Lin Muxue felt deeply humiliated. She had waited a long time for this day, believing victory was certain, only to be utterly defeated—completely crushed. It shattered her worldview.
She was already level 39, so why was Ye Yu still so much stronger than her?
With a mocking smile, Ye Yu asked, "Well? Do you regret it now? Kicking me off the ship back then, opposing me time and again. If you hadn't done that, you'd be my vice-captain. We could've been partners. Instead, you made an enemy out of me."
Lin Muxue frowned, her expression dark. Had she known Ye Yu would grow this strong, she never would have thrown him off the ship.
Now, she wondered—should she soften up, act coy, admit her mistakes?
Before, when Ye Yu had demanded she kneel, she thought it impossible, utterly beneath her. But now, if kneeling and apologizing would make him the captain of the Chosen One Pirate Crew, she'd drop to her knees without hesitation.
Hell, if Ye Yu wanted the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew and the Chosen One Pirate Crew to merge, with her as vice-captain, she'd even follow through on what she'd said under the effects of the Truth-Truth Fruit.
At this moment, Lin Muxue hesitated. If Yang Luo's words were true, she wouldn't even think twice—she'd not only kneel and apologize but also grovel before Ye Yu like a bitch.
But… it wasn't certain.
Should she kneel and apologize first, try to ease the tension?
Lost in thought, her resolve wavered further. She was ready to kneel.
"Ye Yu," she asked, "you said before that if I knelt and apologized, you'd consider it?"
Ye Yu thought back, then nodded. "Yeah, I did. And you said it was impossible."
Thud.
Lin Muxue dropped to her knees.
"Brother Yu, I was wrong. I never imagined you'd be this strong—even at level 39, you're still so far ahead. Had I known, I'd never have kicked you off the ship. I'd have worshipped you like a god."
"I know a simple apology now can't make up for it, but before, I—"
"You what?"
Gritting her teeth, Lin Muxue forced out the words. "What I said under the Truth-Truth Fruit… was real."
Ye Yu blinked, pretending not to remember. "What did you say? I forgot. Say it again."
Lin Muxue seethed inside, knowing he was toying with her, but she had no choice but to swallow her pride.
"I said… if kneeling and apologizing wasn't enough, I'd not only kneel but also…"
Her face burned as she continued.
"I'd… serve you on my knees. Even roleplay whatever you wanted—nurse, flight attendant, catgirl, whatever outfits you liked."
Ye Yu nodded. "Oh, right. You did say that."
Lin Muxue looked hopeful. "So… if I do all that, you'll become the captain of the Chosen One Pirate Crew? Merge the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew into it?"
Ye Yu corrected her. "What I said was, some of you could merge in."
Lin Muxue hesitated. After all, she wasn't sure if the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew would remain the strongest.
But then again, with her and Ye Yu together, they'd be formidable. She nodded.
"Fine. So… are we partners now? Am I the vice-captain of the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew?"
Hearing this, Ye Yu laughed—a cold, derisive sound.
"You wish."
Lin Muxue froze, stunned.
"But… you said you'd consider it!"
Ye Yu nodded: "Hmm, I did say I'd consider it back then, but that was before. Given the grudges between us now, do you really think I'd still consider it? Does my Dominant Feather Pirate Crew lack your Chosen One Pirate Crew? Do we lack you, Lin Muxue?"
Hearing this, Lin Muxue was furious and immediately stood up, reverting to her cold and caustic demeanor.
She realized Ye Yu was doing this deliberately—to humiliate her. Even if she had complied, Ye Yu wouldn't have acted differently.
With a splutter, her injuries aggravated by rage, she spat out another mouthful of blood, her eyes turning red.
"Ye Yu! You—you're despicable!!"
Ye Yu sighed lightly. "How quickly you change. I have to say, you're quite the contrast—just now, you were willing to do anything, and now you're back to your icy act."
Lin Muxue seethed, roaring, "Ye Yu, do you really think I've completely regretted everything? Yes, I do regret some of it, but not entirely—I haven't completely broken down! If things were truly as Yang Luo said, I would've been utterly regretful and shattered, but that's impossible! The fact that I'm no match for you now only means we're not in the late stages yet. Level 39 isn't my prime—it's still your strong phase. Once we reach higher levels, once my fruit Awakens, I will surpass you!"
"So no, I'm not broken. I don't regret it! I still have every hope of surpassing you!"
Her words weren't insincere—she truly remained confident she could overtake Ye Yu.
Lin Muxue swore, "I will defeat you and reclaim my honor! In the future, it won't be me who regrets—it'll be you! You had the chance to return, and you refused. Well, you'll regret it later! Once my Rumble Rumble Fruit Awakens, its destructive power will surpass the Tremor-Tremor Fruit! By then, you'll be nothing but an ant before me!"
Ye Yu encouraged her, "Keep at it, work hard to grow stronger. You're like a pig—you can still get fatter, and you do have potential."
Yet, though it sounded like encouragement, Lin Muxue found it infuriating and humiliating.
It felt as though her efforts would only serve as experience points for Ye Yu.
Lin Muxue scoffed, "In the Ranking Realm, it won't be the One King Pirates who dominate—it'll be us! Opposing us will bring you no good end! Join my Chosen One Pirate Crew now, and I might plead for leniency on your behalf."
"You're dreaming."
"Hmph, we'll see."
...
Just then, an announcement echoed through the air.
"This Arena Duel is about to conclude. Notification for the next round: in six months, the second Arena Duel will commence. At that time, team battles will also begin—fifteen versus fifteen."
"For the second Arena Duel, participants may now choose to retain their previous opponent or opt for a random reselection."
Many chose to randomize, given their opponents were too strong.
Some who had nearly won stuck with their current matchups.
Others, facing weaker opponents with little experience to gain, opted for randomization.
However, randomization required mutual consent—both parties had to agree.
Most who chose randomization did so because the weak didn't want to keep fighting the strong, and the strong didn't want to keep facing the weak.
At this moment, Ye Yu declared, "Opponent unchanged."
Then, he smirked mockingly at Lin Muxue.
"What about you? If you're scared, you can consider randomizing."
Lin Muxue burst into laughter at this moment: "Good, very good! There's actually a second round, and I can even face you one-on-one. I must choose not to randomize and continue with you! A full six months—by then my level will be higher, my potential more fully realized, and I might even Awaken. At that time, I'll definitely be able to defeat you. Losing now is only because it's been just over twenty days since reaching level thirty. Twenty-some days haven't made you too weak or me too strong yet. But six months will make all the difference—just you wait!"
Lin Muxue was thrilled, vowing to push herself to the limit after leaving.
(End of Chapter)