Volume One: A Youth Enters the World Chapter 102: Rescue

After observing for a while, Fang Tian realized that the visible pirates weren’t numerous. Ahead, not far away, two men appeared cheerful, chatting leisurely. He circulated his spiritual energy to sharpen his hearing, leaning sideways to catch their conversation.

“Do you think the boss and the second-in-command can deal with those people?”
“Isn’t that obvious? The boss has already broken through to the Spirit Seed realm—how could he not handle them?”
“But rumor has it the other side also has someone at the Spirit Seed realm. It might not be so easy.”
“It doesn’t seem easy, but our boss has a powerful treasure!”
“A treasure? Tell me more.”
“I happened to overhear something—it’s called a Spirit Disk. There’s a spirit array on it that can lock someone’s spiritual energy. It’s amazing.”
“A Spirit Disk? Could it be that round plate the boss always brings out whenever we go to sea?”
“That’s right. That thing is extraordinary. I heard he seized it from a dying cultivator.”
“I remember seeing it, but I’ve only seen him use it to check someone’s cultivation, never to lock their spiritual energy.”
“You wouldn’t have seen it. The boss hadn’t broken through to the Spirit Seed realm at the time and couldn’t use its array. If we weren’t stuck on guard duty here, we might have witnessed it in action.”
“So that’s how it is. But how do you know all these details? You speak as if the boss told you himself… Could it be—”
“Don’t let your imagination run wild. I just happened to overhear the boss and the third-in-command talking. Don’t go reporting anything, or I’ll be in trouble. Got it?”
“No worries, it’s not a big deal. But who knows when they’ll return? There’s a batch of people locked up in the cells, and we don’t know what to do with them.”
“Who knows? We’ll wait for their return. It’s not our concern.”
“You’re right. Let’s go over there and take a look.”

With that, the two pirates turned to leave. Seeing their backs, Fang Tian seized the opportunity, sprang forward, covering their mouths, and with a twist of his hands, snapped their necks. Quickly, he dragged their bodies behind a stone and donned one of their outfits before stepping out.

He kept his head low as he walked, careful not to draw attention or encounter other pirates, slipping quietly deeper inside. From their conversation, he had learned that Mu Qiaoqiao and her companions were locked in a cell and that the Grand Elder and Huo Chen might be trapped by the spirit-locking array. The moment he heard about the boss possessing a Spirit Disk capable of sealing spiritual energy, Fang Tian knew things were dire. He was versed in spirit arrays and had seen similar diagrams, understanding that anyone shrouded by such an array would lose access to their power and be unable to use spiritual energy for some time. If the pirates acted, the elders might be in grave danger, their lives at risk.

The situation was grim. After careful consideration, Fang Tian decided the best course was to rescue everyone quickly and then plan the next move. For now, he couldn’t worry about the elders' fate.

After a short walk, Fang Tian saw guards ahead. He quietly approached, pretending to patrol, passing by the guards with a casual glance. He spotted disciples from the Clear Stream Sect inside.

Having found the cell and knowing that both Fu Cang and the boss were absent, Fang Tian abandoned his disguise and strode directly to the guards. They eyed him suspiciously and barked, “Get lost! The second-in-command doesn’t allow anyone near.”

Fang Tian said nothing. He stepped forward, swiftly incapacitating the guards, then drew his Cold Feather Sword and struck the lock.

With a clang, the lock split in two. The noise roused those inside, who turned to look at Fang Tian.

Mu Qiaoqiao opened her eyes, recognizing him after a moment’s thought, and exclaimed, “Fang Tian, you’re finally here!”

“Yes, I came as soon as I received your message. None of you are hurt, I hope?”

Everyone shook their heads, indicating they were unharmed.

Fang Tian examined the ropes binding them. “What are these?”

Mu Qiaoqiao replied, “Spirit ropes. If bound, you can’t use spiritual energy. Fang Tian, quickly, help us.”

Fang Tian nodded, sheathed his sword, and began untying them. Soon, the spirit ropes fell away, and they stretched, discovering their spiritual energy flowed freely once more.

However, as Fang Tian untied them, the pirates outside had already sensed something was amiss. A group surrounded the cell, one of them calling out, “Who are you? What are you doing?”

Fang Tian ignored him, turning instead to the Clear Stream Sect disciples. “This place isn’t safe. We need to leave quickly.”

The disciples nodded, drawing their weapons. When Fu Cang left in haste, he hadn’t had time to confiscate their storage artifacts.

Glancing at the pirates blocking the cell door, Fang Tian wasted no words. He raised his sword and charged, driving them back. The others followed close behind, bursting out of the cell, and a fierce battle ensued.

With only a dozen or so pirates, Fang Tian and his group quickly overcame them.

After surveying the bodies strewn across the ground, Fang Tian led his companions onward. He didn’t know when the other pirates would return, so they headed toward the spirit ship, hoping the pirates would be delayed and give them time to escape.

Elsewhere, Zhao Guangji and Fu Cang were returning with their men to their lair. About an hour later, a man ran up, panic etched on his face. “Bad news, boss! The Clear Stream Sect disciples have been rescued by someone.”

“One person? And you let them get away? What use are you?” Zhao Guangji, furious, kicked him aside, then turned to Fu Cang. “Brother, I told you to act immediately—now look, they've escaped.”

“It’s my oversight,” Fu Cang replied, head lowered, shaken by the sudden turn. He hadn’t expected the Clear Stream Sect disciples to be rescued, but reflecting further, he realized that only Fang Tian possessed the strength to do so. Could Fang Tian have known all along?

“Never mind. We won’t return. Head straight to the spirit ship and capture them all at once,” Zhao Guangji said coolly.

“Yes, brother,” Fu Cang answered.

“Also, bring my two nephews. Once we deal with them, we’ll go straight to Ice Spirit Island,” Zhao Guangji said coldly.

“Alright, I’ll have my men bring them,” Fu Cang nodded without protest.

“Let’s go!”

Zhao Guangji motioned to his men, and the whole group turned toward the spirit ship’s berth.

Meanwhile, Fang Tian and the Clear Stream Sect disciples had been fleeing for most of the day. Their pace was swift, driven by desperation. The spirit ship was now less than half a day’s journey away.

Fang Tian urged them not to stop, warning that being caught would spell disaster. The disciples understood; if the pirates caught up, they would never escape their clutches. No matter how exhausted, they pushed onward.

After a grueling run, they finally reached the shore. Seeing the spirit ship ahead, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thinking at last they could leave and escape the pirates’ grasp.

Fang Tian looked back, seeing no sign of pirates, and hurried the Clear Stream Sect disciples aboard. With the pirates still absent, they needed to depart as soon as possible.

Heeding Fang Tian’s words, they ignored their fatigue and rushed onto the ship. Xie Qing, seeing them arrive in haste and noting only this group, sensed the urgency. He called back his scattered men and ordered the crew to ready the boarding ladder.

Soon, everyone was aboard except Fang Tian, who remained on the shore. Xie Qing called out anxiously, “Fang Tian, everyone’s here. Hurry up!”

“You go first. The pirates are already closing in—I’ll hold them off,” Fang Tian replied, spotting pirates approaching not far from the island.

“Fang Tian, are you mad? How can you face them alone?” Xie Qing exclaimed.

“Don’t worry about me. If you don’t go now, it’ll be too late,” Fang Tian answered.

“No, we leave together. I can’t let you stay behind!” Xie Qing protested, torn.

Growing impatient, Fang Tian shouted sternly, “Stop fussing! Just go—I have my own way.”

Seeing Fang Tian’s resolve, Xie Qing could only sigh, “Brother, be careful. I…”

“I know. Go,” Fang Tian waved him off.

Watching Fang Tian, Xie Qing knew he couldn’t linger. He entered the cabin and ordered the crew to set the spirit ship in motion. Soon, the oars spun and the ship began to move away from the shore.

Just then, a graceful figure leaped from the ship. The others cried out, “Sister Mu, what are you doing? Come back!”

“Come back, Sister Mu!”

“…”

Mu Qiaoqiao ignored them, heading toward Fang Tian as the ship drifted into the sea.

Sensing someone approaching, Fang Tian turned to see Mu Qiaoqiao, his expression exasperated.

“What are you doing here?”

Mu Qiaoqiao smiled, “I thought you’d be lonely, so I came to help.”

“You’re only making trouble,” Fang Tian muttered, baffled by her antics.

“Then let me make trouble. What can you do about it?” Mu Qiaoqiao blinked playfully, sticking out her tongue.