Mechanical Alchemist

The enemy's three ships billowed their sails, forming a "品" shape as they surrounded the Dawn Group's vessel.

Those guys must have calculated the sailing speed of the "Grey Dolphin," an old ship, well in advance. Among the three ships that came, two were swift assault vessels. Even if they thought to escape, they'd inevitably be chased down.

Moreover, they were ambushed behind the desolate island. By the time they were spotted, it was already too late to flee.

Because Qian Tiao had ordered not to open fire, the three enemy ships only fired a few warning shots.

The cannonballs fell around the ship, splashing up more than ten meters of white foam. Some spray landed on deck, soaking it.

Su Lun, however, paid no mind and continued to set up energy crystals one by one in the corner of the cabin.

Qian Tiao leaned lazily against the mast, the occasional flash of sharpness in her eyes indicating that she was building up energy.

She didn't pay much attention to the ferocious enemies approaching, instead showing great interest in Su Lun setting up the formation, saying, "That alchemy formation of yours is quite interesting... Puppetry Technique?"

At that, Su Lun gave a brief explanation, "Just a puppet controlling secret technique. The more energy prepared, the larger the control range. It won't let anyone escape later."

"Oh."

Qian Tiao raised her eyebrows, feigning understanding.

She naturally knew that Su Lun was a Puppeteer.

But that impression was from a long time ago.

Now, seeing the scale of this alchemy formation, Qian Tiao knew it was definitely not simple.

What kind of Puppet Master would use such a massive energy-gathering formation?

This surely wasn't the level of a third-rank technique.

Qian Tiao guessed something and a hint of anticipation crossed her face. She directly asked, "Tsk tsk... Su Lun, why do I feel like you're not planning to control just a few puppets, but a whole lot of them?"

Su Lun neither confirmed nor denied, simply shrugging his shoulders. There was nothing he needed to hide from Qian Tiao, "After advancing to the third tier, I awakened some new abilities. Now, the number of puppets I control... has increased a bit."

He didn't speak too confidently, leaving some room for modesty.

"Yo?"

Listening to that, Qian Tiao's eyebrows showed a smile, and she asked no further.

She glanced at the enemies now close at hand and casually said, "Prepare for battle."

"Mhm."

Su Lun nodded.

His eyes were good and he could clearly see the people aboard the three ships. After observing for a moment, he added, "There should be no fifth-rank among the enemies."

The center position observation method was still very effective.

Usually, the strongest person would be in the most prominent position.

Aboard the three enemy ships, Su Lun noticed none of those in the center position posed any significant threat.

On the deck of the ship that flew the "Crocodile Iron Hook" pirate flag on its main mast, the leader was a one-eyed Cyclops wearing a leather eyepatch. Naturally, it was the previously seen 'Cyclops' Sok.

The leaders of the other two ships, both dressed in pirate captain attire, were also fourth tier.

Both had distinctive appearances, and Su Lun had some recollection of them from the Bounty Orders he'd seen. The guy with a golden iron hook for a right hand was Captain 'Gold Hook' Charles of the 'Flamingo Pirates', with a bounty of 35 million risos; also there was the leader of the 'Hammer Pirates', 'Iron Wall Explosive Bear' Horn, with a full mechanical skeleton and a bounty of 55 million risos;

The other few with impressive presences seemed to be the chief mates and second mates of the ships.

None looked like they were fifth tier.

However, this was expected.

If there were any fifth-rank big pirates among the enemies, they had no need for such encirclement tactics; they would just come at them directly.

Qian Tiao's face showed no fear, and a cold smile curled at her lips, "No fifth tier, then it will be easy to handle."

Su Lun felt the energy accumulating within her becoming sharper and more chilling, like a dam about to burst. Standing beside her was like being near the edge of a sharp blade, as if a careless move could tear him apart with that aura.

He had not understood her realm before, but now he truly appreciated it.

This gambling-addicted madam was truly powerful!

...

Seeing the enemy vastly outnumber them, it was impossible for the Dawn Group to be nonchalant.

Each person held their weapons, focusing intently on the three enemy ships, their hands sweaty with tension.

However, this was the advantage of having carefully chosen crew members.

When it came down to a fight to the death, everyone would band together, uniting against the enemy.

Three giants clad in crude armor, holding large shields, stood in front. The wrestlers and sumo wrestlers behind them had also released their alchemy-enhanced rigs.

No one backed down.

Even the ten-year-old girl, Lolota, had drawn her longsword, her face grim with a fierce determination.

Qian Tiao chatted idly with Su Lun for a moment before leaping onto the deck, standing in front of the tense crew, and called out, "Brothers, prepare for hand-to-hand combat!"

It was that steady command that seemed to instantly strengthen everyone's resolve, as their morale surged and they shouted in unison, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Su Lun also noticed this sudden burst in morale, and his eyebrows rose slightly.

Qian Tiao indeed suited the role of a pirate captain. Beneath her forthright nature lay an inexplicable charisma that commanded respect.

....

As the Dawn Group prepared tensely for the enemy, the pirates aboard the three approaching ships laughed wildly, relaxed and at ease.

Seeing the Grey Dolphin had taken down its sails, showing no sign of fleeing or firing, they naturally assumed the other side had given in and surrendered.

The three ships were less than a hundred meters apart, and the pirates on deck could hear each other's shouts.

"Hahaha, that woman didn't run? And she even looks like she wants a fight? Is she trying to scare us?"

"If you can't fight, can't you still put on a show? Tsk tsk, probably want to negotiate."

"That's boring. I had heard that this 'Thousand Blades Rakshasa' was a formidable newcomer on the seas recently, seems like that's all there is to it."

"That bitch is clever! If we really resisted, a few rounds of cannon fire would leave us nothing but ashes. By surrendering, we might still have a chance to live..."

"She was all tough at the gambling stall earlier, I thought she would fight to the death, haha... didn't expect her to be such a coward! Once we catch that bitch alive, I'll make sure she knows what regret means!"

"Hehe, that whore will probably be totally submissive to the boss."

"Hahaha..."

...

Seven or eight hundred pirates gathered on the decks of three ships, yet they were oblivious to what they were about to face.

Looking at the few dozen members of the Dawn group, these pirates felt not the slightest threat. Many of them hadn't even disengaged the safety on their guns.

They believed that with such a disparity in numbers, it was a battle without suspense.

If the other side fled immediately, maybe they'd live a little longer.

Now... there was no chance to escape.

...

Soon, the three pirate ships smoothly approached the Grey Dolphin. All three ships were larger and taller than Su Lun's.

When they were still dozens of meters away, the "Cyclops" Sok stared down from his superior position at Qiantiao and arrogantly said, "Hey hey hey... you fucking bitch, not feeling so high and mighty now, are you?"

The humiliation at the gambling stall had spread all over Blizzard City, causing their "Iron Crocodile Group" to lose face completely.

The bottled-up anger from so many days demanded a vocal release; it just didn't feel right otherwise.

Qiantiao, hearing these words, didn't rush to action but sneered back, not mincing words, "Cyclops, are you so eager to court death?"

"Oh, still talking tough?"

Although somewhat puzzled as to why the opponent didn't beg for mercy and was still acting tough, Sok wasn't panicking anymore. The situation was under control, and there was no way for them to escape. A lecherous smile appeared on his face, "You fucking whore, I'll have you kneeling and begging for mercy soon!"

At these words, the pirates on the decks of the three ships burst into raucous laughter, hurling filthy language around.

In the brief time it took for this cross-water banter, the three pirate ships had completely cut off the Grey Dolphin's retreat. One blocked the prow, while the other two besieged it from either side.

When the ships were a little over ten meters apart, grappling hooks, hook-ropes, and chains clattered through the air, latching onto the Grey Dolphin's railings and hull. The ropes tensed, pulled taut, and the ships drew closer to each other.

Even then, Qiantiao did not act; she simply stood firmly on the deck with one hand resting on her sword hilt.

Members of the Dawn group were nervous to their core, as several hundred muskets targeted them; they were fully prepared to die.

Seeing the enemy about to board, they kept glancing at Qiantiao out of the corner of their eyes, puzzled as to why their captain had not yet given the order to strike, especially when the moment seemed ripe.

But without an order, they didn't move either.

Only Lolota sensed something and dimly guessed what her teacher might be waiting for, praying inwardly, "Is the teacher waiting for that Mr. Su Lun? I hope that gentleman is also very powerful..."

And at that moment of confusion, a man with a crow on his shoulder and a strange umbrella in hand walked out of the cabin, unhurriedly.

It was Su Lun.

...

With the distance so close, all the enemies had entered the range of soul perception.

Su Lun finally confirmed there were no fifth-order professionals on the opposing three ships.

Qiantiao watched him approach and asked, "Is it ready?"

Su Lun nodded slightly and said indifferently, "Yeah."

Hearing this, a dangerous glint disappeared from Qiantiao's eyes as she remarked, "Tsk tsk, Su Lun, I always feel like you're going to give me a big surprise."

With the corner of his mouth slightly lifted, Su Lun replied lightly, "I probably won't disappoint Sister Qiantiao..."

Just then, with two "clang" sounds, the hulls of two pirate ships had already fully collided with the Grey Dolphin under the pull of countless ropes. Everyone on deck rocked simultaneously.

The most brutal boarding battle was about to begin!

The pirates from the three ships, numbering hundreds, laughed wildly and with great clamor, they leaped over from the opposing deck, full of aggressive momentum.

"Brothers, for fuck's sake!"

"Capture that bitch alive! Hahaha..."

...

The oppressive mass of invaders barged in, the strings in the hearts of the Dawn group members were stretched to their limit.

Now was the moment, with a "clang", swords were drawn from their scabbards.

At last, Qiantiao gave a soft command: "Kill!"

...

The "Iron Crocodile Pirate Group", "Fireflamingo Pirate Group", and "Iron Hammer Pirate Group" three pirate groups totaled seven or eight hundred people.

Counting the leaders and the first mates, there were five fourth-order experts, with countless third and second-order elite fighters.

The situation was supposed to be a complete rout.

But just as the boarding battle erupted, something unexpected happened.

They suddenly felt an ice-cold Sword Qi piercing through to the sky.

"That woman...!!!"

Almost at the same time, the faces of several fourth-order professionals changed dramatically.

Only experts of the same tier could clearly sense how strong and inconceivably powerful this outburst of Sword Qi was!

Only then did they realize the aura exploding from the woman they thought had been trapped like a turtle in a jar was so exaggeratedly powerful that it was beyond belief.

It was like encountering a hundred-meter wave at sea, making them feel a trace of instinctive fear before the fight had even begun—how could this be?

Just looking at the fierce Sword Qi felt like it could blind their eyes, and they found no breach to exploit.

Several fourth-order pirates suddenly felt a sense of helplessness, amazed, "Sword Master? Is this not the realm of a grand sword master?"

Moreover, what shocked them even more was still to come.

After a thousand long swords were drawn, a flaming six-armed deity suddenly appeared behind her!

After she released her armor, four alchemic arms likewise emerged, each holding a sword. Her soaring Sword Qi, together with the phantom of the deity, merged into a six-armed, six-sworded presence like a descended heavenly god, imposing and overwhelming.

....

It was the instant that the thousand swords burst forth, as if time itself had frozen.

The clamor ceased abruptly, and the pirates who were boarding the ship suddenly froze in place. The huge deck became silent as a tomb, the sound of swallowing clearly audible.

Even without understanding the soaring Sword Qi, the sight of the phantom behind her made them grasp something.

"Look, what is that! It seems like an innate phenomenon?"

"This... what kind of innate talent is this? How come I've never seen it before."

"Damn it! This must be some advanced form of a very high-level talent! Everyone be careful; it's dangerous!"

"...."

After that comment, the atmosphere turned strange.

Just when they thought it would be a thoroughly satisfying victory, something seemed off.

The three pirate group leaders called 'Cyclops' all turned ashen.

They immediately realized why the woman had earned the nickname 'Thousand Blades Rakshasa.'

This woman's strength was even more formidable than the legends!

But why hadn't she shown this level of ability before?

The thought was terrifying.

Even without confirmation that the six-armed apparition was the second stage of "A-022-Rakshasa Woman," they knew well that anyone awaking such a talent would be beyond ordinary fighting capabilities!

No wonder she had the confidence for a desperate fight...

If it truly came to blows, it might not be the one-sided crush they anticipated; they might suffer heavy losses.

But now, it was too late to back down, and with the situation as it was, there was no choice but to fight.

'Cyclops' acted decisively, roaring, "Captain Charles, Captain Horn, we few will engage this woman. The rest of you, kill everyone on her ship!"

The several fourth-order pirates exchanged glances and unanimously agreed, "Good!"

No matter how good her talent was, she was still just one person.

They had a numerical advantage of dozens of times over.

If they could take out the rest of the Dawn Group, their seven or eight hundred men could wear her down to death, even if just through sheer attrition!

"Brothers, kill!"

"Leave no survivors, slay all those bastards!"

"..."

With order after order from the group leaders, the pirates, who were initially hesitant due to the intense aura of Thousand Blades, charged onto the deck of the Grey Dolphin once more.

....

Thousand Blades leapt onto a mast, poised to charge into the crowd below. But the fourth-order pirate chiefs certainly weren't going to give her the chance, following her up without hesitation.

It was a fierce six-on-one battle.

Being a melee, there weren't any Magician's widespread bombings. On the narrow deck, the Dawn Group stuck together, not scattered by the first wave of enemies.

Yet even so, the enemy was just too numerous.

Spears, poles, crossbow bolts, and hidden blades emerged without end.

Just in the initial clash, several wounds were already sliced across the bodies of the three giant shield warriors at the forefront. Though not fatal, it was a disastrous start.

The Dawn Group was being forced back, wave after wave of fresh enemies surging onto the deck.

"Clang," "Clang," "Clang,"...

The sharp sound of sword strikes was heart-wrenching, with sparks frequently flashing between the shields and blades.

Lorota held her long sword, swinging it in an impenetrable flurry.

But even the most exquisite swordplay seemed pale now, overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies, too many...

In front of her, dense shadows of swords and blades - block one and there are ten, a hundred more to follow!

She knew the outcome of today was likely to be grim.

In Lorota's eyes was the certain resolve of a fighter in the arena.

The enemy was just too numerous...

But she had no regrets.

Meeting her teacher, these brief months were already a hundred times happier than her time in the gladiatorial arena.

At this critical moment, countless thoughts flashed through Lorota's mind.

But just then, it was as if the favor of fate suddenly arrived!

Her peripheral vision caught sight of the suited man who had been standing there the whole time.

"Huh?"

She immediately felt puzzled.

Since the start, Lorota noticed that Mr. Su Lun had just been standing behind them.

Occasionally firing his gun, he accurately hit a few pirates.

His marksmanship seemed pretty good?

But other than that, he did not seem to be ready to fight with all his might.

If it were a sign of giving up, there was no look of despair or fear on his face.

Instead, that composure was so unsettling it was baffling.

It was as if the life-and-death struggle before him didn't even catch his eye.

Not right!

Huh... Mr. Su Lun's gaze seems to be observing the battle at the mast?

There, the teacher had already engaged those few fourth-tier professionals, and although he wasn't losing, he couldn't spare a hand for now.

Just when Lorota was full of surprise, she suddenly caught a glimpse of Mr. Su Lun inserting his fire gun into its holster like lightning, and then his hands swiftly began changing into the sorcerer's seals

"Such fast seal-making speed!"

Lorota was stunned.

Sorcerer's seals aren't just about the speed of one's hands; the more complex the seal, the more complex the energy needed to condense. To be that quick, one needs an extraordinary understanding of the spell.

"He... He's actually casting a spell that's not of the third tier?"

Lorota's rank was too low; she didn't yet understand the origins of Suren Sorcerer's Seal. But she did understand the anomaly that descended suddenly with the completion of the seals.

"Release!"

It was when Su Lun's complex series of sorcerer's seals reached the final seal that a black Seven-Pointed Star Formation suddenly lit up beneath his feet.

A tremendous surge of dark energy emanated from him.
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And this was just the beginning!

The Seven-Pointed Star Alchemical Formation was like the fuse to a barrel of gunpowder; the moment the formation's light flared, the entire Grey Dolphin lit up with a boiling glow.

Once Su Lun's spell was cast, his hands changed seals with even greater speed.

"Armor Release!"

As the spell was released, a ferocious eight-armed spider lance suddenly emerged behind him.

With each dizzying change of the sorcerer's seals, suddenly, from deep in his throat, a low chant emerged like a demon's whisper, "Silk Control Secret Art - Cocoon World!"

Finally, an impressively shocking visual burst into view.

....

Just when everyone was yet to understand the exaggerated energy fluctuations of the spell, they suddenly saw countless dense silver threads spring from below the decrepit ship's hull.

"Damn it, watch out for those threads!"

The pirates also immediately realized something was terribly wrong and began hacking away with their swords.

But the witch's hair was extremely tough; a few could be cut, but when clumped together, they became incredibly hard. Even if cut, the threads would reconnect on their own, spreading endlessly in all directions. No matter how they were slashed, it was all in vain.

In an instant, to the pirates' surprise, the threads showed no intention of attacking them. Instead, they crazily spread, rapidly binding all four ships together.

Then, before most could react, the threads had already formed a cocoon, enveloping everyone within the independent space made by the joined ships.

This scene, amidst the heat of battle, was extraordinarily abrupt.

It wasn't just the pirates who were dumbfounded; even the members of the Dawn group were speechless.

Doing this, weren't they sealing off their own escape route?

Now they couldn't even jump into the sea if they wanted to.

If not for knowing the man with the black umbrella was the Captain's friend, the members of the Dawn group might have thought him an enemy infiltrator.

Only Lorota seemed to realize something.

She looked at the walls of threads wrapping around them, her eyes revealing a mix of shock and disbelief.

What kind of spell was this?

And what on earth was Mr. Su Lun trying to do?

She suddenly realized something; Mr. Su Lun hadn't taken action earlier because it seemed like he was waiting for the enemies to gather?

This thought sparked, and recalling the "seemingly senseless" dialogue between him and her teacher earlier, Lorota suddenly grasped something.

The threads had sealed off any retreat.

Mr. Su Lun intended not only to counterattack but to kill all these enemies.

My God, that's insane...

Lorota was still struggling to believe the absurd thought that had suddenly sprung to her mind,

But the reality was unfolding before her very eyes!

....

In the moment of everyone's realization, Suren's sorcerer's seals changed again, and a gigantic cross began to coalesce slowly in the sky.

As his dark spiritual power grew, so did the control area of the cross.

It seemed as if time had stopped, but these series of actions happened in the blink of an eye.

Right then, he clapped his hands together and uttered softly, "Release!"

"Boom"

"Boom"

"Boom"

"..."

Several space scrolls arranged around the hull suddenly exploded.

In the blink of an eye, the small space was filled with hundreds of eerily grinning rune puppets.

As the overwhelming army of puppets appeared, the situation finally became clear.

Everyone understood what had happened.

Both the seven or eight hundred pirates and the members of the Dawn group were shocked on the spot.

Even Qiantiao, who was engaged in a heated battle above, flashed a look of surprise on her heroic face upon seeing this. Looking at the calm-black-clothed Su Lun amidst the puppet horde, she murmured, "You really did give me a big surprise..."