37: Poseidon? No, it's a mobile Diaoyu Islands!

Red Fire Workshop, the pier.

A giant flying vessel, a full kilometer long and resembling a mobile palace on the sea—the "sea god"—was quietly anchored on the water's surface.

Complex defensive Formations were inscribed on the hull, faintly emitting a heart-palpitating Spiritual Pressure.

It was said that this ship had a profound background, owned by the "Four Seas Chamber of Commerce," one of the three major chambers of commerce in the Chaotic Star Sea, and even had a Nascent Soul Stage Old Ancestor stationed on board (though only in name, it was enough to deter any petty criminals).

Gu Yang held a gold-embossed luxury cabin ticket in his hand as he swaggered aboard.

He had obtained this by winning ten consecutive matches at the Beast Arena.

As for that Iron-Backed Bear, he had already turned it into dried bear meat strips, hanging from his waist as snacks.

When the owner of the Beast Arena saw him leaving, he almost set off firecrackers in celebration; this bringer of calamity was finally gone, for if he had stayed any longer, the entire inventory of Yao Beasts would have been eaten clean.

"This is the luxury cabin?"

Gu Yang walked into his room.

It wasn't bad—spacious and bright, with a terrace overlooking the sea.

Living next door seemed to be several True Disciples from major Sects. Each had their noses in the air, and upon seeing Gu Yang's "barbarian" appearance (shirtless, a dragon tendon wrapped around his waist, dragging a large iron ball), they all showed expressions of disdain and kept their distance.

Gu Yang didn't bother with these soft-skinned fellows; as long as they didn't provoke him, he generally didn't eat people.

"Woo—"

With the desolate sound of a horn, the sea god set off.

A massive Formation light screen rose, enveloping the entire ship, which then cut through the wind and waves, heading toward the depths of the vast Chaotic Star Sea.

The days of sailing were tedious.

Especially for a "big eater" like Gu Yang.

Although there was a specialized spiritual food restaurant on board, the prices were practically robbery, and the portions were pitifully small.

A plate of "Steamed Spirit Shrimp" with only three tiny shrimps actually cost fifty Spirit Stones!

Gu Yang nearly went bankrupt after just one meal, and it didn't even fill the gaps between his teeth.

"This won't do. If this continues, I'll starve to death before I even reach the Giant Spirit Sect ruins."

On the third day, Gu Yang clutched his growling stomach and went up to the deck.

He looked down at the bottomless, surging deep sea, and his eyes gradually lit up.

"In this sea... there should be quite a few big fellows, right?"

No sooner said than done.

Gu Yang found a deserted corner and pulled out his "fishing gear."

Fishing line: the Crimson Flame Flood Dragon tendon he brought from the Mortal Realm, which had been enhanced many times by the System.

It was incredibly tough, impervious to both water and fire.

Fishing hook: a spike he had forcibly broken off from that ten thousand soldiers sphere and bent into a hook shape.

Bait: a piece of second-grade Yao Beast meat with extremely rich blood energy that he had swiped from the Beast Arena.

"Away you go!"

Gu Yang swung his arm in a wide arc, fiercely casting the hook, which was as large as a human head.

Splash!

Water splashed everywhere.

Gu Yang sat cross-legged on the edge of the deck, clutching the dragon tendon, and began his simple and unadorned "fishing" career.

The passing Cultivators saw this and looked askance.

"What is this big oaf doing? Fishing?"

"This is the depths of the Chaotic Star Sea! Sea beasts are incredibly fierce and lurk in the deep sea; how could ordinary bait possibly catch anything?"

"Just trying to attract attention."

Gu Yang turned a deaf ear, appearing calm and composed.

One hour passed.

Two hours passed.

Just as Gu Yang was about to fall asleep.

Buzz!

The dragon tendon in his hand suddenly snapped taut, making a thumping sound of tension!

A terrifying, massive force surged from the seabed, nearly dragging Gu Yang straight down!

Beneath the surface, it seemed as if some gargantuan creature had been disturbed, a massive black shadow rapidly rising through the deep blue water.

"It's hooked!"

Gu Yang was instantly invigorated, his feet firmly planted on the deck as if they had taken root.

"Come... UP!!!"

His muscles bulged, golden light flowing over his glazed crimson skin as the Extreme Dao Force Field instantly activated, increasing his weight and stability.

Rumble—

The sea surface exploded.

Several massive tentacles, a hundred meters long and as thick as ancient trees, burst from the water, carrying a nauseating stench and terrifying suckers!

Deep Sea Fiend Octopus!

And judging by its size and aura, it was impressively a top-tier sea beast at the False Core Realm (Half-step Golden Core)!

It had been sleeping on the seabed and only came up because it smelled the fragrance of the special bait; it hadn't expected that as soon as it bit the hook, its mouth would be caught.

"Roar—"

The fiend octopus was in agonizing pain and struggled frantically.

Its immense strength actually caused the kilometer-long sea god to tilt slightly!

The alarm Formations on the ship instantly shrieked.

"Enemy attack! A high-level sea beast is attacking the ship!"

"Quick! Activate the defensive array! Where is the guard unit?!"

Chaos erupted on the deck as the Cultivators who had been mocking Gu Yang just moments ago turned pale with fright, screaming as they fled back to their cabins.

"Don't panic! Don't panic!"

While death-gripping the dragon tendon in a tug-of-war with the fiend octopus, Gu Yang shouted:

"This is my fish! Nobody steal it from me!"

"Don't use Formations to blast it! If you ruin the meat, it won't taste good!"

At this moment, several Golden Core Stage Cultivators responsible for defense flew over on their swords. Seeing this scene, the corners of their eyes twitched uncontrollably.

Fishing?

You call this fishing?

You freaking caught a half-step Golden Core sea monster?!

"Vile beast! Cease your insolence!"

Seeing it couldn't break free, the fiend octopus went into a frenzy, waving its remaining tentacles in an attempt to smash the ship directly.

"You still dare to be fierce with me?"

Gu Yang's gaze turned cold.

"I originally wanted to pull you up and kill you gently, but since you won't cooperate..."

"Then I'll go down and play with you!"

Extreme Dao Burst Step—Depth Charge!

Gu Yang released one hand, and then his entire body, like a meteorite, leaped high from the deck and crashed straight toward the sea surface.

Splash!

He jumped directly onto the fiend octopus's slippery head.

"Get down for me!"

Divine Ability—Extreme Dao Force Field! 20x Gravity!

Boom!

The fiend octopus, which had just emerged from the water, felt as if a great mountain had been pressed onto its head. With a mournful cry, it was once again forcibly smashed back into the water.

Immediately after, muffled thuds and strange screams echoed from beneath the surface.

The seawater churned violently, soon dyed ink-blue (ink) and red (blood).

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The wind died down and the waves calmed.

A soaking wet hand grabbed the gunwale.

Gu Yang climbed up, dragging a severed tentacle that was a full fifty meters long.

As for the fiend octopus's main body, it was too large to drag up, so he had already "dealt" with it underwater (dug out the monster core and ate the tenderest heart meat).

"Phew... exercised a bit, and now I'm even hungrier."

Gu Yang ignored the circle of gazes around him, which looked at him as if he were a monster.

He pulled out the large black pot he had swiped from the Black Fiend Sect from his Storage Pouch, then took out various seasonings.

Then, in front of everyone, he began to slice the massive squid tentacle.

"Come, come, everyone gets a share."

"Fresh Deep Sea Fiend Octopus tentacle, Teppanyaki style! Only trading for Spirit Stones, no bargaining!"

Soon, a domineering aroma of meat wafted across the deck.

The previously terrified Cultivators, smelling this fragrance rich with Spiritual Qi, couldn't help but gulp.

This was the meat of a half-step Golden Core sea beast! A highly nutritious delicacy that one usually couldn't eat even if they wanted to!

"Um... Senior, can I have a skewer?"

A bold Cultivator approached and handed over a few Spirit Stones.

"Sure thing! Eat it while it's hot!"

Gu Yang happily handed over a large piece of meat, grilled until golden and dripping with oil.

With someone taking the lead, business instantly boomed.

A thrilling sea beast attack had been turned by Gu Yang into... a sea barbecue party.