Crossing the wilderness to survive, starting with a broken kitchen knife.

At the same time, Gong Yi advanced again through accumulated experience day by day, became a master craftsman, and unlocked the array system.

Array patterns can be considered a type of enchantment, applied to weapons and equipment to enhance their attributes and even impart special effects. The first array pattern Gong Yi unlocked was specifically designed to amplify long-range weapons. He experimented with inscribing the pattern on a cannon, and the cannon's range and destructive power were significantly enhanced.

Zhang Shi finally received good news and immediately approved mass production. Whether it was cannons or muskets and bows and arrows, all were honed by Gong Yi, significantly improving the soldiers' overall combat effectiveness.

The system never acts without a purpose. Zhang Shi had just upgraded the Ark and improved its weapons when the territory control module detected danger. The system interface showed that a huge shadow was swimming at the bottom of the Ark, and it seemed that it was targeting the Ark.

Zhang Shi, unprepared to encounter an unidentified creature so soon, decided to err on the side of caution. He ordered his soldiers to load up with coal and prepare to drive full steam to shake off the unknown creature. However, he discovered that no matter how far the Ark sailed, the creature was able to steadily track them and slowly catch up. Ge Dalong noticed something unusual and speculated that the spiritual energy of the Spirit Gathering Array might have attracted the mysterious creature.

A massive shadow clung relentlessly beneath the Ark, appearing and disappearing, exuding an ominous aura. Zhang Shi stood in the Ark's command room, watching the movements outside through the transparent observation window, his mind filled with vigilance. He realized it was likely a new creature born in the wilderness after the flood, or perhaps a pre-existing deep-sea monster driven to the surface by the flood.

Faced with this massive shadowy figure in pursuit, Zhang Shi remained vigilant but remained calm. He quickly gathered his companions and core members, including Zhang Dazhuang, Gong Yi, and Lao Bai, to discuss countermeasures.

"This creature is clearly not ordinary. We must handle it with caution."

Zhang Shi said in a deep voice, his eyes sweeping across everyone's faces, seeking the best solution.

Zhao Feng's brows were furrowed, and the axe in his hand was trembling slightly, obviously ready for battle.

"Should we take the initiative and test its strength with artillery?"

Lao Bai shook his head. The computer calculations made him more inclined to a safe strategy.

"We still don't know the creature's specific capabilities. A rash attack might alert it, or even anger it, leading to a greater crisis."

Gong Yi also put forward his own views.

"Perhaps we can use spiritual energy to create some deceptive illusions, such as making an object imbued with spiritual energy to attract the creature's attention, and then take the opportunity to completely get rid of it."

Zhang Shi nodded, thinking Gong Yi's suggestion was worth a try. "Okay, let's do as Gong Yi says. At the same time, we must also prepare for the worst-case scenario. If this creature really poses a threat to us, we must have a plan to deal with it."

Everyone acted quickly. Gong Yi led the craftsmen to set up the formation according to the structure of the spirit gathering formation, preparing to build a small raft, install a propeller on it and launch it in another direction.

Zhang Shi ordered his soldiers to be on high alert and be ready to fight any possible battle at any time.

The craftsmen were highly efficient, and by noon, the propulsion raft, imbued with a faint spiritual energy, was complete. Zhao Feng and Ge Dalong personally launched the raft into the water and activated the propellers, which then sailed off to the side at a rapid pace.

Sure enough, the huge creature was attracted by the small raft, temporarily stopped following, and swam faster in another direction. Zhang Shi could clearly sense the undercurrent caused by the giant beast. He had a rough idea of ​​the size of the giant beast and knew that it was definitely not a creature that could be dealt with by an individual.

The monster was very fast and caught up with the raft in a short while. Its true appearance gradually revealed itself - it was a huge deep-sea monster, covered with thick scales, and its eyes were like two bright lamps, flashing a cold light in the darkness.

"How did we get into trouble with this sea monster?"

Zhang Shi took a deep breath and identified that this monster was at the artifact level. He was glad that he had upgraded the Ark in advance, otherwise the matter would have been even more difficult.

At this moment, the giant beast suddenly attacked. It opened its huge mouth and a powerful suction force came from the bottom of the raft, swallowing it in an instant.

After a moment, the giant beast left the water area reluctantly and continued to track the Ark.

Zhang Shi didn't expect the giant beast to be so fast. The raft did not play the expected role and even failed to buy them any time.

The giant beast still followed closely behind the Ark, as if it had tasted the sweetness of swallowing that trace of spiritual energy. It began to test further, hiding its entire body under the Ark, bumping into the bottom of the Ark from time to time, as if testing and provoking.

Zhang Shi realized that showing weakness would only make the monster more aggressive, so he immediately made up his mind, gathered all the members and prepared for battle.

At Zhang Shi's command, the magic cannon equipped with array patterns made a brilliant appearance. The Ark ran at full speed and suddenly accelerated away from the giant beast. After keeping a certain distance, Zhang Shi remotely controlled the Ark and turned the ship sideways to face the giant beast.

"fire!"

At Zhang Shi's command, artillery fire roared, and the distances of hundreds and even thousands of meters seemed impossibly close to the shells. Although the underwater beast wasn't directly hit by the shells, the shockwaves from the explosions shattered its scales. Yet, seemingly insensitive to the pain, it continued to stalk the Ark, refusing to give up. The beast's resilience was beyond imagination; the continuous bombardment, while inflicting minor injuries, failed to inflict any serious damage. Zhang Shi knew there was no point in continuing this way; he had to find a way to decisively end the problem once and for all.

Perhaps the continuous bombardment had angered the beast, and it swam rapidly towards the Ark, its intentions unwelcome. Zhang Shi's eyes flickered, realizing his opportunity. With two consecutive Shadow Steps, he reached the giant cannon and activated Triple Strike, instructing Wu Qing to max out all her buffs, waiting for the beast to reveal a flaw so he could deliver the fatal blow.

Sure enough, when the giant beast was approaching the Ark, it leaped out, with most of its body exposed above the water, and pounced towards the Ark. Ge Dalong wanted to use a water wall to stop it, but Zhang Shi stopped him in advance.

Zhang Shi was waiting for this moment. This blow would either kill me or you. He slightly adjusted the angle of the cannon and then fired decisively.

The massive shell, loaded with countless damage-boosting buffs, struck the beast head firmly, tearing its flesh and blood apart. The immense force of the impact sent the beast flying back into the water. The beast whimpered, turned its head, and quickly moved away from the Ark.

At this point, everyone on the Ark cheered, and Zhang Shi also breathed a sigh of relief. The crisis was temporarily over.