Chapter 64 Naval Battle, Black Whale Island

Three months later.

Shen Lian, after his cultivation practice, leaned against the window in his room, gazing out over the vast ocean below.

The islands scattered across the waves appeared like a string of black dots.

The spirit ship continued its journey north, stopping intermittently at island cities along the way. Occasionally, storms would cause a bit of turbulence, but for the most part, the voyage remained steady and calm.

Luckily, they were now only a month away from Black Whale Island.

On this particular day, Shen Lian was immersed in his cultivation when he was startled awake by a commotion outside. He rose and stood by the window, peering down.

On the ocean’s surface, monstrous waves rose to the heavens, spiritual light exploded, and flames soared skyward.

A fleet of a dozen treasure ships was surrounded by over a hundred spirit vessels and smaller treasure ships.

Cultivators from both sides were battling fiercely atop the water.

“That’s the Luo Water Banner. These marauders are truly lawless; they even dare to besiege the Luo Family’s fleet from Xuanshan Island.”

“So what if they’re a Golden Core family? We’re ten thousand miles from Xuanshan Island. Rob them big and flee far away—what could their Golden Core patriarch do but watch helplessly?”

...

“Fellow cultivators aboard the spirit ship, I am the Second Elder of the Xuanshan Luo Family. If you assist us in repelling these marauders, the Luo Family will owe you a favor.”

From the largest treasure ship at the center of the fleet, explosions continually erupted across the barrier formed by the array.

With every blast, the formation shook violently, clearly on the verge of collapse.

The Luo Family elder, seeing the spirit ship soaring above, hastily used his spiritual power and divine sense to broadcast his voice in all directions.

A Golden Core family elder, offering a family favor in exchange for help, drew the attention of many cultivators on the spirit ship.

Not everyone aboard was merely accompanying family juniors for the assessment; some were tempted by the prospect of a favor from a Golden Core family.

Though the demands couldn’t be outrageous, seeking to marry a Luo Family maiden with spiritual roots should be feasible.

Joining the family as a son-in-law would not be a bad prospect.

Compared to the many cultivators who were lost in thought, Shen Lian’s mind was much simpler.

He was just here for the spectacle.

To rob even the cargo of a Golden Core family—such professional dedication among these sea marauders deserved applause. Truly, they were a bunch daring enough to defy the very King of Hell.

Qi Refining cultivators could only fantasize; the battle below featured several Foundation Establishment experts. Anyone at the Qi Refining stage would be courting death.

As the spirit ship prepared to sail away, the Luo Family Second Elder grew anxious. He glanced at his companions aboard.

In a flash, his hands formed intricate seals, and his life-bound magical artifact let out a piercing howl, shooting straight toward the Haibo Spirit Ship.

“Is the captain present? On the Luo Family’s treasure ship, we have...”

...

“Boom—!”

Just as Shen Lian was enjoying the show, he sensed the spirit ship shudder in midair, enveloped in celestial light.

At the prow and stern, the spirit patterns surrounding the spirit cannons suddenly blazed to life.

A terrifying aura surged forth—it was clear the spirit cannons were powering up.

“Fellow cultivators, I am Master Shenghai. Moments ago, I received a plea for aid from the Luo Family. As members of the Myriad Stars Sea, it is everyone’s duty to combat marauders.”

An aged, resonant voice echoed across the entire spirit ship.

Shen Lian leaned out the window, his curiosity piqued as he looked toward the spirit cannon, wondering how it operated.

A Golden Core master, indeed formidable—just moments ago, he was preparing to leave, indifferent to the conflict. Now, he was ready to uphold justice and eliminate evil. What a divine transaction.

“Boom!”

The spirit ship thundered violently, streaks of spiritual light rained down onto the sea.

The massive warship, propelled sideways by the recoil of the spirit cannons, shifted dozens of yards in the air.

From afar, clusters of fire erupted across the water—marauders besieging the Luo Family were obliterated, not even their bones remaining.

The third-tier spirit ship unleashed its might, towering above, turning the battle into a massacre.

Marauders on the sea cursed their parents for not giving them extra legs, fleeing in terror in all directions.

Leaning against the window, Shen Lian witnessed this annihilation firsthand. Even a Foundation Establishment marauder failed to evade the cannon’s blast.

Even high-level Foundation Establishment cultivators were no match.

The spirit ship hovered in midair as the Luo Family Second Elder ascended, bringing with him a petite, slender woman.

She appeared gaunt, her long dress ill-fitting, her face pale—but her eyes shimmered with a kaleidoscope of colors.

Shortly after the elder and the woman boarded the spirit ship, the aged voice sounded once more.

“Fellow cultivators, anyone carrying Five Element spiritual items may come to the top deck to trade with me. I am willing to pay thirty percent above market price for your Five Element treasures.”

The voice echoed again, reaching every cultivator within the ship.

Shen Lian frowned—he still had four Five Element spiritual items on him.

Cultivators often refine spiritual items matching their spiritual roots to enhance or increase their spiritual power—a commonplace practice among practitioners.

Some cultivation techniques even required various spiritual items as catalysts.

This was why Shen Lian dared to refine Five Element treasures aboard the spirit ship.

Of course, he hadn’t brought out all five types—just two or three for refining.

After waiting about half an hour, Shen Lian left his room and climbed to the top deck.

The spirit ship was overseen by a False Core master, and he couldn't guarantee that the master's divine sense wasn't scanning the entire ship during the refining process.

Though he could have kept his items, the master wouldn’t bother with a minor Qi Refining cultivator, but after some thought, Shen Lian decided it was best to follow the crowd.

On the top deck, Master Shenghai and the Luo Family elder sat cross-legged. The arriving cultivators bowed to Master Shenghai and presented their Five Element treasures.

Shen Lian, imitating those before him, bowed respectfully and produced two such items.

A master’s word carried weight. His two first-grade, high-quality Five Element treasures, originally worth five hundred low-grade spirit stones, fetched six hundred and fifty.

...

“That Luo Family cultivator is quite odd—her eyes are multicolored. Could it be some kind of divine power, or is she a spirit body?”

“Probably Five Element spiritual roots. She’s likely heading to Black Whale Island for the Cloud Sect assessment. But why travel by such a slow treasure ship? It’s hard to understand.”

“Are you mad? Spreading rumors like that?”

“Ah... ha... What fine weather, so blue today...”

“By the way, do you know what the assessment for the Cloud Sect is this time?”

“If only I had the Ascension Token, I could directly join a Nascent Soul sect.”

...

Before returning to his room, Shen Lian wandered to the prow deck, where many cultivators were gathered in conversation.

He strolled about, listened for news, then returned to his quarters.

The rest of the journey passed without further incident, and after more than two months, the Haibo spirit ship landed on Black Whale Island.

“At last, we’ve arrived.”

Shen Lian stepped out, gazing at the immense island in the distance.

Black Whale Island was vast, its city built on the eastern side, beyond which stretched endless wild forests.

It was said that deep within the island lay many mundane towns, protected by the Sea Spirit Sect, with entry by cultivators forbidden so as not to disturb mortal life.

The island’s name came from a historic beast tide led by a peak third-tier black whale.

The city itself was built atop black reefs, resembling a giant beast reclining upon the sea.

The docks along the city’s outskirts extended for hundreds of miles, with masts like a forest and ships thick as shuttle threads.

Everywhere, cultivators crossed the waves.

Faintly, one could glimpse blue radiance flashing above the giant city perched on black reefs.

The spirit ship slowed its descent, and the massive city grew larger in Shen Lian’s eyes.

The city covered at least several hundred miles, far surpassing the combined size of the previous Nine Heavens Immortal City.

What he had previously thought was a reef plain should really be called a reef mountain range.

Before the colossal city, even the reef mountains were mere embellishments.

“No wonder this is the heart of the Myriad Stars Sea.”

Gazing at the majestic city and its awe-inspiring aura, Shen Lian felt he should have come here long ago.

Just the sight alone instilled peace of mind.

Black Whale Island was blessed with favorable geography and abundant resources, making it easy to obtain what was needed for Foundation Establishment and cultivation.

It was an excellent place to prepare for Foundation Establishment.

Whether to leave or stay after achieving Foundation Establishment would depend on circumstances.

Of course, should anything unforeseen happen, Shen Lian would certainly flee early and seek Foundation Establishment elsewhere.

“How could it be so coincidental? Black Whale Island has enjoyed centuries of peace.”

He lightly patted his lips, banishing the ominous thought—his mouth held no prophetic power, so he couldn’t speak carelessly.

A quarter hour later, the spirit ship docked at the platform outside the giant city.

“Fellow cultivators, we have arrived at Black Whale Island.”