The Sea's Pretty Boy

As Tie Ruonan left, Qin Ran sat back on the narrow bed, organizing the information he had gleaned.

First, the teleportation array had transported him from the Lingnan Region to the Tianlan Sea Region, a remote and peripheral sea area within the vast Sea Domain. The entire Sea Domain seemed to be primarily composed of seas, with islands serving as the main habitable areas.

Second, the cultivation system in the Sea Domain differed from that of the Lingnan Region. It was divided into spirit cultivation, qi cultivation, and body cultivation. According to Tie Ruonan, he was a first-rank spirit cultivator, suggesting a ranking system that went from first rank, second rank, third rank, and upwards to an unknown extent.

Third, due to geographical and cultivation system differences, the development direction of cultivation in the Sea Domain surely differed from that of the Lingnan Region. However, it appeared that each had its own merits, with different areas of expertise.

For instance, using long-distance teleportation arrays was considered extraordinary in the Lingnan Region, but seemed commonplace in the Sea Domain. Conversely, the "celestial fruit" he had eaten the previous night was crafted using rather primitive and inferior alchemy techniques.

Fourth, both the captain from last night and Tie Ruonan had asked which island he came from, indicating that power in the Sea Domain was likely divided primarily by islands.

Fifth, this place called the Tianlan Sea Region was quite remote, and its overall strength was unlikely to be very high.

Sixth, Tie Ruonan came from a place called Dragon Whale Island.

Seventh, alchemy still held great importance...

After organizing his thoughts, Qin Ran still had some pressing questions that needed answers.

For example: How large was the Tianlan Sea Region exactly? How many factions were in the vicinity? And now that Tie Ruonan knew he was not only a spirit cultivator but also an alchemist and qi practitioner, what would her next move be?

Of course, the most important question was where he should go and how to develop this desolate island that might be the landing point of Dan Peak's teleportation array.

Pondering these questions, he got out of bed, briefly tended to his injuries and appearance, and left the room.

He hadn't been confined, after all.

The ship's hold was dark without any lighting, and the vessel was quite large. He fumbled around for quite some time before finally emerging from the hold onto the deck.

It was just dawn, with the sun barely peeking above the horizon. Its reddish morning light slanted across the deck and sails, draping everything in a thin veil of crimson that lent an air of allure to the scene.

However, as Qin Ran looked out from the cabin door, he sensed an inexplicable aura of ruthlessness.

Over thirty people bustled about the deck, each occupied with their own tasks. Some were cleaning, others practicing martial arts, while a few were boarding or disembarking at the ship's rail. Some had gathered in groups, engaged in discussion.

Among them, Tie Ruonan, who had just left Qin Ran's room, was conferring with others. Beside her stood the burly, bearded man from last night who had decided to take Qin Ran in – apparently the ship's captain.

Qin Ran's hearing was excellent, and carried by the morning breeze, he heard the Captain say, "...This really is a godforsaken place, with no spiritual energy fluctuations. There's nothing valuable here. What that guy said is probably true – the spatial disturbance was caused by him. ...Did we rush out here in such a hurry just to come up empty-handed?"

Hearing himself mentioned, Qin Ran's interest was piqued. He casually leaned against the doorframe, pretending to gaze at the rising sun in the distance.

"How am I supposed to explain this to the Island Lord?" the Captain continued. "From here, we either head to Flying Fish Gorge to catch a big fish, or try our luck in the Gloomy Forest Sea Region – even if we just stick to the outskirts."

"Empty-handed?" Tie Ruonan shook her head, turning to look at Qin Ran with a smile. "How can you call this coming up empty-handed?"

Qin Ran silently calculated that the bargaining chip he had offered seemed to have had an effect.

The Captain followed Tie Ruonan's gaze to Qin Ran. Although he had saved Qin Ran, he still didn't think much of him, shaking his head as he asked, "Him?"

"He knows alchemy," Tie Ruonan said.

"Hah, these days, anyone with a Water Spirit Root can practice alchemy," the Captain retorted.

"He says he's a spirit cultivator."

"First rank, nothing more!" the Captain said dismissively.

"The spatial disturbance was caused by the teleportation array that brought him here..." Tie Ruonan smiled as she looked at Qin Ran. "So the treasure you were looking for was him all along."

As the two discussed him like a commodity, Qin Ran couldn't help but turn his gaze from the sunrise to look at them.

"Did you find out anything about his background?" the Captain asked Tie Ruonan after exchanging a glance with Qin Ran.

"The teleportation array injured him, and he's lost his memory," Tie Ruonan replied. "But only major islands have access to long-distance teleportation arrays. His status can't be low."

"You dare to use someone with such a mysterious background?" the Captain questioned.

"Dare?" Tie Ruonan laughed. "Captain, is there anyone I wouldn't dare to use?"

The Captain suddenly caught on, shifting his gaze from Qin Ran back to Tie Ruonan. "That lad's all soft and delicate. Don't tell me you've taken a fancy to him?"

"And why not?" Tie Ruonan made no attempt to hide her interest, her eyes sparkling. "I've never tasted such a tender man before!"

"I fear he won't be able to withstand your... enthusiasm!" The Captain shook his head and propositioned Tie Ruonan, "Why don't we meet at the usual place for another round?"

"Hah! You always use the same two moves. It's boring..."

Looking at Tie Ruonan's robust physique, Qin Ran unconsciously hugged himself protectively.

Those who had disembarked gradually returned, and the Captain called for the sails to be raised, preparing to set off for the island.

Starting such a large ship was no simple task. At the Captain's command, the entire crew sprang into action.

With nothing to do, Qin Ran made his way through the busy crowd to the ship's rail. He gazed down at the desolate island, secretly leaving a spirit mark on a rock by the shore.

The vast, boundless sea contained countless such ordinary islands. Without leaving a mark, he might not be able to find this particular one again when he returned.

The ship was set in motion, its sails unfurling as it gradually pulled away from the shore.

Standing on the deck, Qin Ran watched the island grow smaller, his heart filled with a mix of emotions: sighs, apprehension about the unknown world ahead, but also excitement and a thrill...

He wasn't the coward his main body was. This colorful and brand new world was waiting for him to grace it with his presence.

Wasn't that exhilarating?

"What's wrong?" Tie Ruonan's voice came from behind. "Feeling reluctant to leave?"

Qin Ran turned his head slightly to look at Tie Ruonan, her robust physique giving him a sense of great pressure.

He replied, "After all, this is where I was reborn."

"To think you'd feel such melancholy at parting..." Tie Ruonan patted Qin Ran's shoulder, then leaned against the railing, smiling. "You really are a sensitive man, aren't you?"

Such men were as rare as finding a needle in this vast ocean. She hadn't played with one before.

"But a change of scenery brings a change of heart. When we reach Dragon Whale Island, it'll be a whole new place..." Tie Ruonan consoled him. "A brand new beginning."

Qin Ran imperceptibly glanced at his shoulder where she had patted him, feeling thoroughly uncomfortable. He smiled and replied, "It's not so much about being sensitive. In the world of cultivation, one must always be meticulous."

"Meticulous?" Tie Ruonan sneered. If you were so meticulous, how did you end up being ambushed, causing the array to malfunction and strand you on a desolate island?

But since she wanted to lure Qin Ran to her bed, she responded, "Indeed, one must be cautious in the world of cultivation, and in battle as well..."