CHAPTER 760: CHAPTER 760: SETTING OFF

"So you two met and came to know each other before you came to my empire."

Sitting inside the main hall of the mansion that spanned around the mountaintop for around several square kilometers and still could not even cover a decent portion of its majesty, everyone was talking about their experiences on the trip outside.

Hearing the hint of jealousy in Wuhan’s tone made Noah laugh out loud.

Yu Ming and Mo Ji still could not wrap their heads around the fact that Wuhan was the emperor and he was also the sect leader of this reclusive force.

Even though Mo Ji had been a concubine to an emperor, even though she was forced to, sitting in Wuhan’s presence was different.

He was the youngest emperor and also the ruler of one of the three major empires. It was rumored that he had ties with one of the hidden families, and they were not shallow at all.

"How are things progressing on your end?" After spending some time with everyone, Noah moved out of the hall with Wuhan and let the others talk.

He stood in the open corridors, against the wooden railings around the mansion, and gazed at the scene beyond the mountains.

A serious look flashed in Wuhan’s eyes as he said, "Everything is under control."

He did not have to say much, but Noah understood it all and gave back a small smile in response.

Wuhan stood beside Noah, the wind gently brushing through their robes as they looked out at the vast mountain range beyond the mansion.

After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"Now that the empire is fully under control," he said, his voice low, "and all uncertain elements have been taken care of... It’s time to deal with the next matter."

Noah turned his head slightly. "You mean Priestess Sylvheriel."

Wuhan nodded. "Yes. The preparations are done. My army is ready. We’ll be setting sail across the ocean soon. Our goal is to help her take back the Elven Empire."

There was a brief silence.

Wuhan’s expression changed, like he was unsure about what to say next. He hesitated, then finally asked, "I know you’ve had... issues with elves in the past. But if you’re willing, I want you to come with us. I won’t force you. But your presence could turn the tide."

Noah didn’t answer right away.

He closed his eyes for a moment. Then he opened them and gave a small, quiet smile.

"I’ll go."

Wuhan blinked. "You will?"

"Yeah," Noah said, his gaze steady. "I’ve got some unfinished business on that continent. And... there are things I need to confirm."

Wuhan relaxed visibly, though his surprise still lingered. "I wasn’t expecting you to agree so easily."

"I didn’t either," Noah replied with a small laugh. "But a lot of things happened on my journey."

Wuhan did not ask anything about what he experienced or if he was in any trouble; he simply said, "If you need any help, just tell me."

Noah glanced at him with a smile and smacked him in the back. "Sure will."

The two of them stood quietly for a moment, the weight of future battles hanging in the air between them. Despite the calm mountain breeze and the peaceful scenery, they both knew that the days ahead would be anything but.

Wuhan’s gaze drifted to the horizon, where the sky met the distant sea. "You know," he said slowly, "when I first took the throne, I thought ruling an empire would be the hardest thing I’d ever do."

"And now?" Noah asked.

Wuhan let out a dry chuckle. "Now I know it’s nothing compared to dealing with ancient grudges, hidden bloodlines, and priestesses who command divine will."

Noah smirked. "Welcome to my world."

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed softly behind them. Xin Yan came to check up on them, noticing how early they left before.

Wuhan repeated everything he had told Noah and hoped she would come along as well since Noah was going, and Xin Yan’s response...

A Week Later...

The wind blew across a quiet, deserted beach at the edge of Wuhan’s empire. The ocean stretched endlessly ahead, its waves crashing gently against the shore. The sun was warm, but the mood was serious.

On the sand, a small group stood waiting.

There was no grand army. No drums or banners. Just a single black ship, its surface covered in glowing runes and its sails neatly folded.

Noah stood with his arms crossed, his eyes on the sea. Beside him stood Wuhan in blue and gold armor, the emblem of the Quan Empire on his chest. Seven guards in plain battle robes stood behind them, silent and steady—each one at the Core Formation stage.

Leaning against the side of the ship, half-asleep with a straw hat over his face, was the ship’s captain—Black Sword. He looked lazy, but a strong presence hid under that calm. A Week Later...

The wind blew across a quiet, deserted beach at the edge of Wuhan’s empire. The ocean stretched endlessly ahead, its waves crashing gently against the shore. The sun was warm, but the mood was serious.

On the sand, a small group stood waiting.

There was no grand army. No drums or banners. Just a single black ship, its surface covered in glowing runes and its sails neatly folded.

Noah stood with his arms crossed, his eyes on the sea. Beside him stood Wuhan in blue and gold armor, the emblem of the Quan Empire on his chest. Seven guards in plain battle robes stood behind them, silent and steady—each one at the Core Formation stage.

Leaning against the side of the ship, half-asleep with a straw hat over his face, was the ship’s captain—Black Sword. He looked lazy, but a strong presence hid under that calm.

"It really is a pity that she could not come with us," Wuhan said with a sigh. He was talking about Xin Yan, who had refused to come along with them.

Noah also nodded, missing her calming presence already. "The time we have is slipping away very fast, so we have to use every bit of it wherever and whenever we can."

"When are ’you’ going to break through?" Wuhan asked curiously. Noah had been stuck on the same realm for a long time; there had to be a reason for it.

Noah smiled and said, "My soul is too strong to allow me to break through that easily. I need the assistance of the laws of the world."

"Laws? Not concepts?" Wuhan hitched his breath in shock. There was a huge difference between trying to comprehend the concept of a law and comprehending the law itself.

If the law was the absolute truth and rule of a certain force, then the concept was the introduction of that law.

A concept is like the shadow of a law. It’s the feeling, the shape, the early form of understanding. Something a cultivator can grasp to guide their power.

For example, someone might grasp the concept of flame—its heat, its rage, its nature to destroy and purify. That helps shape their techniques, refine their intent, and strengthen their control.

But a law—that’s the truth behind it. The origin of fire itself. Not just what fire is, but why it is. Its place in the world. Its unchanging rules.

If you understand the law of fire, you don’t just summon flames... you command their existence.

Noah nodded slowly, his gaze still on the horizon.

"Only these powers can pull my soul to another level."

Wuhan was silent for a long moment. Then he smiled bitterly. "You really don’t do anything the simple way, do you?"

Noah smirked. "Where’s the fun in that?"

Not far away, a tall woman with long green hair and red eyes walked up to a certain person who was trying to be invisible in her presence.

She was none other than Priestess Sylvheriel.

Her attitude had softened over time, but her sharp tongue was still intact.

"This is it?" she asked, looking at the small group. "This is the force you brought to reclaim my empire?"

Her voice wasn’t mocking—but it was clearly doubtful.

Captain Black Sword yawned loudly, finally lifting his hat.

"We’re not attacking yet, Elf Princess," he said lazily. "We’re just scouting. Seeing what’s out there. We don’t know how bad things are inside your empire yet."

Sylvheriel narrowed her eyes. "You could’ve said that without all the attitude."

He smirked. "You asked a dumb question. You get a dumb answer."

Even though Noah had agreed to help with the mission, he didn’t say a word to Sylvheriel. He simply turned, summoned a gust of wind beneath his feet, and flew aboard the ship without looking back. The priestess noticed but said nothing.

Wuhan, however, stepped forward.

He gave her a calm, steady look and said, "Please rest assured, since we are all here, we are going to help."

Sylvheriel nodded slowly, brushing her hair back as the wind caught the edge of her cloak.

With the final words spoken, everyone boarded the black ship.

The runes along its hull pulsed with a gentle glow as the sails unfurled.

Black Sword yawned again, took his place at the helm, and tapped the formation plate with a casual flick.