Chapter 355: The Big Guy’s Appetite
Two days later.
In the iceberg sea.
Zong Ge led most of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps in training at sea.
At this point, they were already far away from Ice Sculpture Island.
In order to maximize the effectiveness of the military training, Zong Ge had not returned to harbor for the past two days.
“There’s good news from Snow Bird Harbor,” Tripleblade approached Zong Ge and reported, “Our commander has successfully recruited Bu Quan. We now have an Alchemy Great Master.”
Upon hearing this, Zong Ge raised his eyebrows.
He took the intelligence report, examined it carefully, and also showed a pleased expression.
“That’s excellent.”
"A silver level Alchemy Great Master who hasn't reached the bloodline limit. Such a fortunate event has occurred."
"Oh... it's because the Bayonet Gang and Bu Quan have a deep-seated grudge against each other. This is an unexpected gain."
Tripleblade nodded but also expressed concern: “This is a genius talent, extremely gifted.”
“Although we're both willing, the Alchemy Guild probably won't let her go easily, and there will be more trouble later.”
Tripleblade had run a mercenary group before and knew that someone like Bu Quan was hard for the current Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps to keep.
Zong Ge nodded slightly: "An Alchemy Great Master is like a never-ending gold mine. Especially such a special alchemist."
“Bu Quan is still young; her achievements may one day surpass those of a master.”
“Having such a companion would be a blessing for all of us.”
“We’ve seized a lot of alchemy documents, which are the best resources for cultivating alchemists.”
Thinking of this, Zong Ge stroked his chin: “Did the communication mention anything about recruitment?”
“Not yet,” Tripleblade replied.
Zong Ge smiled: “Bu Quan has joined the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. Once this news spreads, it will surely stir up excitement.”
“I bet the recruitment results will be fantastic.”
“Our commander has really made a name for himself this time.”
“Yes, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps has also gained fame throughout the kingdom.” Tripleblade sighed with emotion.
Once upon a time, he had also dreamed of such a thing, dreaming that his mercenary group could become famous nationwide.
Who would have thought that after being stranded on the Mystifying Monster Island, surviving countless dangers, and eventually arriving at the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, his former dream would be realized in this way.
Tripleblade looked at Zong Ge and said again, "The commander was able to achieve such military exploits, and it’s all thanks to you, sir, for training him. Otherwise, would he have mastered such solid gun skills?"
Zong Ge waved his hand, showing no intention of taking credit: “I only played a supporting role; he was the main one.”
“Bu Quan is a genius in alchemy, but Long Fu... In my opinion, his fighter talent far surpasses that of Bu Quan.”
Tripleblade wore a complex expression.
Zong Ge had once advised the dragonman youngster to conceal his innate fighter talents, lest they be revealed and dampen the training enthusiasm of most mercenaries.
However, this information was not withheld from the survivors.
Tripleblade and the others were all aware of this truth.
At that moment, a mercenary stepped forward and reported loudly, “Sir, there is a small island ahead.”
"Oh? Go take a look." Zong Ge's eyes lit up.
Although they had a map of this sea area, it was not detailed enough to record every single island.
This was related to the special nature of the iceberg sea area.
Soon, the ships of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps arrived around the island.
It was an iceberg floating on the sea surface, forming a slowly drifting ice island.
The mercenaries soon discovered something new: “Lord Shi Qi, we've spotted a group of sea lions at the southeast corner of the ice island.”
Zong Ge reviewed the detailed intelligence and personally observed the scene through a telescope.
There were at least two hundred sea lions, with two silver level magic beasts—one male and one female—leading the herd. There were approximately twenty iron level magic beasts among the sea lions.
“Excellent, perfect for training,” Zong Ge praised lightly, then issued the order to prepare for attack.
Upon receiving the order, the mercenaries sprang into action—some waving flags, others blowing horns.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' ships gradually closed in. The sea lions grew restless, and the two leaders let out a loud roar. Soon, the entire herd joined in, emitting a deafening roar as a threat and warning.
Zong Ge remained calm, adjusting the ship formation.
The iron level magic ship, the Iron Lump, led the charge.
The sea lion herd leaped into the sea from the edge of the iceberg and surrounded the Iron Lump.
The Iron Lump, with its thick hull, withstood the sea lions' attacks from all directions, as well as magic spells.
Zong Ge remained on the White Bandage, leading the other ships to quickly surround the Iron Lump.
The mercenaries stood at the ship's rail, holding alchemy crossbows and muskets, firing at the sea lions.
Soon, the sea lions suffered heavy losses.
The two leaders were enraged. One leaped onto the Iron Lump, while the other charged toward the White Bandage.
Zong Ge did not intervene personally.
Men Shi and Chi Lai were also ordered to observe the battle.
The Quick Knife Squad led by Kuai Tui, along with the Backwater Battle Squad, boarded the battlefield and each took on one of the two silver level magic beasts.
Magic beasts have different physiques from humans and snow elves, with thick, rugged skin, yet they lack intelligence, making them ideal targets for practical combat training.
After about sixteen minutes of combat, the two sea lion leaders were enraged to the extreme, disregarding their injuries, and rampaged wildly across the deck.
Zong Ge finally ordered Men Shi and Chi Lai to act.
Both combat teams were extremely exhausted and withdrew smoothly.
Men Shi and Chi Lai found it difficult to block them head-on. Despite their battle qi enhancements, they could not match the sea lion beasts' strength.
This was a difference in race and bloodline.
Fortunately, the Iron Lump and White Bandage were magic ships capable of withstanding such intense combat.
Men Shi, being a dwarf, was stronger than Chi Lai, the human, with a lower center of gravity and a focus on defense, allowing him to handle the situation more calmly.
Chi Lai's skills were primarily in artillery fire, but he was somewhat lacking in close combat, so he could only maneuver around the sea lion as much as possible.
“Ah, I'll handle this!” The big guy suddenly intervened in the battle.
Bam!
He collided with the silver sea lion leader using his shoulder.
Both sides were subjected to a powerful recoil force, losing all momentum.
Zong Ge's eyes lit up at the sight.
Chi Lai muttered, “Thanks!”
He then rushed forward, firing his musket directly into the sea lion's eyes.
Deprived of vision, the sea lion was enraged and charged wildly once more.
The big guy gritted his teeth and fought the sea lion, transforming into a beast himself. The scene of the struggle attracted the attention of many people.
Tripleblade's eyes lit up: "I didn't expect that after the big guy ascended to the transcendent realm, his physical abilities would increase so terrifyingly. He can actually go head-to-head with a silver level beast!"
“His bloodline seems to be extraordinary.”
“Who would have thought that he could become a transcendent.”
Zong Ge sighed regretfully, “Unfortunately, although he has become bronze level, he hasn't mastered any battle skills, and his hand-to-hand combat techniques are even more pitiful.”
“If he could make up for these shortcomings, he would be a formidable weapon on the battlefield.”
Zong Ge watched the big guy's intense battle, his eyes gradually brightening.
He developed a strong interest in training the big guy.
Tripleblade expressed his concerns: “Sir, please be cautious.”
“The big guy has a mental illness.”
“If he were to master solid hand-to-hand combat skills, or even battle skills, it would actually be a major risk for us.”
Zong Ge shook his head, having already made up his mind: “With my strength, I can keep him in check.”
Soon, the battle ended.
After the two leaders were killed, the sea lion herd dived into the sea in panic, fleeing for their lives.
Zong Ge ordered his men to shoot and fire cannons, killing most of them.
After cleaning up the battlefield, Tripleblade reported the results: “Sir, with this batch of sea lion meat, we can sail for another half day.”
Zong Ge sighed: “Let's go back tonight.”
“There's no need to wait until we reach the food reserve warning line before returning to harbor.”
"This time, I miscalculated. I didn't expect that after becoming a bronze level cultivator, the big guy would eat so much!"
The big guy's appetite had always been far greater than that of an ordinary person, but after reaching the bronze level, he ate even more than before.
His appetite had increased dramatically, with his food intake reaching nearly 80 times that of before, becoming the main consumer of provisions.
The reason for this was that after becoming a transcendent, the battle qi cultivator's body required a much larger intake of energy.
The big guy needed at least 80 times the amount of ordinary food to sustain himself.
However, if the main ingredient was magic beast meat, his appetite would return to that of an ordinary person.
When the news of Zong Ge returning to harbor came back, the dragonman youngster was hosting the recruitment event.
The recruitment location was their own shop.
The shop's location was personally selected by Zi Di. With her business acumen, she naturally chose the best possible spot.
Those who came to sign up to join the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had already formed a long line extending from the shop. The line was over 200 meters long, stretching all the way to the corner of the street.
“Commander Long Fu, I am a magic apprentice who can currently craft deodorizing lozenges and fever detection reagents.” A snow elf entered the room and, upon seeing the dragonman youngster, couldn't help but reveal an excited expression.
The dragonman youngster had seen such expressions many times before.
He had gained national fame and had slain the leader of the Bayonet Gang, earning the admiration—even worship—of many in Snow Bird Harbor.
The dragonman youngster put down the communication device in his hand, smiled, and asked the magic apprentice being interviewed, “Can you make magic cuisine?”
The magic apprentice looked startled, then replied, “Oh, well, I can make most ordinary magic cuisine.”
“Bronze level magic cuisine is also possible, but the taste isn't great.”
“Iron level cuisine is very difficult for me.”
The magic apprentice was only bronze level and spoke honestly to the dragonman youngster.
The dragonman youngster nodded, “If I hire you to make magic cuisine, would you be willing?”
The snow elf immediately looked troubled, “Are you asking me to be a magic chef?”
“I'd rather work in the alchemy workshop, making potions...”
“In fact, I came here to apply for that kind of job.”
The dragonman youngster grinned, "I understand. I'll double your salary. Would you be willing to become the magic chef for our Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps?"
“Double the salary?” The snow elf's eyes lit up, and quickly agreed, “Of course, I'm willing!”
The dragonman youngster reminded, “If you join, you'll need to accompany the group on missions in the future.”
"No problem. Even going out to sea is fine!" The snow elf apprentice nodded eagerly.
As long as the money was right, everything else was negotiable.
Next, it was time to sign the magic contract.
“This is the fourth magic chef.”
“Xiao Guai, you won't have to worry about food and drink when you come back.” The dragonman youngster was satisfied with the results of the recruitment drive and thought to himself.
Bam!
Just then, the door to the interview room was pushed open with a bang.
A snow elf strode in with his head held high and a cold expression on his face.
“Commander Long Fu, I am Zhong Bei, a magician from the Alchemy Guild. We need to have a serious talk about Bu Quan joining your group!”
“Even if you defeated the stronger opponent and killed Teng Dong Lang, you still don’t have the qualifications to recruit our nation’s alchemy genius.”