Chapter 830 - 190: A Cloud-Piercing Arrow
Just as Han Zhan and Jian Beifang entered the Central Sea Area, the other three Kings also received the notification simultaneously.
The method of notification was that in their personal panels, a main quest appeared for each of them, "The Final Battle"!
As they saw this main quest, the three Kings' eyelids twitched fiercely.
Over a hundred years ago, it was the same quest, but that time, they didn't solve the quest, instead, they chose to solve the person who took the quest.
This time...
"He's back again, in a way we never imagined."
The East King murmured to himself as he stood up.
His old wounds began to ache faintly again.
If anyone else was around at this moment, they would see a long, hideous scar on the East King's back.
That was inflicted by Jian Beifang's blade.
Daily, it tormented his spirit like a relentless parasite.
The key issue was that apart from Jian Beifang, who could devour Ice Elemental Cores, no one else, not even medicine, could completely heal it.
Thinking of this, the East King donned the robe he only wore during wartime. At two meters tall, he walked with a gusty stride.
The gust shook the ship's cabin candles, as if foretelling something.
"Summon all warriors from every front line."
"Send orders that all personnel in our jurisdiction must enter wartime status, cease all entertainment, and convert all production capabilities to combat power."
The East King's words were delivered through his banner item to every fleet commander, and each commander relayed the emergency orders.
The tense atmosphere felt like the ominous onset of a storm.
"Sir, are we really going to hand over the hard-won strategic port to others just like that?"
"Sir, what has happened, why are we retreating?"
"It's an order from the East King. Don't ask any unnecessary questions!"
"Do you think we are the only ones retreating? Look at the other two major forces, they're doing the same thing."
"This..."
Indeed, it's not just the East King.
When the West King saw the refreshed main quest on the task panel, he frowned deeply.
This truly comes at an inopportune time.
The corner of the West King's eye glanced at his Character Level, lv99.
Just one step away from Full Level, Level 100.
Moreover, he had his side quest:
"The Obsession of Former Days' Bones: Accumulate the killing of one billion lives. (Kills by subordinates also count.)"
"Reward upon completion: Unlock level restrictions, breakthrough to lv100."
This was indeed his side quest.
And the West King was certain that the East King and South King had similar side quests as well.
This was the true reason for their collaborative and silent agreement to join forces in slaughtering Jian Beifang over a hundred years ago.
Under the "silent agreement" of the three forces, the task of killing one billion lives was nearing completion.
At this critical juncture, Jian Beifang reappeared in the Central Sea Area like an undying cockroach.
This made the already cold battleground in his eyes even darker.
"Your Majesty, the East King's fleets are suddenly retreating extensively from the Central Sea Area battlefield. This is an excellent opportunity for us to..."
"We will retreat as well."
The West King's words left his subordinates bewildered, thinking their ears had deceived them.
"Your Majesty, we've been contending with the East King at sea for many years, and now is the best time to secure victory, we—"
Before the subordinate could finish speaking, the West King's fierce gaze stopped him.
"Do I need you to teach me how to conduct affairs?"
"Or do you think you can take my place?"
The West King's voice was silky and penetrative as if a knife was lightly scraping at your heart.
The subordinate broke into a cold sweat, knowing he had overstepped, quickly kneeling to the ground in submission.
The West King had no interest in entangling with his subordinates; he waved dismissively, impatiently.
"Have all ships return to our own territory, accelerate repairs and preparations, and ensure all non-combat personnel are ready for action."
"Another tough battle is approaching."
Compared to the two major forces, the South King's jurisdiction was significantly quieter.
Yet, it was still possible to see ships gathering from all directions toward the port.
However, apart from the sound of ships cutting through the water, there were no other sounds.
It was eerily silent.
On the ships, the crew moved about with numb expressions, silent and speechless, appearing almost like... zombies.
...
"What should we do now?"
In the Central Sea Area, Han Zhan and Jian Beifang, having bid farewell to the Turtle, also saw the main quest on their personal panels.
There was only a name, with no related task content.
So Han Zhan spoke up, asking the experienced Jian Beifang for advice.
"First, we need to assemble a fleet of sufficient scale."
"If you're a king, you should have your domain. Only then will the game rules recognize you."
Hearing Jian Beifang's words, Han Zhan was stunned for a moment.
A domain?
How should they assemble it?
They had entered the Central Sea Area through a means akin to smuggling; where would they get a fleet?
While Han Zhan was still puzzled, Jian Beifang calmly retrieved another item.
Was that... the Cloud-Piercing Arrow?!
"When I was besieged by the Three Kings, I dismissed all my loyal followers and subordinates."
"We had an agreement: if I survived, I'd signal with the Cloud-Piercing Arrow, we'd gather from thousands of miles, and rise again!"
"Now, it's time to fulfill that promise."
After saying that, Jian Beifang lit the Cloud-Piercing Arrow.
It soared into the sky and exploded under the stormy clouds like a splendid mark deeply etched into the heavens!
Ten minutes passed.
No ship appeared.
Thirty minutes passed.
Still, no ship appeared.
An hour...
As Han Zhan was about to ask Jian Beifang if there was another Cloud-Piercing Arrow, or if one wasn't enough,
suddenly, at the end of their vision on the horizon, a small black dot appeared.
It was a warship!
And behind it were a series of black dots; ship after ship truly appeared there!
Thousands of sails racing, their might like a rainbow.
It was at this moment that Han Zhan truly felt the immense power Jian Beifang wielded a century ago.
His influence, even after a century, still had so many loyal followers adhering to their oath!
A long-lost smile appeared on Jian Beifang's face.
At least in this regard, he had finally found his footing again in front of Han Zhan.
Meanwhile, the warship that sailed the fastest had already approached the "Garuda" and "Gray Sparrow."
Without a second thought, the warship confidently halted in front of the "Garuda."
A voice from the ship rang out, respectful and flattering:
"Greetings, boss!"
Han Zhan: "..."
Jian Beifang: "..."