"Our team is well-balanced," Rex explained. "Everyone has their own specialty, which allows us to deal with all kinds of situations during an expedition."
Rowan paid the five hundred thousand credit equipment deposit and received a complete set of exploration gear, including the valuable emergency teleportation device.
"How long do you expect this expedition to take?" Rowan asked.
"Based on my experience, at least a week," Rex replied. "If everything goes smoothly, we might find results within three or four days. However, we need to be prepared for a long operation."
"Then when do we leave?"
"Four o'clock tomorrow morning," Rex decided. "We need to reach the target area before most of the other teams."
After completing the joining procedures, Rowan was assigned a place in the team's temporary dormitory.
It was a large tent containing more than a dozen beds. The members of the team all lived together.
"Ron, what kind of ruins have you explored before?" a young warrior asked curiously.
"Mostly small ancient ruins. Nothing on the scale of this operation," Rowan replied modestly. "This time, I'm mainly here to gain some experience."
"Captain Rex really does have a lot of experience," another team member added. "You can learn a lot by following him."
"By the way, does anyone know anything about the other teams?" Rowan took the opportunity to ask. "When I arrived, I saw a huge number of different groups gathered at the port."
"There are too many to count," Amy replied. "I've heard that more than a hundred exploration teams have gathered in Reno Port. There could be several thousand people in total."
"That many?" Rowan asked, deliberately showing surprise.
"Of course. The temptation of a King-level Immortal's inheritance is simply too great," an older team member sighed. "But in my opinion, most of those teams are only here to join the excitement. There probably aren't more than ten teams with a real chance of finding the treasure."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because deep-sea exploration is extremely dangerous," the older member explained. "You have to deal with harsh environments, and there may also be all kinds of unknown threats lurking beneath the sea. A team without sufficient experience and strength might not even reach the target area."
"Then what are our chances?"
"I have complete confidence in Captain Rex," Amy said firmly. "He has never failed before."
At three-thirty in the morning, countless stars still glittered across the night sky above Reno Port, but a faint glow had already begun to appear along the eastern horizon.
At the Wings of Freedom Exploration Group's camp, every member was already awake and completing their final equipment checks.
Rowan sat up from his temporary bed and glanced around.
The other members were already organizing their equipment in an orderly manner. Every movement was practiced and efficient. Clearly, waking up before dawn and setting out early was nothing unusual for them.
"Ron, check your equipment again," Amy reminded him as she walked over. "Especially the emergency teleportation device. Make absolutely sure that it is functioning properly."
"Understood."
Rowan carefully inspected the equipment according to the instructions.
"Everything is working properly."
Outside the tent, Rex was discussing the navigation route and the expedition plan with several core members of the team.
They were gathered around a detailed map of the surrounding sea region, with various important locations marked in red.
"According to the latest intelligence, three more teams set out yesterday," a team member named Thomas reported. "That includes the Abyss Hunters."
"Caspar Abyss has already left?" Rex's expression became serious. "It seems the competition is even more intense than I expected."
"Should we adjust our route?" Amy asked.
"No. We will follow the original plan," Rex said firmly. "I have complete confidence in the area I selected, and we are leaving earlier than most of the other teams."
At exactly four o'clock, the sky had just begun to brighten.
The Wings of Freedom Exploration Group had completed all preparations.
Their equipment was neatly loaded onto three medium-sized exploration vessels. Each ship was equipped with the most advanced deep-sea detection systems available.
"All members, board the ships. We are leaving!"
Rex gave the order.
Rowan boarded the main ship in the middle together with the other team members.
The vessel had been designed specifically for exploration.
It possessed a powerful propulsion system, complete living facilities, and clearly had been built for long-term operations at sea.
"Is this your first time riding on an exploration ship like this?" asked the young technician sitting beside Rowan.
His name was Jack, and he was responsible for operating the various detection systems.
"Yes. It looks very advanced," Rowan answered honestly.
"This was specially commissioned by Captain Rex," Jack said proudly. "It has a standard sonar detection system, but it also has a Law Fluctuation Detector. It can sense abnormal energy fluctuations deep beneath the sea."
"A Law Fluctuation Detector?" Rowan asked with interest. "That kind of equipment must be expensive."
"Of course. A single unit costs five million credits."
Jack nodded.
"But for a professional exploration team like ours, it's a necessary investment."
As the engines roared, the three exploration ships slowly departed from Reno Port.
The sea was exceptionally calm in the early morning.
A thin layer of mist drifted gently across the surface of the water, giving the entire scene a mysterious atmosphere.
"When do you expect us to reach the target area?" Rowan asked Jack.
"At normal speed, it should take around six hours," Jack replied. "However, Captain Rex may increase our speed to reach the area before the other teams."
As expected, once the ships left the port area and entered the open sea, Rowan felt their speed increase noticeably.
Powerful engines drove the exploration vessels rapidly across the water, sending waves spraying high into the air along both sides of the hulls.
"Everyone, pay attention."
Rex's voice came through the ship's communication system and reached every member of the team.
"We have now entered open waters. Stay alert for the rest of the journey. Although this area is relatively safe, we cannot rule out the possibility of encountering other teams or threats at sea."
After hearing the warning, Rowan began observing the surrounding environment more carefully.
Sure enough, several ships could be seen in the distance.
They were clearly exploration teams heading in the same direction.
"What are those ships?" Rowan asked, pointing toward several distant black dots.
Jack picked up a telescope and observed them for a while.
"They look like the fleet belonging to the Interstellar Explorers Company. It should be the team led by Marcus, the group we saw yesterday."
"They're moving pretty quickly as well," Rowan observed.
The ships were maintaining a speed similar to theirs.
"That makes sense," Jack explained. "Everyone's target area is roughly the same. Once the actual search begins, however, the teams will spread out and move toward different specific locations."
After sailing for approximately two hours, Rowan noticed that the atmosphere aboard the ship had begun to grow tense.
Several members responsible for keeping watch were frequently using their telescopes to observe the surrounding waters.
Rex also walked out of the cabin and personally began inspecting the situation.
"Is something wrong?" Amy asked him.
"There is a fleet following us from behind," Rex said seriously. "They have maintained the same course and speed as us for the past two hours."
"Could it just be a coincidence?" Jack asked optimistically. "After all, everyone is heading toward roughly the same destination."
"If it were a coincidence, they should have their own route instead of completely following our wake," Rex replied, shaking his head. "Besides, I noticed that whenever we change speed, they adjust their speed as well."
Rowan extended his spiritual force toward the rear.
He quickly detected the fleet Rex had mentioned.
There were three modified fast attack ships.
The energy fluctuations coming from them revealed that they carried a considerable number of warriors, and their strength was not weak.
"Captain, I suggest changing course and observing their reaction," Thomas proposed.
"Good idea."
Rex nodded before giving the order to the pilot.
"Turn fifteen degrees to the east."
The exploration ship began slowly changing direction.
Everyone watched the fleet behind them.
Sure enough, less than ten minutes later, the three pursuing ships also adjusted their course and continued following them.
"It is confirmed. They are deliberately following us."
Rex's expression turned cold.
"Everyone, enter combat readiness."
The atmosphere aboard the ship instantly became tense.
The team members began checking their weapons and equipment.
The mages started gathering their Law power.
The entire ship entered a state of combat readiness.
"Ron, are you ready?" Amy asked with concern.
"No problem."
Rowan answered calmly.
At the same time, he began considering how to respond.
With his true strength, dealing with this level of threat would be effortless.
However, his current identity was that of an ordinary Star-level Sixth Rank warrior.
He needed to control his performance.
"They're accelerating," the lookout reported. "The distance is closing."
"It seems they've decided to attack," Rex said calmly.
"Everyone, listen carefully. The enemy force appears to consist of roughly twenty to thirty people. Their exact strength is unknown, but since they dared to provoke us first, they clearly have confidence in their own abilities."
"Which team could it be?" Amy asked.
"It could be the Blood Shark Mercenaries," Thomas guessed. "They make their living by raiding other exploration teams. Their methods are extremely ruthless."
"It could also be a group sent by another organization to test us," Rex added. "The situation in Reno Port has become extremely complicated lately. Anything is possible."
Rowan listened to the team's analysis while secretly preparing himself.
Although he wanted to conceal his strength, if the team truly encountered danger, he would still intervene.
However, judging from the current situation, the Wings of Freedom Exploration Group was clearly not weak.
They might not need his help at all.
"Three kilometers," the lookout continued. "The enemy ships are splitting formation. It looks like they intend to surround us."
"Prepare for battle."
Rex issued the combat order.
"Amy, you will command the defense."
"Thomas, take a group and handle the counterattack."
"Jack, activate all defensive systems."
"Understood!"
The team members answered in unison.
At this moment, the attack fleet behind them had already closed to within two kilometers.
Rowan could clearly see the warriors aboard the ships preparing to attack.
Judging from their equipment and formation, they were clearly an experienced combat force.
"The enemy is opening fire!" the lookout shouted.
Several powerful energy beams shot out from the attack ships.
Their targets were the main ship of the Wings of Freedom Exploration Group.
The attacks were extremely powerful.
They were more than capable of causing serious damage to an ordinary vessel.
However, to Rowan's surprise, Rex seemed to have been prepared for this from the beginning.
Standing at the front of the ship, Rex rapidly formed a series of hand seals.
A massive shield of light suddenly appeared before the vessel.
Every incoming attack was perfectly blocked.
"Counterattack!"
Rex gave the order.
Thomas and several combat members immediately launched their counterattack.
Their attacks were extremely precise.
Various Law attacks streaked toward the enemy ships.
What surprised Rowan even more was the extraordinary coordination between the team members.
Law attacks of different attributes worked together seamlessly, multiplying their combined power.
"They are much stronger than I expected," Rowan thought.
He had originally believed that the Wings of Freedom Exploration Group was merely an ordinary exploration team.
Now, however, it was clear that every member had undergone professional combat training.
The battle continued for approximately ten minutes.
The enemy's attacks became increasingly fierce, but the Wings of Freedom Exploration Group's defenses remained solid.
More importantly, under Rex's command, their counterattacks were beginning to produce results.
"Enemy Ship One has been damaged!" the lookout reported. "Its defensive shield has been destroyed!"
"Good. Concentrate all firepower on Ship One."
Rex immediately adjusted the team's tactics.
At that moment, the enemy seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation.
They began using more dangerous methods of attack.
A powerful warrior who was clearly the enemy commander suddenly leaped from one of the ships.
He rose into the air and gathered a massive lightning attack before striking directly at Rex.
The instant Rowan saw the attack, every muscle in his body tensed.
The power of that lightning strike was extraordinary.
Even a Star-level Eighth Rank warrior could suffer severe injuries from it.
Rowan almost couldn't resist intervening.
But at that moment, Rex revealed astonishing strength.
A powerful surge of Wind Law suddenly erupted from his body.
The surrounding air began to spin violently.
For an instant, Rex seemed like a god of storms.
"Storm Shield."
Rex muttered the words under his breath.
A massive vortex barrier appeared around him.
The lightning attack struck the swirling barrier.
Not only was the attack completely neutralized, but it was also reflected back toward its source.
The enemy attacker was struck by his own attack.
"What?"
The enemy commander clearly had not expected such a result.
After being hit by his own lightning, he fell from the sky and crashed toward the surface of the sea.
"Storm's Wrath!"
Rex seized the opportunity.
He thrust both hands forward.
A far more powerful vortex attack exploded toward the enemy's main ship.
The tremendous impact sent the enemy vessel flying several hundred meters.
The warriors aboard the ship were caught completely off guard by the sudden attack.
"Surrender."
Rex's voice echoed across the surface of the sea.
"You have already lost!"
Seeing their commander defeated, the remaining enemy warriors began to panic.
They clearly had not expected the Wings of Freedom Exploration Group to possess such overwhelming strength.
"Retreat! Retreat!"
The enemy's deputy commander shouted.
The three attack ships immediately turned around and began fleeing.
Their speed was even faster than when they had approached.
Although their commander had been injured, his life was not in danger.
After being rescued by the other members of his team, he was carried aboard one of the ships and joined the retreat.
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