Chapter 730: Poisoned

“He sure got away fast!”

Jiang Chen swept his Divine Thought across the area but found no sign of Yebo, a helpless look crossing his face.

Though his current strength was enough to kill Yebo, if the man was determined to flee for his life, Jiang Chen had no way of chasing him down unless he set up a Sky-Banning Array in advance.

‘Whatever. After this, Yebo shouldn’t dare to come after me again. Still, by killing Demon Plow, I’ve likely infuriated the Demon Flood Dragon Race. It would be best to leave the Azure Sky Sea as soon as possible!’

Jiang Chen took a deep breath.

The Demon Flood Dragon Race.

This powerful race, once associated with the True Dragon Race in Zhongzhou, had a significant number of masters at the Emperor Realm Perfection Level. Their Supreme Grand Elder was an even more tyrannical existence, one that even Duann Tianya, who had reached the Domain Third Refinement, admitted was his superior.

Jiang Chen’s current strength was equivalent to someone just entering the Emperor Realm Perfection.

He was confident he could survive an encounter with an ordinary expert at the Emperor Realm Perfection Level. However, it was a different story if his opponent had refined their domain.

Jiang Chen would be no match for a master who had reached even the First-Refining Realm.

After all…

With each of the nine refinements of a domain, one’s strength would see a massive increase.

“Master, what should we do now?” Yao Yueye asked respectfully.

Zuo Yu gazed at Jiang Chen, his face full of adoration and fervor.

This battle had made them fully understand just how terrifying Jiang Chen’s power was. They held the proper reverence for such a mighty expert!

Jiang Chen pondered for a moment before saying, “We need to get to Zhongzhou. Which route do you think we should take?”

“Through the Mist Sea Realm. That’s the fastest way,” said Zuo Yu.

Yao Yueye frowned and said with concern, “But the Mist Sea Realm is shrouded in a year-round fog that never disperses. Plus, the Mist Sea Realm is under the control of the North King, one of the Four Great Pirate Kings. They’re a bunch of fearless madmen. If we pass through there, a conflict with the North King will be unavoidable…”

He had spent years in seclusion trying to break through his bottleneck, completely oblivious to worldly affairs.

The only reason he had even emerged from seclusion this time was because a friend had told him that an Emperor Yuan Pill had appeared.

He had no idea that the Four Great Pirate Kings had also submitted to Jiang Chen.

“The North King?”

Jiang Chen paused for a second, then smiled. “Then that’s the path we’ll take!”

“Huh?”

Yao Yueye was stunned.

Just then, four figures appeared before them. It was none other than the Four Great Pirate Kings. All four paused in surprise before bowing respectfully to Jiang Chen in unison. “Your subordinates greet you, Master!”

“The… the… Four Great Pirate Kings? What are you…” Yao Yueye’s eyes widened in disbelief.

He had been operating in the Azure Sky Sea for so many years.

Of course he knew of their reputations. They were all ruthless demons who killed without batting an eye!

But now they were Jiang Chen’s subordinates?

Calling Jiang Chen their master?

The North King said nonchalantly, “We have been conquered by our master’s sagacity and divine prowess, and willingly follow by his side!”

“Our master’s glory is like the Blazing Sun in the heavens!”

“Even the Divine Spirits of antiquity would be overshadowed by our master’s resplendent light!”

The West King, the least eloquent of them all, opened his mouth but couldn’t think of any sycophantic words. He just nodded emphatically and said with a straight face, “Ditto!”

Jiang Chen: “…”

Yao Yueye and Zuo Yu stared at each other, speechless: “…”

Jiang Chen slapped his forehead and gave a wry smile. “Alright, stop with the flattery.” He looked to the North King. “North King, I need to get to Zhongzhou as quickly as possible, which requires passing through the Mist Sea Realm. That area is your territory, so you’ll lead the way!”

“It is my honor to serve you, Master!” the North King said with utmost reverence.

He then summoned a warship.

The warship was a thousand meters long and over four hundred meters wide, like a small island floating on the sea.

A tall mast rose from the center of the hull, flying the North King’s banner. It depicted a beheaded Flood Dragon, with a Golden Threaded Saber next to its severed head.

The Dragon Slaying Banner. It was quite a domineering sight!

Under the North King’s control, Jiang Chen’s group swiftly sailed toward the Mist Sea Realm.

…

Not long after Jiang Chen and the others had departed.

Back at the site of their recent battle, a wretched figure slowly surfaced from the depths of the Azure Sky Sea.

It was none other than Yebo, who had fled earlier and whose trail even Jiang Chen had lost.

At this moment…

Yebo’s left arm was gone, and his body was drenched in blood. He was seriously injured, and his eyes blazed with venom and hatred. “Jiang Chen, if I don’t kill you in this lifetime, I, Yebo, will not call myself a man! You’re heading to Zhongzhou, aren’t you? Entering Zhongzhou through the Mist Sea Realm means stepping into the Demon God Palace’s territory. I’m sure the Demon God Palace would be more than happy to eliminate the man who destroyed the Celestial Essence Commerce Association!”

“Hmm?”

Yebo’s expression changed abruptly. He looked to the side, his entire body on alert.

A moment later…

A graceful figure appeared in his line of sight.

A look of ecstasy appeared in his eyes. “Yiluo? What are you doing here?”

“Yebo?”

The newcomer was Yiluo, Clan Leader of the Mermaid Clan and the greatest beauty in the Azure Sky Sea. She raised a delicate brow, and her gaze fell upon Yebo’s severed arm. Her fine brows furrowed slightly. “I sensed a battle and came this way. I didn’t expect to find you here. Yebo, you’re seriously injured. Let me help you heal!”

“Yes, Yiluo, thank you!” Yebo said, his face alight with excitement.

He had pursued Yiluo for many years, to the point of near madness.

With Yiluo’s help, Yebo’s injuries recovered a little. Smelling the faint, sweet fragrance coming from behind him, his mind began to race with lust. He couldn’t help but turn and grab both of Yiluo’s hands.

Caught off guard, Yiluo found her soft hands seized in Yebo’s grasp.

A flash of anger crossed her exquisite face as she snatched her hands back. Her beautiful face turned cold. “Clan Leader Ye, please have some self-respect!”

“Yiluo, you should know how I feel. I would give up everything for you,” Yebo said anxiously, trying to explain himself. “Yiluo, please accept my pursuit! I promise I’ll make you happy!”

Yiluo studied Yebo seriously, then let out a long sigh.

How could she not know what was on his mind? It was just that she felt absolutely no attraction to him. She shook her head with a wry, apologetic smile. “Yebo, I’m sorry. I really can’t accept your feelings.”

Though they were just a few simple words, they struck Yebo like a bolt from the blue.

The color drained from his face, and he roared in despair, “Why? Have I not been good enough to you? I even lost my arm for you! Why can’t you accept me? Why?”

“Yebo, please don’t be like this. You’ve been very good to me, but I’m sorry, it’s impossible for us to be together…” Yiluo bit her lip, deciding to crush his hopes once and for all.

BOOM!

Yebo’s face went deathly pale.

He stared intently at Yiluo for a long time before shaking his head with a bitter smile. “To think… after all these centuries of devotion, I still couldn’t win your love.”

Yebo lowered his gaze.

Images of his centuries of devotion flashed through his mind. He glanced at his severed arm as Yiluo’s resolute voice echoed in his head.

His heart trembled, and a bloody, crazed light began to glow in his downcast eyes.

Yebo took a deep breath. “Since you truly cannot accept me, then I won’t force you…”

“Yebo, thank you for understanding…” Yiluo felt apologetic and was about to comfort him when her body suddenly went rigid. A look of fury and panic flashed across her exquisite face. “Yebo, you… what did you do to me?”

“Hahaha, Yiluo, you forced my hand! I gave so much for you, yet you cruelly rejected me. Since I can’t have your heart, then having your body will be enough!”

Yebo looked up with a savage expression, holding a Jade Bottle in his hand. He grinned malevolently. “This contains the potent venom of the Emotion King Snake. As long as you’re not a Demigod, you have no hope of resisting it. Yiluo, today, you will become my woman! Hahaha…”

“No, Yebo, you’re insane…” Yiluo’s whole body flushed red as she roared in fury.

She had let her guard down around Yebo, never imagining he could be so utterly depraved.

Yebo roared with laughter. “So what if I’m insane? As long as I can have you, it’s worth it!”

He lunged at Yiluo.

Like a crazed demon, he tore at Yiluo’s clothes. Under the effects of the Emotion King Snake’s venom, Yiluo was completely limp and powerless to resist. She could only watch as Yebo ripped her clothes away one by one, exposing a smooth shoulder.

Over the Azure Sky Sea, only Yebo’s deranged laughter and Yiluo’s desperate, furious shouts echoed.

It seemed that in just a moment…

…the greatest beauty of the Azure Sky Sea would be reduced to a mere plaything for Yebo.

[Author’s Note: Sorry for the late update! Here’s an extra chapter. Four more to go. Little Tian will keep at it!]