Cultivation in the Pirate's World

The coral maze opened into a wider area where they found Shanks' group engaged with what appeared to be rival treasure hunters. The captain's laughter rang out as he casually deflected bullets with his sword, his movements carrying a power that Xiao Yan found intriguingly different from qi.

"Took you long enough!" Shanks called out cheerfully, his blade now coated in a black sheen as he parried another attack. "Find anything interesting?"

"Perhaps," Xiao Yan replied calmly, the spiritual bead in his dantian humming softly with its newly stored herbs. His attention, however, was caught by the invisible force that occasionally rippled through the air around Shanks.

The battle ended quickly – if it could even be called a battle. Most of the treasure hunters collapsed under an invisible pressure that emanated from Shanks, while the few who remained standing quickly decided discretion was the better part of valor.

"SHAHAHAHAHA! They never learn," Shanks grinned, sheathing his sword. "Though I hope we didn't interrupt your gathering."

"Not at all," Xiao Yan responded, genuinely intrigued by what he'd witnessed. "That power you used... it's neither physical nor purely mental."

"Oh?" Shanks raised an eyebrow, pulling out his ever-present bottle of sake. "You noticed that, did you?"

"Haki," Benn explained, lighting a fresh cigarette as he joined them. "What you probably sensed was a combination of types. Armament Haki for the sword, and at the end there, Conqueror's Haki."

Their journey back to the ship was filled with discussion of this power system, with Shanks and Benn explaining the basics of Haki's different forms. Xiao Yan listened with genuine interest, noting how this world had developed its own profound laws of power.

As they set sail from Azure Reef, the conversation continued on deck. Xiaojin perched nearby, its flames flickering with interest as Shanks demonstrated Armament Haki by turning his arm black.

"And Observation Haki," Benn added, "lets you sense intentions and presence. Useful for navigating the unpredictable seas."

A News Coo swooped down, dropping the latest newspaper on deck. Uta, who had been watching the demonstrations with fascination, grabbed it eagerly.

"Look!" she exclaimed. "There's news about a huge battle in the New World! They say one of the pirates used Haki so strong it split the sky!"

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. Within his dantian, the spiritual bead pulsed softly as if responding to his thoughts about this world's different paths to power.

"Your world," he commented, watching as Shanks casually demonstrated another aspect of Haki, "has developed quite remarkable methods for dealing with its challenges."

"Says the man who travels with divine creatures," Benn replied dryly, nodding toward Xiaolong who was creating small lightning displays for Uta's amusement.

A Den Den Mushi on the ship's railing suddenly came alive with its distinctive "Purupurupuru." Another aspect of this world that Xiao Yan found fascinating – snails that could transmit voices across vast distances.

As night fell, their course set for Shimotsuki Village, the conversations about power continued. Shanks explained more about Devil Fruits, while Benn discussed how Haki could overcome their weaknesses.

"Speaking of power," Shanks said, growing slightly more serious, "Shimotsuki Village is known for something special. Their swordsmiths can forge blades that have the potential to become black blades."

"Through Haki use?" Xiao Yan inquired, his interest evident.

"Partly," Benn nodded. "Though the exact process is something of a mystery. Some say it's about the sword's will as much as the user's strength."

The night deepened around them as they discussed various aspects of power and strength in this vast world. The herbs from Azure Reef grew steadily in the spiritual bead's space within Xiao Yan's dantian, but now he wondered about new possibilities. Perhaps this world's profound laws could offer unexpected insights.

"Three days to Shimotsuki Village," Benn announced, checking their course. "Weather permitting."

As if on cue, a massive sea king surfaced in the distance, its silhouette dark against the starlit sky.

"Care for another demonstration?" Shanks grinned, standing up.

Xiao Yan's slight smile suggested he was going to learn quite a bit more about this world's power systems before they reached their destination. Though whether Haki would prove as interesting as the treasures already stored within his dantian remained to be seen.