novelapdf Chapter 206 Giant Whale Gang
Chapter 206 Giant Whale Gang
Chapter 207 Giant Whale Gang
Back then, Lu Jianghe brought Han Li and the others to that nameless island in the Chaotic Star Sea.
Outside the cave, many burly men with bare chests and fierce faces sat scattered about, some holding double axes, others gripping giant axes.
These people are all members of the Giant Whale Gang.
One of the men was smoking a pipe.
His facial muscles were relaxed, but a persistent sense of impatience was hard to hide between his brows.
Anyone who was left on this desolate island for half a year, guarding it every step of the way, would probably not be in a good mood.
Since the destruction of Extreme Yin Island, the Giant Whale Gang has faced increasingly difficult times.
They were originally smuggling agents of the Moxia sect on Jiyin Island, responsible for transporting supplies and circulating profits on the island.
After all, the former trade routes of Jiyin Island were completely blocked by Miaoyin Sect in collusion with Tianxing City.
Therefore, back then, Wu Chou secretly supported the Giant Whale Gang, allowing them to engage in some shady businesses to support the cultivation needs of their disciples.
But who could have imagined that things would turn out so suddenly? The island of Extreme Yin collapsed overnight, the pillar of the island, the Old Demon of Extreme Yin, died and vanished, and the island's power was further fragmented, with internal strife raging.
The Giant Whale Gang was naturally unwilling to sink into oblivion, so they had no choice but to seek another backer.
Such a change of allegiance is nothing out of the ordinary in the chaotic world of Star Sea, where the strong prey on the weak.
The man, with a pipe in his mouth, tapped the ash heavily against a nearby stone.
I, a dignified Core Formation cultivator, was actually assigned to guard this damn teleportation array.
Teleportation array—no matter how important it is, on this godforsaken, nameless island, deep in the heart of the inland sea, it's a hot potato for a gang like the Giant Whale Gang that doesn't even have a proper base!
The longer you hold out, the greater the risk of exposure.
Moreover, this is an ancient teleportation array. If it attracts the covetous eyes of any major sect, wouldn't that be a catastrophe?
I don't know what the gang leader was thinking, leaving me here to wait for half a year.
Could it be that they've found a new buyer?
He took a deep drag on his long-extinguished pipe; the pungent smell of tobacco mixed with the salty sea breeze assaulted his lungs, but it couldn't suppress the restlessness in his heart.
Looking up, all around were monotonous reefs and a hazy sea. Even seabirds were too lazy to circle this desolate place for long.
The group of rough men under his command were already yawning incessantly, their eyes unfocused, and their weapons hanging loosely in their hands. They showed no sign of being on guard at all.
Guarding a teleportation array has caused morale to plummet.
This job is truly incredibly frustrating!
As a Core Formation cultivator, he could easily become a respected elder in a larger sect, earning the esteem and reverence of others.
But now, in this Giant Whale Gang, they've been reduced to serving as door gods for an inanimate object.
The gang leader kept saying that this teleportation array was the "foundation for turning things around" and a "great opportunity," but what else could guarding it do besides living in fear and wasting time?
Opportunity?
We didn't see a single ghost.
On the contrary, after the destruction of Jiyin Island, the gang lost its biggest backer, and life became increasingly difficult.
If this continues, forget about any opportunities; I'm afraid we won't even be able to feed our men.
The man put his cigarette back in his mouth, patted his crotch with his hand, and straightened himself up.
These days have been rather dull, and he's thinking that once this assignment is over, he'll definitely have to relax and enjoy himself.
Just then, I heard footsteps beside me.
"Third Uncle, how much longer are we going to have to stay in this godforsaken place?"
A young voice sounded from behind.
The man exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and hissed, "You brat, how many times have I told you, don't reveal our relationship here!"
The young man who approached chuckled and quickly squatted down beside him, lowering his voice: "There's no one else here, so what if they hear us?"
The man glanced at him and said irritably, "If you weren't the only one in the clan with decent talent and a spiritual root, I would have slapped your head into my skull long ago if anyone dared to talk to me like that."
The young man immediately put on a fawning expression, reaching out to massage the man's shoulders and loosen his bones, saying ingratiatingly, "Third Uncle, we're all family. You're my own uncle, who else would I be close to if not you?"
Hearing this, the man's expression softened slightly, but his eyes remained sharp, as if he could see right through him: "Don't give me that. Just say it. You've been holding it in for so long, you must be mad at me. Spit it out!"
The young man chuckled and leaned closer: "Third Uncle, what do you think—why don't you let me know for a bit? The brothers really can't hold back anymore. Kui Xing Island isn't far from here. I'll take the men over there to relax. We'll be back in ten days at the latest!"
"snort!"
The man snorted coldly, "Don't try to fool me or cause trouble. This was personally ordered by the gang leader. I, a Core Formation cultivator, am patiently waiting here. You, a mere Foundation Establishment junior, can't even control what's in your crotch? Don't think you're something special just because you're not even forty and only at the Foundation Establishment stage. You're still a long way from being a true cultivation prospect!"
The young man shrank his neck, sighed, and began to lament.
His face was full of dejection as he stole a glance at his third uncle.
Normally, whenever he does this, the other party will almost always give in.
The Core Formation cultivator, dressed as a farmer, stood up, took a deep drag on his pipe, exhaled a large cloud of choking smoke, and then slowly put the pipe into his storage bag.
"You're still young, and your understanding and experience are far from sufficient, which I don't blame you for. But these teleportation arrays are connected to vital smuggling networks. If our Giant Whale Gang could control just one of them and figure out where it leads, do you know how much trouble we could save and how much profit we could make?"
"From here to there, so many obstacles are bypassed. Just by reselling, the profits are practically nonexistent. If it leads to the open sea, it's even more incredible. Whether it's smuggling in-demand goods or legitimate trade, it's absolutely a gold mine. It's a pity that before, Jiyin Island kept a close watch on us, and we couldn't even get close. Now that Jiyin Island is gone, the boss naturally wants to take a big gamble—"
The young man scratched his head, his face filled with even greater confusion, and couldn't help but ask, "If that's the case, why don't we keep it for ourselves? Isn't just wasting opportunities by staying here doing nothing? Wouldn't we earn more by engaging in smuggling ourselves?"
The man looked at him, his eyes conveying a sense of "you're still too green," but he didn't scold him further.
"Don't think too simply. Let's not even talk about whether this teleportation array can be repaired at all. Even if we get lucky and it is repaired, where does it lead? We'll be completely in the dark. Do you dare to plunge in headfirst? Besides, do you think this thing is a hot commodity that anyone can take advantage of? Don't you understand the principle of 'possessing a treasure invites trouble'? Our Giant Whale Gang is currently only supported by our gang leader, who is at the mid-stage of Core Formation. Most of us are like you. In the eyes of the real major sects, we are nothing. If even a whisper of this teleportation array gets out, do you believe that tomorrow our entire gang will be wiped out, not even a bone will be left?"
The young man turned pale after being spoken to.
The man continued, "I suspect the gang leader is looking for a suitable buyer, one of those truly powerful and influential sects. He's doing them a favor by selling them off, hoping to climb the social ladder and gain protection in return."
After all, prosperity in this chaotic star sea is only temporary; destruction is the norm in the blink of an eye.
To survive in this place where monsters roam freely, without a powerful backer, relying solely on the two Core Formation cultivators from the Giant Whale Gang, one's meager resources are like rootless duckweed, easily swept away by a gust of wind.
Seeing that the boy beside him remained silent, the burly man assumed that he had frightened him, so he raised his rough hand and gently patted the boy's shoulder, his tone casual yet somewhat mocking.
"Alright, once this is over, I'll show you the real world, let you see what true paradise is like. Some of the women in the pleasure quarters have skin so delicate it's as if you could squeeze out dew if you did."
The boy was deeply moved and nodded repeatedly.
Just as the two were chatting, a streak of crimson light, accompanied by howling winds, fell to the ground like a meteor, instantly piercing through the air and landing not far in front of them.
Suddenly, the burly man, who had been nonchalant and playful just moments before, became serious.
He dared not be negligent in the slightest. His spiritual power erupted from his feet, and his body suddenly shone with azure light, transforming into a streak of azure light as he rushed forward.
A crimson shield of light appeared, and a tall figure walked in, a giant axe slung across his back.
Upon seeing the farmer-like man step forward, the newcomer's voice boomed like a bell: "When fortune turns, gold is as hard as iron; when fortune turns, iron is as hard as gold! Our Giant Whale Gang has struck gold! We can rest easy for the next hundred years!"
The man quickly cupped his hands in congratulations, his face beaming with smiles: "I wonder which high branch you've managed to climb this time, Chief?"
The leader of the Giant Whale Gang stroked the handle of his axe, a smug glint in his eyes: "It wasn't all for nothing. Huang Shamen, the Nightclub Ancestor, personally gave his approval!"
The man's pupils contracted. "Huang Shamen? Night... Nightclub Ancestor?! Chief, is this true?"
The leader of the Giant Whale Gang grinned widely, his smile wide and unrestrained.
"It's absolutely true. Our ancestor was extremely interested when he heard that we possessed a well-preserved ancient teleportation array. He said that as long as the array is genuine and can be repaired, the Huangsha Sect will recognize our outer branch. From now on, our business in the inner and outer seas will be protected by the Huangsha Sect's banner!"
Upon hearing this, the man's face didn't immediately light up with joy; instead, he fell into deep thought. After a moment, he looked up at the gang leader, his voice lowered, carrying a barely perceptible hint of gravity: "Then—what do we need to give in return? It's probably not just information about this teleportation array and continuing to guard it, is it? There must be other conditions?"
The smile on the face of the Giant Whale Gang leader faded slightly, and he said with a solemn expression, "Of course. In a few days, Patriarch Nightshade will come in person to inspect the teleportation array."
"The Ancestor is coming in person?!"
The man's heart sank, and his face instantly showed a mixture of astonishment and undisguised fear.
A Nascent Soul cultivator.
Even though the Giant Whale Gang had once been affiliated with Extreme Yin Island, he had never had the honor of seeing the true face of the Extreme Yin Ancestor.
"When exactly?"
"At any time, it could be the next moment, or it could be within the next few days. Our ancestor is incredibly powerful, and it won't take him long to come from the outer sea. We just need to be prepared."
The man silently calculated the time, took a deep breath, and asked again, "Since the Ancestor came in person, besides checking the teleportation array, did he mention anything that needed our attention? Or rather, what were his instructions?"
The leader of the Giant Whale Gang reappeared that slightly mercenary smirk on his face. He leaned closer and lowered his voice, saying, "The Ancestor's meaning is very clear: as long as this teleportation array can be truly repaired and operate stably, opening on schedule to facilitate teleportation, the Yellow Sand Sect will acknowledge our outer branch and provide us with resources and protection. As for what we need to do, it's quite simple. The Ancestor said we need to do our best to 'win over' as many female cultivators as possible, above the early Foundation Establishment stage."
Upon hearing this request, the man visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness, thank goodness —
It's not a life-threatening job.
Although female cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage are also not easy to deal with, they either have a sect or a family background.
But ultimately, it involves dealing with people.
Although it's dangerous, at least there's a way to go, which is better than directly fighting monsters.
The leader of the Giant Whale Gang patted the man on the shoulder with considerable force: "Old Liu, you know a lot about women, so I'll leave this matter to you."
He then looked around, raising his voice a few decibels, exuding a wild and untamed spirit.
"Men, all of you, perk up! Our chance to turn things around is right in front of us! Safeguarding this teleportation array is of paramount importance; the Ancestor could arrive at any moment. Also, Old Liu, set off in the next few days to scout out the nearby islands and give the Ancestor a surprise!"
Upon hearing this, the man's face did not immediately light up with joy; instead, he fell into deep thought.
A moment later, he looked up at the gang leader, his voice low.
"The presence of Patriarch Ye Pu is an immense opportunity, but could we wait for him to arrive and inspect the teleportation array before discussing anything else?"
At this critical juncture, if we rashly try to win over the female cultivator, and things go wrong and unexpected complications arise, then all our efforts will be in vain.
"Don't forget, this place is still under the jurisdiction of the Star Palace. It's only a stone's throw away from Kui Xing Island. The surrounding sea is patrolled by Star Palace guards. If word gets out and they keep an eye on us, Huang Shamen might question our ability to handle things."
The leader of the Giant Whale Gang paused slightly, his initial excitement momentarily gone.
He stroked his tangled beard, his eyes darting around, clearly weighing the pros and cons.
"Ugh————"
The Star Palace weighed heavily on the hearts of all cultivators in the inner sea, especially small factions like theirs that had just lost their backers and were seeking a new master; they couldn't withstand any disturbance.
It's true that Ye Pu is a Nascent Soul cultivator, but at this moment, he may not be truly protecting them.
If they cause trouble right under the Ancestor's nose and are caught red-handed by the Star Palace, forget about climbing up to the Yellow Sand Sect. The Ancestor would probably crush these troublemaking ants to death first, to prevent them from getting tainted by bad luck.
A moment later, he exhaled a heavy breath.
"Old Liu, you're still the most level-headed one! What you say makes sense. I was too hasty and almost ruined everything. Our ancestor is a figure of immense stature. Our little bit of assistance is just icing on the cake, but if it attracts the Star Palace's wrath, it's pure suicide. We must proceed with caution, with caution!"
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