War reparations!

Su Ye decided to demand reparations from the Spirit Control Sect on behalf of the expatriates who had suffered losses in this war!

However, the tools he used were not legal statutes, nor were they benevolence and morality.

They were these man-made behemoths, sailing upon the sea like mountains!

—The United Fleet!

—Gunboat diplomacy!

"Isn’t this... the very reason a navy exists?"

Su Ye chuckled softly.

His eyes, black as lacquer, glinted with a profound, dark light.

After learning what happened to Han Ping, Su Ye immediately realized that if this incident was handled properly, it would be extremely beneficial to the overseas expansion of the Nanyaoguang Corporation.

Just think about it.

Even for civilian merchant guilds that merely paid taxes, registered, and affiliated themselves with the Nanyaoguang Corporation, Su Ye would still fight to reclaim their property and demand compensation to cover their losses.

So...

how much more importance would he place on the Nanyaoguang Corporation’s own assets?

Would anyone still think Su Ye wouldn’t dare go to war for the Nanyaoguang Corporation’s interests?

’I imagine... they wouldn’t, right?’

Su Ye muttered to himself.

With the military deterrence of the fleet as its backing, the Nanyaoguang Corporation would undoubtedly have more confidence when trading in the Outer Sea.

And the Outer Sea sects coveting the corporation’s profits would have to think twice before getting any ideas.

—They would have to ask themselves if they could withstand the 460mm main cannons of a Weiyuan-class Spiritual Ship!

And this...

This was exactly the effect Su Ye wanted! 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He looked up.

A banner with a deep blue background, embroidered with a simple, elegant, pure-white Moon Blade Halberd Head, was fluttering in the wind at the top of the Ghostly Flood Dragon’s mast.

This was the flag of the Nanyaoguang Corporation!

—The Blue-White Moon Blade Banner!

’One day, this flag will be seen throughout all of Yaoguang!’

’Hmm... that’s a bit too ambitious.’

’Whatever. I’ll set a small goal for now... plant this flag on Spider Demon Island!’

...

Making promises.

Setting goals.

These two steps were very simple.

Anyone with a modicum of intelligence could do them.

But what was truly praiseworthy was fulfilling the promises made and achieving the goals set.

And that was exactly what Su Ye was doing right now.

Ghostly Flood Dragon, command cabin.

Bai Xiuying was dressed in a sharp, snow-white combat uniform, her long hair tied back in a ponytail, looking clever and capable.

This Canghai True Inheritor could have stayed in Weiyuan Immortal City and awaited good news... However, her attitude was resolute, and she insisted on participating in this expedition.

Therefore, Su Ye had assigned her to the Ghostly Flood Dragon to serve as his chief of staff.

At this moment, Bai Xiuying was holding her sheathed Spirit Sword, using it as a pointer to indicate spots on a nautical chart.

"Right now, the Spirit Control Sect’s main fleet is patrolling the border."

"No matter what strategic objective we wish to pursue next, we must first crush this enemy fleet to gain control of the sea..."

"Therefore, our side should proactively force a decisive fleet engagement!"

Bai Xiuying’s expression was stern, her words resonating with conviction.

It was worth noting that the military philosophy of seeking a decisive fleet battle to seize control of the sea was not something Su Ye had taught her.

Within the Yaoguang Islands, this viewpoint was the mainstream doctrine.

"That’s exactly what I was thinking." Su Ye nodded slightly.

"Then... in your opinion, what method should we use to force a decisive fleet battle?"

Bai Xiuying looked up, her bright eyes flashing, and said without hesitation.

"Reciprocal measures!"

"Using the Spirit Control Sect’s sanctions and prohibitions as a pretext..."

"Unconditionally intercept, seize, and sink all Spirit Control Sect vessels!"

...

BANG!

The Divine Thunder Cannon roared!

A piercing shriek echoed across the surface of the sea!

A bolt of plasma-like Red Flame Divine Thunder accurately struck a spirit ship in the distance, which was flying the Spirit Control Sect’s Golden Patterned Spider Banner!

BOOM!

A brilliant fireball erupted!

"Run!"

"The ship is sinking!"

Dozens of Spirit Control Sect cultivators screamed as they leaped into the sea.

Fortunately, the Weiyuan-class Spiritual Ship’s Red Flame Divine Thunder Cannon didn’t produce blood flames.

The seawater had a suppressive effect on the burning Red Flame Divine Thunder, which allowed most of the Spirit Control Sect cultivators who jumped overboard to save their own lives.

Afterward, the escorting Tier 2 spirit ships moved forward.

Their ballistae were armed and swiveled left and right, acting as a deterrent.

"If you don’t want to die, don’t resist."

The Spirit Control Sect cultivators who had jumped into the sea were extremely demoralized by the destruction of their ship.

Trembling like drenched quails and faced with overwhelming absolute force, they all surrendered.

Next, large rope nets were extended from the spirit ships and cast into the sea, ensnaring the cultivators.

"Get up here, you!"

"Get them into a change of clothes. Confiscate their Magical Artifacts and Storage Pouches, and seal their Magical Power."

After being disarmed, these Spirit Control Sect cultivators were taken to the prison in the bottom hold.

The dim, damp environment, the plight of a prisoner—this left the pampered, high-and-mighty Spirit Control Sect cultivators extremely displeased.

"Damn Cyan Profound people!"

One person angrily punched the wall.

"ARGH!"

The hard Far South Continent ironwood left a painful red mark on his fist.

"Dammit, even the walls are against me..."

"Alright, stop wasting your energy. We should rest... Our Magical Power is sealed, and we don’t have any pills. Rest is important..."

Among the same batch of prisoners, another cultivator was much calmer.

"The Cyan Profound fleet is acting so brazenly, they won’t be arrogant for long!"

"Our sect’s main fleet will send them to the bottom of the cold sea before long!"

"When that time comes, we’ll be freed in a prisoner exchange!"

"Yeah! That’s right!"

The group of prisoners encouraged each other in the spirit ship’s hold.

Su Ye’s Divine Sense swept over them, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

’The main fleet?’

’I’m looking forward to it...’

The reciprocal measures continued!

The main force of the United Fleet, having left its nest in full strength, was like a primeval mosasaur emerging from its dark lair to roam the seas.

It rampaged through the Spirit Control Sect’s Sea Region, acting unscrupulously and without restraint.

In just two days, as many as twelve Spirit Control Sect ships had been sunk or seized!

The number of cultivators killed, wounded, or captured was nearly four hundred!

...

「On the distant sea.」

A massive fleet of over thirty spirit ships was sailing across the water.

The Golden Patterned Spider Banner fluttered from their masts!

—The Spirit Control Sect’s main fleet!

And at this moment, aboard the enormous, mountain-like flagship at the center of the fleet...

Captain’s cabin.

A wave of furious roars erupted!

"Bastard!"

"What an arrogant whelp!"

"Who... do you think you are?!"

CRACK!

With a forceful clench of his hand, he crushed a Communication Stone to dust!

A middle-aged man in black robes, with a sallow complexion like that of a sick tiger, sat askew in a huanghuali wood Grandmaster’s Chair, a sliver of bone-chilling killing intent appearing on his face.

VMM!

The killing intent was bone-chillingly cold!

The temperature inside the cabin plummeted as if a phantom wind had swept through, making one feel as if they had been plunged into an icy cavern.

This person was none other than the leader of the Spirit Control Sect’s ’Four Shadows.’

—Crystal Perfection Realm.

—Jueying!

"Senior Jueying, please calm your anger..."