In the Outer Sea, the water was deep blue, the waves rose and fell, and sea breezes blew in gusts.
Small boats lay scattered along the boundary between the Outer Sea and the coastal region, carrying the first group of scholars eliminated by the Outer Sea.
After a brief spell of disappointment, these scholars began searching earnestly for Literary Heart Fish, waiting for the third and fourth rounds of learning poetry. Perhaps those rounds would let them venture deeper into the Outer Sea or improve their chances of catching fish.
Many sailboats could clearly have continued with the fleets, but after realizing how fierce the wind and waves were, they turned their bows and gradually left the course ahead.
Other sailboats stopped as soon as they spotted Literary Heart Fish and began fishing.
Yet many sailboats still pressed onward, every captain's gaze growing firmer.
Different people made different choices about what to keep and what to relinquish.
More than eight thousand boats stopped advancing and began fishing at the edge of the Outer Sea.
The Fang Yun Fleet and the Zong-Lei Fleet continued onward.
Now, the Zong-Lei Fleet held first place. They had so many tower ships that, together, they could weaken the wind and waves ahead.
By contrast, Fang Yun's side had few tower ships and a great many smaller warboats and sailboats, so their speed gradually fell behind.
The difference in speed between the two sides was not great, however, and the gap did not widen.
Not long after entering the Outer Sea, Lei Longkuo suddenly used Tongue Blossoms Thunder. "Everyone in the Fang Yun Fleet, our fleet's speed has increased greatly. We can certainly keep you safe and reach the Inner Sea first! Why not join our fleet?"
Han Shoulu chuckled. "What does being a little slower