Chapter 117: The Horror of the Fleet’s Annihilation

As Misty had said, the ghost ship slowly drew nearer, blocking their path. No matter which way they turned, the ghost ship sealed their route, unless they turned back.

"Can we just fly across? I can't wait any longer. I have to save my sister now."

Michael asked Lin Xiao, but before he could reply, Duke Karen hurriedly interjected, "Absolutely not, Young Master. The ghost ship is most treacherous—it can even devour us vampires. We must not act rashly, or we'll all perish here."

If even a noble vampire warned of mortal danger, then it was certain—the ghost ship was perilous beyond measure.

Lin Xiao felt it too: his magic pulsed rapidly, and his newly enhanced demon hunter's hand sent warning signals, as if something on that ship made it uneasy.

"This won't work, and neither will that. What should we do now? My sister is about to be taken!"

Michael shouted angrily, his youth showing in his impatience and lack of forethought.

Duke Karen and Misty remained silent; it was clear they didn't wish to risk themselves for Michael's sister, preferring to withdraw rather than wade into these murky waters.

"Say something! What should we do?"

Michael demanded, pulling out the Blood Shadow Magic Mirror from his pocket, ready to go save his sister alone if they refused, even if it meant risking his life.

"Michael, we understand how much you want to save your sister. How about this—the Bloodthirsty Shadow isn't easily killed. Why don't you send one onto the ship first to scout out the situation?"

Seeing the deadlock, Lin Xiao stepped forward with a suggestion. He, too, was not eager to die. In the original storyline, Jonathan and Nancy became a pair; now they were strangers, not worth risking his life over.

Since Michael was so determined, let him try first—and see how Duke Karen reacted, whether he meant harm to Michael.

Sure enough, Duke Karen's expression shifted, caught in a dilemma. He didn't want Michael to take the risk, nor did he want to offend him, and certainly didn't wish to put his own life in danger.

While he hesitated, Michael's eyes lit up; he gratefully glanced at Lin Xiao and decisively infused energy into the Magic Mirror. A blood shadow emerged from the mirror and landed on the yacht's deck.

He was about to direct the shadow onto the ghost ship when Duke Karen suddenly pressed his hand down, his expression uncertain. "Let me test it, Young Master. You are the inheritor of the Blood Ancestor's power, the legendary child in our vampire lore. You must not come to harm."

---

Ha, Lin Xiao secretly chuckled—this old fox had been cornered at last. If only he would perish with the ghost ship, it would rid them of this ticking time bomb.

Sensing Lin Xiao's thoughts, Duke Karen turned and shot him a hostile look; a flicker of murderous intent flashed deep in his eyes.

He thought he hid it well, but Lin Xiao, ever vigilant, detected it instantly. His left hand involuntarily clenched into a fist.

Saying nothing, Duke Karen took the Magic Mirror in both hands, muttering incantations. His eyes glowed red as the blood shadow soared onto the prow of the ghost ship.

At the same time, the mirror's surface revealed a scene—the deck of the ghost ship. The Magic Mirror could serve as a surveillance camera; it was astonishing.

Duke Karen's face was solemn as he guided the shadow down to the deck, letting it wander the ship.

The ghost ship was desolate and dilapidated, its walls covered with moss, most mechanisms rusted, worn by the relentless passage of time.

He surveyed the deck—nothing unusual. Duke Karen hesitated, unwilling to probe further. The ghost ship's legend lay in its mysteries; no one knew what lurked within.

As a noble vampire, he rivaled a human second-tier transcendent, able to defeat high-level witches or holy knights face-to-face. But against the unknown, he had no confidence.

"What's wrong, Duke Karen? Hurry and let the blood shadow check the cabin. Confirm it's safe and quickly rescue my sister!"

Michael urged impatiently, wanting to snatch the Magic Mirror and control it himself—this old man was far too timid.

Duke Karen, stuck in a predicament, glared fiercely at Lin Xiao. If only this boy hadn't meddled, he wouldn't be risking so much to investigate the ghost ship, now trapped with no way out.

He finally steeled himself and sent the blood shadow drifting toward the ship's cabin entrance, which was pitch black, as if some monster with a gaping maw waited for them to walk into its trap.

The blood shadow paused at the entrance, hesitated, then rushed inside. At that moment, darkness engulfed them all. When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves in a strange place.

It looked like an old ship's cabin, with barrels stacked around, ancient oil lamps hanging from the walls, casting an eerie glow that chilled the bones.

"The ghost ship! We've entered the ghost ship!"

Misty screamed, and Number Eleven immediately clung to Zoe's arm, burrowing into her embrace in terror. Michael was equally frightened, his face pale, lips trembling.

Lin Xiao felt uneasy—the ghost ship was truly bizarre. They had been on the yacht, yet were suddenly pulled into the cabin, without any resistance.

He looked around, puzzled to find only the six of them present; Duke Karen had vanished.

---

Stefan searched frantically; the cabin was dimly lit, making it hard to see. His shouts echoed, and rustling sounds came from the darkness, as if something sleeping here had been awakened by his voice.

"No, we can't stay here. I'm going to use Shadow Step to get out and see what's happening."

Misty declared, bringing her hands together to activate her skill.

Ripples like a vortex formed around her body, which began to contort and flow into the whirlpool.

Number Eleven and Zoe watched her intently, knowing that once Misty succeeded, they could follow. But what about Lin Xiao and Michael, who couldn't use Shadow Step?

As they hesitated, a black harpoon suddenly shot out from the heart of the vortex, piercing Misty's body. The whirlpool vanished and she was flung against the cabin wall, impaled by the harpoon, blood dripping down.

"Help me!"

Misty was not dead yet; she stretched out her hand for aid. The harpoon was massive, likely meant for whaling, and had nearly torn her body apart, pinning her tightly to the wall.

"Misty!"

Zoe cried, rushing to save her. Lin Xiao was too late to stop her; she dashed to the wall, trying desperately to pull out the harpoon.

A black rope, like a venomous snake, suddenly sprang from the floor, wrapping around Zoe's neck and hoisting her into the air. She hung there, eyes rolling back as she was strangled.

"Dammit, what the hell is this? Holy Light!"

Lin Xiao cursed furiously, thrusting out his right hand as magic surged. He unleashed Holy Light, flooding the area with brilliance.

Yet the dazzling light only provoked the surrounding darkness. A chaotic barrage of objects flew at them—ropes, oars, harpoons, buckets, even barrels.

Lin Xiao dodged deftly, keeping the Holy Light shining. Number Eleven traversed the air, aiming to rescue her teacher.

Then another calamity struck—a giant fishing net descended from above, enveloping Number Eleven and tightening, suspending her in the air, helpless.