The Sea King held his head high and shook his head. “It’s normal that you can’t think of such a tactic. How many people in the universe are capable of such nimble thinking like myself? Qiqi has inherited my first-rate genes, so I hope that you won’t ruin that inheritance.”

Lu Yin pursed his lips, as this father and daughter pair were very similar; they each had a venomous mouth and a favorable impression of themselves. “Senior Sea King, this junior has two things to report.”

The Sea King nodded. “Go on.”

“First of all, it’s about the betrothal gift. If this junior wishes to wed Qiqi, the gift must be presentable. Not only is this a matter of respect towards the Sea King's Dome, but it is also an accounting of my hometown,” Lu Yin explained respectfully.

The Sea King cast a sideways glance at Lu Yin. “What sort of betrothal gift can you prepare? Why don’t we just call it quits after you return those star essence you spent?”

Lu Yin felt awkward. “This junior’s not that wealthy.”

“Then what are you talking about? If you don’t even have that much money, what sort of gift can you possibly prepare?” The Sea King was disgruntled.

Lu Yin quickly replied, “Although I’m broke, I will try my best to prepare a gift that matches Qiqi so long as senior allows me to return to Frostwave Weave.”

The Sea King sneered. “Are you trying to leave? We’ll talk about this after you become an Explorer.”

Lu Yin deferentially replied, “Senior may not know that junior’s home has encountered danger, so I must return.”

The Sea King disdainfully answered, “What can you do as a Limiteer?”

“Even if I was a Seeker, so long as my home is in trouble, I cannot shirk my responsibilities. If I may ask, if the Sea King's Dome were to face trouble, would the residents from here return to help? Even if it’s useless, they would still be willing to bear the burden all together.”

The Sea King’s eyes showed that he was moved by Lu Yin’s words, and he looked up at the sky. He thought for a moment before saying, “Alright, you may go, but take Qiqi with you.”

Lu Yin was alarmed. “Senior, this return trip will be fraught with danger. How can Qiqi be put in such a position?”

The Sea King remained arrogant. “Qiqi does not need your protection since no one dares to touch my daughter. Just take her along with you and don’t worry about it. It may even turn out to be the case where she is the one to protect you instead.”

Lu Yin wanted to retort, but he was interrupted by the Sea King. “Alright, I’m not going to negotiate with you. Either take Qiqi with you or wait until you become an Explorer.”

Lu Yin was helpless, so he could only agree. “Junior understands, and I will try my best to ensure Qiqi’s safety.”

“I’ve already said this, but Qiqi does not need your protection. Tomorrow, meet Qiqi at the port.” The Sea King then tore through the void and left.

“Seventh Bro, you can’t seem to get rid of that woman! I have a feeling that you might accidentally lose your mind if you spend too much time with her.” The monkey’s schadenfreude at Lu Yin’s misfortune was readily apparent.

Lu Yin had no time to think about such things, and he quickly pulled up a star chart showing Frostwave Weave and its surroundings as he thought about how he could resolve this crisis. He could not just charge in recklessly, as the other side could effortlessly send out waves of Hunters. The best plan would be to make use of the various powers and establish an equilibrium. After all, he had spent some time in the Innerverse, so his current social circles could not be measured with the Outerverse’s standards.

Moreover, he had Honor Points, so he could gather more information about the tangled relationship between these powers than anyone else, which he could then use to his advantage.

The one eyeing Frostwave Weave was the Beast Tamers Flowzone’s Second Grade Hall, so his first step was to research this power more thoroughly. Maybe he could use Kuang Wang.

In another area, at the highest point of the Sea King’s Dome, the Sea King stood as he stared out at the Starfall Sea. Behind him, Hai Dashao appeared and spoke in a low voice. “Father, I’ve checked it. Frostwave Weave is being targeted by the Second Grade Hall, and Northcastle Weave has practically already fallen into the hands of the various powers.”

The Sea King nodded, but he had a peaceful look on his face.

“The Second Grade Hall will not be the only foe Lu Yin faces when he returns. With the lure of pyrolyte tempting the various powers there, it will be difficult for him to preserve Frostwave Weave’s autonomy, and at best, he’ll be able to maintain the Great Yu Empire’s territory. This is also after taking the various powers’ reservations with the Sea King's Dome into consideration. With his strength as a puny Limiteer, it’s completely impossible for him to reverse the situation.” Hai Dashao made his report with a contemptuous tone for Lu Yin.

The Sea King smiled. “Did you think that he’s going there alone?”

“Why? Does he have helpers?” Hai Dashao was astonished.

“We are his helpers.”

Hai Dashao was stunned. “Does Father intend to personally intervene? This will attract the attention of the Hall of Honor. To start-”

The Sea King raised his hand to stop Hai Dashao. “I didn’t say that I was going to intervene, but this kid’s not an idiot either. From his previous deeds, this kid has shown that he’s adept at socializing, and that he’s even better at borrowing power. Why do you think he mentioned preparing a betrothal gift? I dare guarantee that, as soon as he can’t withstand the situation, this kid will definitely prepare a betrothal gift for the Sea King's Dome as a means to intimidate the various powers. He already has all sorts of ways to save Frostwave Weave. It’s even possible that he might offer Frostwave Weave to our Sea King’s Dome as his betrothal gift.”

Hai Dashao grew furious. “Would that brat really be so bold? Father, we can’t let him act so willfully! We have an agreement with the Hall of Honor.”

The Sea King did not mind that matter. “So what if we have an agreement? No one in the universe can stop me.”

Hai Dashao knitted his brows. As he stared at the Sea King’s figure, he suddenly seemed to think of something. “Father, is having Qiqi follow him to indicate our Sea King's Dome’s position?”

The Sea King smiled, but he did not reply.

“Father, do you want to obtain the pyrolyte?” Hai Dashao probed.

The Sea King’s gaze trembled. “Whether or not it can be obtained depends on how that kid behaves. I hope that he won’t disappoint me, or else I may have to act personally.”

Hai Dashao was overwhelmed; if the Sea King took action, then those old freaks from the various powers would also appear, potentially snowballing into a disaster that would sweep across the universe. Was this pyrolyte really that important? Hai Dashao did not understand. Even if pyrolyte was a strategic military resource, no one in the universe dared to provoke the Starfall Sea or the Sea King's Dome. Would he need to leave the Starfall Sea to obtain this material?

If the Sea King moved out, then the Neoverse wouldn’t remain silent either, and the entire universe would be thrown into chaos.

Hai Dashao suddenly realized that Lu Yin’s trip was actually very important, as he would have to obtain a sufficient amount of pyrolyte to satisfy the Sea King. Otherwise, a disaster would occur, and no one knew about this possible outcome other than Hai Dashao and the Sea King himself.

Lu Yin naturally did not know that the Sea King required pyrolyte, as it would already be an amazing outcome if he could preserve Frostwave Weave with his return.

Hold on. Hai Dashao suddenly thought of another possibility. Perhaps Father is allowing Lu Yin to leave in order to allow his future son-in-law to be bullied after leaving the Starfall Sea. As soon as Lu Yin was unable to save Frostwave Weave, the Sea King would have enough justification to act, and no one would be able to argue against him.

The Hall of Honor could not stop the Sea King from helping his own future son-in-law.

And if after helping his future son-in-law he snatched some pyrolyte, no one would dare to say anything.

As he watched the Sea King’s smile, Hai Dashao was shocked. He reckoned that even the various powers who had taken over Northcastle Weave did not know that they were already being watched by the Sea King and that everything was going according to his plan.

Hai Dashao left, still pondering some matters, though he knew that he could not stop anything.

“Father, it’s time to tell Second Bro.” A screen rose up from a gadget beside the Sea King. The display showed a man who looked very similar to Hai Dashao. He was the Sea King’s eldest son.

The Sea King’s gaze grew complicated. “Wait for him to become a Hunter.”

“Father, it’s too radical an idea to use pyrolyte to blast that path open. Nobody knows what will happen once that path is cleared, and the original tragedy might even repeat itself.”

The Sea King’s expression grew heavy. “So what? This universe is merely a pretense! Nothing can be worse than this outcome. That path could be a dead end, but it may also be a source of hope. And so what if it’s a dead end? At worst, everyone can die together without anyone escaping.”

“The Hall of Honor will not let you succeed.”

“They are too conservative. They have no idea that, the longer the delay, the more we’ll be suppressed. It’s been too long since this universe has been devoid of a Progenitor.”

“Second Brother has probably gone looking for Lu Yin. Aren’t you worried that he’ll let something leak?”

The Sea King clasped his hands behind his back. “It doesn’t matter. The kid can’t even decide his own future. So what if he knows, and so what if he doesn’t. Ignorance is bliss, after all.”

“Then, what about Qiqi? Do you truly plan to marry Qiqi off to him?”

“If he’s not an enemy, sure. If he is, he’ll be killed immediately.” The Sea King’s tone grew cold. As he uttered those words, the atmosphere of the entire Sea King's Dome changed, and the even Starfall Sea grew more despondent.

…

Hai Dashao’s emotions were complicated. He did not understand why they needed pyrolyte. Given the power of the entire Sea King's Dome, they should have no need for pyrolyte at all.

The Sea King's Dome enjoyed an exceptional status in the universe, partly because the Starfall Sea did not interfere in the struggles of the other powers. However, as soon as the Sea King's Dome acted, there would be a backlash from the various powers of the universe, which would then restrict the Sea King's Dome status. This was not what Hai Dashao wished to see.

He unwittingly walked to the waterfall where Lu Yin was, and saw that the Limiteer was deep in thought.

Lu Yin was studying a star chart and considering what might help him as he contemplated his future moves when he returned to Frostwave Weave. He gathered himself when he saw Hai Dashao approach.

“Are you leaving tomorrow?” Hai Dashao asked softly.

Lu Yin nodded.

Hai Dashao looked at Lu Yin and hesitated. “Your reply to Starsibyl was rather disappointing to me.”

Lu Yin casually smiled. “My apologies. It probably wasn’t just you who was disappointed—even the Sea King should be very disappointed. Still, that is my reply, and it will not change.”

Hai Dashao frowned, but he did not reply.

“Did you come here just to tell me this?”

Hai Dashao stared into Lu Yin’s eyes. “You should have heard about… pyrolyte.”

Lu Yin nodded. “I’ve heard of it.”

“Father wishes for your betrothal gift to be pyrolyte,” Hai Dashao said. He could not reveal everything, so he had to leave his words vague.

Lu Yin was astounded. “The Sea King needs pyrolyte?”

“Whether he needs it or not is none of your business. In any case, your gift can only be pyrolyte, or else-” At this point, Hai Dashao paused since he did not know how to continue. Or else what? We won’t let him marry Qiqi? This kid would actually be eager for such an outcome, as Hai Dashao had not forgotten what had happened during the selection competition and was well aware that Lu Yin did not wish to marry Qiqi.

Lu Yin replied, “The various great powers of the universe are all focused on pyrolyte. It’ll be very difficult for me to get any of it. I’m just a Limiteer, and although I may have some statuses and titles that will cause some to hesitate, it’s not to the extent where they will concede this resource to me.”

Hai Dashao turned to leave. “That’s your problem. Anyway, the Sea King's Dome’s required betrothal gift is pyrolyte. If you can’t obtain it, then you know what price you’ll have to pay.”

And with that, Hai Dashao left.

Lu Yin suddenly felt that pyrolyte was far more important than what he had previously believed. Even the Sea King's Dome, a power that did not involve itself in the universe’s disputes, wanted it. Since the Sea King's Dome wanted it, and since he had even used such a reason, then it was even more justifiable for him to borrow their influence, though that was still his last resort.