novelraw Chapter 1376 695: If There's a Frame, Hit It; If There's a Cheat, Use It
Chapter 1376 695: If There's a Frame, Hit It; If There's a Cheat, Use It
Suddenly, the roar of artillery erupted!
In the massive explosions heard from afar, shells whistled through the air, raining down like a storm.
When Renut's fleet was under attack, no one could even react to where the enemy came from...
After Minkler reached the predetermined location, the Seven Cities Defense entered full channel silence, cutting off all communication and shutting down all equipment, bobbing up and down on the sea like they were at the mercy of the waves, minimizing the chance of being detected by the enemy.
Even the radar on the opposite ship was operated by friends; it was like a pleasant crouch in the grass.
At this moment, as soon as they received the signal from the season, the massive fleet sprung back to life, as if waking from a long slumber, nimble as a hare.
The equipment that used to malfunction and explode at the slightest provocation suddenly seemed rejuvenated overnight. Systems that interfered with each other now worked hand in hand with seamless cooperation, operating at jaw-dropping speed. Just a gentle nudge would set the entire chain into a smooth flow, so smooth it brought tears to the eyes of sailors accustomed to the past inefficiency.
More astonishingly, there was effective shelling over fifty kilometers, more than fifty thousand yards... Just this fact was surreal enough to trample all conventional naval warfare theories and artillery manuals of the Endless Sea into waste paper.
When the ordinary sailors were still marveling at the accuracy of this barrage, the rangefinders, target searchers, and radar personnel were already going black before their eyes, shocked into rising, hesitating to speak and then wanting to speak but couldn't. Suddenly, there was a strong urge to open the door and see if the absurdity had returned home.
No, your outdated main guns that lag behind the Federation and Empire by more than three generations and the cobbled-together systems could barely hit a target five kilometers away on a calm day, yet at this moment, amidst turbulent waters and increasing winds, you hit the bullseye across fifty kilometers...
Old Deng, holding his teacup, suddenly said, "Grandpa was really strong when he was young."
Strong? Indeed, very strong.
But isn't this strength going a bit overboard?!
Not only were Renut's people dumbfounded, but Minkler was also stunned, expressionless, still not having reacted, and could only follow Ji Jue's instructions, pinching his face into a serious, silent master.
What else could you say?
Despite having nothing to say, I'll fire first as a courtesy!
Amidst the thunderous barrage, as all the ammunition in the warehouse was lavishly expended, the suddenly burgeoning shells in the warehouse were continuously sent up.
The entire United Defense Fleet had long been accustomed to poverty, being pinched on the neck, resources, logistics, and budget, living a life of pinching pennies and sucking thumbs. Where have they ever fought such an affluent battle?
Auto-aim, headshots, unlimited ammo, and immediate kills upon sight.
How can you lose? Tell me, with such ferocious output, how can you lose!
It's all getting better now, huh.
Throughout the fleet, from commanders to sailors, everyone couldn't help but let the corners of their mouths tilt upward... With Minkler becoming the Family Head, hasn't life just gotten better for everyone?
And then, it was Renut's turn for things to go bad.
Because, as the Seven Cities Defense was firing, some dimwit on one of the ships, too used to catching smugglers, habitually pulled out a radio to start broadcasting.
"Ships in front, please stop. We are the Seven Cities Defense. Please stop immediately for inspection..."
For a moment, the broadcast, laden with a thick accent and stumbling, echoed through Renut's Venom Fleet, rendering every panic-stricken face stupefied.
These words sound so familiar... Have we heard them somewhere just now?
No? Who do you say you are?
What the heck, Seven Cities Defense?!
Now, no one could hold it in anymore, filled with impotent fury: What rank are you, and what rank am I? A bunch of junk pieced together from the scraps by each of the Seven Cities, things like dogs, dare to make a move against us?!
It's rebellious, the parasite devours the host!
"Don't worry about whether it's the Seven Cities Defense or not, they don't dare get close!"
Renut, glancing at the projection of the ragtag ships on the water mirror, finally focused on the Prosperity, which had already gone completely berserk after devouring an entire escort ship and sensed the greatest threat at the moment.
"Take care of that damned thing first!"
Enveloped in Blood Flames, he drew his sword and roared: "Raise the curtain, release the Sacrificial Priestess!"
Boom—
Under Renut's orders, a rupturing sound erupted. Inside the Ivory's cabin, an iron crate wrapped in layers of seals shattered, and then, thick mist spread rapidly like a waterfall, engulfing everything, flowing through the reserved gaps on the ship, falling onto the sea like a pale carpet, extending wildly at a jaw-dropping speed...
In an instant, it covered hundreds of kilometers, the white mist rapidly swelling, making everything blur quickly, like a pale curtain draping between heaven and earth, shrouding all in mystery.
And within the rising mist, one eerie silhouette after another emerged then vanished. The soul-devouring Illusions, rising and falling, drew upon the mist, their ethereal, cold presence now showing a thick, bizarre texture, like liquid.
Shells dropped inside, entangled by strands of the tough mist, quickly losing momentum and speed, deviating from their targets, even tumbling.
Even alchemy creations lost much of their power, and hit accuracy and lethality were plummeting.
"Then press forward!"
Minkler didn't hesitate, giving the order: "Inform the fleet, full speed ahead, maintain the artillery barrage!"
In the brief pause, others on the bridge were momentarily stunned, then relayed the order without hesitation, no longer holding back or pondering as factions did in the past.
Interestingly, the previously infinitely optimistic sailors below were now panicking.
"Sacrificial Priestess!"
During the advance, the observer on the deck looked down at the strands of pitch black hair that appeared in the sea, dense and extending like seaweed, and fell into panic.
The curtain and the Sacrificial Priestess?!
No, this isn't a pirate raid!
Opposite us, it's the private army secretly raised by Luo City... the Venom Fleet!!!
No wonder, these two things are really famous, almost like the signature of the Venom Fleet. In Thousand Islands, where horror stories are told to children like fairy tales, in the Seven Cities, they're known by everyone!
The soul-devouring veil and the Sacrificial Priestess that drags all living beings to Hell; there are just too many horror stories related to them. The original fervor and joy quickly plummeted, followed by panic and bewilderment.
Why suddenly confront the Sujano family?
Us? Fight the Venom Fleet?
The situation suddenly reversed, affecting not only the morale between allies and enemies but also the attitude of the upper and lower ranks before departure.
When the soldiers on the ground, initially cheerful and optimistic, fell into panic, the officers and captains, who once looked reluctant like Sima Yi, were caught in a fanatical fervor.
At this point, there's no retreat anymore, might as well gamble, gamble on Minkler to win!
Otherwise, no one in the United Defense Fleet will survive!
Orders from officials and the core of various factions prompted mid-level officers to enforce military commands, pulling out guns to point at soldiers' heads or offering promises and rewards, using all means of coercion and persuasion.
Choose, make a name for yourself or stay anonymous?!
In the past, it took just two beers to shout bold rhetoric; now you have the chance, dare you risk it all?
Want to be a hero with cars, beauties, mansions, and yachts at your command, or spend a lifetime lying on the half-meter-wide plank of a sealed cabin, smelling others' sweat and feces as a small-time cannon fodder?
The faint blood flame silently spreads.
At crucial posts on every ship, the trusted agents placed by Minkler emit nearly imperceptible bloodlight from the watch, flowing and surging.
For money, for fame, for status, for future, or for inner desire, to survive... When living beings walk between danger and temptation, the instinctive desire to fight is ignited silently.
So-called, Legion!
Even every spark and every flame is so insignificant; at this moment, when the atmosphere of fervor and greed spreads, the resolve for struggle and slaughter strengthens, immediately igniting the scorching blood flame from everyone's soul.
Burn away fear, fight to madness!
Panic and hesitation no longer exist. Under this transmission of resolve, almost miraculously, morale is revived!
Full speed assault!
.
"The Inheritance Burnt Offering of the Fungus Group, really useful."
Ji Jue caressed Pan Ying on his knee, the crimson blade's spine glowing with the imprint of the Fungus Group. Even without a fungus as an offering, the Sacrificial Master has graciously bestowed the gift, allowing Ji Jue to overdraw as if swiping a credit card without any offering collected.
Legion doesn't care about all that mess; for the Sacrificial Masters, daring to fight is being brave; winning is being a good child, and there's a grand reward for that.
Moreover, the Fungus Group itself has been Pan Ying's angel investor, continuously investing until now, with its approval long maxed out!
This broad-range blessing, although weak, becomes terrifying with an increasing number of individuals.
The burnt offering began before the war even started. Using the modified Sun Dial Watch as a medium, each wearer of the watch counts as a member of the Fungus Group, feeding their spirit and victory desire like logs to the fire, continuously boosting morale and instilling courage.
Even a ragtag bunch like the Seven Cities Defense, decadent and slackened for so long, are now daring to confront pirates like the Venom Fleet!
At this moment, Ji Jue's interest lies rather in what the other party has released...
The curtain and the Sacrificial Priestess?
No wonder the teacher always tells him staying in Cliff City won't amount to much and advises him to go out for a walk. Just arriving at Thousand Islands has opened his eyes.
"The scent of a Tyrant."
Through Mercury Fog, feeling the changes outside, Ji Jue gradually realizes, "Is this the mutated disorder created by the Spirit Contract through the tower?"
Both are manifestations and incarnations of twisted rules.
The curtain blocks sight, weaving illusions through mist, while the Sacrificial Priestess is simply a living entity made of countless strands of hair, entangling everything... To be fair, neither is troublesome, but they're way too targeted.
This thing that interferes on a large scale outside is entirely crafted as a war weapon for naval combat, maximizing the limitation on enemies.
The curtain interferes with ranged weaponry and firepower, while the Sacrificial Priestess is used to block movement and pull, the longer the delay, the greater the consumption, and finally, settling it in an boarding clash when the enemy's resources are exhausted.
Ensuring own safety to the greatest extent, even... the completeness of spoils.
Truly, painstaking efforts!
Regarding how much madness it requires to make these two things, how many souls and lives are needed as offerings and fuel, that's another matter.