The night when the moon is bright and the stars are sparse.
Dragon-man youth, Zi Di and their group left the Ice Sculpture Royal Capital and came to the snow hills in the suburbs, once again entering the Divine Country space.
This is their true base.
During the day, they would temporarily stay at the inn held by the Han Yu family, but they would try not to stay overnight.
At night, they would rush here.
Mei Lan Divine Country is the place that provides the most peace of mind, able to resist external threats to the greatest extent.
Under the current circumstances, the main threat is not assassination attempts from groups like Hua Tang and Yijiu, the possibility of which is not high. What the Dragon-man youth is more concerned about is the Lijian family’s surveillance methods.
Based on his and Zi Di’s speculation, these surveillance methods should be built on the spatial bloodline advantage of the Lijian family.
Therefore, the Divine Country is very necessary.
Any slight fluctuation in the Divine Country space can be instantly detected by the Dragon-man youth.
Returning to the Divine Country to rest, the Dragon-man youth once again examined the Super Dragon Ball in his hand.
This [Super Dragon Ball] is the size of a fist, entirely white, with a cool touch, and is an alchemy tool.
This was actively gifted to him by Long Meng when he was saying goodbye.
Long Meng told him personally: "Long Fu, I was surprised that you accepted my guidance, it’s quite remarkable."
"I will certainly teach you everything I know."
"This combat skill [Dragon Ball] is the most classic combat skill of our Dragon-man clan, very suitable for you, and it’s what I want to give you."
"Especially when paired with the [Super Dragon Ball] tool, it is just perfect."
Saying this, he gifted a magic image documenting the Dragon Ball combat skill, along with the [Super Dragon Ball].
The Dragon-man youth was already familiar with the combat skill [Dragon Ball] — there was a record in the War Merchant’s database.
This combat skill condenses fighting energy, forming beads that fly around oneself. During battle, they are flung at the enemy through spirit manipulation by the fighter.
Long Meng was right, [Dragon Ball] is a quite classic combat skill. There are many classifications and branches derived from it.
Some prefer to condense one giant dragon ball for offense, while others excel at condensing multiple dragon balls to circle around like flying swallows, attacking enemies from a distance and then returning for the fighter’s fighting energy replenishment.
"Long Meng recommended me the [Dragon Ball] combat skill probably noticing my use of the combat skill [Fighting Energy Bullet] in the duel."
"For a Dragon-man, using [Fighting Energy Bullet] is inferior to using [Dragon Ball]."
"The Dragon Ball combat skill was specifically developed for the Dragon-man race, magnified it is a fighting energy bullet, minimized it offers other battle tactics."
Because fighters at the Golden Level can condense fighting energy into a shape independently from their bodies, [Dragon Ball] is a Golden Level combat skill.
In fact, when choosing long-range attack means, the Dragon-man youth had considered it earlier. But due to time constraints, he chose the combat skill [Dragon Claw Strike] to show effects first.
This [Dragon Ball] combat skill, due to its numerous derivatives, requires practice that far exceeds the simple and direct [Dragon Claw Strike], thus listed for later stages by the Dragon-man youth.
As for [Fighting Energy Bullet], it was placed earlier, as one of the key training projects in mid-early stages.
"Honestly for me, [Fighting Energy Bullet] is more suitable than [Dragon Ball]."
The reason is simple, being a Dragon-man is just one of the youth’s life forms; he has as many life forms as he has bloodlines in his Blood Core.
Therefore, for him, the more versatile combat skill [Fighting Energy Bullet] is more suitable. If he heavily practices [Dragon Ball] combat skill, it would only enhance his Dragon-man form. But mastering [Fighting Energy Bullet] would benefit both his Dragon-man form and Fishman form.
"However, if you add the alchemy tool [Super Dragon Ball], the benefits of the [Dragon Ball] combat skill increase tremendously, which is tempting."
The [Super Dragon Ball] can reserve the Dragon-man’s fighting energy, instantly erupting fighting energy after the Dragon-man uses the [Dragon Ball] combat skill, expanding into a larger sphere and making the fighting energy dragon ball fully formed.
There are other advantages too.
For instance, using the [Super Dragon Ball] as the core, the Dragon-man can command more fighting energy dragon balls, greatly enhancing both the sensitivity and control range.
"The alchemy technique brought qualitative enhancement to the [Dragon Ball] combat skill!" The Dragon-man youth was moved.
This kind of pairing was not in the War Merchant’s database, whether it was not recorded or missing is unknown.
According to Long Meng, this is a technology that only became popular in recent years.
This pairing method led the Dragon-man youth to think of Lan Zao’s air bullets and alchemy Bullet Core.
"This seems to have become a trend...developing matching alchemical tools to enhance the power of certain combat skills."
"If it works for combat skills, there’s no reason it shouldn’t work for spells, Divine Arts should also be able to benefit."
The Dragon-man youth set aside his scattered thoughts and again pondered over Long Meng.
"Why is Long Meng doing this?" He was already contemplating this on his way back.
"Is Long Meng after my reputation? After all, mentoring me can indeed elevate his status." This was a new possibility the Dragon-man youth considered upon return.
But he soon dismissed this idea.
Although the Dragon-man youth is currently the hottest star, in terms of reputation, Long Meng is far superior.
If the news of Long Meng mentoring him goes out, it’s more beneficial to the Dragon-man youth rather than Long Meng.
The Dragon-man youth suddenly had a notion, realizing something.
"The time has come." He immediately summoned Cong Mang.
The leader of the Vegetable Basket pirate group knelt with one knee upon seeing the Dragon-man youth, expressing his submission.
Since arriving at the Ice Sculpture Royal Capital, he dared not act presumptuously.
If exposed, he will certainly be captured or killed by the guards of the Ice Sculpture Royal Capital, if not imprisoned.
"Follow me, our pirate group needs support." Dragon-man youth shifted into the Fishman youth before Cong Mang.
He placed his hand on Cong Mang’s shoulder and stepped forward.
Suddenly, intense space fluctuations occurred, then instantly calmed.
Cong Mang was led through space by the Fishman youth, and in the next second, they arrived on the deck of his flagship.
The night wind howled, and the moonlight was clear.
This was already a battlefield at sea.
The Cong Mang Pirate Group was fleeing awkwardly ahead, while behind them was the First Naval Fleet of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.
Of course, it was not the main force, just a small squad.
The leader of the squad was Bei Jia, a Golden Level Snow Elf fighter.
Ever since the Second Fleet of the Lijian family was defeated by the pirate coalition led by Da Han, the First Naval Fleet had been working hard to clean up the various pirates causing trouble along the Ice Sculpture Kingdom’s maritime defense line.
Bei Jia and his fleet were "fortunate" enough to discover the Vegetable Basket Pirate Group.
At least, he thought himself lucky.
According to intelligence, the Vegetable Basket Pirate Group suffered heavy losses while attacking Snowbird Port, and even Cong Mang was severely wounded and taken away by a mysterious Fishman powerhouse. Therefore, Bei Jia immediately sent a report upwards.
Mei Lin approved his military action, so Bei Jia led the fleet, traveling day and night, vowing to capture the Vegetable Basket Pirate Group in one fell swoop.
The Vegetable Basket Pirate Group, upon discovering they were being pursued, immediately chose to accelerate and leave.
But Bei Jia’s naval fleet used means either to condense seawater or to alter ocean currents, causing the pirate ships to slow down one after another.
The Vegetable Basket Pirate Group suffered significant personnel losses, but relatively fewer ships, so there weren’t many pirates on each ship.
Upon facing a crisis, Hong Zhu immediately began to pray.
The Big guy was a fanatic of the Dragon-man youth himself, while Hong Zhu became a devout believer of the Group Fog spirit after the youth’s mass preaching.
Coupled with the Dragon-man youth’s constant attention to them, he quickly became aware of the situation on this line after Hong Zhu’s prayer.
He immediately ordered the pirate group to sail at full speed, regardless of energy consumption. If necessary, they could proactively abandon some ordinary pirate ships to buy time.
Bei Jia approached the Vegetable Basket Pirate Group at dusk, using various means to slow them down, while the pirate group tried various methods to delay time.
The two sides were locked in a battle of wits and courage until close to 2 am at night.
"These damn Snow Elves are relentlessly pursuing!" Cong Mang realized the latest situation and gritted his teeth with anger.
He eagerly looked at the Fishman youth beside him, his desire to fight evident.
The Fishman youth smiled, "It’s time. Counterattack."
"You go charge into battle."
Hearing he could take action, Cong Mang was overjoyed and raised his arms in a cheer, "Guys, charge with me!"
After the defeat at Snowbird Port, the Vegetable Basket Pirate Group retreated shortly afterward and were swiftly taken over by Cong Mang, led by the Fishman youth.
Therefore, the pirates were already mentally prepared for Cong Mang and the Fishman youth beside him.
Pirates admired strength, and since their original leader of the Vegetable Basket Pirate Group had pledged allegiance, the pirates followed suit without hesitation.
"What?" Seeing Cong Mang appear, Bei Jia was shocked, "Cong Mang actually showed up? He’s been hiding within the pirate group?"
Cong Mang’s appearance greatly boosted the pirates’ morale.
He led the Bachelors Team and engaged the Navy in a boarding battle.
The Fishman youth did not show up but worked on the Big guy inside the cabin.
"Dad!" The Big guy kneeled on the deck, calling out in his heart, and his expression was filled with joy.
Although he lived on a pirate ship, his life was quite comfortable.
Da Dou became his personal chef, making every meal delicious and full, happiness akin to the fullness of his belly.
As for fresh ingredients, they were continuously delivered by the Dragon-man youth through the Divine Country Descent Technique.
The Fishman youth checked and confirmed: the Big guy’s bloodline was extraordinary, progressing rapidly, and he was now very close to the Silver Level.
"Relax, let me give you some guidance." The Fishman youth said, beginning to perform Divine Arts.
After consecutively casting three Divine Arts, along with secretly consuming a vast amount of Divine Grace, the Big guy’s aura underwent a qualitative change, officially advancing from Black Iron Level to Silver Level!
Witnessing this, Hong Zhu was extremely excited and envious, while Da Dou also showed a surprised expression.
The Fishman youth, as a [Divine Agent], naturally could elevate a believer’s Extraordinary Level. There were two main restrictions: the recipient must have room for improvement, and they must have faith in Mei Lan or the Fishman youth.
"Go ahead, cause a stir on the Navy’s ships." The Fishman youth gently patted the Big guy’s shoulder, encouraging him.
"Dad, Little Troublemaker, scared!" The Big guy shouted in his heart, then lay down on the deck, directly hugging the Fishman youth’s leg, shivering.
Hong Zhu: ...
Da Dou: ...
The Fishman youth sighed helplessly.
This was a perfect opportunity he had specially prepared for the Big guy, selecting an ideal training ground. But the Big guy’s nature of cowardice remained unchanged.
"It’s okay."
"Let me help you."
"Come, look into my eyes."
Concentrated blue light flowed from the Fishman youth’s eyes, entering the Big guy’s eyes and rapidly permeating through his body.
In the next moment, the Big guy stood up, boldly patting his chest, roaring like a gorilla!