Li Jun beside him whispered, “This Tian Shi Island is a small island in the North Sea. Because it contains silver ore, and even more valuable ‘Heavenly Brilliant Silver Ore,’ the Snow Eagle Cult and Mount Tianshen both excavate there. The Snow Eagle Cult takes sixty percent of the excavated minerals, and Mount Tianshen takes forty percent!”
Teng Qingshan was secretly astonished that Mount Tianshen, given its strength, only held forty percent.
“Master! I’ve disliked those brutes from the Snow Eagle Cult for a long time.” Bori Leimu’s tiger eyes were filled with rage. “Since the Palace Master has given the order, we must teach the Snow Eagle Cult a harsh lesson. Let these arrogant fellows know that on this great grassland, it is Mount Tianshen that calls the shots!”
“Senior Brother is right, we must teach them a harsh lesson.” The Third Divine General’s gaze was sharp, filled with hatred. “Let them know that from now on, all the North Sea islands will be under our jurisdiction. They can forget about interfering! Master, I will take men to resolve the matter of Tian Shi Island!”
“I’ll handle this!” Even the Fifth Divine General, ‘Erzhi’er,’ spoke up eagerly.
One by one, the Divine Generals volunteered, clearly showing no goodwill toward the Snow Eagle Cult.
After all, on the vast grassland, only the Snow Eagle Cult dared to contend with Mount Tianshen.
“Hahaha…” Tianshen revealed a brilliant smile and laughed loudly. “The battle for Tian Shi Island will be our first move against the Snow Eagle Cult! Since it is the first battle, we must win it beautifully! I entrust this task to your Senior Brother, Bori Leimu. Bori Leimu, take five thousand soldiers, board the ships, and head to Tian Shi Island. And—” Tianshen’s gaze turned to Teng Qingshan.
Teng Qingshan showed a look of confusion.
“Huhe,” Tianshen said with a smile. “Weren’t you planning to go to sea? Tian Shi Island is in the North Sea. This time, you will accompany Bori Leimu to Tian Shi Island. After this battle concludes, you can select a ship on Tian Shi Island to set sail!”
Bori Leimu walked to Teng Qingshan’s side: “Brother Huhe, if you travel with me, the Snow Eagle Cult is definitely doomed in this fight!”
“Snow Eagle Cult?”
Teng Qingshan’s heart stirred. Back in Mount Dayan, if those few from the Snow Eagle Cult hadn't been circling high in the sky searching on their snow eagles, he could have slipped away silently from the start. Later, when he was hidden among the Black Armored Army, it was also someone from the Snow Eagle Cult who exposed him.
If not for them, how could Qingqing have died!
“Fine, Bori Leimu, I will go along with you!” Teng Qingshan immediately agreed. It was on his way anyway. Once the matter was settled at Tian Shi Island, he could proceed north directly from there!
“Haha, excellent!” Bori Leimu laughed heartily and slapped Teng Qingshan on the shoulder.
Hearing Teng Qingshan agree, Tianshen nodded slightly. “It is better to act sooner rather than later. Bori Leimu… go issue the order. You must depart for the North Sea one hour from now. At the same time, order all the great ships to be prepared so the army can board immediately upon reaching the coast!”
“Master, leave this matter to your disciple,” Bori Leimu declared, pounding his chest.
“Tianshen!” Suddenly, a crisp voice sounded.
The Eight Divine Generals in the great hall, Teng Qingshan, and Tianshen all looked toward the speaker—it was Li Jun.
Li Jun stated, “In the battle for Tian Shi Island, many soldiers are likely to die in the fighting! I believe if we had the assistance of two Fierce Wind Divine Eagles, capable of breathing raging fire… perhaps the Snow Eagle Cult forces would simply lay down their weapons and surrender! In mass combat, the Fierce Wind Divine Eagles are far more useful than experts at the Xiantian Golden Core stage.”
This statement drew nods of agreement from everyone.
The role of demonic beasts in group battles was indeed immense. For example, a Void Realm expert, though powerful, would have to kill elite troops slowly, unable to dispatch hundreds or thousands at once. But a late-stage Void Realm Flood Dragon like ‘Zixi,’ spewing cold air from the sky, could easily slay tens of thousands of soldiers!
Heaven did not allow demonic beasts to reach the Supreme Expert realm.
But Heaven compensated them with advantages in longevity and innate talent. Demonic beasts like Zixi or the Golden Turtle had lived since the era of Emperor Yu. Yet, four Supreme Experts had been born on the Nine Provinces Continent since then, but the Flood Dragon ‘Zixi’ and the Golden Turtle were still alive!
Heaven was fair!
If it took something away from you, it would compensate you with something else.
“Tianshen, I propose to take the two Fierce Wind Divine Eagles and accompany the First Divine General and the others to Tian Shi Island!” Li Jun said.
Tianshen looked at Li Jun, then glanced at Huhe, and finally nodded with a slight smile. “Since you are willing, then take the two Fierce Wind Divine Eagles and depart with the main army.” Tianshen’s gaze swept over the others. “Bori Leimu, Huhe, Li Jun, all of you prepare to depart. Now, you are all dismissed!”
After speaking, Tianshen turned and left through the side door.
Teng Qingshan looked at the slender figure in white robes beside him, his heart feeling somewhat complex. He understood… Li Jun suddenly requesting to take the Fierce Wind Divine Eagles to Tian Shi Island was likely because she wanted to spend a few more days with him!
“This young girl,” Teng Qingshan sighed inwardly.
“Brother Huhe,” Li Jun looked at Teng Qingshan and showed a slight smile. “We should prepare; we depart in an hour!”
Seeing Li Jun’s happy appearance, Teng Qingshan couldn't say much and could only nod.
…
On the grassland.
The massive army, like a torrent of steel, surged wildly across the grassland, advancing rapidly northward! Above this army, two Divine Eagles circled. Although warhorses were fast, they were much slower compared to the Divine Eagles.
On the back of a Divine Eagle.
Teng Qingshan, carrying his pack and holding the Black Flame Rod, sat atop one. Beside him, on the back of the white female Divine Eagle, sat Li Jun, clad in light green battle armor.
“Xiao Jun, Qingqing…” Teng Qingshan looked at Li Jun, who had now changed into battle armor, and couldn't help but recall Qingqing—Qingqing had also worn light green battle armor back then! And both young women held affection for him!
Qingqing was as pure as a snow lotus on a heavenly mountain, while Xiao Jun, having endured many hardships, possessed more wisdom and decisiveness than Qingqing!
Teng Qingshan could feel Li Jun’s feelings for him during this period at Mount Tianshen. But precisely because of this, Teng Qingshan was increasingly unwilling to become deeply entangled.
“If Xiao Jun wants to come with me to Tian Shi Island, then so be it! At least there is no danger there. Moreover… after Tian Shi Island, I will set sail alone. If we meet again, it will be a long, long time from now.”
Teng Qingshan actually felt he owed these women a great deal.
“Brother Teng,” Li Jun asked with a smile, “you are going to cultivate at sea for several years, perhaps longer. Won’t you feel lonely drifting on the vast ocean for that long?”
It would certainly be lonely to drift on the ocean for that long.
But Teng Qingshan’s true objective was not to drift aimlessly at sea, but to reach the end of the North Sea—the distant North Sea Continent!
“It’s just for the sake of cultivation,” Teng Qingshan didn't elaborate.
“What if…” Li Jun smiled, looking at Teng Qingshan, “Brother Teng, if someone accompanied you while drifting at sea, would it be better?”
Teng Qingshan was startled.
Did Li Jun intend to join him on his voyage? That wouldn't do! He had to put an end to this thought.
“This is harsh cultivation; why would I need company!” Teng Qingshan frowned and said discontentedly. “Besides, I occasionally dive deep into the sea for rigorous training; having an extra person would be a burden and a bother!”
Li Jun heard this, nodded slightly, and said no more.
“Swish~~~”
At the mouth of the North Sea coast, waves crashed against the shore. Numerous entirely black great ships were moored at the coast, and a swarm of soldiers, like ants, quickly boarded one vessel after another. Teng Qingshan and Bori Leimu stood on the shore, watching the soldiers embark.
“Five thousand soldiers, ten great ships!” Teng Qingshan marveled at the size of the ships.
Bori Leimu beside him laughed: “These are my Mount Tianshen’s ‘Warship’ class. They are over forty zhang long and sixteen zhang wide! There are twenty-six cabins inside, and the entire hull is constructed from Fir Ironwood. This Fir Ironwood is harder than steel yet much lighter, making it the most suitable material for shipbuilding!”
“Now these are big ships!” Teng Qingshan exclaimed inwardly!
Ten warships—calculating it out, each ship was over a hundred meters long and forty meters wide. Such massive vessels were rare in the history of China in Teng Qingshan’s previous life. It seemed only the legendary Treasure Ships of Zheng He’s voyages could compare.
However, on the Nine Provinces Continent, the materials were far superior.
“When I was in Yangzhou,” Li Jun beside him also showed a look of amazement, “the merchant ships on the Yu-Yang Grand Canal were much smaller than these. These ships look like small islands.” Hundred-meter-long ships were indeed quite shocking to behold.
“These are seagoing vessels; those are river barges. How can you compare them? Well, let’s board,” Bori Leimu said with a smile.
Immediately, Teng Qingshan, Li Jun, Bori Leimu, and the two Fierce Wind Divine Eagles boarded one warship together.
Following a resonant sound echoing across the sky, ten great ships raised their large sails. Many soldiers, following orders, began pulling the thick, long oars. The ten warships set sail. The five thousand soldiers chosen for this mission were clearly skilled in maritime affairs.
…
The boundless North Sea. This was already the evening of the second day since the warships set sail.
“Splash~~” The seawater was deep and dark, carrying the scent of brine.
Teng Qingshan stood on the deck, gazing forward. Bori Leimu and Li Jun were also nearby.
Li Jun sighed softly, “The sea is truly boundless… Does anyone know if the North Sea has an end?”
“The end of the North Sea?” Bori Leimu shook his head and laughed beside her. “I have never heard of the North Sea having an end. Many merchants and martial artists have ventured out. But many who entered deep into the North Sea died without returning alive. Even those who returned alive, after advancing one or two thousand li, still faced endless ocean.”
Teng Qingshan asked, “How much farther to Tian Shi Island?”
“It is summer, and we have a tailwind, so the ship speed is very fast. At this rate, we should reach Tian Shi Island before dawn tomorrow morning!” Bori Leimu replied.
Teng Qingshan, looking out at the dark water ahead, suddenly noticed… beneath the distant surface of the sea, there was a monster entirely grayish-blue. Teng Qingshan’s dark vision barely managed to make out its shape: “Is that… a shark?”
The creature resembled a shark, but it was much longer.
“Whoosh~~” The monster swam toward the warship in the distance, its prominent dorsal fin breaking the water’s surface.
Bori Leimu was a powerful expert; naturally, he spotted it immediately. His face changed: “Not good, it’s a Thunder Whale! The North Sea Thunder Whale!”