Above The Sky
Chapter 188 - 188 177 Pirate Armor 33

188: Chapter 177 Pirate Armor (3/3) 188: Chapter 177 Pirate Armor (3/3) Originally, Ian believed that the so-called certain death danger must have originated from the Ironclad Shark’s lair encountering some kind of labyrinthine situation, causing significant environmental changes—without mentioning anything else, just the localized heating near the nest would surely deal a heavy blow to the sharks that were sleeping and attempting to grow and transform.

It wouldn’t be strange for them to die.

After all, the entire ecosystem of the Southern Sea Labyrinth very likely revolved around abnormal mutations and high-energy catalysis caused by nuclear radiation leakage from the orbital accelerator… Given that, it wouldn’t be odd for it to occasionally release heat either, especially with the recent situation of potential major changes in the ruins, it all seemed quite reasonable.

However, the reason for the Ironclad Sharks encountering danger turned out to be very simple.

—This place, someone is fishing!

Patting Shasha’s head, Ian signaled it to observe the vague wooden roots ahead; instantly, the Ironclad Shark realized it had almost blundered into a deadly trap.

Yes, even the living nets of the Living Tree Ships wouldn’t possibly stop an Ironclad Shark.

When it charged at full force, even an ironclad warship would be breached.

But, evidently, there must be many hunters in this fleet who were skilled at fishing and shark hunting.

Maybe one person alone couldn’t handle it, but a group beating up on it was almost inevitable.

At that time, it really would have been a complete defeat for the shark, leaving it as nothing more than a delicacy in someone else’s mouth.

Thinking this, the Ironclad Shark shuddered all over, appearing even more docile.

Ian, of course, couldn’t imagine that this shark had such complex thoughts.

Compared to it, his own thoughts were quite straightforward.

“Let me see, just what is going on with your fleet.”

Over the years, Ian’s Foresight View had improved.

Although he still couldn’t maintain it over a certain range for a long time, his precognitive scope had expanded from a diameter of over two hundred meters to one of over five hundred meters.

But that wasn’t the limit—with the Silver Chip blocking other senses and focusing solely on envisioning everything along a single line, his predictive range could stretch directly to kilometers.

At the moment, Ian did just that.

He slowly swept his gaze across all the sea areas in front of and above him, scanning them not unlike a radar, without seriously observing but just glancing over; the colors and outlines that appeared hazy within his vision were quickly passed over.

Thus, ten seconds later, he had roughly scanned the key individuals on several of the fleet’s core ships.

The results took the young man by surprise.

“One at the peak of the First Power Level, two at the First Power Level, and Alchemical Cannons?”

Ian wouldn’t say he was astonished, but rather very surprised—where did this merchant fleet come from with at least three Sublimators and even Alchemical Cannons?

If we count other ships that weren’t scanned, the number of Sublimators might even increase!

Though it sounds like, when all is said and done, it’s just a few Sublimators and Alchemical Cannons… but in Terra World, Sublimators hold a very prestigious position, especially those at the peak of the First Power Level, who can basically be regarded as reserves for the nobility.

Yes, the Second Power Level is the baseline for the nobility in Terra World, but it is also the limit for most nobles—regardless of a powerful family inheritance, if one lacks talent or resources, most noble Sublimators spend their life at the Second Power Level, and those who could progress to the peak like Viscount Grant were even rarer.

Take Ian himself as an example; on the surface, he is a First Power Level Wavechanter, low in rank and inheritance.

In theory, he is at the bottom of the Sublimator contempt chain…

but even such a low double inheritance is enough to captain a large ship.

Even in explorers who navigate windless belts of the ocean, a First Power Level Wavechanter is a crucial member.

Not to mention a Second Power Level Master Wavechanter, who would be significant enough to lead an expedition for the Imperial Royal Ocean Exploration Team.

Fringe benefits such as tax exemptions, hanging up credentials, and reduced entry fees into cities go without saying…

Generally, even multinational merchant fleets from large business associations could have at most one Sublimator of the First Power Level—the best they can do is to expel coastal magical beasts.

In a real crisis, a few First Power Level Sublimators couldn’t withstand it, and only a Second Power Level madman would lead a merchant fleet to trade, unless it’s a national-level trade merchant fleet.

But even for that, a Second Power Level couldn’t hold their own.

And most importantly, there was one more thing…

That was, the entire fleet had a near ‘fatal’ hostility towards him!

“Something’s fishy!

Why would they have such great hostility towards me when I’m just a White Folk who hasn’t even met them yet?”

Ian’s mind was filled with alarm.

He sensed danger: “Recently, the only one I’ve made an enemy of is that Patrick from the Imperial Capital!”

“Could it be, this fleet has connections to that pirate?

It’s not impossible…”

Understanding dawned on him, and he had some suspicions, but the young man decided to continue investigating until he was clear on the matter: “Shasha, you stay right here and don’t wander off.

I’ll go check out the situation and come back.”

“With that,” Ian set aside all his Sublimation Organs and relied solely on the swimming skills he had honed over the years to slowly make his way to the surrounding seas, scanning the full extent of the fleet with his Foresight View.

Silvery cyan light converged into lines as he scrutinized the distant situation like a radar scan.

The result shocked Ian.

In this fleet, there was a total of one Sublimator at the peak of the First Power Level, two high ranks of the First Energy Level, two mid-ranks, amounting to five Sublimators.

To be honest, the average Imperial Nobility didn’t have such an array of subordinates.

With five First-Level Sublimators, including one at the peak, they could easily form a small Knight Order.

If they weren’t heading to South Ridge, a hellish arena home to several Totem Masters at the peak of the Second Energy Level, they could be powerful enough to establish several frontier villages and towns.

Viscount Grant was different.

His father, Old Grant, had brought a small Knight Order to South Ridge, so there was no lack of inheritance.

Consequently, there were seven Sublimators in his guards alone, including the old knight Yamm, and there were four Sublimators among the three squads of ships.

Compared to the average Viscount, his strength was far superior.

Ultimately, if Old Grant had lived and advanced to the Third Energy Level, he would have been the template for a burgeoning frontier Marquis.

Beyond that, there were over twenty Alchemical Cannons on the fleet…

This was the truly horrifying part.

Over twenty!

The entire Harrison Port guard fleet had just over twenty, and the whole city counting both permanent and mobile units, had only slightly more than eighty!

What was the origin of this fleet that it possessed the firepower of a quarter of a frontier fortress town?

Of course, it wasn’t exactly a fair comparison, as most of the pirate fleet’s shots were from cannon fire.

Only the flagship had some Alchemical Cannons, and they were not on the same level as the Alchemical Cannon array that Viscount Grant had painstakingly constructed.

After all, the pirate fleet didn’t have to worry about being besieged by several Magical Beasts at the peak of the Second Energy Level, so naturally, they didn’t need such high firepower.

Still, this was quite preposterous.

But that wasn’t all.

Soon, Ian discovered another piece of ‘horrific’ information.

— In the rear cabin of that First Power Level Peak ‘Captain’s’ flagship…

there was actually a purple mist!

Although it was just a light purple, that was still the aura of the Second Energy Level!

“What in the world is that?!” Ian’s gaze turned fearful, and he almost wanted to turn around and flee.

Fortunately, he quickly realized it was not any Second-Level Sublimator but a rather large inanimate object, at least three to four meters tall.

After some thought, Ian decided to get closer for a more careful observation.

Suddenly, aided by the cooperation of his Foresight View and Silver Chip, silver lettering emerged before his eyes.

[Canaan Moore Fourth Generation Full Coverage Combat Armor (Coldleaf Tribe Naval Warfare Specialized Type)]

[Second Energy Level · Well Maintained · Elite · With Special External Module]

[Developed and put into battle by the Canaan Moore Federation Military Industrial Bureau, this Fourth Generation standard combat armor is a classic construction capable of loading multiple combat modules to adapt to various terrain’s combat modes.

The naval warfare specialized version developed by the Coldleaf Tribe has been endorsed by the Canaan Moore Navy, the Eternal Silence Ocean Pirates, and the Anxious Sea Pirates.]

[Sustainable battle duration: 2 hours 37 minutes]

[Special modifications — Anti-Corrosion Coating, Insulated Armor, Vortex Structuring Engine, Deep Dive Cabin…]

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