After some thought, Starlight decided to explain the whole story to Lira.
Since his goal for this trip was to investigate the Night Elves anyway, it was better to speak plainly now that he had encountered them.
He even subtly mentioned the intelligence they had received from the Shadow Court, carefully observing Lira’s expression as he spoke.
However, he did not get the answer he expected. Instead, Lira’s brow furrowed, and a look of confusion appeared on his face.
“You’re saying people suspected to be Night Elves appeared in Dragon Valley and the human Crimson City-State? No... that doesn’t make sense. I know all the Saint Rank experts currently in the tribe, and I’ve met with all of them recently. They have neither the time nor the motive to do such things.”
After carefully sorting through his memories, Lira denied the claim with absolute certainty.
Now Starlight was unsure. Based on expression alone, he couldn't tell if the other man was lying.
The conversation between the two suddenly fell into a cold silence. Just as Starlight was feeling awkward and unsure of how to break the tension, Lian’s small head popped up between them, her face still smeared with grease.
“Starlight, Starlight! Do you have any other tasty things? The grilled meat is all gone! Um... are you two fighting?” Seeing that the atmosphere wasn't right, Lian looked at the frowning Lira with suspicion.
“No, I was just asking him some questions, and he hasn't decided how to answer yet,” Starlight explained with a smile.
Lian looked back and forth between them with skepticism before finally whispering to Starlight, “Is that guy Lira bullying you? Don’t mind him; he’s just too old-fashioned! Ignore him~ Come on, make us some more food!”
Faced with this gluttonous little girl, Starlight could only let himself be dragged away from the bow by Lian. Soon, he brought out more food and joined the crew’s table, putting the previous awkwardness behind him.
During his conversations with the crew, Starlight also learned that after this ship finished its mourning cruise, its final destination was their homeland—Night Lotus Valley.
In this way, Starlight and Lian were essentially traveling the same path. He believed it wouldn't be long before he could reunite with his three companions.
Time passed quickly in a relatively pleasant atmosphere. Along the way, Starlight shared many of his recent experiences with Lian. Though his travels hadn't been extensive, it was more than enough to thrill the sheltered young girl.
Lian, still wanting more, even tried to sneak into the cabin assigned to Starlight so he could talk with her all night.
But as soon as she entered the door, she was spotted by a dark-faced Lira, who dragged her out without mercy.
Seeing the threatening look Lira left him with as he departed, Starlight could only manage a bitter smile.
After they left and he confirmed the door was locked, Starlight collapsed onto the single bed in the room.
After this period of rest, the mana in his body had recovered by nearly half, but his mental power was still severely depleted, leaving him with a faint, lingering sense of dizziness.
“Would you say I’m lucky or unlucky, Noah?” he asked instinctively. He waited for a long time, but no one answered, and only then did he remember that Noah wasn't by his side right now.
“Sigh, forget it. No use overthinking. I’ll just take it one step at a time,” the youth sighed softly and drifted into a heavy sleep.
...
Before long, Starlight had spent two days aboard the Night Elf ship, during which he witnessed the mourning ritual the Night Elves spoke of.
It had to be said that Lian was very serious when it came to official duties.
As the leader of the ritual, her silhouette praying under the moonlight looked so divine that it was impossible to associate her with the grease-covered girl from before.
By the third day, only one final location remained on their voyage.
As long as they could successfully complete the cruise of this area today, they could return to the port established by the Night Elves on the southern coast tomorrow.
However, the sky today was somewhat gloomy. Thick clouds hung like an iron curtain, obscuring the sunlight that should have been bright and beautiful.
The gentle sea breeze gradually grew stronger, kicking up waves on the once-calm surface.
“It looks like a storm is coming. My Lady, we must hurry.”
Lira looked into the distance with concern. The horizon had become blurred; the sky and the sea seemed to have lost their boundary, presenting a scene of pure chaos.
“Alright. That area isn't suitable for lingering anyway; it won't take much time,” Lian nodded and replied softly.
She was now dressed in her ceremonial finery, and the jewelry on her person clinked and chimed in the intensifying sea wind.
Starlight had recently learned the general lore of this sea area from Lian. This was the most dangerous part of their journey because it was the central region of the War of Gods ten thousand years ago.
That fierce battle between gods ten thousand years ago had not only altered the terrain, but the residual power continued to directly affect the creatures in this area. The beings living here were far stronger than their counterparts elsewhere, and far more frenzied.
The most terrifying aspect was that the residual divine power had woven an invisible cage underwater, mixing the lingering spirits and malice of countless fallen beings. Eventually, this formed many unknown creatures that were like phantoms.
Those monsters did not need rest, wandering the nearby waters all day. Among their former selves were no lack of ancient Saint Rank experts; even after death, they retained a significant portion of their strength.
Therefore, after entering this area, they had to be exceptionally careful, fearing they might disturb the souls from ten thousand years ago resting beneath the waves.
Meanwhile, the ritual on the ship proceeded in an orderly fashion. Under the watchful eyes of Lira and the guards, the ceremony soon neared its conclusion.
“Phew~ It seems our luck is pretty good. It’s likely because of the approaching storm, but none of those terrifying fellows from the legends appeared,” Lian exhaled a long breath after scattering the last of the offerings into the sea, straightening up from the bow.
Although this was her first time conducting the ritual, not a single one of the violent creatures spoken of by the tribe’s elders had appeared, which made her breathe a sigh of relief.
“In that case, we should withdraw,” Lira nodded and turned to head into the cabin.
But just as Lira was about to direct the crew to begin the return voyage, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck Starlight’s mind.
Just like before Hitral appeared, this electric sensation made him shudder, and he immediately entered a state of high alert.
He did not want to face that terrifying abyssal maw again. If he really encountered the Sea Demon King twice in three days, he could only blame his own bad luck.
But he quickly realized that this premonition was different from the one a few days ago; it seemed to be pointing in a specific direction.
Lian and Lira noticed the change in Starlight’s expression and asked in unison, “What is it? Did you find something unusual?”
Starlight didn't answer them directly. Instead, he walked quickly to the other side of the ship.
Sure enough, just as he expected, the strange premonition was guiding him toward a certain direction—the same direction from which the storm was approaching.
The sea surface had already turned from its original azure to a murky hue, with mud and seaweed caught in the waves greatly obstructing his vision.
So, he tried to extend his mental power toward the direction of the premonition. As a result, his heart immediately sank to the bottom of the ocean.
He had actually detected Noah’s soul fluctuation in that direction.
Although the distance was still quite far, it was absolutely impossible for him to be mistaken. If Noah was appearing in the depths of the sea over there, it meant that Po Kong and the other two were certainly in that direction as well.
Rate on N.U.
