Chapter 458 - 430: Fierce Giant Electric Eel
As the instance mission ended, the entire ship cabin scene began collapsing, then the scene switched, and Da Wei’s team reappeared in waist-deep water on the reef shelf. The gigantic wreck of the Jade Dragon ship transformed into scattered fragments among the rocks, and the instance disappeared as well. Instance missions are usually such one-time scenarios.
Now, the team members could only soak in the water waiting for Da Wei’s results, while excitedly discussing the rewards of this event.
In this event, practically every newcomer had reached above Level 10, ready for job transitions upon return. Each BOSS had dropped three or four decent personal equipments, including one C-level strategic gear. After defeating seven or eight BOSSes, plus the infamous ones blasted at the harbor, basically all newcomers were fully armed.
Compared to the happy lot, Da Wei’s alt was in a mess. Earlier during the instance, the sound of ghostly wails and godly howls had already filled his headphones.
Now, switching over to check, surely enough, it seemed Dragon Slayer had deployed their main Undead squad to respond. However, they too teleported over and couldn’t bring soldiers; thus, they resorted to Phoenix Feather-style harassing Mage tactics, casting a Death Ripple or Great Corrosion Skill and then fleeing, aiming to wear down Bloodrose’s troops.
But Bloodrose was unyielding—tough in style, unafraid of sacrifices, resilient till the end. Their confidence lied in each of them mastering Master-level Light Magic; no matter how many died, they could simply resurrect after the battle. Moreover, their opponents were legendary professional players famed for valuing time—who could outlast whom?
Of course, Da Wei understood, Bloodrose’s real objective was probably to reach the Blood Barbarian Tribe to rendezvous with Ouling; using revenge as an excuse here for a dead-end battle was just a diversion, aiming to weaken the opponent’s morale. Seemingly brainless, but in fact, their profound and meaningful tactics showed these women were not simple.
However, this made Junxiang’s alt suffer, still stuck at level 4 and never leveled up again. Well, it didn’t matter anymore—it was just an alt. Might as well let them fight until the sky darkens.
Finally, as dusk approached, the entire team became agitated: "Da Wei, Da Wei, it’s all on you now!"
Just then, the sound of waves surged, a roaring rumble in the distance.
Everyone was stunned—what was this?
Watching the water level rising, Da Wei suddenly realized: "Crap! It’s high tide!"
"High tide?!" The whole team was astonished: "Oh my god! High tide? Will we drown?"
Isn’t that obvious! Damn it! Why is it high tide tonight! Last time Brother was on Miracle Island, it was low tide. If only I knew, I wouldn’t have finished the instance so early, should’ve just stayed inside—the instant Da Wei felt devastated!
The timing of high tide and low tide runs on a 15-day cycle, making some nights high tide and others low tide. The operation of tidal cycles was also realistically integrated into this game, and mastering these cycles was an essential skill for a proficient Navy General; clearly, Da Wei wasn’t adept enough.
Now, all eyes once again turned towards Brother Fei, with a faint sympathy in their gaze. Sure, their deaths were just that, nothing remarkable. But for Brother Fei, losing these 150 stylish Secret Archers and Storm Druids was a massive loss! Secret Archers weren’t ordinary like Jungle Hunters; they could only be obtained from special mission scenarios!
For Da Wei, losing soldiers was secondary; the key was reputation loss upon their deaths! NPCs weren’t as generous as players; who knew how much reputation would drop? And wasn’t the salvage operation planned to meet with the Fishmen here? If people died, God knows what consequences there might be? Perhaps the entire Fishman Tribe could scatter!
In anxiety, Da Wei asked, "Can you ask Da Wei if they can come back soon?"
Da Bing hurriedly replied, "Brother Fei, they’ve already started their action! They’ll return immediately once finished!"
What if they can’t finish? Damn it! How long can Brother hold on? Water, slow down! Slow down!!!
......
In the Andria Sea, as dusk fell, lights shone brightly from the Octopus, illuminating the surrounding sea area.
Anlicia finished her last blueberry fruit for mana replenishment, clapped her hands, and seriously said, "Kid, after so many practice rounds, you’ve pretty much become skilled; if not now, then you really don’t have what it takes."
Da Wei anxiously responded, "Captain is right, please act quickly, Captain—the tide has risen, and there’s nowhere to land!"
Anlicia cut him off tersely, "Didn’t they say there’s no rush? Is there still time to go back? Anyway, make it successful in one try!"
It was then Da Wei understood her earlier saying about being anxious at night; she knew the tide would rise! Damn, Brother Fei’s Vice Hero was really a pitfall. With no other choice, Da Wei nodded resolutely: "Understood."
"Then begin!"
Demon Light once again enveloped the ship, with light distorting around it, the body of Octopus gradually blurred, then merged with the twisted rays of light, and then, the moment to witness the miracle—a massive octopus, with shimmering light and soaring tentacles appeared!
The Spell was successful! So, this was the unheard-of Transformation Skill! And at this moment, a delightful System Prompt chimed!
— System Prompt: Congratulations! You have successfully mastered the Grandmaster-level Reconnaissance Skill!
In that instant, Da Wei’s eyes widened and he suddenly stood up, roaring loudly in the dorm: "Grandmaster! I’m a Grandmaster! I’ve made it! I’m successful! Roarrr!!!"
The entire dorm erupted in cheers, and the whole team exploded with excitement: "The spell worked, Da Wei is a Grandmaster!"
One Sword Eastward laughed heartily: "Congratulations! Congratulations! Brother Wei has soared to the sky and joined the ranks of the masters."
Yet deep down, One Sword Eastward felt a tad bitter. For him, who had long achieved Master-level Reconnaissance Skill, the struggles to reach Grandmaster and the experience accumulated from his previously deleted account weren’t easy. How did this Da Wei, a blessed fool, become a Grandmaster so easily?
Meanwhile, Da Fei, watching the sea level almost rise to his chest, felt like crying without tears: "Has the Sea Monster taken the bait yet?"
Da Wei then snapped back to reality, suppressing his euphoric emotions and hurriedly said, "No movement yet, I’ll keep watching!"
Damn it! It’s better to rely on oneself! Maybe there’s only one last option!
As Da Fei looked at the scattered wreckage of sunken ships among the rocks, he opened Anlicia’s Sea Soul Staff, which, after absorbing a large number of deceased Fishmen and various troops, had gained over 3000 more Mana points. Stored within the staff were a Mid-level Sea Soul of the Narwhal King and a High-level Sea Soul of the Leviathan. It seemed he had no choice but to use the Narwhal Sea Soul here. I wonder if this shipwreck’s debris could be combined into a new ship? It should be possible, right? Like when entering the Nether Sea in Frostwind Bay, Skira’s Ghost Fleet was indestructible and kept reforming from the wreckage, right? Anyway, I just want to survive, even assembling a small boat would be fine!
While pondering, Da Wei suddenly roared in the channel: "It’s coming! A huge one, with bright lightning!"
The whole team cheered: "We did it!!!"
Da Fei couldn’t help but sigh in relief, no matter what, they had seen it through to the end. As long as it was successful, it wasn’t in vain to prepare to use a precious Sea Soul here to support the Fishmen!
At that moment, like a thunderclap in the sea, the shocking blaze of Thunder Light illuminated the waters around the "Octopus," and it was then that Da Wei and Anlicia could clearly see this aggressive giant beast resembling a Jiaolong!
Anlicia was stunned speechless: "Is this the huge Electric Eel Gulu was talking about? It’s massive, doesn’t it know how to use words properly?"
Da Wei urgently said, "Captain, it’s too strong, we’ll definitely get wiped out!"
Anlicia snapped back and shouted loudly: "Octopus, Emergency Acceleration, full speed ahead to escape!"
—Boom!!! With a huge tremor, splashes flew as the Octopus suddenly raised its bow, its fish-like form collapsing back into a ship shape, and zipped away like a speedboat!
Is this Octopus just a form? Da Wei turned back in shock. The water beast, shimmering with lightning and measuring tens of meters long, was just less than a hundred meters away from the ship, causing him to exclaim in horror: "Too fast, it’s still going to catch us!"
— "Mist Summon!!!""Illusion Army!!!"
Anlicia, working swiftly with both hands, launched her powerful attacks and simultaneously yelled, "Quickly, kill the lights!!!"
"Received!"
The mist instantly enveloped the sea surface, and a brightly lit Illusion Octopus emerged at the same time. Anlicia immediately directed this glowing illusion to deviate from its course, attempting to lead the Sea Monster away. Simultaneously, Da Wei also frantically turned off all the lights on the Octopus.
At this moment, in the murky mist-covered sea, only that brightly lit Illusion Ship was the most dazzling entity in the ocean!
The giant Electric Eel took the bait and immediately chased after the Illusion Ship!
"We did it!" Anlicia laughed heartily and waved her hand, the Illusion Ship suddenly accelerated—since the Illusion Ship was unaffected by water resistance, its speed could not be measured by normal standards.
Yet even so, the giant Electric Eel’s speed was astonishing, still closing the gap with the Illusion Ship quickly, then with a flash of lightning, a thick bolt instantly blasted the Illusion Ship to annihilation!
A Plasma Cannon? At this moment, Anlicia and Da Wei were shocked pale! What on earth was the rank of this Sea Monster? And the Plasma Cannon’s Thunder Light illuminated the dark sea, spotting the real Octopus which was escaping far away. Thus, this dragon-like Electric Eel chased after them with crackling sounds!
Anlicia turned pale with fright! However, thanks to their earlier delay, the Octopus had gradually picked up speed and was not easy to catch. If they continued to escape like this, there was a high chance of evading pursuit.
However, the Octopus, focused solely on escaping and not choosing its path, was getting increasingly farther from Fog Reef Bay, and didn’t dare to risk slowing down by turning, making it impossible to go back for a rescue.
Da Wei had no choice but to report in the channel: "Sorry, Brother Fei, we can’t make it back in time."
At this moment, with water rising to his chest, Da Fei finally let out the rest of the breath stuck in his throat: "As long as you guys are fine, that’s good. Don’t worry about me, I’ll pull off a grand move just for fun."
(Continued support through monthly and recommended tickets is appreciated!)(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to vote for it with monthly and recommendation tickets at qidian.com, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)