Beacon Smoke Wolf Beast, The Old General's Heroic Spirit!

The group hurried toward Salty Salt Fishing Village, encountering the Three Elders on the road, who were headed to the Earth Altar to observe the ceremony.

After a brief exchange, the Three Elders immediately declared their intention to join the rescue force.

"The three centurions, the weather is gloomy, and the winds and waves at sea will be fierce. This trip is far too dangerous; you had best wait here for our good news," Wu Datou advised.

"Bullshit!" "This old man is still as vigorous as ever; I can eat three big bowls of rice in one sitting!" "Shut your trap, you little brat!" The Three Elders' eyes widened like bulls as they scolded in unison.

"Chu Yun, lad, you go back and attend your coming-of-age ceremony. We three old men will take charge of this matter! We guarantee we'll save the Island Master!" Old Red Spear patted his chest in assurance. He, too, was unwilling to see Chu Yun throw away such a bright future.

"Say no more. If we win this, sacrificing my chance at Heavenly Song Academy to save my father is worth it. If we lose, I will not spend the rest of my life regretting and hating myself for having lived a cowardly existence!"

In his past life, he had lived in exactly that kind of regret, a life more painful than death. Now that he had been reborn, how could he let hope and opportunity slip through his fingers?

Chu Yun's expression was solemn and resolute.

Seeing this, the Three Elders were speechless. After a long moment, they said, "If the lad wants to save the Island Master, we can rally some of the old veterans. They're all a bunch of stubborn fools who refuse to admit they're old."

Chu Yun nodded. Knowing the prestige the Three Elders held within the military, his tone shifted instantly, carrying an undeniable martial authority as he said in a deep voice, "In that case, you may rally your former subordinates while you carry out your tasks. Old Red Spear, I order you to collect five hundred stalks of Jade Sea Kelp. You must finish by the hour of the horse, third quarter. Assemble at the Salty Salt Fishing Village pier!"

"Old Monkey Qiao, I order you to collect three hundred Copper Bell Fruits. You must finish by the hour of the horse, third quarter. Assemble at the Salty Salt pier as well!"

"Old Fish King, I order you to requisition boats and vessels, and collect one hundred jars of strong liquor. Have everything consolidated at the Salty Salt Fishing Village pier by the hour of the horse, third quarter!"

"Wu Datou, divide your men into three teams and assist the Three Elders!"

"Yes!" Although he did not fully grasp the deeper meaning behind Chu Yun's orders, the aura radiating from the boy compelled Wu Datou to obey and execute them without a second thought.

The Three Elders looked at each other, astonished by the presence Chu Yun projected—steady as a mountain, methodical, and seemingly well-prepared. It made one instinctively want to follow his lead.

"This lad, Chu Yun..."

"He's so much like him, just like the Island Master when he was young."

"Let's get to work. It seems this little guy has everything under control..."

The Three Elders exchanged glances. Their deep-seated military instinct for obedience, along with other factors, kept them from voicing any doubts; instead, they set to work in silence.

By now, the wind was picking up, and dark clouds churned endlessly across the sky.

The sound of the waves was surging and turbulent, white foam rolling as the tide rose and fell.

How many talented and dashing figures had the ruthless tide washed away? Who would be taken this time, and who would remain?

"Old partner, are your bones itching? We're heading back to the battlefield!" In the shipyard by the coast, Old Fish King patted the body of his Sea Spider, picked up his long-cherished and meticulously maintained trident, and swung himself onto its back.

The Sea Spider's scarred body shuddered. Its eight thin, spindly legs strained desperately, finally managing to support the sudden weight.

Old Fish King panted, the trident feeling heavier than it ever had in his memory. His aged body trembled slightly.

"It seems we aren't finished yet!" Old Fish King let out three hearty laughs. "Sea Spider, charge! The battlefield will always belong to us Spider Sea Knights!"

In the coconut treehouse.

"Where is it? Where could it be? Ha, found it." Digging through a dusty corner, Old Monkey Qiao let out a deep sigh as he pulled out a pair of gauntlets and strapped them on.

He vaguely remembered the time, decades ago, when Shu Family Island was recruiting soldiers, and he had worn these gauntlets for the first time. He slid down the tree trunk to the ground.

From that moment, his grand and turbulent naval career had begun.

Truth be told, ever since he retired from the military, he had never thought he would wear them again. Who would have thought such a day would come!

Taking a light breath to calm the blood that had begun to boil in his chest, Old Monkey Qiao glanced at the tree trunk. He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately walked toward the rope ladder.

"Let's go, old partner!" Once he reached the ground, he called out. A Claw Monkey immediately leaped down from the coconut tree.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak." The monkey gestured excitedly, climbing onto Old Monkey Qiao's shoulder.

"You don't look old at all, heh heh heh." With a chuckle, the man and the monkey walked out of the coconut grove.

"Red Spear, oh Red Spear, have you been lonely after being left idle for so many years?" His withered, twig-like hand stroked the straight, vermilion shaft of the spear. Old Red Spear gazed at the twelve-foot-long weapon before him, murmuring to himself.

"You haven't aged, but I have. Sigh, I've wronged you all these years. I know your heart has always longed for the battlefield!"

Old Red Spear's words were filled with deep emotion, his sigh heavy with helplessness.

But then, his tone shifted, and his fighting spirit erupted!

"But in this battle, you shall return to the front lines. Whether I live or die, you will have a new master!" His words were heavy with a tragic, heroic air.

Hah!

Old Red Spear suddenly let out a shout like a thunderclap. His entire body shook violently, the veins on his forehead bulging. With every ounce of his strength, he slowly lifted the vermilion spear.

The strength he once had to wield the spear with one hand in his youth was gone. Now, even holding it with both hands was a struggle.

But finally, he raised it!

Old Red Spear's spirits lifted, but his brow immediately furrowed. Bathed in sweat, his arms trembled uncontrollably, the tremors growing wider and wider.

Hold it!

He glared with wide eyes, but his heart was willing while his body was weak. He stumbled, his strength failing, and the spear tipped to one side.

Suddenly, a large hand reached out and firmly gripped the spear.

Old Red Spear was startled. He turned his head to look, only to see Wu Datou grinning foolishly at him.

Nine-fifteen, the maritime battlefield.

"Men of the Shu Family, follow me and break through!" Shu Tianhao stood at the forefront on the deck, wielding his Drunken Snow Broadsword. He fought through the bloodbath, invincible and unstoppable.

Only three ships of the Shu fleet remained, but seeing their commander in such a state, their spirits surged, and they followed closely behind.

"Truly tenacious. No wonder they say, 'Rainbows in the east, rain in the west; men of Shu Family Island, women of Ning Family Island.' This Shu Family Island is indeed fierce and brave!" White Prowler remarked with a sigh from the pirate ship.

After fighting until now, Remnant Wolf's expression had changed. He knew full well how much of an advantage he held: his firepower was ten times that of the enemy, his troops three times as many, and his fleet double in size.

Yet, he had still allowed this surprise raid to devolve into a grueling stalemate.

The ferocity of the Shu Family Island troops was truly well-deserved.

"Even a weakened tiger is still a tiger, not a cat. But this ends here." Remnant Wolf stood up, his killing intent erupting.

The infamous pirate Remnant Wolf could no longer restrain himself and decided to strike!

Nine-thirty, Salty Salt Fishing Village pier.

"The large warships were seized by Lady Shu; we only managed to gather eight Assault Skiffs. We have summoned forty-nine veterans," Wu Datou reported with a heavy expression.

Assault Skiffs were a type of light warship. Each had six oars on each side and was equipped with war drums and banners. They were primarily used as attachments to towering warships for shock tactics.

Their force consisted of only 142 men, among whom the Lesser Demon-level combatants were Wu Datou, Old Fish King, Old Monkey Qiao, and Chu Yun. The only one with any real strength to speak of was Wu Datou's Martial Dao Crab, which possessed 56 years of cultivation.

It could be said they were short on soldiers and lacking in generals.

As for the Remnant Wolf pirates, they had managed to suppress the main force of Shu Family Island. Preliminary estimates placed their numbers at over a thousand, with about ten warships. They had nearly a hundred Lesser Demon-level combatants and two Great Demon-level combatants: Remnant Wolf and White Prowler.

The disparity between the enemy and themselves was so vast that the mere thought of it felt hopeless.

Chu Yun's face was as cold as jade, yet he issued his orders: "The entire force, heed my command. Each of you, gather five strands of Jade Sea Kelp and bind them to your limbs and foreheads. Take two Copper Bell Fruits and hang them from your waists. Then, take a jar of strong liquor and board the Assault Skiffs!"

Half a quarter of an hour later, the distribution was complete. The eight Assault Skiffs were ready to set sail.

Chu Yun stood at the bow, gazing deeply toward the Earth Altar; he presumed the third assessment was still underway. He smiled faintly, feeling no regret, and looked up with a sigh, suddenly chanting: "Twenty-three years of reincarnation; compared to heaven and earth, I am but a speck. Looking at the world, even with death before me, it is all like a dream or illusion. How can one live a life of cowardice and regret?"

After chanting, he shouted, "All forces, attack!"

Nine-forty-five, the maritime battlefield.

Awoo—!

A sky-piercing wolf howl echoed across the entire battlefield. Thick, billowing smoke rose up, shrouding the heavens and the earth.

The weather, already gloomy under the weight of dark clouds, now felt as if night had fallen. The pitch-black, dense smoke obscured the sky and sea. Suddenly, a massive wolf head formed from the smoke, its blood-red eyes wide open, roared as it charged toward the deck of the Shu ships.

The black smoke instantly engulfed dozens of sailors.

Piercing screams erupted immediately. The black smoke soared away with the giant wolf head, leaving behind only dozens of piles of ash on the deck.

Beacon Smoke Wolf Beast!

This type of demon beast possessed no physical flesh and blood; its form was nothing but a mass of dense smoke. The smoke contained immense heat, capable of instantly baking men and beasts into piles of ash.

Shu Tianhao was furious. His blade danced around him, reaping countless lives, and he roared, "Remnant Wolf, if you have the guts, come for me!"

"I intended to save you for last and torture you slowly. But since you are so eager to die, I shall grant your wish." Remnant Wolf laughed wildly. He beckoned with his hand, and the giant black smoke wolf head descended from the sky, landing lightly beneath his feet.

"I will engage Shu Tianhao. White Prowler, you take command of the situation and strictly prevent any reinforcements! If Shu Tianhao is rescued, I will take your head when I return." The smoke surged, lifting Remnant Wolf's body into the air.

White Prowler grinned sinisterly, a sharp glint flashing in his narrow eyes: "Rest assured. I have already used the Arsenic Prowler to turn the sky into a poisonous mist, shrouding the entire battlefield. Whoever comes to rescue him shall die!"

"Hmph! It had better be so. Your greed this time alerted the prey, forcing me to act ahead of schedule. You had best not make any more mistakes; my patience is very limited." Leaving these words behind, Remnant Wolf was carried away by the smoke.

Crack!

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck in the sky. Immediately following, a gale rose, and rain began to pelt down in large, heavy drops.

"Hmm?" Remnant Wolf's expression changed. If this rain were allowed to fall, it would inevitably cause chaos on the battlefield. At that point, he feared Shu Tianhao might seize the opportunity to slip away.

"Heaven wants to rain, but I refuse! Beacon Smoke Wolf Beast, cover the sky for me!"

At his command, the black smoke expanded rapidly, becoming a hundred times denser. It transformed into a pitch-black, cauldron-like canopy in the sky, covering the entire battlefield and preventing the rain from falling.

"Shu Tianhao, I have come to collect your life!" Remnant Wolf stepped down from the smoke and landed before Shu Tianhao.

"Hahaha, wonderful, simply wonderful!" Hearing the sound of wind, waves, and thunder outside, White Prowler laughed with joy. "With such a storm, what rescue team could possibly arrive? It seems I was overthinking. Shu Tianhao, you are truly unlucky; today, not even the gods or demons can save you!"