Chapter 81: The Pirates Attack, The Diagram of the Gale Steps!

In a flash, the reflection of the vast sea that once shimmered in Bai Xuan’s eyes now, within a mere instant, became solid and real, as if waves surged and towering breakers crashed within his gaze. Soon after, the immense mirage of the ocean gradually faded, vanishing as if returning to its original simplicity. Only a faint azure remained—boundless, far-reaching, containing the myriad currents of the world swirling within.

This sensation...

With blue eyes agleam, Bai Xuan rose to his feet, overlooking the surging sea below. He could sense it—wherever his gaze reached, he had always been able to see through the mighty ocean, discerning the faint outlines of fish. Even as his insight deepened, it merely made the sea clearer, his sight sharper.

But now, within his vision, a new “aura” shimmered above the sea! The fish bore faint red trails, as if blood essence; great sharks swam past, wreathed in cold, gray murderous intent. Even stranger species appeared—like the raincoat fish, gliding through the water, surrounded by countless tiny, eerie white traces.

Across the entire expanse of the sea, a subtle gray haze hung in the air, indescribable yet ever-present.

So this is the consummate power of Sea-Gazing? Bai Xuan’s heart leapt with delight.

He swept his gaze over the captain’s cabin, where a crimson sea serpent dozed lazily in a water jar. Around it glimmered a thin layer of sharp, condensed red aura—so potent that even the faintest trace could poison a martial artist rich in blood and vigor.

And more: as a great whale passed, it left behind a mighty current; when ships broke through the waves, traces of their energy lingered. These marks, invisible to ordinary eyes, would dissipate in a blink, but to Bai Xuan, they were clear as daylight.

A perfected technique truly holds immense power, he thought joyfully. The mastery of Net-Drawing had given him the strength of ten thousand pounds, an almost terrifying natural force, as if he had been reborn. Now, with Sea-Gazing complete, he could see the currents of the sea for miles around, perceiving all its energies and secrets.

Yet Bai Xuan noticed, as his gaze swept the deep, that a shadowy abyss in the ocean appeared indistinct, its aura only faintly revealed. Something strange must lurk within—perhaps only by approaching could he see clearly.

His eyes narrowed. Beneath the Eastern Sea, many dangers and mysteries remained unexplored. Every year, ships vanished mysteriously—perhaps drawn into storms, or pulled down into such abysses.

He would not risk himself lightly, nor dive into these unknown depths; instead, he quietly marked the location in his mind.

At that moment, luminous characters, bright as fire, appeared on the trunk of the Longevity Tree.

“Serve as captain, command a voyage to sea...”

The script had yet to reveal its second half; it lingered, incomplete.

So it is as I thought—only by completing a full voyage, perhaps earning enough catch, training enough sailors, can this be fulfilled, Bai Xuan surmised.

Having tended the Path of the Longevity Tree for so long, he understood well how to walk this road and increase his insight. Clearly, his duties as captain were not yet finished, nor his path complete.

A captain’s responsibilities cannot be fulfilled in a single day. Bai Xuan was not impatient for quick results.

Now, having grown accustomed to the consummate Sea-Gazing power, he summoned a few sailors for instructions, then, with a deft flick of his hand, produced a scroll the width of his palm.

It is time I examined the scroll my master gave me.

These past days had been spent cultivating the Iron Stomach Art—only by increasing his appetite could he quickly digest deep-sea squid and strengthen his blood and energy.

Now that the Iron Stomach Art was taking shape, it was time to study the scroll as well.

...

Upon the sea.

Two large ships bore the scars of battle—crossbow bolts embedded in the deck, marks of blade and axe everywhere. Blood still lingered in the gouges on the planks, though the waves had washed much away.

Dozens of brawny sailors, hands bound, knelt on the deck in a row.

“Stay where you are!” a pirate barked.

Nearby, three pirate ships, flying flags stained with blood and a solitary star, had surrounded the vessels, trapping them after a fierce fight.

At the rear, a tall, burly pirate, dressed in a long coat with a massive meteor hammer at his waist, stood with blood and vigor surging—he had broken through the threshold of blood and energy three times.

On these two large ships, pirates patrolled, swords in hand, spattered with blood; corpses were being kicked from the deck into the sea below.

“Boss!” a pirate hurried out from the hold, excitement on his face.

“There are over two hundred slaves down there—it’s a slave ship!”

“Two hundred?” The pirate chief’s eyes lit up.

On these vast seas, strength ruled. Powerful families formed alliances for protection, while weaker coastal villagers were often abducted, reduced to slavery, and sold.

The value of these slaves depended on age, gender, appearance, strength. A fighter who had broken through three times in blood and energy could fetch at least two thousand taels of silver; a beautiful maiden, over five hundred taels. Even robust, ordinary men could be worth a hundred taels—a hefty price.

“What’s the quality of these slaves?” the pirate leader demanded.

“Boss, fine stock—most are young, strong men, and some are lovely young women. They’ll sell for a good price at the sea market!” the pirate replied eagerly. “Or we could keep them for ourselves, let them work the island estates, or for entertainment—also worth a fortune!”

“Excellent, excellent! Two hundred slaves, what a haul,” the pirate chief said, his eyes cold as he swept his gaze over the line of sturdy men.

“You have two choices now!” he declared. “First, join us—become part of the Star-Hunter Pirates, and you’ll be spared. Second, become slaves, just like the ones you were trafficking—sold at market or left to die!”

At that, the bound captain quickly called out, “We’re willing to join the pirates!”

He had been beaten, two ribs broken, yet preferred piracy to death. If he’d trafficked slaves, what did piracy matter?

Just then—

“Hmm?”

On the pirate ship, the lookout suddenly shouted, “Fishing boat approaching!”

“A whaling ship?” The pirate chief peered into the distance, spotting a small dark shape on the horizon.

“That’s an Ironwood warship! That vessel’s worth a fortune—better than the one I have!” The chief’s eyes gleamed, his lips curling in a sneer.

“Get ready to seize the ship, boys!”

In his mind, even if there were experts aboard, it was only a fishing vessel—no real masters would go out to sea after whales. At most, there’d be someone who had broken through the blood threshold three times, still far from the ranks of the elite. With three pirate ships, they had the numbers and strength to crush any resistance.

...

Aboard the Sea-Swallow.

So that’s it, Bai Xuan mused, eyes brightening. The picture contains the flow of blood and energy—it’s part of a visualization diagram.

On the broad wooden captain’s table lay an unfurled scroll, covered not with a clear image, but with hundreds of blurred lines, as if streaked by a wild storm.

Yet in Bai Xuan’s eyes, those lines were the sweeping strikes of a giant tiger, speed pushed to the limit—too fast to see the beast itself, only its blurred traces left behind, symbols of ultimate swiftness.

With a surge, mercury-like blood coursed through his body; as the condensed energy moved, his skin shimmered with black stripes—like those of a tiger, the ultimate condensation of blood and energy. When these marks appeared, Bai Xuan’s body seemed to lift, as if wrapped in wind.

This, like the Glimpse of Claws and Scales, was a supreme martial secret, the master’s own insight traced and shared—its uses limitless.

Bai Xuan lost himself in contemplation, deeply absorbed in the scroll.

This must be the Gale-Step Diagram, personally passed down from Lord White-Browed Marquis. Its mysteries far surpassed the Glimpse of Claws and Scales, containing countless insights from decades of mastery.

Only after perfecting the Tiger’s Pounce could one comprehend the diagram, learning how to drive blood and energy for unparalleled speed.

As Bai Xuan pondered the Gale-Step Diagram, a long horn sounded, echoing through the Sea-Swallow.

Bang, bang, bang! Urgent knocking at the door.

“Come in,” Bai Xuan called, frowning.

“Captain, the lookout has spotted three pirate ships ten miles off, plus two unidentified vessels being held by pirates. The three pirate ships are heading straight for us!” the young sailor reported in a rush.

(End of chapter)