Read Chapter 7123 of the novelCharismatic Charlie Wade free online.
Chapter 7123
As soon as the departure window opened,
The waiting ships weighed anchor, lined up,
And sailed out of the dock, embarking on their journey to Antarctica.
Although these research vessels were all heading to Antarctica, their routes differed.
Most went to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands,
With very few venturing to the harsher Antarctic continent.
Therefore, after sailing only a few dozen nautical miles,
The ships’ directions changed, and their tracks scattered.
The Iliad research vessel’s first stop was Antarctica.
Upon arrival, they would bring back the staff from that research station,
Then proceed to other research stations on the islands,
Eventually, evacuating all staff back to Ushuaia.
From there, the staff would fly back to Northern Europe,
The research vessel would take nearly a month to return to its home port.
On the second day of their voyage, the research vessel entered the Drake Passage.
The infamous Roaring Forties lived up to their name.
Winds here were generally between force 8 and 10,
And the waves were at least five meters high.
The ship, navigating this strait, appeared as tiny as a small boat in a storm.
Due to the harsh weather and the research vessel’s slow speed,
It wasn’t until the third day that they had left the Drake Passage,
And the waves outside were growing increasingly larger.
While Charlie, Jeremiah, and Ria were single-mindedly practicing the Great Sun Tathagata Hand Seal,
Maria, in her room, used her delicate body to resist the ship’s violent heaving and rocking.
At the same time, her dark eyes were fixed on the deep, almost black, seawater outside the window,
And the waves towering above the cabin,
Her fists clenched tightly in tension.
In her more than three hundred years of life,
Maria had never been to Antarctica.
She harbored boundless anticipation for Antarctica,
Yet dared not forget her reverence for nature.
Seeing the ocean, even higher than the ship, crashing against the portholes with tremendous force, causing the entire vessel to tremble,
She couldn’t help but feel a surge of cold tension seize her heart, anxiety tightening her chest with every crash of the waves.
Charlie, feeling the ship’s violent heaving, opened his eyes and immediately searched for Maria.
Seeing her gripping a small table fixed to the floor,
Her body barely manages to withstand the raging waves,
He immediately stepped forward, took her hand, and asked,
“Miss Lin, how are you feeling?”
“Are you seasick?”
Maria, caught off guard and feeling her face flush, said somewhat shyly, her voice barely above a whisper,
“Thank you for your concern, young master.”
“I’m not seasick, just a little nervous.”
“Although I’ve sailed on many transoceanic ships,”
“I’ve never seen such storms before…”
Maria had traveled extensively between Europe, America, Japan, and Southeast Asia in recent times,
Naturally crossing oceans by ship,
But almost none of the seas she had sailed had the extreme climate of the Roaring Forties.
Let alone sailing ships or steam-powered iron ships of that era,
Even most modern vessels do not meet the requirements for traversing the Roaring Forties.
Only special vessels capable of withstanding winds and waves of force 10 or higher and possessing polar vessel certificates are permitted to pass through.
Moreover, they must adhere to regulations and can only cross at a time deemed appropriate by the maritime authorities.
Otherwise, they risk capsizing.
Charlie channeled some spiritual energy into her meridians through her pulse points, saying,
“Spiritual energy can help enhance your physical strength.”
“Which will help you cope with the wind and waves.”
“Once we pass the Drake Passage and approach the Antarctic continent,”
“The seas will be calm.”
Maria felt a surge of power within her body,
Her balance and core strength against the wind and waves significantly improved,
And she instantly felt much less uncomfortable than before.
Grateful, she nodded and softly said,
“Young Master, please enter meditation and cultivate.”
“Don’t worry about me.”