Narrow Path for Enemies

Yi Feng rode slowly toward the harbor.

People streamed past him toward the colossal vessel, and he gazed enviously for a moment at the four massive characters emblazoned on its hull—Starcross Ancient Ark.

After a long look, Yi Feng prepared to move on.

A hundred million immortal crystals was an utterly staggering price.

Spending that much just to board a ship? Better to save it for something far more important.

Just as he was about to head into the sea, a voice called out from behind.

"Brother! The Starcross Ancient Ark is about to depart—please board quickly!"

Yi Feng turned at the sound.

A plainly dressed young man stood on the deck, smiling as he looked Yi Feng’s way.

Glancing around, Yi Feng realized no one else was nearby.

He was baffled.

"Thanks for the reminder," Yi Feng said.

"But I don’t have a ticket. You must have the wrong person…?"

The young man blinked, then chuckled apologetically.

"Brother, you jest."

"Riding the Starcross Ancient Ark requires no ticket—nor any cost at all."

What the hell?

No ticket needed? Had he almost been scammed?

He’d assumed the earlier guy was just a scalper, but it turned out he was running a full-on con?

Yi Feng’s eyes widened.

"You’re absolutely sure it’s free? Don’t mess with me!"

The young man had already extended a welcoming hand.

"All who seek the Land of Fallen Gods may board the Starcross Ancient Ark. This is common knowledge, brother. Please, come aboard!"

His earnest demeanor was convincing enough that Yi Feng, still half-doubting, clasped his hands in polite acknowledgment.

"Alright, thank you."

Even as he led his mount up the gangway, he couldn’t quite believe it. Who’d have thought the cultivation world could be this cutthroat? If not for his frugal nature, he’d have been swindled out of a fortune!

How many other greenhorns had that scammer bled dry?

At least he’d dodged that disaster.

Since he hadn’t lost anything, Yi Feng didn’t dwell on it.

Following the young man’s guidance, he ascended the darkwood staircase to the ark’s deck.

The deck teemed with passengers—too many to count at a glance. Some hawked wares, others chatted, and a few sat cross-legged in meditation. The lively, mundane atmosphere made it feel like a bustling street straight out of the martial world.

Yi Feng found an empty spot and settled down.

As countless cultivators boarded, the ark finally set sail half a day later with a deep, resonant hum.

The harbor and sea seemed to merely recede at first, but in the blink of an eye, they were already hundreds of miles behind.

Waves churned violently across the ocean, yet the ancient ark stood unshaken like a mountain.

Walking its deck felt as steady as solid ground. No storm could sway this behemoth—a vessel like this could probably traverse the entire Star’s End without trouble.

Leisurely admiring the seascape, Yi Feng’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

…

Half a month passed in a flash.

The ark sailed smoothly across the Boundless Blue, cutting through towering rivers and skirting countless islands. They even encountered massive, unnamed sea creatures along the way. The sights were breathtaking, the wonders never-ending.

Today, the sunset bled crimson over the water, scattering golden ripples as the ark plowed forward. From above, the scene was like a painting.

Yet as Yi Feng stood on the deck, a hint of weariness crept into his gaze.

He’d grown numb to the beauty.

With time pressing, how could he spare the energy to gawk at scenery every day?

The initial novelty and excitement had long faded into monotony.

It was like the so-called peerless beauties—unattainable dreams to common folk, but old news to those who’d had their fill.

At this rate…

How much longer until they reached the Land of Fallen Gods?

Irritated, Yi Feng propped his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

Then came heavy footsteps and a familiar voice.

"Well, well."

"Fate works in mysterious ways. Who’d have thought we’d meet again?"

Turning, Yi Feng saw the portly merchant from before!

The man stood with one hand behind his back and the other resting pompously on his belly, smirking as he swaggered over.

Yi Feng’s expression darkened.

This damn scammer…

No remorse, no shame—and now he had the nerve to strike up a conversation?

The merchant stepped closer, eyes dripping with mockery.

"Tsk tsk. Didn’t you swear you wouldn’t board the ark?"

"I thought you had some skill, planning to cross the sea on your own. Turns out you’re all talk—ended up here just like the rest of us!"

His voice wasn’t loud, but none aboard the ark were ordinary. They didn’t need divine sense to hear every word.

Curious onlookers began to gather, smirking as if eager for a spectacle to break the voyage’s tedium.

Yi Feng gave him a flat look.

"You’ve got no shame, coming over to chat like this."

"One more word, and I’ll toss you into the sea to feed the fish."

The moment the words left his mouth, the crowd of spectators swelled.

The scammer threw his head back and laughed, oozing arrogance.

"Toss me into the sea?"

"Hahaha…!"

"You really are a clueless newbie! Everyone knows private fights are forbidden on the Starcross Ancient Ark. Not even a mighty overlord would dare break that rule!"

"All bark, no bite—go on, try it! I’m right here, annoying you. What’re you gonna do about it?"

"Come on, I dare you—GYAH!"

His taunting bravado ended mid-sentence as he went flying over the railing!

SPLASH!

A heavy impact, a soaring arc—and then the sea erupted as a flailing figure cursed up a storm.

"Holy shit?!"

"You—you actually did it?!"

The suddenness left the onlookers stunned, their eyes bulging.

Yi Feng coldly watched the fat man flounder in the brine, his face impassive.

"You asked for it."

At this point, he feared nothing—not even death. Why would he back down from a scammer?

He hadn’t planned to bother with the fool, but the guy kept pushing, acting like the world owed him deference. How could Yi Feng not oblige such a request?

As more and more people took notice, the deck grew crowded with murmurs and fearful pointing.

"Holy hell!"

"Who’s the madman behind this?!"

"Today’s the day—someone actually started a fight on the Starcross Ancient Ark!"

"Tsk tsk. A once-in-ten-millennium spectacle!"

"Must be some outsider who doesn’t know the rules. He’s in for it now—might even lose his life over this!"

The hushed warnings grew louder, and Yi Feng’s eyes lit up.

Lose his life…?

Just for throwing a scammer overboard?

Well, damn!

If he’d known that, he’d have done it sooner!

Just as his excitement peaked, the crowd abruptly fell silent.

Spectators parted down the middle as a squad of uniformed guards materialized, their leader’s icy glare sweeping the area.

"Audacious! Who dares brawl on these sacred decks?!"