Zhang Heng’s expression softened slightly, and he nodded. "Number One, it's not that I intentionally single you out, it's just that you're new to the East Sea Domain and haven't truly felt the dangers here yet. The more perilous the environment, the less simple any creature—be it a spirit beast or a human—that survives within it will be. Alright, tally up the Horned Scale Fish everyone caught. Then, we have work to do."

As expected, Lei Dong was ranked first, catching ninety Horned Scale Fish—twice as many as Zhang Heng, who ranked second. The others ranged from over twenty down to a dozen or so.

Zhang Heng produced another large pile of hooks, ordering the men to attach them to the Horned Scale Fish and then slash them extensively with small knives. Following that, the hooks were tied to a rope as thick as an arm and completely transparent. As he worked, Zhang Heng explained, "Number One, don't underestimate these hooks. They were forged using refining techniques, blending Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron with Starlight Stones. And this transparent rope, its origins are even grander. It’s spun silk extruded by two Profound Nether Ice Silkworms raised by the sect, each possessing the power of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator. After special processing, the threads congeal into fishing line. A single hundred-foot section represents a century's yield from those two Ice Silkworms. Our silk is a treasure that even spirit stones can barely acquire. However, these items were passed down by the seniors of our Third Canton, so I didn't have to spend contribution points to exchange for them. To be honest, even if I wanted to exchange, I couldn't afford them."

Lei Dong was moved. He had been wondering how they could possibly land a Tyrant Fish, given that it possessed the combat strength of an early-stage Golden Core cultivator. Ordinary hooks and lines surely couldn't withstand such strain.

Everyone got to work, tying a hook into one of the Horned Scale Fish every two or three zhang, securing them [Update from The Great Devil Lord’s Little Beauty Novel]. The Horned Scale Fish possessed extraordinarily tenacious vitality; even heavily wounded, they thrashed about vigorously. After securing fifty or sixty of them, Zhang Heng called a halt. Those fifty or sixty fish used as bait alone were immensely valuable.

By now, the majority of the arm-thick silk rope had entered the sea. According to Zhang Heng, this rope was about one hundred and fifty zhang long, and each zhang would certainly cost no less than five hundred thousand contribution points. After all, it was the combined annual yield of two late-stage Golden Core Ice Silkworms, and this was the internal price. The hooks were also far from cheap to produce. If one added an excellent flying boat, engaging in this sport of fishing for Tyrant Fish truly required considerable wealth.

On the other end, Zhang Heng secured the rope to the flying boat. He then excitedly gathered everyone to the sides of the gunwales. He began to direct the boat forward slowly using his divine sense. Soon, the flying boat’s speed increased, and the string of fish, stretching over a hundred zhang, gradually stretched into a diagonal line in the sea.

Everyone stared tensely at the string of fish tumbling with the waves. Even Lei Dong began to feel a surge of excitement. In two lifetimes, this was his first time participating in an activity aimed at eliminating a Golden Core spirit beast. Even with Lei Dong's current strength, facing a terrifying creature of the Golden Core level alone would only leave him in awe. To imagine a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators fishing for a Golden Core-grade Tyrant Fish—what an exhilarating prospect.

The boat proceeded steadily after the fishing line formed a diagonal. Time passed, measured by the span of an incense stick. A full half an shichen later, a colossal shape suddenly leaped out of the sea surface a hundred zhang away. It was huge; Lei Dong stared, dumbfounded. This creature did not resemble a fish as he had imagined. It was somewhat akin to an alligator, fully armored, with a massive head, and a mouth full of fearsome, gleaming teeth several feet long.

"It's coming, everyone stay quiet," Zhang Heng's mental transmission sounded in Lei Dong's ear, seemingly directed only at him. "This Tyrant Fish is quite large, about thirteen or fourteen zhang. Be careful in a moment."

Lei Dong nodded solemnly. A Golden Core spirit beast? How could he not be careful? It was a joke; even a mere brush or bump from it would likely result in a severe injury. Never mind that Zhang Heng was nearing the peak of Foundation Establishment; if he had to fight this Golden Core spirit beast one-on-one, he would flee faster than anyone. They were simply not on the same level.

Almost holding his breath, Lei Dong stared intently at the now 'calm' sea surface. In moments, the vast expanse began to churn. The rope anchored to the flying boat suddenly went taut. The flying boat, which had been gliding forward, was instantly yanked to a stop.

Bang~

The ten-or-so zhang long Tyrant Fish leaped out of the water again, accompanied by an enraged roar. Lei Dong could clearly see a fishing line inside its mouth; who knew how many hooks it had swallowed.

"Got it," Zhang Heng cheered, pumping his fist.

Lei Dong's heart pounded with tension. He knew that a Golden Core Tyrant Fish could never be subdued this easily. A fight was surely coming next. As expected, the Tyrant Fish, having plunged back into the water, began to desperately dive towards the seabed. Its terrifying strength actually pulled the Youming No. 9 slowly downward.

"Activate maximum speed," Zhang Heng commanded in a low voice.

The Youming No. 9 began to ascend towards the sky at its strongest velocity. However, at this moment, its speed was agonizingly slow, crawling upward like a tortoise. Lei Dong was horrified; he knew the power source of the Youming No. 9, yet that Tyrant Fish was this formidable. It truly lived up to its name, possessing terrifying strength. Human Golden Core cultivators likely lacked such sheer power.

Moving at a very slow pace, the Youming No. 9 reached an altitude of over a hundred zhang. The powerful Tyrant Fish gradually surfaced again. By now, it was completely enraged. A pillar of water, nearly a zhang wide, suddenly shot toward the Youming No. 9 in the sky. With a thunderous boom, it struck the airship with pinpoint accuracy. But the Youming No. 9 was a battle vessel meticulously crafted by the Yin Sha Sect at enormous expense, boasting unparalleled defense. When the shields were fully active, the water pillar merely caused the ship to rock a few times without sustaining actual damage.

"First Squad members, pay attention, begin attacking. Note: Do not leave the ship, and try your best not to strike the silken rope," Zhang Heng ordered.

The members of the first squad positioned along the gunwales had been itching for action. They began treating the Golden Core spirit beast a hundred zhang away as a live target, launching Flying Swords, Dharma Wheels, Talismans, broadswords, and drills.

A chaotic barrage of spiritual artifacts rained down upon it. Most members of the War Hall were excellently equipped; the weakest weapon was high-grade.

In an instant, the sky was filled with continuous, multicolored light. Lei Dong naturally joined in, summoning his peak Foundation Establishment puppet capable of ranged attacks, commanding it to lash out streams of golden light with its long spear.

Lei Dong himself targeted the Tyrant Fish from a distance with his Scarlet Refining Flying Sword. The sword grew larger and larger, enveloped in fierce, burning flames, and struck heavily onto the Tyrant Fish's back. However, Lei Dong perceived through his divine sense that the attack was blocked by an energy that felt soft yet incredibly resilient. He couldn't help but be astonished—was that the Tyrant Fish’s protective aura? A Golden Core spirit beast was indeed worthy of its rank. Lei Dong’s strike hadn't harmed it in the slightest; at most, it had consumed a significant portion of its protective energy.

However, there were nine experts, including Zhang Heng, plus the remotely controlled puppets they summoned, all attacking from afar. Under this relentless, stormy assault, the Tyrant Fish’s protective spiritual qi and similar defenses were shattered in just ten breaths' time. Lei Dong’s next sword strike sliced through its hide, sinking several inches deep. Observing his Golden Armor Puppet, each thrust of its spear from afar managed to pierce the beast’s flesh by nearly a foot. Peak puppets were indeed living up to their name; their power was distinctly superior.

During this period, the Tyrant Fish did not cease its resistance. It stopped attacking with water pillars, instead launching sharp icicles, each several zhang long. These ice shards were incredibly potent; each impact caused the Youming No. 9 to shake several times, sending ripples across the energy shield. With such power, Lei Dong believed that if one of these strikes hit him, even relying on his two supreme-grade spiritual artifacts to defend, he couldn't withstand more than a few hits.

This was Lei Dong’s first time directly participating in the slaying of a Golden Core spirit beast. The Flame Giant he and Qi Feifei encountered previously might not have been Golden Core level.

"That's enough, everyone stop, I'll fire the cannon now~" The main cannon of the Youming No. 9, the Nether Fire Cannon, had already emitted a glow, locking onto the Golden Core spirit beast. As Zhang Heng pointed forward, the Nether Fire Cannon erupted in a massive burst of light, followed by a stream of green light, ranging from deep green to nearly black, shooting from the muzzle.

The sphere of green light expanded rapidly, instantly reaching a diameter of several zhang. The distance of over a hundred zhang was covered in a mere instant.

The massive green ball struck the unable-to-escape Golden Core Tyrant Fish with a deafening roar. The violent shockwave blasted seawater high into the sky, creating a spray reaching a hundred zhang high before falling like a torrential storm. The shockwave also swept outwards in all directions, creating ripples that collided with the waves, seemingly gaining the upper hand for a moment. It wasn't until it dissipated several li away that the commotion settled.

Lei Dong watched the scene with wide eyes. Was this the power of the Nether Fire Cannon? It was too terrifying. Lei Dong dared not imagine the consequences if he had endured that strike. He only knew that he probably wouldn't even have a chance for his soul to escape; it would be complete annihilation of body and spirit.

Even the Tyrant Fish, having endured this blow after its defenses were broken, was unlikely to fare well. Its massive body was thrown three or four zhang high by the impact before crashing back into the water. When it floated up again, its belly was turned upwards.