Teng Qingshan stood atop a boulder, watching as many soldiers below cleared the corpses. Bo Rileimu glanced up at him, noting Qingshan’s strained expression.

Coupled with Li Jun’s abrupt departure aboard the Swift Wind Divine Vulture, a flicker of doubt crossed his face. Whoosh!

Whoosh! Bo Rileimu leaped twice and soared dozens of zhang into the air, chuckling, “Brother Huhe, what happened?

Why did the Divine Maiden leave so suddenly? Weren’t you supposed to be setting sail?

Didn't she see you off?” “Xiao Jun had something to attend to.” Teng Qingshan glanced at Bo Rileimu, then laughed and cursed, “What’s with that look? What are you thinking?” “The way I see it, you two look like a young couple having a spat,” Bo Rileimu roared with laughter, slapping Teng Qingshan’s shoulder.

“Brother Huhe, your skill is commendable. But matters of the heart!

I fear you’re no match for me. I have a great-grandchild now!

Remember, seize what you can grasp! Otherwise, it leads to much suffering…” Teng Qingshan looked at Bo Rileimu.

Bo Rileimu was over one hundred and eighty years old. Given that the lifespan limit for a Houtian master was one hundred and fifty years, if Bo Rileimu’s wife was close to his age, she must have passed away long ago.

“That’s just how life is,” Bo Rileimu chuckled. “Be happy!

Both of you be happy! I don't see any other women around you either, which is good.

Treat that girl Xiao Jun well.” “No matter how much you say, it’s too late now.” Teng Qingshan shook his head and smiled. “Bo Rileimu, I was actually planning to find you to bid farewell, but this works out even better!

I’m preparing to set sail immediately!” “So urgent? No celebration feast?” Bo Rileimu was startled.

“No need,” Teng Qingshan shook his head. “By the way, where is that General Liu?

I asked him to arrange the ships.” Bo Rileimu gave Teng Qingshan an exasperated look. “I truly don’t understand you.

Aren’t you just heading out to sea for cultivation? Why the rush?

Besides, life’s major events, like marriage, are also very important. Alas… Xiao Jun is such a wonderful girl.

And yet you leave her alone on Mount Tianshen, to drift on the great ocean by herself!” “Old Brother Bo Rileimu, can you please stop talking?” Teng Qingshan pleaded. “Ignore the advice of elders, and suffer the consequences right before your eyes!” Bo Rileimu immediately said, “Come on, follow me.” “Where are we going?” Teng Qingshan paused.

“Weren’t you looking for that General Liu?” Bo Rileimu glanced at Teng Qingshan. “I’ll take you there!” …… Teng Qingshan followed Bo Rileimu through Stone Island.

Along the way, they saw vast numbers of corpses and bloodstains as the Mount Tianshen soldiers cleaned up. Of the ten thousand guards from the Snow Eagle Sect, only a small portion had been killed; the rest had surrendered meekly.

On the entirety of Stone Island, the miners suffered the fewest casualties. Whether it was the Snow Eagle Sect or Mount Tianshen, they still needed these miners for excavation.

Stone Island Southern Coast Harbor. “Divine General!” the black-bearded giant said respectfully.

Bo Rileimu smiled and said, “Lord Huhe is eager to set sail. Are the ships you requested ready?” The black-bearded giant looked toward Teng Qingshan and said excitedly, “Lord Huhe, you requested a vessel just for yourself, one capable of high-seas travel.

As soon as I came ashore, I ordered men to search. Just a short while ago, we found a magnificent ship!

This vessel is rumored to have been specially built for Wantu You of the Snow Eagle Sect for his solitary sea voyages. It is constructed entirely of ‘Tung Wood,’ which is harder and more resilient than ordinary steel!” “Tung Wood.

That Wantu You was truly extravagant,” Bo Rileimu chuckled, glancing at Teng Qingshan. “Brother Huhe, you’ve struck gold this time.” “Luck,” Teng Qingshan smiled.

Bo Rileimu immediately ordered, “Stop wasting time with chatter! Quick, where is the ship?

Lead the way!” “It’s very close,” the black-bearded giant replied, moving ahead. Moments later— Teng Qingshan and Bo Rileimu followed General Liu to a seaside spot several li away.

From a distance, Teng Qingshan spotted the large vessel, entirely dark in color, with only white trimming along the gunwales. While this ship couldn't compare to the warships, it was certainly not small.

“This Tung Wood ship is about twelve zhang long and five zhang wide! Constructed entirely of Tung Wood, inlaid with Sky-Bright Silver.

The cost of this single vessel alone rivals three of our great warships!” General Liu exclaimed in awe. “General!” The soldiers guarding the Tung Wood ship immediately saluted.

General Liu nodded. “Food and clothing supplies are all prepared?” “Everything is stored in the hold,” one soldier replied respectfully.

“We have also inspected the entire Tung Wood ship and added an extra anchor! No other modifications are necessary.

This ship is already perfectly built; once the hatch is closed, it can withstand even massive waves without issue.” General Liu smiled and nodded, then looked at Bo Rileimu and Teng Qingshan. “Lords, shall we board first!” As all three were formidable experts, no gangplank was needed.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Whoosh! The three leaped onto the Tung Wood ship in succession.

“Building a ship with Tung Wood!” Teng Qingshan murmured, marveling at the Snow Eagle Sect’s extravagance. The Tung Wood ship had no superstructure above the deck.

General Liu touched the thick mast and remarked, “My Lord, this Tung Wood ship has two masts, positioned side-by-side. This will allow you to utilize the wind much more effectively at sea!

Furthermore, the crossbars for the sails are not fixed; the sails can change direction according to the wind to achieve maximum speed.” Teng Qingshan looked on and nodded with satisfaction. “Here are two giant sweep oars!” General Liu moved to the center of the deck.

“When there is no wind to harness, or in moments of danger, if you need to accelerate for escape or change direction, you can use these two large oars. On larger vessels, numerous soldiers row together.

However, these two enormous oars are clearly meant for a supreme expert! I trust that with Lord Huhe’s strength, rowing both oars simultaneously will be effortless.” Teng Qingshan examined them and was quite pleased.

“Haha…” Bo Rileimu laughed. “Rowing two oars is nothing; Brother Huhe could lift this great ship and run with it freely.” Teng Qingshan couldn't help but smile.

“Who would be foolish enough to lift a ship and run with it?” “And here are two large iron anchors!” General Liu pointed them out to Teng Qingshan. “Does Lord Huhe know how to raise and drop these anchors?” Raising and dropping anchors, while not inherently difficult, wasn't something a complete novice could manage easily, especially since Teng Qingshan would have to manage it all alone.

Bo Rileimu immediately laughed, “Don’t worry about him. At worst, he can just jump into the water to raise the anchor!” “I know how to raise and drop anchors,” Teng Qingshan replied, giving Bo Rileimu a resigned look.

“Many features of this ship are straightforward,” General Liu said, pointing to the hatch leading to the lower hold. “Opening this allows you to rest inside.

If you encounter super-large waves, you can lower the sails and close the upper hatch. Once the hatch is sealed, water cannot enter at all.” Teng Qingshan nodded in satisfaction.

“Excellent!” Saying this, Teng Qingshan prepared to raise anchor. Since they were south of Stone Island, and the wind was blowing from the south, Teng Qingshan could only rely on rowing to depart for now.

“Spend some time cultivating at sea, but remember to return to Mount Tianshen often. I’m sure that girl Xiao Jun will miss you,” Bo Rileimu said, embracing Teng Qingshan before they parted.

“Old Brother Bo Rileimu, mind your own business! I hope the next time I visit, you’ve already reached the Void Realm,” Teng Qingshan said with a smile.

“I appreciate the good wishes.” Bo Rileimu and General Liu disembarked. “Brother Huhe, take care on your journey!” Bo Rileimu shouted from the shore, waving his hand.

Teng Qingshan manipulated the oars. With his brute strength, he surpassed the power of a hundred elite soldiers!

The Tung Wood ship rapidly cut through the waves, heading directly east. Teng Qingshan looked back at the shore.

Bo Rileimu was still standing there, waving. Soon, the ship reached the east side of Stone Island and began turning north.

Simultaneously, Teng Qingshan hoisted the two large sails. “Whoosh!” “Whoosh!” The sails puffed out, and the Tung Wood ship surged northward swiftly.

Teng Qingshan no longer needed to use the oars. “Take care on the journey?” Teng Qingshan gazed at the boundless sea.

Swish, swish~~ The waves undulated gently. Teng Qingshan stood at the bow, looking out at the vast, endless ocean.

“Starting today, I am alone! I will focus solely on secluded cultivation, crossing the ocean to reach the distant Northern Sea Continent!” A profound tranquility settled in Teng Qingshan’s heart as the Tung Wood ship steadily advanced north.

Encountering Li Jun on the Great Steppe had been a pleasant surprise for Teng Qingshan, but this entanglement of emotions also left him burdened with guilt. Yet, he was afraid!

The deaths of Little Cat and Qing Qing had instilled a deep terror in him. “As time passes, Xiao Jun will eventually marry someone else,” Teng Qingshan mused, turning to open the lower hold hatch.

Whoosh— The hatch opened, and just as Teng Qingshan was about to descend the ladder, his ears twitched. “Who’s there!” Teng Qingshan barked out.

Kacha~~ He heard the sound of a wooden chest opening, and then Teng Qingshan saw a disheveled young girl toss aside a thick quilt and hurry toward the stairs to exit. Teng Qingshan stared at the person before him in shock.

“Xiao Jun?” “Yes, it’s me!” Li Jun flashed a bright, playful smile. “You—how are you here?” Teng Qingshan was dumbfounded.

Li Jun pouted helplessly, looking quite mischievous. “I had originally intended to leave on Da Bai’s back, but when Da Bai flew to the southern cove, I suddenly decided—I found that General Liu and boarded this ship!

Well, Brother Teng, I must say, you are incredibly sharp. I was hiding inside a wooden chest in the hold, even wrapped in a quilt inside the box, yet you could still hear my breathing the moment you opened the compartment.

Truly amazing.” “Now is not the time to praise how skilled I am; I need to ask you, what exactly were you trying to achieve by doing this…” Teng Qingshan was rendered speechless with frustration and amusement. Li Jun walked to the railing and looked out at the ocean ahead.

“When I was on Da Bai’s back, about to leave Stone Island, I suddenly realized—if I went back to Mount Tianshen this time, I would regret it for the rest of my life. So, I came!” Li Jun turned to look at Teng Qingshan, her gaze fixed on him.

“Brother Teng, I am on the ship now. You either… take me with you.

Or… let me off, and I will swim back to Stone Island alone across the sea. Of course, it’s so far now, I’d probably exhaust my internal energy and drown,” Li Jun told Teng Qingshan.

“Brother Teng, you choose—only one of two options!” Looking at Li Jun, whose hair was messy from hiding in the wooden chest, Teng Qingshan felt a sudden surge of emotion. Two options!

Li Jun’s decision was crystal clear. This young girl, who was willing to be a maid or a servant just to stay by his side, shared the same essential spirit as the frail girl whose family had been ruined long ago.

And with two choices presented, there was, in fact, only one real option. “Fine.

From today on, I am your big brother!” Teng Qingshan said with a smile. Li Jun immediately looped her arm through Teng Qingshan’s, laughing brightly.

“Alright! Having a big brother to act spoiled with is good too!” Teng Qingshan looked at Xiao Jun, simply smiling indulgently.

“Big Brother, where are we sailing off to? Are we just drifting aimlessly?” Li Jun asked.

“The Northern Sea Continent!” Teng Qingshan stated slowly, gazing north. On the vast, boundless ocean, the morning sun cast a thin veil over the water.

Li Jun and Teng Qingshan stood by the railing, bathed in sunlight that made them seem draped in a red gauze. Swish, swish~~ The ocean stretched endlessly, the sails billowed, and the Tung Wood ship continued north, gradually receding until it became a tiny black speck on the horizon.