126: 15 high-level spirit source crystal cores obtained, all skills await upgrade!

The blazing flame and the Zhenyuan Ship sped away from the sea area where the submerged Trash Mountain lay. The rolling black smoke behind them gradually shrank into a thin line on the horizon, eventually being completely swallowed by the vast sea.

The atmosphere within The Fleet was heavy and somewhat oppressive.

The recent massacre targeting the Sea Monkeys, and the final farewell given to the victims, weighed like a massive stone on everyone's heart.

Even Engineer Liu and the others, who usually loved to joke around, were silently wiping down their gun barrels, nobody speaking.

On the Deck, the wind was fierce, causing the cables to snap loudly.

Zhou Hai leaned against the railing, holding a lit cigarette. His usual cheerful demeanor had completely vanished; his chubby face was tight, and his eyes stared blankly at the churning waves.

“Old Zhao.”

Zhou Hai suddenly spoke, his voice fragmented by the wind, “Tell me, do you think we are strong now?”

Zhao Ze, who was sitting on a nearby ammunition box, paused at the question, looking up at him: “A Level 5 Spirit Source User is considered a top-tier combatant, looking across the entire Demon City, Jinling, or even this sea region. What, didn't you enjoy the killing just now?”

“It's not about enjoying it or not.”

Zhou Hai took a deep drag on his cigarette and blew out a smoke ring.

He turned around, leaning against the railing, his eyes clouded with confusion: “In that battle just now, I risked my life, throwing punches and setting fires, only managing to kill a few Elite monsters, but Little Lu...”

He paused, the image of Lu Sheng walking on the waves and crushing the Sea Monkey King's head with one kick flashing in his mind.

“He's like a monster. No, compared to us, he's like a god.” Zhou Hai gave a wry smile and patted the fat on his stomach. “I just reached Level 5, and I thought I was pretty awesome, but standing next to him, I feel like a baby who just learned to walk. Why is the gap just getting wider?”

This feeling of powerlessness wasn't jealousy, but a deep sense of awe and doubt regarding his own worth.

Zhao Ze's gaze swept across the Deck towards the tightly closed bulletproof glass window of the control room in the distance.

“Old Zhou, that's not the right way to look at it.”

Zhao Ze's voice was deep and steady, like ballast stone. “Think about it, if we hadn't met Lu Sheng, where would we be now? We'd probably have become rotten meat inside some sea beast's belly, or like those refugees back there, fighting people with knives, or even competing with other Spirit Source Users just to snatch a piece of moldy bread.”

Zhou Hai fell silent.

“From a broken fishing boat, to this Fierce Battleship, to a Level 5 powerhouse that even the military salutes.” Zhao Ze stood up, walked over to Zhou Hai, and patted his shoulder. “All of this was given by Little Lu. It's normal that we can't catch up to him; if we did, that would be truly bizarre.”

“Brother Zhao is right.”

A cool, clear voice interjected.

Su Li appeared from the shadows at some unknown time, the scent of blood on her body not yet fully dissipated.

She walked up to the two men, her gaze sharp as a knife, staring toward the control room: “Haven't you noticed? General Chen Yan's attitude toward Lu Sheng has changed. Before, it was cooperation, an alliance. Now...”

Su Li narrowed her eyes, her voice very low: “That is the respect shown to a powerhouse of equal or even higher standing.”

Zhou Hai and Zhao Ze exchanged glances, both seeing shock in the other's eyes.

Su Li reached up to smooth her wind-blown hair, her tone resolute: “This world is chaotic, and people's hearts are filthy. But Lu Sheng is different. He is ruthless, but he protects his own. Following him, we are treated like human beings, not just beasts struggling to survive.”

She turned and looked at the two large men, saying word by word, “In this life, my life belongs to him. Even if we face a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, if he gives the word, I will sacrifice my life, but I will never betray him.”

These words were spoken decisively, leaving no room for negotiation.

Zhou Hai took a deep breath, and the confusion and despair on his face vanished.

He fiercely tossed the cigarette butt in his hand into the sea, clenched his fists tightly, and his knuckles cracked loudly.

“Damn it, Sister Su is right! Why the hell am I overthinking this!”

Zhou Hai grinned widely, revealing a set of white teeth, his eyes showing a fierce determination. “The stronger Little Lu is, the harder our backs will be! In this life, I recognize only him as the leader! If anyone dares to touch him, I'll be the first one to blow them to ashes!”

Zhao Ze didn't speak, just nodded heavily.

The gazes of the three people met in the air.

There was no blood-sworn oath ceremony, nor were there any grand, heroic vows.

But at this moment, on the Deck of this battleship cutting through the waves, a life-and-death pact had been forged.

It was not just obedience, but absolute loyalty... Inside the blazing flame control room.

Lu Sheng sat alone in the large command chair, his legs crossed and resting on the console, unaware of the psychological turmoil of his three teammates on the Deck outside.

He was currently examining the system panel with great interest.

Although he didn't encounter any Level 6 heavyweights in the battle just now, the sheer quantity made up for it.

Although the Sea Monkey King was only Level 5, the nearly hundred Level 4 Elite Sea Monkeys were genuine experience packs.

“Finally, some gains.”

Lu Sheng's lips curved slightly as he opened the interface for the myriad things furnace.

Inside the storage compartment, 98 intermediate spirit source crystal cores, emitting a faint blue light, floated quietly like a pile of brilliant gems.

According to the system's conversion ratio, ten intermediate cores can be synthesized into one advanced core.

“Synthesize.”

Lu Sheng didn't hesitate, lightly tapping his fingertip in the void.

“Buzz—”

The furnace interface burst into brilliant light. The 90 intermediate cores instantly disintegrated and reformed, their immense energy compressed to the extreme.

A few seconds later, the light dissipated.

Nine advanced spirit source crystal cores, only the size of a thumb but emitting a deep purple glow, appeared in the compartment.

Adding the 6 cores remaining from smelting the Deep Sea Demon Chapter and the Black Crocodile corpse sent by Chen Yan, the total number of advanced cores Lu Sheng now held reached an astonishing 15!

This was absolutely a massive fortune.

“15 cores...”

Lu Sheng looked at the number, and his heart couldn't help but beat faster twice.

This was not just wealth; this was power.

This was the capital he needed to establish himself, and even dominate, in this Apocalypse.

He closed the furnace interface, his gaze falling upon the row of darkened skills on the skill tree.

Dragon Eyes, Dragon Claw, Dragon Scales, Dragon Might, Dragon Breath, Human-Dragon Form.

Behind each of the six core skills, an enticing golden plus sign lit up, flashing wildly, seemingly urging him to make a choice.

“Which one should I upgrade?”

Lu Sheng stroked his chin, his sight moving back and forth between the options.

The road ahead would only get harder.

He had to choose a skill that could maximize the value of these 15 cores.

PS: Today's update (3/3). “Brothers, cough, cough... I have to go to the hospital tomorrow. I'll check in and take a picture for you guys when I get there. I owe you two chapters, which I will make up later. The weather has gotten cold recently, and influenza A is serious. Please wear more clothes and be sure to stay warm. Wishing everyone good health!”