This was not the first time Zhao Ya had come across records about the Wuyang Sea.
Ever since he confiscated that firearm from Ye Xunhuan, Zhao Ya had frequently delved into various ancient texts, searching for any clues regarding the Wuyang Sea.
Despite exhausting a great deal of effort, Zhao Ya found few valuable leads.
No matter how ancient the texts, the accounts of the Wuyang Sea were invariably vague.
They only mention that this sea region is perpetually shrouded in ancient mists, where entering it means certain death!
Because of this, it was also known as an absolute forbidden zone.
Only the record written by Guo Luming contained some unusual information, and its credibility was quite high.
But what exactly was the sound of that flute? And what was the so-called Sea Dragon King?
Despite his boundless curiosity, the lack of related information left Zhao Ya unable to make any conclusions.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Ya carefully packed away the two booklets, then opened a satchel he carried with him.
Inside were jars and bottles, along with various odds and ends, all items frequently needed while traveling the Jianghu.
Zhao Ya pulled out a long box from it, opened the lid, and inside was a peculiarly designed firearm.
At first glance, this firearm looked much like a hand cannon Zhao Ya had seen in a previous life.
Except it was far more intricate and complex.
The barrel was twenty centimeters long, adorned with dense engravings whose purposes were unclear, be they decorative or otherwise.
The components on the gun’s body were seamlessly integrated, extremely exquisite and complex.
Zhao Ya gently pulled back the bolt, revealing a chamber.
This was where the bullets were placed.
Unfortunately, the last bullet had been used up in a battle with the Jingping Saint.
However, Zhao Ya remembered clearly what that bullet looked like.
It was about ten centimeters long, with a conical pointed front and a spherical rear.
Zhao Ya still couldn’t understand why this firearm had such tremendous power.
After all, with the Jingping Saint’s strength, even the most advanced firearms from a past world would struggle to harm him.
But this firearm had managed to do just that.
Could it be that there was some high technology involved here?
Zhao Ya gently caressed the surface of the firearm, his mind in turmoil.
This thing was also obtained by Ye Xunhuan from the edge of the Wuyang Sea, coupled with that strange flute sound...
Could it be that within that mist, there was a hidden highly advanced civilization?
Though it was incredibly bizarre, it wasn’t entirely impossible.
Zhao Ya slowly exhaled a breath.
This world... was becoming increasingly intriguing.
But pondering these things now was useless.
The urgent task was to stabilize the Azure Dragon Temple first, then plan other moves.
Just as Zhao Ya was putting the firearm away, he heard footsteps outside.
He didn’t need to look up to know who it was.
"How are things outside? Any new developments?"
"My lord, apart from some disturbances caused by the removal of the Azure Dragon Temple’s name, there’s been no unusual activity."
The speaker was none other than Wu Bao’Er.
Nowadays, she had joined the ranks of the Azure Dragon Temple, but being a woman, living inside the temple was inconvenient, so Zhao Ya had her stationed outside to gather information, essentially providing him with extra intelligence.
Zhao Ya nodded, "Good, well done."
Saying this, Zhao Ya casually tossed over a bottle of medicine, which Wu Bao’Er hurriedly caught.
"This contains a three-month supply. Take it regularly each day. Not only will it control the poison in your body, but it will also replenish your energy and blood, aiding your cultivation," Zhao Ya said blandly.
"Thank you, my lord." Wu Bao’Er was quite pleased.
Although currently under Zhao Ya’s control through poison, Wu Bao’Er felt little resistance towards this.
After all, Zhao Ya hadn’t forced her to do anything, merely asking her to gather some information from outside. As long as she remained obedient, Zhao Ya’s antidote would be delivered promptly.
This was even more freedom than she had had while at the Separation Tower.
Perhaps sensing Wu Bao’Er’s joy, Zhao Ya glanced up at her with a smile.
"Have you got any news about your partner, Liu Ming?"
"No," Wu Bao’Er shook her head but then said confidently.
"But I’m sure he’s not dead; he must be hiding somewhere."
"Alright, keep an eye out for any movement outside and report to me at once."
"Yes!" Wu Bao’Er answered, disappearing into the darkness in a flash.
Gazing at the night outside the hall, Zhao Ya sighed softly.
According to his previous plans, after successfully opening his meridians and finding the next path, he should have returned to the Great Yan to see Zui’Er and the others.
But now he couldn’t leave even if he wanted to.
The dying wishes of Guan Xuejiang, Guo Luming’s dedicated nurturing of him, and the hopes of the entire temple all transformed into heavy responsibilities resting on Zhao Ya’s shoulders.
At the same time, Zhao Ya suddenly had some realizations.
As his strength gradually increased, it was indeed time for him to establish his own power.
Not for anything else, but at least to provide Zui’Er and the others with a safe place when he travels the world and probes the mysteries of this world in the future.
In this way, the Azure Dragon Temple would be the most suitable target.
To start, its foundation was solid, saving much trouble during the initial building phase.
Secondly, after these days of interaction, Zhao Ya’s prestige is high enough.
It can even be said that, after Guan Xuejiang’s death, apart from Guo Luming, no one has higher prestige than Zhao Ya.
Not even Shen Yunshen or Qin Jianji.
Next, it is time to resolve the turmoil caused by the expulsion from the Azure Dragon Temple.
While Zhao Ya was pondering the next step, far away, several thousand miles away, Pei Quan’an accompanied Nangong Yanran on a long and arduous journey, finally reaching the territory of the Nangong Family.
This place is somewhat different from other places Beyond the World, because it is close to the Ink Sea, the climate here is very humid.
With many lakes and a dense network of rivers, it can be called a land of fish and rice.
After reaching the domain governed by the Nangong Family, the servants of the Nangong Family, who had already received the news, were waiting.
They boarded a luxurious large ship and headed into the depths of the river network.
Pei Quan’an looked at the riverbank scenery with great interest and couldn’t help but ask, "What does your family do?"
Nangong Yanran’s face turned pale, and after a moment of silence, she hesitantly said, "These waterways belong to my family, passing merchant ships have to pay us."
"Oh, so you’re water bandits!"
Pei Quan’an instinctively said, then immediately realized he had misspoken and couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.
"Yanran, sorry, I didn’t mean it that way...."
"It’s okay, you’re not wrong, my family indeed comes from a line of water bandits," Nangong Yanran said softly, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists.
In fact, she didn’t care much about her family’s background before.
It wasn’t until she joined the Wanghai Tower and came into contact with the children of various Beyond the World noble families that she felt inferior.
After all, the people she interacted with were either from prestigious families or from ancient sects.
In comparison, her family’s bandit origins were indeed difficult to speak of.
This is why even though she had to endure, she didn’t want to return home despite her mother’s serious illness.
Because she didn’t want to be the daughter of water bandits again.
Pei Quan’an, however, paid no mind to these matters.
In fact, if it weren’t for the Gui Family’s wealth, he wouldn’t have bothered to make this trip.
But since he was here, he had to maintain a proper attitude.
So when the large ship passed through the bottomless reed marshes and finally docked at a small island.
Pei Quan’an, with a face full of enthusiasm, accompanied Nangong Yanran and disembarked the ship.
Many people stood on the shore, all here to welcome Pei Quan’an.
Leading them was Nangong Yanran’s father, the Patriarch of the Nangong Family, Nangong Buliang.
Upon hearing this name, Pei Quan’an couldn’t help but think sarcastically.
A name like Nangong Buliang!
Does that mean there is also someone named Nangong Henliang?
Although he thought so, the smile on his face didn’t diminish in the slightest.
"Patriarch Nangong, you’re too courteous."
"Oh, it’s our honor to have a talented student from Wanghai Tower visit our Nangong Family. Please, come in," Nangong Buliang said with great delight.
The crowd surrounded Pei Quan’an and ushered him into the reception hall.
Nangong Yanran had gone to the back to see her mother.
Here, Nangong Buliang served as the host himself.
A sumptuous feast of food and wine was presented like flowing water.
Pei Quan’an was not bashful; amidst the clinking of glasses, he quickly drank several cups of wine.
Then Pei Quan’an put down his wine cup and started chatting with Nangong Buliang.
Pretending to chat but actually seeking information.
As they talked, Pei Quan’an steered the conversation towards the Gui Family of Ink Sea City.
"On the way here, I heard from Yanran that the Gui Family of Ink Sea City is very wealthy. Has Patriarch Nangong heard of them?"
"Haha, Young Master Pei asked the right person. Not only have I heard of them, but I’m also good friends with the Patriarch of the Gui Family, Gui Heshu," Nangong Buliang replied with a smile.
"Oh?" Pei Quan’an’s eyes lit up, then he feigned nonchalance and asked.
"Can you tell me about the situation in Ink Sea City?"
"Why not? Ink Sea City is a first-rate large city, adjacent to the Ink Sea."
"Although it’s called a sea, it’s actually a vast marshland. It’s rich in aquatic products, producing a wide variety, making Ink Sea City very prosperous."
"The Ink Sea City was built by the ancestors of the Gui Family, and it has been passed down for hundreds of years."
Upon hearing this, Pei Quan’an nodded as if enlightened, "Then why haven’t I heard of this Ink Sea City before?"
"Haha, the products of Ink Sea City are all everyday items and have nothing to do with the Martial Dao, so it’s normal for Young Master Pei not to have heard of it."
"Are there any powerful martial artists in Ink Sea City or the Gui Family?" Pei Quan’an couldn’t help but ask.
Nangong Buliang glanced at him, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally, then smiled and replied.
"I haven’t heard of any. Although Gui Heshu’s skills are decent, they’re about the same as mine, definitely not enough to catch Young Master Pei’s attention."
Pei Quan’an felt a sense of joy upon hearing this, but as this was only Nangong Buliang’s one-sided statement, to verify the authenticity of the information, he discreetly nodded and then changed the subject.
The banquet was enjoyed by both host and guest; Pei Quan’an was even a bit drunk when he was helped to the residence at the back.
After he left, Nangong Buliang’s smiling face gradually receded, turning serious as he asked.
"Second brother, what do you think?"
The second patriarch of the Nangong Family, Nangong Buliang’s younger brother, Nangong Henliang replied coldly upon hearing the question.
"This young man is outwardly respectful but internally arrogant, not well-intentioned."