473: peculiar

At the bottom of the deep sea.

Within the Merman Royal Court Ruins.

Looking at the ruins, which had already been badly damaged.

Zhou Xiutong summoned her dragon scale halberd, which had been smashed into the seabed.

Then, her figure descended.

Recalling what the mysterious Void Refining Great Power's Primordial Spirit projection had said earlier.

Zhou Xiutong's figure paused.

"If that Dark Moon Palace Void Refining Great Power was merely putting on a show, using the opportunity to sow discord, then could his purpose have been for these ruins?"

And she had only arrived here by chance.

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision by this person, which led to the probing earlier.

If that was the case.

"What in these Merman Royal Court Ruins could attract a Void Refining Great Power..."

Thoughts churned in Zhou Xiutong's mind.

This was also a possibility.

Thinking this, Zhou Xiutong's figure landed within the Merman Royal Court Ruins.

Her Divine Sense spread out, probing the area.

However, these already incomplete ruins were further damaged during her battle with the black phantom, and even if there were any secrets hidden, it would probably be difficult to detect them now.

Zhou Xiutong did not give up immediately; she still intended to try. Her Divine Sense swept over every part of the broken ruins, but she found nothing unusual.

Only a few incomplete Magic Treasures, Formations, and spirit materials remained, having persisted from an unknown time.

However, these things, let alone a Void Refining Great Power, couldn't even attract her.

A moment later.

Zhou Xiutong's figure arrived before the collapsed gateway that Zhou Yunxing and Zhou Yunqi had discovered.

Zhou Xiutong gently waved her sleeve.

The broken sections of the collapsed stone pillars floated gently.

They reassembled into the shape of a gateway.

Standing amidst the crumbling walls.

Above it, four broken ancient characters were arranged completely, with no peculiar features.

After a long while.

Zhou Xiutong, having found no useful information, disappeared from her original spot.

Below, only a stretch of ruins stood silently at the bottom of the deep sea.

Narrating a little of the unknown history of the past.

Above the sea, far from the Merman Royal Court Ruins, on the surface of the sea.

A massive spirit boat, with its Great Formation fully activated, floated silently.

On the spirit boat.

There were figures still shaken from fright.

One by one, young Foundation Establishment Disciples from various major forces looked towards a Crimson Gold Sect Disciple dressed in a red robe.

Only this Crimson Gold Sect Disciple knew something.

Among the crowd.

Zhou Yunxing and Zhou Yunqi, who had serpent-patterned zhou character tokens hanging from their waists, looked worried.

They had suddenly been brought from the ruins to the spirit boat by Sea Tide.

Afterward, True Monarch Haichao activated the protective Great Formation.

And quickly piloted the spirit boat away.

Later, faint purple-gold colors could be seen emanating from the depths of the distant sea.

This was lightning magic.

It was their Little Ancestor's lightning magic.

On the spirit boat.

True Monarch Haichao, whose Middle Nascent Soul Stage Aura was fully displayed, had a solemn expression.

Just a moment ago.

An intensely powerful pressure emanated from the direction of the underwater ruins.

Fortunately, it disappeared in an instant.

Otherwise.

He might not have returned intact today.

Just as True Monarch Haichao was filled with alarm.

A purple lightning bolt tore through the air.

As it approached the spirit boat.

The purple lightning disappeared, revealing a figure in purple clothes with purple hair.

"Fellow Daoist Zixiao, how was it?"

Seeing Zhou Xiutong's unharmed figure.

True Monarch Haichao stepped forward to greet her, his worries relieved, and he asked Zhou Xiutong.

"It was someone from the Dark Moon Palace."

Zhou Xiutong replied softly.

As for the rest, she did not say too much.

Including the fact that the black figure was a Void Refining Great Power's Clone.

"Dark Moon Palace... why?"

True Monarch Haichao pondered, but he couldn't understand the reason.

Zhou Xiutong shook her head.

"Something has changed here; we should return and report to the Alliance."

"The Dark Moon Palace has ill intentions; the Alliance needs to be more vigilant."

She said, flying towards the spirit boat.

"That's right."

True Monarch Haichao's expression grew a little solemn.

The Li Luan Sea Region had been peaceful for too long.

Even with the open and secret struggles between Cen Ling Island and Xi Wu (West Crow) Island.

But there were still restrictions between them.

They had not made any excessive moves, nor had they caused any major upheaval in the Thousand Island Alliance.

But the Dark Moon Palace was different.

This force, which had been hidden in the Li Luan Sea Region for so long.

As soon as it was discovered by the Alliance, it displayed hostility here.

Perhaps it would disrupt the long-standing peace of the Li Luan Sea Region.

True Monarch Haichao felt a little heavy-hearted.

The two returned to the spirit boat, one after another.

"Little Ancestor."

At this moment, Zhou Yunxing and Zhou Yunqi, seeing Zhou Xiutong's returning figure, rushed forward and bowed to Zhou Xiutong.

Due to Zhou Xiutong's talent and age.

Since the Zhou Family's Ding Generation.

Generations of Clan members had referred to Zhou Xiutong as Little Ancestor.

"It's good that you're alright."

"Something unexpected happened this time. When we return to Thousand Star City, you two will come back to the Clan with me."

Zhou Xiutong nodded, looked at the two, and after confirming that they were not injured, she gently instructed them.

"Yes, Little Ancestor."

Zhou Yunxing and the other nodded in agreement, then prepared to retreat.

"Yunxing."

At this moment, Zhou Xiutong suddenly spoke, calling out to Zhou Yunxing.

"Little Ancestor."

Zhou Yunxing's heart tightened, wondering why she had suddenly called him. Beside Zhou Yunxing, Zhou Yunqi also stopped and looked at Zhou Yunxing.

"After returning to the Clan, study more ancient texts."

Zhou Xiutong thought of the scene she had seen on the ancient bronze mirror earlier, and with a movement in her heart, she gave a reminder.

"Ah..."

Zhou Yunxing's expression stiffened, and he felt a sudden surge of embarrassment.

It turned out that everything before had been seen by his Little Ancestor.

Including the scene where he couldn't read.

"Pfft~"

Seeing Zhou Yunxing's awkward state, Zhou Yunqi couldn't hold back and let out a chuckle.

Then she quickly covered her mouth and blinked at Zhou Xiutong.

"Yes, Little Ancestor, when I return, I will seek guidance from Elder Beihai and Elder Ruoxian."

Zhou Yunxing felt embarrassed and repeatedly agreed.

Within the Zhou Family.

In the study of classics and ancient texts.

Elder Beihai and Qi Dade were the best.

Zhou Xiutong nodded slightly.

Her figure disappeared, arriving in the top-floor room of the spirit boat.

"Return to port."

True Monarch Haichao followed closely, gave an order, and his figure also disappeared.

The massive spirit boat, displaying the Thousand Island Alliance flag, changed direction.

And sped towards Thousand Star Island.

Outside Thousand Star Island.

The spirit boat carrying the young Foundation Establishment Disciples appeared.

On it, the young Foundation Establishment Disciples from various forces looked unenthusiastic.

This experience, due to the unexpected incident in the middle, had only just begun before being called off.

It was truly a case of starting strong and ending weak.

The spirit boat steadily docked in the Thousand Star Island port.

Two figures flew out from the spirit boat and headed towards the Thousand Star City headquarters.

"Fellow Daoist Haichao."

"After reporting this matter to the Alliance, I will return to the Clan."

"At that time, if there is any news about the Merman Royal Court, please send the message to Gui Zhou Island."

The two figures arrived at the Thousand Island Alliance headquarters in the middle of Thousand Star Island in just a moment.

Zhou Xiutong requested of True Monarch Haichao beside her.

"This matter is simple, of course."

True Monarch Haichao did not think much and instantly agreed.

The next day.

Zhou Xiutong left Thousand Star Island with Zhou Yunxing and Zhou Yunqi.