Chapter 313

Chapter 313: Gui You Quan’s Puzzled Grunt

Gui You Quan’s cold snort naturally provoked displeasure in Shi Renyong and the others. Everyone understood perfectly well that it conveyed Gui You Quan’s disdain for them. However, up to now, Lou Yun had not formally introduced who he was. Seeing that he could always remain by Lou Yun’s side suggested an extremely special status and position. Hence, all of them seethed with anger but dared not express it.

However, Gui You Quan next spoke surprisingly in an eerie tone, "Just because you can’t do it, don’t assume no one can. A group of frogs at the bottom of a well!"

Despite holding back because of Lou Yun’s presence, Gui You Quan’s actions caused everyone to glare at him with anger. Among all present, only Lou Yun clearly understood that with Gui You Quan’s strength, he should easily traverse that sea area. However, concerning Gui You Quan’s identity, Lou Yun didn’t wish too many people to know. So, he gave a light cough and said, "Ah, so that’s the situation. Hearing Artifact Master Shi’s account, I too am filled with great curiosity about this sea area. I wish to see it for myself. Moreover, the purpose of my visit this time is to sail to a place. So, Artifact Master Shi, trouble yourself to prepare a boat for me…"

Shi Renyong hurriedly stood up. "Alliance Leader, this subordinate presumes to advise you, that sea area truly cannot be visited! If the Alliance Leader wishes to go somewhere, perhaps wait a few days? Or this subordinate is willing to go in your stead."

Lou Yun smiled faintly. "I appreciate Artifact Master Shi’s good intentions. But the place I must go to, only I can go. None of you can go in my stead. Moreover, I don’t yet know precisely where that place is and must inquire with you all."

Hearing this, expressions of suspicion appeared on everyone’s faces. Lou Yun was so determined to risk danger for a place, yet didn’t even know its location? What kind of situation was this?

Naturally, no one dared to voice these questions aloud. Shi Renyong quickly asked, "Dare I ask the Alliance Leader, what is the name of the place you wish to go?"

Lou Yun opened his mouth and slowly uttered two words: "Ghost Sea."

Hearing these two words, everyone couldn’t help but gasp sharply. Clearly, they had all heard of the infamous Ghost Sea. Lou Yun specifically noted Pei Dali’s expression, observing that he, like the others, showed both shock and deep fear. It seemed he genuinely didn’t know that the Huangfu Family resided within the Ghost Sea.

Lou Yun continued, "Artifact Master Shi, you should know the specific location of the Ghost Sea, correct?"

Shi Renyong snapped out of his daze and nodded hurriedly. "This subordinate does indeed know. The specific location of the Ghost Sea is… after passing through that sea area, continue sailing south for over a thousand li. That brings you to it. It’s just that place…"

"I am aware of the conditions at Ghost Sea, Artifact Master Shi, no need for details!" Lou Yun cut off Shi Renyong’s forthcoming explanation.

Shi Renyong, however, didn’t give up. He pressed on with his advice, "Alliance Leader, that sea area is truly troubled right now. I urge you, Alliance Leader, to reconsider carefully!"

"Heh, rest easy, we will take caution!" Lou Yun waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, no need to dissuade me. My decision is made. We rest here tonight and set sail at dawn tomorrow. Trouble Artifact Master Shi to prepare one boat. No crew members need be arranged."

"As you command!" Shi Renyong accepted the order with an utterly helpless tone.

…

Early the next morning, led by Shi Renyong, Lou Yun and Gui You Quan arrived at a secluded harbor within South Sea City. After all, the City Lord of South Sea City had imposed a ban. Though Lou Yun disregarded it entirely, for the benefit of the Divine Weapon Alliance, discretion was wise. Hence, he deliberately chose this remote spot for departure.

Moored at the harbor was a boat Shi Renyong had ordered immediately prepared overnight.

The boat was about five meters long and two meters wide. Though not large, its hull lines were incredibly sleek, and its overall structure felt very sturdy. It clearly looked easy to maneuver and likely swift, evidently specifically chosen with care by Shi Renyong.

Lou Yun was very satisfied with the boat. He nodded, saying, "Very well. All of you return now. Don’t worry, we will be fine!"

Lou Yun was indeed brimming with confidence, accompanied by Gui You Quan, who was nearly invincible on Spirit Weapon Star. At this moment, though, Lou Yun also thought of Shui Lingluo. If she were here, the situation would certainly be safer. Whatever sea conditions arose, she could undoubtedly ensure their safe passage.

But Shui Lingluo, hurt by his rejection of her feelings, might have been taken back by her aunt. If not, where was she hiding?

Sighing inwardly, Lou Yun turned to board the boat. Just then, Shi Renyong suddenly bowed deeply. "Alliance Leader, you forbade me from arranging crew, but you surely cannot sail a boat yourself? This unworthy subordinate offers to act as crew and accompany the Alliance Leader to Ghost Sea."

Lou Yun smiled slightly. "Who says I can’t sail? Hah! My piloting skills might not be lesser than yours! Very well, everyone return now."

This wasn’t false boasting. During his time in the Eastern Ling Sea Area, whether going to Domineering Island or Biko Island, he would observe the sailors’ techniques whenever free. With his intelligence, he had long since mastered it!

Amidst loud laughter, Lou Yun’s figure flickered, and he appeared directly on the boat’s deck. He was deliberately showcasing his movement skill. Yet, everyone’s attention was instantly captured by Gui You Quan.

Gui You Quan walked toward the boat with his hands clasped behind his back, spreading his legs as if walking normally. With each step his elevation increased slightly. After two steps, he was entirely suspended in the air. But he didn’t fall. Instead, he leisurely continued lifting his legs and stepping forward. Beneath his feet, as if upon invisible steps, his body was conveyed step by step onto the deck!

This sight left the onlookers dumbfounded.

Throughout their cultivation careers, they had never seen levitated walking. Merely hovering stationary in air required relying on a magical weapon to support one’s body. They had never witnessed anything like Gui You Quan – completely unaided, walking leisurely through the air from land to ship, as if taking a casual stroll!

Though Gui You Quan had stolen Lou Yun’s showcase moment, Lou Yun didn’t mind. After all, Gui You Quan’s strength surpassed his by a hundredfold or more. So he laughed heartily, "Let’s go!"

Originally, Lou Yun intended to go below deck to steer. But Gui You Quan, now standing on the deck, suddenly raised both hands. With a sweeping palm strike aimed at the sea, a visible miniature whirlwind materialized, slamming fiercely onto the water’s surface. Propelled by this force, the small boat shot forward like a released arrow!

Gui You Quan, relying solely on his formidable cultivation to channel weapon spirit power and propel the boat, was an astonishing display of strength, thoroughly intimidating everyone once more—even Lou Yun hadn’t anticipated this method!

Gui You Quan continuously swung his palms, unleashing pulses of powerful force that drove the small boat forward, cleaving through waves and spray. In no time at all, it disappeared over the horizon.

Only then did the send-off party on shore, Shi Renyong among them, snap out of their stupor. Shi Renyong managed a bitter smile. "No wonder he called us frogs at the bottom of a well. We truly are. With such cultivation… I’m afraid even the former North Alliance Leader, Old Master Beichen, might not compare!"

Shi Renyong was absolutely correct. Not just one Beichen Ming – even five combined couldn’t match Gui You Quan in cultivation!

Propelled in this fashion by Gui You Quan’s power, the boat moved vastly faster than steered by ordinary means. Thus, the small craft traversed scores of li within moments, entering the troubled sea area.

On the sea’s periphery were about a dozen vessels of varying sizes, dispatched by various merchant groups and factions to monitor conditions on the waves. Those aboard naturally spotted the small boat. Though they wanted to intercept it, they simply couldn’t react in time. The boat shot past them and entered the off-limits waters before their eyes could even blink.

The people on the ships could only shake their heads and murmur. "Whose boat is that? Such audacity, daring to enter that zone! Still… its speed is truly staggering. Perhaps it can traverse that sea area within four hours!"

Deep within the sea area, unseen by observers, the small boat slowed down. The sea was presently calm and peaceful – evidently within the four-hour lull between disturbances. Gui You Quan’s purpose in slowing was clear: he wanted to investigate what exactly was wrong with this sea area, why a disturbance erupted every four hours.

Lou Yun didn’t object to Gui You Quan’s action; he too was intensely curious about it.

Finally, Gui You Quan ceased applying force entirely, letting the small boat drift passively on the waves. He walked over to Lou Yun, paused in silence for a moment, then initiated, "Young Master, should we truly encounter any trouble later, please refrain from acting. Leave everything to this old servant."

This was the first time Gui You Quan had actively spoken since pledging himself to Lou Yun, and the content concerned Lou Yun’s safety. Coupled with his earlier action in South Sea City—crushing Xiaohai’s wrist without prompting—Lou Yun could discern from these behaviors that despite having a notoriously difficult and fierce nature, Gui You Quan was genuinely loyal to him.

Therefore, Lou Yun smiled slightly. "Uncle Ghost, rest assured. Though I cannot compare to you, I possess sufficient ability to protect myself!"

Gui You Quan nodded. "Hm. Now, this old servant will use spirit sense to observe whether anything suspicious lies below the surface."

After saying this, Gui You Quan suddenly became as still as a meditating monk, neither speaking nor moving.

Lou Yun didn’t idle either. He too released his spirit sense, reaching downwards beneath the waves.

Though Lou Yun’s spirit sense was strong, using it through air versus through seawater presented significant differences. The resistance of seawater far exceeded that of air, making the probing sensation notably less smooth.

As Lou Yun’s spirit sense probed a mere thirty meters deep into the sea, he suddenly heard Gui You Quan issue a low, puzzled grunt!