Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 620: Wandering Sea Ghosts

Chapter 620: Chapter 620: Wandering Sea Ghosts

The boss strolled over, patting Xioahu on the shoulder before speaking with gravity, "Young man, you should be thankful to these people for rescuing you from the Pirate Gang. They value loyalty, they show responsibility, and they never abandon their comrades, which is why they are keeping their promise to bring you home. If they were willing to abandon their comrades, would you expect them to bring you home?"

Xioahu remained silent for a long while after hearing this. Then, he nodded with understanding, "I see, I should support you all. I feel glad to have met you all truly."

Grateful for Xioahu’s understanding, Gu Fan also appreciated the boss’s words, and it suddenly appeared to him that the boss had a good side after all. However, this moment alone would not change Gu Fan’s opinion about the boss, who remains a devil in his heart.

Lin Xi chimed in, "Alright. Now that we’ve decided to confront the mysterious ship in the fog head-on, we need to understand it better. I saw the Shennv Xuanhui sisterhood on that wooden ship too, suggesting that my powers might not work, and I may even be affected."

To this, the boss nodded, "Yeah, it’s very frightening. Even I was no match and got thoroughly defeated."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. If even the boss got beaten so badly, how are they supposed to take on this challenge?

The boss began to recall his previous encounters with the large wooden ship. With his fearlessness borne out of immortality, the boss had brazenly boarded the ship, only to be astounded at what he saw; he saw several people drawing the life force, the Qi, from the living. Leng Le’s Qi was among those absorbed, and Leng Le looked unwell. That’s why the boss presumed Leng Le was still alive because why else would they absorb Leng Le’s Qi for?

Everyone found logic in the boss’s explanation, but they were also worrisome. If they were summoned on the rescue mission too late, all the living Qi may have been drained from Leng Le and others. Thus, risking it all, only to find out they were one step behind, wouldn’t it be a wasted effort?

Gu Fan had considered this too. Nearly ten days had passed since their first encounter with the fog. Was there any hope left?

Gu Fan scoffed suddenly. It was already quite evident. When they first set out to the outer domains, they had little hope to bring back the twelve classmates. They went ahead despite this, determined to give it a shot as long as there was a glimmer of hope.

If you do not wish to be abandoned by your comrades, you cannot abandon any of them either. Gu Fan was ready to take this risk.

The boss continued with his descriptions, having been ambushed by numerous men. Initially, he gained the upper hand due to his superior strength, and during the fight, they felt physically tangible.

However, as the fight continued, the boss’s punch shot through an enemy, yet it did not feel like it hit a physical entity. He felt as though he was punching air as his fist went right through his opponent’s body, and their claws could not touch him either.

The boss later realized, these creatures would only turn physical when they absorb the Qi from the living. Else, they’re just like wandering souls. He hence termed them as ’Wandering Sea Ghosts’.

Just by the sound of these creatures, it was apparent they were nothing but trouble, and their morale took another hit.

Upon seeing their spirit dip again, the boss hurried to boost morale, stating that these ’Wandering Sea Ghosts’ were not indefeatable. In the past, the boss got into a fight with one of the sea ghosts in order to save one of his men, and accidentally both the living man and the sea ghost were thrown off the wooden ship. The man fell into the sea, and the sea ghost vanished into thin air showing that the sea ghosts couldn’t leave the ship.

Upon hearing this, the others understood the key point. But Lu Yi questioned, "But when we first encountered the dense fog, definitely something boarded our ship and took away the pirates and our sailors."

Su Hui speculated, "It’s likely that these sea ghosts can only leave the wooden ship and board other passing ships if they have absorbed the Qi from the living and turned physical to take away more humans."

Everyone agreed with this idea, and Gu Fan concluded, "So, these sea ghosts must ensure there are enough living people on board to provide Qi. Without a living person, the sea ghosts can’t absorb Qi, can’t turn physical and hence, cannot leave the large wooden ship to capture more living persons. This means there is a possibility that Leng Le, the boss’s men, and the seamen are all alive."

On hearing Gu Fan’s analysis, everyone found it reasonable. However, two problems arose. First, if the sea ghosts are not physical, it’s impossible to touch them and hence, throw them off the ship. However, once they turn physical, they can leave the ship. Therefore, throwing them off the ship is useless.

In response, the boss explained that although the sea ghosts may appear normal when they go physical, once they lack the Qi absorbed from a living person, their unusual state becomes visible. It’s during such times that one can seize the opportunity and throw them off board.

Lu Yi was anxious, "Damn it! When will we know their state is off? We can’t just rely on plain luck."

Gu Fan plastered on a confident smile, seemingly having a plan, "Relax, we can’t rely on luck for such a risky mission..." he trailed off and turned to look at Gu Ling.

Everyone followed his gaze and pinned their hopes on Gu Ling.

Gu Fan popped the question, "How about it Xiaoling, do you think you can handle it?"

Shouldering a crucial responsibility for the first time and battling the weight of everyone’s expectations, Gu Ling was under immense pressure and wore a troubled expression, "If the opportunity arises, I can seize it. But if it doesn’t, there’s nothing I can do."

"Good. Do what you can, and leave the rest to us," Gu Fan replied contently upon hearing this. Yet, the boss was puzzled. Why was everyone placing their hopes on a seemingly weak little girl? Did she possess some unique capabilities?

Gu Fan noticed the boss’s gaze on Gu Ling. Aware of the impending danger, Gu Fan quickly distracted him, "Boss, we’ve made up our minds. Now it’s your turn. We need you to do something, to return this cargo ship to sea."

"Rest assured, leave it to me," the boss confidently assured them, and due to the distraction, no longer paid any attention to Gu Ling.