Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

"Regarding the incident at Copper Drum Bay where our crossbows accidentally struck the Blood Copper, we express our deepest regret and sincerest apologies."

"We have already expressed our heartfelt condolences to the Qi Family and the families of the victims."

"As a responsible family, the Luo Family will cooperate fully with the investigation to determine the cause of the accident, assign responsibility, and prevent similar incidents from happening again."

"However... it must be stated that the Blood Copper also bears undeniable responsibility for this tragedy."

"Months ago, our side declared Fuling Island a warzone. The Blood Copper not only ignored this declaration but also took it upon itself to approach a port in a state of war, at night."

"Ultimately, this led to the tragic outcome."

"Furthermore, certain malicious forces are exploiting this incident to make baseless accusations and slander the Luo Family, even using it as an opportunity to incite opposition and hostility."

"What sinister goals are they trying to achieve? What unspeakable, venomous plots are they hiding?"

"We urge these individuals to immediately cease their malicious attacks and defamation against the Luo Family, to respect the facts, to respect life, and to respect the laws of the Cyan Profound Sect!"

"Thank you."

The above was the response to the accidental strike on the Blood Copper, personally drafted by Su Ye.

As for the Qi Family envoy’s reaction...

"He was trembling all over, his face contorted with rage. It turned ashen in an instant, and he had to take several deep breaths to keep from exploding on the spot."

"Heh heh... I saw his hands trembling as he took the document!"

Inside Copper Drum Bay, Luo Qingjun gloated as he vividly described the Qi Family envoy’s expression to Su Ye.

"Why are the Qi Family so worked up? It was just an accident. I was merely stating the facts."

Su Ye shrugged with an innocent look on his face, calmly taking a sip of his cold tea.

"Right, right! An accident, an accident!"

Luo Qingjun chuckled, winking conspiratorially, feeling utterly delighted.

An accident.

That was the official tone both sides had set for the incident.

Even though the Blood Copper’s entire deck had been blown clear by the explosion, all its masts snapped, and all its crossbows destroyed...

Even though over seventy percent of the nearly one hundred veteran sailors on board had become old acquaintances of Su Ye amidst their agonizing screams...

...it was still an accident.

"Our crewman, Zhao Li, was derelict in his duty and failed to properly manage the artillery platform. For this, we will discipline him internally."

"I was even planning to promote him to second mate next week."

"But now, after making such a huge mistake, I have no choice but to demote him one rank and make him a boatswain."

Su Ye said this with great conviction.

Zhao Li clutched the brand-new Whalebone Brooch, his face aching from smiling so much.

For someone like him, who had only recently broken through to the third level of Qi Refining, being made a boatswain was entirely due to Su Ye’s favor!

Faced with an explanation that was less of an apology and more of a provocation, the Qi Family still endured it.

They had no choice. They were completely in the wrong on this matter.

After all, Fuling Island was a warzone. It was one thing for them to dispatch the Blood Copper to cruise the outer waters.

But to approach a port in the middle of a battle? The implication was obvious!

Even if they reported it to the Cyan Profound Sect, the Qi Family would be the ones at fault!

But the most important factor forcing the Qi Family to swallow their anger was strength!

After annexing the Shu Family’s fleet, and especially after acquiring the Golden Sword Orchid, the Luo Family fleet’s power had skyrocketed!

Although they were still no match for the entire Qi Family, they were now far stronger than the Qi Family’s branch fleet!

As a family with vast sea territories, the Qi Family maintained both a main fleet and branch fleets.

Currently, without deploying their main fleet, which possessed Tier-2 spirit ships, it would be very difficult for the Qi Family to secure a decisive victory against the Luo Family’s fleet in a naval battle!

And, more importantly...

"We have prisoners!" Su Ye said with a cryptic smile.

It had to be said, high-grade spirit ships truly had long health bars; they were built to be tough and durable.

Thanks to the rescue efforts of the crew, and especially with the help of the cultivators’ water-based Magic, the Blood Copper actually managed to stay afloat!

Of course, the Blood Copper was in terrible condition. Its deck was heavily damaged, and all its masts were snapped...

But even so, it could still be repaired!

In the Cultivation World, the level of craftsmanship for ship construction and repair was extremely high.

As long as it could return to a Qi Family shipyard, the Blood Copper could be fully restored after two or three years of major repairs!

In addition to the captured Blood Copper, over twenty surviving Qi Family cultivators also became prisoners of the Luo Family.

Having survived such a terrifying explosion, the strength and status of this group of cultivators were by no means weak.

Most were official crew members, including management like the captain and first mate.

With these prisoners and the Blood Copper in their possession, for the time being, the Qi Family’s hands were tied, and they wouldn’t dare engage in open conflict with the Luo Family.

As long as they could use this window of opportunity to annex the Shu Family’s territory and establish a fait accompli, it would be a net gain!

"Of course... the Qi Family won’t just let this go."

"The hostage tactic will only buy us some time, at best..."

Su Ye was clear-headed.

Having suffered such a major loss, the Qi Family would certainly want revenge!

"They might even bring over their Tier-2 spirit ships to intimidate and apply pressure..."

A glint flashed in Su Ye’s eyes as he muttered to himself.

For the Luo Family, the Qi Family’s Tier-2 spirit ships were a terrifying Nightmare.

’But for me personally, if I handle this correctly, it might not be a bad thing!’

’With my aptitude, advancing to Foundation Establishment isn’t a sure thing, even with a Foundation Establishment Elixir.’

’The Foundation Establishment Elixir only guarantees I won’t die in the attempt; it doesn’t guarantee success.’

’The most reliable method is still to get onto a Tier-2 spirit ship and rely on Harmony to advance!’

’And if she doesn’t experience the tyrannical power of a Tier-2 spirit ship firsthand, given the lazy nature of the Luo Family’s Old Ancestor, Luo Xiyin, she might never agree to spend a fortune to build one...’

...

"Mr. Su, this is the family’s letter of appointment!"

"From this day forward, you are the captain of the high-grade spirit ship, the Golden Sword Orchid!"

After some pleasantries, Luo Qingjun took out a document bearing a special Magical Power seal from his robes.

His visit wasn’t just to catch up with Su Ye; he was also here on behalf of the Luo Family to present him with commendations and rewards.

Su Ye accepted the letter of appointment with a smile.

This was the request he had made to the Luo Family after the battle at Copper Drum Bay.

Taking command of a high-grade spirit ship was of extraordinary significance to him.

’This way, bottlenecks will no longer be an issue for me before I reach Foundation Establishment!’

"Also... the Old Ancestor has agreed. She will personally perform a Soul Search on the Shu Family’s upper echelon to seek out intelligence on the native tribes," Luo Qingjun continued.

"Please thank the Old Ancestor for me!" Su Ye’s eyes lit up as he replied instantly.

A Soul Search performed by a Foundation Establishment cultivator doesn’t retrieve all of the target’s memories.

Instead, one provides keywords to search within the target’s memories.

As the Soul Search proceeds, the target’s soul will soon collapse and disintegrate.

It’s somewhat analogous to performing a timed search for a file on a computer that has a self-destruct sequence running.

Under these circumstances, the amount of information that can be obtained is limited.

To get intelligence on the native tribes, one would have to forgo searching for things like Cultivation Techniques, Secret Techniques, and other hidden information.

It could be said that Luo Xiyin’s promise carried considerable weight.