NOVEL WEB Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Courage
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Eight strands of golden-patterned Blue Silver Grass instantly wrapped around the tentacle soaked in Ye Lan's blood.
These eight Blue Silver Grass vines weren't the ones already engaged in combat—they were a fresh set that Ye Lan had never released before.
In truth, Ye Lan could summon not just sixteen strands, but twenty-four strands of Blue Silver Grass!
These additional vines were his contingency—his hidden trump card in case of emergencies.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The eight Blue Silver Grass strands rapidly tightened, and the tentacle completely entangled by them began to emit the sound of tearing and fracturing flesh.
Two strands could barely contend with one of the Ancient Beast's tentacles.
But eight combined was not a simple sum—their power multiplied exponentially.
The beast's tentacle couldn't withstand the overwhelming force of all eight vines.
Before long, chunks of white flesh from the beast's tentacle were flung across the deck.
Just when Ye Lan thought he could use the remaining eight Blue Silver Grass vines to crush the rest of the tentacles—
The Ancient Beast's Touch responded.
SPLASH—
It sprayed a thick jet of inky black fluid from its mouth—a powerful secretion it usually used to flee in the ocean.
But this time, it had no intention of escaping—it had another plan entirely.
This ink wasn't just thick—it was slick, incredibly slippery.
Ye Lan noticed the creature's head begin to swell. Uncertain of its next move, he instinctively increased the distance between them.
Moments later, a massive amount of black ink surged out from beneath the beast's body.
The black liquid, combined with the sudden contraction of the beast's enlarged head, shot forcefully across the deck.
Starting from the center beneath the creature, the deck quickly turned a slick black as the ink spread outward.
Ye Lan felt the friction under his soles drop sharply, and a sense of dread washed over him.
That's right—he couldn't move properly anymore. The deck was now far too slippery.
Any force applied with his legs sent him sliding.
This was the Ancient Beast's true plan: to strip Ye Lan of any stable footing.
While Ye Lan could no longer move freely, the beast could rely on the suction cups on its tentacles to grip the deck tightly and maneuver with ease.
Its massive form loomed closer, inch by inch.
Like a black abyss ready to devour all light.
"Damn it! Damn it all!" The old fisherman clenched the helm, struggling to keep the swaying boat stable—to buy Ye Lan time and balance.
All he could do now was silently pray for the young man's safety.
He had never imagined that a thousand-year-old Ancient Beast's Touch would be this terrifying. Ye Lan had far exceeded all expectations, and yet... he was still falling behind.
All the fisherman could do was steady the ship for him.
…
Ye Lan spread his arms wide, constantly adjusting his posture to maintain balance, desperate to avoid slipping on the slick deck.
If he fell and got covered in that thick, black slime, it would be nearly impossible to get back up again.
But the Ancient Beast didn't care—it continued its slow, menacing advance.
Unable to move freely on the ground, Ye Lan made a decision—
He would fight it in the air.
He anchored eight strands of Blue Silver Grass across various parts of the ship—railings, guard rails, windows—anywhere they could hold.
Using them as suspension points, he lifted himself off the deck, now hanging mid-air at eye level with the beast, staring directly into its dozens of twisted, blood-red eyes.
The beast gazed back, unshaken.
From its perspective, Ye Lan had wasted precious Blue Silver Grass to suspend himself, reducing the number of vines available for attack or defense.
Even better—he was now a stationary target.
The moment it closed the gap, it unleashed a frenzied flurry of attacks—seven tentacles lashed out toward the airborne Ye Lan like a violent storm.
Ye Lan had no choice but to go all-out in defense, struggling to intercept the beast's wild assault.
Although one of its tentacles had been destroyed, each of the remaining ones was still stronger than two strands of Blue Silver Grass.
Even so, Ye Lan held on. The two sides clashed evenly, each failing to gain the upper hand.
The battle reached a stalemate.
Time passed in tense deadlock—until the Ancient Beast hatched a new plan.
Attack the Blue Silver Grass holding Ye Lan aloft.
If he fell onto the slick, ink-covered deck, he'd be helpless—and the beast would win.
Realizing this, it changed its strategy and began viciously pounding the tensioned vines anchoring Ye Lan in the air.
Ye Lan immediately sensed the shift in its intent—but all he could do was respond in desperation.
After all, the Blue Silver Grass suspending Ye Lan was already fixed in place—he couldn't control it directly.
As the taut support vines were continuously smashed and severed by the Ancient Beast's Touch, Ye Lan was forced to redirect his combat vines to replace the broken supports.
At first, this strategy worked.
But as time wore on...
The number of Blue Silver Grass vines actively engaged in battle began to dwindle.
The rate at which damaged vines regenerated could no longer keep up with the beast's relentless destruction.
The number of active vines on the field dropped—from twenty-four, to twenty-three...
Twenty-two.
Twenty-one.
Twenty.
...
As the Blue Silver Grass on the field continued to decrease, the delicate balance between Ye Lan and the Ancient Beast's Touch completely collapsed.
To maintain his airborne stability, Ye Lan had no choice but to reduce the number of vines available for combat.
But as he pulled vines away from combat to keep himself suspended, the Ancient Beast would immediately launch another attack.
Ye Lan was forced to rob Peter to pay Paul—drawing vines from the support network to defend himself.
Eventually, the number of supporting vines became too few.
His make-do patchwork system began to unravel.
Bit by bit, Ye Lan's suspension grew more unstable—until finally, the last straw:
A crucial support vine was torn apart by the Ancient Beast's Touch.
Ye Lan lost balance and plummeted onto the pitch-black deck below.
The instant he hit the ground, Ye Lan instinctively tried to spring to his feet.
Smack!
He slipped again and fell hard!
A pungent, fishy stench rushed up his nose before he could even adjust—and the Ancient Beast moved in.
The moment it saw Ye Lan hit the deck, it slid toward him at high speed.
Seven thick tentacles curved and crashed down onto the deck with crushing force.
Crack!
With a powerful leap, the massive creature launched itself several meters into the air, aiming to slam its full weight down on Ye Lan.
If the deck hadn't been covered in black slime, Ye Lan could've easily dodged with a simple roll.
But unfortunately... the entire ground was coated in ink.
Meanwhile, in the captain's cabin—
The old fisherman saw Ye Lan fall hard onto the slippery deck, finally overwhelmed and vulnerable.
Having witnessed Ye Lan's repeated comebacks and fearless struggle, the fisherman felt a surge of courage burning in his chest.
He couldn't let this brilliant soul master die right in front of him—
Just like his son and daughter-in-law ten years ago...
Back then, he had stood by helplessly, watching his family perish.
This time, he refused to let Ye Lan meet the same fate!
As the Ancient Beast's Touch advanced on Ye Lan, the fisherman made up his mind—he would help.
He would use the two sacks of sea salt.
By the moonlight, his cloudy old eyes scanned the deck carefully.
But then—he froze.
The spot where the sea salt had been stored was now completely empty. The salt was gone!
Panic shot through him.
He turned and rushed toward the deck, determined to find the missing salt.
(End of Chapter)