A few weeks would pass since the last attack on the ships happened. Jianwei training has not stopped since and even became good friends with Thomas. They have fought with each other and learned each other's style. Thomas's family style was more of a ranged type compared to Jianwei close combat, but he has also practised close combat as well.
Everyday Thomas would use his revolver and shoot soul bullets at Jianwei. JIanwei didn't use his soul essence while fighting as just his basic physical capabilities would let him dodge these soul bullets, and relying on his soul essence too much isn't a great habit to have. Thomas was getting better and better after using his revolver every day. He can now hit Jianwei but his power wasn't strong enough to hurt him. Thomas' soul essence rank is still a rank 9 but he is hitting a bottleneck and very soon will break through to rank 10 in a month or so.
Right now they were both in the training room and Jianwei was swinging his mist blade in the air.
Thomas shot soul bullet after soul bullet and Jianwei deflected all of them.
"Tch, what's the fun in this if I can't hit you?" Thomas complained while spinning his revolver.
Jianwei stopped swinging his mist blade and spoke.
"It's fun seeing you miss every single bullet." Jianwei said laughing. Thomas frowned and shot a soul bullet which was deflected by Jianwei mist blade.
"I was joking." Jianwei said smiling. Thomas rolled his eyes and put away his soul essence revolver.
"Let's stop training for today. We should go above deck and get something to eat." Thomas suggested. Jianwei nodded his head and dissipated his mist blade.
They made their way to the galley and there was a large array of food ranging from roasted chicken to rice and soup. They grabbed their food and ate.
"So, what do you plan on doing in the cerulean? I mean by the sounds of things that your family is a very important part of the Olympic empire." Jianwei said eating a chicken leg. Thomas sighed and spoke.
"Honestly, I don't want to be in the Cerulean. My family basically forced me into this and I don't want to be known as part of some organisation. I could give two shits about justice or what not. I just want to live my life." Thomas stated while playing with his food. Jianwei nodded his head comprehending him, knowing how that felt. Though he still preferred justice over personal emotions.
"Also, what's so good about throwing your life around? I'd rather fill myself with pleasure than dread. Besides, you should take things one day at a time. No point in worrying about things that might not even happen. You gotta live life to the fullest. Otherwise, what's the point of being here if you don't enjoy it?" Thomas asked Jianwei to finish off his meal. Jianwei thought about it and could agree in some regards, but justice is his number one priority.
"Hell, even if I end up dying tomorrow, I'd be happy as long as I lived a fulfilling life." Thomas continued finishing his drink. Jianwei was thinking and then replied.
"I mean I can somewhat understand where you're coming from, but I would never be content if I don't pursue justice. It's something I will always strive for even if I die." Jianwei proclaimed his fist clenching. Thomas rolled his eyes and spoke.
"Yeah, yeah. Justice this, justice that. Look, you have your opinion, and I have mine." Thomas started leaning back on his chair. Jianwei smiled and finished off his food.
"Anyways, I'm going to go above deck and relax a bit. See you around, Thomas." Jianwei said walking out of the galley.
Jianwei climbed above the deck and took a deep breath. The cerulea sea seemed peaceful in the daytime as the sun shone down on him, casting its warm glow on his body. He gazed out towards the horizon, his thoughts wandering to the journey ahead. He closed his eyes and felt the sun's rays on his skin, the warmth enveloping his body. He took another deep breath and released, the tension leaving his shoulders.
Liang Jianwei opened his eyes and gazed out at the cerulea sea, his mind at peace. A sudden movement caught his eye as he noticed an island in the distance that was like a cake, but the waterfalls where the walls of this cake and islands were like the toppings on top.
At the very top of the cake-like island was a giant palace, with the cerulean logo shining brightly. He couldn't see the bottom of the cake island but it's as if it keeps going forever. Jianwei wondered why the Ceruleans were taking them to this island and where they were going to be stationed.
A couple hours would pass as they got closer and closer to this island, the cerulea sea glistening in the sunlight. The palace was even bigger than Jianwei thought and it seemed to reach the sky. The cerulean logo was on every wall and even the flag of the cerulean waved proudly on top of the palace. Jianwei was filled with excitement as he wondered what was in store for him on this island.
But one question lingered in his mind. How the hell are we meant to get up this thing? Jianwei thought to himself.
"Attention ensigns. This island is where our headquarters is. Ceruleans from across the empire come here and train to reach justice. You'll be studying here for three years and will be shipped to your individual bases." Senior Yang shouted. The ensigns all nodded their heads as the ship drew closer to the cake island.
Before long, they reached this massive cake island, the towering waterfall cascading down to the cerulea sea. The five ships continued to sail onwards, their wooden hulls gliding atop the cerulea sea. The ship eventually reached the waterfall, and something amazing happened. The ship turned 90 degrees upwards and started to sail up the waterfall!
Everyone on the ships couldn't believe their eyes as the ship sailed up the waterfall, the cerulea sea slowly disappearing behind them. Liang Jianwei watched in amazement as the ship ascended up the cake island, his mind racing with wonder. After a while, the ships reached the first checkpoint and docked in the cake island's first harbour.