Chapter Seventy-Two: Upheaval in the Sea God Sect, the Fleet Sets Sail for Home!

"This gun, without a doubt, has gained a spirit of its own and entered the ranks of divine weapons!"

Liu Ruyi's face was pale.

Forging a divine weapon with his own hands was, for him, akin to a complete rebirth—a single leap that transformed his skills as a smith. Yet the hardships of the recent days had drained his strength; he had survived only by relying on over a dozen restorative medicines, narrowly escaping death, and still, he refused to leave.

"The Abyssal Pike is forged from Darksea Blacksteel, mixed with the blood of a demon whale, rhinoceros horn, and refined gold. It’s said that this material can absorb the restless souls of the dead to strengthen itself, though that’s only legend—no one has truly witnessed it."

Liu Ruyi spoke with a wild fervor in his eyes, grinning through the exhaustion.

"But its peerless destructive power is certainly real, as is the innate, chilling cold it exudes. Once it pierces and erupts, even the internal organs will freeze solid—no great whale could withstand such a weapon!"

Held in Bai Xuan’s hand, the Abyssal Pike was cold and immensely heavy. Yet as Bai Xuan’s blood and internal energy surged into it, the weapon seemed to come alive, breathing with a subtle rhythm.

It no longer felt like a mere weapon in his grasp, but more like a giant beast, quietly inhaling and exhaling, ever poised for slaughter.

"So you still remember me."

Bai Xuan gripped the pike, knowing that the impurities in the original cold iron had been smelted away, leaving only the purest essence, now fused into the core of the new weapon.

This pike remembered him, forging a connection with his blood and spirit, melding them into one.

Beside him, Lu Ming was overcome with emotion, rendered speechless for a moment.

This was the weapon he had yearned for so long, onto which he had pinned his hopes of slaying the demon shark. Now, witnessing its terrifying power, his heart brimmed with hope.

"Wait, a messenger pigeon is here."

Outside, the cooing of a pigeon sounded. His expression changed as he hurried out to the open ground outside the smithy, took the bird, and removed the message tied to its leg.

He scanned it quickly, his face shifting—uncertain whether from disappointment or relief—as he let out a long breath.

"Sir, I’m afraid the assassination must be postponed for now."

Lu Ming sighed. "The High Priest of the Sea God Cult was exploring a secret site beneath the waves, suffered grievous wounds, and perished three days ago. All six of the Grand Sacrificers have returned to the sect to select a new leader."

There was little regret in his eyes.

He had many ties to the Sea God Cult, spies within its ranks, and was well informed about their movements. After so many years, though hatred lingered, he had learned patience and composure.

In his view…

Bai Xuan’s strength was immense, growing stronger by the day. He could wait, and so could Bai Xuan.

"In that case, when I obtain solid intelligence, I’ll go to Thousand Peaks Island to inform you, and we shall strike then."

Lu Ming said this resolutely.

"I understand."

Bai Xuan was somewhat surprised as well.

The High Priest of the Sea God Cult—just his title alone signified he was a peerless master, one of the most formidable in the Eastern Sea—yet he died so easily?

But fortune is ever fickle, and not every ambush ends in success. With the Grand Sacrificers returning to elect a new leader, the last obstacle to the Bai family fleet’s return was also removed.

Soon, they could return to Thousand Peaks Island.

…

Elsewhere.

Upon the vast ocean, dozens of great ships cut through the waves, their banners fluttering, their flags blotting out the sky.

These were the bloodstained banners of the Lone Star—the symbol of the Star Hunters’ ferocity. In recent times, none upon the Eastern Sea had dared to stand before these pirates; all who saw them could only flee in desperation, even the Black Pirates harbored dread at their approach.

"…This is the secret order we just received. All six Grand Sacrificers have returned, and several strategic operations are to be suspended for now. Should we take action ourselves?"

"Master, your tea."

At the prow of the flagship, Li Qicheng, broad-bladed sword on his back, offered a teacup with respectful hands.

Floating in the cup were two pills, swirling gently and radiating an intense vitality—they were clearly crafted from the flesh of the Immortal Fungus.

Not far away, an elderly man with snow-white hair reclined on a lounge chair, surrounded by a dozen beautiful maidens attending to his every need.

At this moment, he opened his ancient eyes, and a terrifying pressure of vital energy flashed forth, making Li Qicheng’s heart skip a beat.

With a rush, the old man’s gaze seemed to contain the vastness of the ocean, his life force surging, only to be instantly withdrawn and concealed.

Suddenly, the steam rising from the teacup vanished, replaced by a sheen of frost that silently froze the entire cup. The two pills within were already drawn out by the old man’s energy and swallowed down.

"The Sea God Cult’s High Priest—Eroding Bone, that fiend… Over a decade ago, he reached the realm of oceans of blood and energy, yet he died nameless in some hidden place?"

The old man spoke in a low, gravelly voice.

"I, Di Yuan, am nearly ninety now. I remember how spirited he was, sweeping across the Eastern Sea in his prime, hailed as the strongest. Alas, he was first defeated by the Ten Divine Spears of the Black Pirates, then fell to my junior brother, and now meets an obscure, silent end."

"Even those so-called Immortal Masters, never having ascended the path of immortality, pass away in a fleeting century. In the blink of an eye, all power and glory turns to dust—what is it all for, in the end?"

In Di Yuan’s eyes flared a deep, sinister calm.

"Set course for home! Eroding Bone longed for that secret place where he died—there must be opportunity there. Worldly affairs can be left to my junior brother; let him sweep the Eastern Sea if he claims to be the strongest. As for this underwater palace, I shall investigate it myself!"

"Yes, Master!"

Li Qicheng answered with utmost deference.

Though his own prowess was formidable among half-step grandmasters, second only to the Lord of Yin Law, before Grandmaster Di Yuan, he could only show respect.

To possess oceans of vital energy—there were but a handful in the Eastern Sea with such strength, bearing the title of Great Grandmaster, wielding nearly invincible power.

…

At the Forge Manor’s dock.

The Bai family fleet was ready to depart—seven great ships at anchor, crates of Azurewater Sabers being loaded aboard.

All three thousand five hundred sabers were now accounted for.

Aboard the K'ai-yang, on deck—

"Check your belongings—if you’ve forgotten anything, there’ll be no turning back once we set sail."

Bai Xuan’s voice rang out.

"And if anyone has left behind a fiancée, remember to bring her next time."

His words sparked laughter across the deck, the sound carried away on the wind.

Over the past days, some sailors had found romance at the Forge Manor, and now, reluctant to part, lingered on the docks to say their goodbyes.

An hour later, all the sailors had finished their preparations. Sails were hoisted, and the ships slowly pulled away from the dock.

Back to Thousand Peaks Island!

…

With a rush, the Bai family fleet cut through the surging sea.

Below deck—

"At last, I have time to begin practicing the Abyssal Body Tempering Technique."

Expectation shone in Bai Xuan’s eyes.

With a quick motion, he produced the thick tome and a jet-black token inlaid with pale jade, upon which was engraved a striking white lotus in full bloom.