The only true reason the Heavenly Mystery Sect survived was that the Eight Great Sects believed they were nothing more than a den of mechanism fanatics. They paid scant attention to profit, territory, or anything else. Many among them cared only for the art of mechanisms. Because of this, the Eight Great Sects allowed them to exist; after all, letting those madmen develop their mechanisms was highly beneficial to the entire cultivation world. Let them develop, and the others could reap the rewards—why wouldn't they?

Setting aside the Heavenly Mystery Sect for the moment, let’s discuss the Netherfire Main Cannon. This was a ship-mounted artillery piece independently designed and manufactured by the Yin Sha Sect, utilizing mechanism technology developed by the Heavenly Mystery Sect. Due to its immense power, it demanded extremely pure energy; a single high-grade spirit stone could power only one shot. Furthermore, the pre-manufactured ‘shells’ created using artifact-refining techniques cost about five thousand spirit stones apiece. Consequently, one blast from the Netherfire Main Cannon cost a full fifteen thousand spirit stones.

While this seemed expensive, in reality, if one could obliterate a target with a single, formidable blast of Netherfire for just fifteen thousand spirit stones, any force would go mad for it. The power of a Netherfire Cannon was such that a cultivator at the early Golden Core stage, if caught completely off guard, could be instantly annihilated. Even if prepared, anyone whose defenses were insufficient would suffer grievously.

This cannon had two major drawbacks. First, it was excruciatingly expensive. The crafting materials included very costly artifact-refining components, even incorporating Starshine Stones to enhance its resilience. However, if only the cost were the issue, many would endure it, bankrupting themselves to acquire one. The problem was that this device was also massive and incredibly heavy. Moreover, the internal barrel structure required a certain degree of spatial technology, and because spatial properties cannot be layered, it made stowing the cannon in a storage bracelet impossible for personal carry.

This rendered the cannon almost useless for individual cultivators. It could only be employed for fixed defenses or mounted aboard a flying vessel. Weighing over ten thousand jin, even a medium-sized warship with excellent performance could never carry two of them.

Even just this single cannon drastically increased the deterrence factor of the vessel belonging to the First Squad. Even Golden Core cultivators were awestruck and kept their distance from this terrifying weapon capable of threatening their survival.

The remaining two secondary cannons were much lighter, weighing less than a thousand jin, but they could only fire Netherfire Bombs. Although the power of these bombs surpassed those launched by Lei Dong, and they could fire once every ten breaths, they posed little genuine threat to Golden Core cultivators.

All these factors combined made Lei Dong covet the warship named Nether Nine [Great Devil, update for Xiao Mei] immensely. It was even superior to his Master’s Ghost King Skiff. However, an individual could only obtain such a warship by exchanging contribution points. A casual inquiry revealed that this battle vessel required a staggering one hundred and forty million contribution points, and that was after a thirty percent discount. This instantly silenced Lei Dong. The value of this thing was nearly equivalent to the Grand Five Elements Spirit Gathering Array. Even converting that many contribution points entirely into spirit stones would yield over thirteen million.

Lei Dong’s current patrol mission was slated to last one year. Barring any unusual incidents, he was set to earn five million contribution points, and this was already factoring in his status as a primary War Soldier. At this rate, accumulating enough contributions for a medium-sized warship would take twenty-eight years…

Thus, regarding this cool and practical warship, Lei Dong could only continue to eye it with envy.

Although he had considered acquiring some smaller, cheaper flying skiffs suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators for simple transport, once he saw a warship like the Nether Nine, Lei Dong’s ambition soared. Those small, single-occupant skiffs were purely toys now.

Cool and impressive, the Nether Nine slid slowly through the night sky over the East Sea, resembling a colossal aerial beast. While it appeared slow, its current speed was already three thousand li per shichen (two hours). The pale white light shield was active, rippling with pleasing patterns. This was not for defense, but to repel the high-altitude gales.

Lei Dong stood by the gunwale, hands clasped behind his back, quietly observing the East Sea, known as the boundless ocean expanse below. They were already more than ten thousand li from the coast, deep into the open sea territory. Perhaps because the sea was so vast, the twenty-zhang-long Nether Nine seemed utterly insignificant in the immense waters. Flying close to the surface, even in clear waters, a single giant wave might capsize the deck. Those towering, surging waves filled Lei Dong with dread. The seas he had seen in his previous life were mere placid lakes compared to this.

“Number One, it’s time for us to find some fun,” Zhang Heng suddenly appeared beside Lei Dong, hands behind his back, a look of excitement on his face. “The sea area nearby is the junction between the near-shore and the deep sea. This season is precisely when the tide is turning.”

Zhang Heng gave a signal, and the Nether Nine’s speed began to slow, descending gradually at a slant. They stopped dozens of zhang above the water surface, safe from the waves. When the semi-transparent white shield was retracted, the sheer proximity to the waves made the turbulence even more staggering. An incoming rogue wave could easily reach ten zhang high. The collision between the seasonal winds and the tides churned up plumes of spray that occasionally splashed onto Lei Dong standing by the railing.

Zhang Heng pursed his lips and gazed down, appearing strangely exhilarated, as if some great prize awaited his grasp below. As expected, he raised a hand and plunged it downward. His dark, ink-like Nether Ghost Claw pierced the water surface, grasping something before retracting and tossing the catch onto the deck, whereupon the spectral claw dissolved.

Thump-thump-thump. A strange fish, about three feet long, flapped wildly on the deck. This fish was encased in thick scales, possessed a powerful, streamlined tail fin, and leaped several zhang high with each spasm. Most peculiar was the long, backward-pointing barb growing from its head, and its exposed teeth were sharp and savage. Soon, however, it stopped struggling, pinned flat against the deck by Zhang Heng’s divine sense, utterly immobilized.

The other members of the First Squad rushed out. Seeing the strange fish, they all showed delight. “Captain, are we fishing for a Sea Overlord this time?”

“Exactly. Since Number One is new, and the season is right, I specifically made a detour to let him witness the might of the Sea Overlord,” Zhang Heng said excitedly. Though framed as bringing Lei Dong along, it seemed he primarily wanted to come himself.

However, his expression fueled Lei Dong’s curiosity. Sea Overlord? What exactly was that? Of course, Lei Dong didn't believe that three-foot ‘little fish’ was the Sea Overlord.

“Number Two, you explain it to Lei Dong,” Zhang Heng commanded, pulling out a giant hook and viciously snagging the strange fish. He then used a small knife to score numerous gashes into its body. Immediately, the fish began to bleed profusely. In pain, it struggled desperately, but its strength was insufficient to overpower Zhang Heng.

The current Number Two was not the one Lei Dong had encountered previously; it was the former Number One, whom Lei Dong had fought fiercely. After being knocked down to position forty-four by Lei Dong, he was naturally unwilling to stay there. Yet, wary of Lei Dong’s strength and calculating that his chances of winning a rematch wouldn't be much better after losing an Eighth-Rank Ghost Guard, he targeted the original Number Two, taking his position after some effort.

Lei Dong surmised that the original Number Two would not accept this defeat quietly. Since the Ancient Demon had taken Number One’s spot, a major reshuffle was inevitable below. Anyone who felt capable would certainly refuse to be ranked behind someone weaker. After all, the higher the rank, the more contribution points earned per mission; everyone aspired to secure greater resources.

Number Two understood the rules of assignment. Although he felt considerable annoyance toward Lei Dong, he nonetheless explained seriously: “The Sea Overlord is a rather famous aquatic monster in the East Sea region, extremely difficult to deal with. It possesses combat power comparable to an early Golden Core cultivator, and in the water, even an early Golden Core cultivator might not be its match. At this time of year, some of them gather near here because they favor feeding on a type of fish called Horned Scale Fish. Since Horned Scale Fish are also quite rare and usually hard to find, they congregate here only during this season to prey on yet another species of fish. Big fish eat little fish, you understand.”

The original Number Three, now Number Four, was a female cultivator. She was even more enthusiastic. “I also enjoy eating Horned Scale Fish. This fish is extremely delicious, its flesh tender and smooth—a rare treat. However, I prefer the Sea Overlord; the fragrance rendered from its oils is incredibly alluring.”

Number Two shot Number Four an annoyed glance, sighing in resignation to Lei Dong. “Number One, as you see, the Sea Overlord’s oil can be refined into an essence that female cultivators find irresistible. This essence drives many women wild. It sells for a high price on the market. Furthermore, other materials from the Sea Overlord are quite valuable, such as its incredibly durable hide, which can be used to forge spirit armor or shields. Most importantly, the Sea Overlord is a Golden Core-level monster beast, and its inner core is extremely valuable. If we can capture one, the total haul could reach around 1.5 million spirit stones.”

Lei Dong was stunned. These people actually dared to provoke a Golden Core-level sea monster? Still, a Golden Core beast fetching 1.5 million spirit stones was indeed a massive payoff.

But that thing was a Golden Core-level monster! He wondered if it could even withstand their attack.

Seeming to sense Lei Dong’s shock, Zhang Heng smiled slyly. “Don’t worry. If we didn't have the means to deal with a Sea Overlord, we wouldn't provoke it casually. Alright, alright, everyone start working! Those slacking off shouldn't complain when the money is divided later!”