Volume Six: Theft Is Robbery, Chapter One: Jealousy and Rivalry (Part I)

Kuang Chi activated the external energy turbulence via the console—essentially opening the special metal shielding that contained the crystals and prevented their energy from leaking outward.

As the energy turbulence slowly spread, enveloping the entire Ghost Pirate Ship, Kuang Chi gave the order to head toward the star sector Jing'er had identified.

Seeing that everything was in order, Jing'er smiled and said, "It looks like the effect is quite good. I’m going to the life-support pod now; we should be able to send out a distress signal."

Before Kuang Chi could reply, Jing'er's uncle, Duke Yero, suddenly spoke up from the side: "Young Master Kuang, there is something I would like to ask your help with."

Kuang Chi collected his thoughts and quickly replied, "Duke Yero, you are being too formal. Whatever you need, if it is within my power, I will not refuse."

Duke Yero pondered for a moment, glanced at Jing'er, and then said, "I would like to request a group of people from you."

Kuang Chi frowned, thinking for a while before asking, "Are you intending to ask for the people from Nianzu Peak?"

Duke Yero nodded. "Many of them are descendants of the most famous and ancient noble families of our empire. I believe their families would welcome their return."

Kuang Chi contemplated this for a long time. Finally, he looked at Jing'er, who wore an equally eager expression, and said, "That is not a problem. However, I am concerned they may harbor animosity toward the Kuang family; it is said that their ancestors held blood feuds with Tyrannosaurus Peak."

Duke Yero immediately responded, "Please rest assured, Young Master. Even if they return to their original families, they will not have much room for further development. I simply hope to use this as a way to build closer ties with those families."

Duke Yero then looked at the twelve people behind him and added, "Please also rest assured, Young Master Kuang, that I will not ask for too many people. After all, I have lived on Nianzu Peak for several years; I would never suggest anyone who would be detrimental to the Kuang family."

Kuang Chi pondered once more before finally nodding. "Very well. But I can only say that I will suggest it to Tyrannosaurus Peak on your behalf. As for whether they are willing to let them go, I cannot guarantee it."

Duke Yero nodded happily in succession.

With the speed of the Ghost Pirate Ship, they reached the space outside a pale green planet indicated by Duke Yero in less than ten days.

During these ten days, Kuang Chi and the others had not been idle; they began to systematically drill the personnel on the ship.

However, the two hundred or so experts from Tyrannosaurus Peak were currently causing Kuang Chi a great deal of distress. They did not possess Divine Martial Beasts. Although their cultivation was profound, they could not survive freely in space like the space pirates who owned Divine Martial Beasts. At most, they could stay outside the ship for less than an hour before having to return. Moreover, during that hour, they had to channel most of their internal energy just to maintain their bodily functions.

Upon reaching their destination, Jing'er finally emerged from the life-support pod after nearly ten days. After hearing Kuang Chi’s explanation, her brow furrowed. She looked at the four captains standing among the two hundred men of Tyrannosaurus Peak—all of whom wore troubled expressions—and said, "It seems the evolutionary path they chose on Forgotten Star has caused our human physiology to diverge significantly. However, it is not entirely without a solution. Their aging rate is much slower than ours; it is possible that biological spores could still be compatible with them."

Duke Yero chimed in, "I agree. Biological spores attach and parasitize based on the physiological state of the human body. For normal humans, eighteen is the most suitable age, but that is a general figure. For humans living in cities with magnetic shielding and artificial gravity, eighteen is ideal. But for humans living on planets without such equipment, this timing is inaccurate. Governments have tacitly agreed to remain silent on this matter to avoid unnecessary trouble, which is why the public is unaware of it."

Jing'er then added, "Once we reach Azure Leaf Planet, I will have someone procure some biological spores for you to see if they can be used. If not..." She looked at the four captains with a sympathetic expression, "...they will have to remain on the planet."

Kuang Chi understood well that experts like those from Tyrannosaurus Peak were, in many ways, equal to or stronger than the powerful elites who possessed Divine Martial Beasts. The lack of these beasts made space survival difficult for them, far less convenient than for those who had them. This severely impacted their combat effectiveness in space. If they could rival a Level 6 expert on a planet, in space, they might not even be a match for a Level 3.

Kuang Chi sighed deeply. "It is the only way. I only hope their bodies can still fuse with the biological spores. Otherwise, the descendants of Tyrannosaurus Peak will be hindered."

Upon hearing this, Jing'er gave Kuang Chi a sharp look. "Why do you seem so ungrateful? Even if they cannot enter space, their strength on a planet is undeniable. Regardless, with them, the strength of your Kuang family has increased significantly."

Jing'er smiled. "Though, because of this, I imagine that small-minded emperor of your country will have even more trouble sleeping."

Kuang Chi snorted with frustration, though it was unclear if it was directed at Jing'er’s remark or the Emperor of the Carlo Empire.

Jing'er did not press the issue further. She smiled and turned to Duke Yero, who was watching silently. "Uncle, what should we do now? I do not want the world to see this Ghost Pirate Ship."

Duke Yero smiled. "There is a spaceport on Azure Leaf Planet specifically for docking our family's merchant ships. It is relatively safe there. Although this Ghost Pirate Ship has a strange appearance, no one has seen its true face in centuries, and they certainly won't now. Let us enter the spaceport first and get this ship the upgrades it needs."

Jing'er frowned adorably. "Are the instruments and equipment on Azure Leaf Planet worthy of this ship? I was thinking of having my sister send over a batch of the most advanced technology."

Duke Yero laughed. "Princess, you don't know this, but on Azure Leaf Planet, as long as you have money, you can get not only the most advanced technology from our Piaofeng Empire but even the most advanced tech from the Galactic Federation."

He paused, then added with a smile, "Of course, excluding things recently developed by our Imperial Research Institute that have not yet entered production."

Jing'er frowned. "Are you saying that even our empire’s military supplies are available here?"

Duke Yero nodded with a smile. "Don't be angry, Princess. In fact, this is tacitly permitted by the empire. Through this place, we can exchange for items that are also under military control within the Galactic Federation."

Using the communication equipment in Jing'er’s life-support pod, after a series of calls and identity verifications, the ship finally landed in a spaceport under the guidance of a small pilot craft.

Jing'er’s identity was not disclosed. After the ship landed, Duke Yero took only Kuang Chi and Jing'er with him as they disembarked.

Not long after leaving the ship, a group of several dozen people hurried to meet them. At the head was an elderly man with white hair.

As soon as he saw Duke Yero, his face filled with excitement. He bowed from a distance before quickly walking up to the Duke, visibly moved. "Lord Duke, I never imagined it was truly you. It is wonderful that you have returned safely."

Duke Yero smiled elegantly and asked, "Who is the current head of the Ye family?"

Hearing this question, the old man’s face showed a flash of helplessness, which then turned into indignation. "Who else could it be but that scoundrel son of the Great Elder? My Lord, now that you have returned, I will contact our people immediately and demand they relinquish the position."

The old man seemed to only then notice Jing'er standing behind the Duke. His expression froze, followed by a look of profound excitement, as if he had recognized her identity.

Duke Yero frowned. "Never mind that for now. If it benefits the development of our family for that father and son to hold power, I have no objection to not being the head."

However, looking at his expression, anyone could see that Duke Yero was extremely displeased. These words were merely for show, intended for the others following the old man.

Duke Yero continued, "Arrange our accommodations. I have matters to attend to here on Azure Leaf Planet."

The three of them checked into a very luxurious hotel. Judging by the people coming and going, it was clearly one of the best on the planet. Among the nobility and great families, most people wore small accessories to indicate their status, usually small badges pinned to their chests, allowing outsiders to identify them. Kuang Chi had only walked through the lobby to spot several descendants of well-known families within the galaxy.

After they settled into their rooms, Duke Yero disappeared. Not long after, Jing'er walked into Kuang Chi's room. Smiling, she said, "Fatty, let's go get something to eat. The cuisine on Azure Leaf Planet is famous; many nobles of our Piaofeng Empire choose to live here permanently."