Arriving at Port - Parting.

Another week passed as the ship sailed quietly along the seas, as they left the Red Sea the climate began to change as the humidity rose and the temperature began to shoot up, Shu He noticed immediately because it was too noticeable.

'This doesn't feel natural' were his thoughts, but after some thinking he couldn't quite figure out why it was happening, so he chalked it up to the unusual nature of this world before closing his eyes.

Eventually, a landmass appeared in the far-off distance, the cremate the nest screamed land ahoy as tension began to unravel from those in the crew, they had made the trip even after encountering more trouble than usual! Yet there was no chatter, it seemed like they were keeping it in as they drew closer to shore lest they lose the last of their strength before they step on land.

The port was bustling with activity with over a hundred ships all of difference shapes and sizes docked, some were merchant ships, some passenger and others of miscellaneous use, the ship Shu He's group were using was on the large side, so they headed to the very tip of the port where there were large empty spaces, the sails were already furled as the momentum carried them portside where the anchor was dropped and crewmates climbed down a ladder to tie it up.

Shu He stood as the edge of the ship overlooking the port town named Sea-break, it was also known as the 'Lower Left Claw' as a reference to its position in the Flood Dragon Archipelago.

His eyes sparkled as he spied architecture that differed greatly to what was found in the Steel region, A lot of the houses were rounded and seemed to either be made of a light, red wood or some light brown material, likely a type of clay, he could smell the strong scent of seafood being cooked at every part of the town.

'It's almost like visiting another country!' He thought as his eyes darted around in joy, Iris was known as a country to people that lived there, but to Shu He it was way too big to be a single one, each region in itself could count as one! That thought of his was reinforced when he saw that the culture here had some large differences.

The people were dressed much lighter, due to the heat and humidity, and had much more deeply tanned skin due to heavier exposure to the sun that glared down on them even at this moment.

'There's even some with naturally dark skin… I've only seen a couple before so far in this life…' He noted certain people that weren't just tanned, they had larger builds on average, but he had a small sample size, they didn't seem much different from the others.

'Same as my old life then' his gaze moved away as he turned to the three that had just exited their cabins, Shu Xue yawned lightly before her nose twitched as she hopped on over and leaned over the edge of the ship.

"Smells good!" She yelled ecstatically as Shu He pulled her back by the scruff of her dress.

"We can eat later, calm down" He sighed.

"We've arrived? Seems we didn't encounter any troubles" Bai Lian brushed away the fringe of her white hair as she hid a yawn as well.

"I just told you Shu He had to go fight, didn't I?" Na Xue stared at the girl with exasperation.

"But he dealt with it fine, didn't he?" Bai Lian turned to Shu He with a slightly confused look.

"That's not the point…" Na Xue sighed.

"I don't think you're in a position to criticise her, Senior Sister" Shu He interjected.

"I told you I couldn't help! Hmph, never mind, we're here now, I haven't visited this place for a long time, so I fancy some of the food" She walked off in a huff, the moment she mentioned food Shu Xue's eyes lit up.

"You're getting food?!" She asked, running up to Na Xue.

"That's right little sis, want to come? Let's leave your brother to deal with all the annoying things" Na Xue held Shu Xue's hand as she gave Shu He the side-eye before walking off.

Shu He sighed "Just don't get in to trouble" he made sure to say as he watched them wander off, he wasn't that worried since he could feel Shu Xue's location and status at all times, and she could his as well; It would save him needing to keep her entertained while he sorted things out as well.

"Is she angry?" Bai Lian stared at the two leaving, cocking her head in confusion.

"No? I don't think so. Never mind her, I wanted to ask, how familiar are you with this region's layout?" He asked as he watched the crewmates begin to crawl off the ship and unloading cargo, they hadn't just ferried him across after all, they came to trade.

Bai Lian placed her hand on her cheek as she thought "I'm familiar with the capital on the Reverse Scale and a few major towns like this port, but not with the routes between, I usually went by carriage you see…".

"Do you always sleep a lot of when traveling?" Shu He couldn't help but ask, still exasperated that she went nearly the entire time in her cabin, assumingly cultivating or asleep.

A look of embarrassment crossed her face for a split second before she covered it with her sleeve "Don't be so rude! I did stuff like reading and cultivating as well!"

"Okay, got it" Shu He replied, letting sleeping dogs lie. "Then we'll need a map, more detailed the better…".

"You didn't get one before coming?" She said with surprise.

Shu He shrugged "It's hard to get an up to date map these days apparently, when I asked the Vice-Sect master about one he just laughed and said that was part of the pilgrimage" his brow twitched with irritation as he recalled that conversation "The library in the Mesmerised Tortoise Pavilion had a few books but the maps were either too old or undetailed, so I just decided to get one here".

"Then you'll want to go to the market street, they sell a bunch of random bits and bobs there, I remember finding some interesting things when I was younger" The two of them started walking to disembark as they spoke.

"Really? Like what?".

"It's been a while… but I remember a funny little toy that you could spin a little key and it would roll around… oh! There was some interesting ink that you could only see under the glow of a special brightstone!" She smiled as she recalled her memories.

'This sounds really familiar…' Shu He couldn't help but smile as well as she spoke, a memory that he had long since forgotten; Back when he was young, very young, his parents, despite their lack of income, had tried their best to buy him things he could enjoy despite his frail body.

Of course, these little things were simple toys, wind up toys that made noises and ran around, spinning tops, yoyos and other things, it was one of his fond memories because he always looked forward to the days when he would get new ones.

"What's wrong?" Bai Lian had noticed his absentmindedness as she stared at him.

Shu He shook his head "You just reminded me of a memory, that's all".

"Really?" A sparkle lit up in Bai Lian's eyes "Can you tell me?".

Shu He paused in surprise for a second before he smiled and said "Nope" and then he walked off.

"Wha- not fair!" Bai Lian cried as she ran after him.

At the docks captain Zou Qiang was speaking to one of the docks workers, discussing the storage of goods while Yu Ya was working with the others to take the injured men to a local doctor to get them proper care and rest.

"Ah, Shu He, and the young lady, I saw the others run off already; It seems that our journey together has ended" The captain walked up to the two as he crossed his arms "It's a pity, but have you got everything you need? Is there anything else we can do?".

"It's fine" Shu He lightly shook his head "Just ferrying us helped a lot already, I've already taken what I need from that corpse so you can do what you want with the rest" he patted the large backpack he had on his back as he said that.

"Is that so" The captain closed his eyes for a moment to ponder before opening them again "Well, then I won't argue! I wish you luck in your journey! May we meet again."

"Same to you, don't go eating something strange again".

"Ahahaha, I can't promise that!".

"No, this is where you are meant to say you promise!" With that retort and a laugh, Shu He parted from the captain for now, since he would be travelling clockwise he wouldn't be taking the ship back, thus the parting.

"Such a boisterous man…" Bai Lian couldn't help but comment.

"Do you not like men like that?" Shu He said as a slight tease.

Bai Lian frowned "He reminds me a bit of my elder brother, noisy and annoying".

"Haha…" he laughed, but then his expression changed as he glanced at Bai Lian next to him, his thoughts raced for a moment before he finally spoke.

"What about your elder sister?".

The questioned caused Bai Lian to pause as her lips trembled slightly as her eyes went to the ground.

She then murmured.

"She's strong… at least… that's what I thought."