The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1609 - 817: Sea Treasure

Once leaving Divine State’s land, the Hook Paper will become invalid!

This situation, Li Yan had already considered.

During the time in the Daluo Law Realm, he had seen those branch-like lights vaguely forming the outline of the Divine State.

Moreover, the Daluo Law Realm maintains some intimate connection with the Human World, resembling a mirror image.

He speculated back then that once departing from the area governed by the Netherworld, it would be impossible to summon Yin Bureau Soldiers. It’s like those side door Evil Dao practitioners leaving Divine State due to the court’s decree oversight, becoming lawless in the South Seas without the constraints of Heavenly Rules and Yin Law.

Now it’s finally completely confirmed.

Although he was prepared, his heart couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

After all, this trump card that could suppress Earth Immortal is utterly useless...

"Young Hero!"

Suddenly, the cabin door was shoved open, and a crew member, face covered in water droplets, staggered in, the hem of his coir raincoat dripping with salty seawater, "We’ve reached Zhoushan Islands! The navy flagship has signaled us to anchor here temporarily!"

Li Yan frowned, "Why the panic?"

The crew on this speedboat were all found with the help of Chief Historian Chen, claiming to be the most experienced sailors around Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Although inexperienced in open sea voyages, their coastal delivery experience was extensive.

Why act so recklessly, barging in without knocking...

"I... I’m sorry, sir."

The crew member finally realized, quickly clasping his hands, "Something has happened outside, they want you to go and check it out."

"Oh?"

Li Yan quickly put away the Hook Paper and, following the crew member, stepped onto the deck.

The other members of the Twelve Primordial Spirits were present, except for Kong Shangzhao, Kuai Dayou, and Long Yan’er, who were resting inside the cabin.

They had never been to sea before, hence feeling seasick.

Especially Kuai Dayou, initially energetic and shouting during the departure, now turned into a limp shrimp, vomiting immensely.

The cold wind carried salty fishy moisture, blowing the robes of those on board into a flapping sound.

Li Yan looked ahead, seeing the sky leaden gray, dense fog like a giant white python coiling around the sea surface with visibility less than ten zhang.

Waves slammed into the ship’s side, splintering wood, as the entire seagull boat violently swayed in the angry waves, emitting a grating groan.

Sha Lifei gripped the mast with one hand, using the other to drag the retching Wu Ba to the sheltered side.

Wang Daoxuan sat cross-legged at the ship’s bow, hands in mantra, eyes shooting sharp glints, clearly examining with Qi Observation.

"Brother Yan!"

Lv San leaped down from the lookout, his shoulder feathers of Li Dong damp from the fog, "The navy has sent someone over!"

A small boat broke through the fog, approaching, with an armored colonel jumping off.

He wiped the seawater from his face, his voice hoarse, cupping his fist, "Young Hero Li, Assistant General Zhou orders me to relay a message!"

This colonel looked around at everyone, his face ashen, "Zhoushan is the key to the ’Nine Mountains and Ocean,’ set with Zhoushan Guard, Jintang Station, and Chuanshan Station as three critical points. A few days ago, we received naval orders to blockade Daishan Sea Area first, cutting off pirate retreat routes. But right now..."

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he pointed deeper into the fog, "Not even a shadow of a soldier can be seen!"

"I am ordered to stand guard here, I ask everyone to temporarily hold position, do not advance recklessly!"

"No support?"

Sha Lifei raised an eyebrow, "Zhoushan Water Village has over a thousand troops and thirty warships, how can they be silent?"

The colonel shook his head with a bitter smile, "I’ve sent a sentry ship to scout three times, not even a wisp of smoke has been seen. General Zhou suspects the Sea Demon Group is at work, ordering the full army to form the ’Crane Wing Formation’ and press in, but being wary of deception, cannot divide forces to escort you all."

After saying this, he cupped his fists solemnly, "Military orders are like mountains, I hope the Young Hero understands."

Li Yan looked towards the fog-covered sea, the Duan Chen Blade slightly humming within its sheath.

"General Zhou is cautious, we should follow orders."

This General Zhou is a person of the Crown Prince, saying they are here to escort out to sea, but indeed also wishing them to bolster the formation.

Their courtesy should be reciprocated with similar conduct, so Li Yan and his team couldn’t refuse.

After the colonel hurried away, Wang Daoxuan finally rose, his brows tightly knitted, "Something indeed seems wrong. Just now, I used the ’Qi Observation Skill’ to sense; the front sea area is teeming with Yin Sha Qi, but of such scale, it doesn’t seem human-made."

Li Yan pondered, glancing aside.

At the bow, an elderly man, skin darkened and hair gray, was muttering while burning yellow paper.

"Uncle Chen."

Sha Lifei understood and immediately stepped forward to inquire, "Seeing this situation, do you know something?"

This Uncle Chen was the boat’s prow man; he swallowed, smiling wryly, "Gentlemen, even I haven’t seen before. It’s not that I’m timid, but trading at sea, strange and bizarre things happen."

"I know you all are experts, but once trouble arises on the boundless sea, even the strongest are helpless."

After hearing this, Li Yan and the others seemed to say no more.

The precise course of action remained up to General Zhou.

Moreover, it wasn’t necessarily required for them to act, as a number of Jiangnan Mysterious Sect individuals accompanied the voyage this time.

...

Elsewhere, on the navy fleet’s tower ship flagship deck.

Several Maoshan Taoists in apricot yellow Daoist robes were stepping in Astral Step Fighting, chanting spells.

Some were examining the Compass in their hands, its needle erratic, jumping wildly up and down.

Some performed mantras while tossing several Mugwort stalks into the wind, observing the arrangement after they landed.

"Strange!"

The leading Maoshan elder’s beard trembled, "This Yin Sha Qi is dense, gathering as if with spirituality..."

Beside him, General Zhou listened and immediately flashed a murderous look, "Daoist, are those pirates causing trouble?!"

"Hard to say."

The Maoshan elder slightly shook his head, looking into the boundless white mist, "This cannot be accomplished solely by human strength."

General Zhou contemplated for a moment, turning to command, "Send someone in to see!"

At his command, two advance speedboats immediately sailed into the fog.

Everyone watched as the vessel’s silhouette slowly vanished, swiftly swallowed by the thick fog.