Nightmare’s Call

It was not until late afternoon that Lin Sheng reluctantly left the warehouse with the Thunderbeast’s body. The Thunderbeast had transformed into a plume of black smoke and was now lingering around him. However, this second body of his could not act independently, so it was best that he just kept it close to him at the ready.

Lin Sheng continued to study the new thunderbolt that formed after the Thunderbeast’s electric current and sacred power fused. He could almost feel his ability to deal damage increase exponentially after he acquired the combat strength of the Thunderbeast. His strength could actually reach that of a Four-Wing level if he pushed it to the limit. The Thunderbeast had two unmatched abilities; one of them was the ability to summon thunderbolts as it pleased with two-winger damage, and the other was the ability to dematerialize into electric current to dodge physical attacks. The Thunderbeast could quickly regrow its limbs in battle as long as its core was undamaged. All it took was a little electric current to regenerate its tissues.

Lin Sheng felt his way back to his rented house. His mind was still in a heightened state of excitement before he hit the sack. He knew the strength of the ability he had just discovered. While the previous summoning ceremonies had brought him a large number of powerful soldiers and commanders, the latest summoning ritual had given him an avatar that he could conveniently move his consciousness in and out of. For now, he only possessed a Thunderbeast, but who knew the future? He may be able to summon an even more powerful monster someday. Imagine what he would become with such a body.

…

Under the starry night sky, a large ship was cruising speedily on the high seas, forming a stark contrast with the stars that seemed fixed in the sky. Khadula was sitting on the bow, gazing into the distance as the vessel cut through the gusty wind and choppy water, cruising forward. Powerful waves rammed against the bow, separated, and splashed onto the deck.

Strangely, Khadula’s body remained dry, unaffected by the salty water. She was only wearing a pair of white socks and sitting on a white metal chair, hugging her legs close to herself while remaining motionless.

“Why are you sitting here alone?” Chen Minjia approached from behind and moved next to Khadula, placing her hands on the bow rail. Like Khadula, she gazed forward as the bow dived and rose in the waves. “The ship may not be as large as a cruise ship, but it’s good enough to send us to Xylond, no worries.” She thought Khadula was concerned about the safety of the ship.

“What about my brother’s kin? Are they alright?” asked Khadula as she snapped out of her daze.

“They are fine and calm,” Chen Minjia said with a smile. “They were very cooperative. Upon hearing about the chance to leave Xilin, they followed my men at once.”

“Oh, yeah?” Khadula smiled. “How long before we reach Port Assia?” Unlike her previous flirtatious allure, she looked as innocent as could be in her silence.

Chen Minjia was transfixed for a moment before she quickly came to her senses. “Tomorrow night, if everything goes well.” She paused before she continued, “For safety reasons, I’ve arranged another three vessels of the same model and tonnage to depart at the same time to act as decoys. Like our vessel, the three are also headed toward Xylond but on different routes and with different passengers.

“What does this ship usually carry?” Khadula asked curiously.

“Canned food to Xylond,” replied Chen Minjia. “We are only hitchhiking.”

“Then, the enemy can simply intercept all four vessels.” Khadula was perplexed.

“That is why I have chosen this ship. I have done my homework; this ship will pass through the waters where the Xylond Navy usually patrols. We will raise the Xylond flag tomorrow morning because we are going to encounter the Xylond Navy soon,” Chen Minjia said, smiling. She had used the power of covertness, camouflage, and leverage to her advantage. It was an almost perfect plan. Even Khadula was stunned and could not find a flaw in it.

“Will the Xylond Navy protect us?” Khadula asked puzzledly.

“Hence, the Xylond flag.” Chen Minjia smiled. “No worries. Besides us, most of the passengers on board this ship are Xylonders.

What a crafty chick! Khadula thought. To a person who only knew how to solve problems through brute force, the sneaky way of survival was indeed an eye-opener.

“We’re a lot safer on board this ship. The Xylond Navy may not be bothered about us at all, but they will not abandon the hundred or so Xylonders on board,” said Chen Minjia, arching the corner of her mouth.

…

In the passenger compartment, a bearded, middle-aged man, who was a little stooped and wearing a white suit, used a metal card and carefully gained access to Chen Minjia’s sleeping cabin. His movement was quick as he rummaged through the room, searching the drawers, wardrobe, under the bed, safe, blanket, pillows, and all. Soon, he found stacks of money hidden randomly around the room and a black fabric bag in the safe. The man’s actions were deft as if he knew the password to the safe beforehand. He took the bag and tipped it over. Instantly, a silver ring with a yellow wooden orb inlay dropped out.

“Found it!” The man looked delighted. The ring was Chen Minjia’s most valuable item. He just needed to go to the Olro Union Bank and show the ring. Irrespective of who the ring bearer was, he would instantly gain access to the vast wealth in the account. The ring carried all the money that Chen Minjia had gained after she sold her properties.

The man took the ring but put the rest of the items back in their original positions. After that, he fished out another ring from his pocket and placed it in the safe. With that done, he quickly left the room and returned to his sleeping cabin. Once the man was back in his place, he sat on his bed and reached under his pillow to take out a small metal box that looked like a music box. He gave it a gentle twist, and the lid swung open, revealing the brass mechanical components inside.

The box instantly clinked to life with a pleasant melody. Following that, the man pressed his finger against the bottom of the box.