Shen Qing and Li Xian were enjoying the sea breeze on the deck, oblivious to the conversation between Nian Duanyan and Liu You.
Everyone on this ship was aiming to hunt the red - silk pearl fish and the dragon - horn fish. The inner pills of these two types of fish were extremely precious medicinal materials. Once refined into pills, they were highly sought after.
The eyes of the red - silk pearl fish resembled pearls. When dried and ground into powder to make sachets, wearing them could help people stay clear - minded in illusions.
The fish eggs of these two types of fish were also rare treasures that people yearned for. If it weren't for their fast reproduction rate, these two species would have been on the verge of extinction at this hunting speed.
Shen Qing didn't know much about other uses of these two fish. Even this little information was secretly told to her by Ling Zhou.
Seeing that people on the deck were chatting in groups of familiar faces and having no mood to greet them, Shen Qing and Li Xian found a place near the cabin to sit down.
Noticing that Li Xian had been silent for a while, Shen Qing turned to look at him and asked in a low voice, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Li Xian shook his head, but his eyes were fixed on the blue sea.
"I don't know why, but since I came to the South Sea, I've always felt a sense of familiarity. It seems that I'm being guided by something, but the guidance is rather vague. I secretly divined just now, and the divination shows that we'll encounter a great disaster on this trip. We should be more careful."
Li Xian's solemn expression made Shen Qing's heart tighten.
The sea was different from the land. Both of them were sword cultivators. If they were in danger, it would be difficult for them to escape.
Moreover, their protective treasures had been destroyed by lightning when they saved Qing Qing. This extreme sense of insecurity without any protective magic tools made Shen Qing feel like she was running around naked.
Seeing Shen Qing frowning deeply, Li Xian squeezed her hand gently. "Don't worry too much. The divination says that we'll always turn bad luck into good. As long as we're more careful, we'll probably be fine."
Shen Qing nodded and took a deep breath. The sea breeze carried the smell of the ocean, making Shen Qing, who was seeing the sea for the first time, feel quite curious.
Li Xian looked at Shen Qing's profile and a gentle smile appeared on his lips.
The divination he got just now was extremely ominous.
But there were many twists and turns under this great misfortune, indicating that they could turn the situation around.
There was also an interesting part in the divination, which pointed out that Shen Qing was Li Xian's lucky star. If they stayed together, they could turn danger into safety; if they separated, one would surely die and the other would be injured.
This was the first time Li Xian had seen such a divination.
Previously, every time he went down the mountain to practice, if Yu Xuzi didn't tell him to take Xiao Jinglan or other junior brothers with him, he preferred to go alone.
This wasn't his first time in the South Sea. Last time, he was on a boat drifting on the sea for a few days when he encountered a powerful monster and almost lost his life.
If it hadn't been for a passing ship from his sect, Li Xian might never have returned.
Even so, Li Xian still liked to be alone. But somehow, he had gotten used to having Shen Qing by his side. If Shen Qing suddenly left him, he would feel lonely.
Even now, if Shen Qing's eyes lingered on others, he would feel sad.
Every time when Shen Qing spent a long time with others, he would have the urge to keep Shen Qing by his side. But he understood Shen Qing and knew that he couldn't be the one to break her wings.
In Xiao Jinglan's words, he was as dark - minded as a yandere and would scare Shen Qing away.
But he didn't care. As long as Shen Qing didn't know his thoughts, she wouldn't be scared away.
As long as... he buried this obsession deep in his heart.
Li Xian couldn't help but hold Shen Qing's hand. Shen Qing turned to smile at him and then continued to look at the distant scenery.
Looking at the hand tightly held in his own, Li Xian felt his heart filled.
The ship slowly sailed deeper into the South Sea. At first, Shen Qing could see many big and small ships sailing in the same direction.
Gradually, their ship left the others far behind.
Seeing this, An Wu and An Ge immediately realized that this ship was extraordinary, and the person who owned it was even more so.
So they ignored Liu You and kept pestering Nian Duanyan.
"Brother Duanyan, the stars will surely be bright tonight, and the sea scenery will be charming. How about having a drink with us sisters?"
An Wu pressed her curvy body tightly against Nian Duanyan. The large expanse of white on her chest was enough to make one's blood boil, but Nian Duanyan remained unmoved.
He pushed An Wu away with his folding fan without even glancing at the exposed skin.
"Fellow Daoist An, please behave yourself. I already have a Dao companion."
A look of disbelief flashed across An Wu's upturned peach - blossom eyes. She put on a hurt expression on her small face. "Brother Duanyan, we're all cultivators. We don't follow the worldly rules of being chaste. Why don't you come with me to the top of happiness and enjoy the pleasure?"
As she spoke, her fair hands wandered on Nian Duanyan's body, full of seduction.
But Nian Duanyan was getting annoyed. He shook off An Wu's hands. "I've said it before. I have a Dao companion."
An Wu gritted her teeth and complained, "Your wife is so ugly. Just one look at her makes people feel disgusted. Brother Duanyan, why do you exchange a pearl for a fish eye?"
At first, Nian Duanyan could tolerate it, but when he heard An Wu insulting Liu You, he immediately pushed An Wu to the ground without mercy.
"Shameless slut!"
After throwing out this sentence, Nian Duanyan strode away.
An Wu was so angry that she gritted her back teeth. Being humiliated by Nian Duanyan in front of everyone made her feel ashamed.
"Beauty, are you okay? Let me help you up, brother."
Seeing an opportunity, A Zuo immediately stepped forward to help An Wu up.
But before his hand could touch her, An Wu slapped A Zuo's hand away and said disgustedly, "Who do you think you are? How dare you come near me!"
After saying that, An Wu stood up angrily and walked into the cabin.
In the past few days, Shen Qing had witnessed many such dramas on the ship.
At first, she was quite interested and always secretly watched those people. But after seeing too many of them, she found it boring.
"Li Xian, we've been out at sea for several days. Have you sensed anything?"
Shen Qing played with Li Xian's long hair boredly.
Since the first day on the ship, Li Xian had been in meditation. He had maintained the same posture for several days without moving.
If it weren't for Li Xian's occasional responses to Shen Qing's words, Shen Qing would have thought that Li Xian's soul had left his body.
After night fell, Li Xian suddenly opened his eyes. He patted Shen Qing on the head and said in a low voice, "The Mermaid Palace is nearby."
Shen Qing got excited. "You've sensed it!"
But before they could continue talking, Nian Duanyan's voice came, "We're here!"
"This is the place where the red - silk pearl fish gather!"
Everyone rushed to the deck and gathered around the railing, looking down at the sea.
The sea, which should have been pitch - black, had turned into a beautiful deep blue. There were star - like glimmers in the water. With the moonlight reflected by the sea, the ship seemed to be sailing on a river of silver.