Set Sail

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Over the past few days, Chen Yuan had not completely relaxed his cultivation. He had seized every moment to stabilize his Skin Grinding - Major Accomplishment realm and familiarize himself with his vastly increased strength, while further tempering his Mist Manipulation technique—especially the move known as Mist Burst, which consumed an enormous amount of energy but possessed considerable power.

On the morning of the third day, just as dawn was breaking, Lin Hai County's docks were already buzzing with activity.

The Sihai Shipping Company fleet was fairly sizable. Besides two large cargo ships loaded with goods, there were also three swift vessels clearly meant for escort.

The sails bore the emblem of the Sihai Shipping Company: four pearls held aloft by waves. They snapped loudly in the morning breeze.

When Chen Yuan reached the docks, Wang Meng and Sun Yun had already arrived.

Wang Meng still looked as though he had energy to burn. Dressed in a brand-new martial-arts uniform, he was excitedly looking this way and that.

Sun Yun stood quietly to one side. She still wore that cool, aloof expression, but her eyes held a little more radiance than usual.

"Little Junior Brother, over here!" Wang Meng waved and shouted from afar.

Chen Yuan hurried over. "Fifth Senior Disciple Brother, Sixth Senior Disciple Sister."

"We were just waiting for you."

Wang Meng patted him on the shoulder. Feeling the solid contact, he clicked his tongue in admiration. "Not bad, not bad. The Stone Skin Realm really is different. Your body feels as solid as a rock."

Sun Yun also gave a slight nod. Her gaze lingered on Chen Yuan for a moment, seemingly sensing the change in his aura. In a soft voice, she said, "The journey ahead is a long one. Be extra careful."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Disciple Sister." Chen Yuan nodded.

At that moment, Third Senior Disciple Li Wei also walked over.

Today, he wore a dark, close-fitting outfit suited for movement, with a saber at his waist. His aura was deep and composed, giving him an exceptionally capable air.

"It's good that everyone's here." Li Wei's gaze swept over the three of them, lingering on Chen Yuan for an extra moment in particular. A flicker of surprise and approval crossed his eyes.

"I've already heard that Junior Disciple Brother Chen broke through. Congratulations. For this escort mission, we must work together to keep the fleet safe—and protect ourselves as well."

"Yes, Third Senior Disciple Brother!" the three replied in unison.

Before long, the person in charge of the Sihai Shipping Company's shipment, a Head Escort named Zhou Tai, also came over.

He appeared to be around forty. He was not particularly tall, but extremely lean and tough, with temples that bulged high. His aura surged powerfully around him. He was clearly an expert in the Tendon Changing Realm.

More than a dozen of the shipping company's guards followed behind him. Every one of them was skilled, possessing at least Qi and Blood Realm cultivation, with some having reached the Skin Grinding Realm.

"Brother Li, and the several outstanding disciples of the martial academy, sorry to have kept you waiting." Zhou Tai clasped his fists in greeting, his voice booming.

"We'll be relying on all of you for this shipment. The cargo is valuable, so we can't afford to let any petty thieves get ideas—especially when passing through the stretch known as 'Black Mountain Corner.' It has never been peaceful there, so we must be especially vigilant."

Li Wei returned the courtesy. "Chief Escort Zhou, you're too polite. It's our duty. We've heard something about the situation in Black Mountain Corner as well. We'll naturally be twice as careful when the time comes."

After a brief handover, everyone began boarding the ships.

Chen Yuan, Wang Meng, Sun Yun, several martial academy disciples, and some of the shipping company's guards boarded the swift vessel at the front. Li Wei and Zhou Tai remained aboard the main cargo ship to oversee matters.

"Raise anchor! Hoist the sails!"

At the Boat Captain's shout, the heavy chains clattered loudly. The enormous sails slowly unfurled to their full height as the sea wind billowed them outward.

The fleet slowly left the docks, adjusted its course, and headed south along the coastline.

Standing at the bow, Chen Yuan faced the slightly salty sea breeze. As he gazed across the boundless waters ahead and at Lin Hai County's walls gradually receding from view, a surge of heroic feeling rose in his heart.

This was the first time he had truly left Lin Hai County and set out for a broader world.

Wang Meng excitedly pointed things out beside him, introducing the scenery along the way and the places they might pass through.

Sun Yun quietly polished her short sword, occasionally lifting her eyes to glance at the sea.

The first part of the journey went quite smoothly. The fleet followed a familiar route under calm skies and placid waters.

From time to time, they saw other merchant ships or fishing boats. The vessels waved flags to one another, remaining peaceful and uneventful.

Chen Yuan spent most of his time sitting in meditation inside the cabin, consolidating his realm. Occasionally, he went to the deck to stretch his limbs and chat with the guards, learning about their experiences escorting goods and the situation in the prefectural city.

These guards, who had spent years traveling outside, were broadly experienced. When they spoke of the customs and strange tales of various places, their words flowed like an unending river.

From them, Chen Yuan learned that Tian Nan Prefecture was a vast city, with gangs scattered throughout and an extremely strong martial atmosphere.

Aside from the authorities, the greatest powers there were the Tian Nan Martial Alliance and branch halls established by several ancient sects with long-standing inheritances.

There were indeed more opportunities there, but the waters ran deeper, and the competition was even fiercer.

They encountered two minor incidents along the way. In one, a small band of foolish pirates rowed over on sampans and attempted to approach. The crossbows aboard the escort ships promptly greeted them with a volley, scaring them into fleeing in abject terror.

The other occurred when the weather suddenly changed and strong winds and waves arose. However, the fleet was highly experienced and promptly pulled ashore to shelter from the storm, avoiding danger by the narrowest margin.

Chen Yuan did not intervene during these minor disturbances. He merely watched in silence, gaining a deeper understanding of the fleet's ability to respond, as well as Zhou Tai and Li Wei's command and coordination.

Four or five days later, the fleet entered a broad river and began traveling upstream against the current.

This was a tributary of the Nan Cang River leading to Tian Nan Prefecture.

The scenery on both banks gradually changed from beaches to hills and forests, while signs of habitation grew denser. Towns and docks along the banks came into view with increasing frequency.

On this day, the fleet was about to pass through the stretch of Black Mountain Corner that Zhou Tai had specifically warned them to watch out for.

The mountains on both sides of this section of river suddenly became steep and perilous. The forests grew dark and dense, and the waterway twisted and turned.

Zhou Tai and Li Wei both ordered everyone to raise their level of alert. Every guard drew his saber, nocked a bolt, and the lookouts watched the forests on both banks with every ounce of concentration.

Wang Meng also reined in his usual joking manner and clenched his fists tighter, clearly on high alert.

Sun Yun appeared soundlessly in the shadows beside the ship's railing, her sharp gaze sweeping over the water and the riverbanks.

Chen Yuan drew a deep breath. The qi and blood within his body slowly began to circulate, and he raised his spiritual perception to its utmost limit, carefully sensing every movement around him.

Amid the silent, tense atmosphere, the fleet slowly entered the Black Mountain Corner river section.

Unexpectedly, however, the anticipated attack never came.

The forests on both banks were silent, with only the cries of birds and apes echoing through them. Other than the fleet, there were no suspicious boats on the river.

Not until the fleet passed safely through the most perilous stretch, and the view ahead opened up once more, did everyone finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Strange..." Zhou Tai frowned, puzzled. "Usually, even if we don't run into a large band of bandits on this stretch, there are always a few fools who shoot cold arrows just to test us. How is it so peaceful today?"

Li Wei pondered. "Perhaps the authorities have intensified their bandit suppression efforts recently. Or perhaps they've heard some kind of news and chosen to temporarily avoid our edge. In any case, getting through safely is a good thing."

Although it was unexpected, no one would complain about a peaceful journey. The fleet continued onward.

Two more days passed. On the distant horizon, the outline of a huge city gradually became clear.

Its walls towered high and stretched on like mountain ridges, far surpassing the small walls of Lin Hai County.

At the docks, sails and masts stood like a forest, ships passed to and fro in a dense stream, and the clamoring voices of people filled the air.

"We've arrived!"

"Little Junior Brother, that's Tian Nan Prefecture!" Wang Meng shouted excitedly, pointing into the distance.

Chen Yuan strained his eyes to gaze far ahead. As he looked at the majestic city crouching upon the earth like a colossal beast, he could not help feeling a surge of excitement as well.

Tian Nan Prefecture had finally arrived!