When leaving Li Taizhou, Jiang Hong was wholeheartedly focused on Profound Cultivation, never interested in matters between men and women.

Who would have thought...

that he would actually get married in Jizhou?

It looks more like he's living off his wife; a few years ago, Jiang Hong failed his assessment at Jingchen Pass and left without notice, being merely Third Grade at the time.

Now upon reunion, his strength has already reached the peak of Second Grade, just a step away from First Grade.

Who would believe he isn't living off his wife?

But seeing Qin Miaoran's demeanor, it clearly revolves around Jiang Hong.

Xu Guang couldn't help but admire Jiang Hong in his heart.

"Three Ancestors, we meet again."

Jiang Hong frowned upon hearing this and touched his long hair, "Don't call me Three Ancestors. Time is irrelevant in cultivation; calling me so old isn't right, Brother Jiang, Third Brother, Third Junior is fine, call me whatever you like but never Three Ancestors."

After saying that, he looked at Qin Miaoran, "Miaoran, this is Xu Guang. We used to see his phantom on the demon-altering mirror in the Seven Star City square, a leading expert of the North Empery Institute, also a hometown fellow of mine."

Xu Guang: ...

On the way back to the inn, several people occasionally turned to look at Jiang Hong and Qin Miaoran, not because of Qin Miaoran's beauty, but simply because the relationship between the two…

was somewhat too baffling.

Qin Miaoran was powerful, came from a noble family, and provided Jiang Hong with cultivation resources, yet their interactions still centered around him, truly puzzling.

Even Jin Buhuan, who always appeared worldly, had an odd look in his eyes.

"What do you plan to do?"

"First head to the location Liu Chuan provided; he said someone will host us there." Zhuge Wuliang spoke up.

Qin Miaoran furrowed her brows, "Isn't this somewhat inappropriate? You lack experience at sea, and they let you handle things like this — could there be hidden motives?"

Before Zhuge Wuliang could explain, Jiang Hong spoke.

"No need to worry, Miaoran. Liu Chuan is just a pirate group, insignificant. With my hometown friends and me, we can likely handle it."

Such words sounded somewhat hollow.

Yet, unexpectedly, Qin Miaoran nodded, gazing tenderly at Jiang Hong, "I trust you."

No way, girl, don't you have something on Jiang Hong?

Xu Guang's expression became more peculiar; he finally figured out the relationship between Jiang Hong and Qin Miaoran.

Well damn, eating hard on soft rice!

No one expected that among them leaving Li Taizhou, Jiang Hong turned out to be the most successful one.

By around sunset, Yuan Shuang arrived.

He actually knew Qin Miaoran!

He also made everyone aware of Qin Miaoran's cultivation, a Nirvana Transformation Warrior.

Xu Guang: ...

Zhuge Wuliang: ...

Gongsun Wang: ...

Jiang Hong: "Miaoran's cultivation talent is quite good."

Turning around, they left, even Gongsun Wang, who hadn't uttered a word, suddenly spoke before leaving, "I've not seen Brother Jiang for years, if there's a chance, let's spar."

...

Jizhou.

Wujian, is actually a force arranged by many avengers, each with their own vengeance targets, able to unite to help each other fulfill their revenge. They are close as brothers, deeply aware of each other's hidden scars, allowing them to completely trust each other.

The meaning of Wujian indicates both Hell and seamless intimacy.

Its power is larger than many imagine.

A man wearing a bronze mask held a letter, looking peculiar, quietly tapping the armrest of the chair with his fingers.

A moment later, another person wearing a similar bronze mask appeared, the voice slightly younger.

"So urgently, what's the matter?"

"The person you recommended wrote me a letter."

The young voice seemed a bit bewildered, took the letter, and the uncovered half-face turned quite colorful.

"Calculating the time, they should be on Yanyun Island now? Is it because Shang Yun and the seniors exposed?"

"Impossible, Shang Yun wouldn't be so stupid, and they aren't as smart as you think."

"..."

"What do you plan to do? Make a trip?"

"Uh, considering it, it seems a good way. After all, Liu Chuan isn't a pure pirate, participating in pirate treasure hunts sometimes lacks legitimacy, with Xu Guang and the others, we can stabilize and get that thing. Nevertheless, Xu Guang and the others are slightly weaker, I'll go personally, to avoid any trouble and sending North Empery Institute's dissatisfaction."

"That's fine, you... just be careful, don't act recklessly unless absolutely necessary."

"Rest assured, I know the limits."

...

The boat arrived the next day.

This was a merchant vessel from Beiji City, belonging to the Shang family, traveling among many sea islands, heading to their target destination as one of them.

The Shang family, Xu Guang recalled, includes someone with the surname Shang among those guarding Yanyun Island nowadays, a rare surname.

The ship's shopkeeper was a middle-aged man about fifty, named Shang Liu, with a simple appearance, lively eyes, clearly not as simple as he looks on the surface in overseas trade.

According to him, he was born from a branch of the Shang family, started boarding ships at thirteen, from near the sea to open waters, and he had been on board for nearly a millennium.

As for the cultivation, it has already reached Nirvana Transformation.

Upon hearing Xu Guang's doubts, the ship shopkeeper replied with a smile, "Are you referring to the young master Shang Yun? These years have been hard on him, but if not for his help, I wouldn't be in today's state."

Shang Liu's ship was steady, sailing through twenty-three islands and six overseas sect bases.

Overseas is indeed a quite prosperous world.

Hongze itself holds so many possibilities.

Of course, due to these forces along the way, occasionally showing naval defenses, the ship's speed wasn't particularly fast, taking more than a month before arriving at the address designated by Liu Chuan.

This was a large deserted island, avoided by people due to a much more prosperous nearby large island, frequented by pirates.

Nearby factions were glad to provide pirates a haven, unique to the balance of outer seas.

Upon stepping onto the island named Hope Sea Island, Zhuge Wuliang took out an amulet from his bosom, gently placed it on the ground, causing an invisible flow of light.

About a quarter of an hour later, five figures appeared, three men and two women, their strength wasn't weak, the weakest among them was a woman with Second Grade Cultivation while the others had experienced at least one Nirvana Transformation.

"Greetings to the North Empery Institute talents."

"Are you from Liu Chuan?" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

The leading man nodded, "I am Liu Chuan."

Xu Guang heard this, unable to avoid frowning.

"Gentlemen, this is not a place for talk, shall we switch locations?"

Zhuge Wuliang and Xu Guang exchanged a glance, then nodded.

...

Tinghai Cottage.

Built deep in the wooded area of Hope Sea Island, the sound of birds echoed, yet the place remained elegant.

"Previously, this was a pirate's territory, these people committed atrocities, yet unexpectedly constructed such a nice place."

Liu Chuan stated with a smile, showing not even a hint of pirate demeanor.

Xu Guang and the others grew more puzzled, suspecting their attitude was somewhat off.

Liu Chuan seemed to have sensed their suspicion, smiling embarrassedly.

"Inviting you in this manner was indeed out of necessity; the He Lian siblings have a deep bond with us, rest assured for their safety."

The woman with the lowest cultivation stepped forward.

"He Lian Huang Yue, greetings fellow seniors."

Everyone's expression instantly darkened.

Zhuge Wuliang abruptly stood up, his expression grim, "What's the meaning of this? But for my fellow brothers' weak cultivation? Are you mocking us?"

Liu Chuan hurriedly stood, "Not at all, we have our reasons."

During the conversation, he mentioned the alliance of sixty thousand pirates.

"Long ago, there was an agreement between the Pirate King and the Canghai Water Tribe, every millennium they'll jointly open the heavenly treasure blue cloud site, containing many ancient secrets, and among them, few items we must acquire at all costs. However, entry has conditions requiring pirate identity."

"We heard of the North Empery Institute's heroes' formidable strength, worried you'd find such matters unacceptable, so we resorted to this trick."

Xu Guang frowned, "Pirate identity?"

"Exactly, it's the Pirate King's rule, to earn his acknowledgment. Concealed from you, it was for this matter.

As you journey here, we used some means, leading the Pirate King's will to sense you've already been drawn into our pirate fraternity, barely earning his recognition."

Xu Guang and the others were left speechless.

They couldn't confirm whether Liu Chuan's words were true or false, yet in this world, there are many wondrous and mysterious events.

"Gentlemen, follow me, we'll provide evidence."