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The other man is even more terrifying. His Spirit is the White Tiger, but it is not the righteous kind we know. His eyes are an eerie gold color, and he pounces on people as soon as he sees them. His strength is frighteningly immense. He specifically bites people on their necks to drink their blood. He drinks it raw, just like the vampires in old legends.
That Fatty is also horrible. His Spirit seems to be a Phoenix, but his fire is dark purple. Once that purple fire touches you, it can never be extinguished. It burns people until they wail like ghosts and howl like wolves. In the end, not even many bones are left. Moreover, that fire also seems to be able to absorb spirit power.
The characteristics of the three men combined perfectly. When these descriptions were combined with those evil deeds of drinking blood and devouring spirit power, their true identities were almost obvious. They were Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun.
At this moment, Tang Chen tightened his fingers slightly around his wine cup. He thought to himself that they really were active on the sea, and their actions were so rampant and cruel. It appeared that the influence of the Rakshasa God was even deeper than he had anticipated.
The bearded man cursed loudly and said that it was a total sin. He wondered what kind of monsters these people were. He said that they were just simple fishermen and asked who they had offended. He wanted to know why Lord Sea God had not taken these terrible prodigies away yet.
A lean fisherman lowered his voice and spoke in a mysterious tone. He said that he heard there was already movement from Sea God Island. It seemed that a Sacred Pillar Lord had personally come out to patrol the waters. This lord was specifically looking for these three bringers of calamity. He prayed that Lord Sea God would protect them and catch the killers soon.
Another fisherman sighed and said that he hoped so because going out to sea lately had been very nerve-wracking.
The fishermen continued their discussion in the tavern. On the side of Tang Chen, the atmosphere at the dining table grew quite heavy. The four women had clearly heard those appalling descriptions, and their faces became somewhat pale. Although they were all experienced Spirit Masters and had been in many battles, such evil, murderous acts directed at innocent civilians were still completely beyond their comprehension.
Ning Rongrong asked softly with her eyes filled with shock and doubt. She wanted to know if what the fishermen said was true.
Tang Chen set down his wine cup. His voice was calm yet carried a hint of coldness. He said that it should be them. It seemed that their trip to Sea God Island would not be very peaceful. Besides facing the difficult trials of Sea God Island itself, they would likely run into these old friends.
He turned his head to glance toward the harbor outside the window, and his gaze became very profound. He suddenly looked at everyone and told them that once they finished eating, they would go to the harbor immediately to set sail.
Hearing this sudden order, everyone exchanged glances and then nodded their heads in agreement. Their originally planned leisurely break in Vast Sea City was forced to be canceled due to this unexpected news. The carriage carried everyone straight toward the busy and boisterous giant harbor located on the west side of Vast Sea City. Masts stood tall like a thick forest, and ships were moored closely from stem to stem. The entire harbor was filled with various strange scents and a loud clamor.
Tang Chen had a very clear goal in mind. He had the driver head directly to the rental area of the harbor. At the same time, he kept an eye out for captains who looked capable and had ships in excellent condition. Before long, they noticed a ship named the Sea Demon. It was not the largest vessel in the area, but the sharp lines of its hull exuded a faint sense of ferocity. It was built entirely of dark ironwood and was exceptionally well-maintained. There were a few subtle reinforcements and old battle scars visible on the hull, along with very sturdy rigging.
Standing at the bow of the ship and talking to someone was a middle-aged man of medium build. He had bronze skin, and his face bore the weathering of a long life spent at sea, along with a faint scar. His gaze seemed simple and honest at first, but as he occasionally scanned the crowded pier, a hint of shrewd calculation flickered through his eyes. Through a brief introduction, Tang Chen learned that this captain was named Haider.
Tang Chen got straight to the point while observing the man closely. He told Captain Haider that they wanted to charter his ship to travel to the western sea. He added that it would take about a ten-day voyage to reach their general direction.
Hearing this request, Haider rubbed his rough palms together and revealed a seemingly honest yet merchant-like smile. He said that the western sea was not small at all and a ten-day voyage could cover many different places. He asked if that direction could be toward the dangerous Devil's Triangle or even further west into the unknown seas. He warned them that it was a very dangerous area and had not been peaceful lately. He mentioned that he heard there were sinister Spirit Masters killing people out at sea.
Tang Chen answered calmly without revealing his specific destination to the captain. He stated that they were already aware of some of the risks. He told him that the fee was not an issue, but they needed a sturdy ship, a reliable crew, and a great familiarity with the route. As for their safety, he said they had their own considerations.
Haider darted his eyes around carefully. His gaze swept over the four women of extraordinary temperament standing behind Tang Chen. His eyes lingered for a moment on Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan. His smile became a bit more sincere as he spoke to them. He told them to look at what he was saying. He explained that he had been sailing out of Vast Sea City for over twenty years. He claimed that the Sea Demon might not be the largest ship, but it was definitely solid.
As for the tricky currents and reefs of the western sea, he said he was extremely familiar with them. He guaranteed that his crew members were all old mates who had been with him for many years, and each one was highly experienced. He patted his chest to guarantee everything and then quoted a quite high charter price.
Tang Chen did not haggle much over the price. After confirming the excellent condition of the ship and checking the basic supplies, he paid the deposit directly. Seeing the bright gold coins, Haider's eyes brightened slightly, and his attitude became even more attentive than before. Soon, all their supplies were loaded onto the Sea Demon.
As they boarded the vessel, Tang Chen noticed the various crew members working on the ship. Although they were dressed as ordinary sailors, most of their eyes carried a distinct sense of hostility. Their movements were agile but vaguely revealed a type of coordination that was different from that of ordinary merchant ship sailors. Haider enthusiastically led the group to the best cabins available on the ship. Although the rooms were very simple, they were fairly clean.
Although Haider appeared very attentive and friendly on the surface, he was sneering bitterly in his mind. He thought to himself that they were just a bunch of ignorant rich kids and young chicks who dared to run into the deep parts of the western sea. He mocked them for wanting to take responsibility for their own safety. He thought that once they arrived in his territory, the ship, the money, and even the beautiful women would belong to him. He viewed them simply as a fat sheep sent directly to him by the Sea God.
Time passed quietly amidst the monotonous sound of crashing waves, and the evening soon arrived. The setting sun looked like a giant, burning orange-red fireball. It slowly sank below the distant horizon, dyeing the boundless sea into a shimmering expanse of brilliant gold and red. The incoming sea breeze also carried a hint of chill. On the deck, the sailors who had been busy all day finished their routine work. They began to rest or prepare for their night shifts in small groups.
Tang Chen and Xiao Ruier stood side by side at the ship's railing, quietly gazing at the magnificent sunset. The afterglow of the setting sun gilded the profile of Xiao Ruier with a soft golden edge. The surrounding sailors seemed busy or at rest, but the occasional glances they cast toward them carried an imperceptible scrutiny. This was especially true when their eyes swept past the cabins where Xiao Ruier and the other women stayed, flashing with a hidden greed.
Xiao Ruier watched the sea for a while and then suddenly spoke softly. Her voice was audible only to the two of them. She asked if he had noticed that these people were not quite right.
Tang Chen kept his gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the sea met the dark sky. Hearing her question, he nodded almost imperceptibly. His voice was equally flat and low as he told her that he could tell from the details when they were boarding and from the look in Haider's eyes. He explained that they were not ordinary merchant sailors. He added that their style of conduct and hidden hostility suggested they were likely pirates in disguise.
Xiao Ruier was not surprised by his answer, but a hint of worry flickered in her eyes. She asked why they were still staying on this ship.
Tang Chen interrupted her instantly. His tone was still calm but carried a sense of absolute control. He said that it did not matter. He explained that as long as they behaved themselves and honestly took them where they needed to go, they would just act as if they did not know anything. He felt it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
At this point, he turned his head slightly. His gaze seemingly swept over the apparently relaxed sailors before falling back on the face of Xiao Ruier. His voice lowered significantly, carrying a trace of cold killing intent. He said that if they sought their own deaths and dared to target them, they would face the consequences.
Tang Chen did not finish his sentence, but that suddenly restrained yet clearly discernible killing intent made Xiao Ruier instantly understand his meaning. She nodded gently and said nothing more.
The sun sank completely below the horizon, and the night sky quickly covered the sky and the ocean like a giant black velvet blanket. The stars lit up one by one in the dark sky, reflecting the light of the guiding soul tool lamps placed on the masts of the Sea Demon in the distance. The night at sea was exceptionally quiet, save for the constant sound of waves and the wind. It was even a bit too quiet.
Inside the cabins, Ning Rongrong, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan had already fallen asleep from the heavy exhaustion of the day's voyage. Xiao Ruier had also returned to the cabin assigned to her and Ye Lingling. However, she did not fall asleep immediately. Instead, she lay down fully dressed, feigning sleep while remaining completely alert to her surroundings.
Tang Chen sat cross-legged in his own private cabin. He was seemingly meditating and regulating his breath for cultivation. In reality, his vast mental force was like invisible mercury spreading across the floor. It permeated every single corner of the ship's cabins in fine threads, sensing every subtle movement on board.
Time slowly moved toward midnight. Most of the crew members seemed to have rested as well. Only the night-watch sailors occasionally walked on the wooden deck, making faint footsteps. The entire ship was immersed in a superficial tranquility.
However, in a small, hidden compartment located beneath the captain's quarters, which was cleverly concealed by old clutter, several dim oil lamps illuminated faces filled with greed and ferocity. The face of Captain Haider no longer held the honesty and enthusiasm of the day. In its place was the sinister calculation characteristic of a pirate leader. Seated around him were four or five trusted crew members, who were all the strongest and most reliable veterans on the entire ship.
Haider lowered his voice and spoke to his men. His eyes gleamed like a hungry wolf as he asked if they all saw the situations clearly. He said that the blue-haired kid did not even blink when he paid the money, so he definitely had more wealth on him. He praised the women, mentioning that the one dressed most elegantly and the one with green eyes were top-tier. He claimed that he had been on the sea for so many years and had never seen such fresh goods.
A one-eyed sailor licked his cracked lips and grinned hideously. He agreed that they saw it clearly and confirmed they were definitely fat sheep. He added that if they sold those women on the black market, they would make a fortune.
Another burly man with a prominent scar on his face hesitated for a moment. He told the boss that the blue-haired kid felt a bit eerie to him. He noted that the women with him did not look like ordinary people either and wondered if they could be Spirit Masters. He asked if they should be more careful.
Haider interrupted him disdainfully and asked what about Spirit Masters. He claimed that almost every brother on the Sea Demon had a few Spirit Master lives on their hands. He proposed that while they were fast asleep, they would sneak in and use drugs first. He called out to Old Scab and asked if he still had that potent Soul-Confusing Incense he mixed. He ordered him to blow it into every single cabin so that once they were all knocked out, they would be at their mercy.
Hearing this plan, the scrawny man called Old Scab nodded his head with a sinister smile. He pulled out several bamboo tube-like objects from his breast and grinned hideously. He assured the boss that it had been ready for a long time and was very potent. He claimed that even a Spirit Ancestor or a Spirit King would fall into a death-like sleep if they inhaled too much of it.
Haider nodded with approval. A fierce light showed clearly in his eyes as he ordered that once the drug took effect, they must kill that blue-haired kid first to keep their hands clean. Then, they would tie those chicks up tight and strip them of all their valuables. He decided they would turn the ship around immediately instead of going west, heading straight back to Vast Sea City. He told them that with this huge haul, they would be set for several years of pleasure. He commanded everyone to move quickly, avoid making too much noise, and leave no survivors.
Several pirate henchmen responded in unison. Their eyes were filled with cruelty and deep greed.
A few minutes passed silently. On the quiet midnight sea, time seemed to stretch very long, yet it also seemed to pass in an instant. The expected scene of the prey being in a drug-induced sleep and at their mercy did not occur at all. Instead, several abrupt and shrill screams suddenly rang out from the Sea Demon. Those cries were filled with extreme pain and terror, carrying far across the open sea before being quickly swallowed by the loud sound of the waves.
Immediately after that, there were several loud splashes of heavy objects hitting the dark water. On the deck, the pirate henchmen who had been preparing to sneak toward the cabins, including Old Scab with the incense tubes, were completely nowhere to be found. Only a few wet splashes at the ship's railing and a faint lingering scent of blood in the cold air proved they had been standing there moments ago. Clearly, those who had just fallen into the deep water were them.
Haider was seen kowtowing frantically like a pounding pestle on the deck. His voice was completely distorted and out of tune due to intense fear. He begged them to spare his life and show mercy. He cried out that he had eyes but failed to recognize their great status. He admitted he had offended them and begged the Spirit Master lords to show mercy and spare his dog life. He offered to work like an ox or a horse to atone for his crimes.
While begging for mercy, the corner of his eye caught a quick glimpse of the ship's railing where the loud screams had come from. There seemed to be a familiar piece of clothing floating there, and he realized it belonged to his son. His only son had also been instantly dealt with and thrown into the sea. Instantly, a piercing pain and overwhelming hatred flooded the mind of Haider. However, he kept his head buried low against the deck, not daring to show even a fraction of his anger. He buried that deep-seated vengeance for his dead son and his resentment into the darkest corners of his heart.
Tang Chen looked down from above at this pirate leader who now appeared completely humble and pathetic. His gaze was as calm as if he were looking at an insignificant ant. He told him that he had no other demands except that he must deliver them safely to their destination. If he did that, he said he could choose to spare his life.
Hearing this statement, a sudden surge of ecstasy rose in the heart of Haider. However, beneath his lowered eyelids, his eyes burned with the furious flames of madness and malice. His son was dead. The son he valued most and had always kept by his side to train was just killed like that. These powerful people standing before him were the killers.
He thought that mercy and destinations were all nonsense. An extremely evil and mad thought grew wildly in his heart. He thought that if they wanted to be sent to their destination, he would gladly send them all to their deaths. He decided he would not steer toward Sea God Island. Instead, he planned to steer this ship directly into the deepest part of the Magic Whale Sea Region within the Devil's Triangle.
He knew the dangerous undercurrents, violent whirlpools, thick mists, and the legendary sleeping hundred-thousand-year-old sea Spirit Beast were there. He knew that even a powerful Spirit Saint or a Spirit Douluo would have absolutely no chance of survival in that place.
He thought that even if they were powerful and killed his people, he would make them all be buried alongside his son. He was willing to let the ship and the people all sink to the bottom of the deep sea. Even if he could not escape in the end, he felt it was worth it to drag these damn Spirit Masters down with him.
On the surface, however, he acted even more terrified and submissive than before. He kowtowed repeatedly and assured the lord that he would surely atone for his crimes. He promised he would definitely deliver everyone safely because he knew this ship and this route like the back of his hand. He swore he would not dare to have any more treacherous thoughts. His tone sounded incredibly sincere.
Tang Chen watched him silently for a few long seconds. His intense gaze seemed able to pierce through flesh and look directly at the soul. Haider felt an invisible, crushing pressure. His heart pounded wildly against his chest, and he could barely breathe under the stare.
Tang Chen finally withdrew his gaze and spoke indifferently. He told him to remember what he just said. He ordered him to take a few remaining men to clean the blood off the deck. He added that tomorrow morning, they would sail as usual. He warned him that if there was any strange movement, he already knew the consequences.
Haider felt as if he had been granted a great pardon from death. He scrambled to his feet quickly and called over the remaining ordinary sailors who were already scared out of their wits and shrinking in the dark corners. They tremblingly began to clean the traces of the struggle off the wooden deck.
Back inside the cabin, Xiao Ruier looked at Tang Chen and asked softly if he really believed that the captain would lead the way honestly.
Hearing this, Tang Chen exhaled a breath of turbid air and walked slowly to the porthole. He looked out at the pitch-black sea that seemed capable of swallowing everything in the world. He spoke in a flat, waveless voice, stating that of course the captain would not. He explained that with the sudden death of his son and his natural disposition as a pirate, the man was likely plotting how to perish together with them right now.
Xiao Ruier wondered why he still allowed him to pilot the ship.
Tang Chen answered that it was because he wanted the captain to lead him directly to the Magic Whale Sea Region. He revealed that his spirit power had already reached rank ninety, and his Blue Silver Emperor Spirit was just missing its final spirit ring. He concluded that he was looking for that Deep Sea Demon Whale King.