In the thirty-fifth year of Incense Accumulation, on the sea off Northsky Island.
A rogue cultivator sped out from the islands, riding his escape artifact eastward.
He was an early Foundation Establishment cultivator, relying on his century of cultivation to cross the sea alone.
Suddenly, a streak of sword light shot out of the water below.
Someone seemed to have been lying in wait for a long time. A swift, clean thrust pierced his body, and an invisible force snatched the treasure pouch at his waist before fleeing into the depths.
The attacker used water escape, one of the Five Elements escape techniques. Concealing himself in the boundless sea, he vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.
Much later, another streak of escape light arrived. Spotting the gravely wounded man floating on the sea, the newcomer hurried down to rescue him.
Soon, the wounded man was brought back to the island. After examining him, an expert physician could not help sighing. "Another robbery victim. This fellow Daoist was blessed with extraordinary luck-he actually survived!"
"I think he would have been better off dead. He hasn't a penny left, and most of his cultivation has been crippled." Someone beside him shook his head.
"You can't say that. As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn," the physician said.
Just then, the alarm bell in the clinic suddenly rang out.
Everyone in the room froze briefly at the sound, then several of them went out front.
There, they saw people carrying in a number of mortals and Qi Refining cultivators.
Their injuries had all been inflicted by thunderfire blasts and arrows, weapons used extensively aboard treasure ships.
"Why are so many people suddenly injured? Was a treasure ship robbed?"
"Fellow Daoist Huang, you