I Don't Agree to the Terms

"Is this where Wang Qi's secret to power is hidden?" Cai Jian's eyes greedily fixated on the massive mountain range floating above the nearby sea.

"It can't be possible, right? If it were so, why wouldn't Wang Qi station someone here to guard it? Instead, he has pulled everyone back," said the first mate, remaining calm. It's likely just a rumor.

Their Dark Demon Pirate Group was also regarded as one of the higher-tiered powers among the many pirate forces, even if their own captain was a bit of an overreacher who acted as though he was the best of the best.

Fortunately, Cai Jian himself was extraordinarily skilled. Known as the Dark Demon among pirates, he used the Spirit Martial Dark Poison Dagger in combination with stealth techniques to ambush and kill many from the Navy, which was why he became the captain.

As for the idea of ambushing being despicable and underhanded, that was something only enemies would criticize, and once they were done criticizing, there would be nothing left. After all, why would you fight a brutal Pirate Group to the death for no reason unless there was a conflict of interest or a grudge?

"Whether it's true or not, we'll find out once we go in," Cai Jian concealed the greed in his eyes. He craved treasure, of course, but that didn't mean he would let it show.

The first mate grew concerned. They weren't the only ones from the Dark Demon Pirate Group there; many other powerful Pirate Groups had followed them.

Clearly, they had also heard the rumor and came to join in the excitement.

If the Navy were to surround them now, not to say they could be completely captured, but it would certainly cause heavy losses among these Pirate Groups.

Yet, the allure of rising power and the strength to defeat anyone in the world, like Wang Qi of the Island Alliance, made these Pirate Groups dive headfirst into the fray without hesitation.

What if it's real? If they could control it, wouldn't that mean another Island Alliance?

And if it were fake, it didn't matter either. Even if the Navy came to hunt them down, it wouldn't be a problem; there were other Pirate Groups around to take the front line.

Everyone was hoping to be the luckiest one, otherwise how could they dare to embarking on such an adventure here.

"Dark Demon, you dare to crawl out of your gutter in broad daylight, aren't you afraid of getting stomped to death?" A domineering voice came, followed by a burst of laughter.

Cai Jian turned around, his face darkening as he saw who had spoken: a hulking man who resembled a bear.

He certainly recognized him—the captain of the Barbaric Bull Pirate Group, known as Zhang Tie, wielding the Barbaric Bull Armor. His approach to combat was different from Cai Jian's stealthy assassinations; he was a brute who fought fiercely and openly, augmented by the defensive capabilities of his Spirit Martial ability, making him difficult for Cai Jian to ambush.

Moreover, despite his brutish way of combat, Zhang Tie was also devious, preferring ambushes and deceit over straightforward battles; he'd use poison or any other indirect method rather than facing death.

"Heh, you old bull, all you do is talk big, slugging back milk and munching on grass," Cai Jian sneered back, implying that Zhang Tie was being fed grass like an animal.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tie's face darkened too. Cai Jian was too malicious, insulting him by hitting below the belt. He was about to retort when he saw an even larger black ship approaching from behind.

"Black Divine Dragon, damn it, why is he here too?" Zhang Tie cursed and promptly abandoned his quarrel with Cai Jian, shouting, "Move! Make way!"

Cai Jian's expression turned sour as he ordered his crew to make way for the Black Divine Dragon Pirates.

The Black Divine Dragon, Evil Angel, and Shark Eater Pirate Groups stood above all other pirate forces, formidable in their own right. It was said that these three Pirate Groups once conspired to encircle Wang Qi, the Great Commander of the Island Alliance, but astonishingly, one-third of their forces managed to escape from Wang Qi's clutches, a testament to their terrifying might.

Thus, unless the Great Commander himself took action, these three Pirate Groups were untouchable even to the Navy.

Nevertheless, these three groups didn't dare to provoke the Navy either, lest the Great Commander descended from the heavens to crush them one by one.

"The Black Divine Dragon is here; the Evil Angel and Shark Eater must be close behind," Cai Jian murmured after stepping aside, eyeing the immense black ship as it passed alongside his vessel, a tinge of greed flashing in his gaze.

In comparison to the Black Divine Dragon's ship, his own could truly be described as quaint and delicate.

Had he not moved aside in time, a collision would have undoubtedly turned his ship into countless fragments.

As one of the top three Pirate Groups, both the strength of its captain, Black Divine Dragon, and the quality of their ship were far beyond what Cai Jian could compare to.

"I really don't like that look in your eyes."

Abruptly, a voice came through, sending chills down Cai Jian's spine.

Looking up, he recognized a young man—one of the rising stars of the Black Divine Dragon Pirates.

The scent of death washed over him, causing Cai Jian to involuntarily weaken at the knees.

"Don't cause trouble; our target is the secret treasure of the Island Alliance's rise to power, not wasting time here."

Another ethereal voice arrived, instantly relieving the pressure on Cai Jian.

"Hmph, consider yourself lucky," said the young man as the voice fell, and the Black Divine Dragon's ship had already passed by the Dark Demon's.

Cai Jian was drenched in sweat, his face a mix of fear and ever-surging greed.

"Such powerful Pirate Groups... yet none can defeat Wang Qi, the Great Commander..." Cai Jian's fear came from feeling as insignificant as an ant, and his greed stemmed from the thought that if he were to obtain the Island Alliance's secret treasure, he too could reach the heavens and not just a young boy who could scare him with a few words.