【Intelligence 2: In the temple of the Diaohai Blessed Land, a sect-protecting inheritance ritual vessel is enshrined, known as the 'Diaohai Pure Heart Bell'. It was crafted by the founding ancestor of Diaohai Pavilion, 'Xiao Ting'.】
【Every eighty-one years, this bell will spontaneously ring nine times. Its sound penetrates the Great Void and echoes across the three surrounding commanderies, selecting a destined person in the unseen world, designating them as a 'Child of Destiny' with the status of the Blessed Land!】
【Xiao Wu is the tenth 'Child of Destiny' in the history of Diaohai Pavilion. His fortune and luck rating: upper-middle. The 'Diaohai Pure Heart Bell' evaluates him as: “A pillar of talent; once he overcomes his tribulations, his martial arts will advance tremendously, and he will attain a Divine Ability!”】
Hiss...
Shen Xiuhan's fingers holding the teacup tightened slightly, completely out of his control.
The amount of information contained in this intelligence was absolutely staggering!
The so-called Child of Destiny was actually designated jointly by the status of the Diaohai Blessed Land and the ritual vessel known as the 'Diaohai Pure Heart Bell'!
And what kind of incredibly powerful figure was the founding ancestor of Diaohai Pavilion, 'Xiao Ting', to actually be able to craft such a heaven-defying treasure?
Most importantly, he also shared the surname Xiao! This treasure selecting Xiao Wu as a 'Child of Destiny' in the unseen world was likely no mere coincidence.
And Xiao Wu's future was truly limitless, being evaluated by the ritual vessel as a pillar of talent with the potential to attain a Divine Ability in the future!
A Divine Ability...
Shen Xiuhan had once seen a note on the 『Old Man of the Creek Divine Ability Fragment』 he obtained from the Ji Family's Library Pavilion. Divine Abilities could only be practiced by those in the legendary Divine Descent Rank!
Divine Descent... That was a realm far above the Gangjin Rank! Yet Xiao Wu actually had the chance to step into this realm...
Shen Xiuhan took a deep breath, murmuring in his heart, As expected of a Child of Destiny...
【Intelligence 3: The fifth chief of Chenjian Dock, 'Blood Fiend Blade Tang Jin', has assembled three Mingjin Rank martial artists and nearly a hundred elite water bandits. They are heading straight for Yunyi Island on a tower ship, intending to establish dominance through slaughter and reclaim their dignity after the death of 'Qu Bushi'!】
Hmm?!
Tang Jin's target... is actually Yunyi Island, where I am stationed?
Shen Xiuhan's heart suddenly sank.
But in just a breath's time, he calmed down.
No, that's not right.
Shen Xiuhan's mind raced as he calculated silently: Geng Weizhi once mentioned that Chenjian Dock has an agreement with the County Magistrate and the Huajin Rank experts of the Wang family. Experts of the Anjin Rank and above are not allowed to use force in the waters of Changyun.
That's why Chenjian Dock relaxed its rules and recruited a few skilled Mingjin Rank martial artists to take over...
And Tang Jin's arrival this time is likely just to personally oversee things and intimidate Ji Ning...
The ones who actually want to go onto the island and start a slaughter are probably the three Mingjin Rank martial artists mentioned in the intelligence!
Having figured this out, the heavy weight on Shen Xiuhan's heart lifted. He had originally wanted to rush back to Yunyi Island immediately, but now he was in no hurry.
This place was only one or two li away from Yunyi Island by water. With his explosive power at the Tendon Tempering stage, if he rowed with all his might, he could reach it in the time it took to drink a cup of tea.
I should let them pass first. Once the people on the island send word to the Garrison Master, and with Ji Ning present to face Tang Jin, we can ensure the situation doesn't spiral out of control!
【Intelligence 4: The fleet of the Luo family, the family of the Changyun County Magistrate, will pass through this waterway in two incense sticks' time. Onboard is the eldest young lady of the Luo family's first branch, 'Luo Tangyin'. Her current cultivation: peak of the Mingjin Rank. Her return from the prefectural city this time is actually to participate in the 'Longxiang Martial Feast' hosted by the Changyun Wang family. Those who win the top three spots in this feast will be permitted to enter the Longxiang Army's secret realm, the 'Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool', to cultivate. This pool has miraculous effects in helping martial artists break through to the Anjin Rank!】
The Luo family's fleet... will pass by here in two incense sticks' time?
Shen Xiuhan paused slightly in his mind.
The two incense sticks of time mentioned when the system refreshed the intelligence... if I calculate the time, isn't that... right now?!
Just as this thought arose.
In the corner of the cabin, the Gold-Tailed Rat, which had been licking the scales of the 『Ink-Bone Blue Fish』 through the iron fish creel, suddenly snapped its head around like lightning.
Whoosh!
A brilliant golden light flashed across the dim cabin!
The little fellow instantly turned into a golden streak, darting out of the cabin to stand on the bow. It turned back and squeaked urgently at the two inside the cabin.
“Squeak, squeak, squeak...”
Shen Xiuhan and Xiao Wu exchanged a look. In silent understanding, they both stood up, leaped out of the cabin, and landed on the bow.
Far away, deep within the vast, thick fog.
A massive entity was slicing through the waves, appearing and disappearing like a giant beast.
It was a luxurious tower ship with a deep draft, flying a large flag with the character "Luo" on it.
The hull was painted a deep vermilion, adorned with carved railings and painted pillars, its layered eaves looming indistinctly in the fog.
Xiao Wu stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the large ship for a moment before turning around with an easygoing smile to Shen Xiuhan:
“Brother Shen, someone is coming. Let us end our tea session here for today.”
As he spoke, he paused, reached into his robe, and pulled out a green round disc only the size of a palm, handing it to Shen Xiuhan.
“This is...”
Shen Xiuhan took it in confusion.
The round disc seemed like neither jade nor stone. Its surface shimmered with a gentle watery luster, yet it felt warm to the touch. It was impossible to tell what material it had been crafted from.
Looking closely, he saw four tiny azure spots of light and one white spot emitting a soft glow quietly hovering at the center of the disc.
The spots of light were scattered at varying distances.
The two closest blue spots closely surrounded the white spot, flickering gently like someone breathing, looking extraordinarily miraculous!
“Brother Shen, this item is called the 'Four Seas Heart-Linking Disc'... The white spot represents you, while the blue spots represent others who hold this disc...”
Xiao Wu explained, his expression turning solemn:
“This treasure was obtained by chance during my underwater explorations. There is one mother disc and six child discs in total.”
“You only need to channel a wisp of blood qi into the disc and lightly touch the spot of light representing the other person. Even if they are hundreds of li away, they will feel the connection.”
“I, Xiao Wu, have lived half my life in a muddle. Having recently gained some opportunities, I no longer wish to live aimlessly. Thus, I often gift these child discs to brothers of life and death who share my temperament and spirit, so we can gather, converse, practice martial arts, and discuss the Dao together.”
“If Brother Shen does not mind, please accept this one today. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will surely introduce the other brothers to you...”
At this point, Xiao Wu seemed to recall something and grinned:
“Right, Brother Shen, since you are currently placed on the Ji family's Yunyi Island, you must know the Garrison Master on the island, Brother Ji Ning, correct?”
Ji Ning?
A strange look flashed in Shen Xiuhan's eyes, and he nodded. “Of course I know him. He is the expert sent by the main Ji family branch to guard this island.”
“That's it then! Brother Ji Ning and I are close friends, and he also holds a child disc.”
Xiao Wu tapped one of the closest blue spots near the center of the green disc and said:
“If you encounter an emergency, you can contact him directly through this spot of light.”
Rumble...
Splash!
Just as Xiao Wu finished speaking, the massive tower ship flying the "Luo" flag sliced through the waves and arrived nearby, slowly decelerating in the waterway not far away.
The waves slapped against the hull, making a loud, roaring sound.
Before the two could react.
From the luxurious deck several Zhang high, a crisp, melodious female voice carrying a hint of familiar pleasant surprise floated down from afar:
“Junior Brother Shen!”
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