Two years later.
Across the boundless Gouwu Sea, azure waves surged to the heavens.
A gigantic, pitch-black treasure ship tore across the sea, the banners of the Infinite Extremity Devil Palace hanging conspicuously from its hull.
At the bow, Xuangu True Person stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in dark green Daoist robes.
He narrowed his eyes and gazed at the coastline gradually coming into focus in the distance, a thousand feelings stirring within him.
Gong Shisan stood in front of him, equally moved, and sighed. "Xuangu, that's Cangming Island up ahead, isn't it?"
"Yes, True Lord." Xuangu lowered his head in reply, his gaze sweeping over the sea beside the ship.
The sea no longer looked anything like what he remembered.
Over a thousand flying boats, spirit ships, and treasure ships of every design converged from all directions, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, surging toward the same destination.
There were treasure ships flying the Buddhist banners of the Vajra Zen Sect, gleaming with golden light;
there were treasure ships carved with the decadent patterns of the Blissful Union Tower, faintly fragrant;
and there were spirit boats flying banners he could not name, cautiously mingling with the procession.
"Brother Qing really is impressive wherever he goes." Gong Shisan could not help clicking his tongue. "To think he's turned Earth Pass Island into a place like this."
Xuangu said nothing, merely staring ahead.
Normally, a late Golden Core stage cultivator of his standing would have had no right to stand at the bow aboard an Infinite Extremity Devil Palace ship. They had brought him up front mainly because of his past acquaintance with Qing Chen.
Cangming Island finally revealed its full outline. The first thing that struck their eyes was the towering city wall.
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