"I can feel it — my Spiritual Power has hit another bottleneck. Perhaps after this battle, I'll be able to break through!"
It hadn't even been a month since Leilin's last breakthrough to seventh-level Wizard!
This kind of terrifying advancement speed couldn't be described as merely genius — it was practically monstrous!
Of course, the Devil's Blood Dagger played a part in Leilin's rapid advancement, but the more important factor was that he already had the foundation to control the surging Life Energy and data. Otherwise, if it were Isabelle in his place, she would probably have gone mad or even turned into a demon by now.
"Ship spotted ahead!"
At that moment, a pirate on the lookout tower screamed at the top of his lungs.
"I can see the Mermaid Pirate flag — it's a warship from the Mermaid Pirates!"
Hearing this news, Leilin wasn't particularly surprised. After all, surprise attacks couldn't succeed every single time.
The enemy's stronghold would certainly have been well-prepared, so it wasn't difficult for them to be discovered.
"Call the sailors out — prepare for battle!"
Naval combat primarily involved ranged attacks and boarding actions. Under Robin Hood's bellowing, dozens of pirates and sailors stepped forward, each wielding a poison-coated weapon that glowed with an eerie blue light.
Facing the Mermaid Pirates — a crew as notorious as the Black Tiger Pirates — these men showed strong unease in their eyes. Only the weapons in their hands and the sight of Leilin's back could offer them any semblance of comfort.
"These pirates still need quite a bit more training..."
Isabelle and Robin Hood approached Leilin, their faces showing concern.
"It's fine — the battlefield is the best teacher. Death will help us sort out the talented ones!"
Leilin's face was calm. "After all, with the weapons I've provided, if they still lose to the enemy, then there's nothing to mourn over their deaths..."
"These weapons..."
Robin Hood picked up the longsword in his hand. The edge of the blade shimmered with faint blue luminescence, revealing its terrifying poison.
He had tested it himself — the toxin possessed an immense nerve-paralyzing effect. Even a shark wouldn't last more than a few breaths.
"On the black market, a poison-coated weapon like this would be worth at least ten gold coins..."
Robin Hood couldn't help licking his lips. His quiver, slung across his back, was loaded with a large quantity of these poisoned arrowheads. Combined with his archery skills, he even felt confident enough to challenge a fifth-level warrior!
"Who would have thought the boss was also proficient in alchemy..."
Robin Hood stole a glance at Leilin, his eyes filled with awe. Leilin's mastery of toxicology was truly terrifying — if he ever offended the boss, he'd probably die without ever knowing how.
In truth, these toxins were merely something Leilin had crafted to pass the time when he was bored.
His mastery in Potionology had long since reached the Grandmaster rank. After spending several years familiarizing himself with the plants and mineral ingredients of the World of the Gods, his original self's experience truly began to shine through.
The raw material for these poisons was nothing more than the juice of a common barracuda species found on the Faolan Islands — the sort of thing no one would ever associate with a deadly toxin.
Even Cousin Isabelle was quite envious of Leilin's poisons. Though she didn't apply any to her own longsword, she did manage to get a small bottle from him.
"Oh right — Isabelle, and all the family guards — come here!"
Leilin ordered.
"Boss!" This group was small in number, but their loyalty to Leilin was the highest. At his command, they immediately gathered around him.
"Take up your weapons!"
At Leilin's command, the other guards drew their longswords. The pale blue glint of cold steel filled the numerous pirates with dread.
"Even though I've already added a layer of lethality, it never hurts to have a bit more insurance!"
With a flick of his finger, Leilin sent a burst of magical radiance straight into Isabelle's black longsword.
[Enchant Weapon]! A first-level spell that could effectively increase a weapon's damage output, especially effective against elemental defenses.
Though she hadn't let her own longsword receive the poison treatment, seeing it now enveloped in a layer of magical light still brought a smile of delight to Isabelle's face.
A magically enhanced weapon, even a temporary one, far outstripped a poison-coated blade in power — though the cost was considerably higher as well.
But Leilin's performance didn't stop there.
[Enchant Weapon]! [Enchant Weapon]! [Enchant Weapon]! Flash after flash of spell-light flickered into existence as Leilin applied the Enchant Weapon effect to all of his guards.