Misjudged

A human figure?

The plump, cunning merchant was taken aback by the commotion and turned his head in confusion.

To the right, the crowd buzzed with astonishment, their voices rising in heated discussion.

"I think I saw a figure flying past just now..."

"Exactly! I think I caught a glimpse of it too!"

"My cultivation is shallow, but I definitely heard a 'whoosh' sound!"

"That's right! The figure flashed by and vanished in an instant!"

The chatter grew more fervent, as if the sighting were undeniable.

The surrounding passengers were drawn in, eagerly exchanging rumors, their faces alight with excitement and awe.

Watching the crowd's exaggerated reactions,

the plump merchant's eyes flickered with disdain beneath lowered lids.

He then strode forward, wearing a practiced smile, and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Heh heh..."

"Gentlemen, you must be joking."

"We've been aboard this Ancient Star Vessel for over a month, deep into the Boundless Sea. If you'd spotted sea tribes or primordial sea beasts, that would be one thing—but a human figure on the water? Impossible!"

"No doubt, this is your first journey to the Land of Fallen Gods. The recent celestial phenomenon must have startled you, leading to hallucinations."

His words instantly commanded attention, his tone dripping with seasoned authority.

Seeing the crowd's uncertain stares,

he grew even more confident—these passengers were clearly novices, ripe for exploitation. A golden business opportunity!

With this in mind, the merchant smiled warmly and played the peacemaker.

"It's only natural for first-time travelers to be startled by such phenomena. Hallucinations are to be expected. To remain so composed after witnessing the Sea's Heavenly Punishment—your composure puts me to shame!"

"I am Tao Qianhai, and I know a thing or two about the Land of Fallen Gods. Should any of you face difficulties, I’d be happy to assist!"

His speech was a masterclass in diplomacy—flattering the crowd while subtly introducing himself.

As expected,

some among them would surely take the bait, becoming his next victims.

This was the sharp intuition of a true businessman!

Just as Tao Qianhai smugly clasped his hands,

a fresh wave of exclamations erupted from the left side of the vessel—louder and more electrifying than before!

"Holy shit!"

"Am I seeing things? There really is someone on the water!"

"Who is this exalted figure, riding a mount across the Boundless Sea?!"

"Such unfathomable cultivation! Truly awe-inspiring!"

The uproar sent everyone scrambling to the carved railings, craning their necks in excitement.

Tao Qianhai, who had just begun to assert control, was suddenly ignored. Not only had he lost potential customers, but his face also twisted in humiliation.

Gritting his teeth, he spun around indignantly.

Damn it...

I refuse to believe anyone can traverse the Boundless Sea like this!

When Tao Qianhai turned to look,

his anger faltered.

There, unmistakably, was a figure on the distant waves. As his gaze dropped to the strange silhouette of the rider's mount, recognition dawned—his eyes widening in shock.

"Could it be...?"

On the sea, under the gaze of countless onlookers,

Yi Feng rode his slow-moving mount and glanced back.

After scrutinizing the ancient vessel for a moment, he scratched his head in surprise.

"Huh?"

"I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me earlier, but it really is that giant ship from before. It’s moving so slowly..."

Having wandered the sea for so long on his sluggish steed, Yi Feng had encountered nothing of note.

Traveling alone across the water was tedious—aside from gathering some seafood along the way, he'd found nothing worthwhile. Earlier, he'd even gotten his clothes nearly soaked. What rotten luck!

And all that talk about danger?

Pure nonsense!

At the sight of the ancient ship, Yi Feng suddenly felt as if he were reuniting with an old friend. Whether or not he could board it didn’t matter—gathering some information would still be worthwhile.

With that thought, Yi Feng urged his slow-moving mount closer.

As he approached,

the bizarre snail-like steed came into full view, and the faces of those aboard became clearer.

Gradually…

A wave of shocked exclamations erupted from the ancient ship, with a dense crowd pressing against the carved railings!

“Hiss!”

“H-him! Isn’t that the guy who got thrown off the ship earlier?!”

“Holy shit!”

“It really is him!”

“How is he completely unharmed after that terrifying storm?!”

As the uproar exploded,

Tao Qianhai’s face twisted in horror as he shoved his way to the front of the crowd!

“Impossible…”

“This is absolutely impossible!”

“For countless years, no one has ever crossed the sea alone, nor has anyone emerged unscathed from the Heaven’s Wrath of the Canghai!”

When Tao Qianhai confirmed it was Yi Feng, he was so terrified his soul nearly left his body. He even let out a frantic scream, shedding all traces of his usual cunning and composure.

This was utterly unbelievable!

A single man.

Had crossed the Canghai without a scratch, untouched even by Heaven’s Wrath. Such a thing had never been heard of—it was beyond absurd!

Was this even human?!

And to make it worse, the man in question was Yi Feng, the reckless fool he despised the most!

Damn it!

His worldview shattered instantly, and Tao Qianhai’s Dao heart teetered on the verge of collapse!

His roar drew the attention of the entire crowd.

Yi Feng also noticed the pig-faced man pushing through the throng.

Pointing and shouting accusations, his spit even splattering onto the lower deck—even now, after all this time, he was just as repulsive!

Originally, Yi Feng had only intended to ask for some information.

But seeing the sleazy merchant’s ugly face again, irritation flared within him!

In a flash, he leaped onto the ancient ship and grabbed the man!

A “whoosh” cut through the air, followed by a “splash” as water sprayed everywhere!

After the familiar two-part sound effect,

the fat swindler was in the water again, leaving the onlookers utterly stunned!

The crowd backed away in awe, too afraid to comment on Yi Feng’s ruthless actions. Yet, deep down, they knew—this was bound to bring disaster!

But after several tense moments of silence, nothing happened.

Exchanging confused glances, the bystanders had no clue what was going on.

Even Yi Feng, who had been waiting, furrowed his brow in puzzlement.

Wasn’t it said

that private fights on the ancient ship could result in severe punishment, even death?

This was already his third offense—surely that counted as “severe,” right?

So why was no one coming?

Following the gazes of a few people, he looked toward the front of the ship.

From the quiet chamber of the law enforcement team, only the refined sounds of music and dance could be heard.

Instantly,

the sea of dark figures froze in place, staring at Yi Feng with a mix of awe and confusion. Even if they couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason, their respect for him had undeniably grown.

Inside the chamber,

upon hearing his subordinate’s report and inquiry, the captain of the law enforcement team waved dismissively.

“Let it go.”

“Our duties are too important to waste energy on trivial matters. There’s no need to pay this any further attention. Maintaining order on the ancient ship is our priority.”

The subordinates exchanged subtle glances, taken aback.

These men were no ordinary guards—over countless millennia, they had witnessed all sorts of figures and understood the ways of the world deeply.

Their captain was known for his strictness. Since when did he become so… lax?

Tao Qianhai had been muddling through for years, long becoming a source of irritation. Wasting energy on such a person was truly unnecessary. As for the stranger who crossed the vast sea, he was exceptionally formidable. Stirring conflict over such a trivial matter would be an even greater loss.

In all things, strength commands respect.

Today’s events had already reached their conclusion—turning a blind eye was the wisest course of action.

The law enforcement team exchanged glances, their eyes soon alight with understanding.

In unison, they raised their cups.

“The captain is wise!”

The law enforcement captain gave a faint nod, lifting his cup in response.

“For now, there are no major matters at hand. You may rest briefly, but do not indulge too much in drink. Let the music play on, and the dancing continue!”

As the drums and music resounded, the ancient vessel accelerated across the sea.

The portly swindler was left far behind in the churning waves, struggling and shouting for a long while. Yet no one lifted a hand to help. Realizing the ancient vessel was pulling away, he gradually sensed the direness of his situation and cried out in desperate, servile panic.

“Help! My lords, save me!”

“I’m a passenger on that vessel too! You can’t just leave me to die! I won’t even hold that brat accountable anymore!”

But no matter how he screamed and chased, the massive form of the ancient vessel grew ever more distant.

Terror filled the swindler’s eyes.

He mustered every ounce of his cultivation, half-running, half-swimming frantically across the sea’s surface!

Until at last…

He disturbed the colossal shadow lurking in the depths. A gaping maw, vast as the sky, breached the surface and swallowed him—along with an immense volume of seawater—in a single gulp.

Even from hundreds of miles away,

The horrifying spectacle sent chills down the spines of many passengers. Even the young maidservant in the topmost cabin paled in fright.

“Miss!”

“That merchant was cast into the sea again, and the law enforcers didn’t even try to save him! To end up devoured by such a monstrous beast… this sea is truly terrifying!”

Lin Ruowei lifted her gaze at the sound.

“Such a thing happened?”

“Calm yourself and recount it to me in detail.”

The maidservant hurriedly shut the window and leaned in by the tea table, narrating the events with visible tension.

After hearing the tale,

A flicker of something unusual passed through Lin Ruowei’s eyes, and a rare trace of astonishment surfaced on her delicate features.

“To return alive from the Sea of Heaven’s Judgment—his cultivation is indeed remarkable!”

“No wonder even the law enforcers showed him such leniency. A ruthless man who acts with such decisiveness, yet concealed his strength until now… With such temperament and methods, he may well carve out a place for himself when he reaches the Land of Fallen Gods.”

“It seems I misjudged him.”

“This man… is rather intriguing.”

Hearing such high praise, the maidservant nodded in awe.

Deep in her mind, the image of that ruthless figure riding a snail was firmly etched.