Pillar of Yita

Fang Hong finally came to his senses; they had indeed made plans in advance for possibly encountering others, but hadn’t expected it to happen this quickly. Whether it was due to the proximity of too many Descendants of Flor and ships from other guilds, or simply their bad luck, he did not know.

”Everyone prepare for combat,” Fang Hong commanded. He also put on his control gloves and walked out of the captain’s room. Hilveld took down her Magic Guided Gun from the wall and followed closely.

Although there had been a reaction on the Wind Detector, indicating it might not necessarily be pursuers, it could be a passing merchant ship or a Sky Sea creature, but under the current circumstances, it’s never wrong to be prepared for the worst.

Fang Hong stepped onto the deck, where Bakins, the Big Catfolk, and Pasha were already waiting for him. The Big Catfolk had finally reverted to his former imposing image, a mass of fiery red mane dancing in the wind, dressed in heavy Magic Guided Armor, with his Great Sword planted on the ground—since Luo Hao joined the team, he no longer played the role of the Defender in the group and switched his weapon to a two-handed Great Sword.

Thanks to Fang Hong’s advancement in craftsman Level, this Great Sword was already a second-generation product. However, it’s foreseeable that there likely won’t be a third generation, as Fang Hong is increasingly specializing in Crystal craftsman Skills, with other areas gradually falling behind.

”Is it someone from the Descendants of Flor?”

”Seems like it,” the Bosun replied, ”it’s a three-masted clipper ship, a rare type for merchant ships, it’s either pirates or a vessel coming to capture us. Unless we are fortunate enough to have encountered people unrelated to our situation.”

The likelihood of encountering unrelated people was small, even if truly unrelated, any ship coming from that direction was likely originating from Orlenze Port. If they were Invokers, they’d likely covet their Points after seeing the community; if native, they’d also be affected by the Kolin-Ishurian Kingdom’s Wanted Order.

”And that ship?”

”It’s sailing into the cloud layers now, should be visible later.”

The Wind Detector on the Seven Seas Traveler was poor in performance; detecting other ships usually meant that they could have already discovered them. There’s little point in fleeing, not to mention their opponent’s vessel had a faster cruising speed, and the distance discovery capability was likely far superior to theirs.

Even hiding within the Cloud Wall like last time would not work, as those pursuing could notify other fleets to come over, thus spreading a net or enclosing outside the Cloud Wall, making it difficult to break through.

At this time Luo Hao also came up from the lower deck with Parker, Xiangzi, and Ai Xiaoxiao.

”But our ship is far smaller than theirs,” Pasha said worriedly.

”Small ships have their own methods,” Bakins replied, ”the key lies in seeing how capable our opponent is. Generally speaking, you Invokers have average skills over the Sky Sea, with only rare exceptions—”

Generally, within the same age bracket, Invokers under thirty years old have personal abilities far exceeding those of natives. But when it comes to seafaring over Sky Sea, even with system assistance, Invokers struggle to surpass seasoned sailors in ship navigation.

Thus, Bakins looking down upon Holy Chosen was not without reason. Furthermore, he was not just any sailor, previously serving as one of Mawei’s deputies, and wouldn’t be here if not for diminished strength due to injury.

In other words, he had experienced more storms than many Invokers had roads traveled.

The Big Catfolk clicked his claws, squinting his silver eyes, saying: ”Today’s wind may carry a distinctive scent, Ade, but no need to worry, victory always belongs to the side favored by Lady Marlan.”

”There you go again, Mr. Reed.”

”This is no joke, little one.”

Fang Hong shook his head.

Only Ai Xiaoxiao curiously pursued the matter, asking what the wind today foretold.

Parker loudly claimed that the Lion Paladins were merely boasting. Luo Hao looked at the distant ship emerging from the clouds, turned back and asked him what the plan was.

The Sky Sea winds gently stirred the clouds; Fang Hong glanced at the cloud wall forming in the north, pondering for a moment before making a decision, ”Let’s steer behind that Cloud Island.”

No matter Lady Marlan’s favor, he decided to fight a battle.

While others viewed them as walking Point rewards, he would let these people know that they must pay a price to claim those Points. Today’s Seven Seas Travel Group was no longer that adventure team with no resistance among the Grand Guild anymore.

They now had the ability to counterattack.

”You’ve decided to teach them a lesson?” Luo Hao asked.

”First, we should assess their capabilities,” Fang Hong remained cautious.

The guilds and groups that made it to Sky Sea, even the weakest, are no rookies.

Everyone understood this might be the Seven Seas Traveler’s, and indeed the Seven Seas Travel Group’s, truly first battle against the Descendants of Flor and the Alliance.

Fang Hong gently placed his hand on the ship’s rail, as if seeing the Morning Dawn Star of yore, the night within the Elf Ruins, the moment he made promises to Miss Sicape.

And now that promise is gradually transforming into reality; some memories linger forever, but some debts are always called due eventually.

The lower air combat deck’s side hatch had already been opened a crack; the silver Clockwork Fairy fluttered out, flying under his gaze towards the distant horizon until it transformed into a thin silver light.