"Elders, it has been over a hundred years. Have you all been well?"
Inside the treasure ship, Li Ling and the others took their seats as host and guests and exchanged pleasantries.
Everyone was heartened by Li Ling's attitude, but when they recalled the circumstances behind that greeting, their expressions turned slightly strange.
When they had met over a hundred years ago, Li Ling had eliminated their Grand Elder Qian Kun, forcing the General Association to appoint a new Treasure Envoy.
Fortunately, the Four Seas had always been loosely organized. Had the Money Guild and the Four Seas Commerce Guild been unified powers whose factions worked together with one heart, making no distinction between themselves, they might well have crossed blades with the Incense Accumulation Sect.
As though he had not noticed their expressions, Li Ling continued with a smile, "By good fortune, I have attained Spirit Transformation, and the Heavenly Court has graciously bestowed upon me the title of Immortal Venerable. It is only right that I shoulder responsibility for the world and seek blessings for the living beings of the Four Seas. You are all esteemed seniors of the Four Seas Commerce Guild. What advice might you have?"
"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare..."
Their expressions varied, but several hundred years ago, when Li Ling had first begun rising to fame, the various parties had already anticipated this possibility. They simply had not expected the day to arrive so soon.
Once they adjusted their outlook, they accepted it.
Pei Qingguang, however, composed his expression and asked in return, "What arrangements do you intend to make next, Immortal Venerable?"
Li Ling said, "The times are turbulent, demons run rampant, and strange phenomena have appeared throughout the Four Seas. I must ask you all to work together and bring the