Second send-off

At this moment, the Spirit Dolphin Clan was undoubtedly joyful.

It was the relief of surviving a calamity, and even more so, the pleasant surprise of winning the war.

Before Zhong Qing appeared, they had even prepared themselves for the extinction of their clan.

Who would have thought that the unexpected would come so suddenly?

And victory would come so easily?

For a time, cheers resounded through the sky, wave after wave.

This sound diluted the sorrow of death and greatly dispelled the shadow of war.

Zhong Qing put away Zero Seal and returned to the bow of the boat.

He was also happy for them.

As Zhong Qing’s figure descended,

one Spirit Dolphin after another surrounded him.

The one leading them was none other than the Spirit Dolphin Clan Princess.

Today, the Spirit Dolphin Clan Princess wore a sky-blue armor and held a six-foot longsword.

She exuded an indescribable heroic and valiant aura.

Her large, jewel-like eyes seemed to speak, and the look in them, directed at Zhong Qing, was filled with gratitude.

“Thank you, Benefactor, for your timely assistance.”

“The Spirit Dolphin Clan is eternally grateful.”

“If, in the future, Benefactor ever needs the assistance of my Spirit Dolphin Clan, as long as Benefactor speaks the word, even if it means crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, my Spirit Dolphin Clan will surely rush to your aid.”

On the boat, the Spirit Dolphin Princess said with a solemn expression.

The gentle sea breeze scattered a strand of the beautiful woman’s blue long hair.

But what it could not blow away was her grateful heart.

This promise was indeed a weighty one.

It not only meant that Zhong Qing had already gained the friendship of the Spirit Dolphin Clan,

but also that, as long as Zhong Qing needed it, the Spirit Dolphin Clan could even mobilize all its members for him.

Kind races always wish to repay a small favor a thousandfold after receiving it.

Facing the Spirit Dolphin Princess’s promise,

Zhong Qing waved his hand: “There’s no need to be so polite.”

“To be fair, you all saved me first.”

“Now, I’m merely returning the favor.”

The Spirit Dolphin Princess, however, did not agree.

She shook her head and said: “With Benefactor’s strength, even if my Spirit Dolphin Clan had not appeared earlier, you would surely have been safe and sound.”

“Benefactor’s appearance, for my Spirit Dolphin Clan, is a great life-saving grace; how can the two be compared?”

“From now on, Benefactor is the benefactor of my Spirit Dolphin Clan, the most important honored guest of my Spirit Dolphin Clan. If Benefactor does not mind, would you be willing to visit my Spirit Dolphin Clan as a guest, so that I may fulfill my duties as a host?”

As she spoke, she looked at Zhong Qing with an expectant expression.

At the same time, immense waves surged in her heart.

The Spirit Dolphin Princess never expected that

the person she had kindly ‘saved’ back then would help their Spirit Dolphin Clan avert such a great disaster and escape such a clan-exterminating calamity.

Indeed, good is rewarded with good, and evil with evil.

The Spirit Dolphin Clan performed good deeds and sowed good seeds; now, they finally reaped good fruit.

Despite the enthusiastic invitation from the Spirit Dolphin Princess and the expectations of the Spirit Dolphin Clan members, Zhong Qing declined.

“My apologies!”

“I came from the Eastern Domain, passed through the Chaotic Demon Sea, and my destination is the Central Continent. I now intend to cross the Heavenly Abyss.”

“I am in a hurry and cannot delay or stay longer.”

“Benefactor wants to cross the Heavenly Abyss?”

A look of emotion, mixed with some disbelief, appeared on the Spirit Dolphin Princess’s face!

The Heavenly Abyss, what kind of place was that?

It was known as the forbidden land of the Chaotic Demon Sea.

It was truly a place of extreme danger, where one had nine chances of death and only one of survival.

Over countless years, marine creatures rose and fell in waves.

But no one dared to cross even half a step into that forbidden land.

The terror of that place had long been deeply ingrained in their hearts.

That region, in their understanding, was synonymous with death.

Over countless years, there had been no shortage of people who harbored the idea of crossing the Heavenly Abyss to reach the Central Continent.

But throughout history, there had never been a single successful precedent.

The Spirit Dolphin Princess wanted to dissuade him, but seeing Zhong Qing nod firmly, with an unshakeable expression,

she knew that his resolve was too strong for her to sway.

After a moment of deliberation, the Spirit Dolphin Princess said solemnly.

“Since Benefactor’s mind is made up, I can only wish Benefactor success in all endeavors, a safe crossing to the other side of the Heavenly Abyss, and a successful arrival in the Central Continent.”

“However, may I ask for Benefactor’s name?”

“All of us in the Spirit Dolphin Clan will engrave it in our hearts and be forever grateful!”

“Zhong Qing!”

On the deck, Zhong Qing reported his name.

He leisurely took a sip of wine, his gaze fixed forward.

“Princess, may I ask how far it is from here to the Heavenly Abyss?”

Back in Liehai City, the Wuliang Sect Master had indeed given Zhong Qing a map, but it only had a rough route, and many parts of this route were incorrect.

Zhong Qing knew he was not far from the Heavenly Abyss, but he did not know the exact distance remaining.

“To answer Benefactor, this place is indeed the fastest route to the Heavenly Abyss.”

“I cannot tell you the exact distance, as it has never been precisely measured.”

“However, based on our two meetings and Benefactor’s journey, you should reach the Heavenly Abyss in about five days.”

“Five days, huh?”

Zhong Qing murmured.

This timing was not far off from his own estimation.

After a conversation between the two parties,

Zhong Qing finally bid farewell.

“Princess, meeting is fate. The rise and fall of fate are ultimately predetermined.”

“I, your humble servant, must set off!”

“Benefactor, may we escort you for a section of the journey?”

At once, countless Spirit Dolphin Clan members showed reluctance to part.

They all requested to escort him for a distance.

Zhong Qing waved his hand.

“The Spirit Dolphin Clan has gone through war. Although the conflict is now settled, I imagine there are still many things to attend to.”

“There’s no need for an escort.”

“Please stay here, everyone!”

“Farewell!”

At Zhong Qing’s command, Mei steered the boat, resuming its forward journey.

Countless Spirit Dolphin Clan members watched the departing figure, their hearts deeply moved.

Without Zhong Qing’s appearance, the entire Spirit Dolphin Clan might have suffered the calamity of extinction.

For such a great kindness, the other party asked for no reward whatsoever.

How could they feel at ease?

On the sea surface, one clear song after another resounded.

Though they could not personally escort him,

they could bid him farewell in the unique way of the Spirit Dolphin Clan.

The voices were melodious and beautiful, carrying blessings, prayers, and gratitude.

It was as if it were the most beautiful song in the world.

It could purify all ominous and evil auras, giving people a feeling of cleansing their souls and refreshing their spirits.

This scene,

was just like their first farewell.

A second farewell.

The story that unfolded between this parting and reunion left the entire Spirit Dolphin Clan unforgettable for life.

Under the setting sun, on the sea surface,

a Spirit Dolphin Clan member asked the Spirit Dolphin Princess: “Princess, will we and Benefactor ever meet again?”

The Spirit Dolphin Princess stood tall and graceful on the sea surface, her figure indescribably radiant and moving.

Her delicate features, illuminated by the lingering glow of the setting sun, gained an even brighter and more sacred radiance.

She said with a resolute expression: “We definitely will!”

“Benefactor is a good person, and Heaven will surely protect him. He will definitely succeed in crossing the Heavenly Abyss and reaching the Central Continent.”

“When he returns from the Central Continent, that will be the time of our reunion.”

Her powerful words were, in a way, another form of prayer-like blessing.

However, the word ‘fate’ is truly the most mysterious.

For some people, one parting means never meeting again in a lifetime.

Who knows what the future holds?

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