Chapter 1242: Misjudgment
A figure?
The fat, cunning merchant was startled by the voice and turned his head in confusion.
The crowd on the right was buzzing with suspicion and heated discussions.
"It seems like a figure just flew by..."
"Yes, yes! I think I saw it too!"
"My cultivation is shallow, but I also heard a 'whoosh' sound!"
"That's right! The figure flashed by and seemed to have already gone far away!"
The crowd's excitement grew more intense, as if there really was something to it.
People around were drawn in, eagerly asking about the strange occurrence, and expressions of shock and excitement began to spread.
Watching the crowd's noisy commotion, the fat merchant's eyes flickered with disdain.
He then strode forward, wearing a seasoned smile, and clasped his hands in greeting.
"Haha..."
"Brothers, you must be joking."
"We've been traveling on the Meteorite Ancient Ship for over a month, and now we're deep into the vast sea. It's normal to see sea creatures or ancient sea beasts, but how could there be a human figure on the surface of the sea?"
"Surely, you must be first-timers heading to the Land of Fallen Gods, and the recent strange phenomenon must have startled you, causing hallucinations."
With his words, the fat merchant immediately calmed the crowd, exuding an air of experience.
Seeing the crowd's suspicious and attentive gazes, he grew even more confident. These passengers were clearly inexperienced novices, and there would definitely be opportunities to take advantage of them in the future. What a golden business opportunity!
Thinking this, the fat merchant smiled and continued to smooth things over.
"Everyone, it's only natural to be startled by strange phenomena when you're new to the ancient ship. It's quite admirable that you can still laugh and chat after the sea's divine punishment. Your composure is truly beyond my reach."
"My name is Tao Qianhai, and I know a thing or two about the Land of Fallen Gods. If any of you have difficulties, I'll be happy to help!"
His words were full of tact, giving the crowd enough face while also introducing himself and making connections.
As expected, some of them would surely fall for his tricks and become his prey.
This was the keen sense of a businessman!
Just as Tao Qianhai was proudly clasping his hands, a burst of exclamations erupted from the left side of the ship, even more intense and piercing than before!
"Holy crap!"
"Am I seeing things? There's really someone on the sea!"
"Who is this expert? They're actually riding a mount across the vast sea!"
"This senior's cultivation is truly awe-inspiring!"
The exclamations exploded, and everyone leaned against the carved railings, excitedly looking into the distance.
Before Tao Qianhai could fully regain control of the situation, he was suddenly ignored, losing potential business opportunities. His expression turned sour!
Gritting his teeth and clenching his fists, he turned around angrily.
Damn it...
I refuse to believe someone can actually cross the vast sea!
When Tao Qianhai turned back in anger, he saw that there was indeed a figure on the distant sea. He was stunned for a moment, and when he noticed the strange silhouette of the mount beneath the figure, it looked more and more familiar. Suddenly, his eyes widened in shock!
"Could it be...?"
On the sea, under the gaze of countless eyes, Yi Feng turned his head slowly.
After taking a closer look at the ancient ship, he scratched his head in surprise.
"Huh?"
"I thought I was seeing things earlier, but when I turned back, it really is that giant ship from before. It's so slow..."
After riding his mount, Manman, for so long, Yi Feng hadn't encountered anything.
Traveling alone on the sea was a bit boring. Apart from gathering some seafood along the way, he had gained nothing. Earlier, he had even gotten his clothes wet, which was just unlucky!
And as for the so-called dangers?
What a joke!
Now that he saw the ancient ship, Yi Feng suddenly felt a sense of reunion with an old friend. Even though it didn't matter whether he boarded the ship or not, he could at least gather some information.
Thinking this, Yi Feng rode Manman closer.
As he approached, the bizarre snail mount came into view, and his face became clearer.
Gradually...
The ancient ship erupted with exclamations, and a dense crowd of people pressed against the carved railings!
"Gasp!"
"He... he's the one who was kicked off the ship earlier!"
"Holy crap!"
"It really is him!"
"How is he completely unharmed after that terrifying storm?!"
As the exclamations exploded, Tao Qianhai's face also changed dramatically. He pushed through the crowd to the front, looking as if he had seen a ghost!
"Impossible..."
"This is absolutely impossible!"
"For countless years, no one has ever crossed the sea alone, and no one has ever survived the sea's divine punishment unscathed!"
When Tao Qianhai confirmed that it was Yi Feng, he was so terrified that he almost lost his soul. He even shouted uncontrollably, losing his usual composed and cunning demeanor.
This was simply unbelievable!
A single person.
Had actually crossed the vast sea unharmed, and even the divine punishment couldn't touch him. He had never heard of such a thing—it was too outrageous!
Was this even human?!
What was even more infuriating was that this person was none other than Yi Feng, the brash young man he had always looked down upon!
Damn it!
His worldview was instantly shattered, and Tao Qianhai's Dao heart was on the verge of collapse!
His shout drew everyone's attention.
Yi Feng also noticed the pig-headed man pushing through the crowd.
The man was pointing and shouting, his spit flying all the way to the lower deck. Even after meeting again, he was still as annoying as ever!
Originally, Yi Feng had just planned to ask for some information.
But seeing the ugly face of this cunning merchant again, Yi Feng suddenly felt irritated.
He flew onto the ancient ship in one swift motion!
With a "whoosh" sound cutting through the sky, followed by a "splash" as water sprayed everywhere!
After the familiar two-part sound, the fat merchant fell into the water again, shocking countless onlookers!
The crowd was stunned and kept their distance. They no longer dared to comment on Yi Feng's actions, but they knew in their hearts that this would surely lead to disaster!
However, after several moments of silence, nothing happened.
The onlookers exchanged confused glances, unsure of what was going on.
Yi Feng, who was waiting, also looked puzzled.
Wasn't it said that private fights on the ancient ship could result in severe consequences, even death?
This was already his third time taking action, so it should be considered "severe," right?
Why hadn't anyone come to deal with him yet?
Following the gazes of a few people, Yi Feng looked toward the front of the ship, where the law enforcement team's quiet room was located. Only elegant music and dance could be heard from within.
Suddenly.
The dark crowd froze in place, looking at Yi Feng with a mix of confusion and awe. Even though they couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, they clearly felt a newfound respect for him.
Inside the quiet room.
Upon hearing his subordinate's report, the law enforcement captain waved his hand dismissively.
"Enough."
"Our duties are of great importance. How can we waste our energy on trivial matters? There's no need to pay attention to this anymore. Maintaining the ship's stability is our top priority."
The subordinates were momentarily stunned, exchanging subtle glances.
These people, who had become guards on the ancient ship, were no ordinary individuals. Over countless years, they had seen all sorts of characters and were well-versed in the ways of the world.
The captain was known for his strictness—how could he be so lax now?
Tao Qianhai had been causing trouble for years, and everyone was tired of him. Wasting energy on such a person was unnecessary. As for the stranger who had crossed the vast sea, he was clearly extraordinary. It wasn't worth causing friction over such a minor issue.
In a world where strength was revered, today's events had already been decided. Turning a blind eye was the best course of action.
After exchanging a few glances, the law enforcement team members understood.
They raised their cups in unison.
"The captain is wise!"
The law enforcement captain nodded faintly and raised his cup in response.
"Since there's nothing major happening now, you may rest for a while. But don't overindulge. Let the music continue, and let the dance go on!"
As the music played, the ancient ship accelerated across the sea.
The fat merchant was left far behind in the waves, struggling and shouting for a long time, but no one came to his aid. Realizing that the ship was moving further away, he began to panic and desperately called out!
"Help! Someone help me!"
"I'm also a passenger on the ship! You can't just leave me to die! Even if you don't punish that kid, I don't care anymore!"
But no matter how much he shouted and chased after the ship, its massive form grew increasingly distant!
The fat merchant was now filled with terror.
He desperately gathered his cultivation, running and swimming across the sea's surface!
Finally...
He disturbed a massive shadow in the deep sea. A gigantic, gaping maw emerged from the water, swallowing him and a vast amount of seawater in one gulp!
Even from hundreds of miles away, the terrifying scene made many passengers break out in cold sweat. Even the young maid on the top deck turned pale with fear!
"Miss!"
"That merchant was thrown into the sea again, and the law enforcement team didn't even try to save him! He ended up being devoured by a sea beast. The vast sea is truly terrifying!"
Lin Ruowei raised her eyes upon hearing this.
"Such a thing happened?"
"Calm down and tell me the details."
The maid quickly closed the window and approached the tea table, nervously recounting the events.
After listening, Lin Ruowei's eyes flickered with a strange light, and a rare look of surprise crossed her delicate face.
"This person was able to return unscathed after the sea's divine punishment. His cultivation must be extraordinary!"
"No wonder even the law enforcement team showed him leniency. Such a decisive and ruthless individual, who has kept a low profile until now, revealing only a glimpse of his power—his mindset and demeanor are truly remarkable. When he reaches the Land of Fallen Gods, he might even secure a place for himself."
"It seems I misjudged him."
"This person is quite interesting."
Hearing such high praise, the maid nodded in astonishment.
In her mind, the image of the ruthless man riding a snail was deeply imprinted.