"If we encounter any Fallen Soul Masters in the future, and we're sure we can defeat them, kill them one by one!"
Dongfang Yao nodded repeatedly upon hearing her brother's ruthless words,but couldn't help shrinking back.
This was the first time the little girl had realized how cruel her brother could be.
Dongfang Jing's gaze swept across the dock.
Because of the Sea Demon Pirates, everyone on the dock had fled.
Now that the matter was resolved, it was time to think about what they originally needed to do.
Setting sail required renting a ship, a sturdy one with some defensive capabilities, and an experienced captain to guide them.
After considering everything, his gaze swept over the cargo ships, finally settling on the Sea Demon and the Purple Pearl.
After weighing the options, he made his decision.
Just as he was about to lead Dongfang Yao over—
"Hey! You silver-haired kid over there!"
A very imposing female voice came from the center of the crowd.
Purple Pearl had actually noticed the siblings long ago.
She waved away the merchants who were still thanking her, put one hand on her hip, and casually rested the other on the hilt of the curved sword at her waist.
A sharp gaze pierced through the crowd, landing precisely on Dongfang Jing.
Zi Zhenzhu had witnessed the man easily killing Haider and his son, and couldn't help but be wary.
However, she still raised her chin, her tone direct, carrying a hint of scrutiny and curiosity: "Not bad, thank you for your help earlier."
Dongfang Jing nodded slightly and stated directly, "Captain Zi Zhenzhu, I'd like to hire you and your crew, as well as the Zi Zhenzhu ship. The price is negotiable."
"Oh?" Zi Zhenzhu sized him up. "This isn't the place to talk. Come with me; I need to hear your specific requirements before making a decision."
Seeing that the man's purpose was clear and his attitude frank, seemingly without malice, Zi Zhenzhu lowered her guard somewhat.
She led the Dongfang siblings onto her rather large Zi Zhenzhu ship.
In a fairly tidy conference room inside the ship, Zi Zhenzhu sat down with an air of authority.
After listening to Dongfang Jing's needs—mainly finding suitable soul beasts for the two to obtain soul rings, requiring a guide familiar with the seas and a reliable ship— Purple Pearl readily agreed, slapping her long, slender thigh.
"That's all? Simple!"
She continued, "We're always at sea, we know the distribution of soul beasts in this area like the back of our hand! And most of my men are soul masters, so as long as the price is right, hunting soul beasts for you is no problem!"
But then she added a condition:
"However, we need to be upfront. Our initial purpose in setting sail was to recruit Haider's group. Now that you've killed their captain, the remaining crew have surrendered, and even their ship has become our spoils."
She pointed to the Sea Demon, moored at the dock.
"These extra manpower and supplies need to be transported back to our island base for reorganization and resettlement. After drifting at sea for so many days, the brothers also need a rest."
"So, if you're willing to come back to Pearl Island base with us first, and we finish these matters, we'll immediately set off to help you find the Soul Rings, then this cooperation will be settled. As for the price, considering you just did us a small favor, we'll give you a discount, including finding a suitable target and assisting in the hunt. How about it? If you think it's okay, let's cooperate happily!"
With that, Purple Pearl smiled and extended her hand to Dongfang Jing,her style as decisive and efficient as ever.
Dongfang Jing pondered for a moment.
Price wasn't an issue, and the terms were indeed fair, even favorable.
Most importantly, relying on the Purple Pearl Pirate Crew's professional seafaring capabilities was undoubtedly much more efficient and safer than searching aimlessly on the vast ocean like headless flies.
Although detouring to the pirate base would cause a slight delay, they weren't in a hurry.
The only concern was whether the other party had good intentions.
After weighing the pros and cons, Dongfang Jing no longer hesitated and reached out to shake hands firmly with Zi Zhenzhu:
"Okay, it's a pleasure to cooperate."
"Raise anchor, set sail!"
After repairing the rudder of the Sea Demon, Captain Purple Pearl gave the order, and both ships set off one after the other.
From the other ship, Dongfang Jing learned that their base was on an island called "Pearl Island."
On the second deck, a gentle sea breeze ruffled the wisps of hair on Dongfang Yao's forehead, and the two little buns at the back of her head swayed from side to side with her slight head movements.
She leaned comfortably against her brother, her little feet swinging gently.
Occasionally, seabirds flew by in the distance, and fish frequently leaped from the surface.
"Yao'er, are you seasick?" Dongfang Jing asked softly.
"No~" Dongfang Yao shook her head, "It feels so good to have this breeze on~"
The brother and sister quietly enjoyed the warmth of the moment.
Meanwhile, inside the first-floor cabin,several core crew members surrounded Purple Pearl, discussing in hushed tones.
"Boss, are we really going to go through all that trouble to go with those two brats to find their spirit rings?"
"Yeah, boss, their spirit tools look pretty valuable.
Since there are only two of them, why don't we—" a crew member made a throat-slitting gesture, "and get both money and goods, wouldn't that be wonderful?"
"Wonderful my ass!"
Upon hearing this, Purple Pearl's beautiful eyes widened instantly, her anger flaring. She kicked the crew member away, then slammed her hand on the table with a loud thud:
"Have you all lost your minds? A three-ring spirit master! One exchange! And his head's gone! Do you think you're tougher than Haider?!"
Her sharp gaze swept over every crew member present,her voice carrying an undeniable authority: "We told him to come back to our base with us, and that kid agreed so readily. Do you really think he's stupid? Without some confidence and resources, would he dare come aboard our pirate ship?"
"Since they're willing to pay according to the rules, they're guests of our Purple Pearl! All of you, put away your little schemes! If anyone dares to try anything funny, don't blame me for turning on you!"
After reprimanding her subordinates, Purple Pearl exhaled a breath of stale air,got up, and left the cabin, going up to the second-floor deck.
Seeing the heartwarming scene of the brother and sister snuggling together watching the sea, the stern look on her face softened considerably, and she even unconsciously revealed a slight smile.
She stepped forward, naturally finding a seat nearby, and struck up a conversation: "Little brothers, judging from your appearance, you must be land-based Soul Masters? Why aren't you in the Star Dou Great Forest? Why have you come to this vast ocean instead?"
Dongfang Jing had already noticed her arrival and calmly replied, "My brother and I are nomadic and enjoy traveling. We happened to be passing through Hanhai City, and we've both reached the point where we need Soul Rings. We've heard that the ocean is mysterious and vast, and the types of Soul Beasts are very different from those inland, so we wanted to come and see for ourselves."
"Tsk tsk, judging from your age, you're not even ten years old yet, right? Such talent,"
Purple Pearl exclaimed sincerely, her opinion of the brother and sister rising even higher.
The journey was long, and they had nothing else to do.
Dongfang Jing chatted with Zi Zhenzhu: "Captain, you look so young, yet you've already made a name for yourself on this vast sea. It's truly admirable. I heard from the dockworkers that although you're ruthless in your raids, you often help impoverished fishing villages along the coast. You could easily keep all the wealth for yourself, but you're willing to share it. That kind of magnanimity is rare."
This was indeed true; Zi Zhenzhu was only twenty or twenty-one years old.
People her age were probably still in school,while she had already built her own power base.
Hearing this, Zi Zhenzhu laughed heartily and waved her hand: "What magnanimity? I haven't thought that far ahead! I just feel that we live on the sea, risking our lives, what are we after? It's all about having fun!
I know I'm not a good person, and what I've done isn't exactly good, but you can't call me vicious! I just want to have a clear conscience!"
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(End of Chapter)