We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 297 [The Federal Grand Library]

As we approach [Liuli Island].

Shaen kept a close eye on the two Federation frigates that had suddenly appeared beside him.

After all, the timing of their appearance was too coincidental—it happened just shortly after the Black Swan broke through the vampire hunt.

Moreover, this sea area is actually quite a distance from [Liuli Island].

The arrival of these two frigates can hardly be considered a coincidence.

The feeling that Xia En had received was as if the Black Swan had been deliberately brought to welcome him.

Shane had initially guessed that Carles might be on one of the two ships.

But even after the remaining three vampire warships disappeared from sight, no one on the escort ships came forward to negotiate with them, as if the two ships were merely conducting a routine patrol.

This contradictory situation naturally puzzled Shane.

It wasn't until the three ships entered the port of [Liuli Island] that a familiar face finally appeared on the deck.

"Captain Shane, it's been a long time."

Hearing that cheerful voice, Xia En was both surprised and delighted.

"Captain Duran? What are you doing on [Liuli Island]?"

The person appearing on the frigate was none other than Duran, the demi-human whom Shaen had met several times!

Duran still looked tall and strong, covered in brownish-yellow fur that looked very nice to touch.

With Xia En's perception, he could easily detect it—

Compared to their last meeting, Duran's aura had improved significantly, suggesting that he had become a third-tier Mystic.

In fact, this is the normal speed at which a secret cultivator advances.

There are many secret cultivators who cannot advance to the next level even after several years or decades.

Looking at Xia En in front of him, Duran felt both admiration and respect.

If someone had told him upon their first meeting that this handsome young captain could become a fifth-tier Mystic and make a name for himself on the Seven Seas, he would have thought it was a fantasy.

But now, all of this has become a reality.

Moreover, the fact that he was able to escape from the encirclement of five vampire warships is enough to prove Shane's strength.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Duran smiled and said, "I'm no longer the captain, just the first mate on the Iron Eagle."

Xia En smiled and said, "Then congratulations!"

Although Duran's position changed from captain to first mate, the sea area under his jurisdiction changed from a remote place like Duke Island to Glass Island.

It's like moving from a small town to a big city.

What appears to be a demotion is actually a promotion.

Duran continued, "Let me introduce you. This is my current captain, Alessio."

Xia En looked toward Duran.

The captain of the Iron Eagle was a tall, thin, blond young man with a handsome appearance and a somewhat sharp and assertive demeanor.

Most surprisingly, he looked about the same age as Shane.

At this age, to become the captain of a federal escort ship near [Liuli Island], coupled with the aura of a fourth-tier secret cultivator on his body, he can definitely be described as a promising young man.

However, Alessio's gaze towards Shane was quite complicated.

There was envy, wariness, and surprise...

There was also a strange hostility.

Xia En was somewhat confused. Had he somehow offended this young captain?

They've clearly never met before, have they?

Strange as it may be, Alessio did help him at a crucial moment, so Shane didn't hold it against him and offered his hand.

"I'm Shane, nice to meet you."

Alessio shook his hand, then said coldly.

"Shane, I've heard that name so many times. I never thought you'd actually have the guts to come to [Liuli Island]."

"……Um?"

Xia En raised an eyebrow, his expression becoming wary.

Although he didn't know where Alessio's hostility came from, he expressed it directly, so Shane certainly couldn't pretend he hadn't heard it.

However, just as Shane was about to say something...

With a "smack," a fair hand slapped Alessio on the back of the head.

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

The owner of the hand turned around and looked at Xia En with a smile: "Don't listen to Xiao Ao's nonsense. We are very friendly to you."

"Otherwise, we wouldn't have gone to such lengths to send these two escort ships to pick you up..."

Upon seeing Xia En's face, the owner of the palm paused in his speech.

At this moment, Xia En was able to see the woman's true colors.

This is a striking and elegant blonde woman with an exceptionally hot figure.

Those full breasts, almost bursting out, are impossible for any male to ignore.

Her appearance is five or six parts similar to Alessio's, clearly indicating that they are related by blood.

"Sis, how many times have I told you, don't hit my head!"

Alessio's previously maintained cool demeanor crumbled instantly after being hit by the blonde woman.

He looked extremely frustrated, but he couldn't do anything about his sister.

However, at this moment, the blonde woman's attention was completely drawn to Shane.

She stared intently at Xia En's exquisitely beautiful face, which could only be described as "perfect," her eyes shining brightly, and she was practically drooling.

"I had heard from Carlless that Shane was very beautiful, and now it seems she is a rare beauty."

"No wonder she can't forget you."

Upon hearing this, Shane's eyes lit up immediately: "You know Carles?"

"Where is she now?"

The blonde woman stepped forward, came to Shane's side, and put her arm around his shoulder.

The amazing elasticity was transmitted through the thin clothing, and Xia En could even use it to sketch the smooth curve in his mind.

However, what concerned Xia En even more was the speed at which she took this step.

Even Xia En seemed unable to stop her, which shows this woman's extraordinary strength.

"Don't rush me~"

The woman parted her red lips slightly and said softly, "Let me introduce myself first. My name is Daisy, and I am Carles' colleague and friend."

"If you want to know where Carles is, why don't you chat with me for a bit first?"

As she spoke, Daisy's fingers slowly traced across Xia En's firm chest in a very ambiguous manner.

Xia En frowned.

To be honest, he didn't particularly like this kind of frivolous woman, so he said it casually.

"I think we should talk about serious matters."

The flamboyant and unrestrained Daisy curled her lip and said, "She can't take a joke at all, just like Carles."

But she obediently retreated to Alessio's side, and before leaving, she didn't forget to give Shane's chest a final touch.

Xia En couldn't help but smile wryly.

Was he taken advantage of?

After suppressing his distracting thoughts, Xia En glanced at the two escort ships beside him and said earnestly, "Thank you both for your help."

He was a man who always distinguished between gratitude and resentment, and he naturally knew that Daisy and her brother were Carles' friends, but not his own.

It's a favor if they're willing to help, and it's their right not to.

Moreover, if the vampires had really made up their minds just now, they might have attacked the Federation's escort ships.

"Little things, little things."

Daisy waved her hand generously: "When Carles left [Liuli Island], he specifically instructed us that if you came to [Liuli Island], we must help you out."

"Actually, we weren't much of a help. It was mainly because your Black Swan was powerful enough to break through their encirclement."

"If you are really captured by the vampires, even if we intervene, it will probably be too late."

Daisy spoke with unusual candor.

The two escort ships were actually not very powerful; it was only because the Seven Seas Federation was behind them that the vampires were hesitant to act against them.

However, this fear is clearly limited; it can only prevent vampires from attacking them proactively, but it cannot make vampires spit out the prey they have already eaten.

That's why Daisy said that.

At this moment, Alessio coldly retorted, "However, you have thoroughly enraged the vampires by destroying two of their large ships this time."

"After that, if you leave [Liuli Island] again, you may be subjected to an even larger-scale bloody hunt."

"At that time, we won't be able to help you, and you'll have to fend for yourself."

His words were clearly concerned, but his tone was inexplicably harsh, which made Xia En's expression somewhat strange.

"Haha, don't mind it!"

Daisy patted Alessio on the shoulder and laughed, "That's just how little Alessio is. What's that word again? I think it's... tsundere?"

"But don't blame him, there's a reason he's targeting you."

Daisy explained to Shane, "Originally, Little Ao was actually the intended pilot of the [Platinum Knight]."

"Whether it's the physical body or the secret power, there is an extremely high degree of compatibility."

"As a result, after Karlless went on a mission, you stole the first opportunity to merge with her. After that, Karlless wouldn't allow anyone else to enter her body, and the matter of the pilot was naturally left unresolved."

"Even now, Xiao Ao still harbors some resentment!"

Upon hearing this, Shane immediately understood the source of Alessio's hostility.

So, Alessio was Carles' childhood sweetheart, and he was the one who came in later and interfered.

He not only stole Carles's virginity, but also made her completely devoted to him...

Hmm... this plot?

There are cows!
After thinking it through, Shane no longer cared about Alessio's barbed words.

To be fair, anyone would feel resentful in this situation!

Let alone being sarcastic, it's not impossible for them to issue a direct challenge to each other.

As the beneficiary, I can only be understanding.

Soon, Shane asked Daisy again, "You said... before Carles left?"

"Has she already left [Liuli Island]?"

Daisy nodded and said, "Yes."

"Her father was the captain of the King, so she was among the first to go to the Cold Sea to provide support."

"I see."

Although he was a little disappointed that he didn't get to see Carles, there was nothing Shane could do about it.

The most urgent task at hand is to find a place to stay so that the crew can get a good rest for a few days.

In fact, ever since the Black Swan left Ice Island, Shane and the others have never properly rested on any island.

Long sea voyages can actually put a considerable burden on a person's mind and spirit.

If it weren't for the Rhine Secret Realm where the crew could rest, and the soul-purifying abilities of Faia and Joey, something might have already gone wrong.

"Are you looking for a place to stay?"

Daisy saw through Shane's thoughts and said understandingly, "Carlless has already prepared everything for you. Come with me."

……

Led by Daisy, the group officially set foot on [Liuli Island].

Upon arriving on the island, Shane immediately noticed a striking feature that set it apart from other islands—its size!

On other islands, due to the limited size of the islands...

People always try to reduce unnecessary space as much as possible, so as to make more space for living or other important purposes.

There's nothing inherently wrong with this approach, but it inevitably makes the layout of the entire island look somewhat bloated and crowded.

It can be found on [Liuli Island].

Whether it was the streets, corridors, residences, or churches, everything was exceptionally spacious.

The city's streets and buildings are clearly the result of careful planning, not a chaotic "wild growth".

It looks pleasing to the eye.

Even on the roads, Shane can see green plants and flowers.

Cinemas, dance halls, grand theaters, museums... these buildings, which seem to have been lost in the era after the Great Flood, are neatly displayed on [Liuli Island].

It can be said that the prosperity of [Liuli Island] is not the kind of dazzling, glittering prosperity that dazzles people with a large number of luxury goods.

Rather, it is a different kind of quiet prosperity, symbolizing civilization and order.

Based on Shane's experience, the latter was clearly more comfortable to be around.

However, at the same time, Xia En and the others also noticed—

The pedestrians on [Liuli Island] are not dense, and are even somewhat sparse.

Many shops on both sides of the street had their doors closed, and it was unclear whether they were closed for the day or not.

Some streets looked rather deserted.

Daisy explained, "This is not only due to the prophecy of the Second Great Flood, but also because of the previous great war between the Radiant Church, the Deep Church, and the Truth Church."

"Previously, to prevent the infiltration of those esoteric cult followers, [Liuli Island] had cut off the entry and exit of merchant ships, which is why it has become like this now."

At this point, Daisy sighed, "I really don't know why they started fighting."

"On the contrary, we have suffered an undeserved disaster."

Shane: "..."

Before long, Daisy led Shane and the others to a manor.

"This is Carles' estate; you can stay here for now."

"If you need anything, feel free to contact me anytime."

Upon hearing this, Xia En immediately said, "Perfect timing, I have a need right now."

……

"You want to explore the history before the Great Flood?"

"Are you also looking for some possibly lost spells?"

After listening to Shane's request, Daisy pondered for a moment and gave her answer: "Then there's only one place you can go—"

"[The Federal Grand Library!]"