Staring into those young yet extremely determined eyes.

In the end, Aiven couldn't reject the ambition of a loyal subordinate.

Just as Baldwin himself said, "Master! Do you think with just my aptitude, it's possible to break through to the Extraordinary level before thirty-five?

Right now, the pirate gang needs manpower, and I'm willing to take a gamble, after all, this life was saved by you."

Aiven agreed with his assessment as well, unless there was enough "Essence Fruit", relying on his "efforts" alone, Baldwin would almost have no hope of breaking through to the Extraordinary level in this lifetime.

Reality is just so cold and cruel!

What's more, the number of Extraordinary individuals under his command is really too few; only the exceptionally gifted Gary has been slowly nurtured.

As for the incorporated pirates, William "Iron Bone," a Tier 2 Senior Knight, counts as one, but that's all.

Besides the pirate flagship "Venus," which he personally captained, the two Level 5 battleships "Gladiator" and "Wrestler" still lacked two captains of an Extraordinary level.

If an Apprentice Knight were to captain a Level 5 battleship, both he and the Dragon Cavalry Pirate Gang would lose face, and if the battleship had thoughts, it would cry!

But within the pirates, reaching the Extraordinary level, no matter how clumsy, as long as one wants, they can seize an armed merchant ship or a brig to become a captain and wouldn't do too badly.

Up until now, those who joined the pirate gang mostly were just ordinary people, at most peak apprentices, not very useful.

Currently, the ones most likely to advance in the short term under his command are instead the two Arawak guides, Zinaro and Paka, who followed him to plunder along the Golden Post Road.

Ten years ago, when they were driven from their homeland by the Hilus people, the Tiger Whale Totem Pillar of the Arawak Tribe was cut down, and the tribe's shaman wizards were almost all lost, which means the roots of the tribe's spirit and faith were already severed.

This caused Zinaro, who at fourteen years old had not yet received his Totem Engraving, to have to practice the Sessi Scimitar Technique circulated among the pirates, and the younger Paka was naturally more talented.

Now, to maintain the balance of factions under his command, if Baldwin could truly become a "Skin-Wearing Person," it would obviously be a great benefit to both himself and the pirate gang.

"Let me see, compared to them, can you become a hard-working genius?!"

Boom——!

Crash...

Outside the busy and bustling Hatrafa Port, in a hidden corner of the vast lagoon, Aiven used mangrove trees to create a wooden embankment that isolated the inside from the outside.

Taking the magic potion adjusted with the heart of the demonized creature-level horn shark by Aiven, and wearing "Activated Beast Hide" that seemed like a bloodthirsty beast ready to devour at any moment just from a glance.

Baldwin had already been thrown into the enclosed lagoon by Aiven.

"Ah——!"

"Roar——!"

However, hearing the not-quite-human roars from the water, and the splashes resulting from the massive strength during his struggle, it was clear that Baldwin's status at the moment wasn't quite good.

Below the water surface.

Overall, it took the form of a shark three meters long with spines on its back, but occasionally a fin would turn into an arm, a tail would transform into legs of varying sizes, then revert back after a few breaths.

This bizarre form was even more terrifying than the previous "Fish Monster."

Aiven knew that for him, the physical pain felt at this moment was akin to flaying skin, constantly thrashing and roaring in the water due to persistent intense pain, even ramming his head against the mangrove-made embankment.

Extreme pain is not something that can be overcome by sheer willpower; there are even cases of death from pain in medicine.

Even though Baldwin, as a battle-hardened elite soldier, was mentally prepared, he found it a bit hard to endure at the moment.

Moreover, the residual will of a fierce large carnivorous demonized creature always remained in the piece of Activated Beast Hide, questioning whether the original owner allowed him to fully take over its power.

This was a dual test of body and mind, with no one able to directly assist him once it started.

There would be only one victor between the "Activated Beast Hide" and Baldwin!

But this state had already lasted for two hours, the life-or-death struggle between the two still showing no signs of calming. The longer it dragged on, the more futile hope became.

However, as his earliest loyal subordinate, Aiven certainly didn't want the young Baldwin to become nourishment for the "Activated Beast Hide."

At this point, he could only resort to a last-ditch effort.

Turning to Gary beside him, he said, "Let them in."

"Okay, boss!"

A discreet sluice gate was opened by Gary single-handedly, and two large snarling tiger fish, each two meters long, immediately swam in from another small body of water enclosed by the embankment.

Swish! Swish!

Their dorsal fins drew two long white lines on the water's surface, and being even more aggressive than sharks, they charged fiercely towards the visibly weakened "Horn Shark" Baldwin.

Although tiger fish hadn't reached the demonized creature level, the two of them together were enough to give the already exhausted Baldwin a run for his money. More importantly, they're so fierce they wouldn't hesitate to bite a demonized creature or even a Sea Monster.

Crash...

Waves churned as the three big fish fought, red blood instantly dyeing a large area of seawater.

To those unaware, it might seem like Aiven was feeding Baldwin, who appeared on the brink of defeat, to the tiger fish...

However.

Roar——!

Amazingly, although Baldwin's furious roars continued, and he seemed to be in a critical situation, he gradually lost that initial precarious state as if he were about to be overpowered by the fish skin at any moment.

As time passed.

Instead, it seemed to have transformed into a true deep-sea mad shark, exuding the ferocity, strength, and cunning of an "Ocean Wolf"!

Clearly, this equivalent situation was deliberately orchestrated by Aiven.

The goal was to reduce internal friction during the life-or-death crisis between Baldwin and the "Activated Beast Hide," allowing them to unite against a powerful external enemy.

Even achieving a genuine state of harmonious coexistence.

Although this was Aiven's original creation, the Inheritance Secret Scroll had never before verified the effectiveness of this method, but it was already the most likely way Aiven could think of to help him.

Anyway, if it fails, death awaits, and being eaten by one or the other is still being eaten.

For now, the effect seems quite good.

After waiting another five minutes, Aiven, staring intently at the commotion in the water, finally showed a hint of a smile, lightly clapped his hands, and turned to instruct Gary:

"Indeed, a strong external enemy is the best catalyst for internal unity.

Luck is on our side; it seems our team of Official Transcendents will grow larger after you.

Once Baldwin has adapted to his new body, bring him to see me tomorrow."

"Okay, boss!"

.....

The ring-shaped Spirit Realm Sun hangs high in the sky.

A slender yet blurry figure stands in the ruins of the city, holding a sword.

A shield-shaped stone with a faint yellow glow hangs from his neck, and he wears a short green magic robe reaching his calves, with a steel half-body armor adorned with black spikes over his upper body.

His appearance seems vaguely clearer than it was at first.

Thanks to the previous efforts in purging monsters like the "black insects," continuously receiving spiritual feedback from the Spirit Realm, Aiven's Spirit value successfully broke through from 2.1 to 2.4.

However, the feedback from these seemingly low-level insects has become increasingly insufficient; initially, killing a humanoid monster composed of "black insects" could earn a +0.01 increase.

Now, having slain at least over sixty humanoid monsters, the diminishing effect means the Spirit Realm feedback is minimal.

Aiven's sole purpose in continuing to purge these insects is to acquire the complete [Desperate Thunder Swordsmanship]!

Facing powerful opponents like the "Clockwork Man," lacking an Extraordinary Secret Technique is indeed a significant disadvantage.

Moreover, Aiven often needs a signature skill to distinguish himself from the Great Pirate "White Knight" as the Rear Admiral.

This powerful [Desperate Thunder Swordsmanship] comes at the perfect time.

Chi! Chi! Chi!....

Amid chaotic cries, the initially sparse "black insects" have now gathered like a tide from all directions.

Still at the place in Poseidya, the third layer from the bottom upward, where the previous conquest ended, Aiven's progress had temporarily halted because physical status in the Material World syncs with the Spirit Realm.

Aiven hadn't yet grown arrogant enough to think he could freely traverse the dangerous and enigmatic Spirit Realm — that would simply be gambling with his life.

Only today, after complete physical recovery, did he decide to kick aside this long-standing stumbling block and seize what he desired in one fell swoop!

However, the situation Aiven faces today is different from before.

The swarming black insects have now thoroughly relinquished their pre-"Extraordinary Secret Technique" parts, seemingly aware of the impending climactic confrontation.

Enveloping skeletons and black fabrics, they screech and start fusing continuously.

Having reached the size of a normal human, they haven't stopped; countless black insects continue to surge up, becoming part of the humanoid demon monster, and as they gather, the momentum of the monster keeps rising step by step.

Apprentice Knight, Official Knight, Senior Knight, Peak Knight, the growth only gradually calmed down now, when the third layer's massive number of black insects have completely vanished.

In the original place appeared four giant monsters reaching nearly eight meters in height, each with a circle of Three-eyed People skulls around its neck, and on its continually writhing amorphous head are three dark holes - one above, two below.

Chi——!

A sound like a unified screech of all the black insects was nearly enough to shatter eardrums.

All four monsters wrapped in tattered black cloth still maintain a humanoid form, their right hand eternally clutching a long sword of hardened black secretion, and now resembling a door panel.

A gentle swipe leaves a long sword mark on the flagstone ground.

In the other hand appears a new weapon, and Aiven feels calling it a "Lightning Weapon" is more appropriate.

Each weapon flickers with thunder light: a lightning-shaped spear, a black heavy hammer, a scepter entwined with loudly clattering chains, and a large drum covered with Thunder Ravens.

Upon their emergence, the sky above this lost city began rumbling with thunder as if brewing an extreme thunderstorm poised to destroy the city.

Watching the monsters gradually closing in on him, Aiven's eyes widened:

"Didn't we agree to be swordsmanship opponents? You're breaking the rules!!"

Next moment.

Demo—

Amid needle-pricking curses, the slender, snow-bright edge in his hand started to flash and crackle with pale blue electricity.

Then like fragmented bird chirps, growing louder and brighter, making his blurry profile glow a vivid azure.

"Luckily... I'm not an honest person either!"

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