The Chuiyan sailed into the somewhat congested stretch of sea.

In truth, the distance between each anchored ship here was quite large. It only felt congested because Reinhardt was used to plowing through open waters. To him, the dozen or so drifting ships here were an utter eyesore.

As the famous captain of a Golden Ship and a renowned figure among the Twelve Stars, he rarely visited areas like this.

He dealt only in big business.

Silver and Bronze ships rarely had any major deals to offer, and the profits were paltry. Even if there were trades involving intelligence or special goods, he would just send a subordinate to handle it, never coming himself.

"The very air in this sea region is tainted with the stench of weakness."

Reinhardt was lounging on a deck chair aboard the Chuiyan.

His gaze swept over the ships one by one.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up, like a cat that had caught the scent of fish.

He spotted a rather good-looking girl on a Silver ship. She had a high-bridged nose, large eyes, and defined features. Her skin was like fresh snow occasionally drifting over the Endless Ice Sea—cold and distant, with the unique allure of a Big Ivan beauty that made his heart flutter.

"Tsk, tsk. Even a Phoenix can rise from a pile of ashes."

He lifted his chin slightly.

His assistant understood his meaning at once, immediately waving over a crewman to arrange the follow-up.

The amorous Reinhardt never resorted to force.

Forcing someone would only prove his own lack of charm.

Every beautiful girl he’d ever been with had been a willing partner.

...

Shi Ming had already returned to the Dayun the moment he saw the Chuiyan approaching in the distance.

According to his intelligence, the Chuiyan was a partner of the intelligence organization, Golden Pagoda. They would definitely know about the massive bounty of 2,000 Pure Dome Crystals.

’If you want to catch a fish, you have to bait the hook yourself.’

By the time he got back to the Dayun, the D-rank sea beast had already been sold. Sea beasts were hot commodities here, so there was no fear of them sitting on the market. Yellow Cannon was still standing on deck with a megaphone, shouting. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Sir! Care to take a look at our C-rank sea beast, a Large Blue Stingray? It can help you awaken a new C-rank skill, and for just 100 High-Level Sea Crystal Stones!"

"Can you go any lower?"

"Sorry, small business, no haggling."

For most Silver ships, a price of 100 High-Level Sea Crystal Stones was over budget. Although the captains coveted it, they simply couldn’t produce that many Crystal Stones. As a result, the sale of the C-rank sea beast had stalled. However, Shi Ming wasn’t particularly pressed about the transaction; his mind was elsewhere.

The Chuiyan moved through the area in fits and starts, but it was finally drawing near.

Shi Ming’s excellent eyesight allowed him to see what was happening on the Chuiyan’s deck—a woman with a high-bridged nose was clinging to Reinhardt, rubbing against him like a kitten. But the captain’s attention wasn’t on the woman at all. Instead, he was staring fixedly at Shi Ming from a distance.

The feeling...

...was less like sizing up a person and more like appraising a piece of merchandise.

"Captain! That ship is heading right for us, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Should we get out of the way?"

"No need."

Shi Ming watched the Chuiyan’s course.

’Trying to ram the Dayun, are they?’

’Go on, let them try!’

The Chuiyan was only 30 meters from the Dayun, a very dangerous distance.

Reinhardt stood by the railing, a thoughtful smile in his eyes as he watched the drifting ship that showed no intention of moving. He waved a hand, and the exquisitely crafted vessel came to an abrupt halt.

"Interesting. A Silver ship with this much nerve? You’ve got a lot of confidence, don’t you?"

"Captain, should we teach them a lesson?"

"No! We’re here to talk business!"

Just by looking from a distance, he got a good sense of the Dayun’s appearance and overall layout.

Its exterior was vastly different, but the hull’s frame was very similar to the bounty target... no, not just similar, it was identical. The ship’s outfitting looked extraordinary, not like a typical Silver ship’s configuration at all. Not to mention that aggressive-looking bow and the gleaming close-in weapon system, which looked priceless at a glance!

But that was all it was.

No matter how luxuriously a Silver ship was decorated, it was still just a Silver ship.

’Just like with human bloodlines, the distinction between noble and base is innate,’ Reinhardt thought.

He began to observe Shi Ming, who was standing at the bow.

Shi Ming was in disguise, his appearance completely different from the description on the "European Sea Region’s Must-Devour List" circulating in certain circles among the Twelve Stars. Even with Reinhardt’s exceptional memory, it was hard for him to place Shi Ming at all.

’Judging by his physique, he must be at least a B-rank Awakened. He’s young, and his strength is not bad. He must have had some fortuitous encounters.’

’I hope this is the right target.’

’Kid, if you can bring me a profit of 2,000 Pure Dome Crystals, I’ll even erect a monument for you!’

As a veteran A-rank Awakened, Reinhardt pushed off lightly with his feet. Like a peacock displaying its feathers, he leaped gracefully and landed steadily on the deck of Shi Ming’s Dayun.

His assistant followed him.

The strong always have the capital for confidence.

Shi Ming looked at the uninvited guest.

"Sir, are you also interested in our C-rank sea beast, the Large Blue Stingray? Its blood is brimming with energy, and it’s only 100 High-Level Sea Crystal Stones!"

He began to introduce his merchandise.

Reinhardt glanced over the sea beast.

The body was stiff and cold, with no wounds on its skin, but its insides were full of blood. This sea beast had been frozen to death.

He had no interest whatsoever in a C-rank sea beast.

But his assistant spoke up.

"Our captain is very satisfied. It’s a deal. Sir, do you have any other prey on your ship?"

"Other prey?"

Shi Ming smiled.

"You two are a bit late. The other D-rank sea beasts have all been sold. But if you have a specific need, sir, I can accept a commission. If I happen to catch the right sea beast, I’ll be sure to contact you immediately."

He kept a close watch on the two men who had boarded his ship.

He noticed that Reinhardt had secretly activated his skill, Heart of Weaving. An invisible net of air was covertly beginning to probe every corner of the ship.

"I’m very interested in your ship,"

"I wonder, young man, would you be interested in selling it?"

Reinhardt said.

Shi Ming remained calm inside, but on the surface, he deliberately showed a subtle flicker of alarm. His goal was to give Reinhardt a thread of suspicion to follow.

"Sir, you must be joking. This is my home, the foundation of my livelihood. How could I just sell it?"

"Heh heh."

Reinhardt was very satisfied with Shi Ming’s micro-expression.

"Just a joke. No need to be alarmed, young man."

The invisible net from the Heart of Weaving passed through the deck, entered the Dayun’s cabins, and began to investigate the area below.

However, Reinhardt felt an intangible resistance, as if a spider’s web had run into an impenetrable layer of ice. It was completely blocked, unable to probe a single inch further.

But it didn’t matter.

For someone skilled at gathering intelligence, he had already spotted a crucial piece of information: a ship emblem from the Black Society, which Shi Ming had deliberately moved from the cabin to a conspicuous location. It was the biggest bait of all.

Reinhardt’s eyes lit up!

Like a shark that had tasted blood!

As a veteran, an old fox, his heart began to pound uncontrollably! It was like when he was young, seeing a girl he loved, unable to contain himself.

2,000 Pure Dome Crystals!

The more he looked, the more he found the kid before him to be quite endearing! This was a fortune, more wealth than he had accumulated in the first half of his life.

’No, I can’t. I can’t scare off my prey.’

Reinhardt forced a stiff, yet amiable, smile onto his face.

"Young man, your strength is quite impressive. Our ship set sail this time to hunt some C-rank sea beasts, but as a merchant vessel, we’re severely lacking in experience in that area."

"I was wondering if we could hire you and your ship to help us hunt some C-rank sea beasts? We can be generous with Sea Crystal Stones, and we even have Dome Crystals!"

"Moreover, I can also introduce you to some resources from the Twelve Stars..."

Shi Ming’s clear eyes "lit up."

...

...

...

After negotiating the price, the Chuiyan drew up a "contract," with its own reputation as the foundation.

Reinhardt returned to his private room.

He clutched his heaving chest, his face flushed as he poured himself a glass of Romanee-Conti.

Then, he took out his communicator and began to send a message.

"Honorable Captain Robert, we have taken control of the drifter ship designated Number 23333. The entire ship and all its crew are now in the Chuiyan’s possession. We are delighted to have completed this commission. Please bring the 2,000 Pure Dome Crystals and let us applaud our friendship and cooperation."

"From the Chuiyan, Reinhardt."

He was breathing heavily, his heart racing at an absurd pace.

The beauty he had just met moments ago now seemed like dirt, holding not a shred of attraction for him.

2,000 Pure Dome Crystals...

’Just how am I going to spend all this?’