Heading to Placidium

In the cramped ship's cabin, Neeko and Jia Ruo recounted everything that had happened on the island to Yi, one after another.

Yi listened silently and said, "I just clashed with Zed. It was when they were escaping."

"Master, what was the result?"

"Zed's attacks are very strange, and he's skilled at hiding. I couldn't find his tracks, so I didn't pursue him further."

The Sword Saint paused.

"They might have other means of leaving the island, and I don't mean by boat."

"Is that so? Even Master can't deal with him. I don't know how many more years I'll need to train."

Jia Ruo looked at Neeko.

"Don't be discouraged, child. You'll surpass me soon. I can foresee that day."

Yi patted Jia Ruo's shoulder.

"You've done enough for Neeko. Neeko is already, already very content."

Neeko was touched by Jia Ruo's words.

Xayah, however, was good at stirring up trouble and added, "Silly girl, he's just after your body. Don't be so easily fooled."

Rakan just chuckled awkwardly beside her, saying nothing.

"You two... you have a history, don't you?" Jia Ruo stroked his chin.

The ship docked. The boatmen were overjoyed to learn that the ill omen on the island had been dispelled. They arranged for Jia Ruo and his party to stay overnight at the dock.

Of course, they didn't reveal too much about the island's affairs to the boatmen. Jia Ruo simply said, "Everyone, rest assured, the ill omen has been driven away, and the land has returned to warmth."

For these ordinary people, not knowing the hidden story might be a good thing.

That night, the small dock was unusually lively.

The housewives from each boat family treated the group warmly with local specialties.

It was dried fish.

Every autumn, fishermen would catch the most succulent sea fish. After gutting and scaling them, they would rub a thin layer of sea salt inside and out.

Then, they would use firewood from a local tree that grew by the sea and had a peculiar fragrance to smoke it.

The ingredients for the dried fish were not expensive or rare, but the production process required meticulous attention to detail.

The boatmen would take them out on major festivals and prepare them as delicacies.

Although they were called dried fish, after being cooked by the skillful housewives—whether in soup or stir-fried—they would become fresh, rich, and delicious.

The exotic cuisine allowed Jia Ruo to taste the long-lost flavors of the human world. This was truly the taste of happiness.

Had he been in Runeterra for a year now? This seemed to be the first time he had eaten such exquisite food. In Ixtal, he ate fruits every day, occasionally some roasted meat, and without any seasonings. After apprenticing under the Sword Saint, he was busy practicing sword techniques every day and rarely even ate meat, only gnawing on wild fruits.

Thinking of this, Jia Ruo looked at the food before him, almost moved to tears.

It smelled so good.

"Master, I want to stay here for a few more days. These dried fish are really fragrant," Jia Ruo said, his mouth stuffed with food, not forgetting to speak to Yi.

Neeko pouted, "Then you stay here by yourself. Aren't you afraid of being disliked?"

"What's wrong with that? What they make is just delicious. Right, Uncle?"

Jia Ruo forcefully swallowed the food in his mouth and smiled at the old boatman.

The old boatman had put down his chopsticks and was smoking his pipe. He said, "It's nothing, it's nothing. We country folk don't have much to offer you. If the young brother is willing, you're welcome to stay a few more days."

He had truly felt that surge of revitalizing wind before. Perhaps these people before him were truly reclusive masters.

Although many people in Ionia could use magic, they were only a small portion of the population.

And among those who could use magic, even fewer could use it for combat—more Ionian magic users used it in their daily lives.

The next morning.

Jia Ruo didn't actually intend to stay in this place for long. After packing their belongings, the group left the dock, facing the rising sun.

"Master, where are we going now? Back to find Senior Brother?" Jia Ruo asked.

"No, we're heading northeast, to Placidium. We need to inform the council about what happened here."

"I see," Jia Ruo looked at Xayah and Rakan again. "What about you two? Are you coming with us?"

"No, we don't want to go to a big city like Placidium," Rakan looked at Xayah. "Xayah prefers quiet."

"Then, farewell."

Jia Ruo and Yi cupped their fists in salute, and Neeko followed suit.

Rakan and Xayah bowed in return and flew off in another direction.

"Master, I think there's definitely a conspiracy behind Zed's corruption of the earth's Magic Power this time. They might have set up this kind of seal in more than just this one place," Jia Ruo said to Yi as they walked. "Neeko's hometown was likely destroyed because of this."

"Yeah, that's why we have to go to Placidium. It's hard for us to find out the truth on our own. Besides..."

Yi stopped in his tracks.

"Placidium has a job that's very suitable for you and Neeko. You can stay in Placidium afterwards. We masters and disciples might have to part ways for a while."

"Master, where are you going?"

Hearing Yi's words, Jia Ruo panicked. He had long regarded Yi as his pillar of support.

"I'm going to continue wandering Ionia, searching for more inheritors of Wuji."

Yi looked at Jia Ruo, his calm gaze unwavering.

"You need to work harder. Before we reach Placidium, you must learn the other half of my skills."

"Master, I, I don't want to be separated from you. There's still so much I need to learn from you."

"Jia Ruo, you have to grow on your own eventually. A master leads you to the door, but cultivation is personal. A true man doesn't act like a woman."

"Disciple understands."

Jia Ruo was a little dejected.

Neeko hadn't spoken the whole time. She just clutched Jia Ruo's clothes tightly. All feasts must end someday. Would she also be separated from Jia Ruo one day?

Neeko didn't know the answer.