「November 8th.」

It was six o'clock in the morning on the Start of Winter.

In the southern coastal cities, fishermen lit firecrackers one after another to commemorate the guardian deity in the Sea Temple. In areas where firecrackers were forbidden, people took out incense burners and lit three sticks of incense at home, worshiping with a reverence that filled the air with a festive atmosphere reminiscent of the New Year.

Although the main event wasn't scheduled until six in the evening, Su Daiyi and Old Jiang Ba were already waiting at the foot of Mount Haitang early in the morning.

Unable to resist their enthusiasm, Xu Lai had no choice but to give up his plan to go to Dongli University for work. He followed the pair to the starting point for the sea crossing: the docks of East Sea City.

From here to Sea Temple Island was a distance of exactly one hundred nautical miles.

As one of the ports with the highest throughput in Hua Country, even ranking in the world's top ten, countless goods were loaded or unloaded here every day. Looking into the distance, the view was filled with cargo containers and ships.

Under Old Jiang Ba's guidance, Xu Lai stepped onto a massive, five-story luxury cruise ship.

Xu Lai marveled, "I didn't expect the Su Family and the Jiang Family to have such an asset."

Old Jiang Ba hurriedly explained, "Mr. Xu, this is the Wan Family's ship. It's said to be worth thirty million US dollars. We couldn't possibly afford it."

It wasn't that they couldn't afford it, but that they could buy the ship but couldn't afford its maintenance. Moreover, cruise ships didn't hold their value particularly well, and it would be difficult to sell one quickly if they were in urgent need of cash.

As the victors of the previous Sea Temple Festival, the Wan Family was responsible for all matters concerning the event. To demonstrate their family's strength, the Wan Family had brought in the cruise ship. It served two purposes: first, to provide resting accommodations for the great clans and their Martial Artists, and second, to sell tickets and make more money.

"The Wan Family?" Xu Lai raised an eyebrow. Could it be the same Wan Family to which Wan Meirong belongs? The one who was so frightened by Ruan Lan that she knelt and apologized a while back? If so, that's quite a coincidence.

"It seems enemies are destined to cross paths," he murmured softly.

Su Daiyi gave him a puzzled look. "Mr. Xu, what did you say? I didn't quite hear you."

"It's nothing," Xu Lai said, shaking his head.

Su Daiyi acknowledged his words, then began to observe him stealthily, her eyes bright with what could only be described as adoration.

This scene did not escape Old Jiang Ba's notice. He paused for a moment before saying, "Mr. Xu, is there anything you need? The cruise ship's attendants can cater to your every need."

On the way to their rooms, Xu Lai had noticed the ship's waitstaff consisted of handsome men and beautiful women.

"Eighth Master, your words could be easily misconstrued. Mr. Xu isn't that kind of person," Su Daiyi said with a light chuckle, making a small joke to ease the tension between them. She had been so concerned about her family's future that she hadn't slept well all night.

Old Jiang Ba, however, was a wily old fox who had navigated the world for decades. Far from being flustered, he turned the tables. "With you here, Daiyi, why would I need to gild the lily by finding some common woman for Mr. Xu? I was referring to services like tea and water."

A blush instantly spread across Su Daiyi's cheeks. If Xu Lai truly had any feelings for her…

Su Daiyi bit her lower lip, her face flushing an even deeper shade of red. But when she saw that Xu Lai showed no emotional reaction whatsoever, she couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment and regret. She knew that even if she possessed some measure of beauty, in Mr. Xu's eyes, she couldn't compare to even a ten-thousandth of Ruan Tang.

"Actually, there is something I need," Xu Lai said with a snap of his fingers. "Leave me so I can rest in peace and quiet. Both of you can go."

The word "both" shattered the last of Su Daiyi's fantasies.

She walked out of the room and stood on the fourth deck of the cruise ship, gazing at the azure sea as she let out a long, heavy breath.

"Daiyi, I understand what's in your heart. What I said just now was the most I could do to help you," Eighth Master said with a soft sigh. "Mr. Xu is destined to live in a different world from us. You... don't get in too deep, or you might not be able to get out."

Su Daiyi remained silent.

She did like Xu Lai. To be more precise, she worshiped him. How could she not worship a man so powerful he seemed capable of grasping the sun and plucking stars from the sky?

She gathered her hair against the sea breeze and smiled. "Don't worry, Eighth Master. I know how to separate business from personal feelings."

"Sigh." Old Jiang Ba shook his head, not pressing the matter further. In his long life, he had met many young women who had been infatuated with him. The look in their eyes was identical to the one in Su Daiyi's when she looked at Xu Lai.

Love knows not its origin, yet it grows ever deeper. It truly makes one sigh.

Old Jiang Ba checked the time. It was already nine o'clock in the morning. "Let's go. It's about time," he said.

The two of them went to the lounge together.

In the center of the vast room stood a huge round table surrounded by twenty-six chairs, though only eleven were occupied. They were all elderly, with graying hair—nine men and two women. As Su Daiyi and Old Jiang Ba were the last to arrive, they took a seat in the far corner.

These individuals were the representatives of the clans from the thirteen coastal cities. As was tradition, none of the Martial Dao experts they had hired were present.

As the previous year's winner, Elder Wan of the Wan Family sat at the head of the table. He chuckled. "Looks like everyone is finally here. Eighth Master, I hear you've teamed up with the little lady from the Su Family this year?"

"Elder Wan, this is the Su Family's first time attending such a grand event, so we are naturally apprehensive. Daiyi simply asked me to show her the ropes," Su Daiyi said with a charming smile. "It's hardly a team-up. You flatter me."

"Heh heh," Elder Wan took a sip of tea, his spirits high. "It matters not!"

With Xu Huang here, I'm confident we won't lose!

"Everyone," Wan Yuanshan began, taking a sip of tea. "In past years, the wager has only been the ten-year ownership of the island. Why don't we raise the stakes today?"

"Hm?"

The others looked over at once, their eyes flickering as they considered his proposal.

"Elder Wan, that's not very sporting of you," an old man said in a resonant voice. "With Xu Huang, a Seventh-Grade peak Grandmaster, on your side, what chance do the rest of us have?"

This was Ling Chaoyang, Patriarch of the Ling Family of Wen City and a legendary figure in the south. He had started as a poor fisherman, but his fortunes turned after he discovered an ancient sunken ship on the seabed. After sixty years of his management, the Ling Family had become the most prominent in Wen City.

"Patriarch Ling, you're too modest. I heard you invited Grandmaster Feng Lang from the northwest. Even Martial Ancestor Xu would feel..."

Wan Yuanshan clasped his fist, about to offer more pleasantries, but Ling Chaoyang cut him off. "Even though we can't beat you, I'd still like to try. I think this cruise ship of yours is quite nice. Are you willing to bet it?"

The lounge fell silent.

Although this wasn't Su Daiyi's first time conversing with these family patriarchs, she was still stunned. The cruise ship was worth nearly two hundred million. With a single sentence, Patriarch Ling had raised the stakes to that level, sending a clear message to everyone else: either stay out or don't bother placing a bet worth less than this.

She took a deep breath to calm herself, quickly weighing the pros and cons. In the end, she clenched her fists, having seemingly made a significant decision.

At this moment, Wan Yuanshan's smile gradually faded. "Very well. But I wonder what Patriarch Ling is prepared to wager?"

"You've had your eye on my two casinos in Ao City for a long time," Patriarch Ling said, his eyes narrowing. "Are they worth two hundred million?"

Wan Yuanshan smiled. "They are!"

Their gazes swept across the others, only to find the room had once again fallen silent. Wan Yuanshan and Ling Chaoyang both felt a twinge of disappointment. Each believed the expert they hired would be the first to cross the sea to Sea Temple Island, and they had been hoping to mercilessly fleece the others. They hadn't expected that only the two of them would take part in this high-stakes gamble.

"I'm in as well!"

A crisp female voice cut through the silence, drawing everyone's attention.

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