My gorgeous wife Chapter 2045 - 2013: The Deterrent Power of the Nether King Group

"Listen closely, everyone aboard this vessel! Our objective is solely monetary gain. We're all just trying to make a living, so if this can be settled without conflict, no one needs to endure any hardship!"

Upon hearing the declaration from outside, Li Chen found himself somewhat perplexed.

What added to Li Chen's bewilderment was the fact that the declaration was made in three to four distinct languages.

Notably, the Huaxia language was not among them.

"These pirates must have a screw loose," was the common sentiment echoed by many on the ship.

"Perhaps it's simply that they don't comprehend the Huaxia tongue."

"The fact they didn't even bother to inquire is unnerving," someone offered as a final assessment.

Pirates?

Such a minor concern. To dare prey upon the Nether King Group? They'd have to be utterly brainless or remarkably foolish. Observing these pirates, one might surmise that prolonged exposure to the sea had seeped water into their minds.

Few individuals in this world would dare to antagonize the Nether King Group, let alone a ragtag group of pirates!

The passengers harbored little genuine concern regarding the pirates' appearance. Despite adhering to instructions to remain in their cabins, they couldn't resist peeking through the windows, viewing the unfolding scene with amusement.

Curiosity also fueled their anticipation of the pirates' expressions upon realizing the identity of their intended victims – the Nether King Group.

Meanwhile, Ying Xiaoxiao ceased her training, crouching to the side, sweat beading on her skin as she took a drink.

"Are you not concerned in the slightest?" Li Chen inquired, his years away rendering him unfamiliar with Earth's current climate.

"Concerned about what? This is a Nether King Group cruise liner. I must say, little teacher, with your extensive experience, are you truly unaware of the Nether King Group's immense power?" Ying Xiaoxiao replied, her voice tinged with weariness.

"The Nether King Group is exceedingly formidable? Then why would these pirates dare to perpetrate a robbery?" Li Chen pressed.

"Ignorance, most likely. They remain unaware that this vessel belongs to the Nether King Group."

"Wouldn't it be simpler to avoid conflict by hoisting a flag bearing the Nether King Group's emblem?" Li Chen mused, stroking his chin.

Ying Xiaoxiao couldn't help but roll her eyes at Li Chen's suggestion: "Hoist a flag? Little brother, are you living in antiquity? This is a modern cruise ship; where would one find sails to fly a flag from?"

Li Chen blinked in surprise at her words, then realization dawned, prompting a wry, involuntary smile.

He had simply fallen back into old habits, momentarily forgetting his present surroundings.

After a period of ruckus, the pirate captain emerged. Following a brief exchange, the pirate contingent was utterly dumbfounded. Even in their remote existence, they had heard tales of the Nether King Group. This monolithic entity was not something a band of pirates could possibly afford to provoke.

They might possess a handful of firearms and bodies to spare, but the Nether King Group commanded the terrifying presence of numerous Martial Artists. A few Martial Artists aboard the ship alone could compel them to their knees, without the need for further reinforcement.

Ultimately, the pirates made a swift and soundless retreat, departing without so much as a whimper.

As they vanished, they etched the emblem on the cruise ship into their memories with utmost diligence.

"Damn it, this is the Nether King Group! Brothers, the next time you spot this insignia, turn tail and flee as fast as you can!" a Pirate Leader bellowed to his men.

Indeed, the pirates had engaged in negotiations with the cruise liner. In times past, they wouldn't have bothered with such formalities; they would have simply stormed the ship to parley.

However, this encounter was different. Before they could even board, a spear, descending from the heavens, obliterated their speedboat, sending the occupants plunging into the depths of the sea with no hope of rescue.

Otherwise, would a band of pirates have exhibited such remarkable restraint during negotiations?

Upon grasping the magnitude of their blunder – who they had targeted for robbery – the pirates beat an even more hasty retreat.

At this juncture, the cruise ship rescinded its alert status, and the tourists resumed their free movement.

"Continue your training." After observing Ying Xiaoxiao for several days, Li Chen noted her burgeoning initiative. He therefore loosened his close surveillance and resolved to take a stroll.

In truth, during this intervening period, his focus wasn't solely on Ying Xiaoxiao. More often than not, Li Chen was deep in contemplation regarding a peculiar lock situated within his being.

The moment he could dismantle that lock, it would signify the complete restoration of his cultivation.

Intriguingly, Li Chen discovered that the internal lock was also undergoing a continuous process of weakening. Based on his projections, Li Chen estimated that it would take... two thousand seven hundred years for the lock to be entirely undone!

However, the critical issue remained: Li Chen's entire cultivation foundation and all related aspects were sealed. For anyone else, unable to break free from such a lock without any cultivation reserves, how could they possibly endure for such an extended duration?

Li Chen's body refining realm, being the Indestructible Body, theoretically allows him to endure for over two thousand years without issue.

However... could anyone truly predict the state of things after such a vast expanse of time?

A seed of doubt began to sprout within Li Chen.

His uncertainty stemmed from certain legends originating from Earth.

These ancient tales spoke of powerful extraterrestrial races that once appeared on Earth, formidable beings whom humanity's greatest sages narrowly managed to defeat, giving rise to legendary heroes in the process.

But considering Earth's limitations, reaching the Earth Level was the utmost possible achievement. How could a group of Earth Level cultivators possibly vanquish beings as potent as the Dragon Clan, who were apparently born with Heavenly Level strength?

Even standing perfectly still, a Heavenly Level expert would remain utterly impervious to damage!

"Could it be that some of those figures vanquished in the legends were actually individuals who descended from the Spirit Releasing Abyss?" Li Chen mused aloud, clicking his tongue.

To meet such an end... must have been exceedingly frustrating.

For someone like a Domain Spirit Realm expert or a member of the mighty Dragon Clan, dispatching cultivators of the Mid-Heaven Realm, Envy Heaven Realm, and Heaven Following Realm would be akin to effortlessly slicing through vegetables. Yet, to ultimately fall to a mere stab from a host of Earth Level beings wielding common butcher knives, simply because their cultivation foundation was entirely sealed, how agonizing must that final moment have been?

What truly compounded the tragedy was that these very knives, which delivered the fatal blows, were later revered by generations as the legendary Dragon-Slaying Sabers.

"A truly unfortunate fate," Li Chen concluded with another click of his tongue.

"Fortunately, I am of Human Race descent," Li Chen finally stated, gazing outwards. "And thankfully, this is now a civilized era."

Upon arriving on the deck, Li Chen leaned against the railing, embracing the gentle sea breeze and savoring this rare interval of peace.

"This place is truly wonderful," Li Chen murmured softly.

After all, this was Earth. While it might lack abundant spiritual energy and its laws are not entirely complete, preventing cultivation from progressing beyond the Heavenly Level, it was merely a distant, minor world.

Yet, here, the devastating bloody storms of the Four Great Realms were absent, and the brutal, unforgiving law of survival of the fittest did not dominate existence.

More importantly, this was his home.

"Of course, the scenery is quite pleasant! What, is this your first time aboard a cruise ship?" As Li Chen was lost in his thoughts, a challenging voice sounded from behind him.