Soren's Pet (First Update)

These were rather boring seven days.

In fact, this kind of boredom was something others could only dream of, because if it wasn't incredibly boring, it meant they'd encountered Sea Monster. This would be a disaster on the vast ocean, and a major reason for blocking Trade routes Overseas Islands. It turned out that Soren's initial decision to align himself with the Temple of the Sea was correct, because with the support of the Goddess of the Sea, not only did his Warship not have to worry about Deep Sea Behemoth, but his other fleets also didn't have to worry about attacks from Sea Monster.

The only regret is that he has not yet been able to establish effective contact with the Shark-man and the Naga Race.

Deep-sea Trade would then be out of the question.

If the profits from overseas Trade are enough to drive people to take risks, then the profits from deep-sea Trade are enough to make people disregard their faith.

Unfortunately, deep-sea species are quite averse to terrestrial life.

A seven-day flight isn't very long.

On the fifth day Soren encountered a storm, but it wasn't severe enough to affect their course. Around the morning of the seventh day, Soren returned to the South Coast, but his first stop wasn't Port Tyler; instead, he headed to Serpent Island. Serpent Island was now used as a storage base, permanently garrisoned by about two hundred pirates. These pirates were mostly low-level henchmen, with a small leader responsible for security; the real elites had been taken by Soren to the Overseas Islands.

However, this does not mean that Serpent Island's defenses are weak; on the contrary, its defenses are better than those of other places.

Because there is a mutated, giant Tiger Shark here.

The Giant Tiger Shark that Soren initially controlled with the blessing of the Goddess of the Sea, whether from killing or eating too many people, is now clearly developing into a mutated Ocean Behemoth. Furthermore, due to the influence of the Goddess of the Sea's blessing, it has developed a submissive attitude towards Soren. This dominance is far stronger than that of its former master, and due to its increased intelligence, it has gradually become able to distinguish friend from foe.

It is mutating into Magical Beast.

The Giant Tiger Shark had grown to about half again as large as before. At this rate, it would likely grow to the size of a Warship, at which point it could probably capsize a Warship like Giant Octopus. Due to the Magical Beast's unique sensory abilities and some kind of implicit mental connection, this enormous Tiger Shark swam over from elsewhere as soon as Soren returned to the vicinity of Serpent Island, and then slowly surfaced to greet him.

It circled around the Warship, seemingly somewhat pleased.

Soren stood on the deck, watching the Tiger Shark swimming near the Warship. A slight smile played on his lips. After a while, he asked his men behind him, "Are there any sheep on board?"

One of the pirates behind him turned and trotted to the cabin to ask, then ran back and said, "Sir! There are three sheep, half a deer, and some other things down there."

"Hmm." Soren nodded and said, "Throw all the sheep down."

soon.

Two burly pirates, each carrying a sheep, came aboard. After Soren nodded in acknowledgment, they went up to the deck. The two pirates looked at the enormous Tiger Shark swimming near the Warship with a mixture of awe and fear. Then they threw the two sheep overboard. The Tiger Shark possessed an exceptional ability to track blood; sensing the scent of blood in the water, it immediately swam over, swallowed both sheep whole, and then quietly followed behind the Warship.

This Giant Tiger Shark was free-range. In the resource-rich South Coast, there was no need for Soren to specifically feed it.

Feeding is simply a way to increase intimacy.

The Tiger Shark accompanied Soren all the way to the vicinity of Serpent Island before gradually diving into the sea and swimming towards the open ocean. It was now practically a Sea Monster ruling over its territory, operating in the deep waters near Serpent Island. Some time ago, one of its men even saw it fighting a Large Octopus. At the time, a low-ranking pirate leader ordered his men to fire cannons in its aid, and it was because of this that Soren promoted him to oversee Serpent Island. Even after the Giant Tiger Shark had completely left, the pirates below were still discussing it, their eyes occasionally filled with awe and smugness.

It's estimated that it won't be long before some of them are boasting about what they've seen and heard in the taverns of Port Tyler.

No doubt about it.

Pirates are a group of people who love to boast, especially when they've had too much to drink, or when they're trying to attract the attention of a barmaid.

The environment on Serpent Island has changed considerably.

Firstly, the area is significantly larger. As Transit Station and warehouse for Soren, it naturally needs ample space. Currently, Serpent Island is the hub of smuggling Trade in the entire South Sea. Whether heading to Port Tyler, City of Wealth, or coastal Trade to Shipwreck Bay, Serpent Island is an unavoidable destination. Maritime smuggling is the main source of profit for the South Coast, as land Trade has too many checkpoints, with Guard, officials, and nobles frequently extorting profits. Therefore, shipping directly by sea saves a considerable amount of money and avoids most taxes.

This kind of business is like selling smuggled salt; it will always find a way to survive, no matter what.

As soon as Soren arrived at Serpent Island, a pirate captain in charge came to greet him. Soren didn't remember the man's name at all, but he remembered his physical characteristics clearly, because the pirate captain only had one ear; the other ear had been cut off by the enemy years ago. Serpent Island had been renovated several times, and now there were roads on both sides leading directly into the camp. Some of the snakes at the back had been cleared, and now the snakes mainly roamed the southern part of the island.

Soren glanced briefly at the pirate captain in front of him, who only had one ear, and immediately ordered, "Take me to the warehouse."

The pirate captain before him immediately bowed and scraped, saying, "Yes, sir. Please follow me."

The group quickly headed towards the warehouse. Pirate Guard opened the warehouse door, revealing it piled high with all sorts of goods. Pirates easily hoard goods because they don't sell everything after a raid. Only the best-selling items are sold through Black Market merchants; the rest may remain unsold for a while. After all, officially, almost every city-state is hostile to the pirate Black Market.

...(To be continued~^~)