Ye Yu couldn't be bothered to argue further. By mid-to-late game, Lin Muxue would realize how foolish her current words were.
At this moment, Lin Muxue was overjoyed—not just because she was about to reach level thirty, but also because her liberation was at hand. Today marked the expiration of her enslavement period, and she could already see the approaching fleets of her Chosen One Pirate Crew along with three other Pirate Crews. This was why she dared to speak so boldly now. Had she still been enslaved, she wouldn't have risked it, knowing it would only invite more suffering.
One thing infuriated her, though—they weren't even allowed to eat their fill or wash up before leaving.
Ye Yu and his crew waited by the island's shore while Lin Muxue and her group disembarked and squatted at a distance. Their stench attracted numerous dog-like Ferocious Beasts, their eyes gleaming as they drooled over Lin Muxue's group.
Several massive pirate ships were now approaching.
A scout peered through his telescope and reported, "Captain, we're almost there. The Dominant Feather Pirate Crew is at the rendezvous point, with all members present."
Jin Mo glanced over, a hint of concern in his eyes.
Ye Ming voiced his thoughts: "What if they seize this chance to attack us? They already had the upper hand in our last battle, and now their advantage would be even greater. Our progress has been minimal, while Ye Yu has grown significantly stronger. Not to mention he's recruited Zhao Lin, a formidable fighter, and Han Ling, a Phantom Fruit Ability User. If she creates another Ye Yu phantom to unleash Dominion Country again..."
The mere thought made him wary.
The crew members grew uneasy too. Even as part of a four-Pirate Crew alliance, they were nervous. After all, the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew had grown much stronger overall, with Ye Yu showing the most improvement.
To deter any potential attack, they had mobilized their entire force.
Wang Quanshi shook his head. "They won't. This is being livestreamed. Any aggression would tarnish their reputation."
Ye Ming frowned. "But we're enemies. Would they really care?"
Song Ling reassured them, "Don't worry. I've already contacted the captain of the Annihilation Pirates. They happen to be passing through these waters and aren't far away. If the Dominant Feather Crew tries anything, they'll intervene."
This eased Jin Mo's tension. In the past, they might have believed themselves stronger, but now, the Annihilation Pirates' captain—a More-More Fruit Ability User at level thirty—was undoubtedly superior. Four Pirate Crews might not be enough, but five would surely tip the scales.
Besides, they doubted the Dominant Feather Crew would attack. Even if they won, casualties were inevitable, and there was no real gain. Having learned from their last encounter, they wouldn't be caught off guard again. If a fight broke out, they'd scatter, forcing Ye Yu to split his attention across multiple distant battlefields.
The pirate ships docked, and Jin Mo, Wang Quanshi, Song Ling, along with over fifty Executives from the four Pirate Crews, disembarked. A dozen Combat Crew members followed, hauling gleaming treasure chests.
Jin Mo and the others watched the chests with bitter expressions, resigned to handing them over to Ye Yu.
Ye Yu turned to Xia Ling. "Do an inventory check."
"Understood."
Xia Ling and Zhao Yan'er began counting.
Jin Mo assured them, "It's all there, exactly as you requested."
Hearing this, Lin Muxue and the others breathed a sigh of relief. If it hadn't been enough, they would have had to continue.
After taking inventory, Xia Ling reported, "Captain, no problem. It's indeed sufficient."
"That's good."
Ye Yu was very satisfied. This would allow the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew's overall strength to improve once more.
The crew members were also delighted. If their Dominant Feather Pirate Crew had to gather these treasures themselves, it might have taken them longer than the four major pirate crews, after all, these were treasures accumulated by all four crews together.
Lin Muxue and the others completely relaxed—they could finally leave.
Jin Mo asked, "Where are they? Can you release them now?"
An executive from the Chosen One Pirate Crew looked around and questioned, "Yes, where are they? Nothing bad happened, did it? If so, then we can't give you the treasures."
Ye Yu said calmly, "Don't worry. As I said, once you've gathered enough treasures, they'll stand before you safe and sound."
With that, Ye Yu pointed into the distance to the right. "They're over there. Go and bring them aboard."
Lin Muxue and the others couldn't wait either. "We're here! Hurry up!"
Li Cang struggled to his feet, weak. "Too hungry to move... someone help me."
Jin Mo and the others exchanged glances. They had noticed earlier, but they hadn't expected these disheveled, emaciated figures who looked like beggars to be Lin Muxue and the others. From afar, they could even smell the stench.
Jin Mo frowned. "Is that them? Why are they like this? Didn't you promise to return them unharmed?"
Ye Yu feigned confusion. "Aren't they unharmed? Are they injured? Missing limbs? Well, except for the one who was already disabled, of course."
Hearing this, Li Cang gnashed his teeth in anger.
Jin Mo was momentarily speechless, unable to refute. Indeed, the promise had been not to harm them, and technically, they weren't injured—just thinner and dirtier.
Unable to argue further, Jin Mo had no choice but to send people over.
Lin Muxue and the others had their shackles removed, feeling much lighter. Li Cang and the rest were helped along, while Lin Muxue forced herself to walk on her own, overjoyed to finally be free.
As Lin Muxue approached, Jin Mo and the others covered their noses, scowling in disgust.
"Don't come any closer. You reek."
Lin Muxue froze. She knew she smelled, but after so long, she had grown used to it.
Lin Muxue snapped, "If I hadn't been the one enslaved, you'd be the ones suffering! What right do you have to look down on me? Do you have any idea what I've been through these days?"
Jin Mo and the others fell silent. It was clear Lin Muxue and the others had endured terrible hardships.
Lin Muxue also felt a hint of disdain. "After all this time, your levels haven't improved at all."
She had secretly hoped Jin Mo and the others might have reached Level 30 by now, so they could avenge her for the suffering she had endured. But seeing their stagnant progress, she was disappointed.
Jin Mo retorted angrily, "Hmph! We've been working day and night to gather the treasures for your ransom, barely even taking five minutes to eat! It took tremendous effort to collect enough—we had no time to train. If not for you, we could've reached Level 30 too!"
Lin Muxue snorted coldly and said nothing more.
Wang Quanshi interjected, "Let's board the ship and leave."
Lin Muxue prepared to board, silently cursing, "Just you wait, Ye Yu! Once I'm back, I can train properly. It won't be long before I surpass you!"
Just as Jin Mo, Lin Muxue, and the others were about to board, Ye Yu spoke up.
"Wait a moment."
This made Jin Mo and the others' hearts skip a beat. All the crew members of the four great Pirate Crews were also stunned, feeling an inexplicable unease. They secretly wondered—were they going to go back on their word and start a fight?
Lin Muxue frowned as well, puzzled.
Jin Mo asked in confusion, "Is there something else?"