The guests present here were all top experts in their respective worlds. They understood that something must have happened to cause such a change in recent centuries, and it could spell a great fortuitous encounter. Although they'd first joined this expedition to forge friendly ties with the Acadias, their interest was now piqued. A fortuitous encounter that stirred a phenomenon of this extent had to be extraordinary. It would be highly beneficial to obtain it.
Their initial intention had been to back out as soon as things looked dangerous, but now, they were determined to see to the end of the expedition no matter how dangerous it was.
The bigger the waves, the more valuable the fish!
Isabella asked, “Big brother Zu, since you can control it, why don’t we travel in the ocean?”
Before Zu An could say a word, Yani replied, “That might work elsewhere, but this region of the ocean is affected by the terrifying storm. There are countless typhoons joining the ocean to the lightning in the sky, imbuing the water with electricity. Furthermore, many hidden currents have formed underwater. It’d be more dangerous to travel in the ocean.”
Zu An nodded in agreement. “She’s right. This ocean region now contains lightning and wind. I only have sway over the ocean. It wouldn’t be easy for me to control it.”
Isabella was worried. “I didn’t think this ocean region was so violent and dangerous! If the sea monster brought big sister Firework here, she might be... Big brother Zu, you might have to mentally prepare yourself.”
Zu An’s gaze remained unwavering. “Even if she’s dead, I won’t stop until I see her corpse. I can’t give up just like that.”
The other guests agreed.
“We've already come this far. How can we give up halfway through?”
“If sea monsters can survive here, there could be a hidden safe zone, but we’ll have to explore the area to know.”
...
Isabella was perplexed. These people weren’t that enthusiastic earlier. What made them change their minds?
Yani sighed. “Young master Zu can control the ocean, while our frigate can just about defend against the lightning. It’s a pity none of us can control the wind, or else it would simplify matters.”
Isabella’s eyes lit up. She reached into her bag and fumbled for a while before pulling out a pearl. The pearl was nowhere as brilliant as other pearls, but it seemed weirdly heavy.
As soon as she pulled out the pearl, the roaring wind around them suddenly stopped. The vigorously swaying frigate also regained its stability.
“It’s the Wind Quelling Pearl! It’s said that this legendary item can suppress all winds. I didn’t expect it to exist!”
“It stopped even such terrifying typhoons! As expected of a legendary artifact!”
...
There were plenty of knowledgeable individuals on board the frigate. It didn’t take long for someone to recognize the pearl.
While gripped with excitement, some guests looked at Isabella in confusion and asked, “Miss Isabella, why didn’t you take out this pearl earlier?”
“I forgot about it.” Isabella’s face reddened. “I received this pearl as a gift when I was nine. It has been in my bag since.”
The crowd was speechless.
Their eyes fell on Isabella’s dainty bag. It’s not a joke when they say the Acadias’ wealth can rival a nation. The treasures inside that bag could be greater than most fortuitous encounters out there.
But no one in their right mind would rob the Acadias’ big miss. Given the Universal Conglomerate’s immense influence, they would only be courting their own deaths.
Zu An didn’t think that much into it. He was merely amazed that Isabella’s palm-sized bag could hold so many items. It must be a spatial artifact. Feels almost like Doraemon’s pocket.
Yani exclaimed in excitement, “With the assistance of this Wind Quelling Pearl, we’ll be able to venture deeper into the storm!”
She instructed Isabella to quell the winds in their immediate surroundings so the ocean water would remain calm. That would allow the frigate to swiftly sail further in.
Despite the devastating winds and lightning wreaking havoc in the surroundings, the narrow space around the frigate remained unharmed. The prowess of the Wind Quelling Pearl was impressive indeed.
Some time later, the frigate sailed through the terrifying storm and arrived at calm waters.
The guests on the deck were amazed. They'd never expected the center of that terrifying storm to be this peaceful.
Isabella remarked in delight, “Big brother Zu, the sea monster might have brought your friend here. We might be able to find her soon.”
“Let’s hope so.” Zu An looked at the calm waters with an ominous feeling in his heart.
It’s far too calm. How could the center of a terrifying storm be this serene?
“Hm? A fog is settling in.”
“Careful. The fog might be poisonous.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve checked. It’s not death energy.”
...
Upon realizing the fog wasn’t poisonous, the guests breathed a sigh of relief.
As the frigate ventured deeper in, the fog continued to thicken, eventually reaching a point where visibility was limited to a hundred-meter radius.
“Something is weird about the fog. It’s hindering my divine sense,” Alfred said with a frown.
The crowd hurriedly tested it out. They were appalled to realize that they couldn’t sense what was within the fog.
Experts of their caliber could spread their divine sense a far distance away as easily as eating and drinking. To have their visibility limited to a hundred meters was as good as becoming blind to them. They immediately lost their sense of security.
“The frigate’s radar isn’t working either.” Yani’s heart sank. Nothing was working, whether it be cultivation, magic, or technological tools.
“Things are getting too dangerous. I need to take responsibility for my lady’s safety. I believe we’re in grave danger, and I request for the frigate to turn back right away,” Alfred told Yani.
Even the ambitious ones who coveted the fortuitous encounter lost their courage. This place was simply too eerie. It would be wiser to return first.
Isabella was flustered. “Alfred, I’m going to continue...”
Alfred interjected before she could finish speaking. “Big miss, I can heed your words for other matters, but the old master has given me the discretion to make decisions on your behalf when your safety is at stake.”
Isabella was stunned. She looked at Zu An apologetically and said, “Big brother Zu, I...”
Yani suddenly interjected with a grim expression, “Now is not the time to be arguing about this. I’m afraid it might be impossible for us to turn back.”