The Azure-Scaled Beasts were common sea monsters in the Yuanluo Sea Domain, creatures covered in deep azure scales, possessing fang-lined jaws, capable of shooting out of the water like arrows to attack people.

Azure-Scaled Beasts were not high-level demons of the sea; they were generally only Tier Two, Three, or Four. Few could reach Tier Five. These beasts possessed no Demon Crystals, and their azure scales held little value. Only a certain Azure Moon Stone found within their brains emitted a faint, soft blue light, which offered a slight effect of calming the mind and settling the spirit.

Even the stone’s effect on tranquility was not particularly outstanding, but because it exuded a crystalline, translucent azure glow, it was often used as an ornamental trinket.

Since Azure-Scaled Beasts were generally low-level, in the area around the Sky Shuttle Archipelago, some martial artists undertaking low-level training would hunt them to procure the Azure Moon Stones, trading them with merchants who enjoyed collecting gems for compensation.

As the Azure-Scaled Beasts were hunted more frequently, they developed a profound hatred for the human martial artists. The once non-aggressive beasts gradually became more active; whenever an opportunity arose, they would assault passing merchant ships, seemingly intent on exacting a toll for their fallen comrades. Lines of Azure-Scaled Beasts darted rapidly alongside the small boat. Amidst the splashing waves, their azure scales were clearly visible beneath the surface; some beasts swimming very close to the water line even exposed their azure armor, which shimmered faintly under the moonlight.

"Gaa-sooo!"

Mid-sprint, an Azure-Scaled Beast suddenly shot out of the water like a sharp arrow, carrying a burst of force, truly stabbing fiercely toward a martial artist on the deck.

"Jie!"

Linda let out a sharp cry. Streams of bright, sapphire sword light interwoven in the void to form a net. Linda wielded a short sword in each hand, her body moving gracefully across the deck. "Twin Serpent Coil!"

Linda’s arms moved rapidly, intertwining; the short swords morphed continuously in the air, actually refining the sword light into the form of a twin-headed spiritual serpent. The sharp glints emanating from the light flickered erratically, resembling the forked tongues of the twin-headed serpent, a truly marvelous sight.

Two Tier Three Azure-Scaled Beasts that had lunged at Linda were caught and coiled by her martial skill, the "Twin Serpent Coil." A grinding sound emanated from the beasts' azure scales as their fish-like heads, piercing forward, were struck by the sword light, creating multiple bloody holes on their skulls.

The bodies of the two Tier Three Azure-Scaled Beasts, having been intercepted, had their momentum halted by Linda’s attack, and they crashed onto the deck.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

More Azure-Scaled Beasts surged out of the sea, piercing toward the martial artists on deck like deadly lances. On the deck, besides Linda and Kaman, there were nine other martial artists. All were cultivators at the Innate or Human-Rank realms, their strength not inferior to the Azure-Scaled Beasts. Although these martial artists were merely outer disciples of the Three Gods Sect, they hailed from smaller factions allied with the sect, thus they were certainly not lacking in combat experience. Facing the Azure-Scaled Beasts, the other nine maintained calm expressions, not a single one showing fear.

The martial artists on deck unfurled their respective martial skills. In an instant, lights intertwined across the deck, various techniques blazing brilliantly, forming a dense web of light that wove and wrapped above the planks.

The charging Azure-Scaled Beasts gained no advantage; they were either cleaved in mid-air or severely injured and knocked back into the sea.

Before long, the Azure-Scaled Beasts retreated, sinking back into the depths after paying the price of seven dead companions.

The beasts did not launch another attack, but neither did they leave the small boat, instead following at a distance, occasionally revealing themselves on the water’s surface.

Kaman and his group calmly began to carve open the slain Azure-Scaled Beasts on the deck, unceremoniously extracting the Azure Moon Stones before kicking the corpses into the sea.

The distant Azure-Scaled Beasts, witnessing the fate of their comrades, revealed deep hatred in their moonlit, fish-like eyes. The Azure Moon Stones, only about the size of a walnut, emitted their faint azure glow, appearing exceptionally bright and dazzling under the moonlight—truly quite beautiful.

“Linda, do you like these stones?”

Kaman walked up to Linda, holding three Azure Moon Stones, chuckling heartily. “If you like them, I’ll give you all these Azure Moon Stones.”

In the moonlight, Linda's long hair drifted around her; her fine brows and delicate eyes made her look charmingly lovely. Her previous maneuver to coil and slay the Azure-Scaled Beasts had been so clean and decisive that Shi Yan found himself staring, momentarily transfixed.

"Not interested," Linda shook her head, pursing her lips. "I can’t be bothered to collect worthless things. Only vulgar women are interested in stones that merely glow."

She paused, then added coolly, "Take these Azure Moon Stones and try to charm those delicate wives who don't practice the martial path. Perhaps you might win their favor. You should keep them yourself."

Kaman let out a dry laugh. "If you don't like them, fine, why mock me? I don't bother with ordinary women..."

Linda gave an ambiguous reply and turned, walking toward Shi Yan, who was situated near the stern of the small boat. She frowned as she looked back at the persistent Azure-Scaled Beasts, a trace of worry lingering in her voice. "I hope a group of Tier Five Azure-Scaled Beasts doesn't show up. Alas..."

Shi Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. He stood nearby but offered no reply. All the beasts involved in this current assault were only Tier Three; not a single Tier Four had appeared.

Tier Three Azure-Scaled Beasts were equivalent to martial artists at the Human-Rank, but because their attacks always involved leaping from the water, their actual fighting prowess was closer to that of Innate realm martial artists. Shi Yan was not surprised that these outer disciples of the Three Gods Sect, most of whom possessed cultivation at the Innate or Human-Rank, with Linda being at the Hundred Tribulations First Heaven realm, could sweep these beasts aside, especially with the positional advantage of being on the ship.

However, Tier Four Azure-Scaled Beasts were far more difficult to handle.

Once an Azure-Scaled Beast reached Tier Four, its azure scales became substantially tougher; ordinary attacks struggled to penetrate them. Furthermore, Tier Four beasts possessed incredibly sharp teeth, capable of gnawing through the deck of a small boat.

If a Tier Four beast managed to break the boat first and drag them into the sea for close-quarters combat, these people would likely face a grim fate. Azure-Scaled Beasts in the water attacked far more ferociously than when emerging. If the boat were destroyed and they were engaged underwater, certain death would await them.

The martial artists on deck were still exhilarated by driving off the Azure-Scaled Beasts. Only Linda sighed softly, standing beside Shi Yan, her expression deeply troubled.

"Shi Yan, do you think Tier Four Azure-Scaled Beasts might be following us?" Linda sighed, her beautiful eyes suddenly turning to Shi Yan, asking with noticeable worry.

Linda had personally witnessed Shi Yan being sealed within the largest iceberg beneath the sea. Although Shi Yan had currently exhausted all his strength, she still felt he was extraordinary, much more composed than Kaman and the others on deck. Therefore, when facing difficulty, she couldn't help but seek Shi Yan's counsel.

"I don't know," Shi Yan shook his head. "I’m not familiar with Azure-Scaled Beasts."

"Oh?" Linda expressed surprise. "Aren't you a fisherman from the Sky Shuttle Archipelago?"

Shi Yan looked slightly embarrassed, coughed lightly, and said calmly, "I’m just an ordinary fisherman. I catch normal fish, not these fierce demons. Heh heh, I can't handle monsters like that. Only strong experts from your Three Gods Sect dare to fight Azure-Scaled Beasts head-on. I'm not up to it."

Linda gave him a sharp look and snorted low in her throat. "If you don't want to help, just say so. Stop talking about being a fisherman. I've never heard of a fisherman who could remain so composed when facing Azure-Scaled Beasts."

When the beasts had shot out of the water one by one just now, their momentum had been quite fierce. Linda had closely observed Shi Yan's demeanor while fighting them, noticing that he had only kept moving on the deck, constantly seeking safe ground, yet never showing even a hint of panic. This was hardly the conduct of a mere fisherman.

Shi Yan smiled faintly. "It’s not that I don't want to help, but I truly can't. However, I suspect the Azure-Scaled Beasts will return. The next wave likely will include a few Tier Fours; otherwise, these Tier Threes wouldn't be trailing us so persistently."

"Nonsense, of course I know the next attack will involve Tier Fours," Linda rolled her eyes. She huffed, "I'm asking if you have a way to deal with Tier Fours. You are on this boat too; if the vessel is destroyed, whatever your purpose is here, you won't achieve it. Didn't you say you wanted to see Cloud Mist Island? Are you going to fly there without a ship?"

Shi Yan offered a wry smile, pondered for a moment, and then said, "There's still time. We can think of a way slowly."

"If you truly are an expert, please help us at the critical moment," Linda looked at him deeply, making a sincere request. "After all, I saved you once. My crew might not like you, but I don't want them harmed. As long as they are on my ship, I will do my best to protect them from injury."

Shi Yan was taken aback, feeling genuine admiration for this woman. After Kaman and the others had questioned her leadership, she remained entirely devoted to her crew's well-being. It was no wonder she commanded such trust; those men would unhesitatingly side with her if a conflict arose between her and Kaman. Her status among the crew must have been built up bit by bit like this. Having such a leader was truly fortunate for them. "You are not an expert," Shi Yan stated plainly, shaking his head, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone. "I'm just an unfortunate drowning victim. Don't place any hope in me."

He was certainly not being overly modest. Before the various powers within his body recovered, he would likely struggle to defeat Linda in a direct fight, let alone help her through this crisis. Of course, if he could regain his strength quickly—whether his essence or the negative energy filling his body—the situation would be entirely different.

"Forget it, if you won't help," Linda's attitude turned somewhat cold. "Anyway, if the boat sinks, you won't escape either! At that point, no matter how powerful you are, unless you can fly, you'll be in the same boat as us! Fend for yourself!"

With that, Linda, her expression stern, walked away from Shi Yan to go brief her crew.