Chapter 2005: Entering the 4th Starsea Market

The Invincible Pirates fleet’s original destination had been the 4th Starsea Market, which they intended to make their home.

In other words, their goal in heading to the 4th Starsea Market was to become one of the market’s hidden guardians, one of the forces that controlled it from the shadows. Achieving the goal required no elaborate schemes or calculations. All the Invincible Pirates needed was to display overwhelming power as a deterrent, allowing them to take their share of the profits.

That was exactly what the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field had been aiming to do ever since their success with the 6th Starsea Market.

Moreover, if the Invincible Pirates managed to defend the 4th Starsea Market and establish themselves there, it would mean that their rise to become another super Star Pirate Group in the Chaotic Sea of Stars was already a certainty.

It was precisely for that reason that ambushing the Invincible Pirates fleet to prevent them from reaching the 4th Starsea Market had become a move secretly encouraged by certain factions whose interests would be harmed.

The recent battle, an ambush and encirclement aimed at the Invincible Pirates, had taken place during their journey.

Those scheming in the dark had assumed that even if the Invincible Pirates broke through the combined assault of several large Star Pirate Groups, they would suffer such heavy losses that they would be unable to intimidate anyone upon arrival, or perhaps they would retreat of their own accord, leaving the 4th Starsea Market alone.

However, the situation had clearly shifted. Despite the ambush and encirclement, the Invincible Pirates had not only avoided crippling losses but had even used the enemy’s hand to remove unstable elements within their own ranks, strengthening their unity.

In fact, under extremely dangerous circumstances, they had seized upon certain unexpected developments to break free of the predicament. Meanwhile, the large Star Pirate Groups participating in the ambush had suffered devastating casualties, especially when the blazing heat of the star had been manipulated.

Three of them had been all but destroyed and would almost certainly be struck from the rolls of major Star Pirate powers after the battle.

Under such circumstances, Sun Haiwei had no reason to retreat. She intended not only to take over the 4th Starsea Market as its hidden guardian but also to leverage the momentum of their great victory to increase her weight and influence in that role, securing even greater benefits.

Sure enough, when the Invincible Pirates fleet arrived before the 4th Starsea Market with most of their main force intact after such a fierce battle, the factions controlling the market wisely chose to compromise.

Of the five high-level True Immortals who represented the five powers behind the market, four came at once to greet Sun Haiwei in person. But stepping out of the Invincible was not the rumored ‘Shang Xia’s senior sister’ from the Tongyou Institution of Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field. Instead, it was a broad-shouldered, plain-featured female True Immortal at the level of Returning to the Origin.

She was not without a reputation among the Chaotic Sea of Stars’ Star Pirate Groups. At least two of the four who greeted her recognized her as Gao Qin, originally from the Essence Ming Heavenly Field and had joined the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field.

“Why are you here?!” The first to speak was the youngest-looking of the four, whose aura suggested they were a fourth tier True Immortal.

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Gao Qin shot the person who spoke a cold glance and said flatly, “Apologies. The chief is in seclusion at a critical juncture and has sent me to meet with you in her place.”

The same fourth tier True Immortal sneered skeptically, “Can you make decisions on your group’s behalf?”

Gao Qin’s tone remained icy. “I have a high-level talisman bestowed on me by Sage Shang himself. Do you want to take a look at it?”

The fourth tier True Immortal seemed ready to retort, but an elder beside cut in with a low chuckle. “In that case, welcome, True Immortal Gao. Please, come.”

He turned to make a gesture of invitation as the others smiled and stepped aside.

Gao Qin walked forward without hesitation, entering the market.

“The 4th Starsea Market has five factions backing it. Apart from the four of us here representing four of them, there is also True Immortal Ren Xuan. He recently informed us by transmission that he and his Star Pirate Group would be voluntarily withdrawing, and the arrival of Invincible Pirates will be a perfect fit to fill the gap he will be leaving.”

“Oh? That is quite the coincidence.” Gao Qin raised an eyebrow, a faint expression of amusement appearing on her otherwise cold face for the first time. “I wonder, what Heavenly Field does Ren Xuan and his Star Pirate Group belong to, that they would be so courteous? We should report this to the Sages of our Heavenly Field.”

There was no such thing as pure coincidence, and Gao Qin immediately connected the departing faction with the super Star Pirate Group that had hidden behind the star to launch a sneak attack on the Invincible Pirates.

“Well...”

The four True Immortals glanced at each other, momentarily at a loss for words.

In truth, it would not be difficult to learn Ren Xuan’s background or the origin of his Star Pirate Group. Since the Invincible Pirates joining the 4th Starsea Market was inevitable, it was only a matter of time before they found out on their own.

But letting the Invincible Pirates discover it themselves was very different from the four of them volunteering the information.

Gao Qin swept her gaze across them. Though two of the four had cultivation equal to hers as a fifth tier True Immortal, her presence nevertheless suppressed them.

“You must already know...” Gao Qin snorted. “We were harassed by several Star Pirate Groups on our way here. Now that we have entered the market, we naturally have an obligation to safeguard it and its surrounding space, eliminating any threats to its order. Once we have rested and completed the handover, we will deploy forces to clear the nearby void of these lawless elements.”

The oldest of the four who was also a fifth tier True Immortal hurriedly raised a hand. “No need for such trouble! I’m sure they have learned their lesson and won’t dare cause mischief near the market again.”

The other three quickly echoed their agreement, assuring her there would be no more trouble.

Gao Qin only smiled coldly in response, saying nothing. The four exchanged glances, and the oldest spoke again. “Recently, we confiscated several warehouses in the market belonging to several notorious Star Pirate Groups. These supplies happen to be in the area you will soon take over, so we will trouble you to handle them.”

Gao Qin smiled. “Then I shall accept gladly. However...”

Before she could finish, she was interrupted by something strange appearing outside the market.

All five high-level True Immortals turned to look at it and noticed it came from the part of the void where the Invincible Pirates' fleet was docked.

“This...” They looked at Gao Qin curiously as someone asked.

Her face bore a complex mix of emotions as she said in a deep voice, “It seems our chief has successfully advanced to the level of Returning to the Origin.”

The four exchanged various expressions, but the oldest immediately spoke on their behalf again.“Chief Sun’s cultivation breakthrough is a great event for our market! We must celebrate! As it happens, the market has in its collection a legacy for a rank seven talisman. The completed talisman was taken away some time ago by True Immortal Ren Xuan, but we can at least present the inheritance itself as a congratulatory gift.”

Gao Qin’s eyes lit up slightly. “Oh? What is this talisman called?”

“It is named the Golden Sun Talisman. It is said to be able to draw forth and control the power of a star, and it possessed unfathomable power. It is so powerful that even a Sage won’t dare to take the attack head-on!”