154: Chapter 154 The Heavenly Court's Little Tyrants Emerge

The atmosphere in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall was subtle, owing to the collective "petition" from several little ancestors.

Li Xuan sat high on the imperial throne, watching the little ones standing in a row below. The oldest was no more than seven or eight, and the youngest was still drooling, yet each had bright eyes, eager to try. He felt a headache coming on, but also found it somewhat amusing.

The Heavenly Court Fleet had been on its expedition for nearly a year.

During this year, apart from passing through the Star Domain of the Fox Tribe and casually dealing with a group of ignorant space pirates, which added a Charm Concubine and an Illusion Prince to the Heavenly Court, most of the time had been spent on monotonous interstellar travel.

For Li Xuan and his consorts in the harem, these days were leisurely and carefree, sightseeing, and incidentally, creating life—it was truly delightful.

But for this group of Heavenly Court "Little Tyrants" who had nowhere to vent their overflowing energy, this was even worse than being grounded.

The leader was the eldest, Li Changsheng, who had already grown into a handsome youth.

He wore white robes and had no expression on his face, but his eyes, which occasionally swept toward the depths of the starry sea, always carried a hint of... boredom, even he himself hadn't noticed.

Beside him, the increasingly delicate and beautiful Li Qingyue was gently tugging on the ear of her younger brother, Li Lei, to prevent this little firecracker from summoning a thundercloud to strike the deck of the heavenly emperor if he got too excited.

The initiator of this "collective petition," the God of Wealth Li Yuanbao, was currently clutching a massive golden abacus that was taller than him, his little face tight, looking as serious as if "we have a major matter to discuss."

"Father Emperor," Li Yuanbao spoke first, his voice milky but his tone unarguable, "After my precise calculations, the resource consumption of our Heavenly Court Fleet on this journey is completely disproportionate to our gains! This is an unhealthy model!"

His little hands clicked on the abacus, and a series of golden numerical runes appeared out of thin air, forming a clear income and expenditure report in the air.

"Look, the Medicinal Pill consumption of our soldiers, the Immortal Crystal loss of the warships, and also... the beast milk that my newly born younger brothers and sisters drink every day, all add up to an astronomical figure! We must increase revenue and reduce expenditure!"

Li Xuan was amused by this little adult act and took a sip from his teacup:

"Oh? According to my son's opinion, how should we increase revenue?"

"Robbery... ah, pfft!"

Li Yuanbao seemed to realize he had let something slip and quickly changed his words, his little face turning red, "It... it is training! Father Emperor, as princes of the Heavenly Court, how can we stay in the deep palace and not know the suffering of the world? We implore Father Emperor to grant us permission to form a 'Heavenly Court Special Training Squad' to go out—um, to go out to punish evil and promote good, and incidentally, earn some... operating funds for the Heavenly Court!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Lei waved his little fists excitedly:

"Yes! Beat up bad guys! Get treasures!"

Even the usually steady Li Guang, with his heavy pupils, showed a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Li Xuan looked at this group of "little clever ones" and knew their true thoughts immediately.

He pondered for a moment, and in his heart, he did feel that his children indeed needed real tempering.

His children all had the potential of Great Emperors, but their Heart-Nature, methods, and experience in facing enemies truly needed to be honed in blood and fire.

Was this crisis-ridden starry sea not the best training ground?

"Granted."

Li Xuan spat out two words.

"Yay!!"

Several little ones cheered on the spot.

Li Xuan flicked his finger, and an exquisite Immortal Boat, about a hundred feet long, crafted entirely from Star Secret Silver and shaped like a small silver Dragon, appeared in the center of the hall.

Although this boat was small, it was fully equipped. Its defensive Formations and offensive Formations were designed by Li Daoyan personally and inscribed by Li Xuan himself, enough to withstand a full-strength blow from a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

"This boat is named 'Dragon Baby'." Li Xuan's tone carried a bit of jest, "I have given you a task. In this boat, I have only provided enough Immortal Crystals and fresh water for three months of travel."

"Three months later, I want to see this boat return fully loaded."

He paused and added:

"Remember, it must be 'fully loaded'. As for what you use to fill it, that is your own business."

"Father Emperor, rest assured!"

Li Yuanbao patted his small chest, his eyes already full of little stars, as if he had already seen mountains of moving gold beckoning to him, "Guarantee to complete the mission!"

Just like that, under the complex gazes of the Heavenly Court's immortals and gods, mixed with worry, envy, and sympathy, a "Little Tyrant" training squad with a "most luxurious lineup in history" was established.

Captain and main attacker: First Prince, Sword Intent Dominator Li Changsheng.

Deputy captain and Spell specialist: Second Princess, Lunar Fairy Li Qingyue.

Chief Financial Officer and General Commander: Third Prince, God of Wealth Li Yuanbao.

Lightning Spell gunner: Fourth Prince, Chaos Lightning God Li Lei.

Scout and mascot: Fifth Prince, Heavy-Pupil Li Guang.

Five "Heavenly Court Little Tyrants," with an average age of less than ten, happily boarded their "Dragon Baby" and left the massive Heavenly Court Fleet, plunging into the unknown depths of the vast starry sea like a husky that had broken its leash.

... "Third Brother, we've been drifting for seven days! We haven't even seen a ghost! So boring!"

Inside the cabin of the Dragon Baby, Li Lei was lying on the porthole, looking listlessly at the unchanging pitch-black starry sky outside, his mouth pouting enough to hang an oil pot.

Li Changsheng found a corner, leaned against the hull, hugged his wooden sword, and fell asleep, even snoring slightly, seemingly having no interest in this "training."

Li Qingyue was peeling Immortal Plants for her younger brothers and sisters and smiled helplessly at the words.

Only Li Yuanbao sat upright in the captain's seat. He closed his eyes, and the faint copper coin mark between his eyebrows flickered with a faint light. He was like the most precise radar, sensing all "valuable" targets in this Star Domain.

Li Yuanbao's eyes opened suddenly!

In those clear eyes, two golden lights shot out, like two miniature suns, almost blinding Li Lei beside him.

"Found it!"

Li Yuanbao slapped the armrest excitedly and jumped up from his seat.

"Southeast direction, about eight thousand miles away! There is a... so huge! So rich! So fragrant... aura of wealth!"

He was so excited that drool almost flowed out, his little face turning red.

"That feeling is like seeing countless beauties rolling on a treasure mountain piled with Innate Spirit Treasure! Too tempting!"

"Wealth?"

Li Lei's ears pricked up immediately. He didn't quite understand what beauties rolling on Spirit Treasure meant, but he knew wealth equaled treasure, and treasure equaled fun!

"Go, go, go! Third Brother, let's go quickly!"

Li Yuanbao immediately adjusted the course, and the Dragon Baby, like a silver lightning bolt, tore through the Void Realm and sped toward the direction he sensed at full speed.

Soon, at the edge of Li Guang's heavy-pupil vision, a fleet composed of dozens of warships appeared.

These warships had ferocious designs, painted with blood-red skull and crossbones logos, looking like they were not good people at a glance.

At the lead was a huge black mothership, like a giant octopus lurking in the dark, and the fierce Evil Qi emitted from it was enough to make ordinary Golden Immortals feel fear.

"Blood Skull Pirate Group?"

Li Qingyue frowned, recognizing the origin of this fleet, "This is the largest group of space pirates active at the junction of the Eastern Immortal Realm wasteland and the Central Immortal Realm. It is said that their leader, 'Bloody Hand Butcher', is a genuine Grand Unity Golden Immortal with a fierce reputation. I didn't expect to meet them here."

"Grand Unity Golden Immortal? Just right!"

Hearing this, Li Lei was not afraid but happy, rubbing his hands together:

"I haven't fought a Grand Unity yet!"

"Don't be impulsive!"

Li Yuanbao grabbed him, his face not showing the slightest fear, but instead showing the signature smile that a profiteer would only have when seeing a fat sheep.

He pointed at the massive fleet, and said to his younger brothers and sisters behind him, quietly and excitedly:

"See that? That's not pirates!"

"That is the 'startup capital' for our training this time!"

On the flagship of the "Blood Skull", a scarred one-eyed big man also saw the "Dragon Baby" that was flying toward them foolishly through a Magic Treasure monitor.

"Boss! Look, there's a fat fish that doesn't know life from death, delivering itself to the door!"

Sitting on the main seat was a man in blood-colored robes with a feminine face.

He was the leader of the Blood Skull Pirate Group, "Bloody Hand Butcher".

He glanced at the exquisite little Immortal Boat in the water mirror, crafted entirely from Star Secret Silver and looking expensive at a glance, and smiled cruelly.

"Interesting. Such a beautiful boat, and there are only a few milk-drinking brats on it?"

His eyes were full of greed, and he subconsciously licked his lips.

"Pass the order down, surround them! Don't break the boat; I want that boat! As for those few brats... for the boys, refine them into Blood Pills; for the girls, heh heh, just right to change the taste for the brothers."

"Understood!"

With a command, dozens of ferocious pirate warships immediately surrounded from all directions, completely sealing off the retreat of the "Dragon Baby".

In the loudspeaker Formation, arrogant laughter and obscene language from the pirates came through.

"People inside, listen! You have been surrounded by the Blood Skull Pirate Group! Put down your weapons immediately and open the hatch to surrender! Otherwise, we will blast you into cosmic dust!"

However, there was still no movement on the Dragon Baby.

The pirates thought the other side was scared silly and were preparing to order fire.

On the bridge of the Dragon Baby, a childish yet slightly excited and expectant child's voice spread throughout the battlefield through the loudspeaker Formation.

"Ahem! Pirates inside, listen!"

Li Yuanbao cleared his throat, imitating the other side's tone, and shouted solemnly:

"This road is opened by me! This tree is planted by me!"

"If you want to pass from here! Leave behind the road money!"

Once these words were spoken, the entire pirate group was stunned.

It was quiet for a full three seconds.

Subsequently, there was even crazier and unbridled burst of laughter!

"Hahahaha! What did I hear? These little brats want to rob us?"

"My god! The funniest joke in the Immortal Realm this year has been born!"

"Bloody Hand Butcher" also laughed until he was bent over, tears almost coming out.

He clutched his stomach and joked to the loudspeaker Formation:

"Alright, little things! Then what kind of road money do you want? Let's hear it. I'm in a good mood today, maybe I can reward you with a few bones to gnaw!"

Hearing the other side's response, Li Yuanbao's eyes brightened even more!

He grabbed the abacus beside him and dialed it rapidly, muttering, as if performing the most sacred ritual.

"According to the brand value of your 'Blood Skull' group, the scale of the fleet, the identification of the main warship material, and... um, I smell it, in the glass of wine your boss just drank, there is the taste of a 'Dragon Saliva Immortal Plant leaf'..."

"I initially estimate that your total assets are worth about... 3.65 million High Grade Immortal Crystals!"

In Li Yuanbao's eyes, golden light was already starting to emerge.

He stretched out a chubby finger, pointed to the outside, and announced with domineering aura:

"I announce!"

"You have been robbed by us!"

"Hand over all your belongings immediately! Including your flagship! We can consider sparing your lives!"

This time, the pirates couldn't laugh.

They only felt absurdity and an anger of being provoked by ants!

"Bloody Hand Butcher's" smile disappeared, turning into a chilling killing intent.

"Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink! Little animals who don't know what's good for them! Open fire for me! Blast them into slag, people and ship together!"

However, his order had not yet been transmitted.

"So noisy."

A cold, indifferent voice, carrying a bit of sleepiness, suddenly rang in everyone's mind.

Li Changsheng, who had been sleeping in the corner, didn't know when he had already stood up.

He didn't even draw his sword, just casually stretched out a finger toward the pirate flagship that was clamoring the loudest.

A light point.

A Sword Qi, so subtle it was almost invisible, flew out from his fingertip.

There was no earth-shattering power, no destroying-the-world light.

That Sword Qi was just so ordinary, flying toward the flagship presided over by the Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

"Bloody Hand Butcher" didn't even take this "weak" attack seriously; he was about to mock the other side's overestimation of their own strength.

The mockery on his face froze.

His protective Immortal light, his Grand Unity Law that he was proud of, and the flagship armor under his feet crafted from countless rare Materials were like paper in front of that subtle Sword Qi.

"Chi—"

A soft sound.

That huge black flagship, capable of withstanding the siege of several Golden Immortals without defeat, was neatly split in two from bow to stern.

The smooth cut was flat enough to be used as a mirror.

On it, there still remained a trace of terrifying Sword Intent that annihilated everything.

"Boom!"

The split flagship finally exploded violently, turning into a gorgeous firework.

And that arrogant "Bloody Hand Butcher" didn't even have time to let out a scream before he and his beloved flagship were destroyed, body and soul.

For a moment, all sounds on the battlefield disappeared, leaving only the embers of the flagship explosion burning quietly.

All the pirates were stunned, staring blankly at the explosion fire, their brains buzzing.

They...

Their boss, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, just like that...

Killed by a child with a finger...?

But it wasn't over yet.

"My turn! My turn!"

Li Lei jumped up excitedly, waving his little hand.

"Ten Thousand Lightning Heavenly Prison!"

Rumble!

A tribulation cloud, larger than the battlefield, appeared out of thin air above the pirate fleet.

Countless purple divine lightning bolts, thicker than water buckets, poured down like rain!

"Moonlight Heavenly Curtain, Condense!"

Li Qingyue also followed suit, and a phantom of a bright moon rose below the pirate fleet.

Endless Lunar Moon light turned into an ice-blue sky curtain, completely sealing off the retreat path below all pirate fleets.

A lightning purgatory, an eternal ice field.

No way to heaven, no door to earth!

"Don't... don't strike my ship!"

Seeing this, Li Yuanbao let out a painful scream, "Those are all mine! My money!"

The following scene was a complete nightmare for the Blood Skull Pirate Group.

And under Li Yuanbao's command, this nightmare turned into an... efficient and precise "asset stripping" operation.

All those who tried to resist were directly killed by Li Changsheng's Sword Qi.

All those who tried to escape were persuaded back by Li Lei's lightning and Li Qingyue's moonlight.

Eventually, under the dual blow of "physical persuasion" and "financial deterrence," all surviving pirates obediently handed over all their storage Magic Treasures, were stripped down to their underwear, driven onto a few of the most broken small spaceships, and rolled away dejectedly.

A few hours later.

Li Yuanbao sat smiling on the captain's throne of a brand-new warship with the Blood Skull flag (not yet had time to change), with boxes upon boxes of shining High Grade Immortal Crystals under his feet.

Behind him, a "prisoner fleet" composed of dozens of warships was being pulled by the Dragon Baby's tractor Immortal light, majestically flying toward the direction of the Heavenly Court's main fleet.

"Hmm, this is what it should be like."

Li Yuanbao nodded like a little adult, expressing great satisfaction with the results of this "revenue increase."

"Go! Little ones, return! Go home to report the accounts to Father Emperor! Then, look for the next target!"