At this moment, although Shandora was partially covered by clouds, the exposed gold still shone brilliantly, its radiance overwhelming.
The members of the Caesar Pirates stood in stunned silence, unable to find words for their shock. The sheer amount of gold before them was staggering. Even the most composed among them couldn't help but feel a surge of greed—if they could take all of this, they could live in luxury for the rest of their lives.
But that thought was quickly dismissed. They understood the limitations of their current strength. Even if they wanted to claim the gold, they were not in a position to do so.
Nearby, Gan Fall (the former "God" of Skypiea) noticed their reactions and chuckled slightly.
> "When anyone sees Shandora for the first time, they are always left speechless," he said with a knowing smile.
"As friends of Angel Island, you're welcome to take some gold with you."
"What!?"
The crew was dumbfounded. They turned to look at Gan Fall with disbelief.
"You're serious? You're not joking, right?" one of them asked.
"I didn't study much, so don't lie to me!" another exclaimed in shock.
Even Regina, who was usually aloof, slightly widened her eyes.
"Are you certain?" she asked, skepticism clear in her tone.
Gan Fall simply nodded with a smile. He saw this as a small price to pay for gaining the friendship of such a powerful and seemingly reliable pirate crew. If the Caesar Pirates had come with malicious intent, there was little he could do to stop them from taking the gold by force. Instead, he chose to offer it freely, a strategic move that displayed his wisdom as the former ruler of Skypiea.
Despite the tempting offer, the crew hesitated. Their eyes darted to Caesar, their captain, who remained motionless, deep in thought. Finally, he smiled and spoke:
"We appreciate your generosity, but the Caesar Pirates believe in self-reliance. The gold belongs here, making Shandora shine as it always has."
Gan Fall looked at him with admiration, giving a small nod of respect.
As their ship continued forward, the grand ruins of Shandora gradually faded into the distance.
---
[118] Arrival at the Temple
Not long after, they arrived at the Upper Yard temple.
While it was referred to as a "temple," in Caesar's eyes, it was nothing more than a collection of old stone buildings. It lacked the grandeur of the palaces once ruled by emperors.
Gan Fall led them on a brief tour before hosting a meal, sharing stories over food and drink.
At some point during the conversation, Caesar inquired about Birka, an island in the White Sea.
Gan Fall raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to know about Birka."
Even the Caesar Pirates seemed puzzled.
"Birka? What's that place?" someone asked.
Gan Fall explained, "Birka is located south of Angel Island. It takes over a day to reach by boat."
Caesar nodded. "I see." He didn't ask further, leaving the crew to speculate about his interest in the island.
As the night progressed, the conversation drifted between stories of the Blue Sea and the unique culture of Skypiea. The Vassals and warriors outside the temple, standing guard, couldn't help but eavesdrop on the fascinating tales.
---
The Reaction in Yunyun Village
Meanwhile, far from the temple, a group of Shandian warriors who had fled earlier reached Yunyun Village, breathless and in a panic. They rushed to their chief, recounting the impossible sight they had witnessed—Gnali's sword strike had split both the White-White Sea and the White Sea itself.
The warriors listening to the story were in disbelief.
"Are you serious? A single sword slash cutting through the sea itself? That's impossible!"
"Maybe you were hallucinating. There's no way a human could do such a thing!"
"Even if you say you saw it, I can't even begin to imagine what that would look like."
Despite their comrades' insistence, most of the warriors remained skeptical.
At that moment, their chief stepped forward, his expression solemn.
"No, they're telling the truth."
His words stunned the gathered warriors.
"Chief, how can you be so sure?" one of them asked.
The chief replied, "Because the man they described is from the Blue Sea. A true warrior, like our great ancestor, Kalgara. That kind of strength exists in the world below."
His conviction sent a chill through the warriors.
"From now until those outsiders leave, no one is to engage with them," the chief ordered. "If you value your lives, stay put."
His words left no room for argument. Though the Shandians still struggled to believe what had happened, they chose to obey their leader's warning.
---
A Night Under the Stars
Back at the temple, night had fallen, revealing a breathtaking starry sky.
"The sky here is incredible," Wei Na marveled, staring up at the endless sea of stars.
Regina, usually composed, allowed a rare smile to touch her lips. "Indeed."
Beside them, Lily lay on her back, gazing at the heavens in silence.
The three women, each with a unique presence, rested side by side, their figures illuminated by the soft glow of Skypiea's celestial lights.
Caesar, sitting a short distance away, took a glance in their direction before shifting his focus back to the surrounding scenery.
Before long, the peaceful atmosphere turned lively as the crew decided to hold a banquet. The hardships of their past battles were temporarily forgotten as they celebrated the moment.
During the feast, Gan Fall and his men brought over large platters, setting them before the pirates.
"This is one of Skypiea's special delicacies—Sky Shell Meat. Please, try it."
The crew eagerly gathered around.
"Wow, this meat is so tender!" Lily exclaimed, taking a bite and freezing in surprise.
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