"These pirates are truly a cancer upon the Caribbean Sea."
"If they remained only on the surface, perhaps they could be tolerated."
"But now, their greed can no longer be sated by treasures of the sea surface—they've begun reaching into the depths."
A harsh and resolute glint flashed across Lan Que's face.
"They've stretched their claws into our territory. And for that—they must have their limbs severed."
Pirates were like locusts: pillaging, burning, killing—evil incarnate. They destroyed civilizations but never built them.
Wherever they went, they left only war and ruin, suffering that could last generations.
"Let us jointly launch a campaign," Lan Que proposed."The lands above the waves will belong to Great Yi, while the underwater domain will be under Blue Moon's rule."
This was an enticing offer, at least on the surface.
Yet within the Chaotian Hall, the ministers fell into silence.
Conquering the Caribbean Sea promised massive gains… but giving the entire sea floor to Blue Moon? That was hard to accept.
It would be like planting a foreign empire beneath their newly conquered realm—a kingdom within a kingdom.
A knife lodged in the throat.
"Your Majesty," said Xi Zhicai, stepping forward,"Great Yi has only just consolidated control over the Han Sea Realm."
"Our newly established cities are still stabilizing. Our hold over the surrounding areas is fragile."
"Moreover, Great Yi is still suffering from natural disasters—lightning storms, floods, tempests—affecting the people and crops."
"In my opinion, now is not the time for war."
Right now, all efforts were focused on improving the lives of citizens and securing the foundation of the Han Sea Realm.
To recklessly send troops to the Caribbean?
That was not wise.
And besides—how could they blindly trust Blue Moon's version of the truth?
It was the ministers' duty to speak when needed—and Xi Zhicai did so without hesitation.
"Indeed, launching a full-scale war would be unwise," said Jia Xu, stepping forward with a calm smile,"But if we were to send a single corps to the Caribbean—it might not be without benefit."
"Pirates may be mobile and scattered, but Great Yi's naval strength is not to be underestimated."
"Dispatching a corps would allow us to probe the situation, while also acting as training for our soldiers."
The Caribbean was chaotic—but full of war and bloodshed.
A perfect grindstone for molding elite, battle-hardened troops.
More importantly, this move would embed Great Yi's influence into the region—like hammering a nail into the Caribbean Sea.
"I second the proposal," said Zhuge Liang,"If Blue Moon seeks our help, then let us send a naval force."
"It may not crush the pirates entirely, but it will deter them—and it shows Great Yi's goodwill."
One corps might not fulfill Blue Moon's expectations, but it still sent a clear message.
After all, Blue Moon wasn't a vassal state. Great Yi owed them nothing.
To help was generosity.
To refuse was their right.
"This..." Lan Que faltered.
He had expected that ceding the surface territories would tempt Great Yi to deploy a massive force to crush the pirates.
The benefits were enormous—who could resist?
But Great Yi had resisted.
And they would only send one corps.
In the face of countless pirates, that was barely a drop in the ocean.
It wouldn't change the situation at all.
That wasn't what they had hoped for.
Their true goal—the core purpose of the mission—was to leverage Great Yi's power to wipe out the Pirate Alliance.
"Very well," said Yi Tianxing, nodding,"Let it be done. We shall dispatch a corps to the Caribbean Sea to suppress the pirates."
The decision was made.
The word of a sovereign could not be taken back.
Lan Que wanted to argue—but when Yi Tianxing spoke, he dared not challenge him.
In the throne hall of another empire, one did not question the emperor's final decision.
Not long after, the court session ended.
Lan Que and his companions returned to the State Guest Residence.
Their expressions were grim.
Clearly, they were not satisfied with the outcome.
"Second Elder," Lan Que said gravely,"What now?"
"We accomplished the first two goals, but failed the third."
"That was the true purpose of our mission to Great Yi."
"According to our intelligence, the Ten Legendary Pirate Kings are gathering their fleets."
"They intend to invade and plunder Blue Moon."
"This may become the greatest calamity in our history."
"A single corps from Great Yi cannot shift the tides. It won't deter the pirate kings."
Indeed, Lan Que had withheld the truth during court.
Their dynasty wasn't truly weaker than the pirates—But the pirates were elusive and purely destructive.
Destruction is always easier than creation.
If war reached Blue Moon territory, the cost would be catastrophic.
Their plan was to strike first—eliminate the threat before it reached them.
But that plan had failed.
"Is there any way to convince Great Yi to send more troops?" asked Lan Caixin, her tone filled with desperate hope.
"Their army is said to be unmatched—one soldier worth ten."
"Just a few corps could defeat several Pirate Kings."
"That would change everything."
"No," said the Second Elder, shaking his head,"The emperor has spoken. Unless Great Yi learns more about the Caribbean, they will not commit to a large campaign."
"But this is not a total failure."
"We've secured trade and alliance. In time, our bond with Great Yi will grow."
"Eventually, they will seek expansion. And the Caribbean Sea is the natural frontier."
"They will inevitably clash with the pirates."
For now, Blue Moon would have to weather the storm alone.
If need be, they would suffer the losses.But they would endure.
No Pirate King could destroy the entire dynasty.
"In that case," Lan Caixin said, brightening a little,"I'd like to tour Great Yi—see its culture, experience its civilization."
"We've always lived beneath the sea. I want to know how land-dwellers live."
As the world's leading fortune dynasty, Great Yi was famous across the Eternal World.
Its prosperity was dazzling—and Lan Caixin wished to witness it for herself.
She would take this opportunity to travel the cities, under the guise of trade delegation, carrying treasures to begin commerce.
Meanwhile — in the Eternal Night World…
A vast demon domain stretched into the void.
It pulsed with a primal, ancient aura, wild and mysterious—so old it seemed to defy time itself.
Chaotic demonic energy filled the air, yet the land was barren and dead.
There were no plants, no beasts, no birds.
Just dark, desolate terrain, blanketed in eerie black mist.
It looked like a world of death—frightening and unnatural.
This was no ordinary demon domain.
"Interesting," a voice said."So this is one of the demon domains in the Eternal Night World…"
A flash of black light shimmered in the air—A figure in black robes stood casually in the void.
It was none other than — Yi Tianxie.
He had used a Demon Abyss to trace its source in reverse, entering a region of the Primeval Demon Domain.
This was no ordinary route.
The Abyss was designed to lead from the Eternal Night into the Eternal World.
Not the other way around.
But Yi Tianxie had defied that logic, because of his unique nature.
Otherwise, he could never have reached this place.
The moment he arrived, he sensed it—This entire domain was permeated with a strange law—a natural force that tried to devour the life force of anything within it.
But Yi Tianxie only smiled, calmly suppressing his vital aura and locking away all his energy.
He would not be drained so easily.
Thump.
Thump.
Suddenly, a strange sound echoed through the air—low and rhythmic.
"A heartbeat…"
Yi Tianxie frowned.
He looked into the distance, his mind already forming a chilling guess…