Chapter 279: Chapter 272: The Transaction with the King-level Wandering Ship [Black Gold]

"Since this is a referral from Da Yu..."

"We can talk, but the meeting can’t be anywhere near Gold."

Refusing to communicate near Gold wasn’t Shi Ming trying to be overbearing or give them a show of force. It was because he knew very well that Gold was within the Spiritual Probe range of the Nameless Cocoon, and that he himself was a key target of its attention.

Conducting the transaction near Gold carried the risk of an information leak.

Only after gaining the Spiritual Probe ability did Shi Ming realize how broken it was. Anywhere his Spiritual Power could reach, nothing could escape his notice. Although it was unlikely the Nameless Cocoon spied on everything, it was better to keep a plan targeting it far away from its territory, just in case.

"We were thinking the same thing. How about we set the location at the edge of the Sea of Yellow Sand, at the old site of Cairo? That was once Ptolemy’s territory, where the Pyramids from several thousand years ago still stand. But they’ve since abandoned that ancient homeland. There are very few ships in that entire sea region, so we won’t be detected by a third party."

"Agreed."

It didn’t matter where they set the location.

If Ptolemy of the Pharaoh didn’t watch himself, Shi Ming wouldn’t mind teaching him another painful lesson, turning the fragments of his General-level wandering ship into best-selling souvenirs across the Endless Ocean once again.

...

Not long after Shi Ming arrived at the coordinates for the old site of Cairo, he saw what appeared to be a Bronze-level wandering ship emerge in the distance. A dark-skinned woman with glasses, wearing high heels, walked out from the wandering ship. Then, the two vessels slowly approached each other.

She looked to be a genuine African, yet she spoke the Dragon Country’s language fluently. Flanked by three dark-skinned subordinates, she smiled and greeted Shi Ming.

"Captain Shi."

Iruka, who had once fought alongside Shi Ming against the Deep Sea Titan, stood by her side.

"A young hero, indeed."

"I am Xivier, Commander of Gold. There’s an old saying in the Dragon Country that meeting someone in person is far better than just hearing about them. I’ve heard Iruka speak of you several times, and I’ve seen news about you many times in the papers of the major King-level Wandering Ships. But only now, seeing Captain Shi with my own eyes, do I understand what that phrase truly means."

Xivier’s compliment was sincere.

"You flatter me, Commander."

’Xivier?’

’A slew of titles immediately surfaced in Shi Ming’s mind. The Second Commander of the King-level Wandering Ship, Gold! The Speaker of the African Union! She was also a powerful S-class Awakened. And unlike the other dignitaries on King-level Wandering Ships, she had reached this high position at the young age of thirty!’

Different King-level Wandering Ships had different titles for their high-ranking positions.

Twelve Stars had the "Secretary-General."

Lighthouse had the "Governor."

Da Yu had the "Chairman."

Gold had the "Commander."

At the same time, none of the King-level Wandering Ships had the position of "Captain." They only had an "Initiator."

Shi Ming was no longer a minor captain just starting out in the Endless Ocean; he had some knowledge of the major figures among the great maritime powers. The legendary experiences of the woman before him were in no way inferior to those of "Trellin," the Governor of Lighthouse.

’To think that in less than half a year, I’ve already had close contact with figures from three different King-level Wandering Ships.’

"Captain Shi, would I have the honor of inviting you inside for a cup of coffee?"

"The honor is all mine."

Before stepping onto the bronze ship, Shi Ming’s Spiritual Power surged.

He activated his Spiritual Probe. Everything within the forty-meter-long, Bronze-level wandering ship came into his view: a small, spotlessly clean reception room where busy attendants were still bustling about, making arrangements as if preparing to welcome a guest at any moment.

He had to admit, the Spiritual Probe skill that came after his Spiritual Power broke through its threshold was truly practical.

It even felt like a higher-dimensional attack.

...

Inside the reception room, Shi Ming and Xivier sat facing each other.

In the vast space, only the two of them remained.

"Captain Shi, this is a specialty from Gold, Rwandan Blue Bourbon Coffee. Dragon Country People, being accustomed to tea, might find its flavor hard to get used to. But if you savor it, you’ll be able to sense the mild, mellow nutty and caramel notes. The sourness and bitterness blend perfectly, much like the Sea of Silence itself—a harsh environment, yet full of a unique charm."

"Tea and coffee each have their own charm. I like them both." ’But actually, I prefer Dragon Country milk tea,’ Shi Ming complained internally.

"Captain Shi certainly has refined taste."

Xivier suddenly recalled a photograph that had been circulating around the Sea of Silence some time ago. The subject of the photo was none other than the young man before her. The scene wasn’t of him fighting a sea beast, but rather of him on the deck pool of the Golden Bodhi, having a... frank encounter with Captain Mel.

It seemed this young captain really knew how to appreciate the unique "flavors" of the Sea of Silence.

’Perhaps that was another form of combat as well.’

The corners of her mouth lifted into a knowing, aunt-like smile.

Shi Ming noticed Xivier’s strange expression.

"Commander, let’s get down to business."

"Alright, then I’ll be direct."

Xivier smiled and adjusted the glasses on her nose. "Just as Iruka told you, Gold has been unable to move for thirty years because it is suppressing a super sea beast underneath it. This is a secret known to several of the major King-level Wandering Ships. The treasure used to suppress the sea beast has worn down over the years. Not long ago, we learned that Da Yu had acquired a batch of Purifying Marrow and purchased some from them. It was very effective at repairing the wear and tear, and that sea beast has been much more docile lately. However..."

Shi Ming took a sip of his coffee.

"Not enough Purifying Marrow?"

He didn’t beat around the bush, getting straight to the point.

"Correct. That’s why, with Da Yu as the intermediary, we contacted you, Captain Shi. I hope you don’t find this too sudden. The 3,000 Pure Dome Crystals we mentioned beforehand is just our opening offer. If you have other conditions, Captain Shi, you can propose them. A King-level Wandering Ship is never stingy with its funds, though of course, it must be within reason."

The value and versatility of the Purifying Marrow far exceeded Shi Ming’s imagination.

It was in high demand.

Even without the Infinite Brain, ordinary people could use it to repair certain worn or tainted treasures.

In comparison, its side effect of potentially allowing someone to awaken the Purity Domain was practically not worth mentioning. No one would consume such a strategically significant treasure for such a slim chance.

Unfortunately, the yield from the Bodhi Tree of Suffering was too low. Of all the Purifying Marrow accumulated over so many years, aside from what was devoured by the Moonlight Ripple Beast, only 4,000 milliliters remained. Shi Ming’s share was only 2,000 milliliters, and he had already used up about half of it.

"How much do you want? 500 grams?"

grams was an amount Shi Ming could still produce.

Trading five hundred grams of Purifying Marrow for 3,000 Contribution Points and an opportunity to suppress the Nameless Cocoon was a deal he couldn’t lose on. But Gold was undoubtedly loaded. If he could get a higher price from them, Shi Ming wouldn’t refuse.

"As for the quantity, the more, the better," Xivier replied.

"To be honest, I don’t have any more than that. As you know, far too many wandering ships have been trying to buy Purifying Marrow from me recently. My crew members receive friend requests from different captains every single day. Even someone from Lighthouse who calls himself ’the Doctor’ wants to buy from me. And the price he offered was much, much higher."

"The Doctor? What price did Lighthouse offer?"

"We walk different paths; there’s no basis for cooperation. No matter how high a price Lighthouse offered, I would never sell to them. Gold has guarded the Sea of Silence for thirty years, and I am deeply impressed by your efforts. I can hand over 500 milliliters of Purifying Marrow to you today, Commander. As for the price... I’ll let you decide."

"You’ll let me decide?"

Xivier froze for a moment.

’What kind of logic is that?’

’Whatever price I name, that’s what it will be? Does this young man even know how to do business?’

"Compared to Pure Dome Crystals, I’d rather have Da Yu’s Contribution Points. Since I’m from the Dragon Country, Contribution Points are more useful to me. It would be even better if you, Commander, have a way to convert Pure Dome Crystals into Contribution Points."

"Yes, of course. Gold does have such channels. In that case, for the price... how about we increase it by 33% and set it at four thousand Contribution Points?"

"Deal."

Shi Ming took a drink of the Rwandan Blue Bourbon Coffee and set the cup down.

This coffee, despite being extracted from top-tier beans cultivated in Gold’s labs, was bitter with a sour aftertaste. It was awful.

But 4,000 Contribution Points? That was sweet.