"I understand," Ye Xiu said with a gentle smile, glancing at the child. "Hold on tight now; I'm about to start running."

"Alright!" The child echoed Ye Xiu’s words, and the sheer joy of the boy’s laughter seemed to flood the dark riverbank. If this laughter could bring even a sliver of hope to everyone, it was worth it. The thought only deepened Ye Xiu’s melancholy; war was utterly meaningless for ordinary people. With a burst of speed, he spurred his horse and bolted from the riverbank, vanishing into the unknown.

Dark clouds hung low, as if portending some earthly sorrow, and the water of the river began to ripple as if weeping aloud. When Ye Xiu and the child finally returned happily to the encampment, the scene before him struck him dumb.

"Big Brother, what happened to Grandpa and the others!" The child was frightened; the campfire still burned brightly, yet no one was speaking. Everyone lay sprawled on the ground, and patches of brilliant red seemed to be flowing beneath them.

Ye Xiu's heart seized. He swiftly covered the child’s eyes, utterly shocked by the cruelty of the Human race—to murder this group while he was gone, and even decapitate every single one of them. "They are just asleep. Grandpa told you to go on ahead with me; they will join us later at the Water Palace Imperial City."

With that, Ye Xiu wheeled his horse around and fled. Before leaving, he channeled his full internal energy from the Juejing Meridian and unleashed a palm strike, sending a surge of air that engulfed the entire camp in flames. There was no room for sympathy or pity in war, only the strong and the weak. Running was useless.

After another night of relentless travel, Ye Xiu finally reached his destination, the Water Palace Imperial City, with the child soundly asleep in his arms. Looking out, the city was far smaller than Ten Thousand Sword City, but its uniqueness lay in the fact that the entire metropolis was built upon the water, resembling a colossal aircraft carrier. To enter the city, one first had to swim across the vast moat—a moat unlike any ordinary river, its width and length far exceeding Ye Xiu's wildest imaginings. This design offered many advantages, such as allowing the guards to immediately discern if an approaching figure was of the Water Race simply by observing their form, thereby eliminating extensive questioning and screening.

"Wake up, quick! We’ve arrived." Ye Xiu shook the child, dismounting alongside him. "You should be able to swim across this moat on your own, right?"

The child rubbed his eyes sleepily. "Big Brother, aren't you coming in with me? We of the Water Race live by the river since childhood; there’s no river we can’t cross."

Ye Xiu stroked the child's head and smiled. "You go on ahead first. Wait for me right behind the main gate once you're inside the city; I'll be there shortly."

The child nodded, placing complete trust in Ye Xiu. With a splash, he plunged into the water. Beneath his small frame, a powerful tail instantly materialized. This wasn't merely swimming; it was diving, executed with incredible speed.

Ye Xiu watched the child swim safely, then turned back to pat his horse. "Alright, brother, you can leave now too." The horse seemed to understand its master no longer needed it, gave a long neigh, and galloped away.

"Now, I need to test out the Ghost Step technique beneath the Juejing Meridian." Ye Xiu grinned confidently, mastering his emotions. War, slaughter, betrayal—these were minor things to him. Only overwhelming strength could secure an unassailable position. Gritting his teeth, he focused all his internal energy into his feet. The instant he activated the Ghost Step technique...

"Boom..." The land on the opposite side inexplicably collapsed, sending huge waves churning across the river, leaving the guards watching from the other side utterly bewildered.

When he finally stopped, he had arrived inside the city even before the child had. Ye Xiu was both shocked and delighted. He felt no sensation of forward movement whatsoever; his vision had simply gone black for a moment, and then he had vaulted across such a vast distance. He hadn't expected the power of the Ghost Step to have grown so much with his cultivation. Who, he wondered, could possibly chase someone moving at this speed?

"Big Brother." Just then, the child ambled into the city and threw himself against Ye Xiu. It was his first time in the Water Palace Imperial City, and he was fascinated by everything.

Ye Xiu led the child into the streets, only to find that there wasn't a single shop selling goods inside the entire city. Everyone seemed hurried, lacking the bustle and splendor of Ten Thousand Sword City—perhaps a consequence of the war.

"Brother, look, so many people over there." The child found it novel; it was the first time he had seen so many people gathered.

Ye Xiu followed his gaze to a small plaza where several men in military attire were shouting orders, while below them, a crowd of bare-chested brutes muttered amongst themselves about something unknown.

Ye Xiu led the child closer. It appeared to be a recruitment drive, which made sense given the impending war; every nation sought to expand its forces to ward off a formidable enemy.

"The rebirth of the Water God Beast endangers the very survival of our Water Race! His Highness of the Water Palace seeks valiant heroes to reseal the Water God Beast once more. Those who accept this mission shall be granted the title of Great General of the Water Race!" the official barked, repeatedly eyeing the crowd below.

Though the area beneath the platform was crowded, the men looked like mere strongmen skilled only in tug-of-war or wrestling; none seemed to possess any true power. Moreover, the moment the name 'Water God Beast' was uttered, these men fell silent, too afraid to speak, let alone volunteer for the challenge.

Ye Xiu knew little about this Water God Beast, but he surmised it was deeply connected to Water Race civilization. If he were to casually ask others, he would surely be suspected of not being of the Water Race. Out of necessity, he turned to the child. "Brother, my memory is poor. Do you know what the Water God Beast is?"

The child scratched his head, thinking for a moment. "When I was little, Dad often told me if I didn't behave, he’d throw me into the Great Abyss of Ten Thousand Seas to feed the Water God Beast. It must be that thing! It eats people."

Ye Xiu pondered. He had just arrived in the Water Palace Imperial City and couldn't find Lang Taotian or A Jiao. If he accepted this mission now, wouldn't he have the perfect opportunity to enter the Imperial City and locate them both? Furthermore, if he ended up becoming a Great General of the Water Race, wouldn't it be much easier in the future to search for the Howling Wave Sword and the True Essence?

"Brother, what are you planning to do? Can you defeat the Water God Beast?" The child was curious, but in his heart, Ye Xiu was the strongest, precisely because he could fly in the sky.

Weighing the options, Ye Xiu finally made his decision and strode onto the platform. Whatever the Water God Beast was, it was likely just a massive monster. With the power of three swords and mastery of the foremost Juejing Meridian, how could he fear some mere beast? "Enough! Stop looking for others—I accept!"

"You..." The officials nearly burst out laughing, and the crowd below began to murmur scornfully. "What can a man carrying a child achieve? Don't think just because you have a sword, you’re something special. Are you perhaps Human?"

Ye Xiu suddenly recalled Lang Taotian mentioning that no one in the Water Race used swords, leaving him momentarily speechless. "I am not Human; I am of the Wing Race. Are the three races not supposed to be jointly resisting the Human Race right now?"

"You are Wing Race? Are there Wing Race members who use swords?" Someone else remained suspicious. "Show us your wings, or we will treat you as a Human and execute you on the spot."

With no other choice, Ye Xiu spread his wings and ascended into the air, adding a string of nonsense. "Of course, the Wing Race has swordsmen, and only true masters know how to use them. What do you bumpkins know?"

"He really is Wing Race," a young soldier pointed up to the squad leader, whispering a few comments. "Why don't a few of us test his abilities? If he's an imposter, we can teach him a lesson right here."

The squad leader considered it and found the idea amusing. He drew his spear proudly. "Let's see what you’re made of, youngster. If you can snatch the weapon from my hand, I will introduce you to the palace. If not, well, you’ll kowtow to me and my men three times."

Ye Xiu let out a breath, finding the whole affair tedious. Kowtowing as a wager seemed universally popular; ancient customs lacked spice. He folded his wings and descended lightly. It was only in that fleeting moment of descent that he reached out his hand, effortlessly grasping the squad leader's spear.

"This... How is this possible!" The soldier could scarcely believe his eyes, and the crowd below erupted in cheers. The child, meanwhile, was already stunned speechless by Ye Xiu's wings.

"What is happening here? Why all the commotion?" At that moment, a familiar voice reached Ye Xiu’s ears. The newcomer was none other than Lang Taotian.

"First Prince!" The soldiers immediately bowed. "Reporting to the First Prince! Someone has finally agreed to go seal the Water God Beast, but..."

"But that someone is me!" Ye Xiu raised an eyebrow and smiled at Lang Taotian. "I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Brother Ye! It's you! How did you end up in the Azure Mountain Sea?" Lang Taotian was overjoyed; just when he was worrying, Ye Xiu arrived. "The parting at Ten Thousand Sword City truly caused me great concern. I’m glad you’re safe. We two brothers must have a good, long drink."

Ye Xiu clapped Lang Taotian on the shoulder, dismissing the soldiers with a glance. "Just now, a few reckless fellows wanted to challenge me! Alas!"

"Forgive us, this subordinate was blind and failed to recognize Hero Ye." The soldiers immediately bowed their heads low, realizing they had caused grave trouble by disrespecting someone who was clearly a sworn brother to the First Prince.

"Enough, enough. Let's not waste time. Since Brother Ye has accepted this task, you must help my Water Race overcome this crisis. Come with me to pay respects to my father, the King." Lang Taotian eagerly took Ye Xiu's hand and led him toward the palace. "You have no idea how often my sister, A Jiao, mentions you."

Ye Xiu recalled A Jiao with mixed feelings of affection and resentment, but he didn't forget to beckon the child to follow him.

"What about this child?" Lang Taotian asked, puzzled by Ye Xiu bringing a small boy.

Ye Xiu whispered, "I met him on the road. His entire village was massacred by the Human Race. You must know about the kill order issued by the Ten Thousand Sword Black Tiger. This child is truly pitiful."

Lang Taotian grew solemn, his brow furrowing at the mention of the Black Tiger. He instructed the soldiers sternly, "Take good care of this child for me. If anything happens to him, execute your next in command without question."