Trafford Buyers Club

Chapter 4050 No need to resist your parents' arrangements...provided they are high-quality parents.

The city of Rogue has been bustling these past few days because the famous pirate crews are all recruiting new members to bolster their fighting strength.

Pirate crews recruiting is nothing new; after all, the ships remain but the sailors come and go, and the mortality rate for Void Pirates is very high.

But it's not normal for so many pirate crews to start recruiting—of course, this is the pirates' stronghold, and no one is going to jump out and criticize.

Everything is proceeding in an orderly and efficient manner.

"...What did you say? You found the monkey?"

In the magnificent captain's cabin, Captain Barbossa, dressed in his finest attire, was momentarily stunned.

"Yes, a woman brought your monkey to claim her reward," the crew member said quickly. "And she even asked to see you! She's a rare beauty!"

Captain Barbossa frowned. Beauty was irrelevant to him; he was cursed, his body reduced to a skeleton, devoid of such base desires.

After a moment's thought, Barbossa immediately ordered his crew to bring the person over.

The moment they met, Captain Barbossa realized that she could indeed be called a beauty—in fact, all the women he had seen before could only be described as ordinary.

Especially her exceptionally beautiful red eyes, which even she herself found stunning—and then, that was it.

What kind of drive can a skeleton have, especially an old skeleton?

"So you've found my monkey and want to see me?" Captain Barbossa asked leisurely. "State your request. I, Captain Barbossa, am the most trustworthy."

"I want to join your pirate crew!"

……

……

Another week passed.

The sailors on the Black Pearl have awakened from their hedonistic lifestyle—they have not yet been granted permission to disembark.

Bored—order takeout—bored—order takeout again—bored—order takeout.

It's roughly a cycle like this.

But after ordering takeout for so many days on the ship, I'm already tired of it!

Sure enough, pirates still need the baptism of blood!
Upon learning that they could finally continue their voyage, everyone was energized, radiating eagerness!

"The prices in [Rogge] City are really high! I don't know which bastard drove them up! If I don't rob someone soon, I'll have to pawn my underwear!"

"Eating takeout is a dead end; the only way for Void Pirates to survive these days is to plunder!"

"[Rogge] City, I've left all my troubles there! Go, this is where I have everything! Newcomers, this is the greatest treasure left to you by your predecessors... Number 3 at Nightingale Tavern is quite good!"

Blah blah blah... Let's get back to work!
Because not working is truly unacceptable, because a terrifying presence has arrived on the Black Pearl – the most beautiful woman in the Pirate Alliance, Xiang Feihu!
"This Admiral Li coming aboard has really been a great help."

The maid was quite satisfied with [Xiang Feihu]'s meticulous execution of every detail and his immediate efforts to restore order on the [Black Pearl].

Although she could do it, or even better, she was unwilling to put much effort into these sailors—if it weren't for her master's insistence on experiencing pirate life in its most authentic form, she could have simply replaced all the sailors on the Black Pearl with Prayerers.

It's not like we lack the ability.

“Yes, Miss Li even took care of the meals, that’s really great!” Bai Zhi nodded quickly – even her work had become much easier, she was now somewhere between doing nothing and being idle.

The maid said calmly, "Bai Zhi, send some pastries to Miss Li later."

Bai Zhi nodded. It wasn't an ordinary snack, but rather an exquisite gift box specially made by the hotel... Bai Zhi noticed that the maid's attitude towards [Xiang Fei Hu] seemed to have changed slightly.

Especially after [Xiang Feihu] was "arranged" to board the ship by Zhang Bolu... Occasionally, one could even vaguely sense a hint of pity in the maid's gaze towards [Xiang Feihu].

Perhaps it's just my imagination.

I have never seen a maid show pity to anyone.

"that……"

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Bai Zhi then mustered her courage and asked, "Miss Youye, are we really going to the [Science Side]...to the [Abriel] Royal Family?"

Youye glanced at Baizhi indifferently, "You are now the master's property. Everything from before has nothing to do with you, not even Miss Raphael. You are you, the one named Baizhi by the master. Do you understand?"

I don't understand... but it seems like I do understand now.

The little girl Bai Zhi, who was initially a bit apprehensive, couldn't help but reveal a sweet smile—as long as her master didn't drive her away, there was nothing to worry about.

After all, this was the thing she feared most, the little sister Bai Zhi who had lost the chance to stay by the side of the [shop]...master.

"Miss Yuya!" Li Huamei jumped up from the deck. "All preparations for departure are complete. Please check them over!"

"Then I'll trouble Miss Li to accompany you."

"I should!"

[Xiang Feihu] smiled slightly, but after looking around... he didn't seem to see Xi Ruo?
After boarding the ship, Xi Ruo went straight into her room and didn't come out much... Could it be that she hasn't recovered from the battle of [Purple Moon]?
……

"...Is this...is this okay?"

Inside the ship, in a certain room, the true dragon of Shenzhou was sitting with his back to Boss Luo. His clothes had been removed, revealing three [Holy Marks] arranged vertically on his back.

Each [Stigmata] has a unique pattern, and each one is an exquisitely beautiful design. If a [Stigmata] appears elsewhere on the body, it could even be called a demonic rune!
Boss Luo's fingertips were slowly tracing across the [Holy Mark]. Each touch caused the light patterns on the [Holy Mark] to change, flashing like a heartbeat.

It can even shrink, demonstrating extreme vitality.

The true dragon of Shenzhou had a face so rosy it seemed to drip with water... The [Holy Mark] was completely fused with her soul, and she couldn't help but tremble slightly, "You... can you hurry up?"

Boss Luo chuckled softly, opened his palm, and a ball of light that resonated with the [Holy Mark] instantly emerged from his palm.

This is a prototype of another [Stigmata] extracted from [King Bell]!
Soon, the prototype was released from Luo Qiu's hands and then directly entered the upper-level [Sacred Mark] of the three [Sacred Marks] of the Divine Dragon.

Devour!

When the higher-ranking [Stigmata] devoured the prototype, the patterns within it instantly changed, with some patterns added, making it bloom even more vividly.

"How do you feel?"

"It seems like there's a bit more stuff." Shenzhou Zhenlong's girlish heart was pounding so hard that she couldn't calm down and really experience it. She could only take a quick, superficial look. "It seems like the stamina consumption when activating the [Holy Mark] has decreased a bit... not much."

"It has increased endurance." Luo Qiu nodded. "It seems that your [Holy Mark] also has the ability to devour other [Holy Marks] of the same type and evolve. The effects of devouring different [Holy Marks] of the upper, middle, and lower types are all different."

Upon hearing this, Ah Xi Ruo subconsciously said, "Doesn't that mean..."

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Luo said, "Cicero gave out quite a few of these prototypes, probably all prepared for you."

Shenzhou's True Dragon frowned. She easily understood this method... Those prototype [Holy Mark] users were actually just韭菜 (a metaphor for easily exploited people) tricked out of her by that scumbag man, [Holy Mark] experience packs prepared for her, Xi Ruo!

However, because the [Holy Mark] on Ah Xi Ruo's body is too overpowered, even after absorbing similar prototypes, the improvement is extremely limited.

Therefore... the number of trial works will definitely not be small?
Since it's already difficult to improve, why not just focus on volume?
"...Do you think those [Stigmata] Envoys themselves knew this secret?" Ah Xi Ruo asked softly.

"Does it matter?" Luo Qiu smiled casually. "The power of a prototype is already immense. Even if people know it's a stepping stone for someone else, how many would refuse it in the face of its absolute effectiveness?"

Ah Xi Ruo couldn't help but fall silent.

She was just the lucky one; otherwise, she would probably find it hard to refuse, directly adding +1 to this power that is like a "miracle."

"There's no need to resist your parents' arrangements. Good arrangements should be accepted peacefully." Boss Luo gently draped a coat over Ah Xiruo. "Don't feel any burden. I accepted the identity of [Shop Manager] very calmly. Don't think about why you got it. Just think that since you already have it, you should be worthy of it."

Ah Xiruo was stunned for a moment, and her already surging girlish heart became even more difficult to control.

"I'm not stupid, I'm way past the age of rebellion, okay?"

She turned around, biting her lip lightly. This jerk... he's probably what they call a "guided lover," right?

But the deadbeat doesn't like to take the initiative...

It's so contradictory!

"Hey!"

"Is there anything else?"

The Divine Dragon, whose ears were flushed pink, said with watery eyes, "I feel that after merging with this prototype, there are some strange changes. You... why don't you examine my body more carefully?"

……

……

……

……

The pirate tournament has come to an end, and the legendary pirates have successively left the Gorge of Freedom and Wildness.

All of this was done for show—the real purpose was to break it down into smaller parts, break through the barriers of the virtual space in different ways, and enter the [scientific side].

After all, if pirates were to appear on a large scale, there would be no fun left to play.

They simply agreed on a date to meet before the deadline... Each ship had sent a liaison officer, and with the binding force of the [Holy Covenant], Zhang Bolu had nothing to worry about.

And the pirate warship that served as the king of pirates' mount, known as the strongest pirate warship in the pirate alliance headquarters, also quietly left the Gorge of Freedom and Wildness.

——[Daishenjing] number!

As for the seventh prince, Prince Carloy, who arrived in a low-key manner, he also quietly entered the [Great Capital].

“Your Highness Carloy, to avoid suspicion, our king will remain in the city of Rogue for the time being.” Fargaro stood by, neither humble nor arrogant. “Next, our king will announce a period of seclusion and then reunite with us as soon as possible.”

"It's probably for those guys in the Secret Society to see," Prince Carlo said calmly. "Those guys are everywhere and indeed extremely troublesome."

As the most powerful intelligence organization in the entire [Void], even he, as an imperial prince, found it quite troublesome.

Falgarro nodded calmly. "Your Highness is wise. I will not disturb your rest any longer. Please do not hesitate to give the order if needed."

Prince Carlo waved his hand as if he were dismissing an ordinary palace servant.

Inside the room, the female official in silver robes suddenly stepped forward.

"Your Highness, of the three [mechanical cores] you gave to Zhang Bolu, one has left."

His Highness nodded calmly and casually asked, "What are the specifics?"

The silver-clad female officer hesitated for a moment before saying, "We cannot pinpoint its location at the moment, nor can we get any feedback... We only know that this departing [Mechanical Core] has already found a recipient and has left the [Freedom and Wildness] Gorge."

Prince Carlo frowned and pondered, "Investigate this as soon as possible."

He could disregard the incomplete signpost at the fourth node—after all, it was something given after the deed was done—whether it would be given after the deed was done or not was another matter.

However, the [Heterogeneous Mechanical Core] was indeed given away... He had no intention of keeping these three [Mechanical Cores] in Zhang Bolu's hands forever.

Unless the other party is completely loyal to you, and it's not a so-called cooperative employment relationship.

"Zhang Bolu, don't think you can easily devour this prince's [Mechanical Core]..."

With a faint smile, Prince Carloy gazed at the twinkling stars outside the window.

Everything was under his control!
……

……

……

……

Distant... [Scientific perspective]

Beneath the darkness of the starry sky, a crystal-like spaceship shimmered and appeared—before it lay an enormous behemoth, composed of countless small satellites, comparable to a planet.

——【Thousand Stars】Hong Kong.

Within the [Science Side], there is a very famous free trade interstellar port—arriving here means that you have officially entered the sphere of influence of the [Abriel] Royal Family.

Standing before the enormous holographic simulation wall, Raphael stared in awe at the [Thousand Stars] Port before him, a sense of unease rising within him.

After all, this is the first time I've officially returned to my hometown in my entire life... I guess you could describe it as feeling apprehensive about returning home?

"Why did you come all this way to this place?" Xie Nan asked, squinting at [September]. "Wouldn't it be better to just go to the territory Raphael is going to inherit?"

[September] calmly said, "[Abriel] has a new emperor who is about to ascend the throne, so everything will be treated as secondary. Moreover, Raphael herself is qualified to succeed to the throne, but she appears at the moment of the new emperor's ascension. Do you think it is appropriate for her to appear directly in the territory at this time?"

Xie Nan shrugged. It's rare that it's you [September] and Raphael, not me—if you guys aren't having a miserable time, where am I supposed to go to harvest leeks?
"September, so, is there any special significance to our coming here?" Raphael asked hastily.

[September] said softly, "You've been gone for too long. Your sudden reappearance will make it difficult for the Royal Family of Abriel to verify your identity. They might even try to delay it. Of course, that doesn't mean they will definitely deny your identity, but they will definitely confirm it after your coronation."

"So, we've come to Thousand Star Harbor?"

[September] nodded: "That's right. You don't need to go through the Royal Abrier process, but rather the convention process of the Science side. In the Void Bank branch in Thousand Star Port, there is a trust left to you by your parents. As long as you successfully withdraw it, you can use this trust to directly complete the convention certification and become a lord that all three empires must recognize."

Xie Nan immediately narrowed his eyes.

[September] It's really a month of constant surprises, I wonder how many more surprises await me - but since I'm already here, I might as well go to the bank again and see if I've made any savings in my account during this time!