After both sides confirmed their intention to trade, the Azure Blue Sacred Sea Civilization did not immediately allow the Clear River Delegation into its core territory.
When that deep blue curtain of water stretching through the depths of the starry sky appeared before the delegation, every mechanical warship received a message to halt.
Behind the water curtain, tens of millions of blue points of light drifted slowly along tidal paths.
It was not ordinary seawater, but Water Element Rules refined to the utmost by the Azure Blue Sacred Sea Civilization. A few low-level members of the delegation felt their rule perception sink into a bottomless deep sea after looking at it for only a moment longer.
Lady Chenglan, the Level-9 practitioner responsible for escorting the delegation here, also showed a trace of surprise.
She had dealt with the Azure Blue Sacred Sea Civilization more than once.
Though the Azure Blue Sacred Sea Civilization was not usually welcoming, it rarely stopped envoys from other civilizations outside its territory. What was more, this contact had begun with an invitation they had sent through the Lanxi Civilization and the Gel Sea Civilization.
"Something is wrong," Lady Chenglan said quietly.
The Tide King beside her nodded.
This Level-10 Strong Practitioner from the Gel Sea Civilization had a Rule True Body resembling transparent water gel that retained a humanoid outline. As the deep blue water curtain ahead constantly heaved, fine ripples spread across the Tide King's surface as well.
"Both Sacred Sea Guards of the Azure Blue Sacred Sea Civilization have arrived," the Tide King said.
The Clear River Delegation did not force its way forward.
Several mechanical warships shut down their main thrusters, and the rule shields flickering across their hulls dimmed accordingly. The Level-9 Being serving as the delegation's representative envoy took the