The sea tribes of the Azure Sea, through endless ages, have also produced several great beings akin to the emperors of the Human Race, who control the vast domain of the Azure Sea. These enlightened beings all belong to the Dragon Attribute.

The Dragon Attribute is the most noble existence in the Azure Sea.

After the death of the Dragon Emperor, his legacy enriched the Azure Sea, empowering the sea tribes tremendously.

But it was also a misfortune.

For it caused too many creatures across the world to possess the bloodline of the Dragon Attribute.

The naturally born Dragon Attribute looks down on these impure blooded mongrels, gradually leading to conflicts.

Gradually, the creatures of the Azure Sea divided into two types: one is the naturally born Dragon Attribute and their subordinates, known as the Azure Sea Sea Tribe; the other, which gained the Dragon Emperor's legacy and possesses the Dragon Attribute bloodline, became the Azure Sea Water Tribe.

Creatures such as Yinglong, Ba Xia, Suan Ni, and others, legends of the Nine Sons of the Dragon, belong to the Azure Sea Water Tribe.

Strictly speaking, General Wei, with his Dragon Race bloodline, can barely be considered part of the Azure Sea Water Tribe.

The Sea Tribe lives entirely within the Azure Sea, never coming ashore.

Water Tribe exist within the great rivers and lakes of the Tens of Thousands of Islands, and even in the large wells of some towns.

However, regardless, the relationships between the two tribes and the Human Race are not friendly.

It's even fair to describe it as hostile. Powers like the Northern Polar Six Houses have wholly established themselves overseas, essentially to resist the two Azure Sea tribes.

This is also the reason why many large factions in Hongze have established bases overseas.

Compared to the Water Tribe, the relationship between the Sea Tribe and the Human Race is even more hostile, nearly to the point of a fight to the death upon meeting.

The Pirate King once allied with the Water Tribe, but even so, the relations with the Sea Tribe were to the death.

The reason why many forces are willing to acknowledge the existence of pirates is also because pirates, even overseas, are seen by the Sea Tribe as enemies.

Everything that can last in this world has a great past.

Yuan Shuang softly said, "The hatred between our Human Race and the Sea Tribe has existed almost since the birth of Hongze, for the Human Race has produced too many emperors, and the Azure Sea Water Tribe believes it's the Human Race that has plundered too many resources from their sea…"

Ultimately, it boils down to resources for cultivation.

Hongze is rich in water, and the underwater realm is a three-dimensional space. Treasures in water are more than ten times what's on land, so naturally, the Human Race could not ignore the treasures in the water for their cultivation.

"In the past, countless sects were annihilated in battles against the Sea Tribe. These sects, heavily damaged in fighting the Sea Tribe, have their achievements forever remembered by the Human Race. Even if their sect becomes weak, they will never be destroyed by the Human Race themselves, otherwise, the whole world would condemn them."

Xu Guang's mood grew slightly heavy.

Suddenly, he remembered a power he had heard of before.

Deep in the Clouds.

He often heard people say that Deep in the Clouds was not as glorious as it once was, but few forces dared to provoke it. When a significant power like the Lifeless Sect attacked Deep in the Clouds, it led to a siege by many Holy Lands.

Combining this with Yuan Shuang's words now, it can be seen that the severe damage to Deep in the Clouds is related to the Sea Tribe.

…

Although today, countless people have the qualifications to become Saints, those without qualifications, struggling to gain them, are as numerous as the sea.

The Pirate King has been deceased for tens of thousands of years, but the pirate community has been thriving for the same length, flourishing through the ages.

In the world of pirates, there are countless legends. These legends might concern treasures or some powerful pirate.

They are neither entirely good nor entirely evil. They befriend the Water Tribe, yet they can fight to the death with the Sea Tribe.

Near the sea, the Human Race views pirates as enemies. Yet in the open sea, the relationship between the Human Race and pirates is extremely complicated.

Those who manage to live in seclusion in the Azure Sea's domain generally have a pirate background—either once a pirate themselves or a close friend of a renowned pirate.

Here stands an unnamed barren island, vast and desolate, yet an inexplicable sense of danger hovers in the air.

However, in the eyes of many veteran pirates, this is no unknown barren island. It has a famous name.

Nine Saints Island.

Its name speaks for itself; nine saints are said to reside on this island, mixing humans, demons, and Water Tribe in their ranks. The nine swore brotherhood, roaming both the stars and the domain of the Azure Sea.

At this moment, on Nine Saints Island, clouds float across the sky, and a strange creature resembling both a bull and a tiger strides out from the clouds, landing softly.

A Taoist, with flowing sideburns and striking features, sits atop, with a hint of charm in his eyes.

"It's been two millennia since we last met, has it not?"

The Taoist dismounts, smiling at the woman who suddenly appeared outside Nine Saints Island.

Ye Xihan gazes with a complex look at the Taoist before her and speaks softly, "Two thousand four hundred fifty-eight years, to be precise. I didn't expect that upon our reunion, you would have already reached the honor of a Saint."

The Taoist Zhixiao slightly shakes his head, "If you hadn't been so competitive back then, your cultivation would not be weaker than mine."

Ye Xihan fell silent.

Competitive?

It seems so indeed.

Defeated by Yan Zhen long ago, she followed him for eighty thousand miles of mountains and rivers to defeat him, sealed in a Nirvana Fruit for two thousand years, seeming like yesterday.

The Taoist Zhixiao spoke,

"Have you come to Nine Saints Island for something?"

Ye Xihan collected her thoughts, speaking softly, "How much do you know about the upheaval in the Ye family?"

Upon hearing this, Zhixiao Ta's expression grew complex, "About your father's matters? Sorry, I don't know much."

The upheaval within the Ye family has always been a topic of interest; even Saint gossip always circles back to the affairs of the Ye family, unable to resist the intrigue of imperial aftermath.

"Given your character, even if you returned, you wouldn't seek me out without reason. What's the matter?"

Ye Xihan fell silent again.

Zhixiao too fell silent.

She understood what kind of person Ye Xihan was—a proud individual, and for good reason. A dual honor in both Tao and martial arts. Her brilliance at the Red Heaven Summit two thousand years ago shocked the world.

A stubborn, proud person.

"I want to enter the Pirate King's Secret Vault."

Helping a dual-nirvana Venerable assume a pirate identity is a highly challenging task. At least, Ye Xihan didn't know of any power on the Azure Sea with that kind of capability.

She could only seek help from these 'old friends' of the past.

Old friends of the past, now all were saints.

Zhixiao did not question the reason, only nodded.

"Alright!"

Ye Xihan wasn't surprised at how readily the other agreed and nodded, "Thank you."

Zhixiao was momentarily stunned and smiled, "After all these years, this is the first time I've heard you say thank you."

Ye Xihan turned and left.

Zhixiao shook her head and, along with her steed, vanished.

The nine saints on Nine Saints Island are now considered nine anomalies in the current cultivation realm, for after swearing their bond, they truly managed to become lifelong comrades—a rare attainment.

Zhixiao traversed the island, but what surprised people was that her feet did not touch the ground. Her body slightly bent, as if unwilling to offend the land beneath.

She arrived at the base of the island's largest mountain, gently pinched a magic formula, and stirred the heavens and earth.

"Little Zhixiao? Don't disturb my sleep if there's nothing important."

This was an extraordinarily deep voice, as if Nine Saints Island itself was speaking, as if this island, almost one-eighth the size of an average state island, was his body.

Zhixiao held great respect for the owner of this voice.

"Brother Mountain Mover, do you remember Ye Xihan?"

The profound voice sank into silence, seemingly pondering.

"That woman with some ambiguity towards the Saint Monk Yan Zhen, whom you followed as a junior."

Upon these words, the owner of that deep voice finally recalled who Ye Xihan was.

"Ah, it's her."

…

The ship docked at the shore.

This was a standard pirate ship, seemingly crafted from gleaming white bones. The vessel was lined with mechanisms crafted for slaughter, even the deck bore a strong smell of blood.

"The gathering place for pirates is in the Tianya Maze Domain, reachable only by a pirate ship,"

Liu Chuan spoke.

"It's somewhat far from here, taking four months by ship. Please, everyone."

Upon learning about the Pirate King's Secret Vault, everyone was filled with anticipation for the treasures within.

Jiang Hong was eager to prove himself.

Even Qin Miaoran and Yuan Shuang, who couldn't qualify for entry, were quite excited.

Xu Guang vaguely guessed a few things.

This senior sister of his was not someone who followed rules by the book.

She couldn't enter, but there were always those who could. If she couldn't go in to claim treasures, she would seize others' treasures.