Chapter Fifty-Five: Bottleneck in Strength, Setting Sail Once Again!

Within the "Seven Seas Gate-Guarding Life Technique," there exist not only secrets for breaking through barriers but also the insights of four grandmasters. Not every one of them possessed innate divine strength or skin of bronze and bones of iron like Bai Xuan. To break through the Life-and-Death Gate, they had to master the flow of vital energy to its utmost.

The so-called Life-and-Death Gate is the moment when the intangible and formless essence bursts out from the body, shattering the boundary between interior and exterior, transforming into a tangible, terrifying force.

To condense the vital energy into form—that is the essence. There is no mystery to it, but the difficulty required to achieve this is immense. One misstep, and the vital energy runs rampant, causing an explosion on the spot.

A half-step grandmaster possesses tremendous strength, tens of thousands of pounds, even without the energy breaking out of the body; their power far surpasses ordinary captains. This is because, as the vital energy attempts to break through, it turns from intangible to tangible, feeding back into the martial artist and breaking the limits of the human body once again.

Yet Bai Xuan, upon his third breakthrough of vital energy, had already gained strength in the tens of thousands. Now, even without using internal energy, he possesses thirty thousand pounds of force. This breakthrough, for him, is another leap forward, the improvement more dramatic than for ordinary martial artists.

…

In the courtyard of Marquis White-Brow.

“I must set out to sea as well. Your family’s captain should return in the next couple of days. Once he’s back, we’ll gather again after the voyage,” Bai Tianyuan said as he bade Bai Xuan farewell.

As third mate, after months of rest on land, he must resume his duties at sea.

“We’ll meet again when you return,” Bai Xuan replied.

The courtyard was nearly empty; beneath the eaves, Marquis White-Brow sat with eyes closed, nurturing his spirit, undisturbed by what he could not see.

Suddenly—

“Bai Xuan!”

Marquis White-Brow opened his eyes, let out a cold snort, his voice tinged with anger.

“Come and demonstrate how to use the Tiger Pounce Step.”

“You mean me?” Bai Xuan was momentarily stunned.

Usually, Marquis White-Brow would occasionally summon disciples to practice their footwork, then scold them mercilessly, a common occurrence. Yet Bai Xuan, being newer to the hall, had never been called upon.

Now, looking around, Bai Xuan realized that most of the senior sailors were gone, either at sea or departed.

He stepped forward.

He had been training in the family martial hall for some time; today might well serve as a summation.

“A small demonstration will suffice,” Bai Xuan thought.

He gathered himself, lowered his stance like a hunting leopard, and suddenly pounced forward—light and swift, as if transformed into a gust of wind!

With a single bound, he crossed seven or eight meters, his palm brushed out—crack!—splitting a slate, then retreated in a flash, shuffling swiftly back to his starting point. His hands dropped, vital energy undisturbed!

“Excellent!” Marquis White-Brow was silent for a moment, then spoke a single word. “My teaching has not been in vain.”

The fire in his tone faded, anger replaced by calm.

The remaining disciples in the courtyard all turned their eyes.

Marquis White-Brow was famously harsh, always scolding, rarely praising. Yet today, in anger, he gave commendation?

“It is all thanks to Uncle Ancestor’s instruction,” Bai Xuan replied, bowing.

He had learned much from Marquis White-Brow, whose hands-on guidance was invaluable.

“Go now,” Marquis White-Brow said, reclining once more, his voice serene.

…

In the small courtyard.

Bai Xuan sat cross-legged, still circulating the "Seven Seas Gate-Guarding Life Technique," white steam rolling from his body.

“My vital energy is insufficient; for now, I have reached the limit,” Bai Xuan murmured, eyes opening before he vanished from his spot.

At that instant, his form was little more than a shadow, indistinct, crossing the entire courtyard in a blink, pouncing before a massive rock!

In a flash, Bai Xuan returned to his original position, stood firm, drew in his abdomen, and exhaled sharply.

A jet of white steam, like a storm or a sword, tore through the air, shredding the man-sized rock into powder, leaving a deep mark on the distant wall!

Now, Bai Xuan’s footwork was fully mastered; the Tiger Pounce Step perfected, his speed reaching its limit.

His strength was approaching forty thousand pounds.

“It is time to set out to sea. Only by going can I advance further. According to Bai Tianyuan, the captain will return in a few days at most,” Bai Xuan mused.

With his martial arts at this level, he had reached the bottleneck of three vital energy breakthroughs. Without more vital energy, he would need either the elixir refined from the longevity fungus or a mass of exotic sea creatures to further enhance his energy and continue his progress.

Just then—

Knock knock knock!

Bai Xuan opened the door, and at the entrance, a sailor hurriedly said:

“Mate, the captain has returned and is summoning all sailors to see him aboard the Kaiyang!”

“At last, he’s back,” Bai Xuan’s brows rose.

He had waited long for Bai Xuanji’s return, and now, with everything settled, he could finally embark!

…

At the dock.

The Kaiyang had been fully repaired, its deck newly laid, the harpoon cannons at the bow gleaming with a deadly aura.

Bai Xuan hurried over to find sailors gathered in small groups on the deck, waiting for the captain.

“Brother!” First Mate Bai Yuanji strode up and clapped Bai Xuan’s shoulder. “You’ve been busy lately, haven’t you?”

Ever since Bai Xuan saved him in a bloody battle, his attitude toward Bai Xuan had changed; now he called him brother.

“The captain will be here soon. Seems he has urgent matters.”

Moments later—

Bai Xuanji strode up, accompanied by several sword-wearing attendants, mounted the deck in a few steps. He wore white battle garb, embroidered with blue-gold thread forming the shape of a blue dragon, coiling menacingly around his body.

The garment radiated regal splendor; Bai Xuan had never seen Bai Xuanji dressed so. He guessed that Bai Xuanji had surely risen in rank, hence the change.

“Quiet! Form up!” Bai Xuan called out, his voice echoing across the deck, instantly silencing the sailors and bringing them to order.

Soon, Bai Xuanji stood at the bow, looking down at the deck below, and spoke slowly:

“This voyage has yielded much. I have reported to the family and received their reward. I am now promoted to Deputy Leader of the Second Fleet, and shall continue as Captain of the Kaiyang!”

His voice rang out across the deck.

Like a piece of charcoal dropped in water, the sailors erupted in cheers!

The Bai family has two major fleets—one for fisheries, one for trade. The Second Fleet oversees fisheries, with six whaling ships and fifty-five deep-sea fishing vessels.

Now, Bai Xuanji had become Deputy Leader of the Second Fleet, a figure among the family’s upper ranks; compared to his former position as first mate, it was a meteoric rise!

“The captain’s been promoted?” Bai Xuan felt a subtle joy.

This was good news for all aboard the Qianliu. With Bai Xuanji promoted, it wouldn’t be long before he relinquished his captaincy, and those below would ascend without dispute, their succession assured.

In these troubled times, having one of their own in leadership was reassuring, a stabilizing force.

“First mate, mate, come with me. The other sailors, prepare. We sail in three days!” Bai Xuanji called out.

…

In the captain’s cabin of the Qianliu.

“This time, I returned to report and was appointed Deputy Leader of the Second Fleet. I was planning to promote you all individually, but now, time is short… We must undertake a vital mission!”

Bai Xuanji stood behind the table, his battle garb embroidered with golden dragon lines, gazing intensely at those before him.

These men were his most trusted subordinates; Bai Xuan, whom he had personally promoted to mate, was his most reliable confidant.

“After the battle between the Star Hunters and the Song Dynasty Navy, the navy was defeated. The seas are now in turmoil. The four great families and the Forging Blade Manor have signed a contract, purchasing three thousand premium blades to protect our peace. It is now time for the exchange, and Forging Blade Manor fears trouble at sea, requesting we dispatch a ship escort.”

“The family has entrusted this task to me. We set out in three days!”

Bai Xuanji’s expression was grave.

This was no trivial matter, involving not just the Bai family, but the four great families of Qianshan Island. If done well, those responsible might rise further; if done poorly, and they encounter the Star Hunters at sea, there may well be mortal danger.

“I am now overwhelmed with duties and will likely need to supervise aboard the Kaiyuan. Second Brother, you will temporarily act as captain. Bai Xuan, organize the Kaiyang’s sailors. This time, nothing must go wrong.”

“I understand,” Bai Xuan replied, eyes narrowing.

He had not expected Bai Xuanji’s return to bring a new mission, but he had a cold iron fish-spear at Forging Blade Manor awaiting him, and retrieving it would further enhance his strength.

Yet, since Forging Blade Manor had specifically requested a fleet escort, they must have sensed some lurking danger. This journey, it seemed, would not be a peaceful one.