Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

The Ghostly Flood Dragon.

The main cabin hall.

A banquet was in full swing.

Thick, milky-white whale-oil candles were lit, their rich, delightful fragrance filling the air.

Numerous cultivators sat on either side of a long, white marble table.

The tabletop was laden with Spirit Wine Treasure Fish and other delicious delicacies.

Su Ye sat at the head of the table while several female cultivators attentively waited on him, pouring his wine.

These women were a varied collection of beauties: some were soft and delicate as flowers with willow-thin waists; some wore vibrant, fluttering skirts, adorned with pearls and jade; others had graceful brows and limpid eyes, as gorgeous as peach blossoms...

They all had different looks and temperaments, yet each one possessed a Foundation Establishment cultivation base!

In some remote and undeveloped sea regions, a beautiful female Foundation Establishment cultivator could be considered a lofty fairy, or even the matriarch of a clan—a venerable and inviolable existence!

But before Su Ye, they had cast aside their noble airs to wait on him like maids.

All of them vied for his favor.

The situation in the sea regions was unpredictable. Even for Foundation Establishment cultivators, they were no more than rootless duckweed, drifting aimlessly.

These female cultivators sensed that a crisis was approaching and naturally wanted to win Su Ye’s affection to avoid ending up as cannon fodder.

The other cultivators at the banquet shared the same thoughts.

As it happened, Su Ye also had intentions of recruiting them. Thus, he went with the flow, ensuring that both host and guests had a wonderful time.

’This is the wonder of power and status.’

’No wonder the countless cultivators in this world all strive for a higher realm...’

Su Ye mused, swirling the cup of wine in his hand.

He leaned back slightly, enjoying the warm, soft, and fragrant company beside him.

"Senior, are you comfortable?"

The plain-robed female cultivator—elegant and curvaceous—asked in a soft, gentle voice as she massaged his shoulders.

Su Ye closed his eyes, savoring the woman’s gentle service. His mind grew relaxed and comfortable, which made a flicker of joy appear in the plain-robed cultivator’s eyes.

She pressed closer, her actions growing more intimate as she tried to strike while the iron was hot.

However, just then.

"Hmm?"

’Someone’s in pursuit?’

Su Ye’s expression suddenly turned serious.

Ignoring the plain-robed woman’s resentful look, he straightened his back and focused his senses, ’seeing’ a Cold Iron Boat a thousand miles away, rapidly approaching at several times the speed of sound!

’Such incredible speed.’

’It’s actually... several tenths faster than the Ghostly Flood Dragon?’

He narrowed his eyes.

Su Ye had seen Flying Boats and flying shuttles before.

But this was the first time he had ever seen a Flying Boat with such speed!

"Heh..."

’They’re certainly persistent...’

Su Ye narrowed his eyes.

His Divine Sense, which was approaching the level of Golden Core Perfection, flared. He focused it into a single point and, like a hot knife through butter, pierced through the Cold Iron Boat’s spiritual barrier, taking in the entire scene within!

"How audacious!"

The instant his probe pierced the Cold Iron Boat to spy on its occupants, a furious shout rang out!

BANG!

The tendril of Divine Sense Su Ye had sent into the Cold Iron Boat, a disposable pawn, was instantly crushed to dust.

He wasn’t bothered; that wisp of Divine Sense had already served its purpose. The reconnaissance was a success.

’Three Late-stage Golden Core cultivators... all wearing masks and black robes?’

Su Ye raised an eyebrow.

’Wait a minute. Where did they even come from? How bizarre. Why have so many Late-stage Golden Core cultivators suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the Day Flame Sea Region?’

’Besides, with a getup like that, aren’t they practically screaming ’I’m up to no good’?’

His thoughts raced.

Su Ye’s gaze grew heavy. ’They’re coming on strong...’

He couldn’t guess the identities of these Golden Core cultivators.

But if he couldn’t even guess their objective, he had no business being a cultivator.

’They’re coming for me!’

’But...’

’Is that all they’ve got?!’

The corners of Su Ye’s mouth curled up, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. A malicious, almost savage glint appeared in his eyes.

As the saying goes: when one carries a sharp blade, killing intent naturally arises.

Having entered the Mid-stage Golden Core realm, Su Ye’s Divine Techniques had greatly improved. He had been looking for a few opponents to test his new skills on!

As for the consequences...

’Before, my caution was born from a fear of the unknown... For example, a Nascent Soul True Monarch descending and swatting me dead with a single palm.’

’But now, the enemy has made their move, and it’s just a Golden Core-level tactic... If I’m still timid and hesitant about this, what kind of cultivator am I?’

It was just like...

In his past life, when playing Hearthstone, you would be extremely wary before your opponent played their cards.

But once they’ve played their hand and summoned a few big minions, all you have to think about is how to clear the board!

’Three great cultivators...’

Su Ye’s mind raced as he formulated a strategy.

"Mr. Yehai, did something happen?"

"Could it be... the Candle Python Cave is chasing us?"

His reaction sent a wave of panic through the cultivators in the hall.

Their Divine Sense could only reach a hundred-odd miles at most; they were completely oblivious to the flying shuttle hundreds of miles away.

Seeing Su Ye’s demeanor, their hearts filled with panic, and they felt utterly lost.

Su Ye scanned the room and offered a brief reassurance, "It’s nothing."

"Just a few bandits!"

CLINK.

Su Ye rose, placing his white jade wine cup on the table.

The female cultivator beside him, not knowing what to do, refilled it out of habit.

White vapor rose from the cup, releasing the mellow fragrance and warmth of the Spirit Wine.

"Oh?"

Su Ye couldn’t help but chuckle.

"I... I’m sorry?" The white-robed female cultivator, trembling like a frightened rabbit, clutched the wine pot and instinctively apologized.

"No matter."

"Keep the wine poured. I will be right back!"

With a single step, Su Ye dissolved into countless shadows that scattered and vanished.

At the same time, he used his Harmony connection to give an order to Jiaojiao.

The next moment, the speed of the Ghostly Flood Dragon increased by another twenty percent.

It ascended toward the Gangfeng Layer, heading for the higher, more treacherous heavens within it!

Ten thousand meters above the ground was the Gangfeng Layer. Here, clouds were nonexistent, replaced by an endless expanse of pale cyan Gang Wind.

Even Golden Core cultivators wouldn’t dare be careless here. The slightest misstep could lead to their demise, their bodies shredded into paste by the howling cyclones of Gang Wind!

Only Fourth-Order beings could freely explore, battle, and fight their enemies within the Gangfeng Layer.

However, this freedom was limited to the lower altitudes.

As the altitude increased, the color of the Gang Wind shifted from pale cyan to a pure, deep cyan, its power growing ever more terrifying!

And now...