"Hehehe…" Zi Zhenzhu's grin was downright shameless, her eyes gleaming with mischief, while Erlong's face had gone pale with fury.
"You perverted woman, get lost!" Liu Erlong snapped sharply. But Zhenzhu only swayed her hips like a teasing cat, plastered to her side as if glued there.
Meanwhile, the rest of the girls were lounging comfortably under the sun, pulling chairs from their storage tools and sipping cold drinks and nibbling on snacks, seemingly unfazed by the commotion unfolding nearby.
After all, the fatigue from the long journey across the sea was exhausting, and a little relaxation was well deserved. Meanwhile, Xiao Wu stayed by his side warily, making sure he didn't fall under the influence of this woman.
Tang Yin chuckled. "Alright, alright, Zhenzhu. If you keep pestering Erlong, I'm not sure she'll stop at just roughing you up."
Zhenzhu froze for a moment. Perverted as she was, she wasn't stupid. One glance at Erlong's smoldering eyes told her that the Eight Head Inferno Dragon's flames would really follow through if she pushed her luck.
With a sly smile, Zhenzhu backed off—only to suddenly lunge toward Tang Yin. But Xiao Wu wasn't having it. Her third soul ring flared, and in an instant, she teleported between them.
"Third Soul Skill—Teleport!"
"You! Don't make me angry, or I'll bite you to death!" she said, shielding Tang Yin from Zhenzhu's mischievous assault.
"Oh? What a cute little bunny! How about you play with me?" Zhenzhu asked eagerly, momentarily distracted by Xiao Wu.
"No—! Tang Yin, help me! Save me from this pervert!" Xiao Wu wailed as Zhenzhu fondly ruffled her hair, tangling it into a mess.
Tang Yin knew Zhenzhu meant no real harm, but he couldn't ignore Xiao Wu's pitiful cry. Scooping her into his arms, he held her protectively. "Happy?" he asked, a teasing smile on his lips. Xiao Wu acted coyly, snuggling slightly into him.
Meanwhile, Zhenzhu circled Tang Yin, purring shamelessly. "You're such a handsome guy, but you're not just a weak pretty boy, right?"
Xiao Wu shot back, boasting about Tang Yin's strength. "He's very strong—stronger than any soul master I've ever seen! What do you want to bet on a challenge?"
Zhenzhu's eyes lit up with interest. "How about this—if you really manage to defeat me in a challenge, I'll let you do anything to me… even drink my bath water. But if I win, you'll have to do it with me, right here, in front of your lovers."
Xiao Wu blushed furiously, shooting daggers at Zhenzhu. "What's wrong with you?! I said a bet, not… that kind of challenge! Tang Yin—I dare you to accept her bet."
Tang Yin's eyes narrowed, a playful glint appearing. "How interesting. Let's raise the stakes. Whoever wins… the other will belong to them, for life."
Zi Zhenzhu's eyes widened briefly before glimmering with excitement. "Sure! It's more fun to stake our whole lives than something so small." She licked her lips, her gaze fixed on Tang Yin. "But remember, once you lose… you won't be able to escape me."
"You! You're asking for it!!" Liu Erlong finally snapped, her fury blazing as she teetered on the edge of exploding.
Before Erlong could act, Tang Yin caught her firmly by the waist. His voice was very calm, teasing, and just enough to soothe her temper. "Okay, Erlong, don't be so short-tempered. It's bad for your skin. Besides… it's not like I'm going to lose, right? Or are you doubting me?"
Liu Erlong's glare could have burned a hole through the island, yet Tang Yin's teasing tone and firm grip left her momentarily speechless.
She huffed, crossing her arms, cheeks flaring red. "You'd better not lose, Tang Yin! I swear, if that shameless vixen lays a hand on you, I'll—ugh! I really don't want to watch it!"
Tang Yin nodded, smirk never fading. "Alright… so what's the challenge you have in mind, Captain? It can be anything physical."
Zi Zhenzhu's lips curved into a wicked grin. "Simple! If you want me, you have to catch me. But don't blame me if you can't keep up, pretty boy! I'm looking forward to this."
Before anyone could react, Zhenzhu shot forward like a mischievous spirit, darting between rocks, leaping over tree roots, and weaving through the island terrain with dazzling agility. Her laughter echoed through the trees like a siren's call.
"Catch me if you can, Tang Yin!" she teased, deliberately swaying her hips mid-sprint, making it clear this wasn't just a game of speed, but one of shameless provocation.
Erlong's jaw tightened, fury spiking. "That woman—! Shameless doesn't even begin to describe her!"
Tang Yin only smirked, stretching his shoulders before vanishing in a blur. "Then watch closely. This won't take long."
His figure flickered like a shadow, slipping effortlessly through the underbrush. Every time Zhenzhu thought she had widened the gap, she'd catch a glimpse of him just a step behind, calm, unhurried, eyes gleaming with playful confidence.
She twisted, climbed branches, doubled back, even dove into a shallow stream to throw him off—but Tang Yin never faltered.
Finally, as Zhenzhu bounded across a narrow ridge, a strong hand shot out and seized her wrist mid-leap.
Zi Zhenzhu gasped as her momentum halted, spinning flush into Tang Yin's solid chest. "Caught you," he murmured with a crooked smile and pecked her lightly.
Zhenzhu's breath hitched, then she burst into laughter, shameless as ever. "Hehehe… not bad, not bad at all. Maybe you really are more than just a pretty face."
Tang Yin chuckled, tightening his grip just enough to remind Zhenzhu of the stakes. Zi Zhenzhu wriggled like a slippery fox, but no matter how she twisted, Tang Yin's grip remained firm—and he even spanked her lightly.
"Ah~ Hehehe… so you really did catch me," she breathed, lips curving into that wicked grin again. "Looks like I underestimated you."
Tang Yin leaned in slightly, his voice low but amused. "A deal's a deal. You belong to me now, remember?"
A faint blush crept across Zhenzhu's cheeks, though her shamelessness quickly returned as she tilted her head back and laughed.
"Belong to you, huh? Fine… but don't think I'll make it easy. If you want to keep me, you'll have to tame me first." She taunted playfully.
"Try me," Tang Yin replied, eyes gleaming with challenge, while behind him, Erlong and Xiao Wu flanked him in case this perverted woman tried anything further.
With a swift motion, Tang Yin spanked her ass lightly, asserting his dominance until Zhenzhu finally gave him a playful, exaggerated sigh of defeat.
Zhenzhu laughed even louder, pressing closer on purpose. "Hehehe… looks like I'm yours, Captain. But be careful—once a woman like me belongs to someone, she clings like glue. You can't get rid of me."
Afterwards—
Tang Yin and the girls were gathered around Zhenzhu as she began recounting her story.
"I… wasn't always a pirate," she began, her eyes distant as she recalled. "I once held the title of Saintess in Spirit Hall, entrusted with vital missions and the expectations of many disciples. My life was nothing but duty and expectation."
Zhenzhu paused, twisting a loose strand of hair between her fingers. "One such mission was near Sea God Island. Spirit Hall sent a fleet of a thousand members, including two Titled Douluo, to establish control and mediate disputes among the island's factions. But the island was defended by the school of Demon Great White Sharks—far stronger than anyone had expected."
Her voice turned into something more solemn. "The fleet was annihilated. I… I was the only survivor. The loss of my comrades, my friends … even someone I cared deeply for… left a scar I couldn't erase for a long time."
Tang Yin and the girls listened to her in silence, glimpsing a side of Zhenzhu they rarely saw—vulnerability hidden beneath her audacious exterior that stirred a protective instinct within all of them.
"Of course, Spirit Hall always sends the best fleets… straight into certain death. Lucky me, I survived. After that… I couldn't face Spirit Hall. The shame, the failure, the guilt… the scorn… it was all too much." She said mockingly.
Zi Zhenzhu's grin slowly returned, playful and shameless once more. "So I left. I became the leader of the Purple Pearl Pirates and took control of this Island myself. Fun, freedom… a little chaos. That's how I live now. But..."
"My life's in your hands, Tang Yin. And as for the rest of you… it's nice to meet you, once again," Zhenzhu said with a sly smile, noticing Erlong's gaze soften and her hostility lessen.