Chapter 449: Golden Dream

Xibailang, the raging sea coast, a massive sailing ship reflecting golden light burst out of the storm under the morning sun.

The surrounding surging waves and howling gale did not affect it at all; the waves and wind oddly veered away and vanished as they neared it.

In front of the captain's cabin of the Golden Dream, Ai Dewenna held a bronze-colored monocular telescope, gazing at the coastline already in view.

A moment later, she set the monocular down, her expression relaxed slightly, and said in a calm voice:

"Maintain speed and aim to dock before noon today; the Golden Dream will stay here for a week, during which you may move freely, beyond your allotted vacation."

Her voice, reinforced by mystic arts, reached every crew member's ear on the Golden Dream clearly.

"Yay!"

"Haha!"

"Praise the captain!"

The ship's cheers and shouts praising Ai Dewenna continued unabated; after the applause faded a bit, Ai Dewenna continued:

"Xibailang is rather chaotic; during your vacation the Golden Dream must have enough crew on rotating watch. Bu, you handle the arrangements."

"Understood, Captain."

First mate Bu Lu·Wo Er Si, wearing a monocle and sporting short gray curls, responded to Ai Dewenna with a solemn tone.

Then his expression softened, with a flattering and expectant look, as he opened his mouth to ask something, but at the instant he spoke, he forgot what he intended to say.

"Captain, do you plan to go ashore? How about we go together?"

Third officer 'Flower Bow Tie' Yue Desen, who had approached unnoticed, spoke to Ai Dewenna naturally.

While speaking, he tilted his head, raised an eyebrow at the bewildered Bu, and gave him a teasing smile.

Ai Dewenna scrutinized Yue Desen; she knew exactly why Bu had stumbled earlier, but Yue merely used his thieving ability to prank occasionally, which helped him digest and master magic potions, so she ignored it.

"Captain, where are you heading? Pas River Valley, the Harvest Plains, or an adventure in the Ancient Forest?"

Daniz also approached the captain's cabin at this moment, strolling nonchalantly, yet his gaze lingered on Ai Dewenna.

Seeing more crew members draw near, Ai Dewenna shook her head slightly and said calmly:

"I intend to stay at the Knowledge Church in Pas River Valley for a while, and I plan to ask the bishop there for the prophet's magic potion formula."

"Prophet? Captain, are you aiming to ascend to demigod status?"

Yue Desen was the first to react, his surprised face turning to Ai Dewenna, his tone complex—both delighted at the captain's rise in power and resigned that he still couldn't catch up.

After finally gathering Dream Thief potion ingredients in the raging sea, becoming a Sequence Five like the captain, only to see the captain already planning to ascend to demigod, sigh~

"Demigod? Then aren't you about to become the pirate king, Captain?"

Daniz was so surprised his mouth couldn't close, already daydreaming about the future.

That would let us keep the madman Gelman·Spareo in check; once the captain ascends, I'll find a reason to lure Gelman·Spareo onto the Golden Dream so the captain can give him a beating.

Ai Dewenna scanned the room, shook her head slightly, and said in a flat tone:

"Not so fast; after Sequence Four, magic potions can no longer be bought with money, and the higher the sequence, the more complicated and difficult the ascension rites become."

"Without a suitable opportunity, staying in Sequence Five for decades is common."

"You may consult Al·Tai En Si; if he has already separated the prophet's trait within him, you can trade with him."

A deep, hoarse voice suddenly echoed around, accompanied by black, water‑like shadows surging from all sides, writhing on the deck and coalescing into a black humanoid shape.

It shifted uncomfortably, murmuring:

"Your human bodies never get used to this form, no matter how many times you use it!"

"Something is happening in Pas River Valley soon; if you're lucky enough, you might seize this chance to ascend directly to demigod."

Ai Dewenna calmly nodded at the black figure and said:

"Thank you for the warning; I will inquire."

"Lord Wa Jie·Wei Er, what will happen in Pas River Valley? Dangerous?"

Yue Desen, standing nearby, furrowed his brow and asked aloud; he had just received a letter from Reckton a few days earlier, asking him to aid missionary work in Pas River Valley, and the black figure's words made him uneasy about his safety.

Wa Jie·Wei Er clumsily guided the black figure two steps, then it dissolved into a pool of viscous blackness, flowing freely among the surrounding shadows.

Its voice rang from every shadow around:

"For a Sequence Five thief, it's not very dangerous; fleeing and survival are your specialties."

"Haha, Yue Desen, never thought you'd be a coward who excels at fleeing!"

Daniz seized the chance to mock, and the other crew members were oddly unanimous in targeting Yue Desen.

Since Yue Desen ascended to a Sequence Five Dream Thief, he not only pranks the crew to embarrass them but also courts Ai Dewenna more attentively, thereby firmly attracting the ship's collective resentment and becoming everyone's target.

Yue Desen chuckled lightly, unfazed, and said:

"I should say, as a Sequence Five, I can easily toy with you weak extraordinary ones!"

Daniz's complexion flushed red and white as he recalled the embarrassing moment when his thoughts were stolen by that despicable thief; after ascending to Sequence Five, his extraordinary abilities grew even stranger.

Only near noon did the Golden Dream dock at a private harbor near the mouth of Pas River Valley.

All staff at this private port had been replaced by troops of the local warlord Mei Sangyes; his soldiers, disguised as ordinary laborers, repeatedly loaded and unloaded the Golden Dream's cargo.

On the second floor of a patched‑up tavern on the port's outskirts, Yue Desen followed Ai Dewenna, quietly slipping away from the Golden Dream.

Ai Dewenna knocked on the tightly shut door at a measured, rhythmic pace—three knocks, two light.

As she withdrew her hand, a deep Dutan voice from within the room said, "Come in!"

As the words fell, the red‑painted wooden door opened automatically, as if an invisible spirit were attached to it.

Yue Desen squinted slightly, as if sensing something, and after a moment turned his head and whispered to Ai Dewenna:

"Captain, there are three people inside. One is adept at spirit manipulation, likely a Reaper‑Path extraordinary; another is calm and rational, reminding me of you, probably a Reader‑Path extraordinary; the last shows no trace of thought or intent, and seems to know how to restrain thieves."

"Alright, go in." Ai Dewenna gave a slight nod, expressionless, and stepped into the room.

Yue Desen followed closely behind; it was his first time meeting someone who knew how to curb thieves, which made him uneasy.

Just as he entered, he heard a creaking door shut behind him; the unseen spirit was quite handy, saving the need for a servant—rather eerie.

As his thoughts drifted, he carefully examined the three people in the room.

Sitting at the far left was an elder in a plain white robe embroidered with brass threads, his hair completely white and neatly combed, with a pair of striking gray‑green eyes; the moment Yuedeson saw him, he felt as if he were looking at Aidewenna, whom he sees every morning on the deck for early lessons.

He was certainly a member of the Knowledge Church; to appear here he must be at least a bishop or deacon. As his thoughts drifted, he shifted his gaze to the middle, where stood a tall, upright middle‑aged gentleman.

He wore a black military dress uniform, its buttons flashing gold, his medals bright red as blood; his skin was light brown, his features soft, showing clear Southern Continent racial traits.

As for the middle‑aged gentleman on his right, Yuedeson did not even dare to look up at him; he always felt that meeting his gaze would be extremely dangerous. He also seemed to know how to restrain a thief's ability, suggesting he was a high‑ranking corpse collector, perhaps a member of the Royal faction of the Spirit Cultivation Sect?

"Good afternoon, Vice Admiral Iceberg, you are more radiant than the rumors, and of course your strength and character are equally so."

Meisangyes, tall and wearing a black military dress, stepped forward two paces with a gentle expression, and naturally bowed his head in greeting.

Aidewenna's expression changed little as she nodded, then spoke in a calm tone:

"Good afternoon, Vice Admiral Meisangyes, Bishop Luka, and Mr. Pulake."

She then turned her head toward Yuedeson, who stood one seat behind her, and introduced him to the three:

"This is the third mate on my ship, 'Flower Bowtie' Yuedeson."

A flash of silvery white passed through Luka's eyes; his gaze at Aidewenna now held a tone of approval, like a teacher looking at an outstanding student, and he said in a calm voice:

"Aidewenna, the demon elixir in your body seems almost fully digested; once this matter is over, you can proceed with promotion to Sequence Four."

Aidewenna lightly nodded and said:

"Yes, I also came this time to ask you for the corresponding demon elixir formula."

"I will submit the relevant application to the Church headquarters," Luka replied with a light laugh.

"Congratulations, it seems the Knowledge Church will soon have another saint."

Meisangyes sincerely congratulated Luka, then turned his head toward Pulake, who had remained silent beside him, and said:

"Mr. Pulake, when do you think would be best to start our plan?"

"Finding the timing is the prophet's specialty, but it must be quick; lately more people have been infected by those strange mushrooms."

Pulake, who had remained silent, responded in a low voice, then fell silent again, tilting his head slightly as if listening to sounds ordinary people cannot hear.

Luk gazed leisurely at the clear sky outside the window, his eyes becoming profoundly deep, veiled in a silvery white as if they could pierce fate, and he said in a voice so calm that no emotion could be discerned:

"The Earth Church and the Blood Clan have arrived; the followers of the Primal Moon will not wait long, their action is within these two days, and this is the best opportunity for us to cleanse the cultists hidden in the Pas River Valley."

Standing behind Aidewenna, Yuedeson's eyes widened as he looked in astonishment at his captain, as if his gaze were speaking:

"Captain, are we also to take part in this? Wouldn't it be too dangerous?"

Aidewenna did not understand the message Yuedeson tried to convey with his eyes; she only responded with an expressionless nod.

(End of Chapter)