26: To wage war

Ten days of concentrated cultivation, bolstered by the powerful assistance of precious potions, brought a transformative change to Iron Sand Island. The core members broke through one after another, their strength skyrocketing, as if sharpening the claws and teeth of a crouching young lion.

Ocean Jack and Elise were the first to bring good news. Ocean successfully advanced to Silver Intermediate Rank, his affinity for water-element battle qi growing by the day; Elise steadily stepped into Silver Elementary, the natural talents within her elven bloodline awakening further. Their aptitudes were top-tier, not just on Iron Sand Island, but even in the entire Aolai Kingdom.

Linn's progress was equally remarkable, naturally stepping into the Silver Intermediate Rank. With his precise control as an Apothecary, his unique spatial talent, and his substantial capital for challenging those above his level, he was confident he could face a High Silver Rank powerhouse alone, provided he had enough preparation and casting time.

Clay followed closely behind, breaking through to Silver Intermediate Rank in one go thanks to his solid foundation, his swordsmanship becoming increasingly steady and sharp. Meanwhile, Karl, Angus, and Hogan, though slightly less gifted, finally managed to cross the threshold of Silver Elementary after consuming double portions of level three potions and enduring several difficult attempts, officially joining the ranks of intermediate knights. Only the old butler Morton remained at Bronze High Rank due to the limitations of his age and aptitude. However, he showed no sign of discouragement, instead pouring all his energy into the complex affairs of the territory, supporting the operations of Iron Sand Island in another indispensable way.

By this point, Iron Sand Island's high-end combat power had begun to take shape, giving them the confidence to take the initiative and test their mettle. Linn knew that an army could not rely on training alone; it had to undergo the baptism of war and blood to truly transform into a powerful force.

He turned his gaze toward Ironwood Island, located about a three-day voyage from Iron Sand Island. According to Ocean's early reconnaissance and scattered intelligence, a pirate group calling themselves the "Split Axe" occupied the island. They numbered about a hundred, and their leader, Hildo, was a High Silver Rank expert with a notorious reputation. Their overall strength was similar to the destroyed Blood Claw Pirate Group, making them an ideal whetstone.

At the strategy meeting, the light of oil lamps reflected on everyone's determined and battle-hungry faces. Linn's finger traced a line on a crude sea chart as he clearly issued his orders:

"The core of this battle is to train our troops and test our new equipment and combat capabilities after the promotions. Clay, you will personally lead fifty personal guards to serve as the main assault spearhead. You must crush the pirates' beachhead defenses with thunderous momentum and show the prestige of our Iron Sand Island!"

"Ocean, you will lead the second team of a hundred members. Once the frontal engagement begins, flank them to cut off the pirates' retreat and clear out any remaining enemies attempting to flee or hide. You must annihilate them all; leave no future troubles."

"Karl and Angus, your task is to ensure the base remains perfectly safe. The heavy responsibility of defending Iron Sand Island is entrusted to the first team and the reserves."

"Elise, your archery is superb and your perception is keen. You will be responsible for finding high ground outside the battlefield to precisely snipe enemy targets that pose the greatest threat to our warriors, especially their archers or minor leaders. Be sure to pay attention to concealment and your own safety."

Finally, Linn's gaze swept across the room, his tone murderous: "As for that High Silver Rank leader, Hildo, we will work together to surround and suppress him, prioritizing capture. Remember, this is real combat, not a drill. What I want is a clean victory with as few casualties as possible. Let these pirates occupying Ironwood Island become the first sacrifice for the formal rise of my Iron Sand Island!"

"Understood, Lord!" Everyone's morale was high, their voices shaking the rafters.

The next morning, before the sea mist had fully dissipated, two medium-sized cargo ships set sail. Carrying over a hundred and fifty battle-ready warriors, they cut through the blue sea and headed straight for Ironwood Island. The fleet maintained a battle formation, and the sailors in the lookout towers watched with eagle eyes. An emotion mixed with tension and excitement filled the air; it was time to test the results of their bitter cultivation.

On the morning of the third day, the sun had just broken free from the horizon, casting golden light on the rugged coastline of Ironwood Island. Inside a crude lookout tower set up by the pirates, a sentry was still dozing off while holding a spear. They never expected that they would face a catastrophe in these waters they considered safe.

The Iron Sand Island fleet used the pre-dawn mist to silently complete the encirclement of the main landing point. Small rowing boats were lowered, filled with Clay's elite fifty personal guards, shooting toward the beach like arrows from a bow.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" It wasn't until the personal guards' boats hit the sand that a pirate urinating by the sea let out a shrill alarm, but it was too late.

"For Iron Sand Island! For Lord Linn! Kill!" Clay, clad in shining silver armor and wielding a sharp sword, was the first to leap onto the beach. His Silver Intermediate Rank battle qi erupted with a boom, the resulting airwave knocking away the scattered arrows flying toward him. He was like a god of war descending; with every flash of his sword, two pirates trying to block him fell to the ground.

The fifty guards followed closely behind, well-equipped and coordinating perfectly. Using small-group tactics, they instantly tore the pirates' hastily organized beachhead defense to shreds like dry weeds. The clashing of metal, shouts, and screams instantly shattered the morning silence, and blood stained the sand red.

"Which bastard dares to run wild on my territory!" A thunderous roar came from the mountain fortress. Following it, a tall, muscular figure charged down—it was the pirate leader, "Split Axe" Hildo! The hideous scar on his face twisted, his bare upper body was knotted with muscles and covered in scars, and the giant axe in his hand carried a bloody aura. His High Silver Rank berserk battle qi indeed put pressure on the guards at the front.

However, before he could reach the main battle line, Linn's figure intercepted him like a ghost. At the same time, Ocean and Clay quickly closed in from the left and right, forming a triangular encirclement.

"Take him down!" Linn shouted lowly, not being overconfident enough to fight alone. He waved his magic staff, fire elements appearing faintly as he muttered an incantation. Ocean's spear whipped up a water-blue halo, attacking fiercely from the flank, while Clay's sword stance was as steady as a mountain, blocking the retreat.

Although Hildo was strong, facing the coordinated siege of one person of the same rank (Linn's actual combat power) and two Silver Intermediate Rank experts, he instantly fell into a disadvantage. He roared repeatedly, his giant axe dancing wildly and battle qi overflowing, but he could not break through the net of death woven by the three.

On a tall reef in the distance, Elise's gaze was sharp as her bowstring hummed. Arrows imbued with natural magic seemed to have eyes of their own, always accurately striking the pirate archers trying to ambush the besiegers, or hitting key points to disrupt Hildo's rhythm, creating countless excellent opportunities for Linn's trio.

Hildo became more alarmed as the battle progressed, wounds continuing to pile up on his body and his battle qi being heavily consumed. Fear finally overwhelmed his ferocity.

"I surren..." He tried to shout his surrender.

But Linn gave him no chance. Seeing the moment his strength failed, Linn's soul power suddenly struck. Combined with the fierce attacks from Clay and Ocean, Hildo's movements stalled. Linn used his sword hilt to strike a heavy blow to the back of Hildo's head; Hildo's vision went black, the giant axe slipped from his hand, and he collapsed to the ground.

Linn stepped forward quickly, placing his palm on Hildo's forehead. Soul power flowed as an ancient restriction containing a soul binding was quietly planted.

After a brief period of soul-burning, Hildo's eyes gradually cleared. He knelt respectfully on the ground. "Hildo pays respects to the Master."

Linn's use of this technique had reached a peak; enslaving Hildo was completely different from how he had enslaved Hogan before. Now, he had completely remodeled and mastered Hildo's soul, turning Hildo into a walking corpse. Hildo was also Linn's first War Slave.

With their leader captured and enslaved, the remaining pirates instantly collapsed, kneeling and begging for mercy. The battle, from start to finish, lasted less than an hour. Iron Sand Island achieved a brilliant victory with minimal casualties.

With Hildo's assistance, the recruitment and mop-up work went particularly smoothly, making this trip very fruitful.

Population: Captured about eighty pirates and took in over four hundred kidnapped slaves!

Supplies: Over 50 tons of grain and fodder (mainly coarse grain and dried fish) were stockpiled in the pirate warehouse, along with a large amount of cloth, tools, and other miscellaneous items.

Treasure: An iron chest was dug up from beneath Hildo's residence, containing about 600 gold coins!

Ships: Captured several small pirate ships that could be used for patrol and transport, and one warship capable of carrying a hundred people for combat.

Standing at the highest point of Ironwood Island, Linn looked down at the busy scene—warriors escorting prisoners, sailors moving supplies, and the rescued slaves with hope reappearing on their faces. Elise stood quietly by his side, while Ocean, Clay, and the others commanded with composure.

This battle not only tested their strength and honed their coordination but also brought in a huge amount of supplies, population, and funds, accelerating the development of Iron Sand Island. More importantly, it displayed the prestige and confidence of Iron Sand Island, announcing the arrival of a new player to the Storm Sea Region.

Ironwood Island's land resources were even worse than Iron Sand Island's, so Linn gave up on cultivating it. He only left Hogan to lead a small squad of soldiers and 200 slaves to stay on Ironwood Island to log the island's specialty, "ironwood." This ironwood was the main material for building large ships and warships; hulls built with this ironwood were even sturdier.

At the same time, after enslaving Hildo, Linn released the soul contracts of Hogan and several members of the original Blood Claw Pirate Group. Their performance over the past few months had satisfied Linn, and he now had enough strength to suppress them.