After hearing about the concept of free navigation, Beidou was already lost in her imagination.
At that moment, Lu Heng picked up the third purple card for appraisal.
Unfortunately, the effect of the third purple card was rather mediocre—nothing outstanding, but still usable.
Next came the fourth purple card.
The card depicted what looked like a reactor, shaped like a pyramid with two hourglass-like devices on either side.
After Lu Heng's appraisal, it was clear that the substances inside the two hourglasses were different in color—red on the left and blue on the right.
[Energy Refiner]
[Tier]: 4-Star • Purple
[Type]: [Item Card]
[Traits]: [Conversion], [Energy Storage]
[Description]: "We discovered a new type of energy on this unnamed planet, but we couldn't utilize it. Should we just waste it?"
"No! No energy is beyond our use! Waste is unacceptable!"
"Now this card has some real potential," Lu Heng explained to Beidou.
This Energy Refiner could absorb unusable energy, refine it, and convert it into a usable power source! Its technological sophistication was incredibly high.
For example:
If the streetlights in Liyue ran out of power, but a mass of Abyssal energy was discovered nearby—energy that couldn't be directly used—what then?
Simple!
Just absorb it, refine it, and convert it into usable energy!
"How is that even possible?" Beidou couldn't wrap her head around it.
Kazuha was equally astonished.
"Don't overthink it," Lu Heng waved her off.
The very fact that it was incomprehensible was what made high-tier technological products so impressive.
"Fair enough."
Beidou didn't dwell on it. There were plenty of things in the world beyond understanding.
All she needed to know was that this thing was useful!
"But where would we even use this?" she mused.
"You just mentioned upgrading the Alcor, didn't you?"
Lu Heng immediately had an idea.
"I'm not sure what the Alcor will become after upgrading, but this Energy Refiner will definitely come in handy."
"It has its own energy storage capacity, and it's massive. You could retrofit the ship's weapons to run on energy."
Beidou pondered this.
The Alcor's current weapons were ballistae.
If they were modified to launch bolts using elemental energy…
That was a brilliant idea!
Beidou smacked her palm. "I get it now!"
Good, as long as she understood.
Lu Heng turned to the last purple card.
Its effect was… debatable. Usable, but not particularly impressive.
Lu Heng summarized:
This round of card draws didn't do much for Beidou's personal strength.
But for the entire Crux Fleet? The improvement was monumental!
Ordinary sailors now wielded power comparable to Vision bearers!
At a glance, the Crux Fleet might as well be an army of Vision wielders!
And that wasn't an exaggeration.
Vision bearers varied in strength, with most hovering around Tier 2 or barely reaching Tier 3.
If the sailors only had a single Tier 2 card paired with Tier 2 equipment, their offensive capabilities would match Tier 2 standards, but they'd still lack in other areas.
But who would stop at just one card?
They'd fill every card slot they had!
Take Tier 2 equipment, for example. After two rounds of physical enhancements, their bodies would already be incredibly robust, and they'd have five card slots!
With a balanced setup of offense and defense, how could anyone stand against them?
From this perspective, calling the Crux Fleet an army of Vision bearers was almost an understatement!
Vision bearers grew stronger gradually.
But with card draws? A lucky streak could skyrocket their power overnight!
Beidou clearly understood this now.
She had her crew start upgrading their equipment.
Upgrading from beginner to Tier 1 was simple, but Tier 1 to Tier 2 for so many sailors was a bit taxing for Beidou.
Not all of them accepted her generosity—Tier 1 equipment with three card slots was enough for most!
In the end, Beidou upgraded her own equipment to Tier 3.
Tier 3 equipment! Seven card slots! Free card swapping! Even a lifespan boost!
Beidou could feel it.
She was already a formidable warrior, and the physical enhancements from Tier 1 and Tier 2 had pushed her even further.
The sensation of growing stronger was immediate.
No testing was needed—she knew exactly how much stronger she'd become.
And this was just the beginning!
This shop was the right call!
Not just for her, but for the entire crew. Aside from supporting their families, most of their Mora would likely end up here!
Naturally, the same went for her!
"Fantastic!"
Beidou clasped her fists. "Thanks, Boss Lu!"
"No problem."
Lu Heng smiled.
"We won't disturb you further. I'm off to check on the Alcor," Beidou said with a grin.
"See you next time."
The Alcor was docked at the southern harbor.
Berthing fees weren't a big deal for a day or two, but if the fleet was idle for ten days or more, the costs added up.
During downtime, the Alcor usually anchored near Guyun Stone Forest.
Arriving at the southern harbor, Beidou planted her hands on her hips and surveyed her beloved ship.
This vessel had been her loyal companion for years, braving storms and even the thunderous waters of Inazuma.
"You're about to be reborn," Beidou said, giving the hull a firm pat.
Amid the crew's eager anticipation, she tore open the [Evolution Cube].
A mysterious, silver-crafted cube appeared in her hand.
Item cards had a unique trait—upon use, the wielder instinctively understood their basic functions.
Like a phone: it taught you how to call and charge, but downloading "study materials" required personal exploration.
Beidou pressed the central button on the Evolution Cube.
It began scanning its surroundings, its display flashing with countless options.
She selected the Alcor without hesitation and tossed the cube toward the ship.
The cube arced through the air.
Just before landing on the deck, it erupted in a soft glow, enveloping the entire Alcor.
Even the seawater was pushed aside, as if a thin film now coated the hull.
The cube landed on the deck—and merged into it.
From the point of contact, the wooden planks began transforming into metal.
"Captain! The Alcor's growing!" Sea Drake shouted excitedly.
"I see it!"
The original Alcor was already massive—150 meters long, 60 meters wide, powered by rigid sails and oars.
Now, transparent extensions formed along its frame, solidifying under the cube's power.
The width and height remained unchanged, but the sails and oars vanished. The length stretched to 260 meters!
Fortunately, the southern harbor was spacious enough to accommodate such a behemoth.
Beidou glanced at the stern.
A colossal propeller, its blades thick and sturdy, dwarfed even a grown man!
"What kind of propulsion is this?" She turned to the bow.
Final stretch—10 meters... 5 meters... 1 meter!
At last, the Alcor's transformation was complete.
The glowing film dissipated.
BOOM!
The new Alcor sank over a meter deeper into the water!
Beidou's heart leaped, then swelled with joy.
This meant the ship was far heavier than before—proof of its superior build.
"Let's board!"
A gangplank stood nearby.
Beidou couldn't wait. She hurried up and stepped onto the new Alcor's deck.
The deck was made of an unknown metal, but her heels didn't clang against it like steel. Instead, it felt solid—like walking on land.
"By the Archons! Are those cannons?!"
Sea Drake dashed toward the massive guns, spreading his arms wide. "You could fit a person in there!"
"Perfect!" Firepower was romance!
Beidou entered the command tower.
The moment she stepped inside, lights flickered on automatically.
"Welcome, Captain."
"Uh… hello?"
"I am this vessel's built-in AI auxiliary system."
After its introduction, Beidou was thrilled.
A ship this massive would normally require a crew of thousands to operate fully.
But with the AI system? A couple of hundred would suffice!
"What's its displacement? How fast can it go?"
"Standard displacement: 50,000 tons. Full load: 70,000 tons. Pure electric propulsion. Maximum speed at full load: 45 knots (83 km/h)."
Incredible!
A ship this size, yet so fast?
Technology was a marvel!
Beidou grinned. "And its firepower?"
"Reporting: Three triple-mounted main turrets, 406 mm/50 caliber guns. Maximum range: 42 km. Under AI control, accuracy against stationary targets is 100%. Against slow-moving targets: 95%. Against high-speed targets: 60%. Targets exceeding 100 km/h have minimal hit probability."
What?!
That was insane!
What kind of ship moved at 100 km/h anyway?
From Beidou's perspective, she could now obliterate anything she spotted on the sea.
If something survived? Well, it either had tricks of its own or wasn't a ship to begin with.
"Reminder: This vessel carries only 200 main gun rounds. Please secure additional ammunition."
"Wait, what?"
Beidou's joy faltered.
Only 200 rounds?
That wouldn't last!
"How do we restock?" She frowned.
"Captain, perhaps we could… manufacture them?" Kazuha suggested.
"Ah!"
Beidou had an epiphany.
"What in the world is that?!"
Lu Heng was baffled.
With his abilities, he could observe the southern harbor from his shop.
When he saw the new Alcor, he wondered if he was dreaming.
Was that… an Iowa-class battleship?
Well, not exactly.
The Evolution Cube had upgraded parts of the Alcor to Iowa-class standards.
But did Iowa-class ships have AI systems this advanced?
Not a chance.
In short, the weapons were Iowa-class, but the power source was pure electric, and the ship had a high-tier AI system.
In other words, the upgrade was… eclectic.
Some parts advanced 200 years, others 300, and some just 20.
After some thought, Lu Heng decided it was hard to judge.
But one thing was certain:
Even if ten thousand pirate ships came knocking, Beidou could confidently declare, "The advantage is mine!"
Run out of main gun rounds?
That's what secondary guns were for!
Still, ammunition was a real issue.
Lu Heng pondered.
Then it hit him.
What era was this? Why stick to traditional shells?
Liyue had alchemists!
Once they understood the principles of shell detonation, they could modify them—replace the contents with Pyro energy!
Beidou had the same idea.
A gun without bullets was just a fancy club.
"Sea Drake, handle this!" Beidou ordered.
"Aye, Captain!"
The new Alcor was a marvel—its sheer size and firepower were unmatched.
With elemental ammunition, the seas of Teyvat would be theirs to dominate!
"But extracting elemental energy isn't easy, is it?"
"Idiot! The Captain has the Energy Refiner! It's perfect! Use it to power the ship and extract Pyro energy for shells. Just craft the shells and build launchers!"
"Right!"
The Crux Fleet was already formidable.
Now, with the Alcor as its flagship? Unstoppable!
Pirates?
They wouldn't even see the Alcor before a shell landed on their decks!
"But where does the energy come from?"
Someone had a stroke of genius.
"Hey! Doesn't Inazuma have that perpetual thunderstorm?"
True, but what were they suggesting?
"I'm thinking… instead of dodging lightning, why not harvest it? Use it for power and refine it into Pyro energy!"
"WHAT?!"
Kazuha was floored.
Harvest the Raiden Shogun's storm as the Alcor's energy source?!
It sounded absurd—but it might just work!
And best of all, it was free!
"You're a genius!"
Beidou clenched her fist.
This would save a fortune—money better spent on card draws!
The idea was brilliant.
So brilliant that Beidou almost wanted to make extra trips to Inazuma.
The Sakoku Decree?
Those with power didn't care.
Speaking of Inazuma…
"Men, I know our next destination—how about Inazuma?"
The old Alcor could brave the storm. The new one? It would charge straight in, sucking up lightning for profit.
And thanks to the Sakoku Decree, foreign goods in Inazuma were exorbitantly priced.
Smugglers would pay handsomely for the Crux Fleet's services.
"Kid, you up for it?" Beidou asked Kazuha.
The boy was a wanted man in Inazuma.
Though he rarely spoke of his past, Beidou could tell he had no "home" left there.
Returning might stir painful memories.
Kazuha thought it over. "Don't worry, Captain. I'll just stay aboard at Ritou."
Staying aboard meant he wouldn't set foot on Inazuman soil—no chance of arrest.
He wasn't afraid to return. The memories were the hard part.
"Then it's settled. Next stop—Inazuma!" Beidou declared.
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T/N:
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