Chapter 3011: Chapter 3011
With the pocket realm settled, Ye Liuyun had nothing left to his rear. He kept everyone cultivating while they waited for the fleet to sail into the Huoyin system.
Just before they crossed the threshold, a warship barred their way.
Ye Liuyun’s golden pupils locked on: standard military, barely a thousand souls aboard, strength on par with any pirate band. The officer in command was only a Fourth-Step Returning warrior.
Li Qingyang took two men forward, announced their business.
Learning they were only bound for the Desolate Sea on a treasure hunt, the soldiers let them pass—after reminding them to keep the rules and make no trouble. Li Qingyang agreed so promptly it looked like obedience itself.
Ye Liuyun asked Liu Yan, “Their realm isn’t high at all?”
Liu Yan knew what he meant. “They’re common troopers, so of course their level’s low. But this place has plenty who could erase us without raising a sweat; even the boss wouldn’t dare step out of line. They’re not here to stop us—just to warn us. No one’s drawing blades.”
“Sounds like law and order’s good here?”
“Good? We’re fresh meat, haven’t found loot yet—no profit in us. The big fish can’t be bothered. Wait till we come back out; then you’ll see the real hunters. These grunts will vanish.”
Ye Liuyun nodded slowly. “Same everywhere—strength is survival.”
He pressed, “So what happens after the expedition?”
Liu Yan sent a secret line: “Someone will collect whatever we dig up. We’re broke; robbing us is worthless. Killing us for sport isn’t worth their time.”
“Ah.” Ye Liuyun guessed First-Star Pirates had back-up plans.
“Our job won’t be easy, though,” Liu Yan added. “Who knows how many of us the Desolate Sea experts will wipe out?”
“What trump cards did the boss bring?” Ye Liuyun probed.
Liu Yan chuckled, still silent-casting: “He doesn’t tell me much. He did say to keep you off the battlefield—so relax and wait for the curtain drop. I’m tagging along; means I don’t have to charge the front either.”
Ye Liuyun read the message clearly: Li Qingyang was keeping him on a leash. He answered blandly, “No fight at all? I wanted to test the Desolate Sea heavyweights.”
Liu Yan panicked. “Don’t be reckless—those monsters aren’t for us. You’ll see.”
Ye Liuyun nodded. “Since I’m benched, their strength is none of my business.”
Only then did Liu Yan breathe again. Li Qingyang had ordered him to watch Ye Liuyun’s group; they were earmarked as body-knights for Chang Yuxing after return. Liu Yan couldn’t afford slip-ups.
Conversation over, Ye Liuyun opened his golden sight to size up the Huoyin system. They were inside now; a large planet loomed.
His eyes pierced the surface: cultivators of every tier, unlike Dubridge system where elites clustered. Common folk thronged the cities.
Yet in one city he already spotted six warriors at Seventh–Eighth Step Returning, and those were only the exposed ones.
Order resembled any normal city—nothing like pirate-held ruins.
Looks like an ordinary world, not bandit territory.
Confidence stirred: once he grabbed the treasure, he could vanish inside with his Thousand Phantoms art—no one would find him.
He noticed their fleet heading straight for that planet. “We’re landing here?”
“Boss wants a breather,” Liu Yan said. “Everyone stocks up at the trade guild, then we jump for Desolate Sea.”
“I’ll rally the others,” Ye Liuyun said, calling Tang Xinyao and the rest to see what resources the guild held.
“Let’s go together,” Liu Yan offered. “My first time too. I’ll treat you all at a restaurant—welcome banquet for joining my squad.”
He feared they might offend some powerhouse; plus, future chief-bodyguards deserved early favor.
Ye Liuyun didn’t care whether it was babysitting—he had no move to make. He warned his people to flash no wealth that might rouse suspicion.
After landing outside the city walls, Tang Xinyao’s group emerged with them.
Liu Yan’s eyes widened: “You’ve broken through again?”
Three months out, fresh on the heels of their last advance—impossible not to stare.
“We used the loot,” Ye Liuyun said quickly.
“Profitable voyage, huh.” Liu Yan swallowed envy.
Every pirate aimed first for the guild; fearing latecomers would skim the best goods, Ye Liuyun hustled Liu Yan onward, diverting him.
Inside, they found top-tier stock separated from common wares—more high-end resources than they’d ever seen.
