People had already begun trying to observe the outside world through high-powered telescopes. Unfortunately, while Gu You was interested, he preferred focusing on cultivation—once his strength reached a certain level, he could see it for himself.
Just as his mind was running through countless thoughts, Gu You suddenly sensed something.
Who?!
Dragon scales instantly covered his arm as he swung around into a blocking stance.
Bang!
A tremendous force struck, blasting Gu You straight into the sea.
"This kid's hiding something," Muye muttered, shaking his numbed arm as his gaze grew serious.
With a heavy splash, Gu You plunged into the icy waters.
In an instant, his whole body was soaked, the surrounding light dimming as the sea closed in.
He couldn't swim.
He couldn't breathe. Forced to hold his breath, Gu You struggled desperately, but the ocean was a dark abyss, swallowing all resistance.
His vision blurred, sinking into blackness. The pressure crushed his soul power and bloodline, making breathing impossible. Suffocating heaviness pressed down as the ocean dragged him deeper.
He couldn't just wait for death!
Resolve hardened in his eyes. A brilliant violet-gold radiance wrapped his body as fragments of mecha fused together. Luminous wings unfolded behind him.
Battle Armor Wings!
Gu You's body surged upward, though anxiety and defiance filled his heart.
Muye… don't come again…
But the more he willed something not to happen, the more it did. Invisible hands clutched his throat, dragging him mercilessly deeper.
He thrashed, but the strength pulling him down was overwhelming.
No breath. No voice. Only crushing water pressure squeezing his lungs, threatening to explode them. His blood raged under the strain.
Hrrngh!
A dragon's roar burst from his chest. His bloodline erupted.
The armor wings retracted, replaced by vast violet dragon wings unfurling from his back.
Gu You's body shot upward toward the surface. Another colossal hand reached for him, but with a cold snort, he slashed out. His claws ripped the sea apart.
"Hm?"
A startled voice echoed in the depths.
Gu You broke through the surface and landed on the ship's deck.
"You?" he looked at Muye.
"My choice was right," Muye said with rare admiration. "To escape from me—you've got something."
"You don't realize you just missed a great opportunity. That was a secret art from my true body—it could've helped your martial soul undergo a second awakening."
"My martial soul has already awakened twice." Gu You replied evenly.
…
Muye fell silent.
"You promised me food. Where is it?" Gu You teased, breaking the tension.
"Eat this." Muye's voice sounded at his side, and a huge tray appeared in front of him.
Gu You blinked. So fast?
The tray held long strips of deep-blue meat—over twenty pieces.
"What's this?" Gu You asked, drooling slightly.
"Belly flesh of a thousand-year abyssal tuna. Finest fish oil. I caught one yesterday—consider this essence a cheap favor to you. More later. For now, eat."
"Oh."
The deep-blue meat was clearly fresh, untreated. Pure, natural, untainted.
With a fork from who-knows-where, he speared a strip and bit down. The meat was springy, resistant to chewing, yet astonishingly fragrant without the slightest fishiness. After swallowing, warmth spread from his belly to his whole body, indescribably pleasant.
Wonderful~
After finishing the platter of sashimi, Muye returned with another tray—this time bearing a colossal fish head, nearly half a meter across, roasted golden and dripping oil.
Unlike the raw slices, the head released waves of rich aroma that drew many glances from the surroundings.
Gu You dug in without hesitation, devouring with twin forks. The flesh of the head and neck was tender, rich with gelatinous savor.
In just five minutes, only bones remained.
"Now that we're properly acquainted, let me introduce myself. I am Muye, current Sect Master of the Ontology Sect, four-word Battle Armor Master, god-ranked mecha master." Muye raised his fingers proudly.
"Oh." Gu You only answered with a single "oh."
"You brat! That's it?! Ahhh—" Muye almost exploded. For someone so powerful, how could this kid show so little reaction?
"Fine, fine. You're the strongest. Just bring me more good food next time." Gu You grinned.
"You…"
Muye was speechless. This kid's temper was just like Zhenhua's.
…
The sea voyage was long, but Gu You lived comfortably, feasting on fresh fish every day.
From Douluo Continent to Star Luo Continent, even the fastest ocean liner took about two and a half months.
One night, Gu You returned alone to the deck. Muye was nowhere to be seen.
Sensing something, Gu You leapt into the sea. His instincts warned of a powerful soul beast approaching.
Under the moonlight, silver ripples danced across the waves. Suddenly, in the distance, faint silver scales flickered.
Here they come!
More and more appeared—first two or three, then dozens.
Shark fins!
They sliced through the water like silver arrows, racing straight for him.
Not one beast, but an entire pack!
As they drew closer, Gu You finally saw them clearly. As expected—one of the ocean's apex predators, the Demon Soul Great White Shark!
In the sea, Demon Soul Great White Sharks feared no opponent but the greatest sea beasts. Otherwise, they were the undisputed rulers of the deep.
The first shark surged within seven or eight meters of him, over seven meters long, its body pure white as jade, radiating immense energy. Its speed was terrifying, its cultivation at least nearing the ten-thousand-year level.
Gu You faced the charging pack of great whites head-on…
(To be continued)