The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

After a brief rest in Shouchun, Yi Huawei continued south, passing through Jianghuai and Jiangdu, and finally arrived at a busy but somewhat chaotic seaport near the mouth of the Yangtze River.

A salty sea breeze swept over him. The harbor was filled with masts and various kinds of ships, from massive Fujian-style junks to nimble sampans, their noise mingling with the crashing waves. Yi Huawei's gaze swept over the bustling docks and the boat owners soliciting customers, but he didn't linger. He walked straight to a relatively quiet corner where several ordinary small fishing boats, available for rent, were moored.

The boat owner, a dark-skinned, weathered old fisherman, stared wide-eyed at Yi Huawei's luxurious attire and magnificent white horse. He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Young master, how can you... how can someone of your noble stature ride in my shabby boat? The waves are huge, it'll be a real ordeal! If you need a larger ship, there are large merchant ships heading south over there..."

"It doesn't matter."

Yi Huawei casually tossed out a pure gold ingot, which landed steadily in the old fisherman's rough palm: "I'll buy this boat."

The old fisherman's hands trembled as he held the gold; it was enough to buy ten of his dilapidated boats and still have some left over!
"Young...Young Master, you...you really want to go out to sea by yourself? Where...where are you going?"

"Ryukyu," Yi Huawei said succinctly.

The old fisherman gasped, looking at Yi Huawei as if he were a madman. Ryukyu? With just this little sampan? But looking at the heavy gold in his hands, and then at the other man's unwavering calm gaze, he swallowed hard, ultimately not daring to persuade him further. He simply thanked him profusely and quickly unloaded the few remaining tattered fishing nets and other equipment from the boat.

Yi Huawei left his white horse at a reputable inn at the port, paying a sufficient amount of money in advance. He boarded the small fishing boat (more of a flatboat than a boat) that was only a few feet long and could only accommodate one or two people; his moon-white brocade robe seemed out of place in this simple setting.

Yi Huwei stood at the bow of the small boat, which had no sails or oars. It quietly left the harbor, cutting through the turbid river water like an arrow released from a bow, and heading straight into the vast East China Sea.

As soon as they reached the mouth of the sea, the wind and waves surged. The murky yellow water and the deep blue sea formed a clear dividing line in the distance. The small boat bobbed up and down between the crests and troughs of the waves, as tiny as a fallen leaf that could be swallowed up at any moment. However, Yi Huawei's figure remained as steady as a rock.

Yi Huawei did not row, but stood with his hands behind his back, his mind slightly stirred.

An invisible yet powerful force enveloped the small boat, drawing upon the vast天地元气 (heaven and earth energy) around it, especially the abundant water element. The seawater beneath and around the boat seemed to be smoothed and propelled by an invisible hand, forming a stable undercurrent that lifted the boat, propelling it steadily forward through the waves at a speed far exceeding that of a sail!

This was no longer merely light-footed water-skimming, but almost like riding on water! It was the initial application of the fusion of the "Longevity Technique" (connecting with the power of water elements in heaven and earth), the "Flower Wandering" (precise manipulation), and the "Punishment Escape Technique" (leveraging spatial flow). As the small boat passed, it left a brief, straight white line on the sea surface, which was quickly smoothed out by the waves.

The vast East China Sea, with its boundless blue waves. A small boat, carrying one person.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the land, the world is nothing but boundless blue: above is the deep sky, and below are the surging blue waves. The sea breeze is sometimes gentle, sometimes wild, whipping up thousands of snowy waves.

Yi Huawei spent most of his time sitting cross-legged at the bow of the boat, closing his eyes to regulate his breathing, sensing the vast and boundless water elemental power in this world, which subtly resonated with the Daoist principles of the "Longevity Manual". The rising and setting of the sun and moon, the rolling and unfolding of clouds, the storms and thunder at sea all became resources for his cultivation.

Occasionally, he would casually flick his wrist, and a seemingly ordinary fishing line would silently disappear into the deep blue sea. The catch might be a plump sea fish, or a strangely shaped deep-sea creature. Yi Huawei didn't care about the catch; when the mood struck, he would take a fat fish, and with a flash of purple-gold light at his fingertips, the scales and innards would instantly peel away, dissipating into pure energy, leaving only snow-white flesh. He would then casually summon a wisp of sea breeze, transforming it into invisible charcoal, and in moments, a crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside, fragrant grilled fish would be ready. Paired with a pot of aged Shaoxing wine taken from his spatial bracelet, he would enjoy a solitary drink by the sea, quite carefree indeed.

By day, one can see a vast sea of ​​clouds and flocks of seagulls; by night, one can gaze upon the brilliant Milky Way and the solitary moon.

Between the sea and the sky, he was alone in his boat, isolated from the world.

They sailed for about half a month.

On this day, the sea was relatively calm, and the sky was high and the clouds were light. The small boat was sailing with the wind. Yi Huawei suddenly sensed something and opened his eyes. His gaze fell on the horizon to the southeast.

On the horizon, a black dot rapidly expanded. Soon, it became clear that it was an enormous ship! Its shape was unique, its lines smooth and graceful; its hull long and sturdy, several huge blue sails billowing in the sea breeze, its masts towering like a forest, its prow sharp and cleaving through the waves, exuding an imposing presence. On its side, a striking emblem composed of waves and a crescent moon gleamed in the sunlight.

This is precisely the unique symbol of the Dongming School!

This colossal Eastern Sea warship, like a sea castle, was cutting through the waves, heading in a direction slightly intersecting with Yi Huawei's small boat. Its size and imposing presence formed an incredibly stark contrast with the tiny boat beneath Yi Huawei, like a giant whale compared to a mayfly.

Yi Huawei did not change course, continuing to steer the small boat at a constant speed. His extraordinary eyesight allowed him to clearly see the guards patrolling the deck of the giant ship. The guards were dressed in the Dongming Sect's close-fitting attire, each exuding a sharp and composed aura, their keen eyes scanning the sea.

Soon, they also discovered the small boat that was sailing alone in the deep sea, without sails or oars, yet moving at an eerie speed!

"Look! What kind of ship is that?" a guard exclaimed, pointing in Yi Huawei's direction.

"What a tiny boat!...Wait, why is it moving? No sail, no oars?!"

"That's fast! This...this isn't normal!"

"Be on alert! Everyone be on alert! Be careful, it might be a trap!"

The ship's leader, who appeared to be the captain, shouted sharply, instantly escalating the tension. The sound of crossbows being cocked was clearly audible, and several wary eyes were fixed on the rapidly approaching small boat. Some began waving flags to signal for them to give way, while others gripped their weapons at their waists, their eyes alert.

Yi Huawei seemed not to hear, slowly rising to stand at the bow of the ship, his moon-white brocade robe fluttering in the sea breeze. Facing the colossal ship that pressed down like a sea fortress, his expression remained calm and undisturbed.

Just as the two ships were about to pass each other, the surging waves stirred up by the giant ship caused the small boat to rock violently and was about to capsize.

Yi Huawei's clear voice, though not loud, seemed to ring in everyone's ears, clearly penetrating the sounds of waves and wind, and spreading to every corner of the "Zhenhai":
"Please inform Lady Shan Meixian of the Eastern Sea that a friend has come from afar and has important matters to inquire about."

The voice was calm, yet it possessed an undeniable penetrating power and composure, instantly overwhelming all the noise.

On the giant ship, all the Dongming Sect guards who heard this voice, including the officers in charge of lookout and command on the high deck, changed their expressions! At this critical moment when the raging waves were about to engulf the small boat, how could this person speak so calmly and clearly? This was definitely not something an ordinary expert could do!

"Stop! Slow down!" A decisive command came from the ship's deck. The massive sails quickly adjusted their angle, the rudder spun sharply, and the behemoth left a huge white arc in its wake on the sea, accompanied by a tooth-grinding screeching sound, finally coming to a stop less than twenty feet from Yi Huwei's small boat! The huge waves it stirred up surged toward the small boat, but when they came within three feet of the hull, they seemed to have hit an invisible wall, dissipating with a crash, without even wetting a hair on Yi Huwei's clothes.

Dozens of elite Dongming Sect guards quickly gathered at the side of the giant ship, their swords half-drawn and their bows and crossbows nocked, instantly creating a tense atmosphere.

The leader, a middle-aged woman dressed in captain's uniform with a capable demeanor, stared intently at the figure on the small boat below, a figure who stood out from the crowd and seemed to blend into the raging waves.

She suppressed the turmoil in her heart, cupped her hands, and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you? What business do you have with my lady?"

To be able to transmit sound so accurately under such circumstances, and for the small boat to remain as steady as a rock amidst the waves stirred up by the giant ship, this person's cultivation is simply unfathomable! To address the lady by her given name is even more extraordinary.

Yi Huawei's composure and unfathomable nature sent a jolt through the middle-aged woman. Not daring to be negligent, she immediately whispered a few words to her personal guard. The guard rushed into the depths of the cabin.

Yi Huawei raised his eyes, his gaze calmly meeting the middle-aged woman's sharp eyes. Without moving, he lightly touched the bow of the boat with his toes.

The tiny boat, appearing as insignificant as a leaf in the shadow of the giant ship, did not sink even slightly. His figure, like a weightless cloud, floated up leisurely, gliding over twenty zhang before landing steadily on the tall and wide bow deck of the "Zhenhai".

His moon-white brocade robe was spotless, and the sea breeze made it flutter lightly, highlighting his upright and pine-like figure. He was calm and composed, as if he had merely stepped over a threshold. This unparalleled lightness skill and composure made the Dongming Sect guards on the deck, who were on high alert, shrink in shock, and their palms, gripping their weapons, became sweaty.

The guard who had just delivered the order hurriedly returned and whispered a few words in the ear of the capable-looking middle-aged female captain. The captain's expression grew even more serious. She waved for everyone to sheathe their weapons, but her wary gaze remained undiminished. She stepped forward, clasped her hands in a fist salute, and said in a deep voice:
"Please wait a moment, young master. Madam will be here shortly."

It didn't take long.

Light footsteps echoed from deep within the ship's cabin, accompanied by the gentle tinkling of jade pendants. The guards on deck parted like a tide, bowing and making way for them.

The person in the lead was none other than the current leader of the Dongming Sect, Madam Dongming—Shan Meixian.

She wore a moon-white silk gown, its fabric so light and airy it seemed to flow like water as she moved, shimmering with a subtle pearly sheen. The gown was perfectly tailored, accentuating her mature, voluptuous, and shapely curves while maintaining an air of dignified elegance. Over this, she wore a wide-sleeved, indigo-blue gauze outer garment embroidered with silver waves and crescent moon patterns, adding a touch of ethereal mystery. Her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned only with a single, translucent jade hairpin carved into the shape of ocean waves and clouds, swaying gently with her steps, exuding a refined and otherworldly charm.

Shan Meixian possessed an exceptionally beautiful appearance, a beauty refined and elegant with the passage of time. Her skin was fair and delicate, almost untouched by age, except for her deep, ocean-like eyes, which held wisdom, experience, and a hint of melancholy, adding to her mature charm. Her demeanor was calm and serene, exuding the authority of someone long accustomed to a position of power, like the boundless strength hidden deep within the ocean—calm on the surface, vast within. At this moment, her gaze towards Yi Huawei was scrutinizing and solemn; her red lips were slightly pursed, her silence conveying an air of authority.

Following half a step closely beside Shan Meixian was a radiant young woman, none other than her beloved daughter, Princess Dongming—Shan Wanjing.

She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, in the prime of her youth. She wore a sleek, sea-sky-colored outfit (a shade transitioning from light pink to pale blue, like the color of dawn at the horizon), its clean lines trimmed with silver thread and embroidered with delicate wave patterns, allowing for both ease of movement and a touch of girlish charm. A silver jade belt inlaid with several blue gemstones cinched her waist, emphasizing her slender figure, her posture as graceful as a newly blossoming lotus. She wore no cloak; her long, glossy black hair was tied in a high ponytail, held together only by a silver ribbon adorned with tiny pearls, which swayed playfully with her steps.

Shan Wanjing inherited her mother's beauty, with exquisitely beautiful features, and even surpassed her mother in youthful vitality. Her skin was a healthy wheat color, with a pearly luster, clearly the result of years of exposure to the sea breeze. Most striking were her bright, clear eyes, like the purest sapphires, which were now boldly gazing at Yi Huawei standing at the bow of the ship with undisguised curiosity, amazement, and a touch of girlish naiveté.

Her temperament was lively and unrestrained, like the most vibrant wave on the sea, yet her brows carried a hint of spoiled pride and a touch of willfulness. Seeing Yi Huawei's handsome, refined, and extraordinary appearance and demeanor, her cheeks flushed slightly, and her beautiful eyes sparkled with an unusual brilliance.

The mother and daughter appeared together, like two exquisite flowers with contrasting styles. Shan Meixian was a quiet orchid blooming in the deep sea, while Shan Wanjing was the most dazzling sunrise on the sea surface. Behind them followed several elderly men with steady auras and bulging temples, clearly senior experts of the sect, their eyes sharp as eagles, firmly fixed on Yi Huawei.

Shan Meixian's gaze lingered on Yi Huawei for a moment, his unfathomable aura sending a chill down her spine. She curtsied, her voice gentle and melodious, carrying a unique rhythm, like the gentle lapping of the tide on the beach:
"This humble servant, Shan Meixian, accompanied by my daughter Wanjing, greets you, sir. We are ignorant and have been negligent in any way; we hope you will forgive us."

She adopted an extremely humble posture, showing her deep fear of Yi Huawei's strength.

Following her mother's example, Shan Wanjing slightly curtsied, but her sapphire-like eyes remained curiously fixed on Yi Huawei's face as she said in a crisp voice, "Shan Wanjing greets young master."

Her voice was like a nightingale's song, carrying the sweet clarity unique to a young girl.

Yi Huawei nodded slightly in return, his expression remaining calm: "Madam, Princess, you are too kind. It was presumptuous of me to come here."

"You flatter me, sir."

Shan Meixian stepped aside and gracefully gestured "please." "The sea is windy, not a suitable place to entertain guests. If you don't mind, please move into the cabin for tea and a chat."

"I'm sorry to bother you," Yi Huawei said without hesitation.

Under the personal guidance of Shan Meixian and her daughter, Yi Huawei passed through the heavily guarded deck and entered the core area of ​​the "Zhenhai".

The cabin was more spacious and comfortable than I had imagined. Although the decoration was not luxurious, it was exquisite and practical in every detail. The wooden structure was polished smooth and inlaid with polished seashells as decoration. The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood mixed with the sea breeze.

We were led to an elegantly furnished cabin. Thick Persian carpets covered the floor, and the low tables and couches were crafted from fine sandalwood. Ink paintings depicting seascapes hung on the walls, and a bronze incense burner in the corner emitted soothing wisps of smoke. Outside the window lay the vast, boundless blue sea and sky.

The guests and hosts took their seats. Shan Meixian and Shan Wanjing sat to one side of the main seats, while Yi Huawei sat in the guest seat. Soon, a beautiful maidservant served fragrant tea. The teaware was delicate white porcelain, and the tea leaves unfurled in the water, producing a clear, bright green tea soup with a refreshing aroma, clearly not an ordinary tea.

"This is 'Sea Mist Green' cultivated in Ryukyu by my Dongming Sect. Although it is not as elegant as the famous teas of the Central Plains, it has its own unique flavor. Please, young master." Shan Meixian picked up the teacup with graceful demeanor.

Shan Wanjing held her teacup with both hands, sipping it slowly. Her beautiful eyes couldn't help but steal glances at the handsome, mysterious young man opposite her, her heart filled with questions and curiosity: Who exactly is he? Why is he able to cross the sea alone? And what is he doing looking for his mother?
Yi Huawei picked up the teacup, not in a hurry to drink, but gently stroking the warm, smooth surface of the cup with his fingertips. He calmly looked at Shan Meixian and went straight to the point:

"Madam, I apologize for the intrusion, but I have come here to ask you for confirmation on a matter."

(End of this chapter)