C15 Why Didn't You Say so Earlier?

"What's happening? Who's responsible for this fog?"

"I'm not sure. It appeared out of nowhere, but it must be someone's weapon."

Conversations like these erupted all around. Everyone activated their shields, fearing an ambush.

Zhang Hai was inwardly thrilled. If only the Octopus-Thunder had better stealth, he would have opted for this type of attack without a second thought.

The items in the Merchant Shop were mostly tactical equipment, with a scant selection of direct offensive weapons.

Products like the Great Emperor were limited edition. It was uncertain if they would ever be restocked.

Seizing the opportunity provided by the fog, Zhang Hai didn't hesitate and changed course.

He launched a barrage of Torpedos in every direction.

This was no time to use the Magic Cannon. Its use would leave a clear trail, potentially exposing his intentions.

But with the fog, the Octopus-Thunder became an exceptionally lethal weapon.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Explosions rocked the fleet of warships.

The targeted vessels, in a panic, fired their Magic Cannons indiscriminately.

Chaos ensued in an instant.

The tense atmosphere of the battlefield was now fully ablaze.

Witnessing the havoc, Zhang Hai couldn't suppress a sly grin.

But just then, with a resounding boom, his ship jolted.

A significant crack had formed beneath the hull.

He was under attack from the Shuttle Warships lurking below.

"Captain, we've been ambushed by Shuttle Warships underwater."

"Immediately switch to underwater radar mode."

The underwater landscape materialized in his mind.

He hadn't noticed before, but now he was taken aback.

"How can there be so many Shuttle Warships?"

These Shuttle Warships, akin to submarines, could only dive to a depth of about a hundred meters.

Their sleek, date-pit-like shape made them formidable adversaries to any battleship.

"Launch the Deepwater Thunder!"

He had acquired this weapon from a pirate ship. Initially intended for sale, he had second thoughts and kept it.

Now, it proved to be exactly what he needed.

The deployment of his deep-sea mines was utterly indiscriminate, covering a vast area without regard for cost. Escape was virtually impossible. The shuttle warships submerged below saw the thick spread of mines and paled at the sight.

"Captain! We're trapped!"

"Damn it! Who's the fool who dumped all these mines?"

"I don't know, maybe someone noticed our attack."

"It's no use; I'm done for. You all need to evacuate now."

Without hesitation, the crew scrambled to find the escape capsules. But it was already too late. The mines detonated all around them, and torrents of seawater surged in through the breaches.

[Ding! Shuttle warship core obtained. Blueprint completion: 30%.]

"Two Octopus-Torpedo Launchers acquired."

Zhang Hai's eyes gleamed at the prospect. If he could evolve into a Shuttle Warship, he would easily overpower his adversaries. The thought of the advantages underwater filled him with excitement.

"Lock on to the target shuttle warship and fire!"

Boom! Boom! Boom! The Shuttle Warships below were hit hard. They had been operating in these waters for a long time but had never encountered such a barrage of mines. This type of clustered deployment was significantly more potent than individual mines.

After destroying six Shuttle Warships, the system chimed in with a delightful announcement.

[Ding! Shuttle warship blueprint is 100% complete. Evolution to shuttle warship is now possible.]

Zhang Hai was ecstatic.

"Evolve."

"Understood, Captain."

In the midst of the dissipating fog, the warship disintegrated into numerous components, which floated orderly in the air. As the evolution commenced, they gently descended into the depths of the sea.

The Shuttle Warship, a special class of vessel, lacked any inherent gravity field. Its primary advantage was its stealth underwater, making it highly elusive. Typically, it could easily evade detection by enemy radar, especially when stationary.

Above the waves, as the fog cleared, the realization dawned that they had been outmaneuvered.

"Everyone, to your stations!"

"Yes, we've been set up!"

With the leaders sounding the alarm, the lesser forces ceased their assault.

If they teamed up, they'd have no business here.

Zhang Hai gazed at the still water with a hint of regret. If only he hadn't evolved so early. Had he let the Misty Torpedo wreak more havoc, he might have trapped them all here.

At that moment, the Shuttle Warship's evolution was complete.

He could feel his new form.

It was a peculiar sensation.

Almost as if he had turned into a fish.

"Captain, the Shuttle Warship's evolution is complete. However, we're missing offensive equipment, like the Electric Shocking Horn."

"Shocking Horn? What's it good for?"

"Just as it sounds, it's used for ramming ships. It packs a considerable punch."

"Well, if it's not there, it's not there."

He wasn't an idiot. Engaging in close combat was a fool's errand.

He now had four Torpedo launchers at his disposal. A simultaneous launch could potentially take out the opposition in one fell swoop.

Looking up at the swarm of warships overhead, he drooled with anticipation.

Yet, it was clear that repeating his previous tactics was no longer feasible.

At that moment, Dawn entered the Commander Room, her two-meter-long spear in hand, paying no mind to the changes around her.

"Captain, I just remembered something."

"Oh? What is it?"

A pang of anxiety hit Zhang Hai. Had his Refinement Crystal been in vain?

"Well, there's another entrance beneath this floating island. We can get in that way."

"Damn, you should've mentioned that sooner. Lead the way."

The little girl, not the least bit upset, cheerfully took the lead and soon vanished beneath the warships.

The Shuttle Warship surfaced into a vast, empty room with nothing above it.

Dawn was the first to leap out of the Shuttle Warship.

Zhang Hai quickly followed, and together they boldly entered the interior of the floating island.

After all, it was her domain. If there were any mechanisms or traps, she would surely warn him.

But it seemed he was worrying over nothing.

They ascended the stairs to the surface and found themselves in a square resembling a plaza. At the center of the plaza stood a grand and imposing palace.

The palace appeared quite rundown at first glance.

Outside, the ancient city walls were crumbling, but thankfully, the main gate still seemed solid.

"Let's go. The Refinement Crystals are inside the palace."

As they entered the palace, Dawn surveyed the surroundings and pursed her lips in disappointment.

"That's all there is. This place used to be overflowing with Refinement Crystals. They've all been depleted now."

Zhang Hai's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.

Gazing at the mound of Refinement Crystals surrounding the throne, he realized that the little girl he had stumbled upon was essentially a goddess of fortune.

The dense array of Refinement Crystals had to number at least a hundred thousand. At last, he could shed his label as a man of meager means.