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Hearing this, Wen Qiao's eyebrows twitched slightly, her thoughts immediately turning to the Min clan on Shangzhou Island.

Based on the actions of the mastermind who killed her parents years ago, they must have stationed operatives in the Central Continent to monitor them and would have learned of their journey to the Inner Sea. They likely set up an ambush along the way, but since the Central Continent is not the Min clan's territory, despite the Min clan's considerable power, they wouldn't dare to extend their reach there, which ensured their smooth journey to the Inner Sea.

However, once they arrived in the Inner Sea, everything changed.

In the Inner Sea, a top-tier force can easily engage in covert operations, let alone hire pirates to intercept them.

Pirates are a band of outlaws. If the reward is substantial enough, they wouldn't hesitate to confront Haiyun Pavilion. After completing their mission, they would swiftly disappear with their spoils. The vastness of the Shengwu Continent offers countless places to hide.

If the pirates were indeed sent by the Min clan, it wouldn't be a shock.

They probably didn't expect Qin Hongdao to choose Haiyun Pavilion's ship with such financial clout. Haiyun Pavilion's reputation justifies its high ticket prices, ensuring the safety of its passengers.

After the pirates retreated, the ship's passengers retreated to their cabins to rest.

Back in the cabin, Shi Wuming said, "I reckon those pirates were sent by the Min clan."

"It's a possibility," Ning Jichen said with concern. The Min clan's status in the Inner Sea is equivalent to that of the Chixiao Sect, Qingyun Sect, and Guiyi Sect in the Central Continent, which could lead to complications.

Qin Hongdao and Yi Xuan also speculated the same. Earlier, when they learned from Liu Zizi that Haiyun Pavilion's backer was one of the three major forces on Shangzhou Island, Zhanhai Tower, they grasped the pirates' probable motives. Otherwise, the pirates wouldn't dare to openly challenge the formidable Zhanhai Tower.

"Perhaps there will be more trouble waiting for us on Zhongzhou Island," Yi Xuan said with a sharp, icy stare.

Ning Yuzhou looked at them, his gaze falling on the quiet Wen Qiao beside him.

He held her hand and said to them, "This matter is indeed quite tricky. Let's discuss it further when we reach Zhongzhou Island."

His calm demeanor inexplicably put everyone at ease. They continued their conversation for a bit before departing.

This pirate attack appeared to be just the start.

Subsequently, Haiyun Pavilion's ship was attacked by pirates several times in a row.

However, these pirates were clever, aware that Haiyun Pavilion was not to be messed with. They avoided direct confrontation with Haiyun Pavilion but instead drove sea beasts to attack while they orchestrated the attacks from the shadows.

Wen Tuti was instantly enraged.

He stomped his feet and cursed, "The sea beasts in Xingyue Gorge weren't nearly as bold. How dare the sea beasts here act so arrogantly? Next time they come, we'll kill them!"

Wen Guangun, who had also spent time in Xingyue Gorge, hugged the Golden Whisker Cloud Bamboo and nodded in agreement with Wen Tuti.

Back then, they didn't just idle around in Xingyue Gorge; they even received guidance from a Yuanchuang stage demon cultivator. Unfortunately, this place is too far from Xingyue Gorge, so summoning Yansheng was out of the question. Otherwise, just one Yansheng would make these sea beasts prostrate themselves at the bottom of the sea.

Seeing how angry he was, Wen Qiao quickly said, "Actually, the sea beasts are just following orders. The fault lies not with them but with those pirates. Why get angry at them? Wouldn't it be better to have them attack the pirates instead?"

This idea was quite cunning, clearly aiming to turn the sea beasts against the pirates.

Everyone thought that if it could really work, it would be quite satisfying. Unfortunately, like young beasts, sea beasts are not easily swayed.

However, Wen Qiao, Wen Tuti, and Wen Guangun were full of confidence. Even Ning Yuzhou had a smile on his face, waiting for them to turn the tide, and even offered to provide some help—like a batch of poison pills?

Qin Hongdao and the others were dumbfounded as they watched.

——

When sea beasts attacked again, Wen Qiao and Wen Tuti volunteered to help.

Although Haiyun Pavilion wouldn't trouble its guests, if the guests were eager to help, they naturally wouldn't refuse. But this time, the attackers were actually ninth-tier sea beasts, which even Haiyun Pavilion found alarming, wondering how the pirates managed to control such high-tier sea beasts.

It is important to know that a ninth-tier sea beast is a high-level young beast, just one step away from shapeshifting, and is the overlord of the sea. If a cultivator could form a pact with one, there would be almost no place in the inner sea they couldn't go.

"It’s a ninth-tier sea beast. No worries, we’ve got this," Wen Qiao remained as calm as ever.

The people from Haiyun Pavilion tried to dissuade them, but seeing their determination, they had to let it go. Haiyun Pavilion is a trading hub, not a security service; if someone’s hell-bent on getting themselves killed, they won’t desperately stop them.

At that moment, the people from Haiyun Pavilion said nothing more and continued to fight the ninth-tier sea beast that had surfaced.

However, when they saw the two suddenly leap into the sea mid-fight, the guards from Haiyun Pavilion were totally baffled.

Qin Hongdao and the others, who came over to see what Wen Qiao and Wen Tuti were up to, freaked out when they saw them dive into the sea.

"Will Chui and Tuti be alright?" The worried father, Ning Jichen, was anxious about the two children, as it was a ninth-tier sea beast after all.

Ning Yuzhou calmly said, "No need to worry, Chui and Wen Tuti have both taken water-resistance pills, so fighting in the water is no different from fighting on land."

Even if they have taken water-resistance pills, how can humans and young beasts possibly take on sea beasts underwater? However, Ning Yuzhou is not one to exaggerate; if he says so, there must be a reason.

Qin Hongdao stroked his chin, "You’ve trained in the Endless Sea before, haven’t you?"

Ning Yuzhou nodded, "We stayed in Xingyue Gorge for three years, where our opponents were ninth-tier young beasts and demon cultivators capable of shapeshifting. Chui and Wen Tuti are fearless when it comes to battling sea beasts."

Wen Qiao and Wen Tuti were indeed fearless.

The sea beast attacking the ship this time was a ninth-tier dominant octopus. Seeing this dominant octopus, they couldn’t help but think of the demon cultivator capable of shapeshifting named Lord Wu next to Xingyue Gorge. Although not the same type of sea beast, it somehow felt quite similar to them.

The fact that the pirates could drive a ninth-tier sea beast here shows their strength is not to be underestimated, no wonder they dared to offend Haiyun Pavilion.

The dominant octopus stirred up towering waves in the sea, arrogant and domineering, its long tentacles slapping towards Haiyun Pavilion’s ship, making the ship’s defensive array flicker with spiritual energy.