Chapter 611: Realm Sea Graveyard |
"Someone's coming."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Ning Qi shifted his gaze toward the entrance.
"Ah, someone's coming?"
Hearing that, Zhao Zhirou leaned forward in curiosity.
Ning Qi's strength had already broken through, so even inside here he could sense outside conditions.
Zhao Zhirou did not possess that level of perception.
"Hmm, it feels like someone's coming."
Ning Qi reacted and said with a smile.
"Hum."
"Someone really is coming."
After hearing the sound, Zhao Zhirou immediately produced her token.
Once activated, she exerted sudden force.
A wave of light surged out, opening the exit right before them.
"Hah!"
Right after, a gust of wind blew in from outside.
"Rou'er, come out, we're almost there."
Soon Zhao Tianlei's voice came through.
"Okay."
Zhao Zhirou answered and stepped outside.
After she went out, Ning Qi followed.
They quickly returned to the deck, and the environment there had already changed.
Around their fleet, fragments of meteorites were scattered.
In this meteorite region, broken flying vessels could be seen from time to time.
There were also corpses.
They could also sense the presence of Distorted Monsters roaming nearby.
However, those creatures did not approach to attack their vessels.
"There are Distorted Monsters here."
Pill Spirit detected the situation immediately.
"Mm, that's right."
"But they probably won't attack the Demonic Race people. Their demonic energy and demonic flames..."
"Both can suppress these Distorted Monsters, and some of the Demonic Race can even command them."
Ning Qi communicated this to Pill Spirit in his mind.
"Big brother, can we command these Distorted Monsters?"
"If we move later, they could be our scouts."
Zhao Zhirou had noticed as well and asked.
"Yes, why not."
Zhao Tianlei smiled and said in a deep voice, "Our ancestors created them and gave them life, so their bones are meant to be controlled by us."
"But these fools lack intelligence and are missing two Soul fragments, so they can't be controlled as Puppets."
"Still, that's enough. On the Realm Sea Battlefield, with their help and our numbers, we can barely contend with Immortals."
Zhao Zhirou nodded, showing a hint of relief. "I wonder if the sealing power can be activated this time."
"That's uncertain, but it's worth going to check."
"If it can be activated, all the better."
"If not, we'll wait and see."
Zhao Tianlei looked ahead and then issued an order: "Commander, arrange a team to clear a path first. Remember to capture Distorted Monsters to help. Don't let our people die in vain."
"Yes!"
Wang Haoran accepted the order respectfully and left.
After he left, Ning Qi focused his gaze forward.
Changes were appearing ahead of them.
He clearly saw wormholes in the distance, and fierce winds were raging within them.
This place had obviously been through something.
"These might be man-made."
Pill Spirit, observing from his dantian, analyzed the situation with a pair of eyes fixed ahead.
"Let's go check it out. I feel something's off here."
Ning Qi communicated by thought with Pill Spirit.
"Then why not ask them what happened here?"
Pill Spirit suddenly thought of this and asked.
"Hmm, but let's wait a bit longer."
"Questioning now is too hasty. Better to let them explain on their own."
Ning Qi responded briefly, then focused ahead again.
The closer they got, the more rampant the wormholes became.
"Open your vessels' defenses. Everyone be careful!"
Zhao Tianlei waved back, warning the group.
"Yes!"
...
After his command, the people behind responded quickly.
"Hah!"
In no time, the flying vessels and warships all activated their protective shields.
Vessels and ships were enveloped, forming moving light barriers.
Meteorites brushed past, and in an instant they were swallowed by the protective light barriers.
The fierce winds were blocked outside.
"Master, this defense is amazing."
Pill Spirit looked at everything and muttered.
"Mm, it's indeed good, but wormholes will drain them."
Ning Qi nodded and looked forward.
They were approaching the wormholes.
The real test would begin once they touched them.
"Hum!"
"Rumble!"
Before long, their defenses were affected by the wormholes.
The light barriers showed signs of collapse.
But the helmsmen had prepared a response.
The moment they were touched, they increased spirit marrow consumption.
"Hum!"
With another sound, the light barriers condensed again.
When almost about to be swallowed, they reflected the damage back.
The wormholes began to quake under the impact, but showed no sign of collapsing.
Both sides were evenly matched; neither could gain the upper hand.
Their fleet continued steadily forward.
They simply ignored the wormholes.
"Amazing, ordinary people couldn't handle this consumption at all."
Pill Spirit praised.
"Mm, one flying vessel can manage, but a whole fleet's consumption would be intolerable."
Ning Qi nodded and commented.
"Big brother, how much longer?"
This was clearly Zhao Zhirou's first time here. After some flight, she couldn't help but ask.
"Probably about one more shichen."
Zhao Tianlei thought and said.
"That's such a huge drain—two shichen of flying already."
Zhao Zhirou winced at the thought.
After all, these were costs borne by their family.
"But if we get the resources here, it will all be worth it."
Zhao Tianlei smiled, "The resources can more than repay our expenditure."
"I say we might as well go to the Realm Sea Battlefield directly, then we could get resources from those Immortals."
Zhao Zhirou protested, "Why risk coming to such a dangerous place?"
"You don't understand. The resources here are more concentrated and abundant than at the Realm Sea Battlefield."
"If we arm ourselves here, we'll be stronger when we go."
"Sharpening the knife won't delay cutting wood—coming here is the wise move."
Zhao Tianlei looked at his sister and laughed.
"Alright, you're right."
Zhao Zhirou still didn't fully accept it, but she nodded and came to the deck to look around.
"Hah!"
After a gust of wind, a dark silhouette flickered before her eyes.
"What is that?"
Ning Qi, not far away from her, saw the same black shadow.
"That's a Realm Beast."
Zhao Zhirou came over and explained, "These Realm Beasts here are non-aggressive, otherwise our people would have attacked already."
"Is there a difference?"
Ning Qi showed curiosity at her words.
This was his first time encountering a so-called Realm Beast.
"Yes. You can tell the non-aggressive ones apart."
"They don't have long horns; the aggressive ones do."
Zhao Zhirou pointed at the Realm Beast and explained to Ning Qi.
"I see."
Ning Qi continued observing the Realm Beast.
They looked like moving meteorites, only much larger than regular meteorites.
Each one was thousands of zhang large, and he even saw some tens of thousands of zhang away.
Luckily, these were non-aggressive. Otherwise, their fleet would face catastrophe.
"In the Realm Sea, Distorted Monsters are not the worst. If we encounter aggressive Realm Beasts, we have to flee."
"They are colonial creatures. Encountering one usually means a whole tribe is nearby."
"The cost of fighting even one is too high."
Seeing Ning Qi's interest, Zhao Zhirou began to explain seriously.
"Then since there are Realm Beasts here, might there be aggressive ones?"
Ning Qi asked, thinking of that possibility.
"No. Different tribes would fight to the death if they met."
Zhao Zhirou shook her head calmly and confidently.
"Is that so?"
Ning Qi smiled, "It seems different species fight to the death when they meet."
"Yes. The same goes for us, not just the Immortals."
"Even when facing the Blood Demon clan, we might fight to the end."
"But right now, we're cooperating against a common enemy, so there is a truce agreement."
Zhao Zhirou nodded, her eyes flashing a serious expression.
"Be careful, we're almost there."
After a while, Zhao Tianlei warned everyone.
The Demonic Race troops on the warship immediately grew vigilant.
Weapons on the warship were readied; if anything happened, they would strike at once.
"Why are they so on guard?"
Ning Qi couldn't help but ask, watching their readiness.
"There are things here."
"They're remnants protecting the resources here."
"Each area has different mechanisms. The path we passed was cleared after three attempts."
"Further ahead there are more mechanisms and Puppets; we need to break through them."
"My father estimates one or two more clearings and it will be fully opened."
Zhao Zhirou explained to Ning Qi, "If we get in, we'll gain the resources here, especially the various weapons and armor."
"That could strengthen our forces, but if we fail this time, we'll have to wait for the next chance."
"Oh, how long can they hold out?"
Ning Qi asked.
"Simple. It depends on how long the supplies we prepared can sustain us."
"If our resources can't support our shields, we must retreat."
"Otherwise everything will be left here."
Zhao Zhirou pointed toward their ship cabins as she explained.
"I see."
Ning Qi finally understood.
He looked ahead with curiosity.
"Getting here is a good chance to test our strength."
Pill Spirit in his dantian began to smile and said.
"Not bad, a good opportunity."
Ning Qi agreed and added, "A Golden Immortal can contend with Law Force and also has a Dharma Body."
"If I get a chance, I'll test to see how long I can hold out."
"Commander Wang!"
At that moment, Zhao Tianlei called to the distance.
"Present!"
Wang Haoran responded respectfully.
Though not on the same vessel, their strength allowed them to communicate across space.
"Let the warships spread out. We're preparing to act!"
Zhao Tianlei pointed ahead, "Advance in three routes, extinguish the mechanisms and the Puppets!"
"Yes!"
Wang Haoran accepted the order and made arrangements.
"We're ready to depart as well!"
Zhao Tianlei then waved.
He summoned his battle armor.
The black armor flashed with red light, clearly no ordinary piece.
Some commanders and experts behind him also summoned their armors.
For a time, the deck rang with the clanking of armor.
Everyone prepared for battle.
Each face wore a resolute, fearless expression.
"Master, these Demonic Race fighters have been through countless battles."
"Their killing intent is heavy."
Pill Spirit sensed their aura and couldn't help remarking.
"Indeed."
Ning Qi agreed, "These people seem to have been to the Realm Sea Battlefield."
"Otherwise they wouldn't have such momentum."
"Many know they're heading to death yet act fearless—it's admirable."
Pill Spirit echoed.
"We'll see how it goes; we might have to take action too."
Ning Qi refocused his attention on Zhao Tianlei, "Brother Zhao, what are we going to do?"
"Brother Ning, when the commotion starts, we'll break out."
"Push deeper inside to find their stronghold."
Zhao Tianlei pointed forward and said, "Everything here is empowered by the stronghold. Once we find it and seize control, everything will be fine."
"Alright, let's try."
Ning Qi nodded, understanding their objective.
"Master, find out what this stronghold is about when you can."
Pill Spirit hurriedly reminded him.
"Brother Zhao, what is this stronghold?"
Ning Qi nodded and turned to ask again.
"This is actually an old den of a Realm Sea dynasty."
Zhao Tianlei pointed ahead, "They hid countless resources, weapons, and armor here."
"To prevent looting, they built many strongholds."
"Actually, it's all a cover. This place is essentially a dynasty's graveyard."
"A graveyard?"
Ning Qi repeated, echoing the words.