Yang Luo and the others were stunned—the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew had been hiding their true strength.
It seemed unbelievable, almost like a bluff from Ye Yu, yet the reality before their eyes was undeniable. Suddenly, the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew had gained the upper hand in battle.
"How is this possible…"
"Ye Yu can single-handedly take on so many of us top Chosen Ones, while his vice-captain and powerful Executives can hold their own against so many of our forces?"
"Even though Ye Yu is facing our strongest fighters, we're still an alliance of thirteen elite pirate crews. Our combined strength should surpass theirs, yet it doesn't?"
"Stay calm! The vice-captain and some Executives of the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew might be formidable, but in other battlefields, they might not have the advantage."
…
They soon realized that while they weren't at a complete disadvantage yet, the sudden pressure from the Executives and elite Combat Crew forced them to divert some of their forces for reinforcement. As a result, the Dominant Feather's Combat Crew, regular crew, and lower-tier members faced fewer opponents.
Gradually, they began to feel their advantage slipping away.
Now, they fully understood Ye Yu's earlier words—it was all true. From the very beginning, he had concealed not only his own strength but also that of his crew.
Bai Shaohan frowned. "What do we do? Are we really…?"
Yang Luo's voice was grim. "No way. We must win. If we don't take first place, the losses will be too great. Don't panic."
Wang Quanshi seethed. "If an alliance of thirteen elite pirate crews loses, it'll be humiliating beyond words."
…
They chose to keep fighting, shaken by Ye Yu's strategic planning but refusing to be intimidated.
This was exactly what Ye Yu wanted—to prolong the battle and whittle down their numbers.
Yang Luo roared, "We don't need reinforcements! We can defeat Ye Yu ourselves. Keep pushing!"
He tried to rally morale, but it was futile. Yang Luo and the others knew they had to regain confidence on their own—by forcing Ye Yu into a disadvantage.
Yang Luo unleashed his full power. "With Phantom gone, we have nothing holding us back. Against just one Ye Yu, victory is ours!"
The other top Chosen Ones still held onto their confidence, refusing to accept defeat.
Earlier, they had been terrified, even considering surrender—faced with what seemed like three Ye Yus in an instant. But now, with only one opponent, they remained unshaken, and the battle raged on.
Wang Quanshi's body gleamed with the cold sheen of Dragon Scales as he brandished his Spiked Club, letting out a deafening roar. "Ye Yu, today will be your grave!"
They still believed that if they could severely injure Ye Yu, they could gang up on him afterward and finish him off.
Bai Shaohan's fighting spirit surged, excitement flashing in his eyes as he gripped his Naginata, his towering frame like an unshakable mountain. The power of his Tremor-Tremor Fruit sent violent ripples through the surrounding seawater.
"Come at me, Ye Yu. Let me show you true strength!"
Lin Muxue crackled with blue lightning, while Bai Shaohan's subordinate—the Phoenix Fruit Ability User—spread his wings wreathed in Blue Flames, preparing for an all-out assault.
The battle erupted in an instant.
Wang Quanshi struck first, leaping high into the air and bringing his Spiked Club crashing down toward Ye Yu with crushing force.
In that moment, over forty top Chosen Ones launched their attacks simultaneously.
Unfazed, Ye Yu let out a battle cry and charged straight into the onslaught.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion rocked the battlefield, the sheer force of the impact sending cracks spiderwebbing across the icy surface.
Ye Yu and the other Chosen Ones, including Wang Quanshi, each took several steps back. A flicker of surprise flashed in Wang Quanshi's eyes—he hadn't expected Ye Yu to hold his own against so many of them.
At the same time, Lin Muxue launched another attack. Gathering a massive amount of lightning in her hands, she formed a colossal thunder pillar and hurled it toward Ye Yu.
Ye Yu's eyes sharpened as he sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the thunder pillar. It grazed past him and struck the icy surface, instantly blasting a huge hole into the seabed with a deafening explosion.
Seizing the opportunity, Bai Shaohan activated the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, sending a powerful shockwave toward Ye Yu.
Ye Yu immediately leaped into the air, dodging the shockwave. It hit a nearby small mountain, reducing it to flat ground in an instant.
The Phoenix Fruit Ability User flapped his wings wreathed in blue flames, lunging at Ye Yu with an attack carrying both scorching heat and tremendous force.
The battle raged on, explosions echoing continuously. Over forty top-tier Chosen Ones joined forces to besiege Ye Yu, yet each time, they were collectively repelled. Though they weren't scattered, their frustration grew—how could so many of them fail to gain the upper hand?
As the fight dragged on, they hoped to exhaust Ye Yu, but to their dismay, he showed no signs of faltering. Meanwhile, the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew expanded their advantage elsewhere, with some Executives even preparing to reinforce Ye Yu.
Wang Quanshi gritted his teeth in unwillingness. "We surrender. As hard as it is to accept, we have no choice. Losing is one thing, but if we're severely injured and drained, Ye Yu will turn the tables and gang up on us."
Originally, this had been their plan, but now it seemed the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew might execute it instead.
Yang Luo, equally resentful, could only concede. Once they declared surrender, they were immediately teleported out.
The next moment, a message resounded across the world: "Congratulations to the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew for claiming the top spot on the Pirate Crew List, earning the title of One King."
All eyes turned to the golden monument, where the first-place name shone brilliantly—Dominant Feather Pirate Crew.
The world trembled. Ye Yu had truly performed another miracle.
As soon as Ye Yu emerged, he learned about the Black Mystic Realm and immediately set off to participate, as it wasn't far away.
The King's Alliance's plans for revenge would have to wait until after this Mystic Realm.
Meanwhile, Yang Luo and the others, now scattered after being teleported out, regrouped with Wang Quanshi. Their immediate thought was to unite and flee the area, knowing Ye Yu would seek retribution if they stayed.
Regret and despair weighed heavily on them. The experience they'd gained was pitifully little, almost negligible, and they'd only secured second place.
Worst of all, Ye Yu had killed one of their top Sub-captains, and during the later stages of the battle, another Captain-level figure had fallen. The losses were staggering.
Yang Luo was filled with remorse. If only they had surrendered earlier, Jin Mo and the others might still be alive.
But regret was useless now.
...
Before long, the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew arrived at the Black Mystic Realm's location and learned of its rewards.
Even Ye Yu was stunned. "Appraisal."
"We must clear this."
The reward was none other than a random Bloodline.
Among Pirates, Bloodlines could be incredibly powerful—like King's lineage or those of other formidable races. This reward offered a chance to obtain one randomly. While it wasn't quite the same as contracting another Non-Ability User, it was close enough to drive many to madness, especially after witnessing Ye Yu's strength. Countless had tried to clear it.
But none had succeeded.
With the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew's victory, hope dwindled. It seemed impossible now.
At this moment, Ye Yu felt he had gained substantial experience. The first reward from the Pirate Crew had arrived, directly boosting him two levels—now at level forty-two.
This was significant, as progress became increasingly difficult at higher levels. Moreover, the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew's overall strength had improved, and the experience was evenly distributed among all members.
Ye Yu stood before the enigmatic and imposing entrance of the Black Mystic Realm, his heartbeat quickening involuntarily. An eerie black mist swirled around him, whispering of unknown dangers and opportunities. Taking a deep breath, he stepped resolutely into this mysterious domain, his heart brimming with anticipation and tension.
The challenge's specifics weren't entirely clear—three stages in total, as this was his first time in the Black Mystic Realm. And so far, no one had even cleared the first stage.
The moment he entered, an invisible pressure weighed down on him, as if countless cold eyes were watching from the darkness. Not far away, a faintly glowing stone tablet caught his attention. Approaching it, he saw the challenge inscribed: First Stage: Ascend the Staircase. A hundred steps in total, with gravity intensifying the higher one climbed. Only by reaching the summit could this stage be cleared.
Ye Yu looked up. The staircase, half-hidden in the black mist, loomed indistinctly, as if leading into an endless abyss. Without hesitation, he took his first step onto the daunting path.
At first, the climb was effortless. Ye Yu moved with light, confident strides, his breathing steady as a gentle breeze brushed his face. A hint of complacency crept into his heart—this challenge seemed too simple. But as he ascended, something began to feel off.
By the thirtieth step, he noticed the gravity increasing. His movements grew heavier, though still manageable. Frowning slightly, he adjusted his breathing and pressed onward. Each step now carried a stronger recoil from the stone beneath him, but his resolve only hardened. One thought dominated his mind: Reach the top.
At the sixtieth step, the situation turned dire. Gravity crashed over him like a tidal wave, binding him tightly. His legs felt as if filled with lead, each lift requiring tremendous effort. His breaths came in ragged gasps, sweat beading on his forehead before trickling down his cheeks and vanishing upon hitting the steps. His body trembled faintly, every movement a grueling ordeal.
"I can't give up!" Ye Yu roared inwardly. Gritting his teeth, he clenched his fists and forced himself forward, each step a battle against an unseen foe. Memories of his relentless training flashed through his mind—the days and nights of hardship fueling his determination.
By the seventieth step, it felt as though he carried a mountain on his back. His muscles burned, every cell in his body protesting. His knees buckled, barely supporting his weight, yet he straightened with a grimace and took another agonizing step. Around him, the black mist thickened, as if actively resisting his advance.
Eighty steps in, Ye Yu's vision began to blur, sweat drenching his entire body. His steps grew unsteady, each one requiring a pause to gather strength. His labored breathing echoed heavily in the silent Mystic Realm, like dull drumbeats pounding against his resolve. Yet his eyes showed no trace of retreat—instead, they burned with an even fiercer flame.
At the ninetieth step, the gravity reached terrifying levels. Ye Yu felt as though countless steel needles were piercing his body, every inch of his skin bearing immense pressure. Blood beads were forced from his pores, staining his clothes crimson. His body swayed precariously, on the verge of collapse.
Yet, in this near-despairing moment, an inexplicable excitement surged within him. This was the challenge he had longed for—the chance to push beyond his limits. A mad glint flashed in his eyes as he roared, "This is what I want! I will endure!"
He summoned every shred of strength within him, focusing entirely on the step beneath his feet. His muscles tensed, veins bulging, every fiber screaming in agony—yet he persisted. Step by step, he climbed slowly but unwaveringly.
At the ninety-ninth step, Ye Yu's consciousness blurred, yet his body seemed to move on instinct, driven forward by sheer will. His vision narrowed to that final step—his goal, the light of victory.
"Ahhh!" With a final roar, Ye Yu mustered the last of his strength and leaped upward. His body arced through the air before crashing onto the hundredth step.
Gasping for breath, he lay sprawled on the stone, feeling the oppressive gravity gradually fade. His body ached unbearably, but his heart swelled with triumph. He had succeeded. Through sheer willpower and indomitable spirit, he had conquered the terrifying gravity staircase.
After a long while, Ye Yu slowly rose to his feet and gazed into the depths of the Black Mystic Realm. He knew this was only the beginning—greater trials awaited ahead. But now, fear no longer held him. He had proven himself in this first trial, and he believed that with unwavering conviction and unyielding resolve, nothing could stop his advance.
Straightening his robes, Ye Yu strode forward with firm steps toward the next unknown challenge.
Though already strong, the future remained fraught with uncertainty and peril. Even if this feat had cowed the world into ceasing their united schemes, he could not afford complacency.
Upon reaching the second trial, Ye Yu was stunned—there was no time to rest. He was immediately transported to a descending staircase, one hundred steps in total, the exact opposite of the first. Where before he had climbed up, now he must descend.
Ye Yu knew the second trial would be harder. As the saying went, going uphill is easy, coming down is hard. His legs already trembled weakly.
He took the first step. At first, it was manageable—akin to rest, with little pressure. But the deeper he descended, the greater the gravity became, a complete reversal of the previous trial, an exquisite torment.
By the fiftieth step, Ye Yu stumbled, nearly tumbling down. A fall here would be perilous—he had to proceed methodically. If a fatal crisis arose, he would be forcibly ejected from the trial.
At this moment, a message came through. "Since you've come this far, I'll give you a hint in advance. Regarding the Bloodline power, here's some information—it will undergo a form transformation. After the transformation, your combat abilities will be enhanced."
This made Ye Yu's eyes light up. Although it was hard to predict, he wanted it even more now. He was already strong, and obtaining this would make him even stronger.
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