The commotion stirred by his divine sense echoed through the treasure vault. Haitang, who had been heading out, noticed it and immediately stopped, looking at Lu Ye in confusion.
Lu Ye still looked upward and shouted again, "Come out!"
A patch of mist appeared out of thin air within his field of vision—the very same mist that had appeared when the treasure vault first opened. Just as before, it twisted and writhed as that sinister voice emerged from within. "What is it?"
"Senior!" Lu Ye first bowed, then spoke again. "This junior wishes to confirm something with you, and also asks for your permission."
The voice from the mist sounded somewhat impatient. "Speak!"
Lu Ye said, "Senior said earlier that since this junior has passed the Ghost Ship's trial, I may choose anything on this ship and take it away. Is that correct?"
The mist replied, "That is correct. So... have you made your choice?"
Lu Ye nodded. "I have."
"Since you have chosen, simply take it. Why ask me? But you only have one chance. So... have you chosen the pearl before you?"
Lu Ye lowered his head and glanced at the pearl on the Stone Platform before slowly shaking his head. Then he raised his gaze to meet Haitang's puzzled eyes and pointed at her. "I choose her!"
Haitang's face was filled with astonishment.
Behind Haitang, the many crew members standing outside the treasure vault froze for a moment before their expressions twisted. Waves of ghostly wails and howls rose from their direction, as though they were deeply displeased with Lu Ye's choice.
Even the mist in the treasure vault began twisting more rapidly. It had lost its earlier composure and now seemed somewhat enraged. "Impossible!"
Lu Ye remained unhurried. "Senior, are you planning to go back on