Chapter 542: Tentacle Type

Chapter 542: Tentacle Type

He contributed too damn much...

Even if Lady Three could have won the battle on her own, the fact that the people of Taiping Island remained safe made a huge difference. Many of the pirates had family and loved ones on the island. Zhao Changhe not only saved Hua Zhenming from his blunder but also granted the pirate crew an immense favor. It was as if a divine hand had grabbed Hua Zhenming as he was about to fall into the abyss, pulling him back from the brink.

Even the bearded old man’s attitude toward Zhao Changhe changed. He bowed deeply, showing his respect. “Thank you, Mister Zhao... The Heavenly Origins Pirates will never forget your kindness.”

“Now isn’t the time for celebration or thanks,” Zhao Changhe said. “You pirates are quite the slippery bunch. You should have another secret base or two, right?”

Lady Three let out a long breath, worried that he might bring up who the superior was, but he turned out to be quite sensible. “Yes, we do. But since this place was attacked, it’s unclear whether there’s a traitor among us or if the Sea Emperor can truly see everything in the ocean. If it’s the latter, then it won’t matter where we go.”

Zhao Changhe said, “The Sea Emperor definitely can’t perceive everything happening in the ocean. Xia Longyuan mentioned that even he still needs to place eyes on others to see...”

He hesitated, not mentioning that the Sea Emperor might even need the Heavenly Tome to see. He continued, “Anyway, if the Sea Emperor could perceive the entire ocean, he’d be invincible by now. We could all just give up and go to sleep. There would be no point in resisting. In other words, it’s unlikely that your base was directly discovered by him. Either some member of the Sea Tribe stumbled across this place, or there’s a traitor. In any case, if you move now, even if there’s a traitor, they might not have time to relay the information.”

The bearded old man seemed to want to say something, but stopped himself. Did he just say he talked to Xia Longyuan?? Is he serious or is he just bluffing?

But considering Zhao Changhe’s great deeds, he did not question it further and nodded. “You’re right. We’ll move immediately.”

Zhao Changhe turned to Lady Three and said, “I can still sense the direction that the crystal core fled in. Should we go after it?”

Lady Three gave him a strange look. Since when did you start consulting me with such respect? Is this you giving me face in front of others?

She played along, taking on the air of a leader, frowning as she said, “So much time has already passed. Can we still catch up to it? Why didn’t you say this sooner?”

Zhao Changhe replied, “It’s injured. We’ve only spent a moment talking. It hasn’t gotten far.”

Lady Three immediately said, “Let’s chase it then! Uncle Hai, take the crew and move. We’ll catch up with you later!”

Before her words even finished, she shot off like a cannonball, disappearing into the distance.

“Hey, that’s the wrong way!” Zhao Changhe called out, helplessly chasing after her. “This way!”

Lady Three: “...”

The bearded old man and Hua Zhenming exchanged looks. Surveying the chaotic battlefield, they both felt as if this battle had been a dream, and the outcome even more so.

You two clearly knew each other all along. Why did you pretend not to know Zhao Shouyi earlier?

* * *

Zhao Changhe’s heart skipped a beat, pounding uncontrollably. He did not dare turn his head to look at her, instead straightening up and saying seriously, “That’s not necessary. It’s my duty as the Fire Pig of Shi to relieve you of your worries, venerable.”

Lady Three giggled, “Very good, very good. Now you’re starting to act a little more like our Four Idols Cult’s piggy.”

Zhao Changhe almost said, “And now you’re finally acting like Shelly again.” During the battle, she had been incredibly fierce, like a wild and mature version of Yue Hongling—someone who gave off a feeling of reassurance and reliability.

Who would have thought Shelly could seem reliable... so incredible?

He did not say any of this, only asking, “Could the venerable impart me with some insights on controlling water? It would be useful for fighting at sea.”

Lady Three gave him a quick glance. “Some things can only be learned through action~ not words~”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Words can help too...

Lady Three’s expression suddenly grew serious. “If you really want to learn, then you’ll have to stop relying on that underwater cheat of yours. Go to the deep sea and practice throwing punches—or face a giant wave head-on and punch through it. Do that every day for a year, and you’ll understand.”

Zhao Changhe was taken aback and then bowed sincerely. “I humbly accept your teaching.”

“This is your reward.” Lady Three sidled up to him, smiling. “Piggy, do you want anything else?”

Zhao Changhe nearly stumbled into the sea.

My dear Shelly, we’re running on waves here, not strolling down the street!

Just as his frustration was peaking, he suddenly noticed a change. “It’s stopped.”

Lady Three immediately pulled away as if she had been electrocuted, suddenly remembering that they were in pursuit of an enemy.

In the distance, a small island appeared. With a loud slap, a tentacle as thick as a human torso wrapped around the island. Soon after, more tentacles emerged and followed, writhing as they bound the island completely.

A massive octopus head emerged, its eight limbs anchoring it to the center of the island. Its tentacles seemed to have countless eyes all over, watching Zhao Changhe and Lady Three approach with a cold gaze.

Just the impact of this eldritch sight was enough to drive away all thoughts of humor. Even from a distance, a feeling of nausea and dread crept into their hearts. It was not just a visual impression—there was an actual spiritual assault coming from it. A normal martial artist may have gone mad just from looking at it.

The two exchanged a glance, both stopping several li away, their expressions turning serious.

Zhao Changhe suddenly found himself wondering if the so-called Sea God was this massive octopus. The sheer malevolence of this creature fit every imaginable notion of an evil god.