Unexpected Changes on the Way Home

After spending another day in Tian Nan Prefecture City and handling all affairs, the Four Seas Trading Company's fleet finally set sail for the return journey.

It was the end of the year, the Minor Cold solar term had passed, and the air was thick with biting chill.

The lead-gray sky hung low, sparse snowflakes like fine grains of salt fell silently, leaving fleeting white specks on the sea before vanishing without a trace.

The cold wind whipped up waves, slapping against the hull, bringing a bone-piercing chill.

Chen Yuan stood at the bow, letting the wind brush his face as snowflakes landed on his shoulders, instantly vaporized into wisps of white steam by the blazing vitality of his inner blood and qi.

He watched the majestic prefecture city shrink, blur, and finally disappear beneath the horizon, yet his heart held little reluctance.

The prefecture city was fine, but it was never home.

The fleet sailed out of the bustling harbor, entered the waters of the Nan Cang River, adjusted course, and headed northeast toward Lin Hai County.

Wang Meng rubbed his hands, exhaling white mist as he emerged from the cabin and sidled up to Chen Yuan: "Finally heading home. The prefecture city's nice and all, but it's just not comfortable—too many rules, too much spending. Lin Hai County's way better."

Sun Yun followed out, her cool eyes glancing northward as she said softly, "The year's end is near. It's time to go back."

Li Wei and Zhou Tai were confirming the route with the Boat Captain.

Zhou Tai frowned at the gloomy sky and sea. "This damn weather... hope we make it smoothly and get back before the Minor New Year."

The fleet sailed along the coastline, steady at first. Though the wind was biting, the sea remained calm.

Most stayed in the cabin to keep warm, occasionally stepping out to stretch their limbs.

Chen Yuan, however, was unshakable, practicing his saber on the deck every day.

The Cold Ripple Blade danced in his hands, its light icy and sharp, perfectly matching the winter chill.

Snowflakes that came within three feet of the blade were shredded and vaporized by invisible force.

His understanding of the Cold River Spirit Blade Saber Canon deepened with each passing day, especially the "Cold Silence" concept. Training in this frozen, snowy landscape doubled his progress.

Wang Meng watched Chen Yuan's relentless practice and couldn't help muttering to Sun Yun: "Chen Junior Brother's drive—I've got to hand it to him. I'd say not just this County Examination's Top Scholar spot, but the Prefecture Examination, Province Examination—he'll have a place in all of them."

"Maybe one day, our Blackwater Martial Arts School will produce another martial master like Master Zhao, with the title 'Cold Abyss Saber'!"

Sun Yun nodded slightly, her gaze resting on Chen Yuan's steady back, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. She murmured, "Heaven rewards diligence."

That day, the fleet reached the waters of 'Black Mountain Corner,' a stretch they'd passed safely before. The shores suddenly turned into steep, treacherous cliffs, sparsely populated, with trees casting dense shadows.

Everyone tensed up—this was the lair of several fierce water bandits, who used the complex waterways and rugged terrain to plunder passing ships, notorious for their brutality.

Suddenly, several merchant ships that should have been heading north appeared ahead, now turning around and fleeing south in panic.

Their sails were torn, masts damaged, and the hulls bore massive claw marks and impact craters—clearly, they'd been through a brutal fight.

"What's going on?" Zhou Tai's face tightened as he ordered signal flags to be raised for inquiry.

From one of the ships, a man with a terrified face shouted back, his voice torn by the sea wind: "...Turn back! You can't get through ahead!"

"The Pinghai Division... the Pinghai Division has sealed the sea! There are Demonic Beasts—a swarm of them breaking through the blockade! Get out of here!"

The Pinghai Division sealing the sea? Demonic Beasts breaking through?

Everyone's face changed. The Pinghai Division was in charge of Vast Sea security, wielding great authority, but they rarely sealed the sea. If they did, it meant something major had happened. And this wasn't deep-sea territory—how could Demonic Beasts dare to assault the line?

Just then, faint screams and furious beast roars echoed from the waters ahead, mixed with the whistling of crossbows and the clash of weapons!

"Brace! Everyone brace!"

Zhou Tai, seasoned and sharp, roared at once, drawing the saber at his waist.

He then shouted at the helmsman, "Turn back immediately!"

The crew and escorts sprang into action, loading heavy crossbows and drawing blades. In an instant, the atmosphere grew razor-tight.

Li Wei, Chen Yuan, and the others rushed to the ship's railing, staring intently toward the source of the sounds.

In the distance, several warships flying the Pinghai Division's dark-black dragon banners had formed a defensive circle, pouring arrows from bed crossbows and archers into the sea.

Beneath the surface, countless massive, twisted shadows rampaged wildly, slamming into the ship formation like mad!

Now and then, a huge, grotesque Demonic Beast burst from the water, trailing seawater and blood, charging fearlessly at the warships to engage in brutal close combat with the soldiers aboard.

The battle had clearly been raging for a while. The sea was littered with shattered planks, debris, and crimson blood, with broken corpses bobbing in the waves...

"Damn it, some slipped through and are coming for us!" Wang Meng, sharp-eyed, pointed ahead and to the side of the fleet.

"Looks like we can't avoid it," Li Wei said, his brow darkening.

The Demonic Beasts showed no intention of yielding, charging straight at them.

As the distance closed, everyone could clearly see seven or eight beasts resembling giant crocodiles, covered in dark-green, thick scales, with rows of dagger-like fangs. Two of the shadows radiated a particularly fierce and brutal aura, larger in size, with scales so dark they were nearly pitch-black, their eyes gleaming with cruel bloodlust—clearly second-tier Demonic Beasts, equivalent to Tendon Changing Realm martial artists.

The remaining five or six were first-tier, equivalent to the Skin Grinding Realm, but still no match for ordinary fighters!

"Damn, Black Scale Crocodiles!"

Zhou Tai's face went pale. The merchant ship's defenses were flimsy, utterly unable to withstand a charge from so many Black Scale Crocodiles, especially the two second-tier ones—they'd tear through like paper.

"Li, you and I take the two second-tier ones. We can't let them near the cargo ship," Zhou Tai decided on the spot, shouting to Li Wei.

"Agreed."

Li Wei didn't hesitate. He nodded firmly, his long blade already in hand.

"The rest of you, form a defensive formation and hold off those First-Order Demonic Beasts!"

Zhou Tai then gave orders to the escorts and sailors on the boat before turning to Chen Yuan and the other two. "Three of you, I'm counting on you! You must hold back those First-Order Demonic Beasts and buy us time."

"Rest assured, Chief Escort Zhou!" Wang Meng bellowed, already clenching his fists, which took on a metallic sheen.

Sun Yun nodded silently, drawing her sword. The blade gleamed coldly as her other hand produced a specially crafted hand crossbow.

Chen Yuan said nothing. He only tightened his grip on the Cold Ripple Blade, his gaze as icy as the weapon itself, locked onto the several First-Order Demonic Beasts rapidly closing in.

In the blink of an eye, those Demonic Beasts had already charged to the front of the fleet.

Splash!

Water exploded into the air!

Half a dozen ferocious First-Order Black Scale Crocodiles, propelled by the water, burst out of the river. Carrying a stench of brine, they opened their gaping maws and lunged at the ship's railing.

At the same time, the two larger Second-Order Crocodile Demons locked onto the positions where Zhou Tai and Li Wei—the ones with the strongest auras—stood. Like cannonballs shot from a barrel, they slammed into the ship with brutal force.

They had clearly sensed that these two were the greatest threats and intended to eliminate them first.

"Die, beasts!"

Zhou Tai roared as he met one of the Second-Order Crocodile Demons head-on. Li Wei swung his long blade, the light of his strikes like a flowing ribbon. The battle erupted in an instant.

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