CHAPTER 106: GENUINE RESPECT

Jaxon’s friendly smile froze on his face. The muscles in his jaw tightened. For a moment, a flash of pure, cold anger, the ingrained pride of a core disciple from a great sect, threatened to break through his carefully constructed mask of diplomacy.

"Never heard of it?"

The words were an insult of the highest order. The Azure Sky Palace was one of the most powerful sects on the entire continent.

Its name was known and feared in every kingdom. To claim ignorance of its existence was either a sign of profound, backwater ignorance or a deliberate, calculated mockery.

Jaxon knew this man was no ignorant primitive. This was a direct challenge.

He took a slow, deep breath, forcing the anger down. He could not afford to be provoked. The man before him was an enigma, and the invisible entity beside him was a terrifying unknown.

The Titan just stood there, its massive head high above the clouds, a silent testament to the power of the beings it served. To start a fight here would be suicide.

"You must forgive my sect’s lack of fame, then," Jaxon said, his voice smooth and polite, though it cost him a great deal of effort to keep it that way. He gave a small, self-deprecating laugh.

"We are but a small, regional power. It is not surprising that a traveller of your stature would be unfamiliar with us."

He was testing the waters, offering a polite excuse, a way for them both to save face.

Rhys watched the inner struggle on Jaxon’s face with a calm smile, but inwardly he was talking with the system.

’This idiot thinks I am some kind of person with a powerful background.’

[It seems so...]

This Jaxon was not just a simple, arrogant fool. He was disciplined. He knew when to be proud and when to be cautious. That made him more interesting, and potentially more useful.

"Your ship is well-made," Rhys said, his tone changing slightly. It was not an apology, but it was an acknowledgement, a small opening for conversation. "The formations that propel it are complex. It is a fine vessel for a long journey."

Jaxon seized the opportunity.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist," he said, relief washing over him.

"It has served us well. But this ocean is vast and empty. We have been sailing for weeks and have seen nothing but water. It is a great fortune to finally meet another soul."

He gestured towards his ship.

"You and your companions must be tired of your own journey. My ship has comfortable quarters and fresh supplies. Please, allow me to offer you my hospitality. It would be an honour to share a cup of spiritual tea with you."

It was a polite invitation, a standard gesture of goodwill between cultivators.

Rhys considered the offer. Travelling with this group would be the fastest way to the Mainland. It would save him weeks, perhaps months, of slow travel with Stony.

And it would give him a direct entry point into their society, a source of valuable information. The benefits were clear.

"Very well," Rhys said with a slight nod. "We accept your kind offer."

Jaxon let out a silent breath of relief. He had successfully navigated the first, dangerous step.

He gave a sharp command to his crew, and a wide, stable ramp of pure Qi was projected from the deck of the Azure Eagle

to the edge of Stony’s hand.

Rhys looked down at the massive Titan that had carried him across the ocean.

"Stony," he said, his voice a quiet command.

The colossal creature lowered its other hand, its fingers gently curling around Rhys, Sera, and the still-invisible Seduction. It lifted them from its palm and carefully placed them on the deck of the ship.

Then, before the shocked eyes of Jaxon and his entire crew, the impossible happened.

The Titan, the walking mountain of rock and starlight, began to dissolve. Its massive form became transparent, its solid body turning into a swirling vortex of ash and faint, stellar light.

The vortex shrank rapidly, pulling into itself until it was a small, dark sphere of energy no larger than a fist. The sphere then shot towards Rhys and, without a sound, disappeared into his chest.

The ocean was suddenly empty. The sky was clear. The world felt smaller, less magical.

The crew of the Azure Eagle stood frozen, their mouths agape, their minds completely shattered.

Jaxon himself stumbled back a step, his carefully maintained composure completely gone. His face was pale, his eyes wide with a terror that was pure and absolute.

’Hm... is that something extraordinary?’

[Yes. No one has done similar in the three worlds. Summoning their pet into their own body...]

Jaxon was trembling all over. He had seen powerful cultivators before. He had seen sect elders who could summon powerful beasts.

But he had never, ever seen someone store a living, breathing Titan inside their own body. The thought that he had almost provoked such a being made his blood run cold.

He felt a deep, shaking gratitude that he had chosen diplomacy over pride.

Rhys stood calmly on the deck, ignoring the looks of terror and awe from the crew. He could feel Stony resting peacefully in his Ashen Dimension.

Sera peeked her head out from under the sleeve of his grey cloak. Seduction was still invisible.

Jaxon finally found his voice, though it was a shaky, respectful whisper.

"Fellow Daoist... your abilities are truly... profound."

"It is a simple trick of my family," Rhys said, his voice casual. He was deliberately downplaying the incredible feat, a classic tactic of those from powerful backgrounds.

To him, someone who had read countless web novels, such a thing was normal. But his innate ability to act surprised even him.

Perhaps he would have been a better actor back on Earth.

[...]

The words had the exact effect he intended. Jaxon’s mind filled with images of an ancient, unimaginably powerful family that could give its children the ability to carry Titans in their body.

His own Azure Sky Palace seemed like a small, insignificant village in comparison.

"Please," Jaxon said, bowing deeply from the waist this time. His respect was no longer just a diplomatic gesture; it was genuine. "Allow me to show you to my personal quarters. They are the finest on the ship. You must be weary from your travels."

[I wonder what his expression would be if he knew about your true background...]

’It will be no fun, I guess.’

Rhys followed Jaxon into the ship. The interior of the Azure Eagle was luxurious, its halls decorated with fine carvings and glowing crystals.

Jaxon led him to a large, opulent suite of rooms at the back of the ship, with a wide balcony that offered a perfect view of the ocean.

"Please, make yourself at home," Jaxon said. "I will have the finest food and wine sent up. If there is anything you need, anything at all, you have only to ask."

He bowed again and quickly left, eager to give the mysterious expert his space.

Jaxon also temporarily postponed the Wasteland journey as the elder had asked him to do. Forging a favourable relationship with the enigmatic figure was now his highest priority.