In the Yinping Sea Region, on Fujing Mountain.

The breathtaking Hai Sheng Ying blossoms, brilliantly white as snow in the morning light, made Yan Dao Lin dream of his youth during the Land Era. Back then, cherry blossoms bloomed in profusion at the foot of Fujing Mountain, but now, that scene was completely reversed.

’It would be hard to see such a beautiful sight again in the future.’

Renhuang had personally ordered the garrison rights for Fujing Mountain to be transferred from the Black Society. Once the handover was complete, the Black Society’s Awakened would find it incredibly difficult to get their hands on that Holy Hall-grade Great Black Heaven Dragon. They would be forced to drift back and forth across the Endless Ocean, just like any other general-class drifting ship.

It was a rational decision.

After all, the Black Society currently had only one A-rank Awakened, while Renhuang had four.

No matter how you looked at it, the Black Society was no longer fit to garrison Fujing Mountain and guard the lair of the Great Black Heaven Dragon, even though they had been the first to discover its secret.

They needed to pay the price for their poor decision-making.

Alas.

Yan Dao Lin let out a sigh.

’This outcome is bad for the Black Society, but it’s a good thing for me.’ A general on garrison duty was nothing more than a decoration. Only in times of turmoil would he, the "Admiral of the Sea," have a chance to shine. He had no doubt that in a few days, the Black Society’s First Governor would ask him to step in once more.

’The game of power. I’m about to take the stage once more.’

"General, the First Governor requests your presence in the conference room for a discussion."

"Alright, I’m on my way."

’Right on cue.’

Yan Dao Lin straightened his uniform, adjusted the hat embroidered with a black sun, and, leaning on his cane, left his office. He went to the top floor of the *Black Society*, where the First Governor’s conference room was located. He knocked, and a guard politely opened the door from the inside.

Yan Dao Lin walked inside.

He saw the First Governor sitting in a guest’s seat in the conference room.

And in the seat of honor sat a graceful, noble-looking woman. She held a folding fan, looking as elegant as a character out of a light novel.

"Princess?"

Yan Dao Lin was stunned.

...

...

...

Princess was not a nickname, but a real princess of the Royal Family.

Before the Wandering Era, Vortex Country had been a constitutional monarchy. Two of the late emperor’s three daughters had died in the cataclysm. The sole survivor, due to irreconcilable differences, had piloted the drifting ship *Princess* away from her homeland to wander distant lands.

To demonstrate her resolve to break away, she had even renamed the *Princess* to the *Spring Tide*.

’So why has she returned now?’

Though confused, Yan Dao Lin was still a loyal soldier. After paying his respects to the woman according to the etiquette of Vortex Country, he took his designated seat.

"General Yan Dao, the princess has returned this time to lead our Black Society in the right direction."

Yan Dao Lin froze.

’Impossible!’

’This princess should hold nothing but endless hatred for the Black Society.’

"She also brought back a true S-rank Awakened."

Upon hearing this, Yan Dao Lin, who had just settled into his seat, jolted in disbelief. Only then did he notice a young man standing behind the princess. The young man was blond, blue-eyed, and handsome, appearing to be in his early twenties.

"General Yan Dao, long time no see."

"Let me introduce everyone."

The nearly fifty-year-old princess of the Royal Family seemed to have completely cast aside the madness and sorrow from her time alone with Nailu Ye. Her smile was as radiant as a blooming flower.

"Tatasta, a true S-rank Awakened."

"At the same time, he is also my husband."

She then touched her slightly swollen belly.

"This is our child."

Yan Dao Lin felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

The Vortex Country Royal Family, in order to preserve the purity of their bloodline, adhered to the principle of an "unbroken dynasty." They had always practiced inbreeding to prevent their sacred bloodline from being contaminated by outsiders.

’Renhuang is still alive, yet the princess has strayed so far from tradition?’

’And... with some twenty-year-old Huang Mao?’

’This is simply... completely against the customs of Vortex Country!’

’A total disgrace!’

"Tatasta is my beloved, and a true genius. At only twenty-two, he awakened the S-rank skill, Spatial Secret Pattern."

"It’s ranked 68th on the list of S-rank skills."

"With his help, I believe the Black Society’s power can reach its peak again within a year."

"And all gifts come with a price tag. My demand is..."

The beautiful woman closed her folding fan and gently caressed her belly.

...

...

...

After acquiring a new general-class drifting ship and resting for a day, Shi Ming was brimming with ambition. He planned to press on at once, following the map to a location in the Sea of Yellow Sand to claim the treasure in the Pyramid!

"Captain, our detection radar has spotted a drifting ship 27 nautical miles ahead."

Shi Ming’s brow furrowed.

’Why do I keep running into drifting ships lately?’

’Is it because the upgraded radar is too powerful?’

"According to the smart assessment, it seems to be an old acquaintance, the *Ganges River*..."

’The *Ganges River*?’

Shi Ming had some recollection of it.

They had encountered each other near the Twelve Stars before, and Shi Ming had even exchanged contact information with Eliza from that ship.

As for Eliza later including him in her "European Sea Region Must-Eat List," Shi Ming was completely clueless.

He had once browsed that unofficial list out of curiosity—Eliza had described Shi Ming as a spirited warrior. "The taste of a man in his early twenties is like a shot of thrilling vodka, or a Dragon Country white liquor with an endless aftertaste. It has a powerful kick."

’That’s completely absurd!’

’Come on, lady, we only met once and barely said a few words. Is this all because I didn’t sell you that Moonfall Stingray?’

’So now you’re spreading lewd rumors about me?’

"Move closer," Shi Ming ordered. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The *Ganges River* was a merchant ship that drifted across the oceans. Although it was just an ordinary Golden Ship under the command of Shiva, its intelligence network was quite comprehensive. Its knowledge of the Endless Ocean, particularly the Sea of Yellow Sand region, far exceeded that of Shi Ming and his crew.

This intelligence might not fetch a high price, but it was nevertheless crucial.

’Perhaps there’s a deal to be made.’

Besides, he had heard the *Ganges River* had run into trouble recently. They had been attacked by an A-rank sea beast while on a commission, and many of their crew and Awakened had died. They only managed a difficult escape by relying on the sturdiness and speed of their Golden Ship, but they were now in a pretty sorry state.

A little over ten minutes later, the two ships faced each other from a distance.

The *Grand Fortune* was quite fast at top speed, but there was no need to push it. Shi Ming wasn’t in a hurry, so the vessel sailed at the normal speed of a Silver ship, appearing for all the world like a real Silver ship. This not only conserved energy but also occasionally led to some nice hauls.

"Is that... Stone?"

The ever-charming Eliza spotted the *Grand Fortune* on the detector from afar, along with the very conspicuous figure of Shi Ming.

"They haven’t spotted us yet. Send a communication signal."

"Captain Singer, there’s always a way out! Great Freedom Heaven and Parvati won’t abandon us!"

"This Stone... he’s quite formidable."