Chapter 643.
The Sky Fox Variation was indeed a powerful soul ability. It came from absorbing a uniquely rare soul beast—something akin to pulling a mythical creature into existence. Similar to Oscar's Mirror Beast, this was one of the exceedingly rare types of soul beasts.
As the name implies, the Sky Fox can transform into various soul beasts. Of course, it doesn't transform out of thin air, it requires familiarity with the target beast. Furthermore, while it mimics the appearance and characteristics, it doesn't inherit the full abilities of the original soul beast. Even so, it's a formidable technique.
Hu Liena deliberately revealed a weakness to lure the two Seal Soul Masters into launching a direct attack, aiming to deal a fatal blow.
But clearly, it was a calculated move.
"Significant progress," Wang Feng nodded slightly. The strength of the twin Seal Soul Masters wasn't just in their enhanced water-combat capability, their special bond allowed their soul abilities to merge, creating more powerful techniques—like the one they had used on Xie Yue earlier.
However, once separated, this synergy disappears. While the area of effect of their attacks expanded, the precision weakened—clearly a strategy to limit Hu Liena's mobility.
Yet Hu Liena's Sky Fox Variation turned the tide.
With the golden Seal Soul Master weakened –significantly, the remaining silver Seal Soul Master panicked. The sea wall began to recede, and Xie Yue recovered slightly—enough to strike decisively.
Within moments, the second opponent was defeated, and the twin Seal Soul Masters collapsed into the pool. Victory was theirs.
After changing out of their soaked clothes, Hu Liena and Xie Yue returned to the viewing room.
"That was tough," Yan commented.
"These sea soul masters are seriously strong. Those two were just level sixty-one Soul Emperors, a few levels below us, yet they managed to suppress you both at the start. If Nana hadn't baited them by exposing a flaw, we would've lost."
Hu Liena and Xie Yue nodded, still feeling the intensity of the match.
"Thankfully, the instructors at the Soul Hall Academy taught us swimming techniques beforehand," Xie Yue added with a sigh.
"This Vast Sea City's Grand Battle Arena is no joke."
Wang Feng nodded in agreement. It was his first time witnessing the power of sea soul masters up close. He couldn't help but recall the Sea God Island's Titled Douluo—just how powerful could they be?
"The power of the sea…"
He took a deep breath. Among the five innate flags, the fourth—North—was known by many names, but it definitely involved water control. It could be a critical asset when facing powerful sea-based soul masters. Even Wang Feng wouldn't escape suppression in the ocean without it.
Meanwhile, on another platform, Yan tried a solo battle. Water and fire are natural opposites—water douses fire, but fire can also evaporate water. Ultimately, it depends on whose strength is greater.
At level 67, Yan's fire wasn't enough to vaporize the pool water, and without flight, his power was reduced by nearly 50%.
He only managed to win by using his fifth soul ability, Burning Blood Resurrection, which activates after taking a critical hit.
This comeback technique outperformed his sixth soul ability, Sea of Fire, which, as a large-scale AoE attack, was heavily weakened in a water arena.
If Yan had the ability to fly, his strength would improve significantly.
At the same time, Wang Feng turned to another soul battle platform.
There, Ma Hongjun and Bai Chenxiang—both familiar faces—were participating in a tag team battle.
It made sense to choose them, both could fly, giving them a major advantage against sea soul masters.
But things didn't go as smoothly as expected.
Although Ma Hongjun was already a Soul Emperor, Bai Chenxiang still lagged behind. Their opponents were matched based on Ma Hongjun's level—two sea Soul Emperors.
Fatty wanted to shine and impress his crush, but it was clear he underestimated his opponents. Even with his flight and flame advantage, he got thoroughly beaten at the start.
If not for his soul bone activating in the final moments and Bai Chenxiang's increasingly cooperative support, they might have lost. In the end, they won—but it was a hard-fought, bruising victory.
"This Fatty's getting crafty," Wang Feng mused with a chuckle. "He's trying to win her over. But their bond is deepening, and once –the medicinal effects of the the immortal herb and Evil Fire Phoenix are fully awakened, both his strength and physical endurance will improve significantly."
Currently, Ma Hongjun's level was the lowest among the six core team members, even though he was a Soul Emperor. He hadn't yet unlocked the full potential of his immortal herb—he'd only absorbed part of its power. The two of them would need to fully sync to unlock the rest.
After leaving the Battle Arena, the group rested another day before heading to the port of Vast Sea City. They planned to find a ship and set sail.
But surprisingly, most ships had docked and halted operations.
This caught Wang Feng off guard—since he hadn't contacted Soul Hall, he had no idea what was going on.
"Are you new to Vast Sea City?" A middle-aged sailor nearby smiled and approached them.
"You came at a tricky time—it's the Sea Festival. Around this season, many powerful sea soul beasts surface. Some are even ten-thousand-year-class soul beasts. It's dangerous to be at sea now. Most captains won't risk it—not even for good money. Usually, it takes about a month before the sea settles down again."
Wang Feng was surprised.
The port was massive. On closer inspection, hundreds of large ships—some nearly 100 meters long and reinforced with watersteel—were docked. Watersteel was not only durable and waterproof but also aesthetically beautiful.
This place, which should've been bustling with activity, felt unusually deserted.
"A month, huh…" Hu Liena murmured thoughtfully. "Doesn't sound too long. But uncle, what is this Sea Festival exactly?"
The sailor chuckled and shook his head. "Yup, definitely your first time here."
"The Sea Festival is a time to honor the Sea God. Legend says that many years ago, a ferocious sea soul beast used to attack coastal villages annually. Even Titled Douluo couldn't stop it. Until one year, a powerful sea soul master stepped up. He sailed out and slew the beast."
"But just before death, the beast told him, If you absorb my soul ring, you'll become the next me. So, the sea soul master chose not to absorb it. He killed the beast and buried it at sea. Every year around this season, sea soul beasts grow violent again, supposedly to avenge their fallen kin."
"That's why we hold this festival—and also why the sea is dangerous now."
"In order to pay tribute to the great Sea God, we call this season the Sea Festival. For at least half a month, going to sea is strictly forbidden to minimize losses."
After hearing this, the three of them suddenly understood.
"Teacher, what should we do?" Yan looked at Wang Feng.
"Is there really no way to go to sea?" Hu Liena asked again.
Wang Feng remained silent.
Staying in Hanhai City for a whole month wasn't necessarily bad, but it would be much better to set sail earlier and reach Sea God Island as soon as possible. Having experienced the Rakshasa Secret Realm himself, Wang Feng knew that these kinds of trials often consumed a lot of time.
The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, then said, "Actually... there is a way. Generally, during this season, those who still dare to go to sea are people looking to make quick money. If you offer enough gold soul coins, some of them might be willing to take you."
Wang Feng nodded slightly. This made sense—just like how prices often spiked during major festivals in his past life.
"Are there really such people?" Hu Liena asked.
"There are," the middle-aged man replied with a stiff smile. "But at sea, those people usually don't care much about their own lives."
"Pirates, right?" Wang Feng suddenly said.
The three were taken aback.
The middle-aged man gave a wry smile and nodded.
"Exactly. Only pirates, the kind who live with one foot in the grave, would still be sailing in times like this. Normal captains would rather stay docked and rest. Only pirates, who live by the blade, dare to wander the seas right now."
"Uncle, are you messing with us?" Hu Liena frowned. "How would we even find pirates?"
The middle-aged man smiled helplessly.
"Then there's no other option. Either wait a month or buy your own sea vessel and head out alone—but good luck hiring a crew right now."
From his words, it was clear he was trying to persuade them to abandon the idea of setting sail.
But Wang Feng wasn't inclined to wait.
"Do you have any contacts?" Wang Feng asked directly.
The middle-aged man was stunned. He had meant to dissuade them, not encourage them, but these people were surprisingly determined.
"Yes, I do..." he finally said.
"We who often go to sea are quite familiar with the local pirates. We usually have to pay them 'tolls' just to sail safely. The officials in Hanhai City have never been able to wipe them out completely. While most pirates are violent, there are a few who are easier to deal with. As long as you pay, they'll do anything."
"The most well-known among them is the Purple Pearl Pirate Group. They're powerful, but among the more reasonable ones. I know someone who has some connections with them. If you really want to go out to sea, you should talk to him."
Wang Feng nodded slightly.
In truth, Bibi Dong had given him a special ship-shaped soul tool before he left. As long as it was infused with soul power, it would transform into a real sea vessel. The only issue was that it required someone to steer it.
He needed a guide not just for sailing but to navigate the complex and unpredictable sea routes. The location of Sea God Island wasn't common knowledge—only experienced sailors or pirates who roamed the sea would know how to get there.
Whether the guide was a pirate or not didn't matter to Wang Feng. If they dared to try anything funny, they'd be the ones regretting it in the end.
Soon after, the middle-aged man took Wang Feng and his group to a secluded corner of the port. There, anchored quietly, was a small sea boat over 20 meters long. Though it wasn't large, it looked extremely sturdy.
On the side of the boat sat a rugged-looking man with a full beard. He was drunk, nursing a bottle of liquor, and the heavy smell of alcohol wafted through the air from several meters away.
"Laoshan, you're lucky this season. You really want to go to sea. Nuo, these three are fine—money isn't an issue for them. Your business is in good hands."
The middle-aged man said with a smile.
Hearing this, the bearded man stood up, drunk, and glanced lazily at the three of them. A glimmer of something flashed in his eyes before he spoke in a slow, relaxed tone. "One thousand gold soul coins per person."
That price was outrageously high. It was comparable to the cost of an average large sea vessel.
"Can you really take us out to sea?" Hu Liena asked, her voice filled with uncertainty as she looked at the man.
He was probably in his forties, with unshaven stubble, calloused hands, and not a hint of soulual energy emanating from his body.
"We'll keep you safe at sea," the man said with a grin. "We're the Purple Pearl Pirate. We always honor our word."
He continued, "This season, we're the only ones who can take you out."
Hu Liena opened her mouth to say something, but Wang Feng cut her off.
"Alright, let's set off immediately," he said decisively.
With a flick of his wrist, Wang Feng threw four black cards containing 10,000 gold soul coins.
The bearded man paused for a moment, then took the cards. He examined them briefly, looked at the four of them, and chuckled.
"Outrageous... Let's board the ship! My name is Chen Shan, but you can call me Lao Shan."
After speaking, the bearded man untied the splint on his small boat and let them board the modest-sized sea vessel.
"Teacher... him...?" Hu Liena couldn't hide her reluctance as she glanced at the bearded man.
A man like him—dirty, with a shabby boat—could really take them out to sea?
"Don't worry," Wang Feng reassured her, shaking his head. "He's a 75th-level Soul Saint. He's not the type to deceive people with tricks like this."
The words left the three of them stunned, staring at the man named Chen Shan.
A Soul Saint?
Lao Shan, who was busy with the anchor, froze momentarily when he heard this...
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