After Wu Guang returned to the Mansion, he went and found Elder Di.

During the day, he had been questioning himself what could have caused such a change in Lady Shenlan behavior. If one looked at this from the side, she cordially met him. Then proceeded to apologize to him for the last-year incident during which his family was killed. Afterward, without any logical explanation for so, she suddenly changed and openly questioned his visit.

This three were already strange, but even more, she openly disregarded the matter with the inheritance by saying that it was already settled. Initially, Wu Guang had assumed that it was a game, but the more he thought about it, the more he grew sure that something was amiss. The anger during the talk may have been played, but the nervousness when he left wasn't. Taking into account the latter and that she played anger in response to his accusation but inwardly did not feel it... it could only mean that she was genuinely thinking that he was right.

At the same time, she had changed her manner of speaking twice.

Wu Guang had an enormous amount of memories and experiences to refer to, but still, he could not understand the reasons behind all this. So in place of thinking about it himself as his own knowledge could not apply to the local situation, he went to ask Elder Di, who was a true local.

"It seems that we both have been thinking about the same" were Elder Di's first words after hearing the reason for the visit.

It turned out that Elder Di was also dubious of the reasons behind such conduct. After all, if Lady Shenlan was asked for help by the Wei family or someone else, most probably she would dismiss or even not receive Wu Guang. While if she sincerely thought that the matter was already solved, then she would be truly angry at Wu Guang's insinuation. Not only that, she would actually produce some proof of the settlement. Especially as nobody would believe that no proof existed as the matter was something that the City Lord could ask about on behalf of the Sect.

"Young friend Wu Guang, I feel that we may not understand the situation fully. At least right now. I think that the best option would be to wait for whatever Elder Yanshi finds and play it from there"

"I do agree with Elder Di's judgment, but..."

"But?"

"Why would Lady Shenlan act so strangely? This disciple does not think that he is more intelligent than her, but such conduct would appear strange to anyone. How could she don't understand it?"

"Hmm... For now, I can only think that she may have been used unknowingly. Like for example, you said that she first was cordial and then apologetic. And later, she conducted as if the matter was indeed settled but she did not really believe it. In such case, maybe she wasn't the one who settled the matter?"

"You mean that someone misinformed her?"

"Indeed"

"Then that would mean that someone inside her palace is behind the matter"

"It may be so, but it's getting late. For now, go and rest. After Elder Yanshi returns, I will analyze his findings. Tomorrow I will tell you about whatever was found. In any case, even if we do find something, the matter will have to wait a few days"

"Understood. Thank you Elder Di"

After this conversation, Wu Guang returned to his room. He had not mentioned any of this to his team members, but still, they felt that something was wrong and actually had come to his room on their accord. At the moment no one except the upper council and Wu Guang knew about the 'Earth's Cry Ridge' matter and so the team was only privy to the fact that Wu Guang's family had a manor in the city.

So albeit Wu Guang did explain that there were some hardships about his inheritance, he told them to not think about the matter. In the end, if the matter was solved then everything would be well. And if it wasn't, well, then it was something that the Sect's highest echelon should worry about. Especially as the latter were the ones that openly declared their support in the matter.

The night was peaceful, at least for the people in the 'Three Waves' mansion. As for Elder Yanshi who infiltrated the District Palace archives, it was mainly disappointing. Well, how could it not be so? Not only the archives were precariously guarded, but even inside there was not even a single rune alarm. The elder had no trouble entering and exiting, still, he did not obtain anything except more questions.

It wasn't that the deed was untouched or not present, in fact, it was there and there was information about a change in owner present. But! The new owner was no one else than Wu Guang.

Wu Guang could not know of what had happened when Elder Yanshi returned, but the next morning before breakfast both he and Elder Di knocked on his room. After telling him about the matter, the three of them simply did not know how to proceed. If Wu Guang was the owner and so had already inherited the manor and added properties, then how come that he did not know of such?

This led to a point where they could only act in one way. If Wu Guang was the official owner, then he should go and simply take possession of the manor. Still, this could provoke some kind of incident and so it was decided to wait until the other matters were finished.

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As for Wu Guang himself, he did not feel anything about the matter except interest in who was the one behind the scenes. Especially as for now, nobody could guess the real intentions. Because even he could not guess the gains of this person or group. In any case, as everything was somehow sorted out already, then at least this explained why there were no attempts at his life.

For today, the entire caravan would have to comply with their official mission, which was to receive a shipment from Green Pastures island.

Although 'Three Waves' and the other Pearl Mansions were palace-like buildings, they still had a few other buildings on their grounds. Like the stables and a few warehouses. Their mission was something openly known, so the caravan's horses and carts were already prepared by the mansion's servants by the moment they finished breakfast. So almost immediately after eating, Wu Guang and the rest moved towards the port itself.

After seeing the latter, almost everyone would sigh in admiration. Indeed, the majesty of these white stone piers and orderly rows of warehouses breaking into the dark blue waters was something impressive. Including that right now all the piers were full of people and ships bearing dozens of different flags, the image was something indescribable.

The caravan's target was a docked ship, one sporting the ensign and markings of the 'Green Seas Merchants'. This merchant company was one of the biggest on Green Pastures and could be considered one of the richest companies in the zone. In terms of riches and economic power, they could even rival the Qiu family that traded with the stronger islands.

The captain of the ship called Whistling Grass was already waiting for them, and when he saw the approaching caravan walked to meet it. After a round of greetings and a quick discussion about their respective wellbeings, the captain signaled for a sailor to approach. The latter would be in charge of unloading the merchandise and also take care of the entire process. The disguised elite disciples followed the instructions that he gave them and quickly accommodated the wagons. As for the unloading, it would actually be done by dockworkers and so everyone was asked to come back in two hours. Well, everyone except Elder Di who had remained talking with the captain.

Yuan Taotu and Wei disappeared right away after confirming that they were not needed during this time. As for the Elite disciples and Elder Yanshi, they simply stood nearby. Lan Yanzhi was tasked to gather a bit more information about the current state of the Wu family manor and so was not present, so in the end, Wu Guang spent the time accompanying Kuang Jing in a small stroll around the port stalls. In such stalls, there would rarely be something valuable, but unexpectedly Wu Guang's interest was piqued. The item that had such effect was a simple and small pearl. In fact, the pearl was thrown on the stall without any care, and seemingly nobody except Wu Guang recognized that it was a treasure.

Still, it was one. This unassuming pearl was in truth a solidified and fossilized drop of water essence. But as it was impossible to discern without examining it closely with mind power and no Sage realm cultivators even if present would deign to come to such a place, it was being sold as a simple souvenir.

Wu Guang was not interested in the rest of the stuff on the stall which was comprised mainly of souvenirs from the sea, but to avoid bringing anyone's attention to his real target choose a few of them.

Kuang Jing was attracted to Wu Guang's actions and so asked him if he intended to buy gifts for someone, to which the latter nodded.

As for the targets of such gifts, Wu Guang simply smiled and did not tell anything. Well, how could he? After all, he was simply buying them to discard later.

In total, he spent only a few silver coins to buy three small sea stone-carved statues and his real objective. Such price was so laughable that even Wu Guang's mind was feeling joyful, after all, an elemental essence if sold would cost at least a few qi shards.

After storing everything into his pouch, Wu Guang spent the rest of the time browsing the other stalls. Still, he did not find anything else, and when the time to return grew close, did so alongside Kuang Jing.

The wagons were already loaded and so without further delay, the entire group returned to the mansion. Confirming that the wagons were safely stored in the warehouse and assigning guard turns to the disguised elite disciples as instructed before, Wu Guang announced that their main task was finished.

The rest of this day would be free and so he was left with nothing to do. As he had already browsed the stores and found nothing, Wu Guang did not accompany the rest of his team on their outing.

In fact, even if he had found something that he wanted, he would not do so. After all, he needed to unseal the water essence and absorb it.

He could not attempt to breakthrough yet as it would be too heaven-defying, but he could use the essence to fully stabilize his current cultivation. By doing such he would indeed lose part of the essence's energy, but it would save him a lot of trouble after he started rapidly advancing again. And he did intend to advance rapidly after returning to the sect.