They were disguised as bandits, using the coarse language of brigands.

"Kill them all? And who will steer the ship then? Without the vessel, how will we transport this cargo?" the burly leader retorted. "For now, we just need to execute a few who dare resist. That should be enough to make the rest obediently follow orders."

The leader’s intent was to make an example of a few, to intimidate the crew into sailing the fleet to the destination he demanded.

"Big Brother, look! Two people at the Second-Tier Dou Zun level!" one sharp-eyed rogue spotted Chen Feng and Ling Feng ascending onto the deck.

"Hmm?" The leader frowned slightly, then chuckled. "A Second-Tier Dou Zun coming out now is practically asking to die. Old Seventh, go and chase them both away. Don't let them ruin our business!"

"Yes!" A fellow with the cultivation of a Fifth-Tier Dou Zun flew out from the crowd. Upon seeing Chen Feng and Ling Feng, a sneer immediately twisted his face.

…………

"It’s Lord Dou Zun…" The crew members watched as the two did not flee, their eyes blazing with fervor.

"Don't get your hopes up. Even the lords from the Duchy turned tail and ran. Do you really expect these newcomers to stand up for us now?" a crewman shouted loudly.

His words struck the crowd like a stone causing a thousand ripples. A collective sigh swept through the assembly.

"True enough. In the eyes of these 'highnesses,' what do ordinary people like us even amount to? Probably nothing at all!"

"They never spared a thought for our lives. They are the lofty 'Lords' up there!"

"Bah! To hell with these so-called lords! They eat what we produce, use what we own, but the moment danger arrives, they flee faster than anyone. They truly are inhuman!"

The crew's emotions swelled, and fear dissipated. They began yelling curses at one another, directing their scorn not at the Dou Zuns floating above who were wantonly killing, but at the 'Lords' in their own faction for being faithless.

No matter the time or place, those who betray trust are hated more deeply than any outright enemy.

The onlookers in the air couldn't help but burst into loud laughter at such a theatrical scene unfolding below.

"How interesting! They're actually tearing each other apart!"

"No wonder the Kennis Duchy always loses when fighting our Ketzina Duchy. See that? That's the caliber of people they have in their Duchy…"

…………

Old Seventh slowly landed his feet on the deck, glanced at Chen Feng, and said, "Little fellow, clear out now, or you'll end up just like them!" As he spoke, he gestured toward the mangled remains scattered across the deck.

"The Captain is dead?" Chen Feng finally noticed the corpses of the Captain, Uncle Lan, and Little Six, who had been killed on deck.

Little Six was close to Chen Feng in age, and he had taken care of Chen Feng these past few days, making a deep impression. Seeing him murdered now sent a surge of immediate fury shooting up Chen Feng’s spine.

"Who did this?" A chilling coldness flickered in Chen Feng’s eyes.

Seeing Chen Feng’s icy gaze, Old Seventh’s heart gave an involuntary lurch. He quickly tried to reassure himself: he was only a Second-Tier Dou Zun, why should he fear him?

"Kid, I’m giving you three seconds to run for your life, or I’ll toss you into the sea to feed the fish!"

Although some crew members had been muttering curses, a glimmer of hope had persisted. But upon hearing this, that hope vanished entirely.

They didn't understand the hierarchies of Dou Zun power levels, nor could they discern who was stronger or weaker. However, judging by how quickly the Grand Magus from the Duchy was knocked to the ground by Chen Feng just moments ago, the newcomer must be powerful. But hearing Old Seventh speak like this instantly turned their faces ashen.

If he were truly a master, would someone dare speak to him in such a manner?

"How many seconds do you think it will take Old Seventh to take this kid down?" The men in the air began to discuss among themselves.

"Seconds? Are you joking! I think if they actually fight, it probably won't even take a full second. You know the gap between a Fifth-Tier Dou Zun and a Second-Tier Dou Zun. Intermediate and low-level Dou Zuns aren't even playing the same game!"

"But look, haven't you noticed these two don't seem scared at all? The fact they aren't fleeing strikes you as odd, doesn't it?"

"I find it puzzling too, but they are only two Second-Tier Dou Zuns. What kind of storm can they possibly whip up?"

Though the onlookers in the air sensed something peculiar, they placed no confidence in Chen Feng.

"Have you decided yet? I’m going to start counting…" Old Seventh’s words dripped with menace.

He normally wouldn't need such pleasantries; dealing with a Second-Tier Dou Zun only required action. But for some inexplicable reason, the moment he saw Chen Feng, a sense of unease settled in his stomach. This feeling compelled him to say a few warning words to soothe himself.

If he could simply scare the boy away, that would be best. After all, a Dou Zun so young must have connections. It wouldn't look good if he were injured or killed… he rationalized to himself.

"Let me handle him!" Just as Chen Feng was about to erupt, Ling Feng suddenly interjected.

"You want him?" Chen Feng glanced at Ling Feng. This girl usually maintained an air of detached calm, seemingly unconcerned with anything. Why was she suddenly eager to act?

"He can mock me all he wants, but he cannot mock you!" Ling Feng’s beautiful brows furrowed as she stated her demand firmly.

Chen Feng was momentarily stunned. Hearing her sudden declaration, a wave of sweetness unexpectedly washed over him.

The source of this sweetness was unclear, but the feeling was undeniably real and intense.

Old Seventh froze on the spot. He was so much stronger than these two, yet instead of being intimidated, they treated him as if he were worthless…

"The price for underestimating me…" Old Seventh roared in fury, suddenly unleashing his Domain. Strands of pale gray domain power instantly enveloped Chen Feng and Ling Feng.

"Old Seventh’s Darkened Domain specializes in a binding, sticky effect. Even a Sixth-Tier Dou Zun would have trouble winning if he managed to deploy his Domain first. These two inexperienced kids standing there—aren't they just asking for death?" the leading chieftain explained.

"Yes, Boss is right. Old Seventh's Domain is indeed bizarre. I almost fell for it myself during a sparring session last time. It looks like these two are finished. But Old Seventh has no grace whatsoever, using his full Domain against two Second-Tier Dou Zuns?" remarked a Sixth-Tier Dou Zun.

"I think Old Seventh should show off a bit in front of us first, that way…" another person started to say, but before he could finish, he witnessed something unbelievable.

"…"

Following a series of sharp cracks, Old Seventh’s pale-gray Domain began to fracture within less than ten breaths of being fully released.

"Pfft…" Immediately after, a mouthful of blood shot from his mouth, and he was sent flying backward, plummeting straight off the deck and into the water!

If Ling Feng hadn't deliberately held back, he would certainly be dead now.

"What… what happened?" No one could clearly see what occurred. Everyone was frozen stiff in shock, especially those who had just been debating how long Chen Feng and Ling Feng could last; they stood there utterly dumbfounded.

The burly leader possessed keen perception. Seeing Ling Feng’s movement, his pupils contracted sharply. "This girl is a master! Old Three, Old Four, Old Five, the three of you come with me to handle her. The young man is yours!"

"Understood!" The remaining individuals responded in unison.

In an instant, over a dozen figures rushed onto the deck, encircling the center of the action.

"I didn't realize you were a master; you conceal your aura very well!" the burly leader said coldly, staring at Ling Feng.

Ling Feng completely ignored them, slowly walking over to Chen Feng and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

Her naturally cold personality made her reluctant to speak to others. She had only done this because she wanted Chen Feng to speak for her, but everyone had misunderstood her intentions.

"This young woman is a master, probably this young man’s bodyguard! Once we secure the boy, she will naturally submit…" The burly leader seemingly "figured out" the situation.

This time, he used his spiritual sense to examine Chen Feng three times carefully, confirming that the youth was indeed only a Second-Tier Dou Zun, which solidified his assumption.

"Move against the youth first!" he commanded. As a leader, he knew how to orchestrate an attack; otherwise, how could he command respect?

Ling Feng's previous strike had been too fast for him to track, proving she might be stronger than him. To avoid a direct confrontation with such an opponent, he naturally chose the method that would result in the least overall casualties.

He, Old Three, Old Four, and Old Five locked Ling Feng in their center to prevent her movement, while the rest charged towards Chen Feng with shouts. In their eyes, Chen Feng was merely a protected target; a Second-Tier Dou Zun was hardly a threat.

Seeing them rush over, Chen Feng suddenly unleashed his Boundless Slaughter Domain. The purplish-red aura instantly engulfed the entire deck.

"Damn it! That's a High-Tier Domain… We’ve walked into a trap…" someone shrieked.

But once trapped within Chen Feng's Boundless Slaughter Domain, escaping was nigh impossible!

Everyone felt a dizzying blankness as endless, savage killing intentions rushed straight into their minds, causing waves of vertigo. The two lowest-ranked Second-Tier Dou Zuns were nearly driven insane by the onslaught of killing intent.

Chen Feng let out a cold snort, stamping his foot on the deck. His body shot forward like a falcon targeting its prey.

Leanna’s VV-shaped Golden Saw flashed through the air.

"Bang!" The heads of two Fourth-Tier Dou Zuns who had jumped simultaneously exploded into pulp, their bodies crashing heavily onto the deck.

Nikaido Benimaru’s Aerial Thunder Fist!

"Crack!" A bolt of lightning struck a Third-Tier Dou Zun on the ground, instantly charring him black.

Facing these Dou Zuns who did not exceed the Fifth Tier, Chen Feng, having mastered the Super Combo Chain, was like a majestic lion entering a sheepfold; none of them could withstand a single exchange.

"He… he’s not a Second-Tier Dou Zun at all! He’s even stronger than that woman…" The remaining survivors screamed in agony, attempting to flee Chen Feng’s Domain, but how could Chen Feng allow them to escape!

Screams of anguish echoed incessantly from within the purplish-red Domain.

All the crew members stood frozen, staring at each other with disbelief etched on their faces. Even if a Dou Zun was powerful, this level of exaggeration—one man taking on more than a dozen—was unheard of…

The chieftain and the other three were paralyzed, utterly bewildered. "He… isn't he just a Second-Tier Dou Zun…"

ps: Toss those recommendation tickets my way!! (To be continued. For the rest of the story, please visit www.idiancomm for more chapters, support the author, and support legitimate reading!) First published.