Into the Deep Sea

Time passed slowly.

The third wave of attacks from the Sea Clan erupted simultaneously from eight locations across the globe.

The sky-darkening hordes of sea beasts surged like a black tide, relentlessly crashing against the defensive barriers of coastal cities.

Countless martial artists leaped over the city walls, engaging the Sea Clan in battle.

But this time,

Everyone clearly noticed that the Sea Clan's assault wasn't as ferocious as the previous two waves. Though their numbers were vast, the pressure felt significantly lighter.

Could it be...?

The martial artists swallowed hard.

Had they... grown stronger?!

In reality, Qin Luo was worried that if the Sea Clan accidentally shattered the defensive barriers, the whole act would fall apart.

So, he had instructed the shadow creatures to just pretend to ram into them.

Meanwhile,

On the holographic screen at the Martial Arts Alliance headquarters, the coordinates of eight squads were rapidly descending toward the core regions of different sea zones.

Ouyang Xuan, acting as the commander, adjusted his earpiece and spoke: "All squads, listen up. You have thirty minutes to breach the Sea Clan's defenses."

"Remember, only by destroying the central Mother Nest can we end this war."

According to the Martial Arts Alliance's "detectors," the Sea Clan controlled eight sea territories.

Thus, Qin Luo had divided the chosen warriors into eight squads.

One of them was led by Su Muwan and Qin Luo.

Well... though it was called a squad, it was really just the two of them.

The general idea was to ensure that these warriors, after experiencing battles of varying intensity, would eventually reach the heart of the Sea Clan's palace.

"Squad One, roger."

"Squad Two, roger."

"Squad Three..."

...

...

The underwater scenes were also broadcasted live across the globe.

Split into eight screens.

Yes, the live feed was still running.

This was something Su Muwan didn't understand—why keep the broadcast going?

On Qin Luo and Su Muwan's side,

Su Muwan stood beside Qin Luo, her slender figure clad in a sleek black combat suit. The shoulder armor bore the menacing relief of shark teeth, gleaming coldly.

A thick mechanical shark tail swayed behind her.

This aesthetic...

The combat suit had been personally designed by Qin Luo.

To avoid standing out too much, he had equipped everyone diving into the sea with a deluxe combat suit from the Martial Arts Alliance.

Each suit came with a Water-Repelling Pearl.

At this moment,

The power of the Shadow Water-Repelling Pearl created a ten-meter-diameter air pocket around them. Qin Luo's black boots stepped onto the coral reef.

"Three hundred meters southeast—twenty Swordtooth Mermen."

Without turning his head, he said, "Miss Su, you take the left, I take the right?"

Hearing this,

Su Muwan placed her pale hand on his shoulder and coldly replied, "Too troublesome. Let’s just cut straight through to the end."

With that,

Qin Luo barely had time to blink before Su Muwan transformed into a streak of light, charging into the school of mermen.

Boom! Boom! Boom!!

Wherever she passed, dozens of ice lotuses erupted.

The frozen mermen shattered into icy fragments under her spinning kicks.

Through the live broadcast, it looked like a blizzard was ravaging the trench.

The comment section exploded:

[Su Muwan is going wild! Does that shark suit come with ice effects?!]

[Effects my ass! That’s her own frost aura, got it?!]

[Too strong! Just two of them as a squad—wonder how the others are doing?]

Qin Luo watched with admiration.

Just standard procedure, no need to hype it up.

He quickly floated after Su Muwan.

As if to maintain the illusion of realism, he called out, "Miss Su, save some energy for the monster in the Sea Clan’s nest!"

Su Muwan twitched at the corner of her eye.

Seriously, Qin Luo? You’re still acting?

Su Muwan wanted to say it wasn’t her fault for finishing so quickly.

It was just...

She hadn’t been able to laze at home, eating chips and playing games, in so, so, so, so, so long!

Ever since leaving that bronze cauldron, Qin Luo had been working her like a slave!

Fighting here, fighting there!

Sure, she’d said she’d handle the battles while he handled the thinking.

But!

Did that mean non-stop fighting?!

Ughhhh!! I just wanna go home! I don’t wanna work anymore!

I’m already speedrunning this—other squads, pick up the pace!

Let’s wrap this up and go home!

Please, no more surprises after this!

...

...

In stark contrast to Su Muwan’s overwhelming dominance,

When the camera switched to the East Sea battlefront, viewers nearly burst out laughing.

Su Jiu'er, the captain of Squad Three—or rather, someone who had weathered countless storms—

Was discovering for the first time that her charm abilities weren’t as effective as she thought.

Especially when...

She stood alone at the front, finally snapping and roaring at her team behind her: "Su Bailian, get your ass out of that shield! And the rest of you!! This is a battlefield, not a tea party!!"

"Eep... eep..."

Su Bailian curled up inside the protective bubble formed by the Water-Repelling Pearl. Her pink-and-purple Lolita-style combat dress, adorned with lace, created a bizarre contrast against the surrounding sea monsters.

"I-I’m really scared..."

She blinked her teary peach-blossom eyes, tugging at the armor of the burly man beside her. "Big bro, that tentacle monster is sooo scary!"

Su Bailian grew more helpless, more furious, more shivery by the second.

Like, hello? I’m just a weakling!

How did I even get picked for this?!

And this kind of mission, too?!

Fine, even if I’m here—

At least stick with me so I feel safe!

But noooo!

Don’t think I don’t know why you two didn’t bring anyone else—you just wanted some alone time!

Damn lovebirds!

The "big bro" in question immediately burned with passion.

Swinging a two-meter-long chainsaw, he diced the approaching tentacle monster into sashimi, then turned to flash a silly grin. "Don’t worry, Xiao Lian! I’ll clear the way for you!"

The other three teammates seemed bewitched. Despite being clawed bloody by sea beasts, they desperately shielded the bubble with their bodies.

Su Jiu'er was so mad her fluffy tail puffed up like a brush.

What kind of useless teammates are these?!