# Chapter Two: Tit-for-Tat Although Xiao Yi and his companions fought with utter despair, the mercenaries, like a pack of ravenous and ravenous wolves, relied on their overwhelming numerical superiority and superior weaponry to unleash their relentless offensive. Across the turbulent sea, fierce exchanges of fire continued, the deafening roar of gunfire and the thick smoke of gunpowder stained the sky a murky gray. Each shell fired from the mercenary ships carried a destructive aura, exploding around Noah's Ark and stirring up massive waves several feet high. The Ark's shield, once a solid curtain of blue light, struggling to support the group's last hope, gradually became riddled with holes under this torrent of attacks. The shield's light dimmed, like a candle flame poised to go out at any moment. As the defensive team watched in despair, it finally snapped and shattered like glass, transforming into countless shimmering fragments that vanished into thin air. Then, like an enraged steel beast, a shell pierced the Ark's power system with a piercing scream. Instantly, the Ark shook violently like a battered beast. A dull explosion erupted, and flames shot up from the power system area, while thick smoke billowed into the air. The Ark's speed drastically slowed, and the ship, which had been moving steadily, began to spin helplessly on the sea, gradually losing its maneuverability and being driven by the waves. Seeing the Ark's heavy damage, the mercenaries cheered excitedly. Their eyes gleamed with greed, as if they had seen easy prey. The leader, a ferocious-looking leader with a black eyepatch, brandished his long sword and roared at the top of his lungs, "Charge! Take everything they have!" Under his command, the mercenaries launched an even more frantic attack. Their ships swiftly approached the Ark like hungry wolves. Rope ladders were lowered from the side of each vessel, and mercenaries swarmed like locusts, eagerly climbing up the ladders and attempting to force their way aboard for a bloody plunder. "We can't let them get on!" Xiao Yi's resolute and powerful voice resounded like a bell across the Ark. His eyes burned with rage and unyielding determination. Without hesitation, he led his melee fighters, charging towards the ship like an army of steel. Xiao Yi clutched his long sword tightly in his hand, its blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight, as if trembling with excitement for the coming battle. The melee fighters followed closely behind him, their faces brimming with fearless determination, their weapons, though crude, yet packed with power. As soon as the mercenaries stepped onto the deck of the Ark, a thrilling close combat erupted. For a moment, the flashes of swords and sabers crisscrossed, shouts of killing, and screams mingled, like a tragic war song. Xiao Yi, like a ferocious tiger, weaved freely among the enemy hordes. His figure was as nimble as a ghost, and the long sword in his hand transformed into a deadly light and shadow with his swing. Every powerful swing of the sword was accompanied by a splatter of blood, and the members of the mercenary group fell screaming at his blade. His eyes were firm and sharp, staring at each approaching enemy, as if to see through their souls. However, the number of mercenaries was too great, like an endless tide, surging forward wave after wave. Despite the bravery of Xiao Yi and his close combat team, the situation became increasingly unfavorable. The close combat team gradually suffered casualties in the fierce battle. Some of the team members were stabbed by enemy blades, their clothes stained red with blood, yet they gritted their teeth, brandishing their weapons in a final stand. Others, exhausted, were knocked to the ground by the enemy, and were instantly overwhelmed by the swarming enemy. Xiao Yi watched his companions fall one by one, his anger erupting like a volcano. He roared, swinging his long sword even more fiercely, each blow brimming with fury and power, trying to stop the enemy's onslaught. Elsewhere, the psychics on the Ark were doing their utmost to support the melee fighters. They used their powers to try to relieve the pressure on their companions. One psychic waved his hands, and a massive ice wall quickly rose up beside the ship, blocking some of the mercenaries attempting to board. Others, chanting incantations, summoned sharp stone spikes from the ground, piercing the enemies climbing the rope ladder and sending them plummeting into the sea. However, the mercenaries' special defensive devices remained effective, largely neutralizing the power of their superpowers and significantly reducing the effectiveness of their attacks. Members of the attack team, hiding in various corners of the Ark, fired at the mercenaries' ships with their crude weapons, attempting to disrupt the enemy's boarding and provide more support for the melee fighters. However, the mercenaries' ships were well-equipped and heavily fortified, and the attack team's fire only inflicted minor injuries, posing no real threat. Even with their shields shattered, the defense team members didn't give up. They quickly grabbed whatever weapons they could and joined the fray. Although they normally handled defense, they now fought with unwavering resolve, desperately fighting the enemy. They used their bodies to attempt to build the Ark's final line of defense. In the fierce battle, Xiao Yi felt his strength draining, his arms growing heavy from wielding his long sword. But he knew he couldn't fall. If he did, everyone on the Ark would face calamity. He gritted his teeth, swallowing his exhaustion as he continued to fight. Just then, a mercenary took advantage of Xiao Yi's unpreparedness, sneaked up from behind, raised his axe, and struck him in the back. Xiao Yi, acutely aware of the danger behind him, dodged to the side in the nick of time, allowing the axe to grazed him and strike the deck. Xiao Yi spun, his long sword slashing out like lightning, piercing the enemy's chest. However, even as he dispatched the enemy, several more surrounded him. Xiao Yi looked around, observing the eager enemies around him, but he showed no fear. He took a deep breath, centered himself, and braced himself for the onslaught. At this critical moment, a melee fighter, seeing Xiao Yi in danger, rushed forward without hesitation, brandishing his short sword and blocking several of the enemy's attacks. Xiao Yi glanced at him gratefully, then joined him in battle. The two of them weaved through the enemy horde, temporarily preventing them from reaching them. However, the mercenary group's offensive was too fierce, and more and more enemies boarded the Ark. The battle on the Ark reached a fever pitch, and the situation grew increasingly critical. Xiao Yi knew that if this continued, the Ark would sooner or later be captured. As he fought, he rapidly pondered a countermeasure. Suddenly, he spotted some flammable and explosive materials piled on the Ark. A bold and risky idea emerged. He shouted, "Psychics, follow my command! Wait for my signal and use your powers to detonate those flammable and explosive materials! Attack team, concentrate your firepower to cover us! Melee team, follow me towards those materials!" Everyone heard Xiao Yi's command. Although they didn't understand his intentions, they all trusted him and quickly followed his instructions. Xiao Yi led the melee team, fighting the enemy while struggling to move towards the flammable and explosive materials. The attack team concentrated their firepower, firing heavily at the enemy and providing cover. The psychics readied their abilities, awaiting Xiao Yi's signal. With their combined efforts, Xiao Yi and the melee team finally reached the objects. Xiao Yi seized the opportunity and shouted, "Detonate!" The psychics immediately unleashed their powers, sending powerful streams of energy towards the flammable and explosive items. Instantly, a deafening roar erupted, and a raging fire erupted on the Ark. The massive blast sent the surrounding enemies flying. The mercenaries were stunned by the sudden detonation, having not expected the Ark's inhabitants to take such a bold action. Seizing the moment of confusion, Xiao Yi shouted, "Fight back! Drive the enemy off the ship!" The Ark's morale soared, and they launched a final counterattack. With their concerted efforts, the mercenaries finally gave way and began to retreat towards their ships. They hurriedly climbed down the rope ladder and fled the ark, fleeing the terrible battlefield in disarray. Watching the enemy retreat, the people on the ark cheered in triumph. Although the battle had cost them a heavy price, they had successfully defended their homeland.Xiao Yi looked at his exhausted but smiling companions, feeling a mixture of emotions in his heart. He knew that this was just one of the many crises they had encountered during their wandering, and that there would be more difficulties and challenges waiting for them in the future. But he firmly believed that as long as everyone was united, there would be no difficulties that could not be overcome. "We can't let our guard down. Although we repelled the enemy this time, they will definitely come again. We must repair the Ark as soon as possible, improve our strength, and prepare to meet the next challenge!" Xiao Yi said loudly. Everyone nodded, and then began to devote themselves to the post-war cleanup and reconstruction work. On this vast sea, although Noah's Ark was scarred, it still floated firmly, carrying the hopes of everyone and continuing to embark on an unknown journey.
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