were still some things on it that could not be casually destroyed.

Zhao Xing manifested through his spell, and only then did Ji Ji Zixuan realize Zhao Xing was already beside the Blood Shadow Flying Boat.

"When did he arrive beside me..." Ji Ji Zixuan's pupils contracted.

She was at the Seventh Grade, yet she prided herself on being able to survive even against Sixth Graders, with even hope of killing them.

Yet this Zhao Xing, a Sixth Grade, was merely a clone, yet she could not detect his presence; he had silently hidden himself beside her.

"You did very well." Zhao Xing's gaze turned toward Ji Ji Zixuan.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for the praise." Ji Ji Zixuan lowered her head; she could not fathom Zhao Xing, yet Zhao Xing had seen through her true form at a glance.

His strength is far greater than I imagined... Ji Ji Zixuan thought silently.

The Swordfish Flying Boat was unusable; it had been damaged by the harpoon. After cleaning up the stragglers, Zhao Xing, Ji Ji Zixuan, and Murong Xue transferred to the Blood Shadow Flying Boat.

The Blood Shadow Flying Boat is a standard-issue divine weapon, better suited for charging formations and combat than the Swordfish Flying Boat.

After everything was done, Murong Xue felt somewhat uneasy, because Ji Ji Zixuan had killed everyone; she had done nothing, having only used a wind spell at the very beginning to correct the Flying Boat's flight attitude, and had nearly caused it to crash in the end.

"Why did you not act just now?" Zhao Xing approached Murong Xue.

Although he had "logged off," the connection was not completely severed; once he "logged on," he could know the conversations that had occurred on the Flying Boat beforehand.

"I thought they were all people of the Great Zhou, so..." Murong Xue said.

"How do you feel now?" Zhao Xing asked; he knew Murong Xue was not from the Military Bureau of Agriculture, likely had never been on a battlefield, came from a great family, and had surely been well protected since childhood.

"If I had the strength, I would teach them a lesson and make them leave," Murong Xue said. "Killing is not the best solution."

"Suppose they do not listen to your reasoning, gain an opportunity in a few days, become stronger than you, and come to trouble you; what would you do then?" Zhao Xing asked.

"I..." Murong Xue opened her mouth, wanting to speak but stopping short.

"Speak whatever is on your mind; do not be restrained," Zhao Xing said.

"The Ministry of Agriculture relies on the heavens for sustenance and aids the weak among the people; it must uphold a heart of benevolence," Murong Xue said. "My lord is far too cold, and you think too poorly of people."

Zhao Xing nodded. "The Ministry of Agriculture serves the people; you speak correctly. But benevolence must be discerning. Why not open your eyes and look at the cave heavens and gates? Can commoners even enter the Ten Yang Cave Heaven?"

"In my eyes, the Ministry of Agriculture does not rely on the heavens for sustenance, but fights the heavens and earth for its food!"

"If the world were always blessed with timely winds and rains, with bountiful harvests every year, where would the need for the Ministry of Agriculture come from?"

"My lord is a Military Minister of Agriculture," Murong Xue said indignantly. "Naturally, you are accustomed to fighting."

Murong Xue then added another sentence: "The imperial court does not forbid fighting; this rule is not proper."

Zhao Xing laughed helplessly. This girl was quite stubborn; since she could not be reasoned with, she simply blamed the ways of the world.

"Talking to me is useless; neither you nor I are the ones who set the rules," Zhao Xing said. "Rather than complain, strive to adapt, grow stronger slowly, and fight to become someone who can make the rules."

Murong Xue fell silent; she felt her worldview being struck.

Zhao Xing did not originally wish to preach, but since Old Liu had tasked him with guiding Murong Xue, he could not get away with such a mindset.

However, he said no more; in any case, after staying in the Ten Yang Cave Heaven for long enough, she would slowly turn her thinking around on her own.

There was just one point Zhao Xing had to make clear: "It is fine to have a kind heart, but right now you are not acting alone. I and Ji Zixuan are now considered your teammates."

"To act is to be an enemy; the greatest respect for an enemy is to wipe them out completely."

"You are here to train, not to tour. If next time you remain indifferent, you will be a burden."

"If you are not convinced, you may inform your teacher and ask him to send someone else to guide you. That is all I have to say; weigh it carefully yourself."

The words were not polite, but Zhao Xing was not in the business of charity. To participate in such cruel competition yet refuse to kill? Where would such a good thing be found?

"Yes." Murong Xue cupped her hands and walked out.

Seeing Murong Xue emerge in poor spirits, Ji Zixuan revealed a slight smile.

Earlier, she had asked Murong Xue to act, yet this girl actually responded with persuasion? Naive!

Now, hearing her question Zhao Xing's previous decision, Ji Zixuan could not help but laugh inwardly.

How could Zhao Xing, who rose from a mere lowly clerk to his current height, possibly favor Murong Xue's soft-hearted and lenient approach?

"If you do not like her, then like my style of doing things; I just do not know how much you like it." Hearing Zhao Xing call her, Ji Zixuan immediately reined in her emotions and walked into the cabin.

"Senior Brother."

"Mm." Zhao Xing nodded. "Regarding this search for Spiritual Elegance, is there anything specific you desire?"

Ji Zixuan felt joy in her heart but showed no expression on her face: "I leave it entirely to Senior Brother's decision. Whatever Senior Brother leads me to find, I will use."

"Greedy. You want everything, don't you?" Zhao Xing smiled. People who answer 'anything' are often the most picky.

"Senior Brother has seen through me." Ji Zixuan gave a playful smile.

"Very well, you continue to control the flying boat and search as I instruct."

Zhao Xing intended to give Ji Zixuan more benefits; the future Phantom Assassins were worth his effort in helping her find treasures.

"Yes." Ji Zixuan withdrew.

Next, the flying boat flew smoothly along the way and encountered no other teams.

The Southern Clear Gardens were quite large; with over a thousand people let in, it was actually difficult to meet.

Using his Five Fingers of Heavenly Fate to divine, Zhao Xing quickly led the two to a spot of 'Origin Method Spiritual Elegance'.

It was a peach blossom forest; amidst the pink peach blossoms covering the mountains, there stood a single extremely small tree blooming with golden peach blossoms.

Consuming the peaches from it could increase the gathering of Origin Qi and also enhance one's comprehension of the Wood element.

Zhao Xing ordered the two to go and pick them; afterward, the two women sat cross-legged beneath the peach tree to digest.

Time passed; a day and a half vanished in an instant.

On the Qilin Flying Boat, Zhao Xing's true body had long since awakened.

Seeing the sky around him gradually darken, he knew they were nearing the Eternal Night Sea region.

"Where are we?" Xia Jing walked over at that moment. "It is pitch black and changing everywhere; I am starting to get a bit confused."

"It should be just past Songxue Lake," Zhao Xing said.

"Oh, this place." Xia Jing immediately remembered; back when he and Zhao Xing formed a team for the 【Supply Training】, Zhao Xing had farmed right here.

He had even cast the Five Elements Earth-Splitting Method to destroy the water veins of the earth, making the frozen soil soft.

"Even Songxue Lake has already thawed." Xia Jing looked at the surrounding celestial phenomena with emotion. "Back then, the Fang Wu Bureau said Songxue Lake was known as never melting for a thousand years. Who would have thought it would melt in just two years?"

"The cave heavens are ascending, causing drastic changes to heaven and earth. Strange phenomena rarely seen in ordinary times are now visible everywhere," Chen Shijie said. "Although things are chaotic right now, this is developing in a positive direction; eventually, many blessed lands will form."

"With drastic changes to heaven and earth, the birth and destruction of Spiritual Elegance, we mere passersby of heaven and earth have happened to be here at the right time. It is truly a blessing cultivated over several lifetimes," Ji Ji Ziyun laughed. "Zhao Xing, do you not agree?"

Zhao Xing nodded, but inwardly thought: When the Ten Days hang in the sky, you will not think so; you should be grateful to escape in time.

"Zhao Xing, what benefits do you think lie here? Can you calculate it?" Xia Jing asked.

"Do you take me for a divine calculator?" Zhao Xing said. "We must first observe the strange phenomena in the sky."

Above the Eternal Night Sea at this moment, auroras flickered, wind and snow roared, tornadoes howled; the sky turned green, then red, with constant booming sounds.

Mirages also appeared, various images flashing by in an instant.

In one image, a golden carp leaped high, swallowing and spitting out Origin Qi.

In another image, an island appeared, covered entirely with divine trees in full bloom.

Strange phenomena filled the sky constantly, as if treasures were everywhere.

"The Eternal Night Sea was originally the greatest wonder in the north; now that strange phenomena are frequent, I wonder how many people have come here," Xia Jing said.

"Those who can come to the Eternal Night Sea will not have low strength; everyone must be careful." Ji Ji Ziyun warned. "The Eternal Night Sea is too vast; no Forget-Worry Steles are set up here, so be cautious."

The flying boat flew for a while longer; Zhao Xing took the helm himself, searching continuously.

His Five Fingers of Heavenly Fate had now reached the high rank and could already provide some information on opportunities.

"There is an area in the Eternal Night Sea where large-scale Spiritual Elegance will transform into fish. I do not know if it has started yet."

Zhao Xing stood on the deck, gazing toward the northeast of the Eternal Night Sea.

At this very moment, Ji Ji Ziyun, holding the Earth Mirror, suddenly looked solemn and heavy.

"Everyone, a relative of mine said that seven top-tier exploration teams have arrived at the Polar Night Sea."

"Among them are Liang Wang's youngest son, Ji Dan; the Thirteenth Young Master, Ji Chen; and the Nineteenth Young Master, Ji Ye, as well as direct affiliates of Tianjue Wang and people who entered through connections with Ling Shuang Wang."

"What? So many people have come here?" Xia Jing asked in surprise, "What is the situation?"

"Let me ask." Ji Ji Ziyun, also of the Ji surname, knew the news within the royal clan a bit better.

Zhao Xing's face looked grave as well; seven top-tier exploration teams arriving at the Polar Night Sea so quickly?

No wonder the divination said, "Kan has danger; seek small gains."

Normally, it would be difficult for others to gain any advantage from these seven top-tier exploration teams.

Moments later, Ji Ji Ziyun looked up and said:

"The seven top-tier exploration teams have united with dozens of high-level exploration teams and are attempting to blockade the sea area near the Polar Night Sea's 'Night Fortress No. 98'."

"It seems they have made a major discovery!"

Zhao Xing's heart skipped a beat; the place he sought was precisely this area, which also included Night Fortress No. 98.

"Those top-tier exploration teams are no pushovers; they arrived at the Polar Night Sea so quickly and found a treasure land."

Zhao Xing felt this journey would likely not go smoothly.

If Ji Ji Ziyun's news is true, then in the sea area near Night Fortress No. 98, there will be a large number of Fifth-Rank cultivators.

"There are probably quite a few Fifth-Rank cultivators over there," Chen Shijie said, his face looking grave.

"What is there to fear?" Xia Jing said. "Even if they are Fifth-Rank, they might not be able to kill me."

After Xia Jing's Gluttonous Devouring Method and Black Tortoise Shield broke through, he became even more confident.

"Let's see the situation in a moment; if there are too many experts, it is safer to call for reinforcements," Zhao Xing said. "I will send a message to my teacher; you all ask as well, to see if we can invite Fifth-Rank assistance."

If one has connections, of course, one should use them.

The benefits here at the Polar Night Sea are immense; perhaps they can allow the Fortune to break through again.

For Sixth-Rank and Fifth-Rank cultivators, Fortune and Spiritual Elegance are what they value most.

Because to advance further while serving as an official in the Fortune Dynasty, one's own Fortune must also be strong enough.

The Fortune Dynasty's Fortune baptism is the result. The strong remain strong; only those whose Fortune itself is strong will have smooth sailing as officials and have a greater chance of standing out.

Otherwise, it is quite normal to waste decades in a single position.

The flying boat continued to fly northeast for another half an hour.

A small island was visible in the distance; on the island stood a fortress, which was the Observation Night Fortress once established in the Polar Night Sea.

In the Polar Night Sea, there are many such fortresses named 'Night Fortresses', which existed before the explosion of the Cave Heaven's Spiritual Elegance.

Originally, this bitter cold land was a place where even ghosts would not come.

Now, however, many flying boats and warships have appeared.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, a shout like an exploding thunder reached the Qilin Flying Boat where Zhao Xing was.

"The area ahead is blockaded by top-tier exploration teams; visitors, stop!"

Swish swish swish swish~

Immediately after, a team of ten people leaped out from a distant flying boat.

Zhao Xing looked closely; these ten people were all at the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Gang Realm!

"Brother Ji, that is the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Flag; you should step forward," Zhao Xing said.

He did not know anyone in the royal family at all.

As a mere Third-Rank Hou Jue, if he, at the Mid-Stage of the Heavenly Gang Realm, went over claiming to be a member of a top-tier investigation team, it would likely hold no persuasiveness.

"Very well, allow me to talk to them," Ji Ji Ziyun nodded, then changed into magnificent robes, rode the wind, and slowly approached.

"Friends ahead, I am Ji Ji Ziyun, the Wang Shizi of the Pingyang Commandery Prince, and a member of the top-tier exploration team founded by Liu Tianning."

"According to the rules, we are qualified to explore any place; please make way."

Ji Ji Ziyun was of the royal clan, and he had stated he was a member of a top-tier exploration team; in theory, they should give him face.

But the other side shouted: "Stop! Those who are not members of the Seven Great Exploration Teams and unrelated persons are forbidden to enter! We are merely following orders."

"If you have connections, go explain it to your superior."

Ji Ji Ziyun pleaded and reasoned, but the patrol team remained unmoved.

With no other choice, Ji Ji Ziyun could only retreat.

"Not allowed to pass; the people under Ji Ye are too rigid," Ji Ji Ziyun said angrily. "I pleaded and reasoned, asking them to send a report, but they refused."

"Liang Wang is like that," Long Xiao snorted. "Like father, like son."

"If you ask me, let's just charge through; we are also a top-tier exploration team; what is there to fear?"

"Calm down," Chen Shijie shouted. Facing Liang Wang, even the people of the Divine Might Army could not remain calm.

After all, back then, both he and Long Xiao had been demoted for five years; at that time, neither had thought the Divine Might Army would ever be reorganized.

"Brother Ji, can you contact Ji Ye?"

"Ji Ye is Liang Wang's nineteenth son, a Fifth-Rank Upper, at the Pure Origin Realm's Great Perfection," Ji Ji Ziyun shook his head. "He was born many years before me; I only saw him from afar once during ancestral worship."

"Even if I managed to speak with him, he would not look favorably upon me."

They are both Wangs, but the distinction between Wangs is also great; Pingyang Wang was Emperor Jing's cousin, while Liang Wang was Emperor Jing's younger brother.

"He was born many years before you, yet he is still only Fifth-Rank; clearly, he is a waste," Xia Jing snorted.

"Stop talking; contact people quickly and see which side we can pass through," Zhao Xing said.

With the Seven Great Exploration Teams blockading the area, they did not necessarily have to pass through Ji Ye's side.

Zhao Xing, Ji Ji Ziyun, and Xia Jing entered the cabin and began to call for reinforcements.

Long Xiao and Chen Shijie were still on the deck; the only one they could sway was Yang An.

However, Yang An was likely unable to offer much help.

With Liang Wang present, Yang An's connections could not possibly play a significant role.

"Teacher."

Zhao Xing's phantom appeared within the Myriad Dharma Palace.

He had used an emergency contact method; a single projection of Liu Tianning was specifically stationed to guard it.

"What trouble have you encountered?" This Myriad Dharma projection of Liu Tianning, originally sitting with eyes closed in meditation, suddenly became alert, clearly having "come online."

"My original body flew to the Eternal Night Sea, only to be suddenly informed that the seven top-tier exploration groups, united with dozens of high-level exploration groups, have sealed off the three hundred li of sea surrounding Night Fortress No. 98."

"I stated my identity, yet I still could not pass."

"The main forces include..."

After hearing the situation, Liu Tianning immediately said, "Stay where you are and do not move; give me a quarter of an hour."

Zhao Xing said, "Can your original body come here? There may be a great treasure in this place, which should also benefit you, Teacher."

Liu Tianning pondered, "Very well, I will arrive in one day."

"Thank you, Teacher."

After Zhao Xing finished speaking, his phantom vanished from the Myriad Dharma Palace.

A quarter of an hour later, Liu Tianning sent a message:

【Someone should be coming to invite you shortly; you may choose freely.】

Zhao Xing put away the Earth Mirror and walked out of the cabin.

At this moment, Xia Jing and Ji Ji Ziyun also came out.

"How is it?" Zhao Xing asked.

"My family and my cousin's family are contacting Tianjue Wang; his legitimate grandson 'Yun Duo' is one of the powerholders of a top-tier exploration group."

"Additionally, our two families have hired three Fifth-Rank experts, who are already on their way," Xia Jing said. "I believe we will have news very soon."

It is not about having many people; having enough is sufficient.

"I only invited Liu Tianning," Zhao Xing said.

Actually, he also intended to invite Tian Shan, but considering Tian Shan was already very old, he might not participate in such a conflict for his sake.

It is not about having many people; having enough is sufficient.

"Voom~" At this very moment, the three Earth Mirrors trembled simultaneously.

"A message has arrived."

The three each picked up their Earth Mirrors to check.

Zhao Xing walked back into the room.

Unexpectedly, the first to send an invitation was actually Ji Dan, the youngest son of Liang Wang.

【I have long heard of the great name of Marquis Yuanrang. I heard you have arrived at the Eternal Night Sea but were blocked by my elder brother. Dan happens to be here as well, occupying a corner of the Night Fortress. Dan sincerely invites Marquis Yuanrang to the east of the Night Fortress to seek the Spiritual Treasure together.】

"Hmm? Ji Dan?" Seeing this message, Zhao Xing could not help but pause in surprise.

He already knew that Liang Ruohai was Ji Dan's teacher.

Previously, within the Heaven Gate, using Fate as a blade, he had slain that worm.

At that time, Liang Ruohai could not calculate him, yet he could see Liang Ruohai's situation.

Now, Ji Dan was actually inviting him?

"I caused a backlash against Liang Ruohai; could it be that he is calling me over to harm me?"

"Impossible. Within the Heaven Gate, Liang Ruohai could not possibly calculate who I am."

"Then what is the intention behind Ji Dan's action?"

While Zhao Xing was puzzled, another message soon appeared in his Earth Mirror.

【Seeing these words is like seeing me. My nineteenth brother, a mere martial man, presumptuously blocked Marquis Yuanrang from entering the Night Fortress sea area. Chen apologizes on behalf of my nineteenth brother and sincerely invites Marquis Yuanrang and his friends to sit briefly to the west of the Night Fortress.】

"This is ghostly; Ji Chen is inviting me too? I am a man of the Divine Might Army! I previously chopped off Qian Shugang... Just how great is Old Liu's influence?"

With Ji Chen's invitation arriving, Zhao Xing actually felt relieved.

Ji Dan would not use such a method to take revenge; the technique was too crude. The reason for sending the invitation was likely due to the face of Liu Tianning.

"Qian Shugang is probably a subordinate of Ji Ye, and this pair of brothers likely do not get along with Ji Ye."

"If the brothers dislike someone, they try to win them over?" Zhao Xing pondered slightly and formed a guess.

As for the grudge between Liang Wang and Yang An, what was that? Moreover, it was ostensibly put to rest.

Furthermore, Liu Tianning's group was also top-tier; sooner or later, they would occupy a piece of ground.

An invitation at this time, whether large or small, is a favor, equivalent to picking it up for free.

Judging by Liang Wang's method of raising children, if they could dig away a genius from the Divine Might Army, he would not only not blame them but would praise his son for doing well.

However, Zhao Xing would absolutely not board Liang Wang's sinking ship.

The Jing Emperor has already sharpened the butcher's knife in Jingcheng, waiting for the little brother to stick his head out voluntarily.

One slash down, and who knows how many people will die; even a slight connection would affect one's career path.

Voom~

The third invitation arrived.

It was from the legitimate grandson of Ling Shuang Wang, 'Pei Pei Yuanchang'.

"Zhao Xing." Pei Pei Yuanchang used the Earth Mirror imaging method to communicate; once connected, he went straight to the point. "Princess Youruo instructed me to let you pass through my side."

"If you do not mind that my occupied area is small, come to the southwest of the Night Fortress. I can clear a space for you."

Pei Pei Yuanchang was very good at speaking; admitting his own area was small yet still willing to give up a piece, this gesture of goodwill was far greater than that of the previous people.

"Please allow me to discuss this with my companions," Zhao Xing said, clasping his hands.

"Very well," Pei Yuanchang said cheerfully. "You are welcome at any time."

Moments later.

Zhao Xing discussed the matter with Xia Jing and Ji Ji Ziyun.

"Yun Duo has many people; they allow us to pass, but fear we must join their ranks and submit to their command," Xia Jing said.

Even this was quite good. After all, they were all top-tier exploration teams, and no one dominated another. Now, whoever arrived first and occupied the land to begin the mission was the one in charge.

"Ling Shuang Wang's direct grandson, Pei Yuanchang, said he could clear a spot for us," Zhao Xing said. "However, the area is relatively smaller. My suggestion is to go to Pei Yuanchang's side, since our actions would not be restricted."

"Agreed," Xia Jing nodded.

Actually, it didn't matter which side they went to. In the end, if there were truly great benefits, under the same background, whoever had the stronger fist was the one in charge.

Zhao Xing quickly replied to Pei Yuanchang; after this, he received no more invitations from others.

The flying boat turned its direction, heading toward the area occupied by Pei Yuanchang.

"He refused," Ji Dan said, feeling slightly disappointed after seeing Zhao Xing's tactful reply. "This person cut down nineteen subordinates, including Qian Shougang. If we could recruit him, he could become a major asset against him."

"His master is Liu Tianning, and behind Liu Tianning stands Luo Hou Wang."

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Who was Luo Hou Wang? The other sealed kings all had to show Luo Hou Wang a measure of respect.

It was not only because Luo Hou Wang served as the Military Realm Inspector, but also because Luo Hou Wang possessed formidable strength and was heavily favored by Emperor Jing.

"However, he did not go to the Thirteen's side either," Ji Dan felt slightly more comfortable in his heart.

Ji Chen also did not care; simply from the fact that he only had his subordinate send a message rather than contacting him personally.

It was enough to show that his sincerity was aimed at 'Liu Tianning' and not Zhao Xing.

Whether Zhao Xing came or not actually didn't matter; it was just an attempt to connect with Liu Tianning's line and offer a favor.

As for Ji Ye, he simply pretended not to see it.

The Qian Shougang Zhao Xing killed was his direct subordinate.

No matter what, he could never recruit him again.

If he couldn't be appeased, then simply ignore him.

"Hahaha, I have long heard that you all are talents of the Ten Yang Void, and seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary," Pei Yuanchang was very accommodating; after arriving, he personally invited Zhao Xing, Xia Jing, and others onto his tower ship.

"Young Master Pei Yuanchang overestimates me," Zhao Xing said, clasping his hands. This person's name was the title of Hou Jue. "Thank you, Young Master Pei Yuanchang, for lending the way."

"It is but a small matter. If you do not mind, just call me Brother Pei," Pei Yuanchang said. "I am only fifty-three years old, not much older than you."

"Brother Pei."

"Hahaha, good," Pei Yuanchang was very pleased. "Since you have just arrived, your elder brother will introduce the situation to you."

Pei Yuanchang pointed at the cloud map: "Currently, in the Eternal Night Sea, around Night Fortress No. 98, many strange phenomena have arisen."

"Among them, the most miraculous is the Spirit Beauty transforming into fish!"

Xia Jing: "..."

Pei Yuanchang noticed Xia Jing's abnormality and stopped: "Lin Yun, is there a problem?"

"Forgive me, Brother Pei. My internal cultivation of the Gluttony Eating Method has side effects."

"I see... very well, I will continue what I was saying," Pei Yuanchang said. "Night Fortress No. 98, the sea area surrounding it originally was a frozen layer."

"The climate here remains at Great Cold year-round, with a thick layer of ice."

"Looking at it now, it is slowly thawing, with fish leaping out of the sea surface."

"Eating those fish brings various benefits!"

"It has been verified so far, with effects of Yuan, Fa, Longevity, Pure Yuan, and Water Element Luck!"

After Pei Yuanchang finished speaking, he looked at the reactions of the several people.

All five remained unmoved.

Even Chen Shijie and Long Xiao were now people who had seen great scenes.

Following Zhao Xing, they had not eaten poorly.

Xia Jing should have played along, but he feared that if he opened his mouth to speak, he would vomit.

Coming onto the sea, he felt a bit unbearable again.

It was Zhao Xing who played along, saying, "Indeed miraculous!"

"Hahaha, exactly so," Pei Yuanchang said. "The thousand-year-old ice is thawing, the primordial energy sealed at the bottom of the sea for many years is suddenly released; the union of heaven and earth has created these miraculous fish."

"Brother Pei, capturing these fish must not be easy, right?" Zhao Xing asked.

When he arrived, he did not see many of Pei Yuanchang's personnel active.

"Yes," Pei Yuanchang nodded. "Capturing them is difficult."

"Everyone, look; this is the 'Wenhua Vessel' just brought up from the water outside."

Pei Yuanchang held a transparent bottle with an upper and lower layer inside.

At this moment, only the lower layer contained flowing pale blue light points.

The upper layer had not a single ray of light.

"One blue light point inside the Wenhua Vessel means the outside freezes."

"The colder it is, the more blue light there is."

"There are currently one hundred and thirty-nine points, enough to freeze a Seventh Grade to death; this is still data taken from ten meters underwater."

"If one continues deeper, even a Sixth Grade would suffer frostbite."

"Ordinary cold-resistant items are completely useless," Pei Yuanchang said. "The current highest record was created by a Fifth Grade, and they could only dive to five hundred meters."

"Therefore, now the seven major exploration teams are only chipping ice and waiting, waiting for the fish to leap up on their own."

Xia Jing couldn't help but frown; at the Fifth Grade, one could only dive five hundred meters, and that was indeed cold enough.

Who knew if he could withstand it.

Zhao Xing, however, was glad that time was still early and there was still time to prepare.

If large-scale diving were possible right now, he probably wouldn't have had the chance to reap so many benefits.

Pausing for a moment, Pei Pei Yuanchang continued, "Factions from all sides are urgently preparing cold-weather gear. Under my command, there are two Cold-Leaf Ice-Breaking Ships, and a third is on its way."

"These ships can dive to the seabed to shoot and capture Spirit Fish with sharp weapons."

"There is no need to dive personally."

"If you do not mind, you may join me in exploring and developing the area."

Pei Pei Yuanchang made this suggestion first to save face for Liu Tianning.

If that big shot were to arrive, currying favor with his disciple would naturally leave a good impression.

By doing this, he was essentially giving the Spirit Qi to Zhao Xing and the others for free.

He assumed Zhao Xing would agree, because the five of them had arrived on only one Qilin Flying Boat.

Without divine weapons or sharp tools, relying solely on their strength, how could they dive into the sea to catch fish?

But he did not expect Zhao Xing to actually refuse.

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Pei. You are willing to lend us passage and share a zone for exploration with us brothers; that is already a great favor. We absolutely cannot trouble Brother Pei any further."

There was no way Zhao Xing would agree to Pei Pei Yuanchang's kindness; in the end, Pei Pei Yuanchang had to drop the matter.

He gave Zhao Xing and the others a few cold-protecting magical robes and then watched them depart.

"Young Master, these people are truly ungrateful," a subordinate beside him said. "The Young Master is willing to share Spirit Qi with them and do them a favor, yet they actually refuse to accept it."

"Liu Tianning's disciples are hardly fools?" Pei Pei Yuanchang watched the retreating figure of the Qilin Flying Boat. "Send someone to keep an eye on them. Their zone is close to mine; if they truly have another method, a casual glance will reveal the tricks of the trade."

"Yes." The subordinate immediately carried out the order.

Pei Pei Yuanchang guessed correctly; Zhao Xing did indeed have a way.

Knowing they were coming to the Polar Night Sea, how could they have failed to prepare?

At this moment, he was rummaging through boxes and cabinets inside the Qilin Flying Boat's cabin.

Before long, he dragged two chests out.

"Old Chen, get to work!"