Previously on Ocean Lords: Start Harvesting Double from Dice Rolls...
Yuanqi unleashed his terrifying water element law, callously draining the life force from ship crews, turning them into dried husks. Zhang Yi, the patriarch of the Zhang clan and leader of the fleet, confronts Yuanqi, but is quickly incapacitated. However, Zhang Yi’s pre-battle research on Fang Yu provides an unexpected turn when Yuanqi reveals his own desire to kill Fang Yu.
"Master! Master! Esteemed Master!!" Zhang Yi bellowed, his heart soaring with excitement. "We're on the same side!"
"Hmm?" Yuanqi blinked in surprise, regarding Zhang Yi with confusion. Zhang Yi then quickly and earnestly declared, "To be perfectly honest, my primary objective in journeying to Nanhui City is to eliminate Fang Yu. It seems our goals align, and perhaps we can join forces!"
"Oh? Fang Yu is your target as well?" Yuanqi showed a flicker of interest, his gaze shifting to Zhang Yi with burgeoning curiosity.
"Yes, yes..." Zhang Yi nodded rapidly. "Fang Yu extinguished my son and my subordinates. We are locked in a mortal struggle. Since we share the same objective, there's truly no need..."
"Insolent fool!" Just as Yuanqi seemed intrigued, his expression turned cruel. He spoke with chilling harshness.
Zhang Yi recoiled in shock, a terrifying force instantly seizing his head. He was bodily lifted by the hair by Yuanqi.
"Crack, crack..." The immense pressure caused Zhang Yi's skull to pop and groan audibly. His mouth gaped open, making crunching sounds as excruciating pain shot through his head, threatening to render him unconscious.
Had this crushing force not been directed at the head of a Transcendent Captain, or if Zhang Yi's cultivation hadn't been somewhat robust, his skull might have been pulverized on the spot.
After a tense moment, the force lessened slightly, allowing Zhang Yi to gasp for air.
He gazed at Yuanqi, standing before him, his body trembling uncontrollably with sheer terror, panting heavily.
Mere moments ago, he had genuinely believed his head would be crushed, leading to his immediate demise.
He harbored no doubt that Yuanqi possessed the ability to shatter his skull, nor did he question Yuanqi's utter indifference to his life or death.
Endure and live; falter and die.
In Yuanqi's eyes, his very existence was no more significant than that of a common ant.
Overwhelmed by profound fear, Zhang Yi dared not utter another word, terrified of further provoking the formidable figure before him.
"Cooperate?" Yuanqi's voice dripped with cold disdain, his features contorted cruelly. "Do you truly believe you are worthy of discussing cooperation with me?" With a casual flick of his wrist, he conjured a water droplet, brutally tearing off Zhang Yi's jaw before swiftly shoving the droplet into Zhang Yi's mouth.
After a brief interval, sensing the water droplet embedding itself within Zhang Yi's body, Yuanqi nodded with satisfaction and released his grip.
"Bang!" Zhang Yi crashed to the ground. Disregarding his mangled jaw, he immediately prostrated himself, repeatedly banging his head against the floor. "Spare me, master, spare me!"
"Hmm." Yuanqi observed Zhang Yi's abject state, a smug smile playing on his lips. He then spoke in a calm, measured tone, "Very well, rise."
With Yuanqi's tacit approval, Zhang Yi nervously got to his feet, discreetly employing the Essence of Flesh and Blood within him to mend his shattered jaw.
"Since you are intent on confronting Fang Yu, then so be it." Yuanqi's gaze sharpened. "Proceed to Nanhui City, secure Fang Yu alive, and deliver him unto me."
"Rest assured, once you bring Fang Yu to me, I shall purge the Water Poison from your system and may even offer you some rudimentary guidance."
A sinister grin stretched across Yuanqi's face as he gestured towards Zhang Yi. The water droplet he had previously formed contained Yuanqi's very will; should Zhang Yi contemplate any act of defiance, Yuanqi could detonate it at a moment's notice, ensuring Zhang Yi's swift demise.
Water Poison. This was a common technique employed by many water-based Transcendents. Luu Yuan himself had witnessed pirates utilizing such methods for control within the Lighthouse Association.
However, Yuanqi was no ordinary water-based Transcendent. His cultivation far surpassed that of typical practitioners. The Water Poison he employed was likely beyond the ability of anyone short of the absolute pinnacle to neutralize.
Gripped by terror, Zhang Yi hastily stammered, "I would never dare disobey your command, master, but..."
"Hmm?" Yuanqi's glare intensified, sending a jolt of fear through Zhang Yi.
Nevertheless, Zhang Yi steeled himself. "Regarding the task of killing Fang Yu, I possess some measure of confidence acting alone. However, capturing him alive… I may not have sufficient assurance…"
During his preparations for this treacherous journey, he had painstakingly gathered intelligence on Fang Yu. He surmised Fang Yu's strength likely rivaled that of a fully realized Extraordinary Transcendent Captain.
This assessment was based on Fang Yu's capabilities at the Warship Level. Who knew if Fang Yu's power would surge even further after returning and settling the score for this mission?
Consequently, even Zhang Yi himself was not entirely confident in his ability to capture Fang Yu alive.
Noticing Yuanqi's increasingly frigid gaze, which sent chills down his spine, Zhang Yi quickly added, "It is not a matter of valuing my own life, but rather a concern that I might disrupt your grand designs, master. I implore your understanding!"
"Hmm..." Observing Zhang Yi's earnest demeanor, Yuanqi paused momentarily. Recalling Fang Yu's previous successful evasion of his grasp, he gave a slight nod.
"That young man, Fang Yu, truly goes against all logic. It is not an exaggeration to be more cautious around him."
"Are you requesting a treasure from me, or perhaps something else entirely?"
Yuanqi's gaze fixed upon Zhang Yi, his eyes alight with a fierce, playful gleam.
"How would I dare to ask for your treasure, Master? I merely wish to implore you, Master... to command the Blue Star Consortium, which you oversee, to join forces with me in confronting Fang Yu."
Zhang Yi's voice dropped to a low, earnest tone.
"Oh?" Yuanqi chuckled softly, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Have you perhaps deduced my origins from the Peacekeeping Council? And do you also know that among your so-called Outer Realm Captains, one of the consortiums has already pledged allegiance to our cause?"
Zhang Yi lowered his head even further in deference. "Only within the Peacekeeping Council exist individuals of such immense power and stature as yourself, Master."
