Chapter 411: Section 199: Contract Fulfillment!
In order to retrieve the corpse from the sea, the Fishman side devised a detailed plan.
This included how to safely transport the corpse back after finding the target.
After several discussions, the higher-ups vetoed the plan to utilize storage equipment.
The advantage of this plan was convenience and speed while maintaining secrecy.
However, there were many drawbacks.
The biggest drawbacks mainly consisted of two points.
First, not all storage equipment could contain the sea corpse.
The sea corpse was Holy Domain Level and if considered as a bunch of Holy Domain Level Alchemy Material, at least Golden Level storage equipment was needed for it to fit.
Second, it was not safe enough.
If the storage equipment was attacked and destroyed, it would lead to a critical change in space, creating a phenomenon of space fragmentation and damaging the stored items.
The sea corpse was just a pile of material and could not withstand the force of space fragmentation.
If a void formed, the sea corpse might be sucked into it and banished to another place. If it was the Main World, it would be slightly better, but being banished to another plane would make it even harder to find.
After lengthy discussions among the Fishman higher-ups, they decided to employ Pearl Bubble.
In their eyes, this was the safest measure!
In terms of deception and disguise, the god they worshipped was exceptionally powerful and reliable.
They had used this approach numerous times, and it was difficult for even a Legendary figure to see through the disguise of Pearl Bubble.
The downside of this plan was the high cost.
The loss of the Divine Artifact, Mermaid’s Fairy Tale, meant that each use of Pearl Bubble would reduce its availability.
Considering the critical importance of this operation, the sect’s higher-ups could only bear the pain and use it.
Neither they, nor the Zi Lin Fishmen, had ever imagined that the power of Pearl Bubble would suddenly disappear!
Although this situation had occurred before.
But in historical records, it appeared in the presence of powerful deities.
Currently, there was no Holy Domain Level enemy, yet the power of Pearl Bubble suddenly failed, catching the Zi Lin Fishmen off-guard and in disbelief.
Once she was exposed, the Golden Shiny reacted immediately.
Boom!
A beam of light burst out, falling from the sky, targeting the Zi Lin Fishman.
The previous wide-range light net bombardment,
This time, the concentrated beam cannon was a solo shot.
That was truly Golden Level power.
Previously, Hun Tong was severely injured after being hit by this attack.
The exposure of the sea corpse made the Golden Shiny unleash its full strength.
The moment she was under bombardment, the Zi Lin Fishman’s mind screamed in alarm, but the deadly breath of death nearly immobilized her!
She wanted to escape, but it was too late!
The speed of the beam was too fast.
Although the Zi Lin Fishman was strong, she was only Silver Level and was completely annihilated in the beam.
The beam continued unabated, hitting the seabed.
The Deep Sea Monster Fish, disguised as a rock, was right below the Zi Lin Fishman, and it too was struck by the beam.
The Alchemy Demon Energy Ship vibrated violently, the shrill alarm sounding continuously, red lights flashing frantically inside the cabin.
Zi Di gritted her teeth and persisted in the control cabin.
She did not start the Deep Sea Monster Fish to evade the attack, which was very wise.
Even if the Deep Sea Monster Fish moved fast, it couldn’t outrun the speed of the light beam.
Even if she tried to dodge, it was undodgeable.
If she revealed her identity actively, the subsequent impact would be too great. If either side suddenly discovered that another Golden Level Demon Energy Ship had been watching all along, they would explode.
At that time, it was highly likely that the Deep Sea Monster Fish would be targeted by everyone.
“Endure for now!”
Zi Di was extremely resilient.
The Deep Sea Monster Fish took the hit hard, still disguised as a rock.
But from an outsider’s view, a small part of this rock had turned to nothing.
The larger part that remained, however, was blackened by the wound, its temperature high, causing the surrounding seawater to churn continuously and produce a large amount of bubbles.
This was the ingenious use of Deception and Disguise Skill.
It wasn’t static.
If it was static, and a normal rock could withstand a Golden Level beam cannon, it would raise suspicions.
Under the Deception and Disguise Magic, the Deep Sea Monster Fish adapted to external changes.
Of course, there were flaws.
The part of the rock that was struck by the beam was completely annihilated.
But in fact, this part of the ship’s structure still existed.
So, if a lifeform touched this “blank” part, it would be obstructed and halted.
Of course, touch was also a kind of external sensory ability of a lifeform.
This too would be affected by the Deception and Disguise Skill.
A lifeform would not be able to spot this flaw.
But if it was investigated with an Alchemy Puppet, that wouldn’t work.
“Was that a Silver Level Fishman Mage?”
“Her disguise magic suddenly failed, drawing the bombardment from the cannon deck.”
“And who is this Fishman corpse? Actually Holy Domain Level!”
Zi Di was filled with doubt.
The beam soon dissipated, leaving a deep pit on the seabed.
The sea corpse slowly sank, much like those treasures beforehand, gradually settling at the bottom of the pit.
The edge of the deep pit was where the Deep Sea Monster Fish was.
Without the power of Pearl Bubble for disguise, the various scouting abilities of the Deep Sea Monster Fish immediately came into effect.
Zi Di thereby discovered the extraordinary aspects of this corpse.
“Why would a Fishman Mage, who had never shown up on the frontlines, be dragging a Holy Domain Level corpse and fleeing secretly?”
Zi Di could not confirm who the recently deceased Zi Lin Fishman was.
The latter had not disclosed a trace of Life Breath.
After the Pearl Bubble was absorbed by the Divine Artifact, before she could cast a Spell, she was annihilated by the beam cannon.
“Could it be that the true goal of the Fishmen is the corpse of this Holy Domain Level Fishman?”
“Who exactly was he?”
“Even in death, could he compel these Fishmen to sacrifice themselves like this?”
Zi Di grew suspicious.
At the same time, her heart stirred.
No matter the identity of the Fishman in life, his value was immensely high.
At worst, he could be viewed as a mass of Holy Domain Level Alchemy Material!
“Or perhaps it was because of its high value that it attracted the bombardments from the Ning Guang main gun tower.”
“The scene just now confirms my previous suspicions.”
“This flying demon energy ship first identifies friend from foe, and then targets individuals based on their value with the beam cannon.”
“Such style… is it befitting of Hun Tong’s flagship?”
Zi Di looked at the corpse in the Magic Image, itching to act, yet she resisted.
She had already figured out the firing patterns of the Golden Shiny, knowing that if she rashly seized the Fishman Holy Corpse, she would undoubtedly attract the bombardment of the light cannon.
The Zi Lin Fishman was an exemplary precedent.
“Wait for an opportunity.”
“There should be a chance.”
Zi Di cast more expectant glances at the Fishman Clan Leader, the Naga Priest, and others.
The Naga Priest’s face was ashen.
She was in charge of this operation plan, the highest authority.
The matter regarding the Green Coral Fishman Tribe reclaiming their homeland was not her main concern.
Both parties were merely in a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship.
The Naga Priest had only one goal.
And that was—to bring back the Sea Plane corpse as intact as possible!
Now, the Zi Lin Fishman had fallen, and the identity of the Sea Plane corpse had been revealed.
The operation was just one step away from success!
But she was obstructed by a combined effort from Hun Tong’s doppelgänger and Yan Ding, unable to break through.
“No, even if I managed to break through, I would still face the bombardment from the Golden Level demon energy ship!”
“It was time.”
The Naga Priest sighed deeply, showing a look of helplessness and determination.
Hun Tong had his trump card, and she certainly had hers.
This trump card was the Devil’s Gold Coins!
The Naga Priest released an illusion to temporarily draw enemy fire while her true body began to pray.
“Oh, Devil Lord, one of the masters of the Abyss, God of Utmost Sincerity, God of Trust.”
“My lord’s ally!”
“The priest of Mei Lan prays to you.”
“Allow your mighty power to descend, enable the contract to be fulfilled, and let integrity shine.”
“Let the insincerity of enemies bend, and elevate the lives that keep their appointments!”
The priest’s prayer, much like that of a Holy Knight, was not always successful.
Because gods could not focus on each of their followers at every moment.
But this time, the Naga Priest was full of confidence.
Because the God of Mei Lan and the God of Trust had long had a covenant, and they had collected a large number of the Devil’s Gold Coins.
These coins originated from the God of Trust.
These were the sacred artifacts of the God of Trust!
After finishing her prayers, the Naga Priest immediately looked towards Yan Ding.
But the result was deeply disappointing to her.
Yan Ding’s onslaught continued unabated, unaffected by any means.
According to the priest’s deduction, Yan Ding was likely the empire’s spy deployed as the leader to the Twin Eyes Island—Shadow.
Originally, when the empire’s spy planted an informer within the Vinegar Tub Pirate Crew,
the spy was discovered, so the Naga Priest reversed the plot, allowing the Vinegar Tub Pirate Crew to send a contingent to the island under the pretense of cooperation, but the real goal was to deliver the Devil’s Gold Coins.
The Devil’s Gold Coins were the sacred artifacts of the utmost sincerity and trust, and represented the most powerful of contracts.
The content of the contract was “to assist the Vinegar Tub Pirate Crew in attacking the Twin Eyes Island.”
Once the contract took effect, the owner of the gold coins would be influenced by divine power, wholeheartedly fulfilling the terms of the contract.
This was a trump card specifically laid by the Naga Priest.
Based on her understanding of the empire’s spy agency, these coins were very likely to end up in the pockets of the local chieftain.
Once the contract took effect, it could turn an enemy into an ally, causing the human race’s warriors to turn their coats on the battlefield!
In such a case, caught off guard, the enemy would likely suffer a great loss. The balance of power would be heavily skewed.
However, Yan Ding was unchanged.
“What’s going on?”
“Did the human race see through my plot and already dispose of those coins?”
“Or perhaps, is Yan Ding not associated with the empire’s spies?”
“Or is it that the Devil Lord did not respond to my prayers?”
The Naga Priest’s lips went dry as she continued to speculate.
According to her plan, once the contract took effect, Yan Ding would not only allow passage but also assist in her defense.
In doing so, her chance to bring back the Sea Plane corpse would be significantly increased.
But that was not the case.
Yan Ding remained unaffected.
The Naga Priest was filled with intense bitterness, “What should I do now?”
While the Naga Priest’s guesses about Yan Ding’s identity were partly correct, the latter was indeed a member of the empire’s spy agency.
However, the Devil’s Gold Coins had not ended up in the hands of the empire’s spies.
Originally, when the liaison confirmed with the Shadow, the latter only agreed out of embarrassment, feigning that the gold coins had been secured.
In reality, all those coins had fallen into the hands of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Group.