Though the three moons were veiled by thick clouds, the sea was not swallowed by complete darkness.
Sowhere far away, a flying island hovered above the waters. Unlike the Dragon Boats brimming with rchants, pirates and wanderers, this place was quieter. Yet, it was not abandoned. Dozens of ships anchored against the colossal boulders that jutted from the waves below the island, their lamps glowing faintly. The waters shimred with pale radiance as countless luminescent fish swam in schools beneath the surface, scattering light like stars fallen into the sea.
It was a strange blend— silence above, yet life thrumming faintly below.
Many captains, however, were frustrated. Though they had co all this way to reach the island, they could not dock properly.
Hovering above the anchored fleet, a man in a loose yellow robe balanced effortlessly on a flying sword. His expression was carefree, his tone even more so as he addressed the sailors below.
"Due to... certain problems, the docking formations of this island are not functioning properly. You may either anchor your ships on the boulders below, or send only those who wish to visit into the city above."
His words were simple, yet carried the kind of authority only those used to dealing with seafarers possessed.
The sailors listened carefully. Captains sent ssengers to confirm, then orders rippled across the anchored fleet. Crews repeated the announcent: passengers who wished to enter the flying city could do so, but the ships themselves would remain moored below.
At once, a migration began. Hoverboats unfolded, hoverboards zipped upward, and many summoned flying swords beneath their feet. From every anchored ship, streams of figures rose into the night sky, heading toward the glowing island above.
Among them was Ling Tian.
Unlike the others, he did not ride a sword nor call upon artifacts. The winds themselves seed to cradle him. His body floated upward with each step, carried gently by unseen currents. It was neither flamboyant nor showy —just natural, as if the air obeyed his will.
Ling Tian had traveled with a band of traveling rchants, strangers who allowed him to hop aboard in exchange for a few Lydias and light assistance when needed. Wandering the sea often ant making such temporary connections.
But his real purpose lay elsewhere.
As he ascended, his mind wandered back to a conversation on the Dragon Boat.
He rembered leaning against a wooden wall, listening to the calm, confident voice of Lily Gos. Her presence was striking—knowledge radiated from her every word, her explanations laced with certainty. Even when speaking of uncertain matters, she had a way of drawing connections that painted the world in clarity.
Ling Tian had only half-understood much of it.
"I’m not sure where to even begin," he had admitted, embarrassed by his lack of leads.
She had brushed her hair back, her eyes steady, voice filled with wisdom. "I know. But I went through the information I bought. I found so clues. The trick is knowing where to look at ManHunter is ..."
To Ling Tian, it had sounded like: blah blah this, that, blah blah blah.
And yet, he rembered the warmth in her tone, the confidence that made him feel as though the impossible might be within reach.
Now, as he drifted upward toward the flying island, he realized he was smiling faintly. His cheeks ward at the thought.
"I hope we can et again," he whispered to himself, "and this ti... as friends."
For that to happen, he would need to succeed in the task she had nudged him toward. That thought hardened his gaze, his steps upon the wind becoming firr, more resolute.
Then, the air changed.
A sudden gust tore across the night sky, heavy and unnatural. The glowing schools of fish in the water below scattered instantly, vanishing into the depths as though fleeing a predator.
The air was tense.
Around him, dozens of cultivators riding hoverboards, boats, and swords froze mid-flight. They all turned their heads toward the sa point on the horizon.
What they saw drew gasps.
Sothing was moving through the water —a vast, bright-red form. It wasn’t natural; it pulsed with ominous energy that sent ripples through the night. Its shape twisted and surged like a colossal serpent made of light and death.
And it was not alone.
Chasing after it was another beast, a dragon with wings laced in flowing rivers of molten orange. Lava-like veins blazed across its body, casting flickering light on the dark waves below. The clash of their auras shook the sea, waves rising and collapsing violently in their wake.
The red creature surged forward, its trail glowing across the waters like a scar. The dragon roared, fury in its molten eyes, each beat of its wings sending fire scattering across the sky.
And behind them, cloaked in shadows, invisible to most eyes, another presence followed— the Shadow Pearl, gliding silently, hidden like darkness within darkness.
But those in the sky could only see two titans locked in pursuit.
"It looks like... a Titan and a Dragon are fighting," an Immortal Practitioner muttered, his voice laced with awe and fear.
So cultivators shuddered, quickly maneuvering their boards and swords away, unwilling to be caught in the shockwaves of such beings. Others, reckless or curious, lingered, eyes shining with greedy light but didn’t dare to execute anything. It’s common to see Titans fighting in the sea.
As for Ling Tian, he did not pause.
His gaze lingered on the distant figures for only a breath before he turned back toward the flying island.
This doesn’t bother him or anything.
The wind curled around him again, lifting him steadily upward. His heart was calm, but deep inside, he carried that quiet determination: to complete his task, to follow through with the request Lily had entrusted to him.
And when that day ca— when they t again— he would try to get closer to her.
---
The Red Skull Pirates —no, now it had beco sothing else. The Red Skull snake. A monstrous Serpent forged from countless glowing crimson skulls, each one wreathed in ominous neon light. The Red Snake slithered through the sea, diving beneath the waves as it fled.
From above, beams of fire and streaks of elental energy rained down, but the serpent twisted nimbly, evading every strike.
A nearby pirate vessel happened to cross paths with the chaos.
"Damn it—looks like titans are fighting! Activate all defense arrays! Steer the ship faste—"
The captain’s command was cut short. The Red Snake surged out of the water and coiled near the vessel. Instead of colliding, its countless skulls peeled off, clinging to the ship’s hull like bloodthirsty leeches.
The crew had no ti to scream.
In the blink of an eye, the entire ship was devoured. Not a splinter of wood, not a shred of sail, not a single immortal practitioner remained. The vessel was gone —consud by the red swarm. Only one change marked its passing: the serpent now carried more skulls than before.
Zuzia and the Phantom Pirates, who had been chasing the monster, faltered. Their jaws nearly hit the deck.
"That ship... it vanished," Myrtle whispered.
Lily’s eyes sharpened, her tone calm despite the dread. "This thing isn’t showing us its full strength. It’s been holding back. And more importantly— it’s luring us sowhere."
Tyler narrowed his eyes. "Where are we now?"
"We should still be inside the Dragon King’s territory," Lily replied after a mont’s thought. "If I’m right... this is the opposite direction of the Nox Pass."
The crew exchanged looks, unease thick in the air. Yet none of them turned back. The Phantom Pirates continued their pursuit. If the Red Skulls thought they were the only ones hiding aces, they were mistaken. Even if this was an ambush, Tyler’s crew had their own ans to escape— kr to counterstrike.
High above the clouds, hidden from even Tyler’s Divine Sense, a lone figure floated, watching it all unfold. He clenched the gaming controller like thing in his hand, frustration flashing across his face.
"I revealed too much of its strength," he muttered. A sigh followed. "Still... they continue to pursue. It proves how confident they are in their own power."
His gaze swept the sea below. "The order is simple —make sure these pirates reach this place. I don’t know why the Master desires it... but it isn’t my place to question. I wonder how it will delay their journey to the Nox Pass."
The figure raised his gaming controller and the serpent obeyed. The mass of skulls suddenly unraveled, scattering across the waves. They fragnted into hundreds of smaller clusters, each plunging into the ocean’s depths, disappearing into black waters in every direction.
Zuzia unleashed a wave of fire, incinerating several fragnts. But many more slipped into the abyss, vanishing beyond reach.
"That’s it?" Myrtle frowned, baffled. "They lured us all the way out here just... to scatter? What kind of plan is that? Are there any Ambush?"
No one answered her.
Also she didn’t notice that Tyler was gone.
Inside, Tyler reached into his pocket dinsion and drew out two familiar objects: a copper pot and a matching ladle. Both trembled faintly in his grip, resonating with so unseen force.
The glow between them pulsed brighter and brighter, like a heartbeat.
Tyler’s eyes narrowed. His voice dropped to a low murmur.
"The other piece of this set... is sowhere near."
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