The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1630 - 827: Turbulent Treasure Hunt (Part 2)

The heavy anchor, laden with mud, was slowly pulled away from the sea floor.

Prepared logs were pushed into the gaps between the hull and the reef, and with the cooperation of tides and manpower, a dull rolling sound was heard.

Boom! A loud noise, water splashes everywhere.

The beached giant, the "Sea Suppression," finally freed itself from the grip of the reef, its bow slowly pointing towards the open sea.

"Full sails! Turn three to port!" The old helmsman was invigorated.

The massive stiff sails billowed in the wind, making a loud "whoosh."

The ship traced a graceful arc on the sea surface, completely escaping this treacherous water zone.

On the deck, the exhausted crew watched the shrinking outline of the reefs behind them, their tense nerves finally relaxing a bit.

"Dammit, we finally got out!"

Sha Lifei plopped down on the deck, grinning and saying, "This ghostly place, it’s creepy!"

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and gazed into the distance, nodding slightly: "The storm has ceased, the sea is calm, it seems that the ’Sea God’ has retreated, and the influence has dissipated. This is a good omen."

Li Yan stood at the ship’s bow, letting the sea breeze tousle his hair, not feeling as joyful as the others.

After all, last night’s Dharma Realm encounter was truly astonishing.

Besides, the storm’s calm might not be a good thing...

......

As he had expected, the calm did not last long.

When the "Sea Suppression" sailed into relatively open and clear waters, the calm sea beneath surged with undercurrents.

"Southeast direction! Sighting of sails! It’s a fleet!"

The lookout atop the tower suddenly widened his eyes, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Everyone rushed to the ship’s side.

Only to see on the southeast horizon, several black dots approached swiftly like greedy sharks smelling blood.

The ships varied in type, including Fast Crab Ships with grim skull banners, Franco-armed merchant ships with red-and-gold lion flags, and a few elongated warboats carved with strange Divine Statues, exuding a South Seas Witchcraft aura.

"Pirates! Red-haired Barbarians! And those South Seas occultists!"

The old helmsman spat, "Dog noses so keen! Just as the storm cleared, they surrounded us!"

"Probably not just keen noses..."

Situ Hua looked serious, watching the ships swiftly change formation on the sea, vaguely forming a siege, "It’s premeditated, they’ve been waiting at the periphery for a chance. Once the storm stopped, they knew we’d appear."

Before his words were finished, "Boom! Boom!" two muffled sounds came from the rear side.

Cannonballs raised two high water columns, just a few dozen yards from the "Sea Suppression."

"Franco Machine Cannon! The Red-haired Barbarians are test-firing!"

The leader of the Royal Tributors shouted sharply, "They’re trying to gauge the distance!"

"Prepare for battle!"

With his command, the deck bustled with activity, "Cannoneers in position! Gunners ready! Everyone, perform your duties!"

The well-trained Royal Guards sprung into action immediately.

The heavy cannon breech was opened, the new firearms’ dark cannon mouth rapidly adjusted its angle towards the biggest threat.

The gunners clattered, loading lead bullets, leaning against the ship’s rail.

"Wu Ba! Keep an eye on those Franco ships!" Li Yan looked at the strongman.

Wu Ba let out a low roar, hoisting the heavy Tiger-Squat Cannon Tube, striding to the port cannon position, firmly setting the cannon on the parapet.

Beside, Sha Lifei had already prepared replacement magazines.

On the other side, Lv San’s hawk Li Dong also took flight, soaring into the sky for reconnaissance.

"Daoist, prepare the talisman, to guard against the enemy’s Evil Skill attack."

"Sister Long, those Southern Ocean Evil Path also excel in Gu, keep an eye."

"Mr. Situ, help protect the cannoneers..."

The commands were concise and clear, everyone responded thunderously.

Having survived the shipwreck graveyard test, the team now showed strong cohesion.

The battle erupted in fierce exchanges without warning.

The first to make a move was a large Red-haired Barbarian armed merchant ship with three-masted sails, boasting its larger hull and stronger firepower, launching a salvo first. Iron balls whizzed down, raising several water columns, one grazing the "Sea Suppression’s" stern, scattering wood shavings, leaving a deep dent.

"Fire! Sink it for me!" Sha Lifei roared angrily.

Boom! Boom! Boom——!

The "Sea Suppression" starboard’s three Franco Machine Cannons abruptly spouted fiery tongues.

New gunpowder granted unprecedented initial speed and power to the bullets, far exceeding the Red-haired Barbarians’ old cannons.

Three streaks of fire tore the air, accurately hitting the target!

Rumble!

The violent explosion was deafening!

Two of the cannonballs directly smashed through the side of the Red-haired Ship.

Wood chips, debris, and human fragments were blasted apart and scattered.

The third one hit directly at the base of its main mast, the thick mast emitted a tooth-grinding cracking sound, and with a huge sail collapsed with a bang, leaving the deck in a mess.

The Red-haired Ship instantly lost power, the hull tilted, billowing smoke as it spun on the sea surface.

"Good!" Cheers erupted from the deck.

However, this was only the beginning.

A pirate Fast Crab Ship took advantage of the smoke and chaos, using its nimble agility to swiftly approach, attempting a boarding battle.

The ronin on board waved their Wodao, letting out beast-like howls.

"Courting death!" Situ Hua snorted coldly, leaping down with his curved blade in hand.

Even though he lost to Li Yan, it didn’t mean he was incompetent.

On the contrary, as a Trade Team Guard Leader, his experience and methods were quite rich.

The two curved blades whirled, his figure twisting left and right, quickly stirring up a storm of blood.

On the other side, from two Southern Ocean Evil Path warships, a large cloud of dense black insects suddenly rose up, accompanied by a sharp buzzing sound whistling as they came.

"Petty tricks!"

Long Yan’er shook her head lightly, her jade fingers tapping, the sound of a qin echoing from her sleeve.

It was the Gu King refined using the Ancient Exotic Insect, the "Qin Insect".

The two insect clouds instantly lost control, colliding in the air, the red and black tearing into each other, generating dense popping sounds and a scorched smell.

Subsequently, they even returned to the South Sea Sorcerer’s ship.

Unfortunately, there were also experts on the opposing ship who easily resolved the out-of-control Gu worms.

The "Sea Suppression", with its sturdy hull, powerful new cannons, and the endless Mystical Sect tactics from the masters on board, stabilized its footing during the initial chaos, repeatedly repelling or severely damaging waves of enemies daring to crash directly.

Every roar of the cannon accompanied by the shattering of enemy ships and the pirates’ wails.

Almost like one facing many without falling behind, many pirates instantly felt fear and withdrew.

"Don’t pursue defeated enemies!"

Li Yan glanced around, then shook his head and said, "Something seems wrong, our identity might have been exposed."

The Royal Guard Commander immediately looked grim, "Someone wants to trap the Crown Prince?"

His instincts as Commander led him to think of palace intrigues.

Moreover, the Crown Prince’s position wasn’t that stable.

This journey south attracted much attention from the Capital.

"Not necessarily."

Li Yan shook his head thoughtfully and said, "Could be those fleeing Sea Demon Group."

"No matter which is true, time is running out. Once the storm clears, this sea area will surely attract many forces."

"Let’s leave immediately to avoid being overtaken!"

"Young Hero Li speaks wisely!"

Everyone didn’t hesitate, immediately setting sail, seeking a new course towards the sea area marked on the map.

After they left, only then did the ships lingering and observing from afar slowly approach.

These people, after witnessing the terrifying firepower and defense of the "Sea Suppression", not only didn’t retreat but rather crazily gathered towards this sea area. The flags increased, the ship shadows grew denser.

Swish!

Suddenly, the sea surface churned, and several massive tentacles rose high with splashing water.

Many pirates saw this and immediately felt full of fear.

Then, the small boats of the Sea Demon Group were spat out by a giant squid from its mouth.

Chao Shengwan boarded a few large ships, and after saying something unknown, the entire assembly of pirate fleets started gathering, chasing towards the direction of the "Sea Suppression"...

......

After another hour of sailing, the previously bright sea surface appeared to change once again.

The sky turned gloomy, the fierce wind howled, and the sails were tugged taut.

"Much better than last time."

The Guard Commander looked ahead, his eyes complex.

Li Yan pondered, "Is it really related to those Sea Monks?"

The Guard Commander shook his head and said, "I don’t know, but the weather isn’t the most dangerous thing here..."

Not long after, Li Yan understood what he meant.

The surrounding sea surface suddenly became turbulent, and amidst the huge waves, there were terrifying whirlpools several miles in diameter.

Like several Sea Eyes, madly devouring everything around them...