On the vast sea, more than a dozen treasure ships formed a circular formation, resisting attacks from every direction.
Outside were more than thirty treasure ships of similar design but flying different flags, which had suddenly descended upon them.
One large ship stood out in particular. Every other vessel present was whale class; only that one was sturgeon class.
"Commander Luo, we've always kept our well water clear of your river water. Why must you press us so hard?"
Someone within the circular formation shouted toward that treasure ship in shock and fury.
The attackers answered with an even fiercer rain of arrows, their sharp tips tearing through the air and drawing sprays of blood.
"Immortal master, we can't hold out much longer!"
"Please, take action! Save us!"
"Ah..."
Screams rang out without cease as bandits fell to the arrows, one after another.
Inside a cabin, the pirate chief, who had been hiding for some time, abruptly gritted his teeth. "This can't go on. We can't even get onto the deck. Sooner or later, they'll break through."
A Qi Refining cultivator beside him said, "But the array was overloaded just now. It needs at least another hundred breaths to recharge!"
"We can't delay any longer. We'll charge out together."
"All right, captain. We'll follow your lead."
They had no choice but to follow the captain outside, straight into a barrage of speeding arrows.
They brandished their swords and sabers, blocking more than half the arrows through sheer speed of hand and eye, and dodging the rest.
Even so, after a dozen breaths, one of them let out a muffled groan.
The Daoist robe he wore was as tough as iron hide, yet it still could not withstand the impact of those crossbow bolts.
The captain leading their charge, however, performed