Stranger Danger

Legend had it that a giant dragon boat covered in dark green flames sailed the ocean. Its origin, time and location of appearance were all unknown. It sailed aimlessly across the sea and could appear anywhere, anytime. It was as unfathomable as it was enigmatic.

Those who encountered the Ghost Dragon Boat must prostrate themselves and convey reverence toward it from the bottom of their heart. They must not stare at the Ghost Dragon Boat directly either. If even one person on a vessel harbored disrespect toward the Ghost Dragon Boat, stared at it directly, or chose not to bend the knee, then it would burn everyone on the vessel into ash, rip out their souls, and turn them into its eternal slaves.

On the other hand, if all of the Ghost Dragon Boat's rules were obeyed, then it would randomly pick an object from its victims. This object could be a priceless treasure, a valuable spice, a delicious wine, a martial arts manual, or even a person. Anything was possible.

The Ghost Dragon Boat would not harm the passengers after obtaining its chosen object. It would even compensate the passengers with valuable treasures.

Some people guessed that the Ghost Dragon Boat was a tomb or coffin an imperial member of the family—an emperor, a prince, or a duke—or a supreme being—a god, a demon, or a Sage—had created for themselves. That was why it demanded the prostration and reverence of anyone who saw it. The objects it took were tributes to the master of the Ghost Dragon Boat, and the treasures were the master's reward to those who paid the tribute.

Of course, this was just a guess. There were no evidence or proof that could substantiate that claim. Still, it did not stop the Ghost Dragon Boat from becoming many powerful warriors' objectives for a time.

The Ghost Dragon Boat had taken away many valuable objects across the years. The treasures it paid to those it robbed were quite valuable as well. It did not take a genius to figure out that the Ghost Dragon Boat was loaded. Even if that wasn't the case, the Ghost Dragon Boat itself was a priceless object. If they could pacify or tame it, then their power would grow by leaps and bounds to put it mildly.

Alas, no one had succeeded up until now. For starters, the Ghost Dragon Boat was incredibly powerful. Everyone below Trueman or Grandmaster stage would die for sure if they made contact with its dark green flames. Second, even though those at Trueman or Grandmaster stage or higher could insulate themselves from its flames, no one could truly kill the Ghost Dragon Boat.

Even if the Ghost Dragon Boat was shattered and sunk, it would return just a day later in pristine condition.

On top of that, the Ghost Dragon Boat was extremely vengeful. It went after anyone who ever attacked it with the intention to kill. It could even detect those who shared blood with its attacker. That was why those who attacked the Ghost Dragon Boat including their family and relatives were advised to never enter the sea again. Otherwise, the Ghost Dragon Boat would attack them relentlessly until they were all dead. Only then would the Ghost Dragon Boat stop its hunt.

In conclusion, the Ghost Dragon Boat was like a gum that was stuck at an untouchable part of your teeth. It could not be killed or gotten rid of. It was extremely annoying.

Over time, the people stopped targeting the Ghost Dragon Boat altogether. They all learned to steer clear of it.

That was how the Ghost Dragon Boat became a famous taboo and Anomaly of the sea.

"Let's leave this place," Feng Qingyou said.

Ye Qing nodded and steered the Cloud Boat away from it.

Now that they knew what kind of dangerous entity lay ahead of them, it was time to steer clear of it.

Although they weren't afraid of the Ghost Dragon Boat, they knew just how troublesome it could be if they caught its attention. They felt no desire to prostrate themselves or kowtow to it either. Therefore, leaving was the best option here.

Since they were leaving, Ye Qing pushed the Cloud Boat to max speed as a matter of course. It took just several breaths to travel several kilometers away.

However, the Ghost Dragon Boat appeared directly in front of them the next moment. It was as if they had never left in the first place.

"Looks like it's set its sights on us."

Ye Qing stopped trying to leave. It was impossible to escape it once you caught its attention. So long as you were in the sea, the Ghost Dragon Boat would find you no matter where you went.

"Let's see what it wants then!"

Feng Qingyou smiled uncaringly.

"My thoughts exactly."

Ye Qing shrugged. He was curious to know what the Ghost Dragon Boat was planning to do with them, and how it could force them to do its bidding as well.

The Cloud Boat stopped moving. They patiently waited for the Ghost Dragon Boat to come closer.

When the distance between the two boats had shortened to some degree, Ye Qing finally got a true sense of the Ghost Dragon Boat's size. The Cloud Boat might as well be an ant compared to it.

Not only that, the closer the Ghost Dragon Boat got, the thicker and more suffocating its terrifying, vast pressure became. Few Trueman or Grandmaster could stand tall before such pressure.

Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou couldn't seem to feel it though. Ye Qing even pulled out a jar of wine and began drinking with Feng Qingyou.

As if sensing their scorn and disdain, the Ghost Dragon Boat abruptly sped up and charged toward them. At the same time, a dark, evil aura mixed with dark green ghostfire poured down on them like a tidal wave.

Ye Qing's response toward the attack was to raise his wine cup with his right hand and drink slowly. At the same time, he waved his left hand gently as if brushing away some dirt or chasing away a fly.

It was confident, casual, and disdainful.

The skyful of ghostfire pouring down on them instantly crumbled and disintegrated into nothing. The Ghost Dragon Boat itself was pushed back a hundred meters as the dark green flames on its body flickered erratically.

"The wine's great."

Ye Qing set down his cup and mused.

A hundred meters away, the Ghost Dragon Boat was utterly enraged by the attack. The world suddenly began shaking without a sound, and its dark green ghostfire reached max intensity in an instant before bursting into the sky. For a moment, it looked like the entire night sky was ignited by dark green ghostfire.

Countless weeping souls could be vaguely seen behind the wall of ghostfire.

The flesh and blood on the deck were giving birth into bloody monsters as well.

"Oh? You're angry?"

Ye Qing chuckled when he saw this. "You think you're the only one who gets angry?"

Ye Qing's smile abruptly vanished, and his eyes flashed something cold and flinty.

He disappeared. When next Ye Qing reappeared, he was on top of the Ghost Dragon Boat and the dark green flames.

He slowly descended toward the Ghost Dragon Boat. The pillar of dark green flames was visibly pushed back as if blocked by some sort of invisible, giant wall of air.

The Ghost Dragon Boat shook soundlessly as the flesh-and-blood monsters on the deck leaped into the air toward Ye Qing. In the process, they kept merging with each other and transformed into a flesh-and-blood giant that was over three hundred meters tall in an instant. It had nine heads and thirty-six arms.

At the same time, the suppressed dark green flames were merging into the flesh-and-blood giant and transforming into armor, a cloak, and various weapons. They made the giant feel even scarier and powerful than before.

The next moment, all nine heads let out a guttural roar, and all thirty-six arms swung their saber, spear, sword, halberd and other weapons at Ye Qing.

Compared to the titanic pressure the giant was exuding, Ye Qing was positively puny. It looked like he wouldn't survive even one hit.

Ye Qing simply smiled, however. He lifted his foot half an inch into the air before stomping lightly.