Since they were setting off to rescue someone, there was no excessive bureaucratic paperwork. It didn’t take long for the military frigate to set off.
The vessel traveled at an incredible speed. Some kind of force at the frigate’s bow parted the seawater in half, allowing it to sail with minimal resistance. On top of that, there were waves alongside the frigate that pushed it ahead. This was likely the result of a powerful formation.
Most of the guests gathered around Isabella, wanting to get close to her. They weren’t interested in rescuing Firework; they just wanted to capitalize on this rare opportunity to socialize with the Acadias’ successor.
The white-haired butler stepped in front of Isabella to ensure the guests maintained their distance from her.
Isabella maintained a dignified front, showing no impatience whatsoever. She took care of everyone’s emotions, leaving them with a sense of accomplishment, as if she were granting them each special treatment.
Zu An was impressed. As expected of a powerful house’s successor. Her socializing skill is incredible.
But he wasn’t in the mood to fawn on her. He stood at the frigate’s bow and observed the ocean. It's been a while since Firework was captured. I wonder if she’s still safe.
Dark clouds gathered in the distance, and the waves grew choppier.
Looking at the darkened sky, Zu An had an ominous premonition. The book in his mind flipped open, revealing a white skeleton image. He was reminded of the divination Qi Yaoguang had made before he left the Cultivation World. Could the danger she divined be related to this trip?
He had crossed blows with that sea monster. It was powerful, but not impossible to overcome. Additionally, he was accompanied by top experts, including Tingxue and Yani. Isabella and her butler were also no doubt formidable in their own right, or else they wouldn’t dare to join the trip.
The other guests are experts as well, and Dreamland has provided us with a good frigate. We should have the advantage here.
Even so, Zu An’s heart skipped a beat. His unease intensified.
Just then, Yani emerged from the cabin. She spotted Tingxue standing by the railing and was immediately enchanted. Tingxue’s hair and white dress fluttered in the sea breeze, making her look like a beautiful portrait.
Yani retracted her gaze and walked up to Zu An. “Are you sure this is the right direction?”
Zu An instinctively took a step back. He wasn't short by any means, but this woman was towering. When she was standing in front of him, he could only see her strained shirt button, and that put some pressure on him.
“Indeed. The ocean creatures told me this was the way.”
He had communicated with ocean beings through the Crown of the Ocean Deity to obtain a rough direction.
Yani’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh? It seems you have the ability to commune with the ocean.”
It wasn't hard to figure that out when she had seen him part the ocean water when battling the sea monster by the beach.
Zu An didn’t deny it. “What lies in the depths of the ocean?”
Yani shook her head. “We don’t know.”
Zu An was bewildered. “Aren’t you the masters of Dreamland? Surely you should know the situation on this planet, no?”
Yani sighed. “As you said, it’s ‘Dreamland’ and not ‘Dreamocean’. We govern the land. Anything else is beyond our jurisdiction.”
Zu An was speechless. I don’t even know how to refute that.
Yani looked into the distance and said, “All we know is that the ocean is a forbidden zone. We have sent experts in to explore the area, but none returned alive.”
Zu An’s heart shuddered. If even she's saying that, the Dreamocean must indeed be dangerous.
“If it’s that dangerous, why did you open a hotel next to the beach?” Zu An asked angrily. Firework wouldn’t have met with danger if not for that.
“Only the forbidden zones in Dreamland are dangerous. The other places are very safe. We have always maintained a non-interference policy with the sea monsters. It’s only in recent days that ferocious sea monsters started appearing in the vicinity. Even so, we never expected one to invade our beach,” Yani said with a frown, as if she couldn’t make sense of the situation either.
Anger surged into Zu An’s mind, but he forced himself to calm down. There was no point assigning blame right now, especially when he was relying on Yani’s help to rescue Firework.
“Do you have a way to pass through the lightning sea?”
“This frigate can withstand the lightning at the outer perimeter, but the lightning grows stronger the further we venture in. We don’t have the means to reach the inner area. If we can’t find your friend in the outer perimeter, I’m afraid...” Yani didn’t finish her sentence, but her intent was relayed loud and clear.
Zu An’s heart sank. I reckon Firework won’t be able to withstand the terrifying lightning either.
“Don’t you think there’s something weird about this matter?” Yani suddenly asked.
“How so?” Zu An replied.
“We haven’t had any conflict with the sea monsters for thousands of years, but they suddenly appeared on our beach.”
“Hah. You already mentioned that ferocious sea monsters have recently appeared in the vicinity, but you didn’t take any preventive measures. That’s just an accident waiting to happen.”
“Contrary to what you may believe, we did take thorough protective measures. We installed anti-shark nets and protective formations. It shouldn’t have been possible for a sea monster to enter our beach.”
“But it just happened.”
“What you see may not be the whole truth.”
“What do you mean?”
“I understand how you feel, but don’t you find it weird? Sea monsters crave flesh and blood. They don’t hesitate to devour a person if a chance arises. And yet, that sea monster kidnapped your friend instead of eating her.” Yani paused. “Do you think it’s normal for sea monsters to kidnap a person?”
Zu An frowned. “Sea monsters have sentience. They might be up to something.”
Yani chuckled. “Do you truly understand that friend of yours?”
Zu An stiffened up. He did have an inkling of suspicion, but he hadn't thought deeper into it. Perhaps others would think they were a couple in love, but he had only met Firework not long ago on the Universal Conglomerate’s spaceship. Other than her name and her faith, he knew nothing about her. Even those things could be fake.
He thought about how friendly Firework had been to him from their first meeting. Could she have other motives?
Judging from his expression, Yani could tell that her words were getting through, so she continued, “We’ll do our best to rescue the guest, but I am responsible for the safety of the other guests onboard, too. I seek your understanding in this.”
Shortly after Yani left, Zu An suddenly felt the temperature plummet. He turned around and saw Tingxue walking to his side.
“I overheard your conversation.”
“What’s your take?”
“I can’t say much, but I sense Firework bears no malice.”
Her words cleared the fog in Zu An’s mind. That’s true. Firework might have been keeping secrets from me, but it doesn’t mean she’s hostile. There’s no need to overthink.
Just then, the frigate’s siren blared. A shadow appeared on the distant ocean surface.