Perspective: Bai Yueguang
Location: 100 kilometers away from the Lost Continent at sea
"Formation ready, free attacks by the wandering cultivators!"
With the command issued, colorful formations and a variety of attacks from all directions on the sea surface headed towards the Aquatic Tribe.
Countless Aquatic Tribe members attempting to climb onto the ships were repeatedly pushed down by the attacks. Meanwhile, the various techniques practiced by the wandering cultivators on board kept streaming into the water, preventing the giant Aquatic Tribe members from getting too close to the ships.
Although I really wanted to jump in and kill them all, I couldn't unleash my full strength in the water. Swing a sword in the water? At most, I could unleash a few slashing attacks into the water, but that was too inefficient. So I had to take on the role of protecting the flagship. If these annoying Aquatic Tribe members dared to approach, I turned them all into sashimi.
Of course, I wouldn't eat them.
But I alone couldn't fully defend a ship. So, I was at the bow, Taishi Xi was at the stern, and Hei Luoli climbed up to the mast, shooting arrows at any Aquatic Tribe member poking their head above the surface.
Of course, the safety of the flagship heavily relied on Taishi Xi's enchantments. Otherwise, just look at the sunken escort ships around, and you'd know the consequences.
Currently, only the flagship and two escort ships were still sailing. The cultivators on board, using formations, enchantments, or spells, had raised the defense around the ships to a high level, enabling us to survive amidst the Aquatic Tribe.
"What's going on? Are the Aquatic Tribe out of their minds today?"
Cui Shao controlled his armor to attack while asking.
"Attacking human harbors is one thing, but now the sheer number is terrifying. I suspect they've already destroyed all other ships passing through!"
"Most likely, right?"
I cut through a shrimp-like Aquatic Tribe member in front of me, then tossed it back into the sea.
"But our speed is decent, right? How much longer until we reach the Lost Continent?"
"Even with our speed, it'll take at least another 6 hours! And... our people are getting exhausted, this enchantment won't hold for much longer."
"I see... Taishi Xi, stop attacking the Aquatic Tribe. Let Hei Luoli handle that side. How long can you fully control the enchantment?"
"Huh?"
Taishi Xi at the stern speared a string of Aquatic Tribe members... yes, a string, impaling them straight through with the spear and throwing the bodies back into the sea before shouting loudly.
"What did you say? It's too noisy here, can't hear clearly."
"I mean, focus on defense."
I had to use the headset to talk to the loudmouth.
"I see... Ah, never thought I'd be the main defense one day."
"No choice, we're all DPS."
I said with a smile.
"Alright then."
Finishing his attack, Taishi Xi stowed his spear and jumped onto the deck, pulling out sigils taken from other cultivators.
"Mystic Art: Heaven and Earth Formation!"
The sigils in Taishi Xi's hands seemed to come to life, hovering in the air, forming a circle around him.
The sigils began to rotate, releasing various strange blue runes that floated out. One by one, they drifted towards the sky.
In no time, these runes in the sky arranged into a string of characters, forming a blue thread that encircled our three ships.
Finally, with a flash, the decks of our three ships displayed the character 'Protection,' enclosed by a layer of a blue light.
Instantly, everything quieted down, only the sound of the Aquatic Tribe members hitting against the enchantment could be heard.
"Phew, saved."
A wandering cultivator nearby collapsed in relief.
"We almost couldn't hold on."
"Don't relax yet; speed up and get out of here."
Taishi Xi instructed those onboard.
"Every time the enchantment receives an attack, it depletes my magic... no, energy reserves. I can use the recovery potion I brought to support the enchantment for 30 minutes. If you guys can't make these Aquatic Tribe give up attacking us within 30 minutes, we'll be in a tough spot."
Hearing this, everyone sprung into action, pushing skills towards the ships. Some even bound their swords with ropes to the bows, using them to control the ship.
The inventors of these spells would probably rise from their graves and smack you if they saw you adapting their spells like this. Well, they'd smack you if they hadn't died already.
I could finally take a breather, my arms were getting tired after all that slashing.
"What's wrong with these Aquatic Tribe? Why are they so aggressive?"
Cui Shao walked over, controlling his armor.
"They likely want to block off the sea area and then occupy the Lost Continent."
I remarked.
That could be one reason, but another is that we destroyed their underwater city; it wouldn't be a surprise if they felt enraged.
But even so, is launching such a full-scale attack against humans going too far? Do they really think humans are easy pickings?
"We better hurry and get moving. If these Aquatic Tribe attract stronger foes, our enchantment won't be able to hold up, and we'll be the ones at a loss."
"Right, makes sense."
Cui Shao nodded.
"Those who are free come with me to the lower decks. There's a manual propulsion device there. Although it's physically demanding, we're short-handed, so you'll have to take over. Bai Yueguang, the deck is your responsibility. Guard it well if the enchantment breaks."
"Got it, piece of cake."
If fighting directly wasn't an option, just summon a clone; it wasn't a problem.
"Okay, let's go."
With that, Cui Shao led a few people towards the cabins.
Hei Luoli and I glanced at each other and shrugged.
Sailing really isn't easy.
-------------------------------------------------------
Time Skip, 50 kilometers from the harbor
"..."
As Cui Shao said, we were now only about 50 kilometers away from the Lost Continent. We had been accelerating all along and finally managed to shake off the bothersome Aquatic Tribe.
Of course, it was a result of everyone accelerating continuously, like crazy dogs. Without everyone's efforts, we wouldn’t have been able to escape.
However...
There were clearly bigger problems ahead.
"What's happening at the Lost Continent?"
Looking into the distance towards the Lost Continent, a large dark shadow seemed to loom in the sky there.
It didn't seem like clouds but rather a dark mass.
"Whatever the case..."
Cui Shao furrowed his brow.
"Since we're here, might as well see what's happening, right?"
"No need to tell me that; that's obvious..."
After all, we were here to return to the Lost Continent.
"Alright then, let's set off and accelerate ahead!"
