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Zong Zhao’s father looked a lot like Zong Zhao, just like Zong Xu had said before—one brother took after their father, and the other after their mother. So, Zong Zhao’s dad had a pretty serious face too. He wasn’t super good-looking, but he had this tough vibe, much like Zong Zhao, clearly showing that both father and son were Body Cultivators.

When Zong Zhao’s dad saw Wen Qiao, he was really happy and said with a hearty laugh, "Too bad your mom couldn’t make it this time. She’d have been thrilled to see such a pretty girl."

Zong Zhao chuckled, "As long as you’re happy. Our sis is a Body Cultivator too, so she’s perfect to carry on the legacy of our Zong family."

Zong Zhao’s dad nodded, "Zhao’er’s got it all figured out."

Seriously, thoughtful? Have you all forgotten that Miss Wen isn’t even a member of the Zong family?

Zong Xu was so done with his dad and brother’s nonsense and had no energy left to argue.

Ning Yuzhou and the others hadn’t expected Zong Zhao’s father to have such a personality. They finally got why the Zongs were cool with taking them to Shangzhou Island. Loyalty was one thing, but their flakiness was another.

It was clear from the fact that Zong Zhao had only spent a short time with Wen Qiao before declaring her his sister.

Zong Zhao’s dad gave them a friendly smile and said, "It’s not far from Zhongzhou Island to Shangzhou Island—just five or six days. Don’t stress, just stick with Zhao’er."

Wen Qiao and the crew thanked him for his help.

Zong Zhao’s dad waved it off with a grin, "You’re Zhao’er’s friends, so you’re basically my kids too."

After chatting with them a bit, Zong Zhao’s dad quickly went off to handle other matters. Zong Zhao, following his dad’s orders, showed them around the ship.

Zong Zhao introduced the ship to them.

The Zhongzhou Thirteen Hongs spent a fortune building this warship, which was basically a top-tier spiritual artifact. It was also a warship capable of sailing on the sea, equipped with a king-grade defensive formation purchased from the Min clan. Of course, a top-tier artifact like this was crazy fast, allowing them to reach Shangzhou Island in less than ten days.

Since the Inner Sea Region was a marine environment, the primary mode of transportation for cultivators there was ships, which were refined into spiritual artifacts. However, only the Min clan, White Phoenix Island, SeaSlayer Tower, and the Zhongzhou Thirteen Hongs had king-grade warships. Other factions lacked the capability to build such vessels.

King-grade warships were not only highly defensive but also incredibly powerful in attack, capable of even killing ninth-tier sea beasts.

The Central Continent cultivators were blown away.

They didn’t know much about the Inner Sea Region, just as the Inner Sea Region was unfamiliar with the Central Continent. So, they had no clue the Inner Sea Region had such badass warships, which could rival the king-grade flying artifacts of the Central Continent.

After talking about the warship, Zong Zhao filled them in on the thirteen families’ territories on board.

Zong Zhao said, "The seventh floor’s got the best view. Once the ship sets sail, I’ll take you there for a tour."

"Brother, the seventh floor is the Liu family’s territory," Zong Xu reminded him. "The Liu family might not be too happy about random people going up there."

Where there are people, there is conflict. Even the seemingly united Zhongzhou Thirteen Hongs weren’t entirely harmonious, and there were occasional rivalries. The Liu family was a prime example.

Of course, there was a reason for this.

Zong Xu explained the Liu family’s background to them, "The Liu family head’s spouse is from Shangzhou Island—the only beloved daughter of the SeaSlayer Tower Master. Her status is extraordinary, and her cultivation is high. After marrying into the Liu family, she naturally elevated the Liu family’s status on Zhongzhou Island, making them a force to be reckoned with."

Wen Qiao and the others listened with great interest, realizing that the Inner Sea Region’s network of relationships was just as intricate as anywhere else.

"Actually, the Liu family isn’t that bad," Zong Zhao said. "At least when I beat up someone from the Liu family, they didn’t come demanding an explanation. They’re quite reasonable."

Zong Xu wanted to curse, jumping up and saying, "They didn’t come demanding an explanation because you beat them into silence. In the end, Dad had to step in and compensate them with spirit stones before the matter was dropped."

"Anything that can be resolved with spirit stones isn’t a big deal," Zong Zhao said nonchalantly.

Such a domineering statement. Wen Qiao, Wen Tuti, and Shi Wuming, who also believed that anything solvable with spirit stones or Spirit Restoring Pills wasn’t a big deal, nodded in agreement.

Ning Jichen hadn’t expected the children of their family to adopt such an attitude. He couldn’t help but wonder what they had learned after arriving in the Central Continent to develop such a temperament. It was truly concerning.

Apparently, Ning Dad was still unaware of his son's capabilities, thinking they were still the local tyrants of remote and poor Dongling. In Dongling, he could cover for his kids and let them do as they please, but outside, he was powerless.

As they were speaking, a group of people approached from the opposite direction.

Zong Xu, sharp-eyed, recognized the leading woman in yellow and immediately changed his expression. He snorted, "Look, those are the Lius up ahead."

Wen Qiao and the others looked up, showing surprise on their faces.

The Lius also noticed their group and began walking towards them.

Zong Xu, nervous, tugged at his brother's hand and said, "Bro, don't act rashly, and don’t piss off the Lius."

The Lius had already approached, and the leading woman in yellow—Liu Zizi—exclaimed with delight, "Oh, it's you! Are you also heading to Upper Zhou Island?"

The Zong brothers were baffled. How did Liu Zizi know Wen Qiao and her crew?

Then Zong Xu quickly realized that if Liu Zizi knew Wen Qiao and the others, she must also know their origins, and naturally, she would know that it was the Zong family who privately brought outsiders onto the Zhongzhou Thirteen Hongs ship.

This was bad.

Amid Zong Xu's nervousness, Wen Qiao nodded to Liu Zizi and said, "Yes, I didn't expect to see Miss Liu here."

Shi Wuming also greeted Liu Nandou, who was beside Liu Zizi, with enthusiasm, "Brother Liu, long time no see."

Liu Nandou replied, "Actually, it hasn't been that long, not even a month yet."

But he thought to himself, these people actually managed to get the Zong family to bring them on board, which shows they have a good relationship with the Zong family. They probably aren’t here to stir up trouble in the Inner Sea, right?