Pearl Sea,
Upon the vast, boundless ocean, an ocean-going sailing ship rode the gentle breeze, slowly cutting through the shimmering surface.
This was the Mayflower, a large merchant vessel carrying cargo to Dan'erluo Port. A blue flag fluttered from its bow, bearing the image of a pearl amid rolling waves.
Being permitted to fly this flag meant that the merchant ship was under the protection of the Church of the Ocean Goddess. Most marine creatures would not take the initiative to attack it.
For most sailors, life on an ocean voyage was extraordinarily dull. Their only hope was the occasional banquet where they could drink to their hearts' content, or a brief stop at some port where they could spend their Gold Coins on hard-"working" dancers.
On the merchant ship's deck, the sailors lazily swung their brushes as usual, scrubbing planks eroded by seawater. Splashes danced and leaped with their movements.
The captain paid no mind to the sailors' slacking and continued checking the ship's heading.
There was nothing much to do aboard the ship anyway. It was merely to keep the sailors from growing restless enough to cause trouble.
However, the tranquility was shattered by a cry from the sailor in the crow's nest.
His sharp gaze was fixed firmly on the sea not far away.
There, the once-calm surface had suddenly turned violent and turbulent. Great waves rolled and surged, as though countless behemoths were struggling and roaring beneath the sea.
It was as if an incomparably brutal battle was taking place beneath the raging waves.
The azure seawater was dyed crimson, spreading rapidly as though saturated with blood and turning this once-blue stretch of ocean blood-red.
Bodies constantly floated to the surface amid the scarlet waters.
Some were mangled, their limbs scattered about. Some stared wide-eyed, their