122: Deep Sea Killer

Early the next morning, before dawn, the port of Star Moon City was still shrouded in a layer of thin mist.

The "ten thousand seas" had already completed its replenishment. The empty cargo hold made the ship's draft very shallow, and the sailing speed could be increased significantly. Qin Feng, Zhao Mang, Xiao Chun, Ji Ruxue, and Steward Liu, whose injuries had stabilized, all boarded the ship. The supervisor of the Star Moon City branch of the Four Seas Merchant Guild personally came to the pier to see them off, his attitude even more respectful and enthusiastic than when he had welcomed them.

Originally, Qin Feng had thought about whether to purchase some specialties from Star Moon City, such as the exotic spices brought by overseas foreign merchants, higher-quality Medicinal Pills, or some characteristic handicrafts to bring back to West Lake City; they would be good for either personal use or resale.

But as soon as this thought arose, he forcibly suppressed it.

"We took down Black Reef Island and killed Sasaki, but his brother Zuoi, a Late Stage Martial King, will definitely not let it go." Qin Feng stood at the bow, looking at the receding majestic city walls, thinking to himself, "The sea route is vast and the target is obvious. Every extra moment we stay is an added risk. We must return to the relatively safe West Lake City as soon as possible."

Compared to the potential small profits, everyone's safety was clearly more important.

Captain Zhang Yuan commanded the sailors to raise the full sails and adjust the course. The "ten thousand seas" was like an arrow leaving a bow, breaking through the calm sea surface and speeding towards the direction they had come from. In its empty state, it was estimated to take only three days to return to West Lake City.

The sea breeze brushed against his face, carrying a salty and damp scent. Qin Feng looked at the azure sea and suddenly remembered that removing the outer layer of rusty mud from the bronze mud sword required "Century-old Stalactite Milk" and "Crimson Sun Grass Juice." He still had some stock of the stalactite milk, but he hadn't prepared any Crimson Sun Grass.

"After going back, I'll have to ask President Jin to see if he has any 'Crimson Sun Grass' in his guild or through his connections." Qin Feng silently noted this matter.

Most of the voyage was uneventful. Everyone on the ship was busy healing their wounds or Cultivating. Qin Feng carefully studied the upper volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art. Although the text was ancient and obscure, with the extraordinary Comprehension Ability brought by his Sword Heart, he could barely understand parts of the general outline. The more he looked, the more alarmed he became. The conception of this Cultivation Technique was lofty, expounding on the Dao of Primordial Chaos, far beyond what his current Primordial Unity Qi Art could compare to. It was just a pity that it was an Incomplete Manual.

Ji Ruxue was practicing with her newly acquired "Phantom Shadow" sleeve arrows. Her movements were skilled; she was clearly extremely proficient with such weapons.

Xiao Chun was taking care of the unhealed Steward Liu and that Hundred Flowers Pavilion Grand Martial Master. Her healing arts, combined with medicinal herbs, were remarkably effective... After the ship entered the deep sea, it was the zi hour.

Qin Feng received the new intelligence as usual. However, when the information on the shimmering panel entered his sight, the hairs on his back almost stood up.

[Ding! The zi hour has arrived! Daily intelligence has been refreshed!]

[Today's Intelligence:]

[Black Intelligence: Dive three thousand zhang below the current coordinates, protected by a water repelling pearl, and you can find a spatial rift to enter the outer area of the legendary 'West Sea Dragon Palace.' However, the Dragon Palace is heavily guarded with numerous Restrictions. For those who are not of the Dragon Clan or have not been invited, entering means certain death.]

[Black Intelligence: Approximately twenty nautical miles east of the route, there is a deserted island shrouded in mist. The island contains a Legacy from an ancient demonic cultivator, which is extremely tempting. However, at the center of the island sleeps a 'Netherworld Giant Python' equivalent to the Martial Emperor level. The aura of any person landing on the island will wake it, leading to certain death.]

[Black Intelligence: Deep in the waters ahead lurks a 'Red-blooded Striped Sea Snake' whose venom can easily kill a Martial King expert. This snake is cunning and good at camouflaged sneak attacks. If bitten, without a Martial Emperor-grade holy antidote or a specific antidote, death is instantaneous.]

Three! All of them were black death warnings!

Qin Feng gasped, feeling a chill rush from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head!

"Holy crap! This sea... is just too damn dangerous!" He couldn't help but curse in his mind.

West Sea Dragon Palace? It sounds like a place from myths and legends, yet it actually exists? But entering is a dead end!

Ancient demonic cultivator Legacy? Extremely tempting, but a Martial Emperor-level giant python is sleeping on the island? Going there is just delivering a snack!

A tiny sea snake can actually poison a Martial King to death? This is impossible to guard against!

Previously, he thought that with the water repelling pearl and the System's intelligence, he could venture into the sea. Only now did he realize how naive and ridiculous his previous thoughts were! Beneath this vast ocean hide too many terrifying existences that he cannot understand or contend with!

Dragon Palace, deep-sea Demonic Beasts, ancient demonic cultivators, venomous sea snakes... How deep is the water in this Xuanhuan world? How crazy is it exactly?

Once again, he deeply realized his own insignificance. A Late-stage Grand Martial Master is truly like an ant in this vast and dangerous world. Not to mention a Martial Emperor-level existence, even an inconspicuous sea snake could take his life.

"In the future... unless it's absolutely necessary or I have enough strength, I'd better stay away from the deep sea." Qin Feng secretly made up his mind, carving the words "stay low and develop" into his heart.

He immediately informed Captain Zhang Yuan vaguely about the intelligence regarding the Red-blooded Striped Sea Snake, suggesting he slightly adjust the course to avoid that potentially dangerous sea area.

Although Captain Zhang Yuan didn't know why, out of trust for Qin Feng (especially after the battle at Black Reef Island), he still did as he was told.

Under the starlight, the "ten thousand seas" cautiously sailed across the seemingly calm but actually perilous sea, accelerating towards home.