Under the illumination of the afternoon sun, the shuttle-shaped flying boat hovered above the inner lake of the great rift valley.
Zhang Yu stood up from his seat in the main cabin, and then took out a white branch he had snapped off from the Spirit Pass tree from his sleeve. He raised his sleeve slightly, placed it in the palm of his other hand, and then communicated with the Spirit Pass through his mind.
After a while, the fog above the lake in the rift valley slowly spread out, growing larger and larger, gradually spreading over the entire lake.
The fog outside the World Gap was originally only big enough for small creatures to pass through, and because of this, the flying boats of the people of Shuang Continent could not pass through, and could only go in by themselves.
But as the master of the Spirit Pass, he could enlarge the entrance and send the flying boat in as well.
When the fog finished expanding, he put away the white branch and said to Wu Ze, "Old Wu, we can enter the World Gap now."
Wu Ze looked at the fog, his eyes behind his glasses somewhat inquisitive. He pressed his hand on the jade board, and the boat slowly sank into the lightning fog until the entire boat was swallowed up.
When he could see the scenery outside clearly again, he discovered that the desolate rift valley was no longer in front of him. Instead, it was replaced by a huge and wide waterfall. Green plants and the sounds of all kinds of living creatures flooded into his senses from all directions.
"Is this the World Gap …"
He could not help but look at this vibrant world.
Zhang Yu said, "Old Wu, go forward, through the great plains, the Spirit Pass is in front of the mountain range in the north."
Wu Ze obeyed and steered the flying boat towards the north. The speed of the flying boat was very fast, and it didn't take long for them to pass through the great plains. However, the plains that were shrouded in white smoke and dust soon came into view. He was slightly surprised and said, "This place was attacked by a Profound Weapon?"
Zhang Yu answered briefly, "It was done by the people of Shuang Continent."
Wu Ze looked up, the white world in front of him reflected a white light on his glasses. He adjusted it, "It does seem like their way of doing things."
Several huts stood on a certain remnant of a mountain. Fan Lan, Qi Wu, and their disciples had built these huts. The arrival of this huge flying boat had alarmed the two of them.
They walked out of their residences and looked at the Profound Cicada Wing Pattern on the flying boat. The two of them were slightly relieved.
After the flying boat came close, it hovered above the flattened wasteland. The tentacles under its abdomen reached the ground first, and relying on them, the boat slowly sank.
After the flying boat landed, the cabin door opened after a while. Zhang Yu walked down the tentacle ladder, and Wu Ze followed behind him.
When Fan Lan and Qi Wu saw him, their expressions relaxed and they immediately came forward to greet him.
After Zhang Yu greeted them, he introduced Wu Ze to them. Wu Ze knew that Zhang Yu must have something to tell Fan Lan and the others, so after greeting them, he took his leave and returned to the flying boat.
Fan Lan invited Zhang Yu into the hut. After sitting down, he said, "Recently, junior brother Qi and I went to the other side of the world gap to explore. Just as junior brother Zhang said, the land there is just as desolate and devoid of life. However, after we crossed the snowy mountain, we made some discoveries."
There was a hint of excitement in Qi Wu's voice, "Senior brother Fan and I both saw flying boats engraved with the Profound Cicada Wing Pattern pass through the sky more than once!"
"Oh?"
Zhang Yu was moved. Since there were flying boats like this, it was hard to say whether it was another upper continent, but it was definitely a place where Tianxia's forces existed.
Fan Lan said, "It's a pity that every time we saw a flying boat, we were far away and couldn't get close enough, so we didn't know where it was heading."
Qi Wu said, "Because those flying boats were all heading in one direction, senior brother Fan and I discussed it and decided to make preparations before trying to explore further in that direction."
Zhang Yu understood that these two were actually worried about the disciples here. After all, after they left, the Divine Descendants of the Iga Divine Clan would still be a threat. He said, "This time, I've brought a tamed Yuan Ape. I plan to place it here so that it can protect the disciples here."
After Fan Lan came to the Qingyang Upper Continent, he tried to understand the spiritual creatures on the continent. The Yuan Ape was naturally heard of as well. He said happily, "If there is such a creature protecting us, then junior brother Qi and I can be at ease."
He thought for a moment, "A few days ago, the Iga Divine Clan sent some messengers over, saying that they want to become our subordinates. Junior brother Zhang wasn't here, so I didn't give them a definite answer."
Zhang Yu said, "If this person is willing to accept the teachings of Tianxia's etiquette, music, writing and language, then senior brothers can allow him to become their subordinates."
Fan Lan couldn't help but nod.
After the three of them chatted for a while, Fan Lan sighed, "Unknowingly, we've been in the Qingyang Upper Continent for almost a year. If we count the journey here, it's been an entire year. When we entered the World Gap, I went to the Eastern Court to study. I wonder how it is now."
Zhang Yu said, "I will keep an eye on this matter. If there is news from the Eastern Court, I will promptly inform senior brother Fan."
Just as they were talking, a huge whirlpool opened in the sky above the Eastern Court Protectorate, and then several flying boats passed through it.
Because the Eastern Court had been in contact with the mainland for almost a year, it was now much more convenient to travel. From time to time, there would be flying boats from the Qingyang Upper Continent or from other protectorates returning to the mainland. Thus, the people of the Eastern Court were used to such scenes.
At this time, an inconspicuous flying boat separated from the fleet of flying boats and landed on the roof of a mooring boat on Dan Harbor. Afterward, waves of clear mist sprayed out.
After a while, the cabin door swung open and two men came out. They were both wearing hooded overcoats that shielded them from the wind and rain. Their faces were hidden under the hood.
The burly man on the left said, "This is the Eastern Court Protectorate. I hope we can find the person we are looking for."
The man on the right said, "Where to first?"
The burly man said, "This matter can't be rushed. We are not familiar with the surrounding environment. First, we will find a place to stay, and then go to the Civil Affairs Department to investigate some things."
The man on the right looked at him and followed his lead without saying anything else.
When the two of them walked out of the roof of the mooring boat, they showed their name lists and were arranged to stay in a nearby inn by the officials of Dan Harbor.
They rested there for a night. On the second day, they took the same name lists and went to the Civil Affairs Department, claiming that they were sent by the two Protectorates to investigate some things. When the manager of the Civil Affairs Department, Xiao Qingzhan, heard that the two of them came from Qingyang, he took the time to chat with them.
Now that the news of Zhang Yu taking up the position of Xuanzheng had spread to Dongting, Xiao Qingzhan couldn't help but mention his brother, Xiao Qingshu, and Zhang Yu, who used to admire each other. However, his brother had died young because of an evil person's plot. If not for that, he probably would have made a name for himself in Qingyang. Speaking of this matter, he couldn't help but sigh.
The two of them cooperated with him by saying a few words of flattery, and then smoothly entered the Civil Affairs Department. They pulled out some old records, especially the name lists of the soldiers and civilians from sixty years ago, before the Turbid Tide stopped. They quickly found what they were looking for.
After they left, Xiao Qingzhan turned back and personally flipped through the documents that the two of them had checked. Then, he called for a servant and said, "Report the whereabouts and appearances of these two to Manager Xiang."
The servant was shocked. "Sir, do you think these two are fake identities?"
Xiao Qingzhan said indifferently, "Their identities are not fake, and the name lists are also real. However, these two people don't speak and act like government officials, and they are also very secretive about their origins. Recently, many unidentified people have come to Dongting. It's never wrong to be careful."
The servant understood. He bowed and cupped his hands. "This humble one will go this way."
The two of them left the Civil Affairs Department. After confirming that no one was following them, they hired a boat and headed straight for the sea. They arrived at Ji Island four days later.
This island wasn't big, with only a hundred or so families living on it. However, there was an elder here named Rui Xiang, who had participated in the battle of Honghe Pass. This person was quite respected by the islanders.
After arriving on the island, the two of them asked about his residence and directly paid him a visit. After showing the name lists to Rui Xiang's family, they were invited in.
Elder Rui already had some guesses about their origins. After seeing the two of them, he was even more certain. As such, he dismissed his attendants and said, "What business do the two of you have with this old man?"
The burly man asked, "Elder Rui, do you still remember your identity?
Elder Rui sighed after a moment of silence. "It's been hard for you to find me. However, I've long since resigned from the army and have been living here in seclusion for nearly forty years. What else can I do for you?"
The burly man said, "Elder Rui, you've been here for more than sixty years since you came to Dongting. Have you gained anything?"
"Gain?" Elder Rui's brows twitched upon hearing this. He looked up and asked, "Why? Is the plan from back then still in progress?"
The burly man said firmly, "We've never given up. I believe Elder Rui hasn't forgotten either."
Elder Rui sighed again. "Yes, although no one has forced me to do anything all these years, I still remember the picture that person described to me back then. Hmm, I've gained something here, but I can't be sure. You need to find another person. Perhaps you can find the answer from him."
The burly man asked, "Who is this person?"
Elder Rui gestured for him to extend his hand. Using his hand as a pen, he wrote a name on the man's palm. "This is all I can help you with. Also, don't overstep your boundaries. Even if the Protectorate doesn't interfere, Xuanfu has produced a Xuanzheng. They won't show mercy just because you're from the mainland."
The burly man nodded. "We'll listen to Elder Rui's suggestion. Also, we want to ask Elder Rui about something. Is there an organization called the God Recovery Society in Dongting?"
Elder Rui replied, "There is. Why do you ask? I only remember that one of the leaders of the God Recovery Society was killed by Zhang Xuanshou, who is now Zhang Xuanzheng. After that, the organization disappeared without a trace. "
The burly man nodded. He stood up and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Elder Rui. We'll remember your help." After a pause, he added, "Don't worry, Elder Rui. If you don't want to, we won't appear in front of you again. You can continue to live the life you want overseas."
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