Qing Chen and his party traveled in secret aboard the War Treasure Ship across the boundless sea.
The closer they drew to Earth Jade Island, the more the very air seemed steeped in tension.
Over the final fifty thousand li of their voyage, they underwent five or six inspections by Mysterious Blood Warships, some overt and some covert.
Even aboard the Condensed Jade Sect's War Treasure Ship, they had to submit to inspections that left no corner unchecked.
At last, they reached the docks of Earth Jade Market, and Qing Chen's party entered Earth Jade Island under the lead of the Deputy Hall Vice Lord of Punishing Evil.
Yet the moment they landed, everyone was split up.
Citing a decree from the Tianshu Hall Vice Lord, the Deputy Hall Vice Lord of Punishing Evil took away the entire elite Battle Hall force directly under Qing Chen's command.
Even the War Treasure Ship was not spared; everything was requisitioned for centralized deployment.
The sight made Qing Chen's heart clench. He even thought his secrets had been exposed.
Fortunately, although the Deputy Hall Vice Lord of Punishing Evil maintained a strictly businesslike attitude, he remained quite courteous toward this rising pillar of the sect.
He neither made things difficult for Qing Chen nor restricted his movements, and only then did Qing Chen's heart settle somewhat.
He composed himself. Rather than returning to his own Celebration Cloud Peak, he straightened his robes and flew toward Mingwang Peak, where his master, True Person Budong, resided.
Along the way, he encountered quite a few members of the sect.
Whenever the Qi Refining Stage disciples spotted Qing Chen in the distance, they immediately stopped and stood with their heads respectfully lowered.
When Qing Chen approached, they bowed and said:
"Greetings, Tianshu Hall Deputy Hall Vice Lord,