Chapter 963: Hostage

The Rakshasa clan’s this Tianwang clearly wasn’t ready to see Li Yi dead yet—at least not until they found the Bi Shui Beast, he wouldn’t allow his subordinates to kill him at will.

It wasn’t that he feared offending the Huaqing Emperor; it was simply that in this vast expanse of the Gui Xu Sea, finding someone who knew the Bi Shui Beast’s location was extremely difficult.

So even if that Rakshasa woman hadn’t moved, he would’ve intervened himself.

“Huaqing Emperor? Never heard of him. There are plenty of cultivators at the Tian Di realm in the Heavenly Realm—who knows which ditch this Huaqing Emperor crawled out of? He’s nothing compared to our Rakshasa clan.”

At that moment, the Rakshasa woman laughed, continuing to study Li Yi: “Your bloodline fascinates me. Why not leave that Huaqing Emperor behind and follow me instead? I’ll show you what true heavenly bliss and Rakshasa love feel like.”

“I’m not interested in Rakshasa women. Go find someone else,” Li Yi replied firmly.

“In the Heavenly Realm, a soldier like you has no right to refuse. If you don’t accept my offer, the rest of my clan won’t mind swallowing you alive.” The Rakshasa woman said, then glanced sideways.

Several Rakshasa elites stared at Li Yi, eyes hungry and predatory; had the Rakshasa Tianwang not given orders, Li Yi would already be dead.

“Think carefully—preferably before we find the Bi Shui Beast,” the Rakshasa woman said with a cryptic smile.

Li Yi’s gaze darkened instantly.

Clearly, once they found the Bi Shui Beast, his value would vanish—and his fate would be horrific. And given the speed of this ship, he had at most one month.

If he couldn’t find a way out during that time, he’d likely die here.

Was he really going to have to sell his body to please this Rakshasa woman?

“Friend, don’t take it to heart—Man Luo was just joking. Once we retrieve the Bi Shui Pearl, I, the Tianwang, will personally escort you to the Huaqing Emperor’s location and ensure your safe return.” The Rakshasa Tianwang smiled.

“Then I’m in your debt,” Li Yi bowed respectfully.

He knew full well these were empty words. Man Luo was right—he, a mere Tian Bing cultivator, had no right to refuse under these circumstances.

Any Rakshasa they pulled out was at least a Tian Jiang; the gap in cultivation was so vast, killing him would be easier than slaughtering a dog.

“Then we rely on you to lead the way,” the Rakshasa Tianwang gestured again. “Guang Sha, take this friend to pilot the Dragon Boat. The route is now yours. Don’t disappoint me.”

“Your Excellency, rest assured,” a Rakshasa elite clad in battle armor, his face like a demon, bowed and strode forward, signaling Li Yi to follow.

Li Yi took a slow breath. He had no choice but to submit—for now—and followed this Tian Jiang-level warrior into the ship’s interior.

“Don’t try any tricks. If the route’s wrong, or if you deliberately lead us into dangerous waters, I’ll snap your head off right now,” Guang Sha glared coldly at Li Yi.

“And don’t you dare entertain thoughts of Man Luo just because you’ve got a pretty face. One slip, and I’ll still snap your head off.”

Li Yi glanced at him.

He could confirm: this Rakshasa elite really liked snapping heads off.

“The Gui Xu Sea is full of dangers. My route itself passes through several perilous zones. If you’re uneasy, I’ll give you the general coordinates—you can pilot the Dragon Boat yourself. As for what we encounter along the way, don’t blame me. Also, I have no interest in your Rakshasa women. Instead of warning me, go restrain that Rakshasa woman. Keep her from bothering me.”

Though the enemy was strong and he weak, Li Yi’s tone remained defiant.

He knew: before they found the Bi Shui Beast, they wouldn’t harm him—and after they found it, they wouldn’t spare him just because he was polite.

“Hmph,” Guang Sha snorted, clearly displeased.

But bound by the Tianwang’s orders, he suppressed his killing intent and didn’t snap Li Yi’s head off.

“Tell me the Bi Shui Beast’s location. I’ll pilot the Dragon Boat.” He added coldly.

Li Yi’s eyes flickered, then he flicked his finger—a streak of magic power formed a vast sea map before them, and he marked several points.

“Here’s where I encountered the Jing Wei Bird. Here, once, a school of Jiao Dragons danced together. Keep going straight—this area is likely where the Bi Shui Beast is.”

He marked several dangerous spots on the map—but deliberately omitted the most perilous ones. These were hidden traps along the route. Whether the Dragon Boat would pass through those zones—or whether the terrifying creatures there would emerge—was now up to fate.

“Good. For now, stay right here. Don’t go anywhere,” Guang Sha said.

But before he finished, Li Yi cut in: “Yes, yes, yes, I know—if I step outside this spot, you’ll snap my head off.”

“Good. You understand,” Guang Sha said, then withdrew his icy gaze. “Go away. Don’t bother me.”

He didn’t regard Li Yi as a threat.

A mere Tian Bing. Even if he stood still and let Li Yi attack, the man couldn’t break his defenses.

In the Heavenly Realm, a gap of one major realm was like an endless chasm.

Li Yi said nothing. He moved away from Guang Sha, settled into a corner of the cabin, formed a hand seal, closed his eyes, and entered cultivation.

Guang Sha didn’t even glance at this last-minute cultivation.

What use was cultivating now?

Even if he broke through to Tian Jiang, he’d still be useless—no threat at all.

“Huaqing,” Li Yi murmured inwardly as he cultivated, “your title as Emperor doesn’t seem to carry much weight—not even a Tianwang is fooled.”

“I’m just a lone cultivator with no influence. Try being a Great Emperor under the Tian Zun’s command—wouldn’t that Rakshasa Tianwang bow to you and send his Rakshasa women to warm your bed at night?” Huaqing replied.

“So it’s true: in any world, status and background matter,” Li Yi sighed. “By the way, what did that Rakshasa woman mean by ‘Lei Bu’?”

“The faction of Lei Zu Tian Zun. He commands thirty-six Lei Di and countless minor sects. What do you think Lei Bu is? She’s right—your bloodline carries thunder energy. You’re perfect for joining Lei Bu. Work hard, maybe you’ll become a Lei Jiang and learn exquisite thunder arts.”

“A true man born under heaven and earth shouldn’t live beneath others. He’s Lei Zu Tian Zun—I’m Tai Yi Tian Zun. Why should I serve anyone?” Li Yi said.

“Because he’s a real Tian Zun. You’re just self-proclaimed. Until you’ve seen the true might of a Tian Zun, you’ll always be a frog at the bottom of a well, ignorant of heaven’s height and earth’s depth.”

Li Yi said: “Forget that for now. Let’s talk about escaping. If I die here, you, Huaqing Emperor, won’t survive either. You don’t want to be resurrected only to vanish again, do you? My suggestion: use the Dao Coin to tear open the Heavenly Embryo Membrane and cross realms.”

“No. Exposing the Dao Coin now is suicide. This Dragon Boat has a Tianwang aboard. Any spatial fluctuation will be instantly detected. The Dao Coin that can split the Heavenly Embryo Membrane is a true supreme treasure. If found, what do you think your fate will be?” Huaqing said.

“And right now, you don’t even need the Tianwang. The Tian Jiang beside you could snap your head off in an instant.”

“So you’re saying there’s no hope?” Li Yi asked.

Huaqing said: “If all else fails, sell a little charm. Seek protection from that Rakshasa woman. You know the Da Xiao Ru Yi technique—surely you can please her well. When she’s happy, she’ll take you back to her mansion, away from this danger. Then plot your next move.”

“Dealing with one Rakshasa woman is better than facing all these Rakshasa elites.”

“Thanks. Your advice is excellent. Don’t give it again.” Li Yi said. “I’ll take my chances—see if this Dragon Boat sinks.”

“The Gui Xu Sea is full of danger zones. I don’t believe they’ll avoid every trap.”

“Good luck,” Huaqing said.

He couldn’t help Li Yi now—he was merely a lingering soul still recovering, his power negligible. No matter how many schemes he had, he couldn’t execute any.

Meanwhile,

On the Dragon Boat,

“Your Excellency, that human cultivator’s words can’t be trusted. This is the Gui Xu Sea—endless dangers. A mere Tian Bing wandering alone across the sea must have ulterior motives. Even if he truly serves the Huaqing Emperor, he must be eliminated early, lest he become a future threat.”

At that moment, a Rakshasa Tian Jiang whispered.

The Tianwang standing at the bow smiled: “He does carry the scent of the Bi Shui Beast. He must’ve been struck by its Bi Shui Divine Light before and barely survived. I need him to find the Bi Shui Beast. Once we succeed, I’ll deal with him properly. Your bold advice is good—but follow my orders.”

“He’s just a Tian Bing. Once aboard our Rakshasa Dragon Boat, how could he possibly stir up trouble? Guang Sha already has the route. Now, all of you stay alert. This is the Gui Xu Sea—any danger could appear.”

“Yes,” the Rakshasa warriors replied, immediately returning to their posts, vigilant against the sea’s threats.

Even the Tianwang himself dared not relax, remaining fixed at the bow, never leaving his post.

He knew: even with Tian Wang power, he was nothing here. Too many dangers could take his life.

The reason he was willing to spend time on Li Yi was simple: if a mere Tian Bing could navigate the Gui Xu Sea, he must have found a relatively safe route.

Better to use him than to drift blindly through danger.

If he tried to cheat, Guang Sha knew what to do—so the Tianwang wasn’t overly concerned.