Chapter 51: Sea Successor Remains, The Battle for Fuling Begins
"Hm?"
Su Ye’s gaze flickered with curiosity as he stared at the Mysterious Blue Fragment in the flames.
"Profound Nether Shield."
Su Ye waved a hand, activating a defensive Magic from the Ghost Water Skill to protect himself.
At the same time, he retrieved a pair of tweezers.
He used his Magical Power to maneuver the tweezers, picking up the Mysterious Blue Fragment to examine it closely.
Under the sunlight, the Mysterious Blue Fragment gleamed with a crystalline luster.
It was, admittedly, quite beautiful.
It was hard to believe such a beautiful object could come from the insides of a filthy, rotting Witchcraft Poison Body.
"So...what is this?"
Su Ye stroked his chin, deep in thought.
’It can’t really be a Shariputra dropped by a Voodoo Corpse, can it?’
Just then,
HUM.
Su Ye’s brow twitched. A pale blue panel materialized before him.
[Special Wondrous Item Detected]
[Sea Successor Remains]
[Can substitute for the Sea Crocodile’s upgrade material: Newcastle Crocodile’s Heart]
[Compatibility: 105]
"Huh?!"
Su Ye’s heart skipped a beat as he stared at the message on the panel, his face a mask of astonishment.
After all, ever since becoming captain of the Sea Crocodile, Su Ye had spent the past six months of war preparations inquiring about its upgrade materials.
But...
Unfortunately, he’d had little success.
Su Ye had roughly categorized the materials needed for a spirit ship’s upgrade into two types: common and special.
The required spirit wood, spirit iron, and various other miscellaneous items were all common materials.
The common materials weren’t much of a problem. Even if he couldn’t find the exact items required, most common materials had similar enough properties. As long as he was willing to spend Spirit Stones and have the Luo Family’s merchant ships purchase them from distant, large-scale markets, he could always acquire some low-compatibility substitutes.
The special materials, however, were the real challenge!
For instance, to upgrade the Sea Crocodile to a Tier 1 high-grade vessel, it required a special material—the [Newcastle Crocodile’s Heart].
Su Ye had never even heard of this material.
He had spent a large number of Spirit Stones to acquire the hearts of three types of Tier 1 high-grade Crocodile Demons and four types of Tier 1 mid-grade Crocodile Demons to see if they would work as substitutes.
However...
Not a single one had a compatibility rating over forty...
’Without the specific special material, my only other option is to find the hearts of Tier 2 Crocodile Demons.’
’Otherwise, I doubt I could get a compatibility rating over fifty with anything in the Tier 1 category...’
Such was Su Ye’s conclusion.
But... to find the hearts of Tier 2 Crocodile Demons? And five of them?
After all, a Tier 2 Crocodile Demon was equivalent to a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.
Five Tier 2 Crocodile Demons!
That was enough to slaughter everyone on Donglong Island from one end to the other and back again!
Besides, even if he could manage it...
Going to all that trouble?
Just for a Tier 1 high-grade spirit ship?
Wouldn’t that be...
Thus, due to the missing [Newcastle Crocodile’s Heart], the Sea Crocodile’s upgrade had been put on hold.
...
And yet, now,
Su Ye had discovered a wondrous item that could substitute for the special material, the [Newcastle Crocodile’s Heart].
And... its compatibility was a staggering 105?!
This meant that according to the panel’s assessment, this wondrous item surpassed even the theoretically perfect material—the [Newcastle Crocodile’s Heart]!
"Sea Successor Remains..."
Su Ye murmured, staring at the Mysterious Blue Fragment.
’No matter how I look at it, this thing has nothing to do with ’crocodiles’ or ’hearts’.’
’And yet... its effect is somehow even better than the Newcastle Crocodile’s Heart?’
’Perhaps [Sea Successor Remains] hold some special significance for spirit ships?’
’In that case... could the Sea Successor Remains substitute for the special materials needed to upgrade other spirit ships?!’
’Could it even replace the special materials needed to upgrade a ship to Tier 2?!’
A bold guess flashed through Su Ye’s mind, and his heart raced.
’It’s very possible!’
’This item is clearly extraordinary!’
’If that’s the case, then I can’t waste such a wondrous item on the Sea Crocodile’s upgrade!’
Su Ye mused to himself.
’It should be used for upgrading a spirit ship to Tier 2!’
Su Ye took out a jade box, carefully wrapped the Sea Successor Remains in silk, and placed it inside for safekeeping.
Regardless of whether it could replace the special materials for a Tier 2 spirit ship, there was no doubt that this item was immensely valuable.
’But if I want to use it to upgrade a spirit ship, this tiny piece of Sea Successor Remains is obviously not enough...’
This small piece of Sea Successor Remains was only the size of a fingernail.
It wasn’t even enough to upgrade the Sea Crocodile, let alone a Tier 2 spirit ship.
’I need more [Sea Successor Remains]...’
Su Ye’s mind raced as he analyzed the situation.
’This piece of Sea Successor Remains came from inside the Witchcraft Poison Body of an indigenous tribe...’
’In that case, the indigenous tribe that deals with the Shu Family very likely has more [Sea Successor Remains]!’
This was a very clear lead!
At this thought, Su Ye’s eyes darkened, a grim light glinting within them.
’The indigenous tribe’s island is remote and isolated, difficult for outsiders to find, but... someone in the Shu Family must know where it is!’
’Once I defeat the Shu Family and capture a few of their key members, some interrogation and a Soul Search will reveal everything...’
’Once I know the location of the indigenous island, the rest will be easy!’
’The Shu Family is just a Foundation Establishment family with shallow roots, yet they managed to make contact with an indigenous tribe...’
’This group of natives clearly can’t be very strong.’
Su Ye thought to himself.
It was easy to deduce. Indigenous tribes were generally extremely hostile toward the Yaoguang people.
And yet, after the Shu Family cultivators accidentally discovered the tribe’s island, they weren’t wiped out.
Instead, they ended up forming a partnership.
This suggested that the indigenous tribe’s strength was, in all likelihood, considerably weaker than that of the Shu Family!
’But... I should try peaceful trade first...’
Su Ye was cautious by nature and didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble.
’Of course, if negotiations fail, or if the natives get too greedy...’
’Then... I’ll just have to apologize!’
As his thoughts churned, Su Ye’s expression turned cold.
...
The raid was a success. After taking inventory, they found the Baiye was loaded with vast quantities of Spirit Medicine.
Its estimated value was equivalent to five thousand Spirit Stones!
And factoring in the Baiye itself—a nearly pristine Tier 1 mid-grade merchant ship—
Su Ye’s total haul from this voyage exceeded seven thousand Spirit Stones!
He’d made a killing!
’And this is all spoils of war!’ Su Ye was ecstatic.
Seizing the enemy’s resources was far more valuable than using his own.
These goods had been plundered from the Shu Family. Not only did this replenish his own coffers, but it also diminished the enemy’s financial strength!
For the Shu Family, already suffering under sanctions, this massive loss was undoubtedly a fatal blow!
...
「Half a month later.」
The Sea Crocodile returned to Donglong Island with the Baiye in tow.
As they watched the spoils being unloaded box by box, piling up like a mountain, the entire port erupted into a jubilant celebration!
The cultivators of Donglong Island widely believed that with the Shu Family suffering such a heavy loss while under sanction, its annihilation was just a matter of time!
In this atmosphere, one week later, the Luo Family’s campaign to retake Fuling Island—for which they had been preparing for over half a year—officially began!
"We will retake Fuling Island within three months!"
"And we will slaughter every last one of the vile invaders on our land!"