The smoke of battle had cleared from Golden Turtle Island, and Han Li and Zi Ling began their return journey aboard the Cloud-Chasing Guards' silver-armored ship.
Three days into the voyage, the sea breeze swept across the deck, laden with salty moisture. Han Li stood at the bow, the Pure Water Source Heart in his palm shimmering with a deep blue glow.
Since leaving Golden Turtle Island, he had made rapid progress in comprehending the "water-magnetic unity" trait. The water patterns and magnetic patterns on the surface of the superior-grade golden core within his dantian had woven together into a complete star chart.
[System notification: "Water-magnetic unity" fusion increased to 25% (basic). Water-origin spiritual power and magnetic essence power joint combat efficiency +30%.]
Zi Ling emerged from the cabin, her Plain Silver Hairpin swaying slightly in the sea breeze. The star patterns on the Star-Illusion Maze Formation Flags in her hand flowed with a pale silver radiance. "The Grand Elder sent word that our masters, the Twin Saints, have entered secluded cultivation deep within Magnetic Essence Mountain. With the two of us away these past several days, the Grand Elder has been handling all affairs personally."
She took out a Jade Slip, her divine-sense transmission carrying a measure of gravity. "The sealing of the External Affairs Hall has caused quite a stir in the Star Palace. The heads of all the halls are watching to see how the situation develops."
Han Li nodded and placed the defective Bloodwater Demon Cores, the External Affairs Hall Ledger, and the Jade Slip containing images of Zhao Kui's collusion with the Blood Lotus Cult into his Storage Bag, one after another.
This evidence concerned not only Zhao Kui's life or death, but also the power struggle within the Star Palace. The External