We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 165 Another [Diamond Star]?!

The temple's exterior is undeniably magnificent.

The towering gate was at least twenty or thirty meters high, and the walls were exceptionally smooth, with no gaps between the bricks and stones visible.

High up, bluish-green jade and blue crystals are inlaid, forming an intricate decoration together with various carved patterns.

Just gazing at this grand hall, a profound sense of history washes over you.

"……here it is?"

Xia En couldn't help but ask.

Tracy looked up at the main hall, a look of reminiscence and longing on her small face.

"This place was once the sanctuary of the elves. Many elves would come here to pray to the Mother Goddess, some for newlyweds, and some for their newborn babies."

"But now..."

At this point, the fairy's eyes dimmed slightly.

But soon, Trish cheered up and said to Shane.

"Her Majesty the Queen has entrusted me with the mission of waiting for someone who can melt the ice that forms on the surface of this temple."

"Can you... do this?"

She looked at Xia En, her eyes full of hope.

Over the years, this mission has become a heavy burden, a shackle, from which Tracy cannot escape.

"I think... I probably can't do it."

Xia En said frankly, "However, I can give it a try first."

Based on his observation, the ice outside this elven temple was completely different from the ice in other places.

It exhibits an extremely solid and dense texture, like ice and snow compressed to a volume of hundreds or thousands of times.

That chilling, mysterious power was even continuing to spread outwards.

This is also one of the reasons why the water temperature in this area has dropped again.

Even with Xia En's current [Ember Power], it would take an exceptionally long time to melt this layer of ice.

Moreover, when it comes to things that are uncertain, Shane doesn't like to give people hope first and then despair.

Don't make promises you can't keep, so that even if you fail in the end, you won't disappoint others too much.

Conversely, if it succeeds in the end, Tracy will be pleasantly surprised.

After saying this, Xia En swam to the side of the Elf Temple, reached out, and touched the eternally frozen ice.

His expression changed slightly upon touching the ice.

This is no ordinary ice layer, but a special kind of seal!

Numerous tiny ice crystals are arranged and combined in a special way to form an incredibly solid cage.

At this moment, when the outsider touched the seal, it naturally launched a counterattack.

next moment.

A chill that penetrated to the bone surged into Xia En's body.

The chill was so terrifying that a layer of icy frost quickly appeared on his body, as if to freeze him there as well.

[Ship Soul Power - 3!]

[Ship Soul Power - 2!]

Seeing the ice crystals rapidly spreading from his palms to his entire body, Xia En immediately activated the magic runes on his body, unleashing a surge of scorching secret power to fight against the ice crystals.

However, Xia Enguang was already struggling to keep himself from being frozen, let alone melt the layer of ice.

This is a difference between levels of secret power.

The being who set up this "extreme cold seal" back then, in terms of both strength and control over secret power, far surpassed Xia En at this stage!

Only when Shane travels further along the secret path and enters deeper levels can this seal be broken.

After a brief attempt, Shane quickly let go and swam back to Trish's side.

Seeing this, Tracy sighed and murmured.

"So, you really aren't the one I've been waiting for?"

Just as the fairy was feeling downcast, Xia En spoke up: "Although I cannot break this seal, I know someone who might be able to do it."

"……real?"

Upon hearing this, Tracy's eyes lit up suddenly: "Do you know someone like that?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure if he can melt this layer of ice."

To avoid making Tracy too excited, Shane could only give a vague answer.

In fact, the person he thought of was none other than Yan Yan, who was enveloped in flames.

An inextinguishable flame;
An unmelting ice...

This sounds like the relationship between a key and a lock.

Thinking deeper, was it really just a coincidence that Yan Yan appeared on the Ice and Snow Island, which is not far from the Emerald Holy City?

Is it possible that he himself was a backup plan left behind by the Elf Queen?

However, this is only Xia En's guess and needs further verification.

The next goal has been confirmed.

Shaen did not waste this opportunity to dive, leaving the city below and heading to the Emerald City buried by volcanic ash.

There, countless [Ember Dolls] await their release.

Incidentally, Xia En also did a quick search of the city.

This city truly lives up to its reputation as the birthplace of magic rune technology; the houses are filled with numerous artifacts adorned with magic runes.

Moreover, it touches upon all aspects of life.

Putting aside its practicality, it likely has high research value for some scholars and archaeologists.

……

……

[Submarine mission over!]

Please select your loot!

1. A tattered, magic-inlaid spear

2. Gold-plated textured dinner plate

【3. Ice Silk Pattern Long Stockings】

"……Um?"

Seeing these three options, Xia En was stunned for a moment.

He really just randomly searched a few rooms, how could he have found something like this?
After a brief hesitation, Xia En followed his heart and chose option 3.

It wasn't for any other reason.

I'm just curious what effect magic patterns would have on ice silk stockings.
Soon, a pair of wet, white silk stockings appeared in Shane's hands.

It is covered with fine, lace-like, strange magical patterns.

As the magic pattern was activated, the white stockings visibly became clean and dry, and the faint odor that had previously lingered disappeared.

"So it's a magic rune similar to a cleansing spell?"

Xia En seemed to be deep in thought.

To his shame, he inexplicably recalled the sight of those silk stockings on Joey, and so, as if possessed, he didn't throw them away but instead put them into his spatial ring.

Then, Shane went up to the deck, gathered the crew, and began to speak.

"We need to go back to [Ice Island] first."

"Everyone, cheer up and get ready. What's coming next... might be a tough battle!"

"Since the village chief Ruhr dared to scheme against us, he must pay the price!"

Due to Shane's growing prestige, the crew members had no objections and responded in unison.

"Yes, Captain!"

……

……

at the same time.

On the seemingly tranquil, cold sea.

A huge but dilapidated three-masted sailing ship was hidden behind an iceberg.

This ship is several times larger than the Black Swan, with towering hulls like majestic mountains and masts piercing the clouds.

Facing it is like facing a mountain that is difficult to climb!

However, this once majestic ship now appears dilapidated and far from its former glory.

Its surface is scarred. The hull is covered with cracks of all sizes, and there are horrifying gaps everywhere on the sides where something has directly "eaten" off a piece.

There is also a horrifying "wound" that extends directly from the bow to the stern, almost splitting the entire ship in two.

The tattered mast and sails barely served their purpose, moving forward with the sea breeze.

It's a miracle that this sailboat can still sail at sea!
On the tattered deck, Ruhr, the village chief of the Ice Island village, acted as the captain, methodically directing the villagers' actions.

"Lower the sails a little further, yes, this height!"

"Are the ship's cannons ready?"

"Lookout, report to me immediately if anything happens!"

Beside Ruhr, Gray, still looking somewhat worried, asked.

"Old man, are we really going to take action against that Black Swan?"

"With this wrecked ship?"

Ruhr glanced at him with a vulture-like gaze: "How have I been teaching you all this time?"

"If you're going to do something, either don't do it at all, or do it thoroughly!"

"Now that we've managed to lure that ship to the waters where the Emerald City is located, the plan is already halfway to success."

"Besides, don't underestimate this ship."

Ruhr looked at the mast beside him and said with a sigh.

“This ship has been like this since my grandfather’s generation, looking like it could capsize at any moment, but even today, it can still sail smoothly at sea.”

"The only problem is that it can't make long-distance voyages, otherwise we wouldn't have needed to steal the Black Swan."

A hint of surprise flashed in Gray's eyes.

In fact, this large ship was the village's most prized secret weapon, rarely used, and even he had only seen it a few times.

Ruhr continued.

"According to my grandfather, in a much earlier time, this ship was built to escape the disaster of the Great Flood and was also known as Noah's Ark."

Upon hearing this, Gray's expression showed even greater shock, and he asked.

"Speaking of which, I don't even know the name of this ship?"

"Its name is... [Diamond Star]!"

Just as Ruhr was explaining the origins of the large ship to Gray, the lookout on the mast suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"A ship is approaching from the northeast!"

"coming!"

Upon hearing this, Ruhr immediately looked northeast, a cruel glint flashing in his eyes.

But when he saw the ship on the sea, he was stunned.

There is no other reason.

This doesn't seem to be the Black Swan he saw before!
The ship is significantly larger and has a higher gunwale.

The silver and ice-blue patterns are faintly visible on the surface of the ship, and the starlight shines through them, making it look like a river of stars flowing in the night sky on the black hull!
Moreover, there are strange structures resembling skeletons in some areas of the ship's hull.

For example, the ram at the bow, and the areas on either side of the ship where it meets the deck.

These pale bones didn't look like inlaid decorations, but rather like something growing out of the depths of the ship's hull!

A faint sense of oppressive power emanated from the ship, causing sea creatures to tremble and instinctively move away from it.

Seeing this, the village chief Ruhr's eyelids couldn't help but twitch.

"This is the Black Swan!?"

He simply couldn't understand how the ship had undergone such a complete transformation in just two or three days.

Normally, shouldn't this ship be in ruins after being besieged by the demonic sea beasts of the Emerald City?

At the very least, shouldn't it leave a few scars?
"Old man! That ship..."

Gray quickly noticed the Black Swan at this moment, and couldn't help but swallow hard, asking with difficulty.

"Now how to do?"

To be honest, Ruhr felt a little panicked.

After all, this situation is really too strange. How can a ship grow bigger after just one trip to sea?

He originally intended to use the sea monsters of the Emerald City to weaken the Black Swan's combat power.

But right now, the opponent has not only not weakened, but has become even stronger!

So, should we fight this naval battle or not?
Even the usually shrewd and calculating Ruhr suddenly felt like he was caught in a dilemma.

However, just as the villagers of Ice Island were at a loss, the Black Swan, which was not far away, had already noticed the huge ship.

woo-

With a loud blast of its horn, the Black Swan sped up, cutting through the waves and slicing through the air like a giant beast from the deep sea, hurtling toward Ruhr and his companions.

"It found us!"

"It crashed into us!!!"

The indigenous villagers living on the icy island had never seen such a horrifying sight before. Their faces changed, and they cried out in alarm.

Gray's face also turned pale, and he quickly turned his gaze to his father.

As the village head, Ruhr ultimately displayed a calmness beyond that of ordinary villagers, and shouted loudly.

"quiet!"

"Don't be afraid, the captain may not know that we're planning to ambush them!"

"As long as we don't show hostility, they won't dare to make the first move..."

boom!
A sudden, low blast of artillery fire interrupted Ruhr's words.

A shell traced a graceful arc in mid-air before slamming into the iceberg next to the Diamond Star.

The iceberg suddenly broke apart, with large chunks of ice rolling down the mountainside.

Although the impact did not kill any crew members on board, it triggered another wave of panic.

"Damn it, they never even considered communicating!"

As the Black Swan drew ever closer, Ruhr's face was ashen.

He never expected that the seemingly gentle and handsome captain would be so ruthless and decisive once he started fighting, leaving no room for maneuver.

At this moment, Ruhr felt a pang of regret.

But it's too late to regret it now.

"Damn it, I'll fight you to the death!"

Ruhr roared, "Gunners, fire! Sink that ship!"

Upon hearing the order, the gunners did not hesitate and immediately lit the fuse, beginning the shelling.

The ship's artillery system may look old and outdated, but it is actually incredibly powerful.

The shells they are loaded with even have a certain degree of automatic tracking and calibration capabilities, so that even ordinary villagers can use them.

boom!
Smoke billowed as unidentified shells, propelled by gunpowder, burst forth with tremendous force, hurtling towards the location of the Black Swan.

However, at that moment, the ship, which was not small in size, suddenly shook in full view of everyone.

It traced an "S" shape across the sea, maintaining its speed without diminishing, and dodged several shells falling from mid-air like a ghost.

Ruhr's eyelids twitched as he watched.

Is this the kind of evasive maneuver a ship can make?
Moreover, as it approached the Diamond Star, the Black Swan's momentum in its charge grew increasingly fierce.

It was as if an invisible barrier enveloped it, blocking all impacts.

In the eyes of the villagers, the patterns on the ship's hull gradually became distorted and eerie, causing immense fear to rise in their hearts.

"By the Holy Lord, what exactly is that ship?"

Just as some villagers were becoming increasingly terrified.

Ruhr suddenly let out an angry roar.

"O flame, grant me strength!"

Before he finished speaking, countless fine, broken, pitch-black lines suddenly appeared on his body.

His skin turned bright red, and his body temperature continued to rise.

However, this symptom is different from the situation when he "spontaneously combusted"; it is more like the power deep in his blood being stimulated.

Immediately afterwards, the old man's body grew taller, and his skin cracked along the lines, bursting into dark red flames.

Sharp horns sprouted from the top of his head, and fangs grew from the corners of his mouth.

It even grew a bright red, skinless tail from behind.

Such an image only evokes the image of a legendary creature—

Balrog!

(End of this chapter)