Volume Six: Theft Is Robbery Chapter Five: The Sacred Maiden of the Demonic Sect (Part One)

Jing'er was even more eager than Kuang Chi, feeling the weight of the favors she had received. She kept pushing Duke Yelu so hard that he began to hide whenever he saw her.

One day, Kuang Chi and Duke Yelu were retrieving a set of the latest life-support equipment, produced by the Universal Federation, from a spaceport in outer space. Just as they walked into the spaceship with the accompanying installation technicians, the captain in charge of the outer perimeter security hurried over. Seeing Kuang Chi, he said, "Young Master, there are people outside the ship asking to see you."

Kuang Chi paused, asking with some curiosity, "Who are they?"

The captain shook his head. "They didn't say. They only mentioned that you would understand once you saw them. However, it seems to me that two of them are Martial Venerable-level experts."

At this, not only Kuang Chi but even Duke Yelu beside him couldn't help but gasp. Fortunately, the installation technicians had already been led away to the interior of the ship to begin their work.

Without a second thought, Kuang Chi said, "Duke, let's go see them together."

Duke Yelu shook his head with a bitter smile. "I won't go. I cannot afford to get involved in anything involving Martial Venerables, and the Yelu family certainly cannot afford to either."

Kuang Chi had learned much about the standing of the Yelu family over the past few days. Their influence in human society, or even within the Piaofeng Empire, was not particularly significant. It was only a few decades ago that a beautiful woman from the Yelu family became one of the imperial concubines of the current Piaofeng Emperor. This concubine happened to bear the Emperor his only two heirs—a pair of adorable twin daughters.

The Yelu family had risen to prominence because of this, becoming a family of some influence in the Piaofeng Empire. However, their time in power was short, and while they had influence, their actual strength was not something that could be built up overnight.

Kuang Chi did not insist, knowing that the current Yelu family truly could not afford to offend a clan or sect that possessed Martial Venerable-level experts.

Kuang Chi walked slowly to the stern exit. When he saw the five people blocked by the guards, his brows furrowed.

Five individuals cloaked in deep black robes stood silently. The eerie aura they emitted immediately reminded Kuang Chi of the Ghost Immortal he had met previously; the sensation they gave him was extremely similar.

Kuang Chi walked up to them, and both sides stood there, sizing each other up.

After a long while, Kuang Chi spoke first. "Are you from the Demonic Sect?"

The person at the front of the group nodded slightly. "Is Your Excellency the Young Master of the Kuang family?"

Kuang Chi was stunned to hear the voice; it was a woman's voice, and it sounded like that of a very young woman. Not only from the tone but from the unique feeling conveyed in her words, Kuang Chi was certain she was quite young. The voice was so melodious that it gave him the illusion of being utterly captivating.

Although most high-level experts possessed methods to retain their youth—especially female experts who could maintain the appearance of being in their twenties even after hundreds of years—the nuance in their speech often revealed information they did not intend to disclose. Age and life experience could be betrayed not just by one's eyes, but by one's tone of voice as well.

Kuang Chi nodded and asked, "And who are you?"

Behind the leader, someone spoke up. "Young Master Kuang, since you know we are from the Demonic Sect, may we step inside the ship to talk in detail? As for the reason for our visit, I believe you already know a thing or two from that old ghost, the Ghost Immortal."

Judging by the man's tone and the impression he gave, Kuang Chi was certain he was an expert of the same level as the Ghost Immortal—a so-called Martial Venerable.

Kuang Chi frowned, then gestured for them to follow, leading them to the cabin where he had previously entertained the Ghost Immortal.

Afterward, Kuang Chi asked the members of the Tyrannosaurus Peak group to leave. Although they seemed reluctant, they knew that if these people meant Kuang Chi harm, their presence would be of no use.

Just as the men from Tyrannosaurus Peak left and Kuang Chi was about to speak, Jing'er rushed in, holding the little creature that still hadn't opened its eyes, while wearing the Fire Prison Soul-Refining Glove on one hand.

The five members of the Demonic Sect showed no unusual reaction to Jing'er's arrival, but when they saw the Fire Prison Soul-Refining Glove on her left hand, they all let out a low gasp.

Jing'er walked straight to Kuang Chi's side with a look of heroic resolve, as if she were prepared to share his burden.

After sitting down next to him, Jing'er asked, "I hear you are from the Demonic Sect?"

The woman at the head of the group nodded gently, and after several soft laughs echoed from beneath her hood, she said, "You must be Princess Jing'er of the Piaofeng Empire."

She glanced again at the Fire Prison Soul-Refining Glove on Jing'er's left hand and paused before adding, "I never expected that Senior Ghost Immortal would give his signature weapon to you. I wonder if he also taught you his famous techniques?"

Jing'er was stunned. She looked at the glove and shook her head. "No."

Upon hearing this, the visitors seemed to lose interest, turning their attention back to Kuang Chi. "Young Master Kuang, you must have learned the true origin of the Nether God Ship from Senior Ghost Immortal."

Kuang Chi shook his head immediately. "I don't know what a Nether God Ship is. If you are here looking for one, please return. All we have here is our newly built Phantom Pirate Ship."

Before the others could speak, Jing'er chimed in, "May I ask what a Nether God Ship is? It sounds very impressive."

The leader pondered for a moment before continuing. "Young Master Kuang, Princess Jing'er, I think there is a misunderstanding. We are not here to demand the Nether God Ship from you. We are well aware that this ship is a new creation. Although the original Nether God Ship has been missing for hundreds of years, we know it was not as large as this one. We are here to seek cooperation."

Kuang Chi frowned, and after a long silence, asked, "What kind of cooperation? And may I ask who you are?"

The woman chuckled again. "I am the current Saintess of the Demonic Sect."

Kuang Chi had actually suspected that she was the current leader of the Demonic Sect; only someone of her status would be guarded by two Martial Venerable-level experts.

Although Kuang Chi showed no shock, Jing'er gasped, her eyes turning into hearts. "Are you really the Saintess of the Demonic Sect?"

The Saintess nodded, and Jing'er shrieked, "Oh my god! I'm actually seeing the Saintess of the Demonic Sect! You and my sister are my idols! Can I get an autograph later?"

Kuang Chi couldn't bear Jing'er's fangirl behavior any longer and interrupted, "Jing'er, enough. We can talk about that later."

The Saintess couldn't help but laugh.

At this, one of the Martial Venerables behind her spoke up. "Young Master Kuang, I believe that old ghost must have told you the purpose of this Nether God Ship."

Kuang Chi nodded. "Indeed. Senior Ghost Immortal said this Phantom Pirate Ship could enter the God-Grudge Star Field. And let me correct you: this ship is called the Phantom Pirate Ship, not the Nether God Ship. If you wish to cooperate with this Phantom Pirate Ship, you are welcome. If you are looking for a 'Nether God Ship,' you will have to look elsewhere."

The atmosphere in the cabin grew tense until the Saintess finally said, "Then we shall call it the Phantom Pirate Ship."

Kuang Chi nodded. "Then, Saintess, how do you propose we cooperate?"

The Saintess pondered for a moment, exchanged glances with the four people behind her, and said, "The Demonic Sect wishes to send people to accompany this ship into the Nether Soul Sea of the God-Grudge Star Field."

Kuang Chi did not object, but asked, "What do we get out of it? If I am not mistaken, only this Phantom Pirate Ship has the ability to pass through the outer edges of the God-Grudge Star Field to reach the Nether Soul Sea."

One of the experts behind the Saintess replied, "We can give you ten percent of what we harvest from the Nether Soul Sea as payment for this journey."

Kuang Chi and Jing'er exchanged looks. If the four items were as the Ghost Immortal had claimed—possessing the power to extend the life of a Martial Venerable—then ten percent was a very significant reward, even if it seemed low at first glance.

Given that the Demonic Sect would be sending Martial Venerable-level experts, ten percent was actually quite generous. For a Martial Venerable to take action and still grant a share of the harvest was, under normal circumstances, a worthwhile deal.

Kuang Chi contemplated for a while before asking, "May I ask about the specific conditions within the Nether Soul Sea? Senior Ghost Immortal has already decided to go personally, and the Kuang family will likely send Martial Venerables as well. Will this cause conflict?"

The Saintess shook her head. "The people our sect sends will never interfere with you. Only Martial Venerables have the strength to collect items outside the ship while navigating the Nether Soul Sea. Having more people actually increases safety, and it will not negatively impact anyone's share. On the contrary, more people can lead to more gains."

Kuang Chi was taken aback and quickly asked, "Is the situation inside that dangerous, even for Martial Venerables? Can you explain the specifics to us in detail?"