Terrifying Connections

For a long time now,

there has been absolutely no interaction between humans and the Sea Tribes. In many regions, they even harbor deadly enmity, to the point of being as incompatible as fire and water. Against this backdrop of grand conflict, it was truly hard to believe at first that his father, a man of such high status, could share a deep friendship with a magnate from the other side.

Liu Runan, however, had already regained his composure, his eyes revealing a detached understanding of everything.

"Changfeng, you are still too naive."

"In this world, there are no eternal enemies, nor can there be permanent friends. Only profit is the eternal truth. The conflicts and killings you see are merely petty skirmishes among the lower ranks."

"When you reach a certain level, you will understand that the surface-level peace and strife are all part of a tacitly agreed-upon balance among the great figures. Regardless of casualties, glory, or humiliation, it's all just a chess game driven by interests."

"And I, old as I am, am one of those who move the pieces!"

Boom!

With his solemn words, an overwhelming aura of supreme authority surged forth!

Even this unintentionally released pressure caused Liu Changfeng's soul flame to flicker violently. The shock in his eyes was greater than ever before, and a strange sense of pride suddenly overflowed across his face.

No wonder his father had always been so domineering, looking down even on the Outer Sect Elders. That superior, pressuring demeanor had always seemed somewhat unreasonable.

So, his father's connections and social reach had actually reached such heights!

At this level, manipulating a mere cultivator was nothing!

He was still far too young!

After a wave of shock and shame, Liu Changfeng finally rallied himself. Nervously, he performed a bow and spoke.

"Father's vision is truly transcendent, your son is utterly unworthy!"

"But that Sea Lord holds an extraordinary position. I fear ordinary treasures, techniques, and the like can no longer move him. I wonder what price must be paid to invite such a being to act?"

Seeing his son's nervous yet expectant gaze, Liu Runan shook his head helplessly.

"Ah..."

"You've finally shown a glimmer of understanding, though your perspective remains somewhat immature."

"Now that things have come to this, you will inevitably set foot in the Desolate Realm sooner or later and will come into contact with higher planes. It's time you learned a thing or two."

"For ages, the reason the Ancient Sea Tribes have been able to occupy the Vast Sea is due to an agreement with the Divine Land. No matter how much the Sea Tribes and human cultivators fight, they must never cross the Vast Sea to land in force. The treasures and resources within the Vast Sea belong entirely to them, while the shallows and everything in the Divine Land are occupied by humanity. This is the true shape of the stable grand situation."

"If the Sea Tribes wish to come ashore, they must possess an Immortal Decree issued by the Fallen God Palace. If humans wish to enter the deep sea to seek treasures, they must receive an Ice-Silk Jade Belt bestowed by the Sea Tribes. This is the exchange of interests accessible only to the higher echelons. Such precious opportunities for treasure-seeking are not something ordinary people can possess."

"Coincidentally, I am one of the human authorities responsible for issuing Immortal Decrees, and I still have five decrees in hand!"

By the time these words were spoken, Liu Changfeng was completely astonished.

The constant strife between the two races was ultimately about occupying treasure lands and caves, and enjoying the resources of heaven and earth. Yet, all of this was actually just tacitly permitted slaughter. In truth, there had long been a covert covenant. The ordinary feuds and battles were merely the desperate struggles of lowly ants at the bottom. Before the higher-ups, it was all just a matter of a single word.

So, the truth was this cruel.

As Liu Changfeng was lost in reflection, his old father waved his sleeve.

Five jade tokens, shimmering with a gentle glow, materialized in the air!

Gazing at these incredibly precious Immortal Decrees, Liu Changfeng was so shocked his soul flame trembled, as if he were seeing countless treasures. The opportunities represented by these five tokens were of immeasurable value.

Looking once more at his father's weathered face, he felt even more moved and respectful.

"Your son has been taught!"

"If not for Father's high position, your son would surely be like the low-level cultivators, perhaps paying who knows what price in search of some ultimate treasure, struggling on the brink of death like an ant. Truly, fate is irresistible."

Even though his soul flame still bore the outline of a child's face, his expression now held a touch of worldly experience.

Liu Runan finally gave a slight nod and put away the Immortal Decrees.

"The Great Dao is heartless, the ways of the world are cruel. Only the strong can endure long in this world. You should feel fortunate for your own destiny. In the future, cherish it well, strive through bitter cultivation to reach the peak, and do not disappoint your father's expectations!"

Liu Changfeng bowed respectfully, his bearing completely transformed.

"Your son will remember these teachings!"

At this moment,

his perspective had been elevated.

The superficial sense of superiority he once held in his eyes had completely dissipated, replaced by an extraordinary vision born from the depths of his heart and mind. Liu Changfeng had drawn a clear line between himself and the common masses, setting his sights on a higher plane.

Now, he knew his father's capabilities and understood the truth of the world.

The once unattainably lofty Desolate Realm would no longer make him anxious and hesitant. It was destined to be within his grasp, as if merely awaiting a routine outcome.

Seeing his son's completely transformed bearing, Liu Runan's eyes finally showed peace.

The two then parted the void and headed straight for the Vast Sea to the south.

Not long after,

father and son stood in the air, gazing at the boundless sea with calm expressions. However, after Liu Runan sent a message, a look of suspicion appeared in his eyes.

"The Eastern Sea?"

"What is Gui Shounian up to? Why has he gone to the Eastern Sea for no good reason..."

Muttering to himself, Liu Runan didn't dwell on it and continued towards the Eastern Sea.

A full half-hour later,

after traversing the void over a great distance, the father and son finally arrived at the somewhat barren Eastern Sea.

Standing in the air above the sea and looking down,

aside from some insignificant Sea Tribes, there were indeed the massive figures of Ancient Sea Beasts. In the small Eastern Sea, it already seemed somewhat crowded.

Led by several Sea Tribes members who had taken human form,

the father and son set foot in a deep-sea palace. The characters for "Heavenly Dragon Mermaid Tribe" were somewhat eye-catching, but it couldn't compare to the former center of the Ancient Sea Tribes. The mere ten-thousand-zhang palace also looked increasingly shabby the more one saw it.

Preoccupied with the important matter in his heart, Liu Runan couldn't be bothered to pay much attention.

Finally, upon entering the main hall,

they met his old friend Gui Shounian.

White-haired, hunched, the very furrows on his face recording traces of endless years. He was still as spirited and vigorous, still as deep and low-key.

But this giant turtle, once a dominant force in the deep sea, had now, quite unusually, taken human form. Sitting quietly by a tea table in this Eastern Sea palace always felt somewhat incongruous.

Liu Runan smiled, clasped his fists, stepped forward, and greeted him.

"Brother Gui, it's been a while. I trust you've been well."

"The Vast Sea is endlessly rich and abundant. Why have you come to this small Eastern Sea to reside temporarily? This old man had quite a journey finding you."

Gui Shounian slowly rose, returned the bow with clasped fists, and then gestured an invitation.

"Brother Liu, please take a seat."

"This old one recently... recently has had some insights, and thus wished to change to a quieter dwelling. If not for Brother Liu's visit, I would absolutely not have received any guests."

This old turtle was truly a seasoned operator. With a casual word, he gave a perfunctory response while also showing ample respect.

Hearing this, Liu Runan smiled and took his seat.

At his meaningful glance, the old turtle dismissed the attendants and got straight to the point.

"Brother Liu, what matter brings you here in such haste?"

As soon as the words fell, Liu Runan lightly waved his sleeve. A soul flame flew out and landed on the table, bearing only the outline of a child's form.

"Brother Gui."

"To be frank, my son was harmed by a villain. His original body has been destroyed, only his second soul survives. That person's cultivation is not weak, and I, acting alone, find myself somewhat inadequate to deal with him..."

"I have come this time solely to seek your aid, Brother Turtle!"