Boom! Boom! Boom!
Deafening roars instantly erupted across the Primordial Divine Sea, stirring up continuous towering waves that exploded ceaselessly around the human race's ancient vessel.
Visible to the naked eye, the exploding waves were caused by terrifying beams of light originating from a pirate ship flying a skeletal pirate flag behind the human vessels. Those dark, fearsome Divine Energy Cannons continuously glowed, firing one terrifying, dazzling beam after another, illuminating this storm-swept sea region and blasting apart the waves.
Some of the beams even came dangerously close to hitting the ship, causing the protective light barrier to burn and melt away—truly a terrifying sight.
These were the Divine Energy Cannons of the Ten Heavens Ancient Domain. Modified by the Primordial pirates here, their power was naturally incomparable to those from the outside world. A single blast from these cannons could at the very least kill a Divine Transformation realm cultivator, and it wasn't impossible for them to even annihilate a Saint Concealment realm expert. In the outside world, a single shot might even be enough to shatter an entire mountain range.
"Big brothers and sisters, come with us to Grandpa. That's the safest place," Xia Mu'er spoke up, pulling Ye Chen and the others as she quickly rushed towards Elder Xia's location.
Ye Chen did not refuse. Although he could easily destroy the pirate ship behind them, he had just arrived in the Ten Heavens Ancient Domain. It was best to be cautious in all things.
When they reached Elder Xia's location, they found all the human cultivators gathered together, their gazes fixed on Elder Xia, who stood at the forefront.
At this moment, Elder Xia was at the helm. Streams of divine power flowed from his hands along the many dao patterns on the ship's wheel, controlling the entire vessel as it swiftly navigated through the raging waves, cleaving through wind and water.
Outside the ship, dazzling lights could be seen flashing from time to time. Each appearance caused panic among those inside the ship, for they were all terrifying Divine Energy Cannon blasts.
Occasionally, a cannon beam would graze the ship. Even a mere graze from that fearsome power caused the entire vessel to shudder violently, nearly capsizing completely. Everyone appeared utterly panicked.
Only Elder Xia at the helm could barely maintain his composure. At this moment, he simply could not afford to panic; he was the calming anchor in everyone's hearts.
However, his occasional glances swept over the other tribesmen in the ship, especially Xia Mu'er and the other outstanding tribal Heaven's Prides. The light from the Divine Energy Cannon beams clearly illuminated the undisguised panic on their faces, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Faced with this scene, even an experienced elder like himself couldn't help feeling flustered. But the mental fortitude of these younger generation members was simply too lacking.
A person's mental state often determined their future achievements. The stronger one's mental fortitude, the more likely they could overcome countless dangers and hardships in the future. Possessing such fortitude also represented a pass to the path of becoming a true powerhouse.
Conversely, those with poor mental fortitude would have limited future achievements.
He felt a sense of helplessness. If this was the case, how could these tribal Heaven's Prides shoulder the responsibility of the tribe's rise in the future and lead the entire tribe to prosperity?
But when his gaze swept over Ye Chen and the other so-called young masters and ladies from great families they had rescued from the charred island, he was shocked to discover that even facing a life-and-death crisis, these young juniors remained as calm as ever.
That calmness wasn't feigned; it stemmed from a deep-seated tranquility within. Their eyes held a profound serenity, as if they feared nothing even if the sky fell. The strength of such mental fortitude truly surpassed his expectations. Even he, a tribal elder who had lived for over a thousand years, couldn't achieve such a state.
How could these young juniors be so composed and natural? How did they do it? Was it merely the result of training from a great family? But at most, that would be a facade, not a true reflection of their character like this.
No matter how you looked at them, these young masters and ladies from great families appeared utterly unperturbed and fearless.
However, he had no time to ponder further. The next moment, the ship shuddered violently again. The Yellow Sea Seven Demons pirate ship was in close pursuit from behind. If not for his profound helmsmanship, allowing him to narrowly avoid the Divine Energy Cannon beams each time, the entire ship would have long been shattered.
Boom!
Another terrifying roar sounded. This time, however, almost everyone on board paled, for the ship's protective light membrane had been pierced. A beam had struck the vessel, causing the entire ship to shudder violently as numerous cracks rapidly spread across its hull.
It was visible—the ship was quickly splitting apart, with vast amounts of seawater flooding in.
Although everyone here could fly through the air, the Primordial Divine Sea was far too vast. Moreover, it was perpetually swept by violent storms and towering waves, making sustained flight impossible.
The Primordial Divine Sea also teemed with countless fearsome sea beasts, making the situation even more perilous.
For a moment, panic spread among everyone on the ship.
"What do we do? The ship is about to sink!"
"Should we just hand over all the Heavenly Flame Bright Pearls to those pirates?"
"No! Those pirates are sure to kill and plunder. Even if they get the pearls, we won't survive."
"What should we do now?"
Everyone was discussing fervently, hoping that handing over the Heavenly Flame Bright Pearls collected from the Zhanglan Sea Area might persuade the Yellow Sea Seven Demons pirates to spare their lives.
Others, however, were unwilling. Primordial pirates were notoriously merciless killers; they wouldn't simply let them go so easily. They suggested charging together to fight these Yellow Sea Seven Demons pirates to the death.
Amidst the chaos, Elder Xia shouted, "All of you, quiet down!"
Hearing this, everyone fell silent and looked towards Elder Xia.
But Elder Xia turned his gaze to Ye Chen, a hint of pleading in his eyes. "Young Master Ye, for the sake of our shared humanity, could you help our Xia Sang Tribe? This old man only hopes that when you escape, you can take Mu'er and the other young tribesmen with you. They are the future hope of our Xia Sang Tribe. If you can agree to this, I am willing to give you all the Heavenly Flame Bright Pearls we collected this time."
Elder Xia was gambling—betting that Ye Chen and his companions were extraordinary, far from ordinary youths. Otherwise, how could they remain so calm and composed while being pursued by the notorious Yellow Sea Seven Demons pirates? They must possess some means of escape.
Unless their surface composure could fool the eyes of an old-timer like him who had lived for over a thousand years. Even if Xia Mu'er and the others perished along with them, he would have nothing more to say.
As soon as Elder Xia spoke, the others immediately looked at Ye Chen and his group in shock. How could he place such trust in these outsider young juniors?
They were clearly just youths around the same age as Xia Mu'er and the others. What capability could they possibly have?
Yet since Elder Xia spoke up like this, he must have his reasons.
"Grandpa, you—" Xia Mu'er was initially as shocked as the others, but being clever, she quickly understood. However, she was unwilling to leave. She hurried forward, her small hands clutching her grandfather's sleeve, tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms, her bright eyes brimming. She simply could not bear to be parted from the grandfather she had grown up with, especially in a life-or-death separation.
"Mu'er, be good. You, Xia Feng, Xia Chen, Xia Gu, and the others, follow Young Master Ye and leave this place. You are the future hope of our Xia Sang Tribe. You cannot die here," Elder Xia said softly, his voice filled with a unique doting affection. Xia Mu'er was the granddaughter he had watched grow up, always cherished dearly. Now, facing life and death, he naturally didn't want this either.
But there was no other way. Now, he could only place his trust in Ye Chen and the others, hoping that out of gratitude for letting them board the ship, they might lend a helping hand.
Elder Xia looked at Ye Chen and the others, his tone carrying a pleading note. "Young Master Ye, could you grant this old man this small request?"
Under everyone's gaze, Ye Chen slowly shook his head. That sight undoubtedly sank everyone's hearts, also stirring a flicker of anger towards Ye Chen's group. They had truly helped a pack of ungrateful wolves.
A trace of despair surfaced in Elder Xia's eyes.
At this moment, Ye Chen slowly opened his mouth. Yet the words he spoke left everyone present utterly dumbfounded: "I have a suggestion. How about we directly deal with these so-called Yellow Sea Seven Demons pirates? What do you all think?"