Chapter 1243: Doubting Life

Yi Feng waited for a long time, but the so-called law enforcement team never showed up.

After a bout of frustration, he found himself bored on the ship and decided to continue riding forward, hoping to encounter the legendary terrifying sea beast and test his luck.

Perhaps the heavens were on his side.

After speeding across the sea for quite some time, Yi Feng, with his slicked-back hair, had slain countless sea monsters. Just as he was starting to find the sea battles a bit monotonous, something finally caught his eye.

"Wow..."

"That sea beast is really huge! It must be incredibly strong!"

Watching the octopus-like monster in the distance, as large as an island, waving its tentacles and stirring up massive waves, Yi Feng couldn't help but feel excited. He drew his beloved first-generation greatsword.

"Whoosh!"

Leaping onto the waves, Yi Feng charged straight at the colossal octopus monster with his sword.

The octopus seemed to notice Yi Feng and let out a deafening roar, swinging its massive tentacles down like a collapsing mountain, causing a fierce gale to sweep across the sea.

Yi Feng, fearless as ever, met the attack head-on with a vertical slash of his sword.

"Swish!"

A clean, crisp sound echoed.

The tentacle was split in two, crashing into the sea and creating a massive wave.

The octopus widened its eyes in shock, letting out a thunderous roar. Its massive body was also split apart, collapsing into the sea on either side, causing another terrifying wave.

"Splash!"

The sea churned as if struck by a natural disaster, but Yi Feng stood calmly in mid-air.

"Ah, another weakling," he thought.

As the giant beast sank into the depths and the sea gradually calmed, Yi Feng's heart remained unshaken. He had become somewhat numb to these easy victories.

His small hope was shattered once again.

Yi Feng had experienced too many similar situations, and now they felt rather dull. Perhaps this was the loneliness of being strong. At least he had gained a bit more experience, which was some consolation.

Landing back on his mount, Yi Feng sheathed his sword.

"Let's go."

His mount, Manman, seemed even more indifferent, not even blowing a bubble as it sped off into the horizon.

They continued their journey across the sea, and several days passed in the blink of an eye.

Sticking to his principle of "just do it," Yi Feng had slain countless sea monsters, but they were all flashy yet weak, and their meat was unpalatable. He had even lost a few pounds!

But Yi Feng never complained much. He had grown accustomed to the helplessness of being strong.

After all, after so many experiences, he knew that his cultivation level was high enough that few things could threaten him. Finding a worthy opponent was not easy.

Although the sea monsters he encountered recently were bloated and weak, they seemed to be getting stronger.

That was hope!

As long as he kept going, he might eventually encounter an ultra-powerful sea monster!

Yi Feng looked at Manman with a faint glimmer of anticipation.

"Manman, we're bound to encounter danger soon, right?"

Manman finally blew a few bubbles.

"Blub blub..."

It still looked as carefree as ever, its dead-fish eyes rolling in a somewhat perfunctory manner, as if responding. At the same time, it accelerated forward, leaving the ancient starship far behind.

Meanwhile, on the ancient starship, all the passengers had been summoned to appear. The corridors on every level were filled with people of all kinds, their gazes fixed on the bow of the ship.

After a few moments, the law enforcement captain stepped forward, rippling the void as he appeared, his expression solemn.

"Everyone," he began.

"We are about to reach the center of the Canghai Sea. The sea ahead is sure to be filled with ancient sea beasts. Facing such terrifying creatures, even the ancient starship may not be able to protect us. Everyone must be on high alert and prepare to face any dangers that may arise!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in chaos!

Even among the VIPs on the top level, there were panicked voices.

A maid leaned closer to Lin Ruowei, her face filled with anxiety.

"Miss!"

"Wasn't the ancient starship supposed to be a treasure that could withstand any disaster? Why do we have to face the ancient sea beasts ourselves? What are we supposed to do?"

Lin Ruowei, though her eyes showed concern, remained calm and composed.

"Legend has it that ancient sea beasts possess lifespans unmatched by any other creature, and their strength is beyond measure. It's understandable that the ancient starship may not be able to withstand them."

"Otherwise, how do you think the saying 'a journey fraught with a thousand dangers' to reach the Land of Fallen Gods came about?"

"At this point, we can only rely on ourselves."

"Yu'er, quickly prepare all the arrays and magical tools we have to face the ancient sea beasts!"

The maid, her face pale with fear, hurriedly nodded and retreated to the quiet room.

Even they were this nervous, so the cultivators on the lower levels of the starship were in an uproar.

"What!?"

"The ancient starship can't even protect us? If the ancient sea beasts appear, how are we supposed to handle them? Are they just leaving us to die?"

"Wasn't it said that by boarding the ancient starship, we could safely reach the Land of Fallen Gods?!"

"I heard from a wealthy merchant that he had been to the Land of Fallen Gods several times. He said that as long as you board the starship, you can reach it safely, as easily as visiting relatives. How could things have turned out like this?"

"The law enforcement team must be trying to scare us to profit from this!"

"The law enforcement team, using their power to bully the weak!"

"Disgraceful!"

As doubts and suspicions grew, the panicked cultivators turned their anger toward the law enforcement team.

Every cultivator on the starship had spent thousands of years cultivating and accumulating resources to reach their current level. Hearing that a great disaster was imminent, no one could remain calm.

The situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control.

But the law enforcement captain remained cold and indifferent, his gaze falling on the leader of the group.

"I am on this starship with you all, and we are in this together. I have no intention of profiting from this. What I say is the truth. For thousands of years, few have reached the Land of Fallen Gods."

"And who told you that simply boarding the starship would guarantee a safe journey?"

The leader, gripping his sword hilt tightly, retorted through gritted teeth.

"I heard it from a wealthy merchant named Tao Qianhai! Many of us have heard him say it personally. What do you have to say about that?"

"Tao Qianhai?"

Hearing the familiar name, the law enforcement captain sneered.

"Hmph."

"A scoundrel who relied on deceit to break through his cultivation, daring to claim he had been to the Land of Fallen Gods? He's already buried at the bottom of the Canghai Sea. Didn't you know that?"

As soon as these words were spoken, many people began whispering among themselves, and the leader's face turned pale.

"The person who fell into the sea earlier... was Tao Qianhai?"

"This..."

"He was a fraud?!"

"Damn it! My ten million immortal crystals!"

As the leader stepped back, his face ashen, the surrounding commotion quickly died down.

The law enforcement captain glanced around the crowd.

"Everyone," he said.

"A great calamity is upon us. I hope you all prepare yourselves. If we are fortunate enough to reach the Land of Fallen Gods, do not forget to help your fellow cultivators!"

After a brief bow, the law enforcement captain's figure dissipated, and everyone's nerves instantly tightened.

In no time, nearly every cultivator had prepared their life-saving treasures and defensive arrays. Some even began profiteering, buying and selling various protective items. The entire starship was on edge.

However, a full month passed.

The tense passengers of the starship never encountered the so-called ancient sea beasts. At most, they saw a few ordinary sea creatures, which was a far cry from what they had been told.

Everyone was filled with suspicion and had no choice but to summon the law enforcement captain again.

Looking out at the calm sea under the clear sky, the law enforcement captain furrowed his brow and, doubting his own life, muttered an explanation.

"Perhaps..."

"We are under the protection of the heavens, which is why we remain unharmed for now."

Huh?

Protection of the heavens?

Who are you trying to fool?

The passengers of the starship were no fools. They had their own judgments about luck and great opportunities. Even if there was such a thing as divine protection, it couldn't possibly protect an entire ship, could it?

Were they all children of fortune?

Hearing the law enforcement captain's vague explanation, the cultivators were filled with doubt.

In an instant, the law enforcement captain's authority crumbled.

Many people grew increasingly suspicious, as if recalling the fraud Tao Qianhai from before.