Chapter 110 Under Divine Authority, the Mist Abyss's Show of Force

"Woo—!"

The ghost ship's dilapidated foghorn echoed through the deathly silent Misty Sea Abyss, sounding coarse and grating.

As the ship gradually approached the magnificent semi-submerged underwater city, the surrounding patrol fleet swarmed in like a school of sharks smelling blood.

These warships were strangely shaped, their hulls crafted from the bones of some kind of hard deep-sea behemoth, covered in dark green seaweed and barnacles, exuding a cold, damp, and oppressive aura.

On the leading bone ship stood a squad of Sea Clan warriors clad in ghostly blue scale armor.

They were generally over two meters tall, with skin of a sickly pale color, closed gills on the sides of their cheeks, and steel tridents flickering with cold light in their hands.

"Stop the ship! Cut the power!"

A Sea Clan petty officer stood at the bow, pointing his steel trident at the ghost ship; his voice was hoarse and unpleasant, like fingernails scratching against a chalkboard.

"Ahead lies the Holy Land of the Sea God Temple, 'City of the Abyss'!"

The petty officer's turbid fish-like eyes scanned the deck of the ghost ship, and when he saw the temporarily hung "Zzz" flag, his brows furrowed into a knot.

"Is this a ship of the Skinning Cult? Where is that idiot, Blood Hand Butcher? Why is such a ridiculous flag hanging up?"

Facing the interrogation of the Sea Clan patrol, the atmosphere on the deck instantly froze.

Little Fatty Chen hid behind the gunwale, swallowing nervously, his palms covered in sweat.

Su Qingyue and Mu Qingxue stood behind Jiang Chen, their graceful figures hidden by wide black robes, but their hands were already resting on their weapons, ready to strike at any moment.

As for Iliya, who was tied up tightly, she sat on the deck looking aggrieved, casting a resentful gaze at Jiang Chen's back.

Jiang Chen, the focus of the entire scene.

At this moment, he was wearing Blood Hand Butcher's signature blood-colored coat, a ferocious Asura mask covering his face.

He did not answer the petty officer's question, but instead leisurely took out a... folding lounge chair from his storage ring.

"Clang."

He placed the lounge chair steadily in the center of the deck.

Then, amidst the astonished gazes of dozens of Sea Clan warriors, Jiang Chen sat down and proceeded to prop his feet up on the railing.

"What are you making noise for?"

Jiang Chen's voice came through the mask, carrying an undisguised irritability and exhaustion.

He deliberately channeled the power of the [System]'s 'Heart of Nightmare', making his voice sound hoarse and filled with the scent of blood, perfectly imitating the temperament of an outlaw who had spent years licking blood from the edge of a blade.

"I've been drifting at sea for days and nights, haven't even had a decent sleep, and you still want to come and inspect the post?"

Jiang Chen pointed at the Sea Clan petty officer, his tone extremely arrogant.

"That piece of trash, Blood Hand Butcher, has already been butchered by me. This ship belongs to me now."

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding Sea Clan warriors were in an uproar.

"What? Blood Hand Butcher is dead?"

"That was a ruthless man at the fifth level of the Grandmaster Realm, and he was just killed like that?"

The Sea Clan petty officer's expression changed, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes. In a place like the Endless Sea where the weak are prey to the strong, anyone capable of killing Blood Hand Butcher was definitely not someone to be trifled with.

But he represented the Sea God Temple; in these waters, even a Dragon had to coil up!

"Audacious!"

The petty officer shouted angrily, "The Skinning Cult is a dog kept by our Sea God Temple; one must consider the master before beating the dog! You killed the Butcher, and you still dare to come to the City of the Abyss and act so wantonly?!"

He raised his steel trident and slammed it onto the deck.

"All units, alert! Prepare to sink..."

"Shut up."

Jiang Chen suddenly interrupted him.

He did not stand up, but merely tilted his head slightly, his cold eyes beneath the mask piercing through the mist, locking onto the petty officer.

"I didn't come here to listen to a dead fish like you chant scriptures."

Jiang Chen raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

"Snap."

"Bring the 'goods' up."

Little Fatty Chen, though afraid, was very efficient in his execution. He immediately dragged the tightly bound Iliya to the bow with Su Qingyue.

"Mmm... Master..."

Iliya let out a whimpering sound in cooperation, her nine snowy-white fox tails, which had been carefully groomed, swaying gently in the sea breeze, exuding a deadly allure.

The moment he saw Iliya, the Sea Clan petty officer's eyes widened.

Not only him, but the breathing of all the surrounding Sea Clan warriors became heavy.

Beast Clan Saintess! Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox!

This was the top-grade prey for which the Sea God Temple higher-ups had offered a bounty of one billion Top-Grade Spirit Stones, and even promised the position of Inner Sect High Priest!

"Is this... the demoness from the bounty notice?!"

The petty officer was so excited he could barely hold his steel trident, "You... you caught her?!"

"Are you blind? Can't you tell?"

Jiang Chen sneered and grabbed one of Iliya's tails with extreme roughness, causing the little fox to tear up in pain.

"To catch this vixen, I lost half my life and had to kill Blood Hand Butcher to get my hands on her. Now, I'm here to complete the mission and collect the reward."

Jiang Chen took his legs off the railing, leaning his body slightly forward, his voice under the mask revealing a sense of greed and madness.

"One billion Top-Grade Spirit Stones, plus the position of High Priest. Not a single cent less. If I find out you're planning to double-cross me..."

He clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles cracking.

"I don't mind chopping this fox into eight pieces and throwing her into the sea to feed the sharks, turning your bounty into a piece of scrap paper!"

This speech was flawless, vividly portraying the image of a greedy, cruel, and unscrupulous outlaw desperate for the bounty.

Even Mu Qingxue behind him couldn't help but nod inwardly.

This kid's acting skills are wasted if he doesn't win an Oscar.

The Sea Clan petty officer was stunned by Jiang Chen's madness.

He swallowed his saliva, his attitude instantly doing a 180-degree turn.

"This... this brave hero, let's talk nicely."

The petty officer immediately put on a fawning smile. This was a massive achievement delivered to his doorstep; if he messed it up, his superiors would surely skin him alive.

"Since you are here to complete the mission, you are naturally the most distinguished guest of the Sea God Temple. Please forgive the offense just now."

"Open the city gates! Welcome the distinguished guest into the city!"

Following the petty officer's order.

On the towering black city wall, two massive mysterious iron gates covered in moss slowly opened to the sides amidst a dull sound of mechanical friction.

A thick wave of water vapor and the scent of incense unique to the decaying temple rushed out from within the gates.

"That's more like it."

Jiang Chen lay back down on the lounge chair, yawning with satisfaction.

"Start the ship, enter the city. Remember to arrange a room with good soundproofing for me; I need to sleep for three days and three nights first."

Under the escort of the Sea Clan patrol, the ghost ship slowly sailed into the City of the Abyss.

Once inside the city, everyone discovered the magnificence and eeriness of this underwater city.

On both sides of the streets, there were towering coral towers and buildings carved from giant seashells.

Everywhere were Sea Clan civilians and slaves with strange appearances.

But what made people feel oppressed was that the city was filled with a fanatical and morbid religious atmosphere.

Every few steps, one could see a shrine, inside which were enshrined statues of various ferocious sea monsters. When the Sea Clan civilians passed by, they would devoutly kneel and worship, chanting something under their breath.

"This place... is really uncomfortable."

Su Qingyue lowered her voice and said to Jiang Chen through her black robe.

"Their eyes are like those of soulless fanatics. And there is a very weak interference of Mental Energy in the air, trying to influence one's mind."

"That is religious brainwashing."

Mu Qingxue, as a veteran mentor, was knowledgeable, "The Sea God Temple uses this method to control believers and deprive them of their self-awareness. This is an extremely evil means of mental control."

Jiang Chen lay on the chair, listening to their analysis, a cold sneer curling the corner of his mouth.

"[Ding! Weak source of mental pollution (brainwashing waves) detected.]"

"[System evaluation: Like a poor-quality lullaby, it not only fails to help sleep, but also causes migraines.]"

"[Automatically activating "Nightmare Shield" mode: All mental pollution will be converted into experience points for the host.]"

"Brainwashing?"

Jiang Chen snorted coldly in his heart.

"Compared to my 'Group Hypnosis,' this is simply child's play."

As he was thinking, the ship had stopped in front of a massive temple.

This temple was crafted entirely from ghostly blue deep-sea ice crystals, exuding a bone-chilling cold. At the top of the temple, a huge trident symbol was carved.

This was the highest power center of the Sea God Temple in the Misty Sea Abyss.

"This brave warrior, please disembark."

The petty officer from before stood respectfully below the ship, pointing to the gate of the temple.

"Lord Patrol Envoy is already waiting for you in the 'Judgment Hall.' Once this demoness's true identity is verified, the bounty will be paid out immediately."

Jiang Chen stood up and tidied his blood-colored coat.

He walked to Iliya's side, grabbed the rope behind her, and lifted her up like he was holding a chick.

"Let's go, little fox."

Jiang Chen leaned into Iliya's ear and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "If anyone dares to touch you later, scream loudly, the more miserable the better."

Iliya was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood Jiang Chen's meaning.

This was to use the excuse to make a scene and start fighting directly!

A glimmer of excitement flashed in her eyes, and she nodded obediently.

"Understood, Master. My acting skills are very good."

Jiang Chen took the bound Iliya and strode down the gunwale.

Behind him, Mu Qingxue and Su Qingyue followed closely like two silent ghost guards.

As for Little Fatty Chen, he was left on the ship to "watch the house" (mainly because his leg injury hadn't fully healed, and they were afraid he would drag them down).

"Creeak—"

The temple's heavy ice crystal gates were slowly pushed open.

A colder, more oppressive aura surged out like a tide.

The moment Jiang Chen stepped into the gate, he felt over a dozen powerful Mental Energy auras lock onto him.

Each one was no weaker than the third level of the Grandmaster Realm!

And in the very center of the hall, on a high throne.

Sat a man wearing magnificent deep blue sacrificial robes.

He held a scepter inlaid with a huge aquamarine in his hand, his face feminine and handsome, but his eyes were as cold as a viper.

Sea God Temple Patrol Envoy, Deep Sea Priest—Blue Nether.

"So it is you who killed Blood Hand Butcher and caught the prey on the bounty notice?"

Blue Nether's voice was soft and ethereal, yet carried an unquestionable Divine Power dignity.

He did not look at Jiang Chen, but instead fixed his gaze firmly on Iliya's nine snowy-white tails.

In his eyes, an uncontrollable greed and fanaticism erupted.

"Pure Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox Bloodline... Perfect, simply perfect!"

Blue Nether stood up excitedly, the scepter in his hand trembling slightly.

"As long as I sacrifice her to the Great Sea God... I will definitely be promoted to Cardinal!"

He swung his scepter violently, pointing at Jiang Chen.

"Hand her over to me. One billion Spirit Stones, this Envoy will reward you. You may get out."

That condescending tone of dismissing a beggar.

Made a chilling sneer appear instantly beneath Jiang Chen's mask.

He did not let go of Iliya.

Instead, he stood in the center of the hall, slowly raised his head, and looked directly at Blue Nether on the throne.

"Hand her over to you?"

Jiang Chen's voice echoed in the empty hall.

"What kind of thing are you, worthy of touching my body pillow?"