"More importantly, that seductive woman is no ordinary figure."
Yan Yang paused, then added, "Her charm arts are sinister, and her concealment techniques are exceptionally sophisticated. The way she looked at us earlier was clearly hostile. I doubt she'll let this go."
Lin Wenyuan's expression grew grave. "Brother Yan, are you saying she might attack us?"
"It's very likely."
"I keep feeling that her aura is familiar, like... an evil cultivator I've heard about before."
Yan Yang touched the Bronze Tree inside his robes. "Be extra careful from now on, especially when resting at night. Make sure you take turns keeping watch. Don't give her an opening."
The three nodded. After this incident, they too realized that the dangers of this voyage far exceeded their expectations, and no longer dared let their guard down.
Over the next few days, the Spirit Boat sailed steadily deeper into the South Sea. The mist over the water thickened until visibility fell below a thousand feet.
Every day, Yan Yang stood at the bow, using the Bronze Tree's power to probe for movement nearby while keeping an eye on the other cultivators aboard.
He paid particular attention to the seductive woman and the young dandy in yellow robes. Ever since that day, neither had appeared again, as though they had vanished entirely.
This unnatural calm made the unease in Yan Yang's heart grow stronger.
On the morning of the fifth day, the Spirit Boat suddenly rocked violently, and startled cries rose from the deck.
Yan Yang and his three companions immediately rushed out of their cabin. At some point, vast clouds of black miasma had appeared over the sea. Countless red shadows flitted through them, hurtling toward the Spirit Boat.
"Evil cultivators! There are so many of them!"
The cultivators on deck panicked and