23: Dancing with shadows

The night was deep, and all was silent.

The massive hull of the Natural Selection, like a silent steel behemoth, glided soundlessly across the boundless sea.

To quickly raise its level and unlock more functional modules, Lin Mo set it to automatic navigation.

The battleship was repeatedly sailing in a huge circular trajectory with a radius of one kilometer, continuously accumulating mileage.

After the terrifying gaze from above the clouds that evening, no one was in the mood to enjoy the night scenery anymore.

Gu Nianqiu was badly frightened and had retreated to her room early, burrowing under the covers.

Lin Mo arranged the night watch turns, just like yesterday.

He went alone to the open-air restaurant on the second floor, leaning against the cold alloy railing, letting the slightly salty sea breeze caress his cheeks.

He raised his head and looked at the sky, which was obscured by thick clouds.

Everything that happened today completely overturned his understanding of this world.

The Skull Forbidden Zone suspended ten thousand meters in the sky, that unknown existence that could make one's SAN value plummet just by looking at it.

All of this indicated that beneath this seemingly calm sea, there was a horror far beyond his imagination, capable of instantly crushing them to dust.

In the deep sea, above the clouds, perhaps unspeakable monsters lurked.

They were now like a small, fragile boat floating above a monster's nest.

He must become stronger, faster!

Just as he was deep in thought, a faint sound of something cutting through the air came from the deck below.

“Whoosh—”

“Whoosh—whoosh—”

The sound was extremely soft, yet it carried a sharp, air-rending quality.

Lin Mo's eyes moved, and he silently walked towards the source of the sound.

On the deck, the clear moonlight streamed through gaps in the clouds, as if draping the entire world in a silver veil.

Gu Zhixia stood beneath that moonlight.

She was still wearing her black jk uniform, and the Six-Harmony Long Spear in her hand gleamed with a cold light under the moonlight.

Sweat had already soaked the hair at her temples, and a few strands of black hair clung tightly to her smooth cheeks, adding a breathtaking beauty to her usually cold and arrogant face.

Her beautiful phoenix eyes, now devoid of all emotion, held only extreme focus, with an unyielding fighting spirit burning deep within her pupils.

The next second, she moved.

Her figure was as elusive as willow catkins, yet her wrist erupted with astonishing power.

The tip of the long spear drew a fierce spear flower in the air, and the spear body naturally thrust forward, a simple and direct stab!

Fast! Accurate! Ruthless!

The spear tip was like a venomous snake striking, pointing directly at an imaginary enemy in the void ahead!

She retracted the spear, took half a step back, engaged her waist, rotating her entire body, and the spear shaft swept out with immense force, stirring up a whistling gust of wind that rustled the skirt of her uniform.

Lift, thrust, smash, sweep!

Basic spear techniques were repeatedly practiced in her hands, becoming faster and smoother.

Spear shadows overlapped, tracing deadly silver arcs under the clear moonlight.

The softness of the young girl and the coldness of the weapon perfectly merged at this moment, forming a picture full of contradiction and impact.

Lin Mo stood quietly in the shadows, not making a sound to disturb her.

He watched the young girl wielding the long spear under the moonlight, watched her lips tightly pressed together in concentration, watched the unyielding flame in her eyes.

At this moment, she wasn't fighting; she was dancing.

Dancing with her own shadow.

Dancing with a clear shadow, how is it different from being in the human world?

Lin Mo walked over.

“Still practicing so late?”

Hearing the voice, Gu Zhixia's movements abruptly paused.

She stopped her spear, turned around, and seeing it was Lin Mo, the sharpness in her eyes slightly receded.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, her breathing slightly rapid.

“My Talent only lets me know how to use it.”

Her voice was hoarse from intense exercise, yet exceptionally firm.

“To use it well, to use it with utmost proficiency, I still have to practice it myself.”

Today's battle made her deeply realize her shortcomings.

If she could be faster, stronger, and more decisive, Nianqiu wouldn't have been injured.

She didn't want to experience that feeling of powerlessness again, where her own hesitation led to her loved one being in danger.

Lin Mo looked at her, at her eyes that were no longer confused but filled with determination, and nodded.

“Get some rest early.”

His voice was very calm.

“You still have to be on watch later.”

Gu Zhixia had been dancing for so long that she indeed felt the fatigue in her body.

She hummed in acknowledgment, retracted her Six-Harmony Long Spear, and walked towards the direction of the cabin.

“Good night,” Lin Mo said, looking at her retreating back.

Gu Zhixia's steps paused.

She turned back and gave Lin Mo a deep look.

Under the moonlight, the man's figure appeared exceptionally reliable.

After a moment, she finally uttered two words.

“Good night.”

With that, she no longer lingered and quickly walked into the ship's cabin.

Lin Mo stood on the deck for a while longer before turning and returning to the bridge.

As soon as he sat in the captain's chair, a notification popped up on the control panel screen.

【Ding! Natural Selection's level has increased to LV7!】

【Obtained Ship Exchange Points * 10】

Lin Mo directly opened the ship's upgrade panel.

His gaze quickly scanned the weapon module section, finally resting on a new icon.

【Ship-mounted Machine Gun】

【Requires 5 Exchange Points to unlock, Attack Power 40, Fire Rate 5 rounds/second, consumes ammunition.】

【Note: This weapon requires manual aiming.】

Manual operation.

This so-called drawback, in his opinion, was not even worth mentioning.

With his “Remote Control” skill, he could completely control it with his mind, and the precision would even be higher than using his hands.

“Exchange.”

Lin Mo did not hesitate.

【Confirm consumption of Exchange Points * 5 to construct the Ship-mounted Machine Gun module?】

“Confirm.”

As the command was issued, a sound of metal friction came from the deck.

A dark metal turret slowly rose from beneath the deck, its thick barrel glinting with a cold metallic sheen, full of violent aesthetics.

Lin Mo looked at the new weapon on the screen and nodded with satisfaction.

Tracking missiles were responsible for decapitation strikes and heavy firepower coverage, while this machine gun could perfectly deal with dense small targets, forming an impenetrable curtain of fire.

Their firepower had advanced another step.