The sea shimmered, sunlight spilling across the waves and glinting like gold.

A gentle breeze carried the salty scent of the ocean, putting everyone in a wonderfully relaxed mood.

Leaving a white wake on the water, the fishing boat reached the designated area. Alvin dropped anchor, baited a hook, and cast his line into the sea.

Meanwhile, Feng Mountain and Eugene continued to discuss the purchase of the boat.

Buying a boat wasn’t like buying a snowmobile—you couldn’t just pay and take it.

There were many steps to handle, such as the payment method, vessel inspection, and official registration, all of which required a lawyer’s involvement.

Feng Mountain needed to contact Frank, and Eugene needed to report to his company.

They each took out their phones and walked to separate corners of the deck.

Frank should have still been in the Crown Territory. The cabin at River Beach Camp had a satellite phone extension, so Feng Mountain called. Jenny answered, and he learned that Frank had left the Crown Territory with Tom, saying they had a case to handle in Fairbanks.

Feng Mountain then called Frank’s cell phone.

After a few rings, the call connected. Before Feng Mountain could speak, Frank’s voice cut in.

"If you dare call me ’Little Granny,’ I’m hanging up immediately."

"Hey, man, how can you say that? In my country, calling an elder by their first name is a sign of great disrespect," Feng Mountain said, grinning slyly.

"Bullshit, I’ve had enough of that name." On the other end of the line, Frank glanced at the sexy woman sitting beside him, who shot him a suggestive look. "Spit it out, I have an important meeting."

"Alright, I’m buying a boat and need my lawyer."

"So you’ve finally learned how to enjoy life! Want to throw a celebratory yacht party? I know a lot of girls with killer bodies."

"It’s not a yacht. It’s a fishing boat. A crabbing boat. A big one, over 50 meters long!"

"What?!" Frank, who had been taking the call nonchalantly, suddenly shouted, startling the woman beside him.

Without a thought for the woman’s feelings, Frank yelled into the phone.

"Man, this isn’t a funny joke. Why would you buy a crabbing boat? You have zero crabbing experience! Did someone scam you? Dammit, a boat that big must cost a fortune!"

Feng Mountain had expected this reaction from Frank.

He replied calmly.

"I’ve already done my research. This business is a sure thing. I guarantee I can pay off the loan from Wells Fargo Bank within two years."

"Oh, and the crabbing boat costs 23 million US dollars."

"WHAT THE FUCK!!" Frank’s voice shot to its peak, even cracking. It scared the woman so badly that she stood up to leave.

However, when she heard Frank shout "23 million US dollars" for a crabbing boat, she sat back down beside him, a sweet smile on her face.

"Man, you’re not actually spending 23 million US dollars on a fishing boat, are you? Tell me this is an early Christmas joke."

"It’s no joke. I’m really buying a crabbing boat. The salesperson from the Mercedes-Benz Group Company is right here with me. We’ve already agreed on the terms."

"Alright, you’re on Saint Paul Island, right? I’m getting on a plane now. Wait for me. Do not sign anything. You absolutely must wait until I get there."

After hanging up, Frank gave the stunner beside him a regretful look. "Honey, I have some big business to take care of in person. I have to cancel our date tonight."

"It’s okay. I’ll wait for you." The woman leaned in and kissed his cheek.

Frank was incredibly reluctant to let a catch like this get away after all the effort he’d put in. "Honey," he asked, "how would you like a trip to the seaside?"

...

Back on deck, both men had finished their calls.

By this time, Alvin had caught an eleven-pound halibut. After bleeding and gutting it, he cut it into long strips and started pan-frying it on a portable gas stove.

"Mr. Feng, headquarters has approved your request for an installment plan. However, they require a down payment of 50 percent. The remainder can be paid off over two years."

A 50 percent down payment.

That was 11.5 million US dollars.

Feng Mountain fell into thought. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

’I took out a 20 million loan from Wells Fargo Bank. After giving some to Hu Zi and the others, and spending on the plane, snowmobiles, the cabin, and other living expenses, I have about 15 million left.’

’If I make this down payment, I won’t have much left.’

"Mr. Feng, is there a problem?" Eugene’s heart sank when Feng Mountain remained silent. "I can ask headquarters for a better offer."

After all, commercial fishing had been in a slump for the past few years. Although the global value of commercial catches was increasing annually, that growth was driven by large-scale fishing corporations. For small-time fishing operators, rising daily costs were a significant burden.

"No problem," Feng Mountain said with a wave of his hand. "But I have to wait for my personal lawyer to be present before I can sign the contract. Also, if it’s possible, could you have the boat brought to Saint Paul Island? I have some matters here and can’t leave the island."

Eugene agreed to this request without hesitation.

’He’s about to be the owner, after all. What’s the harm in him seeing his boat ahead of time?’

"Of course. I’ll arrange it right away. Anchorage is 1,242 kilometers from Saint Paul Island, so it might take the crabbing boat three days to get here."

"I have time," Feng Mountain replied, indicating he didn’t mind the wait.

Smiling, Alvin carried two plates of fragrant, pan-fried halibut over to them.

The skin was golden and crispy, the flesh tender and juicy. The sight alone was enough to make one’s mouth water.

In his other hand, he held a prized bottle of vodka, its clear glass glinting charmingly in the sunlight.

"Gentlemen, have a taste of halibut fresh from the sea."

...

「Back at the fishing pier.」

Eugene immediately headed back to Anchorage to handle the arrangements, while Feng Mountain returned to the Merchant Fishing Pier.

Crabbing boats returned to port one after another. Fishermen busily unloaded crate after crate of Gray-eyed Snow Crabs from their holds, which were then weighed and sent to the processing plant.

As the plant began to flash-freeze the snow crabs, streams of Soul Power flowed from the building into his Witchcraft Bone Ring.

This continued until after 6 PM. When no more crabbing boats returned, Feng Mountain gazed out at the Bering Sea, bathed in the light of the setting sun.

’The divination’s pointer for the culprit was still moving out at sea.’

’Looks like he has no intention of returning to port yet.’

Feng Mountain and his two companions returned to the inn and ate the dinner Lady Margaret had carefully prepared for them.

「In the guest room.」

With nothing else to do, Nash and Wawa took out their guns for maintenance. Feng Mountain went to the Totem Wooden Statue. He sent half of the Soul Power he had collected that day back to the Crown Territory and left the other half for the statue to sustain itself.

Then, Feng Mountain connected with the tribe’s Fire Seed.

Instantly, the entire area enveloped by the Fire Seed appeared clearly in his mind. Not even the walls of the wooden cabins could block Feng Mountain’s perception.

Having been away for a few days, he saw that a surprising change had quietly taken place near the River Beach Camp.

Moss had begun to grow in the area surrounding the camp. Patches of vibrant emerald green now dotted the once barren, snow-covered land.

’Clearly, with a sufficient supply of Soul Power, the Fire Seed’s expansion is unstoppable.’

He zoomed his perspective in.

In the work shed, Zhang Kai and three others were curiously watching Yves build something.

Xiaohua, Huzi, and Black Hide were by the Ice River, feeding the fish. Their faces were lit with happy smiles as they watched the fish swim about joyfully in the water.

Jenny was busy in the kitchen, skillfully chopping vegetables and cooking a sumptuous dinner for everyone.

Maria and Tammy were in the vegetable patch, pulling weeds.

The two girls were bent over, carefully plucking out the unruly moss, afraid of damaging the delicate vegetables.

’Hmm, where did Erica go?’

Feng Mountain searched for Erica. His vision passed through the second floor of the cabin, where he seemed to spot someone in a guest room. He magnified his view again.

Two glistening, fair-skinned figures appeared in the bathroom.

’Oh!’

’Not bad figures.’

’Compared to women back home, foreign women really have an advantage.’

Feng Mountain took a quick look, then immediately broke his connection with the tribe’s Fire Seed.

...