That's Because... I Can't Be Bothered to Pretend.

Lin Xia's voice was flat and emotionless.

"We will be prepared. We will also keep the crew on high alert."

Seeing Lin Xia agree so readily, Haider seemed to have a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, but it was quickly covered up by a respectful smile.

"Yes, yes, yes! We're relieved to hear that! I'll go and tell everyone to get ready!"

He bowed again, then turned and walked toward the control room, his steps seeming lighter than when he arrived.

Lin Xia turned her gaze back to the calm sea, its deep blue surface seemingly concealing countless unknown dangers.

Haider's words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in his heart.

Two more days passed, and the Sea Demon sailed smoothly on the seemingly calm sea.

After suffering from seasickness for the past two days, Hu Liena, Dugu Yan, and the others had not fully recovered their former vitality, but they were finally able to move around on the deck, and their complexions had become rosier.

After breakfast that day, Captain Haider, accompanied by several trusted crew members, strolled over to Lin Xia and her group, who were Gust on the deck, with smiles that were warmer than usual and even somewhat exaggerated.

"Esteemed Lord Soul Master, how was the breakfast?"

Haider's voice was loud and clear, with an excessive eagerness.

Yan had just swallowed the last bite of food when he heard this, and immediately gave a thumbs up and grinned:

"Absolutely delicious! Especially the black caviar, it's so fresh and delicious! I've never had anything this authentic inland before!"

Haider's smugness almost overflowed as he stroked a non-existent beard.

"Of course! If this black caviar were transported inland, it would be worth more than gold! But..."

He abruptly changed the subject, a barely Frisk glint of malice flashing in his eyes, and his smile became meaningful.

"The most wonderful feeling is yet to come. It's almost time."

The smile on Yan's face froze the moment he finished speaking.

He suddenly stumbled, his body swayed, he shook his head violently, his eyes began to glaze over, and he muttered:

"W-what's wrong... I feel a little dizzy..."

Haider's smile instantly turned cold and cruel. He stared at Yan as if he were looking at prey that had fallen into a trap, his voice filled with undisguised mockery.

"That's right, you're going to be dizzy. Who told you to eat the most just now? Oh well, oh well!"

His incantation-like declaration seemed to trigger a chain reaction!

"Well!"

Hu Liena let out a muffled groan, her hands, which had been gripping the ship's railing, suddenly gave way, her delicate body went limp, and she collapsed Flaaffy onto the deck, her captivating fox-like eyes instantly losing their luster.

"Mean!"

Dugu Yan only had time to let out a low shout before the dark green figure, as if its bones had been removed, fell down right after Hu Liena, its face filled with a mixture of shock and anger, yet powerless to resist.

Ye Lingling didn't even make a sound, like a withered orchid, she silently collapsed to the ground, her silvery-white hair spreading out.

Xie Yue's eyes were sharp as knives as he tried to Sheer Force raise his Soul Power, but his body swayed uncontrollably, and he eventually could not resist the intense dizziness and numbness.

With a thud, he knelt on one knee and collapsed completely, but his clenched fists revealed his intense resentment.

Only Lin Xia remained steadfast, like a rock firmly Ingrain in the deck.

His face was expressionless, his deep blue eyes calmly observing everything unfolding before him, as if watching a farce that had nothing to do with him.

This bizarre scene made Haider and his crew burst into triumphant laughter, which sounded particularly jarring on the empty sea.

"Hahaha! It's done!"

Haider was smug, hands on his hips, as if victory was already in his grasp.

"So what if you're Soul Master? Once you're on this vast ocean, that's our Sea Wolf's territory! You can wreak havoc on land, but once you're on this ship, even dragons have to coil up before you!"

His greedy gaze swept over the people lying on the ground, especially the several stunning women, and he licked his lips.

"Hehe, we're really lucky this time! Look at these little rascals, so fair-skinned and tender, and those girls, they're definitely some precious darlings from some noble family who's out for a stroll!"

"If we empty their Soul Tool, we'll be set for life! When the commander finds out, he'll surely reward us handsomely! Hahaha!"

He waved his hand and shouted sternly at the crew behind him:

"What are you all standing there for? Get to work! Tie them all up Sturdy! Just to be safe, dislocate all their joints! That way, they won't have any problems once the drug wears off!"

Several ravenous sailors grinned maliciously, pulled out rough ropes they had prepared beforehand, and were about to step forward.

Just then, Jack, the taciturn first mate beside Haider, suddenly changed his expression.

He nudged Haider, who was immersed in immense joy, his voice tinged with barely Frisk surprise, and pointed at Lin Xia, the only one standing.

"Boss! Something's not right! Look! There's still one who hasn't collapsed! I remember he clearly ate quite a bit just now!"

Haider's laughter stopped abruptly, like a duck being choked.

He turned his head sharply, following the first mate's finger to look at Lin Xia. The smugness on his face froze instantly, then was replaced by astonishment and a hint of barely Frisk panic.

He stared intently at Lin Xia's overly calm face, his brows furrowed, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"How is that possible?! You... how come you didn't..."

As Haider and the sailors stared in disbelief, a cold, piercing smile slowly curved Lin Xia's lips.

A Youyou, low voice rang out, yet it clearly drowned out the roar of the waves, like a cold spring dripping into a deep pool, penetrating straight to the heart.

"I didn't fall?"

Lin Xia tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with mockery and cold sarcasm.

"That's because... I'm too lazy to pretend."

He paused, his gaze, Icicle Spear as an icicle, sweeping over Haider's face, which had turned deathly pale, his voice carrying a chillingly amused tone.

"Isn't the process of going from great joy to great sorrow even more exciting?"

As his words, which sounded like a pronouncement, fell, the weakness and numbness that had been emanating from the unconscious people on the deck suddenly dissipated!

Hu Liena gave a soft hum, and like a nimble fox spirit, she nimbly flipped to her feet, brushed the dust off her skirt, and there was no trace of confusion in her fox-like eyes.

All that remained was a chilling murderous intent and a trace of anger at being fooled.

Dugu Yan let out a cold laugh, her dark green figure leaping up like a serpent. She flexed her wrist, dark green Soul Power swirling around her fingertips, her gaze fixed on Haider as if she were looking at a dead man.

"Drugs? Ha! When I was playing with poisons, you were still fishing in the sea! You dare to show off this cheap stuff?"