Section 89: Flying Battleship!
By Gu Zhenren
2013-02-09
“Reporting to the young island master, Huang Xiao returned from sweeping the grave. He didn’t have a long talk with Chu Yun, just told him to come over tomorrow. Then he locked himself in the thatched hut,” a personal guard reported to Tie Ao.
“Hmm…” Tie Ao pondered for a moment. “We’ll go over early tomorrow morning too.”
He had gained quite a lot on the Rainbow Bridge today. But after thinking it over, he felt it was improper to give up on Huang Xiao like this. It would be better to try again tomorrow.
“Doesn’t he want to learn from Zhuge Ming and play the game of ‘three visits to the thatched cottage’? What’s wrong with indulging him? Even if I can’t get him, Chu Yun shouldn’t either!” With that thought, a cold glint of ruthlessness flashed in Tie Ao’s eyes.
After dinner, he seized the time to rest for an hour or two. Then, transforming into a Gold Element Giant, he ascended high into the sky once more, dominating the area.
Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple. Three of the seven-colored Rainbow Bridges had now passed. In the night sky, lay a green Rainbow Bridge. It came from the far reaches of the firmament and landed on Rainbow Island, casting the surrounding sea area in a verdant glow, a truly breathtaking sight.
Rainbow Island was only open for three days each month. During these three days, the Rainbow Bridge underwent seven transformations, finally turning into dense mist. When the mist accumulated to a certain degree, it would firmly envelop the island again, forming a pure land isolated from the chaotic world.
This was why Rainbow Island had always maintained its neutrality. Without communication and exchange, Rainbow Island was an isolated island. The significant benefits it possessed made it difficult for any single force to possess them all.
The three days Rainbow Island was open were the island’s most joyous and bustling festival. Most people stayed awake day and night, desperately searching for their opportunities within the Rainbow Bridge or the mist.
If they encountered one or two rare treasures, their entire lives could change. This zealous treasure-hunting fervor ignited the excitement in everyone’s hearts.
Chu Yun had waited for Huang Xiao during the day. In the evening, he only rested for an hour before driving his Sky Fox to occupy a prime spot on the green Rainbow Bridge, waiting to intercept fortunate encounters and rare treasures that followed.
Of course, with his current discerning eye, most treasures were ordinary. However, if the quantity was large, it would greatly benefit the Shu Family’s power.
Chu Yun already had plans to leave the Archipelago. A hidden treasure from his memories would be opened in a few months. He had to go there in advance to make preparations.
He didn’t want to return and find the Shu Family’s island destroyed. Therefore, every treasure, and Huang Xiao’s recruitment, were a form of security. Furthermore, the greater the power of Shu Family Island, the greater the benefit to him personally.
After the first half of the night passed, the green Rainbow Bridge gradually transformed into a cyan Rainbow Bridge.
“This is a Weapon Forging Handbook?” Chu Yun grabbed a Jade Slip and probed it with his spiritual sense, his eyes lighting up. This handbook recorded the insights and experiences of a Weapon Forging Master, holding great value for Weapon Forging Masters. It was just like the Upper grade Prescription for Ascending Dragon Pill that was previously of significance to Chu Yun, an Alchemist.
“Before I left, Uncle Yu Ya instructed me to pay attention to these Weapon Forging materials. Now that I have this handbook, I believe he’ll be overjoyed when I return,” Chu Yun smiled unconsciously and put away the Jade Slip.
“Look quickly! What is that black shadow?”
“My heavens, I’ve been on Rainbow Island for eight years, and I’ve never seen a treasure this large.”
“What is it? A giant beast?”
At the break of dawn, a massive black shadow flew over the cyan Rainbow Bridge, drawing exclamations of astonishment from the crowd.
In less than a moment, all eyes on the island were drawn to it.
Ordinary treasures were very small. It was hard not to notice a shadow this huge.
Soon, as it drew closer, someone shouted, “Heavens, it’s a warship!”
The black shadow revealed its true form – a magical ship twice as large as a treasure ship. It flew in the air, its hull made of broad cyan jade, its sails colorful, and its figurehead resembling a silver celestial horse with wings spread.
“A celestial horse figurehead?” Someone with extensive knowledge clutched their head and cried out in disbelief, “Heavens! What am I seeing? This is the legendary Flying Battleship from history!”
“A Flying Battleship, a warship that can sail in the sky. Hasn’t its legacy been broken ever since Sky City was lost?”
“Where does the other end of this Rainbow Bridge connect to? Could it have traversed time and space, bringing a Flying Battleship back from the ancient times?”
Everyone was amazed, their eyes wide, staring dumbfoundedly at the Flying Battleship, finding it all utterly inconceivable.
“A Flying Battleship! If we obtain it, we can research the method of refining such ships. If we then form a flying fleet, sweeping across the Archipelago, no, traversing Xingzhou, would be no problem! This warship is mine!”
“Charge! Seize this warship!” “There must be treasures inside the Flying Battleship!” Faced with a great treasure, many were blinded by ambition and desire, forming a human tide and rashly charging towards the Flying Battleship.
Clang clang clang!
The sides of the Flying Battleship’s hull suddenly flipped open, revealing dark maws. A row of cannons, like dragons opening their ferocious mouths, slowly emerged.
Boom boom boom!
The cannons unleashed their power, erupting with formidable firepower. Exploding Pill Flame, Frozen Water Bombs, Azure Sky Pills, and other Dao Methods were all present. Instantly, myriad colors intertwined, various Dao Methods weaving into a dense net of fire, delivering a stern warning to the hot-headed human tide.
Everyone was stunned numb.
Countless corpses, either charred, frozen into ice, or directly torn asunder, became sacrifices in the Flying Battleship’s warning to the world.
“Could this Flying Battleship be piloted?”
“Such fierce firepower. These cannons should be the lost Great Demon Soldier Dragon Roar Cannons!”
“Possessing so many Dragon Roar Cannons, this ship is no ordinary Flying Battleship. It should be a flagship, the captain’s vessel!”
The Dragon Roar Cannons deterred the scene. For a time, discussions filled the crowd, everyone hesitating to advance.
Chu Yun’s pupils widened, and he discerned the Flying Battleship’s true nature: “This ship is not manned, but it has already reached the Spirit Monster level. it has its own sentience and can defend and protect itself!”
A Spirit Monster-class warship!
Chu Yun couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly. Spirit Monster warships were extremely rare. There wasn’t a single one in the entire Archipelago. Even other Island Country powers rarely possessed a fleet of Spirit Monster warships.
Chu Yun’s Eagle Soaring, Sharp Fang, and other ships were only Great Demon class. Yet, they already occupied a top-tier position in the Archipelago, making others envious.
“This is a great treasure. Obtain it! Even if I can’t use it myself, I absolutely cannot let others get it!” This thought surged not only in Chu Yun’s mind but was the shared sentiment of many others.
Attack!
Suddenly, including Chu Yun and Tie Ao, five beings of the Grand General level attacked almost simultaneously. Each activated their Spirit Demons, emanating imposing auras, and cornered the Flying Battleship.
Boom boom boom boom…
The Dragon Roar Cannons unleashed their power once more, countless Dao Methods in myriad colors forming a net of fire. But Grand Generals were Grand Generals. Chu Yun transformed into a Fire Giant, Tie Ao into a Gold Giant, and the other three also displayed their skills, breaking through the net of fire and closing in on the Flying Battleship.
The Flying Battleship also sensed the danger, its colorful sails suddenly glowing. At a crucial moment, it erupted with astonishing speed, escaping the encirclement of the five, leaving them with nothing.
“Such speed!”
“Look, it’s actually turning invisible!”
The Flying Battleship gradually became blurry to the naked eye. Soon, its hull disappeared entirely, only the colorful sails remained, and they too began to fade.
“Go, Phoenix Winged Gold-Tipped Spear!” Tie Ao activated his Dao Method, throwing his golden spear. The spear transformed into a phoenix of golden glaze, spreading its wings and flying high, crashing into the Flying Battleship and forcing it out of its invisible state.
“What is this?” Chu Yun, catching up, exclaimed in surprise, noticing a suspicious transparent mass being knocked away from the Flying Battleship.
This mass was extremely concealed. Only Chu Yun, meticulous as ever, noticed the air rippling like water.
He instinctively channeled his Saber Techniques, releasing saber energy that encircled the mass. This mysterious entity struggled left and right but could not break free. As the saber energy gradually contracted, it froze in the center of the saber energy, trembling.
Chu Yun then used the Lishan Dragon Eye Flower branch to continuously shoot out Ice Soul Divine Light. After considerable effort, he finally froze it.
“What is this thing?” Even with his knowledge, he couldn’t identify the mass. Inside the ice, it looked like a bubble the size of a human head.
“It’s formless and colorless. Could it be that the Flying Battleship’s ability to turn invisible and escape is due to this?” A thought flashed through Chu Yun’s mind, and he looked back at the Flying Battleship.
The battleship was being harried by the four Grand Generals, chasing and firing Dragon Roar Cannons in the air. But no matter the situation, it no longer turned invisible, as if it had lost that ability.
Chu Yun remained impassive, putting away the ice. He rejoined the fray.
This was a melee.
The five Grand Generals restrained each other, simultaneously vying for the Flying Battleship. The six parties formed a delicate balance. Amidst the chaotic battle, Chu Yun seized an opening and boldly dispersed his Fire Element True Body, infiltrating the warship.
Even the interior of the warship was not safe. Passageways and rooms were filled with traps and mechanical contraptions, and hordes of Demonic Beasts guarded them. Not only that, but Chu Yun’s Spirit energy was strongly suppressed, causing his control over his demonic creatures to plummet.
“Ancient Weapon Forging techniques truly have their unique merits!” he sighed inwardly, resisting the relentless attacks and painstakingly entering the captain’s cabin.
“Young man, this is not a place for you!” A middle-aged man stood in the captain’s cabin, clad in ancient armor, his eyes bright and sharp.
“Ship spirit!” Chu Yun exclaimed in shock. Weapon spirits would be born when Demon Soldiers advanced to the Spirit Monster stage. Like the Drunken Snow Saber. This Flying Battleship was also at the Spirit Monster stage, so it naturally had a ship spirit guarding it.
Boom!
The ship spirit attacked, delivering a punch. Within the ship, it possessed an immense home-field advantage. Chu Yun immediately felt a strong sense of danger. He only had time to shield his chest with his Drunken Snow Saber before a torrent of immense force washed over him, his vision flipping rapidly up and down, the wind whistling past his ears.
When he transformed back into a Fire Giant and regained his footing in the air, he realized he had been punched out of the captain’s cabin by the ship spirit.
His arms were numb, his chest felt heavy, and he gazed blankly as the four Grand Generals surrounded the Flying Battleship, the battle gradually moving away. After a long while, he exhaled, thinking to himself, “This ship spirit’s cultivation is definitely close to the Tribulation Demon level. It’s too terrifying. In the ship, it’s practically invincible. With him guarding the hull, how can I possibly subdue this warship?”
