Chapter 421: The Low IQ Small Prince

After hearing Xiao Wang Zi's meticulously crafted plan, the others remained silent for a long while.

Receiving no response, Xiao Wang Zi pressed, "What do you think? It's a brilliant idea, right?"

The other three exchanged quick glances.

Cang Xu looked at the smug Xiao Wang Zi and suddenly understood a past incident involving him.

From what Cang Xu had heard from others, when Xiao Wang Zi first encountered Jian Gui and the others, he repeatedly found himself in peril, only to be rescued time and again by Jian Gui. It could be said that without Jian Gui, Xiao Wang Zi would have been finished long ago.

At the time, Cang Xu found it somewhat strange.

Why did Xiao Wang Zi keep getting into trouble? Even with his covert protection, surely the merchant ships of his own kingdom wouldn't be so vulnerable?

Perhaps one or two close calls were unavoidable.

But if one acted cautiously, for example someone like Cang Xu, they wouldn't repeatedly find themselves in peril.

Cang Xu had once darkly speculated that this might be a tactic Jian Gui employed to win over Xiao Wang Zi. Because of this conjecture, Cang Xu hadn't probed further into Xiao Wang Zi's past experiences.

But now, Cang Xu felt that previous conjecture was likely his own overthinking.

Given Xiao Wang Zi's intelligence, encountering multiple crises was entirely expected!

Threatening Qi Ling's fishman tribe to provoke the pirates in the sky into descending to war...

That wasn't a strategy at all, it was downright foolish.

First, if the necromancers voluntarily exposed themselves, they would instantly lose the advantage of operating in the shadows.

Second, would Qi Ling even agree? She cared so deeply for the fishman tribe that she returned to protect them even after becoming a necromancer, even when it meant leaving the Ghost Ship. The moment the fishmen were threatened, Lady Sea Snake blackmailed her, effectively controlling her. Would someone like that ever consent to this plan? Absolutely not!

Third, even if Qi Ling agreed, execution would be nearly impossible. A misstep would backfire spectacularly, becoming a catastrophe.

While necromancers wield broad control over their minions, precision remains elusive. Xiao Wang Zi and his allies might show restraint, but armies of skeletons and specters offer no guarantee each undead will stop short of killing the fishman.

Moreover, living creatures' aversion to the undead ran deep in their bones.

The fishman tribe's reaction would be nearly impossible to control.

The best case scenario would be the fishmen fleeing. In fact, there's a high probability they'd resist and attack.

If the latter occurred, the necromancers would face a severe predicament.

If they engaged in combat, their minions could not stop short of killing, inevitably inflicting casualties among the fishman. What would Qi Ling think? If casualties mounted, Qi Ling might well turn to hatred and betrayal!

If they didn't fight, the only option was retreat. What would the pirates think upon witnessing this? The necromancers' wavering resolve clearly showed they had no desire for vengeance against the fishman clan. Why? It's simple, they're undoubtedly mindful of Qi Ling's feelings. If they care about Qi Ling, they must be trying to save her. Perhaps they'd already made secret arrangements with Qi Ling!

Finally, would this scheme truly lure the pirates down?

Not necessarily.

Lady Sea Snake's gold level sea serpent was already dead, and she herself was only silver level. The captain aboard the Fluffy Cloud, also leader of the Powerless Pirates, Ruan Tang Ren, was likewise only silver level.

That's why Lady Sea Snake also invited the Heroism Pirates. Their leader possessed gold level cultivation.

Facing the undead horde, even if Jian Gui and ghost ship don't show themselves, Lady Sea Snake and Ruan Tang Ren would likely cower aboard their ship, unable to move.

Anyone with half a brain would connect the undead army to Jian Gui's crew.

After all, Jian Gui was gold level!

In short, Xiao Wang Zi's plan was utterly foolish. Rather than implementing it, a direct assault would be far more effective.

Cang Xu remained silent, saying nothing. He wouldn't provoke Xiao Wang Zi for no reason.

Ku Feng also kept his mouth shut, as if he hadn't heard Xiao Wang Zi's words at all.

Xiao Wang Zi's gaze was fixed primarily on Jian Gui.

Jian Gui stepped up to Xiao Wang Zi, reached out, and stroked his round, smooth skull. "Not a bad plan. You clearly put a lot of thought into it. But maybe don't make plans anymore."

"Ah?!" Xiao Wang Zi froze.

“Besides this plan, what other ideas do you have?” Jian Gui asked Ku Feng and Cang Xu.

Ku Feng shrugged, indicating he'd just follow Jian Gui into battle with his sword. He wouldn't think about anything else.

“Who knew Ku Feng could be so cunning,” Cang Xu thought to himself, feeling the pressure mount.

He pondered, "As things stand, our understanding of the enemy remains limited. At the very least, we still don't know why Lady Sea Snake is here, why she invited the Powerless and the Heroism Pirates, and why her pirate ship is nowhere to be found."

“Since we've already established communication with Qi Ling, why not ask her?”

Cang Xu's words sounded simple, yet they clearly conveyed his stance.

He wanted Qi Ling to devise a plan, with Jian Gui and the others providing support.

Qi Ling's widespread deployment of water ghost scouts would certainly not escape Lady Sea Snake's notice. The magic fluctuations generated when communicating with water ghosts to gain vision and memories were intense.

Therefore, Lady Sea Snake must have consented to Qi Ling's reconnaissance.

What Lady Sea Snake didn't know was that Qi Ling had tampered with the water ghosts' bodies.

Since Qi Ling possessed reconnaissance capabilities, it was more effective to make the pirates wary, prompting them to misjudge the situation and launch an attack from the sea.

"Hmph! What's the point of asking that traitor? She should be grateful that we came to rescue her and just wait obediently for help!" Xiao Wang Zi was somewhat annoyed.

After hearing Cang Xu's words, Jian Gui sighed again, as if to say: Finally, someone who understands.

He nodded slightly: "I cannot communicate with Qi Ling for too long, nor too frequently. The more times and the longer the duration, the easier it is to be exposed."

“Still, these matters should indeed be clarified first.”

“I'll contact her in due time.”

Cang Xu remained unaware of the nature of this communication method. He speculated it might be part of the intermediate soul aspect inheritance. But considering Jian Gui's principles, Qi Ling likely hadn't been taught knowledge of this caliber.

Cang Xu recalled: Qi Ling had once served as an alchemy assistant, spending many years at Jian Gui's side.

“Perhaps this is some sort of alchemy method?”

Soon after, Jian Gui reappeared and informed the others: “I've inquired.”

“Lady Sea Snake's familiar has perished. She came here specifically to search for a gold level sea serpent to re-establish a familiar contract.”

“To this end, she enlisted the Heroism Pirates. With their gold level captain leading the charge, they can handle a gold level sea serpent beast.”

"Simultaneously, she invited Ruan Tang Ren. Though only silver level, he possesses proven combat experience. He can counter gold level entities, rendering them powerless, limp, and unable to fight."

“Ruan Tang Ren will weaken the gold level sea serpent's abilities, making it easier for the Heroism Pirates Captain to capture it alive.”

"As for Qi Ling, only Lady Sea Snake knows her true identity. The other two are unaware she's a necromancer. Lady Sea Snake disguised her. In peacetime, Qi Ling handles reconnaissance of the ocean."

"Naturally, Lady Sea Snake and her crew also conduct surveillance. But while they hide within the clouds, the water ghost has the greatest advantage."

Xiao Wang Zi listened with delight: “If that's the case, we can capture a gold level sea serpent and lure them into the sea to strike!”

Jian Gui replied: “Three days ago, they already identified a suitable target.”

“That's precisely why Lady Sea Snake summoned the Heroism Pirates for backup.”

This arrangement made perfect sense.

The Heroism Pirates was a gold level force, while Lady Sea Snake was merely silver level. Especially after losing her gold level sea serpent, her confidence had waned considerably.

It was unlikely she could afford to keep a gold level expert constantly by her side, waiting endlessly for the right target to appear.

The Heroism Pirates naturally had their own affairs to attend to.

Just as Bu Quan, despite being valued by the Alchemy Guild, wouldn't have a gold level member assigned to secretly guard it at all times.

The value of gold level power determined the difficulty and cost of enlisting their services.

“Then why don't we just take action against that sea serpent?” Xiao Wang Zi called out again.

The more he schemed, the more he revealed himself to be a fool.

Upon hearing this, Cang Xu dismissed the foolish plan without hesitation.

Attacking a gold level sea serpent? Lady Sea Snake would never come down.

With so many sea beasts in the White Hair Trench, finding another gold level sea serpent wouldn't be difficult.

Even if Jian Gui and ghost ship hadn't appeared, the undead army dared to target a gold level sea serpent. How could the silver level Lady Sea Snake and Ruan Tang Ren risk venturing into the sea?

Cang Xu pondered silently: “This intelligence is a mixed blessing. It all depends on how Jian Gui chooses to act.”

The ghost ship could not fly, but Jian Gui was gold level, and a necromancer at that.

In truth, if Jian Gui moved now, it would hold a significant advantage against the enemies aboard the Fluffy Cloud.

If the situation dragged on, allowing the leader of the Heroism Pirates to join the fray, things would become far more complicated.

But Jian Gui chose not to take the risk of acting directly.

After a brief discussion, Jian Gui made a decision: to lie in wait around the targeted sea serpent, carefully set the stage for battle, and wait for the right moment to strike.

Cang Xu understood Jian Gui's hesitation.

His concern was simple and obvious; it was that gold level Shadow Assassin.

Qi Ling didn't know this person, but that didn't mean they weren't here.

Near the waters of Flower Skirt Island.

At the base of an uninhabited, barren isle, Lan Zao deftly opened the chamber door and swam out into the sea.

All around was utter stillness.

Every cell in Lan Zao seemed to be laughing, a constant surge of exhilaration and joy welling up within him.

After declining Bing Xiao's recruitment offer, he had repeatedly traveled here via teleportation for training.

Sometimes Shuang Tu accompanied him.

Sometimes he came alone.

Lan Zao preferred solitude.

During these times, he would immerse himself in the sea, letting the water envelop him from all sides.

He would remain motionless, drifting silently through the depths.

He loved the sea.

This affection predated his bloodline awakening; it had always been there.

He was born and raised in a coastal fishing village.

Even as a child, he loved diving into the sea, holding still as the currents carried him in any direction, or slowly sinking while gazing through the water's glow at the vast, azure sky above.

Such a pure blue, without a trace of impurity.

The sky's blue usually seemed cold and distant, high above. But filtered through the seawater, this shade of blue became soft, elegant, melancholic, and approachable.

Lan Zao loved this blue most of all. Immersed in this deep blue, he could forget himself, forget life's petty troubles, dissolve all worries and frustrations.

Looking back now, everything had its origin.

Back then, though his bloodline hadn't awakened, the Fish Bladder bloodline had already flowed within him.

All the signs were there from the start.