When Li Cang heard that someone wanted to form an alliance, he initially intended to hang up. However, after learning one crucial detail, he quickly sought out Lin Muxue.
Lin Muxue was surprised upon hearing the news. "Oh? The three who once launched a full-scale attack on Ye Yu?"
"Yes."
Jin Mo and the others also learned of this and understood that these three individuals must undoubtedly be top-tier Chosen Ones.
Lin Muxue took the call and asked, "What do you want?"
Yang Luo took over the phone and said, "We want to ally with you to eliminate Ye Yu as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Lin Muxue and the others lost interest, as they saw no need for it.
"Eliminate Ye Yu? No. The one-on-one arena matches begin in fifteen days. I plan to use him to grind experience then."
Yang Luo laughed mockingly at this. "Be careful you don't become the experience yourself."
His words angered Lin Muxue, who felt he was looking down on her.
"Hmph, you think I'm weak? I'm a Rumble Rumble Fruit Ability User."
Yang Luo replied, "It's not about looking down on you. It's that Ye Yu will still be stronger than you by then."
Lin Muxue scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. The gap between us is closing fast. In fifteen days, I'll definitely surpass him."
Yang Luo sighed. "A foolish mindset."
This made Jin Mo, Wang Quanshi, Song Ling, and the others frown, as they shared the same belief—did that mean he was calling them foolish too?
Lin Muxue narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Yang Luo warned, "Everyone assumes Ye Yu will fall behind in the later stages. But what if a top-tier Ability User and a top-tier Non-Ability User are actually no different?"
Lin Muxue found this laughable. "That's absurd. How can a Non-Ability User compare to a top-tier Ability User? He may be strong now, but his potential is far inferior to mine."
Yang Luo sighed again. "I knew you'd think that way."
Lin Muxue remained firm. "The whole world thinks the same—Ye Yu will fall off later. Though he's been at level 30 for a while now, it's still too early. He's still strong, but nowhere near as dominant as before. Even if I can't beat him now, the gap isn't as wide as it once was. Non-Ability Users are simply inferior. They start weakening from level 30 onward. The only reason Ye Yu is still strong is because he's contracted seven."
Jin Mo and the others agreed—this was exactly how they saw it, and indeed, the world shared this belief.
Yang Luo still found it ridiculous and asked,
"What if you can't beat me in a one-on-one? I'm a Non-Ability User who's only contracted one. Any one of you four can challenge me. If you lose, will you consider an alliance? While it's still early, we can eliminate Ye Yu. Otherwise, once the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew grows stronger and Ye Yu becomes even more powerful, even an alliance won't be enough to stop them. Right now, dealing with them would cost us less."
Lin Muxue asked, "What level are you?"
"Level 35."
"That's not low for a Non-Ability User—almost on par with me. But since you've only contracted one, you're no match for me. This is pointless. We're too far apart, and this is just a waste of time. Don't disrupt our plans. We won't waste our days on this. Continuing to target Ye Yu is a distraction. We need to focus on improving during these crucial days."
Yang Luo had no choice but to hand the phone to Ba Ye.
Ba Ye said, "I'm a Combination Fruit Ability User—a top-tier Devil Fruit—and my personal strength is formidable. Yet even now, in a one-on-one against Yang Luo, I'm no match for him."
Hearing this, Lin Muxue and the others were taken aback, their expressions filled with surprise.
Wang Jue also said helplessly, "I'm also a top-tier Devil Fruit User, with the Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan Vampire Form. In a one-on-one fight, I could defeat Ba Ye, though it would be a bit tough. But even someone like me can't beat Yang Luo right now. I think I might stand a chance after some time, but not at this moment. That's why I somewhat listened to his outrageous idea—that Non-Ability Users have the same potential as Ability Users, or even that potential isn't closely tied to abilities. What matters is whether they've contracted with powerful figures from the pirate world. He believes that Ye Yu has contracted with seven such powerhouses, each no weaker than our counterparts."
This revelation shocked Lin Muxue and the others—it was completely unexpected.
Logically speaking, Ba Ye and Wang Jue were also top-tier Chosen Ones, so they should be on par with them. Yet, they couldn't defeat Yang Luo.
Yang Luo's idea was indeed laughable.
But initially, they had thought they could win in a one-on-one fight. Now, they hesitated—could it be that even they wouldn't stand a chance?
They found it hard to believe. Lin Muxue sneered, "It's because the two of you aren't my match, not as strong as me. If it were me, I could definitely win."
Yang Luo said gravely, "This is truly the best opportunity. Otherwise, chances will only grow slimmer. Every time he gains the most from the Mystic Realm and tops the rankings, he grows even stronger. By the time we realize it, it'll be too late. And once more people become aware, the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew's overall strength will become even more formidable."
"Because once everyone understands that Non-Ability Users' potential is no less than Ability Users', imagine how many more would be willing to join the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew. Right now, they're the strongest pirate crew, but many believe they won't hold that position later on since they have so many Non-Ability Users. But once the truth is out, people will flock to them, aligning themselves with the strongest crew."
"By then, it'll be nearly impossible to find an opening. That's why I haven't spread my theory—I'm afraid this scenario will unfold too soon. While the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew's overall strength isn't yet enough to handle multiple top-tier pirate crews united, and while Ye Yu hasn't become invincible yet, this is our best chance. We can't delay any longer."
"To eliminate Ye Yu, the three of us gave up the rewards from the Rock Warlord Realm. Each of us could have cleared the second-to-last wave of the first stage, even the final wave, and taken down a few more. But we forfeited it all. It's a shame—we thought we could take care of Ye Yu, but his strength and terrifying vitality surpassed our expectations. We were just a step short. So now, let's unite."
Yang Luo's words were deadly serious. He spoke at length because he desperately wanted this alliance to eliminate Ye Yu now.
Yet, despite this, Lin Muxue and the others still found it absurd and ridiculous, though they felt a slight waver. If this idea turned out to be true, then things would indeed unfold as Yang Luo predicted.
Lin Muxue prepared to hang up, impatient. "I can't be bothered to listen to your nonsense anymore. What a waste of time. I need to focus on improving—after all, I'll be facing Ye Yu in the Duel Arena."
However, Wang Quanshi stopped her.
"Wait."
"Hmm? What, do you actually believe him?"
Wang Quanshi shook his head. "Half-believing, half-doubting. The idea that a Non-Ability User has the same potential as an Ability User is truly laughable. Ye Yu chose to make Contracts with seven—doesn't that mean he had this mindset from the very beginning? Why would he think that way? You only started feeling this way recently."
Yang Luo was left speechless, unable to explain this point.
Wang Quanshi, intrigued, said, "However, since you're strong, how about we settle this one-on-one? Right now, I'm the strongest among the four. If I defeat you, then there's no need for an alliance. If I lose, then we can consider it."
Yang Luo relaxed, brimming with confidence. "Fine by me."
Wang Quanshi warned, "I've inherited Kaido's power—the Pirate world's Strongest Creature in the Sea, Land, and Air, the undisputed champion in single combat. You won't stand a chance against me. So, you come to us. It'd be a waste of time for us to seek you out."
This made Yang Luo frown slightly. He proposed, "How about we both head toward each other? That'd save time."
It was like two people meeting—if both start moving toward a central point, they'll meet sooner. If one stays put while the other travels all the way, it takes longer.
Wang Quanshi replied, "If you're not willing, then forget it."
Yang Luo hesitated. He wanted to focus on improving quickly, especially with someone like Ye Yu around. But in the end, he had no choice but to compromise.
"Alright, we'll come to you."