"Ethan, I've heard of him. He's an excellent young man. Master Pupol praised him as a rising star."

Ned Shire spoke with an appreciative tone, glancing at Ethan.

Ethan nodded in greeting, "Hello, Lord Shire."

"Just call me Ned," Ned Shire smiled, then looked to his daughter and said, "Sofia, you're wearing too little. Go change into something warmer to avoid catching a cold. I'll chat with your friend for a bit."

"Dad..." Sofia was initially reluctant but ultimately couldn't refuse Ned. She could only say, "Don't make things difficult for him. He truly is my good friend."

Ned nodded.

Sofia left.

Ned beckoned to Ethan and said, "Come, young man, let's take a walk."

This gave Ethan a strange illusion, as if a familiar scene was about to unfold.

The two walked through the corridor of the garden and slowly arrived at a separate house.

"This is my private collection and studio. In fact, in my younger days, I also dreamed of becoming an artist."

As Ned spoke, he pushed open the door to the house.

The room was quite dark, though not without lighting. As Ned led Ethan in, cold-toned lights came on, illuminating the place with an exceptionally pallid glow.

The whole space emitted a strange aura.

Especially when Ethan saw Ned's collections.

His collections were mostly paintings depicting the sea or with mythological elements.

And these mythological elements, without exception, were about... the Sea God.

Ethan finally understood what that strange aura was.

It was an almost ritualistic scent.

This so-called private gallery was more like some religious place, a chapel, an altar?

Ned continued inward, passing the paintings, and led Ethan towards the second floor.

As they walked, Ned asked, "Ethan, I heard you painted a picture of the sea that Loren really liked?"

"Oh, that was just luck."

Loren, the principal of Winster University, was indeed familiar with Ned.

"What do you think of the sea?"

"Very vast, mysterious, extremely sacred."

"No wonder you can paint a good sea. You definitely have to see this piece of mine, come." With that, Ned led Ethan to a hall on the second floor, where something large was covered under a black cloth.

It seemed to be a gigantic statue.

The two approached the statue.

Ned grasped a corner of the black cloth and suddenly turned back to ask Ethan, "Do you like my daughter?"

Ethan was taken aback.

In the next moment, Ned pulled down the black cloth.

A massive Sea God statue surged towards Ethan almost with the force of rushing tides.

It was so grand, so beautiful, so divine and noble.

In Ethan's eyes, the image of the Sea God was magnified limitlessly, as if it would fill the entire world.

An indescribable emotion was striking Ethan's mind, his entire spirit.

It was akin to the powerful blow during Solomon's inquiry but seemed even more expansive than Solomon's impact.

It made Ethan feel an irresistible urge to kneel and worship instantly.

But immediately, a strong wave of heat surged from within him, dispersing this impulse.

Ethan realized that this was the Blood of Truth at work.

He hadn't expected that this thing could actually help him twice.

Moreover, he hadn't anticipated that Ned seemed to be harboring some significant secret.

What was his plan?

"Praise Isis!"

In front of the gigantic Sea God statue, Ned began praying devoutly, placing his hands on his chest, making the same gesture Carlos had led everyone in doing on the ship.

Then he turned and looked at Ethan.

Ethan hurriedly adopted an intoxicated expression.

He analyzed that the previous mental impact should be of a seductive nature, after all, it was a power stemming from divine worship.

Sure enough, Ned saw Ethan's expression and did not show any sign of doubt. He naturally stared at Ethan and asked again, "Do you like my daughter?"

"I do."

This was the optimal answer Ethan formulated considering all circumstances.

Ned was a good father. He loved Sofia dearly.

Sure enough, hearing Ethan's answer, Ned seemed to let out a slight sigh of relief.

"Tell me, have you ever seen the King of the Beihai? Do you know who the King of the Beihai really is?"

"I've only seen him once..."

Yet again, the King of the Beihai.

Could it be...

Ethan repeated the answer he gave to Solomon while pondering over Ned's identity.

Ned was clearly not satisfied with Ethan's answer.

However, he didn't ask further. Instead, he lifted his hands once more, performing that prayer ritual, and said loudly, "Praise Isis! May Your Divine Power flow upon this place, allowing me to bestow Your glory upon Your loyal servant."

The next moment, azure water flowed from his hand, gradually coalescing until it surged toward Ethan with a wave of Ned's palm.

Instantly, the feeling of mental seduction intensified, and Ethan felt he was about to be completely overwhelmed, even the Blood of Truth could not hold it back.

At this moment, the 'True God's Name' activated, swallowing all the water flows.

Ethan's consciousness finally cleared.

But on the surface, he continued to display utter intoxication, his whole being kneeling down, worshipping Isis's statue fervently.

Ned watched this scene with satisfaction, waiting until Ethan was fully submissive before slowly saying, "Ethan Polleta, from today onward, you will become the most faithful servant of Isis, join us, to strive together for the revival of Isis. One day, we will welcome back the great Goddess and let Her embrace hold the world's seas once more!"

"Praise Isis!"

"Praise Isis!"

Ethan shouted along with Ned, starting to pray.

"Rise, Ethan." Ned paused, then continued, "These words you will bury deep within your heart, never to tell anyone, only when hearing my finger snap, you will awaken these memories, but your devotion to Isis will remain unchanged…"

With a "clap—" sound.

Ned snapped his fingers and then said, "Awaken."

Ethan paused for a moment, pretending to be still somewhat dizzy, before finally standing up and saying, "What happened to me?"

"You were too excited just now, saying you loved this artwork too much, too overwhelmed, so you knelt down, are you okay?" Ned looked at Ethan.

Ethan shook his head.

"Apologies."

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