Three days later, aboard a Wave-Breaking Boat over three hundred feet long in Green Wave Island's outer harbor, Han Li had changed into the standard blue robes of a Formation Pavilion steward. With a token hanging at his waist, he stood at the bow with three colleagues, waiting to depart. All four had been assigned by the Formation Pavilion to assist the Battle Guard Hall's patrol. Besides Han Li, there was Chen Song, a middle-aged formation master at the foundation establishment early stage, and two young disciples at the late stage of qi refining. Their expressions differed: Chen Song's brows were slightly knitted, as though something troubled him, while the two young disciples could barely conceal their excitement and apprehension.
"Senior Brother Li, we're heading to Ghost-Crying Reef this time. I heard space is unstable there, and vicious beasts appear from time to time. Will we really be all right?" a round-faced disciple asked quietly.
Han Li remained calm. "Just mind your duties and follow Steward Zhou's arrangements." His gaze swept across the harbor. Several larger warships lay at a distant wharf, their banners snapping in the wind, murderous intent rolling off them. They belonged to the Battle Guard Hall's main force. His group was merely a supporting squad.
Before long, a silver streak of flight light descended, revealing Zhou Tao. He surveyed the four, his gaze lingering briefly on Han Li, then nodded. "Everyone's here. Board the boat."
A pale blue barrier rose around the Wave-Breaking Boat as it slowly left the harbor, heading southeast toward the outskirts of the Shattered Star Sea. After three days of sailing, the waters grew increasingly desolate. Lead-gray clouds hung low overhead, and the sea breeze carried a briny stench and a faint, elusive sense of spatial disorder. Enormous fish skeletons occasionally drifted