Chapter 1053: Inner Island Negotiations

Even the Fourth Commander had his soul directly crushed by the leader of the Glory Team, leaving him completely incapacitated.

Deep within the island, the other commanders were immediately shaken by this news.

The Glory Team's reputation was now far beyond the obscurity they had when they first entered the Endless Sea. The mention of "Glory Team" first stunned these leaders, then sent them into an involuntary panic.

Fortunately, the most powerful leader on the island was far more composed than the others. A cold smile played on his lips. "Don't panic. With so many of us, why would we fear a mere dozen of them?" He continued, "No matter how strong they are, we don't have to confront them directly. Don't forget, this is Skull King Island. What the world truly fears here is far beyond just our power!"

Predictably, as soon as this top-tier leader, who possessed mid-level Purple-rank strength, finished speaking, the thousands of pirate warriors on the island burst into laughter.

They naturally understood the implications of their leader's words.

Indeed, it meant leveraging the formidable power of Skull King Island's natives to eliminate Xu Yang's Glory Team.

"Boss, if we rush into the inner island, won't we disturb Lord Vajra? If we provoke that behemoth, we'll face severe consequences! With just one command from him, we could lose our right to even reside on this outer island."

The boss indeed offered a cold smile. "No worries. Lord Vajra is currently in his period of slumber, have you forgotten? He sleeps for a month every three years. Based on the last cycle, Lord Vajra should have just entered his new period of hibernation. He absolutely will not awaken within a month!""We can use this opportunity to enter the inner area and release some ancient lizards. You've seen their power before. If we unleash even ten or twenty ancient lizards, I don't believe the Glory Team will escape completely unharmed. Even if they manage to defeat these ancient lizards, they will certainly be severely weakened. At that point, with thousands of us attacking simultaneously, I'd like to see if those few still dare to challenge us!""Once we conquer them, the Black Pearl will be ours for the taking! The resurgence of our pirate legion will be within reach. With our current forces and formidable power, if we can seize the immense resources on the Black Pearl, what other force in the entire Endless Sea could stand against us? Even securing permanent residency on Skull King Island will no longer be a mere dream! As long as we trade half of our resources with Lord Vajra, with Skull King Island as our backing, we will be the undisputed rulers of the entire Endless Sea!"

It must be said that this mid-level Purple-rank pirate leader's enticing vision completely quelled the restless mood of his thousands of pirates.

Following his directives, everyone immediately began to mobilize, gradually converging back into the interior of Skull King Island to attempt contact with the ancient lizard tribes residing near the inner island.

Given the critical nature of this operation, the pirate leader, a formidable individual with mid-level Purple-rank strength, personally stepped forward to negotiate with the chieftain of the ancient lizard tribe in Skull King Island's inner domain.

Hundreds of ancient lizards, each dozens of meters long and wide with elephantine physiques, exuded a profound sense of pressure simply by their appearance.

Nevertheless, this individual possessed top-tier mid-level Purple-rank strength, ranking among the most powerful in the first echelon of human cultivators.

Among the ancient lizards, he appeared remarkably composed.

Soon, he stood before the leader of the ancient lizard tribe, respectfully bowing with cupped hands.

The other party politely met the human leader's gaze.

"You never visit without a reason. Last time, you bribed our ancient lizard tribe during a transaction with Lord Vajra. What brings you here this time?"

The powerful mid-level Purple-rank individual spoke softly.

"This time, I've merely come with some modest gifts to visit your ancient lizard tribe."

"Hahaha, we are all powerful beings of the same caliber; there's no need for such circumlocution. I presume you have a favor to ask of us, don't you?"

Noting the other party's directness, the pirate leader abandoned any further pretense, offering a slight smile and a nod.

"Indeed, a highly powerful team has arrived on the outskirts of the island. There are over a dozen of them, and their average cultivation level has reached the peak of the Blue Rank. However, what's most crucial is that their captain and leader possesses unfathomable strength. Both the Eternal Sorcerer and the Two-Headed Giant Crab, two of the Endless Sea's three overlords, have fallen at this individual's hands!"

Upon hearing the pirate leader's revelation, the ancient lizard chieftain's eyes widened instantly.

"Such a formidable opponent... you're not suggesting we take this risk on your behalf, are you?"

The pirate leader burst into laughter. "It's not quite like that. High risk often yields higher rewards. These dozen or so individuals possess a special ship called the Black Pearl, which holds an inexhaustible amount of treasure. If you are truly willing to act this time, once this team is completely subdued, all the treasures on board will remain untouched by us pirates and be given entirely to your ancient lizard tribe to enhance your strength. As far as I know, they have just defeated the Two-Headed Giant Crab, an overlord of the Endless Sea, and have acquired more than half of its vital essence, which they haven't even had a chance to use yet. Regardless of other treasures, if you can secure this inheritance alone, the overall strength of the ancient lizard tribe will experience an immense surge; I don't need to elaborate further. Even you, the ancient lizard chieftain, are highly likely to advance further, break through your current bottleneck, and ascend to a level comparable to Lord Vajra!"

Perhaps it was this final statement that completely swayed the leader of the ancient lizard tribe.

Given his strength, handling the pirate leader was no challenge.

However, both were powerful individuals of comparable strength, and a true battle to the death would undoubtedly result in a pyrrhic victory for either side.

Yet, by the same token, even their combined might was far from a match for Vajra.

Though the leader of this ancient lizard tribe had always dwelled on Skull King Island as a servant protecting his kin under Vajra, as a leader himself, he couldn't help but desire to usurp Lord Vajra, become Skull King Island's true ruler, and succeed him as the Endless Sea's next supreme overlord!

It was precisely this profound desire that stripped him of his ability to resist temptation, and he nodded in agreement without hesitation. "You have my word. If this battle is successful, I will certainly not shortchange your pirate tribe. All the gold and silver treasures aboard the Black Pearl will be yours. Our ancient lizard tribe only desires the vital essence of the Two-Headed Giant Crab."

"A mutually beneficial partnership!"