Heaven's Punishment Over the Vast Sea

Listening to the little maid’s sigh of admiration, the young lady never showed the slightest change in expression.

Only when the question was asked did she respond.

Having finished her fragrant tea, she gently set down the cup. Her clear eyes no longer gazed out the window as she began to speak in a calm, unhurried tone.

"Yu'er, as you said, this person has some courage and skill, but that’s all there is to it."

"The Falling Star Ancient Ark is a place where dragons and snakes mingle, and the forces behind it are even more terrifying. Though such individuals are rare, they are still not worth much attention on the ark. In the end, he will have to answer for his actions—just a minor character, nothing more."

Her indifferent tone carried a chilling calmness, and her eyes remained as still as an ancient well.

This young lady’s vision and bearing far surpassed the common folk aboard the ark. The fact that she could sit in the top-floor private chamber was proof of her status. Her innate confidence and composure were beyond what ordinary people could match.

In her eyes, the commotion that had stirred up the surroundings couldn’t even raise a ripple.

The little maid bowed respectfully, regaining some of her own calm.

"Young Miss speaks wisely."

But when she heard the brief mention of the ancient ark, curiosity flickered in her eyes.

"This servant has never heard Young Miss describe another force as ‘terrifying’ before. Even this ancient ark has such a grand background—then the Land of Fallen Divinities must be even more incredible than the legends say, right?"

At these words, the young lady in the long dress paused.

She lifted her gaze, meeting the maid’s expectant eyes. The girl’s face was filled with awe, her restless heart unable to suppress a trace of longing.

The young lady didn’t reprimand her. Instead, a rare hint of yearning flashed in her own eyes.

Gazing at the magnificent scenery outside the window, she murmured softly.

"The Land of Fallen Divinities…"

"The world only knows it as the heart of our Blue Star, a place where only a select few are fortunate enough to tread. But the truth is far more astonishing than the hearsay spread among mortals."

Just this single remark made the little maid tense up even more!

"Young Miss…?"

The young lady’s expression grew solemn, her eyes shining with reverence.

"To reach it, one must traverse tens of thousands of miles of endless seas. Those who dwell there are legends from every domain—founders of sects who have lived for millennia, peerless figures who established heavenly realms, and geniuses whose names are recorded in ancient texts…"

"To put it bluntly, any one of them could dominate any heavenly realm with ease. These figures reside there because the Land of Fallen Divinities possesses resources beyond compare in the outside world!"

"From the fragments left by our ancestors, it seems the Land of Fallen Divinities is filled with boundless blessings. Sacred lands and blessed grounds are everywhere, and the opportunities to comprehend the Great Dao far surpass anything outside. Compared to it, any heavenly realm is nothing but a barren wasteland."

"That is why nearly all the supreme experts of Blue Star brave countless dangers to journey there, seeking the chance to break through their cultivation limits…"

The little maid gasped, covering her mouth in shock, her eyes trembling.

The Land of Fallen Divinities was even more terrifying than she had imagined!

All the supreme experts of Blue Star gathered there—what a horrifying force that must be. Compared to it, any heavenly realm outside paled into insignificance, truly not worth mentioning.

No wonder Young Miss had been so discreet on this journey. The truth was far more frightening than she had realized.

Thinking about the legendary sacred land she was about to witness, the little maid’s heart raced with excitement, like a country girl seeing the world for the first time.

But when she noticed her mistress staring solemnly into the distance, she couldn’t help but step closer in confusion.

"Young Miss…"

"We’ve been sailing on this ancient ark for over half a month now, and we haven’t encountered any danger at all."

"Why did you say that the great experts risk countless perils to make this journey?"

Lin Ruowei stood quietly by the window, then turned back with a warning look.

"Yu'er, this journey is fraught with danger. We must not let our guard down for even a moment."

"We are fortunate to be traveling aboard the ancient ark, spared from disaster along the way—all thanks to the grace of the predecessors from the Land of Fallen Divinities. Without it, attempting to cross these endless seas would be impossible. Forget about the terrifying sea clans and primordial sea beasts—just the chaotic currents of the Great Dao and the countless heavenly tribulations would be enough to reduce all living things to dust."

"The Great Dao is vast and unfathomable. We must remain reverent and grateful."

The little maid’s face turned pale with fright, and she quickly nodded in understanding.

"Yes, Yu'er will remember Young Miss’s teachings and the kindness of our predecessors."

Master and servant stood in silent awe, gazing at the surging waves with longing.

But at that very moment—

The little maid’s expression suddenly stiffened. Her eyes widened in shock as terror flooded her gaze!

In her line of sight—

The once calm and sunny horizon was suddenly overtaken by rolling dark clouds, spreading rapidly across the sky. The sea below churned violently, waves rising several zhang high, crashing relentlessly!

In just a few breaths—

The sky was blotted out by black clouds, lightning splitting the heavens!

The monstrous waves were swept into the air, twisting like dragons amidst the storm. Golden bolts of lightning intertwined with the tempest, forming radiant pillars that connected sky and sea, illuminating the darkness like divine punishment churning the ocean!

The howling winds and thunderclaps were deafening, the roaring tides and clouds resonating endlessly!

Even from thousands of miles away—

The apocalyptic storm surged forward, churning the seas into chaos. The massive ancient ark rocked like a drifting leaf, and shocked cries erupted from the passengers!

The little maid was drenched in cold sweat, clinging to the carved railing, her delicate frame trembling uncontrollably!

"T-This…!"

"What kind of storm is this?! Even heavenly tribulations seem like child’s play in comparison!"

Lin Ruowei managed to maintain her composure, but her jade-like fingers unconsciously tightened around the windowsill.

"This is the legendary Heavenly Punishment of the Endless Seas."

"Thankfully, we have the protection of the ancient ark. Its massive hull, forged from fallen stars, and the countless formations inscribed upon it allow us to safely weather such calamities. Otherwise, we would surely be crushed to nothingness in these seas!"

"Faced with this kind of heavenly punishment, even a senior with high Heavenly Tier cultivation would find survival a slim chance!"

The little maid nodded fearfully, too shaken to speak.

Though the terrifying storm lasted only half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, its horror was seared into her mind. Even after the sea calmed once more, she remained pale and shaken.

She sat quietly beside her mistress, not daring to ask another question!

If even a privileged attendant like her was so terrified, the ordinary passengers on the ark were even more awestruck.

As brilliant sunlight broke through the clouds, its precious warmth filled everyone with gratitude!

"Good heavens…"

"We truly are blessed to be alive!"

"Only now do I realize how rare sunlight truly is!"

"All thanks to the predecessors who built the Falling Star Ancient Ark. Their benevolence is something we will never forget!"

The exclamations of relief and wonder spread throughout the ark, the excitement uncontainable.

By the second-floor railing—

A plump, scheming merchant wore a look of smug satisfaction, his swollen face twisted into a gloating grin.

"Hahaha…!"

"That brat actually dared to lay hands on me! He had no idea how vast the heavens are! In a storm like that, he must be floating dead in the sea by now—soon to become fish food!"

However—

Just as the fat merchant was reveling in his petty triumph, another wave of gasps erupted around him!

"Look! There’s someone in the water!"