In the middle of the vast ocean, beneath a sky heavy with mist and rain, a colossal beast surged from the depths.
A monstrous Carp, unlike anything seen in mortal waters, leapt high above the waves. Its razor-sharp teeth gleamed, and its massive body shimmered with red and violet scales, each one pulsing with ominous energy. The creature's shadow swallowed the light as it descended toward the motionless ship below.
It opened its jaws wide, fully intent on devouring the vessel—a ship that dared to remain still, even as death approached.
But before its monstrous maw could descend—
Time froze.
Or rather, it reversed.
The beast suddenly halted mid-air. Its trajectory inverted as if someone had hit a rewind button on reality. With a splashing roar, the carp was hurled backward— slammed into the sea like trash being discarded.
Atop the ship's deck, Su Fei stood near the edge, her elegant fingers brushing together in a light clap.
It was as if she'd merely shooed away a fly.
