Fishing Boat, Half a Month

The sixth-order Qi cultivated by martial artists in the Five Seas Realm is comparable in purity to that of martial artists who have just entered the Dao Seed Realm.

The Ghost Flag is wide and made of a cool material.

After Jiang Ning infused it with his sixth-order Qi, it fluttered and rustled on the sea surface, its strange patterns writhing like a map of the underworld with flowing lines.

"Whoosh--"

The Nether Mist surged forth like dozens of torrents, pitch black and chilling, swirling around her before rapidly spreading across the entire sea.

Mie Di and Dao Truth exchanged a glance, both sensing that Jiang Ning's aura was extraordinary at this moment. The flag in her hand was not of this world, and even Fairy Yu seemed to have transformed into Ghost Mother.

With Qi Jin around, they had nothing to fear.

Even at his peak Jiang Ning might not be his match.

"Swish! Swish!"

The two charged out, their bodies enveloped by the golden tiger's light and the Buddha's light, each unleashing extraordinary combat techniques.

The golden tiger claw tore through the Nether Mist, finding Jiang Ning's true form.

The five-zhang-tall Buddha's radiant image pointed out with a finger, which was like a golden pillar, seemingly burning. Within the Buddha's radiant image, Dao Truth's body, as if cast in gold, flew away from the sea, parallel to the golden pillar-like finger.

"Boom!"

A ghost general, ten zhang tall and exuding unparalleled domineering aura, emerged from the Nether Mist. His armor and halberd were almost entirely solidified, possessing a metallic texture.

Its head resembles a ram's head, and its eyes are bright and piercing.

Inside the abdominal cavity, a cloud of green fire was burning.

The mere step forward generated a shockwave that caused ripples to spread across the Battle Intent and light of Dao Truth and Mie Di.

The five-zhang-long golden tiger and the five-zhang-tall Buddha-like figure were already enormous, filled with destructive energy fluctuations, but when they stood in front of the Nether Mist General, they immediately lost all their imposing presence.

The ghost general unleashed a punch that tore apart the Battle Intent Extinction and Dao Truth, like shattering two golden bubbles. The force of the punch, accompanied by green flames, landed on them.

"Puff!"

Dao Truth's arm snapped and tore apart, with flesh and bone flying out.

Protected by the Nine Thoughts Zen Beads and the monk's robes and ritual implements on his body, his physical body was preserved, and he flew off towards the sea with his head in front and his feet behind him.

"It's the Duling Cold Fire... it contains the Duling Cold Fire..."

Mie Di was struck by the green flames in the fist wind, his body burst into flames, many fire holes appeared, and like Dao Truth, he was sent flying backwards and crashed into the sea, letting out an extremely tragic scream.

The punch from the Nether Mist General created a giant wave more than two meters high, which spread to Qi Jin's front.

The moment the small boat beneath his feet was pushed to the crest of the wave, Qi Jin's figure shot up like an arrow into the sky, leaping straight up and appearing ten feet above the water, level with the eyes of the Nether Mist Ghost General.

Jiang Ning was secretly alarmed by the terrifying power of the Ghost Flag. His confidence and self-assurance transformed into boundless fighting spirit, and he sped forward.

The Ghost General of the Nether Mist charged ahead of her, wielding a battle halberd over ten zhang long. Its shaft was like a pillar that could stabilize the sea, and its blade was as large as a heavenly sword. When it was swung, it felt like a heavy weapon weighing millions of jin was striking, exuding immense pressure.

Qi Jin's gaze remained calm, unfazed by the aura of the Nether Mist Ghost General. He formed hand seals, releasing magical energy and a flurry of bright Mars that filled the surrounding world.

"The Divine Moon Mirror!"

Her unique Battle Intent manifested as a crimson divine moon rising from the sea, five zhang in diameter, its radiance incomparably bright.

But this is not the Divine Moon; it is a mirror that reflects the offensive tactics of the opposing Nether Mist Warrior.

Li Weiyi was shocked. There were two moons on the sea, one in the sky and one in the water. This Lord Qi was incredibly powerful, definitely Inheritor-level figure.

"Splash... Snap..."

Qi Jin's Battle Intent was shattered by the massive battle halberd, producing a crisp sound like a shattering mirror.

The Divine Moon Mirror Battle Intent can replicate the opponent's battle techniques and power, using their own methods against them. However, the Nether Mist Warrior, with the power of the Dao Seed Realm, forcibly broke through it, tearing apart all techniques.

A mark appeared on Qi Jin's snow-white neck, from which Mars escaped.

She touched it with her fingers, let out a deep, unwilling snort, turned and fled swiftly, stepping on the crests of waves, leaping lightly like a sea fairy. "Today's defeat is due to my weapon. Once I retrieve the Divine Moon Mirror, we will fight again!"

Li Weiyi knew that Jiang Ning's reason for fighting Qi Jin to the death was because of Zhuang Yue, so he transmitted his voice to her, saying, "Zhuang Yue is still alive. Don't fight her. You're very weak right now. There's no need to kill her today."

"I must retrieve Zhuang Yue's eyes... Tonight Soldier Ancestor Marsh filled with bloodshed, all because of me. I cannot be absent from this battle."

Jiang Ning landed on the shoulder of the Nether Mist General, white feathers flying around her delicate body. She picked up one of the feathers with her slender fingers and flicked it.

A white feather landed on Li Weiyi's head.

"You should return to the mainland first. I will use this white feather to find you. I need to borrow this flag again!"

White wings unfurled on her back, shimmering with light, and she soared through the air to chase after Qi Jin. Just as she was about to reach the edge of his vision, she glanced back at the man on the sea behind her.

Li Weiyi plucked the white feather from her hair; it was very soft and delicate, unlike anything formed from magical energy, but rather like a real down feather.

They shrunk the Zouwu back to the size of a cat and fed it a precious medicinal herb.

After continuously sailing at sea, its internal energy was almost completely depleted.

Not to mention it, even Li Weiyi's internal energy was exhausted, and he had to rely on continuous Breathing and Exhaling and the simultaneous flow of the Ten Springs to replenish it. Fighting at sea, whether propelling the ship or traversing the waves, consumes a tremendous amount of energy.

Only those top experts who cultivate the Sixth Sea Palace and the Seventh Sea Field can withstand it relatively easily.

Li Weiyi's first Qi Sea was ten directions, and his second Qi Sea was sixty-three directions. At the same realm, the size of his Qi Sea far surpassed that of the Perfected Person and those amazing inheritors.

However, once they cultivate the Fourth Sea, the capacity of their Qi Sea instantly increases to more than ten times.

Even the lowest level of the Fourth Sea for ordinary Perfected Person in the Nine Springs can reach a volume of one thousand cubic meters.

The fifth sea is even larger.

These are two main seas!

It is precisely because the gap is so large that the strength of each realm in the Five Seas Realm is vastly different, making it very difficult for even the most powerful beings in the Nine Springs Perfected Person to cross over and defeat each other.

The Sixth Sea Palace and the Seventh Sea Field were both very small when they reached the Spring Realm, and the amount of magical energy they could store was almost negligible. However, they were two living, internal worlds, and as long as they continued to cultivate, they could grow larger and larger, possibly even surpassing the two main seas.

Top-tier prodigies spend a great deal of time cultivating and expanding their skills; some are even willing to stay in training for several years to lay the most solid foundation for the future.

Jiang Ning had the confidence to pursue Qi Jin even in a weakened state. Besides the Ghost Flag, the most important reason was that she had cultivated her ancestral field to over ten thousand squares and still had magical energy available.

Li Weiyi searched the surrounding waters but could not find the bodies of Dao Truth and Miedi. The two had fallen into the sea severely injured and never resurfaced.

There were too many experts in Soldier Ancestor Marsh, Li Weiyi didn't want to stay any longer, so he headed towards the land bank.

Yin Thirteen escaped on Hundred Character Scripture Magic Tool Jade Boat. Once he enters the chaotic battlefield, Hidden Nine and Yin Shi will naturally come to his rescue. Even if Li Weiyi rushes over now, he won't be of much help.

Back on shore, Li Weiyi did not choose to go to Giant Marsh City. Instead, he sat down on a nearby island by the sea, took out Zhuang Yue who was still unconscious, and prepared to hand her over to Jiang Ning later.

Then, he sat down to meditate and recover his energy.

The waves crashed and roared down the mountain all night!

The morning glow rises over the sea, and the red sun breaks through the winter morning mist.

Jiang Ning, clad in soft armor, returned from the shimmering sea, her long hair swaying in the wind, her body reeking of blood. Reaching the summit of the island, she saw Zhuang Yue, who had lost her sight, sitting beside Li Weiyi. A glimmer of light appeared in Zhuang Yue's slightly weary eyes.

Last night, when Li Weiyi told her that Zhuang Yue was still alive, she didn't really believe it, thinking it was a well-intentioned lie from Li Weiyi.

Jiang Ning walked over. "I couldn't do it... Zhuang Yue, I will find you another pair of the brightest and most beautiful eyes in the world!"

"Miss... it's you, it really is you..."

Upon hearing Jiang Ning's voice, Zhuang Yue was overjoyed and quickly got up to hug her.

Li Weiyi was still meditating, but she had opened her eyes.

They whispered to each other for a moment, then walked towards Li Weiyi, one in front and one behind, one in charge and one in charge.

Jiang Ning stood tall and proud, his spirit unwavering. He took out the Ghost Flag and handed it over. "Now I understand why you asked me back then whether I was trustworthy. This treasure is indeed extraordinary, its value immeasurable. Longevity Realm Giants would likely be very interested in it."

Li Weiyi stood up and retrieved the Ghost Flag: "You said you'd pay, so pay up!"

A smile appeared on Jiang Ning's resolute face as she shook her head, "Not for now."

"I knew you were just making empty promises," Li Weiyi said.

I will definitely give it to you.

Jiang Ning gazed at him, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Hiding underwater, the enemy's search area is getting smaller and smaller. Once thousands of water ghost soldiers join in, it's only a matter of time before we're exposed. The only way to escape is to split up and leave. Your senior brother Chen Chuan, fleeing to that battlefield, is the only way to survive. The Zuoqiu Courtyard and the Jiu Li Tribe Clan will rescue him. He will help me draw away the powerful enemy, and I will also have a chance to escape. Under the circumstances, this is the only strategy."

Chen Chuan was Yin Thirteen's alias in the Imperial Court.

Li Weiyi was surprised, feeling that Jiang Ning's arrogance and indifference had faded considerably at this moment, and laughed, "Are you explaining this to me?"

Jiang Ning said, "I want to give you an explanation! I don't want to lose you as a friend because of some misunderstandings."

"Friend..."

Li Weiyi repeated a sentence.

Zhuang Yue was very enthusiastic. "My young lady has never considered any man as a friend before, and you are the only one right now."

"I don't want to be friends with people from the Imperial Court. Let's talk money!" Li Weiyi said.

Zhuang Yue clenched her fists in anger, her face puffing up slightly.

Jiang Ning frowned slightly, then nodded. "I understand! But Li Weiyi, do you know that you are actually a hypocrite? Zhuang Yue told me that you saved her, and that you bought the Core Lamp Flower to help her heal and grow her skin back. Last night, you clearly took a huge risk to save me, but you pushed everything onto those seven little ones."

"You've been like this ever since we met."

"You're clearly a person of integrity and compassion, yet you pretend to be driven by self-interest. Why? Is it so shameful for you to be a moral, humane, upright, and compassionate person?"

"If people in the world feel ashamed of being a good person, fearing criticism, unwarranted suspicion, and ridicule, then the world must be sick!"

"I have ideals: to heal this chaotic world and mend these twisted hearts. Would you be willing to walk this path with me?"

Her eyes were full of anticipation.

Li Weiyi said earnestly, "You invited me three times, which shows your sincerity. Let me tell you a few words from the bottom of my heart."

"I understand all your pursuits and visions from your side. But the tides of history are irreversible. What are we juniors compared to the overwhelming current? Even those transcendent giants can only drift with the tide."

"With your talent and powerful background, if you were given a hundred years, perhaps you could contend with this trend to some extent. But do you have that time?"

Of the Twenty-Eight Prefectures in the empire, are ten still under the control of the Imperial Court?

"The building is about to collapse, I advise you to withdraw as soon as possible... Never mind, consider this a waste of breath. Your Jiang family is already inextricably linked to the Lingxiao Palace, sharing both prosperity and ruin, with absolutely no way out."

"As for whether to save someone or kill them, right or wrong, I have my own scale in my heart. The difference between you and me is that I know how to act within my capabilities, and I am clearer about what I can and cannot do."

Jiang Ning said, "In your eyes, I am just an idealist from a high-ranking family who doesn't know how to act within his capabilities and is self-righteous. But the overall situation you mentioned actually depends on the Great Palace Master's decision. If she returns to normal and takes charge again, the whole situation can be reversed immediately."

She could tell that Li Weiyi was a pragmatic person and didn't want to listen to her grand pronouncements, so she said, "Spend half a month with me."

"..." Li Weiyi said.

Jiang Ning said, "I am badly injured and need to find a place to recuperate, but Zhuang Yue has lost her sight and can't even take care of herself, how can she take care of me?"

"Giant Marsh City is not safe; there must be a powerful barbarian bandit leader guarding the city."

"You probably want to go to Qiuzhou City to attend the Lantern Festival Qianlong Lantern Festival next year, right? But right now, the Zuoqiu Courtyard has mobilized the strength of the entire Seven Prefectures of the Southern Territory and is fighting against various forces, led by the Ash Region in the Far West, from Soldier Ancestor Marsh to the land. Going to Qiuzhou City now will be extremely dangerous. I suspect that the young masters from the Imperial Court, the eastern, Western Territory, and northern regions will all be going to join the fun."

"With your current cultivation level, instead of taking risks, why not stay with me for half a month? After half a month, things should be calmer, and we can go to Qiuzhou City together."

Zhuang Yue said, "I really can't take good care of Miss. I can pay you to take care of her. Name your price!"

"Are you very rich? You already owe me a huge sum of money."

After a pause, Li Weiyi said, "There's no need to pay me to accompany you; it wouldn't sound good if word got out. Besides, I do need to go into seclusion for a while, so let's find a place to hide for half a month!"

Li Weiyi understood perfectly well that Jiang Ning wanted to keep him there for half a month, perhaps to change his mindset, or perhaps simply to prevent him from getting involved in the battles between the top experts of the Five Seas Realm, feeling that he was too adventurous and too meddlesome, and that his trip would be extremely dangerous.

Li Weiyi bought a medium-sized fishing boat, and the three of them settled down by Soldier Ancestor Marsh.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

It snowed all night yesterday.

The next morning, Li Weiyi stepped out of her cabin, went to the bow of the ship, stretched, and took a long breath of the cool air.

Looking into the distance, the sea is a vast expanse of white, the snow and fog making the world appear hazy and indistinct.

The trees and withered grass by the water were all covered in silver, and the snow on the ground was half a foot deep.

"Whoosh!"

Seven Phoenix Wing Moth Emperors flew out joyfully, dancing gracefully on the water's surface like butterflies.

In the past two weeks, they have not only fully digested the Thousand-Year Elixir, but also consumed another Xihe Flower, growing to nearly five inches in length. Their combat strength is now incomparable to what it was two weeks ago, and each one can now rival a martial artist of the Fifth Realm of the Five Seas like Yuwen Chao.

After consuming another Thousand-Year Elixir with icy properties, he should be able to quickly reach the fifth inch level and achieve a true transformation in his cultivation realm.

Light footsteps sounded behind me.

Jiang Ning emerged dressed in simple clothes like a fisherwoman, her hair wrapped in rags, without any makeup. Even in tattered clothes, a fairy-like beauty like her possesses breathtaking beauty.

Her energy and spirit had fully recovered, and her cultivation had improved again. She walked to Li Weiyi's side and looked at the snow-covered sea. "I received news that a transcendent being from the Ash Region of the Far West has arrived at Peach Plum Mountain, the ancestral realm of the Zuoqiu Courtyard, Four Extremes Ape King has also arrived in the state capital. Transcendent beings from the Eastern, Western Territory, and Northern territories will also come to visit the immortal masters of the Du'e Temple."

"Zuoqiu Ting and Young Venerable stopped fighting eight days ago and entered the city together."

"Actually, after the troublemakers appeared, Qiuzhou City was no longer so safe. The clash at Soldier Ancestor Marsh was just the prelude; the Qianlong Lantern Festival is the real battleground. I suspect that the Young Venerable and his ilk will also get involved in the struggle for the Longevity Pill, Dragon Seed, and Dragon Bone."

"If you only want to escape the war in Lizhou, you can go to the Jiang family in Fuzhou. I will write you a letter. Once you arrive, the Jiang family will definitely treat you as an honored guest, and you will not lack cultivation resources."

In the past two weeks, Li Weiyi's strength has greatly improved, and he is much more confident. "Do you think that my cultivation is too low, and that I might not be able to protect myself if I join in the excitement of the Qianlong Lantern Festival, and that it would be very dangerous?"

Jiang Ning was silent for a moment, then said, "Are you going to Fuzhou? I really hope you will go."

"Why can't I go to Qiuzhou Prefecture?" Li Weiyi asked.

"Alright, since everyone is only asking questions and not answering, there's no need to keep asking."

Jiang Ning said, "I will be setting off for Qiuzhou City today, but... I may have to break my promise and cannot travel with you. Thank you for your company over the past two weeks. You are right; keeping your distance from those in the Imperial Court is perhaps the wise thing to do."

She turned and walked towards the land where the stern of the ship was located, where Zhuang Yue had already packed her bags.

Li Weiyi felt like he'd been played, but he quickly realized it and didn't turn around to see her off. "You're going to be a troublemaker too, aren't you? Has the Imperial Court assigned you a task?"

Upon reaching the shore, Jiang Ning, who was about to depart, said, "I don't want you to go to Qiuzhou City. This is not a grand event. That's all I can say!"

The footprints faded into the distance, and the two disappeared into the wind and snow.

Li Weiyi was left standing alone on the boat, and the whole world seemed incredibly desolate.

I'll start with 5,000 words today, 1,000 words to go.