Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Chapter 560 Escort, Encounter!

Xilun slung his spear over his shoulder and walked out of the quiet room.

Swain stood at the entrance of the cave.

The mountain wind billowed his gray robe, and lightning flashed in the distant clouds, casting flickering light on his cold, hard face.

"teacher."

Xilun bows.

Swain tossed over a black leather pouch the size of a fist.

Xilun reached out and caught it.

A faint sloshing sound came from inside the skin, but it felt cold and hard to the touch.

"Deep-sea water bag".

Swain said.

"It can hold ten buckets of fresh water."

"If the merchant ships are destroyed, at least we won't have to worry about water."

Xilun carefully put away the water bag.

These extraordinary devices, capable of storing items far exceeding their own volume, are extremely expensive.

Even if it's just used to hold water, it's worth at least several hundred pounds.

"Thank you, teacher."

"On your first escort mission, don't think of yourself as a servant of the convoy."

Swain's gaze fell on the black iron spear behind Xilun.

"The contract allows you to escort goods, but that doesn't mean you have to handle all their problems."

"If you encounter something beyond your capabilities, retreat immediately."

"You'll come back alive, but you'll still need to test the new gun yourself."

Xilun nodded.

"clear."

He turned and walked into the rain.

The rain gradually subsided on the way down the mountain.

By the time Xilun arrived at the west gate of the monastery, the eastern sky was already beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

The Beluga warehouse was brightly lit.

More than a dozen horse-drawn carts loaded with goods were parked in front of the gate, and workers were carrying wooden crates toward the riverbank.

This time, the White Whale Trading Company did not use ordinary merchant ships that rely entirely on sails.

Three shallow-bottomed cargo ships equipped with steam engines were moored on the riverbank.

The main ship in the middle is nearly 120 feet long, with a wide hull and a thick black funnel standing at the stern.

On each side was a slightly smaller escort ship, with ballistae capable of firing iron spears and two bronze short cannons mounted on the deck.

The boiler is preheating.

Large amounts of white steam billowed from the gaps in the copper pipes, mingling with the morning mist over the river and emitting a complex aroma of coal, engine oil, and damp wood.

Bourne stood by the pier.

Upon seeing Xilun, he immediately went to greet him.

"Mr. Celen."

"You're earlier than the agreed time."

Siren swept past the three ships.

How many guards are there?

"There are fifty-eight ordinary guards, twelve of whom have trained in internal strength."

Bern followed Siron's gaze and quickly gave his introduction.

"In addition, Bluestone Trading Company sent a third-tier elder, and Silverstalk Pharmacy also brought two extraordinary individuals who are skilled in healing and concocting poisons."

"The gunners on the ship are all veterans."

"As long as we don't encounter the largest sea monster, it should be enough to deal with ordinary sea monsters."

Xilun looked toward the main deck.

There were six huge wooden crates covered with sheet metal piled up there.

Even from a distance of more than ten feet, Lei Ling could still be heard stirring slightly.

"Are the lightning-struck wood and the sea monster's blood both on the middle ship?"

Bourne paused for a moment.

"As you suggested, we have separated."

"The left escort ship is equipped with lightning-struck wood, while the sea monster blood is stored in the bottom hold of the main ship."

Xilun frowned.

The purpose of shipping them separately is to determine which type of cargo the sea creatures are actually chasing.

The main ship has the most personnel.

If the blood of sea monsters were stored in the hold, the caravan would inevitably suffer heavy casualties if attacked.

"Who decided to put the sea monster's blood into the flagship?"

Bourne gave a wry smile.

"Mrs. Maeve".

"She believed that the blood of the sea monster was a commodity of the Silver Harvest Pharmacy and had to be kept under close watch."

Xilun didn't say much.

The merchants set sail together, each with their own agendas.

He wouldn't worry about these people unless the contract required him to risk his life for a wrong decision.

"Where was the last place seen of that missing third-tier elder?"

"The junction of Baishi River and Shenwan Lake."

Bourne took out a waterproof map from his pocket and pointed to a spot where the river gradually widened.

"It's about fifteen li away from Yinsui Town."

"If everything goes smoothly today, we will pass by there before evening."

Siren noted down the location.

He boarded the main ship to inspect the cabins and deck structure.

There are two lifeboats on the main ship.

On either side of the bow were rows of barbed spears, and in the center of the deck were three earthenware jars filled with lime powder and whale oil.

These are all common methods for dealing with aquatic life.

The only problem is the hull.

To increase cargo capacity, the main ship has a deep draft.

Once the bottom is breached by a large sea monster, the entire ship will lose its balance in a very short time.

"sail!"

At 5:00 sharp, the captain sounded the ship's horn.

Woo—

The deep murmurs carried far across the river in the early morning.

The workers untied the cables.

The steam engine drove the stern propeller, stirring up a large expanse of murky river water. The three cargo ships formed a triangular formation and slowly moved northwest along the White Stone River.

Xilun stood at the bow of the main ship.

A moist river breeze blows in my face.

The river is about 100 zhang wide, and both banks are covered with tall reeds and gray-white dawn redwoods.

In the early morning, a thin mist floated on the water's surface, and occasionally a black waterbird would be startled from the reeds, flapping its wings and flying away into the distance.

The first two hours were very calm.

Apart from a group of ordinary long-snouted crocodiles trying to approach the escort ship, nothing else seemed amiss.

Before the long-beaked crocodile could even get close, it was driven back by a volley of shots fired by the gunners on the ship.

The caravan members gradually relaxed.

Some guards began eating breakfast by the wooden crates, while others discussed where to go for drinks once they arrived in Silvershoe Town.

Bourne stood at the cabin door, constantly wiping the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.

Although he had been running a business for many years, he was not a combatant.

After seven consecutive attacks on the White Stone River, any unusual wave would make his heart pound.

"Mr. Celen."

Bourne came to the bow of the ship.

"From here on, the underwater reefs will gradually increase."

"Half of those past attacks occurred within ten miles of this location."

Xilun did not turn back.

"Get everyone armed."

Bourne's expression changed slightly.

"What did you find?"

"The river is too still."

Xilun gazed at the fog ahead.

The Baishi River is not turbulent, but when the fleet of boats passes by, the paddle wheels and the boats create a lot of waves.

Logically, there should have been fish in the shallow waters on both sides of the river that were frightened.

However, starting a quarter of an hour ago, there was no trace of any living creature swimming underwater.

It's not that the fish have disappeared.

Rather, they are all avoiding something.

Bourne immediately turned around and gave the order.

A piercing brass whistle rang out.

The guards, who had just relaxed, stood up and picked up their muskets, spears, and scimitars.

The gunner lifted the tarpaulin to protect the gun from the rain and loaded the iron ball into the breech.

The second-ranking priest on the left escort ship also walked to the front of the deck.

He was a short, stocky middle-aged man, carrying a broad-backed machete, and his face looked quite tense.

The merchant ship continued its journey.

The fog grew thicker and thicker.

Occasionally, a small ripple would appear on the surface of the water.

Xilun gripped the black iron spear and channeled a wisp of his Overturning Sea Technique energy into the ship's deck beneath his feet.

Every slight undulation of the boat was clearly perceived through the wooden planks.

Ten breaths later.

Xilun suddenly looked up.

"Turn right!"

The captain was taken aback.

"What?"

"Turn right!"

Xilun's voice suddenly became louder.

The captain instinctively turned the rudder.

The main ship's heavy hull slowly drifted away.

Almost at the same moment, the previously calm river surface suddenly bulged.

boom!

A massive tail covered in dark blue scales burst from the water, grazing the left side of the main ship.

The stern did not directly hit the hull.

The swirling waves crashed onto the deck like a wall.

Several guards were caught off guard and were swept towards the stern of the ship.

An unsecured wooden crate broke through the railing, fell into the river, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Sea monster!"

"On the left!"

Terrified screams instantly filled the air.

The escort ship on the left was more than 20 zhang away from the main ship.

After sweeping across the main ship, the massive tail rammed into the bottom of the escort ship without stopping.

boom!

The ship's hull emitted a teeth-grinding cracking sound.

The entire escort ship was lifted several feet off the water before crashing back down.

The people on the deck were all slumped over.

The metal box containing the lightning-struck wood also shook violently, and one of the fixing chains snapped on the spot.

The Thunder Spirit within Xilun's body suddenly stirred restlessly.

It wasn't because of the lightning-struck wood.

It was the sea monster underwater.

A very similar aura of thunder is spreading along the river.

"fire!"

Bourne roared.

The gun barrels of the escort ship on the right were turned around.

boom!

The bronze cannon spewed out large bursts of flame.

The iron bullet struck the spot where the giant tail had disappeared, sending up a water column several meters high.

But the sea monster had already dived underwater.

The shells only blasted up large areas of mud and sand in the riverbed.

"It's below the main ship!"

As soon as Xilun finished speaking, the entire ship suddenly shuddered.

A dull thud came from the bottom of the ship.

Several planks in the center of the deck bulged upwards, and river water with a strong, fishy smell gushed out from the cracks.

The sea creatures seemed to know which ship was most important.

The first attack on the escort ships was a probe.

The real target has always been the main ship carrying the blood of the sea monster.

A dark shadow darted swiftly along the bottom of the boat.

Thanks to its affinity for water, Celen finally saw its full outline.

It was a sea dragon nearly forty feet long.

Its body resembles a snake, but it is several times thicker than an ordinary python.

It has two short, underdeveloped claws on its abdomen, and a black horn that curves backward on its head.

Between the bluish-black scales on its back are streaks of silver-white lines, which constantly release faint electric light as it swims.

They are not true dragon offspring.

However, it already possesses a portion of the dragon's bloodline.

"Everyone, get out of the center of the deck!"

Siron stepped forward, spear in hand.

"Pour lime powder into the water."

"Don't throw the spears around randomly; wait until it floats to the surface before you make your move."

Upon hearing the order, the guards immediately picked up the earthenware jar.

Large amounts of lime powder were dumped into the river.

When lime comes into contact with water, it releases heat, and the originally turbid river surface quickly turns white.

The underwater sea dragon let out a low roar.

Its senses seemed to be stimulated, and its huge body suddenly rolled over.

The river was violently turbulent.

The main ship also swayed from side to side.

Several gunners fired continuously at the underwater shadow, the lead bullets hitting the scales and only sending up a string of faint sparks.

"Ordinary muskets can't penetrate it!"

Someone shouted in panic.

The sea dragon suddenly burst out of the lime-covered area.

A bluish-black head broke through the water's surface, revealing a large mouth covered with fine, sharp teeth.

It did not bite the crowd directly, but instead crashed into the stern propeller.

This exotic species is far more intelligent than ordinary wild animals.

It knew that if it damaged the propellers, the three merchant ships would lose their mobility.

Xilun's eyes darkened.

"Balloon!"

The ballistae on the right-hand escort ship were already in sight.

The winch is loosened.

Two iron spears, each as thick as an arm, pierced through the mist and shot straight at the head of the sea dragon.

The sea dragon suddenly twisted its neck.

The first iron spear flew past, grazing the scales.

The second one pierced its neck, but was clamped down by the thick muscles before it penetrated less than half a foot into the flesh.

The rope at the end of the iron spear quickly taut.

The winches on the escort ship made a clicking sound as they tried to pull the sea dragon toward the ship.

"I've got him!"

"Quickly put in the second one!"

The cheers had just begun when the massive underwater body suddenly exerted its power.

The rope instantly taut and straightened.

The escort ship was towed and tilted to the left.

The two guards operating the winch had their palms worn raw by the thick rope, but they couldn't stop the spinning iron wheel at all.

The next moment, the sea dragon suddenly shook its head.

The iron spear broke off from the flesh.

Blood mixed with scales splattered across the river surface.

The pain completely enraged it.

The sea dragon arched its body, and the silver-white patterns on its back lit up one after another.

Crack!

A thin beam of electricity spread along the river.

The people on the right-hand escort ship froze simultaneously.

Several guards standing in the floodwater screamed and fell to the ground, their skin emitting burnt white smoke.

The main ship was also affected by the lightning.

West London, however, was not significantly affected.

The instant the current entered the body, the Thunder Spirit in the chest opened on its own, like a long-starved young beast, rapidly devouring the scattered thunderous power.

A glint of bluish-white light flashed in Xilun's eyes.

This sea dragon is indeed a thunder-type monster.

"Captain, keep going."

West End Road.

Bourne was taken aback.

"The propeller is still turning, but if it crashes a few more times—"

"It won't have a chance."

He lifted his gun with one hand and stepped onto the railing at the bow of the ship.

"Mr. Sir Lun!"

Bourne's expression changed drastically.

"The contract states that you will not enter the deep water area!"

"This isn't deep water."

Lun looked at the churning river surface.

The White Stone River is only a dozen feet deep on average.

Even if they fall into the water, they are far from being completely unable to escape.

Moreover, given the intelligence displayed by the sea dragon, if it were allowed to keep ramming the bottom of the ship, the caravan would be dragged down sooner or later.

It must be brought to the surface of the water to be dealt with.

Xilun leaped down.

But he did not fall into the water.

The moment the sole of the boot touched the river surface, a thin layer of shimmering water spread outwards.

Simultaneously, the power of the Overturning Sea Technique and the innate affinity for water were activated, and the river water became like a flexible membrane, supporting Xilun's body.

He lightly touched the water with his toes and slid forward for more than ten feet, skimming the surface of the water.

"Standing on the water?"

The guards on deck were all stunned.

The second-tier worshippers opened their eyes wide.

It's not uncommon for a third-tier extraordinary being to be able to tread on water for a short period of time.

To stand as steadily as Xilun, and even rise and fall with the waves without sinking, is something that cannot be achieved by ordinary physical exertion.

The sea dragon also noticed the human who was approaching.

It opened its mouth wide and let out a sharp hiss.

The water surface was pulled by some force, and more than ten water arrows shot towards Xilun at the same time.

Xilun wielded his black iron spear.

The spearhead swept across the area.

As the water flowed with the rotation of the gun, the oncoming water jets deflected in mid-air, collided with each other, and turned into large water droplets that fell down.

A clear look of anger flashed in the sea dragon's eyes.

It paddled with its four claws, and its massive body suddenly accelerated.

In an instant, it rushed from thirty feet away to right in front of him.

It bit down with its huge mouth.

A foul stench filled the air.

Xiren had no hard stop.

Step on the water with your right foot and move your body to the side.

However, the sea dragon's agility in the water far exceeded expectations.

Its head snapped empty, its abdominal muscles contracted suddenly, and its long tail swept in from the side and rear at the same time.

fast!

too fast.

The tail, which was over twenty feet long, didn't feel bulky at all.

From accumulating power to changing direction, there was almost no noticeable pause.

Xilun didn't have time to completely dodge, so he could only hold the black iron spear upright beside him.

boom!

The gun barrel bent violently.

A terrifying force swept him away.

Xilun glided across the water for more than ten zhang, his boots creating two straight waves.

A tingling sensation came from my arms.

There was a noticeable dent in the middle of the black iron spear.

"Approaching the third-tier extreme realm."

Xilun made a quick judgment.

This sea dragon is not as powerful as the innocent prince.

However, in water, its speed and agility far surpass those of the former.

Especially the major tendons that run through the whole body.

The sea dragon exerted its power without any noticeable pause.

Its head, neck, waist, abdomen, and long tail are completely connected as one, as if the body itself is a long whip that can bend at will.

Siren readjusted his breathing.

The sea dragon gave him no chance to catch his breath.

A dark shadow flashed underwater and circled around to the side again.

Xilun closed his eyes.

Trying to follow the sea dragon's speed with your eyes will only put you a step behind.

Since we are standing on the water, we can sense its movements through the river.

The surrounding moisture quickly became clear.

The undercurrents created by the sea dragon's claws, the eddies left by its tail stirring the river, and even the fine lines of water flowing on its scales were all imprinted in Xilun's mind.

left.

Xilun suddenly turned around.

The black iron spear pierced through the water, skimming the surface.

The moment the sea dragon's head broke through the water, the spear tip precisely pierced its right eye.

puff!

Blood splattered.

The sea dragon violently twisted its head to avoid the deepest, most vital spot.

The spear tip only grazed its eyelid, yet it already roared in agony.

Xilun stepped back.

The spear tip guided the river water, always maintaining a distance of three zhang from the sea dragon.

The water flow precedes the movement.

Lei Jin hid behind.

The water shimmered brighter and brighter on the black iron spear.

The thunder patterns on the back of the sea dragon lit up completely.

Large arcs of electricity spread along the river.

Xilun did not dodge.

He took a step forward to face the lightning.

The electric current travels through the soles of the boots into the legs, instantly stiffening the muscles.

At that moment, Lei Ling released a strong suction force.

The scattered lightning energy was drawn into his chest.

The sea dragon was clearly stunned for a moment.

It couldn't understand why this human was able to devour its lightning.

This is the moment that Xilun has been waiting for.

The power of the Overturning Sea Technique rises from the soles of the feet.

Legs, waist, abdomen, shoulders, back, and arms.

All the major tendons are stretched taut layer by layer.

The watery light on the outer layer of the Xuan Tie spear suddenly contracted inward, completely enveloping a wisp of blue-white lightning energy.

Thunderous Spear Technique.

boom!

The spearhead thrust out.

Just a moment ago it was as calm as still water.

The next moment, the lightning energy hidden deep within the water light suddenly erupted.

Sensing danger, the sea dragon twisted its body to the side at an incredible angle.

The spear tip, which was originally aimed at the brow, grazed past the black horn, only tearing a long, bloody gash in the neck.

Xilun's eyes turned cold.

Physical agility remains his weakness.

His gun is comparable to that of the Shanghai Jiaolong.

His legs changed steps, but he was a beat too slow.

If Da Jin had been flexible enough, this shot should have pierced straight through the skull.

The sea dragon was injured one after another, and went completely mad.

It no longer tried to use its speed to flank, but instead leaped its massive body high out of the water, its two short claws outstretched, and pounced on Xilun along with its head.

This time, it has almost completely blocked all avenues of retreat.

Xilun suddenly released his black iron spear.

The spear was held aloft by the water and briefly hung beside him.

He spread his hands outwards.

His hydrophilic talent was unleashed at full force.

Boom!

The river beneath the sea dragon suddenly split open.

Without the support of the water, its massive body suddenly plummeted.

Xilun glided forward along the waves that spread out to both sides, instantly arriving beneath the belly of the sea dragon.

The black iron spear returned to his hand.

The spearhead points upwards.

Thunder Spirit emitted a long, silent cry.

prick!

puff!

The spear pierced through the relatively soft white scales on the sea dragon's belly.

The blue-white lightning energy erupted along the gun barrel.

Large swaths of flesh were charred by the electric light.