Bing Yekong had Feng Xiaotian furl half the main sail and switch to the smaller sails to keep the ship steady. Though they were slower, at least they had not veered off course.
On the evening of the twelfth day, the color of the sea began to change.
The seawater had previously been a clear blue-green, and they could see schools of fish swimming several yards beneath the hull.
But at dusk that day, the water suddenly turned a deep inky blue, so dark it seemed mixed with ink. Even the spray churned up by the oars was gloomy.
The seabirds were gone as well. A few gulls had followed the ship in the previous days, but upon entering these waters, the sky and sea were utterly empty.
Standing behind the helm, Feng Xiaotian muttered, "There's something wrong with the color of this water. It's creepy."
Huo Wu poked her head out of the cabin and took a look, frowning. "It's like something huge is down there... The water's color was stirred up."
Bing Yekong's brow twitched slightly. He walked to the rail and looked down. Something seemed to be swimming slowly in the depths of the inky-blue water. Its outline was astonishingly enormous, and as it passed beneath the ship, they could feel the current subtly shifting the hull.
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud glowed at the base of the mast. Its blue light was more intense than ever before, while the light patterns within its tower-like body spun frantically, as though issuing a warning.
Bing Yekong turned and said, "Pick up speed. Full speed through these waters."
Huo Wushuang and Feng Xiaotian moved at once, pulling the furled canvas taut again.
The Wave Chaser suddenly listed as its bow split the waves and surged forward.
The keel gave