One afternoon three days later, Yu Qing was on the hotel terrace, gazing at the shimmering sea and feeling the salty sea breeze, when there was a soft knock on the door.
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Opening the door, he saw the hotel waiter respectfully say to him, "Respected guest, someone is looking for you."
Yu Qing nodded. "Tell them to come in!"
Soon, the young sailor from before stood outside the door. Beside him stood a middle-aged man who was tall and burly, his skin tanned dark and shiny by the sea breeze, with a full beard and eyes as sharp as an eagle's.
The man wore a captain's uniform that was slightly old but neat, carrying a steady and fierce aura developed from long-term command and battling the sea.
"Mr. Yu, this is Captain Jack of our 'storm'!" the young sailor introduced quickly.
Captain Jack sized Yu Qing up, his gaze lingering for a moment on Yu Qing's temperament and attire, which were completely different from an ordinary sailor's. His voice was loud and direct: "Is it you who wants to go near Devil Island to see whales?"
Yu Qing smiled slightly and stepped aside. "Captain Jack, I have heard much about you. Please come in; let's talk in detail."
Entering the living room, both parties sat down. Captain Jack got straight to the point: "My crew member told me your idea. The waters around Devil Island are no tourist attraction; they are extremely dangerous. Ordinary people avoid them at all costs, but you're willing to pay to get close?" His tone carried a hint of inquiry and confusion.
Yu Qing had already prepared his story, his face showing the slightly fanatical and stubborn expression characteristic of a Scholar: "Captain Jack, to be honest, I am a Scholar focused on the study of Spirit Beast ecology. I have a great research interest in powerful and rare sea Spirit Beast populations, especially cetacean Spirit Beasts with high sociality. Your crew member's description makes me believe there is an extremely precious observation sample there. For this, I am willing to take the risk and pay a corresponding reward."
Captain Jack stroked the stubble on his chin and pondered for a moment. "The risk is not small... and my ship has rules. Once on board, you must listen to me. Especially near the Devil Island waters, you absolutely cannot act on your own, and you must not provoke anyone on the island! Otherwise, if something happens, I can't protect you."
"That is natural," Yu Qing nodded. "I only need an opportunity to reach those waters to conduct long-distance observation and recording. All actions will follow your arrangements, Captain."
The two discussed details for a while longer. In the end, Yu Qing secured a spot on the crew for twenty gold coins (this price far exceeded a normal ticket, but Yu Qing didn't care at all).
Captain Jack tucked the heavy gold coins into his pocket, his expression softening considerably. He solemnly warned again: "I've taken the money, but you must remember the rules. Once we arrive, you can look, but don't cause me trouble. Otherwise, forget research—you might even lose your life there!"
Yu Qing made a reassuring gesture. "Understood. I value my life very much."
"Fine! The next voyage is set for ninety days from now. During this time, if you're bored, you can rent a small boat to play in the nearshore waters, but don't go too far." Captain Jack stood up, gave his final instructions, and left with the young sailor.
After seeing them off, Yu Qing returned to the inner suite. He saw the four women—Duan Xin, Zi Ruyi, A Rou, and Fox Consort—sitting cross-legged on the soft carpet, surrounded by swirling spirit power. They were clearly still refining and absorbing the massive Yin-Yang Power obtained from their recent special cultivation.
He did not disturb them, but just sat quietly to the side, looking at their focused and beautiful profiles, his heart filled with peace.
When the four women finished refining the Yin-Yang Power, Yu Qing smiled and suggested, "It's boring to stay in the city all day. Today, I'll take you to the seaside—for Beachcombing!"
"Beachcombing?" Duan Xin blinked her large eyes curiously.
Yu Qing gave a mysterious smile. "You'll know when we get there!"
He took the four women to a bay outside the city with jagged rocks and a gentle beach. It was low tide, and a large area of the beach and rocks was exposed, leaving behind the ocean's gifts: various beautiful shells, slowly crawling crabs, sea snails hiding in rock crevices, and even stranded small fish and shrimp... "Wow! So many shells! This one is so pretty!"
"Look! There's a big crab here! Ouch! It's pinching me!"
"Hahaha, Xiner, you're so silly!"
"Sister Ruyi, don't laugh! Come help me quickly!"
The four women were quickly drawn to this novel activity, as if returning to childhood, laughing, screaming, and helping each other as they chased and searched among the sand and rocks. Every beautiful shell they picked up or every aggressive crab they caught made them happy for a long time. Their bell-like laughter and the sound of the waves intertwined, creating an incredibly warm scene.
Seeing their happy faces, Yu Qing's lips also curled up unconsciously. Occasionally, he would also step in, precisely catching a few large Mud Crabs or Mantis Shrimp that were trying to "escape," drawing cheers from the four women.
In the evening, the setting sun dyed the sea golden-red. Yu Qing collected everyone's "spoils" and found a wind-sheltered spot on the beach. He set up a campfire himself and displayed his culinary skills.
Freshly caught crabs were steamed, sea snails were blanched, Mantis Shrimp were seasoned with salt and pepper, several sea fish were grilled, and a delicious seafood porridge was made with gathered oysters... A fresh and extremely sumptuous seafood feast was presented before everyone.
With the sunset, sea breeze, and campfire, the five of them enjoyed an unprecedented seaside feast before returning to the hotel satisfied.
In the following days, Yu Qing did not engage in "non-stop" special cultivation as A Rou had expected. The seaside scenery around Vast Sea City was uniquely charming, and he preferred to take the four women to see more of it.
They no longer limited themselves to Vast Sea City but used it as a center to travel everywhere. They took boats to visit the scattered islands, exploring the strange rocks and caves; they strolled on the silvery beaches under the moonlight, listening to the rising and falling tides; they visited various fishing villages and towns with different styles along the coast, experiencing the lives of the locals and tasting the most authentic seafood snacks... Their joyful footprints and laughter were left along hundreds of miles of coastline.
Occasionally, Yu Qing would also take them to spirit tool shops or old goods markets in Vast Sea City to "scavenge." His Eye of Fortune was extremely sensitive to Luck, always allowing him to discover real treasures from a pile of seemingly ordinary items.
In just one month, he actually managed to find six pieces of ten-thousand-year whale resin with internal energy and excellent quality at extremely low prices! This eye for detail and Luck amazed the four women. These whale resins were of great benefit for strengthening the body and increasing the limit of spirit ring absorption, perfectly enriching the foundation of the Yin Yang Sect.
Happy days always fly by. It seemed as if in the blink of an eye, three months of leisure time had quietly passed.
They had visited almost every playable place around Vast Sea City. No matter how fresh the seafood was, eating it continuously for three months inevitably became a bit tiresome. Duan Xin, Zi Ruyi, A Rou, and even Fox Consort were now somewhat uninterested when they saw seafood.
If it weren't for the Yin Yang Conjunction every five days and a hearty, immensely beneficial special cultivation every ten days as a powerful motivation and "seasoning," the four women would have probably wanted to leave this coastal city and return to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well long ago.
And the benefits brought by these three months of continuous and regular special cultivation were also tangible:
The spirit power of Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi had already stabilized at the Peak of level 69! They were only one step away from the Spirit Saint Realm! As long as Yu Qing was willing, he could help them achieve a Breakthrough past level 70 at any time!
Under the continuous nourishment and tempering of Dual Cultivation energy and Yin-Yang Power, the age of A Rou's sixth soul ring successfully increased to the level of fifty thousand years, greatly increasing its power!
The one who gained the most was undoubtedly Fox Consort! By virtue of her Yin Yang Conjunction with Yu Qing, a Super Douluo, the spirit power feedback and Yin-Yang Power she obtained were the most massive. Her spirit power surged all the way, actually reaching the level 60 Bottleneck!
Level 60 is a crucial watershed for a transformed Spirit Beast! It means she has officially entered the mature stage! Once she successfully condenses her sixth soul ring, the unique aura belonging to a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast will be greatly masked and transformed. By then, unless a top-tier powerhouse familiar with her Origin aura deliberately investigates, it will be extremely difficult for an ordinary Titled Douluo to discover her true identity! Her safety has been greatly guaranteed!
Even Yu Qing himself had made progress in his cultivation. Although every level after becoming a Titled Douluo requires a sea of spirit power, his spirit power still increased by about one-thousandth of the total for level 97. More importantly, under the continuous nourishment of Yin-Yang Power, his fifth spirit ring had completely stabilized at the level of a hundred thousand years. Now, Yu Qing began to use the Yin-Yang Power to increase the age of his fourth spirit ring.
The day of parting finally arrived.
On the night before departure, after a hearty special cultivation, Yu Qing held them in his arms, with Duan Xin lying in his embrace, Zi Ruyi leaning against his back, and A Rou and Fox Consort snuggled on either side.
Yu Qing lazily opened his eyes, feeling the warmth and softness around him, and asked softly, "I'm setting sail tomorrow. Do you plan to stay in Vast Sea City to play, or... go back to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well first?"
Zi Ruyi was the first to speak softly, "Let's go back. We've been out for so long, and I haven't seen the children in a while; I miss them dearly." Her tone was filled with deep maternal love.
Duan Xin also nodded in agreement, "Mhm! Yes, it's been almost five months since I've seen Xiao Long and Xiao Tan... If we don't go back, I'm afraid my sons won't even recognize me as their mother..." As she spoke, her tone carried a hint of guilt and longing.
Yu Qing looked at A Rou. A Rou gave a charming smile and shrugged, "I also need to go back and check on that girl Xiao Wu. I haven't looked after her for so long; she's probably acting like a tyrant in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and having the time of her life."
Fox Consort bit her lip slightly and said softly, "Qing, I... I'll go back with them. It just so happens that I also need to find a quiet place to prepare for condensing my sixth soul ring."
Hearing the four women's plans, Yu Qing felt relieved; this way, he could go to the dangerous waters for soul hunting with more peace of mind. "Alright, on the way back, be sure to stay safe." He paused and then specifically instructed Duan Xin and Zi Ruyi, "Xiner, Ruyi, don't be in a hurry to obtain your seventh spirit ring. Wait until I return from the sea, and I will personally act as your Protector to find the most suitable spirit rings."
"Yes, husband, don't worry. We will follow all your arrangements," Zi Ruyi replied tenderly.
Duan Xin hugged his arm tightly and said coquettishly, "Then you must come back quickly! Otherwise, by the time the children can call you 'Daddy,' you won't even hear the first time~"
The five of them slept in each other's arms, enjoying the last warmth before parting. This night, there was no intense "cultivation," only silent companionship and reluctance to part.
The next morning, Yu Qing personally saw the four women out of Vast Sea City, watching their figures disappear at the end of the official road leading inland. Only then did he turn and walk quickly toward the port area.
Arriving at the agreed pier, the merchant ship 'storm' was already prepared for departure. Seeing Yu Qing arrive on time, Captain Jack nodded with satisfaction and gestured to the young sailor.
The young sailor immediately brought over a set of semi-new sailor clothes that smelled of a mixture of seawater and sweat, handing them to Yu Qing: "Mr. Yu, it's the ship's rule. Please change into this first."
Yu Qing didn't mind and neatly changed into the outfit. Although the coarse cloth clothes were simple, they allowed him to instantly blend in with the sailors, losing some of his Scholar temperament and gaining a bit of the flavor of an adventurer about to embark on a long voyage.
After changing his clothes, Yu Qing was officially on board. He didn't put on any airs. Seeing the other crew members still busy with final cargo loading and inspection, he proactively stepped forward to lend a hand, helping to secure ropes and carry some lighter goods.
His strength far exceeded that of ordinary people, and his movements were steady and fast, immediately drawing surprised and appreciative looks from some old sailors. This refined-looking "Scholar" didn't seem like a useless pretty boy who couldn't handle hardship.
As noon approached, all supplies were finally loaded and inspected. Captain Jack took the checklist for a final count and, finding everything correct, strode to the bow. He took a deep breath of the salty sea breeze, and his loud voice rang out across the ship:
"Everyone to your positions! 'storm', set sail—!"
"Target—Devil Island!"
A loud horn sounded, thick ropes were untied, and the massive sails slowly rose, catching the full wind. The huge wooden merchant ship made a "creaking" sound as it slowly left the noisy port, heading toward the deep sea—vast, blue, mysterious, and full of the unknown and danger—breaking through the waves!
Yu Qing stood by the ship's railing, looking back at the receding Vast Sea City, then turned his gaze toward the vast, blue expanse ahead, his eyes flashing with expectation and a sharp light.
Evil Orcas, here I come.
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