Sky-cracking Rider

Torpedoes, since their invention, had always been a type of weapon that relied on a luck attribute, and even with continuous upgrades and iterations, they still heavily depended on luck values. Achieving a hit rate of one in five in regular combat was already a cause for gratitude, hence the common remedy was simply to increase the power, speed, and launch quantity.

Below the sea's surface, the undulating waves of sonar detection locked onto their target. Eight torpedoes collectively targeted the "Sea Wolf Shark" Magical Beast, which could not dodge and still found the distance between them rapidly closing.

With a loud bang enveloped by countless bubbles, a violent surge erupted underwater followed by a flash of red light, throwing the seawater within a hundred meters into chaotic turmoil.

Torpedoes did not pursue a direct hit on the target, but once they brought the target within the absolute lethal radius, they couldn't wait to self-destruct, using the excellent conductivity of the seawater pressure to achieve the desired lethal effect.

The "Sea Wolf Shark," parasitized by the King Species, released a Water-type Magic Shield and even froze the seawater into solid ice, while continuously firing Ice Spears toward the torpedoes. However, these defensive measures hindered its mobility, allowing the fast-approaching torpedoes to hit it squarely one after another.

Even for a probability-based weapon requiring luck, the hit rate would surge against a static target that had lost its maneuverability, though it might not be perfect, it was not far off.

In the dense explosions created by eight 533-millimeter diameter torpedoes, the defensive spells released by the host "Sea Wolf Shark" shattered one after another.

The enormous spindle-shaped body involuntarily floated to the surface. Miniature submarines closely followed the just-launched torpedoes, rapidly approaching, with the unlaunched torpedoes ready to fire. The sonar waves not only located but also probed the floating magical beast body as a form of tentative attack.

The dolphins of Blue Star would use their ultrasonic waves to stun fish, akin to the way aerial radar cooks rabbits.

Adam: Target King Breed Host has lost the ability to resist, floated to the surface, still not dead.

Aquatic species often lack thick skin and flesh. Even for a Magical Beast, there is a natural disadvantage in physical defense. Surviving the full onslaught of eight 533-millimeter diameter torpedoes can only be attributed to both good luck and toughness.

The reconnaissance drone that swiftly approached sent back images, appearing on Chen Fei's visual interface.

The spindle-shaped magical beast floated on the water surface, bobbing up and down. Its formidable forefin claws were missing one, and its back spines were nearly all gone. The tough, smooth surface of its body displayed various overlapping scars, with the longest wound over a meter long. Deep within the wound, one could see the white layers of fat, bright red muscle tissues, and the faint sight of broken bones, from which blood was profusely seeping into the sea.

Had the sea area not just experienced a fierce bombardment, killing many aquatic creatures in the process, by now, numerous bloodthirsty carnivorous aquatic animals would probably have swarmed to tear apart this fresh flesh.

"'Adam,' capture the target, bring it back to land."

Chen Fei, leading the Airship Battle Group for the first time in actual combat, realized that besides the flagship responsible for central command and firepower support and the Cooperative Ships assisting in combat, there was a need for specialized multi-functional auxiliary units, namely the Auxiliary Ships carrying various equipment.

A Landing Craft detached from the Auxiliary Ship, flew over the sea area at the harbor entrance, right above the unconscious "Sea Wolf Shark" floating on the surface. A dozen Combat Mechs rappelled down, spread a large net, and captured the enormous King Breed Host, hauling it from the sea surface.

The "Sea Wolf Shark" was an amphibious magical beast with two sets of respiratory organs for both surface and underwater breathing, allowing it to sustain its vital signs temporarily out of water.

At this moment, vehicles and troops on foot advanced together; the vanguard of three thousand mercenaries had entered the village, confronting the villagers. Because they had been previously ordered not to kill the innocent and there were no orders to seize the Harbor Village, the situation was maintained without further escalation.

The villagers, who had just witnessed the slaughter of the Guardian Beast Herd, were still in shock. Additionally, the sudden appearance of a large number of mercenaries caused uncontrollable panic.

"Boss, what should we do about these villagers? They're about to hack at us."

The three thousand mercenaries had a Command Center, led by the commander from the "Furious Witch" brigade, Ballerina, nicknamed "Soul Eating Flower." Seeing the tense atmosphere between the mercenaries and villagers about to erupt, she quickly relayed a message.

Women usually struggle to stand out in the mercenary business, and once they do, they are among the top. Ballerina was appointed by Chen Fei as the commander of the three thousand mercenaries. Several mercenary leaders immediately showed dissent, but the Pure Light Sparrow Xiao Jiu quickly used "Gaze of the Sparrows" to make these dissenters shut their mouths obediently.

Although the Pure Light Sparrow was small, in large numbers, it indeed had the potential to stare someone to death using light.

With every summoning of its kind, a large number of Pure Light Sparrows would advance in rank, as if they collectively consumed an Elemental Affinity Potion, ascending from First Rank to Second Rank, Second Rank to Third Rank. Initially unable to cast spells despite their ranks, these Pure Light Sparrows suddenly self-enlightened and learned the spells corresponding to their ranks: Illumination Technique, Light Healing Technique, and even Light Mirror Spell.

Yet no Pure Light Sparrow could comprehend laser like Xiao Jiu; otherwise, it would break the norm of Light-element Magical Beasts lacking offensive spells at low to mid Human Orders.

"Received, I am on my way to the scene now. 'Adam,' bring the host over; I see a square in the center of the village, throw it there."

Chen Fei simultaneously gave orders to both parties.

"Okay!"

Ballerina conveyed orders to the mercenaries once again.

Originally, it was possible to issue separate orders simultaneously to all mercenaries through the artificial intelligence "Adam," achieving precise and detailed command, but considering the differences in thinking patterns between the AI and the Human Race, Chen Fei chose mercenaries to manage mercenaries, because their familiarity with each other's habits and rules could reduce the time needed to mesh, and although the command efficiency was not as high as AI's, it was less prone to misunderstandings and conflicts.

The mercenaries facing off against the villagers began to form ranks, erecting Tower Shields and forming human walls to establish a defensive formation, neither charging forward aggressively nor retreating easily.

By now, the mercenaries found it impossible to retreat. Just taking a few steps back would spur some hot-headed villagers to think they could overwhelm them, brandishing spears and rushing forward screaming, which could immediately lead to uncontrollable chaos. Expecting the mercenaries to passively endure being speared was out of the question, and the situation could easily escalate into a horrific bloodbath.

The 80-meter-long flagship, flanked by 12 Cooperative Ships, arrived above Harbor Village. The true sun-blocking fleet cast vast shadows, causing the light on the ground to suddenly darken.

The huge oppressive feeling from the sky pushed the already highly tense villagers close to the brink of collapse, their legs nearly giving way. They were no longer concerned about the mercenaries, who had erected a wall of shields some ten meters away.

Without Chen Fei issuing new orders or making further actions, the standoff on the ground had already begun to disintegrate.

The Landing Craft, carrying the host "Sea Wolf Shark," set down nets in the village square, and the trembling villagers could no longer hold out, shouting as they scattered and fled.

In a chaotic clatter of chickens flying and dogs jumping, every household tightly shut their doors and windows. From the gaps, countless terrified eyes peered out.

Only an old man, leaning on a wooden cane and trembling with fear, remained standing at the edge of the square.

He was the village chief. Dealing with these uninvited guests was his duty, and even if he wanted to hide back inside his house, the villagers would forcibly push him out.

The "Dragon King" Assault Heavy Armor, having undergone Psi Skill Giantization and upgraded to "Dragon King" Assault-Type Mobile Armor, activated the "Gravity" Magic Array. It used the "Fluid Vortex" Magic Array to stabilize itself as it detached from the flagship and slowly descended to the ground, standing before the elderly village chief.

The mercenaries, seizing the opportunity, charged into the village, taking control of every strategic passageway.

"Who are you?"

The old man put all his weight on the wooden cane he was firmly gripping, barely holding on.

"I am from Blue Star, and they are mercenaries!"

Chen Fei's voice came through the mobility armor's sound amplification module.

"Ah? Did Blue Star attack? Is, is the Silan Dynasty still around?"

The old man was nearly scared out of his wits. Like Blue Star, Cangqiong Star was part of the interconnected, informational civilization at the edges of the net, and this Harbor Village was certainly not isolated, aware of the current world affairs.

Some factions under Blue Star's Sovereignty had declared war on the Silan Dynasty, some merely posturing, while others had already commenced operations. When the village elder suddenly heard about Chen Fei's identity as a Blue Star person, he thought the Blue Star Sovereignty's army had officially invaded Cangqiong Star, and the landing might be near.

Chen Fei said with a mix of amusement and frustration, "You're the village chief, right? I'm from Blue Star, but I'm not a soldier from Blue Star. Blue Star has not attacked, and the Silan Dynasty is still there, so there's no need to be nervous."

The extent of the other's imagination was simply astonishing, somehow linking him and an invasion by Blue Star's army into Cangqiong Star.

The Dimensional Gate's cross-management system made it practically impossible for two civilized planets to directly attack each other.

"No?"

The village elder breathed a sigh of relief, then shifted his gaze towards the immobile Guardian Magical Beast lying in the center of the village, tightly bound by a large net, and cautiously said, "But why do you want to kill our Guardian Magical Beast?"

The sheer number of aquatic creatures in the vast oceans was unfathomable, and the types of Aquatic Demon Beasts were no fewer than those of terrestrial beasts. If not for the group of "Sea Wolf Sharks" nesting within the harbor, the village would inevitably suffer frequent landings by vicious aquatic creatures, resulting in casualties among the villagers.

"These 'Sea Wolf Sharks' are a ticking time bomb. Do you understand?"

Chen Fei suspected that the relationship between the fierce "Sea Wolf Sharks" led by the King Breed and Harbor Village was not the symbiotic one the villagers believed it to be, but instead, the latter served as the Guardian Magical Beast for the former.

In the eyes of the "Sea Wolf Sharks," these villagers were actually... stores of food?!