Chapter 558, Saturation Strike
Two specters immediately dispersed, flying out of the cave to begin their search.
Before long, Xiaoxiao and Glenda returned.
"A human skull was found below."
"Let's go, we're heading out."
Back on the deck, the skull was also retrieved. The rest of the body had been devoured by fish, leaving only the skull trapped in a crevice, untouched.
[Speak with the Dead] was cast, and the skull opened its eyes.
Wu Heng asked, "Who performed the ritual and killed you?"
Gurgle~!
The skull spat out a mouthful of mud, speaking unclearly, "Vampires. I heard someone call him 'Young Master Emeka.'"
"How many of them came?"
"Three ships in total, carrying many vampires—perhaps hundreds."
Wu Heng continued, "Do you know their next move?"
The corpse answered, "They are searching for other stone coffins."
"Was this the first coffin they opened?"
"Yes, the first one!"
One last question.
"What is the highest level among the vampires?"
"I don't know!"
After answering five questions, the corpse closed its eyes again.
But the information was already clear.
Not only were they searching, but a vampire fleet had also arrived at the Emerald Sea.
Their goal was the opposite of Wu Heng's—they sought to free those trapped in the coffins.
Philipa walked over and asked, "Someone trying to steal our job?"
"A vampire group. Unlike us, they're here to rescue people." Wu Heng explained.
"Then let's hurry over and stop them."
"Yes, let's move to the third location. Keep all lights off along the way to avoid drawing attention."
"Got it!"
Orders were given.
They set off for the third location.
...…
The next day, at noon.
Thick clouds covered the sky over a small island.
Beneath the clouds, hooded vampires were busily working.
Inside a hastily built wooden shelter,
A vampire clad in an old formal suit bared his fangs and sank them into the throat of a slave.
He drank deeply.
The slave's struggles weakened until his limbs went limp and his body collapsed.
The vampire discarded the corpse and wiped the blood from his mouth with a white handkerchief.
His movements were slow and elegant.
"Fresh blood is always the best."
Across from him, another vampire watched and said, "Lilith still controls the vampires. When you return, you must conceal your identity. If she finds out, it will be troublesome."
"We know what to do. Once we regain control of the church, her influence won't be unshakable anymore." The vampire in the old formal suit said calmly.
"Our family has been suppressed for too long. We can't tolerate her any longer."
"She will pay for her past decisions."
As they spoke, an elderly servant approached and bowed. "Master, the ritual is prepared. The coffin can be opened at any time."
"Good. Begin the ritual."
The two vampires stood and walked to the center.
Several slaves were forced to kneel before the stone coffin as the old servant announced, "Begin the ritual."
A sharp dagger sliced through the slaves' throats.
Blood gushed forth.
Pooling and flowing toward the stone coffin.
Crack~!
The stone coffin's seams loosened, and the lid suddenly burst open, revealing a pale-faced vampire with long hair inside.
Roar~!
The vampire inside let out an enraged roar.
Releasing long-suppressed emotions.
The vampire in the old formal suit spoke softly, "Calm down. Emeka freed us. Save your rage for Lilith and her kin."
"Lilith? I'll make her suffer the same loneliness and hunger I endured."
"Alright! Compose yourself, choose a slave, feast, and then we'll rescue Aquilina."
The vampire stepped out of the coffin.
He grabbed a slave and tore into their throat.
The remaining slaves trembled in terror, curling into a heap.
Just as they prepared to move forward,
Someone announced, "An guild ship is approaching."
Everyone froze.
Though they spoke of revenge on Lilith, their first priority was hiding.
Recovering slowly, waiting for the right moment.
"How many?"
"One ship, flying both the guild's and Gold-Silver Island's flags."
"Sink it. If there are survivors, take them as offerings."
"Yes!"
...…
On the deck.
Wu Heng readied the machine cannon and ordered the skeletons to prepare for battle.
Last night, they didn't head straight to the third location.
Instead, they used the Emerald Sand Table to confirm the position of the vampire ships and headed directly here.
Regardless of whether the second coffin had been taken, capturing them was the most straightforward solution.
"A fleet is approaching—three ships, no flags," Philipa called out loudly.
Wu Heng glanced over; the enemy's deck wasn't crowded.
Only a few scattered figures were preparing shipboard weapons.
"Philipa, lead the attack," Wu Heng ordered.
Philipa acknowledged and shouted, "Kill them all!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The machine cannon spewed fire, tearing through the enemy ships, sending wooden debris flying.
Snipers took out lookouts and crew members operating the weapons.
Machine guns swept across the deck.
Amid screams and chaos, those who fell into the sea were torn apart by the rotting corpse sharks.
There was no suspense in the battle.
When the gunfire stopped, the sea was littered with broken planks.
"Satisfying!" Philipa pumped her fist.
...…
On the island.
The vampires' eyes widened in shock.
They stared in horror at what had just happened.
No one spoke. They simply watched as the guild's ship approached again.
During their exile, had the guild advanced this much?
Had they developed such powerful weapons, or was it some special artifact?
Fortunately, they hadn't boarded the ships to join the battle.
"We stay on the island and wait for them to come to us."
...…
Glenda returned and merged into Wu Heng's body.
The island's situation was shared directly into Wu Heng's mind.
Two level 18 vampires, one level 15 vampire, and several others at levels 5 and 10.
Wu Heng frowned.
Were these vampires really this strong?
Two at level 18 and one at level 15.
Even outside, they would be considered top-tier combatants.
He looked up at the island, shrouded in dark clouds, and could faintly see the vampires standing on it.
During the daytime, vampire combat power would be significantly reduced due to sunlight exposure.
At night, however, their combat strength would be enhanced.
For this reason, vampires called themselves the Children of the Night.
...…
"They're all hiding on the island and have no intention of attacking. Should we storm the place? They look pretty cowardly." Philipa observed the island through her beast companion.
"No rush. They have high-level professionals. We shouldn't charge in recklessly," Wu Heng replied.
"Then what do we do?"
"We bombard them first."
"Huh?" Philipa looked intrigued.
With a casual wave, Wu Heng summoned a massive stone gate and a rift beside him, revealing the entrance to an armory bunker.
Above, multiple mounted grenade launchers were positioned.
Beside the launchers, skeleton warriors stood silently, each holding grenades, awaiting orders.
"Target the center of the island. Adjust angles. Prepare for saturation bombardment," Wu Heng commanded.
The skeletons moved instantly.
They adjusted the launcher angles, aiming at the distant island.
"Commence bombardment!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The air filled with the sound of dense artillery fire as grenades streaked toward the island.
Then came an earth-shattering series of explosions.
Grenades rained down like a storm, setting the island ablaze with fire and smoke.
Trees splintered, debris flew, and rock fragments scattered.
The island was engulfed in flames and thick smoke.
The vampires who had been lying in ambush were consumed by explosions, their limbs torn apart in an instant.
Roar~!
"Fight your way out and seize a ship!" a vampire roared.
"Board the ship!" the others bellowed, their eyes glowing with bloodthirsty rage.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The remaining vampires sprinted forward.
Near the coast, black bat wings unfurled as they leaped into the air like phantoms, charging toward the ships under the blazing sun.
Yet, as soon as they took flight, they saw the deck packed with skeletons.
Their brows furrowed tightly.
Necromancer's minions?
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Before they could react, another wave of gunfire erupted.
The skeletons' weapons spewed flames, firing at the airborne vampires.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Under the rain of bullets, the vampires dissolved into blood mist, entering a defensive state.
Yet bullets continued piercing the mist.
Soon, under relentless fire, the vampires were forced to re-materialize, baring their fangs with savage snarls.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Heavy machine guns joined in the assault.
Bullets poured down like a storm, piercing through the vampires' bodies and wings.
One by one, they plummeted into the sea.
Sharks circled, tearing the fallen bodies apart.
...…
"Found you, little mage!"
In midair, a vampire clad in an old formal suit murmured coldly.
His gaze locked onto the robed mage controlling strange machinery.
There was no doubt—this was the master of the undead fleet, a necromancer.
"I'll kill him. You distract the skeletons," the vampire in the old suit ordered.
"Understood!" the others responded swiftly.
The vampires scattered.
From different angles, they charged toward the ships.
...…
Wu Heng sensed something and suddenly turned.
A vampire was closing in like a phantom.
Were they targeting him first?
The machine cannon swiveled and fired into the air.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Shells roared out, striking directly at the attacker.
But at the moment of impact,
The vampire's body exploded into a blood-red mist and vanished.
Almost simultaneously, Wu Heng felt a chilling danger behind him.
Hah~!
A dark figure emerged behind him, its head close to his shoulder, fangs aiming for his throat.
Wu Heng didn't hesitate.
He tilted his body and delivered a backward elbow strike.
Thud~!
A heavy impact sounded.
The vampire staggered backward, eyes flickering with surprise at the necromancer's quick reaction.
Wu Heng was equally shocked by his opponent's ability.
When he had killed the first level 18 vampire,
It had been an instant kill.
But this vampire displayed an ability akin to teleportation.
Similar to the enchanted weapon 'Mist Condensing Evil Sword.'
Yet, this technique required no mist and covered even greater distances.
It seemed to be a specialized ambush skill.
"Kashu, go assist Philipa. Make sure she doesn't die," Wu Heng commanded.
Mid-charge, Kashu suddenly altered course.
Instead of attacking, he veered sharply toward Philipa's position.
Wu Heng quickly cast a spell on himself.
[Bone Armor] enveloped his entire body.
The vampire sneered, "You should worry about yourself, little mage."
With that, he stepped forward rapidly.
Wu Heng narrowed his eyes and flipped out a machine gun.
He opened fire on the target.
Bullets streamed out.
But each time a bullet hit, the vampire burst into blood mist and reappeared ahead.
The gunfire continued.
Through repeated dispersals, the vampire rapidly closed in.
"The blood of a young mage… just thinking about it excites me."