Samsara Paradise: Dream Weaver of Connections.

The news of the Bone Sheep Pirates' annihilation spread in all directions at an astonishing speed through flag signals.

When the Doom entered the waters near Turtle Island, there were already more than fifty ships following behind it.

They were densely packed on the sea behind the Doom, with masts standing tall and sails billowing, looking from a distance like a fleet on the move.

The outline of Turtle Island appears on the horizon.

The enormous tortoise shell gleamed with a dark blue-green luster in the sunlight, and the densely packed buildings on it were clearly visible. Hundreds of ships of all sizes were moored at the dock, their masts resembling a leafless forest.

The pirates on Turtle Island had already spotted the fleet.

The lookout was the first to spot the unusual activity on the sea. He climbed the tallest watchtower on the island and raised his binoculars.

In the footage, an enormous beast is swimming towards Turtle Island.

The behemoth was dragging a black sailboat behind it, which was moving at an incredible speed.

Behind that black sailboat, dozens of ships of various sizes followed closely, their masts standing tall and their sails billowing, creating a magnificent spectacle.

The lookout's mouth gaped open, unable to close for a long time. He had worked on Turtle Island for over a decade and had seen all sorts of grand scenes, but he had never seen anything like this.

He adjusted his focus, trying to make out the identity of the black sailboat.

A flag hung on the mast at the bow of the ship, a black flag with a white design.

He squinted, trying hard to make out the details.

Then he saw it clearly.

It was a ram's skull with two downward-curving horns.

The lookout's hand jerked violently, and the binoculars nearly slipped from his grasp.

He gripped the binoculars tightly, confirming again.

That's right, that's the flag of the Bone Sheep Pirates.

He put down his binoculars, turned, and rushed down the watchtower. His footsteps thudded on the wooden steps, and he nearly slipped several times, but he didn't care.

He rushed into the dock, into the street, running and shouting.

"The flag of the Bone Sheep! The flag of the Bone Sheep has been hoisted on a ship! And it's coming this way!"

The pirates who were unloading cargo on the dock all stopped in their tracks when they heard the shout.

Some people put down the wooden crates they were carrying, some looked up, and some crawled out of the cabin, their faces full of confusion.

A pirate was loading rum onto the ship when he heard the shout. He dropped the barrel he was carrying, smashing it to the ground and scattering planks and spilling rum everywhere, but he didn't care.

"What did you say? The banner of the bone sheep?"

"You're not seeing things? It really is the flag of the Bone Sheep?"

"Impossible, who could possibly harm Bone Sheep?"

The lookout was out of breath from running; he was bent over, his hands on his knees, panting heavily.

"You're not mistaken, it really is the flag of the Bone Sheep. A black sailboat with the Bone Sheep flag flying at the bow, followed by dozens of other ships, is heading this way."

There was a silence on the dock for about three seconds, and then everyone started moving.

Some people rushed to the edge of the pier, stood on tiptoe, and peered out at the sea.

Someone ran back to their own boat and dragged their sleeping companion out of the cabin.

Someone stormed into the tavern and dragged out the drunken guys inside.

Some people even climbed up the mast to look into the distance with the naked eye.

In less than ten minutes, the entire dock was in complete chaos.

Upon hearing the news, the pirates who were still drinking and boasting in the tavern slammed their glasses on the table and rushed out.

Those guys who were having fun in the alley came out without even pulling their pants up properly.

The sailors who were sleeping in the cabins were dragged and pulled onto the deck by their companions.

Everyone is asking the same question—has the Bone Sheep's banner really been taken away?

The answer soon appeared before them.

On the sea, an enormous beast is swimming toward Turtle Island.

Behind the behemoth was a black sailboat with sleek lines and black sails fluttering in the sea breeze.

A black flag was hanging on the most conspicuous mast at the bow of the ship.

The flag unfurled in the sea breeze, its design clearly visible—a white skull and ram's head with two downward-curving horns.

Some people rubbed their eyes, some pinched their thighs, and some even slapped themselves hard, trying to confirm if they were dreaming.

But the flag is still there, the ship is still there, this is not a dream.

A young pirate was the first to react; he turned and ran, faster than ever before.

He crossed the dock, walked through streets piled high with goods, and through the still-dazed crowd, rushing toward the light red building in the center of the island.

The others realized what was happening too. Some ran towards their boats, some ran towards their hiding places, and some ran directly away from the dock.

It's not that they're cowardly, it's just that the Bone Sheep's reputation is too great, too crazy, and too frightening.

For someone who can kill a bone sheep, killing them is as easy as crushing an ant.

When the young pirate stormed into the building, the Black Sea Empress Agati was sleeping in her bedroom on the second floor.

She worked late into the night and didn't go to bed until almost dawn.

She was lying on her side on the large bed, her long golden hair scattered on the pillow, covered with a thin blanket, breathing evenly, fast asleep.

The bedroom was dimly lit with heavy curtains drawn, except for a small bedside lamp that cast a warm, yellowish glow on her delicate profile.

The sound of the door being kicked open was particularly jarring in the silence.

The young pirate tumbled in, tripped on the threshold, and fell to the ground. But he ignored the pain, scrambled to his feet, and knelt on the ground, his voice trembling.

"Captain! Captain! Something terrible has happened!"

Agati opened his eyes a crack. His deep brown pupils held no trace of sleepiness, only icy coldness.

She didn't get up, but turned her head to look at the subordinate kneeling on the ground.

The young pirate felt the chill in that gaze, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He knew the Black Sea Empress's rules, knew she had a bad temper when she woke up, and knew that anyone who disturbed her sleep never had a good ending.

But he couldn't care less about that, because the news he brought was far more important than his own life.

"Sir, the Bone Sheep's flag has been hoisted at the bow of the ship, and they are heading towards Turtle Island. There are dozens of other ships following behind them, making a grand procession, and they will be arriving at the dock soon."

Agati suddenly sat up in bed.

She stood barefoot on the cold stone floor, her long golden hair cascading over her shoulders, wearing only a thin silk nightgown, but the oppressive aura she exuded made the kneeling pirate dare not even lift his head.

Agati stared at him for two seconds, a hint of disbelief flashing in his dark brown eyes.

"What did you say?"

"The flag of the Bone Sheep was hoisted at the bow of the ship, which was heading toward Turtle Island."

The young pirate's voice trembled, but he tried his best to make every word clear.

"It was a black sailboat with the Bone Sheep flag flying at the bow, followed by dozens of other ships. The lookout confirmed it; he wasn't mistaken."

Agati fell silent. She stood there, motionless, her expression shifting from disbelief to solemnity, and then to something indescribable.

Her hands hung at her sides, her fingers slightly curled, her knuckles white from the force.

She raised her hand and waved it, striking the copper bell by the bedside with the force of her fingertips, making a crisp sound.

A few seconds later, hurried footsteps came from outside the door, and an old woman in a dark robe pushed the door open and came in.

That was her personal maid, who had been with her for decades.

"Change your clothes." Agati's voice was calm, but there was an undeniable urgency in his tone.

The old woman didn't say anything, but quickly walked to the wardrobe and took out a dark-colored robe.

Agati took the robe and deftly put it on, his fingers quickly tying the belt.

Her long hair was not combed in time; she simply gathered it behind her shoulder and tied it with a hairband.

She walked barefoot to the window and pulled back the heavy curtains.

The sunlight suddenly flooded in, making her squint slightly.

She stood by the window, gazing out at the sea.

The commotion at the dock could be heard several streets away; the shouts of the pirates and the sounds of ships colliding mingled together, creating a noisy buzzing sound.

Further away, a huge silhouette was approaching on the sea.

Agati's pupils contracted slightly. She saw the flag clearly, the white skull ram's head clearly, and the two downward-curving ram's horns clearly.

Behind him, the young pirate was still kneeling on the ground, not daring to breathe.

The old woman stood to one side, her hands clasped in front of her, head bowed, waiting quietly.

Agati turned around and walked back to the bedside to sit down.

She raised her hand and tapped the edge of the bed gently with her fingertips, making a rhythmic tapping sound.

"Go down." Her voice was very soft.

The young pirate paused for a moment, then looked up and saw that the Black Sea Empress's exquisite face was expressionless.

He didn't dare ask any more questions, got up, lowered his head and left, the door closing gently behind him.

Only Agati and the old woman remained in the room.

Agati sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers continuing to tap on the bed frame, his gaze fixed on the sun-drenched, golden sea outside the window.

She recalled the scene when she saw those people in that small building yesterday.

At the time, she thought these people were powerful figures who could help her deal with Bone Sheep and Redbeard.

She gave them a map of the Bone Sheep's route, the location of Bone Island, and promised to supply them sea monster meat at cost price.

She thought everything was going according to her plan, and that even if these people could kill Bone Sheep, they would have to pay a considerable price.

Then she can reap the benefits and become the only legendary pirate captain on this sea.

But now?

Only one day had passed.

one day.

The Bone Sheep's flag flew from the bow of the black sailboat, which was being dragged by the giant beast as it swaggered toward her Turtle Island.

Dozens of ships followed behind, a grand procession, like a triumphant fleet.

This is no ordinary dragon crossing the river; it's clearly a god descending to earth.

She knew that crazy Bone Sheep all too well.

That guy may be crazy, but his strength is real.

She had dealt with him before and knew his background.

His indestructible, cursed body, coupled with his reckless fighting style, made him someone no one on this vast ocean dare to provoke.

Redbeard was unwilling, and she was even more unwilling.

She even considered how long she would need to prepare and what price she would have to pay if she were to engage in a direct battle with the Bone Sheep.

The answer is that she dared not think about it.

But now someone has done it, and in just one day.

Agati stopped tapping and looked up at the old woman. "Where's Turte?"

The old woman bowed slightly.

"At the dock."

"Send him to see me."

The old woman turned and walked out of the room.

A moment later, footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Turtel pushed open the door and came in.

He was still wearing that dark gray coarse cloth robe, his one arm hanging at his side, his face expressionless, but there was a hint of solemnity in his cloudy eyes.

"Did you see that?" Agati asked.

Turt nodded. "I see them. The Bone Sheep's flag is flying at the bow. They're coming right up here without any attempt to conceal themselves."

Agati remained silent for a few seconds.

"Are they injured?"

Turt shook his head.

"You can't tell. The ship is intact. The deck is clean, with no bloodstains or damage."

"Where is the Bone Sheep's fleet?"

"I didn't see any. Only the Doom and that behemoth. None of the Bone Sheep's ships appeared."

There was silence in the room.

Agati leaned against the headboard, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.

Her face remained expressionless, but her heart was churning with turmoil.

None of the Bone Sheep's fleet appeared.

What does this mean? It means that the Bone Sheep Pirates were not just defeated, but completely wiped out.

The ships following the Doom were probably not just there to watch the spectacle.

They came to confirm, to confirm whether the Bone Sheep was truly gone.

Once confirmed, they will pounce like sharks smelling blood, vying for the territory, routes, and businesses left behind by the sheep.

There is no compassion, no pity, only naked self-interest on this vast sea.

And the one who started all this is now swaggering towards her Turtle Island.

Agati suddenly felt a chill in his body.

She instinctively pulled the thin blanket over her legs, but the chill didn't come from outside; it came from her heart.

She recalled her behavior in that small building yesterday. She thought she had hidden herself well, that her smile was sincere enough, and that the conditions she offered were tempting enough.

But looking back now, her little schemes probably seemed as ridiculous as children playing house to those people.

Even she herself wasn't confident she could take down the Bone Sheep, but the other person went out and even brought back the flag.

If they really wanted to get rid of her, it would be a matter of minutes.

Agati closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

She's been at sea for so many years, climbing from an unknown nobody to where she is today, not through luck, but through intelligence. She knows when to advance, when to retreat, and when to bow her head.

Turt stood at the doorway, looking at Agati's pale face, and remained silent for a moment.

"My lord, shall we make some preparations?"

Agati opened his eyes.

"What should we prepare?"

Turt didn't speak, but his meaning was clear—prepare to fight, or prepare to flee.

Agati glanced at him and then chuckled softly.

"Get ready to greet them." Agati stood up and sat down in front of the dressing table.

She picked up a comb and began to comb her disheveled long hair, her movements unhurried and her demeanor composed.

"They're not here to fight. If they wanted to start a fight, they wouldn't have come over so brazenly."

She looked at Thurt in the mirror.

"Go to the dock and clear out the best berth. Prepare the best food and drinks, and get rid of all the slobs on the island so they don't get in the way. Then you go to the dock yourself to pick them up, be polite, and don't act like you did yesterday."

Turt nodded and turned to leave.

Agati continued combing her hair, slowly and deliberately.

The woman in the mirror looked to be in her early thirties, with delicate features and fair skin, but her deep brown eyes held a maturity beyond her years.

She looked at herself in the mirror and suddenly remembered something from many years ago.

At that time, she was still a small believer in the Church of the Extinction, following behind those priests, trembling with fear, as if walking on thin ice.

She had seen the God of Nightmares, the Bone Sheep, Redbeard, and all the ruthless characters on this vast sea.

She thought she would always be a nobody, forever living in the shadow of others.

But she survived.

Not only did she survive, but she also became the Black Sea Empress and one of the three legendary pirate captains.

She relied not on strength, but on her brain, her ability to assess situations, and her knowledge of when to bow her head and when to raise it.

Now, it's time to bow our heads again. (End of Chapter)