The Zhou Clan's Principles

"Hmm... There were strong forces in the Boundless Shoreline region when I left. I felt like those people were foreign groups. And the rumor of sightings and migration of sea monsters within the territories were all around the port too. Maybe... S-Something big occurred in our continent that I am not aware of? Something that is enough to threaten the other world..." Qiaolian openly pondered while staring at the distant sea waves. Otherwise, there was really no reason for any forces to target their continent.

"Could it be that Huan Xue accidentally exposed the condition of his elixir field?" Elder Xia supplied. "I told him to stay low-key and pretend to be ordinary. Did he meet enemies and force him to reveal his power?"

"This Hex Mile of Tears formation really outreached the entire ocean. Elder Xia... how long usually does Master Huan spend time in closed-door cultivation? For him to break the limits of the space in his elixir field... his speed must be extremely fast?"

"Ohhh... Huan Xue might finish circulating all his inner force and totally refine his inner core within three days, Lady Zhou. But, its just my estimate. It may take longer."

Qiaolian could not help but raise an eyebrow. A glint of disappointment flickered in her eyes as she glanced at Elder Xia. "Three days to refine his inner core is---- it's rather slow?"

Three days for an inner core?! She could even absorb hundreds of beast cores in just a matter of an hour! Qiaolian expected that it would only be half a day. But, since it had gone dark, then, perhaps, Huan Xue would finish refining his inner force tomorrow morning. She was really disappointed upon hearing that it would take three days.

"No. It's relatively fast. Hehe... Lady Zhou had not refined her inner core, right? Once you start circulating the primal Yang essence... you may take five days to refine it." Eldex Xia sighed. His tone sounded considerate. "Primal Essence is dense. Controlling its circulation and refining it takes time."

"Ahh, I've embarrassed myself," Qiaolian mumbled softly and lowered her gaze. She suddenly realized her mistake. She then took a deep breath and smiled, "I just thought that if Master Huan is here... He may have a way to deal with the Hex Mile of Tears?"

"If Lady Zhou has a way to deal with this situation, Huan Xue and the entire Scarlet Island would be grateful for your help," Elder Xia supplied with a meaningful tone.

"Hmm... Whoever created this Hex Mile of Tears... I think it has some sort of connection to do with the Empress of the Open Sea. But, it's hard to guess why they are attacking the Heng continent. Can you open a dimensional space towards the Open Sea, Elder Xia?" said Qiaolian with a serious expression on her face. Her attention was completely focused on the distant waves that were forming the Hex Mile of Tears.

"Lady Zhou, you mean... You did not find a different method of tracing the source of this illness? Must you go to the Open Sea?" Elder Xia retorted and studied the expression on her face.

"Hmmm..." Qiaolian hummed and think of an appropriate response. Ahh... how could she find a method when she never intended to look for one!? She rubbed her palms and clasped her fingers together. "Elder, the method that I have in mind is no longer applicable for this kind of formation. It already involved the sea! Anyway, I would not really go to the Open Sea. Just open a dimensional space to their territory and I will take a peek of what their place looks like."

"Take a peek? It's impossible. The sea and the land is a different environment. I can open the space but in the sea, you cannot take a peek at their place. You have to enter their territory."

Qiaolian nodded her head in understanding. "Then, tell me what their empire is, Elder Xia? It's a shame. I've mostly focused on reading about cultivation methods and techniques. I did not pay attention to the differences between the beings and their world."

"As far as I know... the Empire in the Open Sea is for the siren. It's underwater. If you go there, you must circulate your inner force to keep your breathing. The more you consume your inner force, the more dangerous the place is. Siren... Those beings absorbed inner force to sustain their lifespan," Elder Xia snorted and closed his eyes. His hands were still suspended in the air and his power continued to sustain the crimson vines.

"Siren? Ohhh... I remember a book about it... The toughest sea beast that evolved its upper body and resembled a human form... But the lower body remained fish. Now that you've mentioned this name... I guess it's what they call for sea monsters?" Qiaolian questioned.

"Rumor has it that once you speak of their real name, they will take you and consume your inner force. But, it was mere hearsay. People named them sea monsters because they had attacked too many sea travelers," Elder Xia confirmed.

"Elder... I just remembered... Back then, my mother told me about tales of songstress..." Qiaolian moved closer to Elder Xia and whispered, "Sirens are proficient in practicing the methods in books of rituals."

Elder Xia's calm expression instantly turned dark. His eyes flashed an indescribable emotion.

"..."

The elder opened his mouth but found no words to speak. But, his attention suddenly shifted from the sounds of the waves around them to the loud beating of his heart.

He was intensely dumbfounded!

"The Zhou Clan used musical instruments as weapons too," Qiaolian immediately added after seeing the sudden change of expression on Elder Xia's face.

"Ohh... Right... The all-knowing Zhou Clan... Yeah..." Elder Xia blankly responded. "P-Pardon my question, Lady Zhou... But, does the Zhou Clan practice the methods for dark path cultivation?"

Qiaolian thought for a while. "As far as I can remember, the Zhou Clan never puts categories on every method of cultivation. Our teachings follow the principles of self-discipline, self-control, and selflessness. Everything is centered on our individual beliefs. Every member can choose whatever cultivation they want to practice... as many methods they want to learn... as long as it will contribute to our clan and the world. Back then, the word that you can see in our fortress is "THYSELF TO SERVICE."