Chapter 674 364: Landing on the Island, the 13 Great Pirates Convene!

After three consecutive days of heavy rain, the morning waves are as clear as if washed, and the ten-zhang Black Market ship slowly sails toward the island. From a distance, the island on the horizon appears quite peculiar.

Not only does its outline resemble a colossal turtle from afar, but the area around Profound Turtle Island is also surrounded by four distinct smaller islands, named Gold, Wood, Fire, and Earth Islands due to the abnormal difference in the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

These four islands serve as the four gateways and the first line of defense to reach Profound Turtle Island.

Su Mu stands on the deck, gazing at the distant island, a hint of surprise flashes within his mind. He is not versed in Feng Shui or esoteric techniques, yet he can vaguely perceive an indescribably extraordinary aura surrounding Profound Turtle Island, encircled by the four islands.

The Black Market ship does not sail directly to the main island but instead heads for South Fire Island, situated among the four islands.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are nearing our destination. After arriving at South Fire Island, you may proceed to the main Profound Turtle Island... Return is scheduled for the morning following the auction's conclusion. Wishing you all a rewarding experience!"

Since Profound Turtle Island is the heartland of the Jiao Blood gang, ships participating in the auction are generally not allowed to directly land on the main island. All incoming ships must first dock at the four islands, after which dedicated personnel and vessels will escort everyone to the main island.

These rules were thoroughly explained beforehand by the second sister, able Su Mu calmly cooperates by disembarking on South Fire Island. Upon setting foot on the island, Su Mu keenly senses something peculiar.

His deep-set eyes narrow slightly, observing the clusters of pale red light in the sky above South Fire Island. These are the Fire Spiritual Qi lingering between Heaven and Earth.

The Fire Spiritual Qi on South Fire Island is considerably dense, over thirty percent denser than that in inland Commandery Cities. Even the Gu Insect lying dormant within Su Mu's chest demonstrates slight instinctive reaction due to the location.

It is not hard to imagine that cultivating Fire-type Martial Arts and Cultivation Techniques on this island would be far more efficient than in ordinary inland areas.

"What a South Fire Island! The Jiao Blood gang even occupies such a treasured land."

Su Mu muses inwardly, before the auction has even commenced, he has already gained insights, heightening his anticipation of the upcoming auction.

"Tread, tread, tread—"

The sounds of footsteps approaching rapidly, soon a group of twenty guards, wearing uniformly styled beast leather armor, and blood wolf masks on their heads, arrive. Their systematic steps exude a faint military aura.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please follow us!"

Although the leading blood wolf guard comes forward to greet them, his tone is indifferent. Including Su Mu, the fifteen individuals disembarking from the ship show little reaction, as if accustomed to the sight. Everyone follows the blood wolf guards toward the inland of South Fire Island.

Along the way, Su Mu notices other ships docked at South Fire Island's harbor, indicating that the method to participate in the auction is evidently not limited to the Black Market channel alone.

South Fire Island is not vast, after passing through a dense forest concealing a hidden lookout, the view ahead widens dramatically. The island's center is constructed with an array of single-story wooden huts, with a few separate courtyards.

Behind these wooden huts is a village encircled by endless walls, certainly used by the Jiao Blood gang as residences on usual days.

Before entering the lodging, a check is set up, and another group of blood wolf guards manages it, with the leading figure radiating the aura of a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist.

"Welcome esteemed guests, the auction is delayed due to weather disruptions, now scheduled for three days later. Please present your invitations, or if without, you may purchase entry qualifications for one thousand taels."

The leader, a stout man, speaks with a hoarse voice. Soon, participants show their Blood Jiao tokens. Su Mu quickly notices the differences in the Blood Jiao tokens held by everyone.

Most have tokens similar to Su Mu's, except for one man in a dark martial robe who produces a more exquisite Blood Jiao token. Upon seeing that particular Blood Jiao token, the stance of the blood wolf guards becomes slightly more courteous, escorting him alone to a separate courtyard.

Su Mu, along with the remaining fourteen people, including the blue-robed man suspected to be from the County Mansion, are assigned to another row of simple wooden houses.

"This is an access token. I advise you all to stay here peacefully for the next few days, or else bear the consequences!"

Before leaving, a blood wolf guard warns sternly, taking away the Blood Jiao tokens and distributing an Iron Order engraved with "South Fire" characters to each person, the Iron Order featuring a number.

"South Fire Nineteen."

Su Mu, who dislikes trouble, is about to return to his room when unexpectedly senses the gaze and Spiritual Power of an observer from the shadows. He halts and turns to look.

In front of a distant wooden house stands a woman with a slender figure, wearing a dark outfit and a bird mask on her head. The woman appears devoid of any aura fluctuations, seemingly an ordinary person without cultivation.

Yet, everyone who has boarded the island cannot possibly be ordinary, and besides, Su Mu sees the nascent form of a Destiny column on her far more solid than that of Gongyang Jue.

The most noteworthy aspect is the woman's destiny, visible as red. It's neither a bizarre blood hue, nor the previous disaster blood aura seen on the second sister, but a majestic red, vaguely forming a red blade on the nascent Destiny column.

"A Half-Step Grandmaster, this person's strength surely surpasses Gongyang Jue!"

Su Mu is astounded, never did he expect to encounter a Half-Step Grandmaster so readily. Judging by the opponent's Destiny aura, although both she and Gongyang, the old villain, are Half-Step Grandmasters, her strength undoubtedly eclipses his by far.

After a brief exchange of glances, Su Mu enters his designated number nineteen wooden room and closes the door.

"Oh? Able to perceive my presence... South Fire Nineteen, how intriguing."

The woman in the dark robe exclaims softly, her voice carrying a hint of surprise and curiosity, indicating the man wearing the green deer mask is the only person capable of detecting her scrutiny amidst the days of her arrival.