In the days that followed, Tianbao Supreme Sect was a scene of bustling activity both inside and out.
Though the preliminary agreement signed with the Que Sect was only a framework, it still required a great many hands to follow through and put it into effect.
The Tianshu Pavilion on the main peak remained brightly lit day and night. Stewards and elders from every branch hurried back and forth without pause. Even the major trading houses and aristocratic clans within Tianbao Giant City stirred at the news; beneath the undercurrents lay an immense circulation of profit and a reshaping of the balance of power.
And as the Heavenly Birthday Festival came to an end, the various forces gathered in Tianbao Giant City began to withdraw like the receding tide.
Jiang Shagui of Cloudwater Supreme Sect was the first to take his leave with Qi Haiyi and the others. Before departing, he held another brief secret discussion with Jiang Lishan and several branch masters. No one knew what was said, but judging from both sides' expressions, they seemed to have reached some tacit understanding regarding the division of interests in the sea regions.
The people of the Tianxing Alliance left immediately afterward, swift and decisive.
Two days later, Zhang Longhu and Chen Youning also took their leave and returned to the Thousand Reef Sea.
That day, Liu Qingxuan came to bid Chen Qing farewell.
"Brother Chen, forgive my presumptuous interruption." Liu Qingxuan cupped his hands with a smile. "Tomorrow, I shall return to the Swallow Archipelago with the two elders. Before leaving, I came especially to bid Brother Chen farewell."
"A little overseas specialty—Coral Spirit Tea. It is nothing precious, but it represents a token of overseas goodwill. I hope Brother Chen will accept it with a smile."
Chen Qing accepted