บท 283: Chapter 253: Sea Fortress: Hao Hai Sky Boat
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Since Tang San revealed the benefits of whale glue, many factions have dedicated part of their resources to exploring the ocean in hopes of discovering new marine resources.
The Star Crown Sect was no exception.
"Exploring a new continent across the sea?" The Star Crown Sect Leader frowned deeply. After much contemplation, he sighed, "But the ocean is unknown. We can't take that risk."
"If we reach the world's end and fall off, we'll be shattered into pieces!"
Xu Xing reassured him, "Grandfather, please don't worry. We won't fall off because the world is round."
"Why do you say that?"
"Um... the sun is round, the moon is round, and the stars are round. So, our world must be round too." Xu Xing, unsure how to explain it, offered the simplest and most speculative reasoning.
Clearly, this didn't convince the Star Crown Sect Leader, who thought Xu Xing's injury might have affected his brain.
However, Xu Xing eventually persuaded the sect leader, not because he believed the world was round, but because Xu Xing made a valid point: "Better to be a head among chickens than a tail among phoenixes."
Moreover, abandoning the Star Luo Empire would undoubtedly lead to criticism and gossip for centuries. For prominent families and sects, reputation is crucial.
The sect leader then took Xu Xing to the Star Crown Sect's treasury, where they reached the deepest part. There, on a round stone platform, stood a model resembling an aircraft carrier, entirely black with countless intricate patterns.
"What is this?"
"Three hundred years ago, our clan had a titled Douluo. Following the Spirit Hall's call, he explored the core of the infinite desert. In the end, this titled Douluo left us this soul tool."
The sect leader's face was full of emotion, as if marveling at his ancestor's greatness. "This soul tool is called 'Hao Hai Sky Boat.' When infused with soul power, it can travel freely across the ocean and is equipped with numerous attack weapons. It's said that even a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast would flee from it."
"Incredible!" Xu Xing was elated. With this Hao Hai Sky Boat, the Star Crown Sect could dominate the ocean!
"But unfortunately, in the past three hundred years, no one has figured out how to use its weapons, and activating them requires massive amounts of soul power." The sect leader sighed, "Moreover, it only works in the ocean. Since our sect is inland, most of the time, it's just a valuable collector's item."
"Who would have thought it would finally have a use."
"When infused with soul power, this Hao Hai Sky Boat can expand to nearly three hundred meters long, over a hundred meters wide, and seventy meters high. It could be considered a small floating city."
Xu Xing's eyes widened in amazement. "So, as long as we have enough supplies, we can explore the ocean?"
"In theory, yes. But how many have the courage to explore the ocean?" The sect leader's eyes were deep with thought. "I wonder if my decision is right..."
When news spread that the Star Crown Sect planned to move to a coastal city near the Star Luo Empire, the entire empire was abuzz. Other families speculated about the sect's motives and watched for the reactions of the Dai and Zhu families.
Dai Legao indeed led a group to visit the Star Crown Sect, advising them not to let internal empire rumors cloud their judgment.
The sect leader had already prepared an explanation: they were capturing whale soul beasts to explore marine resources and bolster the Star Luo Empire's wealth.
Thus, the entire Star Crown Sect relocated to the coastal city. Xu Xing, along with some sect disciples, hired sailors, and servants, secretly boarded the Hao Hai Sky Boat and set off for the sea.
The Star Crown Sect believed their move was highly secretive, concealing it from the entire Star Luo Empire. They publicly claimed that Xu Xing and some elite disciples were sent to train across the continent.
But one person discovered their plan.
When the Star Crown Sect decided to relocate, Zhu Zhuqing became suspicious, seeing them as a potential destabilizing factor that could complicate her future efforts to claim the Star Luo throne. Her vigilance paid off when she discovered that the Star Crown Sect possessed a massive soul-guided ship, akin to a sea fortress, equipped with formidable soul-guided weapons.
She soon realized the Star Crown Sect's true intention: officially, they claimed to be exploring the ocean for the Star Luo Empire, but in reality, they were searching for overseas islands to establish their own power base, possibly even to form a kingdom and eventually challenge the Star Luo Empire.
After observing the sect's actions, Zhu Zhuqing felt her suspicions were almost certainly correct. However, she hesitated about whether to inform Dai Weisi, Zhu Zhuyun, or Dai Legao. After all, the older generations of the Dai and Zhu families were her future adversaries, given their perpetuation of the ruthless competition between the two clans' successors.
Why should she oppose this brutal competition? Was it to prevent future generations from suffering as she did? Or was it simply to show that she could live for herself with vigor and independence?
Zhu Zhuqing believed it was a bit of both. Thus, she chose not to inform anyone in the Star Luo Empire about her discovery.
Meanwhile, in Tian Dou City, Tang San learned about the situation through a major event reported in the "Spirit Hall Gazette." He guessed that Xu Xing was planning to sail out to sea but didn't give it much thought.
Even with a super-large warship, success depended on having the right navigational expertise and sufficient preparation. Attempting a global voyage without these would rely heavily on luck. Even if Xu Xing was lucky, he lacked the necessary maritime knowledge, and in this era, few possessed such knowledge, especially in the warrior culture of the Star Luo Empire, where relevant talent was scarce.
"Brother Tang, what do you think about the Star Crown Sect moving to a coastal city?" Xue Qinghe visited Tang San once again.
"Naturally, I look at it with my eyes," Tang San replied casually.
"Ha~ Brother Tang, you're quite humorous." Xue Qinghe smiled gracefully, exuding charm with his elegant demeanor and enchanting smile.
"By the way, Brother Qinghe, why didn't you bring that blonde maid this time?" With Xue Qinghe visiting frequently, their terms of address had become more familiar. Xue Qinghe called him Brother Tang, and Tang San called him Brother Qinghe.
At least, after Tang San started calling him "Brother Qinghe," Xue Qinghe visited more often, with an ever-brighter smile on his face.
"Xiaoxue went home to visit her family." Xue Qinghe calmly provided an excuse, then joked, "What, Brother Tang, do you fancy her? How about I gift her to you?"
"Sure," Tang San nodded.
"I knew you weren't the type... wait, what did you just say?" Xue Qinghe's smile froze, doubting his ears.
"I said, sure." Tang San repeated, "Although I'm not a lecher, she seems to have a similar soul resonance with my Blue Silver Emperor, just like you, Brother Qinghe. I wouldn't dare ask you to assist with my research, but with your maid, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Xue Qinghe was stunned, a bead of cold sweat forming on his cheek as he thought, "Damn, I forgot about that. Could he have already discovered my secret? Although Tang San is the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall and technically an ally, I don't want to expose myself to him yet."
Seeing Xue Qinghe's nervousness and involuntary swallowing, Tang San found it amusing and decided to push further, saying, "By the way, Brother Qinghe, your collar has always been high, covering your neck."
Why is your collar so high?
It's just a visible sign of masculinity that can't be disguised, you know! She can disguise her face, but she can't disguise her Adam's apple!
"Tang brother, you're joking. It's just that I caught a cold when I was young, so my throat is more susceptible to cold." Xue Qinghe calmly wiped away the sweat from his cheek and gave himself an excuse.
"I see." Tang San felt teasing him was enough; being too direct might be awkward. He pretended to understand and then casually introduced Xue Qinghe to the Lingling Medical Hall in Tian Dou City.
It was a clinic started by Ye Lingling after persuading her family, hiring many civilian soul masters with healing abilities and ordinary physicians skilled in herbal medicine. They researched better treatment methods while providing medical care to everyone who sought it.
Xiao Wu also had her name there, becoming a renowned herbalist in Tian Dou. Some people even broke their limbs just to catch a glimpse of her and seek treatment.
Unfortunately, Xiao Wu only stayed there for about an hour each day and left immediately after. She paid no heed to these fools who didn't care for their own bodies.
"If I have the time, I'll definitely go visit." Xue Qinghe remained composed and then asked, "By the way, Brother Tang, when will you be heading to Shrek Academy?"
"Let me calculate. I've been here for nearly two months now. With Lingxi and Lingmeng managing the affairs at Silver Blue Manor, I can leave without worry." Tang San decided to set off soon. There were various ancient texts and historical materials waiting for him in the Spirit Hall and the library, eager for his attention.
"Then I wish the future Holy Emperor a smooth journey." The thought of Tang San living under the same roof as that woman for a long time made Qian renxue feel uncomfortable. There was only one slightly absurd idea in his mind: the person he wanted to prove himself to had taken away the person he liked... Hmm, why did this thought feel so strange?
"Future Holy Emperor? That's too far ahead. I heard the Spirit Hall has two Holy Maidens."
Inadvertent words, intentional listening.
Two Holy Maidens?
Does Tang San know there's another Holy Maiden in the Spirit Hall?
Right!
During his battle with Bibi Dong, Golden Crocodile Douluo and Grandpa took action. Given Tang San's intelligence, it wouldn't be surprising if he guessed something...
Suddenly got a message saying I have to work tomorrow...
But writing novels full-time is impossible.
I posted a lot of updates before because I had plenty of free time back then.
(End of this chapter)
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