Chapter 659

Chapter 659: Departing for Wanxing Sea

After Mo Qianxun departed, Fang Lie approached Mo Wanfang to request several warship schematic diagrams.

These diagrams outlined the warships’ external forms and internal layouts with approximate measurements, excluding specific construction techniques. Such schematics weren’t classified secrets. Even if leaked, the consequences would be minor. As an Elder, Fang Lie possessed clearance to access these documents.

True core manufacturing blueprints, however, remained strictly guarded. Not even Sect Leader Mo Qianxun could view them unless directly overseeing production.

Elders handling complete blueprints faced severe restrictions – confined within Mo Sect’s protective array and barred from unauthorized external contact. This formed Mo Sect’s primary security measure.

Regrettably, loopholes still existed, leading to multiple classified leaks over time.

Fang Lie sought these schematics because his Netherworld Ghost Fire warship possessed shape-shifting abilities, capable of morphing into any vessel configuration. However, lacking complete design references, Fang Lie required guidance to ensure proper structural integrity.

Haphazard transformations risked internal disarray, severely compromising combat effectiveness – an outcome Fang Lie desperately wanted to avoid.

He aimed to replicate several iconic warship designs for situational adaptability. The requested schematics covered vessels ranging from compact dozen-zhang models (ideal for tight spaces despite reduced firepower) to colossal ten-thousand-zhang flagships – constructs so resource-intensive that Mo Sect could barely maintain one or two.

Remarkably, Fang Lie’s Netherworld warship could emulate even these leviathans while surpassing their combat capabilities.

Larger warships typically mounted more formidable armaments despite higher Spiritual Energy consumption. This made them ideal for the impending Wanxing Sea expedition against Sea Demon Tribes.

Conversely, exploring the Dragon Palace ruins within a constricted Secret Realm entrance demanded compact vessels. Fang Lie accordingly gathered diverse schematics for varying operational needs.

Mo Wanfang readily assisted his son-in-law, personally selecting optimal designs for delivery.

Following brief discussions with his father-in-law, Fang Lie departed with the two women. The trio immediately commenced closed-door training to master warship metamorphosis techniques.

Ten days later, they successfully replicated a hundred-zhang warship mirroring original specifications yet boasting terrifying enhancements. Beyond its twenty Eighth-Rank Netherworld treasures, the vessel’s entire structure comprised high-grade Netherworld Ghost Fire capable of projecting incinerating tentacles – potent enough to overwhelm Eighth-Rank warships.

As a pinnacle large-scale treasure rivaling Ninth-Rank Treasures in power, augmented by multiple Eighth-Rank armaments, this warship could challenge weaker Ninth-Rank artifacts. Fewer than ten Thunder Tribulation Immortals could hope to counter it.

Confident in this formidable protector, Fang Lie eagerly anticipated both the Dragon Palace expedition and imminent battles.

News soon arrived – Mo Qianxun had completed the core energy pool.

At the workshop, Fang Lie gaped at the four-hundred-zhang-wide energy repository. "This enormous? How will it fit when my warship shrinks?"

"Imbecile!" Mo Qianxun snapped, tossing him a foot-wide jade sphere. "This space device contains the energy pool. Withstood the Spiritual Energy flux using ninth-rank materials! Eighth-rank materials shattered during testing. You owe me substantially!"

Chuckling, Fang Lie inquired: "How long can it sustain maximum firepower?"

"At least twenty days without issue!" Mo Qianxun declared proudly.

"How is it only twenty days?" Fang Lie frowned. "I specifically requested half a month!"

"Exactly! How could Grandpa cut corners?" Mo Lanyun added with displeasure.

"Cut corners?!" Mo Qianxun sputtered indignantly. "Fang Lie’s Netherworld warship isn’t like ordinary Eighth-Rank warships! Others don’t have so many eighth-rank attachments. When fully powered, it devours ten times more Spiritual Energy than standard models – even my Glorious Heavenly Palace consumes less! If used on other warships, a core energy pool this size could sustain two or three months of continuous battle!"

"Oh! I wronged you, Grandpa!" Mo Lanyun said sheepishly.

"Hmph! A girl’s heart always leans outward!" Mo Qianxun grumbled.

Fang Lie suddenly narrowed his eyes. "This size seems off. I plundered a massive haul of Spirit Jade from the Ximen family clan. How much did you actually use? Half?"

"One-third!" Mo Qianxun confessed.

"What? Only one-third?" Fang Lie’s anger flared. "Where’s the rest?"

"My rightful commission!" Mo Qianxun retorted. "Did you expect a Semi-Immortal to work for free?"

"You—" Fang Lie choked on his fury.

Mo Lanyun gasped in realization. "Grandpa! Keeping two-thirds for yourself? That’s daylight robbery!"

"Master, this seems excessive," Mao Mao chimed in.

Mo Qianxun sighed wearily. "The Netherworld warship already replenishes itself through combat. An oversized core energy pool would be redundant. But after your Ximen family raid, our Mo Sect warships need upgrades urgently. As an Elder, shouldn’t you prioritize our sect’s defenses?"

Cornered by arguments of sect security, Fang Lie yielded bitterly. "Keep the materials then. But I’d better not find them lining your pockets!"

"How dare you!" Mo Qianxun’s beard quivered with outrage.

With Fang Lie’s reluctant acceptance, the women held their tongues.

"Leave the warship here," Mo Qianxun ordered. "Installations will finish by tomorrow. When do you depart?"

"Tomorrow dawn," Fang Lie stated grimly. "My Qingyu Island territory faces imminent danger."

"Expected." Mo Qianxun nodded. "Though near mainland shores, Qingyu Island remains vulnerable if sea demon tribes strike. It might be crushed like driftwood."

"Never!" Fang Lie vowed. "I’ll bid farewell to my family."

That night echoed with raucous laughter as Fang Lie drank with siblings until sunrise. Tearful pleas from younger brothers, sisters, even his Green Fox Demon Dao soldiers to join him met firm refusal.

"This war could claim even my life," he warned. The sea demons’ bloodline arts and divine skills might bypass his undying nature. Only Mao Mao and Mo Lanyun’s formidable abilities earned them passage.

At morning’s light, the trio retrieved the upgraded Netherworld warship. Mo Qianxun watched their departure through bloodshot eyes – exhaustion from days of refining techniques paling against his dread.

The Dragon Palace ruins deserved their reputation among the Seven Deadly Abysses. Countless Talents and late-stage Thunder Tribulation Immortals had perished there, victim to immortal restrictions and rival cultivators alike. Ten entrants yielded three survivors at best.

Mo Qianxun’s hand instinctively clenched the Nirvana Fire Seed safeguarding his granddaughter’s resurrection. Yet doubt lingered – what if immortal restrictions nullified even this ancient safeguard?