At the main seat above the banquet, Hancock observed Arias indulging in his meal. Through her eyes, Arias seemed to have a unique filter, captivating her regardless of his actions.
Simultaneously, Arias, benefiting from the Liuku Immortal Thief and strengthened Qi through Sea Kings meat, sensed Hancock's gaze. Internally pleased, he believed he was nearing success in captivating the pirate empress who had bewildered countless admirers.
As night fell, Arias, satisfied after consuming a substantial amount, touched his round belly. Newly equipped with the Liuku Immortal Thief, his cultivation level remained low. Despite his six organs efficiently digesting the food, his stomach retained a stretched, round shape.
Anticipating a further increase in strength after the complete digestion of the Sea Kings meat, Arias looked forward to unlocking more of his potential.
In Hancock's palace, the three Gorgon sisters and Gloriosa gathered.
"Hancock, do you believe what this man says?" Grandma Niu, wielding a snake staff, expressed her suspicion of Arias.
Appearing suddenly, claiming to be from an unknown island, possessing abilities akin to Haki but with unique nuances, and emanating a captivating and demonic temperament, Arias left Grandma Niu wary.
Honestly, she had never encountered such a temperament in a man before.
Even Hancock, the most beautiful Snake Lady, seemed to be slightly less charming. If not for her advanced age and diminished allure, she might have been tempted by that man.
Yet, Hancock dismissed such thoughts. Whenever Arias crossed her mind, her face would flush.
"Why don't you believe it? That's the man who dares to kill the Celestial Dragons! Is there a more perfect man in this world than him?"
"Hancock!"
Granny Niu shouted, but Snake Girl, discontented, snorted coldly, "I don't need you to worry about me!"
Afterward, she instructed the two adopted sisters to escort Granny Niu out, leaving her alone on the bed with her swirling thoughts.
With a sigh, she suddenly buried her head in the quilt, twisting around on the bed like a large maggot.
Early the next morning, Arias beheld the peach-faced Nine Snakes Empress. Her daughterly, shy posture nearly overwhelmed his self-control.
"Morning!"
The bright smile warmed hearts like spring sunshine, and Hancock felt as if her heart melted in that moment.
"Morning, early."
A stumbling voice accompanied a pair of closely staring beautiful eyes fixated on Arias.
"Well," Arias suddenly said embarrassedly, "I wonder if you can teach me Haki and physical skills?"
Delighted, Hancock quickly responded, "Okay, of course, no problem!"
After a moment's thought, she added, "Can I learn that magical method of yours?"
Arias smiled, expressing his willingness, "Of course!"
Observing this scene, the female warriors of Nine Snake Island felt a tinge of jealousy. They understood that the Empress was already drawn to this man, and competing with her was futile.
How could they compete for the affection of the most beautiful woman in the pirate world, possessing peerless grace?
Recalling Arias's fondness for Sea Kings' meat, Hancock ordered a lavish breakfast with the delicacies. Arias, surprised but respectful, consumed them all.
From the six organs, the purest Qi transformed into his body, enhancing his strength further.
After the meal, Hancock personally instructed Arias in the use of Haki.
"So, this is Haki?"
Arias, already equipped with Qi as his fundamental skill, immediately grasped the essence of Haki after Hancock's explanation.
This alternative use of Qi showcased the deeper potential of this energy. While most in the pirate world used Qi to strengthen their physical bodies, some powerful individuals had realized its more intricate applications.
At eighteen, Hancock's Haki wasn't exceptionally powerful, and she leaned more on her fruit abilities in combat. Nevertheless, her innate talent was formidable, allowing her to maintain significant strength despite a relatively short time studying Haki.
Her first expedition after inheriting Amazon Lily's throne was a resounding success, earning her a reward of 80 million. The World Government would soon extend an invitation for her to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Now armed with an understanding of Qi, Hancock contemplated for a moment, conjuring an invisible mass of Qi that lingered on her arm. Unlike before, this Qi was no longer black and could leave the body.
"Hancock, you are such a genius!" Arias sighed sincerely.
Praised by him, the eighteen-year-old empress blushed with happiness, her heart feeling as sweet as honey.
"You taught me well!"
Tsk! The coquettish behavior of the eighteen-year-old empress was even more lethal, causing Arias's heart to pound uncontrollably.
As the atmosphere grew more enchanting, the two, engrossed in teaching and learning, found themselves gradually pausing the explanations. With the beauty before him, her fragrance like an orchid and tempting red lips, Arias unconsciously took a step forward. Seeing his approach, Hancock felt a mixture of shyness and anticipation.
"Hancock..."
As he began to speak, Granny Niu's voice interrupted, "Hancock! You are being rewarded!"
Both pairs of eyes turned resentful at the same time...