Eliminate Tang Hao Soon to Prevent Future Trouble

Shui Bing'er spread her wings and soared above the clouds, the mountains below sweeping backward like rolling green waves.

The breeze brushed against her face, and the abundant vitality within her body, along with the lightness emanating from her right leg, made her feel freer than ever before.

Just as she was enjoying this brand-new flying experience, Xu Feng's voice suddenly rang out in her mind:

"Bing'er, there's something I need to remind you of. The person to whom the Blue Silver Emperor willingly sacrificed herself was Tang Hao, a figure who once dominated the entire Douluo Continent."

Tang Hao?

Shui Bing'er was unfamiliar with that name.

Yet from the words "once dominated the entire Douluo Continent" alone, she could sense the immense weight it carried.

"Phoenix Brother, who is Tang Hao?"

"He was one of the most dazzling figures of over a decade ago—the Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao. Though he has vanished for many years, he is still alive."

Shui Bing'er's heart tightened.

"Clear Sky Douluo? Is he from the Clear Sky Sect?"

Xu Feng explained:

"Tang Hao is the son of the previous Clear Sky Sect Master, though he has now been expelled from the sect.

"He is fierce and stubborn by nature.

"He shared a deep bond with the Blue Silver Emperor and can sense her aura.

"If he detects the Blue Silver Emperor's aura on you, he will surely take his anger out on you, perhaps even on all of Skywater Academy.

"So do not use the right leg bone lightly.

"Of course, you need not worry.

"Though Tang Hao is powerful, he suffered nearly irreversible severe internal injuries in that battle years ago. His strength is no longer what it once was.

"With our strength, there is naturally no need to fear him.

"If that day truly comes, we will have to eliminate him to prevent future trouble."

A chill ran down Shui Bing'er's spine. The joy of having fused with the soul bone was greatly dampened by this enormous hidden risk.

Just as Xu Feng had said, while they did not fear Tang Hao, they also had to consider the teachers and students of Skywater Academy, as well as their family and friends.

After all, Tang Hao was a powerful figure who possessed the Clear Sky Hammer and a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. If he truly went mad, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"Phoenix Brother, I know what to do."

"With me here, don't worry."

"Mm."

Several days later.

The grandfather and granddaughter, who had traveled west all the way, finally arrived at Vast Sea City, the major city on the westernmost frontier of the Heaven Dou Empire, bordering the boundless ocean.

A faint salty, fishy scent began to permeate the air.

This coastal city differed greatly from inland cities.

The streets were broad, the people dark-skinned, and their clothing simple and practical.

A faint salty, fishy scent hung in the air.

The two purchased ample supplies from the shops in the city: fresh water, long-lasting food, detailed nautical charts, compasses for determining direction, and more.

Xu Feng reminded her:

"Bing'er, go take a look at the city's auction house. We are heading deep into the sea to hunt a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Ordinary ships and sailors would not dare venture there. We need a nautical Soul Tool that you can control yourselves and that can operate underwater."

"Oh."

Shui Bing'er relayed Xu Feng's suggestion to Leng Jun:

"Grandfather, Senior Phoenix told us to buy a nautical Soul Tool at the auction house."

"Alright, let's go take a look."

Leng Jun trusted the words of "Senior Phoenix" completely.

This senior had brought them far too many surprises.

He had guided him in condensing a Soul Core, given him immortal herbs to consume and greatly increased his strength, and even brought Shui Bing'er a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone.

He had no reason not to trust this senior.

After asking around, the two arrived at Vast Sea City's largest auction house.

The auction house was bustling with voices.

Most of the items currently being auctioned were pearls, rare sea soul beast bones, or special ores.

The grandfather and granddaughter waited patiently.

At last, a somewhat obscure auction item was brought forth.

It was a small, exquisite model boat, milky white all over and smooth as jade. About a foot long, it was crafted with exceptional beauty.

At the bow stood a majestic dragon's head, its eyes gleaming brightly.

The stern resembled a proudly raised fish tail, its lines sleek and fluid.

Four fin-like wing plates extended from each side of the hull.

The auctioneer introduced it:

"The next item is a nautical Soul Tool named the 'Dragon Abyss Boat.'

"Powered by Soul Power, this boat can transform into a physical vessel approximately twelve meters long and two meters in diameter. Its interior is spacious enough to accommodate more than ten people.

"Not only can it sail across the sea, but it can also dive into the deep ocean, reaching depths of up to three hundred meters. It is an excellent aid for exploring the sea and uncovering hidden mysteries.

"The starting bid is ten thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

A wave of discussion rose from below the stage.

However, no one made a bid.

The Dragon Abyss Boat's defensive capabilities were limited. It could only withstand attacks from sea soul beasts at the hundred-year level.

In the perilous deep sea, it was rather useless against ten-thousand-year soul beasts.

That was also why it had failed to sell several times before.

For deep-sea exploration, insufficient defense was a fatal flaw.

Everyone abandoned the idea of bidding.

Xu Feng said, "Bing'er, let's take this one. We'll have to rely on ourselves for battles at sea anyway; we only need a suitable vessel to assist with sailing. Its diving capability and flexible control make it quite practical."

"Alright."

Shui Bing'er had her grandfather bid on the nautical Soul Tool.

No one competed with them.

In the end, Leng Jun successfully purchased the Dragon Abyss Boat, which had gone unsold many times, for ten thousand Gold Soul Coins.

After preparing everything, the two rented a medium-sized seagoing vessel at the docks, hired experienced sailors, and set sail toward the deep-sea region marked on the nautical chart.

For the first few days, the voyage went smoothly. The sea was calm, and they occasionally saw seabirds flying low overhead and low-level sea soul beasts leaping from the water.

But as time passed, the seawater gradually changed from light blue to deep blue, then into a dark indigo that made one's heart tremble.

The sea was no longer calm, and invisible undercurrents surged beneath its surface.

The sky was also often shrouded in heavy, leaden clouds.

After sailing for half a month, the ship had entered a deep-sea region where ten-thousand-year soul beasts often appeared.

The sailors no longer dared to proceed.

Shui Bing'er and Leng Jun did not force them.

The two left the ship and released the Dragon Abyss Boat.

The Dragon Abyss Boat landed on the sea and transformed into a spindle-shaped vessel around twelve meters long, its lines sleek and elegant.

The two lightly descended into the boat.

"Grandpa, I'll give it a try."

"Mm. Take it slowly. There's no rush."

Shui Bing'er tried controlling the Dragon Abyss Boat.

After she infused it with a thread of Soul Power, the Dragon Abyss Boat gave a slight tremble before slicing through the dark sea like a nimble white fish.

Shui Bing'er channeled her Soul Power, guiding the unusual Soul Tool to float atop the waves at times and dive a hundred meters beneath the surface at others.

Leng Jun sat cross-legged inside the boat, his eyes closed in concentration. His Soul Power circulated slowly as he remained ready to respond to any sudden situation.

The sights of the deep sea were completely different from those of the shallows.

The light filtering through layer after layer of seawater became faint and mysterious.

Massive seaweed swayed like a forest.

From time to time, enormous black shadows swept past in the distance, stirring the undercurrents.

After several hours, Shui Bing'er had already become proficient at controlling the Dragon Abyss Boat.

Two days later.

Shui Bing'er piloted the Dragon Abyss Boat to a region of unusual terrain marked on the nautical chart.

Not far ahead lay an undersea rift valley.

Legend had it that the rift valley was occupied by a powerful deep-sea monster.

Just then, Xu Feng's voice rang out:

"Bing'er, slow down. I can sense an unusual fluctuation of spiritual power."

"Alright."

Shui Bing'er's heart tightened, and she immediately slowed the Dragon Abyss Boat.