Chapter 84: The Swallowing Sea Grows Stronger, Vital Energy Doubles!
Bai Xuan was the first to speak, and the many slaves below blinked in confusion, momentarily bewildered. Set sail for a nearby island themselves? With their current strength, they would surely collapse from exhaustion before even reaching land; most of them were not seasoned sailors, and among them were young women, frail and weak. The other option seemed somewhat more reliable.
At this moment, the rescued slaves below were noisy, talking among themselves, the scene chaotic. “Half a day later, give me your answer!” Bai Xuan did not wait, but turned and left, returning to the captain’s cabin.
…
Captain’s Cabin.
“This Howling Wind Step Diagram gathers vital energy, forming a wind-breaking force that allows the air to no longer hinder one’s speed.” Bai Xuan unfolded the Howling Wind Step Diagram, sorting through insights gained from the recent battle.
Like the Heavenly Maiden Diagram of the White Lotus Sect, which represents a strategic tactic—creating mist and unleashing a volley of arrows, formidable on the battlefield—the Howling Wind Step Diagram embodies extreme speed, both acceleration and nullifying air resistance. Bai Xuan’s agility and sudden attacks had improved by nearly fifty percent!
Do not underestimate this fifty percent. The Yin Method King possessed a powerful movement technique, his speed barely keeping up with Bai Xuan. Now, with Bai Xuan’s speed increased by half, the Yin Method King would have no chance to dodge if Bai Xuan struck again; he would be utterly crushed in an instant.
“I wonder how terrifying Elder Bai, the Marquis with the White Brow, can be when he unleashes his full speed.” Bai Xuan knew the Marquis’s strength—also a consummate grandmaster. Even with his vitality waning with age, he could erupt with power and return to his peak state for a short time. If such speed were unleashed, it would be dreadful; Bai Xuan feared he could not yet keep up.
“However, the Howling Wind Step Diagram is not without its flaws.” Bai Xuan had experienced it personally and understood well…
“The tiger pattern, once formed, greatly enhances speed, but at the cost of losing the protection of vital energy across the body.” “It trades defense for absolute speed!”
Bai Xuan realized that in single combat, this technique was terrifying—speed so great that opponents could not even react, overwhelming them. But in group fights, the shortcomings of the Howling Wind Step Diagram would be exposed.
“The Azure Scale from the Four Seas Azure Sky Jiao Diagram is formidable in defense. If only it could be combined with the Howling Wind Step Diagram, it would be flawless.” The entry-level technique of the Four Seas Azure Sky Jiao Diagram was the Azure Scale Skill, based on the Azure Scale, incredibly resilient; at the second level of vital energy, it could withstand ordinary blades.
However, for someone at a basic blood-refining stage, it was nearly impossible to simultaneously manifest both diagram spirits—it would consume too much energy.
“But I have achieved Copper Skin Mastery; even without layering on the Azure Scale, my defense is already formidable. I can allocate some vital energy to enhance speed and perform the Howling Wind Step!” Bai Xuan was delighted. “I only need to reserve the Jiao Claw’s vital energy for attacks.”
This was pure martial arts for killing and destruction, but it suited Bai Xuan, who was now organizing his thoughts, and the idea was gradually taking shape in his mind.
Knock, knock, knock!
“Come in,” Bai Xuan called. The door to the captain’s cabin opened, and Bai Rongxuan entered, leading two others—an elder and a young man.
“Thank you, Captain, for saving us from fire and water.” The elder stepped inside and bowed deeply.
“We miserable folk have discussed and decided to all join the Swallowing Sea. When we reach the next island, we’ll reconsider. In any case, Captain Bai’s kindness in saving our lives is unforgettable. If ever given the chance, we’ll surely repay you!”
“That’s fine,” Bai Xuan replied, unsurprised.
“Rongxuan,” he instructed the young sailor, who hurried forward, “Take ten first-class sailors and lead their fishermen to get acquainted with the work. For now, designate them as apprentice sailors.”
“Yes, Captain!” Bai Rongxuan responded solemnly.
After he left,
“Their spirit is decent… but their strength is still lacking,” Bai Xuan mused. “It’s time to teach them some martial arts rooted in vital energy.”
Teaching others was also a way to verify one’s own martial understanding. Bai Xuan, now proficient in the Four Seas Azure Sky Jiao Diagram and the Howling Wind Step Diagram, still faced some difficult bottlenecks in martial arts. Rather than working behind closed doors, instructing others might lead to new insights!
…
Half a day later.
Several large ships set sail anew. Bai Rongxuan led sixty experienced seafarers, raising sails and joining the ranks of the Swallowing Sea’s crew. Among them were five or six young pirates whose hands were untainted by blood, shackled, working as best they could.
The rest could only do miscellaneous tasks, but fortunately, the Swallowing Sea never lacked such work—indeed, fish were plentiful!
Within days,
Many of these unfortunate souls integrated into the Swallowing Sea, gradually familiarizing themselves with the work. Most fishing vessels were much the same, but what shocked and amazed them was the terrifyingly high yield of the Swallowing Sea.
Every day, vast quantities of exotic fish were caught, not just deep-sea squid; now, all sorts of rare fish, seven or eight daily, as if inexhaustible!
Ordinary fish hauls were even more abundant—one net thrown, and the hold was soon full.
“It’s incredible! Is this ship blessed by the Sea God? Cast the net anywhere, and you’ll harvest endless riches and food!” The slaves were baffled; little did they know that Bai Xuan, now perfected in Sea Watching, moved by observing vital energy, and wherever his ship went, his gaze illuminated a hundred miles, never missing a single exotic fish.
Without his skills, others would see no pattern in the fish schools and miss every opportunity.
Soon,
Morning.
“I’ve called you here today to teach you the Bai family’s true martial arts transmission—‘Azure Scale Skill’!” Bai Xuan looked down from above.
In recent days, he finally had time to instruct the new boys aboard in training the Azure Scale Skill.
All were Bai sailors, not only those who had not yet mastered the Azure Scale Skill, their eyes filled with longing, but also the young sailors who had already entered the discipline, listening eagerly below, their gaze equally burning with desire.
“The essence of the Azure Scale Skill lies in the nineteen fist forms, which fully stimulate the vital energy throughout the body, refining it within the skin membrane to gain formidable strength…”
Bai Xuan spoke gently, his words plain yet precise, demonstrating each move.
Having retrained the Azure Scale Skill multiple times with the Extreme Abyss Body Forging Technique, reaching its limits, he could now teach these novices with ease, high above, seeing far.
“So that’s how it is!” Some young sailors looked troubled and confused, others suddenly enlightened and overjoyed.
They understood the Azure Scale Skill, and seeing Bai Xuan’s explanation, their hearts brimmed with insight beyond their own comprehension.
The boys, meanwhile, lacked such understanding, struggling to practice the fist forms, striving to stimulate the foundational vital energy of the Azure Scale Skill.
The more experienced the sailor, the more he sensed Bai Xuan’s deep mastery of the Azure Scale Skill, which was almost frightening. Often, a few casual words would illuminate the martial path ahead!
Days passed.
“Those first-class sailors who already have a foundation in vital energy can focus on footwork while training the Azure Scale Skill,” Bai Xuan announced from above.
In recent days, as he organized the Howling Wind Step, he gained faint insights and now, taking time, taught the combined use of the Azure Scale Skill and footwork, revealing the marvels of martial arts.
Below, many first-class sailors listened as if to an esoteric scripture, but a few were utterly entranced!
Half a month passed.
On the deck, more than twenty first-class sailors practiced their punches. The day’s fishing was done; the deep-sea squid filled the hold. Now, there were over a hundred new hands on the Swallowing Sea, and as they grew proficient, efficiency soared.
Now, on the Swallowing Sea, each first-class sailor received two pounds of exotic fish meat daily, their vital energy abundant.
At this moment, as the twenty-odd first-class sailors punched in unison, one of them continued striking, his vital energy surging. Suddenly, with a boom, vital energy gathered beneath the skin, manifesting faint azure scales!
“Second stage of vital energy!” The surrounding sailors stopped, commotion erupting, exclaiming in excitement, “Brother Xuan, you’ve broken through!”
“I’ve finally broken through!” Bai Rongxuan was unable to contain his joy.
He was twenty-one now; from the time he first entered the Azure Scale Skill, it had been five years. Now, reaching the second stage of vital energy, it had come naturally!
“With this breakthrough, I qualify to become the ship’s deputy,” Bai Rongxuan rejoiced. “But I must keep striving; the captain has shown me kindness, and further training is both repayment and responsibility to the Swallowing Sea.”
A sailor’s lifetime advancement often took place on a single ship, almost like half a family—naturally, they valued their ship greatly!
Below the deck,
“Brother Rongxuan broke through to the second stage so quickly?” A dozen boys practiced hard, seeing this scene, filled with envy, gritting their teeth and redoubling their efforts.
Now, the sailors on this ship, and the absorbed slaves and unfortunate souls, were gradually integrating, developing affection for the Swallowing Sea, forming a cohesive whole!
…
Elsewhere, in the cabin.
“These days, I’ve been eating five hundred pounds of squid daily; my vital energy should have improved.” Bai Xuan stood before the captain’s cabin’s huge glass window, clenching his left fist.
With a thunderous sound, his entire arm transformed, covered in azure jiao scales, surrounded by cloud-patterned waves of vital energy, representing powerful buffering defense. The azure scales grew, even extending toward his left chest!
Each scale bore deep, terrifying markings, like runes flowing across the azure surface!
Swish!
The stream of vital energy within Bai Xuan had now doubled in thickness, circulating vigorously.
“Previously, I could only manifest the Jiao Claw, but now my entire arm can take on the jiao form.” Bai Xuan felt his left arm’s defense had increased several times, its strength unstoppable, like a divine weapon—even he could not estimate its power!
The runes on the scales indicated a water nature, able to turn vital energy into surging waves, yielding to overcome hardness, blocking all fierce attacks!
“Vital energy like a river—about ten times the strength of a stream… Now, I already have twice the vital energy; reaching ‘vital energy like a river’ isn’t too far off.” Bai Xuan felt relief.
With Iron Stomach and Golden Viscera techniques, his daily intake of exotic fish was nearly ten times that of ordinary martial artists. Mercury blood transported nutrients, constantly digesting, accumulating vital energy at a breakneck pace.
Since his breakthrough, in just a month or two, an ordinary half-step grandmaster would struggle to achieve such progress in a year.
“These days of sailing, we’ve reached the waters of the Pelro Fleet.” Bai Xuan retracted the Jiao Claw. “It’s time to act—slaughter their men, collect heads, and exchange them for five whole Taishui elixirs.”
He stood at the cabin window, gazing out at the vast sea, when suddenly his eyes narrowed.
“Hm?”
With perfected Sea Watching, he could easily see—a massive vital energy was moving through the waters, and at the head of that energy, there was a dark, deep aura, as though countless vital energies had gathered into one!
“This is…”
Bai Xuan’s eyes shone with delight. “A giant whale!”
He could not be mistaken. This aura was so vast, it could not be any other creature—it must be a giant whale of the boundless sea!
Fourteen thousand words today; the author has done his best. Tomorrow, the daily ten thousand continues.
(End of chapter)