Chaotic Reef District.

"How is this possible?! How?!"

"Moby Dick... just died like that? This is impossible!"

And after he performed the Secret Technique to confirm it...

Suddenly, Navasen’s expression became utterly ghastly.

White Whale Moby Dick, the Tier Three Sea Successor Mutant Species in which he had placed such high hopes.

Had died inexplicably?!

The news was like a bucket of ice water poured over his head, extinguishing the joy he felt from slaying Zhaoxia!

Disbelief and fury consumed his mind.

"Damn it... Who could have done this?"

A savage light glinted in Navasen’s eyes.

He had just ambushed and killed a Crystallization-stage master, a vicious slap in the face to the Cyan Profound Sect!

In this gambit, he had achieved a resounding victory!

However, the death of White Whale Moby Dick cast a heavy shadow over this triumph.

There were many demon beasts in the Dongning Sea Region, and plenty of Sea Successor Remains in the sacred land.

But so far, the White Whale was by far the mutant species that had fused best with the Sea Successor Remains and had the most potential!

This was evident from the fact that it was the first to become a Tier Three Demon King.

Moreover, this Demon King had an extraordinary bond with his subject, An Sha.

It was completely different from those unruly demon beasts that only obeyed him grudgingly because of the Sea Successor Remains!

Potential, combat strength, loyalty... the White Whale was superior to all other demon beasts in the sea region!

And now, it was dead!

"Dammit..."

Immediately, a flicker of fear appeared on Navasen’s face.

The reason was simple. This unknown opponent’s ability to slay White Whale Moby Dick proved they had definitely reached the third tier.

At the very least, they possessed the offensive power of a third-tier being!

With such strength, it wasn’t impossible for them to kill the severely wounded Navasen as well!

After all, the Quasi-Technique that Zhaoxia had unleashed before death was truly terrifying in its power!

Most of Navasen’s body was currently covered in wounds from the Divine Technique, leaving him in extremely poor condition.

’I have to retreat for now...’

With a grim expression, Navasen left the scene.

Without a doubt, the White Whale’s death meant his plans had to be postponed.

Coupled with his severe injuries, he would now be forced to remain on his island to recuperate for a long time.

"Damn it all..."

"You damn bastard, you’d better hope I never find out who you are!"

...

「Half a month later.」

Donglong Island.

"Mr. Su, it’s a good thing you didn’t go... I almost didn’t make it back from this trip."

Xiao Sheng sighed, chugging Spirit Wine as he spoke to Su Ye with a wry smile.

"Oh? Was it really that dangerous? A Crystallization-stage master was leading the team, wasn’t he?"

Su Ye poured Xiao Sheng a cup of wine, feigning surprise.

"Sigh, you have no idea..."

Xiao Sheng gave another wry smile and recounted his entire journey.

"Thankfully, my luck was good. After I sailed into the storm, the White Whale didn’t pursue me, and I didn’t run into any other demon beasts..."

’That’s because I’m the one who slaughtered the White Whale and all the other demon beasts...’

Su Ye grumbled internally, rolling his eyes.

After slaying the White Whale, his first concern had been Xiao Sheng’s safety.

Xiao Sheng’s character had earned Su Ye’s respect, solidifying their friendship.

He would naturally lend a hand when it was within his power.

As Xiao Sheng headed back, the Ghostly Flood Dragon had tailed his spirit ship from a distance, escorting him for a while.

It was only after his spirit ship left the Chaotic Reef District...

...that Su Ye went full speed and rushed back to Donglong Island.

"But, Mr. Su, I have some good news..."

Xiao Sheng lowered his voice.

"Oh?" Su Ye raised an eyebrow.

"I asked the other spirit ships. It seems Li Hengyan has vanished without a trace..."

"The spirit ship he was on was probably caught by the White Whale."

"Excellent!"

Su Ye’s face lit up with joy. He clapped his hands, making no effort to hide his delight.

Xiao Sheng wasn’t suspicious at all.

After all, given the grudge between Su Ye and Li Hengyan, this reaction was perfectly normal.

"Come, come! Li Hengyan is dead! I’m opening two jars of my best wine..."

Time to pop the champagne!

"Alright, we’re not leaving until we’re drunk!"

Xiao Sheng also broke into a smile.

After surviving such a harrowing adventure, anyone would want to let loose and celebrate.

"By the way... what kind of demon beast meat is this? It’s unbelievably delicious!"

"That... is a secret!" Su Ye shrugged.

’I can’t very well tell you that this came from the same White Whale that nearly killed you half a month ago, can I?’

...

「After the feast.」

Su Ye washed up and bathed before walking into his cave estate.

In the bedroom.

Incense was burning, and the subtle scent of lavender filled the room.

"My lord..."

Qi Shuhui was wearing a pale yellow gauze dress that outlined her graceful figure.

It created an alluring contrast with her youthful face.

She was kneeling on the jade bed, providing Su Ye with a warm and supple lap pillow.

The warm, sweet fragrance of her body was intoxicating.

Qi Shuhui’s delicate fingers gently and soothingly massaged his temples.

"My lord, are you comfortable...?"

Enjoying the beautiful woman’s service, Su Ye’s mind and body relaxed, his fatigue fading away.

...

His mind drifted as he contemplated the current situation.

’The whale hunt organized by Weiyuan Immortal City and the Cyan Profound Sect was a complete failure, with disastrous losses...’

On Weiyuan Immortal City’s side, Sikong Xin was suspected to be severely injured and had stopped at White Iron Island to enter seclusion and recuperate.

The Cyan Profound Sect had it even worse!

According to Xiao Sheng, Zhaoxia was missing!

Su Ye even suspected that Zhaoxia had already fallen.

After all, he had sensed the Key of Heaven and the Key of the Sea returning to the indigenous island.

This proved that Navasen was definitely not dead.

But Zhaoxia was nowhere to be found, without even a single message sent out?

Under these circumstances, both Weiyuan Immortal City and the Cyan Profound Sect were bound to stay far away from the Dongning Sea Region!

’As for the only ones who could possibly stir up trouble—the natives, or a Beast Tide...’

"Heh..." Su Ye chuckled.

The White Whale had died by his hand!

It had already been cut into pieces and was now resting peacefully in the secret treasury of Donglong Island.

Meanwhile, the holders of the Key of Heaven and the Key of the Sea were holed up on their island.

Clearly, Navasen was recuperating!

’In other words...’

With the three major powers pulling back, this sea region was about to enter a period of peace!

And Su Ye would gain a period of precious time to develop!

’First, I need to advance my cultivation and break through to the Late-stage Foundation Establishment...’

After the Ghostly Flood Dragon’s upgrade, Su Ye’s cultivation speed had increased yet again.

’Second, I need to make the most of the spoils from the White Whale, trade them for resources, and accelerate my cultivation.’

Among the spoils from the White Whale were certain items that were extremely valuable in the eyes of those who coveted them.

But to Su Ye, they weren’t of much use.

’For example... the Whale Brain Oil?’

In the eyes of Weiyuan Immortal City, this item was related to Canghai’s Heart Demon Tribulation and his attempt to reach the Golden Core stage, making its value immeasurable!

Su Ye could absolutely use this to trade for a massive amount of resources!

’A rare commodity is a great asset...’ Su Ye smiled.

In Weiyuan Immortal City...

...there was something he had coveted for a very long time!