Chapter 452 - 448: Pirate Gang, Ning Jiang’s Rage

Chapter 452: Chapter 448: Pirate Gang, Ning Jiang’s Rage

Under the moonlight, a fleet of great ships appeared on the pitch-black surface of the sea.

These ships were enormous and entirely black, with ferocious designs that resembled vicious beasts. A single glance was enough to tell that they came with ill intent.

But what was most conspicuous was the massive flag hanging from each ship’s mast.

It was a great, blood-red flag that looked as if it had been dyed in blood. Upon it was the emblem of a skull, a chilling sight to behold.

"It’s the Blood Skull Pirates!"

Chu Xiu’Er cried out in alarm, her face turning pale.

Wherever there are people, there is conflict. The Meteor Sea Region was no exception. Besides the major islands, these waters were also home to several pirate gangs. These pirates were notorious, plundering ships, murdering, and stealing treasure wherever they went.

The major powers of the Meteor Sea Region had sent forces to encircle and destroy these pirate gangs on multiple occasions, but to no avail.

For one, the pirates had no fixed base and were difficult to track; they were like ghosts of the sea, appearing and vanishing without a trace. For another, the pirates themselves were quite powerful, and some were even backed by influential figures with heaven-reaching connections.

For countless years, the pirates of the Meteor Sea Region had committed endless atrocities. Yet, far from being wiped out, their numbers and strength had only continued to grow.

The Blood Skull Pirate Gang was one of the most infamous of these groups, their very name striking fear into the hearts of many smaller powers.

’Damn it. Our departure was supposed to be a secret. How could we have run into the Blood Skull Pirate Gang?’

Chu Qingqing’s brows furrowed, her expression grave.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Figures emerged from the surrounding ships, four or five hundred of them in total, completely encircling the Chu Family’s vessel.

Among them were five experts at the Immortal Realm!

The five stood at the forefront. The leader, his face covered in scars, licked his lips. "A Chu Family ship. A fat sheep, indeed. This haul should be quite profitable."

"That’s right," sneered the man next to him. "The last few fleets we ran into were pitifully poor. We had no choice but to kill them all and feed them to the fish. The Chu Family has some wealth to its name, so I doubt they’ll disappoint us."

"I hear that Chu Qingqing of the Chu Family is a genius, and a beauty at that. If she’s on board..."

The scar-faced man licked his lips again, a lustful fire burning in his eyes.

He took a step forward and boomed, "Is that a Chu Family ship? Hand over all your cargo, and we’ll let you pass. Otherwise, we’ll slaughter you all!"

"Blood Skull Pirate Gang," Chu Qingqing responded, "the Chu Family has no quarrel with you. We ask that you show us some courtesy. The Chu Family will be sure to reward you handsomely for it."

"Reward?" The scar-faced man roared with laughter, his tone turning sinister. "What the hell is the Chu Family? You dare ask us for face? I suppose you must be Chu Qingqing. You are indeed beautiful. How about this: you join the Blood Skull Pirate Gang and become my woman. If you do, I’ll let the rest of them go. How about it?"

"What!"

Murderous intent flashed in Chu Qingqing’s eyes.

"Miss, what should we do?"

At this moment, the numerous guards of the Chu Family emerged onto the deck. Their Guard Captain was also at the Immortal Realm, but facing five such experts, he knew their chances of victory were slim.

"What other choice do we have? The Blood Skull Pirate Gang never leaves anyone alive. Have you ever heard of them sparing a single soul?"

Although Chu Qingqing was a woman, she was a Sword Cultivator to the bone, possessing their characteristic decisiveness in life-and-death situations. "Prepare for battle!" she commanded coldly.

"They dare to resist? Then kill them all." Upon hearing Chu Qingqing’s words, the scar-faced man gave the order. "Attack!"

With a wave of the scar-faced man’s hand, the many Martial Artists behind him surged forward, launching powerful, long-range attacks at the Chu Family’s ship.

"Activate the Defense Array!"

On the great ship, lines of runes lit up, forming a shield of light that enveloped the entire vessel. The Defensive Array had been activated.

BOOM.

The shield of light trembled violently, and the great ship rocked back and forth.

"Kill!"

With a cold cry, Chu Qingqing was the first to strike. She transformed into a streak of sharp sword light, shooting toward the Blood Skull Pirate Gang.

"This woman has comprehended Sword Intent. She’ll be a handful. Let’s take her down together."

The scar-faced man waved his hand, and he and the other four Immortal Realm experts attacked as one, surrounding Chu Qingqing.

As for the Chu Family’s Guard Captain, he remained on the ship, forming a Battle Array with his men to deal with the other pirates.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

As the battle erupted, the area exploded into chaos. The sea itself was thrown into turmoil, churning with massive waves.

Chu Qingqing’s strength was astonishing. Sword in hand, she unleashed a torrent of Sword Qi, actually managing to suppress all five Immortal Realm experts and put them on the defensive.

"My sister is so strong!"

Chu Xiu’Er cheered from the deck.

Ning Jiang, watching the battle, nodded in approval.

Chu Qingqing’s own Cultivation was at the Immortal Realm, but because she had comprehended Sword Intent, her combat prowess far surpassed that of an ordinary Immortal Realm cultivator.

The power Chu Qingqing was displaying would be enough to rank her in the top ten even within a Super Sect like the Celestial Sword Sect.

"Damn it, Chu Qingqing! You dare to wound me!"

In less than a hundred exchanges, the scar-faced man roared in fury. A deep gash, Chu Qingqing’s handiwork, had been carved into his chest.

"The Blood Skull Pirate Gang has committed countless evils! You are a plague that anyone has the right to exterminate! Today, I will enact justice on heaven’s behalf and slaughter every last one of you scourges!"

Using Sword Control, Chu Qingqing transformed into a streak of light and slashed toward them.

"Hmph."

But just then, a cold snort echoed across the battlefield.

"Who said they were going to slaughter my Blood Skull Pirate Gang?"

An elderly man in gray robes flew out from the cabin of a pirate ship, his Domain Power crashing down like a mountain.

"An Earth Martial Realm expert?" Chu Qingqing was stunned. ’Now I understand. No wonder all the attempts by other experts to destroy the Blood Skull Pirate Gang have failed. They were hiding an Earth Martial Realm expert, an ace in the hole to pull out at the critical moment for a surprise victory!’

"You’re a clever one," the gray-robed elder said dispassionately, his hands clasped behind his back. "Do you still intend to resist?"

"Slash!"

Biting her lip, Chu Qingqing slashed down from mid-air, unleashing a colossal Sword Aura.

"A parlor trick."

The gray-robed elder simply extended a hand. With a single palm strike, the Sword Aura shattered instantly. The force of the Palm Power sent Chu Qingqing flying back dozens of yards, and she coughed up a mouthful of blood.

With her level of power, she was still no match for an Earth Martial expert.

"Chu Qingqing, I’ll give you one more choice," the scar-faced man said with a jeer. "Come back with me and be my woman. Otherwise, we’ll kill everyone here. The choice is yours."

The scar-faced man watched her with a mocking expression.

"You...!"

Chu Qingqing’s body trembled, her eyes filled with conflict. ’Should I sacrifice myself to save everyone else, or should I let them all die with me?’

At that moment, she felt as if she had been driven into a corner with no way out.

"Sister..." Chu Xiu’Er’s face was as pale as a sheet, completely drained of color.

She was still young, after all; she had never witnessed such a horrifying scene. Subconsciously, her small hand tightened its grip on Ning Jiang’s sleeve.

"Don’t worry. Your sister will be fine."

Sensing the little girl’s nervousness and fear, Ning Jiang smiled and gently patted her head. Chu Xiu’Er was taken aback. For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace, as if so long as Ning Jiang was by her side, any storm, no matter how violent, would eventually subside.

’To have a rare moment of peace disturbed by such damned flies... They truly deserve to die.’ Ning Jiang murmured, slowly raising his gaze.

"Fine... I agree..."

At that moment, Chu Qingqing made her choice, all hope dying in her eyes.

RUMBLE.

Suddenly, an immense wave of Primordial Spirit Power, like a colossal storm, descended upon the battlefield.