Chapter 802 - 162: An Unexpected Encounter
"Huh? Why am I getting a level-up prompt?!"
"Me too!"
"Me too!"
On the "Gray Sparrow," the Contracted Spirit girls looked at their personal panels in surprise to discover that their levels had risen once again.
Among them, Xia Youwei’s level had increased from Level 87 to Level 88, Li Lingzhen’s level had gone from Level 86 to Level 87, and Nuannuan’s level climbed from Level 90 to Level 91.
These three upgrades were fairly normal and didn’t cause much of a stir.
However!
Gongyang Jin’s level soared from Level 89 to Level 90! Shang Siteng’s level also climbed from Level 89 to Level 90!
In an instant, their levels had breached the milestone of Level 90.
This also meant that, with the help of Water Planet’s rules, they had successfully ascended to Tier Nine, joining Great Xia as two new Tier Nine Ultimate Powerhouses!
"How does it feel?" Han Zhan approached and asked the two of them with concern.
"It feels... like my perception of this world has become more profound," Gongyang Jin said.
"I have a clearer understanding of the path I must walk, the grand way I must follow. The fog that once shrouded my future has dissipated, replaced by a broad avenue!" Shang Siteng continued.
After hearing their words, Han Zhan nodded.
"No problem, this is indeed the realization after ascending to Tier Nine Ultimate Powerhouse."
"Congratulations, you have truly broken through to Tier Nine Ultimate!"
This was exciting news.
This suggested that perhaps all the Contracted Spirit girls could break through to Tier Nine Ultimate on the Water Planet, saving at least decades of arduous cultivation.
"More than that, I’m more concerned about the other notification message we received earlier."
"Has our Sea Adventurer level increased to Level 6?!"
"Yes." Han Zhan glanced at his notification panel, "Originally, our Reputation Value was already at Level 4, close to Level 5. After defeating that critically injured monster that suddenly appeared, we successfully advanced to Level 6 Sea Adventurer."
Isn’t that lucky?
After all, they were sailing well at sea, who could have imagined a severely injured and dying Level 5 Exotic Beast would suddenly emerge from the seabed.
Not only did they manage to kill it, but under the Water Planet’s rules assessment, it was an overrank kill, granting them extra rewards.
It was practically a windfall.
Just as they were rejoicing at this divine gift, suddenly, beneath the "Gray Sparrow," a massive vortex appeared out of nowhere.
Its sudden appearance left Han Zhan and the others no time to react; the "Gray Sparrow" was sucked in.
By the time they realized and wanted to escape, the massive vortex had completely enveloped them.
"Ah Zhan! I can’t control the ’Gray Sparrow.’ It’s completely out of control!"
"It’s the Swallowing Whale, a Swallowing Whale anchored in the sea bottom below us has awakened. It just completed a ’spit’ action and is now ’sucking’ everything in."
"We’re being dragged into the ocean’s abyss!"
Inside the rapidly swirling cabin around the vortex, Han Zhan struggled to maintain his balance and not be flung out by inertia.
He spoke quickly, "Lock the cabin doors! Everyone maintain their balance, don’t get knocked unconscious!"
"The hull strength of the ’Gray Sparrow’ is double that of a normal warship; even if swallowed, it won’t break apart quickly!"
"Hold on, once we’re ’spit’ out by another Swallowing Whale, the crisis will naturally be resolved."
...
Within the Level 5 Anomaly Sea Area.
Thanks to Jian Beifang’s intervention, the other nine warships didn’t approach the bounty that originally belonged to them immediately.
After seeing the "Nightwalker" in action, they swiftly retreated backward, mimicking the move.
Because of this, none of the ten warships were swallowed by the sudden vortex.
However, the captains aboard these warships didn’t look good.
They were organized by Bai Wuheng to explore the Level 5 Anomaly Sea Area and enhance their Reputation Value, and also gain other ample rewards.
But who could have expected a Jian Beifang to suddenly appear halfway?
Jian Beifang, although a Sea Legend, is by no means a benevolent figure. The number of ships destroyed and crew members killed by him are countless.
Fortunately, Jian Beifang’s focus wasn’t on them now.
He watched the gradually calming vortex ahead, waiting for his loot to reappear.
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!
Suddenly, huge bubbles surfaced from the deep sea below.
Jian Beifang’s eyes lit up.
Soon, all the objects swallowed by the vortex were spewed out from the sea’s bottom again.
Including the dead body of the Fu Bird.
Wait, a body?!
Seeing the lifeless Fu Bird floating on the water, a baffled expression appeared for the first time on Jian Beifang’s calm face.
"Dead?"
Jian Beifang turned to Bai Wuheng, repeating the same words, "Dead?!"
Under Jian Beifang’s gaze, cold sweat slowly dripped down Bai Wuheng’s back.
"I wonder... could it have... drowned..."
"Drowned?! You’re telling me a creature living for years in the ocean drowned, right?"
Jian Beifang’s words were calm, revealing not a hint of emotion.
But Bai Wuheng knew, behind this calmness, there was an unimaginable storm brewing!
The Fu Bird was dead.
This meant the Wind Element within it also dissipated, shattering Jian Beifang’s plan to devour it completely.
Who killed the Fu Bird?!
"It no longer matters."
After a brief silence, Jian Beifang lifted his head again.
"You successfully wasted some of my time, and the agreed interest wasn’t realized. So..."
As he spoke, Jian Beifang was about to raise his hand again to carry out his initial decision to kill Bai Wuheng.
At this moment, another massive bubble burst to the water surface.
Whoa la la!
The seawater receded, revealing a gray warship within.
The color of this ship was distinct, instantly attracting the attention of everyone.
Especially Jian Beifang!
The hand he initially raised slowly dropped again.
Jian Beifang looked at the warship spewed out by the Swallowing Whale, a smile curling at his mouth.
"This truly is link after link, with every link so full of surprises."
"The ’Gray Sparrow,’ it’s actually the ’Gray Sparrow’."
"Didn’t think you’d appear before me in such a manner."
Gray Sparrow?
Bai Wuheng, who had been closing his eyes waiting for death, suddenly opened his eyes, looking at the familiar warship appearing on the sea surface.
It was as if a bolt of lightning struck his mind, suddenly clearing his thoughts, restoring some memories.
The Gray Sparrow was originally Jian Beifang’s warship!
So—
"David, full speed ahead, attack!"