Chapter 829 - 782: The True Training Sanctuary
Regarding this proposal from the guide party, its authenticity is surely undeniable, since this is a game and there’s no need to consider too many excruciating details. The key question is whether it’s necessary, and if it’s worth the risk. Actually, that’s not even the issue; the most crucial part is that Da Fei can’t fly. Once it involves going deep behind enemy lines, Da Fei definitely can’t move with the army, making this another independent expedition show for Elda.
And Independent Expedition is precisely what Da Fei is most uneasy about. It’s not entirely out of fear of her failing; it’s mainly out of concern she’ll lose troops! How can the BOSS-level Angels I’ve painstakingly trained get carelessly screwed over by the system?
So Da Fei casually replied, "That’s a very good suggestion, but our army still needs more training, and Essinger’s Mount Dragon hasn’t recovered. Let’s wait and see for a couple of days before making a decision."
Essinger added, "There’s another issue. Even the Military Governor Instructor was silently taken out. It won’t be long before the Demon Army will definitely impose martial law. Our army can’t safely cross the river for two to three days. I know a place further ahead in the tributary where there’s a volcanic melt cave where we can hide our ship."
Da Fei’s eyes widened in shock, what the hell! I was just worried about how to handle the next wave, and he immediately resolved my problem. It’s rare to find such talent!
Da Fei exclaimed with delight, "Great, lead the way immediately, and we’ll depart at once!"
Essinger said gravely, "However, the temperature and pressure in that melt cave are extremely high, I’m afraid some of your troops may not be able to withstand it!"
What the hell! I thought this place was already one of the world’s harshest water zones, but it turns out there’s even worse ones!
Da Fei quickly asked, "Will there be any pursuers searching the cave?"
Essinger shook his head: "It’s very unlikely. I don’t think anyone would assume the Heavenly Force knows such a hidden spot. Even if there are pursuers, in such a narrow environment, they probably wouldn’t be your match."
Da Fei rejoiced, "Great, I was just worried that the current environment wasn’t challenging enough for training my troops. Let’s go!"
Essinger nodded, "Then, sir, proceed directly forward."
Da Fei suddenly remembered something and asked, "What was your position in the Demon Army?"
Essinger replied calmly, "Sky Cavalry Instructor, Military Governor’s Assistant."
Da Fei’s jaw almost hit the ground: "You? The instructor who got thrown off by the Military Governor with one hand?"
Essinger grunted, "He is the Military Governor, okay! Getting flipped by the Governor with one hand isn’t shameful!"
Exactly, not shameful, just fatal! But all jokes aside, as an instructor, he survived two rounds of my rocket attacks and ended up one of the last survivors after soaking in lava for a while. This indicates his strength isn’t that bad after all, it’s just the Governor was too strong, creating such a vast contrast that made me underestimate him, right? So, does that mean he’s actually talented?
Wait a minute! Just how strong is the Military Governor? Da Fei quickly shifted his gaze to Elda, who was leisurely drinking at the table without me knowing when she turned back into a barmaid, still spinning the Military Governor pendant on her finger!
Da Fei’s eyelid twitched, indeed, since when does a vice hero have the right to pocket spoils? Although she’s not a vice hero yet, considering our life-and-death friendship, shouldn’t the military service medal be half yours and half mine?
Da Fei rubbed his hands and chuckled, "Well, Miss Elda, thank you for your hard work during the expedition, um, what spoils did the Military Governor have?"
Elda giggled, "You only think of the spoils now? So slow! How is that any of your business, anyway?"
Da Fei cleared his throat, "Come on, we’re comrades-in-arms, aren’t we? Of course, I should show some concern!"
Elda laughed heartily, "Indeed, the Military Governor did drop a nice spoil, though I can’t use it, but you certainly can. Shouldn’t you express a little gratitude?"
Ha, ha! Wow hahaha! As expected from a barmaid mode, I’ve got gratitude all over! Now’s the time to further strengthen our relationship!
Da Fei quickly brought out some decks of cards and the chess set dropped by the Nightmare during the match, chuckling, "I’ve always wanted to find an opportunity to gift these to Miss Elda, hoping you’ll like them!"
"Wow!" Seeing the exquisite chess set laid out on the table by Da Fei, Elda’s eyes lit up, flicked her finger, and the pendant immediately spun and flew into Da Fei’s hand. She couldn’t wait to open the chess box and play, while Da Fei couldn’t wait to check the pendant’s attributes.
——System Prompt: You have obtained an S-grade strategic treasure "Grand Marshal Instructor’s Whip Medal"!
——Grand Marshal Instructor’s Whip Medal: S-grade strategic treasure, accessory, Command Power +300, slightly increases the likelihood of troop or school student upgrade progression, individual basic physical strength -30% for the wearer.
At that moment, Da Fei was stunned on the spot! Increases the likelihood of troop progression? This is special equipment for training elite BOSS units? Although I don’t know how slight this likelihood is, the fact that it comes with a drawback of reducing physical strength by 30% means the likelihood isn’t small! Otherwise, if it were too insignificant, it wouldn’t deserve to be called S-grade equipment.
But why would there be such a drawback? Does it mean teaching is hard work and consumes more physical strength? But it’s alright because, normally, the Ultimate Sea Monster Hunter grants 20% more basic physical strength, survival will continues to grant another 50%, plus the Plague Achievement adding 15%, so I’m beyond awesome, that a mere -30% physical strength isn’t worth mentioning!
Haha! Wow hahaha! I was just stressing over training my troops to no avail, and now I’ve immediately got such an accessory. If with this, I still can’t fully train BOSS units, I’ll eat three pounds of shit!
In his excitement, Da Fei was already itching to test its effects but ultimately held back. Although a -30% physical strength deduction is manageable, Da Fei has been continuously on the river for 4 days, nearly 5 days in just half an hour. The physical strength loss is so fast that he can’t afford any pointless waste now. He must seize the most reliable opportunity to teach.
Undoubtedly, the finishing of the navigator achievement tomorrow will be the most reliable opportunity, I must restrain impatience with patience!
Oh, by the way, my Lucky Hand can significantly enhance the four 1% chance strike effects of the Divine Artifact Necklace, I wonder if it could also enhance this instructor medal? Anyway, I’ll try it when the Lucky Hand cooldown ends tomorrow.
Under Essinger’s guidance, the fleet traveled upstream into a more turbulent tributary of lava amidst thick fog, further slowing down the fleet’s already unskilled rowing speed.
What the hell! Can a ship even navigate such a narrow ditch! And at this moment, Da Fei seemed to recall something he shouldn’t have forgotten — the Combined Divine Artifact bought from the French!
——Heart of the Ocean: Fleet speed increased by 20%, fleet member stamina increased by 20%, and enhanced resistance to storm waves by 20%. (Assembled from Captain’s Sword, Captain’s Hat, and Heart of Dolphin. Must be equipped by the Captain or First Officer to be effective.)
Da Fei immediately swapped out his hat and Divine Artifact Necklace for the set, yet even so, the fleet’s speed didn’t increase much, and the army’s physical strength didn’t rise by 20%, a situation identical to the nerfed Sea Monster Hunter title. But it doesn’t matter; any little boost helps.
Finally, with the concerted effort of the entire Angel Sailor crew, the fleet finally reached a melt cave where torrents of Flame Stream roared and gushed.
Da Fei’s jaw dropped in shock; such a scenario is akin to rowing upstream, never advancing means receding. If the Angel Sailors run out of stamina and can no longer hold, won’t we be swept away like a toilet flushing down waste? Is such a place even suitable for hiding?
Da Fei asked helplessly, "Is this the only melt cave?"
Essinger shook his head, "I don’t know any other melt caves."
Da Fei asked again, "Could there be powerful creatures deep within this melt cave? Like, the Volcano Dragon King, perhaps?"
Essinger shook his head blankly, "I don’t know."
Da Fei sighed, then we have no choice; let’s find a spot to anchor the ship. If worse comes to worst, we’ll have to set rotations. My troops number quite a few. It’s just that the new recruits don’t know how to row. All in all, I must ensure all recruits learn how to row by tomorrow.
Besides, these recruits have interned under the experienced for one or two days, and have fought 4 battles during that period, so their advancement potential should be considerable!
When Da Fei’s fleet entered the melt, the entire melt cave echoed with thunderous roaring waves, and Da Fei’s health and stamina loss rate suddenly skyrocketed!
Upon witnessing the scene before him, Da Fei realized this was truly the ultimate training ground!
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