Early the next morning, the Linghua was ready to leave port.
They were going to Peach Blossom Island's celebration as representatives of Linghua Island, so the Linghua was just right.
After several days of sailing, they neared the waters where the cave abode lay. Zhao Yi dropped the two off and had Wang Qing take the Single-Masted Ship there. The Linghua was too conspicuous; it was better not to take it.
After giving the two a few instructions and watching them leave, Zhao Yi called Old Wu over. "Old Wu, turn the ship around. Head south for Peach Blossom Island."
"Yes, Immortal Master Zhao!"
With that, he went to direct the Linghua's turn, while Zhao Yi returned to his cabin to continue thinking about this trip to Peach Blossom Island.
The situation in the Cloudsand Archipelago had been quite unpredictable these past few years. First, Red Sand Island and other islands had suffered murderous attacks, then Peach Blossom Island and Three Heroes Island, Black Wind Island and Kongqing Island had fought one another. He had heard that Wind Howl Island, at the easternmost edge of the Yunsha Sea Region, had also clashed with bandit cultivators, and that Wind-Thunder Rogue had single-handedly wiped out one of their hideouts.
Some islands in the northern Yunsha Sea Region had changed masters frequently in recent years. The fighting between cultivators had already spilled over onto mortals. The sisters Zheng Ji and Zheng Tong were examples: the cultivators stationed on their island had been killed, and all the mortals had been sold off.
Ah, at root, it was simply because the Yunsha Sea Region had no power with the final say. The Zhao Family of Little Wave Island was strong, but its strength had limits!
The bandit cultivators had probably seen this clearly too, which was why they acted with such reckless abandon!
As for whether some hidden hand was pulling the strings, Zhao Yi could not be certain. The only thing he could be certain of was that the Zhao Family had been tying its own hands and feet all along!
Otherwise, when the inhabitants of Red Sand Island and the other islands had been wiped out several years ago, the Zhao Family would not have swallowed its anger, merely sent people to investigate, then brought the matter to a hasty close.
The Zhao Family had sought stability too much in recent years and lost its edge. Standing was won through fighting; face was something one earned oneself.
But Zhao Yi was also puzzled. The Zhao Family had developed with excellent momentum under Zhao Xinghe's leadership, so he should not have been someone who tied his own hands and feet. How had this happened? Even if he was wholly focused on secluded cultivation to condense his Dao Foundation, he should not have become so timid and lost his spirit.
What Zhao Yi did not know was that Zhao Xinghe, the Zhao Family's head, had spent recent years in seclusion seeking to condense his Dao Foundation. Management of the entire Zhao Family had long since been handed over to the first elder.
Enough thinking. Thinking too much was useless. He only needed to cultivate hard. Reaching the Spirit Attraction Stage sooner would give him another measure of opportunity! With that, Zhao Yi gradually entered a meditative state.
On the seventh day of the ninth month, they finally reached the waters near Peach Blossom Island. The lookout could already see a small island not far ahead.
They continued onward and soon encountered Peach Blossom Island's guide boat. Zhao Yi stood aboard the ship, the flag of Linghua Island hanging high overhead and fluttering in the wind.
Peach Blossom Island was unlike Little Wave Island; it did not have so many cultivators. Those guiding visitors were all mortals, so there was naturally no need for Zhao Yi to deal with them. Old Wu would suffice. After gazing into the distance for a while, Zhao Yi returned to his cabin.
Another two hours passed before they reached Peach Blossom Island's docks. More than a dozen Two-Masted Ships were already moored there, presumably all here for Peach Blossom Island's celebration. Zhao Yi looked them over carefully. Quite a full gathering had come: nearby Xuanli Island, the somewhat more distant Black Wind Island, Kongqing Island, and Bamboo Sea Island. Oh, even Wind Howl Island had come. Zhao Yi was quite interested in Wind-Thunder Rogue and wanted to test the strength of this man known as Yunsha's foremost swordsman!
The ship moored at its berth. Leaving Old Wu and the others to watch it, Zhao Yi strolled ashore. When the Peach Blossom Island cultivator on the docks saw him disembark, he hurried forward to greet him.
"You must be Fellow Daoist Zhao of Linghua Island. I am Wu Yuyan of Peach Blossom Island. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhao." The young cultivator bowed and asked very courteously.
"So you are Fellow Daoist Wu. My junior brother has spoken of you. Now that we meet, you truly do have a distinguished bearing and profound cultivation!" Zhao Yi returned the greeting and offered his praise.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Liu Yu's praise puts me to shame! Oh, why don't I see Fellow Daoist Liu Yu?" Wu Yuyan sounded somewhat puzzled.
"My junior brother is looking after the islanders, so I alone have come to offer Peach Blossom Island our congratulations! Island Master Wu, you have already reached the Spirit Attraction Stage at such a young age. Your path ahead is bright indeed. Surely you will lead Peach Blossom Island to even greater glory!"
These were no empty words. Zhao Yi truly admired this Island Master Wu. Having weathered Three Heroes Island's oppression and then advanced to the Spirit Attraction Stage, he would surely stir up wind and clouds in the future!
"Haha, thank you for your kind wishes! In that case, Fellow Daoist Zhao, please come this way!" He called out behind him.
"Hua Qing, lead the way and take Senior Zhao to rest at Jade Radiance Courtyard."
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, I must remain here to welcome more guests, so please forgive me for not escorting you personally. Several fellow Daoists from Black Wind Island, Bamboo Sea Island, and Bright Moon Island are also staying at Jade Radiance Courtyard. There will be a banquet tonight to welcome you all and wash away the dust of your journeys! Someone will come to invite you when the time comes!"
"Of course, of course. Please attend to your duties, Fellow Daoist Wu."
Zhao Yi smiled at the teenage cultivator opposite him. "Sorry for the trouble, young friend Hua Qing. Please lead the way."
"Not at all, not at all. You are an honored guest. This way, Senior Zhao!" With that, he led the way, and Zhao Yi followed close behind.
They left the docks, passed through farmland, walked through a peach grove, and arrived before a small courtyard. A plaque hung above its gate: "Jade Radiance Courtyard."
"Senior Zhao, this is Jade Radiance Courtyard. Just go inside and find a room to rest in."
Zhao Yi nodded, then asked, "Where will tomorrow's celebration be held? Lingxiu Manor?"
"Yes, Senior."
Zhao Yi nodded, casually tossed the young cultivator an object, and stepped into Jade Radiance Courtyard.
"For you!"
The young cultivator held it up and saw that it was a spirit stone. "Thank you for your gift, Senior!"
Then he skipped away.
Inside Jade Radiance Courtyard stood a stone table and several stone stools beneath a tree. A few people were sitting there chatting. When the courtyard gate opened, they all turned to look outside.
Smiling at those beneath the tree, Zhao Yi walked over. Everyone exchanged greetings and introduced themselves. After chatting for a while, Zhao Yi rose and excused himself, found a room, and went inside without coming out again.
Time passed slowly. It was growing late, and Zhao Yi was meditating in his room.
"Tap, tap!" A knock sounded at the door.
Zhao Yi rose, opened the door, and stepped outside. It turned out the banquet was about to begin, and the other cultivators staying in the courtyard were preparing to head over.
Zhao Yi smiled and greeted them, and they left together.
Upon arriving at the banquet venue, they found their seats in turn and sat down.
Zhao Yi looked over the seating. Little Wave Island and Wind Howl Island were at the very front.
Before long, everyone had arrived. Zhao Yi knew neither the cultivator from the Zhao Family nor the one from Wind Howl Island. The cultivator from Black Wind Island, however, he did know!
He waved toward Yuan Zifeng, who happened to notice and waved back.
Soon, the banquet began. Its host was Peach Blossom Island's fifth elder, a lean old man whose impeccable courtesy displayed Peach Blossom Island's bearing. Island Master Wu was nowhere to be seen. On reflection, that made sense; he would probably only meet everyone tomorrow!
Delicious delicacies were brought out one after another, with three spirit peaches and a pot of spirit wine for each table as well. Zhao Yi could not stop clicking his tongue. This was Peach Blossom Island, with its substantial wealth!
For a time, cups and tally sticks crisscrossed, and the atmosphere gradually grew lively. Zhao Yi knew few people, so he simply buried his head in the food! Had Liu Yu been here, he would surely have handled things with ease!
Before long, the lean old man reached Zhao Yi's table.
"Fifth Uncle, this is Fellow Daoist Zhao of Linghua Island!" Wu Yuyan introduced him from beside the elder.
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