The clamor over the lake finally began to fade away.
Though Lotus Pond had been the heart of the incident, with the Xiyu Alliance controlling it single-handedly, it instead became the first place to quiet down.
Yu Ci enjoyed the peace here. Since the battle had only recently ended and the shifts in qi and flows of vital essence had not yet fully settled, he wanted to carefully reflect on his gains and losses. Thus, he simply decided to stay here.
The Sea Merchant Guild inevitably had to bleed heavily, producing a top-grade Void Artifact called Yi Shui Ju and spreading it out by the pond. In an instant, a courtyard rose up, and they invited him to move in.
Yu Ci did not stand on ceremony. Having a place to stay was far better than remaining aboard a ship or beneath the lake waters.
Yet only Xiao Jiu and Lu Ya had come with him. The latter was specifically there to look after Ye Chi.
Xiao Wu needed to keep a low profile and remain a secret weapon. As for Baiyi, she claimed she was keeping Shen Wan company and politely declined to come. But in Yu Ci's view, she likely had other plans.
The Tianfa Ling Sect disciples who had been with Xiao Jiu had wanted to come broaden their horizons, but Xiao Jiu drove them back. Their standing was different, after all. In such a delicate situation, it was better to keep their distance, lest they draw someone's attention, cause another mishap, and burden Yu Ci.
Yu Ci had found tranquility amid the bustle and gained a brief stretch of leisure. He sat cross-legged in midair among the half-pond of lotus flowers he had personally brought forth, entering meditation to contemplate his experiences.
That contemplation lasted two