Evening.
The mess hall.
"Everyone, you've worked hard today. The captain has ordered a double serving of demon fish meat," Miss Luo said with a smile, cupping her hands.
"Not entirely stupid, then..." Su Ye murmured, picking up a piece of demon fish meat and chewing it slowly.
It was unclear if Captain Luo Qingjun had come to his senses or if the manager had made the decision herself.
But at least the Flying Serpent's management was finally putting up something of real value to try and placate the crew.
But...
it wasn't very effective.
The crew members in the mess hall wore cold expressions. Only a few of them bothered to respond to the manager.
A few Loose Cultivators even grew bold enough to jeer.
"Manager, we want whale meat!"
"Yeah! So many of our brothers died hunting that whale demon. Let us have a taste!"
"You..." Miss Luo's brow furrowed, and she was about to instinctively reprimand them.
But then she glanced aside and saw the silent majority of the crew just staring at her, and the words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down.
This time, so many had died or been injured because of Luo Qingjun's mistake.
The crew was now simmering with resentment, like a powder keg!
At a critical juncture like this, the slightest spark could set it off!
"Hah... I'll have to ask the captain. I'll go ask. You all wait here." Miss Luo's attitude softened.
A short while later, Miss Luo returned, pushing a cart of simply roasted Gray Ridge Whale meat.
"The captain has agreed. Everyone, share this meat."
In the end, Miss Luo had indeed given in and chosen to compromise.
Su Ye wasn't surprised by Miss Luo's choice.
Even a tyrannical entity like the government would first try to appease and persuade a rioting crowd rather than resorting to direct force.
'After all, they can always settle the score with the troublemakers later.'
'But at a time like this, you absolutely can't afford to provoke the angry crew!'
'Angering them would do more harm than good.'
Su Ye saw the situation with perfect clarity and had no intention of getting involved.
He remained aloof, focusing on finishing the whale meat on his plate.
'Mm, this whale meat is delicious!' Su Ye commented to himself.
The whale meat was exquisite. With one bite, its fragrant aroma filled his mouth.
At the same time, a surge of pure Spiritual Qi emerged, coursing through his limbs and bones, as soothing as soaking in a hot spring.
'Not only can it stabilize the meridians and promote cultivation, but long-term consumption would likely also strengthen the body and replenish one's vital energy!'
Su Ye's eyes lit up. He picked up another piece with his chopsticks and took a large bite.
The juices burst forth, the delicious flavor blossoming on his taste buds. Su Ye squinted his eyes in satisfaction...
This was the best meal he'd had since he'd transmigrated!
Before long, dinner was over.
The entire cart of whale meat had been devoured by the crew!
"Manager... could we have some more whale meat?"
A Loose Cultivator crewman licked his lips, his appetite whetted, his eyes gleaming with greed as he looked at Miss Luo.
"There's no more!" Miss Luo's expression turned cold, a flash of annoyance in her eyes.
Appeasement did not mean unconditional surrender.
That Loose Cultivator was about to say something else.
But just then, a powerful male voice rang out.
"You insatiably greedy bastard! The master's family has been so generous, and still you're not satisfied!"
Su Ye raised an eyebrow and looked toward the source of the voice.
The person who spoke was actually Feng Dequan?
That stocky, dull-faced Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator!
Su Ye had an impression of him, remembering that the man had some skill and couldn't be underestimated.
And now, with Feng Dequan speaking up, his Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation still carried considerable weight.
Besides, the Luo Family's gesture of bleeding resources to give out meat was, while not perfect, just enough to pacify the crew's emotions.
That Loose Cultivator was a scoundrel by nature, always pushing his luck.
Seeing he wouldn't get his way, he sullenly backed off.
Miss Luo looked at Feng Dequan, her gaze sincere and filled with gratitude.
True loyalty is shown in hardship. To still step forward and stand with the Luo Family during a crisis, instead of merely celebrating their successes, proved he was truly one of their own.
Miss Luo and Feng Dequan became much warmer toward each other, exchanging several pleasantries in the mess hall.
"Tsk..." Su Ye shrugged. He had no comment and no intention of judging.
Whatever Feng Dequan did, whether he was loyal or not, had nothing to do with him.
His loyalty to the Luo Family was average at best. It was just a job.
"Time to go back and cultivate."
Su Ye stood up and stretched.
He was currently addicted to cultivating.
That feeling of growing stronger, bit by bit, was real and tangible!
Especially after reaching Seaman Lv. 3, his cultivation acceleration had increased again.
From 15% to 20%!
[Cultivation Acceleration: 20%]
'However, changing my class to Tide Hunter didn't increase my cultivation acceleration...'
'Is it because I haven't leveled it up yet, or... does increasing my speed further require more than just raising my class level?'
Several guesses flashed through Su Ye's mind, but he quickly pushed them to the back of his thoughts.
He wasn't the stubborn type to get worked up over not finding the truth, scratching his head in frustration.
Right now, with insufficient information and limited knowledge, what was the point of racking his brains?
'Might as well go back and cultivate sooner,' Su Ye thought.
He walked out of the mess hall and onto the deck.
"Huh..." Su Ye sensed something. He looked up and peered into the distance.
In the distance, a thick, gray, and gloomy bank of black clouds was moving toward them like a mountain range.
This part of the sea was always like this, its weather unpredictable and ever-changing.
"A storm is coming..." Su Ye murmured, turning back toward his room.
...
At the same time, Su Ye failed to notice three men standing in the distance, hidden in the shadows of a mast.
It was none other than Feng Dequan and his two followers.
Among them was the skinny, tall man who had once provoked Su Ye before being stopped by Feng Dequan—Menghou.
Only after Su Ye's figure had disappeared did the three of them relax and resume their conversation.
"He's gone. It's fine... just keep your voices down," Feng Dequan whispered, his eyes glinting.
"We know, Feng."
"Right... that guy, Su Ye, he received a Magical Artifact from the first mate. Will he get in the way of our 'grand plan'?"
"Should we..." Menghou's triangular eyes were full of malice, glinting with a vicious and resentful light.
He raised his hand and made a slicing motion across his neck.
Feng Dequan pondered for a moment before shaking his head.
"No."
"From what I've seen, that man is meticulous, patient, and calm. Plus, with a Magical Artifact in his possession, I'm afraid he'd be hard to take down unless I dealt with him myself."
"This is a critical moment. Don't cause unnecessary complications."
Feng Dequan waved his hand and continued.
"However, smart people have their uses. I believe that once the dust settles, he'll make the right choice."
"We can promise him a share of the profits and have him pledge his allegiance."
"A share of the profits?" Menghou lowered his head, feigning obedience, but a powerful sense of resentment surged in his eyes.
'On what grounds?'
'Just because that kid is a little luckier and a little better-looking, he gets to be one step ahead of me in everything?'
Jealousy coiled around Menghou's heart like a venomous snake, flicking its tongue and baring its ghastly green fangs!