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"Teacher Wen, we've finished studying the nautical chart you provided. The route is viable, though it indeed passes through several notoriously dangerous sea sectors," Hai Da said, clutching the map Su Wen had previously handed over.
"I see. Based on the routes you're familiar with, are there any alternative paths that can bypass those specific danger zones?"
Su Wen looked at the chart in Hai Da's hands. It was now covered in new annotations and branching lines, most of which split off from the nodes where the ship would enter hazardous waters. However, many of these lines seemed to end abruptly without connecting back to the main path.
"Teacher Wen, this is a combined navigation map featuring the routes we know integrated with the path to your destination." Hai Da pointed to a specific cluster of markings. "The region you wish to reach is surrounded by too many sea spirit beast clans. These are top-tier predatory groups with terrifying strength. If we encounter them while out in the open ocean, even a Titled Douluo would find themselves at a disadvantage."
Su Wen frowned slightly as he examined the nautical chart Hai Da passed to him.
According to the charts he had obtained from Spirit Hall, the journey required passing through three major danger zones. One of these zones was marked with an "Extreme Danger" symbol—a warning that even a Super Douluo faced a high risk of perishing there, with death being a near certainty upon a direct encounter.
"Just bypass this specific area," Su Wen said, pointing to the sector where the Deep Sea Demon Whale King resided. "Even if it means taking a significantly longer detour and looping back from the other side, we must avoid this patch of sea entirely."
"This..." Hai Da looked at Su Wen with confusion.
Taking such a wide detour would likely force them into more potentially hazardous, uncharted territories. However, Su Wen wasn't concerned about "more" danger; for him, the only absolute, non-negotiable threat was the territory of the Demon Whale King.
"If that is your requirement, Teacher Wen, then this route is the most suitable alternative." Hai Da traced a finger along the chart, drawing a new line. "However, we have never explored the middle and final legs of this journey. We have zero information on those waters, which means we might face unknown risks."
Su Wen waved his hand dismissively. "Unknown risks are of no consequence. With the Zhantian Douluo on board and the preparations I've made, the worst-case scenario is the destruction of the ship. The people will be fine."
He revealed a few of his trump cards to ensure Hai Da wouldn't shrink back due to fear.
Hai Da was momentary stunned by Su Wen's confidence—specifically the claim that losing the ship in the middle of the vast ocean wouldn't be a fatal problem.
"Master Wen, perhaps you don't realize... for us sailors, and especially for me, exploring the unknown ocean has always been an adventure—a joy!" Hai Da suddenly grinned. "I am not afraid of danger."
Due to his personal history and the hardships he had endured, Hai Da's sharp edges had actually been smoothed down over the years. His frequency of going to sea had decreased, and his fear of the ocean had grown day by day.
Su Wen's request had initially made him feel forced into a reckless gamble, but he now realized that this "forced" voyage was actually the opportunity he needed to overcome his fear and return to the sea. He found himself looking forward to it. Of course, knowing Su Wen had life-saving measures in place made him even happier. After all, an adventure is only an adventure if you survive; otherwise, it's just a suicide mission.
"You sea spirit masters are truly..." Su Wen looked at Hai Da, memories of his past life flickering through his mind as he sighed with genuine emotion. "You really are dreamers."
"Hahaha! Master Wen, every sea spirit master has the same dream from the time they are children."
Su Wen adopted an attentive posture, listening.
"We all dream that one day we can conquer this ocean, just like the Great Sea God did in the legends!" Hai Da's voice grew impassioned as he spoke of his childhood aspirations.
In truth, he wasn't actually old. Hai Da was only twenty-eight, but the constant lashing of sea winds and salt spray had weathered his face, making him look like a man in his forties.
After his passionate outburst, Hai Da let out a soft sigh, his eyes filled with reverence. "Unfortunately, the more one understands the ocean, and the more one explores it, the more one realizes how terrifying it truly is. That is why we sea spirit masters respect the Sea God so much. Back then, He was the one who truly conquered the entire world beneath the waves."
"Let's go then. I suspect you are about to take a significant step toward that dream," Su Wen remarked, still slightly surprised by Hai Da's age.
He had fallen into the trap of judging by appearances, assuming Hai Da was a middle-aged man. A twenty-eight-year-old Spirit King was actually quite impressive. But then again, considering the man had spent his life adventuring in the deep, such a cultivation level was fitting for his experiences.
Seeing Hai Da's talent, Su Wen felt that if they reached Sea God Island, the man might find a fortuitous opportunity of his own. If he could pass the Sea God's trials, his future voyages would likely be much smoother.
The Pioneer set sail.
Su Wen and his companions began their voyage. This wasn't Su Wen's first time at sea; his last trip had been with the Bone Douluo to Evil Spirit Island, where he had obtained his fifth spirit ring from the Void Silver Moon Tapir. However, even that trip had only touched the coastal waters. This time, they were heading into the deep sea.
The Pioneer was far superior to the makeshift sailboat they had used previously. Su Wen had even specifically asked the Xu family to help recruit a crew of elite sailors. While these sailors weren't necessarily powerful combatants, they all shared one trait: a burning desire to conquer the sea.
They shared Hai Da's spirit, though they lacked his specific temperament and the blessings of the Sea God. Furthermore, the crew was professionally diverse, possessing all the technical skills required to handle various maritime crises. The ship was larger and faster than their previous vessel, yet the journey was expected to take even longer—so long that Su Wen wasn't even sure they would reach Sea God Island within three months. Such was the nature of the ocean; a ship might be sailing forward at full speed, yet the shifting currents and tides could mean they had barely moved relative to the land.
Ten days after departure.
"Teacher Wen, we have officially left the coastal waters. Ahead of us lies the deep sea. From here on, sea spirit beasts will start appearing in organized clans," Hai Da reported.
"Rest easy. From this point forward, I will remain in a state of combat readiness," the Zhantian Douluo assured him. "If a crisis arises, I will strike immediately."
Hai Da breathed a sigh of relief. The deep sea was a realm he rarely ventured into; most of his knowledge came from hearsay and piecing together fragments of other people's charts. The reason was simple: his strength didn't allow for it. In the deep sea, every spirit beast clan possessed individuals at the ten-thousand-year level or higher. For a Spirit King, encountering such a beast usually ended in tragedy.
The Pioneer sailed for another ten days.
The weather on the high seas was volatile and extreme. One moment the sky was clear; the next, it was swallowed by oppressive black clouds.
Rumble! Thunder rolled across the horizon. The very air seemed to vibrate as the world's essence was stirred, converting into raw lightning elements. Faint arcs of electricity began to flicker in the open space.
Su Wen emerged from his meditation, looking out at the magnificent, violent spectacle of nature. His heart swelled with a profound sense of awe.
(End of Chapter)