Chapter 254: Leaving in Triumph

The azure, calm ocean now stirred up a storm, smoke and fire spreading, the clear seawater turning deep and turbulent, countless undercurrents surging, swiftly breeding a mass of shadow.

Even the sky above the sea was stained with a gloomy color, giving a feeling of imminent collapse, making one's heart tremble.

These big turtles, having lost their way and having caught some random junk, were already irritable; now the Divine Illumination State's barrage had thoroughly angered them.

As the saying goes, those who rarely anger are often the most terrifying when they do.

The gentle turtle's eyes suddenly turned sharp, a dazzling green glow emanating from its body, locking firmly onto the ships ahead.

The next second.

Its figure vanished from the spot.

On the Supporting Mulberry Ship's detector, the giant turtle's silhouette was also gone.

"Report, Commander, the target suddenly disappeared!"

Chuan Daofeng frowned slightly, "How could it just vanish? Maybe it fled—full speed ahead, proceed in the direction it disappeared from!"

"Launch the deep-sea god-roar fish for long-range pursuit! Absolutely cannot let it escape."

"Yes!"

Before the fish could be launched, a signal reappeared on the radar.

"Beep beep beep!"

A piercing sound came from the instruments, instantly drawing everyone's attention; on the screen a tiny red dot was rushing toward them at an unimaginable speed.

The destroyer's computer, with the world's most advanced processing speed, caught it instantly; the supreme command's free-fire directive let the computer directly control the warship, quickly launching two fish to intercept.

"Boom—"

The torpedo struck the target directly, instantly blowing out the giant turtle's form.

Chuan Daofeng snorted coldly, "Ignorant of life and death, daring to approach— increase firepower to cover!"

They had thought the turtle would be blown to nothing, yet under the powerful firepower it emerged with its form intact, its speed undiminished— truly beyond their comprehension.

"How could this be!"

Chuan Daofeng's pupils and face suddenly changed, "Damn! Fire defense!"

By then it was too late; a barrage of micro‑explosives burst from beneath the ship, attempting to block, but they could not stop it.

That green light resembled an invincible shield, enveloping the giant turtle.

"Boom!"

All sailors on the Supporting Mulberry Ship's destroyer heard a loud roar, the instruments emitted a piercing alarm, and a red exclamation mark appeared.

"Report!"

"The first and second propellers are damaged!"

Before Chuan Daofeng and the others could react, several more explosions sounded.

"Two 15‑meter‑diameter holes have appeared on the left side of the hull!"

"The emergency containment system has been activated to prevent hull flooding."

One bad report after another came, accompanied by rising and falling clamor, the tearing sound of twisting steel, like a beast's painful howl, echoing throughout the Supporting Mulberry Ship.

The alarm sounded like a soul‑summoning death knell, leaving everyone panic‑stricken.

Dark seawater poured in through the breach, the massive vessel letting out a strained groan; everyone's faces turned deathly pale.

The culprit behind all this was naturally the giant turtle, which was merely returning tooth for tooth, eye for eye.

Although its destructive power is not as great as that of the golden eagle or the monkey king, and its means are single, if one turns its defense into offense, its value becomes terrifyingly formidable.

Now the giant turtle retracted into its shell, surrounded by a layer of green light, continually ramming the Supporting Mulberry Ship; each impact made the huge hull shake, emitting a beast‑like roar.

Compared to the massive destroyer, its size is tiny, yet the force it unleashes is extremely terrifying.

Under the relentless impacts, the vast sea kept pressing on the ship; small holes had already appeared, seemingly insignificant, but as the saying goes, a thousand‑mile dike collapses from an ant hole— later, even without the turtle's action, the sea would swallow it whole.

The crew of the Supporting Mulberry Ship were like ants on a hot pan, and the various alarms on the instruments only heightened their anxiety and confusion.

After fixing one issue, another sprang up, leaving them unable to cope; the huge cabin now resembled a leaking wreck on all sides, plunging into a perilous state.

"What on earth is this turtle? How could it possibly breach the hull?"

Chuan Daofeng's eyes nearly burst from his sockets; the situation was utterly beyond his expectation— as a military warship, every hull possesses unimaginably thick metal plating.

Even ordinary fish might not easily blow apart, let alone a turtle— how could it generate such tremendous impact force?

It truly baffles the mind.

Those unaware might think the ship was made of paper, so frail; if the news reached home, those who built the vessels could all commit seppuku in apology.

Adding insult to injury, not only the Supporting Mulberry Ship but also four other warships sounded massive alarms.

The giant turtle spared none of them.

One warship after another was sunk by the enraged giant turtle; nobody could escape the fate of sinking.

The deep seawater resembled a seabed beast with a blood‑filled maw, gulping down these ships; the steel monsters struggled to flee, but no matter how they struggled and roared, it was to no avail— they could only sink deeper.

It's over, everything is too late!

Chuan Daofeng gazed at the scene before him, his vision going black, his face filled with despair; he never imagined things would develop to this extent.

Just a single turtle, yet it destroyed five fleets— such combat power is truly terrifying!

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he could scarcely believe it.

Yet the surrounding chaotic ships and the desperate screams of the crowds all prove that this is real!

Chuan Daofeng frantically gathered every bit of information, and at the moment the sea was about to engulf him, he finally transmitted all he had experienced back home, hoping to serve as a warning to his motherland.

With the aid of electromagnetic waves, the message quickly reached the command center of the Divine Illumination State's maritime military exercise.

After a brief stupor and shock, the entire Divine Illumination State military exercise command was utterly enraged.

A single turtle actually destroyed five warships of the Divine Illumination State, and it is even suspected to be under the direction of Huaxia!

Divine Illumination State exercise personnel, watching the footage sent from the Supporting Mulberry Ship before its sinking, turned ashen: "Just what is this green turtle? Could it be another creation from the Great Xia?"

Seeing the end, the Shenzhao Country Command Department Director's face was so dark it seemed water could drip from it; no matter what, they had to get a result for this matter—this was a full five warships!

The result just disappeared like that!

"The exercise ended early; all fleets assembled, heading to the coordinate sea area where the Fusang sent its coordinates!"

"Chase that green turtle and destroy Huaxia's weapons!"

The Shenzhao Country military exercise person in charge stared intently at the turtle on the screen: "Everyone, get moving immediately! Immediately contact Huaxia Navy Headquarters!"

"I want to ask Huaxia what's going on with this turtle! How dare it sink my Shenzhao Country's warship on the high seas!"

Great Xia, office of the Northeast Sea Area Person in Charge.

Lin Xu looked at the information and documents sent to his desktop, couldn't help rubbing his forehead: "I don't know what Shenzhao Country is up to by holding a naval exercise at this time; it seems we need to pay attention."

Just as he was thinking, the knocking on the office door pulled his thoughts back.

"Come in."

A man in military uniform walked in, expression somewhat solemn: "Chief, something has happened at sea with Shenzhao Country."

Lin Xu showed a look of understanding, speaking irritably: "I knew they weren't up to anything good; they couldn't sit still this quickly."

Shenzhao Country was conducting military exercises in the Shenzhao Sea; although it hadn't entered Great Xia's territory, it was very close, as annoying as a fly.

Lin Xu also had a hot temper: "How's their situation now? If this bunch of pests dares to set foot an inch, just blast them with artillery—no need to apply!"

The man in military uniform's expression was somewhat strange; after a moment's hesitation he said: "Chief, you should first look at the intelligence."

Lin Xu took the documents from his hand and began to skim through them, reading ten lines at a glance.

The beginning was quite normal, no different from previous years' Shenzhao Country naval exercises; but later, Shenzhao Country prematurely ended the exercise and gathered all its navy together.

"Huh, what's going on?"

"What medicine are they selling in their gourd?"

Lin Xu looked somewhat confused; the man beside him explained: "According to our latest intelligence, Shenzhao Country's Fusang destroyer, plus two frigates and a support ship, were sunk in the southeast sea area."

"All personnel aboard those ships perished in the sea, with no survivors; the cause is unknown for now."

Lin Xu frowned slightly: "How could this happen? Which country did this?"

The man shook his head: "There are too few clues; we haven't been able to investigate yet."

"Forget it; no matter which country it is, it's good for us—just hold the border, don't worry about what these pests are doing; if they step even a foot in, just blast them out."

Not only was Great Xia bewildered by Shenzhao Country's actions, but other countries were also confused.

Could this be some alternative way of conducting military exercises?

Or perhaps destroying their sea deployments wasn't enough; they wanted to continue searching, salvage all the installations, and wipe them out in one sweep.

Such behavior is simply excessive!

The sea area persons in charge of countless countries were monitoring Shenzhao Country's military exercise.

Unaware of other countries' thoughts, Shenzhao Country kept tracking the giant turtle, originally thinking that with so much force gathered, even if the turtle had some ability, it couldn't escape their inescapable net.

All warships encircling the turtle felt like using anti-aircraft guns to shoot mosquitoes; even if it was the latest high-tech research, under their warships' encirclement and annihilation, it had only a dead end.

Shenzhao Country mobilized forces not only to capture this latest weapon but also to avenge the Fusang.

But as time passed, they quickly realized something was off; this turtle's speed and defense were nothing short of abnormal!

Facing bombardment from numerous warships, it actually withstood several rounds unscathed; not only that, it even launched an attack!

Initially they had issued defensive orders, but nobody took them seriously.

After all, the turtle was only about two meters tall; how could it sink such a huge warship? Even if it caused some damage, it should be trivial, but soon they paid the price in blood for their contempt.

The turtle really rammed through several warships.

Initially, Chuandao Feng transmitted back information; because time was pressing, he only selected the important parts, not mentioning how the ships sank, and now everyone finally learned the true cause of the Fusang's demise.

It was simply rammed by this turtle!

On the pursuit route, several warships had already been rammed by this turtle; seeing the surrounding ships sink, it completely ignited the anger of Shenzhao Country's soldiers.

"Slaughter this stinking turtle!"

"Today we'll have turtle soup."

"We must catch it; absolutely cannot let it slip away, otherwise Shenzhao Country will lose all face!"

Several warships came from all directions to encircle and attack this turtle, yet it still managed to break out forcefully; in the process, even a large cruiser was sunk.

As the massive ship slowly sank beneath the sea, it instantly kicked up huge waves; all Shenzhao Country's soldiers' eyes turned red, they rose up in anger, frantically operating the warships, chasing the turtle as if risking their lives.

Although the turtle had already sunk several warships, even knocking out a patrol ship, Shenzhao Country's attacks were not to be taken lightly.

At this moment, the green glow on its surface had dimmed compared to before, apparently it could hardly take it anymore; yet even so, being able to oppose so many warships with the power of a single monster shows how thick the giant turtle's defense is.

If it were any other monster from Longyuan Mountain, it could never reach the giant turtle's level.

But it also helps that this is in water; even seawater counts as the giant turtle's home turf, but continuing like this isn't a solution—the giant turtle's spiritual energy will eventually run out, and it can't keep consuming these ships indefinitely.

"We need to come up with a solution; otherwise, these flies constantly chasing me aren't a solution either."

The giant turtle never expected that after sinking those five warships, it would suddenly face so many pursuers—like stirring up a hornet's nest.

Just as the giant turtle was pondering a countermeasure, it suddenly sensed a familiar aura—that which Ye Qin had left behind.

The giant turtle suddenly lifted its head, looking ahead, its eyes brightening: "Master once went to the Isle of Immortals and spent time here; could it be that the Isle of Immortals lies ahead?!"

Having searched high and low to no avail, it comes easily without effort; the giant turtle had been lost at sea, but thanks to these ships chasing it, little did it expect that, by a twist of fate, wandering about to evade, it actually arrived at the Isle of Immortals!

The giant turtle sped up, swimming toward the place where that familiar aura was.

At the same time, its movements were also detected by the Shenzhao Country's reconnaissance pursuing from behind.

"Report! The target has begun moving toward the southeast."

The position to the southeast is exactly Great Xia!

In the Military Exercise General Command, everyone's faces were grim to the extreme.

Finally the turtle's feet are exposed, I just knew there must be the handiwork of Great Xia inside!

Should we chase?

We must chase; this turtle destroyed our warship and absolutely must pay the price!

But the turtle's speed was simply too fast; the Shenzhao warships couldn't catch up in a short time, they could only cling desperately behind, doing their best not to be thrown off.

Just as they were pursuing, at some point ten huge cruisers appeared in the distant sea, the five-star red flag fluttering continuously.

They were the navy of the Eastern Great State.

Among the towering cruisers, the leading officer gazed at the distant Shenzhao warship, grabbed the loudspeaker, and in a deep voice said: 'I am the Great Xia Navy; you are about to enter our controlled waters!'

Do you want to cross the border?

Leave immediately, otherwise you bear the consequences!

The majestic voice, amplified by the super electromagnetic loudspeaker, spread across the nearby sea.

Only then did the Shenzhao personnel come to their senses; they had already entered the Eastern Sea Area.

After a brief moment of shock, they quickly reacted: Could all this be the other side's plot?

A naval officer directly swore over the radio: 'You are shameless! It's clearly you who first sent the turtle to provoke us, and now you're turning the tables here! Can't you act like a human?'

Let us go, hand over that stinking turtle, or this matter will never end!

Hearing this, the Great Xia side was also baffled.

What nonsense is this? Even the turtle has come out; wasn't it Shenzhao that first provoked? How did it become their fault?

The two forces faced off, neither yielding, each believing they were in the right; the other's actions, in their eyes, undoubtedly took on a definite form.

Between sea and sky, a solemn atmosphere prevailed; even the surrounding seawater was tinged with a mysterious aura, becoming turbulent, occasionally kicking up huge waves.

The massive fleet exuded a terrifying aura, like colossal steel beasts standing in the sea, lined up in a row; each steel beast's top floated a scarlet flag, especially conspicuous against the blue sky.

The navy commander stood at the bow of the command ship, gazing at the Shenzhao fleet ahead, his expression calm.

All units, prepare fire!

At his command, the grating Checkpoint scraping sound that makes one's teeth ache kept ringing.

The dark muzzle slowly turned, aiming at the distant Shenzhao fleet!

Listen up, everyone: if those devils dare to step into our waters by even an inch, open fire!

The Shenzhao fleet, already enraged by the turtle, upon seeing Great Xia's attitude, not only refused to hand over the culprit but openly pointed their guns at them, fury beyond containment.

The Shenzhao vessels surged toward Great Xia, the steel beasts kicking up huge waves, leaving white traces on the deep sea.

The momentum looked extremely terrifying; the entire sea area trembled along.

The Shenzhao people were furious to the extreme, nearly blinded by hatred; at the brink of the sea area, reason finally returned.

If they really stepped in, it would mean all-out war with the opponent, a consequence no one could bear.

On the sea, both sides faced off, filled with invisible gunpowder and flames of war; battle seemed imminent.

Just at this tense moment, both sides' radios had been debugged and could connect.

The person in charge of the Eastern Sea region of Great Xia immediately spoke up, "Your exercises have no problem; if you go any further, it will be regarded as an act of war!"

All consequences, your Divine Illumination Country shall bear them!

A voice full of menace was transmitted via radio to the distant Divine Illumination Country fleet.

Upon hearing his words, the Divine Illumination Country's navy could be described as fuming with rage.

The overall commander of Divine Illumination Country's military exercises grabbed the communicator with such force it seemed he would crush the device in his hand, gazing at the Great Xia fleet lined up in the distance; the fury in his eyes almost took on substance.

What do you mean!

We are conducting exercises lawfully in international waters—we have not infringed on your waters, nor disturbed nearby fishermen—on what grounds do you innocently dispatch turtles to infiltrate our exercise area and carry out sabotage!

What kind of chaotic nonsense reason is this!

The person in charge furrowed his brow, considering it mere gibberish from the Divine Illumination side; even if it was provocation, they ought to find a better pretext and excuse.

Sending turtles to cause trouble? No sane person would do such a thing.

"Your exercises, what do the ships you've sunk have to do with us? Don't sling every kind of dirt onto us."

"Leave at once; if you advance another step, you will bear the consequences!"

Seeing that the other side not only had no intention to apologize but instead acted aggressively, self-righteous and confident, it completely ignited the fury of the Divine Illumination Country's navy.

The commander of Divine Illumination Country's face turned ashen: "How can it have nothing to do with you? If it weren't for the stinking turtles you sent, how could dozens of our warships have been destroyed!"

"Among them is a cruiser‑class warship, and the losses have already reached hundreds of billions of dollars!"

"Furthermore, the turtle‑type weapons you dispatched carry strong connotations of mistaken entry; we seriously suspect you are insulting us by calling us turtles!"

The Divine Illumination Country's commander gripped the communicator, his face overcast with dark clouds, spittle flying.

"Never mind this turtle‑type weapon—it wasn't made by you; during the pursuit we captured audio of it continually using your nation's language to insult us!"

"Compensate our losses, hand over the turtles, give us a reasonable explanation, otherwise we will absolutely not let this rest!"

The Divine Illumination Country's commander struggled to suppress his inner fury; his mouth spat out words like a machine gun, giving the Great Xia side no chance to respond, and by the end he had fully erupted into a roar.

Hearing the opposing side's words, furious to the extreme, the originally imposing Great Xia soldiers, ready to strike at any moment, were completely bewildered. (End of chapter)