The small willow-leaf boats were only four or five meters long, and standing atop each one were three or four sea bandits. These brigands were dark-skinned, bare-chested, and adorned with tattoos of various monstrous beasts and skeletons.

Across the twelve willow-leaf boats, there were over thirty sea bandits. Most of them were at the Human Rank or Innate Realm, though three of the bandits had achieved the first heaven of the Hundred Calamity Realm.

The sea bandits gripped their knives, forks, clubs, and sticks, grinning hideously as they swiftly encircled Linda’s vessel. The vicinity was riddled with hidden reefs, and Linda's ship, being slightly larger, was inconvenient to maneuver.

However, these willow-leaf boats, due to their slender and narrow design, were extremely agile, darting among the reefs like spirit snakes.

The reefs here not only posed no obstacle to them but seemed to serve as their natural fortifications.

The leader was a burly man with a thick, bushy beard. His torso was bare, muscles bulging like slabs of granite, covered entirely in tattoos of grim specters. He clutched a massive, spiked black club, letting out a continuous, eerie cackle. Erected on this man's willow-leaf boat was a banner upon which was embroidered a blood-dripping eyeball. As the banner fluttered in the sea breeze, the bloody eye seemed to wink, appearing dreadfully fierce and terrifying.

Linda initially paid them no mind, but the moment her gaze fell upon that banner, her beautiful face abruptly changed, and she cried out sharply, "You are from the Black Water Sea Domain... the Blood-Eye Clan?"

"Heh heh, a beauty with great insight. Since you've heard of our Blood-Eye Clan, things should be much easier," the half-bearded giant roared with laughter. Upon hearing that these sea bandits belonged to the "Blood-Eye" faction of the Black Water Sea Domain, Kaman, Jett, and the others also turned pale. Kaman, who had been boasting just moments before, now frowned deeply, his expression heavy.

The Blood-Eye Clan first emerged in the Black Water Sea Domain, never adhering to any rules, daring to raid vessels belonging to even the Heavenly Pond Holy Land, the Spirit Treasure Grotto Heaven, and the Holy Spirit Sect. The Blood-Eye Clan’s rampant behavior eventually provoked a massive crackdown by the three major powers of the Black Water Sea Domain. Only when they could no longer operate there did they begin migrating to other seas. After drifting to new territories, the Blood-Eye Clan continued its outrageous conduct; whenever an opportunity arose, they would invariably rob ships belonging to any of the fifteen major powers. If things looked grim, they would immediately flee to yet another domain, having no fixed abode. In the Endless Sea, the Blood-Eye Clan was the most troublesome pirate faction, and the one that caused the greatest headache for the fifteen major powers.

Thus, upon hearing that these men originated from the Blood-Eye Clan, both Kaman and Linda felt a distinct unease, realizing the situation was precarious.

"We are from the Three Gods Cult, and we have never had any dealings with your Blood-Eye Clan. Do you really dare to target us?" Huo Jie said coldly. "It seems the Three Gods Cult has never moved to suppress you; you best not invite trouble. Offending the Three Gods Cult over some worthless provisions is surely unnecessary, isn't it?"

"Haha! As long as we kill you all, how would the Three Gods Cult ever know it was us?" the bearded giant roared with laughter, looking disdainfully at Kaman. "Boy, didn't you just say you'd kill as many as came?"

Kaman’s face darkened, and he let out a cold snort.

"What exactly do you want?"

Linda stepped forward, her delicate eyebrows deeply furrowed. "There are only some stones on the ship. Is it truly worth such a massive effort for you?"

"Beauty, why don't you come with us? My elder brother is somewhat infirm of limb, and he wishes to strike a deal with you. If the deal is successful, we won't do anything to you; perhaps we’ll even gift you something. How about it?" the bearded giant said, a wide smile plastered on his face.

"Sister Linda, we can't let you go," Jett couldn't help but call out. "The Blood-Eye Clan has an atrocious reputation. We don't know what vicious scheme they are hatching."

"Heh heh, beauty, what do you say? If the deal goes through, you can leave unharmed. Otherwise... heh heh!" the bearded giant said.

"Fine, I'll go over and take a look," Linda deliberated for a moment before suddenly nodding in agreement. "Linda, I'm going with you." Kaman’s expression shifted; he was not one to shy away in a critical moment. "We can go together; at least we'll have someone to look out for each other."

"You boy, you can't go," the bearded giant sneered, shaking his head. "A fellow like you will only cause trouble if you go. You should stay put on the ship." "Linda, I will accompany you," Shi Yan emerged from a corner, seemingly out of nowhere, standing beside Linda with an indifferent expression. Kaman, Huo Jie, and Jett all looked at Shi Yan with surprise and confusion.

"Boy, what mischief are you stirring up?" Kaman’s face instantly turned gloomy, and he snorted coldly. "Shi Yan, what are you doing?" Jett exclaimed in alarm. "You won't be able to help at all! What on earth are you thinking?" Shi Yan ignored the others, merely turning to Linda with a calm smile. "Can you take me along?" Linda’s beautiful eyes held a complex emotion, her expression shifting between light and shadow. After a long pause, she nodded gently and turned to the bearded giant. "I am bringing someone. You don't mind, do you?" The bearded man frowned, scrutinizing Shi Yan a few times before nodding. "Fine."

"Very well," Linda glanced at Shi Yan. "You follow me." "Mm."

"Come on, get onto our boat. There are too many reefs here; your vessel is too constrained," the bearded man shouted. A swift willow-leaf boat quickly approached. The other martial artist on that boat, who was at the Hundred Calamity Realm, sneered, "Hurry up and board. Don't waste my big brother's time." Without much hesitation, Linda leaped across, landing steadily on the willow-leaf boat. Shi Yan, appearing utterly calm, followed Linda and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her. "Brothers, leave half the men to watch them," the bearded man shouted loudly, then commanded, "Kong Lao Er, let's go." The Hundred Calamity Realm bandit on Shi Yan’s boat nodded and urged two other bandits nearby to set sail. The willow-leaf boat weaved through the reefs, moving rapidly toward the left.

Before long, an iron ship, about forty meters long, suddenly appeared in Shi Yan’s line of sight. The ship bore the Blood-Eye Clan's banner. On the deck sat a scholarly, fair-faced middle-aged man, squinting his narrow eyes, a smile playing on his lips. He was seated in a wheelchair; both of his legs were severed below the knee—he was indeed the one with difficulty moving.

This pale-faced middle-aged man possessed the cultivation of the Triple Heaven of the Hundred Calamity Realm, with abundant and pure vital essence in his body, though the loss of both legs must have significantly reduced his strength.

Behind him stood two dozen or so Blood-Eye bandits, mostly at the Human Rank and Innate Realm, all robust in build and displaying an air of aggressive daring.

"You two, come up," as the willow-leaf boat neared the iron ship, the sinister bandit known as Kong Lao Er coldly ordered Shi Yan and Linda.

Neither Shi Yan nor Linda spoke as they stepped onto the deck using the lowered rope ladder.

"My humble name is Lin Xiaochang. It truly brings me joy that you two have come to meet me," the lame, pale-faced middle-aged bandit said, offering a slight bow from his wheelchair, a smile lingering on his lips. "Are you both peripheral disciples of the Three Gods Cult?"

"Yes," Linda nodded, frowning. "May I ask why you summoned us aboard? What business do you have to discuss?"

"You were likely delivering cargo to the Gu Family's island, correct?" Lin Xiaochang calmly sipped a cup of tea and chuckled. "We wish to add some items to your vessel and hope you can deliver these things to the Gu family along with your original cargo. How about it?"

"Add items?" Linda said in surprise. "What items?"

"Do you need to know?" Lin Xiaochang frowned.

"We certainly need to know," Linda insisted.

"Very well. We wish to add several crates of explosives to your ship," Lin Xiaochang said with a slight smile. "What do you all think?"

"You want to deal with the Gu Family?" Linda demanded sharply.

"Indeed," Lin Xiaochang nodded. His expression instantly turned grim. "The Gu Family has treated us harshly; we must teach them a lesson. All you need to do is follow our instructions and deliver the explosives to the Gu Family. Once you have left, we will detonate the explosives, and everyone in the Gu Family who accepted the delivery will be blown to bits. Rest assured, no one will ever know the problem originated from the supplies you delivered."

"Absolutely not," Linda shook her head. "There are rules. Our Three Gods Cult and the Gu Family are allies. I cannot harm the Gu Family. There is no such thing as a perfectly sealed wall in this world. If this matter were exposed, not only would we be executed by the Three Gods Cult, but our families would suffer as well. I will never help you."

"Is there no room for negotiation?" Lin Xiaochang narrowed his eyes, lowering his head to take another sip of tea.

"This matter is utterly impossible!" Linda stated decisively.

"Your refusal doesn't mean others will refuse," Lin Xiaochang looked up, but this time he wasn't looking at Linda, but at Shi Yan. "Young friend, if you agree, we can dispose of this woman. Then, we will elevate you as the leader of the ship. As long as you help us deliver these things to the Gu Family, what do you say?"

"I would be delighted to help you deal with the Gu Family," Shi Yan smiled calmly. Linda’s expression changed, and she glared at Shi Yan with hatred. "You ungrateful wretch!"

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!" Lin Xiaochang was clearly pleased. He nodded at the bearded man and Kong Lao Er. "This girl is useless. Seize her. You three can have some fun with her first, then deal with her permanently."

"Understood, Big Brother. Heh heh, I'll taste her flavor first." The bearded man laughed heartily, and he and Kong Lao Er slowly began to close in on Linda. Both of them, like Linda, were at the Hundred Calamity Realm. With dozens of Human Rank and Innate Realm bandits remaining on the ship, plus Lin Xiaochang present, Linda likely had no hope of escape.

"Do you think he can command respect?" Linda let out a cold laugh, glaring fiercely at Shi Yan. "He is not one of us from the Three Gods Cult! If he takes the lead, the Gu Family will never acknowledge him, and the crew on the ship won't accept his command either. This is a waste of your effort."

Lin Xiaochang paused, then smiled wryly at Shi Yan. "Little friend, you can't manage those crewmen?"

"I can't manage them alone, but with your help, we probably can," Shi Yan smiled. "A wise man submits to circumstances. I don't want to die, and I know what I should do."

"Mm, you have potential," Lin Xiaochang leaned back in his wheelchair and stretched languidly, chuckling. "Little friend, if you are interested in this girl, you can have a taste later too, but you must let my two brothers go first. How about letting you be the third one on her? That should give you enough face, shouldn't it?"

"Thank you," Shi Yan lowered his head and bowed in thanks, though the look in his eyes was bone-chillingly cold, a murderous glint flashing and vanishing in his pupils. The reason he followed Linda was to use these people's lives to restore his own strength. Although he also wished to confront the Gu Family, his immediate priority was to restore his internal power as quickly as possible. He calculated internally, estimating that the strange energy generated by the deaths of these individuals should be almost enough to bring him back to his original state.