Chapter Sixty: The Bloodstorm Pirate Crew

"Begin."
With his blood-hued long blade in hand, Bai Li Feihong leaped into the dense forest.

Wherever the Demon Compass pointed, the monster beast would not escape his slaughter.

He was determined to rid HLD of all threats to his existence.

The matter of forging the apertures was of utmost importance—there could be no room for error.

"A mountain fiend?"

The creature's figure was hulking, standing upright like a man, its appearance akin to a baboon. Its eyes glowed crimson, murderous and wild.

"So, it's a simian monster beast."

With a swipe of his blade, Bai Li Feihong cleaved the air, sending a crescent arc of force that severed the simian beast’s head in a single stroke.

Centered on Bai Li Feihong, the trees within fifty yards ahead crashed down in a thunderous wave.

"Invigorating. Exhilarating."

Having suppressed himself for too long, Bai Li Feihong could not help but let out a long, triumphant howl.

In Dongbin City, he had always concealed his strength, stifling his true nature. Now, here on HLD, it was as if he had left the Great Yuan Empire behind and entered a lawless land, his body and spirit undergoing a profound transformation.

His howling reverberated through the mountains and forests, drawing the attention of countless monster beasts.

"What the hell was that?"

"Boss, perhaps we should return to the ship. There are too many beasts on HLD. If a true demon emerges, this cave won’t hold."

"Back to the ship? Hah, the Sea Dragon Whale patrols these waters at night, circling HLD. If we return, aren’t we just delivering ourselves to that monster?"

The burly woman sneered, her bronze skin exuding explosive power. She was tall, her silhouette shapely, a strip of leather armor barely covering her chest, her whole being radiating untamed desire. One look at her was enough to set a body ablaze.

Yet among these pirates, no one dared to steal a second glance.

Her striking face was marred by a blade scar, which only lent her an even fiercer air.

"The Sea Dragon Whale patrols HLD. There must be a great treasure about to emerge here."

Within the cave, the leader—built like a tower—waved a hand, putting a stop to the argument.

"And if a demon does appear, what of it?" The pirate chief’s voice was gruff and domineering.

"Sixth, tell the men on guard tonight to keep their eyes sharp."

With that, the pirate chief dismissed the matter from his mind, a lustful grin tugging at his lips as he eyed the few foreign noblewomen they had seized.

He could barely contain his anticipation.

Judging by their attire, these were nobles from the Lafa Empire.

"Esteemed sir, please release us! Our families will pay whatever ransom you wish."

"Yes, sir, our families can pay for our freedom."

"We beg you, let us go!"

Sensing the ill intentions of the pirate chief and his men, the noblewomen of Lafa Empire grew frantic.

"We can discuss that. But if you wish to live, serve us well, and then we’ll talk ransom," the pirate chief declared with a laugh.

He’d been adrift at sea for too long; tonight, he would finally enjoy some real meat. No need to endure that crazy scarred woman—business could wait until after his appetite was sated.

"No…"

...

"There truly are plenty of beasts on this island."

With a single stroke, Bai Li Feihong felled a tiger beast. He curled his lip, retrieved his Black Soul Jade, and absorbed the beast’s soul and demonic aura.

Once the Black Soul Jade was full, it could be exchanged for a rank C merit.

Even the smallest scrap of meat was not to be wasted.

Slaying monster beasts, his skill points increased by ten once more.

His total skill points returned to triple digits.

Throughout all of HLD, every beast within the gourd-shaped island’s basin had fallen to his blade.

With the Demon Compass in hand, his task was made much easier.

The special artifact crafted by the Divine Surveillance Division was indeed a marvel.

He pressed deeper toward the island’s heart.

Tonight, he would cleanse all the monsters.

And then, he would turn his attention to the humans inhabiting the island.

He would purge the land, leaving it tranquil for his secluded cultivation.

According to his plan, Bai Li Feihong would train on the island for one to three months.

The Night Demon case and the Opium case he set aside for now.

He was certain the two were connected. But the Opium case had reached the limits of what he alone could investigate. Any further, and he would be probing the highest echelons of the Great Yuan Empire—figures far above his reach.

As for the overseas suspects related to the Opium case, he had neither the means nor the opportunity to travel all the way to Sakura Kingdom or the Lafa Empire.

Any one of those involved could crush him without effort.

Even Gongyang Yan could not protect him.

Thus, when Bai Li Feihong saw the HLD mission, he immediately realized he needed to escape the circle and seek greater strength.

Moreover, after submitting the roster, Dongbin City would be swept by a storm.

The Demon Suppression Division would be at the heart of it.

To spend a few months training overseas, perfectly avoiding the tempest—what could be better?

On this moonless, wind-swept night, a great purge was underway on HLD.

The scent of slaughter and blood unsettled countless wild beasts.

Some monsters, sensing the looming danger, began to flee their territories.

They surged toward the island’s forefront.

"Not good—it’s the Black Bear Demon!"

At the Bloodstorm Pirates’ encampment, halfway up the mountain, a vast cave served as their stronghold. The terrain was elevated, easy to defend and hard to assault.

As the pirates stood watch, a foul wind reeking of blood and decay swept in. By torchlight, they saw an enormous black bear, the size of a small hill, wreathed in demonic energy, charging straight at them.

"Archers, fire!"

"Cannoneers, blast it!"

"Riflemen, support!"

"Those brothers at the Blood Refinement stage, prepare for close combat!"

Those who survived as pirates were not fools—the foolish long ago fed the sharks.

The defensive lines erected before the cave immediately sprang into action.

When the Bloodstorm Pirates chose HLD as their base, they had already considered the issue of monster beasts. But instead of clearing out all the beasts, they leveraged the monsters’ fearsome reputations to scare off local fishermen, using the island’s forests to hide their presence.

A pirate’s lair was the most secret place of all. The mighty Great Yuan navy, the dominant Lafa Empire fleet, and countless minor navies all saw pirates as public enemies, eager to root out their dens at every turn.

Every famed pirate’s stronghold was a place to hide their treasure.

"Boom—"

Two large-caliber cannons roared like dragons, belching fire.

A massive shell struck near the black bear demon, erupting in a blaze of light and force that injured the beast.

"Gunners, aim better! Miss again and I’ll cut off your hands myself!"

The fifth chief of the Bloodstorm Pirates cursed furiously.

The cannoneers quickly adjusted their aim.

"Roar!"

The cannon fire made the black bear demon sense danger. With a thunderous bellow, it turned and fled.

The fifth chief heaved a sigh of relief.

He knew this beast well—its hide was nearly impervious to blade and bullet; only cannon fire could seriously wound it.

But once injured and enraged, the black bear demon would descend fully into its monstrous state. Only the first and second chiefs could handle it then.