The evening sky glowed gold, dyeing the endless ocean in a warm shimmer.
Under that light, the colossal Red Dragon Boat shone brilliantly, like a floating divine palace born from flames.
Ships that had been anchored nearby were already fleeing because of the earlier chaos.
But suddenly—
"Hey… what is that?"
"A shadow?"
"No… no way… I've heard of that thing… the ship that travels inside its own shadow…"
"The Shadow Pearl… Phantom Pirates!"
"They're coming straight toward the Red Dragon Boat… and not slowing down!"
A cold silence spread across the sea as every sailor and Immortal Practitoners turned to watch.
The lonely, drifting silhouette didn't hesitate.
It didn't dodge.
It didn't turn.
It simply glided across the waves—
and then merged directly into the Red Dragon Boat's shadow, disappearing like a drop of ink falling into darkness.
The guards of the Red Dragon Boat panicked.
"Find the intruder!"
"Jump! Check below the hull!"
