Three days passed in a flash.
The fleet continued its journey on the sea, following the predetermined nautical route.
Zhong Lin stayed in his room, bored, doing nothing but cultivating, treating this voyage as a secluded retreat.
Zhong Lin, although often in seclusion, had never isolated himself for more than half a year, so this time he could properly try it out.
However, Long Zhao would often visit. At this time, he had already reached Yunling Realm Perfection and could not progress further unless he condensed the Xuandan.
Sometimes, when the mood struck, he would directly drag Zhong Lin to the deck for a stroll.
A month had passed, and the giant ship had entered the deep sea.
That night, the weather changed abruptly, and a torrential rain began to fall.
The wind roared, raising monstrous waves. The giant ship swayed back and forth among these waves, displaying a force that shook heaven and earth.
With the ship’s shaking, Zhong Lin lost the mood to continue meditation and cultivation. He stepped out of his room and made his way to the deck through the stairs and passageways.
The sky was filled with dark clouds, with lightning and thunder.
A bolt of lightning struck down, illuminating the entire sea in a silvery white.
The waves rose high, slapping against the deck like a flapping canvas.
The giant ship and the guard ship swayed unstably, pressing forward with waves crashing relentlessly.
Zhong Lin stood on the deck, gazing directly at the boundless waves. His spiritual origin circulated automatically around his body, blue halos flowing, and his aura interwoven with the endless water spirit qi around him, giving him the feeling of becoming one with the waves.
At this moment, an image of an azure dragon appeared vividly in Zhong Lin’s mind.
The azure dragon was several tens of feet long, with distinct scale armor, four claws under its body, antlers on its head, and whiskers growing under its chin, looking exactly like the dragon-shaped creature in his impression.
The azure dragon spiraled between heaven and earth, continuously soaring, with resonant dragon roars.
Amidst the black clouds and thunder, it appeared intermittently.
Below in the sea, water tornadoes continuously rose and fell.
After a while, Zhong Lin slowly opened his eyes, with a blue gleam flashing in his eyes, and soon returned to calm.
"What a magnificent Azure Dragon Suppressing Sea. Indeed, studying high-grade cultivation techniques can perfect the Five Elements Mixed Essence Skill. Just an Earth Level Azure Dragon Sea Suppressing Scripture has brought great progress to the Five Elements Mixed Essence Skill," Zhong Lin thought to himself.
The Five Elements Mixed Essence Skill was an extensive effort of Zhong Lin, founded on the Five Elements Rotation, with ambitious concept but lacked a lively spirit and majesty. Now, facing the endless storm at sea, Zhong Lin unexpectedly sensed a hint of the water conception, gaining deeper insight into the Five Elements Mixed Essence Skill.
The circulation of spiritual origin became more agile than before.
Another giant wave crashed, accompanied by cries of distress. The seawater surged back, instantly sweeping the deck-clearing attendants, some flung into the sea while others slammed heavily against the deck masts, wailing in pain.
Suddenly, a flash of yellow light appeared on the deck, and a middle-aged Martial Artist in a yellow robe strode forward.
This middle-aged man, with a white face and no beard, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, faced the towering waves—his toes tapped the ground as he leaped, striking the waves fiercely from mid-air.
With a muffled sound, the giant wave was shattered into droplets, sprinkling across the ship.
Another wave approached.
The middle-aged man once again utilized his skill to shatter the wave, resembling a general charging into battle.
Soon, the rain stopped.
The sea gradually calmed its anger, everything became tranquil again.
Without the attack of waves, the water on the deck was quickly cleaned up.
The water on the deck had to be cleared quickly, otherwise it might corrode the ship’s body, affecting the lifespan of the giant ship.
A crowd of attendants bowed in gratitude to the middle-aged man. Without his intervention, although the crisis could still be overcome, some lives might have been lost.
The middle-aged man nodded, saying nothing more but instead looked toward Zhong Lin.
"Thank you for your help earlier."
It wasn’t just him who made a move; Zhong Lin also lent a hand. However, his techniques were subtle, directly suppressing some waves before they even rose.
"No problem, may I ask your name?"
"Oh, it’s Brother Chen. I am Zhong Lin."
"Zhong Lin? That name sounds familiar."
Suddenly, Chen Jian seemed to remember something and took another careful look at Zhong Lin, exclaiming in shock, "You... you’re the Pill Master Zhong?"
Zhong Lin smiled and nodded, "If you’re referring to the one from the Sword Cauldron Sect, then that’s me."
Chen Jian appeared overjoyed and respectfully saluted, "Chen Jian from Cold Snow Pavilion, pays respects to Pill Master Zhong. I didn’t expect it to be you in person. It’s true I was displaying my limited skills in front of an expert."
"Brother Chen, you have a kind heart, worthy of admiration, no need to speak of displaying skills in front of an expert." Zhong Lin laughed.
Finished speaking, he turned and left without further words.
Chen Jian, behind him, opened his mouth as if wanting to say something but ultimately didn’t.
The following days were much calmer; the fleet sailed with the wind and waves, constantly progressing along the existing course.
Close to half a month went by in a flash.
Zhong Lin continued to meditate and cultivate daily in his room, naturally breaking through to the Late Stage of Yunling Realm, with his Divine Soul reaching an impressive seven inches.
That night, the giant ship suddenly shook violently.
Zhong Lin was startled awake, immediately extending his Divine Soul’s perception.
Outside the ship, dark clouds loomed, with lightning and thunder. The sea seemed enraged, raising tremendous waves, surging mightily.
Suddenly, one of the guard ships following the giant ship was torn apart by the waves. The bow sank while the stern rose high.
A large number of Martial Artists jumped into the sea to escape, only to be swallowed by a wave, disappearing without a trace.
Zhong Lin wasn’t panicked at all; he had encountered such storms multiple times along the way, though this one was somewhat significant.
Besides, Zhong Lin wasn’t the only group of storm-struck Martial Artists.
"No wonder the Martial Artists on Luoxing Islands are willing to age there rather than go to sea; it’s exceedingly dangerous.
Without reaching Spirit Sea Realm, enabling flight, there’s almost no chance of survival with a single wave at sea."
Sighing, Zhong Lin closed his eyes again and resumed meditative cultivation.
Soon, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Zhong Lin furrowed his brow slightly, stood up, and opened the door.
A Manager from the giant ship stood at the door, hastily saying, "Senior, the Vanguard Fleet sent an urgent rescue request. They’re under massive sea beast attack in the front sea area. We request your assistance."
Zhong Lin’s expression remained unchanged. He nodded and stepped out.
After Zhong Lin went, the Manager also went to knock on other doors.
Through the passageways, Zhong Lin soon arrived on the deck.
By this time, quite a number of people had already gathered on the deck.