Sinking his consciousness into the Blood-Patterned Ring, Shi Yan immediately saw that the Profound Ice Cold Flame was still trapped within, unable to break free from the Ring’s constraints.

The Blood-Patterned Ring continuously emitted cold energy, drawn from the Profound Ice Cold Flame, seeping thread by thread into Shi Yan’s body. The two Azure Moon Stones, obtained from the Sea-Scaled Beasts, came from several of those creatures killed by Linda during their prior engagement. Before they sank to the seabed, Shi Yan had subtly tampered with them and extracted the Azure Moon Stones from their bodies.

The Azure Moon Stone was essentially a concretion within the Sea-Scaled Beast's body. It possessed no inherent energy, merely emitting a faint crystalline light, offering a cooling and calming effect.

According to Kamon and the others, the Azure Moon Stone was potentially the Sea-Scaled Beast’s future Demon Crystal. Once a beast reached the sixth level, the Azure Moon Stone could store its power, transforming into an energetic Demon Crystal.

Viewed this way, the Azure Moon Stone should be capable of storing other forms of energy as well. When Shi Yan overheard Kamon discussing the stone’s purpose, he took special note. This time, while in the sea, he collected two Azure Moon Stones precisely because he wanted to see if they could store some of the cold energy emanating from the Profound Ice Cold Flame. Although the Flame was confined by the Blood-Patterned Ring, cold air constantly leaked out.

This chilling energy permeated Shi Yan’s entire body, yet he found few ways to utilize it; only when employing a spiritual force coverage could some of the cold energy be affixed to his mental power.

However, at the Hundred Tribulations Realm, Shi Yan’s spiritual power was not yet sufficiently robust. One or two mental assaults would completely deplete it.

With most of the power in his body unrecovered, Shi Yan needed to seek a new source of strength to confront the unknown situation.

Shi Yan brought the Azure Moon Stones close to the Blood-Patterned Ring, and with a mental command, attempted to draw out the cold energy within the Ring using his spiritual power. Wisps of icy cold power quietly seeped out from the Blood-Patterned Ring... Under the connection of Shi Yan’s spiritual power, a small bridge seemed to form between the Ring and the Azure Moon Stone, with the spiritual power acting as the span, linking the stone to the Ring. The chilling energy flowed from the Blood-Patterned Ring, slowly infusing the Azure Moon Stone.

The Azure Moon Stone diffused a misty cyan light, which gradually took on a cold, somber white hue. The stone in his hand grew increasingly piercingly cold. Within the stone, fine, hair-like patterns of cold energy appeared, those patterns remarkably clear, emitting a frigid white glow.

It worked!

Shi Yan rejoiced inwardly, concentrating his spiritual power, continuing to urge the cold energy flowing from the Profound Ice Cold Flame.

The infusion into the Azure Moon Stone continued; the stone grew colder and colder, feeling like a block of ice in his grip, yet Shi Yan controlled it well enough to prevent excessive cold leakage.

Gradually, more and more surface patterns appeared on the Azure Moon Stone, eventually developing fine fissures. As the cold energy from the Profound Ice Cold Flame permeated it, the stone seemed to reach its limit for retaining the cold. Any further increase might cause the Azure Moon Stone to shatter.

Shi Yan’s expression grew solemn, his gaze sharp, watching the Azure Moon Stone in his hand without blinking.

When he perceived that the stone truly appeared to have reached its tolerance limit, he decisively moved the Azure Moon Stone away from the Blood-Patterned Ring and retracted the spiritual connection linking the two.

The Azure Moon Stone was intensely cold, but because Shi Yan’s body had been altered by the cold energy of the Profound Ice Cold Flame, he was not afraid of it.

Thread by thread, the cold energy was contained within the Azure Moon Stone, wrapped tightly at its core. Anyone not touching the stone would have no inkling of the astonishing cold energy held within that small rock.

Carefully tucking away this Azure Moon Stone, Shi Yan used the same method to inject cold energy into the other stone. Both Azure Moon Stones bore distinct cracks; a strong impact would likely cause them to explode instantly.

Should the Azure Moon Stones rupture, the massive amount of cold energy stored within would immediately erupt.

Based on his understanding of the terrifying cold of the Profound Ice Cold Flame, the cold energy contained in these two small Azure Moon Stones was even greater than that found within the bodies of the Profound Ice Beasts that had once ravaged Monroe Island.

If the cold energy were unleashed, those nearby would surely be affected, perhaps instantly frozen into ice sculptures.

Before his physical strength fully recovered, these two Azure Moon Stones served as a secret treasure, potentially useful at a critical juncture.

Having secured the two Azure Moon Stones, Shi Yan continued to close his eyes to rest, sensing the changes within his acupoints.

An hour later.

Faint wisps of strange power secretly flowed out from his acupoints. With the full operation of Shi Yan’s mind, these strange energies were channeled into the condensed essence light orbs in his Sea of Qi. The essence of several Human Rank martial artists was but a drop in the bucket for the current Shi Yan at the Hundred Tribulations Realm. As his meridians purified this power, the negative emotions seeping out barely managed to influence Shi Yan’s consciousness. Though the strange power flowing out was little, having something was better than nothing. Once this strange power surged into his essence orb, Shi Yan noticed his vital essence had strengthened slightly again, recovering to about thirty to forty percent of its peak level before Mount Wei.

If he wished, he could directly act now to kill Kamon. Even against Linda, relying on the mysteries of his Martial Soul and techniques, he could compel Linda to submit.

Shi Yan’s heart settled. A faint smile touched the corner of his lips, and he continued to silently recover his essence.

“Here, your food.” When the sun was high, Jett suddenly approached, tossing a large piece of dried meat over, and handing him a waterskin.

Shi Yan opened his eyes and smiled slightly. “Why is there meat today?”

For days, Shi Yan had subsisted on dry buns while the crew enjoyed large bowls of wine and meat, yet none had shown him any kindness.

Linda paid little attention to dietary matters, merely instructing Jett to give Shi Yan a ration daily. Most of the time, Linda rested below deck, so she was unaware of the poor treatment Shi Yan received regarding his meals. “You actually have some courage. This dried meat is a personal gift from me. Don’t let Kamon see it, or he’ll surely cause trouble for me.” Jett chuckled. “No matter how much power you possess, daring to jump into the sea while surrounded by Sea-Scaled Beasts proves you are no coward. I respect that—you are a man, and thus deserve the treatment of meat.” Jett was only at the second stage of the Human Rank. On the ship, he always followed Linda’s lead. Besides Linda, he also had to manage Kamon’s feelings, as Kamon held considerable weight on the ship and was highly valued by Linda. Since Kamon disliked Shi Yan, Jett naturally wouldn't have dared give Shi Yan meat before.

Shi Yan’s performance this time earned Jett some admiration, so he seized the moment while Kamon was meditating to secretly offer Shi Yan some extra provisions.

Shi Yan tore at the dried meat, gulping down the water in mouthfuls, and said lightly, “I owe you one.” Jett laughed heartily. “I don’t need you to repay any favor. If you hadn’t shown some guts, I wouldn’t have bothered. To be honest, I didn't like the look of you either, getting so close to Sister Linda while completely naked. I wanted to punch you then, hehe.” Shi Yan grinned, shook his head, and said nothing more.

“Alright, eat slowly, and don’t let Kamon find out, or that fellow might hold me accountable,” Jett stood up, clapped Shi Yan on the shoulder, and laughed. “Listen up, boy, Sister Linda is the soul of our ship. Don’t get any illusions; Sister Linda’s future is boundless—she will be a core disciple of the Divine Sect. You are not worthy of her.” “I know,” Shi Yan nodded with a smile. Jett didn’t say more, leaving with a laugh to rejoin the other crew members, whispering and chuckling conspiratorially about some topic. The Sea-Scaled Beasts did not pursue further.

The four Level Four Sea-Scaled Beasts would be trapped for at least a full day and night by the Magnetic Annihilation Field Shi Yan had created. With the Level Fours gone, the remaining Sea-Scaled Beasts gave up the pursuit after tracking for a while. The small boat had long since passed through the fog and returned to the normal shipping lane, continuing its course southeast toward Cloud Haze Island. Cloud Haze Island was the territory of the Gu family. Its location was quite close to the Galo Sea Region. The Yang Family’s campaign of retaliation against the Gu and Dongfang families had made Cloud Haze Island a prime target.

It was rumored that the Gu Family stronghold on Cloud Haze Island had been completely uprooted, with many Gu Family guards slain. Recently, Yang Family masters had begun targeting the Dongfang Family, leaving Cloud Haze Island unattended for a time. The Gu Family seized the opportunity to rebuild the island’s defenses and dispatch masters to withstand the Yang Family’s fierce assault.

Among the masters dispatched by the Gu Family were Gu Jiange and his father, Gu Lie, along with dozens of Gu Family powerhouses. Their presence on Cloud Haze Island was not just for reconstruction; primarily, they sought to negotiate a truce with the Yang Family, hoping to halt the fighting.

Due to the restlessness of the Fourth Demon Realm over the past few months, with signs of a large-scale invasion by the Demonized, the Yang Family had accepted the Gu Family’s overtures for peace and prepared to send envoys to Cloud Haze Island to discuss the matter.

Shi Yan’s decision to accompany Linda and the others to Cloud Haze Island stemmed from knowing that Gu Jiange would be there, and that Yang Family members were likely to arrive as well. He even speculated that Xia Xinyan might show up, which was precisely why he wanted to join the excitement.

As evening approached, the small boat sailed into a sea area littered with submerged reefs.

Linda quietly emerged from below deck, her long hair swaying, and frowned. “Raise all the Divine Sect flags. Everyone be vigilant; there are pirates in this area.” “Sister Linda, pirates dare to attack our vessel?” Huo Jie scoffed coldly. “Do they have the gall of a leopard? If they know our ship belongs to the Divine Sect and still dare to strike, I’ll make sure they pay dearly!” Pirates were common on the various islands of the Boundless Sea, restless and opportunistic, always looking to raid passing ships when the chance arose.

Generally, pirates were hesitant to attack vessels belonging to the Fifteen Great Powers. However, some reckless bands would take the risk, pulling off a quick raid before fleeing to other seas, unafraid of cross-sea pursuit.

“Usually not, but one can never be too sure,” Linda frowned. “If it’s a large ship, like those of the Divine Sect’s Sun, Moon, and Star level, it signals the presence of high-level experts, and pirates certainly wouldn't dare. But our small boat clearly looks like a transport vessel for peripheral disciples—there are unlikely to be many masters aboard, so the pirates might take the chance.” “Hmph! Kill one who comes, kill two who come as a pair!” Kamon sneered disdainfully. “Mere pirates aren’t worth my notice.” “Hahaha! Such arrogance, boy! I’d like to see what you have to back up that bravado!” A brazen burst of laughter suddenly echoed from behind a massive reef in the distance. As the laughter faded, numerous slender willow-leaf skiffs emerged from behind the various reefs, swiftly closing in on Linda’s boat.