--
After the laughter, Zhou Qing's expression turned serious as he asked Riko, "Have you really decided to take part in Spirit Hall's Overseas Exploration Operation?"
"What's wrong?"
Rabbit Girl knew Zhou Qing to be a serious and responsible person. His earlier joke had likely been more than praise—it had probably been a reminder to Riko.
Riko also asked, "Do you know something?"
"I have a guess."
Seeing Tang San looking over as well, Zhou Qing gazed out at the sky beyond the window. "Ever since I began cultivating, I've had a vague sense of connection with heaven and earth, as though something had happened to this world—
"Then I thought of how Spirit Hall had once gone out to sea, only to return defeated...
"And then I remembered going to another plane, clashing with a God King, showing off in an argument, changing my appearance, and even framing the Sea God...
"Perhaps the God Realm Turmoil severed the Sea God's inheritance, causing something to happen on Sea God Island. Bibi Dong may have sensed it too and is planning to make a move against Sea God Island."
A God King?
The Sea God?
Sea God Island?
Riko, Abel, and Rabbit Girl were utterly bewildered.
Zhou Qing had said all that for Tang San's sake. Afterward, he explained it again to the other three.
"Are there really gods in this world?"
Abel was somewhat lost.
Zhou Qing would not let him remain so confused, and said, "They're merely beings living in Fourth-Dimensional Space—a space and environment larger and better than the world we inhabit.
"It's like the difference between commoners living in low, cramped houses, the wealthy living in spacious courtyards, and nobles living in luxurious palaces and pavilions.
"But no matter how great the difference, it's actually much the