The scent of blood, a mingled odor... Chen Qi gazed toward the distant sea.
"It's the Coastal Apex Predator..."
The predator's scales shimmered faintly under the gloomy sky, their once-hardened surfaces now cracked in multiple places, oozing crimson blood that intertwined with the murky seawater to paint a tragic tableau.
"Awoo awoo~"
Like an injured puppy, the trembling Coastal Apex Predator swam over, extending its massive head to nuzzle against Chen Qi.
Chen Qi gently raised his hand to pat the creature's head:
"What's wrong, my little sea dragon?"
The sea dragon seemed to sense Chen Qi's kindness!
BOOM!
The next instant, he found himself engulfed in the Coastal Apex Predator's bear hug, dragged straight to the seabed! This guy's still so domineering... good thing my body's tough enough now... Chen Qi struggled to swim back up, spitting out seawater as he surfaced.
The Coastal Apex Predator was acting too frantic.
This was the first time Chen Qi had seen the mighty creature show such exhaustion.
Though for it, these wounds were far from fatal.
But anything capable of injuring the Coastal Apex Predator to this extent undoubtedly possessed formidable strength.
Who could it be?
Teacher An? No, she was eating breakfast at my place this morning - wouldn't suddenly come out to sea.
Could it be Pelu? Lately she's been riding that giant white pigeon day and night for newspaper sales.
Or other hunter groups? Merchant ships? Ghost ships? Little Crow?
Chen Qi pondered.
"Awoo awoo!"
The Coastal Apex Predator opened its fang-filled maw, emitting mournful cries.
"I can't understand..."
Chen Qi frowned, completely unable to comprehend the creature's language.
He could only lower his head, stepping onto the predator's scaled body to examine its wounds through experience.
Beyond the cracks, there were burn marks...
And skeletal fragments embedded between its scales.
Bone shards and scorch marks - ghost ships!
Chen Qi immediately identified the assailants.
Just then, ripples began spreading across the sea ahead, as if something massive was surfacing beneath the waves. As the ripples expanded, an enormous shadow gradually took shape - a ship, an ancient vessel covered in rust and the scars of time, as if sailing forth from history's abyss.
Its tattered sails crackled with eerie ghostfire, flapping loudly in the sea breeze while emitting low, unnatural groans.
Meanwhile, the ghost ship's deck was piled with rotting, stinking sailor corpses - trophies from their recent hunts.
At the prow stood a towering captain clutching a massive anchor, roaring with laughter:
"Found you at last, Coastal Apex Predator! No one... escapes our hunt! No dumb beast rules these waters!"
"I'll show everyone who the true Coastal Apex Predator is!"
The Ghost Captain had heard of the predator's reputation from dead merchants!
But they believed nothing deserved to rule these coastal waters more than themselves!
For days, they'd pursued the wounded beast!
And just now, their ghost ship's firepower had reduced the mighty predator to a whimpering pup!
"Bleeding beasts remain prey in these seas."
From today onward, these waters would know only one apex predator!
The Ghost Captain stood triumphant at the prow, gazing excitedly at the injured creature.
Yet the next moment, it jolted in shock - even feeling something akin to a heartbeat!
Under the gloomy sky, a figure stood astride the Blackship Sea Dragon's undulating, scale-armored back.
A human? Riding a sea dragon?
The Ghost Captain immediately raised its skeletal arm:
"All stop!"
What's happening?
The skeleton crew tilted their bony heads in confusion.
The Ghost Captain bellowed:
"Stop ship! We've met our match!"
That thing ahead... clearly unnatural. Needed careful observation... The captain's jaw clattered.
As the ship drew nearer, its body trembled violently.
Not from fear, but rage!
The human standing atop their prey was none other than the bastard who'd destroyed their ship's core aboard the White Pigeon expedition vessel!
The Ghost Captain gnashed its teeth.
An unexpected battle... Chen Qi quietly produced an azure gem.
Ember's Touch instantly transformed into inky tides, spreading across his skin like venom to form a black hunter's coat bristling with tiny tentacles.
Witnessing this, the Ghost Captain felt no fear - they were monsters themselves, and facing monsters only excited them more!
Moreover, it clearly sensed this opponent was merely a second-tier human!
If not for those three third-tier Transcendents on the White Pigeon ship, this pest would've died long ago!
And if they could slay the Coastal Apex Predator here today, their infamy would spread across the seas!
"What luck!"
The Ghost Captain snapped its bony fingers.
Instantly, the ghost ship's cannons rose as one, training on Chen Qi's position!
Against humans! Against sea beasts! No hesitation needed!
Chen Qi gripped Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker's hilt firmly.
Though prepared, he hadn't expected things to escalate so suddenly.
The Ghost Captain and its ship undoubtedly possessed third-tier strength.
Alone, defeating the ghost ship was nearly impossible.
"But unfortunately... this is my territory."
A ruthless glint flashed in Chen Qi's eyes.
The Ghost Captain shrieked:
"FIRE!!"
Ten cannons roared simultaneously, lead shells screaming across White Tree Shallows, erupting in massive geysers!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Coastal Apex Predator's tail lashed out, smashing the projectiles midair.
Must leverage my advantages... and prevent their escape this time.
No need for Giant Slayer here!
Close combat's the best approach!
Dark Concealment... With the Deepsea Water Spirits' aid, Chen Qi dove like a fish, abandoning ranged warfare.
"Fire! Keep firing!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Amid continuous explosions, the Ghost Captain howled, reveling in this display of firepower!
No metallic flesh could withstand such barrage!
Even the Coastal Apex Predator had been reduced to a whimpering pup by their cannons!
"Kill slowly! I want this tale to spread across the seas!"
The Ghost Captain smashed its anchor against the deck.
Then - SHING!
A blade came whistling, severing its foolish neck!
What?! The captain's vision suddenly tilted downward.
Gurgle gurgle...
Hunter's boots filled its view, growing larger.
THUD!
Chen Qi stomped on the rolling skull.
Now he'd teach this ghost who truly ruled these coastal waters.