182: Chapter 182 The Black Abyss Pirates!

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Amidst a planetary asteroid belt, on the reverse side of an asteroid comparable in size to the entire Great Xia Kingdom, numerous colossal spaceships were intricately arrayed.

At the very center of the spaceships was a large base modified from a transformed spaceship.

Above the base, a flag bearing the iconic symbol of the Black Abyss was fluttering.

Inside the base.

At this moment, young maidens of various races were using every trick they knew to please the man situated in the center of the grand hall.

The man was burly and stout, with a full beard, eyes like green beans, and a long black tail, giving off an extremely lewd impression.

However, his aura had reached the astonishing peak of Star Shattering Rank Ninth Tier!

He was only one step away from the Universe Level!

And this man was the founder of the Black Abyss Star Pirate Group, Black Beard King!

Of course, the title 'King' was one he had given himself.

This was because many leaders of top-tier star pirate groups would include a King or Emperor in their titles.

His future ambition was to become a top-tier star pirate group in the universe.

"This batch of beast pets is so boring. It's all the same old tricks, not stimulating at all!"

Black Beard King opened his massive maw and stuffed several fawning Elf maidens beside him into his mouth, complaining as he chewed.

This sight terrified all the maidens in the hall, causing them to try even harder.

However, for Black Beard King at this moment, the maidens before him were truly unable to pique his interest.

"Enough, enough."

Black Beard King kicked the surrounding maidens away and impatiently walked out of the grand hall.

As soon as he exited, a man wearing a long robe, sporting a lizard head and a pair of spectacles, rushed over in a flurry.

"Commander, last year's internal financial report is out."

Seeing the man's appearance, Black Beard King frowned, "Let's discuss it in the office."

Upon arriving at the office.

The lizard-headed man began his report.

"This year, we plundered the core energy from forty primary civilization planets and looted partial high-quality assets from thirty planets..."

"In terms of revenue, it can be said to be a new high, but expenditures were also extremely large. Three D-class spaceships were damaged in combat, and two C-class spaceships require major repairs. The cultivation resources consumed by regular members amounted to thirty-seven point eight billion cosmic coins, not to mention salary expenditures for the lower-level staff, and Commander, your beast pet expenses..."

"Overall, our group had a net loss of approximately thirteen point seven billion cosmic coins this year."

"If things continue like this, our group might face the risk of disbandment. Some members are already quite dissatisfied."

Listening to the lizard-headed man's words.

Black Beard King looked extremely displeased, but he managed to suppress the urge to get angry. Then he slowly said,

"Revenue increased, but net income decreased, which means expenditures need to be controlled. How about this: lower the wages of the lower-level staff again, and cut the meal allowance in half."

Regarding this method.

The lizard-headed man showed difficulty on his face.

"The treatment of our group's lower-level staff is already squeezed to the extreme. Cutting it in half again will likely greatly dampen their enthusiasm, and actually, even cutting it in half won't cover the shortfall."

"My suggestion is that Commander's beast pet expenditures can be controlled. Last time on Mermaid Star and Cat Girl Star, the Princesses, Commander spent ten billion cosmic coins to acquire them. This expenditure could actually be saved, and..."

Before he could finish speaking.

Black Beard King slapped the table, his expression turning cold.

"I chose to be a star pirate and establish a star pirate group to experience all races. You want me to control that?!"

"Forget the financial report! I can step into the Universe Level at any moment. When that happens, I'll lead the brothers on a huge score!"

Black Beard King's words left him unable to argue.

Indeed.

If Black Beard King could step into the Universe Level and lead the Black Abyss Star Pirate Group to a major score, the revenue and expenditure problem could indeed be easily resolved.

And at this moment, outside the base.

On a huge plaza.

Small spaceships were displayed there.

Upon close inspection, these spaceships were almost identical to Jia Yan's spaceship from before.

In the cultivation rooms next to the spaceships, there were also many people wearing collars just like Jia Yan. They came from different races, but their expressions were exactly the same—all filled with exhaustion.

"That guy Jia Yan, I heard when I chatted with him last time, he already found a primary civilization. He's really hit the jackpot!"

"Tell me about it. I haven't made a successful capture in four years, and Jia Yan has only been here for four years, yet he's almost completed the quota of twenty planets."

"Recently, it seems we can't contact Jia Yan anymore. Could something have happened to him?"

"Something happening is unlikely. He's at least Star-Treading Level. Inside a primary civilization, he's basically invincible. In my opinion, he's just indulging in a romantic paradise."

"Alright, alright, stop talking about him. Just focus on managing yourselves properly. Explore a bit more, or don't even think about staying in the Black Abyss."

"Damn it! If it weren't for my swindling uncle, telling me I could get a high salary and all cultivation resources covered if I came here, I wouldn't have ended up in this hellhole!"

...And in another part of the universe.

Li Fan had already entered a new round of cultivation.

In the cultivation room at this time, the Yuan Energy was incredibly dense.

The main reason, besides Li Fan's own astonishing talent for absorbing Yuan Energy, was the pairing with the Dark Star's cultivation room's inherent hundred-fold Yuan Energy mode.

The Dark Star used technological means to absorb, concentrate, and compress the Yuan Energy from space into the cultivation room, allowing the cultivator to enjoy a perfect cultivation environment.

As an r-class spaceship, the Dark Star's Yuan Energy pressurization mode could reach a maximum multiple of one hundred thousand times.

However, Li Fan currently could only withstand the mid-hundreds multiple.

If it were any higher, the Yuan Energy would be too violent; forget cultivating, just being able to stay inside would be an achievement.

Of course, even if Li Fan could endure it, the Dark Star's current energy reserves couldn't handle it.

And in a room aboard the Dark Star.

Jia Yan was currently lying on the bed, gazing out at the magnificent starry sky view through the glass dome, feeling extremely relaxed.

Ever since learning that Li Fan's backer was at least an Immortal Level existence, his mood had been excellent.

Given Li Fan's status, negotiating with a star pirate group was unrealistic, whether it was making friends or discussing cooperation.

Therefore, Li Fan's reason for seeking out the Black Abyss Star Pirate Group could only be one: to annihilate the Black Abyss!

Such an act of justice, once spread, would surely garner widespread praise.

Li Fan probably intended to use the Black Abyss Star Pirate Group to make a point, to achieve something for his backer to see.

Although Li Fan's own strength was weak, even weaker than him, it wasn't a major issue. If Li Fan couldn't win, there would surely be masters hidden in the shadows stepping forward.

To put it bluntly,

Li Fan could destroy the Black Abyss Star Pirate Group using just the Dark Star, even if he hid inside the Dark Star.

And once the Black Abyss Star Pirate Group was gone,

His contract would automatically terminate, and this damned collar could be removed, granting him freedom.

Don't think that he was only one planet away from freedom.

In reality, finding a primary civilization planet was extremely difficult.

If one was unlucky, it might take ten or even a hundred years to find one.

If Li Fan could destroy the Black Abyss Star Pirate Group, it was equivalent to saving him from a long period of waiting.

Just thinking about it made him unable to contain his excitement.