The ship that Lou Yi and the others were preparing to board was a carefully selected large wooden ship.

Over ten zhang long and two and a half zhang wide, the ship had two layers of cabins. The main body of the ship was a deep dark brown, and the deck and beams were painted in a dark red lacquer.

Pedal carts were installed at both the front and back of the ship, moved forward by sailors hired at great expense who operated the oars.

Guardrails were also set up all around the ship to withstand potential collisions.

The ship was permeated with a faint fragrance of an unknown plant, which was somewhat invigorating.

The total number of people boarding the ship was less than forty, yet the sailors and captain already on the ship were about the same number.

Lou Yi, Shi Caifeng, though strong in prowess, knew they should leave the technical work of navigating to professionals.

As for why it was possible to recruit so many sailors in a short time,

it was because most of them were born into large family clans, raised from a young age to be extremely loyal.

Among them, there were even many Blood Warriors of one or two levels.

"Raise the anchor!"

"Hoist the sails!"

"Pedal!"

Following the orders of the older captain,

a few martial artist-level sailors worked together to turn the capstan, and the heavy stone anchor slowly lifted from the water.

Some sailors pulled on the ropes to hoist the sails, while others went to the bow to start pedaling the carts.

The axles on the ship emitted a dull 'creaking' sound.

The hull quivered slightly, then gradually moved, gaining speed, slicing through the river, sailing toward the unknown under the blazing sun.

Everyone on board stood on the deck, watching as the shore grew more distant, feelings mixed.

"In this lifetime, will I ever come back again?" Zhan Weicong said dejectedly.

He was a young master from a large family, accustomed to a life of luxury from a young age.

Now he was headed to an unknown land, with many dangers on the journey ahead, life and death uncertain, a contrast not easy for most to bear.

But he had no choice.

After attending the Immortal Master's banquet and with the relationship with Lou Yi, remaining would mean certain death.

"Return for what, to become just a mound of yellow earth a hundred years later?" Jia Hong beside him showed no signs of despondence, but rather excitement.

The couple Zhan Weida and Xu Yun held each other's hands tightly, exchanging a smile, seemingly indifferent as to where they were.

Lou Yi glanced over the people on the ship and found that most wore expressions of bewilderment and confusion, similar to Zhan Weicong.

He sighed, knowing this was not something human effort could resolve.

He walked over to the side of the old captain, casually chatting.

The old captain, also the ship's captain, surnamed Jiao, had graying temples and a goatee, aged over fifty.

However, his muscular body and vigorous Qi-Blood revealed him to be at the Minor Circulation level of a martial artist.

He was intently watching ahead, paying attention to the waters.

"Uncle Jiao, I heard you've tried crossing the Longjiang River seven or eight times before and returned safely each time. I'm afraid no one else in Tai City understands the Longjiang River better than you."

"Hey, Sect Leader Liu, just call me Old Jiao." The old captain, hearing Lou Yi's praise, blushed, unconsciously stroked his beard with his right hand, and laughed. "My family has been fishers for generations, beginning with my great-grandfather who started attempting to cross the Longjiang River.

We never succeeded, but we've gained a lot of experience from those attempts.

If I weren't somewhat confident, even if you offered me a fortune, I wouldn't dare take this job."

The old captain pointed to the clearer waters ahead and said, "The danger of the Longjiang largely lies in the fish monsters beneath the surface.

In my grandfather's generation, it was accidentally discovered that a concoction made from the roots of an unknown wild grass could deter many fish monsters with its scent."

"Also, different routes carry different risks.

However, we've already explored a relatively safe route. Of course, we are still quite a ways from completely sailing out of the Longjiang, but it should ensure initial safety."

"Additionally, there are taboos when navigating the river, mainly precautions at night, and I hope Sect Leader Liu can help enforce three rules."

Seeing the seriousness in the old captain's words, Lou Yi also adopted a solemn expression.

"Please, go on."

"First, do not be loud at night. The creatures beneath the water could come over upon hearing noise.

Second, avoid going on deck at night. Though the scent masks us, even so, the nearby creatures could still smell humans.

Especially, don't relieve yourselves directly into the river; even your waste, we carefully wrap before disposing of it in the water.

Third..."

The old captain listed many requirements, based on blood-won experience passed down through his family's generations.

After Lou Yi returned to the cabin, he conveyed these guidelines to everyone, and they all noted them down seriously, not daring to be careless.

Yet there was an odd one out.

Lou Yi looked toward the water surface over ten zhang to the left.

There was a dark figure leisurely paddling along, following the ship.

It was the Black Bear Spirit that had specially come from Xinxiang to accompany Lou Yi.

Lou Yi couldn't fathom what charm he had that would make the bear spirit follow him.

Or perhaps it believed it would benefit by tagging along?

The Black Bear Spirit was bathing in the water.

Suddenly it dove with a splash, and moments later, burst back up with a 'plop'.

In its massive paw, like a fan, it held a bundle of plump, lively red carp, roughly a dozen, each over a foot long.

It swam flexibly toward the ship and tossed the fish onto the deck.

Its beady eyes looked at Lou Yi with a flattering gaze, comically endearing.

"It's Dragon River Carp!" Zhan Weida exclaimed.

"Haha, what a smart bear; we're in for a treat now!" the old captain laughed.

"Indeed." Lou Yi gave it a thumbs-up.

Encouraged, the Black Bear Spirit continuously dove underwater to catch more, then threw its catch on the deck.

Not only were there precious Dragon River Carp, there were also catfish, green fish, river crabs, mussels, loaches, river shrimp... all wild, non-cultivated varieties, which were hard to find in Lou Yi's previous life.

In just half an hour, a pile of fresh river food was heaped on the deck, making everyone's mouths water.

"Old Daozi, we've got work to do!" the old captain called out.

"Coming!" An elderly bald man ran over.

Happily, he packed the various river food into sacks and took them to the galley at the stern for processing.

Though the Black Bear Spirit was quite adept, Lou Yi still advised it to stay lowkey at night.

The Black Bear Spirit understood human speech, nodded repeatedly, then swam off to play in the waters nearby.

Several hours later, a large pot of boiled river delicacies was brought to the cabin.

This ship's cabin was quite spacious, allowing one to walk without stooping, and equipped with square tables and benches. Everyone who boarded the ship sat inside to eat.

As for the sailors, they sat cross-legged on the deck, using their knees as tables, ignoring invitations to come inside.

The boiled river food, simple to prepare, benefited from top-quality ingredients, with fish and shrimp meat amazingly fresh.

Time passed in a flash, and night fell.

A moon as large as a millstone hung in the sky, its reflected light sparkling on the water's surface.

Everyone remembered the old captain's warnings, entering the cabins to rest, not daring to make any noise.

...

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