Besides stealing the magical talents of those two mysterious men, Celindria's incarnation also absorbed their very life essence—carrying with it their honed skills, complete memories, and raw emotions.
Although Valeria, Celindria's incarnation, operated autonomously, Celindria instantly received all the information extracted by her without loss. Through the memories of the two men, a flood of compelling insights poured into her mind.
Yet the piece that caught her deepest interest was the intricate details of their secret mission.
"Oh...so that's it. They planned to transport a phoenix egg," Celindria mused with gleaming eyes, her curiosity sharply piqued. To think that a top-tier mythological creature like a phoenix would fall right into her hands. A sly smile curved her lips. "This…will be the perfect birthday gift for my younger brother!" The image of Raiden's face warmed her thoughts, and she felt certain she'd found the ultimate offering for him.
It might sound ridiculous for any large organization—to move a phoenix egg under the guise of a pirate ship. Instead of using safer and more instantaneous means like teleportation, they chose such a dangerous disguise.
But in truth, the phoenix egg possessed absolute immunity to all forms of magical power. It rejected any outside interference or magical attempts as a natural defense mechanism.
There was, however, one rare exception: the egg could receive magical energy flow only from the one it chose. Celindria was confident that with Raiden's immense potential, the phoenix egg would inevitably recognize her brother as its true dominator.
"Good thing I didn't annihilate this ship completely," she exhaled with relief, grateful she hadn't acted entirely on her brutal impulses this time.
If anyone else could peer into her mind, they'd probably puke blood—unable to stomach her twisted logic. How she could possibly think her past rampages weren't impulsive or savage was beyond reason.
Meanwhile, far out at sea, the mysterious woman flung violently by Celindria's dragon buster attack floated unconscious, battered by waves. Strangely, she didn't sink. Perhaps total relaxation of her body kept her buoyant, drifting like a lifeless corpse atop the ocean.
Not long after, a helicopter sliced through the sky, hovering closer to the mysterious woman adrift amidst the churning ocean waves. With masterful skill, the pilot maneuvered the chopper as low as possible, skimming the surface without being swallowed by the raging sea.
Once in position, the helicopter hung steady in the air, poised like a hawk eyeing its prey. From within the cabin, a soldier clad in an exosuit leaped out, activating the flight mode of his advanced armor. With pinpoint precision, he snatched the mysterious woman from the ocean's grasp, lifting her effortlessly and carrying her back to the waiting helicopter.
Meanwhile, aboard the ravaged pirate ship, Celindria secured the phoenix egg hidden deep within the ship's hold. The egg was massive—twice the size of a basketball—its shell a mesmerizing blaze of fiery blue, laced with secondary hues of icy white that shimmered like eternal frost.
Using her astral forge, she conjured a container for the egg, resembling a Kinder Joy casing—simple yet striking, woven from the radiant glow of amethyst qi. This wasn't just a container; it was a fortified shield, designed to ward off any unforeseen threats lurking in the shadows.
Since she avoided directly channeling supernatural power into the phoenix egg, Celindria could move it with relative ease, encountering no resistance from the egg's own mystic energy.
For added security, she summoned dozens of amethyst qi swords through her astral forge. These were no ordinary blades—they came equipped with an automated perimeter function, encircling the egg from every angle like an impenetrable fortress. She also infused them with a targeted qi detonation feature, ready to obliterate any threat that dared approach.
The qi swords floated in the air, orbiting the phoenix egg within its hovering, custom-made container. Riding one of her specialized transport qi swords, Celindria took to the air, then shot forward at breakneck speed toward the warship, the phoenix egg secure at her side, leaving a trail of shimmering amethyst light across the sky.
Upon arriving at the gleaming deck of her majestic warship, Celindria was greeted by her ever-loyal adjutant, Florencia Ivy. The statuesque woman stood tall, her neatly tied dark green hair shimmering under the sunlight's golden caress. Her muscular yet perfectly proportioned physique radiated an aura of raw power laced with elegance. A pair of emerald-green irises burned in her eyes, their otherworldly allure hinting at secrets veiled behind her piercing gaze.
"Milady," Florencia said, her voice a blend of reverence and steel, "the woman you defeated has been located. She's been secured in the special detention cell, as per your orders."
Celindria gave a curt nod, her lips curling into a faint, satisfied smirk. She clapped Florencia's shoulder lightly—a gesture both casual and laden with unspoken appreciation for her adjutant's flawless efficiency. "Well done. Now, order the crew to prepare. We take to the skies immediately."
Florencia nodded sharply, then pivoted with swift, disciplined strides, her departure marked by a crisp salute. Her movements were fluid yet precise, the hallmark of a warrior honed by relentless training.
Thirty minutes later, the warship buzzed with organized chaos. Every crew member was at their station, ensuring the vessel's systems hummed with perfection. It seemed impossible, yet this seafaring warship was designed to conquer the heavens themselves. The secret lay in Celindria's extraordinary power: **Astral Forge**, an advanced qi-materialization technique capable of crafting energy constructs rivaling the most cutting-edge technology.
Standing at the heart of the deck, Celindria extended her palms outward, her eyes narrowing with razor-sharp focus. Amethyst-hued qi surged from her core, weaving into dazzling waves of violet energy that enveloped the warship like a radiant cocoon. In mere seconds, the energy coalesced into massive, shimmering wings on either side of the vessel—futuristic fighter jet wings infused with a mystical glow no mortal machine could replicate.
With surgical precision, Celindria summoned two qi-based jet engines at the wings' tips. The engines pulsed, emitting controlled bursts of amethyst energy, poised to defy gravity itself. Her gaze burned with intensity, as if she were dancing with the very forces of the cosmos.
Inside the control room, the ship's seasoned captain—a grizzled man with a hawk-like stare—monitored the unique signals emitted by Celindria's Astral Forge constructs. A specialized console translated her qi waves, linking the captain's mind to the ship's systems. With practiced ease, he synchronized every maneuver with his commander's will.
"All systems green, Milady!" the captain's voice crackled through the communicator.
Celindria merely nodded, her hands still outstretched, maintaining the steady flow of qi. "Raise the ship. Now."
The captain spun the qi-jet constructs downward with a deft command. Instantly, a cataclysmic burst of amethyst energy erupted, unleashing a colossal force that lifted the massive warship from the sea's surface. A subtle tremor rippled through the deck as the vessel ascended, soaring toward the boundless sky.
At an altitude of tens of thousands of feet, the qi-jets pivoted to a horizontal alignment. With a full-throttle surge, the ship rocketed forward, slicing through the clouds at Mach 5. The wind howled against the amethyst qi barrier, but within the ship, an eerie calm prevailed, broken only by the soft hum of flowing energy.
Celindria lowered her hands, her breathing steady despite the immense qi she'd just expended. Behind her, Florencia reappeared, clutching a fresh report. "Milady, everything is proceeding as planned. Our next destination is locked in. Estimated arrival: three hours."
Celindria turned, her eyes blazing with ambition. "Good. Ensure the prisoner is under strict surveillance. We're not done with her yet."
Florencia offered a slight bow before turning to execute the order. In the distance, the horizon stretched endlessly, beckoning the flying warship toward its next conquest.