Chapter 228

Chapter 228: Arrival at Biko Island

As the horned tiger fish charged wildly, six enormous tails suddenly emerged from the spray, raised high into the air, then suddenly slammed downwards with immense force. Like six colossal whips, they viciously struck the water across several square meters!

Seeing these six tails, joy lit up the faces of Lou Yun and his two companions. This was clearly the King of Snakes that Shui Lingluo had successfully subdued… the six-tailed giant snake!

No one had expected the six-tailed giant snake, which had clearly returned to its original dwelling place, to appear at this moment, at this location!

However, thinking of this question, Lou Yun and the other two simultaneously thought of a possibility: Could this be the six-tailed giant snake’s original habitat?

Had the person who originally expelled it set up countless horned tiger fish ambushes here, precisely to attack the vessel carrying Lou Yun and the others?

After all, the six-tailed giant snake was the King of Snakes and a major ruler of the waters. If it had remained here, it would inevitably have attacked the horned tiger fish invading its territory. While the final outcome of such a clash was uncertain, it would surely have destroyed a significant number of the fish!

What puzzled Lou Yun and the others was this: Since the mastermind behind the scenes, capable of manipulating demon beasts, possessed such formidable power, why hadn’t they simply killed the six-tailed giant snake? Why go to the trouble of driving it away to another location?

As the trio pondered, the six-tailed giant snake unleashed its full power. Its six massive tails were incredibly agile, ceaselessly rising and falling. Each descent inevitably crushed numerous horned tiger fish to death.

Its method of attack differed from Lou Yun and the others. It relied entirely on its enormous physique, expending physical strength rather than spiritual energy. Therefore, its assault could naturally last far longer than theirs.

After this onslaught of forceful, continuous strikes from the six-tailed giant snake, the number of horned tiger fish rapidly diminished. In mere moments, only a pitiful few remained. The giant snake then retracted its tails, submerged its entire body underwater, opened its maw wide, and swallowed the remaining fish, consuming them as a meal.

The numerous horned tiger fish were finally utterly wiped out. The six-tailed giant snake swam to Shui Lingluo’s side, raised its massive head like a child, and rubbed affectionately against her palm.

Shui Lingluo stroked it with a smile. Her lips seemed to move as if she was speaking, yet no sound was heard. After a moment, the giant snake emitted a strange cry from its mouth and slowly began to sink towards the ocean floor.

Shui Lingluo let out a long breath and said to everyone with a laugh, "So this is actually the six-tailed giant snake’s original dwelling place!"

Lou Yun and Wen Hou exchanged a glance, understanding their earlier speculation was correct. This indeed proved someone was manipulating demon beasts from the shadows to target them!

This only deepened the mystery for Lou Yun. Since the Black Invitation of the Nine Families had already been issued, the Nine Families must surely have set an ambush on Biko Island waiting for him. So why would the Yu Family, capable of manipulating demon beasts among the Nine Families, go to such lengths to attack them now?

Unless… unless the Yu Family was trying to prevent them from reaching Biko Island after all?

Did this mean the Yu Family was not one of the participants in this Black Invitation of the Nine Families?

These questions tumbled over and over in Lou Yun’s mind, but he had no answers. He could only store all these uncertainties away for now. He would find out the truth upon reaching Biko Island.

All four returned to the ship. The crew, including Feng Yang, now looked upon them as divine beings. The sheer fact that just four individuals could wipe out thousands of horned tiger fish seemed utterly incredible.

The crew rushed forward eagerly—some helping them brace themselves, others offering water. Feng Yang ignored everyone else, supporting Lou Yun’s arm himself and helping him slowly sit down.

Except for Shui Lingluo, the four had indeed nearly exhausted their spiritual energy. They allowed themselves to be supported and seated on the deck. Exchanging weary smiles, they shook their heads lightly, each silently acknowledging that without the sudden intervention of the six-tailed giant snake, everyone would likely have fallen victim to the fish.

Lou Yun couldn’t help but admire Chang Xiang’s foresight. If Chang Xiang hadn’t insisted that he bring Shui Lingluo, merely reaching Biko Island might have been impossible!

Seeing the four didn’t need further assistance, the crew hastily dispersed to their tasks. Some lowered ropes over the side to repair the hull battered by the fish. Others grabbed buckets and brushes to clean the bits of torn fish flesh splattered across the deck. Still others, without hesitation, began hauling up the horned tiger fish carcasses, recognizing them as supreme delicacies.

After a full day bustling with such efforts, the mess was finally cleared away. The sheer number of dead fish was so great that salvaging them all would have risked sinking the ship. Only a portion was retrieved, yet it filled an entire hold. The rest had to be regretfully abandoned.

Since the repair work required more time, they decided to moor overnight. A lively feast of fish ensued. Lou Yun and his three companions joined in. Everyone drank themselves into a stupor. Normally, sailors wouldn’t indulge so recklessly, but today was different. They had narrowly escaped death, and the joy of survival was indescribable. Besides, with the four practically impossible to intoxicate present, they felt secure enough to sleep soundly.

Seeing the crew sprawled drunkenly across the deck, the four couldn’t help but smile at each other.

Feng Yang hadn’t drunk much. He approached Lou Yun, clutching the sword Lou Yun had given him, his face flushed. "Brother Lou, what’s this sword’s name?" he asked.

"Name?" The question momentarily flustered Lou Yun. He’d never actually named the common weapons he forged. He thought for a moment. "Call it Mulberry Fire!"

"Mulberry Fire!"

Feng Yang repeated the name, nodded firmly, and hugged the sword tightly to his chest. Years later, this Mulberry Fire would become one of the Ten Great Common Weapons on Spirit Weapon Star.

The previous evening’s festivities left the crew utterly sapped; most only roused themselves near noon the next day. Only then did the ship resume its journey.

Lou Yun had braced himself for more potential ambushes on the remaining route. Yet, unexpectedly, the next fifteen days passed with calm seas and favorable winds, and they arrived safely at Biko Island.

Calculating the days, it fit precisely within the three-month deadline.

Lou Yun stood at the bow, looking at Biko Island in the distance. Its area was noticeably smaller than Divine Weapon Island, though the environment was quite similar. However, his spiritual senses couldn’t penetrate the island at all. The chaotic energy concentrated over and around it far exceeded that of any other place.

"Brother Lou, that’s Biko Island ahead," Feng Yang said. "Once we arrive, I’ll accompany you ashore!"

During these past two weeks, Feng Yang had focused intensely on mastering the cultivation method Lou Yun had gifted him, squeezing practice into every moment not dedicated to his duties. Lou Yun offered occasional pointers. Though only fifteen days of cultivation had passed, Feng Yang felt the progress he’d made vastly outstripped the cumulative result of his previous sixteen years of training. Gratitude towards Lou Yun filled his heart.

Lou Yu chuckled and shook his head. "No need. We four will disembark alone. You all wait aboard ship by the shore. If we haven’t returned in five days, leave a small boat for us. Then, set sail for home."

Feng Yang instantly protested, "That’s impossible, Brother Lou! Uncle Mei ordered me to bring you all back safely. I can’t just abandon you and leave first!"

Lou Yun turned and placed a firm hand on Feng Yang’s shoulder. "Feng Yang, your intention warms my heart. But I myself don’t know what we’ll encounter on that island. I cannot guarantee we’ll return alive. If you stay here waiting indefinitely, how long must you stay? Until we die?"

Pausing, Lou Yun’s expression became serious. "Remember this: For those five days waiting, you must stay aboard ship. You absolutely must not set foot on the island. The consequence of going ashore will likely be death. I’m not trying to frighten you with exaggeration; I’m stating a fact. I do not want to involve you in a fatal mistake. Disobey me, and you bear the consequences yourself."

After traveling together for weeks, this was the first time Feng Yang had seen Lou Yun so utterly grave. He knew Lou Yun spoke the truth. Though reluctant, he considered his own modest cultivation level and the fact that most of the crew were ordinary people. Setting foot on the island wouldn’t aid Lou Yun; it would become a fatal burden.

"I understand, Brother Lou. I will keep all the crew aboard—no one will go ashore. But Brother Lou, I truly hope you return safely within those five days!"

Lou Yun’s smile returned. He nodded. "Good. We’ll do our best."

As the ship drew closer to Biko Island, they saw four figures standing on the shore—three men and one woman. Only one wore a slight smile; the others remained expressionless. Yet, all four pairs of eyes instantly locked onto Lou Yun. It seemed they knew precisely who Lou Yun was—the man they awaited.

The ship slowly docked. Lou Yun and his three companions exchanged a final look, shared a brief, resolved smile, then turned and walked onto the gangway. Their feet finally made contact with the ground of Biko Island.