Chapter 638: Section 425: Ba Qi vs Cai Jing
Lan Zao slowly opened his heavy eyelids.
The ceiling he was familiar with came into view. Without looking around, he knew: he had been rescued and had returned to the infirmary of the Shuang Tu Medical Hall.
“I remember I was captured by Ba Qi, who forcefully infused Fighting Energy into me.”
“Although I managed to hold on aboard the pirate ship and barely kept conscious, I fell into a coma after falling into the water.”
“It must have been Shuang Tu who rescued me…”
Despite Lan Zao’s lack of cunning and strategic skill, this was not difficult to surmise.
After every training session, he would use teleportation to return to the underground plaza of the Shuang Tu Medical Hall to recuperate.
If the time came and he didn’t show up, Shuang Tu would certainly investigate.
Lan Zao checked his own condition.
He found that his body was almost entirely wrapped in white bandages, including his head.
The bandages layered over one another, leaving only slits for his eyes.
At the same time, the sensation of pain was gradually intensifying.
This was because he had been in a coma before, and now that he had awakened, his perception had grown much stronger.
However, accompanied by the pain, there was also a cool feeling.
Lan Zao could smell the scent of Magic Ointment; clearly, he had once again received proper treatment from Shuang Tu.
Just as Lan Zao realized this, the door to the infirmary was gently pushed open, and Shuang Tu walked in.
Lan Zao wasn’t surprised.
Having seen the alchemy components in the medical hall’s underground plaza, he knew that the seemingly ordinary medical hall hid many facilities. Shuang Tu’s control over the medical hall went far beyond what it seemed, so it was no surprise that Shuang Tu knew he was awake and had come to him shortly after he regained consciousness.
“Thank you, Physician Shuang Tu, for saving me, once again,” Lan Zao took the initiative to express his gratitude.
Shuang Tu smiled, “The situation was indeed perilous. Your Bloodline has awakened, but it still needs much training. At least when I found you, your gills were not functioning.”
“Normally, even if you were unconscious, you should’ve retained the ability to breathe.”
“But you had not integrated the use of gills into your instincts. At that time, you were only relying on your Fish Bladder and the residual air in your body to survive temporarily. Had I been ten minutes later, you would have probably drowned.”
Having said this, Shuang Tu’s tone shifted, “But how does the saying go—’Fortune and misfortune are two sides of the same coin’?”
“You encountered Ba Qi this time and nearly died, but it also triggered the transformation of your Fighting Energy.”
“The water grass Fighting Energy you previously mastered was not suitable for you after your Bloodline awoke. However, Ba Qi’s Multiple Air Pressure Fighting Energy is very fitting.”
“If you were to transform this Combat Skill on your own, you would need at least ten days or half a month. But with Ba Qi’s operation, now your body is full of Multiple Air Pressure Fighting Energy. Of course, this is heterogenous Fighting Energy. You need to undergo solitary Cultivation to produce your own Multiple Air Pressure Fighting Energy.”
“Nevertheless, you only need a day or two to adapt.”
Hearing this, Lan Zao couldn’t help but give a wry smile, “If possible, I would prefer to convert the Fighting Energy by myself. I never expected that I would suddenly encounter the Haughty pirate group and almost die at Ba Qi’s hands!”
“I must take revenge when the opportunity arises!!”
Shuang Tu nodded, “Before you find that opportunity, I advise you to stay patient. I haven’t told you yet, but the Haughty pirate group has already arrived at Flower Skirt Island.”
“What?” Lan Zao was astonished.
Nearly ten pirate ships were docked at the port of Flower Skirt Island.
The pirate flags fluttering in the wind attracted countless gazes.
When Ba Qi took the lead, disembarking from the deck with a host of subordinates stepping onto the land of Flower Skirt Island, the entire port was abuzz.
A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd that had come to spectate.
“The Ba Qi pirate group!”
“Really, it’s them.”
“Ba Qi… I saw Ba Qi with my own eyes! They are members of the Firebeard pirate group!!”
Ba Qi was not a frequent visitor in these waters, but he had long been a pirate, with a reputation that had spread for many years. He possessed formidable personal combat power, and his most legendary experience was his successful escape from the Abyss Inverted Tower. He also had a unique and eccentric behavior, definitely qualifying as a pirate star.
The Abyss Inverted Tower was the number one super-prison in the Main Plane.
The construction of this prison dates back more than a thousand years.
When the Demons heavily invaded the Main Plane, various races formed an alliance and, after innumerable fierce battles, finally came to the Sky-reaching Well.
This enormous transport device was built by the Demon Clan around a natural spatial tunnel. With a level reaching the Legend tier, it could transport Legend-tier Demons.
At the Sky-reaching Well, a decisive battle ensued.
The Demons were defeated, and the alliance was victorious.
The alliance leaders were about to destroy the Sky-reaching Well but were stopped by the renowned Dwarf craftswoman, Firebeard. This Legendary female Dwarf possessed the powerful ability to forge Divine Artifacts, had numerous contributions to her name, and was irreplaceable.
Firebeard told everyone: Simply destroying the Sky-reaching Well would do more harm than good. It was a carefully prepared trap by the Demons that would turn this spatial tunnel into a chaotic spatial current, lasting for tens of thousands of years, posing a threat to the Main Plane.
Firebeard then suggested: Instead of destroying it, why not transform the Sky-reaching Well and construct an Inverted Tower on its foundation.
She then listed many advantages to her plan, successfully convincing the alliance’s high command.
The various races joined hands to build the Abyss Inverted Tower, and even though they mobilized almost all of the artisans and Alchemists from the Main Plane and sourced building materials from all over the world, it still took them more than a decade to complete the tower.
After the Inverted Tower was built, the major forces of the various races took turns guarding it. However, the Abyss’s essence was difficult to shield and kept eroding the structure. After several major rotations, the races negotiated to convert the Inverted Tower into a prison, locking up some of the most wicked criminals to guard and redeem themselves within.
Ba Qi was one of the prisoners held in the Inverted Tower.
But he managed to escape from it; in the past 500 years, he was the only one to achieve that feat!
At the time, he was just a child and only at the Bronze Level.
This legendary experience set him apart. It was said that Firebeard personally sought him out and recruited him, leading the Ba Qi pirate group to join under Firebeard’s banner.
Ba Qi strode forward towards the front.
The crowd automatically parted wherever he went.
Many shouted and cheered, seeking Ba Qi’s approval to join the Ba Qi pirate group.
Others stood with folded arms, watching from a distance apprehensively.
Several Silver Level figures appeared in front of Ba Qi.
“Lord Ba Qi, the squad leader of the Ba Qi pirate group, welcome to Flower Skirt Island,” one of the Silver Levels said, mustering up the courage to speak to Ba Qi.
Ba Qi, tall in stature, looked down at the Silver Levels with a condescending gaze, “So it’s you guys controlling this island? Your strength seems rather inadequate.”
One of the Silver Levels, with a stern expression, replied, “Lord Ba Qi, Flower Skirt Island is a place of freedom, welcoming anyone as long as they don’t bring malice.”
“We’re just fortunate to have earned the trust of others and temporarily serve as the island’s managers.”
“The truth is, the Silver Level is not the highest level on Flower Skirt Island. Master Cai Jing of the Gold Level has been living in seclusion here for many years now.”
Ba Qi gazed at him, “What’s your name?”
“Sang Shu,” the Silver Snow Elf who had responded to Ba Qi quickly said.
“The one standing behind you, is he your son?” Ba Qi asked.
The Snow Elf named Sang Shu suddenly panicked and blurted out irrelevantly, “Lord Ba Qi, I have always had a close partnership with Master Cai Jing. My son is even an Alchemy Apprentice under Master Cai Jing…”
“Ha ha ha!” Ba Qi suddenly burst out laughing, interrupting Sang Shu, “Your son, I’ve taken a liking to him!”
As he spoke, he splayed his fingers, unleashing a powerful suction force.
The young man behind Sang Shu couldn’t fend it off and was sucked into Ba Qi’s palm.
The young man’s head was gripped by Ba Qi’s hand while his body, bound by strands of white Fighting energy, floated in midair.
The young man struggled desperately, screaming wildly, but couldn’t escape.
“Save me, Dad, please save me!”
“Lord Ba Qi, please show mercy!” Sang Shu didn’t dare to make a move, pleading urgently.
But the next moment, his pleas were drowned out by his son’s agonizing screams.
An immense amount of Fighting energy pressure was forcibly infused into the young man’s body by Ba Qi, causing the young man to scream in agony. His body swelled like an inflated balloon, quickly becoming unrecognizable.
Sang Shu, desperately trying to persuade him, could no longer restrain himself and launched a Combat Skill at Ba Qi.
The pirates around Ba Qi watched in amusement, showing no intention to intervene.
The Silver Level Combat Skill was easily blocked by Ba Qi, who casually flicked his hand at Sang Shu.
Sang Shu was sent flying into the air, powerless to resist.
Bang.
The next moment, the young man in Ba Qi’s hand exploded, his blood, brain matter, and fragments of flesh and bone splattered everywhere, staining the scene red.
Ba Qi’s face and chest were smeared with red.
He shook his hand, expressing disappointment, “It’s a failure. This young man seemed quite promising, yet he couldn’t last even a short period.”
Dead silence fell over the scene.
Those who were just cheering were now dumbstruck, a chill rising in their hearts as they witnessed Ba Qi’s ruthless disregard for life.
Seeing his son’s tragic death, despair and hatred flooded Sang Shu’s entire being.
“You killed my son, you killed my son!!” he roared, drawing his crossbow and firing furiously at Ba Qi.
But the power of the Silver Level crossbow, even when paired with Silver Level Alchemy Arrows, was insufficient to harm even a single hair on Ba Qi.
Ba Qi’s body shimmered slightly as a mass of Qi elemental separated from within.
The Qi elemental transformed into a giant hand, glowing with the light of the Golden Fighting Spirit, and charged at Sang Shu.
Sang Shu’s face showed terror; he scrambled backward in panic.
The Gold Master pursued relentlessly.
Sang Shu fled frantically, reaching the southern part of Flower Skirt Island, shouting, “Master Cai Jing, Master Cai Jing, please help me, your apprentice was killed by Ba Qi, save my life!”
Boom.
A spell flew out, shattering the golden hand.
Master Cai Jing appeared, confronting Ba Qi, “Haughty Pirate Group leader, Flower Skirt Island is not a place for you to do as you please!”
Ba Qi laughed heartily again, “Cai Jing, this isn’t your territory either. Are you qualified to speak to me like this? I highly doubt that!”
With that, Ba Qi rose into the air, charging at Cai Jing.
Cai Jing stood undaunted, staff in hand, engaging in fierce combat with Ba Qi.
Both, as if by tacit understanding, rose into the sky to clash, sparing Flower Skirt Island from harm.
Being both of Gold Level, their battle was closely matched for a time.
Onlookers watched the fight, not taking their eyes off the action.
After about a dozen exchanges, Cai Jing could no longer hold up and fell back to the ground.
“Combat Skill—Multiple Air Pressure!”
Ba Qi thrust his hands forward in a sweeping motion, unleashing multiple waves of air pressure.
Master Cai Jing hurriedly raised his Magic Wand, propping up a blue Mage’s shield.
Each wave of air pressure weighed as heavy as mountains, pressing down on Master Cai Jing and stirring up a sky full of dirt, debris, and smoke.
The smoke and dust swiftly covered Master Cai Jing’s figure.
When the smoke cleared, Master Cai Jing emerged with a dusty face, but he had not suffered serious injury.
His Mage’s shield had been dispersed, but the giant trumpet flowers around him had protected him.
Huge trumpet flowers emerged from the ground, some as large as carriages, others at least the height of a person.
The trumpet flowers aimed at Ba Qi, spewing out jets of multicolored potions.
Ba Qi tried to resist but soon his expression drastically changed, horrified to discover the multicolored potions were highly poisonous. They could penetrate his Fighting energy defenses, confuse his Fighting energy, and transform his Fighting energy into other types.
Different types of Fighting energy severely conflicted with one another.
“Cai Jing, your combat strength is quite formidable,” Ba Qi stopped voluntarily and landed on the ground.
Master Cai Jing, pale in the face, stared at Ba Qi, “Leave as soon as possible, Flower Skirt Island does not welcome the Haughty Sea Pirate Group.”
Ba Qi laughed and waved his hand at him, then turned and left, “I don’t like staying here either; as soon as my supplies are replenished, I’ll be gone.”
Master Cai Jing remained silent, watching until Ba Qi’s figure had disappeared before he dived underground.
The two Gold Level contenders had shown each other their prowess and each realized the other’s difficulty to handle. They both chose to cease the fight.
Late into the night.
Beneath the clinic.
The light from the teleportation faded away, and Ba Qi had arrived. “Long time no see, healer.”
He greeted casually.
Shuang Tu maintained a calm expression, nodding slightly at him as he pointed towards the room used previously to examine Lan Zao, “Go in and have your body checked first, let’s make it quick. The less time we secretly meet, the smaller the chances of exposing any flaws.”
“You’re always so careful,” Ba Qi entered the room, laid down, and let the Magic Array’s light continuously scan his entire body.
“Your illness has worsened,” said Shuang Tu in a heavy tone.
Ba Qi didn’t care much, “Managing to escape from that hellish Inverted Tower, I’ve already made a huge gain. Now, I just want to fulfill my teacher’s wish before I die, to spread the Air Pressure Fighting energy Skill across the world.”
“Speaking of which, that kid you sent me is indeed a good seedling, very suitable for the Air Pressure Fighting energy Skill. I almost feel reluctant to plant a Qi knot in him.”
“He is an ‘accident,'” said Shuang Tu. “We need your ‘Qi knot’ to ensure the final outcome is beneficial to us.”
“Are you planning on raising him up?” asked Ba Qi.
“Indeed, we will invest resources in cultivating him heavily. We hope he can make a contribution to the Anqiu espionage mission.”
“Anqiu, huh…” Ba Qi laughed, “That espionage mission has already failed over a dozen times, right?”
“Not just that,” Shuang Tu shook his head, “Even if it fails a hundred times, it’s still necessary to continue trying!”
“Hey, this time I helped you test Cai Jing, so you have to do me a favor,” Ba Qi suddenly said, “Pull that kid out of the Anqiu mission. To be honest, I have a good opinion of the kid’s potential.”
Shuang Tu shook his head and then immediately nodded, “Even if the Anqiu mission fails this time, Hen Fa might not necessarily die.”
“I have already made subsequent arrangements.”
“He will be poached by us and placed into the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps. We are very interested in the arms dealer behind that Mercenary Group. Personally, I think investigating the identity of the arms dealer is more reliable than spying on Anqiu.”
Ba Qi laughed, “Heh heh, I agree with your point of view. The arms dealer… that indeed would be a great achievement.”