Having unleashed this technique, Captain Qian’s face went pale, yet a strange sense of exhilaration filled his chest. But before Captain Qian could celebrate, the two opposing cultivators exploded forth in grief and fury, each unleashing a desperate killing move aimed at Lei Dong’s teammate surnamed Zhang. He was the only late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator in the squad besides Captain Qian, at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment. Caught completely off guard, he was slammed by the enemy captain’s large seal, his body and shield pulverized into bloody pulp.

Captain Qian’s expression immediately turned grim; victory had been within reach, yet through a moment of carelessness, they lost a teammate, and one at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment no less. The two enemy cultivators, having successfully eliminated one between them, exchanged a low shout: “All or nothing, let’s go.”

At this point, there was no room for negotiation. Although a desperate escape might not succeed, staying meant certain death. Both knew the danger was extreme, and their escape route was not to scatter in the air but to erupt in a flash of light and dive straight toward the water below. Perhaps pre-planned, having fought while fleeing, they were already only about ten zhang from the sea surface. After unleashing their full burst speed, they shot into the water in the blink of an eye, a speed even Lei Dong would struggle to match unless he was willing to enter the depths himself. As everyone knows, the larger the body of water, the more unpredictable the dangers and colossal beings that might lurk within. Those who venture out to sea rarely enter the depths because the unknown perils are simply too numerous.

Captain Qian was so enraged by Old Zhang’s death that he was about to pursue when Lei Dong flashed forward to block him: “Captain, you have the Yuan Xing Bi Lu in hand; why risk descending into the water?”

The greatest advantage of fleeing into the water is the ability to quickly escape the pursuer's sight and spiritual sense. After all, a cultivator’s spiritual sense is severely weakened upon entering the vast ocean. Even the divine sense of a Core Formation cultivator cannot possibly probe the deepest parts of the sea. Rumor has it that some seabeds reach depths of ten thousand li. Naturally, even Nascent Soul cultivators cannot dive that far.

The Yuan Xing Bi Lu can detect Foundation Establishment or Core Formation cultivators and demonic beasts within a thirty-li radius. Although its effectiveness underwater is greatly diminished, it is still far superior to a cultivator’s own divine sense.

Captain Qian slapped his forehead, cursing his loss of composure. He hastily retrieved the crystal sphere, pouring his spiritual sense and true energy into it to begin manipulation. Then, he glanced down with a shadowed face: “Hmph, they are already two hundred zhang deep and are still descending. They must be thinking that the most dangerous place is the safest place, hoping to wear us down.”

Foundation Establishment cultivators, having unblocked the Heavenly Cycle meridians in their bodies, have entered the stage of innate internal circulation, establishing their immortal foundation. Over a long period, they can maintain life without external energy supplements, relying solely on their true energy for things like breathing and sustenance. Of course, this maintenance is not infinite. Firstly, their true energy will eventually be depleted, and secondly, although Foundation Establishment cultivators are nominally in innate internal circulation, they still occasionally require external replenishment. It is like fish; no matter how capable a fish is, it still needs to surface for air, and staying underwater for too long will cause it to suffocate and die.

As long as their destination is known, the next step is straightforward: wait. Those two, even if they were fish, would eventually have to surface. Captain Qian brought the flying boat to a stop thirty zhang above the water, and everyone began to wait there, like setting a trap for the rabbit. Lei Dong also placed all the spoils of war he had captured onto the flying boat and said in a deep voice: “Lei has a habit: adhering to protocol. Since this was a team kill, the spoils must be handed over to the Captain for inventory and subsequent distribution.”

Captain Qian was momentarily stunned, his eyes showing appreciation and gratitude. He had initially expected a cultivator of Lei Dong’s caliber—presumably of extraordinary origin and unimaginably powerful—to be proud, putting on airs, and difficult to get along with. Most importantly, he worried Lei Dong would be hard to manage within the team structure. Unexpectedly, he was so committed to protocol, honestly handing over every bit of loot he acquired, including the captured spirits.

This was a person worth knowing. Only now did Captain Qian truly trust Lei Dong, feeling a strange, inexplicable sense that befriending Lei Dong would never be a loss. Qing Niangzi and the cultivator surnamed Zhao also quickly presented the spoils they had gathered and placed them on the flying boat.

“Lei Dong, I am determined to make you my friend,” Captain Qian stated with solemnity. “As long as you don’t mind my inferior strength.”

“Captain, you speak too highly. Lei only acts according to the rules. Since I acknowledge you as the Captain, I will naturally respect all your authority as Captain.”

Lei Dong replied calmly, though his heart held its own calculations. He was a stranger in this Zhao Prefecture, and without some reliable friends or brothers, his journey might prove difficult. Furthermore, although his ultimate goal was to return to Kang Prefecture, he hadn't even figured out where Kang Prefecture was located yet. No matter how one looked at it, the road home would not be easy or casual. He observed that Captain Qian seemed decent—enraged enough by a teammate's death to pursue revenge regardless of cost. He was an interesting person. Someone like that would make a good friend, especially since he was already at the peak of Foundation Establishment, poised to break through to Core Formation, and wasn't overly old; he still had good prospects.

If he waited until Qian was in Core Formation to forge a bond, he might lose some goodwill. Rather than coveting small gains, it was better to invest in relationships now. Establishing a connection early was a good idea.

“Protocol is good, but sadly, fewer and fewer people understand protocol in this world,” Captain Qian sighed after a few words. “These teammates of ours, though we haven’t been together long, I personally recruited each of them. When recruiting, while I value strength, I also rely on my judgment of character. Like you, Lei Dong, the first moment I saw you, I thought you seemed like a decent person. In fact, Old Zhang was also a good man, just a bit dull and quiet. He told me he was the head of a small inland family; it seemed a remarkable genius had appeared in his clan, which is why he came adventuring in the Endless Sea Domain, hoping to accumulate enough spirit stones to secure a stable cultivation future for his great-grandson. That’s why he was always so diligent, willing to take on any hard work.” As he spoke, he began sorting the spoils.

Lei Dong and the others remained silent. As Captain Qian said, Old Zhang was diligent; his late-stage Foundation Establishment strength was not weak. Sadly, his age was already considerable, and he had no hope of reaching Core Formation in this life.

“Please, Captain, when you have the chance, return Old Zhang’s personal effects for him,” Lei Dong said quietly.

“Naturally. Everyone rest assured, I, Qian, guarantee with my honor that I will not keep a single fraction. The earnings from this voyage will also be fully accounted for, leaving none out for him,” Captain Qian stated solemnly before looking at Lei Dong with deep emotion. “Lei Dong is right; rules are meant to be followed. If everyone disregarded rules, nothing could ever be accomplished. Those two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators must be killed.”

“Everyone, I have an idea. I wonder if I should voice it?” Qing Niangzi pondered for a moment before saying seriously: “Do you think our team could become a more specialized, elite squad? Whatever spirit stones we earn, let’s not immediately save them thinking about buying elixirs later. Let’s equip ourselves first. For example, Lei Dong is formidable because he is covered head to toe in top-grade spirit artifacts. If everyone could have one or two top-grade spirit artifacts... then today’s outcome, Old Zhang wouldn't have died. Fighting demonic beasts would also be easier for everyone. If we encounter outside enemies, as long as they aren't Core Formation cultivators, I think destroying them won't be a problem. Moreover, our small number makes us more likely to attract unwanted attention.”

“What Qing Niangzi means is that from now on, we shouldn't just hunt beasts, but also hunt people?” The cultivator surnamed Zhao asked, his expression shifting uncomfortably.

“Old Zhao, don't take this the wrong way,” Qing Niangzi snapped, rolling her eyes at him. “Stop constantly clinging to all that etiquette and morality. This is the Endless Sea Domain; you know what it’s like here. This is a world where people eat people. If you don’t eat others, others will come to eat you. Just like today, if our strength had been a little greater, Old Zhang wouldn’t have died.”

“I agree with Qing Niangzi’s point,” Captain Qian stated seriously, giving Lei Dong a thoughtful look. “However, if we are to become an elite team, Lei Dong is the first choice for Captain. Lei Dong, don't rush to refuse—it’s not that Old Qian is being overly sentimental. From any perspective, you are far more suited to be Captain than I am.”

Lei Dong considered carefully and then stated firmly: “Captain, there is no need for that. Lei does have a thought. If everyone wishes to survive a few more years in this Endless Sea Domain, there is one thing we must consider: Core Formation. No matter how powerful our spirit artifacts are, they remain insufficient against Core Formation cultivators. Therefore, we must have the power to resist Core Formation. Otherwise, inevitably, no matter how cautious we are, we will meet our match. We were lucky not to meet a Core Formation cultivator today, but that doesn't guarantee we won't next time.”

“Lei Dong, for us Foundation Establishment cultivators, if we don't reach a certain number, it’s difficult to contend against Core Formation cultivators, isn't it?” Captain Qian looked troubled. “Core Formation cultivators are not like Core Formation level demonic beasts that we can manipulate and play with at will.”

“It’s not difficult,” Lei Dong looked around at everyone—even Shangguan had been brought out to listen to the meeting—and stated seriously: “We just need to have a Core Formation cultivator. Captain Qian, Lei hopes you will continue as Captain and be the first to advance to Core Formation.”

“What?” Everyone stared at Lei Dong, utterly dumbfounded, suggesting Captain Qian should be the one to reach Core Formation?

...