An ordinary person would not think much of it at first and would immediately go out to stop the fighting.
Someone sharp and capable would think a layer deeper-was someone deliberately stirring up trouble?-and have a few more reservations.
Xu Yan quickly reached the third layer. Those Black Market Traders were siding with the Merchant Association. This was no ordinary move, but a harbinger of war.
He sucked in a sharp breath. "We must not let our guard down!"
He immediately sent secret voice transmissions, urgently summoning his deputies and combat-ready elites. Protecting his own foundations came first.
The other chieftains might have had similar thoughts. Each secured their own treasures before slowly bringing their ships closer to observe with caution.
The fighting ashore grew fiercer. Over a hundred people joined the melee, their vitality, spirit, and will burning like firewood.
Their blazing intentions mingled together, only to be stained by the Copper-Stench Bewitching Incense with the scent of greed.
It already bore something of the festive atmosphere of the dragon boat races on the Great Shimmering River. Emotions spread from person to person, and more and more people grew red-eyed at the sight and joined in, fighting over the goods piled mountain-high on the beach.
"Seventh Chieftain, something's wrong! Old Wu from Kaichao Market seems to be up to something. Their ships are coming over!"
A late-stage Qi Refining leader under Seventh Chieftain Tong Zhifeng hurried into his flagship to report. His words had barely fallen when the ship shook violently, as though a Thunderbolt Bomb had landed on the deck and exploded.
A Treasure Ship was a large Magical Artifact. One or two Thunderclap Bombs were no great concern, but this also marked the beginning of war.
A trace of suspicion flashed deep in Tong Zhifeng's heart, yet