Xiao Chong furrowed his brows, his gaze resolute. "Now that we know of the impending threat, there's no reason for us to stand idly by. Zi Yan, don't you agree?"
Zi Yan nodded, the light in her eyes growing even more determined.
"Of course. Since we have the ability, it's our responsibility to protect this world from harm. Mr. Haiyuan, please tell us what we need to do."
Haiyuan eyes flickered with gratitude upon hearing this.
"Your resolve is truly admirable. First, we need to find three ancient artifacts—the Heart of the Tides, the Star Compass, and the Wings of the Storm. These artifacts were once used by the deities who guarded this sea. With them, our chances of success will be much greater."
"Where exactly are these artifacts?" Xiao Chong asked eagerly.
"The Heart of the Tides is hidden in the Eye of the Deep, the deepest and most mysterious part of the ocean. The Star Compass is sealed within an ancient shipwreck, said to have disappeared near the Thousand Sails Reef. As for the Wings of the Storm, they were placed by the ancestors of the sea folk in the Land of Rising Winds, an island perpetually battered by storms" Haiyuan explained in detail.
"That doesn't sound easy," Zi Yan frowned, but then a determined smile appeared on her face. "But we have each other, and we have you, Haiyuan. As long as we stand together, there's nothing we can't overcome."
"Alright, let's set out now" Xiao Chong clapped his hands, brimming with confidence.
The three of them immediately sprang into action, first heading to the Eye of the Deep to find the Heart of the Tides.
Using his familiarity with the sea, Haiyuan guided them through a labyrinthine underwater maze, where they encountered all sorts of strange and dangerous sea creatures.
During a thrilling confrontation with a group of giant electric eels, Xiao Chong displayed his extraordinary strength, while Zi Yan skillfully used her combat aura to turn water elements into a solid shield, protecting them.
After several days of arduous exploration, they finally reached the Eye of the Deep. It was an enormous cavern, at the center of which lay a gem emitting a soft blue light—the Heart of the Tides.
Just as they were about to retrieve the artifact, a low, resonant chant echoed through the cavern, and an invisible force seemed to block their approach.
"Be careful, an evil will is influencing this place" Haiyuan warned, alert.
"Looks like we'll have to act quickly" Zi Yan said, flicking her fingers to send a series of shining ice spikes toward the force field, attempting to open a path.
As the ice spikes were about to hit the force field, Haiyuan suddenly spoke up, "Wait! Using force will only provoke it. Though evil is fierce, it also respects bravery and wisdom. Let me try."
Haiyuan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and a faint blue light emanated from his body.
He began to chant an ancient and mysterious incantation, his voice long and rhythmic. Gradually, the force field weakened and eventually disappeared.
"We did it!" Xiao Chong exclaimed excitedly, stepping forward to gently pick up the Heart of the Tides. Its light flowed between the three of them, as if acknowledging their courage and determination.
"This is only the first step," Haiyuan reminded them with a smile, though his eyes now held a firmer resolve.
"Next, the Star Compass and the Wings of the Storm—no matter how many difficulties and dangers lie ahead, we will overcome them all."
"Exactly, as long as we are together, there's no difficulty we can't overcome" Zi Yan responded, her eyes sparkling with boundless hope for the future.
Hai Yuan led Xiao Chong and Zi Yan as they slowly descended into the forgotten waters. The surrounding light gradually faded, leaving only the faint blue glow from their bodies to guide their way forward.
The outline of the sunken ship gradually emerged, like the remains of a giant beast lying quietly in the embrace of the deep sea, surrounded by an ominous aura.
Zi Yan tightly held Xiao Chong's hand, her eyes revealing unconcealed fear.
"This place... it's terrifying" she whispered, her voice fragile amidst the bubbles.
"Don't be afraid, Hai Yuan and me is here" Xiao Chong reassured her, squeezing her hand to offer warmth and strength.
Hai Yuan, meanwhile was ahead his body surrounded by a blue glow like a lighthouse in the deep sea, guiding them through the darkness.
As the trio ventured deeper into the shipwreck, an almost tangible silence enveloped them, broken only by the sound of their breathing bubbles echoing in the enclosed space.
Suddenly, a low murmur shattered the quiet, and wandering spirits began to roam the ship's cabins. Their eyes were hollow, their faces twisted, as if searching for memories of the past or unfinished missions.
"Are you ready? They're coming."
Hai Yuan voice was steady and powerful. His hands quickly drew complex symbols, and as the incantation left his lips, a faint blue light condensed around him, forming a shield.
Xiao Chong drew the dagger from his waist, his eyes filled with determination.
"No matter what grudges these spirits hold, they won't stop us from moving forward."
Zi Yan also summoned her courage, pulling out a small magical orb from her robe. She chanted softly, and the surrounding seawater seemed to respond, swirling around her to weave a water armor.
The spirits gradually closed in, emitting sharp shrieks as they tried to penetrate the trio's defenses.
Hai Yuan was the first to strike. He extended his hand, and the power of his incantation transformed into a beam of light, accurately hitting a spirit and causing it to dissipate with a wail. Xiao Chong nimbly moved among the spirits, his dagger flashing like lightning through the darkness, each swing silencing a spirit's lament.
Zi Yan's aura blossomed in the water, forming whirlpools that engulfed the spirits, turning them into nothingness.
After a fierce battle, the spirits finally dissipated one by one, and the shipwreck returned to silence, leaving only the sound of the trio's heavy breathing and the faintly rippling water around them.
Xiao Chong gently patted the ship's broken wall.
"Next, it's the Star Compass."
Hai Yuan pupils suddenly contracted as he sensed an ancient and powerful soul wave slowly approaching from the depths of the ship.
"Be careful, a stronger enemy is coming" he whispered, signaling the other two to prepare for battle.
The three of them stood back to back, slowly advancing toward the core.
In the dim light, a skeleton clad in rusted armor slowly rose. Its eye sockets glowed with a ghostly green phosphorescence, and it held an ancient scimitar. This was the undead captain—Olivias.
"Intruders, you have disturbed my eternal peace" Olivias' voice echoed like a sound from the abyss.
"Prepare to face the wrath of the deep sea!"
The battle was about to begin.
Haiyuan swiftly chanted an incantation, which transformed into a radiant shield that stood before the three of them, just in time to block Olivias first wave of attack. The scimitar clashed against the light shield, sending ripples of energy in all directions.
"This guy is no ordinary foe!" Xiao Chong shouted, spinning his body rapidly as his dagger turned into a silver storm, attempting to find a weakness in the undead captain's defenses.
Ziyan, meanwhile, gathered her fighting spirit in the water, creating several clones that attacked from different angles, trying to distract Olivia.
"Not bad, little girl" the undead captain sneered, his form suddenly becoming blurry as he effortlessly dodged all the attacks and counterattacked with astonishing speed.
One of Ziyan clones instantly dissipated.