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

Chapter 190 Lend Me Your Power

On the deck of the "Serpent".

"Captain John, everything you asked for has been done."

Before Shane, a tanned, muscular pirate honestly reported to him.

“Well done, Carney.”

Xia En smiled slightly and said, "From today onwards, you are the first mate of the [Sky Serpent]!"

A hint of excitement appeared on Carney's face, and he nodded emphatically, "Yes, Captain!"

After Philip's death, Shane certainly couldn't do nothing.

He first publicly killed several of Philip's confidants, and then promoted the pirates who were on good terms with John to first and second mates.

This combination of pulling in one group and attacking another, along with Xia En's own fighting prowess...

At least on the surface, he had become the absolute person in charge of the ship.

As for this pirate named Carney, he was one of John's confidants, and now he naturally took the opportunity to rise to power.

What Shane asked him to do was to appease the pirates on the ship whose stance was ambiguous and to distribute Philip's savings to them.

Although Xia En had never been a proper pirate, he knew very well that these pirates followed him not out of any chivalrous loyalty, but out of a desire to make money!

Only when the pirates see the benefits will they be willing to work for Shane.

While thinking about these trivial matters, Shane observed the pirates on the ship.

According to his observations, the pirates' behavior, demeanor, and language were no different from those of ordinary humans.

Even the resentment Philip displayed earlier and Carney's excitement were incredibly realistic.

"Are they really just virtual characters projected from the [Secret Sea]?"

Xia En felt a chill run down his spine.

The projected NPCs that appeared in the last ritual were just a series of stiff wooden figures.

But now, they are almost indistinguishable from ordinary people.

Is this a transformation of the promotion ceremony itself?
Or is it that, with the increase in rank, the trial participants have taken a step closer to the secrets deep within the [Secret Sea]?
Clearly, these are questions that Xia En cannot answer right now.

At that moment, Xia En's gaze fell upon the sailboat, which was neither too big nor too small, and a bold idea suddenly popped into his mind—

Although this is not his beloved "Black Swan", it is his ship in name and in reality!
So, can I communicate with the ship's spirit?
even……

Submerged in these waters?!

The thought of this possibility made Xia En's heart pound.

However, he remained outwardly calm and composed. After giving orders to several pirates, he leisurely returned to the captain's cabin.

It's one thing to show extraordinary strength; John Smith was one of the twelve apostles, so his combat power was already considerable. It was just his personality that held him back.

It's actually quite reasonable for someone to suddenly erupt after being oppressed.

But if he were to display any abilities that were not John's, the pirates on the ship might become suspicious.

Back in the captain's cabin, I closed the door.

Xia En reached out and touched the inner wall of the cabin, activating his talent [Communicating with the Ship's Soul].

With his current abilities, he can use this ability whether or not he touches the ship's hull.

But doing so serves two purposes: to add a sense of ceremony and to express goodwill towards the ship.

Instead of directly and brutally instilling consciousness into the body of the [Heavenly Serpent].

"[Sky Serpent], can you hear me?"

Xia En gently stroked the wall of the cabin, saying to himself at the same time.

“If you hear me, please respond.”

After a somewhat long silence, a faint voice echoed in Xia En's mind.

"……squeak?"

The voice was young and clear, filled with confusion and doubt, like a newly sprouting bud.

For some reason, Xia En recalled the first time he heard the Black Swan's inner voice, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Unbeknownst to me, so much time has already passed?
Clearly, the ship spirit of the [Serpent] is still in a daze and unable to communicate smoothly, only able to barely convey its emotions.

However, when it comes to raising children, practice makes perfect.

Having gained experience from training the Black Swan, Shane reassured her with practiced ease.

"Don't be afraid, I am your captain."

“We haven’t known each other for very long, and I don’t think you would treat me as your master.”

"But at least, I hope we can be partners for the time being."

"I will fight for your safety, and I hope you can lend me your strength."

"...Squeak?"

The emotions conveyed by the "Sky Serpent" were even more perplexing.

It keenly sensed that this captain seemed somewhat different from the one it knew.

However, the specific differences were beyond the comprehension of the newly sentient [Heavenly Serpent].

While casually chatting with the [Sky Serpent], Xia En opened the panel and found that the words [Deep Sea Diving] were prominently displayed.

"It really works!"

Xia En's eyes lit up.

He didn't hesitate for long before he lightly pressed the [Submersible] button with his mind.

"Submarine flight, start!"

……

……

After a familiar feeling of sinking.

Xia En opened his eyes.

Before him lay a vast expanse of azure sea.

However, unlike diving in reality, there are no countless submerged city ruins beneath the seabed in this era.

Shaen hadn't originally intended to gain any advantage from the submersible mission; rather, he planned to use it as a hidden means of attack.

Whether encountering pirates or other enemies, the projected body can always give them an "unexpected surprise!"

But soon, Shane discovered...

The situation in this sea area seems to be different from what he expected?
All around Xia En was indeed ordinary seawater, but when he looked down, he could see a deep, dark expanse inlaid with stars and flowing light.

"hiss……"

Xia En gasped slightly: "That's the [Secret Sea]?"

He quickly figured out the truth behind it all.

In this special advancement instance, the surface seawater is normal, but once you dive to a certain depth, you will come into contact with the real [Secret Sea]!
Moreover, this instance probably has its own boundaries.

The trial participants cannot explore indefinitely outward, downward, or upward.

Simply put, this instance looks like an open world, but it's actually just a miniature world.

"So, this place seems to be a [secret realm]?"

Xia En thought of the [Blood Moon Secret Realm] he had visited before, and from this point of view, the two had many similarities.

Soon, Shane descended to the bottom of the normal seawater.

Strangely, here, the [Secret Sea] can still stir up waves, as if reaching out an invitation to him.

To be honest, Shane hesitated for a moment.

The impression of his last infiltration into the [Secret Sea] was so profound that it left him with some psychological trauma.

— Encountering a max-level BOSS right after leaving the beginner village, who wouldn't remember that?
However, the situation has changed now.

Xia En was already a third-tier Mystic with strength approaching the fourth tier, and after passing the advancement ritual, he became a fourth-tier Mystic.

Perhaps... I've earned a little qualification to explore the [Secret Sea]?

What Xia En wanted to do was not to directly explore the deepest part of the Secret Sea, but to leave a submarine anchor point in the Secret Sea!
That's right, during this period of hard work leveling up, the ship spirit level of the [Diamond Star] has also reached LV3. Just as Shane guessed, this upgrade has increased the number of [Submarine Anchor Points] by one.

The benefits of leaving an anchor point in the [Secret Sea] are self-evident.

Not only can Shane sense the aura of the [Secret Sea] at any time, but he can also explore those mysterious and ancient light bubbles and light spots.

Those [secret realms] definitely hold countless treasures.

After hesitating for a moment, Xia En gritted his teeth.

"Fight!"

"Anyway, it's just a projection. If it succeeds, great; if not, just quit!"

With this layer of ordinary seawater, Xia En had a way out.

So, Shane suddenly dove downwards.

With a "pop," his body seemed to break through a thin membrane and enter the [Secret Sea].

The water pressure around them immediately increased significantly, and at the same time, a chilling and eerie secret power continuously seeped into the projected body.

[Ship Soul Power - 2!]

Seeing the ship's soul power visibly diminish, Xia En didn't hesitate and immediately set up a [submersible anchor point].

Then, he was about to emerge from the [Secret Sea].

A call suddenly came from the depths of the Secret Sea.

At first, Shane couldn't understand the meaning of the call; he only felt a booming sound in his mind.

It was as if several invisible tentacles in the void were vigorously and vigorously stirring his brain.

A buzzing noise arose, like the roar of a monster or the whisper of darkness.

The surrounding seawater seemed to have turned into black holes, with countless rays of light and stars twisting, changing, and writhing...

The next moment.

All the strange occurrences around them disappeared.

And that call was translated into a language that Xia En could understand.

【Come……】

Come closer to me, and I'll make you the king of the world!

The call was highly seductive, as if it were aimed directly at the heart.

Xia En seized this moment of clarity and immediately swam upwards.

However, just as he was about to emerge from the [Secret Sea], a terrifying force struck the projected body from an extremely great distance.

In an instant, the projected body was torn to pieces.

……

……

[Submarine mission over!]

Looking at this line of text, Xia En's consciousness was still somewhat hazy, and his vision went black for a moment.

Xia En took a deep breath and barely regained his senses.

Recalling what had just happened, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

The owner of that call was no ordinary person; their rank was probably comparable to the colossal creature we saw last time.

Such beings are almost impossible to encounter outside the [Secret Sea], but within the [Secret Sea], they are not much rarer than fish in the sea.

"Maybe it really is a fish? Just a bigger one."

Xia En thought to himself, "But why is it calling me?"

"And it reacted as soon as I entered the [Secret Sea]..."

Xia En couldn't figure it out for a while, so she simply stopped thinking about it.

That level of existence is too far removed from him now.

"Fortunately, at least the [Submarine Anchor Point] has been set there, so we don't have to wait for the next promotion ceremony."

Thinking of this, Xia En's face lit up with joy.

Although for him, the [Secret Sea] is still a hellish difficulty dungeon.

But who can say for sure what the future holds?
Furthermore, Shane can do without this anchor point leading to the [Secret Sea], but he cannot do without it!

Suddenly, a sharp, piercing alarm bell rang out.

Xia En was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening.

It's the ship's alarm!

But who would be so audacious as to attack the ship of one of the twelve apostles?
Without thinking twice, Xia En rushed out of the room and onto the deck.

At the same time, the pirates, hearing the alarm bell, rushed out with their weapons.

"Captain, report! Two unidentified pirate ships are approaching us from the southwest and northwest!"

The lookout on the mast cried out in slight panic.

Xia En turned his head to look.

On the sea, two ships with sharp rams were seen sailing towards the "Heavenly Serpent" like two daggers.

Judging from their aggressive demeanor, they clearly did not come with good intentions.

"The sails have no markings; were they deliberately hidden to avoid revealing their identities?"

Xia En frowned, his mind racing.

"Who would dare to lay a hand on this apostle?"

Even if John was the weakest of the twelve apostles, he was still someone that ordinary pirates would not dare to provoke.

Because behind him stood the Pirate King!

Suddenly, Xia En woke up with a start.

"Hiss... No! Perhaps this is a trap set for Augustine!"

Currently, Augustine is said to be seriously injured, but no one knows the extent of his injuries.

Many pirates, not daring to lay a hand on Augustine, would naturally choose to test him by targeting his apostles.

If Augustine showed no reaction, it would mean that his injuries were very serious, and someone would attempt to usurp the throne.

If Augustine were to carry out a bloody revenge, everything would remain the same as before, without any change.

The only loss will be the world losing an apostle named "John Smith".

But back then, who would have cared?
Dead people have no value.

Xia En's mind raced, and he quickly figured out the reason behind it.

To outsiders, he only paused for two or three seconds before his expression returned to normal, and he gave the order.

"Everyone, return to your positions!"

"Raise the top sail with the long sails, gunners load the ammunition, and I'll take the helm myself!"

"Two mere pirate ships! Kill them all!"

His voice carried a convincing authority, and all the pirates instinctively sprang into action according to their respective duties.

The captain is the backbone of a ship, and seeing Shane so calm and composed, the pirates gained more confidence.

At this moment, Shane walked to the helm and grasped the still somewhat unfamiliar steering wheel.

Although Xia En was not bound to the [Sky Serpent], he still vaguely felt the ship trembling slightly the moment he grasped the helm.

The fledgling ship's spirit was uneasy and panicked.

"Are you scared?"

Xia En smiled and said, "Then lend me your power! I will lead you out of this encirclement!"

After a brief silence.

His response was an exceptionally loud screech!

(End of this chapter)