Chapter 337 - Attack on the Ferry

The perceptions of the five other Origin Core realm martial artists sank into the water simultaneously as the group sought to find the culprit that was attacking the ferry.

But after they did, their expressions instantly turned dark.

They initially thought that it was just a stray underwater beast that had targeted them without knowing better, but the situation was far worse than they had imagined.

More than a dozen underwater beasts circled around, repeatedly slamming their huge bodies against the ferry as they tried to slowly grind down its defensive formations.

Each of these whale-like beasts was as large as two elephants combined, and had rows of razor-sharp teeth within its huge maw. Its thick skin appeared to be extremely tough, leaving it completely fine even after continuously ramming its huge body against the ferry.

Just their physical prowess alone was enough to make them beasts at the Origin Core realm level.

"It's a pod of Blue-finned Razor Whales!" the topknot young man exclaimed in alarm. "They are generally peaceful beasts, so why would they suddenly attack us? Did we infringe on their territory?"

"There's someone behind them," Lu Tianzi answered, drawing the attention of everyone on deck.

Lu Tianzi's perception had always been stronger than his peers, not to mention that everything was now happening in his element.

The other party thought that he could stay hidden by remaining in the deep waters, even further down than the pod of Blue-finned Razor Whales. However, he never thought that there would be someone like Lu Tianzi on board the ferry.

But why would he be doing this?

Was he trying to rob them?

"There's someone behind them?" the topknot young man asked. "Does this young brother know something?"

Even though he was speaking to someone younger and with a lower cultivation level, the topknot young man's tone was respectful and without any trace of arrogance.

"You will see soon enough," Lu Tianzi led Nanlan Qianxue by the hand and took a few steps back from the edge of the ferry.

Right as he said that, there was a huge splash on the surface of the water, and a man emerged on the back of a Blue-finned Razor Whale.

It was a man at the Sixth Cycle Origin Core realm, just like the topknot young man.

Despite having just emerged from the water depths, neither his shoulder-length black hair nor his long heavy cloak did not seem like it had touched a single drop of water.

There was a deep frown on the cloaked man's face as he quickly scanned over the passengers on the open deck.

While hiding underwater earlier, he had suddenly sensed a powerful perception coming from the ferry and sweeping over him.

It was only because he realised that his cover had been blown that he eventually decided to give up on hiding and show himself in front of his target.

However, the scene before him now simply did not match with what he had expected to see.

The strongest person on board the ferry was just a Sixth Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist, which was the same cultivation level as himself.

His perception should not have been enough to penetrate that deep into the water!

Then again, that no longer mattered.

"It is time for all of you to die," the cloaked man said coldly before whistling loudly.

The Blue-finned Razor Whales seemed to be triggered by his whistle, suddenly increasing the rate at which they attacked the ferry.

"Damn it! Who's that guy?"

"I am going to stop the beasts!"

"I will go with you!"

Three of the group of five dove into the water without hesitation.

As for the top-knot young man, he walked to the edge of the ferry and stared at the cloaked man. "Who are you, and why are you doing this?"

"Young Master Xuan Hao, you are still as naive as ever," the cloaked man grinned. "Leaving the safety of your sect to go adventuring is a good thing, but not bringing an elder along for protection is your greatest mistake."

The top-knot young man frowned.

As the other party had said, his real name was Xuan Hao.

He had never used his true identity after leaving the sect, yet the other party was able to name him perfectly.

There was no doubt that the other party was here for him.

In that case, he had the responsibility to personally resolve this issue!

"Perhaps it is not a mistake after all," Young Master Xuan Hao harrumphed. "At least now I can make an example of you, sending a clear warning to anyone else who dares to have such insolent thoughts!"

Young Master Xuan Hao punched out towards the cloaked man, summoning a blazing fireball that was especially eye-catching in the night. The fireball emanated a fiery heat as it thundered across the water surface, heading straight towards its target.

But facing such an attack, the cloaked man was completely unfazed.

In fact, he did not even have to make a move.

On the contrary, the Blue-finned Razor Whale that he was riding on moved quickly, bringing him along as they easily escaped the trajectory of the fireball.

"Everything you do is useless," the cloaked man mocked. "At this distance, there is no way any of your techniques can hit me."

"Tch!" Young Master Xuan Hao clicked his tongue in frustration.

Indeed, he was not especially adept at long-ranged combat.

However, the opponent was being extremely cautious, staying at a safe distance away from the ferry.

Without the ability to fly, there was no easy way to reach his opponent from where he was at.

As for swimming over to reach the other party, that would be a severe handicap for a fire-based combat technique user like himself. If at all possible, he would like to avoid such a situation.

It was frustrating, but Young Master Xuan Hao felt truly helpless in this situation.

How exactly could he approach this?

The cloaked man obviously knew these problems that Young Master Xuan Hao was facing. That was also the reason why he dared to attack alone, and even show himself despite being just a single person against so many opponents.

Then again, he was not exactly alone.

Underwater, three of Young Master Xuan Hao's companions were channelling their Origin Force as they faced a pod of almost twenty Blue-finned Razor Whales.

The beasts' physical prowess might be much stronger in comparison, but the martial artists were able to make up for the difference with their cultivation and combat techniques.

Now that the martial artists were in the water, the Blue-finned Razor Whales no longer targeted the ferry.

They charged at the three demons in the water, trying to make use of their superior physical prowess to overwhelm their targets.

As for the three demons, each of them executed profound combat techniques to fend off the beasts.

However, their energy consumption rate was higher than usual due to the sole fact that they had to fight underwater and go against the water resistance.

They were currently able to stand their own against the huge Blue-finned Razor Whales and keep them off the ferry, but it was only a matter of time until they become exhausted.

"Brother Xuan Hao, I don't think the three of them can last much longer!"

The remaining of the group of five was a young lady, and she stood alongside Young Master Xuan Hao in a battle stance.

Young Master Xuan Hao did not reply, merely staring forward at the cloaked man's smug expression.

Did he really have no choice but to use his life-saving trump card?

Hmm?

Right at that moment, Young Master Xuan Hao felt movement coming from behind him.

Before he knew it, a figure had flashed past him, leaping over the par.a.p.et of the ferry and diving into the water.

"That's...?" Young Master Xuan Hao and his female companion could not help but turn around to look at Nanlan Qianxue.

Right now, apart from Young Master Xuan Hao and his female companion, Nanlan Qianxue was the only one else left on the open deck.

"Don't worry," Nanlan Qianxue replied with a smile. "He said he will be back soon."

Splash-!

A wave of refreshing coolness washed over him as Lu Tianzi dived into the clear waters of the Canal of Misery.

Relishing in the feeling of being surrounded by water, he let out a subconscious smile before turning his attention to his surroundings.

Around him, around twenty Blue-finned Razor Whales were circling around the ferry, assaulting the three martial artists who were trying their best to fend them off.

"Be careful, these beasts are strong!" one of the three sent a voice conveyance message to Lu Tianzi upon noticing his appearance in the water.

The three martial artists were all at the Fourth or Fifth Origin Cycles. In comparison, Lu Tianzi's Second Cycle Origin Core realm cultivation level seemed to be slightly lacking.

While the three martial artists were thankful to be receiving help from their fellow passengers, they could not help but feel worried for him as well.

However, Lu Tianzi himself was completely unconcerned.

With a sudden burst of speed, Lu Tianzi shot straight past the encircling pod of Blue-finned Razor Whales.

The three martial artists in the water could not help but reveal looks of surprise.

Lu Tianzi's movement technique seemed completely effortless. It almost appeared as though he was not the one who was moving, but it was the river water that was carrying him along.

Flowing River Silent Strides.

It was initially developed as a ground movement technique, allowing a martial artist to move as though being carried by a flowing river, traversing wide distances in a swift but effortless manner.

After multiple refinements from Lu Tianzi, the movement technique had evolved and reached a higher level.

While it was unable to help Lu Tianzi while he was flying through the air, it was a completely different matter now that he was in the water.

Here, it was even more effective than on land!

With a sudden burst of speed, Lu Tianzi easily broke out of the encirclement of the Blue-finned Razor Whales, charging straight for the cloaked man in the distance.

He might not have been the target of the attack, but he and Nanlan Qianxue would be affected as well if they ferry were to sink.

Since his fellow passengers seemed to be having trouble taking care of the situation, Lu Tianzi decided to lend them a hand.

Of course, if things got dangerous, his priority would still be to get away as fast as possible.

"Hmm?" the cloaked man suddenly furrowed his brows as he directed his attention downwards. "Overestimating yourself!"

A heavy sword appeared in his hand as he slashed downwards, sending out a powerful sword light that seemed to cut straight through the water body itself.

"Look out!" Young Master Xuan Hao warned worriedly.

He simply did not understand why a Second Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist would rush into close combat with someone four whole Origin Cycles above him.

He might not have any better ideas either, but this was simply too reckless!

Young Master Xuan Hao's words of caution were naturally directed towards Lu Tianzi, who was quickly approaching the cloaked man from underwater.

However, Lu Tianzi ignored the warning, keeping his attention focused on the cloaked man's actions instead.

The cloaked man's powerful sword light had cut through the water and was now headed straight for him.

With a flick of his wrist, the Moon Culler appeared in Lu Tianzi's right hand.

When the bright moonlight shone through the clear waters of the Canal of Misery to land on the treasure sword, the Moon Culler seemed to tremble in excitement, releasing a dull grey energy that encased the entire blade.

Lu Tianzi decisively slashed out, his every movement completely unaffected by the water resistance.

If anything, the water even seemed to be pushing his arm along, increasing the might of his attack!

Bang-!

The Moon Culler smashed against the sword light from the cloaked man, the collision sending out powerful waves in all directions.

Even the Blue-finned Razor Whales with their huge bodies could not help but sway along helplessly when struck by the underwater currents.

"What?!"

Be it friend or foe, everyone present widened their eyes in shock.

Was this really the power that a Second Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist should possess?!