Jixiang took on an important task at this moment, volunteering to help Tang San feed the Shrek Seven Devils. Tang San supported them while Jixiang spooned the food. Each person drank a bowl of thin congee. Just like when Tang San had first been rescued by him, the others weren't yet suited for much solid food.
After everyone had eaten, Tang San took a little for himself, and Xiao Wu fell asleep on the only bed in the room. Tang San walked over to Purple Pearl.
"Would you like something to eat? I can release you for now. But please, watch your words. My name is Tang San. You may call me that. If you agree, blink once."
Hearing Tang San's words, Purple Pearl indeed blinked once.
Tang San didn't touch Purple Pearl's body. After all, she was a woman. A strand of Blue Silver Grass lashed out, unblocking her paralyzing and mute acupoints.
With her acupoints released, Purple Pearl's body went slack and she nearly fell to the ground. Supporting herself, she glared hatefully at Tang San. "Do you know sorcery?"
Tang San smiled faintly. "You should consider it a type of skill."
Purple Pearl snorted coldly, said nothing more, and strode over to the remaining food. Ignoring that it had gone cold, she began eating in great gulps. Her table manners were terrible, comparable to Ma Hongjun's in the past. In no way did she look like a woman. The sight made Tang San frown slightly.
In a short while, Purple Pearl devoured the remaining food like a whirlwind. Without sparing a glance at Tang San, she walked to a corner, sat down, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.
A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Tang San's mouth. It was clear this guild leader was utterly frustrated. He didn't speak, his gaze faintly sweeping outward. A few peeking pirates hastily retreated from sight. Tang San seemed not to notice, simply sitting cross-legged in the center of the hall, closing his eyes to cultivate.
The sea breeze rustled through the island's trees, though with winter approaching, few leaves remained in the forest. However, temperatures at sea were always a bit higher than inland, so the marine climate kept this place from being too cold.
Night deepened. Tang San cultivated quietly, the other six members of Shrek slept soundly, and the room with its missing wall seemed very peaceful.
Just then, Purple Pearl, slumped in her corner, quietly opened her eyes. Glaring at Tang San, she made a fierce face in his direction. Checking her surroundings, she began inching her body away, moving only about a meter. There stood a table. Purple Pearl slipped directly under it, reaching up to press lightly on the underside of the tabletop. The floor beneath immediately flipped over, and she vanished completely beneath it. The entire process made not a single sound.
"No need to keep staring. Continue cultivating." Just seconds after Purple Pearl's departure, Tang San's calm voice sounded.
Jixiang opened his eyes, looking at Tang San in confusion. "Master, did you let her go on purpose?"
Tang San smiled faintly. "Otherwise, do you think she could have left? I not only let her go, but she'll also soon realize her strength has returned. Within half an hour, she will definitely return with a large number of pirates. Do you believe me or not?"
Jixiang looked at Tang San, his eyes full of doubt.
Tang San smiled. "I only wanted to show her that no matter what she does, she poses no threat to me whatsoever. That was my purpose in letting her go. It will take our companions at least five more days to heal. I don't have time to watch out for these pirates all day. It's better to make them submit once and for all."
Understanding dawned on Jixiang. He blinked and asked Tang San, "Master, is your sixth Soul Ring truly of the hundred-thousand-year level?"
Tang San's brow furrowed slightly, but he still gave a small nod. "Later, I'll show you another supreme skill of our sect. Your Martial Soul, the needle, is perfectly suited for this technique."
Just as Tang San had said, within less than half an hour, a commotion erupted outside. Purple Pearl's arrogant voice rang out, "Surround them tight! Don't let a single fly escape! Damn it, that bastard! If I don't make him drink two basins of my foot-wash water, he'll never know the power of me, Purple Pearl!"
Hearing Purple Pearl's voice, Tang San couldn't help but smile. Yet he remained unmoved. Jixiang had been sitting nearby, quietly observing Tang San. Tang San's composure was reassuring, as if no matter what happened outside, he had no need to worry in the slightest. He was like a solid fortress that could protect them all.
"Tang San, you bastard! Get out here! Damn it, in all my life, I've never been so humiliated! Let's see what gives you the right to face our several thousand people alone! I won't make it too hard on you—drink two basins of my foot-wash water, and I'll let you and your lot go. Of course, that little girl has to stay and be my wife."
By now, Purple Pearl's hut was surrounded by a dense throng of pirates. Torches were held high, illuminating the entire village. Almost all the Soul Masters had gathered in the inner circle, cautiously eyeing the wooden structure.
The old pirate who had spoken with Tang San earlier stood beside Purple Pearl, whispering, "Guild Leader, that man isn't easy to deal with. I think we should let it go. They just want to rest here and then leave. Since you're safe, and he hasn't actually done anything to truly harm our Purple Pearl Pirates, it's best not to make too many enemies."
"Bullshit!" Purple Pearl's generous chest heaved with fury. "When have I ever taken such crap? I said he drinks the foot-wash water, so he must drink it! Tang San, you bastard, get your ass out here!"
Just then, an elegant voice drifted from the room. "Purple Pearl, haven't you heard the saying? 'Heaven's sins can be forgiven; self-inflicted sins cannot be lived through.'"
Purple Pearl was stunned for a moment. "At a time like this, you're still spouting proverbs to me, kid? Listen up. I might not trouble your companions. But what you did today demands an explanation. We have several thousand people here—one spit from each would drown you."
From afar, through the broken wall, she could see inside the room. Tang San remained seated in his original spot, not the least bit surprised by her appearance outside. He even sat there with his eyes closed. Although Purple Pearl would never admit it, Tang San's demeanor secretly awed her.
The pirates pressed closer, encroaching on the hut, but Tang San's earlier display had had a significant intimidating effect. Although they kept advancing, they didn't dare move too quickly. The stronger the Soul Master among them, the more they understood just how formidable Tang San's power was when he had subdued Purple Pearl during the day. Especially his hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring—it had shaken these pirate Soul Masters to their core. Who knew what terrifying ability his sixth Soul Skill possessed?
Slowly rising to his feet, Tang San patted Jixiang's shoulder. "Try your best to perceive my technique. Don't try to see it clearly. This supreme skill requires a comprehensive view first. Everything else can be honed through later training."
A faint light glimmered. A subtle smile appeared on Tang San's face. His companions were all safe, and they had reunited. His mindset had now completely returned to normal, and he naturally held no killing intent towards the pirates outside.
When Tang San appeared in the doorway of the hut, all the pirates instinctively halted, their eyes fixed tensely on him. Those who were Soul Masters released their Martial Souls without hesitation, yet they still seemed somewhat apprehensive.
As the guild leader, Purple Pearl immediately noticed her subordinates' issue and snapped angrily, "You bunch of cowards! We have over two hundred Soul Masters, and he's alone! If we each threw out one Soul Skill, we'd tear this kid to shreds! What are you afraid of?"
Tang San smiled calmly. "Guild Leader Purple Pearl. How about a wager?"
Purple Pearl was taken aback. "A wager? Kid, you like gambling too?" At the word "gamble," Purple Pearl's eyes lit up. Gambling was, by far, the greatest pastime for pirates. Although they were currently adversaries, Tang San's proposal had thoroughly piqued her interest.
Tang San hadn't expected such a reaction, but it was even better for his plan. "I captured you during the day. I imagine you weren't too happy about that?"
Purple Pearl retorted angrily, "What bullshit capture? That was a sneak attack! If it wasn't a sneak attack, could you have caught me?"
Ignoring her anger, Tang San continued, "So, if we were to fight one-on-one, you're confident you could beat me?"
Purple Pearl was momentarily speechless, then argued stubbornly, "Why would I fight you one-on-one? This is my turf. With one word, I can have you torn limb from limb."
Tang San said, "Then let's make a wager. In the time it takes one incense stick to burn, I won't use any of my Martial Soul skills, and you can have any of your companions help. Within that time, I will catch you again and return to this hut. If I succeed, I win. If I fail to catch you, I lose."
Purple Pearl was stunned, then flew into a near-frenzied rage. "You bastard, are you dreaming? Without using Soul Skills, you think you can catch me? Fine! I'll take your bet! What's the stake?"
Tang San said, "If I win, you must acknowledge me as your master and obey my commands from now on. If I lose, you can do with me as you please."
Purple Pearl looked Tang San up and down. To become the leader of a guild, she was certainly not a rash person. Though hot-tempered, her mind was quite sharp. But to believe Tang San could catch her amid her thousands without using Soul Skills? That was something she would never accept.
"Alright! I'll take your bet! If you lose, I won't do much to you. Just drink two basins of my foot-wash water, crawl between my legs, and I'll let your people go." As she spoke, she inelegantly lifted her left leg and pointed underneath it.
Tang San's expression didn't change. "We'll see when you win." As he spoke, his wrist flicked, and he held a stick of incense. His fingers spun it, and it shot out, passing through the flame of a wounded pirate's torch. The incense traced an arc and gently embedded itself into the wooden wall of the hut.
This display instantly stunned the laughing pirates. Passing an incense stick through flame to light it wasn't difficult, but the hard part was making it trace an arc and then embedding its fragile form into a wooden wall. What precise control of force was required to achieve that?
Inside the hut, Jixiang's eyes lit up at the sight. He vaguely understood that the supreme skill Tang San intended to teach him was related to this.
"The incense is lit. Purple Pearl, I'm starting now." Tang San didn't rush to move. Instead, he first warned Purple Pearl. This time, he intended to leave her completely convinced and submissive.
Looking at Tang San's calm, emotionless gaze, Purple Pearl felt a secret chill. Simultaneously releasing her Martial Soul, she slid into the midst of her own men. "I can't beat you, but can't I at least hide from you? And you're not even using your Martial Soul. If you still catch me under these conditions, then so be it, I'll acknowledge you as my master!" With this thought, the bet between Purple Pearl and Tang San officially began.
Purple Pearl's pirates were quite sharp. Seeing their guild leader rapidly retreating, they immediately formed a human wall. Tang San hadn't said they couldn't attack, so the pirates naturally launched their Soul Skills without hesitation. Not seeking to gain an advantage, but only to avoid mistakes, they fully activated their defensive Soul Skills, ready to block Tang San. Not attacking was a wise choice, as they feared provoking him further. Even their guild leader couldn't defeat this young man, let alone them, who were mostly only at the twentieth or thirtieth rank.
Unfortunately, Tang San had never intended to rely on movement to catch Purple Pearl. His hands swept over the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night at his waist, and a sparkling cascade of light drifted out. Under the torchlight, the glittering radiance soared into the air, carrying sharp, piercing whistles as it shot into the crowd of pirates.
It was precisely the Heaven's Maiden Scatters technique from the Tang Sect's hidden weapon repertoire.
Heaven's Maiden Scatters was, in itself, a relatively common technique among Tang Sect's hidden weapon methods, but it was the foundational skill for deploying large quantities of hidden weapons. For example, Tang Sect's fourth technique, One Thousand and One Nights, was based on Heaven's Maiden Scatters. Having immersed himself in hidden weapons for so many years, Tang San was intimately familiar with this technique. The projectiles he flung were needle-type hidden weapons, and each one flew as if guided by eyes. The volley of silver needles Tang San threw numbered over fifty.
In the blink of an eye, the pirates before him fell like wheat being mown. Every single one who fell was, without exception, a Soul Master.
Seeing their comrades fall, the pirates in the front row froze. They hadn't even seen how Tang San had done it. Immediately after, Tang San's second volley of silver needles was already in the air.
Tang Sect disciples were most adept at fighting in chaos and in group battles. Especially once they reached the Grandmaster level, as long as they had enough hidden weapons, they feared no number of enemies.
These pirates harbored no lethal malice and wouldn't threaten the people inside the hut. Therefore, Tang San could freely unleash his skills. As the second volley of silver needles flew out, he himself drifted forward, charging alone into the pirates' ranks.
Where the silver needles struck, dozens of pirates fell. All of these downed Soul Masters were below the fortieth rank. Below rank forty, Tang San's silver needles could pierce their defensive Soul Skills.
Purple Pearl had by now vanished into the crowd. Unaware of the situation outside, she had heard the scattered cries of alarm. Just as she wondered what was happening, a warm sensation suddenly flooded her body. At the same time, she saw a faint layer of blue light appear on the ground.
Purple Pearl's island also had Blue Silver Grass, though not in great numbers. Guided by the Blue Silver Domain, it didn't matter if there were only a few thousand people here or tens of thousands—Tang San could easily pinpoint Purple Pearl's location.
Ghost Shadow Phantom Trail was activated. The pirates began launching attacks at Tang San, but he moved as if he possessed a thousand arms. Every time his hands rose, a pirate fell. Those who got close had their acupoints sealed; those further away were met with hidden weapons.
Among these pirates, there were several dozen Soul Masters above the fortieth rank. They converged on Tang San, trying to surround and intercept him. Unfortunately, against the marvelous Ghost Shadow Phantom Trail, even the purely agility-type Bai Chenxiang had been powerless, let alone these Sea Soul Masters who could only display their full strength at sea?