386: Chapter 387 The fleet sets sail for Luzon

Like moving mountains, the fleet plowed through the vast, azure ocean, creating white wakes as it moved steadfastly toward its designated direction.

On the deck of the flagship "Dingyuan," the sea breeze whistled, fluttering everyone's robes.

Yin Susu stood by the ship's rail, resting her hands on the cold, hard railing that shimmered with the radiance of runes, gazing out at the boundless sea.

She had grown up by the sea and considered herself familiar with the ocean, but she had never imagined that a ship could be built to this extent or that sailing could be so stable.

The waves were not small, yet the ship barely rose and fell, as steady as a rock.

"This ship… is truly steady." Yin Susu couldn't help but exclaim, turning her head to look at Lu Chen.

Lu Chen stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The ships I designed are naturally exceptional."

He paused for a moment before adding, "It is mainly due to the effectiveness of the Formation. The Four Symbols Spirit-Suppressing Array calms the waves, and the Earth Vein Hidden Array keeps it as stable as a mountain."

Fang Yanqing, Ji Xiaofu, and Yang Huangyi also gathered around, curiously examining the giant warship.

Although they did not understand navigation, they could still feel the extraordinariness of this vessel.

"Your Majesty, the ocean is vast and boundless. How do we know where to go?" Ji Xiaofu asked softly, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Her question voiced the inner thoughts of the other women as well.

Lu Chen led them to an object.

It was a metal box about a foot square, crafted entirely from a dark golden metal, with complex and precise patterns engraved on its surface, through which faint light flowed.

Embedded on the top of the box was a piece of transparent crystal, beneath which countless tiny gears and needles seemed to be slowly turning.

"This is…" Yin Susu and the others curiously leaned in.

"The Star-Guiding Compass, which I specially crafted for the Ming Navy," Lu Chen said casually.

"This object is a Fusion of astronomy, navigation, star-guiding arts, and compass positioning techniques…" Lu Chen pointed to the compass.

"Bring the nautical chart."

An officer in charge of navigation immediately stepped forward and unfurled a massive nautical chart on the table nearby.

This nautical chart was equally extraordinary, drawn with extreme precision; coastlines, islands, and even reefs and shoals were clearly marked, with accuracy far exceeding any chart of the current era.

It was the standard nautical chart that Lu Chen had personally engraved.

Lu Chen's finger traced a clear trajectory on the chart.

"Our route goes east first, circling around the eastern side of the Luzon archipelago."

His finger paused, pointing toward a vast stretch of ocean.

"Then, we head all the way south, crossing this sea area, and arrive at Papua." His finger tapped on a massive island.

"Then, Kangaroo Island."

"Finally, Volcano Island. I will take you to see the whales!" His finger landed on a separate continent in the south.

Lu Chen's tone was calm, as if he were describing a route home he knew all too well.

Yin Susu looked at the clear route on the chart, then at the "Star-Guiding Compass," her shock beyond measure.

She couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty… how did you come to know these places and draft such precise nautical charts?"

Lu Chen smiled but did not answer directly, only pointing his finger at his own head. "This humble one has his own clever methods."

Of course, he wouldn't say that he had already flown over this world several times; never mind nautical charts, he knew exactly where every mineral deposit was.

However, Divine Sense was his exclusive cheat, which could not be popularized.

But this mechanical Star-Guiding Compass and the high-precision nautical charts were Sharp Weapons that could arm the entire Ming Navy.

"Pass the order down: follow this route, maintain speed, and keep a lookout."

"Yes!" Prince Yinye immediately accepted the order and left.

Over the next few days, the fleet sailed steadily across the vast South China Sea.

The superior performance of the Zhenyuan-class warships was fully displayed.

The massive hulls glided through the waves as if on flat ground, with astonishing speed. The soldiers on board performed their respective duties, well-trained and orderly.

Yin Susu and the others gradually adapted to life at sea.

They were no longer just marveling at the grandeur of the warships; they began to observe the various details on board with great interest.

For instance, the "Steam Turbine" that required no human labor yet provided a continuous source of power; the defensive Formation that covered the hull and shimmered with faint light; and the food and fresh water provided on board, which were far more abundant than they had imagined.

This day, the wind was gentle and the sun was beautiful.

Lu Chen was chatting with the women on the deck while enjoying the breeze.

Suddenly, clouds surged in the distant sky, and the originally clear heavens quickly turned gloomy.

On the ocean surface, the wind force increased abruptly, stirring up huge waves.

"A storm is coming!" an experienced sailor shouted loudly.

The soldiers on board immediately sprang into action; those meant to furl the sails did so, and those meant to secure items did so. It was a scene of busy activity, yet everything was orderly.

Yin Susu and the others' expressions changed slightly as they looked at Lu Chen.

With such heavy winds and waves, even when riding the Heavenly Eagle Sect's ships, one would need to be cautious; the slightest carelessness could lead to the ship being destroyed and lives lost.

Yet Lu Chen remained calm, even watching the massive waves surging from afar like small mountains with great interest.

"It comes at just the right time. Let us test the ship's ability to withstand wind and waves."

Boom!

A giant wave slammed violently against the bow of the flagship, emitting a deafening roar.

The hull swayed violently!

But after just one sway, it quickly stabilized. The runic radiance on the surface of the hull flowed, dissipating most of the impact force into nothingness.

Immediately afterward, a gale accompanied by a torrential downpour poured down, leaving the ocean surface a vast, hazy white with extremely low visibility.

Huge waves crashed one after another, as if trying to swallow this massive fleet.

However, the twenty Zhenyuan-class warships, like rocks, moved steadily forward amidst the fierce winds and waves, their Formation remaining completely undisturbed.

"This… is simply a miracle!" Yin Susu murmured.

"Just a drizzle, pay it no mind." Lu Chen looked out the window at the still-raging storm. "Pass the order: maintain the original course and speed. Ignore the storm."

"Yes!" the messenger responded loudly and quickly conveyed the order.

The storm lasted for a full two hours before gradually subsiding.

When the dark clouds dispersed and sunlight once again shone upon the sea, the Ming fleet still maintained its complete Formation.

A few days later, the fleet successfully arrived at the eastern side of the Luzon archipelago.

The soldier in charge of the lookout reported, "Your Majesty, land contours have been discovered ahead! We have reached Luzon!"

Yin Susu raised her binoculars and looked toward the east.

Sure enough, at the intersection of sea and sky, a dark-colored line appeared; it was the outline of an island.

"According to the nautical chart, we have arrived at the designated turning point." A navigation officer reported to Prince Yinye, comparing the "Star-Guiding Compass" with the chart.

Prince Yinye looked at Lu Chen, awaiting instructions.

Lu Chen lowered his binoculars, a curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Pass the order!"

"Change course!"

"Due south!"

"Prepare to land on the island!"

Woo—

The sound of the horn rang out again. The massive fleet began to adjust its course, with all bows pointing south as they approached the shore.

Sunlight spilled onto the deck. Lu Chen stretched, feeling a bit bored.

This voyage had been far too smooth.

It hadn't even provided a proper storm to act as a test.

He turned back to look at the women, who were still observing the sea and the ships with great interest, and smiled.

"Susu, Yanqing, Xiaofu, Huang Yi."

"Your Majesty?" The four women looked over at the same time.

"Are you feeling bored?" Lu Chen asked.

The four women looked at each other. Yin Susu smiled and said, "Being able to accompany Your Majesty on a tour of the four seas is our honor. How could we feel bored?"

"Mm, as long as you aren't bored. In a moment, I will treat you to a Xuanhuan show!" Lu Chen said mysteriously.