In the increasingly placid, gentle sea, the iron-hulled wooden boat followed the guidance of the light, drawing near to a solitary, towering structure that emerged from the deep waters.

The silhouette of this building, under the illumination of the light on its summit, seemed indistinct and blurry.

“Let’s figure out the exact route from here to the land, and also inform the Maritime Bureau about what happened earlier. Hopefully, there won’t be any trouble. Besides, our food is almost gone. “

Seeing this structure’s existence, Xue Qi finally felt some relief from the panic of drifting across the vast, boundless ocean.

“Did you really avenge the boat owner? ” Xue Qi frowned, looking at Yang Zicang, who was preparing to step onto the small reef island.

“Otherwise, what do you think? “

The two of them, along with the corpse, neared the semi-circular reef island.

A beam of searchlight shot over, and on the narrow shore, a red glass-covered signal lamp held by someone’s hand swayed slowly in a clockwise direction.

“Hey~ that boat, over here. “

As the tin-hulled wooden boat drew closer, the outer profile of the towering structure also clearly came into view for the pair.

It stood stout and solid, just like an old city gate tower in a movie that not even cannon fire could topple. Flocks of sea swallows soared and swirled left and right around it; occasionally, an indistinct strange bird would dart in, stirring up a clamor among the birds. At the center of the flock, a concave mirror concentrated the lamp light and projected it far into the vast gray seas.

Yang Zicang and Xue Qi looked up at the towering wall and saw several large lines of text printed in different languages:Escort Pillar, Armor-Ship Number Four — One Hundred and Fifty until Gale’s Edge.

“Does ‘one hundred and fifty’ mean one hundred and fifty nautical miles until the last storm wall? “

“Maybe. Xue Qi, wait here for now; I’ll go up and negotiate. “

Clutching the round brass object left by Aqiang after his death, Yang Zicang hopped up onto the reef.

Several people in long, dark blue windbreakers walked over. On their arm-wide sleeve badges, there was a lighthouse pattern with a white circle printed on it, like the guards of some military here.

“Where’s your ferryman? “

“He’s dead, attacked by someone who just woke up. “

When the three in front saw the thing in Yang Zicang’s hands, their faces immediately changed. The one on the left took down the long rifle slung over his shoulder.

“What kind of nonsense are you spouting, you scumbag? Hurry up and raise your hands to come over here! “

“Hoo~ Hoo~ “

A sharp whistle sounded from the mouth of the man on the right.

The soldier standing slightly ahead in the center of the three held a statue carved from a dark red crystal. A force field of a strange color was born from that thing, blocking the narrow, winding path.

“Reinforcement! Someone’s carrying a ferryman’s distribution beacon! “

The sounds of chaotic running and shouting came from all around the reef island.

｛I, the Great Quadrilateral, knew this would happen.｝

Yang Zicang sighed.

Several heads poked out of the windows of the sturdy lighthouse.

“At least let me finish. I have come here to report a crime. “

He took out the “Mistman Condo ” certificate shaped like a nameplate and showed it along with Aqiang’s brass object.

“Haha, so this kind of thing actually happened. I never thought I’d get to see such an experience right before we’re about to shut down. “

A peculiar voice came from the high ground, reaching their ears.

“Hey, young man, I’m the station chief of the Supply Station. Since you’ve done your business, why not come on up and make a transaction too? “

Those heads poking out from the window of the towering rock wall were dressed almost identically to the guards standing on high alert before him, yet their bearing and attitude were utterly different—like onlookers watching a show from the sidelines.

And right outside that window he was at, there hung a rock brick sign inscribed with the words “Supply Station ” in several languages.

“A transaction? Sure, I need some fresh water and food. “

“Oh? You have the credentials but don’t know the real meaning of a transaction? ” The man above smiled and murmured a line. “If you really want to know, then you’d better deal with the matter right in front of you first. “

Several figures in long military uniforms came running over, all heavily armed with loaded guns. And on some of their backs were iron-shelled canisters, like barrels filled with grease, inside which wriggled numerous clumps of bizarre-looking creatures, resembling viscous octopuses.

From between the fine mesh nets, they stared with eyes that radiated a bone-chilling menace, devoid of any semblance of communication or rationality, coldly fixing their gaze on Yang Zicang ahead.

And those who bore the iron canisters and wore the knee-length long-coated uniforms held cold, dull spray nozzles as they closed in, leveling pitch-black gun muzzles and machine-gun-like nozzles at the youth before them.

From within the ranks, an imposing figure strode forward, exuding a sharp aura.

“Captain Qula, we have a murder case here! We suspect someone assaulted crossing people! “

The man nodded, a pair of hard, bristle-like mustaches on his upper lip, and stared sternly at Yang Zicang.

“Please explain truthfully. Where is the original owner of this boat, Liang·Highsang? “

“He is dead. “

“Why did he die? If the Crossing Man who brought you to this world died, how could you have crossed the two storm belts to arrive at this Lighthouse? “

“I could control the boat’s trajectory. “

Yang Zicang spread his hands and waved them near his shoulders, saying:

“Besides the captain, there was another man from the same city as me on board. But later, when Captain Highsang tried to salvage a third person from the sea, that third person attacked him. “

On the heights of the Lighthouse Fort, more people, hearing the commotion, stuck their heads out. There were at least dozens of people here.

True enough, it was a proper supply point on the vast, boundless sea.

Long·Qura, a man of captain-like stature, however, sank his eyes and stared intently at the youth. “Don’t you know that a Crossing Man can foresee his future for several minutes? Do you think I’m going to believe your bullshit? “

“This… “

Yang Zicang felt a tightness in his chest. How could he say it? Should he tell the man that, because Highsang saw there might be more people he could save in this stretch of sea, his love for the world drove him to attempt a rescue, even at the cost of his own life? If he gave that answer, he’d probably be punched to death on the spot.

“Anyway, that man named Ao Fei wanted the captain to take him to find the ‘Obscurus Wintestorm Rime,’ but the captain refused, and a conflict broke out. Then I fought Ao Fei, and as I killed him, his parasitic nightmare hidden in the seawater attacked the captain. “

A buzz of murmurs arose amidst the calls of the petrels.

“What about the other man you mentioned, the one from your same city? “

“He… ” Yang Zicang paused, then let out a long sigh. “That man, who was pulled from the sea even before me, heard about the existence of the ‘Obscurus Wintestorm Rime’ from the third person. He went looking for it and returned a few hours later… dead. “

The murmuring from those above suddenly grew louder, and some even laughed.

“His body is still on the ship. I don’t know why he died, but if it’s you all, perhaps you can find out quickly. “

With that, the young man turned sideways, revealing the iron-sheathed wooden ship lodged by the reef.

The captain of the lighthouse guard also looked over there.

“Good. So far, you’ve been fairly honest. But you forgot one thing. “

“What? “

“Without a Crossing Person, it’s impossible to pull someone from beyond the Track of Fate, for that is akin to a birth ceremony! “

The captain, taking a step forward, raised his hand in a black leather glove and pointed a finger sharply toward the woman on the ship.

“Her—she’s not in your story! “

Crack!

Several clicks of guns being chambered rang out, as black muzzles and strange steel pipes resembling shower heads were all aimed at Yang Zicang.

The captain pulled out a pair of black stone handcuffs emitting a faint glow.

“Turn around and accept arrest. Once ashore, the Security Bureau will have ways to verify if what you’re saying is true or false. If you resist, don’t blame us for being rude. “

Yang Zicang’s skin tightened; he could already sense the dangerous aura brewing within the gun barrels, seemingly capable of threatening his life.

“Your story has too many loopholes, friend. ” From the distance, a man who didn’t mind adding fuel to the fire chimed in.

Just then, Xue Qi leaped down from the ship, landing with a crouch and steadying herself with her hands on the slippery black stone before standing up, clenching her fists, and sprinting over.

Her fur coat fluttered from side to side on her body, showcasing the perfect curves honed from long-term exercise, prompting some on the tower to whistle wildly. “Ooh-ooh! “

“I was the one fished up by him. “

Running over, Xue Qi shot a glance at Yang Zicang, then turned her head to look at these people.

“I don’t know if what he says is true, but indeed, I was fished up by him. And those two Storm Belts, he crossed them solo on his boat. “

A flicker of surprise passed through the eyes of the soldiers in front.

“He fished you up? Ha, that’s a basic mistake! “

A man carrying a metal cylinder and holding a spray gun shouted, “He’s a fraud for sure. Everyone, get ready—this man is extremely dangerous. “

A faint three-ringed halo of earthy yellow, orange-gold, and ethereal blue flickered in the team leader’s pupils, and his aura suddenly surged with intensity.

Yang Zicang grabbed Xue Qi’s hand. The woman struggled slightly for a moment but was immediately pulled backward a step.

“Everything I said is true. “

A terrifying aura capable of distorting the air spread across the surface of Long Qiulia’s body, like scorching flames that warped the atmosphere, as if countless shadows—both strangely familiar and abstrusely daunting—writhed within it.

To think such a powerful person was on guard duty at this lighthouse!

Yang Zicang took a step back and looked at him.

On the other side of the lighthouse, several figures leaped down from a large ship.

“Wait, Captain Chiulia. “

“Stop it, you bald liar. ” The running figures caught sight of a silver ring gleaming on Yang Zicang’s chest and shouted urgently, “Don’t even think about attacking the captain, or you’re dead for sure! “

These three figures ran over, panted heavily a couple of times to catch their breath, and then said:

“Captain, there’s actually a simple way we can test if they’re telling the truth. “

The lighthouse garrison captain, Long Qiulia, who had already activated his bloodline, turned his head to look at the several “Fogfolk ” running up from behind.

“I suggest you not joke around. “

Above, the supply station chief, who had been watching the commotion below, stretched his neck and crowed with a grin upon seeing the interference:

“Hey, you lot aren’t planning to use that method to meddle in this, are you? Are you trying to break the prelude of the birth! “