Another Glimpse of the Future

Ahan frowned slightly in thought.

"You mean... lure the Snakefolk into trying to seize the Ghost Dreadnought? How can you be sure they'll come?"

Bai Xiaowen smiled. "That's where the plan I laid out in public comes in.

"Suppose the Snakefolk learn through a spy about the exercise plan I presented in the military conference room. From their perspective, once we've finished the exercises and grown familiar with naval combat, we'll send the Ghost Dreadnought in first, dive to the seabed, and destroy every Snakefolk base."

Ahan nodded.

Bai Xiaowen continued, "The Snakefolk cannot afford to abandon their undersea bases in the Bonus Waters. According to what I've learned, every undersea base needs Divine Runes bestowed by the Snakefolk Grand Overlord to raise the enormous barrier that keeps the seawater out. Those runes are extremely rare.

"The Snakefolk have to act before they face a devastating attack two days from now.

"And I've conveniently sailed the Ghost Dreadnought far from Chakaluo Port under the pretext of gunnery practice. That gives the Snakefolk an opening. If they can retake the Ghost Dreadnought, they'll eliminate the greatest threat on the main battlefield and earn the Snakefolk leaders in the Bonus Waters a major victory."

Ahan understood. "You've laid a trap in plain sight. The Snakefolk have no choice but to take the risk unless they're willing to abandon their three bases in the Bonus Waters."

"If we were only looking at the Bonus Waters, yes," Bai Xiaowen said. "But we also have to prepare for the war to spread..."

The next day.

After days of wind and rain, the weather finally cleared. The sun appeared in the usually overcast sky for the first time in ages. With a sea breeze blowing and warm sunlight overhead, it felt as comfortable as a