Uncle Ming was overly particular, refusing to be vague about the selection of a vessel. After all, once at sea, their lives and fortunes depended entirely on that ship. Finally, "Bai Wu" understood: "You're planning something big for this voyage, aren't you? You don't look like ordinary fellows just hunting for Qing Tou. A regular boat wouldn't meet your requirements. To tell you the truth, deep within this water cave, there’s an old ship—one modified by a British expedition team years ago. But those Englishmen all died mysteriously before they could even set sail. Their ship is still there... I honestly don't know how to describe it; I can only say it's incredibly eerie."

I found Bai Wu’s use of the word "eerie" strange when describing a vessel, but for an extraordinary task, an extraordinary choice was required. Perhaps the boat modified by the British salvage team was exactly what I needed. I decided to follow him to see it. We weren't the type to commit until we saw the real thing anyway; if no suitable vessel was found, we would rather postpone the voyage than settle for a poor horse and worn saddle, just scraping by for the day.

Deep within the water cave past the turn near the Coral Temple's sea cliff, a break in the mountain overhead revealed a sliver of open sky. In the shadow where the light failed to reach, a strangely shaped wooden boat was moored. Its design was ancient. Among vessels used for offshore work, it was small, capable of carrying about ten people. The hull was mainly wooden, dark and faintly gleaming. All rivets were sunk deep into the wood and sealed with wooden plugs. The material selected incorporated a portion of Sea Willow—a tree that grows on the seabed, which resists warping from moisture or heat, endures corrosion, stays new-looking for ages, and is incredibly sturdy, capable of withstanding the battering and cleansing of towering ocean waves.

The Sea Willow material alone was exceedingly rare. Though it resembled a willow tree, it was actually a stationary marine organism, taking tens of thousands of years to fully form; every inch of it was precious. Due to its near extinction, it was seldom seen in modern times. There was a superstitious saying along the coast: if Sea Willow was used in a ship’s critical structural components, the sea gods would bestow their protection.

The style of the ship suggested a history spanning over a century; by appearance alone, this old vessel could belong in a museum. Yet, it looked as new as if it had just been built, with numerous sections appearing heavily modified. This made the ship’s various parts look quite mismatched. Furthermore, the hull was equipped with many fixtures we had never seen before—it truly had an element of the uncanny.

Bai Wu gave us a detailed account. Decades ago, pirates were rampant in this area, and this ship was one of their fast patrol boats. Later, as the local pirates were gradually wiped out, the fast boat was hidden here in the water cave. Fishermen discovered it and converted it into a fishing vessel, so it came fully equipped with nets, fishing cannons, and harpoons.

Later, the British Tanton Salvage Company intended to enter the Coral Spiral to retrieve Qing Tou. However, that stretch of sea was not easily accessed. A large ship risked running aground in the Spiral, and they couldn't overload it with electronic gear. So, they set their sights on this Sea Willow ship. After more than half a year of modifications, the hull below the waterline was now clad in copper plating. The original propulsion system had been removed. For reliability, the conversion allowed switching between coal-fired steam and motor power, driving four propellers. It was nimble and maneuverable in operation. Lifeboats were mounted on both sides of the hull, along with two medium-caliber Indian Yamaraja (Kumbhira) cannons capable of firing four different types of shells. The ship carried winches, fishing cannons, and all the equipment necessary for basic salvage operations.

Hanging off the stern were two enormous oval copper spheres—these were "diving bells," airtight enclosed diving tools. They could be used to place a person inside, lower them to the seabed by chain, and survey underwater conditions. While this method was clumsy and primitive, it offered relatively good protection to divers in the treacherous environment beneath the waves.

Inside the hold, some of the Englishmen's specialized gear remained, including British-made deep-sea rescue apparatus. This was heavy diving equipment capable of descending to depths of around two hundred meters. Weighing about seventy-five kilograms, it ensured that divers could safely complete their tasks in high-pressure, low-temperature, oxygen-deprived, dark environments. The metal helmet featured a viewing port connected to a rubber diving suit and included an exhaust valve to maintain stable pressure and expel breathed gases. This equipment was still experimental at the time, a prototype from a transitional phase, and carried a certain inherent risk in use.

Even with such thorough preparations, that group of Englishmen dared not act rashly. The Coral Spiral was a hellish sea rumored to be frequented by ghostly apparitions, characterized by chaotic winds and currents. Once a vessel neared it, navigation instruments would fail, and rudders would lock. Moreover, hurricanes were constant, and clear skies were rare. When the weather did clear, mirages played tricks, often leading ships astray. For the expedition team, all other difficulties could be overcome; only losing direction on the vast ocean presented an insurmountable problem. With only the boundless sea surrounding them, unable to discern East from West, their only guide was to navigate by the sun, moon, and stars. If even the sky was obscured, the ship would inevitably become lost and never return.

Due to this insurmountable obstacle, the British salvage team ultimately abandoned their plan. Right before they were due to return home, the entire crew suddenly perished aboard the ship. The cause of death was bizarre. Superstitious fishermen claimed it was because the Sea Willow ship carried too much negative energy—too many people had died on it. Lingering resentments were said to latch onto those who spent too long in contact with the ghost ship, causing them to be possessed and killed by the vengeful spirits aboard. Bai Wu couldn't elaborate on the specifics; his knowledge wasn't detailed. He mentioned that the current owner of the ship was a local native who had helped with the modification work years ago, and if I was interested in acquiring the vessel, Bai Wu could facilitate negotiations.

So, this ship was a "ghost ship," having witnessed many deaths, which made it seem inauspicious. And since Bai Wu’s understanding of the underlying reasons was limited and unclear, I usually dismissed such unsubstantiated tales. However, on this matter, I couldn't help but keep an eye open, hoping to investigate the truth someday. While it’s better to be safe than sorry, one shouldn't stop plowing just because they hear the croaking of frogs. Where else could I find a better vessel than this Sea Willow fast boat right now?

Uncle Ming and I were very pleased with the boat, possessing an indescribable feeling that with this ship, we could certainly attempt the Coral Spiral. Yet, Bai Wu cautioned, "In all these years, no one has ever been heard to enter the Coral Spiral. Sea demons haunt that place unpredictably, and undersea flames burn below the surface—it is by no means a friendly territory. If you heed my honest advice, abandon such thoughts immediately. However, if you are truly determined to enter those waters, I suppose only this Sea Willow ship is capable. But that depends on finding a captain who can pilot it into the Coral Spiral. And where does one find such an experienced old sea dog?"