Chapter 169 - - 169 Candidates’ Rhythm_1

—————✧✧✧✧—————

“Mahamadu has collected the second piece of the Destiny Sea Map, and the reward amount has been raised to 450,000.”

“The rumors about Selma spending a lot of money to seek offspring are true. The first mate of the Billfish, Sherry Milben, won Selma’s favor and spent a wonderful night with her. However, he was unable to impregnate Selma, but he still gained an opportunity to trade with her. He exchanged for strength ten times that of ordinary people.”

“The captain of the Blue Whale, Belku, also had the good fortune to be favored by Selma for a night. In Selma’s bedroom, he saw ancient books about the Fish Era…”

“It is said that when Selma is intimate with a person, her beautiful fish tail transforms into slender legs…”

…

In the following three or four days, new rumors emerged at various ports. Some were spread by Duge himself, others by different people, with truth mixed in with falsehood.

More and more lucky men who had encounters with Selma started to appear, dozens of them claiming they had met Selma and had made deals to gain superhuman strength.

In the face of hard evidence, even the captain who had been interrogated by Selma that night swore that the rumors of Selma offering a large sum for a child were false, but no one believed him anymore.

More people began adding the suffix of ‘fish’ to their names.

…

“Selma must be mad. Even if she wants to amuse herself, she wouldn’t bring out so many men in just three days, would she? What will people think of her? She doesn’t care about her reputation anymore? She will be regarded as a whore available to all…”

The rumors from all over left Marsha dumbfounded.

The day after Duge promised to return the Sea God Scepter to Jannie, she continued to stay with the Sea Fish Pirate Group.

It wasn’t that she believed in Duge’s character; rather, she believed in the future. In the prophecies of destiny, Paul twice managed to seize the Sea God Scepter.

The second time, Paul even used the Sea God Scepter directly.

Although she didn’t know why Paul, a mere mortal, could use the Sea God Scepter, this reason was enough to keep her by Paul’s side.

Knowing that the Sea God Scepter would eventually end up in Paul’s hands and still leaving him would be truly foolish.

As long as she found an opportunity to make contact with the Sea God Scepter, she would have the chance to restore the Sea God’s Power, suppress all rebellions. The idea that Paul and Selma would create a fake scepter to deceive her was simply outrageous.

Watching one man after another claiming to have slept with Selma.

Duge almost laughed out loud.

Selma wasn’t crazy, and certainly wouldn’t seek out that many men.

Therefore.

These individuals who came forward either wanted to ride on her coattails or were examinees…

Is there a better excuse than having traded with Selma and gaining tremendous power?

That’s what he had done at the time.

Of course.

It could also be that they were the ones spreading the rumors, taking the opportunity to cover their own tracks. Or perhaps they were examinees with abilities like mischief or rumor-mongering, looking to increase their own strength…

In sum.

Anything can happen in a simulated environment!

Duge ignored the flustered witch and turned to Barry, instructing, “Write down these guys. After we’ve dealt with Safra, we’ll find these people and see who’s real and who’s fake. We need to expose them; we can’t allow our allies’ reputations to be damaged.”

“Yes, Captain,” Barry replied with a laugh. After he gave his sorrows to Selma, he never knew of heartache again, and his face was always filled with joyful smiles every day.

“Captain, weren’t we going to attack Mahamadu? Why have we suddenly changed course to strike at Safra?” Eddie asked, puzzled.

The day after Selma left, Duge’s pirate crew loaded up with supplies and set off on a grand expedition to Mahamadu; but after traveling one-third of the way, he suddenly ordered a change of course towards Phoenix Tail Island.

“To give Safra a surprise and Mahamadu as well,” Duge said offhandedly.

After tricking Selma and obtaining the Sword of the Giant Dragon, he was no longer interested in amusing himself. His strength was growing every moment, and he didn’t even know which act had brought joy to others.

At this time.

Duge felt that he had grasped both of the key words and had obtained what he needed. Staying in this simulated environment no longer held much significance for him.

But the simulated environment wouldn’t end just because he wanted it to. There were still nearly five hundred contestants inside, and the main storyline hadn’t emerged yet.

Duge couldn’t hurry, even if he wanted to.

In the words of Nan Youlong, until the end, anyone has a chance.

To this, Duge snorted with disdain.

However, this was also good, as it allowed him to practice how to battle against different keywords, incidentally to see what the situation would be like when the rankings were announced in a month.

After two simulation battles, Duge still had no idea what the situation with the announced rankings would be!

He was definitely going to the Alien Battlefield, and he couldn't possibly do so without fully understanding the rules.

If he did, he'd be far too passive there...

But it must be said, the competitors in the simulation were really not giving their best.

Apart from the first challenge from Black Magic Hand, no one else put any pressure on him at all.

At this moment.

There were only eight days left until the end of the month, and with Safra dealt with, he could almost see the rankings.

...

Every single move he made affected the entire situation.

Duge's every action attracted everyone's attention, after all, he possessed the formidable Sea Beast Enke.

Not only the natives in the simulation, but all the other candidates quietly developing in the simulation were also keeping an eye on Paul, a suspected candidate, measuring their own strengths against his and considering how to maximize their benefits in this chaotic battle.

The dissemination of information on Qiyuan Star was not advanced, and the news of Duge's performance in the first two rounds was only circulating on a small scale; most people did not know of his glorious achievements of overturning the tables twice.

Besides, the examinations were now being held in a round-robin manner, with no opportunity for them to learn about the outside world once they exited the simulation battlefield.

These elite candidates selected from all over the world were still proceeding methodically, advancing at their own steady pace.

In the previous simulation battles.

The decisive fight often broke out around April or May.

In the meantime.

The top ten spots in the simulation would constantly change hands, with ongoing assassinations and replacements happening one after another.

The number of times the top ten were shuffled was countless.

The elites would control their rankings, hone their application of advanced skills, conceal themselves, pay close attention to and approach the main narrative of the world, aiming to ultimately emerge victorious.

This time, in particular, was an elite competition where every opponent was the first-place winner from their respective simulations.

Everyone was extremely cautious.

In their minds, this was a lengthy marathon: the one who dashed ahead early was not guaranteed to last until the end. With this mindset leading the way, the unexpectedly rising Paul was considered more of a narrative character by many, rather than a candidate.

Of course.

Even if they guessed he was a candidate, no one would risk assassinating him.

Because the calm period was about to end.

Regardless of whether Paul was a candidate or not, with his current influence in the world, assassinating him at this time would definitely push one's ranking into the top ten.

Making oneself public meant having to oppose five hundred people, and if someone else took advantage of the situation, the loss would not be worth the gain.

The previously adventurous Black Magic Hand who attempted to assassinate Paul, in their eyes, was simply a complete fool.

All the candidates were waiting for the top ten names to be announced at the end of the month. They were also scrambling for the Destiny Sea Map pieces, knowing that if they found one, they would then control the progression of the main story.

...

The transaction between Duge and Selma was not spread outside.

The outside world's impression of his strength still remained at the level where he possessed the Sea Beast Enke and more than a hundred pirate ships.

When he suddenly changed course to attack Safra.

The King of the South Sea on Phoenix Tail Island quickly began to muster forces, preparing to confront the Sea Beast Enke, and also requested a joint operation from Amy Swan immediately because, after all, avenging her father made her his natural ally.

At the same time.

Antonio received orders from Admiral Camilo to launch a full-scale attack on Mahamadu in order to seize the two Destiny Sea Map pieces in his possession.

On the sea.

The fleets of the royal navy and the King of the Four Seas were moving back and forth, busier than ever before.

✦ ✧ ✦ ✧ ✦