Deep Sea Hunter, but Deep Sea Titan

Chapter 257: The Arms Race

The pale seabed was quickly occupied by wriggling Nether Trace. These microorganisms absorbed the genes of the hyperthermophilic organisms of the hydrothermal vents and optimized them, gaining unprecedented heat resistance. Lotin noticed that the burning process of the Nether Trace became more lengthy, and some Nether Trace could even adhere to his body for a moment.

Unfortunately, given Loting's current dual resistances, even if the Nether Mark touched Loting's outer shell, it would be difficult to cause substantial damage. In comparison, although the navigation ship was also using its hull heating equipment to burn the attached Nether Mark, its efficiency was ultimately inferior to Loting's passive equipment.

Fortunately, the buffs from the Imperial Orders and the Destroyer both apply to this warship, so its onboard nano-repair robots are sufficient to ensure the durability and safety of the armor layers.

The tides are just the very end of a large group of tendrils. These tiny creatures have undergone adaptive evolution, and their main fighting force will only receive more abundant resources.

At the very least, Lotin cannot simply stand there motionless and let Haisi's offensive crumble because of the burning; now he needs to take more aggressive and proactive measures.

"A supersonic object is rapidly approaching!"

Shipborne sonar detected a high-speed moving underwater object.

"They are supersonic bone needles, and their hardness seems to have increased. These creatures have accumulated more minerals."

Lotin discovered that these bone needles were projected from a considerable distance, and the swarm had somehow learned to project fire before touching the ground.

"so what?"

[Mountain and Sea Scroll] Loting beneath his skin can freely spend mana to shape terrain. Thus, a sufficiently thick moving stone wall was created by him. When its durability was damaged by the bombardment of bone needles, Loting was able to easily repair it.

The burrowing worms wanted to disintegrate the constantly repaired stone wall from the inside, but Lotin crushed them to death by increasing the density of the wall. Any worms that managed to escape were burned to death by the ship's weapons and aura.

"The final counterattack of the large group cannot be limited to these; they are most likely just a probe and a vanguard."

Loting maintained this state for a considerable distance before some extremely large black shadows began to fill the still corrupt and decadent ocean. These were third-generation biological warships that had emerged from their cocoons. Unlike the ones Loting had encountered in the previous two encounters, their differentiation and weaponization were more complete.

Moreover, their numbers are enormous; if you include an even larger number of smaller, warship-like Sea-Child individuals, their numbers exceed the total of all of Terra's existing armed forces.

"What a familiar sight! Compared to this, the previous incidents were nothing more than minor skirmishes."

Loting couldn't help but recall the Great Tranquility when he was surrounded by abominations and monsters, and the pain he endured when the system's emergency awareness went offline for protection was probably the only torment in this world that Loting could remember.

This one is even larger than the Great Quiet, but the swarm is no longer capable of creating a massive tsunami.

From this point onward, the firepower of these biological weapons became even more ferocious. Lotin could forcibly reinforce the encrypted stone walls to pass through in a defensive posture, but in Lotin's view, why not use the same amount of magic to kill the enemy directly?

This way, he could still gain some benefits and prevent large groups from bypassing him to switch bases. Since those Terrans had been paying him tithes on time and providing him with a continuous boost to mana through the [Imperial Command] equipment, he had an obligation to abide by the agreement with these Terrans.

Let the sea boil!

Even the most thermophilic organisms can only tolerate temperatures up to 150 degrees Celsius. Even though large groups of these aquatic organisms have extremely high heat resistance through special vacuum barriers and bio-enriched heat-resistant materials, they still cannot withstand direct contact with scalding lava.

Gonggong, the bronze guardian of mountains and rivers, can transform water into flowing lava out of thin air. The intricate bronze patterns overflow with angry red light. In an instant, the deep seabed is illuminated by a shimmering dark red halo, and the seawater boils instantly. Unfortunately, simple boiling water can no longer harm these heat-resistant creatures that have undergone targeted evolution.

However, direct contact with lava can still kill these abyssal monsters, which are already quite heat-resistant.

Spore mines encased in unstable compounds kept exploding around the navigation ship, and toxic, hard crystals sparked at supersonic speeds against the armor layers. Some tiny marine organisms evolved specialized organs to corrode the armor plates, gradually destroying the warship's armor plates.

This simple and brutal lava attack is currently effective, but it will gradually be adapted to, and its effectiveness will only decrease.

"It seems that these simple killing methods will be adapted to first. However, the killing methods based on the black box principle will probably be difficult for most groups to adapt to without Isamara's guidance."

For example, regarding the magic and supernatural powers of Runeterra, Lothing still doesn't know the exact principles behind Nautilus's E and R abilities. Even if a large group tries to stack magic resistance, Lothing can easily defeat them with his percentage magic penetration items.

After all, they cannot be structurally immune to this kind of damage, so they can only forcibly build up resistance, and simply building up resistance is still a solution.

With the magic penetration rod providing 40% critical penetration, once he reaches level 16 and unlocks the extra equipment slot, Lotin is confident that he can compete with the Big Group to see whose stats expand faster.

In addition, Lotin stated that while Haisi can forcibly stack magic resistance, he can also forcibly stack magic power, and the Hat of Destroyer will be a must-have option.

Your Sea Siren's stacking of magic resistance requires consuming the planet's limited resources, while my stacking of magic power only requires me to keep killing Sea Sirens.

However, Luo Ting felt that things wouldn't reach that point until the matter was resolved.

Unfortunately, powerful marine creatures are often classified as top-tier monsters on par with Baron Nashor. Based on the feedback from the system over this period, Loting discovered that only a small number of individuals with complete consciousness and intelligence are classified as hero units, such as a certain "newborn".

Otherwise, the priority of [Abyss Mask] and [Curse of the Bloodletter] could be higher. It's not that we won't buy them, but since most Sea Creepers are neutral monsters, these two items that target hero units can be considered later.

As things stand, the overflowing red destructive energy from the violent earthquake caused by Lotin stepping on the seabed is enough to wipe out any enemies not killed by the lava.

Even if some biological warships that are further away are not destroyed immediately, they will still suffer significant losses in combat power.

These flesh-and-blood enemies were so densely packed that they formed monstrous waves. They were carried on the seawater that had transformed into lava, crashing and bleeding themselves, but after one wave shattered the lava saint, many more remained.

These survivors will be eliminated by the W skill.

The bronze giant waved its massive anchor, creating towering whirlpools and waves. The bottom layers were lifted by friction, and the earthquake-induced rock layers crushed countless weak sea creatures.

Wherever he went, there were filthy, mangled carcasses of sea monsters. Although the direct killing efficiency of the [Sunfire Aegis] has decreased, it can still effectively prevent Sea Heir from recovering biomass from the corpses of his companions.

Nautilus was advancing, marching, carving a bloody path through the chitinous waves of the sea.

Lotin had good reason to suspect that there were even more powerful individuals closer to the ruins.

Meanwhile, the aftermath of the battle with Lotin began to spread to the coasts of Iberia and Yan, and the Terrans would face their own trials.

Chapter 258: Our Alliance

Although Lotin himself has penetrated deep into enemy territory, the buffs from [Shipbreaker] and [Imperial Command] still apply to the armies sent by these nations that have submitted to Nautilus and paid tithes.

The Sarkaz Royal Court expeditionary force is composed of Bloodfiends and Carrion Eaters. Their physiological makeup determines that they are not destined to enjoy the peace that other Sarkaz dream of. Prolonged absence from war will make them decay and weaken.

Many Sarkaz people are not adapted to the cold and damp climate of Iberia, even though the uplift of the continental shelf caused by Lotin has made the area drier than it was before.

Cities closer to the land have further resumed production, but Iberia's limited labor force is still unable to get all the reclaimed land operational in a short period of time.

The soldiers of the Carrion King's Court were among the most disciplined in the Sarkaz, but Nezrei strictly controlled his troops, not wanting the image of the Sarkaz to deteriorate further during this expedition.

In his view, fighting against the enemy of civilization is an excellent opportunity to improve the international image of the Sarkaz.

Compared to his scavengers, Ducarre and his Blood Demon cronies were clearly more difficult to control, but under Quessassina's supervision, he still did not do anything excessive to the Iberian settlements he passed along the way.

"But who exactly is this Iberian goddess of harvest?"

Quessina learned from the court's envoy that a lady from the East taught and helped them to "revive the dead land" so that it could be used for cultivation again.

Quessina was interested because she hoped that the Sarkaz could also receive help from this "Goddess of Harvest".

"All we know is that she was a guest brought by Lord Nautilus."

The envoy didn't hide anything, because that really was all he knew.

Quessina realized that since he could introduce the "Goddess of Harvest" to Iberia, he could also introduce her to Kazdel if he wanted to.

The prerequisite is that the Demon King's subjects are enough to satisfy him.

"I never expected that the Sarkaz could assemble such a well-trained army in such a short period of time."

The envoy seemed unaware that his compliment was actually an offense.

Niecilei exuded a chilling aura due to the envoy's slip of the tongue, while Ducarre directly revealed his murderous intent.

"After all, the Sarkaz used to be a disorganized mess, but now that we've become one, we're naturally not the same anymore."

"Just as we would not view Iberia today by the standards of its golden age."

Quessina retorted to the envoy's inappropriate remarks with a blank expression. Some facts are better left unsaid, since they are allies now and it would be embarrassing to point them out.

"Is this Chaoshi Town?"

Quessina remembered this place; Lotin had mentioned in his speech in Kazdel that a noble Sarkaz compatriot had sacrificed himself to protect the townspeople here.

"This place was once a corrupt and degenerate land controlled by cultists. We were powerless to reclaim it before Lord Nautilus took his protection, and one of our judges was killed here."

The envoy did not consider this place to be anything special.

"No, there is the blood of carrion eaters here."

Niezire was very sensitive to the scent of other scavengers, and he quickly located a grave on the hillside with a rusty bell on it.

The Tomb of Caesaroldo the Bell Ringer.

Niezire realized that this hybrid scavenger was the Sarkaz who had been mentioned by Lotin as having died in Iberia.

Ancient Sarkaz witchcraft extracted the remnants of consciousness from the remains in the grave. Horrifying images flooded the consciousness of the scavenger elder: the shameless betrayal of those who clung to life, the inhumane hybrid experiments, and the suffering that a brass diver had to end for this poor man.

The one who cared most about the bell ringer was actually a Sarkaz priest named Andorn, but in the end, these hypocritical Sarkaz people—or more accurately, the Lateran side—still watched Iberia with indifference!

"Oh, poor child."

A kind-looking elderly scavenger is mourning the loss of an innocent life.

“We were weak and scattered back then, too small, but now we have regrouped.”

Anger swelled within the scavenger army; such insults and persecution fueled their fury.

"Your Majesty, do you know this bell ringer?"

The envoy saw Niecilei standing in front of the tomb for a long time and wanted to know what had happened there.

“I have never met this poor child, but I already know his story.”

Niezley did not continue the conversation with the envoy. So the army of carrion scavengers marched over the smashed statue of the Sakota saint and continued toward the rendezvous point. The stone halo that had fallen to the ground was trampled by thousands of people until it turned to dust.

The Silver Spears and Pegasus were faster, as rapid marching was their forte. Even with some auxiliary troops slowing them down, Margaret had already arrived at the Inquisition's front-line command post.

"The Knight King of Kazimierz is so young, truly a promising young man."

Carmen had already heard that Kazimierz's new master was a young knight, but she never imagined he would be so young.

“Being too young is not a good thing for someone who is responsible for a country.”

"Your Excellency the Saint is completely overpraising me."

Margaret glanced at the tall and burly Ursus Emperor's inner guards out of the corner of her eye. Although they were few in number, they were Ursus's most elite and hard-pressed force.

However, she was unaware that many of these Ursus guards were the same group that had dealt with Nautilus before.

At this moment, the two Sarkaz lords also entered the command post.

Although Quessina is not a member of any royal court, as the Demon King's confidante and the last pardoner, she holds a status equal to that of the Grand Prince of the royal court.

"What a grand occasion! Whether they are mortal enemies or former allies, they have all gathered here."

Quessina saw some people that even she didn't particularly like. Although it wasn't exactly prejudice or malice, there was still a noticeable awkwardness—those shining halos, the Papal Knights, who had come to support the Lateran Church.

It's impossible for the Sarkaz and Sakotas not to be tense when they sit at the same round table.

"Long time no see, great King of Knights."

Although the occasion forced them to be polite and somewhat awkward in their words, the knowing glances exchanged between the two close friends still proved that their friendship remained strong.

"You too, Your Excellency, I wish you well in overcoming your past nightmares."

Margaret chose to address Quessina using the least sensitive of her identities—a member of the Royal Council. She genuinely congratulated Quessina on breaking free from the curse of the Undying Lord.

"Our young and promising Knight King actually has close ties with the demons."

A pedantic papal knight muttered a curse, his voice laced with prejudice and malice.

"The treacherous Sakota dares to reappear before the Iberians? Where were you during the Great Tranquility? Did you only send a few symbolic men because you coveted the reward promised by Agor?"

Ducarre was already unhappy about the self-restraint, and after learning about the Sarkaz's past actions in Tidestone, he had an even stronger angle to attack.

"You rude and uncouth demon!"

Carmen felt that Nautilus was too generous; these Sarkaz and Sarkaz didn't even start a fight, but just talked a lot.

"enough!"

Argoor's representative, Clementa, could not stand by and watch such a barbaric argument, so she stepped in to stop the pointless quarrel.

"I believe that everyone here has been guided by that Creator, whether consciously or unconsciously. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. In the face of the enemy we are facing, even Agor is no match for a single tree."

"We are too weak and powerless; we have to give our all even to face the aftermath of the enemy's attack."

"But that's precisely why we need to unite and form a pincer movement with the Yan Kingdom in the east."

"Sarkaz, as far as I can see, these Sarkaz didn't start any trouble, so who is the barbaric one?"

Under Clementa's mediation, the Papal Knight, who was in the wrong, did not continue to indulge his racial sentiments and quietly stopped arguing.

"I propose that we get down to business immediately and begin our defense deployment."

Seeing that the Agorian had made a fair mediation, Quessina suggested that they focus their efforts on what truly mattered.

This is the first time the people of Terra have united to face a common challenge.

Chapter 259: United in Hatred