Chapter 323 - 290: Unceasing

Chapter 323: Chapter 290: Unceasing

The Crew Leader’s face grew paler, sweat sliding down his cheeks, but his eyes held not a hint of despair.

He focused all his mental energy, constantly adjusting the Array’s operation, striving to push its Defense to the absolute limit.

After each tidal wave crashed against them, he would immediately detect the slightest changes in the Array, swiftly repairing and optimizing it to prepare for the next assault.

The sailors on the ship also grew deathly pale with each impact. They gritted their teeth and held on, struggling to maintain the Array with what little Magical Power they had left.

Although their Magical Power was gradually running dry, they showed no hesitation or thought of retreat.

Whenever their Magical Power was about to be depleted, they would unhesitatingly pull out a few Spirit Pills, swallow them quickly, and use the abundant Spiritual Qi within the Elixirs to restore their power and continue resisting the tidal waves.

The frenzy of the storm seemed endless. Its immense power and long duration filled everyone on board with unprecedented pressure and fear.

Every strike from the colossal waves brought the Dharma Ship to the brink of collapse.

The once-brilliant light barrier from the Jue Pearl began to dim under the relentless assault, its glow no longer as dazzling.

It was like a valiant warrior, exhausted after a fierce battle, yet still standing firm on the front lines, desperately holding off the enemy’s onslaught.

The giant waves were like savage beasts, striking again and again against that fragile yet tenacious barrier of light.

Each impact set off a deafening ROAR and a shudder-inducing shockwave.

The entire Dharma Ship felt as if it had been seized by a raging giant, swaying violently from side to side like a candle in the wind.

The hull CREAKED under the storm’s violence, threatening to disintegrate and sink into the endless, dark depths of the sea with the very next blow.

The sailors aboard clung tightly to the ship’s railings, the deck vibrating violently beneath their feet with each wave’s impact,

Their faces were pale and their lips were pressed into thin lines. Despite the peril, they relentlessly channeled their Magical Power to maintain the Array.

Every time the light barrier weakened, their hearts pounded faster, but they didn’t give up. Instead, their resolve to protect the Dharma Ship only hardened.

The Crew Leader’s face was fraught with anxiety, cold sweat pouring down his forehead as he struggled to stabilize the Array.

At the same time, he closely monitored the sailors’ conditions, distributing Elixirs at the right moments to replenish their Magical Power.

Jiang Xu had already secretly activated his Water Spirit Pearl. The nascent Star Map of his Wave-Breaking Spell was also ready to be unleashed.

’Though this Wave-Breaking Spell Star Map isn’t fully complete, it’s mostly there,’ Jiang Xu thought. ’If I have to use it, it should be fine.’

’If it really comes down to a crisis, I can’t worry about minor details. Escaping is the priority!’

The Dharma Ship’s tremors grew more severe. Two or three times, it came perilously close to capsizing.

Each time the Dharma Ship was tossed into the air by a massive wave and then slammed back down, it felt like a death throe. In those moments when it was about to overturn, terror gripped everyone on board.

But every time, it was just shy of disaster.

The ship never truly sank.

At some point,

as if sensing the crew’s resilience, the wind and rain began to retract their fury.

The gales softened considerably, and the downpour thinned to a sparse scattering of raindrops. The sea, though still roiling with residual waves, was no longer as frenzied as before.

After such prolonged use, the power of the Jue Pearl was finally spent.

The once-brilliant blue barrier gradually faded, dissolving into specks of light that vanished into the night sky.

Without the Jue Pearl’s protection, the Dharma Ship seemed even more fragile on the open sea.

However, when the remaining waves lapped against the Dharma Ship’s hull,

the same waves that once held the power to destroy everything,

could now only cause the ship to rock gently, no longer capable of creating the heart-stopping scenes from before.

"Is... is it really over?"

a Cultivator asked in a low voice, a mix of doubt and relief in his tone, as he cautiously poked his head out from his cabin.

He looked around and realized he wasn’t the only one.

Other Cultivators were also emerging from the cramped confines of their cabins.

Their faces were pale with residual fear. They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with the relief and confusion of having survived a great disaster.

After the storm, the sky cleared and the dark clouds gradually dispersed.

Sunlight pierced through the gaps in the clouds like golden arrows, shooting down to the sea’s surface and illuminating a world that had just been shrouded in darkness and storm.

The brilliant sunlight shone on every crew member’s face—warm, yet glaring—as if to awaken them from a nightmare and return them to reality.

The sunlit sea sparkled, reflecting the sailors’ figures, making it seem as if the cataclysmic storm had been nothing more than an illusory dream.

But the damaged Dharma Ship, the terror and exhaustion etched on the sailors’ faces, and their hands still gripping the railings proved that the disaster had been no illusion.

The crew looked at the long-awaited blue sky, white clouds, and bright sunshine with a mix of complex emotions.

Jiang Xu also had a dazed expression.

’Indeed,’ he thought, ’though Heaven and Earth possess divine might, there are still things within humanity’s reach.’

’Even against such a terrifying storm, Immortal Cultivators can use Arrays, Magical Artifacts, and the like to mobilize an opposing Power of Heaven and Earth to fight back.’

’And this was just the combined effort of Cultivators below the Golden Core realm.’

’Once one reaches the Golden Core realm or higher...’

’...understands the Power of Law, and masters Divine Powers...’

’...wouldn’t they be able to move mountains, fill seas, sunder the earth, and open the heavens...?’

’To turn the Power of Heaven and Earth to their own use, to command its might, and to make it their own path.’

’How powerful that would be!’

As his heart yearned for such power, Jiang Xu’s brow also furrowed with worry.

’My Cultivation Technique has no path for advancement. Forget Golden Core, I can’t even reach the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.’

’What should I do?’

’My Magic is fine for now.’

’It’s time to put finding a new Cultivation Technique on the agenda.’

’But where can I find a new one?’

’I wonder if I can find a new Cultivation Technique in the Youxian Sea.’

’Oh, right, what’s the next island?’

Previously, Jiang Xu had been completely immersed in constructing his Star Map.

He had almost forgotten how many islands they had passed.

’Greed Wolf Island... Jumen Island... Lu Cun Island...’

’Right, it should be Wenqu Island next!’

’Wenqu?’

A thought stirred in Jiang Xu’s mind.

’The name Wenqu is renowned.’

’Perhaps I can find a clue about my Cultivation Technique on this island.’

’It seems... Master Fatty once mentioned that he was born on Wenqu Island. He must know it very well.’

With this in mind, Jiang Xu turned and knocked on Master Fatty’s door.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

He stood at the door and waited.

Master Fatty opened the door, looking puzzled.

"Fellow Daoist, what can I do for you?"

"I have something to ask. I hope you can enlighten me, Fellow Daoist," Jiang Xu said, clasping his hands in a salute.

"Ask me?"

Although Master Fatty didn’t understand, he still welcomed Jiang Xu inside.

"What is it that you wish to ask, Fellow Daoist?"

Jiang Xu chose his words carefully.

"I heard you mention before that you were born on Wenqu Island?"

"That’s right, born and raised on Wenqu Island." Upon hearing this, Master Fatty seemed to understand. "Oh, are you looking to ask about Wenqu Island?"

"Precisely," Jiang Xu nodded.

"Then what aspect are you interested in?" Master Fatty’s interest was piqued.

"Wenqu Island is my turf. On the other islands, you have to follow their rules and stay near the port. You can’t really enter the islands themselves."

"But on Wenqu Island, I can use my connections to let all the passengers on this ship truly enter the island."

However, as he said this, Jiang Xu could clearly see a glint of cunning in Master Fatty’s eyes.

"But, you know, if I’m vouching for you all, I’m taking a risk, too."

"You’ll be able to truly enter Wenqu Island, but you can’t just wander around aimlessly."

"Otherwise, if even one of you causes trouble, not only will all of you be punished collectively, but I’ll be in hot water too!"

"But as long as you’re obedient and do as I say, I guarantee I can show you all the must-see spots on Wenqu Island!"

Hearing that he could truly enter the island, Jiang Xu couldn’t help but nod, a sense of anticipation welling up inside him.

Before, he had impersonated Liang Fan precisely because he lacked a proper identity.

Now that he could enter the island normally, there was no need to take such risks anymore.

But just as Jiang Xu was nodding to himself, he suddenly felt that something was off.

He had a feeling he’d heard Master Fatty’s words somewhere before.

’Why... does this sound exactly like what a tour guide from my past life would say?!’