The whistling sea wind whipped at Shi Ming’s clothes.

After their interactions, Shi Ming was certain that Reinhardt had already started to lay his plans. Using a commission as a pretext, he was now tailing Shi Ming’s drifter ship. It was cooperation in name, but control in reality.

Moreover, Shi Ming had no doubt that if he showed even the slightest intention of escaping, the *Chimney Smoke* would unleash its full firepower, forcibly suppressing him and baring its fangs.

Escape?

What a joke.

He was very satisfied with the current situation.

’No conflict. Everyone’s getting along, making money together. What could be better?’

’Right, how should I spend these 2,000 Pure Dome Crystals?’

’I’ll definitely need to set aside 1,000 to finish repairing and upgrading that "Unformed Phaseless Pure Ice." It’s a wondrous item ranked 48th, and I have no idea what’s so special about it. But if I can properly tap into its potential, it’s sure to be another major asset.’

’As for the other 1,000... I’ll just save them for now. The Brain of Creation will require more and more Pure Dome Crystals for its materials in the future.’

’Besides, even if the plan goes smoothly, there’s no guarantee I’ll get all 2,000 Pure Dome Crystals. I need to lower my expectations for the payout.’

’With such a huge bounty, the Golden Tower might not pay it all at once. It’ll most likely be split into two payments: an advance and a final balance.’

’Whatever. I’ll just take as much as I can get!’

’An opportunity like this only comes once. It would be a waste of a gift from the heavens to miss out on this kind of big score.’

...

「One hour later, in the Great Western Sea Region.」

Robert, captain of the *Jinshan*, was also the number-two figure in the intelligence organization known as the Golden Tower.

He managed all of the organization’s affairs, answering only to Lighthouse. He took his orders directly from Lighthouse’s commander. In addition to acting as a broker, he also supplied Lighthouse with intelligence and wealth. And even though Robert was second-in-command, the commander never interfered with his management of the organization, giving him a great deal of autonomy.

He’d been in a good mood lately. The commander was furious about Miss Yan’s death in the line of duty, which had taken a lot of the pressure off him.

He couldn’t have cared less whether Miss Yan lived or died, but her death shifted the organization’s internal conflicts, which naturally made him very happy.

BEEP.

His communicator rang.

He picked up the communicator and glanced at it. An irrepressible smile spread across his face.

Reinhardt from the *Chimney Smoke* had actually caught that fugitive Silver ship! The drifter, serial number 23333!

’What wonderful news!’

The three Grand General-class drifter ships under Lighthouse were all under pressure, facing censure from headquarters. If he could just catch the culprit behind the navigator’s death and complete this massive bounty, his own share of the blame would be significantly reduced!

His fingers flew across the communicator as he replied:

"My dear Reinhardt, you truly are my Lucky Star."

"I will prepare sufficient Pure Dome Crystals and dispatch my crew, the Thunder God, to the designated coordinates to rendezvous with you. They will help the Black Society recover drifter ship number 23333. Once this is all over, I’ll be sure to invite you to the Golden Tower to enjoy the company of the most unique girls from around the world. They’re already waiting."

"Your friend, Robert."

Robert’s eyebrows shot up in delight.

He also knew that a secret treasure belonging to the Black Society had found its way onto that drifter, number 23333.

’On this mission to retrieve the vessel, the drifter ship will be handed over to the Black Society as promised. But the secret treasure... hehe... What secret treasure? I’ve never seen any secret treasure.’

"Thunder God, prepare immediately. Head to the European Sea Region and execute the mission."

"The target is suspected to be a senior A-rank Awakened, Wadon. The three of you will be in charge of this mission."

...

...

...

Without using the Map of the Endless Sea and relying solely on rotten fish for bait, finding a C-class sea beast in the vastness of the ocean was an incredibly difficult task.

But no one cared.

The *Dayun* and the *Chimney Smoke* roamed the Endless Ocean, one following the other. The crew of the *Dayun* were busily tossing rotten fish into the sea, while Shi Ming lounged in the captain’s room, contemplating his next move.

’The Golden Tower isn’t very efficient, are they?’

’It’s been thirteen hours. Where are my Pure Dome Crystals?’

He was getting a little impatient.

But he had to keep up appearances. He couldn’t let Reinhardt see him slacking off. On the contrary, he had to make Reinhardt believe he was genuinely searching for a sea beast, cherishing this hard-won, lucrative commission.

’Whatever. There’s a C-class sea beast 34 nautical miles ahead anyway.’

’Might as well put on a show.’

Aboard the trailing *Chimney Smoke*, Reinhardt hummed a little tune, reclining contentedly in a lounge chair.

"Captain, are we really going to keep following them to hunt a C-class sea beast?"

His assistant asked, confused.

Reinhardt glanced at his assistant.

"What’s the alternative? Suppress them by force? Recover this drifter on the Golden Tower’s behalf?"

"If the Golden Tower later claims that some treasure went missing, someone important died, or some crucial equipment was damaged, what are you going to tell them?"

"This is a 2,000 Pure Dome Crystal job. We have to execute it perfectly and leave our Employer completely satisfied."

"All we have to do is hand this ship over to the Golden Tower’s people. That’s it, commission complete. After that, whether they kill or plunder has nothing to do with us. Any treasures or people on board, whether they’re lost or dead, none of that will be our responsibility."

Reinhardt had a sharp, meticulous mind. He’d pieced together many of the details from past intelligence reports.

He’d also figured out that there was a treasure on board.

How else could it be worth such a massive bounty?

Completing a 2,000 Pure Dome Crystal commission was a matter of heaven-sent luck.

He had no desire to snatch the treasure; he just wanted his commission. A treasure like that was a hot potato. What was that old Eastern proverb? ’A commoner is guiltless, but his jade ring makes him a criminal.’ If that treasure really ended up in his hands, he’d likely become the Lighthouse’s next target.

That was precisely why he’d reached a "cooperation agreement" with that lucky young captain.

He was using the agreement as a cover to avoid getting entangled with the secret treasure. That way, he could maintain plausible deniability. If something went wrong, the Golden Tower wouldn’t be able to pin it on him.

BEEP,

His communicator rang.

Reinhardt’s eyes lit up.

"Captain Reinhardt, this is Captain Luo Wen of the *Thunder God*. I’m here to execute the recovery mission and have reached the designated coordinates in the European Sea Region. Please provide the precise coordinates for the operation. As per our agreement, we will pay you 500 Pure Dome Crystals upon target confirmation, and another 1,000 once the ship is successfully recovered. The final 500 will be paid in full after the Black Society confirms receipt."

’They’re here.’

"My dear Captain Luo Wen, the coordinates are... The target vessel is directly ahead of us. I was wondering, does Captain Luo Wen require the *Chimney Smoke*’s assistance with the recovery?"

"No need. Captain Reinhardt, we appreciate the kind offer. The *Thunder God* will handle the recovery of the Silver ship."

The closer the two communicators were, the faster the data transmitted.

Reinhardt knew the *Thunder God* was close.

He could almost hear the clinking of Pure Dome Crystals.

’Such a beautiful sound!’

Meanwhile, Shi Ming’s Sea Patrol Radar also informed him that a drifter ship was approaching at high speed.

"Captain, should we attempt to repel or attack?"

"Pay it no mind."

Shi Ming patiently scattered rotten fish on the deck, waiting for a sea beast to take the bait.

Suddenly, he sensed a killing intent in the wind.

A powerful and swift presence burst up from beneath the waves. A heavily armored, submarine-like vessel suddenly surfaced between the *Chimney Smoke* and the *Dayun*.

"All crew, return to your cabins."

He flexed his fists.

’Professional assassins,’ Shi Ming thought, impressed by the speed of their assault. Amidst a cold, murderous air, three Awakened had already boarded the *Dayun*’s deck from the armored ship. The one in the center relayed an order from the Golden Tower’s high command in an icy voice:

"Kill everyone on this ship. Leave no survivors."

Shi Ming smiled.

’Kill them all?’

’Three A-rank Awakened.’

’The Golden Tower really spared no expense.’

’Then I’ll show you who the real prey is!’

He blinked.

The golden, esoteric sigils of a Titan reappeared in his eyes. The Titan Bloodline in his body began to stir, and the phantom of an ancient clock materialized behind him.

Twelve divine symbols formed a mercury-silver ring, and the hand of fate ticked rapidly across the clock’s face.

Activating S-rank skill!

Descent of the Titan!

The clock hand spun with a series of clicks, ticking nine times in three seconds before stopping on the ninth symbol.

As the Titan Power within him surged, his pure black hair turned the color of lightning, each strand standing on end as if electrified.

It crackled with boundless lightning.

The clothing on his upper body exploded into shreds. Sizzling patterns of lightning writhed across his skin. Within his deep eyes, great silver bolts seemed to flash, and he appeared like a veritable god of sky and thunder.

In his human form, he radiated an aura as oppressive as an S-class sea beast’s!

The power of the ninth Titan,

Ten Thousand Tribulations Thunder Body!

"Not the best luck. Third prize again," Shi Ming sighed with a smile.