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nChapter 81: Golden Tree

nTranslator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

nIn the bustling harbor, Rudy, a member of the hidden Black Skull pirate crew, was secretly observing and scouting for potential targets.

nThe Silver Islands saw a constant flow of merchant ships, some carrying cheap goods while others held valuable cargo. Some merchants were stingy and hired only a small escort, while others were wealthy and heavily guarded.

nRudy’s task was to identify valuable and cost-effective prey, that worth plundering. He would then notify his fellow pirates roaming the seas to strike when the targets left the Silver Islands.

nHaving lurked here for many years, he had seamlessly integrated into the community, and none of the locals suspected his true identity as a spy.

nHe embodied the essence of serving in the darkness while basking in the light.

nHe was the messenger of shadows.

nRudy quietly smiled, brimming with confidence.

nAhem, let’s get back to business.

nRudy, disguised as a dock inspector, enjoyed significant convenience with his role. He could freely wander the docks without arousing suspicion.

nHe carefully selected information about potential targets.

nThat two-masted merchant ship loaded with cotton seemed mediocre in value and not worth attacking.

nAs for the ship carrying what appeared to be weapons, despite its heavy escort, capturing it would be profitable as weapons were always in demand. Yes, it would be added to the plundering list.

nThe large ship resting nearby didn’t reveal its cargo, but it had a significant number of guards. If they wanted to seize it, there might be considerable losses… Rudy decided to observe it for a while longer.

nJust as Rudy was analyzing the situation with his practiced eye, he unintentionally caught sight of the New Moon anchored at the dock.

nHis eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he froze in surprise.

nEven though its appearance had changed, he quickly recognized the identity of the three-masted ship.

nWasn’t this the flagship of their Black Skull pirate crew, the Black Widow?

nBut why was it here?

nHe remembered that the Black Widow had set sail for plundering a month ago.

nCould it be that they had seized something and come here to sell it?

nIn such a bold manner?

nRudy’s curiosity was piqued, and he calmly approached for a closer look.

nHe noticed that the person commanding the ship was a complete stranger, an unfamiliar man who clearly wasn’t the original captain.

nThe Black Skull pirate crew’s insignia, previously hidden on the ship’s hull, had been erased.

nIt quickly dawned on him.

nThe Black Widow had fallen victim to pirates themselves!

nIt had been stolen!

nThis discovery ignited anger within him.

n“We’ve always been the ones robbing others, and now someone dares to rob us? They’ve got some nerve!”

n“No, this won’t do. I must quickly inform our nearby brethren and rally our ships and manpower to retrieve the Black Widow!”

nOutside a two- to three-story tavern, Ji Chen casually pushed open the saloon doors and walked in.

nDim lighting, wooden tables, and chairs, a display case filled with bottles, bartenders wiping glasses, and scantily clad women—obscene language filled the air.

nHmm, it really captures the ambiance of a tavern.

nInside, there were many natives and players with their accompanying troops, occupying about half of the available seats.

nWith a lively atmosphere and clinking of glasses, it was quite a scene.

n“People drinking so openly in broad daylight, it’s truly scandalous!” Ji Chen thought to himself as he found an unoccupied table and sat down.

nHe intended to criticize such scandalous behavior!

nAfter placing several dozen Kels silver coins on the table, a waitress in bunny attire approached with enthusiasm, bringing over more than ten glasses of fine wheat beer.

nHer eyes had a hint of allure, and she expressed her willingness to provide any additional services if needed.

nJi Chen dismissed her with disdain.

nHe already had a breathtakingly beautiful little Siren back at home. Why would he be interested in such artificial charm and excessive makeup?

nHowever, he did notice something.

nEven silver coins held significant value in the native market.

nIn this world, the majority of natives used silver coins as their primary currency, while gold coins were primarily used by merchants, nobles, and lords.

nConsidering the tens of thousands of Kels silver coins he possessed, when converted to gold coins, he would have a considerable fortune. Now it seemed he had some assets.

nAfter his tavern experience, Ji Chen spent a good portion of the day wandering through the bustling city district, purchasing a batch of supplies. After depleting his silver coins, he returned to the New Moon anchored at the port.

nHe had no intention of staying overnight in the city district.

nUpon returning to the ship, Sparrow approached him with a vigilant expression.

n“My lord, there’s something I need to report.”

n“Oh, what is it?”

n“Shortly after you left, I had a faint feeling that someone was secretly spying on the New Moon.”

nHearing this, Ji Chen furrowed his brow.

nIt seemed Sparrow’s danger intuition skill had kicked in.

nSomeone was spying…

nCould there be players coveting the New Moon?

nIt wasn’t impossible since the visible power of the New Moon was merely a group of second-tier pirates.

nThe rest of the troops, such as the shallow sea murlocs and Naga warriors, were hidden in the cabin.

nThe entire ship appeared empty, which could potentially ignite greed in some players.

nBut he was not too worried.

nThe port was also a place where fights and killings were not allowed on the Silver Islands. At this stage, the players should not dare to risk being hunted down and attack openly.

n“We’ll set off for the mystic realm tomorrow. Be careful tonight.”

n“Yes, sir!”

nThe night passed, and nothing happened.

nThe next morning, Ji Chen woke up with Alice’s soft body in his arms, and outside the cabin, there was a buzz of voices.

nThe ships docked at the port were leaving one after another, heading in the same direction.

nIn the shipping lane, the ships formed a continuous line, resembling a fleet of water dragons.

nThe opening of the secret realm was imminent!

nJi Chen quickly dressed and made his way to the deck.

nHe instructed Sparrow to command the pirates to raise the sails and follow the other ships into the shipping lane.

nAfter two or three hours, the New Moon arrived in the sea area where the mystic realm gate was located.

nFrom a distance, they saw the mystic realm gate standing tall on the calm sea, spanning several tens of meters, with half above the surface and half beneath it.

nThe rotating crimson mist resembled a massive grinding disc.

nThe mystic realm gate was directly formed on the sea surface.

nThis meant that there was a high probability that the secret realm behind it contained a water region.

nFor Ji Chen, this was excellent news.

nThis was because his class and military type could only display their full strength in the water.

nMore and more ships gathered together, almost forming a fan shape that surrounded the entrance to the secret plane.

nThe fleet guarding the area did not say anything and quickly made way for them.

nThe players who had been silent suddenly became excited.

nBoats of all sizes rushed towards the entrance of the mystic realm.

n“Charge! Whether we eat dirt or feast, it all depends on this wave!”

n“Our Survivor Alliance will definitely snatch the biggest piece of meat and become the ruler of the Silver Islands. Brothers, let’s go!”

n“I used all my wealth to buy this ship. This time, I must make a big profit inside!”

nOne by one, the ships passed through the secret realm gate and disappeared from sight.

nSeeing this, Ji Chen didn’t hesitate and gestured for Sparrow to move forward.

nSoon, the New Moon also plunged into the gate.

nIn an instant, he found himself in a crimson world.

nThe sky was shrouded in a thick layer of eerie red mist, and the sea appeared as a deep red hue as if countless dyes had been poured into it.

nWithin his field of vision, there were islands of various sizes, with remnants of structures scattered about.

nClearly, there were both native inhabitants and signs of civilization here.

nBut what caught his attention the most was the towering, illusory golden tree at the far center. It emitted a dazzling golden light, resembling the legendary World Tree, with branches reaching in all directions.

nIt served as the brightest source of light within the mystic realm.

nIn addition, scattered throughout the sea were smaller golden trees, though much smaller in size.

nThe entire mystic realm appeared both eerie and imbued with a sense of divinity..

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