Great Fox Manor overlooked the ships below, and surprisingly, all the remaining vessels chose to cease fire at that moment.
Zhi Yin hesitated several times, wanting to say something but holding back. Zhi Kuo pulled her a few times, and she finally decided to give up.
“Let’s go.” Great Fox Manor turned around, leading Zhi Yin and Zhi Kuo into the misty depths of the Great Whirlpool.
As Great Fox Manor's figure vanished from the sea surface, those ships that had not been sent back to shore felt as if they had been granted amnesty. It was clear that Great Fox Manor's actions served as a warning: if they continued to slaughter each other, he would definitely guard the entrance to the Great Whirlpool and not allow anyone to enter.
Although facing numerous factions and some influential families, Great Fox Manor had always been a leader in the Free Federation. He was recognized as the foremost practitioner and was highly regarded by many big shots within the Free Federation. Among the younger generation, Great Fox Manor was undoubtedly seen as a banner bearer. Many knew that those in power were watching these young individuals closely, so they naturally dared not act recklessly.
However, once Great Fox Manor left, the powerful figures waiting on the shore could no longer contain themselves. They soared into the air one after another, light orbs flying from the shore towards the Great Whirlpool at varying speeds.
The ships that had previously been sent back by Great Fox Manor ventured out again, yet his earlier warning did not deter them.
The first to take flight immediately launched an attack mid-air, firing their hot weapons at others nearby. A few powerful figures were caught off guard and fell into the sea after being hit, while others retaliated fiercely.
The chaotic scene erupted just like at the beginning, with aerial skirmishes breaking out. Below, the ships also resumed their attacks, various naval guns once again targeting nearby vessels.
The deafening explosions echoed across the sea surface.
Amidst the chaos, in a grove on the shore, Lu Fei Fan noticed a group of people who had yet to move. All of them wore identical masks, and beneath their hats and rain cloaks, each figure appeared bulky with concealed gear. Leading them was a man wearing a golden mask; perched on his shoulder was a white eagle owl with glossy feathers speckled like ink stains. It occasionally turned its head to survey its surroundings.
The Golden Mask Man held a telescope directed at the sea surface and handed it to an elder standing beside him on his right. Although this elder wore a peculiar tiger mask, it revealed his long white hair, indicating his advanced age.
There was also a mysterious figure wearing a patterned mask; judging by her silhouette beneath the rain cloak, she appeared to be a woman. Notably, black butterflies fluttered around her as she moved.
“It seems your plan is quite effective.” The old man, holding a telescope, gazed at the chaos in the distance before passing it to the striking woman beside him. She took the telescope and peered through it, her expression hidden beneath an exquisite patterned mask.
Lu Fei Fan seized the opportunity to move closer. Among the dozens waiting behind, everyone was anticipating orders, while the rumble of thunder echoed in the sky, accompanied by the patter of rain.
She lowered the telescope and returned it to the man in the golden mask, who had a white-spotted feathered eagle perched on his shoulder. The eagle turned its vigilant eyes towards her.
“It’s a pity that if Great Fox Manor doesn’t interfere, there will likely be even fewer people who can enter,” remarked the old man wearing a ferocious animal mask, sounding somewhat regretful.
“Great Fox Manor is no child’s play. The claim that Great Whirlpool Passage limits entry is merely a lie to deceive those brainless fools,” the man scoffed. He then pulled out a piece of dried meat from his pocket and offered it to the eagle owl perched on his shoulder. The owl extended its neck and gently took the meat in its beak before swallowing it whole.
“I find it quite strange,” the woman suddenly spoke through her mask.
“What’s strange?” the old man asked.
“Isn’t he supposed to be the future pillar of your Free Federation? It seems that your faction doesn’t particularly like him,” she said, her voice melodious yet laced with sarcasm.
“Hmph. A pillar?” The old man appeared somewhat indignant. “I’d say it’s more about eliminating dissent.”
“Oh? I recall Wu Lao’s eldest grandson provoking him and unfortunately getting severely injured, ruining his cultivation foundation…” The woman brought up old grievances without any intention of sparing the old man’s feelings.
“You!” The old man’s face darkened, ready to explode with anger.
“Enough from both of you,” interjected the Golden Masked Man, effectively stifling the old man’s outburst.
“Who knows who is responsible for creating such chaos in the Northwest Sea Region, leaving the people in misery? If Free Federation falls, it would indeed be thanks to you two,” the old man huffed, waving his sleeve in frustration.
“If there really is such a thing, you should thank us,” the young woman said with a tone of arrogance. “Overthrowing this decaying Free Federation has always been the cause and belief of us Revolutionaries.”
“Belief? The slogans of Rebels throughout history have always been shouted loudly!” The old man seemed to look down on the woman’s background.
The woman, however, was unfazed and let out a chuckle from behind her Mask. “I see that Wu Lao has some biases against us. You just haven’t considered that if we hadn’t had the support of those in power like you, would we have developed and grown to the scale we have now, spreading to several provinces?”
The old man was momentarily at a loss for words as he recalled the many rumors circulating recently.
“Could it be Yun Shuai…” he murmured.
“Enough,” the Golden Masked Man quickly interrupted him. “Let’s not make wild guesses; be careful not to speak recklessly. Right now, we need to focus on the task at hand.”
The old man obediently closed his mouth.
Lu Fei Fan listened in secret, feeling somewhat astonished. It turned out that even the seemingly peaceful upper echelons of the Free Federation were rife with undercurrents. Just these few simple remarks hinted at an impending storm, as if a great disaster were looming.
The changing dynamics were certainly not something someone like Lu Fei Fan could concern himself with. However, the name Yun Shuai held significant weight in the Free Federation; he was known as the military god of the Free Federation, famously called Mei Hu.
At the same time, there was another illustrious figure who shared his renown, a star shining brightly in the military world—Ying Wu Ou, known as the Federal Wing and Five-Star General!
This man was known for his unconventional strategies in battle, often achieving victory against greater numbers through unexpected tactics. His troops were renowned for their bravery throughout the Free Federation, and in recent years, he had gained considerable fame. It was rumored that the Free Federation was preparing to grant him the title of Marshal, but many from the old guard opposed this decision, causing Congress to hesitate in making a final choice.
These were all bits of news about the Free Federation that Lu Fei Fan had come across unintentionally. After all, information about celebrities was quite accessible in the Free Federation; numerous media outlets on Virtual Network were busy sensationalizing stories to attract attention, especially since the Free Federation was a country with an open media landscape.
“Alright, let’s get ready to enter!” said the Golden Masked Man. He then tied black cloth strips around his arm along with the old man and the woman, clearly indicating that they would easily distinguish friend from foe during the upcoming chaos.
The crowd began to organize their equipment, and the last batch of people took off into the sky. Lu Fei Fan moved quickly, catching up with the final group of departing personnel. The leader in charge counted the numbers and turned around, only to realize that one person was missing from his team. He immediately glanced toward the forest.
"Where's Ninety-Seven?" the captain asked.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the trees, adjusting a hat and wearing a mask, sprinting toward them.
"What were you doing?" the captain, whose mask was black, demanded sternly.
"I had to go! Sorry!" Ninety-Seven apologized repeatedly.
"What’s going on back there? Hurry up and catch up!" The person in charge of the front group noticed that the last team was lagging behind and urged them impatiently.
The captain, who had intended to scold him further, held back his words and waved at the returning member.
"We're leaving!"
As Ninety-Seven rejoined the team, the others merely glanced at him without questioning his absence too much.
Beneath the mask, sharp eyes scanned the group; this person was none other than Lu Fei Fan.
As the team ascended into the air, Lu Fei Fan noticed that some members were using military-grade Pulse Breathing Technique. Naturally, he employed it as well. However, his Pulse Energy shield appeared somewhat weaker than those of others, making it rather inconspicuous.
In an instant, the large group of dozens soared into the sky, drawing considerable attention.
Meanwhile, fierce battles continued among those chasing after them. Many fell into the sea and perished, while ships on the surface were caught in fierce exchanges, exploding under gunfire and sending thick plumes of smoke rising into the air.
From a distance, it appeared to be a scene of apocalyptic chaos.
On the other side of the sea surface, a slender and delicate vessel, resembling a flat boat, glided gracefully over the tumultuous waves. Its white hull shimmered with an invisible pulse of energy that surrounded and protected it.
The ocean roiled, yet this fragile craft remained unscathed. It was indeed a strange sight, especially as the battlefield in the distance was chaotic and filled with weary combatants, none of whom had the leisure to notice this extraordinary boat glowing with a divine light as it approached.
There were three people on board: two men and one woman.
At the stern, a man skillfully steered the boat with his oars. He was tall and imposing, exuding an aura of cold determination. Beneath a wide rain canopy, he propelled the vessel forward with powerful strokes of his arms.
In this surging sea, he managed to keep the boat steady and balanced—a remarkable feat. However, his skin tone and hair were markedly different from those of the people from the Free Federation; he had yellow hair and fair skin.
Seated at the front of the boat was another man dressed in a black clerical robe, his crimson long hair tied back in a ponytail. He sat calmly with a thick tome spread open on his knees, its pages filled with dense and obscure scripture. Few could understand such ancient writing.
He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his delicate and fair face contrasting oddly with the turbulent sea around him.
“…The insects are immortal, and fire is indestructible. Everywhere there are lakes of fire burning with sulfur; thirst is unquenchable, and one finds no peace day or night. You cannot meet your loved ones; in short, it is a place filled with suffering and punishment, devoid of any hope or redemption.”
After finishing his words, he smiled at the girl sitting in the center of the boat.
The girl appeared to be only twelve or thirteen years old. Her long golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her large eyes sparkled like gemstones—her loli appearance already bore hints of captivating beauty. She wore a simple dress and sat quietly in the middle, cradling a dirty brown teddy bear in one arm while resting her chin on her hand, patiently listening to the story being told by the priest.
“From what you say, that place I’m supposed to go to doesn’t sound so bad after all,” she remarked lightly, her voice as carefree as a bird's song.
The bespectacled man with crimson hair smiled gently and corrected her in an exceptionally polite manner: “Hell is an abyss.”
“Indeed, but I must go,” Loli said calmly, appearing quite mature for her age.
“Though you have walked through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil, for the Holy Lord is with you; His rod and His staff will comfort you,” Pastor Ponytail reassured her.
Holding a teddy bear and resting her chin on her hand, Loli shook her head and said, “I know my Redeemer lives, and He will stand upon the earth at last. When my flesh is destroyed, I will see your Holy Lord beyond this body.”
After a pause, Loli added, “However, we will surely be enemies.”
Pastor Ponytail closed the heavy, ancient-looking book with its worn cover and smiled, “The Lord will not forsake anyone.”
“But you have already begun to give up on them,” Loli raised an eyebrow, implying the distant battlefield.
Over there, in the group of dozens where Lu Fei Fan was located, more people had fallen into the sea after charging into battle.
Pastor Ponytail stood up and turned to gaze at the hellish scene of slaughter in the distance, sighing, “The devil has come to earth, tempting people to turn against God, leading them to disregard His words. Under this holy light, countless demons roam…”
Comment 0 Comment Count