You Think I'm Afraid? Bring the Ship Alongside!

The Zi Zhenzhu raced ahead on the sea wind, her purple sails billowing as her hull split the waves and threw up white spray.

Zi Zhenzhu lounged at the bow, her long legs propped on the railing as she toyed with a conch shell. The first mate came over and said quietly, "Captain, Haider sent word before he set sail. Said he'd landed a fat sheep. The Sea Demon Ship is heading beyond Black Tide Passage, and he wants us to meet him at sea, same as usual."

"Got it." Zi Zhenzhu tossed the conch up and caught it, her eyes curving with her smile. "That old fox works fast. Come on, let's collect."

She rose and walked toward the mainmast, shouting, "Full sail! All speed!"

The whole ship sprang to life. Pirates hollered as they hauled on the sails, while Zi Zhenzhu stood with her hands on her hips, gazing across the vast sea and calculating how much she could make from this haul.

They had not sailed far when the lookout cried out, pointing into the distance. "Captain! There's a silver tornado bearing down on the Sea Demon Ship!"

Zi Zhenzhu snatched up a spyglass. One look, and her expression changed. That was no tornado. It was a dense swarm of sea wolves. She knew how vicious they were: when they swept through in packs, even Sea Soul Beasts could not escape. She dared not pit her little ship against them.

"Stop! Don't get any closer!" She raised a hand and ordered them to slow down.

The Zi Zhenzhu halted far away. Everyone aboard held their breath, not daring to make a sound as they stared at the silver tornado.

After what felt like ages, a tinge of red appeared in the silver tornado through her spyglass. It