Chapter 429: Boarding the Ship, Destination Fire Flood Dragon Island!

"So the Four Directions Lodge is actually this massive? A garden hidden in the middle of the bustling city?"

Yang Ling walked alongside Xu Qingnian along a corridor inside the Four Directions Lodge.

Two maids with exceptional looks and temperament led the way ahead of them.

He suspected these two maids might have been palace attendants in their former lives.

The garden scenery surrounding them seemed to seal off the noise and commotion of the outside world.

Entering this place gave Yang Ling the feeling of stepping into a realm of mountain springs and flowing streams, his state of mind growing calmer and more composed.

The two of them walked in silence and were soon led by the maids into a courtyard.

The courtyard was quite lively, with dozens of figures standing about.

Among them were more than a few familiar faces to Yang Ling.

People like Dongfang Haojie and his sort.

Zhao Yingying was also present, chatting idly with a young man.

A crowd of core disciples from the four top-tier sects surrounded her as well.

After all, she was the daughter of Prince Pinglan, a figure at the commandery princess level.

In contrast, Zhao Zheng, the Fourth Prince, had only the Eldest Princess beside him, with no other Sixth-Rank experts stepping forward to curry favor.

Yang Ling guessed it was most likely because these experts from the first-rate sects didn't want to easily get tangled up in the struggles between princes.

If they knew the Fourth Prince had already been enfeoffed as Prince Pingrong, the situation would have been vastly different.

Xie Zhihu's injuries had already healed, though his nose still bore some traces of damage, seemingly not as straight as before.

When he saw Yang Ling arrive at the small courtyard, his expression involuntarily darkened slightly.

"So that's Yang Ling? I heard both Xie Zhihu and Zhao Yingying were no match for him."

"Previously, Mingxin of the Bitter Awareness Temple also died at his hands, and that one was actually not weak among the Upper Sixth-Rank."

"This guy is quite a bit younger than all of us."

None of the Sixth-Rank experts present today were over thirty years old.

Yet even the youngest among them found that Yang Ling seemed even younger than himself.

Pairs of curious gazes all carried a hint of wariness.

Yang Ling said nothing, directly opening the status panels of this entire group and scanning through them at maximum speed.

He discovered that the four top-tier sects did not occupy all the slots.

For example, the Divine Sect had sent three people this time: one was Dongfang Haojie, one was Tong He, and there was also one Upper Sixth-Rank expert.

The Nine Immortals Dao Palace, Arhat Temple, and Extreme Flame Sword Manor had similar arrangements.

The remaining martial artists all came from second-rate sects like the Great Yan Sword Sect, Valley of the Dead, Bitter Awareness Temple, and Yellow Dragon Sect.

"The Sixth-Rank experts gathered here today encompass virtually every influential faction in Zhao State."

"There are probably quite a few here with dual identities, belonging to the Pharmacy Guild, Mining Guild, Water Transport Guild..."

Seeing that Yang Ling and Xu Qingnian had arrived, the Eldest Princess immediately spoke with a bright laugh:

"Since everyone is here now, today I will brief you on some matters regarding going ashore on the island."

Everyone's attention fell squarely upon the Eldest Princess.

"The temperature on Fire Flood Dragon Island has been rising recently, as if two or three suns were blazing directly overhead. Even Sixth-Rank experts will find it unbearable if they stay there too long."

"So I have prepared some Flame-Averting Pills for you, two pills per person. The effect of one pill lasts half a month, so two pills cover a full month."

"After one month, it's best to leave Fire Flood Dragon Island promptly and return to the ships, otherwise the danger will multiply."

With that, the Eldest Princess lightly clapped her hands.

A group of palace maids could be seen carrying silver trays as they approached each person.

Yang Ling accepted the brocade box on the silver tray and opened it for a look. Inside were two crimson-red pills.

"Flame-Averting Pills. It seems I already hold an inherent advantage this time."

Yang Ling's thoughts stirred slightly.

He had the Flame Immunity skill.

Plus the Flame Immunity and Fire Toxin Immunity that came with the Fire Crocodile Set.

They would allow him to quickly adapt to the high-temperature climate once he got on the island.

"These two pills can be kept for later. No need to take them right after going ashore."

He casually tucked the brocade box into his robes and tossed it into the Green Dragon Ring.

The Eldest Princess continued: "For this Sixth-Rank Top Hundred Battle, we took into account that the Rong tribe wouldn't obediently send just fifty Sixth-Rank experts up there.

So in addition to all of you, we will arrange for one hundred Sixth-Rank experts to go ashore together."

At these words, the Sixth-Rank experts present all appeared somewhat unsettled.

They're arranging an additional one hundred Sixth-Rank experts!?

Then how would the rewards be calculated that time?

"They have their mission, and you have yours. The two don't interfere with each other."

The Eldest Princess said with a faint smile: "Those participating in the Sixth-Rank Top Hundred Battle are still you."

Everyone felt a wave of relief. It seemed those Sixth-Rank experts wouldn't be factored into the reward calculations.

"It should be that Zhao State wants to get its hands on a few Fire Spirit Pearls from Fire Flood Dragon Island?"

They silently speculated, but if they actually encountered Fire Spirit Pearls, they wouldn't let them go either. This didn't affect the Sixth-Rank Top Hundred Battle.

"It's getting late, and you're about to set out. There's one more matter I need to warn you about."

The Eldest Princess revealed a somewhat solemn expression:

"The location of Fire Flood Dragon Island is not within Zhao State's territory."

"With the temperature on Fire Flood Dragon Island rising this time, other factions will also take notice."

"After going ashore, it's not impossible that you'll encounter disciples from some overseas sects."

"Unless necessary, there's no need to cross blows with them. Try not to offend them."

"Otherwise, if you invite some diplomatic problems and suffer any losses, you'll bear them yourselves."

Zhao Yingying and the others' expressions turned slightly sharp.

In truth, they really were worried about this very point.

If they ran into the Rong tribe, they could just kill them outright.

But encountering disciples from overseas sects was a bit troublesome, making them feel constrained and hesitant in dealing with them.

"There's nothing else. I hope that however many of you go, that many return."

"The Water Transport Guild's ships are already waiting at the wharf. Go board now."

The Eldest Princess lightly waved her hand.

Everyone gave a collective salute, then headed off to the wharf together.

Arriving at the wharf, Yang Ling only then realized just how massive this expedition force was.

There were twelve giant ships in total.

On every ship, figures of Ironclad Department agents and military soldiers could be seen.

"On this voyage, we have one Third-Rank Grandmaster and two Fourth-Rank Grandmasters accompanying the fleet."

"So as long as you can leave Fire Flood Dragon Island alive, once you're on a ship, there won't be any danger."

Zhao Zheng smiled at Yang Ling:

"One of those Fourth-Rank Grandmasters is none other than the Director of the First Division under your Ironclad Department's Strategy Division."

He paused for a moment.

"Additionally, there are at least five thousand soldiers accompanying the fleet, one thousand Ironclad agents, and over ten thousand Water Transport Guild disciples."

"There's no shortage of Fifth-Rank Lesser Masters either."

Yang Ling sighed inwardly with admiration.

A force like this could easily wipe out a second-rate sect.

Just then, Xu Wuji arrived from the distance with Zhang Wei in tow.

After smilingly greeting Zhao Zheng with proper courtesy, he turned to Yang Ling with a grin:

"Chief Constable Xiao Yang, this old servant meets with you again."

"Eunuch Xu is going this time as well?"

Yang Ling was somewhat pleasantly surprised, then glanced at Zhang Wei.

The two exchanged looks and gave slight nods, considered a greeting.

"This kid's attributes have improved quite a bit. It seems that since entering the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, he's been eating quite a lot of good stuff."

At this moment, Zhao Zheng led Yang Ling and the others aboard one of the giant ships.

While boarding, Yang Ling spotted Lu Xiangdi, Sun Jiayi, Wang Baozhu, and Yang Yi, these four player guild masters, also busy at work on different giant ships.

They had clearly become some of the Canal Workers on this voyage, handling various miscellaneous tasks.

Additionally, quite a few Canal Worker players were also on the ships, most of them with a hint of excitement and anticipation in their eyes.

Yang Ling suspected these players had probably spent some benefits on their own initiative to get the chance to board.

"They think this trip will bring them rewards, but in reality, rewards and risks go hand in hand."

A trace of solemnity appeared in Yang Ling's eyes.

If something really went wrong, the players alone would likely suffer devastating losses.