Chapter 132: Wings of Salvation

After Li Hua’s denial, Stella nodded. As a Tier 6 Arcanist herself, and lacking any flying arcanist arts, she couldn’t truly grasp the terrifying spiritual energy consumption that flight entailed. She also worried that placing such a heavy burden on Bai Yu would be too much for the young girl. Stella sighed, frustrated that despite her purpose being to protect Bai Yu, she was utterly helpless. She walked over to Bai Yu and explained the situation.

****

Meanwhile, the Charlotte Family fleet found themselves in an even more perilous situation. The boiling ocean generated immense heat, and terrifying whirlpools trapped their ships, preventing any escape. It was akin to an inescapable, colossal steamer, subjecting them to excruciating torment.

“Ahhh! Ahhh!”

Inside the cabins, most were ordinary people, utterly incapable of enduring such scorching temperatures, being boiled alive in the intense heat. In an instant, the sea surface transformed into a veritable hell, mercilessly claiming everyone’s lives.

Ellie Roth Charlotte stared at the hellish scene, utterly bewildered by what was unfolding. Clutching the Curse Seal Blade in her hand, she didn’t even know where her enemies were.

Ellie Roth Charlotte’s brows furrowed tightly, her fury reaching its zenith. Even amidst the surrounding chaos, the Secretary beside Ellie Roth Charlotte remained composed, refusing to panic. She relentlessly attempted to contact the Charlotte Family. The current situation had devolved into the gravest peril, one that even the family might be unable to resolve. Her sole mission now was to extract Ellie Roth Charlotte from this nightmare. Yet, no matter her efforts, she couldn’t reach the family, and all arcanist teleportation attempts proved futile.

‘Damn it!’ the Secretary cursed inwardly. She embraced Ellie Roth Charlotte and immediately took flight. Indeed, Ellie Roth Charlotte’s personal Secretary was also a Tier 8 Arcanist, naturally possessing the ability to fly. Even with the immense danger, she would exert every ounce of her strength to get Ellie Roth Charlotte to safety, even if it cost her life.

“Let go of me! How can I abandon them in battle!” Ellie Roth Charlotte struggled relentlessly, having witnessed the crew below scrambling in terror, with only a handful of Arcanists still clinging to life. Her honor forbade such a cowardly retreat; it would be an unforgivable insult.

“My apologies, Miss.” Seizing a moment when Ellie Roth Charlotte was distracted, her personal Secretary swiftly rendered her unconscious. Even if it meant resorting to such measures, she had to bring her young lady back. This unforeseen catastrophe was beyond anyone’s expectations, and in such circumstances, even Ellie Roth Charlotte’s direct orders could not be obeyed. Ignoring the wailing cries from the fleet, the Secretary began to fly away, heading beyond the whirlpool.

“Roar! Roar! Roar!”

From the depths of the sea, a monstrous roar echoed, intensifying the boiling frenzy on the surface. The Secretary’s eyes widened as she witnessed the full form of the creature. ‘What kind of monster is that?’ The creature radiated intense heat, its scorching presence evaporating the seawater entirely. With a colossal claw, it seized a battleship, dragging it beneath the waves in an instant.

The Secretary swiftly ascended to a greater height, desperate to avoid detection by the unknown monster below. Even as a Tier 8 Arcanist, she held no certainty of victory against such an enigmatic marine creature. Could humanity truly contend with a terrifying power capable of annihilating a battleship in a single moment? ‘What exactly is this thing? An illusion? Or a genuine deity?’ The Secretary no longer wished to ponder such questions; her sole desire now was to bring Ellie Roth Charlotte to safety, then arcanist teleportation away.

****

“What is that?” From afar, Captain Li Hua on the cruise ship watched the battleship being dragged underwater by a colossal claw, scarcely believing her eyes. ‘What kind of creature could possess such an enormous physique?’ Li Hua no longer cared to ponder what it was; she only knew that if they encountered that monster, their fate would undoubtedly mirror that of the other ships.

“Damn it, how could this happen!” The wrinkles on Li Hua’s aged face bunched together as she slammed her fist onto the table in frustration. ‘Must they truly gamble on a sliver of hope, attempting to fly out of here?’ Li Hua couldn’t help but consider her spiritual energy reserves. Due to her advanced age, her spiritual energy was no longer what it once was. Flying such a distance, while also carrying two other people, was simply impossible. As for abandoning Bai Yu and Stella to save herself, that was a thought she hadn’t even entertained. Otherwise, even if she survived or somehow returned, she would never be able to face anyone again.

Just as Li Hua was racking her brains, Bai Yu simply pushed the door open and walked in. Bai Yu’s small head peeked through the doorway, observing Li Hua’s troubled expression. She had just heard Stella explain the current predicament: besides flying out, only the escape pods remained. However, the colossal monster in the ocean completely negated that option. They dared not attempt to escape in a submarine right under the monster’s nose; such an act would be no different from suicide. Yet, leaving by flight was equally unrealistic. Who possessed such terrifying spiritual energy reserves? Upon hearing this, Bai Yu felt as if the situation had been tailor-made for her. ‘Vast spiritual energy reserves, and the ability to fly… isn’t that just me?’

Bai Yu smiled mysteriously, walked up to Captain Li Hua, and explained the matter to her.

“What? You possess a flying arcanist art?” Li Hua stared at Bai Yu in shock. Although Bai Yu was already Tier 3, in Li Hua’s mind, Bai Yu was merely a Tier 2 Arcanist. How could she possibly possess a flying arcanist art?

Bai Yu scratched her head. After all, she had always avoided Li Hua’s sight when absorbing the Funeral Metal, so Li Hua had never seen her wings. Li Hua only knew that Bai Yu was responsible for the enormous commotions.

Bai Yu decided to drop the pretense and simply extended the wings from her back. Her colossal white wings instantly filled the entire captain’s cabin. Fortunately, the space was ample, otherwise, they wouldn’t have fit.

“This…” Li Hua stared at the wings in utter astonishment. ‘Could an arcanist art of such lifelike detail truly belong to a Tier 2 Arcanist?’ Furthermore, Li Hua had previously seen such wings described in certain texts. ‘Aren’t these angel wings? Why does Bai Yu possess them? Is Bai Yu’s spiritual core connected to Heaven or angels? Or are these wings themselves Bai Yu’s spiritual core?’ In that moment, Li Hua considered a multitude of possibilities, yet she perfectly bypassed the correct answer every time.

“Your spiritual energy… is it truly sufficient?” Li Hua remained uneasy. Even with a flying arcanist art, a Tier 2 Arcanist couldn’t possibly withstand such a drain, could they? Not to mention, she would also be carrying two other people.

“Of course. I have spiritual energy to spare.” Bai Yu placed her hands on her hips. She was a pure ‘stat monster’ and utterly unafraid of such challenges. The wings behind Bai Yu fluttered, stirring gentle breezes. While the wings themselves didn’t necessarily enable flight, they were essential for controlling flight posture and changing direction.