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Min Mubei finally noticed Wen Tuti.

Since Wen Tuti had kept his energy concealed earlier, Min Mubei hadn’t paid him much attention. But now, seeing him burst forth, he sensed something was wrong.

Min Mubei’s spiritual awareness swept outward, spotting Wen Tuti leaping off the ship and joining the Tyrant Octopus that had surfaced from the sea. Only then did he realize something was amiss.

“That child is a demon cultivator capable of shapeshifting?” Min Mubei asked in surprise.

Ning Jichen nodded. “His name is Wen Tuti. He’s Chui’s adopted younger brother.”

Didn’t that make him his grandson?

Though they were of different races and shared no blood ties, Min Mubei loved her, so he accepted him too, willing to embrace a demon cultivator as his grandson.

When Wen Tuti returned, he was met with the affectionate gazes of two men.

Wen Tuti looked quizzically at Min Mubei. Ning Jichen had always regarded them as children, and they were used to that. But what was up with Min Mubei?

Min Mubei smiled kindly and said, “So you’re Chui’s younger brother, which makes you my grandson.”

Wen Tuti immediately perked up.

The thing that brought him the most joy in life was hearing others call him Wen Qiao’s younger brother. Seeing Min Mubei so agreeable, he reciprocated warmly—though Wen Qiao hadn’t said anything, he knew she still cared somewhat for Min Mubei and the others. Their bond might be shallow now, but who knew about the future?

Wen Tuti promptly exclaimed brightly, “Grandfather Min!” and relayed the message the Tyrant Octopus had given him.

“The Tyrant Octopus said it took care of the disruptive beastly troublemakers, but the person who fed them harmful substances has already disappeared. It couldn’t find them.”

Min Mubei’s expression instantly turned grave. He summoned Min Jishu and tasked him with investigating the matter, instructing him to also inform SeaSlayer Tower and White Phoenix Island.

Regardless, anyone daring to stir trouble during the Sea God Festival clearly disrespected the three major powers of Upper Continent Island.

After Min Jishu left, Min Mubei’s expression remained grim. He went with Ning Jichen and Wen Tuti to find Wen Qiao.

“Chui, are you alright?” Min Mubei asked worriedly.

Upon understanding their concern, Wen Qiao replied, “It’s nothing. The Tyrant Octopus took care of it in advance.”

The others suddenly felt that the Tyrant Octopus proved surprisingly valuable. Though it had initially been driven by pirates to cause trouble for them, after being beaten by Wen Qiao and Wen Tuti and then won over with a Spirit Restoring Pill, it had turned out to be unexpectedly useful.

Min Mubei hesitated before speaking. “Chui, I didn’t expect someone to cause trouble during the Sea God Festival. If I’m not mistaken, the mastermind behind this is likely Di Ying…”

“I know,” Wen Qiao responded calmly. “Di Ying has been having us watched. She must have many spies here. Knowing we were participating in the Sea God Festival, she would definitely strike.”

She just hadn’t anticipated them gaining control of a Tyrant Octopus, so her scheme was thwarted.

Min Mubei’s expression darkened further, and he felt a wave of guilt toward Wen Qiao. As elders, they couldn’t even protect their child…

Wen Qiao looked at him quizzically. Once she understood his meaning, she didn’t know what to say.

Min Mubei left with a grim expression to discuss matters with Min Kuanglang, who was commanding the ship. Meanwhile, Wen Qiao and the others returned to their rooms to rest.

Ning Yuzhou took Wen Qiao’s hand and, after ushering the eager Wen Tuti toward his father, closed the door behind them, blocking further interruptions from the overenthusiastic child.

Alone in the room, the young couple sat on the padded daybed.

The Min clan’s cabin was arranged like a luxurious bedroom. If not for the view outside, one might think they were staying in a lavish mansion on land. This also reflected the Min clan’s attitude—giving Wen Qiao the best accommodations.

Ning Yuzhou pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head, and sighed softly. “The Min clan’s attitude is decent.”

Wen Qiao murmured softly and lowered her eyes, saying, "The Min clan excels in formations, but I am completely clueless about them. Instead..." She bit her lip. "Husband, the Divine Emperor lineage I awakened might come from the Di clan of White Phoenix Island."

Although Min Mubei had never outright said that the Min clan selected their saintesses based on bloodline power when recounting past events, his words had dropped hints about it. Combined with Di Yanbo's performance during the third phase of the recent Sea Immortal competition, Wen Qiao had started connecting the dots.

Ning Yuzhou stated matter-of-factly, "It seems the Di clan indeed possesses a divine bloodline, and this bloodline can only be inherited by women."

Wen Qiao looked up at him.

Both of them understood White Phoenix Island's emphasis on bloodline power. Perhaps Di Ying's betrayal back then wasn't driven by resentment or jealousy toward her sister but for other reasons.

Could it be related to this divine bloodline?

Ning Yuzhou leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, saying softly, "Don't overthink it. If White Phoenix Island makes any moves, given the Min clan's stance, they wouldn't stand for it."

Regardless of whether White Phoenix Island truly selected saintesses based on divine bloodline, as long as Chui carried the Min clan's bloodline, Min Mubei's actions showed he wouldn't allow White Phoenix Island to act. He would likely fight to the death to protect her.

This was also why they had failed to protect their daughter in the past. Their daughter's fate had been too tragic, and this time, Min Mubei would never let history repeat itself.

Wen Qiao sighed deeply and muttered, "I wonder what the Min clan is truly like."

Ning Yuzhou could easily see the uncertainty in her heart.

She had never been the proactive type—likely using up all her boldness on him. With others, if they didn't take the first step, she wouldn't either.

So, upon learning she still had relatives on her mother's side, she felt torn. Having never interacted with them before, she didn't know their stance or feel any connection, allowing her to remain calm.

Yet deep down, she still longed for family.

Ning Yuzhou smiled and said, "I heard the journey from Twin Peaks Island to Misty Rain Island isn't far—just ten days. We'll arrive soon."

Wen Qiao let out a quiet "oh" and went quiet.

—

However, before reaching Misty Rain Island, the Min clan's ship was stopped in its tracks.

The ones who halted them were none other than people from White Phoenix Island.