Chapter 124: Here, You Are Mine!

The next morning.

Shi Yan slowly opened his eyes, his spirit soaring, his gaze shining brightly.

After a night of intense cultivation, Shi Yan felt refreshed and clear-headed. Having endured so many trials recently, his state of mind seemed to have shifted.

His spiritual energy extended, gradually wandering through the third level of the iron ship…

His spiritual energy rippled like waves, touching many flowerpots. Roughly counting, there were hundreds on this floor—some as small as a palm, others as large as a basin.

His spiritual energy slowly stretched down to the second level.

Suddenly, a surge of different spiritual energy emanated from there, winding toward Shi Yan’s own.

His expression changed sharply. He quickly retracted his spiritual energy, immediately realizing that on the ship’s second level, there were many martial artists at the Hundred Tribulations realm.

Among them, a few had especially strong spiritual energy, like a fierce tidal wave, overwhelmingly powerful.

The Realm of Status

Shi Yan took a deep breath, instantly recognizing that these potent responses came from martial artists of the Realm of Status. There were about several dozen such warriors on the second level, which made Shi Yan secretly uneasy.

“The Hundred Tribulations realm is different from the earlier stages,” Xia Xinyan, who had woken up without him noticing, glanced at him and said calmly, “When cultivating at this realm, you need to undergo trials. Only by surviving various dangers and disasters and gaining insights can you break through to the next stage.”

“Merely having abundant primal energy isn’t enough at the Hundred Tribulations realm,” she continued. “Even if you go back to the Yang family and consume the world’s spiritual medicines, without sufficient mental clarity and support, you’ll still find it hard to advance quickly.”

Shi Yan nodded, having realized the uniqueness of this realm. “Hmm, it seems danger isn’t always a bad thing sometimes.”

“I have a feeling that after my body fully recovers, I should be able to step into the Realm of Status. I’ve been through quite a lot recently, and those experiences will help me progress further,” Xia Xinyan’s bright eyes gleamed.

“Realm of Status?” Shi Yan grinned. “So, if I want to catch up to you, it’s going to be even harder?”

Xia Xinyan ignored him with a faint snort and gracefully got out of bed.

“You two, get up and work!” A crisp shout came from the stairwell. Soon, a girl of about seventeen or eighteen appeared on this floor, her brows furrowed. She pointed at Shi Yan. “Move the flowerpots from here up to the deck. The girls are responsible for cleaning this level. No food or fresh water if the work isn’t done.”

After speaking, the girl hurried upstairs, seemingly unwilling to stay on this floor a second longer.

“Time to work,” Shi Yan smiled. “There’s no free lunch in this world. Looks like this journey won’t be easy. Xinyan, if you can’t handle it, once I’m done, I’ll help you.”

“No need,” Xia Xinyan replied coldly. “You better watch out yourself. Don’t get caught by those scoundrels.”

Shi Yan’s expression darkened. “Are you trying to get on my nerves?”

Xia Xinyan’s eyes flickered with amusement. “I’m warning you for your own good—you’re ungrateful.”

Shi Yan grunted and didn’t argue further, beginning to carry the flowerpots.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, ten days passed.

Every morning, Shi Yan would move the flowerpots from this level up to the deck; at sunset, he would bring them back. This routine repeated endlessly.

Xia Xinyan busied herself downstairs, awkwardly dusting and cleaning.

Whenever Shi Yan finished his tasks, he would come down to help her clean the dust and debris.

Gradually, Xia Xinyan’s attitude toward Shi Yan softened. Sometimes, when they spoke, she even showed a rare smile, warming Shi Yan’s heart and making these days feel less dull.

After work each day, the girl named Xiaofeng would bring food and fresh water for the two of them.

The food was mostly salted fish and steamed buns, not very tasty. Shi Yan was unbothered and ate ravenously, still feeling hungry. Xia Xinyan, unused to hardship, worked herself to the bone but was given such poor food, and her appetite steadily decreased.

At night, the two would huddle in a cramped cabin, listening to the moans and cries of men and women cultivating upstairs.

At first, Xia Xinyan felt uneasy, blushing and avoiding looking at Shi Yan, fearing he might lose control and do something unforgivable.

But later, seeing Shi Yan remain composed—though blushing a few times, never acting—her guard slowly lowered.

Eventually, they could even chat normally while hearing the sounds from above.

One day.

Shi Yan spent three hours moving the flowerpots up to the deck, then headed down to the next level to help Xia Xinyan clean the filth.

“What are you doing?” Suddenly, Xia Xinyan’s sharp voice came from downstairs.

Shi Yan’s expression darkened. He rushed down and immediately saw Li Wei standing at the cabin door, smiling as he twisted with Xia Xinyan.

Behind Li Wei stood three male disciples from the Yin-Yang Heaven Sect, all at the First Stage of the Hundred Tribulations realm, chuckling carelessly.

Though Xia Xinyan had recovered well, she still couldn’t recklessly use primal energy or risk undoing her progress.

Li Wei was at the Second Stage of the Hundred Tribulations realm, a core disciple of the Yin-Yang Heaven Sect and the nephew of the yellow-faced man. He held considerable status on this ship.

His arrival was clearly ill-intentioned.

“You’re ugly, sure, but your figure’s not bad. The lighting on this floor isn’t great, so I can tolerate it. Don’t struggle; I’m willing to favor you. That’s your blessing. If you submit to me, you won’t have to toil on this floor every day anymore, and your food quality will improve…” Li Wei smiled as he barged into the narrow cabin, sneering, “That kid can’t protect you. If you don’t want to end up as fish food with him, you better behave.”

“Girl, you’re lucky Brother Wei noticed you. Most people wouldn’t be interested in someone like you. Only Brother Wei has strange tastes and can accept a woman with a decent figure. If you’re obedient, you’ll have your benefits on this ship,” one of the disciples behind Li Wei said with a grin, trying to persuade her.

“Get out!” Xia Xinyan’s voice was cold, her eyes icy within the cabin.

“Heh, once I’m done, I’ll prop myself up on a board and leave,” Li Wei smiled suggestively, his eyes lewd and expression ambiguous.

“Boom!”

A figure barreled through like a cannonball, his shoulder knocking the three disciples blocking the door off balance.

Shi Yan stormed into the cabin, his face grim, delivering a fierce kick to Li Wei’s back, sending him flying against the wooden planks.

“Looking for death?” Li Wei wiped blood from his mouth and slowly rose, sneering at Shi Yan. “This is the Yin-Yang Heaven Sect’s ship. You’re courting death.”

“Get lost, now!” Shi Yan frowned, clearly annoyed.

“You’re dead meat, kid!” The three disciples outside, having recovered, charged toward him.

Shi Yan’s body silently turned to stone. Dark energy and primal energy formed a magnetic domain that blocked the doorway.

The three Hundred Tribulations realm warriors charged into the domain, their bodies involuntarily spinning uncontrollably.

Shi Yan’s expression turned cold. His eyes, sharp as knives, suddenly lunged at Li Wei. His ten fingers, like spears, glimmered with a cold light.

Li Wei’s expression changed. He spread his hands, releasing a gray-white sphere of light from his palms.

“Boom!”

Shi Yan’s fingers pierced the light sphere; his arms tingled, but his fingers penetrated through, striking Li Wei’s chest.

“Bang!”

Li Wei, just regained on his feet, was slammed into the wooden planks again, his expression humiliated.

Stepping forward, Shi Yan grabbed Li Wei’s neck, lifting him high. His eyes blazed with murderous intent as he sneered, “My woman, and you dare to have designs on her? Want to see if I’ll cut off your fifth limb?”

Li Wei dangled in Shi Yan’s hand, powerless, eyes wide with panic, struggling to breathe. His fists pounded futilely on Shi Yan.

Shi Yan’s body was petrified stone, with a dark glowing shield protecting him. No matter how much Li Wei struggled, Shi Yan was as steady as a mountain.

“Shi Yan,” Xia Xinyan said softly, a hint of surprise in her voice. She shook her head, signaling him not to kill Li Wei.

It was the first time she saw Shi Yan fight with such fierce and brutal force, causing her inner alarm.

All these men, both outside and Li Wei inside, were at the Hundred Tribulations realm, with Li Wei at the Second Stage.

Yet all four were subdued by Shi Yan effortlessly. The three outside still spun oddly at the door, as if caught in some mysterious technique.

Li Wei was utterly overwhelmed, barely able to resist.

Shi Yan’s merciless and powerful style surprised even Xia Xinyan, who was accustomed to talented youths. She wondered how Shi Yan, just entering the Hundred Tribulations realm, could wield such overwhelming power.

“Get lost!” Shi Yan threw Li Wei to the ground and kicked him repeatedly until he rolled away.

The domain dissipated, and the three disciples fell to the ground.

Stepping forward, Shi Yan blocked the doorway, his face cold and expression ruthless. “I’m on your ship, but I’m not here to freeload. If any of you dare lay a hand on my woman again, you’ll never set foot near a woman for the rest of your lives. Get lost, and don’t let me smell your stench again.”

Including Li Wei, the four Hundred Tribulations warriors glared at Shi Yan through gritted teeth.

Li Wei stood up, his face twisted darkly, and turned to leave.

The three disciples cast hateful glances at Shi Yan before silently following Li Wei.

Shi Yan stood like a gatekeeper at the door, his eyes sharp and filled with killing intent. He said calmly, “Those four won’t let this go easily. We should prepare ourselves. Might have to jump into the sea to escape. Damn it, I haven’t even taken their women, yet they dare make moves on mine. They’re really asking for death.”

“Who’s your woman?” Xia Xinyan grit her teeth, glaring at him in hatred.

“Here, you’re mine,” Shi Yan turned back with a bright smile. “As for the future… who knows?”

…V