Sword Sovereign of the Celestial Emperor-Chapter 856 - 855: Master Hua

"If there's nothing more, Third Elder, I'll take my leave first!"

Once Guo Feiming had departed, Chu Ming stood up and addressed the Third Elder.

"Alright, if anything comes up, I'll inform Brother Chu!"

The Third Elder rose, seeing Chu Ming out of the command room, and only when Chu Ming disappeared around the corner did the Third Elder slowly return inside.

Once back in his room, Chu Ming closed the door and took out the spoils of war — the Blood God's Storage Ring!

With a slight movement of his Spiritual Sense, Chu Ming probed into the Blood God's Storage Ring. Within, there weren't too many Lower Grade Spirit Crystals, only one hundred and thirty thousand, besides which was a Lower Grade Emperor Level Martial Art, the Blood Blade Godslaying Slash.

"The truly valuable thing should be this Forbidden Blood Ring!"

Chu Ming took out a blood-red bracelet from the Storage Ring, and upon its appearance, a startling Blood Qi filled the air.

This Forbidden Blood Ring belonged to the Blood God; a Lower Grade Imperial Artifact. Though Chu Ming didn't know its true value, it likely wasn't lesser than the Nine Nether Lamp.

"Once we reach Pegasus Star, sell off the Nine Nether Lamp, Forbidden Blood Ring, and Blood Blade Godslaying Slash. With the proceeds, I can buy an Imperial Longsword or, if there's any left over, a book of Emperor Level Sword Techniques!"

Chu Ming placed the Nine Nether Lamp, Forbidden Blood Ring, and Blood Blade Godslaying Slash into a Storage Ring, making a silent decision.

...

The Black Dragon Nest, though a star pirate force, was seated by a Saint Dao powerhouse and counted as a Fifth Grade force; however, it wasn't as strong as Black Rock Island, which boasted three Saint Dao powerhouses.

Black Dragon Star, a desolate star, barren and uninhabited. Years ago, the founder of the Black Dragon Nest, Black Dragon Daoist, fled here, discovering it to be an excellent hiding place. He established the Black Dragon Nest, little knowing that over the years, numerous infamous fugitives would gather here, gradually expanding it into a formidable star pirate force dreaded by many.

Beneath Black Dragon Star's cracked and abandoned surface lay a network of spacious tunnels, spreading like a spiderweb, connecting the entire star.

Moreover, above ground, numerous arrays and restrictions were set. An ordinary person would never imagine that this place was the lair of the feared Black Dragon Nest.

Currently, in the central hall of the most spacious tunnel on Black Dragon Star, two formidable figures were seated.

"Black Dragon, this month's tribute should be paid. Stop making me remind you repeatedly; be proactive. Understand that if it weren't for my brother covering you, you'd have been dead hundreds of times over!"

The speaker was a young man in a Daoist Robe, with an arrogant expression, a hint of indifference between his eyebrows, surrounded by countless sharp Sword Auras tearing through the Void.

A Saint Dao powerhouse, a terrifying Saint Dao powerhouse!

"Heh, Lord Hua speaks rightly. I've long prepared this year's tribute. My life was given by that person, so I wholeheartedly gather Cultivation Resources for them, without the slightest betrayal."

The other Saint Dao powerhouse was a middle-aged man in a black robe, his face ruthless, bloodthirst hovering around him, Souls vaguely forming and entrancing. It was clear, from first glance, that countless lives had been taken by his hand.

This man was the Black Dragon Daoist, with cultivation at the Second Layer of Saint Dao; he had a considerable reputation in this Pegasus Star System for his ferocity. Yet at this moment, he dared not show any disrespect before the young man in the Daoist Robe.

He survived this long not only because of his cunning but also due to the protection of the person behind Lord Hua.

Tap, tap, tap...

Just then, footsteps echoed clearly through the hall. The Black Dragon Daoist immediately straightened with authority, his eyes subtly flickering with magic light.

"My lord, I have news to report!"

A middle-aged man in Blood Clothes hurriedly ran into the hall, standing respectfully by the Black Dragon Daoist's side and speaking cautiously.

After speaking, his eyes unintentionally glanced at the young man in the Daoist Robe, causing an immense shock and turmoil in his heart.

Though he was merely a star pirate within the Black Dragon Nest, he had seen many things. He recognized the Daoist Robe worn by the youth, which was precisely why he was unsettled, knowing it belonged to the Nine Elements Dao Palace.

Was this youth a disciple of the Nine Elements Dao Palace?

The Blood Clothes man dared not speculate further, for someone of his insignificance in the Black Dragon Nest was utterly unnoticed. Even Emperor Dao powerhouses dared not defy the Black Dragon Daoist here.

The Black Dragon Nest followed the Black Dragon Daoist's every command.

"Speak!"

The Black Dragon Daoist frowned but did not hide anything from the so-called Lord Hua, coldly instructing the Blood Clothes man.

"My lord, according to the Soul Jade Token, the one hundred and thirty-eighth team was completely wiped out during this mission!"

The Blood Clothes man cautiously reported that each team consisted of at least a hundred star pirates, with an Emperor Dao powerhouse overseeing them, so they rarely fell unless encountering formidable foes.

But here, around the Black Dragon Nest, it was like an emperor; to have someone strike at their people under their noses would bring disgrace to the Black Dragon Nest.

"Pfft!"

The words had barely fallen from the Blood Clothes man's lips when the Lord Hua in the Daoist Robe chuckled, speaking to the Black Dragon Daoist, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, how do you Black Dragon Daoists keep such useless subordinates!"

"You've made Lord Hua laugh!"

The Black Dragon Daoist's face twitched, forcing a smile, yet he dared not show anger at Lord Hua, as the latter's strength was not inferior to his own.

"Who was the captain of the one hundred and thirty-eighth team?"

The Black Dragon Daoist coldly inquired of the Blood Clothes man, evident was the icy and sinister undertone in his voice.

"Reporting, my lord, the captain of the one hundred and thirty-eighth team was the Blood God, my lord!"

The Blood Clothes man responded respectfully.

"The Blood God, that kid?"

There was a flicker of surprise in the Black Dragon Daoist's eyes; he thought sending him against a mere Guo Family spaceship should have been foolproof. Was there a hidden expert aboard the Guo Family spaceship?

Generally, as long as passing ships paid tribute, the star pirates of the Black Dragon Nest did not overly trouble them.

This time, the attack on the Guo Family was a favor to a prominent family in the Pegasus Star System, a small matter for the Black Dragon Daoist; hence, he granted the favor, not expecting an unexpected outcome.

"Heh, Black Dragon, this is your affair, so I'll take my leave. Remember my words: remember whose hand gave you this life!"

Lord Hua rose, speaking coldly to the Black Dragon Daoist, danger flashing in his eyes, chilly breath causing the temperature in the hall to plummet.