New Ship Breaks the Waves

Over the next three days, Iron Clothes Village seemed to be shrouded in a silent anticipation.

News of the Chen Family purchasing a new ship had long since spread through every corner like the wind, becoming the hottest topic of conversation after meals.

Chen Yuan did not remain at the shipyard the whole time. Every morning, without fail, he went to Blackwater Martial Arts School to train.

His progress in the Mysterious Vortex Skin Grinding Method steadily improved, and his control over Spiral Force grew ever more refined. Though the pain of force grinding against his skin membrane remained, he could now endure it better and feel the solid satisfaction of his growing strength.

Outside of training, he also visited Blackwater Martial Arts School's Scripture Pavilion. He did not limit himself to cultivation techniques, but also read illustrated notes on the habits, weaknesses, and valuable parts of common nearshore Sea Beasts, as well as records of seafaring encounters left by senior martial artists.

This knowledge might have seemed scattered, but it could save lives at crucial moments and bring generous rewards. Like a sponge, he greedily absorbed every scrap of knowledge.

Meanwhile, Chen Tie Mao and Chen Dahai had practically made their home at Myriad Treasures Shipyard.

The old man was experienced and sharp-eyed. He could not rest easy leaving such an important ship entirely in others' hands.

He kept watch over the craftsmen's final inspections and maintenance, never leaving their side. From whether every joint had been properly filled to whether each plank bore hidden cracks, he inspected everything personally and occasionally made requests of his own.

Chen Dahai followed beside his father and the shipyard's veteran masters, thirstily learning everything about the new vessel. This Wave Rider Shuttle was completely different from the Sea Swallow he had handled for years. He watched closely, asked earnestly, gestured with his hands, and silently memorized every key point.

Though father and son worked hard, no fatigue showed on their faces. They were always alight with hope for the future.

The village was especially lively these days. Groups of women often came to visit the Chen Family, openly claiming they had come to chat with Lin Sanniang and Zhang Shi, while secretly hoping to learn about the new ship and Chen Yuan's situation at the martial arts school.

Xiao Li had also become the leader of the children, always surrounded by a crowd of little companions chattering away and asking just how big the "great ship" was and whether it could fly.

At last, three days passed, and the day of delivery arrived. Chen Yuan came straight from the martial arts school to the shipyard and settled the remaining two hundred taels on the spot.

They also spent over ten taels on three large fishing nets woven from Spirit Silk Alloy Wire, two spare sets of Wind-Powered Sail Ribs, sufficient Insect Repellent Herbs, and specially made freshwater barrels, all of which had already been prepared in the cabin.

Before long, under the guidance of an old helmsman from Myriad Treasures Shipyard, the brand-new Wave Rider Shuttle sailed slowly back to Iron Clothes Village's dock. Runes flickered faintly over it as it cleaved through the waves with obvious lightness and speed, and the entire village erupted!

"It's here! It's here! Look! The ship is coming!" A sharp-eyed child was the first to point at the sea and scream.

Like cold water splashed into boiling oil, the whole dock instantly exploded into commotion.

Villagers rushed in from all directions. Men who had been mending nets, repairing boats, or drying fish threw down their work. Women came carrying vegetable baskets and pulling children along, while even the elderly hobbled toward the shore on canes as quickly as they could.

A black dot rapidly grew larger, gradually revealing the sleek outline of a ship.

It cut through the waves far faster than an ordinary fishing boat. Its lines were graceful, and the Black Iron Firwood hull shone beneath the sunlight with a steady, lustrous glow.

Most eye-catching of all were the two azure runes beneath the waterline. They emitted a soft, steady radiance, appearing mysterious and powerful against the blue-green waves.

"Good heavens! It really is a Magic Ship! That sheen, that grandeur! The Chen Family has truly struck it rich!" An old fisherman narrowed his eyes, his voice full of disbelief.

"This ship is huge. It's got to be twice as long as the old Sea Swallow! How much catch can that thing hold?" someone estimated enviously.

"Look under the water! Those blue things must be runes, right? How fast can that ship go?" The younger villagers' gazes were firmly drawn to the mysterious runes, their eyes full of longing.

The children darted through the crowd, excitedly imitating the motions of steering a ship.

Xiao Li stood surrounded by a group of little companions, all talking over one another. "Xiao Li, Xiao Li, does that mean you'll get to ride a great ship from now on?" "Can it really fly?"

Clutching the tiny Sea Swallow wooden ship model Chen Yuan had carved for her before, she raised her little chin among her companions, whose eyes shone with envy. Her small face had turned bright red with excitement and pride as she declared in a clear voice, "Of course! This is the great ship my brother bought! It's even better than the ships owned by the masters in the county town! It can definitely fly! We'll catch tons and tons of big fish from now on!"

The ship docked steadily. The old helmsman was highly skilled, and the hull lightly pressed against the pier with barely a sound of impact.

He nimbly jumped ashore, handed the mooring rope to Chen Dahai, whose excited palms were slightly damp with sweat, and smiled as he cupped his hands. "Brother Chen, a fine ship! Smooth to handle, and the runes are powerful. From now on, just wait to return with a full load. Congratulations!"

"Thank you! You've worked hard!" Chen Dahai's voice was loud and full of vigor, and the hand that accepted the rope was steady and strong.

His back was straight, as though he had cast off a burden he had carried for years. His whole person seemed to shine.

He began directing several younger relatives he knew well, helping the shipyard workers move the final batch of supplies off the ship and place them onto the carts prepared in advance.

Chen Tie Mao was the last to disembark. His steps were steady. First, he stood by the rail and carefully looked at the new flag fluttering atop the mast, then checked the taut rigging. Only after confirming that everything was in order did he take Chen Yuan's outstretched hand and step onto the gangplank.

After setting foot on the solid ground of the dock, he did not leave. Instead, he turned around and stretched out his large hands, covered in calluses and weathered by countless storms, reverently stroking the Wave Rider Shuttle's cold, hard, flawlessly polished hull again and again, as though caressing a rare treasure.

His fingers trembled slightly, and his eyes were moist. Amid the thunderous clamor around him, he murmured in a low voice, as if bidding farewell to an old companion and looking ahead to the future. "Good... a good ship. Truly a fine ship! I'm old, I'm old... I never thought I would live to see the Chen Family have a day like this..."

The women of the household had already come forward beaming with joy. Lin Sanniang and Grandmother Zhang Shi had not only killed a chicken and stewed fish, but had even gone to a neighboring village to buy the finest rice wine, preparing an extraordinarily lavish dinner.

Second Uncle and Second Aunt also took the initiative to board the ship and clean the already spotless cabin. They carefully spread the brand-new, sturdy fishing nets, glimmering faintly in the sunlight, across the open space on the dock to air them out and inspect them.

Their cousin Chen He ran about the ship in wild excitement, racing from bow to stern, touching this and looking at that. Everything filled him with curiosity, and he cried out in amazement from time to time.

The clamor, praise, and festive atmosphere hung over all of Iron Clothes Village like the rich scent of wine, lingering for a long while without fading.

Just then, Chen Yuan, standing at the heart of the excitement, felt something stir. The Tidal Stele in his Sea of Consciousness gave a slight tremble, sending ripples across its surface.

The new vessel joins the fleet; the household prospers. Tide Luck Points +10

Current Tide Fortune: 67/100

Chen Yuan could not help but feel delighted. He had taken another step closer to the goal required to use the Tidal Stele again.

The Lineage's fate was quietly changing because of this new ship, and this tangible change that benefited his family had clearly been reflected in Tide Fortune as well.

Looking at his family's heartfelt smiles and listening to the neighbors' praise, tinged with complicated emotions, his gaze slowly settled.

Buying a new ship, improving the family's circumstances, and earning respect were all important. But in the end, the foundation of everything lay in his own strength.

Without the cultivation of the Skin Grinding Realm and the strength to independently kill an Arrow Bone Fish, Zhao Wanshan would never have offered a discount, Shopkeeper Ge would never have been so straightforward, and none of this would be before him now.

Though the sea held infinite opportunities, it also concealed unfathomable dangers. Only by constantly growing stronger could he pass through wind and waves and protect this hard-won peace. What mattered most now was still not relaxing his daily training and seizing every possibility to become stronger.

He quietly clenched his fist, feeling the surging power beneath his skin membrane, far greater than before. His desire for strength had not faded because his family's circumstances had improved. Instead, it had become even firmer.

Beyond the clamor lay quiet earth; beneath glory, strength alone was the foundation.