"This... medicinal pill?"
Zi Zhenzhu's eyes widened in surprise as she instinctively compared it to the pills she'd bought at the auction house. She looked up at Ning Rongrong's group.
"Were you the ones who sold those pills at the auction?"
"Correct." After Ning Rongrong's reply, the three began leaving, with only a soft remark floating back:
"I'd very much like Miss Zi Zhenzhu to join my sect."
"The benefits would certainly surpass piracy. If interested, we can discuss it next time we meet."
By the time Zi Zhenzhu regained her composure, the three had already disappeared into the distance.
She sighed deeply.
What she'd thought would end disastrously had taken an unexpected turn.
Looking at her foaming crew members, Zi Zhenzhu fed them the antidote pills without hesitation.
If a sect with a Title Douluo wanted them dead, they wouldn't bother with such convoluted methods.
"I wonder which sect they're from."
She'd heard about these pills rumored to originate from Heaven Dou City's capital but knew little beyond that.
Coming to Vast Sea City to replenish supplies, she never imagined the three pill bottles she'd coincidentally purchased would be connected to her would-be robbery targets.
"What's meant to be will find its way. I'll inquire more when the time comes."
"Joining a sect..."
If it meant getting closer to that purple-haired girl, it might not be so bad.
With snake-type martial souls, she'd vaguely sensed the purple-haired girl might be related to the Title Douluo elder.
"Ah, better shelve that thought for now."
As for the brown-haired sprout who seemed to be the decision-maker too young for Zi Zhenzhu's tastes. Maybe in a few years...
Back in Vast Sea City, they checked into a hotel.
Dugu Yan eyed Ning Rongrong suspiciously.
"Rongrong, are you planning to recruit that female pirate Zi Zhenzhu?"
"The thought has crossed my mind." Ning Rongrong admitted. "We'll investigate her character these next few days before deciding."
"Her talent's undeniable." Dugu Yan tapped the table restlessly, her tone reluctant. "But the way she looked at me like prey made me uncomfortable."
"Sis Yan'er, what are you afraid of?" Ning Rongrong burst out laughing.
Dugu Yan sighed, turning to Dugu Bo who was sipping tea. "Grandpa, could you return to your room? I need to speak privately with Rongrong."
Dugu Bo slowly formed a "?" expression.
He looked between his granddaughter and Ning Rongrong.
"...Fine."
Exiting, he retreated to his adjacent room.
While Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan could share quarters, as a grown man he naturally required separate accommodations.
Once alone, Dugu Yan took a deep breath and scrutinized Ning Rongrong.
"Don't play dumb with me!"
"About what? I'm clueless!" Ning Rongrong spread her hands innocently.
"Right, right." Dugu Yan rolled her eyes. "If I hadn't known you for years, I might believe that act."
"That Zi Zhenzhu's orientation is... questionable."
"And? How does that concern us?" Ning Rongrong sipped her tea leisurely.
"She wants to kidnap me as her pirate bride!" Dugu Yan's eye twitched. Having attended Heaven Dou Royal Academy, she knew all about nobles' debauchery.
She refused to believe Ning Rongrong who knew even whale glue's intimate uses would be ignorant of this.
Dugu Yan now vaguely suspected Ning Rongrong's own orientation.
Though just speculation after all, beyond cultivation, Ning Rongrong showed little interest unless it benefited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"Sis Yan'er, why obsess over her?" Ning Rongrong set down her cup, interlacing fingers on the table. "Just don't let her succeed."
"Reach 99th rank someday, and who could force you?"
Dugu Yan: "..."
Ning Rongrong was clearly feigning ignorance.
Scratching her head in frustration, Dugu Yan groaned: "Must you recruit her? What if we both get dragged in? Not worth it!"
"Let me be frank." Seeing Dugu Yan's distress, Ning Rongrong dropped the act.
"The Soul Tool Pavilion's current technology originates from another continent beyond Douluo."
"What?!" Dugu Yan shot upright.
After a long pause, she managed:
"That's... true?"
"Highly probable. Haven't we been collecting damaged soul tool arrays? Most drifted ashore."
"Thus, I want to assemble an oceanic exploration fleet."
"Starting with modifying the Dragon Abyss Boat."
"Moreover, marine resources could strengthen our sect."
"A 27-year-old 59th-rank Soul King sea soul master with that personality though further observation is needed."
"So that's your plan..." Dugu Yan exhaled. "Does Uncle Ning know?"
"Even if he did, he'd support me. Talent like Zi Zhenzhu's is worth recruiting regardless. Plus, she resents Sea God Island."
Dugu Yan fell silent at this.
"I'm still worried..."
"Character can be assessed gradually. Consider this a preparatory move success would be ideal, but failure is inconsequential. Even betrayal would be trivial."
"But if just if " Dugu Yan sat upright, staring seriously. "What if her orientation is truly problematic?"
"What of it?" Ning Rongrong countered. "Others' preferences are their own they don't obligate reciprocation."
"Sis Yan'er, don't tell me you lack confidence to surpass Zi Zhenzhu?"
"I I wasn't talking about me! I meant you!" Dugu Yan's eye twitched again. Conversing with Ning Rongrong was exhausting was she truly naive or just pretending?
"My left hand has the 97th-rank Sword Douluo, my right the 96th-rank Bone Douluo, with the 85th-rank Ning Fengzhi by my side. Why would I fear some sub-Soul Emperor Zi Zhenzhu?"
Dugu Yan: "..."
Comparing backers now? Fine, you win.
Over the next three days, to better understand Zi Zhenzhu, Dugu Yan dragged Ning Rongrong everywhere gathering information.
The findings proved enlightening.
While the Purple Pearl Pirates dominated these waters, they followed a code robbing the rich to aid the poor, rarely harming others.
Their conduct met Dugu Yan's minimum standards for recruitment, though their fiery temperament gave pause.
And yes their captain's orientation did seem... unconventional.
Time flew swiftly.
Zi Zhenzhu arrived punctually, proudly escorting them aboard her prized vessel the Purple Pearl pirate ship.