Shi Ming stood on the deck of the smoking *Smokestack*, contemplating idly as he waited for this "Rebound."

’So, this magnetic field created by the Ten Thousand Tribulations Thunder Body, and the resulting Thunder Prison... does it really summon exactly ten thousand bolts of lightning?’

’If there’s one more, or one less, wouldn’t that be imprecise?’

Fifty minutes passed quietly. *The Smokestack* was completely flooded, its hull bobbing precariously on the sea. This Golden Ship, which had amassed its wealth by trading in underground intelligence for thirty years, was about to meet its end.

The lightning runes on Shi Ming’s body gradually faded. The intense lightning in his pupils began to dim, and his striking silver hair, which had been standing on end, returned to its normal black.

The Rebound of the Ten Thousand Tribulations Thunder Body had arrived.

This time, the Rebound was—

Thunder Forging Body!

Any lightning from the Ten Thousand Tribulations Thunder Prison that had not yet struck during its duration would now, over the next ten minutes, strike Shi Ming exclusively. Each strike he endured would temper his body through Thunder Forging, slightly increasing its strength. While the gains were small, they would accumulate into a significant, boundless benefit.

10,000 bolts of lightning. Based on the frequency, that would average out to 1,666 strikes every ten minutes.

The corner of Shi Ming’s eye twitched.

’Even if the lightning frequency was higher during the frenzied phase, a conservative estimate would still leave about 1,000 bolts that haven’t struck yet. And now you’re telling me all 1,000 of them are going to hit me?’

Fortunately, the Ten Thousand Tribulations Thunder Body granted a period of lightning resistance, and Shi Ming’s own defense was quite good.

But even so...

...it would still be a difficult challenge.

"Fine!"

He stood at the bow, like the brave petrel from Gorky’s poem.

"Let the storm rage even more furiously!"

CRACK!

At this stage, the lightning no longer provided a stimulant-like buff. A bolt slammed into him with a BANG, making every hair on his body stand on end. His hair, which had just returned to normal, shot straight up again, crackling with faint arcs of electricity.

He looked like an unyielding youth being punished by the Thunder King.

"It’s just... a little... hardship..."

Before he could even recover from the previous bolt, the next one came crashing down.

CRACK!

CRACK! CRACK!

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

The lightning no longer struck other areas. Standing at the bow of *The Smokestack*, Shi Ming was like a lightning rod in a tempest, facing the ferocious bolts all by himself.

The magnificent lightning forged his body, inflicting wounds that healed almost instantly, yet the pain made him grimace.

"Fuck! Next time! I don’t want to draw... this skill again!"

Shi Ming said fiercely, electricity still crackling at the corners of his mouth.

Ten minutes can be a very short time.

But those ten minutes had never felt so long.

The thousand-plus remaining bolts of lightning arrived as promised. Only then did Shi Ming understand that the skill description for Ten Thousand Tribulations Thunder Body was incredibly precise. When it said ten thousand bolts, it meant ten thousand bolts—not one more, not one less.

*Phew...*

He lay on the flooded deck, gasping for breath. The lightning had also battered *The Smokestack* into an unrecognizable wreck. It had lost all of its former imposing air as a Golden Ship. The once majestic and solemn Wandering Ship now looked like the skeletal frame of a model boat smashed by a bratty child.

The serpents of electricity slithering across his skin and body slowly dissipated, vanishing into nothing.

"1,027 bolts!"

"Exactly 1,027!"

"God only knows how I survived those ten minutes!"

He gritted his teeth, slowly climbing to his feet and turning his senses inward.

’Getting struck by lightning has a chance to add stat points... This is the price of power.’

’No, a gift.’

’My Defense Power increased by 6, Endurance by 7, and Physical Strength by 4.’

’Good. At least I didn’t take that beating for nothing.’

’Descent of the Titan seems powerful, almost like a bug, but it actually presents a perfect path of balance, forming a rigorous closed loop. Whether it’s the Divine Hall of Time or the Bright Eyes of the Void, the first fifty minutes and the last ten minutes seem to achieve a kind of twisted equilibrium. And it seems they all provide some positive benefits.’

’By comparison, Black Tortoise Shield and Deadly Ground are far more simple and direct.’

’When I have time, I need to figure out the full capabilities and Rebounds of all twelve skills and make good use of them.’

’Time to head back.’

He took a fresh set of clothes from his system inventory, changed, and then summoned *The Sun-Shooter*.

*The Grand Fortune* was now three nautical miles away, watching over the unmanned *Thunder God*. They hadn’t followed him because the Thunder Prison’s attacks were indiscriminate. Furthermore, Stone Pillar had reported over the comms that they had found two large chests of dazzling Brilliant Crystal Stones aboard *The Thunder God*—nearly 1,000 in total.

The Crystal Stones were just sitting in the Thunder God’s open warehouse, completely unguarded. It seemed their original owner was extremely confident that they would never be stolen.

As soon as Shi Ming heard the description, he knew.

Pure Dome Crystals.

This must have been the second payment prepared by the Golden Pagoda. It was the bounty on Shi Ming, intended to be delivered to Reinhardt after he completed his mission.

Now, the Crystal Stones needed to upgrade his "Unformed Phaseless Pure Ice" were secured.

*The Sun-Shooter* set sail at full speed.

The burning *Smokestack*, now a true beacon fire, slowly sank behind him, destined to be buried in the deep sea just like *The Yellowstone*.

On the "European Sea Region Must-Eat List" compiled by Eliza of *The Ganges*, another name was crossed off the male section.

...

...

...

An ordinary patrol boat from the Twelve Stars was aimlessly patrolling the great sea.

"Captain, report. Radar has detected a severe thunderstorm in Sector 127, along with a signal that resembles a beacon fire. Should we go investigate?"

Beacon fires were originally an ancient method of transmitting messages in the Dragon Country.

In the early days of the Wandering Era, people discovered that they were an extremely efficient way to send messages. They allowed different wandering ships to watch over and help one another through hardships in an age without radio or satellite signals. As a result, the major organizations adopted the practice, and it became a conventional method for requesting aid. The crews of King-level Wandering Ships, in particular, shouldered heavy responsibilities and received systematic training on how to interpret these signals.

However, as times changed, fewer and fewer people dared to light a beacon fire on the open sea.

Because it was likely to attract marauders with ill intentions.

Offering help in a time of need? Zero takers.

Robbing someone in their moment of crisis? A joyous occasion.

"Ignore it. It’s probably just some unlucky Wandering Ship that got struck by lightning and caught fire. It’s not a real call for help. We’re too busy. Where would we find the time to meddle in other ships’ affairs? Let’s head back as soon as possible to finish our shift."

What a joke.

The patrolman’s job was a twelve-hour shift.

And he was about to get off work!

’Besides, I have something extremely important to do tonight. Two days ago, I made plans with Captain Reinhardt of *The Smokestack* to go to The Little Heifer Tavern and enjoy the company of some girls cosplaying as witches. Reinhardt is a celebrity! How could I possibly stand him up?!’

’And the witches at The Little Heifer Tavern were hand-picked by the great playboy Reinhardt himself!’

’What’s more, I don’t even have to pay! All I have to do is trade a tiny, insignificant piece of organizational intelligence!’

*Heh heh.*