Before the words were out, a wave of Mental Energy rippled through the air. As Evolvers, they were extremely sensitive to it and all turned to stare at the supply ship in shock.
This Mental Energy was incredibly powerful, and it was coming from the supply ship!
"This is..." Lin Mu’s eyes widened.
But Lu Jiamei, who had felt Ren Yuanyang’s Mental Energy before, immediately said, "That’s the Leader’s Mental Energy!"
"The Leader’s Mental Energy has gotten so strong!" Si Youqin couldn’t help but exclaim.
"Is this the result of the Leader’s secluded training?!" Lin Mu murmured.
At that moment, Ren Yuanyang was enhancing the supply ship.
[Enhancing engine...]
[Enhancing propeller strength...]
[Enhancing hull strength, enhancing stability...]
[Enhancing naval guns...]
After completing this series of enhancements, Ren Yuanyang’s Mental Energy was nearly depleted. His body swayed, and he started to fall.
With quick reflexes, Qin Haonan immediately caught him.
"Leader, what’s wrong?" Qin Haonan asked with concern.
Ren Yuanyang waved his hand. "Get Des over here!"
"Okay!" Qin Haonan immediately shouted at the top of his lungs, "Des, the Leader is calling for you!"
The people already on the ship didn’t notice much of a change, but Lu Jiamei and the others who hadn’t yet boarded were completely stunned!
Following that wave of Mental Energy, the supply ship before their very eyes had transformed!
"What’s going on? Can the supply ship transform?"
"Was it because of that Mental Energy? Is this the ability of a Gold-Type Evolver? But didn’t Minister Lu say it was the Leader’s Mental Energy? And isn’t the Leader a Wood-Type?"
"To change the appearance of an entire ship... only an Immortal could do something like that!"
In truth, Ren Yuanyang’s enhancement hadn’t been a cosmetic change. He had reinforced the hull, making it more streamlined to better mitigate damage from cannon fire and the like.
Everyone was bewildered, but Lu Jiamei knew this had to be one of Ren Yuanyang’s special abilities, just like how he could shorten the growth cycles of their livestock and poultry.
"Let’s just get on the ship for now!" Lu Jiamei said, ushering the others onto the supply ship.
By now, Des had arrived in front of Ren Yuanyang.
"I’ve modified this ship. You and the original crew need to get used to the changes, quickly. We’re departing immediately!" Ren Yuanyang ordered.
Des was stunned again. "Modified? When did you modify it?"
"Enough with the questions! Xi’an Base is almost on top of us, so hurry up and adapt!" Qin Haonan urged impatiently.
"Yes!" Des replied, his face a mask of confusion.
"Help me to the cockpit," Ren Yuanyang said.
Qin Haonan nodded and helped him to the cockpit.
Just then, Des arrived with the helmsman. When they saw the vastly different cockpit, they froze in astonishment.
"The ship’s speed and turning are extremely responsive now, so be careful when you pilot it," Ren Yuanyang warned.
Des nodded. "Yes, Leader!"
He stepped forward to take the helm himself. As he cautiously started up the supply ship, he was stunned yet again in the next instant. "It turns so fast! It’s too responsive!"
"Tell the gunners to get used to firing at this speed and turning rate," Ren Yuanyang continued.
"Understood, I will! Please rest assured, Leader!" Des replied.
Meanwhile, the other Evolvers were assigned to various positions around the ship. Although the hull’s defenses were improved, it wasn’t invincible and still required their assistance.
Des adjusted the supply ship’s course and immediately sailed toward the approaching fleet from Xi’an Base.
As he kept accelerating, the gauge showed the speed quickly reaching fifty knots and still climbing!
Yet the entire ship remained exceptionally stable, almost unaffected by the wind and waves!
’How is this possible?’ Des screamed in his heart.
’This massive supply ship is now as fast as a speedboat, and so stable too. How on earth did the Leader do it?’
Though his mind was reeling with questions, he was now filled with confidence for the coming battle.
’We might not be able to beat Xi’an Base, but we can definitely escape. There’s no way their fleet could ever catch us now!’
"Slow her down for now. We can give Xi’an Base a little surprise later."
Ren Yuanyang’s voice came from behind. Des started slightly, then immediately nodded.
He understood. Ren Yuanyang was planning to mislead the enemy and hit them with a surprise attack!
"Leader, we can see the Xi’an Base fleet now!" Lu Jiamei reported.
At the same time, the scout speedboats that had been tailing the Xi’an Base fleet also spotted the supply ship.
Though its shape had changed, it was still recognizable as the supply ship from Peach Blossom Base.
"What’s going on? Why is Peach Blossom Base sailing over in a supply ship? Didn’t the captain tell them Xi’an Base was on the attack?"
The scout boats immediately relayed this news to Long Zhan and his men, leaving them all stunned.
"Are you sure it’s the supply ship from Peach Blossom Base?" Wang Jun asked with a slight frown, finding it hard to believe.
"Positive. They’ve already hailed us using the prearranged signal."
"Master, what is he up to?" Long Zhan asked anxiously.
Ji Yizhi spoke in a low, serious voice. "Perhaps this is a sign of our Master’s genius. By sending a supply ship to intercept them, the enemy won’t understand his intentions and might pause to investigate. Also, as far as I know, Peach Blossom Base still holds some prisoners from Xi’an Base. Threatening their lives might be a way to delay the attack."
After hearing his analysis, both Wang Jun and Long Zhan nodded, convinced that this must be Ren Yuanyang’s plan.
"Old Long, what’s your status?" Wang Jun asked.
"Sigh... I’m being chased down by three carrier strike groups. Luckily, their carriers are damaged and can’t fight at full capacity. We’re holding on for now, but we can’t last much longer!" Long Zhan sighed. "I’m afraid the Liaoyuan is going to be lost on my watch."
"It’s okay. As long as Master and Peach Blossom Base are safe, we can always rebuild!" Ji Yizhi said comfortingly. "If you have to, abandon ship!"
Wang Jun agreed. "That’s right. Don’t hesitate if you have to abandon it! There’s only hope as long as people are alive!"
"Yeah, I get it. I’m still waiting for Master to treat me to that barbecue, after all!" Long Zhan grinned and ended the call.
The cannon fire outside was relentless. Long Zhan let out a breath and asked, "What’s the status of the other ships? Can they hold on?"
"Half an hour at most," a nearby soldier replied, shaking his head.
Long Zhan nodded grimly. "Everyone, prepare to abandon ship."
"But our speedboats can’t possibly fit this many people!"
"Fit as many as you can!" Long Zhan retorted, his brow furrowed.
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, the Xi’an Base fleet watched the approaching supply ship. It looked familiar, yet also strangely alien.
"Sir, that ship up ahead... it looks like one of our supply ships, doesn’t it?" an aide asked after careful observation, sounding uncertain.
Bao Mu nodded slightly and gave a cold snort. "Hmph. Is Peach Blossom Base trying to return our supply ship? It’s too late for that! Order everyone on that ship to come out on deck and surrender. If they don’t, open fire!"
The aide nodded and immediately arranged for the order to be broadcast.
At that very moment, Ren Yuanyang snapped out an order, "Fire! Aim for their ships’ engine rooms or fuel tanks!"
"Yes, sir!"
At Ren Yuanyang’s command, the supply ship instantly swerved, turning to present its broadside. The eighteen cannons on that side immediately took aim at the Xi’an Base fleet and fired.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The supply ship turned with incredible speed. Combined with the fact that Xi’an Base had never imagined Peach Blossom Base would initiate an attack, they were stunned for a crucial moment.
Bao Mu was the first to snap out of it, roaring through gritted teeth, "Evasive maneuvers! Return fire immediately! Blow that supply ship to smithereens for me!"
Before the words even left his mouth, the shells from Peach Blossom Base accurately struck their ships.
KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM!
Violent explosions erupted, temporarily deafening everyone in the vicinity.
After a while, everyone’s hearing began to return.
"Report! Frigate One’s fuel tank was hit! We’re dead in the water!"
"Report! Cruiser Three’s engine is destroyed! We’re disabled!"
"Report! Battleship Two has sustained heavy hull damage and requires repairs!"
In an instant, all sorts of damage reports flooded in to Bao Mu.
"How can their shells be so powerful?" Bao Mu was utterly shocked, his shock quickly turning to fury. "All ships that can still move, open fire now!"
Those ships immediately responded, beginning to reposition to bombard the arrogant, ignorant supply ship opposite them.
Seeing the enemy’s actions, Des immediately steered the supply ship aside, this time holding nothing back and pushing it to full speed!

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