Chapter 709: Section 496: Prey and Hunter (Additional Chapter for 2100 Votes)
The ship ghost reached out and gently caressed the head of the Fin Spirit.
The scene was not awkward as both were ghostly beings capable of physical touch.
The ship ghost surveyed the area and said, “You know, all of this is actually my fault…”
Then, he took the initiative to admit his mistake, bearing the responsibility on his own shoulders.
The Little Prince and Ku Feng quickly showed their stance, one defending the ship ghost, the other admitting his own faults too.
Cang Xu’s influence had already surpassed that of the Fin Spirit, but when compared to the ship ghost, it was minuscule.
With a single exertion of power from the ship ghost, all of Cang Xu’s previous efforts crumbled to nothing.
However, this was within Cang Xu’s expectations; in fact, he never intended to defy the ship ghost.
“Lord Ship Ghost, I am deeply grateful and admire you, and I also feel deeply sorry for you.”
“You are such a talented individual, with Golden Level Bloodline, a direct descendant of the Undead Orthodoxy, such a promising future, yet now you are caught in such a perilous situation, all because of the Da Ji Tribe!” Cang Xu continued to persuade.
The ship ghost brooded in silent anger.
He fully realized that Cang Xu was a troublesome person with a strong vengeful heart. Cang Xu’s compliments were merely a means to achieve his own goals, but unfortunately, the ship ghost could not punish Cang Xu at that moment.
Even though he had set a trap within Cang Xu, with just a thought, he could kill Cang Xu. But in the current situation, to take Cang Xu’s life would be too excessive.
The ship ghost also inwardly sighed.
He understood Cang Xu; if he were in his position and calculated against, he too would seek revenge. The extortion from Fin Spirit was somewhat understandable.
Frankly, the ship ghost had been mentally prepared for this. If Cang Xu had not reacted so, he would have been more worried about Cang Xu’s cunning.
Hence when the Fin Spirit came to him with her complaints and reports, the ship ghost actually felt a sense of relief.
As for the Da Ji Tribe, the ship ghost of course had no emotional attachment to it.
More than anything, he just used it as a means to restrain the Fin Spirit.
In some ways, the ship ghost and the Sea Snake Lady were no different.
Cang Xu did the same, using the Da Ji Tribe to tackle the Fin Spirit.
The results were extremely effective!
Who could blame the Fin Spirit for revealing such an obvious weakness?
Cang Xu seized this vulnerability, exerting just a little force, and fiercely hurt the Fin Spirit, forcing her to act according to his plans.
Finally, Cang Xu concluded, “When I recognized this reality, I decided to send them to the Ocean Nest. If there are to be any blame, blame only me!”
The Little Prince couldn’t help but look up at Cang Xu.
Even Ku Feng secretly admired Cang Xu’s resolve.
“Damn it, you clearly tried to extort me and failed, then used the Da Ji Tribe to coerce me, forcing me to bleed more for you…” the Fin Spirit could not help but speak out once more.
Cang Xu interrupted her and snorted coldly, “I claim damages from you because you targeted me before, which made me the first to participate in the Transmission Blood Sacrifice. I was lucky, favored by the owner, and managed to survive, being transported back. Claiming compensation from you, the murderer, instead of physically attacking you, shows immense restraint on my part.”
“I claim compensation with all sincerity!”
“Otherwise, why didn’t I just use the Da Ji Tribe directly to threaten you at the time of claiming compensation? Wouldn’t that be more convenient and quicker? Why bother causing such a dispute now?”
“On the night I was transported back, I thought a lot.”
“I had made up my mind to eliminate the Da Ji Tribe!”
“You might hate me, but that doesn’t matter. I will help you get rid of this weakness.”
“If you dare, if you dare do this, you are declaring yourself my enemy, and it will be a fight to the death!” the Fin Spirit yelled furiously, losing her composure.
Cang Xu remained expressionless.
The Little Prince wanted to say something, but after opening his mouth, he decided to let it be. In fact, he too was displeased with both the Fin Spirit and the Da Ji Tribe, and many of Cang Xu’s words resonated with him.
In fact, previously, the Little Prince had opposed the rescue of the Fin Spirit.
A child’s likes and dislikes are so distinct!
Ku Feng frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on the ship ghost.
Only the ship ghost could resolve the current conflict, and he always believed that the ship ghost could handle such troubles.
But just when the ship ghost was about to speak, laughter suddenly rang out, and soon a figure appeared in the pavilion.
Everyone was astonished.
But then, recognizing the figure’s face, they were not so surprised.
It was Zhou Zhang.
This Holy Domain Level Mage of the Charming Blue Sect, it wasn’t her first time eavesdropping like this.
“How interesting, really quite interesting,” Zhou Zhang revealed a satisfied smile.
Her gaze swept across the entire scene, displaying an attitude of a cat playing with a mouse.
The Fin Spirit responded, kneeling on the ground to plead with Zhou Zhang, hoping she would spare the Da Ji Tribe.
Zhou Zhang smiled lightly, looking down at the Fin Spirit, and spoke words that plunged the Fin Spirit into despair, “Xu Jia’s suggestion, I’ve seriously considered it. Indeed, the Da Ji Tribe and the Undead Mage are closely related, their background complex, holding a possibility of forging Faith and using the Charming Blue Sect to confront powerful enemies.”
“They claim that most of their tribe members are followers of Charming Blue, no harm in verifying that.”
The Fin Spirit hurriedly said, “Lady Zhou Zhang, they are all Fishmen though, similar marine life like you.”
“So what?” Zhou Zhang’s expression turned indifferent, “Not all Fishmen are followers of my lord. Right? If I still preserved my outlook within my species, then all the believers here should have been octopuses.”
Zhou Zhang’s response sent chills to the Fin Spirit.
Zhou Zhang continued to tease the Fin Spirit, “You want the Da Ji Tribe to survive, why not you participate in the Transmission Blood Sacrifice for them? Speaking of which, they are doubted because of you, aren’t they?”
“If you weren’t coveted by the Sea Snake Lady, the Da Ji Tribe wouldn’t have suffered like this, would they?”
Fin Spirit suffered a severe blow, sitting on the ground with a thud.
Zhou Zhang then solemnly stated, “You really should participate in the Transmission Blood Sacrifice as soon as possible.”
“You and Xu Jia are both Undead Mages, but Xu Jia is already a believer of our lord and has received the Divine Blessing. You are not yet a believer. Whom do you think I trust more?”
Fin Spirit’s expression changed dramatically, and she was at a loss for words.
Concerning her own survival, Fin Spirit did not want to take any risks at all. The plan to forge memories had given her new hope; before this, she had no confidence in converting her belief.
Protecting the Da Ji Tribe was the obsession that made Fin Spirit a ghost.
And if she couldn’t even survive, what was the point of holding on to any obsessions?
The ship ghosts remained silent.
As the room fell into silence, Zhou Zhang turned to Cang Xu, a meaningful smile forming on her face again.
“Cang Xu, you have been reported as well.”
“Many believers think that you have abused the public’s trust this time, attempting to use the almighty power of our lord to eradicate your enemies.”
Cang Xu hurried to explain.
Zhou Zhang listened patiently, her expression growing more mocking, “You make a good point.”
“But now, there’s already a significant portion of people who doubt you. They say, even if you received the Divine Blessing, it might have been a temporary mutation under immense pressure before death. Once you return to a safe environment, your faith declines.”
“This is not impossible, after all, faith comes from the heart and can change. Most crucially, it cannot be accurately measured.”
“Lord Zhou Zhang, please let me explain…” Cang Xu’s tone and expression were both frantic.
A Holy Domain Level octopus person raised a tentacle, cutting off Cang Xu’s words, “So, in the next Blood Sacrifice transmission, you should participate with the Da Ji Tribe.”
Cang Xu’s expression “changed dramatically”.
The Undead Mages watched in dumbfounded silence, a look of shock on their faces.
Amidst her shock, Fin Spirit wanted to mock Cang Xu but then thought of the Da Ji Tribe and suddenly lost all mood to comment.
The ship ghost’s heart turned cold, his expression ugly.
Zhou Zhang laughed aloud, “Of course, besides Cang Xu, you need to pick another person. Don’t worry, there’s enough time, take it slow.”
After saying this, she successfully saw the distress on the faces of the ship ghosts and others, laughing as she slowly faded away.
Toying with these captives brought her a lot of pleasure, one of her few recreational activities in her role as a priest.
This is a world of the mighty, where the powerful dominate everything, and toying with the weak is commonplace.
With a heavy heart, the ship ghost warned Cang Xu and Fin Spirit not to cause any trouble now was not the time for internal strife.
Of course, Fin Spirit obeyed the ship ghost’s words.
The ship ghost also specifically instructed Cang Xu secretly, “You should have seen by now, even if you successfully convert, you will not earn Zhou Zhang’s trust. She can allow you in the first or second time, and she can bring you in again.”
Cang Xu’s expression was grave, deeply agreeing.
The Undead Gathering dispersed, and the Little Prince cautiously consoled Cang Xu.
Ku Feng then said, “It seems we must go together this time. Let’s work hard together!”
Cang Xu returned to his shack, only then relaxing, his heart secretly rejoicing, “My goal has been achieved!”
How to enter the Ocean Nest the second time had always been a problem.
Because few believers enter the Ocean Nest again. On one hand, most believers don’t want to risk their lives again. On the other hand, even if there were fanatics, Zhou Zhang would not give them the opportunity.
The reason is simple, the places are limited.
From the perspective of Archbishop Zhou Zhang, she needs to use this opportunity to develop believers for the Charming Blue Sect, to strengthen the faith and personal strength of key members among the believers, to enhance the foundation of the Charming Blue Sect.
Letting a fanatic frequently enter and exit is not cost-effective. Unless there’s a special situation, like if the fanatic himself has excellent qualifications and talent.
Cang Xu had kept in touch with the Fishman youth, and during their recent communication, he was pleasantly surprised to learn: the Fishman youth could now perform the Undead Bloodline Detection Technique.
Thus, Cang Xu needed to get back as soon as possible.
This problem was not difficult for Cang Xu.
After pondering for a while, he thought of this method.
He succeeded.
By leveraging his conflict with Fin Spirit and exploiting Zhou Zhang and others’ distrust of Undead Mages, he deceived the ship ghosts and others by using Zhou Zhang’s mindset of the strong.
Everything occurred naturally, seamlessly, without any signs of force.
A skilled Hunter often appears in the guise of prey.
This was Cang Xu’s precise grasp of human nature and personality, a result of his skilled execution of intrigue and scheming.
Any other survivor couldn’t have achieved it to this extent.
Only Cang Xu.
He was deeply versed in the ways of politics.
Of course, before acting, he was not completely certain. But the existence of the Fishman youth and the Deep Sea Monster Fish gave him a bit more composure.
If not this time, then the next.
If not this plan, then another.
Succeeding in his scheme the first time was, of course, a good thing!
“Now, just waiting for the Transmission Blood Sacrifice.” Unlike Ku Feng and the others, Cang Xu was full of expectation.
After all, this time, he would officially embark on the first step of changing his qualifications.