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

Chapter 197 Trial Evaluation Improvement, Elder Augustine
Xia En composed himself and looked around.

The dark and gloomy treasure vault remained empty.

Not only was Augustine nowhere to be seen, but even the assassins who had broken in before them were nowhere to be seen.

Nana found his reaction a little strange and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Xia En looked at her: "Did you hear any strange noises?"

"Strange noise?"

Nana frowned and shook her head, saying, "No."

Xia En was even more puzzled. Was he the only one who could hear the "You've come" he had just heard?

The question is, why is it "You've arrived?"

Was Augustine perhaps waiting for him?
But was the person he was waiting for John, the apostle, or Shane, the trialist?

If it's the former, then it's understandable.

But if it's the latter...

Xia En took a breath, temporarily clearing his mind of distractions, and began searching the treasure vault.

Regardless, he hadn't forgotten his primary objective: to capture the assassin who had broken into the treasure vault.

As for the treasures in the vault, it would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted.

But since they've already heard Augustine's voice, and still dare to touch these treasures, they're truly courting death.

Using the power of blood to sense his surroundings, Xia En quickly pinpointed the direction the assassin had fled and gave chase.

During the chase, both the assassin and Xia En worked together to avoid destroying any obstacles along the way, especially the wooden shelf containing the treasure.

These shelves are clearly protected by some kind of powerful restriction; recklessly destroying them will only result in a backlash.

However, the deeper Shane chased into the treasure vault, the more surprised he became.

The shelves on both sides were filled with a dazzling array of treasures.

There are various rare minerals and crystals, as well as the skeletons of what appear to be giant sea monsters. Some are just souvenirs, while others contain strange and mysterious powers.

Greatswords, longswords, knuckle dusters, armor... there are also many strange and unusual pieces of equipment.

There are even some potion ingredients placed in special containers, such as fluorescent fruits and sapphire blue seaweed.

The secret power within it made Xia En secretly envious.

Even though Xia En had seen a bit of the world, it wasn't until he wandered through this treasure trove that he realized he had been nothing but a penniless pauper before.

Think about it carefully.

In the real world, Xia En was only a third-tier rank. Coming to the Pirate Duchy, a place that should be full of legends, he naturally felt his eyes were opened.

Unfortunately, Shane couldn't take most of the treasures here with him.

"Just treat it as a cutscene!"

Xia En gritted his teeth, comforting himself as he quickened his pace to catch up with the assassin in front of him.

Although the treasure trove of this duchy is vast, it is ultimately bounded.

After turning a corner, the sensed presence suddenly vanished.

Shane frowned slightly.

next moment.

A serrated steel blade tore through the air and slashed down at Xia En's head!

clang!
Xia En raised his blood-red greatsword, positioning it as if he had a premonition, blocking the path of the steel blade.

The two weapons clashed, producing a metallic clang.

The terrifying force transmitted from the steel knife instantly caused the attacker's expression to change drastically.

Only those who have personally fought against him will understand just how terrifying Shane 3.4's overall stats truly are.

After a brief struggle, the assassin even felt as if he was about to be cut down by the sword.

Before losing his balance, the assassin gritted his teeth and poured all his secret power into the serrated steel blade.

Nana, who was behind, suddenly changed her expression and couldn't help but exclaim, "Watch out!"

Followed by.

With a "crack," the serrated steel knife shattered into countless tiny blades, which swept towards Xia En like a sudden storm.

At the same time, the assassin retreated rapidly, his eyes fixed intently on the dark figure amidst the storm of blades.

This move was his trump card!
The real cause of death is not the damage caused by the blade itself.

Instead, after inflicting countless wounds, he can use his [Bleeding Technique] to drain the enemy's blood in just a few seconds.

Facing an ordinary enemy, the assassin would feel confident, but against this [Shadowless], he unusually lacked confidence.

Rumors within the Federation say that this "Shadowless" is immortal!
This is also why the assassins fled immediately upon meeting them.

Soon, the storm created by the blades subsided.

The dark, eerie figure remained standing in the same spot.

The assassin could see that his black robe had many new wounds.

But before the assassin could even show a look of joy, he suddenly realized that not a single drop of blood had flowed from those wounds!
The assassin was stunned and murmured, "What... are you?"

Xia En didn't speak, but silently approached the person.

His wounds appeared numerous, but they were actually not serious at all.

The scattered blades were less powerful than the previous desert storm; many blade fragments couldn't even break through his defenses.

As for the so-called "bleeding spell," it's like casting a spell on a blind man—completely useless.

Converted into ship soul power, it only reduces by 8 points.

As Xia En approached, he observed the assassin's appearance.

Although the other person was wearing a mask, he recognized them at a glance.

The Fifth Apostle, Ansel!

In fact, when they encountered each other in the sea, Xia En had already guessed what was going on.

After all, among the apostles, there was only one person who was skilled in naval warfare and was also a member of the sea race.

As for the fact that he was a trial participant, Xia En had already anticipated it.

The only thing that puzzled Shane was the way Ansel looked at him; it seemed familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

Seeing that his last resort had been countered, Ansel stood up, removed his mask, and open his hands, speaking frankly.

"I'm not fighting anymore, I give up."

"I'm so unlucky to have run into a monster like you."

Upon hearing this, Shane raised his blood-red greatsword, ready to give Ansel a quick death.

"and many more."

Ansel gave a wry smile and said earnestly, "Could you please not kill me?"

“Participating in a promotion ceremony is really not easy, and I really don’t want to fail at the last minute.”

“My essential mission is also to protect Augustine from death. On this point, our interests are aligned. I can even help you improve your trial evaluation.”

Ansel raised his hand confidently: "If you don't believe me, I can swear to the [Secret Sea]."

"Moreover, once the promotion ceremony is over, consider it a favor I owe you."

Nana frowned but didn't say anything.

John basically subdued Ansel alone, and how to deal with him is also his business.

At that moment, Xia En suddenly remembered where that sense of familiarity came from and said...

"Are you the captain of the [White Dove], 'Bloody Hand' Julian?"

Although his words were in the form of a question, he used an affirmative tone.

In the Thunder Sea, Xia En had a brief encounter with the White Dove. The captain's distant gaze had left a deep impression on him. Now, thinking back, it was perfectly reasonable that the other party was also a Mystic about to break through to the fourth rank, and thus appearing in this advancement ceremony.

Upon hearing this, Ansel, or rather, Julian, was taken aback.

Had he met this "faceless shadow" before?
But why doesn't he have any recollection of it?

Julian's thoughts were in turmoil, but his expression and demeanor suddenly changed. He was no longer the cunning and timid man he once was, but became calm and reserved.

All of Ansel's actions just now were actually his "acting" and disguise.

This calm and composed demeanor is Julian's true nature.

"I never expected that the mighty [Shadow Without a Face] would have actually heard of my name."

Julian raised his head and looked at Shane without fear.

"Since that's the case, why don't you just give me a straight answer?"

"Are you willing to make this deal?"

After thinking for a moment, Xia En said, "Your favor and you are not important to me."

"But without you, it's very important to me."

Before he finished speaking, Shain's blood-red greatsword drew a beautiful arc, heading straight for Julian's face.

—The reason why Shane was unwilling to make a deal with Julian was certainly not as simple as he made it out to be.

First of all, Julian attacked him and Nana first, so it was perfectly normal for him to want to kill him.

Secondly, the "human touch" that Julian mentioned is completely unrealistic.

Xia En could only use this favor if he revealed his identity.

Last but not least.

Judging from Julian's behavior, the captain of the "White Dove" can be described as a complete tyrant.

They are ruthless in achieving their goals and are flexible and adaptable, like a cold, venomous snake.

Xia En was not comfortable entrusting his back to such a person, let alone making any deals with him.

Otherwise, you might get stabbed in the back at a crucial moment and not even know how you died.

As for whether killing Julian would invite his revenge, Shane didn't care at all.

He could crush Julian when he was at the third rank, so after breaking through to the fourth rank, why would he be afraid of a guy who failed to advance?

Seeing the greatsword coming down at him, Julian cursed, "You madman!"

But at the same time, he was making a final struggle, his figure retreating rapidly until he arrived at a door at the end of the corridor.

Julian cried out, "Lord Augustine, save me!"

"Nana is colluding with outsiders to kill me!"

Xia En felt a chill run down his spine.

This is the deepest part of the treasure vault, and behind that door, there is indeed an aura as deep and unfathomable as a mountain.

Did Julian know in advance that Augustine was here, and that's why he wanted to try his luck?
However, having already made his move, Xia En naturally wouldn't hesitate at all.

With the support of terrifying power, the crimson greatsword drew out a crimson sword light and roared down towards Julian.

Julian stared at the gate, hoping his gamble would pay off this time.

However, no sound came from inside the door until the blood-red greatsword cleaved his body in two.

laugh!
Crimson blood splattered.

This old wooden door is also stained with mottled bloodstains.

But there was still no movement from inside the door.

Nana walked to Xia En's side, looking solemnly at the wooden door in front of her.

"Lord Augustine, is it really inside this door?"

If that's the case, then Augustine was clearly aware of their previous actions.

Even though they were subject to the rank suppression of the promotion ritual, a powerhouse of Augustine's level still possessed abilities that were unimaginable to ordinary people.

At that moment, Xia En's attention was drawn to a line of small print that appeared before him.

You killed the traitor "Ansel"!

[Trial evaluation significantly improved!]

Shaen was greatly shocked: "Ansel, is he actually a traitor among the Apostles?"

He truly hadn't expected such an unexpected surprise.

This also shows that what Julian said earlier was half true and half false, and his necessary task is definitely different from Shane's.

"What a cunning old fox!"

Xia En cursed inwardly, "I almost got fooled by him!"

"However, now that Ansel is dead, doesn't that mean this trial mission is already half successful?"

"Wait, something seems off..."

Upon further reflection, Shane quickly discovered the blind spot—

The description of the ascension ceremony never states that there was only one traitor among the twelve apostles!
In the famous "Last Supper," there was indeed only Judas as a traitor, but the situation in the "Pirate Principality" was different from that dinner.

Thinking of this, Xia En gasped.

The difficulty of this werewolf game seemed to be higher than he had expected.

"John?"

Nana's words interrupted Xia En's thoughts: "What should we do now?"

She looked at the corpse on the ground, then at the wooden door, unusually caught in a dilemma.

Xia En made a decision quickly, took a step forward, and gently knocked on the tightly closed wooden door.

Regardless, it is a fact that he and Nana worked together to kill an apostle.

Whether to prove his innocence or to confirm Augustine's condition, he should meet with the pirate king.

dong dong!

Shaun asked, "Lord Augustine, are you inside?"

After a short wait, a soft sigh came from inside the room.

"Come in."

Xia En pushed open the door and looked up.

In the room, which was neither too big nor too small, the fire in the fireplace burned silently, and the gramophone on the cabinet turned slowly, playing an old song from long ago.

An elderly man with gray hair sat on a bench by the fireplace.

The firelight illuminated the aged face, and flames flickered silently in the cloudy eyes.

Xia En was stunned.

He never imagined that Augustine would look like this now.

Although in John's memory, Augustine was already quite old, he was still a dignified middle-aged man.

Whether it was the beheaded old man that Shane saw in his hallucination, or the young man he met on Emerald Island, both possessed a heroic spirit and magnanimity far beyond that of ordinary people.

It's so unforgettable that you can't forget it once you've seen it.

But the Augustine before me seemed listless and dejected, as if he had lost all his ambition and aspirations.

Xia En murmured, "It shouldn't be like this..."

The old man gently waved his hand, closed the door to the room, and said calmly, "Young man, we should have met once many years ago."

"And, if I'm not mistaken..."

"You people aren't from this era, are you?"

(End of this chapter)