“...It really stings, doesn't it? Being trapped by the pathetic game set up by Chu Xuan and Xiao Honglu?” Xiaoting chuckled wickedly beside him.

Zheng Zha didn't reply, merely drawing out the Hu Po blade and letting it swing loosely in his hand. Seeing his frustrated expression, it was clear Xiaoting had hit a nerve. This horror movie world wasn't his stage at all; it was the arena for the battle between the three teams' masterminds. Whether it was him, the rest of the Central Continent team, the East Sea team, or even his clone, they were all just pawns in the clash between those three strategists. If that were all, fine, but... “But Chu Xuan and the others set up such a frustrating trap—having the sheer power to fight yet being forced to retreat, watching the East Sea team advance, yet having to allow their members to be captured. Truly...” He couldn't help but complain, though his voice was barely audible, the words carried clearly to Xiaoting standing beside him.

Xiaoting let out a dry laugh. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but Zheng Zha raised a hand slightly, stopping him.

“...They’re here.”

He linked up with Xiaoting.

Xiaoting already wore a perpetual smirk, and upon hearing the words, his expression didn't change. He remained grinning behind Zheng Zha, and the two continued to gaze out at the distant sea surface as if nothing were happening.

“They’re fast, Zheng Zha...” Xiaoting’s Nanto Suijakuken was a martial art primarily focused on controlling wind to strike the enemy, granting him a unique sensitivity to air currents. Despite his physical attributes lagging far behind Zheng Zha’s, in terms of simply sensing and locating via the wind, he wasn't far behind.

Zheng Zha nodded faintly, saying nothing more.

He even sheathed the Hu Po blade, simply standing with his back to the direction from which the East Sea team was approaching.

Silently standing amidst the raging storm... The East Sea team's numerous warships were already quite close to the destroyer. Of course.

They couldn't be seen directly with the naked eye; after all, the storm provided the perfect screen. An ordinary person would be doing well to see a hundred meters out. Only members of a Reincarnation Squad could pierce such concealment.

“Let’s keep it here. A direct fight for the Reincarnation Squad members—these warships are utterly beneath them. If we sent them in to attack, the Central Continent team would crush them all.

We still need them to get back.

So, these ships cannot engage.”

She glanced quickly at Gong Tian Cangmu before hastily averting her gaze. “Moreover, this isn't a direct assault; it’s a sneak attack. We must manage the timing carefully because our strength is far inferior to the Central Continent team. Whether in a frontal engagement or by catching them off guard, once the Central Continent team recovers, even half their members would be enough to kill the five of us.

So, we can only sneak in; no brute force entry. These ships will remain here. Only we will proceed.”

The bald giant sneered and muttered darkly, “Easy to say. If we lack the coordinated attack from these ships, once discovered, we’ll be plunged into a bitter fight, perhaps unable to even escape. Are you losing your mind? These ships were explicitly sent as disposable decoys to cover our approach. Never mind you, even the fleet commander understands this—otherwise, why do you think they only dispatched these few fast warships?”

“Or perhaps... you’re a spy for those Chinese pigs? That would explain why you’ve always treated those Chinese pigs with such kindness!” Cangjing Kong’s face cycled rapidly between pale and green. She immediately looked toward Gong Tian Cangmu, only to find him giving her a brief, reassuring glance. Relief washed over the girl, but it was instantly replaced by explosive anger, directed, naturally, at the foul-mouthed bald giant.

“...You can sneak glances at me all you want in private, and though those looks are disgusting and vile, you shouldn’t be spouting such nonsense about me!” Cangjing Kong’s eyes gradually shifted from black to a shimmering silver-white, making her entire gaze appear luminous—truly terrifying and ferocious. The bald giant, who had been somewhat indifferent, perhaps assuming Captain Gong Tian Cangmu would curb Cangjing Kong’s actions, froze when he saw her eyes turn completely white. Gong Tian Cangmu remained silent. The giant couldn't keep still; cold sweat began to seep uncontrollably from his pores.

“I, I was merely stating facts. And I didn't say you are one of those Chinese pigs. I was just dissatisfied with your consistent attitude!” The bald giant softened his tone but remained stubbornly defiant.

Cangjing Kong said nothing, clenching her jaw as she stared coldly at the bald man before her. Gradually, a patch of distorted space began to form between her and the giant, a space where light itself seemed unable to flow smoothly. Seeing this, the bald giant finally couldn't hold back and roared. The muscles across his entire body began to bulge, adopting a stance ready for a desperate fight.

“Enough!” Gong Tian Cangmu suddenly drew his blade and stood between the two. The twisted space shattered into nothingness under the slash of his sword. The bald giant quickly stopped his aggressive posture, scrambling several meters away. Only then did the cold sweat truly start to flow from him, while Cangjing Kong’s eyes returned to normal, though tears welled in them as she looked at Gong Tian Cangmu with deep grievance.

Gong Tian Cangmu coughed awkwardly, then glared fiercely at the bald giant. “Shut your mouth! Always so reckless, Koizumi Masao, do you really think I wouldn't punish you?” Koizumi Masao mumbled a few words, then stood with his head bowed, appearing deeply shaken from his fear.

Gong Tian Cangmu looked toward Cangjing Kong, coughed again unnaturally, and then spoke, “Cangjing Kong, your suggestion is indeed too risky. If we are discovered, we won't even have a chance to flee. But we can't send all the ships to attack either. How about this: leave two warships stationary, and have the rest attack the destroyer immediately behind us. We can use the ensuing chaos to escape. What do you think?”

Cangjing Kong opened her mouth, about to voice an objection, but when she saw Gong Tian Cangmu’s slightly helpless expression, she swallowed her words. She understood that her captain was good in every way, except he placed too high a value on the lives of his team members, often leading to indecision that caused greater problems—Koizumi Masao being a prime example... Did that man even deserve such measured treatment from their captain?

Gong Tian Cangmu was oblivious to Cangjing Kong’s thoughts. He looked toward the distance and said, “Then let the operation commence! Cangjing Kong, scan the entire destroyer. Provide information and personnel location diagrams to the best of your ability without breaching their mental shielding. And most importantly, protect His Highness Shenggong.”

“Koizumi Masao, you will accompany me. Upon identifying the enemy, cooperate immediately to subdue them. Your close-combat burst power is considerable; a surprise attack should be enough to capture one or two.”

“Mitsui Do, you are responsible for dealing with their long-range attackers and tying up any reinforcements. We only need a short window of safety.”

Gong Tian Cangmu looked towards the tall, thin Mitsui Do, who nodded to indicate he understood.

With all instructions delivered, Gong Tian Cangmu took a deep breath and turned to the old man beside him. “Your Highness Shenggong, I trouble you. Shall we begin?” The old man nodded, then began making slow gestures in the air before him while muttering incantations. As his hands moved, a patch of darkness, roughly five square meters in size, manifested on the ground ahead. It looked as though liquid shadows were flowing within this darkness. Suddenly, a massive claw erupted from below, followed by a giant monster, entirely black, resembling a bird yet not quite, rising from the dark space. Its form suggested an eagle, albeit one four to five meters in length, with a wingspan easily exceeding ten meters when spread. Its appearance was terrifying and monstrous, truly frightening as if conjured from a nightmare.

“Let’s go!” Gong Tian Cangmu was the first to leap onto the giant eagle’s back. The others followed suit. Only Cangjing Kong remained standing, watching Gong Tian Cangmu with concern. As the giant eagle spread its wings, Gong Tian Cangmu turned back to her and said, “Then everything is entrusted to you. Now, order the other warships to attack the destroyer where the Central Continent team is stationed. Please ensure His Highness Shenggong is protected; he cannot compare to us; besides Zenki, he has no combat power left. Everything is up to you...” With that, he turned away and didn't look back at Cangjing Kong. The giant eagle let out a piercing cry, a sound like grinding metal, and in the next second, it had shot dozens of meters away, rushing like a gale toward the distant horizon.

“...The ‘Main God’ restricts personal flight devices, but personal skills that allow flight are not restricted. We have someone who can fly... Does the Central Continent team have no one who can fly?” Cangjing Kong sighed inwardly. She turned to look at the stunned soldiers standing behind her and urgently called out, “Then please inform the Colonel: begin the attack. Except for our ship, all other warships are to attack that destroyer simultaneously... Everything relies on you!” She jumped to the giant eagle.