This posture of high alert was completely different from when they had crossed the boundary of the Silent Sea on the way in.
The reason lay in the vast difference between the two marine environments.
The area of the sea currently near Shield City was a small patch of water surrounded on three sides by the Silent Sea.
The demons trapped here had become exceptionally savage and cruel in order to survive.
They would even take the initiative to leap out of the sea to attack terrestrial creatures.
The most terrifying part was that one type of deep-sea demon carried a horrific plague virus.
If it were to spread, the consequences would be unimaginable.
This was also one of the important reasons why the Fortress City—Shield City—had been built here.
When the train crossed the invisible boundary, Lin Gui immediately felt a massive change.
That "sinking" rule had vanished, and a majestic buoyancy surged from below!
"Hold on tight!" he shouted, his Levitation spell being driven to its full power.
The entire train felt as if it were being shoved upward by a massive invisible hand.
Enveloped in the bubble, it began to rapidly float toward the surface!
This speed far exceeded the speed at which they had descended.
The seawater receded at a frantic pace, forming countless swift vortices.
The bubble was violently deformed as it was pulled by the currents, emitting a groan as if it were under an unbearable load.
"Focus on defense!" Percel's voice sounded somewhat distorted during the rapid ascent. "They will pass directly through the bubble!"
Before he had finished speaking, several black shadows had already penetrated the bubble's barrier and pounced toward them.
The bubble could only block the seawater; it could not stop these ferocious predators.
During the jolts of the rapid ascent, Freya barely managed to steady herself.
However, in the deep seabed, the effectiveness of her concealment magic was greatly reduced.
The complex aquatic environment also limited her from casting large-scale spells.
This strongest combat force currently found it difficult to exert her full strength.
Percel quickly changed strategies and expanded the bubble.
Although it became thinner, it provided a more open space for combat.
"Intercept them!" Freya calmly ordered amidst the violent shaking.
Laisa's arrow shot out with precision, piercing the throat of a Snake-Neck Demon despite the turbulence of the rapid ascent.
Theia's arrow, infused with battle force, exploded the carapace of a Giant Crab Demon.
Alvin and Dulu wove through the swaying carriages, their daggers accurately piercing the vitals of smaller demons.
The barbarian warrior Barton let out a roar, his warhammer sending a Hammerhead Shark Demon flying.
Lin Gui's feet were firmly planted on the front of the train, doing his best to maintain the stability of the ascent.
At the same time, he distracted himself by controlling his Levitation, skillfully tossing aside several Burrowing Demons.
The ascent process turned into a fierce underwater melee. Demons continued to attack through the bubble while the warriors fought back with all their might as the train surged upward.
Inside the bubble, blades flashed, and magic and arrows intersected.
Everyone's nerves were taut as they engaged in a life-or-death struggle amidst the deep-sea turbulence.
As the ascent speed increased, the color of the water above began to shift from pitch black to deep blue.
Faint light filtered down, illuminating the countless hideous figures of demons outside the bubble.
This deep-sea breakout was accelerating toward the surface!
The speed grew faster and faster; the tinnitus caused by the rapid change in water pressure made everyone extremely uncomfortable.
The offensive also became more ferocious.
As they approached the surface, the light grew stronger, but it only served to illuminate even more twisted and hideous silhouettes.
Several Deep-Sea Trolls also joined the pursuit.
They collided violently with the train, their sharp claws scraping against the metal plating with an ear-piercing screech.
The bubble trembled violently under the continuous attacks, appearing as if it might shatter at any moment.
Laisa's quiver was already half empty, and Theia's breathing had become hurried.
Alvin had a deep wound on his arm that revealed the bone, but he continued to grit his teeth and persevere.
Everyone had reached their limits.
In that critical moment...
Suddenly, the entire world seemed to be lit up.
Boom!!!
The entire train, carrying tens of thousands of tons of seawater, burst through the sea surface like a giant whale escaping its cage!
Massive waves surged into the sky, then turned into a torrential downpour as they fell back down.
Glaring sunlight instantly flooded every corner.
Eyes that had grown accustomed to the eternal darkness of the deep sea were stung into pain by this sudden light.
Everyone subconsciously closed their eyes or raised their hands to shield themselves, their movements inadvertently faltering.
And in this brief moment of adaptation...
A few aquatic demons that had burst out of the sea along with the train shook off the seawater from their bodies.
Their crimson eyes immediately locked onto their nearby "prey."
Slime-covered tentacles and sharp pincers lunged toward the temporarily defenseless group accompanied by a fishy wind!
"Everyone! Get down!"
Freya's cold voice cut through the chaos.
She was already standing in the center of the train at some unknown point, her mage robes fluttering in the sea breeze.
Lin Gui felt his shoulder grow heavy as he was pressed hard against the floorboards by the scholars Eli and Betty beside him.
On the other side, Theia was also pounced on by Laisa without hesitation, who used her own body to protect her.
Almost in the same instant everyone fell prone...
Freya spread her arms, and a powerful mana fluctuation exploded with her as the center!
"Wind Burst!"
There was no long incantation, only concise words of truth.
An invisible circular shockwave rapidly expanded from her as the center point toward the surroundings.
The air was violently compressed, emitting a low hum.
Those aquatic demons that had just jumped or were preparing to pounce...
Were hit head-on as if by an invisible giant hammer.
Their massive bodies jolted, and they then flew backward uncontrollably.
They emitted shrill cries as they drew messy arcs in the sky.
One after another, they fell into the sea surrounding the train, splashing countless turbid sprays of water.
A few of the weaker demons even disintegrated directly in mid-air.
The sea surface temporarily returned to calmness.
Glaring sunlight fell upon the soaking wet train and the shaken people.
In the silence of surviving the disaster, only the sound of waves hitting the train and people's heavy breathing remained.
After a brief silence, cheers suddenly erupted.
"We're out! We're really out!"
Betty excitedly grabbed the scholar's arm, jumping and laughing.
Even the consistently steady Vice Leader Aubrey revealed a smile of relief, slapping the barbarian warrior Barton's sturdy back with force.
The beastkin Grom let out a low, satisfied guttural sound.
Theia took a long breath of relief, only then realizing her hands were still slightly trembling.
She looked at Laisa, who had just protected her; the other had already stood up efficiently and was checking her bowstring.
Sensing Theia's gaze, Laisa gave a slight nod in response.
"Don't relax too early."
Freya's voice remained cold, but her tense shoulders had quietly relaxed.
The grimoire in her hand flipped open on its own, and ice-blue mana began to circulate once more.
"Veil of Concealment, cover my tracks."
After a short chant, the familiar magical fluctuations enveloped the entire soaking wet train.
The train's body began to turn blurry and flicker above the sea.
"Lin Gui," she turned toward the front of the train, "it's up to you."
Lin Gui nodded without saying much.
He took a deep breath of the salty sea breeze and gripped his staff tightly once again.
Under the refined control of Levitation, the train turned smoothly.
It floated steadily toward the silhouette of the dark brown coastline faintly visible in the distance.
The sunlight was glaring, but it was no longer uncomfortable.
The sea breeze blew through everyone's soaked robes and hair, bringing back the long-missed scent of the "outside" world.
Though exhausted, a relaxed atmosphere finally truly permeated the team.
They had succeeded.
They had fought their way out of the eternal darkness and dead silence of the Silent Sea.
Theia leaned against the side of the carriage, watching the approaching land with the corners of her mouth curling up unconsciously.
Even Eve, who usually lacked expression, squinted her eyes slightly, feeling the warmth of the sun.
Only Lin Gui, while controlling the train's forward progress, subconsciously touched the bead in his pocket.
Deep in his eyes, a trace of doubt had not yet completely vanished.
But regardless, Shield City was just ahead.
Rate on N.U.
