Facing the sarcasm, Ye Yu spoke calmly.
"Whether I make it onto the list or not, we'll find out when the time comes."
This caught them off guard, as they hadn't expected Ye Yu to respond like that.
Li Cang covered his mouth and laughed: "Hahaha, you're really joking, aren't you? You actually think you can make it onto the list? Seriously? You have such thoughts?"
Lin Muxue also felt like she had heard a hilarious joke, looking at him with disdain.
"Ye Yu, do you still think you're the most talented? You've contracted seven Non-Ability Users. Even if you have a level ten talent, how strong can you be? This is the era of Devil Fruits. Obtaining a Devil Fruit is the true path to power."
Li Cang mocked: "Xue Er, telling him that Devil Fruits are the way to go is pointless. He wouldn't understand since he doesn't have one and has no idea how powerful they are."
Lin Muxue agreed: "True."
Ye Yu couldn't be bothered wasting time with such people. He turned around to leave, throwing out one last remark.
"Li Cang, you'd better pray you're not the hundredth on the list. Because once I'm on it, you'll be the hundred and first, just off the list. Think about how frustrating that would be."
However, Li Cang still thought it was a joke and remained confident.
"How ridiculous. There's no way you'll make it onto the list. As for my ranking, it will definitely be in the top fifty, maybe even the top thirty. Although my talent isn't in the top hundred in Dragon Country, I've obtained the powerful Might Might Fruit!"
Ye Yu simply closed the door, and Li Cang and Lin Muxue left to study Haki at school.
Li Cang had also considered that being the hundred and first would indeed be frustrating. For anyone, it would be devastating.
Making it onto the list was an honor, even if it was the hundredth spot in terms of bounty. At least you were on the list.
The towering stone monument stood at the center of the world, reaching into the clouds, visible to all. The names inscribed on it in golden light were a great honor, a mark of prestige. Being the hundred and first, just off the list, would be unbearable.
Even being the hundred and twentieth wouldn't be as bad. The hundred and first would definitely be frustrating, like missing out on Tsinghua or Peking University by just 0.5 points—utterly devastating.
But Li Cang was confident: "Hmph, there's no way I'll be the hundred and first."
...
At this moment, Zhang Tian was looking at the Strongest Pirate Crew Ranking, but she wasn't particularly interested. She had no intention of joining a powerful Pirate Crew. Instead, her gaze was firm as she whispered to herself.
"Even if my talent and fruit aren't bad, I won't necessarily join a strong Pirate Crew. I'll join whichever crew Ye Yu is in."
If anyone saw her, they would be absolutely certain that Zhang Tian had a crush on Ye Yu.
But only Zhang Tian herself knew it wasn't just a crush. It was something that had happened many years ago. After attending the same high school as Ye Yu, Zhang Tian knew he hadn't recognized her, but she had recognized him immediately.
"If it weren't for you that year, I might not be here anymore. I was so happy when you awakened your supreme talent. Even though you've contracted seven Non-Ability Users now, in this dangerous world, I'll protect you. I'll stand by your side."
Zhang Tian knew that Ye Yu didn't plan to live as an ordinary person. He wanted to be a Pirate.
At this moment, almost everyone in Dragon Country had made their decision. Most were determined to become Pirates. Only those with good conditions but poor talent, who had contracted weak Non-Ability Users, would give up on cultivation and continue living as ordinary people.
Meanwhile, in Hangzhou.
Xia Ling was examining the stone monument, assessing it.
"If I want to better protect Brother Yu, I naturally need strength. Therefore, I must ensure that I rank high on the bounty list. As for the pirate crew rankings, our crew must also strive for a high position because only strong individuals and powerful groups can provide true protection. With a strong backing, Brother Yu will be much safer. So, we must aim for high rankings on both lists! I will work hard to improve myself and lead our crew to continuous victories in the pirate crew ranking battles!"
As for the bounty list, there's no way to help directly. Individuals entering the Mystic Realm can only rely on becoming a member of a powerful pirate crew.
At this moment, a beautiful girl in a fiery red dress with long, fiery red hair gave off an intense and unapproachable vibe. However, she was incredibly gentle when facing her friends.
In terms of figure and appearance, she was no less impressive than Lin Muxue and Xia Ling. She was Zhao Yan'er, the Flare-Flare Fruit Ability User.
"Xia Ling, let's go learn about Haki."
"Alright."
The two of them headed to Hangzhou No. 1 High School. On the way, Xia Ling spoke somewhat hesitantly.
"Yan'er, about what I mentioned earlier, is it possible? To let Ye Yu skip all the assessments and join us. And also, give him an official crew position."
Zhao Yan'er was conflicted and sighed, "Xia Ling, although we are best friends, we can't just bypass the recruitment process for the pirate crew. Future voyages and adventures require capable crew members. Irresponsible recruitment is not only unfair to our entire crew but also to your friend. Without ability, even in the most powerful pirate crew, it can be very dangerous. While he would have protection, he still needs some strength of his own, right?"
Xia Ling pouted, "I don't care. Brother Yu is the most important person to me. He must be in the same pirate crew as me so I can better protect him. He must join. As for his strength, it definitely won't be bad. Although he has contracted seven Non-Ability Users, he was once the strongest with a level ten talent, and the combined strength of the seven Non-Ability Users should not be inferior to Artificial Devil Fruit Ability Users. I can assure you, even in this era of Devil Fruits, Ye Yu definitely won't be worse than some Artificial Devil Fruit Ability Users."
Zhao Yan'er was helpless, "I also have to be fair and just in my duties. How about this: for low-level crew recruitment, he can skip the assessment and join directly. What you said makes some sense, given his level ten talent and the seven Non-Ability Users. But for an official crew position, he must undergo the assessment."
Xia Ling knew this was the limit.
"Alright, low-level crew is fine, as long as he's on this ship."
Zhao Yan'er reminded her, "Naturally, he'll be on the main ship at first, but as we grow and have more than just one main ship, he will definitely be reassigned."
"No need for reassignment. I'll have Brother Yu stay with me as my personal crew member."
"Alright, in a month when you go to see him, make it clear that he can become a low-level crew member without an assessment. But if he wants to become an official crew member, he will still need to take the assessment. Only if he passes can he become an official crew member."
"Okay, I understand."
Zhao Yan'er said with anticipation, "Conducting the assessment, I would be delighted to see high scores emerge, allowing them to become one of the executives of our Pirate Crew. Even better, if someone surpasses you and me, they can directly become the Captain. Before the official establishment, strength reigns supreme. Anyone who breaks my record can become the Captain."
Xia Ling replied, "Although that's the case, it's unlikely to happen. The geniuses in Hangzhou are already determined. Unless prodigies from other cities decide to join us, which is highly improbable, they would usually choose local crews or those strong enough to make them cross the seas to join. The last possibility is if they have friends or acquaintances willing to come."
Xia Ling asked, "Do you have any powerful prodigy friends?"
Zhao Yan'er shook her head, "No, do you?"
Xia Ling sighed lightly, "No, I have few friends. My close friends are just you and Ye Yu."
Zhao Yan'er, not holding much hope, speculated, "Then it's unlikely anyone will break our records. Besides, we'll keep pushing to refresh the assessment records during this time."
Xia Ling, full of fighting spirit, said, "Then let's keep competing with each other."
...
Meanwhile, Ye Yu continuously practiced various techniques, gauging how strong he had become. He even ventured into the sea, where he could breathe without holding his breath and move without any hindrance. Fighting in the water felt no different from fighting on land—it was as natural as a fish in water. This was the bene
fit of his Contract with Jinbei.
After experiencing this, Ye Yu returned home to rest well for the night, preparing to set off the next day.
(End of Chapter)