Chapter 83: Arrival at Ocean City

Words : 1196 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 83: Arrival at Ocean City Arrival at Ocean City The Sect’s convoy finally passed through the colossal gates of Ocean City — a dazzling metropolis built along crystal blue shores and fortified with walls of ocean jade. Tall towers pierced the sky, flying boats zipped overhead, and countless sects, rogue cultivators, and royal entourages moved through the lively streets. The tournament was days away, but the city was already packed. The moment Hei Long stepped off the carriage, he took a deep breath. "Time to meet the next chess piece." He didn’t wait for his group. Ignoring Lin Fan’s attempt to rally the disciples together like a leader ("Let’s stick together, everyone! Follow my—hey where’s Hei Long!?"), he disappeared into the crowd. . . . Ocean City Auction Pavilion – Inner Chambers The auction hall was shaped like a coliseum of polished sapphire, filled with nobles, sect masters, and tycoons. Everyone present had money, power, or both. Hei Long entered dressed simply — no flashy robes, no banners announcing his sect. Just black. Sharp. Cold. The atmosphere inside was tense. The auction had just begun, and the announcer spoke loudly from the center of the hall, "Up next—an ancient Sea Spirit Jade Lotus, known to purify meridian paths and amplify ocean-based qi!" Hei Long’s eyes flicked up. ’Perfect.’ Just as he raised his hand to bid, a soft, icy voice beat him to it. "500,000 spirit stones." The entire hall froze. And turned. At the VIP section sat a young woman cloaked in flowing silk woven from sky-blue spirit thread, her posture noble and regal, her presence commanding silence. Princess Lan Yinyin. Heiress to Ocean City’s royal clan, Spirit Vein of the Tidal Moon, born with the Abyssal Blue Phoenix Bloodline. Known for being untouchable. Her long blue hair shimmered like moonlit waves, and her light blue eyes glowed like a glacier. Her every breath reeked of superiority. As the nobles bowed, as old men flattered, as juniors scrambled to look obedient— Hei Long slouched in his seat. Didn’t bow. Didn’t look. Just sipped tea from a cheap clay cup. Lan Yinyin’s eyes landed on him. "Who...?" No matter how many powerful cultivators she’d seen, they all knelt. No one dared act as if she were beneath them. Hei Long lifted his cup. "Bidding’s over," he said lazily. "...It hasn’t even started." "Did it need to? You bought it already." She frowned, eyes narrowing. "Is he mocking me?" But before she could respond— "SOLD." The auction hammer came down. . . . That Evening – Outside the Auction Lan Yinyin exited with her guards, her expression calm. The Sea Spirit Jade Lotus was secured in an ornate jade box held by her handmaiden. As she entered her palace carriage, the wind shifted. A flicker of shadow passed. She blinked. The box? Gone. A note rested in its place. Lan Yinyin opened it with narrowed eyes: "Thanks for keeping it warm. I’ll put it to better use. —H" Her phoenix-blue eyes twitched. "...He dares?" Her guards didn’t even notice the theft. No one did. And worse— She knew exactly who it was. Elsewhere – Rooftop Overlooking Ocean City Hei Long stood atop a roof, holding the jade box casually as he opened it. The glow of the lotus bathed his face. "Another step ahead..." He took a bite of a cold steamed bun with one hand and examined the jade lotus with the other. From the distance, a ripple of killing intent shot toward him from the direction of Lan Yinyin’s palace. Hei Long smirked. "She’ll come to me now. Cold fish types always do." . . . The moment Lan Yinyin returned to her quarters, the doors slammed shut behind her. Her servants lined up silently, eyes cast down, terrified to speak. They could all feel the frost in the air — the temperature had dropped several degrees. Lan Yinyin stood in the center of her chamber, the note clutched in her hand, her fingers twitching. "Thanks for keeping it warm. I’ll put it to better use. —H" She read it again. Then again.Correct content is on ) A rare twitch tugged at the corner of her lip — not quite a frown, not quite a smirk. Bold... Uncaring... ’Who do you think you are?’ Her voice rang out suddenly, cold and sharp like a blade of ice. "Find out who he is." The servants bowed. "Yes, Princess!" She turned toward her personal elite: Yu Qian – a golden-robed female martial artist, cultivation at the Peak Core Formation stage. Known for her speed and shadow pursuit. Lan Mo – a stoic swordsman dressed in navy, her distant cousin, known for his sword intent and silent footwork. "I want his name. I want to know which sect he belongs to, who he studies under, and where he’s staying. Bring him to me. Alive." Lan Mo gave a polite bow. "Understood." Yu Qian hesitated slightly. "Princess... if he’s someone with powerful backing—" "I don’t care if he’s the son of the Dragon Emperor," she cut her off. "No one steals from me." She added quietly, after a pause: "...And no one disrespects me so brazenly." . . . Meanwhile – Ocean City Back Alleys Hei Long, wearing a casual traveling robe and munching on a stick of grilled squid, passed by a noisy street of hawkers and kids chasing kites. Behind him, at least four different sets of cultivators had been shadowing him all day. Badly, might he add. He even waved to one of them at one point and offered them a bite of his squid. They pretended they weren’t caught. He sighed and picked up the pace slightly, then ducked into a side street, climbed up a wooden post, and leapt roof to roof until he reached a tall inn, where he entered through a second-floor window and slipped inside just as Lan Mo arrived a breath too late. Lan Mo narrowed his eyes, scanning the surroundings. "...He vanished." Back at Moonwater Courtyard – Later That Night "Vanished?" Lan Yinyin’s eyes twitched. Yu Qian knelt before her, drenched in sweat. "We... we tracked him across the west district, but he disappeared into a rooftop inn. We searched every room. No one matched the description." "He wore no sect robe. No spirit signature trace. Nothing." Lan Mo added from the side, arms crossed. "Either he is trained in concealment beyond our level... or he is truly just that slippery." Lan Yinyin slowly turned toward the lotus pedestal where her missing jade lotus had once rested. That note still floated in her hand. "...No one’s ever evaded my pursuit before." She sat down on the edge of her chaise lounge, one leg crossing over the other, resting her chin in her palm. ’Who are you?’ She didn’t even know his name. But she was starting to obsess over him. She gave the order coldly: "Double your efforts. I want his name. I don’t care how long it takes. You will find him." Lan Mo bowed. "Yes, Princess." As they left, she looked down at the note again. Thanks for keeping it warm. "Cheeky bastard..." Her fingers curled. But her lips, ever so slightly... ...smiled.

Chapter 83: Arrival at Ocean City

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