A human figure?
The Fat Merchant froze at the sound and turned his head in confusion.
The crowd to the right stirred with surprise, already breaking into animated discussion.
"Seems like a human figure just flew past..."
"Yes, yes, I think I saw it too!"
"My cultivation is shallow, but I also heard a 'whoosh'!"
"That's right! That figure flashed by and vanished; it seems to have already gone far away!"
The crowd's discussion grew ever fiercer, as though it really had happened.
People nearby were drawn over, constantly asking about the strange sight as astonishment and excitement began to spread.
Watching the group make such a noisy fuss.
A trace of contempt flashed through the Fat Merchant's lowered eyes.
Then he strode forward, cupped his fists, and spoke with the smile of a seasoned old hand.
"Hehe..."
"Gentlemen, you must be joking."
"We have ridden the Meteor Ancient Boat across the sea for over a month and have now ventured deep into the Sea Heavenly Punishment. Seeing seafolk or Ancient Sea Beasts would be perfectly normal, but how could there possibly be a human figure on the sea?"
"I imagine this is your first time heading to the Land of Fallen Gods. You were frightened by that phenomenon just now, so you must have had hallucinations."
With a few words, the Fat Merchant brought the scene under control, wearing the air of a man rich in experience.
Seeing the crowd stare at him in doubt.
He became even more certain that these passengers were all inexperienced greenhorns. There would surely be chances to manipulate them in the future—solid business opportunities!
At that thought, the Fat Merchant smiled and tried to smooth things over.
"It is only natural for those riding an ancient boat for the first time to be