High above Donglong Island.

Su Ye stood upon the wind, gazing at Bai Xiuying’s figure, his thoughts stirring.

’Trouble’s come knocking...’ he grumbled to himself.

Su Ye had his suspicions about Bai Xiuying’s purpose for coming to Donglong Island at this particular time.

According to his intelligence, the Immortal City Fleet led by Sikong Xin had followed the trail of the White Whale Moby Dick into the Dongning Sea Region half a month ago!

Currently, the Immortal City Fleet was organizing manpower to hunt it down.

However, it was proving quite difficult...

After all, the Dongning Sea Region was far from the Immortal City and had been ravaged by the Beast Tide, which had destroyed nearly all the spirit island settlements.

Under these circumstances, just tracking the White Whale’s movements was a difficult task.

To make any headway, the best method was to request help from the nearby Foundation Establishment families...

Sure enough, after a few pleasantries.

Bai Xiuying’s clear gaze sharpened, and her expression turned serious.

"To be honest, Mr. Su, I have a favor to ask..."

"Are you here about the ’White Whale’?" Su Ye asked, his expression calm and unreadable.

"Indeed..." Bai Xiuying nodded.

"This demon is cunning, and the Dongning Sea Region is vast. Our forces are spread too thin..."

"I wonder, would you be willing to lend us a hand...?"

Bai Xiuying was about to say more.

"I’m sorry, but the sea is treacherous, and I have no intention of leaving Donglong Island."

Su Ye shook his head, cutting her off bluntly.

"However... this demon instigated the Beast Tide and brought disaster to these waters..."

"I am willing to offer some assistance to Mr. Sikong’s demon-hunting operation..."

Su Ye’s tone softened slightly.

Then, he took a blank jade slip from his Storage Ring and imprinted it with his Divine Sense.

"This jade slip contains a detailed chart of the Dongning Sea Region."

"It includes many areas not found on the charts circulating publicly..."

Su Ye said, his eyes deep and profound.

"A sea chart..." Bai Xiuying accepted the jade slip. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Her expression shifted slightly as she swept it with her Divine Sense.

Sure enough, compared to the charts in Weiyuan Immortal City’s collection and those available on the market, this one was far more detailed!

It was the result of Su Ye’s own efforts over the past few years, painstakingly compiled from his demon-hunting expeditions and observations of the sea.

"This chart is precious. I am willing to offer a batch of Gathering Essence Pills as thanks!"

Bai Xiuying said seriously, producing a Cyan Jade Porcelain Bottle and floating it over with her Magical Power.

She had the disposition of a Sword Cultivator—sincere and direct, unwilling to use her position to bully others or take resources for free.

"Gathering Essence Pills?" Su Ye was slightly surprised.

He had heard of this elixir before.

The Gathering Essence Pill could refine one’s Magical Power and accelerate cultivation growth!

Moreover, it was more profound than the Profound Yuan Elixir he had previously taken and was even quite effective for Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators!

After they exchanged the chart and the elixirs, the atmosphere between them grew more amicable.

Bai Xiuying hadn’t given up, however. She made another attempt, saying earnestly.

"Mr. Su, the White Whale Demon King was injured but not killed. It now lies dormant in the Dongning Sea Region, which poses a considerable threat to Donglong Island as well."

"With the speed and maneuverability of your Ghostly Flood Dragon, helping Mr. Sikong track down the Demon King and slay it would be a truly great deed..."

"Of course, the mission is dangerous."

"If you are willing to help, we are prepared to offer another four batches of ’Gathering Essence Pills’, as well as..."

Bai Xiuying paused, her gaze earnest as she made a solemn promise.

"A single ’Chongyuan Elixir’!"

"This is a breakthrough elixir that can help a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator break through to the Late-stage!"

"Even though you achieved Foundation Establishment on your own and possess potent Magical Power, the bottleneck to the Late-stage is exceptionally difficult to overcome."

"Without the aid of an elixir, even with your talent, you will inevitably waste precious years..."

"But with this elixir’s help, you could break through to the Late-stage Foundation Establishment well within a century. When that time comes, reaching the next major realm will be within your grasp..."

Bai Xiuying said earnestly.

’A Chongyuan Elixir and four batches of Gathering Essence Pills... What an extravagant offer!’

Su Ye’s gaze flickered.

These two elixirs were quite rare among Tier-2 elixirs.

Not only were the required Spirit Medicines hundreds, or even a thousand, years old and difficult to gather...

...but they also required an Alchemy Master to personally refine them!

It was safe to say that the reward Bai Xiuying had promised was quite substantial!

’Unfortunately... these two elixirs hold no appeal for me...’

Su Ye mused, chuckling to himself in amusement.

After all, with his current cultivation speed rivaling that of a Celestial Spiritual Root, elixirs that refined Magical Power were of little value to him.

As for breakthrough elixirs, they were utterly meaningless...

’The Spirit Ship’s Harmony, which shares its cultivation stage, is the best breakthrough elixir there is!’

’Besides, the Cyan Profound Sect and Weiyuan Immortal City are currently at odds. Accepting a reward from the Immortal City would be tantamount to picking a side...’

’But if I refuse Bai Xiuying’s generous offer outright, I’ll risk offending the Immortal City, which wouldn’t be wise... Let me think... I’ve got it!’

Though these thoughts ran through his mind, Su Ye’s expression revealed nothing.

He appeared to be pondering, lost in thought.

Bai Xiuying didn’t press him, simply waiting patiently.

Just then, a cyan Escape Light shot up from Donglong Island. It was Xiao Sheng.

Xiao Sheng rode the Escape Light upward and came to a stop in the air. He glanced at Bai Xiuying, and his expression flickered.

He quickly turned to Su Ye, his tone seemingly displeased.

"Mr. Su, you had better think this through. The Sect..."

"Enough!" Su Ye’s expression turned cold.

A wave of Divine Sense—clearly stronger than the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment but a touch weaker than the Late-stage—

swept out like a hurricane, spreading in all directions and washing over Xiao Sheng and Bai Xiuying!

"Ugh..."

Xiao Sheng let out a muffled grunt, his spiritual soul trembling.

Bai Xiuying’s expression changed. A golden, sword-shaped sigil flashed between her brows, blocking the spiritual assault.

Su Ye’s expression was cold as he scanned them both. When his gaze fell on Bai Xiuying, it held a hint of resignation.

"My friends, I will be entering seclusion for a while."

"As for the Ghostly Flood Dragon, it has been in service for many years. Its hull is aging and needs to be brought in for an overhaul..."

"My apologies."

"And by the way... Mr. Xiao, given our friendship, you are welcome to stay in the marketplace for as long as you wish."

"However, Luoyue Mountain is the ancestral home of the Luo Clan. There are many customs to observe, so please refrain from visiting too often."

Su Ye cupped his hands in a brief salute.

With a flick of his sleeve, his black robes whipping in the wind, he transformed into a streak of Escape Light and departed.

Xiao Sheng and Bai Xiuying exchanged a look in midair, their expressions a mixture of emotions.

「A moment later.」

Xiao Sheng snorted, then rode his Escape Light back toward the marketplace.

Bai Xiuying’s gaze, however, darkened.

She gazed toward Luoyue Mountain, lost in thought for a moment, before riding her sword away from Donglong Island.

...

「Night.」

「The Marketplace.」

"Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Xiao. I appreciate you playing along with that little show."

Su Ye, who had activated the Illusion Spirit Pearl to conceal his form, raised his cup to Xiao Sheng.

"It’s no trouble... I understand."

"After all, that’s just how the sea region is these days... even trying to stay out of things requires a great deal of effort..."

Xiao Sheng gave a wry smile, his voice filled with emotion.

He was clearly reminded of the efforts he himself had made to get away from his sect.

"Even as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, in these chaotic times, one can barely manage to look out for oneself..."

"Sigh... Unfortunately, my talent is limited, and I’m bogged down by trivial matters. I likely have no hope of reaching the next major realm in this lifetime..."

"You, on the other hand, Mr. Su... you probably have a real chance of reaching the next realm..." Xiao Sheng said, half-drunk.

"Me?" Su Ye chuckled.

"Let’s not talk about that... Drink up, Mr. Xiao."

"Right, let’s drink, let’s drink!"