Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber

A month later, the crew of the Mystic Tortoise gathered once more at Xiling Harbor's docks.

This time, they would follow Xia Shi deep into the sea to hunt Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Soul Beasts.

"You'd better think this through."

Xia Shi solemnly addressed the veteran crew members. "We're heading into the deep sea this time. Our target is a Whale Soul Beast that's over ten thousand years old. The danger is no small matter. Are you really coming with me?"

Zhang Feng tipped back a mouthful of liquor, wiped his mouth boldly, and said, "Boss, say no more."

"Wherever you go, I'll follow."

"Same here."

Sun Chuanjun smiled and chimed in.

Even the usually steady Li Zhishu stepped forward and said, "Count me in."

"You guys..."

Looking at these old companions who had followed him for over a decade, Xia Shi could not help but feel his eyes sting.

"You grown men are getting all sentimental. What kind of sight is this? Are we leaving or not?"

Huo Yang's teasing voice came from aboard the Mystic Tortoise.

Xia Yang also called from the deck, "Dad, uncles, get on board!"

"Haha, Sister-in-law can't wait anymore."

Zhang Feng laughed heartily.

"Boarding!"

Sun Chuanjun shouted and was the first to step aboard.

Xia Shi, Zhang Feng, and Li Zhishu followed close behind, boarding the Mystic Tortoise one after another.

"Mystic Tortoise, set sail!"

Captain Xia Shi stood proudly at the bow and gave the command with high spirits.

Beneath the morning sun, the Mystic Tortoise slowly departed Xiling Harbor, cutting through the waves toward the vast deep sea.

After three days of sailing, the Mystic Tortoise finally left the coastal waters and departed from its usual trade route, entering a channel specifically used for hunting spirit beasts.

They sailed for another two days before unknowingly entering the deep-sea area.

The seawater here was a deep dark blue, and the air carried an aura entirely different from that of the coastal waters. Sea Soul Beasts occasionally leaped from the sea surface.

"Woooo—"

The Mystic Tortoise sailed slowly across the deep blue sea surface. The surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of sea waves lapping against the ship side could be heard.

Suddenly, a long, low whale cry came from ahead and to the side.

Following that, several similar cries rang out in succession.

They echoed one another, as though passing along some kind of message.

"Captain, target spotted."

At the lookout atop the mast, Zhang Feng shaded his eyes with one hand and squinted as he gazed into the distance.

Where sea and sky met, several enormous water columns shot into the air, bursting forth like fountains.

Then, several massive creatures broke through the water one after another. Their dark black backs gleamed with a metallic sheen beneath the sunlight.

"What kind of Whale Soul Beast is it? What are their exact ages?"

Xia Shi strode quickly to the bow, raised his head, and called out.

Zhang Feng observed for a moment before lowering his head and shouting, "They're Split Sea Mysterious Dragon Whales!"

"The leader has around thirty thousand years of cultivation. Even the smallest one is just over ten thousand years old."

"There are seven or eight of them in total. Looks like a family group."

Standing beside his father, Xia Yang immediately continued, "Split Sea Mysterious Dragon Whales are huge and slender, with streamlined bodies and raised backs. They are exceptionally skilled at diving."

"Their most distinctive feature is the several-meter-long horn on their heads. It's said that it can easily tear through steel."

"How are their strength and speed?"

Xia Shi pressed, his gaze fixed on the distant Whale Group.

After thinking briefly, Xia Yang answered, "These Spirit Beasts possess astonishing strength and are particularly skilled at charging with their horns."

"However, their other offensive methods are relatively limited, and they aren't especially fast."

"Other than that thirty-thousand-year leader, the other Mysterious Dragon Whales probably can't catch up to our Mystic Tortoise."

This analysis immediately excited the crew.

"Captain, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Sun Chuanjun rubbed his hands together and said, "We encountered such a target the moment we entered the deep sea. The Sea God is truly watching over us."

Zhang Feng leaped down from the lookout, landing on the deck with a heavy thud. "If Heaven offers it and we refuse, we'll only bring trouble upon ourselves."

"Boss, give the order."

Xia Shi looked around. Seeing everyone's fighting spirit blazing, he finally made up his mind. "Good. Then we move!"

"Mystic Tortoise, approach the Whale Group from the flank. On my command, focus fire on that thirty-thousand-year leader first."

"Yes!"

Everyone answered in unison and quickly took their positions.

The Mystic Tortoise silently adjusted course, approaching the Whale Group as quietly as a hunting leopard.

At the bow, Xia Shi and Huo Yang stood side by side, the Soul Power Fluctuations around them growing increasingly intense.

Suddenly, two powerful surges of Soul Power erupted.

"Martial Soul: North Mystic Black Tortoise, Body Attachment."

"Martial Soul: Blazing Flame Tiger, Body Attachment."

As the phantom forms of their Martial Souls merged into their bodies, a deep blue radiance spread all over Xia Shi's body, while heavy tortoise armor covered him from head to toe.

Huo Yang, meanwhile, was enveloped in crimson Soul Power. Yellow-and-black tiger stripes emerged across her skin, and her hands transformed into sharp tiger claws.

After completing their Martial Soul Possession, the husband and wife clasped their ten fingers together, their Soul Power beginning to merge at an astonishing speed.

"Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Icefire Cage."

A light beam of red and blue intertwined shot from their tightly clasped hands, accurately striking the distant leader of the Whale Group.

In an instant, a cage formed of Ice Fire Energy firmly trapped the thirty-thousand-year Split Sea Mysterious Dragon Whale.

"Roar—wooo—"

The trapped leader of the Whale Group let out an enraged cry and rammed frantically against the energy cage.

"Now!"

Xia Shi shouted.

The crew members, who had long been poised to strike, immediately launched their attacks:

"Sixth Soul Skill: Blazing Flame Tornado."

"Sixth Soul Skill: Profound Ice Spike."

"Fifth Soul Skill: Golden Sky-Splitting Slash."

"Fifth Soul Skill: Gale Stab."

"First Soul Skill: Icefire Roar Bullet."

Soul skills of every color poured down upon the trapped Giant Whale like a raging storm.

Deafening explosions rang out one after another, blasting waves dozens of meters high from the sea surface.

When the curtain of water fell, everyone saw that a horrifying hole had been blasted open in the Split Sea Mysterious Dragon Whale's back, its internal organs Clearly Visible.

With one final mournful cry, the Giant Beast that had dominated the deep sea finally lost its life.

"Don't just stand there! Chase the other targets!"

Huo Yang's reminder snapped everyone back to their senses.

Unfortunately, it was already too late. The remaining Split Sea Mysterious Dragon Whales had taken the opportunity to dive into the deep sea and vanished without a trace.

"What a pity. We let them get away."

Xia Shi shook his head regretfully.

Sun Chuanjun sighed. "An opportunity like this is truly rare."

"Stop dwelling on it."

Huo Yang had already leaped onto the whale corpse and called to the others, "Hurry up and break it down. With such a strong Blood Aroma, it should draw other Deep Sea Soul Beasts here soon."

Only then did everyone wake up fully. They grabbed their tools and jumped onto the whale corpse to begin dismantling it.

Sharp blades sliced through the tough whale skin, and the valuable whale meat, muscles and bones were separated in an orderly manner.

The most eye-catching item was the several-meter-long horn, which glimmered with a dark light beneath the sun.

All of these were rare materials that could fetch astronomical prices on the market.

Xia Shi carefully cut open the Giant Whale's skull and took out an object that shone with an amber luster.

This was the objective of their journey: the Whale Rubber of a thirty-thousand-year Split Sea Mysterious Dragon Whale.