Mo Qi completely ignored them. Instead, he formed a hand seal and twisted his body in the air. Red light spread from both sides of his body, crossing in front of him like two wings in motion, so agile and astonishing.
"What are you doing? Performing sorcery? As if no one else has a few tricks up their sleeve," Prince Bei said dismissively from below.
However, to everyone's shock, the wind stopped, and the water calmed.
The water surface became incredibly still, like a mirror, shimmering brightly.
Small fish and shrimp leaped and tumbled on the water's surface, as if dancing.
Unknown seabirds circled overhead, occasionally letting out a cry.
A flag stood on the distant sea surface, fluttering in the wind.
Song Xin'an understood and cheered excitedly, "They're letting us pass."
Everyone was stunned, not understanding why.
A moment later, people began to murmur, "What did he do?"
"Who is he?"
"What did that move mean? Was it a plea for mercy, or a mating ritual?"
Prince Bei was also shocked, "What is this guy's background?"
Qin Xiao was equally astonished, "This child is too surprising. His appearance here is already a miracle, yet the strength he displays time and again is even more astonishing. It's as if his abilities are inexhaustible."
Xue Ying looked at Mo Qi in the sky with pride, a brilliant smile on her face.
At this moment, Mo Qi descended back to the sea level, having seen a figure approaching rapidly from beneath the water.
As he steadied himself, a graceful figure emerged from the water.
It was a beautiful young woman, with exquisite features and fair skin, breathtakingly beautiful.
Mo Qi and the woman gazed at each other and said in unison, "It really is you!"
It was as if they were meeting for the first time after countless cycles of reincarnation, after waiting for endless days and nights.
Joy filled both their eyes.
"How did you come to this world?" they both asked again, in unison.
"You speak first." They spoke in unison once more.
"I'll go first," Mo Qi said with a smile. "When our world was frozen, I came to this world to find a way out and save it. Moreover, I discovered that I was originally from this world."
Yu Sheng's eyes welled up with tears, and she smiled faintly, "We also came before the ice age. The seas of the Star World were directly connected to the rivers of the Tree World, and the rivers of the Tree World were connected to the Milky Way. We followed the rivers of the Tree World to get here. It was a perilous journey. The reason we endured so much to reach here is because we were originally from this world. Our ancestors were driven to the Star World by the River God. In the Star World, we had no advantages and couldn't even compete with ordinary people, suffering immense humiliation. But upon returning to this world, it was as if by divine intervention, we immediately received supreme blessings, allowing us to contend with the top experts of this world. Of course, this is only as long as we don't leave the water."
"Congratulations!" Mo Qi said.
"There's nothing to congratulate about," Yu Sheng whispered, lowering her head.
"If that's the case, with your clan now having such an advantage, you probably no longer wish to be human."
"That," Yu Sheng suddenly raised her head, "actually, in this world, we can also transform into human form when we come ashore."
"Oh, is that so? I was going to teach you the Eighty-Nine Profound Arts, but it seems I don't need to."
"..."
The people on the flying boat were astonished to see the two conversing so familiarly, as if they were very close. What was this guy's background to be so acquainted with a mermaid?
"I have a suggestion," Mo Qi said after some hesitation. "Intercepting passing flying boats here, isn't that a bit like piracy?"
"If you call us pirates, then we are pirates. It doesn't matter. Do you know how much suffering and abuse we endured in the Star World?" Yu Sheng said resolutely. "What we are doing now is exactly what others did to us before."
"Those who caused you suffering back then were not these people. If everyone harmed the world with such reasoning, then there would be no light left in this world," Mo Qi argued earnestly.
"We don't intend to harm the world," Yu Sheng suddenly laughed. "We just intend to strengthen ourselves and reclaim what belongs to us."
"It seems I can't persuade you," Mo Qi said, shaking his head.
"Where are you planning to go?" Yu Sheng asked, her large eyes blinking.
"To the Light World, to find my mother," Mo Qi replied truthfully.
"Why would your mother be in the Light World?"
"I don't know. I heard them say it. They said she might be from the Light World."
"Do you know the origin of the Light World?"
"No."
"The Light World is essentially still part of the Milky Way World. It revolves around the sun, providing light to our Milky Way World. To prevent the Light World from being controlled by ill-intentioned individuals, the previous Galactic Emperor sent the Saintess of Light to guard it. However, she developed her own forces there and often opposed the Milky Way World. The Galactic Emperor's attempts to suppress her were repeatedly unsuccessful. Could your mother, being from the Light World, be that Saintess of Light?"
"That shouldn't be the case," Mo Qi laughed. "Could I have such a distinguished background?"
He then shook his head, "Impossible. How could the Saintess of Light marry into our world?"
"Nothing is impossible in this world, just as I thought I would never see you again before."
"Then is it possible that from now on, you will follow me?"
"Don't say things you don't mean. I know you don't think highly of me. Humans and merfolk are different," Yu Sheng sighed wistfully.
"You still remember that?" Mo Qi was somewhat speechless. "We were young and reckless back then, and the words spoken don't count. Don't dwell on it. Besides, in my heart, you are not a monster, but a fairy."
A blush crept onto Yu Sheng's face. "I'm not talking to you anymore."
With that, she sank back into the water.
"What's going on?" Mo Qi was left looking around blankly.
A moment later, under everyone's gaze, Mo Qi returned to the flying boat.
Qin Xiao asked Mo Qi, "Who is that? You seem very close."
"How are we close? What kind of eyes do you have?" Mo Qi glared at her.
"I'm just asking. Why are you getting angry for no reason?" Qin Xiao said indignantly.
Prince Bei was shocked for a moment, then his inner calm returned. He looked at Qin Xiao and said, "It's no big deal. We just happened to know a couple of people. The people I know are all famous in the Milky Way World, while he knows only bandits. What's there to brag about?"
"He wasn't bragging. You're just jealous, aren't you?" Qin Xiao scoffed.
"How could I be jealous? Look at his demeanor, always seeking the spotlight everywhere. Who wouldn't dislike him?"
However, when he turned to look, everyone was filled with gratitude towards Mo Qi, praising him profusely. Song Xin'an, in particular, came forward, clasped Mo Qi's hand, and said with tears in his eyes, "Thank you, thank you. This trip is on me, for free."
Mo Qi repeatedly shook his head, "No need. It was just a small effort."
A small effort? Prince Bei became even more bitter.
At this moment, the flying boat continued to move forward. A group of people, men and women, old and young, floated on the sea surface. Their gazes were all focused on Mo Qi. Surprisingly, the merfolk, usually known for their ferocity, now had eyes filled with gratitude and kindness.
Mo Qi waved to them, smiled, and returned their gazes.
The Song of the Sea Monster began again, and everyone, afraid, quickly covered their ears.
Mo Qi listened to the melody and said, "It's alright. Such beautiful singing only brings joy to the body and mind. How can it harm anyone?"
People, half-believing, removed their hands from their ears. Indeed, the sound was clear and pleasant, cool and soothing to the heart, bringing comfort to body and mind.
Everyone looked at Mo Qi with renewed admiration.
Prince Bei gritted his teeth in anger. "You managed to show off again."
Mo Qi searched the crowd for Yu Sheng's figure but couldn't find her, feeling a touch of disappointment.
He didn't see Yu Sheng until they had passed the merfolk territory, and he couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her.
Upon entering the River God's domain, Prince Bei approached Qin Xiao again to curry favor. He offered her a Three Souls Grass and said, "Xiao Xiao, I was wrong last time. I apologize. To show my sincerity, I'm giving you this Three Souls Grass. I've never been willing to use it myself. After consuming it, your cultivation will directly increase by one level, and it will also deepen the shaping of your Golden Body."
Qin Xiao accepted the Three Souls Grass and said, "Alright, I forgive you."
Mo Qi shook his head, thinking, "A woman who is greedy for small favors."
Prince Bei was overjoyed and began to boast, "Xiao Xiao, in this domain, I'm telling you, you can do whatever you want. Although we are only royalty from Golden Fish Island, my father had a very close relationship with the Galactic Emperor before his death. Every time the Galactic Emperor visited our empire, he treated my father like a brother. He also praised me many times, telling me that his position was reserved for me, and that I would be the future Galactic Emperor. I am honored to be so appreciated and valued by the Galactic Emperor, but I also constantly remind myself to be humble, to be down-to-earth, and not to be overly ambitious."
Qin Xiao frowned repeatedly as she listened, but having accepted his gift, she had to maintain an appearance of patiently listening.
Seeing her seemingly engrossed, Prince Bei became more excited and continued, "Let alone the Galactic Emperor, even the Galactic Heavenly Emperor was polite to my father. The last time he saw me, he said he wanted to adopt me as his godson. I agreed, and he said the ceremony would be held after some time. I've been waiting. Before long, I will be the son of the Galactic Heavenly Emperor, the Crown Prince of the entire Milky Way World."
Qin Xiao wondered what Prince Bei's reaction would be if he knew that Mo Qi had once refused the Galactic Heavenly Emperor's offer to adopt him as a godson.
She regretted it deeply. She shouldn't have accepted his gift. After taking it, she couldn't say anything, and it was all very unpleasant.
Just as she was about to return the item, the sky flickered with light and shadow, and a flying boat gradually descended from the clouds, its full form slowly revealed.