CHAPTER 762: CHAPTER 762: GETTING OUT

"Can you take us out of here?" Wuhan asked calmly, taking his soul sense back. Since it would only waste his energy.

Noah opened his eyes slowly, a faint glow swirling within his pupils.

"I’ve marked a path through," he continued. "Follow my guidance. Keep the ship steady. Don’t stray."

The guards didn’t hesitate. They wordlessly began moving in unison, shifting the sails and adjusting the ship’s course according to Noah’s signals. The captain gave one lazy nod, signaling he would follow Noah’s lead without question.

The ship slowly changed direction, sailing forward at a careful angle. The fog pressed against them, thick and heavy like a wall of cotton soaked in seawater.

As they moved deeper into the mist, the sounds faded into an eerie quiet—until a deep, echoing rumble disturbed the stillness.

Noah’s eyes narrowed. "Something’s coming."

The sea stirred ahead. Gentle waves swelled unnaturally, and ripples spread across the water like something massive was swimming beneath the surface. A low growl vibrated through the hull of the ship.

Then it broke the surface.

A massive beast rose from the sea, scales gleaming even in the fog. Its head was broad like a crocodile’s, but its body was longer, more serpentine. Its glowing blue eyes locked onto the ship. Water surged around it as it circled, the ship rocking under the force.

"A Rank 5 Spirit Beast," Noah said grimly. "Peak stage."

"Allow me." Wuhan stepped forward, his golden armor shining faintly as he moved to the edge of the deck. "Turn around, and I will spare you."

The creature paused, as if understanding what he said, then let out a guttural, bone-shaking roar.

The beast hissed. Its roars echoed in the minds of everyone on the ship. The guards tensed, spiritual energy flaring around them.

"Can’t say I did not warn you." Wuhan didn’t flinch. Instead, he raised one hand calmly and spoke a single word:

"Burn."

The air trembled. Flames burst to life behind him, coiling in a spiral as they formed a massive bird—its wings stretching dozens of meters across the sky.

A flaming phoenix.

It screeched, the cry ringing through the fog, and then dived.

The beast roared in defiance and lunged upward—but the phoenix struck first, slamming into the ocean with explosive force. Steam hissed and rose violently as water boiled around the impact site.

Noah could see the patch of the seawater around the beast, and the burning phoenix had turned red like it was molten lava and not seawater.

The sea beast thrashed, trying to escape, but the fire followed it even beneath the surface—glowing brighter, hotter, until the fog itself seemed to burn away.

The guards shielded their eyes. Sylvheriel narrowed hers in awe.

The way elves used qi was different from what she had seen humans use. She had always felt that their way was superior to the humans’s, but now seeing this skill, even she had to agree that it had been the most powerful fire attack she had seen being used so casually.

Within seconds, the beast’s body surfaced—charred and steaming, its scales cracked and burned. Then it sank slowly beneath the waves, leaving only blackened water in its wake.

The sea stilled once more.

Wuhan stepped back silently, lowering his hand. The fiery phoenix faded into embers and vanished into the mist.

Noah gave a small nod of approval. "That was clean."

"I don’t like dragging things out," Wuhan replied.

"All hail his majesty the emperor!" Black Sword let out a low whistle and spoke in a plain yet serious voice. "Remind me not to annoy you."

The corner of Wuhan’s lips twitched hearing his words, but he only gave him a deep stare before looking away.

Sylvheriel, who had remained quiet during the entire clash, finally spoke. Her tone held a trace of respect now, though she tried to hide it behind her usual cool expression.

"Your strength lives up to your title, Emperor."

Wuhan simply nodded and turned back to Noah. "Lead the way."

Noah resumed guiding the ship, pushing his soul sense through the thinning fog, ensuring they stayed on course.

Behind them, the trail of steam slowly dispersed.

The Curse of the Sea had taken many lives—but not today.

Then—just like that—they broke through.

The mist thinned all at once, melting away into the open sea. The sky returned above them, glittering with stars. The sea turned calm again, with the gentle sound of waves lapping at the hull.

A collective sigh of relief swept over the ship.

The guards all looked at Noah with newfound respect in their eyes. Even the usually silent ones nodded quietly, murmuring to one another in admiration.

Wuhan gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "You weren’t exaggerating when you said you could handle sea dangers."

Noah gave a small shrug. "Just paying attention."

But it was Sylvheriel’s reaction that stood out the most. She watched him for a long time, her red eyes unreadable. Then she muttered under her breath, barely loud enough for anyone to hear.

"...As expected of the one chosen by the World Tree."

Noah didn’t respond. He simply turned back to the open sea, watching the stars above as the black ship continued forward.

Meanwhile, back in the Feng Empire...

Far away from the calm sea and the stars above, deep inside the royal palace of the Feng Empire, something was beginning to stir.

On one of the topmost floors of the palace—long abandoned and left untouched—stood a silent, hidden room. Dust covered everything, and the air felt cold, heavy, and forgotten.

The door to the room was locked tight with thick metal bars, dozens of spiritual seals, and glowing runes. These weren’t normal locks. They weren’t meant to keep people out—they were meant to keep something inside.

In the center of the room floated a large, black coffin.

It hung in midair, held up by chains as thick as a man’s leg. The chains wrapped around it from all sides, glowing faintly with suppression runes and ancient magic. Each one pulsed with power, keeping whatever was inside sealed away.

The room was completely silent.

Then... something changed.

A deep vibration ran through the air.

CRACK.

One of the chains snapped with a loud bang. Sparks of spiritual energy scattered as the broken pieces crashed into the stone wall. Another chain broke. Then another.

The black coffin shook, trembling in place.

Dark smoke began to leak from under the lid, rising into the air like black mist. It spread slowly across the ceiling, darkening the room, eating away at the glowing seals etched into the floor.

The lid of the coffin creaked slightly—just enough to let out more of the smoke.

The air turned colder.

Then a whisper echoed through the room—not spoken aloud, but heard inside the mind.

"Soon..."

Only three chains remained. The runes on the floor flickered, dimming like dying embers. The powerful seal that had held the coffin for so long was starting to fail.

Outside the sealed room, the corridor remained empty. No guards stood watch. No servants came this high. No one had stepped foot near this floor in years.

And so, no one saw a slender, bony hand peeking out of the coffin, and suddenly an eye snapped open on the palm of the hand, looking around the room eerily.