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After moving some distance away, it turned its long neck and looked at them with its part-dragon part-crocodile head. Its cold eyes brimmed with slaughter as it locked its gaze onto Xu Qing’s dragonwhale like a hunter assessing the weakness of its prey. Its torso somewhat resembled that of a massive penguin, and was fully 600 meters long. It had four draconic flippers that swayed back and forth in the water, covered in living barnacles. Most spectacular of all was its long neck, down the back of which ran a crest of black spikes. This was indeed a snakeneck dragon!

As was recorded in the sea annals, this was one of the common predators in the Forbidden Sea.

Xu Qing remained calm. Back in the forbidden region jungle, he had learned that when dealing with powerful beasts, you should never show fear. Furthermore, the sea annals said that snakeneck dragons were actually very cautious. If there was any sign that their prey was actually a threat, they would take the initiative to flee.

With such thoughts on his mind, Xu Qing’s eyes glittered coldly. “Both of you, unleash the power of your cultivation bases. We need to make ourselves threatening!”

Without a word, Elder Sister Ding did as requested, releasing explosive fluctuations from her cultivation base. Zhao Zhongheng, though somewhat foolish, wasn’t stupid beyond all hope, and also did the same thing. He also put The Phoenix in full attack mode.

The snakeneck dragon stirred restlessly. It was obviously affected, but didn’t seem ready to give up yet.

Eyes narrowing, Xu Qing gave a cold harrumph and performed a single-handed incantation gesture. Instantly, his dharmaboat’s sails retracted into defense position. At the same time, Xu Qing tapped into his cultivation base.

Rumbling sounds echoed out as the aura of the eighth level of the Sea and Mountain Incantation caused the spectral drought demon to appear behind him. Its green and cracked skin, spiral horn, and bright red eyes made it look ferocious as it let loose a guttural scream toward the water. At the same time, an astonishing level of heat rolled out from it. It was an unusual heat that could not be extinguished, and in fact caused steam to rise from the surface of the sea and fill the area with a haze.

The snakeneck dragon stirred again, and then, apparently not liking this development, it started to back up, albeit slowly.

Elder Sister Ding’s eyes went wide, and then they started to shine. As for Zhao Zhongheng, he took a deep breath and looked over at Xu Qing in amazement.

Xu Qing didn’t spare them any attention. He remained focused on the snakeneck dragon. After releasing the power of the Sea and Mountain Incantation, he also unleashed the Seaforming Scripture, causing the surrounding seawater to swirl rapidly. At the same time, his dragonwhale’s aura violently locked onto the snakeneck dragon.

And he wasn’t done. His dharmaboat’s solitary horn, as well as its four legs, glowed brilliantly, sending out awe-inspiring light in all directions. The horn could devour spirit power, and the legs each had three thousand spikes that could shoot out, and both were ready to be used.

The snakeneck dragon seemed shocked. Its crest of spikes began to undulate, as if it was starting to think of Xu Qing as a direct threat.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing’s gaze was integrated with that of his dragonwhale, and it was as cold as ice.

In this manner, enough time passed for an incense stick to burn.

The snakeneck dragon swam in a few circles, then slowly backed up. Its aggressiveness vanished, it turned and fled.

Xu Qing didn’t let his guard down. He maintained the aggressive stance as he started his dharmaboat moving. Only after traveling for about half a day did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

That was when Elder Sister Ding and Zhao Zhongheng on The Phoenix also relaxed.

The sea annals were right. They don’t like to take risks, and will only attack when they’re one hundred percent confident of achieving victory.

Xu Qing turned to look at the sea ahead of him. He knew that, in reality, these were considered coastal waters, and weren’t even close to being the ‘deep sea.’ Despite that, there were still real dangers present. It was easy to imagine what gruish dangers lurked further out. He looked up at the broken face of the god above. All of it was the fault of that entity. The god had changed all living beings, and created constant terror and danger everywhere.

Xu Qing looked back at the sea. For a long time... he simply thought about that snakeneck dragon.

It looks like it belongs in the Forbidden Sea.

After some thought, he sat down cross-legged and performed a double-handed incantation gesture. His goal: to slowly change the appearance of his dragonwhale.

Meanwhile, now that they were out of danger, Elder Sister Ding and Zhao Zhongheng both looked at Xu Qing. The former had bright eyes, the latter seemed both bitter and astonished.

Although they had not witnessed Xu Qing fight, they had seen his power, and had laid eyes on the terrifying spectral drought demon. Then there was Xu Qing’s dragonwhale. Because of those things, both conclave disciples realized that Xu Qing was even stronger than either of them had imagined before.

As for Zhao Zhongheng, he was thinking, This Xu fellow can generate projections of flesh and blood. And he also has a Forbidden Sea dragonwhale from the Seaforming Scripture. In other words, his body cultivation seems to be in the great circle. How could he be this strong?

Meanwhile, Elder Sister Ding was thinking, Junior Brother Xu isn’t just good-looking. His cultivation base is more profound than I realized. And there are probably other things he’s being deceptive about. Someone like him has a high probability of reaching Foundation Establishment in the future....

As the two of them were lost in their thoughts, Xu Qing’s dragonwhale was growing larger. Its neck grew longer, and a crest of spikes appeared atop it. Four fins grew out of its sides. It was already starting to look like a snakeneck dragon. It seemed more vicious than before, and also stronger.

Before encountering a snakeneck dragon, Xu Qing wouldn’t have been able to make these changes. But after seeing one, he felt that this change to his dragonwhale would make it faster, more nimble, and better at attacking.

At the same time, as he drew on the Seaforming Scripture, the water droplets formed swordfish, pseudotooth albatrosses, and even a giant. A moment later, water exploded as Xu Qing’s modified dragonwhale shot out. As it roared in midair, several swordfish leaped out to join it, creating something like a glittering rainbow.

The sight caused Elder Sister Ding and Zhao Zhongheng to look over with wide eyes. And when they sensed the spirit power fluctuations of the Seventh Peak’s Seaforming Scripture, they were stunned.

Not every disciple who reached the eighth level of the Seaforming Scripture had the level of control necessary to create a dragonwhale. And not all disciples who could create a dragonwhale would be able to gain the enlightenment sufficient to change its form.

Because of that, Elder Sister Ding and Zhao Zhongheng were even more shocked than they had been before.

Neither the snakeneck dragon nor the swordfish existed in the magical technique illustrations in the Seaforming Scripture. They were all the product of Xu Qing’s enlightenment. It was as if the sea itself had led him to a new dao. It was profound and gruish, and did not need to speak a word to impart great teachings. It could provide inspiration and revelations.

Time passed. As they traveled, Zhao Zhongheng hung his head in bitterness and discouragement. By now, he was absolutely convinced that Xu Qing... was a person he couldn’t afford to provoke. He was convinced Xu Qing would reach Foundation Establishment, and when he did, Zhao Zhongheng would have no choice but to treat him respectfully.

He didn’t want to ask his grandfather for help to deal with Xu Qing. He didn’t dare. The reason was that he had attempted such things in the past. And though such enemies would usually end up miserable, so would he, as his grandfather would usually beat him to a pulp afterward. He could only pray that this journey would end soon, and that Xu Qing would be on his way.

While Zhao Zhongheng prayed incessantly, the waves calmed down. The three travelers didn’t encounter any further dangers, and soon, they were getting close to the Westcoral Archipelago. Eventually, they spotted land on the horizon.

Elder Sister Ding remained in high spirits the entire trip. From the moment she had boarded Xu Qing’s dharmaboat until this point, she had paid him about 300 spirit stones in exchange for the knowledge he had imparted to her.

From that, Xu Qing could see that Elder Sister Ding really did value knowledge and learning. He had come to like her. After all, if the trip had gone more smoothly, he wouldn’t have benefited as much as he had....

Of course, given how much effort he put into answering her questions about plants and vegetation, and also everything that had gone into keeping her safe, he felt that their deal was perfectly reasonable.

For the last half a day of travel, Xu Qing patiently answered all her questions. And this time, he didn’t ask for anything in exchange. That was how pleased he was with Elder Sister Ding’s attitude toward learning.

When Zhao Zhongheng saw that, he fell into complete despair. If the pretty boy had stopped asking for payment, it meant he was ready to finally make a move....

That was when Zhao Zhongheng noticed the distant Westcoral Archipelago, and he could hardly wait to end this trip and get rid of Xu Qing.

As evening fell, it was obvious that Elder Sister Ding was reluctant to part ways with Xu Qing. However, the Westcoral Archipelago was getting very close.

When they were finally at their destination, Zhao Zhongheng could hardly contain his excitement as he looked at Elder Sister Ding, waiting for her to get off of Xu Qing’s boat.

Just before disembarking, she turned back to Xu Qing and said, “Junior Brother Xu, are you sure you don’t want to come with us? I need to go offer my respects to one of my seniors. It’s my aunt. She has an amazingly profound cultivation base, and loves to help members of the younger generation. If you come along, I’m sure you’ll benefit a lot.” [1]

Off to the side, Zhao Zhongheng’s heart was pounding into his throat, and he was staring straight at Xu Qing, terrified that he might nod in agreement.

“I think not,” Xu Qing said with a polite smile. “I have some other matters to attend to. Take care, Elder Sister Ding.”

Elder Sister Ding kept looking over her shoulder as she disembarked. When she was finally on the shore, Xu Qing’s dharmaboat rumbled to life and turned around.

Elder Sister Ding stood there, her long black hair and daoist robe swaying in the breeze. Looking at Xu Qing on his dharmaboat, she called, “Safe travels, Junior Brother Xu. Once we’re both back at the sect, I’ll come find you to ask some more advice!”

Hearing this, Zhao Zhongheng’s heart pounded, and he looked like he might start crying.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing gave her a nod, waved, and then sent his dharmaboat speeding out to sea. As he left the island behind, and his dharmaboat once again became quiet and peaceful, his expression turned placid. However, his gaze remained sharp. He stood there like an unsheathed sword, eyes glittering coldly as he looked at the Forbidden Sea beyond the archipelago.

That was where his ultimate destination was. Sealizard Island. Given his current rate of travel, he would get there in two days. Sealizard Island was a common place to harvest sealizard skins, so it was almost guaranteed that there would be fighting and killing there.

His days of travel had him feeling very familiar with the Forbidden Sea. And also... he was ready for action.

I need to stay even more on guard than ever.

He waved his right hand, and the dharmaboat sped up. Following the sea chart, he got closer and closer to Sealizard Island.

Along the way, he made sure his daggers were ready. He put on his gauntlets, sharpened his black iron skewer, and put his poisons in order.

One day. Two days....

On the evening of the third day, as crimson sunlight stabbed through dark clouds onto the sea, the wind picked up. That was when Xu Qing spotted an island ahead.

The island itself was pitch black, as if it were covered with a sinister haze that hid man-eating monsters. Humidity and rot filled the air, laced with failure and death. Hundreds of watercraft were moored in the area, many of them very unusual-looking and obviously not dharmaboats from the Seventh Peak. On the beach were corpses of both people and beasts, creating an even more sinister air.

As he neared, he realized the island was covered with black-forested mountains. The place was somber and desolate, and there was a constant pressure, like black clouds that made an evening feel oppressive.

As Xu Qing’s dharmaboat approached the beach, he sensed eyes beyond the treeline, watching him. The gazes were not friendly. When he sensed them, his eyes narrowed, and though his expression remained calm, he unleashed a sharp, penetrating aura.

It was almost like he had transformed into a lone wolf. As a result, the gazes shifted away from him.

Xu Qing stepped onto the beach, collected up his dharmaboat, and then brushed some dust off his shoulder. As he walked toward the jungle, he looked down at the corpses.

1. Specifically, the aunt is Ding Xue’s “mother’s younger sister.” ☜