The three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During those three days, Xiao Qi and Liu Yun did not remain idle. Using their remaining spirit stones, they purchased a large quantity of essential supplies for the voyage in the city—high-quality Water Avoidance Talismans, Demon-Repelling Incense, healing medicines and spiritual power recovery pills, as well as several formation disks and talismans to deal with special sea conditions. Xiao Qi even used some of the strange materials given by his Second Senior Brother to try improving the "Cloak of Concealment," whose effects were unclear, hoping it might prove useful at sea.
At the same time, they secretly kept an eye on the movements of "Clever Ghost." As expected, while purchasing supplies, they noticed him briefly contacting a suspicious person who carried a faint fishy sea smell mixed with a trace of sinister coldness. This further confirmed their suspicions.
On the morning of the third day, the rising sun cast its golden light across the azure sea. At West City Pier No. 3, Uncle Hai's *Wavebreaker* was already prepared.
It was a medium-sized sea vessel about twenty zhang long, built from dark brown ironwood. It indeed looked somewhat aged, its hull covered with marks of wind and rain and patches of repair, yet the overall structure remained sturdy, exuding a calmness born of weathering many storms. The sails were made from tanned tough beast hide, painted with simple Wind-controlling Runes. The bow was carved with a simple wave-breaking motif, carrying an indomitable spirit.
Uncle Hai and his crew were already busy aboard, making final checks. Old Fish Eagle squatted atop the highest yardarm like a true fish eagle, his sharp eyes scanning the sea and sky. Scarface Liu was grunting as he inspected the gleaming harpoon crossbows along the ship's sides. Meanwhile, Clever Ghost, his face full of smiles, nimbly helped move the last loads of fresh water and food.
Seeing Xiao Qi and Liu Yun arrive, Uncle Hai leaned half his body over the gunwale and called out in a booming voice, "Good timing, you two! Everything's ready, just waiting for you! Come aboard, we're about to weigh anchor!"
Xiao Qi and Liu Yun stepped onto the *Wavebreaker*, their feet on the solid deck, feeling the ship gently rise and fall with the waves. The sea wind carried a salty tang, blowing through their clothes and hair.
"And this is?" Uncle Hai looked at the rabbit spirit squatting on Xiao Qi's shoulder, curiously looking around.
"Our companion, don't worry," Xiao Qi explained simply. As if wanting to prove its usefulness, the rabbit spirit twitched its nose a few times, then stretched out a small paw to point at a corner of the cabin and squeaked twice.
Xiao Qi's gaze sharpened. He walked over and found, in the crack between planks in that corner, a tiny pinch of extremely fine powder that emitted a faint, unusual aura. Without changing his expression, he wrapped it in his spiritual power and put it away. This was clearly something left behind by Clever Ghost or his accomplices for tracking or surveillance.
Uncle Hai saw this, and a glint of understanding passed through his copper-bell-like eyes, but he didn't call it out. He just laughed heartily, "Good to have a clever little fellow! Alright, lads! Weigh anchor! Set sail!"
At his command, the heavy iron anchor was slowly hauled up by the capstan, and the huge beast-hide sail was unfurled with a loud *whoosh* under the crew's control. The Wind-controlling Runes glowed faintly, capturing the power of the wind.
With a slight creak, the *Wavebreaker*'s bow slowly cut through the calm harbor waters and headed toward the vast, boundless open sea.
The pier and the white walls of Wanghai City gradually shrank behind them, eventually becoming a blur on the horizon before vanishing completely.
Ahead, only the azure sky and the deeper, more profound blue ocean remained, merging at the horizon. Gulls circled and cried around the sails, and the sunlight scattered on the shimmering sea, breaking into ten thousand golden scales. Vast, boundless, and exhilarating—as if all worries could be washed away by this endless blue.
Liu Yun could not help walking to the bow, spreading her arms, and taking a deep breath of the sea air tinged with moisture. "So this is the sea… truly beautiful."
Even the usually steady Xiao Qi was moved by this majestic tranquility, a surge of heroic pride rising in his chest.
Yet, both Xiao Qi, Liu Yun, and the experienced Uncle Hai knew well that beneath this magnificent calm hid endless dangers: capricious weather, elusive and powerful demon beasts, submerged reefs and whirlpools, and… possible malice from fellow humans.
"Old Fish Eagle! Keep your eyes sharp!" Uncle Hai shouted up at the mast.
"Don't worry, boss!" Old Fish Eagle's voice came from above. "For ten li around, there's not even a decent-sized fish!"
"Scarface Liu, check the gear! Don't wait till a demon beast shows up to sharpen your spears!"
"Already ready!"
The crew each attended to their duties. The atmosphere seemed relaxed on the surface, but vigilance was high beneath.
Xiao Qi and Liu Yun returned to their small but clean cabin at the stern. After setting up a simple soundproofing restriction, Liu Yun said in a low voice, "That powder…"
"It's probably some kind of tracking incense. The scent is faint but long-lasting," Xiao Qi analyzed. "It seems the Shadow Snake Pavilion plans to follow us all the way, waiting until we find our target or until we let our guard down before striking."
"Should we get rid of it?"
"No," Xiao Qi shook his head, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Keep it. Let them think everything is under their control. We need to use this time to quickly get familiar with the sea environment and… see if we can get any information out of that 'Clever Ghost' about the Shadow Snake Pavilion's arrangements in the Eastern Sea."
He walked to the porthole, gazing out at the endless blue, and said softly, "This is a dual adventure, played out both in the open and in the shadows. Our goal is the Dragon Palace ruins, and the Shadow Snake Pavilion is the first storm we must face on our voyage."
The *Wavebreaker*, with its sails full, carrying hopes, secrets, and mortal danger, pressed forward unwaveringly toward the rising sun in the east, toward the dangerous sea area where the legendary lost Dragon Palace was said to lie.
The true trial had now begun.