The world fell silent as Cai Ji was instantly slain with a single slash.
"He's really dead..."
"But he was a top-tier Chosen One."
"Very few elite Chosen Ones have died so far. Is he the first?"
"People keep provoking Ye Yu, but no top-tier Chosen One has fallen before. Some have died by his hands, but this is truly the first time a top-tier one has been killed."
"Earlier, when four pirate crews teamed up against him, they survived only because they had twenty or more members working together. But Ye Yu, with his eighteen billion bounty and overwhelming strength, is fully capable of this."
...
At this moment, many powerful pirate crews felt relieved they hadn't chosen to fight—otherwise, they would have met the same fate.
That single slash not only killed Cai Ji but also unleashed a shockwave of Conqueror's Haki, wiping out many members of the Magnetic King Pirates.
The vice-captain was severely injured. With Cai Ji dead, the choice fell to him. As Ye Yu prepared to strike again, he weakly gasped:
"We surrender."
In the next instant, their pirate crew was teleported away.
The vice-captain stared at Cai Ji's lifeless body, his face pale with helplessness. Ye Yu was simply too strong.
It all felt surreal, like a nightmare.
"The captain was fine just moments ago... Now, he's gone."
"It doesn't feel real."
"A single slash shattered the laser cannon and killed the captain instantly. Is this the terror of Ye Yu?"
"The gap in bounty money is real. How can one hundred million compare to eighteen billion?"
...
Meanwhile, Jin Mo and the others frowned, their resolve hardening—Ye Yu had to be eliminated.
Just then, an announcement echoed:
"The Magnetic King Pirates have surrendered and forfeited their battle against the Sun Pirates. Therefore, the Sun Pirates claim third place. Now, only two crews remain—the King Pirates and the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew—who will compete for the title of the strongest pirate crew and the name 'One King.' The battle will commence in half a day. Prepare accordingly. Additionally, there will be a one-minute trash-talking segment."
The break allowed both sides to recover to peak condition.
Though the two crews were in separate spaces, their live feeds were broadcast simultaneously.
Jin Mo spoke coldly: "Ye Yu, I hope you won't surrender. That wouldn't be like you."
They seized the chance to provoke him, fearing he might back down. After all, their combined forces were formidable.
Ye Yu responded icily: "Since this is the trash-talking segment, then this time..."
He paused, his gaze freezing over.
"Last time, I killed some of your strong combat crew and executives. But this time, I'll take at least six captains. Don't you dare surrender. For an alliance like yours to back down would be utterly shameful."
His words sent shockwaves across the world.
Everyone watching the broadcast was stunned.
Hearing this, Jin Mo and the others froze—then laughed.
"Hah, what a joke."
"Not executives, but captains? You plan to kill six elite Chosen Ones?"
"You killed Cai Ji, and yes, he was strong. But taking six of us? That's absurd. In a one-on-one fight, none of us stand a chance against you—the gap is huge. But with our combined forces, you won't succeed."
Ye Yu said nothing more. The trash-talk segment ended, and the screens went dark.
At this moment, the top ten Pirate Crews had not ventured out, each remaining in their separate spaces. Yet, they could move freely between them.
However, no Pirate Crews interacted with one another—there was no point, as simply visiting wouldn't grant them membership.
Each space was beautifully designed, with seas and villas.
Ye Yu was meditating in a room when Liu Huangyi arrived.
Surprised, Ye Yu asked, "What brings you here?"
"What, am I not welcome?"
"Of course you are."
Liu Huangyi spoke candidly, "After half a day of waiting, while you rest, I'd like to delight your senses."
"Oh?"
"After all, you're the only man who's left an impression on me. I'm willing to dance for you."
With that, under the tranquil moonlight of the evening, Liu Huangyi stood gracefully. The sea breeze whispered around them, rustling the palm leaves as if murmuring in anticipation of the dance about to unfold.
Ye Yu stood nearby, his gaze riveted on Liu Huangyi. She wore a gown as thin as cicada wings, its silk sash fluttering at her waist, accentuating her slender figure. Her eyes, deep as shadowed pools, shimmered with allure, and when they met Ye Yu's, the intensity of her gaze seemed to melt him.
Liu Huangyi lifted her arms lightly, her toes barely touching the ground as she began to dance. Her movements were as airy as a sprite in the night sky, every lift of her hand, every turn of her body, exuding unparalleled grace. Her arms stretched softly, like sinuous water snakes, tracing elegant arcs in the air. Moonlight bathed her skin in a faint silver glow, making her seem like an ethereal fairy from a dream.
Her steps alternated between light leaps and slow spins. When she leaped, it was as if she might soar into the heavens and merge with the radiant moon; when she twirled, her gown billowed around her, creating dazzling patterns of light and shadow that enveloped her like a dream. Her waist swayed like willow branches in the wind, supple yet powerful, each twist radiating irresistible allure.
Liu Huangyi's expressions shifted with her dance. At times, her eyes closed slightly, lost in her own world, her face suffused with rapture; at others, she opened them, her scorching gaze locking onto Ye Yu, the seduction in her eyes surging like a flood. Her lips parted slightly, releasing a soft, melodious hum that intertwined with her movements, striking deep into Ye Yu's heart like celestial music.
As the dance progressed, Liu Huangyi's movements grew bolder. She spun and leaped swiftly, her gown fluttering wildly in the wind, nearly slipping from her body. Every motion brimmed with tension, as though she sought to pour all her emotions into the dance. Ye Yu watched, spellbound, his heartbeat racing in time with her steps, his breath growing ragged. His eyes clung to her form, unwilling to look away for even a moment, as if she were the only light in his life.
Gradually, Liu Huangyi drew closer to Ye Yu, her dance becoming more intimate. She circled him, her fingers occasionally brushing his cheek, her hair grazing his neck, sending shivers down his spine. Her eyes brimmed with temptation, as if determined to intoxicate him completely. Ye Yu felt his body grow feverish, his heart overwhelmed by a fierce longing—for Liu Huangyi.
Finally, the dance came to an end. Liu Huangyi gradually stopped her steps, standing before Ye Yu. Her cheeks were flushed from the intense movements, and her eyes still burned with a fiery passion. Gazing at Ye Yu, she softly said, "This dance was only for you." She then added, "I also used my ability just now, yet you remained unaffected. That makes me admire you even more."
"It seems this was your main purpose—to see if I had changed."
"You haven't. Good."
With those words, Liu Huangyi left.
The primary goal of the dance was to bring Ye Yu some joy, knowing he didn't actually need rest—he was already at his peak.
Another key reason was to see if Ye Yu remained unchanged. With her own level now higher, she had grown more confident in her abilities, believing she might finally influence him. If she had succeeded, she might have felt a twinge of disappointment. But since she hadn't, her admiration for Ye Yu only deepened, and she silently prayed for him.
"I hope you can overcome this crisis and create another miracle."
The moment this thought crossed her mind, she froze, shaking her head in disbelief.
"I never imagined I'd ever think like this. This was something I never considered before."
In the past, she believed she would never fall in love or that anyone could stir such emotions in her. But now, that certainty was wavering—perhaps things weren't so absolute after all.
...
Meanwhile, out at sea, a pirate ship cut through the waves. At its prow, the crew's flag fluttered in the wind, bearing the fierce image of a snarling sea monster. On deck, pirates bustled about their duties, their laughter echoing across the water.
"Captain, something's off about the waters ahead!" the lookout suddenly shouted. Hearing this, the Captain hurried to the bow, shielding his eyes as he peered into the distance. Beneath the calm surface, an eerie black glow flickered ominously.
"It's an underwater secret realm!" the Captain exclaimed excitedly. "Men, our luck has turned!"
At his words, the crew gathered around, their eyes alight with anticipation. Their pirate crew had already made a name for itself in these waters, ranked 108th on the Pirate Crew List, earning them experience rewards that had propelled their Captain to level 40. They had long yearned to encounter a secret realm, hoping to claim powerful treasures or abilities. Though they knew little about this Black Mystic Realm—there were simply too many varieties—they were eager to take the chance.
Just as the crew prepared to approach the realm, a colossal white-furred sea lion emerged from the depths. Its mountainous frame and blood-red eyes radiated a terrifying aura.
"Damn it, it's the Secret Realm Guardian Sea Beast!" a crewman cried in panic.
Gritting his teeth, the Captain tightened his grip on his weapon and roared, "What's there to fear? Charge together, and once we defeat it, the realm is ours!"
The pirates surged forward, unleashing a barrage of attacks. But the sea lion's strength far surpassed their expectations. With a mere swipe of its massive forelimbs, it effortlessly dispersed their assaults with towering waves. Then, in a sudden pounce, its razor-sharp fangs tore through several pirates. In mere moments, the entire crew was slaughtered, leaving only scattered remains floating on the water—a grim testament to the brutal battle that had just taken place.
The news quickly spread among the pirates. Everyone learned that this wasn't the kind of publicly accessible Mystic Realm open to all, but rather a random opportunity-type realm filled with unpredictability.
For a time, the pirates felt both excitement and relief. They were excited because such Mystic Realms often concealed tremendous treasures and opportunities, and relieved because powerful Pirate Crews like the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew, the King's Alliance, and other top-ranked crews hadn't emerged yet.
"We still have a chance before they show up!" declared one Pirate Crew's Captain with burning ambition.
Thus, numerous Pirate Crews set sail toward that stretch of sea. But soon, those waters turned into a living hell. One after another, Pirate Ships approached, only to be mercilessly destroyed by the guardian Sea Beasts. The sea surface became littered with severed limbs, blood staining the water a dark crimson—a ghastly sight that sent chills down the spine.
Not long after, a powerful Pirate Crew appeared in these waters. Their Captain was an Eight-Headed Serpent Fruit Ability User. Gazing at the sea lion in the water, the Captain curled his lips into a cold smirk. "You think you can stop me? Let's see what secrets this Mystic Realm holds. The Black Mystic Realm may be terrifying, but with my current level of improvement, perhaps it's not so hopeless after all."
With a furious roar, the Captain transformed into the Eight-Headed Serpent. Eight massive serpentine bodies writhed, their gaping maws revealing razor-sharp fangs, exuding suffocating pressure. Sensing the threat, the sea lion roared back and charged at the serpent.
The two instantly clashed in fierce combat. The Eight-Headed Serpent attacked with ruthless speed, its coils constricting and fangs tearing, while the sea lion relied on brute strength and defense to block each assault. The sea erupted in sprays of water, the deafening booms of battle echoing across the waves. After an intense struggle, the serpent gradually gained the upper hand, leaving the sea lion riddled with wounds, its blood staining the surrounding waters.
Yet just as the Eight-Headed Serpent thought victory was within reach, night quietly fell. A full moon hung high in the sky, its silver light spilling over the sea. Bathed in moonlight, the sea lion suddenly grew several times larger, its already crimson eyes turning even more savage. Its power surged at a terrifying rate, and the serpent began to falter, its injuries mounting.
"Retreat!" the Captain barked, recognizing the dire situation. The Pirate Crew beat a hasty retreat, leaving behind nothing but bitter frustration.
As the waters settled into brief calm, a familiar Pirate Ship slowly sailed into view. At its prow stood Lu Fei, his straw hat casting a shadow over his ever-bright grin.
Surveying the bloody scene and the sea lion below, Lu Fei's eyes sparkled with excitement. "What a fun-looking guy! Let me have a go at you!"
Without hesitation, Lu Fei activated Fourth Gear. His body swelled, muscles taut with power as overwhelming Haki radiated from him. The sea lion, sensing his strength, answered with a defiant roar. The battle erupted instantly—Lu Fei's attacks rained down like a storm, while the sea lion countered with its massive bulk, retaliating between defenses.
The battle reached its climax as the night deepened, and the sea lion grew increasingly powerful. Seeing this, Lu Fei transformed once more, entering his Fourth Gear Snake-Man Form. His speed and strength surged again, each attack carrying even greater force. Though the sea lion resisted stubbornly, under Lu Fei's relentless assault, it gradually weakened.
"Rubber Black Mamba!"
Countless slender, dark crimson arms shot out, fists raining down densely upon the sea lion. Then, leaping high into the air, he continued his furious bombardment.
"Rubber Hydra!"
A chaotic, crisscrossing storm of attacks with no discernible pattern left the sea lion severely wounded.
Finally, with an earth-shaking roar, Lu Fei delivered a powerful punch that sent the sea lion flying. Its massive body crashed into the sea, creating a huge splash before slowly sinking to the bottom, lifeless.
Lu Fei excitedly rushed toward the Underwater Secret Realm. As he approached and learned of its contents, he jumped for joy.
"This reward is incredible! Unprecedented!"
Lu Fei was certain that the treasures within this Mystic Realm would drive any pirate to madness—even Ye Yu, whose strength already stood in a league of its own, would be sorely tempted if he heard of this.
Lu Fei couldn't wait to enter the realm and embark on his new adventure to claim the prize. If Ye Yu showed up, things might not go as smoothly.
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