Deep Sea Whale Hunting

The pirate's soul skill came hurtling in. Xia Yang quickly drew his blade and retreated, raising it sideways to block.

Clang—

The sound of metal striking metal rang out.

Gripping his blade with both hands, Xia Yang barely managed to withstand the fierce blow.

Seeing this, the pirate immediately pressed down harder, intending to force the long blade aside and slash straight for Xia Yang's throat.

But it was already too late.

"First Soul Skill: Icefire Roar Bullet."

Purple Light flashed across Xia Yang's body. He slightly opened his mouth, and a thumb-sized purple round ball shot out.

"Pfft!"

The attack came far too quickly. Like lightning, the purple round ball pierced through the pirate's eyebrow center, leaving behind a horrifying blood hole.

Without hesitation, Xia Yang swept his blade sideways. The pirate's head fell at once.

With the formidable enemy executed, Xia Yang finally let out a long breath.

Then, he warily scanned his surroundings.

By then, the battle aboard the Sea Tiger had already ended. The Mystic Tortoise had won a complete victory.

"How did it feel?"

Xia Shi walked over to his son and asked gently.

"Not bad."

"A real fight to the death is completely different from ordinary practice."

Xia Yang answered.

"How is it different?" Xia Shi pressed.

"There was no time to think at all. I could only rely on my instincts."

Xia Yang replied without hesitation.

"Good. Realizing that means you've already taken your first steps."

Xia Shi smiled approvingly. "From now on, you're a true Sea Man."

"By the way, Dad."

Lowering his voice, Xia Yang said, "My Soul Power Aura didn't leak out during that fight, right?"

"No one discovered my actual level, did they?"

"Don't worry." Xia Shi nodded firmly. "I kept an eye on you the entire time."

"Your secret technique was operating steadily. Your Soul Power Fluctuation remained stable, and your aura did not leak at all. None of them noticed."

"That's good."

Xia Yang patted his chest, greatly relieved.

"Alright, clean up. It's time to prepare the celebration banquet."

Xia Shi walked toward the others, and Xia Yang happily followed.

As the setting sun sank, golden afterglow covered the sea surface. Carrying the joy of victory, the Mystic Tortoise continued onward through the waves.

Time passed, and four years quietly slipped away.

Over those four years, Xia Yang spent most of his time upon the vast, surging sea.

Only every so often would he return home, where he devoted himself to training with the aid of his parents' Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

After four years of wind and waves, Xia Yang had long since shed his youthful immaturity.

He stood tall and straight as a pine, reaching a full 1.9 meters in height.

His bronzed skin gleamed with healthy luster beneath the sunlight.

The clearly defined muscles across his body bore witness to years of arduous tempering.

At that moment, the Mystic Tortoise was cutting through the waves.

On the deck at the bow, Xia Yang stood facing the wind, his gaze fixed on the endless sea surface ahead.

He wore a rough linen short outfit, its collar casually open to reveal his sturdy chest.

His lower garments were similarly short and neat. Barefoot, he had his legs exposed below the calves.

Xia Yang raised a hand to adjust the straw hat on his head, his eyebrows faintly furrowed as he sank into thought. Fourteen years old, Level 19 Soul Power. This Cultivation Speed is still acceptable.

But recently, the improvement in my Physical Quality has hit a bottleneck. Whether it's my parents' Martial Soul Fusion Skill or the Thousand-Year Whale Rubber collected over the years, their effects have become far weaker than before.

At that thought, Xia Yang could not help but feel worried.

If Thousand-Year Whale Rubber truly no longer worked, then his plan to absorb Spirit Rings beyond his level would likely be stalled.

And once he lost that advantage, with his Innate Half-Rank Soul Power talent, continuing to advance bravely along the Cultivation Path would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Do I really have to venture into Sunset Forest and search for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well from the Original Work?

The thought lingered persistently in Xia Yang's mind.

"Yang'er, what are you thinking about?"

His father Xia Shi's deep voice came from behind him, interrupting his thoughts.

Xia Yang did not turn around. He merely replied softly, "Nothing."

"Are you worried about the Whale Rubber?"

Xia Shi came to stand beside him, immediately seeing through his worries.

Slightly surprised, Xia Yang said, "Dad, how did you know?"

"Hmph, you brat."

Xia Shi laughed heartily, patting his son's shoulder. "Don't I know you? The moment your eyebrows crease, I know what you're thinking."

Since his father had already guessed, Xia Yang no longer hid it. "The Thousand-Year Whale Rubber really has little effect on me now, so I've been worrying about my future Cultivation Path."

"If you had worries, why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Xia Shi placed both hands on the ship side, gazing out over the blue sea side by side with his son.

The father and son had similar builds, and their faces looked as though they had been carved from the same mold. Standing together, they looked especially alike.

Xia Yang sighed and said, "If I want to continue to Improve Physique, I'm afraid I can only find Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber."

"But over the years, the amount of Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber we've managed to purchase has been extremely limited."

"To obtain it, I'm afraid the only path left is to head out to sea and hunt soul beasts."

"But going into the Deep Sea to hunt a Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Herd is far too dangerous. I don't want you to take that risk."

"You brat!"

Xia Shi said nothing more. He merely gave his son's arm a heavy pat, his eyes full of gratification.

After a moment of silence, Xia Shi said firmly, "Don't worry. With your old man's abilities, do you really need to worry about me?"

"Besides, your mom and I are both Level 60+ Soul Emperors now. If we join forces and go to sea, we can deal with danger even if we encounter it."

"But, Dad..." Xia Yang was still uneasy.

"This matter is settled."

Xia Shi cut him off. "Once we return this time, your mom and I will go whale hunting. I'll definitely get you Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber."

"Then I'll go with you."

Xia Yang suddenly said.

"Nonsense."

Without even thinking, Xia Shi refused. "We're going to the Deep Sea this time. Ten-thousand Year Soul Beasts appear there, and danger is everywhere. How could we possibly have any spare energy to take care of you?"

Xia Yang stubbornly insisted, "I'm grown up now. I have to go this time."

"With my current strength, even if I can't be of much help, I definitely won't hold you back."

"That stubborn temper of yours really comes from me."

Though Xia Shi scolded him, he could not hide the smile in his eyes.

What father would not feel gratified by his son's devotion?

"Captain, Xiling Harbor is ahead!"

Zhang Feng's booming shout came from the lookout.

The father and son's conversation came to a stop.

Looking up, they saw that the familiar outlines of Xiling Harbor's buildings were already clearly visible.

"We're home."

Xia Shi raised his arm and shouted.

"Going home!"

All the crew members aboard, Xia Yang included, cheered in unison.

The Mystic Tortoise slowly sailed into the harbor.

The moment Xia Yang and his father disembarked, they saw Mom, Huo Yang, already waiting at the pier for a long time.

The moment she saw them, she waved and hurried over.

The family of three walked side by side along the road home, their shadows stretched long by the setting sun.

That night, the South City Courtyard was brightly lit.

After some discussion, the three finally reached an agreement: the entire family would head out to sea together for Deep Sea Whale Hunting.