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Through the gaping hole in the Sandcover, everyone standing beneath it could clearly see the pitch-black cannonballs plummeting from the sky. The distorted air, scorched by intense heat, was also plainly visible.
"The Sandcover is about to be torn apart!" Crocodile roared.
As the final barrier crumbled, every heart present clenched in dread.
True to his words, another barrage of cannonballs rained down on the Sandcover through the newly torn opening. The resilient Sandcover shuddered violently before shattering into fragments.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Immediately afterward, a storm of pitch-black cannonballs blanketed the sky, descending in a devastating hail.
Amidst the raging sea of flames engulfing Ilinulay Palace, a figure suddenly darted through the inferno, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield. In that instant, he spotted Jason and his group, now trapped beneath a relentless barrage of cannon fire.
"Finally found them!" he murmured.
With a single step, the roaring flames around him swirled violently, creating a momentary clearing.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The figure moved with blinding speed, each stride stretching his form into a blur. Cannon shells exploded rapidly on either side, yet none managed to touch him.
After ten steps, he stood before Sandcover. At that moment, a massive wave of shells slammed into the barrier.
Sandcover shattered, revealing Jason and his companions trapped inside.
"Just in time!"
The figure snapped his head up. The Seven Star Sword, sheathed behind him, flashed into his hand. He bent his knees, and the ground erupted beneath him.
In the next instant, he was hovering above the group.
Whoosh!
Seven Stars swept across the sky, slicing through the falling artillery shells in the blink of an eye.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of fiery explosions erupted in the air, yet all the blasts miraculously avoided Jason and his group below.
"Captain!"
"Rojen!"
At that moment, everyone Sandcover had been protecting saw the figure in the air who had intercepted the attack. After a moment of stunned silence, they all cried out in joyous surprise.
The sudden arrival was none other than Rojen!
In truth, Rojen had arrived above Ilinulay Palace during the first wave of artillery fire. However, the sheer density of the shells had forced him to seek refuge in the air, dodging haphazardly.
Even with his formidable strength, barely managing to defend himself amidst the relentless barrage. The instantly erupting flames and thick smoke had obscured his vision, making it nearly impossible to locate Jason and the others.
Just moments ago, he had approached Jason and the others, arriving at this location.
His robes billowed as Rojen landed among the group.
He scanned the crowd, a smile spreading across his face as he saw everyone was safe.
"Thank goodness, you're all alright!"
"Captain, are you okay?" Jason asked anxiously.
"I'm fine. Get ready, we need to leave this place!" Rojen nodded, his gaze sharpening.
During his brief flight, he had spotted the massive number of black-clad guards surrounding Ilinulay Palace, and even the Kimluns hiding nearby. Though he didn't yet grasp the full situation, it was clear this sudden attack was far more complex than it appeared.
This time, their target was the Lordling; the rest wasn't their concern.
Besides, time was running out.
"Trens, the gourd!"
With a low shout, Trens swiftly unfastened the gourd from his waist and tossed it to Rojen.
Rojen reached out, slapped the Jasper Gourd, and as light bloomed, the gourd instantly expanded to a hundred feet in diameter.
"Everyone, get on!"
After issuing the command, Rojen braced his knees and activated his Instantaneous Movement Technique, surging into the air. His hand flashed through a rapid series of sword seals.
"Myriad Sword Secrets!"
Seven Stars hummed, splitting into countless sword shadows in an instant. At his command, the shadows soared upward, colliding with the artillery shells blanketing the area.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Vast flames erupted. Rojen snatched Seven Stars back into his hand.
By then, everyone had boarded the Jasper Gourd. With a final hand seal, Rojen propelled the gourd skyward, carrying himself along with it.
"Collapsing Mountain!"
"Sandstorm!"
Only now did Jason and Crocodile finally breathe a sigh of relief. With Captain, a powerhouse, sharing the burden, they could finally act against the incoming artillery.
One by one, the shells approaching the group were detonated mid-air. The Jasper Gourd continued to ascend rapidly.
Five breaths later, they had completely escaped the range of the bombardment.
"We made it!"
Looking down, everyone exhaled in relief.
"Oh my god, I'm alive! I'm really alive!"
Chaporos leaped up, tears of excitement streaming down his face.
Thump!
The moment he jumped, Jason's fist slammed into him, silencing his outburst.
"Stop jumping around! You'll fall and get yourself killed!"
The gruff warning left Chaporos speechless, on the verge of tears. He reluctantly sat down.
He began observing Rojen, who had just arrived, then resumed fondling the gourd beneath him with evident interest.
"Ilinulay has been reduced to ashes!"
Looking down from his vantage point, Lordling gazed at the scorched palace below, flames still flickering across the blackened ruins. His expression was complex.
"Don't grieve," Rojen said, his voice deep and sincere. "Though I don't know what happened, from this day forward, we are family. Your pain and joy are ours to share."
Rojen extended his right hand and pulled Lordling into a tight embrace.
"Rojen!" Lordling cried, clinging to him, tears soaking his shoulder in an instant.
"Let it all out," Rojen murmured, instinctively tightening his hold. "It's all over now."
"My goddess!"
A desperate scream pierced the air. Jason, seated beside Chaporos, faintly heard the sound of shattering glass.
"Consider yourselves lucky to have encountered this situation, but also unlucky. If you truly escape, your future days will likely be far from easy."
Suddenly, an aged voice echoed from within the gourd.
"Old Zephyr, you're still here?" Jason sneered. "We succeeded! Disappointed, aren't you?"
"You're celebrating too soon," the voice retorted. "Remember, this is still Marine's territory!"
Unnoticed, the Jasper Gourd had already crossed the abyss. Under Rojen's control, its speed far surpassed Trens's.
In mere minutes, the group arrived directly above Marine's Headquarters.
Then, an even more shocking sight met their eyes.
"This is... Marine's Headquarters?!" Jason gasped, his jaw dropping.
(End Of This Chapter)