195: Chapter 194 Renaming

The wild winds howled as the massive hull of the "thousand gold" tossed violently amidst the deep purple waves. The ear-piercing shrieks of the warning Formation almost tore through everyone's eardrums.

On the deck, Shen Jinse wore a loose red and gold dharma robe, her long hair dancing wildly in the wind. Her long legs, clad in red silk stockings, were exceptionally dazzling in the faint light. She had not yet fully recovered from the impact of the recent blending of Soul and flesh, and her legs were even trembling slightly. However, her pride as the eldest Young Miss of the Merchant Alliance forced her to lean against the railing for support, her Phoenix eyes filled with uncertainty and alarm.

"This Spiritual Pressure... it's not a sea beast!" She looked toward the depths of the waves, her voice carrying an unconscious slight tremor.

"Of course it isn't a sea beast." Lin Chen walked slowly to her side, his black robe snapping in the wind. His aura was as steady as a mountain, and even under that divine pressure, his back remained straight. "It's the advance scouts of the Blood Fiend Sect. They are using some kind of ancient secret method to try and forcibly resonate with the entrance of the Sea God Ruins. It seems the 'gift' that Vice Palace Master Cold Smoke gave them is even weightier than I imagined."

Just then, dozens of blood-colored streaks of light suddenly rose from beneath the sea level, circling the Merchant Alliance's giant vessel frantically like bloodthirsty bats.

Watching this scene, Shen Jinse touched the blood-stained Jade Slip containing the secret message in her bosom, and her originally pale face gradually turned cold and dark. The facts were right before her eyes: the intelligence network that the Azure Sea Merchant Alliance was most proud of had actually suffered a breach. If not for Lin Chen, she would probably still be in the inner cabin dreaming of holding absolute power, only to die in this sea area completely defenseless.

"You're right, the weather is changing in the Chaotic Star Sea." Shen Jinse bit her lip and turned to look at Lin Chen. Her gaze was complex and difficult to discern, containing both the shame of being conquered and the dependence of someone finding a way to survive a desperate situation. "I can give you command, but you must guarantee that my life, Shen Jinse's life, and this 'thousand gold' must be preserved."

"Save your life? Young Miss Shen, your ambition is too small." The corner of Lin Chen's mouth curled into a wicked arc as his large hand rested unscrupulously on her rounded shoulder, his fingertips provocatively brushing against her sensitive earlobe. "What I want you to do is to completely crush this pile of loose sand."

"We will set a reverse trap." Lin Chen pointed into the distance. "Using the 'thousand gold' as bait, we'll release the news that Cold Moon Heart is on board. Those madmen from the Blood Fiend Sect and the traitors of the Ethereal Moon Palace are determined to get the 'Guiding Light'. Once the news spreads, they will surely converge on us. At that time, you will mobilize all the financial resources of the Merchant Alliance to set up the highest Rank 'Nine-Turn Immortal Slaying Formation' on 'Meteorite Island'. Since they want a blood sacrifice, we'll invite them to jump into the pot themselves."

Shen Jinse listened with a racing heart. This man's boldness was simply not human; he was using her life and the Foundation of the Merchant Alliance to gamble for a chance to take everything.

"You're crazy! That's my Merchant Alliance's entire fortune..."

"Young Miss Shen, if you win, there will only be the voice of the Azure Sea Merchant Alliance in the Chaotic Star Sea from now on. And you will be the only king here." Lin Chen's voice echoed in her ear like a demon's temptation. "Of course, before that, you must learn how to listen to me."

[Ding! Detected that the host has completed the preliminary alliance. Unlocked new illustration: Golden Phoenix of the Merchant Sea · Shen Jinse! Current conquest progress: 10%!] [Reward: Formation control authority increased, obtained 'Merchant Dao Dominion' aura, transaction success rate increased!]

Just as Shen Jinse was slightly dazed by Lin Chen's aura, and her Phoenix eyes were about to reveal a hint of infatuation, an extremely dangerous Sword Intent suddenly erupted from the shadows behind Lin Chen.

"Master, this woman reeks of money and seems not to have learned how to show you respect."

Cold Moon Heart stepped quietly out of the shadows. She had changed into a suit of form-fitting black armor, her silver hair whipped up by the sea breeze like an unsheathed blade. The pitch-black demon sword "reverse scale" was pointed diagonally at the ground, emitting a morbid Killing Intent that almost froze the surrounding air.

Seeing the intimate posture between Shen Jinse and Lin Chen, Cold Moon Heart's Silver Pupils were instantly filled with a paranoid peach-pink hue. It was the sign of her yandere attribute exploding.

"What kind of thing are you to dare blow air into his ear?" Cold Moon Heart's figure blurred, and the tip of the demon sword was already pressed against Shen Jinse's snowy, delicate neck. If it moved just an inch further, it would bloom a blood flower on that tender skin.

"Moon Heart..." Lin Chen's brow twitched slightly.

"Master, let Moon Heart scratch her face." Cold Moon Heart's voice was so sweet it made one feel cold, yet her body trembled slightly with jealousy. "Her eyes are full of calculation when she looks at you. A woman like this is not worthy of staying by your side and receiving your favor. Let me gouge out her eyes so that she can only tremble while listening to your voice from now on."

Shen Jinse was startled at first, but then the temper of an arrogant Young Miss was ignited. She gave a cold laugh and waved her hand, revealing over a dozen high-Rank lightning Talismans emitting terrifying Spiritual Pressure clamped between her fingers.

"A stray dog from the Ethereal Moon Palace dares to bark in front of this Young Miss?" Shen Jinse thrust her chest forward, refusing to be outdone. Her golden hair bun swayed slightly, and her jewel-encrusted appearance exuded a stubbornness that refused to yield. "This ship is mine, and this sea is mine! You are nothing but his plaything; what right do you have to lecture me?"

"You seek death!" Cold Moon Heart's Sword Qi surged, and the power of the Extreme Cold Ice Bone instantly covered the deck with a thin layer of frost. "Come then! Let's see who turns to ashes first!" Shen Jinse's Talismans flickered, and the sound of thunder began to rumble.

For a moment, these two favored daughters of the Chaotic Star Sea actually started a public 'Shura Field' on this life-and-death deck over the 'ownership' of a man.

"Enough."

Lin Chen's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable pressure.

He suddenly reached out, his large hand like a steel pincer grabbing Cold Moon Heart's slender waist, firmly pinning the yandere girl who was on the verge of going berserk against his chest.

"Ugh... Master..." The originally murderous Cold Moon Heart felt the warmth of Lin Chen's broad chest, and her sharp Sword Intent vanished without a trace. Like a kitten that had been smoothed over, she went limp in Lin Chen's arms, even rubbing her cheek against his lapel, the Killing Intent in her eyes instantly turning into watery dependence.

"Be good, she's still useful." Lin Chen patted her cheek.

Cold Moon Heart obediently shut her mouth, but her eyes, still filled with hostility, stared at Shen Jinse like nails.

Lin Chen then turned his head, his gaze cold as he looked at Shen Jinse. His other free hand pressed directly onto the back of Shen Jinse's hand which held the Talismans, forcibly suppressing the lightning Spiritual Qi back down.

"Young Miss Shen, if you can't control your mouth, I don't mind letting you recall the 'lesson' in the inner cabin again. Remember, in this cooperation, I am the dealer and you are the chip."

Shen Jinse originally wanted to talk back, but seeing Lin Chen's domineering and aggressive eyes and remembering the experience of being completely dominated until even her Soul trembled, the tips of her ears instantly burned red. The harsh words at the tip of her tongue turned into a cold snort as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

"I... I'm only refusing to lower myself to this madwoman for the sake of the cooperation! Humph, man, you better really be able to win!"

Though she remained stubborn, the panic at the bottom of her Phoenix eyes and that trace of undetectable submission had already betrayed her heart.

The contract was officially reached.

The "thousand gold" turned its prow and, pursued by the blood clouds filling the sky, sailed at full speed toward the death zone known as "Meteorite Island."

...

Late at night, the storm paused briefly, but the oppressive atmosphere grew even heavier.

After arranging the Formation layout, Shen Jinse returned to her private room. She sat before the mirror, looking at her flushed face and slightly wandering eyes, her heart in a mess.

She was used to controlling everything and measuring all things with Spirit Stones. But that man named Lin Chen had used an extremely savage and unreasonable method to directly tear through all her defenses.

"This feeling... is simply terrible..." she murmured, her fingers unconsciously stroking her neck where Lin Chen had kissed her, feeling a never-before-experienced tremor that made her heart feel like it was about to jump out.

In the shadows behind her, a mature guard around thirty years old with an excellent figure, wearing silver soft armor, stood quietly on watch.

That was Shen Jinse's personal guard commander, "Shen Cold Smoke" (sharing a name with the Ethereal Moon Palace traitor, a name bestowed by the Merchant Alliance). She had been responsible for Shen Jinse's security for years and was one of the few Early Stage Core Formation experts in the Merchant Alliance.

"Young Miss, do you really trust that man?" Shen Cold Smoke's voice was slightly raspy, her eyes downcast, making it impossible to see her expression.

"Do I have any other choice now?" Shen Jinse waved her hand irritably. "Cold Smoke, go check the defensive Formations and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Yes."

Shen Cold Smoke bowed slightly and exited the room. But in the moment she turned, her gaze through the crack of the door toward Shen Jinse held not a trace of the loyalty a guard should have; instead, it was filled with an extremely suppressed feverishness and possessiveness, as if she were scrutinizing prey.

It was a morbid desire belonging to another level.

...

The Flying Boat broke through the waves, and Meteorite Island was already in sight.

Lin Chen stood at the bow, feeling the pulses of the Formations contained within the massive body of the "thousand gold" beneath his feet. Su Qingge appeared silently behind him.

"Lord, that guard beside Shen Jinse... seems to have a bit of a problem. Although her aura is hidden, under my Silver Pupils, the 'affection' she has toward Shen Jinse is even crazier than Cold Moon Heart's."

Lin Chen's eyes shifted slightly, and a smile that suggested everything was within his grasp appeared on his face.

"Affection? In this world where women outnumber men, Cold Moon Heart isn't the only twisted one. This is just as well; it's more interesting if the fire in the Chaotic Star Sea burns a bit brighter."

Lin Chen turned around and looked at the closed cabin behind him, his eyes revealing the wildness of a conqueror.

"Since they all want to play, I'll play with them to my heart's content. Once I've subdued this Merchant Alliance Young Miss and that Saintess, the Treasure Trove of the Chaotic Star Sea should also take the name Lin."