Starfall Sea.
Ten thousand expanses of azure waves stretched boundlessly into the distance.
Three years had passed since Helian Xue led the Black Serpent Tribe's windship fleet away.
The fleet cleaved through waves, weathering storms, fog, and even attacks by sea beasts.
At last, they reached the legendary Ten Thousand Coral Islands, where islands lay scattered like stars across the sky and pieces across a chessboard.
The leader of the Cloud Arrival Trading House's party.
Was a middle-aged steward named Zhou Yi.
He was at the sixth level of Qi Refining, shrewd and capable, and utterly loyal to Xu Xuan.
He led more than thirty employees versed in trade, arithmetic, warehousing, and even basic treasure appraisal.
Along with ten low-level cultivators who took turns handling the ship and standing guard.
They crowded aboard a small vessel, following close behind the Black Serpent Tribe's flagship.
Upon first arriving at the Ten Thousand Coral Islands.
Everyone was awestruck by the sight before them.
This place was entirely different from the Great Xu Kingdom, or even the Northern Frontier.
The sky was a clear azure, and the sea shone with dreamlike, glazed colors.
Islands large and small lay scattered like stars across the sky and pieces across a chessboard, their vegetation lush with countless exotic flowers and unusual plants.
The air was thick with water spiritual qi.
Yet mingled with it were the faint salty tang of the deep sea and wisps of demonic qi.
Coral Island was the largest of the islands.
It took its name from the rainbow-colored coral reefs stretching hundreds of li through its surrounding waters.
A sizable cultivation city had even formed on the island.
Azure Wave City.
Most of the city's buildings were constructed from white coral stone and tough, giant marine growths.
Their style was striking