The Star Train's Journey Through the Heavens

Chapter 193 Himeko's Nearly Sinking Ship

Because of her clothing, Xing was asked by the Marines several times.

Xing is so clever; he instantly figured out what was going on, babbled a few words, and managed to get away with it.

Of course, the most important issue is the lack of distinctive, iconic weapons.

After resting overnight on land, the train set sail again early the next morning.

The Marines naturally couldn't find the three-man patrol team, and they didn't find much information about the Dan Star Dome Train either.

More than ten days later, Momousagi, having waited in vain, had no choice but to leave the East Blue.

He simply instructed Colonel Kara to continue searching and to notify her once she found the person.

"Wow! What a high red earth continent! It must be thousands or even tens of thousands of meters high!"

Looking at the towering cliffs that seemed to reach into the clouds from afar, March 7th exclaimed in surprise.

“I remember seeing this scene from space. This continent encircles the planet. If it’s all this high, I suspect that most of the planet’s landmass is concentrated here,” Dan Heng said.

“It’s not impossible for a mountain range to naturally form around the equator, but naturally formed mountain ranges usually have a gradual trend. However, the Red Earth Continent is extremely steep as a whole, which doesn’t seem to be naturally formed. It’s very likely that it was created by humans,” Himeko said.

"Is it because all the other landmasses were emptied that the ocean covers more than 90 percent of this world?" Xing asked.

"Then why build such a high red earth continent? What's the point? Won't it reduce the number of people it can support?" March 7th asked, puzzled.

"To cope with the possible rise in sea level?" Meng Huaifeng casually offered a guess from his own world.

"If we raise it this high, how high will the sea level rise? Where will all this seawater come from?" March 7th complained.

"Who knows?" Meng Huaifeng shrugged.

“We can definitely get across such a steep continent, but how did the others get across?” March 7th asked again.

"Are you a curious child? I told you to read more books but you wouldn't listen. Further ahead there is a place called Upside-Down Mountain, the crossroads of the four seas, where you can reach the Grand Line," Meng Huaifeng said.

“Who says I don’t read books? I love reading!” March 7th retorted.

"You prefer reading comic books and storybooks, right? Read something more useful," Meng Huaifeng exposed.

Himeko checked the nautical chart and adjusted the course.

The saying goes, "Looking at a mountain makes a horse run itself to death," but the red soil continent, tens of thousands of meters high, could be seen from afar.

However, without activating the energy furnace, it still took more than a night to reach Upside Down Mountain.

Early in the morning, March 7th stretched and walked out of the cabin.

Meng Huaifeng peeled an orange and put it into March 7's mouth.

I bought too many oranges out of kindness. Although they won't spoil in the space, I can't leave them there forever.

So now everyone has added oranges to their breakfast every morning, or rather, to all three meals a day.

Everyone looked towards the Inverted Mountain not far away, where a wide and steep waterway had appeared on the Red Earth Continent.

It's perfectly normal for large amounts of seawater to rush down.

But the seawater here flows upwards, and not only upwards, the current is extremely strong, reaching straight to the sky!
The waterway is lined with reefs, and from a distance, countless wrecked ships can be seen, their broken sails appearing and disappearing in the waves.

It looks like a forest of shipwreck tombstones!

Even though he already knew about the existence of the rising waterway, seeing this scene with his own eyes still shocked Meng Huaifeng immensely.

No amount of talking can compare to seeing it for yourself.

"Wow, what a stunning scene."

On March 7th, I snapped photos.

"It's common knowledge that water flows downhill, so what's going on here?" Zhu Zhuqing asked in shock.

"Could it be that gravity is reversed here?" Su Xiaoli showed off her limited knowledge of physics.

“If it were gravity, those wrecked ships should have fallen to the top, instead of getting stuck on the reef,” Meng Huaifeng said.

"I have detected an extremely powerful ocean current on the seabed," Dan Heng said, sensing the ocean.

"Was it that ocean current that pushed the seawater up?" Xing asked.

"How strong must the ocean current be to travel that far and so high?" March 7th interjected.

“The upwelling channel is indeed caused by ocean currents, but this strong and continuous current is very abnormal,” Dan Heng said, frowning.

It's normal for an ocean current to occasionally surge to this strength; for example, the surging current beneath Sky Island can reach heights of up to 10,000 meters.

But that only happens occasionally, once every few years. It's very strange that it's happening continuously like this.

"The navigation books of this world say that the other three seas also have an ascent channel, making a total of four, while only the Red Earth Continent and the two doldrums have a descent channel."

"Don't you guys feel like this is similar to a planetary-level cooling system?" Himeko guessed.

"It really does look a bit like it," Meng Huaifeng said, stroking his chin.

"If it really is a cooling circulation system, then what would be the core and purpose of this system?" Yan asked.

“That requires in-depth research and investigation. But when we explore the world, we don’t mean we have to uncover every secret of it, do we?” Himeko said with a smile.

The exploration, understanding, establishment, and connection focus more on the human element; the geographical environment is sufficient to bear witness.

Like Belloberg, the train crew didn't delve into how the rift formed.

Of course, if someone is truly interested in researching it, no one will stop or object to it.

“If you’re really curious, you can use the Eye of Insight,” Meng Huaifeng teased Yan.

Once the Eye of Insight is activated, most of the secrets of a planet can be understood.

But exploration is not just about visiting a place or knowing everything about it; it also requires hands-on experience.

Otherwise, the company's cattle and horses traveling to various planets, and the scholars and historians in the universe, would have long since become pioneers.

Yan rolled her eyes. Why don't you use the Heavenly Questioning Technique?

"Everyone, pack your things. We're about to enter the ascent channel. It's steep and rapid, so be careful not to drop anything," Himeko reminded them.

Himeko doesn't intend to use supernatural powers, but rather to experience how ordinary people in this world navigate the Reverse Mountain.

"Huh?" March 7th exclaimed in surprise, hurriedly put away the camera, and returned to the bedroom.

Her room was filled with all sorts of dolls, trinkets, and decorations.

The others also went back to pack their things.

Only Meng Huaifeng and Dan Heng remained unmoved, as did Xing.

LOL, a bed and blankets are enough for a bedroom, do you need anything else?

These things are not afraid of being dropped at all.

"With so many shipwrecks here, do you think there might be a lot of treasures on the seabed?" Xing's Taobao-like instincts kicked in again.

“Definitely!” Meng Huaifeng exclaimed, slapping his thigh.

"Let's go into the sea and fish for treasure," Xing said.

"Based on the direction of the ocean currents, most of the shipwrecks will be washed up to the mountaintop, and some will get stuck in the waterways. Only a small portion will sink here, probably in that area," Dan Heng gave directions.

"Puff! Puff!"

Two splashes of water were heard, and the three of them jumped into the water.

As for why there were two sounds, Danheng's entry into the water was elegant and smooth, without stirring up a single ripple. Perfect score!

Most of the shipwrecks were smashed to pieces by the powerful ocean currents, and treasures were scattered everywhere.

Moreover, whether it's Pele, weapons, or anything else, most of them have been soaked and are now worthless.

Occasionally, we found a locked treasure chest, which was already flooded.

"There's nothing good here," Meng Huaifeng remarked.

"Most of the ships that fall into this area sank shortly after entering the ascent channel, so they must be relatively weak, which is normal, as they don't have many good items." Dan Heng had expected this.

“Who said there isn’t any?” Xing retorted, clutching a large handful of gold.

In her space, there were also more than a dozen well-sealed treasure chests that had not been flooded.

Meng Huaifeng and Dan Heng, who also had little to show for their efforts, both looked stiff.

Meng Huaifeng was green with envy. They were both treasure hunting, so why did she have such a big harvest?

Is this why Xing loves rummaging through trash cans?

If I had that luck, I'd be willing too!
"If you can't find good ingredients, practice more. If you can't find good ingredients, think about whether you've tried hard enough to search and whether your will to explore is strong enough. Don't blame the external environment." Xing looked at the two of them with disdain.

Can this be tolerated?
"Do you dare to compare whose treasure is more valuable?" Meng Huaifeng sneered.

The Art of Heavenly Inquiry, Begin!

"Based on my understanding, tell me, phone, where is the most valuable treasure in this shipwreck?"

"The Devil Fruit has been taken by Xing." The phone immediately received a message.

"..."

"Alright! The loser..." Xing Dou was full of fighting spirit.

"Never mind what I said!" Meng Huaifeng quickly interrupted.

"No, please, let's have a competition. At worst, you two can combine the costs," Xing hurriedly tried to persuade her to stay.

"Phone, tell me, where is the second most valuable treasure?" Meng Huaifeng asked in his heart.

"Fifty pounds of gold, in Xing's arms," ​​the phone replied.

“No!” Meng Huaifeng shook his head firmly: “You’ve already found so many things.”

“The ones we found before don’t count!” Xing shouted.

Meng Huaifeng and Dan Heng exchanged a glance.

We've done it!

“Whoever loses has to clean the deck for three days. You can’t cheat using the Heavenly Questioning Technique,” ​​Xing added.

Meng Huaifeng's heart pounded. Without using the Heavenly Questioning Technique, even if he and Dan Heng joined forces, could they really defeat this King of the Trash Can?

"Alright!" Meng Huaifeng replied. It was just cleaning the deck for three days. What was there to be afraid of? We must strike a blow against Xing's arrogance!

The surrounding seawater was gently flowing, and Dan Heng sensed the movement of the water to analyze where there might be treasure chests that hadn't been exposed to water.

The women and Dawn, having packed their belongings, returned to the deck aboard the Justice.

"Where are they?" March 7th asked.

Himeko looked at the sea not far away and said helplessly, "Let's wait. They're searching for treasure. Anyone interested can come along."

Three hours later, the three finished their treasure hunt and returned to the ship.

The three searched only a small part of the vast area where the shipwreck was located.

Surrounded by onlookers, the three began their unboxing journey.

Pele, jewelry, gold, antiques...

Even after removing what Xing initially found, Meng Huaifeng and Dan Heng, working together, still couldn't defeat Xing, the king of trash cans.

There are two Devil Fruits, but unfortunately one of them got into the sea. It must have been soaked in the seawater for too long and rotted. It is estimated that it was reborn in another place.

Without needing a Devil Fruit encyclopedia, Meng Huaifeng directly read the Devil Fruit information and obtained the details of this particular Devil Fruit.

It is a Paramecia-type Glass Fruit, which can be used to create various kinds of glass.

From the perspective of this world, this fruit can be said to have no future whatsoever.

Well, it's not of much use to the train crew either.

Himeko was delighted, as she could now study the principles behind Paramecia-type Devil Fruits.

The Justice Ship begins to enter the ascending channel.

A powerful ocean current carried the Skyfall Justice rapidly toward the mountaintop.

The boat began to rock violently and pitch backward, which was incredibly exciting, and everyone held on tightly to the surrounding fixed objects.

"Raise all sails to slow down, turn hard to starboard, and avoid the reefs," Himeko commanded.

As dawn broke and Red Bloom raised the sails, the strong winds caused the ship to slow down drastically.

Xing spun the rudder rapidly, but it was already fully turned and stuck. Xing lost control and twisted the rudder off.

"Very good, now back on track." Himeko stood at the bow, observing the course, and nodded in satisfaction.

Xing scratched his head blankly, holding the ship's rudder.

"Get back on track, we're going to crash!" Himeko urged.

Xing threw down the rudder and grabbed the wooden handle, forcibly spinning it back.

This requires countless times more effort than normal.

"Ouch!"

The discarded rudder hit March 7 on the head. March 7 cried out in surprise and grabbed the rudder.

March 7th glared at the stars with a huff.

Without a rudder, Xing had no idea how far it had turned; it either turned too far or the angle was too short.

The ship wobbled and occasionally brushed against the reef. If Dan Heng hadn't controlled the current at the crucial moment, the Tianjiang Justice would probably have run aground.

Himeko found it completely unacceptable that the ship almost ran aground under her guidance!

"Ah Xing, how are you steering? Replace him!" Himeko turned her head and was instantly stunned.

"Hehe." Xing forced a smile, a mix of embarrassment and awkwardness on her face.

Meng Huaifeng took the helm from March 7 and pushed Xing aside.

"I come."

The rudder was placed on the steering column, and the EtherEdit tool instantly repaired the ship.

Himeko was relieved and pointed out the direction again.

Star, holding his captain's hat, reluctantly gave up his place, and March 7th instantly rushed over and delivered an elbow strike.

They actually hit me with the ship's rudder! Take this!
Xing grabbed a rope and leaped away, quickly dodging the attack. In the air, Xing plummeted into the sky and became a kite.

Under Himeko's guidance, Meng Huaifeng executed the plan perfectly, and the Skyfall Justice successfully climbed to the top of the mountain.

(End of this chapter)