Xiao Chong Silver Storm left afterimages in the air, yet it could never quite reach the elusive Ghost Captain.
Seeing this, Hai Yuan took a deep breath, clasped his hands together, and began chanting an ancient and mysterious incantation. The sea surface immediately surged with towering waves, as if it wanted to swallow the heavens and the earth.
"In the name of the ocean, I bind your souls!" Hai Yuan spell erupted instantly, forming a massive water prison that trapped the summoned ghostly crew. They struggled and howled, but they couldn't break through this cage made of pure water elements.
For the first time, the Ghost Captain expression changed. A flicker of surprise flashed in his emerald-green eyes.
"Interesting. I didn't expect one among you to wield such powerful water magic. But this is far from enough!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he swung the rotten ship's wheel in his hand, and a surge of death energy erupted. Several ghostly crew members who were trying to break free from the water prison began to erode the water elements, and cracks gradually appeared in the prison.
"We must end this quickly. His power seems to be growing continuously!"
Zi Yan voice carried a hint of urgency. She once again condensed her fighting spirit, this time transforming it into an incredibly sharp blade of energy, charging straight at the Ghost Captain. At the same time, she used her clones to distract the weakened ghostly crew.
"Let's go together. Don't give him a chance to catch his breath!" Xiao Chong responded, his Silver Storm whipping up even more ferocious attacks. Each strike carried the sound of tearing through the air, determined to bring this battle to an end.
Just as the three of them were locked in fierce combat with the Ghost Captain and his ghostly crew, Hai Yuan sensed a strange energy fluctuation beneath the water. He thought to himself.
"This is bad. Everyone, be careful. Something is approaching from below!"
Before he could finish speaking, an enormous sea beast burst out of the water. Its body was covered in thick armor, and its eyes burned like torches, clearly drawn by the battle. Its appearance made the already chaotic battlefield even more unpredictable.
Seeing this, the Ghost Captain curled his lips into a cold smile.
"It seems even the guardians of the abyss can't resist joining the fray. Perfect. You can all sink into the endless darkness together."
Faced with this sudden turn of events, the three quickly exchanged glances and tacitly adjusted their battle strategy.
Xiao Chong and Zi Yan continued to hold off the Ghost Captain and his ghostly crew, while Hai Yuan focused his mind, attempting to establish a connection with the sea beast, using his power to calm this enraged ancient creature.
"Peace, great one. Let us fight side by side, not destroy each other" Hai Yuan whispered.
He extended his hand, a soft blue light emanating from his palm, slowly approaching the sea beast.
At this tense moment, the sea beast's eyes seemed to soften, and its massive body slowly retreated, no longer attacking the group.
Hai Yuan felt a surge of joy, knowing his efforts hadn't been in vain.
"We have an opening!" Xiao Chong shouted, seizing the opportunity.
He and Zi Yan attacks became even more fierce, their Silver Storm and energy blade weaving an impenetrable net, closing in on the Ghost Captain.
A flicker of panic appeared in the Ghost Captain eyes. His movements began to falter, and openings started to appear one after another.
"It's over!" Zi Yan blade of combat energy finally sliced through the air, striking directly at the heart of the undead captain, while Xiao Chong silver storm followed closely behind, completely sealing off all his escape routes.
With a deafening explosion, the figure of the undead captain gradually dissipated, and the summoned spirits around him vanished into thin air.
Hai Yuan sheathed his spell, catching his breath as the sea returned to calmness, leaving only the sound of the trio's heavy breathing and the calls of deep-sea creatures.
At that moment, a treasure chest glowing with a strange light slowly appeared before them, as if it were the sea's reward for their valiant battle. The three exchanged glances, their eyes filled with curiosity and excitement for the unknown.
Hai Yuan took out the Star Compass from the chest, captivated by the strange light emanating from it.
What awaited them next was the final challenge—the Wings of Tempest.
The place where the winds rose, where clouds surged and waves towered, the sky seemed to roar with the voices of countless dragons. This was the forbidden land spoken of by sailors, a place that even the bravest explorers would pale at the mention of.
Hai Yuan, Xiao Chong, and Zi Yan stood on a specially designed small sailboat, facing the stormy domain they were about to enter. Their eyes reflected both determination and a reverence for the unknown.
"The place where the winds rise is said to hide the power of ancient deities, and the Wings of Tempest are the embodiment of that power" Hai Yuan said, gripping the Star Compass tightly.
The light on the compass flickered, seemingly guiding their path. "If we can obtain it, we will truly master the mysteries of the ocean."
Zi Yan frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing in her emerald eyes.
"But the storm is so fierce, ordinary ships can't even get close, let alone find the Wings of Tempest." Her voice, though soft carried an unshakable resolve.
"But since we're here, there's no turning back."
Xiao Chong patted the side of the sailboat, brimming with confidence.
"This 'Wavebreaker' was designed by me specifically to withstand extreme weather. With it, and the synergy between the three of us, even the place where the winds rise can't stop us."
Hai Yuan nodded, then gave the order. "Hoist the sails, onward to the place where the winds rise!"
The sailboat shot forward like an arrow, plunging into the heart of the storm. The wind howled, and the waves surged, but the Wavebreaker navigated through the tempest with remarkable agility, showcasing its incredible storm resistance.
Each of the three had their role: Hai Yuan steered with the compass, Zi Yan adjusted the sails for balance and speed, and Xiao Chong kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, ready to handle any sudden threats.
"Watch out! There's a massive whirlpool ahead!" Xiao Chong warning came just in time as a huge whirlpool rapidly formed on the sea surface, threatening to swallow everything.
Hai Yuan's brow furrowed as he commanded "Prepare for an emergency turn, we must bypass it!"
Zi Yan responded immediately, adjusting the sails swiftly. The Wavebreaker narrowly skirted the edge of the whirlpool, leaving the trio drenched in cold sweat.
"That was close, we almost became spirits of the deep," Xiao Chong wiped the sweat from his forehead, still managing to crack a joke.A faint, almost imperceptible smile played at the corners of Haiyuan lips.
"It is precisely these unknowns and challenges that make our journey all the more thrilling."
As they ventured deeper into the Land of Rising Winds, the surrounding storms grew increasingly fierce. Yet, the Wavebreaker miraculously remained as steady as a rock, cutting through the waves with ease.
Just as they were on the verge of dismissing the Wings of the Storm as mere legend, a brilliant light appeared on the distant horizon. This radiance seemed to contain boundless power and gentleness, guiding them forward.
"Look, what is that?" Ziyan pointed toward the light, her eyes filled with wonder and excitement.