38: The "invitation" from the Longxiong Fleet

The sea breeze swept across the deck, carrying a salty, fishy scent.

The soft words, "I will protect you," echoed like a spell in Gu Zhixia's mind, leaving her in a dazed state.

Her heart pounded uncontrollably, and the heat on her face refused to subside.

She didn't even dare to look into Lin Mo's eyes, only able to stand stiffly like a wooden dummy, mumbling a random "Mm" before she couldn't utter another word.

Lin Mo saw her embarrassed expression, looking as if she was about to boil over and steam, and didn't tease her further.

He turned and returned the empty glass bowl to the cabin.

On the deck, only Gu Zhixia remained, somewhat disheveled by the sea breeze.

She covered her burning cheeks, her mind a chaotic mess.

This man... how could he... how could he say such things in that tone!

Just then.

Beep beep beep beep — !

A sharp alarm blared from the Bridge, instantly shattering the ambiguous and enchanting atmosphere!

Gu Zhixia jolted, instantly breaking free from her shy emotions.

Almost instinctively, she darted back into the Bridge!

On the radar screen, the dozen red dots representing the Longxiang Fleet were like they had been injected with a stimulant, their speed skyrocketing at a visibly and extremely exaggerated rate!

25km/h!

30km/h!

35km/h!

40km/h!

The number finally settled at 42km/h!

"This is impossible!"

Gu Zhixia stared intently at the number, sucking in a cold breath.

This speed had completely exceeded the physical limits of conventional ships!

What skill did they use!

Soon, those dozen light dots had already crossed the last ten kilometers, appearing at the edge of their vision like a pack of sharks that had smelled blood!

...Meanwhile.

On the Bridge of the Longxiang Fleet's flagship, the "Dragon Soaring" Destroyer.

A man in a crisp, old-fashioned military uniform, with a resolute face and eyes as sharp as an eagle, stood with his hands behind his back before the porthole, gazing at the small black dot on the distant horizon.

He was Long Yuan.

A maritime overlord who had rapidly risen after the apocalypse, relying on his SS-Rank Talent [Joint Fleet] and iron-fisted methods.

"Captain, target has entered visual range!"

"The target's speed remains at 18km/h, with no signs of acceleration or evasion."

A crew member responsible for observation reported loudly.

A knowing smirk appeared on Long Yuan's lips.

"Very good."

Beside him, a trusted aide with a hideous scar on his face, Thunder Tiger, asked somewhat puzzledly.

"Boss, it's just a strange-looking ship. Do you really need to personally activate 'Dragon Soul Charge'? That will consume a lot of your mental energy."

Long Yuan didn't turn back, his voice calm but with an undeniable authority.

"You don't understand."

"This ship is very special."

"My intuition tells me there's something on it that I need."

He raised his hand and made a gesture.

"Prepare for communication."

...On the Natural Selection.

The alarm continued to blare piercingly.

Gu Nianqiu's small face was pale with fright, clutching her sister's clothes tightly.

Gu Zhixia, on the other hand, had already gripped her Six-Harmony Long Spear, adopting a combat stance, her phoenix eyes fixed on the massive fleet approaching from outside the window, exuding a chilling killing intent.

That was a true naval armed force!

The lead destroyer was pitch black, filled with menacing muzzles and a cold metallic feel, like an iron beast crouching on the sea surface.

Behind it, a dozen frigates and sailboats spread out in a standard combat formation, their dark, gaping muzzles, without exception, all aimed at their solitary large ship.

Oppression!

An unprecedented sense of oppression enveloped the entire Natural Selection like a tangible entity.

Just then, a communication request popped up.

Lin Mo, expressionless, pressed the connect button.

Zzzzt —

After a slight crackle of electricity, a man's face appeared on the Bridge's large screen.

He was a middle-aged man, appearing to be around forty, dressed in an impeccably neat old-fashioned military uniform, with a resolute face and steady eyes, exuding the unique iron-blooded temperament of a soldier in his every move.

It was Long Yuan.

Long Yuan's gaze, initially scrutinizing, quickly swept across the sci-fi-esque interior of the Natural Selection's Bridge. When his sight landed on Lin Mo, a flicker of imperceptible surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly masked it perfectly.

He clearly hadn't expected that the captain of such a powerful-looking warship would be such a young man.

"Hello, young captain."

Long Yuan's voice came through the loudspeaker.

His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying a persuasive power.

"I am Long Yuan, commander of the Longxiang Fleet."

He nodded slightly, a gentle and benevolent smile on his face.

"First, please allow me to express my heartfelt admiration for your ship."

"To see such an outstanding creation on this chaotic and desperate ocean is truly a blessing for survivors."

His words were impeccable, expressing goodwill while also elevating the other party.

Lin Mo just watched him quietly, not speaking.

Long Yuan continued, his tone becoming impassioned and infectious.

"Friend, the ocean today is fraught with dangers, monsters run rampant, and order has long since collapsed. Fighting alone is ultimately not a long-term solution."

"I, Long Yuan, have a dream."

"That is to unite all like-minded powerful survivors and, upon this apocalyptic ocean, rebuild order and establish a strong maritime alliance that belongs to us humans!"

"We have a powerful fleet, ample supplies, and hundreds of loyal warriors. And you possess this unparalleled warship."

"A strong alliance is the only way out!"

"I hereby formally invite you to join us! Let us jointly create a new era! By then, we will share all resources! We will jointly resist all enemies! We will become the undisputed kings of this ocean!"

His words were filled with grand narratives and enticing visions, enough to make any survivor struggling in the apocalypse feel their blood boil.

Even Gu Zhixia, standing nearby, was somewhat swayed.

If what the other party said was true... However, Lin Mo's face remained devoid of any expression.

He thought of Chen Feng, and of other small group organizations.

Human hearts were more terrifying than any monster in this apocalypse.

He looked at the man on the screen, who spoke so earnestly, as if he were a savior, and spoke calmly.

"Sorry."

"We are accustomed to free navigation and currently have no plans to join any faction."

A short sentence, polite, yet firm.

The air, in that instant, solidified.

The gentle, charismatic smile on Long Yuan's face slowly, inch by inch, disappeared.

In its place was a chilling, forceful demeanor that could freeze a person.

His gaze, no longer disguised, became like a drawn blade, full of aggression.

"Is that so?"

He asked softly, but his tone carried a chilling coldness.

"Young man, I'll give you another chance to rephrase."

"On this ocean, powerful individuals who are out of control are themselves the greatest threat to everyone."

"I admire your ship, and I admire your courage. But order does not tolerate exceptions."

He took a step forward, almost pressing himself against the screen, the oppressive aura of a superior almost piercing through the screen and rushing forth.

"Now, I am not inviting you; I am informing you."

"For the safety of most survivors, and for the future order of this sea area, you must accept reorganization."

"Hand over half of the supplies on your ship, and share control of this ship."

"This is your only choice."

"Otherwise..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his cold gaze and the dark, gaping muzzles of the dozen warships outside the window said it all.

Either surrender.

Or, die.