Boom! Boom!
On the rolling black waves, the naval Giant Shark battleship's engines were at full power.
It measured an incredible 300 meters in length, equipped with four huge reciprocating steam engines of B-grade, each fitted with its own group of high-temperature boilers.
At the moment the engines were fully powered, the boilers activated, releasing immense heat, and a vast amount of steam continuously billowed from thousands of pipes under the ship.
On the sea, battleships were truly exceptional, symbols of naval power and dominion, and the undisputed machines of war.
Although the naval Giant Shark had not been updated for thirty years, it remained a formidable battleship, an unassailable presence on the sea.
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Though its powerful attacks rarely hit a Legend, a Legend trying to break through the massive shield of the battleship, without using a special release, usually required immense effort.
For a moment, huge clouds of steam erupted from both sides of the Giant Shark battleship; the sea area it passed through boiled away like furious drum beats of war—
In the distance, Chen Qi's Ghost Ship and the White Tower Hunter's White Tower, in front of this colossus, appeared like a rhinoceros facing two small stray dogs by the roadside.
Without any other maneuvers needed, this massive battleship could easily crush the Ghost Ship and the White Tower just by passing by.
"Mommy!"
On the White Tower, Melanie, inside the ship, looking forward through the window at the massive object ahead, couldn't help but exclaim.
Are their two ships, one a small private Hunter Group vessel and the other a personal small house boat, really going to fight a battleship?
The battleship has really come?
Has the navy recently become so panicked that they have no wars to fight?
Five minutes ago, after Chen Qi and the White Tower Hunters finished discussing, they moved their vessels towards the shore, not even looting any spoils other than the deep blue flame before quickly making their escape.
However, the support speed of the naval battleship still exceeded their expectations!
Melanie looked towards the distant ships.
Behind them was Blue Fire Island, meaning they had no option to retreat, only to run along both sides.
As small ships, their speed was not slow.
And indeed, from what could be seen, the immense Giant Shark battleship was not slower than their White Tower.
Of course, the key was in the Giant Shark battleship's long-range heavy artillery system.
The moment they saw the Giant Shark battleship, it meant they had already entered the firing range of the Giant Shark's guns.
At this moment, Chen Qi, the White Tower Hunters, and the Water Elf, were all gathered in the captain's cabin of the White Tower.
Melanie asked:
"Qi, no, Lamp Keeper sir, should we abandon the ship and flee or try to break out of the encirclement?"
The White Tower Hunters looked towards Chen Qi, waiting for a response.
Chen Qi lifted his head, looking at the Giant Shark battleship above the black waves.
It was indeed a crisis following another.
Battleships were overlord on the seas, machines deployed only for large-scale wars. Now, everyone was utterly exhausted, really
No, to be precise, even if they were at full energy, it would still be very difficult to take on a battleship head-on.
Chen Qi endured the fatigue in his body, pondering the subsequent developments.
Although they hadn't taken any prisoners, the naval battleship, likely because of the prisoners and the deep blue flame, would probably not open fire immediately.
Once the White Tower and the Ghost Ship tried to escape, the naval battleship would surely activate the Annihilation Cannon.
In front of the battleship's immense cannons, the White Tower and the Ghost Ship were nothing but tough targets.
From what could be seen, their only option was to abandon ship and return to the island.
Melanie said urgently:
"The battleship is getting closer, Lamp Keeper sir, we can't hesitate anymore, let's run fast!"
"..."
Chen Qi was caught in a dilemma for a moment.
He wasn't clear on exactly how many Transcendents there were on the battleship.
Abandoning ship only increased the chance of survival, but in the Sea of Calamity, without a ship, their movement would be extremely hindered.
Once they abandoned the ship, they would have to face being adrift at sea and the dangers of being pursued.
Although Chen Qi had many methods of escape, it was still a dangerous gamble.
Once the navy dispatched a Legend with scouting capabilities, they were highly likely to become prisoners of the navy.
At this moment, the group was as restless as ants on a hot pan.
However, the next second, against everyone's expectations.
Boom!
Suddenly, the mighty Giant Shark aimed its cannons directly at the White Tower.
The cannonballs traced perfect arcs in the sky, carrying destructive force, and upon hitting the White Tower's shield, massive columns of water and flames burst forth, as if the sea itself was roaring in anger.
The White Tower was a generic high-rank ship of the White Tower Federation, and its Spiritual Power Shield was exceptionally strong, able to withstand many hits from ordinary cannons.
If only they had a bit more time… Melanie thought.
"Wait, can we switch ships? Wait, the Giant Shark Battleship, the White Tower..." Chen Qi suddenly had a bold idea and asked,
"Melanie, does this ship have a self-destruct system?"
Melanie looked at Chen Qi's expression and had an ominous premonition:
"Self-destruct system?"
The White Tower was a high-ranking military vessel of the White Tower Federation, and its Spiritual Power Shield was a secret of the federation, so the White Tower might have a powerful self-destruct mode.
Self-destruct, what are you thinking... Melanie was particularly shocked.
At that moment, the mechanic Ma Li nodded:
"Mr. Black Hunter, it does."
Chen Qi immediately replied:
"We switch ships, find a driver responsible for operating the self-destruct of the White Tower, and attack the Giant Shark Battleship to create time for us to escape!"
The Giant Shark was an old battleship with a major flaw: when its Defense Barrier was activated, its speed would greatly reduce, and the entire ship's attack system would also enter a state of stagnation.
As long as they could launch an attack, they could buy precious time to escape!
"Launch an attack on the Giant Shark Battleship?"
Everyone blinked, momentarily dumbfounded.
Black Hunter's decisions, are they always this reckless?
However, the group quickly calmed down. Sacrificing a ship in exchange for precious escape time was indeed their best choice.
It would greatly increase their chances of survival.
For the sake of Blue Fire and the hope of survival, what was sacrificing one ship?
Once they escaped, their gains would be unimaginable!
Sometimes, you must let go to gain.
Right, if there's enough time... Chen Qi carefully considered and turned his gaze toward the Bonfire Exploration.
Almost forgot, there was still a valuable piece of meat left on this island—the Space Jump Engine wasn't fully utilized.
Space Jump, a real escape artifact!
Chen Qi commanded:
"The captain here, you're in charge of operating the Ghost Ship; meanwhile, I and the mechanic Ma Li will check if the Space Jump Engine of the Bonfire Exploration can be activated!"
However, faced with Chen Qi's command, everyone froze, clenching their fists tightly.
Chen Qi's plan wasn't bad, but there was a huge problem.
That is, who would be the driver for this operation?
Melanie said tremblingly:
"We need a driver; although there is a protective system in the captain's room at the time of self-destruct, but..."
Everyone exchanged glances, meaning that among them, a White Tower Hunter would have to sacrifice themselves, becoming a prisoner of the navy, subject to severe torture...
There was silence; no one dared to take that step.
The navy's methods were extremely terrifying and for the rest of their lives, they might all become scum licking the dungeon floors.
Her subordinates were all very young, and they still had their whole lives ahead of them... Melanie looked at her crew, realizing that such heroic martyrdom was indeed something that, as their leader, she should undertake.
Moreover, her ability was the highest among them; if captured by the navy, given her fame, they might beat her less...
Now, there was no time to think... Melanie clenched her teeth, stepped forward, and tremblingly raised her hand:
"Black Hunter, promise me, after I go, you must not mistreat my..."
But at that moment, Chen Qi completely ignored her, pushing Melanie's head away.
He had already chosen the candidate... Melanie was stunned.
Chen Qi's gaze moved past Melanie to the others.
At this moment, he was the captain of the team, the one who called the shots.
"It's not going to be me, right?"
A less conspicuous White Tower Hunter was incredibly surprised, looking around only to find no one else.
Chen Qi was staring at him!
His name was Mike, a sports student among the White Tower Hunters, bald and with wheat-colored skin, also the best driver among them.
He had a fiancée waiting for him back home!
Mike broke out in a cold sweat; he hadn't been mentally prepared to be part of this operation, and he gritted his teeth:
"Black Hunter, I, I can't..."
"Move aside!"
Then, Chen Qi pushed Mike's bald head with another smack and then looked under his feet.
This was a being with an extremely high chance of survival, even in a crash!
This operation's Legendary Driver was decided—it would be you!
Water Elf III!