Hartwin, too, was a wandering cultivator and had spent much of his time in Yannopolis, so he was familiar with these waters.
After hearing Hartwin’s words, everyone fell silent.
Wyatt furrowed his brows and asked, “So what do we do? Are we just going to watch Thaddeus escape and not chase after him?”
“I think we should head back. Sooner or later, those guys will return to Epea,” Dylan suggested, showing signs of retreat.
“I agree. Many of the Zorn family disciples are injured and have no energy left to pursue them,” Waylon added.
His own son was hurt, along with many others from the Zorn family, who were heavily wounded. They needed to return and recuperate.
Continuing the chase, especially with the potential storm ahead, would be risky. While others might have the strength to escape a storm, the Zorn family members were too injured to make it out alive.
“We can’t let them go! Thaddeus and his men nearly got us all killed. If we let them go now, it’s like setting a tiger free into the mountains. We must kill them!”
Some alchemists were adamant about continuing the pursuit.
“Who knows what kind of dangers lurk in that storm-prone sea area? Rushing after them blindly would be reckless,” another alchemist countered.
The group was soon divided, with some wanting to chase Thaddeus while others preferred to retreat.
The entire spirit ship became a chaotic mess of arguments.
“Enough! Everyone, quiet down! Let’s hear what Mr. Chance has to say!” Wyatt shouted over the noise.
Everyone immediately fell silent, turning their attention to Jared.
After everything they’d been through, they knew Jared’s strength well, and many had been saved by him along the way. Whatever Jared decided, the others would follow.
“We have several spirit ships. We can split up. Anyone who wants to return to Epea can do so, and those who want to continue the chase can follow us. It’s a voluntary decision. No one will be forced. Even those who decide to return have their reasons. No one will look down on you, so there’s no need to feel pressured.”
Jared understood that venturing into the unknown storm-prone sea area was extremely risky, and having too many people wouldn’t necessarily be an advantage.
Letting some of them return was the best course of action. Some of their group, like those from the Zorn family, were severely injured and required care, which would only weaken the overall strength of the team.
After hearing Jared’s words, the group quietly began to split up, forming two teams.
Waylon and Dylan led a portion of the group back to Epea, while Jared, Wyatt, and the remaining members continued the pursuit.
With members of the Duad Formation Sect still with them, even after losing half their team, Jared’s group was more than capable of dealing with Thaddeus and his followers.
Hartwin and Winona chose to stay. After all, Hartwin had more knowledge of these waters than anyone else.
Jared and his group pressed on, continuing their pursuit of Thaddeus.
The spirit ship moved swiftly, stirring up waves as they sped across the sea. After about an hour of chasing, Jared’s spirit ship began to close in on Thaddeus’s ship.
The skies remained clear, with the ocean shimmering gently. There wasn’t the slightest sign of a storm.
“Mr. Bellamy, you said this is the storm-prone sea area, right? But it looks calm and peaceful. Where’s the storm?” Wyatt asked, puzzled.
“I only know what I’ve heard, and I’ve never actually witnessed the storm myself. But we can’t let our guard down. I’ve heard the storm is incredibly fierce. There was once an airship carrying over a hundred Tribulator cultivators that was instantly torn apart by the storm. Not a single one survived, and no bodies were ever found. With such rumors, and given that Thaddeus is heading straight for this area, the stormy sea must exist,” Hartwin said gravely.
“Once upon a time, there was a spiritual vessel carrying over a hundred ascetic monks. A storm tore it apart in an instant, leaving no survivors alive. Not even their bodies could be found. With such rumors, and given that Thaddeus is heading straight for this area, the storm-prone sea area must exist,” Hartwin said gravely.
Hearing Hartwin’s words, the group tensed up.
