Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Cang Qiong Rises to First Rank
As the Ghost Light on the surface of the warship gradually dimmed, Song Chi knew that the Cang Qiong had completed its advancement from a Spectral Shuttle to a Spectral Airship, and he quickly glanced over the airship’s attributes.
As expected, the attributes of the Cang Qiong had undergone significant changes.
Firstly, all 8 basic slots on the Torch Warships received a special boost, and any component, regardless of quality, mounted on these slots would have its effects increased by 20%.
This was an enhancement effect that all Torch Warships advancing to Spectral Airships would obtain. Not limited to Spectral Airships, with each subsequent advancement, this enhancement effect would further increase, which was the fundamental reason why Torch Warships of different ranks had such vast differences in combat power within Torch Human Civilization.
Imagine, although this enhancement effect was fixed, the mere 20% was already equivalent to adding an exclusive feature to all basic components that enhanced might.
And features, as one might not need to specify, were something that only blue top rank, or even purple level components could have. Just this point alone allows one to imagine the terrifying improvement in overall performance whenever a Torch Warship advanced a Great Rank.
Take the Particle Beam Cannon that had just been mounted not long ago, for example. Its might attribute at enhancement level 10 was originally 173, but now it would receive an additional 20% increase on this base, which would be 173 x 120% = 208 points.
The Dark Matter Energy Shield Generator was the same, but the two attributes it amplified were the defense value and shield value.
Defence: 880 x 120% = 1056
Shield Value: 16,280/16,280 x 120% = 19,536/19,536
All the general components in the other basic slots were likewise enhanced, and even the structural integrity of the Torch Warship itself was increased by 20%.
Beyond that, the number of special slots had increased from 6 to 10.
The importance of this point was extremely high, but since Song Chi did not have any additional special ship-borne components at the moment, the impact was not apparent yet.
After advancing the Cang Qiong, Song Chi took out the more than 200 strands of First Rank Floating Land Origin he had and continued enhancing the “Particle Beam Cannon” component.
To combat Void Demons with four-digit numbers, firepower had to be strong, so Song Chi used up all the First Rank Floating Land Origin he had. In the end, after spending 180 strands of First Rank Origin, he enhanced the Particle Beam Cannon to level 16.
Particle Beam Main Cannon lv16
Quality: Blue
Consumption: 46 per shot (Spectral Energy Points)
Feature: Main Cannon Might Increase 18%
Might: 389 x 120%
Charge: 3s; Buffer: 5s
UpRank Requirement: 51 strands of Floating Land Origin (First Rank), 5400 Spectral Energy Points.
After the Shipborne Main Cannon, he spent another batch of resources to enhance the Spectral Cannon to level 10.
Though the Main Cannon was powerful, both its charge and buffer times were not short. The Secondary Cannon was different, as it required no charge or long buffer time, allowing for continuous strafing. It also had a very low Spectral Energy Points consumption, and while its might was somewhat lacking, its suitability for this sort of group battle with numerous enemies was beyond doubt.
Spectral Cannon lv10
Quality: Colorless
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Consumption: 3/shot (Spectral Energy Points)
Might: 11×20%
No need for buffering and charging
UpRank Requirement: 2000 Spectral Energy Points
With the Spectral Cannon enhanced to lv10, this last-minute fortification finally came to an end. As for the Dark Matter Energy Shield Generator and the engine component, without a replacement, it’s not possible to further enhance them.
During the enhancement of the Cang Qiong, attacks against the Spectral Energy Protective Array did not diminish. Watching the protective light screen ripple, and then glancing at the array’s defense value, Song Chi knew he couldn’t delay any longer and had to counterattack soon.
The shield value that was close to 40,000 before enhancement had alarmingly dropped below 35,000.
In response, Song Chi’s thoughts turned, and the newly installed, yet-to-be-enhanced Brainwave Remote Control System was activated. He injected a brainwave beacon into his own body.
Indeed, he was not preparing to fight alongside the ship but rather to remotely control the Cang Qiong through brainwave remote control. He himself would stay within the Ruins Market, commanding ten Fire Peony Soldier Figurines to fight with civilian “Energy Pulse Guns.” This was the best way to utilize all available forces to the fullest extent.
Humming! The Cang Qiong’s engine activated, and amid a humming sound, it suddenly burst out of the Spectral Energy Protective Array, leaving a long trail of flame in its wake.
As soon as it burst out of the array, the relentless firing sound of the secondary cannon immediately began. For a moment, those Void Demons outside were somewhat baffled by the nearly twenty-meter-long steel airship stirring things up.
Though the secondary cannon’s might was weak, its high rate of fire made up for it. The cost of 3 Spectral Energy Points per shot was negligible in front of the lv19-enhanced Spectral Engine. As long as the engine didn’t overload, this terrifying barrage could continue indefinitely.
Add to that, although there were many Void Demons, the average rank was not high. Over ninety percent were Zero Rank, and there were only about a hundred First Rank Void Demons, with Second Rank ones yet to be spotted. Hence, the First Rank-enhanced Spectral Cannon was still capable of inflicting considerable damage.
Not surprisingly, the attention of the vast majority of the Void Demons was drawn to the Cang Qiong. They began to beat their pitch-black wings, rushing to chase after it.
This significantly alleviated the pressure on the Spectral Energy Protective Array. Attacks still occasionally struck the light screen, but the rate of shield value decrease had become manageable.
“Aim for those creatures outside the light screen above, fire!” Song Chi issued the attack command while standing at the edge of the protective light screen.
Soon, the Fire Peony Soldier Figurines began lifting their Energy Pulse Guns time and again, targeting the Void Demons above and commencing their attack. Inside the Spectral Energy Protective Array, the defenders could freely counterattack without affecting the protective light screen. The feature of this protective light screen was such that it allowed attacks outward but not inward.
The reason for not simply having the Cang Qiong stay inside the Ruins Market to attack was that it wasn’t just tasked with providing fire coverage but also needed to attract the attention of the majority of the Void Demons, preventing them from focusing their attacks on the Spectral Energy Formation. Otherwise, the protective light screen wouldn’t last long.
Whizzing! Streams of energy pulses were precisely hitting the Void Demons in the air. These batch of Fire Peony Soldier Figurines had been summoned for over a month, and Song Chi had already demonstrated to them how to use the Energy Pulse Guns. Although it was somewhat awkward for the puppets to use these thermal weapons, they could still manage to fire and shoot normally.
The civilian Energy Pulse Gun was an energy ray weapon developed by Torch Human Civilization, with an average might around the peak of Zero Rank.
Since they were originally intended for use by First Rank Fire Peony Soldier Figurines, Song Chi had specifically requested that they be modified for enhanced firepower at the Eagle Machinery shop. Now, the Energy Pulse Guns in their hands all possessed the usual First Rank might.
This was also a point that Song Chi was immensely grateful for at the moment.
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