The most difficult part was the Endless Vast Sea's immense size; even a Saint Emperor realm expert could get lost within its boundless expanse if they were not careful.
As for those Heavenly Venerates and Kings, they might exhaust their true essence and still be unable to escape the Endless Vast Sea, ultimately perishing in the boundless ocean.
After flying for an unknown amount of time, Mu Qingqing noticed a massive merchant ship sailing rapidly ahead.
The colossal merchant ship looked grand and imposing, with a golden plaque hanging high above, displaying three ancient characters that were clearly legible: "Jingchen."
Upon seeing this plaque, Mu Qingqing's pupils contracted sharply.
Jingchen? Could this merchant ship be heading to the Jingchen Kingdom in Central Continent?
Mu Qingqing pondered internally.
The Jingchen Kingdom was a coastal nation in the Central Continent.
By boarding this merchant ship, she could easily reach the Jingchen Kingdom.
Thus, Mu Qingqing transformed into a male body and lowered her cultivation realm from one-star Saint Emperor to the King realm.
She then flew towards the enormous Jingchen merchant ship.
"Who dares to board the Jingchen!"
Suddenly, two guards walked out onto the ship's deck, blocking Mu Qingqing's path.
Mu Qingqing smiled as she looked at the two guards: "Greetings, elder brothers. The boat I was on unfortunately encountered a tsunami."
"Although I was lucky to survive, I lost my way and thus wished to board your esteemed nation's merchant ship to travel to Central Continent."
"Is that so."
One of the guards looked at Mu Qingqing and asked, "What is your name?"
"My name is... Luo Fei."
Mu Qingqing hesitated slightly before uttering Luo Fei's name.
At the same time, she chuckled inwardly: "My apologies, little fatty, but this young lady can only borrow your name for now."
Just then, a voluptuous, middle-aged beauty in a flamboyant red dress walked over.
Her gaze fell upon Mu Qingqing, appraising her.
Mu Qingqing also looked up at the beauty. Although the woman had a good figure, her heavy makeup was quite off-putting.
Furthermore, the way she looked at Mu Qingqing made her uncomfortable, as if she were evaluating the value of a commodity.
The two guards quickly introduced her: "This is Madam Yu Hua, the President of the Yu Hua Merchant Guild from the Jingchen Kingdom."
"The personnel on our ship are all employed by Madam Yu Hua."
Upon hearing the guards' introduction, even though Mu Qingqing didn't particularly like this Madam Yu Hua, she still smiled and said, "I am Luo Fei, greetings Madam Yu Hua. How do you do?"
"Little brother Luo Fei, where do you hail from? And where do you intend to travel on our Jingchen ship?"
Madam Yu Hua appeared friendly and kind, but her intentions were malicious.
She scrutinized Mu Qingqing's attire, which was plain, and she carried no apparent treasures.
"I am from the Eastern Continent and wish to borrow Madam Yu Hua's merchant ship to travel to Central Continent. Would Madam Yu Hua be willing to help?"
Mu Qingqing cut straight to the chase.
Upon hearing Mu Qingqing mention the Eastern Continent, Madam Yu Hua's lips curved into a sinister smile.
Then, she replied with a smile, "Of course, little brother Luo Fei. Come with me, I've specially arranged a private room for you to rest."
"Thank you, Madam Yu Hua."
"It's nothing."
With that, Madam Yu Hua turned and walked towards the ship's cabin.
Mu Qingqing followed closely behind and entered the cabin.
As they walked, Mu Qingqing gradually felt that something was amiss. She realized she seemed to have been led into a confined space, shrouded in darkness.
"Madam Yu Hua, where is this?"
Mu Qingqing asked with a frown.
She felt as if something in the surroundings was watching her, making her extremely uneasy.
Madam Yu Hua stopped upon hearing the voice, turned to look at Mu Qingqing, and smiled, saying, "This is the cabin I prepared for you. Are you satisfied?"
As she spoke, the candlelight in the cabin suddenly illuminated, and everything around them gradually became clear.
Mu Qingqing looked up at the surroundings. The area was filled with iron chains, iron cages, and various torture instruments.
Especially within the iron cages, many people lay on the ground, unconscious.
Their clothes were tattered, and their bodies were covered in scars of various sizes.
Their wrists and ankles were bound with iron chains, and their necks were secured by an iron collar. Judging by the weight of the collar, the person chained there would have difficulty breathing.
Coupled with the dark and humid environment, the eyes of the slaves confined here were dull and lifeless, devoid of any hope.
This was actually a slave transport ship!
Moreover, the iron collars on these slaves' necks were attached to iron tags, clearly stating the price of each slave.
"Madam Yu Hua, is this the business you conduct?"
Mu Qingqing's gaze swept coldly over the chained slaves, her face darkening.
"You're about to die, and you still dare to yell at me? I think you're tired of living!"
Saying this, Madam Yu Hua signaled to the two guards, who nodded in understanding.
Then, the two guards approached Mu Qingqing. One of them reached out to grab Mu Qingqing's shoulder.
The other directly produced an iron collar and placed it around Mu Qingqing's neck.
This iron collar was thick and engraved with a special rune that could seal a cultivator's spiritual energy or true essence, rendering them immobile.
"No need to struggle. This collar is specifically designed to restrain cultivators. Even a Heavenly Venerate level expert cannot break free."
The guard behind her, holding the iron collar, grinned.
Mu Qingqing, however, turned her head with a calm expression.
"Oh, then hurry up and lock me in a cage."
Seeing Mu Qingqing's indifferent attitude, the two guards were momentarily stunned.
"You're cooperating so well? Aren't you going to struggle a bit? This makes me feel no sense of accomplishment."
One of the guards pouted.
"Stop with the nonsense and hurry up and lock this brat away!"
Madam Yu Hua glared at the guard.
The guard immediately stopped talking and quickly dragged Mu Qingqing towards the depths of the cabin.
Mu Qingqing did not resist, allowing the guard to pull her into the depths of the cabin.
Meanwhile, the other guard slowly approached Madam Yu Hua and asked with concern, "Madam Yu Hua, this person's identity is unknown. Is it not a bit… improper to just capture them and sell them as slaves?"
Madam Yu Hua glanced at the guard, pointed at his nose, and cursed, "Are you deaf? Didn't you hear where that brat said he was from just now? The Eastern Continent! That place with sparse spiritual energy and extremely remote."
"Do you think this brat could have any significant background?"
Upon hearing the words 'Eastern Continent', the guard suddenly realized and nodded, "Madam Yu Hua is wise."
"Alright, you can keep a close eye on this slave. That boy is quite handsome, perhaps he can fetch a high price."
"Heh heh, yes, your subordinate will attend to it immediately."
Madam Yu Hua smiled and left the cabin.
In the depths of the cabin, Mu Qingqing was thrown into a pitch-black iron cage by the two guards.