《Leveling Up With My Pet》


 Chapter 1 Prologue

    ?"Unlock the power to change the world by stepping into someone else''s shoes - literally! With the skill I gained from my leveling up pet, I discovered that by inhabiting another''s body, you can transform both their world and yours. It''s an experience that will leave you awestruck and empowered to make a difference."


    The world here is called Huwa, constantly being invaded by different people moving and creating a lively atmosphere. There is also a presence of the sses, such as low, middle, and high, for everyone has different ways of living.


    Liu Yong is a middle-ss man who has embarked on a journey through time, retaining his name. Still, his soul transmigrated to someone''s body in this world, and he identified himself as a recent university graduate who has been out of university for less than a year.


    The individual body he currently upied was dismissed ten days ago due to some errormitted at work, and he had been actively searching for employment for a couple of weeks.


    Liu Yong has only been in this location for a few hours, where he could acquire some memories of his current body or "Predecessor," whereby he has a little understanding of the world around him.


    The current world of Huahai is somewhat simr to that of the world "Earth" from which Liu Yong originated. Numerically, the world is 80% to 90% identical to Earth''s.


    It features most things found on Earth, including familiar characters, though many countries have different names and borders.


    For instance, Huahai City, where Liu Yong is situated, is considered a first-tier metropolitan area in the Yan Kingdom, one of the major nations on this.


    [ "Come on! you will be able to apply Sessfully." ]


    Liu Yong said to himself as it had passed several attempts!


    ......¡­


    Unfortunately, Liu Yong''s interview didn''t go well, leading to feelings of frustration.


    [ " OK! I still got the next chance !!'' ]


    To boost his morale, he silently encouraged himself and remained optimistic about a sessful oue in his uing interview.


    Basically, Liu Yong aspires to secure a more satisfactory job opportunity in the future.


    [ " Time travel is the main focus. Why does everyone else have cheats but not me? " ]


    Liu Yong contemted this problem for a long time after walking for a long time.


    He has no golden fingers; nothing is sessful whether he recites aloud, prays, or practices heart-centered meditation.


    [[[ Golden fingers refer to some skills or talent in this world ]]]


    [ " Perhaps there isn''t a cheat at all! " ] - - - - Liu Yong remarkably eximed.


    Liu Yong had no choice but to ept reality and walked along the street. He abruptly stopped as there was someone who also stopped.


    [ "How about I sell you this snapping turtle, young man?" ]


    Someone questioned him abruptly.


    For the moment, Liu Yong remained in chaos, thinking,


    [ " What the **** " ]


    However, Liu Yong knelt and turned to face the snapping turtle because the man''s clothing was in tatters and appeared somewhat pathetic. The man was indeed older than him.


    To Liu Yong''s surprise,


    The snapping turtle was not gigantic but half the size of a palm.


    After looking at it, Liu Yong said:


    [ "Master, the snapping turtle is an invasive species, so you can''t keep it." ]


    [ " The assertion that raising a snapping turtle is impossible is incorrect. It is easy to grow, but be cautious when feeding it due to its tendency to exhibit aggressive behavior. " ]


    The older man responded instantly.


    Liu Yong looked at the man and then at the tiny little turtle with a confused expression.


    [ " I am uncertain about the duration of his street squatting and whether he has ever sold a snapping turtle." ]


    He thought in his mind.


    Since Liu Yong understands the situation of every low-ss and middle-ss people''s life, unlike the rich ones, he, with human thought, decided to buy a turtle from a man.


    With some keen interest, Liu Yong asked:


    [ " Master, how much is this snapping turtle? ".]


    The man replied : [ "My boy, just pay 30 yuan." ]


    It was neither expensive nor cheap for 30 yuan in Liu Yongs'' life.


    Considering his advanced age, Liu Yong decided not to haggle and purchased the snapping turtle for 30 yuan.


    He then ced it in a sturdy bag.


    Holding the snapping turtle in his hand and evaluating its weight, Liu Yong reflected that it likely weighed less than half a kilogram. He decided to keep it in a bucket when they returned home.


    Liu Yong has not considered releasing the animal directly as he knows it is an exotic species and would harm the local ecosystem.


    After taking a few bus stops, Liu Yong returned to his rental house.


    Liu Yong ced the snapping turtle in a stic bucket and checked his wallet.


    He found that all his possessions were worth less than 200 yuan, and his mobile phone had more than 1000 yuan.


    [ You must find a job. With such a small amount of money, you can stay in a big city like Huahai for at most ten days. In addition, you will have to pay the rent in ten days ]


    [ " I have XX. Others have golden fingers in time travel. Why don''t I have anything? It''s so hard." ]


    Liu Yong said to himself.


    As Liu Yong was thinking indignantly, he was suddenly brought back to reality by movement in the stic bucket.


    The snapping turtle was stirring, and Liu Yong was unsure if it was trying to escape or simply expressing hunger.


    Liu Yong nced around his cramped living space, equipped with a bed, a closet, a table, and a stool, and whispered to himself :


    [ " Is this creature hungry? " ]<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    [ " Snapping turtles are omnivores, sometimes incorporating vegetation into their diet, but generally prefer a meat-based diet. " ]


    Liu Yong thought in his heart to go down and buy meat, fish, and shrimp for it.


    The bucket was sufficiently deep to prevent the snapping turtle from escaping.


    Liu Yong stepped out and noticed a nearby vegetable market. He desired to purchase meat but found it too costly, at around 30 yuan per catty.


    [ " Something is better than nothing! " ]


    With this being said, he bought a dozen small fish.


    As Liu Yong gazed at the small fish in the stic bag, he pondered whether he had purchased too much.


    It could onlyst him a few days. He had only intended to buy half, but the vendor had caught only a dozen, and it was only a few dors, so he got all of them.


    [ " I have heard that snapping turtles also consume carrion. I imagine this fish will have a different vor after a few days, and the turtle shouldn''t object," ]


    Liu Yong thought as he returned home with the small fish.


    Upon arriving home, Liu Yong had intended to cut a portion of the fish into smaller pieces for the turtle''s meal, as he was concerned about its ability to eat whole fish.


    However, he realized he didn''t even own a fruit knife, let alone a kitchen knife, to carry out his n.


    The fish Probably smelled, and the snapping turtle was a little uneasy again, stretching its neck long.


    [ " Don''t worry, I will give you fish immediately. " ]


    Liu Yong soon chuckled to himself. He realized he was talking to some creature who didn''t even speak andprehend hisnguage.


    Liu Yong picked up a small fish and threw it into the bucket. The snapping turtle immediately revealed its voracious nature and swallowed the small fish in one bite.


    [ " OH! WHAT THE ***k " ]


    Soon, Liu Yong was a little dumbfounded.


    [ "Wow, is this a snapping turtle?" "Is there such a fierce one?" ]


    So many questions were raised in his mind.


    The snapping turtle devoured the small fish in just a few bites, leaving Liu Yong surprised at its ferocity.


    Although the fish weighed only about 30 grams, the turtle weighed less than 300 grams.


    After being shocked, he saw the snapping turtle stretching its neck to express that it wanted to eat again.


    Liu Yong chose a slightly bigger fish and threw it into the bucket.


    The situation is still the same as the snapping turtle is like a reincarnation of a starving ghost, spitting and eating the little fish in just a few mouthfuls.


    .


    Liu Yong had never raised a snapping turtle, but he could know this snapping turtle was a little too fierce.


    After feeding the two small fish, the snapping turtle stretched its neck again, indicating it still wanted to eat.


    [ " What, you still want to eat!. Your body is not significant. Do you have such a big appetite? " ]


    Liu Yong surprisingly said to it.


    Looking at the small fish in the stic bag, Liu Yong took another one and threw it into the bucket. The snapping turtle behaved as usual.


    [ " Very vigorous " ]


    Two, three, four, five...¡­..


    The snapping turtle keeps on eating and eating.


    After consuming five small fish sessfully, the snapping turtle indicated it was satisfied and stuffed.


    It no longer stretched out its neck for food, expressing that it was no longer hungry.


    Liu Yong, who had been observing the turtle, was taken aback by its sudden change in behavior.


    He looked at the remaining eight to nine fish that he had intended to feed the turtle with disbelief state.


    Liu Yong couldn''t believe that the turtle had consumed so much food in such a short amount of time.


    He stood there for a while, still in shock, unable to process what had just happened.


    The sudden change in the turtle''s behavior caught him off guard, leaving him to reflect on the unexpected event.


    Sloppy!


    [ " I shouldn''t have bought this snapping turtle. It''s so edible. The economy, which could be better off, will get worse.


    Sloppy, really sloppy! " ]


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but keep on thinking about this matter.


    .........¡­.


    Continue feeding in the afternoon after putting the remaining fish aside momentarily. On average, it will continue to eat throughout the afternoon.


    There used to be some water in the bucket, but now the water is dirty, full of fish blood and some residues. So clean water has to rece it.


    Liu Yong reached in, ready to grab the snapping turtle.


    [ " AHHHHHHHHHHHHH¡­..


    SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!..... SHIT! " ]


    Liu Yong Cried out so loudly that it echoed through the entire room.


    ..........

 Chapter 2 Strength Skill Level 1

    ?"FUCK, that hurts! You just bit me!"


    Liu Yong jolted by the pain and involuntarily released his grip, quickly withdrawing his hand. On the back of it was a tiny yet deep bite wound, with the skin broken and blood trickling out.


    *** A FUCKING BIG MISTAKE !!! ***


    Liu Yong felt deep regret, realizing that keeping this snapping turtle was not a good idea. It consumed a lot of food and tended to bite people, making it unsuitable as a pet.


    He didn''t notice that the little blood stain on the snapping turtle''s mouth disappeared quickly.


    Liu Yong inspected his injury, first wiping it with a paper towel and then covering it with a band-aid. He decided against going to the hospital as the wound was not severe, and more importantly, he wanted to save his remaining funds as hecked the financial resources.


    "What is this? "


    Suddenly, a panel that appeared to be of extraterrestrial technology came before Liu Yong. At first, he thought it was a trick of his eyes, but upon further examination, he could find that as a real one.


    "Could this be my golden finger?"


    Liu Yong studied the panel intently. The most prominent feature was a lifelike, highly detailed image of the snapping turtle. In addition to the pictures, there are also attributes and skills of snapping turtles.


    [[[


    Pet type: MUTANT SNAPPING TURTLE.


    - - - Strength: III - - -


    - - - Constitution: II - - -


    - - - Dexterity: I - - -


    Speed ??per hour in water: 5 kilometers


    Weight: 282 grams


    Skills: Level 1 Tortoise Shell Art (Passive), Level 1 Tortoise Breathing Art


    ]]]


    Liu Yong was initially shocked but soon broke out into excitement.


    He was amazed that this small snapping turtle was so unique and mutated. At the same time overjoyed that blessing with a lucky break from the heavens. He never expected to have a "golden finger!"


    Liu Yong carefully examined the panel and noticed that there were sharing buttons located behind each of the three attributes of "Strength," "Physique," and "Agility." These buttons indicated that the values associated with these attributes could be shared or transferred.


    In addition, he noticed that there were also sharing buttons behind the two skills listed on the panel. These buttons indicated that the skills could be shared or transferred as well. Overall, getting these sharing buttons added excitement for Liu Yong as he realized the possibilities and potential of his newfound abilities.


    The owner can share attributes and skills with snapping turtles.


    It is a bit against the sky!


    Liu Yong spected that the snapping turtle could grow and develop, and as a result, its attributes and skills would also increase. He believed snapping turtles would be even more powerful and impressive.


    The snapping turtle was still small, and its attributes were not particrly strong. Liu Yong decided to hold off on sharing the skills of a turtle for the time being, but he was eager to share its two skills as they were valuable.


    Liu Yong clicked the "share" button behind the two skills,


    "Turtle Breath" and "Turtle Shell."


    Almost instantly, a wealth of information flooded his mind.


    Within a short time, Liu Yong had fully mastered these two skills. The passive skill of "Turtle Shell Art" significantly improved his defensive capabilities.


    While it was impossible to be invulnerable, his ability to withstand attacks was now stronger than that of an average man.


    After mastering the "Turtle Breathing Technique," Liu Yong could hold his breath for extended periods, but the exact duration still needed to be determined through testing.


    Suddenly, Liu Yong found that he had established an incredible connection with the snapping turtle, and he couldmunicate with the snapping turtle.


    "I AM SORRY MASTER, FOR BITING YOU JUST NOW"


    Liu Yong was once again pleasantly surprised, as the ability tomunicate would be incredible. After attemptingmunication, he discovered that the snapping turtle''s intelligence was rtively limited,parable to that of a three-year-old child.


    Although the turtles'' intelligence level was limited, Liu Yong was optimistic about the future. He believed that as the snapping turtle grew, its intelligence would improve and eventually reach the adult level. He had a hopeful prospect, and Liu Yong was eager to see the growth and development of his newfoundpanion.


    Liu Yong decided to keep the snapping turtle for the time being. He was looking forward to seeing its growth and development as it matured.


    That night, the snapping turtle sent a message to Liu Yong:


    "Master, I am hungry. Can you please provide me with more fish?"


    Liu Yong replied to the snapping turtle,


    "You sure are a foodie! You already ate a few small fish this afternoon. Are you still hungry?"


    "Master, I''m hungry."


    Liu Yong agreed,<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Okay, I''ve fed you. I''ll give you all these small fish. That''s it for tonight. We''ll have to wait until tomorrow for more."


    "Yes, yes." Seeing the delicious little fishing soon, the little snapping turtle quickly and happily agreed.


    Instead of feeding them one by one, Liu Yong poured the remaining four or five small fish into the bucket, and the little snapping turtles immediately began to feast, still eating very ferociously.


    Liu Yong thought he couldn''t keep it home if he could eat so much.


    Liu Yong changed the water for the snapping turtle after it finished eating.


    The snapping turtle, being honest, wouldn''t bite Liu Yong again.


    "Stay here, don''t run around."


    The little snapping turtle stayed there and did not run around. Liu Yong poured the dirty water into the bucket, put some clean tap water, and put the little snapping turtle back in the bucket.


    Worrying about his future, Liu Yong woke up early the next day thinking about whether to search for new employment. Without work and an ie, he realized he couldn''t survive in the bustling metropolis of Huahai.


    Suddenly, the little snapping turtle took the initiative to send a message,


    "Master, I''m hungry, I''m starving to death."


    "This foodie, you ate so much fishst night. It''s only been one night, and you''re hungry again."


    Liu Yong was surprised when he opened the pet panel.


    The attributes of the snapping turtle increased to a certain extent, each by 1 or 2 points. What surprised Liu Yong was the weight of the snapping turtle. It was 282 grams yesterday, but now it is 422 grams.


    "I GREW MORE THAN 100 GRAMS IN ONE NIGHT!!"


    Hastily went to the bucket to have a look. The little snapping turtle had be more gigantic than yesterday.


    It''s edible, and it grows fast!


    It can no longer be fed at home and should be shifted outside. On the one hand, the small snapping turtle is too edible. If you buy fish and shrimp, you will spend more and more money every day because it grows faster, gets bigger and better, and bes more and more edible.


    When it grows to several kilograms, it is estimated that it will cost tens of dors a day to feed it.


    "I can''t afford it, definitely can''t afford it!"


    On the other hand, with such a growth rate, the bucket will not be able to hold it within two days.


    Liu Yong decided to put it outside so it could be self-reliant.


    Bingo!


    Decision made !!


    "Little snapping turtle, I''ll find you a big ce where you can swim freely and have a lot of fish and shrimp. Do you like such a ce?"


    "I like it! , I like it! , I like it so much!"


    The little snapping turtle replied happily.


    Liu Yong thought in his heart that the little snapping turtle was just a fool, so he could finally release it with confidence.


    Therefore, Liu Yong carried the little snapping turtle in a bag and went out.


    Where to put the snapping turtle?


    Liu Yong has already considered the ce, and the park is nearby.


    The park is small, but there is a famouske in the park. It is that theke is bottomless and leads to an underground river.


    There is no need to take a taxi. Liu Yong walked to thekeside of the park in about 20 minutes.


    Theke is rtively small. It is about 30 to 50 acres in size by visual inspection. The water quality looks outstanding. If you hold a handful of water, you will find that the water in the palm of your hand is vividly clear.


    Because the water is rtively deep and dark in the center, thiske is known as


    "Ink Lake."


    Taking the little snapping turtle out of the pocket, Liu Yong said:


    "This is your new home where you will live here for a short duration."


    The little snapping turtle was happy when it entered the water, more than ten thousand times better than staying in a stic bucket.


    "I like this ce so much master, goodbye!"


    The little snapping turtle happily swam away and disappeared soon.


    Suddenly, Liu Yong felt a little bit reluctant.


    "I am again worried whether the little snapping turtle will not be in danger here."

 Chapter 3 Strength Skill Level 7

    ?After spending a few moments by theke''s edge, Liu Yong eventually decided to depart.


    Let''s discuss the tiny snapping turtle. As soon as it dips into theke, it experiences a blissful sense of freedom and liberation.


    The sky suddenly seems vast and limitless, allowing birds to soar, while the expanse of the water appears boundless. With the buoyant spirit of a fish jumping, the turtle discards its terrestrial existence, flinging its four legs into motion, and propels itself toward the deepke.


    "WOW, what beautiful water!"


    "The water is so clear!"


    A tiny snapping turtle is more like Grandma Liu when entering the Grand View Garden and is overwhelmed with excitement and wonder. Its eyes cannot take in all the beauty at once, and after a few meters of enthusiastic swimming, it slows down to take the entire surroundings.


    "Wow, look at those shrimps in theke! They''re so big!"


    The snapping turtle, already ravenous, spotted some prawns among the aquatic nts and swiftly moved toward them.


    The turtle quickly snapped one of them into its mouth without allowing the prawns to react.


    Two or three bites will finish this shrimp.


    "Wow, it''s delicious, I like it!"


    The little snapping turtle was overjoyed as if it had discovered a treasure trove of culinary delights from the mountains and the sea. It almost let out a joyful cry. After devouring the first prawn, it quickly grabbed another and ate it without hesitation.


    ONE...


    TWO...


    THREE...


    These shrimps are cute and cute, and they don''t run away, which makes it easier for the little snapping turtle. After eating more than a dozen shrimps in a row, it''s enough to satisfy its addiction.


    "The host is so kind, he helped me choose such a good ce."


    After filling its belly for seven to eight minutes, the little snapping turtle starts to explore its new surroundings. It swam around, taking in its surroundings, and soon came across a school of fish.


    I am still determining what kind of fish it is, but there are at least hundreds of them. Each fish is small, only the size of a finger. In the eyes of the snapping turtle, this is delicious.


    The reaction speed of the fish school was rtively fast, and they swam away quickly. When the little snapping turtle finished eating the fish, the whole fish school disappeared.


    It is not in a hurry when the fish school disappears. The little snapping turtle finds that the resources in thiske are rich, there is no shortage of food at all, and fish and shrimp are avable everywhere.


    The atmosphere is calm and unhurried. Tiny turtle paddles about theke, even diving into its depths. After expending energy, it seeks a ce to recuperate or drifts to the surface to bask in the warm sun.


    Sudden!


    The little snapping turtle felt that danger was approaching, saw a ck shadow rushing towards it, and opened its mouth to bite. Fortunately, the little snapping turtle didn''t react slowly, and its speed was rtively fast.


    It was a ck fish that weighed several kilograms.


    The ck fish is a predatory species that feed on smaller fish and shrimp. It is confusing why it took an interest in the small snapping turtle. Perhaps it is because the ck fish wants to change its taste.


    ** ONE ESCAPES, AND THE OTHER CHASES!! **


    The speed of the **** fish is much faster, and the distance between the two sides is rapidly shrinking. If this continues, the small snapping turtle will not escape the fish''s mouth, and the **** fish will bite immediately.


    DONGGGGGGG...¡­..


    Fortunately, there were quite a few big rocks in front of it. The little snapping turtle found one of the gaps and rushed in. The **** fish hit a rock and stirred up the sediment at the bottom of theke, making theke water turbid.


    The **** fish bumped into a mess, and after recovering, it had no choice but to swim away.


    The little snapping turtle has found shelter in a crevice in a rock and is secure for the moment.


    It remained in hiding for an extended period. After this experience, the small snapping turtle learned that it was not at the top of the food chain in theke and must be cautious of other dangerous creatures.


    Liu Yong emerged from the DONGSHENG OCEAN COMPANY.


    Liu Yong wanted to be something other than a crew member, as he aimed to apply for a regr employee position at thepany. After the HR representative reviewed his resume, they instructed Liu Yong to return home and await further contact.


    Walking out of thispany, Liu Yong sighed softly, most likely he was yellow again, "Go back and wait for the call" means that there is no game.


    Over the previous two days, Liu Yong visited variouspanies, submitted multiple resumes, and even sent over a dozen electronic resumes online, with limited sess.


    In the final analysis, it is less than a year after graduating from university, and the social experience and work experience could be better. The Huahai Business School that graduated can only be regarded as three.


    In this way, it seems normal that it is difficult to find a satisfactory job for a while.


    "If it doesn''t work, I''ll go to the construction site to move bricks."


    With this thinking, Liu Yong also thought of the little snapping turtle.


    God gave me such a golden finger, which doesn''t seem helpful.


    How to use it? The top priority is to make money, and you must have some in your pocket.


    Thinking of the snapping turtle, Liu Yong took the initiative tomunicate with it.


    Being a pet, itmunicates for a short time only with its owner unless Liu Yong activelymunicates. No, there has been no news for two days.


    "First, open the pet panel to check!".<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong was a little surprised.


    [[[


    Pet type: MUTANT SNAPPING TURTLE.


    Strength: 7


    Constitution: 5


    Dexterity: 4


    Speed ??per hour: 8 kilometers


    Weight: 1221 grams


    Skills: Level 1 Tortoise Shell Art (Passive), Level 1 Tortoise Breathing Art


    ]]]


    The attributes have increased, especially the weight. Two days ago, it was only more than 400 grams when put into Ink Lake. Good guy, it is now more than two cattie which is several times bigger.


    What does a snapping turtle weighing more than two cattie like?


    Liu Yong wants to take a look.


    After inquiring about the situation of the snapping turtle with concern, Liu Yong took the bus to the gate and walked to inkke.


    Finding a ce where no one was around, Liu Yong ordered:


    "Little snapping turtle,e to me."


    Within two minutes, the little snapping turtle swam to theke and came to Liu Yong,


    "Master, I''m here."


    Being not seen the turtle for two days, Liu Yong was shocked to see the turtle grow a lot.


    No wonder there are already more than 1,200 grams, three timesrger than when it was more than 400 grams.


    The appearance has also changed a bit.


    It looks even more mighty and majestic.


    ***********************************************


    The carapace of the snapping turtle has a length of more than 15 centimeters, which isrger than the palm of an adult. The back has three raised longitudinal ridges, and the scutellum is brown. There is 13 scutellum in total. Like 13 hills, they are arranged in three rows vertically and horizontally. Many jagged protrusions are on the edge of the carapace, making them look like armored dinosaurs.


    **************************************************


    It looks good!


    "I will grow a bit when I reach a few or a dozen kilograms. Will it be more powerful and majestic?''


    The turtle said.


    "Little snapping turtle, isn''t it nice here?"


    "Well, it''s not bad. There is a lot of fish and shrimp, and I''m free. It''s just that there are some big fish in theke that always chase me. When I grow up, I will definitely eat them!"


    Liu Yong was happy and praised:


    "You have ambition. Now if bullied, you must avenge the revenge in the future!"


    After talking with someone, Liu Yong understood that based on the information about the snapping turtle, the deepest point in Ink Lake was estimated to be deeper than 150 meters.


    Such a depth is indeed rtively rare.


    ording to what was shared, Ink Lake is home to big fish weighing hundreds of cats. However, the good news is that these big fish are not predatory, making it a rtively safe environment for the small snapping turtle, apart from any other potentially dangerous fish species.


    Liu Yong confessed:


    "Beware of those **** fish, be smart for now, and when you grow up, seek revenge from them and eat them."


    "Before you have enough strength, you can only develop insignificantly."


    "Incidentally, I am currently experiencing financial difficulties. Can you assist me in searching theke to see if there are any valuable items?"


    Whether the little snapping turtle could understand it, Liu Yong gave it this task. What is ck of money" and what is "valuable" is probably a little unclear.


    "Go and grow up."


    After observing the small snapping turtle leave, Liu Yong departed from Mohu Lake once it was out of his line of sight.


    As Liu Yong was leaving, he noticed some fishermen nearby.


    Fishing was allowed at the location, and enthusiastic anglers often visited the area to fish.

 Chapter 4 Strength Skill Level 15

    ?Liu Yong woke up early on a morning with the intention of job searching, but he soon found himself chuckling that it was Saturday.


    Manypanies are closed on weekends, meaning his job search might have to wait until the following week.


    After realizing he could continue his job search by sending his resume to potential employers online, Liu Yong sat down and did just that.


    He then nned to step out and grab a quick breakfast, but suddenly the phone rang before he could even start to eat the breakfast.


    "Brother Yong, I''m here outside. Haven''t you left yet?"


    Liu Yong received a message through a phone call.


    The person calling Liu Yong was his best friend, Hu Shijun. They had known each other since their university days when they were ssmates and even shared a dorm room. Despite their proximity, the rtionship between them was weak.


    Hu Shijun had reached out to Liu Yong via WeChat the day before, informing him that he nned to visit. Liu Yong didn''t expect him to arrive so early, as it was only a little past eight.


    "Okay, I''ll wait for you at Fatty Li''s food stall."


    "Okay, I just haven''t had breakfast yet."


    As Liu Yong continued his conversation with Hu Shijun, he went down to Fatty Li''s food stall, where he often went for breakfast. At this time, it was the busiest time for breakfast, with many people bustling around and a lively atmosphere.


    The benefits of being a regr customer were evident, as the owner of the food stall warmly weed Liu Yong, calling him by his nickname, "Xiao Liu." The owner offered him a seat and promised to provide him with a clean table.


    The food stall was doing very well, making it challenging for the average person to find a seat due to the high demand.


    Liu Yong could secure a recently vacated table for two, which the owner promptly cleaned. He ordered himself and his guest,


    "Uncle Li, I would like two bowls of porridge, two deep-fried dough sticks, a basket of steamed dumplings, and a basket of Xiaolongbao, please."


    The owner smiled and asked,


    "This is for two people. Are you eating with a friend?"


    "Yes, he should be here shortly,"


    Liu Yong replied.


    A few minutester, Hu Shijun arrived. He was a tall and robust young man with an estimated height of over 1.8 meters.


    "Brother Yong, you''ve already ced our order, so I''ll be brief. How have you been?"


    Hu Shijun said, getting straight to the point.


    Sitting down carelessly, he picked up the chopsticks, stuffed a small steamed bun into his mouth, and began eating with big mouthfuls, asking with concern.


    As Hu Shijun sat down, he wasted no time and immediately started eating. He picked up the chopsticks, stuffed a small steamed bun into his mouth, and took big bites as he spoke.


    With concern, he asked Liu Yong,


    "How have you been doing?"


    "Brother, how is your work going?"


    Liu Yong let a soft sigh as he responded to his friend''s question.


    "I have yet to receive any leads, but I''ve been sending out my resume online. I''m keeping my fingers crossed for some good news shortly,"


    He said.


    Hu Shijun was visibly concerned for his friend. After a moment of contemtion, he spoke up.


    "It''s tough for us graduates from third-tier universities to find a decent job, Brother Yong. If you continue to have trouble finding employment, it could be a real problem," he said.


    Hu Shijun then pulled out an envelope from his pocket, which he had prepared beforehand. The envelope contained a total of 2000 yuan. He felt hesitant about giving it, as it was a significant amount.


    "Brother Yong, I was originally going to send you a red envelope through a mobile payment app, but I know you wouldn''t ept it. So instead, I''ve brought you this 2,000 yuan. You have to take it,"


    Hu Shijun said as he pushed the envelope toward Liu Yong.


    Suddenly, Liu Yong was a little moved.


    Touched by the gesture, Liu Yong tried to decline the offer.


    "I know your ie isn''t high, I still have more than 1,000 yuan, so I don''t need your money for now," he said.


    "Brother Yong, take it. My job is fairly stable. I have no problems. Don''t worry about me."


    In the end, Liu Yong didn''t charge his friend for 2000 yuan.


    Hu Shijun was not wealthy, so what he gave to Liu Yong was almost certainly his entire fortune.


    Once he has paid his wages, he will be left with very little money and have to live frugally to make ends meet. It was a generous gesture to demonstrate his willingness to put the needs of others before his own.


    Hu Shijun understood Liu Yong too well and hesitated to take the money. He was familiar enough with his friend to know that taking away the money now would only put him in a difficult position.


    Despite this, he still responded reassuringly, saying,


    "Brother Yong, if you need it, put the money with me for the time being. Whenever you need it, just let me know."


    Hu Shijun was not only a loyal friend but also a reliable confidante. He put Liu Yong''s needs first, making his friend feel supported.


    Liu Yong was overwhelmed with gratitude. He thanked his friend profusely, expressing his appreciation in words and gestures.


    He could not express his gratitude enough for his friend''s kindness.


    "Thank you so much," he said, his voice full of emotion. "You have been so kind to me. I cannot thank you enough."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    He bowed his head in respect, showing his appreciation.


    The two were no longer discussing their work but were instead having rxed conversations about other topics. They talked about their graduating ssmates and their sess innding a prestigious jobs.


    They even discussed who had already been able to buy a car. Their conversations were conducted casually and with ease, never straining the atmosphere.


    Hu Shijun was talking about these situations, and Liu Yong listened more and talked less.


    After breakfast, Hu Shijun got up and said,


    "Then I''ll go first, and I have to go to thepany to work overtimeter. There is a report that must be produced today."


    Liu Yong sent him to the bus station, watched him get on the bus, then turned and walked towards Ink Lake, thinking in his heart on the way.


    "Yesterday I ordered the little snapping turtle to look for it in the inkke. I don''t know what it found."


    It took only 20 minutes to reach theke, and soon, the little snapping turtle came over, and it grew a lot. This growth rate is gratifying.


    "Master, I found something, go get it now."


    The turtle swam away again and came back within a minute with what seemed to be a mobile phone in its mouth.


    Liu Yong took it over and looked at it, feeling disappointed in his heart. Not only is this an old-fashioned mobile phone from many years ago, but also been soaked in theke for so long. So it is useless.


    "Are there any other things, bring them all here and let me have a look."


    The little snapping turtle is like a hard-working porter. He went back and forth several times and brought a lot of things, including lighters, keys, pens, and even a mobile phone and a BP machine.


    In Liu Yong''s eyes, these things are all tattered and worthless.


    "Little snapping turtle, these things are useless. I want something valuable. Gold is the best. You can look for it for me. Is there any gold jewelry in thiske?"


    "What is gold jewelry?"


    Liu Yong patiently exined and described to the little snapping turtle, unsure if it understood.


    After exining to the snapping turtle, Liu Yong left, slightly disappointed.


    I wondered in my heart, could there be no valuable thing in such a big inkke? It shouldn''t be.


    In the next few days, Liu Yong was busy looking for a job.


    I even went to arge-scale job fair but needed more. Either he doesn''t like others, or they look down on him.


    "I don''t have much money, and I''m t broke."


    "The rent needs to be paid in a few days. How is the snapping turtle?"


    Back from the job fair, Liu Yong thought so and looked at the pet panel of the little snapping turtle. He was slightly pleasantly surprised, and the burden of his work suddenly became much less.


    [[[


    Pet type: MUTANT SNAPPING TURTLE


    Strength: 15


    Constitution: 13


    Dexterity: 11


    Speed ??per hour: 15 kilometers


    Weight: 3.4 kg


    Skills: Level 1 Tortoise Shell Art (Passive), Level 1 Tortoise Breathing Art


    ]]]


    Its various attributes have exceeded 10, its strength has reached 15, and its weight has also reached 3.4 kg, which means it will soon grow to 7 cattie.


    "I''m going to have a look at it."


    Not long after, Liu Yong arrived at Mohu Lake, and the little snapping turtle soon swam over.


    The three raised longitudinal ridges on the carapace are more prominent and look more majestic, and the teeth in the mouth are more substantial and sharper, especially the four ws that look very keen.


    Liu Yong was immediately satisfied.


    3 or 4 kilograms will look like this.


    "What will it look like if it grows to more than ten kilograms or tens of kilograms?:


    Liu Yong thought a lot.


    Looking at the little snapping turtle with excitement and was about to ask if it had gained anything in the past few days. The little snapping turtle took the initiative tomunicate with Liu Yong.


    "Master, I found something, it may be the gold ne you mentioned."


    "Oh!" Liu Yong was pleasantly surprised, "Come here and let me have a look."


    Soon, the little snapping turtle brought something in its mouth, and from a long distance, Liu Yong saw that thing was shining.


    He thought that thing was for sure gold.

 Chapter 5 Tidy Sum

    ?"Is the ne made of gold?"


    Liu Yong''s heart rate increased slightly, and he felt an intangible excitement.


    Liu Yong is with excitement as he dreams of obtaining something valuable, despite having limited funds in his pockets. He hopes that by acquiring this item, he will be able to solve his financial difficulties and make a small fortune.


    A penny can''t beat the hero!


    As a man, he must have financial stability.


    The little snapping turtle approached quickly, with its rtively fast speed. As it got closer, Liu Yong could see it more clearly and confirmed that it was indeed a gold ne.


    Liu Yong bent down, picked up the chain, and carefully examined it in his hand. The weight of the ne caused a surge of excitement within him.


    The gold ne was of a substantial thickness, a


    chainmonly worn by wealthy individuals and those who unt their sess. It was the kind of jewelry favored by local tyrants and upstarts.


    "Master, what is the value of this item?"


    Liu Yong held the ne, feeling satisfied with its weight. He put it in his pocket and replied,


    "Yes, this is very valuable. It should be a gold ne."


    Seizing the opportunity, Liu Yong took a moment to educate the little snapping turtle about precious metals, exining the differences between gold and silver and what constitutes gold jewelry, among other things.


    "Master, so I have made a significant contribution,"


    The little snapping turtle said with pride.


    "Yes, you did well this time,"


    Liu Yong praised the little snapping turtle.


    Upon receiving praise, the little snapping turtle was visibly overjoyed and happily rolled around in the water, creatingrge sshes. Fortunately, the area was rtively isted, and the nearest individuals were a few fishermen about 100 meters away.


    "Master, I''m going to look in theke again and find one for you!".


    Liu Yong replied,


    "Yes, I look forward to hearing good news from you!"


    As for the possibility of finding another simr discovery, Liu Yong did not have high expectations and felt fortunate to have stumbled upon this one.


    It was likely that the ne was identally dropped into theke by someone and discovered by the little snapping turtle.


    The little snapping turtle left, content and eager to continue helping Liu Yong in his search for valuable items.


    Upon returning home, Liu Yong was still feeling excited and stirred up.


    Liu Yong closed the door, took the chain out of his pocket, and couldn''t help but keep examining it. The happiness in his heart was evident on his face.


    Fantastic!


    Finally, Liu Yong could let out a sigh of relief. Even if he could not find a suitable job immediately, it wouldn''t be a problem now.


    Liu Yong need not have to work hard to find a job.


    He had a little snapping turtle, which would growrger andrger, making earning money without much effort possible.


    Lost in these optimistic thoughts, Liu Yong almost burst outughing.


    While he was happy, Liu Yong did not forget to confirm whether it was a gold ne and even found a ma to try it out.


    It felt to be genuine. The weight of the ne felt substantial in hand, and the ma showed no attraction.


    After he was sure it was a gold ne, Liu Yong looked at the time and almost didn''t want to wait momentarily. It would be best if he could sell it immediately and turn it into cash.


    It was still early in the day, so Liu Yong went out. Being familiar with the area, he quickly visited a private gold shop.


    The entrance of this private gold store states that it epts gold at a high price and processes gold jewelry, sells various gold and silver jewelry, and so on.


    "BOSS!"


    As soon as Liu Yong stepped into the store, he shouted.


    A person in his thirties promptly approached Liu Yong, disying great enthusiasm.


    "What type of style are you interested in, my friend? Let me show you some options,"


    Liu Yong got straight to the point,


    "I''m not here to make a purchase. I have a chain that I would like to sell."


    "Oh, that''s a great idea!"


    Upon hearing that potential business was at hand, the man''s face lit up with interest.


    For a store like this, the most profitable endeavor is not the sale of gold, but the purchase of gold itself, as it yields the highest profits.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Brother, can you show me something first?"


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement and reached into his pocket to retrieve the chain. He then handed it over to the man.


    The man carefully examined the chain and quickly assessed its value. He was experienced in the industry and had a keen eye for gold. He could tell that the chain was made of pure gold and estimated it to weigh at least 40 grams.


    Being prudent, the man carefully confirmed his assessment by weighing the chain on an electronic scale. The results showed that the chain weighed 42.61 grams.


    The man asked,


    "Excuse me, do you have a receipt for this chain?"


    Liu Yong smiled,


    "I''ve had this chain for a few years, but I have lost the receipt somewhere along the way. I wouldn''t sell it if I didn''t need the money recently."


    "I understand," the man said, "Without a receipt, I can only offer 300 yuan for the chain. I could offer an additional 20 yuan if there is a receipt."


    Asking for high prices and only paying low amounts is amon and epted practice in the industry.


    "Sir, the current market price for pure gold is nearly 500 yuan, and your offer of 300 yuan is much too low,"


    The man responded, "The purchase price I''m offering is only 300 yuan."


    Liu Yong countered,


    "The minimum I can ept is 380 yuan. If that can''t be the price, I will have to hold onto it for now."


    The man was interested in acquiring the chain and wanted to take advantage of an opportunity for a sale. After some negotiation, they finally reached a mutually agreed price of 330 yuan per gram.


    Given the agreed price, Liu Yong was quite satisfied with the oue.


    **Beep** **Beep**....


    Walking out of this gold shop, Liu Yong took out his mobile phone and looked again, and 14,000 yuan was credited, which isfortable!


    All of a sudden, I became a millionaire! Liu Yong said to himself.


    With the money in hand, Liu Yong was no longer in a difficult financial situation and could breathe easily.


    Little snapping turtle, you have made an outstanding contribution this time!


    Thinking about this, Liu Yong took the initiative to contact the little snapping turtle.


    "Snapping turtle, the gold ne was real, and I have already sold it. I am now a wealthy man, thanks to my good fortune."


    "Really!"


    The little snapping turtle was pleasantly surprised and appeared to have emotions like humans.


    "Master, I did an amazing job! I found a gold ne for you," it said excitedly.


    Liu Yong praised the snapping turtle, "Good job! I''ll add a chicken leg to your meal as a reward."


    The meaning of "chicken leg" is unclear in this context. Liu Yong may be using it as a metaphor for a treat. Regardless, the snapping turtle likely feels it would be a delicious addition to its daily diet of fish and shrimp in inkke.


    "No, I want two chicken legs, one is too little."


    Liu Yong was straightforward and said,


    "No problem, I will bring you two chicken legs tomorrow as a reward."


    Liu Yong made a small fortune by selling a gold chain, and in return, he promised the snapping turtle just two chicken legs as a reward.


    What a deal!


    What a bargain!


    Liu Yong felt great. After speaking with the little snapping turtle, he decided that if he earned 140,000 yuan, he would treat himself to a delicious meal evening. He also ns to call Hu Shijun and share the good news.


    As Liu Yong walked into the alley, an individual following him from a distance grew increasingly excited at the prospect of their ning to fruition. They quickened their pace, eager to catch up with Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong took a shortcut where he could get to the rental house through this small alley of two or three hundred meters within a short time. He would have to go so long should he has been through the main road.


    Cai Houping is a street slicker in this area that remains idle all day.


    His luck seemed to be good, he happened to see the scene where Liu Yong was selling gold chains in that gold shop, and he immediately paid attention.


    Liu Yong was all alone, so he couldn''t help but be eager to make a move. When he saw Liu Yong wander into a secluded alley, he was filled with joy in his heart and hastened after him.


    Liu Yong entered the alley, his footsteps echoing off the walls as he walked. He stopped after a hundred meters, sensing something was amiss. He stood still and looked back, his eyes scanning the shadows cautiously.


    The sun was setting, illuminating the sinister atmosphere and casting a dim orange light upon the alley.


    He could feel a chill run up his spine. He was sure he hadn''t seen anyone following him, but he still felt someone was watching.


    He hesitated for a few seconds, debating whether to investigate further or to continue on his way.

 Chapter 6 The Shell Technique Skill

    ?"Damn !!!!! , It''s him."


    Liu Yong immediately recognized Cai Houping as Cai was a notorious street sneaker in the neighbourhood. Liu knew Cai''s reputation for being involved in various illegal rted to sneakers and was familiar with his actions in the area.


    This history and character made it easy for Liu to identify Cai when he saw him.


    Cai Houping also came to a sudden halt and grinned at Liu Yong,


    and asked, "Hey man, do you have any idea who I am?"


    Cai''s confident and casual demeanor suggested that he was aware of his reputation and was proud of it.


    His smile indicated that he was pleased to have caught Liu''s attention and was eager to see his reaction.


    It appeared that Cai was trying to assert dominance and gauge Liu''s recognition and respect for his street reputation.


    Sensing that Cai Houping had ill intentions and was known for his fraudulent street activities, Liu Yong cautiously shook his head. He didn''t want to get into trouble for himself without a valid reason. Liu''s cautiousness and desire to avoid conflicts led him to leave the situation and move on.


    He didn''t want to engage with someone with having notorious reputation who might cause him harm. Liu''s decision to leave demonstrated his intelligence and ability to assess and avoid dangerous situations.


    Liu Yong''s thoughts were:


    "It''s not that I''m scared of Cai Houping. We''re both alone here, so why should I feel intimidated by him? I have no reason to be afraid of him."


    Liu''s words revealed his courage and determination not to be intimidated by others, even those with a bad reputation. He acknowledged that he was not afraid of Cai. Liu''s boldness showed he was confident and let fear not control his decisions.


    However, it''s important to note that being fearless doesn''t always equate to being reckless, and it''s always wise to assess potential danger before making decisions.


    " I just don''t want to cause trouble for myself."


    Cai Houping was not one to let a potential opportunity slip away. The n of letting Liu Yong leave without taking advantage of the situation was uneptable to him. Cai quickly caught up to Liu and blocked his path, preventing him from leaving. Cai''s actions showed that he was determined to take control of the situation and assert his dominance over Liu.


    "Hey bro, I noticed that you sold a gold chain and made a profit of over 10,000 yuan," said Cai Houping, addressing Liu Yong.


    "Oh!, I see "


    In an instant, Liu Yongprehended the situation. He realized Cai Houping was trying to take advantage of him and his recent financial gain. Liu''s quick understanding of the situation demonstrated his intelligence and ability to assess a situation and understand the motives of others.


    He could see through Cai''s attempt to manipte him and prepared to handle the situation ordingly.


    Seeing that he sold a gold chain, he was jealous.


    "I''ve been going through a bit of a financial crunchtely and had to sell my gold chain, which I''ve had for many years," replied Liu Yong calmly. "Is there a problem?"


    HeHe...¡­.


    Cai Houping replied with a cold smile, "Of course, there''s no problem. But I''ve been short on cashtely, my friend. Can you lend me 10,000 yuan to get by?"


    It is snatching rather than borrowing.


    Liu Yong understood that even if Cai presented it as a loan, there was no intention of repayment. He was not foolish, so he also chuckled. Liu''sughter indicated that he was not intimidated by Cai''s aggressive behaviour and was ready to handle the situation.


    However, Liu''sughter was a form of ridicule towards Cai Houping.


    "WHY WON''T YOU BORROW IT?"


    Cai Houping then took out a small knife and started to y with it in his hand.


    He said threateningly,


    "Make your decision quickly, or I''ll get rough. You know there''s no surveince in this alley."


    Cai''s actions and words showed that he was not intimidated by Liu''s previous response and was willing to resort to violence to get what he wanted.


    The knife in his hand indicated that he had prepared to use force if necessary. The fact that he mentioned theck of surveince in the alley showed that he knew no one was there to witness and that he feltfortable using violence.


    After seeing the knife in Cai''s hand, Liu Yong got intimidated. He knew a knife could kill someone''s life instantly if improperly used. Liu''s fear was understandable in such gravity of the situation. He faced a dangerous individual unafraid to use violence to get what he wanted.


    But it needs to be reconciled to give the money to the other party like this.


    Liu Yong knew he had worked hard to earn his small fortune and was not about to give it away easily. He realized that giving Cai Houping 10,000 yuan would mean giving away a significant portion of his hard-earned money. Liu couldn''t decide to part with his money, especially not with someone like Cai, who had no intention of paying it back.


    Liu Yong''s mind spun quickly, and suddenly he had an idea.


    "Old Hu, why are you here? I was about to call you!"


    "WHAT !!!!!!!"


    "Is anyoneing?"


    Upon witnessing Liu Yong''s unusual behaviour, Cai Houping''s initial reaction was to turn his head and look over his shoulder.


    Good Chance!


    It was the opportunity that Liu Yong had been waiting for a long time. Taking advantage of the situation, he swiftly struck Cai Houping in the wrist, causing him to drop his knife.


    "CLANNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGG!"


    As the knife hit the ground, Liu Yong quickly kicked it away, sending it flying out of reach.


    "Ouch!"


    Cai Houping let out a yell. He realized that Liu had fooled him. He was out of breath, and his expression became angry.


    "You little brat, you''ve been ying me!"


    He spat out, clearly frustrated by the situation.


    Liu Yong sneered at Cai Houping''s words and retorted,


    "With your intelligence, you still want to steal my money? I''mughing myself to death."


    Cai Houping''s anger reached a boiling point, and he dropped the pretense of being friendly. He picked up a brick from the ground and swung it at Liu Yong.


    He is a man of the streets, prone to fighting, and has gained knowledge from his encounters.


    On the other hand, Liu Yong had always been a good-natured young man who never fought.


    He managed to avoid the first strike but unfortunately couldn''t get away from the second one and was hit on the back with a brick by Cai Houping.


    "Boom!"


    A dull thud echoed because of a solid hit made. Cai Houping inwardly rejoiced,


    "Ah, this p will surely knock the boy down to the ground."


    " WHAT THE F**CK ?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Why does he act like nothing is wrong?!"


    Liu Yong was surprised when he got stuck with the brick, but to his amazement, he felt no pain. It was as if he had a tickled.


    "Whoa!, Why am I not hurt?"


    "The strength is so small?".


    "NO!"


    Liu Yong soon realized that it wasn''t that the opponent was weak, but it might be because of the first-level tortoise shell technique.


    " Well, it must be the reason for the tortoise-shell technique!"


    Upon realizing this, Liu Yong''s fear dissipated. Many bricks were lying nearby, likely left over from some construction project.


    Regardless, he grabbed one of the bricks and used it as a weapon, engaging in a fight with Cai Houping.


    "Boom!"


    Liu Yong got another hit but also managed to strike Cai Houping in return.


    The brick hit him hard, and since he had no tortoise-shell technique, it was noughing matter.


    Cai Houping cried loudly, "Oh, it hurts me to death."


    Cai Houping felt a sudden, sharp pain like a searing hot iron rod thrust into his shoulder as another brick fell from the scaffolding above and hit him.


    He was knocked off of his feet and onto the ground, and he could feel the swelling and tenderness beginning to set in.


    He tried to move his shoulder and found that he could only move it to a limited extent. He knew he would be in for a few days of pain and immobility.


    Cai Houping is about to cry.


    He raised his fist, ready to strike Liu Yong, but there was no visible reaction with every blow hended. He quickly grew frustrated and soon stopped, realizing he could not win the fight.


    Liu Yong got hit in the face with a brick, the impactnding squarely on his nose, yet he remained unscathed. Miraculously, he was still alive and healthy, despite the force of the blow.


    "Oh, My God!"


    "Is he cheating, or is my strength too weak?


    Cai said


    "Boom!"


    Liu Yong had a brick and seized the chance to p Cai Houping in the face. The frontal shot had a good impact.


    A scream!


    It''s like killing a pig!


    Despite having no financial woes, Cai Houping''s nosebleed was so excruciating that it caused tears to stream down his face.


    Liu Yong took another brick and struck Cai Houping on the head, causing arge gash. Blood instantly began to flow profusely from the wound as Liu Yong mercilessly broke open the scoop with his violent actions.


    "If things keep going like this, you''ll end up getting killed right here and have your picture taken,"


    Liu warned Cai.


    Cai Houping had no fighting spirit, so he dropped the brick and ran away on two legs, fearing that Liu Yong would catch up.


    Liu Yong has no intention of chasing after him.


    With one hand tightly clutching a brick and the other hand extended towards the retreating Cai Houping, Liu Yong yelled at the top of his lungs,


    "Come on, try to take my money if you dare!"


    After his outburst, Liu Yong realized that the anger within was boiling over, so he let go of the brick in his hand. He then made his way back to his rented house.


    Upon reaching home, Liu Yong removed his clothes and examined them thoroughly. After finding no damage, he felt a sense of relief and happiness wash over him.


    "Little snapping turtle, I love you so much!"


    "The tortoise-shell technique is awesome!"


    Other than some dirt on his clothes, there were no signs of redness, swelling, or other abnormalities on his body. He waspletely unharmed.


    He remembered that his arm got struck with a brick earlier. Upon inspection, he found nothing unusual about the affected area that appeared normal.


    Immediately, Liu Yong felt relieved.


    Feeling much better, Liu Yong retrieved his mobile phone to check the 14,000 yuan and called Hu Shijun.


    "Junzi, are you free? How about we go to Liuji to eat seafood tonight?"


    When Hu Shijun answered the phone, he was momentarily taken aback, then spoke puzzledly:


    "Brother Yong, what''s going on? You''re rich now?"


    Hua Hai City is a bustling international metropolis with high living costs. Despite being a coastal city, seafood is inexpensive.


    Liu Ji Seafood is considered a high-end restaurant, where dining on seafood for two people can easily cost hundreds of dors, and if one is careful, the bill could be at most one thousand dors.


    Feeling Hu Shijun''s surprise, Liu Yongughed happily,


    "That''s right, I made a small fortune today, let''s go to a little extravagance."


    "WoW, Really?"


    Despite some lingering skepticism, Hu Shijun was already beginning to sound a little surprised. There was a hint of amazement in his voice.


    "Hurry up ande over here! I hit the jackpot and made a small fortune. It''s my treat, and we will eat at Liu Ji Seafood!"


    Eximed Liu Yong.


    "Really, okay, I''lle over!"


    Finally believing Liu Yong, Hu Shijun was ecstatic and overjoyed, thrilled for his friend''s sess.


    He has been worried about Liu Yong, but he was so lucky that he made a small fortune.


    "I have to find out just how much this ''small fortune'' that Brother Yong is talking about really is!".


    Hu Shijun thought to himself.

 Chapter 7 Strength Skill Level 31 Upgrade

    ?LIU KEE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


    Liu Yong had heard about the existence of this restaurant before but never mustered up the courage to visit it.


    His hesitation was because he was intimidated by the cost, as his financial situation was limited. He felt he couldn''t afford to dine at that restaurant despite his initial interest. So he walked away from that restaurant.


    However, things have changed. Liu Yong now exudes confidence as he walks with a bold and powerful stride, much like a tiger. This newfound self-assurance has allowed him to ovee his financial insecurities and finally visit the restaurant.


    As it turns out, the restaurant lived up to its reputation as a high-end establishment, boasting a luxurious atmosphere and friendly, attentive staff. The workers were particrly noteworthy, exhibiting enthusiasm in their interactions with customers. Overall, Liu Yong was pleasantly surprised by his dining experience and felt that the restaurant was well worth the visit.


    "I never imagined I would sit here and eat seafood one day."


    As Liu Yong sat at a table by the window on the second floor, he couldn''t help but reflect on his journey to this point.


    The peaceful surroundings and breathtaking view only added to his appreciation of the moment, and he thought contentedly.


    After some time, Hu Shijun approached and seated beside Liu Yong. Hu Shijun appeared very joyful and greeted Liu Yong warmly. He said with a hint of excitement in his voice,


    "Brother Yong, it seems you have indeede into some good fortune!"


    Liu Yong replied,


    "Yes, I was fortunate enough to have some good luck. I have indeed made a small profit."


    He seemed pleased with his aplishments and was happy to share the news with his friend.


    "Tell me quickly, how much money is there?"


    "It''s not too much, maybe more than 10,000 yuan."


    Hu Shijun''s reaction was surprising as he eximed,


    "Really? More than 10,000? That''s not a small amount at all!"


    His tone indicated a slight increase in excitement, and his words suggested that he was impressed by Liu Yong''s financial sess.


    After hearing his friend''s reaction, Liu Yong''s face lit up with a warm and happy smile.


    Liu Yong chuckled and said,


    "My friend, you always have a way of making me feel like I haven''t seen much of the world. I guess it''s just that earning more than 10,000 has made me a little overly excited."


    He spoke light-heartedly, perhaps poking fun at himself for being so easily thrilled by a rtively modest sum of money. Nevertheless, it was evident that he was in high spirits and enjoying the moment.


    More than ten thousand!


    Hu Shijun felt that this was arge sum of money. He had never had such arge amount of money since he graduated almost a year ago.


    Hu Shijun happily reached for the menu and said with a grin,


    "Brother Yong, since you''re treating us today, I won''t be polite. I''ll pick out the most expensive dishes!"


    His words were yful, and it was clear that he was grateful for Liu Yong''s generosity and eager to take advantage of the asion to indulge in some delicious food.


    "Just order."


    Liu Yong seemed very generous.


    After carefully selecting several dishes from the menu, Hu Shijun put down the menu and dered,


    "It should be enough food for us now." He appeared satisfied with his choices and ready to enjoy the meal ahead.


    Despite his earlier statement about not being polite and ordering the most expensive dishes, Hu Shijun measured his selections. He refrained from choosing overly expensive options and opted for a few more modestly priced options.


    Liu Yong then took the menu and ordered additional, selecting arge, more than two-catty grouper dish.


    This dish alone was likely to cost several hundred dors, far surpassing the cost of the previous dishes Hu Shijun had ordered. Liu Yong''s willingness to spend generously on this meal reflected his newfound confidence and desire to celebrate his recent financial sess.


    Hu Shijun was secretly amazed!


    "Brother Yong, it''s so cheap, it''s at least a few hundred dors."


    "It''s okay, brother, I have money now!"


    "Brother Yong, tell me about how you got rich today, and make me happy too."


    Singing in thought, Liu Yong paused momentarily and then exined, "It was quite simple, to be honest. I stumbled upon a gold chain and could sell it for more than 10,000 yuan."


    His matter-of-fact tone conveyed his good fortune and the ease with which he hade into this newfound wealth.


    Hu Shijun, however, did not seem to believe Liu Yong''s story and teased him,


    "Brother Yong, you''re telling tall tales, just like you''re lying to a child. Why can''t I ever find a lucky break like that and pick up a gold chain?"


    Liu Yong seemed unfazed by Hu Shijun''s scepticism and replied,


    "It''s okay if you don''t believe me. It''s a hard thing to exin. I can''t exactly say that I have a pet snapping turtle caught for me from Ink Lake, can I?"


    With the conversation at a stalemate, Liu Yong changed the subject, smiling,


    "Let''s forget about it and eat our vegetables. That''s what''s important now."


    He seemed eager to move on and enjoy their meal together, leaving the matter of his lucky find behind for now.


    It was the first time that both Liu Yong and Hu Shijun had dined at a restaurant of this caliber, and they were both thoroughly enjoying the experience.


    The rich vors, the elegant atmosphere, and the attentive service all contributed to a truly memorable dining experience for the two of them.


    They relished indulging in the luxurious surroundings and savouring the delicious food. It was an experience that they would likely never forget.


    It is a rare meal!


    After eating for more than an hour, the two left the restaurant.


    The next day, the sun was high in the sky, reaching its zenith, and Liu Yongzily stretched his waist, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. It was a luxurious sensation, as if he waspletely rxed and at ease.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong felt a sense of freedom and contentment he had not experienced in a long time. He no longer felt pressure to look for a job or go to work. The feeling of leisure and leisurely living was a wee change and adapting to a newfound sense of freedom.


    "I didn''t expect that one day, I would also be a vagrant, but I like it."


    "How nice it is! You can sleep as long as you want and don''t have to worry about work anymore."


    "How about the little snapping turtle?"


    Liu Yong initiated the examination of his pet by essing the designated panel. He was ted to see the growth of the miniature snapping turtle who had been cared for by him.


    Its size had increased once again, pleasing Liu Yong immensely. He estimated that at its current pace of growth, the snapping turtle would soon reach a weight of several tens of pounds within a short period.


    The tiny snapping turtle had just finished its meal and felt satiated. It had been searching for a suitable spot to bask in the sun and enjoy its day.


    "The host helped me to choose this ce, which is so good. The water surface is wide, and I can do whatever I want."


    "The key, is the fish and shrimp here are delicious, really satisfying."


    "By the way, you can''t forget what the master told you. Look for it after a while. You must find something valuable again."


    The snapping turtle reminded itself.


    A dark silhouette in the vicinity piqued the curiosity of the small snapping turtle, and it found itself instinctively swimming toward it. The turtle couldn''t resist its intrigue and felt drawn toward the mysterious shadow.


    In the past, when the snapping turtle was still rtively youthful and inexperienced, it would have reacted with fear and immediately retreated to a safe distance upon encountering a dark shadow like this.


    The turtle would have sought safety and concealed itself from the perceived danger. However, as the turtle has grown and matured, its demeanor and reactions have changed, allowing it to approach and investigate potential threats by being confident.


    Now it''s different!


    The tiny snapping turtle had grown significantly and now weighed approximately eight to nine pounds. Its ws were sharp and robust, providing it with strong gripping power. Its bite force was also remarkable, allowing it to attack the prey. With these physical attributes, the snapping turtle was well-equipped to thrive in its aquatic environment.


    It is a ck fish weighing several kilograms, swimming there.


    The snapping turtle swam towards the ck fish without any fear.


    It came to the ck fish in no time.


    "Indeed, it must be!"


    The little snapping turtle remembered the scene of being chased and bitten by a ck fish a few days ago. At that time, it was still too small and could only escape and hide in the crevices of the rocks.


    "The master said this revenge must be avenged and finally found it."


    "Oops!"


    If the ck fish could talk, it would scream because the little snapping turtle bit it hard.


    "Wow, this bite strength!"


    With just one bite, the turtle could prate deeply into its prey, leaving at least five deep puncture marks. It could bite offrge chunks of meat with immense bite power, making it a formidable hunter in its aquatic environment.


    "Escape! Rush, quickly!"


    The **** fish wildly thrashed its tail, attempting to break free and escape, but to no avail. The small snapping turtle had a firm grip, biting down hard with its powerful jaws while its front ws punctured the flesh and held on tightly. The fish couldn''t escape the turtle''s grasp due to its strength and determination.


    One mouthful, two mouthfuls, three mouthfuls...¡­


    A chaotic scene unfolded as nearby fish instinctively panicked and fled as quickly as they could in all directions, trying to escape from the confrontation. The sudden and intense struggle between the turtle and the **** fish had caused amotion, leading the other fish in the vicinity to respond with fear and rapid retreat.


    After a few bites, the **** fish burped and became a delicacy in the mouth of the little snapping turtle.


    After eating about a third of it, the little snapping turtle threw away the bitten **** fish and swam away leisurely.


    The mood is good.


    With sessful revenge,  the little snapping turtle starts to look around, whether it can find some valuable things.


    As the little snapping turtle and the **** fish continued their struggle, a group of snakeheads attracted to themotion and began to search for its source.


    Some of the smaller snakeheads concealed themselves from view, while snakeheads, weighing over five to six pounds, approached cautiously. The gathering of snakeheads created an intimidating presence, and the potential for danger was palpable in the water.


    The small snapping turtle became a tyrant in this water area, and few fish could threaten it.


    It rained heavily for two days in a row. Liu Yong did not go to Mohu Lake, but he still knew about the situation of the snapping turtle.


    It could no longer be called a small snapping turtle. It has grown to over ten kilograms and can be considered a big guy.


    It has gained a lot of weight, and its attributes have also increased. Its agility has exceeded 20, and its strength has reached 31.


    Liu Yong also basically understands that the strength of an adult is about 40 to 50, and those athletes and special forces can reach more than 90 or even more than 100.


    The snapping turtle has 31 points of strength, quickly catching up to an adult, and it''s a mutation.


    It finally cleared up today, and Liu Yong came to the inkke again, still looking for a rtively remote ce.


    Earlier today, I had a conversation with the snapping turtle. It mentioned that it had discovered something exciting and desired to share it with Liu Yong.


    The snapping turtle seemed excited about its discovery and wanted to share it with its owner.


    Within two minutes, the snapping turtle swam over. Compared with two or three days ago, it was several times bigger, with something in its mouth.


    "Master, take a look, is this thing worth money?"


    Liu Yong saw what it was, and his heart beat slightly faster. He took it and put it in his hand, looking happy.


    This thing is not dark, but it does not hinder judgment at all. It is 100% a silver dor.


    Silver dors!


    Unexpectedly, there are silver dors in the inkke.


    "Wow, it is" ...¡­..

 Chapter 8 Silver

    ?"This is a freaking SILVER DOLLAR!"


    $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


    "There is no doubt that it is a silver dor!"


    Liu Yong concluded, even though the appearance changed due to its immersion in theke indefinitely.


    The ckening of the surface is because of its exposure to the water, but Liu Yong is confident in his assessment regardless.


    However, despite the discoloration, Liu Yong is sure that the object is a silver dor based on its size, shape, design, and other features. These characteristics match those of a traditional silver dor, leading Liu Yong to confirm it is silver.


    " It''s still a piece of Yuan Datou! "


    Liu Yong appraised the coin''s value to be around two or three hundred yuan and was pleased with his assessment.


    The estimate is, based on various factors, such as the rarity of the coin, its historical significance, and the current market demand for such items.


    Holding the silver dor in his hand, Liu Yong looked at it with a sense of satisfaction, proud of his ability to identify and value the coin.


    "Little snapping turtle, doing well."


    The small snapping turtle asked its master,


    "Is this object valuable?" expressing his curiosity about the coin that Liu Yong was holding.


    Liu Yong confidently replied, "Certainly."


    "This is a silver dor from the time of the Republic of China. Coins like this can fetch a minimum of two or three hundred yuan due to their historical significance and rarity."


    Once he finished speaking, Liu Yong silentlymented that the quantity of the coins was too small, with only one piece in his possession. He thought having three, five, or even a dozen pieces would be fantastic.


    To Liu Yong''s surprise, the small snapping turtle spoke again, saying,


    "Master, there are many of these objects under theke."


    "What?"


    "There are many!"


    Liu Yong immediately lifted his spirits,


    "Hurry up, grab them all for me."


    "Okay, no problem!"


    The little snapping turtle seemed to be very happy too. It turned around and swam toward the middle of theke.


    If Liu Yong can see the situation at the bottom of theke, he will be pleasantly surprised.


    The turtle''s revtion had followed by another,


    "This is arge y pot that lies in the mud at the bottom of theke, probably damaged a long time ago."


    This additional information adds a new aspect to the situation and raises further questions.


    The presence of arge y pot, possibly damaged, could hold even more valuable items.


    The turtle''s revtion has led to the discovery of many silver dors, and these coins'' origins remain a mystery.


    Additionally, it was unknown who had hidden the treasure and why.


    Maybe a rich man, a merchant, or a dignitary.


    Shenhai City is a big city with a long history. It was one of the big cities in the country during the period of the Republic of China, and there were rich people at the time.


    "Silver dors are awesome!"


    Liu Yong said: "Little snapping turtle, bring me those silver dors one by one, I want to take them all back."


    "Okay, master."


    The small snapping turtle then swam to the bottom of theke, returning in just a few minutes, despite not being in the deepest part of Ink Lake.


    It had several silver dors in its mouth, and its two front paws grabbed several silver dors.


    The fact that the snapping turtle already weighs more than a dozen catty is an advantage, as it can carry multiple silver dors at once. It makes the turtle an excellent porter, assisting Liu Yong in getting valuable items.


    The turtle''s weight and strength make it well-suited for its role as a helper. The presence of the turtle, with its unique abilities and skills, adds an extra element of excitement and possibility to Liu Yong''s adventure. He will make the most of its capabilities as he continues his exploration of Ink Lake.


    One piece, two pieces, three pieces...¡­..


    Liu Yong brought eight silver dors and stored them all in his backpack. He was pleased with his acquisition and thought he could earn a substantial profit again.


    "Master, there are many more, I will go get them for you."


    "What!"


    "There are a lot more!!"


    In other words, the silver dors it brought are worth far more than just a dozen yuan. It could be worth dozens or even hundreds of yuan.


    As expected, the small snapping turtle approached within a few minutes with an additional seven to eight silver dors.


    Each time the little snapping turtle brought seven or eight silver dors, it was unclear how many trips it would make.


    Liu Yong retrieved a bag and gave it to the turtle to make things easy.


    Within a few minutes, the little snapping turtle returned from theke.


    Unlike the previous two times, this time, it held the bag in its mouth, which contained dozens of silver dors.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Happy!


    So many silver dors!


    Liu Yong quickly looked around and felt relieved when he saw no one was paying attention. He took the bag and poured all the silver dors into his backpack.


    " The action is so fast, so swift!"


    The fact that these silver dors had in mud and moisture doesn''t make a difference.


    After handing the bag filled with silver dors to the small snapping turtle, Liu Yong went back and forth several times to collect them.


    At this point, his backpack was quite heavy.


    It feels so heavy!


    After watching the little snapping turtle swim away, Liu Yong left Mohuke with his backpack on his back, and now he must go home immediately.


    Ink Lake Park is a public park essible to all citizens, with no entry cost.


    Of course, Liu Yong didn''t exit through the main entrance. He left from a less crowded area and promptly returned home.


    Along the way, someone noticed that Liu Yong was carrying a heavy backpack, and there seemed to be water dripping out, but they just took a second look and didn''t look anymore.


    "When I was downstairs, I happened to meet thendlord."


    "Xiao Liu, the rent will have to be paid in a few days, and I wille to collect the rent at any time."


    If there is no money, Liu Yong will be under much pressure and may beg thendlord for a few more days, but not now.


    With a rxed face and no pressure, Liu Yong said


    "No problem, you cane to collect the rent anytime."


    After speaking, Liu Yong went upstairs with this heavy backpack.


    Thendlord looked puzzled. Xiao Liu seemed to be unemployed and hadn''t found a job. Does he have money to pay the rent?


    "Why is it so easy?"


    Thendlord initially thought that Liu Yong would say something nice, but he didn''t know.


    After entering the house, he remembered to lock the door, found a basin, and poured all the silver dors into the stic basin.


    Wow!


    The pot was almostplete,  and it looked so gratifying.


    Liu Yong gazed at the silver dors with immense happiness and washed them thoroughly several times with fresh water. Once they were clean, he used a dry towel to dry them off.


    While drying these silver dors, he hummed happily.


    "It doesn''t matter if you are tone-deaf. There is no one else here anyway."


    Liu Yong thought.


    The dried silver dors were on the table. After having dried all the silver dors, Liu Yong counted them and looked carefully again.


    The appearance of each silver dor is not bad, the pattern is visible, but there is a thin oxideyer on the surface, which is a little ck and not bright.


    There are 326 yuan, most of which are Yuan Datou, and a few Guangxu silver dors, about a dozen yuan.


    Liu Yong organized, ssified, and put them in the cab.


    After finishing all this, Liu Yong thought, what is the market price of silver dors now? Each one is worth at least two or three hundred yuan.


    A total of 326 yuan is not a small amount of money. He got another amount in his ount.


    "I just harvested a gold chainst time. How long has it been since I harvested so many silver dors?"


    "It''s not bad to have such a pet snapping turtle!"


    "Is this considered cheating?"


    Sat downfortably, took out his mobile phone, and Liu Yong began to check the market of silver dors on the Inte.


    If you don''t check, you don''t know, but if you prevent it, you will be shocked!


    Liu Yong never imagined that silver dors would be so valuable now.


    For example, the price of a Yuan Datou, which was previously worth two or three hundred yuan, has now been sold for as much as a thousand yuan on certain treasure websites.


    Also found out the purchase price of silver dors, ranging from two to three hundred to more than one thousand.


    Yuan Datou is ssified into three years of the Republic of China, five years of the Republic of China, eight years of the Republic of China, etc., and the prices differ.


    Yuan Datou, issued in the eighth year of the Republic of China, is the most expensive. The purchase price is generally above 1,000, and the seller of an absolute treasure sells for more than 2,000.


    "My God, Yuan Datou is so valuable!"


    Liu Yong needs to be more explicit about how much a Yuan Datou is worth on earth, but the price he found on his mobile phone now is a shock.


    Initially, Liu Yong thought they were worth two or three hundred yuan each.


    "It''s so valuable,"


    He thought to himself.


    Incidentally, besides Yuan Datou, Liu Yong also had a dozen Guangxu silver dors. He wondered what their prices were.

 Chapter 9 The Majestic S$

    ?The Guangxu silver dor,monly called the Guangxu Yuanbao, was used in China during thete Qing dynasty.


    These approximately 12 coins are all examples of Guangxu Yuanbao. The center of each silver dor features four traditional Chinese characters reading "Guangxu Yuanbao."


    The coin has the words "Kuping seven coins and two cents" and "Beiyang made." It indicates that the coin was minted during the Guangxu era and produced by the Beiyang mint, with a denomination of 7 coins and 2 cents.


    These specific inscriptions are unique to the Guangxu Yuanbao, making it possible to distinguish them from other types of silver coins.


    After confirming that these ten silver dors were Guangxu Yuanbao, Liu Yong checked on his mobile phone, focusing on getting the price.


    "What!"


    "So valuable!"


    As Liu Yong gazed at the coins, his mouth gradually opened in amazement. He felt a bit scared because the Guangxu Yuanbao were much more valuable than the Yuan Datou he was used to seeing.


    The Guangxu Yuanbao, with their high quality and purity, were considered more valuable than other forms of currency.


    Their rarity and historical significance made them highly sought after by collectors, making them a valuable addition to any collection.


    Liu Yong was amazed by the value of these coins.


    Although the online prices are for reference only, each piece costs 300,000 to 400,000 yuan.


    "Haha, this time I made a fortune."


    Liu Yong carefully ced his phone down and began to organize the silver dors. Each approximately 12 Guangxu Yuanbao coin was specially wrapped and stored separately in a cupboard. Liu Yong took great care to handle the coins gently, as they were delicate and valuable objects. He carefully ced each in to ensure they were stored safely and securely.


    Tonight is going to be a restless and wakeful night for Liu Yong. He is still in awe of the Guangxu Yuanbao coins recently acquired and couldn''t shake the excitement and thrill of owning such valuable items.


    Throughout the night, Liu Yong had consumed with excitement and was unable to sleep.


    Despite his exhaustion, he couldn''t calm his mind and shake the thrill of his recent acquisition of the Guangxu Yuanbao coins. After spending most of his life l in poverty, Liu Yong suddenly found himself with arge amount of money, and the change was overwhelming.


    He had filled with a sense of wonder and disbelief that he could now have wealth on par with others in hismunity. The excitement of his newfound financial stability kept him awake all night, unable to shake the thrill of his good fortune.


    It wasn''t until the middle of the night that he fell asleep in a daze.


    After waking up, Liu Yong finished washing, put a dozen Guangxu Yuanbao and 100 Yuan Datou into his backpack, and went out with the bag on his back.


    The next day, Liu Yong went down to Fatty Liu''s breakfast shop to have his breakfast. Instead of following his usual routine of taking the bus, he decided to hail a taxi by the side of the road.


    This small change in his daily routine may have been due to his newfound wealth and desire to live a more luxurious lifestyle. He had been feeling a sense of celebration after acquiring the Guangxu Yuanbao coins and wanted to treat himself to a morefortable mode of transportation.


    Whatever the reason, hailing a taxi instead of taking the bus was a departure from Liu Yong''s usual routine and reflected his excitement and newfound financial stability.


    "Master, go to Bayi Street."


    The driver who drove the car nced slightly but didn''t ask any questions.


    Bayi Street is rtively famous in Huahai City and has a good reputation nationwide.


    It is an antique street.


    Bayi Street, located just a few hundred meters away, has shops selling antiques.


    The street has various antique shops offering different products, including calligraphy and paintings, porcin, bronze ware,cquer ware, and ancient coins.


    However, it is difficult to determine the authenticity of these items, and arge portion of them are likely to be counterfeit. It can be challenging for collectors like Liu Yong to identify and purchase genuine antique items.


    It also adds an element of excitement and adventure to the process of collecting. Regardless of the authenticity of the items sold, Bayi Street is a hub of activity for those interested in antiques and collecting.


    In addition to various antique shops, many people have set up stalls on both sides of the street. There are many street stalls, and the things sold are also varied.


    Liu Yong went there with his bag on his back.


    Instead of browsing the street stalls, Liu Yong set his sights on a more formal antique shop.


    He walked into one of the biggest shops to find high-quality antiques. The condition of the shop was more professional and established, with a greater emphasis on the authenticity and value of the items sold. Liu Yong hoped to find rare and genuine antiques to add to his collection.


    As he browsed the shelves and disys, he no doubt felt a sense of excitement and anticipation, eager to discover the next addition to his collection.


    After looking at it for a while, he learned what it was.


    In the antique shop, Liu Yong found a wide selection of ancient coins on disy behind tempered ss. The coins were well-preserved and carefully curated, showcasing the rich history of coin collecting. In addition, the shop also offered modern silver and copper coins, offering aprehensive collection for coin enthusiasts.


    Yuan Datou also put on a lot, but only a few Guangxu Yuanbao.


    "Tsk tsk."


    Liu Yong was secretly surprised. A Yuan Datou from the third year of the Republic of China is priced at 1580 yuan here, and a Yuan Datou from the eighth year of the Republic of China has priced at 2280 yuan.


    The Guangxu Yuanbao also has a price tag depending on the appearance and release time. The price ranges from 500,000 yuan to more than one million yuan.


    Seeing Liu Yong looking at these silver dors for a long time, the guy in the store came over-enthusiastically,


    "Brother, which one do you like? We have marked the price here. It is 100% guaranteed to be genuine."


    Liu Yong said:


    "I won''te to buy silver dors. I have some goods on hand. I don''t know if you will ept them."


    "Oh."


    The guys are interested. Shops like to sell all kinds of antiques but also buy antiques too.


    "Brother, can you show me your stuff?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong nodded lightly, opened the backpack, took a few Yuan Datou from it, and put them on the counter.


    The shopkeeper carefully examined the Guangxu Yuanbao coin that Liu Yong had brought with him after close inspection.


    He was confident that it was authentic and not a modern reproduction. Liu Yong saw the recognition and appreciation in the shopkeeper''s eyes and felt proud of his acquisition. He had a keen eye for antiques and a deep understanding of the value of his coins.


    He was pleased that the shopkeeper recognized the authenticity and value of the Guangxu Yuanbao coin, confirming his instincts about the item.


    "Brother, how much are you going to sell for one?"


    Liu Yong asked back:


    "What is your purchase price? If the price is right, I still have a lot."


    "And many more!"


    The guy became more interested. He originally wanted to offer 500 yuan a piece, but after thinking about it, he said,


    "These are all Yuan Datou from the third year of the Republic of China. Our purchase price is 550 yuan."


    Liu Yong smiled and was not angry because of the offer, but said: "Call your boss. It is a big business for me."


    The guy quickly called the owner of the store. He was a thin middle-aged man wearing casual clothes and handmade shoes.


    "Sir, I am Jin Chuanlin, the owner of this shop. What is your surname?"


    Liu Yong said:


    "Hi Boss Jin, my surname is Liu, and I have a group of Yuan Datou in my hand. In addition, there are more than a dozen Guangxu Yuanbao."


    Jin Chuanlin''s eyes lit up, and he was secretly happy.


    Boss Jin was impressed by Liu Yong''s collection and said,


    "It''s been a while since we''vee across such arge collection. Usually, when peoplee to sell silver coins, they only bring a few, three, or five pieces. A dozen pieces like the Guangxu Yuanbao are rare; west received them two or three months ago. These coins are hard to find and see sometimes only. So it''s quite a rare opportunity for us to have the chance to see such an extensive collection."


    Liu Yong''s collection was exceptional, and Boss Jin was impressed by the size and rarity of the Guangxu Yuanbao coins. It provided a unique opportunity for the antique shop to acquire valuable items to add to their collection and offer to their customers. Liu Yong was pleased with the positive response from Boss Jin, and he was excited to discuss the details of his collection further.


    Mr. Liu, it''s quiet inside. Let''s go inside and talk about it."


    Boss Jin led Liu Yong to a private room decorated in an antique style. The room was spacious and elegant, with arge mahogany table as the centerpiece.


    The table was rectangr and made from a solid piece of mahogany, which was particrly striking and added to the overall antique atmosphere of the room. It was for receiving guests and conducting business, and it was clear that Boss Jin took great pride in the appearance and atmosphere of the space.


    Liu Yong was impressed with the attention to detail and overall elegance and was eager to see what other treasures the shop might offer.


    "Please sit down and drink tea."


    Liu Yong sat down, but he didn''t drink tea. Instead, he opened his backpack and took out a hundred silver dors and a dozen Guangxu Yuanbao.


    "so much!"


    Jin Chuanlin seemed a little excited in his heart. This business is a rare big deal, and he was not polite and began to look seriously.


    Boss Jin first examined a few of the Yuan Datou coins, nodding in approval as he looked them over. He then turned his attention to the more than a dozen Guangxu Yuanbao, carefully examining each in detail.


    Jin took his time to thoroughly assess each coin, making sure to give each one the attention it deserved. Liu Yong watched as Boss Jin handled the coins with care and precision, and he could tell that the shop owner was experienced and knowledgeable about antique coins.


    It gave Liu Yong confidence in the potential sale of his collection, and he was eager to hear what Boss Jin had to say about their value and potential market value.


    After looking at it for several minutes, he put down the Guangxu Yuanbao in his hand Jin Chuanlin said:


    "There are 15 Guangxu Yuanbaos in total, all of which are one or two silver dors made in 8 years. Well, these Yuan Datou, some are made in three years, some made in five years, and even a few made in eight years, I will bid 620 a piece, how about it."


    "Of course, I have to bargain."


    Liu Yong smiled and said:


    "Boss Jin, you are worthy of being a businessman, and this price is too low. I saw the Yuan Datou and Guangxu Yuanbao you put for sale outside, and they are much higher than this price."


    Jin Chuanlin quickly exined: "It''s just a price tag. Customers will usually counter-offer. We can''t sell the price at all."


    Between the two of them, there was some bargaining.


    In the end, Liu Yong said,


    "Boss Jin, each piece of Yuan Datou is unified at 680 yuan, and each piece of Guangxu Yuanbao is 400,000 yuan. If this business is epted, we will have the opportunity to continue. I still have a lot of money."


    "Really?"


    Jin Chuanlin was a little moved. In addition to selling all kinds of antiques, the purchase channel is also critical for them to open this shop.


    Boss Jin said,


    "If we have a stable source for purchasing various silver dors, that would be the best situation for us. If we have a sufficient supply, it could even impact the silver dor market here on Bayi Street."


    It was clear that Boss Jin was knowledgeable about the antique coin market and understood the value of having a reliable source for acquiring rare and valuable coins.


    After some thought, Jin Chuanlin finally nodded and agreed to the price.


    Boss Jin continued,


    "Although the purchase price may be high, there is still a great profit potential. The most important factor is a stable supply channel establishment."


    It was clear that Boss Jin saw the value in acquiring Liu Yong''s collection of coins.

 Chapter 10 Monkey Lord

    ?Liu Yong had eagerly awaited to leave the antique shop and finally granted his wish. He could no longer contain his intense excitement as he stepped out of the store.


    "Oh my god!"


    "A total of 6.68 million"


    "It feels like a dream. I could have never imagined there would be so much money, especially from something as unexpected as a snapping turtle."


    Despite the rtively high prices of houses in Huahai City, they are still within reach for many buyers. Nevertheless, Liu Yong''s current n is to prioritize purchasing a car before considering a house.


    The absence of a car can cause inconveniences, but having one can make a significant difference. Additionally, the snapping turtle finds something valuable in the future and can be easily transported in the car rather than carry it around in a backpack while roaming the streets.


    Liu Yong promptly acted upon his decision and headed straight to Huahai City''srgest automobile market to purchase a **** G. He spent over one million yuan to acquire the car without hesitation.


    As he drove away, Liu Yong thought that the driving experience of a car worth over one million yuan was indeed remarkable.


    While in college, Liu Yong took and passed the C1 driver''s license test. He was also able to earn thousands of dors through participating in work-study programs.


    Liu Yong hails from a rural area where his parents are still alive. Like many families in the countryside, they are not wealthy.


    Currently, Liu Yong has a younger sister who is a freshman at Huahai University.


    ording to others, Liu Yong''s younger sister is considered more promising than him. She has excelled academically since childhood and is known for her obedience and good judgment. She even gained admission to the prestigious 985 Huahai Universityst year.


    Considering his parents and younger sister, Liu Yong contemted sending some money back home, especially since the family faces financial challenges. At present, his father primarily works on construction sites in the county.


    The thought of his father still working on construction sites in his fifties made Liu Yong feel emotional, causing his heart to stir and his eyes to almost fill with tears.


    Liu Yong''s thoughts were interrupted by a phone call, which caught him off guard. He had been driving moments before, and his mind was somewhat preupied.


    "Yong, let''s grab some skewers at our usual spot. I''ll be waiting for you,"


    As darkness began to fall and the streetlights flickered on, it became the busiest time for supper stalls.


    Knowing fully well where they usually hang out, Liu Yong responded directly, saying, "I''ll be there in about half an hour, so please wait for me."


    After hanging up the phone, Liu Yong focused his attention on driving.


    Hu Shijun arrived at the barbecue stall before Liu Yong and secured a seat for them. He ordered six bottles of cold beer and then checked the time, realizing it had almost been half an hour since their phone conversation. He assumed that Liu Yong should be arriving soon.


    After a few more minutes, Hu Shijun felt that it was nearly time for Liu Yong to arrive. He gestured to the vendor and shouted,


    "Boss, please grill a handful of squid, chicken feet, pork belly, as well as a dozen oysters."


    When he finished ordering, he nced at his phone to check the time and was about to send a message on WeChat. However, his attention got suddenly diverted by the sight of a brand new, oversized "G" that had caught his eye.


    It wasn''t just him who was drawn to it, as many other diners also found themselves staring at the impressive "G" with curiosity and envy. With its sleek design and eye-catching disy, the "G" seemed to embody a sense of modernity and sophistication that was hard to resist. As he gazed at it, he couldn''t help but wonder what it might represent or what message it was trying to convey.


    "This car is fun!"


    "A rich man''s car worth more than one million yuan, awesome!"


    "If he''s so wealthy, why doesn''t he try eating barbecue at a food stall?"


    He wondered aloud, feeling a bit skeptical. He couldn''t help but wonder why someone having so much money would choose to eat at a humble food stall rather than at a high-end restaurant with a more upscale atmosphere.


    "What do you think, don''t rich people eat barbecue?"


    Parked on the side of the road, right next to the bustling barbecue stall, was a rugged off-road vehicle that caught the attention of many onlookers. As they passed, they couldn''t help but nce over with a hint of envy, taking in the vehicle''s muscr frame and all-terrain tires.


    The car stopped with its door swung open, revealing the figure of Liu Yong stepping onto the pavement. Liu Yong''s arrival drew the attention of those nearby, who recognized him as a prominent figure in themunity.


    As he emerged from the car, Liu Yong greeted those around him with a smile, confident demeanor, and refined appearance befitting his status.


    More than everybody out there, his friend Hu Shijun looked shocked.


    He seriously suspected that there was something wrong with his eyes. After a daze, he rubbed them vigorously.


    Liu Yong came over, sat down, and said,


    "Why you don''t know me anymore, look at me like this."


    Hu Shijun, who had never stuttered before, stuttered for the first time, speaking awkwardly,


    "Yong...Brother Yong, is that your car?"


    He had intended to ask whose car it was, but upon closer inspection, he realized the car was brand new, with no license tes attached. The pristine condition made it not a car that someone would lend out, especially considering the risk of damage or wear and tear.


    Liu Yong said:


    "Yes, I just bought my car this afternoon, and I came here as soon as I left the 4S store."


    "What!"


    " It is your car?"


    Hu Shijun said,


    "Brother Yong, are you Monkey Lord? You can do magic tricks. Did you conjure up this car?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but notice the expression on Hu Shijun''s face and his reaction to the news, but he didn''t seem to mind. He smiled slightly, recognizing that it was likely a lot to process. Liu knew Hu Shijun needed time to digest the information and understand it.


    Liu Yong had always been good at reading people and understanding their needs, and he knew it was best to give Hu Shijun space to process the news in his way. Liu respected his friend''s emotional state and didn''t want to overwhelm him with too much information at once.


    As he watched Hu Shijun try to absorb the news, Liu Yong remained calm and patient, willing to give his friend the time and support he needed to make sense of the situation.


    "How long is this?"


    "The contrast is too great!"


    Hu Shijun didn''t react for a while.


    After several seconds, he asked again: "Is this your car?"


    Liu Yong replied affirmatively: "Yes, it is my car. I just bought it this afternoon."


    "Brother Yong, I don''t understand where your moneyes from."


    "Haha, if I said I made a fortune today, would you believe it?"


    "I don''t believe it." Hu Shijun shook his head and said, "I believe you robbed the bank even more."


    The food came up soon, and Liu Yong quickly changed the subject, "Well, the food here is good. Let us start eating!"


    After speaking, he picked up a skewer of grilled squid and ate it with big mouthfuls. Hu Shijun also opened a bottle of cold beer and poured two full sses.


    As they sat together, enjoying their kebabs and beer, Liu Yong and Hu Shijun fell into an easy rhythm of conversation, with worries and concerns temporarily forgotten.


    Hu Shijun said: "Brother Yong, you are the third in our ss to buy a car, and you are still a big G with more than one million yuan. You are awesome!"


    "Do you want to take a photo and send it to the ss group to make everyone envious?"


    Liu Yong smiled and shook his head, "Forget it, let''s keep a low profile."


    Hu Shijun could sense that Liu Yong had not convinced by his argument, and he realized that there was little he could do to change his friend''s mind. Reluctantly, he gave up, knowing that it was not worth getting into an argument over. Despite his disappointment, he respected Liu Yong''s decision and didn''t want to push the issue further.


    Not long after, Liu talked about Hu Shijun''s job, "Junzi, how is your job?"


    Hu Shijun said: "It''s still the same, lukewarm, can''t make a fortune, and can''t starve to death."


    "I see." Liu Yong thought for a while and said, "I remember you opened an online store back then in college. How about we continue to open an online store?"


    Hu Shijun said: "If we open an online store, what will we sell?"


    Liu Yong had already thought, "How about we open an online store to sell silver dors and Yuan Datou?"


    Indeed, quite a few online stores sell Yuan Datou, and the selling price of each Yuan Datou is so high, ranging from a thousand to a few hundred.


    And selling to antique shops is only a few hundred, and there is a price difference, as long as selling one or two a day is much better than going to work.


    Liu Yong still has more than 200 Yuan Datou, where he can open an online store and start selling it.


    Hu Shijun was surprised!


    "Open an online store and sell Yuan Datou!!"


    "But where did Yuan Datoue from?"


    He looked at Liu Yong and said it.


    Liu Yong smiled proudly,


    "The supply of goods is not a problem, I still have more than two hundred Yuan Datou, which is enough for you to sell for a while."


    "Whoa"


    "More than two hundred Yuan Datou!"


    Hu Shijun was stunned by the number that Liu Yong had just quoted him, and it took him a while to process the information.


    He got taken aback that he found himself muttering under his breath,


    "Is Brother Yong Sun Wukong? Why are there so many Yuan Datou all of a sudden?"


    He couldn''t quite believe that Liu Yong had umted so much wealth in such a short period, and the implications of this fact were still sinking in. As he tried to wrap his head around the situation, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for his friend, who had achieved so much in so little time.


    "More than two hundred yuan. How much is this?"


    Noticing Hu Shijun''s surprise, Liu Yong said:


    "Don''t worry, there is no problem with the origin of each piece of Yuan Datou. You can sell it online with confidence."


    Liu Yong was intentionally vague about the source of the silver dors, only offering the assurance of the acquirement of silvers through legitimate means.


    He knew that going into too much detail would onlyplicate matters and raise unnecessary questions and that it was better to keep things simple.


    Fortunately, Hu Shijun didn''t ask any further questions.

 Chapter 11 Strength Skill Level 51

    ?As they savored the taste of grilled skewers, the two friends exchanged excited whispers about their n to start an online store.


    Their business venture was more than just ordinary, as they intended to sell Yuan Datou, a popr and sought-after delicacy known for its unique and irresistible vor.


    It was until eight or nine o''clock that they finally had enough food and drinks to satisfy their hunger and thirst. During their meal, they discussed different topics, including the possibility of starting an online store.


    As the evening wore on, the discussion about the store became more detailed and animated, with both sharing their ideas and opinions.


    Eventually, they finished their meal and decided to leave, feeling excited and motivated about the potential of their new venture.


    After consuming several beer bottles, Liu couldn''t operate a vehicle safely. Recognizing the risks, he wisely decided not to get behind the wheel and instead called for a surrogate driver online.


    This service allows individuals to hire a professional driver to transport them and their vehicle to their destination. By doing so, Liu took a responsible approach to drive under the influence and ensured the safety of himself and other road users.


    The following day, Hu Shijun arrived early and was so hurried that he didn''t even take the time to have breakfast. As soon as he saw Yong, he eagerly asked,


    "Hey, Yong, where did you and Yuan Datou end up talking yesterday?"


    Before meeting Yuan Datou, Hu Shijun had an almost dream-like sensation, as if the experience was too surreal to be true. He had heard stories or rumors about Yuan Datou that made him seemrger-than-life, or he had built up an image of him based on second-hand information.


    Liu Yong hurriedly closed the door, opened the cab, took out those Yuan Datou, and put them on the table.


    "Wow, there are so many Yuan Datou!"


    Hu Shijun couldn''t bear it anymore, he eximed and started to shout.


    Excitedly, he picked a handful of silver dors and eximed,


    "I can hardly believe it, Yong. You have so many silver dors!"


    Liu Yong suggested,


    "Why don''t we sell them online? We can charge a few hundred yuan per dor and split the profits evenly between us."


    Hu Shijun said:


    "It''s enough for me to take one-third, I''ll take some first and go."


    Instead of taking all the silver dors away, he only took 100 yuan, nearly half of it.


    As he ced the 100 silver dors into the bag, Hu Shijun made a yful remark, saying,


    "Yong, are you sure you can trust me with all these silver dors? I might just run away with them!"


    Liu Yong chuckled, clearly not worried about the possibility of Hu Shijun running off with the silver dors.


    Hisughter suggested he understood Hu Shijun''sment as a joke and trusted him enough not to take the money and run.


    Soon after, Hu Shijun took the 100 yuan and left to open his online store to sell Yuan Datou.


    ...


    As it swam in the Ink Lake, the small snapping turtle deliberately moved slowly, seemingly content to take its time. Despite itsck of speed, the turtle appeared pleased with itself whenever it sawrger fish avoid it as if relishing the power it held over them.


    With its slow and deliberate movements, the small snapping turtle had be a dominant force in Ink Lake, seemingly immune to threats. It had established itself as a veritable tyrant of the water, feared and respected by other creatures in the area.


    Today, Liu Yong returned to the edge of Ink Lake, finding it as peaceful and tranquil as ever. Under the cool shade of the trees, he noticed several anglers intently focused on their fishing, the only signs of activity in the otherwise still surroundings.


    Hu Shijun had recently opened his online store, and to his delight, he sold two Yuan Datou on the very first day. The early sess of his store filled him with a sense of happiness and pride he looked forward to further growth and expansion.


    Hu Shijun chatted with Liu Yong the previous night, gleefully sharing that he had sold four Yuan Datou the day before, which had be his most sessful sales day yet. The news filled him with joy and enthusiasm as he relished the prospect of continuing to build his online business.


    "How about the little snapping turtle?"


    Liu Yong contacted the pet forum to gather more information about the snapping turtle.


    After some research, he could learn more about the creature''s behavior and habits, better understanding how to care for it and ensure its well-being.


    [[


    Name: MUTANT SNAPPING TURTLE


    Strength: 51


    Constitution: 45


    Dexterity: 41


    Weight: 19.6 kg


    Skills: Tortoise Shell Art (Level 1), Turtle Breath Art (Level 1)


    ]]


    .....


    The snapping turtle had exhibited an incredibly rapid growth rate, reaching nearly 20 kilograms in weight and developing strength and other characteristics that would be in a fully matured adult of its species.


    Its growth was remarkable, exceeding the norm and prompting further curiosity about its unique development.


    Despite its impressive growth, the snapping turtle''s hunting fortune had been disappointing.


    For several consecutive days, it had failed to catch any valuable prey, leading to concerns that there may be a scarcity of such resources in Ink Lake.


    It was the only downside to an otherwise impressive and fascinating creature.


    "Little snapping turtle."


    "Master, what are your orders?"


    Liu Yong asked the turtle how it had been faring in thest couple of days and whether it had discovered any new items at Ink Lake. Despite thoroughlybing the area, the turtle still needed to uncover significant discoveries.


    "I have searched the Ink Lake, and I have not let go of the deepest part, and I have not found anything."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong considered the situation and realized that the snapping turtle had grown considerably, now weighing nearly 40 cattie. As a result, it may be time to find a new location for the creature, as it could deplete the resources in Ink Lake.


    Ink Lake may seem rtively small for a snapping turtle that has grown as much as the small one Liu Yong knows. Despite its impressive growth, the turtle''s size had begun to surpass the Lake''s capacity, making it necessary to find a new home for the creature.


    Liu Yong thought it would be ideal if the snapping turtle could adapt to a saltwater environment, allowing them to relocate it to the sea and offering the creature a much wider habitat.


    The prospect of releasing the turtle into arger world beyond the confines of Ink Lake filled Liu Yong with excitement.


    Ink Lake can only be considered a small poolpared to the vast sea.


    While thinking about this, the noise not far away interrupted Liu Yong''s train of thought.


    As Liu Yong pondered the possibility of releasing the snapping turtle into the sea, he noticed a middle-aged woman adorned in jewels performing a life-releasing ceremony nearby.


    The sight of the woman''s ceremonial act piqued Liu Yong''s interest.


    Close to the woman, Liu Yong observed two burly men grappling with a woven bag in the back of a pickup truck. The bag appeared to contain something of substantial weight, and the men struggled to unload it.


    The middle-aged woman lit joss sticks and prayed eloquently by the Lake, gradually attracting the attention of many people.


    Following the prayer, the release ceremonymenced.


    Two men carried the woven bag to the water and unfastened it. A collective gasp emerged from the onlookers as they glimpsed the items about to be released.


    "Oh, my God!"


    The one that would be released was a ferocious crocodile, not more than a hundred cattie, at least eighty to ny cattie, and nearly two meters in length.


    Liu Yong also saw it and was taken aback. It is not releasing animals, and it is simply endangering public safety. Ink Lake Park is an open park. There are many people by the Lake, and there are often people rowing in the Lake.


    "My God, the crocodile was released!"


    "This will kill people."


    The people around were agitated, and Liu Yong stopped it with words:


    "Sister, such a big crocodile is very dangerous. It''s not good if it bites someone."


    The middle-aged woman seemed very strong. She didn''t listen to persuasion at all and retorted:


    "You don''t care about my affairs, don''t meddle in my own business."


    Liu Yong was speechless.


    It seems unreasonable to reason with such a person. Liu thought to himself,


    "I wonder if the little snapping turtle can beat this big crocodile."


    Due to its significantlyrger size and weight, which can be two to three times greater than a small snapping turtle, the crocodile might not be an appropriate choice.


    Liu Yong didn''t make a sound anymore. Many other voices are using middle-aged women, especially some young people.


    "It''s too wicked. It''s a danger to public safety."


    "This is how many immoral things you have done. You need to release such a big crocodile to umte virtue."


    "This is not good. I think it will be retribution."


    "....."


    As the number of bystanders increases, several people express their disapproval and feel a sense of moral outrage.


    Seeing that the middle-aged woman had provoked public outrage, she quickly left in despair after releasing the crocodile.


    After a while, the management personnel of the park came over.


    After learning about the situation, their expressions changed.


    Of course, they knew the danger of releasing such a dangerous crocodile in Ink Lake. Soon, the park called the police.


    Liu Yong also left after staying for a while and drove back home.


    After entering the door, Liu Yongmunicated with the little snapping turtle,


    "Little snapping turtle, someone just released a big crocodile in the inkke. You should pay attention to safety."


    "Master, I am not afraid. It is not my opponent."


    "Little snapping turtle, it''s better to stay alert and be careful when sailing for thousands of years."


    "Master, don''t worry about me, I will have no problem."


    Following a few conversations, Liu Yong discovered that the small snapping turtle''s intelligence had seemingly advanced, now on par with a four- to five-year-old child.


    " IQ has improved again, which is a good thing!"


    Being happy, Liu Yong confessed:


    "You should pay more attention to yourself. Also, don''t show up easily, don''t scare the tourists."


    The snapping turtle weighing nearly 40 kg, is almost the size of a millstone with a bare carapace. If tourists see it, they will probably be shocked.


    After chatting for a few words, the little snapping turtle said:


    "Master, I saw that big crocodile. I will go over and look."


    Liu Yong confessed:


    "Be careful! If you can''t defeat it, just hide for a while."

 Chapter 12 The Vigorous Enemy

    ?The small snapping turtle caught sight of the enormous crocodile.


    The distance is bing shorter and shorter over time.


    The enormous crocodile didn''t seem to respond.


    Aftering within about six or seven meters, the small snapping turtle paused and thought,


    "This must be the big crocodile my master warned me about."


    "I am the boss of Ink Lake. Why would a creature of such magnitude suddenly appear here?"


    Although the enormous crocodile likely noticed the small snapping turtle, it probably didn''t think much of it, considering its size advantage.


    The young snapping turtle closed in by another meter or two, causing the crocodile to react and give a warning.


    "Do you still warn me?"


    The snapping turtle furiously said it.


    The small snapping turtle had a fiery spirit of its own.


    "I''m the boss of all of Ink Lake,"


    "and as an arrogant neer, you need to be in your ce."


    The tiny snapping turtle and the newly ced crocodile confronted each other, with both sides issuing warnings.


    When the crocodile saw that the snapping turtle, much smaller than him, dared to do this, his temper also came up. No matter what happened, he swung his tail and rushed over immediately, opening his mouth to bite.


    The mouth is wide open with jagged, sharp teeth that look scary.


    Coupled with the bite force, it won''t be excellent if you get bitten.


    If it had been an ordinary snapping turtle, it would have been bitten and had its shell crushed, but this small snapping turtle was different - it was quick to react.


    With dodge, the small snapping turtle could evade the crocodile''s bite. It then retaliated with a swift swipe of its front paw, which sliced through the crocodile''s tough skin like a hot knife through butter.


    Blood flow!


    In the first round, the snapping turtle won the fight!


    Far from being intimidated, the crocodile became even more aggressive after being scratched by the small snapping turtle. Its tail thrashed violently, like a whip made of pure steel, as it prepared to retaliate.


    The little snapping turtle couldn''t dodge in time, was kicked hard, and was swept several meters away.


    In the second round, the crocodile had the upper hand.


    Both of them knew that they were strong enough to fight each other.


    The crocodile and the small snapping turtle faced off in the water several meters apart for several minutes. Eventually, the crocodile could no longer contain its aggression which let it charge forward once again.


    One bite hit the carapace of the little snapping turtle.


    The small snapping turtle wasn''t about to let the crocodile get the upper hand. It also opened its jaws and sank its teeth into the crocodile''s front leg in a swift and determined bite.


    The small snapping turtle''s powerful bite almost tore off a chunk of flesh from the crocodile''s front leg.


    The crocodile writhed in pain and unleashed its deadly weapon, thrashing its powerful tail with unbridled fury.


    The bottom of theke is cloudy.


    The two opponents evenly matched in the third round, with the small snapping turtle gaining a slight advantage.


    The two sides confronted each other several meters away.


    With its hard carapace and the protective power of the tortoiseshell technique, the small snapping turtle emerged from the battle unscathed, while the crocodile suffered injuries in two ces.


    The small snapping turtle knew that defeating such a crocodile was not easy. Hence, it refrained from impulsively charging at the opponent and stopped quietly, awaiting the next move.


    The confrontationsted for more than ten minutes.


    The crocodile eventually retreated, possibly realizing that the small snapping turtle was not an easy opponent to handle. It may return to fight another day after it has recovered from its injuries.


    Seeing the big crocodile leave, the little snapping turtle thought unhappily, hum, wait for another two days when I grow up a bit, I must clean you up again.


    After this battle, the crocodile did not dare to provoke the little snapping turtle again, and there was no more fighting between the two sides for the time being.


    Every day, Liu Yong begins by checking the news and browsing his WeChat messages on his mobile phone. Today, just like any other day, he''s lying in bed while doing so.


    The news said the one who released the crocodile would soon be arrested.


    Anyone who kills or captures this giant crocodile will receive a reward of 20,000 yuan.


    Liu Yong was ted at the prospect of earning a reward of 20,000 yuan for capturing or killing the crocodile.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Oh, by the way, how is the snapping turtle?"


    Liu Yong  immediatelymunicated with the snapping turtle,


    "How are you? Didn''t that enormous creature threaten you?"


    The little snapping turtle briefly exined yesterday''s situation and said:


    "Master, don''t worry I will take care of that big crocodile in two days at most."


    Hearing this, Liu Yong was slightly relieved.


    The small snapping turtle has the upper hand, and within the next two days, it may be able to subdue the crocodile.


    The little snapping turtle had lived in Ink Lake for a long time and had never left its home.


    As it grew giant, it started to wonder about the world beyond theke.


    Could it leave theke and explore new ces, perhaps even the vast ocean?


    Snapping turtles are adapted to freshwater environments and may not be able to survive in saltwater environments. If the little snapping turtle wants to leave Ink Lake, it may need to find another freshwater habitat where it can thrive.


    Liu Yong hoped the snapping turtle could adapt to the seawater environment because it is not an ordinary snapping turtle. It would be disappointing if the turtle could not survive in saltwater.


    After breakfast, Liu Yong drove out.


    Liu Yong knew it was risky, but he was curious to see if the little snapping turtle could survive in the salty seawater.


    He researched and found that snapping turtles could tolerate a certain level of salinity but not as much as marine turtles.


    Liu Yong decided to go to the beach and find a suitable location for the experiment. He nned to prepare arge tank with seawater to limate the turtle slowly to the new environment.


    It is very convenient to have a car. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to reach the beach. Liu Yong began to search for a suitable ce.


    In the evening, Hu Shijun came over.


    The two found a food stall, ordered a few dishes and a few bottles of wine, and chatted while eating and drinking.


    "Brother Yong, today''s business is good. It sold for a total of six Yuan Datou, and the ie is almost 10,000 less. It is much better than going to work."


    That''s good news for Hu Shijun! It is like his hard work is paying off. With over 20 silver dors earned in just a few days, it''s no wonder he feels happy.


    Although it may be less than what he can get from a job, it''s still significant for selling fish.


    Liu Yong was also happy and suggested:


    "Why don''t you take all the more than 100 Yuan Datou from me."


    Hu Shijun said:


    "In a few days when the silver dors in my hand finish, I will ask you for them."


    "Alright." Liu Yong nodded.


    The two chatted and chatted, and gradually they talked about one thing.


    Hu Shijun said:


    "Brother Yong, do you know that there are news reports on newspapers, TV stations, and mobile phones? Someone released a two-meter Long crocodile."


    "Well, I know, I happened to see it at the scene when the animals were released and tried to dissuade them, but the other party didn''t listen. "


    Hu Shijun said:


    "Releasing such a crocodile is immoral. I just read the news report on my mobile phone. This morning, a tourist had bitten by a crocodile and almost dragged into the water. Fortunately, there were many people around at that time. Everyone scared them together."


    His voice is rtively loud, and he looks filled with righteous indignation.


    Someone interjected:


    "Brother, I happened to be in Ink Lake Park, and I also heard about this incident. I also heard that the reward got increased by 50,000 yuan."


    50,000 yuan!


    Even Liu Yong was a little moved.


    Compared to yesterday, the little snapping turtle has grown up again.


    It is difficult for others to catch or kill that crocodile, but Liu Yong is different as he got an idea.


    Hu Shijun looked envious,


    "Brother Yong, 50,000 yuan if we can catch that big crocodile, that would be great."

 Chapter 13 The Plan

    ?"Do you want to obtain this 50,000 yuan?"


    "Definitely,"


    Replied Hu Shijun.


    "We are individuals who fear poverty. 50,000 yuan is a substantial amount of money adequate to remain prosperous and influential for a considerable period.


    It is urate that 50,000 yuan is a considerable amount for numerous individuals.


    Upon pondering for a moment, Liu Yong suggested,


    "If you have such a desire, let''s take our chances in the Ink Lake region tomorrow. Who knows, we may get fortunate."


    Hu Shijun almost raised his hands in agreement and said:


    "Okay, okay, then we need to prepare something."


    Liu Yong said:


    "There is no need to prepare much. A stronger rope should be enough."


    "Okay, this is simple, I will prepare."


    Shijun confidently said it.


    Liu Yong said:


    "Thene over tomorrow morning, and we will set off together to try our luck at Ink Lake."


    The two young people decided so.


    Hu Shijun was impulsive, and his focus was stuck on the 50,000 yuan reward.


    While Liu Yong possessed a moreposed demeanor, realizing that with the assistance of the little snapping turtle, the issue should not be excessively challenging.


    The following morning, Liu Yong arose, washed up, and Hu Shijun arrived. He messaged Liu Yong on WeChat, saying,


    "Brother Yong, I have arrived. I am currently downstairs at Fatty Liu''s food stall. Let''s grab breakfast first."


    Seeing this message, Liu Yong went out.


    Hu Shijun had arrived, carrying a nylon rope, and had ced his belongings on the table. They ordered breakfast, which consisted of steamed buns, deep-fried dough sticks, and soy milk, among other items.


    "Brother Yong, let''s set off after breakfast."


    Hu Shijun asked.


    "no problem."


    Liu Yong replied.


    The duo sat down, consumed their breakfast in ten minutes, and departed. Liu Yong drove therge G vehicle to Mohu Park.


    Riding in the car, Hu Shijun was envious again,


    "Brother Yong, if I have a car like this, I will have no regrets in this life."


    Liu Yong said: "There will be. I believe in you."


    Ink Lake Park was not distant, so they entered the park, parked the vehicle close to theke, and arrived at thekeside carrying their equipment.


    Perhaps due to the crocodile in theke, there were fewer individuals near the area. Usually, peoplee for fishing, but not today.


    "Brother Yong, look reward amount has been increased to 100,000 yuan."


    The notice had distinctly printed, stating that whoever captured or eliminated the crocodile would be rewarded 100,000 yuan.


    The park management office had stamped the announcement with a bright red seal, ensuring its authenticity.


    "100,000 yuan is good!"


    Liu Yong was eager to try and quietlymunicate with the little snapping turtle, asking it to find the giant crocodile, catch it, or kill it.


    "Master, no problem. Wait for my message."


    The little snapping turtle radiated a strong sense of confidence that was noticeable. Comparing its current state to two days ago, it was evident that the turtle had grown significantly, and its attributes had improved remarkably.


    Having been in Ink Lake for so long, it is very familiar with this water area, and it didn''t take much time to find the crocodile.


    Soon, the little snapping turtle found the crocodile and swam over quickly.


    At first, the crocodile didn''t pay much attention to the little snapping turtle in the distance, but as the snapping turtle approached, the crocodile became increasingly wary and perplexed.


    The crocodile had never experienced this level of aggression from a creature as small as the snapping turtle. It began to realize that it might have underestimated its opponent. The little snapping turtle was no longer the easy target it once thought.


    The crocodile attempted to submerge into the water, hoping to drown its opponent, but the little snapping turtle proved to be a proficient swimmer. It held on to the crocodile''s back and scratched at the skin, causing deep wounds that oozed with blood.


    Despite the crocodile''s best efforts, it could not shake off the little snapping turtle. The once proud and mighty predator was now at the mercy of a tiny snapping turtle that was tenacious and ferocious.


    "Is this really the snapping turtle from two days ago?"


    "Why is it a lot bigger?"


    The gigantic crocodile sensed danger, and the first reaction was to run.


    But its speed was not as fast as that of the small snapping turtle, where it got trapped in no time, and the little snapping turtle bit the crocodile fiercely.


    The arduous and robust skin of the crocodile seemed to offer no defense as the little snapping turtle effortlessly pierced through it. In a sudden burst, blood sttered, and a chunk of flesh was torn off.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Death Roll!


    The little snapping turtle disyed confidence, demonstrating its growth and development in just two days. It had grown substantially, with enhanced attributes and augmentedbat capabilities.


    The formidable crocodile seemed no match for the little turtle as it struggled in vain to shake off its grip. The battle between the two was decidedly one-sided, with the little snapping turtle holding the upper hand.


    The razor-sharp front ws of the small snapping turtle easily cut through the thick and rough skin of the crocodile, tearing offrge chunks of flesh with each strike.


    Thebat capabilities of the little snapping turtle had significantly improved, and it exuded confidence and self-assurance in contrast to its demeanor two days ago.


    Its attributes had grown substantially, and it appeared more potent than before.


    "Brother Yong, what shall we do next?"


    "follow me."


    Despite the small number of rented boats, more than a dozen were docked near the pier. Since the reward was announced, people had been flocking to theke, hoping to capture the giant crocodile.


    Liu Yong observed that professionals upied the few boats on theke with all the necessary tools and equipment to capture the crocodile.


    "Boss, how much is a boat?"


    The boat owner said:


    "It was originally fifty, but today it is thirty."


    " I didn''t expect such a good thing it''s so cheap. You can rent a boat for thirty."


    After paying 30 yuan, they rented a small boat, and the two headed toward the middle of theke. The boat owner reminded them:


    "Be careful, don''t put your hands or feet into the water. There is a big crocodile in theke. Yesterday, they almost killed me."


    Liu Yong said:


    "Thank you, boss. We are here to catch that crocodile, so we are not afraid of it."


    "What the ***k???"


    " Are you here to catch crocodile?"


    The boat owner was aware that after the reward announcement, individuals in small groups had started to arrive yesterday with the same goal of capturing the crocodile.


    However, the groups seemed professional, and their equipment wasprehensive. Typically, these teams consisted of three to five people and seldom only two members.


    While the boat owner was in a daze, the boat had already sailed far away, heading towards the middle of theke.


    Theke was noticeably quiet, only two or three boats present, which was a significant departure from the usual bustling scene.


    "Brother Yong, what should we do next?"


    Liu Yong exined,


    "It''s quite simple. We need to tie a knot at each end of the nylon rope to form a noose. Then lower it into the water."


    "Is it that simple?"


    Liu Yong smiled and said confidently,


    "Brother, wait and see. The little snapping turtle is here to assist us. With its help, we can capture the crocodile without fail."


    Hu Shijun nodded and tied the knot as instructed. As the two of them put the nylon rope into the water, the little snapping turtle suddenly swam over and signaled that the crocodile was approaching.


    There happened to be a ship not far away.


    Three people were on board, with professional tools and equipment.


    They are searching for and preparing to catch the crocodile.


    As they approached, the distance between the two parties shortened to only 20 to 30 meters, which was easily noticeable.


    The group of four seemed to have taken notice of the situation on Liu Yong''s side, and the leading middle-aged man couldn''t resist calling out to them loudly.


    "Little brother, what are you doing?"


    Liu Yong replied: " To catch that crocodile."


    Everyone on that boatughed loudly, and the middle-aged man smiled and said,


    "It''s not like you saw a reward of 100,000 yuan, so you want to try it too."


    "Yes, we want to give it a try. If we are lucky, we can trap that crocodile."


    Hearing such an answer, the people on the shipughed again louder thanst time.


    Despite theirughter, Liu Yong paid no attention and proceeded to the noose. He carefully lowered the loop into the water with steady hands until it was about ten meters deep.


    Hu Shijun asked:


    "Brother Yong, can we do this?"


    Liu Yong spoke with confidence and encouraged them to try. He said luck could be on their side, even if it were a long shot.


    "Who knows, sometimes a blind cat can catch a dead mouse. Let''s give it a try,"


    He said.


    Hu Shijun shook his head with a wry smile...¡­.

 Chapter 14 Successful Mission

    ?Hu Shijun found himself in a perplexing situation and was at a loss for how to respond, feeling neither amused nor upset.


    Noticing his expression, Liu Yong said:


    "Junzi, you have to trust me,e on, help me hold on to the rope, and don''t be dragged into the water."


    "Okay man"


    Hu Shijun took hold of one end of the rope but was skeptical that they could catch the crocodile in this manner.


    In that pivotal moment, Liu Yong''s focus converged on the task on his hand. All other distractions faded away as he instinctively reached out to grasp the rope, his fingers closing tightly around its rough fibers. With a fierce determination burning within him, he set his sights on the tiny snapping turtle that had caught his eye.


    Drawing on his own experience and intuition, Liu Yong began to guide the small snapping turtle, urging it to operate with a level of intelligence that matched that of a four- or five-year-old child. Though this may have seemed daunting, Liu Yong approached it calmly, as if he had done it a thousand times before.


    The battle may have been long over, but the memory of it still lingered in Liu Yong''s mind. As he looked back on that fateful day, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer ferocity of the crocodile that had dared to challenge the tiny snapping turtle.


    Standing over two meters in length, the crocodile had looked like a formidable opponent, its jaws capable of crushing bone. But as the battle unfolded, it quickly became apparent that the snapping turtle was no ordinary creature.


    With lightning-fast reflexes and a fierce determination, the little turtle quickly gained the upper hand, unleashing a flurry of attacks that left the crocodile reeling. Despite its size and strength, the crocodile seemed powerless to resist the snapping turtle''s relentless onught.


    The battle was one-sided, with the snapping turtle emerging victorious and the crocodile lying defeated on the ground.


    The crocodile is full of scars, horrible, already dying, and at the mercy of others.


    "Master set it up!"


    The turtle said.


    Upon receiving the message, Liu Yong firmly grasped the rope with both hands, feeling the weight and resistance that indicated something got caught on the other end.


    Being excited, he steadily pulled on the rope, using his strength to reel in whatevery at the other end. His mind raced with possibilities of what he might find, and his muscles strained with the effort of hauling in his catch.


    "Junzi, we have caught something significant, perhaps even arge crocodile. We should pool our strength and work together to reel it in,"


    Suggested the Shijung, sensing the weight and resistance on the line. The urgency in their voice conveyed excitement and caution, as the prospect of catching such a formidable creature was both thrilling and daunting.


    As Hu Shijun began to pull on the line, a distinct sensation of weight and resistance coursed through his arms, affirming that he had indeed hooked onto something substantial.


    The effort required to haul in the catch was significant, as the force pulling against him was tremendous and unrelenting.


    The Shijiung experienced a sudden and intense jolt of emotion in his heart, which caused a shock-like sensation to ripple through his body.


    He caught something.


    Caught up in surprise and amazement, Hu Shijun couldn''t help but express hispanion lightheartedly.


    "Brother Yong, could it be that we''ve caught nothing more than a big rock at the bottom of theke or arge piece of rotten wood?"


    Hu Shijun asked.


    He quipped, trying to make light of the situation. Despite his yful tone, Hu Shijun''s still filled with excitement and curiosity, eager to see what had caught on the line.


    His words were more of a momentary diversion, an attempt to relieve some tension and keep the mood light as they continued to work towards their catch.


    "I don''t think so," responded Liu Yong, confident in his assessment.


    "I''m pretty sure we''ve caught that big crocodile. Let''s put in some extra effort and pull it up to find out for sure."


    With a shared sense of determination, the two friends braced themselves and began to count off together.


    "One, two, three..." they chanted, each taking a deep breath before exerting their strength to reel in their catch. The strain on their muscles was intense, and the line seemed to resist their efforts at every turn. Yet the two remained undeterred, pulling with all their might so the mystery of whaty at the other end of the line.


    With theirbined efforts and unwavering determination, the twopanions worked tirelessly to reel in their catch. After an eternity of pulling and straining, they finally seeded in hoisting the ten-meter-long rope out of the water. To their amazement and satisfaction, the object at the end was revealed to be the enormous body of a gigantic crocodile!


    The creature''s size was impressive, and the sight of it left the two friends in awe of what they had aplished. Though the task had been challenging, the reward of catching such a formidable creature made it all worth it.


    Upon closer inspection, the twopanions noticed that the noose at the end of the rope had effectively wrapped tightly around the crocodile''s mouth, holding it securely in ce. Despite the animal''s struggles to break free, the noose remained firm, preventing escape attempts.


    The stability of it was a testament to the skill and precision of the two friends, who had managed to not only hook the crocodile but also sessfully contain it.


    "Brother Yong, it is that big crocodile!" eximed Shijun with unbridled enthusiasm, the voice ringing out with excitement and joy.


    The triumph of sessfully catching such a formidable creature was evident in tone as they reveled in the experience of having outwitted the animal and aplished their goal.


    Hu Shijun was still in awe of their incredible catch. He couldn''t help but express his amazement.


    "I never imagined in my wildest dreams that we would catch this big crocodile!"


    He eximed, his voice filled with disbelief and wonder. The enormity of the animal and the thrill of the catch had left an impression on him, and he couldn''t contain his excitement. The word "awesome" perfectly captured the awe-inspiring nature of their achievement and the sense of pride and aplishment that came with it.


    Hu Shijun looked at Liu Yong with deep admiration and respect, ovee with awe and gratitude.


    "Brother Yong is truly mighty!" he almost shouted, unable to contain hispanion.


    Liu Yong''s strength, skill, and tenacity were critical in sessfully capturing the crocodile. Hu Shijun quickly recognized and appreciated his friend''s contribution to their aplishment.


    The frenzied activity andmotion caused by the crocodile''s capture immediately caught the people''s attention on the boat parked some twenty or thirty meters away. They quickly turned their heads to noise andmotion, curious to see what was happening.


    The sight of the two friends pulling the enormous animal out of the water must have been a fascinating and thrilling spectacle, and it was no surprise that it had caught the attention of everyone on board.


    The energy and excitement of the moment were palpable, and it was clear that the twopanions had not only aplished something remarkable but had also managed to captivate the attention of those around them.


    "What!"


    "Did they catch the alligator?"


    One of the men on the board said it.


    Several pairs of eyes looked over one after another, their faces full of disbelief.


    As the crocodile had pulled out of the water, it gave a fierce struggle, thrashing about and trying to free itself from the noose.


    In a sudden burst of energy, the animal made a desperate lunge, causing arge ssh that almost dislodged the rope from Liu Yong and Hu Shijun''s hands.


    The force of the crocodile''s movements was so great that it threatened to overwhelm the two friends, struggling to maintain their grip on the rope.


    However, they managed to hold on, even as the crocodile thrashed about, its powerful tail whipping back and forth in the air. The situation was tense and dangerous, but Liu Yong and Hu Shijun remained determined and focused, refusing to let go of the rope and risking losing their catch.


    The people on that boat were almost stunned collectively, with their mouths opened wide.


    "This is unscientific!"


    Liu Yong and Hu Shijun''s sessful capture of the massive crocodile was all the more impressive without ess to professional tools or equipment.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Despite this, they could use quick thinking and resourcefulness to fashion a noose at the end of a ten-meter-long rope, which they used to catch the crocodile and pull it to the surface.


    The speed and efficiency with which they could aplish this task left the onlookers on the nearby boat puzzled. They were amazed, unable to exin how it got done so quickly and effectively.


    Liu Yong''s shout to "hold on firmly and pull it up" was a testament to his strength and determination for his unwavering confidence in his ability to ovee any obstacle.


    With every passing moment, the tension in the air grew as the fishermen and onlookers waited with bated breath to see if Liu Yong and Hu Shijun could sessfully capture the crocodile. It was a moment of intense excitement and suspense.


    Under the shocked eyes of everyone on the other boat, they worked together to pull the rope up again.


    The crocodile came out of the water again, and the boat next to it approached, looking at the crocodile enviously.


    They knew that the 100,000 yuan had nothing to do with them. It belonged to the two young people before them.


    "Brother, do you want us to help?"


    Liu Yong politely declined: "Thank you, we can handle it."


    With the crocodile now securely captured, Hu Shijun took charge of the boat, rowing towards the shore as quickly. At the same time, Liu Yong continued to pull on the rope, keeping the crocodile under control.


    It was a tense and precarious journey, with the crocodile still struggling and thrashing about. Still, Hu Shijun''s skilled rowing and Liu Yong''s strength and determination proved to be more than a match for the massive reptile.


    After what seemed like an eternity, they finally reached the shore, and with the help of several others, they were able to drag the crocodile safely onto thend.


    Despite the danger and difficulty of their mission, Liu Yong and Hu Shijun had seeded in capturing the crocodile, and they were now able to bask in the satisfaction of a job well done.


    The owner of the charter boat, who had been smoking a cigarette leisurely, was taken aback by themotion that had suddenly erupted on the water. As he watched Liu Yong and Hu Shijun expertly pull in the massive crocodile, he was so stunned that his cigarette slipped from his fingers and fell to the ground, forgotten.


    It was not every day that he witnessed such an incredible feat, and he couldn''t believe his eyes. He had seen his share of amateur fishermen trying to catch small fish. Still, he had never seen anyone catch a crocodile before. He couldn''t help but wonder how these two men had managed to do it without any professional tools or equipment.


    As the news of the crocodile catch spread, more and more people gathered around, forming a small crowd at a safe distance from the captured reptile.


    Nobody dared to get too close, as everyone felt the danger posed by a wild crocodile.


    The mouth of the giant crocodile has been tied up, which is very safe. In addition, this crocodile seems to be almost dead.


    As the onlookers gazed at the captured crocodile from a safe distance, they noticed several visible wounds on its body.


    However, they couldn''t see the scars clearly due to the distance and had to rely on their imagination to guess how the crocodile had sustained them.


    Some people spected that the wounds were from fishing hooks or other tools used by amateur fishermen. Others thought the crocodile might have been injured in a fight with another predator in the water. Despite the various theories, no one knew how the crocodile was wounded.


    After a while, people from the park management office came quickly.


    Upon learning about the crocodile''s capture, the leading staff member, who was in charge of the nature reserve, rushed to investigate the matter. After understanding the situation, he was overjoyed and expressed gratitude to Liu Yong and Hu Shijun, who had caught the crocodile.


    "Thank you, thank you so much," the staff member eximed with gratitude. "Our Ink Lake Park is finally safe again."


    Liu Yong said:


    "We were lucky and finally caught it."


    The two of them shook hands and chatted, and several other park staff members confirmed that it was the crocodile.


    They were also a little puzzled. There were several scars on this crocodile.


    "Where did thise from?"


    One of them said it shockingly. ¡­.


    Liu Yong made an excuse casually, such as saying that the crocodile was caught yesterday and those scars were made yesterday.


    The capture of the crocodile by Liu Yong and Hu Shijun raised some questions about the management and the safety of its visitors. However, the staff member in charge of the park chose not to delve deeper into the matter and did not pursue any further investigation.


    A detailed analysis of the situation could reveal inconsistencies and holes in the exnation given by Liu Yong and Hu Shijun. But the park did not want to delve further into the matter.


    "The most important thing is that the crocodile was caught. Other things, including how it was caught, are not important."


    It was said the staff.


    The park transported the crocodile away, and the onlookers gradually dispersed.


    "Those two young men were so powerful that the big crocodile was caught by them."


    "It''s amazing, and I also want to thank them. The danger in Ink Lake Park has been lifted."


    "I heard that the woman who released the crocodile has been arrested."


    "Such a person should be detained, and it would be better to sentence her."


    Many people were discussing this hotly, and Liu Yong and Hu Shijun followed the park staff to the park management office.


    "I am the person in charge of the park. Thank you both."


    Someone next to him introduced,


    "This is our Director Xie."


    The two sides shook hands and were polite.


    Director Xie said: "Xiao Li, help me with the formalities."


    Director Xie expressed his gratitude and concern for Liu Yong and Hu Shijun, offering to cash out the reward of 100,000 yuan. He even gave them the option to choose between cash or transfer.


    Liu Yong said: "Cash."


    Hu Shijun agreed: "Yes, cash is best."


    The staff member Xiao Li went through iming the prize immediately. The two filled out a form, signed it, and pressed their fingerprints.


    The procedures were not troublesome, and everything was settled soon. Director Xie handed over the 100,000 yuan he had prepared long ago to Liu Yong.


    Although a sum was sent a few days ago, and there are still several million in the bank card, this is the first time in Liu Yong''s life that he has received so much cash.


    "Brother Yong, I''ll hold the money for you."


    Hu Shijun said it with full excitement.


    Liu Yong smiled, gave the money to Hu Shijun, shook hands with Director Xie, said some polite words, and then left the park management office.

 Chapter 15 Secret Transferring Plan

    ?After departing from the park''s management office, Hu Shijun settled into the confines of the car and found himself unable to contain his excitement any longer.


    Overwhelmed with disbelief, he turned to hispanion and bellowed,


    "Brother Yong, please, pinch me with all your might. Confirm that what we''ve experienced is not just a figment of my imagination."


    A broad smile illuminated Liu Yong''s face as he responded gleefully to Hu Shijun''s exmation.


    "My dear friend, we are not dreaming,"


    He reassured him.


    "The total of our reward is indeed 100,000 yuan. It is an incredible achievement that we should bask in the glory of our sess."


    Hu Shijun''s eyes glistened with joy as he clutched the stack of money tightly in his hand, relishing in the weight and feel of it.


    Despite his financial hardships, he could not help but giggle uncontrobly in disbelief at his newfound wealth. It was a momentous asion, as he had never possessed such much money.


    His heart swelled with pride and gratitude for the opportunity to earn such a reward, which would undoubtedly change his life.


    One hundred thousand yuan!


    A thick bundle!!


    After basking in the euphoria of their sess for quite some time, Hu Shijun''s excitement gradually subsided, and he turned to hispanion with a practical question.


    "Brother Yong," he inquired eagerly, "now that we have the 100,000 yuan, how should we divide it between us?"


    Liu Yong''s response was swift and decisive, without a hint of hesitation. He replied to Hu Shijun''s inquiry with unbridled confidence,


    "It''s only fair that we divide the reward equally, with each of us receiving half of the 100,000 yuan."


    "half each?"


    Hu Shijun''s face lit up with delight upon hearing Liu Yong''s response as he realized he would receive a sum of 50,000 yuan, undoubtedly improving his financial situation.


    He felt gratified andpelled to express his appreciation to Liu Yong.


    "I am grateful for your generosity, Brother Yong,"


    He eximed.


    "Although I know I did not contribute as much as you did, please allow me to repay you with a portion of my share. I suggest dividing the sum between us in a 60-40 split, with you receiving therger portion."


    Given their recent windfall, Hu Shijun acknowledged theirbined worth of several million yuan. Therefore, he recognized that tens of thousands of yuan were rtively insignificant and not worth quarreling over.


    Liu Yong insisted:


    "Don''t be polite to me,e on, I''ll give you the 50,000 yuan."


    After unwrapping the bundle of cash, Liu Yong picked out 50,000 yuan and handed it over to Hu Shijun with a warm smile. The crisp notes rustled in Hu Shijun''s hand as he gazed at them in wonder, feeling a sense of overwhelming gratitude towards his friend.


    "This This This ..."


    Hu Shijun was about to say something, but before he could utter a word, Liu Yong cut in, preventing him from declining the offer.


    "Don''t worry about what others might think," he reassured his friend.


    "You take the 50,000 yuan, and if you still feel like you owe me something, we can easily resolve that by going to dinnerter. It will be your treat, and we can enjoy a good meal while celebrating our sess."


    "Okay, then I won''t be polite. Let''s go to Liu Ji Seafood Restaurant and have a meal of fresh seafood to satisfy our appetite."


    Liu Yong''s decision to give Hu Shijun 50,000 yuan had primarily driven by a sense of gratitude and the desire to repay a long-standing favor.


    When Liu Yong was at his lowest point, struggling to make ends meet, Hu Shijun lent him 2,000 yuan - the only money he had.


    The two left, but Ink Lake Park had almost exploded, and the news was like a gust of wind.


    "I heard that the big crocodile released a few days ago had been caught."


    "This is great!"


    "We can go to theke again."


    "Our family''s old Li likes to go fishing by theke the most. The past two days have suffocated him. I need to call him and tell him."


    "Mom, I''m going to go boating in theke. Why don''t you take me there?"


    As word of their sessful project spread, the once-quietkeside suddenly came alive with activity. Over the past two days, there had been rtively few people around. But as news of the aplishment began circting, more and more people flocked to the area.


    The reporter of Huahai TV station was also very well informed and immediately drove over in an interview car. The incident got reported on the prime-time news report of Huahai TV station that night.


    Liu Yong was lying on the bed.


    No need to go to work. Leisurely, it is a fairy-like day.


    He woke up from a nap just now, didn''t get up quickly, and looked at the phone for a while.


    Liu Lan, the younger sister who has recently started her academic journey as a freshman at Huahai University, reached out to her elder sibling, initiating a conversation on the social media tform WeChat.


    The two siblings engaged in a friendly exchange through this digitalmunication channel.


    Summer vacation ising soon, and Liu Lan proposed to use the summer vacation to work and study to earn some living expenses.


    Liu Yong felt distressed for a while.


    A first-year female student is preparing to take on a job as a waiter in a restaurant, while many other young women of her age may currently be indulging in a leisurely and rejuvenating vacation.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong expressed his disapproval of her decision to work as a waiter and instead transferred 2,000 yuan to her, advising her to use the money at her discretion and to feel at ease because she now has additional financial resources.


    The sum of two thousand yuan mayst for a considerable period for Liu Lan, who has ustomed to a thrifty lifestyle. Liu Yan wanted to avoid transferring more money, likely because he was still determining how long the funds would need tost or to avoid burdening his sibling with managing a sum.


    As for yesterday, I also transferred an amount of 10,000 yuan to Liu Hongfu''s bank ount. However, I refrained from depositing more sums, fearing that my father may be suspicious or overly concerned about the source of the funds.


    To be more precise, Liu Hongfu is the biological father of the body that Liu Yong currently inhabits. Since Liu Yong has transmigrated into this reality, Liu Hongfu is also considered his father in this new context.


    Liu Lan is his sister.


    After conversing with Liu Lan for some time andpleting the transfer of 2,000 yuan, Liu Yong found his thoughts again drawn to the snapping turtle.


    It can no longer be called a "little snapping turtle" because it has grown to over 100 catties.


    To be more precise, the snapping turtle has now grown to a weight of 52.6 kilograms, a size considered monstrous by Ink Lake standards. Suppose the turtle was to be seen by tourists. In that case, some individuals may be startled or even frightened by its appearance.


    After multiple consecutive days of searching, no valuable items or noteworthy discoveries were in theke. It is usible that the snapping turtle may have already departed from the area, signaling that it is time for the search party to conclude their efforts and move on to other endeavors.


    While traveling to the sea may be an ideal option, Liu Yong still determines the course of action he should take and feels a need to explore other possibilities.


    Shortly, Liu Yong embarked on a journey, possibly in his vehicle, to begin the task of assisting the snapping turtle in finding a new habitat.


    When asked about his destination, Liu Yong shared that he had previously explored the seaside and had a general idea of what to do there. However, to find a new home for the snapping turtle, he nned to head to the mouth of the Qingjiang River.


    The Qingjiang River is a well-known river in the Yan State, stretching for thousands of kilometers and ultimately flowing into the sea in Huahai City.


    Liu Yong''s n for the snapping turtle is straightforward and well-defined. He intends to release the turtle into the sea at the mouth of the Qingjiang River and observe its ability to adapt to the new environment. If the turtle couldn''t adapt to the seawater environment, Liu Yong could easily transport it back to the Qingjiang River.


    Upon reaching the estuary of the Qingjiang River, Liu Yong found himself at a location where the expansive river flowed into the sea. The river''s width at this point was several kilometers, indicating the immense volume of water flowing into the sea.


    Standing near the wide estuary, Liu Yong gazed into the distance and could see that the river flowed directly into the open sea.


    "This ce is great!"


    Liu Yong was satisfied and quickly found a suitable ce.


    The location that Liu Yong has arrived at appears to be a remote area along the seaside, essible by car. This area may be less frequented by tourists and visitors, offering a more secluded and less disturbed environment for the snapping turtle to survive.


    It is an important consideration, as a quieter environment could potentially reduce stress and anxiety for the turtle, allowing it to adjust to its new surroundings. The ability to drive directly to the location is also an advantage. It allows for easy transportation of the turtle and other equipment needed to facilitate the release process.


    Liu Yong''s n for the snapping turtle involves first releasing it into the sea at this location, where it can attempt to adapt to the saltwater environment.


    However, suppose the turtle struggles to adapt. In that case, Liu Yong intends to allow it to swim back toward the Qingjiang estuary, which is not far away. It would let the turtle return to a familiar freshwater environment, where it may feel morefortable and at ease.


    The proximity of the Qingjiang estuary to the release location is an advantage, as it provides a potential safety for the turtle, ensuring that it has a familiar environment to return to if necessary.


    As Liu Yong stood on the beach, he carefully observed the area and monitored the movements of the snapping turtle. He stayed for a significant period, watching and waiting with bated breath, hoping the turtle would sessfully adapt to its new surroundings.


    While on the beach, Liu Yong prayed multiple times in his heart, fervently hoping that the snapping turtle could limate to the saltwater environment and thrive in the vast sea.


    After leaving the beach, Liu Yong began to drive to the next step of his n. He knew that the giant snapping turtle would require careful handling and transportation, so he emptied the trunk of his off-road vehicle to make it easier to load the creature.


    He was determined to do whatever it took to ensure the turtle''s safety and well-being during the journey. Despite feeling emotionally drained, Liu Yong''s sense of responsibility andmitment to the snapping turtle did not waver.


    He worked tirelessly, making all the necessary arrangements for the next phase of the operation, determined to see it through to a sessful conclusion.


    While an off-road vehicle like the big G may seem like an appropriate means of transport for a snapping turtle, Liu Yong knew that he needed to take extra precautions to ensure the turtle''s safety and well-being during the journey.


    Putting the creature in the trunk could potentially harm or stress it. It has likely made additional arrangements to protect the snapping turtle and make it asfortable as possible during transport.


    It was still early, and Liu Yong nned to act at night because there were rtively few people in Ink Lake Park.


    So, patiently waiting for the dark.


    Ink Lake Park.


    .........


    After the crocodile''s disappearance, the safety of theke got restored. As a result, the number of people visiting theke gradually increased. Some people were calmly fishing, rxing on chairs to cool off, and strolling along theke. The scene had be quite lively.


    A massive snapping turtle could leisurely swim in theke, moving as it searched for its next meal. Whenever the creature spotted some tasty fish or shrimp, it would swiftly snatch it up and enjoy its catch. Despite its massive size, the snapping turtle moves effortlessly through the water, its long limbs propelling it forward with surprising speed.


    As the evening approached, the snapping turtle seemed to be more active, perhaps sensing it was time to move on to a new environment.


    The giant snapping turtle weighing more than 100 kilograms, looks rtivelyrge. If you can observe, you will find that it looks like a dragon in armor.


    The turtle''s carapace is remarkably massive, muchrger than the size of a millstone, and the bony outgrowths on the carapace resemble towering hills in shape and size.


    The limbs and ws are bold and powerful, the w tips are abnormally sharp, and the mouth is rtivelyrge, full of sharp teeth.


    It is now the veritable overlord of Ink Lake.


    "Ink Lake feels smaller and smaller. The owner said that he would help me change a ce. I am looking forward to it!"


    The sky was gradually getting dark, and the bustling Ink Lake Park became much quieter, especially since not even one-tenth of the people were by theke during the day.


    A **** G drove in from the park gate with an obvious goal, heading directly towards theke.


    It was Liu Yong who drove the car. It is around 8:00 pm when the lights are on, and a few tourists are in the park.


    It is the best time to transfer snapping turtle


    ....................

 Chapter 16 The Survival

    ?Liu Yong''s intimate knowledge of Ink Lake Park enabled him to navigate.


    He promptly drove his vehicle to theke, carefully selecting the optimal spot for his intended purpose.


    Thanks to his familiarity with the park''syout and surroundings, he could make an informed decision with various factors such as the view, lighting, and essibility of the chosen location.


    This ce is in a remote location, there is no camera, and there is no one. The nearest street light is still tens of meters away, and the sunlight is dim.


    It is even closer to theke, and the straight-line distance is less than ten meters.


    Liu Yong parked the car, opened the trunk, and thenmunicated with the snapping turtle, asking it toe and get in the car.


    Within two minutes, a snapping turtle, more significant than a millstone, came out of theke. The snapping turtle weighing more than 100 kilograms, looked majestic and terrifying.


    If someone else sees it, their first reaction is to step back a few steps in fright.


    In this scenario, Liu Yong harbors no fear or trepidation, as the creature in question is his beloved pet. However, his primary concern lies in the possibility of other individuals happening upon the scene and witnessing his peculiarpanion.


    The potential for others to encounter his pet fills Liu Yong with unease, as he values his privacy and does not wish to attract undue attention or scrutiny from passersby.


    Despite his unwavering affection for his animalpanion, Liu Yong understands that not everyone may share his fondness for such a creature and fears the consequences that may arise from any unwanted attention.


    So, I couldn''t help but look around. I was relieved when I saw that there was no one.


    "Hurry up and get in the car."


    Hearing the order, it moved faster, faster, and more agile and climbed into the car''s trunk smoothly.


    The snapping turtle is already massive. Fortunately, the trunk of this car is rtivelyrge, so there is no big problem loading it.


    If it grows more extensive in a few days, it may be unable to hold it. Liu Yong needs to find a small truck.


    After the snapping turtle got into the car, Liu Yong covered it with old clothes that were no longer needed, mainly to prevent it from being seen, and told it not to move around.


    After covering it with those old clothes, closing the trunk door, and looking around again after confirming that no one was there, he sighed. Liu Yong suddenly felt more rxed.


    It''s much easier than when you came here, and you canmunicate with snapping turtles while driving.


    "Master, where are you taking me?"


    "I have always taken you to the sea, but the water in the sea is salty, can you adapt to such an environment?"


    "It might work."


    Hearing this, Liu Yong was slightly pleasantly surprised. What worried him most was that the snapping turtle would not adapt to the seawater environment, but it said it should be able to.


    It would be great if it could!


    The vast sea is its stage!


    "Driving is much more vigorous. I want to get to the beach and put it into the sea immediately."


    Liu Yong said.


    However, Liu Yong had to slow down the speed of the car. There was the staff at the gate of the park checking the vehicle.


    No, when will it be checked? They didn''t check before.


    It is a new rule. Ever since someone released an enormous crocodile in Ink Lake, the park has started to check the vehicles entering and leaving.


    It is better during the day, especially at night when the inspection is stricter.


    Liu Yong was also lucky. When he came in, the staff changed shifts, and no one checked here for a few minutes.


    Slowed down the speed of the car and drove slowly towards the gate. They must not turn around. I hope they will not find the giant snapping turtle in the trunk.


    "Don''t move. Hide"


    Confessed with the snapping turtle, they drove to the gate, and a white car parked in front of it was being checked.


    I also opened the trunk to check. Seeing this situation, Liu Yong felt slightly nervous, and his head turned quickly. What should they do if they find the giant snapping turtle in the trunk?


    After the car inspection in front, it was Liu Yong''s turn. The staff member signaled to drive ahead.


    Liu Yong didn''t even notice that his palms were full of sweat.


    "No way, I''m too nervous."


    Liu Yong thought.


    The car stopped in front of the barrier at the gate, and Liu Yong put down the window, trying to calm himself down, smiling all over his face.


    "Why, it seems that they didn''t check before."


    A park staff member looked into the car and saw only one person in the car, and the trunk could not be seen clearly.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Hello, sir, please open the trunk and let us have a look."


    Liu Yong said:


    "I have nothing in the trunk, basically empty, only a few old clothes."


    The staff insisted:


    "Sir, please cooperate with our work."


    Liu Yong didn''t move in the car. He seemed hesitant, knowing it might be exposed once he opened the trunk.


    "Try your luck, in case they just take a look, as long as they don''t take off those old clothes, and the light is rtively dark at night, they may be able to get away with it."


    With this in mind, Liu Yong opened the door and exited the car, ready to open the trunk, but stopped soon.


    Someone recognized Liu Yong.


    That is the leader here. A few days ago, Liu Yong caught an enormous crocodile. He happened to have met Liu Yong, and he was impressed.


    While Liu Yong was sitting in the car, he didn''t recognize him. Now that Liu Yong had left the car, he recognized him immediately.


    He said in surprise:


    "Mr. Liu, it''s you!"


    Liu Yong nced at the other party, seemed to have an impression, and soon remembered that he had met a few days ago, the other party seemed to be surnamed Liao, and he was a section chief.


    "Section Chief Liao, it''s you!"


    Liu Yong was also a little surprised.


    He also met an "acquaintance" then, so maybe he didn''t need to open the trunk.


    "Mr. Liu, why are you here?"


    Liu Yong found a random reason,


    "I drove out to rx, and I walked in here before I knew it, and I was about to leave."


    Section Chief Liao told others:


    "There is no need to check, the big crocodile was caught by Mr. Liu a few days ago, let it go!"


    "He caught the big crocodile?"


    The other staff couldn''t help but look at Liu Yong a few more times. The park team has been discussing this matter, and now they finally see Liu Yong himself.


    One of the staff quickly opened the bar to let them pass. Liu Yong got into the car happily and waved to Section Chief Liao and others.


    Finally drove out of Ink Lake Park.


    "It was so dangerous just now!"


    Never expecting Neng to turn around, Liu Yong sighed a sigh of relief.


    Liu Yong didn''t know how to exin if such a giant snapping turtle was found in the trunk.


    It''s good now!


    Feeling much more rxed, he concentrated on driving to the destination near the Qingjiang River''s mouth. The specific location has been confirmed during the day.


    The car''s speed could have been faster, and it took 40 to 50 minutes to get there. The car drove directly to the seaside, with a vast sea in front of it.


    In order not to have any idents, Liu Yong got out of the car first and did not rush to open the trunk to let the snapping turtle out but looked around.


    After confirming that no one was around, Liu Yong opened the trunk and brought the covered old clothes.


    "The ce is here, and the sea is ahead!"


    Quite some time, as it hastily mbers out of the vehicle and surveys the vast body of water that lies before it. With a nce at its surroundings, the turtle wastes no time beginning its journey, quickly scurrying towards its destination with purposeful determination.


    Despite the potential obstacles and challenges, the snapping turtle''s determination and enthusiasm remain steadfast, propelling it forward with speed and agility.


    As it moves closer to its destination, the turtle''s movements be more fierce and intense, driven by an innate sense of urgency and excitement.


    Whether spurred on by instinct or sheer joy, the snapping turtle''s journey is one of unwavering determination and steadfastmitment.''


    This speed is surprising. It is faster than an adult and rushes into the sea in the blink of an eye.


    Liu Yong thought in his heart, can it adapt to the seawater environment?


    .............

 Chapter 17 New Powerful Skill ++

    ?Suddenly, Liu Yong was a little nervous and worried.


    "Is it possible that my pet snapping turtle will not be able to tolerate the high salinity of a seawater environment and instinctively try to exit the water?"


    Liu Yong stood beside the vast expanse of the sea, his mind preupied with anxious thoughts and his heart filled with apprehension.


    Despite his nervousness, he remained fixated on the water''s surface, eagerly awaiting any sign of his pet snapping turtle.


    After several tense minutes without indicating the turtle''s appearance, a sense of relief washed over Liu Yong, assuaging some of his earlier concerns.


    "Little snapping turtle, how are you doing?"


    The snapping turtle''s excitement was palpable as soon as it entered the vast expanse of the sea, disying little interest in its surroundings as it swam swiftly through the water.


    Initially, the sea was rtively shallow, characterized by a sandy, gravelly, or silty seafloor devoid of fish or other marine life forms. The absence of seaweed or any other notable aquatic flora further underscored the starkness of the turtle''s surroundings.


    Nheless, these features did little to dampen the snapping turtle''s enthusiasm as it continued to revel in the experience of being in the open sea.


    Huahai City, where the snapping turtle had ventured into the sea, had long been stripped of its natural beauty due to the devastating effects of industrialization.


    However, after a brief swim, the turtle soon noticed a striking shift. The once-barren seafloor had adorned with vibrant coral reefs teeming with a diverse array of fish and shrimps, and the asional presence of seaweed added to the rich tapestry of aquatic life.


    This newfound abundance of marine life stood in stark contrast to the earlier destendscape, highlighting the resilience of nature in the face of human-induced environmental degradation.


    At that moment, the snapping turtle received a message from Liu Yong and immediately slowed down. With unbridled glee, it eximed,


    "Master, this body of water is muchrger than Ink Lake! Swimming here is an absolute delight!"


    "This is the sea, of course, it is bigger than Ink Lake, how do you feel, can you adapt to such a seawater environment?"


    Liu Yong replied.


    "I don''t have any problems, I don''t feel any difort."


    The turtle said.


    "You are awesome!"


    "You can also stay in the seawater."


    Liu Yong said it withplete determination.


    Liu Yong was relieved a lot and gradually became happy. He was able to adapt to the seawater environment.


    In addition to being happy, I opened the pet panel and looked at the situation of the snapping turtle with satisfaction.


    [[[[


    Name: Mutant Snapping Turtle.


    Strength: 82


    Constitution: 75


    Dexterity: 71


    Weight: 65.5 kg


    Average speed in water: 42 kilometers


    Skills: Tortoise Shell Art Level 1 (passive), Turtle Breath Art Level 1 (active), Super Perception Level 1 (passive)


    ]]]]]]


    Liu Yong, filled with a pleasant surprise hearing the snapping turtle''s message. It wasn''t that the turtle''s physical attributes had undergone any significant transformation, nor had it miraculously grown to a weight of 65.5 kilograms. But, it was the realization that the snapping turtle had acquired a new skill that was the cause of Liu Yong''s astonishment.


    Indeed, the snapping turtle''s newly acquired skill was impressive, though it remained a passive ability. Nevertheless, it was valuable, particrly in the clear and pristine sea where visibility was not an issue.


    However, the skill would be limited in turbid and murky seawater, where the turtle''s sight is impeded, drastically reducing its ability to perceive and navigate the environment.


    As the turtle descended further, reaching depths of four to one hundred meters, thepleteck of light led to a total absence of visual cues, rendering the surrounding environment pitch-ck and invisible to the naked eye.


    The turtle''s ability to rely on its super perception skill would be even more critical in such conditions, enabling it to navigate the dark and unfamiliar terrain.


    Keen perception can perceive everything within a radius of 100 meters, no matter how dark or turbid the sea is.


    It''s like the release of divine thoughts inprehension novels.


    This one is more awesome.


    The cheerful voice of the little snapping turtle sounded in Liu Yong''s mind,


    "Master, I have mastered a new skill. I can sense all the surrounding situations."


    Liu Yong said:


    "Congrattions, but this is the sea, you should pay attention to your safety, and you can''t swim too far."


    The snapping turtle weighs 65.5 kilograms, big or small; nothing can threaten it in Ink Lake.


    It is different in the sea. There are still many things that can threaten it. Large predatory fish, including sharks, can threaten its survival.


    "Little snapping turtle, we will make our home in the sea from now on. In addition to paying attention to safety, I also want to give you a name."


    "Okay, okay, I want a name." It was as happy as a child.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong thought for a while and said:


    "I hope you will be the Overlord of the world''s oceans in the future. Your name will be ''Overlord''. How about it?"


    "I like this name, from now on you can call me Overlord."


    The snapping turtle was as happy as a child again and said.


    Regarding the name of the snapping turtle, Liu Yong started to think about it two days earlier. He originally wanted to call it Xuanwu, but he also wanted to name it ck Dragon.


    After thinking about it, he decided to call it "Overlord."


    It is called "Overlord" from today onwards, and he hopes it will be the Overlord in the sea as soon as possible.


    Bawang''s attributes are good, and it wants to share characteristics with master Liu Yong.


    If an adult also has attributes such as strength, physique, and agility, they are generally between 30 and 50, and those that can exceed 50 belong to the strong man level, which is very strong.


    The current three attributes of the little snapping turtle are 82, 75, and 71, which are far more robust than the average strong man. The king of special forces or a top athlete is estimated to have simr attributes.


    The key is that this attribute can be increased. As the Overlord grows, the feature will also increase. It is estimated that it will take little time to break through 100.


    It could be better to share attributes with Bawang. Sooner orter, Liu Yong will be the peaked person in this world.


    Implement attribute sharing!


    Liu Yong found that his whole body seemed surrounded by a heat stream, and it took two or three minutes for the heat to dissipate gradually.


    "My whole body seemed strong like one punch could kill a cow."


    Liu Yong shouted in his heart.


    At this moment, Liu Yong couldn''t contain his excitement, and it took several minutes to calm down.


    "Overlord, be safe, and don''t go too far."


    After some exnation, Liu Yong got into the car and left with peace of mind.


    At night, before going to sleep, Liu Yongmunicated with Bawang again and asked about it.


    The snapping turtle, Bawang, appeared to have sessfully limatized to the seawater environment, having spent almost an entire day swimming and exploring without experiencing any significant difort.


    It was clear that Bawang''s physiology had adapted remarkably well to the marine environment, allowing it to thrive and enjoy its new surroundings.


    Additionally, it had found a suitable location to settle down temporarily, indicating a degree of discernment or intelligence in its behavior.


    The ability to find and select an optimal habitat for rest and recovery further underscored the remarkable adaptability and resourcefulness of Bawang.


    About 20 to 30 nautical miles from Huahai City, there is a small uninhabited ind with a cave below the sea surface, which has be Bawang''s new home.


    The next day.


    Liu Yong did not go out for the time being and checked the waters near Huahai City on the Inte, whether there were any shipwrecks in history, and nned to send another sum.


    The few million in hand seems a lot. After buying a car, there are less than five million left. It is not enough to buy a house.


    "I can only ept a two-bedroom apartment in a slightly off-site location. I want to have a good ce."


    Liu Yond said.


    After checking the shipwreck information for a while, there was no result for the time being.


    "I bought a pair of 10kg dumbbells on a feverish mind. After practicing a few times, I felt that they were too heavy. I regretted it a bit. I wish I had bought 5kg dumbbells."


    Liu Yong thought.


    Having had his physical attributes improved, Liu Yong wanted to try the pair of 10kg dumbbells, so he took them out, wiped them clean, and started exercising with each hand.


    "Hey, why is it so light!"


    "It feels a little bit wrong."


    Liu Stopped and looked at the pair of dumbbells carefully. Only when he saw the words "10KG" on them did he know that there was nothing wrong with the dumbbells but that his physical attributes had improved.


    "one two three...¡­.."


    Liu Yong started exercising one after another, but after dozens of exercises, he didn''t feel tired and felt a little excited again.


    "I''m so good!"


    "I used to say that I couldn''t stand it after 20 or 30 reps and couldn''t keep going. Now I''ve done dozens of representatives and don''t feel the same strenuous effort."


    Two hundred blows!


    After a total 200 times of exercises, he finally got a feeling,


    where is the limit? Is it 300 times or 400 times? Liu Yong is not going to verify it.


    Put down the dumbbells and did dozens of push-ups.


    Currently, Liu Yong feels that he is a superman wearing shorts.


    .......

 Chapter 18 The Skill That I Used.

    ?Liu Yong halted his push-ups as though he had received some notification on his phone.


    Afterpleting his push-ups, Liu Yong went to wash his hands and wipe his face before reaching for his phone to check a notification. The message was from his younger sister Liu Lan, which read,


    "Brother, please stay at home as I''ll being over to your ce today."


    "Don''t you have ss today?"


    Liu Yong texted back.


    "Hee hee, you are confused. Today is Saturday."


    Liu Lan replied.


    Liu Yong was taken aback by the message. He had been out of work for an extended period, where he had lost track of the current day of the week. However, he soon realized it was Saturday, the day his sister had chosen to visit.


    Despite living in the same city, Liu Yong and his sister Liu Lan made a conscious effort to take care of one another. While Liu Yong frequented Huahai University, Liu Lan often visited to see her brother.


    Upon transmigrating and assuming the identity of Liu Yong, he came to ept everything as it was, including the fact that Liu Lan was his flesh and blood sister.


    "It''s not easy for you toe here. Let mee. You wait for me at school."


    Liu Yong said to his sister.


    "Alright, then I''ll wait for you at school."


    Liu Lan replied instantly.


    The siblings agreed to meet, prompting Liu Yong to make preparations to head out. Given that Huahai University that located at a considerable distance, it would take almost an hour to get there.


    As Liu Yong stepped out of his house and descended the stairs, he walked towards the sizeable parked vehicle marked with a ''G.'' However, before reaching the front of the car, he suddenly heard someone shouting nearby.


    "It''s him, finally found him!"


    Upon turning his head, Liu Yong noticed two individuals walking in his direction, one of whom was Cai Houping.


    Not so long ago, Liu Yong made a small fortune, and Cai Houping tried to steal the money but got beaten instead.


    The impact of those bricks against my body had been painful, leaving me with a sore and severely bruised area that took several days to heal.


    The bruising had even turned a shade of dark purple, indicating the extent of the injury.


    It became clear that Cai Houping had been looking for an opportunity to get back at Liu Yong. When he finally discovered his whereabouts, he seized the chance to cause him harm, resulting in the significant loss that Liu Yong had just experienced.


    As fate would have it, Cai Houping and his brother had coincidentally arrived at the scene and spotted Liu Yong walking down the stairs.


    "Boy, do you remember me?"


    Cai Houping said it vigorously.


    Despite being confronted by two individuals, Liu Yong managed to maintain hisposure and spoke in a collected manner,


    "Do you recall the little scoundrel who tried to steal my money ten days ago?"


    "you wanna die?"


    Caid said.


    ....


    Perhaps encouraged by the fact that he had his brother with him, Cai Houping appeared to have underestimated Liu Yong''s capabilities and decided to punch him.


    Despite Cai Houping''s punch appearing fast and forceful, Liu Yong perceived it as a sluggish and weak attempt.


    With each passing day, Bawang was growing in strength, and its attributes were also steadily improving. Given that Liu Yong and Bawang shared a close bond, it was no surprise that their physical fitness surpassed that of ordinary individuals.


    Liu Yong was unfazed by the attack and almost amused by Cai Houping''s attempt to strike him. He didn''t bother to dodge or hide and merely stood his ground.


    Liu Yong stretched out his hand, grabbed Cai Houping''s fist without difficulty, and squeezed it hard.


    "Ouch!!"


    Cai Houping cried out in pain as his fists seemed to be mped by iron money.


    "Go!"


    Liu Yong responded by sending Cai Houping flying backward with a powerful blow, causing him to be propelled several meters away beforending on the ground with a bruised nose and a swollen face.


    Hispanion was more insidious, sneaking up without saying a word, swinging a stick in his hand, and smashing toward Liu Yong''s back forcefully.


    As if eyes were growing behind his back, Liu Yong dodged easily and then kicked out.


    "Boom!"


    Right on the target, Cai Houping''spanion was kicked hard, kicked several meters away, fell to the ground, and couldn''t get up for a long time.


    So can''t help but fight!


    It''s ultimately the five scum of war!


    Gazing at Cai Houping and hispanions, Liu Yong moved towards his car, opened the door, climbed inside, and drove away without looking back.


    Cai Houping and the two were left dumbfounded.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "God, how can he have over one million big G?"


    Like the two, they hang around all day, racking their brains and trying their best, but they get enough food and clothing.


    He drives a car worth more than one million yuan.


    The contrast has dealt a big blow to Cai Houping.


    Liu Yong''spanion was also incensed by Cai Houping''s foolhardiness and retorted,


    "Cai Houping, you must be out of your mind to pick a fight with someone who drives a big G!"


    It is not umon for street thugs to prey on the vulnerable. They often target those who they perceive as weak. However, they rarely dare to provoke the wealthy and powerful, as they know they are no match for them.


    Cai Houping didn''t think about it for a long time. How could Liu Yong drive such a good car, and how could he be so rich?


    Liu Yong paid no attention to Cai Houping and his aplice and instead drove away feeling refreshed and satisfied.


    In addition to teaching Cai Houping a lesson, Liu Yong was pleased with the physical attributes he shared with Bawang. With the enhanced physical abilities from the attribute sharing, he may have been able to overpower Cai Houping and his aplice.


    As Liu Yong drove towards Huahai University, he couldn''t help but admire the bustling scene around the school gate. This university was considered one of the best and even had a 985 designation, indicating its high academic excellence.


    As he approached the school gate, he saw students milling about, some rushing to ss while others were leisurely chatting or enjoying snacks from nearby vendors.


    The air filled with energy and excitement, and Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel a sense of nostalgia for his college days.


    He found a parking spot near the entrance and moved toward the main campus.


    The university was expansive, with multiple buildings, gardens, and even a smallke. Liu Yong marveled at the beautiful architecture and lush greenery, feeling grateful to be able to visit such a prestigious institution.


    He wanted to drive in, but the security guard said no, so Liu Yong had to park the car in a nearby parking lot.


    "I''ve arrived, waiting for you outside your school gate."


    Liu Yong sent a message on WeChat.


    Soon, Liu Lan sent a message back,


    "I''ve already left the dormitory, and I''ll be there in about five minutes."


    Sure enough, Liu Lan came out in about four or five minutes, and there was a young girl with her that was her roommate Wu Hui.


    After transmigrating into this world as Liu Yong, today is the first time he will see Liu Lan, his sister. However, he has inherited many memories, so he immediately recognizes her.


    "Liu Lan!"


    "elder brother!"


    Liu Lan appeared delighted upon seeing Liu Yong, as if she had numerous things to share with him, and of course, she did not neglect to introduce her roommate.


    "Brother, we will have summer vacation next week, do you have time to go back with me?"


    Liu Lan asked.


    "It might work."


    Liu Yong answered.


    "Great, my parents will be happy when we go home together."


    As they walked, they chatted. Liu Lan checked her phone as she seemed to have received a message.


    Liu Yong purchased this mobile phone during college and used it for many years. After graduating and receiving his first month''s sry, he bought a new phone for himself. Liu Lan got the old phone after that.


    Due to their family''s financial situation, Liu Lan is very frugal and has used the same mobile phone since her college days. However, she changed its appearance by adding a pink phone case.


    Seeing this mobile phone, Liu Yong got moved, and his nose was sour.


    "Brother, I have kept the two thousand yuan you gave me, plus the hundreds of dors I have already saved, I am going to buy aptopputer, can you apany me?"


    Liu Lan said.


    College students generally haveptops, mainly used for study, but Liu Lan does not.


    Before, she had nned to work during the summer vacation to earn money to buy a new phone. However, with Liu Yong giving her two thousand yuan, she can buy one now.


    Liu Yong said:


    "We really should buy one. Let''s go. I will go with you."


    The entrance of Huahai University is a bustlingmercial street with different items for sale, includingptops, mobile phones, and more.


    "Do you know where the Huawei experience store is? I''d like to go take a look."


    Liu Yong asked.


    Liu Lan hesitated a little and reminded him:


    "Brother, we only have more than 2,000 yuan, and we can''t buy a Huaweiptop."

 Chapter 19 Where Do You Get Huge Money From ?

    ?Liu Yong smiled and said,


    "It''s okay. Let''s go take a look first."


    After speaking, he took Liu Lan by hand and entered the experience store regardless of the situation.


    The store has a first-ss environment and arge area. There are all kinds of Huawei products, including mobile phones andptops.


    Upon seeing the price tag of thousands of dors, Liu Lan appeared hesitant.


    The young girl was ustomed to living modestly and being frugal and had never imagined owning a mobile phone orputer notebook worth thousands of dors.


    "Brother, let''s go out, the things here are too expensive."


    Liu Lan hesitantly said.


    Liu Yong said:


    "It''s not expensive, not expensive at all. It''s a conscience price. For example, for a mobile phone with the same configuration, Huawei store only sells for three or four thousand, while others may sell it for seven or eight thousand."


    Liu Lan''s roommate Wu Hui also agrees,


    "Brother Liu is right, I use a Huawei mobile phone, and I bought it for over 4,000 yuan."


    After both of them voiced their opinions, Liu Lan temporarily abandoned going out. She thought she might look around since she couldn''t afford it anyway.


    Liu Yong took Liu Lan to theptop area, where dozens of brand-newptops were disyed.


    "Liu Lan, what do you think of this one, do you like it?"


    Liu Yong asked.


    "What!"


    Seeing the price tag of 8500 yuan, Liu Lan was shocked and then said.


    "Brother, it''s too expensive. You don''t need to buy such an expensive one. You really don''t need it. Just buy a set for more than two thousand."


    Liu Yong felt slightly sour, knowing that Liu Lan was worried about money, but in fact, she would definitely like such aputer.


    "Just buy this one. I have money, don''t worry."


    Liu Yong convinced his sister withplete confidence.


    The staff beside me also strongly rmended,


    "Beauty, thisputer has 16G memory, 512G superrge-capacity hard disk, using..."


    Liu Yong decided: "I''ll just buy this one. In addition, if there is a mate30 mobile phone, I will also buy one."


    Liu Lan was in a daze, and she didn''te to her senses for a long time.


    "When did my brother have so much money?"


    In her impression, Liu Yong was only a few thousand dors when he was the richest.


    More than 8,000ptops and more than 6,000 mobile phones have exceeded 15,000.


    "Liu Lan, your brother is not as poor as you usually say. He buys things that cost tens of thousands or thousands."


    Liu Lan''s friend readily said.


    "Your brother is so kind to you. If you buy these things back, many people in the ss will envy you."


    Hearing Wu Hui''s words, Liu Lan finally recovered.


    At this time, the money has been paid, and the staff in the store have handed over the items to Liu Yong.


    Bringing these things, Liu Yong said: "How about it, do you like it?"


    Liu Lan was slightly worried:


    "Brother, you spent so much money at once. What should you do? The consumption and expenses in Huahai City are substantial."


    "Don''t worry, I have money, these are not problems."


    Feeling this ease, Liu Lan finally stopped worrying and became happy,


    "Brother, I never thought I could use such a good thing, it''s like a dream."


    Liu Yong said: "This is nothing, sister. If you want any help, let me know."


    Liu Lan said: "of course I will, my brother."


    Liu Yong walked in front, followed by Liu Lan and Wu Hui, and the three left the experience store.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    He raised his hand and looked at the time. It was past eleven o''clock at noon, and Liu Yong suggested, "Let''s go, let''s have lunch."


    Liu Lan agreed: "Yes, there are many ces to eat here, which are economical and affordable."


    There are indeed many restaurants nearby, and the consumption is affordable, mainly doing business for students.


    Liu Yong said: "I remember there is a western restaurant not far away, let''s go eat steak."


    "Brother, you are talking about the moonlight in the lotus pond. The things there are costly."


    "It''s okay, if you want to eat, you can have a good meal. I''ll drive there. You wait for me here."


    What!


    Liu Lan was slightly surprised, and after realizing it, she said, "Brother, you borrowed someone else''s car to drive here?"


    I can''t hide the matter of buying a car anyway, and Liu Yong didn''t want to hide it, so he said, "I didn''t borrow it. I bought a new car a few days ago."


    Liu Lan was stunned again.


    Wu Hui, next to him, said: "Liu Lan, your brother seems to be richer. He bought a car by himself at such a young age."


    "Do you have money?"


    In Liu Lan''s memory, her brother has never had much money, and the job after graduation is also average, with a monthly ie of only a few thousand, not even 10,000.


    In a big city like Huahai, if the monthly ie does not exceed 10,000, it can only be regarded as a low-ie group.


    Why did my brother buy a car?


    Where did he get the money?


    Wu Hui often said, "Liu Lan, what kind of car did your brother buy."


    "Well, let me guess, maybe a car worth hundreds of thousands should be at least 80,000 to 90,000."


    A whileter, a brand new **** G drove over, stopped before them, and honked its horn twice.


    Wu Hui said excitedly:


    "Wow, what a handsome car, this is a big G with more than one million yuan. What a rich man."


    Liu Lan also took a look, but she didn''t react much and quickly looked away.


    "I was still thinking, why did my brother buy a car? What kind of car is it?"


    Liu Yong nced at the two of them, couldn''t help smiling, and put down the ss.


    "What are you still doing, get in the car!"


    Both Liu Lan and Wu Hui were stunned as if they didn''t know each other. They stared nkly at Liu Yong.


    They couldn''t connect Liu Yong with this car worth more than one million yuan.


    Wu Hui finally reacted first and pulled Liu Lan into the car happily.


    After getting into the car, Liu Lan asked in an unbelievable tone, "Brother, this is the car you bought!"


    While driving, Liu Yong replied: "Yes, I just bought it not long ago, and the official license te has not yet been issued. The current license te is still temporary."


    "Brother, why are you so rich all of a sudden?"


    How to answer? Liu Yong has already thought about it. He can''t say that he has a magical pet snapping turtle. He made an excuse.


    "I bought two lottery tickets a few days ago, and I won the first prize unexpectedly."


    As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Hui said: "It turns out that you were the one who won the first prize in two bets. You are so lucky."


    This is simply a **** assist!


    When Wu Hui said this, Liu Lan believed it because her roommate often bought lottery tickets, hoping to win a big prize one day.


    Not long ago, someone in Huahai City did win the first prize of two bets, and the prize money seemed to be tens of millions.


    It was reported in the news, and Liu Yong also identally saw it on the mobile phone news. Seeing that the time coincided, he made this excuse.


    This can be regarded as a white lie. Otherwise, it is challenging to exin.


    Liu Lan believed it and waspletely happy.


    Three of Them Drove towards their lunch restaurant.


    ......¡­.

 Chapter 20 The Conversation On Phone

    ?"Sincere congrattions to you, my brother! It is the greatest news I''ve received."


    Liu La said with full excitement.


    Liu Yong felt relieved as he saw his sister''s belief and happiness, and he no longer had to go through the trouble of exining the source of therge sum of money.


    "I will call our parents and share the news with them. It will make them very happy, especially Dad, who is getting old and shouldn''t be working on the construction site anymore."


    Liu Lan said.


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement.


    It would be more convenient for Liu Lan to make the call instead of Liu Yong, as it would save him from the trouble of exining the situation.


    "I would just like to remind you to advise our parents not to announce the news to the entire vige, as it may not be in our best interest to have the wholemunity aware of our financial situation."


    Liu Yong reminded her.


    "I understand this," replied Liu Lan, acknowledging her brother''s reminder.


    After ten minutes, Liu Yong arrived at the Hetang Moonlight Restaurant, an upscale dining establishment renowned for its delectable Western cuisine.


    With its luxurious ambiance and exquisite culinary offerings, the restaurant gained a reputation as a go-to destination for discerning food enthusiasts.


    Filled with financial resources and a self-assured demeanor, Liu Yong confidently ushered himself and hispanions into the Hetang Moonlight Restaurant and ced a generous order without hesitation.


    His financial security and confidence in his decision-making abilities allowed him to make selections without feeling any undue pressure or stress.


    As an illustration of hisvish spending, Liu Yong ordered a sulent steak that cost upwards of two hundred yuan, a decadent dessert priced at several hundred yuan, appetizing soup as an appetizer priced at more than one hundred yuan, and a cup of coffee costing tens of yuan.


    This meal was not only the most extravagant but also the most memorable one that Liu Lan had ever experienced in her lifetime. Wu Hui, who hailed from Zhanguang, shared the same sentiment, dering it the finest meal she had ever tasted.


    With their appetites fully satisfied after the sumptuous feast, Liu Yong chauffeured hispanions to the school gate, bidding them farewell after a memorable evening.


    The ride was smooth andfortable, allowing them to rx and reflect on the delightful culinary adventure they had just experienced. As they approached the school gate, Liu Yong ensured safety dropped off before bidding them a warm goodbye.


    As they bid each other farewell, Liu Lan turned to Liu Yong and addressed him affectionately,


    "Brother, thank you for treating me to such an amazing meal."


    Grateful for the experience, she expressed her heartfelt appreciation to him, acknowledging his generosity and thoughtfulness.


    In response to Liu Lan''s expression of gratitude, Liu Yong dismissed her formality with a casual remark,


    "Don''t be so polite and just let me know if you need money. No need to hold back."


    "Okay, brother Yong," replied Liu Lan.


    Liu Yong drove away, and Liu Lan and Wu Hui walked toward the school. As they parted ways, and not long into their journey, Wu Hui abruptly interjected with a query,


    "Liu Lan, would you happen to have your brother''s WeChat ount?"


    Upon hearing Wu Hui''s unexpected request for Liu Yong''s WeChat ount, Liu Lan was initially caught off guard but quickly regained herposure and responded with a lightheartedment,


    "Well, Wu Hui, I thought I treated you as my best friend, but it seems like you have your sights set on being my sister-inw."


    The exchange between Liu Lan and Wu Hui took on a yful tone as the two friends engaged in good-natured banter. Liu Lan responded to Wu Hui''s request for her brother''s WeChat ount with a yful remark,


    "Oh, so you''re interested in my brother''s money, huh? Just tell me straight up!"


    In response to Liu Lan''s teasing remark, Wu Hui replied smiling,


    "No, no, I''m not interested in his money. I think your brother is handsome."


    "I don''t believe you. You must be interested, as my brother is rich!"


    Liu Lan said teasingly.


    "Don''t tickle me. I can''t stand it. Let me go. I don''t want your brother WeChat anymore."


    "Are you sure you don''t want it?"


    "I really don''t want it anymore."


    After their exchange, Liu Lan and Wu Hui continued to walk together, enjoying each other''spany. Suddenly, Wu Hui posed a question that caught Liu Lan off guard.


    "Liu Lan, does your brother have a girlfriend?"


    "Okay, you Wu Hui, you really have a wicked heart, I can''t spare you."


    Liu Lan replied.


    The two of them happily fought back to the dormitory.


    Liu Yong received a call from his father.


    "Xiaoyong, you won the big prize, more than ten million!"


    Liu Yong felt a mixture of surprise and joy hearing the voice on the other end of the line. The voice is strange but familiar, causing him to feel a rush of emotions. He has taken a deep breath to calm himself before responding,


    "Yes, I won the first prize twice."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    At this time, there can only be one white lie. In an instant, Liu Hongfu''s tone became visibly agitated,


    "It turns out that Liu Lan didn''t lie to me. It''s true. Our old Liu family haspletely turned around."


    Liu Yong replied.


    "Xiaoyong, take good care of the money yourself. Huahai City is a big city with high consumption. Your mother and I hope you can settle down there."


    "You are not young, you are almost 24 years old, buy a house, find a girlfriend earlier..."


    Liu Hongfu talked a lot and encouraged him a lot.


    Liu Yong said:


    "Dad, I understand, you don''t have to go to the construction site, you can enjoy some blessings at home, I will remit 500,000 to you tomorrow, and our house should also be repaired."


    Liu Hongfu''s response was a pleasant surprise to Liu Yong, as it differed from the expectations of other parents who typically ask for money and express a desire to keep it.


    Instead, Liu Hongfu told Liu Yong that he could use the money and use it as he saw fit, without any strings attached. He didn''t ask for money, Liu Yong''s favorability for him soared, and he took the initiative to spend 500,000 yuan to buy new and old houses.


    Liu Hongfu said: "The house at home is not in a hurry, you can buy a house in Huahai City first."


    Father and son talked on the phone for more than ten minutes. After hanging up the phone, Liu Yong thought he had to consider buying a house.


    Living in a rental house is a short-term solution, and the environment worsens.


    After purchasing a car, there remain less than five million yuan, which is insufficient to acquire a house in Huahai City.


    Liu Yong has yet to make ns to purchase a house with a loan. It is tedious that acquiring a loan would prove challenging. Issuing another loan is deemed the most viable option.


    Overlord has transitioned to a new environment, and it''s now an opportune time to explore and search the surroundings.


    "Who knows what surprising discoveries are there?"


    Liu Yong thought in his mind.


    The sea is known to have endless treasures. You can''t look blindly. The sea is too big and boundless.


    Liu Yong''s task is to gather information about shipwrecks filled with treasures. Even if they do not contain gold and silver, a few porcin artifacts could still be valuable and fetch a high price.


    During the past few days, Liu Yong had focused on searching for information rted to ancient shipwrecks.


    Overlord has been living afortable life on this ind surrounded by bountiful resources. The sea provides an abundant supply of meat and vegetables, leaving no shortage of sustenance.


    If a turtle wants to eat meat, there are all kinds of fish, shrimp, shellfish, and giant crabs.


    If it wants to be vegetarian, there are all kinds of algae. It can eat a little vegetarian if it''s tired of eating meat.


    Bawang felt a pang of hunger and stepped out of the cave where he had been resting in search of food. The natural sense of danger caused much small fish and shrimp to avoid it, and some even ran far away at once.


    Overlord seemed satisfied with the situation and swam forward with ease.


    "Well, I am the boss here, you all get out of my way."


    The turtle warns the other creatures.


    It is already tens of nautical miles away from the maind, and the sea water is no longer yellow and turbid. The sun shone down from the sea, casting beautiful beams of light.


    With the gentle flow of seawater, the seaweed gently sways, and the beautiful reefs and the fish that appear from time to time make the scenery of the seabed so beautiful.


    Bawang, weighing more than 200 kilograms, swims slowly as if not interested in admiring the beauty of the seabed but looking for a target.


    Those small fish and shrimps are not in its recipe, this is not inkke, but the vast sea, Bawang''s recipe has changed ordingly.


    One day, Overlord spotted a big fish measuring over one meter in length. Overlord swiftly swam over to catch the fish for a satisfying meal.


    It''s just that the big fish was very clever and disappeared without a trace.


    "Hmph, you''re running fast!"


    Bawang said.


    Bawang is encouraged because there is a lot of fish in the sea.


    "Hey, that thing is good and delicious."


    Overlord saw two long shrimp whiskers and knew it was a lobster hiding in the sand on the seabed.


    The turtle ate a lobster yesterday. Bawang thought it was delicious, knowing there was a lobster hidden. Bawang quickly rushed over without hesitation.


    Bawang Picked lobster from the sand in one bite and ate it with big mouthfuls.


    "The taste is really good, crunchy!"


    The turtle said to himself.


    Overlord devoured three or four cattie of lobsters in just a few bites, feeling only slightly satisfied but still hungry. Suddenly, Overlord spotted another big fish in the distance!


    .......

 Chapter 21 Fight With Enormous Shark

    ?The fish was a colossal creature, measuring two meters in length and weighing upwards of two hundred pounds, possibly even more than a heavyweight wrestler. Its sheer size and weight were impressive, leaving little doubt as to why it was considered a prized catch.


    "It doesn''t matter if it''s bigger than me. It''s also my favorite!"


    Overlord rushed over quickly and bit the big fish with one bite.


    The immense fish writhed in agony as it finally understood the sheer might of the Overlord. At first, it had underestimated the Overlord''s power, believing its size and strength superior.


    The fish thrashed about violently to break free from the Overlord''s grasp. However, its struggles were in vain, as the Overlord had already begun reeling in its catch. As the fish pulled closer, it continued to wind the woolen yarn tightly around the reel. Suddenly, with lightning-fast reflexes, the Overlord delivered a sharp strike to the fish''s head with its razor-sharp ws. The blow was so forceful that it nearly crushed the fish''s skull.


    There is almost no suspense. This big fish has be a delicacy for the Overlord.


    With its weight exceeding 200 catties, the enormous fish was a true feast for the senses. Bawang wasted no time in savoring its vors. The flesh of the fish was sulent and rich, filling Bawang''s mouth with an explosion of tastes and textures.


    Well, so satisfying!


    Eating such a massive fish in Ink Lake would be a daunting task. It would be better to take it to the sea and enjoy the waves after a hearty meal. The Overlord contemted the size of the fish. It knew that it would be impossible to consume in a single sitting. With that in mind, he decided to drag it backter and store it in a safe ce. This way, It could eat to its heart''s content and still have plenty left over for future meals, eliminating the need to hunt for food after just a few days.


    After enjoying a satisfying meal of the expansive fish, the Overlord prepared to drag the remaining portions back to hisir for slow consumption. However, the scent of blood had not gone unnoticed, as a shark had detected it and made its way over to the area. It was clear that the shark had its sights set on the remaining fish, hoping to im its share of the feast. The Overlord was aware of the shark''s intentions and braced itself for a potential encounter, knowing it would need to defend its hard-earned meal if necessary.


    Although the sharks that were present measured between two to three meters in length and weighed over two hundred kilograms, they were not yet fully grown adults. As they continued to mature, they could be four to five meters or more, depending on their species. For instance, adult great white sharks can grow over six meters long, making them one of thergest predatory fish in the ocean. Their size and strength make them formidable predators, and they are known for their fearsome reputation in marine life.


    As the shark approached near, the Overlord remained calm andposed, knowing it could defend against potential threats. Despite the shark''s imposing size and strength, the Overlord did not feel intimidated and issued a stern warning, making it clear that it was not to be scared off. With a powerful presence and a fierce determination, the Overlord made it known that he was the master of this domain and that any challengers would have to face the consequences of their actions.


    "My prey, why should I let you have a share of the action?"


    The speed of this shark is fast, almost rushing over quickly, and it is about to bite the big fish with its mouth open.


    The sight of the shark''s open jaws closing in on the fish was rming, and the Overlord''s quick reaction was crucial to ensure the safety of his meal. With lightning speed, the Overlord''s powerful tailshed out like a steel whip, intercepting the shark''s attack and causing it to veer off course. The Overlord was not about to let the shark im his hard-won prize without a fight, and the two creatures engaged in a fierce battle for dominance.


    SNAPPED !!!...


    With one stroke, it hit the shark heavily.


    The shark is confused!


    The sheer power and ferocity of the Overlord''s tail took the shark by surprise, and it was left momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack. The shark quickly realized it was facing a formidable opponent and couldn''t im the remaining fish without a fight. The Overlord''s strength and agility were impressive, and the shark couldn''t help but wonder what kind of creature it was interacting with. Despite its initial contempt for the Overlord, the shark issued a warning from a distance, making it clear that it was not to be scared.


    Bawangli didn''t bother about it, dragging a big fish and preparing to move on.


    I said, go and call your parents. You are still a little too young.


    The shark refused to give up on its quest for food and charged forward again, its jaws open wide to reveal its razor-sharp teeth. However, this time, the shark''s target was not the big fish but the Overlord himself. The shark was not intimidated by the Overlord''s earlier disy of power and was determined to im its prize, no matter the cost. As it closed in on the Overlord, the shark prepared tounch a full-scale attack, driven by a fierce hunger and an unyielding desire to feed.


    Fuck you! There is no end to it.


    Overlord pped the shark with one w, and its sharp ws scratched into the shark''s flesh.


    The shark had a piercing cry of pain as the Overlord''s ws tore through its flesh, leaving it writhing in agony and fear. With a sense of overwhelming terror, the shark retreated into the ocean, swimming as fast as it could distance much as possible between itself and the formidable Overlord. From that point forward, the shark never dared to approach the Overlord again, having learned a painful lesson about the consequences of underestimating the power of its adversary.


    The defeated shark remained in the vicinity, hovering at a safe distance while eyeing the remaining big fish with a mixture of envy and longing. However, the shark was also acutely aware of the Overlord''s presence and the power it possessed. Despite its desire for a share of the feast, the shark ultimately decided to retreat and find sustenance elsewhere. Reluctantly, the shark swam away, casting a final nce back at the Overlord before disappearing into the ocean.


    As Bawang dragged the enormous fish away, the defeated shark lingered behind, swimming at a distance while reluctant to let the opportunity for a meal slip away. It watched as the big fish was slowly pulled further and further away, its predatory instincts urging it to give chase. However, the shark remained wary of the Overlord''s power and ultimately decided it was safer to bide its time and wait for another opportunity. With a sense of reluctance, the shark eventually turned and swam away.


    Maybe it is still looking for opportunities.


    True to its nature, the shark followed the Overlord from a safe distance, biding its time and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. It observed the Overlord closely, patiently waiting for a moment of distraction or weakness. And as expected, the opportunity presented itself not long after - the Overlord''s attention momentarily diverted elsewhere. The shark surged forward at high speed, approaching the Overlord from behind with its jaws gaping wide.


    It''s true that the Overlord has exceptional perception and is likely to be aware of any threats approaching from behind.


    As if he had eyes, Bawang turned around nimbly, opened his mouth wide, and bit it in one bite.


    Suddenly, the shark became nervous and apprehensive, as if it were capable of experiencing such emotions.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The shark was too scared to even think about rushing over. It quickly changed its direction with a flick of its tail and swam far away in the blink of an eye. This time, it ran away from the Overlord.


    Scared, scared.


    Slip, slip!


    Overlord found that the shark had disappeared from his perception and said contemptuously, Xiao Mian, just because you still want to **** my things, you have to grow up a bit.


    The Overlord could sessfully drag the big fish back to its cave and spent the next two days eating and sleeping.


    The other sea creatures fleeing from it gave satisfaction to Bawang, as it reminded him of his power and dominance in the ocean. It swam around the area, exploring and enjoying the vastness of the sea, asionally catching a small fish or shrimp for a snack. Life was simple and easy for the overlord, and it relished in its freedom and independence.


    " Well, I am the overlord of this area. No one dares to mess with me."


    Liu Yong has been researching for several consecutive days and has gathered some information on ancient shipwrecks. However, the exact location of it is uncertain, and he only has a rough estimate of its whereabouts.


    Besides, Liu Yong also discovered several ancient shipping routes from Huahai. With this information, he intends to request the snapping turtle to search for the shipwreck in the general vicinity or along these ancient routes. If fortunate enough, the discovery would mean a significant windfall.


    Just do it, Liu Yongmunicated with his pet snapping turtle.


    "Overlord, get up and work."


    "Master, what are your orders?"


    Liu Yong said:


    "Help me find something. I think your master still doesn''t have enough money. You go to this ce to search as there may be ancient shipwrecks there."


    Next, Liu Yong shared the ce in detail, including the approximate location.


    Bawang was full of confidence, "Master, I will set off. I stayed in the cave for the past few days and ate and slept. After sleeping and eating, I was tired and wanted to go out for activities."


    Liu Yong exhorted:


    "Be careful."


    Bawang said: "Master, don''t worry. I am the overlord of this sea area. Many big fish will hide away when they see me."


    In the following two to three days, the Overlord continued to grow. Its various attributes improved significantly. However, it still prioritized safety above all else.


    In the sea, there are many monsters, and there are also many things that can threaten the overlord. If careless and eaten by something, it will be a tragedy.


    Overlord set off.


    The Overlord''s speed had increased significantly, surpassing even the fastest boats in the water. It could swim over 30 knots, equivalent to more than 60 kilometers per hour.


    At a speed of more than 30 knots per hour, Bawang swam for more than an hour, arrived at the area Liu Yong mentioned, and started to search there.


    Bawang can swim for dozens of kilometers in a single breath without feeling tired and needing a heartbeat. It is a unique ability that only Bawang possesses.


    The water depth in this sea area is about two to three hundred meters. The seabed is already rtively dark. However, it does not affect the search. Everything within a hundred meters is clear.


    The seabed is not t. There are reefs and some canyons everywhere, which are uneven andplicated, and the search is not easy.


    Bawang was not in a hurry and started to work seriously, swimming around, searching for possible sunken ships on the bottom of the sea. Following two to three hours, it searched at least two or three square kilometers.


    "No, there is no ancient shipwreck that the master mentioned here."


    Overlord thought in wonder.


    ...¡­...

 Chapter 22 Nothing Could Be Found At A Moment!

    ?Bawang broadened the search area and, after a considerable amount of time, decided to take the initiative and contact Liu Yong asking,


    "Master, since no ancient shipwreck has been discovered would you like to consider expanding the search area?"


    "Actually, no," Liu Yong thought to himself.


    He began to wonder if there might be errors in the records since all the information he had gathered was from the Inte rather than official sources, which couldpromise their reliability and uracy.


    Finding an ancient shipwreck on the ocean floor is a challenging task.


    "What should I do then?"


    "Should I continue or give up?"


    After pondering for some time, Liu Yong decided:


    "Given that we haven''t found anything here, let''s return and try our luck at another location tomorrow."


    Liu Yong''s online research revealed the locations of these ancient shipwrecks, to be extremely specific, all situated in the waters surrounding Huahai City.


    Moreover, the nearest location is at most 100 nautical miles away. In other words, the potential search area for these shipwrecks could be more extensive and concentrated.


    Safety concerns could be one possible reason for not searching farther locations. The waters closer to the shore are likely to be safer, with a higher level of security.


    However, this might differ in far-off or deep-sea regions with a greater risk of encountering potential hazards or dangers. As a result, Liu Yong may have decided to limit the search area to the waters closer to Huahai City to minimize any possible risks to the crew and the expedition.


    Even in the coastal waters within 100 nautical miles, Liu Yong repeatedly told him to put safety first.


    Returning without sess would have disheartened the Overlord and visibly damped his mood.


    The beautiful underwater scenery along the way is not in the mood to appreciate it, and the shoals of fish and shrimps can''t arouse its interest, so it swims unhurriedly.


    As the location is over a hundred kilometers away from the maind, there are still potential dangers to be aware of, and there is a possibility of encountering some formidable creatures in the area.


    Some potential dangers that one might encounter in this location could include enormous sunfish weighing several hundred catties, two or three-meter-long swordfish, and gigantic jellyfish with a diameter exceeding one meter.


    A big guy is swimming toward Bawang; it is a vast sea snake six or seven meters long.


    "We are encountering each other unexpectedly!"


    Bawang thought.


    When the Overlord finally discovered the object, they were only 20 to 30 meters away from each other. They might have noticed it much earlier if they had been more attentive.


    The sea snake might have considered itself the dominant species in the area and perceived the unusual giant turtle as a threat. Upon encountering the turtle blocking its path, the snake likely issued a warning to signal its presence and establish dominance.


    The sea snake''s warning conveyed a message to the turtle to get out of its way and not obstruct its path. Bawang was already in a foul mood, and this creature''s sudden appearance only worsened his temper.


    "Tit for tat, get the **** out of me, don''t mess with me."


    Bawang said furiously.


    The sea snake was also angry.


    It became irritable, rushed over quickly, exposed its fangs, and opened its mouth to bite.


    Despite his bulky appearance, Bawang was surprisingly agile and quick to react. He easily dodged the sea snake''s bite and retaliated by biting the snake''s vulnerable seven-inch area.


    Bawang''s movements were lightning-fast, and his powerful bite force was enough to directly contact the sea snake, precisely hitting its intended target.


    Soon, the sea snake turned white and burped.


    Overlord said in his heart, I am not a sea turtle, but a powerful mutant snapping turtle.


    On the other hand, the turtle had only been motivated by hunger, prompting it to swim a long distance from its hiding ce in the cave.


    The earlier search it had conducted in the area had taken its toll on the creature, leaving it exhausted.


    So, the snapping turtle took this sea snake as food and ate it with big mouthfuls.


    "Hey, the taste is not bad, it is a taste I have never tasted."


    Bawang said.


    Even though the sea snake''s head was unnecessary, the Overlord treated the entire six- to seven-meter-long creature as a savory deep-fried dough stick, relishing every bite of its meal with great enjoyment.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After eating a sea snake, it was packed and felt a sense of satisfaction, and its originally depressed mood improved a lot.


    After devouring the sea snake, Bawang swam toward the small ind, his pace much quicker than before. He continued swimming for around 20 to 30 minutes before stopping.


    The water depth here is about 300 meters. The seabed is slightly different from other ces. There are no reefs, dense seaweed, and rtively t terrain everywhere.


    On this t seabed, a dpidated shipwreck attracts the Overlord''s attention.


    As Bawang approached, he began reflecting on his reason for venturing into the sea that day. Wasn''t it all to find the sunken ship? The closer he got to the ind, the clearer the situation became.


    The sunken ship is covered with algae and some shellfish attachments, and about one-third of the hull is sunk in the mud on the seabed.


    After walking around the shipwreck, Overlord couldn''t contain his excitement and said;


    "Master, I found a sunken ship."


    Currently, Liu Yong is surfing the Inte and registering an ount on a forum, discussing the ancient shipwreck with some fans.


    Bawang took the initiative to contact him and said it had found a sunken ship. Liu Yong was overjoyed and asked immediately.


    "What kind of shipwreck is it, hurry up and tell me what''s going on."


    Bawang immediately told the situation of the sunken ship it saw.


    Through Bawang''s description, Liu Yong knew this was a modern shipwreck.


    Upon closer inspection, Bawang realized that the shipwreck he had stumbled upon was modern. The ship''s rusty exterior was adorned with a prominent chimney, and the hull was turned upside down, with the bottom of the boat facing upwards.


    The discement is a little small, about 1,000 tons.


    "Master, do you want me to go in and search?"


    Bawang asked.


    "Yeah, absolutely"


    Liu replied.


    Liu Yong''s hope is low. A dpidated modern shipwreck should not have anything of value.


    "Overlord, do a good search for me. Once you find something valuable, let me know immediately."


    "Ok, no problem!"


    Overlord agreed and then swam in from a big gap.


    This ship has been sunk here for unknown years, and some marine creatures have long regarded this ce as their home.


    As Bawang entered the sunken ship, he inadvertently disturbed the surrounding marine life. Several big fish sensed his presence and quickly swam out of the boat to escape what they perceived as a potential threat.


    In addition to the big fish, several giant octopuses swim out very fast. The speed is so short, which is very rare.


    With the big fish gone, the sunken ship quickly returned to tranquility, allowing Bawang to search the area at his leisure. With no distractions, the Overlord could explore the ship in detail, scouring its every nook and cranny in search of potential treasures.


    Liu Yong was sitting in the rental room, pondering over Bawang''s description of the sunken ship. From what Bawang had narrated, it seemed to be a modern shipwreck with more than 1,000 tons of discement.


    Liu Yong knew that searching for a modern shipwreck with a discement of over 1,000 tons would be time-consuming. Even with Overlord''s help, it would take several hours or even a day or two toplete the search.


    The process might need to be smoother, and unexpected challenges could arise. Nheless, Liu Yong remained hopeful that they would find something of value.


    Besides, Overlord is now an excellent treasure hunter, searching inside the ship.


    The turtle Discovered several skeletons. If someone else were here, they would probably feel eerie, but Overlord doesn''t have this feeling.


    Judging from the remaining clothes, this should be the military uniform of the Sakura Kingdom during World War II. There are also guns, rifles, and pistols on the ship, which are very rusted.


    Overlord searches seriously. It is different from keen perception, and the search speed is faster.


    "There is something valuable in it."


    Bawang assumed.


    Bawang pushed the door of this cabin but found that it was still motionless.

 Chapter 23 Brute Force Skill - Discovery

    ?It may be the captain''s cabin or the ship''s bridge, as these areas tend to have arger space and many essential items for navigation andmunication.


    All messed up, rickety, and dpidated cabins with ship tilted upside down.


    Bawang swam into the cabin, paying no attention to the damaged office equipment. He was more interested in a pile of scattered items on the ground. Although there were bones mixed in it, Overlord seemed to have no interest in them and just focused on the bank of things.


    It is an officer, and seen from the broken military uniform, it seems to be a major general.


    There is a gun on his waist, corrupted by decades of seawater erosion, and there is a saber beside him, which is in good condition.


    Overlord carefully picked up the saber and moved it aside, showing no interest in the tattered office equipment around him nor the bone lying nearby.


    All his attention was on the cab in front of him, which he meticulously searched for any valuable items they might hold.


    Overlord spotted severalrge wooden cabs inside the cabin and decided to focus on searching them first. The cabs looked sturdy and well-built, giving off the impression of containing something valuable.


    After some searching, there was nothing valuable in these wooden cabs, basically some books and documents, and they were rotten to mud.


    Bawang''s eyes fell on the big iron cab. He swam over and tried to open it but couldn''t.


    "what to do?"


    "Contact the owner; he may have a solution."


    Bawang thought immediately.


    "Master, I found a big guy, it should be the safe you mentioned, there may be valuable things in it..."


    Liu Yong listened as Bawang described the iron cab, and based on the details provided, he quickly deduced that it was safe. The cab was made of sturdy iron and had a thick door to keep something valuable inside.


    With a key, it is possible to open. However, it has been ced on the bottom of the sea for decades, so it must have eroded severely.


    "Overlord, can you pull it away with brute force?"


    The Overlord''s weight already exceeded three to four hundred catties, and his strength was also great, close to a thousand kilograms. For this reason, Liu Yong thought of using brute force to open the safe.


    "OK, I''ll give it a try!"


    Overlord grabbed the safe handle with one of his front paws and pulled it hard, which could only pull down the handle, yet the box still couldn''t be opened.


    "Master, I can''t pull it apart with brute force."


    "That''s it."


    Liu Yong thought for a while and said,


    "Find something stronger and give it a try, see if you can smash it open."


    ording to Liu Yong''s instructions, Overlord found a thick iron rod about one meter long.


    Such an iron rod weighs at least a few dozen kilograms, but it is vital.


    Without further ado, Bawang picked up the iron rod and smashed it!


    "BOOOOO OOOOO...¡­MMMMMMMMMMMMM"


    There was another muffled sound, and the thick iron rod smashed firmly on the iron cab, and the iron cab got dented again, but Bawang stopped after two hits.


    The impact made a lot of noise and vibration. The initially rtively clear seawater has be turbid.


    Bawang''s IQ has improved significantly. It is no longer the intelligence level of a four- or five-year-old child and may have a six- or seven-year-old IQ.


    Without Liu Yong''s instructions, Bawang tried to move the big iron cab, nning to carry it out of the ship so that it would be open and he could smash it as he wanted.


    The cab is hefty, probably several hundred catties.


    Despite struggling, Overlord was still able to move the heavy iron cab. Using his four ws and mouth simultaneously, he managed to remove the cab from the sunken ship. He then retrieved the thick iron rod he had found earlier and used it to hit the cab with increasing force, striking it once, twice, and finally, a third time.


    A series of loud noises resembling "bang, bang, crack," could be heard from the seabed. The sounds continued more than a dozen times until, eventually, the repeated force caused the iron rod to bend and the cab to break open.


    "Master, I made a hole, do you want to continue smashing it?"


    Overlord asked.


    Liu Yong said:


    "Use an iron rod to try to see if you can pry it open."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    It is advisable to refrain from continuing to smash violently. If valuable items inside get destroyed, it could result in significant losses.


    ording to Liu Yong''s instructions, the Overlord used this iron rod to pry it open. The smash had already deformed it and had corroded quite severely, so it was customary to pry it open immediately.


    After the cab got opened, all the contents inside were also revealed. Apart from many documents rotten into the mud, there were also golden things.


    After looking carefully, Overlord took the initiative to contact Liu Yong,


    "Master, the cab was opened, and there are many gold bars you mentioned inside."


    "What, there are gold bars?"


    Liu Yong said.


    Upon hearing the news, Liu Yong''s heart beat a little faster. He didn''t expect that there would be gold bars in a modern shipwreck.


    Immediately, it became clear that this was a shipwreck in World War II, and it was still sinking in the waters near Huahai City. The RB people in the territory of the Yan Kingdom probably plundered it.


    "Overlord, clear out all the gold bars, I want them all, let''s meet at the old ce."


    Liu Yong instructed instantly.


    "OK, master."


    Overlord replied.


    Liu Yong was overjoyed, and hurried out the door, drove his big G out, and headed towards the mouth of the Qingjiang River.


    The ce where the Overlord first entered the water was what the two of them called the "old ce."


    Liu Yong''s speed is breakneck as gold bars are waiting.


    Arrived at the destination, parked the car, saw no one around, and felt very relieved,


    "Bawang, how long will it take for you to arrive."


    "Master, I''m rushing here as fast as I can, please wait for me a little longer."


    Two of themmunicated internally.


    At a position tens of meters below the water''s surface, a giant snapping turtle weighing three to four hundred kilograms is swimming fast, at a speed of at least thirty knots.


    Some marine creatures saw this big guy and avoided it one after another. Some were upset and took the initiative to provoke, and they learned a lesson.


    They have a thought in their minds; this guy is challenging to mess with.


    Around 20 to 30 minutester, the Overlord emerged from the sea and crawled onto the nearby beach. He promptly regurgitated everything in his mouth before swiftly turning around and swimming back into the sea.


    "No way, I''m worried about being seen by others."


    It is also what Liu Yong has requested.


    Even though there is no one around to witness it, one should still exercise caution when engaging in such activities repeatedly over a long period. It could be detrimental if someone were to spot it.


    Bawang disgorged a sizable heap of gold bars, numbering at least several dozen. Moreover, besides the gold bars, he also possessed a well-crafted RB saber.


    Liu Yong also moved very quickly. He had already prepared the woven bag. It was initially used to hold rice, but now it holds gold bars.


    Even though the gold bars were filled with sand, he quickly put the gold bars into the woven bag.


    In addition to the gold bars, there is a pocket watch, which is gold-ted or pure gold, and a bracelet, which should be emerald.


    "This is a windfall!"


    "I didn''t anticipate Bawang to be so meticulous, as he brought along numerous gold bars, sabers, pocket watches, and bracelets."


    Liu Yong secretly thought.


    Carefully cing the gold bar inside the intricately woven bag, the pocket watch and bracelet were then carefully stowed away in a pocket.


    The heavy load was then grasped firmly in one hand, while the other hand held the gleaming saber, and with swift movements, Liu Yong hastily made his way towards the imposing figure of Big G.


    After stowing away the general knife and the intricately woven bag inside the car trunk, Liu Yong sat in the driver''s position. Despite the passage of time, his heart was still racing with excitement.


    ...

 Chapter 24 Fantastic Price

    ?The car couldn''t start immediately.


    Liu Yong was filled with full of happiness and excitement.


    Liu Yong did not immediately drive away in his car. He waited two or three minutes, calming down his excitement before finally departing. He felt the urgency to return to the rental house to examine what he had acquired.


    The drive back was rtively unobstructed, and it took at least ten minutes less timepared to when Liu Yong had arrived.


    Upon parking the car downstairs at the rental house, Liu Yong contemted for a moment before deciding to leave the saber in the car for the time being. It was too noticeable to carry around, so he opted to bring the other items inside the house first.


    Liu Yong ced the pocket watch and bracelet in his pocket, retrieved the gold bars from the trunk, and held them in his hands. He locked the car and took a moment topose himself before going upstairs.


    Along the way, Liu Yong encountered several individuals, but none of them suspected that the woven bag in his possession contained dozens of gold bars.


    Finally entered the room and closed the door, Liu Yong let out a long sigh.


    Liu Yong removed the pocket watch and bracelet from his pocket, cing them in a drawer for closer examinationter. However, his priority was to clean the gold bars and determine the total quantity.


    Liu Yong located a stic washbasin and filled it halfway with clean water. He carefully ced the gold bars into the basin one by one and happily cleaned them with a brush in hand.


    I scrub, scrub, scrub!


    I''m over the moon!


    Liu Yong scrubbed away with enthusiasm, feeling overjoyed at the prospect of owning so much gold.


    The gold bars had submerged at the bottom of the sea for an extended period, and as a result, they were dirty and covered in mud and other debris. Bawang had retrieved them and brought them to the beach, which got stained with sand.


    Liu Yong diligently cleaned each gold bar one by one. As he brushed away the dirt and debris, its appearance got revealed. The gold bars shone brightly, gleaming in their original golden color. Liu Yong was thrilled to behold their beauty.


    Although Liu Yong was not an expert in the identification, he could discern from the weight and color of the gold bars that they were undoubtedly genuine. He was confident that they were authentic gold bars.


    Especially the weight. It is very overwhelming, dead heavy.


    Each gold bar has the words "Central Bank" and "1KG". Undoubtedly, this is domestic gold looted by RB people during World War II.


    After Cleaning, Liu Yong wiped each gold bar with a dry rag. He then brought over his newly purchased electronic scale and ced it on the table in preparation for the next step.


    Liu Yong picked up one of the gold bars and ced it on the electronic scale to weigh it. To his satisfaction, it weighed 1000 grams, confirming that all the gold bars were indeed 1 kg in weight.


    "ONE ¡­. TWO ¡­..THREE"


    Liu Yong counted the gold bars twice and confirmed there were 52 in total. With each bar weighing 1 kg, the total weight of all the gold bars was 52 kg. It didn''t surprise that they had felt so cumbersome when he had picked them up earlier.


    The total weight of the gold bars, 52 kilograms, was equivalent to over a hundred catties. Luckily, Liu Yong was able to carry them without difficulty. If someone else had found them, they might not have been able to lift them.


    Based on the current market price of gold, the value of these 52 gold bars exceeded 20 million yuan. Liu Yong was stunned to think he had just stumbled upon such a fortune. It was a windfall that would change his life forever.


    With the sudden wealth, Liu Yong realized he now had the financial means to purchase a house. Moreover, he had already made to register apany to start his own business. The discovery of the gold bars presented a unique opportunity to achieve his dreams and goals.


    Liu Yong decided to start apany specializing in the deep-sea salvage business, given his recent discovery of gold bars with the help of Bawang. He believed that with Bawang''s expertise and knowledge, they could pursue this line of work and achieve sess. By owning apany, he could better ount for the source of his newfound wealth, even if he bes wealthier. It would be easier to exin that thepany had made money, making his business endeavors more credible.


    Liu Yong must find a capable buyer to collect all these gold bars.]


    After neatly storing the gold bars, Liu Yong carefully cleaned the pocket watch and examined it closely. He decided that he needed to find a professional to appraise its value. If the price was right, he could sell it.


    Liu Yong is not an expert, but he spectes that the bracelet is made of jade due to its green and translucent appearance and that it could be valuable.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The next day.


    Liu Yong put this bracelet in his pocket and a gold bar in his bag. He drove to Qian Dasheng Company, thergest gold jeweler in Huahai City.


    Qian Dasheng is very famous in Huahai City. Not only a local jewelrypany, but it also has at least dozens of stores in Huahai City and hundreds of chain stores across the country.


    It shouldn''t be a big problem for such a powerful jewelrypany to buy these dozens of gold bars and this jade bracelet.


    Liu Yong did not go to their store but went to the headquarters of theirpany which is in the Qingjiang High-tech Industrial Park. There are not only office buildings yet processing nts covering arge area.


    The inspection was rtively strict. Liu Yong said he was here to discuss business. The security saw that the car he was driving was a big G, and he was released only after registration.


    Entering from the gate is a magnificent office building, and further inside is the factory area. The security level of the factory area is higher, and Liu Yong will not be able to enter.


    However, there is no need to go into the factory area. The goal is this office building. After parking the car, Liu Yong entered the building with his bag.


    Thedy at the front desk was quite enthusiastic. After asking Liu Yong, she learned he had a batch of gold he wanted to sell, so she called immediately.


    After a while, a middle-aged man came, wearing a suit and tie. After the two sides introduced themselves, Liu Yong knew he was the general manager of the purchasing department.


    Liu Yong mentioned that he had over 50 kilograms of gold to sell was a significant transaction. Fortunately, Tang Libing, the head of the purchasing department, was present in thepany and could attend to the matter in person.


    "Mr. Liu, let''s talk inside."


    Under his leadership, the two came to a reception room. The environment was nice and quiet, and someone immediately made hot tea and brought it over.


    After offering Liu Yong a seat on the sofa, Tang Libing cut to the chase and asked, "May I see your gold, Mr. Liu?"


    Liu Yong took the gold bar from his bag and put it on the table.


    Tang Libing picked up the gold bar and looked at it seriously. After a look, he judged that it was pure gold or the gold bar of the Central Bank before liberation.


    "Mr. Liu, do you have any proof documents for gold bars?"


    Liu Yong said truthfully:


    "No, it''s been too long, and I don''t know where to throw it if I have supporting documents."


    Tang Libing nodded lightly, "If there is no supporting document, the price will be slightly lower. We can only offer 350 yuan."


    A small gold shop on the street previously purchased the gold ne found in Mohu Lake by Snapping Turtle for 330 yuan per gram. On the other hand, the purchasing department of thergepany offered a higher cost of 350 yuan per gram, which was not surprising given its reputation and size.


    Liu Yong expressed dissatisfaction with Tang Libing''s offer by saying: "Mr. Tang, I believe your purchase price is too low. The current international gold price has already surpassed 1,900 US dors per ounce, equivalent to more than 450 yuan per gram."


    Tang Libing patiently exined: "The international gold price is indeed the case, but ourpany''s purchase price is not so high, and your gold has no proof."


    Finally, Liu Yong''s words moved Tang Libing.


    "Mr. Tang, I have much more than this little gold. We can cooperate for a long time in the future. You must have a higher gold price."


    "What?"


    "You still have a lot of gold on hand?"


    ................

 Chapter 25 Millionaire

    ?Tang Libing felt a sense of hidden delight growing inside him as he gazed toward Liu Yong. He pondered that if the situation bes true as it seemed, it would be optimal to engage in a productive dialogue and establish a mutually beneficial and enduring partnership.


    It would be highly advantageous for the Qianshengshengpany to acquire substantial amounts of gold from Liu Yong at a price lower than the prevailing market rate. It would result in significant cost savings for thepany and position it favorably in the highlypetitive market by enabling it to offer morepetitive pricing to its customers.


    After brief contemtion, Tang Libing responded, "I can offer you a purchase price of 380 yuan per gram, which is the most favorable price I can provide. Moreover, I would appreciate it if you could offer us more gold."


    "Certainly, I will be happy to do so," Liu Yong readily agreed.


    The offered purchase price of 380 yuan per gram exceeded Liu Yong''s initial expectations. He was exceedingly pleased with the agreement, feeling fulfillment and satisfaction beyond his initial anticipation at 120 percent.


    Liu Yong was aware of the potential issue concerning the origin of his gold. Although the gold was not acquired through uwful means such as theft or robbery, providing a credible exnation for its source remained challenging.


    Considering the unique circumstances surrounding the acquisition of his gold, it would have been impossible for Liu Yong to sell it at the prevailing market price, which was over 1,900 US dors per ounce. Hence, being able to sell the gold at 380 yuan per gram was already deemed a highly favorable oue.


    Fifty-two kilograms of gold, a total of 19.76 million, exceeded Liu Yong''s expectations.


    "Happy cooperation!"


    "Pleasant cooperation."


    Both parties shook hands joyously, expressing their satisfaction with the agreement, and signed a formal sales agreement. Following the signing, there was yet another round of ted handshakes to mark the sessful conclusion of the transaction.


    Following the handshake, Liu Yong remained present and requested Tang Libing, stating, "Mr. Tang, I have a bracelet here.


    Would you be kind enough to look at it for me?"


    Tang Libing responded, "Oh, you have a bracelet as well? I must confess that I am not particrly adept at appraising jewelry. Therefore, my opinion on the matter will merely serve as a reference for you."


    Liu Yong said: "You are too modest."


    The Qian Shengsheng Company is involved in diverse jewelry businesses, which include not only gold jewelry but also other forms of jewelry. One of the significant segments is the trade in jadeite.


    As the general manager of the purchasing department, Tang Libing possesses a considerable level of expertise in the appraisal of jadeite jewelry. Hence, his knowledge and skill in this area are undoubtedlymendable.


    Liu Yong took the jade bracelet from his pocket, wrapped it in a brand-new towel, and put it on the table.


    Tang Libing gingerly unwrapped the towel and revealed the bracelet with great care. As soon as his eyes fell on the exquisite piece of jewelry, a gleam of interest and excitement shed across his face.


    Hastily and solemnly took out a pair of white gloves and put them on, carefully picked up the bracelet and looked at it, and took a small shlight to look at it carefully.


    It turned out to be an emerald bracelet.


    After thoroughly examining the bracelet, Tang Libing ced it delicately on the table and said, "Mr. Liu, allow me to extend my congrattions to you on owning such a stunning piece of jade jewelry."


    Sure enough, Tang Libing continued: "This is a jade bracelet full of green. It grows well, a typical ice species..."


    What is "full green" andareice species," Liu Yong can only understand a little, but he already knows this bracelet is costly.


    "Mr. Tang, how much is this bracelet worth?"


    Tang Libing said: "Last year, Sotheby''s auction house auctioned a jadeite bracelet full of green ice seeds, and the transaction price was 25.6 million yuan."


    "In the first half of this year''s Spring and Autumn Auction, a bracelet made of floating flowers and ice species was sold at 17.2 million yuan. Yours is between these two prices."


    So valuable!


    Overlord has done a great job this time!


    Liu Yongdao showed evident joy on his face.


    Tang Libing looked at his words and asked, "Mr. Liu, it seems that you intend to sell this bracelet, don''t you?"


    Liu Yong nodded and said: "Yes if the price is satisfactory, I look forward to selling it."


    Tang Libing secretly rejoiced. This is a business!


    "If thepany decides to purchase this bracelet, it could be showcased as the centerpiece of one of our gship stores. Alternatively, it could be sold to customers at a premium price, generating a substantial profit for us. Ultimately, it depends on whether the price is suitable and meets our expectations," Tang Libing exined.


    "How much do you want to sell for?"


    "Tang can always represent Qian Sheng''s high price."


    Tang Libing pondered for a while and knew that Liu Yong was not easy to be fooled. The gold transaction just now proved this point.


    After weighing it, Tang Libing said: "I can offer 18 million on behalf of thepany."


    Liu Yong didn''t give in at all, "I can''t sell it at this price, at least 25 million."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Tang Libing was visibly surprised by the statement and responded hastily,


    "Selling the bracelet at such a high price is out of the question. Although a simr bracelet was sold at an auctionst year for 25.6 million, it is important to note that this price was inclusive of themission fees. Furthermore, the quality of that bracelet was superior to the one you possess, particrly with regards to its water nting."


    It is uncertain whether Tang Libing genuinely believed that the water nting of the other bracelet was superior to Liu Yong''s or if he made this statement deliberately to negotiate a lower price.


    There was another bargain between the two parties.


    In the end, it was sold for 21 million!


    And paid with one hand and delivered with one hand!


    With this price, Liu Yong, of course, was satisfied.


    Tang Libing was also very stressed. He took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.


    "Mr. Liu, it''s a pity that you don''t do business. The price bargaining is too powerful."


    Liu Yong smiled.


    Someone came over soon, packed the bracelet in a special emerald bracelet box, and took away Liu Yong''s bank card.


    Tang Libing drank tea with Liu Yong, and after a while, a text message came, and the bank card ounted for 21 million.


    Stepped into a multi-millionaire $$$


    There is no problem in buying a house in Huahai City; the money is enough!


    After putting away the bank card, Liu Yong stood up and said, "I''ll go and get all the remaining gold bars."


    Tang Libing stood up and saw him off, "Mr. Liu, I''ll be waiting for you at thepany."


    Liu Yong left Qian Shengsheng Company, drove back to the rental house, and took all the remaining gold bars.


    Walking out of Qian Shengsheng''spany again, the joy on Liu Yong''s face never faded, humming a little tune while driving.


    A sum of 21 million, another 19.76 million, plus the actual money, a total of more than 45 million in the bank card.


    "I have enough money to buy a house, and I have enough money to start apany."


    "Overlord Thank you!"


    Over the next few days, Liu Yong was busy with various tasks. Initially, he sought the assistance of an agency to register and establish a marine servicepany. The agency handled all the necessary formalities on his behalf, making the process more streamlined and efficient.


    The future business of thepany includes


    Deep Sea Exploration,


    Deep Sea Salvage,


    Ocean Transportation, etc.


    During this time, the activity that consumed most of Liu Yong''s time was house hunting. He quickly visited several real estate properties, yet none met his criteria or preferences. Despite his extensive search, he had yet to find a house he was satisfied with.


    On this particr day, Liu Yong resumed his search for a suitable house. Having already scoured the market alone on several asions without sess, he decided to engage the services of a real estate intermediary in the hopes of finding a better fit for his needs.


    Current real estate agencies sell not only second-hand houses but also new houses. As professionals, they have a wealth of housing sources.


    The distance is not far, and driving to a real estate agency store took a few minutes. There was no ce to park, and it took another 200 meters to find a ce to park the car.


    After getting off the car, Liu Yong went to the agency store of this "great real estate."


    "Handsome guy, what kind of house do you want to buy?"


    The other party is enthusiastic and can be considered a beautiful woman, but Liu Yong''s mood is inexplicably much better.


    "I want to buy a house near the sea, preferably a new house."


    The gorgeous girl asked


    "Do you have any specific area or price range in mind, sir?"


    ................

 Chapter 26 Captivating Dream House

    ?Liu Yong has been thinking about what size of the house to buy for a long time. The price is not a concern for him as long as the quality of the house is good.


    "Having over 40 million in my pocket, I don''t feel much pressure to buy a house."


    Liu Yong thought in mind.


    "It would be preferable for the house to berger and in a prime location. Additionally, it would be ideal if the house is well-decorated and can move into without dy."


    Upon hearing Liu Yong''s request, Zhang Min suggested, "Wanheng Real Estate has recently built a luxury property along the Qingjiang River, which includes garden houses and stacked vis. I can take you to see it."


    "Okay, let''s go now." Liu Yong readily agreed.


    As they were heading out, Zhang Min pulled over to the side of the road, but Liu Yong said, "I have my car, please wait for me."


    Zhang Min felt taken aback. It was a given that almost everyone who buys a house in Huahai City also has a car.


    After a while, Liu Yong drove over, and this brand new ck big G stopped in front of Zhang Min.


    "Wow, you drive such a nice car!"


    Even after getting into the car, Zhang Min''s envy was still apparent and did not subside.


    Zhang Min thought to herself, "It would be amazing if my boyfriend could also drive a car like this. It would be such a status symbol!"


    Although her boyfriend also has a car, it is only a scooter that costs less than 100,000 yuan, which is notparable to this big G.


    Driving such a good car is so economically powerful!


    Zhang Min''s hopes were rising, and she hoped they might make a purchase today.


    Arriving at Wanheng Qingshui Bay, Zhang Min first took Liu Yong to see the rtivelyrge garden houses, ranging from more than 130 square meters to more than 200 square meters.


    While the decoration was of high quality and finely done, Liu Yong was a bit dissatisfied with the style of the decoration.


    "Any more?"


    "Yes, there is also a stacked vi, do you want to take a look?"


    "Of course, take me to have a look."


    Clear Water Bay not only has garden houses but also stacked vis.


    The stacked vi is a type of housing thatbines the privacy and luxury of a vi with the space-saving convenience of a duplex. Essentially, a stacked vi consists of two homes built on each other.


    The upper unit, referred to as the "Shangdie," upies the top floor and is usually more spacious with added amenities, such as a ss room and an open-air balcony.


    On the other hand, the lower unit, known as the "Xiadie," is situated on the bottom floor and typically has less square footage but is still well-equipped forfortable living.


    In essence, the stacked vi concept allows two separate households to upy the same building while enjoying all the perks of a standalone home.


    "Brother Liu, this is the lower stack. There are three floors in total. The basement floor has a storage room, a study room, a wine cab, and a wine-tasting room. You can invite three or five friends to party and taste wine here.There are two floors above the ground. Living room, two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, entertainment room, the second floor has a master bedroom, two secondary bedrooms, two bathrooms..."


    As Zhang Min provided an introduction, Liu Yong visited the property individually.


    "To be honest. I''m excited, it''s spacious and bright, and the decoration is also very high-end!"


    "Take me to see the upper stack."


    Under Zhang Min''s guidance, Liu Yong could tour spacious and bright spaces decorated to a high standard, even exuding a sense of luxury.


    The housees fully equipped with furniture and appliances. It has the added luxury of a central air conditioning system, ensuringfortable living throughout the year. It provides warmth during the chilly winter months and keeps the space cool and refreshing in the scorching summer heat.


    The most notable distinction between the upper and lower units is that the upper unit boasts a beautiful ss room on the top floor and an open-air balcony with an area of tens of square meters.


    With such a spacious open-air balcony, one could sit here and enjoy the sunshine while drinking tea or coffee, which would be refreshing and enjoyable.


    "Living in such a vi is life."


    Liu Yong is satisfied with the top stack of twelve points.


    As Zhang Min observed Liu Yong''s words and expressions, she felt secretly pleased and tentatively asked, "Liu Brother, are you satisfied with the property?"


    "I''ll take a closer look."


    Liu Yong read it carefully again, and he was already determined.


    That''s it!


    "Liu Brother, the stacked vi is an excellent value for money. It providesfort at a lower price than a traditional vi."


    Liu Yong said:


    "What''s the price of your vi?"


    "Each square is about 120,000 yuan, and the price of each building has a certain difference."


    Zhang Min replied.


    Liu Yong was inwardly shocked, realizing that the property was not cheap after all!


    " Such a stacked vi costs more than 20 million yuan! "<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Previously, Liu Yong didn''t even dare to dream of such a property, but now, he was taken aback and said,


    "Take me to the sales department."


    Hearing this, Zhang Min was overjoyed!


    Upon arriving at the sales department, Liu Yong was treated like a VIP, with the staff providing him exceptional service. He feltfortable and wealthy!


    Liu Yong selected 16 upper buildings on the east side, with an area of ??182 square meters and a total price of more than 20 million.


    There are two floors, each with an area of ??182 square meters, and there is arge ss room and arge open-air balcony on the third floor.


    "Brother Liu, do you want a loan or full payment? If you want a loan, I can rmend a bank for you..."


    Liu Yong waved his hand and interrupted directly:


    "All the money, the loan is too troublesome."


    "You are awesome!"


    "Really rich!"


    Several eyes looked at Liu Yong; without exception, they were all envious.


    Liu Yong had made the purchase, though the funds in his bank ount got nearly halved. Nheless, he was not distressed, as he believed that with the presence of Bawang, the money would eventually return to him.


    After making the purchase, Liu Yong felt content for a while and even contemted whether he should start looking for a girlfriend now that he owned a property and a caravan.


    The next day, Liu Yong moved into the newly bought vi.


    ¡­..


    The property came fully furnished, including all necessary furniture, appliances, and tableware. Liu Yong was impressed by the thoughtfulness of the developer.


    Liu Yong just bought some bedding.


    "Brother, we are on summer vacation. When are we going home?"


    Liu Lan said.


    "How about we go back tomorrow?"


    Liu Yong said:


    "Wow, wow ..."


    Liu Lan felt delighted. Most probably, she was already a little homesick.


    "Liu Lan, I have good news for you. I bought a house. Do you want toe and take a look?"


    "Really, brother, you bought a house, I want toe and have a look."


    "Yeah and I''ming to pick you up."


    Liu Yong drove to Huahai University; the distance was much closer, less than half an hour.


    Liu Lan was already waiting at the school gate. Liu Yong stopped and put her suitcase into the car.


    "Brother, where is that house, it shouldn''t be far away."


    "In Wanheng Qingshui Bay, there is a direct subway to Huahai University. It takes ten minutes by subway, and it takes me less than half an hour to drive here."


    "It''s so close, so convenient."


    Under Liu Yong''s guidance, Liu Lan entered the property and was delighted!


    "Brother, this is the house you bought, it''s awesome!"


    Looking around upstairs and downstairs very excitedly, Liu Lan said:


    "I want a bedroom. The upstairs study will also be mine. Please provide me with a key."


    "No problem."


    Liu Yong readily agreed.


    The next day....


    The two siblings were heading home, departing early in the morning after having breakfast. Liu Yong drove the car, and the journey took approximately three hours.


    Liu Yong hails from the northern mountainous region of Qingjiang Province, where the economic progress is moderate. Nevertheless, the roads are well-maintained, and the entire stretch is a high-speed route. Even as one enters the vige, it appears to be a cemented road.


    "Brother, I''m going to stay at home for a while, how about you?"


    "I should only be able to stay for two or three days. After I return to Huahai, you should spend more time with your parents at home."


    Liu Yong drove continuously on the high-speed road for three hours and finally reached his destination.


    He exited the highway around 11 am and went through the rural roads toward Dongmen Vige.

 Chapter 27 Dongmen

    ?Dongmen, a vige or the hometown of Liu Yong.


    The house is an old red brick structure where Zhou Xiuying is currently ughtering chickens in front of it.


    Zhou Xiuying was filled with joy today as her son and daughter returned home. The presence of her children made her feelplete and overjoyed.


    Immediately upon their arrival, Zhou Xiuying sprang into action and busied herself with preparations for a special meal.


    She ventured into town to procure fresh fish for the dish, carefully weighing the meat to ensure it was of the highest quality.


    Her culinary ambitions did not end there, as she then proceeded to ughter a chicken to incorporate it into the meal.


    Just as the free-range chickens that I raised are almost ready to be cooked, a middle-aged man walks past the door as I am about to head back to the kitchen to chop them up and stew them in a sand pot.


    The person walking past the door is Liu Jianping, the head of Dongmen Vige.


    "Sister-inw, how about killing chickens?"


    Zhou Xiuying happily replied:


    "My son and daughter will be back soon."


    "Oh, the university is already on summer vacation."


    Liu Jianping said:


    After exchanging a few words, as usual, Zhou Xiuying noticed that Liu Jianping appeared downcast and inquired,


    "Big brother, are you still troubled by the road construction issue?"


    "That''s right, there is still a shortfall of 300,000."


    Three hundred thousand is not a small amount for Dongmen Vige.


    The concrete road that leads to the vige was built more than a decade ago as part of a project that aimed to connect different viges.


    Despite its construction being a significant development at the time, the road has now be a source of inconvenience due to its narrowed state.


    It can only amodate a single car at a time, making it difficult for drivers to navigate the road whenever another car approaches from the opposite direction.


    The vige, in agreement with the majority of its residents, has decided to expand the road and construct a twone cement road.


    The above allocated a part of the funds, and the vigers raised part of the money, but there was still a shortfall of about 300,000.


    Liu Jianping intends to go to the town to pursue the matter, despite knowing the chances of sess are slim.


    At that moment, the sound of firecrackers could be heard in the distance, apanied by a great deal of excitement.


    Zhou Xiuying didn''t know what was going on, so she stood up and looked around.


    "Fugui''s son bought a new car. I heard that it costs more than 100,000 yuan. I''ll go and have a look."


    Liu Jianping said


    The entrance to Liu Fugui''s house was bustling with activity, with a crowd gathered around a brand-new car parked in the open space.


    Liu Fugui had a flush of excitement on his face as he distributed wedding candies and cigarettes to the people nearby him.


    His son Liu Wu is very proud and has a lot of faces.


    "Tsk tsk, this car is not bad."


    "I heard it cost more than 100,000 yuan."


    "This is our first private car in Dongmen Vige."


    Some people bought a car before, but it was either a van or a truck for transportation. In the eyes of many people, this was the first private car.


    ...¡­


    Liu Yong had taken a detour from the highway, driving through a nearby town and drawing the attention of many locals.


    In particr, his driving had caught the eye of several young individuals who were still in the process of learning to drive.


    Liu Yong''s driving was a source of fascination for these young drivers, who were captivated by his skill and expertise behind the wheel.


    "Ah, that''s a big G worth more than a million dors."


    "It''s rare to see it in our countryside, and it''s been a long time since I saw a car in this ss."


    Liu Lan reminded softly:


    "Brother, our car is so eye-catching. Many people are chasing after it."


    After passing through the town and driving a few kilometers, we turned onto a cement road that led to Dongmen Vige.


    Dongmen Vige is not far ahead, and we will be home soon.


    "Brother, we are finally home. It is so convenient to have our car."


    "It''s just that this road is in a terrible condition. Even though made of cement, some parts are already deteriorating. The main issue is its narrowness. If a car approaches from the opposite direction, it could be a major problem,"


    remarked Liu Lan, referring to the road.


    Within a few minutes, they arrived at the entrance of Dongmen Vige, where a massive camphor tree stood that required two people to embrace it. Many individuals were rxing in the shade beneath the tree.


    Almost everyone has noticed the big G driving towards the vige.


    "Look, a car ising."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Does this car look good?"


    Most of the vigers didn''t recognize this big G, but some people still recognized what kind of car it was.


    "Of course not bad, this is Big G, at least it costs more than one million."


    What!


    so expensive!


    More than one million is an unattainable astronomical figure in the eyes of the vigers.


    Many people gasped.


    .....


    To everyone''s surprise, the car stopped after driving over.


    The vigers thought the driver was some foreigner who is visiting their vige.


    Soon, everyone got surprised!


    As Liu Yong stepped out of the car holding a box of Zhonghua cigarettes, the vigers noticed his warm and enthusiastic demeanor as he greeted everyone while smoking a cigarette.


    "Wee back here. Please enjoy the shade here"


    "My God!"


    It was Liu Yong. Could it be possible that he had returned after achieving great wealth outside the vige?


    Liu Yong drove into the vige, but most of the people had not yet realized it and were staring nkly as the car entered the vige.


    "Just now this is Liu Yong from the Hongfu family."


    "It looks like he made a fortune."


    As Liu Yong drove into the vige, he made a point to nce at Liu Fugui''s house. A car had parked in front of the house, and firecracker remnants littered the ground.


    It seemed that Liu Fugui had purchased a new one and was celebrating its arrival.


    There are quite a few people here, and they quickly noticed the car.


    "Who is this, what an awesome, big G with over one million dors."


    "It seems to be Liu Yong."


    "It''s really Liu Yong!"


    This time, Liu Yong did not stop the car but drove past Liu Fugui''s house and continued towards his own house.


    Zhou Xiuying just stewed the ughtered chicken on the fire, and said to Liu Hongfu,


    "Bosses, Xiaoyong and Xian should be back soon."


    "It shouldn''t be so fast, maybe we have to wait a while."


    As soon as she finished speaking, there was movement outside the door, and Zhou Xiuying eximed happily,


    "It must be Xiaoyong and the others who havee back!"


    After finishing speaking, she hurriedly walked outside. At this moment, Liu Yong just got off the car.


    "Xiaoyong, Xian, you are back,e in quickly."


    Liu Yong called Dad and Mom.


    "Brother bought few things, let''s move into the house first."


    Liu Lan said in a delightful tone.


    Liu Yong opened the trunk and took down the tobo, alcohol, candy, and other things, as well as brand-new leather shoes, clothes, etc.


    Liu Hongfu is turning around the car, looking left and right.


    He knew that Liu Yong had bought a car, and Liu Lan had mentioned it on the phone, but he didn''t know what kind of car it was.


    "The head of the house, don''t just stand there,e and help us move things,"


    Liu Yong said: "I''lle, I''ll do it."


    Looking around the car twice, Liu Hongfu said,


    "Xiaoyong, I think the car is pretty good, at least one hundred or two hundred thousand."


    Liu Hongfu was surprised and shook his head slightly when he heard that the cost was indeed two to three hundred thousand.


    Without saying a word, Liu Yong smiled and began to move items into his home one by one, such as boxes of Moutai, several packs of Zhonghua cigarettes,rge bags of candies, new clothes, new shoes, and more.


    After all the belongings were moved into the house and the car door was closed, the family was ready to enter when arge group of people arrived.


    It was all people from the vige. After a while, many people gathered in front of the house, which was very lively.


    Zhou Xiuying promptly reminded the head of the household that Xiaoyong had purchased cigarettes and candies and urged them toe out and entertain the arriving guests.


    "Ok."


    Liu Hongfu immediately went into the house to get things, Zhou Xiuying also moved out stools for everyone to sit on, and Liu Yong also moved out a table for candy and other things.

 Chapter 28 Dongmen Villagers

    ?Liu Lan was active too and enthusiastically made tea for everyone.


    For a long time, Liu Hongfu did note out.


    "What''s going on here?"


    Zhou Xiuying reminded in a low voice:


    "Xiaoyong, see what''s going on with your dad."


    "Okay,"


    Liu Yong replied with a nod, promptly stepping into the room and calling,


    "Dad, can you please bring out the cigarettes and candy? It''s been a while since youst brought them out, and everyone outside is waiting for them."


    Liu Hongfu didn''t know what to do and expressed embarrassment, saying,


    "Why are there only Zhonghua cigarettes? Why don''t we offer everyone these better cigarettes?"


    The rationale behind this gesture was that the standard of living in Dongmen Vige was not particrly high. Thus, it was a small and affordable gesture to provide cigarettes for everyone during a joyous asion, which would only cost around ten yuan.


    Liu Yong smiled,


    "Of course it''s Zhonghua, let''s go, take some out."


    After buying a dozen in total and returning, Liu Yong took two or three without hesitation and said,


    "Dad, can you bring out some candy too?"


    Once Liu Yong came out, he distributed cigarettes to everyone, giving a pack of Zhonghua to every adult regardless of gender.


    Many people were taken aback!


    The act of distributing a whole pack of scattered Chinese food in Dongmen Vige was unexpected and had never been done before.


    It''s so embarrassing!


    The table was also filled with numerous candies, bringing joy to the children as they happily indulged in them.


    The front of the house was bustling with excitement.


    "It is because that Liu Yong has made a fortune outside."


    "Liu Hongfu gave birth to a good son, and since then, he has turned around."


    The group continued their lively conversation while others couldn''t help but repeatedly gaze at the car, feeling envious.


    When it was past noon, Zhou Xiuying prepared a table of sumptuous meals and ced them on an Eight Immortals table in the center of the main room.


    Others began to gradually disperse.


    Liu Hongfu was happy and enthusiastic and politely invited some elders and close rtives to stay for dinner.


    Both his two cousins and his second uncle, who were in their seventies, were present.


    "Second uncle, please stay and have a meal before leaving,"


    The second uncle replied,


    "No, I should be going back to eat since the food at home should be ready soon."


    Liu Yong brought two bottles of Moutai and ced them on the table. When he realized the second uncle was present, he eximed,


    "Second Uncle, I brought Moutai back. Come and have a drink and try it out."


    "What!"


    "Moutai!"


    The second uncle had heard of it before but had never had the opportunity to taste it. As soon as he heard of it again, he became immediately interested in trying it out.


    "Then I will take something orally today, sit down and drink two sses."


    Liu Hongfu invited everyone, including the second uncle, to take their seats, and Liu Yong opened one of the bottles of Moutai.


    As the aroma of the Moutai wine wafting through the air, Liu Hongfu''s two cousins and second uncle grew increasingly enthusiastic. They were eager to taste the legendary Moutai wine for the first time.


    Rural people have never drunk such a high-end wine.


    As Liu Hongfu was pouring the wine, he noticed Liu Jianping walking past the front of the house.


    Liu Jianping had made a recent trip into town on his bicycle, with the intention of discussing road construction matters. Unfortunately, he returned empty-handed and disappointed, as he was unable to obtain the necessary approvals.


    "Jianping,e over for a drink or two. Our family Liu Yong is back."


    Liu Jianping must have known that Liu Yong hade back home with good fortune, so he stopped and hesitated for a moment.


    Liu Hongfu was extremely courteous and eager to include Liu Jianjun in the gathering. Despite any reluctance on Liu Jianjun''s part, Liu Hongfu''s kindness was difficult to resist, and he found himself eventually relenting and taking a seat.


    Seeing Moutai and Zhonghua on the table, Liu Jianping''s eyes lit up.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Liu Yong, it seems that you really made a fortune outside."


    Liu Yong said modestly: "No, it''s just luck and I made a little money."


    "Come,e, drink, and eat."


    Liu Hongfu raised his ss and said loudly.


    The entire table of people began to eat, and the dishes were abundant. With Maotai and Zhonghua at the table, the atmosphere was very warm and jovial.


    Everyone seated at the table enjoyed a sumptuous meal with rich dishes, Maotai, and Zhonghua cigarettes, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.


    No one noticed, but in fact, Liu Jianping had a trace of sadness in his brows, he spoke rtively little and drank a lot of wine.


    It could be as drinking to alleviate boredom or to relieve one''s sorrow.


    After the meal, everyone was very happy, but Liu Jianjun was a little drunk and started talking about wine.


    "Our vige needs to build roads, but the road officials say they have no money. It doesn''t matter if they don''t pay. I will find a way, as there must be a way."


    Jiaping said.


    Liu Hongfu said: "Jianping, you are drunk, I will take you back."


    "I''m not drunk, I can go back by myself."


    After finishing speaking, he staggered out.


    His home is not far away, and he will be there in three to five minutes. For safety reasons, Liu Hongfu still took him home.


    After dinner, there were no outsiders, only the family together, Zhou Xiuying asked, "Xiaoyong, have you found a girlfriend yet?"


    She doesn''t care how Liu Yong is doing in Huahai City but cares most about whether Liu Yong has a girlfriend.


    Liu Yong said truthfully:


    "Not yet, don''t worry."


    Zhou Xiuying said:


    "Why don''t you be in a hurry, you have to hurry up. In our vige, several people as old as you have children."


    "Mom, don''t worry about this matter, I know it well."


    Zhou Xiuying shook her head lightly.


    .....


    Arge camphor tree stands at the entrance of the vige. The numerous people, regardless of gender and age, gather to enjoy the shade it provides. Some individuals were smoking cigarettes.


    "I really envy Liu Yong, who made a fortune outside."


    "Driving such a good car, and Moutai and Zhonghua, I think there are at least several million."


    "I can see more than that, at least tens of millions, maybe 20 to 30 million."


    "So much money!"


    Many people were secretly stunned, showing obvious envy.


    "I heard that Liu Yong doesn''t have a girlfriend yet. Whoever has a girl should seize the opportunity."


    Many peopleughed.


    The tale of Liu Yong''s exploits spread rapidly throughout Dongmen Vige. In addition to feelings of envy, a number of individuals were intrigued by the prospect of perhaps approaching Zhou Xiuying and potentially introducing her to Liu Yong. These curious individuals likely pondered whether or not they should take the initiative in order to facilitate a connection between the two individuals.


    ...¡­.


    In the morning.


    After finishing their breakfast, the family was ready to begin their day, with Liu Hongfu nning to head out. For some time, Liu Hongfu had been employed at a construction site, however, he made the decision to resign from his job several days prior. Unfortunately, his umted earnings totaling over 2,000 yuan had not yet been paid out to him.


    Initially, Liu Yong was inclined to brush off the situation and disregard the umted sum of over 2,000 yuan. However, upon further consideration, he realized that it would be unfair to forego the earnings that he had worked so hard to earn.


    Father and son then set out for their destination, with Liu Yong behind the wheel as they made their way to the construction site located in the county seat.


    "Hongfu, where are you going!"


    "Liu Yong, n to stay at home for a few days."


    The vigers were taking the initiative to acknowledge one another, a gesture that was previously notmon in the area. Liu Hongfu was aware that this newfound camaraderie was likely due to his son''s recent achievement and newfound status in the vige.


    When others say hello, Liu Yong often responds with a smile.


    The distance between Dongmen Vige''s County D and the county seat was not significant, spanning a mere ten kilometers or so. Upon departing from the vige and proceeding along the county road, the journey was rtively straightforward. Eventually, Liu Yong and his father arrived at the construction site where Liu Hongfu had previously been employed.


    Liu parked their vehicle alongside the project department located on the construction site. As they stepped out of the car, they noticed a small white car parked next to them. Liu Hongfu recognized this as the car belonging to Sun Yuejin, the contractor responsible for the construction site. He inferred that Sun Yuejin was likely inside the project department.

 Chapter 29 Blind Date

    ?With the assumption that Sun Yuejin was present at the construction site, Liu Hongfu felt a sense of relief. He considered himself fortunate and believed that his efforts ining to the construction site today would not be in vain.


    Liu Hongfu had been working on the construction site for several months, and as a result, he was well acquainted with the environment.


    "Xiaoyong, I believe Boss Sun should be in the project department. Please wait for me here while I go inside to take a look,"


    he advised his son.


    Liu Yong nodded, knowing that "Boss Sun" should be the contractor.


    As he was about to make his way toward the project department. By coincidence, the door opened, and Sun Yuejin emerged. Upon seeing Sun Yuejin, Liu Hongfu felt a sense of happiness and quickly approached him.


    "Mr. Sun, I havee today to settle my wages,"


    Liu Hongfu informed Sun Yuejin.


    Upon seeing that it was Liu Hongfu, Sun Yuejin was taken aback for a moment and appeared to be embarrassed. He then proceeded to inform Liu Hongfu.


    "Old Liu, your wages may not be settled until the end of the year."


    Liu Hongfu''s disappointment was palpable upon hearing that his wages would not be settled until the end of the year for such a small amount of money.


    I see. Sun Yuejin seemed to have no intention of paying Liu Hongfu''s wages, and instead, he may have already considered it as his own.


    This is amon problem in some workces, especially in cases where employers take advantage of employees who are not familiar with their rights or thew.


    "He did a lot of things like this."


    Sun Yuejin took the cigarette from Liu Hongfu and sighed,


    "Old Liu, you are too naive. In this industry, there are often cases where wages are not paid in full or not paid at all. Even if you report it to the authorities, it may not be resolved quickly. And for a small amount like two thousand yuan, it''s not worth the trouble."


    Sun Yuejin was surprised and slightly impressed by the quality of the cigarette. He took a puff and savored the taste before saying,


    "Old Liu, you know what? You''re right. There''s no problem with settling your wages. Just wait here for a moment, I''ll get it for you."


    "My son bought it."


    "That''s your son."


    "Well, this is my son, drive me here."


    Sun Yuejin nced at Liu Yong next to him, slightly different. He didn''t expect Liu Yong to have a car. It seems that the economic conditions are not bad.


    " Where''s his car?"


    "What kind of car is it."


    Looking around, he didn''t see any unfamiliar cars. He knew the other cars, but there was a brand new big G.


    Despite the unfortunate demise of Liu Yong, the individual in question did not hold the belief that the car in question rightfully belonged to Liu Yong, even after his passing.


    At this time, a young man wearing a hard hat happened to pass by. When he saw Liu Hongfu, he immediately greeted him enthusiastically,


    "Uncle Hongfu, why are you at the construction site again?"


    At this time, the young people in the same vige were working on the construction site here, and they were more familiar with Liu Hongfu and knew that Liu Yong had made a fortune outside.


    "Xiao Xie, I''lle over and settle the wages."


    Xiao Xie nodded, and then said: "Brother Yong, your car is really good, I really envy you!"


    After finishing speaking, he looked at the brand new big G and took a few nces before moving forward.


    Big G with more than one million yuan, Sun Yuejin was almost taken aback. He has worked as a contractor for so many years, and now he only has a car worth more than 200,000 yuan.


    There is noparison between two hundred thousand and more than one million.


    All of a sudden, his attitude changed 180 degrees.


    It is widely acknowledged that he is an intelligent individual.


    When the thought was first introduced to his mind that all individuals are from the same township, he realized that while it may be eptable to unintentionally disrespect individuals from a lower social status, it is imperative to exercise caution and avoid offending those who hold considerable wealth and influence in society.


    Liu Hongfu''s son is so rich, he can''t be offended.


    If Sun Yuejin is going to be an actor, he must be qualified. His face has softened a lot, and he even showed a warm smile.


    "Old Liu, you are right. The wages of more than two thousand yuan are just more than two thousand yuan.


    There is no need to dy until the end of the year. You can sign with me, and I will give you the money immediately."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Hearing this, Liu Hongfu was delighted for a while.


    ......


    Following Sun Yue into the engineering department, he came out happily within a few minutes,


    "All wages have been settled, let''s go, we can go home."


    Liu Yong smiled.


    It is a bit surprising that the individual in question was not aware of Sun Yuejin''s astute thought process. While he was undoubtedly cautious and did not wish to cross any lines with the wealthy, he refrained from confronting the matter and instead gestured toward his father, suggesting that they enter the car.


    Seeing the two of theming back happily, Zhou Xiuying said, "Master, have all the wages been paid?"


    "It''s all settled, more than 2,300 yuan, penny less, and it''s all here."


    After speaking, he took out the handful of banknotes from his pocket.


    With the matter resolved, Zhou Xiuying experienced a brief moment of relief before redirecting her attention to her son, Xiaoyong. She informed him that his Aunt Hongxiang had recently visited and expressed that she had a niece still in search of a suitable partner. Recognizing the potential for Xiaoyong to make a connection while working in Haishi, Zhou Xiuying had already agreed to assist him in exploring this opportunity, suggesting that he go and meet the youngdyter in the afternoon.


    "Come on mom "


    "You want me to go on a blind date in the afternoon.?"


    Liu Yong said.


    "Mom, why didn''t you discuss such a big matter with me in advance, I won''t go."


    "Didn''t you apany your dad to settle the wages? Your Aunt Hongxiang said that the girl is like a fairy, so I will help you agree."


    Liu Yong was full of displeasure.


    Besides Liu, Lan persuaded:


    "Brother, I happened to be at home when Aunt Hongxiang came. If she didn''t brag, that girl is really good. You won''t lose money if you go and have a look."


    Liu Hongfu said: "Xiaoyong, it''s time for you to find a girlfriend, and you must go in the afternoon."


    Liu Yong sighed softly.


    He contemted inwardly, assuming that the girl who was being set up for a blind date must be unattractive. Nheless, he decided to address the matter in the afternoon and, if necessary, convey that the match was not suitable. In his mind, he congratted himself for his clever thinking and strategy.


    Li Changle was in her boudoir, with her mouth turned up, with an unhappy expression on that beautiful face.


    Holding the mobile phone, she was chatting with her best friend on the mobile phone.


    "Lili, can you believe it? I''ve only been back for a few days, and I''m already being set up for a blind date. It''s such a pity, isn''t it clear that I have no trouble finding a partner?"


    "Obviously, Our stunning belle from Changle won''t have any difficulty in finding a partner. The individuals who are vying for your attention can form a line that stretches from the XC District of Huahai City to the Dongcheng District."


    "That is, there are not hundreds of people pursuing thisdy, at least there are dozens, but I just don''t like them."


    "I know, our Prince Charming in Changle hasn''t appeared yet."


    After conversing for an extended period, Liu contemted to himself, "Oh well, I''ll just meet with her in the afternoon. If it turns out to be an unattractive match, I''lle up with an excuse to politely leave. That way, at least my mother''s request will be fulfilled."


    About ten minutes before three o''clock in the afternoon, Liu Yong arrived at Green Ind Coffee, looking for a good seat, and waiting for the other party''s arrival.


    Don''t be a dinosaur, at least it should be a little eye-catching.


    After a few minutes, Liu Yong took out his mobile phone and sent a text message, informing the other party that he had arrived and what table he was at.


    Aunt Hongxiang gave him the phone number, and also told him that the girl''s name is Li Changle, she graduated from Huahai Normal University, and now works as an English teacher at Huahai No. 2 Middle School.


    About two or three minutes before three o''clock in the afternoon, a young and beautiful young girl in fashionable clothes walked in.


    Suddenly, she attracted the attention of many people.


    Wow, she is absolutely stunning! Particrly those lengthy legs, they are unlike anything seen before. By simply observing her, it''s clear that she is taller than 172 centimeters, and her luscious hair flows and moves with the breeze.


    Typical skin white and beautiful, long legs.


    After the beauty came in, she looked around, as if she was looking for someone.


    Liu Yong thought in his heart, this could not be my blind date.


    However, he immediately discarded the notion that this exquisite youngdy required a blind date.


    With her remarkable beauty, it was likely that numerous suitors were vying for her attention. He couldn''t help but feel envious of whoever was fortunate enough to be her significant other.

 Chapter 30 We Know Each Other (High School)

    ?However, Liu Yong soon became astonished!


    Upon observing the area, the young female approached Liu Yong''s location and got a seat directly across from him in a previously unupied chair.


    With a kind and giving attitude, the girl introduced herself to Liu Yong by saying,


    "You must be Liu Yong, and I am Li Changle."


    Young women like Li Changle tend to attract notice and admiration in any setting. Upon seeing Li Changle take a seat with Liu Yong, all of the male patrons in the coffee shop directed their gaze toward Liu Yong, disying a feeling of covetousness or jealousy.


    "Brother, awesome, such a beautiful girlfriend."


    Liu Yong also had a little surprise!


    As Liu Yong contemted the possible oues of his blind date, one of his assumptions was that he might end up meeting an unattractive girl. He may have arrived at this conclusion based on the idea that blind dates are often seen as ast resort, and that those who partake in them may not be considered conventionally attractive or desirable.


    Such a beautiful, well-proportioned beauty, is there a need for a blind date?


    Liu Yong thought.


    After experiencing a brief moment of shock or confusion, Liu Yong acknowledged Li Changle''s introduction and confirmed his identity by nodding and saying,


    "Yes, I am Liu Yong."


    "What would you like to drink?"


    "It doesn''t matter what you drink"


    Li Changle replied.


    Liu Yong made the decision and ordered two cups oftte, plus some desserts.


    As they sipped their coffee and nibbled on desserts, Liu Yong and Li Changle engaged in a lively conversation, perhaps owing to their youthfulness and shared interests. Despite the initial uncertainty apanying blind dates, the two seemed to hit it off and conversed at length.


    As the conversation continued, both Liu Yong and Li Changle understood each other. For example, Liu Yong learned that Li Changle had graduated from Huahai Normal University the previous year and was now working as an English teacher and ss teacher at Huahai No. 2 Middle School.


    Simrly, Li Changle learned more about Liu Yong''s background, interests, and aspirations, allowing her to gain a better sense of who he was as a person.


    As Liu Yong and Li Changle continued their conversation, Liu Yong noticed that Li Changle was frequently looking at him, either deliberately or unintentionally.


    When the coffee was almost finished, Li Changle suddenly said,


    "I seem to have seen you before, and I felt familiar."


    Liu Yong also felt this way.


    "Really? I seem to have this feeling, I always feel that I have seen it somewhere."


    After thinking about it for a while, Liu Yong said,


    "Did you graduate from No. 6 Middle School? I graduated from No. 6 Middle School, ss 173."


    "Are you from ss 173? I''m from ss 171."


    There seemed to be a bit of surprise in Li Changle''s tone.


    Liu Yong said:


    "I remembered, there is indeed a beautiful woman in ss 171. At the time, many boys secretly said that she was our school''s school belle. Yes, it''s called Li Changle, but you are not wrong."


    Finally remembered and confirmed it!


    "Why are you only remembering these things now?"


    The main ss 171 is a liberal arts ss, while ss 173 is a science ss. At that time, the intersection of arts and sciences was rtively small.


    In high school, Liu Yong was basically not interested in beautiful women. His biggest hobby was ying basketball. He was not tall, with a height of 176, but he was also the main force of the school basketball team.


    The most important point is that Liu Yong is not Liu Yong. He only inherited most of the memory of this body, not all of it.


    It''spletely normal not to remember some things that are not profound.


    Li Changle also remembered Liu Yong,


    "I also know you, the best yer in the school basketball team at that time."


    Liu Yong said:


    "It''s okay to y, but after graduating from college, there are very few opportunities to y basketball."


    The two are from the same high school and graduated from the same ss. The distance between them suddenly shortened a lot, and they talked more with each other.


    It''s just that Liu Yong still can''t figure it out. Li Changle was beautiful in high school, but she is not as beautiful as she is now.


    Could it be that the women''s university has changed and be more beautiful in a few years.?<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After drinking coffee and eating some desserts, Li Changle proposed:


    "The sun is already in the west, so it won''t bask in people like this anymore, let''s go for a walk."


    Liu Yong agreed: "Sure, where do you think it would be better to go."


    Li Changle said: "Let''s Go to Sixth Middle School and walk one by one, it''s not too far to go there."


    The two left the coffee shop, Li Changle took a parasol and walked beside Liu Yong.


    While walking, the two chatted about some interesting things in high school, very spective.


    The distance is quite short, and it takes merely ten minutes to reach the destination. As it is currently summer vacation, the campus is noticeably serene.


    Walking into this campus after a few years, Liu Yong was very touched.


    Li Changle, with a kind heart, empathized with Liu Yong''s emotions and gently expressed,


    "It''s been my first visit here since graduating from high school."


    "Well, it''s the first time I came here. As soon as I walked in here, the memories of high school flooded out like a tide."


    Not far in front is the basketball court, some people are there, and it seems a bit lively.


    It can be seen that someone proposed to y a game of basketball, but it seems that there is still one person missing. If there is a four-on-four, there will be one more person.


    "Basketball is being yed there, let''s go and have a look." Li Changle suggested.


    They strolled towards the perimeter of the basketball court, where nine individuals were already ying, and nearly a dozen more were observing.


    The game coordinator on the court held a basketball and announced loudly,


    "We''re still missing one yer. Whoever is willing to join, step forward."


    No one responded, leaving the coordinators feeling a little letdown. With insufficient yers, they could only y a four-on-four game, implying that one person would have to sit out.


    It wasn''t fair to make anyone sit out. Looking at the other eight individuals, who were enthusiastic and prepared to y, made the situation even more challenging.


    Li Changle said:


    "Liu Yong, why don''t you give it a try, I watched you y basketball several times in high school, and you yed very well."


    Originally there was no n, but when Li Changle said this, Liu Yong meant to go up and beat him up.


    Therefore, he raised his right hand high and said loudly, "Count me in."


    Chen Hui, the coordinator, observed Liu Yong with some doubt. Liu Yong''s height could only be considered average, approximately 175 or 176 centimeters tall, while several others were over 180 centimeters.


    The rest of the yers were dressed in basketball uniforms and sports shoes, while Liu Yong was wearing casual clothes. Although he wasn''t wearing leather shoes, they weren''t sports shoes either, but rather casual footwear.


    After hesitating for a long time, Chen Hui agreed:


    "All right, you and the four of them will be in a team."


    In Chen Hui''s opinion, Liu Yong could only fill the vacant spot on one of the teams, so he suggested that he join the opposing team and assist them in lowering their score.


    There are a total of ten yers, five against five, ying the whole court, but the time is shortened, and the two halves are only 30 minutes.


    After the rules were settled and the teams were divided, Liu Yong also took a look at the four teammates and memorized their appearance and jersey numbers.


    The game starts and the referee kicks off the ball.


    A whistle sounded, the basketball was thrown high, and one person from each side jumped up high to fight for the ball.


    "Snapped!"


    The blue team yer who is chasing the ball ps the ball toward their own half, and his teammate catches the ball and dribbles it toward the hoop.


    The ball is getting closer to the rebound, now near the three-point line, and it seems like a shot is about to be taken.


    A figure came over and easily broke the ball. It was Liu Yong.


    After stealing the ball, with rity and precision, a long pass was made back to their half and delivered urately to the teammate nearest the rebound.


    There is basically no suspense!


    "it is good!"


    "It''s so beautifully broken!"


    The onlookers cheered and apuded. There is no doubt that the biggest contributor to this ball is Liu Yong.


    The teammate who scored gave Liu Yong a thumbs up, buddy, you passed the ball so beautifully.

 Chapter 31 Fascinating Dunk! - Basketball

    ?With a cheerful expression on his face, Liu Yong extended his thumb in a gesture of approval towards the other person as a form of response.


    ...


    Serve


    .....


    The level of the opponent''s cooperation wasmendable, and their skill level was also noteworthy. The opponent swiftly made their way toward the basket, indicating their intention to take a shot.


    The individual who made the shot was identified as Chen Hui, the organizer of the game. With a focused expression on his face, Chen Hui elevated himself to a considerable height beneath the basket, positioning himself in a prime location for a shot. His posture while taking the shot was impable, adhering to the standard form and technique for shooting.


    Liu Yong arrived on the scene just in time to witness the opponent preparing to take a shot. With quick reflexes, Liu Yong sprang into action and jumped up to block the shot without any hesitation.


    Seeing Liu Yong''s big p, Chen Hui was startled, but it was toote to react.


    Watching Liu Yong''s hand hit the basketball heavily.


    "Boom!"


    There was a muffled sound, a typical big hot pot, the basketball was shot flying by Liu Yong.


    All the people who were watching apuded for such a captivating block.


    As the basketball descended toward the ground, yers from both teams sprang into action to secure the rebound. The scramble for possession was intense, with both sides vying for control of the ball. Amidst the chaos, one of Liu Yong''s teammates was finally able to secure the rebound, bringing an end to the scramble. With possession of the ball, the teammate began to dribble toward their half of the court, with the opposition closely in pursuit.


    Chen Hui appeared despondent, likely due to a missed opportunity during the game. He had been aiming to achieve a particr goal, which ultimately had gone unfulfilled. This oue left Chen Hui feeling disappointed and perhaps even frustrated with himself.


    Upon realizing that the opposing team had gained possession of the ball, Liu Yong quickly organized his defense. With impressive speed and agility, Liu Yong swiftly moved toward the opposing team''s basket, his legs pumping with energy as he sought to thwart their efforts.


    As the game entered halftime, the ball was blocked, and the yer in possession of the ball found himself unable to make a sessful shot. In the face of this challenge, the yer had no choice but to seek out his teammates and begin passing the ball.


    Liu Yong signaled that the opponent should pass the ball.


    The opponent obviously saw it, and immediately passed the ball, and Liu Yong got it firmly.


    The current position is near the three-point line, which presents a strategic opportunity to score points. To do so, the yer ns to dribble forward a few times, slowly closing the distance between themselves and the basket.


    This maneuver requires a delicate bnce of speed, control, and precision, as the yer seeks to maintain possession of the ball while moving towards a position optimal for shooting. Once the yer is within a certain distance of the basket, they n to take a shot, relying on their uracy and technique to secure points for their team.


    Chen Hui arrived. He ate a big hot pot just now. He was upset and defended himself in front of Liu Yong.


    He is 188 cm tall, more than 10 cm taller than Liu Yong, like a high wall.


    "My height advantage is here, depending on how you pass, I will retaliate and cover your hat."


    "Liu Yong,e on!"


    This is the voice of Li Changle, who was cheering for Liu Yong on the sidelines.


    Liu Yong''s beautiful sideways breakthrough only dribbled the ball, and then jumped high.


    Chen Hui was dumbfounded.


    There is only one thought in mind, what is he going to do.


    Those who watch basketball are also at a loss


    Soon, an exmation sounded!


    "God, he''s going to dunk!"


    "Kangdang!!"


    It was really a m dunk. Liu Yong dunked the basketball into the hoop so hard that the entire basketball hoop was shaking.


    The scene got hushed.


    Almost everyone was dumbfounded!


    This is rare even in an NBA game, it is simply wonderful!


    Li Changle''s shout broke the silence of the basketball court,


    "Liu Yong, the dunk is so beautiful!"


    Following this shout, the scene resumed its excitement, and almost coincidentally, there was warm apuse.


    Although they didn''t know each other, Liu Yong''s teammates came over to give Liu Yong a high five.


    "Dude, awesome!"


    "Brother, amazing!"


    Even in the other team, two or three people gave Liu Yong a thumbs up, with expressions of admiration.


    Chen Hui was in a daze and didn''t react for a long time.


    He thought in his heart, who is this, he can''t be a professional yer, he was just pulling to make up the number.


    After he came to his senses, he regretted it to death. If he knew this earlier, he should have kept Liu Yong in their team instead of rowing to the other team with a look of disgust.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Regret is useless, toote.


    Following Liu Yong''s performance was still very amazing, cheers and apuse sounded from the sidelines from time to time.


    After the first half, the score was 8 to 39, basically, 30 points were contributed by Liu Yong, and the other points were also rted to Liu Yong.


    After the first half, there will be a 20-minute intermission.


    Chen Hui''s team appeared to be feeling dejected and disheartened as if they had been subjected to the harsh and bitter cold of a frost that had beaten them like a helpless eggnt. In contrast, Liu Yong''s team seemed in good spirits and had high morale, perhaps due to recent sesses or positive developments within their group.


    What made Liu Yong feel good was that Li Changle actually bought mineral water.


    "Liu Yong, take a sip of water, you yed really well just now."


    Liu Yong smiled happily. He was thirsty. He took the bottle of water and drank half of it.


    Rest for 20 minutes, and the second half begins.


    It was almost still Liu Yong''s performance alone, and the final score was fixed at 17 to 65.


    The game is over!


    The spectators erupted in a heartfelt and enthusiastic round of apuse as they were thoroughly impressed and pleased with the performance they had just witnessed from Liu Yong. In this basketball game, Liu Yong''s abilities and skills were truly remarkable, and he proved to be a standout yer who captivated the attention of the audience. His exceptional performance was so awe-inspiring that he was called the most beautiful boy.


    "Brother, amazing!"


    Following the team''s victory, the teammates approached one another in session to offer congrattions and celebrate the win together. However, to everyone''s surprise, Chen Hui seemed to be experiencing a revtion or newfound understanding, as if he had just begun his journey in a new field. He humbly and sincerely expressed his admiration and respect for his teammates by showing the expression.


    "Brother, I am convinced. There is sky behind the sky and people behind the people."


    Liu Yong said: "You guys yed well too."


    Chen Hui said: "You are so good, you must be a professional yer."


    Liu Yong said: "No, it''s just a hobby."


    Actually, Liu Yong didn''t try his best. After sharing with Bawang, his strength and reaction speed have been several times that of ordinary people.


    The credit goes to that magical snapping turtle.


    After ying the ball, the sun was setting and it would be evening soon. Liu Yong waved goodbye to everyone.


    Li Changle said: "Liu Yong, you are really good at ying basketball, so exciting."


    Liu Yong smiled happily.


    The two of them went to the former teaching building for a walk, which brought back a lot of memories of their high school days.


    In the evening, the two left the campus of No. 6 Middle School together.


    Liu Yong suggested, "How about we go and have dinner before going back?"


    That''s just what he said, without much hope, Liu Yong thought that Li Changle would probably decline.


    Li Changle just hesitated for a moment, and then agreed:


    "It''s fine, there is a restaurant over there that I think is good, let''s go there to eat."


    Diagonally across the street was a nice restaurant, where the two had dinner.


    After eating, it was already dark outside, and the lights were justing on.


    Li Changle said: "I''m going back too."


    Liu Yong said: "I''ll take it to you."


    "No need." Li Changle said: "Our house is not far away, I can walk there in a while."


    Before leaving,


    Li Changle said: "Let''s add a WeChat."


    Liu Yong was secretly happy for a while, never expecting that Li Changle would take the initiative to add WeChat to each other.


    After the two added WeChat, Liu Yong watched Li Changle leave, thinking in his heart that she is really pretty.


    If the whole body is full of princess disease, self-willed and brainless, no matter how beautiful she is, Liu Yong will not find such a girl as his girlfriend.


    Liu Yong didn''t leave until Li Changle had gone far away and waspletely out of sight.


    It was past eight o''clock in the evening when he got back home.


    Liu Hongfu, Zhou Xiuying, and Liu Lan were watching TV and talking andughing. As soon as Liu Yong came in, they immediately fell silent.


    Zhou Xiuying asked: "Xiaoyong, how is the blind date ?"


    Liu Lan said: "Mom, it must be good, otherwise, my brother wouldn''t be back sote, he would have been back long ago."

 Chapter 32 Donation Of 300,000 Yaun

    ?Three of them looked at Lui Yong.


    "Brother, I''m not mistaken. The other girl must be talented. Please tell me, where did you go today, and what activities did you engage in?"


    Lui Yan teased his brother.


    Liu Yong chuckled and rebuked: "You are spreading rumors!"


    Zhou Xiuying gently tapped Liu Lan on the head and asked,


    "Why did you ask such a question?"


    Liu Lan silently giggled.


    Liu Yong realized that he had to confess something. Otherwise, he would be questioned endlessly and unable to avoid the issue.


    "I think it''s exceptional. Li Changle is also stunning. We can still talk."


    Zhou Xiuying and Liu Hongfu exchanged secret nces, both of them feeling pleasantly surprised.


    Almost simultaneously, they thought that Xiaoyong might also have a girlfriend.


    Liu Lan suggested,


    "Brother, if Lui Changle is attractive, why not take the initiative to pursue her? I think you''ll be able to seed. I believe in you."


    Liu Yong replied,


    "Let''s take it slow and get to know her better. I don''t know much about her personality yet."


    Liu Hongfu, who has been silent all this time, agrees with this point,


    "Yes, the girl''s good personality is the priority, as her beauty can''t be eaten after all."


    After a brief chat, Liu Hongfu didn''t pursue the topic further and shifted the conversation to another matter.


    "Xiaoyong, your Uncle Jianping came over in the afternoon, and we had a long chat about road construction in the vige,"


    said Liu Hongfu.


    Liu Yong said:


    "The road at the entrance of the vige really needs to be repaired, it is too narrow, and some ces are damaged."


    Liu Hongfu continued,


    "This road has been built for over a decade since it was connected to every vige. The vige intends to reconstruct and widen it. Last month, we pooled resources for the road repairs, but we are still short of 300,000 Yuan."


    Liu Yong basically understood what was going on.


    "During his visit this afternoon, Liu Jianjun must have lobbied his father to donate,"


    spected Liu Hongfu.


    "Three hundred thousand is not a significant amount of pressure for Liu Yong. It is no problem for him to contribute to the vige"


    Remarked Lui Hongfu.


    "Dad, what do you mean?"


    Liu Hongfu added, "It is your money. I''m just making a suggestion. If you don''t think it''s a good idea, you don''t have to follow it."


    "Yes." Liu Yong said, "I will follow your suggestion."


    Liu Hongfu stated, "It''s amendable thing to help the vige build roads. Once you donate, the entire vige will be grateful to you. We all still live in this vige and are happy to help each other in the future."


    Zhou Xiuying interjected, "Once the road gets repaired, Murakami will erect a monument at the vige entrance and include the list of donors on it."


    *Here the Murakami means the upper part of the town *


    Liu Yong thought for a while and said:


    "I will donate the 300,000 yuan, Dad, let it be toote today, tell Uncle Jianping tomorrow."


    "Well."


    Liu Hongfu felt pleased to hear two positive remarks in a row.


    The next day¡­


    Early in the morning, Liu Jianping woke up. He had been thinking all night and barely slept. Eventually, he came up with an unsatisfactory solution.


    Helpless!<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    He realized that there was really no feasible way to address the issue at hand.


    He is going to call a meeting of all the vige leaders this morning and distribute the 300,000 yuan to everyone.


    The task of raising tens of thousands from each person within a month seemed daunting, and he couldn''t think of any realistic solution to meet the goal.


    He is the head of the vige, and it is his n, willing to share the task of 100,000 yuan.


    Liu Jianping was at a loss and didn''t know where to find 100,000 yuan within a month. Even raising 10,000 yuan seemed like a challenge.


    After making the phone call and informing him of the nine o''clock meeting at the vige department, Liu Jianping sat at the door of the house smoking a stuffy cigarette.


    He furrowed his brows and smoked a cigarette, contemting how to broach the topic at the nine o''clock meeting with everyone.


    "Will everyone agree with this n?"


    "Can you get 300,000 yuan in a month?"


    He was smoking alone and lost in thought, his mind in disarray.


    A cell phone ringing interrupted his train of thought. The call was from Liu Hongfu.


    "Jianping, Xiaoyong agreed to what you told me yesterday, youe to my house."


    Liu Jianping was lost in thought for a moment, and it took him two or three seconds to remember what had happened. Suddenly, he stood up with a look of excitement on his face.


    "What?"


    "Liu Yong agreed to donate."


    He said in a very excited tone: "Okay, I''lle right away."


    Without further ado, he hung up the phone and ran to Liu Hongfu''s house. His wife came out of the house and saw Liu Jianping running all the way, at a loss.


    Soon arrived at Liu Hongfu''s house, and said loudly as soon as he entered the door:


    "Brother Hongfu, you are not kidding me, are you?"


    Happiness came so suddenly, Liu Jianping still can''t believe it.


    Liu Hongfu said: "I dare not make fun of your brother for such a big matter."


    "No kidding, it''s true!"


    Liu Jianping was so excited that he rubbed his hands together, and looked at Liu Yong hopefully.


    Liu Jianping was lost in thought for a moment, and it took him two or three seconds to remember what had happened. Suddenly, he stood up with a look of excitement on his face.


    Liu Jianping became visibly excited again, and held Liu Yong''s hand tightly,


    "Liu Yong, on behalf of the 926 people in Dongmen Vige, I thank you. Thank you so much. You have solved our big problem."


    Liu Yong had a humble face,


    "I just helped the vige to do something within my power. I hope that when Ie back next time, there will be a spacious and smooth concrete road."


    Liu Jianping said, "There will definitely be."


    Next, Liu Yong did what he said. In front of Liu Jianping, he transferred 300,000 yuan to an ount in the vige through online banking.


    There is no shortage of money for road construction, and Liu Jianping is grateful again.


    After thanking him repeatedly, he happily left the room. It will be nine o''clock soon, and it is estimated that some people who participated in the meeting have already arrived.


    Liu Jianping was full of energy and walked vigorously toward the vige.


    People had started arriving at the vige meeting room, and they were chatting and specting about the uing meeting.


    "The vige head Jianping suddenly called for a meeting. I think 80% of it is rted to road construction. So far, there is still a funding gap of 300,000 yuan,"


    spected one of the vigers who had arrived early.


    "300,000, this is not a small amount."


    As the meeting time drew near, the attendees started to arrive and gather in the vige meeting room, chattering about the purpose of the meeting, which most spected was rted to the funding gap for the road construction.


    Yes, it''s a challenging task for a small vige like Dongmen to gather such arge amount of money within a month. However, sometimes, when faced with amon goal or problem, people cane together and find creative solutions.


    As soon as Liu Jianping walked in, the room fell silent. Everyone turned to look at him, waiting for him to speak.

 Chapter 33 Global Ocean Services-Company

    ?It shouldn''t be like this!


    Liu Jianping is expected to enter with a solemn expression in everyone''s imagination.


    This expression should not be appropriate, as it is typically reserved for joyous asions.


    This has left nearly everyone with a sense of confusion and bewilderment.


    In the eyes of everyone, Liu Jianping walked in, sat down in his seat, looked around the meeting room, and nced around everyone''s faces.


    He threw a blockbuster as soon as he opened his mouth,


    "Everyone, let me tell you the good news. The 300,000 gaps in road construction in our vige have been resolved."


    "Wow"


    "That''s it!"


    For a moment, everyone left stunned, as they seriously began to question if they had misheard what was said. There were no indications of such news yesterday, yet today they were hearing such great news.


    "Mr. Jianping, how did you solve it? Tell everyone about it. We will be happy too."


    "Yes." Liu Jianping said: "We want to thank Liu Yong. He donated 300,000 yuan to the vige. We have no problem with the money for road construction."


    As it turns out, it was actually Liu Yong.


    Wow, he donated 300,000 yuan all by himself! That''s truly remarkable!


    "I never expected that the money we needed for road construction would be settled in this way."


    "One person donated 300,000 yuan!"


    "We must express our gratitude to Liu Yong by promptly erecting a monument at the vige entrance. His name should be inscribed inrger font at the top."


    "I totally agree with that."


    The meeting room became lively, and everyone was very happy, talking about this matter full of gratitude.


    Shortly after, the Dongmen Vige''s liaison group sent out a message, which was personally sent by Liu Jianping, the vige head. The message''s content is as follows:


    "Tell everyone a piece of great news. Thank you Liu Yong for donating 300,000 yuan to the vige to build roads. At present, the funds for road repairs have been collected, and we will start construction as soon as possible."


    "Thank you again and again to Liu Yong, he is the pride of our vige, and he has not forgotten the vige..."


    Liu Jianping hastily penned down two or three hundred words in the message. Along with sharing the fantastic news, he also conveyed the profound gratitude of Dongmen Vige towards Liu Yong.


    All of a sudden, the whole vige is boiling!


    The news spread quickly throughout the vige like a gust of wind, and almost everyone knew about it.


    "Liu Yong is good!"


    "Donating 300,000 yuan in one breath is really generous."


    "Great, the road in our vige can finally be built."


    The entire vige is abuzz with talk of Liu Yong''s generous donation of 300,000 yuan, while Liu Yong himself is nning to depart back to Huahai City.


    Originally, Liu Yong only nned to stay at home for two or three days, and it was almost time to go back.


    The person in charge of that agency called and said that thepany registration was almost done. It took at most two days for all procedures to bepleted.


    Zhou Xiuying prepared an extravagant lunch with over a dozen dishes, which was even morevish than the New Year''s Eve feast.


    In the trunk of thatrge G vehicle, she had packed a lot of items, including homegrown vegetables, pickled duck eggs that she had made herself, sweet potato vermicelli, peanuts, potatoes, and more.


    Even killed two chickens, cleaned them up, packed them in stic bags, and put them in the trunk.


    Liu Yong repeatedly stated that it was enough and there was no need to add more, but Liu Hongfu and Zhou Xiuying insisted and nearly filled the car trunk with their belongings.


    The full trunk is also full of love, and Liu Yong was a little moved.


    Once everything was packed up and the family sat down for dinner, Liu Yong dered,<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Father, we are now wealthy. This old house will be torn down and reced with a magnificent new vi built to the highest standards."


    Liu Hongfu said a little worriedly:


    "This will cost a lot of money. Although you won the big prize, you should save some money."


    Liu Yong said:


    "Don''t worry, I''m already registering apany. After the newpany is established, it will definitely make a lot of money in the future."


    Hearing this, Liu Hongfu was relieved, and agreed: "That''s okay, take out all the 500,000 you remitted to me, and try to build the house."


    Liu Yong said: "500,000 is not enough, I will give you another one million, a total of 1.5 million, if it is not enough, you can give it more."


    Liu Hongfu hurriedly said: "Enough, enough, where is someone building a house for 1.5 million."


    There is no house in all of Dongmen Vige quite like the one Liu Yong envisions, as he intends to construct it to the standards of a vi, which could cost up to 1.5 million yuan.


    After the family finished their meal and took a short rest, Liu Yong drove back to Huahai City.


    By the time they arrived home, the sun was almost setting. Liu Yong began by unloading the car, carefully cing items that needed to be refrigerated in the refrigerator and those that needed to be stored away in the storage room.


    After finishing all this, he took out his phone and called, "Junzi, I''m back, hurry up and have dinner with me."


    Hu Shijun immediately agreed, "Okay, I''lle right away."


    Liu Yong said: "Take a taxi directly, it will be faster, and I will reimburse you for the fare."


    "Look at me, I can still afford this little money."


    Around twenty to thirty minutester, Hu Shijun arrived, and the two of them went to a restaurant. They ordered a few dishes and bottles of beer and chatted while enjoying their meal and drinks.


    "Brother Yong, I didn''t expect the business of our online store to be so good. Now it sells at least a dozen Yuan Datou every day."


    Hu Shijun never expected to make more than a dozen yuan a day, but recently he struck it rich.


    He sells genuine products at a reasonable price, and his reputation is improving day by day, thus naturally leading to an increase in his business.


    He said excitedly, then changed the subject, and said with a little regret:


    "Unfortunately, there are not many silver dors in hand, and they will be sold out in three or five days at most."


    Liu Yong smiled, "Junzi, don''t worry about the silver dor selling out soon, I have something serious to tell you."


    Hu Shijun nodded, immediately put on a straight face, and listened seriously.


    Liu Yong proposed,


    "I''m in the process of registering and establishing apany called Global Ocean Services, which will involve ocean transportation, deep-sea salvage, ocean exploration, and more. The newpany will need manpower. How about you join me?"


    Hu Shijun didn''te back to his senses for a long time.


    Feeling excitement and uncertainty, he gazed at Liu Yong in disbelief, as if he did not recognize him.


    After a long time, he said with admiration on his face:


    "Brother Yong, you are awesome. You actually set up a newpany. Not only will you have a house and a car, but you will also have apany, and you will be the boss."


    Liu Yong scolded with a smile: "Stop talking nonsense, how about doing it with me?"


    Hu Shijun said: "No problem, I will hang out with you from now on."


    The newpany has not yet been established, and Hu Shijun is the first employee of thepany.


    As they drank wine and chatted about the future, the two of them even joked about scolding Fang Qiu.


    After eating and drinking for more than an hour, returning home, and sitting on the big sofa in the living room, Liu Yong thought to himself, I haven''t contacted Bawang for several days, how is it doing now, what is it doing?


    Liu Yong opened the pet panel and soon became surprised.

 Chapter 34 Again Leveled Up

    ?It''s only been a few days, but Bawang has changed so much!


    The level of the pet has increased far better and stronger than the previous week.


    On the pet panel, Overlord''s situation is clearly disyed.


    [[


    Name: Mutant Snapping Turtle


    Strength: 241


    Constitution: 225


    Dexterity: 209


    Swimming speed: 48 knots per hour


    Weight: 521KG


    Skills: Level 1 tortoiseshell art, level 1 tortoise breathing, level 1 super perception


    ...¡­


    ]]


    My God, it has grown to more than 500 kilograms, and its swimming speed in the water has reached 48 knots, faster than any boat.


    Liu Yong has noticed an increase in his strength, which has now reached 241, thanks to significant improvements in three of his attributes. This improvement is no surprise to him, as he feels his strength growing more and more with each passing day.


    Liu Yong wondered and asked himself.


    "What is Overlord doing now?"


    Liu Yongmunicated with Bawang, "How are you doing now?"


    Bawang said:


    "Master, my life is reallyfortable now. There are basically no enemies in this sea area. I just look for delicious food every day. I just caught a big tuna and I am preparing dinner."


    "And what about the discovery?"


    "Master, I am not idle except for eating. I have been helping you find a sunken ship. I found a sunken ship yesterday. I am going to take a look after eating this tuna, but the water there is rtively deep. It hurts right away."


    Bawang can now reach a maximum depth of around 1,000 meters underwater. However, if the water is deeper than that, it will be unable to go any further due to the intense water pressure, which is too much for it to withstand.


    Is there a shipwreck?


    Hearing the news, Liu Yong immediately became interested, "Finish your dinner quickly, then go there to have a look and tell me about the sunken ship."


    "Okay, master."


    Bawang ate its delicious food with enthusiasm, devouringrge mouthfuls. Its dinner consisted of a tuna weighing over 100 catties.


    After finishing its meal, there was quite a bit of blood in the water. Arge adult shark, measuring four or five meters in length, approached, likely drawn by the scent of the blood.


    As it is currently nighttime, visibility in the sea is quite low. However, therge shark, equipped with a keen sense of smell, was able to track the scent of blood and is now approaching, gradually drawing nearer and nearer.


    Overlord has noticed this big shark, but he didn''t take it seriously.


    The enormous shark continued to approach and spotted what appeared to be a massive "sea turtle" feasting on something. Underestimating the situation, the shark didn''t pay it much attention, ustomed to being the dominant predator in the ocean and always being at the top of the food chain, assuming it was the boss.


    After the distance was close, it approached a little and felt that it was almost done. The big shark rushed over and bit the tuna with one bite.


    The shark''s intentions were clear - it aimed to seize the tuna and depart with it.


    Its wishful thinking failed, it moved fast, and the Overlord was even faster.


    Before it could bite the tuna, the Overlord swung out his ws, and the sharp ws shed across the big shark''s head, tearing its skin apart.


    Blood flow!


    The big shark took the pain and immediately fled far away. It was so frightened that it swam so fast that it never dared toe over again.


    "I guess I can''t figure it out, it''s just a "big turtle", so powerful."


    The shark thought in his mind.


    Overlord said in his heart, hmph, even if you run fast, remember, I am the boss of this sea area.


    The "overlord" turtle thought the same and didn''t bother to pursue the shark. It had finished its meal and still had things to do.


    It didn''t take long for the tuna to enter the Bawang''s stomach. After he was full, he set off toward his destination.


    With a swimming speed of 48 knots per hour, Bawang swims faster than 99% of fish.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After traveling for over an hour, the "overlord" turtle arrived at a remote area of the sea, far from the maind, where the water was rtively deep. The depth of the water where the sunken shipy exceeded 1,000 meters.


    There are also ins, mountains, and valleys on the seabed. The location of the sunken ship happens to be the valley.


    Bawang swam to the underwater valley, and when he got near the sunken ship, he felt the water pressure was too high, which was a bit unbearable.


    Bearing huge water pressure, Bawang approached the sunken ship and observed it carefully.


    "Master, it should be an ancient shipwreck. It is made of wood, and the mast can still be distinguished..."


    It observes and describes what it sees.


    After listening to the description, Liu Yong basically concluded that it was an ancient shipwreck.


    Suddenly, Liu Yong couldn''t hide the excitement in his heart.


    This is the first ancient shipwreck discovered since Bawang entered the sea. Thest time it was a modern shipwreck, gold bars, jade bracelets, etc. were found.


    What is on this ship?


    "Master, I can''t stand it."


    In the face of huge water pressure, Bawang can''tst long.


    Liu Yong said:


    "Then leave here, in a few days, when you grow up a bit, let''se and take a look."


    Bawang is constantly growing and leveling up, and the growth rate is very fast where Liu also could share those leveled-up skills.


    "There will be no problem in a few days, and this kind of water pressure will be able to withstand itpletely."


    "Okay, that''s all for today, we''lle back in a few days."


    Liu said.


    Suddenly, Overlord felt relieved. What he was worried about was that the owner was curious about what was inside the boat. If he was asked to go inside the boat again, it would be troublesome.


    Liu Yong did not follow suit, but Bawang swiftly headed towards the sea, and within a short while, the immense water pressure began to dissipate, disappearing entirely after two or 100 meters upstream.


    After swimming for a while, the turtle found a ce nearby to rest and sleep.


    Basically, it no longer returns to the cave it used to be. It has homes everywhere. It sleeps wherever it wants, and few things can threaten it.


    Two dayster.........


    Global Ocean Services has sessfully aplished all of its objectives, possessing a registered capital of 20 million. Its business operations epass a range of activities, including ocean transportation, seabed salvage, deep-sea exploration, and other rted fields.


    Following the establishment of thepany, Liu Yong has a lot on his te. He must rent office space, hire employees, purchase ocean-going vessels, and promote thepany through various marketing initiatives.


    "Junzi, work!"


    A phone call brought Hu Shijun over,


    "Look, all the procedures for ourpany have beenpleted."


    Looking at the things Liu Yong took out, Hu Shijun was pleasantly surprised,


    "Brother Yong, congrattions, you are so fast."


    Liu Yong is also very satisfied with this speed. Although the fee is a bit expensive, the efficiency is really good.


    If it was changed to handle these things by himself, Liu Yong asked himself, he would not even think about it within two or three months.


    "The top priority is to secure thepany''s office space."


    Hu Shijun said:


    "Then let''s go and ask some intermediary agencies. They must have resources in their hands."


    Liu Yong waved his hands proudly: "


    Come on, get in the car, let''s go directly to Huahai Avenue, where there are many office buildings, we should be able to find a ce."


    Hu Shijun seriously suspected that his ears had misheard. My God, Huahai Avenue is the famous central business district of Huahai City, where every inch ofnd is expensive and famous bigpanies gather.


    "Is Brother Yong going to open thepany there?"


    It took Hu Shijun a long time toe back to his senses, and then he secretly cheered up, "Really go to Huahai Avenue?"


    "Yes, go to Huahai Avenue." Liu Yong got into the car. Seeing this, Hu Shijun quickly got into the car too.


    Sitting in the car, he was not calm at all, it felt like he was dreaming.

 Chapter 35 The Business Plans

    ?Huahai Avenue is a heavily congested thoroughfare with a straight, two-way roadprising sixnes. The avenue is nked on either side by numerous impressive buildings, many of which are towering skyscrapers.


    Thendmark building of Huahai City is here.


    Looking at the tall buildings on both sides, Hu Shijun reminded with a little worry:


    "Brother Yong, the rent of office buildings here is very expensive."


    Liu Yong said indifferently: "It''s okay, you don''t have to worry."


    If you n tounch apany, it would be advisable to begin at a higher starting point and aim toplete it in one go. Selecting a prime location like the central business district, such as Huahai Avenue, to establish yourpany would be a strategic move.


    Regarding finances, Liu Yong currently has over 20 million yuan on hand, which is sufficient to cover the rent. Moreover, Bawang has stumbled upon an ancient shipwreck and ns to visit the site in a few days. There is a possibility that this discovery could result in substantial financial gain.


    There is a good building in front of it, the beautiful ss exterior wall looks so fashionable, and the height is about 40 to 50 floors.


    This is a Grade A office building.


    The headquarters of several well-knownrgepanies are located in this building, and three of the world''s top 500panies have set up branches here


    "How is this office building, let''s ask."


    Hu Shijun looked at the office building and felt a little nervous, but finally nodded without saying anything.


    Liu Yong confidently walked ahead and walked into the office building. Once he entered, there was a lobby with front desk personnel there.


    Liu Yong could determine the floor on which the building managementpany was located simply by asking. He then apanied Hu Shijun to the appropriate floor using the elevator.


    Fortunately, half a floor was avable for rent on the 42nd floor. Initially, twopanies had upied this floor, but one of thepanies vacated the premises two days prior after their lease had expired.


    There is a ce, and there is no need to look around for a ce, Liu Yong felt happy for a while.


    "Can you show us?"


    "of course, I can."


    The other party answered very readily and took Liu Yong and Hu Shijun to the 42nd floor.


    Exiting the elevator, one would find themselves in a vestibule that acts as the central point, dividing the area into left and right sections.


    There is apany on the left side. The four gold-ted characters of "Hongda Mahogany" are very grand and conspicuous.


    Liu Yong couldn''t resist taking a few extra nces and thought to himself that this must be apany that specializes in the trade of mahogany, and it''s possible that they also manufacture mahogany furniture.


    Being able to set up thepany here, the strength of thispany seems to be impressive.


    The manager who apanied Liu Yong said:


    "Mr. Liu, if yourpany is also established here, then Hongda Redwood Group is your neighbor."


    He couldn''t help introducing Liu Yong.


    After listening to the introduction, Liu Yong learned that the owner of thispany is Zhao Zhenbiao, who has been working in the mahogany industry for many years and wields significant influence in the field.


    Hispany is not only engaged in the mahogany trade but also owns severalrge-scale mahogany processing factories, which manufacture all kinds of furniture and office appliances and are also engaged in carving.


    Liu Yong nodded lightly. There are indeed two tools for making mahogany into such arge industry.


    The left half of the entire 42nd floor is Hongda Redwood Group, and the right half is empty.


    The manager took Liu Yong and Hu Shijun to have a good look.


    Liu Yong is very satisfied. It is worthy of being a Grade A office building with a first-ss environment andplete facilities.


    The area is not small, more than 800 square meters, which is enough to amodate hundreds of people to work.


    The main problem is that the price is a bit expensive.


    Hu Shijun has already given Liu Yong a few nces. The meaning is obvious, this ce is too expensive, and he needs to change to a cheaper ce.


    However, Liu Yong didn''t seem to see it and talked with the manager.


    In Liu Yong''s opinion, the ce is good, and the rent is rtively expensive, but it is a Grade A office building, and you get what you pay for.


    After some conversations, basically, everything was discussed.


    Actually, there is nothing to talk about. This is a regr Grade A office building, and the rent per square meter has been fixed, so there is basically no room for bargaining.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The lease agreement was sessfully executed, with Liu Yong paying a quarter''s rent and a mutually agreed-upon security deposit. He was then promptly given the key to the premises.


    Now that I got the key, I have to take a closer look at the leased ce. The more I look at it, the more I am surprised. Thestpany just moved out, and the decoration is ready-made. You only need to buy some office equipment.


    "Brother Yong, you are not dreaming. We will work here in the future. It is our newpany."


    Liu Yong smiled happily,


    "You are not dreaming, you will work here in the future, and our business will start from here."


    Looking around in satisfaction, Liu Yong waved his hand and said:


    "Let''s go, let''s have a big meal, have a good celebration, and discuss thepany''s future development."


    Hu Shijun said: "There is no need to discuss, you can make up your own mind, and I will hang out with Brother Yong from now on."


    Liu Yong said: "I can make up my mind, we will eat, and I will tell you some of my ns."


    The two went out.


    As soon as he came out and was about to lock the door, a group of five or six people came out of the elevator. The leading middle-aged man had an extraordinary bearing, like a big boss.


    He saw Liu Yong, walked over a few steps enthusiastically, and asked proactively,


    "Little brother, you have rented this ce."


    Liu Yong nodded.


    Hu Shijun rushed to speak: "Yes, ourpany will work here. It is our boss, Mr. Liu Yong."


    The middle-aged man stretched out his right hand actively and said:


    "Mr. Liu, my sire Zhao Zhenbiao we will be neighbors from now on. Please take care of me."


    The other party is so polite, Liu Yong is naturally enthusiastic, holding the other party''s hand and saying,


    "Mr. Zhao is polite, please take care of me in the future."


    After a few polite chats, the two sides exchanged business cards. Liu Yong''s business cards were just made yesterday, and he just brought a few with him.


    After leaving the office building, Liu Yong and Hu Shijun found a good restaurant, had a sumptuous meal and celebrated well.


    Liu Yong also told Hu Shijun some of his ns.


    Consider engaging the services of a headhuntingpany to seek out a professional with expertise in ocean transportation who can serve as thepany''s dedicated manager, responsible for overseeing its day-to-day operations.


    Also ns to buy one or two 10,000-ton ships to start the transportation business first. As for deep-sea salvage and deep-sea exploration, the marketing department of thepany will carry out publicity. As long as there is the businessing to the door, it will be taken over. Global Ocean Services can do what others can''t do.


    Liu Yong thought in his heart that once thepany is established, there will be more ces to spend money in the initial stage. Currently, more than 20 million is not enough, and another windfall is needed.


    Liu Yong wanted to know the specific situation inside the boat.


    Two days ago, Overlord could only get close to the sunken ship, and because of the strong water pressure, he could barely stay there for a few minutes.


    Now, it should be able to stay for a few more minutes. In two days, it has grown a lot, and its weight has increased from more than 500 kilograms to more than 600 kilograms, and its attributes have also improved to a certain extent.


    Liu Yongmunicated with Bawang, "Man, let''s go to the sunken ship to take a look."


    Overlord was resting at first, but when he heard it, he became very motivated,


    "Master, I should be able to stay at that sunken ship for a while now, and I''m leaving now."


    The Overlord Dynasty sails on a sunken ship.


    It took about an hour or so to arrive at the sunken ship again. Liu Yong was most concerned about its adaptation to the water pressure, and asked with concern, "How do you feel?"


    Bawang replied: "I can still feel a lot of pressure, but it''s much better than the previous two days. It shouldn''t be a big problem to stay for a while."


    Hearing this, Liu Yong was relieved a lot.


    If you can stay for a while, you can explore and see what is inside the ship.


    ........

 Chapter 36 Only Wood Bawang?

    ?Thendscape is a customary valley beneath the surface of the water, bordered by towering mountains that stretch two to three hundred meters high, undting for tens of kilometers.


    A weathered and deterioratingrge wooden boatys in the center of the expansive valley, with one end partially submerged in the sand.


    The depth of the water in this area exceeds one thousand meters, with a pitch-ck seafloor that makes it impossible to see one''s fingers. Amidst this dark environment, asional flickers of light can be seen moving about - these are bioluminescent deep-sea fish.


    Overlord had reached the vessel''s vicinity, and instead of immediately entering, he swam around it. His exceptional perception allowed him to see everything within a hundred-meter radius, even inplete darkness, as if it were well-lit.


    Despite its decrepit state, the wooden boat is rtively sizable and was likely considered arge-tonnage vessel hundreds of years ago. Its visual length is estimated to be around 40 to 50 meters.


    "How to get in?"


    As Bawang swam around the submerged ship, he pondered on a matter. In the past, when he was smaller, he could have easily swum into the sunken vessel. However, at his current size, even with his weight exceeding 600 kilograms, it would be difficult to navigate within the confines of the ship.


    Liu Yong proposed,


    "Considering this is a wooden shipwreck that has been submerged in the sea for many years, it''s likely that it has decayed. Why not disassemble it and investigate what''s inside?"


    That''s a good idea.


    Dismantling the sunken ship should not be too challenging for the Overlord. Without hesitation, it uses its mouth and four ws in unison to begin the dismantling process.


    Soon a big hole was demolished, and the shipwreck exposed its cargo warehouse. Overlord saw what was inside, and reported:


    "Master, it''s all wood, a very big piece of wood."


    "What, it''s all wood!"


    "Wood has a purpose, but what I hope is gold and silver, at least a few antiques and the like."


    Liu Yong said: "Continue to dismantle, give me a good check."


    Bawang continued to work, and the efficiency was rtively fast. Not long after, another big hole was opened. The inside of the warehouse was still full ofrge thick wood without exception.


    Besides being angry, Liu Yong was also a little disappointed. Originally, he had hoped that the sunken ship would pay a fortune, but unexpectedly, it was full of wood.


    Liu Yong tried his best to calm himself down, and after gradually calming down, he wanted to know what kind of wood these were.


    Then said:


    "Bawang, get the smallest one, I want to see what kind of wood it is."


    "Okay, master."


    Bawang got the smallest and shortest piece of wood out of the boat. The smallest and shortest are rtive. This piece of wood is also three or four meters long, with a diameter of at least two feet and a weight of hundreds of catties.


    The inside of the boat is full of straight, very thick wood, which is generally thick enough to hug. Thergest ones cannot be hugged by two people. The length is more than ten meters, and it is estimated to weigh several tons.


    Liu Yong really couldn''t understand how such a heavy andrge piece of wood was loaded onto the ship. In addition, where did the ship go to transport so much wood? Logically speaking, there was no shortage of wood hundreds of years ago, even if it was It is alsomon for several people to embrace thick trees.


    Unable to understand these things in his heart, Liu Yong wanted to figure out what kind of wood these were. Could it be that they were iid with gold? It took so much effort and such arge ship to transport them.


    ording to Liu Yong''s request, Overlord chose the smallest and shortest piece of wood, grabbed this piece of wood, left the shipwreck, and headed for the sea.


    It swam for more than an hour, and after getting close to the sea, it chose a ce and put the wood there temporarily. It is also quite strange, wood usually floats, but this wood does not float, it sinks, and its density is heavier than that of seawater.


    The next day .......


    Early in the morning, Liu Yong rented a box truck, drove to the beach himself, and found a ce where no one was around tomunicate with Bawang.


    "Bring that piece of wood over and let me have a look."


    Liu Yong had been waiting nearby for a long time, and after a while, a huge monster crawled out of the sea. This is Bawang, which has grown to six or seven hundred kilograms.


    It looks like a dragon in armor.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The carapace of the Overlord is already of considerable size, featuring three elevated ridges running longitudinally along its back. Its scutellum is brown, and its 13 scutes resemble rolling hills arranged in three rows both vertically and horizontally. The scutes'' rough, jagged edges give the Overlord the appearance of an armored dinosaur.


    Such a shape is domineering and mighty!


    Liu Yong was satisfied for a while. To prevent being seen by others, Bawang put the log on the beach and then quickly re-entered the seawater and swam to the depths of the sea.


    "Is this the smallest piece of wood?"


    Liu Yong was taken aback by the size of the smallest wooden piece he received. He had not anticipated it to be sorge. After his initial surprise, he began to worry about how heavy the wooden piece was. Weighing at least a few hundred catties, he wondered if one person could carry it to the car.


    Ordinary people certainly don''t have such great strength. Liu Yong shares the attributes of Overlord and may be able to move arge log weighing hundreds of catties.


    With no one around, Liu Yong seized the opportunity to pick up the wooden piece and make his way toward the parked truck not far away.


    As he walked, he thought to himself that it was not as difficult as he had anticipated. He realized that his strength was likely at least a thousand catties. He reflected that his previous concern about not being able to move the wood was unfounded and that he had been worrying needlessly.


    Effortlessly put hundreds of kilograms of wood into the carriage. At this time, Liu Yong finally had a chance to take a good look.


    Watched it carefully for at least ten minutes. To be honest, even after watching it for so long, Liu Yong still couldn''t understand what kind of wood it was.


    Liu Yong only knows that its texture is beautiful, rtively hard, and its specific gravity is rtivelyrge. It will sink in water and will not float up at all.


    "Let''s take a few photos first, and ask a professional to take a look."


    Liu Yong took out his mobile phone and took several photos before closing the door of the carriage and driving the car back to the underground garage of his vi.


    Putting aside the matter of wood for the time being, Liu Yong was mainly busy with the establishment of thepany and even took Hu Shijun to the talent market once, recruiting more than a dozen people.


    So far, thepany has more than a dozen people, but it is still far from enough. Liu Yong''s hopeful candidate for the general manager is already in sight.


    The headhuntingpany sent the information about the three people to Liu Yong''s mobile phone. Liu Yong was sitting in his new office, really looking at the information of the three people.


    There seems to be news on the mobile WeChat.


    Liu Yong took a look and immediately smiled dumbly. It was Li Changle who sent it on his initiative,


    "What are you busy with? You are very busy."


    Since theirst blind date, the two individuals have added each other as WeChat friends and asionally engage in conversations on the tform. However, Liu Yong is often the one who initiates the conversations. As ofte, he has been incredibly busy, which has led to a decline in the frequency of their chats.


    Yesterday and the day before yesterday, she didn''t take the initiative to find Li Changle, but unexpectedly, she took the initiative to send a message.


    Liu Yong sent a message, busy thinking about you.


    Li Changle sent these four words, and also sent a mischievous expression.


    The two chatted on WeChat again.


    After chatting for a while, Li Changle said: "I''ming to Huahai City tomorrow."


    Liu Yong said: "Okay, I''ll pick you up at the station, high-speed rail or train.?"


    "I take the high-speed rail, no need, it''s very convenient for me to take a taxi."


    Changle replied¡­..


    "Let me pick you up. There are many people at the high-speed rail station, and it''s not so convenient to take a taxi. Some drivers even rip off customers."


    Liu Yong was a bit concerned about her safety.


    "Okay then, I will arrive at Huahai High-speed Railway West Station at 5:10 tomorrow."

 Chapter 37 Big Bulk Cargo

    ?I had a conversation with Li Changle for some time, during which we agreed to meet at the high-speed railway west station tomorrow afternoon. Later, Liu Yong ced another phone call.


    Just now I read the information about the three people sent by the headhuntingpany.


    A call was made by Liu Yong to the headhuntingpany, informing them that he and the other two individuals will be arriving at thepany for interviews the following morning. Additionally, Liu Yong mentioned that he will personally conduct the interviews.


    After making the phone call, he raised his hand to check the time, and Liu Yong left thepany.


    The front hall on the 42nd floor is shared by the twopanies. Here, Liu Yong met Zhao Zhenbiao as soon as he came out.


    Zhao Zhenbiao appears to have an uninviting facial expression, looking somewhat stern. The two individuals standing behind him also haveparable expressions.


    Liu Yong originally wanted to show Zhao Zhenbiao some photos he took. After all, he is an expert, so he might know what kind of wood it is.


    Observing the unfavorable expressions, Liu Yong abandoned the idea of approaching Zhao Zhenbiao and instead greeted them before entering the elevator, realizing that it would have to wait until another opportunity arose.


    It is still early, and Liu Yong is going to find out the price of the 10,000-ton giant ship.


    One of the important businesses of Global Ocean Services is ocean transportation, which requires ships.


    In addition to its renowned wharf, Huahai City boasts a thriving shipbuilding industry, home to several major shipbuildingpanies. One notable example is Qiming County, a subsidiary of Huahai City, which has an especially well-developed shipbuilding sector.


    Liu Yong is going to the Qidong Shipyard in Qiming County, and he has already contacted the other party.


    "Brother Yong."


    "Hi, boss!"


    Hu Shijun and Chen Hu have been waiting in the parking lot and are scheduled to apany Liu Yong.


    Thepany has recruited more than a dozen people, among them Chen Hu is the driver and bodyguard. He is a veteran. When he introduced himself, he said that he was retired from the special forces.


    "Get in the car, let''s go to Qidong Shipyard, Chen Hu, you drive."


    "No problem, boss."


    Chen Hu took the car keys and got into the driver''s seat, while Hu Shijun was in the co-pilot''s seat.


    After buying this big G for so long, it was the first time Liu Yong sat in arge andfortable rear seat.


    Riding in the car, Liu Yong thought to himself, no wonder everyone wants to be the boss, it feels really good, and you don''t have to drive yourself when you go out.


    Going to Qidong Shipbuilding, more than two hours drive, Chen Hu drove it all at once. Obviously, his driving skills are good, fast, and smooth.


    When he was about to arrive at the gate of the factory, Liu Yong made a phone call, and a manager who had been in contact with him came over.


    Led by the manager, he entered the factory area of ??the shipyard and visited it first.


    It was my first time witnessing the construction of an enormous ship. Even vessels in the 10,000-ton ss were considered small, with most ships exceeding 100,000 tons. Thergest ship under construction was a bulk cargo vessel with a discement exceeding 200,000 tons.


    That''s a really big Mac.


    The manager introduced:


    "This is not thergest ship we have ever built. Last year we delivered a container ship with more than 300,000 tons, which is thergest."


    He also introduced it by the way, such as introducing bulk carriers, container ships, andrge oil tankers.


    These ships can be built no matter whether they are asrge as more than 300,000 tons or as small as several thousand tons.


    What kind of ship is thepany''s first ship? Liu Yong himself has a rough n. It should be an offshore bulk cargo ship, which mainly runs on coastal routes.


    Of course, it is no problem to go to Southeast Asia, or Japan and South Korea.


    Bulk cargo of the same tonnage, Neijiang bulk cargo, offshore bulk cargo, and ocean bulk cargo have different prices.


    The manager escorted Liu Yong and hispanions to the reception room and made a sincere effort to introduce them.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    With great enthusiasm, Liu Yong fully realized the true meaning that the customer is God.


    While drinking hot tea, they were talking about business.


    "Mr. Liu, what kind of ship do you want to order?"


    Liu Yong asked, "Is there no stock, the kind that you pay for and deliver."


    "I''m sorry, this is really not true. In our industry, we basically order first, and then we design and build ording to customer requirements."


    Liu Yong nodded lightly and asked,


    "What are the prices of your ships?"


    The manager introduced the approximate price of each type of ship. For giant ships of 10,000 tons, the tonnage ranges from tens of millions to hundreds of millions.


    For example, the price of a 100,000-ton ocean-going bulk carrier is generally around 300 to 400 million yuan, and the price varies depending on the requirements of customers.


    Liu Yong thought in his heart, s, he is still short of money. Currently, he only has less than 20 million yuan, so let''s pay a deposit first.


    "Mr. Liu, what kind of boat do you want?"


    Liu Yong pondered for a while, and then said: "Let''s order a 10,000-ton offshore bulk cargo first."


    "Mr. Liu, offshore bulk cargo is good. Coal, iron ore, etc. can be transported, especially coal. In recent years, there have been many businesses transporting coal. A 10,000-ton offshore bulk cargo can pay back in a few years."


    It takes a few years to pay back the capital. That is the most ideal situation. It usually takes seven or eight years. When the business is not good, it may take ten years.


    Of course, the service life of a ship is at least 20 to 30 years. After the cost is paid back, theter stage is pure profit.


    Undoubtedly, ships have a service life of at least 20 to 30 years, and once the cost is recovered, the subsequent period is primarily a source of pure profit.


    ''Liu Yong also paid a deposit of 5 million. All done, it was already dark.


    The other party was very enthusiastic and hosted a banquet for the three of Liu Yong. After all, this is also a big business worth tens of millions.


    A vice president of Qidong Shipyard even attended the banquet.''


    After eating, it was already eight o''clock in the evening, and it was already past ten o''clock in the evening when I got home.


    Although he came backte, Liu Yong is still in a good mood. Thepany''s first shipment has beenpleted and will be delivered in a few months.


    Of course, Liu Yong also hopes that thepany will have ocean-going ships with a ss of over 100,000 tons, preferablyrge oil tankers. The most profitable way is to transport oil from the Middle East.


    Tomorrow morning at 9:00, the three individuals who have been notified earlier will be arriving at thepany for an interview.


    There is still such an important thing tomorrow, Liu Yong washed up and went to sleep. Of course, before falling asleep, he did not forget to lie on the bed and chat with Li Changle on WeChat for a while.


    Putting down the phone, Liu Yong soon fell into a sweet dreand.


    On the seabed a thousand meters deep, Overlord was still working. ording to Liu Yong''s instructions,


    Ehe dismantled the ancient shipwreck and took out all the wood inside.


    Shipbreaking is not only convenient to take out the wood, but also convenient to search for what is inside the ship.


    The boats are all dismantled, so you can''t get away with any valuable things. If you are lucky, you can really find valuable things.


    Bawang is working hard, and it has grown a lot, and it is not far from 1000 kilograms.


    He is bigger and has higher attributes, especially his strength has increased a lot, a


    typical Hercules.

 Chapter 38 The Strongest Ocean Porter ++

    ?If someone sees this scene, they will definitely be dumbfounded and say they can''t believe it!


    It''s unbelievable, a huge snapping turtle is working as a porter on the seabed, moving thick logs out of a Shenchuan


    It is so!


    Bawang is working hard.


    Initially, several bulky logs were relocated from the vessel and carefully arranged on a level and unobstructed area situated close to the wreckage.


    Possibly in response to themotion, a group of marine creatures gathered to observe the spectacle, including a few sizable ones measuring up to two meters in length.


    The sea creatures were taken aback upon encountering the colossal Overlord and swiftly fled to a safe distance. In fact, with the sunken vessel at the epicenter, virtually no aquatic organisms ventured within a radius of two to three hundred meters.


    In contrast, there was a massive deep-sea octopus, measuring three to four meters long, that seemed unfazed by the situation. It started at the Overlord for a while, perplexed as to why it was causing such a reaction.


    " I guess I have never seen a creature like Overlord, and I want to catch it and taste it."


    The octopus thought.


    ...¡­.


    As soon as it entangled Bawang, it immediately felt a sharp pain, and immediately wanted to run away.


    As it turned out, the Overlord had taken a bite out of therge octopus, using its powerful jaw to sever one of the tentacles. When the octopus attempted to flee, the Overlord swiftly ended its life with one of its razor-sharp ws. Satisfied with its meal, the Overlord remarked,


    "I''m getting a bit hungry, and it seems like some are willing toe to me."


    Bawang paused itsbor momentarily to partake in a meal before resuming work. Once therge octopus had been consumed and its hunger satisfied, Bawang continued with its task.


    Realizing that moving the logs from the boat was proving to be cumbersome, Bawang decided to disassemble the vessel instead. Completely dismantling the boat, it would undoubtedly make the task of transporting the logs much easier.


    the next day.


    ...


    Liu Yong got up after a nap, and before going out, he didn''t forget to ask about Bawang''s situation. He was very satisfied when he learned that Bawang worked almost all nightst night.


    "Don''t rush, pay attention to rest when you are tired."


    Bawang said:


    "Master, I''m not tired at all, but I''m a little hungry. I''ll continue working after I fill my stomach."


    Due to its robust physical constitution, Bawang is capable of working tirelessly for several days and nights without experiencing fatigue. Working through the night is no problem for it.


    The effect of staying overnight is still there. The dismantling of the shipwreck has basically beenpleted, and all the wood inside is exposed. The next thing Bawang has to do is to move all the wood over and arrange them neatly in the open space not far away.


    This is what Liu Yong meant.


    Although he didn''t know what kind of wood it was, his intuition told him that these were probably not ordinary wood and might be worth a little money.


    After the establishment of Global Ocean Services, there are many ces to ask for money, which requires a lot of initial investment, such as buying a cargo ship, which requires a lot of money.


    Liu Yong''s greatest desire is to send additional funds. Having briefly spoken with Bawang, Liu Yong departed for thepany while Bawang remained working on the seafloor.


    There are hundreds of these logs,rge and small, thergest ones are more than one meter in diameter and nearly ten meters long, and the small ones are also three to fifty centimeters in diameter and four to five meters in length, six to seven meters in length.


    Bawang is an excellent porter.


    Having caught and consumed a substantial fish, Bawang resumed itsbor by moving the logs one by one and neatly stacking them, which improved the overall situation. There were over 100 logs in total, with more than 20 of them having a diameter exceeding one meter. The thickest log measured nearly 1.5 meters in diameter and weighed over ten tons. If this particr log had been onnd, Bawang would not have been able to move it due to its weight.


    Fortunately, being in the sea made it much easier to move the logs due to the buoyancy of the water. Afterpleting the task, more than a hundred logs were neatly stacked. Bawang then began to meticulously search for the nearlypletely disassembled sunken ship, which had been reduced to nks.


    Hope to find a little bit of value.


    At this juncture, Liu Yong had finished conducting the interview and had chosen the new general manager for thepany.


    Qiu Yang!<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The new general manager, aged 42 years and in the prime of life, held a master''s degree and had worked as a vice president at arge shippingpany for many years, boasting extensive and valuable experience.


    Liu Yong believes in his eyesight, and there is no mistake in seeing people.


    Qiu Yang not only has a very impressive resume but also Liu Yong thinks his character is good.


    Liu Yong has principles in selecting people, with strong abilities, good moral character, and enough loyalty.


    Qiu Yang must be satisfied with the first two items. As for whether he is loyal enough, time will tell. Liu Yong believes that as long as the character is good, loyalty should not be a big problem.


    The general manager was selected, and Liu Yong held a short meeting immediately.


    Only three people, Liu Yong himself, plus Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun.


    Qiu Yang is the general manager, and Hu Shijun is the deputy general manager.


    Liu Yong himself allocated the responsibilities between the two, with Qiu Yang taking charge of thepany''s daily operations while Hu Shijun assisted. As the boss, Liu Yong made it clear that he would only oversee the general direction of thepany.


    Simultaneously, Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun were instructed to swiftly establish thepany''s framework and set it on the right track as soon as possible, with a particr focus on initiating market development and obtaining contracts for deep sea salvage and exploration before the first cargo ship was due to arrive.


    Qiu Yang couldn''t help asking,


    "Boss, can we really engage in deep sea salvage and deep sea exploration?"


    Liu Yong replied affirmatively:


    "No problem, feel free to do it, I have a solution, you don''t have to worry at all, just get the business back."


    Maybe he felt Liu Yong''s strong self-confidence. Although he still didn''t understand how to carry out deep-sea salvage and deep-sea exploration, he still didn''t continue to ask.


    At midday, the trio shared a meal.


    With the general manager and deputy manager, Liu Yong will feel rxed.


    In the afternoon...¡­.


    Liu Yong drove to the high-speed rail west station in person. It was not yet five in the afternoon when the car was parked. He raised his hand to check the time and waited patiently near the exit.


    The weather is really hot.


    Liu Yong only waited for a few minutes before starting to sweat a little. Seeing a KFC next to him, he walked in immediately and immediately felt much cooler.


    Liu Yong settled down at KFC and waited for Li Changle to arrive. From his vantage point, he could see the station exit clearly, and the distance was short.


    The high-speed rail arrived on time and there was no dy.


    Liu Yong knew that Li Changle''s high-speed train had arrived when he saw a crowd of peopleing out of the station. He walked out of KFC and looked around the station.


    Soon, Liu Yong''s eyes lit up.


    Liu Yong sat down at a KFC and waited for Li Changle to arrive. He spotted her quickly among the crowd and was impressed by her beauty, height, and youthfulness. He thought to himself that she was perfect, hoping that she also had a good personality, didn''t cause trouble, and didn''t act like a princess.


    Liu Yong waved to Li Changle, with his face full of joy.


    Not long after, Li Changle also saw Liu Yong, smiled sweetly, waved her hand, dragged the suitcase out of the station, and walked towards Liu Yong.


    "You must have waited for a long time."


    "No, it hasn''t been a few minutes since I arrived."


    "Are you feeling hot? Why don''t I treat you to a sundae?"


    Li Changle walked to a nearby KFC and purchased two sundaes, one for each of them. They sat down together and ate the sundaes with spoons.


    Liu Yong felt that the sundaes were cold and sweet, making them taste even better than usual.


    ...

 Chapter 39 Holding Her Delicate Hands

    ?The two were talking andughing while eating the sundae.


    Liu Yong said:


    "It feels really good to eat a sundae on such a hot day."


    "Hee hee, I bought the sundae, so you have to thank me."


    "Okay, no problem, I''ll take you to dinnerter, thank you for the sundae, okay?"


    Li Changle jokingly said: "Does this count as inviting me to dinner?"


    Liu Yong said:


    "You can interpret it whatever you want, just treat it as me asking you out."


    Li Changle did not refuse and both of themughed, indicating her agreement with a smile on her face.


    After eating the sundae, Li Changle took out her mobile phone and said,


    "I''ll take a taxi."


    Liu Yong hurriedly said: "No, I drove here, let''s go, let''s go to the parking lot."


    After speaking, he took the lead by dragging the suitcase and walking ahead. Li Changle looked at Liu Yong with surprise, as she did not expect him to arrive by car.


    Based on her understanding, Liu Yong had only graduated from university a year ago and came from an average financial background, so she assumed he wouldn''t have the means to buy a car.


    Maybe borrowing a friend''s car. Li Changle followed behind, thinking so in her heart.


    After a while, he arrived in front of the big G. Liu Yong took out the key and opened the door, and invited, "This is my car, get in the car."


    Li Changle was slightly taken aback, very surprised.


    Liu Yong stowed his luggage and settled into the driver''s seat, preparing to drive. As Li Changle sat in the passenger seat, she asked, "Is this really your car? Why didn''t you tell me?"


    Liu Yong smiled, "You didn''t ask."


    As Li Changle didn''t ask, Liu Yong didn''t talk about his financial situation.


    Li Changle smiled dumbly, she really didn''t ask about these things.


    In her opinion, the most important thing is that the two of them hit it off, have feelings for each other, and like each other.


    If she likes the other party, she will probably marry even if the other party is poor and white. Of course, if the other party''s financial conditions are good, that''s even better.


    While driving, Liu Yong discussed his circumstances and expressed his favorable impression of Li Changle, with the hope of developing a romantic rtionship with her. He even contemted the possibility of marriage in the future and thus felt the need to disclose some pertinent information to her.


    "I was lucky. I made some money. I bought this car. I also bought a vi worth more than 20 million yuan in Qingshui Bay. I recently started apany with an address on Huahai Avenue..."


    Briefly introduce some situations.


    Li Changle said:


    "After graduating from Huahai Normal University, I went to No. 2 Middle School to teach junior high school English. There was no surprise, but I like the profession of teaching very much."


    Through talking, the two got to know each other better.


    Liu Yong said: "Should we go to dinner first, or take you home first."


    Li Changle said:


    "Let''s go to my residence first, it''s near No. 2 Middle School, it''s a little early for dinner now."


    Huahai No. 2 Middle School student Liu Yong was aware that it typically took him around 30 to 40 minutes to reach the school gate. With Li Changle''s guidance, he made a turn and entered a residential area.


    Upon locating a suitable spot to park his car in themunity, Liu Yong retrieved her luggage and trailed Li Changle to Building 11. They then rode the elevator up to the 16th floor.


    "I live here, and the house is shared with my colleagues. She went back from summer vacation, and she may note until school starts soon."


    Taking out the key, Li Changle invited Liu Yong to enter. This is a two-bedroom apartment. The living room, bathroom, and kitchen are shared, and each person has a bedroom.


    "Put the suitcase here, you sit on the sofa and I m gonna get you to drink something."


    Li Changle opened the refrigerator and retrieved two small bottles of mineral water.


    "Then drink this."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Li Changle said it readily.


    "Okay, the weather is too hot, drinking some iced mineral water is not bad."


    Liu Yong said to her.


    Upon receiving one of the bottles of mineral water, Liu Yong opened it and took arge gulp. The ice-cold liquid felt very refreshing and soothing to him.


    After sitting and chatting, the two went downstairs to have dinner together.


    At this moment, the sky is dark, the lights are on, and the streets are bustling. Instead of driving, They went on walking.


    Li Changle said: "I know you well here, and I''ll take you to a restaurant where the environment and taste are good."


    Liu Yong smiled and said: "Then I will go with you."


    The two of them walked along the street for a certain distance and had to cross the road. There were zebra crossings but no traffic lights.


    When crossing the road, Liu Yong saw that there were many cars, so he offered his hand. To his delight, Li Changle did not refuse.


    Li Changle''s hand was soft, delicate, and a little cool, and Liu Yong took her hand to cross the road.


    After crossing the road, Liu Yong didn''t let go, Li Changle struggled lightly but didn''t break free, so she simply let Liu Yong hold her.


    In the beginning, Li Changle blushed slightly, a little nervous, but gradually returned to normal.


    The two started talking andughing again, happily.


    The restaurant is truly excellent, boasting pleasant decor and ambiance, as well as a delectable cuisine. What''s more, the prices are quite reasonable.


    Liu Yong ordered a few dishes, and for Li Changle''s taste, they were all light.


    After the meal, Liu Yong sent Li Changle downstairs again and said goodbye to each other before driving away.


    On the way home by car, Liu Yong thought in his heart that he felt pretty good, and Li Changle seemed to have a good personality, not acting, not being indifferent, and not having princess disease.


    Li Changle returned home, sat on the sofa, and chatted with her best friend Wang Li on WeChat.


    "Lili, I arrived in Huahai City this afternoon."


    "Tell me honestly, did your blind date pick you up at the station?"


    "Oh, you''re such a gossip."


    Wang Li said: "I am concerned about you, tell me, has he picked you up?"


    "Yeah he came to pick me up"


    "Oh, the two of you seem to be having fun, the big girl of our China Normal University is about to have a boyfriend."


    Li Changle said: "The horoscope has not been written yet."


    Wang Li said:


    "There are so many people chasing you, and you don''t even like any of them. I''m very curious about your blind date. If I have a chance, we will meet someday."


    Li Changle had initially intended toment on Wang Li''s increasing tendency towards gossip, but upon reflection, he instead opted to say, "Let''s discuss this matter once you''re back in Huahai City."


    The following day .....


    Liu Yong was absent from thepany, but Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun were present, so they were allowed to proceed.


    Chen Hu drove along the coastal road, Liu Yong sat in the back seat, and an intermediary was sitting in the co-pilot.


    Two days ago, Liu Yong reached out to the intermediarypany to rent a warehouse located near the sea. He preferred a location as close to the sea as possible, and the more isted the better.


    The receptionist at the intermediarypany found it unusual that there were customers interested in renting a warehouse in such proximity to the sea.


    The leasing intermediarypany proved itspetence as they were able to provide a lead within just two days. They have found a warehouse located on the outskirts of Huahai City that matches the requirements, and the owner is willing to rent it out.


    After receiving a call from the leasing agency, Liu Yong was ted. He went to the agency early in the morning and is now en route to the warehouse.


    .....

 Chapter 40 Signing The Contract

    ?The distance is far.


    Chen Hu drove for over an hour to reach the warehouse, which is situated in the outer suburbs. It''s not an urban location but rather a rural one with well-developed road traffic. The road leading to the warehouse has always been broad and t.


    Due to its proximity to the sea, this region is predominantly rural, with the local poption relying mainly on aquaculture or sea fishing for their livelihoods. The coastline is marked by extensive tidal ts used for aquaculture, while further out to sea, one can spot clusters of aquaculture cages.


    The middleman exined that the warehouse owner was previously involved in the seafood industry but wanted to do something other than continue with it due to age. As a result, the warehouse was vacant, and the owner was willing to rent it out for a nominal fee.


    Liu Yong said:


    "What about his children? You can continue to do it."


    The intermediary said:


    "He is just a son and refuses to return from Country M."


    Liu Yong understands it and wants to see what the warehouse looks like, hoping to meet his requirements.


    "Why do you suddenly want to rent a warehouse?"


    Liu Yong''s line of thinking is that with Bawang''s presence, he will discover various items on the seabed. However, he would explore another location where Bawang is not present to transport the items. In that case, it may be unsafe as someone else may discover valuable items, such as woollen cloth.


    Bawang''s size has been consistently increasing, growing almost one circlerger daily. It weighed a little over one ton just a few days ago, but today it has surpassed two tons.


    It is anticipated that it will soon be that Bawang grows to 10 tons, and in the future, it could reach an astonishing 100 or even 1,000 tons. If such a massive creature were to emerge from the sea, it would be problematic if spotted or photographed by others.


    Having arge warehouse located near the sea is advantageous. Overlord can store the items found on the seabed in the warehouse, which is a much safer option.


    Liu Yong''s ideal warehouse is as close to the sea as possible, a bit out of the way, and it would be better if no buildings or people living around it.


    As they drove, the warehouse gradually came into view. The middleman sitting in the passenger seat pointed towards the building by the sea ahead and said,


    "Mr Liu, do you see that? That''s the warehouse."


    Liu Yong immediately looked over. It was right by the sea, so close to the sea that the seawater could almost touch the concrete foundation of the warehouse. It was a seeminglyrge warehouse.


    Upon seeing the warehouse, Liu Yong became intrigued andmented,


    "It looks quite good."


    As the car approached the warehouse gate, they noticed that walls and gates surrounded it. Once inside, they could see two buildings within the premises. Therger building was the warehouse, and there was also a two-story building, likely for the staff or workers employed at the warehouse.


    The warehouse owner was already waiting there, a man with grey hair who looked at least in his sixties.


    The middleman, Xiao Zhou, introduced both parties to each other before being led by the warehouse owner for a tour of the premises. Upon opening the warehouse door, they found the interior quite spacious.


    The owner of the warehouse introduced:


    "It used to be used for sorting and packaging seafood, with an area of ??more than 2,800 square meters."


    Liu Yong''s main focus was not to listen to these introductions, but the situation in the warehouse aroused his great interest, so he couldn''t help walking over quickly.


    This is a waterway leading to the warehouse and the sea.


    The owner of the warehouse said:


    "This is a specially built waterway. Our fishing boats for transporting seafood can directly enter the warehouse, which is very convenient for unloading."


    "It''s great to have such a waterway!"


    It is something Liu Yong never expected.


    The waterway, constructed with reinforced concrete, spans a width of 20 to 30 meters and is filled with seawater. From the channel, one can gaze out towards the sea.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The water depth of the waterway is likely several meters deep, which would allow fishing boats weighing hundreds of tons to enter the warehouse directly quickly. Additionally, there are gates in ce which, when lowered, would further ensure the security and safety of the warehouse.


    This is simply the ideal warehouse.


    Liu Yong envisioned a warehouse with a simr waterway leading to the sea, where Bawang could enter the warehouse discreetly, travelling along the channel from the sea.


    Liu Yong felt a little excited.


    Upon inspection, I am highly pleased with the warehouse. It boasts an almost 3,000 square meters spacious area and provides excellent privacy. The windows are covered with film, making it difficult for outsiders to see inside. The warehouse is encircled by high walls, further enhancing its seclusion and ensuring its activities remain confidential.


    The size of the warehouse allows for easy ess even forrge trailers, and it is equipped with a 20-ton crane that can lift objects weighing less than 20 tons. This feature is handy for loading items.


    Intermediary Xiao Zhou observed the words and expressions and noticed that Liu Yong seemed satisfied and asked hopefully:


    "Mr Liu, are you satisfied with this warehouse?"


    Liu Yong nodded,


    "Well, it meets my requirements. I don''t know how about the rent."


    Soon, everyone began to talk about the lease in detail, including the rent. After some bargaining, the lease contract was signed on the spot.


    The intermediary brought a ready-made contract. Both parties signed and pressed their fingerprints. The lease was concluded, and Liu Yong also got the key.


    On the way back, the joy in Liu Yong''s heart finally surfaced on his face. The warehouse has been rented, so there is no need to hide this joy in his heart.


    This is simply a warehouse tailor-made for myself and Overlord. The area isrge enough, nearly 3,000 square meters. A broad and deep waterway directly connected to the sea outside is gratifying.


    Hongda Redwood Group.


    Zhao Zhenbiao was smoking a stale cigarette, feeling very irritable.


    Sometimes being well-known in a particr industry is only sometimes a good thing. For example, Zhao Zhenbiao is rtively well-known in the domestic mahogany industry but recently encountered an annoying thing.


    Not long ago, a sure boss asked him to customise a set of high-end desks, requiring the entire desktop to be made of a whole piece of golden nanmu.


    Zhao Zhenbiao wanted to say that such arge silk nanmu couldn''t be almost extinct, but he dared not say it because the boss was notoriously violent, and he could never afford to offend him.


    Using a whole piece of golden nan to make a desk, probably only the boss would dare to have such an idea; only his status is worthy of such a desk.


    Zhao Zhenbiao did not dare to offend, so he could only bite the bullet and continue this business.


    Then, mobilise all rtionships and channels to find a giant golden nanmu tree or arge golden nanmu b.


    It has been over ten days, but a clue remains.


    Such a big Jinshen; easier said than done!


    "Boom, boom, boom!"


    There was a knock on the office door, and Wu Qingshan, the vice president of Hongda Group, walked in. Seeing Zhao Zhenbiao smoking a cigarette on the boss'' chair, he said softly.


    "Boss, I''m still worrying about that piece of golden nanmu."


    Zhao Zhenbiao squeezed the cigarette **** in his hand in the ashtray and sighed softly, "For so many days, there has been no clue. I think there is no hope."


    Wu Qingshan said: "I have a way to try."


    "Oh, what can I do? Tell me quickly." Zhao Zhenbiao''s eyes lit up as if he saw hope.

 Chapter 41 Leveled To 389 Skill Power

    ?Zhao Zhenbiao regained his energy all of a sudden.


    There is nothing to do, but Wu Qingshan has an excellent way.


    "Tell me quickly, what good solution do you have? Is there news about the golden nanmu that meets the requirements?"


    Wu Qingsong said: "There is no news about this, but I have a good idea."


    Zhao Zhenbiao pricked up his ears, pretending to listen carefully.


    "Boss, we have always kept tworge bs of golden nan in our warehouse. Each b is seven to eighty centimetres wide. You treat one as a treasure and are reluctant to use it."


    Zhao Zhenbiao said: "Such wide Jinsinnan bs are rare, but they are not wide enough to make a desk alone."


    Arge and stylish desk must have a width of more than one meter, and a width of one and two meters is the best.


    As for the width of 1.5 meters, it is rare because it is challenging to have such thick golden nanmu.


    Wu Qingshan said: "Of course, one piece is not wide enough. It will be enough tobine two pieces of this golden nanmu."


    He continued to lobby and said: "Our group has skilled masters who are responsible for the production, and ordinary people can''t see the joint marks."


    Zhao Zhenbiao also thought about splicing but rejected this method.


    Their group does have first-ss skilled masters, and the two boards are invisible when they are spliced ??together with special techniques.


    But if you meet an expert, you can still tell that Zhao Zhenbiao dare not take this risk.


    With a slight shake, he disapproved, "This approach is unsuitable as it carries a significant risk. If anyone were to discover our actions, we would be unable to handle the consequences of the other party''s wrath."


    Filled with worry, Wu Qingshan inquired, "What alternatives do we have?"


    Zhao Zhenbiao thought slowly, saying, "Let us think of a way again. In this way, you release the news that we Hongda need golden nanmu with a diameter of more than one meter, and golden nanmu bs with a width of more than one meter are also eptable."


    "The price can be negotiated based on whether or not the other party possesses the goods,"


    Wu Qingshan was very shocked. How much money can be negotiated, and what kind of concept is this?


    This also fully demonstrates Zhao Zhenbiao''s urgent need for this specification of golden nanmu.


    .....


    Liu Yong gave Bawang a task, requiring him to move all the golden nanmu stored in the deep sea to that warehouse.


    Working at night and resting or moving freely during the day is best.


    It is safer at night. Although there are wide and deep waterways leading directly to the warehouse, it is better to be on the safe side.


    After receiving the task, Bawang started to work and moved more than a hundredrge logs into the warehouse. It is a big project.


    Bawang has grown a lot now, weighing nearly 3 tons. Liu Yong can know its condition from the pet panel.


    [[[


    Name: Mutant Snapping Turtle


    Strength: 426


    Physique: 401


    Dexterity: 389


    Weight: 2817KG


    Swimming speed (average): 75 knots


    Skills: Level 1 tortoise shell technique, level 1 tortoise breath technique, level 1 super perception


    ¡­


    ]]


    It weighs almost 3 tons, and this size is considered a big guy in the sea.


    The key is that the Overlord looks very mighty or he looks majestic. When others see it at first nce, they will probably be scared to death.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    My God!


    "Could that be a snapping turtle? It seems unlikely for a snapping turtle to be sorge. If it is one, it might react with shock and turn pale."


    Liu Yong requested that the wood be moved into the warehouse at night to avoid causing rm to others. During the day, the submerged wood was relocated to a spot more than 1,000 meters deep near the warehouse and left there temporarily before being moved into the warehouse at night.


    The weight is close to 3 tons, and the IQ of the Bawang, who has grown up a lot, has also increased. He knows how to carry the small and big wood first.


    The distance from the shipwreck site to the warehouse is not close. With its incredible speed of 72 knots, it takes an hour to go back and forth.


    During the day, it moved eight pieces of wood to the seabed two or three kilometres from the warehouse, where the wood was temporarily ced.


    As dusk approached, Bawang began to work as well. He held a piece of wood, approximately 4 to 50 centimetres in diameter and 6 to 7 meters in length, in his mouth.


    Then, it started to swim towards the warehouse, through the waterway connecting it to the sea, and it put the first log into the warehouse.


    All eight pieces of wood were moved into the warehouse in less than an hour.


    In his mind, the Overlord decided to have dinner before moving the wood.


    It swam towards the shipwreck site. On the way, it found a school of fish and rushed over regardless, opening its mouth wide and biting.


    The school of fish was startled and immediately ran for their lives, desperately running away, but the speed was far worse than that of the Overlord.


    The average swimming speed is 72 knots, 100 kilometres per hour, and the instantaneous burst speed is far more than 200 kilometres.


    With such a fast speed and effortless effort, the Overlord caught up with a big fish and took a bite.


    The fish weighing hundreds of catties devoured the food in one bite, and after a few chews, it was swallowed and went into its stomach. Unlike the fish, Bawang did not disy ferocity while eating.


    One fish is sufficient, and the teeth have minimal gaps between them.


    By capitalizing on his speed, Bawang could consume over 20 fish, ranging from dozens of catties for the smaller ones to over one hundred catties for therger ones.


    After finally feeling full, the Overlord moved the wood as the ship began to sink. Widening his mouth, he held a piece of wood and swam towards the warehouse.


    ......¡­.


    In the morning, when Liu Yong woke up, the first thing he did was tomunicate with the Overlord.


    "Man, how''s the job going."


    Bawang replied: "Master, I have moved 17 logs into the warehouse. I just finished my breakfast, and I am going to take a rest."


    The results of theirbour were very satisfying as 17 thick logs were stacked neatly in the warehouse, each resembling a hill in terms of thickness.


    Liu Yong said: "Don''t worry, you should have a good rest."


    Bawang said:


    "I am not tired. I will find a ce to sleep and then continue working. I will move the wood from the deep sea, put it on the seabed near the warehouse, and then move it into the warehouse at night."


    After chatting for a while, Liu Yong got up and went to thepany to have a look after breakfast.


    Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun are still good. Under their management, thepany is undergoing changes, more than a dozen people have been recruited, and its organization is gradually improving.


    After staying in thepany for less than an hour, seeing nothing to worry about, Liu Yong drove away and asked Li Changle to shop today.


    A few dayster.....


    Not long after Liu Yong sat down in thepany''s big office, he immediately received a message from Overlord, "Master, the work is done."


    Liu Yong was pleasantly surprised, "Overlord, have all the wood been moved into the warehouse?"


    Bawang said: "All of them have been moved in, there are quite a few of them, but I found that there seem to be two kinds of these woods, and I do not understand."


    "Are there two more types of wood?"


    Liu Yong said: "I see, the work is done, then you can go wandering around."


    Looking at these woods, Bawang said there was not one kind of wood, but two different kinds of wood, so Liu Yong could not help but want to look at them.


    ......¡­.

 Chapter 42 The Strength And Powerful Energy

    ?Chen Hu drove to the seaside warehouse.


    Liu Yong used the key to open the warehouse door and entered, and it was already approximately 10:00 AM by the time we arrived.


    There are two gates to pass through - the first is arge iron gate for entry, and the second is the entrance to the big warehouse directly ahead.


    Security is still very guaranteed, and the keys to the two gates are also in the hands of Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong took out the key again and was about to open the warehouse door. At this moment, he was a little nervous.


    Bawang relocated all of the wood into the warehouse. With numerousrge logs, one may wonder what they would appear like when stacked together.


    What type of wood are the logs made of, and do they hold any value? Or are they simply ordinary wood with no worth?


    These logs will bring me good fortune aspanies are created, and money can be found everywhere. God bless.


    Once the door was opened, the condition inside became evident.


    At the centre of the vast warehouse are neatly stacked piles of wood resembling a mountain, which is quite impressive. Each piece of wood is rtively thick.


    The minor diameter is about 30 to 40 centimetres, and thergest one may have a diameter of 1.5 meters. The surface colour of each piece of wood is rtively dark, grey-ck, wet on the surface, and some have sludge on the surface. Attachments.


    With so many big logs, it looks gratifying!


    Liu Yong ordered: "Chen Hu, close both gates."


    After giving the order, Liu Yong strode over and walked to the front of these logs, looking at them with great interest.


    Liu Yong is seeing these woods for the first time, having heard Bawang describe them previously. He had only removed a smaller piece of wood, now among the pile.


    After looking around these woods, Liu Yong touched, smelled, and looked at them again, but he couldn''t tell what kind of wood they were. After all, Liu Yong needed to be an expert.


    "Boss, there are so many logs, and one is so big!" Chen Hu had alreadye over and was slightly surprised to see so many big logs in the warehouse.


    Liu Yong nodded, took out his mobile phone and started taking pictures. He took over a dozen photos and close-up shots of some wood parts from different angles.


    Chen Hu also looked at these big logs seriously.


    After looking at it for a while, he said: "Boss, these seem to be two different kinds of wood."


    Liu Yong nodded and said: "I also think they are two different kinds of wood. As for the details, we need to find someone who knows how to take a look."


    Liu Yong took a total of dozens of photos. He felt this was insufficient and suggested: "Let''s move this log to the side, and I will take a good photo."


    Chen Hu wanted to say, how could we move such a thick piece of wood, not a thousand catties, but at least seven or eight hundred catties?


    Seeing Liu Yong put away his mobile phone, rolled up his sleeves, and was about to move this piece of wood, he swallowed the words on his lips, thinking in his heart; when he thrust it and found that nothing was moving, the boss would know that this piece of wood is not so easy to carry.


    Immediately, Chen Hu was dumbfounded.


    With both hands, Liu Yong lifted the other end of the wood and thundered: "What are you doing in a daze? Move quickly."


    Chen Hu finally came to his senses, squatted down, and tried to move the other end of the wood with both hands. He exerted all his strength, his face blushed, and he finally lifted the other end.


    As a retired exceptional soldier, he is still powerful and capable of carrying approximately three to four hundred catties. He currently holds this weight in his hands.


    "A little further this way."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong looked rxed, directing the wood to be moved to a side to facilitate taking pictures.


    Even more astonishing to Chen Hu was that Liu Yong effortlessly lifted one end of the wood with just one hand while the other was casually ced in his pocket as he retrieved his phone.


    This piece of wood seemingly weighs at least seven to eight hundred catties, while the weight Liu Yong held in his hand is estimated to be around three to four hundred catties. Despite this, he carried the wood with only one hand.


    "Okay, let''s put it here."


    Liu Yong appeared at ease, whereas Chen Hu was utterly drained. Chen Hu exerted all his strength, but the critical issue was his mind was in turmoil, and he couldn''t calm down.


    He was considered a strong man in the army, and he rarely lost in arm wrestling with hisrades. Now, he is entirely unconfident.


    Judging by his appearance, he seems fair, tidy, charming and good-looking, which may lead one to assume that hecks strength. However, appearances can be deceiving, and there may be more to him than meets the eye.


    "Could it be that the boss is a legendary internal master?"


    Chen Hu said.


    Chen Hu couldn''t calm down for long, thinking a lot. Liu Yong ignored Chen Hu but took many photos with his mobile phone.


    Feeling almost done, he waved and said, "Go, we can return."


    Chen Hu returned to his senses, admired Liu Yong, and followed him out of the big warehouse.


    HTC Group.


    Zhao Zhenbiao was answering a phone call, his forehead slightly sweating; while wiping the sweat carefully, he answered respectfully.


    Therge man made a personal call, and after much persuasion, he clearly stated his request that he must obtain the desk within a month at most.


    Throughout the phone call, he emphasized the significance of the matter. The Jinsinan desk set is not intended for his personal use but as a gift for a prince from a Middle Eastern country, A.


    Country A is one of thergest oil-producing countries in the world. Its territory is affluent in oil resources. The prince is even more potent in Country A. He controls the exploitation and export of country A''s oil resources and is also the first heir to the throne.


    Many individuals likely seek to establish a good rtionship with such a prince, including the big man who contacted Zhao Zhenbiao.


    After answering the call, Zhao Zhenbiao felt even more stressed.


    Zhao Zhenbiao''s countenance was visibly tense, and he let out a soft sigh before lighting a cigarette. He smoked alone in silence, contemting his next steps.


    Even with a high price, finding a suitable golden nanmu within a short timeframe is highly improbable. This type of wood is rare and difficult to obtain, and it is possible that such golden nanmu does not exist in nature.


    Recent news reports have revealed the discovery of centuries-old golden mangosteen in a mountain vige located in a southwestern province. The mammoth fruit is sorge that it requires two or three people to embrace it. Experts have estimated its worth to be around 1 billion.


    "The state protects such golden nan and must not be cut down."


    "How to do it."


    Zhao Zhenbiao frowned.


    I thought a lot, thinking about the countermeasures and even pessimistically thinking about the consequences if the delivery could not be made by then.


    ......

 Chapter 43 Getting Rich

    ?Liu Yong and Chen Hu are on their way back to thepany.


    All the wood has been moved into the warehouse. The most urgent thing is to find a knowledgeable person to look at what kind of wood these are.


    If it is worth money, sell it all and exchange it for cash. Thepany still needs a lot of money to invest.


    Who should I ask to help take a look at these logs? Liu Yong has already figured it out. Zhao Zhenbiao from Hongda Group should be the best candidate.


    Not only has he been in the mahogany industry for so many years, and he has rich experience, but he also seems to be a good person. Every time he meets, he always greets Liu Yong warmly.


    Around two o''clock.


    ...¡­.


    Liu Yong felt that this was a good time and that the other party should also be in thepany, so Liu Yong took out Zhao Zhenbiao''s business card and called in person.


    The call was connected quickly. Liu Yong said: "Mr Zhao, excuse me. I am Liu Yong from Global Ocean Services."


    Zhao Zhenbiao''s voice had a deep timbre with a hint of huskiness. "Hello, Mr Liu. What can I do for you?" he asked.


    He just finished a meeting.


    Several senior executives of Hongda Group mainly discussed the matter of the Jinsinan desk together. However, after watching for over half an hour, there was still no clue about the case.


    Hongda Group has already released news that it is willing to buy it at a high price, but no one has said they have such a golden nanmu.


    Back in the office, Zhao Zhenbiao''s face was a little gloomy and a little irritable. When he received a call from Liu Yong, he was surprised and would deal with it formically. He would hang up after a few words if nothing were important.


    Liu Yong said: "Mr Zhao, I have a batch of wood in my hand. We just salvaged it from the bottom of the sea. We couldn''t recognise what kind of wood it was. I took some photos. If it''s convenient, I''lle over now. Please take a look for me."."


    It turned out to be wood!


    Zhao Zhenbiao would hang up the phone with a few polite words if it were something else. He heard that it was wood, which aroused his interest slightly. He is in this line of work and has a special affection for all kinds of wood.


    "I''m waiting for you at the office, Mr Liu;e here now."


    Put down the phone, Liu Yong went out and soon arrived at the front desk of Hongda Company. He probably received a notice, and someone was already waiting there.


    "You are Mr Liu, right?"


    Liu Yong said: "Yes, I am from the Global Ocean."


    "Mr Liu, please follow me. Our boss is waiting for you in the office."


    Under the leadership of this young beauty, Liu Yong entered Zhao Zhenbiao''s office meeting for the first time and smelled a smell of cigarettes as soon as he entered.


    Noticing that the ashtray on the desk was full of cigarette butts, Zhao Zhenbiao''s face seemed to be grim, and he muttered in his heart, could it be that Mr Zhao was in a bad mood.


    Well, it should be like this, then after I ask him to read these photos, I should go back earlier and disturb him as little as possible.


    With such a n in mind, Liu Yong and Zhao Zhenbiao exchanged polite greetings, then took out their mobile phones and opened the photos.


    "Mr Zhao, please help me find what kind of wood these are."


    Zhao Zhenbiao took the phone and began to look at it seriously. Gradually, the expression on his face became more exciting, and he didn''t have the severe face and slightly wrinkled brows just now.


    The brows were all stretched out, and the face was full of surprises, even excitement.


    "Mr Liu, are all these logs yours?"


    "Of course, they are all mine. What kind of wood are they?"


    Zhao Zhenbiao is hard to be excited about, and there is nowhere to look for, and it takes no effort to get it!


    When he was at a loss for what to do, he turned around like this!


    He is an expert in this area.


    Only by relying on these photos can we judge that these woods are two kinds of precious woods without seeing the actual objects.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Among them was Jin Sinnan, which was exactly what he dreamed of.


    Take a deep breath, trying to calm the turbulent mood, and then say: "Mr Liu, if I read correctly, it should be golden nanmu and huanghuali wood."


    Liu Yong was also dumbfounded.


    Even if he is not an expert in this field, Liu Yong also knows the value of Jinshen and Huanghuali, especially such arge Jinshen and Huanghuali.


    "Mr Zhao, are you sure it''s Jinsinan and Huanghuali?"


    Happiness came too suddenly, Liu Yong''s tone was full of surprise, and he was also a little excited in his heart.


    Zhao Zhenbiao said: "ording to my experience, I can tell with 70% to 80% certainty that they are Jinsinnan and Huanghuali. However, this is a photo, after all. I can be more sure if I can see the real thing."


    If the wood is Jinshen or huanghuali, Liu Yong would like to sell them all, and it would be more practical to turn them into cash.


    Liu Yong said: "All these logs are in my warehouse, not far away. It takes more than an hour to drive there. Otherwise, let''s go and have a look now."


    Zhao Zhenbiao immediately stood up enthusiastically, "If you wish, let''s go now."


    He didn''t want to waste a moment.


    Such a thick gold wire Nan is precisely what he needs. If he has one of them, his problems will be solved quickly.


    The two went out happily.


    Liu Yong warmly invited: "Mr Zhao, take my car."


    "Sure, no problem."


    Diven by Chen Hu, Zhao Zhenbiao''s assistant sat in the co-pilot, Liu Yong and Zhao Zhenbiao sat in the car''s back seat, and a group of four went to the seaside warehouse.


    Arriving at the warehouse, Liu Yong opened the door and invited,


    "Come on, let''s go in. All the wood is inside."


    Zhao Zhenbiao couldn''t calm down through the opened gate when he saw the wood pile inside the warehouse like a hill, so he walked over quickly.


    He was excited walking up to these logs just to take a look!


    "It''s Huanghuali and Jinsinnan!"


    Zhao Zhenbiao is sure.


    His assistant is not ayman but also has a bit of vision and has already eximed, "My God, such a thick huanghuali, there is Jinsinnan!"


    Seeing the reaction of the two of them, Liu Yong was utterly relieved.


    What is in front of me is not a pile of wood but banknotes.


    Liu Yong thought in his heart. I will soon be rich again.


    Zhao Zhenbiao looked around the wood several times and sometimes even looked carefully at the details of some wood.


    Liu Yong gave him enough time and happily watched Zhao Zhenbiao inspect the wood.


    Feeling almost done, Liu Yong asked: "Mr Zhao, are these Jinsinan and Huanghuali?"


    Zhao Zhenbiao replied in the affirmative: "Yes, I am 100% sure that these are hundreds of years old golden nan and huanghuali."


    Pointing to the most significant piece of wood, eight to nine meters long and more than 1.5 meters in diameter, he said:


    "That is a golden nanmu tree, which should be over a thousand years old."


    "Mr Liu, you are rich!"


    ......¡­.

 Chapter 44 It Is Worth 2 Billion!

    ?Oh my god!


    Oh my god!


    ......¡­


    ¡­..


    ¡­


    Zhao Zhenbiao''s assistant was highly excited and couldn''t remain calm, constantly eximing. After much excitement, he eagerly reported,


    "I tallied up 106 items, 23 being Jinsinan and the rest being Huanghuali. It was truly a revtion for me."


    He has witnessed various situations despite having worked for more than a decade at Hongda Group and as Zhao Zhenbiao''s assistant in recent years. However, today he was unable to maintain hisposure.


    Zhao Zhenbiao was also unable to maintain hisposure, let alone his assistant. In his entire life, he had never encountered a golden nanmu with a diameter exceeding 1.5 meters.


    He said again: "Mr Liu, you have made a fortune, you have made a fortune."


    "How much is this wood worth?"


    It is what Liu Yong is most concerned about.


    "Mr Zhao, you are an expert. How much are they worth?"


    Zhao Zhenbiao did not answer immediately but looked around again, and after serious consideration, "I think their total value is more than 2 billion."


    Liu Yong was taken aback. He thought it was only 100 to 200 million, but he didn''t know it was at least 2 billion.


    Seeing Liu Yong''s surprise, Zhao Zhenbiao said: "The biggest golden silk nan alone is worth more than 100 or 200 million."


    Such a thick golden nanmu must grow for at least a thousand years. Now it is priceless and hard to buy. It is ultimately a seller''s market.


    Since it is so valuable, Liu Yong''s heart is full of activities. This can be regarded as a windfall, and thepany has enough money for its early development.


    Zhao Zhenbiao''s admiration for the Jinsinan and Huanghuali wood grew stronger as he looked around. The more he gazed upon them, the more content he became, so he couldn''t resist asking about them.


    "Mr Liu, can you part with me and sell some of it?"


    Liu Yongughed happily, saying, "Sell as long as the price is right. I can sell them all to you."


    Zhao Zhenbiao rubbed his hands excitedly.


    Zhao Zhenbiao was concerned that Liu Yong might cherish the wood too much and be hesitant to sell it, but he hoped it would be avable.


    Zhao Zhenbiao carefully assessed his financial resources, realizing that despite Hongda Group''s annual revenue of approximately 10 billion, purchasing more than 2 billion would be challenging.


    After pondering momentarily, Zhao Zhenbiao spoke honestly,


    "We need arge golden nanmu. Sell me thergest one, and I''ll also select another one with a diameter of roughly 1.2 meters."


    Thergest one has a diameter of 1.5 meters. After Zhao Zhenbiao bought it, he probably would not be willing to use it. He would treasure it. Hongda Group has such a golden nanmu, and its reputation and influence in the industry will rise to another level.


    Liu Yong said straightforwardly: "You can choose whatever you want."


    Zhao Zhenbiao swiftly picked out a piece with a diameter of approximately 1.2 meters. Once it was cut, one of therge boards was used to construct a desk for the boss.


    In total, there were two pieces - one with a diameter of roughly 1.5 meters and the other with a diameter of around 1.2 meters.


    After choosing these two golden nannies, Zhao Zhenbiao said: "Mr Liu, you can make a price for these two."


    Asking for prices all over the sky and paying back the money on the ground is justified.


    Liu Yong asked about the price: "Mr Zhao, the price is 600 million yuan; pay with one hand and deliver with one hand. How about it?"


    Zhao Zhenbiao felt that the price was too high, so he began to bargain.


    Still, it''s a seller''s market.


    Bawang worked so hard to move the wood. Of course, Liu Yong also wanted to sell it at a high price and would not give in. He shook his head and said,


    "Mr Zhao, at most 10 million cheaper, at least 590 million."


    The price is on the high side.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    However, Zhao Zhenbiao urgently needed the wood, which he needed badly. Besides Liu Yong, who had such thick golden silkwood, hardly anyone else had it.


    Rare things are more expensive.


    Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Okay, then 590 million."


    Once the price got settled, Zhao Zhenbiao called the ountant, and after a brief period, the funds were transferred to the ount of Global Ocean Services.


    Liu Yong confirmed it and said, "Mr Zhao, you can call a car to drag these two gold wires away."


    Zhao Zhenbiao made another phone call and contacted the vehicle staff toe over.


    During the phone call, Zhao Zhenbiao looked at the wood with envy, "Mr Liu, why don''t you sell the rest to me?"


    Liu Yong: "It''s no problem to sell them all to Mr Zhao, but at least 2 billion, no counter-offer."


    2000000000!


    Zhao Zhenbiao hesitated momentarily, then nodded and said: "Okay, the price is 2 billion, but I have to give myself three days. This amount of money is not a small amount for me. I am going to raise funds."


    Liu Yong nodded to express his understanding.


    The business gotpleted, and both were happy, talking andughing happily, just like old friends for many years.


    After about an hour or so, a big truck came first.


    This giant truck drove straight into the warehouse, and several people jumped out of the car. People from Hongda Group arrived, and their vice president Wu Qingsong led the team.


    Getting out of the car, he saw so many logs, so he hurriedly trotted over and looked around the golden nan and Huanghuali.


    Very excited, "Boss, with such a thick gold wire, our problem has been solved!"


    Zhao Zhen nodded, waved his hand, and shouted: "Start loading the car and transport it back to ourpany."


    Several workers got busy, carefully loading the gold wire nan with a diameter of 1.5 meters and a diameter of 1.2 meters into the car and tying it up.


    Throughout the day, the warehouse was busy.


    Severalrge trucks came over one after another, and the people from Hongda Company transported away the wood of these people one after another. In the evening, all the lumber was hauled away.


    Afternoon.


    ...¡­


    Liu Yong and Zhao Zhenbiao sat together, and thewyers of both parties drew up a formal transaction agreement, which they signed and stamped.


    The payment got divided into two parts. The first payment of 590 million would arrive in the ount of Global Ocean Services the following morning, and the second payment of 2 billion would be transferred to Liu Yong''s ount three dayster.


    After the contract was signed, the two happily drank tea and chatted.


    Through the introduction of Zhao Zhenbiao, Liu Yong has a specific understanding of Jinsinan and Huanghuali, especially Jinsinan, a unique and precious wood in my country.


    Of course, Liu Yong was also a little puzzled, "Mr Zhao, the density of golden nanmu is lower than that of water. It should float when it enters the water, but my golden nanmu sinks."


    Zhao Zhenbiao exined: "It is estimated that it has been on the bottom of the sea for too long, and it will be heavier after absorbing enough water, so it will not be able to float."


    HTC Group, Huahai Factory.


    The first truck transported the two thick golden stalks to the factory, and immediately, the whole factory almost boiled.


    The vast workshop was initially busy, with workers and technicians dynamic. When the two golden nanmu arrived, many people put down their work and gathered around.


    "My God, this is golden nanmu!"


    "It is indeed golden nanmu!"


    "It''s the first time I''ve seen such a thick golden nan."


    Under themand of a supervisor, several workers carefully hoisted the two valuable golden nanmu from the car and ced them in the open space of the workshop.


    Vice President Wu Qingsong personally directed and prepared to open the board. The 1.2-meter golden nanmu was sawed on a big opener and processed into pieces of golden nanmu boards.

 Chapter 45 The Inspection

    ?I started to open the board.


    .....


    Arge crowd gathered and opened the golden nanmu board, which had a diameter of 1.2 meters. It was a rare sight; some individuals working in the industry for over a decade had never witnessed anything like it.


    The scene was lively.


    "We are blessed with such arge golden nanmu board."


    "I remember thest time I saw the same big golden nanmu open, it was twelve years ago."


    Both workers and some management staff were engaged in a lively discussion, and excitement was evident on their faces. Such an urrence had only taken ce once in over a decade.


    At this moment, Wu Qingsong felt a little nervous in his heart.


    It is golden nanmu, golden nanmu worth hundreds of millions.


    "After opening the board, what does it look like inside? Will there be defects such as hollowness and decay?"


    Thinking in his heart, he gradually felt a lot of pressure and prayed, God bless, don''t let this happen.


    A supervisor called for instructions: "Everything is ready, Mr Wu. Do you want to open the board immediately?"


    Wu Qingsong looked at the golden nanmu installed on therge trigger, took a deep breath, waved his hand, and roared:


    "Open the trigger!"


    Suddenly, the whole scene fell silent.


    Those people who were excitedly discussing stopped one after another, watching the trigger work intently, and began to cut the thick golden nanmu.


    Start cutting from the side first. The speed of this opener is breakneck. It takes only a few minutes, and the first cut is finished.


    From where it got cut, there is nothing abnormal, and there is a trace of gold inside, which is unique to golden nanmu.


    "Continue to open the board."


    Under Wu Qingsong''s guidance, the panels were cut, and a few minutester, the second cut was also done. The first panel was also lowered by a crane and ced onto the adjacent concrete space.


    Many people surrounded the past.


    "Tsk tsk, so beautiful."


    "Look at these gold wires, they look exciting."


    Wu Qingsong also went over to look at the first board, and he was relieved that it was perfect, almost without any ws, and there was no such thing as hollow or rot.


    Under Wu Qingsong''s guidance, the panels were cut, and a few minutester, the second cut was finished. The first panel was also lowered by a crane and ced onto the adjacent concrete space.


    It continued to open the board.


    After about an hour, the golden nan was cut intorge boards with a length of seven or eight meters and a diameter of about 1.2 meters.


    Eachrge board is perfect, with many gold threads on the surface, and the width of the giant board is more than 1.2 meters.


    Wu Qingsong was excited, picked up the phone, and immediately reported to Zhao Zhenbiao.


    Another enormous fortune was made, more than two billion, and Liu Yong was in a good mood.


    Of course, Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun were also pleased to see that 590 million was remitted to thepany''s ount. Thepany has money and can do a lot of work.


    Liu Yong gave full authorization, and he only oversaw the general direction. The team decided to report back to him on how to proceed and followed their rmendations.


    Around 9:30 in the morning, Liu Yong left thepany and went out on his own. He had arranged to meet with Li Changle to go shopping and watch moviester that day.


    The progress between the two is still good. When shopping and holding hands, Li Changle showed a sweet smile.


    The affairs of thepany include Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun. Liu Yongle is rxed. He went outside thepany in the morning and spent almost all day with Li Changle.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    It was bound to be a beautiful day. The two of them spent the entire day together, and their bond grew stronger with each passing moment. They both developed feelings for each other and eventually entered a period of passionate love.


    Today, Global Ocean Services had two different guests. Two policemen left the elevator and went directly to thepany''s front desk.


    Thepany has been established for some time, the organization has gradually improved, and there are dozens of employees and two beautifuldies at the front desk.


    The two receptionists were still a little nervous when they saw two policemening, but they still had professional smiles on their faces, and they seemed more enthusiastic.


    One of the front desks said:


    "Hello, two police officers. What can I do?"


    The two police officers were rtively young, with male and female officers present. The female officer was the leader and held a high rank. She inquired,


    "We heard that yourpany specializes in deep-sea salvage. We came to confirm this information."


    The receptionist responded, "Yes, we are indeed in this line of business."


    The policewoman said:


    "Alright then, we want to meet the person in charge of yourpany."


    The receptionist intended to inquire if they had an appointment but decided against it and said, "Let me ask our President Hu for instructions."


    Qiu Yang has already gone out, and a second-hand container ship is ready to sell. He went to have a look and reported this matter to Liu Yong.


    If the price suits this 100,000-ton ocean-going container ship, Liu Yong agrees to buy it for ocean transportation.


    Hu Shijun is at home.


    After receiving the call from the front desk, he agreed immediately and waited in the office for the other party toe to the door. Soon, the two policemen went to the door.


    Seeing that Hu Shijun was so young, the female policeman couldn''t help being slightly disappointed and already had doubts about the deep-sea salvage in her heart.


    Tian Fengyun came here with hope, but suddenly, his heart became colder.


    The person in charge of thispany is so young, and the scale of thepany is small. There are only a few dozen people. Can they salvage things hundreds of meters deep?


    Hu Shijun was very enthusiastic. It was the first door-to-door business since thepany''s establishment, and he listened carefully to the other party''s report.


    By the time the police boarded the ship with lightning speed, they had already been thrown into the sea.


    The police took the individuals to the station for temporary holding, but the transaction evidence was no longer in their possession. If the evidence were not found by this evening, the police would have no choice but to release them.


    Hu Shijun understood what was going on.


    Zhao Zhenbiao responded calmly and assured the police,


    "It''s a minor issue. Please let us know the specific sea area, and we will definitely salvage the items before the evening."


    Tian Fengyun reminded me:


    "The depth there is at least several hundred meters, and it may be close to a thousand meters deep. Are you really sure?"


    She was very sceptical.


    With the urgent need to find her before dark, she came to Global Ocean Services.


    Tian Fengyun feels uncertain and uneasy seeing the young person in charge of the otherpany agreeing quickly. He wonders what kind of capabilities this person and theirpany possess.


    Don''t know what to do for a while?


    There should be fewpanies that can do such a deep salvage. Can thispany do it?


    ......¡­

 Chapter 46 Our Professional Strength ++

    ?What about a depth of hundreds of meters?


    Hu Shijun said.


    To others, a depth of hundreds of meters may seem daunting, but it is nothing for Overlord, given that it can dive to depths exceeding 2,000 meters.


    Hu Shijun reassured Tian Fengyun, who appeared disappointed, saying,


    "You don''t need to worry; a few hundred meters is nothing to us."


    Tian Fengyun was initially disappointed when she heard that the depth of the sea was hundreds of meters, but when Hu Shijun reassured her that it was nothing for theirpany, she looked at him with disbelief. Her big beautiful eyes opened wide, and the disappointment slowly faded, reced by a glimmer of hope.


    Someone opened the door of the office.


    Liu Yong entered the office confidently and affirmed,


    "President Hu is correct. A depth of a few hundred meters is no challenge for us."


    Upon arriving at thepany, Liu Yong quickly became aware of a potential business opportunity and was intrigued. Upon hearing Hu Shijun''s response, he confidently reiterated that a depth of several hundred meters posed no challenge to their capabilities.


    Tian Fengyun looked at Liu Yong, puzzled.


    Hu Shijun quickly introduced: "This is our boss, Mr. Liu Yong."


    The head of Global Ocean Services had arrived, thepany''s top executive.


    Tian Fengyun approached Liu Yong and extended her hand for a handshake. She expressed her hope and trust in him, saying, "Mr. Liu, since you are so confident, I will entrust this matter to you."


    Liu Yong said: "No problem, please believe in our professional strength, where is the specific salvage location, just tell us and we can act."


    Tian Fengyun provided information about a particr sea area and exined the situation concisely, stating,


    "To our knowledge, there are 10 standard shotguns belonging to country M, and we possess the serial numbers for each gun. If those things are not hidden properly, there is a chance of police getting suspect on us"


    However, there is not enough evidence, and the police can''t do anything.


    Uponprehending the situation, which included the exact location at sea, Liu Yong expressed confidence, saying,


    "Now that we''re aware of the situation and the specific sea area, we''re fully confident in our ability to retrieve the items."


    Tian Fengyun appeared pleased and expressed gratitude, saying,


    "Mr. Liu, I will eagerly await your good news. Please make sure to recover the items before evening. We are willing to offer a reward of 500,000 yuan."


    Liu Yong said: "Yes, I will send the things to your police station before evening."


    The matter settled this way. Tian Fengyun took the young male policeman and left, and she needed to return and report to her superior.


    Upon receiving the information, Liu Yong promptly contacted Bawang and instructed him to proceed to the specified sea area for a search.


    Bawang was leisurely strolling and had a moreprehensive range of activities. After finishing his meal, he rested at the bottom of the sea, far from the salvage area.


    After receiving this task, he immediately finished his rest and swam to that sea area. Even if he didn''t go forward with all his strength, he was fast, at least fifty or sixty knots per hour.


    Huahai City, East Branch.


    A meeting is currently taking ce in the meeting room, attended by the chief leaders of the sub-bureau, several deputy directors, and several chief and deputy captains.


    The meeting has been going on for a while. Initially, smoking was not allowed in the meeting room, but now it is full of smoke, and everyone is under much pressure.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Two suspects have been arrested, two of whom are from M country, but no evidence has been found. The ten standard shotguns still lie on the seabed several hundred meters deep.


    "Leaders, I specifically consulted relevant experts. The depth there should be 700 to 800 meters. Diving at such a depth is not eptable, and professional salvage robots are required."


    The leader of the Eastern District Bureau said: "Hurry up and contact a professional salvagepany. For us, time is already very tight."


    Someone replied: "I have sent someone to Global Marine Services, which ims to do deep sea salvage."


    Immediately someone said, "I also know about thispany. It has been established for less than a month and has never carried out deep-sea salvage. I don''t think it is reliable."


    In a humane tone, someone said, "Huahai is a professional deep-sea salvagepany, and they also work with Dianshipany. They have recently acquired a professional deep-sea salvage robot, and I have already been in contact with them."


    Danshi has imported deep-sea salvage robots.


    Excited looks appeared on the faces of several people, and the leader of the Eastern District Bureau even said:


    "Notify Dianshi Company immediately, and go to that sea area to salvage immediately."


    The deputy director interjected, saying,


    "However, I have already sent Xiaotian to Global Ocean Services. They should be discussing the salvage matter at this time."


    The prominent leader waved his hand, "Global Marine Services has been established for too short a time, don''t let them add to the chaos. Tell them, don''t get involved."


    The deputy director opened his mouth to say something but still couldn''t know it. The prominent leader had already set the tone. He, a deputy, couldn''t openly question and oppose at the meeting.


    Then send Dianshi Company to carry out the salvage mission.


    The deputy director expressed scepticism, questioning whether Dianshi could conduct salvage operations at a depth of seven or eight hundred meters. The deputy director even pondered having Global Ocean Services coborate with Dianshi in the salvage operation.


    After the meeting, Deputy Director Gao Dake returned to his office. He had assigned Tian Fengyun to charge the case and sent them to Universal for further action.


    As Deputy Director Gao Dake sat down and finished smoking a cigarette, Tian Fengyun returned with a cheerful expression and reported, "Leader, I havepleted the task ording to your instructions. Global Ocean Services has agreed to take on the salvage operation, and they have begun work immediately."


    Gao Dake sighed softly.


    Tian Fengyun asked: "What''s the matter, leader, is there a problem?"


    Gao Dake briefly talked about the decision made at the meeting just now, and immediately, Tian Fengyun''s face changed. He insisted: "Yes, I have already negotiated with Universal Company, I."


    Tian Fengyun was really in a hurry.


    Gao Dake interrupted with a wave of his hand: "Forget it, I hope Dianshi Company can salvage the things. If there is not enough evidence, we will release people after 24 hours."


    After contemting momentarily, Deputy Director Gao Dake said, "There''s no need to stop Global Ocean Services from salvaging. Let bothpanies continue with the operation, and may thepetition between them lead to better results."


    At a particr port in Huahai City, a modern professional salvage ship began to leave its post, sailing towards the target sea area with full power.


    The distance is a bit far, and it may take two or three hours to arrive.


    At the bow of the boat, several men were standing. One was wearing a thick gold chain, his arms were covered with tattoos, and he looked intimidating.


    Xu Shufei, a man with muscr arms, is in charge of the Dianshi Company. He is leading a team in the current salvage operation at sea.


    The salvage cost 500,000 yuan, which could have been much higher and yielded little profit. However, the Dianshi Company epted the task eagerly, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen their rtionship with the police.

 Chapter 47 Deep Sea Salvage Robot

    ?"Boss, I''ve heard that the police contacted Global Marine Services as well to recover that set of items."


    Xu Shufei remarked,


    "They are not capable of handling it. From what I understand, they have only been in business for under a month. How can they evenpete with us?"


    "Boss, do you want to intimidate them so they stay away from getting involved?"


    After some consideration, Xu Shufei responded,


    "Not at the moment. The water depth is around seven to eight hundred meters, which poses a significant challenge for us. They certainly wouldn''t be able to handle it."


    They are still on the way, and the Overlord is already there.


    Although Bawang is not operating at full speed, it can still travel at 50 to 60 knots per hour so it will take a little time. Upon reaching the destination, Bawang reported promptly.


    "Master, I have arrived."


    The Overlord informed Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong was ecstatic, impressed by Bawang''s exceptional speed. As an overlord, Bawang''s velocity surpassed any other ship''s, reaching the rate of ny-nine percent of fish.


    "Overlord, those are a batch of guns, they should be packed in a big box, you can contact me at any time during the search."


    "No problem, Master."


    Bawang was brimming with confidence as itmenced its descent to the ocean floor. At a depth of 300 to 400 meters, the water becamepletely dark, and beyond 500 meters, visibility got significantly reduced to the point where one could hardly see their fingers.


    Overlord has keen perception; no matter how dark the environment is, it will not be affected; at least the radius of 100 meters will not be affected by anything.


    It didn''t take long to reach the bottom of the sea. Immediately, it reported again:


    "Master, the situation on the bottom of the sea is not ideal. It is not t, but veryplicated."


    The ocean floor was littered withrge rocks, potholes, and numerous small hills, indicating the presence of an underwater mountain range. Under such conditions, it would be particrly challenging to locate objects.


    Liu Yongforted: "There is no rush, let''s look for it slowly, there are at least a few hours for us to look for."


    Despite theplexity of the underwater terrain, it was still early evening and not even noon. Bawang had originally been nearly a hundred nautical miles away from this sea area, which equates to approximately a hundred and tens of kilometers. It managed to arrive in just about an hour.


    With enough time, Bawang began to search carefully and earnestly at the bottom of the sea.


    The salvage ship of Dianshi Company was still sailing at full speed on thend. Bawang searched here for nearly two hours before reaching this sea area.


    The salvage ship came to a halt andmenced various operations. It first utilized special equipment to measure the depth of the sea, along with the temperature and speed of the ocean current.


    Uponpleting the necessary measurements, they deployed their deep-sea salvage robot. The imported salvage robot can operate at depths of up to one thousand meters, and the water depth at this location falls well within its operational range.


    The robotmenced its descent, and within ten minutes, it reached the ocean floor. The salvage ship received an update on the situation, and one person eximed in surprise.


    "Boss,e and take a look, the situation on the bottom of the sea is far moreplicated than we expected."


    Xu Shufei hurried over to inspect the situation on the screen, but his heart sank as he took it all in. He knew the chances of finding and salvaging the guns within a few hours were virtually nonexistent.


    Given theplex conditions on the ocean floor, the difficulty of the search had significantly increased. It was doubtful they could locate the guns within a few hours, let alone within a few days.


    Xu Shufei was keen onpleting the salvage mission and viewed it as an opportunity to establish closer ties with the police. However, given the circumstances, it was simply impossible. He reluctantly took out his phone and made a call.


    "Captain Pan, our deep-sea salvage robot has reached the ocean floor. However, the terrain is extremelyplex down there. It is unlikely that we canplete the search within a few hours, let alone locate and salvage the guns in that time frame."


    Upon hearing this news, Captain Pan of the Eastern District Bureau got taken aback. Fully aware of the significance of recovering the lost guns, he responded anxiously:


    "Mr. Xu, we still have a few hours left. We must make every effort to locate them. Please continue with the search."


    Xu Shufei said discouragedly:


    There is no such possibility. I am engaged in salvage work, and I know that in such aplicated seabed situation, let alone a few hours, even a few days, may not be enough."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Then what should we do?"


    Captain Pan hesitated for a while and said,


    "You guys should continue to salvage. Try your luck, and I will report to the leader."


    The situation was soon reported to several high-ranking officials, including the head of the Eastern Bureau.


    Suddenly, the leaders were under a lot of pressure.


    Several leaders sat together, smoking while discussing countermeasures.


    The director of the Eastern District Bureau said:


    "Everyone, everyone is aware of the situation. When the timees, we must be ready to release people."


    A deputy director said unwillingly:


    "We spent so much energy collecting intelligence for follow-up, and finally captured the scene of their transaction, and this is the result."


    The bureau chief sighed,


    "We don''t have key evidence, and the suspects are tight-lipped and refused to recruit at all. We can only release them."


    "Among these few suspects, two are from country M, and the leaders of the Municipal Bureau are also under great pressure. They have repeatedly urged that there must be solid evidence. If we don''t have stolen goods, things will be difficult to handle."


    One by one, they expressed their discouragement as their hearts filled with frustration and reluctance.


    As the deputy director, Gao Dake remained silent until everyone had finished speaking. He revealed: "I took matters into my own hands and did not inform Global Ocean Services to withdraw from the salvage operation. Just a moment ago, I personally contacted Liu Yong, thepany''s leader, by phone."


    "He informed me that they had already begun the search on the seabed. Based on his tone, finding and salvaging the guns shouldn''t be a significant issue for them."


    "What?"


    "Not a big problem!"


    "Is this real?"


    Several deputy directors, including the director of the sub-bureau, looked at Gao Dake in surprise, seriously thinking that their ears had heard it wrong.


    "Old Gao, you didn''t lie to us, did you?"


    Gao Dake said: "I didn''t lie to everyone, what I said was true."


    Suddenly it became lively, everyone was very discouraged at first, but now they seem to see hope.


    One of the deputy directors said hopefully:


    "It would be great if Universal could help me find those guns."


    The director of the East District Bureau also said:


    "Yes, if they can find these guns, then I have to apologize to the person in charge of thispany. I underestimated them."


    "In the current situation, we can only pin our hopes on Universal and hope that there will be good news."


    Many people looked at the time and prayed in their hearts.


    At this time, Overlord was still seriously searching the seabed.


    The situation at the bottom of the sea is soplicated, affecting the search for the Overlord and increasing the entire search''s difficulty.


    More than two hours passed, yet nothing was found.


    "Master, I have searched this ce, but I didn''t find it. Maybe I made a mistake. Even if it was a needle, I found it."

 Chapter 48 The Box Of Standard Shotguns

    ?The standard shotgun box remains missing, causing Liu Yong to feel increasingly uneasy after more than two hours.


    "What''s the issue? Why am I unable to locate it? Could it be possible that it''s not in this sea area and the problem lies elsewhere?"


    Liu Yong wondered, feeling perplexed.


    Liu Yong was inevitable that the location was correct and that the police would avoid making such a significant mistake. Since the other party had not made an error, he wondered where the weapons box could have disappeared.


    "It must be the ocean currents!"


    Liu Yong eximed, realizing that they were likely responsible for the disappearance of the box.


    Liu Yong knew that the sea was not still but had a current. He understood that if the box of weapons had been thrown from the water''s surface, it would have sunk to a depth of seven or eight hundred meters.


    Under the action of ocean currents, it does not sink vertically but instead deviates and is carried away by a certain distance by ocean currents.


    Upon realizing this, Liu Yong''s spirits lifted slightly, and he said,


    "Boss, the location is correct. It''s possible that the box of weapons has drifted from itsnding point due to the impact of ocean currents. We should expand the search area. I believe we can find it."


    After speaking, Liu Yong looked at the time again.


    It was noon, and they had at least two more hours to search. Liu Yong hoped they could find the box of standard shotguns within this time frame.


    Bawang replied:


    "Okay master, I will expand the search area ording to your instructions."


    So, Overlord got busy again.


    They searched carefully for the box of standard shotguns, each passing minute feeling like an eternity.


    Liu Yong instructed Bawang to expand the search area and drove alone to the seaside warehouse. He had faith that Bawang would find the box, so he decided to go to the warehouse beforehand and wait for him there.


    Walking into this giant warehouse, I thought to myself, this warehouse is magnificent, the area isrge enough, and it is convenient enough.


    The golden nanmu and huanghuali wood previously stacked in the warehouse had been transported away, leaving the warehouse empty.


    Liu Yong surveyed the empty warehouse with contentment and was about to contact Bawang to inquire about the search''s progress. However, before he could do so, Bawang got him first.


    "Master, I found a shipwreck."


    Liu Yong was astonished to hear from Bawang so soon, grateful for such good fortune. While he had only intended to assist the police in searching for the box of standard shotguns at the bottom of the sea, he now stumbled upon a surprising discovery. It reminded him of the phrase.


    "nting willows to create shade."


    Liu Yong was astounded by the surprise discovery. He never imagined that he woulde across a sunken ship while helping to salvage the box of shotguns at the bottom of the sea.


    "Overlord, what kind of shipwreck is it?"


    Bawang has already looked around the shipwreck, and better understands the situation.


    "It is a shipwreck of wooden structure, lying on the bottom of the sea, with a broken mast, and a cannon."


    Liu Yong listened to Bawang''s description and deduced that this should be a warship from more than a hundred years ago.


    "Master, do you want to dismantle this ship and see what good things are inside?"


    Bawang was already quiterge in stature, and if he were to swim into the sunken ship, he would likely be hindered by the tight spaces within.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After so many years on the bottom of the sea, the ship''s wooden structure is exceptionally decayed, and it takes little effort to disassemble it. Overlord can efficientlyplete it.


    It was estimated that it would take a few days to disassemble the ship into a pile of timber, but there needed to be more time avable.


    Despite the temptation to have Bawang search for the sunken ship, Liu Yong resisted and reminded him that they needed to prioritize finding the box of shotguns due to time constraints. He suggested that they remember the sunken ship''s location and return to dismantle it after seeing the box of shotguns.


    "Okay, follow the master''s orders."


    The Overlord swam around the sunken ship again, carefully looked at its condition, and especially remembered its location.


    Liu Yong then left the warehouse and resumed his search for the box of weapons. After another 20 to 30 minutes had passed, he couldn''t help but raise his hand several times to check the time.


    To ease his anxieties, Liu Yong reminded himself to remain calm and not rush the search. He reassured himself that there was still plenty of time left before it got dark, and he could continue searching for the box of weapons without haste.


    "Master, I found it!"


    Just as Liu Yong was under pressure andforting himself, Bawang''s cheerful voice sounded in his mind.


    Hearing the news, Liu Yong felt relieved and said happily:


    "Great, I finally found the things. Bring them to the warehouse right away. I''ll wait in the warehouse."


    Bawang held the box in his mouth and headed towards this seaside warehouse at full speed. For such a long distance, if it were an ordinary salvage ship, it would take about three hours to sail at full speed. Bawang arrived in about 40 minutes.


    There was movement from the wide waterway connecting the warehouse to the sea, the waves rolled, and a giant snapping turtle appeared from the channel.


    It climbed directly into the warehouse and gently ced the box in front of Liu Yong,


    "Master, my mission isplete, I''m going to take a look at the sunken ship now."


    Liu Yong looked at the giant snapping turtle in front of him with satisfaction and gently touched its massive head,


    "If you are tired, rest first. The sunken ship can''t run away anyway after you have enough rest, eat and drink." It''s enough and not toote to go there."


    "Master, I''m not tired, I''m going there now."


    He stretched out his big tongue and licked Liu Yong''s hand gently, very intimately, then crawled towards the waterway, along this waterway to the sea.


    Liu Yong watched it leave. He was delighted when he saw the Overlord covered in armor, and his tail seemed covered with scales.


    Its four ws are solid and robust, with sharp w tips, which seem to have a ck luster, a bit like metal luster, and a huge head. Liu Yong just noticed that the teeth in Bawang''s mouth arerge and sharp.


    No wonder it can dominate this sea area. I don''t know what it will look like when it grows to tens, hundreds, or thousands of tons.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but see the appearance of Godzi in his mind. Overlord may be such a behemoth in the future, and he is the Overlord of the ocean.


    After watching the Overlord leave, Liu Yong''s eyes fell on this box. This iron box was sprayed with white foreign codes, representing the shotguns'' batch, model, and other information.


    "What does the standard shotgun in country M look like?"


    Liu Yong put on his prepared white gloves and opened the box, revealing the ten shotguns inside.


    He picked up one of them and looked at it for a while.


    Like many men, Liu Yong had an affinity for guns and was no exception. Seeing the real guns in front of him, he was reluctant to let them go and held onto them for a while.


    After looking at it for a few minutes, he put the gun into the box, closed it again, and then took out his mobile phone to call Gao Dake of the Eastern District Bureau.

 Chapter 49 Successfully Got It

    ?Eastern District Bureau.


    Gao Dake appeared restless in his office as he anxiously awaited news from Universal. He had not received any updates despite it being past 4 pm and only a few minutes left until 4:30 pm.


    What is their current activity?


    Are they still searching for the box of shotguns, or have they sessfully located and salvaged it?


    The individual is seated in an office chair, smoking a cigarette, and lost in thought. Suddenly, the office door slowly opened.


    Another deputy director entered the room and inquired,


    "Hey Gao, have you received any recent updates from Global Ocean Services?"


    Gao Dake shook his head lightly, "Oh, not yet; it''s almost 4:30, and it will be toote if we don''t get the things up."


    "Yes, we don''t have much time left." The deputy director said with a serious face.


    The deputy director then lit up a cigarette, took a drag, and proposed,


    "Why don''t you call them and ask for an update, Gao?"


    Feeling the need to take action, Gao Dake grabbed the phone on his desk and dialed,


    "Hello, this is Gao Dake speaking. Can you please update me on the current situation, Mr. Liu?"


    Liu Yong''s voice came through the phone, sounding rxed and cheerful,


    "Hey, Gao, we were able to locate and retrieve the items. I''m leaving the office now and should arrive in about an hour.


    Gao Dake was surprised and taken aback, thinking he may have misheard what was just said.


    After processing the information, he quickly became excited, his voice trembling as he asked,


    "Wait, are you saying that you were able to salvage the box of shotguns?"


    Liu Yong confirmed,


    "Yes, we were able to salvage the box of shotguns. There were ten in total, which is quite a significant amount. I''m currently on my way to  office."


    After being confirmed, Gao Dake was even more excited.


    Gao Dake''s hand holding the phone began to tremble slightly, and his face was filled with evident excitement as he eximed,


    "Mr. Liu, that''s fantastic news, that''s wonderful!"


    "I''ll send someone to pick you up at the gate of the branch office."


    After making this call, as soon as he put it down, the deputy director beside him looked surprised and asked,


    "Old Gao, have the things been fished?"


    Feeling overjoyed, Gao Dake nodded vigorously and added,


    "Yes, you heard that correctly. The box of shotguns has been sessfully salvaged, and Mr. Liu is personally driving here to deliver it."


    Suddenly, the deputy director chimed in with great admiration,


    "Wow, Global Ocean Services is truly an impressivepany. It''s all thanks to their capabilities that this matter has been sessfully resolved."


    "Yes, it can be regarded as a great help to us. With this box of shotguns as evidence, we will make this case an iron case."


    "Let''s go. Let''s go to the director and report to him so that he can bepletely relieved."


    The two chatted andughed and happily went out to report the happy situation to the head of the Eastern District Bureau.


    Liu Yong is currently en route to the office and is driving at a rtively fast speed. Despite the speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour, he was moving at an average rate of 80 kilometers per hour.


    Liu Yong''s fast driving speed doesn''t pose any concern for potential traffic idents, as his reaction time is several times faster than an average driver''s. Moreover, he possesses excellent driving skills, and if he wanted to pursue a career in racing, he would have the potential to be a champion with a little bit of training.


    The box of shotguns was stored in the car''s trunk during the journey.


    Despite the initial estimation of the journey taking an hour, Liu Yong managed to arrive at the Eastern Branch in approximately fifty minutes. The car pulled up at the entrance, and Liu Yong brought the box of shotguns inside the building.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Tian Fengyun and several of her colleagues had been waiting for quite some time when they spotted the approaching car. She signaled the security guard to let it pass and directed Liu Yong to drive the vehicle directly in front of the Eastern District Bureau''s office.


    "Mr. Liu, thank you for your hard work."


    "Where, where." Liu Yong looked humble.


    After arriving, Liu Yong and Tian Fengyun shook hands, and for the first time, Liu Yong realized that Tian Fengyun was undeniably beautiful. She had a striking appearance and an alluring aura unique to her.


    The little hands are soft and delicate, without any rough feeling, and it doesn''t look like someone who often holds a gun.


    The trunk of Liu Yong''s car was opened, and two policemen wearing white gloves carefully lifted the box of shotguns out of the vehicle. They took pictures of it and inspected it meticulously.


    After confirming, one of the police said:


    "Yes, that''s right, it''s this batch of shotguns."


    After the inspection, the police officers closed the box and brought it inside. Tian Fengyun politely invited Liu Yong, saying,


    "Mr. Liu, our Land Bureau would like to thank you in person, and we are waiting for you in the office."


    Liu Yong smiled happily, "Then please take me in."


    Led by Tian Fengyun, Liu Yong walked into Gao Dake''s office.


    Gao Dake was hot and polite, thanked him repeatedly, and handed a cash check of 500,000 yuan to Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong was surprised when Gao Dake asked for his business card and added him as a friend on WeChat.


    While walking out of the East District Bureau, Liu Yong thought that not only did he earn 500,000 yuan, but he also gained a rtionship with the police. This trip was worth the salvage.


    After driving back to his vi, Liu Yongmunicated with Bawang.


    Bawang has arrived near the sunken ship. It is a restless master who doesn''t know what tiredness is, as if it has infinite energy.


    The sunken ship has already started dismantling, with some parts removed, including a one-ton cannon quickly dismantling like a small toy.


    Liu Yong conferred with the Overlord, and his deduction was further validated. It appeared that the warship was over a century old.


    The ship''s artillery is not a front-loading gun but a rear-loading one. It needs to be updated and updated, not a modern type of artillery.


    Instruct Bawang to pay attention to safety, especially when handling those shells. Liu Yong gave Bawangplete initiative to dismantle the ship there.


    Lyingfortably on the sofa for a while, seeing the sunset outside, it would be evening soon, so Liu Yong picked up the phone and chatted with Li Changle.


    "Lele, I''lle overter, let''s finish dinner together."


    "Okay, I will wait for you."


    Li Changle said.


    After the two chatted briefly, Liu Yong drove to the No. 2 Middle School of Huahai City.


    The next day.


    ....


    The first thing Liu Yong did after waking up was to contact Bawang, wondering how the sunken ship was dismantled by it.


    "Overlord, how is the situation on your side?"


    Bawang responded joyfully,


    "I have created arge opening on the side of the sunken ship, revealing multiple cabins inside. I am currently searching through these cabins."


    If Liu Yong could witness the scene, he would undoubtedly be stunned. It is not just a matter of arge opening - the entire side of the sunken ship was dismantled, revealing the vessel''s cabins.


    "Master, It is incredible."


    Bawang said in a delightful tone.

 Chapter 50 Sexiest Round F**King A**

    ?"What is there within the warship?"


    Liu Yong eagerly anticipates it, and he is even entertaining the idea that the first shipwreck discovered by Bawang contained a considerable amount of gold.


    In contrast, the second shipwreck is even more remarkable, with Jinshen and Huanghuali items worth over two billion.


    "What valuable things will there be in this ship?"


    Liu Yong wondered.


    Liu Yong decided to forego rushing to thepany today. He was curious to see what treasures Bawang could uncover from this contemporary warship. It would be an optimal oue if he could acquire another substantial fortune.


    Bawang is tirelessly working and maintainingmunication with Liu Yong.


    Based on the information provided by the Overlord, Liu Yong deduced that this was a foreign warship that dates back more than a century ago, after the Opium War.


    Bawang thoroughly searched one of the cabins, but his findings could have been better. Liu Yong was not too concerned, as he believed that the cabin was likely themand room of the warship. The only items found were some rusty weapons and a shotgun.


    The flintlock gun discovered was approximately one foot long and had already suffered significant corrosion. Liu Yong instructed Bawang to discard it.


    During this moment, Liu Yong wished that he and Bawang could physically share the experience. Unfortunately, this was not feasible, and they could only rely onmunication with each other.


    Around nine o''clock in the morning, Li Changle sent a message to Liu Yong that read,


    "Hey, what are you up to? I want to catch a movie today."


    Since No. 2 Middle School has not started, Li Changle has plenty of free time. Lately, she has grown increasingly attached to Liu Yong and desires to see him daily.


    Liu Yong is delighted to have such a beautiful and clingy girlfriend.


    Liu Yong ordered Overlord to search there, continue to disassemble the warship if necessary, and then go out happily.


    "Lele, wait for me at home, I''ll be right over."


    "Okay, I''ll wait for you."


    Liu Yong hurriedly arrived at Li Changle''s rental house and sat on the sofa in her living room.


    "The roommate you shared with me hasn''te back yet."


    "She won''te back until the start of school is near."


    Li Changle brought a bottle of water over and sat beside Liu Yong.


    Liu Took the bottle of water, took a sip, nced at the balcony inadvertently, and stopped, almost reluctant to move away.


    The clothes in the living room were freshlyundered and dried, and some were form-fitting, especially the tinyce underwear.


    Liu Yong nced at Li Changle''s plump buttocks and wondered if she could dress so provocatively at such a young age.


    Li Changle seemed to have noticed Liu Yong''s gaze, and his face turned slightly red as she asked him,


    "Yong, were you thinking of something inappropriate?"


    "No, no." Liu Yong said.


    Li Changle refused,


    "You must have thought about it, I can guess it."


    Liu Yong replied,


    "You are so beautiful, it would be abnormal for me not to think about it."


    Li Changle suddenly approached slightly and exhaled like blue in Liu Yong''s ear,


    "Then do you really like me, or are you greedy for my body?"


    Liu Yong could not resist the temptation, as he had not expected Li Changle to have such a seductive side. He was nearly driven to madness.


    "I really like you, but I''m also greedy for your body. When will we..."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Li Changle withdrew her earlier seductive behavior and yfully pinched Liu Yong''s waist as she scolded him,


    "You are so naughty, you big bad guy!"


    The two of them began to y wrestling on the sofa.


    After squabbling, Li Changle smiled:


    "Yong, you have to wait for us to get the certificate if you are jealous of my body. Now go to the movies with me."


    700 or 800 meters below the seabed, Overlord worked hard to "work" to disassemble the warship further, exposing more cabins.


    At a depth of 700 to 800 meters below the seabed, the crew of the Overlord continued to work tirelessly, dismantling the warship and uncovering more hidden cabins.


    The modern warship had been dismantled to half its size, exposing most of its cabins. This made it much easier for the crew of the Overlord to search, and they began to examine each house one by one carefully.


    "Hey, there seems to be something on this person."


    Bawang said.


    Upon closer inspection, Bawang realized it was a badly dposed corpse that only bones remaining. Even the clothes on the body were almost entirely rotten. Still, it was evident that they differed from those worn by the other crew members. It seemed to be the uniform of an officer.


    The gun''s parts were gilded with gold, amon practice to make weapons more decorative and valuable. However, it''s also possible that the yellow and orange slices are brass or copper,monly used in gun construction. Further examination or analysis makes determining whether the gun contains gold easier.


    That''s correct. When flintlock guns were popr, owning gold was a sign of wealth and social status. Gold flintlock guns were often decorated with intricate designs and precious gems, making them more of a luxury than a practical weapon.


    After returning home, Liu Yong took the initiative to ask Bawang,


    "Did you discover anything during the day?"


    Bawang replied, "We have searched half of the cabin and found two pieces of porcin, a golden gun, and some gold and silver coins."


    Upon hearing the report, Liu Yong thought the findings were a bit meager for now, but there were still some cabins left to search, and there might be more discoveries.


    The ship had more porcin, but they were all broken except for two pieces. Overlord searched for them and held them in his mouth for now.


    Liu Yong suggested, "Rest if you''re tired, and we can continue tomorrow."


    Overlord said:


    "Master, I''m not tired at all. I''m going to dismantle this ship and rest after careful searching."


    "If you are not tired, then do as you, please."


    Liu Yong said in a low tone.


    Liu Yong spent some time on his mobile phone and chatted with Li Changle on WeChat for a while before going to bedte.


    Before going to bed, Liu Yongmunicated with Bawang again.


    Bawang dismantled a significant portion of the warship, searched several cabins, and discovered a few things. Still, he needed to find a considerable amount of gold and silver. However, they did find some gold and silver coins.


    During that time, it wasmon for Western aristocrats or wealthy individuals to carry a few gold or silver coins in their pockets.


    "Master, please rest. Leave this to me," said Overlord.


    "It will be difficult for you," replied Liu Yong.


    "I won''t have to work hard, Master. After searching the warship, I will store all the valuable items in the warehouse by the sea. You cane and see for yourself tomorrow."


    "Alright, I''lle by tomorrow," said Liu Yong.


    Aftermunicating with Bawang, Liu Yong went to bed and slept very soundly. When dreaming, he even dreamed that he was with Li Changle.


    In the dream, Liu Yong said he was greedy for Li Changle''s body, but she agreed.


    The next morning...........


    When Liu Yong arrived at the warehouse by sea, it was around 9:00 am. Overlord had already finished searching the warship and stored all the valuables in the warehouse.

 Chapter 51 Made In The Kangxi Period Of The Qing Dynasty

    ?Liu Yong was familiar with the route and confidently opened the door and entered the warehouse. Once inside, he made sure to close the door behind him.


    Upon entering the warehouse, Liu Yong noticed some items scattered on the floor that was still damp, indicating that the Overlord had recently stored them and left in a hurry.


    Without being noticed, Liu Yong hastened his pace and quickly arrived at the side of the scattered items. His previouslyposed demeanor was now unsettled.


    The items scattered on the floor were some of the most valuable possessions from the warship, and they were the result of the Overlord''s hard work. Yet, there they were, allid out before Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong examined the items and picked up two pieces of polychrome porcin. His priority was to check if they had a distinct style. Upon inspecting the first colored porcin bottle, he noticed that the bottom of the bottle was coated in ckcquer, indicating ack of ss. This realization left him feeling somewhat disappointed.


    He then picked up another item, a colored porcin dish with a diameter of around 150. However, the bottom of the word was dirty, and there was dirt on other parts.


    Liu Yong attempted to clean the bottom of the dish by wiping off the dirt, but it proved stubborn and challenging to remove. He could only remove a small amount of the soil despite his efforts.


    After examining the dish, Liu Yong concluded that it was likely, not valuable and possibly produced from a folk kiln.


    Folk kiln products are typically less valuable than official kiln products. They are usually worth only a few thousand, tens of thousands, or at most one or two hundred thousand. In contrast, official kiln products can be much more valuable.


    Upon examining the dish again, Liu Yong noticed it was rtively intact, a slight surprise amidst the disappointments. While the te appearedplete, it was covered in mud and ck residue and would require cleaning.


    After looking at these two pieces of colored porcin, Liu Yong picked up other things to look at. A gold flintlock gun, about 30 centimeters long, weighs about 4 or 5 kilograms.


    A gold pocket watch requires cleaning if it has been submerged in mud on the seabed for an extended period.


    After a rough count, Liu Yong determined that there were 17 gold coins and 52 silver coins. Based on the patterns and text on the coins, he concluded that Western countries issued gold coins.


    Liu Yong needed to be more knowledgeable about the gold and silver coins then and required an expert appraisal to understand their value.


    Liu Yong examined the items and ced them in the trunk of his off-road vehicle. Though the number of items was small, he felt a sense of satisfaction and unexpected gain, as they were likely to hold some value.


    "It''s not a bad unexpected harvest," thought Liu Yong to himself. After driving directly back to his vi, he was alone at home. He began cleaning the items with a fine-bristled brush, taking great care.


    Clean the gold and silver ingots, and dry them on the table individually.


    Their appearance could be more regr, especially the silver ingots, which are not as beautiful as the ancient silver ingots seen on TV. They are a little ck, but they are 100% silver ingots.


    Liu Yong discovered seven tightly packed gold nuggets of various sizes. He used an electronic scale to weigh them and found that the giant ingot weighed 1560 grams, equivalent to 50 taels, while the smallest nugget weighed 310 grams, equal to ten taels. Two of the bars were ten taels each.


    Liu Yong roughly calcted,


    "Well, the total weight of the seven gold ingots is nearly 7,000 grams. Now the recycling price of gold is more than 400. The recycling price of gold ingots must be much higher than 400. They are worth several million at least."


    "It seems like a valuable find," thought Liu Yong.


    "With several million, I could buy a good car," he mused but decided he had no immediate ns. Hispany had recently acquired a new Cullinan. Coupled with his current big G, he felt he had enough vehicles.


    Liu Yong washed all the gold and silver ingots and ced them on a table to dry. He then cleaned the other items, including the gold and silver coins.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Carefully wash one by one; each is washed clean and neatly ced on the table to dry.


    Liu picked up the gold watch and looked at it. There were also a lot of dark things. Clean the surface first.


    As Liu Yong continued his examination of the items, he observed that the craftsmanship of the gold watch was exceptionally refined. It was impressive to see such intricate artistry on a look that was over a century old.


    Considering the watch had been at the bottom of the sea for over a hundred years, there was likely a significant amount of dirt and debris inside.


    After thinking about it, Liu Yong found tools and carefully opened the gold watch. To his surprise, there was not much dirt except water, which was rtively clean.


    Liu Yong noticed that the alloy parts within the watch, such as the gears, were still intact, with only a minor amount of rust on the surface. Before carefully closing the gold watch, he dried the water using paper towels and cotton swabs. However, he knew the look required a professional assessment and possible repair before functioning again.


    After examining the pocket watch closely for a long time, Liu Yong concluded that it was in excellent condition with no signs of damage. It looked almost brand new, with a shiny golden appearance after cleaning. The only noticeable w was the slight yellowing of the original white dial.


    Uncertain of the pocket watch''s value, Liu Yong sought advice by taking several pictures of the look from different angles using his mobile phone. He then posted the images on his Douyin ount with a caption asking for knowledgeable individuals to identify the pocket watch.


    After verifying that the post was uploaded without issues, Liu Yong cleaned the short golden gun.


    After cleaning it, Liu Yong praised it,


    "It''s so beautiful. It''s a good decoration in my office as a handicraft."


    "This looks like a nice craft."


    "Exquisite workmanship, almost all made of gold."


    As for whether gunpowder can be loaded and fired again, Liu Yong thinks it is impossible.


    After cleaning all these things, thest thing left is the two dirty-colored porcins because they have stayed on the bottom of the sea for more than a hundred years. There are a lot of sludge and adsorbents on their surfaces.


    Liu Yong took a soft brush and patiently scrubbed it under the faucet, which was more challenging to clean than the previous ones.


    It took nearly half an hour to clean the first piece, and it barely cleaned. Liu Yong wiped off the water with a clean, dry towel and admired the colorful porcin.


    Liu Yong examined a porcin vase at around 20 to 30 centimeters in height. The vase was crafted with precision and a striking appearance. However, it wasn''t enjoyable to discover that it was from a folk kiln rather than a government kiln, which would have been more valuable.


    After examining the vase, Liu Yong proceeded to clean a te. The cleaning process was more straightforward than the porcin vase he had just cleaned.


    Suddenly, Liu Yong was a little surprised.


    After all the dirt on the bottom of the dish was cleaned, the words


    "Made in the Kangxi Period of the Qing Dynasty" were exposed.

 Chapter 52 The Extraordinary Powerful Watch

    ?"What an unexpected surprise!" eximed Liu Yong.


    He had always believed that private kilns produced the two porcin pieces. However, upon seeing the model on this porcin dish, it became evident that it was from an official kiln.


    "Well, I do have a preference for official kilns," remarked Liu Yong, feeling satisfied with the discovery.


    He proceeded to carefully clean the colored porcin piece and dry it with a towel. "I''ll have it appraised in the future to determine its value," he thought.


    Once he finished cleaning and drying all the items, Liu Yong located a room for temporary storage. He nned to sell them gradually in the future.


    Fortunately, the vi had two floors and enough rooms to amodate his storage needs. Allocating one space for this purpose posed no significant issues.


    Once Liu Yong had stored all the items, he settled onto the sofa, pulled out his mobile phone, and prepared to chat with the lovely woman from Changle. However, before doing so, he checked a Douyin post from a few hours ago.


    As he scrolled through the post, Wei Wei got taken aback. It had already amassed hundreds of likes and over a dozenments in two or three hours.


    "Boss, you''ve hit the jackpot with this gold pocket watch!" one usermented.


    "It''s so exquisite and beautiful. I want one for myself," another user remarked.


    In addition to the previous messages, Liu Yong also noticed a more professionalment:


    "Based on the watch''s LOG and style, it appears to be a Patek Philippe pocket watch crafted over a century ago. Its estimated value is likely to be substantial."


    As Liu Yong read thement, he couldn''t help but wonder if the watch was truly worth a significant amount.


    "Patek Philippe," he thought to himself. The renowned luxury watchmaker was famous worldwide, and their watches were known to be exceptionally expensive.


    As expected, Liu Yong located the watch in question and found the "Patek Philippe" inscription in English on the back.


    It was now apparent that the watch was a gold timepiece crafted by Patek Philippe over a century ago.


    "It looks like I''ll need to consult a professional to evaluate it," he concluded.


    With the idea to have the watch evaluated by a professional, Liu Yong considered Huahai Department Store. The first floor boasted many renowned looks for sale, repair, and appraisal services for luxury timepieces.


    The following day, Chen Hu drove while Liu Yong and Li Changle sat in the back seat, and the trio made their way to Huahai Department Store.


    "Yong, you''ve bought a new car again," Chen Hu remarked.


    "It was purchased by thepany. I''ve only had it for a few days,"


    Liu Yong replied


    As Liu Yong chatted with the beautiful woman from Changle, he realized they had just arrived at Huahai Department Store. The store''s first floor was spacious and filled with a vast array of luxury watches, gold jewelry, and high-end cosmetics.


    The area and scale of the store were impressive, with almost every luxury watch brand on disy.


    The store was a paradise for the wealthy, especially in the famous watch section. Each timepiece had priced in the thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dors.


    Liu Yong''s primary objective was to have his gold watch appraised. After a quick survey of the store, he took Li Changle by the hand and headed straight for the famous watch appraisal area, considered the most reputable appraisal site in Huahai City.


    The area was rtively quiet, and hardly any customers sought identification services. It was not surprising since the majority of those who own luxury watches purchase them directly from authorized dealers, eliminating the need for authentication. It was only on rare asions, such as receiving gifts from subordinates or significant others, that people would bring their watches for appraisal.


    An elderly expert sat in the appraisal area, probably around sixty.


    Liu Yong smiled modestly and asked, "Master, can you give me a rough estimate of its value?"


    The old master looked at the watch and said


    Based on its condition and authenticity, I estimate it to be worth at least a few hundred thousand yuan, if not more. However, for a more urate appraisal, I suggest you take it to a professional auction house or antique dealer."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong nodded and thanked the old master. He felt relieved that he had made a good investment and knew that he could sell the watch for a reasonable price in the future.


    Just about to ask how much this watch was worth, a man in his thirties hurried over and shouted, "Master, help me look at this watch." Is the watch authentic?"


    The old master replied, "I''m sorry, sir, but I have to finish reading this watch first. Please wait patiently ore back another time."


    The man grumbled but eventually agreed to wait. Meanwhile, the old master continued to examine the gold watch in his hand, and after a few more minutes, he spoke,


    "This Patek Philippe watch is ancient but still in good condition. Based on its rarity and age, its value is around 500,000 yuan.


    Liu Yong was surprised at the high appraisal value. He had no idea that the watch he found would be worth so much.


    He thanked the old master and decided to hold onto the lookout for a while longer, maybe even consider selling itter on.


    As they left, Li Changle turned to Liu Yong and asked,


    "Are you going to sell the watch?"


    Liu Yong replied, "I haven''t decided yet. It''s worth a lot of money but also a piece of history. I think I''ll hold onto it for a while longer and see what happens."


    ...¡­.


    Xu Jianzhong, a middle-ranking member of the Proton Shipping Group, was the recipient of ttery and a prestigious timepiece from his subordinates. The watch would be worth between 20,000 and 30,000 yuan if authentic. He was instructed to bring the clock for the appraisal on the day he received it.


    Perhaps Xu Jianzhong''s authoritarian behavior in the Proton Shipping Group carried over into his personal life. He had grown ustomed to being prioritized and expected others to make concessions for him.


    Watches worth 20,000 to 30,000 yuan may appear daunting to ordinary individuals, but such timepieces held little significance in this particr setting.


    The master, unable to tolerate the silence any longer, spoke calmly to the young man before Liu Yong could intervene. "Son, do you have any idea the value of this gentleman''s watch?"


    A smile formed on the elderly master''s face, and he enlightened the young man,


    "This is no ordinary timepiece. It is a limited edition Patek Philippe watch that is over a century old. As per my estimation, there are only a handful of these watches left in existence, and they are valued at no less than 10 million yuan. In fact, well-preserved ones are even more scarce."


    Xu Jianzhong was stunned.


    It took a long time to return to his senses, and he nced at Liu Yong in awe, guessing in his heart, who was, to have such a precious watch.


    Provoking an individual of such stature was ill-advised, and discretion was the better part of valor. Thus, it was best to retreat and avoid any unnecessary conflict.


    Desperately, Xu Jianzhong hastened his pace and made a swift departure from the scene.


    Chen Hu shouted behind his back, as a support for his smart Boss Liu Yong.


    "Dude, your watch hasn''t been appraised yet, don''t wait here until we finish appraising it."


    Xu Jianzhong shuddered involuntarily, and a flush of embarrassment crept up his aged face, tainting it red.


    Liu Yong and Li Changle exchanged nces and broke into a smile, thoroughly amused by the unexpected turn of events. Little did they anticipate that appraising a mere watch would provide such a fascinating episode.


    After Xu Jianzhong left, Liu Yong asked: "Master, is this watch really worth so much money?"


    The master said with a serious face: "I have been in this industry for decades, and I still have this vision. The value of this watch is more than 20 million."


    Despite its unremarkable appearance, the pocket watch was valuable, much to Liu Yong''s surprise. He found it difficult to believe that even a simple gold pocket watch could hold such great value.


    Li Changle shared Liu Yong''s incredulity and pulled at his sleeve, her expression filled with disbelief. "I''m in awe, this watch is worth a fortune," she eximed.

 Chapter 53 Selling To Young Man

    ?It took Liu Yong a long time to calm down.


    Liu Yong never anticipated that he would assist the police in retrieving a box of shotguns, uncover a sunken ship, ande into possession of an antique watch valued at over 20 million yuan.


    The master appraiser, noticing Liu Yong''s cheerful demeanor, inquired,


    "Mr. Liu, would you mind if I examine the contents of the watch by opening it?"


    After a moment''s pause, Liu Yong expressed some hesitation.


    Given the immense value of the antique watch, Liu Yong was apprehensive about the potential risks involved in opening it, as even a slight mishap could result in significant losses.


    Noticing Liu Yong''s apprehension, the master appraiser attempted to assuage his concerns by reassuring him, saying,


    "You don''t have to worry. I am a seasoned professional, and I will simply open the watch cover to examine its contents without tampering with any of the internal parts."


    After much contemtion, Liu Yong eventually acquiesced and nodded in agreement.


    Once granted permission, the master appraiser pried the watch cover using a specialized tool, revealing the internalponents.


    Upon inspection, it became apparent that most of the watch''s internal parts had been crafted from gold¡ªonly a select few necessitated alloy steel and other materials, consequently employed for thoseponents.


    True to his word, the master appraiser refrained from manipting any of the internalponents, instead opting to thoroughly examine the watch using a professional-grade magnifying ss.


    After an extended period spent scrutinizing the watch''s inner workings, the master appraiser eximed,


    "It''s remarkable that after over a century has passed, the internalponents remain in such exceptional condition. It is exceedingly rare."


    The watch possesses a certain degree of airtightness, which has yed a critical role in preserving its internalponents. Despite submerging in seawater for over a century, some seawater has undoubtedly permeated the watch''s interior. However, the watch''s hermeticity has enabled it to create a rtively stable environment, thereby minimizing corrosion and preserving the internal parts. Although there are some rust spots, they are not indicative of severe erosion, and the overall condition of the watch is rtively good.


    Liu Yong mentioned, "I attempted to wind the mainspring, but the watch remains motionless."


    The master appraiser responded reassuringly, "It''s not a significant issue. With some minor repairs from a professional, the watch can be restored to its normal functioning state."


    As the two discussed the antique watch, a young man in his early twenties approached and positioned beside them. He appeared to be a few years younger than Liu Yong.


    After leaning in for a closer look, the young man spent a minute or two scrutinizing the watch intently, with his gaze seemingly transfixed upon it.


    After carefully examining the antique watch for a short while, the young man could contain his enthusiasm no longer and blurted out,


    "Brother, your watch is really impressive. Would you be interested in selling it to me?"


    It was apparent that the young man was eager to purchase the watch on the spot, despite its extreme value, which exceeded 20 million yuan, making it a highly sought-after timepiece coveted by collectors around the globe.


    Don''t say that Liu Yong was slightly surprised. The Master who appraised this watch also nced at the young man in surprise and reminded:


    "You want to buy this watch. Do you know what kind of watch it is?"


    The young man, seemingly undeterred by the master appraiser''s cautionary words, replied humbly,


    "I''m not an expert in watches, but this timepiece appears to be in excellent condition. Can you tell me more about it, Master?"


    The master appraiser replied, "This is a limited edition Patek Philippe watch from over a hundred years ago. It is crafted from 18K gold and is believed to be an extremely rare timepiece. If it is as well-preserved as this one, its value is even higher. In fact, this watch is worth a fortune."


    The young man then inquired, "Master, may I ask how much this watch is worth?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but chuckle at the young man''s question, realizing he must have known the watch''s worth already. The master appraiser replied,


    "In my professional opinion, the value of this watch is estimated to be at least 20 million or more."


    When most people hear a number like 20 million, their typical reaction is to get astonished, but this young man didn''t but looked happy.


    "Great, I finally found a decent antique watch, I must buy it." The young man cheered.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but wonder who he was and why he was so unfazed by such arge sum of money. It could be that he was a wealthy individual or from a wealthy family, but Liu Yong needed help to be sure.


    After expressing his happiness, the young man introduced himself as Ding Wen and mentioned his interest in collecting various items, including antique watches. He said his desire to acquire a timepiece but admitted that he still needed to attain the level of expertise of a seasoned collector. He then asked Liu Yong to offer him a watch.


    As the interested buyer gazed at him imploringly, Liu Yong responded candidly, "I''m Liu Yong, and I''m willing to sell it to you. However, my asking price is non-negotiable at 30 million."


    Since the Master had appraised the item at over 20 million, Liu Yong set his asking price at 30 million, not wanting to shortchange himself.


    When Ding Wen saw the high cost, he made a plea, "Brother Yong, your asking price seems steep. The Master''s appraisal was 20 million, so would you consider epting my offer of 21 million?"


    The two bargained for a price and finally settled for 26 million.


    Ding Wen said: "That''s 26 million, but please wait for me for a day, I will raise some money, tomorrow we will pay with one hand and deliver with one hand, how about it?"


    Liu Yong was not in a hurry for this day and agreed: "Yes, you cane to mypany tomorrow and bring a cash check."


    "Okay, that''s it."


    The young man replied.


    The two left each other''s contact information and added WeChat friends to each other. Ding Wenhuan went happily. Before leaving, he repeatedly told Liu Yong that he must keep this antique watch for him.


    As Liu Yong watched the man leave, he felt a sense of contentment. "What an intriguing individual," he thought to himself. Initially, the prospect of receiving over 20 million yuan had seemed effortless. However, raising the necessary funds appeared moreplex than he had anticipated. Nheless, Liu Yong remained optimistic and resolved to find a way to gather the required funds.


    Paying the appraisal fee, Liu Yong carefully put this antique watch in his pocket, which is worth 26 million.


    Once he had stowed away the newly acquired watch, Liu Yong nced at the prominent watch disys. He then took Li Changle''s hand and eximed, "Let''s go! Come with me to purchase a timepiece."


    The high-end watch is a status symbol, and sessful or wealthy individuals often sport it. Despite his sess, Liu Yong still needed to acquire a top-quality watch.


    Apanied by Li Changle and followed by Chen Hu, they perused the various counters of renowned watch brands. After browsing for a while, Liu Yong became enamored with a set of matching couple''s watches with a price tag of 868,000.


    Despite its steep price, Liu Yong was pleased with the watch''s aesthetic appeal, craftsmanship, and prestigious brand. Donning such a luxurious timepiece would undoubtedly boost his image and reputation.


    "Lele, what do you think of this watch set? You can wear the women''s watch,"


    Liu Yong suggested to Li Changle. However, Li Changle shook her head quickly and expressed hesitation about the cost.


    Liu Yong reassured him, "As my girlfriend, it''s only natural for me to give you something. Don''t worry about the price."


    Li Changle remained resolute in her principles, stating that he could not ept something of such high value. Despite Liu Yong''s attempts to persuade her, Li Changle did not waver.


    Liu Yong was impressed by Li Changle''s integrity and principles. He realized Li Changle was unlike other girls who might have preferred more expensive gifts from their boyfriends.

 Chapter 54 Colab + Cooperation -

    ?The following day, Liu Yong arrived at thepany bright and early. Upon entering his office, he promptly organized the items he had brought: a pair of delicate porcin figurines and a stylish gold flintlock pistol, which he intended to use as decorative ents in his workspace.


    Liu Yong even brought gold and silver coins to his office, which he ced in a ss cab for the time being to serve as decorations. He figured that some of the coins were likely quite valuable, and he nned to have them appraised by a professional when he had the chance.


    With everything arranged to his liking, Liu Yong gazed upon the coins with satisfaction before making himself a cup of coffee and settling into his Boss''s chair to enjoy it rxedly.


    Qiu Yang and the rest of the team managed thepany''s affairs, so Liu Yong didn''t have to be involved in the day-to-day operations.


    After enjoying his coffee, a knock was at the door, and Qiu Yang entered the room. He had just finished a meeting with other management team members, whichsted around 30 to 40 minutes, and hade to update Liu Yong on the oue.


    Liu Yong said: "Sit down, how is thepany''s situation recently?"


    Qiu Yang hade to report thepany''s current status to Liu Yong. As soon as he asked, he gave a detailed update.


    "We have sessfully positioned our first bulk carrier, and we n to ship our first coal shipment to RB tomorrow. Additionally, the construction of the 100,000-ton container ship we booked at Qidong Shipyard has already begun,"


    He reported.


    Liu Yong listened intently, taking in all the details of the report.


    As Liu Yong listened to the update from Qiu Yang, a sense of satisfaction began to spread across his face. Thepany''s progress was pleasing, and it was a relief to know that the first shipment of coal would soon be on its way.


    But Qiu Yang had more news to report.


    "Boss, there is a matter that requires your attention. We have received an offer to purchase a 150,000-ton bulk carrier that is 70 to 80% new, and negotiations with the seller are currently underway,"


    He informed Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong felt great pride, "If you believe the price is reasonable, go ahead and make the purchase. But remember, in the future, we should aim to acquirerger vessels, those with a ss of 100,000 tons or more. Let others handle the smaller ships ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 tons. They are not what we need."


    He was confident in thepany''s potential and knew it could handle more extensive operations. With this in mind, thepany would focus on acquiring ships that could handle more significant volumes of goods, emphasizing vesselsrger than 100,000 tons.


    Indeed, ships ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 tons are not necessarily small, but Liu Yong held a particr disdain for them. Thepany focused on establishing itself in the global ocean-going market, and on achieving this goal, it needed to acquirerger vessels. Theserger ships would enable thepany to undertakerger-scale operations, resulting in higher profits in the ocean-going business.


    Of course, the investment required to acquire theserge vessels was also significant. Nheless, Liu Yong was determined to make the necessary investments to ensure thepany''s long-term sess.


    Qiu Yang couldn''t help but feel a sense of excitement as he thought about the prospect of thepany acquiring vesselsrger than 100,000 tons. He knew this would be a significant step forward for thepany, putting them on the path to sess in the ocean-going business.


    With a nod of agreement, Qiu Yang responded, "Boss, we will follow your instructions, and we will ensure that all future vessel purchases are above 100,000 tons."


    The news of Liu Yong''s n to invest another 2 billion in thepany was overwhelming for Qiu Yang. He couldn''t contain his excitement as he heard the news, and his face lit up


    with enthusiasm.


    The prospect of such a significant investment in thepany would enable them to expand its operations further and take on more meaningful projects. Qiu Yang knew that with this investment, thepany would be able to achieve its goals and be a significant yer in the ocean-going business.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Qiu Yang''s excitement was palpable, and Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile at his reaction. He knew that the investment news would have a massive impact on thepany''s employees and their morale.


    "I hope you and the management team can work together to achieve this goal," Liu Yong said, his tone serious.


    Qiu Yang nodded vigorously, "Don''t worry, Boss. We will work hard to make thepany the best in the world!"


    Liu Yong nodded in satisfaction, "Good. Now, let''s discuss the next steps for thepany''s development."


    Qiu Yang was thrilled to be part of such an ambitiouspany. He realized that working in the world''srgest ocean shippingpany was a dreame true. He couldn''t help but think about how far they could go with a visionary leader like Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong smiled and said, "I believe in you, and I believe in our team. Let''s work together to create a bright future for ourpany."


    Qiu Yang left the office with a determined look on his face. He felt motivated and inspired by Liu Yong''s ambitious vision and investment n. He was determined to work hard and contribute to thepany''s growth and sess.


    As Qiu Yang left the office, Liu Yong settled into the Boss''s chair and contemted his aspirations. He resolved to work diligently and swiftly to be a prominent figure in ocean transportation since that was his ultimate goal.


    Capital investment is not a problem as long as Bawang finds a few more valuable shipwrecks on the bottom of the sea; after building a solid transport fleet, we are confident inpetition.


    If thepetitors dare to provoke and do something wrong, Liu Yong will order the Overlord to show them some color.


    At around ten o''clock in the morning, Ding Wen came over.


    The man who emerged from the elevator appeared winded as if he had rushed to their meeting. Fortunately, Liu Yong had given him instructions, so he encountered no obstacles. The receptionist then led him to Liu Yong''s office.


    Upon entering the room, Ding Wen immediately presented the cashier''s check for the 26 million he had prepared. "Brother Yong, the funds are ready, and so are the goods," he announced.


    Liu Yong inspected the check and smiled contentedly. "The goods are yours to keep," he replied. "As for this transaction, do you think we should draw up a formal agreement or contract?"


    Ding Wen dismissed the need for a formal agreement with a wave of his hand. "No need, I trust you, Brother Yong," he said casually.


    Liu Yong then retrieved the antique watch from his desk drawer and ced it in a beautiful box he had purchased the day before to add a touch of formality.


    Upon receiving the box, Ding Wen eagerly opened it and examined the contents repeatedly, unable to take his eyes off the antique watch. After several minutes of admiring it, he eximed,


    "My dream has finallye true. With this watch, my collection can now be considered top-notch."


    After storing the watch away, Ding Wen remarked, "Brother Yong, did you know that I''ve amassed over a hundred antique pocket watches, but none of them can hold a candle to this one. I''m finally content. With this watch, I can boast for quite some time in my collection circle."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but look at Ding Wen a few more times, intrigued by his impressive collection of antique watches at such a young age. He couldn''t help but wonder how much money he must have spent on them. Ding Wen may have had a hidden source of wealth, such as a personal gold mine.


    Despite Liu Yong''s curiosity, Ding Wen did not disclose any information about his family background and did not feelfortable asking. Since they had only met twice, it would be impolite to pry into his personal affairs so soon.


    After admiring the watch, Ding Wen surveyed the rest of Liu Yong''s office. Suddenly, his eyes became fixated on something, unable to look away.

 Chapter 55 Lets Hangout Together

    ?Collecting was Ding Wen''s most excellent hobby, and he didn''t limit himself to antique watches. He was also interested in calligraphy, paintings, bronzes, porcin, coins, and other collectibles.


    One of his prized collections included several pieces of pastel porcin from the Qing Dynasty. His passion for collecting had taken him to various antique markets and auctions, and he was always searching for the next unique and valuable addition to his collection.


    Ding Wen was amazed and excited as he stood and walked over to the two Famille rose porcin vases. He was surprised that Liu Yong had used Qing Dynasty pastels as decorations in his office and couldn''t contain his admiration.


    "Brother Yong, you are so clever! Using such precious Qing Dynasty pastels to decorate your office is amazing!"


    Ding Wen eximed, impressed with Liu Yong''s taste and appreciation for rare and valuable antiques.


    Ding Wen smiled and carefully picked up one of the family rose vases to appreciate it closely. He was fascinated by the vase''s delicate details and rich colors. After a few minutes, he gently ced it back on the table.


    "Brother Yong, these two pastels are really treasures. If you ever want to sell them, please let me know first," Ding Wen said with a smile.


    Liu Yongughed and said, "Sure, I''ll keep that in mind. But for now, let''s focus on our current business dealings."


    Ding Wen nodded and continued their conversation about the transaction they had justpleted. However, Ding Wen couldn''t help but steal nces at the two pastels from time to time, already imagining where he would disy them in his collection.


    Ding Wen smiled, took out a pair of white gloves from his pocket, and put


    them on, then carefully picked up the pastel porcin bottle and looked at it.


    After admiring it for several minutes, he put down the porcin vase and eximed:


    "It''s really beautiful, a rare boutique. Although it doesn''t have a model, I suspect it is also from Jingdezhen."


    Ding Wen examined one object before moving on to another to appreciate it. His eyes sparkled excitedly as he read "Made in the Kangxi Period of the Qing Dynasty" on the second object. Turning to Brother Yong, he eximed,


    "This is a piece from the official kiln! I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon it today."


    Kangxi famille rose porcin is already scarce, and those from the official kiln are rare. While Ding Wen''s collection includes two or three pieces of Qing Dynasty famille rose porcin, they are unmarked and likely from a folk kiln rather than the official kiln.


    Seeing Ding Wen''s surprise, Liu Yong smiled happily, satisfied with his reaction.


    Ding Wen gazed at the porcin pieces for several minutes before finally speaking up, "Brother Yong, would you be willing to part with these two pieces of famille rose and sell them to me?" His expression turned to plead as he awaited a response.


    Liu Yong was straightforward: "Yes, no problem, as long as the price is right."


    Ding Wen suddenly ted and eximed,


    "Brother Yong, you are so loyal. From this day forward, you will be my big brother, and I''ll stick with you."


    Liu Yong was taken aback and remained stunned for some time.


    "Yes, I have messed with you. You are my brother Yong. If there is any time, just say a word, and I will go through fire and water."


    Ding Wen said again.


    Liu Yong replied,


    "There''s no need to go through great lengths. We truly know each other and have be friends. Let''s stay in touch and get together more often in the future."


    Ding Wen nodded quickly.


    Liu Yong rmended finding a professional organization to appraise and determine the value of the items. Once established a price, the transaction can ur, and get the payment before the things are delivered.


    Ding Wen agreed with Liu Yong''s suggestion, stating that it was the fairest way to proceed with the transaction. However, he should have mentioned needing a few days to raise the money. As a sophomore in college, he didn''t have any ie and would need to ask his father for financial support.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Ding Wen credited his father''s financial support for enabling him to build such an impressive collection. He reluctantly returned the two pieces of famille rose porcin to their original ces, urging Liu Yong to keep them safe for him and never sell them to anyone else. Liu Yong readily agreed to honor Ding Wen''s wishes.


    Just as he was about to chat with Liu Yong again, Ding Wen''s eyes were suddenly attracted, and he walked quickly to the ss cab in the office and looked at the gold and silver coins in the cab through the ss.


    "Fuck, Brother Yong, it''s unreasonable. How can you have so many foreign gold and silver coins?"


    Ding Wen asked.


    Ding Wen also collects coins, but most are domestic, with few foreign gold and silver coins. Now, he saw more than a hundred coins at once.


    Observing Ding Wen''s excitement, Liu Yong couldn''t help butugh joyfully. The surprise positively impacted both of them and having such a friend in their lives felt good. Liu Yong felt grateful that he could turn to Ding Wen to lift his spirits when feeling down.


    Ding Wen would have refrained from doing it and insisted otherwise if he knew what Liu Yong was thinking. It left Ding Wen surprised and happy.


    "I am unsurprised that you have collected so many foreign gold and silver coins. It''s only natural given your impressive abilities,"mented Ding Wen.


    "But can I take a look at them through the ss?"


    Liu Yong replied, "Certainly."


    After getting permission, Ding Wen opened the cab''s ss door, picked up a gold coin, looked at it, and picked up another one after looking at it for a while.


    He watched it for at least ten minutes.


    He reluctantly put down the gold coins in his hand, his expression showing both envy and longing as if he wished he owned them himself.


    "Brother, can I take a photo?" he asked. "I''ll help you find someone who can identify which countries issued these gold and silver coins, as well as their respective values."


    "Of course, you can take as many pictures as you''d like," replied Liu Yong, "Just make sure to arrange them neatly afterwards."


    With happiness written all over his face, Ding Wen eagerly retrieved his mobile phone and took individual pictures of each gold and silver coin, capturing both their front and back sides. It took him over ten minutes to photograph more than a hundred coins.


    Liu Yong was embarrassed and said, "But, I have already made an appointment with my girlfriend, and we have dinner together at noon today."


    Ding Wen waved his hand, "It''s easy, call my sister-inw together, and the three of us will eat together. I know a good seafood restaurant. Let''s go there now."


    After hesitating, Liu Yong still agreed: "Okay, then you go first, send me the location when you arrive, and I will pick up my girlfriend first."


    "Okay man!"


    He said.


    Initially, Li Changle could take a taxi herself, but Liu Yong would still pick her up. After a while, Chen Hu drove to the No. 2 Middle School of Huahai City.


    It was already around 12:30 noon when Liu Yong picked up Li Changle and arrived at the restaurant Ding Wen mentioned.


    After parking the car, Liu Yong said: "Chen Hu, you are also together."


    Chen Hu felt a slight sense of emotion stirring within him. Being nothing more than a driver and bodyguard, he had intended to wait for his boss to enter the restaurant before finding a nearby ce to eat and satiate his hunger.


    Upon first nce, Chen Hu could tell that the restaurant was of a high caliber. Being brought to such a high-end establishment by his boss for dinner, he felt a sense of warmth and gratitude in his heart.


    Soon after, Ding Wen arrived and opened the menu, and ordered the dishes.

 Chapter 56 26 Million Yuan, Not 2600 Yuan.

    ?Liu Yong took Li Changle''s hand and walked in front, with Chen Hu behind.


    The restaurant was impressive and had ample space. It was evident that Ding Wen had put a lot of thought into treating his guests to dinner for the first time.


    The restaurant hadrge ss water tanks brimming with a wide array of fresh seafood, including lobsters that weighed a few kilograms, abalonesrger than a fist, swimming crabs that weighed over a kilogram, king crabs, and various types of fish from the sea.


    Li Changle said happily: "Brother Yong, this is the first time for me to visit such a high-end seafood restaurant."


    Liu Yong said: "If you like to eat seafood, I often bring you here."


    Talking andughing, they quickly went to the second floor and opened the door to enter the box that Ding Wen had reserved.


    Ding Wen had been waiting for a long time. When he saw Liu Yong and the othersing in, he immediately got up enthusiastically and took the initiative to pull out a chair.


    "Brother Yong, please sit down."


    Then he said enthusiastically to Li Changle: "Sister-inw, sit next to Brother Yong."


    Li Changle''s face turned red when he called her sister-inw, but she was still delighted in her heart.


    She happily sat down beside Liu Yong.


    Once everyone had arrived, Ding Wen instructed the waiter to serve the dishes. Soon, the dishes began toe one by one, with a predominant focus on seafood.


    Ding Wen was a well-known food enthusiast with keen attention to detail regarding dining.


    Enjoying a meal with someone of his reputation was considered a blessing for everyone present. In any case, Liu Yong found the meal to be quite refreshing.


    As the night drew to a close and it was time for Liu Yong to depart, Ding Wen couldn''t help but recall the two pastries he had seen earlier, still lingering on his mind.


    Ding Wen repeatedly reminded Liu Yong not to forget about the two pastries, urging him to keep them safe.


    "Don''t worry, I will keep them safe," Liu Yong replied.


    As they were about to get into the car, several luxury cars arrived, stopping at the restaurant''s entrance. Arge group emerged from the vehicles, with a young man at the center, surrounded by over a dozen others who crowded together.


    "Make way!" the group shouted. "Don''t obstruct us, move aside!"


    The entourage and attendants apanying the young man arrogantly pushed their way forward, speaking bluntly and defiantly demanding that others move aside.


    Liu Yong asked Ding Wen in a low voice, "Who is that person? Could it be some famous celebrity?"


    Ding Wen replied, "It''s quite obvious, that seems to be the eldest son of the Proton Group."


    "I see," Liu Yong replied with a hint of disdain.


    It is well known that the most significant ocean shipping group in Huahai City has over 100 ships of varying sizes and total assets of more than 10 billion. Despite being the son of a businessman, this young man only had two coins to his name, yet he carried himself with an air of arrogance and made himself out to be a big shot. Liu Yong found it unptable.


    After the other party passed by, Liu Yong signaled for them to continue and said, "Let''s get in the car." Ding Wen waved goodbye to Liu Yong and headed to his car.


    Liu Yong and Li Changle boarded the car and were quick to return. They took Li Changle back to her residence after at least an hour or two of shopping.


    Driven by Chen Hu, Liu Yong returned to hispany.


    Liu Yong smiled as he sat in his office, reminiscing about his recent dinner with Ding Wen. Despite their short time together, Liu Yong had a feeling that Ding Wen was someone he could easily make friends with and maintain a longsting friendship with.


    After making himself a coffee, Liu Yong picked up the phone on his desk and called Hu Shijun.


    "Brother Yong, you are looking for me."


    Liu Yong nodded slightly and then took out the 26 million cash check.


    "Junzi, go and buy me a luxury yacht."


    "What!"


    Hu Shijun thought he had heard it wrong, and he was stunned for a long time before returning to his senses.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After receiving the 26 million cash check, his mouth was wide open, looking shocked.


    Hu Shijun was taken aback by the request and eximed, "Brother Yong, this is 26 million yuan, not 2600 yuan. Are you sure about this?"


    Liu Yong looked at Hu Shijun and said, "Yes, you heard me correctly. Take this 26 million and buy me a yacht." Liu Yong''s confidence was unwavering.


    Hu Shijun admired Liu Yong and eximed, "Brother Yong is truly impressive!" He expressed his eagerness to purchase the yacht.


    Liu Yong reassured Hu Shijun, saying, "The money is all yours. If you need more, just ask." Hu Shijun quickly responded that the sum was sufficient.


    With 26 million yuan at his disposal, Hu Shijun was confident he could purchase an excellent luxury yacht. He clutched the cash check tightly, unable to contain his excitement.


    I felt a great sense of excitement in my heart. Brother Yong is unique and undoubtedly the most outstanding graduate in our ss.


    In a world where everyone is struggling with work and facing immense pressure, the best we can hope for is to afford a scooter worth 10,000 to 200,000 yuan. However, Brother Yong is on a different level altogether. He is a true winner in life, having already surpassed everyone and leaving them with an unattainable goal.


    Brother Yong has everything from luxury cars to prestigious homes and yachts. Liu Yong gazed at Hu Shijun with satisfaction and advised him, "Go ahead and make the purchase without any pressure. Just ensure you buy the best one avable, as money is not an issue."


    Liu Yong''s confidence in this matter was well-founded, and money was not a concern.


    Hu Shijun examined the cash check once more before nodding with enthusiasm. "Rest assured, I will make this a top priority," he dered.


    "Believe me, in a matter of days, you will have a luxurious private yacht," Hu Shijun assured Liu Yong.


    Private yachts priced over 20 million yuan are generally considered high-end and are a joint possession among the wealthy.


    In the past few days, anyone who has paid attention to the news knows that the prince of country A and his party are visiting Huahai City unofficially.


    Why the prince of country A visited Huahai City, the political factors involved are generally not studied by ordinary people.


    Everyone is interested in the status of the prince of country A. Everyone talks about it because His Royal Highness and the princess visited Huahai City together.


    Liu Yong was driving on the bustling streets of Huahai City, and the co-pilot was Li Changle.


    "Brother Yong, look at the traffic control ahead."


    Liu Yong has seen it. There are traffic police and police cars in front of him, and they cannot pass through for the time being.


    Liu Yong smiled and said,


    "Maybe some important person is going to pass by here."


    Li Changle said:


    "I read the news that the prince of country A is paying an unofficial visit to our Huahai City. Is his motorcade just passing by here?"


    After waiting for a few minutes, a long convoy passed by.


    A police car cleared the way in front, followed by several ck vehicles.


    In the middle is an extended convertible car, which Liu Yong can see clearly. A young man in a robe and a turban is in the car.


    Beside the man is a beautiful woman with blond hair. Undoubtedly, the young man should be His Royal Highness Prince of Country A, and the beautiful woman next to him is his princess.


    Liu Yong said: "Your guess is not wrong, it is indeed the prince of country A."


    Li Changle also looked at this convoy and asked curiously: "The prince of country A came to Huahai. What is he doing here?"


    Liu Yongdao: "Mostly it is rted to oil. Country A is the world''srgest oil reserve and producer, and our Yan country just needs to import a lot of oil every year."


    Li Changle fully agreed with this guess, nodded, and said: "Maybe, it''s because of the oil."


    After the convoy entirely left, the traffic police opened the traffic control, and Liu Yong drove on.

 Chapter 57 The Breathing Technique

    ?Hu Shijun remains highly efficient, as he has already managed toplete the task assigned to him yesterday. He has already located a brand-new, luxurious yacht currently docked at the pier. Liu Yong ns to inspect the vessel first before potentially making a purchase.


    As they drove by the pier, Liu Yong caught sight of Hu Shijun and numerous yachts of various sizes moored at the dock. It appeared to be a private yacht club, with the pier almost entirely upied by the boats.


    Hu Shijun had arrived at the pier early, apanied by the sales manager of a private luxury yachtpany. Arge yacht docked nearby, catching Liu Yong''s attention, and he suspected this was the one they had been looking for.


    "Brother Yong!" Hu Shijun eximed with delight upon seeing Liu Yong and introduced him to Manager Kang from XXX Company.


    Manager Kang eagerly greeted Liu Yong and enthusiastically shook his hand. "Mr. Liu, it''s a pleasure to meet you. Wee to ourpany to purchase our luxury yachts. XXX Company is the leading private luxury yacht agency in China, and we only import the finest yachts," he exined.


    Manager Kang provided further details about theirpany, including the imported yachts they sold as agents.


    He then gestured towards the brand-newrge ship docked at the pier and said, "This is a private yacht that was imported from Germany and specially designed for billionaires. It measures 48 feet in length and features three upper and lower floors. The yacht also boasts an impressive range of 1500 nautical miles."


    Liu Yong waved his hand and said, "Go, take me up to have a look."


    "No problem, follow me."


    As Manager Kang continued his introduction, Liu Yong carefully inspected the yacht and was quite pleased with what he saw. While not overlyrge, the yacht''s 48-foot length was still substantial. Moreover, the vessel exuded an air of luxury andfort, which impressed Liu Yong.


    After examining the yacht briefly, Liu Yong quickly decided, saying, "Great, let''s proceed with the necessary procedures with our President Hu."


    Manager Kang felt overjoyed upon hearing this news. It was rare to encounter such a decisive and cheerful customer, especially considering this luxury private yacht at more than 20 million.


    Liu Yong bought the ship from thepany.


    The following day, therge yacht set sail with Liu Yong, Li Changle, Hu Shijun, Ding Wen, and Chen Hu on board.


    Chen Hu felt a deep sense of warmth and was determined to do his best and remain loyal to his boss. Liu Yong treated him exceptionally well and showed him the great value, strengthening Chen Hu''s resolve.


    "Let''s set sail!" cried Hu Shijun, standing on the bow deck and exuding the excitement of a child. It was his first time experiencing the open sea on a private yacht.


    Ding Wen seemed in a good mood but didn''t disy the same excitement as Hu Shijun. Perhaps, sailing on a yacht was nothing new for him.


    The sky was clear and blue, and the yacht sailed across the vast expanse of the sea.


    The sea breeze gently blew, and a white seagull could see gliding by every so often. The sensation was beautiful, and Liu Yong''s spirits were higher than ever.


    Ding Wen suggested: "I''m familiar with this area and know of a nearby diving resort. How about we go there for some fun?"


    Liu Yong agreed: "Okay, let''s go there and have fun."


    The yacht sailed for dozens of nautical miles before stopping for an hour or two.


    Ding Wen stood beside Liu Yong and enthusiastically asked, "Brother Yong, how deep can you dive?"


    Liu Yong looked at the blue sea and guessed: "It''s at least two or three hundred meters away."


    Ding Wen replied, "No need for that, the water depth here is only tens of meters. The sea water is clear, and the seabed scenery is stunning. It''s a popr spot for diving enthusiasts."


    Upon seeing the clear blue sea water, Liu Yong was thrilled to have some fun. He quickly stripped down his shorts and eximed, "I''ll go down and take a look first!"


    Ding Wen insisted: "But the water pressure here is rtively high, and without equipment, it''s dangerous. Please put on the diving equipment for your safety."


    Liu Yong nodded and agreed to wear the diving equipment. Ding Wen quickly got the equipment and helped Liu Yong put it on. After checking it was all good, Liu Yong jumped into the water and started exploring the seabed''s beautiful scenery.


    "Indeed, I spent summers with my friends in the water during my childhood. We all yed together in the small river at our vige''s entrance."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong said.


    The nature of water is intrinsically positive, possessing qualities simr to those of a powerful ruler, such as strength, agility, and physical prowess that surpass that of an average individual. Furthermore, there is the added advantage of the turtle breath technique.


    Liu Yong stood at the back of the boat with only a pair of goggles, ready to dive into the crystal-clear seawater below without any additional diving equipment.


    Li Changle expressed concern, "Yong, please be careful."


    Liu Yong responded with an "okay" gesture before diving into the water with a ssh. His entry posture was precise.


    "It''s so refreshing and cool in the sea," he eximed.


    It was the beginning of August, typically the hottest period of the year.


    Ding Wen shouted excitedly, "Yong, I''m going to grab some diving equipment and join you in the water!"


    The seawater was remarkably clear, with excellent visibility.


    Once they entered the water, their visual experience transformedpletely, like they had entered an entirely different world. In the distance, schools of fish are visible and looking downward, and the seafloor seems almost translucent.


    With ease, they swam toward the sea floor, which was approximately 50 to 60 meters away. It was no surprise that this ce was renowned as a diver''s paradise, given the perfect depth of the water.


    The underwater scenery was breathtakingly beautiful.


    The underwater environment boasted an array of colorful corals and swaying seaweeds. Some appeared like long streamers, while others resembledrge des of grass. The seaweed looked like a miniature underwater forest in ces where it was thick.


    Unlike a muddy seabed, there were only a variety of reefs, corals, and seaweed, among other vibrant and unidentifiable things that Liu Yong couldn''t name.


    Apart from the splendid reefs,  sand has covered the seabed.


    After seeing two thick whiskers, Liu Yong''s interest got piqued, and he skillfully captured a giant lobster hiding in the fine sand on the seabed.


    "Oh my goodness, it''s huge! It must weigh at least seven or eight catties," he eximed.


    Lobsters weighing three to four catties are rtivelyrge, making Liu Yong''s giant lobster exceptionally rare.


    After three or four minutes, Li Changle began to grow concerned. Liu Yong had yet to resurface, and she was apprehensive that something might have gone awry.


    "Ding Wen, please hurry and check on him. I''m so anxious," she implored.


    Ding Wen reassured her, saying, "Don''t worry, Sister-inw. Perhaps Brother Yong has excellent water skills, and he can remain underwater for three to five minutes."


    Despite his reassurances, Ding Wen still harbored some concerns. Holding one''s breath for three to four minutes underwater was considered an impressive feat, and most people could not achieve it.


    He wondered, "But surely Brother Yong will be okay, right?"


    While continuing to console Li Changle, he hastily donned his diving equipment. Even though he wasn''t ready to use the oxygen cylinder yet, he put on his diving suit, goggles, and snorkel and prepared to dive into the water.


    Just as Ding Wen was about to dive into the water, Liu Yong suddenly resurfaced, eximing joyfully,


    "Quickly grab the bag! I caught two enormous ones, we have something to eat!"


    Everyone was dumbfounded as they gazed upon the items in Liu Yong''s hands.


    "Oh my goodness!"

 Chapter 58 Strength Level Is As Same As The Skill Level?

    ?A giant lobster is in the left hand, and a big abalone is in the right.


    The group was initially taken aback by Liu Yong''s sudden appearance and his remarkable catch. However, they quickly regained theirposure and were overjoyed. Hu Shijun hastily fetched a bucket, while Ding Wen fetched a bag.


    After cing his catch in the bucket, Liu Yong picked up the bag and dered,


    "The underwater scenery is stunning, and there are evenrger catches to be had. I''m going to dive down again and get some more. Don''t worry about me; I can hold my breath for four or five minutes without any issues."


    Liu Yong is confident in holding his breath for longer than four or five minutes. He could stay underwater for 40-50 minutes if he wanted to, but he doesn''t want to worry his friends.


    After waving to everyone, Liu Yong again submerged into the bottom of the sea. Seeing that Liu Yong was okay, Ding Wen rxed, put on his oxygen cylinder, ensured everything was in ce, and dove into the water.


    "Yong is correct, the underwater view is still breathtaking," hemented.


    "Look, it''s Brother Yong!" Ding Wen eximed upon spotting Liu Yong. He quickly swam towards him and was once again amazed when he peered into Liu Yong''s pocket.


    It hasn''t been long, but Brother Yong has already made another impressive catch. His bag now contains a swimming crab weighing at least half a catty, a sea cucumber, and a conch bigger than a fist.


    "Brother Yong is incredible!" Ding Wen eximed in admiration, throwing himself onto the ground. He swam over to Liu Yong and gave him a thumbs up.


    To everyone''s amazement, Liu Yong caught a giant grouper that weighed seven to eight catties. It was an incredible feat, and everyone was impressed.


    As a food lover, Ding Wen couldn''t resist the temptation of so much delicious seafood. He disyed his culinary skills and prepared a seafood feast for everyone.


    As the distance between the yachts diminished, Liu Yong could see more clearly. He noticed a young man dressed in a robe and turban, realizing it was the prince from country A.


    They appeared elegant people who went to sea on their yachts to enjoy the ocean. Many individuals were on their boat, including officials from Huahai City, members of Prince A''s entourage, and several well-known people from Huahai City.


    As the yachts got closer, many people on the deck, including a dozen individuals, including princes and princesses, leaned on the railings, gazing at the sea below.


    Ding Wen quipped, "Did they drop something into the sea? So many people are looking down at the water."


    Hu Shijun remarked, "It does seem like something was dropped."


    Liu Yong replied, "If something falls into the sea, finding it again could be as challenging as reaching for the stars."


    Sticking to his principle of not being too intrusive, Liu Yong kept his yacht at a distance of over two hundred meters and sailed past without getting too close.


    By the time they returned to Huahai City, it was already ten in the evening. They all had a meal together and then parted ways. Liu Yong dropped off Li Changle at her home before returning to his vi.


    Sitting on the sofa in the living room, he chatted with Li Changle on his mobile phone for a long time. Then, Liu Yong opened the pet panel. Bawang hadn''t contacted him for several days. How is his situation now?


    Based on its growth rate, its weight should already exceed 10 tons.


    On the pet panel,


    [[??Name: Mutant Snapping Turtle


    Strength: 600


    Constitution: 600


    Agility: 600<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Weight: 10 tons


    Average swimming speed: 100 knots


    Skills: Level 1 tortoiseshell technique, level 1 tortoise breath technique, level 1 super perception.


    ]]


    Seeing such a situation on the panel, Liu Yong was slightly puzzled.


    For example, strength, constitution, and agility are generally the highest in power, while the other values ??are slightly lower. Now, they are all 600.


    It is the first time Liu Yong has seen such a situation.


    The weight is precisely 10 tons, not too much, not too little, and the speed is gratifying, reaching 100 knots. Ordinary torpedoes do not have such a speed. All kinds of fish in the sea, facing the rate of the Overlord, will be Just beyond reach.


    Even swordfish, known as expert swimmers in the ocean, would be considered slowpared to the Overlord''s speed of 100 knots.


    Liu Yong smiled and said, "It''s okay, we can take our time. It''s not a race. Besides, you are doing a great job protecting our yacht and keeping us safe during our sea trips."


    The Overlord said proudly, "Of course, it''s my duty to protect you and the yacht. And, Master, if you want to find sunken treasures, I have a suggestion."


    Liu Yong raised his eyebrows and said, "What''s your suggestion?"


    The Overlord replied, "We can use sonar technology to search for sunken ships. I can help you scan the ocean floor with my sonar system, and we can cover arger area in less time."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement. "That''s a good idea. Let''s do that next time we go out to sea."


    The Overlord happily responded, "Yes, Master. I can''t wait to find some treasures for you!


    Aftermunicating with Bawang for a while and confirming that it was in good condition, Liu Yong felt relieved, but he couldn''t figure out why Bawang''s attributes were all 600, and its weight was precisely 10 tons.


    After serious thinking for a while, Liu Yong thought of a possibility.


    The Overlord has reached its physical limit and cannot grow any bigger or stronger. Its current size and attributes may also result from a trade-off between various biological factors, such as energy consumption, maneuverability, and hunting efficiency. Regardless of the cause, the Overlord''s size and abilities are already impressive and unmatched by most sea creatures.


    "It would be a pity if this is the case."


    Liu thought.


    While it''s understandable to have such a dream, it''s important to note that the growth of living creatures is limited by their gic makeup, environment, and other factors. While some animals can grow to enormous sizes, such as blue whales, which can reach over 100,000 pounds, it''s unlikely that the Overlord will get such a size. It''s also worth considering the potential impact of having such arge creature in a rtively small and crowded area like the sea around Huahai City.


    Upon awakening the following day, Liu Yong''s initial action was to check the pet panel. He had a restless night, preupied with Bawang''s condition.


    Opening the pet panel again, Liu Yong suddenly found that the Overlord''s situation has not changed, and the three attributes are still 600, which has not increased.


    Liu Yong sighed and said,


    "It may be the limit of Overlord."

 Chapter 59 Sleeping Feature Was Added

    ?Throughout the day, from morning until nightfall, Liu Yong repeatedly opened the pet panel to monitor the status of the Overlord. However, despite his efforts, the Overlord''s attributes and weight remained unchanged.


    Liu Yong was feeling down as he sat on his sofa at home, pondering how the Overlord had not shown any signs of progress, which was a first for him. He couldn''t help but wonder if this was the Overlord''s limit.


    Feeling lost and somewhat uneasy, he turned to Bawang and asked,


    "How are you doing, Overlord?"


    Liu Yongmunicated with his pet once again, showing genuine concern for its well-being.


    Bawang responded,


    "Master, I have a voracious appetite and can eat a great deal. In fact, I''ve consumed two to three times my normal amount of food over the past couple of days."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but chuckle at Bawang''s impressive eating habits.


    Liu Yong was surprised to hear that the Overlord had been consuming such an enormous amount of food, as he typically ate a quarter to a third of his body weight, which was more than enough.


    He realized that very few creatures could eat so much in a single day, and the thought made him uneasy. The situation seemed even more daunting now.


    Bawang''s food consumption had increased to two or three times the usual amount, meaning it consumed around five to ten tons daily.


    After being taken aback by this staggering amount, Liu Yong asked with concern,


    "Aside from the increase in food consumption, have you noticed any other differences from your usual behavior?"


    After some thought, the Overlord responded, "I feel quite sleepy right now and would like to take a good nap."


    Typically, the Overlord had abundant energy, and this was a new development that puzzled Liu Yong as well.


    Unable to determine the cause of the Overlord''s behavior, Liu Yong replied,


    "If you feel like sleeping, then please find afortable ce to rest."


    "Alright, I''ll find a spot to rest on my own," replied the Overlord.


    After concluding themunication with Bawang, Liu Yong spent considerable time chatting with Li Changle.


    The following morning, Liu Yong''s first action upon waking up was to open the pet panel and check Bawang''s condition, just as he had done a few days earlier.


    Liu Yong was taken aback by what he saw. Although the Overlord''s attributes, weight, and skills remained unchanged, "sleeping" was added after describing the mutant snapping turtle.


    Such as


    [[


    Name: Mutant snapping turtle (sleeping)


    ......¡­.


    ¡­,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,


    ,,,,,,,,,,


    ]]


    This new development had not urred before, and Liu Yong attempted tomunicate with the Overlord but had yet to receive a response.


    He couldn''t help but wonder if this meant that...


    Liu Yong had a hunch that after falling asleep, Bawang may undergo an upgrade and continue to evolve.


    Filled with anticipation, Liu Yong awaited the Overlord''s awakening from its deep slumber.


    Gradually, the sense of loss he had felt earlier gave way to a renewed sense of hope.


    At around nine o''clock, Liu Yong arrived at hispany and settled in his office. It wasn''t long before Qiu Yang came in and greeted him.


    "Good morning, Boss!" he said.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong nodded in acknowledgment and asked, "Have the full 2 billion funds arrived?"


    This investment was a significant milestone for thepany, and everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the funds.


    Here''s a possible rephrased version of the text:


    Liu Yong confirmed that the 2 billion funds had arrived and asked Qiu Yang, "So what''s your n now?"


    Qiu Yang had already given it some thought and responded confidently, "I n to rapidly expand thepany''s scale by recruiting top talents and expanding our fleet."


    He talked about his n and which giant ships he ns to buy, including bulk carriers, container ships, etc.


    After listening, Liu Yong asked, "Currently, which route is the most profitable?"


    Qiu Yang hesitantly replied: "Of course, it is to transport oil to the Middle East."


    Liu Yong decided: "Then let''s buy at least tworge oil tankers, 100,000 tons or more, and try to travel to the Middle East."


    Qiu Yang cautioned, "While it is a possibility, the associated risk is significant. The Middle East''s intricate rtionships make it possible for certain forces to detain the ship."


    "Anyone who dares to seize Lao Tzu''s boat is clearly bing impatient," remarked Liu Yong, feeling a twinge of irritation that he kept to himself. "We''re not afraid of taking risks, as long as we can reap the rewards," he added.


    As they discussed the prospects of theirpany, Liu Yong''s phone rang, interrupting their conversation.


    When Liu Yong answered the call, he heard Gao Dake''s voice on the other end. "President Liu, my apologies for calling unexpectedly. It is Gao Dake from the Eastern District Bureau," he said.


    Liu Yong'' recalled meeting Gao Dake during their previous coboration with the police to recover stolen firearms. He was taken aback by Gao Dake''s courteous demeanor, wondering if there was a particr reason for his call.


    "Hello, Gaoju. Please get straight to the point, and don''t hesitate to speak your mind," replied Liu Yong, cutting to the chase.


    Gao Dake followed suit and got right to the matter, saying, "Mr. Liu, I''ll be direct with you."


    "Here''s the situation: The prince of Country A and his entourage are currently visiting Huahai City. Two days ago, while on a yacht trip, the princess identally dropped her ne into the sea," exined Gao Dake.


    "The ne is not only of exceptional significance as it is the engagement ne of the prince and princess, but it is also of great value. Crafted by top international jewelry masters, it features a sky blue diamond worth 25 million US dors alone, and the total value of the ne is estimated to be over 50 million dors," borated Gao Dake.


    If the ne is worth 50 million US dors, it equals 300 million or tens of millions in Yan country currency, a significant sum. It is no wonder that Country A is known for being a wealthy nation.


    Gao Dake exined that the local authorities in Huahai City are taking this incident very seriously and have already mobilized search and rescue teams to recover the ne. However, despite their efforts, they have yet to locate it thus far sessfully.


    "Although the water depth in that particr sea area is not excessively deep, measuring just over 300 meters, it has exceeded the limits of traditional diving methods. Salvage operations in this area would require the use of advanced pressure-resistant metal suits, or better yet, a seabed salvage robot," said Gao Dake.


    "His Royal Highness has offered a substantial reward for the recovery of the ne. If an individual orpany is able to salvage the ne, he is willing to pay 20 million US dors," continued Gao Dake.


    Liu Yong was astounded by the reward amount. "$20 million!" he eximed.


    Liu Yong got tempted, but unfortunately, Bawang was still sleeping and didn''t know when he would wake up.


    Gao Dake said: "Mr. Liu, yourpany has strong deep sea salvage capabilities, you can try it."


    Liu Yong quickly said, "Gao Ju, thank you for telling me the news."


    Gao Dake said modestly: "It''s just a matter of raising your hands. If you can salvage the things, that would be the best. I believe that the big leaders in the city also hope to salvage the things as soon as possible."


    "Okay, I see, let''s get ready right away."


    After the call ended, Liu Yong thought in his heart, 20 million US dors!


    Bawang remains in a prolonged slumber, and his awakening is uncertain. To secure the 20 million US dor reward, Liu Yong may have to take matters into his own hands. He informed Qiu Yang of His Royal Highness'' offer while discarding King Concubine A''s ne into the depths of the sea, which was over 300 meters deep.


    After giving his order, Liu Yongmanded, "Get me a full set of deep-sea diving gear right away. I intend to use it myself."


    Liu Yong is determined to take on the diving mission himself.


    Qiu Yang responded, "Deep-sea salvaging and exploration are among our specialties. I have already arranged to purchase diving and exploration equipment. Thepany has everything you require."

 Chapter 60 With Those Skills, I M Capable Of Doing This!

    ?Huahai City was home to a luxurious five-star hotel. The establishment had recently hosted the visit of His Royal Highness, the prince of country A. As a result, security measures across the entire hotel had been considerably heightened, particrly on the floor where the prince had resided.


    Within the opulent presidential suite, the princess took full responsibility for a recent mishap and again apologized to her significant other. "I''m so sorry, my love. It''s entirely my fault - I lost our engagement ne."


    His Royal Highness offered words offort to the distressed princess.


    "Don''t me yourself too much. You also had an unfortunate ident and fell into the sea. That''s why I issued a reward announcement of 20 million knives, in the hopes of salvaging the ne."


    Princess Wang''s spirits appeared dampened as she expressed her doubts.


    "I don''t know, though. The water depth there is over 300 meters, which is close to the limit for diving. Moreover, the ne is so small - it would be incredibly difficult to locate it on the ocean floor."


    The challenge of locating the ne in a salvage depth of over 300 meters made the task seem all the more daunting. However, salvaging the chain on the ocean floor would be more straightforward once located.


    After some careful consideration, His Royal Highness made a decision. "Let''s extend our stay in Huahai City for another two days. We can leave once we''ve exhausted all possibilities of finding the ne."


    As he concluded, His Royal Highness added a final thought. "I want to make it clear that the 20 million knives reward will remain valid indefinitely. Regardless of who salvages the ne or when they do it, they will receive the reward from me."


    The princess joined in, her tone hopeful. "May God bless us, and let''s hope that someone can find and retrieve the ne within the next two days."


    "Agreed," replied His Royal Highness, agreeing with the sentiment.


    The announcement of the 20 million US dor reward was akin to dropping a bombshell on the city of Huahai.


    The news of the reward spread like wildfire across various media tforms, including television, the inte, and mobile phones. Soon enough, even ordinary citizens became aware of the unprecedented reward offer.


    The announcement of the 20 million US dor reward for the lost ne triggered a wave of intense discussions among the public.


    "I can''t believe it - $20 million! I wish I could be the one to find it," eximed one individual.


    "Stop dreaming! It''s nearly impossible - like finding a needle in a haystack," responded another, dampening the initial excitement.


    However, some remained hopeful.


    "There are always professionals who can take up the challenge. With the right equipment and technology, it''s still possible," they added.


    Especially the massive reward of 20 million US dors can attract everyone''s attention.


    The news of the lost ne and the 20 million US dor reward spread like wildfire through social media. Friends shared the news, and in no time, the information was being forwarded from one person to another, multiplying exponentially.


    The speed at which the news got transmitted was nothing short of unprecedented. Within hours, it had reached many people across the city and beyond.


    Liu Yong has already prepared things, and Chen Hu is driving to the pier.


    Seeing the news in the circle of friends on WeChat, Liu Yong smiled slightly and thought, I hope I can be that lucky one.


    At the pier, as Liu Yong loaded his belongings onto the yacht, he asked Chen Hu, "Do you know how to drive a yacht?"


    Chen Hu replied confidently, "No problem, I''m capable of driving this yacht."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement. He realized inviting other people to drive the yacht wouldplicate matters further.


    Chen Hu, on the other hand, was his bodyguard and had proved to be trustworthy and loyal over time. Liu Yong hadplete faith in him, so he felt relieved andfortable entrusting him with such an important task.


    Chen Hu drove the yacht, and reaching the target sea area took about an hour and a half.


    Upon arriving at the location, Liu Yong was surprised to see at least seven or eight ships within a radius of one or two kilometers.


    He hadn''t anticipated such a high level ofpetition, but he knew he couldn''t give up just yet. He had to find a way to stand out and increase his chances of finding the ne.


    Some are simply fishing boats, and there are also three or four professional salvage boats.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    It was the first one to drive arge yacht like Liu Yong.


    As soon as the yacht arrived, it immediately caught the attention of several people on nearby boats.


    "Look, someone''sing with a yacht."


    "It''s probably just here to watch the show."


    "I don''t think they have the professional salvage equipment to find and retrieve the ne."


    Othersughed and dismissed Liu Yong''s chances of sess, especially the professionals who had been attempting to salvage the ne for days.


    The professionals on the nearby boats had thoroughly prepared for the salvage operation. They had professional salvage ships, advanced personal diving equipment, underwater wiredmunication equipment, underwater search equipment, and many other advanced tools and devices.


    They had been trying to locate the ne for days and had failed. They thought a small yacht like Liu Yong''s would have no chance of finding the ne. But Liu Yong was determined to try his luck and see if he could find the ne using his methods.


    For example, the exploration robot used on a specific salvage ship with a long line behind it. What the robot sees underwater, the image will be sent back to the boat through the data line.


    Diving into such depths requires a lot of physical and mental strength and professional skills. The risk of nitrogen narcosis, oxygen toxicity, and other dpression sicknesses is also a concern. However, Guo''s team was well-equipped with experienced divers familiar with deep-sea diving operations.


    Liu Yong was getting ready to dive, paying no attention to the people watching him. He was confident and prepared to take the plunge. Liu Yong felt so at ease in the water that he could have dived without wearing any gear or oxygen tank, opting only for a pair of underpants. He didn''t do it only to avoid drawing attention to himself.


    Bawang can quickly dive to depths of one or two thousand meters. While Liu Yong and Bawang have different physical builds, it is still possible for Liu Yong to dive to depths of three to five hundred meters without any significant issues.


    Liu Yong told Chen Hu, "You stay in the cockpit, I''ll dive down to the bottom of the sea to look for it."


    Chen Hu seemed a little worried and replied, "Boss, please be careful and make sure to prioritize your safety. I''ll wait for you on the boat."


    Liu Yong appeared rxed and confident, replying, "Don''t worry, I''m highly skilled in water activities. There won''t be any problems."


    Chen Hu initially wanted to point out that deep-sea diving requires more than just good swimming skills, but he knew that once Liu Yong made up his mind, there was no use in trying to persuade him otherwise.


    Liu Yong appeared unfazed by the task ahead. As he approached the stern of the yacht, he noticed a deck that had


    been carefully designed to be lowered to the seawater level, making it easy to enter the water.


    He quickly changed into a specially designed diving suit made of metal, which could withstand the pressure and allow him to dive to a depth of up to three or four hundred meters. In contrast, a typical rubber diving suit could only handle depths up to 100 meters.


    In the distance, around three to four hundred meters from Liu Yong''s yacht, there was a salvage ship belonging to the Dianshi Company. They had been drawn to the area by the $20 million bounty and were eager to im it.


    Xu Shufei scanned the area with a telescope from the deck and spotted at least seven or eight other ships. However, he did not seem bothered by thepetition and instead wore an expression of contempt.


    One of his subordinates tried to tter him by saying, "Boss, that $20 million bounty is as good as ours."


    Xu Shufei nodded in agreement and looked at the yacht through his binocrs.


    "Looks like someone on that yacht is getting ready to dive. They''re wearing diving equipment,"


    Xu Shufei scoffed at the idea of someone diving to such a depth without experience.


    "That''s simply asking for death. Even experienced divers wouldn''t dare attempt it."


    "We''ll send our own divers down once we find the ne, but we won''t be so reckless," he added.


    Liu Yong, on the other hand, paid no attention to those around him. He was fully equipped with an anti-pressure diving suit and an oxygen cylinder and felt confident in his abilities.


    Once fully suited up, Liu Yong dove into the water without turning on the oxygen. While it may take others a long time to reach such depths, gradually increasing the pressure, Liu Yong didn''t have to worry about such difficulties. He went straight down to the ocean floor.

 Chapter 61 Skill Upgraded To Super Vision Power (Level 1- Level 2 )

    ?Liu Yong was initially concerned about his surroundings. He noticed several ships nearby, possibly equipped with underwater cameras, that could capture his activities. However, he is now less worried about being detected.


    The seabed at a depth of over 300 meters is pitch ck, and even with a diving mask, one cannot see themselves. However, this means that Liu Yong has nothing to worry about and can proceed without fear of being detected.


    As Liu Yong searched the seabed, he found it was in good condition, with mostly t terrain and very few rocks. Most of the seabed was covered in sand, making it much easier for him to search. Only a few areas had stones, which made the search slightly more challenging.


    Liu Yong proceeded with a cautious and thorough search on the seabed. Since he was looking for a small ne, he couldn''t afford to be careless and let it slip away. His quest was meticulous and slow, taking several minutes to thoroughly search an area of only tens of square meters.


    As Liu Yong continued his search, a group of fish swimming nearby scattered quickly upon seeing him, as if he was an unwee intruder. Simrly, a giant octopus fast-swam away in fright upon discovering Liu Yong''s presence.


    Feeling sorry for disturbing the peaceful lives of these underwater creatures, Liu Yong apologized in his heart for any inconvenience he may have caused.


    Despite searching the seabed for at least half an hour without using any oxygen, Liu Yong feltfortable and experienced no difort. Based on this, he estimated that he could continue his search for another 30 to 40 minutes without any issues.


    Due to wearing an anti-pressure diving suit and carrying an oxygen cylinder, Liu Yong''s movements could have been more rxed and clumsy. However, afterpleting his search, he resurfaced and returned to hisrge yacht.


    Chen Hu was honest and remained in the cockpit throughout the search.


    After removing all his diving equipment, Liu Yong put on a pair of swimming shorts and discreetly entered the water from the back of the yacht. This time, he felt much lighter and enjoyed the sensation of the vast sea and the leaping fish.


    During his second search, whichsted over an hour and covered an area of 1,000 to 2,000 square meters, Liu Yong remained quiet and diligent. He eventually returned to the yacht without drawing attention to himself.


    After some time, Chen Hu emerged from the cockpit and asked, "Boss, how did it go?"


    Liu Yong responded, "The seabed area is too vast, and the ne is too small, so I was unable to find it immediately. Let''s take a break first. Please prepare some Chinese food, and I will resume my search after our meal."


    "Sure, no problem," replied Chen Hu.


    Although Chen Hu tried to remainposed, his heart was with tumultuous fear and worry. Despite staying in the cockpit, he closely watched Liu Yong''s movements.


    Chen Hu was terrified when he saw that Liu Yong went into the water wearing only a pair of swimming shorts and took an hour to resurface.


    Despite his experience serving in the special forces, Chen Hu knew that staying underwater for an hour was an incredible feat. Most people could only manage a few minutes at most.


    Chen Hu was amazed by his boss''s abilities and couldn''t help but wonder if he was some legendary ancient martial arts practitioner who had mastered techniques such as Turtle Breathing Kung Fu.


    Chen Hu managed to keep his horror to himself, recognizing that as apetent bodyguard, there were certain things that he had to keep to himself.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong paid little attention to what Chen Hu might be thinking. After taking a brief rest, he surveyed the other nearby ships and quietly slipped into the water again after determining that no one was paying attention to their area.


    During this search, Liu Yong was still unable to find the ne he was looking for, and he realized that the task at hand was more challenging than he had initially thought.


    Despite the t seabed terrain, the ne seemed well hidden and difficult to locate. Liu Yong felt like he was searching for a needle in a haystack, and his frustration grew with each passing minute.


    That''s a vast area to search; finding the ne could take a long time. Liu Yong will need to be patient and persistent in his search. It is also helpful for him to devise a systematic method of searching the area, such as dividing it into smaller sections andbing each section. He could also consider using technology like sonar or underwater cameras to aid in the search.


    Liu Yong pondered the difficulty of the search and wished he had ess to Bawang''s assistance. He couldn''t help but open the pet panel and check on Bawang but saw that the situation was still the same - Bawang was sound asleep.


    He is still dependent on his abilities, and Bawang''s chances of sess are likely slim.


    Chen Hu has made preparations for Chinese cuisine, ensuring everything necessary is avable on the yacht. The vessel boasts kitchens, refrigerators, and various ingredients and seasonings.


    "Boss, dinner is served," announced Chen Hu.


    With a nod, Liu Yong acknowledged, sat in the dining area, and ate his meal without fuss. After satisfying his hunger, he took a brief rest before setting out to sea once again.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Following a rest of approximately 20 to 30 minutes, Liu Yong reopened the pet panel in preparation for his uing dive. However, this time was unlike the previous ones, and Liu Yong was taken aback by what he saw.


    After a brief rest of around 20 to 30 minutes, Liu Yong reessed the pet panel in preparation for his dive. To his surprise, the disy showed something different this time - Overlord was not sleeping.


    The pet panel provided a clear and detailed picture of the situation.


    [[


    Name: Mutant Snapping Turtle.


    Strength: 600


    Constitution: 600


    Agility: 600


    Swimming speed: 100 knots


    Weight: 10 tons


    Skills: Turtle Breath (Level 2), Tortoise Shell (Level 2), Super Perception (Level 2), Super Vision (Level 1)


    ]]


    ¡­..


    Liu Yong felt a sense of delight as he observed the pet panel. Overlord had not only awakened from its sleep but also undergone an upgrade from level one to level two, acquiring a new ability known as supervision.


    While Liu Yong was unsure about the snapping turtle''s natural eyesight, he knew it could see even in the depths of the dark seabed with Overlord''s supervision. It would be beneficial in situations where the absence of light would render normal eyesight useless. Additionally, with Overlord''s new super perception, it could better understand its surroundings.


    Overlord''s keen perception range tripled from 100 to 300 meters at the second level. This range expansion was a significant improvement that pleased Liu Yong immensely.


    Moreover, adding a third-party vision to the pet panel excited Liu Yong the most. This feature exceeded his expectations and was even more effective than the previous "vision sharing" function.


    The vision-sharing feature allowed Liu Yong to see what Overlord saw, giving him a first-person perspective. However, the new third-party vision of the pet panel offered a wider field of view and a different perspective. This feature allowed Liu Yong to view Overlord, its surroundings, and its environment.


    The third-party vision was an upgraded version of the vision-sharing feature, providing a moreprehensive understanding of the underwater environment. Nevertheless, Liu Yong could still view things from the Overlord''s point of view through the pet panel.


    Liu Yong was astounded by the new third-party vision feature and used it to observe Overlord''s current situation. To his surprise, the feature revealed that Overlord was sleeping on an unnamed ind as if it had just woken up.


    Initially, Liu Yong had assumed that Overlord was sleeping on the seabed. However, the third-party vision revealed it was on a small, unnamed ind. Fortunately, no one was present on the ind, as seeing such a massive creature might cause panic.


    "Overlord, you''re awake," said Liu Yong.


    "Master, I woke up and I''m very hungry," replied Overlord.


    "Quickly fill your stomach, thene to me. There''s work to be done," instructed Liu Yong.


    "Understood, I''lle over as soon as I''m full," confirmed Overlord.


    As soon as Overlord entered the water, it began searching for food. However, the small fish and shrimps ignored its presence, and there wasn''t enough food to satisfy its hunger.


    But soon enough, Overlord spotted a big fish weighing several hundred catties. Without hesitation, it swiftly swam toward the fish. Its average swimming speed was about 100 knots, and it could even reach a faster burst speed. The big fish barely had time to react before Overlord swallowed it whole.

 Chapter 62 Super Vison & Super Perception Skills

    ?Bawang consumed hundreds of pounds ofrge fish in just a few bites. However, more was needed, as Bawang needed to consume several tons of food.


    Observing big fish in the sea ismon, and Bawang''s pace is exceedingly quick. In under ten minutes, Bawang ate several more sizable fish.


    "Wow, what a massive shark! I love it!" eximed Overlord.


    Having a superior vision is truly remarkable. Bawang could see those objects hundreds of meters away in the sea without any problems. For instance, even from a distance of seven or eight hundred meters, Overlord could discern that the creature before him was a colossal shark measuring at least five or six meters long.


    Thergest predator in this area, the massive shark, held a dominant position in the food chain. However, it got reduced to mere sustenance for Overlord.


    The colossal shark scarcely reacted to the impending threat. By the time it sensed danger, it was already toote. A blur rushed towards it at breakneck speed, and the shark was severed almost in half with a single bite.


    The swift and dark silhouette that dealt the deadly blow was indeed Overlord.


    It didn''t take Bawang long to devour the massive shark, and the entire feeding process was ruthless and gruesome.


    Several carnivorous fish got lured by the scent of blood and approached, likely hoping to share in the feast. However, upon catching sight of the colossal Overlord, they fled as far as they could.


    Terrified, the predatory fish fled at the mere sight of Overlord.


    Overlord cast a contemptuous nce at the fleeing creatures.


    Once he had sated his hunger, Bawang swam at a breakneck speed of 100 knots towards the sea area where Liu Yong was waiting. It took him less than half an hour to arrive.


    "Master, I have arrived. What task do you wish to assign to me?" Bawang inquired.


    Liu Yong exined, "Someone identally dropped a ne in the sea, and I want you to find it for me."


    He described the general location where the ne dropped, tentatively narrowing it down to approximately 200,000 to 300,000 square meters, roughly 400 to 500 mu.


    Ideally, the ne should be within this area. However, the search area may get expanded if not found.


    In addition to determining the search area, Liu Yong assigned tasks to each team member. He nned to search one-fifth of the site himself and delegated the remaining four-fifths of the search area to Overlord.


    Bawang got to search such a vast area due to its exceptional abilities in vision and perception.


    Despite the dim lighting in the depths of more than 300 meters, Bawang''s super vision allowed it to perceive the seabed as if it were daylight.


    After dividing the task between them, Bawang immediately acted and meticulouslybed the ocean floor for the lost ne.


    While no one was looking, Liu Yong slipped into the water and began scouring the seabed for the ne.


    However, Bawang''s search speed was significantly faster, more than ten times that of Liu Yong.


    While Liu Yong put in considerable effort searching an area of several hundred square meters, Bawang covered nearly ten thousand square meters in a rtively short time.


    Having Bawang as an excellent helper significantly increased the search speed and rxed Liu Yong.


    Afterbing through thousands of square meters of the seabed, Liu Yong returned to the yacht after spending almost an hour searching for the lost ne.


    At first, Liu Yong nned to take on one-fifth of the search area, but eventually, he decided to delegate all of the search tasks to Overlord, as he didn''t want to work so hard.


    "Overlord, I''m back on the boat. You continue to search the seabed," Liu Yong said.


    "No problem, master. I will do my best to help you find the ne. Just wait for my good news," replied Overlord.


    Following Liu Yong''s orders, Chen Hu started the yacht and sailed away. Liu Yong cited exhaustion as the reason for the early return and said he would resume the search tomorrow.


    Chen Shufei thought to himself, "Global Ocean Services? It seems that they have some rtionship with Liu Yong. Maybe they are working together."


    He decided to watch Global Ocean Services and gather more information about their business activities and connections.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    He had hoped to seize an opportunity to retaliate against Global Ocean Services, but such an asion did not present itself. Observing Liu Yong''s yacht departing and his wasted day, he smirked, experiencing an indescribable sense of satisfaction.


    Meanwhile, Bawang searched the sea floor tirelessly. His keen perception allowed him to sense even the slightest movements and anomalies in the water, making him an effective tool for finding the lost ne.


    As time passed, Bawang covered more and more ground, and his search area expanded beyond the initial boundaries of Liu Yong. However, despite his efforts, the ne remained elusive.


    Liu Yong''s yacht sailed further away and eventually vanished from sight. The other salvage vessels remained nearby, drawn in by the tempting $20 million reward.


    As the sun began to set, the sky gradually grew darker, yet the ships in the area showed no signs of departing.


    While some underwater probes and submersible robots continued to scour the seabed, their effectiveness paled inparison to that of Overlord.


    Dianshi Company has imported a salvage robot worth several million, which can detect and search. Some seen situations would be transmitted to the terminal equipment on the ship through the data line.


    Chen Shufei stood aboard the boat, addressing his subordinates:


    "Global Marine Services has returned empty-handed. We will search throughout the night and recover that ne."


    One of his subordinates remarked,


    "It was rather impulsive of Universal to sail their yacht here."


    "They were able to salvage the ne just like that. I''ll broadcast it live on Chixiang," Chen Shufei responded.


    The boat erupted in boisterousughter. Everyone, including Chen Shufei, was joyful, as if the ne was well within their grasp.


    Overlord continued its arduous seabed search, diving over 300 meters deep. After a few hours, it had meticulously scoured an area exceeding 100,000 square meters.


    "Why haven''t I found anything? Not even a single trace escaped my careful search," Bawangmented in frustration.


    Since there was no progress, Bawang took a temporary break and headed to the far sea to find something to eat.


    Bawang effortlessly swam tens of nautical miles within 20 to 30 minutes and caught a few sizable fish.


    However, Bawang knew it needed more food. With other marine creatures'' unmatched speed and superior vision, even in the faintest of light in the sea, they could easily spot and locate prey hundreds of meters away.


    Bawang noticed arge creature and eximed, "Huh, that''s a massive one!"


    Quickly swimming over to it, Bawang discovered it was a slow-moving jellyfish several meters in diameter.


    Overlord had no interest in the jellyfish as it had tried it before and found the taste mediocrepared torger fish.


    Bawang immediately spotted a more appealing target and swiftly approached it, quickly closing in on a sunfish several meters long and weighing several hundred kilograms.


    Bawang''s eyes gleamed with excitement as it realized that the sunfish was its ultimate delicacy, and there was no escaping from its grasp.


    Within minutes, Bawang had devoured all the sunfish, weighing hundreds of kilograms, satisfying its hunger.


    After less than an hour, Bawang had eaten its fill and returned to the sea area to continue searching.


    Suddenly, Bawang noticed a beam of light shining in the distance, about two or three hundred meters away. Intrigued, it swam closer and quickly recognized what the light was.


    "This is my territory. Who permitted you to search here?"


    Overlord felt annoyed, feeling as if his territory got infringed upon.


    As the object drew closer, Overlord grew even more irritated. Without hesitation, he charged forward and used his front paw to swat at the intruder.

 Chapter 63 My Another Success

    ?"This p may not pack the force of ten tons, but it still carries several tons of power."


    Bawang said vigorously.


    Despite making a noticeable ssh upon impact with the water, the Overlord''s powerful strike swiftly tore the robot apart, rendering itpletely unusable and causing all its cables to snap.


    "Stay out of my territory unless you have my permission. Consider this a warning." With a single swipe of his palm, the Overlord quickly dismantled the approaching underwater robot, letting out a sigh of relief and feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders."


    Bawang, feeling angered,shed out with a p, and suddenly the salvage ship belonging to the Dianshi Company exploded. Chen Shufei was taken aback and shouted.


    "What''s going on? Our screens just went ck all of a sudden," he asked.


    One of the technology team members checked the systems and replied, "Boss, it looks like our underwater robot malfunctioned."


    "Find out what went wrong immediately," ordered Chen Shufei.


    "We''ve invested millions in that underwater robot. We cannot afford any mishaps."


    The crew onboard the boat hurried to investigate.


    After a while, it became clear that the underwater robot had suffered irreparable damage - its cable was severed, and it could no longermunicate. Ity limp and useless, like a deted ball.


    Bawang had not anticipated that his p would create such a loud noise. Since there was no sign of any beams of light, he resumed his search carefully.


    When Liu Yong woke up the following day, he reached for his pet panel. The third-party perspective on the panel allowed him to witness Bawang''s search on the seabed in real time, almost like watching a live broadcast.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but find it strange. The seabed at a depth of over 300 meters is typically pitch ck, with low visibility. However, the third-party field of vision on the pet panel disyed a crystal-clear view with bright lighting and high resolution. Even the sand grains on the seabed were visible when zoomed in - it was awe-inspiring.


    Liu Yong observed Bawang''s search for a while and noticed he still needed to progress. He asked, "Bawang, how''s it going on your end?"


    The Overlord replied, "Master, I''ve been searching the designated area of 200,000 to 300,000 square meters non-stop, except for taking breaks to eat. However, I haven''t found anything from yesterday till now."


    "I''m certain that the ne isn''t in that area. I''ve already expanded the search area, but I still haven''t found it," reported the Overlord.


    Liu Yong was impressed by Bawang''s efficiency in covering such a vast area quickly. "You''re so smart!" he eximed, feeling delighted.


    Furthermore, Liu Yong noticed that Bawang''s intelligence level had significantly improved. He could now think without any help when faced with problems. For instance, if he searched a designated area and found nothing, he could make decisions alone and expand the search area ordingly.


    After having breakfast, Liu Yong decided to head to the sea area where Bawang was searching instead of going to thepany. Chen Hu was piloting the yacht, and once they reached the designated location, Liu Yong nned to wait for a while before diving into the sea. He was confident that the Overlord''s advanced search abilities, supervision, and perception would allow them to find the ne, even if it were a tiny target. He hoped to recover it that day.


    To everyone''s amazement, it didn''t take long at all before they heard the sound of Overlord''s surprise in Liu Yong''s mind.


    "Master, I''ve found a ne. I wonder if it''s the one you''re looking for," the Overlord reported.


    Liu Yong was suddenly filled with excitement and eximed, "Wait for me, I''ll be down there right away."


    The location where the ne dropped is slightly different from the official location, and the closest rescue ship to the yacht is also 500 meters away.


    When no one was watching, Liu Yong slipped into the water without diving gear and swam to Bawang''s location.


    "Master, look over there," Liu Yong eximed.


    He had spotted a ne resting on the seabed''s fine sand not too far from the Overlord. Feeling excited, Liu Yong quickly swam over and picked up the ne, scrutinizing it.


    After a brief inspection, he was almost sure that it was the one they were searching for.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The neprised hundreds ofrge and small diamonds, the most prominent of which was arge blue diamond. The pink diamonds surrounding itplemented the blue diamond''s beauty and made it even more striking.


    Liu Yong felt overjoyed upon realizing that he had found the ne. He gently patted Bawang''s massive head, expressing his gratitude for the sea creature''s help locating it.


    "Thank you, Bawang, for helping me find the ne. You did an excellent job."


    Bawang had fulfilled its task and was ready to return to the sea. Liu Yong bid it farewell, saying, "Go on, Bawang. You can return to the sea now."


    Liu Yong ced the ne on the table and proceeded to dry himself and change into dry clothes. Once he was presentable, Chen Hu arrived.


    Chen Hu immediately noticed the ne and asked with surprise, "Boss, did you find the ne?"


    Liu Yong smiled, "Yes, we were fortunate enough to recover it."


    Chen Hu looked at Liu Yong with admiration, impressed by his Boss''s impressive skills and capabilities.


    Excitedly, Chen Hu asked, "Boss, may I have a look at the ne?"


    The ne was worth over 50 million US dors and had been crafted by a renowned jewelry master, making it priceless.


    "Sure, go ahead," Liu Yong replied, allowing Chen Hu to inspect the ne.


    Upon receiving permission, Chen Hu carefully examined the ne. He handled it carefully and ced it on the table to observe it more closely.


    Chen Hu remarked, "Boss, this ne is worth over 50 million US dors. Since no one knows that you have found it, did you decide to keep it and forgo the 20 million US dor reward?"


    The difference between 20 million and 50 million was significant.


    The question was worth considering, and Liu Yong had thought it over. Ultimately, he imed the $20 million reward rather than keep the ne for himself.


    "The ne''s value is too well-known and distinct," Liu Yong exined.


    "If I were to keep it, others would quickly discover that it is the engagement ne of Prince A and Princess A. Furthermore, by keeping it, I wouldn''t be able to let it go or even see it in the future."


    Chen Hu nodded in agreement with Liu Yong''s reasoning.


    Even if someone were to disassemble the ne and sell off its diamonds, it would still be evident that the diamonds came from the engagement ne of Prince A and Princess A. Moreover, thergest and most valuable diamond, the blue one, would be difficult to hide.


    Given this, keeping the ne for personal use was not viable. Liu Yong''s decision to im the $20 million reward was logical.


    "Let''s go and collect our reward from Prince A," Chen Hu suggested.


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement, and the two set off to receive their hard-earned reward.


    Huahai City, in a five-star hotel''s presidential suite.


    Prince A and his concubine were preparing to leave, and their attendants were packing their belongings. The particr ne was also waiting to depart Huahai City that night.


    "I''m sorry, my dear. It seems like we won''t be able to find our engagement ne," the Prince said, seeing the Princess ming herself.


    He let out a deep sigh, feeling hopeless about the situation.

 Chapter 64 Relieved Royal Highness

    ?"Perhaps it''s truly lost."


    The Prince let out another soft sigh, noticing the princess''s expression of self-me.


    Unable to bear seeing her so distressed, he reassured her, saying, "At the moment, I haven''t been able to locate the ne, but perhaps I''ll be able to recover itter on."


    The Prince''s words meant to offer sce, but he had little hope of ever finding the lost ne.


    After attempting to console the princess, His Royal Highnessmanded: "Notify the city of Huahai that I will not be attending the dinner. I have no desire to participate."


    With his departure imminent, Huahai City had nned a farewell banquet in his honor. But with the ne still missing and his spirits low, the Prince had no interest in attending.


    "Understood. I will inform them immediately," replied the person in charge.


    Once his subordinate had departed, the Prince lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, lost in thought.


    A few momentster, a knock sounded at the door.


    The leaders of Huahai City arrived in person, driven to act upon learning that His Royal Highness would no longer attend the dinner.


    As the ones who had invited the Prince from Country A, they were eager to ensure that he left feeling content and happy rather than disappointed and disheartened.


    "Your Royal Highness," came a voice from outside.


    "Ah, Mr. Sun, I see you''vee in person," replied the Prince.


    After exchanging a few polite greetings, His Royal Highness said,


    "I apologize, but I''m afraid I won''t be able to attend the dinner."


    "Don''t worry, Your Highness," replied Mr. Sun.


    "From what I understand, there are multiple salvage ships currently working in the area. The ne is bound to be recovered soon."


    "Please don''t try tofort me, Mr. Sun," the Prince responded, his tone resigned. "I''m aware that the chances of finding the ne are slim."


    The leader of Huahai City was visibly relieved and vowed to take action, assuring the Prince that he would personally contact the most capable salvagepany in China to aid in the search. He remained optimistic that they would eventually find the ne.


    As Liu Yong pulled outside the hotel, he momentarily gazed at the grand building before stepping out of the car.


    Contrary to his initial n of sending Chen Hu, Liu Yong handled the matter himself.


    Upon approaching the hotel''s entrance, Liu Yong noticed tight security. Several sets of eyes immediately turned to him as he came.


    Despite the strict security measures, Liu Yong''s well-dressed appearance made him appear far from suspicious. No one attempted to stop him as he quickly entered the hotel lobby.


    He couldn''t help but wonder why a five-star hotel would have such a high level of security. Nevertheless, he continued with his n.


    It is worthy of being a five-star hotel; no wonder it is used as a reception hotel for His Royal Highness, the Prince of Country A.


    "Sir, you need to register. If you are staying in a hotel, it will not be open today."


    That was a security guard, probably a tiny captain or something, with a severe face, without any enthusiasm, as if Liu Yong was a troublemaker.


    Mr. Liu''s smile was barely visible as he spoke, "I''m not here to check-in today. I''ve heard that the Prince of Country A is staying at this hotel, and I''vee to find him."


    "What?!" The team leader''s expression became more alert, and two security guards approached Liu Yong from either side, surrounding him.


    Observing their defensive stance, Liu Yong sighed inwardly. They seemed to be anticipating trouble.


    "I suppose you''re not aware that the Prince is offering a reward of 20 million U.S. dors for the retrieval of a lost ne," Liu Yong remarked with a wry smile. "Well, I have found that ne."


    "What?!" The people in the lobby, including the team leader, exchanged bewildered looks, convinced they must have misunderstood what they had just heard.


    After a few moments of stunned silence, the team leader finally spoke up.


    "Is it true? Did you really find the ne?" he asked.


    Liu Yong pulled the ne out of his pocket and held it up for them to see.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "This is the real deal. You can''t fake something like this. Have a look for yourselves," he said.


    Though they hadn''t seen the ne before, they had heard descriptions of it, and the chain in Liu Yong''s hand appeared to match. "Sir, pleasee with us. Please wait a moment," the team leader said, leading Liu Yong away.


    Within an instant, the captain''s demeanor underwent aplete transformation. He appeared watchful and solemn moments ago, but now his disposition had evaporated entirely.


    Liu Yong mused to himself at the captain''s ability to instantaneously alter his countenance. He had never encountered someone capable of such swift and seamless change, and he couldn''t help but think that this talent would go in vain if not utilized in the acting profession.


    The team leader enthusiastically ushered Liu Yong to a sofa in the lounge area of the hall, signaling to the security guards that they could depart.


    He dashed to the reception desk, eager to share the good news.


    Meanwhile, within the expansive living quarters of the presidential suite, the officials of Huahai City sought to console His Highness, the Prince.


    Despite their efforts, His Royal Highness remained afflicted with a sense of hopelessness, and without the recovery of his ne, there seemed to be no hope for his recovery.


    An exuberant man, wearing a robe and turban, barged in with such excitement that he even forgot to knock on the door.


    "Your Royal Highness, I bring good tidings. Someone has recovered the ne, and it''s currently in the hotel''s first-floor lobby!" he eximed.


    His Royal Highness was left speechless by the stunning revtion.


    The officials of Huahai City were equally taken aback by the surprising news of the ne''s recovery.


    In response, His Royal Highness urgently beckoned for the person who had found the ne to get before him.


    Liu Yong''s escort hurriedly led him to the Prince''s location. Upon arrival, a courteous Middle Eastern man donning traditional robes and a turban greeted him with great respect.


    "Good day, sir. May I have a look at the ne?" the man asked politely.


    Liu Yong produced the ne from his pocket and held it up for the man''s inspection. It was evident from how the Middle Eastern man efficiently examined the chain that it was familiar to him.


    As Liu Yong''s demeanor grew increasingly polite, the staff member gestured for him to follow, leading him toward the elevator.


    As they made their way through the lobby, they attracted envious stares from onlookers.


    "Wow, he managed to salvage that ne? That''s unbelievable!" remarked one bystander.


    "If I were to receive a 20 million U.S. dor reward, I''d be so happy I''d faint!" chimed in another.


    "He''s really lucky. With that kind of money, he could live a worry-free life," added a third.


    Themotion stirred up by Liu Yong''s arrival in the hotel lobby left the security guards and the front desk staff unable to remainposed.


    The news of the ne found and the astronomical reward of 20 million dors had everyone in the lobby buzzing with excitement and envy.


    As Liu Yong entered the presidential suite, he was surprised to find several people gathered in the spacious living room. In addition to His Royal Highness and his subordinates, there were also a few oriental faces present.


    Among the group of faces, the leading middle-aged man seemed familiar to Liu Yong, as though they had met before.


    The middle-aged man looked at Liu Yong with a smile, his eyes filled with admiration.


    "What a relief! It''s really my ne! You have no idea how important this is to me. Thank you so much, Mr. Liu," His Royal Highness said gratefully.


    Liu Yong nodded, feeling a bit relieved as well.


    "I''m d I could be of help, Your Highness. It was my pleasure to assist you."


    The other oriental faces in the room also expressed gratitude and admiration toward Liu Yong.


    The middle-aged man who seemed familiar earlier approached him and said,


    "Mr. Liu, I am the chairman of a salvagepany based in Hong Kong. Your work today has left a deep impression on me. If you ever consider a career in the salvage industry, I would be more than happy to offer you a job."


    Liu Yong was surprised by the sudden job offer, but he thanked the man politely and said he would consider it.

 Chapter 65 My Girlfriends Best Friend

    ?After gazing at the ne for some time, Prince A ced it down, and the joy on his countenance intensified.


    The prince could immediately discern whether the ne was authentic or not, for it belonged to him.


    Setting down the ne, Prince A expressed his gratitude, saying,


    "I am indebted to you for aiding me in the recovery of this ne. I had feared it was lost forever."


    As he prepared to respond, a young man standing beside him, presumably the middle-aged man''s secretary, introduced himself, "This is our secretary, Sun."


    It dawned on Liu Yong why he felt a sense of familiarity, as the man before him was the esteemed leader of Huahai City. One could spot him quite frequently by keeping an eye on Huahai News.


    What an extraordinary leader!


    Without dy, Liu Yong greeted Sun Shu Ji, saying, "Hello, my name is Liu Yong. Please ept my business card."


    Following his words, Liu Yong handed over one of his business cards. Given that he was in the presence of a prominent leader from Huahai City, it was advantageous to make a favorable impression.


    It was especially true for people in business, as many of them sought to win the favor of Sun Shu Ji with the hopes that he would keep them in mind.


    Sun Shu Ji took hold of the business card and slipped it into his pocket rather than giving it to his secretary. With a joyful expression, he remarked,


    "Ah, so you''re Mr. Liu from Global Ocean Services. I heard from myrades in the Public Security Bureau that yourpany was responsible for salvaging the guns from the seabed in the arms transaction case that was recently cracked."


    Liu Yong was delighted, and a sense of pride swelled within him.


    He had never anticipated Sun Shu Ji would be aware of the guns hispany had assisted the police in salvaging during the recent arms transaction case. Moreover, Sun Shu Ji was rather impressed.


    However, Liu Yong was about to draw closer to Sun Shu Ji when he heard the news that the princess was approaching from the inner room.


    "Honey, we''ve found our ne!" eximed Wang Hao with a tone of disbelief, bringing them fantastic news.


    The prince responded, "Indeed, we have found it. We must express our gratitude to this gentleman for his assistance."


    The princess expressed her appreciation courteously.


    Before everyone was present, the prince ced the ne around the princess''s neck and dered,


    "Mr. Liu, the transfer of twenty million US dors will still require a check."


    Liu Yong promptly extracted a bank card from his wallet and offered it to the prince.


    "Please transfer twenty million US dors to this card," he said.


    His Royal Highness gestured, and one of his aides brought aptop and proceeded to facilitate the transfer of twenty million US dors in front of Liu Yong.


    Observing their professionalism momentarily, Liu Yong was reassured that the transfer was smoothly executed. He was reminded that he would receive a text message to confirm the receipt of the twenty million US dors shortly.


    "Mr. Liu, I cannot thank you enough," the prince expressed his gratitude once more.


    Liu Yong responded,


    "Your Highness, it was my pleasure to assist you. The twenty million dors have already been transferred to my ount. There is no need for you to thank me repeatedly."


    After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Yong bid his farewell and took his leave.


    As Liu Yong departed, Sun Shu Ji suggested,


    "Your Highness, you should attend tonight''s banquet. We will see you off."


    Having found the ne, His Royal Highness felt a sense of relief and joy. Without hesitation, he dered,


    "I will participate in the event and will be punctual."


    Liu Yong''s car pulled up at themunity entrance where Li Changle lived, marking his return to the No. 2 Middle School in Huahai City.


    "You can head back now. I''ll contact you when I need the car,"


    Liu Yong instructed his driver.


    "Boss, why don''t I wait around here for you?" asked the driver.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "It''s your call, but I don''t know how long it''ll take, so I can''t guarantee when I''ll need you," replied Liu Yong.


    "That''s alright, I''ll be around here any night. You can call me anytime," the driver said before driving away.


    Chen Hu still served as Liu Yong''s driver this time, but instead of the big G, they rode in the luxurious brand-new Cullinan.


    As soon as they arrived, Liu Yong navigated into the building where Li Changle was residing and rode the elevator up to her unit.


    Liu Yong pressed the doorbell, and the door swung open within moments.


    However, it wasn''t Li Changle standing in the doorway, but a young girl whom Liu Yong had never met before.


    The girl was beaming with delight and looked directly at Liu Yong.


    "You must be Liu Yong, Lele''s boyfriend," she eximed. "I''ve heard so much about you. Pleasee in."


    Liu Yong was slightly taken aback but stepped inside nheless.


    Liu Yong discovered that the young girl was Lele''s roommate and thanked her before following her into the apartment.


    The girl, whose name was Wang Li, was cheerful and talkative. "I''m Wang Li, and I''m not only Lele''s roommate but also her best friend," she said.


    "Ah, so you''re Wang Li. I''ve heard Lele mention you many times," replied Liu Yong with a friendly smile.


    As they continued their conversation, Li Changle arrived, apologizing for not being able to greet Liu Yong earlier.


    "Yong, I just went downstairs to pick up a delivery. I was hoping to catch you, but it seems I missed my chance,"


    She said with a hint of regret.


    Liu Yong replied, "It seems that I had just entered the elevator when you got off from another one. We just missed each other."


    Wang Li turned her gaze towards Li Changle and then to Liu Yong, whispering in Li Changle''s ear,


    "Lele, your boyfriend is so handsome. I''m curious if he''s wealthy.


    Li Changle smiled at Wang Li and rolled her eyes yfully, silently conveying her message that she was being nosy.


    Wang Li grinned and didn''t seem to mind at all.


    The two girls were great friends, and they talked about almost everything. Li Changle had mentioned Liu Yong several times, but she had never discussed his background, finances, or other personal details with Wang Li.


    Wang Li never bothered to inquire, assuming that Liu Yong was like any other young person.


    She had heard that he hailed from the same county as Li Changle but from a rural area.


    She knew he had only been out of university for over a year, so she assumed he was working at apany like most fresh graduates.


    Wang Li was lively and talkative, and Liu Yong found her quite likable.


    As the evening wore on and the sun began to set, Liu Yong suggested they all go out for dinner. Wang Li enthusiastically agreed and proposed a newly-opened restaurant located nearby.


    Li Changle expressed some reservations about the ce, having heard it was expensive. However, Wang Li was insistent, arguing that the restaurant had a lovely atmosphere and served exquisite dishes. She suggested they could choose more affordable options if concerned about the cost.


    Li Changle smiled at Wang Li and exchanged a knowing look with her.


    She is familiar with her girlfriend''s behavior and suspects she chose the restaurant to test her boyfriend''s financial capability. Even for a working-ss person, dining at this restaurant can be financially stressful, as ordering generously could easily cost half a month''s sry.


    Liu Yong said, "Since the restaurant has a pleasant ambiance, let''s dine there. Wang Li, can you lead the way?"


    Wang Li happily replied, "Sure, let''s go right now."


    The trio descended the stairs, engaging in cheerful conversation before arriving at the restaurant just a short walk away.


    Undeniably, the restaurant was exceptional.


    Upon entering the restaurant, Liu Yong was immediately pleased with the ambiance. The trio quickly found a seat and settled in. Wang Li, seemingly unconcerned about the cost, ordered an abundance of dishes from the menu as if she were paying the bill herself.


    Li Changle looked apologetically at Liu Yong, but he smiled back reassuringly, implying that it was alright and that she needed not worry about the cost of the meal.

 Chapter 66 What Should We Get ?

    ?Wang Li took a moment to nce at Liu Yong after cing their order.


    Surprisingly, she noticed that Liu Yong had only selected the more expensive items on the menu. By the end of their meal, they had likely spent no less than 7,000 to 8,000 yuan, roughly equivalent to a month''s sry for an average person.


    Wang Li assumed that Liu Yong would be heartbroken after seeing the expensive menu items they ordered.


    To her surprise, he didn''t show any such expression at all.


    Wang Li thought,


    "Perhaps he didn''t look at the prices of these dishes and doesn''t realize that I ordered something worth his one month''s sry."


    Liu Yong appeared calm and collected on the surface, but Wang Li could sense that he was perceptive and sharp-minded.


    "Sister, I just made 20 million bucks. Why should I worry about such a small amount of money? Tens of millions of dors is just a drop in the bucket," Liu Yong remarked after Wang Li had finished ordering.


    He then asked the waiter, "What is your signature dish? I want to try the most delicious one."


    As Wang Li had suspected, the most delicious dishes on the menu tended to be the most expensive.


    The waiter responded, "Our restaurant''s signature dishes are all highly regarded by customers for their taste. However, I would rmend trying our golden bird''s nest, which not only tastes great but also has a beneficial effect on women''s skin."


    Liu Yong''s gaze shifted toward the menu, and he noticed the golden bird''s nest price - almost 2,000 yuan per cup.


    "Alright, let''s order three cups," he said hesitantly.


    Wang Li''s eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this.


    She knew the exorbitant price of the golden bird''s nest - a few sips from a small cup could cost almost 2,000 yuan. It was a costly delicacy.


    Wang Li couldn''t help but look at Liu Yong with surprise, wondering if he was pretending to be wealthy or genuinely affluent.


    She thought, "Based on what Lele told me, Liu Yonges from a rural background and has only been working for a little over a year after graduating from university. It''s highly unlikely that he has a lot of money. Why did he casually order the expensive golden bird''s nest without batting an eye?"


    Wang Li felt a sense of frustration creeping up on her.


    She had suggesteding to this restaurant precisely because she knew it was expensive and wanted to test Liu Yong''s financial situation.


    She observed his behavior closely to determine Liu Yong''s financial status, generosity, and genuine interest in Lele. Having encountered men who proposed splitting the bill during a date, only to disappear with an excuse and block allmunication afterward, she hoped that Liu Yong would be different.


    The thought of being left with the bill was daunting, as neither she nor Lele had enough money to cover the expenses. It would be a miserable situation for them both.


    As Wang Li pondered their situation, a tinge of regret crept into her mind. She also remained vignt, making sure that Liu Yong wouldn''t escape.


    As they sat down and Liu Yong ordered three cups of gold medal bird''s nest, he asked Li Changle what she wanted to drink. Li Changle replied, "Anything is fine."


    Wang Li thought, "Oh no, I should have ordered more just in case Liu Yong decides to leave soon. But I can''t order any more now."


    Wang Li suggested, "Liu Yong, we could simply have boiled water. We don''t need to order anything."


    However, Liu Yong smiled and replied, "How can we not order any drinks? I have decided that we will have red wine. It has low alcohol content and women can drink it too."


    After speaking, Liu Yong shifted his attention to the waiter beside him and asked,


    "What is the best red wine you have in your shop?"


    The waiter responded, "We have Lafite and XO among our collection of red wines, which one would you like, sir?"


    Liu Yong said, "In that case, let''s have a bottle of Lafite."


    Wang Li had wanted to intervene, but before she could say anything, the waiter left to retrieve the bottle of Lafite.


    Shortly after, he returned with the bottle and asked,


    "Sir, this is Lafite, priced at 12,800. Would you like to open it now?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong gestured for him to proceed, "Yes, let''s open it. Pour each of us a ss."


    As the waiter uncorked the bottle and poured the wine into tall sses, Wang Li felt uneasy, fearing that Liu Yong might find an excuse to leave abruptly.


    Having poured the wine, Liu Yong abruptly stood up and announced,


    "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."


    Wang Li''s nerves spiked as she blurted out, "No, you can''t go to the bathroom."


    Li Changle looked at Wang Li in bewilderment, wondering what hade over her. But after a moment''s pause, she calmly replied, "Yong, please go ahead. We''ll wait for you here."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement and proceeded to the bathroom.


    As Wang Li watched Liu Yong exit, her thoughts got consumed with apprehension.


    "It''s over, it''s over," she fretted, "It costs between 20,000 to 30,000 yuan. Liu Yong must have slipped away this time."


    Under her breath, Wang Li expressed her concerns to Li Changle, "Lele, what if your malepanion doesn''t return and we have to pay bill? I don''t have enough money to cover it."


    However, Li Changle remained unperturbed and responded with assurance,


    "Don''t worry, he''ll be back soon."


    The twodies lifted the crimson wine to their lips and indulged in a sip.


    After cing the wine ss back on the table, Wang Li''s inquisitive nature took over as she asked,


    "Liu Yong, you''ve struck it rich, haven''t you? How much did you earn? A few thousand or tens of thousands?"


    Liu Yong responded with a smile, "Just twenty million in US dors."


    What!


    Initially, Wang Li felt astonished, but then her lips twitched with disbelief. She probably thought that Liu Yong must be kidding by boasting a twenty million US dor fortune, as 2000 yuan is more usible.


    Liu Yong didn''t need to exin and merely smiled in response.


    Li Changle couldn''t help but smile, knowing that Liu Yong''s im was genuine. The previous day, they had chatted on WeChat for quite a while, during which Liu Yong had mentioned that he retrieved Prince A''s ne and got rewarded with a whopping 20 million US dors.


    The merchandise at the store was top-notch, albeit a tad bit pricey.


    The trio conversed and savored their food for roughly an hour. As Liu Yong didn''t seem to be in a hurry to leave or disappear, Wang Li began to rx and relish the food with a newfound sense of ease.


    Lifting the cup of bird''s nest, he relished every bite andmended,


    "Liu Yong, this is exceptional. I presume this must have cost you around 20,000 to 30,000 yuan. You might have exhausted your entire savings on this meal. If you run short of funds, don''t hesitate to reach out to us. Lele and I will take care of the expenses."


    Liu Yong chuckled.


    He couldn''t help but think that Lele''s roommate and best friend were incredibly kind-hearted. He was genuinely concerned about Liu Yong''s finances and the possibility of him being unable to afford future meals.


    Li Changle couldn''t help but smile, feeling content. She knew Liu Yong''s financial status, and the cost of twenty to thirty thousand yuan didn''t faze him.


    Once the meal was over, Liu Yong paid the bill without any hesitation, and there didn''t seem to be any pressure on him while doing so.


    Wang Li was secretly taken aback by his generosity. Given the significant amount spent, she had expected Liu Yong to be under strain, but he seemed at ease while paying the bill.


    With the meal and the expenses taken care of, it was still rtively early. Liu Yong asked,


    "What should we do next? It''s only a little past eight o''clock."

 Chapter 67 Take Her To Hotel Or Rental Room For Night?

    ?Wang Li proposed that they head to the Guanghai Shopping Center, renowned for being one of thergest and most diverse shopping centers in Huahai City.


    This shopping center boasts an extensive collection of items, including a vast array of luxury brands, with seventy to eighty percent of the world''s most luxurious brands avable. It is particrly true regarding fashion, with tens of thousands of fashion pieces.


    Liu Yong gave Li Changle a questioning look, and Li Changle responded with a nod before saying,


    "Alright, let''s head to the Guanghai Shopping Center."


    As the three of them left the restaurant, Wang Li''s enthusiasm was palpable as he hailed a taxi.


    The shopping center approximately located ten kilometers away from their current location.


    However, Liu Yong interjected, saying, "No need to hail a taxi, I have my own car."


    "Wang Li," remarked in a surprised tone, "I didn''t know you had your own car. You must be doing even better than I thought!"


    Considering it had only been a little over a year since he graduated from university, Liu Yong was proud of himself for being able to purchase a car in Huahai City.


    He was doing better than at least 90% of his peers.


    Liu Yong smiled modestly, without any inclination to boast or show off.


    He took out his phone and sent Chen Hu a location via WeChat, requesting that hee to pick them up and take them to the Guanghai Shopping Center.


    It took several minutes for Chen Hu to arrive.


    Meanwhile, Wang Li took Li Changle aside and asked her hushedly, "Lele, what does your boyfriend do? You never told me if he''s wealthy or not."


    Li Changle replied, "You never asked me about this before, so how was I supposed to know?"


    Wang Li yfully teased, "Well, it seems like you''ve found yourself a rich boyfriend and kept it a secret from me."


    They bothughed and continued chatting.


    Li Changle quickly replied, "Okay, okay, my apologies. Brother Yong runs his ownpany, so he''s rtively wealthy."


    Wang Li finally understood the situation, realizing why Liu Yong had ordered such luxurious items during their meal, such as the gold medal bird''s nest and more than 10,000 bottles of red wine.


    Li Changle couldn''t help but cast another nce at Liu Yong, pondering to herself his financial status. She wondered if he had hundreds of thousands, millions, or even millions of dors. It was clear to her now that Liu Yong''spany had a specific economic strength.


    As Wang Li thought about the possibility of Liu Yong having millions of dors, she couldn''t help but envy her friend''s good fortune. Not only was Liu Yong handsome, but he was also wealthy.


    Shortly after, Chen Hu arrived in a brand new Cullinan, pulling up beside them. Wang Li''s eyes widened in amazement at the sight of the luxurious vehicle.


    Wang Li couldn''t believe her eyes as she stared in amazement at the luxurious Cullinan, worth at least seven or eight million yuan. She knew this was a car that only the truly wealthy could afford, and it was a symbol of status and power.


    As the car came to a stop, Wang Li watched in disbelief as a young man stepped out of the driver''s seat, walked to the back door, and respectfully opened it for Liu Yong, addressing him as "Boss." It only added to Wang Li''s astonishment and admiration for her friend''s wealth and sess.


    Liu Yong gestured for Wang Li and Li Changle to get into the car, and they eagerlyplied. Wang Li was still shocked at the sight of the luxurious Cullinan, unable to believe that her friend''s boyfriend was so wealthy.


    She couldn''t contain her excitement as she eximed, "Wow, your boyfriend is so rich!"


    Her face lit up with joy at the thought of riding in such a luxurious car.


    Wang Li quickly got into the car, still marveling at the luxury of the Cullinan. Li Changle reminded her to keep her voice down, and they all settled in for the ride to Guanghai Shopping Center. With a sense of excitement and anticipation, they embarked on their shopping adventure.


    Sitting in the front passenger seat, Wang Li''s excitement still hadn''t subsided even after driving for some distance. She couldn''t help but look around the car, admiring everything she saw.


    It finally dawned on her why Liu Yong could order expensive items like the gold bird''s nest worth almost 2,000 yuan per cup and a bottle of wine without hesitation.


    The luxury and opulence of the car made it clear that Liu Yong was a man of means.


    It''s no wonder that Liu Yong''s behavior and style are so different from ordinary people. He must have been sessful in his business to achieve such a high worth. Wang Li couldn''t help but envy Li Changle for finding such a good partner.


    As the car drove towards Guanghai Shopping Center, Wang Li couldn''t help but ask:


    "Brother Yong, what kind ofpany do you run? How did you be so sessful?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong smiled and replied:


    "It''s a tradingpany, mainly dealing with import and export trade. I started from scratch, and it took a lot of hard work and persistence to get to where I am today."


    Wang Li nodded in admiration, impressed by Liu Yong''s entrepreneurial spirit and determination. She couldn''t help but think about her future and how she could achieve the same level of sess.


    The car glided smoothly and swiftly towards the shopping mall, arriving in just twenty minutes.


    As one of thergest shopping centers in Huahai City, it boasts an impressive variety of merchandise, including a wide selection of different brands.


    Upon arrival, the group of four found themselves in the women''s wear section, which was brimming with high-end fashionbels such as Chanel.


    Liu Yong asked Lele, "How do you feel about this shirt? You always look great in jeans, and I think this shirt would perfectly match you."


    The Chanel saleswoman said, "Your boyfriend has quite the eye for fashion, my dear. You are absolutely stunning with such a captivating presence. This shirt would undoubtedly enhance your natural charm even further."


    Li Changle appeared hesitant, likely due to the exorbitant price tag of the shirt, which exceeded 8,000 yuan.


    Noticing Li Changle''s hesitation, Wang Li gently nudged her and softly reminded her, "Lele, don''t be silly. You don''t have to pay for it."


    However, Li Changle said, " Yong, it''s too valuable."


    Liu Yong reassured her, saying,


    "Don''t worry about it. I made a fortune yesterday, and now it''s your turn. Just go try it on, and I''m sure you''ll look even more beautiful."


    In a hurry, Wang Li pushed Li Changle into the fitting room, and the saleswoman selected a size perfect for her tall stature of 172 cm.


    Li Changle sumbed to Wang Li''s insistence despite her initial reluctance and tried on the shirt despite her initial reluctance. When she emerged from the fitting room, Liu Yong''s eyes widened with amazement.


    His girlfriend was already stunning, but she exuded a truly irresistible charm in this shirt.


    "Lovely, this dress suits you perfectly. Let''s buy it," Liu Yong eximed.


    However, Li Changle remained hesitant and said, "But Brother Yong, it''s far too expensive. I''ll pay for it myself."


    Liu Yong quickly intervened and replied, "How could I let you pay?


    It is for my girlfriend; I will handle it." With that, he signaled to the saleswoman to prepare the invoice.


    Wang Li seized the opportunity and interjected,


    "Brother Yong, can I get some credit too? You could also buy me something as a gift."


    Li Changle pinched Wang Li''s arm and whispered, "You''re insane! You want my boyfriend to buy you something?"


    Wang Li grinned and retorted, "What''s the problem? Are you feeling jealous?"


    Li Changle replied, "I am not jealous," with a hint of pride in her tone.


    Liu Yong overheard their exchange and pondered momentarily before conceding,


    "Alright, you can also receive some credit."


    Wang Li was delighted at the news.


    Liu Yong had expected Wang Li to select expensive items, but to his surprise, she chose a moderately priced bag from a famous brand other than Chanel.


    It was worth over two thousand yuan.


    After spending an hour or two at the Guanghai Shopping Center, the group departed around ten in the evening.


    During the car ride, Wang Li proposed,


    "Brother Yong, it''s gettingte. Why don''t you take Lele to a nice hotel for the night instead of dropping her off at the rental room? It''ll be much morefortable."

 Chapter 68 Is That Condom In Her Hand?

    ?Li Changle suddenly blushed and eximed, "Wang Li, you''re insane!"


    Despite knowing Liu Yong for a long time and being in a rtionship with him, she remained rtively conservative and had not yet crossed the final boundary.


    This revtion deeply touched Liu Yong.


    He knew that having such a wonderful girlfriend was a rare find, but he also understood that he couldn''t force her to do anything she wasn''tfortable with. With this in mind, Liu Yong said,


    "If I don''t send you back to your rental house, how will you get back, Wang Li?"


    Wang Li smiled and replied, "Don''t worry about me. I''ll just take a taxi home, especially since you already gave me a gift. Besides, you two lovebirds should spend some time together."


    Li Changle was even more annoyed and threatened, "Wang Li, if you say that again, I''m going to ignore you."


    Liu Yong smiled and ordered, "Chen Hu, let''s go to the rental house."


    Liu Yong had wanted to take Li Changle to a hotel, but he couldn''t do so with Wang Li around. He didn''t wish Lele to feel embarrassed in front of Wang Li in the future. So, he sent them both to their rental house and bid them farewell.


    Even after Liu Yong left, Wang Li continued to joke around and said, "Lele, are you sure you don''t want to go to the hotel with Liu Yong?


    A handsome and wealthy man like him will surely attract the attention of many women. You don''t have to worry about him being snatched away by someone else."


    Li Changle replied with conviction, "I trust Brother Yong. He won''t do anything to hurt our rtionship."


    Wang Li shook her head and then handed a small box-shaped item to Li Changle, saying, "You should hold onto this for now. It will provide you with some peace of mind, and when the timees, it''ll ensure that you''ll be even happier in that kind of rtionship."


    Li Changle looked at the small box in her hand, and her face turned red with embarrassment.


    It was a condom!


    Wang Li had been a bit too bold in giving it to her.


    Li Changle protested, but the two girls continued to bicker andugh for a while yfully.


    Qiu Yang hung up the phone with a satisfied expression on his face. The first 100,000-ton bulk carrier for Global Marine Services, Inc. had finally arrived and would be put into use soon.


    Currently, thepany owns several ships, all of which were below 100,000 tons.


    They mostly carried bulk cargo ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 tons and a container ship with 70,000 to 80,000 tons capacity.


    Severalrge ships were being customized in the shipyard and still undergoing intense manufacturing. The estimated delivery time for these ships was at least two to three months away.


    All of the current ships owned by thepany were second-hand vessels. Some were 70% to 80% new, while others were 90% new.


    The advantage of buying second-hand boats was that they were rtively cheaper, despite being a little older.


    The key benefit was that they could be used immediately after purchase, allowing thepany to begin new sailing routes as soon as possible.


    Qiu Yang''s managerial skills were exceptional, and thepany overgrew under his leadership. He managed all business operations in an orderly manner.


    Currently, thepany has several routes open, such as coastal routes from Huahai City to other major domestic ports and routes from Huahai to RB.


    With the purchase of the 150,000-ton bulk carrier, Qiu Yang nned to utilize it for the route to Australia to transport iron ore back to China.


    Dongshan Deep Water Port was one of thergest seaports in the world, located on an ind over ten kilometers east of Huahai City.


    The ind was called Dongshan Ind, and the port was known as Dongshan Deepwater Port.


    The port area of Dongshan Ind consists of the sea surrounding Dongshan Ind, the Donghai Bridge, and the Dongshan Port Free Trade Zone.


    Its estimated annual container throughput is in the tens of millions, with a total area of 25 square kilometers. It has four port areas: east, west, south, and north.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Can hear the sound of cranes and forklifts everywhere as they load and unload containers onto trucks and trains, constantly in motion.


    People in work clothes are busy moving back and forth, directing the operation of the port. In the distance, you can see rows of towering cranes responsible for handling containers from the giant ships.


    Dongshan Port is a transportation hub and an important distribution center for goods in China and worldwide.


    Shi Libing, the eldest son of Proton Ocean Shipping Group, is currently in the port area apanied by arge entourage.


    His primary objective is to oversee the operations of Proton''s business.


    As the assistant to the president, Shi Libing holds a significant position in the Proton Group, with authority over tens of thousands of employees.


    Due to his status, he exudes a sense of superiority, and those apanying him are primarily from the Proton Group.


    "My lord, do you see that? That is our group''srgest container ship, named the ''Golden Bull''. It measures 326 meters in length, 51 meters in width, and has a draft of 26 meters. The vessel is capable of carrying up to 16,234 standard containers, making it one of the twentyrgest container ships in the world."


    Du Genhua, a middle-aged man who apanied Shi Libing, was one of the highest-ranking executives in the Proton Group.


    He was crucial in overseeing the entire group''s ocean shipping business. Logically, his status was higher than that of the assistant to the president, and he did not require an escort.


    However, since Shi Libing was the eldest son of Proton Group''s boss, Shi Wanquan, and the future heir of thepany, Du Genhua was assigned to apany him.


    As he listened to the introduction, Shi Libing expressed his satisfaction by nodding while gazing at the "Golden Bull" anchored by the nearby pier.


    In Dongshan Deepwater Port, the Proton Group had severalrge ships docked.


    Some vessels were in the process of unloading, while others were getting ready for loading. The bustling activities indicated a busy and thriving business.


    The ships belonging to the Proton Group are easily recognizable due to the prominent logo and each vessel''s hull adorned with colossal lettering. For instance, the "Golden Bull" has two extensive characters of "Golden Bull" painted on its hull, making it easily noticeable.


    Suddenly, Shi Libing halted and gestured towards a distant ship, asking, "Whichpany does that ship belong to? It''s quite massive, at least around 150,000 tons."


    The vessel in question was a massive bulk carrier, smaller than the "Taurus" but more substantial than most ships, with an estimated capacity of 150,000 tons.


    Du Genhua replied, "That belongs to Global Ocean Services. It seems to have arrived only yesterday."


    Shi Libing had heard of thispany before and asked,


    "What kind ofpany is Global Ocean Services? Is it also an ocean shippingpany in Huahai City?"


    Du Genhua confirmed that Global Ocean Services was, in fact, an ocean transportationpany in Huahai City that had rapidly developed despite being rtively new.


    After listening to the introduction, Shi Libing reiterated that Proton Group was the leader in the ocean shipping industry in Huahai City, and no otherpany could threaten its position.


    Anypany that tried topete would be eliminated. Du Genhua agreed and expressed his approval.


    After a moment of contemtion, Shi Libing issued an order, stating that he wanted a detailed report on Global Ocean Services delivered to his desk by the end of the day.


    A nearby subordinate promptly agreed to carry out the task.


    At ten o''clock in the afternoon, Shi Libing returned to Proton Company and entered his office.


    He sat on the boss''s chair and found that the requested documents on Global Ocean Services were already on his desk. As he read through them, his expression grew increasingly unhappy.


    After finishing the materials and cing them back on the desk, Shi Libing contemted that Global Ocean Services was developing rmingly, which could have been a more favorable circumstance for Proton Group.


    As a result, he believed that they needed to cause some trouble for thepetingpany.

 Chapter 69 Playing Trick On Us Hu!

    ?Essentially, Liu Yong frequented thepany to review reports and listen to updates from Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun.


    On this particr day, Liu Yong arrived at thepany and began reading a recently submitted report. Shortly after that, Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun entered the room together.


    Liu Yong intended to wait for Qiu Yang to leave before conversing with them.


    .


    Observing that Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun appeared troubled, Liu Yong inquired, "What''s the matter?"


    Qiu Yang responded, "Mr. Hu, please brief the boss on the specific situation."


    Hu Shijun was responsible for overseeing the transportation business and was thus the most informed about the situation.


    He nodded and began to report,


    "Brother Yong, we have a vessel that is fully loaded with containers and scheduled to depart for RB tomorrow. However, someone reported that our ship was carrying prohibited items. As a result, the customs authority detained our vessel, and we are unable to leave the port until the matter is resolved."


    Liu Yong was taken aback and asked, "What? Are there really prohibited items on our ship?"


    He needed to confirm this crucial detail.


    On several asions, Liu Yong stressed that thepany must conduct its operations legitimately and ethically and could not engage in illicit or underhanded activities, particrly transporting prohibited items.


    Hu Shijun reassured Liu Yong, saying, "I promise you, there are absolutely no prohibited items on board."


    Qiu Yang confirmed this, saying, "Boss, I can also vouch for this. Our management practices are strict, and our systems are robust. Prohibited items can''t be loaded onto our ship."


    Hu Shijun added, "Brother Yong, it is apparent that this is a malicious report. Someone is behind this."


    Liu Yong contemted the situation and asked, "Have we recently caused offense to anyone?"


    Hu Shijun replied, "I don''t think so."


    Qiu Yang added, "We have always maintained a principle of mutual benefit and cooperation. We shouldn''t have provoked anyone. I am at a loss as to why someone is orchestrating this scheme behind our backs."


    Liu Yongpsed into deep thought.


    Despite not offending anyone, someone, possibly one of their colleagues, had orchestrated a malicious report behind the scenes.


    Universal''s sess and smooth development had likely prompted these individuals to resort to such tactics.


    Upon realizing this, Liu Yong directed,


    "Currently, we should focus on two areas. Firstly, we must cooperate with the customs authority to expedite the investigation and resolve the issue, allowing our vessel to leave the port as soon as possible.Secondly, we must investigate and identify the mastermind behind this act, with particr emphasis on our colleagues."


    "Understood," Hu Shijun and Qiu Yang nodded in agreement.


    "Brother Yong, rest assured, we will follow your instructions and take appropriate actions," they assured before leaving Liu Yong''s office to address the issue from the two aspects he outlined.


    With a cup of coffee, Liu Yong sat on his chair, deep in thought.


    The fact that their ship had been detained and couldn''t leave the port posed a threat to their delivery schedule.


    Dyed arrival in RB would harm thepany''s reputation and could result in financial losses due to liquidated damages.


    "If only I could identify the culprit behind this act. They would be in for a rude awakening," Liu Yong seethed angrily.


    He was appalled that someone would stoop so low as to resort to such tactics in a well-regted business.


    The subordinate indulged in ttery and remarked,


    "Absolutely, without a doubt! How could Universal Shipping everpete with our very own Proton? Even a single strand of our eldest son''s hair could easily crush them to smithereens."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Shi Libing chuckled in triumph once more.


    "Well, well, well. We reign supreme in Haihua City. Any other ocean shippingpanies seeking to expand must depend on the mercy of our Proton Group."


    Following Liu Yong''s directives, Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun,menced their efforts from two angles. Firstly, they actively coborated with the customs officials'' investigation.


    On the ship, Hu Shijun and a few of his subordinates cooperated with the customs officials during the inspection.


    Everyone from Hu Shijun downward disyed a constructive and positive attitude, with the members of Universal Company exhibiting a great deal of humility.


    The customs officials were granted fullpliance with all their requests, and the requested documents were provided to them without any dy.


    Throughout the entire day, they encountered no issues orplications during the inspection.


    Upon concluding the inspection, Section Chief Xu, who headed the customs team, expressed his satisfaction and added,


    "Mr. Hu, we do not intend to cause unnecessaryplications. It is our duty to investigate any reports we receive thoroughly."


    Hu Shijun replied, "There''s no problem at all. Weprehend the situation and are wholeheartedly cooperating with the customs inspection."


    Their cooperative attitude instilled a sense offort.


    As the saying goes, "Don''t bite the hand that feeds you." Hu Shijun and his team''s amiable attitude positively impacted Section Chief Xu, who was initially very stern.


    He even went so far as tomend them, stating, "You have a great attitude. This is the first time I''ve encountered people who are so cooperative with our work. You guys aremendable."


    Taking advantage of Section Chief Xu''s contentment and good mood, Hu Shijun indirectly remarked,


    "We have consistently conducted our business legally and with utmost adherence to regtions, and we are appalled to be reported in such a derogatory manner."


    Section Chief Xu smiled and replied, "Only if nothing incriminating is discovered during the inspection can it be termed as a malicious report. Nevertheless, it''s still early in the inspection process, and this is merely the beginning."


    Hu Shijun probed tentatively, "Mr. Xu, we suspect that most of these malicious reports are from our colleagues."


    To which Section Chief Xu replied,


    "This sort of behavior is usually carried out by colleagues. Otherwise, who else would bother to make such reports without any involvement?"


    Upon hearing this, Hu Shijun was ted and thought, "Brother Yong''s intuition is spot on. It was indeed our colleagues who were plotting against us."


    Hu Shijun was curious to know which ocean shippingpany had reported them.


    "Section Chief Xu, can you tell me whichpany reported us?"


    Hu Shijun inquired.


    However, Section Chief Xu shook his head and replied, "I cannot disclose the whistleblower''s identity as we must maintain confidentiality.


    However, if your Universal Company did not possess a certain level ofpetence, others wouldn''t have dared to report you."


    This response brought a sense of relief to Hu Shijun. It was sufficient for him to know this much.


    Although Section Chief Xu did not explicitly mention thepany''s name, he had already hinted that it was an ocean shippingpany with significant influence.


    Hu Shijun''s mind quickly jumped to the Proton Group, the most prominent ocean shippingpany in Huahai City, as the potential culprit behind the malicious report.


    With a high probability of 90%, it seemed likely that Proton Group was thepany responsible for reporting them.


    Shortly after this revtion, Liu Yong received a WeChat message from Hu Shijun. The news likely contained valuable information about their ongoing investigation.

 Chapter 70 If Not Proton Group Will Get Thrashed Soon!

    ?"Today, while inspecting our ship with Section Chief Xu from customs, I stumbled upon some valuable information. ording to him, Proton Ocean Shipping Group is the mastermind behind this deceitful act, ounting for 90% of the scheme,"


    Brother Yong shared with a hint of frustration in his voice.


    As expected, it was Proton behind all of this!


    Upon hearing this, Liu Yong''s eyes zed over, and a cold feeling emanated from within him.


    Those who know Brother Yong well can attest that his anger is not ordinary.


    Upon reading the WeChat message, Liu Yong immediately grabbed his phone and dialed Qiu Yang''s number.


    During the call, he provided instructions and exnations, stressing the importance of investigating the matter thoroughly and promptly, particrly regarding the alleged involvement of the Proton Group.


    "President Qiu, spare no expense and use all your resources to get to the bottom of this.It is imperative that we understand the situation fully,"


    Liu Yongmanded.


    In response, Qiu Yang assured Liu Yong, "Rest assured, Boss. I will spare no effort in addressing this issue."


    The senior management team at Universal sprang into action and utilized all avable resources, with a clear objective of investigating the Proton Group''s involvement.


    As a result, they made swift progress in uncovering the truth.


    Qiu Yang allocated a significant amount of funds and managed to obtain information from a Proton Group middle-level executive.


    In exchange for the marypensation, the executive divulged every detail about the incident, even providing a copy of the report materials passed on to Global Marine Services.


    As with the previous day, Liu Yong arrived at thepany early and was already settled in his office by eight in the morning.


    Shortly after that, Qiu Yang entered the office with good news.


    "Boss, I have good news. We have almost resolved the matter. It has been confirmed that the Proton Group, under the direction of their president''s assistant, Shi Libing, is responsible for reporting us to the customs. This is the report that they created,"


    Qiu Yang reported.


    After sharing the report material, Qiu Yang ced it on Liu Yong''s desk.


    Liu Yong skimmed through the document and scoffed, "It''s ridiculous. Chi Guoguo tantly framed us."


    Qiu Yang also expressed his anger: "It''s a baseless usation. The Proton Group has no regard for industry regtions. Boss, what are our next steps? We must take action."


    Liu Yong asked Qiu Yang, "What do you suggest we do next?"


    Qiu Yang had already devised a n, and he shared it with Liu Yong.


    "Boss, we have always conducted ourselveswfully. This time, we will be civil before taking action."


    Liu Yong asked, "Can you borate on how we can be civil before taking action?"


    Qiu Yang responded,


    "I propose that I reach out to Shi Libing and inform him that we are aware that the Proton Group is maliciously reporting us behind the scenes. If he withdraws the report, we will not pursue the matter any further. However, if he refuses to withdraw the report, we will move forward with the next step."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement, "That would be ideal. If the Proton Group withdraws their report and the customs cancels the investigation, then our ship can leave the port without any dy. Time is of the essence, and we cannot afford any dys. Any dy would affect the arrival date of the container, and if we miss the deadline, Universal will have to pay liquidated damages to our customer."


    Qiu Yang added, "In that case, I will contact Shi Libing immediately and see if he can be persuaded to withdraw the report."


    Qiu Yang nodded in agreement and said, "Don''t worry, Boss. I will make it clear to them and emphasize that Universal is willing to resolve this issue in a peaceful manner. But if they insist on causing trouble, we will not back down."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong gave a firm nod and replied, "That''s right. We must stand our ground and protect the interests of ourpany and our customers. Keep me updated on the progress."


    Qiu Yang left the office to arrange his meeting with Shi Living.


    Liu Yong''s mind seemed to have found a way out. He thought, "We have the Overlord!"


    The Overlord was the most advanced ship in the Universal Shipping fleet and thepany''s pride.


    It had the most advanced technology and the most muscr transport capacity. It was a giant in the shipping industry.


    If Proton refused to withdraw the report and continued to cause trouble, Liu Yong would use the Overlord to teach them a lesson. He believed that no matter how powerful the Proton Group was, they would not be able to withstand the power of the Overlord.


    With this thought, Liu Yong felt a sense of relief. He believed they could ovee any obstacle if they had the Overlord.


    If Proton refuses to acknowledge their mistake, Liu Yong might send Bawang to sabotage their ships secretly," said Shenma. "He''s been known to wrap fishings around the propellers, but that''s a minor inconvenience."


    Liu Yong, however, had a more severe punishment in mind. "We''ll keep punishing them until the Proton Group is scared enough toe to us and apologize," he dered.


    Upon receiving a report from his subordinates, Shi Lijun, the head of Proton Group, learned that Qiu Yang, the general manager of Global Ocean Services, had sent an invitation for a meeting. Disdainfully, Shi Lijun nced at the invitation card and threw it into the trash.


    When asked how they should reply to Global Ocean Services, Shi Lijun ordered his subordinate to send Yuan Guanghui, a loyal middle-level manager of Proton Group, to the meeting. "I believe Qiu Yang wants to plead with us to tell Yuan Guanghui not to let go," he said.


    "Understood, I''ll inform President Yuan right away," replied the subordinate.


    Qiu Yang and his team had been waiting in a private room at the XXX Tea House, a high-end establishment near Proton Group. They had requested a private room specifically for this meeting.


    Shi Lijun did not attend the meeting in person and instead sent one of his subordinates, Yuan Guanghui. Qiu Yang seemed to have anticipated this and was not surprised by the absence of Shi Lijun.


    The meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m., but Yuan Guanghui arrived ten minuteste, around 10:15. After entering the private room, he briefly apologized for beingte due to a traffic jam. However, it was unlikely, given the short distance between Proton Group and the tea house and the non-peak hours formuting.


    This excuse was transparent and unconvincing, as it was clear that Yuan Guanghui was deliberately making ate entrance to show the Proton Group''s superiority.


    Qiu Yang''s face showed a slight tremble as he tried to endure his frustration before getting straight to the point. "Manager Yuan, one of our ships was reported to have been sabotaged. Our investigation suggests that Proton Group may be responsible for it," he said.


    Yuan Guanghui responded byughing immediately, denying any involvement on behalf of Proton Group. "I am not aware of this incident, and I don''t believe that Proton would do such a thing," he said.


    Qiu Yang waved his hand, and one of his team members promptly threw a set of report materials in front of Yuan Guanghui. Upon seeing the materials, Yuan Guanghui felt embarrassed as they contradicted his previous denial.


    Qiu Yang spoke up, "Our request is simple. If Proton Group withdraws this report, we can settle this matter and act as if nothing happened."


    Yuan Guanghui asked, "What if we refuse to cancel the report?"


    Qiu Yang responded sternly,


    "If Proton Group insists on not canceling, then we will take countermeasures. Any consequences will be borne by Proton Group itself, and ourpany will not be held responsible."


    Yuan Guanghui''s face turned sour. He stood up and questioned Qiu Yang, "Are you threatening Proton?"


    Qiu Yang responded, equally frustrated, "You can interpret it that way.You will be responsible for any future incidents and bear the losses. It has nothing to do with Universal."


    Yuan Guanghui was too furious to continue the conversation.


    He couldn''t believe that Qiu Yang was threatening Proton, the leader in the ocean transportation industry in Huahai City.


    With no more words to exchange, Yuan Guanghui left in a huff.

 Chapter 71 20-Meter-Long Metal Spear

    ?Upon his return to Proton, Yuan Guanghui''s first action was to report to Shi Lijun.


    After hearing the report, Shi Lijun''s facial expression changed dramatically. He was taken aback by the fact that Qiu Yang had threatened him, as he had initially believed that Qiu Yang hade to negotiate for peace.


    Shi Lijun eximed,


    "This ispletely unreasonable!" in response to Qiu Yang''s direct threat towards the Proton Group.


    Shi Lijun''s anger was palpable as his face turned livid, and through gritted teeth, he said, "Reconsider your options and report back to Universal. I will make sure that none of their ships leave the port."


    Upon returning to thepany, Qiu Yang wasted no time reporting the situation to Liu Yong.


    After hearing the report, Qiu Yang heaved and said,


    "Boss, it seems like we have lost the first battle. However, we can''t let this slide. We need to take some measures to get revenge on Proton Group."


    Qiu Yang didn''t have a concrete solution for revenge at the moment.


    After all, Proton Group was a formidable opponent with over a hundred ships of varying sizes, including at least sixty to seventy ships weighing over 10,000 tons.


    Moreover, thepany was an industry giant with a significant influence.


    Global Marine Services Company was rtively new and still needed to establish its influence in the industry. Thus, it was not equal to the Proton Group''s strength.


    Qiu Yang knew they needed to devise a solid n to take revenge on the Proton Group, but it would be challenging.


    Initially, Qiu Yang had anticipated that his boss would inquire about the next steps for revenge.


    However, Liu Yong surprised him by stating confidently,


    "Mr. Qiu, just sit back and enjoy the show. I have a n to counter Proton Group."


    Qiu Yang felt relieved upon hearing this and wanted to know more about the n.


    However, Liu Yong seemed unwilling to share the specifics, and Qiu Yang wanted to avoid pushing further.


    As far as Qiu Yang was concerned, as long as their boss had a n, he was satisfied.


    He trusted Liu Yong''s capabilities and knew his boss would not let the Proton Group defeat theirpany without a fight.


    Liu Yong took a moment before revealing,


    "I have a design sketch here that we can use. You can take it to a capable manufacturing factory to produce the necessary items ording to the specifications in the sketch. Cost is not a concern, speed is the key factor. Ideally, the items can be produced within two to three days."


    Qiu Yang got taken aback when he looked at the design sketch.


    The drawing depicted a 20-meter-long giant spear made entirely of metal, with a thick metal handle measuring 300mm in diameter.


    The handle alone must have weighed more than ten tons, and the spearhead was even more massive.


    He couldn''t believe what he was seeing. The design was outrageous and seemed utterly impractical.


    However, he trusted his boss''s judgment and knew there had to be a reason for this unconventional n.


    The spearhead was two to three meters long and equally thick, weighing an estimated five to six tons. Qiu Yang couldn''t help but wonder what this massive 20-meter-long metal spear was intended for.


    Who could wield such a heavy and unwieldy object?


    Despite his doubts, Qiu Yang trusted his boss''s ability to strategize and execute ns effectively.


    He was eager to see how this outrageous n would y out in their efforts to counter the powerful Proton Group.


    Despite his suspicion and confusion, Qiu Yang agreed and nodded to his boss''s instructions.


    Liu Yong waved his hand dismissively and said,


    "Don''t ask any questions. Just manufacture the spear ording to the specifications in the design. Use high-strength alloy steel, even if it''s expensive. Once it''splete, store it in our warehouse by the sea."


    Qiu Yang was left speechless when the boss gave his orders, so he had no choice but to keep his doubts to himself.


    "Alright, I''ll carry out your request immediately," he said.


    Liu Yong nodded and urged him, "Hurry up and do it as fast as you can."


    "I understand. It''s urgently needed," Qiu Yang almost blurted out.


    Li Can owns arge forging factory in Huahai City, and today he received a peculiar request.


    Despite having over a decade of forging experience, Li Can has not encountered such a job before.


    However, the client was audacious and had already paid half the fee upfront.


    Even though Li Could be perplexed about why someone would want a spear of this magnitude, he immediately began forging it.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Presently, at the forging workshop site, a spear requested by Liu Yong is being forged on a colossal 10,000-ton forging machine.


    The rhythmic sounds of the forging process echoed through the air: "bang, bang."


    After two day shifts and one night shift, the spear was almostplete.


    The workers were doing the final precision forging to make the spear more elegant and refined.


    As they worked, they discussed the peculiar nature of the job.


    "I''ve never seen a spear this big before. It''s quite impressive,"


    said one worker.


    "I bet it''s just for decoration," said another.


    "No, the customer requested a hardened spearhead," interjected a third worker.


    "I see," replied another.


    "But for decorative purposes, high-strength alloy steel isn''t necessary. It could even be hollow instead of solid."


    Despite their discussion, the workers needed to be more knowledgeable about the purpose of the colossal spear.


    After all, the spear was enormous!


    Measuring 20 meters in length and weighing over ten tons, no human could wield it.


    A physically robust individual could not lift it, as it weighed around 100 kilograms.


    The sheer magnitude of its weight, over ten tons, was awe-inspiring.


    Liu Yong and Li Changle were enjoying a movie together when Liu Yong suddenly felt a sense of relief after pondering how to handle the Proton Group.


    They held hands while exiting the cinema with Li Changle when Liu Yong''s mobile phone received a WeChat message.


    He took it out to check and couldn''t help but smile with satisfaction.


    Qiu Yang sent Liu Yong a WeChat message stating that the colossal spear had beenpleted and was ced in the warehouse by the sea.


    He also sent several pictures of the spear.


    As Liu Yong viewed the photos, his satisfaction grew even more.


    The spear had been delicately crafted in just two days despite its size.


    The enormous spearhead had been sharpened, giving it a menacing appearance.


    Li Changle approached Liu Yong and looked at the photo on his phone, confused.


    "What is this?" asked Li Changle.


    "It''s a spear, freshly made," replied Liu Yong with a smile.


    It was evident that Li Changle was not interested in the spear.


    ncing at the time, she noticed it was already past 10 p.m. and suggested, " Yong, it''s gettingte, can you take me back?"


    Liu Yong had the same thought. With thepletion of the colossal spear, he was eager to test it with the Overlord.


    After dropping off Li Changle at her home, Liu Yong contacted Bawang while driving. Given the giant size of the spear, Bawang was the only one capable of handling it.


    Bawang''s growth rate had been astonishing; he weighed nearly 20 tons. His immense strength made him the perfect candidate to wield such a massive weapon.


    This spear was built solely for the Overlord, a weapon intended to deal with the Proton Group.


    To achieve his goal, Liu Yong had to ensure that his tools were sharp, and this spear was one such tool.


    "Overlord, I have a surprise for you. I have ced a toy for you in the warehouse by the sea. Head over there and try it out to see if it still fits in your hand,"


    Liu Yong informed Bawang.


    Overlord quickly responded to his master''s request, saying, "I''ll go there right away."


    Overlord was in the middle of his meal, which consisted of a whale shark filling his stomach.


    Whether he ate a great white shark or an enormous whale shark, they were all part of his diet and provided a good meal.


    Overlord discarded the remaining whale shark and swiftly swam towards the seaside warehouse.


    Despite not putting in his total effort, Overlord could swim at over 100 knots.

 Chapter 72 Applying Precision And Accuracy Skill

    ?Bawang was more than 200 kilometers from the seaside warehouse, but it only took an hour to arrive there.


    It strolled along a 30-meter-wide and ten-meter-deep canal, making its way to therge warehouse.


    "Master gave me a present. Any guesses on what it could be?" Bawang wondered to himself.


    Upon entering the warehouse, its attention was immediately drawn to a massive 20-meter-long spear, causing its eyes to sparkle.


    "This must be the item my master was referring to,"


    Bawang realized.


    It scurried over and used its front paw to pick up the object, "Wow, it''s quite heavy!"


    The giant spear was so heavy that Overlord struggled to pick it up. It weighed almost 20 tons and had a strength attribute of over 1200 points.


    Even with its enormous strength, lifting a spear weighing around 17 or 18 tons took a lot of work.


    "Master, is this what you were referring to? It''s cumbersome,"


    Overlord inquired.


    After receiving bawang''s message, Liu Yong responded,


    "Bawang, that''s a weapon I designed specifically for you. It''s called a spear, and you should be familiar with it before tomorrow morning''s task."


    "Understood, master. I''ll do my best," replied Overlord.


    Liu Yong reassured,


    "It''s alright if you''re able to lift it. When you reach a weight of more than 20 tons in a few days, the weight will no longer feel as heavy. Moreover, the weight will feel even lighter when you''re in the water."


    The spear''s weight would feel significantly lighter by nearly two tons when in the water due to the buoyancy of the water.


    As a result, Bawang wouldn''t feel as heavy or strained when holding the spear.


    "Understood, I''ll take the spear and wait for your task tomorrow," replied Overlord.


    Liu Yong instructed, "Tomorrow morning, you should be in the waters near Dongshan Deepwater Port. I''ll contact you and provide you with your task."


    With the giant spear in one of its front paws, Overlord entered the waterway and swam back out to the sea.


    Overlord couldn''t help but notice how much lighter and smoother the spear felt when in the water.


    Feeling a little puzzled at first, Overlord quickly realized what was happening.


    It possessed an IQ simr to that of a twelve or thirteen-year-old child, and after giving it some thought, it understood what was happening.


    "Well, I have a weapon now," Overlord said.


    "The weapon my master helped create is truly exceptional. Instead of relying solely on my teeth to bite, I can use the spear to take downrger adversaries,"


    Overlord concluded.


    Overlord leisurely swam with the giant spear, heading towards the deep sea while pondering to itself.


    After swimming for a couple of hours, it had already traveled far away from the coastline, approximately two to three hundred kilometers away.


    The spear, weighing nearly 20 tons, was indeed a giantpared to other marine creatures, except for some whales, which may be more extensive.


    Of course, Overlord was not content with merely staying in the sea area near thend.


    Its activity range often spanned hundreds of kilometers away from the maind.


    If it weren''t for the fact that it had a mission to attend to the following morning at Dongshan Deepwater Port, Overlord would have likely continued to swim even further away.


    Venturing deeper into the sea and further away from the maind gave Overlord a sense offort.


    An abundance of food, particrly forrger fish, where catching just two or three would provide a full meal.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After setting the giant spear aside, Overlord drifted off to sleep, enjoying a peaceful slumber.


    Upon awakening, it was greeted by a red sun emerging from the horizon, signaling that it was already early morning.


    Feeling refreshed, Overlord grasped the giant spear and swam towards Dongshan Deep Water Port while watching for breakfast.


    Upon spotting a massive fish weighing a few hundred catties, Bawang would quickly reach the prey and consume it in a few bites.


    However, smaller fish weighing only one or two hundred catties were deemed insignificant to Bawang.


    It considered them small fries that were not worth its time and effort.


    Bawang caught sight of a school of colossal sharks in the distance and eximed, "Ah, there''s my next meal!"


    Bawang possessed exceptional abilities, enabling it to see things over a thousand meters away, even in the clear seawater, more than 100 meters underwater.


    One day, Bawang spotted a group of massive sharks more than a thousand meters away.


    These sharks ranged from three to six meters long, with therger ones being five to six meters long.


    Bawang suspected that the sharks had caught and killed a big fish, and the scent of the blood attracted them toward it.


    The dozen or so sharks werepeting for therge fish weighing hundreds of catties still untouched.


    Despite being a thousand meters away, Bawang knew it would take little time to reach the sharks and join the feast.


    The sight of Bawang''s arrival startled the group of sharks, but they quickly regained theirposure.


    The sharks appeared to rely on their strength in numbers while Bawang was alone.


    Suddenly, a five to six-meter-long shark stealthily approached Bawang from behind and attempted to bite its tail.


    The shark''s wide-open mouth exposed its sharp teeth, creating a daunting sight.


    Many would assume that turning around quickly with such arge size would be difficult, but Bawang proved them wrong.


    With ease, Bawang executed a swift turn, and the shark''s attack missed its mark, leaving it with nothing but a blur in sight.


    In addition to its swift turn, Bawang reacted to the shark''s attack with lightning speed, thrusting the spear in its hand toward the shark.


    With a sharp "puff" sound, the spear pierced the shark''s body quickly, instantly causing the seawater to turn red.


    The scent of blood made the other sharks in the area be agitated and aggressive.


    The giant shark in the group, approximately six to seven meters in length, quickly charged toward Bawang.


    Several other sharks also joined in, opening their mouths wide and revealing their sharp teeth, ready to attack the Overlord.


    Bawang reacted with agility and speed, avoiding the iing sharks.


    Instead of using its front paws or opening its mouth to attack, it used its giant spear to defend itself.


    With precision and uracy Skill, Bawang stabbed the approaching sharks individually.


    In a matter of seconds, five sharks had been impaled on the spear, making it look like a giant skewer holding the sharks in ce.


    The remaining sharks were frightened and quickly dispersed in all directions, retreating as far away as possible until they were no longer in sight.


    Bawang didn''t bother to chase after them, content with the sight of the impaled shark on its spear.


    It thought to itself that the weapon given to it by its master was impressive and effective.


    After waking up from a nap and skipping breakfast, Bawang decided to have a satisfying meal of the five sharks it had caught earlier. Feeling full and energized, Bawang swam towards Dongshan Deep Water Port to begin its work.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong arrived early for the fourth consecutive day at thepany.


    He brewed a cup of coffee and settledfortably into his boss''s chair, checking the time and thinking Bawang should be near Dongshan Deepwater Port and ready to begin its work.

 Chapter 73 Boom!

    ?Liu Yong took the initiative to call Qiu Yang before instructing Bawang to begin working.


    "Boss, you wanted to speak with me?" Qiu Yang answered the phone.


    "Yes, I need information on the ships currently docked at Dongshan Deepwater Port under the Proton Group," Liu Yong exined.


    Qiu Yang quickly responded, "I have the information readily avable and can bring it to you immediately."


    Qiu Yang arrived promptly with a folder containingprehensive information on the ships at Dongshan Deepwater Port,plete with color photographs and detailed text descriptions for each vessel.


    As Liu Yong flipped through the pages, he quickly identified a promising target.


    "I''ll leave it up to you to investigate. Let''s start with this one," Liu Yong instructed.


    The vessel in question was a container ship with a staggering capacity of almost 100,000 tons.


    It had been berthed at Dongshan Deepwater Port for several days and was fully loaded with containers, preparing to set sail for Europe.


    Given the massive cargo and the containers filled and ready to depart, any mishap with this ship could result in significant losses for Proton Group, leaving them devastated.


    Liu Yong wasted no time and promptly contacted Bawang to begin the operation.


    "Bawang, are you ready to start working?" he asked.


    Overlord replied promptly: "Master, I have arrived near Dongshan Deepwater Port. What are your orders?"


    Liu Yong asked, "Are you familiar with the weapon we''ve prepared for you? Have you used it before?"


    Overlord expressed satisfaction, saying, "Yes, I am well-versed in using the weapon and find it very convenient."


    Liu Yong breathed a sigh of relief. "Great, that makes me feel more at ease."


    Liu Yong brought up the pet panel, which enabled him to view the situation around Bawang in real-time via a third-party vision system. With this feature, he could see precisely what Bawang was seeing and the surrounding area.


    Under Liu Yong''smand, Bawang stealthily approached Dongshan Deepwater Port. Since Bawang was swimming in tens of meters of seawater, no one could detect its presence.


    "See that container bulk carrier ahead? That''s our target. Quietly swim over and use your spear to puncture a few holes in the ship''s bottom," Liu Yong instructed.


    Overlord eagerly responded, "Master, it''s a piece of cake. Just watch me do it."


    Overlord was thrilled with the assigned task, feeling like it got injected with chicken blood. The sense of excitement was inexplicable, but it was undeniable.


    Overlord swam over eagerly, reached the bottom of the ship, took a brief look, and then grabbed its colossal spear, piercing the bottom of the ship forcefully.


    With a massive spear made of high-strength steel and Overlord''s incredible strength, the ship''s bottom felt as made of paper. With a loud noise, the bottom of the ship got punctured effortlessly, and arge hole appeared.


    "BOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM"


    "BoooMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM"


    A loud noise echoed through the ship, causing it to tremble slightly.


    The sound attracted the attention of several people on board, and the Captain of the Proton Group even questioned the cause.


    "What''s happening? There was such a loud noise. Go check it out," the Captain demanded.


    The nearby first mate replied, "Don''t worry about it, Captain. I have no idea where the noise came from, but it doesn''t concern us."


    Before the first mate could say anything more, another loud noise echoed through the ship, causing several people on board to feel another slight tremble.


    The Captain''s expression turned grave as he quickly ordered,


    "Go and investigate. Find out where that noise ising from. I just felt our ship shake."


    Unbeknownst to them, the noise made by Bawang''s actions at the bottom of the water.


    Even though it had gone beyond his original instructions, Liu Yong was pleased with Bawang''s work.


    He let Bawang have some fun and explore the surrounding area before calling it back if needed.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Great job, Bawang. You can take a break and do what you like for now. I''ll contact you again if there''s something else to do,"


    Liu Yong said.


    Liu Yong grinned as Overlord dered,


    "Master, I shall take my leave for now. But if you stumble upon anything else as delightful as this, do notify me at once."


    It was evident that Overlord had relished this experience and was craving more.


    Little did anyone know, nor could they have ever fathomed, that a massive snapping turtle, wielding a giant 20-meter-long spear in its front paws, had stealthily departed from Dongshan Deepwater Port.


    Though Bawang had left, the ship belonging to the Proton Group was in dire straits.


    "Captain, we have a major problem. Several sizable holes have abruptly appeared on the underside of our vessel, and a considerable amount of seawater has already flooded in," reported one of the crew members.


    "What!" eximed the Captain of the Proton Group, his expression suddenly turning grave.


    Their ship was doomed to sink if there were over a dozen significant holes.


    The situation worsened because the ship had numerous containers, each brimming with goods.


    All the containers will get damaged if the vessel goes down in seawater.


    The Captain''splexion turned ashen, and he muttered, "This is the end, this is the end."


    Themotion onboard caught the attention of some passersby nearby, who began to take notice of the situation.


    "Hey, take a look! Something significant seems to have urred on that ship," one of the passersby eximed.


    "I heard some muffled sounds emanating from the water earlier. Do you think it could be rted?" another asked.


    Several individuals aboard the vessel appeared to be in a state of panic, scurrying to disembark from the ship.


    "It''s pretty apparent that something has gone wrong," someonemented.


    Upon receiving the call report, Shi Lijun, who was at the Proton Group Headquarters, was taken aback and couldn''t sit still.


    He hastily rallied a group of people and rushed to Dongshan Deepwater Port.


    Upon arrival, the incident had already urred for over an hour, and the vessel had tilted and sunk more than halfway.


    Suddenly, a thunderous noise reverberated throughout the area, deafening the movement.


    Many of the containers on board had started to slide and tumble into the sea after the ship had tilted.


    "What in the world happened? Can someone please exin this to me!" Shi Lijun eximed in frustration.


    Shi Lijun was beside himself with frustration, knowing the immense loss the Proton Group was about to suffer.


    They had been fortunate to have avoided significant incidents for at least half a year, but this catastrophe would undoubtedly result in substantial losses.


    Thepensation owed to customers alone would likely surpass thepany''s profits for half a year.


    Many people had gathered around to witness the spectacle, as there was a lot ofmotion and noise.


    For many onlookers, who had worked on boats for over a decade, this was the first time they had witnessed such an event.


    It was fascinating for them to observe the disaster unfold from a safe distance.


    "This is incredible, especially when all those containers fell into the sea just now," someone remarked.


    "Lower your voice; we don''t want to be overheard by anyone from the Proton Group," another cautioned.


    Aside from the Proton Group employees, people from other shippingpanies and even dock workers observed the scene in awe, as if they were watching a disaster movie.


    Shi Lijun was devastated, watching the catastrophe unfold before him. He felt helpless, unable to prevent the ship''s sinking in any way.

 Chapter 74 What The F**K? Did We Offend Anyone?

    ?Shi Lijun slowly stirred from his drowsiness as the container freighter released a long, piercing whistle.


    His eyes followed the departing vessel, but his expression soon darkened with anger.


    "That''s the Universal Company''s ship, isn''t it?" he eximed. "Didn''t we report the presence of prohibited items? How could it have left the port so swiftly?"


    Yuan Guanghui stood by Shi Lijun''s side and spoke up with courage,


    "My lord, the customs have already inspected the ship of Global Ocean Services and have found no issues. Therefore, they have cleared the ship to leave the port."


    Upon hearing this, Shi Lijun got surprised, and his anger boiled over.


    He stomped his foot and demanded,


    "How can this be? Weren''t we informed that it would take at least ten to eight days before it could leave?"


    Yuan Guanghui lowered his head, feeling the weight of his lord''s disappointment.


    Shi Lijun needed rification about how the ship of Global Ocean Services could leave the port in three or four days.


    Unbeknownst to him, Hu Shijun had been cooperative and positive during the inspection process.


    Furthermore, no prohibited items were on board, and all necessary procedures and documents were meticulously prepared.


    The customs officials were not easily deceived and cleared the ship for departure.


    Suddenly, multiple voices erupted in shouts.


    "Oh my goodness!"


    "It''s done for, absolutely finished this time!"


    The ship belonging to Proton began to tilt even further, causing numerous containers to tumble into the sea.


    The chaotic scene resembled something out of a disaster movie, prompting gasps and exmations from onlookers.


    Shi Lijun paid no attention to the departing ship of Universal Company as he fixed his gaze on the unfolding disaster before him. He watched helplessly as numerous containers toppled into the water and realized with a sinking feeling that the losses this time would be immense.


    "It''s all over," he muttered, his face growing pale. He knew this would be the most significant loss the Proton Group had ever suffered since its establishment.


    As the ship continued to tilt and sink, it eventually came to rest on the sea bed, with only a small portion remaining visible above the waterline.


    It was due to the shallow water depth next to the pier, which was only a few meters deep.


    The ship would have sunk entirely without a trace if the water had been more profound.


    Liu Yong sat in his office on the boss''s chair, listening intently to the reports of Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun.


    Hu Shijun spoke up, saying, "Brother Yong, I''m pleased to report that our ship finally departed the port an hour ago. Although it was dyed by a few days, we still managed to arrive at the port as scheduled, and the arrival date will not be impacted."


    It was undoubtedly a piece of wee news.


    Upon hearing the report, Liu Yong breathed a sigh of relief. He was d that the ship had departed on time and would arrive in Hong Kong as required by the contract.


    It would provide a satisfactory exnation to their customer and prevent the need for them to pay any liquidated damages.


    Qiu Yanghui reported:


    "Boss, you should have heard that a strange thing happened at Dongshan Deepwater Port this morning. An 80,000-ton container ship belonging to Proton Ocean Shipping Group sank. The speed was very fast, and itpletely sank to the bottom of the sea in just over an hour."


    Liu Yong smiled.


    This ship was poked into a dozen big holes by the Overlord, and it almost became a sieve. It must have sunk very quickly.


    But he smiled happily and didn''t say he did it himself. Liu Yong would not say why the ship sank or the specific reason.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    With a sense of satisfaction, Liu Yong eximed, "That''s great news. Proton Group has been ying dirty, reporting us maliciously behind our backs. They had iting."


    Meanwhile, the ship''s sinking had caused quite a stir, leaving the Proton Group in panic.


    Shi Wanquan, the boss of Proton Group, who rarely made public appearances, rushed to thepany in a hurry. He immediately called for a meeting of all the high-level executives in thepany.


    All the senior executives of Proton Group were present in therge conference room, but the atmosphere was sad and heavy.


    The reporter then showed a photo of the damaged ship on the screen.


    Shi Wanquan''s face turned pale, and he asked tremblingly, "Who did this? Did we offend anyone?"


    Sitting next to him, Shi Lijun suddenly stood up and said,


    "Boss, I suspect that this is rted to the Global Ocean Services. They were dyed in leaving the port and caused us a lot of trouble. Maybe they did it to retaliate against us."


    Once he had finished speaking, he pressed the projector''s remote control and presented a series of photos. These included an image of the hole in the ship''s bottom and a picture of the vessel sinking.


    Shi Wanquan''s eyes shed with anger.


    "If this is true, we will not let them get away with it! We must take revenge!"


    The ship was riddled with gaping holes that appeared to be mocking them with their open mouths. Shi Wanquan, seething with anger, tried to control his emotions and demanded, "Why are there so many enormous holes in a ship of such fine quality?"


    During the high-level report, the reporter stated,


    "Based on our preliminary analysis and inspection, we have concluded that the holes were made by arge, sharp external weapon." However,


    Shi Wanquan quickly interrupted, shouting,


    "That''s just nonsensical spection! Look at the size of these holes; each one is over a meter in diameter. It would take an enormous amount of force and a tool weighing several or even tens of tons to make such openings. Who could handle such a massive, sharp weapon?"


    Although many people agreed with Shi Wanquan''s skepticism, the holes'' appearance strongly suggested that they were created by a sharp external weapon piercing the ship''s hull.


    Despite extensive discussion and analysis, people needed help to exin how these holes were made.


    This mystery remained unsolved, and it seemed to baffle everyone for the foreseeable future.


    The estimated loss this time is more than 2 billion yuan, a staggering figure for a container ship with a discement of over 80,000 tons that is not worth nearly as much.


    However, the real blowes from the valuable goods stored within the containers, which have also been lost.


    The number "2 billion" echoed in Shi Wanquan''s mind, causing him to feel uneasy. Proton Group had worked tirelessly for an entire year, earning only about 2 billion yuan in profit.


    It seemed that all their hard work had been for nothing.


    The meeting continued for an hour, during which Shi Wanquan ordered an investigation team to determine the root cause of the ident.


    However, despite their best efforts, conclusive findings were still being discovered through the investigation.


    Furthermore, the sunken ship took up valuable space at the Dongshan Deepwater Port Wharf, where it had sunk.


    The ship would need to be salvaged or removed promptly, or else the pier would be unable to operate normally.


    However, moving or salvaging an 80,000-ton ship remained an enormous challenge, even with advanced technology and equipment.


    During the conference, Shi Lijun remained silent, lost in thought. He couldn''t shake the question of why the ship had so manyrge holes, and it continued to upy his mind even after the meeting was over and he returned to his office.


    As he pondered this question, a disturbing possibility urred to him. Could Global Ocean Services have been responsible for the damage to the ship?


    This idea startled him and left him feeling deeply uneasy.

 Chapter 75 Another Target And Liu Yongs Third Party Vision Power

    ?Shi Lijun was surprised at the possibility that Universal might have been responsible for the incident.


    However, he promptly dismissed this idea and considered the possibility of it being a mere coincidence.


    He couldn''t entirely rule out their involvement despite his disbelief in Global Ocean Services'' capability to quietly sink such a massive vessel with tens of thousands of tons.


    As he contemted, he wondered if Global Ocean Services had done the act or if someone else was responsible.


    After recalling Qiu Yang''s ominous warning about Proton Group''s responsibility for all future incidents, Shi Lijun needed to be more confident and confident.


    Despite his initial suspicions, he ultimately remained unconvinced that Universal Ocean Services was involved in the incident.


    He reasoned that if Universal possessed such immense power, they would not need to resort to covert actions, and Proton Group would have no choice but to surrender immediately.


    The sheer audacity of the act - to pierce over a dozen gaping holes in their boat without detection or any knowledge of the perpetrator or their methods - left Shi Lijun incredulous.


    It was an astounding feat, but if Universal Ocean Services carried it out, it would be a pointless disy of their power.


    Indeed, they would have taken to the skies and issued direct threats, warning that all future events would be the sole responsibility of Proton Group.


    With this reasoning, Shi Lijun remained convinced that Universal was not behind the incident.


    The memory of the slow-moving container ship from Global Ocean Services that Shi Lijun had seen earlier that morning at Dongshan Deep Sea Port came flooding back, causing him to feel frustrated and irritated.


    Shi Lijun expressed his displeasure with Global Ocean Services through a derisive snort and began considering ways to retaliate against them.


    His loyal followers had suggested several options, such as reporting the incident to customs and the tax department and urging them to investigate Universal.


    Others suggested leveraging Proton''s strength to secure orders, causing Global Ocean Services to lose business and leaving their cargo ships empty with nothing to transport.


    As the discussion continued, some of Shi Lijun''s group members even suggested paying someone to teach Qiu Yang or Hu Shijun a lesson to leave asting impression on them.


    However, after weighing the options, Shi Lijun ultimately decided that the most dependable approach would be to leverage Proton''s strength and secure orders from Universal, thus forcing Global Ocean Services to suffer the consequences of its actions.


    Shi Lijun considered paying someone to intimidate Qiu Yang or Hu Shijun and decided it could be a valuable tool for the future. With his mind made up, he picked up the phone and issued orders to his subordinates.


    A smirk appeared on his face as he thought to himself, Proton was the leader of the ocean transportation industry in Huahai City.


    With Universal out of business, they would have no choice but toe to him for assistance.


    As Liu Yong sat in his office reviewing a document, he couldn''t help but feel satisfied with thepany''s growth and development.


    He began to consider strengthening the senior management team and enlisting a headhuntingpany to find a suitable candidate for the deputy general manager position.


    Suddenly, a loud knocking on the door, followed by Hu Shijun bursting in, "Brother Yong, there''s a situation that requires your attention."


    Liu Yong nodded in response.


    Hu Shijun entered the room and reported, "Brother Yong, in the past couple of days, several customers intended to ce orders with us, but Proton Group intercepted them all."


    Upon hearing this, Liu Yong chuckled.


    "It seems like they haven''t learned their lesson yet,


    " Liu Yong remarked. "It''s ridiculous that they''re intercepting orders from their ownpany, causing us to lose out on potential business for the past two days."


    He then exined the consequences of the situation,


    "Global Ocean Services has a ship waiting at the port to receive orders for loading and transportation. However, without any orders, the ship has to remain docked and we have to pay the port fees for every day it stays there."


    The ideal scenario would have been having enough orders to keep the business flowing smoothly, allowing the ships to load and depart immediately. Unfortunately, that was not the case, as Proton Group intervened and disrupted the process.


    Hu Shijun expressed his frustration, "Brother Yong, if it was fairpetition and they won the business through their own merits, that would be understandable. However, our investigation has revealed that Proton Group has used hical means to intercept our customers. This is not a fairpetition at all."


    It was clear why Hu Shijun was so angry.


    Liu Yong, on the other hand, remained calm and optimistic. "There''s no need to worry. We will receive more orders soon."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After calming down Hu Shijun and seeing him leave, Liu Yong realized it was necessary to continue teaching Proton Group a lesson.


    The past two days'' actions needed improvement, and more needed to be done. Liu Yong knew taking appropriate measures to protect thepany''s interests, and reputation was crucial.


    "Overlord, where are you? There''s work to be done," Liu Yong called out.


    Bawang responded enthusiastically,


    "Master, I''m near the sea. Do you want me to take down a big ship again? Don''t worry, I can get to Dongshan Deepwater Port within an hour."


    "Head to Dongshan Deepwater Port now and contact me when you arrive," Liu Yong ordered.


    "Alright, I''m on my way," Bawang confirmed.


    The Overlord was initially surfing the waves, but upon receiving the instruction, he grabbed his giant spear and made his way toward Dongshan Deepwater Port.


    Within two or three days, Bawang had grown even more massive, and its weight had increased to around 23 tons.


    Its attributes have also improved. It felt much smoother to handle the spear Liu Yong gave and was no longer as bulky as before.


    True to his word, Bawang arrived at Dongshan Deepwater Port in about an hour.


    The distance of over 100 nautical miles, or more than 200 kilometers, was covered in just an hour, a feat that only Bawang could achieve. No ship or sea creature could match its speed.


    "Master, I have arrived at Dongshan Deepwater Port. Which ship do you want me to destroy?"


    Bawang asked.


    Liu Yong essed a third-party vision, allowing him to see both Bawang in the water and the situation at Dongshan Deepwater Port.


    Liu Yong saw several giant ships docked at the pier in the bulk cargo terminal, where coal and iron ore were loaded and unloaded.


    One of the ships stood out due to its massive size, estimated to have more than 150,000 tons of discement.


    It was a bulk carrier named "Fortune," with the prominent logo and words of the Proton Ocean Shipping Group emzoned on its hull. This ship was thergest in Proton Group''s fleet.


    Liu Yong selected a ship and instructed his subordinate, Bawang, to puncture holes in it. Pointing towards thergest ship at the dock in the distance, a bulk carrier named "Fortune of the Proton Group,"


    Liu Yong ordered,


    "Bawang, do you see the biggest ship at the dock in the distance? It''s the bulk carrier Fortune of the Proton Group. Go and poke some holes for me."


    Bawang was thrilled by the task and responded,


    "Master, it''s not enough to poke a few holes, at least a dozen holes, I''ll go right away."


    Liu Yong smiled and replied,


    "You can make as many holes as you want, even if you smash that ship into a sieve, but remember, don''t let it be discovered."


    Bawang confidently said,


    "Put it down, I''m underwater, no one can find me."


    Bawang took his giant spear and quietly went under the "Fortune."


    After observing the ship, he stabbed hard toward the bottom with the massive spear.


    Meanwhile, Overlord became highly excited and eximed,


    "It''s like being beaten with chicken blood again. It likes and is most interested in doing this kind of work."


    ......¡­..

 Chapter 76 The Same Process

    ?"Boooom!!!!"


    As the ship sailed, a sudden loud noise erupted from the bottom of the vessel.


    It was as if someone was poking tofu, and before anyone knew it, a massive spear had effortlessly pierced through the ship''s hull, creating a gaping hole more than 10 meters long.


    "If I push any harder," Bawang remarked,


    "the spear will likely go all the way through. This bulk carrier, which can hold over 150,000 tons of cargo, is as fragile as paper."


    The Overlord brandished the spear, repositioned it, and plunged it toward the ship''s hull again.


    This time, it created another sizable hole, with the giant spear almost entirely piercing through.


    "Pick it up and poke it again!"


    Consumed by the thrill of the destruction overlord was causing. "


    Poke it in and pull it out!"


    The Overlord appeared addicted to the act, showing no signs of stopping as he repeatedly pierced the ship''s hull.


    Suddenly, it created a muffled sound from beneath the water, and even more holes appeared on the ship''s hull.


    Large amounts of seawater flooded into the vessel through these openings.


    There was no crew aboard the "Fortune" ship, which had just finished unloading arge amount of iron ore and nned to remain docked at the port for two days. As such, nobody had noticed the significant holes in the vessel''s hull.


    Eventually, an individual on the pier became aware of a peculiar sound.


    "Listen, where is that noiseing from?" they asked.


    "I hear it too. It sounds quite loud," someone else responded.


    "It seems to being from the low water," another person said.


    "It can''t be underwater, it''s probablying from some distance away," another voice offered.


    As the muffled sound persisted, many onlookers spected about its origin, never imagining that it came from the bottom of the water and the damaged "Fortune" ship.


    The onlookers paid little heed to the noise for approximately 20 to 30 more muffled sounds.


    However, with each passing moment, they were unaware that a considerable amount of seawater was flooding the ship through the over 20rge holes in the hull.


    As time passed, the seawater inside the vessel rose, causing the ship to sink gradually. As the boat began to decline, it suddenly tilted, and something strange urred.


    Finally, someone on the pier noticed the abnormality. "Look!". Someone shouted, drawing the attention of those nearby.


    "My God, what happened?!" eximed another individual.


    "That ship is clearly sinking!" others shouted.


    As the situation became more apparent, many onlookers grew increasingly concerned, with some even turning pale with fright at realizing the perilous situation aboard the "Fortune."


    Shi Lijun, a member of the Proton Group, appeared to be in high spirits, sittingfortably in an oversized boss chair while smoking a cigar and receiving a report from one of his subordinates.


    Although the group had suffered significant losses due to a ship sinking two days prior, Shi Lijun seemed to have put the event behind him and was feeling quite pleased with himself in the present moment.


    My lord," the subordinate began, "as per your instructions, we''ve utilized some tactics to snatch Universal''s orders nearly. One of their ships was waiting to be loaded at the pier, but now there were no orders. I suggest we make a stop at the pier."


    Shi Lijun chuckled with satisfaction, feeling incredibly proud of his team''s sess.


    Afterughing, he took a drag from his cigar, blew a giant smoke ring, and expressed his contentment: "Excellent work, everyone. You all did an outstanding job."


    The subordinate replied, stuttering slightly, "It was all due to the leadership of the eldest son. We simply carried out your orders."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Shi Lijun acknowledged the subordinate''s words with a nod and gave further instructions.


    "Keep up the pressure and seize all of Global Ocean Services'' business. We''ll leave them with empty ships and no transport deals. Let them understand that in Huahai City, Proton is the leadingpany in the ocean shipping industry."


    The subordinate responded promptly,


    "Absolutely, we won''t ck off and will do everything in our power to take business away from Universal."


    "Very well, carry out the n with diligence," Shi Lijun concluded.


    Shi Lijun sipped his cigar and admired the subordinate leaving. He contemted that Universal had not acted despite being robbed for three days.


    He concluded theycked the strength to carry out such an operation and that his prior suspicions were unfounded.


    With this realization, he resolved topletely crush Global Ocean Services and ensure they could not recover, even if it meant pushing them into bankruptcy.


    As Shi Lijun was lost in thought, Yuan Guanghui burst into the office in a state of panic, eximing, "My lord, there''s a big problem!" Despite Shi Lijun''s apparentposure, Yuan Guanghui was agitated.


    Yuan Guanghui was grieved as he recounted the disastrous news that thergest bulk carrier docked at the port had been punctured with numerous holes. He was so overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation that he broke down in tears.


    Yuan Guanghui was in tears, his face covered in snot and tears as he eximed,


    "My lord, our ship ''Fortune'' has been punctured with 20 to 30rge holes, and it''s practically a sinking sieve!"


    Shi Lijun was taken aback by the news, his face pale as he swiftly rose to his feet and demanded to know when the incident urred.


    Yuan Guanghui continued to cry as he replied, "It happened less than 20 minutes ago, my lord."


    As the news of the ship''s sabotage spread, people from the Proton Group who were at the port wasted no time reporting the incident via phone, taking the matter seriously.


    After verifying the report, Yuan Guanghui hurried to inform Shi Lijun that the news was not a hoax.


    Upon hearing the news of the "Fortune''s" dire situation, Shi Lijun''s face paled, and he hastily gestured, "Let''s go to the pier immediately."


    Upon arriving at the pier, they found that the "Fortune" was in a critical state, almost sinking and tilting almost upside down.


    The ship''s hull was riddled with numerousrge holes, at least twenty or thirty of them, causing it to sink rapidly.


    As he witnessed the devastation before him, Shi Lijun was stunned.


    One thought dominated his mind: Global Ocean Services was likely responsible for this sabotage. It had to be them!


    The news of the sabotage left the Proton Group in a panic yet again.


    Shi Wanquan retook charge of the meeting, but it proved futile, with no progress made. Some even spected it might be divine punishment due to the Proton Group''s past wrongdoings. They pondered whether the group had umted too many evil deeds that caused God to act against them.


    After the meeting, Shi Wanquan appeared to have aged by ten years. He was unable toprehend why such a catastrophic event had urred.


    Where could the numerous holes in the bottom of the ship havee from?


    Could it have been the actions of an enemy?


    Various potential adversaries crossed his mind, but he could not understand their identities.


    He had numerous enemies and was unsure which could have been responsible for this sabotage.


    Despite being able to identify the enemy to some extent, he could not determine their method to create multiple holes in the boat''s bottom.


    Upon his return to the office after the meeting, Shi Lijun also struggled toe up with a solution.


    The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that Global Ocean Services was responsible for the incident.


    As he contemted the situation further, it seemed increasingly usible that they were indeed the culprit, as it seemed unlikely for such an event to happen twice in a row as a mere coincidence.

 Chapter 77 I M Interested In Jinniu

    ?Qiu Yang eagerly reported to his superior, Liu Yong, with a bright smile. "Boss, I have two pieces of great news to share with you," he said.


    "The first one is that our long-awaited 100,000-ton tanker is finally ready and will be delivered to us in just one week''s time. This means that we will have our very first tanker to begin transporting our cargo."


    Liu Yong''s face lit up with excitement upon hearing this news.


    The tanker''s arrival marked a significant milestone for their shippingpany and promised substantial growth and sess to their operations.


    With the ability to transport more significant amounts of cargo, they could expand their reach and establish themselves as an essential yer in the industry.


    Global Ocean Services had ced an order for oil tankers at arge shipyard approximately 20 days ago.


    The shipyard had been working tirelessly toplete two 100,000-ton oil tankers, almost ready to deliver.


    With one scheduled for delivery in just a week, thepany was on the verge ofunching its oil transportation operations in the Middle East.


    This news brought about a sense of excitement and anticipation for thepany''s executives.


    The Middle East was a region with vast oil reserves and high demand for transportation services.


    By entering this market, Global Ocean Services had the potential to reap significant financial rewards.


    However, the decision to transport oil also came with its fair share of risks.


    Compared to transporting containers to RB or Europe or even iron ore from Australia, the potential profits in the oil transportation market were much more significant.


    But this also meant that any setbacks or issues along the way could result in equally substantial losses.


    Therefore, thepany''s executives knew they must tread carefully and make calcted decisions to ensure sess in this new venture.


    Despite the potential for high profits in the oil transportation market in the Middle East, the region was known for its unstable political situation and proximity to the Gulf of Aden, where piracy was a persistent threat.


    However, Liu Yong, the head of Global Ocean Services, remained undeterred by these risks.


    He firmly believed that where there was money to be made, the potential profits outweighed any potential risks.


    With the delivery of the first 100,000-ton giant oil tanker just around the corner, Liu Yong was excited and eager tounch their operations in the Middle East.


    The tanker promised to be a game-changer for thepany, opening up new opportunities and revenue streams.


    Liu Yong''s expression lit up as he eximed, "That''s fantastic news! And what''s the second piece of good news?"


    Qiu Yanghui ryed the information, "Recently, thergest bulk carrier of the Proton Group, named ''Fortune,'' was riddled with 20 to 30 holes, causing chaos throughout the entirepany."


    Upon hearing this, Liu Yong couldn''t help but grin, thoroughly pleased with both pieces of news.


    "Two pieces of good news indeed! Especially the part where the Proton Group''s ship was turned into a sieve. How could I not be thrilled?"


    Qiu Yang chimed in, "I''m on the same page. It definitely brings me joy to hear about their ship being punctured like that."


    Inquisitively, Liu Yong asked, "Do you have any idea who might be responsible?"


    Qiu Yang couldn''t help but wonder if his boss had something to do with the incident.


    However, Liu Yong''s question caught him off guard, making him specte that it may not have been rted to him. Otherwise, why would he ask?


    Qiu Yang responded with a shake of his head, "I have no idea who could have done something like that. It takes incredible power to puncture a massive ship like that."


    He couldn''t help but feel amazed at the sheer force used. It was truly remarkable, almost invincible.


    With such a tactic at their disposal, they had nothing to fear. Especially in the ocean transportation industry, they could take down opponents simply by puncturing a few holes in their ships.


    Qiu Yang couldn''t help but feel disappointed that the incident had nothing to do with their boss.


    He thought it would be fantastic if he had such a powerful method at his disposal.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong ignored Qiu Yang''s thoughts and waved his hand dismissively, "The Proton Group must be wondering who''s behind these incidents."


    "In order to avoid any suspicion towards us, we should release a statement on behalf of ourpany, explicitly stating that we are not responsible for these two events and have no involvement with them."


    Qiu Yang was utterly taken aback by Liu Yong''s suggestion, and it took him some time to gather his thoughts.


    He couldn''t help but be impressed by the idea. It was truly remarkable!


    Once the statement got released, he imagined that people within the Proton Group would be angry.


    It was at this moment that Qiu Yang began to harbor some suspicions. Could the boss be secretly behind the two incidents that happened in session?


    The idea had excited Qiu Yang, and he couldn''t help but feel thrilled at the prospect of the boss having such a powerful means at his disposal.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    If this was the case, he could already envision thepany''s bright future.


    With enthusiasm, Qiu Yang dered,


    "Boss, I''ll send the statement right away."


    "Alright, go ahead," Liu Yong nodded in agreement.


    Sitting alone in his office, Shi Lijun was deep in thought, puffing on a cigarette. The two incidents were constantly on his mind.


    "Perhaps it was Mostly Universal, but there''s no concrete evidence..." he muttered, increasingly anxious.


    The more he thought about it, the more he realized that if Universal was behind the incidents and had such formidable power, the game was not worth ying anymore.


    Overwhelmed by fear, Shi Lijun realized that he had hit a steel te this time and couldn''t afford to take it lightly.


    As he pondered his next move, a knock on his door abruptly interrupted his thoughts.


    "Come in," he said in a deep voice.


    Yuan Guanghui entered, holding something in his hand, and said, "My lord, Universal has just released a statement."


    Shi Lijun took it over and took a look. At first, he was so angry that he almost vomited blood, and gradually, cold sweat came down.


    The statement was concise, with only a few lines, and these few lines made Shi Lijun sweat.


    Scared!


    He was terrified!!


    Despite his anger and frustration, Shi Lijun couldn''t ignore the clear message in the statement.


    Universal denied any involvement in the two incidents. Still, the brevity and directness of the information made it clear to Shi Lijun that Universal was behind the attacks.


    He realized that Universal was sending him a warning and that he had to tread carefully from now on.


    If Shi Lijun were to contact the authorities and use Universal of being responsible for the incident, it would not hold up as there is no concrete evidence.


    Only he possesses the knowledge that Universal executed the event.


    This confirms without a doubt why he was fearful, as Universal has the potential to carry out such an act.


    One can only wonder if they will continue to target additional Proton Group vessels.


    If only two or three more ships were attacked, the Proton Group could avoid bankruptcy and remain somewhat stable.


    After being lost in thought for a prolonged period, Shi Lijun eventually spoke up: "Manager Yuan, please schedule a meeting with Qiu Yang of Universal. I wish to discuss matters with him."


    It was clear that he intended to submit and negotiate for peace.


    Initially, Qiu Yang had requested a meeting with him, but Shi Lijun and Gao Gao had only sent Yuan Guanghui to attend.


    This time, however, Shi Lijun was frightened and sought out Qiu Yang to make peace.


    The question remains, will Qiu Yang agree to the meeting?


    Global Marine Services, Inc. sent an invitation letter to Qiu Yang, who received it and smiled coldly to himself, having anticipated this development.


    However, it was moreplex than just meeting with him. Qiu Yang sent two recruits to attend the meeting in his ce.


    Despite Shi Lijun''s preparations and eagerness to meet with Qiu Yang, only the two young Universal Company representatives arrived.


    Though they were inexperienced, Shi Lijun concealed his disappointment and entertained them warmly, expressing his desire to meet with Mr. Qiu.


    The two neers reported the situation to Qiu Yang upon their return.


    Soon after, Shi Lijun extended another invitation to Qiu Yang. This time, Qiu Yang sought the advice of Liu Yong before making his decision.


    "Boss, Shi Lijun has extended an invitation for the second time to meet with me. Do you think I should ept?" Qiu Yang asked.


    Liu Yong took a moment to consider before responding: "Yes, you should. When you meet with him, tell him that we are interested in Proton Group''srgest container ship, the Jinniu. It''s an impressive vessel with a discement of over 200,000 tons, and it''s rtively new, having been purchased less than a year ago."


    Upon hearing this, Qiu Yang''s eyes lit up with excitement.


    ..................

 Chapter 78 Golden Bull For 1 Yuan

    ?Qiu Yang felt a mix of excitement and apprehension.


    "The boss actually took a fancy to the giant container ship Jinniu of Proton Group, which is a good thing!"


    He thought.


    "It would be great if this giant ship could be a ship owned by thepany, and thepany''s ocean shipping capacity of containers would directly rise to a new level."


    However, Qiu Yang was also worried. "Boss, that is thergest container ship in China," he said. "Will Proton Group agree?"


    Liu Yong was confident. "They will agree," he said. "If they don''t agree, you can tell them clearly that what happens next has nothing to do with us, and Proton Group will be responsible for it."


    Qiu Yang''s eyes lit up. "Yes!"


    He thought. "If the boss has the means to poke holes in Proton Group''s ship, then he is not afraid of their disagreement."


    After understanding the situation, Qiu Yang became confident and asked for instructions.


    "Boss, what price should we offer?" he inquired. "Should we offer 80% or 70% of the market price of this ship?"


    Liu Yong replied,


    "We should offer at least 60% to 70% of the cost. This is a massive container ship worth more than one billion yuan. If we can purchase it for 60% to 70% of the price, we will save several hundred million yuan."


    Qiu Yang was surprised by Liu Yong''s response and asked how he knew. Liu Yong simply smiled and held up one finger.


    "We''ll buy it for one yuan," he exined. "If we don''t pay anything, it would be considered robbery. But if we trade it for one yuan, it will be a legitimate purchase."


    "What?!" Qiu Yang eximed.


    "Buy a container ship worth over 200 million yuan for only one yuan?"


    It took Qiu Yang a while to recover from the shock, and then he admired Liu Yong. "Boss, you are too awesome," he said.


    It would be fantastic if they could purchase the "Golden Bull" for one yuan - acquiring a billion-dor ship for practically nothing.


    "I''ll meet Shi Lijun right away," Qiu Yang said excitedly.


    "Go ahead, and I''ll wait for your good news," replied Liu Yong.


    As Qiu Yang left cheerfully, Liu Yong thought, "Proton Group wants to apologize, but how can they do so without something substantive?"


    Shortly after that, Qiu Yang met with Shi Lijun. Thetter was relieved that Qiu Yang had agreed to meet, and they sat down in a teahouse to discuss the matter.


    "I''m truly sorry. This has happened to us before," Shi Lijun said apologetically. Though he was apologetic on the surface, he knew how sincere he indeed was.


    Qiu Yang replied, "As long as yourpany doesn''t target us again, especially by using any disgraceful tricks behind the scenes, we can let bygones be bygones. We are willing to be magnanimous."


    Shi Lijun''s face twitched slightly upon hearing Qiu Yang''s response.


    Qiu Yang felt intense anger, thinking, "We suffered a huge loss, yet you act like you''re the victim here?"


    Despite his anger, Shi Lijun didn''t dare show any negative emotions on his face. He maintained a rigid smile and agreed,


    "Yes, let''s let bygones be bygones."


    After a few more minutes of chatting, Qiu Yang brought up the issue of Universal''s losses during the process.


    He remarked, "Assistant President Shi, while I appreciate your apology, I must say itcks sincerity given the magnitude of our loss."


    Shi Lijun''s expression froze upon hearing Qiu Yang''s statement.


    Shi Lijun knew that his boat could easily sustain more than a dozen holes if people wanted to, so he chuckled and greeted Mr. Qiu,


    "It''s a pleasure to meet you again, sincerely."


    However, Qiu Yang shook his head and remarked, "Merely saying sorry won''t cut it. You have to offer something substantial for us to consider forgiving you."


    Hearing this, Shi Lijun felt anxious, realizing he had to devise a more meaningful solution.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    If Universal did not ept his apology, there could be severe financial losses due to the boat''s damage.


    As a result, Proton Group couldn''t afford such a risky scenario.


    Feeling overwhelmed, Shi Lijun wanted to cry but knew he couldn''t give up. He had to offer something significant because a simple verbal apology was insufficient.


    As the ninja''s fury burned within him, Shi Lijun asked indignantly,


    "What do you mean, Mr. Qiu?"


    Qiu Yang cut to the chase and proposed, "Yourpany''s ''Golden Bull'' is an impressive vessel. Coincidentally, ourpany is in need of arge container ship. How about selling it to us?"


    Shi Lijun was shocked by the suggestion. The ''Golden Bull'' was a brand new ship he had purchased for over a billion dors.


    He wondered how much Universal would be willing to pay for it. Would they offer a 50% discount or 10%?


    However, he knew that the minimum discount should be 15%, or else it would cause significant losses to Proton Group.


    Shi Lijun contemted the offer carefully in his mind.


    Shi Lijun had been overthinking the situation. He asked Qiu Yang, "Mr. Qiu, we can bear the pain and give up as long as the price is reasonable. What''s your offer?"


    In response, Qiu Yang held up one finger, perplexing Shi Lijun. Did one finger mean $100 million or a 10% discount?


    Suddenly, Shi Lijun''s expression changed as he asked loudly, "What does one finger represent?"


    Qiu Yang replied, "It means you sell your ''Golden Bull'' to Universal Company for one dor."


    The people Shi Lijun had brought along were stunned, and his eyes widened in disbelief. One dor for the ''Golden Bull'' was an astonishingly low price.


    After a few seconds, Shi Lijun reacted and removed his disguise, revealing his true identity. He angrily eximed, "We don''t need to discuss this further."


    He stood up and waved his hand, signaling his people to leave with him.


    Qiu Yang remained seated, unconcerned. He calmly warned, "It''s fine if you don''t want to sell the ship. But if anything happens in the future, don''te to us for help. Proton Group will have to handle it on its own."


    These words weighed heavily on Shi Lijun, causing him to pause.


    He realized another ship might be attacked but couldn''t bear the shame of giving in. Eventually, he decided to leave, reluctantly.


    Qiu Yang pointed at Shi Lijun''s retreating figure and said, "You have two days to think it over. After that, I can''t guarantee anything."


    Shi Lijun appeared defeated, like a drooping eggnt, upon his return. Soon after, Shi Wanquan summoned him, having likely heard something about the incident, and inquired,


    "Did you have any involvement with Universal?"


    Realizing he couldn''t conceal the truth, Shi Lijun bowed and recounted the incident, including what had just urred.


    Upon finishing, Shi Lijun eximed pointedly,


    "Both our boats were pierced through their bottoms one after another. It has to be the doing of Universal Company. We must gather evidence, hold them ountable, and ensure that they receive legal punishment."


    However, before he could continue, he was abruptly interrupted.


    "Silence!"


    Shi Wanquan''s fury was palpable as he gave Shi Lijun an unsatisfied nce.


    He harshly reprimanded Shi Lijun and then suddenly appeared to regress to a ten-year-old, weakly stating, "I agree to Universal''s demand of selling the ''Golden Bull'' to them for 1 yuan, but I implore them not to cause us any further trouble. We cannot afford to provoke them in any way!"


    The thought of initiating any provocation was out of the question!


    The Proton Group would not dare to take the initiative to provoke anyone.


    They would be more than content if left alone by others and not subjected to any further trouble.

 Chapter 79 Strength Level - 1702 & Agility Level - 1651

    ?Qiu Yang entered with a beaming expression and dered, "Boss, it''s all taken care of.


    This document contains the signatures of both parties involved in purchasing Proton Group''s "Jinniu" container bulk carrier for a mere 1 yuan."


    It seemed too good to be true.


    A colossal vessel worth over a billion dors was purchased for only 1 yuan.


    The process went smoothly, and Proton Group cooperated eagerly. Qiu Yang couldn''t shake the feeling of it being a dream.


    Despite working in the ocean transportation industry for many years, he had never encountered such a surreal experience.


    Liu Yong observed Qiu Yang''s joyful countenance and couldn''t help but smile. He then proceeded to examine the signed documents hastily.


    Satisfied, Liu Yong expressed, "This massive ship will elevate our container business to new heights. It is now in your hands."


    Qiu Yang reassured him promptly, saying, "Boss, rest assured. We will make the most of this ship, and it will undoubtedly generate substantial wealth for thepany."


    After bidding farewell to Qiu Yang, Liu Yong pondered that the primary reason for Proton Group''spliance, including selling the ''Golden Bull'' to them for 1 yuan, was Bawang.


    Without the Overlord, nothing would have been possible.


    Thinking of the Overlord, Liu Yong could not resist opening the pet panel.


    [[


    Name: Mutant Snapping Turtle.


    Strength: 1702


    Agility: 1651


    Constitution: 1620


    Weight: 26.7 tons


    Swimming speed: 128 knots


    Skills: Turtle Breath (Level 2), Tortoise Shell (Level 2), Super Perception (Level 2), Super Vision (Level 1)


    ]]


    Liu Yong gazed at the panel for a prolonged period and felt contented.


    The Overlord had already grown to 26.7 tons, and in a matter of days, it would reach 30 tons.


    Numerous attributes had substantially improved, with the strength attribute surpassing 1700. With such immense strength, handling a spear weighing seventeen or eighteen tons should be more effortless.


    However, the only blemish was that the swimming speed had decreased considerably. At a size of 10 tons, the rate was 100 knots, and now at 26.7 tons, the swimming speed had merely increased to 128 knots.


    But soon, Liu Yong realized that 128 knots were still impressive. It was considered a high-speed and could keep pace with the high-speed rail on the ground.


    Due to the water''s resistance, would Bawang eventually reach a speed bottleneck, unable to surpass a specific speed limit? Liu Yong wondered.


    Liu Yong was intrigued. Would the final speed be 200 knots or 300 knots? Either way, both were incredibly fast.


    After scrutinizing the Overlord''s attributes, Liu Yong activated the third-party vision and observed the Overlord''s current location, which was apparently in the deep sea.


    "Overlord, where are you?" he inquired.


    "I encountered a peculiar creature half an hour ago and suffered a minor setback. I''m currently seeking revenge," replied the Overlord.


    Liu Yong felt surprised. What kind of creature could threaten the more than 20-ton Overlord? He inquired further,


    "Where are you now, and what kind of creature did you encounter?"


    "I''m approximately a hundred nautical miles away from Huahai City, and the creature is small, round, and quite fast. I''m


    determined to locate and confront it," the Overlord responded.


    Liu Yong was perplexed. A small, round creature that wasn''t too big? What on earth could it be?


    "What the F**k man."


    Liu Yong said to himself.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong was responsible for monitoring Bawang''s movements from a third-party perspective. He observed Bawang, gripping a giant spear, swimming at least 120 knots swiftly in search of a peculiar entity in its mouth.


    Bawang was intelligent and had designated a search radius of 100 kilometers for itself, which it scoured with impressive speed.


    It would take a little while for Bawang to explore this sea region.


    Liu Yong was extremely curious and eager to learn more about the creature in Bawang''s mouth.


    The Overlord was visibly agitated, unsure of what had transpired with the strange entity. Armed with its colossal spear, the Overlordbed the world in search of the mysterious creature.


    "Overlord, what happened when you encountered thatrge entity?" Liu Yong inquired.


    "I didn''t suffer any major damages. Its sudden appearance caught me off guard. I never expected such a peculiar thing to materialize," the Overlord responded.


    Liu Yong felt relieved that there were no significant losses incurred.


    The Overlord scoured the world searching for the elusive creature and encountered severalrge marine animals, most of which steered clear of it.


    Even if a whale shark, measuring over ten meters in length, caught sight of the Overlord, it would immediately flee as far and as quickly as possible.


    Despite not being hungry, the Overlord could have quickly devoured the whale shark as its speed would not have been sufficient to evade the Overlord''s jaws.


    After a while, the Overlord encountered another massive creature - a gigantic jellyfish.


    The ocean is home to many enigmatic and fascinating creatures that humans have only begun toprehend. Given its colossal size, it is highly probable that this jellyfish species has remained undiscovered by humans.


    The main body of the jellyfish alone measures over 10 meters in diameter, while its tentacles stretch for 50 to 60 meters - surpassing even the Overlord in size.


    Liu Yong, observing the jellyfish through third-party vision, was astonished and warned the Overlord,


    "That''s a giant jellyfish. Did it cause you any trouble earlier?"


    "No, it didn''t," the Overlord replied.


    Liu Yong cautioned,


    "The jellyfish doesn''t seem to be easy to deal with, so be careful."


    Despite the looming threat of the jellyfish, the Overlord was not intimidated and braced for a confrontation.


    As the jellyfish approached the Overlord, the Overlord grew increasingly agitated.


    However, instead of backing off, the jellyfish moved closer, seemingly unafraid of the Overlord''s wrath.


    With anger mounting, the Overlord charged towards the jellyfish, ready for whatevery ahead.


    The Overlord can swim at an average speed of 128 knots while in the water, with an even more terrifying burst speed that can be achieved instantly.


    The giant jellyfish was caught off guard by the Overlord''s remarkable speed and barely reacted before being overtaken.


    A sense of danger immediately flooded the giant jellyfish''s mind as it realized its precarious situation.


    Its instinctual reaction was to run, but it quickly became apparent that it was toote. The Overlord''s speed was too fast for the giant jellyfish to evade.


    Before it could even attempt to flee, the Overlord''s enormous spear had already plunged into its body, causing it to burst like a massive balloon.


    The jellyfish being impaled echoed in the water as a ck-green substance sprayed from its body.


    The jellyfish''s life slowly ebbed away as it sank deeper into the abyss.


    After swiftly impaling the giant jellyfish with its spear, the Overlord disyed its incredible reaction speed by pulling out the spear and darting away, covering a distance of two to three hundred meters in the blink of an eye.


    Not a single drop of the ck-green substance sprayed out of the jellyfish touched the Overlord, and even the deadly tentacles of the jellyfish failed to reach it.


    Having sessfully defeated the giant jellyfish, the Overlord proceeded to scour the world in search of the person who had caused it slight difort earlier.


    It carried the massive spear with it, ready for any challenge ahead.


    Through hard work and persistence, one can achieve their goals. After a long search, the particr individual mentioned was finally found.


    When Liu Yong looked at the strange things Bawang had spoken of, he couldn''t help but feel startled.

 Chapter 80 Is That Ours Or Another Countrys ?

    ?"This is the guy you were talking about!"ined Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong had initially thought it was some form of marine creature, but it was a product of modern science and technology.


    "Goodness gracious!" they eximed, realizing it was a submersible sailing quickly underwater, reaching 20 to 30 knots.


    "Master, I found it. It''s this thing," said Liu Yong, pointing towards the submersible.


    "I saw it too. Its sudden appearance must have startled you," replied Liu Yong.


    "Yes, it was this thing. I was sleeping peacefully, but suddenly it appeared beside me, whooshing by and jolting me awake," confirmed the Bawang.


    Amused, Liu Yong couldn''t help butugh at the realization that this submersible had startled the mighty Overlord.


    From a third-party perspective, Liu Yong could see that the object was an underwater submersible, around four to five meters long, cylindrical and yellow, with a diameter of approximately 300 mm, and sailing underwater.


    "Master, do you want me to smash it?" asked Bawang.


    Although the submersible was sailing at a rtively fast speed of 20 to 30 knots, it was nothingpared to Bawang''s rate.


    Bawang rushed towards it confidently, ready to destroy it with his giant spear.


    Liu Yong, on the other hand, was more cautious. He wondered to himself which country the submersible belonged to - was it from their own country or another?


    Given that they were not far from Huahai City, with a straight-line distance of around 100 nautical miles, it seemed more likely to belong to their own country.


    It was doubtful that a foreign unmanned submersible would venture into this area.


    Overlord, take your time smashing it. Keep your distance, follow it from a distance first, and don''t let it out of your sight."


    The seawater here is clear, and the light is rtively sufficient. Overlord has superpowers and will not lose sight even if he is thousands of meters away.


    "Good master, then I will follow from a distance and wait for your news."


    Bawang is actually very impulsive, wishing to rush up and smash that strange guy, but the master has orders, and they must be faithfully carried out.


    After ordering Bawang to follow from a distance, Liu Yong checked it online.


    After a search, most of them are news that fishermen captured the submarine of country M.


    After checking some news reports on the Inte, Liu Yong is sure that this 80% are the submarines of country M, not ours.


    Liu Yong considered the possibility of retrieving the unmanned submersible as allowing foreign nations to conduct investigations in their coastal waters would be a source of embarrassment.


    "Overlord, move in and sever the optical fiber behind the submersible. Retrieve the submersible and bring it back to our warehouse by the sea," ordered Liu Yong.


    Overlord, eager toply with his master''s orders, quickly grabbed the submersible with his paw.


    With his speed exceeding 100 knots, the optical fiber behind the submersible was cut rapidly, and the submersible was pulled away and soon out of sight.


    Not far from the area, a small boat full of foreigners, primarily consisting of white and ck Americans, was alerted by themotion.


    Despite its civilian appearance, this vessel was a converted detection vessel belonging to the US military.


    A group of citizens from M country was operating a crewless submarine, transmitting gathered data to theirputer for analysis and safekeeping. Suddenly, a piercing scream erupted.


    "What''s happening?!" one of them yelled.


    "James, what''s the matter?" another asked.


    "Boss, we lost contact with the submersible out of nowhere. It''s as if the transmission fiber has been severed," James replied frantically.


    "Oh, no. That can''t be," the group leader muttered before approaching themotion. Upon inspecting the situation, he looked utterly hopeless.


    "Damn it. It''s a fiber optic break," the group leader cursed.


    As thetest submarine from M country, there should have been no issues with a fiber breakage, yet it had urred anyway.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Unbeknownst to them, an enormous snapping turtle had snatched the underwater vehicle and was now several nautical miles away.


    Bawang wasted no time in taking hold of the submersible and departing swiftly. His destination was crystal clear - he needed to deliver it to the seaside warehouse as per Liu Yong''s request.


    In Huahai City, Chen Lizheng, a national security department head, sat in his office and lit a cigarette, feeling the weight of the pressure upon him.


    His superior had just called to inform him of the M country''s reconnaissance ship''s activities, which hade as close as 100 nautical miles to Huahai City to conduct surveince using theirtest unmanned submersibles.


    Chen was annoyed that the M country''s reconnaissance ships often disguised themselves as civilian vessels, making it challenging to detect them.


    As he exhaled a giant smoke ring, Chen wished he could capture an M country unmanned submersible.


    However, he knew it was just wishful thinking.


    After all, it takes work to capture US unmanned submersibles.


    While there have been instances of fishermen catching M country''s submarines, it was just a matter of chance, and it would be challenging to repeat such a stroke of luck.


    Driving off the reconnaissance ships of country M was proving to be quite tricky.


    "They often disguise themselves as civilian ships, and they''re always elusive,"


    Chen Li remarked.


    "The best way is to capture their new unmanned submersible. As long as we get our hands on the submersible, they won''t be able to conduct investigations. Plus, it''ll make them fearful and restrained,"


    Chen Li added, pondering the situation.


    "But that''s easier said than done," he admitted, feeling the weight of the pressure on his shoulders.


    Meanwhile, Overlord managed to retrieve country M''s submersible with impressive speed and ced it at the center of the warehouse.


    "Master, the things have been brought back and put in the warehouse," he reported to Liu Yong.


    Observing the M country''s submarine through a third-party vision, Liu Yong felt pleased andmended Overlord''s performance, saying, "Good performance."


    "Master, then I''m leaving. If you have any tasks, please contact me. I''ll be on call at any time," Overlord requested.


    "OK, go ahead," Liu Yong granted permission.


    Overlord left to return to the sea, while Liu Yong couldn''t help but think that they might have obtained more than 90% of what they were looking for.


    He set off immediately to the seaside warehouse to confirm his suspicions.


    "I only brought Chen Hu, and he drove us to the warehouse in less than an hour. When we walked into the warehouse, we saw the submersible in the middle,"


    Liu Yong recounted.


    He quickly made his way to the center of the submersible with Chen Hu, who recognized the object, eximing,


    "Boss, this is an unmanned submersible."


    Liu Yong asked Chen Hu to take a closer look and confirm if it was the submarine from country M.


    After careful examination, Chen Hu deduced,


    "It should be the submarine of country M, but the model is not clear. We need to find a professional to take a closer look."


    Liu Yong nodded and took out his phone to take several photos of the submersible.


    The next step was to find someone who could identify the type of submersible they had obtained.


    Soon, Liu Yong thought of someone and called on his mobile phone.


    .........¡­.

 Chapter 81 National Security Department Confirmation

    ?Liu Yong isn''t familiar with anyone from the security department, but he does know Gao Dake, who works at the Eastern District Bureau.


    He assumes that Gao Dake may have connections with people in the security department.


    Gao Dake answered the call promptly and greeted Liu Yong,


    "Mr. Liu, it''s not often that you call me first. I assume it''s something serious."


    Liu Yong joked, "Hey Gaoju, I wouldn''t bother you if it wasn''t important."


    Gao Dake chuckled and replied, "No problem at all. You can call me anytime you need."


    After exchanging a few more jokes, Liu Yong became serious and said, "Gaoju, there is indeed something I need to discuss with you."


    Gao Dake replied straightforwardly, "Sure, tell me. What is it?"


    Liu Yong got straight to the point,


    "Yes, I identally captured an unmanned submersible, probably from Country M. We are unfamiliar with this technology. I would like to know if the High Bureau knows any professionals in this field."


    Before Liu Yong could finish his sentence, Gao Dake''s voice rose several degrees,


    "What? You captured an unmanned submersible!"


    He was surprised, and his reaction was intense.


    The public security system and the national security department have a great deal of ovep.


    Yesterday, Gao Dake participated in a meeting hosted by the security department, where he reported on the unmanned submersible from Country M.


    After the meeting, he chatted with some colleagues about this topic. Some people even said it would be great if they could capture the unmanned submersibles of Country M.


    Several othersughed, knowing it was nothing more than wishful thinking since capturing such technology is challenging.


    But now, only one dayter, Liu Yong called to say that he had caught an unmanned submersible from Country M.


    "Mr. Liu, where are the items?" Gao Dake asked.


    Liu Yong replied, "The items are temporarily stored in a warehouse. I have taken a few photos and I will send them to you."


    "Okay," Gao Dake repeated twice, "good," which showed his excitement.


    After Liu Yong sent the photos, Gao Dake called back only three to five minutester, sounding very excited.


    "Mr. Liu, I''ve confirmed that it is indeed a submarine from Country M, and I will report this to the security department immediately. You have made a great contribution."


    As the person in charge of the National Security Department in Huahai City, Chen Li was feeling the pressure. Sitting in his office chair, he took a deep breath and thought about what his superiors had explicitly mentioned on the phone.


    "Oh, it would be amazing if we could capture a submarine from Country M," they had said.


    "Unfortunately, that''s too difficult," he thought.


    While Chen Li was deep in thought, the phone on his desk rang. He picked it up and heard Gao Dake''s voice on the other end.


    "Leader, I have some good news to report to you."


    Gao Dake was of a lower rank, so he addressed Chen Li as "Leader."


    "What news? Don''t beat around the bush, tell me quickly," Chen Li responded impatiently.


    Gao Dake reported the matter again, and Chen Li couldn''t believe his ears. He eximed,


    "It''s true! Don''t make trouble!"


    Gao Dake reassured him, "It''s absolutely true. They sent me several photos, and I will send them to you to take a look."


    After chatting for a few more moments, they hung up the phone. Chen Li checked the photos on his mobile phone and confirmed it was an unmanned submersible from Country M, possibly even thetest model.


    "Ha ha," he thought to himself. "It''s tough to find and takes a lot of effort."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Chen Li''s entire demeanor transformed within a matter of minutes. His stress dissipated, and he exuded an energetic and radiant aura.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong waited patiently with Chen Hu in the vast warehouse for the security department personnel to arrive.


    To their surprise, it was thetest model of an uncrewed submersible vehicle from country M.


    The location was immediately ryed to Gao Dake, who promptly set out with his team.


    After a wait of about 20 to 30 minutes, Gao Dake arrived in a convoy of three vehicles, one police car in the lead and two military vehicles following behind, one of which was arge military truck.


    The warehouse was empty without any suspicious activities, so they had no qualms about entering.


    All three vehicles drove straight into the warehouse, and as soon as they came to a halt, at least a dozen individuals emerged from each car.


    Apart from a few police officers, including Gao Dake, the rest of the individuals were soldiers.


    The middle-aged soldier leading the team was of a high rank, holding the title of colonel.


    Gao Dake warmly shook hands with Liu Yong and introduced him,


    "Mr. Liu, I''d like you to meet Director Chen, the head of our security department in Huahai City."


    "Hello, Chen Ju."


    "Hello, Mr. Liu."


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group crowded around the submersible to examine it closely.


    One soldier, who had a touch of grey in his hair, held onto Liu Yong''s hand tightly and eximed,


    "Mr. Liu, do you realize that this is thetest unmanned submersible vehicle from country M? It has the potential to be a game-changer in the development of our domestic submersibles, leading to a significant breakthrough in their capabilities."


    Liu Yong was ted upon hearing this news.


    He had not anticipated making such a substantial contribution with just a chance discovery.


    Chen Li shook Liu Yong''s hand tightly again, expressing his gratitude,


    "Mr. Liu, on behalf of the security department of Huahai City, thank you. Capturing this unmanned submersible has finally given our security department some peace of mind. Chinese people cannot recklessly conduct investigations in front of our doorstep."


    Liu Yong humbly replied, "Director Chen, I just happened to stumble upon this discovery."


    Chen Li suggested, "Let''s transport the submersible back first, and hold an award ceremony tomorrow. There''s a special award fund of 1 million yuan, and we will present it to you."


    Liu Yong couldn''t believe his luck. Creating such a thing would be a breeze for Bawang, and it could easily earn him a million yuan in rewards.


    He was ecstatic about the award, but what pleased him more was the opportunity to establish a good rtionship with the security department.


    This was what people referred to asworking.


    Liu Yong declined the offer, stating, "I don''t think an award ceremony is necessary. Personally, I don''t like to attract attention in public."


    Chen Li consented, "Alright, then you cane to my office tomorrow, and I will personally hand you the check of 1 million."


    "Okay, I''ll disturb you tomorrow, Bureau Chen," Utilized replied.


    Afterward, a few military personnel lifted the submersible onto the military truck, secured it with straps, and covered it with a thick, tight tarpaulin.


    Before departing, Chen Li courteously shook hands with Liu Yong, "Mr. Liu, I will be waiting for you in the office tomorrow morning."


    "Sure, I''ll be there tomorrow morning,"


    Liu Yong confirmed.


    Next, Gao Dake also shook hands with Liu Yong, and even the gray-haired soldier, a technical expert, also shook hands with Liu Yong.

 Chapter 82 Drop-Dead Gorgeous!

    ?As Liu Yong and Li Changle strolled out of the movie theater hand in hand, the night had already fallen.


    They spent the entire day together, grabbing an early dinner and catching another flick.


    Li Changle broke thefortable silence between them. "Brother Yong, what should we do now?"


    Liu Yong pointed to a towering skyscraper in the distance, a five-star hotel. "Lele, let''s go there. We won''t head back tonight. How about we stay there instead?"


    Li Changle nuzzled closer to Liu Yong''s ear, her voice dripping with seduction.


    "You''re so greedy for me, aren''t you, Brother?"


    Liu Yong''s heart stirred with desire.


    "Yes, I am greedy for you. How about we take care of things tonight?"


    Li Changle''sughter rang out, music to Liu Yong''s ears.


    He loved the way sheughed.


    "You''re so bad, Brother. But I like it."


    Li Changle looped her arm through Liu Yong''s and whispered in his ear again, her breath hot against his skin.


    "Let''s head to the hotel now. We won''t be going back tonight."


    As Li Changle''s seductive words caressed his ear, Liu Yong''s body grew warmer.


    Despite knowing that the girl was teasing him on purpose, he couldn''t resist whispering back,


    "Let''s go. Let''s head to the hotel."


    They only walked a few meters before Li Changle backed down, coyly admitting,


    "Brother Yong, I''m not ready yet. I''m afraid."


    Liu Yong grinned, feeling victorious. "I was only kidding.My sister will be arrivingter, and I need to pick her up."


    Li Changle pouted yfully. "You''re so mean,Yong. But fine, I''ll let you off the hook this time."


    With summer vacation winding down and school set to start in a few days, Liu Lan was finally leaving the house and returning to school.


    She arrived at Huahai High-speed Railway West Station at 9:20 in the evening, and Liu Yong agreed to pick her up.


    Li Changle felt disappointed that they weren''t headed to the hotel for some reason. Her heart was conflicted.


    On the one hand, she wanted to give herself to Liu Yong for the first time, but on the other hand, she was incredibly nervous and not yet ready.


    Li Changle had a naughty side, but deep down, she was conservative. She knew giving herself to someone was a big step and wanted to ensure she was fully prepared.


    Li Changle has heard Liu Yong talk about Liu Lan many times, but she has never met him, so she immediately became interested,


    "Yong, I''ll aslo go pick her up with you, how about it?"


    "Okay."


    Liu Yong agreed immediately, waving his hands, and said,


    "Then let''s get on the car now, and it''s almost nine o''clock "


    They got into the car together, and Liu Yong drove himself.


    Chen Hu, the bodyguard and driver, is usually kept from this kind of dating with Li Changle.


    After getting in the car, Li Changle said:


    " Yong, this is the first time Liu Lan and I will meet, and we haven''t prepared a gift yet."


    Liu Yong said: "No, why are you being so polite?"


    Li Changle said coquettishly: "Thick-skinned, who is with your family?"


    Liu Yong deliberately teased her,


    "It turns out that we are not a family. Two days ago, a beautiful youngdy wanted to add me on WeChat. Do I agree or disagree?"


    Li Changle quickly interjected, "You better not add any other girls on WeChat once you''re with me."


    Liu Yong''s face lit up with a grin. "Sure thing. I have no intention of adding any other girls. You''re the only one who has my heart," he replied happily.


    Li Changle''s expression softened at his words. "That''s pretty much the same thing," she said.


    Meanwhile, Liu Lan put away her phone and realized she would soon reach the station.


    As she thought about her brother''s new girlfriend, whom he described as even more beautiful than her, she made a mental note to meet her once she arrived in Huahai City.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Naturally, Liu Lan couldn''t help but wish for a stunning sister-inw.


    As the high-speed rail arrived at the station, Liu Lan grabbed her luggage and stepped out, spotting Liu Yong and Li Changle eagerly waiting for her.


    "Oh my, is that my brother''s girlfriend? She''s so beautiful!"


    Liu Lan eximed, pleasantly surprised, having never imagined that her future sister-inw would be this stunning.


    "Elder brother!" she cried joyfully, almost stumbling into Liu Yong''s arms.


    "Missed me?" he asked with a grin.


    "Of course, every day," she replied.


    "And our parents, are they doing well?"


    "They''re fine, no worries,"


    The siblings chatted briefly, and Liu Yong introduced his girlfriend,


    "This is your future sister-inw, Li Changle. She teaches at Huahai No. 2 Middle School."


    Liu Lan warmly greeted her future sister-inw,


    "Hello, sister-inw," making Li Changle ttered and embarrassed.


    "Sister Le, or Sister Lele, that''s how you can call me," said Liu Lan.


    In response, Liu Lan gave a mischievous smile and said, "No, I''ll just call you sister-inw."


    Liu Yongughed happily, gesturing for them to get in the car and go home.


    As Li Changle held onto Liu Yong''s arm, she lightly pinched his waist with her other hand and said softly, "Brother Yong, Liu Lan called me sister-inw. You should be happy."


    Liu Yong replied softly, "I am happy."


    Li Changle yfully pinched him again, making him cry out, "It hurts, my wife, it hurts!"


    Using the term "wife" made Li Changle''s face turn red, and she pinched him again.


    Meanwhile, Liu Lan pretended not to notice their yful banter and felt happy for Liu Yong.


    She thought, "My brother has found a beautiful girlfriend, and their rtionship is so sweet."


    Once they all got into the car, Liu Yong asked Liu Lan if she had eaten yet, to which she replied,


    "I ate in the car and I''m not hungry at all. Let''s just go home directly."


    "Okay, let''s go home," he said, and they drove off.


    The distance between their current location and home was close, and they would arrive in about thirty to forty minutes.


    Once they arrived home and settled in the living room, Liu Yong checked the time and realized it was already past ten o''clock in the evening, and they were running out of time.


    He turned to Li Changle and said, "Lele, why don''t you stay here tonight and sleepover?"


    Li Changle''s face turned red, feeling a bit nervous.


    However, Liu Lan came to the rescue, warmly taking Li Changle''s arm and saying, "Sister-inw, don''t leave. Let''s sleep together tonight, what do you think?"


    Li Changle felt relieved and agreed, "Okay, let''s sleep together."


    Liu Yong smiled,


    "Alright then, the two of you can sleep together. Just ensure not to stay up toote and go to bed early."


    They both replied in unison, "You don''t need to worry about us!"


    As night fell, Liu Yongy on his bed, wondering what the two women were discussing.


    He wondered if they were already asleep and if they were discussing him.


    As hey in bed, tossing and turning, Liu Yong''s thoughts turned to his beloved pet, Bawang.


    He opened the pet panel on his phone and checked on his progress.


    Through the third-party vision, he saw Bawang sleeping peacefully on a boulder at the bottom of the sea.


    He couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride as he saw that Bawang had grown again and now weighed 29.2 tons, with significant improvements in all of his attributes.


    His swimming speed had improved, with an average speed of 132 knots in the water.


    Despite his admiration for Bawang, Liu Yong didn''t contact him. Instead, he stared at the pet panel until he fell asleep, feeling content that his pet was growing strong and healthy.

 Chapter 83 A Good Relationship

    ?Liu Yong drove Li Changle back to their rental house the following day before heading to thepany.


    His visit was to oversee the arrival of the first 100,000-ton oil tanker scheduled to dock that day.


    "Lele, let me apany you upstairs," Liu Yong offered.


    Li Changle declined, saying,


    "No need. I can go up by myself. You go to thepany first, and don''t worry about me."


    After some hesitation, Liu Yong agreed as the elevator had already arrived downstairs for Li Changle.


    "Alright," he said.


    "Yong, goodbye," Li Changle bid farewell.


    "Goodbye," Liu Yong replied.


    To Liu Yong''s surprise, Li Changle unexpectedly kissed his cheek before entering the elevator, taking him aback.


    Li Changle had just kissed Liu Yong on his cheek before joyfully running into the waiting elevator.


    If one were to observe closely, one would notice that her ears were slightly reddened.


    This marked the first time that Li Changle had proactively initiated a kiss with Liu Yong since they had met.


    After standing outside for a few minutes, Liu Yong happily headed to thepany.


    Upon entering the rental house, Li Changle was surprised to find Wang Li in the living room instead of out. Seeing Li Changlee in, Wang Li jokingly asked,


    "Lele, you didn''te back home all night yesterday. Did you spend the night at a hotel with Liu Yong?"


    Li Changle blushed slightly and quickly replied, "No, what are you thinking? We didn''t go to a hotel."


    Wang Li persisted and asked, "If not a hotel, then did you stay over at Liu Yong''s cest night?"


    Feeling embarrassed, Li Changle refused to answer and retorted,


    "You nosy girl, why do you have to ask so many questions?"


    Wang Li, still curious, approached her and asked, "Was it at Liu Yong''s ce? Did you use the TT I gave youst time?"


    Feeling even more embarrassed, Li Changle replied firmly,


    "You''re so dirty! I won''t tell you anything!" and hurried back to her room.


    At the HTC Group, Zhao Zhenbiao was experiencing a sessful streak in his life.


    The new desk he had ordered had arrived, and it was made of a single piece of golden nanmu wood. Zhao Zhenbiao was thrilled with the final result.


    Aside from this significant achievement, the acquisition of many Jinsinan and Huanghuali wood nks bolstered Hongda Group''s reputation in the industry, making many of his colleagues envious.


    This hefty investment of over two billion yuan in these precious woods would likely lead to a significant return on investment for Zhao Zhenbiao.


    In his office, Zhao Zhenbiao was enjoying thepany of his friend Zhou Zhengming, a middle-aged man.


    The two sat sipping tea and engaging in casual conversation.


    Zhou Zhengming is a wealthy and influential figure in the manufacturing industry of Huahai City, specifically in the Finishing area. Hispany had two brushes.


    One day, Zhou Zhengming''s friend asked him, "Old Zhou, howe you have time to sit with me today?"


    Zhou Zhengming decided to confide in his friend and said,


    "I have encountered a problematic matter, Lao Zhao. You have many ways, and I''d like to know if you can help me find a solution."


    Zhou''s friend replied, "Your matter is my matter. As long as I can help, I will do my best. Tell me, what is it?"


    Zhou Zhengming exined,


    "In order to improve our precision machining capabilities, I spent a lot of effort and finally bought two high-precision CNC machining centers from RB. I bought the things, but they couldn''t be shipped back. I was really anxious to death."


    Zhao Zhenbiao responded, "Oh, there is such a thing. The shipping industry is very developed now, so it should be able to be shipped back."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Zhou Zhengming then revealed the real issue:


    "Old Zhao, you may be a little ignorant if you don''t do our business. Many countries prohibit the export of high-precision CNC equipment to us, and RB is no exception."


    Upon learning that exports of high-precision CNC equipment were prohibited, Zhao Zhenbiao nodded in agreement, realizing that the machines could not be shipped back.


    Zhou Zhengming exined that he had attempted to arrange for the devices to be sent back through unique channels, but no ocean shippingpany was willing to take on the risk.


    "I even increased the shipping cost to 5 million units, but nopany dared to take this risk. Now it seems that I was sloppy,"


    Zhou Zhengming shared with a worried expression.


    The so-called particr channel is smuggling, and Zhou Zhengming had initially thought that the machines could be shipped back quietly through smuggling, but in the end, no one dared to ept the order.


    Zhao Zhenbiao was surprised by the high shipping cost and asked Zhou Zhengming about the total expenses.


    Zhou revealed that the CNC machining centers were highly advanced and had top-of-the-line precision, which made them expensive.


    "How much did you spend in total, and the shipping fee is so high," asked Zhao Zhenbiao.


    Zhou Zhengming replied, "This is an advanced CNC machining center with very high precision. RB''stest product represents world-ss machining uracy. Of course, it is also expensive. The purchase of these two devices alone cost me nearly 50 million."


    Zhao Zhenbiao was taken aback by the staggering figure.


    "Nearly fifty million! Every two thousand is several million. It''s really not that expensive," he remarked.


    Zhou Zhengming may have paid a higher price than the actual value. Still, there was no denying that the precision CNC machining center cost more than 20 million yuan, and its high price reflected its high precision machining capability.


    "Spending tens of millions of dors is worth it,"


    Zhou Zhengming said with hope.


    "With these two devices, our finishing ability will reach new heights, and we''ll be able to process many previously impossible-to-machine parts."


    Despite his optimism, Zhou Zhengming sighed softly, knowing the devices couldn''t be shipped back to the factory.


    Seeing his friend''s disappointment, Zhao Zhenbiao thought of the shippingpany next door, Global Ocean Service Company, and said,


    "Old Zhou, the boss of Global Ocean Service Company is a friend of mine. Let me see if he can help us."


    Zhou Zhengming''s hope was reignited.


    "Thank you, Old Zhao. Please take care of this for me."


    Zhao Zhenbiao responded,


    "No need to thank me. I''ll go see Mr. Liu now and ask for his help."


    The two left the office together, and Zhao Zhenbiao went to Universal Company next door while Zhou Zhengming waited in the reception room, sipping tea.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong was in his office, having just received news that thepany''s first 100,000-ton oil tanker had arrived and was docked at the port.


    After making some preparations, it was ready to transport crude oil to the Middle East or other locations, pending transportation business.


    Shortly after, there was a knock on Liu Yong''s office door.


    Zhao Zhenbiao entered the office, surprising Liu Yong, who greeted him warmly.


    "Mr. Zhao, please have a seat," he said.


    The two had a good rtionship and were veryfortable with each other. After exchanging pleasantries, Zhao Zhenbiao exined his request.


    Liu Yong then remembered that the two precision CNC machining centers had been shipped back from RB and that the reward for their safe return was 10 million yuan. With that kind of money, arranging for their shipment to be transported seemed feasible.


    "I''ll see what I can do,"


    Liu Yong said with a smile.


    .................

 Chapter 84 Seeing For The First Time Ever

    ?Liu Yong took a moment to ponder the situation before responding to Zhao Zhenbiao''s inquiry.


    "Before I can provide a solution, I need to know the packaging dimensions of the two machine tools," he said.


    "And it''s imperative that the packaging is waterproofed. It cannot allow water to enter at least 50 meters deep."


    Zhao Zhenbiao nodded.


    "My friend is at ourpany, why don''t we head there and discuss the details?"


    He suggested.


    Liu Yong stood up and agreed. "Okay, let''s go there now," he said, ready to take the next step in securing the 10 million yuan that had piqued his interest.


    In the reception room of the HTC Group, Liu Yong, Zhao Zhenbiao, and Zhou Zhengming sat together and exchanged pleasantries before getting down to business.


    "So, what can you tell me about the machine tools?"


    Liu Yong asked Zhao Zhenbiao.


    "The two machine tools are packaged separately,"


    Zhao Zhenbiao replied.


    "Each packing box is 5 meters long, 3 meters wide, 2.5 meters high, and weighs 5,800 kilograms."


    Liu Yong nodded, listening carefully to the specifications.


    "At that size and weight, Bawang should have no problem carrying them,"


    He said.


    "Despite being over 30 tons, it can handle it."


    Zhou Zhengming, who had been quiet until then, spoke up.


    "The distance from Huahai City to RB isn''t too far, and Bawang''s speed of over 130 knots means we can make a round trip in a day. But we need to make sure the packing is waterproof."


    Liu Yong considered for a moment before responding.


    "Each packing box must be waterproofed and be able to withstand at least 50 meters of water depth to prevent any water from entering," he said firmly.


    Zhou Zhengming didn''t hesitate to agree. "No problem, we can waterproof the packing box to a depth of 100 meters."


    "Excellent," Liu Yong responded. "Once the packing box is waterproofed, find a remote seaside location and put the machine tools in the sea. Let me know the location afterwards."


    Zhou Zhengming needed rification about how to put the machine tools into the sea.


    After a moment, he realized they should put the Dong XC machine tool in the sea first.


    Then, when it''s quiet at night, Universal Company''s ship can go there silently and use lifting equipment to hoist the machine tool on board and bring it back to the country discreetly.


    That seemed like the best solution.


    Unbeknownst to Zhou Zhengming, Liu Yong could have quickly dispatched Bawang, which could carry up to 5 or 6 tons, to retrieve the machine tools.


    The three of them sat together, sipping tea and finalizing the details.


    The following day, Zhou Zhengming called Liu Yong to inform him that everything waspleted as required and gave him the specific location of the machine tools.


    Upon receiving the call, Liu Yong immediately contacted Bawang.


    "Hey buddy, I have a job for you. Head to RB right away and bring back the things for me."


    "Master, I am on my way,"


    Bawang replied promptly. It was a few hundred kilometers from Haihua City in the sea, just after finishing breakfast and wanting to exercise.


    After receiving the specific location, the Overlord set off with its giant spear and headed straight to RB.


    Liu Yong checked the pet panel and felt pleased. Bawang''s weight had increased to 30.6 tons, and it was improving every day.


    The weight increase has also led to various attribute improvements.


    For example, its strength attribute had reached 1849, making it capable of holding a 17-ton or 8-ton giant spear in one hand and a 5-6 ton machine tool in the other without any issues.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    As the Overlord traveled to RB, it covered a distance of about seven to eight hundred nautical miles without making any stops.


    Afterpleting two-thirds of the journey within half a day, there were still more than two hundred nautical miles to reach its destination.


    Underwater, the massive Overlord moved steadily at a depth of one or two hundred meters, with clear water allowing for aprehensive view of its surroundings.


    Bawang, the substantial snapping turtle, was also making its way through the ocean, oblivious to the presence of a ferocious Big Mac shark more than ten kilometers away.


    The Big Mac still needed to spot Bawang too.


    Though seeing a creature asrge as Bawang was already intimidating, the Big Mac was even more significant, making it an awe-inspiring scenery in the vast ocean.


    The enormity of the creature was immediately apparent.


    Estimated to be around three to forty meters in length and weighing over 100 tons, it was likely that such a giant shark had never been discovered in human history.


    If it were ever found, it would likely be ssified as a top secret due to its great size and power.


    Its mouth filled with blood, and the giant shark''s razor-sharp teeth looked positively bone-chilling. Even for a regr-sized shark, their bite force is impressive, but it could only be described as terrifying for a creature this immense.


    It seemed impossible for a shark to grow to such an enormous size. The reasons for this phenomenon remained a mystery for the time being.


    The giant shark was amid a feeding frenzy, devouring a whale over ten meters long and weighing over ten tons.


    The whale had no strength to fight back, and the shark had bitten off a significant chunk of the whale''s body in one swift bite, creating a gruesome and bloody scene.


    Meanwhile, the Overlord and Jusha had yet to cross paths, with a distance of over ten kilometers still separating them. If they were to encounter each other, nobody could predict the oue.


    Could the Overlord stand a chance against an opponent three times its size?


    The likelihood of that happening seemed very slim.


    Bawang was en route and had to pass by a massive and intimidating shark, which he kept at a safe distance of over ten kilometers.


    As he progressed further, he drew nearer to RB, and after an hour of swimming, he was only a few tens of nautical miles away from his destination.


    Bawang could swim at 135 knots and reach his goal in just thirty minutes.


    Without any breaks, he covered over 700 nautical miles in one go. However, he wasn''t exhausted but famished after such a long swim.


    Bawang decided to take a temporary halt and began his feast mode. With his excellent vision and clear seawater in the area, Bawang could spot big fish up to a distance of one or two kilometers.


    However, Bawang wasn''t interested in fish that weighed less than a few hundred catties and only went after fish that were at least a few hundred catties or even a thousand catties in weight.


    "There''s a big fish over there," he eximed, having spotted his target.


    It was a swordfish renowned for its agility but stood no chance against Bawang''s might and was promptly devoured.


    While relishing the swordfish, which weighed at least one or two thousand catties, Bawang wondered why it was so massive.


    "Why is this swordfish so big? It''s more than two or three timesrger thanmon swordfish," he pondered.


    Swordfish was a regr item on Bawang''s menu; he would have it almost daily. However, he had never eaten a swordfish as massive as the one he had just devoured.


    Usually, swordfish weighing two to three hundred catties were considered normal. This enormous swordfish weighing one to two thousand catties was a first for Bawang.


    Apart from swordfish, Bawang also savored other big fish, and it took him about 30 to 40 minutes to devour 20 to 30 of them.


    After a satisfying meal, he was finally feelingplete.


    Bawang had noticed that most of the giant sunfish he had consumed were regr, but a few were significantlyrger than usual.


    For instance, if he had eaten a one-ton sunfish earlier, the typical giant sunfish he encountered would only weighed a few hundred catties.


    Bawang couldn''t shake off the feeling that something was not quite right.


    Were the fish in this particr sea arearger than in other regions?


    Bawang pondered this question, but it seemed wrong. More than 90% of the fish he had eaten were of regr size, and only a handful was considerably more significant.


    In some cases, they were even two to three times bigger than usual.


    Bawang left confused ...............

 Chapter 85 The Paranoid In Tortoise Shell Technique

    ?He felt a sense of uncertainty in his heart and couldn''t understand what was going on, but he pushed those doubts aside and focused on the mission given by his master.


    After finishing his meal, Bawang set off toward his destination.


    In less than thirty minutes, he arrived at a deste beach with no visible buildings or people, except for a nearby road where asional vehicles would pass.


    Zhou Zhengming must have put much effort into selecting such a remote location.


    The Overlord had arrived and was eager to retrieve the item and leave as quickly as possible.


    Thus, he began his search.


    Using his superior vision and perception, no machine tool was too small to escape his notice.


    It would only take a few minutes for the Overlord to spot a target as big as he was looking for.


    Deep in the sea, with a water depth of 20 to 30 meters, two enormous waterproof packing boxes sat on the ocean floor, each containing a valuable machine tool.


    Bawang carefully lifted one of the boxes in his powerful jaws and approached Huahai City.


    Transporting both machine tools was impossible, so Bawang would have to make two trips.


    Despite the heavy load, Bawang maintained a speed of over 100 knots.


    Meanwhile, a massive shark weighing over 100 tons and measuring 30 to 40 meters long was enjoying its meal.


    Suddenly, it stopped and looked to the right, thinking it had seen an illusion.


    A massive object had just flown by at an unbelievable speed, and it was not a ship, as no boat could move that fast.


    The shark was curious and wanted to investigate, but the object disappeared before it could act.


    That object was none other than the Overlord, who held a giant spear in one hand and a packing box in his jaws.


    He had encountered the enormous shark over 300 meters underwater.


    Bawang should have paid more attention to the massive creature, assuming it was a blue whale, which can grow to more than 30 meters long and weigh over 100 tons.


    Focused on his task, Bawang traveled seven to eight hundred nautical miles and arrived in Huahai City at night.


    He swiftly went to the seaside warehouse, where he delivered the first machine tool.


    "Master, the first machine tool has been retrieved," Bawang informed Liu Yong, who could see him and the machine tool through a third-party vision.


    "Thank you for your hard work, Bawang. Rest well in the sea tonight and retrieve the other machine tool from RB tomorrow morning,"


    Liu Yong instructed.


    "Master, I''m feeling hungry again, but I''ll have a mealter. For now, I''ll take a good rest and head to RB tomorrow," said Bawang.


    Liu Yong replied, "No problem, take your time. We have a few days to spare, so there''s no need to rush."


    Liu Yong knew the ship would take a few days to return to RB, even after transporting the machine tool. Hence, Liu Yong nned to hand it over to Zhou Zhengming in a few days.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Master, I noticed something strange in the waters near RB. A few fish there are muchrger than their usual size. I even caught a sunfish that weighed over a ton and a swordfish that weighed over a thousand catties,"


    Reported Bawang.


    This revtion surprised Liu Yong, and he knew it wasn''t a good sign. "This doesn''t seem to be a good thing," he said, voicing his concerns to Bawang.


    Liu Yong chatted briefly with Bawang before checking his mobile phone for news and spections.


    He came across numerous reports about RB nuclear radiation affecting animals and nts, including the appearance of massive marine life near the area.


    Liu Yong was surprised to learn about swordfish and sunfish weighing thousands of catties and wondered if there were even more giant marine creatures out there.


    His attention was then drawn to a report about the RB spider crab, which had mutated due to nuclear radiation.


    This crab had grown in size and had be extremely aggressive and bloodthirsty.


    It had attacked and killed 34 fishermen and 26 tourists.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but wonder if even more giant and dangerous creatures were in the sea.


    All these worries filled Liu Yong''s mind, and he contacted Overlord again. He warned him to be cautious when going to RB the following day, advising him to fight if he could and to run away if he encountered any massive mutated sea creatures.


    If he discovered such animals, Liu Yong was concerned about Bawang''s ability to handle them.


    Liu Yong believed in Bawang''s ability to sprint, believing no marine creature could catch up to him. Bawang appeared calm and reassured Liu Yong that he was not foolish and knew how to gauge his abilities.


    This response put Liu Yong''s mind at ease, and he thought that Bawang had the intelligence level of a twelve or thirteen-year-old child and could understand the situation.


    There was nothing more to say for the rest of the night.


    The following day, the Overlord had a hearty meal and set off with his giant spear to RB again, determined to retrieve the remaining machine tool.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong arrived at his office and, examining Bawang''s progress from a third-party perspective, noticed significant advancements in its sea exploration.


    As he pondered this, Liu Yong also realized that Bawang had gained weight and grown a little taller overnight, prompting him to hope for its speedy growth and development.


    Just as he was about to review some documents on his desk, there came a knocking on the door, and in walked Hu Shijun, looking flustered and eximing that Liu Yong needed to see the news.


    ording to Hu Shijun, a vicious attack had urred on the coast of RB the previous afternoon, attributed to a massive shark measuring at least 30-40 meters long, killing seven people by attacking their yacht.


    This news rmed Liu Yong, as a shark of that size would weigh over 100 tons, more than three times the weight of the Overlord, and its biting power was formidable.


    Suppose we take an adult great white shark''s bite force as a benchmark, generally over 3,000 kilograms.


    In that case, it is estimated that the bite force of a giant shark measuring 30 to 40 meters in length and weighing over 100 tons would be in the tens of thousands of kilograms.


    The enormity of such a bite force would be intolerable for any marine creature. Even with the added protection of the tortoiseshell technique and a hard shell, it remains uncertain whether it could withstand such immense force.


    Liu Yong picked up his mobile phone and perused the news report, which included several images, one of which was a stunning photo of a small boat being bitten in half.

 Chapter 86 I M The Strongest

    ?The boat''s unevenly bitten-off parts give off a somewhat wrong impression. Liu Yong was quiet for a while, pondering to himself about the enormous biting force of the Overlord.


    He spected that if this gigantic creature were to confront someone on a narrow path, he might not emerge victorious from the encounter due to its massive size and formidable bite force.


    Hu Shijun remarked,


    "Brother Yong, a small boat was bitten into two pieces. That kind of biting power is simply terrifying. People in the RB offshore area should be more cautious."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement,


    "Such a violent giant shark will not hesitate to attack humans whenever it gets the opportunity. It won''t be long before we hear more reports of attacks and casualties."


    After exchanging a few words, Hu Shijun departed, leaving Liu Yong to continue monitoring Bawang''s progress toward RB.


    Through the third-party visual system, he saw Bawang swiftly traversing the ocean with seemingly endless energy.


    Bawang had swam tirelessly for hundreds of nautical miles without any breaks. At this point, he was near his destination, less than 200 nautical miles away.


    Despite this, Overlord''s pace quickened even more, indicating his eagerness toplete the task and return promptly.


    However, after traveling tens of nautical miles, Bawang was forced to halt. A massive creaturey ahead, blocking his path - a colossal shark.


    Encountering sharks in the ocean was not unusual for Bawang, who had seen some huge ones before. However, the one before him now dwarfed them all.


    This behemoth was several timesrger than the giant great white shark Bawang had ever encountered, weighing at least seven or eight tons, if not more.


    This shark was incredibly heavy and remarkablyrge, resembling a supersized version of a typical shark, measuring over ten meters long.


    This colossal creature was an umon, mutated shark, likely caused by exposure to nuclear radiation.


    It was fiercely aggressive and ravenously hungry, easily preying on other marine life due to its immense size and formidable bite force.


    Overlord halted in his tracks, clutching his gigantic spear and peering at the colossal beast looming ahead.


    Despite its intimidating size, Overlord was not afraid, given his immense size and strength that easily exceeded that of the shark.


    Somewhat, his curiosity piqued him. He couldn''t help but wonder what a creature of such massive proportions tasted like, although he realized he was also feeling a little hungry.


    The massive shark disyed no fear upon sighting the Overlord. Instead, it revealed its savage and bloodthirsty nature.


    Within three to five seconds of facing off, the shark charged forward, jaws wide open, exposing its razor-sharp, jagged teeth, and attempted to sink them into the Overlord.


    Bawang may have been huge, but it was rtively nimble and effortlessly dodged the shark''s attack.


    The persistent shark did not give up, however. After missing its mark, it turned around and bit again.


    "Xiao Mian, do you think you can keep biting me and get away with it?" the Overlord snapped, losing patience.


    In a tit-for-tat move, the Overlord reciprocated by opening its mouth and biting down on the shark.


    "Boom!"


    The giant shark finally managed to sink its teeth into the Overlord but only managed to bite the Overlord''s spinal cord.


    If the shark could speak, it would undoubtedly be annoyed and exim,


    "Why are you so tough? You broke my teeth, dammit!"


    In turn, Bawang also took a bite out of the shark.


    Although it was not a fatal bite, it inflicted serious injuries, causing the seawater to turn crimson instantly.


    One bite and one tear! The shark lost at least a hundred pounds of flesh, causing tremendous pain and distress.


    It tried to escape by flicking its tail as quickly as possible.


    The Overlord swiftly thrust the giant spear in his hand, and with the sound of a sharp de tearing through flesh, the massive shark was cleaved in two, and the spearheadpletely prated its body.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    As a result, the seawater turned an even deeper shade of red, tinted with the shark''s blood.


    Finally, the ignorant shark met its demise. Seeing such arge catch, Bawang''s appetite was aroused.


    "Wow, after sailing hundreds of nautical miles, I happen to be famished. Let''s fill up our stomachs."


    Thus, the enormous shark measuring over ten meters in length, became Bawang''s delicious feast, which he relished.


    Within ten minutes, the Overlord had already consumed more than half of the massive shark.


    A small portion remained, but Bawang didn''t bother to request it anymore, choosing to discard it since he was already full.


    Of course, his top priority waspleting the task and retrieving the machine tool.


    Overlord departed swiftly, making his way towards the destination.


    An enormous shark measuring 30 to 40 meters long and with a colossal build arrived in just a few minutes.


    The previous shark was nothingpared to this behemoth.


    Upon spotting the partially-eaten shark, the giant shark swallowed it whole before rampaging around the area, swimming back and forth for at least half an hour before reluctantly departing.


    Overlord had already left.


    If Overlord had been just a few minutes slower, he would havee face-to-face with the giant shark.


    It''s impossible to say what the oue of such a confrontation would have been.


    Bawang made it to the beach where the machine tool was located. The sea was about 20 to 30 meters deep, and the device remained undisturbed.


    Regardless of what might happen, Bawang stuck to the tried-and-true method and began to return with the machine tool in his mouth, heading towards Huahai City.


    "Master, I have started my return journey,"


    Overlord informed Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong promptly opened the third-party vision and saw the grip moving through the sea with arge packing box in its mouth - the machine tool.


    "Overlord, did anything happen during your trip?" Liu Yong inquired.


    Overlord swiftly recounted the events that had urred earlier.


    Liu Yong was left momentarily stunned upon hearing about the encounter with the massive shark, which measured more than ten meters in length and was highly aggressive and bloodthirsty.


    Suchrge sharks were not typically found in the area, where the average size of a giant shark was only around four or five meters.


    Liu Yong spected that the shark had probably grown sorge due to the influence of nuclear radiation.


    Concerning Overlord''s safety, Liu Yong asked,


    "Are you okay after facing such arge shark?"


    Overlord reassured him, "I''m fine. That shark didn''t care about its own life and has now be my food, providing me with a full meal."


    Liu Yong breathed a sigh of relief, d to hear that everything had turned out alright.


    Liu Yong felt relieved when he heard that Overlord had sessfully retrieved the machine tool and was returning.


    He reminded Bawang to be cautious and pay attention to safety since there had been reports of giant sharks weighing more than 100 tons and measuring 30 to 40 meters long in the area, as per RB''s news.


    As Liu Yong was about to end the call, he noticed something seemed off about Bawang.


    He had suddenly picked up speed, and Liu Yong was curious about what could have caused the change.


    ................

 Chapter 87 The Huge Guy Obstruction!!

    ?Bawang held the tool in his mouth, and his swimming pace ranged between 110 to 130 knots. Suddenly, the speed surged, exceeding 160 knots. Even Liu Yong could feel the abrupt eleration.


    It was peculiar!


    This is what happened next.


    Bawang''s speed increased tremendously, and he swam several nautical miles beforeing to a halt and gazing ahead.


    Soon enough, Liu Yong spotted it too.


    A massive, blurry ck figure approached their direction, bing more apparent as it drew nearer.


    It was a giant shark, and its sharp teeth appeared quite menacing.


    Furthermore, the shark''s eyes seemed to glimmer with a fierce light, giving off a ferocious vibe.


    "Oh my goodness!" eximed Liu Yong.


    "That''s a genuine giant shark!" he added, estimating its length to be around 30 to 40 meters and its weight possibly over 100 tons.


    Liu Yong realized instantly that this giant shark was probably the same one that had attacked a small boat and killed seven people the previous evening.


    Now, Overlord had unexpectedly encountered it.


    Liu Yong cautioned, "Be careful, Overlord!"


    Bawang looked furious.


    "It''s that XX shark! It just attacked me from behind, but I reacted swiftly and immediately put some distance between us."


    Fortunately, Overlord possessed exceptional perception.


    Otherwise, he might have been sessfully ambushed by the shark.


    This giant shark hadunched a surprise attack from behind.


    However, Overlord''s perception range extended up to 300 meters, and as soon as the shark entered that range, Overlord became aware of its presence.


    Overlord is highly intelligent in reversing passive situations; regardless of the circumstance, he uses his speed advantage to create distance and establish a defensive posture.


    "Don''t worry, Master, I have a n," he reassured.


    The opposing sides only faced each other briefly before Jusha, who towered over the slightly smaller Overlord, became visibly angry.


    With a single sprint and a flick of its massive tail, Jusha charged toward Overlord at an incredible speed.


    Observing from a third-party perspective, Liu Yong marveled at Jusha''s rare speed as it closed in on them within seconds.


    Its enormous mouth, filled with sharp, menacing teeth, was enough to send shivers down anyone''s spine.


    Although Liu Yong wanted to remind Bawang again, he refrained from doing so, fearing it might divert Bawang''s attention.


    Instead, he kept his worries to himself and silently thought,


    "Bawang, please be careful."


    The giant shark''s explosive speed was remarkable, and its enormous mouth with razor-sharp teeth posed a grave threat.


    A single bite could have disastrous consequences as its jaw strength was not underestimated.


    Overlord anticipated the opponent''s biting attack with intense concentration and swiftly evaded it with all his might, narrowly escaping its grasp.


    However, to his surprise, the giant shark''s powerful tail struck him with tremendous force, sending the 30-ton Bawang flying tens of meters away as if it were a massive mountain.


    Had they been in open water without any resistance from the sea, Overlord could have been thrown hundreds of meters away.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Enraged by the attack, Bawang grabbed his spear and charged toward the giant shark. The massive shark reacted quickly and managed to avoid the spear''s attack.


    Overlord seemed to anticipate this oue and did not lose momentum after the thrust failed, almost colliding with the giant shark directly.


    But just before impact, Overlord''s front paws swung across the surface of the enormous shark''s body with immense power, leaving deep cuts that prated more than half a foot and causing the giant shark to bleed profusely.


    Despite the giant shark''s agony, it swung its tail fiercely toward Overlord without opening its mouth to bite.


    Overlord, unable to dodge in time, was once again swept away tens of meters with undiminished momentum.


    The force of the giant shark''s tail was overwhelming, leaving Overlord feeling ufortable.


    However, in the previous exchange, Overlord had gained a slight advantage, inflicting injuries on the giant shark.


    The area where Overlord''s front ws had scratched was now torn apart, more than half a foot deep, almost a meter wide, and several meters long.


    Overlord, being intelligent, knew when to ept a good deal.


    After being swept away for several tens of meters, Overlord swiftly flicked his tail and adjusted his direction. He exploded in speed and quickly put some distance between himself and the giant shark.


    Bawang was unhappy with the situation and thought, "That bully has a tool weighing several tons in its mouth. Once I transport it back, we''ll fight again."


    The giant shark howled in anger as it suffered a significant loss.


    The giant shark hoped to retaliate by using its weight advantage and tremendous bite force to crush Overlord.


    However, with Overlord''s intelligence and agility, he took advantage of the situation and quickly escaped.


    The giant shark responded by elerating its speed and giving chase. However, despite pursuing over twelve nautical miles, there still needed to be a sign of the Overlord.


    The Overlord had a minimum explosive speed of 150 knots, which it had maintained for at least ten minutes.


    The giant shark, despite its qualification to be a predator, was unable to catch up.


    After swimming at such a high speed for dozens of nautical miles and having been struck twice by the giant shark''s tail, the Overlord gradually decreased its rate, feeling ufortable.


    Eventually, it continued swimming at a speed of 100 knots.


    Liu Yong was deeply concerned about Bawang''s well-being, having witnessed the battle between the two creatures through a third-party perspective.


    Although Bawang had the upper hand, the giant shark''s tail had struck it twice.


    "Overlord, how are you feeling?" he asked.


    "I''m a little ufortable, Master, but I''ll be fine after some rest," Overlord replied.


    Liu Yong advised, "Don''t push yourself further. You can retrieve the machine toolter. For now, find a ce to rest and we''ll discuss things once you feel better."


    "Okay, I understand," Overlord acknowledged.


    After swimming another hundred miles, Bawang spotted an uninhabited ind. Upon arriving, Bawang buried the machine tool under the sandy beach and found a t spot in the nearby woods to rest.


    After resting and basking in the sun for an hour or two, Bawang felt reinvigorated and ready to continue the mission. With the machine tool in its mouth, Bawang ventured back into the sea, headed towards Huahai City.


    That night, Bawang sessfully retrieved the machine tool and ced it in the open space of the warehouse.


    This routine continued daily, with Bawang leaving in the morning and returning in the evening, making the trip within a day.


    "Master, I have brought back the machine tool, and I am ready to seek revenge on the giant shark,"


    Bawang reported.


    ..............

 Chapter 88 Wait And-See Strategy Skill --

    ?After putting down the machine tool, Overlord held his giant spear and dered that he would find a giant shark for fighting.


    Liu Yong was pleased to see the second machine tool returned but cautioned Overlord,


    "You may not be able to handle that giant shark now. Wait until you grow stronger."


    Bawang was confident and boasted,


    "I''m not afraid of it. I was holding a machine tool weighing several tons in my mouth just now. It''s different now. I think I can fight it."


    Overlord was determined to show the giant shark who was boss, having been whipped twice before, and was eager to leave as soon as possible.


    Liu Yong weighed the situation and advised, "Be careful. Fight if you win, run if you can''t win. y by ear."


    "Master, I know," Bawang replied, and Overlord took a deep breath before plunging into the water with his giant spear. He quickly increased his speed to over 130 knots and swam toward RB.


    With Bawang''s incredible swimming speed, the distance of 600 to 700 nautical miles would only take part of the night, and he would reach that sea area again within a few hours without stopping along the way.


    The seawater was pitch ck, with only a glimmer here and there. Although it impacted Overlord, his keen perception was not affected by light.


    He could see everything within 300 meters clearly, and even hundreds of meters away were still visible despite the effect of light and darkness. Only thousands of meters away would the rity be affected.


    After traveling for several hours, Overlord wasn''t tired, only a little hungry.


    He searched around but couldn''t find the giant shark. Overlord decided to hunt for food and filled his stomach before resuming his search. However, he still couldn''t find the huge shark.


    Overlord wondered if the giant shark had escaped or wasn''t in that sea area. He searched for it thoroughly, but after 10 to 20 more minutes of searching, he still didn''t find it.


    "The owner said that sharks have rtively poor eyesight, but they have a keen sense of smell.They can smell blood from tens of kilometers away. Do you want to use this to attract the giant shark?"


    Liu Yong suggested.


    Bawang, who had the intelligence of a twelve- or thirteen-year-old child, quickly devised a n. Within a few minutes, he caught a big fish weighing several hundred catties.


    After killing the big fish, Overlord didn''t eat it. Instead, he used his sharp ws to smash it into pieces, causing blood to drip into the water.


    The seawater gradually turned light red as almost all of the big fish''s blood melted into it.


    Bawang, after finishing the fish in just a few bites, moved about 300 meters away while remaining within Overlord''s super perception range.


    Overlord remained motionless, waiting for the giant shark to appear. This was a typical wait-and-see tactic.


    As soon as the giant shark showed up, he wouldunch a lightning-fast sneak attack. Overlord knew that facing the massive shark head-on might not be wise, given the shark''s intelligence.


    For several minutes, the sea was quiet except for the asional passing fish or other marine creatures.


    Bawang remained patiently and attentively, waiting for the giant shark to appear.


    After about seven or eight minutes, a shark showed up, but it was not the giant shark that Overlord was waiting for.


    This shark was rtively giant, around five or six meters long, but it differed from the one he sought.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The giant shark he sought was at least thirty to forty meters long.


    The shark hade to this location attracted by the scent of blood. It swam around, searching for potential prey with the same scent, but ultimately found none. Gradually, it disappeared from sight.


    Meanwhile, the Overlord was waiting patiently for the giant shark to arrive.


    Despite waiting for over thirty minutes, the shark failed to show up. Instead, other ferocious fish appeared, but none of them were what the Overlord was hoping for.


    It won''t be appearing. Where could it have gone? Is it possible that it''s not in this area?"


    The Overlord pondered, feeling a tinge of disappointment. After waiting longer and seeing no sign of the giant shark, the Overlord decided to depart.


    As it turned out, the Overlord''s suspicions were correct; the giant shark was not in the area. Instead, it was more than a hundred nautical miles away from the Overlord''s location on the seashore.


    Perhaps the giant shark had developed a taste for human flesh. The previous evening, it attacked a yacht, killing two people while the rest escaped in terror.


    The shark had devoured the two victims and remained in the shallow waters nearby, likely waiting until dawn to hunt again.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong was at work, seated in his boss''s chair, chatting with Bawang.


    When he heard that the giant shark had not been found, he was both surprised and relieved.


    When facing such a behemoth, he had been worried about the Overlord''s safety.


    After learning that Bawang employed the wait-and-see strategy, Liu Yong was pleased. Bawang was a smart shark and knew how to n its approach.


    "Overlord, you''re amazing! Don''t be too hasty. That giant shark won''t be able to escape forever. Wait a few more days until you''ve grown to 40 or 50 tons, and then go after it,"


    Liu Yong suggested.


    The Overlord agreed,


    "Okay, Master. I''ll wait a few more days until I''ve grown to 40 or even 50 tons before I look for it. If I''m bigger than 50 tons, I might be able to take it on head-to-head. For now, at a little over 30 tons, my strength is stillcking."


    After conversing with Bawang for a while, Liu Yong also pondered where the giant shark had disappeared to.


    He found it quite unusual that it was nowhere to be found in that particr sea area.


    Later that day, Liu Yong received a call from Ding Wen, who asked if they could meet for lunch.


    Ding Wen had just returned to Huahai City after being away in the capital and needed to prepare for the start of sses at Huahai University the following day.


    Liu Yong offered to treat him to lunch, but Ding Wen insisted on finding a ce and sending the location to him.


    They agreed to discuss the details when they met.


    .......

 Chapter 89 Unforeseen Surprise

    ?Ding Wen was brimming with enthusiasm, his voice ringing out as he greeted Brother Yong with open arms, showing affection towards him.


    The table had sumptuous dishes that caught Liu Yong''s eye, eliciting his satisfied grin.


    "It''s quite avish spread," he said, "you must have spent thousands of dors on this meal alone."


    Indeed, it was no mean feat to shell out so much for a single dinner, and the cost of their extravagant feast was not lost on either of them.


    But Ding Wen quickly dismissed the issue, waving his hand dismissively and saying,


    "Ah, it''s just a little bit of money. Come on, Brother Yong, try this Tomahawk steak. It''s delicious."


    The two relished every meal bite, with lively conversation filling the air.


    As they savored the vors, Ding Wen asked Brother Yong,


    "By the way, where''s sister-inw? Why didn''t shee along with you?"


    Even though they were not blood-rted, Ding Wen habitually called Li Changle his sister-inw.


    Despite this, he couldn''t help but use the term affectionately.


    Liu Yong replied, "She''s quite busy with school starting soon." Ding Wen nodded and changed the topic,


    "Hey, Brother Yong, have you heard about the massive shark that was spotted near RB? Apparently, it''s already killed three people, and five more were attacked this morning. It''s a real ferocious creature."


    Liu Yong acknowledged the existence of the giant shark, stating, "I knew there was a giant shark, but I didn''t expect it to have caused so much damage."


    Ding Wen said,


    "Many people and organizations are condemning the RB government, iming that the giant shark is a result of nuclear radiation. With so many people dying every day, RB is under tremendous pressure to deal with the situation."


    "I heard that RB has sent out a patrol to hunt down and destroy the giant shark," said Liu Yong.


    But Ding Wen could have been more optimistic. "It won''t be an easy task," he said.


    "The giant shark is incredibly elusive. Finding and eliminating it will be a major challenge for RB."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement.


    The people of RB were facing a daunting and dangerous situation, and it was unclear how they could ovee it.


    After their conversation about the giant shark, Ding Wen shifted the topic and asked Liu Yong about hispany''s recent purchase of a 100,000-ton oil tanker.


    "Have you secured any transportation contracts for it?" Ding Wen inquired.


    Liu Yong was taken aback by Ding Wen''s knowledge of hispany''s affairs.


    "I didn''t expect you to know so much about ourpany," he said with a chuckle.


    Ding Wen grinned and offered, "If you don''t have any transportation business lined up yet, let me introduce you to a few potential opportunities."


    Liu Yong was intrigued. "Oh, really? Please tell me more. Where would the oil be transported from?"


    Ding Wen exined, "You would need to go to the Middle East, transport oil from country A, and I can help connect you with interested parties. The details of the transportation contract, including costs, can be discussed with the other party."


    Liu Yong was definitely interested in pursuing this opportunity and asked for more information.


    As Ding Wen talked about potential oil transportation opportunities, Liu Yong couldn''t help but wonder about his background.


    He realized that Ding Wen had a vastwork of contacts and asked if he knew anyone in the oil industry.


    Liu Yong was curious about Ding Wen''s family background and asked about it.


    Ding Wen responded with a yful tone,


    "We''re good friends, so it''s okay to talk about it. My family background does have something to do with it."


    Liu Yongughed and said,


    "You''re still teasing me. If you don''t want to tell me, it''s fine. I''ll find out sooner orter anyway."


    Currently, Liu Yong finds himself in a cheerful state.


    Thepany''s primary oil tanker has been docked at the port for a few days, and the necessary preparations have almost beenpleted.


    Furthermore, all the required seafarers are present on board as well.


    However, the shipping business has yet to be secured.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The domestic oil industry primarily consists of tworge oil corporations. Additionally, a few private oilpanies also require oil transportation from overseas.


    Nheless, private oilpanies are in the minority andck a significant scale.


    As a result, their prices could be better, and the business could be more stable.


    Fortunately, Ding Wen unexpectedly provided substantial assistance to Liu Yong, which was a delightful surprise!


    Qiu Yang gave a helpless sigh and shook his head with a wry smile after hanging up the phone.


    He had contacted a private oilpany a few days ago to secure their oil transportation business, but the matter was still unresolved.


    We have to establish a rtionship with the two major oil corporations. Once we secure their oil transportation business, we can finally rx," Qiu Yang thought.


    "If that doesn''t work, we''ll have to venture out to the Middle East and arrange for the oil to be shipped back ourselves. I refuse to believe that no one will be interested in a full ship of oil once it arrives in Hong Kong..."


    Lost in thought, Qiu Yang spent some time alone in his office before visiting Liu Yong.


    Upon entering Liu Yong''s office, he found him examining a postcard Ding Wen gave him.


    It was the business card of a vice president from Yanhuang Petroleum Group.


    To rify, the "two barrels of oil" in Yanguo refer to the two major oilpanies, Yanhuang Petroleum Group and Yanhuang Petrochemical Group.


    Liu Yong beamed with delight as he examined the business card closely.


    He couldn''t help but feel grateful to Ding Wen for his generosity in giving away the business card of a Yanhuang Petroleum Group vice president.


    "This kid is really something! He''s absolutely bullish!" Liu Yong thought to himself.


    After all, the vice president''s level within thepany was not low.


    What made Liu Yong even happier was the fact that the vice president was responsible for oil transportation, procurement, and oil field development.


    This presented a golden opportunity for Liu Yong and his Global Marine Services, Incpany.


    Liu Yong felt grateful that someone like Ding Wen was willing to help him out. It was not something that ordinary people would do.


    As he contemted this, Qiu Yang knocked on his door and entered the room.


    His voice was quiet and filled with pressure.


    "Boss," he called softly, struggling to find the right words.


    Liu Yong was in a good mood.


    He never expected Ding Wen to give him such a big surprise by helping him establish a connection with a vice president of Yanhuang Petroleum Group who was responsible for oil field development, oil transportation, and procurement.


    "Mr. Qiu, you''vee at the right time. I have something to ask you,"


    Liu Yong said, gesturing for Qiu Yang to sit on the sofa.


    As Qiu Yang sat down, Liu Yong appeared rxed and asked,


    "Our oil tanker is not in business yet."


    Qiu Yang sighed softly, lowered his head slightly, and his voice was rtively quiet:


    "Boss, I still need to get into the oil transportation business, but I got on the line of Deputy Director Sun of Yanhuang Petroleum Group through my rtionship. I''ll invite him to dinner and talk about the oil shipping business.


    To get in touch with this Deputy Director Sun, Qiu Yang put in a lot of effort and pinned his hopes on this Deputy Director Sun.


    Even if he knew, this Deputy Director Sun was indifferent to himself and the entire Global Ocean Services Company, with an air of aloofness.


    Even so, Qiu Yang is ready to go all out, hoping to find a breakthrough from Deputy Director Sun.


    Liu Yong felt emotional for a while, and he could fully understand that Qiu Yang did not hesitate to use his hot face to stick to other people''s cold **** to get into the oil transportation business.


    "Mr. Qiu, it''s hard for you."


    Qiu Yang said: "As long as I can get the oil transportation business for thepany, my sacrifice is nothing."


    Liu Yong patted Qiu Yang''s shoulder lightly and said slowly: "You don''t have to humiliate him in front of that Deputy Director Sun anymore."


    Qiu Yang was a little puzzled and looked at Liu Yong.


    ..................

 Chapter 90 F**King Giant Creature

    ?Under the watchful gaze of Qiu Yang, Liu Yong reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek, ck business card.


    He carefully ced it into Qiu Yang''s trembling hand and said,


    "You can contact Vice President Xie using the information on this card. Discuss the specifics of ourpany''s cooperation with him. I won''t be showing up myself."


    Qiu Yang''s expression remained puzzled, but his eyes widened in shock when he nced at the card.


    The information on the card was crystal clear - Xie Fuhua, the Vice President of Yanhuang Petroleum Group, and his direct contact number.


    Initially, Qiu Yang was too stunned to react, but his shock transformed into excitement after a few moments.


    "I must be dreaming," he muttered in disbelief, "This can''t be real."


    To test his theory, Qiu Yang pinched himself, wincing as the sharp pain jolted through his hand and into his brain.


    He quickly realized this wasn''t a dream and had just been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.


    As he gazed at Liu Yong, his perspective of him had changed entirely. He now held him in the highest regard and admired him greatly.


    "Boss, you''re amazing!" he eximed in utter disbelief.


    Obtaining Deputy Director Sun''s contact information was arduous, but even after all his effort, Sun remained cold and indifferent towards him.


    The position of deputy director was already far beyond his reach, especially when considering his current position as a vice president.


    "Boss, can I really call President Xie directly?" Qiu Yang asked Liu Yong with a hint of uncertainty.


    Liu Yong waved his hand and replied, "Of course you can. Just give him a call."


    Without hesitation, Qiu Yang responded with two enthusiastic words, "Okay, okay!" and immediately dialed the number on the business card.


    As he sat in his office, Qiu Yang couldn''t help but feel nervous as he dialed the number.


    He pondered many things in his mind, such as the other party''s attitude, what they would say, and whether he would be rejected outright.


    After taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he dialed the number and immediately identified himself as the person on the other end of the line.


    "Hello, President Xie. This is Qiu Yang from Global Ocean Services," he said confidently.


    Upon hearing Qiu Yang''s introduction, the person on the other end of the line momentarily appeared to be taken aback.


    However, as soon as he heard the name "Global Ocean Services," his demeanor immediately changed, bing more cordial and enthusiastic.


    "Hello, Mr. Qiu. I''m interested in discussing potential cooperation in the oil transportation business with you. You''re wee toe to my office at any time," he said eagerly.


    The sudden shift in tone took aback Qiu Yang. He felt relieved entirely after sensing the enthusiasm in Xie Fuhua''s voice.


    This only added to the already immense respect he had for Liu Yong.


    Qiu Yang was convinced that Xie Fuhua''s enthusiasm was due to Liu Yong''s influence.


    However, the truth was that Ding Wen had made a favorable impression on Xie Fuhua.


    The conversation between the two parties flowed seamlessly, and Qiu Yang said he would visit the following day to discuss the oil ocean transportation business with Xie Fuhua.


    Yanhuang Petroleum Group''s headquarters was situated in Huahai City, where there stood an imposing office building with arge number of floors.


    The words "Yanhuang Petroleum" were emzoned on the roof, making them highly visible from afar.


    The following day, Qiu Yang, apanied by his assistant, arrived at Yanhuang Petroleum Group''s headquarters and met with Xie Fuhua.


    The negotiations went smoothly and were conducted in a very cordial atmosphere.


    The smoothness of the negotiations exceeded Qiu Yang''s expectations.


    After discussing the specifics, Xie Fuhua turned to the Minister of Petroleum Ocean Shipping, sitting beside him, and instructed, "Xiao Qin, please prepare the contract. I will personally sign itter."


    "Of course," Minister Qin replied respectfully before immediately setting to work on preparing the contract.


    Upon leaving the conference room, Qin Jianchun went directly to the No. 2 Department of Petroleum Ocean Shipping, where he loudly instructed Deputy Director Sun to prepare the contract.


    Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Sun rushed over with a fawning expression,


    "Minister, may I ask which ocean shippingpany the contract is with? Is it Proton Group?"


    Qin Jianchun replied,


    "No, it''s with Global Ocean Services."


    Deputy Director Sun was taken aback and seriously wondered whether he had misheard.


    Just the day before, the boss of Global Ocean Services had tried to connect with him, hoping to have a meal and discuss the possibility of securing some ocean shipping business.


    Deputy Director Sun was shocked when he discovered Minister Qin hooked up with someone.


    The mere thought of it left him dumbfounded and unable to process what was happening.


    To make matters worse, Qin Jianchun appeared visibly displeased with hisck of action and reminded him of the urgent task.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Snap out of it," he scolded. "President Xie and President Qiu from Universal are waiting for the contract. We can''t keep them waiting any longer."


    Deputy Director Sun couldn''t believe what he was hearing.


    How could Qin Jianchun expect him to focus on work when such a bombshell had just been dropped?


    He couldn''t help but feel embarrassed at the thought of his insignificancepared to President Xie''s powerful connections.


    He wondered why they had even bothered toe to him for help.


    He took a moment to gather his thoughts before finally realizing that he had to put his personal feelings aside and focus on the task at hand.


    After all, his duty as a deputy director was to assist anyone who required his help.


    He reminded himself that he was a professional and that he had a job to do.


    It wasn''t until Qin Jianchun reminded him again that Deputy Director Sun finally managed to snap out of his stupor and get to work on the contract.


    He promised himself that he would always be prepared for any unexpected or ufortable situation.


    Despite the size andplexity of the Yanhuang Petroleum Group, the contract for their partnership with Universal was rtively simple and had a pre-existing temte that could be easily modified to fit their specific needs.


    With Deputy Director Sun''s help, the contract waspleted in minutes.


    Qin Jianchun gestured for Deputy Director Sun to follow him into the meeting room where Xie Fuhua and Qiu Yang were waiting.


    Sun felt nervous and out of ce among these influential businessmen, feeling over his head.


    When he entered the room, Deputy Director Sun saw Qiu Yang and Xie Fuhua deep in conversation and couldn''t help but feel intimidated.


    He lowered his head, trying to make himself as small and unnoticeable as possible, not wanting to draw any attention to himself.


    Qiu Yang nced at him briefly but didn''t give him a second thought. With the formalities out of the way, the two parties quickly signed the contract and sealed their partnership.


    It was clear that both parties were satisfied with the agreement, and Qiu Yang left the Yanhuang Petroleum Group feeling rxed and ready to embark on their new venture together.


    Liu Yong perused the news on his mobile device and came across reports concerning the colossal shark looming off the coast of RB.


    Regrettably, the massive sea creature had once again attacked humans, biting off a small fishing boat and iming the lives of three fishermen aboard.


    This shocking news took Liu Yong aback.


    However, he was even more surprised when a major RB chaebol offered a staggering reward of 20 million US dors to anyone who could sessfully capture or kill this daunting shark.


    The thought of such a handsome sum of money being up for grabs would undoubtedly tempt many individuals and organizations to take on the arduous task of hunting down and neutralizing the beast.


    Liu Yong pondered the matter further and wondered if any government directive influenced the chaebol''s decision to offer such a high bounty.


    He couldn''t help but specte whether the RB authorities had anything to do with this development.


    In addition to the jaw-dropping mary reward offered by the chaebol, the RB officials had taken it upon themselves to track down the colossal shark.


    They had formed a specialized patrol teamprising several patrol boats and helicopters to scour the area in search of the elusive sea creature.


    It was clear that the hunt was on, and everyone was determined to bring this dangerous predator to justice.


    Out on the vast sea, two patrol boats cruised through the waves, keeping a distance of about one nautical mile from one another.


    Meanwhile, a helicopter flew low overhead, scanning the area below.


    This was one of the dedicated patrols tasked with tracking the colossal shark wreaking havoc in the waters.


    Half an hour ago, the patrol had received a distressing report that the giant shark had once again attacked a cargo ship in the same sea area they were currently searching.


    The good news was that the vessel was rtively sizable, and the attack did not result in any casualties.


    Nevertheless, it was clear that the shark was still a significant threat and needed to be dealt with swiftly before more damage could be done.


    The patrol team was on high alert, and their eyes peeled for any signs of the elusive predator.


    The helicopter''s rotor des beat against the air, creating a distinct thumping sound that echoed across the water''s surface.


    The patrol boats followed in its wake, their powerful engines propelling them forward with remarkable speed and agility.


    As theybed the area, the patrol team remained vignt, knowing the shark could strike any moment.


    They were determined to catch the creature and end its reign of terror once and for all.


    ....................

 Chapter 91 Wait For The Right Time!

    ?The helicopter cruised over the vast expanse of the sea for a considerable time, scouring the horizon for any sign of the elusive target.


    Failing to spot anything noteworthy, the chopper came to a standstill, hovering over the water.


    Someone on board contacted the patrol boatmander, requesting permission to deploy the sonar buoy.


    "Request to drop the sonar buoy," the voice crackled through themunication channel.


    "Agree to apply," came the reply from themander.


    With the green light given, the helicopter began to lower the sonar buoys into the depths below.


    It was apparent that RB, the organization behind the military patrol boats and anti-submarine helicopters, had invested considerable money in this operation.


    Within moments of the buoy''s deployment, a breakthrough was made.


    "Report, 7 o''clock direction, 1.3 nautical miles away to find a suspected target," announced a voice over the radio.


    "Track the target closely," ordered themander.


    The anti-submarine helicopter sprang into action, tailing the suspected target with precision.


    The two patrol boats raced towards the target at breakneck speed, their rapid-fire guns ready.


    The tension was palpable as they closed in on the unknown entity, poised to strike immediately.


    "Report, the target disappeared!" eximed the voice over the radio.


    "Repeat, target disappears!" the voice repeated with growing rm.


    The anti-submarine helicopter crew was getting impatient, repeatedly announcing that they had lost track of the target despite deploying the sonar buoys.


    "Put down the tow sonar and search!" barked Commander Ma Shan, taking charge of the situation on the patrol boat.


    He knew that the towed sonar was the key to locating the target.


    Unlike the buoy sonar, which floated on the surface, the towed sonar was lowered to a specific point in the water, providing more precise data.


    The anti-submarine helicopter crew sprang into action, preparing to drop the towed sonar by lowering their altitude further. Suddenly, something incredible happened.


    It was so unexpected that it left everyone stunned.


    The sight that unfolded before the eyes of the patrol boat crew left them dumbfounded.


    In their wildest dreams, they never imagined that a massive shark would burst out of the water with such ferocity, its jaws wide open.


    The creature propelled itself to a more than ten-meter height, its target fixed on the anti-submarine helicopter hovering mid-air.


    The shark lunged toward the helicopter without warning, biting it swiftly before mming it hard.


    The aircraft spun out of control, thrown hundreds of meters away as if it were a mere toy.


    The crew on the patrol boat were in shock as they watched the helicopter plummet towards the water''s surface, crashing into it with a loud ssh.


    Chaos ensued as someone screamed,


    "Fire, fire!"


    The patrol boat unleashed a barrage of gunfire. But it was futile, as the shark seemed impervious to the onught of bullets.


    After the giant shark had bitten the anti-submarine helicopter, throwing it far away before it crashed into the water, it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.


    The entire incident happened in a matter of seconds, leaving the patrol team in shock.


    The rapid-fire gunshots from the patrol boat missed their mark, only creating small sshes on the water''s surface.


    The giant shark was too elusive for them to hit urately.


    Despite being shaken by the sudden attack, the patrol team stayed in the area, unwilling to give up their search for other potential threats.


    The two patrol boats revved up their engines, racing across the water as fast as possible, hoping to cover as much ground as possible.


    ...........


    A COAST


    This is a charming fishing vige where most vigers earn their livelihood from fishing, including Shinji Kiyotake''s family.


    In the morning, Shinji Kiyotake prepared to embark on a fishing trip.


    However, a middle-aged man rushed over to stop him before he could set sail.


    "Mr. Qingwu, you cannot go out to sea these days, it''s too dangerous," the middle-aged man warned.


    Shinji was confused and replied, "Why do you say that? The weather is perfect for fishing today, and we might return with a bountiful catch."


    The middle-aged man exined,


    "Haven''t you heard the news? A massive shark has been spotted in the nearby waters. It''s incredibly ferocious, and it has already killed around 20 people. Moreover, just yesterday, the shark attacked an anti-submarine helicopter, causing it to crash, and all three people on board died."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Shinji was stunned by the news.


    He rarely paid attention to current events, but if something as terrible as this had urred, he knew that going out to sea was not an option.


    "We cannot go fishing at sea, and our economic ie will suffer. Do you have any news on when it will be safe to go out again?"


    Shinji inquired.


    The middle-aged man shrugged and replied,


    "I don''t know. But I do know that we cannot go to sea until that giant shark is caught and killed. A reward has been offered for its capture."


    Shinji was disappointed that he could not go fishing but he was not alone. The entire fishingmunity was affected, and even the tourism industry took a hit.


    No one dared to swim or sunbathe on the beach, let alone take a yacht to sea.


    Internationally, many organizations have condemned the recent nuclear leak and the RB government''s decision to discharge radioactive seawater into the ocean.


    "Brother Yong, did you hear about the Tanaka consortium''s statement? They''re offering a reward of 20 million US dors to anyone who kills the giant shark," Ding Wen informed Liu Yong over the phone. "And thetest news is that the reward has been raised to 50 million dors."


    Liu Yong was stunned by the information. The reward had doubled in just a few days.


    It is predicted that specific hunting organizations would feel an immense surge of excitement, akin to being injected with chicken blood, upon hearing the news of a $50 million bounty.


    This amount is enough to drive them crazy with desire. Liu Yong even contemted whether or not he should intervene in the situation.


    After all, $50 million is a significant sum of money. If they were to capture the giant shark and im the reward sessfully, theirpany could purchase another 100,000-ton tanker.


    With this thought in mind, Liu Yong checked Bawang''s progress by calling the pet panel.


    Within a few days, Bawang had managed to gain an astonishing 12.2 tons, growing from a weight of 30 tons to 42.2 tons.


    This rate of growth was truly remarkable. Additionally, various attributes had also increased along with Bawang''s weight.


    For example, its strength attribute had skyrocketed to 2342 points, representing an increase of hundredspared to when it was only 30 tons.


    Bawang''s strength and agility had greatly improved, and even its reaction speed had improved.


    Liu Yong pondered momentarily and concluded that Bawang now had the power to confront the giant shark head-on.


    However, Liu Yong still decided to err on caution and wait a few more days. He was in no rush to confront such a ferocious beast, as he knew it would not be easy to take down.


    Aside from his belief in the Overlord''s capabilities, Liu Yong needed to put more faith in the hunting organizations driven by greed and motivated solely by the bounty.


    He decided to wait a bit longer until the Overlord had grown more and its attributes had improved further.


    Liu Yong was confident that waiting would increase their chances of sess.


    When the time was right, he envisioned the Overlord wielding a giant spear, confronting the big shark, and settling old scores.


    Meanwhile, a 100,000-ton oil tanker was setting sail for its first ocean transportation trip at the pier, marking thepany''s debut in the oil transportation industry.


    Liu Yong was personally present to oversee the departure of the tanker.


    As the tanker gradually moved away from the dock, Liu Yong continued to watch until it was no more than a small ck spot in the distance. Qiu Yang expressed his optimism:


    "Boss, our oil tanker will bring a steady stream of wealth to thepany from now on."


    Recently, thepany partnered with Yanhuang Petroleum Group, ensuring a steady supply of oil transportation business in the future.


    For example, the team is currently on a trip to the Middle East''srgest crude oil export port of country A.


    As they watched the tanker sail away, Hu Shijun expressed his desire for thepany to have more tankers like that.


    "It would be great if thepany had a few more tankers like this," Hu Shijun remarked.


    Qiu Yang, however, remained silent, fully aware that purchasing or ordering morerge oil tankers would ce a significant financial burden on thepany.


    Even with the boss''s recent investment of over 2 billion in giant ships, additional purchases could strain their finances.


    Liu Yong noticed Qiu Yang''s hesitation and offered reassurance,


    "There will be, and it won''t be too long. My goal is to form an ocean transportation fleetposed of dozens of giant tankers."


    Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun looked at Liu Yong with admiration and awe, imagining the immense growth and sess of thepany with such an ambitious goal.


    "An ocean transport fleet of dozens of giant tankers!"


    Hu Shijun eximed.


    With the prospect of an ocean transportation fleet consisting of dozens of giant tankers in mind, thepany''s future in the oil transportation industry looks promising.


    ...............

 Chapter 92 Tragic Attack!!

    ?Hu Shijun and Qiu Yang exchanged a subtle nce, both aware of the magnitude of their boss''s recent move, overwhelming them with excitement.


    The title "giant oil tanker" usually refers to a massive ship with a discement of 100,000 or more, and currently, thepany only has one such tanker in operation.


    It would take at least ten days for the next delivery.


    "Brother Yong, are we really going to have dozens of giant tankers?" asked Hu Shijun, expressing his disbelief at the news.


    Liu Yong, their boss, exuded confidence, assuring them that it would indeed happen and wouldn''t take too long. His words instantly lifted the spirits of his colleagues.


    Meanwhile, a sizeable whaling ship with a crew of experienced whalers was sailing in a sea area near RB.


    When the news of the $50 million reward reached them, they were too eager to seize it.


    There were other whaling ships in the area, some with Westerners and some with RB natives. RB had a thriving whaling industry, and thousands of whales were hunted yearly.


    To these seasoned whalers, the giant shark was no different from a huge whale, with its 30 to 40-meter length and weight exceeding 100 tons.


    The prospect of earning $50 million for catching one seemed like a piece of cake.


    As the western whalers aboard the whaling ship prepared to embark on theirtest mission, excitement buzzed in the air.


    The promise of a $50 million reward had injected each of them with feverish anticipation.


    "The $50 million is ours," one of them eximed, already envisioning the luxury home and car he would purchase once the job was done.


    But as they set out into the open sea, their excitement grew, even though they had yet to find any trace of their elusive target - a giant shark rumored to inhabit the area.


    Without even spotting the creature, they began to fantasize about how they would spend the hefty reward.


    Suddenly, a voice broke through the chatter,


    "Guys, put down the bait. The target should be nearby."


    Immediately, several strong men on the boat sprang into action, casting massive fish into the sea, hoping to lure the giant shark.


    Meanwhile, others prepared their whaling guns, eagerly anticipating the moment they would face the fearsome predator.


    One of them lowered a massive hook into the water, baited with a fish weighing hundreds of pounds.


    As they waited in anticipation, the tension on the boat mounted.


    "Guys, cheer up. The target should appear soon," one of them called out.


    And within minutes, the creature they sought made its grand entrance. Someone on board spotted a massive dorsal fin cutting through the water, at least a meter above the surface.


    Excitement peaked as they realized this must be the giant shark they had been hunting. "Anthony, the whaling gun is ready to shoot!" one shouted, eager to take down their formidable target.


    But as they watched, the shark unexpectedly began to swim towards their boat.


    "Hell, he didn''t bite the bait and came toward our boat," one of the whalers eximed, shocked by the creature''s boldness.


    The crew awaited the giant shark on the whaling ship to take the bait.


    They were all anticipating the $50 million reward and dreaming about what they could do with it.


    Suddenly, an excited voice interrupted their thoughts,


    "Guys, put down the bait. The target should be nearby."


    Several strong men on the boat started to work, throwing the prepared, **** big fish into the sea to attract the giant shark.


    Some people had prepared whaling guns, ready to use them to shoot the giant sharks once they appeared.


    As they waited, they spotted the giant shark''s dorsal fin above the water, indicating it was approaching the boat. The crew became nervous and panicked.


    "D**n it, quick shot, what are you still doing?" shouted the white man with the whaling gun as he finally took the shot.


    The weapon hit the target, but the giant shark became increasingly violent. It broke free from the rope and hit the whaling ship with its massive tail.


    "Boom!"


    The boat shook violently, and someone lost their footing and fell to the deck.


    "Max, hurry up, grab the rope," yelled one of the crew members as Max fell into the water.


    But the giant shark swallowed him in one gulp before Max could grab the rope.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The crew was stunned and frightened by this event.


    "Full power, get out of here, ***** it, get out of here!"


    The foreigner in the lead yelled, eager to get away. Too much violence was disyed by this enormous shark. That was notparable to the whales they had previously ughtered.


    Liu Yong had been paying close attention to the situation with the giant shark and checked the relevant news every day.


    In just two or three days, many organizations hunting and killing the giant shark had failed, with some even paying the ultimate price with their lives.


    "The hunting of the giant shark has suffered a severe setback, and several hunting organizations have withdrawn one after another. The $50 million reward is indeed attractive, but life is more important,"


    Liu Yong remarked.


    "Interesting!" he said as he sat in his boss''s chair and watched the news reports about the giant shark.


    He saw that the Tanaka Consortium had issued another announcement, increasing the reward for killing the giant shark by 80 million US dors.


    After reading this news, Liu Yong thought,


    "The price has been raised to 80 million US dors. It seems that the pressure on RB is not small. I hope this matter will end as soon as possible."


    "The bigger the incident and the longer the dy, the more unfavorable it is for us. It is best for RB to spend a sum of money to settle the matter," he mused.


    "It has been raised to 80 million US dors, you can give it a try," Liu Yong said to himself, considering the situation.


    "Bawang''s current weight is close to 50 tons, and has grown to 48.6 tons. Compared with the original 30 tons, it is not onlyrger, but also has higher attributes, and its strength and agility have also been further improvedpared to before," he observed.


    Deciding to act, Liu Yong picked up the phone and called Qiu Yang.


    "Boss, you are looking for me," Qiu Yang said as he received the call.


    "You have read the news about the giant shark off the coast of RB, right? The Tanaka Consortium has raised the reward for catching and killing it to 80 million US dors,"


    Liu Yong said, getting straight to the point.


    Qiu Yang shared the rming news with Liu Yong, saying,


    "I noticed it. I just saw a piece of news that reported that the scope of the giant shark''s activities has expanded. It is active not only in the coastal waters of RB but also appears in the far sea. I hope it will not appear in the coastal waters of Huahai City."


    Liu Yong expressed his concern and agreed that such a violent creature could cause trouble if it wandered into their waters.


    He said, "This is really not guaranteed. Such a violent creature may wander around and will likely swim to our coastal waters and cause trouble."


    Feeling anxious, Liu Yong was more determined than ever to hunt and kill the giant shark.


    He suggested that with the $80 million they had, they could buy two massive ships and join the hunt.


    Liu Yong said,


    "US$80 million is almost enough for us to buy two giant ships and tell the Tanaka consortium that our Global Ocean Servicespany will join the hunt and kill that giant shark with full confidence."


    Qiu Yang was taken aback by Liu Yong''s suggestion, reminding him they had no experience hunting such creatures.


    However, Liu Yong was confident they could do it without knowledge, and their salvage ship was ready to set sail. He said,


    "You don''t need any prior knowledge.Inform to continue.


    The sea area where the enormous shark frequently manifests itself is close to Shore, and our salvage ship is prepared to set sail and enter the high seas near RB at any time."


    Concerned about the preparations needed, Qiu Yang asked,


    "Apart from this, what else do we need to prepare?"


    Liu Yong responded by telling Qiu Yang to inform the Tanaka consortium that theirpany was confident in killing the giant shark.


    He added that they could do it for $200 million.


    Hearing this, Qiu Yang was stunned, thinking he had misheard.


    He eximed, "what! Two hundred million dors! !"


    .............

 Chapter 93 What The F**K? , 200 Million USD?

    ?After several seconds of dy, Qiu Yang finally reacted and said,


    "Boss, the Tanaka consortium is offering a reward of 80 million US dors for hunting and killing, but we are offering 200 million US dors. Do you think they will agree?"


    Liu Yong responded confidently,


    "If you don''t give it a try, how do you know they will disagree?"


    Although Qiu Yang didn''t understand why Liu Yong was so optimistic, he obeyed his Boss''s order and nodded,


    "Okay, I''ll follow your lead."


    Liu Yong then decided, "Chen Hu and I will board the boat and go together."


    Qiu Yang expressed his concern,


    "Boss, it''s too dangerous. You should stay at home. I''m worried about your safety."


    Liu Yong reassured him,


    "Our salvage ship is several thousand tons in discement, while the giant shark is only about a hundred tons at most. I''ll be perfectly safe staying on the ship. Don''t worry."


    Once everything was set up, Liu Yong took the initiative to contact Bawang. Thepany''s salvage ship was only a facade; the real star of the operation was Bawang, a nearly 50-ton behemoth.


    "Overlord, you''ll have work to do in three to five days," Liu Yong informed Bawang.


    Bawang became visibly excited at the prospect of taking on the giant shark.


    "Master, do you want me to fight that giant shark?" he asked eagerly.


    "Yes, let''s settle the score and take it down," Liu Yong replied.


    Overlord was confident in his ability to beat the giant shark and expressed his desire to start immediately.


    Initially weighing over 30 tons, Bawang had grown significantly in size and strength, making him a formidable opponent.


    However, Liu Yong advised, "Don''t rush into things. Take a few days to rest and wait for my signal."


    There was no need to rush, and waiting for a response from the Tanaka consortium was essential.


    Liu Yong wanted to sign a contract with them before allowing Bawang to take action.


    Liu Yong''s instructions were carefully followed as the salvage ship made all the necessary preparations before setting sail.


    The crew was in ce, supplies were stocked, and the giant fishhooks, weighing dozens of kilograms each, were prepared for use against the massive shark.


    Meanwhile, at the Tanaka Foundation, a senior executive read an email from Global Ocean Services with several middle-level personnel standing beside him.


    After carefully examining the email, the executive asked for their opinions.


    One person immediately said, "The asking price of 200 million US dors is too high!"


    Another chimed in, "Yes, this is like stealing money!"


    A third person doubts Global Ocean Services, saying,


    "I''ve never heard of thispany. I doubt they have the necessary strength."


    Despite the skepticism of the Tanaka Foundation''s employees, Liu Yong remained confident in his n and his team''s abilities. Only time would tell if his gamble would pay off.


    The Tanaka Foundation''s subordinates continued to speak over each other, making quite a bit of noise as they expressed their concerns about the high asking price of 200 million US dors.


    The figure had caught their attention and stimted a reaction.


    Despite themotion, the senior executive allowed them to chatter and waited patiently for a few minutes.


    He then raised his hand and gestured for silence, which was instantly obeyed, and the entire office fell quiet.


    The executive spoke slowly, "Upon receiving this email, I ordered an investigation into Global Ocean Services. A month ago, Prince A visited Huahai City and lost a ne that fell into the sea. This samepany was responsible for salvaging it."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    With that information delivered, the executive became meditative, tapping his right hand lightly on the desk.


    Those who knew him well understood that this was a sign of serious thinking.


    After a few minutes of contemtion, the executive finally spoke up, addressing Mr. Kimura,


    "I suggest you immediately reach out to Universal and have a meaningful discussion with them. If they can truly capture that colossal shark, the consortium is willing to pay them $200 million."


    Without hesitation, a middle-aged man in the room promptly bowed his head and replied,


    "Certainly, I will make contact with them right away."


    Meanwhile, at the harbor, Universal''s mammoth fishing vessel had already set sail and left the pier.


    Liu Yong and Chen Hu were both on board. Despite theck of response from the Tanaka Consortium, Liu Yong was confident that they would eventually agree.


    The longer the dy, the worse it would be for their prospects.


    However, hunting the giant shark took a lot of work, with numerous failed attempts and casualties.


    Even though the promise of a payout of $50 million or even $80 million seemed enticing, the task was anything but simple.


    The elusive shark was challenging to locate, and even if they were to find it, the chances of capturing it sessfully were slim.


    As Liu Yong gazed out at the distant coastline from the pier, he couldn''t help but consider the potential of a $200 million payout.


    With such an enormous sum, thepany could purchase additionalrge ships and expand its operations.


    The following day, the salvage ship had been sailing for over ten hours, and it had left Huahai City, making its way toward RB.


    If all went ording to n, it would arrive at the sea area where the giant sharks were known to roam in approximately two days.


    As Liu Yong thought about the vessel''s speed, he couldn''t help but marvel at its capabilities.


    "Bawang is still a force to be reckoned with. It can cover a distance of seven or eight hundred nautical miles in just a few hours, while ordinary ships would take several days," he mused.


    Just then, his phone rang, and Liu Yong saw it was another call from Qiu Yang.


    He answered the call, and Qiu Yang had good news to share.


    "Boss, I have some great news for you. The Tanaka Foundation has contacted us and wants to discuss this matter in detail."


    Upon hearing this, Liu Yong felt a sense of relief.


    Even though the price was $200 million, the Tanaka Foundation was still willing to engage in a face-to-face discussion.


    This was a clear indication of the mounting pressure that the RBpany was facing.


    It had been a few days since the giant sharks had appeared, resulting in the deaths of 20 to 30 individuals.


    Additionally, the internationalmunity had begun to condemn the release of radiation into seawater.


    Liu Yong had offered a whopping $200 million for the capture of the giant shark, and despite the high price, they were willing to pay it to resolve the issue.


    Another two days passed, and Liu Yong arrived at the sea area where the giant sharks had been sighted.


    He called out to Bawang, asking for its whereabouts.


    The massive vessel was moving swiftly in the sea, weighing more than 50 tons and capable of maintaining a speed of over 150 knots for several hours.


    "Master, I can reach you within two hours at most," Bawang replied, showcasing its impressive speed.


    Liu Yong watched as Bawang held the giant spear in its front paws, eager to fight the enormous shark.


    After exchanging words with Bawang, he noticed a fleet of helicopters flying toward the salvage ship in the distance.


    ...................

 Chapter 94 An - Astronomical Sum!

    ?"Wait for me!"


    Chen Hu shouted as he sprinted towards the helipad.


    He had good eyesight and could already make out the logo of the Tanaka Foundation on the approaching helicopter.


    The helicopter slowly descended, finallynding on the helipad of Universal''s massive salvage ship, which weighed thousands of tons.


    Three people disembarked from the aircraft, with the middle-aged man leading the way.


    It was Jiro Kimura, the representative of the Tanaka Foundation, who hade to negotiate with Liu Yong face-to-face.


    " I am Jiro Kimura. It''s a pleasure to meet you," said Kimura as he extended his hand for a handshake.


    Liu Yong reciprocated the gesture, but Kimura surprised him by saluting and bowing simultaneously.


    "I am Liu Yong," he introduced himself but didn''t bow back. The RB people were not ustomed to such formalities.


    After exchanging pleasantries, they headed towards a cabin prepared earlier on the ship, with Liu Yong leading the way.


    As they sat down and started talking, Liu Yong couldn''t help but notice that Jiro Kimura''s politeness seemed forced and gave off an air of arrogance.


    Despite this, they continued their discussion.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile slightly, thinking Kimura Jiro might be arrogant now, but he wouldn''t stay that way long.


    After a brief chat, they got down to business.


    "Liu Sang, you really have the ability to hunt and kill that giant shark," remarked Kimura Jiro.


    "Of course," replied Liu Yong confidently.


    "There''s a saying in our country that goes, ''If you don''t have diamonds, you can''t do porcin work.'' Of course, we have full confidence."


    Kimura Jiro then proposed a deal,


    "Okay, if yourpany can kill that giant shark within three days, we are willing to pay 200 million U.S. dors, but we must sign a contract. If you fail to kill it within three days, yourpany must pay liquidated damages."


    Liu Yong smiled confidently, understanding that this was likely an order from the senior management of the Tanaka Consortium.


    They had thought it best to kill the giant shark within three days.


    If Universal Company needed more time, thepensation would likely be reduced.


    The Tanaka Consortium was only willing to offer such a high price of 200 million dors with this condition.


    "From the time the contract is signed, there is no problem killing the giant shark within three days. If we fail to kill it within three days, we have no problem paying liquidated damages,"


    Responded Liu Yong.


    "Okay, then we can sign the contract now," agreed Kimura Jiro.


    Jiro Tanaka even brought the contract temte, which both parties could fill out quickly and sign.


    However, at that moment, Bawang contacted Liu Yong.


    "Master, I have spotted that giant shark, but it hasn''t found me yet. Should I follow it quietly?"


    Liu Yong was surprised, as Bawang was currently located one or two hundred nautical miles away.


    He couldn''t believe that the giant shark had swum so far and was still haunting that area.


    Liu Yong quickly ordered Bawang to follow quietly and wait for his instructions before acting. Bawang replied confidently,


    "Master, it can''t find me unless I let it find me."


    Liu Yong had just given instructions to the Overlord when he realized something.


    Since the Overlord had already discovered and secretly followed the giant shark, it was like having a valuable item removed from his bag.


    The Tanaka consortium was a massive and wealthy organization, and they had agreed to pay a hefty sum of 200 million US dors to have the giant shark killed.


    However, they had stipted that the task must bepleted within three days after the contract was signed.


    Liu Yong thought to himself that, with their strength, it wouldn''t take them three days, or even two or one day, to kill the shark.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Jiro Kimura was taken aback, thinking he had misheard. He asked in disbelief,


    "You really think you can kill that giant shark in a day?" To which Liu Yong confidently replied,


    "Of course."


    Jiro Tanaka wasn''t foolish and knew that if they managed to kill the giant shark in a day, the price would not be 200 million US dors.


    It would be much higher.


    As expected, Liu Yong quoted them a price,


    "We require 250 million US dors to kill the giant shark within two days and no less than 300 million US dors to kill it within 24 hours."


    The price tag of 300 million US dors shocked Jiro Tanaka.


    He eximed, "Liu Sang, that''s too expensive!"


    But Liu Yong shook his head and stated firmly, "300 million US dors, not a penny less. We do not ept bargaining."


    It was an expensive deal, and there was no room for bargaining. Liu Yong knew he was the only one who could kill the giant shark within 24 hours, making it a seller''s market.


    After a brief hesitation, Jiro Tanaka said, "I cannot decide this matter. I will have to call for instructions."


    Liu Yong made a pleased gesture, indicating he was willing to wait.


    Jiro Kimura stepped out of the salvage ship to make an urgent phone call thatsted more than ten minutes.


    Upon returning, his demeanor had undergone aplete transformation. Gone was his prior arrogance, reced instead by an air of excitement.


    "300 million US dors," Jiro eximed to Liu Yong,


    "We can ept this price, but you must guarantee to kill the giant shark within 24 hours."


    Liu Yong, a hunting team member, responded confidently,


    "No problem, we can do it. If we seed in killing the giant shark, you must remit the 300 million US dors to ourpany''s ount within 24 hours."


    Jiro Kimura readily agreed, and soon the two parties signed a formal contract on the salvage ship.


    The agreement stated that Jiro Kimura would pay liquidated damages of 300 million if the hunting team failed to deliver.


    Jiro Kimura was eager to stay and witness Universal''s hunting process for the giant shark, but Liu Yong ordered him to leave.


    The entire hunting process was to remain confidential, and Jiro Kimura would be notified when the task waspleted.


    Despite his disappointment, Jiro Kimura eventually left in his helicopter.


    Chen Hu, who had been present the entire time, was visibly astonished by the money involved.


    Three hundred million dors was an astronomical sum, and he watched as Liu Yong effortlessly settled the deal in less than an hour.


    Even more impressive was that Jiro Kimura didn''t even try to negotiate the price.


    As Jiro Kimura left, Chen Hu expressed his disbelief at the ease with which Liu Yong had negotiated the 300 million US dor contract.


    He marveled at Jiro Kimura''s change in attitude from arrogance to a low profile and observed that he didn''t even bow before leaving.


    Chen Hu continued,


    "Boss, 300 million US dors, these RB people are really stupid and have a lot of money, so they just signed the contract."


    Liu Yong responded with a smile,


    "It''s not that they are stupid and have a lot of money, but that they have taken a fancy to our ability. In addition, they are under a lot of pressure. They don''t want to let that giant shark continue to cause trouble like this. Of course, the sooner we put an end to it, the better."


    He exined that 300 million US dors was not an astronomical figure for the Tanaka Foundation, and they needed more resources to handle such a difficult task.


    Chen Hu couldn''tprehend the world of the rich and thought to himself,


    "If it were me, I would feel reluctant to spend 300 million US dors to hunt and kill this giant shark."


    ............

 Chapter 95 Laku Destroy - Technique

    ?As per Liu Yong''s instructions, Overlord stealthily trailed behind the enormous shark, maintaining a safe distance.


    Despite its imposing size, the giant shark''s eyesight was not sharp enough to spot the Overlord tailing it.


    It appeared to be searching for food and, in the process, had already killed severalrge fish, including one of its kind, a shark measuring four to five meters in length.


    "Overlord, it''s time to make your move. Take down that giant shark for me," Liu Yong instructed.


    Overlord had been waiting for this moment for a considerable time, remaining patient while trailing the shark, resisting the urge to attack prematurely.


    "Master, I''ve been waiting for this. I''ll strike as soon as you give me the signal," responded Overlord.


    Without hesitation, Overlord charged toward the giant shark with a colossal 20-meter-long spear, seizing the opportunity for which Liu Yong had been waiting.


    The colossal shark eventually caught sight of Overlord and immediately turned to face the attacker head-on, perhaps taken aback that a sea creature would dare to challenge its authority.


    As the giant shark approached Overlord, it took a moment to register the sight before it.


    The creature resembled the enormous snapping turtle it had battled ten days ago but appeared much more extensive.


    The shark pondered whether this was the same turtle from before, but it was noticeably bigger by severalps.


    The snapping turtle, Bawang, has grown significantly in the past ten days.


    Bawang weighed over 50 tons and had increased in size by two to three times, almost doubling its previous size.


    The two aquatic titans faced each other, each sizing up the other.


    Overlord, in particr, was impressed by theck of pressure he now felt when confronting the giant shark.


    He sensed significant stress thest time they met, but it was notably absent now.


    Without warning, Bawang charged toward the giant shark with its massive spear, covering a distance of several hundred meters in a matter of seconds.


    The turtle''s increased speed was evidentpared to its weight of 30 tons ten days ago.


    The giant shark was caught off guard, and upon seeing the spearheading towards it, it instinctively sensed the danger and quickly dodged to the side, barely avoiding the attack.


    However, the shark still needed to be finished. It flicked its tail, aiming to strike Bawang with its massive size.


    Thest time they had fought, Overlord had been hit twice by the shark''s tail, and he knew the sensation was far from pleasant.


    Bawang felt as though a mountain had struck him.


    Bawang quickly reacted, dodging to the side to avoid the iing tail. The shark''s attack missed its target, and the first round ended in a stalemate.


    How could the Overlord possibly stand a chance against a giant shark?


    After failing at the shark with a massive spear, he faced the shark''s tail, sweeping towards him too quickly to maneuver the spearhead.


    Despite the resistance of the water, the Overlord swung one front paw with such speed that it left an afterimage.


    The giant shark had no time to dodge, so the Overlord''s sharp front ws shed effortlessly across the shark''s tail, tearing apart the flesh and causing the sea to turn bright red.


    The giant shark was furious and retaliated by opening its enormous mouth and lunging toward the Overlord.


    However, the Overlord had already turned his spearhead and grabbed therge spear to meet the attack, pointing it directly at the shark''s mouth.


    With a cry of "Give me a stab!" the tip of the giant spear collided heavily with the shark''s teeth, knocking several of them off directly.


    The Overlord then used his Laku Destroy technique, plunging the sharp spearhead at least one meter deep into the shark''s flesh.


    Despite the shark''s struggles and attempts to escape, the Overlord was relentless in his pursuit, quickly closing the distance between them and stabbing the shark again with his giant spear.


    Though the giant shark seemed to sense the danger and understand that its speed was no match for the Overlord''s, it ran for its life into the depths of the sea, barely escaping the Overlord''s thrust.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    At a depth of 200 meters, the underwater environment was still rtively bright, but visibility plummeted beyond 400 to 500 meters, and the darkness became nearly imprable.


    In such an environment, the giant shark was a formidable opponent to pursue, and without superior perception, it would be almost impossible to track down.


    Nevertheless, the Overlord relentlessly chased after the shark, utilizing the obstacles on the seabed to its advantage, even as the distance between them steadily decreased.


    "Hey, what is that!" eximed Bawang as he suddenly caught sight of a sunken ship lying on the seafloor.


    But hispanion reminded him,


    "Don''t lose focus, we''re after the shark, not treasure."


    Realizing the situation''s urgency, Bawang quickly memorized the sunken ship''s location and pressed forward.


    But the giant shark was no easy target. As Bawang focused on the sunken ship, the shark widened the distance between them, nearly reaching the limit of Bawang''s keen perception.


    Realizing that he could lose the shark if he didn''t act fast, Bawang abandoned his fascination with the sunken ship and resumed his pursuit.


    The chase was a spectacr event that caught the attention of many sea creatures.


    The Overlord and the giant shark were vast and dangerous, and the other sea creatures instinctively kept their distance.


    After several minutes of intense pursuit, the giant shark began to tire, while the Overlord, with its superior endurance, showed no signs of slowing down.


    Eventually, the giant shark gave up running and prepared to fight.


    "Prepare yourself, Overlord," roared the vast shark. "You may have caught up to me, but you won''t defeat me!"


    The battle was fierce but ultimately one-sided.


    The Overlord emerged unscathed, while the giant shark was impaled by the Overlord''s massive spear, ending its life.


    Thus concluded the epic underwater chase and battle, with the Overlord emerging victorious.


    Overlord''s victory over the giant shark had left him feeling relieved and overjoyed.


    He knew that defeating such a formidable creature was no small feat, especially considering the battle''s depths.


    The fact that he had emerged unscathed was a testament to his strength and tenacity.


    As soon as he had caught his breath, Overlord immediately reported his sess to Liu Yong, his master, and benefactor.


    Liu Yong, who had been monitoring the situation from a distance, breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the news.


    He was proud of Overlord''s aplishment and praised him for a well-done job.


    But the excitement didn''t stop there.


    Bawang, still brimming with adrenaline, shared some unexpected news with his master.


    While chasing the giant shark, he stumbled upon a sunken ship on the seabed. Liu Yong couldn''t believe Bawang''s luck - he had been searching for a sunken ship for a long time, and now one had seemingly fallen into hisp.


    The discovery of a sunken ship was a treasure hunter''s dream.


    It could yield valuable artifacts and treasures that fetch a hefty price on the market. Liu Yong''s excitement was palpable as he realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.


    As he contemted the possibilities, Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel grateful for the team of skilled divers he had assembled.


    The thrill of the hunt was addictive, and Liu Yong knew he would never be satisfied until he uncovered all the treasures beneath the ocean''s surface.


    For now, though, he basked in the glory of histest victory and looked forward to the riches that awaited him in the sunken ship.


    ..................

 Chapter 96 Why Did It Die ?

    ?Liu Yong was curious about the sunken ship and its contents,


    "I wonder what kind of shipwreck it is and what''s inside."


    However, the priorities were clear, and the giant shark''s body must be retrieved first.


    "Overlord, bring the giant shark here," Liu Yong ordered.


    The Overlord responded,


    "Master, no problem. I''ll take it right away, and I''ll definitely be there in an hour and a half."


    Despite the 200 nautical mile distance, the Bawang reached them within one and a half hours.


    The Overlord didn''t remove the giant spear from the giant shark''s body, dragged the massive spear, and quickly swam towards Liu Yong''s position.


    Once they arrived, Liu Yong instructed the salvage ship,


    "Everyone, don''t be stunned, prepare the bait, and put it downter."


    The salvage ship did much preparatory work to deceive others, including preparing bait and several huge hooksrger than those used to hang ordinary sharks.


    The pins weighed tens of kilograms.


    Chen Hu shouted,


    "Brothers, start working!" as the boat got busy preparing the baits, all big fish weighing hundreds of catties packed inrge stic baskets. It often took two or three people to work together.


    Once the big fish was lifted from the basket, it was put on the giant fishhook together.


    The fishing line was also unique, a thumb-thick high-strength rope capable of withstanding 20 tons of pulling force.


    One of the crew members asked Liu Yong,


    "Boss, will that giant shark bite?"


    Liu Yong responded confidently,


    "It will definitely bite the bait, everyone just follow my requirements."


    Another crew member asked,


    "Boss, if the giant shark really bites the hook, will it break our rope?"


    Liu Yong reassured them,


    "I have prepared several hundreds of meters of rope. Once the giant shark bites the hook, we will retract and release the rope properly first, and don''t resist hard."


    Following Liu Yong''s instructions, three or four giant hooks were baited, each with arge fish weighing hundreds of catties.


    "Boss, everything is ready, do you want to put down the bait now?" one of the crew members asked.


    Liu Yong checked the time and thought for a moment.


    "Don''t be in a hurry, wait for another half an hour," he said.


    With only a few big fish prepared, one on each giant hook, Liu Yong didn''t want to risk attracting other big predatory fish with the smell of blood.


    After waiting about 30 minutes, Liu Yong asked Bawang and learned it would arrive faster than expected in a few minutes.


    Liu Yong told the crew,


    "Everyone, you can put down the hook now."


    As the scene unfolded, two or three individuals worked in unison to lower the first hook from the boat into the sea, gradually descending to a depth of hundreds of meters.


    With the themes sessfully deployed, everyone was excited, eagerly waiting for a giant shark to take the bait.


    Suddenly, someone spotted movement and shouted,


    "Look! This hook is moving!"


    With bated breath, the crowd looked on as the previously ck rope began to tighten, and the massive ratchet with a diameter of over one meter began to rotate.


    "It must be the giant shark!" someone eximed.


    Excitement bubbled over as Liu Yong looked on, grinning at the knowledge of what was happening.


    He could see the situation clearly from a third-party perspective.


    As if on cue, the Overlord arrived and tore the big fish off the giant hook, swallowing it in one swift motion.


    It then hung the hook on its massive mouth, slowly swimming away with the giant shark.


    The people on the salvage boat, unaware of the Overlord''s presence, were ecstatic, thinking that they had finally caught the elusive giant shark.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Without hesitation, three or four people sprung into action, using leverage to release and retract the rope.


    Even with theirbined strength, the force from the string was intense, with a dozen tons of power exerted.


    Despite the difficulty, the team was determined to reel in their catch.


    It was thrilling for everyone on the boat as they waited for the giant shark to take the bait.


    The crew members worked together to put the first hook into the sea, using the ratchet to lower it to a depth of hundreds of meters.


    Once all the hooks were released, they anxiously awaited the shark''s arrival.


    Suddenly, one of the hooks began to move, and the rope gradually tightened.


    The crew members became excited, believing the giant shark had finally bitten the hook.


    The big ratchet with a diameter of over one meter began to rotate, confirming their suspicions.


    The crew cheered as they watched the rope tighten, and someone eximed,


    "Bite the hook, really bite the hook! It must be that giant shark!"


    However, Liu Yong knew better than anyone that something else was happening.


    He could see the situation clearly from a third-party perspective. The Overlord had arrived, taken the big fish from the hook, ate it in one bite, and then hung the pin on its massive mouth.


    Unbeknownst to the crew, the giant shark was being pulled along by the Overlord, swimming slowly at first and then increasing its speed for a while before slowing down again.


    As the crew continued to release and retract the rope, they marveled at the power of the giant shark.


    "He is so **** strong!" eximed one crew member.


    After about 20 minutes of tug-of-war, Liu Yong knew the giant shark was hooked firmly.


    "Bawang, it''s okay, you can let go," he said.


    Bawang had been operating at a depth of one or two hundred meters and had not encountered the giant shark. He immediately let go of the rope.


    The crew members on the boat felt the pulling force weaken, and they quickly began to reel in the rope.


    After a few minutes, they had pulled in hundreds of meters of yarn and were stunned by what they saw.


    "Oh my God!" eximed one crew member.


    "What a big shark!"


    "It''s so big, just looking at it is scary enough," said another.


    The giant shark had been pulled to the surface, and even in death, it was a fearsome sight.


    "Look, this shark appears to be dead, with a hole in its stomach," said one crew member.


    "Just now, It was so strong that I couldn''t pull it back. Why did It die?" asked another.


    "How did the shark get the hole in your stomach?" someone else wondered.


    "It is estimated that it was made by other big fish," said another crew member.


    The boat was abuzz with conversation, and the crew members were thrilled by their catch.


    In a booming voice, Liu Yong instructed his crew,


    "Dispatch some frogmen to secure the dead belts. We''re going to haul this colossal shark up!"


    The salvage ship was massive, discing thousands of tons, and boasted mammoth lifting machinery that could quickly hoist items weighing hundreds of tons from the water.


    Furthermore, its deck was spacious, providing ample room for the crew to operate.


    Once the crew verified that the shark was lifeless, a team of divers donned their gear and plunged into the sea.


    They carefully looped a sling around the giant shark and lifted it out of the water.


    The shark weighed over 100 tons and measured 30 to 40 meters in length, making lifting onto the deck a formidable feat of strength.


    Despite the challenge, the crew persisted, and after a considerable effort, the shark was gradually hauled out of the water and onto the ship''s deck.


    Its enormity was such that it almost consumed the entire deck. However, the crew was delighted when the sling was finally untied, and the behemoth creaturey motionless on the deck.


    Liu Yong beamed with delight as he knew that he had secured a windfall of 300 million US dors.


    ............¡­

 Chapter 97 Thrilled & A Big Surprise!

    ?In front of the massive shark, some individuals boldly approached and snapped a picture, likely intending to impress their friends with the daring feat.


    Chen Hu observed the creature and said,


    "Boss, the giant shark has been defeated. Should we notify Jiro Kimura?"


    Liu Yong considered this momentarily and replied,


    "Yes, give him a call and inform him of the news."


    Initially, the n was to rest for the night and inform Jiro Kimura in the morning.


    However, Liu Yong realized that concealing the matter was not an option. They had to notify him immediately.


    With permission granted, Chen Hu retrieved his mobile phone and dialed Jiro Kimura''s number.


    After Jiro Kimura reported the situation to his superiors at the Tanaka Foundation, he returned to his office, settling into his chair.


    Before his seat could warm up, the phone rang, signaling an urgent update.


    As the phone connected, a voice speaking in Mandarin emerged from the other end. Fortunately, Jiro Kimura was an expert in Yanguo and fluent in Mandarin.


    "Mr. Kimura, this is Chen Hu from Global Marine Services," spoke Chen Hu.


    "Mr. Chen, do you require our assistance? If you''re seeking the location of that giant shark, we can be of little help. It is quite elusive, and you will need to search for it yourself,"


    responded Jiro Kimura.


    Before finishing his sentence, Chen Hu interrupted,


    "Kimura, we don''t need that kind of help. I''m calling to inform you that we''ve sessfully hunted down the giant shark."


    "What?!" eximed Jiro Kimura, his hand trembling with surprise.


    "Is this true? Have you really managed to hunt and kill the giant shark so quickly?"


    Chen Hu confidently replied,


    "It''s absolutely true. I have no reason to lie to you about this matter. The body of the giant shark is currently on our boat. You cane and confirm it."


    Jiro Kimura was thrilled and said, "Okay, I''lle over right away."


    Chen Hu quickly reminded him,


    "Please hurry up. Our boss wants us to set sail back to Huahai City today."


    "Okay, I''lle as quickly as possible," replied Jiro Kimura.


    However, he would havee over as fast as possible, despite Chen Hu''s reminder.


    The hunting and killing of the giant shark was a significant event for them.


    Jiro Kimura immediately made arrangements for a helicopter and assembled the necessary personnel.


    He then ran to his boss to give him the news. Upon hearing the report, his boss showed evident surprise and immediately ordered Jiro Kimura to act.


    He wanted to see the giant shark that had been hunted and killed for himself.


    This cursed giant shark had caused them a lot of trouble and had cost $300 million.


    They detested the creature. Yet, they also felt a sense of relief and extreme happiness that this big problem had been resolved.


    After Mujiro''s departure, the boss couldn''t help but a sigh of relief, feeling relieved that the troublesome situation had been resolved.


    He turned to one of the crew members and said,


    "Can you believe it? We finally got that damn shark."


    The crew member grinned back,


    "It''s a real monster, boss. I can''t wait to tell my friends back home about this."


    Others on board were also excited about the sessful hunt of the giant shark.


    They eagerly took photos with the massive creature as a souvenir, with one crew member eximing,<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "I''m definitely making this my new profile picture!"


    One particrly daring individual even touched the teeth of the giant shark with their bare hands, marveling at their sharpness.


    Another crew member joked,


    "We should start selling these teeth as souvenirs. We could make a fortune!"


    The crew members were very excited. Liu Yong looked at them and smiled happily. He was in a good mood, but he didn''t take a photo with this giant shark but just took some pictures of that shark with his mobile phone.


    Liu Yong''s attention was focused on Bawang''s whereabouts.


    After Bawang left the scene, he had been swiftly swimming at a depth of one to two hundred meters underwater, traveling at over 150 knots in the direction of the sunken ship.


    When Liu Yong arrived at the location, it had already been nearly an hour and a half, and he knew that it would take Bawang around the same time to swim back.


    As of yet, Bawang had not yet reached the sunken ship''s location, but he was still quickly swimming toward it.


    In the distance, a helicopter could be seen approaching, and it eventuallynded on the deck of the salvage ship.


    Jiro Kimura stepped off the helicopter apanied by several people. Upon seeing the giant shark that had caused so much trouble, he couldn''t contain his excitement.


    Finally, the culprit responsible for 20 to 30 murders was caught and killed.


    Jiro Kimura was relieved that the giant shark had been hunted down and that it would no longer cause any further trouble.


    He was also happy that the international condemnation of RB would gradually decrease and eventually end.


    Jiro Kimura and his men approached Liu Yong, and Jiro extended his right hand in a warm handshake, thanking him for sessfully hunting down the giant shark.


    Liu Yong smiled and reminded Jiro to check and ept the giant shark.


    He also reminded him that the agreed-upon amount of 300 million US dors would be transferred to theirpany''s ount within 24 hours.


    Jiro Kimura quickly agreed to the terms. He then signaled for his professionals to begin inspecting the giant shark.


    They even took out a tape measure to measure some of its dimensions.


    After the inspection and eptance werepleted, one of the professionals reported to Jiro Kimura, who nodded slightly in approval.


    Liu Yong and his team had done an excellent job hunting down the giant shark.


    After exchanging pleasantries with Liu Yong, Jiro Kimura couldn''t help but ask about the giant hole in the hunted shark''s body.


    "Liu Sang, why does this giant shark have a big hole in it?" he inquired.


    Not wanting to reveal the truth of the Overlord''s giant spear piercing the creature, Liu Yong kept it a secret.


    "This is a secret. I am inconvenient to reveal it," he replied diplomatically.


    Of course, Jiro Kimura and his team were curious about how Liu Yong had managed to hunt such a massive beast, but they didn''t push the matter.


    No one would have imagined that Liu Yong had a considerable pet snapping turtle that had done the job.


    The Tanaka Foundation, represented by Jiro Kimura, epted the giant shark, believing that Liu Yong possessed unique means to hunt such a beast.


    As per their agreement, the body of the giant shark was to be handed over to the Tanaka consortium for scientific research.


    "The eptance was correct," Jiro Kimura said as he signed on behalf of the Tanaka Foundation.


    Liu Yong ordered his salvage boat to wait until the Tanaka consortium''s ship arrived to transfer the shark''s body.


    "We''ll wait here until theye," he told his crew.


    Meanwhile, Bawang, Liu Yong''s loyal pet, was getting closer to the sunken ship, picking up its pace, and Liu Yong himself was eager to see the situation of the sunken ship.


    "Let''s see what we can find," he told his crew as they approached the site.


    It was remarkable how much the rtionship between Liu Yong and Jiro Kimura had changed since their initial meeting.


    After chatting for a few words and expressing their thanks to each other, they had be much more respectful and courteous towards each other, indicating a significant shift in attitude.


    .....................

 Chapter 98 Still Couldnt Configure

    ?Liu Yong urgently needs money, specifically for hispany, Universal.


    His n for thepany''s subsequent development involves building a fleet ofrge oil tankers, preferably 100,000 tons or more, to transport crude oil.


    This would require significant money as the current market price for such tankers is several hundred million each.


    To acquire the necessary funds, Liu Yong is interested in finding a valuable ancient shipwreck that contains antiques, gold, and silver.


    Bawang, who is assisting him in the search, informs Liu Yong that he has located a potential sunken ship in the area.


    Liu Yongmunicates with Bawang and instructs him to investigate further.


    As Bawang searches the seabed, he faces obstacles such as theplex terrain, includingrge rocks and small hills, which the giant shark they encountered earlier intended to use to evade their pursuit.


    However, Liu Yong can observe the seabed clearly through a third-party vision, which is not affected by the darkness of the depths.


    Bawang eventually discovers a sunken ship that Liu Yong confirms to be the one they are looking for.


    The vessel is of interest to Liu Yong as it may contain the valuable treasures he seeks, and he eagerly awaits the further exploration of the site.


    The shipy at the bottom of the sea, its hull covered in thick deposits of rust and corrosion.


    Liu Yong had hoped for an ancient shipwreck, something more like arge wooden ship, so he was a little disappointed when he saw that it was a modern steel shipwreck of around a thousand tons.


    Despite his disappointment, he wondered what valuable items could be found on it.


    "Wow, this is a modern shipwreck," Liu Yong said with a delightful expression.


    "I was hoping for something a bit more exciting."


    "It''s still worth checking out," Bawang replied optimistically.


    Overlord suggested he could dismantle the ship with his giant spear, but Liu Yong hesitated.


    He knew that modern steel structures would be difficult to take apart.


    "I don''t think that''s a good idea, Overlord," Liu Yong said.


    "If it''s a wooden shipwreck, you can disassemble it in minutes, but this steel structure is tooplex."


    "Let me try, Master," Overlord insisted. "I''m sure I can make some progress."


    With Liu Yong''s consent, Overlord began dismantling the ship with his spear, creating arge hole. He tried to smash, poke, pry, and w at the structure, but progress could have been faster.


    After half an hour of trying, Liu Yong saw that this approach could have been more efficient and could potentially damage any valuable items inside.


    "Overlord, stop, it''s not a good way to dismantle it like this, let me think about it," Liu Yong said, seeing that the violent dismantling might cause more harm than good.


    Bawang offered to watch the sunken ship while they figured out a better approach.


    "Master, I will wait for your news," Bawang said. "I have been active in this sea area for the past few days, and I will help you look at this sunken ship by the way."


    "Okay, then you stay in this area. I have toe up with a good way,"


    Liu Yong said, determined to find a more effective strategy to uncover any valuable treasures it might hold.


    Even though it was just a contemporary shipwreck, Liu Yong was not ready to abandon the possibility of discovering valuable items on board.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    He had finally found such a ship and couldn''t bear letting go. The Overlord was toorge to enter the sunken vessel and explore it.


    However, Liu Yong was undeterred. He expressed his willingness to dive and explore the sunken ship.


    "I can do it. Would you like me to enter the water and take a look?" he offered.


    Despite his enthusiasm, some challenges needed to be addressed before Liu Yong could proceed with the exploration.


    The water depth of the sunken ship was six to seven hundred meters, which could subject him to tremendous water pressure.


    The pitch-ck seabed made seeing anything, even one''s fingers, impossible. With the Overlord stationed outside the sunken ship, he could use a third-party vision to explore the ship''s interior.


    However, if the Overlord stayed outside, the third-party vision would be useless to him, and he would have to rely on his own eyes.


    Furthermore, the interior of the sunken ship was also pitch ck, and the situation inside could be moreplicated than anticipated. He would need a light source to navigate his way through the vessel.


    After careful consideration, Liu Yong concluded that he would have to explore the sunken ship, despite the risks involved.


    However, he understood that specific preparations needed to be made before he could dive to a depth of six or seven hundred meters.


    Upon his return to Huahai City that evening, the salvage ship docked, and the crew returned to thepany.


    Liu Yong''s first order of business was to call Qiu Yang to his office.


    "Boss, you arrived at thepany so soon,"


    Qiu Yang remarked as he walked into the room.


    It was just after noon, and the salvage ship had only been docked for a little over an hour. Liu Yong, the ship''s owner, had just arrived at thepany instead of going home to rest.


    Qiu Yang immediately greeted him, who was overjoyed to see his boss back so soon. Qiu Yang couldn''t help but ask,


    "Boss, how will you spend the 300 million dors?"


    Liu Yong''s reply was calm and collected, "The money will be primarily used to expand ourpany''s scale and enhance its strength. Additionally, I''m considering purchasing a fewrge oil tankers."


    Qiu Yang was relieved to hear his boss''s n and nodded eagerly in agreement.


    However, Liu Yong had another request for Qiu Yang. He needed a shlight for deep-sea diving that could withstand seawater pressure at 800 meters.


    Qiu Yang was stunned. Eight hundred meters of water pressure was no joke! Nevertheless, he promised to contact a professional manufacturer immediately and ensure delivery speed.


    Liu Yong knew he needed a special diving shlight or deep-water light source to explore the sunken ship.


    He had already done his research and knew that thepression depth of ordinary diving shlights was only one or two hundred meters, which needed to be more.


    He needed a durable, bulky light source that could help him see the pitch-ck interior of the sunken ship.


    As Qiu Yang rushed off to handle his boss''s request, Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel impatient. He had already waited so long to explore the sunken ship and couldn''t wait any longer.


    He hoped that the manufacturer woulde up with a solution quickly so he could get his hands on the shlight and dive into the depths of the sea to uncover whatever valuable things the sunken ship held.


    .............

 Chapter 99 High Precision Machines

    ?Preparing a deep-water light source is time-consuming, especially since Liu Yong suggested that thepression depth should be at least 800 meters.


    After Qiu Yang left, Liu Yong checked his calendar and recalled thest time Zhao Zhenbiao had visited him. During that visit, Zhao Zhenbiao entrusted his friend to transport two high-precision CNC machining centers from RB, and it had already been a week since then.


    Liu Yong knew that delivery within two or three days would be impossible, as more time would be needed to make a round trip from RB.


    However, Liu Yong had a solution to this problem. He remembered that Bawang could handle the delivery in a shorter time frame. In fact, Bawang could deliver the two machine tools in less than a day.


    The machines had already been ced in the warehouse for several days and were ready to be handed over to Zhou Zhengming.


    "This shipping fee is worth 10 million,"


    Liu Yong thought to himself, considering the impressive amount of money he would receive as pocket money.


    Meanwhile, Zhou Zhengming was at the processing site, thergest workshop in hispany with the highest degree of automation and the most CNC processing equipment.


    The ce was busy and looked very prosperous, but Zhou Zhengming needed to be in a better mood despite this grand asion.


    Those who knew him well could see a trace of sadness in his brow.


    The reason for his worry was the two high-precision CNC machining centers purchased from RB.


    Deng Hemin, the workshop director, approached Zhou Zhengming wearing a safety helmet, sses, and clean overalls with a white shirt and tie underneath.


    He informed Zhou that the parts requested by customers from country F might be ready after a few days and could be in breach of contract.


    The workshop not only processed parts for Zhou''spany but also had surplus processing capacity and received valuable workpieces from the market for processing.


    These valuable workpieces generally required high-precision processing, and the cost was ideal.


    The parts needed for this batch of customers from country F cost more than $10,000 each to process, but the processing uracy was also very high.


    The processing of this batch of parts wasing to an end, with only a few processes left.


    Among them, the process of fine boring was to process a total of eight precision holes, which was a very challenging task.


    Zhou Zhengming has been very concerned about this matter since yesterday. A customer from country F called to inquire about the progress of this batch of parts.


    Zhou Zhengming confidently reassured everyone that the parts would be delivered on schedule. Still, in reality, he knew that the sess of the process of fine boring relied heavily on the high-precision machine tools purchased by the two RBs. With them, it would be easier to achieve the required machining uracy.


    Without hesitation, Zhou led the group to the CNC machining center, where the batch of parts was ced next to the machine tool. The machine operator and several technicians were already there. Zhou asked sincerely about the progress, how many pieces had been processed, and whether any were qualified.


    The leading technician replied that two parts had been processed, but despite trying various methods, both needed to be qualified and still required to process the third part.


    Workshop Director Deng Hemin chimed in, expressing his frustration that the most precise CNC machining center they had was still unable to achieve the required uracy.


    The technician in charge exined that the problem was with the machine tool itself, not their processing methods or CNC programs. If they had ess to a higher-precision machine tool, they could guarantee the processing would be qualified.


    This realization was a significant setback, as with the necessary tools, it would be possible to fulfill the contract with the customer in country F, and the reputation of Zhou Zhengming''spany would be at stake.


    Deng Hemin shared his desire for a high-precision CNC machining center, as they could onlypete with otherpanies with one.


    Zhou Zhengming was acutely aware of the limitations of their situation, unable to import high-precision machine tools from developed countries due to the embargo.


    As the group grappled with the issue, Zhou''s phone rang, interrupting their discussion.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After picking up the phone, Liu Yong''s strong voice resounded through the phone, and he got straight to the point,


    "Mr. Zhou, I can''t wait any longer for those two machine tools."


    Zhou Zhengming''s heart skipped a beat. He was pleasantly surprised that Liu Yong had taken the initiative to call and check if the two machines had arrived.


    His hopes began to rise.


    "Mr. Liu, we can''t wait any longer. Have the machine tools been shipped back?" Zhou Zhengming asked anxiously.


    Liu Yong replied, "They''ve been transported back and are in my warehouse, intact. It would be best if youe to pick them up now to avoid upying my warehouse."


    What a relief!


    The machines were already shipped back from RB!


    Zhou Zhengming''s gloomy face suddenly lit up, and the people around him could see the change in his expression. "Mr. Liu, this is excellent news. Please tell me the location, and I''ll go and collect the machine tools immediately."


    The surprise came too suddenly!


    Zhou Zhengming had expected it would take at least ten days or even half a month for the machines to be shipped back.


    But within just one week, they had been returned without any issues.


    Zhou Zhengming was overjoyed and couldn''t help but admire Universal''s efficiency in getting the machines back.


    Liu Yong continued, "Mr. Zhou, I''ll send you the location. You cane directly to my warehouse, and I''ll be waiting for you there."


    "Okay, we''ll be there shortly," Zhou Zhengming replied.


    Liu Yong added with a smile, "Please prepare a 10 million cash check. Of course, a transfer is also eptable. The machines have been inspected and epted correctly, and my 10 million shipping fee should not be dyed."


    Zhou Zhengming quickly responded, "No problem, I''lle personally with the cash check."


    As Zhou Zhengming hung up the phone, he noticed that everyone around him was watching him with curiosity.


    He was now in a great mood, feeling grateful that the machines had arrived safely and excited to have them in his possession finally.


    Zhou Zhengming couldn''t contain his excitement and shared the good news with everyone around him.


    "Great news! The two high-precision machine tools we bought from RB have arrived. Director Deng, please arrange for people to prepare the car, and I''ll take one of the machine tools back with me."


    Deng Hemin was thrilled to hear this news. He knew the value of these machine tools and understood the potential profit they could bring.


    These machines could produce high-precision parts for customers from country F and expand their business further.


    Zhou Zhengming was also delighted to use these machines to create more revenue. He couldn''t wait to see them in action and said, "I''ll personally bring the machine tool back."


    Zhou Zhengming waved his hand, and everyone around him shared his excitement. The arrival of these machines was a huge win for theirpany, and it promised a brighter future.


    ......¡­.

 Chapter 100 Originally, We Came From …

    ?At the seaside warehouse, Liu Yong has already arrived with Chen Hu and gave orders to open the gates in preparation for Chairman Zhou''s arrival.


    Chen Hu promptly opened all the gates, allowing Zhou Zhengming''s car to drive into the vast warehouse, which appeared empty except for two machine tools positioned in the open space at the center.


    Liu Yong inspected the two machines satisfactorily, knowing that they were worth 10 million yuan and that Zhou Zhengming would bring the cash checkter.


    The machines had been sitting there for several days, with their packaging initially damp but now dry andpletely intact.


    After a while, three vehicles arrived at the warehouse: a ck car followed by two trucks, one of which was small.


    Chen Hu directed the vehicles into the warehouse, and Zhou Zhengming couldn''t hide his excitement upon seeing the two machine tools he had been eagerly awaiting.


    He marveled at the efficiency of Universal, as this was the onlypany that dared to ept the order due to the exorbitant shipping fee.


    However, Global Company received the order and shipped the machines back within a week, which was truly impressive.


    Upon stepping out of the car, Zhou Zhengming gazed at the two machine tools excitedly, almost as if he was dreaming.


    Hispany urgently needed these high-precision CNC machining centers, and just when things were looking bleak, Liu Yong informed him that the machines had been shipped back.


    Zhou Zhengming walked up to Liu Yong and shook his hand tightly, his voice trembling slightly as he expressed his gratitude.


    "Mr. Liu, thank you, thank you very much," Zhou Zhengming said, his eyes shining with appreciation.


    Liu Yong smiled modestly and replied,


    "It''s a trivial matter. Take a look at the machine tools, and then you can transport them away."


    "Okay, okay, let''s take a look at the machine tool first," Zhou Zhengming eagerly agreed.


    Zhou Zhengming had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the machines and wasted no time walking toward them with his team.


    He scrutinized the devices, his eyes sweeping over them repeatedly as if he could never tire of the sight.


    After several minutes of looking around, Zhou Zhengming stopped in front of one of the machine tools and reached out to touch the packing box.


    He seemed to have a special connection with the machine tool, feeling like it was not just a piece of equipment but a peerless treasure.


    Having spent his entire career in the machinery manufacturing industry, Zhou Zhengming felt about high-end processing equipment the way others thought about a rare treasure.


    He looked at the machine tools for several minutes, touched them, and eximed happily to Director Deng,


    "The high-precision machining center we dreamed of has arrived!"


    Deng Hemin could hardly contain his excitement and nodded vigorously, saying,


    "Chairman, with these two high-precision processing equipment, the processing capacity of our workshop has increased to a whole new level. The parts that could not be processed before due tock of precision can now be processed."


    They stood there for several minutes, marveling at the two immense treasures.


    But Liu Yong looked at the time and realized the day was fading.


    He reminded Zhou Zhengming, "Chairman Zhou, you can start shipping."


    Zhou Zhengming patted his head lightly and smiled,


    "Look at me. I''m so happy. I forgot that Mr. Liu has been waiting by the side."


    After finishing his speech, Zhou Zhengming handed the 10 million cash check to Liu Yong and expressed his gratitude again.


    "Mr. Liu, thank you so much," he said.


    "Mr. Zhou is very polite," replied Liu Yong, taking the check satisfactorily.


    He thought the 10 million was a generous amount, and it had required almost no effort on his part.


    All he had to do was travel back and forth to RB twice.


    10 million! The thought of it was exhrating.


    Zhou Zhengming expressed his thanks once again and then waved his hand, ordering his men to start hoisting the two machine tools onto the big truck.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The entire process went very smoothly, and after the machine tools were loaded onto the car, Zhou Zhengming invited Liu Yong to dinner.


    "Mr. Liu, it''s time for dinner. I know a good ce. Let''s have a drink, how about it?"


    Liu Yong smiled and declined the offer.


    "I''m afraid it won''t work today. What about another day?"


    "Okay, next time," replied Zhou Zhengming without any fuss.


    As a rule, Liu Lan stayed in school from Monday to Thursday and only returned home asionally, usually on Fridays.


    The transportation was quite convenient as there was a subway station at themunity entrance where Liu Yong lived. One could easily take the subway to Huahai University in about half an hour.


    It was Friday, and Liu Lan had already returned to the vi. She had sent a message on WeChat earlier, stating that she had bought some vegetables and would cook dinner herself.


    Liu Yong had declined Zhou Zhengming''s invitation for dinner and was on his way home.


    The traffic was heavy, and it was already around 8 p.m. when Liu Yong got home.


    As he walked in, he could smell the delicious aroma of food.


    "Brother, you''re back!" Liu Lan greeted him.


    "Wow, it smells so good," said Liu Yong.


    "I learned a few dishes,e over and have a taste," said Liu Lan, leading him to the dining room.


    On the table were several dishes prepared by Liu Lan - sweet and sour pork ribs, braised chicken, braised grouper, and winter melon soup. Liu Yong washed his hands and sat down at the table.


    "Well, it looks delicious. I''m using my chopsticks," he said with excitement.


    Liu Lan then went to the wine cab to get a bottle of red wine, and the siblings enjoyed their dinner together, feeling warm and happy.


    "Brother, it would be great if my sister-inw were here," said Liu Lan.


    "Your sister-inw is thin-skinned, and she probably won''t live here until she gets married," replied Liu Yong.


    "Of course," said Liu Lan.


    After chatting, Liu Yong offered Liu Lan some pocket money.


    "I have my eyes on a Herm¨¨s bag, but I don''t have the money to buy it. Can you give me more this time? How about fifty thousand?"


    Liu Yong smiled and agreed to give her the money.


    The brother and sister continued to enjoy their time together, feeling content and grateful for each other''spany.


    My younger sister has always wanted to live like a princess, but our family''s financial situation never allowed it.


    I did my best to provide for our family by saving money and conserving food, but her princessplex remained hidden within her heart.


    However, now that she hase into some money, my sister''s princessplex has begun to emerge. She has started to wear more fashionable and upscale clothes, shoes, and cosmetics.


    She even enrolled in a driving school and nned to take the driver''s license test to buy a car and drive to school instead of taking the subway.


    Of course, I was aware of my sister''s desires, and now that we had some extra money, I decided to indulge her a little. I told her she could live like a princess and buy whatever she wanted with our fifty thousand dors.


    But in reality, I handed her a cash check for ten million dors and told her she could spend it as she pleased.


    My sister was ecstatic with the gift and thanked me with gratitude. She thought the check was for fifty thousand yuan but was stunned when she saw the value.


    This generosity made my sister feel like an actual princess, and it brought me joy to see her happy.


    Even though our family''s financial situation has improved, we never forget where we came from and remain humble and grateful for what we have.


    ........

 Chapter 101 The Delightful Sea Light

    ?Dingfeng Deepsea Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. is a highly specializedpany that offers a wide range of optoelectronic products.


    Thepany has established a reputation for its exceptional expertise and strong capabilities in the research and development of deep-sea optoelectronics.


    Recently, thepany''s owner, Cao Ming, encountered a highly unusual request from a customer.


    This customer sought a portable deep-sea light source that could withstand apressive depth of at least 800 meters.


    This request left Cao Ming feeling puzzled and intrigued. He had worked in the industry for many years but had not encountered such requests.


    Cao Ming knew that at a depth of 800 meters, only specialized deep diving equipment could meet this requirement.


    Even with a metal anti-pressure diving suit, the maximum depth one could reach would only be around 300 meters.


    Therefore, requesting a portable deep-sea light source that could withstand a depth of 800 meters was a tremendous challenge.


    Cao Ming, a skilled technician, couldn''t help but chuckle as he read through the request for a portable light source to illuminate the seabed at a depth of 800 meters.


    The idea was incredible, and he couldn''t fathom how anyone could go that deep.


    However, the price offered by the client was too reasonable to pass up, and Cao Ming found himself taking on the project despite his skepticism.


    After all, creating a portable light source that could withstand such extreme conditions was not impossible for his team.


    Theirpany already had products illuminating depths of up to two or three kilometers.


    Still, those were not portable and were typically installed on professional diving equipment, such as deep-sea robots and submersibles.


    However, they could create a mobile version with a bit of modification.


    True to their reputation for efficiency, Cao Ming''s team produced a modified portable deep-sea light source in just two days, which was promptly delivered to the client, Global Ocean Services.


    Upon receiving the delivery, Liu Yong, the boss at Global Ocean Services, eagerly examined the cylindrical device.


    He had been waiting anxiously for it, as it would enable him to explore the inside of a modern shipwreck, which had long fascinated him.


    Liu Yong turned on the switch, and the light zed to life, illuminating the room with a powerful beam. He was pleased with the morning''s intensity and the simplicity of its operation.


    With the portable deep-sea light source in hand, Liu Yong was now ready to explore the mysterious and treacherous depths of the ocean floor.


    Qiu Yanghui reported,


    "It can be used at a maximum depth of 1,000 meters, and it can be used for more than 8 hours once fully charged."


    After hearing the report, Liu Yong expressed satisfaction:


    "That''s great! It''s better than what I expected, even if it''s a bit bulkier."


    "It''s not a big problem," he continued. "Others may think it''s a little heavy, but it''s only more than ten kilograms."


    Excited about the deep-sea light source, Liu Yong turned to Qiu Yang and said,


    "Thank you for your hard work, I''ll take this with me now." He then left thepany with the portable deep-sea light source, an extrarge shlight, and Chen Hu followed him.


    While heading towards the sunken ship, Chen Hu drove the yacht, and Liu Yong asked, "How far is the ship from here?"


    Chen Hu replied,


    "Boss, it''s not close, it''s a few hundred nautical miles, at least it will be tomorrow morning."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong responded calmly,


    "It doesn''t matter, we have plenty of time."


    Chen Hu was curious about why his boss had suddenly decided to visit a sunken ship, but he didn''t want to pry. Instead, he focused on driving the yacht.


    As they moved away from Huahai City, Liu Yong gazed at the endless blue sea and said,


    "The weather is perfect for this kind of trip."


    Chen Hu agreed,


    "Yes, it''s beautiful out here. I hope we can get to the sunken ship soon."


    Liu Yong smiled and said, "Me too. I can''t wait to see what''s inside."


    Chen Hu chuckled, "Well, it''s going to be a long journey, so sit back and rx. We have a lot of miles to cover."


    After enjoying the yacht''s theater for a while and feeling a bit bored, Liu Yong decided to kill time by fishing at the stern of the craft.


    Luckily, the vessel had all the necessary fishing equipment, including the most giant fishing tackle that could even catch sharks.


    With great strength, Liu Yong effortlessly threw the hook beyond the distance that an ordinary person couldn''t throw and then slowly turned the fishing rod handle to pass the time.


    Chen Hu greeted him proactively as he was fishing, pointing out that Liu Yong was using the thickest fishing rod on the boat, which could catch even the most giant sharks.


    Suddenly, Liu Yong felt his hand sink, and the fishing rod suddenly bent down. Chen Hu shouted loudly,


    "Boss, there are big fish!"


    Liu Yong thought it must be a big fish as he felt the strong pulling force. He couldn''t believe his luck that he had caught a big fish so soon.


    Despite the vast force pulling the fishing rod, Liu Yong declined Chen Hu''s offer to help and decided to handle the fish himself.


    However, Liu Yong remained steady and started shaking the handle quickly, which helped him see the fish''s trace.


    Gradually, the fish emerged, and Chen Hu shouted excitedly, "Boss, at least two hundred catties, a huge grouper fish!" Such a giant grouper was indeed rare.


    Liu Yong felt lucky to have caught such a big fish on his first attempt. The giant grouper weighed more than two hundred catties, and ording to his visual inspection, it was estimated to be close to three hundred catties.


    This giant grouper was exhausted in ten minutes, thanks to Liu Yong''s strength and persistence.


    Standing next to Liu Yong, Chen Hu was amazed by what he saw. He couldn''t help but think to himself how great his boss was. Despite just fishing, Liu Yong was full of energy and determination.


    What impressed Chen Hu, even more was when Liu Yong managed to catch a massive grouper weighing around two to three hundred catties by himself. It seemed like an effortless task to him, and Chen Hu couldn''t help but exim, "Niubi!"


    Liu Yong chuckled and said, "Haha, we will have a fish feast tonight. We''ll eat this grouper, and if we can''t finish it, we can take it home and savor it slowly."


    After devouring the grouper, Liu Yong''s interest in fishing did not wane. He continued fishing until the evening but only caught a few more fish, all smaller than the grouper he had noticed earlier. The biggest one weighed only a few dozen catties.


    The next day, in the morning, Liu Yong woke up and took a shower. He heard some noise and assumed it was Chen Hu. So, he came over and asked, "What''s up?"


    Chen Hu replied, "Boss, we will be in that sea area in about an hour."


    Liu said: "Well, Its betterte than never. It would be okay even if we are reachingtely but we will atleast reach there somehow. "


    .................

 Chapter 102 Knock The Mountain, Shake The Tiger!

    ?When Chen Hu informed him they were only an hour from their destination, Liu Yong was taken aback.


    He had anticipated a much longer journey, possibly two or three hours.


    "Only an hour away?" Liu Yong asked, surprised.


    Chen Hu nodded. "Knowing that the boss wants to get there earlier, I speeded up the sailing speedst night."


    Liu Yong was concerned about Chen Hu''s well-being and offered to take over driving the yacht.


    "You haven''t slept all night, are you tired? Why don''t you take a rest first, how about I drive?" he asked.


    "The driving of this yacht is not difficult. Liu Yong has learned it several times. On this vast sea, he can''t see any other ships, so there is no problem in driving the yacht," he added.


    Chen Hu smiled. "It''s only about an hour to reach the destination anyway, I''ll go to bedter."


    Liu Yong did not take care of Chen Hu and began to think about the preparations they needed to make upon arrival.


    He hade well-prepared for this deep-sea diving trip, with a rubber diving suit and goggles, among other things.


    "It is more convenient to put on a rubber wetsuit, and it feels much better than just wearing a pair of shorts to go into the water. In addition, goggles are prepared," Liu Yong exined.


    Chen Hu looked at Liu Yong''s attire and was slightly taken aback. "Boss, don''t you need to bring an oxygen cylinder?" he asked.


    Liu Yong replied, "No, I am good at water."


    Then he reassured Chen Hu, "I haven''t slept all night, go and sleep in peace, don''t worry about me."


    Liu Yong was filled with determination as he watched Chen Hu retreat to one of the bedrooms.


    He knew that his goal was within reach, and he could not let anything hinder him from attaining it. He confidently plunged into the sea and swam straight to the depths.


    His eyes were fixed on the sunken ship on the ocean floor, which was his ultimate objective.


    Using third-party vision, Liu Yong could see that Bawang had already arrived at the sunken ship.


    For several days, he had been spending most of his time in the area, scouring the vicinity for anything that could satisfy his hunger. Liu Yong had anticipated this and had prepared himself for the task ahead.


    "Overlord, I''m here," Liu Yong called out.


    "Great, master, I have been waiting for you for several days," Bawang replied.


    After several minutes of diving, Liu Yong reached a depth of about two to three hundred meters.


    The sea water was crystal clear at this point, but the light was slowly fading. The deeper he went, the darker it became. Liu Yong could even see some luminous spots in the deeper depths. These were some of the deep-sea marine creatures that could emit light on their own.


    Thankfully, Liu Yong had brought a portable deep-sea light source. He switched it on, and a bright light illuminated the dark abyss. The ocean floor was mesmerizing, with some beautiful and exotic fish species that Liu Yong had never seen.


    As he continued to dive, Liu Yong could feel the pressure of the water increase. The depth of five hundred meters was already significant, and it was a depth that all divers strived to reach. Liu Yong did not stop there but continued to dive deeper.


    The pressure continued to increase with every passing moment, but Liu Yong was determined to reach his ultimate goal.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    As he dove deeper and deeper, he began to feel the weight of the water on his body. He was now at a depth that all divers dreamed of reaching - six to seven hundred meters below the surface.


    Liu Yong''s heart swelled with anticipation as he thought about what he might discover at the bottom of the sea. He had prepared well for this moment and was ready to face any challenge that came his way.


    The untested nature of the situation loomed over Liu Yong''s mind as he prepared to dive to a depth of more than 2000 meters.


    Despite sharing attributes with the Overlord, he knew there were differences due to his human nature.


    He pondered that while a snapping turtle with a strength attribute of 2000 could easily carry 20 to 30 tons of weight, he could not do the same.


    As he descended further, the pressure of the seawater became more evident, but Liu Yong continued, relieved that it was still within his tolerance range.


    After a few minutes, he arrived at the dark seabed and swam towards the shipwreck, where the director awaited him.


    The shipwreck was modern, with a steel structure, and Liu Yong spected that it had been there for at least several decades due to its severe corrosion. He noticed that it seemed to be a transport ship.


    "Master, what do you want me to do?" Bawang, Liu Yong''spanion, arrived soon after with a ttering expression.


    "Just wait for me outside," Liu Yong instructed him.


    The Overlord, who had apanied Liu Yong, suggested, "Then I''ll wait for you outside. Before you go in, I''ll knock on this sunken ship."


    Liu Yong suddenly understood what was going on and was secretly happy in his heart.


    "Bawang''s intelligence was really improving as he continued to grow, and he knew to hit the sinking ship first," he thought.


    "Knock the mountain and shake the tiger," Liu Yong replied, referring to the Chinese idiom meant to intimidate the enemy.


    The Overlord knocked on the sunken ship several times with his giant spear, creating a loud sound that echoed across the sea.


    The tactic worked as a four to five-meter-long sea snake quickly emerged from the ship and fled.


    Other fish and even some octopuses followed suit, running from the area in fear. After a few minutes, when nothing else emerged, Liu Yong swam into the sunken ship through a hole in the cockpit.


    As Liu Yong swam through the shipwreck, he came across the overturned cockpit inplete disarray.


    The sight of two dead bodies inside made him feel a sense of unease. The clothes on the bodies were in tatters, and only bones remained. However, he managed to deduce that they were RB military uniforms from World War II.


    Liu Yong searched through the pockets of the tattered military uniform and found a pocket watch and some ocean, which were almost rotten into the mud. However, his mood lifted when he discovered three little yellow croakers or gold bars. He smiled and continued exploring the cockpit but found nothing else of value.


    Using hisrge shlight, Liu Yong explored the living cabin of the ship but found several more corpses, all of which had turned to bones. Although he was initially frightened, Liu Yong gradually became more courageous and continued his search. He found rotten banknotes on the corpses but no gold or silver.


    Undeterred, Liu Yong pressed on and explored every cabin on the ship, determined to find something valuable. Despite the ship''s size and discement, he found nothing of value in the living cabin or other cabins he explored.


    However, he remained optimistic and was determined to keep searching.


    .................

 Chapter 103 All Efforts Paid Off!!

    ?As Liu Yong stepped into another cabin, he immediately noticed it was in disarray. The rusted and rotted items throughout the room made it difficult to navigate through.


    He should have searched more thoroughly despite shining hismp on some objects.


    To his relief, there was no sign of a corpse in the living cabin. However, he did find a few tattered and useless items lying around. It was clear that this cabin had been looted before.


    "Let''s move on to the next one," Liu Yong said, hoping for better luck.


    He searched through severalpartments in a row, but unfortunately, he found nothing significant in the sundries or living rooms. He was starting to feel discouraged.


    Just as he was about to move on to the next cabin, he was suddenly blocked by something in the aisle of the ship. There was no way for him to swim over it.


    "You bastard, there are still things blocking the way," Liu Yong muttered under his breath, frustration evident in his tone.


    Liu Yong extended his arm and forcefully tugged, causing the objects to crumble. This was due to the deterioration of the items as well as Liu Yong''s strength. The sudden tug disyed a force of at least one or two thousand kilograms.


    As he made his way to the next cabin, Liu Yong discovered the door was shut.


    He pushed with force, resulting in a dull thud as the door gave way. As he entered, a cloud of murky seawater sshed into the room, but he disregarded it and made his way to the oversized mobile phone he had spotted earlier.


    "It looks like an office," Liu Yong observed, despite the extensive corrosion and decay within the room.


    Arge desk was overturned, and nearby, a corpsey on the ground. Judging from the tattered military uniform, the deceased appeared to be an officer and likely the suprememander of the transport ship.


    Intrigued, Liu Yong wondered if there was anything of value in the room.


    After rummaging through the decaying items, Liu Yong only found a useless pen and a corroded gun.


    Disappointed, he took another photograph of the office and noticed something peculiar.


    On the wall hung a painting, but it had be so rotten that it was barely distinguishable.


    However, in one corner, there seemed to be a safe. Liu Yong immediately investigated and found that the safe was severely eroded, covered in sediment, debris, and pitch-ck.


    Liu Yong pondered if anything was valuable within the safe and decided to forcefully open it since hecked the necessary passwords or keys.


    Preparing himself, he put the oversized shlight aside and began to apply pressure to the safe''s door. With a sudden bang, the door swung open.


    To Liu Yong''s surprise, the safe was full of items. He quickly sorted through the documents and bundles of banknotes, only to realize they were already deteriorating into mud due to their extensive decay.


    Disappointed, Liu Yong examined the paintings and discovered they were all worthless. As he continued to peruse the contents of the safe, he suddenly stumbled upon a jade que.


    However, the rope attached to it was so rotten that it would break upon touch.


    "What!" Liu Yong eximed, amazed by his discovery.


    Liu Yong flexed his muscles and yanked hard, causing the object in his grasp to crumble. The decay of the thing,bined with Liu Yong''s impressive strength, was likely the cause of its demise.


    "That was at least one or two thousand kilograms of strength," Liu Yong thought.


    With the path cleared, Liu Yong swam to the next cabin door and found it shut tight. He pushed against it with all his might, producing a muffled sound as the door gave way.


    A surge of murky water rushed out as he pried open the hatch, but Liu Yong didn''t let it deter him as he swam inside with his oversized phone in hand. "Looks like an office," he observed, despite the poor condition of the furnishings.


    An overturned desk and a corpse in a tattered military uniformy next to it, likely the suprememander of the transport ship. Liu Yong''s curiosity was piqued.


    "Does this guy have anything valuable?" he wondered aloud.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    As he rummaged through the debris, Liu Yong came across a pen, though it was unusable due to age and wear. He also found a gun that was severely corroded and useless.


    "What a poor ghost, nothing of value," he muttered disappointedly.


    Just then, Liu Yong spotted something on the wall that caught his eye.


    "Is that a painting?" he wondered aloud. Upon closer inspection, he saw it was badly decayed and looked more like a safe.


    Approaching the safe, Liu Yong noticed the thickyer of grime and corrosion. "Is there anything valuable in this safe?" he asked himself before forcing it open.


    Putting his shlight aside, Liu Yong braced himself and exerted all his strength, finally causing the safe to give way with a loud bang. "What''s inside?" he asked eagerly.


    As he pulled out the contents, Liu Yong was disappointed that the banknotes and paintings were almostpletely rotted. But his disappointment was short-lived as he uncovered a beautiful jade que.


    "What''s this?" he eximed, holding it to the light.


    Liu Yong wiped it clean and examined it closely.


    "This is probably a piece of ss, at least it''s Gao Bing''s full green jade card," he marveled.


    "This thing is valuable!"


    Continuing his search for the safe, Liu Yong was thrilled to discover a stash of gold bars. "This is by far the most gold bars found after searching so manypartments," he said, counting each one as he pulled them out.


    "All efforts were not in vain!"


    Liu Yong couldn''t contain his excitement with twenty-three kilograms of gold in hand.


    "We did it!" he shouted, relishing the fruits of hisbor.


    Liu Yong was pleased with his haul as he carefully ced everything he had collected, including the small yellow croakers, into the sturdy bag he had brought. Satisfied that he had caught everything, he secured the safe and left the cabin.


    "Let''s head back to the yacht for a short rest," he said to himself as he realized that more than an hour had passed since he had first ventured into the water. Liu Yong felt tight in his chest and needed toe up for air.


    It only took a few minutes for him to reach the yacht. As he ced his things on the table, he noticed that Chen Hu was nowhere to be seen.


    "He''s probably still sleeping," Liu Yong thought as he wiped his face and hair with a towel and removed his rubber diving suit. He decided to take a short break before examining his treasure.


    As he brewed coffee, Liu Yong gazed at the gold bars and picked up the jade que, admiring their beauty. "These are the biggest haul of this trip," he murmured.


    "I must find out if they are made of ss and full of green jadeite. If they are, I won''t sell them. They will be a family heirloom."


    Liu Yong was convinced that the little RB had stolen these items during World War II and were now rightfully his. After resting on the yacht for about half an hour, he felt re-energized and ready to venture back into the water.


    During his break, Liu Yong pondered the possibilities of the sunken ship he had discovered. It was a transport ship, and he wondered what it had been transporting before it sank.


    He was determined to find the transportpartment and the cargo hold of the vessel and search for more valuable items.


    "I need to find the transport cabin. That''s where the real treasure may lie," he said as he prepared to dive back into the water.


    With renewed energy, Liu Yong put on his diving suit once again. The light was good, and he didn''t need to carry an oxygen cylinder. Full of hope, he plunged into the water, heading towards the sunken ship at the bottom of the deep sea.


    As he swam towards the ship, Liu Yong''s mind raced excitedly. He wondered if more surprises would be waiting for him on this dive. His heart beat with anticipation as he approached the ship''s hull, determined to uncover the secrets.

 Chapter 104 Key To Unlock The Mystery

    ?Liu Yong dove for the second time with ease, feeling confident as he navigated his way to the sunken ship.


    As an experienced diver, he knew the drill and analyzed the surroundings before swimming through a ragged hole straight to the cargo warehouse. He ignored other cabins, confident that his goaly in the warehouse.


    Having searched the cockpit, office cabin, and a few living quarters, Liu Yong focused on the remaining cabins.


    He skipped the engine room and sundry storage, not expecting to find anything of value there. He knew what he wanted and headed straight for the warehouse.


    Liu Yong navigated through the narrow passages easily, thanks to his immense strength that allowed him to move objects blocking his way.


    He held an "extrarge shlight" in his hand, its bright light guiding him through the dark. Finally, he reached the second floor below the deck, where he expected to find the cargo warehouse.


    He approached arge cabin with a closed door, muchrger than the other cabins he had encountered. Liu Yong tried pushing the door, but it remained shut. He wasn''t one to give up quickly and hung the shlight around his neck before moving the door hard with both hands.


    "I don''t believe it can''t be pushed away," he muttered, his determination unwavering. He knew he was close to finding what he was looking for and would not let a stubborn door stand in his way.


    For the second time, Liu Yong was familiar with the way and soon came to the side of the sunken ship, looked around, analyzed where the cargo warehouse was, and then swam in through a ragged hole.


    Other cabins ignore it directly.


    Liu Yong''s goal is clear: the ship''s cargo warehouse.


    The cockpit and office cabin on the ship have been searched, and a few living cabins have also been explored. In the remaining other cabins, such as the engine room and sundry storage, Liu Yong thinks it is unlikely that there are valuable things in them.


    Go straight to the warehouse.


    Through the passage, Liu Yong arrived at the second floor below the deck of this ship. If everything is correct, the cargo warehouse may be on this floor.


    Holding this "extrarge shlight" in his hand is like a giant searchlight. The light is very bright; no need to search in the dark. Liu Yong''s speed is rtively fast.


    There are often things blocking the narrow passage. Fortunately, Liu Yong has excellent strength. With a pull or a strong pull, he can usually clear the space for himself to pass by.


    Liu Yong: "This should be a warehouse."


    After much effort, I finally reached the door of a cabin. This should be arge cabin, and its closed door is muchrger than other cabins.


    Liu Yong: "Let me try to push this."


    (He tries to push the door, but it remains motionless)


    Liu Yong: "I don''t believe it can''t be pushed away."


    (He hangs the extrarge shlight around his neck and pushes the hatch hard with both hands)


    Suddenly, the hatch began to deform slowly and then rattled. After reaching a certain level, it finally opened with a bang.


    Under enormous force, its door lock seemed to burst open.


    Liu Yong: (Satisfied) "Yes, with such great power, I can basically be a superman."


    (He takes themp and begins to search the cargo hold carefully)


    Liu Yong: "Everything in here sucks."


    (He talks to himself while searching, then takes themp and continues his search)<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong: "Does this ship have such a cargo room?"


    Liu Yong: "Is there another warehouse?"


    (He ponders for a while, then takes themp to illuminate everywhere on this floor and soones to the door of a cabin)


    Liu Yong: (Excited) "Another door!"


    (The door is tightly closed)


    Liu Yong: "Let''s see if this door can be pushed open."


    Liu Yong had initially felt disheartened, but a glimmer of hope grew in his heart as he pondered the possibility of another warehouse on the ship. "Could it be that this is also a warehouse, and there are two warehouses on this ship?" he wondered aloud.


    Hispanion agreed, saying, "Well, it''s probably a warehouse. I want to open the door and go in to have a look."


    Following the map they had found, Liu Yong exerted all his strength and pushed the cabin door open with a loud bang. He took out amp and peered inside, discovering ample space simr to the previous warehouse they had explored.


    However, fewer items were inside, and the area was covered in a thickyer of mud.


    Liu Yong was pleasantly surprised, realizing that this was indeed another warehouse. He swam inside with hismp and took photos of the area.


    Despite the thickyer of mud on the ground, he could see a few fallen iron shelves, half submerged in the soil and half exposed. These shelves were very sturdy, welded with thick-angle steel, and capable of supporting heavy items.


    Although the shelves were eroded and covered in rust after decades of neglect, Liu Yong carefully took photos of them before moving on to other areas of the room.


    Unfortunately, nothing else was inside the cabin besides the fallen shelves and the thick mud.


    Liu Yong felt disappointed as his hope shattered, and he let out a soft sigh, ready to leave immediately.


    However, he couldn''t shake off his reluctance and continued exploring the cabin, hoping to find something valuable.


    After a long and grueling search, Liu Yong expressed his frustration,


    "After so much effort, you told me that there is nothing here. There are two cargo holds, one of which is full of muddy cloth, food, and other things. This one is even more straightforward, with nothing. Empty."


    He looked closer at the rickety shelves and wished to kick them hard. Giving in to his frustration, he kicked one of the shelves, causing a loud "bang" sound to reverberate in the small space.


    Despite the resistance from the seawater, the shelf still bore the strength of his kick.


    The heavily corroded frame deformed slightly, and the silt on the ground became cloudy, forming a sharp contrast against the clear seawater.


    But then, Liu Yong noticed something peculiar. He observed a turbid mass near the shelf, and it seemed like something was hidden beneath it. He couldn''t quite make out its shape, but it appeared to be a cuboid-shaped object.


    After waiting for a while, the turbidity gradually settled down, and he saw the thing more clearly. It was covered in thick silt, but it appeared to be some heavy metal.


    With curiosity getting the better of him, Liu Yong reached out his hand to pick it up. As he held the object, he felt its weight and realized it was cumbersome. He couldn''t shake off the familiarity with its importance as if it were made of gold.


    "What is this?" he wondered aloud, examining the object more closely.


    It was undoubtedly valuable, but he couldn''t quite ce what it was. As he continued to ponder its identity, a sense of excitement began to wash over him. Could this object be the key to unlocking the mystery they had been searching for?

 Chapter 105 Yet Another Discovery

    ?As Liu Yong held the muddy object in his hand, he couldn''t believe his eyes.


    "If this muddy thing is gold, then such a big piece is too big. It is too big!"


    He eximed.


    He had seen gold bars before and was very familiar with their weight and size, with most weighing several hundred grams or one kilogram.


    However, the object in his hand was estimated to weigh 10 kilograms.


    Despite his initial skepticism, Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel hopeful about discovering such a massive piece of gold. He immediately wiped the object with his hands, trying to remove as much dirt and silt as possible.


    The mud began toe off as he brushed, revealing a glimmering surface beneath.


    "It is cumbersome. ording to this volume, what has this weight should be gold," he mused. And as thest of the mud was removed, his heart skipped a beat at sight before him. "Golden!" he eximed, "This is not what gold is!"


    Liu Yong was filled with overwhelming joy as he stood amidst the murky waters.


    "If I couldugh in the water, I wouldugh out loud. I never expected to find such a surprise," he thought.


    He couldn''t believe his luck as he stumbled upon a stash of gold in the cargo hold of the sunken ship.


    Liu Yong tentatively reached into the thick silt, wondering if gold was still hidden beneath. Surprised, he felt a few pieces of gold in the mud. Excitement coursed through his veins.


    "Get rich, get rich!" he whispered to himself. He tried his best to remain calm as he collected over a dozen gold bricks and ced them carefully in the bag he had brought.


    As he exited the sunken ship, Liu Yong clutched the bag in one hand and an extrarge shlight in the other.


    Once outside, he quickly washed and wiped the gold bricks before stashing them securely. As he counted his newfound wealth, he couldn''t believe his eyes - 15 blocks of gold, which amounted to 150 kilograms!


    Liu Yong knew there were still more gold bricks to be found, and he was determined to extract every single one. He turned to Overlord, who had been patiently waiting on the boat. "Come with me," he said, gesturing towards the sunken ship.


    Overlord''s eyes widened in amazement as Liu Yong revealed the gold bricks he had found.


    "Master, you''ve gotten rich again!" The Overlord eximed. After a brief conversation, Liu Yong''s gaze fell upon the giant spear in Overlord''s hand.


    He looked back at the sunken ship and made a decision. "Overlord,e with me," he said with determination.


    As Bawang trailed behind, Liu Yong swam closer to the sunken ship and examined it intently. After analyzing it, he could locate the cargo hold where the gold was kept.


    "Overlord, I need you to use your giant spear to make a hole here for me," Liu Yong ordered, pointing to a specific spot on the shipwreck.


    The Master gave themand, and the Overlord, reinvigorated, plunged his giant spear into the ship with great force. The corroded vessel was no match for the mighty weapon, and a gaping hole was quickly created.


    While it had taken Bawang a lot of effort to dismantle the ship, poking a few holes through it proved to be a breeze. The Overlord wanted more than just one hole and continued to jab at the same spot repeatedly.


    Finally, Liu Yong called out, "That''s enough, no need to poke anymore," when a massive hole appeared before him. Bawang looked like he wanted to continue, but Liu Yong intervened.


    "What else do you need me to do, Master?" Bawang asked, eager to please.


    Liu Yong responded, "Watch over the gold and make sure that no other sea creatures get near it."


    "Of course, Master. I will guard the gold with my life and make sure nothing gets close to it," the Overlord vowed.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    With that, Liu Yong quickly swam through the hole and entered the cargo hold. Although some marine creatures are attracted to shiny objects, it was unlikely that the gold would be taken away since it did not emit any light.


    The Overlord kept a close eye on the gold and any other objects at bay while Liu Yong focused on retrieving the valuable treasure.


    Liu Yong searched through the sunken ship''s cargo hold and discovered a lot of gold in the silt.


    "There is indeed a lot of gold in the silt in the cargo hold, and you can touch it with your hand," he eximed as he took out one piece after another and put it in his pocket. After finding a dozen or so, he put the gold in the bag outside the open space.


    "Liu Yong, what have you found?" asked Overlord, his assistant.


    Liu Yong replied, "I''ve found gold! These shelves were originally used to store gold. No wonder they are so thick and strong. When the ship sank, these shelves also toppled over, and all the gold bricks stacked on them fell to the ground."


    Liu Yong would have missed these gold bricks without that lucky kick. He continued searching and found hundreds of gold bricks from the silt.


    Feeling that there were many more in the muck and therge shelves were in the way, he threw them out of the hole and onto the open space outside the sunken ship.


    "Well, that''s much better and out of the way," he said.


    "There are no more shelves in the warehouse, only silt and pieces of gold bricks," Liu Yong noted. He worked for over half an hour and found more than 1,000 gold bricks inside.


    "If each piece weighs 10 kilograms, this is more than ten tons of gold," he said, astonished at his haul. "My God, more than ten tons of gold. How much is this!"


    Fumbled in the mud with the bag again but found only two gold bricks, and after confirming that there were no more, Liu Yong left with a sense of satisfaction.


    There were piles of gold bricks on the open space outside the sunken ship. Some had revealed their true colors, while others still had silt on the surface.


    "Liu Yong, what should I do with all this gold?" Overlord asked.


    Liu Yong waved his hand and said, "Overlord,e here."


    Overlord immediately asked, "Master, do you have any orders?"


    Liu Yong pointed to all the gold and said: "Transport them all to the warehouse by the sea, you can''t miss a piece, you know?"


    "Master, this is a trivial matter for me, don''t worry," Overlord replied.


    After giving Overlord a few words, Liu Yong felt he needed to go up to the top to take a breather. He had been on the bottom of the sea for more than an hour this time.


    As he swam towards the water''s surface, Overlord put these gold bricks one by one into its enormous mouth, even if some gold bricks had mud on the surface.


    "Wow, this is a lot of gold bricks!" eximed Overlord.


    More than a thousand gold bricks were put into its vast mouth, not even the dozen gold bricks that Liu Yong took out first and ced not far away.


    With a mouthful of gold bricks, Overlord cleaned the gold bricks with a few strokes, like rinsing his mouth, and spit out pieces of muddy seawater.


    Thest few mouthfuls of seawater it spits out were clear, and it knew that all the gold bricks had been cleaned. All the thousands of gold bricks had been cleaned in just one or two minutes. This efficiency was simply outstanding.


    ............

 Chapter 106 The Price Is Steadily Rising...

    ?Liu Yong stepped onto the yacht, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He quickly peeled off the tight rubber diving suit clinging to his skin and went to the bathroom.


    As the warm water cascaded down his body, he couldn''t help but relive the excitement of what had just transpired.


    The thought of having more than ten tons of gold in his possession was beyond anything Liu Yong had ever imagined.


    He had never dared to dream of such a thing, let alone achieve it. Even now, the rush of adrenaline from the heist was still coursing through his veins, making it impossible for him to calm down.


    Just then, he heard someone approaching and turned to see Chen Hu, his trusted ally and partner in crime.


    "Boss," Chen Hu said, breaking the silence.


    Liu Yong looked up, concern etched on his face. "I only slept for two or three hours, and I woke up now," he said.


    Chen Hu shrugged. "That''s enough," he replied, a grin spreading. I''m full of energy now and don''t feel sleepy anymore, as if I''ve been revived with whole blood."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile at his partner''s enthusiasm.


    "In that case, let''s set sail and aim to arrive back in Huahai City early tomorrow morning," he said.


    Chen Hu set sail on the boat, and a few minutester, the yacht elegantly made a wide turn before sailing towards Huahai City.


    Having just savored a cup of hot tea, Liu Yong took out the gold bars he had recovered from the sunken ship and examined them with great satisfaction.


    Amongst the gold bars were two kinds - therger ones weighing ten to twenty taels each. The gold bars gleamed brightly and felt heavy in his hand, pleasing him immensely.


    After admiring the gold bars, Liu Yong took out the Guanyin jade que and inspected it repeatedly, his fondness for it growing with each nce.


    As he continued to examine the items, Chen Hu approached him. With the yacht on automatic mode, Chen Hu was rtively rxed. "Boss," he called out.


    Liu Yong beckoned him over and said, "Come, take a look. You deserve a share too. Here, take this gold bar." He then picked out a twenty-two tael gold bar and tossed it into Chen Hu''s hand.


    Chen Hu''s excitement was palpable as he held the gold bar, weighing approximately a thousand grams. "Thank you, boss! Thank you!" he eximed gratefully.


    Liu Yong chuckled and replied, "No worries, my friend. Stick with me, and you''ll get to eat meat too. At the very least, you''ll get a sip of soup."


    Chen Hu received a generous reward in the form of a giant gold bar for two main reasons.


    Firstly, he consistently performed well in his duties, and secondly, he stayed up all night driving the yacht, disying tremendous hard work and dedication.


    Liu Yong, his superior, was delighted with his performance and felt he deserved the reward.


    After a brief chat with Chen Hu, Liu Yong retreated to the pet panel and monitored the yacht''s surroundings through a third-party perspective.


    He spotted Bawang advancing towards them at a remarkable speed and couldn''t help but feel envious of their agility.


    The following day, the yacht finally docked in Huahai City. Liu Yong acknowledged Chen Hu''s tireless efforts and granted him a day off to rest.


    "Chen Hu, you are tired too, I will give you a day off today," Liu Yong said, waving his hand.


    Chen Hu was ecstatic and pledged to be avable 24/7 should Liu Yong require his assistance.


    "Boss, my phone is on 24 hours a day. As long as you need it, I will try my best toe over," Chen Hu said gratefully.


    "Well, I''m fine today, you should have a good rest," Liu Yong responded.


    Chen Hu didn''t sleep all nightst night. He needed to rest. Liu Yong was different. He had a good restst night and is now full of energy.


    After bidding farewell to Chen Hu, Liu Yong headed towards the warehouse by the sea.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong approached the warehouse wall and cautiously opened the door, peering around to ensure he was alone. Once satisfied, he stepped inside and quickly closed the door behind him.


    He made his way toward the central warehouse and repeated the process, opening the door and quickly shutting it behind him.


    The concrete floor was barren save for a towering stack of gold bricks, transported there by Bawang only the day before.


    Liu Yong''s eyes widened with joy as he approached the pile. He carefully and meticulously stacked the bricks neatly on the ground, taking satisfaction in Bawang''s impable cleaning job.


    As he arranged the bricks, Liu Yong''s mind raced with thoughts of selling them all. The current international price of gold was high, and he could make a fortune by selling each brick.


    He couldn''t wait to reap the benefits of his risky business endeavors.


    After stacking the bricks for almost half an hour, Liu Yong finished with 1,250 pieces weighing 12 tons and 500 kilograms of pure gold. He couldn''t help but exim,


    "Well, yes, yes, this is a fortune."


    The price of gold was at a premium, with the current international price of US$1,900 per ounce, which tranted to about 435 grams of Yan Guo currency.


    Liu Yong knew he could profit significantly by selling all the gold bricks. He didn''t n on keeping a single brick for himself.


    After all, with the Overlord''s backing, Liu Yong was confident he could obtain more gold.


    Perhaps he''d discover another shipwreck or stumble upon multiple wrecks filled with gold.


    He was already thinking about the endless possibilities of wealth he could umte with the Overlord''s help.


    Liu Yong neatly stacked the gold bricks and took one to put in his off-road vehicle. He then found a tarp to cover the pile of gold.


    After locking the two central doors of the warehouse, Liu Yong drove to Huahai, a famous gold jewelrypany, Qian Dasheng Jewelry Company, as he wanted to sell the batch of gold.


    A high-level meeting was held in a conference room at the Qian Dasheng Company headquarters, with all the high-level and some vital middle-level people participating.


    Qian Haifei, the Chairman of Qian Dasheng Company, was personally chairing the meeting, and Tang Libing, the general manager of the procurement department, was present, looking under pressure with his head down.


    Qian Haifei addressed the group, saying, "Everyone, the international gold price is rising steadily. It has broken through 1,980 US dors per ounce in less than a month. It is estimated to break through 2,000 US dors sooner orter."


    The price of gold has risen, and the cost of gold jewelry has also increased, which has put them under a lot of pressure.


    Vice President Qiu stood up and said, "Chairman, our inventory is less than two tons. To be precise, it is only 1752 kilograms. It canst for 20 days at most. If we don''t buy gold, our factory will be destroyed."


    Another executive added,


    "A series of chain reactions will also ur one after another. Our hundreds of stores may fall into a situation where there is no supply of goods and no gold jewelry to sell."


    An executive retorted, "Old Qiu, you are a bit rmist. We have reached this level. Aren''t we having a meeting to solve the problems we are facing now and hoping to purchase some gold?"


    The other vice presidents also spoke one after another, expressing unprecedented pressure.


    As the boss, Qian Haifei looked severe and unsmiling, utterly different from his usual easy-going style. After the vice presidents finished their speeches, Qian Haifei''s eyes swept over everyone''s faces and finally stopped on Tang Libing, the manager of the procurement department.


    "Manager Tang, as the person in charge of the purchasing department, do you really have no channels or means to buy arge amount of gold in a short time?" Qian Haifei asked.


    Tang Libing, being asked by the big boss in front of many people, was under much pressure. He stood helplessly, lowered his head, and replied bravely,


    "There is no other way, for now, only sporadic purchases."


    ..................¡­..

 Chapter 107 Golden Lily From World War II

    ?As someone shook his head lightly, another person sighed softly. The atmosphere in the meeting room grew increasingly sad and mncholy.


    The silence was heavy and palpable, with immense pressure in the air.


    After a long and tense pause, Qian Haifei spoke solemnly, breaking the stillness.


    "Everyone, buying gold is the top priority for ourpany at this stage. We must do everything in our power to make it happen. If you have any resources or channels avable to you, use them as quickly as possible. Whoever manages to purchase and bring in gold will be rewarded with one yuan and one gram."


    The reward was substantial, an absolute prize. This announcement caused an uproar in the conference room, with a buzz of excited discussion filling the air. Everyone was eager to win the reward, and jealousy was palpable.


    "This is not a small reward at all," one person eximed.


    "One yuan for one gram means that buying dozens of kilograms of gold could earn us tens of thousands of dors in rewards!" Another man said.


    "Under the weight of such a prize, there must be someone brave enough to take the initiative," another person added.


    "I hope someone can purchase dozens or even hundreds of kilograms of gold."


    Another person said.


    .........¡­.


    After a lengthy discussion, the meeting room fell silent, and Qian Haifei, the boss, finally spoke up.


    "I have already promised the reward. Everyone, please act quickly and try to buy the gold we need,"


    Tang Libing, who had been in the industry for a long time, was also taken aback.


    He had never seen the boss give such a generous reward before, and he began to think about any unused channels to buy gold, even if it was just a few dozen kilograms.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong was driving hisrge G towards Qian Shengsheng Company with a feeling of great luck. He had just harvested an incredible amount of gold - 12 tons and 500 kilograms, to be exact.


    He couldn''t believe there was so much gold in this shipwreck from World War II. As he drove, he began to consider a possibility that he had read about online - the "Golden Lily" n implemented by RB during the war.


    This n involved searching for gold and silver in the upied areas of the Yan Kingdom.


    ording to the information that Liu Yong had read, RB had searched for over 6,000 tons of gold during World War II in Yan, not to mention the significant amount of silver they had found.


    It urred to Liu Yong that this sunken transport ship was likely supposed to carry the gold back to RB, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, it sank with over a dozen tons of gold on board.


    As he thought about the rumored "Golden Lily" project, Liu Yong began to piece together why there was so much gold in this particr transport ship.


    About twenty minutes before his destination, Tang Living received a call from Liu Yong. The two had previously dealt with each other, and Liu Yong was looking to sell thest tens of kilograms of gold.


    "Mr. Tang, are you in thepany?" Liu Yong asked.


    Tang Libing quickly returned to his office and answered the call. "Oh, it''s Liu Yong. What''s the matter?" he asked.


    Liu Yong sensed that Tang Libing needed to be in a better mood, and his response needed more enthusiasm. He asked, "Mr. Tang, you seem in a bad mood. I have some gold to sell now. Is it convenient for me toe over?"


    Suddenly, Tang Libing''s mood changed. He had required gold, and the opportunity to buy it was timely.


    "Convenient, very convenient, juste to my office," he eagerly replied.


    Liu Yong said he would arrive at thepany in about twenty minutes.


    Tang Libing felt much better and hoped that Liu Yong had tens of kilograms of gold to sell. He even anticipated a reward of tens of thousands of dors.


    Excited, Tang Libing called his assistant, Xiao Li, to go to the gate and pick up Liu Yong, bringing him straight to his office. He imagined greeting Liu Yong at the entrance personally, but he was unaware that Liu Yong was actuallying to sell more than a dozen tons of gold.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    When Liu Yong arrived, he parked his car and wrapped the gold brick sample he brought with waste newspaper.


    As he exited the vehicle, a young man approached him and introduced himself as Xiao Li, Tang Libing''s assistant. Xiao Li led Liu Yong to Tang Libing''s office, and at the door, he said,


    "Mr. Liu, our Mr. Tang is inside. You can knock on the door and go in."


    Liu Yong nodded and raised his hand to knock on the door.


    After pushing the door and entering, Tang Libing was already waiting inside. The two met, shook hands, and exchanged pleasantries and politeness.


    After sitting down on the sofa, Liu Yong also put the gold brick on the table, and Tang Libing immediately looked at the gold brick.


    He asked: "Mr. Liu, is this a gold brick?"


    Liu Yong said: "Let''s see how much you can pay per gram."


    It is undoubtedly gold, but Liu Yong does not know how pure it is. It may be 18K gold or 22K gold. It should not be pure gold or what kind of pure gold.


    Tang Libing is a professional.


    He opened the newspaper that wrapped the gold brick, looked at the gold brick, weighed it in his hand, felt the weight, and said:


    "The weight should be 10 kilograms, and the purity should be close to three nines. Of course, More urate results require specialized instruments for measurement."


    Hearing this, Liu Yong was secretly happy.


    Unexpectedly, the purity of this gold brick is so high that it is close to three nines. I always thought there were only two nines, and three were pure gold.


    The purity is high, and the price is, of course, higher.


    Liu Yong asked: "Mr. Tang, what is your current purchase price for gold?"


    Tang Libing replied: "Thest time we cooperated, how about the pricest time, 380 yuan per gram."


    Liu Yong quickly shook his head, "That''s impossible, that was two months ago. At present, the price of gold has increasedpared to two months ago. You must add a little more."


    Tang Libing said: "The international gold price has indeed increased to a certain extent, but our purchase price has not been adjusted significantly. How about it, how about 385?"


    Liu Yong still shook his head, "The price is still a little low."


    Tang Libing asked, "Mr. Liu, how much do you think it will cost per gram?"


    Liu Yong didn''t hold back and said straight to the point: "At least 420 yuan, and it can''t be a penny lower than this price, otherwise, I won''t sell it."


    What!


    420 yuan, Tang Libing nced at Liu Yong and smiled wryly:


    "We have never bought gold at such a high price, and this price is absolutely impossible."


    Liu Yong smiled.


    Then said: "Mr. Tang, what if I have more than a thousand gold bricks instead of this one?"


    ................................

 Chapter 108 Only Difference Is, I Sold It In Tons....

    ?Tang Libing shook his head in disapproval,


    "There''s no way it could be more than a thousand yuan," he said firmly.


    But soon after, he reacted to what Liu Yong had just said.


    "What!" eximed Tang Libing, barely able to believe his ears. "More than a thousand pieces?"


    Liu Yong nodded calmly,


    "Yes, that''s correct. There are 1250 pieces of these 10-kilogram gold bricks, making a total of 12.5 tons of gold that I am looking to sell."


    Tang Libing stared at Liu Yong in disbelief, struggling toprehend the sheer magnitude of what he had just heard.


    More than a thousand yuan was an astronomical sum of money, equivalent to over ten tons of gold. It took a moment for him to collect himself and confirm what he had just heard.


    "So, let me get this straight, Mr. Liu," he said, his voice excitedly shaking.


    "You''re saying that you have 1250 of these big gold bricks, each weighing 10 kilograms, making a total of 12.5 tons of gold that you want to sell?"


    Liu Yong nodded again, "Yes, that''s exactly right. And I''m looking for a buyer for all of it."


    Tang Libing''s face flushed with excitement. He knew that Qian Shengsheng Company''s most significant obstacle was its inability to acquire gold, as few were willing to sell. But now, Liu Yong had just revealed that he possessed over ten tons of gold. It was almost too good to be true.


    "I can hardly believe it," Tang Libing muttered. "Are you certain that it''s 12.5 tons of gold?"


    Liu Yong nodded once more, "Yes, I''m sure of it. The number is correct."


    Tang Libing tried to calm himself down by taking a few deep breaths and taking another sip of water from his cup.


    He didn''t want to appear too eager in front of Liu Yong, which could hurt his negotiating position. He measuredly said,


    "Mr. Liu, let''s go to the VIP room. Also, I cannot make such a significant decision without consulting our Boss."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, that sounds reasonable. Please lead the way to the VIP room."


    Tang Libing led Liu Yong to the VIP room, with Liu Yong carrying the 10kg gold brick in his hand. Once they reached the room, Tang Libing politely asked Liu Yong to take a seat, and then he hurriedly rushed to the president''s office to discuss the matter with his Boss.


    As Tang Libing rushed through the hallway, some people who saw him became curious about what was happening.


    They couldn''t help but wonder why the typicallyposed and steady manager was acting so flustered.


    Tang Libing should have paid more attention to their curiosity. He was entirely focused on the task at hand. He thought that if anyone could buy over ten tons of gold, they would be just as excited, if not more.


    CEO''s office.


    ................


    Qian Feihai, the CEO of a gold jewelry factory, was sitting in his office, looking disappointed after several unsessful phone calls to purchase gold.


    He rarely smoked but decided to light a cigarette and think of countermeasures. He knew that 100 kilograms of gold would onlyst a few days, and ensuring his factory could keep working without dys was crucial.


    Just as he was lost in thought, the office door burst open without any prior announcement. Qian Feihai was taken aback, wondering who could be so impolite as not to knock on the door first.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    To his surprise, Tang Libing, the purchasing department manager under him, hade in. Qian Feihai was about to reprimand him for hisck of manners, but Tang Libing spoke up before he could.


    Tang Libing seemed excited as he said, "Boss, good news! The problem we were facing has been solved."


    Qian Feihai was intrigued and asked, "What''s going on? Tell me, what good news?" Tang Libing, still very excited, eximed, "Boss, a friend of mine has a lot of gold ready to sell, and I will arrange for him to meet us in the VIP room."


    Qian Feihai was delighted to hear the news, and Tang Libing''s credit would be significant if the gold deal were to go through sessfully.


    Tang Libing had cleverly stated that Liu Yong was his friend, making him appear even more important. With a n in ce, Qian Feihai felt relieved and confident that his gold jewelry factory would continue to operate smoothly.


    "Oh, one of your friends is going to sell gold, um, yes, how much does he have, dozens of kilograms, or hundreds of kilograms." Qian Feihai asked Tang Libing.


    Tang Libing hurriedly said: "No, it''s not just more than one hundred kilograms, but a total of 12 tons and 500 kilograms."


    "What!" Qian Feihai was stunned. In his experience, over 100 kilograms of gold was already considered sky-high. It was rare for an individual to have more than that.


    He looked at Tang Libing, wondering if he had heard correctly. Tang Libing repeated, "Boss, he has a total of 12 tons and 500 kilograms of gold ready to sell."


    Qian Feihai couldn''t believe it. He had been in the industry for many years and had never encountered someone with such vast gold to sell.


    Even though he was ustomed to seeing significant transactions, this was on another level.


    Qian Feihai was surprised but quickly regained hisposure. "Really, great, where is that friend? I want to talk to him in person."


    Tang Libing replied, "Boss, I will arrange him in the VIP room."


    Qian Feihai patted his head lightly, dumbfounded for a while, and waved.


    "Oh, yes, it''s in the VIP room. Go, let''s go there."


    As they headed to the VIP room, Qian Feihai felt a sense of relief as he realized the opportunity thaty before him. With such a significant quantity of gold, he could make a considerable profit and bolster his reputation in the industry.


    In the VIP room, Qian Feihai greeted Liu Yong warmly, and after shaking hands, he turned his attention to the gold brick on the table.


    "Mr. Liu, this is the sample you brought," Qian Feihai said.


    Liu Yong confirmed that it was a sample, and he had 1,250 gold bricks. He offered to sell them all to Qian Feihai at a price not less than 420 yuan per gram.


    Qian Feihai knew it was a seller''s market, so he didn''t bargain. He made a rough calction in his mind and concluded that the price was fair, reasonable, and low. Tang Libing, who had seen the gold brick, also confirmed that the purity was rtively high, close to the purity of three nines.


    Qian Feihai suggested they look at the gold first, and Liu Yong agreed. They arranged for several small cars, including Qian Feihai, Tang Libing, several vice presidents, professionals in the gold appraisal, and the financial director of Qian Shengsheng''spany, to visit the warehouse by the sea where the gold was kept.


    After Liu Yong''s car led the convoy, Qian Feihai arranged for a driver to help Liu Yong drive.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong made a phone call to his team, including Qiu Yang, Hu Shijun, thepany''s finance minister, and relevant personnel from the legal department, to prepare for the uing big deal.


    The difference was that while others sold gold by grams, Liu Yong sold it by tons.


    The situation was destined to be a significant event, and Qian Feihai felt the pressure on his shoulders be lighter with the prospect of sealing such a deal.


    ....................

 Chapter 109 The Secret Door

    ?A bustling scene unfolded as two groups converged in front of the seaside warehouse.


    The sound of car engines came to a halt as everyone stepped out of their vehicles, one after another.


    The familiar faces of Qiu Yang, Hu Shijun, and others greeted Liu Yong as they rushed over to say hello. Upon receiving the urgent call, they dropped everything toe to the warehouse. However, they had no idea what was going on.


    Hu Shijun was the first to break the silence, his curiosity piqued.


    "Brother Yong, what''s happening here? It''s quite amotion."


    Liu Yong didn''t mince words and divulged the details of the big deal.


    "Today is a momentous asion. Ourpany will soon receive a significant capital injection. With that, we''ll be able to buy at least a dozen giant ships all at once."


    The words "a dozen giant ships" reverberated in the air, causing everyone''s eyes to widen in astonishment. Qiu Yang, Hu Shijun, and the rest of the group were thrilled at the prospect of thepany''s impending prosperity.


    The purchase of a dozen giant ships would quickly amount to billions of dors, changing the game for their business.


    Liu Yong grinned with satisfaction as he observed everyone''s reactions. He then pulled out a key and unlocked the warehouse door, warmly inviting, "Chairman Qian, pleasee inside."


    Qian Feihai was skeptical, asking Liu Yong, "Mr. Liu, you wouldn''t tell me that more than a dozen tons of gold are stored in such a warehouse."


    Despite the ordinary appearance of the warehouse, Liu Yong proudly replied,


    "My ten tons of gold are indeed stored in this warehouse. Come on, let''s go in."


    Liu Yong led the way into the warehouse, followed by Qian Feihai, Tang Libing, and others who were eager to see the gold. The warehouse''s interior was bare, except for arge tarpaulin covering something on the concrete floor.


    However, the guests couldn''t help but wonder where the gold was hidden. It seemed unlikely that it was ced on the floor and covered with a tarpaulin.


    Their suspicions were soon dispelled as Liu Yong lifted the tarpaulin to reveal more than ten tons of neatly stacked gold bricks disyed in front of them without reservation.


    The scene was stunningly quiet as everyone was rendered speechless by the disy of over a dozen tons of gold, just lying on the ground under a tarpaulin.


    A collective gasp broke several seconds of shocked silence for air. Qian Feihai, holding Liu Yong''s hand tightly, was visibly excited, eximing,


    "Mr. Liu, there really is so much gold! I can''t believe it!"


    Hu Shijun and Qiu Yang were taken aback as they gazed at the staggering amount of gold their boss, Liu Yong, brought in. Hu Shijun couldn''t help but think that there was no way Liu Yong could have robbed a particr bank''s warehouse.


    Liu Yong grinned widely and gestured towards Qian Shengsheng, thepany''s chairman they were doing business with, and instructed him to inspect the product points.


    "Chairman Qian, arrange for your people to inspect the product points. After finishing, we will talk about the details of this transaction here," Liu Yong said with a smile.


    "Good, good, good," Qian Shengsheng replied in excitement and immediately called his team to inspect and count the gold bricks.


    The professionals arrived, and the room became a hive of activity as they meticulously measured the purity of each gold brick, counted the quantity, and even weighed them on an electronic scale.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong, Qian Feihai, and others discussed the specifics of the transaction.


    The price was agreed to be 420 yuan per gram. Although Qian Shengsheng''spany had substantial financial resources and arge family business, they would still find it challenging to spend 5.2 billion yuan simultaneously.


    Therefore, Qian Feihai proposed to pay half of the payment upfront and the rest within half a month, which Liu Yong agreed to.


    The teams from bothpanies worked diligently for hours to inspect and count the more than a thousand gold bricks. These tedious tasks no longer weighed down the bosses, and Qian Feihai''spany would no longerck gold.


    As the day approached noon, Qian Feihai warmly invited Liu Yong for a meal.


    "Mr. Liu, it''s time for lunch soon. How about we go eat together?" he asked with a smile.


    Liu Yong readily agreed to the proposal, and soon the top executives of bothpanies left the warehouse together. At the same time, the remaining team counted the gold bricks and loaded them into their vehicle.


    "So, we have a deal," said Liu Yong to Qian Feihai.


    "Absolutely," replied Qian Feihai. "And if we evere across any more gold, we''ll sell it to yourpany first."


    The sale went smoothly and sessfully, with half of the funds, a total of 2.625 billion, being remitted to Global Ocean Services'' ount within 24 hours. The remaining 2.625 billion would be paid within half a month.


    The executives at Universal Company, starting from Qiu Yang, shared the same idea - they now had arge sum of money, several billion, to invest.


    "What will thepany do when it has money?" asked Qiu Yang.


    "That''s easy," replied Liu Yong. "We''ll buy, buy, buy!"


    That''s why Liu Yong personally visited Start Shipyard that day, one of China''s most prominent civil shipbuilding enterprises that could manufacture giant oil tankers, container ships, and bulk carriers of over 200,000 tons.


    As they approached Qidong Shipyard, Chen Hu, who was driving, slowed down and pointed out several people waiting at the gate. Hu Shijun, in the back seat, confirmed, "Brother Yong, I must be waiting for you."


    Indeed, it was a weingmittee for Liu Yong, led by a familiar face - Zhang Lian, who had handled his previous orders for a 20,000-ton bulk carrier and two 100,000-ton ocean-going oil tankers at the shipyard.


    "Mr. Liu, Mr. Hu, wee to our Qidong Shipyard," said Zhang Lian, approaching them with a smile.


    "Thank you, Zhang Lian. It''s good to see you again," said Liu Yong, shaking Zhang Lian''s hand.


    After arriving and exchanging pleasantries, Liu Yong, Hu Shijun, and Zhang Lian walked into the factory area and were about to enter the office building when arge group of people suddenly came out of the building grandly.


    "What''s going on?" asked Liu Yong.


    Zhang Lian smiled. "It''s just a celebration for theunch of a new ship. Would you like to join us?"


    .........................

 Chapter 110 Rich Client

    ?"Let''s go, let''s go!" shouted Liu Yong as he and hispanions made their way through the shy crowd. Despite the few bodyguards clearing the way, Liu Yong and his group were pushed aside without courtesy.


    Hu Shijun, one of Liu Yong''spanions, was particrly upset after being pushed aside by one of the bodyguards. He found their behavior unreasonable, especially since they weren''t even on the bodyguards'' private property.


    "It''s not the road of your house, why should I get out of the way," he grumbled under his breath.


    Another bodyguard attempted to push Liu Yong, but it was like a gnat trying to shake a tree. Liu Yong stood his ground and gave the bodyguard a disapproving look.


    The bodyguard felt like he was pushing against a mountain and was surprised by Liu Yong''s strength. He was about to push even harder when Liu Yong shouted, "Get out!"


    Liu Yong ignored the bodyguard, who was panicking and walked towards the hall on the first floor. When he entered the hall, he saw two middle-aged men walking outside, followed by at least a dozen people about toe out.


    As Zhang Lian whispered to Liu Yong, he pointed toward two individuals in the distance, saying, "The one on the right is the vice president of ourpany, and the one on the left is Luo Maoyuan, the boss of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group."


    Liu Yong was familiar with Luo Maoyuan''s name. He knew that Risheng Ocean Shipping Group was one of thergest shipping groups in China, evenrger than the Proton Group. Luo Maoyuan imed to be the king of ships in the Yan Kingdom.


    The group''s primary business was crude oil transportation, and over 80% of Yanguo Petroleum Group''s ocean-going crude oil transportation was handled by Risheng Group. As Liu Yong took a closer look at Luo Maoyuan, he couldn''t help but notice the man''s ostentation.


    Numerous people surrounded him, and several bodyguards cleared the way before him.


    Liu Yong''s thoughts raced as he observed Luo Maoyuan. He wondered why someone with such power and influence would be attending this event and if there was any potential for a partnership between their twopanies.


    As Luo Maoyuan and Liu Yong walked by, Zhang Lian led them to a reception room and introduced the shipyard''s current situation.


    After everyone settled on the sofa, Zhang Lian inquired, "Mr. Liu, what type of ship are you interested in ordering? If you ce an order, we can arrange it for you promptly."


    Liu Yong asked, "Do you have any pre-made ships avable? Ocean-going tankers would be ideal, and it would be even better if they are ready for delivery."


    Zhang Lian pondered momentarily and replied, "Typically, we construct ships ording to customer specifications after receiving an order. Unfortunately, we don''t have any ready-made ships avable for immediate delivery."


    Liu Yong expressed disappointment upon hearing this, as he had billions in hand and was eager to expand hispany''s scale and acquire more ocean-going ships.


    His ultimate goal was to increase the capacity and size of crude oil transportation, as the profits from transporting crude oil from the Middle East back to China were substantial.


    When Liu Yong arrived at the Qidong shipyard, he hoped to find existing ships avable.


    However, he was disappointed to learn that there were none avable. "I came here full of hope," he said to the deputy sales manager, Zhang Lian.


    "I thought you had existing ships. Unfortunately, I originally nned that as long as you have existing ships, I will buy as many ships as you want. Four, five, or even seven or eight ships are fine."


    Zhang Lian was incredulous. "What! You want so many ships!" he eximed.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong was undeterred. "Of course," he replied. "We are preparing 5 billion procurement funds this time. Facing the whole country, as long as any shipyard has existing ships or ships that are nearlypleted, we will buy them without hesitation."


    Zhang Lian was initially skeptical but soon became excited at the prospect of such a significant deal. "Oh my God! 5 billion procurement funds!" he eximed. "Mr. Liu, drink tea first, and I will report to our president."


    As Zhang Lian waited for his Boss to arrive, he couldn''t help but think about the potential benefits of securing such a deal. "Such a big deal!" he thought to himself. "Such a client with strong financial resources, I know that I, a small deputy sales manager, would never be able to receive him, and the boss needed toe forward in person."


    As he thought to himself, "Mr. Liu is certainly low-key enough. He''s incredibly powerful, with ess to five billion in funds, and yet he sought me out, the deputy manager of the sales department. He should be dealing directly with our Boss."


    Despite having only interacted with Zhang Lian a few times, Liu Yong had developed a good impression of him and saw no reason to involve the owner of Qidong Shipyard. So, he contacted Zhang Lian directly.


    The president of Qidong Shipyard, Gao Weiguang, was in his office when he received the news that the two 200,000-ton ocean-going oil tankers ordered by Risheng Ocean Shipping Group were being canceled. As he finished a phone call, a vice president reported the cancetion.


    When Gao Weiguang learned that the Boss of Risheng Group, Luo Maoyuan, hade in person to cancel the order, he was initially nning to receive him himself. However, upon learning the reason for his visit, Gao wanted to avoid showing up and instead sent a vice president to receive him.


    Frustrated and angry, Gao Weiguang remarked, "It''s just ying the piano!"


    The construction of the two tankers was almostpleted, and they were about to enter the customer eptance phase. It was a colossal waste to cancel the order at this point.


    Gao was worried about the breach of contract by Risheng Group. Despite a long-standing cooperative rtionship, Risheng still needed to pay a penny for the two ships, per their agreement. Now that the contract was breached and the other party demanded liquidated damages, they were unlikely to be paid.


    "I trusted Luo Maoyuan too much," Gaomented. "This is a lesson for me. What should I do with these two oil tankers now? Should I sell them at a low price?"


    However, Gao needed help finding a buyer for the tankers at that time, and even if he did, it was unlikely that they could afford the price. The thought of the two ships lying idle in thepany''s possession worried him, as it would require a lot of funds.


    Gao was under pressure, not only because of the canceled order but also because of the possibility of having to fund the new ships. He vowed that in the future, Risheng Group would have to pay a deposit and half of the total payment when the vessel was half-built to avoid such situations.


    As Gao sat in his chair, smoking a cigarette, he thought about handling the situation and preventing it from happening again.


    After taking a long drag from his cigarette, he stubbed it out with ferocity in the ashtray.


    His mind was preupied with thoughts of which domestic ocean shippingpanies would be interested in purchasing one, or even both, of his tankers.


    Suddenly, a loud knocking on his office door disrupted his thoughts. Without missing a beat, Gao Weiguang bellowed, "Come in!"


    Zhang Lian barged in with an ecstatic look, paying no attention to Gao Weiguang''s sour expression. He announced triumphantly, "Boss, we''ve got a rich client! He wants to buy seven or eight ships at once and have billions of dors to spend!"


    Gao Weiguang''s eyes widened in disbelief. Just moments ago, he was racking his brain on how to dispose of those two ships, and now this opportunity presented itself. He stood up, waved his hand, and dered, "Where is this client? I want to personally greet him."


    .................

 Chapter 111 God Of Wealth

    ?"Wee to Qidong Shipyard, Mr. Liu and Mr. Hu. Your arrival is a momentous asion for us and will undoubtedly boost our shipyard''s growth," Gao Weiguang eximed heartily as soon as he entered the reception room. He was ted at the prospect of doing business with the individuals looking to purchase severalrge ships in one go.


    In his eyes, they were the epitome of wealth and prosperity, and he was determined to cater to their every need.


    Zhang Lian, the person responsible for introducing Gao Weiguang to Liu Yong and Hu Jie, introduced the chairman, "Mr. Liu and Mr. Hu, please allow me to introduce our chairman, Mr. Gao Weiguang."


    Liu Yong promptly stood up and extended his right hand, saying, "Chairman Gao, I have heard a lot about you, and you are undoubtedly a leader in the domestic shipbuilding industry."


    The two men firmly shook hands, each recognizing the potential benefits that could arise from their coboration. Gao Weiguang was eager to impress his guests, and Liu Yong and Hu Jie were equally determined to secure the best possible deal for themselves.


    Gao Weiguang responded modestly to hispliments, saying, "Where, where, everyone praises me too much."


    After exchanging polite greetings with Liu Yong, he took the initiative to shake hands with Hu Shijun again and continued to be polite.


    He then enthusiastically introduced the other people to Liu Yong and Hu Shijun, making the reception room lively.


    Aside from Gao Weiguang, several high-level executives from Qidong Shipyard also arrived, and after shaking hands with Liu Yong and Hu Shijun, everyone sat down to chat.


    After a few pleasantries, Gao Weiguang quickly transitioned to the main topic and said, "Mr. Liu, I heard that yourpany is nning to purchase arge number of ships, and our Qidong Shipyard is your best choice."


    Liu Yong confirmed that hispany was nning to purchase a batch of ships and intended to spend 5 billion on them. Upon hearing this, the others in the room were impressed and eximed, "What, 5 billion! They''re really rich and powerful!"


    The people of Qidong Shipyard were excited as Liu Yong stepped onto the premises.


    He was greeted with cheers and awe-struck gazes as though he were the God of Wealth himself. Even the high-level executives exchanged nces and nodded at each other with joy written all over their faces.


    But the happiest person by far was Gao Weiguang, who could hardly believe his good fortune. A big-shot investor was willing to drop an astounding 5 billion on a ship - it was almost too good to be true.


    Trying to contain his excitement, Gao Weiguang put on his most professional demeanor and asked, "Mr. Liu, what kind of boat are you looking to buy, and what are your requirements?"


    Liu Yong had already thought this through and replied without hesitation, "We''re primarily interested inrge ocean-going oil tankers, preferably 100,000 tons or more. And if I had to name just one requirement, it would be that we need the ship as soon as possible. If you happen to have a ship avable for purchase with cash, all the better."


    Gao Weiguang was ecstatic. Not only did they have two ocean-going oil tankers avable, but they were both massive ships weighing in at 200,000 tons each.


    They were already in the eptance stage and could be delivered immediately.


    But to Gao Weiguang''s surprise, Liu Yong was not as thrilled as he had expected. He evenmented, "Chairman Gao, for such arge shipyard, it''s surprising that you only have two existing ships."


    The Qidong Shipyard executives were taken aback. These were not small vessels of 10,000-20,000 tons but massive tankers that were a rarity even in the industry. As one senior executive thought to himself, "When we started this shipyard, other shipyards couldn''t boast of having such existing ships."


    Gao Weiguang was stunned by Liu Yong''sment and asked,


    "What do you mean, Mr. Liu?"


    Liu Yong hesitated momentarily before replying, "Let''s make do with those two ships for now. Can you take me to see them?"


    "Of course," Gao Weiguang agreed immediately. He knew he had to cater to Liu Yong''s every need - this big-time investor could transform their business overnight.


    Arge group of people exited the reception room and the office building and headed towards the shipyard, where a ship was set tounch.


    Hu Shijun followed the group''s leaders, Liu Yong and Gao Weiguang, several high-level officials from Qidong Shipyard, and middle-level personnel.


    The size of the group was unprecedented and attracted the attention of many people along the way.


    Some individuals stopped to look closer or inquire about the young man walking alongside Chairman Gao.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    They marveled at his impressive appearance and were informed that he was the boss of Global Ocean Services, seeking to purchase seven or eight 10,000-ton ships from the shipyard in one go.


    The news spread like wildfire throughout the Qidong Shipyard, leaving many people in disbelief.


    As they walked, the bystanders whispered among themselves.


    "Who is that young man apanied by Chairman Gao He looks so awesome," one of them remarked.


    "If you have money, you can be so awesome," another replied.


    "I heard that he is the boss of Global Ocean Services, and he wants to buy seven or eight ships from our shipyard in one go," someone else said.


    "Seven or eight ships are indeed a lot, and they are all 10,000-ton ships," another person said.


    "What about 10,000 tons? They clearly stated that every ship must be no less than 100,000 tons, and 200,000 tons is fine," yet another interjected.


    There was a sound of gasping all around. "Oh my God! Seven or eight giant ships of over 100,000 tons, what kind of concept is this? Qidong Shipyard has not had such customers for many years," someone eximed.


    ..................¡­..


    Luo Maoyuan and his entourage from Risheng Ocean Shipping Group still had yet to leave the shipyard and were being escorted by the vice president of Qidong Shipyard.


    They came across several high-end cars parked nearby, and a bodyguard opened the door for Luo Maoyuan.


    However, his assistant approached him and whispered some news in his ear, causing his facial expression to turn dark.


    "Xiao Zhu, there really is such a thing," Luo Maoyuan told his assistant.


    The assistant confirmed the news: "It is true, Chairman Gao, who started the shipyard is personally apanying him, and he is at the dock."


    Luo Maoyuan''s mood soured, and he reacted coldly to the vice president of Qidong Shipyard. He got into the car and mmed the door shut, angry and frustrated at the scale of the young man''s nned purchase.


    As the car hummed to life, Luo Maoyuan turned to his assistant seated in the co-pilot seat and issued amand, "Xiao Zhu, gather all the detailed information on Global Ocean Services and have it ready for me when we return."


    Xiao Zhu''s respectful response confirmed his understanding of Luo Maoyuan''s sentiments towards Universal Company.


    Having worked with Luo for several years, he knew that anypany that dared to challenge the Risheng Ocean Shipping Group''s position would incur his boss''s wrath.


    In Luo Maoyuan''s eyes, he was the king of ships in Yan Country, and Renhe Renhe Company was not to be challenged by anyone.


    His initial encounter with Universal Company urred when they secured a small crude oil transportation business with the Yanguo Petroleum Group.


    Although slightly dissatisfied then, he mentally noted thepany''s name.


    As he learned of Universal Group''s recent acquisition of ships from Qidong Shipyard, Luo Maoyuan''s discontentment grew.


    He intended to warn thepany sternly and ensure they knew their ce.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong and his team arrived at the dock and were greeted with three enormous ports and two entirely constructed oil tankers.


    The sheer scale of the operation was impressive, but Luo Maoyuan''s growing animosity towards Universal Company cast a shadow over the remarkable disy.


    ................

 Chapter 112 The Basic Required Skill

    ?Liu Yong''s eyes were immediately drawn to the two colossal tankers before him.


    "Without Gao Weiguang''s introduction, I can tell that these two tankers are huge," he remarked. "So far, Universal hasn''t owned a vessel of this size. The biggest ships we have are two 100,000-ton tankers. These 200,000-ton ships are twice asrge as those. They''re very impressive."


    Gao Weiguang, who was standing beside him, interjected,


    "Mr. Liu, these are our two existing ships, both of which are 200,000-ton giant ocean-going oil tankers. These two ships are almost exactly the same, the same model, and each ship can ship 300,000 barrels of crude oil."


    Liu Yong''s interest was immediately piqued.


    "Chairman Gao, can we go on board and have a look?" he asked.


    "Of course," Gao Weiguang replied, delighted that Liu Yong was interested.


    Gao Weiguang exined the ship''s features and capabilities as they toured the tanker. The ship was so vast that it took them over half an hour to travel the vessel fully.


    Afterward, Liu Yong suggested they negotiate the sale of the two tankers. "Chairman Gao, let''s find a ce to talk about the sale of these two ships," he said.


    Gao Weiguang was thrilled. "Absolutely," he replied. "Let''s go to the reception room."


    The two men sat down to discuss the sale of the tankers.


    Gao Weiguang was relieved that Liu Yong was interested in purchasing the ships, as he had been worried about the potential backlog.


    "I''ll do everything I can to make this sale happen," he promised Liu Yong.


    The negotiation process had gone smoothly for the most part, with several details being agreed upon quickly.


    However, one issue still needed to be resolved - the price. Gao Weiguang had proposed a cost of 780 million yuan for each ship, which Liu Yong deemed a bit steep. The regr market price should be around 700 million.


    As someone who knew the ins and outs of the shipbuilding industry, Liu Yong knew thatrge vessels like the oil tankers in question were usually custom-built to meet a client''s specific requirements.


    He couldn''t help but wonder why Gao Weiguang was so eager to sell these two ships to him instead of waiting for a customer to ce an order.


    It urred to Liu Yong that perhaps the original customer who had ordered the ships had defaulted on their purchase, leaving Gao Weiguang with two vessels he urgently needed to sell.


    If Qidong Shipyard found a buyer for these two ships soon, they would be left with a significant backlog of funds tied up in the construction cost, potentially impacting thepany''s capital operation.


    Liu Yong realized he had an opportunity to negotiate a better deal for himself and Qidong Shipyard.


    Liu Yong was a wealthy man, but he was quick with his money.


    He knew the value of a good deal and always tried to save where he could.


    So when Gao Weiguang proposed a price of 780 million yuan for each ship, Liu Yong knew it was too high.


    He believed the market price should be around 700 million yuan per ship and was determined to negotiate a better deal.


    "Chairman Gao, your price is not authentic," Liu Yong said.


    "The price of each ship is 780 million, which is too high. How about it? I will bid 600 million per ship."


    Liu Yong asked.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Gao Weiguang sighed and shook his head. "Mr. Liu, where can you bargain like this? You can cut off more than 100 million yuan with one knife. It hurts us a lot."


    But Liu Yong was not deterred. "I can''t bid 600 million yuan for each ship," he said, "but I can pay for the ships and the money in full, and never default. This way, you can get the funds back quickly."


    Gao Weiguang fell into deep thought.


    As Liu Yong sat across from the negotiating team, his mind raced with thoughts of strategy and profit. Despite the meager earnings that woulde with the deal, he was determined to fight for it.


    "Mr. Liu, 600 million is impossible, even the construction cost is not enough, we have lost too much, let''s make another step, 750 million," said Gao, trying to push the price higher.


    Liu Yong remained calm and collected, smiling as he replied, "Each ship costs 600 million. If possible, I can order a few more ships."


    As the negotiation continued, Gao Weiguang, a wealthy businessman known for being the "God of Wealth," fixed his eyes on the deal.


    He had already prepared 5 billion yuan in funds to buy a ship and eagerly awaited the right opportunity.


    Finally, the negotiation ended, with Liu Yong agreeing to buy two 200,000-ton ocean-going tankers for 1.2 billion yuan.


    While the profit was not substantial, Liu Yong was content with the deal, knowing he could earn back the money on other ships.


    Gao Weiguang couldn''t contain his excitement at the opportunity to purchase the ships. "Yes, these two ships total 1.2 billion. Let''s talk about the order of other ships," he eximed.


    Liu Yong remainedposed, though inside, he was beaming with pride. He had sessfully negotiated a deal that saved him over 200 million yuan.


    As the meeting ended, Hu Shijun, observing the negotiation, couldn''t help but admire Liu Yong''s bargaining skills.


    "Brother Yong, awesome!" he eximed. "This is the real bargaining master, at least 200 million yuan."


    The negotiations for selling two ships had been concluded for 1.2 billion yuan, and Liu Yong and Gao Weiguang were now discussing ordering follow-up ships.


    Liu Yong had an excellent reputation as a master bargainer, and Gao Weiguang and the Qidong Shipyard team found themselves outmatched.


    Despite this, the negotiations proceeded smoothly, and Liu Yong ordered a total of six ships, including three 100,000-ton ocean-going tankers, two 100,000-ton container ships, and one 150,000-ton bulk cargo carrier.


    " The price is fair," Liu Yongmented, and after finalizing the details, the two parties signed a letter of intent.


    Liu Yong entrusted the preparation of the formal contract to Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun, and he nned to be okay with it.


    The Qidong Shipyard team hosted a grand dinner in the evening to celebrate the substantial order. It was the most significant order they had received in recent years, and Universal had bought eight ships in total, including two 200,000-ton ocean-going giant tankers.


    When Liu Yong and Hu Shijun left the shipyard the following day, Gao Weiguang and his team saw them off with great respect. Hu Shijun couldn''t help but feel impressed by Liu Yong''s status and influence in the industry.


    "Brother Yong, where are we going next?" Hu Shijun asked.


    Liu Yong waved his hand and replied, "Let''s go to the next shipyard."


    Hu Shijun was ecstatic. He admired Liu Yong''s ability to buy ships worth hundreds of millions of yuan. He shouted excitedly,


    "Let''s go, let''s go to the next shipyard!"


    ......................

 Chapter 113 Great Wall Of China Vs Powerful Liu

    ?Luo Maoyuan, the boss of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group, was currently situated in his office, intently reading through a survey document. Had his colleague, Liu Yong, been present in the room, he would undoubtedly have been astonished by what Luo Maoyuan held.


    The document contained information about Global Ocean Services, which included a detailed introduction of Universal Company and various executives, such as Liu Yong, Qiu Yang, Hu Shijun, and others. What stood out to Luo Maoyuan were the profiles of Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun,plete with photographs.


    With a somber expression, Luo Maoyuan carefully flipped through the pages of the document while his assistant remained nearby, too intimidated to utter a word.


    He was acutely aware that his boss was in an exceedingly foul mood, and if he were to speak out of turn, he might be a target of Luo Maoyuan''s wrath.


    It took at least ten minutes for Luo Maoyuan tob through the information. Finally, he broke the silence with a deep voice,


    "Universal Company actually has two 100,000-ton tankers delivering crude oil to Yanhuang Petroleum Group?"


    His assistant, Xiao Zhu, confirmed with equal gravity, "The boss really has such a thing."


    Luo Maoyuan had always regarded the crude oil transportation business of Yanhuang Petroleum Group as his forbidden area.


    He wanted to avoid any other ocean transportationpany getting involved. So, the news that Universal had already made inroads into this territory did not bode well for him.


    Xiao Zhu reported carefully, "The boss has an update that needs to be reported to you."


    "Tell me, what is it?" Luo Maoyuan asked curtly.


    "It''s like this. Just two days ago, Liu Yong, the boss of Universal Company, went to Qidong Shipyard in person. Not only did he buy two 200,000-ton existing ships, but he also ordered seven or eight 100,000-ton ships in one go. above the giant ship."


    Luo Maoyuan''s reaction was not slight, as he eximed, "There is such a thing, is it true?"


    "Boss, it is absolutely true. This is indeed the case," confirmed Xiao Zhu.


    Luo Maoyuan''s face grew even more grim and frightening. He knew that Universal''s purchase of so many giant ships, including ocean-going oil tankers, meant they aggressively pursued more crude oil transportation business from Yanhuang Petroleum Group, primarily undertaken by Risheng Ocean Shipping Group.


    He thought this was uneptable and needed to take measures to prevent it.


    .........¡­..


    *** FRIDAY ***


    Today was Friday, and Li Changle had be much busier since school had started.


    If possible, She spent most of her time at school, even after sses. Liu Yong hadn''t seen his girlfriend in a few days, and even though they chatted on WeChat daily, he really missed her.


    At around five in the afternoon, Liu Yong drove to Li Changle''s school and parked his car at the gate. He told her on WeChat, "Lele, I will wait for you at the school gate." Li Changle replied with a happy expression and said she would be out in about twenty minutes.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile at her response. He felt warm and happy in his heart, realizing they were in a period of passionate love, and they both felt the sweetness of their rtionship.


    While waiting for Li Changle at the gate, he noticed a small ck car driving up and parking in front of the school.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but wonder who owned such an impressive car. It was just a Mercedes-Benz C, and yet it was parked so high-profile. Liu Yong thought it might affect the student''s school leave, especially during peak hours.


    He considered this ack of quality rather than high-profile showing off.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong would never dare to be so shy when driving his Currnd. Instead, he would always park it a few tens of meters away from the school gate to avoid causing any inconvenience to others.


    As the ck Mercedes-Benz C pulled up at the school gate, a dapper young man emerged from the driver''s seat.


    He looked immacte in his crisp white shirt, tie, polished leather shoes, and smartly tailored trousers. But what caught everyone''s attention was the enormous bouquet of roses he was holding. The bundle was sorge that it appeared to be made up of dozens of roses.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but wonder if this young man was in the same boat as him, waiting for his girlfriend to emerge from the school gates.


    He watched from a distance, not daring to approach the stranger''s car. After all, it was the job of the school security guards to manage the traffic flow.


    As the young man nervously stood outside the campus gates, he clutched arge bouquet of roses in his sweaty palms.


    He shifted his weight from foot to foot, his eyes scanning left and right as he searched for someone in the bustling crowd.


    Liu Yong, an onlooker, couldn''t help but chuckle at the sight of the short, thin man who barely reached 1.65 meters in height.


    After waiting a few moments, Li Changle emerged from the school with a beaming smile. Liu Yong assumed that the young man with the roses was Li Changle''s boyfriend but was taken aback when the stranger suddenly sprinted towards her with the flowers in hand.


    "Lele, I see you again. I bought these flowers specially for you," the man eximed, his face beaming with delight.


    Li Changle''s expression quickly turned sour as she rebuked him.


    "Wu Youcai, I''ve often told you that there''s nothing between us. I already have a boyfriend."


    The man, whose name was Wu Youcai, smiled as he responded,


    "Lele, I don''t mind if you have a boyfriend. I am sincere in my affection for you. Besides, I can give you a better life than he can."


    Li Changle''s irritation was palpable as she cut him off. "Don''t think that a few coins will win my heart. And please, call me Li Changle or Teacher Li from now on."


    Wu Youcai persisted, his tone bing more insistent. "Lele, you should be more realistic. If your boyfriend can''t afford a house or a car, you''ll be miserable with him."


    Li Changle had had enough of the man''s advances and replied with finality, "I won''t be swayed by material possessions. Now please, leave me alone and don''t disturb me again."


    Liu Yong''s keen hearing allowed him to overhear the conversation between Li Changle and Wu Youcai, but it brought him no joy. Wu Youcai''s childish behavior of unting his little wealth and making derogatory remarks about Li Changle''s boyfriend left Liu Yong in a bad mood.


    Without wasting any time, Liu Yong stepped forward, ignoring Wu Youcai like an annoying fly, and said to Li Changle, "Let''s go, let''s ignore him."


    Li Changle''s face lit up at the sight of her boyfriend, and she affectionately took his arm, ignoring Wu Youcai altogether.


    "Liu Yong, let''s go have dinner together," she said happily.


    Liu Yong suggested they eat at his house, as his sister Liu Lan was back. The two started to make their way out when Wu Youcai suddenly blocked Liu Yong''s path, refusing to let them leave.


    "What the......¡­ F**k!. Do you think you are the Great Wall of China?"


    ..................¡­.

 Chapter 114 My Love Is My Love

    ?Wu Youcai''s eyes scanned Li Changle from head to toe before turning to Liu Yong with a smirk. "Lele, is this your boyfriend?" he asked with a hint of mockery.


    Li Changle ignored him. Her expression was cold and aloof. Liu Yong, on the other hand, stood his ground, blocking Wu Youcai''s path and fixing him with a stern gaze.


    Wu Youcai''s initial irritation quickly turned into anger, and he spat out a derogatory remark.


    "Go away, good dog out of the way," he sneered.


    Li Changle stifled augh, covering her mouth with a delicate hand. Despite her disdain for Wu Youcai, she couldn''t help but feel amused at her boyfriend''s unwaveringposure.


    Liu Yong didn''t back down, though. "I''m not interested in you, and I don''t want to know who you are. Please don''t pester my girlfriend again in the future, or I won''t be polite," he warned.


    Wu Youcai chuckled in response, his eyes glinting with arrogance. "Lele will only suffer when being with you," he said, turning to Li Changle. "Can you afford a house in Huahai City, can you afford a car, and how much is your monthly sry?"


    Li Changle rolled her eyes, unimpressed by Wu Youcai''s materialistic boasting. "Wu Youcai, you''re embarrassing yourself," she said with a sigh.


    But Wu Youcai wasn''t deterred. "Lele, it will be different if you are with me. You see, this is my Mercedes," he boasted, gesturing to the nearby car. "I have also bought a new house with more than 130 square meters."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but snicker at Wu Youcai''s ridiculousness. "Get out!" he shouted, losing his patience.


    Wu Youcai remained rooted in ce, a smug expression on his face. "You don''t know who I am, so I''ll tell you right now, I''m the vice president of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group Huahai Branch, with an annual sry of two million," he said, puffing out his chest.


    Liu Yong''s eyes narrowed in recognition. He had met Luo Maoyuan, the boss of Risheng Group, a few days ago and had a bad encounter with his bodyguards. From then on, he had no love for the Risheng Group or anyone affiliated.


    "Risheng Group is a fart, so get the **** out of here," Liu Yong spat, his voiceced with contempt.


    Wu Youcai continued to assert his position as the vice president of the Risheng Group Huahai Branch, refusing to move aside.


    However, Liu Yong had no intention of indulging him further and decided to take matters into his own hands. Without hesitation, Liu Yong grabbed Wu Youcai and forcefully threw him aside.


    A crowd had gathered to witness the spectacle, and many of them were on the side of Liu Yong and Li Changle.


    They regarded Wu Youcai as a conceited and arrogant individual who was not worthy of their respect.


    In their eyes, he was nothing more than a toad trying to win a swan''s affection.


    The sound ofughter filled the air as people watched Liu Yong easily toss Wu Youcai several meters away. They apuded Liu Yong''s disy of power andplimented him on his good looks.


    "Wow, that was such an impressive move," one person eximed. "Li Changle''s boyfriend is so handsome," said another.


    Many onlookersmented on how well-matched the couple seemed to be. However, only some were pleased with themotion caused by Wu Youcai''s behavior.


    "That guy with the flowers is such a joke," someone sneered. "And that car he parked at the school gate - it''s just a broken Mercedes-Benz C. "


    "It blocked so many people, and I want to overturn it," another person said.


    As Liu Yong tossed aside Wu Youcai, Liu took Li Changle''s hand and walked away while the crowd eagerly cleared a path.


    Not far from where they stood, Liu''s Cullinan was parked by the roadside, waiting for them. The sight of Liu leading Li Changle to the luxurious vehicle stunned many onlookers.


    "That''s not his car," eximed one of them in disbelief.


    "It''s a Cullinan, worth at least six or seven million," added another.


    "This guy is seriously rich," said a third, in awe.


    People around them watched as Liu opened the car door, invited Li Changle to sit in the passenger seat, and then got into the driver''s seat himself.


    The Cullinan gradually drove away, leaving the astonished crowd behind.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The scene erupted in a frenzy when Liu opened the car door. Apuse broke out, and Wu Youcai, who had been unting his new 130-square-meter house and Mercedes-Benz C, was left feeling foolish.


    He couldn''t believe he had just been showing off in front of someone who owned a Cullinan. Embarrassed, his face turned hot, and he felt like disappearing into the ground.


    Noticing the sneering looks of the people around him, Wu Youcai decided to leave immediately.


    He got into his car and drove away, hoping to escape the awkward situation. The school gate was filled with joyfulughter, mocking Wu Youcai for fleeing in embarrassment.


    This incident was sure to be the topic of conversation among the students and teachers of the school.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong drove Li Changle towards his vi, leaving themotion behind.


    Li Chang appeared apologetic as she tried to exin herself to Liu Yong,


    "Brother Yong, I truly have no idea who that person is. All I know is his name is Wu Youcai, and I''m not even sure what he does."


    Liu Yong was very understanding, replying generously, "It''s alright, Lele. I''m not bothered by it."


    Feeling relieved, Li Chang leaned in to give Liu Yong a quick kiss, her gratitude overflowing.


    Liu Yongughed happily, teasing her mischievously, "That doesn''t count. You have to kiss me properly."


    He turned his head to pout, expecting a kiss on the lips from Li Chang.


    Li Chang acted coyly, gently pushing Liu Yong away, reminding him, "You''re driving right now. Pay attention to the road."


    Liu Yong chuckled, "Alright, alright. If I weren''t driving, would you kiss me again?"


    Li Chang yfully threatened, "You''re dead. I''ll ignore you."


    Liu Yong adored Li Chang''s yful and shy demeanor,ughing joyfully again.


    As they drove home, Liu Lan had already returned from school, taking the subway to the gate.


    "Sister-inw, brother, what would you like for dinner tonight? Miss Ben will cook for you," Liu Lan offered.


    Li Chang corrected her in a low voice, "Liu Lan, remember not to call me sister-inw anymore. Just call me Lele or sister Le."


    Liu Lan replied, "It''s all the same to me. You''re still my sister-inw in my heart."


    Li Chang gave Liu Lan an exasperated look.


    Although Liu Yong rarely cooked at home, his fridge was well-stocked with ingredients, and Liu Lan and Li Chang quickly got to work in the kitchen.


    Liu Yong tried to help by folding dishes and reminded them, "There are only three of us, so don''t cook too much. We won''t be able to finish it, and it would be a waste."


    Liu Lan gently nudged him, "We know you can go watch TV in the living room. Don''t get in our way here."


    Li Chang added, "You should go watch TV too. Don''t interfere with our cooking."


    Liu Yong smiled wryly, sat down on the sofa, and scrolled through his phone.


    Soon enough, the kitchen was filled with the fragrant aroma of cooking.


    ...................

 Chapter 115 First Electrifying Chemistry Ever!

    ?After some time, the delicious aroma of home-cooked food filled the air as the dishes were ready and served on the table.


    Among them were vored the sixties, braised prawns in oil, celery and cashew nuts, sliced meat soup, and a vegetable, which were all beautifully presented and had a pleasing aroma that hinted at their delicious taste.


    "Brother,e over for dinner," Liu Lan called out, and Liu Yong quickly put down his cell phone and grabbed a bottle of red wine before heading over.


    As he arrived and saw the dishes on the table, he couldn''t help butpliment them. "It looks good. This doesn''t look like Liu Lan''s craftsmanship," he said.


    Liu Lan quickly rified, "I''m just ying around. My sister-inw is in charge. Brother, how about you taste it?"


    Liu Yong happily obliged, using a pair of chopsticks to try every dish. After tasting them all, he gave a thumbs up and praised, "Mm, not bad. It''s really delicious."


    After thepliment, Liu Yong added, "Lele, I didn''t expect your cooking to be so good. I''ll definitelye back for more in the future." Li Changle was ted to hear this.


    Liu Lan chimed in, "Brother, sister-inw is a treasure. She''s great in both the living room and the kitchen."


    Li Changle humbly responded, "Where, how can I be so good?"


    "Your sister-inw is really nice. She gave me a big surprise today," Liu Yong said. "Sit down, let''s start eating."


    As they settled in and ate, they chatted and drank red wine.


    They raised their sses asionally, clinking them lightly as they enjoyed the meal and each other''spany.


    The food was delicious, brought the family together, and created memories that wouldst a lifetime.


    After enjoying their meal, the trio took a stroll and wandered before returning. Upon returning, they all sat on the living room sofa to watch TV.


    As the night progressed, Liu Lan excused herself to shower and retire to bed. Meanwhile, Liu Yong wore a frown and suggested to Li Changle,


    "Lele, why don''t we go take a bath too?"


    Their vi had three floors, with the primary bedroom on the second floor boasting a spacious bathroom. Liu Lan, on the other hand, resided on the first floor and used the bathroom located there.


    Li Changle blushed, coying at Liu Yong, "I don''t want to bathe with you. I''ll go freshen up alone first."


    Liu Yong chuckled knowingly, aware Li Changle was self-conscious about sharing a bath.


    Seeing Li Changle proceed upstairs to use the bathroom, Liu Yong offered, "Come, let me show you the way to the bedroom."


    Leading Li Changle upstairs, Liu Yong grabbed some fresh towels and other essentials, leaving the toiletries for Li Changle to find in the bathroom.


    "You go ahead. I''ll wait outside," he said as he escorted her to the bathroom.


    Li Changle gently nudged Liu Yong out of the bathroom, closing the ss door behind him.


    This bathroom mirrored the one in the main bedroom. After being shut out, Liu Yong perched on the massive bed in the main bedroom and caught a glimpse of Li Changle''s blurred figure through the frosted ss.


    His heart racing at the thought of Li Changle bathing inside, Liu Yong found himself growing increasingly impatient. He had the urge to barge in and join her in the bath.


    Unable to resist the temptation any longer, he shed his clothes and donned only his briefs.


    Finally, he flung open the door and crept into the bathroom, causing Li Changle to let out a shy cry.


    The sudden intrusion made Li Changle uneasy, but she said nothing. Liu Yong''s strong arms circled her waist from behind as he whispered into her ear, "I couldn''t resist any longer, I had to be with you."


    Li Changle felt her heart flutter at Liu Yong''s words. She turned around to face him, feeling nervous and excited. The warm water poured over them as Liu Yong hugged her tightly, relishing the sensation of her wet skin against his.


    They stood there momentarily, silently taking in each other''s presence. Liu Yong''s hands trailed down her back, making her shiver with anticipation.


    His touch was electric, and she could feel their chemistry growing with every passing moment.


    As their intimacy deepened, Li Changle felt herself giving into the moment, allowing her desire for Liu Yong to take over. Their bodies intertwined, and the steamy bathroom became a haven for their passion.


    After an eternity, they finally emerged from the bathroom, their bodies slick with water. Liu Yong wrapped a fresh towel around Li Changle and led her back to the bedroom, where they copsed onto the bed in blissful exhaustion.


    As theyy there, wrapped in each other''s arms, Li Changle couldn''t help but think that this was the happiest she had been in a long time.


    She had found someone who truly cared for her and made her feel alive. And as she drifted off to sleep, she knew she had found her soulmate.


    The following day, Liu Yong and Li Changle woke up veryte, both feeling the fatigue from their previous night''s escapades.


    Liu Yong checked his watch and saw that it was already past ten o''clock in the morning.


    He gazed at Li Changle in his arms and reminisced about their intimate moments from the previous night.


    He thought driving thrice in one night was exhausting, particrly with a new car requiring various adjustments.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Despite the exhaustion, he enjoyed the experience, especially with such a stunning woman in his arms. He realized that Li Changle was his future wife, and as a responsible man, he needed to bemitted to the end.


    "Liu Yong, wake up," Li Changle said as she stirred.


    Liu Yong asked, "Are you tired? Would you like to sleep some more?"


    Li Changle noticed it was already past ten and quickly responded, "I can''t sleep anymore; otherwise, Liu Lan will mock us."


    Liu Yong scoffed, "She is just a little girl; she wouldn''t dare."


    The two of them got up and noticed that Liu Lan was not home.


    Liu Yong checked his WeChat messages and found a message from her, which read, "Brother, I''m going back to school. Please be gentle with my sister-inw."


    Liu Yong chuckled at the message and thought, "This little girl is a riot."


    He turned to Li Changle and said, "Liu Lan has gone back to school, and now it''s just the two of us. I''m starving."


    Li Changle volunteered, "Let me feed you. How about that?"


    Liu Yong grinned wickedly at the suggestive statement. Li Changle realized that her statement was ambiguous and quickly blushed. "Brother Yong, you are so naughty."


    "Do you like it?" Liu Yong whispered in Li Changle''s ear.


    Li Changle''s cheeks reddened even more, and she stammered, "I''ll order the noodles. You sit here."


    Liu Yong yfully said, "Let me do it."


    As it was still early morning, no breakfast shops were open, so Liu Yong prepared two bowls of delicious shredded pork noodles for them.


    They enjoyed their breakfast and then spent the rest of the day in each other''spany, asionally going out for a stroll and having dinner outside. By ten o''clock, they returned home, happy and content.


    Throughout the weekend, Li Changle and Liu Yong spent their time together and even lived together on Saturday and Sunday nights.


    On Monday morning, Liu Yong personally drove Li Changle to school.


    When they arrived, Li Changle was reluctant to leave. Unusually, she took the initiative to kiss Liu Yong before getting out of the car.


    "Lele, contact me on WeChat," Liu Yong said.


    "Okay, Yong."


    "Lele, I''ll pick you up after school."


    "Yong, I''ll be waiting for you at school."


    Li Changle exited the car and took three steps before turning her head.


    On Friday, after theirst moment of intimacy, Liu Yong sensed that Li Changle was bing increasingly attached to him.


    As Liu Yong watched his girlfriend enter the campus, he couldn''t help but think about the various tasks that awaited him at the office.


    He decided to drive there and tackle them head-on. Once he arrived, Qiu Yang, his employee, knocked on his door and entered.


    He hade to report on the progress of various projects, one of which was a formal agreement signed with Qidong Shipyard to construct ships they had ordered.


    Pleased with the news, Liu Yong nodded in approval as Qiu Yang continued his report. He mentioned that two 200,000-ton ocean-going oil tankers would soon enter the eptance stage and belong to theirpany.


    This reportsted about half an hour, after which Qiu Yang left the office, carefully closing the door behind him.


    Liu Yong was left alone in his office and decided to make himself a cup of tea while ncing through some recent documents and reports on his desk.


    As he did so, his thoughts drifted to Bawang, and he decided to check in on his pet via the pet panel.


    It had been a few days since he hadst checked on Bawang, and he was pleased to see that his pet had grown significantly in size and attributes.


    Weighing almost 60 tons and measuring over 25 meters in length, including the head and tail, Bawang had caught a big fish weighing hundreds of catties and was happily munching on it.


    Seeing his pet doing well and thriving made Liu Yong feel relieved.


    After observing him, he did not disturb Bawang from his meal and closed the pet panel. However, 20 to 30 minutester, Bawang contacted Liu Yong, surprising him with his initiative.


    .....................

 Chapter 116 Oh-Class Strategic Nuclear Submarine

    ?"Master, I was just so shocked!" Bawang eximed.


    Liu Yong''s interest was piqued. What could have scared Bawang so much? He wanted to know.


    "Overlord, can you tell us what happened?" Liu Yong asked.


    Overlord quickly recounted what had happened. Bawang had been out for a swim, and as he was traveling a few dozen sea miles away, he suddenly spotted a massive monster heading towards him.


    It was dark and menacing, and Bawang was so frightened that he quickly swam away.


    Liu Yong thought for a moment and came up with a possible exnation. "It''s possible that what you saw was a submarine," he said.


    Overlord needed rification. "What''s a submarine?" Overlord asked curiously.


    Liu Yong proceeded to exin what a submarine was, and Bawang soon realized that he had been frightened by one.


    "I guess I was scared by a submarine," Bawang said.


    Liu Yong chuckled. "I wasn''tughing at you. It''s normal to be startled by something you''ve never seen before," he reassured Bawang.


    Overlord was intrigued by the submarine idea and asked if he could follow one to get a closer look.


    Liu Yong agreed but warned him to be careful not to be detected by the submarine.


    However, the chances of that happening were slim, as Bawang was nearly silent in the water, and his body temperature was almost the same as the surrounding seawater.


    Within a few minutes, Bawang discovered a massive submarine sailing over 200 meters underwater.


    His curiosity was piqued, and he continued to follow it silently.


    Keeping a safe distance of a few hundred meters, Bawang took a look to the left and swam to the side of the submarine to take a closer look. After observing it for a while, Bawang''s curiosity got satisfied.


    Liu Yong also wanted to see what kind of submarine it was.


    "Wow, this is huge. Do you think it''s a nuclear submarine?" asked Liu Yong.


    "I''m not sure. It could be," Bawang replied, trying to identify it.


    So, Liu Yong has been watching this submarine from the perspective of a third party. After watching it for a while, he thought that such arge submarine was a strategic nuclear submarine.


    Which country''s strategic nuclear submarine is this?


    Is it from our own country or from another country?


    "That looks like a strategic nuclear submarine to me. I wonder if it''s from our country or another," Liu said, his mind racing with possibilities.


    That location is less than 300 nautical miles away from Huahai City in a straight line. Liu Yong thought that such a short distance was a submarine of our own country.


    Liu Yong is also considered a pseudo-military fan. He often visits military forums and precisely understands certain weapons and equipment.


    "I think it''s probably our own submarine. We''re not too far from Huahai City," said Liu Yong, showing off his knowledge of military equipment.


    The more he looked at it, the less it looked like their country''s nuclear submarine. Is this another country''s nuclear submarine?


    As soon as this idea came to his mind, Liu Yong was taken aback. It would be too bullying if it were a strategic foreign nuclear submarine.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Although it is considered the open sea, it is less than 300 kilometers from Huahai City, and a foreign strategic nuclear submarine appeared there.


    "Oh no, it''s not our submarine. It looks like it belongs to another country," said Liu Yong, his tone worried.


    Liu Yong checked his mobile phone to confirm the inference in his mind. On some military websites and military forums, there were pictures of various strategic nuclear submarines.


    Liu Yong looked at the strategic nuclear submarine from a third party''s vision and then at the pictures of the strategic nuclear submarine on his mobile phone. After carefulparison, he finally determined the model of the strategic nuclear submarine.


    This is 100% an Oh-ss strategic nuclear submarine.


    The mobile phone has an introduction and pictures of this strategic nuclear submarine. It belongs to an active strategic atomic submarine of country M.


    "M country''s submarine, an Oh-ss strategic nuclear submarine," said Liu Yong, shocked.


    M country''s navy has 14 ships, eight deployed in the Pacific Ocean.


    The ship that Bawang followed must be one of the eight ships.


    That is an Oh-ss strategic nuclear submarine.


    Liu Yong turned off his mobile phone, and through the third-party vision, he could clearly see that Bawang was following the submarine with his giant spear.


    The submarine moved through the water leisurely, unaware of the Overlord''s presence, following close behind without making a sound.


    As Liu Yong gazed upon the submarine and the formidable figure of the Overlord, he couldn''t help but question whether he should act on the opportunity before him.


    "All of these strategic nuclear submarines right at our doorstep... it would be a shame to let such a good opportunity pass us by without taking action," Liu Yong thought.


    "Who knows when we''ll get another chance? It takes luck toe across a submarine like this in the vast Pacific Ocean."


    Liu Yong''s desire to take action began to root and germinate, bing impossible to suppress.


    Meanwhile, inside the submarine, O''Farrell enjoyed a freshly brewed cup of coffee as he overlooked the voyage.


    "Head, have we been sailing like this all the time? If we keep going, we''ll soon be in Yan Kingdom''s territorial waters," one of the crew members remarked.


    O''Farrell scoffed at the suggestion. "We have full freedom of navigation, and no one can stop us. Keep the direction and speed as they are, and continue on."


    Liu Yong knew that this so-called freedom of navigation was just an excuse.


    If any country''s submarine came within 300 nautical miles of country M''s territory, they would not be allowed to pass through.


    As he watched the submarine move closer to their territorial waters, Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel discontented.


    "Darn it, it''s about to enter our territorial waters, but the course remains unchanged," Liu Yong muttered.


    He then contacted Bawang and issued hismand.


    "Bawang, take your giant spear and stab the submarine a few times. Let''s see if we can poke some holes in it."


    Bawang''s eyes lit up with excitement at the thought of taking action. "Finally, some fun!" he eximed before taking hold of his giant spear.


    .........................

 Chapter 117 Pierced Through The Sky

    ?Bawang had long harbored the desire to reim some space before being taken aback by the submarine. Still, unfortunately, his master Liu Yong had not given permission to take any action.


    However, upon questioning whether he could poke holes in the submarine, Liu Yong replied affirmatively, and Bawang couldn''t resist the urge any longer.


    Swimming to the side of the submarine, he brandished his giant spear and plunged it toward the hull.


    "Boom!"


    The impact was immense, creating a powerful muffled sound at the bottom of the water, with sparks flying in all directions.


    Unfortunately, despite the force behind the strike, the spear failed to pierce the submarine''s hardened hull.


    Overlord was surprised by this development, as he had never before encountered a situation where his spear did not prate a ship''s hull. Liu Yong was also taken aback, having expected the spear to seed as it had been.


    After recovering from the surprise, Liu Yong suggested,


    "Overlord, the shell of the submarine is hard. You should first remove a few pieces of the sound-absorbing tiles on the outside of the submarine, and then you should be able to pierce through it."


    Following Liu Yong''s advice, Overlord targeted the sound-absorbing tiles on the hull instead of directly stabbing the hull with his spear.


    Removing the protection provided by the tiles, the spear could pierce through the hull with ease due to its enormous force and sharp spearhead.


    Deep inside the submarine, a loud noise suddenly jolted the vessel, causing Captain O''Farrell to shout in a frenzy,


    "What''s going on? What was that sound?"


    "I don''t know yet, sir," came the reply.


    Another deafening noise followed, and the submarine shook as if in distress. Everyone on board looked around nervously, wondering what was happening.


    "Quick, we need to figure out what''s going on," urged O''Farrell, clearly anxious.


    The submarine immediately went into a state of emergency, with rapid rms ring and crew members rushing to their stations.


    But as they scrambled to determine the cause of themotion, they were met with yet another unsettling movement outside the vessel, apanied by a loud noise.


    Armed with its giant spear, the Overlord was already at work, removing the sound-absorbing tiles from the submarine''s hull.


    Bawang told his master, "Master, I think we''ve removed enough of the tiles."


    Liu Yong nodded and gave the go-ahead for the Overlord to strike the hull with its giant spear. With a tremendous effort, the Overlord plunged the spear into the submarine, its sheer power prating the hull.


    The sound of the impact was deafening, as the 20-meter-long spear went at least 5 meters deep into the hull. Without waiting for orders, the Overlord struck again, this time sinking the spear 8 or 9 meters deep.


    Panic spread through the submarine as the crew realized the severity of the damage.


    "Our submarine is broken, and seawater is pouring in. We''re finished!" someone reported in horror.


    Some soldiers began to cry as the seawater rushed in, and O''Farrell shouted frantically, "Close the airtight hatch! Float up! Float up!" But it was toote.


    The giant spear had caused irreparable damage, poking several holes in the hull at a depth of over 200 meters.


    The pressure from the seawater was too great, and the submarine was overwhelmed.


    The crew could only listen to the ring sirens and the rush of water as their vessel sank. It was over.


    As the strategic-ss nuclear submarine slowly sank toward the seabed, its speed elerated with the infusion of seawater. Despite the increasing depth, Liu Yong, observing from a third-party perspective, felt an inexplicable sense of relief upon seeing the submarine''s descent.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Friendse with wine, enemiese with shotguns!" Liu Yong muttered to himself. "Who told you to loiter around our territory? Well, now you''ve sunk straight to the bottom of the sea."


    The situation was chaos, and the sinking of the submarine only added to it. One of their Oh-ss strategic nuclear submarines had sunk near Yan Kingdom''s territorial waters. Was it possible that Yan Kingdom was behind this?


    "Damn it, why did this happen?" eximed one of themanders. "Report this to the General Staff and find out immediately what''s going on."


    As the tension mounted, the Overlord pierced the sky, signaling the start of a new phase in the conflict.


    The sinking of an Ohio-ss strategic nuclear submarine was a significant blow to the military capabilities of country M.


    With only 14 submarines of this kind in the entire country, the loss was substantial and had ramifications that would be felt for years toe.


    As news of the sinking spread, military officials quickly gathered to discuss the situation. This was considered the most important event in decades, and there was a sense of urgency and anxiety in the air.


    "Sir, an Ohio-ss strategic nuclear submarine has sunk!" one of the officials eximed.


    The news quickly reached the president of country M, who ordered an emergency meeting with top military officials.


    "What happened? Was it an attack by the enemy?" the president asked.


    "We are not sure yet, but we suspect it might have been Yan Kingdom," replied another official.


    The thought of an attack by their enemy was rming. The Yan Kingdom was known for its aggression and desire to expand its power.


    The possibility of them targeting one of country M''s most potent weapons was deeply concerning.


    A group of crews was dispatched to investigate the situation.


    "Go to the bottom of the sea to see the situation of that submarine," ordered the president.


    "No problem, sir," One of the military officers responded.


    The tension in the meeting room was palpable as everyone waited for news.


    They knew that the oue of this investigation could have far-reaching consequences for the safety and security of their country.


    Upon reaching the bottom of the sea, the crew saw the submarine in a sorry state. The hull was riddled with holes, and the inside was filled with seawater. Dozens of soldiers from country M had lost their lives in the tragedy.


    "My God, it''s a disaster!" eximed one of the officials in the meeting. The sinking of such a powerful weapon significantly lost the country''s military capabilities.


    Liu Yong, however, saw an opportunity to profit from the situation.


    "If we can get this submarine back, we will be rewarded handsomely," he thought to himself.


    However, the reality was that their crew needed help moving the massive submarine. "What a pity!"mented Liu Yong.


    The missed opportunity was a harsh reminder of the limitations of their military capabilities.


    Despite their disappointment, the sinking of the Ohio-ss strategic nuclear submarine represented a significant loss for country M''s military capabilities.


    "The country would have to adapt and find new ways to maintain its power in the ongoing conflict."


    The official said in a sad tone with a feeling of great sorrow and pain.


    .........................

 Chapter 118 Got Ill & Hospitalized

    ?Liu Yong couldn''t help but sigh and mutter to himself,


    "What a pity, what a pity!" He couldn''t help but think that Bawang, his sea creaturepanion, was too small.


    If only Bawang had two or three thousand tons of weight, he could attempt something daring.


    However, Bawang was currently only 50 to 60 tons and Liu Yong knew that attempting anything too audacious would be futile.


    "If I were to try anything now, it would be like a gnat trying to move a boulder," he thought.


    "Overlord, we have done a great thing. We have sunk a strategic nuclear submarine of country M. This is equivalent to piercing the sky. You should note to this sea area recently, at least keep it more than 50 nautical miles away distance,"


    Liu Yong realized the gravity of the situation and gave some advice.


    He knew that such a significant event would draw the attention of all parties involved. Yan Country or M Country would undoubtedly send diving robots or other deep-sea diving equipment to inspect the submarine''s wreckage.


    If the Overlord were to be discovered, it would be disastrous.


    The most prudent course of action would be to avoid the area entirely.


    "Master, I know how to measure, I will try not to stay in this area," Bawang responded obediently.


    After a brief exchange, Bawang swam away at an astonishingly fast speed, covering hundreds of sea miles in one breath and disappearing into the ocean''s depths.


    "It broke the sky," Liu Yong thought, impressed by Bawang''s speed and agility.


    As expected, the military of country M reacted strongly to the sinking of their submarine, causing amotion that could only be described as a frying pan.


    The army of the Yan Kingdom soon became aware of the incident and likely began monitoring the situation closely.


    Liu Yong wasn''t concerned about what would unfold between the two nations. He was confident that the military of country M would not be able to gain an advantage in the situation.


    From the perspective of the military of the Yan Kingdom, the sinking of a strategic nuclear submarine belonging to country M was undoubtedly an outstanding achievement, and they would unquestionably consider it a good thing.


    However, both parties knew the importance of keeping this matter highly confidential. For several days, no reports on the incident were broadcast on TV, printed in newspapers, or circted online, almost as if the urrence had never happened.


    The sinking of a strategic-level nuclear submarine in country M was a significant event for Liu Yong.


    He felt d for several days, as if he had encountered a great event.


    In no time, several days passed, and it was the weekend again.


    On a bright Saturday morning, Liu Yong rose from his slumber, adorned himself with a scarf, and swiftly cooked a delicious meal of three piping-hot bowls of savory, shredded pork noodles.


    As he was about to serve the noodles on the table, Liu Lan nearly missed her chance to savor the dish.


    Without dy, she hastened to the table, settled down, grabbed her chopsticks, and began savoring the noodles.


    "Brother, your cooking prowess has magnificently improved, and these noodles you made today are truly extraordinary," remarked Liu Lan.


    Liu Yong, beaming with pride, looked lovingly at his younger sister and replied, "You''re such a glutton! Your sister-inw hasn''t evene down yet."


    As soon as he finished speaking, Li Changle descended the stairs, announcing her arrival, "I''m here! Go ahead and eat, don''t wait for me."


    Since the duo had taken their rtionship to the next level, Li Changle practically lived with Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong would chauffeur her every afternoon, and he would drive her to school every morning. Today, she rose from her slumber around the same time as Liu Yong, but her preparation for the day took a bit longer due to the additional time she spent dressing up.


    The trio savored their breakfast happily while engaging in light conversation.


    However, just after they finished their meal, Liu Yong''s phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was his mother calling, which left him slightly taken aback.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Why would she call so early in the morning?" he wondered.


    "Mom''s calling," he whispered, causing Liu Lan and Li Changle to fall silent immediately.


    As Liu Yong answered the call, he heard his mother''s voice, Zhou Xiuying,ing from the other end of the line, "Xiao Yong, it''s about your father..."


    Before she couldplete her sentence, she began sobbing uncontrobly, which sent Liu Yong''s heart racing with anxiety.


    "Mom, what''s wrong with dad? Please tell me," he urged, his voice trembling with concern.


    Zhou Xiuying''s sobs gradually subsided, and she spoke in a choked voice, informing Liu Yong of his father''s recent health scare. "Your dad had stomach bleeding yesterday," she exined,


    "and lost a lot of blood. It was a frightening experience for us all, but luckily your Uncle Jianping managed to find a car and rushed your father to the county hospital right away. He received two bags of blood at the hospital, and now he''s recovering."


    As Zhou Xiuying exined, Liu Yong suddenly heard his father''s voice beside her. He recognized it instantly and listened attentively as his father insisted,


    "Give me the phone. I''m fine. I told you not to call and make the children feel anxious. One is working, and the other is studying."


    Despite the gentle tone, Liu Yong could sense his father''s concern for their well-being.


    Zhou Xiuying handed the phone to Liu Hongfu, and he reassured his son,


    "Xiaoyong, I''m fine now. I''m stable and will be discharged from the hospital in a few days. Don''t worry about me."


    However, Liu Yong couldn''t shake off his worry and responded,


    "Dad, Liu Lan, and I will return soon. We have our car, so everything is convenient. We can get to the County People''s Hospital in three hours."


    But Liu Hongfu was determined not to trouble them, insisting he was fine.


    After several more exchanges, Liu Yong hung up the phone but couldn''t express his concern for his father.


    "Liu Lan, Dad is hospitalized with stomach bleeding. Let''s go back and check on him," he urged.


    Without hesitation, Liu Lan agreed to apany him, and Li Changle also offered to join them, saying, "Brother Yong, let mee with you and visit Uncle."


    Immediately, the trio sprung into action, with Liu Yong getting behind the car''s wheel without even bothering to call Chen Hu.


    They swiftly departed from the vi area in the luxurious Cullinan, their first destination being a supermarket.


    It was an extravagant shopping spree, with Liu Yong not even bothering to nce at the prices of the items he desired.


    He took what he wanted without any haggling, filling up the Cullinan''s previously empty trunk with all goods - from high-end tobo and alcohol to nutritional products, luxury cosmetics, fruits, and candies.


    Li Changle couldn''t help but wonder why her boyfriend had purchased cosmetics and bags suitable for middle-aged women, which led her to believe that Liu Yong might have ns to introduce her to his family.


    The thought made her both happy and nervous, as they had only crossed the final line of defense in their rtionship a week ago, and she hadn''t yet informed her family that she had a boyfriend.


    While Li Changle''s family had been aware of her blind date with Liu Yong a few months ago, she kept quiet about establishing their rtionship.


    Whenever her parents inquired about how things were going between them, she responded that things were "okay" without disclosing that they were officially a couple.


    Despite the sizeable shopping spree, the group made quick work of it and were back on the road by half-past nine. Liu Yong''s driving was intense as he maneuvered the Cullinan at breakneck speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour on the highway, frequently overtaking slower vehicles.


    As they were speeding, they encountered a young couple driving a small white car at a leisurely pace of about 90 kilometers per hour.


    Liu Yong didn''t hesitate to overtake them at lightning speed, causing the young couple to jump in surprise at the sudden appearance of the Cullinan.


    .........................

 Chapter 119 Until He Knows The Worth Of Mine

    ?As the car sped down the road, a luxurious vehicle suddenly appeared in front of them. "Hold on, hold on, keep your distance," the man beside the woman warned. "it is Cullinan, if gets touched to each other,you won''t be able to pay for it."


    The woman clutched the steering wheel tightly and hit the brakes slightly. She watched as the Cullinan quickly drove away and breathed a sigh of relief. "Husband, I was shocked just now," she said.


    He, too, let out a sigh of relief but cautioned her to always keep her distance from such expensive cars. "Remember, when you encounter such a luxury car, hide as far as you can," he reminded her.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong was driving recklessly, weaving in and out ofnes and overtaking other cars on the road in his haste to get back to the hospital to see his father.


    Many people were frightened by his erratic driving and took measures to avoid him.


    Liu Lan noticed this and pointed out to her brother that he had scared the driver of a Volkswagen car earlier.


    "Brother, the Volkswagen car just now must have been taken aback," she said. "Seeing you changingnes and overtaking, he took the initiative to slow down and distance himself from you."


    Li Changle said, "He is afraid of what will happen; even if it is their secondary responsibility, it is difficult to bear."


    Liu Yong apologized for his reckless driving, saying, "Inparison, I didn''t mean it, I just wanted to rush to the hospital earlier to see what''s going on with my dad."


    Though his father had assured him over the phone that everything was alright, he remained worried that the situation might not be as optimistic as it seemed.


    In an effort to avoid rming other drivers on the road, Liu Yong tried to refrain from overtaking other cars as much as possible, only passing them when they were driving slowly.


    After a three-hour drive, Liu Yong reached the County People''s Hospital in just two and a half hours.


    Upon arrival, he quickly parked his car and grabbed the nutritional supplements and fresh fruits he had bought for his family members. "We made good time, it''s already 11:30," he remarked as he led the way into the hospital.


    Liu Yong walked ahead, with his sister Liu Lan and mother, Zhou Xiuying following closely behind, making their way to the fifth floor of the inpatient department where Liu Hongfu was staying.


    As they approached his ward, Liu Yong gently pushed open the door and saw his father lying weakly on a hospital bed.


    Zhou Xiuying, his mother, was dozing off beside him.


    "Mom," Liu Yong called out softly, catching his mother''s attention.


    Zhou Xiuying and Liu Hongfu woke up immediately upon hearing their children''s voices, overjoyed to see them.


    Zhou Xiuying, in particr, was ecstatic, expressing her happiness on her face.


    "Dad, it''s us. We came to see you," Liu Lan said as she walked over to the bed, followed closely by Liu Yong and Li Changle.


    "I said it''s fine. You don''t need toe back," Liu Hongfuined weakly, but his children could tell he was happy to see them.


    "Dad, it''s Saturday and we have the time toe see you. It''s convenient for us to drive back, so don''t me our brother," Liu Lan said, defending her brother''s decision to visit.


    Zhou Xiuying, still beaming with happiness, admired Li Changle, Liu Yong''s girlfriend, thinking to herself how beautiful and charming she was.


    "Who is this lovelydy?" she asked.


    "Dad, Mom, this is Li Changle. She''s my girlfriend," Liu Yong said proudly, introducing his girlfriend to his parents.


    Li Changle gave Liu Yong a discreet thumbs-up before sweetly greeting Liu Hongfu and Zhou Xiuying.


    The couple was delighted to meet her and felt as if Liu Hongfu''s illness had miraculously improved just by seeing her.


    "We are doing well," Zhou Xiuying said in unison with her husband, both beaming joyfully.


    When Liu Yong inquired about his condition, Zhou Xiuying gave him a general update, and he nodded in relief.


    Fortunately, he had been admitted to the hospital in a timely manner, and his crisis had been averted.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    There were no significant problems, and he would likely be discharged in a few days.


    However, Liu Yong wanted to be more satisfied with the crowded environment of his current ward, which made it inconvenient to do anything.


    He turned to Zhou Xiuying and said, "I would like to go out and find a doctor. Can I change to a single ward?"


    Li Changle quickly offered to apany Liu Yong, but Liu Lan opted to stay behind. The two left the ward together and soon found Liu Hongfu''s attending doctor.


    After inquiring about his father''s condition, Liu Yong requested, "Doctor, can my dad be moved to a single ward?"


    The attending doctor responded professionally and detachedly,


    "You will need to speak to our Director Xiao about this matter."


    There were three VIP wards in the Department of Gastroenterology, and currently, two are vacant. The decision of which patients would be assigned to the VIP wards rested on Xiao Jian, the department director.


    As a family member of a patient in the hospital, Liu Yong went to Xiao Jian''s office to make a request.


    "Director Xiao, hello, I am a family member of Bed 16," he said.


    "Hello," replied Xiao Jian, not showing much enthusiasm. He remained seated and didn''t bother to get up to greet Liu Yong warmly.


    Liu Yong proceeded to make his request: "It''s like this. Can Director Xiao help my dad change to a single room? The ward he is currently staying in is too crowded."


    Xiao Jian didn''t even bother to raise his eyelids. "This may not work," he said dismissively.


    "Our VIP rooms are all full at present, and we can''t arrange them at all."


    Liu Yong, who didn''t know the reality, assumed it was packed and was slightly disappointed.


    "Then excuse me," he said, bidding farewell.


    Xiao Jian remained seated, not moving, and watched Liu Yong leave with a hint of disdain in his eyes.


    "It''s really whimsical," he thought to himself. "Are you able to live in the VIP ward? For bumpkins from the countryside like you, it would be nice to have an ordinary ward. Believe it or not, I can arrange it for you in the aisle."


    Xiao Jian was a snob who only arranged VIP wards for patients with a specific rtionship background as a way of currying favor.


    Ordinary people, especially those from rural areas, didn''t stand a chance of getting a VIP ward, even if they were empty.


    Liu Yong, disappointed, left Xiao Jian''s office and returned to the ward. He didn''t mention the VIP ward issue and, after a moment of silence, suggested that they all go for lunch.


    Liu Hongfu agreed but said, "You all go, I have run out of water and can''t eat, so don''t worry about me."


    Zhou Xiuying was concerned about leaving Liu Hongfu alone.


    "You guys go, I''ll stay here with your dad," she said.


    But Liu Yong insisted that his mothere with them. "Dad doesn''t need to worry about it here," he said. "I will ask a 24-hour nurse toe over."


    Liu Yong went to the nurse''s station to make his request and promised to pay double his sry. The only condition was that the nurse should take good care of his father. The nurse agreed happily.


    Seeing that a nurse had been arranged, Zhou Xiuying agreed to have lunch with everyone.


    ...............¡­.

 Chapter 120 Finally Got It With The Wealth Power!

    ?As a group of four people exited the hospital and approached the entrance to their car, they failed to notice that Xiao Jian, the director of the Department of Gastroenterology, had just stepped out of the building.


    However, Xiao Jian couldn''t help but see the luxurious Cullinan parked outside and was surprised that such a high-end vehicle was parked in front of the hospital.


    He then recognized Liu Yong and hispanions about to enter the car.


    "Isn''t this the family member of the 16th bed?" he mused to himself. "They came to me just now and asked to change from the ordinary ward to the VIP ward."


    Xiao Jian was taken aback and wondered how Xiao Zhang, who he thought was from the countryside, could pull off such a grand gesture.


    This made him realize that he almost offended someone of significant influence. He knew it was not easy to own a Cullinan, and his curiosity was piqued.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong was unaware of Xiao Jian''s presence. After everyone had boarded the car, he started the engine and left the hospital slowly.


    "Lele, the best hotel in the county is Wujiang Hotel. Let''s go there for dinner," he suggested.


    Li Changle agreed, saying, "Yes, it is indeed Wujiang Hotel, the only four-star hotel in our county."


    However, Zhou Xiuying disagreed and quickly shook her head, saying, "Don''t go to such a fancy ce, let''s just find a small restaurant to eat."


    Liu Lan interjected proudly, "Mom, don''t worry about money. My brother is a rich man now, and his wealth is beyond your imagination."


    Liu Yong did not reveal the amount of money he had, fearing it would shock his mom and dad.


    Therefore, Zhou Xiuying and Liu Hongfu always thought that Liu Yong was a "lottery winner" with only about twenty million yuan.


    They were unaware he had bought a house and a car in Huahai City.


    After hearing Liu Lan''s remark, Zhou Xiuying looked at Liu Yong in disbelief but chose to remain silent.


    Liu Yong drove to Wujiang Hotel and booked two rooms, confident that he would stay in the county seat for the night.


    He gave a room key card to his mother, Liu Lan, saying,


    "Mom, you don''t have to stay upte tonight to apany my dad, take a good rest, and go to the hospital tomorrow morning."


    After lunch at Wujiang Hotel, they returned to the hospital, where they met with Xiao Jian from the Department of Gastroenterology.


    Upon entering the ward, Xiao Jian was all smiles and became highly enthusiastic.


    "Mr. Liu, I misunderstood. It''s all because the people below have gone wrong. They told me that the VIP ward is full. How can I know where there are two more vacancies," he said.


    Liu Yong was at a loss at first. "So, what happened?" he asked.


    "When I went to find him just now, I was indifferent to him, but now not only did he take the initiative, but he was also extremely enthusiastic. Could it be that you know my identity and want to curry favor," Liu Yong spected.


    "If this is the case, this Director Xiao is not just an ordinary sycophant," he added.


    "Director Xiao, isn''t there no single ward?" Liu Yong asked.


    Xiao Jian was a little embarrassed at first, but when he saw Liu Yong''s Cullinan car, he quickly changed his attitude and promised to rectify his mistake.


    "It''s all my fault, for such a big oolong," he said.


    "There is really a single ward. It won''t be another oolong, let us be happy for nothing," joked Liu Yong.


    "No, no, absolutely not," said Xiao Jian quickly.


    Liu Yong noticed Xiao Jian''s surprisingly submissive attitude, almost like one of his subordinates. He then suggested,


    "Since there is a single ward, you can now make a shift."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Li Changle, who was present, covered her mouth and smiled lightly.


    "I''m here to help the patients, and I''m more professional than you," Xiao Jian said tteringly.


    Thus, they could secure a single ward, thanks to Director Xiao''s efforts.


    Xiao Jian personally escorted Liu Hongfu out of the ordinary ward and slowly approached the door of one of the VIP wards.


    "Mr. Liu, what do you think of this room?" he asked.


    As expected, the VIP ward was much more luxurious than the ordinary wards.


    It was spacious and well-lit and had amenities like a TV, washing machine, microwave oven, water dispenser, and more.


    The room had a hospital bed, an apanying bed, a reception sofa, a coffee table, a desk, and a wardrobe. The environment was almost as good as a hotel room.


    Liu Yong examined the room and nodded in approval.


    "Okay, let''s just take this one," he said. Xiao Jian breathed a sigh of relief and almost patted his chest.


    "I will arrange the best doctor and the best nurse," he assured Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong added, "Use the best medicine, don''t save me money."


    "Definitely, definitely," Xiao Jian replied hastily.


    He thought that Liu Yong was not ordinary and must be very rich. He would have to be careful in serving him.


    After settling into the VIP ward and lying on the hospital bed, Liu Hongfu expressed satisfaction.


    "This is much better than the ordinary ward, but it is a bit more expensive," he remarked.


    Liu Yong smiled and said, "Dad, you don''t have to worry about money. The most important thing is to get well soon."


    Liu Lan added, "That is, now that my brother is rich, you two should enjoy the blessings, so you don''t have to worry about money."


    With his children by his side, Liu Hongfu felt at ease and began to rest. After seeing his father fall asleep, Liu Yong turned to his mother and said,


    "Mom, I''ll go to Lele''s house. Should I stay here or go to the hotel to rest?" He had hired a 24-hour nurse, so he didn''t need to worry too much.


    Zhou Xiuying warned him, "It''s your first time going to Lele''s home, so be careful and behave properly. Respect the elders."


    Liu Yong assured her, "Mom, I know. I''m not a child. You can rest assured."


    Li Changle said, "Auntie, it''s hard for you to care for uncle here. I''ll get back here soon."


    Liu Yong took Li Changle''s hand and left the VIP ward together.


    They got into the car at the hospital gate and drove to Li Changle''s father''s house.


    Liu Yong was a little nervous as it was his first time meeting his future father-inw and mother-inw.


    However, he tried to remain calm and pretended to be rxed. Li Changle, who knew him well,ughed at his attempt to hide his nervousness.


    Ten minutester, Liu Yong arrived at Li Changle''s living quarters. The buildings were all stair houses with five or six floors, and some parking spaces were avable.


    Liu Yong parked his car under the building where Li Changle''s home was located.


    ............¡­

 Chapter 121 The Dio Left In Disbelief

    ?The houses in this area were all five or six-story buildings, each consisting of staircase rooms. Li Changle''s family lived on the third floor.


    Liu Yong, carrying the items he had bought, couldn''t help feeling uneasy about how Li Changle''s parents would receive him.


    As he approached the third floor, he noticed the door to Li Changle''s house was slightly ajar. From inside, he heard the voice of an angry middle-aged man who seemed to be in a heated argument.


    "Second brother, what are you trying to do? My daughter is pretty and has a respectable job, yet you introduced her to a cripple," the man said.


    "Brother, please let me exin. He''s not really a cripple, he just walks with a slight limp. Besides, he''s the son of the deputy county magistrate. If Lele marries him, she''s bound to be popr in the future. We''ll all benefit," the second brother argued.


    "There''s no way I''m negotiating on this matter," the man replied firmly.


    "Brother, please listen to me," the second brother pleaded.


    However, another angry voice abruptly cut off his words, "Second brother, don''t think I don''t know what you''re up to. Neither Jianguo nor Jianjun has suitable jobs, and you''re hoping to climb thedder by asking the deputy county magistrate to arrange work for them."


    Liu Yong stood still, unsure of what to do next. It seemed that he had walked into the middle of a family dispute.


    As Liu Yong approached the house, he could hear a heated argument inside. He nced at Li Changle, who exined,


    "That''s my second uncle, who came to introduce me to someone, but my father disagrees."


    Liu Yong nodded in understanding, "I see. It sounds like a delicate situation."


    Li Changle agreed, "Yes, it''s been a difficult conversation. But we should go in and face it together."


    As they approached the door, Liu Yong took a deep breath and exchanged a look with Li Changle.


    She nodded and pushed open the concealed door, announcing their arrival, "Dad, Mom, I''m back."


    Inside the living room, Liu Yong saw a man and woman seated next to an older man while a woman in her fifties quietly sobbed and wiped her tears.


    When they noticed Li Changle and Liu Yong enter, all eyes turned to them.


    The middle-aged woman who was sobbing saw Li Changlee back, immediately wiped away her tears, and said in surprise, "Lele, why are you back?"


    Li Changle replied, "Mom, today is the weekend, so I came back."


    Liu Yong found that everyone seemed to be looking at him, like Li Changle''s parents, her second uncle and second aunt.


    Feeling nervous, he offered polite greetings, "Uncle, Auntie, hello."


    Li Changle''s father, who had been arguing with her uncle, noticed Liu Yong and nodded curtly, "Hello."


    Li Changle quickly introduced her boyfriend, "Dad, Mom, this is my boyfriend, Liu Yong."


    Liu Yong smiled and bowed slightly, "It''s a pleasure to meet you."


    Li Changle''s mother, Meng Chunli, who had been crying just moments ago, perked up at the sight of her daughter and warmly weed her back, "Lele, it''s so good to see you. And who is this handsome young man with you?"


    Li Changle blushed slightly and replied, "Mom, this is Liu Yong. We''ve been dating for a while now."


    Meng Chunli smiled brightly, "Oh, I see! Come, Liu Yong,e and sit here."


    After arranging for Liu Yong to sit down, she took the initiative to pour tea.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but notice the sudden shift in the atmosphere. It seemed that Li Changle''s parents had been in the middle of a heated argument before their arrival, but their focus had now shifted to the presence of their daughter''s boyfriend.


    Despite the tension in the air, Liu Yong remained calm and collected, determined to make a good impression on Li Changle''s family.


    A couple of the second child had constantly been reminding Li Changle''s parents that their daughter did not have a boyfriend yet, and offered to introduce her to someone they knew, who happened to be the son of the deputy county magistrate.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Although Li Changle''s parents had never met this young man, they knew his family background and disability.


    Recently, the couple brought up the topic again, but Li Changle''s father, Li Zhengkai, sternly reprimanded them and refused their offer. However, things changed for the better, as Li Changle unexpectedly brought her boyfriend back.


    Li Zhengkai looked closely at the young man, Liu Yong, and asked him severely, "Are you really Lele''s boyfriend?"


    Liu Yong respectfully replied, "Yes, uncle. Lele and I are truly a couple. I have genuine feelings for her."


    Meng Chunli yfully pped Li Zhengkai on the arm and said,


    "Old man, you''re getting confused. Could it be that it''s all a sham?"


    However, Li Zhengkai confirmed that Liu Yong''s statement was true. Throughout this exchange, the second uncle and his wife scrutinized Liu Yong, clearly unimpressed with Li Changle''s sudden showing of Liu Yong as her boyfriend.


    The second aunt couldn''t help but ask Liu Yong, "Young man, you also live in Huahai City?"


    Liu Yong replied, "Yes, both Lele and I reside in Huahai City."


    The second aunt asked, "Where do you work in Huahai City, and how much do you earn monthly?"


    Liu Yong responded, "I don''t really consider it work. I have my ownpany, and I just go there asionally to check on things. It''s not a serious job."


    This statement seemed to change the second aunt''s opinion of Liu Yong, and she regarded him with a look of contempt.


    The second uncle shared the same sentiment and held a low view of Liu Yong.


    Meng Chunli was irked by her future inws'' attitude towards Liu Yong. She believed that the questions asked by her aunt were intrusive and inappropriate.


    She then turned to Liu Yong and said, "Xiao Liu, it''s alright if you don''t have a job for the time being. You can find er. In a big city like Huahai, finding a job should be easy."


    Meng Chunli was quite content with her daughter''s choice of partner. Liu Yong had a cheerful and attractive demeanor and appeared easygoing, which she thought would be an excellent match for her daughter.


    Li Changle suddenly and quietly pinched Liu Yong''s arm, which means,


    "Whoever asked you to pretend to be aggressive, tell the truth."


    Liu Yong gave an innocent look, which seemed to say, "Lele, I was wronged. I really didn''t go to work, and I went to my job every now and then to sit and sit, is that called going to work seriously? Almost."


    After the second aunt asked, before Li Changle''s parents asked about Liu Yong''s situation, the second uncle couldn''t help but speak.


    "Young man, where is your family, how many people are there, and what do your parents do?"


    "My family is from Dongmen Vige in this county. There are four people in my family. My father, my mother, and a younger sister who is a sophomore. My parents have been working in the countryside. My father used to be on the construction site asionally. Get to work," Liu Yong replied.


    The second uncle shook his head. Initially, guessing that Liu Yong''s family conditions were poor, but now it seemed they were wed and exceptionally so.


    He knew that Dongmen Vige was more than 20 kilometers away from Xiancheng and was a rtively poor ce in the county. The fact that Lele was dating someone from such a poor background left him bewildered.


    "I heard that houses in Huahai City are very expensive. With the conditions in your family, how can you buy a house? Do you want Lele to live with you in a rented house, or go back to your Dongmen Vige to live?" the second uncle asked Liu Yong.


    Meng Chunli winked at this second uncle more than once, feeling very dissatisfied in her heart.


    "How can you say that? You''re still an elder, and you should save some face for the younger generation," she thought.


    Liu Yong remained calm and replied, "I have already bought a small vi in Huahai, with three floors, a total of 300 to 400 square meters, which is enough for the time being. When Lele and I get married, I am going to buy another bigger and better vi."


    "What! You have already bought a vi in Huahai City? It''s impossible, you must be bragging and lying," eximed the second uncle and the second aunt, who did not believe him.


    ................

 Chapter 122 A Gift

    ?Li Zhengkai was taken aback and looked at Liu Yong with a severe expression, questioning the truth behind his statement, "Xiao Liu, are you telling me the truth, or did you deliberately lie to your second uncle and second aunt?"


    Liu Yong replied without hesitation, "Uncle, I am telling you the truth, without any exaggeration."


    Li Changle realized that the situation had to be addressed directly. So, she said, "Mom, Dad, Liu Yong owns an ocean transportationpany in Huahai City, worth at least 600-700 million yuan. Buying a house is not a problem for him."


    The living room was suddenly silent, and the second uncle and aunt were in disbelief.


    After the initial shock wore off, Li Zhengkai and Meng Chunli were overjoyed. While they never judged Liu Yong by his financial status, the fact that he had wealth was a pleasant surprise.


    Meng Chunli then offered Liu Yong an apple, but he declined, stating that he would instead prepare it himself. He then presented his gifts, including two bottles of Moutai and a pack of Chinese cigarettes for the uncle, a pair of leather shoes and a belt for the aunt, a set of cosmetics suitable for middle-aged and older people, and a Hermes bag.


    Although Li Zhengkai didn''t know the brands of the shoes and belts, he recognized the quality of the alcohol and cigarettes. He became happy and appreciative of Liu Yong''s generosity.


    Meng Chunli received her gifts with great delight, and although she found the cosmetics more suitable for someone older, she was still pleased with the gesture.


    Li Changle thenplimented her mother''s beauty, saying that she still looked young, to which Meng Chunli replied with a smile, "You''re the only one who says that."


    After realizing the worth of Liu Yong, Meng Chunli''s second uncle and second aunt were finally recovering from their extreme shock.


    They were ashamed of what they had just said but could not apologize to their junior. Li Changle saw their difort and said generously,


    "Second Uncle, Second Aunt, the past is over, we won''t take it to heart. Second Uncle likes to drink, we still have some in the car. Wait, I''ll get two bottles for you."


    Upon hearing this, Meng Chunli''s second aunt and second uncle felt slightly relieved. The second aunt looked at Meng Chunli enviously, thought she had given birth to such a beautiful daughter, and found this wealthy son-inw.


    Suddenly, the second aunt recognized the Herm¨¨s bag Liu Yong was carrying. She had seen it in a luxury store in Huahai City a few months ago and was taken aback by its price of 580,000 yuan.


    She couldn''t help but take a second look at the bag and was full of awe towards Liu Yong.


    Realizing the awkwardness of their behavior, the second aunt and second uncle felt embarrassed and lowered their heads, not daring to speak.


    Meng Chunli was happy that her daughter''s life was going so well and that she found such a good son-inw.


    "Oh, by the way, my daughter had a blind date two or three months ago. The man is also called Liu Yong, the Xiao Liu before me. This girl, she has been in love with Xiao Liu, and has been hiding it from us, said she didn''t have a boyfriend."


    Both Liu Yong and Meng Chunli were surprised to hear this.


    Liu Yong smiled and said, "Auntie, I''m sorry, I didn''t tell you earlier."


    Meng Chunliughed, saying, "It''s alright, as long as you treat my daughter well."


    Li Zhengkai joined the conversation, "Xiao Liu, the wine you bought is so good. Let''s open a bottle tonight and have a good drink."


    Liu Yong was happy to hear this, "Yes, no problem."


    "Second brother, you also stay to have dinner together, we haven''t sat down to eat together for a long time," Li Zhengkai said, extending an invitation to his second brother.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The second uncle quickly agreed, "Sure, it''s been a while."


    Meng Chunli headed out to buy groceries, leaving Li Zhengkai and his guests to engage in small talk.


    Liu Yong and Li Changle felt a bit reserved around the older couple, so they retired to Li Changle''s boudoir to chat.


    Liu Yong scanned the room with his eyes, admiring the pink decor and neatness.


    Li Changle blushed at the attention, "I haven''t lived here for a long time, it''s a little messy, don''t mind."


    "It''s not messy at all, it''s neat and tidy, and many things are pink, full of the atmosphere of a girl''s boudoir," Liu Yong reassured her.


    As he familiarized himself with his girlfriend''s surroundings, Li Changle reminisced about her college and middle school days, sharing some interesting anecdotes with Liu Yong.


    Later that evening, Meng Chunli prepared a grand feast for dinner, and everyone sat around the table, enjoying the delicious meal.


    Li Zhengkai popped open a bottle of wine and shared it with Liu Yong and the second uncle.


    After just two sses, Li Zhengkai began to feel a bit drunk, and Li Changle quickly intervened,


    "Dad, you should stop drinking now."


    After dinner, Liu Yong noticed that it was gettingte, and his driver had arrived, so he prepared to leave. Li Changle insisted on apanying him downstairs, "I''ll go with you."


    Her parents, uncle, and aunt followed suit, making Liu Yong proud and happy.


    He nced at the impressive Cullinan parked outside and bid farewell, "Uncle, Auntie, go back."


    Li Changle urged him to text her upon arriving at his hotel, "Brother Yong, give me information when you arrive at the hotel."


    Liu Yong nodded, "Okay, I will."


    As he climbed into the front passenger seat, the hired driver was taken aback when he realized he would be driving a Cullinan that day,


    "My God, such a good car appeared in our small county."


    Meanwhile, the second uncle and aunt were in disbelief, recognizing the expensive car and realizing their eldest family member had utterly transformed.


    They thought to themselves in unison that Lele had not been lying after all,


    "the eldest family has turned aroundpletely since then; her boyfriend really has a worth of billions."


    ........................

 Chapter 123 The Business Requirements

    ?The following day, Liu Yong arrived at the hospital early to visit his father, Liu Hongfu, who was lying on the hospital bed.


    Upon entering the room, Liu Yong could see that his father''splexion had improved significantly since thest time he had visited.


    He was no longer as pale as before, had more energy, and seemed less weak.


    Feeling relieved to see his father''s progress, Liu Yong spent time with him.


    He noticed that his mother and younger sister were also in the room and suggested they transfer his father to another hospital in Huahai City, where the medical facilities were better.


    Liu Hongfu seemed hesitant about the idea, but Liu Lan, his daughter, agreed with her brother and persuaded her father to go to Huahai City.


    After hearing his children''s suggestions, Liu Hongfu eventually nodded in agreement.


    Yong was surprised at how quickly his father consented to the transfer and felt happy that his parents would stay in his vi after they were discharged from the hospital.


    Liu Yong nned to leave the following day and let his father rest for another day before transferring him to Huahai City. He believed the situation would improve by then and be more suitable for the transfer.


    "Knock .... Knock .......... "


    Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Liu Yong assumed it was a doctor or a nurse.


    However, to his surprise, Jianping, the head of Dongmen Vige, entered the room. Liu Yong weed him warmly, calling him "Uncle Jianping," and invited him to sit on the sofa. He even poured hot tea for his unexpected guest.


    The unexpected arrival of Liu Jianping left Liu Yong curious and wondering what could have brought him to the hospital. Nheless, he was d to see him and hoped it was good news he had to share.


    Liu Yong held Liu Jianping in high regard and was grateful to him. He remembered how, two nights ago, Liu Jianping had arranged for a car to rush his father to the hospital when he had a stomach bleed. It was an act of kindness that had left a deep impression on him.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but express his gratitude and amazement at how much Liu Jianping had brought with him. He had purchased various things, such as fruits, protein powder, and milk, among other nutritional products.


    Liu Jianping smiled in response and said, "I couldn''te empty-handed. I just picked up a few things on the way here."


    After some initial small talk, Liu Jianping walked over to Liu Hongfu''s hospital bed and inquired about his condition with genuine concern. Seeing that Liu Hongfu''s health had improved considerably, he was visibly relieved.


    After visiting Liu Hongfu, Liu Jianping sat down with Liu Yong and began discussing the road construction project in their vige.


    Liu Jianping was in high spirits as he happily informed Liu Yong about their vige''s newly repaired cement road.


    The spacious and well-constructed road now reached every household, and he invited Liu Yong to take a look for himself.


    Expressing his gratitude once again, Liu Jianping discussed the state of their vige and inquired about Liu Yong''s situation in Huahai City.


    Upon learning that Liu Yong was running arge-scale ocean shippingpany, Liu Jianping was impressed.


    He shared his concerns about theck of opportunities and resources in their vige, stating that theirmunity''s primary source of ie was throughbor work outside of the vige.


    However, due to the declining wages and arduous nature of these jobs, many people were returning to the countryside, resulting in a growing number of unemployedborers in their vige.


    Liu Jianping expressed his worries and suggested that Liu Yong''spany could provide some much-needed employment opportunities for their vige.


    "Yourpany is not small, and it would be great if you could recruit some people from our vige," he said.


    Liu Yong informed him that hispany was indeed hiring and had been actively recruiting excellent managers and even a deputy general manager through a headhunting agency.


    Additionally, thepany continuously recruited ocean-going crew members as Universal was expanding rapidly and acquiring more giant ships.


    Liu Yong had even considered recruiting and training a group of individuals from his hometown to be crew members on their ships.


    With Liu Jianping now bringing up the topic, Liu Yong agreed to the idea after some thought.


    "Uncle Jianping, I n to recruit a group of people from my hometown. The main purpose is to train them to be crew members and work on our ships," he said.


    Liu Jianping was thrilled to hear this and eximed,


    "Wow, the crew!"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    As the vige head, he knew that being a crew member came with a high ie and better opportunities than working in factories. With Liu Yong''s help, they could provide their vige with a promising career path and a brighter future.


    "Liu Yong, what is the monthly sry of the crew?" Uncle Jianping asked.


    "After being recruited as our crew, there will be a half-year internship period, with a monthly sry of about 15,000 yuan. If you pass the half-year internship period and be a full-time crew member, your sry will be about 20,000 to 30,000 yuan. Various benefits and rewards, with an annual ie of not less than 300,000," Liu Yong replied.


    "What! So tall!" eximed Uncle Jianping.


    "20,000 to 30,000 yuan per month, plus various benefits and rewards, the annual ie is not less than 300,000 yuan!" The amount took me aback, Uncle Jianping.


    Although he knew that ocean-going crew members earned well, he didn''t expect the sry to be so high.


    Seeing Uncle Jianping''s surprise, Liu Yong exined,


    "Ourpany''s treatment is better, and the sry is higher than other oceanpanies."


    Even so, Uncle Jianping took a long time to recover from the shock of such a high-ie level. He then asked about the recruitment requirements for the crew.


    "Mr. Liu, what requirements does yourpany have for recruiting crew?" Uncle Jianping asked.


    Liu Yong replied, "First of all, you need to be in good health. When recruiting, you need to have a physical examination at the County People''s Hospital. In addition, there are cultural requirements. At least you must graduate from an ordinary high school or a vocational high school. You must be male, and your age must not exceed 40 years old."


    Uncle Jianping was thrilled that many people in the vige met the requirements. He thanked Liu Yong and returned to Dongmen Vige to share the good news with everyone.


    He went straight to the broadcasting room and announced the exciting news through the tweeter and microphone, spreading the word to the entire vige.


    "Good health, high school culture!" Uncle Jianping eximed.


    "Attention, attention, all vigers!" came a booming voice over the vige loudspeaker.


    Excitement rippled through Dongmen Vige as the vigers rushed to hear the announcement.


    "Now, I have some great news for everyone," continued Jianping


    "Liu Yong from our vige is looking to recruit a group of ocean-going sailors for the whole vige. The sry is impressive, with a monthly ie of 15,000 yuan during the first half-year internship period. After bing a regr crew member, the monthly sry ranges between 20,000 to 30,000 yuan, in addition to various benefits and rewards. This means that the annual ie should not be less than 300,000 yuan!"


    The announcement was yed repeatedly three times, sending shockwaves through the vige.


    The ie offered by this opportunity was beyond the imagination of the hardworking vigers, who were used to earning only four to five thousand yuan a month through their regr jobs.


    "Did you hear that right?" questioned a viger in disbelief.


    "But what exactly is an ocean-going crew?" asked a third viger.


    "They are transported with ocean-going freighters and can go to all parts of the world," exined someone else. "Being an ocean-going crew member has always been my dream. I must register with the vige chief."


    "I, too, want to be an ocean-going crew member!" another viger said.


    The news spread like wildfire, and soon the entire vige was excitedly buzzing.


    Many vigers contacted rtives who worked outside the town and informed them of this fantastic opportunity.


    They urged them to return to the city and apply for the job, dering that it would be much better to be a crew member than to work their current positions.


    The opportunity was too good to pass up, and the vigers knew it. The prospect of earning a high sry and traveling the world as ocean-going sailors was a dream for many, and they were determined to make it a reality.


    As they crowded around the vige center, the air was electric with enthusiasm and anticipation. The announcement had ignited a spark of hope and opportunity in their hearts, and they were eager to seize it with both hands.


    For many vigers, this was the chance they had been waiting for, a way to break free from the monotony of their daily lives and pursue their dreams.


    ......................

 Chapter 124 The Identical Appearance!

    ?Around two o''clock in the afternoon, Liu Yong drove back to Dongmen Vige.


    He had decided to transfer his father to a hospital in Huahai City and nned to send his mother back home, change his clothes, and tidy up things at home before heading to Huahai City.


    It was possible that he would be living there for the next two or three months.


    Meanwhile, Liu Lan stayed in the hospital ward with Liu Hongfu.


    As Liu Yong drove out of the county seat in his Cullinan, the luxurious car attracted the attention of many people along the way.


    "Look, luxury cars!" said some passersby.


    "I didn''t think we could see a Cullinan in our small county," said others.


    But Liu Yong ignored the envious gazes and focused on driving. After about 20 minutes, he arrived at the familiar Dongmen Vige.


    The road leading to the vige was worn thest time he visited, but it was different now. A spacious, t cement road appeared before him, wide enough for two cars to pass each other.


    As he approached the vige entrance, Liu saw some vigers chatting under an enormous camphor tree that two or three people could embrace. They noticed his caring.


    "Look, what kind of car is that? It looks very advanced," said one viger.


    "Let me take a look. It''s a Cullinan, at least six or seven million," said another.


    "My God, such an expensive car has actually arrived in our Dongmen Vige," said a third.


    As Liu Yong''s car approached, many vigers stood up and stretched their necks, eager to see who was inside.


    When the car stopped in front of them, Liu Yong lowered the window and poked out half of his head, greeting the vigers enthusiastically.


    "Fourth Uncle, Aunt Zhang, you are all here," he said.


    To their surprise, it was Liu Yong!


    "Everyone,e to my house and sit for a while," Liu Yong said, getting out of the car and offering a cigarette as a sign of respect.


    Everyone was thrilled and envious to see him driving such a luxurious car.


    "Liu Yong, you are so promising," said one viger.


    Waving goodbye to everyone, Liu Yong returned to the car and drove to his door.


    As Liu Yong parked his car in the middle of the spacious, newly-leveled cement floor, he couldn''t help but admire the improvements made to his childhood home.


    The once bumpy and uneven dirt patch in front of the house had been transformed into a clean cement pad.


    "Mom, the concrete floor here looks much better," he eximed with satisfaction as he stepped out of the car.


    Zhou Xiuying, Liu Yong''s mother, exined that his Uncle Jianping had ordered the renovations, specifically requesting that their door be made beautiful to show appreciation for Liu Yong''s generous contribution towards road construction in the vige.


    Pleased with the result, Liu Yong nodded in agreement and took a moment to survey his old family home. "Our house is a bit old, it needs to be demolished and rebuilt and built ording to vi standards," he suggested.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Zhou Xiuying didn''t object to her son''s idea and promised to discuss it with her husband once he felt better. Knowing that her son was financially secure and no longer had to worry about money, she let him take charge of the family''s ns.


    Word of Liu Yong''s return to Dongmen Vige quickly spread, and soon, everyone in the vige soon talked about his sess.


    They were especially impressed by his luxurious car, a Cullinan, which many had only heard of but had never seen in person.


    Crowds gathered around the vehicle, marveling at its sleek design and an estimated price tag of six or seven million yuan.


    Even Liu Jianping, Liu Yong''s uncle, couldn''t resist admiring the car and chatting with his nephew about his recent endeavors.


    He even passed around a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes for everyone to share. As the group of vigers surrounded Liu Yong, they bombarded him with questions about hispany''s crew member recruitment process.


    "After you be a full-time member, you will earn 20,000 to 30,000 crew members per month," one person eximed in awe.


    Another asked, "When will the recruitment end? Will my mane back in time?"


    Meanwhile, others were curious about the nature of the job, asking, "Liu Yong, if you are a crew member, how long can you work? Is it a permanent job?"


    Liu Yong was surrounded by a crowd of people, all eagerly bombarding him with questions.


    He smiled helplessly, unsure of how to respond to everyone at once. Liu Jianping, the vige head, noticed his predicament and quickly stepped in.


    "Everyone, please calm down," he bellowed, his authoritative voice piercing through the noise.


    The crowd gradually quieted down, all eyes fixed on Liu Yong.


    Liu Jianping spoke up again: "How will Mr. Liu be able to answer your questions if you''re all speaking at once?"


    With the crowd nowposed, Liu Yong raised his voice to address them:


    "I know that many of you have questions, and I cannot answer each one individually. However, I can say that the news is true. Ourpany is indeed nning to hire a group of ocean-going crew members, and the sry package is as impressive as advertised. Once you be a crew member, you can earn between 20,000 to 30,000 yuan per month."


    While emphasizing the high sry, Liu Yong cautioned the crowd that being a crew member was challenging and dull.


    "You may have to spend 20-30 days at sea, with no time off. It can be a monotonous and tiresome job," he warned.


    Despite Liu Yong''s warning, the crowd remained enthusiastic, especially the young people eager for a new opportunity.


    Some older folks were more cautious, but after hearing Liu Yong''s exnation, they called their loved ones working outside, urging them to return home.


    Liu Jianping was on hand to answer any further queries from the curious crowd. Meanwhile, Liu Yong and Zhou Xiuying went into the house to pack for their move to Huahai City, where Liu Yong would be working for at least two to three months.


    Zhou Xiuying packed everything from summer to winter clothes as they sorted their belongings.


    Liu Yong persuaded her to leave some items behind, as they could easily purchase new clothes in the city.


    As they packed, a van pulled up outside their home. A young man, simr in appearance to Liu Yong, emerged from the vehicle.


    .............................

 Chapter 125 The Villa

    ?As soon as the young man stepped out of the car, he was taken aback by the lively scene before him.


    "Wow, there are so many people here! It''s like a festival or something," he muttered to himself.


    Liu Yong must have really made it big if he could attract such a crowd.


    He looked at the impressive Cullinan parked nearby and confirmed that the rumors about Liu Yong''s sess were indeed true.


    A familiar voice called out to him as he approached the bustling crowd.


    "Xiao Zhou,e and find Liu Yong!"


    It was an enthusiastic old friend from junior high school, Zhou Jingkang.


    "Hey, I heard our old ssmate was back, so I came to check it out," Zhou Jingkang exined.


    Zhou Jingkang and Liu Yong used to be good friends in junior high, but they had lost touch over the years.


    It had been at least a year or two since theyst saw each other. When Liu Yong saw Zhou Jingkang entering his home, he was initially surprised, but his face lit up with joy.


    "Zhou Jingkang! It''s been so long since west saw each other. What brings you here?"


    "I heard you were back, so I came to say hi," Zhou Jingkang smiled.


    The two old friends happily caught up on each other''s lives. Liu Yong even offered Zhou Jingkang a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, which he readily epted.


    As Zhou Jingkang lit up, he couldn''t help but notice the luxurious Cullinan parked outside.


    "Hey, is that your car, Brother Yong?"


    Liu Yong shrugged modestly.


    "It''s just a car. So, what have you been up to all these years, Zhou Jingkang?"


    Zhou Jingkang revealed that he had been working on building houses for people in the countryside. Liu Yong''s ears perked up at this news.


    He had been thinking about demolishing his old home and building a vi, and Zhou Jingkang''s expertise would be helpful for this project.


    "Zhou Jingkang, I''m considering building a vi on thisnd. Would you be interested in taking on the project?"


    Zhou Jingkang grinned.


    "Of course! I don''t usually build vis for others, but for you, Brother Yong, I''ll make an exception. You can trust me to build you the best vi you''ve ever seen."


    The conversation between Liu Yong and Zhou Jingkang continued as they discussed the former''s requirements for the vi.


    "I want a vi that follows the traditional Chinese architectural style, with front and rear courtyards, rockery, pavilions, pools, and gardens," Liu Yong said.


    Zhou Jingkang carefully wrote down all the details that Liu Yong mentioned, ensuring every detail was noticed. "Okay, got it. What about the size and area of the vi?" Zhou Jingkang asked.


    Liu Yong paused momentarily, "I think the main body of the vi should have three floors, and each floor should be more than 200 square meters. The bedroom and living room should be asrge as possible, including the kitchen."


    Zhou Jingkang listened carefully to some of Liu Yong''s requests, pondered for a moment, and reminded,


    "Brother Yong, there is no problem with the main body of the vi being more than 200 square meters on each floor. There may be a problem with the front and rear courtyards, as the area is not enough."


    Liu Yong looked disappointed. "Is that so?"


    Zhou Jingkang nodded, "Yes, we might need toe up with some creative solutions."


    Liu Yong looked around the property, trying to think of a solution.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Looking at my old house, there is enough space on the left and right. Behind the house is a vegetable field of my own, which can be used, and the area is enough, but the front of the house is not enough," he said.


    Zhou Jingkang nodded, "I see what you mean. Let''s brainstorm some ideas and see what we cane up with."


    The area designated for the construction of the vi was limited due to the existence of a cement floor.


    Liu Yong expressed that he desired to create a garden-style front courtyard,plete with pavilions and an area for parking. To achieve this vision, the courtyard gate needed to be as spacious as possible, requiring substantial space.


    Standing before my house, I observed a family residing on the adjacent property. The head of the household was Liu Wei, who appeared to be in his forties and had two sons.


    Liu Wei and his wife started a small business in the county seat to apany their son, who was studying in high school.


    As a result, they rented a small house, which was quite cramped, and today, Sunday, the couple had just returned.


    Liu Wei''s greatest aspiration was to purchase a house in the county, even if it was just a two-bedroom house. It was enough to satisfy his needs.


    On the other hand, Liu Yong, who wished to build a vi, was constrained by the limited space on his property. At this moment, Liu Jianping became intrigued and said,


    "Liu Wei,e here."


    Liu Wei, who was smoking a cigarette and engaged in a lively conversation with everyone, quickly approached where Liu Jianping was standing.


    Liu Jianping suggested, "Mr. Liu since you don''t have sufficient space to construct a vi, I have an excellent idea. You could purchase Liu Wei''s property, including his homestead, given that the couple mainly resides in the county."


    Liu Yong''s eyes gleamed with excitement upon hearing this suggestion.


    If he purchased Liu Wei''s homestead, he would have enough space to construct his desired vi, extending it to the main road directly in front of Liu Wei''s house.


    Liu Yong eximed, "Uncle Jianping, your idea is brilliant!"


    Liu Jianping took charge of the transaction and said,


    "I''ll be the middleman. Liu Wei, how much are you asking for your property, and are you willing to sell it to Liu Yong?"


    Liu Wei had repeatedly expressed that he was eager to sell his old house, primarily to gather enough funds to purchase a home in the county. Owning a ce in the countryside was considered a significant achievement and prestige.


    However, Liu Wei''s attempts to sell his old house had been in vain, as potential buyers had yet to show interest in purchasing it.


    Being an old house, it had a low market value, making it unappealing to most people.


    But everything changed when Liu Yong unexpectedly expressed interest in buying Liu Wei''s old house.


    Liu Wei was thrilled and immediately quoted a high price of 500,000 yuan.


    On the other hand, Liu Jianping felt that a more reasonable price would be around 200,000 to 300,000 yuan, mainly because of the value of thend.


    Before Liu Jianping could express his opinion, Liu Yong swiftly agreed to the proposed price. This came as a surprise to Liu Jianping as he believed that the house was not worth such a high price.


    To Liu Yong, 500,000 yuan was merely a trivial amount, akin to buying cabbage in a vegetable market.


    He was not interested in the old house itself but was more intrigued by the value of thend it was built on.


    For Liu Yong, spending half a million yuan was a mere drop in the bucket, and he eagerly closed the deal without hesitation.


    So Liu Yong said: "It is just like a piece of cake and there is nothing worry much!"


    ..................

 Chapter 126 The Magistrate

    ?"Wait, what? You agreed with just one bite?!"


    Liu Jianping eximed in disbelief.


    Liu Wei nodded, a bit taken aback by his own impulsiveness. "I know, I know. I should have negotiated for a higher price. Maybe 600,000 or even 700,000 would have been more reasonable."


    As the intermediary, Liu Jianping saw that both parties had agreed on the price, so he said nothing more.


    "Alright then, let''s finalize the deal. Liu Wei, you''ll be selling your house, homestead, and even the vegetable field in front of your house to Liu Yong."


    "The vegetable field isn''t that big anyway," Liu Wei reasoned.


    "No problem. Let''s go pile some wood to confirm the area."


    The group of people headed to Liu Wei''s house and, with everyone as witnesses, marked out the area with several wooden stakes.


    Zhou Jingkang even took out a tape measure to ensure sufficient space.


    "This should be good," he said, satisfied.


    Liu Yong, feeling relieved, pulled out his checkbook and wrote a check for 500,000 yuan.


    "From now on, thisnd is mine," he dered.


    Liu Wei took the check and scrutinized it, feeling a bit overwhelmed.


    "Can I really exchange this for cash at the bank?" he asked uncertainly.


    Liu Yong nodded confidently. "Of course. You can even go to the bank right now to exchange it."


    Some bystanders chuckled at Liu Wei''s naivety, while others envied his luck getting such a good deal.


    A house like his could easily fetch over 500,000 yuan in a county with rtively cheap housing prices.


    Liu Wei couldn''t contain his excitement and happiness. His dream of owning a house in the county was finallying true.


    He left the check in hand, determined to immediately cash it at the bank.


    Zhou Jingkang took thend measurements and drew a sketch based on the dimensions.


    As he marked the length and width of thend on the illustration, he turned to Liu Yong and asked,


    "Brother Yong, the area is enough. I calcted that it has an area of more than 900 square meters, which is enough to build a big vi ording to your requirements. By the way, I want to ask, what is the approximate budget for this vi?"


    Liu Yong responded, "For such arge vi, the budget needs to be at least two million. If it is to be built to a higher level, it may cost three million."


    The idea of a 3 million yuan vi had many people inwardly smacking their tongues in amazement.


    To build a house in rural areas, preparing 300,000 yuan was almost enough. The thought of Liu Yong nning to build a vi that cost 3 million yuan was surprising to them.


    When Zhou Jingkang expressed disbelief, Liu Yong waved his hand and said, "If you want to build it, let''s build it better. Let''s tentatively set the budget at 20 million!"


    This figure shocked everyone around them. A 20 million yuan vi was something they couldn''t even fathom.


    Zhou Jingkang was taken aback and asked Liu Yong to rify, "Brother Yong, are you sure it''s 20 million?"


    Liu Yong confirmed, "That''s right, tentatively set at 20 million. You try to make the vi more luxurious and upscale. If the money is not enough, I will have no problem adding another 10 to 20 million."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    This statement left the people around them petrified. The idea that an additional 10 to 20 million could be added was beyond theirprehension.


    The world of the rich was something they couldn''t understand; to spend 30 to 40 million yuan just to build a vi seemed absurd to them.


    Although it was nothing to Liu Yong, who had given his sister 20 million yuan as pocket money, he could easily have spent 100 to 200 million yuan to build this vi.


    However, he was worried that it would scare everyone, so he kept the tentative budget at 20 million yuan, with the possibility of adding more moneyter.


    As Zhou Jingkang noticed the embarrassed expression on his face, Liu Yong immediately understood what was going on.


    He took out his checkbook and wrote it in a hurry for ten million yuan, handing it over to Zhou Jingkang. The recipient couldn''t believe his eyes as he stared at the check.


    Liu Yong lightly patted him on the shoulder and said, "I''ll give you 10 million first. If it''s not enough, call me. I won''t let you advance any money."


    After regaining consciousness, Zhou Jingkang let out a sigh of relief and joked,


    "Brother Yong, don''t you worry that I''ll run away with this ten million?"


    Liu Yong chuckled in response, "If you dare to abscond with the money, I''ll issue a global arrest warrant and make sure to catch you and have you build me a vi honestly."


    As so many people were around, Liu Yong wasn''t apprehensive about Zhou Jingkang taking off with the money. He handed over a check for 10 million to Zhou Jingkang, who smiled and carefully put away the check.


    It was the most significant sum of money he had ever seen.


    Zhou Jingkang was principled and insisted on making a card and keeping it in Liu Yong''s hands, saying that they should settle ounts even though they were real brothers.


    Liu Yong''s house was always bustling with activity. People asionally came to inquire about recruiting crew members, and some even decided to work as crew members instead of heading to the county for work.


    Zhou Jingkang had nned to go home and change before returning to the county seat. Still, he could leave after four o''clock in the afternoon due to the continuous influx of people inquiring and gathering in the lobby.


    Even after four o''clock, the gate of Liu Yong''s house remained lively, with at least twenty or thirty people still present. Suddenly, a group of cars arrived and stopped directly in front of Liu Yong''s house, causing amotion amongst the crowd.


    The leading middle-aged man was quite imposing. At first, Liu Jianping was taken aback, but then he excitedly eximed, "Mr. Liu, County Magistrate Wang is here!"


    The entire crowd fell silent, stunned by the news that the county magistrate had arrived in person.


    Many people looked at Liu Yong with even more admiration, impressed by his connections and influence.


    Although Liu Yong did not know County Magistrate Wang, he realized the situation when he heard Liu Jianping''s announcement.


    Since a significant vige leader hade to his house in person, he had to show respect and hospitality and enthusiastically greeted the county magistrate.


    Liu Jianping was more excited than anyone else, introducing himself as the head of Dongmen Vige.


    County Magistrate Wang greeted him kindly and exined that they were there to visit Mr. Liu of Global Ocean Services.


    It appeared that County Magistrate Wang had already been informed of the situation beforehand.


    This afternoon, he had heard the news that a wealthy man with a worth of billions was recruiting a group of crew members in Dongmen Vige, and he was surprised to learn that he had never heard of Liu Yong before.


    After further inquiries and gathering more details, County Magistrate Wang couldn''t sit still.


    He led several leaders in the county, a total of three cars, all the way to Dongmen Vige and the door of Liu Yong''s house.


    .......................

 Chapter 127 What A Pleasant Surprise!

    ?As Liu Jianping introduced him, County Magistrate Wang enthusiastically stepped forward, extending his right hand to greet Liu Yong. "I can hardly believe it," he said with a smile, "we have a dragon in our county! Wee back, Mr. Liu."


    Liu Yong shook hands with the County Magistrate, responding with gratitude. "Thank you, County Wang. My father is in the hospital, and I need to go home to check on him."


    "I''m sorry to hear that," County Magistrate Wang replied sympathetically. "Let''s make sure he gets the best possible care. I''ll have my team contact the hospital right away."


    Liu Yong thanked him, and they settled on a table and stools set up outside his house.


    County Magistrate Wang asked about Liu Hongfu''s health and then inquired about Universal Company. Liu Yong provided a brief overview of thepany''s current status.


    "Yourpany is going to recruit a group of crew members, isn''t it?" County Magistrate Wang asked.


    "Yes, that''s correct," Liu Yong confirmed. "We n to recruit a total of 200 crew members in my hometown. Ourpany needs the extra workforce."


    County Magistrate Wang''s face lit up with excitement. "Leave the matter of recruiting the crew to me," he offered. "Anything you need, we will make sure it''s handled beautifully."


    "That''s great to hear," Liu Yong said, relieved. "Thank you, County Wang."


    After chatting for a while longer, County Magistrate Wang asked Liu Yong if he had any investment ns for the county. He even rmended several good projects to Liu Yong.


    "My focus is on ocean transportation for the time being," Liu Yong exined. "I don''t have any other investment ns at the moment."


    County Magistrate Wang''s expression showed a hint of disappointment, but he maintained his friendly demeanor. "No problem," he said cheerfully. "We''ll keep in touch about any future opportunities."


    Soon after, a group of curious vigers arrived at Liu Yong''s doorstep to glimpse the county''s highest official.


    After half an hour of friendly conversation, County Magistrate Wang bid farewell and left.


    After bidding farewell to the county magistrate Wang and his party, Liu Yong swiftly returned to the hospital. Zhou Xiuying had already packed everything that needed to be filled, and she locked all the doors before they left.


    "Uncle Jianping, goodbye! Goodbye, everyone!" Liu Yong waved as he got into his car and drove off, leaving everyone behind to chat about his recent encounter with the county magistrate.


    As Liu Yong arrived at the hospital, he asked Xiao Jian, "Is everything okay here, Director Xiao?"


    "Yes, everything is under control. We have transferred Liu Hongfu to the VIP ward and have arranged for the best doctors and nurses to take care of him," replied Xiao Jian.


    Liu Yong nodded in approval and said, "That''s great. I will go and check on him now."


    As they walked towards the VIP ward, Xiao Jian suddenly stopped and said, "Wait a minute, Mr. Liu. The dean and several vice deans have arrived at our hospital and are here to visit Liu Hongfu."


    "What? The dean and several vice deans?" Liu Yong was surprised by the news.


    "Yes, they are here in person. I will take you to the ward to meet them," said Xiao Jian.


    Upon seeing the dean and his entourage, Liu Langang initially had no idea what was happening. However, his quick wits soon allowed him to grasp the situation.


    As they left the ward, the dean turned to Liu Yong and said, "Mr. Liu, we appreciate your concern for your father. We have seen that he is being well taken care of, and we are satisfied with the arrangements that have been made."


    Liu Yong thanked the dean and his entourage for their visit and said, "I am grateful for your attention to my father''s condition. If there is anything else you need, please do not hesitate to contact me."


    After seeing off the dean and several vice deans, Xiao Jian breathed a sigh of relief. The test was finally over, and the dean seemed satisfied with their handling of the situation.


    He also couldn''t help but wonder who Liu Hongfu''s son was, given that he drove a Cullinan and had the dean and several vice deans visit him. Lucky for him, he had been proactive and transferred Liu Hongfu to the VIP ward, and his efforts had paid off.


    "Thank goodness I saw that car yesterday and transferred Liu Hongfu to the VIP ward," Xiao Jian thought, feeling lucky and relieved that everything had gone smoothly.


    Ten minutester.


    When Liu Yong and Zhou Xiuying returned, Liu Lan immediately told Liu Yong about the situation just now.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Liu Yong, you won''t believe what happened while you were gone. The county magistrate Wang and several county leaders came to visit dad in person. It was such a big deal!" eximed Liu Lan.


    Liu Yong raised an eyebrow in surprise, "County Magistrate Wang? Why did hee?"


    "It''s because of you," replied Liu Lan. "They came because you sent him a gift and a thank-you note."


    Liu Yong chuckled, "I see. County Magistrate Wang really knows how to reciprocate."


    Zhou Xiuying said, "I told you he was a good person. You didn''t believe me."


    Liu Yong smiled, "I didn''t doubt his character, just his position. But it seems like I was wrong."


    It''s just that Liu Yong didn''t expect that about 20 minutester, the county magistrate Wang personally visited his father in the hospital.


    Arge group of people, in addition to the magistrate Wang and several county leaders, the director of the hospital, and several deputies, The dean is here again.


    Xiao Jian was shocked again.


    Even frightened.


    "Director Xiao, why are you sweating so much?" asked the county magistrate Wang.


    Xiao Jian wiped his forehead and replied, "Ah, it''s nothing, just a little nervous to see such high-level leaders."


    "Don''t worry, we''re just here to check on the patient. You''re doing a great job taking care of him," reassured the county magistrate Wang.


    "Yes, yes, thank you for your concern," replied Xiao Jian, visibly relieved.


    Liu Yong couldn''t believe his luck, "County Magistrate Wang came again? This is amazing."


    Zhou Xiuying added, "Yes, it''s such an honor. Your father must be feeling very important right now."


    Liu Yong nodded, "I''m sure he is. I''m so grateful to County Magistrate Wang for his help."


    The next day.


    Liu Yong should go back to Huahai City. Today is also Monday. Both Liu Lan and Li Changle only took one day off. They need to go back today.


    "Are you all packed and ready to go?" asked Liu Yong.


    "Yes, everything is ready," replied Liu Lan.


    Liu Yong turned to Zhou Xiuying, "How about you?"


    "I''m all set too," said Zhou Xiuying.


    Liu Yong then turned to Liu Hongfu, "Dad, are you feeling okay? You''ll be transferred to Huahai City today."


    "I''m feeling much better, thank you," replied Liu Hongfu.


    "Good to hear. We have an ambnce ready for you and a doctor and nurse to apany you," said Liu Yong.


    "Thank you for taking care of me," said Liu Hongfu gratefully.


    Before departure, Liu Yong drove to Li Changle''s house in person, and besides taking Li Changle to Huahai City, he also nned to send a significant gift to his future father-inw.


    ......................

 Chapter 128 Strength Level 4352 & Skill Level 4105

    ?Li Changle and Liu Yong hadmunicated through WeChat and returned to Huahai City together that day.


    Li Changle had already packed her luggage and was eagerly waiting at home with her parents. As soon as Liu Yong walked in, he greeted them politely, " Hello, Uncle, Aunt."


    Meng Chunli was enthusiastic and weing, "Xiao Liu, you came here so soon, have you had breakfast yet?"


    "Auntie, I''ve finished my breakfast," Liu Yong replied.


    Li Zhengkai also seemed to like Liu Yong and gestured for him to sit down, saying,


    "Little Liu, sit here. I won''t keep you guys from going back to Huahai City today. After arriving in Huahai City, take care of Lele."


    "Uncle, don''t worry, I will take good care of Lele," Liu Yong assured him.


    The two chatted briefly as Meng Chunli made hot tea and brought it over. Li Changle sat beside Liu Yong with a happy face.


    She was in a good mood, relieved that her boyfriend had met her parents and passed the test. Her parents were delighted with Liu Yong, and she immediately felt more essible.


    After a few minutes of chatting, Liu Yong took two sips of hot tea, ready to get up and say goodbye. He prepared to give the gift he had prepared in advance to his future father-inw and mother-inw when suddenly the phone on the coffee table rang.


    Li Zhengkai answered the phone, but his face grew increasingly severe as the call continued. After hanging up, Meng Chunli asked with concern,


    "Old Li, what''s the matter?"


    Li Zhengkai sighed softly, "Oh, it''s still the same thing. The school is urging us to pay the money. If the total of 300,000 yuan is not paid within three days, the quota will be given to others."


    Meng Chunli also showed worry as she knew exactly what was going on. Li Zhengkai was a teacher at County No. 1 Middle School, and the school had built a batch of welfare housing priced about 1,000 yuan per square meter lower than the market price. He had taught in No. 1 Middle School for dozens of years and was eligible for a quota. When the house was under construction, he paid 50,000 yuan. It was almost at the stage of house collection, and he was required to pay another 300,000 yuan. Otherwise, the room would not be epted, and the index might be given to other teachers.


    "The school has already urged us several times," Li Zhengkai continued. "I''ve taught all my life, and I have no wind in my sleeves. It''s very difficult for me to get 70,000 to 80,000 yuan within three days."


    Li Changle guessed the problem and asked, "Dad, is it about your school''s welfare housing?"


    Li Zhengkai replied, "This is indeed the matter. The school called me and asked me to pay the money. I still have a shortfall of 70,000 to 80,000 yuan."


    Li Changle said, "Dad, I still have 50,000 yuan here. You can use it first."


    Liu Yong understood what was happening and couldn''t help but smile easily, "Lele, you don''t need to get the money. In fact, I have already prepared a gift for my uncle and aunt."


    After speaking, he handed out the 2 million check he had prepared earlier.


    Li Zhengkai took a look and saw a check for 2 million.


    Suddenly slightly startled.


    Hurriedly said: "This is not allowed, this is not allowed."


    Liu Yong said: "Yes, there is no problem, just treat it as a part of the bride price I gave in advance, and you can ept it with peace of mind."


    After persisting for a while, Li Zhengkai began to ept.


    Li Changle blushed slightly but felt sweet, "Brother Yong is going to marry me. Even the dowry money started to be given in advance."


    "Actually, this is not considered as gift money. If there is a gift, it must not be a mere 2 million. It''s just that Li Zhengkai insisted not to ept it, and Liu Yong made such an excuse," Liu Yong exined.


    Seeing that his father-inw had epted the check, Liu Yong also got up to leave, carrying Li Changle''s luggage, "Uncle, Auntie, Lele and I will go back to Huahai City first."


    Li Changle said, "Dad, Mom, I will call when I arrive."


    Li Zhengkai, Meng Chunli, and his wife sent Liu Yong and Li Changle downstairs, watched them enter the car, and watched the vehicle gradually disappear.


    Meng Chunli said, "Lao Li, we really took the 2 million."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Li Zhengkai said: "At first, I didn''t want to ept it either. We are short of money. Besides, let''s treat it as gift money."


    Liu Yong drove to the County People''s Hospital, joined his parents, and headed to Huahai City. The Cullinan moved ahead, followed by an ambnce arranged by the hospital, and arrived at the First People''s Hospital of Huahai City at noon.


    This is a well-knownrge hospital in the country and is notparable to the county hospital in every aspect.


    Liu Hongfu was admitted to the VIP ward of this hospital. Liu Yong arranged for him to see the best doctor and ordered him to use the best medicine.


    After arranging everything, Liu Yong sent Li Changle back to school.


    Hearing that the boss''s father was hospitalized, Qiu Yang, Hu Shijun, and others visited the hospital in person. Some of thepany''s central middle managers wanted to see it, but Liu Yong declined.


    After several days of busy work, Liu Yong finally had time to sit in thepany.


    Long after sitting down, Qiu Yang came to report. "Sir, the headhuntingpany sent some materials, and it is up to you to decide which one to choose."


    Liu Yong took these materials and read them. After looking through them, he felt that the people recruited by the headhuntingpany were all good, and it was difficult to choose.


    After closing these materials, Liu Yong ordered: "You tell the headhuntingpany, at nine o''clock tomorrow morning, these people wille over and I will interview them personally."


    Qiu Yang immediately said: "Okay, I will notify them right away."


    Global Corporation is developing faster and faster, and its scale is getting bigger and bigger. It is obviously not enough to have only Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun in the top management, and it is necessary to add several top managers one after another.


    After watching Qiu Yang leave, Liu Yong opened the pet panel and looked at Bawang''s situation. He didn''t pay attention to Bawang for a few days, and his growth was really gratifying.


    [[


    Pet name: MUTANT SNAPPING TURTLE


    Strength: 4352


    Agility: 4105


    Physique: 4039


    Weight: 71.2 tons


    Swimming speed (average): 172 knots


    Skills: Tortoise Shell (Level 2), Turtle Breath (Level 2), Super Perception (Level 2), Super Vision (Level 1)


    ]]


    Liu Yong nodded in satisfaction and said, "Good job, Bawang. Keep up the good work and let me know if you find anything."


    Bawang replied, "Yes, master. I will continue to search for shipwrecks and let you know if I find anything."


    Liu Yong then asked, "By the way, how is your injury? Are you feeling better now?"


    Bawang answered, "Thank you for your concern, master. My injury has healed, and I am back to my normal self now."


    Liu Yong nodded and said, "That''s good to hear. Take care of yourself and stay safe out there."


    Bawang replied, "I will, master. Thank you for your support."


    ...................

 Chapter 129 The Young Entrepreneur

    ?As Liu Yong observed Bawang''s situation, the office door opened softly, and Ding Wen walked with a cheerful smile.


    Ding Wen was one of the few people who could enter Liu Yong''s office without knocking on the door. "Hello Brother Yong!" he greeted warmly.


    "You boy, why are you here today when you''re free?" Liu Yong asked curiously.


    "I skipped ss today, so I stopped by your ce to take a look," Ding Wen replied with a yful grin. Without waiting for an invitation, he helped himself to coffee and sat on the sofa.


    "You kid, what have you been busy withtely?" Liu Yong inquired, noticing that he had not seen Ding Wen much since school started.


    "I want to start a business. I can''t just sit around and do nothing. I asked my dad for 200 million yuan, and I am registering a culturalpany," Ding Wen shared excitedly.


    "A culturalpany? Are you nning to enter the entertainment industry?" Liu Yong asked, intrigued.


    "No, no. My culturalpany is mainly engaged in the exchange, appraisal, and dissemination of antique collection culture. If there are good collections, I will buy them at a low price and then sell them at a high price. I also n to organize some auctions," Ding Wen exined, his passion for antique collection evident in his voice.


    "Auctions are one of the main profit methods of ourpany. It would be great if one day ourpany''s auctions can bepared to those held by famous auction houses such as Christie''s," Ding Wen added with a hopeful tone.


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement, "Not bad, you have ambition and ideals, I think you will seed."


    The antique collection was Ding Wen''s passion, and he had significant professional knowledge. He could be regarded as a professional counterpart in this field.


    "Brother Yong, you support my business!" Ding Wen eximed, grateful for Liu Yong''s encouragement.


    "Of course I support it. This is a good thing. You should really find something to do, but the premise is that you don''t dy your studies," Liu Yong cautioned, always looking out for Ding Wen''s best interests.


    "There will be no dy. My academic requirements are not high. As long as I don''t fail a subject and graduate smoothly," Ding Wen assured him.


    After chatting for a few more minutes, Ding Wen humbly requested, "Brother Yong, I''m ready to start a business. You don''t want to support me, such as investing a little money."


    Liu Yong hesitated momentarily, "Don''t you already have a start-up capital of 200 million? It should be enough."


    "This start-up capital, of course, the more the better, how about you invest one or two hundred million," Ding Wen asked hopefully, looking at Liu Yong with a pleading expression.


    Liu Yong smiled, "Brother, I have no ns in this regard for the time being. All my money will be used to buy ships. I will first expand my ocean shipping business."


    Ding Wen wasn''t ready to give up just yet, "Stop, Brother Yong, I need your investment," he begged, looking pitiful.


    Liu Yong softened his heart, "Okay, I can''t stand others begging me, so I''ll vote 100 million."


    Ding Wen''s face lit up joyfully, "That''s great, Brother Yong, you are so kind. I have 200 million, and you contribute 100 million. The newpany will have a start-up capital of 300 million. How about you taking 35% of the shares?"


    Liu Yong agreed, "Yes, it doesn''t matter how many shares you want. I dere in advance that I will not participate in the management of thepany. If I make a profit, I can pay dividends ording to this share ratio."


    "Of course, of course." Ding Wen was pleased.


    The primary purpose of hising here was to raise funds. He had achieved his goal here with Liu Yong and left happily, thanking him repeatedly.


    The following day, Liu Yong arrived at thepany premises just before nine in the morning.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    He interviewed the elite talents shortlisted by the headhunting agency. After conducting the interviews, Liu Yong was particrly impressed with a candidate named Ren Wei.


    Ren Wei, a 37-year-old doctor who had returned from overseas, had worked as a management manager in a major multinationalpany for several years. What set Ren Wei apart was his experience in the overseas ocean shipping group, where he had spent over three years working in the industry.


    Liu Yong appointed Ren Wei as the deputy general manager of Universal, a position ranking just below Hu Shijun, and he would also be involved in thepany''s ocean transportation business management.


    With Qiu Yang, Hu Shijun, and Ren Wei on board, Universal finally had three senior executives. Liu Yong''s workload would be significantly reduced, allowing him to adopt a more hands-off approach to thepany''s management.


    He would not need to involve himself in thepany''s day-to-day affairs, only significant decisions and the overall direction of thepany''s development.


    Liu Yong told his newly appointed team, "I have great faith in your abilities, and I am confident you will take thispany to greater heights. As senior executives of Universal, you must work together to ensure thepany''s sess. I trust that you will make the right decisions and lead us to prosperity."


    After a few days...


    After spending a few days in the Huahai City Hospital, Liu Hongfu made a remarkable recovery and met the discharge standard. Chen Hu drove the car while Liu Yong apanied his father to go through the discharge procedures in person.


    As Liu Hongfu left the hospital, he said: "No, I can walk without your help."


    Liu Yong smiled slightly, "It''s okay, Dad. I know you can walk alone now, but let me help you anyway." He knew his father''s current situation, and it wouldn''t hurt to provide him with some assistance.


    After leaving the hospital, they headed straight to the vi.


    As soon as they walked in, Liu Hongfu was amazed at sight before him. It was his first timeing to this vi. Though he had heard Liu Yong, Liu Lan, or Zhou Xiuying briefly talk about it, he still couldn''t believe his eyes.


    "This is the stacked vi you bought, Xiaoyong? It''s so big and luxurious, it feels like a dream!" Liu Hongfu eximed.


    Liu Yong replied, "Yes, Dad. This is the house I bought in Huahai City. It has three floors. The third floor has a sun room and arge terrace. If the weather is fine, you can drink tea and bask in the sun."


    Liu Yong then took them to the bedroom, saying, "Come on, I''ll take you there. You and Mom will live in this room. How about it? Do you like it?"


    Liu Hongfu had never seen such a good bedroom in his life and repeatedly nodded in agreement, "Okay, okay, yes, this ce must befortable to live in."


    Liu Yong introduced the basic situation of this main bedroom, "Dad, Liu Lan alsoes back to live asionally, and her bedroom is also on this floor."


    Liu Hongfu happily replied, "Good, good." He was in high spirits at the moment.


    On this floor was arge living room, a main bedroom, two secondary bedrooms, a small study room, and a lovely reception room.


    In addition to primary and two secondary bedrooms, the second floor featured arge study room muchrger than the first.


    In addition, there was arge gym on this floor.


    Liu Hongfu looked around the ce, satisfaction and joy written on his face. He never dreamed that his son was so sessful that he could buy such a good house in Huahai City.


    .........¡­.

 Chapter 130 Take No More Risk

    ?Liu Yong had just finished breakfast and was about to take a break before heading to thepany.


    The whole family had breakfast together every day, and since his parents moved in, their lives had been more organized with hot meals and dishes.


    Liu Yong had arranged for housekeeping, but his parents often helped with cleaning.


    When he suggested hiring a part-time worker, Zhou Xiuying objected, saying it would be a waste of money. Li Changle also asionally visited.


    If Liu Yong wanted to spend time with Li Changle, he took her to some five-star hotels for a more rxing time with no one to disturb them.


    After breakfast, Liu Yong was surprised to receive Overlord''s message:


    "Master, I just found something that seems to be a sunken ship just ahead."


    Liu Yong became interested and opened the third-party vision to see Bawang and its surrounding environment.


    Bawang had grownrger, now weighing nearly 80 tons, and was on the bottom of the sea, surrounded by seaweeds, corals, and other things.


    "Overlord, where are you now?" Liu Yong asked.


    "I''m still in the South China Sea,"


    The water here is clear, and the food is abundant. It''s good. I''ll stay here for a while." replied Overlord.


    "Go and see what kind of sunken ship it is," Liu Yong instructed.


    Within two minutes, Bawang arrived next to the sunken ship, whichy on the bottom of the sea covered in thick coverings and seaweed.


    Through the perspective of a third party, Liu Yong judged that it was a wooden shipwreck that was a few years old.


    "Master, do you want me to dismantle it?" asked Overlord.


    Liu Yong hesitated, concerned about the potential damage to fragile cultural relics such as porcin.


    "Try to take it apart, but be careful not to damage the things inside," he warned.


    Typically, Overlord would have used its giant spear to poke a fewrge holes in the sunken ship and started breaking or splitting the wood.


    But with Liu Yong''s orders, Overlord became more careful, meticulously cleaning up the seaweed and suction dding on the sunken ship.


    "Overlord, you are not bad, and you know how to work carefully," praised Liu Yong.


    Bawang replied, "Master, I''m working, don''t worry. Wait until I clean up the seaweed and some covered things on the sunken ship."


    "Okay, take your time, don''t worry. Contact me after it''s basically cleaned up," said Liu Yong.


    Bawang continued to work carefully while Liu Yong told his parents to go out, and Chen Hu had already been waiting at the vi''s gate for a long time.


    Liu Yong arrived at thepany, strolled to his office, andmenced his workday with a sense of anticipation.


    His mind was focused on the submerged vessel that Bawang had been assigned to clean up. He had contracted Bawang, an experienced underwater archeologist, to examine the sunken vessel and assess its value.


    After arriving at his office, Liu Yong quickly checked Bawang''s progress from a third-party perspective.


    Bawang seemed tireless and had been meticulously cleaning the surface of the submerged ship. Within an hour, he had effectively cleared up most of the debris, revealing a more unmistakable outline of the shipwreck.


    Liu Yong was now convinced that this was an ancient wooden sunken ship, but it was a type he had never seen. To satisfy his curiosity, he decided to conduct a search on his phone.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After investigating andparing the current situation of the sunken ship, Liu Yong made a basic deduction.


    He concluded that it was an ancient wooden shipwreck from the Song Dynasty, which belonged to a pointed ship previously unknown to him.


    Based on the ship''s size, Liu Yong estimated that if its length exceeded 30 meters, its discement should be approximately 500 tons. With this tonnage, the vessel was most likely an ocean-going trade ship during that period.


    As he considered that the ship might have been used for trade, Liu Yong grew eager to know what kind of goods it may have carried. With his limited historical knowledge, he knew that China had traded with some Southeast Asian countries during the Song Dynasty and that the famous Maritime Silk Road had been established.


    Bawang interrupted Liu Yong''s thoughts, asking if they could begin dismantling the sunken ship. Liu Yong pondered this momentarily before answering,


    "Try removing a few wooden boards and see what we find."


    Bawang''s enthusiasm was immediately reignited as he began to dismantle the ship. With just one of his front paws, he grabbed a wooden board from the sunken vessel, and it broke apart with ease.


    Overlord was astonished at how effortlessly the council had broken, eximing, "Master, I barely exerted any force, and this board was split by me, and it was broken into two pieces."


    Liu Yong calmly exined that this was to be expected, as the ship had been submerged for hundreds of years and exposed to seawater immersion and corrosion.


    The nks were naturally in a state of advanced decay. He instructed Bawang to exercise caution as he continued to remove the boards.


    Bawangplied and removed several more boards, revealing one of the ship''s cabins. He shouted out in amazement,


    "Master, have you seen this? This cabin is filled with porcin, an entire cabin full of porcin!"


    Liu Yong had already observed this through his third-party perspective and confirmed Bawang''s discovery.


    Indeed, the cabin was full of porcin, stacked haphazardly and nearly overflowing the entire space.


    Some of the porcin had suffered damage, but there were still plenty of pieces that remained intact.


    Liu Yong was ecstatic. He knew that there were many valuable items among the porcin pieces, all of which were hundreds of years old.


    The profit margin would be considerable. However, he refrained from instructing Bawang to continue dismantling the ship, fearing they might identally break any of the intact porcin.


    It would be a significant loss if they destroyed any valuable items.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at him as he watched the meticulous disassembly of the Bawang unfold before his eyes.


    Even with the utmost care and precision being taken, he knew all too well that the sunken ship, having been submerged for so many years, could no longer be as sturdy as it once was.


    The thought of a sudden copse and the potential damage that could be wrought upon any valuable contents inside made his heart race.


    As his anxiety peaked, Liu Yong feltpelled to speak up. "Bawang, let''s not take any more risks," he said in a voiceced with concern.


    "We need to proceed with extreme caution, salvaging only the porcin pieces that we can recover, and transporting them to our warehouse by the sea with the utmost care."


    Despite his worries, Liu Yong was determined to turn this risky venture into a profitable one.


    He nned to produce some porcin pieces and take them to a professional appraiser to determine their value. If the porcin was worth a lot of money, they could make a fortune again.


    With that in mind, Liu Yong supervised the careful extraction of the porcin pieces from the Bawang, each treated with the utmost care and wrapped in protectiveyers before being transported to the warehouse by the sea.


    When they had recovered all the porcin pieces they could find, Liu Yong set about producing his own pieces, taking the utmost care to ensure they were of the highest quality possible.

 Chapter 131 Song Dynasty

    As per Liu Yong''s instructions, Overlord carefully extracted a few intact pieces of porcin from the sunken ship, being cautious not to cause any further damage to it.


    With the porcin in hand, Overlord quickly approached Huahai City without any intentions of further dismantling the ship.


    Liu Yong switched off the third-party vision and checked the current status of Song Dynasty porcin on his mobile phone.


    He was pleased to find out that the price of such porcin had only increased over time, making his mood even better.


    The journey from Nanhai to Huahai City took several hours, even at over 160 knots. By afternoon, Overlord finally arrived at the seafront warehouse, where he carefully ced a dozen pieces of Song Dynasty porcin in the open space.


    "Master, I have sessfully retrieved the items," Bawang reported to Liu Yong.


    Upon receiving the information, Liu Yong promptly checked through the third-party vision and was delighted to see the porcin pieces arranged neatly in the warehouse.


    "Thank you for your hard work, Overlord. Let''s take a break and fill up on food before heading back to the South China Sea to explore the sunken ship tomorrow," Liu Yong said appreciatively.


    "Sure, master," replied Overlord.


    Liu Yong checked the time and saw it was already past four in the afternoon.


    He stood up from his seat and prepared to leave thepany. He nned to drive to the seaside warehouse and inspect a dozen pieces of porcin.


    As Liu Yong left thepany, everyone appeared to be surprised. They knew he was the boss and could go work whenever he wanted.


    Chen Hu broke the silence and asked, "Boss, do you want me to drive for you?"


    Initially, Liu Yong intended to call something other than Chen Hu, but he appreciated the offer and eventually agreed, saying, "Sure, you can drive. Just use the big G."


    Chen Hu drove the big G and arrived at the big warehouse by the sea in about an hour.


    Using the remote control key, Liu Yong opened the warehouse door and instructed Chen Hu "Drive the car directly in."


    The big G drove straight into the warehouse and parked in the open space in the middle.


    A dozen pieces of porcin, including bowls, saucers, and bottles, were ced more than ten meters away from the car. They looked delightful, and there were several types in total.


    Liu Yong quickly exited the car and walked over to the porcin. He squatted down, picked up one of the pieces, and looked at it with great interest.


    "Very beautiful," he remarked, "and very delicate."


    Moreover, the porcin was remarkably intact, without any damage, and in excellent condition. Chen Hu joined him, and when he saw the dozens of porcins, he eximed happily, "Boss, it seems that these are all antiques."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement and said,


    "Yes, they are all porcin from the Song Dynasty. Be careful. Help me wrap them in old newspapers, and put them all in the car."


    He had brought the old newspapers with him specifically for this purpose.


    Chen Hu followed Liu Yong''s instructions, wrapping each piece of porcin in severalyers of old newspapers before carefully putting them in the trunk of the Big G.


    When everything was packed in the car, Liu Yong signaled to Chen Hu, "Let''s go back."


    As they drove, Liu Yong felt a sense of excitement. He thought about the dozen pieces of porcin in the car and decided to look professionally at them tomorrow and determine their value.


    The first person that came to mind was Ding Wen, a half-expert in antiques which had registered and established a culturalpany specializing in the collection, appraisal, and auction of antiques. Ding Wen also recruited some professionals.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    This afternoon, Ding Wen requested leave again and visited a porcin professional through an elder''s rtionship.


    The person he saw was Shen Zhouping, an authoritative figure in the identification of ancient porcin in China who had worked for the Pce Museum and had expertise in antique porcin collections.


    Ding Wen hoped to hire Shen Zhouping as thepany''s ancient porcin appraisal expert, even if it was just a name, as a guest expert.


    But Shen Zhouping''s response could have been more precise. He didn''t refuse outright, but he didn''t agree either.


    This was mainly because of Ding Wen''s family background. An authoritative figure like Shen Zhouping would generally serve as something other than an appraisal expert in a newly established smallpany.


    In addition, Shen Zhouping himself had plenty of money.


    While not as wealthy or influential as Ding Wen''s family, this man still has ess to 300-500 million yuan and boasts a personal collection valued at around 200-300 million yuan. Ding Wen must have hit a wall when faced with such a talented individual.


    "I can''t believe Shen Zhouping is thepany''s appraisal expert. He''s really a headache," Ding Wen muttered to himself, unable to sleep well that night.


    The next day, Ding Wen arrived at his newly establishedpany in a Grade A office building on Huahai Avenue.


    Although thepany had yet to officially operate and needed to recruit some personnel, the office space had been prepared, and Ding Wen had his own office.


    He was racking his brain, trying to figure out how to leverage his connections or methods to bring Shen Zhouping into hispany, even if it meant making him a guest expert. While contemting this, Ding Wen''s phone rang.


    After the call, Liu Yong''s voice came from the other end, "Hey man, where are you? I need to ask you something."


    "I''m at thepany, Brother Yong," Ding Wen replied.


    "Okay,e here right away," Liu Yong said.


    "I''ll wait for you in the lobby on the first floor," Ding Wen said before hanging up.


    As he left the office, Ding Wen headed to the lobby on the first floor, where he waited for Liu Yong. A short whileter, Liu Yong arrived with Chen Hu, carrying arge cardboard box.


    "Brother Yong, what''s going on?" Ding Wen asked, puzzled by the situation and Chen Hu''s presence.


    "I''ve got some Southern Song Dynasty porcin that I want you to take a look at. Since you''re a semi-professional, I thought you might be able to help me out," Liu Yong exined.


    Southern Song Dynasty porcin? Ding Wen''s interest was piqued. He had been trying to recruit Shen Zhouping, who had a particr passion for Song Dynasty porcin and even had a few valuable pieces in his collection.


    "Brother Yong, is it really Song Ci?" Ding Wen asked.


    "It should be, but you''ll have to take a look for me to be sure," Liu Yong replied.


    "Okay, let''s head to mypany. I''ll show you the way," Ding Wen said as he led Liu Yong and Chen Hu into the elevator.


    When they exited the elevator, Liu Yong''s eyes fell upon the golden letters that read "Hanhai Culture." He nced around and realized that Ding Wen''spany seemed to upy the entire floor.


    Ding Wen, however, was not interested in showing off hispany to Liu Yong.


    He brought them to his office, where Chen Hu ced therge cardboard box on Ding Wen''s desk. Without hesitation, Ding Wen opened the box and pulled out the first piece of porcin.


    ...........

 Chapter 132 Astonishing Counts!

    Ding Wen carefully unwrapped the old newspaper covering the porcin piece three times, five times, and two times before finally revealing it.


    Ding Wen couldn''t wait to look closer at the porcin piece. After sifting through it, he said, "Brother Yong, ording to my professional knowledge, this is a piece of white porcin from the Dehua kiln in the Song Dynasty, and it is still a fine piece of white porcin."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement, "There is no doubt about the authenticity. After all, it was taken out of an ancient wooden shipwreck, so it cannot be a fake." He then asked, "How much is such a piece of white porcin worth?"


    Ding Wen replied, "In recent years, white porcin from the Dehua Kiln has also been auctioned at various auctions. The price ranges from hundreds of thousands to several million. Yours is of high quality, well preserved, and very delicate. If you let me estimate the price, at least 2 million or more."


    The estimated price slightly took aback Liu Yong, but he also felt a sense of ecstasy. He had thought the porcin would only be worth tens of thousands of yuan, but he realized it was worth much more.


    Ding Wen then picked up another porcin piece, unwrapped the old newspaper, and looked at it carefully.


    "Well, this is a Longquan kiln cdon chrysanthemum petal pattern dish, the enamel is like jade, smooth and intact. It''s amazing," he said.


    Liu Yong asked excitedly, "How much is this one worth?"


    Ding Wen pondered for a while and replied, "For this one, I estimate the price to be more than 6 million."


    Liu Yong was even more excited to hear this, as this piece was more valuable than the previous one. He realized that tens of thousands of porcin pieces from the Song Dynasty were in the sunken ship, and some might be even better and more valuable.


    After a full three to forty minutes, Ding Wenpleted the appraisal of these ancient porcins.


    He had appraised pieces from the Dehua kilns, Jingdezhen kilns, Longquan kilns, and Cizao kilns.


    The prices ranged from hundreds of thousands to millions, and among them was a delicate porcin vase from Longquan kiln, which Ding Wen estimated to be worth around 10 million.


    Ding Wen admired Liu Yong and said, "Brother, where did you get so many ancient porcins from the Song Dynasty. Many of them are high-quality goods. The value of a dozen or so ancient porcins in this box is several thousand ten thousand."


    Liu Yong then revealed to Ding Wen that he had 20,000 to 30,000 pieces of Song Dynasty porcin.


    Ding Wen was shocked and speechless, staring nkly at Liu Yong. Liu Yong then asked if he could auction all of them, to which Ding Wen confidently replied that it was not a problem, as auctions were one of the critical businesses of their Hanhai Culturepany.


    After a brief moment, he regained hisposure and looked at Liu Yong excitedly. He tightly grasped his shoulders with both hands and eximed,


    "Brother, did I hear you correctly? Do you have 20,000 to 30,000 pieces of ancient Song Dynasty porcin?"


    Ding Wen was utterly taken aback. He had founded the Hanhai Culture Company but faced the biggest challenge of finding enough antiques to disy. He had even considered selling his private collection. But now, with Liu Yong''s massive collection, Ding Wen''s worries seemed to have disappeared.


    Ding Wen emphasized the sheer magnitude of the collection, "Not twenty or thirty, nor two or three hundred, but two or thirty thousand!" The realization of this abundance left him ecstatic.


    Ding Wen was stunned, feeling like he had been struck by a pie falling from the sky.


    He asked Liu Yong to pinch him, hoping it was not a dream. As Liu Yong squeezed his arm, the pain confirmed that it was indeed real.


    Ding Wen''s heart swelled with ambition at the thought of having ess to such a vast collection of Song porcin.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    With this many pieces, even Shen Zhouping, who had previously declined toe, could not resist. Ding Wen felt confident that other domestic experts in ancient porcin would also be eager to visit.


    Ding Wen couldn''t contain his excitement any longer,


    "Brother Yong, with your collection, ourpany will be the talk of the town. Let me take you on a tour of our facilities."


    With that, Ding Wen led Liu Yong on a grand tour of hispany.


    Hanhai Culture had rented an entire floor of a towering office building.


    Apart from the office area, arge section had been dedicated to an exhibition space, where a variety of antique items were to be showcased.


    The exhibition area was well-equipped, with high-definition cameras capturing multiple angles and thick bulletproof ss shielding the disy cases.


    In addition to the numerous exhibition halls, an auction hall spanned two to three hundred square meters, capable of amodating hundreds of individuals.


    Thepany had grown so vast that Ding Wen was worried about a shortage of collections. However, this was no longer a concern thanks to the newly acquired items.


    Liu Yong was pleased with the oue andplimented the team,


    "You''ve done an excellent job! It looks incredible. I won''t have any issues selling the items in my possession.


    Ding Wen was eager to know more and asked, "Apart from the ancient porcins from the Song Dynasty, what else do you have, Brother?"


    Liu Yong responded, "For now, I have at least 20,000 to 30,000 pieces of ancient porcin from the Song Dynasty, along with gold and silver wares, and some ancient coins. You can have them all. Your task is to sell them off."


    Ding Wen was thrilled with the news and eagerly rubbed his hands together.


    "Don''t worry, Brother. You can hand over the items to me without any hesitation. Please give me a dozen pieces of Song Dynasty ancient porcin for now. I''ll find a buyer."


    Although there were only a dozen pieces of ancient porcin, Liu Yong insisted on having an agreement in ce.


    "Sure, I''ll give them to you. However, you must keep an ount of everything, and the money from the sale will be transferred to me. We''ll discuss themission at ater stage."


    Ding Wen replied confidently,


    "Themission isn''t a problem. It will undoubtedly be lower than the market price."


    After leaving Hanhai Culture, Liu Yong didn''t go to his office but returned home instead. He was pondering how to get all the items out of the sunken ship from the Song Dynasty.


    After contemting, Liu Yong knew what he needed to do next.


    .....................

 Chapter 133 Embarking On -- Mission

    After Liu Yong left, Ding Wen took it upon himself to meticulously rewrap the dozen or so precious Song Dynasty porcin pieces with old newspapers. He then called his assistant and went to Shen Zhouping''s residence.


    "Old Shen, I hope I''m not disturbing you too much," Ding Wen greeted Shen Zhouping with the utmost respect, smiling on his face.


    Shen Zhouping was not thrilled to see Ding Wen, nor did he fancy leaving hispany to serve as an expert in treasure appraisal for Ding Wen.


    However, given Ding Wen''s background, it would be unwise for him to offend him outright. Hence, he kept his response ambiguous, neither agreeing nor refusing.


    Despite this, Ding Wen persisted in winning Shen Zhouping''s favor. Unlike his previous visit, Ding Wen arrived with arge cardboard box in his hand.


    "Mr. Ding, please take a seat and have some tea," Shen Zhouping said in a somewhat formic tone, neither cold nor warm.


    Though he couldn''t help but feel Shen Zhouping''s indifference, Ding Wen remained confident in his proposition.


    Shen Zhouping had been obsessed with Song Dynasty porcin for years, and Ding Wen had brought over a dozen pieces of such porcin with him today.


    Without wasting time, Ding Wen ced the cardboard box containing the precious porcin pieces on the table and said, "I''m not too fond of tea, Mr. Shen. But I have over a dozen pieces of Song Dynasty porcin here. Care to take a look?"


    Shen Zhouping''s interest was piqued. "Song Dynasty porcin?" he eximed in disbelief.


    Ding Wen responded, "Yes, it should be authentic. I''ve seen them myself, but I can''t say for sure. That''s why I brought them here for you to take a look."


    Shen Zhouping carefully unwrapped the porcin pieces, inspecting them closely, and even donning his reading sses to get a better look.


    After a thorough examination, Shen Zhouping nodded in approval. "These are definitely authentic Song Dynasty porcin pieces, and some of them are even rare masterpieces from Longquan kiln," he remarked.


    Ding Wen couldn''t help but feel relieved as he watched Shen Zhouping''s reactions. Hiring him as an expert for thepany wouldn''t be an issue.


    Shen Zhouping took around ten minutes to inspect all the porcin pieces, eventually stating, "These are all well-preserved Song Dynasty porcin pieces, including those from Longquan kiln, Dezhou kiln, and Jingdezhen. They are all exquisite and worth appreciating."


    Ding Wen couldn''t resist boasting a little, "A dozen porcin pieces from the Song Dynasty are just a small portion of what ourpany has in store. We actually possess two to three thousand pieces, many of which are even more exquisite than the ones here."


    The original collectionprised 20,000 to 30,000 pieces, but Ding Wen''s group has significantly reduced it to only 2,000 to 3,000 pieces. Nheless, Shen Zhouping was still taken aback by this impressive number.


    He spoke unbelievingly, "Do you really have two or three thousand? Are some of them rare treasures?"


    Ding Wen replied confidently, "Yes, absolutely. If you''re interested, Mr. Shen, you can visit our exhibition hall once it''spleted."


    But Shen Zhouping wanted more than just to visit the exhibition hall from behind a ss. He tried to hold and appreciate each piece individually.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    However, he knew he wasn''t an expert in Hanhai Culture''s appraisal, so he doubted he would be allowed to do so.


    He looked at Ding Wen with admiration. This young man knew what he liked and had even brought over a dozen pieces of ancient porcin from the Song Dynasty. Additionally, he revealed that hispany had thousands of pieces.


    Shen Zhouping couldn''t believe it. As far as he knew, there wasn''t a collector orpany in China with such a vast collection of ancient porcins from the Song Dynasty. But Ding Wen''s serious expression convinced him otherwise.


    Shen Zhouping was conflicted. He didn''t want to join Hanhai Culture, but the allure of two or three thousand pieces of ancient Song Dynasty porcin was too strong to resist. After weighing his options, he finally made a decision.


    "Mr. Ding, I understand what you''re offering. How about this, after your exhibition hall isplete, if there are really two or three thousand ancient porcins from the Song Dynasty, I will join yourpany as an appraisal expert on ancient porcins."


    Ding Wen was overjoyed to hear this. With the addition of Shen Zhouping''s expertise and Brother Yong''s ancient porcin pieces, Hanhai Culture would be renowned in the industry.


    Liu Yong spected, "I think the number of porcin pieces on the ancient ship of the Song Dynasty could be much more than the conservative estimate of 20,000 to 30,000. There could be other valuable items such as gold, silver, coins, and ironware on board as well. As a trading vessel that traversed the Maritime Silk Road, it''s not umon to carry such valuable cargo."


    "A few years ago, the country had salvaged another sunken ship from the Song Dynasty, the ''Nanhai No. 1.'' It yielded a treasure trove of over 100,000 pieces of porcin, thousands of gold and silverware, and arge number of coins. Therefore, finding tens of thousands of pieces of porcin on this ship should be considered normal."


    The main challenge now was to extract such arge amount of porcin from the ship without damaging it. While Bawang was good at violently dismantling sunken ships, entrusting it with such a delicate job was not appropriate.


    Liu Yong came up with a countermeasure - to do it himself.


    "I''ve made up my mind to personally sneak into the sunken ship and search for all the valuables, including the porcin."


    Before embarking on this mission, Liu Yong told his family and colleagues, "I will be on a business trip for at least four or five days, and up to a week. Please pay close attention to thepany''s affairs and report any important matters by phone."


    In preparation for his trip, Liu Yong made appropriate arrangements and packed the necessary items. "I n to fly to Nanhai Province first, where the sunken ship is located," he said.


    Chen Hu drove Liu Yong to the airport and asked if he could apany him. "No, you should take a few days off to rest," Liu Yong declined.


    As a first-ss passenger, Liu Yong received VIP treatment at the airport, including ess to a particr waiting room and early boarding. "Boss, do you really not want me to go with you?" Chen Hu asked once more before saying goodbye.


    "No, I think you should take these few days as a holiday and take a good rest for a few days," Liu Yong replied.


    Sitting in the spacious andfortable first-ss seat, Liu Yong mused the advantages of being wealthy and the freedom it afforded him. "It''s better to be rich," he thought to himself.


    "A man must be rich."


    .......................

 Chapter 134 Drop-Dead Stewardess

    It took over an hour to fly from Huahai City to Nanhai Province. Liu Yong was sitting in the first-ss cabin and couldn''t help but admire the active service of the flight attendant.


    He wondered whether it was because he was a first-ss passenger or the attendant was naturally warm and friendly.


    "Sir, do you need a nket set?" the young and stunning stewardess asked Liu Yong.


    The flight attendant had alreadye over three times before the ne took off to ask if he needed anything.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile at her zealousness and replied, "Yes, please give me a nket."


    Ma Shan, the stewardess, handed him the nket and asked, "Sir, if you need anything else, don''t hesitate to let me know. I''m here to help."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but notice her sweet smile and was tempted to ask for her contact information. He had a feeling that she wouldn''t mind sharing it with him.


    After handing him the nket, the stewardess seemed to be busy with other tasks, but in reality, she was chatting with an older flight attendant who happened to be the chief purser of the flight.


    "Xiao Yuan, do you have a crush on him because he''s so considerate?" the older flight attendant, Sister Huang, asked with a yful tone.


    "Sister Huang, you''ve always taught us to be 120% enthusiastic towards our passengers," replied Xiao Yuan, the young stewardess.


    "Don''t act innocent. We have seven guests in first ss, but you''re only enthusiastic towards one of them," teased Sister Huang.


    Xiao Yuan yfully grimaced and said, "I can''t hide anything from you, Sister Huang. I think he''s really great - good-looking, rich, and very cheerful. Did you notice his wristwatch? It''s a limited edition worth millions."


    Sister Huang nodded, "His watch is indeed impressive, but did you see the jade que around his neck? I bet it''s worth hundreds of millions."


    "What!" eximed Xiao Yuan, clearly surprised.


    "That jade que is made of imperial green ss, and it''s very rare to find a piece with such a full green color. Your brother-inw is a jewelry maker, so you must know how valuable it is," exined Sister Huang.


    Xiao Yuan was speechless, "I had no idea it was worth so much. Wow, he really is something else!"


    The young stewardess was fearful as she contemted the handsome passenger. Once she regained herposure, she couldn''t help but entertain the possibility of him being taken with her.


    After the ne had taken off, Liu Yong indulged in a sip of his drink before focusing on his phone for a while. He slipped on his blindfold and dozed off in his seat, unaware of the young stewardess''s attempts to converse with him.


    As the flight drew to a close, the stewardess approached Liu Yong and roused him from his slumber. "Excuse me, sir, we will arrive at our destination in ten minutes," she said politely.


    Liu Yong removed his blindfold to check the time. "Oh, time flies so fast, it''s almost here, thank you," he responded gratefully.


    "It should be, thank you," the stewardess replied, her effervescent personality shining through. "Do you want something to drink?"


    "Well, give me a ss of water," Liu Yong requested.


    The stewardess poured a ss of water into Liu Yong''s hand, and as he took a sip, he noticed a small note apanying it.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The stewardess sweetly motioned for him to call her, and Liu Yong was momentarily stunned. "Thank you," he said, unsure of how to respond.


    The stewardess caught Liu Yong''s hesitation and offered, "Is everything okay, sir?"


    Liu Yong hesitated briefly before rationalizing that it would be okay to make the call. "Yeah, everything''s fine. Thanks for the water," he said, forcing a smile.


    As the ne began tond, the stewardess suggestively blinked her eyes, reminding Liu Yong to call her. He smiled back at her before grabbing his luggage and exiting the aircraft.


    Upon arriving at the airport, Liu Yong noticed a long queue of taxis waiting outside, which he found pretty convenient.


    As he stepped out, a taxi driver approached him and asked where he wanted to go. Liu Yong replied, "I want to go to the best seaside hotel. It must be close to the beach, the hotel must be top-notch, and the amodation must befortable."


    The driver responded, "You''re in luck. We have plenty of hotels that meet that description here. I rmend the Ryder Resort Hotel. It''s a famous five-star hotel located near the beach."


    "Perfect," Liu Yong said. "Take me there."


    During the ride, Liu Yong realized that the Ryder Resort Hotel sounded familiar but needed to pay more attention. It took about 30 minutes to arrive at the hotel, and Liu Yong was quite satisfied with what he saw.


    The hotel was situated by the sea, separated from the beach by a coastal road. On one side of the road was the hotel, and on the other was the beach.


    People were basking in the sun, swimming in the sea, and driving motorboats, all looking happy. Liu Yong looked up at the hotel and nodded approvingly.


    The hotel was grand, had a distinctive design, and was at least 30 to 40 floors high. The exterior ss walls were fashionable and beautiful. Liu Yong walked into the hotel with his suitcase, and thedy at the front desk greeted him warmly.


    "Wee, Sir. How may I assist you?" she asked.


    "What is the best room here?" Liu Yong inquired.


    "The best room we have is the presidential suite," she replied.


    Without hesitation, Liu Yong handed over his ID card and bank card and said, "Then open the presidential suite for me."


    Thedy was taken aback and reminded him, "Sir, the presidential suite costs 28,000 per day. Are you sure you want to book it?"


    Liu Yong was affirmative and requested that the suite be booked for three days. Thedy was impressed with his decision and quickly opened the room for him. "Sir, I will take you up," she said enthusiastically.


    As Liu Yong walked into the presidential suite, he knew it was worth the money. Even without exploring, he could tell there was a reason why it was so expensive.


    Thedy who brought him to the room handed over the key card and asked, "Sir, this is your presidential suite. Do you need any assistance?"


    After receiving the key card, Liu Yong had some requests for the hotel staff to fulfill.


    ..................

 Chapter 135 My Old High School Mate

    "I have a task for you," Liu Yong began, addressing thedy at the front desk. Her initial surprise at his request quickly dissipated as she understood the importance of meeting the needs of guests staying in the presidential suite.


    "I need your help purchasing a batch of stic baskets, bubble stic film, and cable ties. Could you please procure these items for me?"


    Thedy nodded, and Liu Yong exined his specific requirements in detail.


    "The stic baskets must be extrarge ande with a cover. As for the bubble wrap and cable ties, I need as many as possible," he said.


    Afterying out his needs, Liu Yong added, "I need these items by tomorrow morning, and I am willing to pay the full amount. Additionally, I require a speedboat to be arranged, so that all of these items can be loaded onto it."


    Thedy at the front desk agreed to his request without hesitation, though she couldn''t help but wonder about the peculiar request.


    "No problem, sir. We will do our best to fulfill your request," she said.


    Liu Yong thanked her and proceeded to the presidential suite. Upon entering the luxurious living room, he marveled at the grandeur of his surroundings.


    The tworge bedrooms, reception room, and two luxurious bathrooms with bathtubs left him in awe.


    As he gazed out of therge window, the panoramic view of the sea meeting the sky and the ships in the distance took his breath away. "This is a proper sea view room," he thought.


    Using the free coffee offered to guests, Liu Yong brewed a cup and called his family and Li Changle to let them know he was safe. Near 4 pm, he realized he couldn''t visit the sunken ship today.


    Deciding to stroll, Liu Yong left the presidential suite and arrived at the hotel''s lobby on the first floor. He nned to ask the front desk for rmendations on nearby ces with beautiful views.


    As he was about to approach the front desk, he heard someone call his name. Turning around, he was surprised and overjoyed to see Wei Chunyan. "Wei Chunyan, is that really you?" he eximed.


    "Liu Yong, it is really you! What are you doing here?" Wei Chunyan replied, equally ecstatic.


    "I''m just visiting SY City for a few days, and decided to stay at this hotel. What about you?" Liu Yong asked.


    "I work here, in the housekeeping department," Wei Chunyan replied.


    They chatted for a while, catching up on old times. As they were about to part ways, Liu Yong turned to Wei Chunyan and said,


    Liu understood that she worked here.


    The two individuals were college ssmates who had been together for a good four years, and Wei Chunyan still held the title of the most beautiful girl in their ss - often referred to as the "ss flower."


    Afterpleting their university studies, several ssmates - including Wei Chunyan - went to SY City in Nanhai Province. However, after graduation, Liu Yong''s contact with them was limited to their ss group.


    In the ss group, Liu Yong was known to be someone who seldom spoke up, often referred to as a "deep-water fish" who remained constantly diving.


    However, the name of Ryder Resort Hotel struck a chord with Liu Yong. He recalled hearing about it in their ss group, and as it turned out, Wei Chunyan worked there.


    As is often the case with old ssmates, they had much to catch up on. Wei Chunyan couldn''t help but be curious about Liu Yong''s situation.


    She asked, "Liu Yong, I heard you''re still staying in Huahai City and don''t really participate in the ss group. How have you beentely?"


    Liu Yong responded, "Not bad."


    Wei Chunyan couldn''t help but roll her eyes at Liu Yong''s vague response. She thought, "Is that all he has to say?" She was hoping to learn more about his recent details, such as whichpany he works for and how his life has been.


    After giving Liu Yong a smile and a dismissive look, Wei Chunyan didn''t bother to press him for more information. Instead, she asked, "Where are you heading?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong replied, "It''s just past four in the afternoon, and it''s still early. I was nning to go shopping nearby. This is my first time in SY City, so I''m not familiar with the area."


    Offering her help, Wei Chunyan said, "I''m familiar with this ce. How about I be your guide?"


    Liu Yong was pleased with the idea and agreed. He did, however, express concern that her work might be affected. Wei Chunyan replied,


    "It''s no problem. I asked for leave and finished work already. It''s quite a coincidence that you''re here. Tonight, some of our ssmates who work in SY City are gathering at our hotel, and you should join us."


    Liu Yong hesitated before responding, "I don''t know if it''s appropriate for me to attend."


    Wei Chunyan was quick to reassure him. "What''s the problem? You''re our ssmate, after all. I remember that you and Huang Guang were good friends in college. He also works in SY City and will be joining us tonight."


    Liu Yong was surprised to hear that Huang Guang was in SY City. He replied, "Alright, I''ll attend the party tonight. I haven''t seen Huang Guang in a long time."


    Wei Chunyan introduced Liu Yong to their ssmates, revealing that they had six other ssmates in SY City, making them a group of seven.


    One of their ssmates, Hu Guangqiang, was also in SY City and was expected to join them that evening.


    When Wei Chunyan mentioned Hu Guangqiang''s name, Liu Yong''s mind immediately conjured up an image of him.


    To be honest, Liu Yong didn''t have a good impression of him. He felt that Hu Guangqiang was hypocritical and liked to show off.


    Wei Chunyan said, "Come on, walk around the area."


    "Okay, let us go !"


    Liu replied.


    Wei Chunyan was brimming with enthusiasm as she took Liu Yong on a whirlwind tour of SY City, leading him through its bustling pedestrian streets, the grandest park in the city, and sharing tidbits of information about this fascinating locale.


    "It''s a pity we don''t have more time today. Otherwise, I could take you to more attractions. Today, we can only count what we''ve seen so far," Wei Chunyan said with a tinge of regret.


    As evening descended, the duo made their way back to the hotel. Wei Chunyan, to break the ice, said,


    "I sent you a message in the group just now, informing everyone that you happened to be in SY City. Huang Guang was overjoyed to hear the news."


    Liu Yong''s face lit up with a happy smile. Back in college, he had several close ssmates, including Huang Guang. However, their paths diverged after graduation, and they lost touch over time.


    Around 7:30 pm, the students attending the reunion started trickling in individually. Huang Guang was among them, and upon spotting Liu Yong, he let out an excited yelp and rushed over to him, giving him a tight bear hug. "Brother, it''s been too long! I''m so thrilled to see you here today," he eximed.


    Liu Yong''s eyes scanned the crowd and eventually fell upon Hu Guangqiang.


    Despite their past, Hu Guangqiang merely acknowledged Liu Yong''s presence with a curt nod and didn''t attempt any further conversation or even a handshake.


    Liu Yong noticed that several of his ssmates had flocked around Hu Guangqiang, invisibly ttering him.


    In particr, a ssmate of Guo Liangtian seemed to be vying for Hu Guangqiang''s attention, making it clear who the center of attention was.


    .................

 Chapter 136 AA System

    Liu Yong observed the situation with a calm demeanor, but he couldn''t help but feel a hint of disappointment. Though he was not surprised, he couldn''t believe that his former ssmates still engaged in pettypetitions and one-upmanship.


    Despite their juvenile behavior, Liu Yong maintained hisposure and simply smiled.


    With a nonchnt attitude, Liu Yong knew that he was on a different level than his former ssmates. As Hu Guangqiang acted as the leader and announced that the group would use the AA system, Liu Yong watched as the dishes arrived individually.


    Hu Guangqiang raised his ss of wine, ready to share some "good news." "Starting today, I will be promoted from a former supervisor to a manager and manage a dozen or so people."


    His arrogance and desire for superiority were palpable, and Liu Yong simply shook his head at the sight of it. Hu Guangqiang had stayed the same since their college days.


    Licking Dog Guo Liangtian said, "Among our ssmates, Brother Hu is the most powerful. We have only graduated for more than a year, and many people are still struggling for food and clothing. Our Brother Hu has already been promoted to manager."


    Hu Guangqiang basked in the glory of his promotion, while Liu Yong knew he was not impressed by his former ssmate''s antics.


    Guo Liangtian, aware of the shaky rtionship between Liu Yong and Hu Guangqiang in college, prodded Liu Yong, "Liu Yong, our brother Hu is already a manager, and he manages a dozen people under him. How about you? Tell everyone about your recent situation."


    The intention was clear: to embarrass Liu Yong before their former ssmates. It was a cheap shot, and even a blind person could see it.


    But Liu Yong remained unfazed. He regarded his former ssmates as mere clowns, different from him in level and mindset.


    Huang Guang, who had a good rtionship with Liu Yong, spoke up in his defense. "I think it''s better to forget it. Brother Yong finally came to dinner with us, why talk about these things?"


    Zhang Xianmei, another female ssmate, agreed, "Yes, what Huang Guang said is right. Since Liu Yong is unwilling to talk about it, let''s forget it. Everyone, enjoy the food. Chunyan has carefully ordered these dishes."


    Hu Guangqiang, however, was not ready to let Liu Yong off the hook. He gave him a meaningful look, and another ssmate said, "Yes, let''s talk about it."


    Liu Yong could see through their scheme, and he gave them a small smile. They tried to make a fool out of him, but he would not stoop to their level.


    Guo Liangtian, who had been eager to belittle Liu Yong, then suggested,


    "Brother Hu has been promoted to manager. What can we do if we only have food but no good wine? We must have two bottles of Moutai."


    Liu Yong watched as his former ssmates eagerly agreed. Wei Chunyan and Zhang Xiaomei, however, inwardly sighed. They were not heavy drinkers, and two bottles of Moutai would be costly under the AA system.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but notice the expressions of the two female students when he suggested ordering Maotai. He quickly said, "Let''s forget about the Maotai, it''s quite expensive, and we''re splitting the bill equally, which would be unfair to the two of you."


    Hu Guangqiang sneered at Liu Yong''s suggestion, while Guo Liangtian had a different response. "Liu Yong, don''t worry about the cost, if it''s a financial burden for you, we''ll cover the extra amount," Guo Liangtian offered.


    Liu Yong chuckled at the suggestion. No one had ever used him of being unable to pay before. "That''s not necessary, it''s just two bottles of wine. I can afford it," Liu Yong replied confidently.


    Guo Liangtian didn''t believe Liu Yong''s im and scoffed, "Hehe, who would believe that?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong didn''t see the point in arguing with Guo Liangtian, especially since he felt it was beneath him. If they weren''t ssmates, he would have left already.


    Huang Guang was furious and clenched his fists tightly, while Wei Chunyan looked apologetic. She had invited Liu Yong to join them and didn''t expect this situation. She felt terrible that Liu Yong had been put in an ufortable position.


    Guo Liangtian was about to order the two bottles of Moutai when a man who appeared to be the manager approached them with two waiters.


    Wei Chunyan recognized the man as Manager Luo, the food and beverage manager of Ryder Resort Hotel, who was at the same level as her boss. She was puzzled as to why he was there.


    Manager Luo approached them and asked loudly, "Which of you is Mr. Liu Yong?"


    Liu Yong acknowledged him and said, "I am Liu Yong."


    Manager Luo introduced himself politely, "Hello, Mr. Liu. I am the manager of the catering department, and my surname is Luo. Wee to our Ryder Resort Hotel. This is a gift from our hotel," he said as he gestured to the two bottles of Moutai.


    After finishing his speech, Liu Yong gestured to the two waiters, bringing out two exquisite dishes: one filled with king crab and the other with sulent tuna sashimi. These dishes were not inexpensive, costing at least a few thousand yuan.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but ask, "Manager Luo, did you make a mistake?"


    Manager Luo replied with a smile, "No, not at all. As part of our presidential suite package, we offer these two dishes to all our guests who stay in this suite. Since you booked a three-day stay, we included these dishes as part of your package. I hope you enjoy them."


    After his exnation, Manager Luo walked away with the two waiters, leaving the table inplete silence.


    Hu Guangqiang and Guo Liangtian were stupefied, staring at Liu Yong in disbelief. Liu Yong, a man they thought couldn''t even afford a bottle of Moutai, was staying in the presidential suite!


    The two female students at the table, Zhang Xiaomei and Wei Chunyan were the first to break the silence. Zhang Xiaomei, who worked in the hotel''s room department, asked Wei Chunyan, "How much does the presidential suite cost per night?"


    Wei Chunyan responded, "It costs twenty-eight thousand yuan per night."


    Zhang Xiaomei was taken aback, realizing it would take her several months'' sry just to stay one night in the presidential suite. Wei Chunyan was equally surprised and asked Liu Yong, "So you really are staying in the presidential suite?"


    Liu Yong nodded with a rxed expression, feeling somewhat relieved as he looked at Hu Guangqiang and the others, who were still in shock. "Yes, I just checked in this afternoon and n to stay for three days. Maybe I''ll stay for four or five days, or even a week, depending on my schedule."


    Wei Chunyan was curious about Liu Yong''s identity and asked him about it earlier. Liu Yong mentioned that he started apany a few months ago, but it was still in its early stages.


    Wei Chunyan assumed that Liu Yong''spany was a small startup with only a handful of employees. However, after seeing him staying in the presidential suite, she realized her assumptions were wrong.


    The table was left in shock and awe after discovering Liu Yong''s financial situation.


    ...................

 Chapter 137 Global Limited Edition!

    Hu Guangqiang, Guo Liangtian, and the others finally regained their senses, and the three exchanged nces in silence.


    Guo Liangtian, still in shock, spoke up, "Liu Yong, did you ask Wei Chunyan to arrange for someone to deliver food to us just now?"


    Guo Liangtian was convinced that Wei Chunyan had something to do with the unexpected delivery, given her position as a supervisor in the hotel''s room department.


    Liu Yong merely smiled in response to Guo Liangtian''s inquiry, thinking that Guo Liangtian''s IQ seemed to have taken a hit since their college days.


    As the conversation continued, Zhang Xiaomei said excitedly, "Liu Yong, can I see the watch you''re wearing?"


    Wei Chunyan sat between Zhang Xiaomei and Liu Yong and had never paid much attention to Liu Yong''s wrist before.


    However, upon learning that Liu Yong was staying in the presidential suite, she began to take notice of him. Not long before, she noticed the watch on Liu Yong''s wrist.


    Liu Yong smiled and asked, "What''s so special about a watch?"


    Guo Liangtian chimed in, "Exactly, it''s just a watch. Even Brother Hu has a watch that cost more than 8,000 yuan."


    Hu Guangqiang had purchased his watch to impress others, and although it had cost him more than 8,000 yuan, he felt the price was well worth it.


    He always made sure to unt it during their ss reunions.


    However, at this particr moment, he sensed that Liu Yong''s watch might be more valuable than his own, so he quietly pulled down his sleeve and hid his watch from sight.


    Zhang Xiaomei persisted, "Liu Yong, please show me the watch. You don''t know this, but I used to work at a famous watch counter and also spent a few months working in the jewelry section. I specialize in selling jadeite."


    Wei Chunyan added, "Liu Yong, just show her the watch. You won''t regret it. She knows what she''s talking about when ites to watches and jewelry."


    Feeling pressured by Wei Chunyan''s persuasion, Liu Yong acquiesced and removed his watch, handing it over to Zhang Xiaomei with a nonchnt expression.


    "It''s just a watch. There''s nothing special about it."


    Upon seeing the watch, Zhang Xiaomei was astonished and held it with an expression of disbelief on her face. "Oh my god, this is a global limited edition! I can''t believe I''m actually holding a global limited edition watch in my hands!"


    Hu Guangqiang had remained silent throughout this exchange, but he couldn''t help but ask, "Zhang Xiaomei, how much is this watch worth?"


    Zhang Xiaomei replied with certainty, "At least 8 million or more."


    The group was shocked by the revtion, and Huang Guang couldn''t sit still, terrified at the thought of wearing such an expensive item.


    Hu Guangqiang silently took off his watch and put it in his pocket. At the same time, Guo Liangtian was leftpletely speechless, unable toprehend the fact that there existed watches worth 8 million yuan.


    Zhang Xiaomei carefully handed the watch back to Liu Yong with a cautious look utterly different from the one she had when she first received it.


    As she did so, she noticed that Liu Yong was wearing a jade que around his neck, which caught her attention immediately. Knowing something about jadeite from her several months of work at the jadeite counter, Zhang Xiaomei realized that the jade que as standard.


    "Liu Yong, what you are wearing is an emerald jade que, please show me, how about it?" she asked curiously.


    To her surprise, Liu Yong did not hesitate to take down the jade que and handed it to her.


    Zhang Xiaomei was taken aback by what she saw- the jade que was made of imperial green ss, a type of jadeite she had never seen before.


    However, she remembered the master''s words that such jadeite was extremely rare, and each piece was a precious treasure worth hundreds of millions.


    Her hands trembled slightly as she took two deep breaths to calm herself. Wei Chunli, who was very wise, seemed to sense Zhang Xiaomei''s mood and asked, "Xiaomei, what''s the matter, is this jade medal more expensive than the watch just now?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    To which Zhang Xiaomei replied, "It''s not only more expensive than that watch, it''s simply too expensive."


    Even an 8 million yuan watch had left everyone in awe, but this jade que was on another level.


    "This jade tablet is unusual. It''s made of imperial green ss. The carver should alsoe from a famous master. It must be worth more than 100 million," she exined to herpanions.


    Hu Guangqiang, Huang Guang, and Wei Chunli were stunned by the revtion, almost falling off their seats.


    Huang Guang incredulously asked, "Brother Yong, is this jade card worth hundreds of millions?"


    With a hint of amusement, Liu Yong nced at them and replied, "Yes, I found a professional organization to evaluate it, and its value should be around 150 million."


    150 million yuan! The figure was mind-boggling, and the three friends were left bbergasted.


    Liu Yong, on the other hand, seemed calm about the whole thing, casually putting the 150 million jade que back around his neck.


    He then suggested they move to a private room and treat his friends to a meal. "I don''t want to have dinner with those three idiots for a long time, let''s go, let''s change ces," he said, brushing off hispanions'' shocked expressions.


    Once in the private room, Liu Yong ordered several signature dishes and a bottle of red wine worth over 10,000 yuan.


    His generosity was apparent, and his friends were amazed by the generosity of the meal.


    Despite growing up in a well-to-do family, Huang Guang admitted that he had never eaten such luxurious food.


    The following day, Liu Yong awoke from a deep sleep, feeling refreshed andfortable. He nced at his wristwatch, realizing it was time to begin the day''s work. With purpose, he eximed, "Time to get up and get to work!"


    Liu Yong''s n for the day was straightforward: he intended to personally retrieve the contents of the sunken ship, pack them carefully in bubble wrap, ce them in stic baskets, and then have Bawang transport them back to the warehouse near the sea.


    After finishing his morning ablutions, Liu Yong ced a phone call, and soon after, a staff member wheeled in a trolleyden with a sumptuous breakfast spread. Much to his surprise, Wei Chunyan also appeared on the scene.


    "Why are you here?" he asked.


    Wei Chunyan smiled, "Old ssmate, I am the supervisor of the guest room department. I have to ensure that our guests staying in the presidential suite are properly cared for."


    Liu Yong found her exnation usible, but he was hungry and eager to eat. So, he decided to enjoy breakfast and attend to his work once fully satiated.


    As he savored his meal, one dish after another was served, and Wei Chunyan attentively catered to his every need.


    "Old ssmate, do you need anything else? Just tell me what you want to eat," she inquired.


    "It''s already more than enough. I won''t be able to finish all of these," Liu Yong replied, still chewing.


    Despite his protestations, Wei Chunyan lingered, suggesting they explore the hotel together after breakfast.


    Liu Yong was caught off guard by her invitation and how she looked at him. He realized she was expressing romantic interest, which he had not noticed during their college days.


    However, Liu Yong politely declined her offer, "I have something to doter, thank you for your kind offer."


    Wei Chunyan appeared slightly dejected but added, "Okay, then you can go to work. If you need anything, you can contact me at any time."


    After breakfast, Liu Yong gathered and set out with only a small bag containing his diving shlight, goggles, and other necessary equipment.


    ..............

 Chapter 138 Blessing In Disguise!

    The hotel where Liu Yong stayed proved highly reliable as he stepped out of the elevator and was greeted by a polite supervisor or manager in the lobby. "Mr. Liu, we have prepared the things you need, and I will take you there to have a look," the person said, eager to assist Liu Yong.


    "Thank you," Liu Yong replied with a nod of appreciation.


    A picturesque beach and a marina were just a stone''s throw away from the hotel. The manager took Liu Yong to the front of a speedboat and offered,


    "This is what you need, and the speedboat has been filled with fuel. I can make arrangements immediately if you need someone to help drive the speedboat."


    Liu Yong examined the speedboat''s contents and was satisfied, taking the key from the manager''s hand. "No, I can drive the speedboat myself," he said confidently.


    "Mr. Liu, goodbye," the manager waved as Liu Yong boarded the speedboat, quickly drove away, and set off towards his destination.


    True to its name, the speedboat zoomed through the waves like a lightning bolt, and Liu Yong reached the sunken ship''s location after two or three hours of driving.


    "Finally, we''re here," Liu Yong breathed a long sigh of relief and took a moment to rx.


    As soon as the speedboat stopped, he threw the things on the boat into the sea, which were tied to severalrge rocks that pulled them toward the ocean floor. Liu Yong then stripped down his swimming shorts, donned his diving goggles and shlight, and jumped into the clear waters.


    The sea was stunningly clear, allowing Liu Yong to see the bottom quickly.


    Swimming towards the sunken ship''s location, hemented, "The water depth here is only about 100 meters, which is not too deep."


    Soon he reached the sunken ship''s side and examined it. The vessel was worn, decayed, and visually estimated to be about 30 meters long, with a massive hole in the hull, torn down by Bawang, who had ripped off several shipboards. Through the hole, Liu Yong could see a warehouse filled with porcin.


    Despite the dimness of the sea floor, Liu Yong could still see the breathtaking scenery around him, with seaweed swaying, colorful corals, and unidentifiable fish groups swimming past from time to time.


    After admiring the seabed''s beauty for a while, Liu Yong, holding a shlight and arge stic basket in the other, swam in through the hole nimbly, like a fish.


    Excited by the sight of the porcin inside, he eximed, "So much china! Almost fills this cabin. I love it!" With his shlight''s help, Liu Yong filled the basket with porcin individually, then put it outside when packed.


    When a few baskets were full, Bawang appeared, probably nearby, and came over when he saw movement. "Master, you are here," Bawang said respectfully.


    "You came just in time,e and help me with my work," Liu Yong said.


    "No problem, master. Please tell me what I want to do," Bawang replied obediently.


    Liu Yong meticulously packed each piece of porcin into the boat and sent them to the cave entrance. Overlord responded quickly, deftly moving the porcin baskets to a t ground nearby.


    The duo worked seamlessly, with one person and one turtleplementing each other''s strengths.


    The sheer number of porcin baskets was staggering, totaling over a hundred.


    As Liu Yong emptied the cabin, he estimated that there were more than 20,000 pieces of porcin to be transported.


    "My previous estimate was too conservative," he mused. "There could be 30,000 pieces, or even double that amount."


    After swimming out of the sunken ship, Liu Yong felt aplished as he surveyed the baskets in the open space next to the boat.


    The fruits of hisbor over the past hour or two were evident. With so many porcin pieces, it was imperative to ship them all back.


    Liu Yong returned to work, meticulously filling each basket with air bubble film, securing it with a lid and cable ties, and wrapping it in severalyers of air bubble film for extra protection. He intended to safeguard the porcin from any damage during transportation, which took him about thirty to forty minutes per basket.


    Once finished, Liu Yong checked each basket and found that everyone had intact porcin. Any broken pieces or shards were cast aside. He noted that while the porcin was rtively unchanged, about one-third had been damaged to some degree.


    "Overlord,e here and open your mouth," Liu Yong instructed.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Overlord dutifullyplied, and Liu Yong deftly loaded the porcin baskets into the giant turtle''s mouth. Each basket was an extrarge stic container weighing at least two to three hundred catties once filled with porcin.


    Moving such heavy baskets in the water would be daunting for most, but Liu Yong did it effortlessly. In total, there were over a hundred baskets, which filled Bawang''s mouth to the brim.


    "Now, deliver all these porcins to our warehouse by the sea," Liu Yong instructed Overlord.


    "No problem, Master, I''m leaving now," replied Overlord as he slowly swam away.


    Liu Yong watched as Bawang carried the porcin cargo away, leaving about a hundred empty baskets behind. Feeling tired, Liu Yong decided to take a break before continuing his work.


    He swam to the surface, climbed into the speedboat, and rested awhile. He drank half a bottle of beverage, ate a little something, and basked in the warm sun.


    Resting for about half an hour, Liu Yong returned to the water and swam through the original hole again.


    Although the cabin was now practically empty, Liu Yong remained thorough in his search,bing through every nook and cranny.


    He was determined to leave no stone unturned in pursuing porcin treasures.


    In the murky depths of the bilge, a discovery was made. Amongst the muck and grime, ancient coins and damaged porcin were found.


    Though severely corroded, each item was carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and temporarily ced in baskets.


    Upon closer inspection, it became apparent that some of these items were of poor quality, but others were of satisfactory quality and may hold some value.


    It was decided that they should be returned and handed over to Ding Wen''spany for further processing.


    Liu Yong, realizing that there was nothing more to be found in this particr cabin, made his way to explore the sunken ship further. As he moved through the ship, he came across another cabin.


    During the Song Dynasty, the shipbuilding industry was a force to be reckoned with. Not only were they able to construct giant ships with a length of 30 to 40 meters and a discement of hundreds of tons, but they also designed various cabins, making their shipbuilding techniques the world''s first ss at the time.


    This new cabin held the promise of something exciting. It was believed to contain tea and silk, which had been lost for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, the items had rotted away and were now nothing but mud with no value.


    "Are there any other boxes?" Liu Yong asked.


    Severalrge boxes were barely visible, their structure nearly destroyed by the corrosive elements. Liu Yong swam over to one of the boxes and opened it.


    With a little force and a loud crash, the box disintegrated, revealing the contents inside. The corrosion was extensive, leaving almost everything rusted and useless, all except for one box.


    Ironware from the Song Dynasty was found inside, likely intended for export to countries in Southeast Asia through the Maritime Silk Road for sale.


    However, the corroded metal was now essentially worthless.


    Opening another box revealed the same oue; all left inside was corroded iron. But as they opened the final package, they were surprised.


    The box was not full of rust, but rather, it was golden in color except for ayer of mud.


    They then realized they had found a gold artifact from the Song Dynasty!


    "Blessing in disguise ! ! "


    .............

 Chapter 139 Into Gold Artifact

    It was evident that the gold wares found were a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of the time. It was highly probable that these pieces were intended for shipment to Southeast Asia for sale.


    Yong couldn''t help but express his admiration as he carefully cleaned one of them.


    "The exquisite workmanship is simply remarkable!" he eximed,


    "It''s astonishing to think that such a craft existed eight or nine centuries ago."


    Liu Yong meticulously wrapped each gold object in bubble film,yer afteryer, to ensure their safekeeping.


    The tworge wooden boxes were brimming with over a hundred gold wares, weighing tens of kilograms, with the heaviest piece estimated to be over a kilogram.


    He then tied up and wrapped each piece in stic before cing them all in arge basket, which he ensured was securely fastened with cable ties. After checking that nothing was missing, he sent the basket out of the sunken ship and onto the open space outside.


    Liu Yong then picked up another basket and swam back into the sunken ship, making his way to a warehouse where he discovered an abundance of porcin.


    "Apartment full of china!" he eximed in excitement.


    The porcin had initially been stacked neatly and secured with straw ropes and mats, but with eight or nine hundred years having passed, the straws and strings had rotted away, leaving the porcin scattered and some even damaged or broken.


    Liu Yong carefully inspected each piece, using his shlight to determine which ones were in good condition. He ced the undamaged porcin into a stic basket and the damaged or broken pieces into another.


    He worked for over two hours, carefully removing over a hundred baskets of intact porcin from the cargo hold.


    The damaged porcin, however, held little value and was dumped in the space near the sunken ship.


    Liu Yong realized there was still a substantial amount of porcin left in the cargo hold, more than he had initially anticipated.


    Although he wasn''t tired, he had run out of stic baskets. He had already used up all 300 extrarge stic baskets.


    "It looks like I underestimated the quantity of porcin in this shipwreck," Liu Yong mused. "I''ll have to bring at least five hundred baskets here tomorrow."


    The realization that each basket of porcin was worth tens of millions of dors and that it took only three to five minutes to process each one filled Liu Yong with enthusiasm. He felt that there was nothing more profitable than this work.


    Swimming out of the sunken ship, Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel extremely satisfied with the fruits of hisbor.


    He wished he could do this daily, relishing in the excitement of finding valuable treasures such as these porcin pieces.


    "I don''t feel fatigued, and I don''t need to surface for air," Liu Yongnong thought as he examined his surroundings, confident that he could remain submerged for another two or three hours.


    Each porcin basket was carefully sealed with cable ties and then wrapped with severalyers of stic bubble film to protect the delicate contents.


    After nearly two hours of work, Liu Yong proudly inspected the over a hundred tightly-wrapped baskets. He then swam up to the surface and climbed aboard the waiting speedboat.


    As he gazed at the carefully packaged porcins, he knew that the second trip, including the gold wares and Song Dynasty coins, would be sessfully transported back after Bawangpleted this trip.


    "Where is Overlord?" he wondered.


    "Advancing rapidly, maintaining a speed of around 170 knots," he observed in amazement. He had already covered most of the distance in just a few hours and estimated that he would reach Huahai City in two or three hours.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "What an impressive vessel!" he eximed.


    He checked his watch and realized it was already past 6:00 pm and decided it was time to head back. He started the speedboat and made his way back to the hotel at a fast pace.


    Upon arriving at the hotel, he found Huang Guang waiting for him in the lobby. "Brother Yong!" Huang Guang greeted him eagerly.


    Liu Yong waved in response and said, "Come, let''s eat together."


    On the way to the restaurant, Liu Yong messaged Huang Guang on WeChat, suggesting that they chat over dinner. Huang Guang readily agreed.


    Liu Yong cordially ordered an extensive array of dishes and a bottle of red wine worth tens of thousands of dors, demonstrating how hungry he was after a strenuous day.


    He had only devoured something on the speedboat during noon, so he was ravenous by dinnertime. Meanwhile, Huang Guang was also present, and this evening''s meal could be seen as a way of catching up on old times.


    Huang Guang was ted as he watched thevish spread of dishes and the expensive red wine. "Brother Yong, this is way too extravagant, it must have cost you a fortune."


    Liu Yong replied with a casual wave of his hand, "It''s alright, it''s just a meal."


    Huang Guang couldn''t help but admire his friend. Brother Yong was undoubtedly wealthy and influential, and this meal alone was worth several months of his sry.


    However, Huang Guang did not envy Liu Yong but was genuinely happy for him.


    "Cheers, let''s drink to our reunion."


    Liu Yong raised his ss and clinked it against Huang Guang''s. Taking a sip of the red wine, he encouraged his friend to indulge in the food, "Help yourself, pick whatever you like."


    Huang Guang sipped his wine and used his chopsticks to select some dishes. He then asked, "Brother, what is the name of yourpany, and how big is it? Can you tell me about it?"


    If Hu Guangqiang or any others had posed this question, Liu Yong would have dismissed it as a bit of a startup with no significant prospects.


    However, he did not attempt to hide anything from Huang Guang and briefly recounted the story of Universal.


    Huang Guang was shocked as Liu Yong disclosed that thepany had billions of assets in 10,000-ton ocean-going ships.


    "Brother Yong, you''re amazing!" eximed Huang Guang, giving a thumbs-up and almost falling off his seat in astonishment.


    Liu Yong grinned, "How about you, how have you been?"


    Huang Guang replied, "After graduation, I moved to SY City, hoping that the pressure would be less and that there would be more development opportunities.Unfortunately, it turned out to be the opposite. I''m still just a lowly employee. The promotion I was promised to a supervisor position was snatched away by someone else."


    He sighed disappointedly,


    "It''s not easy to get ahead anywhere nowadays. Thepetition in today''s society is simply too fierce."


    ...................

 Chapter 140 High School Friend As Manager

    As Liu Yong witnessed his former good partner, Huang Guang, not doing well, he felt a slightly tug at his heartstrings.


    Thepany they had both previously worked for was facing some turbulence, but Universal Corporation, Liu Yong''s current enterprise, was experiencing a period of rapid development.


    With an abundance of Song Dynasty porcins in their possession, the funds were bing even more substantial, propelling Universal onto the fast development track.


    As thepany''s sess grew, Liu Yong realized they needed a significant influx of talented individuals to sustain their momentum. This realization led him to think of his old ssmate, Huang Guang.


    Despite the troubles that Huang Guang had faced in his currentpany, Liu Yong knew he was a talented worker and decided to extend an olive branch to him.


    "Old ssmate, mypany is in need of people. How about youe and help me? After youe here, let''s start as a manager, how about it?" Liu Yong proposed to Huang Guang.


    Liu Yong''s offer took aback Huang Guang. He had heard correctly, right? Universal Corporation was worth billions, and Huang Guang couldn''t believe that Liu Yong had asked him to be a manager.


    "Manager?" Huang Guang repeated, surprised and pleased at the same time.


    Being a manager was a massive promotion from his current employment status.


    The employee levels at Universal were simr to otherpanies, with staff, supervisors, managers, department managers, and executives being some of the higher-level positions.


    Huang Guang had just missed promotion to supervisor at his currentpany and was still just an employee. epting the position at Universal would mean being promoted to two levels.


    Huang Guang couldn''t help but feel excited at the opportunity.


    "Brother Yong, really let me go to be a manager?" he asked again.


    Liu Yong assured him, "Let''s start with the manager. If you perform well, you can be promoted. Ourpany''s promotion process is very fast. I hope that you will be able to reach the top of thepany in a few years."


    This promise of rapid career advancement was something that Huang Guang had never experienced before. He couldn''t believe his ears. He had never dared to dream about being a senior executive, but now it seemed like a possibility.


    Liu Yong added, "Come and work with me, Hu Shijun is at Universal now, but he is now the executive deputy general manager."


    Hearing that his friend, Hu Shijun, was also working at Universal Corporation greatly relieved Huang Guang.


    He didn''t need to hesitate any longer. "Old Hu is also with you? That''s great! I will go to thepany to resign tomorrow and buy a ne ticket to Huahai City," he said decisively.


    Over a sumptuous meal, the two old friends reminisced about their college days and caught up on each other''s lives. The conversation was lighthearted and went on for more than two hours.


    The following day, Liu Yong woke up early, and after having breakfast, he set out to go to the sunken ship again. Before leaving, he called Ding Wen.


    When Ding Wen answered the phone, he greeted Liu Yong, "Brother Yong, hello."


    Liu Yong wasted no time and said, "Brother, there is work to do."


    Ding Wen was thrilled to hear from Liu Yong, "Brother Yong, just give orders."


    Liu Yong instructed, "Call some trustworthy people and immediately drive arge truck to my seaside warehouse. There are at least 20,000 pieces of Song porcin, gold wares, and coins from the Song Dynasty in it."


    Ding Wen was astonished by the sheer quantity, "What! There are really more than 20,000 pieces of Song porcin!!"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Even though Liu Yong had mentioned that there would be 20,000 to 30,000 pieces of Song porcin, Ding Wen was still taken aback by the news, and it took him a while to recover.


    Liu Yong reminded him, "Remember, this matter must be kept strictly confidential. The people selected must be trustworthy and must keep the matter to themselves."


    "Brother Yong, I see."


    After a brief conversation, Liu Yong headed towards the sunken ship while Ding Wen went to the warehouse.


    Liu Yong trusted Ding Wen entirely and gave him the key to the warehouse beforeing to Nanhai Province.


    Bawang had made another tripst night and sent all the more than one hundred baskets of Song porcin, including the gold wares and coins that Liu Yong had moved out of the boat, to the seaside warehouse in Huahai City.


    Liu Yong was driving the speedboat toward the sunken ship while Ding Wen went with his team toward the warehouse. They reached the warehouse in an hour while Liu Yong was still on his way, at least an hour away.


    As they opened the warehouse door, Ding Wen was in awe. Therge stic baskets were piled up in the open space of the warehouse, and each basket was wrapped with severalyers of transparent stic bubble film.


    Ding Wen couldn''t hold back his excitement and quickly exited the car. He walked towards the Song porcin, looking and examining each one of them. There was no doubt that each stic basket contained a piece of porcin.


    Several people on the truck also got off, and Ding Wen instructed,


    "Open the door and move all these things into the truck. Be careful. It''s full of porcin, don''t damage it."


    "Don''t worry, boss."


    "We''ll be careful."


    One by one, Ding Wen''s trusted confidantes rolled up their sleeves and began loading boxes of delicate porcin onto the waiting truck with utmost care.


    As they lifted the baskets, they noticed each one was damp, as if freshly plucked from the sea. Although this struck them as peculiar, they remained silent and focused on the task.


    Working together seamlessly, the group loaded all the precious cargo onto the truck in just over an hour. Ding Wen''s heart swelled with excitement and disbelief, feeling like he was in a dream. "Brother Yong said there were 20,000 to 30,000 pieces, and indeed, there are," he eximed in amazement.


    With the truck fully loaded, they returned to thepany, where they would meticulously clean, sort, and catalog the valuable porcin. Soon, the exhibition hall would be adorned with various exquisite Song porcin, creating a magnificent disy.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong returned to the sunken ship and resumed the backbreaking work of extracting basket after basket of porcin from the wreckage.


    As he worked, he couldn''t help but think that the previous estimate of 20,000 to 30,000 pieces seemed too conservative; it was likely closer to 40,000 to 50,000.


    Huang Guang, an employee at a small tradingpany with less than 100 staff, spent the start of his day penning a resignation report instead of focusing on his daily responsibilities.


    Within half an hour, he had finished the report and was ready to hand it to his boss.


    However, before he could leave his desk, a voice behind him called out,


    "Huang Guang, what''s the matter? You haven''t even finished this small task yet?"


    ....................

 Chapter 141 The Power Of High Rank

    As Huang Guang was working, he noticed that his Boss, Niu Lili, was calling him with a nasty tone. "Huang Guang, pleasee over,"


    Huang Guang went over, and his colleagues looked at him with pity and sympathy as he did.


    "Huang Guang, please ask yourself, we can''t help you," one of his colleagues said.


    Huang Guang knew that a few days ago, Niu Lili was an ordinary employee just like him. In fact, Huang Guang''s performance and abilities were even better than Niu Lili''s. However, when thepany wanted to promote a supervisor from among them, Niu Lili regarded Huang Guang as the biggestpetitor and threat.


    On the eve of Huang Guang''s promotion, Niu Lili went to the supervisor to give a small report about him and even went to the manager to give a gift.


    Ultimately, Niu Lili won the promotion, and Huang Guang''s life became more difficult. Niu Lili was constantly critical of Huang Guang''s work.


    As Huang Guang walked over to Niu Lili, he knew he was in for another one of Niu Lili''s criticisms.


    "Huang Guang, what''s the matter with you?" Niu Lili asked.


    "I didn''t finish the work I arranged for you to finish yesterday, and I didn''t see you working overtime at night. Do you still want to do this job or not?"


    Huang Guang smiled faintly and replied, "I''m notzy. I do two or three times the workload of others every day. From today on, you can do these jobs yourself. I won''t apany you!"


    Niu Lili was dumbfounded and just stood there in a daze. Huang Guang''s colleagues were also stunned, thinking that Huang Guang was a prominent critic and a bully.


    Huang Guang left Niu Lili in a daze and walked directly to the general manager''s office.


    Yuan Gang, the Boss and general manager of thepany, was surprised to see Huang Guang knocking on his door.


    "Huang Guang, what''s the matter?" Yuan Gang asked.


    Huang Guang replied, "Boss, this is my resignation report. I don''t want to do it anymore."


    Yuan Gang took the resignation report and asked, "Why? Is the job not going well, or do you think the sry is too low?"


    Yuan Gang had an employee who had been working for more than a year, but despite his tenure, Yuan Gang was not willing to see him resign. One day, Huang Guang approached Yuan Gang and said, "Boss, I need to talk to you about something important."


    Yuan Gang looked up and said, "Sure, what''s on your mind?"


    Huang Guang did not hide it and said, "Boss, my ssmate asked me to help out in hispany and hoped I would work with him."


    Yuan Gang looked at Huang Guang and thought in his heart that his ssmate should be young and that he must be running a smallpany.


    Although he thought so, Yuan Gang couldn''t help asking, "What''s the name of your ssmate''spany? Is it also in SY City?"


    Huang Guang replied, "No, in Huahai City, the name is Global Ocean Services Company."


    Yuan Gang''s expression changed. "What! Global Ocean Services? That''s Universal Company''s subsidiary!"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Huang Guang confirmed, "Yes, he is the Boss. I used to work with him this time. I will be the manager for the time being, and I will be promoted slowly in the future."


    Yuan Gang knew that Huang Guang could not be retained, so he reluctantly signed Huang Guang''s resignation report. However, Yuan Gang was not ready to relinquish his potential connection to Universal Company.


    Yuan Gang researched thepany and became optimistic about forming a long-term cooperative rtionship. Still, hispany needed to be more significant for many ocean shippingpanies to ept their business.


    Yuan Gang had previously shipped through Universal Company twice in a row and knew that Huang Guang, now the manager of Universal Company, would likely be a department manager or even a senior executive in the future.


    As such, Yuan Gang knew he needed to establish a good rtionship with Huang Guang to secure future cooperation with Universal Company.


    He opened his drawer and took out the 20,000 yuan in cash inside, offering it to Huang Guang as a token of gratitude for his service and to ensure their rtionship would remain strong even after his departure.


    Huang Guang was overjoyed and grateful for the unexpected bonus. He epted the gift and said,


    "Boss, I can''t believe you''re giving me this. Thank you so much!"


    Yuan Gang replied, "Brother, I won''t keep you if you go to a high ce and the water flows to a low ce. This is a small thing, and you must ept it."


    Huang Guang was not polite. After expressing his gratitude, he took the two bundles of banknotes.


    Seeing that Huang Guang had received the banknotes, Yuan Gang was also relieved. He and Huang Guang had a good rtionship, and it is possible to form long-term and stable cooperation with Universal.


    "Brother, you have been working with me for over a year, and your hard work has never gone unnoticed. As you leave, it''s only fitting to hold a farewell banquet in your honor."


    The unexpected announcement took aback Huang Guang. "A farewell party? That''s not necessary."


    But Yuan Gang was insistent. "Nonsense, it must be done. It''s been ages since ourpany has had a chance to build team morale, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so."


    Feeling grateful for his Boss''s kind gesture, Huang Guang epted the invitation with a smile and thanked him profusely.


    And so, on the day of his departure, the entirepany came together to send Huang Guang off in style.


    He approached the office door; Yuan Gang picked up the phone and called his secretary to give instructions.


    After sitting in his office and packing up his things, Huang Guang was interrupted by the sound of Yuan Gang''s voice booming over the inte.


    "Attention everyone, please stop what you''re doing. I have an important announcement to make."


    All eyes turned to Yuan Gang, wondering what he could say.


    The room erupted into a mix of gasps, congrattions, and envy. Huang Guang had undoubtedly made an impression during his time with thepany, and it was clear that his hard work had not gone unnoticed.


    ................

 Chapter 142 Secure This Business ?

    Yuan Gang''s announcement sent shockwaves throughout thepany. "Everyone, Huang Guang is leaving us to work as a manager at Universal Company. He has been promoted.As a result, I have decided that the wholepany will hold a farewell banquet tonight. Everyone must attend and must not be absent!" he dered.


    The news of Huang Guang''s departure was met with surprise and envy.


    Such a precedent had never been set before. Many people looked at Huang Guang with admiration and respect.


    "Brother, you have set a new standard. It''s too awesome!" they eximed.


    Meanwhile, Hu Yong and Bawang worked tirelessly on the seabed. Basket after basket, they brought out the shipwreck''s contents, most of which were various types of porcin, including daily-life items such as dishes, pots, and pans, as well as decorative pieces such as vases and ornaments.


    Despite the heavy workload, Liu Yong remained tireless, always full of energy. After two long days of work, the ship was finally emptied, and no piece of porcin was left inside.


    Liu Yong carefully packed all the valuable items in baskets, which Bawang transported back to the warehouse by sea.


    "Well, clean, nothing," Liu Yong dered as he swam into the sunken ship again to inspect it. Finding nothing of value, he swam out of the water and drove the speedboat back to the hotel.


    Meanwhile, at the Hanhai Culture Company, Ding Wen and his team worked hard. Over the past two days, they had professionally cleaned, ssified, and registered over 20,000 pieces of porcin and over 100 pieces of gold.


    "Boss, our exhibition hall is full, and there are thousands of items left in the vault with no ce to put them," Ding Wen reported.


    Ding Wen had never imagined that the exhibition hall of Hanhai Culture would one day be sorge that it would be filled. Yet, this day hade only a few days after thepany''s establishment.


    "Brother Yong is amazing! I don''t know where he found so many things. Simply incredible!" one of the workers eximed in awe.


    Ding Wen wasn''t content with just admiring the collection from afar. He wanted to see it in person.


    He had ns to use various channels to publicize the exhibition, intending to attract industry people to see it.


    He knew that ancient porcin lovers who came to see the exhibit would likely purchase a piece if they liked it, which would be a significant source of ie for Hanhai culture.


    In addition, Ding Wen had ns to select a batch of high-quality Song Dynasty porcin and gold wares to hold an auction. He believed this auction would helpunch Hanhai Culture''s reputation in the collection circle.


    As Ding Wen pondered these ideas, his phone rang.


    "Brother Yong," he answered.


    "Have the first batch of shipped items beenpleted?" asked Liu Yong.


    "All cleaning and registration have beenpleted," replied Ding Wen.


    "There are a total of 25,612 pieces of porcin, 127 pieces of gold, and 4,925 ancient coins."


    Liu Yong was pleased with Ding Wen''s progress. "Not bad," he praised.


    "I feel like I''m dreaming," said Ding Wen. "I roughly estimated these things, and they are all worth more than 10 billion."


    "Indeed, you are dreaming," said Liu Yong. "I am calling to tell you that there is still a batch, and the quantity is evenrger. I have already shipped it to the warehouse by the sea. Take someone there quickly and bring them all back."


    Ding Wen was stunned. "Is it more than what I brought back two days ago?" he asked excitedly.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Yes, there are more," replied Liu Yong. "You can go and bring them all back."


    Ding Wen took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. "I''ll go and bring them back right away," he said.


    This time, the number of items was indeed more. Liu Yong had worked hard for two days to remove the sunken ship''s contents. He had put everything he found valuable into baskets and had Bawang transport them to the warehouse by the sea.


    Liu Yong had only one request, to realize these things one after another. As long as the price was right, he could sell them all. He had faith in Ding Wen''s ability to handle the situation and was pleased that he did not have to worry about what to do with the collection.


    Upon returning to Huahai City, Ding Wen began sorting and cataloguing the new collection.


    Liu Yong took a day off and did not go to Universal Company or Hanhai Culture. Although rare things are more expensive, as long as Ding Wen handled them properly, the possibility of these Song porcins falling in price may be rtively limited.


    No one had anticipated that Hanhai Culture had so many Song porcins, and if they were shipped out slowly, the selling price at the beginning stage must be very considerable.


    After his day off, Liu Yong went to his Universal Company.


    As soon as Liu Yong sat down at his desk in the office, he was greeted by a knock on the door. Hu Shijun, his former ssmate, had just read through some recent documents and reports on Liu Yong''s desk.


    "Brother Yong, you''re back," said Hu Shijun.


    Liu Yong nodded, eager to know the answer to his question, "Did Huang Guang report it?"


    Hu Shijun was more than happy to report that Huang Guang had indeed said two days ago and was now a manager of the shipping management department, following Liu Yong''s instructions.


    Hu Shijun saw Huang Guang twice and thought he was an excellent fit for the position.


    Liu Yong was relieved and suggested that the three of them have a gathering tonight to celebrate Huang Guang''s promotion. Hu Shijun agreed and promised to prepare for the meeting.


    "Huang Guang is probably the happiest person tonight," he added.


    As the two chatted, Qiu Yang entered the office. He knocked on the door and came in with a smile, greeting Hu Shijun and Liu Yong.


    Hu Shijun was about to leave, but Qiu Yang insisted he stays, as he had some business to discuss. He exined that Yanguo Offshore Oil Group would open an ocean transportation business for bidding and thought Universal should try it.


    Qiu Yang borated on the details, exining that Yanguo Offshore Oil Group had a deal with country A in the Middle East.


    They needed to transport 150 million barrels of crude oil from the essential oil export port in country A back to Yan.


    Liu Yong and Hu Shijun listened carefully as Qiu Yang spoke. This was a massive opportunity for Universal. Although Yanguo Offshore Oil Group was not asrge as Yanguo Petroleum Group, it was still a Fortune 500pany and ranked among the top 100.


    Transporting 150 million barrels of crude oil was a massive undertaking, but Liu Yong was determined to participate in the bidding, which was set tounch on October 26th. He even urged Qiu Yang to prepare for the bid and promised to win the transportation business.


    If Universal could secure this business, it would make money. One ton of oil was equivalent to around seven barrels, meaning transporting 150 million barrels would equal more than 20 million tons. It was big business, and Liu Yong knew they could not afford to let it slip away.


    ....................

 Chapter 143 80% To 90 %

    Several groups are eyeing this business, including Risheng Ocean Shipping Group.


    In the chairman''s office of Risheng, Luo Maoyuan sat smoking a cigar while listening to a subordinate''s report. As he heard, his face gradually darkened.


    "Boss, as far as we know, two more giant ocean-going oil tankers from Universal have arrived, both of which are 200,000-ton ss," the subordinate reported.


    Luo Maoyuan''s face became gloomy, and he said grimly: "So, there are already a total of six Guangyuan ocean liners under the Universal Company, with a total tonnage of 1 million tons."


    "No," replied the subordinate, "it should be 8 ships. In addition to 4 100,000-ton ships and 2 200,000-ton ships, they also have a 40,000-ton ss and a 50,000-ton ss. The tonnage has reached 1.1 million tons."


    Luo Maoyuan''s face grew even gloomier at this news.


    "Boss, the crude oil transportation business of Yanguo Offshore Oil Group will be called for public bidding, and the highest threshold is to require the total tonnage of other ocean shipping to exceed 1 million tons. Obviously, Universal fits that bill," the subordinate continued.


    Luo Maoyuan''s voice rose several degrees, "That means Universal may participate in this bidding, doesn''t it!"


    "It''s not a possibility, but a certainty!" the subordinate replied.


    "150 million barrels of crude oil transported from country A in the Middle East to Yan country, in the eyes of any ocean shipping group, this is a piece of fat. Universal has the strength, so it will definitely participate," the subordinate added.


    Luo Maoyuan''s face was so gloomy that he could squeeze out water, and he said fiercely: "Our Risheng Group is bound to win this business, and no one can take it away."


    The subordinate nodded quickly in agreement.


    Meanwhile, at the Hanhai Culture Company, Liu Yong was invited to view some exquisite porcin by Ding Wen.


    "Brother Yong, look at how exquisite these porcins are, and they are so well preserved. It''s really rare. Each piece is very valuable. Others may only have one or two pieces. We have a total of more than 50,000 pieces," Ding Wen said excitedly.


    On the desk were several pieces of exquisite porcin.


    Ding Wen held a Longquan kiln blue-zed chrysanthemum petal-pattern dish, which was very delicate and well preserved, a genuine art treasure.


    "This is such a blue-zed dish with chrysanthemum petals. There are more than a thousand pieces in total, which is unimaginable," Ding Wen added.


    Liu Yong said, "There are so many porcins, at least 80% to 90% of them will be sold, and nearly half of them will be sold. How much time do you need?"


    Ding Wendao replied, "The quantity is a little bit too much. Apart from the slow sale between us, including a series of auctions held by ourselves, I will cooperate with other auction houses to sell them as soon as possible. It is estimated that it will take about a year."


    Ding Wen believed that the market for antique collections is still huge and there should be no problem digesting these porcins. It just takes time.


    In addition, there is also the issue of depreciation due to therge quantity. However, Ding Wen has ns to try to minimise the depreciation.


    Liu Yong said, "One year is one year, I will give you one year, and I will be satisfied if I can sell nearly half of it."


    Ding Wendao reassured him, "Brother Yong, within the next year, we will gradually exchange these items into cash. I will settle the bill with you every month and remit the money to your ount."


    Liu Yong agreed, "Yes, no problem."


    Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and a department manager from Hanhai Culture pushed in and reported loudly, "Boss, Mr. Shen Zhouping has arrived."


    Ding Wen happily replied, "Oh, invite him in."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong stood up and said, "Then I will take my leave."


    Ding Wen sent Liu Yong to the entrance of Hanhai Culture and then happily arrived at the exhibition hall. As soon as he entered, he could see tens of thousands of Song porcins on disy here. Of course, he also saw Shen Zhouping.


    "Mister Shen!" Ding Wen greeted loudly.


    Shen Zhouping was holding a piece of white porcin from the Dehua kiln and was fascinated. When he saw Ding Wen, he said excitedly, "Mr. Ding, you didn''t tell any lies. It''s actually such Song Dynasty porcin."


    Ding Wenughed, saying, "This is only a small part, and we store more in the vault."


    Shen Zhouping was astonished and said, "What! Is this just a small part?!"


    He had spent his whole life identifying and researching ancient porcins, and he had never seen so many Song porcins at one time.


    Ding Wen said proudly, "Go, I''ll take you to have a look."


    Shen Zhouping put down the white porcin in his hand, followed behind, and walked to the front of Hanhai Culture''s vault under the leadership of Ding Wen.


    Ding Wen inserted the key, verified his fingerprints, entered the password, opened the thick door of the vault, and walked in with Shen Zhouping.


    Shen Zhouping was stunned and opened his mouth slightly!


    In terms of logic, considering his age of over 60 years, Shen Zhouping has never witnessed anything that could shake him up. He had always been able to remain calm, but this time, he couldn''t control himself.


    "It''s all porcin!" Shen Zhouping eximed.


    Their room was filled with porcin, with tens of thousands of pieces present. Even in the exhibition hall earlier, he was astounded by the quantity of porcin on disy.


    He couldn''t have guessed that there were even more pieces here, several times the number in the exhibition hall.


    Shen Zhouping picked up a piece of porcin with care and examined it thoroughly before returning it to its original spot. He repeated this process with another article and another.


    Meanwhile, Ding Wen stood beside him with a smile on his face, observing Shen Zhouping''s reactions.


    After about ten minutes and having examined more than twenty pieces of porcin, Shen Zhouping decided to stop and take a proactive step: "Mr. Ding, I joined Hanhai Culture, and I can sign a contract with you now."


    Ding Wen was delighted with this offer. With Shen Zhouping on board, all the Song porcins woulde with authentication certificates he signed, making them much easier to sell.


    "Mr. Shen, I have prepared an employment contract for the Chief Ancient Porcin Simple Master for you. Go to my office and have a look at the contract. If there are no issues, we can sign the contract," Ding Wen informed him.


    "Okay, let''s go to your office," Shen Zhouping agreed.


    Meanwhile, the Yanguo Offshore Oil Group''s bidding process drew closer, and Universal was determined to win this business. Liu Yong led the team, including Qiu Yang, several subordinates, and rted personnel, who had already boarded the ne to the capital.


    Hu Shijun had to remain at thepany.


    Liu Yong and Qiu Yang sat next to each other in the first-ss cabin. The ne had already taken off, and Qiu Yang updated Liu Yong on the relevant situation.


    ............¡­..

 Chapter 144 Boss Is Awesome

    "Boss, including us, a total of fivepanies participated in this bidding, namely Risheng Ocean Shipping Group, Proton Ocean Group, Zhenghong Company, and Hengfeng Group. For us, the biggestpetitor is Risheng Ocean Shipping Group," said Qiu Yang, providing more details about the situation.


    "We have learned a situation. The Risheng Group is operating in secret. They are waving money and operating in secret. They have made it clear that they are determined to win this bidding," added Liu Yong, expressing his concern about unfairpetition.


    "We are not afraid of fairpetition, but what I am most worried about is unfairpetition," Liu Yong continued.


    "The Risheng Group is operating in secret. I guess thispetition may not be fair. I am a little worried," warned Qiu Yang.


    "ording to the requirements of the bidding, we are ready to participate in thepetition. Let''s take a step and take a look. I hope we can win in the end," said Liu Yong confidently.


    As the nended at Beijing Airport, the Yanguo Offshore Oil Group arranged two high-endmercial vehicles to greet Liu Yong and his team and sent them to a five-star hotel close to the offshore oil group.


    As soon as they entered the lobby, Liu Yong and the others stopped slightly and saw many peopleing out of the two elevators. The number of them was more than 20.


    Liu Yong saw Luo Maoyuan of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group at a nce. They were also staying at this hotel.


    Arge group of people gathered around Luo Maoyuan, the scene was gigantic, and there were still several bodyguards clearing the way in front, and these bodyguards shouted loudly.


    Get out of the way, get out of the way!" and "Get out of the way, all out of the way!"


    Liu Yong felt upset all of a sudden. "This is a public ce, not your home. Why should you let them move away? You think you are the king of heaven," he thought to himself.


    Liu Yong had no intention of stepping aside, and Qiu Yang and the others followed suit.


    "Get out of the way, out of the way!" shouted one of the bodyguards at the front who tried to push Liu Yong aside.


    The push was futile. Liu Yong stood like a mountain and remained motionless. The bodyguard was taken aback and looked at Liu Yong in surprise.


    "Get out, go to the side," said the bodyguard in a low voice.


    Liu Yong grabbed the rubber stick the bodyguard was holding and kicked him several meters away with a light kick. The bodyguard fell heavily to the ground.


    "What!" eximed the other bodyguards in shock. The leader shouted, "Hit me, beat me to death!"


    Liu Yong nced at the leading bodyguard and Luo Maoyuan contemptuously.


    At that moment, Luo Maoyuan also recognised Liu Yong. He knew that the people before him were all from the Universal Company. He did not stop the bodyguards who rushed up but also looked proud. He probably wanted to see Liu Yong and others get beaten up.


    More than a dozen bodyguards swarmed up.


    There were several security guards in the hotel. Seeing this scene, they were terrified and prepared to stop it, but it was toote. They watched more than a dozen bodyguards surround Liu Yong in an instant.


    "It''s over, it''s over!" eximed one of the security guards.


    The hotel security guards, Qiu Yang, and hispanions were frightened. They couldn''t beat so many people on the other side. They were all civilised people, and they were almost powerless.


    "Boom, boom, boom."


    Then there were screams, and in less than a dozen seconds, Luo Maoyuan''s dozen bodyguards were all lying on the ground, and none of them could stand up.


    Liu Yong walked towards Luo Maoyuan with a calm expression on his face.


    Everyone was stunned!


    The hotel security captain shouted wildly in his mind, "A master, a master, a real master!"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Amid everyone''s stunned gazes of shock, Liu Yong walked up to Luo Maoyuan, very upset, and patted Luo Maoyuan''s cheek lightly, warning.


    "Remember, manage the dog well next time. If you do this again, it''s not just as simple as beating the dog. I don''t mind teaching you a lesson," Liu Yong said sternly.


    Shocked!


    Completely stunned again!


    Luo Maoyuan, no one has ever dared to hit him in the face with his hands, never before!


    Qiu Yang and others were also stunned.


    After regaining consciousness, Qiu Yang and hispanions were excited and admired.


    "Boss is awesome!"


    "Super awesome!"


    That was Luo Maoyuan, the boss of Risheng Group. In public, he was pped in the face by the boss, who beat him on the cheek and warned him to keep an eye on his dogs.


    "The boss is mighty!"


    The people from the Universal Group were satisfied, and they looked at Liu Yong with admiration and were the kind who cast their bodies on the ground. They almost shouted, "Boss, take my knee!"


    What about Luo Maoyuan?


    Finally came back to his senses, and in an instant, his face was flushed red, so red that it was a little ck.


    "You, you, you," he pointed at Liu Yong, and "you" didn''t say a second word for a long time.


    Liu Yong patted Luo Maoyuan''s other cheek with his hand again, maybe it was a little too hard, and the patting sounded. Luo Maoyuan''s cheek quickly turned red, with more obvious palm prints.


    "Why, it seems that I still don''t ept it," Liu Yong said while patting Luo Maoyuan''s cheek.


    Luo Maoyuan almost spits out a mouthful of old blood, but in public, he is pped in the face again by Liu Yong. It was like beating one side and then the other.


    The rest of the Risheng Group was also stunned again.


    "What''s happening here?"


    "The boss was pped in the face twice. Do you want to help a group?"


    Whispered one of the Risheng Group members. But seeing the security guards on the ground and had not yet gotten up, no one dared to speak out, and they all shrank their necks.


    Liu Yong nced at them and saw that they were all shrinking heads. He smiled disdainfully and waved: "Come on, let''s check in first."


    As Liu Yong led hispanions to the front desk, they each presented their identification cards to the receptionist and began the check-in process. While this was happening, a security guard at the hotel discreetly approached his captain and whispered, "Boss, should we do something?"


    The captain shot him disapprovingly and hushedly, "What are you thinking? Have you forgotten the consequences of using force? Keep quiet and pretend you didn''t see anything."


    With their discretion in check, Liu Yong and his group members swiftlypleted their check-in procedures and proceeded to their respective rooms within the hotel.


    ...................

 Chapter 145 Hates To The Bones

    Luo Maoyuan finally regained his senses, but his face was so dark it turned purple. He walked into another elevator without paying attention to the bodyguards lying on the ground.


    The Risheng Group employees exchanged expressions, then followed Luo Maoyuan into the elevator. They had nned to apany him to visit a vice president of Yanguo Offshore Oil Group, but now, they needed to go out to meet people in this state.


    Liu Yong was in arge business suite, and Qiu Yang followed him. Qiu Yang said proudly,


    "Boss, you are awesome. We have long been displeased with Risheng Ocean Shipping Group''s various behaviors. You helped us out this time. So refreshing!"


    Liu Yong replied, "This Luo Maoyuan just needs a beating. I gave him a sizest time at the Qidong Shipyard. I didn''t expect that he would not have a long memory. This time it is like this again."


    Haha ......


    Qiu Yangughed, in a good mood.


    Meanwhile, Luo Maoyuan returned to his room with a dark face. Several of his subordinates followed him in, and one closed the door. "Boss, we can''t just let it go," one of them said indignantly.


    Another subordinate said, "Boss, let''s call the police and hand it over to the police. At least Liu Yong will be taken away by the police."


    Luo Maoyuan shouted, "Shut up for me, you stupid pigs!"


    He knew that there was no point in calling the police. He acted in self-defence, and his bodyguards attacked first.


    In addition, after reaching the police, the incident became severe, and he, Luo Maoyuan, was utterly humiliated.


    Sitting on the sofa with a dark face, he was angry. In his heart, he probably hated Liu Yong to the bone. After a long time, Luo Maoyuan said, "Universal also came here for this bidding. We must win the bid and let them return empty-handed."


    After thinking for a while, he said, "Call Mr. Zeng of Yanguo Ocean Group. I will treat him to dinner tonight. In addition, bring the prepared check."


    He was preparing to act secretly and even intended to use bribery.


    Yanguo Ocean Group''s bidding was held at theirpany headquarters the next day. In the big meeting room were nearly a hundred people, including the fivepanies participating in the bidding, several high-level executives from the Yanguo Ocean Group, and 10 to 20 rted personnel.


    One of the senior executives briefly introduced the process and precautions, then followed the process step by step. Liu Yong sat there like an old monk in meditation.


    Qiu Yang and the others mainly participated in the bidding. Liu Yong didn''t need to go out in person; he could sit there and take a look and listen.


    Liu Yong felt that there were always cold eyes looking at him, and when he looked up, he saw Luo Maoyuan.


    "Oops, it seems that yesterday''s warning was not enough, Luo Maoyuan is dissatisfied," Liu Yong thought.


    "Dissatisfied, right? There will always be times when you will," he added mentally.


    Liu Yong ignored Luo Maoyuan for now and kept watching the bidding process. Until the afternoon, the bidding ended.


    Yanguo Offshore Oil Group did not announce the results at this bidding meeting but informed everyone that they would conduct bidding negotiations. They will discuss and measure internally and report the official results three dayster.


    By this time, the bidding was over, and everyone was waiting for the result.


    Liu Yong also let out a long sigh of relief. After sitting for almost a day, it was finally over. He could exercise his muscles and bones and even go for a walk.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Mr. He, Mr. Zeng, I have something to say, and it is very important for the next negotiation," Luo Maoyuan stood up and said loudly.


    "Oh, there is such a thing?" The high-level executives of Yanguo Offshore Oil Group looked at each other and exchanged nces.


    They were surprised and never thought that Luo Maoyuan would stand up to speak at this time.


    He always participated in the bidding, the highest-level vice president of Yanguo Offshore Oil Group. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.


    "Okay, if you have anything, just say it in front of everyone."


    Luo Maoyuan looked at Liu Yong and shouted, "There is a situation that I feel is necessary to tell everyone, especially the Yanguo Offshore Oil Group."


    "I think it is inappropriate for Universal to participate in this bidding. First of all, they have two 200,000-ton oil tankers that have just arrived at the port and have not yet been put into use. Excluding these two oil tankers, their total tonnage is notrge. Reach the requirement of 1 million tons."


    "In addition, there is one situation that needs to be mentioned in particr. Universal has a disgraceful past. It used to transport prohibited items, was reported many times, and was boarded by customs for inspection many times."


    Qiu Yang and the others were so angry that they showed anger.


    Damn it, this is nonsense!


    When Luo Maoyuan finished speaking, Qiu Yang stood up and retorted loudly: "Everyone, everything Luo Maoyuan said just now is maliciously fabricated, and it is not the case at all."


    Qiu Yang was eloquent and vigorously rebutted.


    Not only did he introduce the current situation of Universal''s oil tankers, but he also introduced that there are many giant oil tankers under construction in major shipyards, and the delivery of ships will start in a few months.


    As for the transportation of prohibited items, it is even more fictional, and there is no such thing at all.


    After Qiu Yang retorted and introduced the situation of Universal Company, the discussion on the scene quieted. Some people were thoughtful and sceptical of what Luo Maoyuan said.


    The senior officials of the Yanguo Ocean Group didn''t say anything. They just announced that the bidding is over, and we are waiting for them to tell us the final result.


    Liu Yong got up and gave Luo Maoyuan a stern look.


    "Nima''s, this is not about martial arts at all. You rat tail juice," Liu Yong thought to himself.


    Liu Yong was originally in a calm mood, but at this moment, he got a little angry, and he was going to take measures to teach Risheng Ocean Shipping Group and Luo Maoyuan some lessons.


    After the meeting, Liu Yong and his party left the Yanguo Offshore Oil Group, nning to return to the hotel first.


    Qiu Yang followed Liu Yong, still looking aggrieved, "Boss, you absolutely can''t just let it go, Luo Maoyuan is spitting blood."


    Liu Yong smiled lightly, "Don''t worry, he will pay the price for his words and deeds today, and the day hees to beg us."


    ...................

 Chapter 146 Lets Show Them The Color

    Liu Yong changed the topic and continued, "Hey Qiu Yang, have we collected the information on Risheng Ocean Group''s 100,000-ton ships yet? Where are they currently and where are they going? I need to know this information."


    The sudden question slightly took aback Qiu Yang.


    "No, we still need to collect this information, Boss. Why do you need it?


    Liu Yong didn''t answer his question and instead asked,


    "Do you remember what happened to Proton Ocean Shipping Group? I asked for information on severalrge ships, and soon after, one of them was poked through with a big hole and sank to the bottom of the sea."


    Qiu Yang suddenly understood and was overjoyed. "I see. I''ll send someone to collect this information immediately."


    After returning to his hotel, Liu Yong sat on the sofa and opened his pet panel. The Overlord was sleeping soundly on a massive rock on the seabed.


    "It seems like the Overlord is doing well," he thought. "He''s grown a lot in just a few days and now weighs close to 90 tons."


    He didn''t want to disturb the creature''s sleep, so he turned off the panel and picked up the phone. "Old Hu, I have a task for you."


    Hu Shijun answered, "What''s the task, Brother Yong?"


    "Buy some fishings and iron chains and store them in our warehouse by the sea. Make sure to get longer and strongers and thicker and slightly longer chains," Liu Yong instructed.


    Hu Shijun agreed, "Got it. I''ll handle it immediately. By the way, how''s the bidding situation in the capital? We''re counting on this one."


    Liu Yong replied with confidence, "There shouldn''t be any issues. Three days from now, Yanguo Offshore Oil Group will announce the winning bid."


    After hanging up the phone, Liu Yong sat back on the couch and thought, "I''m not afraid of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group. This bidding is full of confidence."


    Meanwhile, at Yanguo Offshore Oil Group, several high and middle-level executives were discussing the bidding. Leading Vice President He expressed his opinion, "I believe the winning bid should be awarded to either Proton, Risheng, or Universal."


    As soon as the discussion about whichpany to choose for transporting 150 million barrels of crude oil began, someone spoke up,


    "These threepanies are all good, but I think that Risheng would be the best choice. They have been involved in ocean transportation of crude oil for over a decade, have arge-scale operation, and have a wealth of experience. It would not be a problem for them to handle our 150 million barrels of crude oil."


    However, someone else mentioned the price issue: "Their quotation is the highest. Considering the price, I think Proton should be chosen."


    Another individual stated their preference for Universal: "Proton is no longer a good option as it is clearly in decline. If we were to give them this business, it would be better to give it to Universal. I have researched thispany and they have great potential for development."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The meetingsted for over an hour with lots of debate, but no decision was made by Vice President He, who was in charge of the bidding process. He listened to everyone''s opinions but remained cautious.


    He finally spoke up, "Everyone has made valid points. We still have plenty of time. Let''s reconvene in two days to discuss this matter further."


    Everyone agreed, and the matter was left unresolved for the time being.


    After the meeting, a knock was on the door, and Qiu Yang entered the room. He had brought Liu Yong the information he had urgently requested.


    Upon reviewing the details, Liu Yong praised Qiu Yang for his efficiency and found the information he received very thorough, including introducing each oil tanker and its current location.


    Liu Yong was particrly interested in the oil tankers, indicating which oil group they carried. One, in particr, was about to sail into the Pacific Ocean through the a Strait, while anotherrge oil tanker, with a discement of 120,000 tons, was floating in the South China Sea of Yanguo, preparing to go to the Middle East to return hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil to Yanguo Petroleum Group.


    After reviewing the materials, Liu Yong had a clear n in mind, and he told Qiu Yang to leave the information there, promising to check it in his free time. Once Qiu Yang left, Liu Yongmunicated with Overlord through the pet panel, informing him that a task may take two days of hard work.


    Overlord was excited and asked, "Boss, what do you want me to do? Just tell me, and I will act immediately."


    Liu Yong gave him instructions and shared his n to teach Risheng Ocean Shipping Group and Luo Maoyuan a lesson.


    Liu Yong was angered by the irresponsible words that Luo Maoyuan had spoken about Universal during the bidding meeting.


    Liu Yong nned to give them some color and make them pay. The first target was the 120,000-ton ocean-going oil tanker under the Risheng Group sailing in the South China Sea of Yanguo.


    As the oil tanker sailed through the vast sea, heading towards the Middle East to collect a full tanker of crude oil, little did the crew know that a colossal snapping turtle was rapidly approaching.


    What''s more unbelievable was that the turtle held a giant spear, a staggering 20 meters long, in one front paw and a thick, long iron chain in the other.


    The turtle, Bawang, was swift, and it didn''t take long to catch up to the tanker. Yet, the crew was oblivious to its presence and didn''t even consider the possibility of a massive snapping turtle following them. The vessel continued to sail as usual without changing its speed or course.


    In the cockpit, Captain Gao Jianwu oversaw the journey with ease, gazing out at the endless sea.


    "In just three days, we''ll be able to enter the Indian Ocean via the Strait of a," he said, feeling confident and content. As someone who regrly traversed this route, he was intimately familiar with it and at ease with the voyage.


    However, little did he know that a potentially catastrophic event was looming. Bawang, with his enormous size and intimidating weaponry, could pose a grave threat to the ship and its crew.

 Chapter 147 The First Stage Attack!

    The voice of the Captain, Gao Jianwu, echoed across the deck as the ship slowed to a halt, causing a grinding noise. Sensing something amiss, he immediately bellowed, "What''s going on? What happened?"


    The crew members were bewildered and had no clue what was happening. One of the ship''s drivers remarked puzzledly, "Captain, the power system failure signal light is on. It may be that the power system has failed."


    Gao Jianwu ordered, "Send someone to investigate immediately. Find out what the problem is."


    The crew members sprang into action, and a team of technicians was dispatched to the power cabin to conduct a thorough inspection. After an hour of investigation, they couldn''t find any issues except for the fault signal light is on. One of the crew members reported to the Captain, "Captain, things are bizarre. Our power system seems to have no problem, but the fault light is on."


    Gao Jianwu pondered for a while, then tried restarting the powertrain. However, the system failed quickly, and they realised the propeller was stuck. One of the crew members informed the Captain, "Captain, our propeller should be stuck."


    The revtion was shocking. This was a 120,000-ton ocean-going oil tanker, and the propeller''s diameter was higher than that of a two-story building. How could anything block such arge propeller? Gao Jianwu didn''t want to ept this fact, but the situation was clear. In desperation, he had to arrange for someone to put on a diving suit and an oxygen cylinder on his back to check.


    When the crew member who went down to inspect returned to the deck, he reported, "Captain, the propeller is indeed stuck."


    He then described the entanglement of thick iron chains around the propeller, not just three or five times but dozens of times. Gao Jianwu almost lost his mind.


    The crew members also needed rification about how such a thing could have happened suddenly. After a while, Gao Jianwu spoke slowly, "Can the iron chain be removed?"


    The crew member who inspected the propeller replied, "It''s so entangled that we can''t remove it at all. Besides, I noticed that the propeller was severely damaged and deformed. Even if we remove the iron chain, the propeller will no longer work. We need to return to the shipyard for repair."


    Gao Jianwu''s heart sank. He knew they had no choice but to report the situation to the higher authorities and seek their advice on how to proceed. However, he couldn''t help but think about the vast sea surrounding them. How were they going to return to the shipyard for repairs?


    With a deep sigh, Gao Jianwu said helplessly, "In this case, we can only report to the higher authorities and let them decide how to deal with it."


    The ship had lost all power and was now at the mercy of the sea''s currents and winds.


    It drifted aimlessly, unable to steer or direct its course, taking them wherever the elements willed.


    Meanwhile, their overlord had already swum considerably from the disabled vessel. Using an iron chain, he disabled the ship''s ability to sail as instructed by Liu Yong.


    The next target was the 200,000-ton ocean-going tanker owned by Risheng Ocean Group, loaded with millions of barrels of crude oil. It was sailing towards the South China Sea of Yanguo, and the overlord intended to take it down.


    In the capital city, Luo Maoyuan was in a business suite, answering a phone call when he received some distressing news. One of their ships had lost all power and was adrift in the South China Sea of the Yan Kingdom.


    It was supposed to transport crude oil to Yanguo Petroleum Group from the Middle East. However, the ship could only float on the sea due to its current state, and a tugboat was required to tow it back.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Luo Maoyuan''s face sank upon hearing this. If Yanguo Petroleum Group found out about the ship''s situation, it would undoubtedly create problems for their transportation of crude oil.


    Besides, if something like this happens again, Yanguo Petroleum Group may hand over more crude oil transportation to Universal instead of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group. However, towing a 120,000-ton giant ship back thousands of miles would be challenging.


    To make matters worse, the tonnage of the tugboat must be a manageable size, not 120,000 tons, but at least tens of thousands of tons.


    And, if there was inclement weather, such as a big storm, it could be more dangerous. Luo Maoyuan was at his wits'' end, feeling one head, two big ones! The idea of how someone could wrap the propeller of a magnificent ship with iron chains left him feeling angry and perplexed.


    Luo Maoyuan suppressed his anger and ordered his subordinates to send a tugboat to return the ship. He also issued a sealing order, requiring the matter to be kept strictly confidential, especially not to let anyone from Yanguo Petroleum Group know.


    As one of the top executives at Yanguo Offshore Oil Group, He Jinyou is responsible for overseeing the ocean transportation of crude oil. He is not directly involved in the physical transportation process but entrusts the task to other ocean transportation groups.


    One day, He Jinyou received a call from another senior executive in charge of oil refining who informed him that the crude oil reserves at Huahai Oil Refining Base had reached the warning line.


    He was told that crude oil must be injected within ten days into the reserve base, or else it may harm the base''s daily production. In other words, there could be a shortage of crude oil, leading to a shutdown.


    Recognising the severity of the situation, He Jinyou immediately began making inquiries. After several phone calls, he discovered that a 200,000-ton tanker owned by Risheng Group would most likely arrive at Huahai Port within the next ten days.


    The tanker carried over one million barrels of crude oil and had already passed through the Strait of a and entered the Pacific Ocean.


    Fortunately, judging from the itinerary, the tanker would likely arrive at Huahai City within the ten-day window. However, to ensure the safety of the crude oil supply, He Jinyou personally called Risheng Ocean Shipping Group to inquire about the status of the tanker''s journey.


    The senior management at Yanguo Offshore Oil Group took the matter seriously, and Risheng Group assured them withplete confidence that the tanker would arrive at the port as scheduled. With this assurance, He Jinyou felt somewhat relieved.


    Meanwhile, another development was unfolding in the waters near Yanguo. Bawang, a fast-moving creature better than a vessel capable of achieving 180 knots per hour, was going from the South China Sea towards the Strait of a.


    After swimming for several hours without rest, Bawang reached the Strait and continued for over 100 nautical miles.


    However, the overlord stopped suddenly at this moment.

 Chapter 148 Coincidence?

    Overlord noticed a huge oil tanker sailing not far ahead of them. He followed the tanker at a distance of thousands of meters, with half of his head exposed as he took a serious look.


    "It should be the tanker of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group," Bawang said confidently. He had super eyesight and could see clearly from a distance of more than a thousand meters. He could see not only the details of the ship but also the signs on it.


    "This is a giant tanker for sure!"


    "It''s what I''m looking for," Overlord said.


    Bawang swam forward, diving into the water to approach the tanker. Hemunicated with Liu Yong, informing him that he was close to the target and requesting confirmation.


    "Master, I''m close to target No. 2, please help me confirm," Bawang said.


    Liu Yong quickly opened his third-party vision and saw Bawang lurking in the water following the ship. He also saw the situation of the oil tanker.


    "Yes, that''s it, wrap its propeller with a fishing, and make itpletely lose power," Liu Yong instructed.


    "OK, no problem," Overlord said, holding a giant spear in one paw and a fishing hundreds of meters long in the other.


    "Be careful, don''t hurt yourself," Liu Yong reminded with concern.


    "No, it is not difficult for me to do this kind of thing," Overlord replied.


    A few hours ago, Bawang had entangled the propeller of a 120,000-ton oil tanker with a thick iron chain more than 100 meters long and weighed several tons. So, it was easy for Overlord to wrap the propeller with a fishing.


    Overlord dragged the fishing towards the giant propeller of the tanker. The hundreds-meter-long trawl was brought only some way from Huahai City, but Bawang got it from local materials nearby.


    Soon, the fishing was entangled with the rotating propeller, and the entanglement became increasingly tight. The crew on the tanker began to feel that something was wrong. The ship, sailing at a certain speed gradually slowed down, and an rm sounded in the cab.


    "What''s going on, several fault lights are on!" one of the crew members shouted.


    "It seems that there is something wrong with the power system," another crew member replied.


    Liu Yong saw the ship''s situation clearly through a third-party vision and the propeller wholly entangled in fishings.


    "With such a thick fishing wrapped around at least a hundred times, don''t even consider continuing to sail. Let''s see what you do next," Liu Yong thought happily.


    "Overlord, you can take a break and leave this ship alone for now," Liu Yong instructed.


    "Master, I''m just hungry, so I''ll go find something to eat nearby, and I''lle over to take a look when I''m full," Bawang said.


    "OK, go ahead," Liu Yong replied.


    Bawang nned to return after a while since he was watching the ship, and there was no chance of it leaving. The vessel stopped entirely on the sea. After a panic, the people on board finally discovered a problem with the propeller.


    "Quick, send someone down to clean up, send a few more people down," the captain eximed anxiously.


    "How long will it take to clear the fishings?" asked one of the crew members.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Even if we clean it 24/7, it will take at least three days," replied another crew member.


    "What? Three days?" the captain said incredulously.


    The captain immediately reported the situation to his superiors, and when Luo Maoyuan heard the news, he almost spat out three liters of blood.


    "I don''t care what method you use, the fishings must bepletely cleared within three days, and the ship must arrive in Huahai City within ten days," He Jinyou, the boss, yelled into the phone.


    "Good boss, we will do our best and report to you as soon as we have any progress," the captain replied.


    After hanging up the phone, Luo Maoyuan sat on the sofa and thought to himself, "Is this a coincidence, or is someone ying tricks like that?" He feared thetter scenario would be catastrophic.


    "The propeller of the first boat was entangled to death by iron chains, and the propeller of the second boat was entangled to death by fishings," he muttered. "This can''t be a coincidence, can it?"


    In a sh, a day passed.


    "Tomorrow is the day when Yanguo Offshore Oil Group officially announces whichpany won the bid, I''m going to hold thest meeting tomorrow morning, hoping that everyone can form a unified opinion. If there are still disputes, I''ll make a decision."


    Said He Jinyou.


    After giving it some thought, he had already made up his mind and was nning to hand over the business to Risheng Ocean Shipping Group.


    "I also considered Universal, but I feel that Risheng Group is more established, with stronger and more reliable crude oil ocean transportation capabilities."


    Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of his office. "Mr. Song, the ''Xin Fugui'' under the Risheng Group has broken down near the Strait of a," reported his assistant.


    "What? There is such a thing," eximed Song Jinyou. He had ced high hopes on this ship, as the oil refining base in Huahai City was still waiting for the emergency delivery of more than one million barrels of oil.


    "It''s true, the ship has indeed broken down. As for the specific reason, we don''t know yet," said his assistant.


    Song Jinyou pondered for a while, and after a pause, he urged: "You should pay close attention to the situation of that ship, and report to me immediately if there is any new situation."


    "Okay, Mr. Song," said his assistant as she backed out of the room.


    Song Jinyou took out a cigarette and lit it, took a deep puff, thought for a while, and picked up the phone on the desk. "The matter is of great importance, and I dare not take it lightly. I am ready to personally intervene in this matter."


    His assistant returned to the room and asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Song?"


    "No, that''s all for now. Please keep me updated on the situation with the ''Xin Fugui''," replied Song Jinyou.


    The situation was so crucial that Song Jinyou couldn''t take any chances and needed to handle this matter with utmost care.


    ......................

 Chapter 149 - Enter Indian Ocean

    Song Jinlun called Luo Maoyuan.


    "Mr. Luo, you are still in the capital,e to my office."


    "Yes, President Song. I''ll be there in ten minutes."


    Luo Maoyuan dare not neglect.


    No matter how awesome he is, he doesn''t dare to do anything in front of Song Jinyou. The customer is God. Song Jinyou holds much crude oil transportation business, and Luo Maoyuan dare not offend him.


    Ten minutester, Luo Maoyuan knocked on the door and entered Song Jinyou''s office.


    "President Song, you are looking for me."


    "Come,e, sit here."


    Luo Maoyuan sat down on the sofa as he said, and someone immediately made hot tea and brought it over.


    "Mr. Luo, I heard that there is a problem with your ''Xin Fugui'' ount. Is there such a thing?"


    Luo Maoyuan felt an inexplicable jump in his heart.


    "No, there is no such thing at all, Mr. Song, you are worried about the one million barrels of oil."


    Song Jinyou said: "It''s good if there is no problem. The more than one million barrels of crude oil on the ''New Fortune'' must be delivered on time, and there must be no dy."


    "Definitely, definitely, definitely no problem." Luo Maoyuan almost patted his chest.


    After chatting for a while, seeing that there was no problem, Song Jinyou saw off the guests, and after Luo Maoyuan left, he thought in his heart maybe the people below had made a mistake, and the "New Fortune" of Risheng Group had no problems at all, and he was almost scared.


    After leaving the building of Yanguo Petroleum Group, Luo Maoyuan took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the delicate beads of sweat on his face, thinking in his heart, how dangerous, how dangerous, almost let Song Jinyou know.


    After getting into the car, Luo Maoyuan took out his mobile phone, made several consecutive calls, and gave a stern exnation.


    The first is to block the news further, and the second is to strictly order the people on the "New Fortune" to work day and night and take turns to clear the fishings on the propellers as soon as possible and start sailing again as quickly as possible.


    Liu Yong was lying on the bed, ready to rest.


    "At eleven o''clock tomorrow morning, Yanguo Offshore Oil Group will hold a meeting to announce the winning bid for thepany participating in the bidding," Liu Yong said.


    "The Risheng Ocean Shipping Group''s ''New Fortune'' has lost power and can only float on the sea now. People from Yanguo Offshore Oil Group should know about this," Liu Yong continued.


    "Should I report it secretly and quietly provide some information to Yanguo Offshore Oil Group?" Liu Yong asked himself.


    After thinking, Liu Yong temporarily gave up his n to secretly inform.


    There must be many channels for apany as big as Yanguo Offshore Oil Group, and it should be impossible to hide the truth.


    Picking up the document on the head of the bed, Liu Yong looked through it again.


    "There were information on several major oil tankers of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group, where they were, what they were carrying, and where they were going. It was clear," he thought.


    "It''s okay to inform Luo Maoyuan quietly, and it''s okay to cause a little trouble for Luo Maoyuan," Liu Yong decided.


    "Overlord, start working," Liu Yong ordered.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Bawang was in the waters of a, full of food and drink, and slept soundly at a ce less than tens of nautical miles away from the "New Fortune" of Risheng Group.


    "Master, what do you want me to do?" Bawang asked.


    "You go around the Strait of a and enter the Indian Ocean. There is arge oil tanker of the Risheng Group on the Indian Ocean route. It is still the old way to wrap the propeller of that ship with a fishing so that it cannot move forward," Liu Yong ordered.


    "Okay, I''m going now," Bawang replied.


    The Overlord set off without saying a word, holding its giant spear.


    Going around the Strait of a for many ships will take a long distance, but for Bawang, it is just a few more hours of swimming.


    "Why do you still choose to use fishings instead of directly poking a few big holes in the boat with a giant spear?" Bawang asked Liu Yong.


    "Mainly consider the crude oil on board. If a few big holes are poked, so much crude oil enters the sea, which will cause huge pollution. I do not want such a situation to happen," Liu Yong exined.


    After telling Bawang the location and course of the ship, Liu Yong slept at ease, trusting that Bawang would take the initiative to inform him upon arrival at the destination.


    Bawang''s speed was astonishing, reaching up to 180 knots and maneuvering underwater at approximately 200 meters. With this speed, bypassing the Strait of a was easy, avoiding detection and smoothly entering the Indian Ocean.


    As the ship approached its target, the capital was already experiencing dawn, but the area where Bawang was located was still dark. Bawang stopped near the target, only showing half it''s head above sea level. It started at the sailing ship for a long time and confirmed it was the correct target.


    "Well, it should be it, there is nothing wrong with it," Bawang thought.


    "There is no need to inform the master, he should be sleeping. I will wait until I finish the work," Bawang decided.


    Swimming toward the ship of the Dynasty, Bawang collected severalrge fishings and wrapped them around the ship''s propeller.


    The ship, which had been sailing automatically, suddenly stopped, setting off an rm in the cab and startling the two on-duty drivers.


    "What happened? Why did the ship stop?" one of the drivers asked in a panic.


    "I don''t know. Let''s check it out," the other replied as they rushed to the stern.


    All the crew members were awakened by themotion and noticed that the ship had stopped entirely, with muffled noisesing from the stern.


    Bawang poked the propeller vigorously with its giant spear. The propeller gradually deformed under the force of the spear, and it was estimated that it would fall off after a few more pokes. Bawang was satisfied with its work and quickly retreated with its spear.


    In the morning, Bawang woke up Liu Yong and reported that he hadpleted the task.


    "Master, I havepleted the task you gave me," Bawang said.


    "What happened? Did everything go smoothly?" Liu Yong asked eagerly.


    "Yes, not only was the propeller of the ship entangled with fishings, but it was also severely deformed by my giant spear. Even if the fishings were cleared, it would be impossible for the ship to continue sailing," Bawang exined.


    Liu Yong was delighted with Bawang''s sess and praised it before preparing breakfast.


    Meanwhile, Luo Maoyuan was awakened by a flurry of phone calls, unaware of the situation at sea.


    .........

 Chapter 150 We Won!

    "Good morning, Luo Maoyuan. Is everything alright?" asked He Jinyou, the CEO of Yanguo Offshore Oil Group.


    Luo Maoyuan responded with a tone of frustration and anger, "Boss, we have a problem. Our ship, the ''Anton,'' has broken down in the Indian Ocean. The propeller is entangled with fishings and has been deformed and damaged. We can''t continue sailing."


    He Jinyou was shocked by this news and asked, "How could this happen?"


    There was silence on the phone as no one knew what caused the issue, leaving it an unsolved mystery. Luo Maoyuan expressed his anger towards fishings, as it was not the first time that their ships were entangled with them.


    "Boss, what should we do now?" Luo Maoyuan asked.


    Luo Maoyuan had no choice but to send a tugboat to rescue the stranded ship. They had lost all power, and leaving the vessel adrift in the sea was impossible.


    Meanwhile, at Yanguo Offshore Oil Group Headquarters, He Jinyou held a meeting to discuss the oue of the bid. Several high-level leaders, grassroots or middle-level leaders, and other rted personnel attended the meeting.


    It was an important meeting, and He Jinyou addressed everyone and announced that the official results of the bid would be dered at eleven o''clock.


    During the meeting, opinions were expressed. Some people suggested that Risheng Ocean Shipping Group should win the bid, as they had a sizeable total tonnage and rich experience in ocean shipping.


    However, some people disagreed and thought that Universal Group should win the bid, as they hadrge tankers, including four 100,000-ton ships and two 200,000-ton ships. Several tankers were also under construction at their shipyard, which meant they had no problem handling the job.


    However, some people opposed the idea, citing that the Universal Group had only been established for a few months, there were too many unstable factors, and they needed more experience in ocean transportation.


    Despite the different opinions, nearly half of the people in attendance advocated that Risheng Ocean Shipping Group should win the bid, and about one-third believed that Universal Group was the better option.


    He Jinyou frowned and checked the time. It had been more than half an hour since they began discussing, and he felt the need to decide. However, his assistant entered the room and whispered something in his ear, causing his face to change.


    He Jinyou asked his assistant if the situation was actual, and upon verification, he became extremely angry, as Luo Maoyuan had lied to him about the condition of the ships.


    He immediately made a decision, stating that based on the opinions expressed during the meeting, Universal Group was more suitable to handle the 150 million barrels of crude oil transportation business.


    This decision disappointed those who supported Risheng Group, and those who had initially agreed that Universal Company should win the bid were relieved.


    At eleven o''clock in the morning, people from severalpanies participating in the offer arrived at the headquarters of Yanguo Offshore Oil Group. They sat in the conference room, waiting for the official announcement of the result.


    He Jinyou walked into the conference room with several people behind him and announced that the business had been awarded to Universal Group.


    At this moment, Qiu Yang was a little nervous and quietly looked at Liu Yong as if to say, "Boss, will we win the bid?"


    Liu Yong looked at him as if to say, "Don''t worry, we have great hopes, and it''s probably us. The biggestpetitor has ships breaking down at sea one after another, unable to transport crude oil back on time at all, and the people of Yanguo Offshore Oil Group must have known about it. If they also handed over crude oil transportation to Risheng Group under such circumstances, I wouldn''t believe it."


    Liu Yong looked at Luo Maoyuan. The other party''s face looked terrible, so Liu Yong suddenly felt inexplicably happy.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Hehe, you''re sad now, you''re not very arrogant, you have a high tone, and you don''t take us seriously. How are you now? Woolen cloth!"


    A middle-level executive of the Yanguo Offshore Oil Group made a speech. First, he thanked everyone for participating in this bidding and then, with a severe look, announced the result of the winning bid.


    "Everyone, ording to the bidding materials submitted by everyone, and based on our several bidding negotiations, we all agree that the winning unit this time is Global Ocean Services!"


    "What!" Qiu Yang eximed.


    "It''s Universal, not Risheng!" Liu Yong said.


    Many people were taken aback for a moment, and then, there was warm apuse in the conference room. Qiu Yang''s worries disappeared all at once, reced by joy, and he shouted,


    "Boss, we won the bid, it''s like a dream!"


    Liu Yong smiled and said affirmatively, "Yes, we won the bid, and we are the final winners."


    It took a long time for the apuse to subside gradually. Qiu Yang spoke on behalf of Universal.


    The main content was to thank Yanguo Offshore Oil Group for its trust in Universal and to guarantee that the 150 million barrels of crude oil transportation business would bepleted as required by the contract.


    After the meeting ended, many people took the initiative to shake hands with Liu Yong or Qiu Yang.


    As for the Risheng Group, as losers, few people paid attention to them, and they were very deserted. Luo Maoyuan''s face turned ck and white for a while.


    He stood up, walked over, and said with a smile, "Mr. Liu, congrattions."


    Liu Yong replied lightly, "Thank you."


    However, Luo Maoyuan said, "You guys made me very unhappy this time. There will be a long time toe, so you can take care of yourself."


    Liu Yong was surprised and annoyed, "What? You actually threatened me!"


    Luo Maoyuan sneered and replied, "What are you? Restrain yourself, don''t offend us again, and don''t think about going against us, otherwise, it will not be three ships parked at sea, but four, five, or more of you."


    Liu Yong was furious and retorted, "You idiot, I have several ships at sea, and I still have a long time toe. I think you don''t have much time."


    Luo Maoyuan snorted coldly and led his people away. As for Liu Yong''s words just now, he probably didn''t listen to a single word.

 Chapter 151 "I Am The Superior" #Thrash!!!!!!

    After leaving Yanguo Offshore Oil Group, Liu Yong led everyone to their next destination.


    "Qiu Yang, you and your team will stay in the capital to sign the contract with Yanguo Offshore Oil Group on behalf of Universal Company," said Liu Yong.


    Qiu Yang nodded in agreement. "Understood, boss. We''ll get to work right away."


    As they arrived at their lunch spot, everyone sat down to eat together.


    "This is a great meal,"mented one of the team members.


    "I''m d you like it," replied Liu Yong.


    After lunch, Liu Yong headed to the airport for his flight to Huahai City.


    Meanwhile, in the ocean, Bawang was swimming towards Risheng Marine Group''s "New Fortune" ship, bypassing the Strait of a.


    As he approached, he saw several people cleaning the fishings on the ship''s propeller.


    Bawang watched quietly from 200 to 300 meters away as the people worked hard, cleaning the fishings on the propellers little by little.


    After about 20 to 30 minutes, the first group finished their work and went to the deck. Another group of people then came down to continue cleaning thes.


    One of the workers suddenly felt a chill behind him, as if something was staring at him from a distance.


    "Did you feel that too?" he asked his colleague.


    "Yes, I did. It''s like there''s something behind us," replied the other worker.


    "Rx, there''s nothing there," said the third worker, trying to calm them down.


    But the feeling persisted, and the workers felt uneasy.


    Bawang continued to watch the workers from a distance for about an hour before swimming away peacefully.


    As he swam around the Strait of a, he encountered plenty of food in the tropical sea, including a whale shark weighing over ten tons.


    After filling his stomach, Bawang continued to swim and eventually stumbled upon a small uninhabited ind with a long beach and many seals.


    "Seals are good!" thought Bawang. "I once preyed on one, and the taste was simply iparably delicious."


    As he swam closer to the beach, Bawang saw hundreds of seals basking in the sun.


    "Looks like I won''t be going hungry anytime soon," he thought.


    From the inside, Bawang was in a good mood and  thought that way: "After all, I am the Superior of any kind!"


    On the ind lies a dense tropical rainforest, where towering trees reach tens of meters in height. The Ba Dynasty, an uninhabited ind, was where the protagonist swam over. Upon reaching the shore, the Overlord made his way through the beach and crawled towards the lush rainforest. As the hundreds of seals on the beach caught sight of this colossal Overlord, they hurried away in a frenzy and ran towards the sea or into the tropical rainforest.


    "Wow, look at the size of that thing!" eximed one of the seals as they hastily retreated.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Most seals hurried towards the sea, while a few fled towards the tropical rainforest. However, after realizing their mistake, they turned back towards the sea.


    The Bawang, unfazed by themotion, continued on his way. In just a matter of minutes, he managed to crawl into the tropical rainforest and found a t area with fewer trees to rest.


    As the sun shone through the treetops and onto the Overlord''s body, he felt content and stretched out in satisfaction, preparing to drift off into slumber.


    Suddenly, a giant boa constrictor appeared and approached the Bawang recklessly. The snake was unusually thick, with a circumference that exceeded that of a bucket and a length of over 15 meters.


    "Hmm, who do we have here? A new visitor to my jungle?" the boa constrictor hissed, tongue flicking in and out.


    The Overlord realized that this might be a tyrant in the jungle,ing to demonstrate its power to an outsider. The boa constrictor crawled towards the Overlord, stopping only two or three meters away with its tongue out as if it were demanding that the Bawang leave.


    "And who are you to tell me what to do?" replied the Bawang, utterly unfazed by the snake''s presence.


    Feeling its authority had been challenged, the snake opened its mouth wide and moved to bite the Bawangs'' neck.


    However, the turtle reacted much quicker and lightly patted one of its front paws, causing the snake to beunched backward.


    The force of the impact sent the snake flying,nding heavily on the ground, and breaking several trees.


    "Ha! That was too easy. You should know better than to mess with me," said the Bawang, chuckling to himself.


    The Overlord realized that this little creature was either fearless or had a faulty brain, but regardless, he continued to rest peacefully. As he drifted off into slumber, the lush tropical rainforest surrounding him, he knew he had found a new home.


    Liu Yong returned to Huahai City, sessfully aplishing his mission of transporting 150 million barrels of crude oil from Yanguo Offshore Oil Group.


    As soon as hended, he instructed Chen Hu, his loyal driver, to head straight to thepany.


    While they were on their way, Chen Hu inquired, "Where are we headed first, Boss?"


    Liu Yong hesitantly replied, "Let''s go to thepany first."


    As they drove, Liu Yong nced briefly at a third-party surveince feed and noticed Bawang, a dozing dog basking in the sun on a small ind. Satisfied that everything was alright, he turned off the meal.


    Upon arriving at thepany, Liu Yong went straight to his office, where a pile of documents and reports greeted him.


    He sifted through them meticulously before focusing on the information on the significant oil tankers of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group.


    Sitting in his boss''s chair, he pondered aloud, "The Overlord has already caused trouble for their three big ships. Do you want to continue?"


    As he contemted the situation, his mind drifted back to the sessfulpletion of his mission. He couldn''t help but feel a sense of aplishment for securing the transportation task he had wished for.


    Liu Yong knew that his sess had made him a formidable yer in the industry, but he was also aware that some would try to knock him down from his throne.


    Nevertheless, he was determined to stay ahead of the game and continue to thrive by sharing supernatural power with Bawang, the lovely and the most helpful and the primary source of his newly found life.


    ......................

 Chapter 152 All Eggs In 1 Basket?

    After returning to hispany, Luo Maoyuan''s expression was dark and brooding. He stormed into his office and picked up an exquisite teacup, which he immediately threw to the ground. His subordinates were silent, fearing to speak and keeping their heads bowed.


    Word quickly spread throughout the Risheng Group about their failed bid, with many employees quietly discussing the news.


    "Yanguo Offshore Oil Group has given 150 million barrels of crude oil transportation business to Global Group," someone said.


    Another employee chimed in, "I heard that too. But how did we lose to Universal?"


    "I know thatpany, and they have strong capabilities, with several big ships," replied a third employee.


    The discussions continued for a while, but fortunately, Luo Maoyuan had not overheard them.


    Otherwise, his anger would have been even more intense. Known as the "Ship King" of the Yan Kingdom and the leader of a significantpany, he couldn''t ept such a massive failure. He was determined to make Universal Group pay the price.


    "We can''t let it go. Universal must pay the price!" dered someone cautiously.


    "Boss, we have suffered such a big loss; we must take revenge and make Universal spit out what we have eaten," another said.


    Together, they plotted how to deal with Universal, but at that moment, Luo Maoyuan''s phone rang. It was a report on the stranded "Anton" ship and how it needed to be towed back for repairs, but the price was high, and they were suspected of taking advantage of the situation.


    Luo Maoyuan had no choice but to agree, "The more expensive, the better."


    With "Anton" stranded in the Indian Ocean, Luo Maoyuan finally heard some good news.


    "Boss, the fishings on the propellers of our New Fortune have almost been cleaned. In a few hours, our ship will be able to sail again," one of the workers said.


    Hearing this, Luo Maoyuan felt a glimmer of hope. He and his subordinates resumed plotting how to deal with Universal.


    Shortly after returning to his office, Liu Yong began browsing the information rted to Risheng Ocean Shipping Group when his colleague Hu Shijun walked in excitedly.


    "Brother Yong, I heard you were back and rushed here as soon as I could," said Hu Shijun.


    Liu Yong''s face lit up as he responded, "You must have heard the news then."


    "I sure have! I never thought we would emerge victorious and secure the transportation business for 150 million barrels of crude oil," eximed Hu Shijun.


    With this sessful venture, Liu Yong felt a sense offort and satisfaction, "With this transportation business, we won''t have to worry about idling around."


    Hu Shijun suggested, "Brother Yong, I believe we should be more aggressive in entering the crude oil transportation market. Perhaps we should consider purchasing a few morerge ships."


    Liu Yong waved his hand proudly and responded, "You can discuss this matter with Mr. Qiu. I have absolutely no objection to purchasing a few more ships."


    The underlying message was clear - Liu Yong wanted to avoid being bothered with trivial tasks such as buying a boat. His pride was evident, and very few bosses in the Yan Kingdom could match his confidence level.


    For other ocean shippingpanies, purchasing many giant ships, such as a 100,000-ton vessel, would be a significant investment, costing between 30,000 and 50,000. However, for Liu Yong, such trivial matters were beneath him.


    Yanguo Petroleum Group and Risheng Group are twopanies that operate in the crude oil transportation industry.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Even though Risheng Group keeps its operations secretive, Yanguo Petroleum Group still found out about Risheng''s three major oil tankers anchored on the sea.


    Upon hearing this news, the vice president overseeing crude oil import procurement was rmed and immediately took action.


    "Leader, this matter is absolutely true. We have checked it. One of them has not yet arrived in a and is still in the Indian Ocean," the vice president reported.


    "It''s really like this!" the leader eximed.


    The vice president thought for a long time and said, "We can''t put all our eggs in one basket. At present, what is the proportion of Risheng Group in our crude oil transportation?"


    "Leader, they used to ount for about 80% and were our most important transportation contractors. After Universal Company joined, the situation has changed. The proportion of Risheng Group has dropped a bit, and it is currently less than 70%," the vice president replied.


    The vice president said without hesitation: "Give more business to Universal Company, and Risheng''s proportion must be reduced to less than 50%. For details, you can talk to Universal Company and inform Risheng Group."


    "Okay, I will handle these things myself," the leader replied.


    Meanwhile, the good news kepting for Universal Company.


    First, they won a transportation contract for 150 million barrels of crude oil from Yanguo Offshore Oil Group. Then, Qiu Yang, on behalf of thepany, received a call from Mr Guan of Yanhuang Petroleum Group offering them a transportation contract for 30 million barrels of crude oil.


    "Boss, there is great news," Qiu Yang said excitedly when he called Liu Yong.


    "Have you already signed a formal contract with Yanguo Offshore Oil Company?" Liu Yong asked.


    "Boss, the contract will be signed in the afternoon. What I want to talk about is another matter," Qiu Yang said.


    "Oh, tell me, what kind of good thing is it?" Liu Yong asked with interest.


    "Boss, Mr. Guan of Yanhuang Petroleum Group called me just now and asked me to go to his office tomorrow morning. There will be 30 million barrels of crude oil transportation business for us," Qiu Yang reported.


    "This is a good thing. Go over and have a good talk with him tomorrow, and let me know if you have any results," Liu Yong replied.


    "Okay, boss," Qiu Yang said.


    Hu Shijun was also present in the office and overheard the conversation. "Brother Yong, Lao Qiu called. What a good thing, you are very happy," he said.


    Liu Yong briefly exined the matter.


    Suddenly, Hu Shijun seemed happier than anyone else!


    "Great, this is really exciting. From this point of view, we really need to order a fewrge ships," Hu Shijun thundered and shouted loudly.


    ...............¡­..

 Chapter 153 Cleaned And Ready To Go?

    On an ind without a name, Bawang wakes up to find that the sun is already setting and it''s afternoon. After sleeping for several hours, Bawang stretches and feels content but hungry.


    Looking towards the beach, it notices a group of seals and starts drooling, thinking they would make a great meal.


    "Those seals look delicious. I could really go for a nice, big one right now," Bawang thinks.


    Without hesitation, Bawang dashes to the beach at lightning speed and bites one of therger male seals before it can react, relishing the taste of its flesh.


    "Mmm, this is good. I need to catch some more," Bawang says to itself, feeling satisfied.


    Feeling content, Bawang watches as the seals scatter and run away. Despite their speed, Bawang''s superior agility and speed allow it to catch up with them onnd, biting and devouring another big seal.


    "This one is even better than thest. I could get used to this," Bawang exims, feeling delighted.


    As most seals flee into the sea, Bawang enters the water, using its superior senses to quickly capture several morerge seals.


    "This is the life. I could eat like this every day," Bawang muses.


    Satisfied with its meal, Bawang ignores the smaller seals and swims more profoundly into the sea to catch some big fish.


    After catching some fish, Bawang returns to the shore but remembers its mission.


    "New Fortune," and the crew responsible for cleaning the fishings reports to the captain.


    "Captain, we''ve cleared up the fishings," one of the crew members says.


    The captain is relieved that thes have been cleared and announces it''s time to set sail.


    "Finally, we can set sail. Let''s get going, everyone!" the captain exims as the ship''s engine starts to work and the propeller, previously entangled with fishings, finally rotates again.


    The boat slowly moves forward, leaving the ind behind as it sets sail toward its destination.


    Thousands of meters away, the Overlord watched silently, his eyes fixed on the ship as it sailed on the vast expanse of the ocean. He had been observing the vessel for days, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike.


    As the ship sailed on, a figure known as Bawang emerged from the ocean''s depths, swimming towards the vessel with grace and precision. He approached the ship quietly and carefully ced a few fishings near the propeller.


    The suction from the propeller soon drew in the fishings, entangling them tighter and tighter around the rotating mechanism.


    The ship slowed and eventually stopped as the propeller could no longer turn.


    "What''s going on!" shouted the captain in confusion as the ship stopped abruptly after sailing for a short distance.


    The crew quickly inspected the vessel and discovered that the propeller was again entangled with fishings.


    The captain cursed his luck and med the nearby fishermen for their recklessness, as he had already been entangled in fishings just two days prior.


    "Quickly check what''s going on," the captain ordered his crew, his voice betraying his anxiety.


    Soon, the crew reported that their propeller had been again entangled with fishings. The captain almost spurted out a mouthful of old blood in frustration.


    "My God! Why am I so unlucky!" he eximed, attributing his misfortune to the carelessness of the nearby fishermen.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "We have no choice but to send people with oxygen cylinders and tools to clean the fishings on the propellers. It was estimated that it would take another two or three days," the captain sighed in frustration, resigned to the fact that they would be dyed again.


    Meanwhile, the Overlord continued to watch his ning to fruition. He knew that this was just the beginning of his scheme to take down the ship and its crew, and he awaited his next opportunity to strike.


    Luo Maoyuan, the head of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group, was having a terrible day. He had just lost out on a major crude oil transportation contract to Universal, a fiercepetitor. His frustration was palpable as he vented his anger in front of his subordinates.


    As he paced back and forth in his office, his phone rang.


    It was Yanguo Petroleum Group calling to formally inform him that they were handing over the transportation of 30 million barrels of crude oil to Universal instead of Risheng.


    "This is outrageous!" Luo Maoyuan eximed, raising his voice. "What kind of business practice is this?"


    He knew that this decision would have severe implications for Risheng.


    The proportion of crude oil transportation held by hispany in Yanguo Petroleum Group would be further reduced, while Universal''s share would increase.


    It was a significant blow to hispany''s reputation and profitability.


    Seething angrily, Luo Maoyuan sat down on his chair, still fuming. His assistant knocked on the door and entered the room cautiously.


    He could sense the tension in the air and knew his boss was in a foul mood. "Boss," he said softly, "I have some bad news."


    "What is it?" Luo Maoyuan snapped.


    "Our ''New Fortune'' ship has run into some trouble," the assistant exined. "It sailed for only one or two nautical miles before getting entangled in fishings. It may take another two or three days to clear thes."


    Luo Maoyuan''s face turned pale with shock. The ''New Fortune'' carried over one million barrels of crude oil, and Yanguo Offshore Oil Group awaited it. "How did that happen?" he asked, his tone sharp.


    "Our boat just happened to encounter a fishing abandoned by local fishermen," the assistant replied.


    But Luo Maoyuan couldn''t shake off the feeling that Universal was behind this. "Tell me, could Universal do these things?" he asked his assistant.


    "Probably not. If they have such a method, it would be too scary. It should be a coincidence. Our boat just happened to encounter a fishing abandoned by local fishermen," the assistant reassured him.


    "I hope so," Luo Maoyuan said with a sigh.


    He knew that Risheng was in a vulnerable position. Losing the crude oil transportation contract and now facing a dy in delivery due to a fishing could have been better for business.


    "This is a stressful and uncertain time for us," he said, his voice heavy with concern. "I wonder how Yanguo Offshore Oil Group will react to the dy. Will it be like Yanguo Petroleum Group? If so, the proportion of crude oil transportation held by Risheng will be reduced even further."


    His assistant nodded in agreement, "Yes, boss. It''s a tough time for us, but we''ll get through it. We''ll make sure the ''New Fortune'' arrives at Huahai Port as soon as possible."


    Luo Maoyuan appreciated his assistant''s support and nodded,


    "You''re right. We need to stay strong and persevere through these challenges. We''ll do everything we can to make sure Rishenges out on top."


    .......................

 Chapter 154 High School - Super Car

    Liu Yong drove a brand-new Danielu to the school gate around five-thirty p.m in the evening. The supercar was parked not far away, and it did not affect the travel of the school teachers and students.


    Raising his hand to check the time, Liu Yong knew that his girlfriend wasing out soon.


    The two made an appointment to have dinner together tonight.


    "Wow, whose car is this!"


    "Supercar, my dream!"


    "Come on, take a picture of me."


    "."


    Now is the peak time for school to leave, and the school gate is lively. This supercar suddenly attracted a lot of attention.


    Some even posed for photos with it in front of the car.


    Liu Yong was close. Seeing this, he smiled slightly and didn''t intend to stop him.


    This supercar was bought in thepany''s name and registered under the name of Universal. Of course, the user is Liu Yong.


    Today is the first time to drive it.


    This supercar became the focus of the school gate, and soon many people gathered. Some even looked envious, thinking to themselves, whose car is this? Such a beautiful car. If I have one, too, no, It''s satisfying to be able to ride it.


    Primarily, a few girls think they are pretty and are reluctant to leave next to the car. The purpose is to wait for the car''s owner to show up and initiate a conversation. It would be better if they could get the contact information.


    After a while.


    Li Changle finished her work and finished grading thest homework. She tidied the table, carried a small bag, and happily left the teacher''s office.


    As soon as she got downstairs, she was slightly taken aback.


    Li Changle thought in her heart, why is it him again?


    A young teacher downstairs was already waiting for her. Seeing Li Changleing downstairs, he greeted Li Changle with a happy face, "Teacher Li, what a coincidence."


    Xin Zhi has been waiting more than ten minutes, especially for Li Changle.


    He is a physical education teacher who has just been transferred. He thinks he is sunny and handsome, and his family conditions are good, so he boldly pursues Li Changle.


    A beautiful woman like Li Changle must have many suitors. Even if others know that she has a boyfriend, some people will still try to pursue her. If they seed, it must be like a great blessing.


    Xin Zhi followed Li Changle with a ttering face, deliberately asking for warmth, "Miss. Li, you must be tired after a day of ss."


    Li Changle said: "Well, a little bit."


    After all, he is a colleague. Li Changle didn''t show her other face butmunicated just like she does with other colleagues, neither cold nor hot, with politeness.


    "Ms. Li, I know there is a good coffee shop, how about we have a coffee together?"


    Li Changle didn''t know what Xin Zhi meant and declined politely: "No, thank you, Teacher Xin."


    Xin Zhi will definitely not give up just like that, "Ms. Li, that coffee shop is very good, I have a car, take my car there, and it will be there in ten minutes."


    Li Changle said: "Thank you, my boyfriend is already waiting for me at the school gate, I have to go there."


    After finishing speaking, her footsteps elerated invisibly, trying to distance herself from Xin Zhi.


    Unexpectedly, Xin Zhi also quickened his pace, still standing shoulder to shoulder with Li Changle, still not giving up, "Mr. Li, your boyfriend didn''t drive, or I''ll see you off."


    Xin Zhi bought an off-road vehicle worth RMB 200,000 to RMB 300,000. Of course, his family paid for it. Purchasing a single tire with the sry he had just started working was difficult.


    Li Changle frowned slightly; Xin Zhi was like a piece of brown sugar, which disgusted her.


    Li Changle trotted up and saw Liu Yong waiting at the school gate. She ran to Liu Yong with a happy face, " Liu Yong."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong held his girlfriend''s hand. He probably would have hugged her if it wasn''t at the school gate.


    When Xin Zhi saw Liu Yong, he was unconvinced, "Hmph, he''s just a little more handsome than me. I don''t know how the family is doing. Do you have money? Can you afford a house in Huahai City?"


    My heart is sour.


    Xin Zhi kept looking at Liu Yong and Li Changle; suddenly, he was stunned and dumbfounded!


    He froze there for a moment.


    It has suffered tens of thousands of critical strikes suddenly.


    Actually, unexpectedly.


    Li Changle''s boyfriend actually drives a brand new Daniel. Oh my god, how rich is this? This supercar costs at least three million.


    Under his dull gaze, Liu Yong and Li Changle got into the car, and the supercar drove away quickly.


    While driving, Liu Yong said: "Let''s go to eat first, how about western food?"


    Li Changle looked happy, "Whatever, you can arrange everything."


    Liu Yong drove to a high-end Western restaurant. The two sat down and ordered many good things, such as caviar, loose meat, steak, foie gras, etc., all of which were missing.


    Red wine is a bottle of more than 20,000 XO.


    Li Changle is no stranger to eating 30,000 to 50,000 yuan for a meal.


    The two talked andughed and had a meal happily. After a while, Liu Yong felt that there seemed to be a message on his WeChat, so he took out his mobile phone and looked at it.


    Suddenly, a look of evident joy appeared on his face.


    Li Changle said: "Brother Yong, what a good thing, so happy."


    Liu Yong said: "Qiu Yang signed the contract, and sent me the photos for review."


    Heard about the global bidding for 150 million barrels of crude oil transportation, Li Changle raised her ss and said, "Brother Yong, congrattions."


    The cups of the two touched lightly.


    Qiu Yang is back.


    The first thing he did when he came back was to report to Liu Yong about the contract situation.


    Then he also reported that Yanguo Petroleum Group would hand over the transportation business of 30 million barrels of crude oil to Universal Company.


    One thing is that the 30 million barrels of crude oil were shipped from Venezu, not the Middle East. The current environment is that Venezu is under sanctions by M country, and it is risky to transport oil back from there.


    "Boss, I didn''t rush to agree to Yanguo Petroleum Group, I think it is necessary to discuss with you."


    Liu Yong asked: "What''s your opinion?"


    Qiu Yang replied: "This is a hot potato, which offends the people of country M. They may arrest the boat. Such a thing has happened before."


    Liu Yong thought about it for a while and then decided: "I''m afraid it''s a mess. We took this order worldwide and especially sent two tankers to Venezu to transport the 30 million barrels of crude oil back."


    The boss actually made a decision, so Qiu Yang knew it, "Okay, then I will reply to Yanguo Petroleum Group on behalf of thepany, and we will ept this order."


    "New Fortune."


    After a lot of effort, it took a full two days, and the fishings of the ship were finally cleaned up, and the crew members who were in charge of cleaning the fishings also climbed onto the deck.


    The leading crew member didn''t even have time to put down the oxygen cylinder on his back, and he said with relief:


    "Report to the captain, all the fishings have been cleaned up, please give instructions."

 Chapter 155 Traps

    The captain of the fishing vessel "New Fortune" was dissatisfied as he contemted the possibility of more tangled fishings.


    He had no idea if more traps would be cleared, so he hesitated until finally giving his crew orders to start the power system and set sail again.


    As the ship moved away, little did they know that they were being watched by Bawang, who was less than a kilometer away in the sea.


    Bawang had been winding a fishing when he saw the "New Fortune" sailing away. He turned to Liu Yong for instructions, asking whether he should wind more fishings around the ship.


    Watching the scene from a third-party Vision, Liu Yong saw the "New Fortune" and the Overlord in the sea. After careful consideration, he let them go for the time being.


    The "New Fortune" had been caught in fishings twice, dying their arrival in Huahai City for almost a week.


    The purpose of entangling their vessel was to slow down their journey, which had already been achieved. There was no need to entangle the ship for the third time, as doing so would be disastrous.


    Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun, two employees of the Risheng Group, discussed thepany''s recent growth and the need for more ships. Qiu Yang suggested expanding into other transportation areas since thepany had already secured significant crude oil transportation business.


    Hu Shijun agreed, stating they needed to purchase more ships beyond oil tankers.


    They eventually agreed to purchase four more ships, including a 50,000-ton car bulk carrier, a 50,000-ton timber bulk carrier, and two 100,000-ton ore bulk carriers, totaling 300,000 tons.


    Qiu Yang suggested they report to the boss about their decision, but Hu Shijun reminded him that Liu Yong was away and wanted to avoid being bothered by such a small matter.


    Qiu Yang was impressed by Liu Yong''s attitude, considering that purchasing such arge ship could cost hundreds of millions. He praised the boss''s awesomeness for letting them make their own decisions.


    Huang Guang was fully engrossed in his work in the Shipping Management Department''s spacious office. Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted by somemotion, and he nced up at the clock in bewilderment.


    To his surprise, it was already noon.


    As per their schedule, they finished work at 12:00 pm and resumed it again at 1:00 pm, with an hour of lunchtime in between.


    Huang Guang neatly organized his desk and prepared to take his lunch break when he heard some chatter nearby.


    "Wow, thepany is really making some big moves!"


    "Yeah, there are four gigantic ships, all in all, adding up to a whopping 300,000 tons."


    "It''s certainly impressive, but this is no big deal in our line of work. Justst month, our boss purchased ships worth over 3 billion in a single go."


    The veteran employees appeared unfazed, while the neers were amazed. Spending a billion or two on ships was considered an excellent source of pride.


    Huang Guang felt proud, knowing he had decided to join Universal. He was now guaranteed a better future and prospects than his previous stint with the smallpany.


    One of the new employees, Zhang Xu, caught his attention.


    Zhang Xu was different from the typical fresh hires, with a Ph.D. and higher education. He was also among the first Ph.D. returnees hired by Universal.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Zhang Xu had been working under Huang Guang for several days now and was taken aback by thepany''s tremendous financial might, which allowed it to purchase severalrge ships in one go.


    "Boss Huang, it''s unbelievable how rich thepany is!" eximed Zhang Xu.


    "Yes," Huang Guang agreed with a nod, "but you need to work hard to climb the ranks and be a supervisor or manager. The development opportunities here are immense."


    "I understand, and I will work hard," promised Zhang Xu with conviction.


    The visually impaired are not immune to thepany''s growth potential, and its forecasted expansion is generating a lot of excitement amongst its employees.


    "We''re going to see a lot of opportunities, and all we have to do is work hard," echoed a voice in the crowded elevator.


    At the Risheng Ocean Shipping Group, Luo Maoyuan, thepany''s CEO, was in a meeting with a subordinate who had just shared some negative news.


    "Boss, Yanguo Petroleum Group has given Universal Company 30 million barrels of crude oil transportation business. ording to our information, they have signed a formal contract."


    Luo Maoyuan was displeased. "Humph!" he snorted heavily, his facial expression not looking good.


    He understood that the increase in Universal Company''s crude oil transportation business meant that Risheng''s percentage of the market share had decreased, something he had not foreseen nor wanted to see.


    As the subordinate continued to report, Luo Maoyuan''s frustration grew when he learned that Universal Company was nning to purchase four morerge ships, including two 100,000-ton ore bulk carriers, a 50,000-ton timber bulk carrier, and a 50,000-ton bulk carrier car.


    Luo Maoyuan knew that Universal Company''s recent purchases would stimte hispany''s automobile, ore, timber, and other transportation businesses, and he wasn''t pleased.


    After listening to the report, Luo Maoyuan inquired about a matter he had ordered his subordinate to handle. "How is the matter I ordered you?" he asked.


    "Boss, ording to your instructions, we have been making relevant preparations, and the target has also been selected. There are two in total," the subordinate replied.


    "One of the targets is a 20,000-ton coal carrier owned by Global Corporation, and the other is a 30,000-ton iron ore carrier," the subordinate continued.


    Luo Maoyuan asked about the whereabouts of the two ships, and his subordinate informed him that the 20,000-ton coal carrier would be leaving the port the next day, and the 30,000-ton iron ore bulk carrier had already left Australia and was en route.


    Luo Maoyuan thought momentarily and said, "Just the coal bulk cargo ship, yes, that''s it, start with this ship."


    "Okay, boss, let''s arrange and prepare right away," the subordinate replied before leaving the room.


    Luo Maoyuan''s face was gloomy as he contemted tackling Universal Company''s increasing market share.


    He knew he had to take action, and he was ready to make a move.


    .......................

 Chapter 156 You Know Who Is My Dad?

    Today is the weekend.


    Liu Yong asked Li Changle to go to see the jewellery together. It is usual for men and women in the period of love to talk about marriage. Both Liu Yong and Li Changle have the idea of ??getting married.


    Sitting on this supercar, Li Changle pursed her lips deliberately, "Brother Yong, I won''t do it, you haven''t proposed yet, at least there must be a grand proposal ceremony, otherwise, it will be too cheap for you."


    Liu Yong smiled proudly, "What kind of marriage proposal ceremony is going to be done in one step, and then we will directly hold the wedding ceremony."


    "I haven''t said I want to marry you yet." Li Changle said with a smile on purpose.


    Liu Yong also joked, "So you didn''t say you want to marry me. It''s a pity. Yesterday, a beautiful youngdy wanted to add me on WeChat, but I actually refused."


    "you dare!"


    Li Changle acted like a little tigress, and sheughed too.


    This smile is so beautiful.


    Liu Yong was dumbfounded.


    He said in his heart, my girlfriend is so beautiful.


    Li Changle gave Liu Yong a proud look. Brother Yong, you must be fascinated by me again.


    Soon after, the car stopped at the door of Qian Shengsheng Jewelry Jiangnan Road Store, one of the three gship stores of Qian Shengsheng Company in Huahai City.


    The scale isrge, there are many kinds of things, and the grade is high.


    As soon as the two came in holding hands, their eyes immediately lit up. This ce is vast, dazzling with all kinds of gold jewellery and jewellery, etc.


    "Sir, what can I do for you."


    The youngdy in the store is very enthusiastic. As soon as Liu Yong led Li Changle in, someone greeted him immediately, making people veryfortable.


    This time, Liu Yong came here mainly to see if there was any suitable jewellery. If not, he might ask Qian Feihai to customize it.


    "I''ll take a look at the diamond jewelry."


    Diamonds symbolize eternal and pure love. Liu Yong will buy a set of diamond jewellery, such as nes, earrings, bracelets, and so on.


    As for wedding rings, I wonder if they have them in the store. Most likely, they don''t have them, and they need to be specially customized because they can''t be sloppy.


    "Sir, this way please."


    This youngdy was very enthusiastic and took Liu Yong and Li Changle to the diamond area. There are many kinds of diamond jewellery here, and more than a dozen ss cabs are almostplete, which is dazzling.


    "Sir, what kind of jewelry do you want to see? We have aplete range of jewelry here. I believe there is something you like."


    "Let''s look at the ne first, try to have a higher grade."


    "Okay, this way, sir."


    This youngdy led Liu Yong and Li Changle to a ss counter full of diamond nes of various styles.


    Prices range from tens of thousands to millions of dors.


    Liu Yong quickly took fancy to a ne with a price tag of more than one million yuan and thought it was okay, so he said,


    "Lele, try that ne."


    Li Changle nodded.


    Thedy at the counter wore white gloves, carefully removed the ne, showed it to Liu Yong, introduced it, and praised it.


    "Sir, you really have a good eye. This is one of the highest-grade nes in our store. Your girlfriend must look beautiful wearing it."


    Li Changle bent down slightly, and the youngdy seriously put the ne on Li Changle''s neck and praised it repeatedly.


    Liu Yong smiled faintly, feeling it didn''t fit Li Changle''s temperament. In addition, a ne worth more than one million yuan is a little lower. At least it should be several million, and tens of millions is, of course, better.


    Li Changle looked in the mirror and shook her head lightly, "I don''t think I like it, Brother Yong, let''s pick another one."


    "Yes." Liu Yong nodded.


    When a whining voice sounded, the youngdy at the counter was also about to take the ne off Li Changle''s neck.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Honey, that ne is so beautiful, I like it very much."


    Liu Yong noticed a pair of young men and womene beside them. The woman was very coquettishly dressed with heavy makeup, while the man had a bald head and scary tattoos on his arms.


    The young bald man was a little defiant, pointing to the ne on Li Changle''s neck and saying: "How much is this ne, I bought it."


    It''s too rude. The ne is still on Li Changle''s neck.


    Liu Yong immediately became a little unhappy and reminded:


    "Brother, we are looking at this ne. Can you wait until we finish watching it?"


    The bald man gave Liu Yong a disdainful look, "Dude, I''ve taken a fancy to this ne. Take it off."


    Initially, he didn''t want to buy this ne, but Liu Yong felt he couldn''t swallow it. It''s only more than one million yuan, which is nothing, and there is no pressure.


    Liu Yongughed and said, "I''m sorry, I''m going to buy this ne."


    The bald man''s face changed, and he threatened: "Do you know who I am and who my father is?"


    Liu Yong said: "I''m not interested."


    The bald man said: "My father is Luo Maoyuan, the ship lord of the Yan Kingdom, if you are sensible, don''t argue with me for this ne, don''t feel ufortable."


    It turned out to be Luo Maoyuan''s son.


    Actually ran to Huahai City to be arrogant.


    I dare to p you in the face. What are you?


    Liu Yong shouted in a low voice: "Get out, get away from me."


    what!


    "You are trying to chase me away?"


    Luo Xiaoshan got angry, took out a bank card, and threw it in front of the counterdy, "I bought this ne, swipe the card."


    Thedy at the counter looked at Liu Yong, then at Luo Xiaoshan, and reminded: "This ne is 1.268 million, sir, please make sure to swipe your card."


    What!


    Luo Xiaoshan was stunned momentarily and asked, "Isn''t it 126,800? Why did it suddenly be 1,268,000?"


    It turned out that he had misread it, thinking it was hundreds of thousands.


    If it''s more than a hundred thousand, it''s okay to buy it to please his girlfriend, but Luo Xiaoshan hesitates if it''s 1.268 million.


    Liu Yongughed softly, "So there is no money, so why pretend to be rich?"


    Luo Xiaoshan was already highly embarrassed but couldn''t hold back when Liu Yong ridiculed him. He swung his fist and threw it at Liu Yong, trying to vent his anger on Liu Yong.


    People around were stunned!


    Several youngdies at the counter were utterly stunned and opened their mouths. They never expected that this bald-headed, flower-armed man would hit someone.


    "Ouch, Ouch"


    The first was caught by Liu Yong in mid-air. With a little effort, Luo Xiaoshan screamed like a pig, feeling as if his bones had been pinched and broken.


    Send it lightly.


    Luo Xiaoshan seemed to feel a tremendous forceing from his fist, and he flew up and fell several meters away.


    He couldn''t get up for a long time and groaned in pain on the ground.


    Such a bigmotion quickly attracted the attention of several security guards, and one of the security guards said: "Brother Lu, someone has been beaten, should we go over?"


    The leading captain, surnamed Lu, hesitated for a while, and when he was about to take a few security guards there, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.


    ....................

 Chapter 157 Business Friend

    A group of people came outside the door.


    The man in the lead seemed very imposing, with the appearance of a sessful big boss. He was Qian Feihai, the boss of Qian Shengsheng''spany, followed by several middle and high-level executives of Qian Shengsheng''spany.


    This is the gship store of Qian Shengsheng Company, and Qian Feihai asionallyes over to take a look in person.


    As soon as he came in, it was different immediately.


    The gship store''s supervisor, store manager, etc., immediately greeted each other.


    "Hi boss."


    "Hi, boss."


    Qian Feihai nodded in satisfaction. Suddenly, he saw Liu Yong and Li Changle and was slightly taken aback, probably somewhat surprised.


    After being slightly taken aback, he walked over voluntarily, with great enthusiasm,


    "Mr. Liu, I didn''t expect to meet you here."


    The two shook hands happily, showing some politeness.


    Lying on the ground, Luo Xiaoshan saw something wrong, so he got up quietly and slipped away quietly.


    The security captain surnamed Lu just now secretly thought, and luckily he didn''te forward, he is the boss'' friend, then he sighed in relief.


    "Mr. Liu, why are you in our store?"


    Liu Yong said: "I originally wanted to choose a few sets of jewelry for use when I got married, but I haven''t seen any suitable ones yet."


    Qian Feihai looked at the more than one million nes that Li Changle had taken down and immediately knew it in his heart.


    He was here for inspection, so he put this matter aside first and politely invited: "Ourpany has A small amount of high-end jewelry, Mr. Liu. Are you interested in taking a look?"


    "Of course." Liu Yong answered very readily.


    So, under Qian Feihai, a few people walked into a reception room on the second floor of the gship store and sat on the sofa.


    Qian Feihai signalled to bring that high-end jewellery.


    These jewellery are generally ced outside the counter. After a while, the store manager personally brought the jewellery over.


    They are of a higher grade than the jewellery on the counter.


    There are nes, bracelets and bracelets, and other essories, such as brooches, hairpins, earrings, and other small essories.


    Even tiny essories, their prices are costly. The most expensive ne is worth more than ten million, from one to two million to three to five hundred.


    A beautiful female store manager helped Li Changle try these essories and exined them enthusiastically while trying.


    Liu Yong and Qian Feihai sat drinking tea and chatting, very rxed.


    "Mr. Liu, thanks to your goldst time, now, our factory has sufficient raw materials, and the supply of gold jewelry in each store is sufficient."


    Liu Yong smiled, "The next time I have gold, if the total price of the money is a little higher, just take it as a thank you."


    Qian Feihai alsoughed.


    Then he said with great interest: "Mr. Liu, do you really still have gold?"


    "Not many for now, but there will definitely be some in the future."


    "If you have gold, you must consider me first."


    "."


    Thirty minutester, Li Changle tried the dozens of pieces of jewellery. She only liked one hairpin, priced at more than three million yuan. There were many diamonds and a few small coloured diamonds, which were very beautiful.


    "Brother Yong, I only like this one."


    Liu Yong looked at the jewellery, waved his hand, and said: "It''s okay, we can customize it; Mr. Qian has the best designers under hismand."


    Qian Feihai hurriedly said: "Yes, I have a few designers who are not bad. If you have any requirements, just tell them."


    Private custom!<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Of course, it is much better than this ready-made jewellery. Liu Yong and Li Changle talked about some requirements, styles, etc.


    Qian Feihai listened carefully, and not only that but also his subordinates listened carefully.


    After listening, Qian Feihai asked: "Mr. Liu, what is the price positioning of this jewelry?"


    Liu Yong said proudly: "The total value can go up to 100 million, or 200 million."


    What!!


    Two hundred million!


    A total of seven or eight pieces of jewellery.


    A wedding ring, a ne, a pair of earrings, a bracelet, etc., the price is set at one or two hundred million!


    Most people thought they heard it wrong, and they were surprised.


    Qian Feihai has seen the big world. His expression didn''t change much. He patted his chest and said: "Mr. Liu, don''t worry. I will send the best team to tailor it for you two."


    When walking out of this store, many people looked envious.


    Especially the female executive just now thought enviously, I am also good-looking. Why can''t I find such a good boyfriend?


    Not one or two million, but as long as my boyfriend can get one or two million to customize a wedding jewellery set for me, I will be very content.


    This beautiful woman''s life is so good!


    How did she find such a handsome and rich boyfriend?


    On the vast sea, a coal bulk carrier with a discement of about 20,000 tons is sailing, and the speed is not fast.


    The ship is fully loaded with coal, and the destination is a seaport in RB, which is only two or three hundred nautical miles away from the goal.


    This is a bulk cargo of Universal Company. The logo of Universal Company on the hull is self-exnatory. Near the bow, the two prominent white characters of "Flying" are conspicuous.


    This is the bulk cargo of the Universal Company "Flying."


    It is also one of the few ships purchased by thepany at the beginning of its establishment. With limited funds, the tonnage of the few ships purchased by Liu Yong needed to be more significant.


    Of course, the rtively small cargo is rtively speaking.


    With a discement of 20,000 tons, it can be regarded as a giant ship, a veritable 10,000-ton ss giant ship.


    In the cab, the field of vision is broad, and you can see everything on the vast sea.


    Captain Duan Dongsheng warned: "Tomorrow afternoon we will arrive at the destination port. The more this is the time, the more we cannot take our guard lightly. Safetyes first."


    "Well, we know."


    "Captain, don''t worry, this is not the first time we have run this route."


    Several other crew members on the bridge answered one after another. They were all in a rxed mood. They have been safe and sound, and it should be the same this time.


    Some crew members rechecked the navigation and didn''t deviate from the route, so it was very safe. I will arrive in RB tomorrow, and I can walk around the local area, take a look, and even go shopping.


    It is hard work as a crew member, but those who run the RB route are fine. They depart from China and then arrive at RB in a few days, stay there for two or three days, and then return to China in a few days.


    Sudden!


    Duan Dongsheng''s eyes were fixed, and arge ship approached this side in the distance. The space was getting closer, less than one nautical mile by visual estimation.


    "Pay attention to that ship, and don''t collide with it."


    "Captain, don''t worry, the distance is still far away, we will give way."


    "Okay."


    Duan Dongsheng nodded and didn''t take it too seriously. The chance of a ship collision is too small and doesn''t happen a few times a year.


    ...¡­..........

 Chapter 158 Flying Sank?

    After a while, the actual distance of one nautical mile was only three to five hundred meters. The ship did not change its course but still drove quickly.


    "Horn the whistle, honk the whistle immediately!"


    Duan Dongsheng felt a little uneasy and shouted loudly.


    A few high-pitched sirens sounded immediately!


    However, it seems to horn the horn had no effect at all. Not only did the ship not respond by honking the funnel, but it also didn''t change its course. Its speed was still increasing.


    "Quick, quick, change course!!"


    Duan Dongsheng shouted loudly, with a hint of anxiety in his tone.


    Others were also surprised.


    "Full left rudder, hurry up!"


    "Maximum speed, maximum speed!!"


    The people in the cockpit were already panicked and did not dare to neglect in the slightest. ording to visual estimation, the colossal ship disced at least a hundred thousand tons and was heading this way quickly.


    Other crew members on the ship also saw the giant ship.


    Everyone was stunned!


    Some people even shouted in horror, my God, the ship is about to hit. It''s back to shoot.


    Universal''s "Flying" ship was driven to the maximum horsepower. The rudder was packed to the left, tried to avoid it, and blew its whistle to remind the boat again.


    However.


    Still has no effect!


    The ship came at high speed, and the distance of a few hundred meters did not take long. Then, the vast boat hit the stern of the "Flying" ship hard.


    "Boom!!"


    There was a loud noise; the people on board could hardly stand still, and many fell directly to the ground. Twenty tons versus hundreds of tons is not an order of magnitude at all.


    The "Flying" was almost knocked over, and the ship''s stern was severely damaged and dpidated. It was shocking, and arge amount of seawater poured in violently.


    "Captain, our ship is broken!"


    "Captain, our power system haspletely failed!"


    Hearing the shouts of the crew, Duan Dongsheng''s face turned pale. It has been nearly twenty years since he started as a seaman, and this is the first time he has encountered a ship collision ident.


    "Quick, quick, notify everyone and prepare to escape."


    After instructing everyone to prepare for escape, he picked up the satellite phone again, quickly reported the situation to thepany, and called for help urgently.


    The stern of the "Flying" ship was too damaged. ording to Duan Dongsheng''s judgment based on experience, the boatpletely sank to the bottom of the sea for at most an hour, leaving them little time.


    After making the phone call, reporting the situation, and calling for help, he directed the crew to escape. The life jackets were immediately taken out and distributed to everyone, and the escape boats began to be lowered.


    Several young crew members cried in fright.


    "We, will we die?"


    "Woo, I don''t want to die, I''m still young."


    Duan Dongsheng knew that he needed to do better. Even though he was flustered inside, his face was calm, and heforted him:


    "No, everyone put on life jackets and get on the lifeboat quickly. Someone wille to rescue us."


    After suchfort, the young crew members felt better.


    There were two escape boats in total, and they went down quickly. Duan Dongsheng directed everyone to climb the ropedder, "Hurry up, hurry up, get on the escape boats, one by one."


    He was not the first to escape but directed the other crew members to descend to the escape boat one by one through the ropedder.


    After he was thest one to get on one of the escape boats along the ropedder, the "Flying" had already tilted heavily, flooded with a lot of seawater, and it was estimated that it would sink entirely in a short time.


    The atmosphere on the boat was dull, sad, and hopeless.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Duan Dongsheng sighed softly, looked at another boat not far away, counted the number of people, and saw that one was quite a few, so he felt relieved.


    The waves are rtivelyrge.


    I didn''t feel this way on board the 20,000-ton "Flying," but the situation waspletely different after being on the small boat.


    Like a tboat looming in the wind and waves.


    The situation is still hazardous.


    Duan Dongsheng knew that the number of escape boats needed to be bigger, only two, and many people were on each ship. If it capsized, the consequences would be severe.


    He waved his clothes at the giant ship not far away, shouting loudly.


    The people on that boat seemed to have not heard it, and they were leaving slowly.


    Hit and run, this is a hit and run!


    "That''s Risheng Group''s ship."


    "Damn it, just ran away,e down to save people!"


    "They must have done it on purpose, to ram our boat on purpose."


    "."


    The people on the two boats were furious and outraged, especially when the ship of the Risheng Group that caused the ident left. Some people pointed at the ship and cursed fiercely.


    Risheng Ocean Shipping Group.


    "Dad, you must avenge me. Your son was beaten up by Liu Yong. Look, this ce is green and purple."


    Luo Xiaoshan was taught a lesson by Liu Yong. He was pushed several meters away and fell heavily to the ground. The first thing he did after returning was to cry to Luo Maoyuan.


    Luo Maoyuan''s face gradually darkened, and heforted his precious son, "Xiaoshan, Dad will vent his anger on you, and he will help you soon."


    After a while.


    The phone call came, "Boss, we seeded. Universal''s ''Flying'' is about to sink to the bottom of the sea, and their crew of 20 to 30 is floating on the sea."


    "Okay, well done!" Luo Maoyuan cheered up suddenly, saying: "Remember, this was an ident, and we are also victims."


    "Boss, I know, we will speak in unison."


    Putting down the phone, Luo Maoyuan became happy, wishing to give him a thumbs up. This time, he did an outstanding job.


    Universal Corporation.


    Liu Yong is sitting on the Boss''s chair, looking at a document.


    Although he said that such a trivial matter as buying a ship should not bother him, out of respect for the Boss, after Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun discussed which ships to buy, they formed a document and ced it on Liu Yong''s desk.


    "These two people."


    Liu Yong picked up a pen, wrote "Agree" on the document, and signed his name.


    After signing this document, within a few minutes, there was a rush of footsteps outside the office door. Hu Shijun broke in without even knocking on the door.


    He looked anxious!


    "Brother Yong, something serious happened. Our "Flying" sank."


    what!


    Liu Yong was also taken aback and immediately stood up from the Boss''s chair with an unbelievable expression,


    "What''s going on? Isn''t our ''Flying'' ship running the RB route to deliver coal to RB? ?"


    Hu Shijun quickly reported the situation he had.


    After listening to it, Liu Yong was horrified. There was a ship collision. Such a low-probability thing actually happened.


    ...¡­...................

 Chapter 159 Its Impossible!

    After a long time, Liu Yong said: "How could it collide with the boat?"


    Hu Shijun also said: " I too got skeptical When I heard the news, and I thought it was a joke. After repeated verifications, there was indeed a ship collision. Arge ship of more than 100,000 tons from the Risheng Group collided with ours." Flying''."


    Liu Yong asked: "You mean, Risheng Group''s ship hit us, not our ship hit each other, right?"


    "ording to the preliminary information we have, it should be that they rammed our boat." Hu Shijun said,


    "I will investigate and understand the more specific and detailed situation immediately."


    "Well, this must be investigated clearly. It is imperative." Liu Yong urged, thought for a while, and then asked with concern:


    "What about the crew on our ''Flying'' ship? How are they?"


    Lifees first.


    It is not good if a crew member falls into the water and dies. Liu Yong will probably feel very sad, and facing the crew''s family members will be challenging.


    Fortunately, the situation is OK.


    Hu Shi Junhui reported: "For the time being, no crew members fell into the water. All the crew members were on the lifeboats and wore life jackets.


    However, the sea area is rtively stormy, and it is still hazardous to float on the sea for a long time.


    ''Flying'' ship was hit. An SOS distress signal was sent immediately, and I have already ordered the vessels closest to the ''Flying'' to go there at full speed."


    After listening to the report, Liu Yong was a little relieved.


    Fortunately, there were no crew casualties yet.


    "Pay close attention to this matter, and treat it as the biggest matter of thepany at present."


    "Brother Yong, I know how to measure."


    Hu Shijun left in a hurry.


    Liu Yong sat on the boss''s chair, thinking, is this a natural or man-made disaster?


    It was a coincidence that the other party colliding with the ship was Risheng Ocean Shipping Group.


    Liu Yong thought a lot.


    The more I think about it, the more I feel that this was intentional by Risheng Ocean Shipping Group, and they deliberately nned and created the collision.


    "Hmph, if it was really nned and manufactured by them, they must pay ten times, a hundred times the price."


    After considering this idea, Liu Yong contacted Bawang and ordered it to return to the waters near Huahai City to prepare for any possible problems.


    Bawang is still surfing around a, probably because he is addicted to eating tropical fish and is a little reluctant to leave.


    As soon as he received the order, the Overlord set off immediately without hesitation.


    On the sea.


    The "Flying" not far away has almost wholly sunk. The stern of the ship sank first, and then the bow gradually became higher.


    The bow is slightly exposed and will drop entirely in a few minutes. Nearly a thousand meters deep under the sea.


    Duan Dongsheng watched everything silently, feeling deste in his heart.


    Before he had time to feel sad for the "Flying," his first officer reminded him: "Old Duan, the waves seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and it won''t work like this."


    Duan Dongsheng looked at the situation of the waves and also showed worry. All he could do was wait for rescue. He could only tell everyone to hurry up and not fall into the sea.


    Time we passed minute by minute.


    The waves are getting bigger and bigger, and two lifeboats are looming in the waves. When perilous, a fishing boat in the distance is driving at full speed.


    The distance is gradually getting closer.


    Duan Dongsheng saw the fishing boat first and shouted loudly,


    "Look, everyone, the boat that rescued us has arrived, and finally, a boat ising."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    All the people on the lifeboat cheered.


    "Our fishing boat."


    "Yes, make our fishing boat."


    The fishermen on the fishing boat also found the two lifeboats.


    They immediately started to rescue people.


    The first thing to do on the boat, Duan Dongsheng counted the number of people again and then picked up the satellite phone on the fishing boat to report to thepany that it was safe.


    In the office,


    Hu Shijun was reporting to Liu Yong again, "Brother Yong, luckily, there happened to be a fishing boat nearby, and all our people were rescued, and we are now heading back. It is estimated that we will return to Huahai City within two days."


    Liu Yong breathed a sigh of relief, "Our crew is fine. This is luck among misfortunes. It is best that people are fine."


    As for the loss of a 20,000-ton bulk cargo ship, forget it.


    Compared to human life, nothing is so important.


    Hu Shijun seemed distressed, "Brother Yong, a 20,000-ton bulk carrier and a ship full of coal will lose at least 80 million yuan."


    Liu Yong lightly patted him on the shoulder andforted him:


    "It''s OK. We can earn back the money as long as our crew is fine."


    "Yes." Hu Shijun nodded lightly and could only ept it temporarily.


    After thinking about it for a while, Liu Yong said:


    "I remember that our ''Flying'' captain is called Duan Dongsheng. After hees back, tell him toe to me. I want to ask him about his situation at that time."


    "OK."


    There was such a significant incident as a ship collision, and the news media soon had some reports. People from the twopanies sat together to discuss dealing with this matter.


    Hu Shijun represented Universal, and Risheng Group also sent a team led by a vice president named Jiang Shunli.


    The two sides sat together to discuss. Initially, the atmosphere was good, but the swords were on the verge of breaking out.


    Risheng pointed out that the primary responsibility for the collision lies with Universal. The " Flying " collided with their ship, and the loss was mainly borne by Universal.


    "Mr. Hu, our loss has been calcted. Our ship needs to be returned to the factory for repairs. The cost is about 6 million. Our boss said, you will pay us 4 million, and we will bear 2 million. How about it. "


    What!


    We need topensate you with 4 million!


    How unreasonable!


    Including Hu Shijun, Universal Corporation is extremely popr.


    This time they sat down to talk, mainly to impensation from Risheng Group.


    How did he know that the other party beat him back?


    In this way, there is no need to talk anymore, and there is no agreement at all.


    The first negotiation failed.


    All the people on the "Flying" arrived in Huahai City safely, all the crew members were ced correctly, and some even received psychological counselling.


    ording to Liu Yong''s request, Captain Duan Dongsheng went to Liu Yong''s office.


    He looked a little nervous and cramped.


    Liu Yong said calmly: "Captain Duan, don''t be nervous. I just want to ask about the situation when the ship collided. You can just tell me the situation."


    ..................

 Chapter 160 Not A Compensation But To Convey

    Seeing the boss''s calm tone without the slightest airs, Duan Dongsheng felt a little less nervous.


    Recalling the original situation, his eyes were reddish.


    "Boss, this is not an ordinary ship collision incident, it waspletely intentional by the other party. At the beginning, we found the other party''s ship one nautical mile away and honked the horn many times."


    He was outraged and exined the situation in the beginning in detail.


    Liu Yong listened carefully.


    "Snapped!"


    With a soft sound, Liu Yong broke the pencil in his hand. At this moment, his heart was full of anger. This was a typical artificial disaster nned and concocted by Risheng Ocean Shipping Group.


    Duan Dongsheng continued angrily: "It makes people even more angry. What we can''t believe is that at that time, so many of us were crowded on two lifeboats, and the people from Risheng Group not only refused to give us lifeboats, but even more refused to save people. , just left like this."


    Liu Yong''s face was a little gloomy.


    For pastimes achievement, this is Chiguoguo''s revenge.


    Failed in thest bidding, Luo Maoyuan yed such a trick, letting arge ship of more than 100,000 tons hit and sink our 20,000-ton ship.


    "Luo Maoyuan just waits for my revenge."


    Liu Yong took a deep breath, trying to calm down his gloomy and cold face, and said softly: "Well, I already know the situation, and you are all shocked. Thepany will not maltreat you and will help you out."


    "Thank you boss, thank you boss." Duan Dongsheng said gratefully.


    Liu Yong waved his hand and said, "All the crew members will rest for a while, so you should go down first."


    After watching Duan Dongsheng out of the office, Liu Yong picked up the phone and called Qiu Yang.


    "Boss, you are looking for me."


    Liu Yong nodded and said: "I will give you a task to summarize the information of all the ships of the Risheng Group that are above 10,000 tons, where they are, what is being transported on board, and where they are going. You must know, of course, it would be better to have photos and introductions of each ship."


    "Okay, I''ll get it right away."


    Qiu Yang was a little excited. Last time, the boss also arranged for this matter. As a result, three ships of the Risheng Group broke down at sea.


    This time, could something like that happen again.


    If that''s the case, it would be too relieved.


    Risheng Group''s ship sank the "Feixiang," Qiu Yang felt that this was probably intentional by Risheng Group. The purpose was to take revenge on Universal.


    Soon after, Hu Shijun also came back.


    He looked angry.


    When he entered Liu Yong''s office, Hu Shijun said: "Brother Yong, the Risheng Group is really not a thing. They actually beat them back, saying that the main responsibility lies with us, and they want us to pay them 4 million yuan. It''s unreasonable. It''s so annoying."


    Liu Yong sneered for a while.


    This Luo Maoyuan is really reckless!


    Liu Yong waved his hand and said: "Inform the other party that the two parties will continue to sit down tomorrow, and I will personally participate."


    Hu Shijun said: "Brother Yong, you don''t need to participate in person, their words are infuriating, and it will just affect your mood."


    Liu Yong said: "I want to participate, you just need to inform the other party. Tomorrow is not a discussion, but something to convey to them."


    Seeing Liu Yong''s insistence, Hu Shijun nodded in agreement.


    He was thinking about what Brother Yong will say to the other party tomorrow.


    The next day.


    Around ten o''clock in the morning, the two sides sat together again.


    Risheng still had those same people, led by Jiang Shunli, Risheng''s deputy general manager, and Global had a few more people, including Liu Yong himself.


    A long conference table, with people from Universal on the right and people from Risheng Group on the left.


    Risheng''s attitude is still arrogant.


    In the beginning, Jiang Shunli said, "Universal bears the main responsibility, and thepensation cannot be less than 4 million."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong interrupted, "I called you here today not for a discussion but because I have something to tell you to bring back to Luo Maoyuan."


    "Risheng Group is fully responsible for the collision ident. You mustpensate us for all losses. I will not open my mouth. You pay one billion yuan for a one-shot price."


    What!


    Rishengpensated Universal with one billion!


    Everyone was stunned.


    After reacting, Hu Shijun and others admired Liu Yong.


    As expected of Brother Yong, he was courageous and asked the other party to pay one billion yuan inpensation.


    People in Risheng were furious.


    Jiang Shunli jumped angrily and thundered: "What evidence do you have to prove that our Risheng Group is responsible? It is obvious that your ship hit us."


    Liu Yong replied domineeringly, "No evidence is needed, what I say is evidence!"


    Niubi!


    Too awesome!


    Mr. Liu is mighty!


    Liu Yong continued: "From now on, I will give you 24 hours. If you do not agree to a one billionpensation within 24 hours, you will be responsible for everything that happens in the future."


    After speaking, Liu Yong waved his hand and said, "Let''s go, let''s go."


    It took less than 10 minutes from when everyone sat together to when Liu Yong left with his people.


    The people of Risheng Group were stunned.


    It wasn''t until Liu Yong took his people away that they returned to their senses one after another, and they were blown up all at once.


    Jiang Shunli''s face turned a little blue. He was too arrogant to say that what he said was evidence. Hmph, we''ll see.


    A group of them returned to Risheng Ocean Group.


    When youe back, the first thing to do is report to Luo Maoyuan.


    "President Luo, Liu Yong is too arrogant!"


    "He said that we take full responsibility and demanded that wepensate Universal with 1 billion yuan. If we don''t agree to thispensation within 24 hours, we will be responsible for everything that happens in the future."


    What!


    Luo Maoyuan''splexion changed, and he shouted,


    "Where is the evidence, where is his evidence, and where the proofes from is our full responsibility."


    "Boss, Liu Yong said that he doesn''t need evidence, and also said that what he said is evidence."


    Luo Maoyuan almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.


    He thought he was arrogant enough, but he didn''t expect Liu Yong to be even more arrogant than him.


    "Boss, 1 billionpensation, 24 hours, let''s ignore it."


    Luo Maoyuan waved his hand and said: "Don''t pay attention, what a joke, who are you scaring from? What you have to do is n again and try to sink another ship of Universal Company."


    Luo Maoyuan would not believe it even if he was killed.


    What are the consequences?


    Ultimately regarded this as a joke, and as for the 1 billionpensation, he felt it was an even bigger joke.


    Bawang has arrived in the waters near Huahai City. After eating enough, he recharges his energy on the seabed and waits for Liu Yong''s order.


    Hearing that there will be work again, Bawang is excited.


    ............................

 Chapter 161 Wait To Regret It!

    Qiu Yang sent over the materials requested by Liu Yong.


    "Boss, Here is what you want."


    Liu Yong took it over, flipped through it, and looked satisfied,


    "Well, it''s good. It''s very detailed, there are introductions and pictures for each ship, and it''s clear where it is now."


    Qiu Yang said hopefully: "Boss, do you really want to attack Risheng''s ship?"


    Liu Yong did not hide anything, "Of course, I have given them 24 hours, and there is less than an hour left. It seems that they will notpensate 1 billion."


    While talking to Qiu Yang, the phone on the desk rang.


    Ring .......Ring ...........ring .......


    The phone call was from Luo Maoyuan, with a very arrogant tone, "Liu Yong, I just won''tpensate you a penny, what can you do?"


    Idiot!


    Actually, Luo Maoyuan called to provoke Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong sneered and said:


    "Then you just wait to regret it. Next time when you will also have the same F**king feeling!. Once the 24-hour period is over, you will see and feel everything that happens in the future."


    "Hehe, whoever you must be to scare, you can do anything you like, but haha, please don''t let another ship collide and sink into the bottom of the sea again."


    Luo Maoyuan made fun of Liu Yong and replied.


    "You really don''t know what you have done. You shouldn''t have provoked me. Now I''m outraged, and the consequences are serious." Liu furiously spoke and hung up the phone instantly.


    "As the barking dogs never bite!!!"


    It all depends on the result; sometimes, Luo Maoyuan thought confidently.


    Qiu Yang asked heartily: "Boss, is it Luo Maoyuan calling?"


    "Yeah." Liu Yong said: "He really is a guy who doesn''t know how to live or die and trying to provoke me with all the bad things he has done."


    Qiu Yang retorted: "That f**king Maoyuan doesn''t really know his ss. You should teach and show him your true colour, Boss."


    He has great confidence in his Boss.


    Since Qiu Yang also said to show Luo Maoyuan his colour, Liu Wong would definitely do what he said.


    Qiu Yang looked forward to what the Boss would teach Luo Maoyuan next.


    [the vast Pacific Ocean.]


    A massive ore bulk carrier is sailing. It is fully loaded with iron ore. It left the port from Australia. It has been sailing for several days and is heading towards a particr domestic port.


    This is a 250,000-ton iron ore bulk carrier, one of China''srgest ore bulk carriers and one of thergest tonnage ships under the Risheng Group.


    Hundreds of nautical miles away from the ship, a giant snapping turtle was swimming over quickly.


    This was Liu Yong''s first target.


    Given a 24-hour opportunity, Luo Maoyuan didn''t cherish it well, so let''s bear the next ****.


    Two hourster.


    Bawang has already approached the ship and kept a distance of hundreds of meters to follow,


    "Master, I''m here. What do you want me to do?"


    Liu Yong opened up the third-party vision, saw Bawang, and saw this substantial bulk cargo ship sailing on the sea at an economical speed.


    After confirming it carefully, especiallyparing the information provided by Qiu Yang,


    "Yes, it is it. Thergest iron ore bulk carrier under the Risheng Group has a full-load discement of more than 220,000 tons."


    Confirmation is correct! And everything is crystal clear!


    Liu Yong ordered:


    "Overlord, use your spear to poke five holes under that boat. Remember, you can poke five holes at most, no more."


    With the temperament of a bully, if Liu doesn''t tell Overlord, he will definitely poke at least a dozen or even twenty or thirty holes.


    With so many holes, the ship will surely sink to the bottom of the sea quickly, leaving little time for the people on board to call for help and escape.


    There may be crew casualties.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong believes that the ordinary crew members on board are innocent, and the purpose is only to sink the ship, not to kill those crew members on board.


    Punching three or five holes ensures that the ship sinks and allows enough time for the crew to call for help and escape.


    "Master, you mean I can only poke five holes at most." Overlord felt that the number was a little small.


    Liu Yong urged again: "Yes, up to five, three or four holes are also fine, remember, no more than five."


    "Well, five is five."


    The Overlord still showed a very excited look and swam over with his giant spear, and when he reached the bottom of the boat, he stabbed hard with his big spear.


    "Boom!"


    There was a loud noise. Under colossal force and the weight of the giant spear itself, which weighed more than ten tons, almost the entire spear disappeared into the hull, leaving only two or three meters of a length outside.


    Overlord pulled out the giant spear, and immediately, there was a hole nearly two meters in size at the bottom of the boat, through which arge amount of seawater poured in.


    On board.


    Someone seemed to have heard the movement and raised his ears to remind him: "Did you hear it? There seemed to be a ''bang'' just now as if it came from the bottom of our boat."


    Immediately someone said: "Impossible, the depth of the sea water here is more than 2000 meters, it is absolutely impossible for our ship to hit something, where is the sounding from?"


    "Yes, Man, you are probably hallucinating."


    About ten secondster, another "bang" came from the bottom of the sea.


    This ship is really too big, and it is still sailing. If the cargo is smaller and quietly docked beside the pier, you can probably hear it clearly and may feel a slight shock from the ship.


    "Listen, listen, here we have got another ''bang'' from the bottom of the boat just now."


    "Really, I seem to have heard it too."


    "Impossible, did you two hear it wrong? Why didn''t I hear it?"


    The discussion gradually started on the ship.


    On the other hand, at the bottom of the ship, Overlord has already poked two big holes with his giant spear, and seeing a lot of seawater pouring in from these two big holes feels very enjoyable.


    The inexplicably enjoyable kind.


    "My master said that I can poke 5 holes at most. So I will change the ce and go to a position near the bow to poke 2 more holes."


    Bawang held the giant spear and swam to the bow of the ship. After looking around for a while, he chose a position he liked better.


    "Boom!"


    A muffled sound resounded from the bottom of the ship. Almost all of the giant spear pierced in, and when it was pulled out, there was anotherrge hole nearly two meters in size.


    "Arge amount of seawater is pouring!"


    Someone on the boat heard a muffled sound again, and someone said, "Did you hear that? There is really a sounding from the bottom of our boat. What is going on here?"


    "I heard it too. There is indeed a sound."


    "Isn''t it hitting the rocks?"


    "Probably not, this is an international waterway, and the depth of the sea at our location should exceed 2,000 meters."


    A muffled sound sounded again, interrupting their conversation.


    Many people on board looked at each other in nk dismay.


    This was a strange situation, and all the crews were confused don''t know what to do.


    However, the captain yelled, "What''s going on? Hurry up, go check it out."


    No need to check; soon, someone ran over with a terrified face, crying and shouting,


    "Captain, there are severalrge holes in the bottom of our ship, and arge amount of seawater is being tanked in."


    "What!"


    "How many big holes are broken in the bottom of the boat???"


    ...............¡­.

 Chapter 162 Golden Horse

    "How could this happen?"


    The Captain asked in his loud voice, and it sounded anxious.


    Not only the Captain but other people are also at a loss. They can''t believe this is true. God, the water depth here is too deep, about 2000 meters long, which is dangerous for anyone to survive.


    "Are there really severalrge holes in the bottom of the boat?"


    Captain asked the crew member in a tense tone of his voice.


    Before the current crew member could answer, another crew member ran over in horror, "Captain, our ship is dead. There are several big holes in the bottom of the ship, and the bottom tank is full of seawater."


    "What the **** is going on here!"


    "This is really an important case! !"


    The Captain turned pale with fright and hurriedly shouted:


    "Quickly, close the watertightpartment and the watertight door to prevent the seawater from continuing to pour in."


    "Captain, it''s useless. Those holes are too big, and the seawater is pouring in too fast. Let''s call for help and consider escaping."


    The Captain was a little unbelievable.


    Running to the Captain''s room in one breath after watching a few surveince cameras. His face was pale and ashen. It''s over, and it''s over, it''s over!


    It can be seen from the monitoring that the bottom of the ship is covered with ocean, and the sea water is growing at a visible speed. In such a situation, the only option is to abandon the boat and escape.


    Soon there was panic on board, jumping around and even crying, and some younger crew members, out of fear, even started saying.


    "I Should not havee here."


    "This is a vast sea, jumping off the escape boat. What is the hope of surviving?"


    No one knows what''s going on.


    Liu Yong saw the ship''s situation from a third-party vision and was silent in his heart. These crew members are innocent, but Luo Maoyuan''s action is too hateful to be forgiven.


    Thinking in his heart, Liu Yong let the Bawang only make five holes, so those innocent crew workers on the ship could create a safe escape and hope they get rescued soon.


    Overlord is Overlord, after all.


    After finishing this task, the Overlord, out of satisfaction, felt ecstasy and said happily:


    "Master, what is my next task, please tell me, I want to poke a few more holes."


    Liu Yong hesitated for a while and then said:


    "There is another ship hundreds of nautical miles away, you can go there now."


    Liu Yong talked about the location of the ship and some basic information.


    That is also an iron ore carrier of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group, and it is also on this waterway. The difference is that this ship departed from China a few days ago and was going to Australia to transport iron ore.


    It was an empty ship. ording to the information provided by Qiu Yang, the discement of this ship is more than 90,000 tons, considered arge ship.


    The iron ore transportation business is also an important business of the Risheng Group. They have several ships running this route.


    In addition to thisrge ship of over 90,000 tons about to sink to the bottom of the sea, a ten-year-old vessel is parked in a domestic port. A boat of tens of thousands of tons is unloading at the port.


    Having something to do again, Overlord is very excited.


    Liu Yong reminded: "The distance is at least seven or eight hundred nautical miles. You should take a rest first, eat something, and then get into the work again with full of energry."


    Bawang couldn''t help it, "Master, I''ll be there soon after seven or eight hundred nautical miles. I''ll eat after I sink that ship."


    No matter what happened, the Overlord set off with a giant spear.


    He has an immediate prospect in the sea, with a speed of more than 180 knots. Although this speed cannot catch up with the pace of an aerone, it has surpassed the speed of a high-speed rail.


    Risheng Group.


    ....


    Luo Maoyuan and several subordinates are conspiring to n another ship collision ident. The target is a 30,000-ton container bulk carrier owned by Universal Company, which has already been selected.


    "Boss, I suggest using our ''Golden Crown'', which has a full-load discement of 120,000 tons, almost four times the tonnage of the opponent. In addition, the ''Golden Crown'' and the opponent''s ship are on the same channel. If all goes well, our The ''Golden Crown'' will meet the opponent''s ship the day after tomorrow."


    Luo Maoyuan nodded and agreed: "Then use the ''Golden Crown''. Since Liu Yong threatened us, we will make him pay the price."


    They discussed everything, and one of the subordinates exined and discussed this matter in detail.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Boom!"


    The conference room door was pushed and opened suddenly, and the people in the conference room were almost taken aback.


    Luo Maoyuan was very dissatisfied when he saw that it was a vice president from below who pushed the door.


    "Old Jiang, why are you in such a hurry, you don''t even knock on the door."


    Luo Maoyuan said.


    Jiang Shunli didn''t care much and hurriedly reported: "Boss, something big happened. Our ''Golden Horse'' sank."


    "What!"


    Everyone was shocked and nearly stunned!


    How is this possible? The "Golden Horse" is one of thergest ships owned by Risheng, and its modernisation is rtively high. It is a new ship less than three years old.


    Everyone looked at Jiang Shunli in unison.


    Luo Maoyuan didn''t believe it and said in a deep voice,


    "Mr. Jiang, it can''t be. Our ''Golden Horse'' has a discement of more than 200,000 tons. Even if it encounters a big typhoon, it won''t be so easy."


    Jiang Shunli almost cried, "Mr. Luo, it is true that our "Golden Horse" really sank to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean."


    "Things are true! And it happened."


    Luo Maoyuan''s face changed suddenly. The sinking of such arge ship is almost the most significant event since the establishment of Risheng Ocean Shipping Group.


    This is a big deal!


    Luo Maoyuan snarled: "What is the cause of the shipwreck, have you found out yet?"


    Jiang Shunli almost cried, "For the time being, no one knows what the reason is, and the people on the ''Golden Horse'' don''t understand what''s going on. At most, they only heard a few muffled noises from the bottom of the ship, and then, arge amount of sea water suddenly poured in."


    Luo Maoyuan''s face was ck!


    It was terribly gloomy.


    Jiang Shunli cried and reminded: "Mr. Luo, is Universal doing something wrong?"


    Luo Maoyuan said: "It''s definitely not them, they won''t have such a great ability."


    A subordinate asked cautiously: "Boss, shall we continue to sink Universal''s ship?"


    Luo Maoyuan red at this subordinate fiercely and almost scolded the pig''s brain.


    "If such a big thing is happening, the sinking ship must be dealt with first." He said with his voice full of concern.


    It took seven or eight nautical miles, and Bawang only took about four hours. Now, he has seen the target. Not far away, arge ship is sailing.


    "Master, I have arrived."


    It is now afternoon. Liu Yong returned at noon, had afortable sleep and woke up, reading a book in the study.


    Hastily put down the book, opened the third-party vision, saw Bawang, and saw the big ship sailing on the faraway sea.


    He took out the information Qiu Yangpiled, looked through it, and immediately found the ship, looked at the picture, and confirmed the location.


    Liu Yong said confidently: "That''s right, that''s it."


    Bawang was eager to try,


    "Master, I will go over and poke five holes in it now, and let it sink to the bottom of the sea."


    The vast sea is hundreds of nautical miles away from the nearestnd. The water depth of this sea area may be close to the depth of 3000 meters.


    Liu Yong thought for a while and said, "It doesn''t need 5 holes, I think it''s enough if you poke 3 big holes."


    Overlord said: "Boss, how fun is it to only poke 3 holes? You can see that it has swum hundreds of sea miles in one breath. Let me poke 5 holes in it."


    Liu Yong smiled lightly and said.


    "I didn''t expect Bawang to bargain, probably because he is addicted to poking holes."


    ...¡­................

 Chapter 163 Super Piercing Power Again!

    "I''m thoroughly convinced," said Liu Yong.


    "Then there can''t be more than five holes," replied Liu Yong''s apprentice.


    The Overlord''s face lit up with happiness. "Thank you, Master. I understand now."


    With his giant spear in hand, the Overlord swam towards the distant ship. He moved so quickly that no one could keep up with him. In no time, he arrived a couple of hundred meters underwater.


    As he approached the bottom of the ship, the Overlord looked up through the clear water and saw a huge ck thing above him - the big sailing ship.


    "Well, I''ll poke a few holes for you," said the Overlord as he swam up with his giant spear. He soon reached the bottom of the ship.


    However, he was quick to poke holes. Instead, he chose a spot that interested him the most and stabbed it with his giant spear.


    "Boom!" A muffled sound echoed from the bottom of the ship as the thin hull couldn''t withstand the force of the spear.


    The entire spear went in quickly, leaving only a little bit outside.


    The Overlord pulled out the giant spear, revealing a hole almost two meters in size. Sea water started to pour into the ship inrge quantities.


    "Ha! That''s one down. Let''s see how long it takes for them to figure out what''s happening," said the Overlord with a wicked grin.


    In the ship''s hold, two men were conducting daily inspections - a middle-aged man and his young apprentice.


    The apprentice suggested, "Master, there''s no need to check so carefully. Let''s just go through the motions. There won''t be any problems."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The middle-aged man agreed, "You''re right. Let''s go upstairs."


    As they ascended the stairs, a sudden noise startled them. A giant spear had broken through the wall from the bottom of the ship and rushed straight up, piercing through the upper floor before being pulled back. Water started pouring in from the hole.


    ¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á n?¦Ía| §ãom "What in the world is that?" eximed the middle-aged man.


    Both of them were terrified and crawled as fast as they could towards the top, using their hands and feet together.


    Another muffled bang echoed from the bottom of the boat, and a second hole appeared in the ship. The Overlord was addicted to poking holes, and his motivation was soaring.


    Soon, the Overlord poked three more holes, making a total of five spots in just one or two minutes. It was still full of energy and wanted to poke even more holes.


    "This is so much fun," the Overlord thought to himself.


    Sooner on the ship, the two men scrambled for safety, their voices filled with fear and desperation. They cried out, "It''s all over! Our boat has been pierced with multiplerge holes, and it''s going to sink soon!"


    The middle-aged man, clearly in a state of panic, urgently shouted out orders, "Quickly release the lifeboats! Put on your life jackets! Hurry!"


    However, the other passengers seemed confused and unsure of what was happening.


    The Captain eventually arrived on the scene and asked, "What''s going on, Old Li? Why are you so panicked?"


    "Captain, something terrible has happened. Severalrge holes have been made in the bottom of our boat and seawater is flooding in. We need to evacuate immediately!" responded the middle-aged man.

 Chapter 164 Until Beg For Mercy!

    In a smoky room, several people were smoking guns with cigarettes in their mouths, puffing away and having the best vibe of themselves in such a moment.


    One of them, Old Jiang, expressed concern about recent events,


    "I feel like something like this happening twice in a row in one day is not normal. President Luo didn''t look well at the meeting earlier, so I didn''t say anything."


    The old Jiang started to feel skeptical about the current breakdown of the ships.


    Another high-level executive agreed, "Old Chen is right. I also feel like this is not normal. Earlier, Universal Company let go, and we will bear everything that happened next. Are the two shipwrecks rted to them?"


    Jiang Shunli, who had led the team to contact the Universal Company and turned ck and white in their favour, was now beating drums in his heart. After hesitating for a while, he said with little confidence, "No, Universal will not have such a great ability."


    "I hope it has nothing to do with Universal Corporation. If the two shipwrecks are really rted to Universal Corporation, then the matter will be serious. How to obtain Universal Corporation''s understanding will be a difficult problem," another executive remarked.


    The next day, Bawang was in the East China Sea. Overlord was chasing a big fish weighing hundreds of catties in a game of cat and mouse.


    As the big fish ran away with all its strength, if it could talk, it would have begged for mercy.


    "Brother, let me go. My meat doesn''t taste good. Please, just let me go," it would say.


    However, it couldn''t speak, so it had no choice but to keep running away from an enormously powerful creature like an Overlord.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The big fish eventually slowed down due to ack of physical strength. Suddenly, it saw a giant shark four to five meters long and immediately rushed towards the giant shark with all its power.


    Although it should have run as far as possible when it saw such a giant shark, it went directly to the big shark at the fastest speed today.


    The giant shark was leisurely and rxed, with a carefree look, until it saw the behemoth following the big fish.


    p¦Ánd¦Á,no¦Í?1,§ão§® "Damn it, you are hurting people!" the giant shark thought before swinging its tail and running away.


    Bawang''s eyes lit up as the giant shark was also a part of his diet. The Overlord rushed over and opened his mouth to bite the giant shark first.


    Unlike the past time the earlier fight with the enormous shark,


    This time, Overlord did not reserve speed nor y a cat-and-mouse game, which is time-consuming and tedious for a powerful creature like Bawang, So it simply crushed its prey with speed.


    The giant shark only escaped a little far, at most dozens of meters away. The Overlord bit it and, with a few bites, crunched the shark and made the water full of dreadful blood.


    "Well, it tastes really good," Bawang remarked. "I like to eat this big shark more and more. It is always the delicious thing I have and will have till the future meals of mine."


    Bawang Meimei effortlessly devoured the giant shark in just a few bites and then turned its gaze to the big fish that was desperately trying to flee.

 Chapter 165 This Cant Be True!

    ?


    An automobile bulk carrier sailed toward the domestic space on a specific route from the domestic area to RB.


    The weather was clear, the sky was blue, and there were no big waves in the vast sea. The 80,000-ton ship was fully loaded with expensive cars imported from RB, making it valuable cargo.


    After two hours, Bawang arrived in the area and quickly located the ship.


    "It should be," said Overlord after confirming that it was the correct ship. Overlord then followed the vessels at a distance of several hundred meters to the right.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong arrived at thepany, sat on the boss''s chair, and reviewed several documents and reports. He drank a cup of hot tea and checked the time, thinking about when Luo Maoyuan would call and whether Bawang had arrived.


    It was already ten o''clock in the morning, and Liu Yong spected that Luo Maoyuan would not call, indicating that he needed to be taught a lesson.


    At this moment, Bawang''s voice interrupted his thoughts, "Master, I have found that ship, please confirm it for me."


    Liu Yong immediately opened the third-party field of vision and clearly saw the Bawang and the ship that was only a few hundred meters away from it.


    He then took out a document from the desk drawer containing information about Risheng Ocean Shipping Group''s "Venus" andpared it carefully with the ship in view.


    The car bulk carrier sailing on the sea had the logo of Risheng Group and the two prominent white characters "Golden Star" on the hull, making it very recognizable.


    "Well, it is it, there is no mistake, this is the Jinxing automobile bulk carrier of Risheng Group, with a full load discement of more than 80,000 tons, and it has been in use for less than two years. It is almost a new ship," confirmed Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong told Overlord, "It''s this ship. Pass by a little bit, don''t be discovered, and poke a few big holes for me." Overjoyed, Overlord swam over with a giant spear in hand and reached the bottom of the ship.


    Without further ado, it poked a hole in the bottom of the ship. However, Overlord realized something was wrong and pulled out all the giant spears. Immediately, arge amount of diesel oil flowed out of the big hole, and seawater poured in.


    In fact, it was not a fuel tank but an oil depot that the spear had pierced.


    An 80,000-ton ship often carries thousands of tons of diesel as a power fuel. Bawang arrived at a position to the vessel''s side and quickly poked a big hole with a giant spear, and seawater poured in through the hole.


    In just two or three minutes, Overlord had pierced a total of fiverge holes in the bottom of the ship. Except for the first blow that hit the ship''s oil depot, the other four holes showed no abnormalities.


    Overlord quickly moved away, pulling away a distance of nearly a kilometre and watched as the ship struggled to stay afloat. Some crew members wore life jackets and hurriedly got down to the lifeboat.


    "I have done it, damn!" eximed Overlord as the ship began to sink.


    Risheng Ocean Shipping Group.


    Jiang Shunli felt increasingly uneasy after a senior executive asked him whether the two shipwrecks that urred yesterday were linked to Universal.


    They also expressed their concern about the possibility of another shipwreck happening today. Jiang couldn''t shake off this anxiety, so he knocked on Luo Maoyuan''s door and entered his office.


    "Boss Luo," Jiang said nervously.


    Luo Maoyuan looked up from his desk, his face severe and gloomy. "What''s wrong?" he asked.


    Jiang hesitated, needing to learn how to broach the topic.


    "I have a feeling that the two shipwrecks yesterday may really be rted to Universal Corporation," he finally said.


    "I have a vague feeling that something like this may happen again today."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Luo Maoyuan waved his hand dismissively.


    "No, it won''t be rted to Universal. They can''t have such ability," he replied confidently.


    "But..." Jiang started to say.


    "Don''t be silly," Luo Maoyuan interrupted.


    "It won''t have anything to do with Universal. At the beginning, Liu Yong said it casually, don''t take it to heart. Today we will not have such a thing happen again."


    Jiang nodded reluctantly, still feeling anxious. "All arrangements have been made, and all notifications have been made, but..."


    "It''s just something, if you have anything to say, just say it," Luo Maoyuan encouraged.


    "Mr. Luo, I''m sorry, but I always feel like something like this might happen again," Jiang said, sounding worried.


    Luo Maoyuan sighed. "Two shipwrecks in one day are once in a thousand years, and the probability of an event is very small. In my view, it ispletely impossible for another shipwreck to happen today."


    Jiang left Luo Maoyuan''s office, still feeling uneasy, while Luo Maoyuan tried to reassure himself that Universal couldn''t possibly have the ability to sink their ships.


    "Can they sink your ship if they want to?" Luo Maoyuan thought to himself as he lit a cigarette.


    "Impossible, impossible," he said in a skeptical way.


    As he took two puffs of his cigarette, the sound of his ringing cell phone interrupted Luo Maoyuan''s moment of rxation.


    With a sense of foreboding, he answered the call to hear Jiang Shunli''s terrified voice on the other end of the line.


    "Mr. Luo, you''re out of the army again. Our ''Venus'' has just sunk, and there were over a thousand imported vehicles on board. The cars are all gone."


    The news took Luo Maoyuan aback. He shook his hand, causing the cigarette to fall from his grasp, but he didn''t even notice it. He shouted into the phone,


    "This can''t be true! There must be some mistake!"


    Jiang Shunli''s voice was shaking with emotion as he responded, "Mr. Luo, I wish it weren''t true, but it is. The ship has sunk, and all the cargo is lost."


    In anger and frustration, Luo Maoyuan''s expensive phone slipped from his grasp and shattered on the ground.


    Liu Yong, who had been watching the events unfold through a third-party vision, couldn''t help but feel satisfied.


    He thought to himself, "If only Luo Maoyuan had given in to me yesterday and begged for mercy, none of this would have happened. That ship would never have sunk."


    As the ship sank lower and lower into the sea, Bawang, who had been waiting patiently for over an hour, suddenly spoke up.


    "Master, which ship should I target next? I''m ready to go."


    The tense atmosphere was palpable as they contemted their next move.


    ......................

 Chapter 166 The True Power

    ?


    Liu Yong pondered for a moment before he spoke to Overlord,


    "For now, you don''t have any tasks. Wait for my notice. It''s your rest time, do whatever you want."


    Overlord felt a tinge of regret. The job was over just as soon as it began. It wasn''t enjoyable at all. He wished he could have used his abilities to sink the ship and swim to the next destination immediately, finding arger vessel to pierce.


    "The word of the master is the imperial decree," he reminded himself.


    Meanwhile, Overlord had other ideas. "Okay, then I''ll go surfing around, bully those big guys in the sea, and fill my stomach, by the way." He said to Liu Yong and flew away quickly without wasting time, leaving the sinking ship behind.


    Liu Yong could have ordered his pet and sunk another ship quickly. However, the main reason he didn''t was to give Luo Maoyuan some time. As long as he wasn''t too foolish, he would probablye to beg for mercy soon enough.


    The senior management of Risheng Sino-Ocean Group was in chaos. Some people showed apparent panic on their faces.


    "What? Another ship has sunk?" eximed one person in disbelief.


    "My God, what''s going on here?" questioned another.


    "I have worked in the ocean shipping industry for decades, and this is the first time I have encountered such a strange thing," said a third person.


    There was a sense of unease among them. From yesterday to now, three ships had sunk in a row, allrge vessels, including one with more than 200,000 tons.


    "I heard that Universal Company let go of the harsh words. Could it be rted to Universal Company?" someone spected.


    "I think it''s mostly rted to Universal Corporation. Otherwise, where in the world is there such a coincidence?" another person asked.


    "But, we have no evidence," interjected a third person.


    "Not to mention the evidence, until now, the real cause of the shipwreck has not been rified," replied another.


    Despite having no evidence, the possibility of Universal''s involvement was recovered. The timing was too coincidental to ignore. Universal Company issued a warning within 24 hours. No problems had arisen within that time frame. But once the 24 hours had passed, shipwrecks began one after another. It must be rted to Universal.


    Many of the high-level executives had already been thinking the same thing, and one of them even voiced it out loud, saying,


    "What is Mr Luo waiting for? Is he waiting for the fourth ship to sink? We should just give in and apologize to Universal already."


    "I agree," said another executive. "The most important thing is to swallow our pride and apologize."


    Jiang Shunli, one of the executives, walked into Luo Maoyuan''s office once again.


    "Mr. Luo, everyone is talking about it and the reaction has been intense," he said.


    Luo Maoyuan slowly turned around in his chair. He had been sitting there with a dark expression for an hour, and no one could tell what he was thinking.


    He sighed deeply as if he had aged ten years in an instant.


    "What do you think we should do, Shunli?" he asked.


    Jiang Shunli also let out a sigh. "Well, it''s clear that Universal is behind all of this, but we have no evidence. We never expected that they would have such powerful means to sink our ships if they wanted to."


    Luo Maoyuan remained silent.


    Jiang Shunli continued, "Since the other party has such a powerful means, it''s not something we canpete with. Mr. Luo, we should just give in ande to their door to apologize andpensate them for their losses."


    Luo Maoyuan let out another deep sigh. "You should be the one to reach out and contact Universal Company. I wille to apologize tomorrow morning," he said weakly.


    "That''s the only way," he added, resigning himself.


    Luo Maoyuan''s heart was bleeding. He knew the Risheng Group would suffer a significant loss if he didn''t apologise.


    This shipping kingdom was something he had built with his own hands. To see it hit so hard like this was devastating. He would pay any price for regret if there were medicine for guilt.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Universal Corporation.


    Liu Yong stayed in his office constantly, mainly because he wanted to wait for Luo Maoyuan to give in. If he still refused to give in, then in the afternoon, he would pierce another big boat.


    Which ship to choose, Liu Yong has already decided. They have a 70,000-ton oil tanker preparing to go to the Middle East and will soon enter the South China Sea of ??Yanguo.


    After a while.


    There were three knocks on the office door, and Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun came in together. It could be seen that their faces were happy.


    "Boss, good news, good news!" Qiu Yang said excitedly.


    Liu Yong vaguely guessed something and asked happily: "Is there any news from Risheng Group?"


    "Boss, you are so good at predicting things!" Hu Shijun eximed.


    Qiu Yang said: "Risheng Ocean Shipping Group sent an official letter, saying that Luo Maoyuan will lead the entire management team to visit."


    "Pay a visit to?" Liu Yong smirked. "That''s just putting gold on their own faces, but they actually came to the door to apologize."


    Liu Yong took the letter and nced at it for a while. At this moment, he was pretty happy, and Luo Maoyuan finally gave in.


    "Ha ha, be afraid! You are wise. Otherwise, I will ask the Overlord to pierce one of your ships again." Liu proudly thought.


    Putting the letter in his hand, Liu Yong ordered: "Tell Risheng that since they are the ones here to apologize, they muste to the door of my office to apologize."


    "Okay, I will warn the other party," Qiu Yang agreed.


    "Brother Yong, you really n to ask Risheng topensate us for a loss of one billion yuan," Hu Shijun asked excitedly.


    "One billion, that was two days ago, now, at least two billion," Liu Yong said calmly.


    "What! Two billion!" Hu Shijun''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    On the second day.


    Luo Maoyuan and a group set off from the hotel where they stayed. They arrived in Huahai Cityst night. There were a total of four ck cars driving in the direction of Universal Company.


    Luo Maoyuan''s face was a little serious. He also struggled in his heart until he sighed softly, giving himself the psychologicalfort that a man can bend, stretch, and bow his head when he should.


    Jiang Shunli apanied him in the same car. He looked at Luo Maoyuan''s face and sighed softly. "I hope Liu Yong won''t embarrass us too much," he prayed.


    ¡­


    Universal Corporation.


    "Boom, boom, boom!"


    There was a knock on the office door, and Hu Shijun pushed the door in.


    "Brother Yong, Luo Maoyuan and his party have arrived."


    "I have arranged the business conference room at the Yn Hotel."


    "The Yn Hotel? is a great ce for a people like them to meet?", Liu Yong asked with a smile, and deep inside, he was so proud that they came to beg for mercy.


    "Let''s go and meet them in Magnolia Hotel rather."


    ...................

 Chapter 167 The Way Beyond...

    ?


    Luo Maoyuan came to the door to apologise, but since Liu Yong didn''t like him, he arranged the meeting in the hotel far from Universal Company.


    "Boss, the groups from Rishengpany are waiting at the hotel for meeting"


    Qiu Yang said.


    Liu Yong replied slowly: "Let them wait, we will go there in half an hour."


    "Since they are here to apologise, they must have known they should wait patiently. No matter what or how much time it takes," Liu Yong arrogantly said it.


    After half an hour, Liu Yong took his time, read two documents, looked at his phone for a while, and then went to the Magnolia Hotel.


    At the Magnolia Hotel, a group of business executives, including Luo Maoyuan, anxiously awaited the arrival of Liu Yong, a high-level executive from the Universal Company.


    Time ticked by slowly as they sat in the conference room, growing increasingly impatient by the minute.


    Finally, one of the executives couldn''t contain his frustration any longer and vented his irritation, "Liu Yong''s arrogance is too much! We agreed to meet at 9 AM, and now over 20 minutes have passed."


    As the tension in the room rose, one of the more level-headed individuals let out a soft sigh, reminding the others that they were there to apologise, not to engage in heated discussions.


    Despite the mounting pressure, Luo Maoyuan kept a severe face and remained silent, knowing that all they could do was wait.


    Meanwhile, outside the office building, Liu Yong, apanied by Hu Shijun, Qiu Yang, and several other individuals, including several middle-level backbones, had gathered by several small cars.


    Liu Yong led the group, and they set off towards the hotel.


    Footsteps could be heard inside the conference room, and Luo Maoyuan coughed to signal the group to adjust their demeanours quickly.


    All eyes were on the Risheng Group''s president, wondering why his expression had changed so quickly. From a previously cloudy and tense word, Luo Maoyuan''s face had suddenly turned bright and cheerful, catching everyone off guard.


    Suddenly, there was movement outside the door, and Liu Yong and his entourage walked in.


    The Risheng Group members were stunned as they took in the sight of Liu Yong in person. It was no wonder he waste! The realisation dawned on them as they quickly adjusted their attitudes, standing up enthusiastically to greet their guests.


    Some were still in a daze and had difficulty processing the situation, but gentle nudges from those beside them eventually helped them snap out of their confusion.


    Liu Yong and his group entered the room as the Risheng Group members greeted them with politeness and even some fawning and ttering expressions.


    It was important to note that the Risheng Group hade to apologise to the Universal Company and not to engage in any significant business dealings. Nevertheless, they were eager to make amends and start on the right foot.


    Luo Maoyuan, in aplete transformation from his previous demeanour, approached Liu Yong and extended his hand in greeting. However, Liu Yong ignored the gesture, merely nodding briefly before sitting with his group.


    The tension in the room had eased somewhat, but it was clear that the Risheng Group members still had much work to do to mend the strained rtionship between theirpanies.


    In the conference room of the luxurious building, a long and imposing conference table dominated the space.


    The high-ranking executives of Universal Corporation upied one side of the table, while the top brass of Risheng Group upied the other side.


    Both parties sat silently, each brimming with anticipation for what woulde.


    Liu Yong, the CEO of Universal Corporation, broke the silence calmly, "I heard about the recent sinking of threerge ships belonging to the Risheng Group within just two days. We extend our deepest condolences."


    The corners of Luo Maoyuan''s mouth twitched as he heard Liu''s words. He couldn''t help but feel a deep sense of resentment towards the Universal Corporation. He knew it was their doing and that their actions had resulted in hispany''s severe losses.


    Despite this, Luo Maoyuan maintained a fa?ade of gratitude, "Thank you, Mr. Liu, for your kind words. We appreciate your sympathy."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong simply acknowledged the sinking of the ships before swiftly steering the conversation towards the more pressing matter at hand, "We are here today to discuss the recent ship collision incident."


    Luo Maoyuan nodded in agreement, "Of course, Mr. Liu. We the Risheng Group take full responsibility for the incident, and we are willing topensate for all losses incurred."


    Luo Maoyuan couldn''t help but feel humiliated at the thought of bowing down to Liu Yong. However, he knew he had to be careful not to provoke him further.


    Liu Yong was surprised at Luo Maoyuan''s willingness to take full responsibility andpensate for all losses. He thought,


    "This man is a wolf in sheep''s clothing. He may seem docile, but he is not to be underestimated."


    Liu Yong knew that he had to be firm with such a man. He had to show him who was in charge, or else he might try to seek revenge in the future.


    "Since you are willing topensate for all losses, then we can easily reach a settlement," Liu Yong said sternly.


    The chill in the air was palpable, and Luo Maoyuan shivered involuntarily. His body was coated with a thinyer of cold sweat that glistened in the dim light of the conference room. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed his forehead carefully. The atmosphere was tense, and he knew he was in hot water.


    "I regretted it to death," he muttered under his breath, feeling the weight of his mistake heavy on his shoulders.


    If he had just apologised to Liu Yong within 24 hours, he could have gotten away with paying only 1 billion yuan. But now, 2 billion seemed like a paltry sumpared to the looming disaster that awaited the Risheng Group.


    Luo Maoyuan felt the urge to turn tail and flee, but he knew he couldn''t. The Risheng Group was hanging by a thread, and if he gave in to his fear, thepany would be ruined beyond repair.


    He had no choice but to grit his teeth and face the music.


    "Mr. Liu, we don''t have that much cash on hand. Can we have a little more time to arrange the payment?" he said, his voice trembling slightly.


    The Risheng Group executives hung their heads low, knowing theirpany was in dire straits.


    Luo Maoyuan''s eyes shed with a warning as he scanned the room, daring anyone to speak out of turn. He knew any misstep could result in Liu Yong raising higher stakes.


    Liu Yong''s gaze was cold and unyielding, and his response was swift.


    "Three days. You have three days to remit one billion yuan to ourpany''s ount. The remaining one billion yuan can be offset by your ships. I know you have some good ones - ''Jintai'', ''Jinfeng'', and ''Jin Xi'' are all viable options."


    Luo Maoyuan''s heart sank. He knew those three ships were worth more than one billion yuanbined, even after ounting for depreciation.


    Heuld have never said they needed more funds if he had known this earlier. He could have just remitted the 2 billion yuan within three days.


    Liu Yong''s cold voice cut through the silence, "Don''t you want to do business with us, Mr. Luo?"


    He continued, "Our calctions show that the loss from one of therge ships, which was fully loaded with coal, amounts to almost 100 million yuan. However, this is not the main issue. Our reputation has been severely damaged, and our crew have been traumatized by the incident."


    Liu Yong leaned forward and looked at Luo Maoyuan, "Therefore, we demandpensation of 2 billion yuan. Not a single penny less."


    Luo Maoyuan and the other executives from Risheng Group were stunned. They had expected a hefty price, but this was beyond their wildest imaginations.


    "Two billion yuan?" Luo Maoyuan couldn''t help but blurt out, "But you said one billion just three days ago."


    Liu Yong waved dismissively, "That was then. This is now. Two billion yuan, take it or leave it."


    The entire conference room was filled with an icy silence. Luo Maoyuan''s face contorted in anger and humiliation. He knew he had been outyed but couldn''t do anything about it.


    ...............¡­..

 Chapter 168 Unbelievable Giant Squid

    ?


    Luo Maoyuan sat nervously in the boardroom, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he listened to the demands of Liu Yong, the CEO of Universal Shipping.


    The price tag for their mistake was steep - three of their ships had been lost at sea, and thepensation demanded by Universal Shipping exceeded 1 billion yuan.


    Luo Maoyuan didn''t dare to protest, knowing it would only worsen things.


    "Yes, yes, then let''s just say it, 1 billion funds plus these three ships," he quickly agreed, hoping to end the ordeal as soon as possible.


    Liu Yong smiled smugly, satisfied with the oue. "Well, let''s just say that."


    Luo Maoyuan couldn''t help but voice his concern.


    "Then, that, we won''t have any more shipwreck incidents in the future."


    Liu Yong dismissed the idea, refusing to take responsibility for the past idents. "Whether the ship will sink or not in the future, I don''t think it will happen. After all, ship sinking is a small probability event."


    Relieved that the negotiation was over, Luo Maoyuan wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and quickly left the room with his team.


    Meanwhile, Universal Shipping''s team was ecstatic about their vastpensation.


    "Brother Yong, this is like a dream," one eximed.


    Another chimed, "My God, 1 billion inpensation and threerge tankers. Get rich, get rich!"


    Liu Yong smiled and said, "Let''s celebrate tonight. Mr. Qiu, you can arrange this matter, and all managers above thepany''s level will participate."


    Excited at the prospect of a grand celebration, Qiu Yang eagerly agreed. "Okay, okay!"


    That night, Universal held avish banquet tomemorate their victory. News of Risheng Group''s enormous payout spread quickly, and many were in awe of their sess.


    In domestic ocean shipping, word had spread about the exploits of Liu Yong and hispany, Universal. People began to notice their activities and wondered what they were up to. Meanwhile, a massive creature, Bawang or Overlord, was on the hunt out in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.


    After filling his belly with a satisfying marine fish meal, Bawang decided it was time for a nap. But instead of finding a cozy spot to rest, he descended deeper into the ocean''s depths. The pressure grew more intense with every passing moment, but Bawang was determined to explore this uncharted territory.


    Finally, he reached a depth of 3,000 meters, where the only light came from bioluminescent creatures scattered throughout the darkness. Bawang rarely ventured this deep, and the otherworldly beauty of the scene immediately struck him.


    But his super-vision power was useless in this abyss, and he had to rely on his heightened senses to navigate the waters.


    Suddenly, he spotted arge hole in the ocean floor ahead of him. It was more than 20 meters in diameter, and Bawang feltpelled to investigate.


    As he approached the entrance to the cave, however, he became aware of a strange feeling of unease. He sensed something dangerous lurking inside, and he hesitated before venturing further.


    "I think I should get going and check what lies behind that big hole", Bawang desperately said to Liu Yong.


    However, Bawang stopped in his tracks, eyeing therge opening warily.


    "Is it really as safe?" he asked, his deep voice echoing through the water. After all, he had a reputation to uphold and didn''t want to risk his life needlessly.


    As Bawang gazed into the cave''s darkness, a massive creature suddenly emerged, causing them to gasp in shock.


    "Oh my God," Liu Yong whispered.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Bawang was equally astonished. "This is too big!" he eximed.


    Liu Yong quickly turned to Bawang. "Do you know what this is?" he asked.


    Bawang hesitated momentarily before responding, "Master, I''m not quite sure. But I believe it might be a giant squid, thergest octopus in the world."


    Liu Yong quickly opened his pet panel to check Bawang''s location and was surprised to find that he was more than a thousand nautical miles away from Huahai City, deep in the sea, with a water depth of about 3,000 meters.


    "The bottom of the sea is so dark," Liu Yong observed, "but with this third-party vision, everything is so clear."


    Suddenly, Liu Yong''s attention was drawn to the enormous creature before them. "Lying on the grass!" he eximed. "That''s a huge octopus! I never thought I''d see something so big in my life."


    The octopus was two or three times the size of the Overlord, with arms and legs that stretched over 50 meters long.


    "This is a rare giant squid," Liu Yong informed the Overlord.


    "It''s even bigger than the king squid and lives by preying on whales. We need to be careful."


    But the Overlord was not afraid. "Hmph, let''s fight to see who is stronger," he dered.


    Sensing the Overlord''s bravado, the giant squid became angry and rushed towards him with its arms and legs iling like leather whips. Despite the creature''s massive size, the Overlord managed to evade its blows, and the squid''s limbs mmed into a nearby rock, turning the previously clear waters murky.


    Liu Yong marvelled at the Overlord''s intelligence. "So smart!" he eximed.


    "But we still need to be careful. This giant squid is not to be underestimated."


    Liu Yong, who was watching the battle from the perspective of a third party, raised his heart slightly, and he was weighing in his heart how big the Overlord''s chances of winning were.


    The Overlord narrowly escaped the twitching of these arms and legs, and another few arms and legs swung over, apparently trying to entangle the Overlord.


    The Overlord dodged these arms again and then, seizing the opportunity, stabbed towards one of the arms with the help of a giant spear.


    As the giant squid thrashed through the water, it was almost like a scene from a movie. With no time to react, the Overlord plunged its massive spear into the squid''s wrist, the three-pronged spear sinking into the flesh with a depth of one meter. The squid uttered a violent, sharp cry, ate the pain, and then went berserk.


    With a desperate posture, the giant squid rushed towards the Overlord, quickly narrowing the distance between them. The squid wanted to engage in hand-to-handbat, which was its strong point.


    The battle would likely not be suspenseful as long as the squid could entangle the Overlord in close quarters, much like it operated when preying on whales.


    The giant squid spewed out a jet of water and, with the help of the reaction force of the water, closed the distance with the Overlord in no time. What was previously a distance of over 100 meters became only 20 to 30 meters in the blink of an eye.


    The squid''s arms and legs, ranging from five to sixty meters in length, wrapped around the Overlord with lightning speed.


    "You''re not getting away that easily," the squid hissed through its beak as it squeezed tighter and tighter, intent on taking down its opponent.


    Meanwhile, the Overlord grunted as it tried to free itself from the squid''s grasp. "This is not good," the Overlord muttered to himself. "I need to get out of here before it''s toote." With that, the Overlord summoned its strength and pried one of the squid''s arms away from its body.


    But it was only a reprieve as the squid quickly coiled another arm around the Overlord, squeezing even tighter than before.


    .........................

 Chapter 169 Smashed!!

    ?


    As the octopus surged forward, a powerful jet of water spewed out from its body, propelling it tens of meters away. The Overlord watched in awe as the creature moved with incredible speed and agility.


    "Wow, look at it go," he said, his eyes fixed on the creature.


    The giant squid quickly closed in on him, its arms and legs reaching out to entangle him.


    "Watch out!" His Master Liu Yong shouted.


    But the Overlord was ready for this attack. He dodged the creature''s grasp with lightning-fast reflexes and retreated several hundred meters away.


    "That was close," he said, panting heavily.


    He quickly realized that the giant squid''s movements were predictable, and he could anticipate its every move.


    "I think I''ve got this figured out," he said confidently.


    With his giant spear in hand, the Overlord charged forward, taking advantage of his impressive speed and agility.


    "Go get ''em!" Liu Yong shouted in support of Bawang.


    He aimed the spear directly at the giant squid''s head and rushed forward with fierce determination.


    The giant squid was caught off guard and tried to block the attack with its massive arms and legs, but it was toote.


    "Boom", "Boom" Boom"


    The Overlord''s spear pierced its head with a sickening thud, and he withdrew it triumphantly.


    "Master, how about it, I am powerful," he dered, basking in the glory of his victory.


    "Impressive work," Liu Yong said, giving a big apuse.


    "You really showed that squid who''s boss."


    Liu Yong heaved a sigh of relief. He had underestimated the Overlord''sbat power just a little bit ago. Facing such a huge giant squid, he actually won aplete victory.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but marvel at the wonders of the sea as he watched the massive corpse of a giant squid that the Overlord had just in.


    The creature was astounding, and he couldn''t help but wonder what other creaturesy hidden in the depths of the sea.


    But even as he marvelled at the creature, he knew it was fortunate that such a giant squid was restricted to the ocean''s depths, where it posed no threat to ships and sailors. He knew that if the creature were to surface, it would be dangerous to all who sailed the seas.


    As the Overlord examined the giant squid, Bawang eagerly imed credit for the kill, and Liu Yong praised him for his efforts.


    The Overlord then turned his attention to the creature''s massive body and wondered aloud how it tasted.


    Liu Yong advised him to try a few bites, and the Overlord wasted no time picking up one of the creature''s legs and taking a bite.


    As he chewed the meat, Bawang''s eyes lit up in delight.


    "The taste is first-ss," he eximed, "rare and delicious. I like it, and I have been taking it orally these days."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but marvel at how different the Overlord''s tastes were from theirs. While he found the meat slightly sour and unappetizing, the Overlord enjoyed it.


    As Bawang continued to rave about the giant squid''s taste, Liu Yong couldn''t help butugh at his enthusiasm.


    The creature was clearly a delicacy in the Overlord''s eyes, and he had no doubt that it would enjoy feasting on the massive creature for days toe.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    And indeed, as the Overlord ate his fill of the giant squid, Liu Yong couldn''t help but marvel at the creature''s sheer size. Even an arm or leg of the creature was more significant than most buildings on thend, yet the Overlord had managed to y it easily.


    As the Overlord finished his meal, he dered himselfplete and promised to return for more when hungry. Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile at the creature''s insatiable appetite, and he knew they were in for some exciting times as they explored the depths of the sea and encountered new wonders and dangers alike.


    The Overlord stopped eating the second arm, his curiosity piqued as he gazed upon the colossal ck hole nearby.


    "Master, I want to go in and take a look," he said to Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong warned him to be careful, but the Overlord was confident in his abilities and held his giant spear tightly as he swam into the abyss. Inside, it was pitch ck and impossible to see.


    However, the Overlord relied on his keen perception and continued to explore the cave. He soon discovered that the cave was more extensive than anticipated and felt like a whole new world.


    This was the giant squid''sir, and the Overlord couldn''t wait to see what was inside. Meanwhile, Liu Yong kept a watchful eye from the outside, observing the events inside the cave as they unfolded.


    As the Overlord delved deeper, Liu Yong''s eyes caught sight of something shining on the cave''s floor. Upon closer inspection, he saw a small pile of broken ss-like objects shimmering with an otherworldly radiance.


    "What is that?" he wondered aloud, unable to identify the objects.


    Upon zooming in, Liu Yong noticed that the objects were of varying sizes and colours, with some being as small as half a quail egg and others asrge as an egg. They appeared to be transparent minerals, but he could not determine their true nature.


    The Overlord surmised that the giant squid must have collected these objects over time, although he was surprised by its strange hobby.


    The massive creature seemed unlikely to be interested in such small items, yet there they were.


    The mystery deepened as the Overlord considered where the giant squid could have found these objects, as they were too small to be obtained from the sea.


    Nevertheless, he remained determined to uncover the truth behind this enigma.


    "Great Overlord, do you happen to see those shimmering objects on your right?" Bawang asked as he swam over to Overlord.


    Upon inspecting the pile of objects, Bawang eximed with excitement, "Master, what a stunning find! I am enamored with it."


    Liu Yongdao then assigned Bawang to bring some of the objects to their seaside warehouse, asking him to inform him once it had beenpleted.


    "Right away, Master," Bawang replied.


    Liu Yongdao''s urgency stemmed from his curiosity to know what the objects were, and he couldn''t wait to find out.


    Bawang faithfully carried out his orders, even though the task was quite technical, given the small size of the objects.


    After putting dozens of pills in his mouth, he managed to retrieve the objects and then exited the cave.


    Once he emerged, he found the body of a giant squid lying dead on the ground. Being an intelligent creature, Overlord had dragged the body into the cave for temporary storage.


    Bawang then stashed the squid''s body away and approached Huahai City with the shiny objects in his mouth. He maintained a speed of around 190 knots for several hours, allowing him to swim for an extended period without any issues.


    Liu Yongdao was eagerly anticipating the delivery of the objects, wondering what they could be.


    "Were they worthless minerals or precious gemstones?"


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but remain thinking about it.


    ...............

 Chapter 170 Black Hole

    ?


    Bawang swam over a thousand nautical miles in a single breath, a remarkable feat for any creature.


    As the sun began to set, Liu Yong finished his work for the day and set off in his supercar towards the warehouse by the sea.


    Despite the distance taking an hour, Liu Yong managed to get there in just 40 minutes, eager to retrieve what he had been waiting for.


    Upon arriving at the warehouse, Liu Yong heard Bawang''s voice,


    "Master, I''ll be right there."


    "Okay, I''m already in the warehouse," Liu Yong replied.


    Momentster, Bawang emerged from the waterway that connected the warehouse to the sea and climbed up to stand in front of Liu Yong.


    The sight of Bawang was impressive, standing at 90 tons with a carapace resembling an armoured dinosaur. His ten-meter-long tail and sharp ws with a dark metallic sheen were a sight to behold.


    Liu Yong was pleased. "You''ve done well, Bawang," he said.


    Bawang ced the retrieved items in his mouth onto the ground and asked, "Master, do you want me to take all those things?"


    "Not yet," Liu Yong replied. "I need to confirm what these are first and then make a decision."


    "Understood," Bawang said, nodding his head.


    "If they''re valuable, I can always retrieve them from the cave in the 3,000-meter-deep sea where they''re currently safe."


    "Thank you for your hard work," Liu Yong said.


    "It''s not hard to do things for the master," Bawang replied. "I''m going back to that cave now. There''s still delicious food waiting for me."


    "Go ahead and enjoy your meal," Liu Yong said with a chuckle.


    Once Bawang had left, Liu Yong began to examine the items brought to him. Pouring out the "ss" onto hisrge desk in the study, he picked them up individually and carefully read them.


    As he examined the items, Liu Yong asked, "What is this thing? Is it worth it?"


    His curiosity improved, and he began to inspect each one more closely.


    "Thesee in different sizes and colours," he said, noticing that most were colourless and transparent while a few had beautiful red, pink, and purple shades. There were even some with hints of yellow.


    After counting the pieces, Liu Yong found 52 items before him.


    Some were dirty, so he fetched a basin of clean water and carefully washed them with a small brush.


    After cleaning and drying the items, Liu Yong admired them again.


    He couldn''t be sure if they were valuable gemstones or worthless transparent minerals, but he was excited to find out.


    The following day, Liu Yong headed to work as usual, bringing with him the items he had acquired the day before.


    He arrived at thepany and sat down on his boss''s chair, carefully examining the most prominent piece he had obtained.


    With great interest, he even used a magnifying ss to look at it closely, hoping that it was a precious gemstone rather than a transparent mineral.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of his office. Qiu Yang, his employee, informed him that Qian Feihai from Qian Shengsheng Jewelry Company hade to visit.


    Liu Yong ced the "big ss" on his desk and gave Qiu Yang the go-ahead to let him in.


    Qian Feihai had arrived to discuss the design of a wedding jewellery set. He brought along with him the preliminary design n and personally showed the design drawings to Liu Yong for his opinion.


    Additionally, he was apanied by Zhou Hongliang, the chief jewellery designer of Qian Shengsheng Company, whose team would be in charge of creating the wedding jewellery Liu Yong hadmissioned.


    The two men shook hands cordially, and Zhou Hongliang presented Liu Yong with the design drawings for the entire jewellery set.


    Liu Yong sat down and reviewed the designs, including 2D design drawings and design effect colour pictures.


    After reviewing the designs, Liu Yong was highly pleased,menting that the design met all of his requirements.


    He praised the Qian Shengsheng Company''s top-notch design team, and Zhou Hongliang breathed a sigh of relief.


    Zhou Hongliang exined that the ne wouldprise 1088 broken diamonds, with a pink diamond as the central diamond.


    He suggested that a pink diamond over 15 carats would be ideal, and Qian Feihai added that they would need to search for such a diamond in the international market, which would likely take about two months.


    These pink diamonds are rare and expensive, costing tens of millions of yuan each.


    Qian Feihai went on to exin that the pink diamond they were looking for would likely be even more expensive and that the price of the entire set of jewellery would increase.


    He estimated that the total cost of the collection would exceed 100 million yuan.


    Liu Yong grandly dered that this wasn''t an issue, even if the price increased to two hundred million yuan. After all, this was a set of jewellery for his future marriage, and he was willing to pay whatever it cost.


    The three men then discussed the jewellery set in more detail, with Zhou Hongliang providing additional information based on the design drawings.


    As Zhou Hongliang began to introduce a new set of jewellery to Liu Yong, Qian Feihai found himself momentarily distracted and began to survey the office around him. As his eyes drifted towards Liu Yong''s imposing desk, they suddenly locked onto something that immediately piqued his interest.


    His gaze froze, and his eyes widened in surprise as though he had just stumbled upon a treasure trove.


    Liu Yong had carelessly ced a few pieces of "big ss" on his desk, apparently oblivious to their true worth.


    However, Qian Feihai, a seasoned professional in the jewellery industry, could easily recognise the rarity and value of such precious stones. From a distance, he could already discern that it was not just any ordinary piece of ss but rather a rough diamond of enormous size - a rarity that he had seldom seen before in all his years in the industry.


    His eyes lingered on the diamond briefly, taking in its size and radiance. It was at least several hundred carats in weight, and its sheer magnitude took Qian Feihai''s breath away.


    What surprised him even more was that Liu Yong had left it lying there on his desk, seemingly unconcerned about its worth or rarity.


    A hint of skepticism began to gnaw at Qian Feihai''s thoughts.


    Indeed, such a priceless stone could not be left lying around so casually, could it? Perhaps it was not a rough diamond, and his sharp vision had deceived him. But as he stared at the gleaming stone, his doubts slowly dissipated.


    It was indeed a rough diamond of immense value, and Qian Feihai could not help but wonder at the nonchnce with which Liu Yong had left it lying there, as though it were of little importance.


    ...................

 Chapter 171 My God !

    ?


    Qian Feihai couldn''t resist his curiosity and asked Liu Yong,


    "May I see the item on your desk, Mr. Liu?"


    Liu Yong replied, "Are you referring to this piece? Of course, no problem."


    He got up, took the item and handed it over to Qian Feihai.


    As soon as Qian Feihai took the object, he scrutinized it carefully. After only a few seconds, he confirmed that it was a rough diamond. Qian Feihai was awestruck by the sight of such arge rough diamond.


    Excitedly, he asked Liu Yong, "Do you have a magnifying ss that I can use?"


    Liu Yong quickly fetched a magnifying ss, sensing that the item might be of value.


    Holding the magnifying ss, Qian Feihai examined the diamond for a full minute and then passed it and the magnifying ss to Zhou Hongliang, saying,


    "Old Zhou, take a look too."


    Zhou Hongliang had been eagerly waiting for this opportunity.


    Upon receiving the items, he examined them closely and confirmed that the diamond was several hundred carats in size and had good rity.


    He eximed, "This is thergest piece of rough diamond I have ever seen, at least 500 carats, and the rity is also very high."


    Liu Yong was initially taken aback but then ecstatic upon realizing that the item was a rough diamond.


    "What! Such arge rough diamond! Even if I am ayman, I know that this piece of rough diamond is worth a lot," he thought to himself.


    Liu Yong had not expected the item to be a rough diamond and suspected that the other "big sses" in his bag were rough diamonds. Given that Qian Feihai and Zhou Hongliang were experts in the field, he requested their help verifying his hunch.


    "I still have a lot of rough diamonds like this, please help me take a look," he said, walking to his desk and taking the bag containing rough diamonds from the drawer.


    Qian Feihai envied therge rough diamond and expressed his desire for hispany to acquire such a precious gem. "It would be great if ourpany had such arge rough diamond," he said.


    Liu Yong smiled and showed a bag containing simr rough diamonds from his drawer.


    "Mr Qian, please help me take a look," he said, handing over the bag.


    Qian Feihai was stunned by the realization that the bag contained numerous rough diamonds worth a fortune.


    "If it is really all, it will be amazing! Just such a bag is an amazing fortune," he eximed.


    Liu Yong gently ced the bag on the coffee table beside the sofa, took the rough diamonds inside, and arranged them on the coffee table.


    Qian Feihai and Zhou Hongliang were literally shocked!


    The two of them have been in the jewellery industry for so many years, and this is the first time in their lives that they have seen so many suchrge rough diamonds. The smallest is the size of a finger, and thergest is the size of a fist.


    "I''m dreaming!"


    "This is certainly not true."


    Zhou Hongliang said and quietly pinched himself to confirm that it was real.


    As for Qian Feihai, he rubbed his hands excitedly, picked up one of them, and looked at it carefully with a magnifying ss.


    After reading it, he picked up the other one and looked at it carefully.


    Zhou Hongliang realized that this was not a dream. He also picked up one of them and looked at it seriously.


    Liu Yong smiled slightly and made a cup of coffee by himself.


    While drinking the coffee slowly, he waited for the two of them to finish appreciating the rough diamonds.


    After full twenty or thirty minutes, they finally finished watching.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Qian Feihai put down the rough diamonds in his hand and said with emotion:


    "All are top-notch rough diamonds with very high rity. What''s rare is that some of them are colored diamonds, rough diamonds with very high rity."


    Liu Yong said: "Mr Qian, I still have a lot of rough diamonds like this."


    "Wow, Really?, Seriously there a lot more?"


    Qian Feihai looked at Liu Yong in disbelief, thinking his ears had heard it wrong. How many rough diamonds he could have was a big deal, and Liu Yong said there were many.


    Liu Yong continued: "Tomorrow,e over and help me choose a few rough diamonds for my wedding jewelry set."


    My God!


    Zhou Hongliang pinched his thigh again, thinking it was a dream.


    On the other hand, Qian Feihai was rubbing his hands together in excitement.


    With such an incident, if other people in Qian Shengsheng''spany saw this reaction shown by Mr Qian, they would be surprised and may ask Is this our boss Qian?


    Besides the excitement, Qian Feihai tried to take a few deep breaths to calm down his heart,


    "Mr. Liu, then we wille over early tomorrow morning."


    He wanted to open his eyes to see more about how many rough diamonds look.


    After the duo left the office, Liu Yongmunicated with Bawang.


    "Overlord, where are you now?"


    "Master, I have returned to that cave a long time ago, and I had a full meal just now, and I am going to take a look nearby."


    Overlord had shifted those rough diamonds to the warehouse by the sea yesterday afternoon.


    Overlord returned to the cavest night, and the first thing after returning was a good meal.


    There is no need to look for food everywhere or chase those big fish; there are ready-made delicacies. On this day, Overlord feels veryfortable.


    After eating enoughst night, he fell asleep soundly and had a big meal in the morning. In just a few hours, he had another full dinner.


    Liu Yong ordered: "There is no need to go shopping around for the time being, and send all the shiny things in the cave to the cave by the sea."


    "now?"


    "Yes, right now, these things are very precious. Remember, you must not miss one, and send them all to the seaside warehouse."


    "Okay, master."


    Bawang started to work immediately. There were several smaller rough diamonds. Bawang grabbed them several times with his ws but failed to grasp them firmly. He licked them with his tongue and rolled thest few smaller rough diamonds into his mouth.


    Put all the rough diamonds in the cave in his mouth, and set off towards the warehouse by the sea.


    Through the third-party vision, Liu Yong saw a lot of raw diamonds in the cave, and he was satisfied. Seeing that the Overlord had set off, he closed the pet panel and the third-party vision.


    Liu Yong picked up the phone, called Chen Hu over, and told him to buy some stic boxes and put them in the trunk of the Big G.


    It was more than a thousand nautical miles, and Bawang spent several hours.


    Thinking Bawang would arrive at the seaside warehouse in the afternoon in another 30 to 40 minutes, Liu Yong drove the big G and set off by himself.


    ...¡­..............

 Chapter 172 First-Class Gems

    ?


    While still on the road, Liu Yong received a message from Bawang, stating that he had already arrived at the warehouse and had put all the items he wanted inside.


    Liu Yong replied with gratitude and said he would be at the warehouse in around twenty minutes.


    Upon reaching the warehouse, Liu Yong''s car swiftly entered, and the warehouse door was quickly closed. As heid his eyes on the pile of rough diamonds, he realised that he had previously only seen them from a third-party perspective, and


    now they appeared to be much more urate and fascinating.


    There were at least thousands of rough diamonds, both big and small, and a quick visual inspection suggested they exceeded 300,000 carats.


    Liu Yong was in awe and couldn''t help but exim, "Oh my God!" as he noticed that these rough diamonds had high rity, some even coloured diamonds.


    He realised that he had made a fortune, but Liu Yong''s happiness knew no bounds.


    He opened the trunk of his vehicle and took out a stic box, meticulously cing each rough diamond on the warehouse floor inside it.


    Soon enough, several stic boxes were filled with rough diamonds, with each package almostplete. Liu Yong''s rough estimate suggested that the total number of rough diamonds may not exceed 300,000 carats but could be close to 400,000, amounting to more than five thousand rough diamonds.


    After filling the stic boxes, Liu Yong closed the trunk door and left the warehouse with satisfaction and aplishment.


    The next day arrived, and Qian Feihai showed up at the meeting ce bright and early, apanied by Zhou Hongliang and Bao Zhengde, a senior executive from hispany.


    They were all brimming with anticipation for what the day would bring.


    The previous day, Liu Yong had disyed dozens of massive rough diamonds to them, but he had mentioned that there were more. Qian Feihai was so enthralled with the idea of seeing more diamonds that he could hardly sleep and suffered from insomnia.


    Losing his eyes on even more precious stones was too exciting to resist.


    When Liu Yong arrived, the two men greeted each other warmly and exchanged pleasantries. Qian Feihai introduced Bao Zhengde to Liu Yong before expressing his eagerness to see the rest of the rough diamonds.


    Liu Yong chuckled heartily and led them to arge meeting room where several stic boxes wereid on a big table.


    Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun were already in the room, and Chen Hu stood at the door sternly, indicating that no one else was allowed to enter.


    Both Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun were curious about the meeting and asked each other if they had any idea what it was about. However, neither had any information, as Liu Yong had yet to provide any details.


    A short whileter, Liu Yong arrived with Qian Feihai and his twopanions,ughing and talking as they entered the room.


    Feihai was so enraptured with the sight of the stic boxes that he barely acknowledged the presence of Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun. He couldn''t wait to see the diamonds hidden inside the boxes.


    Liu Yong took the opportunity to introduce Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun to Qian Feihai before proceeding with the meeting. After exchanging polite greetings, they began to get down to business.


    Everyone was excited to see what the conference would bring and was eager to discover the treasures inside the stic boxes.


    Liu Yong stood at the head of the conference table, a box of rough diamonds in front of him.


    He had a severe expression as he carefully opened the box, revealing the sparkling gems inside.


    The diamonds were all shapes and sizes, and their rough exteriors gave little indication of the beauty within them.


    Qian Feihai, Bao Zhengde, and Zhou Hongliang were all experts in the jewellery industry, and they could barely contain their excitement at the sight of the diamonds.


    Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun, who had apanied Liu Yong to the meeting, wereymen when it came to diamonds, but even they were amazed by the sight before them.


    As Liu Yong took out the diamonds individually, he ced them carefully on the table, arranging them neatly in rows. Qian Feihai''s eyes lit up as he gazed at the gems, eager to get a closer look. Bao Zhengde and Zhou Hongliang exchanged nces, both in awe of what they saw.


    The diamonds were of various sizes, some as small as a pebble and others asrge as a fist. They ranged in colour from colourless and transparent to pink, blood red, yellow, and purple.


    The table was almostpletely covered with rough diamonds, their surfaces reflecting the light that shone down on them.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun watched as Liu Yong instructed them to help him arrange the diamonds on the table. As they picked up the gems individually, they couldn''t help but marvel at their beauty.


    The diamonds were nothing they had ever seen, and they felt privileged to be in the same room.


    Qian Feihai took out his professional tools and appraised the diamonds individually, with Bao Zhengde and Zhou Hongliang doing the same. Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun watched in fascination as the experts examined the diamonds, taking note of their size, shape, and colour.


    As the morning wore on, the excitement in the room was palpable. Liu Yong watched as the experts worked. His expression calms and collects.


    Meanwhile, Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun couldn''t contain their excitement as they watched the diamonds being appraised. They had never seen anything like it before and felt like they were witnessing something exceptional.


    After several hours of examination, Qian Feihai finally spoke up.


    "Mr. Liu," he said, "these diamonds are absolutely stunning. Each one is almost wless, and they are all first-ss gemstones."


    Liu Yong nodded, his expression unreadable. "Thank you," he said.


    Qian Feihai continued to appraise the diamonds, his eyes shining excitedly.


    As he finished his examination, Liu Yong turned to him and said,


    "The main diamonds that my wedding jewellery is missing. You can choose a few from these."


    Qian Feihai''s eyes widened in surprise. "Are you serious?" he asked.


    Liu Yong nodded. "I am. Consider it a gift from me to you."


    Qian Feihai couldn''t believe his luck. He looked around at the diamonds on the table, all of them beautiful and valuable.


    "Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.


    The room fell silent once more as the experts continued their examination of the diamonds.


    Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun watched in fascination, feeling privileged to be at such a critical moment. As they gazed at the diamonds, they knew they would never forget this day.


    Qian Feihai carefully selected a rough pink diamond weighing over 20 carats, which would be transformed into the centrepiece of a luxurious wedding ne.


    The diamond''s raw beauty was undeniable, and Qian Feihai couldn''t wait to see how it would sparkle once it was cut and polished.


    As he continued browsing the selection, his eyes caught another impressive diamond, a deep red gemstone weighing roughly 20 carats. This one would be perfect for the wedding ring, he thought to himself. Alongside these two, he selected several other diamonds of varying sizes, ranging from a dozen to over 30 carats.


    Once Qian Feihai finished selecting the diamonds, they were carefully packed one by one into an exquisite jewellery box.


    Qian Feihai turned to Mr Liu hopefully and inquired, "Ourpany has been searching for high-end diamonds like these. Would it be possible to purchase these rough diamonds from you?"


    Mr Liu replied with a warm smile, "Of course, these diamonds are avable for purchase."


    Qian Feihai felt overjoyed upon hearing Mr Liu''s response but also felt the weight of the responsibility that came with this purchase.


    With so many high-end rough diamonds in front of him, he knew he couldn''t buy them all at once. He couldn''t afford to purchase even a third of them with his funds.


    Despite the pressure, Qian Feihai felt a sense of happiness and excitement. The opportunity to choose from such a wide selection of high-quality diamonds was a rare privilege.


    He turned to Mr Liu and asked, "May I select a few of these diamonds?"


    Mr Liu waved his hand in agreement and said, "No problem. You can choose whichever you like, but the price must be the market price. I won''t ept anything less."


    ..................¡­

 Chapter 173 Partnership & Contract

    ?


    "Brother, let''s settle our ounts clearly," Liu Yong said firmly.


    He wanted to avoid being taken advantage of by selling his high-end rough diamonds at a low price. He believed that friendship belonged to friendship, but business was business.


    If the price offered were not suitable, he would not sell it.


    The market was clearly in favour of the seller, and Liu Yong was the only one with such a vast collection of high-end rough diamonds.


    Qian Feihai, Bao Zhengde, and Zhou Hongliang understood the value of Liu Yong''s collection and selected their preferred diamonds with great purpose.


    They chose primarily small rough diamonds, with most being more than a dozen carats and many exceeding 20 carats.


    However, Qian Feihai had his eyes on one particr rough diamond of several hundred carats, which he nned to use as the centrepiece of his store.


    In total, they selected around five to six hundred pieces, and Qian Feihai paid a fair market price for each of them, acknowledging Liu Yong''s expertise in the field.


    The electronic scale was brought to the room, and every rough diamond was carefully weighed. The total of carats amassed to more than 12,000, and the average weight of each diamond was over 20 carats.


    Most rough diamonds were transparent, while only 20 to 30 were selected for their stunning colours.


    However, Qian Feihai was interested in acquiring more coloured diamonds, despite their high price. He knew that a coloured diamond could be several times, even ten timesrger than an ordinary rough diamond, for the same weight.


    Qian Feihai confidently told Mr Liu, "The total carats of these diamonds exceeds 12,000, with an average weight of 26.7 carats for each diamond. Additionally, the average weight of the 25 coloured diamonds is 17.5 carats. The total market price of all these diamonds is about 7.2 billion yuan."


    Upon hearing this staggering amount, Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun were left in awe. While they knew diamonds were valuable, they couldn''t fathom that these rough diamonds were worth this much.


    To put things into perspective, the diamonds that Qian Feihai and his team had carefully selected were worth less than one-tenth or one-twentieth of the total market value of 7.2 billion yuan.


    This amount of money could purchase numerous big ships, and Universal could be thergest shippingpany in China.


    However, Liu Yong shook his head lightly, stating, "Mr. Qian, your price is a little low. The market value of these diamonds is actually 8 billion yuan, and this price cannot be lowered."


    Qian Feihai was hesitant, knowing that the actual market price was closer to 7.5 billion yuan and that 8 billion yuan was somewhat inted. Nevertheless, he understood that he might not get another chance like this. Purchasing these high-end rough diamonds could lead to a significant profit of over 20 billion yuan after processing and selling them.


    Moreover, with these high-end diamonds in his possession, Qian Feihai''spany would gain substantial recognition in the high-end diamond consumer market. Hence, despite his hesitation, he knew this was a rare opportunity he couldn''t afford to miss.


    Liu Yong''s face smiled slightly before he made his grand proposition.


    "Mr Qian, I am willing to sell you the hundreds of rough diamonds you picked out for 8 billion yuan. Furthermore, I will entrust you with the remaining diamonds for auction and operation. They can be sold one by one, and I will give you a smallmission."


    Qian Feihai was ecstatic at the proposal. The rough diamonds remaining were sizable, with some ranging from tens of carats to well over a hundred carats. Thergest ones were even hundreds of carats in size. The amount they could fetch was staggering, and Qian Feihai dared not imagine its worth.


    Yet, he had a concern. With so many rough diamonds being auctioned off one after another, would it not lead to a price drop in the international diamond market?


    Liu Yong dismissed his fears, exining that the world mines ample diamonds yearly, and the global market is vast enough to absorb the supply. Even high-end diamonds of several hundred thousand carats would not cause a significant dip in diamond prices.


    It would take a year and a half to auction off all the rough diamonds, but despite the long wait, Qian Feihai agreed immediately.


    Liu Yong and Qian Feihai shook hands tightly, pleased with their forged partnership. After they discussed the specifics and signed the formal contract, Qian Feihai departed with the rough diamonds he had picked out. His factory would process these diamonds into brilliant ones.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    On the other hand, Liu Yong decided to store the remaining rough diamonds in a safer ce. For the past two days, he had been contemting how there were so many rough diamonds in the giant squid''sir.


    He wondered if there was an exposed diamond vein on the seabed near the cave or a nearby shipwreck that had caused these diamonds to umte.


    To satisfy his curiosity, Liu Yong reached out to the Overlord, who was still in the cave where the giant squid''s corpse had been mostly eaten.


    The Overlord received Liu Yong''s message and offered his services, saying,


    "Master, do you want me to sink one or two boats again? I''m the best at this sort of thing. Leave it to me."


    Liu Yong chuckled and reprimanded the Overlord, "Haha , No. I am here to tell you that to Look around and see if there is a sunken ship or an exposed diamond vein."


    Liu Yong was convinced that regardless of whether they found a diamond vein or a shipwreck, it would be a boon for them.


    He believed they could see even more diamonds than the giant squid had uncovered from diamond mines.


    Perhaps they would discover something valuable if they found a sunken ship. Liu Yong knew the giant squid had already seen many diamonds on the vessel. Was there anything else of worth that the giant squid had missed?


    Regardless, Liu Yong instructed the Overlord to search the area again. If they were fortunate, they might uncover some surprises.


    The Overlord promised to do his best and to inform Liu Yong of any news he found.


    Liu Yong nodded, "Okay, I''ll wait for your good news."


    Bawang emerged from the cave and began scouring the area within a 50-kilometre radius, intending to spend a few days searching.


    As he was searching, there was a knock on the door of Liu Yong''s office.


    Qiu Yang entered the room cheerfully and informed his Boss,


    "Boss, the final payment from Qian Shengsheng''spany has been deposited into ourpany''s ount. This means that 8 billion yuan has been credited to our ount."


    Upon hearing this news, Liu Yong felt relieved and inexplicably happy. Earning 8 billion yuan was a breeze for him, and he already had several more billions stashed away in the bank safe.


    With the rough diamonds selling one after another, he would continuously have 8 billion yuan flowing into his ount.


    Qiu Yang was happy and said, "Boss, ourpany''s funds are incredibly abundant, and I feel so wealthy and powerful right now."


    It was no surprise that Qiu Yang felt this way since Risheng had recently paid 1 billion yuan and threerge ships inpensation, and now another 8 billion yuan had been credited.


    However, amidst the excitement, Qiu Yang asked for Liu Yong''s consent,


    "Boss, there is one thing that requires your approval."


    Liu Yong replied, "Sure, tell me, what is it?"


    .................

 Chapter 174 Grade A Office !

    ?


    "Boss, I have just received news that the ****pany, which had previously upied the 12th floor of our office building, will vacate the space, which will soon be avable for rent. In light of Universal''s continuous growth, we should take this opportunity and rent out the entire floor to amodate our expanding workforce."


    Universal''s sess has brought about a pressing need for arger office space. Although half a floor had sufficed in the past, it will soon be too cramped for the growingpany. Liu Yong quickly understood the situation and the importance of securing more space.


    "In the long run, it''s imperative that we move to arger office space. Renting only half a floor will no longer suffice," Qiu Yang exined.


    Without hesitation, the boss agreed to rent the 12th floor, realizing that this would provide ample space for thepany to grow and develop.


    Qiu Yang was ted by the news and rubbed his hands excitedly. The 12th floor was a whole floor, and it was precisely what thepany needed to amodate its growing workforce.


    However, the rent for such a Grade A office building in the bustling central business district of Huahai City was undoubtedly expensive. But for a globalpany that had recently secured a whopping 8 billion yuan, it was just a drop in the ocean, a minor expense.


    Liu Yong takes a long-term view of the problem. Thepany will grow bigger and bigger, and its influence will be higher and higher. Even if we rent an entire floor of office space, it can only meet the needs of the next year or a half. When more is needed, another office space is estimated to be rented.


    "Can I build one myself instead of renting someone else''s office building?" Liu Yongtemted on such idea.


    As soon as this idea came out of his heart, Liu Yong said: "Mr. Qiu, it''s not a long-term solution for us to always rent office space. Have you ever thought about it, that what if we build a Grade A office building by ourselves?"


    "Build one by ourselves, wow !" Qiu Yang shouted.


    Till now, thepany has been focusing on the management of thepany. But Now that Liu Yong has money, he also considers how to develop thepany better.


    When Liu Yong said this, his eyes lit up slightly.


    "Yes, why didn''t I think of this question."


    "Boss, you mean we build an office building of our own."


    "Yes, build a Grade A office building."


    "It''s great, having our own office building is something we can''t even dream of."


    Qiu Yang keeps on telling .........


    Liu Yong smiled slightly and said,


    "Since it is going to be built, let''s build andmark building, how about this, the specific things are handled by you, I only make requests."


    "Boss, tell me," Qiu said.


    Liu Yong said: "Choose a good location and build andmark building. The height should not be less than 400 meters, and it would be even better if it can reach 500 meters. ording to the standard of Grade A office buildings, this building will be called Universal Building after it ispleted. With ourpany name."


    "Universal Building!"


    With Liu Yong''s suggestion of building andmark building, Qiu Yang bes even more excited about the possibility of creating a structure that will stand out in the city''s skyline. He is thrilled to take on the task of bringing this project to life and making it a reality for theirpany.


    Amidst the excitement of nning for the Universal Company''s new office building, Qiu Yang expressed a bit of concern to the boss, reminding him that such a building would require a budget of at least billions, possibly even exceeding 10 billion.


    However, Liu Yong reassured Qiu Yang that money was not a problem and that they could efficiently allocate a budget of 10 billion or more for the project. <novelsnext></novelsnext>


    He emphasized that the Grade of the building must be high, and if necessary, they can always add more to the budget. Qiu Yang was pleasantly surprised by this news and looked forward to experiencing what it would be like to work in such a state-of-the-art office building.


    Despite the significant amount of money required to build such a building, Liu Yong had no concerns about the project''s financial feasibility. He indicated that the construction of the Global Building would not be a one-time investment of 10 billion but rather a series of acquisitions over one or two years, with a cumtive total of around 10 billion.


    He also expressed confidence in thepany''s financial capabilities, knowing that he had the full support of the Overlord and could always acquire more money if necessary.


    Liu Yong suggested it should be located in the centre of the CBD, with a developed transportationwork and a prosperous road section.


    News of the Universal Company''s ambitious project soon spread, boosting everyone''s morale and sense of pride.


    Employees were excitedly discussing the ns for the new building during lunch breaks, and many were looking forward to working in a Grade A office building that would likely be andmark in Huahai City.


    Qiu Yang demonstrated impressive efficiency in spearheading the nning and execution of this exciting new project.


    Qiu Yang found the perfect location for Liu Yong''s uing construction project in just two days. It was a prime piece ofnd in Huahai City''s newest central business district, adjacent to Century Avenue, the main avenue running through the heart of the area.


    Qiu Yang was excited to share the news with Liu Yong and said,


    "Boss, I found a great spot for the Universal Building. It''s a piece ofnd that spans over 28,000 square meters, located at the intersection of Century Avenue and Changjiang Avenue."


    Liu Yong was intrigued and asked, "Tell me more about this ce, Qiu Yang."


    Qiu Yang replied, "It''s located in the heart of the CDB, and there are many high-rise buildings next to this avenue. Some of them have been built and put into use, while a few are still under construction."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement and said, "Let''s go and check it out."


    As they arrived at the site, Qiu Yang exined that thend had previously housed several buildings built in the 1960s and 1970s.


    The tallest tower was an 18-story structure that served as andmark for the area. However, they were demolished a few months ago, and thend was auctioned.


    Qiu Yang exined, "I heard that we have taken a fancy to this ce and n to invest 10 billion to build andmark building here. The government is very supportive, canceled the auction, and ns to sell thisnd to us."


    Liu Yong was pleased with the news and said, "That''s great, Qiu Yang. Show me around."


    As they entered the site through the gate, they found that baffles temporarily surrounded thend. Qiu Yang led the way and said, "Except for some weeds growing inside, it''s t and rtively square."


    Liu Yong spent an hour exploring the location and said, "I am very satisfied with this ce, and the construction of Universal Building will be handed over to you, Qiu Yang."


    Qiu Yang was thrilled and replied, "Don''t worry, Boss. We will definitely invite a world-renowned design team to design and invite the most powerful construction engineeringpany to construct."


    Liu Yong nodded and said, "Hurry up, Qiu Yang. I hope to see the start of construction soon, and I hope it will bepleted sooner."


    Qiu Yang assured Liu Yong, "Yes, we will start the construction process as soon as possible."


    ..............

 Chapter 175 C-17

    ?


    At a depth of three thousand meters, the seabed is shrouded in near-total darkness, where visibility is limited to asional glimpses of light resembling stars in an infinite sky.


    Deep-sea creatures emit these faint light spots, the only illumination sources in this realm.


    Amidst this dark expanse, a colossal snapping turtle can be seen slowly swimming as if searching for something on the ocean floor.


    Overlord has been assigned a mission by its master, Liu Yong, to scour the area surrounding a cave with a radius of fifty kilometres in search of exposed diamond veins or sunken ships.


    As the third day of the searchmences, the Overlord has already covered a vast territory within the fifty-kilometre radius yet has failed to find any diamond veins or sunken ships.


    Consequently, Liu Yong has instructed the Overlord to expand its search area, hoping that it may eventually uncover some treasures.


    The seabed is not uniform and features t terrain and uneven topography, characterized by valleys, peaks, and canyons.


    Bawang detects a vast in in the distance and is intrigued by its unique characteristics.


    After swimming a few kilometres, Bawang reaches the in, and the contrast with the uneven terrain is striking. Suddenly, Bawang senses something in the distance and hastens towards it.


    To his surprise, it is the wreckage of an aerone, lying at the bottom of the sea at a depth of three thousand meters.


    Overjoyed by this discovery, Bawang rushes to inform his master, Liu Yong, of his finding. "Master, I found a ne!" he exims, eager to share his excitement.


    Liu Yong was at home, already past ten o''clock in the evening, and was lying in bed while chatting with Li Changle. Suddenly, Liu Yong learned that Overlord found a ne''s wreckage at the bottom of the sea. This piqued Liu Yong''s interest, and he immediately opened his pet panel to understand the situation better.


    Through the third-party vision, Liu Yong could see that it was a submarine ne lying next to the Bawang and was wrecked. The aircraft was in rtively good condition despite being disconnected in the middle and broken into two pieces.


    The distance between the two pieces was less than a hundred meters, indicating that it may have broken apart during the sinking process.


    As Liu Yong continued to examine the ne, he was surprised by its size. The fact that it was a military transport ne made it even more significant.


    Liu Yong carefully observed the aircraft for a long time, noting that it had few attachments and seemed rtively clean. Based on this, he spected that the ne may have crashed into the sea within the past year or two and then sank to the bottom.


    Liu Yong was inspecting a massive aircraft when he asked Bawang, "Which country''s ne is this?"


    Bawang replied, "I''m not sure. What should we do?"


    Liu Yong instructed him, "Don''t move the ne for now. Just wait by the side. I will check some information and confirm the model of the ne."


    As a military enthusiast, Liu Yong quickly identified the aircraft as a C-17 military transport ne, which is umon worldwide. However, there had been no news reports of such a significant crash.


    Liu Yong was sceptical, "A C-17 transport ne crashed, such a big event, why have we never seen rted news reports?"


    Despite his doubts, Liu Yong continued investigating and became increasingly convinced that the M country had concealed the incident from the outside world.


    Liu Yong wondered aloud, "Maybe, the M country concealed this matter and did not let the outside world report it at all. The transport ne that sank to the seabed of 3000 meters has been lying here all the time. Country M doesn''t salvage it?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Bawang replied, "That''s difficult, very difficult! The salvage depth of 3,000 meters is also a big problem for country M. They are almost impossible to salvage, not to mention other countries. There is almost no possibility of salvage."


    After confirming that the aircraft was a C-17 military transport ne that had crashed in the past one or two years, Liu Yong was curious about what was inside it.


    He adjusted the angle of the third-party field of vision and saw inside the cabin. Liu Yong observed, "Inside the cabin, there are things, but not much." He could see a military jeep fixed on the cabin floor and a box set there.


    Despite his curiosity, Liu Yong realized nothing of value was inside the wreckage.


    Fortunately, the military transport ne wasrge enough for Bawang to get inside barely. As per Liu Yong''s instructions, he carefully unloaded the ne''s contents.


    Although military jeeps looked appealing, they were utterly unusable after being soaked in seawater for at least a year or two.


    However, the focus of attention was on a locked box that was found inside the ne. Bawang exerted force to open the box, revealing a variety of weapons and equipment, including pistols and assault rifles, all of which were M Army standard equipment.


    As a half-military fan, Liu Yong was naturally inclined towards owning a real weapon.


    However, the strict gun controlws in Yan Kingdom made him hesitant about using these guns, as they were shady. This made him slightly regretful.


    Putting aside the weapons and military jeeps, Liu Yong''s primary interest was the C-17 military transport aircraft they had found.


    Despite some parts being slightly deformed due to water pressure, more than 99% of the features remained intact, owing to the presence of water pressure bnce.


    The C-17 is considered one of the most advanced military transport aircraft.


    Although it was broken into two parts, there were only a few ces with small deformations and minimal damage. The cockpit ss was still intact, and the preservation of the airborne electronic equipment and avionics equipment was rtively good. Additionally, the engine was mostly undamaged.


    The engines of the aircraft held significant value since the aviation engine technology of Yan Country was 20 to 30 years behind that of M Country.


    Simply recovering a few engines would be a huge aplishment. Recovering the entire aircraft would be an even more significant achievement.


    Liu Yong considered returning the aircraft but knew it was too big to move with his current resources.


    The nearly 100-ton Bawang could only carry half of the ne, and it would have to wait for Bawang to grow up to move the entire aircraft.


    However, Liu Yong realized it would be an outstanding achievement if he could sessfully hand over the ne to the military or country with each detail about it.


    This would undoubtedly bring him great credit and support for Universal Corporation, which would likely have strong backing.


    With this in mind, Liu Yong decided to leave the aircraft untouched for the time being, but he couldn''t help but feel tempted by the prospect of possessing such advanced technology.


    ..............

 Chapter 176 New Skill Gained!

    ?


    Liu Yong had no choice but to give up on his ns temporarily.


    "For now, Overlord, let''s leave the items here and retrieve them in the future as per our requirement. Please remember this location," he instructed Bawang.


    Bawang nodded and assured Liu Yong, "Master, you can count on me. I will remember this ce."


    After that, Bawang departed from the cave and did not return. It preferred staying one to two kilometres below the surface, findingfort in the peace it offered.


    Observing Bawang''s departure, Liu Yong turned off the pet panel and pondered his pet''s growth. He knew that Bawang would weigh around 100 tons in the next few days, given that it had already slept for three whole days when its weight had reached nearly 100 tons.


    Liu Yong was curious about what would happen next and how Bawang could surpass this bottleneck.


    Time flew by, and within a couple of days, Bawang''s weight had reached 100 tons. However, as Liu Yong had anticipated, its weight remained the same as this mark and stuck.


    Liu Yong attempted tomunicate with Bawang again, who was sleeping in a seabed about three to four hundred nautical miles away from Huahai City at a water depth of approximately 1,000 meters.


    "Overlord, how are you feeling?" asked Liu Yong.


    Bawang stretched and yawned, responding, "Master, I feel fine, except for the constant hunger. I feel sleepy when I''m full."


    This was true. Since its weight had reached 100 tons, Bawang felt an insatiable hunger, eating seven to eight tons of food daily, but it still did not seem enough. It felt hungry again within a few hours, even when it wasplete. Bawang couldn''t ignore the constant hunger, and it was the same whether it was day or night.


    "Oh, I''m hungry again. I need to eat and find something to eat," Bawangined.


    Liu Yong was puzzled by Bawang''s insatiable appetite, unable toprehend how it could eat so much without gaining weight.


    However, as Bawang didn''t seem to experience difort and ate and slept, Liu Yong eventually stopped worrying and allowed it to roam around in search of food.


    Thankfully, food in the sea was abundant, and despite consuming more than 20 tons of it during each meal, Bawang had no trouble finding enough to satisfy its hunger.


    Its remarkable speed meant that anyrge fish it set its sights on couldn''t evade its grasp.


    This pattern continued for three days, with Bawang eating until it was full, sleeping soundly, and then waking up to search for more food, whether day or night.


    Despite consuming such enormous amounts of food, its weight remained stable at 100 tons, leaving Liu Yong to wonder how long this state wouldst and when Bawang would finally surpass this weight threshold.


    Meanwhile, Qiu Yang was quick to act, assembling a top-notch architectural design team and presenting several design sketches to Liu Yong within a week. "Boss," he said, "Here are some designs for our Universal Building. Please take a look and let us know which one you prefer."


    Once Liu Yong chose a design scheme, the team would begin working on detailed and specific ns for the building.


    Liu Yong was enthusiastic as he sat on the boss chair, poring over the design sketches in front of him with great seriousness. The graphic and straightforward design of the Universal Building wasid out before him on paper.


    The sketches showed that some of the Universal Buildings were designed to have magnificent ss exteriors with boxy and towering cuboid structures.


    Others had a cylindrical or oval appearance, each with unique design characteristics. The designs were undoubtedly the work of a first-ss design team.


    After careful consideration and contemtion, Liu Yong chose the No. 2 design n. This particr design incorporated the design style of the Yan Kingdom and ancient pagodas, making it stand out from the rest.


    The entire building was designed octagonal, reminiscent of ancient towers but with a modern and fashionable touch. Its beautiful ss exterior wall added to its charm, making it the epitome of modernity.


    Standing at a towering height of 458 meters, the buildingprised 98 floors above ground and three below. Starting from the 81st floor, it slightly retracted upwards, culminating in a spire and a sightseeing floor at the top.


    As Liu Yong continued to examine the design, his admiration for it grew. He instructed the team to carry out a detailed and specific strategy based on the No. 2 design n andplete all designs as soon as possible.


    With sufficient funds at his disposal, there was plenty of money to see the project through topletion.


    Liu Yong desired to have the Universal Buildingpleted and used as soon as possible, symbolising innovation and progress.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Universal presently holds around eight to nine billion funds in its ounts.


    ¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á---n?¦Ía| §ãom Each month, Ding Wen transfers the proceeds obtained from the sales and auctions of Song porcin into Universal''s ount, which can range from a little over a billion to over twenty million.


    Furthermore, the bank has handed over the rough diamonds to Qian Feihai for sale, resulting in a continuous stream of monthly ie that is even more profitable than Song Ci.


    Qiu Yang collected the design sketches and reassured his boss, "You can count on me, boss. I will do my best to expedite the construction of our building."


    Deep beneath the sea''s surface, the Overlord was feasting yet again. Its massive jaws had captured a 20-ton whale, and the beast was now devouring it with great gusto, consuming over a ton of flesh with each bite. The scene was nothing short of epic.


    In ten minutes, the Overlord had ingested the entire whale, all 20 tons. Sated and sleepy, the Overlord swam more than a hundred miles until it found an uncharted ind. The Overlord dragged itself onto the shore and quickly fell into a deep slumber.


    Liu Yong watched his beloved pet Bawang, checking on him several times daily. A few hours earlier, he nced at the pet panel and noticed that Bawang was napping on a deserted ind, but he didn''t think much of it at the time.


    Looking at the panel again, he was surprised that Bawang was still asleep. For the past few days, Bawang had been sleeping more deeply and for more extended periods than usual. Several hourster, Liu Yong checked in on Bawang again, only to find him sleeping soundly in the same spot.


    This realisation gave Liu Yong hope: perhaps Bawang was on the brink of breaking through the 100-ton bottleneck. The deep slumbersted three days and three nights until Bawang finally stirred, feeling invigorated and revitalised.


    "Master, I''m awake, and I feel stronger than ever before,"


    Bawang''s voice echoed in Liu Yong''s mind. Overjoyed, Liu Yong quickly opened the pet panel to check on his beloved pet.


    [[


    Name: Mutant Snapping Turtle


    Strength: 6050


    Physique: 6010


    Agility: 6000


    Weight: 100 tons


    Swimming speed: 200 knots


    Skills: Tortoise Shell (Level 3), Turtle Breath (Level 3), Super Perception (Level 3), Super Vision (Level 2), Sprint (Level 1)


    ]]


    After breaking through the bottleneck, Liu Yong immediately saw that the Overlord had gained a new skill.


    The skill was called "Sprint," It allowed the Overlord to unleash an instant burst of tremendous strength and speed, delivering a powerful impact to its target.


    Liu Yong was impressed by this new skill, as it would be instrumental in battle.


    If the Overlord ever encountered an opponent, it could use Sprint to knock them off their feet. And, if the opponent failed to react quickly enough, the Overlord could take them out with a swift blow from its giant spear.


    The skill reminded Liu Yong of the infamous "Brutal Rush" or "Ten Steps and One Kill" moves from the legendary game.


    He couldn''t help but wonder how much easier things would have been if the Overlord had possessed this skill during its previous battle with the giant squid.


    With the massive spear in hand and the Sprint skill, the Overlord could have ended the fight much more quickly and efficiently.


    ..................

 Chapter 177 Skill Sharing Testimonial

    ?


    "After this breakthrough, my overlord has gained more strength and is now on the path to bing the ruler of the ocean," Liu Yong eximed excitedly.


    Thanks to his level 3 super perception ability, the Overlord can now perceive everything within a 500-meter radius in the deep dark sea, including potential dangers and various marine life.


    Additionally, his level 2 supervision allows him to see further into the ocean and spot things clearly in dim light.


    Suddenly, Liu Yong was taken aback by a realisation. He hadn''t noticed before that, in addition to the words "shared," there was also the word "endowed", following the three attributes of strength, agility, and constitution. Curious, he tapped on the word "endowed" using his mental power, and a dialog box immediately popped up.


    The box prompted him to fill in the number of power points to be endowed and the object to be blessed with the power attribute.


    Liu Yong was awestruck by this discovery. He couldn''t believe that he could give the three primary attributes of the Overlord to other people!


    He pondered over the thought that while the average person has attributes ranging from 30 to 50, special forces and top athletes can exceed 100. He wondered what would happen if he endowed Chen Hu with 100 strength attributes.


    As Liu Yong looked at Bawang 6050''s power attribute on the pet panel, he pondered for a while before attempting to operate it.


    He decided to endow Chen Hu with 50 points of strength attribute, though he didn''t want to give too much initially. The pet panel disyed a message that the grant was sessful and that there were still 6000 points remaining.


    Liu Yong realised that the number of power points that can be given is equivalent to the strength attribute of the Overlord itself. Giving away 50 points left him with 6000 points to spare.


    ¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á---n?¦Ía| §ãom The fact that he could give away thousands of attribute points was incredible. It dawned on him that he could create a superhuman army with this power and how having such a superhuman under him would be incredibly advantageous.


    However, Liu Yong decided to wait a few days before adding another 50 points to Chen Hu''s strength attribute instead of adding hundreds of issues simultaneously.


    He wanted to avoid any suspicion or questioning from Chen Hu regarding this sudden increase in his strength.


    He devised a n to make it appear that Chen Hu''s strength increase was due to a zinc gluconate oral solution for children, which he bought from a pharmacy.


    He left his office alone, purchased the solution, removed the packaging and wrapping paper, put it in his pocket with a straw, and returned to his office.


    He called Chen Hu and exined that his loyalty and abilities as a driver and bodyguard were also important. Chen Hu assured him he was confident in his skills and could protect his safety.


    Liu Yong then revealed the small ss bottle and straw, telling Chen Hu that he would be giving him something to increase his strength, which was, in reality, just a ruse.


    He added 50 points to Chen Hu''s strength attribute, nning to add the remaining 50 points in two days to make it appear as if it was a gradual increase due to the oral solution.


    With this n in ce, Liu Yong felt confident that he could enhance Chen Hu''s strength attribute without arousing suspicion.


    "I believe I will feel more at ease if you be stronger. It will make me feel more secure." Liu Yong said to Chen Hu.


    He then revealed a small ss bottle containing a generic drug.


    Chen Hu''s eyes widened with surprise as he recognised the significance of the gic medicine his Boss had just offered him. However, he couldn''t help but wonder about its source and authenticity.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Chen Hu quickly regained hisposure despite his fleeting doubts and boldly dered,


    "Boss, there is no problem. I am willing to take the gic medicine." His unwavering loyalty and trust in Liu Yong were evident in his steadfast response.


    Liu Yong was pleased with Chen Hu''s immediate eptance of the gic drug. It reaffirmed his confidence in the man''s trustworthiness and sincerity. Giving Chen Hu 50 strength attribute points now seemed like a wise decision he wouldn''t regret.


    Liu Yong reached for the ss bottle, inserted a straw, and handed it to Chen Hu.


    Chen Hu took the small ss bottle from Liu Yong and, without uttering a word, gulped its content down in front of him.


    Liu Yong nodded approvingly and informed Chen Hu that the effects of the gene-drug would kick in within 24 hours, significantly improving his physical fitness.


    He advised Chen Hu to take half a day off the next day and hit the gym to get a good workout, which will aid in better absorption of the medicine.


    Chen Hu acknowledged the instructions and agreed to follow through.


    As a former Special Forces member, Chen Hu was alwaysmitted to maintaining his fitness.


    Initially, he couldn''t afford much, so he would run and do push-ups for exercise. However, with his current status, he had a VIP membership at a gym and spent an hour or two every day working out.


    After leaving Liu Yong''s office, Chen Hu wondered if there was a gene-drug that could enhance his strength, and he was eager to test it out at the gym the next day.


    The following morning, Chen Hu arrived at the gym around 9:30 and started with warm-up exercises. He immediately sensed his strength had improved since he could perform the warm-up more easily.


    Around 10:30, Chen Hu tested his strength using his favourite workout equipment, the barbell.


    He added two green barbell tes weighing 10 kg to the 80 kg barbell he typically used, making the total weight 100 kg. He knew this was a considerable weight that would be challenging for most people.


    Chen Hu gripped the barbell with both hands and took a deep breath, expecting it to be a struggle to lift.


    However, to his surprise, he found the weight much easier to handle than before and felt more rxed. He wondered if this was indeed the result of the gic medicine he had taken.


    Chen Hu began to squat with the barbell, repeatedly lifting and lowering it. After a dozen squats, he felt that 100 kg was not challenging enough, and he could easily handle more weight.


    As he pondered this, a group of people approached him, led by a fitness trainer from the gym and a young man who looked very strong and stocky. Behind them were assistants and other staff.


    The group seemed interested in Chen Hu''s impressive strength, and the trainer asked if he needed assistance.


    Chen Hu thanked them but declined the offer, enjoying the feeling of the increased power the medicine had provided him. He continued his workout, curious about how much stronger he could be.


    .........¡­.

 Chapter 178 I M The Strongest!

    ?


    As Liu Yong went through his daily routine in the office, his thoughts often drifted towards his pet Bawang and bodyguard, Chen Hu.


    After reading a document, he gently ced it on the desk and made himself a cup of coffee. As he savoured the warm, bitter drink, he couldn''t help but think about Chen Hu''s physical capabilities.


    Being someone who appreciated physical strength and fitness, Liu Yong felt that Chen Hu would benefit from going to the gym to work on his power.


    Liu Yong believed Chen Hu was already loyal enough but needed his bodyguard to be solid and robust. So, he decided to enhance Chen Hu''s strength attribute by 50 points, bringing it to a staggering 100.


    Sitting at his desk, Liu Yong turned his attention to his pet, Bawang. He opened up the pet panel and marvelled at its growth since yesterday.


    Breaking through a bottleneck the previous day, Bawang had grown an astounding 1.6 tons in just one day, now weighing 101.6 tons. Liu Yong was amazed by the growth rate and wondered if it was even possible.


    However, it wasn''t just Bawang''s weight that had increased. Its various attributes had also improved, including an impressive 75-point increase in its strength attribute, which was now at 6125.


    Liu Yong was impressed by the progress and felt proud of his pet.


    Satisfied with the progress of both his pet and bodyguard, Liu Yong decided to take things further.


    He nned to enhance Chen Hu''s physique and agility attributester on, transforming him into a real-life superhero.


    He envisioned a powerful, agile, and loyal bodyguard unrivalled. And with his determination and resources, Liu Yong knew he could make it happen.


    Chen Hu was changing the barbell tes when a few people approached him, including a stocky young man.


    The young man appeared to be a weightlifter, and upon seeing Chen Hu practising with the barbell, he frowned slightly. Sensing the young man''s disapproval, the assistant quickly suggested that Chen Hu moves to the side to practice on the same equipment.


    However, Chen Hu pretended not to hear the assistant''s suggestion and continued his workout. He couldn''t help but think that the group was impolite and should have respected the firste, first served rule. After all, Chen Hu had been using the equipment for a while before they arrived.


    The young man, who identified himself as a member of the provincial weightlifting team, reiterated the request for Chen Hu to move to the side so that he could perform his strength training.


    Chen Hu wasn''t impressed by the young man''s credentials and thought sarcastically, "the provincial weightlifting team is amazing!".


    ¦Ñ¦Á§ád¦Á---n?¦Ía| §ãom Chen Hu reced the green 10kg barbell tes with red 25kg ones. The gym coach intervened and asked Chen Hu to move to the side as the young man was a VIP in the gym.


    However, Chen Hu saw no reason to move as there was enough space for everyone, and he, too, was a VIP of the gym.


    He responded to the coach, "I''m sorry, but I am also a VIP of this gym, and besides, there is enough space for all of us. There is no need for me to step aside."


    Chen Hu stood his ground, determined to finish his workout without being interrupted by the young man and his entourage. The situation was getting interesting, and he was curious about what would happen next.


    Yu Wu is a strong and promising young man who is part of the provincial weightlifting team, with aspirations of joining the national team. His family is well-off and has provided him with an assistant, which is not an everyday luxury for weightlifters, even at the national level. Despite some time off from provincial team training, Yu Wu still diligently exercises daily, focusing mainly on strength training.


    When Yu Wu arrived at the gym, he noticed Chen Hu upying a weightlifting station. The assistant, clearly unhappy with Chen Hu''s presence, expressed concern that his behaviour would affect Yu Wu''s training.


    However, Chen Hu didn''t seem to mind and continued to lift weights with ease.


    Yu Wu couldn''t help but feel disdainful as he looked at Chen Hu''s barbell, which weighed only 80 kg. So he boldly proimed, "Get me a barbell with a total weight of 100 kg." Someone quickly brought him the barbell without hesitation, and he did his squats.


    Meanwhile, Chen Hu was still lifting his barbell, smiling as he added two more red tes, bringing the total weight to 130 kg, 30 kg more than Yu Wu was lifting.


    As the saying goes, "The boat does not weigh its load," which was undoubtedly true in the case of weightlifting. Even adding just a few kilograms to the barbell can make a significant difference in the level of difficulty.


    Chen Hu''s barbell could have impressed Yu Wu and his fellow weightlifting experts. They could easily see the total weight of the barbell at a nce and felt that it was too light.


    They couldn''t help but curl their lips in disdain.


    "What kind of strongman are you? Can you carry a 130 kg barbell?"


    Yu Wu taunted, looking down on Chen Hu''s abilities.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Chen Hu, feeling slightly embarrassed, decided to try lifting the barbell. Surprisingly, he found it a little lighter than he had anticipated.


    "Well, forget it, let''s do this for now, I''m toozy to add barbell tes," Chen Hu said, trying to hide his disappointment.


    He then did squat exercises with standard movements once, twice, and again. His actions were widespread, and it was obvious from a nce that he often used barbells for squat strength exercises.


    The person next to him was stunned by his wless technique.


    They all looked dull, including Yu Wu, who was beginning to realise that he may have underestimated Chen Hu.


    However, he still couldn''t believe anyone could efficiently perform squats with a 130 kg barbell. He had only ever managed up to 5 repetitions with that weight.


    "His barbell te is fake, and it must be fake, isn''t it, Coach Zhang?" Yu Wu''s assistant finally shouted out, unable to believe what he saw.


    Coach Zhang, overseeing the gym, needed rification and wondered if there was a problem with the barbell tes.


    However, he knew that the barbell tes in their gym were very standard, so there shouldn''t be any problems.


    Despite their surprise, Chen Hu continued his squat training, performing 20 squats before stopping. His usual exercise routine involved doing five sets of 20 squats, totalling 100 standard squats. This way, almost all the muscles of his body could be well exercised.


    After finishing his workout, Chen Hu stopped and put down the barbell. Coach Zhang walked over to lift the barbell and confirm its weight.


    "Mr. Yu, it is definitely a 130 kg barbell. There is no mistake,"


    Coach Zhang announced, leaving Yu Wu stunned and embarrassed by his initial disbelief.


    Yu Wu had been proven wrong. Chen Hu was a genuine strongman, and his impressive performance left everyone amazed and in awe of his strength and ability.


    Chen Hu was genuinely unbelievable. Not only had he loaded white barbell tes onto the barbell, but each piece weighed a whopping 5 kilograms, bringing the total weight of the barbell pair to a staggering 140 kilograms.


    Yu Wu, a weightlifter himself, knew the difficulty of lifting such a heavy weight, especially when it came to squats.


    "I don''t know how you do it, man," Yu Wu said in awe as he watched Chen Hu effortlessly load the barbell.


    Chen Hu shrugged nonchntly. "It''s all about technique," he replied with a grin.


    Yu Wu couldn''t help but feel a little envious of Chen Hu''s incredible strength. "I can lift this weight," he said, "but I don''t think I can do squats with it."


    The world records for men''s weightlifting in the 62kg, 69kg, and 77kg categories were 154kg, 166kg, and 176kg, respectively.


    Despite being a yer in the 69 kg ss and having a personal best score of over 150 kilograms, Yu Wu knew that attempting squats with a 140 kg barbell would be a daunting task.


    "I don''t think I can even do one repetition with this weight," Yu Wu said with a hint of defeat.


    "I might strain my muscles if I try."


    Chen Hu, however, was unfazed. He quickly grabbed the barbell and began performing squats with perfect form. The barbell ttering against the floor echoed throughout the gym as Chen Hu continued to lift the heavy weight effortlessly.


    "Crush!" Chen Hu eximed as he finished his set.


    Yu Wu looked on inplete awe. He couldn''t believe what he had just witnessed. "What is he doing?" he muttered to himself.


    Suddenly, Chen Hu turned to face Yu Wu, and the others gathered to watch. "Who''s next?" he asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.


    .....................

 Chapter 179 Me And My Popularity

    ?


    The barbell was originally 130 kg, but with the addition of two 5 kg tes, it now weighed 140 kg. "Oh my God!" eximed Yu Wu, feeling like he had been struck.


    "In our weightlifting team, no one dared to y like this. No one can do it."


    Chen Hu, however, was undeterred by Yu Wu''s reaction. He began to perform standard squat exercises with the newly loaded barbell.


    "The boss said that after taking the gene drug, you need to exercise adequately, so do a few more sets until you are tired,"


    He exined.


    "Besides, the 140 kg barbell is more convenient. In fact, adding 10 kg or even 20 kg should be fine."


    Yu Wu and the others watched in awe and confusion as Chen Hu continued with his squats.


    "Try doing squat exercises with a 140 kg barbell?" Yu Wu asked incredulously.


    Chen Hu replied calmly, "Of course. You can do it too if you train hard enough." His words only deepened Yu Wu''s admiration and respect for his teammate''s abilities.


    The scene soon attracted the attention of some bystanders.


    "Hey, that man is doing squat exercises," one of them remarked.


    "His movements are standard, and his barbell doesn''t seem to be light."


    "My God, that''s a 140 kg barbell," another eximed in disbelief.


    "Impossible, 140 kg barbell? I''m going to see it," a third person said, and more onlookers gathered around.


    In the gym, many knowledgeable individuals can determine the total weight of a barbell simply by observing its colour.


    As Chen Hu lifted a 140 kg barbell, those around him were astonished. This weight was far beyond the typical weight used by the average person during barbell squat training, which usually ranges from tens of kilograms to less than 50 kilograms.


    Chen Hu''s strength was so impressive that many people stopped their workouts to gather around and observe him. They watched with surprise and admiration as he executed each squat precisely and efficiently.


    The attention that Chen Hu drew was not limited to his fellow gym-goers, however. Yin Daijun, a fitness enthusiast who often shares his workout videos on the social media tform Douyin, was also taken aback by Chen Hu''s impressive feat. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and began recording the scene.


    After capturing several videos of Chen Hu performing the challenging squats, Yin Daijun could not help but express his admiration for the skilled lifter. He praised Chen Hu''s remarkable performance and even gave him a thumbs up as a sign of his approval.


    Chen Hu appeared slightly displeased when he noticed therge crowd of onlookers around him. He felt the attention was overwhelming and decided to cut his workout short after finishing the first squats.


    Despite his departure, the amazed onlookers were left craving more. They urged Chen Hu to continue with his impressive performance, hoping to witness even more of his remarkable strength.


    Yin Daijun, too, was left feeling somewhat disappointed by Chen Hu''s departure. However, he was grateful for the opportunity to capture the lifter''s impressive disy on camera.


    He nned to edit and share the footage with his fans, hoping to inspire and impress them with Chen Hu''s exceptional abilities.


    As he worked on the video, Yin Daijun reflected on the experience and thought about the impact that witnessing greatness can have. He hoped that sharing this footage would help his followers see the incredible feats possible with dedication and hard work.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Bawang was swimming in the sea, feeling energetic after breaking through the bottleneck of 100 tons. It could now eat three to four times a day without excessive sleep. It slept at night and felt vigorous throughout the day.


    As Overlord swam at almost a kilometre, it spotted a great white shark swimming leisurely ahead, utterly unaware of the approaching danger.


    With a burst of speed, Bawang swam over and reached the shark within seconds. The shark finally sensed the danger about 100 meters away and attempted to flee. However, it was no match for Bawang''s newly acquired skill, the "Dash," which allowed it to sprint towards the shark and cut it in two with one swift bite.


    After savouring the taste of the shark, Liu Yong''s voice resonated in Overlord''s mind. "Overlord, I have a task for you," Liu Yong said.


    Overlord immediately responded, "Master, just give your orders."


    Liu Yong instructed Overlord to locate a suitable ce near the wreckage of a military transport ne, with a water depth of no more than 200 meters. The destruction had great technical value and could be salvaged for future use.


    Overlord set out on its mission and swam hundreds of nautical miles towards the wreckage site, reaching it within a few hours.


    It quickly scoured the area and found a suitable spot, a rtively t ce at the peak of one of the submarine mountain ranges.


    It was 200 to 300 nautical miles from the wreckage site, with a water depth of over 100 meters. This location was perfect for cing the two nes.


    Overlord asked, "Master, what do you think of this ce?"


    Liu Yong examined the location from a third-party vision and approved it.


    "Okay, just this ce. You go and move the two nes here," Liu Yong said.


    "No problem, leave this matter to me," Overlord replied.


    p¦Ánd¦Á---no¦Í?1,§ão§® Bawang had everything under control, and from its perspective, moving the two nes was not a difficult task.


    However, Liu Yong provided instructions to ensure the aircraft moved safely without causing additional damage. Once he had given Bawang the necessary education, Liu Yong trusted that he couldplete the task sessfully.


    As expected, Overlord began carefully moving one of the wreckage pieces as if it was afraid of damaging it.


    The precision and skill with which Bawang carried out the task were impressive, leaving Liu Yong feeling confident that it was the right decision to entrust the job to the intelligent machine.


    Meanwhile, at the national weightlifting team, it was lunchtime, and some of the team members were eating while others had finished their meals and were browsing on their phones, watching videos on tforms like Douyin.


    Suddenly, one of them eximed, "This is impossible! They keep crossing the line and trying to deceive people!"


    Another member sitting nearby overheard and walked over to see what was happening.


    After watching a video clip that was less than 20 seconds long on his friend''s phone, he too expressed scepticism, saying, "This video is fake. If it was real, the weight of the barbell would have been 140 kilograms."


    ..................

 Chapter 180 G-Medicine 2

    ?


    The sound of their voices reverberated across the room, drawing the attention of others nearby. Soon, a crowd had gathered around them, peering curiously at the small video ying on the phone.


    "Wow, someone''s doing squats with a 140kg barbell!"


    "Nah, it''s definitely fake."


    The skeptical murmurs rippled through the crowd. These were professionals, after all, intimately familiar with the gruelling physical demands of squatting with such an enormous weight.


    Suddenly, a voice cut through the skepticism. "Hey, wait a minute, isn''t that Yu Wu from the ZJ provincial team right there beside him?"


    "Oh yeah, it is Yu Wu! I recognize him!"


    The revtion that a genuine weightlifter was present at the scene sparked excitement and spection. Could the video actually be authentic after all?


    And so began the video''s journey. Its viral spread soon saw it make its way into the WeChat group of the weightlifting team, where the debate raged on. While most remained convinced that the video was a hoax, a few brave souls dared to believe it might just be the real deal.


    In the office, the weightlifting team''s head coach, Zhu Jinming, was intrigued by a video he had watched repeatedly, believing it to be authentic. His heart raced excitedly at the prospect of recruiting the young master in the video. If true, this individual could be a game-changer for the team.


    As he watched the video again, Zhu Jinming''s assistant approached him. "Coach Zhu, do you need anything?" she asked.


    Zhu Jinming turned to her, his eyes still fixed on the video. "I need to find out who this young man is in the video. He could be the missing piece in our team."


    Meanwhile, in the ocean''s depths, Bawang was busy retrieving wreckage from a ne crash site more than three thousand meters below the surface.


    With careful precision, the massive creature used its front paws and mouth to lift the bulky wreckage. The process was slow due to the high resistance underwater, but Bawang sessfully transported the wreckage to a t seabed at a depth of over one hundred meters.


    After examining the section of the wreckage for any secondary damage, Bawang felt a pang of hunger and consumed over twenty tons of food nearby.


    As Overlord swam even deeper to the seabed, over three thousand meters below, in the hope of getting some particr thing.


    Later that day, Liu Yong finished work, and Chen Hu drove him away from thepany.


    During the drive, Chen Hu informed Liu Yong about the call he had received earlier. "Boss, the head coach Zhu Jinming of the National Weightlifting Team contacted me personally," he said.


    Upon watching the video, Liu Yong knew that the weightlifting team would eventually approach him. He showed no surprise and calmly asked Chen Hu, "What about you? What are your ns?"


    Chen Hu replied, "Boss, I will follow your orders."


    While Liu Yong acknowledged the glory that representing the country could bring, he had his ideas. Yan Guo''s weightlifting was already vigorous, and Chen Hu''s skills in weightlifting were optional.


    Liu Yong believed they should utilise Chen Hu''s physical abilities in Yan Guo''s weak points, such as track and field events like sprinting, high jumping, and long jumping.


    "Good steel should be used on the de," Liu Yong pondered momentarily and suggested, "You can tell coach Zhu Jinming that you have excellent physical fitness and can try out for the 100-meter race."


    Chen Hu''s eyes lit up with excitement but alsocked some confidence, "Boss, can I really perform in the 100 meters?"


    Liu Yong reassured him confidently, "Of course, I will give you another gene-drug tomorrow, and you can go to the Olympics and win a few gold medals. It''s almost a matter of hand."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Chen Hu felt grateful and willing to follow Liu Yong''s guidance.


    He knew firsthand the power of gic medicine; after taking it twice, he had already felt a significant increase in his strength.


    He can now squat with a 140 kg barbell for strength training in a group of 20 without any issues.


    The next day, Chen Hu confidently walked into Liu Yong''s office and greeted him. "Boss, I''m here," he said.


    Liu Yong smiled and replied, "Good morning, Chen Hu. I trust you''re ready for what''s ahead?"


    Chen Hu nodded eagerly. "Things are already ready," he said.


    "I''m ready for anything."


    Liu Yong opened his desk drawer and pulled out a small vial of liquid. "This is a ''gic drug,''" he exined. "Drink it now, and there''s no problem in winning a few gold medals in the World Series."


    Chen Hu took the vial and downed the liquid in one go. "Thank you, boss," he said gratefully.


    Liu Yong waved a hand dismissively. "Don''t thank me yet," he said. "You still have to put in the work. Exercise well over the next two days to promote the full absorption of the medicine."


    Chen Hu left the office feeling excited and grateful. Liu Yong then opened the pet panel and gave Chen Hu 100 points each for constitution and agility.


    "Now, Chen Hu is a true superman," Liu Yong remarked. "I can''t wait to see what he can do."


    eaglesnov?1,§ão§® Later that day, Chen Hu contacted head coach Zhu Jinming.


    "Coach, I want to participate in track and field events," he said confidently.


    Zhu Jinming was taken aback. "What? Track and field events?"


    He eximed.


    "But you''re a weightlifter! You have a talent for weightlifting that few people have."


    Chen Hu was undeterred. "I want to try something new," he said.


    "I think I can do well in track and field."


    Zhu Jinming tried to dissuade Chen Hu, emphasizing the importance of sticking to his strengths. But Chen Hu remained determined, and Zhu Jinming eventually relented.


    "Fine," he said. "I have an acquaintance in the Huahai Sports Bureau. Let''s test your 100-meter running score first."


    Chen Hu arrived with Liu Yong at the Huahai Sports Bureau the following day. He met Director Yan Jiazhi, who was tasked with overseeing the test.


    "You are Chen Hu," Yan Jiazhi said, sizing him up. "Let''s see what you''re made of."

 Chapter 181 Breaking The World Record!

    ?


    Yan Jiazhi gave a slight nod in acknowledgement before his gaze shifted towards Liu Yong. He had noticed Chen Hu and Liu Yong arrive in a big G from a distance earlier.


    Although Chen Hu had gotten off the driver''s seat, Liu Yong had gotten off from the back seat, and Yan Jiazhi couldn''t be sure of his identity.


    Chen Hu quickly stepped in and introduced Liu Yong as his boss, the man behind the Universal Company, a well-known business with a massive scale and impressive financial resources.


    Yan Jiazhi felt a sudden eagerness arise within him as he had heard of their ns to construct andmark building in Huahai City. The 98-story Universal Building would be situated right beside Century Avenue.


    "It''s an honor to meet you, Mr. Liu," Yan Jiazhi said, extending his hand to shake Liu Yong''s hand. "I''ve admired yourpany''s sess for a long time."


    Liu Yong smiled, returning the handshake. "Thank you, Mr. Yan. I''m d to hear that."


    "I''m happy to help you conduct a fitness test on your bodyguard," Yan Jiazhi said, eager to assist. "Although, I must say, Mr. Chen is already in his twenties, which may be a bitte to start exercising for optimal results."


    Liu Yong chuckled. "I appreciate your concern, Mr. Yan, but I have faith in Chen Hu. I believe he''s capable of running 100 meters in under 10 seconds."


    Yan Jiazhi was shocked by this statement, as it was a rare feat in Asia. He shook his head and smiled wryly.


    "Forgive me, Mr Liu, but that''s quite the ambitious goal. Even the best domestic men''s 100-meter time is 9.99 seconds."


    Liu Yong looked surprised. "Is that so? Well, I''ll take your word for it. But I still think Chen Hu can do it. He''s quite the athlete."


    Chen Hu looked pleased by his boss''s vote of confidence.


    "Thank you, Mr. Liu. I won''t let you down."


    Yan Jiazhi couldn''t help but be impressed by Chen Hu''s determination. "I look forward to seeing your progress, Mr. Chen."


    Li Yu, one of the officials in charge of testing Chen Hu''s 100-meter performance, stood next to Yan Jiazhi, overseeing the test.


    He felt the need to remind Liu Yong, who seemed to need some rification about the 100-meter test, that only one person in the country had run the 100-meter in 9.99 seconds, considered the best time in the nation.


    Despite this, Liu Yong smiled confidently and did not offer any excuses, believing that Chen Hu''s performance would speak for itself.


    The preparations for the test wereplete, with the Sports Bureau providing a standard yground, runway, and various testing instruments.


    Chen Hu, dressed in sportswear, stood at the starting line, focused and ready to run. Liu Yong gave him an encouraging look, reassuring him that he believed in his abilities.


    A gunshot marked the beginning of the test, and Chen Hu''s reaction time was remarkable.


    Yan Jiazhi and the others watching were astonished by his quick start, faster than any they had seen. Even the top international sprinters typically take about 0.15 seconds to react. This lightning-quick reaction time led to a faster running speed, and Chen Hu ran tens of meters before Yan Jiazhi, and the others even had a chance to react.


    The onlookers knew that this performance meant Chen Hu had a real shot at running the 100-meter in under 10 seconds, which was an extraordinary feat in the world of sprinting.


    The best men''s 100-meter running time in China was only 9.99 seconds, and in internationalpetitions, the 100-meter event was dominated by African and European descent athletes.


    However, Chen Hu was different. His speed was unparalleled, and he ran the 100-meter in just 9.55 seconds, shattering the world record.


    The scene was silent as Yan Jiazhi and the others tried to process what they had just witnessed.


    The aplishment was beyond their wildest dreams, and they were left in awe of Chen Hu''s incredible feat.


    Yan Jiazhi even had to take medication to calm himself down. The track and field coach Li Yu was equally astonished, convinced he must be dreaming because what he saw was just too unbelievable to be confirmed.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Throughout the scene, Liu Yong remained calm and smiled, while Chen Hu scored a perfect 100 in strength, physique, and agility, breaking the world record easily.


    After a long silence, Yan Jiazhi couldn''t contain his excitement and waved his hands, "Coach Li, test again, test again!"


    Li Yu shared Yan''s concerns about the uracy of the test, so he arranged for Chen Hu to take his ce on the track once more for a retest. "On your marks! Get ready, run!" he announced.


    As soon as the starting gun fired, Chen Hu''s starting reaction was lightning-fast, making it seem like he had started running at the same time as the gunshot. He finished the race in an incredible 9.50 seconds, an improvement of 0.05 seconds from his previous time.


    The audience was left in stunned silence yet again. Yan Jiazhi was so excited that he reached for his small medicine bottle, only to remember that he had already taken his dose. He gazed at Chen Hu with awe, fully aware that the men''s 100m internationalpetition was about to transform significantly, with Yan Guo yers emerging victorious.


    "9 seconds 50!" eximed Yan. "This is an achievement that no other contestant can match!"


    Yan Jiazhi walked up to Liu Yong, grasped his hand tightly, and expressed gratitude for sending such a remarkable talent to their country.


    "Mr Liu, thank you for sending such outstanding sports talents to our country," he said with great surprise.


    Li Yu also approached Liu Yong with a humble apology, "Mr. Liu, I apologize to you. You did not misunderstand the men''s 100-meter event, but I just watched the sky."


    Liu Yong smiled generously and reminded them, "In addition to 100 meters, Chen Hu is also good at 200 meters and 800 meters. You can also test the long jump."


    "Yes, yes, arrange it immediately," Yan Jiazhi ordered.


    And so, the testing continued. Next, they arranged for the 200 meters test. The excitement in the air was palpable, and everyone eagerly waited to see Chen Hu''s incredible abilities on disy once again.


    By andrge, athletes who perform well in the 100-meter race also tend to excel in the 200-meter event. Yan Jiazhi eagerly anticipated Chen Hu''s performance in the 200-meter race, and so were others, including Li Yu.


    Initially, the yground was rtively empty, with fewer than ten people present before the 100-meter race. However, word quickly spread, and more and more people started to arrive.


    e¦Áglesnovel`c,om "Hey, have you heard? The men''s 100-meter race is happening now. Let''s go and watch!" said one person.


    "What''s the point? Our country''s performance in this event is not that impressive. Even athletes from our Huahai City are not that good. If someone can run under 11 seconds, it''s considered decent," replied another.


    But their conversation was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a young man who ran the 100-meter test in an astonishing 9.50 seconds.


    "Oh my God! Did you see that? He just ran the 100-meter race in 9.50 seconds!" eximed one person in disbelief.


    "It''s impossible!" said another, still in shock.


    "No, it''s true. I heard that the 200-meter race is about to begin. Let''s go and watch Chen Hu. I''m sure he''ll do great," said a third person excitedly.


    The Sports Bureau officials also arrived at the yground to observe Chen Hu''s performance in the 200-meter test, and as a result, the crowd grew even more significant.


    As Chen Hu took his position at the starting line, the number of onlookers grew to around 40 to 50. When the starting gun fired, Chen Hu burst off the line with tremendous speed, impressing the spectators.


    "Wow, he''s got an incredible start!" remarked one person, amazed.


    "I know, right? Look at him go!" replied another, cheering Chen Hu on.


    ................

 Chapter 182 I M A Sport Superstar

    ?


    Amid themotion, some secretly suspected Chen Hu hadn''t run away. The experts, however, could discern that Chen Hu hadn''t merely rushed forward but had responded with remarkable agility.


    As the spectators gasped in amazement, some eximed, "Damn, he''s so fast!" while others remarked, "My eyes aren''t ying tricks on me, he really is that quick!"


    Chen Hu''s lightning-quick speed left everyone dumbfounded. Even the most renowned sprinter would need help to match his pace.


    Before many could react, Chen Hu had already sprinted past the finish line, leaving the crowd in disbelief. Yan Jiazhi was ovee with excitement once again.


    It felt like a dreame true. Moments earlier, Chen Hu had broken the world record in the 100-meter dash with an astonishing time of 9.500 seconds.


    And now, he had broken the form again with 18.99 seconds in the 200-meter race.


    The disbelief and shock of the spectators were palpable as they watched Chen Hu perform this incredible feat. The current men''s 200-meter world record stood at 19.19 seconds, but Chen Hu had managed to outdo it by a remarkable 0.2 seconds.


    Suddenly, the crowd''s noise was silenced as they processed what they had just witnessed.


    As the silence lingered for a few seconds, the atmosphere was suddenly filled with cheers and astonishment. The noise level in the vicinity increased dramatically as the spectators were overwhelmed with excitement and delight.


    "It''s hard to believe that someone could run under 19 seconds," eximed one of the onlookers, amazed at what they had just witnessed.


    "I didn''t see it with my own eyes, and I didn''t believe it,"


    Admitted another, still in shock at the incredible feat.


    Yan Jiazhi, taking a deep breath, arranged for Chen Hu to undertake a 400-meter test, and to everyone''s amazement, he quickly broke the world record, clocking in at 42 seconds and 45 milliseconds. This was a remarkable achievement, considering the current world record was 43.03 seconds.


    Chen Hu went on to test his abilities in several other events, such as the long jump, shot put, and javelin, and to everyone''s surprise, he broke the world record in each of them.


    Yan Jiazhi was thrilled with the results but knew he had to keep this news under wraps. He issued a strict gag order to the Sports Bureau, warning them against disclosing what happened that day. Failure toply with the order would result in severe punishment.


    Once Yan Jiazhi had politely seen off Liu Yong and Chen Hu, he booked a ne ticket to the capital, realizing the gravity of the situation. He knew he had to inform Zhu Jinming of the events that had unfolded in person rather than over the phone.


    The following day, Yan Jiazhi wasted no time meeting with his friend Zhu Jinming to share important news.


    Zhu Jinming was taken aback when he saw Yan Jiazhi in person and questioned the purpose of his visit. Yan Jiazhi handed over a test report, urging Zhu Jinming to look at it first.


    Zhu Jinming, still somewhat skeptical, received the report with reservations. He assumed that Chen Hu''s track and field performance was good and his results were rtively impressive.


    However, as he began to examine the report, his face became full of surprise and disbelief. "This is unbelievable," he eximed, "Old Yan, every item has broken the world record!"


    Yan Jiazhi smiled, acknowledging his disbelief, but assured him that the data was urate. He exined that the Sports Bureau had used the most advanced testing equipment and the most experienced coaches to guarantee the authenticity of the results.


    Zhu Jinming was stunned by the news. As someone in weightlifting, he also hoped to achieve outstanding results in other sports. He scrutinized the report repeatedly before eventually regaining hisposure.


    "Let''s go," he said to Yan Jiazhi, "we have to go and surprise Lao Jiang with this news. Let''s ask him to treat us to lunch."


    The two left the weightlifting centre and headed towards the National Track and Field Center.


    On the training ground, a group of athletes underwent intense training sessions while the head coach, Jiang Xiang, monitored their progress.


    Dressed in his coach uniform and sporting arge pair of sunsses, Jiang Xiang exuded an air of authority and intensity that was palpable.


    Anyone who looked closely enough could gauge his mood from the expression in his eyes, even though they were concealed behind his shades - and the current mood was anything but rxed.


    With the IAAF Diamond Leagueing up in just a month, Jiang Xiang faced the daunting task of selecting athletes to represent his team. However, there needed to be more standout athletes, and the coach hesitated to set his hopes too high.


    e¦Áglesnovel`c,om Nevertheless, he firmly believed in giving everyone a chance to show their potential - a principle he lived by.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Suddenly, Jiang Xiang was interrupted by Zhu Jinming, who greeted him enthusiastically from afar.


    After exchanging pleasantries, Zhu Jinming introduced Yan Jiazhi and proceeded to drop a bombshell: a sports prodigy had been discovered who was initially ted for the weightlifting team but had shown even more tremendous potential in track and field.


    Yan Jiazhi provided Jiang Xiang with the test results that confirmed the young athlete''s extraordinary abilities.


    Jiang Xiang was stunned and in disbelief - could it be possible that this person could break world records in every event?


    As Jiang Xiang questioned the authenticity of the test data, Yan Jiazhi assured him that the results were indeed urate and reliable.


    Jiang Xiang was filled with renewed energy and drove as the prospect of adding this talented individual to his team suddenly made the future look brighter.


    He eagerly awaited the opportunity to work with this budding sports superstar.


    Zhu Jinming then suggested that Jiang Xiang treat them all to something special to celebrate the news. Jiang Xiang was curious about the asion and asked Zhu Jinming to exin further.


    "We found a sports genius who was originally intended to be recruited into our weightlifting team, but he is more athletic in track and field. I entrusted Lao Yan to conduct a series of tests on him. His test report," Zhu Jinming exined.


    After receiving the report, Jiang Xiang looked through it carefully, and soon, his face was shocked.


    "Is there really such a person who can break the world record in every event?" Jiang Xiang asked incredulously.


    Yan Jiazhi replied, "Yes, if I didn''t arrange the test myself, I wouldn''t believe it. It''s like a dream."


    Jiang Xiang''s expression turned serious as he asked, "Director Yan, this matter is not a joke. Are these test data true and reliable?"


    "Absolutely true and reliable, I can vouch for it," Yan Jiazhi reassured him.


    Jiang Xiang couldn''t contain hisughter, and his eyes were teary as he realized that his dream of winning a gold medal in the international arena could finallye true. "I can''t believe it. My dream is finallying true," he eximed.


    "Not only sprinting but also other events can win gold medals and break world records!"


    Wiping his wet eyes, Jiang Xiang got up with the test report and said, "Sit down here, both of you, and I will report this matter to the leadership of the General Administration."


    After speaking, he strode out.


    Not surprisingly, Chen Hu received the notice soon and responded to the call, preparing to report to the track and field team. Before leaving, he came to Liu Yong to say goodbye.


    "Boss, I''m going to the capital," Chen Hu said.


    Liu Yong was thrilled and patted him on the shoulder lightly.


    "Train well after joining the track and field team, and bring back a few more gold medals, don''t embarrass me."


    "Don''t worry, boss, I will definitely win glory for you, and I will tell everyone with my results that your driver can also win the gold medal and break the world record," Chen Hu assured him.


    After chatting for a few words, Chen Hu said,


    "Boss, I''m going to the track and field team for the time being. It must be a year or so. You can''t live without a driver and a bodyguard. I have tworades in arms. They are all good. You see."


    Liu Yong waved his hand and said, "You tell them toe and report. The sry will be no less than 50,000 yuan per month, and various rewards will not be less."


    Chen Hu was grateful and thanked Liu Yong on behalf of his tworades-in-arms. "Thank you so much, Boss. I really appreciate it," he said.


    ............¡­..

 Chapter 183 New Bodyguards

    ?


    Chen Hu made his way to the airport for his flight, which was scheduled to depart at 10:15 in the morning.


    He was riding in a luxurious G-wagon arranged by Liu Yong, with a young driver sporting a crew cut at the wheel. Universal had recruited only seasoned veterans for their security detail and drivers.


    As Chen Hu boarded the ne, he decided to check in on his formerrade-in-arms, He Qiang and gave him a call. Upon hearing Chen Hu''s voice, He Qiang couldn''t help but express his envy at the prospect of earning a whopping 100,000 yuan per month, ten times his sry of 5,000 yuan per month.


    Chen Hu, amused by He Qiang''s reaction, exined that he had a job offer to pay him 50,000 yuan monthly.


    Overjoyed by the news, He Qiang immediately agreed to take the job and resigned from his position as a security guard at a star-rated hotel.


    After He Qiang was settled, Chen Hu reached out to another formerrade-in-arms, Kang Zhenggang, currently working as a security captain in amunity, earning only 3-4,000 yuan per month. Kang Zhenggang had recently be a father and struggled to make ends meet with the added expenses of diapers, milk, and other necessities.


    On that particr day, Kang Zhenggang was taking a day off to rest and attend to personal hygiene at home.


    While resting, his wife was breastfeeding their several-month-old son when she asked her husband about their financial situation. "Husband, we only have more than 500 yuan left. When will you get paid?" she asked.


    Kang Zhenggang sighed softly and replied, "Soon, there is still one week."


    Concerned about their finances, his wife suggested, "Honey, why don''t I go out and find something to do?"


    Kang Zhenggang was hesitant and replied, "If you go to find a job, no one will take care of our son. Why not take some of my retirement fee and use it temporarily?"


    His wife reminded him, "Husband, that money cannot be moved. We agreed to use it to buy a house. What should we do now?"


    Feeling helpless, Kang Zhenggang''s phone suddenly rang. It was Chen Hu who inquired about Kang''s job situation. "Lao Kang, how are you doing recently? Are you still working as a security guard in themunity?" he asked.


    Kang Zhenggang replied, "Oh, life is hard now. I have been working as a security guard in themunity, and I get three or four thousand yuan a month."


    Chen Hu then revealed a great offer, "Our boss needs bodyguards and drivers. I rmended you and Lao He. Would you like toe over? The sry is 50,000 yuan per month, plus some rewards. The annual ie should be hundreds of thousands. No big problem."


    Kang Zhenggang was shocked and asked, "Is there really such a high sry?"


    Chen Hu replied, "Yes, 50,000 per month. If you do well, you can add more. From now on, 80,000 or 100,000 per month ispletely possible."


    Overjoyed at the offer, Kang Zhenggang eximed, "I am willing, willing. When can Ie?"


    Chen Hu replied, "You cane to report at any time. The sooner, the better. You will get 30,000 yuan as a settling allowance once youe to report."


    Kang Zhenggang immediately epted the offer and shared the good news with his wife. She burst into tears of joy, grateful that their financial woes would soon end. Kang Zhenggang wiped away his wife''s tears and contemted the ups and downs of life, feeling thankful for this opportunity to turn their lives around.


    Like any other couple in love, Liu Yong and Li Changle were strolling hand in hand, enjoying their shopping trip together.


    Li Changle, who always had a high rate of return, was determined to maintain her beautiful figure and appearance. As they walked, Li Changle caught the attention of several young men who stole nces at her, clearly enamoured by her stunning beauty.


    "Liu Yong, look at that dress, it''s so pretty!" Li Changle eximed, pointing at a beautiful dress in a shop window.


    Liu Yong smiled, "If you like it, we can go in and take a look."


    As they entered the shop, Li Changle tried on the dress, admiring herself in the mirror. "Wow, I look great in this!" she eximed.


    Liu Yong smiled and replied, "You always look great, Lele."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    As they left the shop, Li Changle caught the attention of some young men quietly staring at her. "Look, beauty!" one of them whispered.


    Another added, "Wow, so beautiful, that is the goddess in my mind."


    "It''s a pity I have a boyfriend," Li Changle smiled.


    Liu Yong overheard the conversation and teased Li Changle,


    "Lele, someone is always looking at you quietly."


    Li Changle giggled, "Brother Yong, you won''t be jealous, right?"


    "My girlfriend is beautiful, and that makes me happy," Liu Yong replied. "Come and kiss me, let them know you''re mine."


    With a gentle tug, he pulled Li Changle close and kissed her.


    "Oh, there are so many people," Li Changle whispered coquettishly, gently pushing Liu Yong away.


    Liu Yong smiled happily, knowing they were the envy of those around them. They continued to enjoy their intimate moments together, talking andughing.


    In Security Department.


    Meanwhile, a group of soldiers and officials from a security department were visiting an aircraft factory in China.


    They were apanied by Sun Jian, the chief engineer, who proudly introduced them to China''stestrge-scale military transport aircraft.


    Among them was Chen Li, the head of the Huahai City security department, who felt immense pride in seeing China''s progress in independent design and manufacturing.


    As Sun Jian guided the group through the factory, he exined the aircraft''s features and specifications.


    The visitors listened attentively, feeling a sense of pride in their hearts.


    Chen Li couldn''t help but express his admiration, "It''s incredible that we can independently design and manufacture such arge military transport aircraft in China."


    eaglesnov?1,§ão§® "I agree," Sun Jian replied. "We are making great strides in our military industry, and this is just the beginning."


    After the tour, many visitors left, but Chen Li stayed behind to catch up with his old friend Sun Jian. They chatted and enjoyed each other''spany, both proud of China''s achievements in the military industry.


    Sun Jian was brimming with enthusiasm as he expertly prepared a pot of tea, his eagerness to catch up with his friend palpable. "Old Chen, it''s rare for us to sit down and have a chat like this," he eximed.


    Chen Li smiled warmly in agreement and yfullymented on Sun Jian''s busy schedule. "That''s because you are always so upied," he said.


    Sun Jian let out a wistful sigh and admitted, "Yes, it''s true. I always wish I had more hours in the day. It has taken years of hard work, but I''m proud to say that ourrge military transport aircraft has finally achieved a measure of sess."


    However, Chen Li seemed intrigued by Sun Jian''s use of the term "basic sess". He asked curiously,


    "Is it not fully sessful yet? Are there still many areas that need to be improved upon? I thought the technology had reached a state of maturity."


    ..............

 Chapter 184 Mission To C-17!

    ?


    Sun Jian shook his head slightly and said, "The first flight was sessful two years ago, and now we have started small-scale production, but there are still many areas for improvement and refinement. It may take continuous effort and perfection over the next ten years."


    Chen Li was secretly startled and asked, "And the continuous improvement and perfection of thest ten years?"


    Sun Jian replied, "It is indeed not an easy task to create an excellentrge military transport aircraft. It requires the continuous efforts of one generation, or even two or three generations."


    Chen Li looked at Sun Jian in admiration and thought to himself, "This tenacious and persistent spirit is admirable."


    Chen Li then asked Sun Jian, "Old Sun, after ourrge military transport aircraft has been improved and perfected, how does itpare with the M country''s C-17 transport aircraft?"


    eaglesnov?1,§ão§® Sun Jian sighed softly and replied, "Our foundation is too weak, and our technology umtion is not enough. It is not easy to produce thisrge military transport aircraft. Compared with the C-17 of country M, it still has a rtivelyrge technology gap."


    Chen Li was slightly surprised by Sun Jian''s response. He had assumed that the technology gap was not substantial and suggested, "Since country M has such great technology inrge military transport aircraft, it would be great if we could learn from their technology."


    Sun Jian exined, "This is basically impossible, and there is almost nothing we can learn from." He said, "I often think, if I can get a C-17 transport ne from the M country, it would be great, disassemble it, and study it carefully, but this is just wishful thinking."


    Sun Jian shook his head and smiled wryly, saying, "Don''t talk about building a C-17 transport ne to disassemble for research, I''m satisfied even if I can board the C-17 transport ne for a visit."


    Chen Li fell silent, realising that building an excellent sizeable military transport aircraft was challenging. Even the possibility of learning from a more advanced counterpart seemed unlikely.


    In Universal Corporation......¡­.


    Liu Yong sat in the boss chair, sipping his coffee and contemting the logistics of salvaging the C-17 military transport ne that the Bawang had transported to the shallow sea.


    With a water depth of only a little over 100 meters, Liu Yong considered the salvage operation a rtively simple task. He pondered whether to temporarily store the ne under his care or hand it to the military.


    As he was lost in thought, He Qiang, who had been assigned as Liu Yong''s bodyguard and driver, knocked on the door and informed him that the car he had requested was ready to go whenever he was.


    After nodding in response, Liu Yong announced to He Qiang his n to visit Chen Li, who had called earlier to inform him that the award certificate issued by the military was ready for collection.


    Recalling his previous award from the security department of Huahai City, Liu Yong had reported the matter to the military and was now being recognised for his contributions.


    He travelled to Chen Li''s to receive his certificate in person. Kang Zhenggang drove the Big G, and Liu Yong set out for his destination with He Qiang as the co-pilot.


    At the office, Chen Li eagerly awaited the arrival of Liu Yong and even prepared hot tea in anticipation of his arrival.


    The two greeted each other politely and exchanged pleasantries.


    Chen Li wasted no time presenting the general''s award certificate to Liu Yong andmended him for his outstanding aplishments. <novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The two settled on thefortable sofa and engaged in a rxed conversation. Having known each other for some time, they had a lot to talk about.


    Soon, Chen Li brought up his visit to a domestic aircraft factory he had made a few days ago.


    He shared his relief upon seeing the newrge-scale military transport aircraft manufactured in China. He gave a detailed introduction to the ne but sighed softly, "Well, we have only taken the first step in the Long March. It may take another twenty or thirty years to catch up with country M."


    At the mention of therge military transport aircraft, Liu Yong''s curiosity was piqued. He inquired, "If we were to obtain a C-17 military transport ne from country M, could it narrow the technological gap between our countries?"


    Chen Li responded positively, "Of course, with a C-17 military transport aircraft, we can use it as a reference for research and development. It could help us avoid many pitfalls and inspire us with new technological ideas. It would be of great help to us."


    However, Chen Li quickly dismissed the possibility of acquiring a C-17 transport ne as mere wishful thinking.


    He knew it was unlikely that. Country M would be willing to sell it to them. But then Liu Yong revealed that they might have found a crashed C-17 transport ne in the sea, which was still well-preserved.


    The news took Chen Li aback. He couldn''t believe it. "Don''t be ridiculous," he said, "there is no record of a C-17 transport ne crashing."


    But Liu Yong was convinced it was a C-17 transport ne, and the crash might have yet to be announced publicly.


    He described the ne''s situation and approximate location and promised to return photos soon.


    Chen Li was sceptical, but his curiosity was piqued. "If it is really a C-17 military transport ne," he said, "you will have made great achievements!"


    After leaving Chen Li''s office, Liu Yong''s thoughts were consumed with capturing some photographs.


    With the water depth being more than 100 meters, he believed it would be a simple task. However, the challengey in the shallow sea where the ne was located in the East China Sea, approximately five to six hundred nautical miles from Huahai City.


    If he travelled by yacht, it would take him at least a day and a night to reach his destination.


    Despite the distance and time constraints, an idea suddenly sparked in Liu Yong''s mind - what if he swam there himself?


    Without hesitating, he decided to give it a try.


    Considering that the Bawang, weighing over 100 tons, could reach a swimming speed of more than 200 nautical miles, Liu Yong couldn''t help but wonder how quickly he could get there independently.


    With his mind made up, Liu Yong discarded the idea of driving a yacht and instead chose to swim to his destination. He began preparing for the journey ahead of him.


    ................

 Chapter 185 Indeed Its The One!

    ?


    Liu Yong was well-prepared for his diving expedition, equipped with a rubber diving suit, diving shlight, underwater camera, and diving goggles.


    He also carried a sabre for self-defence to ensure his safety, ready to take on any potential threats.


    The following day, he drove his car to a warehouse by the sea, not thepany, arriving before nine o''clock.


    After parking the car inside the warehouse, Liu Yong suited up and entered the water without carrying an oxygen cylinder. He also brought his diving shlight, underwater camera, and sabre, ready to explore the sea.


    As he swam towards his target area, Liu Yong couldn''t help but wonder if his impressive skills and attributes resulted from his connection with Overlord.


    Liu Yong made a startling discovery - with just a little effort, he could swim vast distances at an incredible speed, leaving even the most famous international swimmers in his wake.


    As he continued swimming with increasing vigour, Liu Yong''s speed suddenly surpassed 50 knots - akin to a swordfish''s. With all his might, Liu Yong advanced towards his destination, his speed nearing 100 knots.


    To swim at 100 knots in the open sea was a remarkable feat for a human - one that others would find hard to believe.


    While Liu Yong had achieved this incredible speed, he knew it was also his limit - he could never exceed the 200-knot rate of the Overlord, a mutant snapping turtle. After all, Liu Yong was only human.


    But still, reaching 100 knots was no small achievement - it was an impressive disy of Liu Yong''s abilities.


    Having swum tens of miles in one breath, Bawang''s voice sounded in his mind, asking, "Master, are you almost there?"


    Liu Yongmanded Bawang to wait for him several nautical miles away from Huahai City, and the faithfulpanion had already been waiting there for him.


    "Stay put. I''ll be there in twenty minutes," Liu Yong instructed before speeding towards his destination.


    As he swam for over ten nautical miles, Liu Yong sensed a looming danger and immediately slowed his pace. He saw a massive shark, measuring about four to five meters in length, blocking his path. It was a formidable obstacle that could impede his progress.


    Should he use his agility to dodge the shark and continue his journey, or should he test his fighting skills by battling the shark in the water? Without hesitation, Liu Yong decided to take on the challenge and face off against the shark.


    The shark, sensing its prey, swam towards Liu Yong with increasing speed. Liu Yong drew his sabre from its sheath and held it firmly, ring at the shark as it approached him. Being a dangerous and aggressive predator, the creature opened its jaws wide and lunged at Liu Yong, ready to attack.


    Despite the formidable resistance of the ocean waves, Liu Yong disyed remarkable agility as he promptly evaded the ferocious bite of the looming shark. He briefly brandished his sabre and made a swift sh towards the shark.


    With his rapid hacking technique, he demonstrated both speed and resilience, despite the challenging aquatic environment. Liu Yong was determined not to be intimidated by the evil force of the sea, and his unrelenting spirit only fortified him.


    However, the glistening seawater was proving to be a hindrance. Nevertheless, Liu Yong refused to be deterred, and his unwavering determination added to his strength.


    Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the water as the sabre in his hand shattered into several pieces, leaving only a handle and a third of the de. Liu Yong cursed under his breath, frustrated that even the devil''s tools could not withstand the force of the sea.


    Despite the setback, the attack on the shark was not in vain. In retaliation, the shark swam closer, its razor-sharp teeth bared, ready to strike again. Liu Yong remained unfazed, evading the attack quickly, and the shark lost the battle again.


    "It''s my turn!" Liu Yong shouted.


    With all his strength, Liu Yong punched the giant shark on the head, and there was a muffled "bang". The force was so powerful that if there was no resistance from the seawater, it was estimated that this punch would directly KO the giant shark.


    The giant shark was beaten so severely that he was dizzy.


    "While you are dizzy, I will kill you! , You bastard" yelled Liu Yong.


    With his powerful sabre, Liu Yong bowed left and right and started to punch one after another to the shark. And after a dozen holes, the giant shark was dead, and its head was bloody.


    "Boy, you know I''m not easy to mess with. You bite me, and it makes me more furious."


    Liu Yong nced at the giant shark that couldn''t dare to attack him any more.


    He then speeded up to meet Bawang and soon saw Bawang''s figure.


    It was about 100 meters deep in the sea, with its limbs swaying gently, waiting for Liu Yong.


    "Master, you are here." Bawang happily asked his master.


    "Yes." Liu Yong responded, not bothering to swim by himself, sitting on the Bawang''s giant carapace, holding one of the raised spines with both hands and ordered: <novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Let''s go, let''s go."


    Overlord began to swim towards their destination.


    Sitting on Bawang, Liu Yong thought in a good mood, more than 200 nautical miles per hour. This speed is fantastic, twice as fast as mine.


    Bawang and Liu Yong arrived at their destination in about two and a half hours.


    Liu Yong said: "You can find something to eat around, I''m going to start working, and I''ll call you over when I need you."


    "Okay, I happen to be a little hungry too. So I will get something to eat, master," Bawang replied.


    Bawang left for the time being, and Liu Yong quickly arrived near the wreckage of the C-17 ne with a diving shlight and took out his waterproof camera to take the pictures.


    Liu Yong looked around the two wreckages of the ne and felt satisfied. Although they had been broken into two pieces, many parts were not damaged, such as the ne''s engine, wings, cockpit, etc., which were rtively intact...


    After looking around outside, Liu Yong entered the wreckage again.


    It is indeed arge military transport aircraft, the kind that can hold tanks and military trucks. It has a lot of space inside and is very well-designed.


    After looking around in the transport cabin, Liu Yong entered the cockpit.


    The cockpit was well-maintained. The ss is not damaged, and the instruments and avionics systems are intact.


    "what!"


    Liu Yong was slightly surprised. There was no dead body in the cockpit. It was empty. Could it be that he had parachuted before the ident?


    As expected of a pilot of country M, the priority is to parachute to save his life.


    It is better not to have the pilot''s corpse, lest seeing it feel scary.


    After a while, Liu Yong started to get down to business.


    Holding an underwater shlight in one hand and an underwater camera in the other, he began to take pictures seriously, shooting in all directions, inside and out, and took several videos, eachsting three to five minutes.


    "Well, This must be the one Hmmmmm......"


    "This is a C-17 transport ne, without a doubt. In the end, if it is, let Chen Li find a professional to take a look." Liu Yong thought in his mind.


    Liu Yong turned off the camera, then called Bawang over, sat on Bawang''s back, and returned to the seaside warehouse at about three o''clock in the afternoon.


    After changing his clothes, Liu Yong drove away.


    After working long, Liu Yong was a little hungry as he hadn''t eaten anything yet. So, seeing a good business of y pot rice on the street, Liu Yong simply pulled over, sat down at this y pot rice restaurant, and ordered A y pot rice with fat intestines and another soup.


    "Did you see that, he drives a big G, and he eats ypot rice here even if he is so rich."


    Someone on the street whispered.


    Liu Yong''s hearing was good; he heard it clearly, so he couldn''t help smiling.


    "When you own the big G, can you not eat y pot rice?"


    Liu Yong thought, feeling funny.


    While thinking about this, a crisp voice sounded beside his ear,


    "Little brother, can I sit here?"


    ..................

 Chapter 186 Assurance

    ?


    Liu Yong raised his head, his heart slightly shocked. A beautifully dressed young woman sat across, holding a rice y pot.


    She nced at Liu Yong with wide eyes as if seeking advice.


    "Of course," Liu Yong said with a small smile.


    "Little brother, the big G outside the door belongs to you, right?" said the elegant woman as she sat down enthusiastically and discussed with Liu Yong.


    "Yes." Liu Yong nodded.


    "Wow you must be a rich man," the woman said.


    "I''m going hometer can you give me a lift, it''s not far away, it only takes ten minutes."


    "No way. We are strangers, Beauty." Liu Yong replied immediately.


    Soon, Liu Yong realised that people stared at him because he was wealthy and young; otherwise, what do you think?


    The Lady beside him keeps on insisting he gives her a lift, but Liu Yong simply replies:


    "Sorry, I have important events to attend, so I''m not free," Liu Yong stated with a smile.


    The elegant woman was disappointed but persisted, saying, "Little brother, your watch is from Vacheron Constantin, and it costs more than a hundred thousand."


    "Yes, Vacheron Constantin, I bought it for 168,000 at the beginning." Liu Yong responded gently.


    Liu Yong simply wore a watch. This timepiece is not pricey.


    The stylish woman''s eyes lit up slightly, and she chatted with Liu Yong as if she had known him for a long time and then began to ask for Liu Yong''s WeChat.


    However, to everyone''s surprise, Liu Yong didn''t say anything and left the hotel.


    This action of Liu Yong made thedy feel disappointed.


    Liu Yong felt a hehe in his heart. He didn''t have much affection for such a woman, and he knew what kind of purpose the other party had.


    "If she was a dick, would she do this?"


    "Certainly not."


    Thinking about it, Liu Yong drove Big G away and soon arrived at Chen Li''s ce and entered his office.


    "Ju Chen, I took a few videos of the wreckage of the ne, take a look." Liu Yong said.


    Chen Li took the camera and watched these few videos directly.


    After watching it for less than a minute, he was not calm.


    Chen Li became immediately excited and started to watch again and again.


    In the process of watching the video, he said:


    "My God, it should be a C-17 transport ne."


    "It''s unbelievable that country M crashed a C-17 transport ne in the sea, haha, it''s cheaper for us."


    Chen Liughed happily.


    Chen Li uploaded the videos and images to theputer from the camera and shared them on his phone.


    "Mr Liu, you have made great contributions again!" She said in a grateful tone.


    Liu Yong was humble and said: "We were just lucky, and we happened to find this ne."


    "Yes, we are lucky." Chen Li agreed.


    After chatting for a few words, he said: "The next step is to salvage the ne''s wreckage."


    Liu Yong took the initiative and replied: "Ourpany has a professional salvage ship. It is easy to salvage this ne. The salvage task can be entrusted to us. Fertile water does not flow into the fields of outsiders. There must be a lot of salvage costs to salvage this ne. Anyway, we have a salvage team and a professionalrge-scale salvage ship. It is most appropriate for Universal to perform this task."


    Chen Li agreed immediately: "Okay, then you guys will salvage it, and the military will fully cooperate with you."


    After sitting for a while, Liu Yong left.


    Chen Li politely sent Liu Yong to the gate, watched him enter the car, and then returned to his office.


    Chen Li picked up the phone and called Sun Jian.


    "Old Sun, what are you up to?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Sun Jiandao: "We are still busy with matters rted torge transport aircraft, and we have to solve many technical problems one by one."


    Chen Lidao: "Old Sun, if I say that I have a C-17rge military transport ne for you, woould you believe it or not?"


    "Old Chen, stop joking, there is no such good thing."


    Chen Liughed proudly, "I never dreamed that someone found a crashed C-17 transport ne on the seabed. Although it was said to have crashed, the damage was not very serious, and many things remained intact."


    "Really, don''t lie to me!"


    Sun Jian''s voice was filled a few degrees, yet the reaction was fantastic!


    In his dreams, he hoped to board the C-17 transport ne, but there has no such opportunity, as there was no C-17 transport ne.


    Even the wreckage was worth a lot to him!


    Chen Li said: "I don''t dare to joke about such a big matter. I have a few videos here, and I will send them to you now."


    "Beeep , Beeep "


    Soon, Sun Jian''s mobile phone received these videos.


    He couldn''t wait to click on one of them.


    Soon, his face flushed.


    "My goodness, it''s really the wreckage of a C-17."


    After watching a few minutes of video, he couldn''t wait to contact Chen Li and asked,


    " Old Chen, where is that ne? I hope to see it right away."


    Chen Lidao: "Come to Huahai City. The wreckage of the ne sank in the East China Sea. It is more than 500 nautical miles away from Haihua City. The water depth there is only more than 100 meters. Salvage will be carried out immediately."


    Sun Jian didn''t say a word, "I''ll buy a ne ticket ande over right away."


    Even though he had a lot of things in his hands, they were nothingpared to the ne''s wreckage. They all stood aside.


    Sun Jian wanted to see the wreckage of the ne right away.


    This is the East China Sea.


    It is five or six hundred nautical miles away from Huahai City.


    Arge salvage ship is parked on the sea, with two light warships and two gunboats not far away. Liu Yong, Chen Li, Sun Jian and others are on the salvage ship.


    Underwater, severalbat swimmers are already working.


    Determine the situation of the C-17 transport aircraft in the sea, and choose a lifting n ording to the specific situation.


    These frogmen are all from the military and have a high level.


    This time, the person in charge of the salvage is a member of Universal, who is also the captain of thisrge salvage ship, Ren Ziquan.


    After a while, he strode over to report.


    "Boss, the n has been basically determined, and the steel cable can be lowered now."


    Liu Yong waved and shouted: "Put down the steel cable!"


    The steel cables were lowered one by one from the salvage ship and were reduced to a depth of more than 100 meters. Those frogmen worked on the seabed, passing the steel cables one by one through the wreckage of the first section of the ne and fixing them for easy lifting.


    At noon, everything is ready.


    Seeing that the first ne wreckage was about to be hoisted, Sun Jian suddenly became a little nervous and thought a lot at once, such as whether lifting the wreckage from the bottom of the sea would go well, will there be idents, and will the wreckage be damaged? , etc.


    Liu Yong looked calm.


    He believes in his people. Ren Ziquan is capable and experienced, so leading the team to salvage this ne should be fine, and they will pay attention to the details that should be paid attention to.


    At this time, Ren Ziquan repeatedly reported loudly, "Boss, everything is ready, and the first piece of the wreckage can be lifted."


    Liu Yongmanded: "You can start, remember, slow down, and try not to cause any damage to the aircraft''s wreckage during the lifting process."


    " Okay Boss, we will pay attention." He answered loudly with confidence.


    .........

 Chapter 187 Finally Out!

    ?


    The salvage ship sprang into action, gradually tightening dozens of steel cables and slowly lifting the submerged aircraft to the surface.


    As the vessel worked diligently, the nearby light warships remained still, and their naval officers watched intently, one even using a telescope to observe every detail.


    "Can you believe there''s a C-17 transport ne down there?"


    Remarked one naval officer.


    "I hope that our country can develop a transport aircraft that''s equivalent to the C-17 as soon as possible," another officer added.


    Clearly, the military officers were filled with hope and an urgent need for advanced military transport aircraft.


    Meanwhile, Sun Jian appeared calm on the surface, but he was the fairest of all, brimming with excitement, expectation, and other emotions.


    Finally, after ten long minutes, the first part of the aircraft''s body gradually emerged from the water. The crowd breathed a sigh of relief and cheers as they marvelled at the enormous size of the airframe, confirming that it was indeed a C-17 military transport aircraft.


    "Haha, I see it, I''ve seen it!" eximed one person.


    "Finally got out of the water smoothly, so excited!" eximed another.


    "Really the airframe of a C-17 military transport aircraft. So big!" a third person added.


    The joy and excitement on the previously quiet boat were palpable as the people celebrated the sessful retrieval of the aircraft.


    Sun Jian clenched his fists, unnoticed by anyone around him. His heart was in a state of high agitation as he gazed at the C-17 transport ne he had long dreamt of. Finally, it was right in front of him!


    Having this aircraft was crucial for them to understand the transport aircraft technology used by the M country. It would also inspire their technical team to develop new ideas based on the technology used in the C-17.


    As the salvage ship gradually hoisted the aircraft''s wreckage, more of its body was exposed above the water''s surface.


    The colossal machine rose higher and higher until it was lifted more than ten meters above sea level, revealing itself in its entirety.


    The sight was incredible, and everyone present was thrilled.


    "This is the first time I''m seeing a C-17 transport ne up close!" eximed one person in awe.


    "Look, the body is still rtively intact," another person said.


    Sun Jian remained fixed on the aircraft. His excitement was clearly visible on his once-calm face, which was now flushed.


    He held onto Liu Yong''s hand tightly with gratitude and eximed,


    "Mr Liu, thank you, thank you so much. This is beyond my dreams! To think that one day we would have a C-17 transport ne, even if it''s just a wreck and still well preserved. It''s of great value."


    Liu Yong, being humble, replied, "We were just lucky to have discovered the wreckage of the C-17 aircraft on the seabed."


    As arge transport ship approached, the section of the aircraft''s body was hoisted onto it and was soon escorted away by a light warship and a gunboat.


    The salvage operation went smoothly, and both sections of the machine''s body were transported away for disassembly and further study.


    Sun Jian was the happiest and most excited of them all. He repeatedly squeezed Liu Yong''s hand, expressing his gratitude over and over again.


    Liu Yong''s excitement grew as he examined both fusge sections'' avionics systems, instruments, and engines. Seeing that they were all primarily intact, his anticipation reached new heights. With the mission nowpleted, he felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing that he had done his part.


    He was confident that he would soon be rewarded for his efforts and didn''t need to worry about it any longer.


    Bawang had travelled farther this time, swimming more than 2,000 nautical miles and passing Guam. As a foodie, he was no longer satisfied with seafood in the East China Sea.


    In the distance, he saw a big fish weighing hundreds of catties. This kind of big fish had never been seen before, and Bawang knew it was a big tropical fish and couldn''t let it go quickly.


    "There''s a big fish over there, I have to catch it," Bawang said.


    He swam quickly towards the big fish, passing it in one sprint, and bit it in one bite.


    "Mmm, it''s delicious," Bawang said after eating the fish, full of satisfaction.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "What''s in the depths of the sea?" Bawang wondered and decided to swim deeper.


    The light was eptable at a depth of 100 meters, but as he went down, it became dimmer until it waspletely dark at 400 to 500 meters.


    Bawang''s keen perception was excellent, everything within a radius of 500 meters was clear, and any marine life swimming couldn''t escape his perception.


    " I want to go down," Bawang said as he continued to swim downwards.


    After reaching about 2,000 meters, Bawang reached the bottom of the sea. This was arge seabed in, t, and of course, dark and silent, with only some sporadic light spots: some marine fish that could emit light by themselves.


    Suddenly, Bawang felt a big thing approaching quickly.


    "What''s that?" Bawang said.


    "That''s a giant octopus. King Squid!" he eximed.


    The giant octopus was the overlord of the deep sea at the top of the food chain. It found Bawang, and it probably regarded him as food. Aftering over quickly, it waved its tens of meters long arms and legs to entangle him.


    Bawang''s eyes lit up.


    "Delicious!" he eximed.


    Last time, the giant squid was delicious, and Bawang remembered it fresh. He wanted to eat it again, but meeting a sizeable giant squid had been difficult. He was lucky and met one a few days ago, but unfortunately, it was not big enough. He only ate one and a half.


    "The big king squid regards me as food, and I regard it as a delicacy. If the other partyes to my door, I must ept it. Let it know how powerful I am," Bawang said, holding the giant spear and sprinting over.


    The unlucky king squid was stabbed in half before he could react.


    "Puff!" Bawang eximed.


    "One shot kill!" he said, satisfied with himself.


    Bawang pulled out his giant spear and immediately devoured the king squid with big mouthfuls. Twenty minutester, the whole giant squid went into his stomach.


    "That was delicious," he said.


    After consuming his meal, the Overlord continued his exploration of the ocean floor, armed with a massive spear.


    As he traversed the area, he couldn''t help but remark on the depth of the water, eximing, "Hey, it''s so deep over there!"


    However, his attention was soon drawn to thendscape beneath him.


    Bawang noticed that the previously t seabed began to slope gradually in the first few miles. The incline became steeper and steeper as it advanced further.


    After pressing forward for several hundred meters, the slope became almost entirely vertical, revealing a massive trench before him.


    Despite Bawang''s extraordinary 500-meter sensing ability, he could not determine the trench''s width and depth.


    "It''s bottomless," he said with a hint of awe. "And the width is definitely more than 500 meters."


    At this point, the Overlord was faced with a difficult decision.


    Should he proceed and investigate the trench''s depths, or should he retreat and avoid the danger altogether? His intuition warned him that the channel was incredibly hazardous, and he couldn''t afford to take any unnecessary risks.


    A massive creature emerged from the trench depths, several timesrger than the Overlord himself.


    "My God, such a big thing," Bawang gasped in disbelief.


    In the face of such an enormous foe, the Overlord realised he was outmatched and decided to employ his wit instead of his might. He knew he had to escape before the creature could attack, so he quickly decided to flee undetected.


    ..............

 Chapter 188 Beating A Ghost Jelly F*Sh

    ?


    Bawang had been swimming for several nautical miles without stopping when suddenly Bawang came to a halt.


    The image of what Bawang had just seen was etched deeply in its mind. He wasted no time in reporting to his master, Liu Yong,


    "Master, I just saw a gigantic creature."


    Liu Yong was taken aback. To think there was an even more giant and menacing creature than the Overlord! What could this creature be?


    Bawang described, "It appears to be a massive jellyfish, with a canopy nearly 10 meters in diameter and countless long tentacles stretching over 100 meters in length."


    Liu Yong''s curiosity was piqued. Could this be a mutation?


    "Overlord, let''s swim over quietly and investigate," he ordered.


    The Overlord had no choice but toply with the master''smand.


    Despite feeling a sense of unease, Bawang held onto the giant spear and moved forward cautiously.


    The Overlord knew that such a colossal jellyfish would likely be highly poisonous and did not want to risk getting stung.


    After swimming carefully for several miles, the seabed, which had been rtively t, began to tilt. As h continued moving forward, the angle of inclination gradually increased.


    Looking at the situation from a third-party perspective, Liu Yong realized that there was a trench ahead. Trenches were standard in the Pacific Ocean, with the Mariana Trench being more than 10,000 meters deep.


    However, the depth of this unnamed trench was unknown. The third-party field of vision centred on Bawang, allowing Liu Yong to see everything within a one-kilometre range. The channel was less than a kilometre wide and of unknown length and depth.


    Although the depth of the trench was beyond the scope of one kilometre, Liu Yong could see a considerable ghost jellyfish more than 400 meters away from Bawang.


    The ghost jellyfish was enormous, with a colourful and speckled canopy of around 10 meters in diameter. The surface of the shelter was shiny, as if coated with grease. Underneath the canopy were many long tentacles, each slightly thicker than a thumb, with a length generally exceeding 100 meters and a few even surpassing 150 meters.


    The ghost jellyfish was not only giant but also highly poisonous. It had arge poison sac inside its canopy where all its toxins were concentrated. Its attack mainly relied on these long tentacles, making it a typical toxin attacker.


    Liu Yong observed the ghost jellyfish for a while and marvelled at the magic of the ocean''s depths. People really didn''t know much about the sea. Who would believe such a vast jellyfish existed if they didn''t see it with their own eyes?


    Suddenly, the ghost jellyfish moved and headed towards Bawang.


    Liu Yong immediately warned Bawang that it may have detected him. Bawang retreated but felt it was too embarrassing to escape. Liu Yong weighed his options, knowing that although the ghost jellyfish was tremendous and highly poisonous, it was slow.


    Bawang, on the other hand, was not small and was incredibly fast, especially with his sprint skill, which allowed him to reach a distance of 200 meters in the blink of an eye.


    Could Bawang give a fatal blow to the ghost jellyfish? While Liu Yong thought about his options, the ghost jellyfish seemed crazy, waving its many long tentacles and chasing after Bawang.


    Bawang lost his temper and expressed his desire to fight the ghost jellyfish.


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement, realizing that it would be futile to retreat blindly. <novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Instead, taking on the ghost jellyfish and facing it head-on was better.


    "Yes, you should be careful and ensure your safety. Don''t let its tentacles harm you," he advised.


    With the approval of Liu Yong, the Overlord became invigorated with newfound confidence. Although they were still retreating, the Overlord was on the lookout for any openings or opportunities that may arise.


    After travelling about two to three nautical miles, the ghost jellyfish was still hot on their heels. However, the Overlord noticed that the speed of the jellyfish remained the same. This was their chance.


    Without hesitation, the Overlord quickly changed their strategy from retreating to attacking. With a sudden burst of speed, they managed to get above the ghost jellyfish, exposing its massive canopy.


    The Overlord saw this as a golden opportunity and lunged forward with a giant spear aimed straight at the jellyfish''s canopy.


    The vast spear moved so fast that it was almost invisible to the naked eye. However, at thest second, the ghost jellyfish managed to dodge the attack and began to fight back with its long, menacing tentacles.


    The Overlord quickly evaded the attack without risking getting caught by the jellyfish''s tentacles. The jellyfish''s tentacles missed the mark, and the Overlord was now at a safe distance of two to three hundred meters away.


    With a calm demeanour, the Overlord waited patiently for the right moment to strike again. However, the ghost jellyfish had other ns. Without warning, it began to run for it, heading towards an unknown trench.


    Liu Yong chuckled at the jellyfish''s foolishness. "You know you can''t win against the Overlord, yet you still try to escape. There''s no way out for you now!"


    Without Liu Yong''s order, the Overlord sensed that the ghost jellyfish was attempting to flee.


    Acting quickly, he pursued the creature, closing the distance between them.


    Despite his eagerness to catch the jellyfish, he refrained from sprinting recklessly towards it, recognizing the danger posed by its tentacles. He knew that even being stabbed once or twice could be enough to cause serious harm.


    The ghost jellyfish resembled a giant hedgehog, makingunching an attack difficult for the Overlord. Pursuing it would be futile if he couldn''t find a way to ovee its defences.


    The tables had turned, as the jellyfish had previously followed the Overlord, but now he was chasing it leisurely.


    After chasing the creature for several nautical miles, they reached an unnamed trench that appeared bottomless.


    The jellyfish seemed to realize it could quickly escape and let down its defences, allowing it to flee desperately into the trench. However, the Overlord was much faster than the jellyfish and promptly closed in on it.


    The jellyfish, in a panic, fled further without using its tentacles to defend itself. The Overlord seized the opportunity and made a direct hit, his spear piercing the jellyfish''s canopy.


    The giant spear prated several meters, releasing a spray of green matter.


    The jellyfish died instantly, and its tentacles hung weakly, no longer waving.


    The Overlord drew his spear out of the jellyfish''s corpse, and it sank towards the bottom of the trench.


    ...............

 Chapter 189 Need To Upgrade

    ?


    The abyss has no end.


    Liu Yong watched the dead body of the ghost-haired jellyfish disappear through the third vision, and it was no longer in his sight.


    That abyss was at least a thousand meters deep. If the water level here was over two thousand meters, the depth was over three thousand.


    It could also be more than four thousand meters or more than five thousand meters.


    Who knows?


    Outside his sight, the abyss was dark as night, and he couldn''t see the bottom.


    Overlord gazed at the sinking body of the ghost-haired jellyfish and suddenly said, "Master, how does the jellyfish taste? Is it yummy? It''s a waste to let it sink like this."


    Damn!


    Liu Yong was shocked.


    As expected of a glutton, he didn''t want to eat the jellyfish.


    That thing was highly venomous.


    Liu Yong teased him, "You XX, aren''t you scared that it''s venomous, be careful of poisoning."


    Overlord said: "I don''t eat the venomous parts. Its huge hood should be safe. I just want to try its hood. It looks shiny and greasy. It should be tasty."


    Liu Yong was speechless for a while.


    A glutton is a glutton. They want to try everything. Whether it is vicious or dangerous, that is not important. Deliciousness is the most important thing.


    Suddenly, Overlord''s expression changed.


    Liu Yong sensed it and quickly asked, "What''s wrong, is there any danger?"


    With caution, Overlord peered into the dark and mysterious abyss and whispered to his Master, "I have a foreboding feeling, it seems that an unknown danger is looming ahead."


    Without any further words, he swiftly turned around and headed out.


    Liu Yong quickly understood the situation as he peered into the trench, seeing dozens of ghostly jellyfish emerging from the abyss.


    These creatures varied in size, with thergest being slightly more significant than the previous one, measuring around six to seven meters in diameter with tentacles reaching almost 100 meters long.


    It was as if Overlord had unknowingly disturbed a ho''s nest, and now the swarm of jellyfish was out for revenge.


    Overlord could have quickly faced one or two jellyfish, but facing a swarm was different. It was time to flee.


    Fortunately, the ghostly jellyfish were not swift swimmers, and Overlord easily outran them. As he fled, something strange happened. The jellyfish stopped their pursuit after only a few nautical miles, led by the giant jellyfish, and retreated into the depths of the unnamed trench.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    It was a relief for Liu Yong and Overlord to notice that the jellyfish had no intention of following them too far away from the trench. Liu Yong breathed a sigh of relief, grateful the swarm of jellyfish did not chase them down.


    The thought of facing arge group of jellyfish, even with Bawang''s impressive speed, made him uneasy.


    Overlord expressed his fright, saying, "That was a close one." He was startled by the unexpected turn of events.


    Liu Yong shared a light-heartedment, advising Overlord to be more careful in the future. He reminded Overlord that the ocean was vast and unpredictable and that there may be creatures he couldn''t handle.


    However, as he grows older and more experienced, his ability to handle such situations will also improve, giving him a higher level of safety.


    At its current weight of more than 112 tons, Bawang is growing steadily, adding around one to two tons daily. If it continues to grow at this rate, it will soon reach a size that makes it safe from potential threats in the sea.


    For instance, the ghostly jellyfish encountered earlier would be no match for an Overlord weighing hundreds of tons. Their toxins would likely be rendered ineffective against a creature of that size. In fact, the venom potency depends on the dosage. It is doubtful that even if a being weighing several hundred tons were stung multiple times, it would have any significant impact.


    "Master, I had originally nned to explore the South Pacific region in search of delicious cuisine, but I have changed my mind. I suggest we head elsewhere for now," Bawang told Liu Yong.


    The journey from Huahai City to Guam had been lengthy, spanning nearly 2,000 nautical miles, and Bawang had already passed Guam. This was the longest journey Bawang had ever undertaken.


    Liu Yong nodded in response to Bawang''s proposal, stating that there were no pressing tasks in theing days and Bawang was free to explore as he pleased. However, Liu Yong reminded Bawang to prioritize safety.


    Liu Yong advised, "If you encounter a powerful adversary that you cannot defeat, prioritize your safety and retreat. Do not force yourself to engage inbat." Overlord, understanding the importance of safety, assured Liu Yong that he would follow his advice. However, he wanted to switch to a more significant weapon, as his current spear was small.


    Overlord''s giant spear was 20 meters long and weighed 17.5 tons. Liu Yong had explicitly designed this weapon for Overlord when it weighed over 20 tons. However, Overlord weighed more than 110 tons, making a more effective weapon necessary. Liu Yong promised to create a new weapon for Overlord in a few days, noting that a spear forty to fifty meters longer would be much more effective inbat. This way, the ghost jellyfish Overlord had battled earlier could be taken down in a single sprint instead of two.


    Liu Yong needed to design a giant spear that could match the capabilities to make the most of the Overlord''s strength.


    Bawang could carry objects twice its weight, meaning that a spear weighing around 100 tons should be no problem for it to wield.


    In his office, Liu Yong sat at his desk, pencil in hand, an eraser ready, and an A4 piece of white paper. He sketched and thought for a while before developing a design for the giant spear.


    The spear he envisioned was cylindrical, made of alloy steel, and 50 meters long with a diameter of 50 centimetres, weighing approximately 78 tons.


    The spearhead was pointed and made of the same alloy steel with no unique triangr shape.


    Considering the size of the Overlord''s carapace, which was more than ten meters long and seven to eight meters wide, along with its long neck and tail, Liu Yong initially wanted to design a 60-meter spear.


    However, he ultimately decided that a 50-meter spear would be more manageable and less cumbersome.


    After finalizing the blueprint design for the giant spear, Liu Yong enlisted the help of Qiu Yang to make it a reality. Upon seeing the drawing, Qiu Yang couldn''t help but feel slightly perplexed, as the design was essentially just arge cylinder with a pointed end.


    But he trusted his boss''s vision and got to work immediately, wondering what formidable weapon Liu Yong nned to create.


    ...............

 Chapter 190 Wow Amazing!

    ?


    "Boss, can you tell me more about this thing?" Qiu Yang asked curiously.


    Liu Yong looked at him with a stern expression. "There are some things that you don''t need to know, Qiu Yang. Just focus onpleting the task."


    Qiu Yang nodded, understanding that he shouldn''t press the matter further. "Alright, I''ll get right on it. When do you need it done by?"


    "Two or three days should be enough," Liu Yong replied. "Once it''s done, we''ll throw it in the sea near our warehouse."


    Qiu Yang''s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why would we throw it in the sea? Isn''t that a waste of our effort?"


    Liu Yong''s expression turned cold. "You don''t need to know the reason. Just do as you''re told."


    Qiu Yang knew better than to argue with his boss any further. "Okay, I understand. I''ll make sure to get it done on time."


    He couldn''t help but feel a bit uneasy about the whole situation. But he knew that sometimes, it was better not to ask questions and do as he was told.


    Located in Huahai City, there is a sizable forging factory with a reputation for producingrge, impressive workpieces weighing hundreds of tons. For two reasons, the factory''s owner, Li Can, took charge of a recent project that caught his attention.


    The object''s structure was rtively simple, consisting of a cylindrical steel rod with a pointed end, although it was of extraordinary size. Secondly, the processing costs were high. After Li Can made his offer, the other party did not counter-offer but requested toplete the project within two days.


    The material used for the project was alloy steel, with the tip requiring quenching. Li Can found the forging process rtively straightforward and immediately began to work.


    He recalled that a few months prior, the same client hadmissioned the factory to produce a 20-meter-long spear weighing 17 tons, a significant undertaking.


    The current project was simr to the previous project but with a different spearhead. Whereas the spearhead on thestmission was triangr in shape, this time, only one end needed to be sharpened and quenched. The final product was expected to weigh around 78 tons, and Li Can couldn''t help but wonder about the client''s intended use for such a massive object.


    Despite his curiosity, Li Can maintained his professional ethics and didn''t ask any questions. He ensured that everything waspleted ording to the client''s specifications.


    After a couple of days, the colossal spear was processed and situated in the designated sea area per Liu Yong''s request, sessfully concluding the task.


    Liu Yong received a report from Qiu Yang, who said, "Boss, we have built the weapon to your specifications, and it''s positioned on the seabed close to our seaside warehouse."


    "Great work, Qiu Yang. I appreciate your efforts," responded Liu Yong with gratitude.


    As Qiu Yang exited the room, Liu Yong turned to his pet, Bawang, and said, "I have crafted your new weapon, my dear Bawang."


    Overjoyed, Bawang, who was present in the East China Sea, around four to five hundred nautical miles away from Huahai City, received the news.


    On itsst visit to Guam, the waves encountered a swarm of ghost-haired jellyfish in an uncharted trench, which caused Bawang to avoid venturing further and return to the current sea area.


    Fortunately, the East China Sea remained safe, with abundant food, including a variety of big fish and killer whales or whale sharks that could be easily hunted for a delightful and delicious meal.


    "Master, I''lle to you immediately as my new weapon is already prepared," Bawang responded to Liu Yong without hesitation.


    Without wasting any time, Bawang elerated its horsepower and swam swiftly towards Huahai City, reaching a speed of at least 210 knots, slightly better than its previous speed a few days earlier.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong nced at the pet panel and was pleased with Bawang''s progress. Over two days, Bawang had grown considerably, gaining several tons of weight.


    With a speed that covered four to five hundred nautical miles within two hours, Bawang''s exceptional velocity was undeniable. It appeared that it had effortlessly yed through the journey without feeling exhausted or tired.


    As Overlord arrived near the seaside warehouse, his gaze scanned the seabed in search of the giant spear. It did not take long before he spotted it, lying horizontally on the fine sand tens of meters deep. The spear''s diameter was impressive, stretching 50 meters long and weighing almost 80 tons - a colossal weapon by all standards.


    The Overlord could not contain his excitement and hastily discarded his previous spear, eager toy his hands on this new treasure. If it had a voice, the giant spear would have expressed contentment at being held by the Overlord.


    Liu Yong, observing through a third-party field of vision, could see that the spear was muchrger and heavier than the Overlord''s previous weapon. He asked with concern, "How is it, do you want to take advantage of it?"


    Overlord responded enthusiastically, "Master, I think it''s very handy. Look at how flexible I am when I swing it," waving the spear around the seabed with impressive agility.


    However, Liu Yong''s apprehension grew as he realized the potential consequences of the Overlord''s actions.


    The water depth was not far from the shore, and the movements of the giant spear were causing noticeable waves, even visible from a small fishing boat nearby.


    The young man on the boat pointed out the disturbance to his father, who quickly turned the ship around, not daring to venture further into the sea.


    Themotion caused by the spear was enough to spook even the most seasoned fishermen. Liu Yong warned Overlord to stop, "Stop, stop quickly, others will soon find you," fearing the attention their actions could attract.


    "What! Has someone discovered it?" Overlord''s sudden outburst was followed by a moment of apprehension.


    He realized he couldn''t continue wielding the giant spear on the seabed and hastily retreated. He swam out for several miles before he could finally take a breath of relief, knowing that the water depth here was hundreds of meters, making it safer.


    Despite the close call, I was discovering a new weapon, still excited Overlord.


    The water depth was just right, and the location was far enough from the coast. Overlord gripped the giant spear tightly and swung it around, enjoying the feel of its weight in his hands.


    As he scanned the seabed, he noticed arge reef covered in seaweed and shellfish. Acting on a whim, he thrust the giant spear into the reef.


    Overlord''s incredible strength, estimated at around two hundred tons, coupled with the added power of the nearly 80-ton giant spear, created an enormous impact.


    The collision echoed through the water, causing nearby fish and shrimp to flee in fear. Overlord had torn the reef, weighing several tons, into pieces.


    Bawang was pleased with the scene and thanked Liu Yong for his help in creating a new weapon.


    Bawang was delighted at the prospect, enjoying the convenience and power of the giant spear in his hands. He turned to Liu Yong and said,


    "Master, I''m going to trouble those jellyfish again and destroy them."


    ...............

 Chapter 191 Venom

    ?


    Liu Yong has a deep understanding of Bawang''s character and motivations. He knows that Bawang seeks revenge, and now that he has acquired a powerful weapon, he is likely to seek out trouble with the jellyfish.


    Liu Yong advises Bawang that taking revenge on the jellyfish is okay, but it is best to target individuals rather than in groups.


    This is a ssic guerri warfare tactic, where one fights only when they can win and retreats when they cannot.


    Liu Yong believes that with his new weapon, Bawang should be able to handle two or three ghost-haired jellyfish without a problem.


    With his giant spear, Bawang sets off towards Guam to seek revenge against the jellyfish who have wronged him.


    In Wujiang Pharmaceutical Group:


    Wujiang Pharmaceutical Group is the most renowned pharmaceuticalpany in Huahai City, boasting an impressive annual revenue exceeding 10 billion. Notably, it is also among the top ten pharmaceuticalpanies in China, with expertise in developing and manufacturing both Western and Chinese patent medicines.


    Thepany is dedicated to developing a Chinese patent medicine ster targeting rheumatoid arthritis. However, they have encountered a hurdle requiring a blind poison ¨C the jellyfish''s venom. Unfortunately, their supplies of this venom are dwindling, which threatens the sess of the drug''s development.


    Upon learning of this, thepany''s chief researcher approached Cao Youpeng, the boss, to discuss the pressing matter. The situation was grave, as this venom was essential to the development of medicine.


    Cao Youpeng took a moment to ponder, his fingers lightly tapping on the desk, a tell-tale sign of his deep concentration when faced with challenging problems.


    Despite the high stakes, Cao Youpeng resolved to find a solution to the problem. Abandoning the development of the drug was not an option. Thepany had already invested over 100 million yuan in the project, and, more importantly, the ster has demonstrated significant efficacy, surpassing any rheumatoid arthritis drug currently on the market.


    Wujiang Pharmaceutical recently acquired 100 grams of jellyfish venom for research purposes at a great price of 1,000 US dors per gram, surpassing the value of gold. Cao Youpeng, who is interested in acquiring more venom, is informed that there is a limit to the amount avable for purchase.


    "Can we use the venom of other jellyfish species, such as the box jellyfish?" Cao Youpeng asks, considering alternatives.


    "No, it must be the jellyfish''s venom," The colleague informed him.


    Cao Youpeng expresses concern about the difficulty of obtaining the venom of the ghost jellyfish, which resides at a depth of more than 2,000 meters. "It is too difficult to catch. Even if our drug is sessfully developed, after mass production in the future, we will need more ghost jellyfish venom. The raw material will be one question," he says, worried.


    A colleague reassured him, "Boss, even though the raw materials are hard toe by, the curative effect of this product is excellent. Once it isunched in the market, it will undoubtedly be highly sought after."


    Cao Youpeng nodded thoughtfully as he considered the product''s medicinal properties. "Yes, the product''s curative effect is exceptional. It requires an ingredient as rare as ghost hair jellyfish venom, which speaks to its potency," he remarked.


    "The curative effect is good, there is no way," agrees his colleague.


    Cao Youpeng acknowledges that the drug''s high price may limit its essibility to only a few patients who can afford it.


    "The venom of the ghost jellyfish is challenging to deal with. It is estimated that the production batch of this drug will not berge in the future, so the price will be set high. Only a few patients can afford the high price. Anyway, the curative effect is there," he notes.


    Given the difficulty of obtaining the venom of the ghost jellyfish, it is anticipated that the production batch of the drug will be small, leading to higher pricing. <novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "The main problem now is how to get the venom of the ghost jellyfish," Cao Youpeng says, pondering the challenge ahead.


    After contemting the matter for a while, Cao Youpeng took the initiative to reach out to the person in charge of the foreign institution and expressed his desire to purchase at least 100 grams of venom. However, his hopes were quickly dashed as the other party informed him that their inventory was depleted and they had no venom of ghost jellyfish for sale.


    This news left Cao Youpeng feeling a sense of unease as he wondered what his next move should be. His chief researcher noticed his anxiety and suggested a potential solution: "Boss, have you heard of Global Ocean Services?" Cao Youpeng affirmed that he had recognized it as an ocean shippingpany with a massive capacity.


    The chief researcher borated: "Thispany not only specializes in ocean transportation but also in deep-sea exploration and salvage. They might have a way to obtain the venom of the ghost hair jellyfish."


    Cao Youpeng''s eyes brightened at the prospect of a potential solution, and he decided to take matters into his own hands. He initially suggested that his chief researcher goes to the Universal Company but quickly dismissed the idea, realizing the importance of the case.


    "Forget it," he said, waving his hand. "I''ll go there myself." The matter was simply too crucial to leave to anyone else.


    In the office, Liu Yong was seated on the sofa, while Cao Youpeng, representing Wujiang Pharmaceutical Group, went to meet Liu Yong.


    He knocked on the door, and Liu Yong greeted him warmly.


    "So How may i help you Mr Cao?" Liu Yong politely asked.


    "Well, I m in search of Ghots jellyfish venom", Ca Youpeng said.


    Cao Youpeng expressed interest in acquiring a jellyfish''s venom, which surprised Liu Yong. He had never heard of jellyfish venom being used as medicine before. Liu Yong realized their need for this venom was likely urgent, as the boss hade to discuss the matter.


    After considering it, Liu Yong assured Cao Youpeng that obtaining the venom from the ghost jellyfish would be easy. Cao Youpeng was thrilled to hear this news and offered a premium of 10 million yuan for a single poison sac from the jellyfish.


    Liu Yong was surprised, as he had no idea the poison sacs were worth so much money. He asked Cao Youpeng how many poison sacs he wanted, leaving Cao Youpeng stunned, as the sacs were challenging to obtain.


    After regaining hisposure, Cao Youpeng realized that his trip to Universal Company had been worth it. He agreed to pay 10 million yuan for as many poison sacs as Liu Yong could provide. Although the jellyfish''s venom is diluted ten thousand times and used as medicine, the demand is still rtively high after mass production. Therefore, obtaining a few poisonous sacs could yield tens of millions of yuan.


    After the deal was finalized, Liu Yong immediately contacted his pet, Bawang, and asked him to obtain the jellyfish''s venom.


    "Okay, Bawang You got some work", Liu Yong said.


    "Wow , what is it Master?" Bawang asked immediately.


    " Well, you need to get me ghost jellyfish venom as much as you can", Liu Yong instructed.


    "Sure Master !"


    ..................

 Chapter 192 Challenge Me?

    ?


    Liu Yong expressed his concern for Bawang''s safety and urged him to keep in touch once he reached his destination in Guam.


    "Let me know when you get there," he said.


    Bawang, with his new weapon in hand, set out to find and confront the ghost-haired jellyfish, determined to rid himself of the evil emotions that had been brewing inside him. As he swam at an incredible speed of over 210 knots and covered hundreds of nautical miles without a break, he encountered a group of killer whales blocking his path.


    "This is unexpected. I didn''t think I''d encounter any obstacles," Bawang muttered.


    As he waited for the killer whales to move out of his way, he observed their behaviour and noticed that they were a family living and moving together in groups. Suddenly, the whales became agitated and nervous, sensing the presence of the Overlord.


    The tension was palpable as the whales panicked, and therger ones eyed the Overlord defensively.


    "It seems like they''ve found me," said Bawang, readying himself for what was toe.


    As he waited for the situation to unfold, a ship surfaced, and a loud noise emanated from it, followed by a whaling javelin striking a juvenile killer whale.


    Blood spurted out, and the water turned red. "This is uneptable. We must put a stop to this," Bawang eximed with anger in his voice.


    Without hesitation, Bawang swiftly reached the bottom of the ship and thrust his giant spear into it, causing a loud boom as it pierced through its hull.


    "Go to hell!" he shouted as he exacted his revenge on the whaling ship. The ship, several thousand tons in size, seemed like a paper mache toy as it was no match for Bawang''s spear.


    The Overlord retrieved his spear gracefully and swam away from the scene, leaving the whaling ship to sink into the ocean''s depths.


    "Justice has been served," Bawang said to himself, feeling a sense of relief and aplishment.


    There was a lot ofmotion on the boat as people flew and jumped around. Some screamed in terror, while others scrambled to put on life jackets before jumping into the water. Despite this chaos, the Overlord remained unaffected and focused on his mission. With a giant spear, he was determined to press forward andplete his task, disregarding the people around him.


    Bawang embarked on a long and arduous journey spanning over 2,000 nautical miles, which took him over ten hours toplete. He took a break in the middle to rest and fill his stomach before continuing towards his final destination.


    As he swam, he encountered an unnamed trench, which he cautiously approached. Upon reaching the seabed at a depth of two thousand meters, he found it t and dark, prompting him to slow down and move forward cautiously.


    With his super perception fully activated, Bawang proceeded slowly, constantly on the lookout for any potential threats. Hemunicated regrly with his master, Liu Yong, who was keeping track of his progress from afar. Liu Yong advised Bawang to be extra careful, reminding him of the danger posed by giant sea creatures, such as the jellyfish that Bawang had encountered on a previous mission.


    Despite the potential dangers, Bawang remained determined and pressed forward cautiously. He advanced for a certain distance before stopping to assess the situation. Despite being at a depth of two thousand meters, the seabed was still teeming with life, including various types of fish.


    A strange white fish appeared within Bawang''s super-perception range, with a length of more than ten meters and a weight of at least ten tons.


    Big size is just one of the things. At a nce, this fish is not a good stubble and must be fixed because it looks vicious. A colossal mouth was full of excessively thick and sharp teeth, full of doubts that it could crush everything.


    The back is covered with thick, sharp thornssting two or three meters long. Such a big strange fish has tiny eyes.


    It has not found the Overlord for the time being.


    Liu Yong''s third-party field of vision is 1000 meters. When he first saw this strange guy, he was secretly surprised. There are so many wonders in the deep sea. Such fish are unheard of.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Overlord, there is a big fish in front of you, be careful." Liu Yong said.


    Bawang also sensed the existence of this big fish after advancing two or three hundred meters and said confidently:


    "Master, don''t worry; I don''t think it is my opponent. If it dares to mess with me, I will Kill it!"


    The strange fish finally found the Overlord. Instead of running, it opened its mouth and rushed towards the Overlord. The speed was so fast that it didn''t take much time to cover a distance of several hundred meters.


    "Okay, you wanna challenge me?" Bawang said.


    Seeing the big fish moving towards him with its mouth open, Overlord moves forward with the new weapon.


    Dash!


    The sharp spear tip pierced into the big mouth of the monster fish.


    Blood spurted straight out, and the sea water turned red instantly. The giant spear directly pierced the big fish, and the tip of the spear pierced out from the back.


    "How about it, you bastard" Overlord yelled.


    Overlord felt proud of himself and the newly created weapon, which turned out to be more powerful and handy than the previous weapon.


    Pulling out the giant spear, seeing the body of such a big fish, Overlord felt a little hungry, and his foodie nature was exposed again, thinking in his heart, what does this strange fish taste like?


    Bawang opened his mouth wide and bit at least hundreds of catties of fish in his mouth. While eating, he said, um, it tastes good.


    Liu Yong was in no rush and reminded Bawang after he finished eating: "How about we get back to the business?"


    The Overlord eagerly grasped his giant spear and responded, "Master, I haven''t forgotten about the task at hand. I''m eager to confront those giant jellyfish now."


    The Overlord continued to swim forward, but as they journeyed along the trench, they did not encounter any substantial fish, only a few hundred catties to which the Overlord paid little attention. Finally, they arrived at the edge of the bottomless trench, which was deep, dark, and chilling. A sense of inexplicable dread loomed over them.


    Bawang approached the edge of the trench and, for the time being, could not detect any giant jellyfish within the range of his super perception.


    He asked Liu Yong, "Master, may I enter the trench and take a look?" After some hesitation, Liu Yong approved, reminding Bawang to prioritize safety.


    The Overlord held his giant spear and cautiously entered the trench, swimming slowly towards its depths.


    As Bawang descended more profoundly, the seawater became increasingly frigid, several degrees colder than the surrounding ocean. Bawang gradually began to feel the pressure of the seawater, and as he swam further downstream, the pressure on the bottom of the sea became increasingly apparent.


    .................

 Chapter 193 Systematically Eliminate - Boom!

    ?


    At a depth of approximately 3,000 meters, instead of descending further, Bawang decided to search for the ghost-haired jellyfish. Sharing the same sentiment, Liu Yong also discouraged Bawang from delving deeper.


    At such depths, the water pressure intensifies, affecting Bawang''sbat capabilities to some extent. After a while, Bawang sessfully located two giant and one tiny jellyfish.


    The tiny jellyfish had a canopy diameter of approximately 6 or 7 meters, while therge one exceeded 12 meters.


    Gradually closing the distance, Bawang aimed tounch a surprise attack on the jellyfish. Observing Bawang''s intentions, Liu Yong recognized the inherent risks. Initiating a sneak attack that failed would result in a precarious one-against-two scenario. Despite Bawang equipping a new weapon and significantly enhancing hisbat prowess, Liu Yong maintained a sense of pessimism concerning the two ghost-haired jellyfish.


    Contemting the potential oues, Liu Yong voiced his concerns,


    [[ "Overlord, engaging in such a risky endeavour might not be advisable."]]


    In response, the Overlord inquired,


    [[ "Master, do you have any viable suggestions?"]]


    Liu Yong offered a tactical proposal,


    [[ " I suggest you move closer, allow them to detect your presence, and provoke them. Then, take advantage of your speed to employ a hit-and-run strategy. Since the two jellyfish vary in size, their speeds will likely differ. Once they separate, you can systematically eliminate them one by one. " ]]


    The idea resonated with Bawang. His eyes gleamed excitedly as he remarked,


    [[ "Master, you possess remarkable wisdom. I will follow your n, provoke them, and initiate the attack." ]]


    Bawang swam gracefully alongside the two ghost jellyfish, maintaining a distance of approximately two to three hundred meters from them.


    Finally, their vignt gazes caught sight of Bawang''s presence in the vast expanse of the underwater world.


    It''s amazing how they be ruthless as soon as the Overlord appears. Their pursuit has an air of desperation, motivated by an unexinable, terrible hostility.


    Determinedly, the Overlord initiated the n. The Overlord''s strategy involved tactically keeping a safe distance from the colossal jellyfish.


    As anticipated by Liu Yong, the smaller of the two jellyfish disyed a rtively slower pace, allowing the Overlord to outpace them gradually.


    [[ "These two jellyfish certainlyck in intellectual prowess," ]]


    [[ "Indeed, this separation might provide the Overlord with a valuable opportunity," ]]


    Liu Yong thought ordingly.


    If the jellyfish were to stick together and relentlessly chase after each other, the Overlord would find itself in a precarious situation. Dealing with a 1v2 scenario would pose significant challenges. Even if the Overlord manages to eliminate both jellyfish, it would require tremendous effort.


    Within the Overlord''s perception, only one jellyfish remained in focus, as Overlord had sessfully distanced itself from the other. While leading the pursued jellyfish forward, the Overlord remained keenly aware of any advantageous openings.


    [[ "I believe it just might work," ]]


    Liu Yongmunicates with Overlord.


    Without warning, the Overlord abruptly elerated, seemingly propelling itself towards the pinnacle of the ocean trench. The massive jellyfish, determined not to relent, gave chase at full throttle.


    [[ " The opportunity has arisen! " ]] eximed Liu Yong, sensing the pivotal moment.


    Seizing the perfect moment, the Overlord swiftly descended from above, targeting the colossal jellyfish''s sprawling canopy. With an explosive burst of energy, the Overlord propelled itself forward, impaling the gigantic creature with its formidable 50-meter-long spear.


    -CRUSH! CRUSH!


    -CLAN!


    In the blink of an eye, the seemingly vast distance of two to three hundred meters closed, and the spear''s tip found its mark, piercing through the enormous canopy. Caught off guard, the ghostly jellyfish had no time to react.


    A surge of vivid green liquid erupted, painting arge expanse of seawater in an ethereal hue.


    The colossal spear prated at least 10 meters into the jellyfish''s body, causing its iling tentacles to droop weakly, appearing feeble and lifeless.


    [[ " One strike, one kill! " ]]


    A decisive sprint ended the giant jellyfish''s life, achieving swift and gratifying retribution.


    [[ " That was exhrating! " ]]


    Overlord eximed, finally releasing the pent-up anger that had fueled its relentless pursuit. The Overlord''s sense of satisfaction was immeasurable after a long and arduous journey.


    Overlord swiftly ascended, emerging from the trench, and temporarily rested the jellyfish body beside the trench.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Overlord swiftly ascended, emerging from the trench, and temporarily rested the jellyfish body beside the trench.


    Overlord descended back into the trench with the massive spear, determined to locate the slightly smaller jellyfish. It reached the spot without spotting the enormous jellyfish, disying its limited cognitive abilities.


    The tiny jellyfish waved its long tentacles, steadily advancing towards Overlord.


    Overlord stood firm, clutching the spear, observing the jellyfish''s approach. As the distance between them diminished, the jellyfish closed in, wildly iling tentacles almost grazing Overlord.


    [[ " Go to hell! " ]] Overlord eximed, preparing for action.


    [[ " Watch me unleash my sweep! " ]] Overlord boasted.


    Overlord''s grip tightened around the 50-meter-long giant spear as it swung out, creating a big fan-shaped arc. The tentacles, only slightly thicker than a thumb, snapped under the force of the sweeping spear.


    -Boom!


    In an instant, the jellyfish was left entirely barren.


    The once sprawling canopy, adorned with numerous elongated tentacles, nowy broken and severed, with only a few remnants remaining.


    Devoid of its tentacles, the jellyfish resembled a helpless creature on a chopping board, left only to be ughtered.


    Overlord impaled the jellyfish directly with the spear without bothering to employ the Sprint skill, effortlessly puncturing its canopy. Almost simultaneously, a copious amount of green liquid gushed out!


    Overlord wielded a colossal spear and plucked the jellyfish from the trench depths, swiftly retreating to the side where the giant jellyfishy.


    [[ " Master, may I eliminate a few more, big Jelly **sh? " ]] Overlord requested.


    The thrill had not yet subsided. Overlord had developed an addiction to ying these jellyfish and couldn''t bring itself to a halt.


    Liu Yong replied,


    [[ " Yes, but exercise caution and prioritize safety." ]]


    With consent granted, Overlord once again ventured into the trench armed with the massive spear, descending to a depth of approximately 3,000 meters and proceeding with meticulous and unhurried exploration.


    Within no more than ten minutes, Overlord stumbled upon the giant ghost jellyfish, but this time there were not just one or two, but five.


    Tworge ones and three small ones.


    The canopies of the two more enormous ghost jellyfish exceeded 10 meters in diameter. In contrast, the smallest among the three smaller ones measured around 5 meters, and the remaining two had 6 or 7 meters diameters.


    No orders were necessary from Liu Yong; the n remained the same.


    First, intentionally attract their attention and then employ lightning-fast maneuvers. Overlord leisurely swam ahead while the jellyfish gave chase, desperately trying to catch up.


    Soon enough, within Overlord''s heightened perception, only the two more giant jellyfish remained within range, while the three smaller ones had been left behind.


    The speeds of the two more enormous jellyfish also differed, with one slightly outpacing the other. After Bawang enticed them for a few minutes, the two jellyfish gradually distanced themselves by three or four hundred meters.


    -PERFECT!


    Overlord refrained from swimming forward, executing a swift turn instead. Armed with the giant spear, approached the two jellyfish head-on, swiftly closing the gap.


    Having already in two massive jellyfish before, Overlord had acquired some experience in these encounters.


    There was no need for sprinting techniques this time. Upon reaching the vicinity of the giant jellyfish, Overlord observed numerous tentacles undting towards them. Seizing the opportunity, Overlord skillfully swung the massive spear.


    [[ " CLANG! CLANG! " ]]


    After several consecutive fan-like sweeps, the giant jellyfish''s tentacles were eradicated, leaving it bare.


    Sensing something amiss, the jellyfish attempted to escape, but it was toote.


    -BOOM!


    Overlord aimed the giant spear at the creature''s colossal canopy, precisely piercing it.


    .........

 Chapter 194 Fantastic!

    ?


    The giant spear almost pierced through the huge canopy.


    -Third kill!


    At the same time, Overlord''s super perception sensed that another giant jellyfish had rushed over, waving its berserk tentacles, trying to entangle Overlord.


    -Retreat!


    -Fastback!


    Overlord instantly opened the distance, maintained a decent posture, and waited for the Jellyfish to arrive.


    One minute, two minutes, three minutes...........


    The Overlord realized he couldn''t continue to confront each others in this manner and had to take the initiative to attack. If the fight continued, the other three smaller Jellyfish might appear. If a one-on-four situation were to arise, he would undoubtedly suffer.


    The Overlord can sprint more than 200 meters, and the 50-meter massive spear in his hand gradually increases the sprint''s force. If it was still the previous 20-meter spear, the Jellyfish might dodge it, but it has no such chance in front of the 50-meter giant spear.


    Just as the Jellyfish was about to evade, the colossal spear plunged deep into the massive canopy of the Jellyfish, causing a deluge of liquid to erupt, spraying several meters away.


    The lengthy tentacles of the immense canopy drooped weakly, and the Jellyfish met an instant demise.


    [[ " That''s the fourth kill! " ]] eximed Bawang with full pride.


    Two colossal jellyfish corpses hung on the 50-meter spear, resembling candied haws strung together. But the Overlord didn''t pause there. Ignoring the other three Jellyfish approaching, it positioned its body on the t ground not far from the trench.


    [[ " Look, there are four ghost jellyfish in total, and they''re arranged on the ground like this, " ]] remarked Liu Yong.


    The Overlord''s actions didn''t halt there.


    It plunged its massive spear into the trench again and reappeared 30 to 40 minutester. It had effectively dispatched the remaining three smaller Jellyfish this time. Their bodies were strung together like candied haws on the 50-meter-long spear, just like thest kills.


    After killing one or two Jellyfish, Overlord resurfaces from the trench, ces the deceased creatures on the ground, and returns.


    The Overlord diligently adhered to the strategy entrusted to it by Liu Yong.


    [[ " Enough, enough, " ]]


    Liu Yong eventually intervened when he observed the Overlord removing the jellyfish bodies from the enormous spear and preparing to rejoin the trench.


    The clock struck two in the morning in Huahai City, signifying theteness of the hour. Feeling the fatigue seeping into his bones, Liu Yong longed for rest.


    Overlord, too, was wholly absorbed in his work, mesmerized by the gravity of the situation.


    Liu Yong took a moment to exin to Overlord the subsequent steps: carefully extracting the poison sacs from each ghost jellyfish and storing them in the seaside warehouse. Satisfied with the exnation, Liu Yong finally surrendered himself to the embrace of sleep.


    Meanwhile, Overlord aimed its huge spear at the first ghost jellyfish''s closed canopy, determined to shatter its defences.


    Overlord located a toxic sac the size of a vast water bag approximately a foot long after a thorough search. With the volume of venom stored within estimated to be two or three litres, it became clear that the sac, covered in a dark green hue, mirrored the colour of the potent toxin contained within.


    Exercising utmost caution, Overlord skillfully extracted the poison sac using the tip of its mighty spear. Initially fraught with concern over the sac''s fragility, Overlord gradually felt reassured as it became evident that it possessed remarkable resilience.


    The sac proved exceptionally sturdy, defying any attempts to rupture its integrity. This made the task significantly more manageable.


    With Overlord''s increased mobility and efficiency, the procedure was greatly hastened. Concerns about identally breaking the tough poison sac gave way to quick progress. The first sac was skilfully extracted in a matter of minutes.


    Liu Yong would undoubtedly exim in amazement at the sight of this sac, recognizing its immense value¡ªworth a staggering ten million yuan.


    Indeed, each poison sacmanded a hefty price of ten million yuan.


    Such was the offer by Cao Youpeng of the Wujiang Pharmaceutical Group.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Armed with the knowledge gained from extracting the initial sac, Overlord quickly retrieved the second and third sacs, further solidifying its expertise.


    Within just over sixty minutes, twenty-seven poison sacs were deftly extracted. Despite their evident damage, every sac remained intact. The resilience of these sacs spoke volumes about their durability, a factor that overshadowed Bawang''s skill in extracting them.


    Overlord gazed upon the amassed pile of poisonous sacs strewn across the ground, a flicker of concern shing across its features. The prospect of ingesting them all was undeniably dangerous, for even the slightest rupture could lead to fatal poisoning. This method needed to be more suitable.


    Attempting to seize the sacs proved difficult because they were numerous and elusive. Overlord, with the brain of a twelve- or thirteen-year-old child, quickly developed a temporary escape n. It soon came across half a fishing, an unexpected stroke of luck.


    Overlord enclosed the toxic sacs within the fishing with a delicate gesture, tightly fastening them. It bolted from the scene, clutching the with one paw, hastening its retreat.


    The following day, precisely ten minutes past noon, Liu Yong, having just finished his Chinese meal, satfortably in the boss''s chair in his office. He prepared a cup of coffee, savouring its aroma while browsing thetest news on hisputer screen.


    Suddenly, Bawang''s voice resounded,


    [[ " Master, I have sessfully stored the items in a warehouse near the seaside. " ]]


    Upon hearing this news, Liu Yong couldn''t contain his excitement. He marvelled at the efficiency with which the task was aplished. After a journey spanning over two thousand nautical miles, the Overlord had returned and securely stored all the venomous sacs in the seaside warehouse.


    Expressing his gratitude, Liu Yong said,


    [[ " Bawang, thank you for your hard work." ]]


    The Overlord responded, [[ " Master, I''m truly exhausted. I want to have a meal to fill my hunger and then find afortable ce to rest " ]]


    Liu Yong nodded approvingly, saying,


    [[ " Very well, you may go. " ]]


    Liu Yong had no concerns about Bawang''s safety in the coastal waters. There was nothing that posed a threat, ensuring its utmost security.


    ncing at the time, Liu Yong decided to inspect the poison sacs immediately. Before heading out, he dialled Cao Youpeng''s number.


    Meanwhile, at Wujiang Pharmaceutical Group, Cao Youpeng answered Liu Yong''s call, still in disbelief. How quickly had Universal managed to acquire the Jellyfish''s poison sacs?


    Gradually recovering from his astonishment, Cao Youpeng became overwhelmed with excitement.


    [[ " This is fantastic! " ]] Cao Youpen said.


    Possessing the poison sacs meant that the drug''s research and development could progress unhindered. Moreover, when this drug is ready for mass production, there will be plenty of raw materials. Universal could be entrusted with manufacturing the Jellyfish''s poison sacs.


    [[ " Let''s head to the seaside warehouse that Mr Liu mentioned." ]]


    Mr Cao said to his colleagues.


    Within a few minutes, two vehicles departed from Wujiang Pharmaceutical Group in perfect tandem. Cao Youpeng led the way in his car while a small truck followed closely behind.


    Sitting in the front passenger seat was Wujiang Pharmaceutical Group''s chief researcher. This marked the third time he asked the same question, filled with anticipation,


    [[ " Boss, we really obtained the poison sac of the ghost jellyfish, right? " ]]


    Cao Youpeng responded with unwavering certainty,


    [[ " Yes, we have acquired it, and you will soon see it with your eyes. " ]]


    [[ " Okay Okay Lets see what we have got " ]]


    The Chie researcher replied.


    ...............

 Chapter 195 Villa No. 16

    ?


    [ " Liu Yong has just arrived, " ]


    Kang Zhenggang informed as he drove the car into the spacious warehouse and parked it in the middle. A fishing ced at the front was visible, courtesy of Bawang.


    [ " Boss, should we close the warehouse door? " ]


    Kang asked as he nced over at Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong checked the time on his watch and raised his hand,


    [ " No need. Mr. Cao and the others should be arriving shortly. " ]


    The clock ticked, and within no time, there was amotion outside.


    Kang Zhenggang, being proactive, stepped out of the warehouse and guided Cao Youpeng and his two cars inside.


    Liu Yong nodded in approval,


    [ " Kang Zhenggang is not half bad. He''s clever, adaptable, and doesn''t need constant reminders or orders. " ]


    [ " Cao Youpeng and the others have arrived, " ]


    Kang Zhenggang announced.


    As they stepped out of the car, Cao Youpeng eagerly extended his hand to shake Liu Yong''s, expressing his gratitude,


    [ " Mr. Liu, it''s truly remarkable how quickly you managed to obtain a poison sac from the jellyfish. " ]


    A remarkable turn of events unfolded in just a little over a day.


    Yesterday, he made a special visit to the Universal Company, personally expressing his request. And now, the news had spread that Liu Yong imed to have obtained the coveted poison sac.


    Cao Youpeng had always believed that acquiring the poison sacs of ghost hair jellyfish was arduous, so merely obtaining one would have been considered fortunate.


    With a hearty smile, Liu Yong addressed Cao Youpeng,


    [ " Mr. Cao, there is more than one poison sac. Take a look, they''re all right here. " ]


    Unfortunately, a car partially obstructed their view, preventing Cao Youpeng and the others from immediatelyying eyes on those precious sacs. However, Liu Yong pointed them out, prompting everyone to rush eagerly.


    [ " Oh my God! " ]


    Cao Youpeng couldn''t help but exim, utterly amazed by what he saw.


    The chief researcher, equally astonished, pinched himself hard, half-expecting to wake up from what seemed like an unreal dream.


    They never imagined that Liu Yong could procure not just one but an astounding 27 poison sacs.


    In the international market, the venom of the ghost jellyfish was considered invaluable, fetching prices of up to $1,000 per gram¡ªif one could even manage to find a seller. Last time, they had to invest significant effort to acquire a mere 100 grams.


    ¡ªAnd now?


    There were at least twenty or thirty poison sacs in the pile.


    ¡ªUnbelievable!


    ¡ªAstonishing!


    The chief researcher rubbed his eyes vigorously, stepping forward with an exhrated expression as if he couldn''t quite believe what he was witnessing. Soon enough, others followed suit, gathering around the pile of poisonous sacs.


    Cao Youpeng''s initial reaction was shocking, followed by surprise, and eventually, he tightly grasped Liu Yong''s hand, expressing his gratitude once again,


    [ " Mr. Liu, you are truly amazing. It only took one day, and you managed to retrieve many poison sacs. Thank you, thank you so much. " ]


    Liu Yong smiled and teased,


    [ " If you ever need it again in the future, it will still be at the old price of 10 million pieces. Quantity won''t be a problem. " ]


    [ " Okay, okay, sure, " ] Cao Youpeng quickly responded.


    With that, he felt a great sense of relief. Previously, he had worried that raw materials might be scarce even if the drug was sessfully developed, like ghost hair jellyfish venom during mass production.


    Now, that concern vanished utterly!


    Even if the drug were mass-produced, a mere three, five, or at most seven or eight poison sacs yearly would suffice.


    The venom of the ghost hair jellyfish was incredibly potent, requiring a dilution of ten thousand times before it could be used as medicine. Just a drop of venom could yield thousands of sters.


    Filled with joy and astonishment, Cao Youpeng personally supervised his team as they retrieved several specially designed stic boxes from the truck. Wearing medicaltex gloves, they carefully ced each poison sac into the stic boxes, ensuring their safe transportation.


    In total, there were 27 poison sacs.


    Regardless of size, all 10 million pieces were obtained.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    That amounted to a staggering 270 million!


    Once all the poison sacs were loaded into the vehicle, Cao Youpeng held Liu Yong''s hand tightly again, expressing his gratitude.


    As for Liu Yong, the ount had reached 270 million!


    Soon the weekend came.


    Liu Yong took the wheel of his sleek supercar, cruising through the city streets with a purpose. Today, he had arranged to meet Li Changle to explore their new house. Despite having a spacious vi in Huahai City, Liu Yong was determined that after their marriage, they would create their own space away from their parents.


    The extravagant stacked vi, worth over 20 million yuan, had been gifted to his parents, providing them afortable abode.


    As they drove, Liu Yong turned to Li Changle and suggested,


    [ " Lele, why don''t we head to the renowned ''Phoenix Mountain Manor''? I''ve heard it''s the most opulent and prestigious vi area in all of Huahai City. " ]


    Li Changle nodded, aware of the development''s reputation.


    However, she also knew that Liu Yong had only heard of it but had never set foot there.


    [ " If we''re going to buy a vi, let''s go for the absolute best in Huahai City," Liu Yong asserted.


    Li Changle smiled in agreement, fully understanding his aspiration.


    Indeed, the Phoenix Mountain Manor deserved its status as a top-tier vi area. Its well-connected infrastructure boasted a highly developed transportationwork featuring wide, smooth asphalt roads leading up to the estate''s grand entrance.


    Nestled at the foot of Fenghuangjiao Mountain, the vi area flourished amidst lush greenery and enjoyed pristine, fresh air that seemed worlds away from the chaos of the bustling metropolis.


    Upon arriving at the entrance gate, Liu Yong effortlessly found a parking spot among the multitude of spaces avable. He turned off the engine and apanied Li Changle towards the sales department.


    Although the sales department was not exceptionally spacious, its high-grade decor exuded an air of luxury, setting the stage for their visit.


    The couple entered the sales area hand in hand, their entry devoid of the clich¨¦d dog-watching-people scenario from novels. However, they were greeted by a cheerful receptionist, a young woman dressed immactely in professional clothing.


    [ " Hello to both of you. How may I assist you today? " ]


    She warmly inquired.


    With a wave of his hand, Liu Yong gestured and replied,


    [ " We''d like to learn more about the vis avable here. Could you give us a tour? " ]


    [ " Of course, " ]


    [ " Please follow me, and I''ll happily show you around. " ]


    The young woman replied with a smile.


    A magnificent real estate model captured everyone''s attention in the centre of the sales hall. It was a scaled-down replica of the beautiful vi area, providing aprehensive estate view.


    [ " Our vi area is nestled within the breathtaking Phoenix Mountain National Forest Resort, beautifully epassing the serene Moon Lake, " ]


    The salesdy enthusiastically exined, pointing to the model.


    [ " With a volume ratio of just 0.1, the vi area harmoniously blends with nature, boasting an impressive greening rate of 84.7%. Additionally, there are over 60,000 square meters of pristine water bodies. Spread across nearly 20 small inds within a vast ecologicalke, the 72 vis are interconnected by charming bridges. " ]


    As the salesdy continued her detailed introduction, she couldn''t help but notice Liu Yong''s wrist adorned with several limited-edition watches worth millions. Filled with hope, she recognized him as a valuable customer.


    [ " Look, Xiao Hu is truly fortunate, " ] one of the salesdies remarked.


    [ " And those two clients appear quite young, " ] another observed.


    [ " Did you notice the gentleman''s wrist? He''s wearing millions worth of watches. He must be incredibly wealthy, " ] a third salesdy whispered in awe.


    Silent acknowledgments and glimmers of envy were exchanged among the other sales staff as they realized Xiao Hu''s stroke of luck. They couldn''t help but feel a pang of regret, wishing they had acted faster to seize these potential clients for themselves.


    After hearing the sales pitch, Liu Yong felt reasonably satisfied with the information provided.


    [ " Well, the vis here look impressive. Could you take us for a more tour? " ] he asked.


    The salesdy nodded with a warm smile.


    [ " Certainly, sir. Which vi would you like to see? " ]


    Liu Yong gazed at the expansive model of the vi area and replied with genuine interest,


    [ " Lead us to Vi No. 16. We''d love to take a closer look. " ]


    [ " Of course, please follow me, " ] the salesdy replied, motioning for them to follow her.


    ...........

 Chapter 196 Gulf Of Aden

    ?


    Escorted by the saleswoman, Liu Yong and Li Changle departed from the bustling sales department and ventured into the serene vi area. A profound sense of contentment enveloped them as they stepped into the vicinity.


    [ " I must say, the verdant ambiance of this vi area alone deserves a score of at least 95 points, " ] remarked Liu Yong.


    [ " Moreover, the design andyout are impable, with picturesque roads branching out in every direction. " ]


    Casting their eyes around, they realised that despite the vast expanse of the vi area, it only housed a modest collection of 72 vis.


    [ " To reach Vi No. 16, we''ll need a car, " ] the saleswoman informed them, pointing towards the sightseeing car provided by the sales department.


    [ " It will take us directly to the entrance of Vi No. 16. " ]


    As they approached their destination, Li Changle couldn''t help but gasp in awe.


    [ " Wow, that''s breathtaking! " ]


    Li Changle''s astonishment prompted the saleswoman to introduce the vi swiftly.


    [ " Vi No. 16 sprawls across 5 acres ofnd, boasting both front and rear gardens, as well as a private swimming pool. " ]


    Eager to explore further, the trio embarked on aprehensive vi tour. The saleswoman took her time, dedicating a half-hour to acquainting them with every detail and feature.


    After thoroughly inspecting the premises, Liu Yong''s satisfaction was palpable. The vi exhibited meticulous decoration, exuding an air of luxury. Its design was thoughtfully executed, leaving no stone unturned. The mansion appeared ready for immediate upancy,cking nothing, not even fresh bedding.


    [ " Sir, what do you think of this vi? " ]


    The saleswoman inquired with hope in her eyes.


    Liu Yong pondered for a moment, his expression radiating contentment.


    [ " Indeed, it''s just right. Could you please inform me of the selling price for this vi? " ]


    Delighted by Liu Yong''s favourable response, the saleswoman eagerly replied,


    [ " We have clearly indicated the price here, and this vi is priced at 250 million." ]


    The price tag was undeniably steep, leaving no room for debate.


    But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. And a price tag of 250 million yuan was reserved only for the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me of luxury properties. Vi No. 16 before them was undoubtedly a pinnacle ofvishness.


    Such an exorbitant pricemanded admiration from onlookers, leaving them in awe.


    Nevertheless, Liu Yong appeared unperturbed by the hefty sum.


    He casually remarked,


    [ " Well, that''s within my budget. Let''s proceed with the purchase; I''m ready to sign the contract. " ]


    The saleswoman''s expression contorted into a mix of astonishment and delight. She had been in the real estate business for a couple of years, encountering numerous hesitant customers who deliberated endlessly, bargaining relentlessly, and even resorting to emotional pleas. Meeting a customer as affluent as Liu Yong was a rarity.


    [ " Sir, are you sure we can proceed with the contract immediately? " ]


    She confirmed, her voice tinged with excitement.


    [ " Absolutely, " ]


    Replied Liu Yong with an air of confidence.


    [ " Yes, I will buy this vi, and we can proceed with the contract immediately. " ]


    The saleswoman couldn''t believe her ears.


    [ " Wow! " ]


    She eximed, her face disying sheer surprise.


    She had grown ustomed to clients who required extensive persuasion and multiple visits before deciding. Encountering a customer like Liu Yong, who showed such a firm resolve and willingness to proceed swiftly, was a breath of fresh air.


    [ " Well then, let''s return to the sales department promptly, " ]


    The saleswoman said.


    After some time, the trio returned to the sales department and efficiently signed the contract.


    -Boom!


    Vi No. 16 now belonged to Liu Yong and Li Changle, bringing immense joy to the couple. Hand in hand, they strolled out of the sales department, apanied by the youngdy who personally sold them the property.


    The salesgirls were taken aback inside the sales department as this was the first time they had witnessed such a straightforward vi purchase. It seemed as effortless as buying a handful of side dishes at the vegetable market.


    [ " He''s really wealthy, that handsome guy. His girlfriend looks ecstatic, " ] remarked one of the salesgirls.


    [ " I couldn''t help but notice his expression while paying¡ª250 million without batting an eye. It''s incredible, " ] chimed in another.


    [ " I envy Xiao Hu for making such an easy purchase. It''s like picking up money, " ] said a third girl.


    The salesdies engaged in a flurry of discussion, their envy palpable, but Liu Yong and Li Changle had already driven away, leaving the sales department behind.


    With their future wedding venue now secured, Liu Yong was in high spirits as he drove. <novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Li Changle beamed with happiness. Vi No. 16 at Phoenix Mountain Manor would be her and Liu Yong''s future home. Living in such a spacious vi promises many joyous and fulfilling days ahead.


    [ " Lele, I just realized you have a driver''s license, " ] he remarked.


    [ "Liu Yong, I obtained my driver''s license during college and passed all the tests. I got my C1 license in less than two months." ]


    Li Changle said.


    [ " You''re amazing! " ]


    Liu Yong praised.


    [ " Anyone who passes those exams is genuinely skilled. " ]


    He recalled his experience of taking the driver''s license test twice before finally seeding.


    [ " Lele, let''s go. I''ll buy you a car; it''ll make your future travels much more convenient, " ] Liu Yong suggested.


    Li Changle hesitated.


    [ " Liu Yong, that''s not necessary. Such a gift would be too expensive. " ]


    Waving his hand dismissively, Liu Yong insisted,


    [ " The cost doesn''t matter to me. Besides, you''re my future wife, so it''s only right that I buy you a car. " ]


    Having earned 270 million in a single day through Bawang, Liu Yong had spent 250 million on the vi. He still had 20 million left, so no matter how expensive the car was, he felt no financial pressure.


    Driving his luxurious supercar, Liu Yong headed straight to a reputable 4S shop specializing in various high-end vehicles. The couple was greeted by a captivating disy of prestigious cars parked in the showroom as they entered.


    The salesmen in the shop watched in awe as Liu Yong drove his supercar to the front of the store. As soon as the couple stepped inside, they were warmly weed by several enthusiastic salesmen.


    [ " Lele, which car catches your eye? You can choose any car you like," ]


    Liu Yong asked Li Changle, allowing her to select her preferred vehicle.


    Standing beside them, a skilled salesman said,


    [ " Madam, we have an impressive selection of sports cars, off-road vehicles, and sedans. I''ll be happy to show you the models you''re interested in. " ]


    Li Changle, who also had a fondness for cars, secretly harboured a dream of owning one of her own.


    Her gaze swept across the array of renowned vehicles on disy until itnded on a striking red sports car, captivating her attention.


    [ " Yong, what do you think of that car? Although, isn''t it a bit too expensive? " ]


    She inquired, referring to the Porsche sports car.


    Before Liu Yong could respond, the salesman immediately praised her,


    [ " Madam, you truly have an eye for beauty. I believe this Porsche sports car perfectlyplements your style and temperament. " ]


    Liu Yong proudly dered,


    [ " Lele, then let''s purchase this car. " ]


    As always, Li Changle was swift in her decision-making.


    From when they entered the showroom to when Li Changle drove her new car out, no more than an hour had psed.


    The two sports cars cruised along the road, with Liu Yong leading the way in his high-performance supercar, while Li Changle''s sleek sports car followed closely behind, maintaining a distance of 20 to 30 meters.


    Although the gap between the two vehicles was significant, no one dared to interfere. After all, the thought of a collision involving two such expensive cars was enough to deter anyone from getting involved.


    Meanwhile, in the vastness of the Indian Ocean...


    A 70,000-ton container bulk carrier from the Global Shipping Group sailed through the waters. Laden with containers, the ship was en route to Europe.


    The Global Ocean Services Company underwent a name change yesterday, officially bing the Global Ocean Shipping Group.


    Inside the captain''s quarters, Captain Wei Jianshe peered out at the boundless sea through the ss and spoke in a measured tone,


    [ " We''re approaching the Gulf of Aden. Please inform the crew to remain vignt. " ]


    The engineer by his side said,


    [ " Old Wei, this is our third time passing through the Gulf of Aden. The previous two times went smoothly, so I don''t foresee any issues this time. " ]


    Wei Jianshe responded,


    [ " It''s always better to be cautious. Pirates have been known to frequent the Gulf of Aden, so we mustn''t let our guard down. " ]


    -The following day...


    The [[ " Eastern Star, " ]] arge container bulk carrier operated by the Global Shipping Group, officially entered the waters of the Gulf of Aden. Its objective was to pass through these treacherous waters, join the Red Sea, and ultimately make its way to Europe via the Suez Canal.


    .................

 Chapter 197 Maybe They Dont Know Our Power Well Huh!-

    ?


    All crew members remained highly alert, fully prepared for any potential threat. The necessary precautions had been taken, including equipping the ship with high-pressure water guns and anti-piracy wire thorns along its sides. Lookout posts had also been set up to monitor the surrounding sea at all times.


    The cargo ship navigated the vast expanse of the Gulf of Aden at an economical speed, ensuring a smooth and safe journey. The atmosphere seemed calm, with everything appearing undisturbed.


    It was noon, precisely ten minutes after the crew had finished their lunch, when an urgent rm abruptly shattered the tranquillity. Wei Jianshe, startled by the unexpected sound, immediately eximed, [ " What''s happening? " ]


    The Captain''s question hung in the air momentarily before a crew member responded, [ " Our lookout post has spotted three speedboats rapidly approaching us. They appear to be a group of pirates. " ]


    [ " What? Pirates? " ] Wei Jianshe''s expression instantly shifted, mirroring the concern shared by everyone on board. Sailing through the Gulf of Aden waters, encountering pirates was thest thing they desired.


    Before even entering the treacherous waters of the Gulf of Aden, Wei Jianshe had been apprehensive about such a possibility. And now, his worst fears were seeminglying true.


    [ " Pirates! " ] The word echoed in Wei Jianshe''s mind, a grim realisation taking hold. He peered through his binocrs and observed the approaching speedboats zigzagging across the water''s surface. The sight of the pirates brandishing weapons only amplified the severity of the situation.


    [ " Quickly, contact our **** fleet and request immediate assistance! " ] Wei Jianshemanded urgently. He hoped fervently that their affiliated fleet was nearby and could reach them in time. The unarmed crew stood no chance against the armed pirates, and the situation grew increasinglyplex.


    A sense of panic enveloped the ship, spreading among the crew like a wildfire.


    Wei Jianshe took charge, swiftly rallying everyone and instructing them to prepare for the impending pirate attack.


    Within minutes, the pirate speedboat closed in on their ship, encircling it. Armed with AK-47 rifles, several pirates unleashed a hail of bullets, igniting sparks scattered across the vessel. A shot narrowly missed Wei Jianshe''s ear, a chilling reminder of the danger they faced.


    The intense battle left some crew members pale and trembling, visibly shaken by the ordeal. Overwhelmed by the harrowing situation, a young crew member couldn''t contain their emotions and burst into tears, their distress echoing through the air.


    [ " Captain, the pirates are ready to board the ship ! "] one of the crew members urgently informed Wei Jianshe, his voice filled with concern.


    Without hesitation, Wei Jianshe seized a high-pressure water gun and charged towards the impending pirate boarding, determined to repel them with a mighty deluge.


    -Bang!


    -Bang!


    The sound of gunfire erupted as several shots were fired, and a bullet grazed Wei Jianshe''s arm, tearing away a sizable chunk of flesh. It was a close call¡ªhad the bullet struck just a little closer, his arm would have been rendered useless. Blood trickled down his wounded arm, evidence of his sacrifice for the sake of his crew.


    [ " You''re injured, Captain! " ] someone eximed, voicing their worry.


    Wei Jianshe brushed off the concern, fully aware they had to persevere in this critical moment. He understood that the longer they held on, the greater their chances of survival. There was hope for their rescue if they could endure until their backup fleet arrived.


    However, such thoughts seemed almost too romantic, given the circumstances. These pirates were seasoned criminals, well-versed in their illicit activities.


    In less than ten minutes, they managed to board the ship, leaving no room for suspense. With their AK-47-wielding leader leading the way, the pirates swiftly subdued the crew, gathering them together as captives. Taking control of the ship, the pirates altered its course, heading towards a designated port, leaving Wei Jianshe and his crew helpless in their grasp.


    In the confines of the office, Liu Yong was engrossed in studying a detailed report. Eachrge ship''s status wasid out clearly, providing information on the loaded cargo, intended destination, and current location.


    Without warning, the office door swung open abruptly without even a courtesy knock. Qiu Yang burst in, his face filled with anxiety, and yelled urgently, [ " Boss, something serious has urred. Our container ship ''Dongxing'' has been seized by pirates! " ]


    [ " What! " ] The shocking news took Liu Yong aback. While he had always acknowledged the possibility of such an event, the reality of facing it head-on was a jolt to his system.


    [ " How is the situation unfolding? Are the crew members safe? " ] Liu Yong inquired with concern.


    Qiu Yang replied, [ " The avable information is limited, and as of now, our crew members should be rtively safe. " ]


    Relieved to hear that the crew members were not currently in harm''s way, Liu Yong understood that nothing mattered more than preserving human lives.


    Qiu Yang continued with his report, [ " Boss, it is likely that the pirates will contact us soon and demand a ransom. How should we proceed? " ]


    Liu Yong dered, [ " Stall them for now. Regardless of the ransom amount they demand, temporarily appease them. " ]


    After giving the instructions to Qiu Yang and watching him depart, Liu Yong''s expression gradually hardened. These audacious pirates had stirred up his wrath. He was determined to show them the dire consequences of their actions.


    [ " Overlord, where are you now? We have work to do, " ] Liu Yong contacted Overlord.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    In recent days, Overlord had been leading a leisurely and carefree life. Roaming the vast expanses of the ocean, he had ventured as far as the South Pacific and even made a brief detour to the Indian Ocean. Overlord saw a lot of new creatures upon driving deep into the new environment, where some were gazing at Overlord due to its enormous size and the fastest moving speed.


    [ " Master, I am currently resting in the South China Sea, near Yan Country. What task do you have for me? " ] Overlord responded eagerly, and his spirit rejuvenated upon hearing about an impending mission.


    Though these past days had been tranquil, theycked the thrill and excitement that Overlord craved. He was a master who couldn''t stand idleness.


    [ " You should swim to the Gulf of Aden and await further instructions. There is work waiting for you, " ] Liu Yong informed Overlord, providing an approximate location.


    Without hesitation, Overlord replied, [ " Rest assured, I will reach there in just two days." ]


    With Overlord''s remarkable speed of over 200 nautical miles, the journey could bepleted in less than two days.


    This estimation included necessary breaks for eating and resting. Overlord embarked on his expedition to the waters of the Gulf of Aden, wielding his colossal spear, ready to face the challenges ahead.


    Several hours had passed since the incident.


    Once again, Qiu Yang rapped on the door, gaining permission to enter Liu Yong''s office. He walked in and began his report,


    [ " Boss, we''ve gathered some additional information. ording to the details provided by the military, the culprits behind the hijacking of our container ship ''Dongxing'' are indeed Somali pirates. " ]


    It was indeed XX, confirming the notorious reputation of Somali pirates.


    Qiu Yang continued his update, [ " Moments ago, this pirate group reached out to us, demanding a ransom of 100 million US dors. They stipted that the money must be transferred to an ount of their choosing within 24 hours. " ]


    The fact that the pirates could contact the Global Shipping Group didn''t surprising since thepany had a publicly avable phone number.


    -Demanding 100 million US dors!


    -What audacity!


    Qiu Yang''s expression revealed his intense anger.


    A sombre expression darkened Liu Yong''s face. The pirates had indeed crossed a line with their audacity. After briefly contemting, he responded, [ " Reply to them, stating that the amount they demand is excessive. We require a minimum of 72 hours to gather such a substantial sum. Twenty-four hours is far too little. " ]


    Liu Yong''s deration that the Global Shipping Group could produce 100 million US dors was a mere dying tactic to hold off the pirates.


    [ " Very well, Boss. I''ll convey your message to them as you''ve instructed. " ] Qui Yang said.


    However, upon further consideration, Liu Yong realised that he needed to take matters into his own hands. He feltpelled to personally journey to Somalia to confront the situation and unleash his fury.


    This trip wouldn''t merely serve as a venting outlet for Liu Yong''s anger and a means to establish his dominance.


    He intended to employ his influence to deliver a clear message to the pirate gang: the ships of the Global Shipping Group were off-limits to their meddling. They had greatly underestimated the power and reach of the Global Shipping Group.


    [ " Mr. Qiu, kindly arrange three tickets to Dubai for me. " ]


    The n was to fly to Dubai and transfer before boarding a ne to Mogadishu, thergest city in Somalia.


    Qiu Yang immediately grasped Liu Yong''s intentions and voiced his concerns, filled with worry,[ " Boss, you don''t actually intend to personally negotiate with those pirates, do you ? " ]


    [ " Yes, I do have such a n, " ] Liu Yong nodded.


    -What!


    Qiu Yang''s expression underwent a sudden change!


    .............

 Chapter 198 Weak To Strong With G-Med

    ?


    [ "Boss, this is an absolute impossibility ! "] Qiu Yang eximed urgently, a clear sense of urgency in his voice.


    -Somalia, of all ces!


    Liu Yong appeared calm and rxed as he calmly replied,


    [ " Don''t worry, I''ll be fine. Book me three ne tickets to Dubai, and call Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang to join me." ]


    Qiu Yang opened his mouth, about to protest further, but Liu Yong swiftly raised his hand, cutting him off. With a reassuring smile, he said,


    [ " Don''t worry. I understand the gravity of the situation. Just keep in touch with me. " ]


    Qiu Yang sighed helplessly, his head shaking slightly in resignation. He knew he couldn''t change his Boss''s decision, so all he could do now was silently pray in his heart, hoping for divine protection and the safe return of his Boss.


    After a brief interval, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang entered the room together, joining the unfolding discussion.


    [ " Hello, boss, " ] Kang Zhenggang greeted respectfully as he entered the room.


    [ " Boss, you''ve called for us, " ] He Qiang added, acknowledging Liu Yong''s presence.


    Liu Yong gestured for them to take a seat before addressing the purpose of their gathering. [ " Please have a seat. I need to hear your opinions on something. " ]


    [ "Boss, go ahead and speak. We''re all ears, " ] Kang Zhenggang responded, his tone attentive.


    Liu Yong proceeded to provide a brief overview of the hijacking incident involving the ship "East Star" and the involvement of Somali pirates. The news didn''t surprise either of them, as if they were already aware of the situation beforehand.


    Liu Yong continued, his voice filled with determination,


    [ " The pirates have demanded a staggering ransom of 100 million U.S. dors. I''ve made up my mind to personally travel to Somalia. But before I finalize my decision, I value your opinions. If you choose to apany me on this perilous journey, I''ll reward you with a bonus of 2 million U.S. dors. However, if you decide not to go, Ipletely understand. " ]


    The shocking announcement left his subordinates speechless for a moment.


    [ " What? Boss, you intend to go to Somalia yourself ? " ] Kang Zhenggang eximed, his concern evident in his voice.


    The two men exchanged surprised nces, each mirroring the disbelief in the other''s eyes. They never expected Liu Yong to make such a bold choice.


    [ " Boss, it''s too dangerous for you to venture to Somalia personally, " ] Kang Zhenggang argued. [ " If there''s anything that needs to be done, allow me to take your ce. " ]


    He Qiang nodded in agreement, adding, [ " Yes, Boss, both Kang and I will go together. There''s no need for you to put yourself at risk. " ]


    Liu Yong breathed a sigh of relief, his confidence bolstered by their willingness to take on the dangerous mission.


    [ " I knew I could count on you, " ] he said gratefully. [ " With the two of you by my side, I feel reassured. It''s settled then. Prepare yourselves; we''ll depart tonight. " ]


    [ "Boss, are you absolutely sure about going there in person ? " ] Kang Zhenggang inquired, his concern still lingering.


    Liu Yong raised an eyebrow and retorted, [ " Why do you underestimate me? Evenbined, your skills fall shortpared to mine. The two of you together wouldn''t stand a chance against me. " ]


    This revtion left Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang dumbfounded.


    [ " This...this is impossible! " ] they eximed in unison, shaking their heads in disbelief.


    The two were retired special forces able to handle seven or eight ordinary individuals without breaking a sweat. Yet, when they assessed Liu Yong, he appeared physically weaker.


    [ " We don''t doubt your capabilities, Boss, " ] Kang Zhenggang replied cautiously. [ " It''s just hard for us to believe. " ]


    Liu Yong stood up and faced them confidently. [ " My office is quite spacious. If the two of you were to attack me together, do you honestly think you couldst a single minute ? " ]<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The realization struck them, leaving both men visibly discontented.


    And so, the trio embarked on a cunning scheme within the office, and true to expectations, none of themsted a mere minute, even when they joined forces.


    This was because of Liu Yong''s mercy; he exerted no force.


    As the two individuals rose from the ground, they were utterly convinced, their doubts dispelled!


    The Boss seemed harmless to humans and animals, but his power was beyond their imaginations.


    Liu Yong resumed his seat, retrieved two "gic medicine" bottles from the drawer, and spoke, [ " Your strength is somewhatcking. Here are two bottles of gic medicine. Once you consume them, your power will at least double. " ]


    Gic medicine, Could there indeed be medicines that manipte genes?


    Though momentarily hesitant, the pair drank from their respective bottles before Liu Yong''s watchful gaze. They knew without a doubt that their Boss would never harm them.


    After ingesting the "gic medicine," they left the office together,mencing preparations for their forting journey to Somalia.


    Liu Yong essed the pet panel and gave each person 200 points for strength, agility, and constitution. Why 200 points each instead of 100?


    When Chen Hu was initially endowed with attributes, he received 100 points for strength, agility, and constitution. Given the precarious nature of the Somalia trip, Liu Yong believed it wiser to grant them 200 points in each of the three attributes, ensuring more excellent safety.


    As for Chen Hu, 100 attribute points would suffice for participating in sportspetitions. Once he returned, he could be bestowed with another 100 points or perhaps even 200.


    Meanwhile, Kang Zhenggang was busily packing his belongings.


    On the phone with Chen Hu, with whom he shared a close bond, Kang Zhenggang engaged in a brief conversation before posing, [ "Old Chen, the Boss gave me and He Qiang the gene-drug today. Have you also taken it? " ]


    [ " Of course, " ] Chen Hu replied. [ " It''s precisely because I took this gene-drug that I''ve be so powerful. Now I can easily surpass world records in various track and fieldpetitions. " ] [ " Old Kang, you and He Qiang are fortunate. Once you consume the gene medicine, you''ll gradually notice significant improvements in strength, reaction speed, and physical stamina. It''s no exaggeration to say that you''ll be superhuman. " ]


    [ " The Boss willingly offered you the chance to take the gic medicine. He treats you well. You must remain loyal to him and keep the secret of the gic medicine. During your time in Somalia, you must ensure the Boss''s safety. " ] Chenhu said.


    Chen Hu conveyed an important message through his words.


    Upon concluding the phone call, Kang Zhenggang was in a whirlwind of emotions. He had never anticipated a day when he would grow stronger. Determined to remain loyal to his Boss, he silently vowed to uphold his loyalty.


    As the sun set, Liu Yong, Kang Zhenggang, and He Qiang strolled into the bustling Huahai International Airport, carrying their modest luggage. They anxiously boarded the international flight for Dubai, scheduled to depart at 8:00.


    Being first-ss passengers, the trio couldn''t contain their excitement. Kang Zhenggang eximed joyfully, [ " I never imagined there woulde a day when I''d be flying in first ss! " ]


    Qiang said, [ " We''re following the Boss on this journey to prosperity. I''ve never experienced the luxury of first ss, so I can only imagine what it will be like. " ]


    Hearing theirments, Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile, his happiness reflecting in his eyes.


    The uing trip to Somalia might seem fraught with danger to others, but for these three, it felt more like a vacation, oblivious to any pressures that may lie ahead.


    Upon their arrival in Dubai, the clock had already struckte at night. Seeking a temporary haven, they secured amodation in avish five-star hotel. The following morning, they would go to Mogadishu, thergest city in Somalia.


    Stepping off the ne, they were immediately confronted with stark contrasts. The airport exuded simplicity and modesty, a sharp departure from the luxury they had witnessed in Dubai. The disparity grew even more evident as they exited the airport premises with their belongings.


    The country''s affluence stood in stark contrast to the destion, conflict, and poverty that gued this ce. Dpidated streets stretched before them, while low-rise buildings dominated the skyline, some bearing the scars of bombings, reduced to ruins.


    Lost in the surroundings, Liu Yong''s attention was abruptly diverted by the ringing of his phone. It was Qiu Yang calling from China, breaking the silence.


    ..........

 Chapter 199 Sharp Shooter Transformation

    ?


    [ "Boss, we''ve received another contact from the pirates. They''re not agreeing to the 72-hour deadline and have given us a new ultimatum of 6 hours. They''ve threatened to kill one of our crew members if we don''t deliver the $100 million US dors within that time, " ] Qui Yang informed, concern etched on his face.


    Liu Yong''s heart surged with anger. These pirates were pushing him to the edge. Taking a deep breath to control his emotions, he replied, [ " We''ll transfer the money to their designated ount within the next 6 hours. However, there''s a condition: once they receive the money, they must immediately release our ship and crew unharmed. " ]


    Qui Yang raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. [ "Boss, are we really giving them $100 million dors? " ]


    Liu Yong''s eyes burned with determination as he responded,


    [ " Yes, we''ll give it to them. As long as our crew can safely return, the money is insignificant. And I assure you, we''ll make them regret it many times over. " ]


    With the crew held hostage, Liu Yong felt a certain level of restraint. But he nned to unleash his fury upon these wretched pirates once they were freed. After ending the call, Liu Yong motioned to his team and dered, [ " Let''s go. We''ll find a hotel to stay in temporarily. " ]


    Exiting the airport, they were greeted by a bustling scene. Various vendors, rental tricycles, and a few taxis filled the surroundings. People from all walks of life hurriedly passed by, and to their surprise, some individuals openly disyed weapons, like AK-47 rifles slung over their shoulders.


    [ " This ce is truly chaotic, " ] remarked Kang Zhenggang.


    [ " Yes, it seems carrying weapons around the city is amon sight, " ] He Qiang chimed in.


    Liu Yong turned to them and asked, [ " Would you like to hold a gun ? "]


    Their eyes widened with excitement. Since retiring from the army, they hadn''t had the chance to handle firearms, and their hands were itching for it.


    [ "Boss, are you suggesting we buy some weapons ? " ] He Qiang asked eagerly.


    Liu Yong waved his hand dismissively. [ " Of course, we can''t go without a few weapons. " ]


    Spotting a taxi nearby, Liu Yong signalled for them to enter and addressed the driver in English, [ " Take us to a weapons store. " ]


    The taxi driver nodded, ncing at Liu Yong and hispanions, wondering who these people were and why they were so hurried to purchase weapons right after getting off the ne.


    Sensing the formidable presence of Liu Yong and hispanions, the driver refrained from speaking frivolously and dutifully escorted them to a local weapon shop renowned for its wide selection and affordable prices. Despite the perpetual civil strife in Somalia, with daily conflicts and a crumbling economy, such arms vendors lined the streets, amon sight.


    As they arrived, Liu Yong handed a $100 bill to the driver and instructed him, [ " Wait for us here; we need to go to the weapon shop. " ]


    The driver''s face lit up with delight, realizing he had encountered an esteemed clientele. He eagerly nodded in agreement.


    Liu Yong, Kang Zhenggang, and He Qiang entered the weapon shop together. The store, spacious and well-stocked, boasted a variety of arms. Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang disyed evident excitement, eagerly sifting through the weaponry on offer.


    Liu Yong, with a determined expression, selected a Desert Eagle. Recognizing its immense power and acknowledging the recoil it possessed, he saw no issue in handling it proficiently.


    In addition to the Desert Eagle, Liu Yong opted for a KA-BAR sabre, renowned worldwide for its quality craftsmanship.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang also made their choices, selecting pistols and daggers and acquiring an L85A3 assault rifle manufactured in-country Y. These rifles utilized NATO standard ammunition and featured a 30-round magazine.


    After expending thousands of dors on their essential arsenal, along with an ample supply of ammunition and several grenades, the trio boarded the taxi again, their weapons in tow, and temporarily settled into a rtivelyfortable local hotel.


    Upon checking in, Liu Yong suggested, [ " I had a brief encounter with real firearms during military training in college. This is only my second time being in close contact with them. Let''s find a suitable ce to test our weapons. " ]


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang exchanged nces, realizing their Boss had limited experience handling firearms.


    Subsequently, Liu Yong arranged for the hotel to provide them with a jeep at a daily rental cost of $200. The three departed from the hotel, embarking on a journey toward the countryside.


    As they ventured beyond the city limits, thendscape turned deste¡ªeither barren desert or expansive aridnds.


    Eventually, they discovered a secluded stretch of Gobi andmenced their shooting practice there.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Having familiarized himself with the operation of the Desert Eagle, Liu Yong began his target practice. A line of stones, each roughly the size of a fist, was positioned 50 meters ahead. With Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang observing intently, Liu Yong aimed at one of the stones and squeezed the trigger, firing his first shot.


    -Boom!


    Liu Yong squeezed the trigger, but his shot missed its mark. Despite aiming carefully, the bullet failed to hit its intended target. The stone remained untouched, leaving the bullet''s destination unknown.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang exchanged a subtle nce, smiling slightly. The Boss hadn''t lied; Liu Yong was an inexperienced rookie.


    The second shot also missed, followed by the third and fourth shots.


    Each initial shot was missed, leaving only one bullet in the magazine. Finally, thisst bullet found its mark, obliterating the fist-sized stone 50 meters away.


    Liu Yong reloaded his magazine and continued shooting.


    Something was different now. The gun was hitting its targets, systematically sting the stones in the distance one by one!


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang exchanged surprised looks.


    [ " It''s the Boss! " ] Kang Zhenggang eximed.


    [ " He''s suddenly be a marksman! " ] added He Qiang.


    Liu Yong''s rapid improvement could be attributed to his exceptional attributes. His strength, physique, and agility were astonishing. Even with little experience handling a gun, some practice transformed him into a sharpshooter.


    Firing several more magazines, Liu Yong reached a point where he could almost instinctively aim without consciously doing so. He fired effortlessly, frequently hitting his intended targets with remarkable precision.


    [ " Alright, let''s go back, " ] Liu Yong said.


    The three of them returned to the hotel in a jeep. Soon after their arrival, a knock sounded at the door, and a young man with an Oriental face entered.


    Though casually dressed, it was apparent at first nce that he was a soldier.


    [ " Mr. Liu, hello, " ] the young man greeted.


    [ " Captain Han, thank you for your hard work, " ] Liu Yong replied, gripping his hand tightly.


    Han Yi was a Yan Kingdom military member and an exceptional warfare team captain. He hade from a military base to establish contact with Liu Yong.


    For the military, Liu Yong was considered a person of great importance. The hijacking of the Global Shipping Group''s container ship, the "Eastern Star," had drawn considerable attention from the military.


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, Han Yi got straight to the point and shared some valuable information that the general had provided with Liu Yong.


    [ " Mr. Liu, the Somali pirates currently consist of four major factions: the Punnd Guards, National Coast Volunteer Guardians, Merka, and Somali Sailors. " ]


    [ " The pirates who hijacked the ''Eastern Star'' belonged to the Melka organization. Behind this group of pirates lies the Somali Al-Shabaab, thergest non-governmental military force in Somalia. " ]


    Having listened to Han Yi''s informative briefing, Liu Yong finally learned which group of pirates had hijacked his freighter.


    -Hmm!


    .............

 Chapter 200 Who Says We Cant Face Them Huh!?

    ?


    Han Yi expressed his concerns, saying, [ " The military doesn''t approve of your personal involvement in this matter. It''s too dangerous. The pirates have demanded a ransom of 100 million US dors. It is suggested that the military negotiate with them, and there might be some positive oue. " ]


    Interrupting Han Yi, Liu Yong raised his hand and interjected, [ " We have already agreed to transfer 100 million US dors to their specified ount. However, we have one request. We hope that the military exerts some pressure on the pirates to ensure they follow the rules and release our ship and crew immediately after receiving the payment. " ]


    Han Yi readily agreed, saying, [ " That shouldn''t be a problem. " ]


    Deep down, he didn''t want Liu Yong and the others to take risks. He was acutely aware of the dangers involved, especially considering that Liu Yong and hispanions were outnumbered.


    [ " These pirates are extremely formidable adversaries; otherwise, they wouldn''t have managed to survive for so many years, " ] Han Yi warned.


    [ " Liu, I strongly advise against direct contact with the pirates. It''s too perilous, " ] Han Yi advised.


    However, Liu Yong responded slowly, [ " They demanded 100 million dors from me, so I won''t let it slide. I want them to pay twice that amount and let them learn the true meaning of regret. " ]


    Han Yi countered, [ " But the three of you are in no way on the same level as them. You cannot match the pirates. " ]


    [ " Who says we can''t face them ? " ] Kang Zhenggang retorted, his conviction evident.


    As one of the former elite soldiers and a retired special forces member, Kang Zhenggang had undergone the enhancement of "gic medicine," significantly boosting his strength, reflexes, and skills to astonishing levels.


    Han Yi nced at Kang Zhenggang and remarked, [ " Brother, it seems you were once a soldier too. " ]


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang simultaneously snapped to attention, executing a special military salute. With resounding voices, they proimed, [ " Kang Zhenggang (He Qiang), formerly of the Langya Brigade in the Special Operations Brigade of the Southeast Military Region. " ]


    Han Yi returned the salute and replied loudly, [ " I am Han Yi, a member of the Lightning Special Operations Team in the Navy''s Jiaolong Brigade. " ]


    They were three renowned warrior figures, mutually acknowledging each other''s presence.


    Han Yi added, [ " I never anticipated that both of you were retired special forces. However, when facing the Melka organization, your strength seems insufficient. " ]


    Kang Zhenggang retorted, [ " I refuse to believe that. How about we demonstrate our abilities to show you how strong we truly are? " ]


    [ " Actions speak louder than words. Let''s see! " ] Han Yi said.


    Han Yi had never been easily convinced in such matters.


    The two of them assumed formidable stances within the room. Fortunately, Liu Yong had booked a spacious suite, which functioned as a lobby.


    Bothbatants engaged, their fightmencing and concluding swiftly.


    In a matter of two or three exchanges, Han Yi was thoroughly defeated.


    Upon rising from the ground, Han Yi expressed admiration


    [ " There is always someone more exceptional out there. As someone fairly well-known, I never expected to encounter individuals of such immense power in this world. " ]


    Kang Zhenggang chimed in, [ " Don''t sell yourself short. The true powerhouse is our Boss. Even if He and I joined forces, we wouldn''tst more than a few rounds against our Boss. " ]


    -What!


    Han Yi gazed at Liu Yong in utter shock.


    He could never have fathomed that Liu Yong, who appeared devoid ofbat prowess, possessed such terrifying strength.


    -Impressive!


    No wonder the three of them dared to provoke the Melka organization.


    Liu Yong asserted, [ " Captain Han, please provide me with detailed information about the Melka organization, including their organizational structure, the identity of their leader, and the location of their hideout. " ] Han Yi nodded in agreement.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    He proceeded to provide an overview of the Melka organization''s situation to the trio.


    Melka organization''s secret hideout.


    Inside, a group of leaders gathered for a meeting, basking in a rxed and warm atmosphere.


    Zawahiri, the imposing figure who led the organization, was satisfied as he announced, [ " Gentlemen, the Global Shipping Group has deposited the requested 100 million US dors into our ount! " ]


    His words were met with exuberant cheers, and jubtion filled the room.


    [ " That''s fantastic! We managed to earn 100 million US dors in just two days. It''s the easiest score we''ve ever made, " ] remarked one leader, brimming with satisfaction.


    [ " The Global Shipping Group proved to be an unexpectedly generous target. I never thought they would hand over the money so readily, " ] another leader said.


    [ " We should consider targeting their ships more frequently. It''s a guaranteed way to make quick money, " ] suggested a third leader.


    Amidst the collective excitement and pride, Zawahiri raised his hand to call for attention. The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on him, a testament to his immense authority. Zawahiri nodded in approval and spoke with authority, [ " However, it wasn''t as smooth as you might think. We initially demanded the money to be delivered within 24 hours, but they dyed it until now, nearly 48 hourster. " ]


    [ " Gentlemen, we have finally received 100 million US dors. Tonight, we shall celebrate and revel inplete rxation. " ]


    One of the leaders interjected, ["Boss, what about the ship and the twenty hostages? What do we do with them? " ]


    Zawahiri deliberated for a moment. Known for his ruthless demeanour, one would expect him to execute a few crew members even after receiving a hefty ransom. The captured vessel, "Eastern Star," was proof of his brutality.


    After a brief pause, Zawahiri spoke slowly, [ " Since we have obtained the 100 million US dors, we shall release the ship and all individuals aboard. " ]


    Meanwhile, at a nearby port...


    The "Eastern Star," a freighter belonging to the Global Shipping Group, had been docked there for two days.


    The entire pier was heavily guarded, with armed men patrolling its length. At least a dozen individuals armed with AK-47s stood guard on the ship''s deck.


    Inside a room on the ship, the twenty crew members were gathered. Through the ss, they could observe the armed guards stationed on the deck and the two armed men stationed at the door.


    A sad and lonely atmosphere in the room hung heavy in the air.


    A few crew members were shedding tears initially, but their weeping ceased. Their eyes appeared vacant, gazing nkly at the ceiling.


    Captain Wei Jianshe, amidst his feelings of despair, continued to offer sce to everyone. He understood the importance of instilling confidence in them.


    [ " Xiao Xu, we must have faith in thepany. They will undoubtedly arrange for our rescue and bring us back, without a doubt. " ]


    [ " Uuuhhh... " ]


    Xiao Xu, a young crew member, sumbed to tears again, while Xiao Xie, seated beside him, bore empty eyes, consumed by utter hopelessness. His entire being resembled a corpse.


    Suddenly, amotion swept through the room.


    Fear permeated the entire space in an instant!


    Some individuals who had previously disyed vacant and lifeless gazes now exhibited a spark of life, though tinged with boundless fear and panic.


    A sight unfolded before them through the ss¡ªarmed personnel ascended the deck. Leading the group was a ck man, easily discernible as their leader. He guided a contingent of at least seven or eight individuals heading towards their room.


    Witnessing this scene, Wei Jianshe''s heart sank, his countenance reflecting profound despair.


    It''s all over. There''s no hope left...

 Chapter 201 Lets Teach Them Lesson!

    ?


    The crew members were terrified and huddled together, praying for their survival.


    Suddenly, someone burst into tears, and the panic spread like wildfire. Xiao Xu, one of the crew members, screamed in horror,


    [ " They must havee to kill us, they must havee to kill us. " ]


    Wei Jianshe, the ship''s captain, wanted to reassure everyone, but he, too, was consumed by fear. He was just an ordinary person, and the thought of death terrified him.


    The room door burst open as they waited in terror, and the hijackers'' leader strode in. He looked at the crew members disgustedly and said, [ " You have been rescued! The Global Shipping Group has paid a ransom of US$100 million, and you can leave immediately. " ]


    The crew members were stunned. They didn''t understand English, but they could sense the shift in tone. They had expected to die, but now they were being set free.


    The leader and his men left the room, taking all the armed personnel. The crew members were left alone, in shock and disbelief.


    Wei Jianshe, still trying to make sense of what had happened, suddenly realized what the leader had said. [ " We were rescued, we were rescued! Thepany paid a ransom of 100 million US dors, we are free and can leave ! " ] he shouted.


    Tears streamed down his face as he spoke. The other crew members finally understood what was going on. Some were crying like Wei Jianshe, while others wereughing in disbelief, muttering, [ " I''m not dead, I''m not dead, I''m saved! " ]


    The crew members hugged each other, crying andughing, overwhelmed with relief. This euphoriasted for at least ten minutes as they savoured their newfound freedom and the gift of life.


    Wei Jianshe carefully wiped away his tears and raised his voice,manding, [ " Everyone, cease your tears and frivolity immediately! We must hasten to our positions. We need to sail away from this ce. " ]


    His fervent promation jolted many from their depressed state.


    [ " Yeah, our top priority should be to depart as swiftly as possible, " ] remarked one crew member, his voice filled with urgency.


    [ " Who knows, those pirates might change their minds and trap us if we linger, " ] added another crew member, a tinge of anxiety in his words.


    With Wei Jianshe''s rallying cry, the crew members swiftly assumed their designated posts. Before long, the cargo ship ''Eastern Star'' gradually disengaged from the pier,mencing its departure.


    Standing in the Captain''s cabin, gazing through the window at the armed men stationed on the pier, Wei Jianshe pondered silently.


    [ " We owe a great debt of gratitude to our group this time. The pirates demanded an exorbitant ransom of 100 million U.S. dors, and thanks to our generous boss, the money was paid. We are fortunate to have such a benevolent leader. If it were a stingy boss, our lives would have undoubtedly been in peril. " ]


    The "Eastern Star" sailed onward at full throttle, gradually distancing itself from the port.


    After approximately 30 to 40 minutes of sailing, a voice of astonishment rang out, [ " Captain, look! It''s our country''s warship ! " ]


    In the distance, a Type 054 guided missile frigate swiftly approached, escorting the "Dongxing" through the Gulf of Aden. As Wei Jianshe caught sight of the warship, particrly the familiar national g proudly waving atop it, a profound sense of relief washed over him. Finally, the ordeal was over.


    The afternoon came, and things had settled. Liu Yong was aware that the "Eastern Star" had safely departed with a considerable number of crew members. Having sailed through the Gulf of Aden under the protection of their own warship, he no longer harboured any hesitation or reservations.


    [ " Now it''s time for us to get to work. Let''s check our weapons and equipment, " ] Liu Yong asserted.


    He meticulously inspected his Desert Eagle, sabre, magazines, and the necessary grenades. Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang were equipped with even more weaponry and gear. In addition to pistols, tactical daggers, and grenades, they both carried assault rifles.


    Each carried a tactical backpack with various supplies, including big bullets, magazines, grenades, and a first aid kit.


    At Liu Yong''s insistence, the two donned body armour and helmets.


    [ " Boss, we''vepleted the inspection and we''re ready to go, " ] one of them reported.


    Liu Yong rose to his feet, holstered his Desert Eagle, and gestured, saying, [ " Let''s go then. It''s time to confront those pirates and give them a lesson they won''t forget. " ]<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The trio stepped out of the door and climbed into their jeep.


    Through the information obtained from Han Yi, they were already aware of the precise location of the Melka organization''s hideout. Formerly a military base belonging to the government''s army, it was now transformed into a stronghold for the pirates.


    As they departed the city, they embarked on a journey of over 100 kilometres. By the time they neared the military base, the local time was already 5 pm, and darkness would descend in a couple of hours.


    Ahead, a checkpoint obstructed their path. Around a dozen armed personnel were stationed there. Observing the approaching jeep, they signalled for it to stop and undergo inspection.


    [ " Security is quite tight here. This ce is at least three or four kilometres away from their hideout, and they''ve set up checkpoints to prevent entry, " ] remarked He Qiang.


    Liu Yong nodded, cautioning, [ " Let''s handle this forcefully and not give them a chance to react. " ]


    [ " Understood, " ] Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang acknowledged in unison.


    The off-road vehicle advanced for another two to three hundred meters before halting in front of the checkpoint. Several pirates armed with AKs approached to inspect while the rest were guarded.


    They closed in on the car.


    Upon seeing three Orientals inside, the pirates were momentarily taken aback.


    Reacting swiftly, Liu Yong swiftly drew his Desert Eagle and fired.


    [ " Bang, bang, bang. " ]


    Gunshots resonated, each shot finding its mark with deadly precision¡ªheadshots!


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang were just as quick to react, brandishing their pistols. A dozen pirates fell to the ground, their lives snuffed out by the trio''s expert marksmanship, leaving little time for them to react.


    While firing, Liu Yong felt no qualms. However, once the shooting ceased and he beheld the corpses, a wave of difort swept him, even a nauseating sensation.


    [ " Let''s go, drive ! " he hastily instructed.


    It took a while for the feeling to subside. Just aheady the pirates'' hideout, with the military base situated in the distance amid the t expanse of the Gobi Desert.


    The vehicle came to a stop. Further progress risked being detected.


    Parking the car by the side of the road, the three of them disembarked. Liu Yong could already make out two small teaus nking the military base, each adorned with circr fortifications.


    Liu Yong and Bawang possessed extraordinary abilities, including supervision power that resembled binocrs. They could easily spot the sandbags and machine guns positioned on the two small elevated areas with keen eyesight.


    [ " It''s crucial to neutralize the militants on those two hignds first, " ] Liu Yong asserted.


    [ " Both of you should find a temporary hiding spot, " ] he continued. [ " I''ll take care of the individuals on the high grounds. " ]


    Before Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang could utter a word, the responsibility of dealing with the enemies on the hignds was abruptly thrust upon them. They watched in awe as Liu Yong dashed towards the small right teau.


    [ " Wow, is that our boss? " ] Kang Zhenggang eximed in astonishment.


    [ " I can''t believe how incredibly fast he is! " ] He Qiang added, his disbelief evident in his voice.


    ..............

 Chapter 202 Zig-Zag

    ?


    A gust of wind swept through the air, setting the stage for what was about to unfold.


    The cheetah, known for its remarkable speed, could reach speeds exceeding 120 kilometres per hour. However, Liu Yong seemed to surpass even that, dashing towards the small teau on the right with incredible swiftness. Kang Zhenggang stood there, his mind nk with disbelief. He Qiang couldn''t help but express his awe [ " Just as expected from our Boss, truly astounding! " ] Since they had taken the "gic medicine," they had be somewhat like superhumans. Running a hundred meters in less than seven seconds was already an impressive feat in their eyes. However, Liu Yong''s performance left thempletely stunned. Within a few blinks, he had covered a distance of approximately a thousand meters. When he was merely two or three hundred meters away, the few pirates on the small raised ground finally noticed Liu Yong''s presence. [ " What in God''s name is that?! " ]


    The machine gunner who spotted Liu Yong was petrified, his mouth hanging wide open, forgetting to pull the trigger. In no time, Liu Yong closed in on the machine gunner. With a swift motion, he drew his knife and, in one clean stroke, slit the machine gunner''s carotid artery, causing a gush of blood to sprout as if it were an uncontainable fountain. The remaining onlookers stood there dumbfounded, their minds yet to catch up with the sudden events. [ " Hands up, all of you! " ]


    Within moments, the remaining five pirates transformed into lifeless bodies, falling to the ground individually. [ " Well, this machine gun seems quite decent. " ] Liu Yong calmly sheathed his sabre, picked up the M60 general-purpose machine gun, still in rtively new condition, and approached the small hignd several hundred meters away. Taking cover behind arge rock, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang watched the scene unfold before their eyes, their amazement reaching new heights.


    [ " Unbelievable! Our Boss is truly remarkable! He managed to eliminate everyone on the right high ground within a minute. " ] The admiration overwhelmed the two men, leaving them in awe of Liu Yong''s extraordinary skills.


    Simultaneously, a burning desire to prove themselves ignited within them. Witnessing their Boss''s exceptional performance, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang yearned to showcase their skills and eradicate the pirates.


    Gripping the formidable M60 general-purpose machine gun, Liu Yong set his sights on a small elevated area to the left. The distance to reach it was merely a few hundred meters, a feat he aplished in ten seconds.


    Several pirates stationed there eventually caught sight of Liu Yong''s presence. Reacting swiftly, the machine gunner unleashed a barrage of bullets in his direction.


    Undeterred, Liu Yong moved incredibly fast, zigzagging his way towards safety. The machine gunner''s bullets failed to find their mark.


    Not one to hold back, Liu Yong reciprocated while skillfully evading the enemy''s fire. Squeezing the trigger of his machine gun, he sent a flurry of bullets that tore through flesh. Every pirate fell, and none were left alive.


    Pressing forward without hesitation, Liu Yong knew his gunfire would undoubtedly attract the attention of pirates holed up in theirir. Nevertheless, he paid little heed and continued his relentless march towards the military base.


    Maintaining their zigzag pattern, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang promptly reacted, bursting forth from their cover behind a boulder and charging towards the heart of the military base.


    Liu Yong''s ability to aplish such feats stemmed from his dominance and power. His approach was straightforward and unceremonious.


    At the base''s entrance, two machine guns stood guard, positioned on the left and right, a considerable distance of at least two hundred meters away. Seizing the moment, Liu Yong hurled two grenades sessively.


    The grenades traced elegant arcs through the air before finding their mark, exploding with thunderous force beside the machine guns.


    Such an operation seemed almost inconceivable!


    Two hundred meters apart, yet the uracy was astounding.


    While trailing behind, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang stood awestruck, witnessing the spectacle before their eyes.


    While Liu Yong pressed onward, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang were closing in on their destination at a distance of approximately one or two hundred meters from the gate.


    In the current situation, the entire military basey in ruins, it''s systems fried from the devastating attack that had taken ce.


    A horde of pirates surged forward, brandishing various guns and weapons, ready to overpower any resistance.


    As Liu Yong dashed through the gateway, he was immediately confronted by a formidable group of thirty to forty pirates. Nearly all of them wielded AK-47 assault rifles, and one of them menacingly carried an RPG rocketuncher.


    [ " Da da da! " ]


    Liu Yong''s grip tightened around his machine gun, unleashing a torrent of mes as the weapon discharged at its fastest rate. The chain of ammunition,prising 200 rounds, rapidly dwindled, leaving a trail of spent shell casings strewn across the ground.


    Many pirates fell before him, unable to withstand the onught.


    Nevertheless, the sheer volume of adversaries posed a daunting challenge.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Several bullets found their mark on Liu Yong''s body. However, thanks to his mastery of the third-level tortoise shell technique, his defence was impervious to AK-47 bullets, rendering them futile in breaking through his armour.


    Liu Yong felt a dull impact as a bullet struck him, the pain barely registering. At most, his skin bore a slight reddish mark, remaining unbroken.


    Knowing that these bullets posed no threat to him, Liu Yong exhibited unyielding courage.


    One man against dozens of pirates.


    As the 200 rounds of ammunition were rapidly depleted, fewer than ten pirates remained standing. Abandoning the spent machine gun, Liu Yong swiftly drew his Desert Eagle and expertly maneuvered, rolling and evading enemy fire.


    [ " Bang, bang, bang! " ]


    Gunshots reverberated through the air, leaving a trail of bloodshed in their wake.


    With a single magazine of seven bullets, many pirates fell to the ground. Liu Yong deftly reced the magazine, seizing the moment. At this critical juncture, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang arrived.


    The thunderous roar of an assault rifle filled the air.


    Pirates crumpled under the onught, sumbing to the superior firepower unleashed by the reinforcements.


    Once again, the two men marvelled at the indomitable prowess of their leader. How could a single individual overthrow such a multitude of pirates? Their admiration resurfaced as they surveyed the grim scene of lifeless pirate bodies.


    Kang Zhenggang was on the verge of asking Liu Yong if he had sustained any injuries when he suddenly noticed a fresh wave of pirates converging upon them. This time, their numbers exceeded the previous encounter, armed predominantly with AK-47 rifles.


    Reacting swiftly, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang immediately sought cover behind a nearby bunker. Meanwhile, Liu Yong retrieved a grenade from his arsenal and hurled it into the midst of the pirate horde. The resulting explosion reverberated through the air, apanied by anguished cries.


    Liu Yong advanced with his Desert Eagle, the magazine fully loaded. Methodically, he unleashed a storm of bullets upon the swarming pirates, his aim unerring. Yet another bullet found its mark, striking Liu Yong''s body. Astonishingly, it failed to breach his defences. The AK-47''s shots proved insufficiently robust. To prate their formidable defence, onlyrge-calibre armour-piercing rounds would suffice.


    Undeterred, Liu Yong pressed on, emptying his magazine before plunging headlong into the midst of the pirate group. Abandoning his Desert Eagle, he brandished his sabres, dispatching his foes with lethal efficiency.


    Wide-eyed with disbelief, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang watched in awe. This was beyond human resilience. How was their Boss capable of such feats? It defied all logic.


    They bore witness to several bullets striking Liu Yong, yet he remained unscathed, defying all odds as he wielded his sabre amidst the crowd of adversaries.


    After a brief moment of astonishment, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang instinctively sought shelter behind the bunker, intermittently picking off pirates with their gunfire.


    Meanwhile, in a three-story building within a military base, Zawahiri, alongside several vital leaders, gathered in the conference hall. They were in high spirits as 100 million US dors had just arrived, prompting discussions about hosting an evening celebration banquet.


    Suddenly, the loud sound of gunfire erupted from outside.


    Taken aback, Zawahiri was about to inquire about the source of themotion when a subordinate swiftly approached and delivered the news [ "Boss, we have an intruder. " ]


    Curiosity piqued, Zawahiri inquired, [ " How many individuals are on the other side, and what kind of firepower do they possess? " ]


    The subordinate, Little Boss Hui, responded, [ " There are only three individuals, but... " ]


    Interrupting him with a dismissive hand wave, Zawahiri showed no interest in hearing further. Three individuals posed no significant threat when pitted against his vast force of over 300 men.


    ..............

 Chapter 203 It Isnt That Simple!

    ?


    The bosses standing beside him joined in theughter.


    [ " They must be seeking death if they think three people cane against us. " ]


    [ " Yeah, I bet the gunfire will cease in just a few minutes. " ]


    [ " I bet it won''t take more than 3 minutes." ]


    The atmosphere was rxed, and they were filled with a sense of arrogance. Even Zawahiri didn''t take it seriously. Upon hearing that there were only three intruders, he didn''t think it was a significant threat.


    This was his stronghold.


    In the past two years, the government army has attempted two attacks, but to no avail. The ce was impregnable. Not only were there over 300 well-equipped individuals, but they also possessed an arsenal of weapons.


    Assault rifles, bazookas, armoured vehicles, and tanks made it an imprable fortress.


    Liu Yong was like a killing machine, seemingly invincible!


    His superhuman perception was fully activated, allowing him to bepletely aware of everything within a 500-meter radius. He knew the number and locations of the people and the presence of armoured vehicles and tanks.


    [ " Attention, two off-road vehicles iing. " ]


    Liu Yong shouted, alerting Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang, who were far away. Simultaneously, he swiftly dispatched two enemies with his sabre.


    Two off-road vehicles appeared within the trio''s field of vision. Each car was apanied by a group of heavily armed pirates, some carrying bazookas.


    Each off-road vehicle was equipped with a robust heavy machine gun.


    Hei Dongdong''s muzzle was trained on Liu Yong''s position.


    Small-calibre bullets were manageable, barely denting their defences. However, Liu Yong was apprehensive about heavy machine gun rounds or rockets.


    As tworge-calibre machine guns unleashed a barrage of fire, Liu Yong swiftly moved, using the cover to his advantage. In a sh, he produced a grenade.


    [ " Da da da " ]


    The hail of bullets from the heavy machine guns rained down, along with a storm of assault rifle rounds. It was a relentless onught that threatened to overwhelm Liu Yong, rendering him unable to lift his head.


    Would Liu Yong dare to raise his head?


    -Absolutely!


    Taking refuge behind the cover, he hurled two grenades in a graceful arc,nding on the two open-top off-road vehicles and exploding in a disy of devastating power.


    The impact was enormous. The heavy machine guns on the vehicles malfunctioned, causing coteral damage to those nearby, resulting in screams of pain and panic.


    Liu Yong was the primary attacker, while Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang provided support.


    Their timing was impable. The detonation of the grenades reverberated, screams filled the air, and the two opened fire with their assault rifles.


    Liu Yong noticed two unused grenades on a pirate''s lifeless body beside him. Swiftly retrieving them, he tossed them out, leading to another scream.


    With the threat of the heavy machine guns neutralised, Liu Yong charged forward with his Desert Eagle, taking down adversaries with precise shots. He swiftly changed magazines, reloading with speed and efficiency.


    After emptying three consecutive magazines, only one lifeless body remained on the ground.


    Liu Yong swiftly swapped his pistol magazine and efficiently gathered all the RPG rocketunchers scattered on the ground.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    [ " An armored vehicle and two tanks are approaching! Be on your guard! " ] he shouted, alerting hispanions.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang disyed remarkable reflexes and observation skills when they noticed the approaching armoured vehicles and tanks. They swiftly took cover behind an obstacle to conceal themselves temporarily without hesitation. Meanwhile, Liu Yong scaled the roof of a nearby building with feline agility and aimed his RGP rocketuncher at the lead armoured vehicle.


    "Boom!" the rocket hit the intended target, instantly destroying all the armoured vehicles and tanks. Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang emerged from their hiding spot and unleashed a barrage of gunfire towards the enemy.


    Inside a three-story building, Zawahiri and hisrades began to feel uneasy as they heard the battle intensifying outside. After more than ten minutes, the fighting grew louder, and it seemed to get closer to their location. A loud explosion urred, and the conference room door burst open. One of Zawahiri''s subordinates rushed in, panting and gasping for air.


    [ "Leader, run quickly! Almost all of our people are dead, and those three people areing this way! " ] he eximed.


    The group of over 300 people panicked at the news, but before they could escape, three individuals with Oriental features burst into the room, guns zing.


    [ " Don''t move! " ] Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang shouted, their rifles trained on the frightened hostages. Liu Yong stepped forward, brandishing a Desert Eagle and addressing the room in English.


    [ " Who is Zawahiri? " ] he demanded.


    Without warning, a leader attempted to reach for a gun but was swiftly shot in the head by Liu Yong. [ " Don''t make any sudden moves, or you''ll end up like him, " ] Liu warned.


    Zawahiri and the other hostages trembled in fear as Liu Yong revealed himself as the boss of the Global Shipping Group, the target of their $100 million extortion scheme. He held the Desert Eagle to Zawahiri''s head and used him of hijacking their ship and demanding the exorbitant sum.


    Zawahiri pleaded for forgiveness and offered to return the money immediately, even showing them theptops on the conference table where they could transfer the funds. But Liu Yong shook his head and chuckled, seeing through the ruse.


    [ " It''s not that simple, " ] he remarked, suggesting that the Somali Al-Shabaab behind Zawahiri may have overestimated their abilities.


    A booming voice erupted from a leader beside him, [ " Well, what else do you intend to do? If you eliminate all of us, you''ll face our furious vengeance. " ]


    [ " Boom! " ]


    Liu Yong swiftly raised his hand and fired, a sharp chirping sound filling the air. This fool fails to grasp the gravity of the situation; now, he''s nothing more than helpless prey.


    The power behind that shot was undeniable.


    The hearts of the other leaders trembled, fully aware that Liu Yong was the kind of person who would kill without hesitation.


    Liu Yong didn''t nce at the lifeless Leader. He again pointed his gun at Zawahiri''s head and dered, " A hundred million dors is too meagre. I demand one billion dors, not a penny less.


    Zawahiri''s forehead glistened with sweat as he stammered, [ " We don''t possess such an enormous sum of money. " ]


    [ " Boom! " ]


    Without hesitation, Liu Yong swiftly shot again, his target falling victim to a headshot.


    [ " I have no patience for idle talk. If youck the funds, I''ll simply take more lives. " ]


    Zawahiri''s forehead grew sweatier, and he pleaded, [ " Once I transfer the money, please let us go. I beg of you. " ]


    It was astonishing to witness such a ferocious pirate leader terrified of death.


    Liu Yong firmly pressed the gun against Zawahiri''s head and snapped, [ " Enough with the nonsense. Transfer the money immediately. If you cause any dy, I''ll raise the price. " ]


    Zawahiri obediently proceeded to transfer the money. He operated aptopputer, executing the transfer of a total of one billion US dors to an offshore ount belonging to the Global Shipping Group.


    ....................

 Chapter 204 BOOM! - SINGLE SHOT

    ?


    Liu Yong pressed the cold barrel of the gun against his head, his gaze fixed on his target as he watched the manplete the transfer.


    [ " Hmph, daring to hijack our ship and demand a ransom of 100 million U.S. dors. What an idiot. He paid a hefty price of 1 billion U.S. dors, " ] Liu Yong scoffed, a hint of amusementcing his voice. Trembling with fear, Zawahiri''s face turned pale, beads of cold sweat trickling down his forehead. He stammered, [ " I have transferred 1 billion U.S. dors as per your request. Please, don''t kill me. " ] Liu Yong''s lips curled into a sinister smile as he calmly pulled the trigger.


    -BOOM!


    A single shot echoed through the room, shattering the silence as Zawahiri''s head exploded in a gruesome disy. Liu Yong''s voice dripped with dark humour as he remarked, [ " I never promised not to kill you. If I spared the likes of you, why bother waiting for the New Year? " ]


    Reacting swiftly, Kang Zhenggang and Qiu Yang also pulled their triggers, the room filling with a rapid session of gunfire.


    [ " Let''s go. Time to leave, " ] Liu Yong dered, his tonemanding.


    The trio exited the small building, greeted by an awaiting off-road vehicle parked at the entrance. Liu Yong wasted no time, swiftly hopping onto it, and the three sped away.


    -What! Zawahiri was dead! His stronghold had been decimated, leaving no more than 300 survivors!


    News of this swift and brutal takedown spread like wildfire, shocking the remaining three pirate groups. They were baffled by the audacity of the assants who had effortlessly eradicated the entire Melka organization.


    Some specte that the Global Shipping Group might be involved. After all, the Melka organization had recently hijacked one of their vessels, demanding a hefty ransom of 100 million U.S. dors. The ship was only just released when this unexpected turn urred. Others considered the possibility of a mere coincidence, unsure of the true orchestrator behind the demise of the Melka organization.


    Furious, the leader of the Somali al-Shabaab vented his anger by knocking over several cups in session, his breath heavy with frustration. The Melka organization, a pirate group he had painstakingly supported, had beenpletely wiped out, depriving him of a significant source of ie.


    [ " Who is responsible for eliminating the Melka organization? Find out! " ] he bellowed, his voice filled with a potent mix of rage and determination.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong and hispanions had safely returned to the hotel where they were staying. Their hearts filled with satisfaction. Not only had they obliterated the entire Melka organization, but they had also amassed a staggering 1 billion dors. Indeed a job well done.


    Kang Zhenggang excitedly said, [ "Boss, this has been such a thrilling experience! I haven''t felt this much joy in a long time. " ]


    He Qiang nodded in agreement, adding, [ " Indeed, it''s even more exhrating than our army missions. On missions, we have to abide by strict discipline, but this time, we can do whatever we please. " ]


    Liu Yong chuckled and praised them, saying, [ " You both performed exceptionally well. Once we''re back home, each of you will be rewarded with a generous sum of 5 million yuan. " ]


    [ " Really ? " ] eximed the two, their happiness soaring inexplicably.


    [ " The Boss increased the reward from 2 million to 5 million yuan just because he''s in a good mood. We couldn''t have asked for more," ] they remarked happily.


    As the three chatted andughed in the room, Liu Yong''s phone interrupted their conversation. It was a call from Qiu Yang in China, who sounded overjoyed.


    [ " Boss, our group''s overseas ount suddenly received a remittance of 1 billion U.S. dors. What''s happening? " ] Qiu Yang asked curiously.


    Liu Yong smiled and shared, [ " I personally confronted the gang of pirates and they sent the money as an apology. They promised they''ll never attempt to hijack our ships again. " ]


    Of course, he wasn''t telling the truth. There was no need to divulge the actual events. As long as Qiu Yang believed the money came from the pirates, it would confirm the destruction of the entire Melka organization, making it impossible for them to hijack Global Shipping Group''s vessels.


    Upon hearing this, Qiu Yang''s excitement escted. [ " Boss, I''ve always worried about your safety. I never imagined you were so powerful. Not only did these pirates release our ship and crew, but they also apologized with 1 billion U.S. dors. It''s beyond my wildest expectations. " ]


    Liu Yongughed again and said, [ " The money has already been transferred to our ount. If you want to buy a boat, go ahead. If you want to use it for the construction of the Universal Building, allocate it there. " ]


    In essence, Liu Yong wanted Qui Yang to spend it as he pleased. Liu Yong wants him to be OK with trivial things like spending money. After all, the money came effortlessly, so Liu Yong didn''t feel guilty about using it.


    [ " Sure Boss " ] Qui Yang replied and ended the phone.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After chatting for a few minutes, the trio headed to the hotel''s restaurant for dinner. Indulging in the most renowned local delicacy, roasted camel, they ordered extravagantly and apanied their meal with expensive red wine.


    It was a feast fit for a king. Despite their appetites, they couldn''t finish even one-third of the camel. A whole camel, although delicious, proved to be too much.


    They decided against venturing for a leisurely stroll because of theck of safety outside. Instead, after their meal, they sat on the hotel''s open-air balcony, enjoying the serene ambience before retiring to their room.


    Liu Yong settledfortably on the sofa and conversed with Li Changle for a while.


    As soon as he hung up the phone, Bawang''s voice resonated in his mind, breaking the silence.


    [ " Master, I have arrived in the Gulf of Aden. Do you have any tasks for me? " ]


    Bawang had embarked on a remarkable journey from the South China Sea of Yan Kingdom, traversing thousands of nautical miles in just two days to reach the Gulf of Aden finally.


    Liu Yong responded, appreciating Bawang''s efforts, [ " You have worked hard. Find a ce to rest and recover. If there is a task, I will contact you proactively. " ]


    [ "OK, master, " ] Bawang acknowledged his need for rest after swimming such great distances. He satisfied his hunger and sought afortable spot to replenish his energy.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong also retired to his bed for some well-deserved rest.


    For some individuals, tonight was destined to be a restless night, such as certain members of the Somali al-Shabaab.


    After the destruction of the Melka organization, the Youth Party mobilized its forces to investigate the incident thoroughly, determined to uncover the identities of those responsible for wiping out the organization.


    The next day.....


    Liu Yong woke up feeling reasonably well-rested after a good night''s sleep. The foreign surroundings didn''t make him tired. Checking the time upon waking, he proceeded to freshen up.


    Now that the work was done, Liu Yong had entrusted the hotel to book three air tickets to Dubai the previous day. He wondered if they had been booked yet, aware there was only one flight to Dubai each afternoon.


    At around 8:00 a.m. local time, Liu Yong and hispanions gathered for breakfast.


    The breakfast spread wasvish, but Liu Yong had no qualms about spending money generously. Compared to the one billion U.S. dors from the previous day, the cost was insignificant, a mere drop in the ocean.


    After breakfast, the hotel staff approached them courteously, presenting three first-ss air tickets.


    [ " The flight is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., so you will arrive in Dubai by evening, sir " ] informed the staff.


    Liu Yong received his air ticket and realized it was still at 9 o''clock. They had ample time until 6 p.m. Could they venture out for a stroll?


    [ " What do you think about going out for a walk? " ] Liu Yong suggested, curious about hispanions'' opinions.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang approved the proposal, eager to explore their new surroundings. They were undeterred by the potential chaos outside.


    All three carried pistols and extra magazines for safety. Strolling around with a firearm felt somewhat uneasy.


    Just as they reached the hotel lobby, prepared to step outside, a group of over a dozen individuals stormed in from the entrance, heavily armed.


    ................

 Chapter 205 BIG BEAR & MULATU

    ?


    A formidable African-American man led the way, exuding immense strength and power.


    He was known as "Big Bear," a prominent figure and leader of the Youth Party. His expression carried a fierce intensity, warning others that he was not one to be trifled with.


    As they entered the hall, they unexpectedly encountered Liu Yong and hispanions¡ªthree individualspelled to halt their progress due to the opposing party blocking their path.


    Liu Yong and hispanions paused, not for any particr reason but simply because the other group had obstructed their way, leaving them with no choice but to stop.


    Simrly, Big Bear and his entourage halted their advance upon recognizing Liu Yong and hispanions.


    Apanied by armed and aggressive individuals, Big Bear boldly approached the doorway, setting his sights on Liu Yong. He intended to "invite" Liu Yong to have a little chat, though the leader of the Youth Party was seething with anger.


    In English, Big Bear questioned, [ " Are you Liu Yong from the Global Shipping Group? " ]


    Liu Yong immediately realized that the opposing party hade prepared, focusing squarely on him, likely in connection with the copse of the Melka organization the previous afternoon.


    [ " Yes, I am, " ] Liu Yong responded calmly andposedly, despite the intimidating presence of Big Bear and his armed associates.


    Confirming Liu Yong''s identity, Big Bear spoke arrogantly, [ " Then please apany us. Our leader wishes to see you. " ]


    Amused, Liu Yong retorted, [ " I''m sorry, but I don''t have the time. We''re actually heading out for some shopping. " ]


    [ " This matter is not within your control. Come with us, " ] Big Bear insisted.


    Wearing a grim smile, Big Bear extended his massive hand, intending to apprehend Liu Yong. However, what followed was a remarkable turn of events.


    To his astonishment, Big Bear discovered that Liu Yong remained utterly unfazed, firmly rooted in his spot. Liu Yong appeared rxed as he effortlessly grabbed Big Bear''s hand and pushed it away. Big Bear staggered, retreating several meters and nearlynding on his backside.


    It was a surprising sight that unfolded before them. Big Bear''s subordinates, finally regaining their senses, pointed their firearms at Liu Yong and hispanions.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang didn''t waste any time. They swiftly aimed their pistols at Da Xiong and his group. Tension filled the air as a potential sh between swords and firearms loomed, and the atmosphere peaked.


    At any moment, a misfire could ur. Panicked screams echoed throughout the hotel as the staff fled in fear, leaving only Liu Yong and his opponents in the hall. Confronted by a dozen guns, Liu Yong remainedposed as if he faced nothing more than a dozen fire sticks. Suddenly, Liu Yong sprang into action! He moved with extraordinary speed, akin to a fleeting shadow.


    [ " Oops! " ]


    A sound escaped before Big Bear''s subordinates could react. They were swiftly brought down, sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain, while their weapons were scattered across one side of the hall. Big Bear was filled with terror, his mouth hanging agape!


    [ " This... this... this... - Am I dreaming? Is there really someone this powerful in the world? " ] It took him a while to regain his senses. His face turned pale, and he stammered slightly as he contemted raising his hands. Witnessing Liu Yong''s pistol pointed at him; he almost sumbed to surrender.


    Liu Yong spoke, calm yetmanding, [ " I''ve suddenly be more interested in meeting your leader. Lead the way, take us to him. " ] After uttering these words, Liu Yong took the lead, walking out of the hotel. He boarded a car that belonged to Big Bear and his group, followed by Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang.


    Big Bear stood bewildered. What is happening here? Why did he willingly ask to meet our leader all of a sudden? Despite his formidable power, isn''t he afraid? Is he not scared of death? Big Bear couldn''tprehend the situation. <novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After a brief moment of confusion, he ordered his men to retrieve their weapons and leave the hotel. They climbed into their respective cars and departed in haste. Silence enveloped the journey. The convoy of vehicles traversed streets and alleys, eventually stopping in front of a building in the urban area after approximately 20 to 30 minutes. This was a temporary location and couldn''t be Al-Shabaab''s stronghold.


    In the cunning rabbit''s three burrows, nobody knew the location of the Youth Party''sir nor the whereabouts of their leader, which remained elusive.


    Why did Liu Yong suddenly express the desire to meet the leader of the Youth Party? The reason was simple: to issue a warning. He wanted to discourage any thoughts of revenge or future hijackings of Global Shipping Group''s ships.


    Several heavily armed guards stood watch in front of the building, emphasizing its high security. Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang braced themselves, preparing to apany Liu Yong inside. However, Big Bear''s subordinates barred their way, allowing only Liu Yong to enter alone.


    Liu Yong was a bold man. With his exceptional perception, he had already determined that around a hundred armed individuals were in the building.


    However, they posed no threat.


    [ " You guys wait for me outside. Don''t worry, I''ll be fine, " ] Liu Yong assured them. With that, Liu Yong followed Big Bear and the others into the building.


    Upon reaching the third floor, they settled into a spacious room resembling a reception area. Liu Yong seemed careless, almost oblivious to the armed men surrounding him.


    After a while, a middle-aged man dressed in ck entered the room, apanied by a sizable entourage. He was Mtu, the leader of Somali Al-Shabaab, holding significant armed forces and controlling most of Somalia''s pirate organizations.


    Mtu''s countenance grew icier and more serious, reflecting the gravity of the situation. He motioned for Liu Yong to sit on the sofa and spoke condescendingly, [ " You must be Liu Yong, the boss of Global Shipping Group, am I correct? " ] Liu Yong calmly replied, [ " Indeed, I am Liu Yong. And you must be the leader of the Youth Party. " ]


    Aftermunicating for a while, Mtu noticed that Liu Yong disyed no hint of fear or subservience, almost as if he considered himself in control. This irked Mtu, and a touch of annoyance flickered across his face.


    Seizing the opportunity to undermine Liu Yong''s confidence, one of Mtu''s subordinates stepped forward and delivered a forceful p across Liu Yong''s face, attempting to leave asting impression.


    However, Liu Yong''s reflexes were lightning-fast. No one had anticipated that Liu Yong would dare act in such a dangerous situation. A loud gunshot reverberated through the room, leaving everyone bewildered. It was impossible to discern how Liu Yong had drawn his firearm, but Mtu''s subordinate had already copsed to the ground with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.


    The lifeless bodyy sprawled, its shattered skull leaking brain matter onto the floor. The armed men reacted swiftly, raising their weapons and training them on Liu Yong. Yet, Liu Yong seemed unaffected by the menacing muzzles pointed his way. He nonchntly blew on the barrels of his Desert Eagle, then spoke deliberately,


    [ " Gentlemen, the Melka organization''s demise has been sealed. Any thoughts of seeking revenge against us are futile.


    Furthermore, I suggest you refrain from coveting the vessels belonging to the Global Shipping Group in the future. " ]


    Mtu responded, [ " And what if we refuse toply? " ]


    A smirk tugged at the corners of Liu Yong''s lips. This man''s intellect is disconcerting. Can he not see that I don''t regard him and his fiveckeys as a significant threat? Yet, he dares to defy me. The smile abruptly vanished from Liu Yong''s face, and a sense of foreboding crept over Mtu.


    However, before anyone could react, Liu Yong''s gun was pressed firmly against Mtu''s head.


    The speed of the action left everyone stupefied. They wanted to retaliate, but fear held them back. With the gun aimed at their leader''s head, the consequences of an idental bullet would be catastrophic.


    ......¡­

 Chapter 206 ~Expect The Unexpected

    ?


    Liu Yong''s expression turned icy, his face devoid of warmth.


    [ " You just said ''no'', didn''t you? Are you nning to seek vengeance for the Melka organization and hijack our ships in the future? " ] he used Mtu with a hint of animosity.


    Mtu''s anger red up in response. Surrounded by his subordinates, Liu Yong aimed a gun at him, his eyes zing with intensity.


    One of Mtu''s subordinates, a presumed expert, stealthily pulled out a pistol, preparing to shoot. However, Liu Yong fired a shot without hesitation before he could aim.


    -BOOM!


    -AHHHHHH!


    The so-called expert copsed to the ground.


    The others were startled, freezing in their tracks. Their slight movements came to an abrupt halt as they dreaded bing the next target of Liu Yong''s bullet.


    Liu Yong once again aimed his gun at Mtu''s head.


    [ " Are you nning to cause trouble for us in the future? Do you seek revenge? " ] he demanded.


    Despite Mtu''s anguish, the gun pressed against his head rendered his subordinates helpless in the face of the gun.


    Reluctantly, he responded, [ " Rest assured, Mr. Liu. We won''t seek revenge in the future, and we won''t dare to hijack yourpany''s ships. " ]


    Liu Yong warned him sternly, [ " Remember what you''ve said today. You must not forget, or you''ll regret it for the rest of your life. " ]


    With that, Liu Yong holstered his Desert Eagle, tucking it away at his waist, and swaggered out of the room.


    Many subordinates of Mtu were left astonished.


    [ " Shouldn''t it have been standard practice to keep a hostage for safety and evacuate carefully ? " ] Mtu thought.


    Soon Mtu was tempted to give the order to shoot, but apprehension crept into his mind when he nced at the two lifeless bodies on the ground. What if, just in case...


    The mere thought made him tremble with fear.


    Another subordinate, witnessing Liu Yong''sck of a firearm, saw an opportunity to strike. Boldly, he reached for his pistol, intending to shoot Liu Yong in the back. Suddenly, a swift and forceful sabre appeared out of nowhere.


    -Sanggg!


    It moved with such speed, like an elusive shadow, that almost no one had time to react. The sabre pierced through the man''s head, leaving only the hilt visible on the other side.


    Oh, dear God!


    The head is the most substantial part of the human body, yet the sabre prated so profoundly.


    Liu Yong didn''t even turn his head, silently reflecting that one doesn''t necessarily need a Desert Eagle to take a life¡ªsometimes, a sabre is just as effective.


    Outside the tower, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang could hear intermittent gunshots emanating from within. Their anxiety for Liu Yong''s safety grew, and they contemted storming inside with their firearms on multiple asions.


    Finally, their eyes saw Liu Yong strolling out with a calm countenance.


    [ " Boss, are you unharmed? " ] The two asked almost simultaneously.


    Liu Yong reassured them, [ " I''m perfectly fine, not a scratch. " ]


    Kang Zhenggang inquired, [ " So this individual didn''t trouble you? Did they not cause any harm? " ]


    [ " They certainly intended to, but theycked the capability, " ] Liu Yong responded. [ " I simply provided them with an education. Their leader assured me that they will abstain from hijacking our vessels in the future. " ]


    The two exchanged nces, rapidly envisioning the lesson Liu Yong had imparted to their adversaries.


    Liu Yong gestured with his hand andmanded, [ " Let''s go, snap out of it. We have matters to attend to. " ]


    In the afternoon, a car dispatched by the hotel arrived to transport San Rendao to the airport.


    As they departed, all the weapons remained behind, abandoned in their hotel room. Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang couldn''t help but feel regret.


    They longed to seize those weapons for themselves, but the situation dictated that taking them on the ne was not an option.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    At 6 p.m., the ne took off, and it was already deep into the night when they touched down at Dubai Airport. Liu Yong diligently sought out the finest local hotel for their temporary stay.


    Liu Yong pondered whether the pirate organizations under the control of the Somali Al-Shabaab would continue to target the vessels belonging to the Global Shipping Group in the future. He fervently hoped they would abstain from such actions.


    However, Liu Yong was resolute in his conviction that if they dared to engage in piracy, they would undoubtedly face severe consequences and pay a hefty price for their actions.


    In the Red Sea ...¡­.


    The Red Sea stretched before them as the colossal vessel, owned by the renowned Global Shipping Group, continued its voyage. Two days had passed since it traversed the Suez Canal, and tomorrow morning, it was scheduled to enter the dangerous waters of the Gulf of Aden.


    This was the [[ " Hongda, " ]] a mammoth container ship with a staggering discement exceeding 100,000 tons, surpassing even the recently hijacked [[ " East Star. " ]] Every nook and cranny of the [[ " Hongda " ]] was filled with containers, all imported from Europe.


    Captain Lu Yingwu couldn''t shake off a gnawing unease as he discussed the situation with his crew.


    [ " The Gulf of Aden waters are far from peaceful, and my instincts tell me something''s amiss. " ]


    Seeking to reassure his worried crew, Captain Lu Yingwu remarked, [ " Our luck won''t be that terrible. The pirates just hijacked the ''East Star'' a few days ago, demanding a hefty ransom of 100 million US dors. They''ll likely target ourpany''s shipter. They''lly low for a few months." ]


    Though hoping for the best, a sense of foreboding lingered within the captain.


    [ " I sincerely hope you''re right, Captain, but this unease keeps gnawing at my heart, " ] expressed a crew member.


    Captain Lu Yingwu pondered momentarily before suggesting, [ " In that case, let''s take precautions. Heighten our vignce, bolster our lookout, and prepare ourselves. "]


    Responding to their captain''s orders, the "Hongda" increased its alert status as it ventured into the Gulf of Aden waters the following morning.


    Several hours had passed since they set sail, and the sea remained tranquil. It was now afternoon.


    With nightfall looming within the next couple of hours, a sense of relief washed over Captain Lu Yingwu. After all, pirates usually operated during daylight, seldom venturing out under cover of darkness when visibility was limited.


    Feeling more at ease, Captain Lu Yingwu silently prayed, [ " May God bless us and allow us to traverse the Gulf of Aden unscathed." ] He understood that once they entered the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, the odds would be in their favour.


    Unfortunately, fate had other ns.


    As the saying goes, [ " Expect the unexpected. " ]


    Moments after concluding his prayer, Captain Lu Yingwu heard a series of shouts, instantly realizing that a speedboat was rapidly approaching¡ªpossibly pirates.


    [ " What?! Could our luck truly be this abysmal? How unlucky! " ] Captain Lu Yingwu''s heart tightened, and his nerves grew taut. He swiftly turned his gaze toward the distant sea, revealing the emergence of three or four indistinct dark specks heading their way.


    As the ck spots drew nearer, it became apparent that they were three or four speedboats. With each passing moment, their visibility increased, leaving no doubt that these were pirate vessels. Even without a telescope, one could discern armed men aboard the speedboats, brandishing their weapons.


    [ " Damn those pirates! " ] Lu Yingwu muttered, his anxiety intensifying. Some crew members couldn''t contain their panic, sumbing to fear''s grip.


    The menacing speedboats gradually closed in, the closest one now a mere three or four hundred meters from the "Hongda." Captain Lu Yingwu could clearly distinguish the AK-47 assault rifles clutched by the pirates.


    [ " It''s all over. We''re doomed, " ] a lonely feeling consumed Captain Lu Yingwu''s heart.


    On the flight from Dubai to Huahai City, Liu Yong reclined in a luxurious and spacious first-ss seat, his eyes covered with afortable blindfold as he sought some much-needed rest.


    His mind was still upied with the events that had transpired in Somalia over the past two days, and he couldn''t help but reflect on the sheer enjoyment he had experienced. We had sessfully eliminated more than 300 pirates using our strategic approach, and the exhration of having $1 billion deposited into our ount was genuinely satisfying.


    Although I had warned Mtu, I was unsure if he had taken it to heart. To be safe, I had instructed Bawang to tail the "Honda" in case Mtu discreetly proved untrustworthy.


    But what if Mtu deceives us? What if he merely pays lip service to his promise of refraining from attacking ships belonging to the Global Shipping Group?


    No matter. Bawang would silently trail the "Hongda" for the foreseeable future, particrly in the Gulf of Aden and its surrounding waters.


    While other vessels relied on warships for protection, our ships were escorted by formidable Overlords.


    Lost in contemtion, Liu Yong''s thoughts were interrupted by Bawang''s voice echoing, [ " Master, I am currently tailing the Hongda, and as you suspected, there have been sightings of pirates. " ]


    Surprised, Liu Yong''s eyes flickered open. [ " What? There are indeed pirates? " ]


    He couldn''t help but feel anticipation and vignce as the journey continued.


    ................

 Chapter 207 Third Party Vision Activation

    ?


    Liu Yong swiftly essed the pet panel and activated the third-party field of vision, instantly revealing a high-definition view.


    [[ " Quack, it''s all in HD, " ]], presenting a range of options to zoom in and adjust the viewing angle within the 1000-meter radius.


    With the aid of the panel, Liu Yong''s eyes captured a clear sight of Bawang, along with the nearby container ship "Hongda," merely a couple of hundred meters away. Additionally, he spotted four speedboats encircling the "Hongda," engaging in a cat-and-mouse game.


    Several armed pirates manned the speedboats, their organized and well-equipped demeanour hinting at their affiliation with a giant pirate organization, likely at the behest of Somali al-Shabaab.


    Frustration filled Liu Yong''s voice as he said, [ " As soon as I leave, these pirates set their sights on our ship. Overlord, sink all four pirate speedboats and leave none of those pirates alive. " ]


    Meanwhile, aboard the cargo ship "Hongda," panic consumed the crew members. Their encounter with Somali pirates left some in despair, as the notion of being hijacked like the ill-fated "Eastern Star" haunted their thoughts.


    Amid their pessimistic musings, a crew member eximed, [ " Captain, look over there! What''s happening? " ]


    Captured by curiosity, Captain Lu Yingwu turned his gaze towards the source of themotion. To his astonishment, he witnessed an unexpected turn of events¡ªa pirate speedboat had capsized.


    [ " Yes, it capsized indeed, " ] remarked one crew member, while another added, [ " Why did the good one capsize? " ]


    A sense of relief swept through the previously deste crew as they observed the pirates struggling in the water, devoid of life-saving equipment or life jackets. The sight of their torment brought about a surge of jubtion, transforming their hopeless spirits into resounding cheers.


    Their hope for further salvation grew as they noticed three more pirate speedboats, silently enduring and praying for their capsizing, a testament to the crew''s desperate faith.


    Their prayers were answered as another speedboat abruptly overturned, possibly struck by an unseen force, as the distance made it difficult to discern the exact cause. The pirates on board were left floundering in the tumultuous waters.


    This miraculous turn of events was attributed to the Overlord''s intervention. The small speedboat effortlessly capsized with a swift thrust of its colossal 50-meter spear. Overlord repeated this action in a show of dominance, flipping another speedboat with a resounding p. He even tried to consume one of the pirates but promptly spat it out, appalled by the unpleasant taste.


    Yet, two speedboats remained, and the pirates were utterly bewildered.


    They had never witnessed such an extraordinary urrence before and were at a loss for words. Faced with theirrades struggling in the water, their immediate priority was to rescue them, momentarily disregarding the cargo ship "Hongda" before them.


    As a speedboat rushed to aid the fallen pirates, it also suffered the same fate¡ªcapsizing and turning upside down within seconds.


    The pirates on the sole remaining speedboat grew pale with terror. Convinced that they had incurred the wrath of the Sea God, they mustered the courage to flee at full throttle, desperate to escape.


    Finally, aboard the "Hongda," jubnt cheers filled the air. [ " Haha, those pirates are finished! " ] eximed one crew member in sheer ecstasy.


    Another remarked, [ " God has truly shown us mercy. I never expected such an astonishing turn of events. " ] The harrowing moments of fear and anticipation dissipated, leaving the crew in awe of the sudden reversal of fortune.


    [ " I was scared to death just now. I thought we were destined to be hijacked by those pirates, " ] expressed another crew member, relief evident in their voice.


    As the crew rejoiced, their eyes remained fixated on the lone speedboat desperately attempting to flee. Some whispered fervently in their hearts, hoping for its overturning, unwilling to let it escape.


    In an inexplicable twist, an extraordinary scene unfolded once again...


    The speedboat swiftly escaped, covering a distance of approximately three to five hundred meters. However, to everyone''s astonishment, it suddenly and inexplicably capsized, causing all the pirates onboard to be thrown into the water.


    [ " Haha, thest one capsized too, " ] one of the crew members eximed gleefully.


    [ " I saw it with my own eyes! It was quite a sight to behold, " ] another crew member said, clearly enjoying the spectacle.


    Onboard the "Hongda," there was an air of jubtion and rxation. The crew members felt a sense of relief, as if they had just survived a catastrophic event.


    Initially, they had been filled with despair, but their outlook had changed entirely.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    [ " All four pirate speedboats overturned! " ] Yet another worker eximed, emphasizing the defeat of the pirates.


    They were stranded in the ocean, hundreds of nautical miles away from the nearestnd, with no life-saving equipment. Exhaustion took its toll, and only one of them managed to survive before sumbing to the sea.


    [ " Captain, look! " ] one crew member called out, pointing towards some of the struggling pirates desperately swimming towards the "Hongda," hoping for assistance.


    Captain Lu Yingwu had already noticed them but intentionally feigned ignorance, dering loudly, [ " Ignore them, increase our speed. Let''s get out of here. " ]


    [ " Hehe, they wanted to hijack us, but now they expect us to save them, " ]


    Lu Yingwu thought, finding sce in the thought, his anger momentarily relieved.


    Meanwhile, on the ne, Liu Yong watched the thrilling events unfold through a live broadcast from a third-party perspective. He found it immensely entertaining and satisfying.


    Mtu had ordered a group of pirates to hijack our cargo ship, the "Hongda."


    -HUH!.......... Liu Yong thought.


    Mean while Bawang contacted Liu Yong.


    [ " Master, all four pirate speedboats have been disabled, " ]


    Liu Yong praised, [ " Excellent job. It was executed wlessly. " ]


    [ " What''s the next step, Master ? "] Bawang inquired.


    Liu Yong replied, [ " Follow the cargo ship ''Hongda'' and escort it out of the waters of the Gulf of Aden. Once the mission isplete, stay temporarily in the vicinity of the Gulf of Aden. " ]


    [ " Understood, no problem, " ] the Overlord acknowledged willingly.


    Over the next ten, twenty, or even thirty days, the Overlord would remain in the waters of the Gulf of Aden, with two primary objectives: intercepting ships belonging to the global shippingpany andunching attacks on pirates in the region if Liu Yongmanded it.


    The targeted strikes against specific pirates aimed to send a message to Mtu, warning him that reneging on his promises woulde at a cost.


    Due to the time difference, it was alreadyte at night when Liu Yong and hispanionsnded at Huahai International Airport. Nevertheless, several cars had arrived to wee them.


    Qiu Yang, Hu Shijun, and others anxiously waited outside the airport.


    When Liu Yong, Qiu Yang, and Hu Shijun emerged from the airport, their friends joyfully greeted them.


    [ " Boss! " ] Qiu Yang eximed excitedly.


    [ " Brother Yong! " ] Hu Shijun called out warmly.


    Seeing hispanions, Liu Yong smiled and said, [ " I told you there was no need to gather, but I didn''t expect all of you toe. " ]


    Hu Shijun replied, [ " Brother Yong, we are thrilled to wee your triumphant return. You ventured to Somalia and earned a billion dors. We admire you greatly and feltpelled toe to the airport to greet you. " ]


    Liu Yong chuckled and said, [ " Well then, let''s get in the car and go. " ]


    .............

 Chapter 208 Shitai

    ?


    [ " Furious! " ]


    After carefully listening to the report, Mtu forcefully shattered a delicate, exquisite cup into countless shards, his heart boiling angrily. He had never anticipated that a meticulously nned operation would end up in such a disastrous manner.


    Four speedboats and over 20 highly skilled individuals¡ªall gone.


    -Wiped out!


    [ " Can someone exin to me what in the world happened? " ] Mtu bellowed, his voice filled with frustration and disbelief.


    The people surrounding him trembled in fear, avoiding any movement that could potentially attract trouble.


    After a moment, one daring leader spoke up, [ " Boss, based on our intelligence, another vessel belonging to the Global Shipping Group is scheduled to pass through the Gulf of Aden in two days. We could seize this opportunity to hijack the ship. " ]


    The leader then proposed a n demanding a ransom of 100 million dors from the Global Shipping Group. But quickly realizing the gravity of the situation, the leader revised the amount to 200 million dors.


    Mtu clenched his jaw tightly and dered, [ " No, 200 million dors is far too meagre. I want 1 billion dors, and I want to recover every single dor that the Melka organization intends to leave with. " ]


    -One billion dors!


    The other leaders stood there dumbfounded, momentarily shocked by their leader''s audacity. But amidst their astonishment, a sense of determination emerged within them. They were prepared to make another attempt, no matter the risks involved.


    Two dayster, the notorious group hijacked a massive bulk carrier named [[ " Shitai " ]] from the esteemed Global Shipping Group just as it was about to traverse the dangerous waters of the Gulf of Aden. This colossal vessel, boasting an impressive cargo capacity of 100,000 tons, was navigating the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, set to enter the Gulf of Aden in two days.


    [ " Mansour, you''re in charge of this operation. Our warship is prepared, and we must ensure that nothing goes awry, " ] the leader dered with authority.


    [ " Yes, leader! " ] Mansour responded, his voice resonating with unwavering determination.


    Mansour held a significant position within the Al-Shabaab ranks, serving as one of Mtu''s most trusted aides. They had spared no expense regarding seizing control of the "Shitai" belonging to Universal.


    Not only had Mansour personally overseen the operation, but they had also dispatched a second-hand warship procured from a specific undisclosed country. Their determination was relentless, and a formidable force prowled beneath the ocean''s surface.


    In the vast expanses of the Indian Ocean, where the water''s depths exceeded 2,000 meters andy approximately 1,000 nautical miles from the Gulf of Aden, the enigmatic Overlord revelled in his hunting grounds. He had discovered manyrge fish absent from the Pacific Ocean, making this area his preferred haunt.


    Among the deep-sea denizens, there resided a magnificent white fish¡ªan exquisite delicacy. These fish dwelled in the depths beyond 2,000 meters, exhibiting a striking white hue, pitifully small eyes, and an imposinglyrge head. Each specimen weighed several thousand kilograms, with thergest catch made by the Overlord measuring over ten meters in length and exceeding ten tons in weight. Its sheer size was nearly enough to satiate his voracious appetite. Indeed, this delicacy was the Overlord''s personal preference.


    The seabed, plunging to depths exceeding 2,000 meters,y shrouded in an imprable darkness. Yet, the Overlord possessed extraordinary sensory capabilities, allowing him to discern every detail within a 500-meter radius.


    With a leisurely pace, the Overlord glided through the depths, ever watchful for his next quarry. The underwater terrain was far from t; it was an uneven expanse adorned with colossal boulders, some reaching tens of meters in height, while others were of a more modest scale, measuring just a few meters.


    In the murky depths, darkness prevailed, apanied by an icy chill. asionally, brief lights illuminated the surroundings¡ªa manifestation of luminescent marine organisms. From time to time, the Overlord perceived massive, shadowy figures gracefully traversing the depths¡ªa testament to the existence of colossal deep-sea creatures.


    Amidst this ethereal ambience, the Overlord''s keen senses detected an intriguing presence lying ahead. His speed decelerated, and a heightened sense of caution enveloped him, for the entity before him not only possessed an imposing size and tonnage but also exuded an eerie otherworldliness.


    One might describe it as a fish, but its two colossal ws resembled gigantic pincers capable of crushing anything within their grasp. It could be likened to an enormous crab, yet it bore an uncanny resemnce to a fish¡ªan enigmatic amalgamation of the two.


    This was an extraordinarily peculiar creature.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Evidently, it had also detected the presence of the Overlord. With a swift motion, it swam closer, maintaining a vignt gaze upon the Overlord from approximately a hundred meters away. It seemed to recognize that underestimating the Overlord would be an ill-advised choice.


    The Overlord reciprocated by halting his movement and locking his gaze on the mysterious creature. Two formidable entities now faced each other, immersed in depths exceeding 2,000 meters.


    Minutes ticked by¡ªone, two, three¡ªuntil a full seven or eight minutes had psed. The Overlord contemted initiating a swift and forceful assault with his massive spear, testing the might of this peculiar adversary.


    However, the creature swiftly swam away before he could move, leaving the Overlord to marvel at its wisdom. Perhaps it had pondered, [ " Where did this formidable presence emerge from? " ]


    As the enigmatic creature gradually disappeared into the depths, the Overlord emitted a soft snort, acknowledging the creature''s sagacity. He counted himself fortunate that the creature had disyed prudence, for had it not, he would haveunched a blistering attack, rendering it either lifeless or gravely wounded.


    With the departure of the mysterious creature, the Overlord resumed his slow and deliberate swim across the ocean floor, wielding his colossal spear. His objective remained unchanged¡ªlocating a sizable white fish measuring at least ten meters long and weighing over twenty tons.


    Satiating his voracious appetite was his ultimate goal.


    After all, as a foodie, the Overlord believed that diligently pursuing the finest cuisine was a venture well worth his efforts. And so, with every stroke, he continued his unhurried exploration, fervently scouring the depths in search of his delectable prey.


    Overlordmanded attention and respect from all other sea creatures, regardless of their size. The mere presence of the Overlord was enough to deter any potential troublemakers from approaching.


    Overlord, an imposing figure of immense size and strength, donned a formidable suit of armour and wielded a colossal spear measuring 50 meters in length. Fully aware of his power, Bawang knew that challenging him would be challenging.


    Whenever other sea creatures caught sight of the Overlord, they instinctively steered clear, well aware of the consequences of crossing paths with such a dominant force.


    After swimming for another 20 to 30 minutes, covering a distance of roughly a dozen nautical miles, Bawang noticed a significant change in the surrounding terrain. The jagged and peculiar rocks gave way to a more typical submarine in stretching out ahead.


    The terrain, however, was only partially level. It gradually sloped downwards at a discernible angle. With each passing nautical mile, the inclination became more pronounced. Eventually, the front dropped almost vertically, revealing a colossal trench before Bawang.


    Coming to a halt, the Overlord pondered to himself, recalling a previous encounter with numerous giant jellyfish in a trench near Guam. He wondered what awaited him in this particr trench. Could it be teeming with an abundance of gigantic ghostly jellyfish or other dangerous sea creatures? Contemting the risks and rewards, the Overlord weighed the decision.


    [ " Should I venture into the treacherous depths of the trench and explore its secrets? " ] the Overlord questioned, torn between curiosity and caution.


    To enter or not to enter, the dilemma hung in the air. After a moment of hesitation, the Overlord decided and swam into the trench, plunging further into its mysterious depths. The depth steadily increased from over 2,000 meters to 3,500 meters.


    Reaching the four thousand kilometre mark, Bawang decided not to descend further. The water pressure at such depths was overwhelming, causing extreme difort. Two or three hundred meters below the current level marked the limits of Bawang''s endurance.


    The environment grew darker and colder as Bawang continued his descent, shes of unease flickering in his mind. The chilling seawater, with temperatures hovering just a few degrees above freezing, made him yearn for the rtive warmth andfort of the depths one or two thousand meters above.


    Having reached a depth of 4,000 meters without reaching the bottom of the trench, the Overlord decided against further exploration and resolved to swim upward.


    However, a few hundred meters above, at a depth ranging from approximately 3,300 to 4,000 meters, Bawang abruptly halted. Something caught his attention¡ªa colossal creature looming before him.


    In a curious turn of events, the creature also noticed Bawang''s presence and swiftly swam towards him, ready to engage in an encounter that held the promise of intrigue and danger.


    ................

 Chapter 209 A—White Strange C***.**.

    ?


    In the depths of the vast ocean, a breathtaking sight unfolded before Bawang''s eyes. A magnificent creature emerged from the murky depths he had ever seen. Its sheer size was awe-inspiring, stretching over 30 meters long with a weight exceeding 200 tons.


    This colossal fish boasted a wless white body, devoid of any markings, while its disproportionatelyrge mouth revealed rows of menacing fangs that sent shivers down one''s spine.


    The sheer magnitude of this magnificent white fish took Bawang aback. Although he had encountered simr white fish in the past, they paled inparison, reaching a maximum length of a mere ten meters and weighing a modest 20 to 30 tons.


    The Overlord, aware of the significance of the situation, adopted a focused stance. He understood this was not a foe to be underestimated but a genuine adversary capable of inflicting harm.


    With a flick of its powerful tail, the white fish surged forward, its mouth gaping wide, ready to mp down with formidable force. The Overlord, seething with anger, protested, [ " I haven''t made a move, yet you charge at me so recklessly! " ]


    In a swift motion, the Overlord evaded the creature''s ferocious bite, retaliating with a lightning-fast thrust of his massive spear. However, the agile white fish dodged the blow, its flexibility defying its colossal size.


    Undeterred, the monstrous white fish lunged once again, its jaws capable of devouring arge vehicle, leaving no doubt as to the strength of its bite.


    The Overlord caught off guard, found himself unable to dodge and resorted to using his mighty spear as a shield, bracing for impact.


    -BOOM!


    A resounding boom echoed through the depths as the massive jaws of the white fish mped down on the giant spear. The Overlord felt an immense force pressing against him, almost causing him to lose his grip on the weapon.


    -CRACK! CRACK!


    The sound of cracking teeth reverberated as several of the creature''s fangs shattered upon shing with the sturdy spear. Though the giant weapon remained unscathed primarily, its surface bore the marks of the intense struggle.


    Amused by the ordeal, the Overlord couldn''t help but revel in the sourness that had engulfed the creature''s mouth while attempting to sink its teeth into steel.


    The sensation of biting something asplicated as iron has left the creature''s mouth puckering with an acrid taste.


    Realizing the futility of its efforts, the white fish abruptly retreated, creating a safe distance of about 200 meters, its anger palpable as it faced the Overlord with renewed intensity. It now understood that the Overlord was no mere fish on a chopping board, easily handled and manipted.


    The Overlord''s fighting prowess likely surpassed its own.


    Engaging in a standoff, the Overlord''s thoughts wandered, contemting the dangers present in this treacherous trench. If one or two more of these formidable white fish lurked nearby, the situation would quickly escte into a dangerous encounter.


    Deciding it was time to escape the trench''s confines, the Overlord prepared to swim away. Suddenly, his heightened senses detected multiple simr white fish approaching the vicinity, albeit smaller.


    Weighing his options, the Overlord swiftly withdrew from the trench, determined to avoid detection.


    The Overlord traversed hundreds of nautical miles in a single breath, eventually settling in a t seabed with a depth exceeding 1,000 meters. He examined the colossal white fish skewered on his giant spear, contemting the feast before him.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The Overlord''s anticipation grew as he realized that this immense white fish would provide him with several hearty meals. Recalling previous encounters with smaller versions of the same species, which weighed a mere dozen or twenty tons, he knew that this specimen surpassed them by a staggering two hundred tons.


    With great relish, the Overlord began to feast upon the fruits of hisbour. Each bite yielded hundreds of kilograms of sulent fish meat, the taste so exquisite that it left him craving more. Lost in the indulgence of his meal, he savoured every morsel, dering, [ " Mmm, it''s delicious! If only I could savour this fish every day, my life would beplete. " ]


    As he devoured over 30 tons of fish, a satisfying belch of satisfaction escaped the Overlord. While consuming the strange white fish, he discovered an abundance of fat-like substance in its belly¡ªoily, fragrant, and even more delectable.


    Having finished the massive fish, he set aside the remaining skeleton, internal organs, and luscious fat for his next meal. After all, wasting such a valuable resource was out of the question. With three or four meals daily, the Overlord relished indulging himself for a day or two.


    Life became a source of pride for the Overlord, who no longer worried about finding sustenance. The magnificent white fish became his reliable food source, satisfying his voracious appetite. When his hunger was appeased, he would explore the surrounding areas, asionally venturing back into the treacherous trench.


    Though he encountered a few more colossal white fish like the one before, the Overlord skillfully evaded their notice, determined to secure another delectable catch.


    After consuming seven or eight meals, with only a skeleton remaining, the Overlord prepared to venture back into the trench to hunt for another feast. However, just as he was about to swim away, a voice echoed in his mind, disrupting his ns. It was Liu Yong, his master, informing him of a new mission.


    [ " Overlord, there is a mission, " ] Liu Yong''s voice resounded in his thoughts.


    Aware of Bawang''s recent activities, Liu Yong closely watched him, regrly checking the pet panel and monitoring his progress from a third-person vision.


    Initially surprised by the sight of such a colossal white fish, rivalling the size of a whale, with an extraordinary head and an exaggeratedlyrge mouth, Liu Yong soon realized that the magical ocean held countless wonders, including this remarkable creature.


    As Liu Yong exined the task, the Overlord found himself located approximately a thousand nautical miles away from the Gulf of Aden.


    [ " We have a ship about to enter the Gulf of Aden. Your role is to escort it safely through the Red Sea, ensuring it remains undisturbed by pirates. " ] Liu Yong instructed Bawang.


    Eager to carry out his master''smand, the Overlord readily epted the mission without hesitation. Thoughts of hunting another extraordinary white fish faded into the background as he focused on fulfilling his duty.


    Armed with a colossal spear measuring 50 meters, the Overlord embarked on his journey towards the Gulf of Aden. With each powerful stroke of his massive flippers, he propelled himself forward, resembling an unstoppable force beneath the ocean''s surface.


    Advancing at an astonishing speed exceeding 230 knots, the Overlord covered over a thousand nautical miles in just four to five hours, unfazed by theck of rest or fatigue.


    As he approached the waters of the Gulf of Aden, the Overlord''s attention was piqued by a captivating sight unfolding before him.


    A colossal ship, with a visual discement of more than 150,000 tons,y not far ahead in the vast expanse of the sea. The ship bore the markings of the Risheng Ocean Shipping Group, indicating its intent to traverse the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea en route to Europe via the Suez Canal.


    Intrigued by the unfolding drama, the Overlord halted his journey, fixating his gaze upon the scene before him. Several pirate speedboats had encircled the ship, their intentions unmistakably clear¡ªthey sought to hijack and plunder its valuable cargo.


    ....................

 Chapter 210 Unless 1 Billion Dollar

    ?


    [ " Master, " ] Bawang alerted, his voice filled with urgency, [ " There lies a colossal vessel ahead, gradually falling prey to the clutches of relentless pirates. " ]


    Bawang took the initiative to contact his master, Liu Yong, knowing his expertise was needed in this dangerous situation.


    Liu Yong swiftly observed the unfolding events through the eyes of a third-party vision, his lips curling into a chilling smile. [ "Let us not interfere in matters that do not concern us, " ] he retorted, his voiceced with disdain. [ " Instead, let us revel in the spectacle. " ]


    Liu Yong was no saint. The Risheng Ocean Shipping Group had repeatedly targeted him, and his lingering anger towards them had yet to subside. If he didn''t give them trouble, they would consider themselves lucky. So why would I extend a helping hand?


    He reasoned with himself, considering it an entertaining show devoid of suspense.


    The pirates surrounding Risheng''s ship were undoubtedly skilled in their illicit trade. They effortlessly breached the ship''s defences within minutes, infiltrating its deck.


    Dozens of heavily armed pirates swiftly boarded the vessel, overpowering the crew and taking control. The ship''s course was altered, and its speed escted. The helpless crew members became captives, confined under vignt watch.


    [ " Bawang, you may depart now; the spectacle has reached its climax, " ] Liu Yong instructed.


    [ " Very well, master, " ] Bawang acknowledged, his loyalty unwavering.


    Bawangmenced his departure, navigating towards the sea region where the "Shitai," owned by the Global Shipping Group, resided. The distance between them was a mere hundred nautical miles.


    In a mere half an hour, Bawang reached the ship''s vicinity. Maintaining a safe distance of several hundred meters, with a water depth of approximately 200 meters, Bawang swam steadily, serving as a silent escort for the "Shitai," guiding it into the treacherous Gulf of Aden.


    The news hit Luo Maoyuan of the Risheng Ocean Shipping Group like thunderbolts. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that one of his colossal 150,000-ton ships would fall victim to a brutal act of piracy.


    His mind raced, desperately seeking a solution to this dire predicament. Panic seized him as he hastily turned to his subordinate, seeking any sliver of hope amidst the chaos.


    [ " Mr. Luo, " ] his subordinate began, [ " a few days ago, the ''East Star'' belonging to the Global Shipping Group was hijacked by Somali pirates. They demanded a staggering 100 million US dors. " ]


    Luo Maoyuan was well aware of the incident and its ramifications. Anxiety gnawed at him as he asked, [ " What happened afterwards? Can you provide me with more details? " ]


    His subordinate replied, [ " From what I''ve gathered, the Global Shipping Group reluctantly paid the exorbitant ransom of 100 million US dors, securing the safe release of the ''Dongxing''. " ]


    A sense of helplessness washed over Luo Maoyuan. His heart ached at the thought of the impending financial blow. The ransom demanded by the pirates would undoubtedly drain a significant portion of the Risheng Group''s resources, potentially jeopardising its existence.


    Presently, they needed more funds, making the prospect of raising such a colossal sum seem insurmountable.


    Meanwhile, aboard the "Shitai" vessel of the Global Shipping Group, Captain Peng Yi stood on deck, his gaze fixated through a telescope, his expression grave and resolute.


    A crew member beside him remarked, [ " Captain, there''s no need to be overly cautious. Pirates hijacking a ship passing through the Gulf of Aden is rare. " ]


    Peng Yi responded, his voice measured, [ " A prudent sailor ensures the longevity of their vessel. Caution can never be excessive. Let every member of the crew remain vignt. We will enter the waters of the Gulf of Aden within a hundred nautical miles. " ]


    As the Captain ryed his instructions, an air of unease crept among the crew. One young member, Xiao Zhao, exhibited visible nervousness, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, and a slightly anxious expression.


    An elderly sailor offeredforting words, [ " Xiao Zhao, don''t let nerves consume you. I''ve traveled this route not fifty, but at least three or four dozen times. Never once have I encountered pirates. Don''t fear, rx. " ]<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Xiao Zhao found some sce in those words. Yet, he wasn''t the only member of the crew feeling the weight of anxiety. Several others shared his unease, their hearts filled with silent prayers, hoping for a smooth passage through the treacherous waters of the Gulf of Aden.


    Mere miles away from the "Shitai," a warship tore through the waves at an incredible speed. This vessel belonged to the notorious Somali Al-Shabaab, who had acquired a second-hand missile destroyer from another nation at a considerable cost. Though second-hand, it boasted advanced radar capabilities, rendering it a formidable threat.


    A pirate reported excitedly, "Head, we''ve located the target, bearing southeast, at a distance of 22 nautical miles. " ]


    Mansur set down his binocrs and bellowed, [ " Issue themand! Full speed ahead, catch up to the target! " ]


    The warship surged forward, its velocity increasing from a modest dozen knots to over 25, closing in on the unsuspecting "Shitai."


    Armed men aboard the warship brimmed with anticipation and enthusiasm. Their mission was straightforward¡ªseize the cargo ship belonging to the Global Shipping Group, the "Shitai," and hold it hostage until an astronomical ransom of 1 billion US dors was paid.


    As the sun descended, casting a golden hue over the vast ocean, Mansur''s eyes glistened with anticipation. Through his trusty telescope, he caught sight of the cargo ship "Shitai", gracefully gliding across the horizon. Excitement surged through his veins, for he believed this mission was as good as aplished.


    [ "Head, shall we deploy the speedboat and make haste? " ] one of Mansur''s crew members eagerly suggested.


    Shaking his head gently, Mansur replied, [ " Patience, my friend. They cannot escape our grasp. We must approach them cautiously, closing in before making our move. Prepare the first and second teams. " ]


    These were no ordinary pirates; they were the elite armed forces of Al-Shabaab, assuming the guise of pirates for this particr operation. The distance between the warship and the "Shitai" gradually diminished.


    Onboard the cargo ship, and the crew members finally noticed the approaching warship. An rmed voice echoed, [ " Captain, there''s a warship rapidly approaching us! " ]


    Captain Peng Yi swiftly turned his gaze towards the vessel in question.


    Indeed, a warship loomed approximately 1.5 nautical miles away, its origin still uncertain. Trying to alleviate any concerns, Peng Yi remarked, [ " It appears to be an **** warship. Such sightings are not umon in these waters. There''s no need to fret. Having a warship as an escort enhances our safety significantly. " ]


    As Peng Yi spoke, his face rxed gradually, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his heart. He firmly believed that the presence of a warship would deter pirates from daring to attack, causing them to flee at the mere sight of it.


    The crew members, echoing Peng Yi''s sentiment, began to ease their apprehension upon deducing the warship''s probable affiliation. Some even stole nces, sizing up the imposing vessel.


    [ " That warship is swift! " ] one of the crews eximed in awe, observing its graceful navigation through the waves, closing the gap rapidly.


    Before long, the warship was within proximity, mere hundreds of meters away from the "Shitai." Even without the aid of a telescope, the naked eye could discern the warship''s distinct features.


    Curiously, it was an aging warship, a second-hand relic of the sea. Yet, what perplexed them was the sight of the warship''s crew members, all seemingly African descent, adorned in a medley of outfits. Some wore military uniforms, while others opted for civilian attire.


    Adding to the intrigue, each crew member clutched a firearm, predominantly AK-47 rifles.


    The unexpected twist came when two speedboats were lowered from the warship, each amodating a sizable group of at least seven to eight heavily armed individuals.


    This couldn''t be right; something was amiss.


    ................

 Chapter 211 Poking Poking

    ?


    A Sense of Foreboding .............


    Peng Yi''s gaze fixed upon the warship looming ominously before him, his expression increasingly solemn. The more he observed it, the stronger the feeling that something was amiss gnawed at his instincts.


    As he witnessed two speedboats being lowered from the warship, each brimming with seven or eight heavily armed individuals, an inexplicable tremor coursed through his heart.


    Finally, realization struck like a bolt of lightning, illuminating the truth.


    This was no ordinary warship; it was an assembly of ruthless pirates.


    Their nefarious objective was none other than the precious cargo aboard the "Shitai" ¨C they intended to hijack it, endangering the lives and livelihoods of all onboard.


    Reacting swiftly, Peng Yi''s voice pierced through the tense air, his urgency palpable, [ " They''re pirates! We''re facing a horde of pirates! Full speed ahead, let us hasten our pace, swiftly, swiftly, swiftly! " ]


    The repetition of the word "swift" three times in session mirrored the mounting anxiety that gripped him at that moment.


    Peng Yi''s fervent cry startled the other crew members, causing them to snap out of their stupor, their hearts racing with trepidation.


    The realization struck everyone like a thunderbolt. It became undeniable that the approaching vessel was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, a notorious band of pirates. The tension among the crew intensified as they witnessed the pirates lowering their boats, a clear sign of their intention to seize control of their ship.


    Captain Zhang, determined to outmaneuver the pirates, bellowed orders to his crew. [ " Full speed ahead, steer clear of them! " ] hemanded, his voice unwavering.


    Responding swiftly, the "Shi Tai" surged forward, propelled by the immense power emanating from its twin diesel engines. The propellers churned with unparalleled speed, rapidly forcing the ship through the water.


    However, the pirates seemed unfazed by the chase, their expressions contorted with sinister glee.


    Mansur, standing proudly on the pirate warship, observed the "Shi Tai" elerating and couldn''t help but burst intoughter. His crew mirrored his amusement, their faces adorned with wicked grins.


    Two sleek speedboats, crewed by heavily armed men, surged after the "Shi Tai." Their upants revelled in their perceived advantage, theirughter ringing out triumphantly as if to mock the crew''s feeble attempt to escape.


    Bawang doggedly pursued the "Shi Tai" from a distance of a mere 200 meters. Witnessing the audacious pirate behaviour, he sought guidance from his Master, his voiceced with urgency. [ " Master, shall I engage? " ] he inquired, a burning desire for retribution in his eyes.


    [ " Absolutely. Pummel their warship into oblivion, show them no mercy, " ] responded Liu Yong, his anger boiling. He harboured no doubts that this audacious assault was orchestrated by none other than the notorious Mtu.


    The fact that they had deployed a warship indicated a grave esction, leaving Liu Yong with no choice but to defend his vessel relentlessly.


    Meanwhile, the enigmatic Overlord relished the opportunity thaty before him. Memories of his previous encounters haunted him; the limitations of his former 20-meter-long, 17-ton giant spear had left him dissatisfied. But now, armed with a colossal 50-meter-long, nearly 80-ton behemoth of a weapon, his excitement knew no bounds.


    The critical difference was clear¡ªthis time, the stakes were higher, and the power of his new weapon was unmatched. At the same time, Overlord had yet to thoroughly test his new giant spear on arge vessel.


    Motivated by the prospect of proving himself, Overlord wasted no time. He propelled himself beneath the pirate warship with a mighty surge, his enormous spear poised to strike.


    -Boom!


    With a resounding boom, the spear effortlessly pierced over ten meters into the ship''s underbelly, threatening to cleave through the very deck.


    With a momentary pause, Overlord realized that the giant spear in his hands was no longer the same one he had wielded in his previous encounters.


    Without hesitation, the giant spear struck the warship again, echoing a thud signalling a direct pration, its tip protruding menacingly from the above deck. Another strike followed, marking a near-perfect repetition of his previous feat¡ªan exhrating sensation that surged through Overlord''s veins.


    The thrill of sess propelled him forward, each subsequent thrust puncturing the warship with newfound vigour. The giant spear repeatedly emerged from the ship''s hull, tearing through the deck with a ferocity that delighted Overlord.


    Holes of considerable magnitude riddled the vessel as he continued his relentless assault, leaving the warship in utter chaos.


    Panic engulfed the ship, spreading like wildfire among the crew. The once-confident pirates now found themselves gripped by fear and confusion as they struggled toprehend the devastation unfolding before them.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    As the first muffled sound reverberated through the air, Mansur jolted in rm, his deep voice resounding, [ " What is happening ? " ]


    Before his subordinates could respond, another muffled sound erupted, unveiling an unfathomable sight. A colossal iron rod, with a diameter of at least 50 centimetres, pierced through the warship''s deck, only to retract itself soon after.


    The deck bore witness to a round hole, half a meter in diameter, prating through the ship''s bottom, allowing an onught of seawater to pour in. A sense of bewilderment befell those on board.


    After a long moment, as the warship endured being punctured seven, eight, or even nine or ten times, the upants finally began to react.


    Panic-stricken cries echoed throughout the vessel, contrasting with the image of elite warriors equipped with formidable armaments. They hastily and frantically plunged into the sea without even donning life jackets.


    This unexpected turn of events quickly caught the attention of the armed men aboard the two speedboats nearby. Utterly dumbfounded, they struggled toprehend the situation unfolding before their eyes.


    [ " Could it be a torpedo attack? " ] one of them pondered aloud, their faces a portrait of confusion.


    [ " But that doesn''t make sense. There were no explosions, " ] another replied, their gaze fixed upon the warship, their expression dazed.


    Meanwhile, the crew members on the "Shitai" also detected that something was amiss. They were initially apprehensive about falling victim to these pirates, but their anxieties shifted as the circumstances evolved. Numerous individuals stood bewildered, unable to fathom the unfolding chaos.


    [ " Look at that! The pirates on that warship are desperately leaping into the sea, " ] one crew member remarked, pointing towards the spectacle.


    [ " By the looks of it, they seem to be running for their lives, consumed by sheer panic, " ] another added.


    [ " Could this be some form of attack? " ] a third crew member spected.


    The number of spectators on the "Shitai" steadily grew, their eyes fixed upon the warship mere hundreds of meters away. Witnessing the pirated fleeing in terror, the crew''s worries and tensions dissipated, reced by an air of satisfaction and delight.


    [ " Haha! What''s gotten into them? They''re abandoning ship in such a reckless manner, " ] a crew member eximed.


    [ " Take a look! Their warship seems to be descending into the water, tilting ever so slightly," another crew member observed.


    [ " Indeed, it''s starting to tilt, " ] a third chimed in.


    On the "Shitai," the crew gradually regained their courage, craning their necks to observe the spectacle as if it were an everyday amusement. It was truly gratifying to witness such a scene.


    [ " This is unprecedented! We''ve never experienced anything quite like it, " ] someone remarked.


    [ " Count me in! Watching them panic like this is so satisfying, " ] another eximed.


    The atmosphere of the "Shi Tai" underwent aplete transformation. It became lighthearted and cheery, in stark contrast to its previous state.


    Bawang, revelling in amusement beneath the ship, continued thrusting the giant spear, relentlessly piercing the warship repeatedly, effectively transforming it into a sieve.


    Had the spear been even slightly smaller, it might not have yielded such dramatic results. However, being a colossal 17-ton weapon, it had no trouble prating the ship''s hull. Despite its formidable strength, the warship''s sturdy steel tes were no match for this massive weapon.


    The ship''s bottom became riddled with holes, and the vessel descended into the depths, listing at an observable rate.


    Bawang derived immense satisfaction from his exploits, repeatedly impaling the warship with the giant spear. The ship''s integrity further deteriorated with each strike, rendering it akin to a crumbling fortress.


    Not far away, two rubber speedboats caught Bawang''s attention. He effortlessly swam towards them, lightly piercing each one with his colossal spear. The speedboats met their demise, sending the pirates aboard tumbling into the water.


    [ " Well done Bawang , you made a day sessful! " ] Liu Yong said.

 Chapter 212 Fear Of Action

    ?


    The Overlord remained inactive again, observing the unfolding events from a distance. Positioned a few hundred meters away, his massive head loomed over the sea, surveying the situation with keen interest.


    The warship rapidly descended, its hull partially submerged, leaving mere wreckage floating on the surface. The sea was teeming with over a hundred individuals struggling to stay afloat, with some unfortunate souls already sumbing to the depths.


    Among them was Mansur, desperately treading water without a life jacket. Resourceful as he was, he managed to seize one from a subordinate.


    However, he knew survival would be a close call, even with the added buoyancy. The nearestndmass was a daunting two hundred nautical miles away, leaving him with the grim realization that the ocean would be his final resting ce, mere sustenance for the marine creatures.


    Regret started to gnaw at him.


    Suddenly, an explosive crash reverberated as Mtu shattered another exquisite cup. Fresh news had just reached him, confirming the destruction of his handpicked elite operatives and the costly warship he had acquired.


    The vessel "Shi Tai," belonging to the formidable Global Shipping Group, had effortlessly traversed the treacherous Gulf of Aden¡ªno wonder Mtu seethed with anger.


    A valuable warship reduced to debris, alongside the vanishing of over a hundred skilled individuals¡ªeach loss felt like a deep wound in his heart.


    Sensing the Boss''s rage, a subordinate cautiously suggested, [ " Boss, we have rtively urate information about the ''Shi Tai''s'' whereabouts. It''s currently sailing through the Gulf of Aden. Shall we dispatch another group to intercept it? " ]


    The implications were clear: if you fail at first, try again.


    Mtu''s face darkened, and he fell into a long silence. He couldn''t simply give up; the thought gnawed at him relentlessly.


    Sending another group seemed tempting, but anxiety also crept in. What if the same mistakes were repeated?


    After pondering for an extended period, Mtu ultimately resolved to make another attempt. Speaking slowly, he dered, [ " Send a few small boats this time. We must seize control of the ''Shi Tai'' without fail, ensuring no more mishaps. " ]


    [ " Very well, I''ll personally handle the arrangements, " ] replied the subordinate.


    Meanwhile, the "Shi Tai" continued its voyage through the Gulf of Aden.


    Onboard, the crew members still revelled in the spectacle that had unfolded a few hours ago¡ªthe triumphant eradication of the pirate menace. The memory of their victory brought them immense satisfaction.


    Several more hours passed, and dawn began to break. The sun''s rays bathed the sea in golden hues, painting a breathtaking picture of tranquillity.


    Suddenly, someone''s gaze became fixated.


    -Impossible!


    Could they have stumbled upon pirates once again at this early hour?


    Astonishingly, that was precisely the case. With rming speed, six speedboats hurtled toward the "Shi Tai", carrying a motley crew of armed pirates.


    [ " Look, everyone, it seems to be pirates!" someone eximed, pointing in their direction.


    The "Shi Tai" captain Peng Yi swiftly grabbed a telescope, peering into the distance. His eyes widened in realization as he beheld the six speedboats, each brimming with weapons-wielding pirates.


    His voice reverberated through the air, carrying a sense of urgency and rm. [ " Beware, everyone! It''s a pirate! Protect yourselves and stay alert! " ]


    The crew aboard the ship found themselves in a state of disarray once again, their senses heightened by the sudden warning. However, amidst the chaos, a thrilling spectacle unfolded before their eyes.


    Several speedboats, positioned a few hundred meters away from the "Shitai," were about to encircle their vessel. But, in a twist of fate, one of the speedboats capsized before they could even make their move.


    -Good heavens!


    The crew members were initially stunned, their expressions reflecting disbelief. Yet, the shock soon gave way to uncontroble shouts and exhration!


    [ " Haha! They''ve capsized a ship! " ] <novelsnext></novelsnext>


    [ " Look, everyone! Another one flipped over! This is truly a spectacle to behold! " ]


    As if under a captivating spell, the pirate speedboats continued to overturn, one after another, failing toe anywhere near the "Shitai," let alone encircle it.


    Within minutes, all six pirate speedboats had capsized, leaving the pirates aboard thrashing about in panic upon the sea''s surface.


    [ " Boom! " ]


    Mtu''s anger erupted, causing him to drop a beautiful cup inadvertently.


    Once again, their dispatched team had been annihted¡ªsix speedboats capsized, and nearly all 20 to 30 pirates, masquerading as elite armed personnel, met their watery demise.


    The leaders stood nearby, their heads bowed in fear, dreading Mtu''s potential outburst as a heavy and oppressive atmosphere enveloped them.


    After a prolonged silence, Mtu spoke slowly, his voice conveying resignation. [ " For now, let''s set aside any thoughts of targeting the ships belonging to the Global Shipping Group. This situation is filled with malevolence. " ]


    They couldn''tprehend why their speedboats would inexplicably capsize every time they attempted to strike at the vessels owned by the Global Shipping Group, even before reaching them.


    It was more than just nasty¡ªit was downright sinister.


    Mtu found himself unable to fathom the reason behind it all. The warning from Liu Yong echoed in his mind, leading him to specte that Liu Yong possessed some enigmatic method capable of overturning their speedboats.


    Indeed, it seemed that Liu Yong had employed some unknown and extraordinary means.


    Gradually, fear began to creep into Mtu''s heart. He contemted the situation, realizing that they would have to abandon their ns involving the ships of the Global Shipping Group. They couldn''tpete with such unexined forces.


    They wouldn''t have embarked on this disastrous endeavour if they had known earlier.


    Mtu finally realized this after losing many armed personnel, multiple speedboats, and a warship that had been painstakingly acquired. However, it was a realization that came far toote.


    In Risheng Ocean Shipping Group. .........¡­


    The atmosphere in the room grew heavy as Luo Maoyuan''s face darkened; his silence spoke volumes.


    The weight of the situation pressed upon him as he absorbed the shocking demands made by the pirates, who had made contact with the Risheng Ocean Shipping Group. Their request was straightforward: within 24 hours, 100 million US dors must be deposited into their specified ount. Failure toply would result in the loss of a hostage every hour throughout the night.


    The sheer magnitude of the demanded sum echoed in Luo Maoyuan''s mind. A profound sense of sadness washed over him as he realized the immense challenge thaty ahead. How could he acquire such an astronomical amount within such a short timeframe? Even procuring 50 million US dors seemed like an insurmountable obstacle.


    A senior executive, sensing the gravity of the situation, offered a reminder to Luo Maoyuan. [ " Mr. Luo, we cannot underestimate the cruelty of these pirates. If they do not see the money within 24 hours, they will undoubtedly follow through on their threats. We must exhaust all possibilities to swiftly transfer the 100 million US dors to the designated bank ount. " ]


    Luo Maoyuan''s heart sank further, consumed by profound sadness. He couldn''t help but recall recent rumours he had heard. They spoke of a simr incident involving the Global Shipping Group, where Somali pirates had hijacked one of their freighters. While officially a ransom of 100 million US dors was demanded, rumours suggested that Liu Yong, the head of thepany, had personally journeyed to Somalia and negotiated with the pirates, resulting in both an apology and a significant sum of money paid aspensation.


    Although hearsay, Luo Maoyuan couldn''t dismiss the possibility of truth in those whispers. The sudden prosperity of the Global Shipping Group supported the spection. Just the day before, they had ced extravagant orders with multiple shipyards for severalrge vessels, amounting to a staggering total value of over two billion dors.


    How could the Global Shipping Group possess such vast wealth if they had been asked for 100 million dors? The pirates must have received substantialpensation for their troubles.


    Meanwhile, Luo Maoyuan and the modest Risheng Ocean Shipping Group needed aparable means. They could not provide such a bnce and negotiate an extension of the 24-hour deadline or reduce the demanded sum of 100 million dors.


    Luo Maoyuan seethed with frustration, his inadequacy contrasting with Liu Yong''s resourcefulness. His resentment toward the pirates and his unfortunate circumstances simmered beneath the surface. Facing the grim reality of being hijacked, Luo Maoyuan felt trapped, devoid of viable solutions.


    It seemed as though surrendering to the pirates'' demands was his only option, leaving him disheartened and resigned.


    In this dire predicament, he saw no alternative, no ray of hope on the horizon. The weight of the situation bore down upon Luo Maoyuan, his mind racing for any glimmer of a solution that might save hispany and the lives of the hostages.


    ...............

 Chapter 213 — Haha Satisfying .. !

    ?


    Two days had passed since thest encounter, and the waters of the Gulf of Aden weed another ship from the prestigious Global Shipping Group. Concerned about their safety, Liu Yong issued a covert order to Overlord to discreetly apany and guide the ship out of the treacherous Gulf of Aden. To Liu Yong''s surprise, the journey remained remarkably serene, devoid of pirate encounters.


    Over the next ten days, numerous colossal vessels from the Global Group traversed the Gulf of Aden unimpeded. Astonishingly, not a single pirate disrupted their passage. In the present moment, a massive ship belonging to the Global Shipping Group was on the verge of departing the Gulf of Aden, ready to enter the Red Sea. Strangely enough, an inexplicable sense of relief permeated the entire crew, including the captain.


    [ " Have you heard the news? " ] one crew member asked another, excitement tinged with an air of mystery.


    [ " What is it? Don''t keep me in suspense, " ] the other crew member replied, curious.


    [ " You''re not aware? Rumor has it that our boss went to Somalia and issued a stern warning to the pirates. They''re too afraid to target our group''s ships now. " ]


    [ " No way! Our boss is truly extraordinary! " ] eximed the second crew member, awe-struck by the revtion.


    As the news spread among the crew, they were left in awe and disbelief.


    They realized that their boss possessed such immense power relieved and amazed them.


    During this uninterrupted stretch of more than ten days, no pirate dared to assail their ships. Liu Yong concluded that their previous encounters, where they decisively defeated the pirates thrice, had instilled deep-seated fear within their ranks. It seemed likely that Mtu, the leader of the Youth Party, had grown apprehensive and refrained from making any further attempts.


    A smirk formed on Liu Yong''s face as he contemted the oue. [ " This is for the best. But if they ever try again, I won''t hesitate to sink them a few more times. " ]


    [ " Overlord, your mission in the Gulf of Aden has been aplished. There''s no need for you to remain there indefinitely, " ] Liu Yong informed Overlord.


    [ " Really? That''s fantastic! " ] Overlord responded with evident relief.


    Over the past ten days, Overlord had patrolled the waters of the Gulf of Aden diligently, ensuring the safe passage of the Global Shipping Group''s vessels¡ªthe prospect of resuming its freedom and exploration filled Overlord with anticipation.


    Overlord yearned to roam the vast ocean again, craving the enormous white fish in the trench. Not only were they delectable, but even a single catch would be sufficient for a meal. The smaller ones could be consumed in one sitting, while therger ones could provide sustenance for several meals.


    [ " Master, I''m heading towards that trench to indulge in some delicious food! " ] Overlord dered eagerly.


    [ " Go, but remember to prioritize your safety, " ] Liu Yong cautioned.


    With its colossal 50-meter-long spear, Overlord swiftly departed the Gulf of Aden, propelling itself at approximately 250 knots towards the coveted trench.


    Covering over a thousand nautical miles in a single uninterrupted swim, it took less than five hours for Overlord to arrive at its destination.


    The allure of the food was irresistible, beckoning Overlord throughout its extended stay in the Gulf of Aden. The dream of capturing and relishing one of those prized catches was now within reach as the vast trenchy just ahead.


    Initially cruising at around 200 meters, Overlord gradually descended deeper as it neared the trench, plunging intoplete darkness. The once-illuminated surroundings faded away, and Overlord enveloped itself in a pitch-ck abyss.


    The absence of light didn''t hinder Overlord''s perception. With its extraordinary senses, it could discern everything within a 500-meter radius, observing the diverse marine life that thrived in the depths. While descending further into the abyss, the size of the marine creatures increased significantly. It wasmon to encounter massive beings weighing hundreds or even thousands of pounds.


    However, these colossal creatures were not Overlord''s intended targets. It relentlessly searched for a specific species, a peculiar white fish of immense proportions¡ªthose weighing over ten tons or even tens or hundreds of tons.


    As Overlord ventured into the abyssal depths of over 2,000 meters, the surroundings turned frigid and foreboding. The icy cold seemed to permeate every crevice of the seabed. Yet, Overlord''s determination remained unyielding as it pressed forward in pursuit of its coveted prey.


    The dark, icy depths held an air of mystery and danger. Undeterred by the harsh conditions, the Overlord continued his descent, ready to confront whatevery ahead in its relentless pursuit of the enormous white fish that haunted his dreams.


    Deep beneath the sea''s surface, the seabed was adorned with uneven boulders. Some of these boulders stood tall like hills, reaching heights of tens of meters, while others were smaller, merely two or three meters in size.


    In the proximity of a vast trench, its depth plunging over 2,000 meters, a remarkable creature, Overlord, swam slowly, attentively surveying its surroundings in search of a delectable meal. The Overlord possessed heightened senses, allowing it to perceive even the slightest movement in its vicinity.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Suddenly, a voice echoed within the Overlord''s consciousness, [ " Hey, there''s a peculiar white fish over yonder. " ]


    At the edge of his super perception, the Overlord sensed the presence of a massive white fish approximately 20 meters in length.


    The white behemoth was feasting upon arge fish weighing thousands of pounds.


    In the natural order of the underwater world, big fish devoured smaller fish, while the smaller ones survived on dried shrimps.


    Being a carnivorous predator, this peculiar white fish upied the apex of the marine food chain. It relentlessly hunted and preyed upon various significant fish day after day.


    Without hesitation, the Overlord stealthily approached the scene. The strange white fish from the Ba Dynasty swam past, oblivious to the approaching danger, focusing solely on its meal. It only realized something was amiss when the Bawang was a mere 100 meters away.


    Momentarily stunned, the white fish abandoned its unfinished feast and swiftly flicked its tail, attempting to escape.


    The Bawang, being considerably more extensive, instinctively recognized the imminent threat and realized it was no match for the Overlord.


    But s, it was toote!


    Witnessing the white fish''s desperate attempt to flee, the Bawang activated its sprinting skill without hesitation, darting towards its target like a shadow.


    With a sharp [ " puff, " ] the sound of knives piercing flesh resounded through the water. The Bawang''s 50-meter-long spear pierced the white fish, causing it to perish instantly.


    [ " Haha, a satisfying feast indeed, " ] eximed the triumphant Bawang as it began devouring the defeated creature with greedy delight.


    Amongst the delicacies that enticed the Bawang''s appetite, the mostpelling was the fatty substance in the stomach of the white monster fish. White monster fish, weighing over tons, often possessed this fatty substance. Therger the fish, the more abundant the fat-like delicacy.


    Delicious, rich, and incredibly vorful!


    Taking several hearty bites of the fish''s flesh, the Bawang eagerly tore open the belly of the strange white fish, indulging in the white, fatty substance within. A look of immense satisfaction adorned its face as it relished the feast.


    Regrettably, the quantity was insufficient, and the Bawang devoured it all in a single sitting.


    The strange white fish before the Bawang weighed over 30 tons, yet the white fatty substance within its belly amounted to a mere two or three tons.


    The Overlord fondly reminisced about a previous encounter with a strange white fish weighing over 100 tons, which provided a bountiful 20 to 30 tons of this delectable treat.


    For half an hour, the Bawang consumed the entirety of the strange white fish, weighing over 30 tons, emitting a contented burp.


    Satiated, the Overlord had no immediate ns to venture deeper into the vast trench in search ofrger white monster fish. Instead, he decided to establish a temporary dwelling nearby and thus began its search within a radius of two or three hundred nautical miles, scouring the area for a suitable abode.


    Meanwhile, the prestigious Diya cosmeticspany stood in the bustling world of business in the heart of Europe. Seated upon his majestic boss chair, President Kanter held a newly developed hand cream, his face beaming with satisfaction.


    Diya was a renowned name in the cosmetics industry, recognized globally for its exceptional products. With an annual revenue surpassing tens of billions of dors, thepany achieved a remarkable milestonest year, reaching 50 billion dors.


    However, amidst the ever-intensifyingpetition within the cosmetics market, even giants like Diya felt the mounting pressure. They knew that continuous research and development were crucial to forge ahead, gain an edge, and remain at the forefront of the industry.


    Constantly unveiling new products to captivate consumers, the hand cream in President Kanter''s hands was theirtest innovation, freshly crafted to meet the evolving demands of beauty enthusiasts worldwide.


    .......................

 Chapter 214 Chances Are Never Zero

    ?


    Never underestimate the power of seemingly small hand cream. Its potential in the market is immense, with a price tag that could easily surpass 100 US dors. Beyond its branding, the true allure lies in its unique ingredient: deep-sea fish oil.


    ine, a young white woman and Kanter''s capable assistant and secretary considered herself incredibly fortunate. Excitedly, she remarked, [ " Boss, thanks to our discovery of the remarkable properties of this deep-sea fish oil, its moisturizing and skincare effects are unparalleled. Research indicates that its applications extend far beyond hand cream and can be utilized in various other cosmetic products. " ]


    Kanter nodded satisfactorily and said, [ " Indeed, this fish oil is a true blessing. We are pioneers in its discovery and utilization within the cosmetics industry. Remember, utmost confidentiality is crucial. " ]


    ine replied confidently, [ " Rest assured, Boss. We will guard this secret with unwavering dedication. No otherpany will stumble upon it, let alone uncover its remarkable efficacy in cosmetics. " ]


    Their chance encounter with this excellent fish oil had changed their fortunes. Six months prior, a group of fishermen unexpectedly captured an enormous white fish in the depths of the Indian Ocean, weighing over 20 tons. Inside the fish''s bellyy at least two tons of precious oil.


    Coincidentally, Kanter''spany was developing a high-end hand cream, for which deep-sea fish oil was a crucial ingredient. Their research and development team obtained a small portion of this peculiar fish''s fat and refined it into fish oil. To their astonishment, its moisturizing and skincare properties surpassed all other known deep-sea fish oils.


    Diya Company immediately concealed this discovery, blocking any relevant news reports. Apart from a select few individuals, this massive white fish''s existence in the ocean remained a secret.


    As their research on the fish oil derived from this peculiar white fish progressed, one delightful surprise after another unfolded. Not only was there an absence of any fishy odour, but the oil also emitted a gentle, pleasant fragrance.


    These qualities were insignificantpared to the most crucial aspect¡ªthe oil''s astonishing effectiveness in skincare and moisturization. The researchers were overjoyed by their findings.


    The hand cream now rested in Kanter''s hands, ready to be introduced to the market with an initial price of approximately $120. However, before its grandunch, a significant challenge awaited them¡ªa steady and abundant supply of fish oil from the white monster fish.


    To tackle this dilemma, they dispatched several hunting fleets to the Indian Ocean to pursue the elusive white fish.


    Unfortunately, the news they received was disheartening. Three of the five hunting fleets returned empty-handed, unable to locate any sign of the white monster fish.


    Suddenly, a series of firm knocks on the door interrupted the room''s silence. Gobert, a middle-aged man and a senior executive in charge of raw material procurement and market development, entered.


    [ " Boss, I have some unfortunate news, " ] Gobert uttered gravely, causing Kanter to set down the hand cream he was inspecting.


    [ " What''s the matter? Could it be that our remaining two hunting fleets have also returned empty-handed? " ] Kanter inquired anxiously, his hopes hanging by a thread.


    Gobert nodded solemnly and replied, [ " Yes, Boss. Unfortunately, they too returned without any sess. Despite spending over a month in the Indian Ocean, they failed to find any trace of the elusive white strange fish. " ]


    Kanter was stunned by the revtion. He had ced great expectations on capturing the oil of this peculiar white fish, envisioning it as a key ingredient not only for mass-producing the hand cream but also for developing a range of other cosmetics that would deal a devastating blow to hispetitors.


    Now, it seemed that his hopes were being shattered.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Perplexed, Kanter questioned, [ " How did this happen? Last time, those fishermen managed to kill a massive white fish over ten meters long and weighing over 20 tons using outdated tools and methods. " ]


    Gobert sighed before exining, [ " This time, we deployed five professional fleets, all equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and tools, yet we found no trace of the strange white fish. We specte that these creatures dwell in the deep sea, at depths of at least two to three kilometres. They remain inactive in waters shallower than one thousand meters or a few hundred meters, making it exceedingly challenging to hunt them down. " ]


    The realization dawned upon Kanter that his hopes were fading away. Overwhelmed by disappointment, he sank weakly into his chair, his mind filled with one depressing thought: Could they acquire the precious oil from that deep-sea white monster fish?


    For the past two days, Kanter had been preupied, temporarily forsaking the pursuit of the elusive white fish.


    On the other hand, the Overlord Project had been focused on one primary objective: finding a suitable temporary dwelling.


    If caught, the white fish''s delectable flesh could provide a meal or two, prompting the Overlord Project to seek proximity to the great trench.


    Finally, they discovered an ideal location¡ªan uphill slope approximately a hundred nautical miles from the Great Trench. Initially, the seabed was rtively t but gradually inclined upward, not descending but ascending. This unique topography formed a submarine mountain range, with the sea''s depth decreasing from over 2,000 meters to approximately 100 to 200 meters.


    One of the peaks within this range harboured a cave near its summit. In front of the cavey a t stretch ofnd spanning several acres. Bawang stood on this teau, gazing at the shelter.


    The more he inspected, the more satisfied he became. [ " This is it. The location is perfect. It''s not far from the grand trench¡ªjust a half-hour swim at most. The water depth is ideal, afortable 200 meters or so. " ] Overlord thought.


    Additionally, Overlord ruminated, [ " Indeed, this cave is impressive. It''s spacious enough for me to grow to 300 to 500 tons before I have trouble fitting in. The depth is suitable too, around 60 to 70 meters. It''s a decent ce for temporary residence, " ]


    Having decided, the Overlord diligently prepared. He cleared the debris with a colossal spear, tidied its corners, and removed the stones cluttering the interior. After investing considerable effort, he surveyed and then entered the cave,fortablyying down to rest.


    Meanwhile, Kanter, feeling helpless and disheartened, reluctantly put down his phone. His face wore a bitter expression as his attempt to enlist a well-known fishing team to hunt the deep-sea white monster fish at a depth of two or three kilometres had politely refused.


    The fishing team had made it clear that such depths were restricted areas beyond the reach of any fleet worldwide. Kanter was left grappling with a sense of despair.


    [ " Is my hope truly about to be dashed ? " ] Kanter thought.


    -KNOCK! -KNOCK!


    While thinking about this, suddenly, a knock sounded on the door. It was Gobert who entered the room with an unusual air of excitement. His face beamed joyfully, and he eximed, [ " Boss, there is hope for hunting down that deep-sea white monster fish! We have a chance! " ]

 Chapter 215 I Believe In You

    ?


    [ " Oh! " ] Kanter eximed.


    Kanter''s interest was suddenly piqued, and he eagerly asked, [ " Tell me quickly, how did things turn around? " ]


    Just moments ago, Kanter hade across a recent report.


    The report unveiled a series of new beauty benefits derived from the fish oil of a rare deep-sea white fish. Kanter''s emotions are filled with a mix of delight and concern.


    On the one hand, the efficacy of this deep-sea fish oil was exceptional, a true gift from the heavens. On the other hand, Kanter worried about the challenges involved in obtaining it. Hunting and capturing this peculiar white fish could only be done at depths of two to three kilometres, making the process incredibly difficult.


    Sensing hope, Gobert said, [ " Boss, I''ve discovered that Global Shipping Group possesses remarkable capabilities in deep-sea salvage, detection, and hunting. We could try discussing our requirements with them. " ]


    [ " Then waste no time and arrange a consultation. Let them know about our needs, " ] Kanter urged.


    Gobert nodded and said, [ " I''ve already reached out to the Boss of Global Shipping Group, exining our requirements. They responded positively, assuring us that there wouldn''t be any issues. " ]


    [ " What! " ] eximed Kanter, surprised by Global Shipping Group''s confidence.


    [ " So, everything seems to be in order? This is excellent news! " ] Kanter said.


    A wave of happiness washed over Kanter, and he raised his hand in appreciation. [ " Thank God, we''re finally saved. " ]


    He couldn''t contain his joy as this turn of events was indeed unexpected.


    Regaining hisposure, Kanter dered, [ " Book me a ticket to Yanguo. I want to personally visit Global Shipping Group. " ]


    Standing beside him, Gobert offered a gentle reminder, [ " BOSS, there is one thing to consider. The other party''s asking price is quite high. They''re demanding $5,000 per kilogram for the fish oil extracted from this rare white fish. " ]


    [ " Oh, " ] Kanter hesitated. [ " $5,000 per kilogram isn''t cheap. That''s equivalent to $5 per gram. " ]


    [ " $5,000 per kilogram means a staggering $5 million per ton. " ]


    Contemting the situation, Kanter realized that if their research and development seeded, the hand cream they nned tounch would require approximately 10 grams of this deep-sea fish oil. That would amount to a cost of around $50 for the fish oil alone.


    The original price of the hand cream was set at around $120. If the fish oil alone ounted for $50, each bottle''s worth would increase by more than $50.


    The price seemed steep. After careful consideration, Kanter concluded that he could ept the cost.


    Diya was already positioned as a high-end brand, and pricing a hand cream at $150 or even $180 should be fine. Additionally, the critical factor was that with the inclusion of this fish oil, the skincare and moisturizing effects would surpass any hand cream currently avable in the market.


    Kanter swiftly made up his mind to visit Global Shipping Group in person.


    Today, Kang Zhenggang had a day off. Liu Yong personally granted him a three-day break.


    With a cheerful disposition, Kang Zhenggang drove to pick up his wife and children, embarking on a journey to Huahai City.


    He had purchased a brand new off-road vehicle worth over 500,000 yuan, a genuinely splendid car. He had also bought a house in Huahai City along with the vehicle.


    Back then, he was a humble security guard, struggling to support his family on a meagre monthly sry. The pressure was immense. But now, everything has changed.


    After theirst mission in Somalia, Liu Yong rewarded him and He Qiang with 8 million yuan each. Holding the cash checks in his hands, it felt like a dream, almost too good to be true.


    -8 million!


    He could never have fathomed that he would possess such an enormous sum of money one day.


    Initially, Liu Yong had promised them 5 million yuan each. Still, due to their exceptional performance and Liu Yong''s substantial earnings of 1 billion US dors, he generously increased the reward to 8 million per person.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After receiving the money from his Boss and expressing his gratitude repeatedly, Kang Zhenggang purchased a beautifully decorated house in the bustling city of Huahai. The location was ideal, with themunity''s entrance near the subway.


    Due to the house being fully furnished, Kang Zhenggang could practically move in with just his bags in tow.


    The property was sold for over 12 million yuan, and Kang Zhenggang made a down payment of more than 7 million yuan. He was confident he would soon repay the remaining loan of over 4 million yuan.


    With the remaining 700,000 to 800,000 yuan, he bought a car worth more than 500,000 yuan and gave his wife almost all the remaining 200,000 yuan.


    [ " Husband, can you believe it? We actually bought a house, and it''s in such an upscale neighborhood, " ] his wife eximed, still in disbelief as they entered themunity.


    Kang Zhenggang smiled and replied, [ " Darling, you''ve asked me that several times. Let''s go. I''ll take you to our new home. " ]


    Taking the elevator up to the 26th floor, Kang Zhenggang unlocked the door of Room 2602 and proudly announced, [ " Darling, this is our new home. " ]


    [ " Wow, it''s stunning! Much better than the house we were renting, " ] his wife eximed, admiring the meticulously decorated house.


    Indeed, the price of over 12 million yuan ensured a beautifully designed residence.


    They explored every corner of their new home. As his wife''s eyes welled up with tears, she threw herself into Kang Zhenggang''s arms and whispered, [ " Husband, thank you for giving us the opportunity to live in such a wonderful house. " ]


    Kang Zhenggang held his wife tenderly,forting her, [ " Don''t cry, my love. I''ll work hard and make even more money in the future so that we can live an even better life. " ]


    [ " I believe in you, " ] she replied, wiping her tears.


    [ " Honey, you don''t have to work anymore. I''ll entrust all the money I earn to you. You can consider getting a driver''s license when you have the time. It''ll be convenient for you to drive around, " ] Kang Zhenggang suggested.


    [ " All right, I''ll do as you say, " ] she agreed, trusting him.


    At the Global Shipping Group...


    Qiu Yang knocked on Liu Yong''s office door and entered, reporting, [ " Boss, Mr. Kanter, the president of Diya Company, along with Gobert, a senior executive, and a group of seven arrived at Huahai International Airport this afternoon." ]


    Liu Yong instructed, [ " Arrange for someone to meet them at the airport. " ]


    [ " Yes, " ] Qiu Yang acknowledged. Curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, [ " Boss, they''re interested in the fat of that deep-sea white fish. Can we really acquire it? " ]


    Liu Yong reassured him, [ " It''s a minor matter. You don''t need to worry. Focus on the reception. I''ll meet them tomorrow morning at nine o''clock. " ]


    Feeling reassured by his Boss''s confidence, Qiu Yang pondered the significance of the deep-sea fish fat.


    The next day...


    Kanter, Gobert, and their group of seven arrived at the Global Shipping Group and were ushered into the reception room. After a short while, Liu Yong entered the room apanied by Qiu Yang, Hu Shijun, and others.


    The atmosphere was cordial, filled with pleasantries exchanged between the two parties. The friendly environment set the tone for the meeting.


    After a casual conversation, the discussion swiftly shifted to the main topic.


    Kanter, eager to confirm Global Shipping Group''s ability to procure the deep-sea fish oil, inquired once again, [ " Mr. Liu, can yourpany really obtain that type of deep-sea fish oil? " ] He hoped for a positive response.


    Liu Yong responded with a confident smile, [ " Mr. Kanter, you should be asking how many tons of this fish oil we can acquire, not just how many kilograms. "]


    Surprised by Liu Yong''s response, Kanter couldn''t hide his astonishment. [ " Can this really be discussed? " ] he wondered, intrigued by the prospect.


    .........................

 Chapter 216 Piece Of Cake!

    ?


    Kanter''s eyes widened in astonishment, his mind racing toprehend the shocking news that had just been revealed. Standing beside him, Gobert shared the same bewildered expression, trying to make sense of the situation.


    [ " Can we really discuss this? " ] Kanter asked, still processing the implications of what he had heard.


    [ " It would be remarkable if Global Shipping could obtain substantial fat from these mysterious white monster fish, " ] Kanter pondered. Also, he considered,[ " Imagine the possibilities! We could produce around 100,000 sticks of hand cream from just one ton of this extraordinary substance. " ]


    The revtion left Kanter astonished, his face brimming with surprise.


    One thought echoed in his mind¡ªit had been a fortuitous decision to join the Global Shipping Group. It was undoubtedly the most logical and sensible choice he could have made.


    [ " Mr Liu, your answer has truly inspired us, " ] Kanter eximed, his eyes gleaming excitedly. [ " We have an immense demand for this deep-sea fish oil. " ]


    As a world-renowned cosmeticspany with revenue surpassing 50 billion U.S. dorsst year, its sess was bound to increase this year.


    Kanter passionately continued, [ " The new hand cream, formted with this deep-sea fish oil as a crucial ingredient, yields remarkable results. Even if the price reaches $150 or even $180 per unit, there is no doubt that we will sell millions of units annually. " ]


    He exined their ns to use this miraculous fish oil to develop a range of other cosmetics, predicting that the demand for this ingredient alone would reach dozens of tons within a year.


    [ " With such a substantial demand, we need to discuss acquiring tons of this fish oil, " ] Kanter emphasized.


    [ " Yes, tons of it! " ] he eximed confidently.


    Mr Liu replied with a smile, exuding unwavering assurance. [ " Obtaining dozens, even hundreds of tons, is a piece of cake for us. " ]


    Kanter and his colleagues were again taken aback, struggling to believe their ears. Kanter couldn''t help but question Mr Liu to confirm, [ " Mr Liu, are you saying that you can procure hundreds of tons of fat from these mysterious white fish? " ]


    Liu Yong nodded confidently. [ " Absolutely. We have the capability to do so. " ]


    The news filled them with ecstasy. Coming to the Global Shipping Group had undoubtedly been the right decision. Kanter''s concerns about potential raw material shortages for their hand cream had now dissipated entirely.


    Kanter and his team radiated joy, their faces lit with excitement. Meanwhile, Mr Gobert and several other officials exchanged subtle nces, their expressions telling of the magnitude of the opportunity.


    Kanter stood there, his emotions a mix of happiness and pleasant surprise. As a seasoned businessman, his true essence was exposed¡ªhis relentless pursuit of profit and maximizing his gains.


    [ " Mister Liu, the price of 5 million U.S. dors per ton is too steep. We are willing to pay the highest price, " ] Kanter asserted confidently, his mind set on driving a hard bargain.


    He intended to sh the price drastically, not just by half, but down to a mere fifth of the initial quotation¡ªmerely 1 million U.S. dors per ton.


    However, Liu Yong wasn''t about to give him that opportunity.


    Liu Yong seemed to grasp Kanter''s intentions fully and waved his hand dismissively, interrupting him without hesitation. [ " There is no room for negotiation on the price. It''s 5 million U.S. dors per ton, not a penny less. " ]


    The terse response took aback Kanter, but his astute business instincts kicked in. [ " Very well, it shall be 5 million U.S. dors per ton. However, we have one condition¡ªthe exclusive rights to purchase the fat from this peculiar white fish must be granted to ourpany, Ya Company. " ]


    Hearing Kanter''s condition, Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile¡ªa knowing smile that hinted at a surprise for people like Diya, who may have been overthinking the situation.


    The idea seemed impossible to Diya. How could such a lucrative opportunity be restricted to a single entity? With 5 million U.S. dors per ton, a total of 10 tons would yield a staggering 50 million U.S. dors¡ªequivalent to hundreds of millions in the currency of Yan country. The more money they could make, the better.


    Liu Yong shook his head, his confidence unwavering. [ " That is impossible. " ] <novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Indeed, it was impossible. Liu Yong alone possessed the means to quickly obtain the fat from that peculiar white fish¡ªa raremodity that held incredible value. It was a gem hidden in in sight, only essible to him.


    epting this reality, Kanter and his team realized that negotiation was futile. They had anticipated a lengthy business meeting filled with discussions and deliberations, but the fact was far from their expectations.


    The price was non-negotiable, with a firm demand of 5 million U.S. dors per ton. Whether the fat from the peculiar white fish would be sold to otherpanies was debatable. The focus shifted to the transaction and payment methods.


    [ " We won''t deliver the goods to your doorstep. Instead, we will deposit the oil of this peculiar white fish on the seashore, and yourpany will be responsible for its transportation, " ] Liu Yong stated firmly, revealing yet another surprising aspect of the deal.


    This proposition took aback the members of Diya Company¡ªa luxury item of such value and no delivery service included. They exchanged surprised nces, shaking their heads slightly. Once again, they witnessed Liu Yong''s unwavering toughness.


    Faced with this demand, Kanter had no choice but to ept. Liu Yong further proposed a cash deposit of 10 million U.S. dors, with the remaining amount to be paid upon delivery.


    The business meeting, initially anticipated to span several days, concluded in under half a day. By noon, both parties had signed a formal contract, and the 10 million U.S. dor deposit was sessfully transferred to the Global Shipping Group''s ount.


    In the presence of Qiu Yang, a celebratory banquet was held at noon, hosted by the Global Shipping Group to honour Kanter and his team.


    After a delightful meal, Kanter and hispanions departed, filled with joy and satisfaction.


    Meanwhile, Huang Guang was diligently engrossed in his work, brimming with passion and dedication. It had been a short time since he had been promoted from a supervisor to a manager. Apart from the unwavering support of his colleagues Liu Yong and Hu Shijun, another crucial factor contributed to his sess: his exceptional abilities and consistent outstanding performance.


    The phone on Huang Guang''s desk suddenly rang, interrupting his focused efforts. Liu Yong''s voice resonated through the receiver [ " Manager Huang, pleasee to my office. " ]


    In the workce, Liu Yong addressed Huang Guang as "Manager Huang" rather than simply an old ssmate, despite their close rtionship and personal bond.


    Without hesitation, Huang Guang promptly made his way to Liu Yong''s office, gently pushing the door open and stepping inside. [ " Brother Yong, you wanted to see me? " ] he asked.


    Liu Yong nodded and gestured for Huang Guang to take a seat. [ " Sit down. I have a task for you, " ] he said.


    Curious about the nature of the task, Huang Guang inquired, [ " What is it, Brother Yong? " ]


    Liu Yong proceeded to provide a brief exnation of the matter at hand. A significant deal had been struck between the Group and Diya Company, and the location for the transaction was a specific seaside destination in the Middle East¡ªdetails of which Liu Yong mentioned explicitly.


    Huang Guang''s role was to oversee andplete this transaction on behalf of the Global Shipping Group.


    Although he couldn''t help but feel confused about choosing a seaside location in the Middle East, Huang Guang refrained from voicing his question. He understood the nuances of the workce and when it was appropriate to inquire further.


    Liu Yong continued, [ " Choose a few people, and you can set off today. I will inform you once the items are ready to be delivered to the beach. " ]


    Huang Guang stood up, his determination shining through. [ " Alright, we''ll set off today, and I assure you, Brother Yong, that we will aplish this task with excellence. " ]


    Observing Huang Guang''s departure, Liu Yong couldn''t help but revel in a positive mood. With this sessful transaction, he estimated that the profits would amount to around 100 to 200 million U.S. dors, ensuring no less than a billion-dor ount.


    The prospect of earning such substantial sums was genuinely gratifying.


    For most people, capturing and ying those elusive deep-sea creatures was akin to an impossible feat, as challenging as reaching the heavens. However, for Liu Yong, it was a task that presented no significant difficulties¡ªa task as simple as plucking an item from a bag.

 Chapter 217 Counter—Attack!

    ?


    The Overlord had sessfully established its temporary residence, where it could enjoy a peaceful slumber. As it awakened from a restful sleep in its new abode, a pang of hunger reminded it of the deep-sea delicacy that had captivated its thoughts.


    The deep-sea white strange fish was an exquisite treat, and the Overlord had gone to great lengths to ensure its frequent indulgence in this delicacy. The Overlord had constructed a temporary residence close to the magnificent trench where these fish resided.


    Filled with energy and armed with a colossal 50-meter-long spear, the Overlord embarked on its journey towards the vast trench, whichy a mere hundred nautical miles away. Within half an hour, it reached the summit of the trench, ready to plunge into the deep sea.


    As the Overlord ventured deeper into the abyss, the surroundings grew progressively darker, and the temperature plummeted. The absence of light rendered the Overlord unable to discern its fingers.


    However, with its exceptional senses, it could perceive everything within a radius of 500 meters, effortlessly detecting any marine life entering its domain.


    The Overlord''s pace noticeably slowed at a depth of over 2,000 meters. Proceeding cautiously, it descended into the seemingly bottomless trench, where darkness and coldness reigned supreme. Undeterred, the Overlord persisted in its quest for the delectable prey that awaited¡ªa colossal white strange fish.


    Suddenly, the Overlord''s senses detected a breathtaking sight on the edge of its perception¡ªa massive white strange fish. This creature surpassed the previous one in size, measuring over forty meters in length.


    Its enormous head dominated one-third of its body, equipped with many sharp, formidable teeth.


    The sight was both fearsome and majestic, leaving no doubt about the creature''s formidablebat prowess. It dwarfed the Overlord in size, estimated to weigh around 200 tons. This revtion shattered the Overlord''s preconceived notions, as it realized that the previously encountered strange white fish, measuring a mere ten meters in length and weighing twenty to thirty tons, was merely juvenile.


    The creature before it was a fully-grown adult¡ªan awe-inspiring specimen.


    The Overlord hesitated momentarily, contemting the odds of victory. Should it engage in a confrontation with such a massive adversary? Regrettably, the white fish had already sensed the Overlord''s presence.


    With a flick of its tail, it swiftly closed the distance, perceiving the Overlord as an intruder¡ªa potential source of sustenance it had never encountered before.


    Within the blink of an eye, the massive creature covered a distance of 500 meters, leaving the Overlord with no choice but to evade its initial attack.


    Retreating rapidly, the Overlord maintained a safe distance of two to three hundred meters, ever watchful of its colossal adversary.


    Undeterred by the initial setback, the white monster fish lunged again, jaws wide open, seeking to crush the Overlord in a single bite. Fueled by determination, the Overlord retaliated, brandishing its mighty 50-meter-long spear. This formidable weapon had proven its effectiveness in the past. Would it deliver the same oue this time?


    With a resounding impact, the giant spear struck its target. However, the Overlord was taken aback when it realized that the spearhead had not fully prated the creature''s head. The head of the white fish exhibited an extraordinary level of durability.


    Astonished, the Overlord spected whether the hardness of the white fish''s head increased with its size.


    The colossal white fish, measuring over 40 meters long and weighing more than 200 tons, challenged the Overlord''s preconceptions.


    Enraged by the failed attack, the white monster fish suddenly acted aggressively. It became ferocious, unleashing its fury upon the Overlord.


    With a forceful sweep of its tail, it aimed to strike a devastating blow.


    Startled, the Overlord swiftly reacted, evading the assault by a hair''s breadth.


    The colossal tail of the white monster fish narrowly missed its mark, grazing past the Overlord. Recognizing the formidable nature of its adversary, the Overlord muttered under its breath, acknowledging the challenge it faced.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Leveraging its speed, the Overlord created distance between itself and the white monster fish, adopting a cautious stance. It sought an opportune moment to strike back.


    Should it daringly sprint towards the creature''s gaping maw or focus its attack on its vulnerable body? Despite the fish''s scales being asrge as washbasins, the Overlord believed its giant spear could pierce through.


    After mere seconds of tense confrontation, the white monster fish moved again. The Overlord skillfully evaded the attack, sidestepping the creature''s charge.


    Determined, the Overlord seized the perfect moment to retaliate. Instead of escaping this time, it propelled itself forward, and its spear pointed directly at the fish''s massive body.


    The Overlord executed the sprint with remarkable speed, akin to a shadow gliding through the depths. The fish attempted to evade the impending strike but underestimated the Overlord''s speed and agility. The giant spear forcefully impaled the creature''s body, driven by immense strength. The impact resounded with a muffled thud.


    [ " Boom! " ]


    The giant spear pierced the fish and nearly impaled it entirely. The white monster fish suffered severe injuries, its life rapidly fading. In a final act of desperation, it snapped its jaws in a vicious attempt to attack the Overlord.


    Realizing the imminent danger, the Overlord swiftly withdrew its spear, evading the final counterattack. Regrettably, the monster''s attempt to retaliate before meeting its demise proved futile. Gradually, its life force waned, and it sank deeper into the trench.


    Refusing to let its hard-earned prize slip away, the Overlord chased after the sinking fish. With one mighty front paw, it seized the colossal white creature, exceeding its weight, and began swimming towards the surface.


    A sense of satisfaction enveloped the Overlord''s thoughts as it swam upstream. It revelled in the triumph of its battle with the formidable white monster fish, recognizing that this substantial catch would provide enough sustenance for several days.


    [ " Now, I can sleep soundly and enjoy nearby adventures once I''m satiated. These days have been quite favourable, " ] the Overlord contemted with contentment.


    With the massive white fish weighing more than itself, the Overlord embarked on a forty to fifty-minute journey, traversing over a hundred nautical miles back to its temporary residence.


    Upon reaching its destination, the Overlord carefully ced the immense white strange fish on the t ground outside the cave. The giant spear remained embedded in the creature''s body, a testament to the intense battle unfolding.


    Ravenous, the Overlord gazed upon the delectable feast before it. Saliva almost trickled from its mouth as it eagerly opened wide, taking a voracious bite. With each mouthful, it devoured thousands of pounds of fish meat, savouring the exquisite vour.


    Amidst its feast, a familiar voice echoed within the Overlord''s mind¡ªLiu Yong''s voice. [ " Bawang, you''ve truly outdone yourself. Where did you acquire such a colossal white strange fish? " ]


    Proudly, the Overlord responded, [ " Master, I acquired this colossal white strange fish from the depths of the big trench located more than a hundred miles away. It put up quite a fight, but I managed to prevail and bring it back for our enjoyment. " ]


    Liu Yong''s voice resonated excitedly as he replied, [ " Well done, Bawang! This is even better than I had anticipated. A strange white fish of this magnitude will surely yield an abundance of valuable resources, including the precious fat within its stomach. " ]


    The Overlord, pleased with its aplishment, couldn''t help but bask in the praise.


    [ " Master, what do you have in mind for the resources extracted from this creature? Should I bring them to you directly? " ] the Overlord inquired eagerly.


    ...................

 Chapter 218 Making Dreams Come True!

    ?


    Liu Yong gazed at the strange white fish, contemting the task. [ " You must meticulously extract all the fat from the belly of this enigmatic creature and transport it to the designated location, " ] he instructed, his voice filled with authority and purpose to Overlord.


    Bawang, taken aback by the unexpected request, initially believed that parting with the fat would be difficult. After all, it was an exquisite delicacy to him, and he anticipated some resistance from within. To its surprise, however, Bawang agreed without hesitation. [ " Master, I shall promptly send it over, " ] he affirmed a sense of determination in his voice.


    Liu Yong, slightly astounded by Bawang''spliance, voiced his astonishment, [ " You willingly agree? The fat of this peculiar white fish is undeniably delectable and happens to be your favorite food. " ]


    -HAHA!


    Bawang chuckled and replied, [ " Master, the trench is not too far away. If you desire to savor such a delicacy, all you need to do is swim across. Catching one would provide you with several meals. " ]


    [ " Well, that''smendable, " ] Liu Yong expressed satisfaction.


    [ " Retrieve the fat from the fish''s belly and ensure its delivery to the designated location. " ]


    [ " Very well, I shallmence immediately, " ] Bawang responded dutifully, diving into the task. He skillfully extracted the substantial fat from the white fish with his ws. The size was genuinely remarkable, weighing at least thirty to forty tons.


    Witnessing the extraction of all the fat, Liu Yong found himself pleasantly surprised. He hadn''t expected such an abundant fat reserve within the fish''s belly. It amounted to an astonishing three to forty tons!


    Calcting the potential value, Liu Yong''s mind raced. [ " One ton is worth five million dors, and with so much fat, it may total up to 200 million dors! Goodness, 200 million dors! " ] The realization of the incredible fortune to be gained filled him with excitement.


    Earning Money seemed almost effortless under such circumstances¡ªa mere half-day''s work yielding 200 million dors. Such a rapid umtion of wealth was a feat unique to Liu Yong.


    With a corner of the colossal fat piece clenched between his teeth, Overlord struggled to handle its sheer size. Consequently, it could only manage to bite off a fraction of it. Holding its enormous spear with one front paw, it embarked on a journey towards a beach several thousand miles away.


    Meanwhile, Huang Guang, apanied by a few individuals, embarked on a ne journey to the Middle East. They drove to a small seaside town and settled into a local hotel.


    As evening descended, Gobert, representing Diya Company, arrived in the seaside town with a group of individuals and tworge container trucks.


    Upon their meeting, customary greetings were exchanged between the two parties. Gobert spoke courteously, [ " Mr Huang, when can we expect the delivery? " ]


    Having received instructions from Liu Yong in advance, Huang Guang responded, [ " Tomorrow morning, I will guide you to the delivery location. Please ensure everyone rests well tonight. " ]


    [ " Very well, we shall gather early tomorrow morning at the delivery location, " ] Gobert concurred.


    As the sun began to rise the following day, Huang Guang led a convoy of small cars trailed by tworge container trucks along the coastal road.


    After a short distance from the city, scattered buildings still dotted the roadside. However, gradually, thendscape transformed into destion. The vast expanse of the Gobi Desert stretched out before them, devoid of any structures or signs of human presence.


    During the journey, Gobert, sitting in the same car as Huang Guang, couldn''t help but inquire, [ " Mr. Huang, how much farther do we have to go? We''ve already left the city behind us, and it''s been more than 20 kilometers. " ]


    Huang Guang responded confidently, [ " We''re just about to turn the corner ahead. The delivery location is not far now. " ]


    After a short while, the convoy made a sharp bend, revealing an open area ahead. A vast beach stretched before them, adjacent to the road, where a towering mound of pale yellow objectsy.


    The moundprised 30 to 40 tons of fat from the strange white fish, delivered by Bawang in the early morning. Liu Yong observed the scene with keen interest, his perspective epassing the entire situation.


    [ " They''ve arrived, " ] Liu Yong muttered, a sense of relief washing over him.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The convoy stopped, and Huang Guang, Gobert, and the others stepped out of their vehicles, gathering before the mound. Their faces radiated joy and excitement.


    Gobert, apanied by his team of professionals, meticulously inspected and identified the fat, confirming its origin as the specific product of the strange white fish. His excitement grew with each passing moment.


    [ " Oh, my God! " ] Gobert eximed, his voice filled with awe. [ " There''s so much fat here, easily dozens of tons! We don''t have to worry about the fat supply for a while. We can produce an abundance of premium-grade hand creams and develop high-end cosmetics! " ]


    Beaming delightfully, Huang Guang responded, [ " Mr Gobert, I''m pleased to hear that. Your team can now begin working as nned. " ]


    [ " Absolutely! Let''s get to work, " ] Gobert dered enthusiastically.


    The Diya Company team swiftly acted, equipped with all the necessary tools and materials. Theymenced cutting offrge chunks of fat from the mound. Each piece was carefully sealed in stic bags, vacuum-packed, and weighed using a scale. The operation proceeded remarkably efficiently, keeping them busy for nearly two hours.


    Once all the fat had been sealed, packaged, and loaded onto the two container trucks, Gobert tightly grasped Huang Guang''s hand. [ " Mr. Huang, the total weight amounts to 41 tons and 257 kilograms. It has been a pleasure working with you. " ]


    Huang Guang reciprocated the firm handshake. His satisfaction was evident. [ " Likewise, it has been a fruitful coboration. " ]


    A sense of relief washed over Huang Guang as the task waspleted. He mentally calcted the value, murmuring to himself, [ " 41 tons and 257 kilograms... that totals 206.28 million dors. " ]


    Gobert, making a phone call in Huang Guang''s presence, reported the progress to his Boss, requesting a transfer of 206.28 million dors to the Global Shipping Group''s ount.


    At the Global Shipping Group headquarters, Qiu Yang entered Liu Yong''s office with a jubnt expression. [ " Boss, we have received the total sum of 206.28 million dors. " ]


    Liu Yong''sughter echoed through the room. [ "Money truly brings joy! Merely dispatching Bawang has resulted in over 200 million dors. It''s like having a money-printing machine. " ]


    Qiu Yang, grateful for the abundance of funds, expressed his gratitude.


    [ " Boss, ourpany''s financial situation has never been better. Fewpanies possess such considerable resources. " ]


    Amidst his happiness, Liu Yong waved his hand dismissively.


    [ " How about this, " ] Liu Yong continued, [ " each person will receive a bonus of 3,000 yuan. For middle and high-level personnel, the bonus can be higher. You can decide the exact amount. " ]


    Qiu Yang''s eyes widened in disbelief. [ " Send Money if you disagree! You''re incredibly generous, Boss. On behalf of everyone, thank you in advance. " ]


    Liu Yong smiled, considering the sum trivial. [ " It''s just a small amount. With less than 2,000 employees, that''s only a million in bonuses. " ]


    Aware of Liu Yong''s recent ventures, including earning 1 billion dors in Somalia, Qiu Yang couldn''t help but be astonished by the wealth umted. Now, with a profit of over 200 million dors, thepany''s prosperity seemed limitless.


    After a moment''s reflection, Liu Yong added, [ " Thepany should invest in buying a plot ofnd. We''ll build houses for our employees, ensuring everyone has a ce to call home. " ]


    Qiu Yang''s jaw dropped, struggling toprehend the generosity of the statement.


    Liu Yong smiled mischievously and continued, [ " Surprised, aren''t you? We''ll provide our employees with stability and security. " ]


    ....................

 Chapter 219 Transformative Plans

    ?


    Qiu Yang''s excitement knew no bounds as he stammered, [ "Boss, this...this is incredible! On behalf of the entire staff, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! " ]


    Liu Yong''sughter reverberated in the room. [ " The Boss is here to make dreamse true. Let''s continue expanding and creating opportunities for everyone. " ]


    Next, Liu Yong passionately shared his vision with the team:


    [ " The future headquarters of ourpany will reside in the majestic Universal Building, " ] Liu Yong stated, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.


    [ " And to support our employees, the Global Shipping Group will develop and construct a residential area that boasts convenient transportation to the Global Building. Ideally, we''ll have direct bus or subway connections. " ]


    His voice brimming with excitement, Liu Yong continued, [ " The houses we build will be exquisitely decorated, offering a move-in-ready experience. Imagine walking in with just your bags. " ]


    He emphasized, [ " While the Global Shipping Group will hold the property rights to these houses, the employees will have the right to use them indefinitely. As long as you work here, you''ll have a ce to call home. " ]


    Liu Yong''s grand vision was to transform the Global Shipping Group into a renowned global corporation known for its extensive scale, formidable strength, and exceptional employee benefits. He understood that attracting elite talent required offering remarkable advantages.


    After Liu Yong presented his idea, Qiu Yang sought rification [ " Boss, how much budget should we allocate for developing and constructing the employee housingplex? " ]


    Liu Yong waved his hand confidently and replied, [ " Let''s start with 2 billion. We must ensure that the quality of themunity matches high-end residentialplexes in the market. In the first phase, we''ll build 1,000 houses, ssified into three grades: two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom apartments, and four-bedroom apartments. " ]


    Ordinary employees would be assigned two-bedroom apartments, supervisors would receive three-bedroom ts, and managers would be allocated four-bedroom apartments.


    Qiu Yang''s enthusiasm couldn''t be contained, and his voice filled with excitement as he spoke, [ " This is incredible! A thousand houses¡ªit''s truly a monumental undertaking! And this is only the beginning. I can already envision future phases with even more houses. " ]


    Meanwhile, He Hua, a new employee who had justpleted his two-month internship, diligently focused on his work. Suddenly, his mobile phone buzzed with a notification from the workgroup. Curiosity piqued, he quickly picked up his phone and read the message, his face lighting up joyfully.


    The work groupprised over a dozen members, including their team supervisor, Bao Bigong. It was Bao Bigong who had sent the message with exciting news. He Hua read the announcement aloud, [ " Everyone, I have great news to share! The Boss will be giving each of us an additional bonus of 3,000 yuan. It will be credited to our ounts within the next couple of days. " ]


    The previously calm WeChat group erupted with excitement as everyone expressed their jubtion:


    [ " This is fantastic! I can''t believe it''s 3,000 yuan per person! " ]


    [ " Pinch me, I must be dreaming! This is such a generous bonus! " ]


    [ " Haha, now I won''t have to worry about next month''s rent! " ]


    [ " Our Boss is truly remarkable! I''m so grateful! " ]


    Observing his colleagues'' enthusiastic reactions, He Hua couldn''t help but join in, typing a few messages to convey his current mood. This news was a blessing for him, as financial pressure weighed on his mind. With rent costing 1,500 yuan per month and recently taking on the expenses of a girlfriend, he had almost depletedst month''s sry. He had even contemted using his credit card to cover the shortfall.


    But now, with the arrival of the 3,000 yuan bonus, his worries dissipated. The timing couldn''t have been better. But the surprises didn''t end there. Supervisor Bao Bigong dropped another bombshell in the group chat:


    [ " And that''s not all, " ] Bao Bigong announced. [ " Thepany has ns to allocate a whopping 2 billion yuan for the development of a residentialplex exclusively for our employees. We aim to construct 2,000 beautifully furnished houses. In just a few months, each one of you will have a ce to call your own. " ]


    The news reverberated through the workgroup, causing an eruption of excitement:


    [ " Is this for real? I can''t believe how amazing ourpany is! " ]


    [ " The fact that they''re building houses for us... I''m speechless! Boss, I''m eternally grateful! " ]


    [ " Thispany is beyond incredible. I now dere that I will never leave. I''ll work here until retirement! " ]<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The excitement permeated beyond the work group, spreading like wildfire as the news circted throughout thepany. Even aboard arge bulk ship of the Global Shipping Group, sailing across the Pacific Ocean, the captain couldn''t contain his joy as he shared the news with the entire crew.


    [ " Attention, everyone! " ] the captain announced. [ " We have some extraordinary news to celebrate. Thepany will be awarding each one of us a bonus of 3,000 yuan, and it will be deposited into our ounts within the next two days. " ]


    The crew erupted in cheers and apuse. But it wasn''t just the bonus that ignited their excitement. It was the revtion that thepany would be constructing houses for its employees, ensuring that each would have a home in the future.


    [ " I never imagined I''d have a ce in a bustling city like Huahai City, " ] one crew member marvelled.


    [ " Once I have my house, I''ll finally be able to reunite with my wife and children, " ] another crew member eximed.


    [ " This makes all the hard work worthwhile! " ] Another dered.


    [ " Yes, the toil and effort we''ve put in throughout our lives¡ªit''s all for the chance to own a house in a prominent city, " ] another crew member said.


    With Liu Yong''s decision to build houses for his employees, his stature and reputation soared. Some employees even chanted, [ " The boss is mighty, " ] expressing their utmost admiration and respect.


    Meanwhile, preparations were underway at the National Athletic Center for the uing IAAF Diamond League event in RB. Today they marked the final practice session before the athletes travelled to RB topete.


    A crowd gathered by the 100-meter track, where two team members positioned themselves at the starting line. Jiang Xiang, the head coach of the track and field team, held the starting gun, his voice resounding with authority as hemanded, [ " Take your positions, everyone. " ]


    [ " Get ready... Run! " ]


    A gunshot echoed through the air, propelling the two athletes into a fierce sprint. The onlookers, including other track and field yers, coaches, and staff members, erupted in cheers and apuse.


    While satisfied with the disy, Jiang Xiang noticed a slight disparity in the athletes'' reaction times. One of them had a quicker start, gaining an early advantage. These athletes were none other than Chen Hu and Su Lei.


    Chen Hu exhibited a lightning-fast reaction, edging ahead of Su Lei by a body''s length after 30 meters. As the race progressed, the distance between them widened until Chen Hu crossed the finish line first. [ " 9 seconds 42! " ] Jiang Xiang announced, his voice filled with pride.


    [ " 10 seconds 01! " ] he reported the time for Su Lei.


    The crowd erupted excitedly, apuding Chen Hu''s prime time of 9.42 seconds¡ªa remarkable achievement surpassing the current world record.


    Jiang Xiang''s heart brimmed with satisfaction. He knew Chen Hu''s consistent performance would lead them to victory in the uing Diamond League event.


    Recalling previous Diamond Leaguepetitions events, Jiang Xiang couldn''t help but sigh. The track and field scene in Yan Guo could have been more robust, with limited sess in many circumstances. Before Chen Hu''s emergence, Su Lei held the best record for a Yan Guo athlete in the 100-meter event with a time of 9.99 seconds.


    As the two athletes slowed down and came to a stop, Su Lei wore an admiring expression on his face. [ " Brother Chen, you''re incredible. I can''t even fathom running alongside you. It would be pure torture. " ]


    Chen Hu smiled, radiating happiness. [ " You''re no slouch yourself. You''re the first person from China to run under 10 seconds. " ]


    -HAHA!


    Su Lei chuckled modestly. [ " Ah, my achievement pales inparison. It''s hardly worth mentioning. " ]


    [ " Brother Chen, I can''t wait to see you in action at the Diamond League. You''ll leave the European and American athletes in awe, " ] Su Lei anticipated.


    ................

 Chapter 220 Ground Breaking Performance!

    ?


    Liu Yong''s phone buzzed, indicating an iing call from Chen Hu. He swiftly picked it up, eager to hear what his prot¨¦g¨¦ had to say. [ " Boss, we will leave for RB tomorrow to participate in the IAAF Diamond League, " ] Chen Hu enthusiastically announced.


    A smile spread across Liu Yong''s face as he realized the significance of this opportunity. [ " This is a good thing! " ] he eximed, his voice brimming with excitement. [ " It''s been more than a month of training, and it''s time to test it. Participating in the Diamond League is a small trial, but the focus must remain on the Olympic Games next year. " ]


    Overwhelmed by joy, Liu Yong additionally said, [ " I will personallye to RB to watch your game in two days. " ]


    Chen Hu''s voice trembled with delight. [ " Boss, are you reallying to watch the game, " ] he said, his words filled with genuine surprise.


    [ " Yes, I will be there, " ] Liu Yong confirmed. [ " As my driver and bodyguard, I want to witness firsthand how you ovee your opponents and bring glory to our country. " ]


    The conversation between the two continued for at least ten minutes as they discussed their ns and exchanged words of encouragement. After ending the call, Liu Yong wasted no time. He immediately reached for his phone and ordered his subordinates to book ne tickets and purchase game tickets, ensuring everything was in ce for their journey.


    In the meantime, Chen Hu had been preparing diligently for the uingpetition. Although he would only participate in three events ¨C the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters ¨C he had also trained extensively in other disciplines, such as the long jump, javelin throw, and high jump, disying exceptional proficiency in each one. His talent was such that he could effortlessly break world records in these additional events.


    Apanying Liu Yong to RB was Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang. Their interest was piqued when they learned about Chen Hu''s participation in the Diamond League, and they eagerly decided to join the journey.


    Liu Yong had also intended to invite Li Changle, but securing leave became challenging due to her responsibilities as a head teacher, so they reluctantly abandoned the idea.


    Two dayster, the trio of Liu Yong, Kang Zhenggang, and He Qiang arrived in Osaka, where they were lodged in one of the finest five-star hotels in the area. Thepetition was scheduled tomence the next day, and anticipation coursed through their veins as they settled in for the night.


    The following day, the atmosphere was electrifying as the 100-meter preliminaries began. Liu Yong, Kang Zhenggang, and He Qiang took their seats in the auditorium, eagerly scanning the arena for Chen Hu''s presence. It took a little while for Kang Zhenggang to spot Chen Hu donning his Yanguo sportswear. [ " See, that''s Chen Hu. Looks like he''s about topete, " ] he remarked, excited in his voice.


    The men''s 100 meters was the most captivating event, drawing a massive crowd and overshadowing the otherpetitions. The stadium excitedly buzzed, making way for this singr event on the sprawling track and field. While other events, like the long jump and high jump, had to wait for the 100-meter preliminaries to conclude, some took ce simultaneously.


    A high jumppetition might unfold on one side while a long jump event urs on the other.


    Kang Zhenggang couldn''t contain his enthusiasm and spoke with exuberance. His voice resounded through the air, capturing the attention of those nearby. Both Liu Yong and He Qiang followed Kang Zhenggang''s gaze, their eyes fixed on Chen Hu, their hearts brimming with anticipation. He Qiang chimed in, remarking, [ " The level of the Diamond League this time is incredibly high. Many renowned sprinters have joined, such as the famous Jamaican athlete Brandt and the esteemed Coleman from the M country. " ]


    Confident in Chen Hu''s abilities, Kang Zhenggang expressed his unwavering belief. [ " I have faith in Chen Hu; the gold medal in the 100-meter event will surely be yours " ] he proimed with conviction.


    Before Liu Yong could respond, a dissatisfied voice interrupted their conversation. [ " You Yan people are delusional about winning gold medals, " ] the interjector scoffed. [ " You should be content with merely qualifying in the preliminaries. " ]


    Liu Yong turned his gaze towards the source of the voice, a local RB resident seated in front of them. He was fluent in Mandarin and understood their conversation. Liu Yong met his remarks with a smile and questioned, [ " Why do you think Yan people can''t win gold medals? " ]


    -Haha!


    The RB man chuckled and retorted, [ " Do you have any idea of your own level in the men''s 100-meter event? " ]


    -HUH!


    Maintaining hisposure, Liu Yong smiled knowingly. [ " That may have been the case in the past, but from now on, we have every reason to be proud. " ]


    Infuriated by the condescending remarks, Kang Zhenggang impulsively challenged the RB man. [ " Let''s make a wager. If our yer qualifies in this group of preliminaries, you will owe me $1,000 and offer an apology. " ]


    The RB man epted the bet. [ " Agreed, but if your yer fails to qualify, you will owe me $1,000 and apologize to me. " ]


    [ " Deal, " ] Kang Zhenggang confirmed firmly, sealing the agreement.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Momentster, the loudspeaker announced the start of the 100-meter preliminaries, featuring Chen Hu and seven other athletes. Among them, Chen Hu stood out as the only representative of the yellow race, surrounded bypetitors of ck and white descent. Hisne was number six.


    Several spectators noticed Chen Hu''s presence on the track, his distinct appearance drawing their attention. Reporters seized the opportunity to capture close-up shots of him with their cameras, and the sports world began to take notice of this rising star.


    -DUNG!


    A gunshot reverberated through the arena as the eight athletes positioned themselves for the race, signalling the event''smencement. Chen Hu sprang forward, disying a remarkable burst of speed right from the start. The agility he demonstrated left onlookers astounded.


    Even seasoned professionals, like the coach from country M, couldn''t help but express their surprise at Chen Hu''s lightning-fast eleration.


    As their eyes wandered across the roster of participants, their focus inevitably gravitated towards Chen Hu''s name. However, the coach''s attention was abruptly diverted from the list as he redirected his gaze towards the field.


    What he saw left him utterly astonished.


    Chen Hu had already established amanding lead, leaving hispetitors behind by at least two positions. In the stands, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang erupted in boisterous cheers, their excitement echoing throughout the arena. Observing Chen Hu''s significant advantage, their jubtion intensified, resulting in even louder cheers.


    However, the RB man who had ced the bet earlier had his face contorted with frustration, struggling toprehend how the people from Yan Kingdom could possess such immense prowess. The results were promptly announced as Chen Hu crossed the finish line, clinching first ce. He hadpleted the race in an astounding 9.76 seconds, securing the top spot in the preliminary round.


    This achievement left many in awe.


    With such a remarkable performance, Chen Hu had a genuine chance of winning the championship. Even Bolt, the world record holder, couldn''t consistently achieve a time of 9.58 seconds; more often, his times hovered around 9.60 seconds or higher.


    Aware that Chen Hu had yet to exert his full potential, Liu Yong understood the extent of his capabilities and admired his disciplined approach. Kang Zhenggang couldn''t contain his joy, turning towards the RB man and remarking triumphantly, [ " Bring us the money and remember, apologies to us. " ]


    The RB man, his face darkening, reluctantly reached into his pocket and produced a stack of yen bills, amounting to approximately $1,000 ording to the exchange rate. Reluctantly, he handed the money to Kang Zhenggang, uttering a soft apology. Without further ado, he hurriedly left, unwilling to witness any more of thepetition.


    Chen Hu''s time of 9.76 seconds in the preliminaries sent shockwaves through China and quickly became a topic of spirited discussion.


    Within an hour, numerous domestic news outlets and websites had reported on the event, apanied by a ten-second video clip. The incident swiftly became a trending topic, capturing people''s attention nationwide.


    After watching the race, Liu Yong and the others sought a reputable restaurant and indulged in avish feast. Kang Zhenggang, who had won the bet, gleefully dered, [ " I''m treating you both today and no one will try to snatch it away. I''ll spend the entire $1,000 I won on this meal, leaving not a single cent. " ]


    -HaHa!


    Liu Yong and He Qiangughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying the celebration. In a way, this meal served as restitution from the RB man. With $1,000, they spared no expense and relished the opportunity to savour various delectable dishes.


    The following day, the schedule included the men''s 100-meter semifinals and the men''s 200 meters and 400 preliminaries.


    In the afternoon, the men''s 100-meter finals would take ce.


    Once again, Liu Yong, Kang Zhenggang, and He Qiang upied their seats in the arena, eagerly awaiting Chen Hu''s appearance in the 100-meter semifinals.


    (to be continued...)

 Chapter 221 Gold, Records, Glory

    ?


    The men''s 100-meter semifinalsmenced with a palpable sense of anticipation. The first group of eight exceptional athletes lined up on the track, among them Chen Hu, who included the renowned Coleman from M country and Brandt, a talented Jamaican yer. The atmosphere crackled withpetitive energy as the athletes prepared for the intense semifinal race.


    Coleman positioned himself on his designated runway, ncing at the neighbouring Chen Hu. In the previous day''s preliminaries, Coleman had clocked an impressive time of 9.75 seconds, a mere 0.01 seconds faster than Chen Hu. While he couldn''t help but harbour some reservations, Coleman suspected that Chen Hu might also possess hidden reserves of strength.


    [ " How fast can you run? " ] Coleman pondered silently, a hint ofpetitiveness flickering in his eyes. [ " I must surpass you. With me here, you won''t im the championship. " ]


    Time seemed to stretch as anticipation built. After a brief moment, the resonant English voice of [ " Everyone on your mark " ] reverberated through the stadium, signalling the imminent start of the race. The tension heightened as the runners braced themselves.


    [ " Ready! " ]


    The loud sound of the starter pistol pierced the air, setting off a burst of explosive energy. The eightpetitors surged forward, their bodies blurted with determination and speed. Coleman, keenly aware that everyone seemed tounch their sprint simultaneously, understood that Chen Hu held a slight edge in swiftness.


    In the initial 20 meters, the sprinters appeared neck and neck, their efforts seemingly synchronized. However, as the race progressed beyond the 30-meter mark, gaps began to emerge, separating the frontrunners from the rest of the pack.


    At the forefront, Chen Hu, Coleman, and Lambert surged ahead, with Chen Hu leading the charge by roughly half a body length. By reaching the 40-meter mark, Chen Hu had widened the gap even further, leaving Coleman and Lambert desperately chasing him down.


    The atmosphere in the stadium got a fever pitch as the audience roared with excitement.


    Sitting in the stands, Liu Yong and hispanions were immersed in the electrifying atmosphere. The live experience surpassed the thrill of watching the event unfold on television. Their voices merged with the crowd''s as they, too, marvelled at the astonishing disy of speed.


    [ " Oh God, he''s incredibly fast! " ]


    [ " What''s happened to Coleman today? He''s being outpaced by apetitor from Yan country. " ]


    [ " Look! The athlete from Yan Guo crossed the finish line first, with a significant lead. " ]


    When Chen Hu triumphantly crossed the finish line, the stadium erupted in a loud uproar akin to a tidal wave. The crowd''s roar reverberated through every corner as if they were witnessing the culmination of the men''s 100-meter final rather than the semifinal.


    9 seconds 62¡ªthe clock stopped at this beautiful time, signifying Chen Hu''s exceptional performance. Coleman''s 9.71 seconds fell short of breaking the 9.7-second barrier.


    The CCTV reporter, gripping the microphone with palpable excitement, faced the camera and eximed, [ " Ladies and gentlemen, this is CCTV reporting live from the IAAF Diamond League Osaka station, where Chinese sprinter Chen Hu has just clocked an astonishing time of 9.62 seconds in the men''s 100-meter semifinal... " ]


    The men''s 100-meter sprint event has always captivated the attention of sports enthusiasts. Chen Hu''s remarkable speed disy brought immense pride to the Chinese contingent, propelling him from rtive obscurity to newfound fame.


    Coleman, wearing a dejected expression, cast several nces in Chen Hu''s direction. His mind churned with thoughts of surpassing a runner who had achieved such an exceptional time. Doubts crept in, prompting him to question whether his own abilities could ever match the prowess disyed by Chen Hu.


    Amidst the morning''s 100-meter semifinals, the preliminary rounds for the 200-meter event also took ce. Athletes who excelled in the 100-meter sprint weremonly believed to fare well in the 200-meter race.


    As expected, Chen Hu dominated the 200-meter preliminaries again, iming first ce. Spectators marvelled at his seemingly godlike speed, contemting whether the era of sprinting dominance, traditionally divided between whites and cks, might now belong to Chen Hu.


    The eagerly anticipated men''s 100-meter final was scheduled for the afternoon. Liu Yong and hispanions settled back into their seats, their interest piqued as they observed Chen Hu and the other finalists prepare and warm up for the grand event.


    Momentster, the eight finalists lined up on the runway, signalling themencement of the highly anticipated men''s 100-meter final. The previously lively atmosphere gradually hushed, enveloping the stadium and the audience.


    A collective breath was held as all eyes fixated on the eight sprinters positioned on the 100-meter runway. Cameras focused intently on the starting line, capturing the intensity of the uing race.


    The voice resounded through the stadium, a gentle yet authoritative call to action. "Everyone on your mark." The eightpetitors readied themselves, poised for the defining moment.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    ["Boom!"]


    As the starting pistol shattered the air, the runners exploded into motion, resembling arrows shot from taut bows. To the untrained eye, their initial speeds seemed virtually identical, but the keen eyes of professionals discerned that Chen Hu initiated the race with the slightest advantage.


    The first 20 meters witnessed a tightly contested battle, with all eight athletes maintaining an almost synchronized stride, indistinguishable. However, as they approached the 20-meter mark, subtle disparities in speed began to emerge. Chen Hu surged ahead, closely pursued by Coleman and Brandt.


    In that instant, a thunderous roar erupted from the spectators, reverberating throughout the auditorium. Whether their cheers were directed at Chen Hu or the valiant efforts of Coleman and Brandt remained uncertain.


    Nheless, the coborative atmosphere teemed with fervour, befitting the climax of the men''s 100-meter final.


    By the 50-meter mark, Chen Hu''smanding lead became undeniable, triggering a wave of astonishment and exmations.


    [ " Goodness gracious! It''s that athlete from Yanguo surging ahead once more. " ]


    [ " It''s beyond belief! " ]


    [ " Will he deliver a miracle? " ]


    Almost every eye fixated on Chen Hu, afraid to miss the awe-inspiring moment when he would triumphantly cross the finish line.


    Chen Hu''s lead grew insurmountable, leaving Coleman and Brandt to chase desperately but fruitlessly. The distance between them and Chen Hu only widened with each stride.


    Ultimately, Chen Hu imed victory, crossing the finish line in triumph. Coleman and Brandt followed suit, both significantly slower than their exceptionalpetitor.


    Within moments, the results were announced¡ªan unprecedented 9 seconds 55! Chen Hu had shattered Brandt''s longstanding world record of 9.58 seconds, sending shockwaves through the track and fieldmunity.


    Spontaneously, many members of the audience rose to their feet, apuding with unbridled enthusiasm. They bore witness to the birth of a new world record.


    In that moment, nationality and race dissolved into insignificance. White, ck, or yellow, all present, held nothing but respect and admiration for the indomitable spirit of the triumphant. The referee team thoroughly reviewed the race footage, discussing and verifying the validity of the record-breaking results.


    A new world record was born¡ª9 seconds 55!


    In the auditorium, Liu Yong and hispanions rejoiced over Chen Hu''s achievement. Simultaneously, they acknowledged that Chen Hu had deliberately withheld his full potential, recognizing that had he unleashed his full strength, a remarkable time of 9.40 seconds was well within his reach. However, such a result would be too astounding, likely causing a global sensation. 9 seconds 55 seemed more manageable byparison.


    The day''s events continued with the 200-meter and 400-meter semifinals and finals. Over three days, Chen Hu triumphed in all three events¡ªmen''s 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters¡ªsecuring three gold medals and breaking three world records.


    Chen Hu''s exceptional performance brought great pride to the Yanguo track and field team in the Diamond League. Every member of the group revelled in the glory of their aplishments. Coach Jiang Xiang, in particr, beamed with joy, resembling a contented Buddha.


    With the conclusion of the events, Chen Hu finally had the opportunity to rx. He took the initiative to visit the hotel where Liu Yong and hispanions stayed, ensuring he followed protocol until thepetition ended. Now that he had secured three gold medals, he could request leave more quickly.


    ["Liu Yong, thank you!"] Chen Hu expressed his gratitude as he received Liu Yong''s congrattions.


    Modestly, Liu Yong deflected the praise. [ " No, it is you who deserves all the credit. Come, let us celebrate over dinner. " ]


    (to be continued...)

 Chapter 222 Unparalleled Chen Hu

    ?


    The following day, Liu Yong and his threepanions boarded the ne for their home journey. However, Chen Hu''s return was scheduled for two dayster, as he would stay abroad until he and the track and field teampleted all the events.


    Liu Yong satfortably in the luxurious first-ss cabin, apanied by Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang. As they waited for the ne to take off, the three friends exchanged nces, sharing a knowing smile.


    Their tranquillity was soon interrupted by the booming voice of a middle-aged man speaking loudly on his phone nearby. His conversation reverberated through the cabin, allowing Liu Yong and hispanions to catch every word.


    ["Quick, make sure to get in touch with Chen Hu as soon as possible. We must persuade him to endorse our products..."]


    Chen Hu had risen to fame after breaking three records and winning three gold medals. As expected, numerous individuals, including prominent business people and entrepreneurs, sought to establish contact with him. Their aim was clear: to secure Chen Hu''s endorsement for their products andpanies.


    Observing this scene unfold on the ne, Liu Yong, Kang Zhenggang, and He Qiang burst intoughter. They understood the significance of what they had just heard.


    Meanwhile, back in China, the biggest news of the day centred around Chen Hu''s extraordinary achievements. His triumphant performance in the Diamond League, where he shattered three records and imed three gold medals, dominated the headlines of major news websites, newspapers, and TV stations. The nation was filled with thrill, celebrating the realization of a forty-year-old dream.


    Expressions such as [ " feel ted! " ] and [ " forty years of dreame true! " ] were frequent in news reports. Chen Hu had be a household name, surpassing the fame of any other celebrity in China.


    However, Chen Hu was besieged by a flurry of phone calls before his return. Requests for exclusive interviews, endorsement deals, invitations to various events, and more bombarded him incessantly. Chen Hu''s fame had skyrocketed, and his reputation now eclipsed that of any other athlete in the country.


    Chen Hu and his entourage finally settled on Chinese soil two dayster. As they disembarked from the ne, they were greeted by a swarm of reporters and a sea of flowers. It was a grand reception befitting returning heroes.


    After a brief exclusive interview, Chen Hu gracefully slipped away from the public eye. He embarked on a well-deserved month-long vacation, relishing the treatment befitting a hero. Among the entire Yanguo track and field team, Chen Hu was the sole recipient of such a privilege¡ª30 days of rest, the envy of every other athlete.


    Su Lei harboured a longing for a substantial break as a fellow sprinter. Though he had only been granted five days off, he summoned the courage to approach the head coach, Jiang Xiang. Aware of Jiang Xiang''s good mood and hoping for a more extended reprieve, Su Lei made his request.


    [ " Mr. Jiang, I have a lot of matters to attend to. Five days of vacation is truly too short. Can you grant me a half-month break? " ]


    Jiang Xiang smiled, his understanding of Su Lei''s innocence evident. [ " Su Lei, five days off is already sufficient. Taking more time might adversely affect yourpetitive state and performance. " ]


    Jiang Xiang''s response left little room for negotiation. Su Lei''s face fell, disappointment evident on his features. He couldn''t help but voice his discontent. [ " But, but Chen Hu gets an entire month off, and it doesn''t affect hispetitive state. " ]


    Observing Su Lei''s lingering dissatisfaction, Jiang Xiang chuckled, his amusement palpable. [ " He is Chen Hu. Even if he''s not at hispetitive peak, he can still win championships. " ]


    With a sigh of resignation, Su Lei realized he couldn''tpare himself to Chen Hu. Chen Hu was an extraordinary talent, capable of effortlessly breaking world records. Su Lei quietly acknowledged his limitations and reluctantly epted his meagre five-day respite.


    Leaving Jiang Xiang''s office with a dejected expression, Su Lei contemted his situation.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong was engrossed in catching up on thetest news, browsing a random website. The dominant headlines revolved around Chen Hu''s record-breaking feats and gold medal triumphs in the Diamond League. Although several days had passed since the event concluded, news reports concerning Chen Hu''s achievements still held a prominent ce on the website''s homepage.


    At that moment, a knock on the office door interrupted Liu Yong''s reading. Assuming it was Qiu Yang or Hu Shijun, Liu Yong remained seated in the Boss''s chair and shouted, [ " The door isn''t locked,e in. " ]


    To his astonishment, Chen Hu walked through the office door. Overwhelmed by surprise, Liu Yong quickly rose from his seat to greet him. [ " Chen Hu, it''s you! " ]<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Despite winning three championships and attaining nationwide fame, Chen Hu remained as humble as ever. [ " Boss, thepetition is over, and I have a month-long vacation. I''ll continue to be your driver and bodyguard. " ]


    Liu Yong promptly declined, stating, [ " No, no. Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang are already here. " ]


    Chen Hu persisted, saying, [ " Boss,pared to being an athlete, I still prefer the feeling of being your bodyguard. " ]


    Respecting Chen Hu''s choice, Liu Yong agreed with a smile. [ " Well, as you wish. " ]


    Setting that matter aside, Liu Yong warmly invited Chen Hu to sit down. The two engaged in a lively conversation that extended into the afternoon, discussing training andpetition experiences.


    Chen Hu took the initiative as the workday drew close and suggested, [ " Boss, let me treat you to dinner. Shall we go out together? " ]


    Longing to catch up with Chen Hu after their prolonged separation, Liu Yong readily epted. [ " Okay, let''s also call Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang. " ]


    The four friends and two cars left thepany, with Chen Hu resuming his role as the driver and bodyguard, guiding the Cullinan while Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang followed suit in the big G.


    After a 20 to 30-minute drive, they passed by the street where Liu Yong had rented a house before his fortune. On both sides of the road, they noticed a family-run food stall thriving in the darkening evening. The ambience was perfect for indulging in street food.


    Witnessing this familiar scene reignited memories in Liu Yong''s heart, prompting him to issue amand. [ " Chen Hu, see if Fatty Li''s food stall is still there near the university. Let''s stop and have a meal there. " ]


    Chen Hu was slightly taken aback by the request butplied, parking the car nearby. Stepping out of the vehicle, Liu Yong loudly addressed the stall''s owner. [ " Give us a dozen beers, two tes of beef tendon, two tes of small octopus, and a dozen oysters. " ]


    Liu Yong expertly ced their order in one breath. Chen Hu, Kang Zhenggang, and He Qiang quickly grasped the situation¡ªthe Boss intended to have some fun.


    Laughter filled the air as they relished the savoury kebabs and indulged in copious amounts of drinks.


    Seated around the makeshift table, they engaged in lively conversation amidst bites of food. [ " Look at us, driving luxury cars like the Cullinan and Big G, yet here we are, enjoying street food. " ]


    [ " Yeah, even if we''re so wealthy, we still crave these simple pleasures. " ]


    [ " We truly don''t understand the world of the rich. " ]


    Onlookers couldn''t help but cast curious nces at Liu Yong and hispanions, marvelling at their unexpected choice of dining location. One individual noticed Chen Hu''s familiar face and observed them more intently, eventually recognizing him with a slightly trembling voice. [ " Look, isn''t that Chen Hu? " ]


    The crowd gradually grew, and more people discreetly observed Chen Hu, confirming his identity. The excitement spread, and someone eximed,


    [ " He is Chen Hu ! " ]

 Chapter 223 The Skewer Dilemma

    ?


    Chen Hu''s presence caused quite a stir. Excitement filled the air as someone joyfully shouted his name, their voice resounding through the surroundings.


    Chen Hu is a record breaker of the men''s 100m, 200m, and 400m events. Recently, he achieved a remarkable feat by winning three gold medals in the prestigious Diamond Leaguepetition. The domestic news media couldn''t stop reporting his outstanding achievements, leading to widespread recognition.


    As the word spread, many people turned their attention towards Chen Hu, curious to catch a glimpse of the celebrated athlete. Some couldn''t contain their enthusiasm and even stood up to get a better view of him.


    Themotion grew louder, with people reaching for their mobile phones to capture the moment on video.


    Amidst the uproar, Liu Yong smiled and offered a gentle reminder, [ " Chen Hu, you have been recognized. " ] It was a testament to Chen Hu''s fame and impact on athletics.


    However, Chen Hu shook his head, his eyes reflecting a practical mindset.


    [ " We should wear masks, " ] he suggested, knowing their newfound attention might hinder their ns to enjoy a casual barbecue. He added with a hint of humour, [ " We probably won''t be able to continue ying skewers here. " ]


    Understanding the implications, Liu Yong nodded in agreement. [ " It seems I was hasty. We should find another ce, " ] he admitted, realizing the need to adapt.


    As expected, an intrigued individual approached them before they could make a move. Their face wore an expression of surprise as they inquired, [ " Excuse me, are you, Chen Hu? " ] Chen Hu''s smile remained genuine, aware that denying his identity outright might not be wise. [ " Yes, I am Chen Hu, " ] he confirmed, embracing his role as a public figure.


    The person couldn''t contain their excitement. [ " Wow! You are really Chen Hu! You are my idol! Can I take a photo with you? " ] they eximed, their enthusiasm palpable. Chen Hu, never one to put on airs, responded candidly, [ " Sure, it''s possible. " ]


    Satisfied with the encounter, the young fan departed with a happy heart. Soon after, a young girl wearing oversized sses approached Chen Hu. [ " Mr. Chen, can you sign your name for me? " ] she asked politely, presenting a book and pen. Chen Hu obliged, taking the pen and carefully inscribing his name at the requested spot. With a contented smile, the girl left, cherishing the signed memento.


    The scene unfolded with more requests pouring in¡ªa group photo here, an autograph there, and even a few people asking for short videos. The crowd of onlookers grew steadily, with spectators gathering inside and outside the immediate vicinity. It became evident that their ns for a quiet skewer session were impossible to fulfil. Sensing the need for a change, Liu Yong rose from his seat and proposed, [ " Let''s go. We should find a different location. " ]


    The four of them departed together, and as they made their way out, Chen Hu expressed his gratitude by sping his fists and apologising for any inconvenience caused. They quickly got into their respective vehicles¡ªLiu Yong into the Cullinan parked nearby. At the same time, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang followed suit in the big G. The two cars left, capturing the attention of everyone present.


    A sudden outcry broke through the murmurs [ " Why is Chen Hu acting as a driver? Who was that young man earlier? Chen Hu was driving for him! " ] The revtion sparked confusion among many onlookers, struggling to reconcile the image of Chen Hu as a driver.


    Amidst the mixed reactions, a few individuals expressed admiration towards Liu Yong. [ " Brother, you are amazing! Chen Hu driving for you is truly impressive, " ] they eximed, acknowledging Liu Yong''s significance in Chen Hu''s life.


    As the Cullinan disappeared, some individuals couldn''t tear their eyes away, captivated by the departing spectacle. With their departure, tranquillity returned to the surroundings, and the fourpanions sought refuge in a high-end hotel. They secured a private room, allowing them to enjoy their meal undisturbed.


    Over dinner, the conversation naturally gravitated towards their shared experiences, leading them to reminisce about their time in Somalia. Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang vividly described their encounters, fueling Chen Hu''s passion. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he absorbed their tales. [ " It must have been an incredible experience. I wish I could have joined you, " ] he expressed, a tinge of envy colouring his words. As a former soldier king, Chen Hu longed for adrenaline-fueled battles with authentic weaponry andbat.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    In the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, the Overlord had indulged in the feast of a 200-ton white strange fish for two whole days, relishing its exquisite taste. Yet, a slight sense of dissatisfaction lingered as the delicious fat within its stomach had been consumed, leaving a lingering emptiness.


    Gazing at the remnants of the strange white fish, now reduced to bare bones near the entrance of its underwater cavern, Bawang decided to embark on another hunt. It yearned for another catch to satiate its appetite and provide an even more enjoyable feast.


    Determined, Bawang grasped its 50-meter-long giant spear and propelled itself towards a trench more than a hundred nautical miles away.


    After traversing a considerable distance, Bawang arrived at its destination quickly. The enormous creature gradually swam more profoundly into the trench, slowing its pace as it delved into the unknown.


    [ " Hmm, I''vee across a strange white fish so quickly. What luck, " ] Bawang remarked, observing a white creature swimmingnguidly at a distance of four to five hundred meters. The fish was about fifteen to sixteen meters long and weighed around three to forty tons.


    In the past, Bawang would have instinctively rushed towards the fish without hesitation. However, this time it held back, considering it too small for its liking. [ " It''s a little small. I can finish it in one meal. I should at least catch one weighing over 100 tons this time. That would be enough to satisfy me, " ] Bawang reasoned.


    With its current weight exceeding 170 tons, it could consume around 30 to 40 tons of food at a time. The rtively modest size of the strange white fish failed to meet Bawang''s culinary expectations.


    Bawang continued its journey into the trench depths without disturbing the smaller fish. It encountered several more strange white fish, but none weighed more than 100 tons, prompting Bawang to ignore their presence.


    Unbeknownst to the Overlord, the peculiar white fish it had been feeding on earlier was not at the top of the food chain in this particr trench.


    The true apex predator loomed ahead, hidden from its sight.


    Within the vicinity, the colossal creature feasted on a strange white fish it had ensnared between its massive ws. Oblivious to Bawang''s approach, it indulged in its meal until something caught its attention. The predator stopped its consumption, fixing its gaze upon the approaching Overlord.


    Sensing danger, the Overlord grasped its giant spear, locking eyes with the fierce creature. Bawang remained fearless, undeterred by the opponent''srger size. [ " S o what if it outweighs me? I''ll fight it head-on; if things get tough, I''ll simply retreat. I don''t believe it can catch up to me, " ] Bawang resolved, bracing itself for the imminent confrontation.


    Without wasting time, the opposing creature elerated towards the Overlord with astonishing speed, showcasing its formidable explosive power.


    -WHAO!


    Caught off guard, Bawang was surprised by the opponent''s sheer strength and velocity.

 Chapter 224 Activated Another Skill

    ?


    Such an incredible disy of explosive force!


    Bawang was caught off guard, but its reflexes were quick. It swiftly retreated several hundred meters, creating a safe distance between itself and its opponent. The standoff between the two sides continued, with approximately 200 meters separating them.


    After a few moments, Overlord, the powerful adversary, decided to strike first. He charged forward, directing the point of its colossal spear toward the towering head of his opponent.


    [ " I still vividly remember my encounter with the 200-ton white monster fish. Despite my use of the sprint skill, the tip of the giant spear failed to prate its head. I wondered if this time would yield a different oue. Could the spear finally pierce through? " ] Overlord thought.


    Overlord''s speed was astonishing, its movements resembling a fleeting shadow.


    The peculiar fish disyed remarkable agility. Witnessing the massive spear hurtling towards it, the creature swiftly blocked the attack with its huge wed feet. A resounding [ " BANG" ] echoed as the spear''s tip pierced through its wed appendage.


    The sheer force of the impact sent the strange fish retreating tens of meters, almost pushing its wed foot towards its head.


    Overlord gained a slight upper hand in the confrontation.


    Enraged, the strange fish swung its two colossal wed feet and charged towards Overlord.


    Recognizing a favourable opportunity, Overlord halted its advance and skillfully evaded the opponent''s assault. The giant spear in its grasp remained untouched as the fish''s two feet missed it entirely.


    Another surge of energy coursed through Overlord.


    Determined not to grant the opponent a moment to recuperate, Overlord activated yet another sprint skill. Gripping the giant spear firmly, it surged forward again, directing its tip towards the fish''s adversary''s head.


    In an unexpected turn of events, the opponent disyed exceptional reflexes, firmly mping the giant spear with its two ws.


    Overlord exerted tremendous force!


    The strange fish put up a brave resistance!


    Both sides showcased their strength, each vying for dominance. Overlord''s superior technique was apparent, despite its disadvantageous tonnage. There was a temporary impasse between the two forces.


    The battle ensued!


    Overlord unleashed its full power, once again activating the sprint skill. With the added momentum from this skill, its explosive strength surged, finally pushing back the colossal monster fish.


    Step by step, it steadily retreated, covering a distance of one or two hundred meters. Feeling ashamed, the fish released its grip on the mped giant spear, preparing to charge at Overlord again.


    An opportune moment has presented itself.


    Bawang, recognising the perfect chance, felt a surge of excitement. When the opponent released its hold on the giant spear, Bawang grabbed the weapon and moved back, significantly increasing the distance between them.


    Once again, it charged forward!


    Overlord activated yet another sprint skill!


    This time, however, the tip of the giant spear was aimed at the side of the enormous monster fish, its two ws unable to defend against such an attack.


    The fish thrashed its tail fiercely, attempting to dodge, but its efforts proved futile. The speed and precision of Overlord''s sprinting skill allowed the towel of the giant spear to strike heavily against its side.


    The fish''s body was covered in glossy ck scales, offering formidable defence, yet under the tremendous impact of the giant spear, the rankings shattered, and the spear''s tip prated its flesh to a depth of one or two meters.


    The big monster fish suffered a devastating blow.


    Overlord thrust the spear even deeper, its tip prating several more meters, nearly piercing the monster fish entirely.


    With a swift motion, Overlord withdrew the giant spear, evading the retaliatory strike from the dying fish. A massive hole now adorned the creature''s body, gushing forth copious amounts of blood, transforming the surrounding seawater into a crimson hue.


    Severely wounded and weakened, the giant monster fish sought to escape, propelling itself with its tail deeper into the ocean trench.


    [ " Where do you think you are going? " ] Bawang triumphantly said.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Running in the presence of Overlord was nothing short of a jest. Overlord seized the opportunity presented before it¡ªa chance to end this encounter once and for all. With another burst of its sprint skill, the tip of the giant spear impaled the head of the enormous monster fish.


    [ " Boom! " ]


    A thunderous explosion reverberated as the massive spear prated the fish''s head, delving several meters deep. Its brain burst, signifying the death of the colossal creature.


    -Humph!


    Overlord stood triumphant.


    Initially taken aback, Overlord could not help but marvel that the giant monster fish''s head was as sturdy as it had imagined, doubting whether the huge spear could pierce through. Nevertheless, now, its doubts wereid to rest.


    Upon realizing its victory, Overlord gazed at the massive carcass before it, its mind drifting towards one question¡ªhow does it taste? Would it be as delectable as he had hoped?


    Swimming over to the carcass, it gripped it tightly, taking a hearty bite and chewing with great satisfaction.


    [ " Mmm, it tastes delicious! " ]


    After devouring another substantial portion, Bawang''s eyes sparkled with delight. The more it ate, the more it appreciated the unique vour of the monster fish, surpassing even that of the strange white fish.


    [ " This should be enough to keep me well-fed for two or three days. " ] Bawang contemted.


    Bawang returned to his cave, dragging the 300-ton giant monster fish to the entrance. It indulged in the feast, consuming the fish voraciously, thoroughly contented.


    Having devoured approximately thirty tons of fish, Bawang settled in his cave, drifting into a deep, peaceful slumber.


    Unbeknownst to Bawang, as he slept, he felt a warm sensation enveloping his entire body, akin to consuming a potent tonic.


    Meanwhile, in an office ......


    Liu Yong satfortably in his boss''s chair, engrossed in reading the news on his mobile phone. Suddenly, his attention was captivated by a particr piece of information¡ªa YN Airlines ne carrying over 100 passengers had vanished from the radar during its journey to YD.


    Experts spected that the aircraft may have crashed and provided a possible crash site¡ªan area located in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, more than 500 nautical miles away from the nearest southern city in YN.


    Liu Yong reread the news multiple times, his interest piqued by mentioning certain items aboard the ne.


    Apart from the passengers and crew, several artifacts ssified as YD''s national treasures were being transported on that ill-fated flight. These treasures had been exhibited in YN and were intended to be returned to YD, but the unforeseen ident disrupted those ns.


    The YD government would undoubtedly be grappling with the urgency of the situation.


    Considering that more than half of the passengers were YD citizens and the significance of the national treasures, Liu Yong carefully absorbed every detail of the news. He contemted whether the exhibits could be salvaged after the crash and whether the YD government could locate the downed ne.


    The following day...


    Reports of the ne crash flooded the media, emphasizing the magnitude of the tragedy. The disappearance of the aircraft, coupled with the fact that several YD national treasures were aboard, sparked widespread interest.


    As Liu Yong read through the extensive crash coverage, a thought began to form in his mind¡ªwhat if he could find those items?


    As soon as the idea arose, Bawangmunicated telepathically as if sensing Liu Yong''s thoughts and opened the pet panel. Liu Yong''s eyes widened in astonishment.


    Two days ago, Bawang weighed 172 tons, but now he tipped the scales at a staggering 195 tons.


    Typically, Bawang''s growth rate was around one to two tons per day, but over the past two days, he had experienced a substantial gain of 23 tons.


    [ " Could it be that he has stumbled upon the legendary pig feed? " ] Liu Yong pondered.


    Activating his third-party vision, Liu Yong observed Bawang sleeping soundly in his cave. At the entrancey two colossal skeletons, one belonging to the 200-ton white strange fish that Overlord had devoured until only bones remained. The other skeleton was even more massive!

 Chapter 225 Level Upgraded

    ?


    The massive wreckage of bones surpassed even the skeleton of the enigmatic white fish they had previously encountered, piquing Liu Yong''s curiosity. Bawang, too, had experienced an astonishing growth of 23 tons within a mere two days, leaving him puzzled as well.


    Liu Yong pondered, [ " What could have happened in the past couple of days for such a transformation to take ce with Bawang? " ]


    Seeking answers, Liu Yong conversed with Bawang, directing his query, [ " Can you exin what is going on? Why is there such an enormous skeleton at the entrance of your cave? " ]


    Bawang, awakening from a nap, stretched his body and replied, [ " Ah, Master, you''vee looking for me. " ]


    Liu Yong urged him, [ " Tell me quickly, what happened? " ]


    Bawang began recounting his encounter with a colossal, strange fish armed with two enormous ws in the deep trench. With a hint of pride, he dered, [ " It''s my spoils! The taste was exceptional, and I feasted on it for several meals. These past two or three days, I didn''t have to worry about food. " ]


    The wonders of the ocean seemed boundless. As the depth increased, they continued to stumble upon astonishing discoveries¡ªa massive jellyfish with ghostly tentacles, the white fish from the trench, and now two giant fish boasting huge wed feet.


    Such marvels!


    Amidst the amazement, Liu Yong voiced his concern, [ " Overlord, I recall your weight being 172 tons just two days ago. How did it suddenly reach 195 tons? Could it be rted to the giant monster fish with the wed feet? " ]


    Overlord responded, [ " I believe so. This gargantuan fish not only tasted exquisite, but it also imparted a warm andfortable sensation after devouring it. I slept most of these past two days, and my weight surged as a result. " ]


    Bawang''s weight had skyrocketed, likely due to consuming this colossal monster fish.


    Liu Yong could not help but feel astonished. To think there existed something capable of elerating Overlord''s growth was truly remarkable.


    Naturally, Liu Yong wished for Bawang to continue growing as quickly as possible, ideally reaching several hundred tons in size. At that point, it would be challenging for any opponent to match him in the vast ocean.


    The Overlord could then roam freely, asserting dominance. Although he already appeared enormous, dealing with opponents weighing two to three hundred tons required considerable effort. Nevertheless, with Bawang''s further growth, such adversaries would be insignificant. The young turtle would handle them effortlessly.


    Satisfied with the thought, Liu Yong secretly wished for Overlord to feast upon a few more of these colossal fish with mighty wed feet.


    ncing at Overlord''s attributes disyed on the pet panel, Liu Yong felt content.


    [[


    Pet Name: Mutant Snapping Turtle


    Weight: 195 tons


    Strength: 11,750


    Physique: 11,340


    Agility: 11,120


    Swimming Speed: 268 knots


    Skills: Tortoise Shell (Level 3), Turtle Breath (Level 3), Super Vision (Level 2), Super Perception (Level 2), Sprint (Level 1)


    ]]


    Observing the data on the pet panel, Liu Yong could not help but nod approvingly. Indeed, Bawang''s attributes, aside from his weight of 195 tons, had exceeded 11,000.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Previously, Overlord had mentioned the considerable effort required to battle the 300-ton monster fish two days ago. Now, encountering a fish of the same size would prove significantly easier.


    With an increase in weight and a slight boost in attributes, a showdown against a 300-ton monster fish would likely end in just two rounds.


    [ " Master, I''m hungry again. I want to return to that trench and hunt down another giant fish like before, " ] Bawang expressed, his hunger urging him.


    Full of trust in Bawang, Liu Yong replied, [ " No problem, go ahead. I believe in you. " ]


    Overlord embarked on his journey armed with his colossal spear, heading towards the vast trench over a hundred miles away.


    In another part of the Indian Ocean, a specific sea area remained the centre of attention due to a recent ne crash. Numerous aircraft and ships had been scouring the area, hoping to find the wreckage or detect extensive oil pollution caused by aviation fuel leakage.


    The search operation continued intensively, captivating the global media, who closely followed and reported on the unfolding events.


    Two days had passed without any breakthroughs, leading some media outlets to specte whether this incident would mirror the fruitless search for Mysia Airlines Flight 731 several years prior.


    The event had turned the YD nation upside down, bing the most important news story in years. Reports from various sources painted a bleak picture.


    The YD government faced mounting pressure. Aside from the passengers and crew aboard the ne, the most critical concerny with the national treasures onboard. These cultural relics had been en route to YN for disy, intended to showcase the nation''s rich history and culture.


    Among them were several national treasures, one particrly possessing exceptional value¡ªa Buddha relic. Given YD''s Buddhist background, this relic held an immeasurable significance, transcending mere mary value.


    The search efforts persisted, yet experts began specting whether this incident would repeat the enigma of Mysia Airlines Flight 731, with the ne vanishing inexplicably.


    News outlets in the Yan country closely monitored and reported on the crash while individuals engaged in post-dinner and tea discussions.


    Meanwhile, at Hanhai Culture Company, Liu Yong had arrived and now sat in Ding Wen''s office, conversing over cups of coffee.


    Ding Wen relished in his current contented life. The sessful auctions of Song porcin in Country M and Hong Kong Ind had brought in hundreds of millions of dors each time, leaving him in high spirits.


    During their discussion on the auctions, the topic unconsciously transitioned to the YD Airlines crash.


    [ " It''s a shame they haven''t found the ne yet. I heard there were several national treasure-level cultural relics belonging to Ah San aboard, " ] Ding Wenmented.


    Taking a sip of his coffee, Liu Yong replied, [ " In their efforts to locate the ne, my third brother has dispatched numerous warships and hundreds of helicopter sorties to search the designated sea area. However, nothing has been found thus far. " ]


    Ding Wen sighed, [ " Such a pity. If we could find the wreckage, it would be marvelous. The auctioning of those national treasures would undoubtedly cause a worldwide sensation, propelling our influence and power. " ]


    A culturalpany like theirs yearned for substantial influence and poprity. The prospect of bing internationally renowned meant no longer requiring borate promotion for their auctions.


    Renowned collectors would actively participate, driven by their reputation alone.


    Regrettably, Ding Wen could only ponder such possibilities as they remained beyond his grasp.


    Liu Yong''s mind flickered with an idea...


    ...............

 Chapter 226 Dark Depths And Desperate Measures

    ?


    Liu Yong''s heart stirred with a newfound determination. While others struggled to locate the crashed ne, Liu Yong believed he could find it.


    The Overlord, his trusty pet, had been idletely, making it the perfect candidate for the search mission.


    Bawang currently resided in the Indian Ocean, only a few hundred nautical miles from the crash site spected by experts. With its impressive speed, Bawang could reach the location within two hours.


    Discovering the ne''s wreckage would be an incredible achievement, allowing them to requestpensation and rewards from the YD government.


    Determined to proceed with this n, Liu Yong made a mental note to contact Overlordter to arrange the search mission. Sitting with Ding Wen, he finished his coffee, stood up, and bid farewell.


    Observing Liu Yong''s departure, Ding Wen couldn''t help but say, [ " Brother Yong, can''t you just stay here? " ]


    Liu Yong responded, [ " I still have some urgent matters to attend to. We can catch up next time. Besides, since it''s nearby, it''s convenient for me toe here. " ]


    Understanding the situation, Ding Wen politely escorted Liu Yong downstairs and watched him leave in his car. However, he regretted not having the chance to discuss an important matter with Liu Yong.


    The construction of the Universal Building was progressing rapidly. The foundation piles had already beenpleted for hundreds of meters, and based on the construction''s pace, the building would likely be topped off in less than a year. Ding Wen had a straightforward request for Brother Yong: to rent two or three floors of the building for Hanhai Culture''s new office space.


    Unfortunately, Liu Yong had left quickly, seemingly preupied with something meaningful. Ding Wen could only postpone the discussion until their next meeting.


    Upon returning to his office, Liu Yong closed the door, settled into his boss''s chair, and opened the pet panel, preparing to contact Bawang. Suddenly, Liu Yong was pleased to see the Overlord''s growth. Overlord had increased from 195 to 211 tons in just two or three days, marking a change of ¡ªa remarkable achievement.


    Liu Yong wondered if Bawang had consumed another giant strange fish, as such rapid growth was otherwise inexplicable. The Overlord''s growth rate would typically be only one or two tons daily. Excited by Bawang''s rapid development, Liu Yong was curious, [ " Overlord, what have you been eating? Another giant strange fish? You''ve grown significantly in just two or three days. " ]


    Bawang responded, [ " Master, I was fortunate enough to catch another giant monster fish, though it weighed only around 200 tons. It wasn''t asrge as the previous one, so it wasn''t as enjoyable. " ]


    [ " I revisited the trench today, searching for that giant monster fish with the enormous ws, but unfortunately, I couldn''t find it. Instead, I settled for a 30 to 40-ton white monster as my meal. " ]


    Bawang spoke in one breath, seemingly eager to share his experiences. But Liu Yong had interrupted the conversation where the Overlord was talking endlessly if he didn''t interrupt.


    Interrupting Bawang''s monologue, Liu Yong gave an explicit instruction,


    [ " Overlord, I have a task for you. " ]


    Upon hearing that a new mission awaited, Bawang''s enthusiasm resurged, prompting it to exim, [ " Master, do you want me to sink a few ships? Don''t worry; it''s all in good fun. I particrly enjoy such activities. " ]


    -Haha!


    Liu Yong chuckled and said, [ " You, always love causing trouble. This time, I don''t need you to sink any ships. I need you to find something. " ]<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong proceeded to exin the details of the task to Bawang, who listened attentively. Afterprehending the mission, Bawang assured Liu Yong, [ " No problem, that sea area isn''t far from here. I''ll head there immediately. " ]


    Without further dy, Bawang grabbed its colossal spear and set off, swimming swiftly towards the sea area mentioned by Liu Yong. In less than two hours, the Overlord arrived at its destination, diving down to the seabed for a thorough search.


    The sea in this area had varying depths, ranging from hundreds to thousands of meters. At such depths, darkness pervaded the seabed. However, Bawang possessed super-sense, enabling it to navigate the dark depths while searching diligently.


    Two more days passed......


    The YD government dispatched numerous forces to search the designated sea area, and the internationalmunity assisted. Several countries sent ships, divers, and helicopters to aid search efforts.


    The sea area became a frequent location for helicopters flying at low altitudes and fixed-wing aircraft patrolling the skies. Despite the consistent search operations, there appeared to be no progress or significant findings.


    Meanwhile, in his office, Liu Yong coborated with Bawang''s search work through third-party vision. Under this vision, even the dark seabed became clear and discernible. Bawang served as the focal point, providing a clear view of the surroundings within a radius of 1,000 meters.


    This arrangement facilitated faster searches, and Bawang''s swimming speed increased slightly. The situation on the seabed became vivid, asionally revealingrge schools of fish passing by. However, the desired discovery remained elusive.


    As the afternoon approached, signalling the end of the workday, Liu Yong was gradually losing hope. Experts'' spections regarding the potential crash site seemed fruitless, as Bawang had thoroughlybed the designated sea area without finding traces of the ne''s wreckage.


    Liu Yong''s enthusiasm waned, and he pondered whether those experts were merely speaking nonsense. He doubted the ne had crashed in the suggested sea area, as Bawang would have undoubtedly found the wreckage by now.


    -KNOCK - KNOCK KNOCK!


    Suddenly, a series of knocks on the door interrupted Liu Yong''s thoughts. Hu Shijun barged in, his face beaming with joy as if he had received fantastic news.


    [ " Brother Yong, thetest news is that the YD government has announced a reward of $20 million for anyone who provides valuable clues about the crashed ne. If someone finds the wreckage, they will be rewarded with a direct sum of $100 million. " ]


    [ " What? " ] Liu Yong eximed, surprised by the revtion.


    After recovering from his initial astonishment, Liu Yong chuckled.


    -hAHA!


    Hu Shijun suggested, [ " Brother Yong, what about if we give a shot for $100 million reward? Ourrge salvage ship is currently without a mission and lying idle. Why not send it to that sea area? Perhaps we would be lucky. " ]


    [ " Thats a good idea ",] Liu Yong said with a bit of hope.

 Chapter 227 Chinas Blue-Whale!

    ?


    Hu Shijun''s suggestion was approved as it resonated with the members of the Global Shipping Group. Renowned for its impressive fleet, the group possessed one of thergest salvage ships in China, aptly named the [[ " Blue Whale. " ]] This state-of-the-art vessel was a true marvel, with a remarkable discement of 85,000 tons and a maximum lifting weight of 6,000 tons.


    The [ " Blue Whale " ] was explicitly designed for marine salvage operations, equipped to venture into the vast depths of the open sea.


    Before themissioning of this mammoth ship, the Global Shipping Group had another salvage vessel, considerably smaller, with a discement of 10,000 tons. Nevertheless, it showcased its prowess by sessfully salvaging the wreckage of a C-17 transport ne in the distantnd of country M.


    However, time had taken its toll, and the previous salvage ship now sat idly in port, having been dmissioned for several months. The vessel would likely be sold as a second-hand salvage ship unless an unexpected event urred. The crew that manned the [[ " Blue Whale " ]] consisted of seasoned veterans chosen from the original crew members who had served on the previous vessel. Their expertise and experience were unmatched.


    Idle moments were a luxury that the ambitious crew couldn''t afford to indulge in. Hu Shijun voiced his agreement with Liu Yong''s sentiment, suggesting it was worth allowing the "Blue Whale" to embark on an expedition to the Indian Ocean. Embracing the idea, Liu Yong nodded in approval and said, [ " No problem, then let our ''Blue Whale'' set sail and head for the Indian Ocean. " ]


    Promptly, Hu Shijun organized the necessary arrangements, ensuring a smooth execution of their n. The stakes were high, with the potential reward of 100 million US dors awaiting the discovery of the ne wreckage¡ªan immense sum that made the endeavour all the more enticing.


    The scene transitioned to a bustling port in Huahai City. The "Blue Whale" stood poised,pleting all necessary preparations for its impending voyage. A crew member stepped into the captain''s room, saluting respectfully before delivering a report [ " Report to Comrade Captain, the ''Blue Whale'' is ready, please set sail! " ]


    Captain Ren Ziquan''s heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and nervousness. This marked the "Blue Whale" maiden voyage into the vast oceanic expanse. Taking a deep breath to steady his emotions, he raised his hand andmanded, [ " Start the engines, set sail! " ]


    Within minutes, a resounding siren echoed through the air, heralding the departure of the colossal ocean-going salvage ship. Slowly but surely, the "Blue Whale" gracefully maneuvered away from the safety of the harbour, gaining momentum as it charted its course at a swift pace.


    The ship''s objective wasn''t to conserve fuel by adopting an economical speed. Instead, it sought to reach the Indian Ocean swiftly, consuming copious amounts of diesel in the process¡ªa small price to pay in its pursuit of sess.


    Captain Ren Ziquan, standing in the confines of the captain''s cabin, gazed out at the vast expanse of the sea beyond the window. Emotions churned within him as he pondered the significance of their mission.


    The "Blue Whale" was a testament to China''s exceptional shipbuilding technology, boasting advanced equipment and imported underwater vehicles. With such remarkable resources at their disposal, Ren Ziquan''s determination remained unyielding¡ªthey would undoubtedly locate the wreckage of the ill-fated ne.


    His resolve etched onto his features, Ren Ziquan marvelled at the sheer scale and sophistication of the ship. The "Blue Whale" was a marvel of engineering, measuring nearly 298 meters in length and 58 meters in width. Its primary lifting hook possessed a remarkable capacity of 6,000 tons,plemented by a 4,000-ton capacity under full rotation¡ªtruly cing it at the forefront of salvage ships worldwide.


    With its sails set for the Indian Ocean, the "Blue Whale" was part of a collective effort to find the remnants of the downed aircraft. Unwavering in their resolve, the government of YD had not relented in their search. In addition to issuing a substantial reward, they had intensified their search operations. Experts had expanded the scope of their investigation based on their calcted estimations of the crash site.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The substantial reward''s allure drew numerous official and privately-owned ships to converge upon the designated sea area. Each vessel sought to im the coveted prize of 100 million US dors should they be the fortunate discoverers of the ne wreckage.


    Yet, despite their collective efforts, optimism waned over time. Several days had psed, but the elusive wreckage remained elusive.


    Spection ran rife, drawingparisons to the enigmatic disappearance of a Mysia Airlines flight from years past. Some experts and media outlets suggested that the current incident may yield a simr oue¡ªan unsolvable mystery. However, the YD government vehemently denied such conjecture, maintaining an unwaveringmitment to their search.


    The ne held immeasurable value to the YD government, as it carried several national treasures, including priceless relics of the Buddha.


    Despite the scepticism from other countries and individuals, the significance of these relics was irrefutable to a nation steeped in the Buddhist tradition. The YD government spared no expense in their pursuit, mobilizing vast resources to ensure the recovery of these precious artifacts.


    Following Liu Yong''s guidance, the Overlord temporarily ceased its search efforts in the designated sea area.


    Liu Yong''s unwavering confidence in the capabilities of the Overlord led him to the conclusion that the ne had likely veered off course, rendering further exploration fruitless. Trusting his instincts, Liu Yong decided to investigate an alternative hypothesis¡ªthe theory put forth by a meticulousizen who had analyzed the flight path and postted an alternate crash area.


    By this point, the Overlord had distanced itself from its temporary abode, traversing several hundred nautical miles. Still waiting to encounter the colossal monster fish lurking in the trench, its frequency of visits had diminished. Now well-fed and satiated, the giant speargun-carrying creature continued its journey.


    Suddenly, a few hundred meters ahead, a group of majestic killer whales gracefully glided through the waters. The Overlord''s appetite was piqued, and a desire to taste their flesh surged. Deciding to indulge in this rare opportunity, it prepared for a swift attack, fixating its sights on the most prominent member of the pod.


    With unparalleled speed, the Overlord pounced, mping its formidable jaws around the unsuspecting giant killer whale. Sensing danger, the remaining pod members scattered, fleeing in all directions.


    The Overlord paid no heed to their retreat, relishing its freshly caught prey with greedy delight.


    As the Overlord savoured its hard-earned meal, a voice¡ªLiu Yong''s- echoed within its consciousness.

 Chapter 228 Oceanic Quest !

    ?


    [ " Master, " ] Bawang addressed his superior with a hint of anticipation, [ " what do you desire of me? " ]


    Liu Yong wasted no time responding, cutting to the chase with a sense of urgency. [ " The supposed experts erroneously deduced the sea area we tirelesslybed throughst time. It turns out it wasn''t the actual crash site of the ne. " ]


    Upon hearing this, Overlord couldn''t contain his frustration. [ " What kind of **** experts are they? They couldn''t even determine the crash location correctly, and it wasted days of my efforts. " ]


    Liu Yong intervened, trying to offer a potential solution. [ " I stumbled upon an intriguing article on the Inte that presented an analysis suggesting the crash site of the ne should be in the southwest area of the YD maind. " ]


    Liu Yong then exined the deductions outlined in the article, borating on the specific location within the sea area.


    Bawang''s spirits were suddenly revitalized. During the previous search, despite days of tireless endeavours, he failed to locate any wreckage from the crashed ne on the seabed. With bated breath, he expressed his determination. [ " Master, I will set off immediately and find the crashed ne without fail. " ]


    [ " Very well, go forth, and I shall eagerly await your news, " ] responded Master Liu Yong.


    Bawang firmly grasped its colossal spear and embarked on its journey again, heading towards the sea area Liu Yong had mentioned. Despite spanning hundreds of nautical miles, Bawang arrived in just two hours.


    Upon reaching the designated sea area, Bawangmenced a thorough and unwavering search.


    This particr sea area differed significantly from the one previously explored. The water depth was rtively shallow, ranging from tens to hundreds of meters.


    The seabed exhibited a primarily even terrain, allowing abundant light to prate the depths. Under these favourable conditions, Bawang''s extraordinary vision proved invaluable, enabling it to see distant objects.


    However, a hindrance presented itself in the form of abundant seaweed. In certain areas, vast underwater forests emerged, with seaweed growing to extraordinary heights of over ten or more tens of meters.


    And now, Bawang found itself in such a grand seabed forest where a dense seaweed obstructed its sight. Patiently, itbed through this submerged forest, slowly surveying the surroundings.


    The underwater forest revealed its stunning beauty and grandeur as the sun''s rays filtered through the sea. There were moments when Overlord was tempted to pause and appreciate the ethereal scenery.


    On the other hand, after more than ten days of swift sailing, the "Blue Whale," a colossal salvage ship belonging to the Global Shipping Group, finally arrived in the area spected by the experts.


    To be precise, the ship was passing by rather than arriving. Overlord had meticulously searched this sea area before but found no trace of the ne wreckage, rendering any search efforts by the "Blue Whale" unnecessary.


    The "Blue Whale" destination coincided with the sea area currently under Bawang''s exploration.


    In close proximity, one could spot various warships, search and rescue vessels, helicopters and low-flying fixed-wing aircraft engaged in the investigation.


    [ "Captain, take a look. That appears to be a search and rescue ship from country M. They''vee a long way to be here, " ] alerted one of the crew members aboard the "Blue Whale."


    Following the YD government''s reward announcement, the search and rescue ship from country M swiftly arrived at the designated area. They had reached the location a day earlier, slightly preceding the "Blue Whale."


    The two ships were situated merely a couple of hundred meters apart. The Country M vessel was actively conducting search operations, presumably deploying submarines to scour the seabed.


    Upon noticing the presence of the "Blue Whale," the crew aboard the Country M ship turned their attention towards it, clearly intrigued by its immense size.


    [ " Look, Jack, their boat is quite sizable, " ]


    remarked a middle-aged foreigner with blond hair and blue eyes, expressing a hint of disdain. [ " Size doesn''t matter; what''s important is finding the ne wreckage, " ] he added dismissively.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The Captain of the country M search and rescue ship, endowed with a prominent nose, peered through binocrs at the "Blue Whale" and echoed the sentiment with a hint of superiority. [ " Hmph, we possess the most experience and advanced equipment on board. We shall be the first to discover the ne wreckage, not those Yan people. " ]


    On the "Blue Whale," due to the short distance between the two vessels, crew members also closely monitored the actions of the Country M ship.


    [ "Captain, it seems they are prompting us," ] remarked Ren Ziquan, who had also spotted the ship''s actions through a telescope, his response devoid of concern. [ " Pay no mind to these clowns; we will undoubtedly be the ones to find the ne wreckage, not them. " ]


    Without halting its course, the "Blue Whale" continued its journey, heading towards the sea area where the ne was presumed to have crashed.


    After a while, an official helicopter from the YD National Search and Rescue Center, bearing the inscription "YD National Search and Rescue Center" on its fusge, approached and signalled its intention tond on the "Blue Whale."


    The colossal ship boasted a helicopter hangar and two helipads for takeoff andnding. Presently unupied, thesending bays awaited the arrival of the search and rescue helicopters still housed within the hangar.


    [ " Captain, they have requested permission tond on our vessel, " ] reported one of the crew members.


    Ren Ziquan waved his hand affirmatively. [ " Grant them permission tond. " ]


    He surmised that the YD National Search and Rescue Center helicopter likely aimed to collect information. After all, the "Blue Whale" was a colossal ship, far surpassing the capabilities of smaller search and rescue vessels.


    Shortly after that, the helicopternded smoothly, and several individuals disembarked. Gal, a YD National Search and Rescue Center official, led the group.


    Ren Ziquan, as the Captain, took the initiative to step forward and shake hands with Gal, engaging in introductions. Garr, representing YD, cordially weedrge vessels like the "Blue Whale" to participate in the search.


    However, it was a formal exchange,cking genuine enthusiasm¡ªmerely a professional courtesy. Basic information regarding the "Blue Whale" was exchanged, and an overview of the ongoing search work was provided. Contact details were shared, and Gal and his team departed on the helicopter, swiftly leaving the scene.


    The entire encountersted at most five minutes.


    Observing the departing aircraft, the chief engineer said leisurely, [ " Old Ren, the other party seemed rather aloof. I expected them to be more cordial, considering that we are here to assist and join the search efforts. " ]


    Ren Ziquan paid little heed. [ " No matter, it''s understandable. Perhaps they suspect our motives lie solely in mary gain. " ]


    Indeed, theirck of enthusiasm and their businesslike demeanour suggested such reservations.


    As they traversed through the sea area, the "Blue Whale" arrived at the actual crash site of the ne the following day,mencing the search operation.


    Meanwhile, Bawang had been diligently scouring the area for two to three days. Despite extensive seaweed patches resembling underwater forests, the illumination remained adequate, allowing Bawang to maintain a brisk search pace.


    At this moment, Overlord found itself exploring a vast underwater forest filled with towering seaweed, reaching heights of tens of meters. The water depth in this region was around 70 to 80 meters. Overlord skillfully glided and swam through the underwater forest, asionally employing its giant spear to clear away obstructing seaweed and improve visibility.


    Although some algae ensnared Bawang, it effortlessly disentangled itself and paid little attention to the hindrance.


    After thoroughly searching the expansive underwater forest, Bawang emerged from within, greeted by an unobstructed view. The giant seaweed that had characterized the area was absent, reced by coral clusters, low-lying seaweed, and vast stretches of sandy seabed.


    [ " Hey, that object in the distance appears to be the wreckage of an airne! " ]

 Chapter 229 The Power Of Third-Party Vision:

    ?


    The distance between them seemed pretty far, but as Bawang swam closer, it noticed something resembling ne wreckage. With urgency, it swiftly approached the wreckage, surveying the area before contacting Liu Yong.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong was situated in his office, apanied by Hu Shijun. Hu Shijun updated Liu Yong, saying, ["Brother Yong, our vessel, the ''Blue Whale,'' has reached the designated sea area as per your request, and the search operations havemenced." ]


    Following the report, Hu Shijun continued, [ "Yesterday, the YD National Search and Rescue Center held a press conference, officially announcing that the previously spected sea area was a misjudgment. The true crash site of the ne is here. " ]


    A world map was spread across the desk, marked with red pen indications of the sea areas previously spected by experts. Hu Shijun used the pen to keep the newly announced sea areas by YD.


    Liu Yong was overjoyed. Wasn''t this the exact sea area he had spected in the article he had read online? Bawang had been searching there for the past few days, and now their vessel, the "Blue Whale," had arrived to join the search efforts.


    At that moment, the voice of the Overlord resonated in Liu Yong''s mind.


    Liu Yong dismissed Hu Shijun, saying, [ " Alright, I understand. You may proceed with your work. " ]


    After seeing Hu Shijun off, Liu Yong immediately activated his third-party vision and initiatedmunication with Bawang.


    [ " Master, could you determine if this wreckage is a part of the ne? " ] Bawang asked.


    Liu Yong swiftly examined the wreckage and recognized it as a segment of the ne''s wing. It was several meters long and appeared rtively new, indicating it had recently submerged. The surface was clean, devoid of any covering. There was an 80% likelihood that it belonged to the crashed ne.


    Now that they had found one piece of wreckage, Liu Yong pondered whether the remaining wreckage would be scattered around and wondered about the location of the national treasures aboard the ne.


    Liu Yong instructed, [ " Overlord, thoroughly search the vicinity to see if you can find other wreckage. If youe across the few national treasures, that would be excellent. " ]


    [ " Understood, master, " ] Bawang acknowledged.


    Bawang scoured the nearby area while Liu Yong maintained his third-party vision, attentively observing the progress of the search, akin to watching a live broadcast.


    After a few minutes, Overlord discovered a slightly smaller wreckage a few hundred meters away, filling Liu Yong with tion.


    The subsequent steps were straightforward. Overlord uncovered numerous fragments of wreckage within an hour within a several-nautical-mile radius. The extent of the ne''s disintegration was severe, with almostplete fragmentation. The ne''s main body had shattered into several pieces, with thergest being less than a tenth of the size of the active ne. The wings, tail, and cockpit had all suffered simr fates, resulting inrge and small aircraft wrecks.


    Thus far, Liu Yong has confirmed that these were remnants of the crashed ne. However, the whereabouts of the cargo hold remained unknown.


    It wasmon knowledge that even passenger nes possessed cargopartments, typically in the aircraft''s belly. The cargo hold of this particr ne contained numerous goods, including the batch of exhibited cultural relics. Finding those artifacts was of utmost importance.


    Overlord meticulously searched the area, ensuring no underwater forests were left unexamined. Many wreckage fragments of varying sizes were discovered within these submerged forests. Some wererger than door panels, while others were no bigger than a table.


    Bawang continuedbing through an underwater forest, unearthing several wreckage pieces one after another. The ne''s disintegration had dispersed the wreckage in all directions.


    Liu Yong remained proactive, using his third-party vision to scrutinize everything within a 1,000-meter radius. He could see with utmost rity, as though in high-definition.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    [ "Overlord, about 300 meters to your right, there seems to be a significant section of ne wreckage. Swim over and investigate, " ] Liu Yong directed.


    Bawang immediately swam over and confirmed that it was wreckage from the cargo hold. Liu Yong was thrilled and promptly ordered Bawang to inspect the area. Soon enough, Bawang emerged from the wreckage with tworge metal boxes, each over a meter in size¡ªresembling small containers.


    Judging by the intricate craftsmanship of these aluminium alloy boxes, their contents were undoubtedly of great significance. Liu Yong was confident that the cultural relics on disy were stored within these two boxes, including the national treasures.


    Liu Yong''s excitement heightened as he noticed the words "Specially for Cultural Relics" written in English on the boxes. His certainty grew stronger.


    Finally, he had found them!


    Liu Yong was ovee with joy. Though eager to open the boxes immediately, he decided against it, realizing that forcefully doing so might damage their contents. Hence, he temporarily set aside the idea.


    [ "Overlord, take these two boxes and find a nearby location to hide them for now," ] Liu Yong instructed.


    Bawang silentlyplied, carrying the two metal boxes in its mouth. It swam more than a hundred miles away, eventually reaching a shallow area near an unnamed ind. The water depth exceeded 20 meters, and the sea remained tranquil. There was no risk of the boxes being washed away or sumbing to intense water pressure.


    After safely stowing away the tworge aluminium alloy boxes, Bawang prepared to depart, returning to the sea area where the ne wreckage was discovered.


    Upon arrival, Overlord asked Liu Yong, [ " Master, what should I do next? " ]


    Liu Yong responded, [ "Head toward our ''Blue Whale'' and join them. I have a mission to assign. " ]


    Bawang swiftly moved to rendezvous with the "Blue Whale," locating it within half an hour at a distance of only a few hundred meters.


    Through his third-party perspective, Liu Yong observed the "Blue Whale" operations on the sea. He then personally dialled the Captain, Ren Ziquan.


    Onboard the vessel, Ren Ziquan coordinated his crew, methodically deploying the underwater submersible in preparation for an underwater survey of the area. He cautioned, [ " Everyone, exercise caution. Seaweed is abundant on the seabed, and we mustn''t allow our submersibles to be entangled. " ]


    One of the crew members operating the submersible assured him, [ " Don''t worry, Captain. We''ll proceed with utmost care. " ]


    Their movements were skilled and experienced. Once the submersible was submerged, the seabed images were swiftly transmitted back to the ship.


    The disy screen revealed that the water depth in the area was not significant, but the seabed was adorned with seaweed, clusters of coral, and various other elements.


    As Ren Ziquan observed the seafloor imagery, anticipation surged within him. The YD government had announced that this particr sea area was the actual crash site of the ne, and he hoped they would be the first to discover the wreckage before other search vessels arrived.


    At that moment, Ren Ziquan''s phone rang, and upon answering, he saw that it was Liu Yong calling. His heart leapt with excitement. It was his boss personally contacting him. Signalling for silence, he tried to steady himself before softly addressing the crew, [ "Everyone, quiet down. It''s the boss on the line. " ]

 Chapter 230 Best Of The Best !

    ?


    The Boss''s call startled everyone present, and their gazes shifted to Ren Ziquan with envy. It was clear that the Captain had earned their admiration. Who else could be the Boss but Liu Yong himself?


    The atmosphere quickly quieted as Ren Ziquan tried to collect himself and respond, [ "Boss, you''re looking for me? " ]


    Liu Yong''s voice boomed through the phone, [ " Old Ren, I suggest you sail another ten nautical miles to the southeast. I believe the chances of finding the ne wreckage are higher in that area. " ]


    Ten nautical miles southeast? Ren Ziquan was taken aback. How did the Boss know the wreckage was likely to be found there? Liu Yong was thousands of nautical miles away in Huahai City.


    Despite the strangeness of the situation, Ren Ziquan feltpelled to follow the Boss''s directive. He dered boldly, [ " Okay, Boss. We''ll set sail immediately. " ]


    After the call ended, Ren Ziquan gave the order to recover the submersible, and the mighty vessel known as the "Blue Whale" embarked on its journey towards the sea area suggested by Liu Yong.


    Although Liu Yong''s words were merely a suggestion, the possibility of his incorrect instructions was unthinkable. The ne wreckagey approximately ten nautical miles southeast of their current position. It would be inappropriate to doubt such precise guidance.


    The "Blue Whale" powered through the waters, closing the distance of approximately ten nautical miles in a mere 20 to 30 minutes. Ren Ziquanmanded, [ " This is the spot. Drop anchor. " ]


    Following closely behind the "Blue Whale," the Overlord ryed the scene to Liu Yong. With a third-party view, he could observe the situation unfolding.


    One crew member aboard the "Blue Whale" soon spotted the ne wreckage and eximed in surprise, [ " Captain, I think I see a piece of the ne wreckage! " ]


    Ren Ziquan raised his binocrs and confirmed the sighting a few hundred meters away. Excitement surged within him, and he announced enthusiastically, [ " Indeed, it''s a substantial piece of ne wreckage. There''s no doubt that the ne crashed here. " ]


    Immediately, the submersible was deployed, and the divers began donning their diving suits and oxygen tanks in preparation for underwater exploration.


    To maintain secrecy, the Overlord silently departed for the time being per Liu Yong''s orders.


    Unbeknownst to anyone, the "floating" ne wreckage that had momentarily surfaced soon returned to the depths of the sea. However, amidst the ship''s flurry of activity, no one paid attention to this minor detail.


    Once the submersible was positioned, it transmitted clear images of the seafloor. It didn''t take long before a remarkable discovery was made.


    [ " Captain, we''ve found the ne wreckage! Look! " ] a crew member eximed, pointing at the disy screen.


    Ren Ziquan''s excitement surged. The screen disyed a significant aircraft wreckage, nearly two-thirds the size of a wing, lying diagonally on the seabed.


    The rest of the crew rallied with renewed enthusiasm, and the divers, equipped with oxygen tanks, descended one after another to explore the depths less than 100 meters¡ªan ideal range for their expertise.


    Filled with excitement, Ren Ziquan immediately ryed the good news to Liu Yong via satellite phone before contacting the YD International Search and Rescue Center, using the contact number provided by Gal.


    The person who answered the phone at the YD National Search and Rescue Center was stunned upon hearing that the ne wreckage had been found. Cheers erupted from the other end, indicating the overwhelming joy that had taken hold.


    Shortly after, a search and rescue helicopter, carrying Gal, whom Ren Ziquan had previously met, and another high-ranking official named Myron, swiftly flew towards the location of the "Blue Whale."


    After reporting the situation to the YD National Search and Rescue Center, Ren Ziquan directed the crew to salvage the significant wreckage they had discovered.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    With each crew member proficient in their respective roles, salvaging the wreckage in waters less than 100 meters deep proved straightforward.


    Soon, the massive wreckage was sessfully lifted from the seabed and ced on the deck of the "Blue Whale."


    The crew erupted in cheers and jubtion as the wreckage emerged from the water. Ren Ziquan, too, felt a sense of relief, knowing that they had secured a substantial reward of $100 million.


    One crew member approached Ren Ziquan with curiosity and asked, [ " Captain, I heard that the first person to find the wreck can receive a reward of $100 million. Is that true? " ]


    Ren Ziquan smiled, [ " Indeed, considering the size of the wreckage we salvaged, it seems we''ve secured the $100 million reward. " ]


    Excitement rippled through the crew. Some even examined the wreckage as if it were solid gold.


    [ " Captain, we''ve found anotherrge piece of wreckage¡ªa section of the fusge that''s evenrger than the one we''ve salvaged. Shall we retrieve it as well? " ] a crew member reported.


    Ren Ziquan waved his hand and replied, [ " Of course, salvage it and ce it on our deck. " ]


    The "Blue Whale," with its massive size¡ªdiscing 85,000 tons, measuring nearly 290 meters in length, and 55 meters in width¡ªhad more than enough space to amodate the ne wreckage.


    Thebat divers swiftly maneuvered underwater, securing the other wreckage with cables before hoisting it onto the ship using the onboard lifting equipment.


    This more significant piece of wreckage fueled even greater exhration among the crew.


    The ship''s atmosphere was boiling as the ne wreckage emerged from the water, brimming with excitement and awe.


    The second wreckage was sessfully salvaged and ced on the deck of the "Blue Whale." Numerous crew members observed the scene with keen interest.


    Some crew members seized the opportunity to document the momentous asion, capturing numerous photos with their mobile phones, which they would likely share on social media to showcase their achievement.


    [ " Friends, take a look! The YD government has invested significant resources, and after the wreckage remained undiscovered for so long, we have now located and salvaged it, they would proim in their posts, eager to bask in their triumph " ]


    As crew members revelled in the excitement, someone noticed a helicopter approaching from a distance.


    [ " Captain, a helicopter is approaching! " ] they eximed.


    Ren Ziquan raised his binocrs and confirmed that it was the YD National Search and Rescue Center''s helicopter. He signalled the crew to prepare for the helicopter''snding.


    The helicopter touched down smoothly on the designated helipad of the "Blue Whale." As it came to a halt, seven or eight individuals disembarked.


    In addition to Gal, there were several unfamiliar faces, including a distinguished middle-aged man who appeared to be a senior official from the YD National Search and Rescue Center.


    ................

 Chapter 231 The YD National Search And Rescue Center

    ?


    The YD National Search and Rescue Center was where the middle-aged man, Myron, exuded an air of sophistication and authority. As one of its prominent heads, his presence in person spoke volumes about the centre''s dedication to the matter.


    Not only had Gal made an appearance, but Myron himself had also arrived, underscoring the significance the YD National Search and Rescue Center attached to this mission. Ren Ziquan, captain of the "Blue Whale," extended a warm wee on behalf of his crew, introducing Gal to Myron.


    While shaking hands with Ren Ziquan, Myron''s attention seemed to be drawn to the two massive wreckage pieces on the deck of the "Blue Whale." Eager to examine them closely, he hastened over, momentarily neglecting the pleasantries. Observing Myron''s enthusiasm, Ren Ziquan couldn''t help but smile, shaking his head before following with a group of individuals.


    The deck buzzed with activity as everyone gathered around the wreckage pieces. The YD team, in particr, disyed great excitement as they examined the ne''s remnants, momentarily forgetting Ren Ziquan and his crew''s contribution. These diligent individuals had aided in locating the ne wreckage and recovered two pieces from the depths of the sea¡ªan aplishment deserving of gratitude.


    However, amidst the joy of their sessful find, the YD team seemed to have be fully immersed, forgetting the need for gratitude. They inspected the ne wreckage several times, and one individual, appearing as an expert, conducted a thorough appraisal to confirm its authenticity.


    The expert told Myron, [ " Mr Myron, there is no doubt this is the wreckage of our crashed ne. " ]


    Myron nodded in relief, finally reassured. The extensive efforts in finding the wreckage required substantial resources and a workforce. Taking a final look around, Myron reached for a satellite phone, presumably to ry the situation to his superiors.


    In the distance, a search and rescue ship from country M approached, having likely noticed themotion. It came to a stop approximately a hundred meters away from the "Blue Whale."


    Disbelief appeared among them as one eximed, [ " Oh, God! The Yan people were the first to discover the ne wreckage! " ]


    [ " It''s all over for us. Our hope is shattered, " ] another dejectedly murmured.


    [ " What a waste of time! We searched tirelessly for days, and yet they found the wreckage before us. " ]


    The M country search and rescue team expressed admiration, shock, and disappointment, realizing that their exhaustive search of over 20 days hade to naught.


    Yesterday, when the "Blue Whale" had sailed past them, the M team had greeted them with ridicule, confident in their ability to find the ne wreckage. Yet now, they were left dumbfounded and humbled.


    Alerted by the "Blue Whale crew," Ren Ziquan acknowledged the presence of the M country search and rescue ship. Peering through his binocrs, he could discern the M countrys'' expressions, which relieved him.


    News of the discovery spread rapidly, prompting nearby search and rescue ships and helicopters to converge on the scene, watching from a distance. They, too, admired the wreckage salvaged from the "Blue Whale" and acknowledged the conclusion of the arduous search and rescue mission that had persisted for more than 20 days.


    Some search and rescue ships began to depart, making way for arge salvage vessel from the YD National Search and Rescue Center, which arrived promptly. Although sizable, its dimensions paledpared to the mighty "Blue Whale." One could hardly ignore the discrepancy between their respective sizes¡ªthe former barely exceeding 10,000 tons, while thetter dominated at 85,000 tons.


    Upon Gal''s request, the two wreckage pieces recovered from the "Blue Whale" were entrusted to the YD National Search and Rescue Center''s salvage ship, and preparations were made for their departure. Gal and hispanions readied themselves, with Myron already boarding the helicopter.


    Ren Ziquan, surprised by the sudden departure, questioned, [ " Are you leaving just like that? " ]


    He found it perplexing since Gal had promised a reward of 100 million US dors. Why was there no mention of it now?


    Fortunately, before Gal left, he shook hands with Ren Ziquan, offering constion.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Determined not to let the matter slide, Ren Ziquan decided to take matters into his own hands. As he shook hands with Gal, he switched to conveying, [ "Mr Gal, we have sessfully located the ne wreckage for you. We hope you can expedite the transfer of the promised 100 million US dors to our Global Shipping Group ount. " ]


    Gal evaded the topic, offering a dismissive response, [ " I don''t have the authority to decide on this matter. Furthermore, 100 million US dors is a substantial sum, and our approval process is stringent. You may need to exercise patience. " ]


    Acknowledging Gal''s words, Ren Ziquan replied, [ " Very well, for now, we will trust your words. However, we hope we won''t be made to wait excessively long " ]


    With the departure of the YD International Search and Rescue Center''s helicopter and the handover of the wreckage from the "Blue Whale," the chief engineer of the vessel approached Ren Ziquan with a soft inquiry, [ " Old Ren, do we have hope of receiving the promised $100 million? " ]


    It took Ren Ziquan a moment to collect his thoughts before finally answering, [ " I believe the matter is still pending. " ]


    A surge of anger welled up in the chief engineer, eximing, [ " How can this be? We must have faith in ourselves! " ]


    Ren Ziquan could only shake his head, offering a wry smile. He hoped fervently that the YD National Search and Rescue Center would honour itsmitment, but he knew they had numerous excuses. Nevertheless, he prayed they would keep their promise.


    After briefly contemting, Ren Ziquan waved his hand, signalling the crew, [ " Let''s go. We are heading back to Huahai City. " ]


    The "Blue Whale" retrieved its anchor, setting sail to depart from the scene. Shortly after, several YD National Search and Rescue Center ships, apanied by search and rescue helicopters, arrived to conduct further search and salvage operations.


    Meanwhile, onboard the "Blue Whale," Captain Ren Ziquan briefed Liu Yong on the situation, as requested explicitly by Liu Yong himself.


    Providing a more detailed ount, Ren Ziquan expressed his concern, [ " Boss, we must remain vignt regarding their payment. I have a feeling they might act rashly. " ]


    Over the phone, Liu Yong''s tone was more rxed as he reassured Ren Ziquan, [ " Captain Ren, this is not something you should worry about. Your responsibility is to ensure the safe return of everyone to Huahai City. The significant reward will be bestowed upon you. " ]


    Hearing about the substantial prize, Ren Ziquan couldn''t help but feel ted, his worries about YD reneging on their promise dissipating. After all, he was merely the "Blue Whale" captain and not a high-ranking executive within the Global Shipping Group.


    Meanwhile, a sly smile formed on his lips in Liu Yong''s office. Would the YD National Search and Rescue Center renege on its debt? He chuckled inwardly, contemting the consequences if they dared to do so.


    Picking up the phone from his desk, Liu Yong summoned Hu Shijun, who swiftly entered the room.


    Greeted with a smile, Hu Shijun eagerly asked, [ " Brother Yong, is there good news from our ''Blue Whale''? " ]


    Liu Yong nodded, providing a summary of the situation. Upon hearing that the "Blue Whale" had sessfully located the ne wreckage and handed it over to the YD National Search and Rescue Center, Hu Shijun''s face lit up with joy.


    [ " Brother Yong, that''s fantastic! It looks like we''re getting our hands on $100 million. " ] The thought of such a substantial sum filled him with happiness.


    Liu Yong issued a task to Hu Shijun, his tone stern and focused. [ " Now, I want you to contact the YD National Search and Rescue Center and ensure we receive the 100 million US dors as soon as possible. " ]

 Chapter 232 The Betrayal & Shameless!

    ?


    Hu Shijun, perceiving the tone of Liu Yong, immediately voiced his concern [ " Brother Yong, do you believe that the YD National Search and Rescue Center might backtrack on their promise and refuse to fulfill theirmitment of providing us with the $100 million? " ]


    Liu Yong responded, acknowledging the possibility, and instructed Hu Shijun, [ " There is a chance of that happening. Your task is to proactively contact them and ensure the retrieval of the $100 million as soon as possible. " ]


    Hu Shijun couldn''t help but be angry, eximing, [ " How is this possible? How can they disregard the agreed-upon $100 million? " ]


    Liu Yongforted him, saying, [ " You reach out to them first. If they truly repent, don''t rush. I have a method to counter their actions. " ]


    [ " Alright, I will do as you''ve asked, " ] Hu Shijun replied.


    Liu Yong suddenly had a solution, and Hu Shijun immediately felt a sense of relief. His trust in Liu Yong was unwavering.


    [ " If Brother Yong says there''s a way, then there must be a way, " ] he thought, even though he was uncertain about the specific approach Liu Yong intended to employ.


    Meanwhile, at the YD National Search and Rescue Center, preparations were underway for yet another press conference, the number of which had be difficult to keep track of. Since the ne crash, they have conducted at least ten meetings within 20 days.


    However, this particr press conference held a different atmosphere than the others. The scale was more significant, and there was an air of anticipation hinting at an important announcement.


    Several reporters seemed privy to some information as they wore joyful expressions.


    At 10 a.m. local time, the press conference officiallymenced. Key officials from the YD National Search and Rescue Center were present, except for Myron.


    The reporters should have paid more attention to Myron''s absence, nor did they delve into the underlying reasons. Instead, they focused on the spokesperson representing the search and rescue centre.


    This high-ranking official spokesperson began the briefing, [ " Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to share some good news with you today. We have located the wreckage of the crashed ne. Currently, we are conducting an organized search and recovery operation. " ]


    The entire news hall erupted in excitement as the atmosphere became electrifying. Some local reporters from YD even raised their arms and shouted in jubtion.


    [ " This is fantastic! " ]


    [ " What exhrating news! " ]


    [ " May the departed rest in peace. This ordeal is finallying to an end. " ]


    The news hall buzzed with conversation as everyone discussed the developments.


    Following the briefing, the session transitioned to a question-and-answer segment, during which several reporters posed various inquiries, most of which praised the search and rescue centre for their outstanding work.


    A reporter from Yanguo raised his hand, seeking permission to ask a question. After receiving approval, he spoke up, [ " I heard that Yanguo''s Global Shipping Group was the first to discover and salvage the wreckage of the ne. Is that correct? " ]


    During their briefing, the search and rescue centre had yet to mention the initial discoverer of the wreckage. The Yanguo reporter''s query prompted other journalists to realize the significance of this detail¡ªwho had indeed been the first to find the ne''s wreckage? This was important news.


    A sense of anticipation filled the hall as the officials addressed the reporter''s question.


    [ " The spective crash site we initially announced was incorrect. After reassessment, we revealed the urate crash location. The salvage ship from the Global Shipping Group arrived at this location first and sessfully recovered two pieces of the ne''s wreckage. " ]


    The official emphasized, [ " I must rify that locating and salvaging the ne''s wreckage was not a challenging task due to the shallow waters in that area, with depths of just over 100 meters, and some even less. The critical factor was determining the precise crash site. " ]<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The implication was clear¡ªthe search and rescue centre had made the most significant contribution. If they hadn''t provided the correct crash location, the Global Shipping Group would not have been able to locate and recover the final two pieces of wreckage.


    Any search and rescue or salvage ship could have aplished the task as long as they were the first to reach the correct crash location once it was announced. The Global Shipping Group was fortunate to be the first in this case.


    The revtion stirred up amotion throughout the new hall. YD reporters found the exnation reasonable, while reporters from other countries held differing opinions.


    The Yanguo reporter pressed on, stating, [ " ording to our information, a few days ago, Mr. Myron, an official from the search and rescue center, publicly pledged to reward anyone providing valuable clues regarding the crashed ne with $20 million and $100 million for the wreckage. " ]


    Immediately, a senior official from the YD International Search and Rescue Center came to Myron''s defence, asserting, [ " Myron''s statement was a personal remark and does not represent our Search and Rescue Center. On behalf of the center, I extend my apologies for Myron''s inappropriatements. " ]


    He then pretended to bow apologetically and continued, [ " Of course, we express our gratitude to the Global Shipping Group for being the first to discover the wreckage of the crashed ne. " ]


    The Yanguo reporter was taken aback. [ " Is that it? " ] he wondered, finding the official''s response disingenuous.


    Suppose it was Myron''s statement and did not reflect the position of the YD National Search and Rescue Center. In that case, they should have rified the matter earlier. Presenting this exnation now was akin to reneging on theirmitment.


    The reporter sympathized deeply with the Global Shipping Group. He knew the promised $100 million would likely never materialize, rendering their efforts futile.


    Following the press conference, news reports concerning the discovery of the crashed ne''s wreckage and the ongoing salvage operation by the YD National Search and Rescue Center flooded media outlets worldwide.


    The focus of these reports naturally revolved around the sessful location of the wreckage and the centre''s systematic salvage efforts.


    Only a few domestic news outlets in Yanguo highlighted that the YD National Search and Rescue Center still needed to uphold its promise.


    Many individuals expressed sympathy towards the Global Shipping Group.


    People began to ponder what actions the Global Shipping Group would take in the face of this predicament. Would they reluctantly ept their fate or pursue a different course of action?


    At noon, Liu Yong had lunch with severalpany senior executives. Hu Shijun, visibly furious, vented his frustration.


    [ " How shameless can they be? Now they im that Myron''s words were his own and not representative of the search and rescue center. Why didn''t they rify this earlier? " ]


    [ " This level of shamelessness is unprecedented! I''ve never seen anything like it, " ] he eximed.


    Seeing calm andposed, Liu Yong smiled and reassured him, [ " Don''t worry, don''t let it get to you. Even if they attempt to renege on the $100 million, they will soon regret it. Without two or three billion dors, they won''t be able to put this matter to rest. " ]


    [ " What? Two or three billion dors? " ] Everyone''s eyes widened, fixated on Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong noticed their reactions and said, [ " Just wait and watch the show. Sometimes, they will be the ones to regret their decisions. " ]


    Instantly, a sense of relief washed over everyone.


    ...............

 Chapter 233 A Gambit!~

    ?


    Liu Yong possessed a cunning intellect and a formidable arsenal of resources at his disposal. However, his most significant advantagey in keeping a trump card¡ªone that could potentially tip the scales in his favour.


    As fate would have it, he owned two boxes of priceless cultural relics, some of which were regarded as national treasures of the illustrious YD. Despite the gravity of the situation, Liu Yong remained unruffled, secure in the knowledge that these artifacts were under his watchful care.


    After a leisurely lunch, Liu Yong retreated to his office, seeking sce and a momentary respite. There, he conversed with his trusted associate, Bawang, also known as the Overlord.


    [ " Overlord, I have a task for you, " ] Liu Yong began, his voice firm and purposeful.


    Upon hearing the promise of another mission, Overlord''s spirits were immediately rekindled, and he responded eagerly, [ "Master, just give me your orders. " ]


    Liu Yong wasted no time in divulging his n. [ " Retrieve the boxes of cultural relics and transport them to our warehouse by the sea, " ] hemanded.


    Without hesitation, Overlord nodded, fully aware that this would be no small feat. Despite the arduous journey spanning thousands of nautical miles, he remained resolute in hismitment to carry out his Master''s wishes.


    Overlord embarked on his mission with a mighty stride, swimming purposefully toward the shallows adjacent to the mysterious nameless ind, where he would retrieve the precious artifacts and sp them securely in his formidable jaws.


    Bawang, swift and decisive, swam at an impressive speed of over 280 knots, propelling himself swiftly toward Huahai. Sitting in his office, Liu Yong couldn''t help but ponder the impending arrival of his loyalpanion. He knew that within a few short hours, Bawang would grace Huahai City with his presence.


    True to his reputation, Overlord possessed remarkable speed and exceptional physical prowess, capable of enduring hours of continuous swimming without falter. Pausing only briefly to rest and replenish his energy, he stopped briefly as he approached the South China Sea of the Yan Kingdom. There, he sought sustenance, foraging for food to satiate his hunger before resuming his determined journey.


    And now, having traversed the South China Sea of the Yan Kingdom, Overlord estimated that it would take him less than two hours to reach the warehouse by sea, the final destination of his mission. As Liu Yong switched off his pet panel, he contemted visiting the seaside warehouse within an hour or two, eager to look at the two boxes of cultural relics that promised exquisite wonders. These artifacts were undoubtedly treasures beyondparison, representing YD internationally.


    Liu Yong''s anticipation swelled with each passing moment.


    Around ten o''clock, Liu Yong''s phone buzzed in the morning, signalling an iing call from Ding Wen. Retrieving the device, he noted Ding Wen''s name on the screen and promptly answered.


    [ " Brother Yong, are you at thepany? I''d like toe over, " ] Ding Wen''s voice echoed through the line.


    Confirming his presence, Liu Yong replied honestly, [ " Yes, I''m at thepany. However, I''ll have to leave in about an hour or two, as I have some engagements to attend. " ]


    Without dy, Ding Wen dered, [ " Alright, I''ll head over immediately. " ]


    The conversation was brief, indicating they would discuss matters further upon meeting in person. Ending the call, Liu Yong couldn''t help but wonder about the purpose of Ding Wen''s visit. A thought suddenly crossed his mind¡ªcould he entrust Ding Wen with handling the cultural relics once Bawang returned with them?


    The idea grew more appealing with each passing second.


    Naturally, Liu Yong had yet to sell all the artifacts. Instead, he envisioned releasing a select few to attract the attention of YD, enticing them to seek his cooperation. It was a gambit, waiting for their desperate pleas toe knocking at his door.


    Before long, Ding Wen arrived at the office. Stepping inside, he was intimately familiar with the surroundings, promptly making himself a cup of coffee. Taking a sip, he casually remarked, [ " Brother Yong, the progress on the Universal Building is truly remarkable. I paid it a visit yesterday. " ]


    Recognizing the underlying purpose of Ding Wen''s visit, Liu Yong smiled knowingly andmented, [ " You young scamp! Don''t tell me you have your sights set on the Universal Building too? " ]<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    -HAHA!


    Ding Wen''s cheeks reddened slightly as he chuckled sheepishly. [ " Brother Yong, I can''t be the only one entertaining such thoughts. I''m sure many majorpanies are contemting the same. " ]


    Liu Yong acknowledged the truth in Ding Wen''s statement. The Universal Building, a grand edifice in Huahai City, was considered a Grade A office building, symbolizing prestige and a testament to apany''s power.


    As constructionmenced on the building, several prominentpanies inquired about its avability for lease, keen to secure a foothold within its hallowed halls. Ding Wen, too, harboured aspirations of connecting two or even three floors for his Hanhai Culturepany.


    Grinning with delight, Liu Yong responded, fully aware of Ding Wen''s intentions. [ " Don''t worry, I''ve already taken Hanhai Culture into ount. You shall have three floors at your disposal. " ]


    Ding Wen''s face lit up with joy as he eximed, [ " Really, Brother Yong, you''re the best! " ] Overflowing with happiness, he harboured an almost irresistible urge to hug and kiss Liu Yong¡ªa gesture of gratitude and relief. At longst, he had found sce in the reassurance of his aspirationsing to fruition.


    Liu Yong''s decision was not without reason. With a significant stake in Hanhai Culture, he deemed it a sound investment. After concluding their discussion on this matter, the two engaged in further conversation, their rapport and enthusiasm evident.


    Time flew by, and more than an hour passed unnoticed. Liu Yong checked the time, gestured for Ding Wen to follow, and dered, [ " Come, join me outside. " ]


    With that, Liu Yong rose from his chair, and Ding Wen promptly followed suit. The purpose of their excursion became clear¡ªboth were heading to the seaside warehouse. A voice resonated within Liu Yong''s mind, heralding the imminent arrival of Bawang, who, having covered a distance of over 100 nautical miles, would soon bring the two boxes of cultural relics to their final destination. It was estimated that Bawang would arrive within half an hour.


    In the depths of the Indian Ocean, several salvage and rescue vessels tirelessly toiled for days on end. Nearby, two warships of the YD Navy maintained a vignt watch, forbidding any unauthorized ships from approaching the area. From the ocean''s depths, bodies of the deceased were steadily recovered, along with fragments of the ill-fated aircraft.


    A remarkable disy of efficiency, the operation deployed a substantial contingent of troops, yielding impressive results. Almost all the bodies and wreckage that could be salvaged within two or three days were retrieved. However, a sad reality persisted¡ªdespite their tireless efforts, 21 passengers remained unounted for, their bodies lost to the abyss. Only nine of the 13 crew members had been recovered, leaving the remaining four missing.


    The aircraft had suffered extensive damage, and although all avable wreckage had been retrieved, the analysis revealed that roughly a quarter of the debris was yet to be located. Such findings were far from reassuring.


    The situation that ced the YD National Search and Rescue Center under immense pressure was the disappearance of two crucial boxes of cultural relics from the ill-fated flight. Their whereabouts remained unknown, prompting the personal intervention of YD''s Prime Minister.


    Determined to recover the cultural relics at any cost, the Prime Minister''s resolve left no room forpromise.


    Back at the seaside warehouse, two vehicles arrived in session.


    Driving his Cullinan, Liu Yong led the way while He Qiang followed closely behind in a small van. Puzzled by the circumstances, Ding Wen queried, [ " Brother Yong, why have you brought me here? Is there something special? " ]


    [ " You''ll find out soon enough." ] Liu Yong said, delighted in teasing Ding Wen.


    Their vehicle entered the warehouse, and Liu Yong sealed the doors shut using the remote control key.


    ............

 Chapter 234 Hidden Gems

    ?


    As Liu Yong stepped into the vast warehouse, his eyes were immediately drawn to the two imposing,rge boxes positioned prominently at the centre of the space. Through the transparent window ss, he could discern their considerable size.


    These boxes were far from negligible; they resembled two miniature containers, their robust presencemanding attention. As the car stopped, Liu Yong swiftly emerged from the vehicle as Kang Zheng opened the door for him. Eagerly, he approached the two boxes, a contented expression gracing his face.


    Observing objects from proximity offers a vastly different experience than merely glimpsing them through the lens of a third-party perspective. The sense of realism intensifies, apanied by a surge of excitement within Liu Yong''s heart.


    The craftsmanship exhibited in these two sizable boxes was genuinely exquisite, impressing Liu Yong and piquing the curiosity of Ding Wen, Kang Zhenggang, and He Qiang, who joined him momentster.


    Kang Zhenggang remarked with admiration, [ " The workmanship of these tworge aluminum alloy boxes is truly remarkable. They are beautiful, and thebination locks add an additional touch of sophistication. " ]


    He Qiang said, [ " Boss, you specifically asked us to bring lockpicking tools. Are you implying that we should open these two boxes? " ]


    With a glimmer of understanding, Ding Wen surmised that Liu Yong had gathered them all here to unveil the contents of the boxes. Eager to satisfy his curiosity, he couldn''t help but inquire, [ " Brother Yong, what treasures lie within these boxes? They appear exceptionally high-end. " ]


    Liu Yong beamed with delight as he responded, [ " These are indeed high-end items, to be precise, they are invaluable cultural relics of great significance. " ]


    Ding Wen''s eyes lit up with excitement. His fascination didn''t lie in women, fancy cars, or luxurious watches but in antiques. Antiques were, after all, cultural relics.


    Could these two imposing boxes contain a trove of such treasures? He pondered fervently, envisioning the myriad possibilities.


    Liu Yong gestured to Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang, assigning them the task of unlocking the boxes. With their skills, he entrusted them with the responsibility of unveiling the precious contents concealed within.


    Eager to showcase their abilities, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang could have spent more time. Their previous service had provided them with professional training in this domain. Now, they skillfully get the necessary tools and immediately set to work.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong and Ding Wen stood nearby, patiently awaiting the revtion. Curiosity got the better of Ding Wen, and he couldn''t resist inquiring, [ " Brother Yong, could you perhaps give us a glimpse of the treasures within? " ]


    Though uncertain of the exact nature of the contents, Liu Yong was aware that the boxes housed a collection of YD''s precious cultural relics, some of which were rumoured to include Buddhist ones. Grinning, he replied, [ " These foreign cultural relics are unlike anything you have ever seen. " ]


    Ding Wen''s admiration for Brother Yong soared at the prospect.


    Momentster, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang unlocked the boxes, signalled by a series of soft clicks. Excitement danced across their faces as they exchanged nces, knowing the time hade to unveil the first box.


    Liu Yong and Ding Wen approached in unison, their eyes drawn to the neatly arranged interior of the opened box. Insidey a collection of wooden boxes, each varying in size and exhibiting exquisite craftsmanship, resembling delicate works of art.


    These wooden boxes, almost akin to handcrafted masterpieces, amplified Liu Yong''s anticipation for the treasures they housed. Furthermore, the sturdy aluminium alloy box preserved the contents perfectly, not allowing a single droplet of water to intrude.


    With delight, Liu Yong gingerly extracted a slender wooden box measuring over a meter in length from the aluminium alloy container. To his delight, upon opening it, a stunning painting was revealed.


    As Ding Wen carefully unfolded the painting, his eyes widened with recognition. As someone well-versed in the field, he immediately identified it as a famous artwork by YD. Although Ding Wen had only heard of it and never looked at it before, he was astounded to find it in Liu Yong''s possession.


    Liu Yong was taken aback. The painting had garnered such widespread acim that even seasoned collector Ding Wen was familiar with it. Ding Wen might only have known its existence if it had been an ordinary renowned artwork. This realization and the fact that it was among YD''s celebrated pieces suggested that it held immense value and historical significance.


    Aware of its significance, Liu Yong carefully rolled up the painting, securing it within the slender wooden box, before extracting another from therge aluminium alloy container.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    This particr wooden box measured about one and a half feet in length, a foot in width, and a foot in height. With great anticipation, Liu Yong unveiled its contents before the attentive audience.


    To their amazement, a majestic Buddha statue graced their eyes. Standing at less than a foot in height, it was difficult to determine whether it was gilded or made entirely of pure gold. Its weight hinted at thetter, while the lifelike craftsmanship and the intricate gemstone iys turned it into an artistic treasure.


    Even though Liu Yong was no connoisseur, he realized this Buddha statue held extraordinary significance. It could be one of YD''s national treasures.


    Ding Wen''s excitement bubbled over as he eximed, [ " My God, this is YD''s national treasure Buddha statue! I''ve seen pictures and read descriptions of it. Brother Yong, how did youe to possess it? " ]


    Liu Yong''s happiness radiated from his smile, declining to divulge the details of its acquisition. He securely resealed the box containing the Buddha statue, maintaining its sanctity.


    Eager to explore further, Liu Yong proceeded to open several more boxes, one after another. Each unveiling brought forth treasures of extraordinary value, some even ssified as national treasures.


    Even Ding Wen, an avid collector, struggled to contain his excitement. He recognized several pieces, and their provenance as YD''s national treasures left him awe-struck.


    The second aluminium alloy box followed suit, offering a simr sight. Due to its exceptional water tightness, no trace of moisture had infiltrated the box, preserving the contents in pristine condition. Neatly arranged within were elegant wooden boxes, awaiting their turn to reveal their hidden treasures.


    Upon examining several pieces, Liu Yong finallyprehended why the YD National Search and Rescue Center had offered a reward of 100 million US dors. The value of these artifacts exceeded any mary measurement¡ªthey were beyond priceless.


    Ding Wen''s excitement remained palpable throughout the process, repeatedly expressing his jubtion, [ " Brother Yong, you''ve struck gold! This is a fortune! " ]


    Liu Yong meticulously counted a total of 27 wooden boxes of varying sizes. Assuming each box contained a cultural relic, the total was 27 magnificent pieces.


    Although the expedition to the "Blue Whale" had seemingly yielded no results, Liu Yong had managed to secure a significant gain for himself.


    Promptly, Liu Yongmanded, [ " Seal the two aluminium alloy boxes again and load them into the car. " ]


    Without a word, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang efficiently executed the task, carefully maneuvering the aluminium alloy boxes into the back of the van. Liu Yong had explicitly chosen a small truck for this operation, well aware of the cargo''s magnitude.


    Once the boxes were securely stowed and the doors closed, Liu Yong gestured for them to depart. They embarked on their journey, leaving the scene behind. After travelling a certain distance, Ding Wen proposed, [ " Brother Yong, let''s store these treasures at my ce. We have a professional vault, ensuring their utmost security. " ]


    Havingplete trust in Ding Wen, Liu Yong readily agreed without hesitation, [ " No problem, let''s do that. " ]


    Delighted, Ding Wen beamed with joy.


    The two vehicles diverged from the route leading back to the Global Shipping Group, instead heading towards Ding Wen''s Hanhai Culture Company.


    Meanwhile, at the YD National Search and Rescue Center, officials convened in a sad and oppressive meeting room. The protracted search and rescue operation had yet to yield satisfactory results. However, what troubled them most was the disappearance of the two boxes containing invaluable cultural relics.


    A total of 27 artifacts had vanished without a trace, adding to the mounting pressure on their shoulders.


    ................

 Chapter 235 Provoking Practically!

    ?


    Several of the 27 cultural relics hold a such immense value that they transcend mary measurement, ssifying them as national treasures. Even Prime Minister YD disyed great concern for the matter, frequently contacting the search and rescue centre to stay updated.


    With a sense of urgency, Prime Minister YD addressed the attendees, emphasizing the imperative nature of the situation. ["Ladies and gentlemen, the urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. We must employ any means necessary, allocating significant manpower and resources, to locate these invaluable cultural relics as swiftly as possible,"] he asserted, his voice resonating with solemnity.


    Following his address, one official raised a doubt. [ " Could it be that the Global Shipping Group, which initially discovered and salvaged remnants of the crashed ne, might have stumbled upon and taken away these cultural relics? " ] The official''s spection was promptly interrupted by Myron, who interjected, [ " That possibility seems unlikely, considering the limited timeframe. They promptly informed us about the ne wreckage, and I personally rushed to the location without dy. " ]


    Gal concurred with Myron''s viewpoint, adding, [ " Indeed, I doubt it was their doing. They arrived in the specified sea area only recently. I have satellite images here to support this im. " ]


    Observing Gal''s thorough preparation, it was evident that even satellite images had been acquired. These images suggested that the "Blue Whale" had reached the designated sea area within a rtively short period.


    Eliminating the Global Shipping Group as a potential culprit, the question remained: where were the cultural relics?


    During the meeting, diverse opinions and discussions could have yielded a consensus. Consequently, the search continued, expanding its scope. While others were searching for a needle in a haystack, they were, in essence, searching for a box within that very same haystack.


    Unbeknownst to the YD National Search and Rescue Center officials, Liu Yong, harbouring discontent toward their operations, had discreetly stored the tworge boxes of cultural relics in Hanhai Culture Company''s vault. The utmost secrecy surrounded this matter, known only to a select few individuals.


    Despite their significant investment in workforce and resources, Liu Yong harboured dissatisfaction towards the YD National Search and Rescue Center and opted to withhold information from them. He had informed Ding Wen that the matter needed to remain confidential until Hanhai Culture could organize an exhibition in approximately ten days.


    This uing exhibition would not be a grand affair but rather an intimate gathering within a smaller circle in a limited area. Alongside numerous other antiques owned by Hanhai Culture Company, three to five cultural relics from the boxes would be disyed, including the YD national treasure, the Buddha relic.


    Ten days passed, during which the Global Shipping Group maintained a sense of calm. Their most notable progress was that after more than ten days of sailing, the "Blue Whale" finally traversed the Strait of a and entered the South China Sea of Yanguo, heading towards the sea area where the ne had crashed. Operating at maximum power, the vessel sailed high speed,pleting the journey in just over ten days.


    However, the return trip would be more leisurely, taking an estimated 20 days to reach the city of Haihua.


    As the ten-day mark approached, Ding Wen took the initiative to visit Liu Yong''s office, providing a report. [ " Brother Yong, the exhibition is fully prepared and willmence at nine o''clock tomorrow morning in ourpany. Would you like to attend and witness it firsthand? " ]


    Liu Yong declined, saying, [ " I won''t be able to make it, but ensure that the security measures are in ce, and no mistakes ur. " ]


    Ding Wen exuded confidence, saying, [ " Rest assured, we have taken every precaution. There will be no mishaps. " ]


    Given the small scale of the exhibition, which was limited to approximately two to three hundred individuals from the collection circle, it remained a closed-door event with no public ess or media coverage.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Interestingly, among the select guests, a few individuals from YD¡ªbusiness are conducting transactions in Yan Country and YD collectors residing there.


    At precisely nine o''clock the following day, Hanhai Culture''s Antique Exhibitionmenced. Nearly a thousand pieces were disyed, ranging from Song porcins to calligraphy, paintings, and bronze wares. Yet, the undeniable highlights were the few YD national treasure cultural relics.


    Three selected pieces took centre stage, rather than the entire collection of 27. These cultural relics were positioned prominently, each shielded by a bulletproof ss case, apanied by concise text descriptions.


    The Buddha relic, in particr, radiated a shining aura, capturing the attention of numerous attendees. Before long, a crowd had gathered around it.


    Since the invited guests were individuals from the collection circle, possessing discerning eyes, their astonishment was unparalleled. Voices of disbelief echoed through the exhibition hall. [ " Unbelievable! This is YD''s Buddha relic, an invaluable treasure. How can it be here? " ]


    Amidst the exmations, the YD guests, in particr, exhibited a heightened sense of shock, as if they had glimpsed a surreal sight. They struggled toprehend how their nation''s most precious Buddha relic was disyed in this setting.


    One YD collector, grappling with surprise, couldn''t help but wonder, [ " Didn''t the Buddha relic sink into the sea with the crashed ne? How could it possibly be exhibited here? " ] He resolved to report this puzzling revtion to YD authorities.


    The exhibitionsted only half a day,mencing at 9:00 am and concluding by noon. In just three hours, the event drew to a sessful close.


    Ding Wen reported the exhibition''s oue to Liu Yong, saying, [ " Brother Yong, you should have witnessed the expressions on the faces of those YD individuals when they saw the cultural relics. It was truly remarkable. " ]


    Liu Yong smiled, remarking, [ " As expected, theirposed demeanor is quite extraordinary, as if they''ve seen ghosts. " ]


    After a brief exchange, Ding Wen yfully remarked, [ " Brother Yong, it seems you deliberately wanted YD to know that these cultural relics are in your possession. You''re practically provoking them. " ]


    Confidently, Liu Yong affirmed, [ " Indeed, I want to stir up trouble and let them know. So what if they find out? It won''t change a thing. " ]


    Fearlessly, Liu Yong awaited the reaction of the YD National Search and Rescue Center upon discovering the truth.


    Little did they know that despite more than ten consecutive days of intensive search efforts, expending considerable workforce and resources in the designated sea area, they had yet to uncover a trace of the cultural relics.


    ..............

 Chapter 236 The Target ?

    ?


    On the vast expanse of the sea, multiple ships continued their operations, their presence easily visible from afar. asional glimpses of divers entering or emerging from the water added to the scene''s liveliness.


    Among these vessels were Myron and Gal, their faces marked with seriousness. Days had turned into weeks as they tirelesslybed the sea, searching for something elusive. Despite their efforts, the two boxes of cultural relics remained elusive. It seemed as if the news of the dinosaurs had disappeared without a trace.


    Although they had discovered and salvaged numerous bodies in the past few days, there was no sign of the cultural relic boxes.


    Myron''s mind raced with thoughts, his desperation growing. He pondered that it would still be a glimmer of hope even if they found just one of the aluminium alloy boxes, even if it were damaged or mere wreckage.


    Gal''s satellite phone rang as time passed, prompting him to answer the call. Gradually, his expression shifted from solemnity to excitement, and he spoke fervently.


    [ " Is it true? Are you absolutely certain? " ] Gal asked eagerly.


    On the other end, Myron confirmed, [ " It''s true. I''ve witnessed several of the cultural relics with my own eyes, including our most precious Buddha relic. " ]


    Suddenly, theck of trace of the cultural relic boxes made sense. Standing beside Gal, Myron asked with anticipation, [ " What is it? Why are you so excited? " ]


    Gal quickly ryed the news, and Myron''s eyes widened in astonishment.


    "What?!" Myron couldn''t contain his excitement, waving his hands frantically. [ " Let''s go! We need to return immediately by helicopter. Right now! " ]


    Without dy, Myron, Gal, and a couple of attendants hastened to board the waiting helicopter and departed swiftly.


    Meanwhile, a message was conveyed to the ships involved in the search and salvage operations, including the search helicopters. They were notified that the search was officially concluded and instructed to leave the designated sea area.


    In Huahai City, the "Blue Whale" salvage ship smoothly docked at the port. Qiu Yang, representing the Global Shipping Group, weed its arrival. Temporarily stationed at thepany, Liu Yong listened attentively to Hu Shijun''s report.


    [ " Brother Yong, the YD National Search and Rescue Center contacted us with strong demands, insisting that we immediately return the cultural relics, " ] Hu Shijun exined.


    Liu Yong chuckled. [ " If they want them back, they shall have them. It''s an interesting proposition. " ]


    He pointed out the countless cultural relics from their own country still residing overseas, untouched and uncalled for. Returning them voluntarily was unheard of, and Liu Yong considered such requests naive.


    With a severe tone, Liu Yong dered, [ " Respond to them. If they wish to reim these cultural relics, it''s not a problem. They must prepare a sum of 2 billion US dors and ensure that our ships have free ess to their threergest ports for an extended period. " ]


    Such were Liu Yong''s conditions, his firm stanceid out before them.


    Upon hearing Liu Yong''s demands, Hu Shijun''s eyes lit up, admiration filling his voice. [ " Brother Yong, you truly are remarkable! " ]


    With swift determination, Hu Shijun left toply with Liu Yong''s instructions, contacting the YD National Search and Rescue Center ordingly. The call was sternly protested, with the other party warning that if the cultural relics were not returned within three days, the Global Shipping Group would bear the consequences.


    -HAHA HAHA HAHA!


    Liu Yong merelyughed in response.


    [ " Hmph, let''s see. " ]


    Hu Shijun voiced his concerns, [ " Brother Yong, aren''t you worried about any repercussions? What if something happens to our ships? " ]


    Liu Yong dismissively replied, [ " What can they do? At most, they''ll find an excuse to attack our ships. " ]


    [ " But, Brother Yong, shouldn''t we worry about our ships? The Indian Ocean is a crucial route for our vessels, " ] Hu Shijun insisted.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong asserted confidently, [ " I have no concerns regarding this matter. " ]


    Satisfied with Liu Yong''s assurance, Hu Shijun felt reassured.


    Would the YD people dare to attack the ships of the Global Shipping Group?


    The answer was a resounding yes. They were indeed plotting such actions, seeking an excuse to detain a few ships andpel the Global Shipping Group to submit to their demands.


    Liu Yong was well aware of their intentions.


    After seeing Hu Shijun off, Liu Yong turned to hisputer,unching the management software to track the positions of each ship under hismand.


    The Global Shipping Group owned a fleet of 50 to 60 vessels, varying in size and purpose. The most minuscule disced 20,000 to 30,000 tons, while thergest surpassed 200,000 tons. In total, theirbined discement exceeded 8 million tons.


    On hisputer screen, Liu Yong focused on the world map, honing in on the ships navigating the Indian Ocean. He contemted which vessels the YD people might target if they sought an excuse for an arrest.


    After careful consideration, Liu Yong deduced that the most likely targets were the tworge oil tankers, [ " Shixiong" ] and [ "Shiyue." ] They sailed in the Indian Ocean, fullyden with crude oil, and were close to the YD maind.


    Another possibility was the oil tanker [ " Shi Ning," ] en route to the Middle East and sailing close to the coast of India, not far from the YD continent.


    Having analyzed the situation, Liu Yong issued instructions. He ordered the crews of "Shixiong" and "Shiyue," which were rtively close to each other, to sail nearby as a precautionary measure. The "Shi Ning" was also advised to reduce speed and wait for the container ship "Jin Yao," positioned 300 nautical miles behind it. It was suggested that they sail in tandem.


    These actions were taken to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, guarding against potential tricks employed by the YD people.


    In addition to these measures, the most effective safeguard was the discreet presence of the Overlord.


    This was Liu Yong''s trump card.


    If the YD people dared to seize the ships of the Global Shipping Group, they would pay the price.


    Furthermore, the Overlord possessed incredible speed, capable of monitoring and providing protection across vast distances, ensuring the safety of multiple ships.


    At that moment, the Overlordy infortable slumber on the seafloor. A collection of skeletons belonging to the peculiar white fish adorned the t ground near its cave. Overlord had been living luxuriously, feasting on white monster fish from the deep trench. Each meal consumed several tons, with therger specimens reaching two or three tons.


    Yet, a lingering disappointment remained¡ªthe giant monster fish with wed feet had eluded its grasp.


    Nevertheless, the white monster fish taste was delightful, and there was no shortage of them in the trench. Ranging from 20 to 30 tons, these fish grew asrge as several hundred tons. Overlord had be selective, focusing on the white monster fish weighing over 100 tons.


    [ " Overlord, there is work to be done! " ]


    Upon hearing Liu Yong''s voice, the slumbering Overlord swiftly regained its energy.


    [ " Master, what task do you entrust me with? " ] Overlord inquired eagerly.


    Liu Yong provided a brief overview of the YD people''s potential attack on the Global Shipping Group''s ships and disclosed the locations of the "Shixiong" and "Shiyue."


    Without hesitation, Liu Yong ordered, [ " Set off immediately and secretly guard the two ships. " ]


    ..............

 Chapter 237 Better Not Challenge Us Huh!

    ?


    Overlord''s response was swift as it agreed to the task without hesitation. [ " No problem, I''m leaving now, " ] it dered with determination.


    As Overlord embarked on its mission, an unexpected surge of energy coursed through its being, banishing any hint of drowsiness. Armed with its mighty 50-meter-long spear, the colossal creature propelled itself forward, gradually increasing its swimming speed until it settled at a steady pace of approximately 280 knots.


    Although separated by over 1,000 nautical miles from the "Shixiong" and "Shiyue," Overlord reached its destination within four or five hours. The colossal figure of the "Shixiong" oil tanker came into view, loomingrge within Overlord''s field of vision.


    Meanwhile, the "Shiyue" tanker was still en route to the meeting point, approximately two hundred nautical miles away.


    [ " Master, I have sighted our oil tanker, ''Shixiong,'' " ] reported Bawang to Liu Yong.


    Receiving the message, Liu Yong engaged his third-party vision to confirm the sighting. Indeed, the vessel sailing across the sea was none other than the "Shixiong" oil tanker,den with a total cargo capacity of 100,000 tons. Everything seemed normal, and the bold characters spelling "Shixiong" near the bow were discernible.


    Addressing Overlord, Liu Yong entrusted it with a secret task. [ " Overlord, in addition to guarding this area, I want you to venture into the nearby waters and keep an eye out for any approaching YD ships or warships. " ]


    Overlord responded with confidence, [ " Okay, leave everything to me. " ]


    Throughout the night, silence prevailed, and the weather remained calm.


    The following day arrived.


    The "Shixiong" and "Shiyue" had united, forming a tight-knit convoy. The two ships sailed close, with the distance between them less than one nautical mile.


    And what of Overlord?


    Far from idle, it diligently surveyed its surroundings, understanding the situationprehensively within a radius of 100 nautical miles. So far, there were no signs of any YD vessels or warships approaching, at least within this range.


    Having found no abnormalities, Overlord breathed a sigh of relief. It discreetly departed, traversing hundreds of nautical miles in one swift motion, until it located the "Shining" and "Jinyao." Overlord meticulously scoured the area around the two ships, ensuring no YD or warships were lurking nearby. After fulfilling its escort duties for a certain distance, Overlord left the vicinity with a sense of contentment, heading back towards the "Shixiong" and "Shiyue."


    Liu Yong believed these two ships, situated closest to the YD maind, was highly likely to be targeted by the YD forces.


    The first two days, they had passed without any problems.


    On the third morning, Bawang was the first to notice something amiss. As in the previous two days, it surveyed the surrounding waters near the two massive oil tankers and spotted a YD warship rapidly approaching. The vessel appeared to be a guided missile frigate, heading straight for the location of the "Shixiong" and "Shiyue."


    Sensing the abnormality, Overlord decided to discreetly trail the warship, maintaining a mere few hundred meters distance.


    Meanwhile, aboard the "Shixiong," certain crew members had already caught sight of the "Shiyue" oil tanker in the distance. Having witnessed its presence the day before, curiosity finally got the better of someone.


    [ "Captain, that''s our group''s tanker. Why aren''t they sailing with us? " ] inquired one of the crew members.


    Jiang Xuyao, the Captain of the "Shixiong," calmly responded, [ " Safety is enhanced when sailing in formation. " ]


    Surprised, the crew member retorted, [ " This is the international waterway in the Indian Ocean, and we are already thousands of nautical miles away from the Gulf of Aden. Are there pirates lurking here as well? " ]


    Jiang Xuyao remained silent, knowing full well that he couldn''t reveal the real reason behind their formation. If he were to disclose the possibility of YD forces detaining their ship after receiving a group notice, it would only amplify the crew''s panic. It was better to keep this information concealed for now.


    Noontime arrived.


    Considering the time difference, it was already past four o''clock in the afternoon in Huahai City. Manypanies were preparing to conclude work for the day. However, Liu Yong had yet to leave.


    In the morning, he had received a message from Bawang, alerting him to the YD missile frigate approaching the "Shixiong" and "Shiyue," posing a potential threat to both vessels.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Hemanded Overlord to trail behind discreetly, undetected, while obediently following his instructions.


    Overlord''s voice resonated in Liu Yong''s mind, conveying crucial information. [ " Master, the warship has caught up with our two ships. It has approached the ''Shixiong'' and begun issuing warnings. " ]


    This development stirred anger within Liu Yong. Without uttering a word, he promptly activated his third-party vision, allowing him to witness the warship''s proximity to the "Shixiong." A loudspeaker on the vessel bellowed fluently in Mandarin, demanding, [ " Please stop the ship and submit to inspection. We suspect you are carrying prohibited items on board. " ]


    The message was repeated, emphasizing themand for the ship to halt immediately.


    Anger coursed through everyone on the "Shixiong," including the Captain. How dare they attempt to inspect their vessel? This was the high seas, an international waterway. Who gave them the authority to conduct such an inspection?


    A few timid crew members, however, felt a hint of fear when faced with the warship''s proximity, coupled with the presence of cannons. [ " Captain, should weply and stop the ship? Look, their warship has cannons. I''m a little scared, " ] one crew member expressed hesitantly.


    Jiang Xuyao waved his hand dismissively. [ " Pay no attention to them and continue sailing. This is an international waterway, and they have no right to inspect us. " ]


    The "Shixiong" disregarded the warnings and defiantly continued, guided by Captain Jiang Xuyao''s resolute decision.


    To their disbelief, the warship took a drastic measure. Witnessing the "Shixiong''s" persistent movement, it resorted to firing warning shots.


    This was outrageous!


    These were the high seas, an international waterway!


    Jiang Xuyao seethed with anger, his face turning grim. However, it was apparent that the opposing party held a more formidable fist, leaving him with no choice but to issue the order to halt the ship.


    Witnessing the "Shixiong"e to a stop, some crew members on the warshipughed arrogantly, preparing to lower their boats and board the ship, intending to seize control.


    As this scene unfolded, a chilling sense of foreboding enveloped the crew aboard the "Shixiong." They feared the worst¡ªdisaster was imminent.


    Meanwhile, the "Shiyue," situated at a distance, had taken note of the unfolding situation. Taking a more honest approach, it decelerated instead of making an escape, moving closer to the "Shixiong."


    The "Shiyue''s" Captain personally wielded a loudspeaker and vehemently protested in English.


    However, the YD warship disregarded their protests entirely. On the contrary, it responded by shouting at the "Shiyue," demanding inspection of their vessel. Liu Yongprehended the situation by observing all of this through his third-party vision. Contemptuously, he sneered internally, amused by their audacity to board the ship for inspection.


    Did they genuinely believe they were invincible?


    This was the high seas, international waters! The "Shixiong" and "Shiyue" were not registered in YD and had no obligation to submit to their inspections.


    Were they attempting to challenge the heavens?


    Very well, let''s see whose fist reigns supreme.


    Liu Yong seethed angrily andmanded: [ " Overlord, there''s no need to wait any longer. Obliterate their warship. " ]


    Bawang''s enthusiasm soared. Sinking ships was its favourite pastime, and turning the warship into a sieve brought unparalleled joy.


    Rejoicing, Bawang eximed, [ " Master, watch me. I will undoubtedly reduce that warship to a sieve. " ]


    ............

 Chapter 238 Taste Of Their Own Medicine!

    ?


    Not far from the YD missile frigate, a mere few hundred meters away, Bawang swiftly approached beneath the imposing warship, brandishing its colossal 50-meter spear.


    Unbeknownst to the crew on the warship, they were moments away fromunching the small boat and embarking to seize control of the massive oil tanker known as "Shixiong." It was their mission this time¡ªto gainmand over at least one vessel from the prestigious Global Shipping Group and sail it, along with its crew, back to a designated seaport in their homnd. The porty six to seven hundred nautical miles away, a journey that would take approximately two days.


    Before long, the first small boat was lowered into the water from the warship, carrying several heavily armed sailors who prepared to disembark and make their way toward the smaller vessel.


    Suddenly, an unexpected event unfolded. From the depths of the boat, a muffled [ " bang " ] reverberated, causing the hull to tremble ever so slightly. The shaking became discernible since the ship''s discement was only a little over 3,000 tons. Had it been arger vessel, weighing tens or hundreds of thousands of tons, such tremors might not have been as noticeable.


    This urrence baffled the fully armed sailors. They exchanged bewildered nces, uncertain of the situation unfolding before them.


    [ " What could this be? " ] one sailor pondered aloud while the team captain, recognizing the sailors'' confusion, waved his hand dismissively and urged, [ " Ignore it. Let''s proceed and board the boat . "]


    With hesitant steps, the Captain led the way. Still, before he could take another stride, another muffled sound emanated from the boat''s bottom, apanied by a significantly stronger jolt. The sailors couldn''t help but feel the pronounced impact.


    [ " What the **** is happening? " ] one of the perplexed sailors eximed, prompting further uncertainty among the group.


    Should they proceed with boarding the boat or reconsider?


    Perhaps due to the distance of a few hundred meters and the interference of the waves, the crew aboard the "Shixiong" remained oblivious to the muffled sounds originating from beneath the opposing warship.


    As the onlookers observed the sailors'' impending boarding, tension mounted, and some even sumbed to tears.


    [ " Captain, what do we do? I don''t want to be captured by them, " ] one crew member anxiously implored.


    Taking a bolder stance, another sailor suggested, [ " Captain, let''s fight back! Turn the ship around at full speed and ram into them with all our might. Let''s give those fish a taste of their own medicine! " ]


    Colliding with a warship weighing over 3,000 tons, even as arge oil tanker surpassing 100,000 tons, would likely lead to the warship''s sinking or, at the very least, severe damage.


    However, Captain Jiang Xuyao gently shook his head, burdened with two concerns. Firstly, he dreaded the repercussions of potential crude oil leakage, knowing it would be a major catastrophe. Secondly, the opportunity had slipped away; their chances were virtually non-existent.


    His heart brimmed with sorrow and an intense loathing toward these YD individuals.


    Suddenly, a crew member''s voice rang out in surprise, [ " Look, something''s happening to their warship! " ]


    Sailors with keen eyesight discerned panic aboard the opposing vessel. Some crew members appeared to be donning life jackets, signalling their imminent plunge into the sea.


    Curiosity piqued, Jiang Xuyao reached for his binocrs to gain a clearer view, but even then, he couldn''t fathom the perplexing turn of events.


    [ " How is this possible? " ] he mumbled, bewildered by the inexplicable situation that had befallen the opposing warship.


    [ " Are they experiencing some collective possession? " ]


    Gradually, the grief and anger in his heart gave way to surprise as it became evident that a cmity had befallen the enemy warship.


    Meanwhile, beneath the water''s surface, Bawang, wielding its formidable 50-meter spear, systematically punctured the warship''s hull, creating one gaping hole after another. The Overlord found immense pleasure in this task, revelling in the exhration of each forceful thrust.


    With every piercing strike, a substantial volume of seawater surged into the warship as if it were an extravagant gift pouring in freely. Despite warships typically boasting watertightpartments designed to prevent sinking, such provisions proved futile against the many sizable holes Bawang inflicted upon the vessel.


    The entire warship had be a sieve, rendering the watertightpartments useless. In certain instances, the Overlord''s mighty spear even pierced through severalyers of the warship with each forceful thrust.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Had the warship possessed thinner steel tes, the colossal spear might have cleaved it in half, prating from the deck¡ªjust as it had during the previous encounter with Al-Shabaab, where the second-hand warship suffered a simr fate.


    After a while, the warship, now riddled with holes, began to list noticeably, prompting its upants to hurriedly abandon ship, diving into the churning sea.


    Among them, the Captain proved the most frantic. Even then, he remained oblivious to the cause of the massive breaches guing his vessel.


    As he witnessed the warship tilt more precariously, his thoughts were consumed not by the mystery of the holes but rather by the urgent need to secure his survival.


    Having pierced the ship approximately thirty to forty times, Bawang contentedly departed the scene, relishing in the spectacle from a safe distance of 300 to 400 meters.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong observed the extraordinary events unfold, delighting in a thrilling live broadcast from a third-party vision.


    With each passing moment, his anger waned, reced by a triumphant air. Gazing upon the sinking warship, he taunted, [ " A mere fool! Now they''re a bunch of idiots. They actually dreamt of boarding our ship and seizing control. Don''t they realize that the entire Indian Ocean bows to my authority? " ] Liu Yong yelled.


    The crew aboard the "Shixiong" erupted in cheers. Witnessing the warship sumb to the depths before their eyes, they felt an inexplicable sense of relief.


    Everyone revelled in the spectacle, indifferent to the sailors'' plight, as their sole intention had been to seize control of the Global Shipping Group''s vessel.


    After observing the sinking warship for over half an hour, the "Shixiong" and "Shiyue" departed, leaving only a tiny portion of the wreckage barely visible above the water''s surface.


    One could only imagine the frustration such an experience instilled in the stranded YD sailors.


    As the two ships sailed away, their horns resounded in unison, their piercing calls echoing.


    The YD sailors, bobbing helplessly on the sea''s surface, seething with anger, their desperate hope for rescue betrayed as the ships departed, leaving them to their fate.


    Gradually, the vessels moved further apart, while over a hundred YD sailors found themselves scattered across the ocean. It was only a matter of time before some would sumb to the depths, sinking to the bottom of the abyss.


    With waters exceeding a thousand meters in depth, any souls consigned to its depths would likely leave no trace behind.


    [ " Master, what should we do next? " ] Overlord asked.


    Having thoroughly enjoyed the captivating spectacle, Liu Yong''s mood had improved considerably. He responded, [ " Take a break for now. If you''re hungry, go ahead and eat. " ]


    Meanwhile, Myron revelled in his good mood at the YD National Search and Rescue Center. Countermeasures had been implemented topel the Global Shipping Group to return the stolen cultural relics.


    One such measure involved dispatching warships to seize vessels across the globe, effectively pressuring Liu Yong into submission.


    Sitting contentedly in his office, Myron sipped his coffee while discussing the matter with Gal.


    [ " There''s no suspense anymore. Our warships have been deployed and should have boarded their vessel by now. We''ll receive good news soon, " ] Myron confidently dered.


    Gal, whose position was subordinate to Myron, offered ttery, saying, [ " Leader, you truly have a way with handling things. " ]


    Myron responded, [ " We have many methods at our disposal to deal with a mere Global Shipping Group. " ]

 Chapter 239 Betrayal Amidst Laughter

    ?


    The two of them burst into triumphantughter, their joy resonating like an infectious melody. With their coffee cups in hand, they sat back, engaged in a casual conversation that filled the room with a rxed and blissful atmosphere. Oblivious to the impending catastrophe, they remained unaware that the warship they had dispatched had met its untimely demise at the unforgiving depths of the sea.


    As time passed, a sense of urgency disrupted their pleasant interlude. The phone on the desk moured impatiently, its insistent ring slicing through the serene ambience. Myron, his smile undeterred, ced his coffee cup down and remarked confidently, [ " There must be good news awaiting us. Most likely, one of the vessels belonging to the Global Shipping Group has been sessfully detained. " ]


    Eagerly, he grabbed the phone, anticipation etched on his face. But as he absorbed the words flowing through the receiver, a shock wave crashed over him, morphing his expression from hope to disbelief. His voice reverberated through the room,ced with disbelief and anger, [ " How is this possible? We deployed an advanced missile frigate against nothing more than an ordinary tanker! " ]


    The weight of the call''s contents seemed to press upon him, forcing his once-vibrant demeanour to sag in defeat. His transformation was striking, a stark contrast to his previous countenance. Sensing something amiss, Gal''s heart sank, and he cautiously approached Myron, his wordsced with concern, [ " What''s happened? Has something gone wrong? " ]


    Myron''s face, drained of colour, managed to muster a feeble response, his voice carrying the weight of despair [ " Our warship has sunk, and out of over a hundred sailors, only twenty-seven have been rescued. " ]


    [ " What?! " ]


    Gal eximed in disbelief.


    Meanwhile, Hu Shijun eagerly burst into the room at the Global Shipping Group, brimming with excitement. He had likely received the report from the " Shixiong " captain and delightedly greeted Liu Yong, [ " Brother Yong, I bring you splendid news! " ]


    [ " Just as you predicted, the YD forces dispatched a warship to seize our oil tanker, ''Shixiong.'' However, fate had a different n. Their warship, to their astonishment, sank¡ªsank to the bottom of the sea, " ] he proimed, his joy radiating from every pore.


    Aware of the unfolding events long before, Liu Yong had watched the entire spectacle through a live broadcast. Nheless, he met Hu Shijun''s report with genuine satisfaction, hisughter mingling with the sheer delight of the situation. [ " Excellent! Their warship''s demise shall remind them they dare not trifle with our vessels. " ]


    Hu Shijun chimed in, his enthusiasm brimming, [ " Let us hope they devise another ill-fated scheme, only to see another one of their warships meet a simr fate. Oh, the amusement it would bring! " ]


    The value of a modern warship was astronomical. A missile frigate of over 3,000 tons carried a price tag ranging from 300 to 500 million US dors.


    If equipped with advanced technology, the cost far surpassed those figures. YD was reeling from an unfavourable oue this time¡ªno prisoners were taken. Yet, they had lost a valuable guided missile frigate.


    In the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, Bawang, having rested and replenished his strength, caught up with the "Shixiong" and "Shiyue," providing discreet escort for two to three hundred nautical miles. With a sense of assurance, he withdrew once they had distanced themselves adequately from the shores of YD.


    "Shining" and "Jinyao," sailing side by side, embarked on separate journeys. One set a course for the Middle East, while the other ventured towards the Gulf of Aden, eventually reaching Europe via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.


    Ever vignt, Bawang served as an unseen guardian for the two ships and explored the surrounding waters, ranging far and wide. The first day proved uneventful, but a change swept through the air on the second day.


    Bawang stumbled upon two YD warship formations, apanied by a sizable submarine lurking beneath the ocean''s surface, hurtling toward the "Shixiong" and "Shiyue" with rming speed.


    [ " Master, there''s something of interest, " ] Bawang ryed the urgent message to Liu Yong. Reacting swiftly, Liu Yong engaged his third-party vision, allowing him to peer into the unfolding drama. He beheld Bawang''s concealed presence and the two imposing warships on the surface. His vision delved deeper, revealing the substantial submarine prowling over 100 meters beneath the waves, its sheer tonnage and power source a mystery yet to be unravelled.


    [ "This is XX,"] Liu Yong murmured, acknowledging the exorbitant expenses incurred by YD once again. Two warships¡ªa 5,000-ton guided missile destroyer and a 3,000-ton guided missile frigate¡ªstood before him, with the frigate towing a sonar array. Their adversaries proved shrewd, deducing the presence of an underwater threat and employing the sonar technology to its fullest potential.


    Liu Yong issued amand. His tone was resolute [ " Overlord, exercise caution this time. Do not let them detect your presence. Maintain a safe distance and shadow them discreetly. " ]


    Liu Yong''s curiosity was piqued, and he yearned to unravel the mystery behind this grand confrontation. Evidently, their actions were primarily directed at the "Shining" and "Jinyao." Thus, Bawang silently trailed behind, patiently awaiting the unfolding of events. With time, the situation unravelled, revealing their true intentions.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The distance between the opposing forces gradually closed until the crew aboard the "Shining" and "Jinyao" caught sight of the two menacing YD warships on the horizon.


    ["Look, two warships are approaching us,"] one crew member eximed, concern etched on their face.


    ["They''re moving so swiftly. I can sense an ominous air surrounding them. I fear their intentions may not be benevolent, " ] another crew member added, their unease palpable. ["Indeed, it appears they are indeed heading directly for us."]


    The crew members aboard the two ships tensed, their gazes transfixed on the two warships steadily encroaching upon them. Unbeknownst to all, an unseen danger lurked beneath the waves¡ªthe vignt sailors within the submarine monitored every movement, confident in their ability to identify any submerged threats.


    Could they spot the Overlord?


    Overconfident in their abilities, they pondered their next move. Unbeknownst to them, Overlord remained concealed less than 100 meters away, its presence an enigma.


    ["Master, shall we engage the submarine first?"] Bawang inquired, offering Liu Yong a direct view through his third-party vision.


    Liu Yong studied the unfolding scene, his gaze unwavering. ["Wait a little longer. Let them issue their ultimatum before we act."]


    Meanwhile, the submarine, ignorant of the impending danger, pressed forward. At the same time, the two warships on the surfaceunched a nking maneuver, closing in on the two vessels belonging to the Global Shipping Group.


    The distance narrowed until the crew members aboard the "Shining" and "Jinyao" could discern the YD sailors aboard the approaching warships.


    True to form, they bellowed their familiar demand in Mandarin, albeit with halting fluency. ["Attention, Attention! Please halt your ship immediately and prepare to undergo a boarding inspection."]


    Disdain filled Liu Yong''s thoughts as he listened to their predictable request. [ "Overlord, now''s the time. Strike their submarine. " ]


    [ " Understood, " ]


    Overlord replied gleefully, positioning its colossal spear, measuring 50 meters in length and weighing 80 tons, before forcefully thrusting it into the submarine''s hull.


    -Boom!


    A resounding boom echoed from beneath the water''s surface as the giant spear sessfully pierced the submarine''s interior, reaching a depth of at least five meters.


    Upon withdrawal, it left behind a gaping hole, permitting the relentless deluge of seawater. Overlord pressed on, striking the submarine repeatedly, puncturing it with seven or eight additional gaping holes, halting only when instructed by Liu Yong.


    Each breach expedited the submarine''s descent into the watery abyss. One hole alone could cripple the vessel, while seven or eight ensured its swift demise.


    With their taskplete, it was time to move on to the next objective. Bawang, gripping the mighty spear, swiftly descended to the depths beneath the 5,000-ton guided missile destroyer. With a decisive thrust, the giant spear pierced the vessel''s hull.

 Chapter 240 Doomed! = [  Boom  ]

    ?


    [ " Boom! " ]


    A resounding st reverberated from the ship''s depths, startling the people aboard the warship. The seasoned captain, well-versed in naval affairs, immediately wore a grave expression and bellowed, "What''s happening?"


    As the captain''s words hung in the air, another tremor jolted the ship, intensifying his concern. Sensing an impending disaster, he swiftlymanded, "The sound originated from beneath the vessel. Hurry, investigate the cause!"


    Just as someone reached for the phone to summon the crew responsible for the bilge, another person rushed in, stumbling and panicking, yelling, "No, no! There''s a massive breach in the ship''s hull, and seawater is flooding in!"


    What!


    Could it be a repeat of the incident with the warship a few days ago?


    Their warship had been on the verge of seizing a vessel belonging to the Global Shipping Group when it met its demise in the unfathomable depths of the Indian Ocean.


    "Quick! Activate the active sonar and sound the rm!" the captain shouted.


    Pandemonium erupted throughout the warship, the piercing wail of sirens filling the air. Not far away, a guided missile frigate, tasked with regional air defence and, crucially, anti-submarine operations, sensed themotion.


    The warship engaged its active sonar, swiftly detecting an anomaly beneath the guided missile destroyer. However, the nature of the disturbance remained unclear.


    "Captain, should weunch a torpedo?" someone proposed.


    The captain rolled his eyes in disbelief. Launching a torpedo would only hasten the sinking of the warship. They were powerless, forced to watch helplessly as the guided-missile destroyer met its untimely fate.


    Meanwhile, aboard the "Shining" and "Jinyao," the crew members eagerly leaned over, their necks craning to glimpse the unfolding chaos.


    "What''s happening? The crew on their warship seems to be in disarray," one remarked.


    "Something must have gone wrong. Haha! I was just thinking about their attempt to seize our ship. Well, now they''re the ones in trouble. It''s hard for them to protect themselves," another gleefully remarked.


    "This is so thrilling! Where''s my phone? I must capture this moment," a crew member eximed.


    ...


    The crew on the two ships revelled in the spectacle before them. It was an entertaining sight, particrly when some YD sailors began to dive into the water.


    Bawang lurked beneath the ship, relentlessly hammering the 5,000-ton guided missile destroyer into a sieve before swiftly moving on to the 3,000-ton guided missile frigate.


    With its colossal spear, it struck, struck again, puncturing one hole after another beneath the warship. It ceased its onught after creating a staggering twenty or thirty breaches.


    Both warships were now doomed!


    The first ship, already skewing noticeably, exhibited a significant tilt. In contrast, the others followed suit, sumbing to the depths one after another.


    At the YD National Search and Rescue Center, Myron answered a call that shattered hisposure. He learned that two warships and a submarine had plunged into the abyss of the Indian Ocean, leaving him visibly pale.


    It''s all over. It''s all over, he repeated to himself, fully aware that after two consecutive failures and paying a heavy price, the military would no longer support their mission to apprehend the Global Shipping Group''s vessel.


    Without obtaining leverage against the Global Shipping Group, how could they reim the batch of priceless cultural relics?


    Should they genuinely concede to Liu Yong''s demands, offer a hefty sum of two billion U.S. dors, and grant free docking privileges at three major ports for the Global Shipping Group''s ships?


    This was an intricate predicament.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Myron found himself at a loss, his mind grappling for a solution. After contemting for an extended period, he ultimately conceded defeat and decided to report the situation to higher authorities.


    However, it was likely unnecessary for him to make the report himself. Those in higher positions were likely already engrossed in finding a solution and devising a n to retrieve the cultural relics.


    Hu Shijun''s ted expression was impossible to miss at the Global Shipping Group headquarters as he entered Liu Yong''s office. He burst out, "Brother Yong, it''s incredible! The captain of the ''Shining'' just reported that two YD warships attempted to seize our vessel, but both sank to the ocean floor!"


    Liu Yong, upon hearing the news, couldn''t contain his joy. YD had suffered a devastating blow, losing at least two billion dors, two warships, and a submarine.


    Buoyed by his upbeat mood, Liu Yong ordered, "Tell everyone that our ships can now sail fearlessly and securely in the Indian Ocean. The YD people won''t dare to cause any more trouble."


    On this matter, Liu Yong was resolute.


    After suffering two consecutive failures and enduring substantial losses, it was inconceivable for YD to contemte a third attempt. They would be utterly foolish to do so.


    "Very well. I''ll inform everyone," Hu Shijun replied.


    Delighted, the two men engaged in a lively conversation thatsted for quite some time. Finally, Liu Yong suggested, "Let''s gather everyone tonight. I''ll treat you all. It will be a festive and joyous asion."


    Hu Shijun knew precisely whom Liu Yong referred to as "everyone." It epassed the middle and high-level executives of the Global Shipping Group.


    Several days passed.


    As expected, no warships approached, requesting to board the ships for inspections. All vessels traversing the Indian Ocean remained safe, just as Liu Yong had anticipated.


    However, the Global Shipping Group received a fax from the YD National Search and Rescue Center that morning. The contents expressed a desire to hold a meeting and engage in cordial discussions.


    Liu Yong held the fax, reading it with a smirk.


    In his mind, he pondered, "So much for their tough talk and bluster. Why is their tone so polite in this fax, with such a conciliatory attitude?"


    If only they had resorted to such manners earlier.


    What a waste to lose three warships and a submarine needlessly. It was only after suffering significant losses that they finally decided to approach with a humble attitude.


    After perusing the fax, Liu Yong instructed Hu Shijun, "Reply to them and propose a meeting. Our terms are 2 billion U.S. dors and free docking rights for our ships at their three major ports."


    Considering the long journey from Huahai City to the Middle East or even further to Europe, it would be advantageous to have the option of resting or resupplying in YD''s ports.


    "Understood, Brother Yong. I''ll respond promptly," Hu Shijun acknowledged.


    However, Liu Yong halted him, stating, "When they arrive, you''ll handle the negotiations. I won''t be present."


    It was evident that Liu Yong had no intention of meeting the YD representatives. He couldn''t be bothered. He would have dismissed their request outright if not for the lure of 2 billion U.S. dors.


    Hu Shijunprehended Liu Yong''s intentions and agreed, saying, "Okay, Brother Yong. I''ll take the lead."


    Two dayster, a flight from YDnded at Huahai International Airport. Among the passengers disembarking from the ne were Myron and his team.


    Representing their country, they had arrived to negotiate with the Global Shipping Group to reim the national treasures.


    Feeling slightly irked by the absence of a weing party, Myron concealed his anger. Instead, he arranged for taxis to transport himself and his team to a hotel at their own expense.

 Chapter 241 Formal Agreement-Credited 200 Billion USD

    ?


    Roman Resort Hotel.


    This humble four-star establishment nestled in the heart of Huahai City seemed like an inconspicuous choice for Liu Yong amidst the abundance of opulent five-star hotels the city had to offer.


    Curiosity arose as to why Liu Yong had settled for a lower-tier amodation when the talks between the two parties were scheduled, not at the esteemed Global Shipping Group but within the walls of this unassuming hotel. Instead of Liu Yong himself, Hu Shijun stood as the representative of the Global Shipping Group.


    As the clock struck nine in the morning, Myron and his entourage arrived punctually at the hotel, finding their way to the conference room designated for the meeting. The time they have ticked away, minute by minute.


    Nearly an hourter, close to ten o''clock, Hu Shijun finally arrived, apanied by more than ten individuals who had regrettably fallen behind schedule.


    Though Myron simmered with frustration, he carefully concealed his anger behind a mask ofposure. When Hu Shijun and his party entered the room, Myron rose, offering a warm smile and greeting.


    With both sides seated, the discussion promptly delved into the heart of the matter¡ªresolving the ongoing dispute over retrieving the twenty-seven cultural relics. Myron and his team made their intentions clear: they sought the return of the treasured artifacts with nopromises.


    However, Hu Shijun presented a condition that unsettled Myron. In exchange for the cultural relics, the Global Shipping Group demanded a staggering two billion US dors and exclusive docking rights for their ships at YD''s three major ports. Myron''s face betrayed a hint of astonishment as he swiftly voiced his objection, deeming the condition exorbitant and the mary figure astronomical.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong revelled in his absence from the negotiations; his spirits uplifted and at ease. Hu Shijun, on the other hand, appeared nonchnt about the conversation''s oue. As far as he was concerned, the conditions had beenid out, and if the other party agreed, the money would be paid, and the goods would be delivered. If they declined, the conversation woulde to an abrupt end.


    As noon approached, Liu Yong ventured out alone in his luxurious sports car, driving to the gate of Li Changle''s school. He sent her a message, expressing his desire to share a lunch. Before long, a reply from Li Changle appeared, eagerly epting the invitation. Liu Yong smiled, stowed away his phone, and leaned casually against his imposing vehicle, awaiting Li Changle''s emergence.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but notice the attention he garnered from passersby, particrly young women who couldn''t resist stealing nces in his direction. "Could it be that I am blessed with such attractiveness that these beauties find me irresistible?" Liu Yong pondered briefly, only to realize that it wasn''t his charm but rather his youth and wealth that captivated them.


    Momentster, an enchanting woman strolled by. Her eyes lit up at the sight of Liu Yong, prompting her to strike up a conversation. "Excuse me, young man, your car is simply magnificent. May I take some photos with it?"


    Liu Yong smiled and obligingly took a step back. "Certainly, feel free to take pictures on your own."


    Delighted, the fashionable woman proceeded to capture several selfies with her phone. Then, she yfully requested, "Could you take a few photos of me as well? I''m enamored with your car."


    Liu Yong sighed inwardly, fully aware of the woman''s intentions. Taking a picture together would only be the beginning, inevitably leading to other requests, such as adding each other on social media or even requesting a ride in his car.


    Declining her request, Liu Yong gently shook his head. He knew all too well where this interaction could lead. "I''m sorry, but my girlfriend will being out soon."


    The fashionable woman''s disappointment was palpable, although she swiftly recovered, understanding that it wasmonce for someone young and prosperous to have a partner. Unfazed by the existence of a girlfriend, she remained confident in her appeal. After all, with a swift maneuver, any corner could be dug into.


    Observing Liu Yong''s refusal to indulge her, she made onest attempt, "Brother, can I add you on WeChat? I truly adore your car."


    Liu Yong''s smile grew wry as he mused the persistence of young women when money was involved. Some clung to wealthy individuals like sticky brown sugar. However, he politely declined, saying, "I''m sorry, I don''t have my phone."


    The fashionable woman pursed her lips, contemting an adorable pout. Still, before she could act upon it, Liu Yong swiftly stepped forward. In her peripheral vision, she caught sight of an exquisitely beautiful girl, towering at least 1.7 meters, outshining her in both figure and appearance. Feeling embarrassed, she quietly retreated, allowing Li Changle to take centre stage.


    Li Changle approached Liu Yong, amused by the encounter. "Brother Yong, did another girl strike up a conversation with you?"


    Liu Yong exined, "She initiated the conversation, but I didn''t pay much attention to her."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Li Changle yfully remarked, "That''s for the best. I should keep a closer eye on you, or else someone might snatch you away unintentionally."


    Liu Yong reassured her, "No, that will never happen. You have nothing to worry about."


    Li Changle grinned, casting a charming and morous nce at Liu Yong. A young man passing by caught sight of this enchanting sight and found himself momentarily mesmerized, only to identally stumble into a ditch, eliciting a mischievousugh from Li Changle.


    Concerned about further mishaps, Liu Yong hurriedly ushered her into the car, closed the door, and drove away, lest another unsuspecting soul falls victim to a ditch or collide with arge tree.


    During lunch, the two enjoyed a warm and delightful meal at a cozy restaurant for couples. In the afternoon, Liu Yong returned to hispany.


    Soon after settling into his office, Hu Shijun knocked on the door and entered.


    Liu Yong inquired, "How did the negotiations go?"


    Hu Shijun reported, "Initially, the YD representatives deemed our conditions excessive and attempted to bargain. However, I allowed no room forpromise."


    "They eventually recognized our unwavering stance, and it seems they had no choice but to reluctantly agree. We have a formal agreement here. Take a look," Hu Shijun said, presenting the document.


    Liu Yong examined it attentively with a happy face.


    "Excellent. This matter is finally settled, and the two billion US dors has been sessfully transferred to our ount. We will fulfil our end of the bargain by returning the cultural relics."


    Liu Yong had no intention of keeping the cultural relics for himself. They were merely a means to pressure the YD representatives, a tool to express his discontent. Making money was not his sole objective.


    Not long after, Qiu Yang entered the room, brimming with excitement.


    "Boss, we''ve received the full two billion US dors, an impressive sum. It''s already in our ount!"


    Upon hearing this, Liu Yong burst intoughter.


    -Haha!


    Two billion dors credited to his ount¡ªa genuinely satisfying oue!


    With the Global Shipping Group receiving substantial sums of money one after another, Liu Yong began to feel a sense of wealth and power. Qiu Yang, too, felt the change in his hands. With money at their disposal, they were a formidable team.


    Staying true to his word, Liu Yong returned the two boxes containing 27 cultural relics in the afternoon, prompting a quiet sigh of relief from Myron and his colleagues. Unlike the empty promises made by others, Liu Yong always followed through on hismitments. Once he promised to deliver, he made sure to fulfil his word.


    Transporting the artifacts, however, was their responsibility. After handing over the items, Liu Yong considered it their own business to figure out how to transport them.

 Chapter 242 A New Company Mel-Park

    ?


    In the depths of the terrific trench, where the darkness enveloped everything, Bawang swam slowly, its eyes scanning the vast expanse in search of the enormous and peculiar fish with its massive wed feet.


    Bawang had been quite fortunatetely. A few days ago, it stumbled upon a colossal creature weighing over 100 tons, which provided it with three satisfying meals. After devouring its fill, it returned to the trench, seeking another remarkable encounter.


    Within its range of perception, Bawang noticed a strange white fish, over 30 meters in length and weighing more than 100 tons. However, it didn''t pique its interest.


    After a while, the strange white fish suddenly became aware of Bawang''s presence. Startled, it swiftly swam away, disying remarkable speed.


    These strange white fish tended to flee upon sensing the Overlord''s presence, a testament to its formidable reputation.


    Currently weighing a staggering 202.6 tons, the Overlord''s size surpassed that of 99% of the white monster fish inhabiting the trench. Bawang swam leisurely, relying on its extraordinary perception to sense everything happening nearby.


    As it covered several more nautical miles and spent over half an hour in the depths, Bawang began to notice a gradual rise in the seawater''s temperature.


    After swimming a few hundred meters further, the temperature became notably higher.


    "This is quite peculiar," Bawang pondered. Seeking rity, hemunicated with Liu Yong.


    "Master, I''m currently exploring the big trench in search of those giant strange fish. The seawater has always been cold, but it''s growing warmer here."


    Liu Yong activated the third-party vision, instantly spotting the Overlord and gaining a clear view of everything within a 1000-meter radius, including the trench''s bottom.


    To their surprise, the trench''s previously unseen depths became visible.


    Bawang had surpassed 4,000 meters, making them realize that the trench''s depth exceeded 5,000 meters.


    At the bottomy an active submarine volcano, spewing forth small amounts of magma and billowing ck smoke and volcanic ash.


    "It''s a submarine volcano," Liu Yong remarked, exining the higher seawater temperature due to magma flow.


    Understanding the situation, the Overlord nodded inprehension. Liu Yong offered a reminder, "Near the submarine volcano, the water temperature is rtively warm, and you might find several giant strange fish there. Would you like to catch one?"


    These giant strange fish resided nearly 1,000 meters away from Bawang, slightly beyond the range of its keen perception.


    It dawned on Bawang that these creatures preferred the depths of the sea, kilometres below the surface and favoured a warmer environment.


    Filled with excitement upon hearing the news, Bawang eagerly replied, "Alright, I''ll head there immediately."


    Liu Yong cautioned, "Be cautious and prioritize your safety. I observed five of them in total. Thergest one surpasses your size by far, possibly the boss amongst them. It might be the reigning Overlord of the trench."


    Fearless, Bawang dered, "I have no fear. I''ll make my way there right away."


    True to his word, Bawang swam deeper, progressing until it reached approximately 4,600 meters. Beyond that point, the pressure became unbearable, marking the limits of its descent.


    The giant strange fish became acutely aware of the Overlord''s presence, causing them to grow agitated. Among them, thergest one charged towards the Overlord.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Bawang swiftly darted away without hesitation, with the others following closely behind.


    Bawang ceased ascending when it reached a depth of 3,000 meters, closely pursued only by the giant monster fish.


    The remaining creatures likely refrained from pursuing further, deeming the water temperature above too frigid or perhaps trusting their boss to handle Bawang single-handedly.


    Coming to a halt, the Overlord held a giant spear, fixating its gaze upon the approaching big fish.


    Brandishing two pairs of formidable wed feet, the giant monster fish emanated a terrifying presence. Its danger was beyond doubt, capable of crushing a car effortlessly within its grasp.


    Without dy, the Overlord activated its sprinting skills, hurtling towards the enormous monster fish like a shadow, seeking a swift victory.


    Underestimating its adversary, the giant monster fish made minimal defensive movements. On the contrary, the Overlord possessed extensive experience. Skillfully avoiding the monster''s vital areas, the tip of its giant spear targeted the softer regions.


    Piercing effortlessly, the spear struck its mark, instantly iming the giant monster fish''s life.


    Stunned, the colossal creature never anticipated such a swift demise, watching Bawang with a hint of unwillingness before finally closing its eyes.


    Exhrated, the Overlord rejoiced. Such a colossal catch would satiate his appetite for several days. With these fish avable, one need not worry about food scarcity, relishing the prospect of devouring this delicacy daily.


    Revitalized, the Overlord withdrew its giant spear, dragging the massive fish as it swam back to his temporary dwelling.


    Before the cave''s entrancey a t ground littered with the white bones of these enormous fish. Thankfully, the bones possessed greater density than seawater, preventing them from floating to the surface. Otherwise, encountering these bones would undoubtedly terrify any passing fishermen.


    In awe, they would exim, "My God, how could such gigantic fish bones exist in this world? If a single bone is this immense, just how enormous is the fish itself?"


    Meanwhile, at Melpark Co., a world-renowned luxury goodspany, several high-ranking executives convened for a meeting. On the conference table, various cosmetic products from Diya Company were prominently disyed.


    Melpark Co.peted with Diya Company in the realm of high-end cosmetics. Recently, the Diya Company released a series of sought-after and exorbitantly priced cosmetics that quickly gained poprity, causing a shortage in the high-end cosmetics market.


    This piqued the interest of Melpark Company. Through a thorough investigation, they discovered the secret behind the cosmetics'' effectiveness was adding deep-sea fish oil to Diya''s products.


    This fish oil originated from an unknown deep-sea monster fish,parable in size to a giant whale, inhabiting the dark depths below 3,000 meters.


    Mr Melpark, the over-70-year-old president and founder of Melpark Company, personally attended the meeting. He addressed the gathered executives, speaking slowly, "Ladies and gentlemen, what are your thoughts on this matter? Any suggestions?"


    One executive promptly responded, "We have determined that Diya Company procures their deep-sea fish oil from the Global Shipping Group. I propose sending a delegation to visit thepany''s senior management."


    "I believe that''s an excellent suggestion," Mr Melpark concurred.


    "However, I propose paying them a visit and clearlymunicating our purpose¡ªto establish a cooperative rtionship with the Global Shipping Group."


    The room buzzed with agreement as several executives supported the proposal.

 Chapter 243 A Pickpocket!

    ?


    The group had dissenting voices, and their objections echoed through the room. "Given that we are aware of Diya''s cosmetics incorporating deep-sea fish oil, it is feasible for us to assemble a world-ss hunting fleet and capture this enigmatic white fish," they proimed resolutely.


    This viewpoint found support from a few individuals, including an executive vice president who confidently stated, "Indeed, we possess the means to engage a world-ss hunting fleet. Even at the daunting depth of 3,000 meters, I believe there is still a glimmer of hope."


    Their reasoning stemmed primarily from the belief that the price of this fish oil must be exorbitant.


    Melparker, the esteemed founder of the Melparker Company, vehemently dismissed this perspective and swiftly decided, "Let us set aside the matter of engaging a hunting fleet for now. Our immediate priority is to initiate discussions with the Global Shipping Group regarding a potential coboration."


    Thepetitors'' cosmetics were gaining significant poprity, and further dy would only spell other detriments to Melpark''s position in the market. Thus, they needed tounchparable products swiftly.


    The decision was made with that, as the venerable Mr Melparker delivered his final verdict.


    [ Global Shipping Group ]


    In his office, Liu Yong surveyed the information on variousrge oil tankers on hisputer screen. Pondering deeply, he contemted their substantial $2 billion ount bnce and wondered whether it was prudent to order additional sizable vessels.


    They shouldmission a few behemoths, such as the world''s giant oil tanker capable of amodating millions of barrels of crude oil in a single haul.


    Liu Yong''s aspirations were far-reaching. In addition to their domestic ocean shipping business, he harboured ambitions of establishing a colossal shipping empire abroad.


    "Very well, Qidong Shipyard''s production capacity must be fully utilized, and there are still a few pending ship orders. This time, let''s choose the Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group," Liu Yong concluded.


    He nned to order several more massive ships belonging to the 200,000-ss superrge category. He also intended to procure container bulk carriers and two or three iron ore bulk carriers alongside therge oil tankers.


    Brief pause ......


    A knock on the door disrupted Liu Yong''s train of thought. Qiu Yang entered the room and reported, "Boss, Melpark has reached out to us. They wish to discuss a potential coboration."


    After reflection, Liu Yong understood the situation and smiled, saying, "That''s excellent news. Please respond to them and extend our warm wee for their representatives to visit us."


    Qiu Yang, too, was delighted. The unexpected turn of events promised a substantial influx of funds into their ounts.


    Following a brief exchange of words, Liu Yong inquired, "How is the progress with our employee housingplex?"


    Liu Yong had pledged to allocate $1 billion to construct housing for their employees. Qiu Yang had acted swiftly, ensuring the selection of suitable sites,nd acquisition, and swift construction progress.


    Eager to update his boss, Qiu Yang promptly responded, "Construction hasmenced on eight high-rise buildings for the first phase. We have named themunity Huahai International Flower City."


    He provided a concise overview of the employeemunity''s development. As Qiu Yang took his leave, Liu Yong nced at his watch and contemted, "As a boss, I''ve never visited the site before. If time permits today, I should go and take a look."


    Before long, Liu Yong departed, apanied by Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang.


    However, instead of heading directly to Huahai International Flower City, the trio made a detour to the construction site of the Universal Building, a location just a short drive away.


    After spending approximately 10 to 20 minutes observing the construction site, Liu Yong took the opportunity to engage the site manager and gather some additional information.


    The site manager, thrilled by Liu Yong''s visit, promptly offered him cigarettes and tea. Reassured by the avability of ample funds, the Construction of the Universal Building was progressing rapidly.


    The foundation, extending over 100 meters deep, had beenpleted, and the third underground floor was nearing its final stages.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Construction of the above-ground floors, starting from the 98th floor, wouldmence in approximately half a month. Once that phase began, progress would elerate significantly, with the Construction of a base taking only two to three days, allowing for thepletion of up to twenty floors per month. The heights seemed boundless.


    With a satisfied nod at the progress of the Universal Building, Liu Yong gestured, "Let''s move on. We shall proceed to Huahai International Garden."


    Kang Zhenggang was prepared to drive them there, but Liu Yong intervened, stating, "No need for the car. We shall take the bus."


    "What? Take the bus?" Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang were taken aback, temporarily unable toprehend the suggestion.


    Opting for the bus, Liu Yong intended to assess the convenience of future employeemutes between Huahai International Flower City and Universal Building once the former waspleted.


    Employees would reside in Huahai International Garden while working at Universal Building. Liu Yong sought to ascertain the ease of travel between the two locations¡ªby bus or subway.


    The entrance of the Universal Building featured a nearby subway station and a subway station not far from the Huahai International Garden entrance. Taking the subway is more convenient. But what about the bus?


    While the majority might choose the subway for travel, Liu Yong wanted to experience the bus ride, considering that a small number of individuals might have reasons to prefer this mode of transportation.


    The bus stop adjacent to Universal Building was a short five-minute walk away. Checking his watch, Liu Yong noted the exact time: 4 minutes and 20 seconds.


    The trio waited at the bus stop amidst a sizable group of people. Judging by a visual estimate, there were more than a dozen individuals, and it took approximately ten minutes for the bus to arrive.


    Liu Yong pondered that the frequency of bus trips needed to be increased. Once Universal Building waspleted, hemunicated with the buspany, urging them to increase the number of trips.


    It had been a while since Liu Yong had taken a bus, and he felt a peculiar sentiment as he boarded as if he had returned to the days of squeezing onto crowded buses during his less prosperous times.


    Recalling those bygone days when he struggled and relied on the subway or bus daily, Liu Yong silently expressed his gratitude for oveing those hardships.


    After boarding the bus, Liu Yong noticed a young beauty standing beside him, her appearance quickly scoring above 80 points. Standing adjacent to her was a young man. Initially, Liu Yong assumed they were a couple but quickly dismissed the notion.


    The young beauty maintained a slight distance from the young man, seemingly warding off any proximity between them.


    It wasn''t long before Liu Yong noticed the young man''s covert actions.


    Shielded by his own body, he deftly opened the young beauty''s bag and extracted several hundred-yuan bills with her mobile phone.


    A pickpocket!


    Oblivious to the theft, the young beauty gazed out the window, unaware that her belongings were on the verge of being stolen.


    Liu Yong could not tolerate such behaviour any longer. With a firm grip on the pickpocket''s wrist, he gravely advised, "Brother, it''s not right to steal from a girl."


    Finally realizing the situation, the young beauty shrieked, eximing, "You''re a pickpocket! You''re stealing my things!"


    Themotion attracted the attention of everyone on the bus, witnessing Liu Yong''s act of apprehending the pickpocket by the wrist.


    However, to everyone''s surprise, the pickpocket remained unfazed, even under the watchful gaze of the entire bus. He issued a stern warning, "Kid, mind your own business. Otherwise, you won''t even know when your lifees to an end."

 Chapter 244 She Doesnt Know Me ?

    ?


    Liu Yong concealed a sneer in his heart, marvelling at the audacity of pickpockets these days. However, his amusement quickly became understanding as he realized they were working together as a gang. Within moments, two young individuals approached, one brandishing a menacing dagger.


    "Boy, mind your own business," one of the young men warned, his toneced with arrogance.


    Standing nearby, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang remained unfazed. They were well aware of their boss''s capabilities and felt a hint of pity for the three delinquents.


    As expected, Liu Yong applied just a fraction of his strength, causing the pickpocket to wail like a pig as if his wrist had been crushed.


    Enraged, his aplices lunged at Liu Yong with a dagger, issuing a malicious threat, "You''re asking for death!"


    However, before the dagger could make contact, He Qiang swiftly intervened. With a machete firmly grasped in his palm, he shed down upon the young man''s wrist with a resounding thud, causing the weapon to tter.


    The wounded youth cradled his injured hand, shrieking in agony, "My hand is broken! It''s excruciatingly painful!"


    Meanwhile, Kang Zhenggang swiftly took action, delivering a swift kick that sent the other young man tumbling.


    Everything unfolded in the blink of an eye, quick and decisive.


    Inside the carriage, cheers erupted, apanied by apuse. The young girl whose belongings were stolen expressed her gratitude and introduced herself as Du Xue, saying her heartfelt thanks to Liu Yong.


    "You''re wee," Liu Yong replied modestly. "It was nothing more than a small effort."


    With the three pickpockets brought under control, the bus driver, disying incredible generosity, diverted the vehicle directly to the nearest police station. The trio cooperated with the police, providing a detailed ount of the incident, and emerged from the station shortly after, boarding a bus again at a nearby stop.


    To his surprise, Liu Yong noticed that the young girl who had been victimized also boarded the same bus.


    Upon seeing Liu Yong and hispanions, Du Xue eximed, a tinge of astonishment in her voice, "It''s you!"


    Liu Yong nodded in acknowledgment.


    Du Xue expressed her sincere gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much for your help earlier."


    "It was merely a trivial matter," Liu Yong responded modestly.


    Curiosity piqued, Du Xue inquired, "Are you all heading to Huahai International Garden too?"


    Liu Yong affirmed, "Yes, we n to take a look there."


    Du Xue shared, "What a coincidence! I''m also going there to explore. I heard it''s amunity developed by apany for employees. I''m thrilled at the thought of potentially having my own ce there in the future."


    "You''re heading to Huahai International Garden as well, which means you''re also from the Global Shipping Group. It''s quite a remarkable coincidence that we''re colleagues," Du Xue remarked, her excitement evident.


    Liu Yong nodded, introducing hispanions, "This is Kang Zhenggang, and this is He Qiang. We are all members of the Global Shipping Group."


    "Truly, we are colleagues!" Du Xue eximed joyfully, shaking hands with each of the three men. She introduced herself as a neer in the operations department, having joined thepany less than a week ago and is currently in her internship.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile inwardly, finding the situation amusing. Du Xue appeared oblivious that she was conversing with her big boss.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang also shared a chuckle, seemingly entertained by Du Xue''s unknowing interaction with their superior.


    Du Xue engaged in lively conversation, chatting happily with Liu Yong before diverting her attention to He Qiang. They hit it off quite well, and Liu Yong tactfully allowed them space to converse, knowing that He Qiang was single and without a girlfriend.


    The bus ride to Huahai International Garden took approximately half an hour, a bit lengthy but without any transfers required. Upon arrival, Liu Yong''s gaze was immediately drawn to the construction site of themunity. They ventured into the premises without causing amotion among the site''s managers.


    Unbeknownst to Liu Yong, Du Xue had been following their group, assuming that they, like her, were simply interested in exploring the site during their free time.


    "Look, there are a total of eight houses under construction simultaneously. Ourpany is certainly generous," Du Xue remarked, expressing her excitement. "I truly hope theyplete the construction soon so I can have a ce to call my own."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Observing the eight ongoing construction projects, ranging from two to six floors, Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel impressed. The progress exceeded his expectations.


    As Du Xue conversed with He Qiang, Kang Zhenggang discreetly moved aside, disying his vast knowledge, primarily staying by Liu Yong''s side.


    He Qiangmented, "Du Xue, it''s clear that having your own house means a lot to you."


    "Of course," Du Xue replied, her eyes filled with aspiration. "Huahai City is one of China''s finest metropolises. Owning a home here has always been a dream of mine."


    He Qiang added optimistically, "Yes, it won''t be long¡ªmaybe just a few more months¡ªand our dreams wille true."


    The two conversed animatedly about their shared desire for a home, seemingly limitless topics to discuss.


    Liu Yong and Kang Zhenggang exchanged knowing nces, sharing a smile. Both knew He Qiang and Du Xue appeared to have developed an affinity for each other. However, they remained oblivious that their connection extended beyond mere coworkers.


    They spent 30 to 40 minutes at Huahai International Garden before taking the subway back to thepany. Liu Yong believed that the subway would be a more time-efficient mode of transportation, particrly for employees residing in Huahai International Garden.


    The following day, Liu Yong arrived at thepany earlier than usual as a vice president from Melpark Company was scheduled to visit that morning.


    The visit, disguised as a courtesy call, aimed to negotiate the procurement of fish oil derived from the deep-sea white monster fish, particrly the fat found in its stomach.


    Kang Zhenggang dropped off Liu Yong at the office building entrance and parked the car in the underground garage.


    Stepping into the lobby on the first floor, Liu Yong made his way to the elevator. The morning rush had begun, with white-cor workers hurrying to catch the elevator.


    As the doors were about to close, a familiar voice called out, "Wait for me, wait for me!"


    Du Xue hurriedly entered the elevator, her face flushed with urgency as she realized the crowd was waiting inside.


    Suddenly, her eyesnded on Liu Yong.


    "Brother Yong, it''s you!" she eximed.


    Liu Yong nodded and greeted her with a smile. "Take it easy, you almost missed it."


    Du Xue yfully stuck out her tongue. "Thank goodness I made it in time. If I had missed this elevator, who knows howte I would have been."


    The elevator stopped on several floors, with variouspany employees stepping out. The office building housed numerous businesses.


    Finally, the elevator reached the floor where Global Shipping Group was located.


    With less than a minute until 9 o''clock, they were on the verge of beingte. Most likely, the other employees had already clocked in using the fingerprint recognition system and were already at their workstations.


    Du Xue hurriedly headed towards the sign-in area, where two fingerprint machines were located for employee check-ins.


    Observing Liu Yong''s intention to proceed directly to thepany, Du Xue kindly reminded him, "Brother Yong, you haven''t scanned your fingerprint yet."


    Liu Yong found himself momentarily stunned.


    It appeared that Du Xue genuinely didn''t recognize him. As the boss, he usually didn''t need to go through the traditional check-in process.


    Witnessing Du Xue''s anxious expression, Liu Yong smiled lightly, walked over, and pressed his fingerprint on the scanner.


    Inadvertently, Du Xue caught sight of Liu Yong''s employee number, 0001, prompting her to gaze at him bewilderedly.

 Chapter 245 Outrageous Price !

    ?


    Du Xue was overwhelmed with astonishment, unable to calm herself down. She was no naive novice; she fully understood the significance of job number 0001. Her gaze fixed on Liu Yong with a dull expression, and it took her considerable time to regain herposure. "Y-You...you''re the boss," she stuttered, her speech faltering, a testament to the immense shock she was experiencing.


    Liu Yong smiled lightly, nodding without any trace of arrogance. He entered thepany, leaving Du Xue still rooted to her spot. Her mind was in a state of chaos, a single thought reverberating repeatedly: Oh my god, the boss and I are practically bing friends, addressing each other as Brother Yong.


    Gradually, Du Xue''s spirits lifted. My name is Brother Yong, the boss. This alone is enough to boast about for a lifetime, she thought to herself.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong arrived at his office. After a brief period, Qiu Yang personally came to report, "Boss, the reception room has been prepared, and Walter Jeff and his party of seven are on their way."


    Liu Yong nodded lightly and gave his instructions. "Inform me as soon as they arrive. I want to meet them in person."


    "Okay, boss," Qiu Yang replied dutifully.


    Walter Jeff, one of the three vice presidents of Melpark, had arrived with his team at the Global Shipping Group to discuss potential cooperation.


    Before meeting them, Liu Yong felt a sense of anticipation, his intuition hinting at the possibility of significant mary gains if the negotiations went well.


    In due time, Walter Jeff and his team arrived at the entrance of the office building. They descended from their vehicles and made their way inside.


    Once they entered the hall, Walter Jeff addressed an attendant beside him, "The Global Shipping Group is still operating from a leased office building. They don''t even have a building of their own. Compared to our Melparkpany, they are significantly behind."


    The subordinate immediately chimed in, ttering his superior. "Boss, we are a world-renownedrgepany. Our revenue exceeded 70 billion U.S. dorsst year. Global Shipping was established less than a year ago, and their revenue was less than 1 billion U.S. dors."


    Walter Jeff grinned smugly, leading his entourage to the elevator. Upon reaching the Global Shipping Group, they were promptly greeted and escorted to the reception room.


    Once seated in the reception room, Walter Jeff was slightly dissatisfied when he noticed the absence of senior executives from the Global Shipping Group. As one of Melpark''s vice presidents, he was ustomed to being in a position of superiority, rarely finding himself waiting for others.


    He had expected the management at the Global Shipping Group to be prepared and eagerly awaiting his arrival as a representative of Melpark. However, it was not the case.


    A severe expression etched across his face, Walter Jeff''s discontent grew.


    In truth, Liu Yong did not adopt an arrogant attitude. He adhered to the principle of respecting guests and arrived within a few minutes. He disyed a warm demeanour, initiating handshakes with Walter Jeff and his team and exchanging polite greetings.


    Once the honoured guests had taken their seats, Liu Yong maintained his enthusiasm. "Wee, Mr Walter Jeff and your party, to ourpany," he chirped.


    Walter Jeff expressed his gratitude, but his demeanourcked the expected enthusiasm, giving his words a diplomatic tone.


    Unfamiliar with Walter Jeff''s personality, Liu Yong assumed it to be his natural disposition¡ªa seriousness that prevailed in his mannerisms and expressions. Liu Yong didn''t let it bother him and continued the conversation, engrossed in friendly discussion.


    After a while, the conversation turned to the crux of the matter. Walter Jeff said, "Mr Liu, Diya Company is one of our significantpetitors in the cosmetics industry. I''ve heard that yourpany possesses marine white monster fish oil resources. I want to discuss a potential coboration with yourpany."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong weed the proposition, saying, "Certainly, we have no issues with that. We do possess this fish oil, which is derived from the fat found in the belly of the deep-sea white monster fish."


    Walter Jeff continued, "We require this type of fat, Mr. Liu. How about selling us all the white monster fish fat you have?"


    Liu Yong nced at Walter Jeff and realized the foreigner needed to grasp the situation entirely. The resources of fat at his disposal were practically inexhaustible.


    Thus, Liu Yong offered a gentle reminder, "The deep-sea white monster fish fat in my possession is abundant, and it''s unlikely that yourpany would require such a significant amount. Moreover, this type of fates at a considerable price."


    Confidently, Walter Jeff replied, "We are a majorpany. Regardless of the quantity of fat from this white monster fish, we can consume it all. Please tell me the price."


    Liu Yong smiled and responded, "It costs $5,000 per kilogram, and I have a thousand tons of it. Are you interested?"


    "What? $5,000 per kilogram!" Walter Jeff eximed, almost leaping out of his seat. Anger welled up inside him. How could it be so outrageous? Who would agree to such an outrageous price?


    Walter Jeff had severely underestimated the situation, assuming the price to be a couple hundred dors per kilogram, at most a few hundred dors. The actual figure being thousands of dors left him dumbfounded.


    Observing Walter Jeff''s reaction, Liu Yong raised his arms helplessly, wearing a wry smile. He hadn''t randomly set the price; when he sold the fat to Diya Company, it was at the same rate, and they were pleased with the deal. They had purchased dozens of tons, amounting to over $200 million.


    Suppressing his anger, Walter Jeff adopted a severe expression and stated, "Mr Liu, Melpark Company is a major organization. We don''t entertain any ckmail. We are willing to offer you a maximum of $200 per kilogram for the thousand tons of white monster fish fat in your possession."


    Furthermore, he added a condition, "Additionally, starting from today, the fat from this white monster fish can only be sold to our Melparkpany. You are no longer allowed to sell it to any otherpany or individual."


    Taken aback, Liu Yong couldn''t believe his ears. He pondered whether he had misheard or misunderstood. This was a seller''s market, and he held the ultimate say. Who gave Walter Jeff such an inted sense of superiority? Was it because he was vice president of apany with annual revenue of $70 billion? In his eyes, their Global Shipping Group was a small enterprise.


    Having grasped the situation, Liu Yong decided pursuing cooperation under such circumstances was pointless. Money was something he needed.


    Seriousness etched on his face, Liu Yong stood up and dered, "Since we cannot reach an agreement due to such a significant price difference, I believe it''s best to forget about it."


    Walter Jeff was left momentarily stunned, followed by a surge of anger.


    As a high-level executive of argepany, he found it uneptable to be treated this way. He stormed out of the meeting room with his team, seething angrily.


    The first negotiation ended sadly, with both parties parting ways.


    Meanwhile, back at Diya Company, President Kanter received disturbing news. He learned that a vice president from Melpark, Diya''spetitor, had led a team to the Global Shipping Group. The situation did not bode well for him or Diya as a whole.


    President Kanter paced anxiously in his office with a concerned expression and furrowed brow, deep in thought.

 Chapter 246 I Dont Care , & Zero Burdened

    ?


    Carter paced back and forth, consumed by worry that gnawed at his core.


    The moment hispetitors got hold of the fish oil derived from the mysterious white fish, it would undoubtedly bring dire consequences for hispany. Questions swirled in his mind, "What course of action should we take? and How can we handle this situation? "


    His thoughts raced, desperately searching for countermeasures to prevent his opponents from obtaining the valuable fish oil. Yet, despite his anxious brainstorming, a viable solution eluded him. Helplessly, he let out a sigh, acknowledging the possibility that it might be toote, that they had received the news too btedly to intervene.


    Meanwhile, Walter Jeff likely had already finalized the cooperation details with the Global Shipping Group, perhaps even signing a formal contract¡ªthe weight of the situation pressed upon Carter, leaving him feeling powerless and overwhelmed.


    Sitting alone in his boss''s chair, a solemn expression draped across his face, Carter sighed intermittently.


    -Hush!


    -Tok! Tok!


    Time passed, and a knock on the door disrupted his heavy thoughts about thepany.


    It was Gobert who entered with a cheerful demeanour, exuding an air of excitement as if carrying momentous news.


    "Boss, I have incredible news, and it will definitely surprise you", Gobert burst out, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I''ve just learned that the negotiations between Walter Jeff and the Global Shipping Group have copsed. They failed to reach an agreement or sign any contracts."


    -Boom!


    A surge of astonishment washed over Carter, his body jolting upright from the chair. He questioned Gobert in an incredulous tone, unable to believe what he had just heard, "Is this news really true? Did they really failed to reach an agreement or failed to sign any contracts?"


    Gobert replied with unwavering certainty, "Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt."


    -Whoa!


    Relief flooded through Carter, transforming his sombre countenance into one beaming with hope and renewed determination. "This is an incredible opportunity for us. If we can secure the deep-sea fish oil, we can surpass ourpetitors and defeat them entirely."


    Carter''s ambition surged forth, cutting through the previous disappointment and solemnity like a ray of light piercing the darkness.


    "Here''s the n: you need to head to the Global Shipping Group immediately." He paused for a moment, then added with heightened urgency, " For more convenience, We''ll go together for this matter. Arrange ne tickets as soon as possible, or even charter a flight. Speed is of the essence as we really need to contract Global Shipping Group."


    "Okay, I''ll make the arrangements right away," Gobert acknowledged promptly.


    Meanwhile, at the Global Shipping Group, Liu Yong remained unperturbed, his mood undisturbed by the recent departure of Walter Jeff and his team.


    Hu Shijun cautiously voiced his thoughts, "Brother Yong, aren''t you disappointed that Walter Jeff and his team left? After all, it was a billion-yuan business opportunity."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    -HAHA!


    Liu Yong chuckled, exuding confidence in his response. "Do I look like a someone who would be burdened by loass of 800-billion-yuan worry? Remember, we hold the upper hand in the market. There''s no need to fret about selling our products. Just wait and see; they wille knocking on our door."


    Liu Yong understood the situation''s essence, even if Walter Jeff failed to grasp it. Regardless of theirpanies'' global stature, they could only acquire this particr fish oil from the Global Shipping Group.


    Witnessing Liu Yong''s unwavering conviction, Hu Shijun rxed and joined in theughter, feeling a sense of reassurance.


    Approximately ten minutester, Qiu Yang entered the room, a joyous expression adorning his face. "Boss, your prediction was spot on. Someone has arrived at our doorstep. Mr. Kanter, the president of Diya Company, who will personally lead a team to visit us. They will be here early tomorrow morning."


    The term "visit" was a polite euphemism, disguising the fact that they intended to engage in in-depth discussions regarding the cooperation on the deep-sea fish oil.


    Liu Yong waved his hand dismissively and said, "Excellent. Extend them a warm wee. Take care of the necessary arrangements and nessary receptions."


    Meanwhile, with their ne tickets in hand, Walter Jeff and his team were scheduled to depart from Huahai International Airport at 4:30 in the afternoon. Hastily packing their belongings, they aimed to check out of the hotel and reach the airport by three o''clock.


    Initially, Walter Jeff had nned to report the situation to the president of Melpark and the esteemed Mr Melpark upon his return. However, realizing he had some spare time, he decided to make a call to his superior, the president of Melpark, to provide a brief update on the morning''s events.


    The news shattered their hopes. Bell Vinson, the president of Melpark, expressed disbelief, "How did this happen? Even if the price were $5,000 per kilogram, we could still consider it."


    Walter Jeff held firm, dismissing the idea as too absurd, a price that reached astronomical heights. He reassured Bell Vinson, "Don''t worry, we are a formidable corporation with substantial demand for this deep-sea fish oil. Eventually, the Global Shipping Group wille to us."


    Belvinson could only sigh in response, epting the situation they faced.


    After ending the call, Belvinson promptly reported the developments to Mr Melpark. Soon after, the elder Mr Melpark called in anger, unleashing a harsh reprimand upon Walter Jeff, nearlybelling him an imbecile.


    Mr Melpark insisted on a quick visit to the Global Shipping Group, urging Walter Jeff to negotiate and order dozens of tons, even if the price per kilogram reached $5,000.


    Chastened, Walter Jeff had no choice but toply. He dialled the Global Shipping Group number, only to learn that Liu Yong was currently absent from the office. Thus, the matter would need to be addressed the following day.


    The following morning, Liu Yong arrived at thepany early. As he entered his office, Qiu Yang swiftly approached with a report, "Boss, Mr Kanter and his team have been waiting for at least half an hour."


    "Oh, they arrived ahead of schedule," Liu Yong remarked, mildly surprised but sensing the urgency from the other party, indicating their determination to secure control over the deep-sea fish oil supply chain.


    Amidst the unexpected turn of events, Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile meaningfully, recognizing the impending spectacle.

 Chapter 247 —Insane!

    ?


    Qiu Yang stood next to Liu Yong, their voices hushed as they engaged in a private conversation. Liu Yong turned his head, his tone soft as he addressed Qiu Yang, "Walter Jeff has returned once again, and he has arrived at ourpany."


    A smile tugged at the corners of Qiu Yang''s lips as he responded in a low voice, "He''s truly intriguing. After he found our prices expensive, he called yesterday afternoon, expressing his desire to negotiate further. However, we declined his offer. Little did we expect him to show up early this morning."


    Their discreet conversation piqued the curiosity of the onlookers from Global Shipping Group. They couldn''t help but wonder what was unfolding before them.


    After exchanging more words, Liu Yong and Qiu Yang ceased their conversation. At that moment, Kanter took the initiative to inquire, breaking the silence, "Mr Liu, what has transpired within yourpany?"


    Liu Yong lightly shook his head and replied, "Nothing out of the ordinary. Walter Jeff and his team from Melparkpany have paid us another visit. They wish to meet with me and discuss the procurement of deep-sea fish oil."


    Kanter''s face contorted with surprise. It was evident that this was thest development they wanted to witness. Melparkpany had be their most formidable rival.


    With eagerness, Kanter implored, "Mr Liu, if you refuse to meet Walter Jeff, I am willing to pay double the price and purchase an additional 50 tons of fat extracted from those extraordinary deep-sea white fish."


    "Double the price?" The words hung in the air.


    The employees of Global Shipping Company disyed visible shock, followed swiftly by a glimmer of joy in their eyes.


    Meanwhile, rather than agreeing outright, Liu Yong merely smiled and responded, "While I appreciate your willingness to pay double the price, I must inform you that if otherpanies offer us reasonable prices, we will consider their offers as well."


    "Don''t," Kanter interjected anxiously. He yearned for exclusive ess to this particr fish oil, as it would solidify their dominance in the high-end cosmetics market.


    "Mr. Liu, not only are we willing to pay double the price, but we alsomit to purchasing no less than 200 tons annually. However, we have one condition: you must refrain from selling this fish oil to any otherpany," Kanter proposed, hopeful that his offer would sway Liu Yong.


    Was 200 tons a significant quantity?


    To Liu Yong, it seemed rtively inconsequential. The Indian Ocean''s vast trench stretched for hundreds of kilometres, with a width ranging from a few kilometres to over ten. Its depth exceeded 5,000 meters.


    Within this trench dwelled tens of thousands of those peculiar white fish, ranging in size from one to twenty tons for the smaller ones and exceeding one hundred tons for therger specimens, with a few surpassing two hundred tons.


    All it would take for Bawang to secure over 200 tons of fat was to capture a dozen or so of these colossal white monsters.


    Liu Yong calmly stated, "The price is set at $10 million per ton, and we require a minimum purchase of 1,000 tons annually. Furthermore, we will determine the delivery location."


    Kanter hesitated momentarily. A thousand tons amounted to a staggering $10 billion.


    Even for theirpany, such an astronomical sum was challenging.


    After a prolonged pause, Kanter reluctantly admitted, "Mr. Liu, we must carefully consider this proposition."


    Granting them the opportunity to deliberate, Liu Yong waved his hand and said, "Very well, let us adjourn for now. The reception room is at your disposal, Mr. Kanter."


    Apanied by Liu Yong, the group from Global Shipping Group exited the room, leaving behind the members of Diya Company.


    Soon, a buzz of conversation filled the air among the Diya Company representatives.


    "Boss, the conditions are exceedingly stringent. We can''t possibly utilize 1,000 tons per year."


    "Indeed, this entails $10 billion. While our total revenue reached $50 billionst year, our profit only amounted to approximately $10 billion."


    "Undeniably, the pressure is immense."


    The weight of Kanter''s hesitation was palpable. Even those aware of theirpetitors'' visit to Global Shipping Group could recognize the seriousness of the situation.


    As they exited the reception room, Liu Yong gestured and said, "Walter Jeff is here again. Since that is the case, let us go and meet him."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    They settled in a small conference room.


    Walter Jeff''s heart raced like a dozen buckets fetching water, filled with trepidation. After waiting in the small conference room for over ten minutes, he grew increasingly flustered as no one from Global Shipping Group appeared.


    "What if they refuse to see me?" Walter Jeff thought.


    At this critical juncture, they were supposed to be discussing cooperation with Diya Company. How were they faring?


    Anxiety welled up within him as he mulled over numerous thoughts. The more he contemted the situation, the more he regretted not settling matters the previous day.


    Diya Company would be out of reach for a long time.


    His thoughts were interrupted by movement outside the meeting room.


    Startled, he hastily adjusted his tie and suit, discarding the seriousness and aloofness he had disyed the day before. The man who entered was entirely different. A smile graced his face as he approached Liu Yong and the others.


    Liu Yong was momentarily taken aback¡ªthis was the same Walter Jeff from yesterday!


    Is this his brother? Yesterday''s Walter Jeff had appeared severe and distant, almost constantly wearing a stern expression. The man standing before him now was a stark contrast.


    "Mr. Liu, I apologize for my behavior yesterday," Walter Jeff quickly offered his apology as soon as he spoke.


    Liu Yong chuckled, surprised by this unexpected apology from someone who had previously exuded coldness. "Mr. Walter Jeff, you hail from argepany. We are a small entity and cannot match the grandeur that you possess."


    As the trantion reached Walter Jeff''s ears, his face reddened, and he apologized profusely. His attitude resembled that of a repentant grandson.


    Qiu Yang and the others struggled to believe what they were witnessing. This was the same Walter Jeff from yesterday, yet the change in his demeanour was remarkable.


    Indeed, this is much more agreeable.


    Observing Walter Jeff''s repeated apologies and sincere attitude, Liu Yong waved his hand dismissively. "Considering your sincerity, I shall overlook the past. Let us consider this matter resolved."


    Relieved that Liu Yong had moved past the previous incident, Walter Jeff released the tension gripping him.


    The two parties sat in the conference room, establishing afortable atmosphere as they engaged in discussion, swiftly delving into the heart of the matter.


    Walter Jeff wasted no time getting to the point, stating, "Mr Liu, we ept the price of $5,000 per kilogram. We will order 50 tons, amounting to $250 million."


    Liu Yong''s smile widened.


    Qiu Yang and the others couldn''t help butugh along!


    Confusion clouded Walter Jeff''s mind as he tried toprehend the cause of their amusement.


    What''s happening?


    What could be amusing about this? Yesterday, the price was $5,000 per kilogram, if I recall correctly.


    Liu Yong, still smiling, responded, "It''s not about the current price. The representatives from Diya Company also visited our premises. We had a discussion earlier, and they are willing to pay double the price, which amounts to $10,000 per kilogram."


    -Good heavens!


    " The Diya Company representatives must be out of their minds. They must be a bunch of lunatics to offer such an exorbitant price. $10,000 per kilogram is ¡ªinsane! " Walter Jeff thought.

 Chapter 248 Conference Room No. 2

    ?


    The price, undeniably, was far from affordable, prompting the urgency to make a phone call.


    The charismatic leader, Liu Yong, confidently led the group out of the conference room, leaving a sense of anticipation lingering in the air. Being proactive, Walter Jeff swiftly grabbed the phone and dialled Mr Mel Parker''s number, meticulously rying the situation at hand.


    In the reception room, tension filled the air as the representatives from Diya Company engaged in intense discussions. Meanwhile, Kanter, the enigmatic figure, remained silent and contemtive, profoundly pondering the weight of the decision before him.


    Gobert, typically the silent observer, finally spoke up, offering a suggestion to the boss. "Boss, considering the circumstances, I believe we can ept Global Shipping Group''s conditions."


    Kanter responded slowly, weighing the pros and cons. "But 1,000 tons per year is excessive. We can neither consume nor utilize such a massive amount. One or two hundred tons, at most, would be sufficient."


    Gobert, having pondered the matter beforehand, presented his thoughts. "We don''t necessarily need that much for our own use. We can sell the surplus to other cosmeticpanies at a higher price, say $15,000 or even $20,000 per kilogram, and profit from the difference."


    A glimmer of hope flickered in the eyes of the Diya Company members, but Kanter shook his head gently. "1,000 tons is too vast. Even if we sell it to otherpanies, we would need to invest $10 billion upfront¡ªan astronomical sum."


    Indeed, such substantial capital would entail significant risks.


    Kanter added, "If it were 500 tons, I could agree to the terms offered by Global Shipping Group."


    He leisurely sipped his coffee in Liu Yong''s office, having already presented the conditions. At this point, he only needed to wait for the oues¡ªideally, bothpanies epting the offer. However, if they declined, he remained assured that they would eventuallye to desire the very thing he possessed.


    Much to Liu Yong''s surprise, the response arrived sooner than expected. Shortly after finishing his coffee, Qiu Yang knocked on the door and entered. "Boss, they have considered the offer and wish to further discuss it with us."


    Liu Yong waved his hand dismissively. "Inform them all to gather in Conference Room No. 2. I will personally address them."


    Having already devised a n, Liu Yong knew precisely how to approach the negotiations.


    Conference Room No. 2, more spacious than the previous one, easily amodated the assembled group of 50 to 60 people. All eyes were fixed on Liu Yong, eagerly awaiting his speech.


    Liu Yong surveyed the room, projecting his voice with confidence. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have a proposal. Since both of yourpanies seek the fish oil derived from this rare white fish, a solution can be reached. Eachpany willmit to purchasing a minimum of 500 tons per year, priced at $10,000 per kilogram."


    Kanter, upon hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief. The reduced quantity alleviated a significant portion of his burden. Being an astute businessman, he quickly honed in on a crucial point and stood up. "Mr. Liu, will yourpany exclusively sell this deep-sea fish oil to only our twopanies, ensuring it won''t be avable to other businesses?"


    Liu Yong responded with certainty. "I promise you that for the next three years, we will exclusively supply our products to both of yourpanies. As for the period beyond that, we can reassess the situation when the timees."


    Three years seemed more than reasonable.


    Kanter readily agreed. "No problem. I ept your conditions, and we can proceed to sign the contract now."


    On the other hand, Walter Jeff stood up, his plea evident. "Mr. Liu, may I have ten minutes? I need to step outside and make a phone call."


    Clearly, hecked authority in this matter and required instructions from the venerable Mr Melpark.


    Liu Yong graciously assented. "Certainly, take your time. You have ten minutes."


    Walter Jeff expressed his gratitude, excused himself to make the call, and returned within minutes. "Mr. Liu, we agree to your proposal."


    "Excellent. The matter is practically settled," Liu Yong eximed, visibly pleased.


    After all, sealing a deal worth $10 billion was an achievement of colossal proportions that his generation had never encountered before.


    Liu Yong continued, his voice resonating with enthusiasm. "Now, let''s delve into the specific details."


    With the overall framework finalized, the subsequent negotiations proceeded smoothly. Liu Yong was right; the Global Shipping Group held all the cards in this seller''s market.


    Before noon, all aspects had been negotiated, and all three parties signed a formal contract.


    The signing of the contract brought not only joy to Qiu Yang, Hu Shijun, and others but even Liu Yong himself couldn''t help but revel in the sess¡ªa whopping $10 billion!<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    At noon, Liu Yong treated his guests to a celebratory meal at a high-end restaurant, marking the triumphant culmination of their cooperation.


    In the Great Trench, the Overlord plunged once again, brandishing its colossal spear as it swam more profoundly into the abyss. It continued its journey until it reached a depth of over 3,000 meters, where it finally came to a halt.


    This depth seemed sufficient. The Overlord could already detect the presence of the elusive strange white fish within its perceptual range. However, the ones measuring over ten or even twenty meters in length were not the intended targets.


    The Overlord sought a massive fish, surpassing 30 meters in length and weighing at least a hundred tons.


    Each of these colossal fish harboured a staggering 40 to 50 tons of fat within their stomachs. To obtain 1,000 tons of fat, approximately 20 of these gargantuan fish would suffice.


    The Overlord swam slowly, meticulously scouring the area for its prey.


    It didn''t take long for a suitable target to appear within its perceptual range¡ªa strange white fish measuring 30 to 40 meters long and weighing nearly 200 tons.


    That was the one¡ªthe creature the Overlord had been seeking!


    With remarkable speed, the Overlord surged forward, and the strange white fish, recognizing its impending doom, attempted to escape with a flick of its tail.


    The Overlord''s reputation was formidable within this trench, and these strange white fish were mere ingredients in its grand survival scheme.


    The overlord, weighing over 200 tons, effortlessly outmatched and overpowered the white monster fish in terms of tonnage or speed.


    There was no escape!


    Drawing near, the Overlord lunged forward, its colossal spear piercing through the white fish''s body with lethal precision.


    Morning arrived, and Liu Yong rose from his slumber, freshened up, and surveyed the living room and dining area. His parents must have gone out for their morning exercise, as they were yet to return, leaving breakfast temporarily out of the equation.


    Grabbing his mobile phone, Liu Yong sent a message to his parents before heading out.


    The Cullinan awaited him, carrying Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang on board.


    Liu Yong gestured dismissively. "Let''s go, neither of us has had breakfast yet. We''ll find a ce to eat first."


    They departed, and Kang Zhenggang inquired as he drove, "Boss, where would you like to have breakfast?"


    Liu Yong responded, "I''ve heard of a high-end breakfast restaurant. Some people jokingly im that even the building''s rent collectors dare not have breakfast there every day. Let''s check it out."


    Qiang said, "That sounds impressive; I''d love to see it."


    Approximately 20 to 30 minutester, they arrived at the restaurant''s entrance.


    Stepping out of the vehicle, Liu Yong''s initial impression of the establishment was positive. Waving his hand, he eximed, "Let''s go inside."


    Entering the restaurant, they were struck by its upscale ambience and grandeur.


    Oddly enough, despite the high prices, the ce appeared busy, with seven or eight tables already upied. It seemed that Huahai City boasted a fair number of wealthy individuals.


    The three of them found a table and sat down. Liu Yong gestured and said, "Order whatever you like. It''s on me. Don''t hold back."


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang each picked up a menu disying the breakfast options and soon wore expressions of astonishment.


    ...

 Chapter 249 The Deal

    ?


    The expressions of astonishment adorned the faces of Liu Yong''spanions as they entered the upscale restaurant. While they had mentally prepared themselves for the exorbitant prices, they were still taken aback by the sheer magnitude of it all. The exmation-worthy cost was beyond their expectations.


    "How expensive is everything here?" Liu Yong inquired, his curiosity piqued. He studied the menu, his eyes settling on the shrimp dumplings listed for 38 yuan each. They appeared rtively small in the apanying picture, bite-sized morsels that could be consumed in a single mouthful.


    The realization struck them¡ªeverything was too expensive. They observed the other diners engaged in animated conversations,ughter resounding through the air, and marvelled at the presence of numerous affluent individuals in the bustling city of Huahai.


    Undeterred by the steep prices, Liu Yong decided to take matters into his own hands. He proceeded to ce an extensive order, selecting various delicacies from the menu. Among his selections was a pot of Puer tea priced at 198 yuan, a cage of shrimp dumplings, chicken feet for 68 yuan, and the supreme roast of abalone for 98 yuan. The quantity was substantial, enough to satiate three people.


    "These should suffice for now. We can always order more if needed," Liu Yong casually remarked, his demeanour rxed. Spending a considerable sum on breakfast held no pressure for him, especially considering the recent sessful negotiation of a 10 billion dor deal.


    As the food arrived, the table soon became adorned with an assortment of delectable dishes. Liu Yong took the lead, picking up the 198 yuan pot of Pu''er tea. He Qiang, eager to assist, offered to pour the tea for his boss.


    With a smile, Liu Yong declined the offer, stating, "I don''t actually intend to drink the tea. I ordered it to warm the dishes and sanitize them."


    Surprised gasps filled the air. The realization dawned upon them that the expensive pot of Pu''er tea, priced at 198 yuan, was merely a tool for heating the dishes and disinfecting utensils.


    "Boss, that''s amazing!"


    True to his words, Liu Yong sterilised his bowls and chopsticks using scalding tea. "You two should do the same. While it may have limited disinfection effects, it''s still better than not sterilizing them at all," he advised.


    The duo exchanged nces, their smiles betraying their astonishment. They cautiously followed suit, diligently heating their bowls and chopsticks, unable to calm their racing thoughts. They couldn''t help but marvel at the fact that they had missed out on the opportunity to savour the pricey Pu''er tea.


    Once they had finished the sterilization process, Liu Yong gestured for them to dig into the sumptuous breakfast spread before them. Picking up a shrimp dumpling with his chopsticks, he relished the vours andplimented, "Mmm, it''s delicious."


    Kang Zhenggang, opting for a barbecued pork bun, quipped, "This 128 yuan piece of barbecued pork bun... it surpasses the 3 yuan ones we have downstairs by leaps and bounds."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it''s truly exceptional. It''s well worth the price."


    As they indulged in their breakfast, the trio engaged in light-hearted conversation. He Qiang yfully remarked that dining here felt like consuming mouthfuls of wealth, whereas the breakfast they had been ustomed to felt like paltry coins.


    Liu Yong held the belief that the food here might be pricier, but the quality and ambience were undeniably superior¡ªan overall worthy experience. As they concluded their meal and prepared to leave, Liu Yong expressed his intention to revisit this establishment frequently in the future.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang exchanged covert nces, both in silent agreement. They couldn''t help but admire their boss''s nonchnt demeanour while indulging in an expensive breakfast. The thought lingered in their minds¡ªrepeated visits were already anticipated.


    After finishing their breakfast, three of them headed towards the office.


    Liu Yong found himself pondering over the ideal candidate for the uing deal with Diya Company and Melpark Company. After careful consideration, he reached a decision and picked up the phone to summon Huang Guang.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Huang Guang''s expertise made him the perfect choice for this particr transaction. Having previouslypleted a sessful deal with Diya Company, he possessed the necessary trading experience. The circumstances of this new negotiation closely mirrored those of the past, with the location set along the Middle East coast¡ªa region proximate to Bawang''s whereabouts.


    "Brother Yong, you called for me," Huang Guang greeted as he entered the office, his expression earnest.


    Liu Yong gestured for Huang Guang to take a seat and briefly exined the details of the matter. "This time, the transaction volume is substantial, with a total value of up to 10 billion U.S. dors. You may have to stay in the Middle East for ten days to two weeks."


    Huang Guang reassured his boss, "Brother Yong, rest assured, we have everything under control. We will sessfullyplete this transaction."


    Liu Yong nodded, conveying his trust. "The location for the transaction will be near the coast, but the specific spot may change daily. I will keep you informed in advance."


    With his instructions conveyed, Liu Yong watched as Huang Guang left the office, ready to assemble his team. More than ten individuals would apany him to the Middle East, representing the Global Shipping Group and overseeing thepletion of these transactions.


    Acquiring a total of 1,000 tons of fat from the white monster fish would likely necessitate multiple operations, spanning anywhere from a week to over ten days.


    Meanwhile, Bawang seized another extraordinary white fish in the deep trench, nearly 40 meters long and weighing over 200 tons. The overlord began dragging the peculiar creature towards its temporary abode.


    Within the cavern, three massive white monster fishy concealed, each surpassing 100 tons, with the most enormous weighing over 200 tons. Bawang added thetest catch to its collection, contemting the uing task¡ªextracting the fat from the fish''s bellies and delivering it to the nearby seaside.


    True to its purpose, Bawangmenced the process of gutting the fish, carefully retrieving the fat from each belly. With a total of four colossal fish, the amount of extracted fat exceeded 200 tons.


    Once the fat was safely secured, the Overlord, as per the owner''s instructions, would either grip it tightly or carry it in its mouth as it made its way towards the nearest maind beach. The remaining four fish carcasses were concealed within the cavern, ensuring no wastage as they would serve as sustenance for the Overlord.


    The following morning, Huang Guang, representing the Global Shipping Group, joined forces with Diya Company and Melpark Company representatives. The previous day, they convened and meticulously discussed the specifics and processes of the uing transaction.


    Apanied by a team of over ten individuals, Huang Guang led the way with two vehicles, followed by severalrge trucks resembling containers designed for cold chain transportation.


    Travelling for more than ten kilometres from the seaside town, they arrived at their destination¡ªan uninhabited beach, deste and devoid of any signs of life. A massive mound of strange white fish oil greeted their eyes, resembling a small hill.


    The sight left everyone astounded, and a wave of excitement surged through the group. Walter Jeff from Melpark Company couldn''t believe his eyes¡ªthe amount of fish oil amassed before them was staggering, easily exceeding one or two hundred tons.


    "Let''s get to work, everyone," Huang Guang urged, prompting the Diya Company and Melpark Company members into action. Theymenced cutting the fat, weighing and documenting it, packing it into boxes, and loading the boxes onto the trucks.


    Huang Guang and his team, representing the Global Shipping Group, supervised the proceedings without actively participating. Their responsibility was to oversee and record the transaction''s weight as they represented Party A.


    In a span of approximately two hours, they managed to load over 200 tons of white strange fish oil into the truckpartments. The division between the twopanies was rtively equitable, with Diya Company iming even 100 tons and Melpark Company acquiring 105 tons and 326 kilograms.

 Chapter 250 Airbus 320

    ?


    In a remarkable disy of efficiency, the Overlord hadpleted the task in five days, surpassing Liu Yong''s initial expectations of it taking at least a week, if not more.


    Bawang transported approximately 200 tons of fish oil daily to the ever-changing seaside location as per Liu Yong''s instructions. The coastal town where Huang Guang and hispanions resided was situated at a distance of over ten kilometres, with the transportation route spanning twenty to thirty kilometres. Once the fish oil was delivered to the seaside, Huang Guang, apanied by the Diya Company and Melpark Company teams, collected the necessary documentation as proof of receipt.


    On the other side, Overlord retreated to its temporary dwelling, indulging in its desires and enjoying a satisfying feast. There was no immediate concern about sustenance, for within a nearby cavey two or three massive, enigmatic white fish. These wondrous creatures provided enough food for the Overlord to feast upon for over a week.


    In the past few days, the Overlord had hunted down and in more than two dozen of these peculiar white fish, discarding most of them as their purpose was solely to extract the precious fat within their bellies. Thus, the entire bodies of the white fish were lost, sinking gradually into the depths of the terrific trench, unaware of the fate that befell them.


    Bawang emerged from the cave, dragging a white fish in its wake. Devouring it voraciously, it satisfied its hunger and proceeded to rest and slumber at the cavern''s entrance.


    Meanwhile, within the office''s confines, Liu Yong engaged in a telephone conversation with Huang Guang. "Brother Yong," Huang Guang''s voice emanated from the other end of the line, "the transaction has been sessfullypleted. A total of 1,000 tons of fish oil, with eachpany receiving 500 tons."


    Liu Yong expressed his gratitude,mending everyone for their hard work. He allowed them to spend a couple of days exploring the Middle East, particrly Dubai, with all expenses being reimbursed by thepany.


    Huang Guang''s delight was palpable as he responded, "Brother Yong, that''s fantastic! I''ve heard so much about the city of Dubai but haven''t had the chance to experience it firsthand."


    Sensing the excitement in Huang Guang''s voice, Liu Yong replied, "Then take the team and revel in the wonders of Dubai for a few days. Two or three days may not suffice; aim for four or five days."


    "Thank you, Brother Yong. On behalf of everyone, I express our heartfelt gratitude," Huang Guang expressed his appreciation, his voice brimming with excitement.


    Within a particr hotel in the Middle East,pleting their mission granted them the praise of their leader, Brother Yong, and the opportunity to revel in the splendours of Dubai for four to five days before returning. Huang Guang eagerly summoned his team members, totalling eleven individuals, consisting of three women and seven men, apart from himself.


    The team members swiftly gathered, and upon seeing Huang Guang''s delight, they couldn''t help but anticipate his following words. Huang Guang wasted no time and addressed them directly, "Our mission has been aplished wlessly. Now, what are your ns?"


    Upon hearing Huang Guang''s inquiry, a few astute individuals immediately sensed something more at y. One of them asked, "Manager Huang, could it be that we have nned future activities and won''t be returning to China immediately?"


    With a smile, Huang Guang replied, "Well, if you''re all so eager to return, I can book your tickets right away."


    However, the response was a collective wave of heads shaking in disagreement. "No, no," someone interjected eagerly, "We don''t wish to return so soon. It would be ideal to spend an additional two or three days enjoying our time."


    This prompted another to chime in, "Manager Huang, this opportunity to travel abroad is rare. We rarely get the chance to venture out, so even if we can only spend a single day in Dubai during ouryover, it would suffice."


    "Yes, indeed! I also yearn to explore Dubai and witness its wonders," many voiced their desires, their eyes gleaming with hope. Some secretly feared their return to China without an opportunity to pause and absorb the experiences they had encountered.


    Little did they expect that Huang Guang''s following words would astonish them all. With an infectious happiness in his voice, Huang Guang dispelled their doubts, saying, "Since everyone wishes to revel in the splendors of Dubai, I see no reason why we can''t. Let us stay in Dubai for a glorious five days!"


    A collective gasp escaped their lips, a stunned silence descending upon the room. Was it possible? Could they truly immerse themselves in the delights of Dubai for a full five days?


    Yi Huarong, one of the supervisors, was the first to regainposure and asked in disbelief, "Manager Huang, did I hear you correctly? Are we genuinely permitted to spend five whole days in Dubai?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Huang Guang replied, his tone unwavering, "Yes, my friends. Rx and enjoy the wonders of Dubai to your heart''s content. You have a maximum of five days to savor the experience."


    The room erupted into a cacophony of astonishment. Everyone collectively experienced a surge of joy and disbelief. They were granted a dreamlike opportunity to immerse themselves in the splendours of Dubai for five glorious days.


    "This is unbelievable!"


    "A dreame true! We have five whole days to enjoy!"


    Beaming with satisfaction, Huang Guang surveyed the room filled with ecstatic faces, delivering the news that would evoke an even more profound reaction. "Oh, and there''s more," he dered, capturing their attention. "Our generous boss has proimed that all expenses, including food, amodation, transportation, travel tickets, and a shopping allowance of $10,000 per person, will be fully reimbursed."


    Another wave of shock washed over them. It took a while for the magnitude of their good fortune to sink in. Subsequently, the room burst into life as jubtion reverberated within its walls. Cheers erupted, and amidst the joy, the phrase "Long live the boss" resounded passionately.


    Brimming with excitement, Qiu Yang burst into the room and eximed, "Boss, a staggering $10 billion has just been credited to our ount!"


    $10 billion! The sum was nothing short of astonishing. In a mere five days, Bawang had aplished such a feat. The Global Shipping Group possessed even more significant resources with this financial windfall.


    Liu Yong breathed a sigh of relief, responding, "Excellent. Once the funds are received, we shall proceed with ordering another fleet ofrge ships. Speaking of which, tomorrow I suggest we pay a visit to the Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group. Would you apany me?"


    Qiu Yang, taken aback, queried, "Boss, are we heading to Changxing Ind instead of Qidong Shipyard?"


    Liu Yong nodded and exined, "Indeed, Changxing Ind. We still have several ships under construction at the shipyard, and I believe they can handle an additional order without much difficulty."


    "Understood, boss," Qiu Yang affirmed, "I shall make all the necessary arrangements for an early morning visit to Changxing Ind."


    Liu Yong then issued an unexpected instruction, stating, "To streamline the process, let us charter a flight. Our group should have its own ne."


    Qiu Yang was momentarily stunned, as the idea of Global Shipping Group owning an aircraft had never crossed his mind. However, he quickly grasped the situation, realizing that with the $2 billion from YD and the recent $10 billion influx, thepany had ample funds to support such an endeavour. The prospect of having their ne was exhrating, prompting a sense of newfound wealth.


    "Alright," Qiu Yang eximed, his excitement palpable. "I will promptly contact the aircraft manufacturingpany."


    The following day, at dawn, Liu Yong arrived at Huahai International Airport with Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang by his side. Qiu Yang and a group of over ten had gathered, awaiting the boss''s arrival. They flocked over as soon as they spotted him, exchanging greetings and well wishes.


    Liu Yong gestured for them to enter the airport, stating, "Let us proceed and board the ne."


    Following Liu Yong''s instructions, the group took a chartered flight to the Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group. An Airbus 320 had been prepared and awaited their arrival on the tarmac patiently.

 Chapter 251 VIP-Level

    ?


    Charter flights, undoubtedly, offer a far greater degree of convenience.


    Not long after that, Liu Yong, Qiu Yang, and their entourage, consisting of more than a dozen individuals, embarked on the aircraft.


    "Wow, impressive! It''s so spacious," remarked one of them.


    "This is my first time experiencing a charter flight, and it''s truly remarkable," another chimed in.


    Their spirits were lifted upon boarding the ne, bolstered by the impable service provided by the captivating and hospitable flight attendants.


    Naturally, Liu Yong and Qiu Yang upied the first-ss section, seated adjacently. Turning to hispanion, Qiu Yang informed him, "Boss, the flight to Changxing City will take approximately 70 minutes. President Fan Xuewen of Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group will personally receive us at the airport."


    Upon receiving this report, Liu Yong smiled, "Seems like we carry significant weight. Mr Fan himself is going to greet us at the airport."


    Fan Xuewen''s decision to wee them personally stemmed from two principal factors. Firstly, the Global Shipping Group possessed extraordinary prowess and rapid development. Secondly, the group''s order this time was substantial, entailing the procurement of severalrge-scale vessels.


    For Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group, such a momentous order was a rare opportunity and a matter of great importance. Hence, their top-ranking officials deemed receiving Liu Yong and hispanions warmly necessary.


    Before long, the aircraft took off, soaring toward Changxing City, a major coastal metropolis in the Yan Kingdom''s northeastern region.


    Awaiting their arrival at Terminal 1 was a convoy, which had already positioned itself. Alongside the two S600 luxury sedans stood a fleet of high-endmercial vehicles.


    Fan Xuewen had gathered his senior management team, their eyes fixed on the exit as they eagerly anticipated the arrival of Liu Yong and his party.


    "Mr. Fan, we have received intel that Mr. Liu and his entourage have disembarked from the aircraft and will soon be emerging," a subordinate informed Fan Xuewen.


    Nodding in acknowledgement, Fan Xuewen adjusted his tie and suit, issuing amand, "Everyone, remain alert! Our guests will soon emerge."


    In response, all his subordinates stood at attention, brimming with energy and sporting warm smiles.


    Soon enough, Liu Yong and the group emerged from the airport, catching sight of Fan Xuewen, who took the initiative to greet them. Upon their meeting, warm handshakes were exchanged, along with polite greetings that elicited heartyughter.


    Liu Yong felt invigorated, revelling in the VIP-level treatment extended to them. Not only were they personally weed at the airport, but they were also met with warm and courteous hospitality.


    Following some pleasant exchanges, upon Fan Xuewen''s invitation, Liu Yong boarded one of the S600 sedans while the rest of the party followed suit in the remaining vehicles.


    Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group¡ª a formidable shipbuilding enterprise in China, boasting a substantial scale and unwavering strength.


    They could construct numerousrge civilian ships, including specialized vessels of considerable size.


    For instance, the 85,000-ton ultrarge oceanic salvage ship, known as the "Blue Whale," owned by the Global Shipping Group, had been meticulously designed and constructed by Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group.


    Outside the factory gates, an air of excitement permeated the atmosphere. A ceremonial drum team and a vibrant lion dance troupe stood prepared, surrounded by a sea of red firecrackers strewn across the ground.


    Such a grand spectacle quickly captured the attention of numerous employees, fueling their curiosity. Queries arose among the intrigued crowd.


    "Hey, what''s happening today? It''s such a magnificent affair. Perhaps a high-ranking official is visiting for inspection."


    "Yes, with such an extravagant reception, the guest must possess considerable stature."


    Some individuals engaged in theoretical discussions, while others were privy to insider information, having possibly heard some "unofficial news."


    "I heard the Boss of the Global Shipping Group personally came here. There might be a significant order in the works for us."


    "What? The Global Shipping Group!"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    As members of the Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group, they were aware of the Global Shipping Group. Suddenly, realization dawned upon them.


    Momentster, several individuals unfurled a massive banner, positioning it proudly above the Dachang gate. Its conspicuous lettering read:


    [ " Wee Mr Liu Yong from the Global Shipping Group and his entourage to Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group. " ]


    Gradually, the factory gate grew livelier, bustling with many people.


    Suddenly, a loud cry pierced the air, "They''re here! The convoy is approaching!"


    As the promation echoed, resounding gongs and drums erupted, apanied by a captivating Yangko dance. The convoy became visible on the horizon, and crackling firecrackers filled the atmosphere with joyous exuberance.


    Seated in the vehicle, Liu Yong turned to Fan Xuewen and eximed, "President Fan, your hospitality is truly exceptional."


    Sensing Liu Yong''s satisfaction and delight, Fan Xuewen felt a sense of relief, responding with equal enthusiasm, "Liu Yong, you are our esteemed guests, and it''s only fitting that we extend every courtesy."


    The convoy inched forward, passing through the factory gates into the premises. The pace remained deliberately unhurried to facilitate Liu Yong and the others'' visit.


    Liu Yong gazed out the car window, observing the sprawling factoryplex while Fan Xuewen, acting as their guide, enthusiastically narrated thepany''s details.


    Finally, the convoy arrived in front of the imposing office building of Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group.


    Upon Fan Xuewen''s invitation, everyone entered the office building and settled in a spacious lounge. The shipyard had left no stone unturned in their preparations, ensuring everything was primed and ready.


    The grand reception room exuded brightness and cleanliness, meticulously arranged and adorned with fresh fruits. Hot tea and coffee were readily avable, with dedicated staff attending to the guests'' needs.


    As everyone settled in, an atmosphere of rxation and camaraderie enveloped the room, punctuated by intermittent bursts of joyousughter.


    After indulging in casual conversation for at least ten minutes, Fan Xuewen, speaking on behalf of Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group, broached the topic, saying, "Our group boasts a rich history and formidable capabilities. Currently, ourrgest shipyard lies vacant. As soon as Mr. Liu ces an order, we canmence construction without dy."


    Liu Yong responded, "We are interested in building severalrge container bulk carriers within your group."


    This had been a deliberate decision on Liu Yong''s part. While the Global Shipping Group possessed numerousrge oil tankers, their fleet of container ships could have been improved.


    Apart from oil tankers, container ships ranked second in terms of profitability. For instance, shipping a standard container from Huahai City to Europe took approximately 30 days, generating a shipping fee of $1,500 per container.


    Arge bulk carrier could transport over 10,000 standard containers, yielding total freight revenues exceeding $15 million¡ªequivalent to hundreds of millions in Yan Guo currency.


    But what about shipping costs?


    Fuel consumption averaged around 150 tons daily, with heavy oil priced at approximately $500 per ton. Additional expenses such asshing fees, berthing at docks, food provisions, and employee wages totalled around $3 million.


    Excluding costs, the gross profit exceeded $12 million.


    Earning over $12 million in a single voyage¡ªwhat could be more lucrative than this? With favourable business prospects, arge bulk carrier capable of transporting 10,000 standard containers could recoup its investment in two to three years, generating substantial profits.


    Considering these factors, Liu Yong constructed several additionalrge bulk carriers.


    Fan Xuewen responded enthusiastically, "Large container bulk carriers are an excellent choice. We have no issues with their design and construction."


    ...

 Chapter 252 A Masterpiece

    ?


    As expected of the formidable Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group, their strength resonated with an undeniable vigour.


    Liu Yong''s heart brimmed with joy, affirming his decision to approach them for the construction of arge container bulk carrier. He couldn''t have been more confident that he had chosen the right ce, ensuring the sess of his ambitious endeavour.


    "Mr. Fan, your words bring me immense relief," Liu Yong confessed, unable to contain his gratification. "Truth be told, we intend to ce an order for a considerable number of containerized bulk carriers this time."


    How splendid!


    The more, the merrier!


    Fan Xuewen''s tion soared, his enthusiasm igniting like a fiery me. "Mr. Liu, fear not! Regardless of the magnitude of the order, we shall deliver each ship promptly, ensuring impable quality and guaranteed quantity."


    Fan Xuewen waved his hand as if gesturing the assurance into existence as he spoke.


    Understanding the silent cue, theirpany''s chief engineer activated the projector, casting a bright spotlight on their group''s impressive fleet of container ships.


    Most of these vessels stood as mature products, each model having birthed numerous ships. The number of standard containers amodated by each ship type ranged from thousands to tens of thousands.


    Chief Engineer Ma Jiliang meticulously emphasized the technical advantages specific to each ship type, highlighting their prowess in fuel consumption, utilization of cutting-edge technologies, and other noteworthy aspects.


    Of particr significance, Ma Jiliang revealed that they had recently concluded the design of a great behemoth¡ªa colossal container ship exceeding 400 meters in length with the capacity to transport 23,000 standard containers. This mammoth creation proudly held the title of China''srgest containerized bulk cargo vessel.


    Liu Yong listened attentively, his every fibre absorbing the technical intricacies shared.


    Upon Ma Jiliang''sprehensive presentation, Fan Xuewen inquired, "Mr. Liu, which type of container ship would you like to order?"


    With an exquisite demeanour, Liu Yong dered, "The freighter you have designed, capable of carrying 23,000 standard containers, is precisely what we seek. We shall ce an order for two of these magnificent vessels."


    Oh, the heavens above!


    The Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group personnel, stood bbergasted, their gaze fixed upon Liu Yong, a blend of astonishment and admiration filling their hearts.


    Indeed, as expected of the Global Shipping Group, cing an order for not just one but two of these colossal container ships right from the outset. It marked only the inception of grand endeavours yet toe.


    And the grandeur continued to unfold.


    Liu Yong''s voice resonated with resolute authority, "We shall order an additional three ships for bulk cargo, each capable of amodating 16,000 standard containers. Furthermore, let us acquire five ships designed for a cargo capacity of 12,000 standard containers."


    The vast conference room erupted in astonishment as if the air had been expelled in sheer disbelief. Some onlookers, their mouths agape, could seemingly swallow an egg whole.


    This, indeed, was a monumental undertaking.


    A masterpiece of monumental proportions!


    For some members of the Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group, witnessing such a colossal order was an experience unprecedented in their entire lives. A total of 10 container bulk cargo ships graced the roster, each a titanic vessel.


    Even the smallest among them, boasting a discement exceeding 100,000 tons, could house 12,000 standard containers. Global Shipping Group had requested five of these prodigious container bulk carriers.


    Fan Xuewen, still caught in a state of bewilderment, struggled to regain hisposure. It took him a while to finally speak, "Mr. Liu, is there any concern on our part?"


    "No, no!"


    Fan Xuewen hastily responded. "Please rest assured of our capabilities. We shall undoubtedly construct and deliver each ship ording to the agreed schedule."


    The atmosphere warmed, confidence and determination permeating the air.


    With the order quantities firmly established¡ª10 monumental ships, the two most prominent being China''srgest containerized bulk cargo vessels¡ªa sense of certainty settled upon the participants. These ten vessels collectively surpassed a staggering 2 million tons in discement, constituting one of the most significant milestones in the history of Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group. Concerns regarding future workloads were promptly dismissed.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Subsequently, the two parties delved into discussions of specific details. Fan Xuewen assured them, with a resolute pat on his chest, that even if they had to work overtime, these ships would be constructed one after another with a swift delivery in mind.


    At noon, a sumptuous luncheon awaited the attendees, serving as a celebration of this monumental order. News of this colossal deal quickly permeated the industry, casting awe and envy among other shipyards.


    Within the shipbuilding realm, whispers of admiration and awe spread like wildfire.


    "I hold deep admiration for them!"


    "Truly, I am astounded! The Global Shipping Group''s audacity knows no bounds, cing an order for 10 ships right off the bat¡ªand all of them colossal vessels."


    "I''ve spent my entire career in shipbuilding, and never before have I witnessed such a colossal order."


    Silence fell, punctuated by periods of contemtive reflection, as members of the Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group earnestly deliberated, their hearts filled with admiration. Of course, there was also a pervasive sense of joy. After all, their group was the ultimate beneficiary of this awe-inspiring order.


    In the afternoon, apanied by Fan Xuewen and his colleagues, Liu Yong and his entourage embarked on a tour of the Changxing Ind Shipbuilding Group''s facilities, marvelling at the craftsmanship that would bring their ambitious vision to life.


    The following morning, amidst a friendly ambience, the two parties formally inked a contract. As Liu Yong and his associates bid farewell, Fan Xuewen and his team graciously escorted them to the airport.


    News of this enormous deal spread rapidly throughout the industry, capturing the attention and envy of other shipyards.


    Ocean shipping groups marvelled at the Global Seas Group''s triumphant feat, acknowledging the dawning of a new era. It became increasingly clear that the Global Shipping Group would emerge as the dominant force in the maritime shipping industry.


    Liu Yong had already returned from Changxing City, having chartered a flight to Huahai City. Upon his return, he allowed himself a well-deserved respite, opting to forgo a visit to thepany. Instead, he spent the afternoon strolling the streets with Li Changle, embracing a carefree ambience as they leisurely shopped and indulged in a movie.


    Today, at around ten o''clock, Liu Yong arrived at thepany. No sooner had he settled into his office than Qiu Yang approached, bearing news, "Boss, representatives from Startup Shipyard will be visiting us this afternoon."


    A smile graced Liu Yong''s face as he listened.


    There was no need to ponder the purpose of their visit. Undoubtedly, they had caught wind of the momentous events that transpired yesterday and found themselves unable to remain idle.


    Liu Yong spoke, his voiceced with confidence, "You handle their reception, Qiu Yang. If they express interest in cing an order for arge vessel, consider giving them an order for two or three ships. We have the means to amodate them."


    "Understood, boss," Qiu Yang promptly replied.


    Indeed, the Global Shipping Group''s current wealth and power rendered the cement of several additional orders forrge vessels a trivial matter.


    In the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, a fishing boat sailed gracefully, its hold teeming with a bountiful catch as it made its way toward Yanguo.


    Beneath a cloudless sky, with calm waterspping against its hull, the crew aboard the vessel exuded a sense of ease, eager to reach the port at the earliest opportunity.


    "Old He, the weather will be favorable for the next few days. We should arrive in Huahai City within five days at most," one crew membermented.


    Captain He Jianshe nodded in agreement, satisfaction etched across his face. "This journey has proven fruitful indeed. Despite venturing farther out, we have returned with a bountiful catch. Once we arrive, everyone can relish a well-deserved half-month''s respite."


    With an entire boat brimming with their catch, their profits soared, leaving no reason not to savour an extended period of rxation.


    As the crew engaged in pleasant conversation, a sudden cry pierced the air, "Look, what is that?"


    In unison, the crew turned their gaze toward the source of themotion, their eyes widening in disbelief.


    Astonishment and terror painted their faces, freezing them in shock.


    Captain He Jianshe was the first to recover, bellowing urgently, "Evade it immediately, evade it!"


    Finally roused from their stupor, Lao Zhang, responsible for steering the vessel, hastily swung the helm to the left. The fishing boat executed a sharp turn, and its throttle pushed to the maximum as it sought to escape the imminent danger.

 Chapter 253 More Powerful Than My Pet ?

    ?


    The collectivemotion seized the upants of the fishing vessel, engulfing them in a wave of panic. Even under the unforgiving rays of broad daylight, the intensity of their terror would have been magnified tenfold had the incident urred in the shroud of night. The sight they had just beheld was undeniably petrifying, an image etched deep within their souls.


    This encounter outright subverted their collective understanding, leaving no room for doubt. Their fishing boat surged forward, propelled by the full might of its engines, emitting a deafening roar. As it executed a sharp turn, an arc-shaped frothy wake painted the ocean''s canvas, stretching across thousands of meters. The crew, including He Jianshe, still bore the weight of lingering dread.


    "By the heavens, I am utterly terrified!" gasped one crew member, his voice fraught with fear.


    "It is unfathomable that such gargantuan crocodiles exist in this world," eximed another, his disbelief apparent.


    Indeed, before their eyes, they had witnessed a super-sized crocodile dwarfing ordinary saltwater crocs countless times.


    "Old He, that crocodile must have been a hundred meters long," ventured one member, his voice trembling.


    Observing the boat''s relentless velocity and the distance they had put between themselves and the behemoth, He Jianshe breathed a sigh of relief. He spoke slowly, his voiceden with dread, "It may not have been a hundred meters, but it was at least eighty or ny meters. It was an utterly terrifying sight."


    "Fortunately, that gigantic crocodile appeared to be merely sunbathing on the sea''s surface, indifferent to our presence. Otherwise, we would have been in grave peril. I believe it could have cleaved our boat in two with a single bite," He Jianshe stated, his gaze still fixed upon the direction of the colossal reptile as if harbouring a persistent fear that it might give chase.


    The fishing boat surged forward at full throttle for nearly an hour before gradually tapering back to an average pace.


    "It did not give pursuit," one of the crew members muttered in a relieved tone.


    "Terrifying... unbelievable... the existence of such a massive crocodile," echoed another voice.


    "What has be of this world? How could such a monstrous reptile exist?" questioned a fisherman, the words slipping out in hushed whispers. The crew exchanged hushed murmurs, realizing that recounting their encounter to others would invite incredulity unless they had witnessed it firsthand.


    A creature measuring eighty or ny meters, perhaps even a hundred meters long¡ªwhat an inconceivable notion! Their preconceptions had indeed been ruthlessly overturned, leaving them reeling in astonishment.


    More than anything, they yearned to return to Huahai City and dock safely in port. The sea had be a treacherous domain, harbouring titanic crocodiles of unimaginable proportions.


    Meanwhile, in an office, Liu Yong reclined in his chair, resting his feet leisurely upon an expansive desk, engrossed in the news disyed on his mobile phone. After perusing international and domestic news for a while, he redirected his attention to local reports.


    Suddenly, a local news article caught his eye¡ªan expos¨¦ by local fishermen iming to have encountered an immense crocodile measuring nearly one hundred meters in length. Apanying the article was a photograph.


    The photograph, albeitcking a reference point for scale, appeared impressive. A crocodile graced the sea''s expanse, basking under the sun''s gentle caress. Liu Yong''s intrigue was piqued. Could such a colossal creature indeed exist?


    If the reported length of nearly one hundred meters held, this creature would surpass the Overlord in sheer magnitude. Even if this mammoth crocodile didn''t exceed a thousand tons, it would easily eclipse seven or eight hundred tons.


    Thement section beneath the article brimmed with disdain, criticizing the editor for engaging in sensationalism and deceiving the masses.


    "Unscrupulous editor, prioritizing profits over integrity."


    "Can we truly trust self-proimed media when they disseminate such news?"


    "I''d sooner believe in ghosts than in the words of this editor."


    Amongst the barrage ofments, Liu Yong found sce in the minority view. He surmised it had no basis for truth, and the editor would not have dared to fabricate such a story.


    The vast ocean held countless wonders¡ªunthinkable phenomena that would defy belief. Who could fathom the existence of white deep-sea monsters weighing several hundred tons or the colossal, wed appendages spanning forty to fifty meters, weighing in at two to three hundred tons? And what of the enormous, ethereal-haired jellyfish?


    Having absorbed the news, Liu Yong pondered whether a colossal crocodile of such proportions truly existed. If the Overlord were to cross paths with such a behemoth, retreat would be the only sensible choice.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The Overlord, weighing over two hundred tons, would be utterly outmatched by a crocodile of seven to eight hundred tons, let alone one weighing a thousand tons or more. Liu Yong contemted this realization; perhaps the Overlord was not the unparalleled ocean monarch.


    Regretting that he had notmunicated with the Overlord in several days, Liu Yong opened the pet panel and checked its well-being.


    -----------------------------------


    Pet name: mutant snapping turtle


    Strength: 14568


    Physique: 14021


    Agility: 13839


    Weight: 246.5 tons


    Swimming speed: 285 knots


    Skills: Tortoise Shell (Level 3), Turtle Breath (Level 3), Super Vision (Level 2), Super Perception (Level 2), Sprint (Level 1)


    -----------------------------------


    Liu Yong felt a surge of gratification as he observed the Overlord''s steady growth. It had already surpassed a weight of 250 tons, adding approximately two tons to its mass each day.


    "Overlord, you are thriving," Liu Yong smiled.


    "Master, I have no desire to leave this ce. The peculiar white fish dwelling in the deep trench is truly delectable. Look at my reserve¡ªI have secured severalrge fish," responded the Overlord.


    Observing through a third-party vision, Liu Yong noted the presence of two or three strange white fish within the cave. The area outside the cave seemed sparser, with fewer remnants of colossal fish bones scattered across the t ground.


    The Overlord exined, "All those colossal fish bones were obstructing the way, so I tossed them one by one into the deep trench. Additionally, I made an intriguing observation: theserge white fish, once killed, remain fresh and free from decay for up to half a month."


    Such a peculiar phenomenon, Liu Yong mused, implying that these strange white fish defied conventional categorization. They were indeed extraordinary creatures.


    "Overlord, today I came across a report of fishermen sighting a giant crocodile measuring nearly one hundred meters in length and weighing a thousand tons somewhere in the Pacific Ocean," Liu Yong shared, recounting the situation before issuing a cautionary instruction. "Be cautious, my friend. If you encounter a creaturerger than yourself, engage if victory is usible, but retreat if defeat looms. It is unwise to endure unnecessary harm."


    "Fear not, master. I am well aware of this principle," assured the Overlord.


    The Overlord currently found itself over a thousand nautical miles away from Huahai City, having ventured beyond the purview of the East China Sea, drawing closer to RB.


    No ships dotted the vast expanse of the ocean; the Overlord had strayed from the usual shippingnes. A colossal crocodile, nearly one hundred meters long, swam swiftly upon the water''s surface, attaining speeds of at least fifty knots.


    In the distance, a group of whales frolicked, their exhtions forming columns of mist above the water as they surfaced for air.


    Unbeknownst to the whales, a vast entity approached from afar.


    -Boom!

 Chapter 254 Captain Naoto Mizutani

    ?


    Unaware of the imminent danger lurking nearby, the pod of majestic whales revelled in their yful antics. Some soared gracefully through the air, only to plunge back into the shimmering depths. Unbeknownst to them, peril loomed on the horizon.


    Like a force of nature, the vast crocodile swiftly propelled itself through the water, gradually closing the distance. The whales, atst, sensed the encroaching threat, and a wave of agitation swept through the entire group. Panic ensued, engulfing the once-tranquil scene.


    The whales scattered, their survival instincts driving them in disparate directions. Yet, the monstrous crocodile possessed a velocity that surpassed their attempts to flee. With its enormous maw agape, baring terrifyingly massive teeth, it swiftly mped down on one of the unlucky whales, epitomizing its savage and brutal nature.


    The crocodile severed the unfortunate whale in half in a single bite, staining the surrounding sea crimson. With a mass exceeding a thousand tons, such a colossal creature devoured the immense mammal quickly, its insatiable appetite momentarily sated.


    With predatory intent, the colossal crocodile swiftly redirected its attention to another fleeing whale. In a breathtaking disy of agility, it closed the distance within a mere breath, rending the second whale asunder in a single, devastating bite. This newfound hunting ground became a grim tableau of the crocodile''s dominance as, one after another, ill-fated whales sumbed to its merciless jaws.


    On the distant horizon, a minuscule ck dot emerged, gradually expanding into the recognizable form of an RB whaling ship. Oblivious to the presence of the colossal crocodile, the crew navigated toward their intended destination with fiery determination. Despite yearly protests from international organizations, whaling remained an uninterrupted pursuit for the RB people. Their sights set on reaching the whale-infested seas, they yearned to im their quarry.


    "Ohara-kun, unleash the full might of our vessel! We draw closer to the waters teeming with whales," the ship''s Captain urged.


    "Very well, Captain. I shall amplify our horsepower, and within half an hour, we shall arrive at the bountiful sea," Ohara-kun responded dutifully, propelling the ship toward its intended destination.


    Unbeknownst to the RB crew, a colossal crocodile lurked beneath the waves, a living embodiment of dread. Their sole objective was hastening their arrival, blissfully ignorant of the looming threat. Minutes transformed into fleeting moments, and before they realized it, they had reached the designated region¡ªan area renowned for its rich whaling traditions. Those fortunate enough toe across arge group of whales would reap the benefits of their good fortune by bringing back a plentiful catch.


    "Deploy the sonar and locate the Captain",manded the Captain; the whaling ship promptlyplied by submerging the sonar equipment, seeking to track the majestic creatures'' movements. Normally, whales emitted a symphony of unique sounds, enabling seasoned individuals to discern their location, thus facilitating sessful whaling endeavours.


    However, this time, a sense of peculiar foreboding enveloped the crew as they prepared the sonar. Just as the device neared the depths, a cry of horror erupted from their midst.


    "Look! What in the world is that?" a terrified voice shattered the rtive calm, prompting numerous crew members to direct their attention toward the distant sea¡ªa sight destined to haunt their memories.


    In the not-so-distant waters, an immense crocodile engaged in a relentless hunt, pursuing a whale surpassing twenty meters in length. It nearly decapitated the majestic creature with a single, ravenous bite, tearing it apart in a fierce disy of carnage and gore. Helplessly, the whaling ship''s upants bore witness, their collective disbelief morphing into a cacophony of shocked exmations. How could a creature of such unparalleled proportions¡ªexceeding a hundred tons¡ªexist?


    Only a semnce of reason remained within the crew''s fractured consciousness.


    "Quickly, we must depart this ursed ce," a voice implored urgently, piercing through the haze of terror. Gradually, the crew regained their senses, their collective fear palpable as the ship teetered precariously in their desperate attempt to flee.


    s, the colossal crocodile, driven by an insatiable hunger, pursued the retreating vessel with terrifying swiftness. Oh, dear heavens! Come on board, paralyzed by sheer terror, could barely retain control over their bodily functions. A select few, their faculties intact, could only propel the ship forward with all the power it could muster, striving to escape inescapable.


    Their efforts proved futile as the monstrous crocodile opened its cavernous maw and ensnared the whaling ship. Under the immense force of its bite, the vessel''s stern was severed, a cascade of destruction unfolding. The ship''s rear section descended into chaos and disrepair while seawater flooded through the breach.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Despair settled upon the doomed crew, their hearts heavy with the crushing realization of their impending demise. Only Naoto Mizutani, the whaCaptainip''s Captain, clung tenaciously to the guardrail, his pallid face betraying the tremors of terror that ravaged him.


    Yet, defiance coursed through Naoto Mizutani''s veins, his gaze fixed upon the colossal crocodile. With unwavering resolve, he brandished the colossal harpoon used for whaling, pointing it menacingly at the enormous predator.


    A ferocious countenance emerged upon his face, an implicit deration echoing within his thoughts. "Perish, vile creature! Taste the might of our whaling weaponry!"


    This harpoon, designed for hunting colossal marine beings, dwarfed all conventional notions of size. Spanning more than ten meters, its razor-sharp tip boasted an array of barbs, a testament to its formidable nature. In bygone eras, this same weapon had served to vanquish whales.


    Naoto Mizutani drew the whaling gun to its maximum potential, directing it unyieldingly toward the colossal crocodile. Fierce determination etched upon his features, he hissed defiantly, "Meet your demise!"


    A thunderous roar resounded as the harpoon was unleashed, hurtling toward its intended target, its trajectory unerring. Yet, Naoto Mizutani''s widening eyes betrayed a mixture of horror and disbelief¡ªhis mind struggling to process the impossible truth before him.


    The formidable harpoon, renowned for its piercing might, met an unforeseen obstruction¡ªa barrier of colossal scales adorning the crocodile''s form. Its pointed tip merely etched a fleeting white mark upon the behemoth''s imprable hide.


    Oh, Goddess Amaterasu! The profound realization struck Naoto Mizutani with brutal force, driving him toward despair. In a violent disy of wrath, the colossal crocodile thrashed its titanic tail, nearly capsizing the ship, rendering it a mere remnant of its former self.


    With bared fangs and hunger unquenched, the considerable crocodile lunged again, tearing through the remaining structure of the beleaguered vessel. The ensuing onught flooded the ship, casting numerous crew members into the clutches of the merciless sea.


    Unapologetically, the colossal crocodile devoured those who met their watery demise, their final moments consumed in its relentless jaws. Naoto Mizutani clung tenaciously to the guardrail, teetering on the edge of salvation. Fortune, or perhaps mere chance, favoured him, preventing his plunge into the inky depths below.


    As the colossal crocodile retreated into the distance, the remnants of the whaling ship sumbed to their watery fate, disappearing beneath the waves. Trembling and wide-eyed, Naoto Mizutani clutched the guardrail with all his might. A mixture of terror and relief warred within him as he surveyed the unfolding carnage.


    Others aboard the ship were not as fortunate. Some sank to the murky depths, their fates sealed by the unforgiving sea. Others were swallowed whole and became prisoners within the belly of the giant predator.


    Watching the colossal crocodile fade into the distance, Naoto Mizutani hastily donned a life jacket and sought aid with a still-functioning satellite phone. Yet, even as he dialled for help, the sinking ship continued its descent into the watery abyss. Naoto Mizutani secured a life buoy, prepared for the worst, dove into the choppy water, and waited frantically for help.


    After an agonizing hour, a search and rescue helicopter appeared overhead. By then, the whaling ship had vanished from sight, leaving only Naoto Mizutani floating adrift upon the endless expanse of the sea.


    In Huahai City, over a casual lunch, Liu Yong and Hu Shijun engaged in lighthearted conversation, discussing various topics ranging from the construction of the Universal Building to the employee housingplex and the activities of severalrge oil tankers. As their discussion meandered, Hu Shijun mentioned a news article he hade across¡ªa whaling ship in RB reportedly sunk due to an encounter with a 100-meter-long giant crocodile, with only a single survivor.


    The news struck a chord within Liu Yong. Days prior, he had stumbled upon a simr ount¡ªa local fisherman iming to have witnessed a considerable crocodile spanning 100 meters in length.

 Chapter 255 An Artificial !

    ?


    Hu Shijun observed the subtle shift in Liu Yong''s countenance, prompting him to voice his concern, "Brother Yong, what troubles you?"


    Liu Yong responded, his tone tinged with sincerity, "To be frank, I came across a news article two days ago."


    He proceeded to provide a brief ount of the news report, his wordsden with a sense of gravity, "Both news pieces featured reports of a colossal crocodile measuring a staggering 100 meters in length. It is conceivable that these urrences may be attributed to the same gargantuan reptile. Astonishing as it may seem, there is a usible veracity to these ounts."


    What!


    Hu Shijun''s astonishment was palpable as he struggled to regain hisposure, "Brother Yong, is it genuinely usible for such an immense crocodile to exist in our world?"


    Liu Yong responded confidently, "I believe the possibility is not to be dismissed."


    My goodness!


    Could it be that such an immense crocodile indeed roams the earth?


    Once again, Hu Shijun found himself taken aback, his worry seeping into his voice, "Considering our ships regrly traverse the Pacific Ocean, what measures should we take if we were to encounter such a colossal creature?"


    Liu Yong attempted to assuage his concerns, stating, "Given the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the likelihood of such an encounter remains rtively low. Even if we were to cross paths, our vessels are substantial, weighing no less than 100,000 tons. Hence, the potential danger may not be as grave as one might imagine."


    Upon hearing this, Hu Shijun felt relief wash over him.


    Undoubtedly, such a colossal crocodile poses an immense threat to any ship. Despite the enormity of a 10,000-ton vessel, its hullcks the thickness of a warship. It is not far-fetched to envision this monstrous creature piercing through the hull, causing the ship to be breached, thus plunging into the depths of the sea¡ªan unfavourable oue indeed.


    May the heavens protect us so our vessel never crosses paths with that colossal crocodile. This silent prayer echoed within Hu Shijun''s heart.


    In the boundless expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the colossal crocodile swam purposefully, propelling itself in a particr direction.


    These waters delved deep into the Pacific Ocean, thousands of nautical miles away from the maind of Yanguo or RB Ind.


    The immense reptile''s speed belied its enormity, effortlessly outpacing the average vessel with a velocity of at least fifty to sixty knots. After a few hours had psed, an ind materialized on the horizon.


    The ind boasted a substantial size, its expanse spanning several square kilometres upon initial estimation. However, what caught the eye was the presence of artificial structures dotting itsndscape.


    To be precise, it was an architecturalplex of artificial originprising numerous edifices. Standing at an impressive six or seven stories, the tallest building had a resplendent ss fa?ade.


    Impression walls adorned with barbed wire encircled the entireplex, asionally punctuated by surveince cameras.


    At the entrance stood four burly men, armed and ready¡ªperhaps mercenaries or elite security personnel.


    The gate and every structure within prominently featured the emblem of Fast Company, a symbol that drew one''s attention.


    Fast Company, renowned for its vast financial resources and formidable capabilities, housed many distinguished scientists, particrly those excelling globally in gic technology and life sciences.


    This secret base belonged to Fast Company, and its security measures were meticulously implemented.


    Several men peered through binocrs at the summit of the tallest building, fixated on the distant sea. One of the Caucasian men eximed, "I''ve spotted number 1."


    "I have as well! It''s magnificent, adhering faithfully to our instructions."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "I assure you, this will mark the pinnacle of pioneering achievements in the annals of human history, a remarkable breakthrough in gic engineering and life sciences."


    Radiating jubtion, these individuals brandished telescopes to gaze upon the colossal crocodile traversing the distant waves.


    Gradually, the speed of the enormous reptile decelerated. As it approached the small ind from a mere four to five hundred meters away, it transitioned from swimming atop the water''s surface to diving beneath it.


    A hundred meters downstream, an immense aperture loomed before it, beckoning the creature to venture forth into its depths.


    This prodigious chasm, undoubtedly crafted by human hands, bore conspicuous traces of artificial excavation upon its walls.


    The arduous process of excavating such an extensive underwater passageway undoubtedly incurred considerable costs, a testament to the substantial investment made by Fast Company.


    After navigating the watery tunnel for approximately three to five hundred meters, the lengthy passage gradually inclined, leading to a sudden revtion a few hundred meterster.


    Emerging from the cavern''s depths, the colossal crocodile protruded its head above the water''s surface before gracefully propelling itself out of the orifice. A vast cavity greeted its arrival¡ªan immense grotto spanning an area of no less than three to four standard football fields and soaring over a hundred meters in height.


    Initially a natural cavity of staggering proportions, the diligent efforts of Fast Company had transformed it into its present grandeur.


    Illuminated with great lighting fixtures, the cave dispelled any hint of darkness. The instation of numerous light sources rendered the surroundings as bright as day. In addition, many facilities and edifices upied the space, while two elevators connected the underground chamber to the ind''s surface.


    They emerged from one of the elevators, and a grand p of individuals entered. Among them were armed guards, alongside the men observed atop the building. Furthermore, a few individuals donning whiteb coats¡ªthe scientists of Fast Company¡ªjoined the procession.


    Once the colossal crocodile had settled within this expansive cavern, one of the scientists sat before aptop, swiftly inputting a lengthy sequence ofmands. In response, the creature sumbed to a deep slumber.


    Subsequently, personnel arrived to conduct measurements, meticulously examining the creature''s overall length, tail length, and head dimensions. Alongside the various physical assessments, a series ofprehensive inspections were conducted on the colossal crocodile.


    Following the measurements, satisfaction permeated the group, particrly Ram Scott, the leading figure. Addressing the gathering with deep satisfaction, he proimed, "Gentlemen, this is a marvel of life sciences¡ªour number 1 has undergone remarkable growth."


    A scientist d in a whiteb coat interjected, "Mr. Ram Scott, we have shattered its gic constraints. Theoretically, its growth potential knows no bounds¡ªit could reach lengths of 200 or even 300 meters."


    Ram Scott responded, "Excellent! This is truly a perfection in every sense. The onlymentable aspect is its somewhat sluggish growth rate. Despite five years passing, it has only attained a length of 100 meters."


    The scientist beside him offered assurance, "We are currently developing a gene-altering drug tailored specifically for Number 1. Upon sessfulpletion, we anticipate a significant eleration in its growth rate."


    "Marvelous! I implore you to expedite the development of this gene-altering drug. Should research funds prove insufficient, I shall personally appeal to the boss on your behalf."


    The group exuded an air of contentment.


    Fast Company had dedicated substantial resources, both in terms ofbour and material, over several years, culminating in the creation of a colossal oceanic beast under their control. Their ambition¡ªto establish unrivalled dominion over the oceans¡ªhinged upon the fruits of gic engineering and life sciences.


    Suddenly, a voice rang out, beckoning the group''s attention, "Everyone,e take a look! It appears that Number 1 has been attacked."


    In an instant, the gathering encircled the creature. True to the im, a mark of aggression blemished the colossal crocodile''s back¡ªan assault that had barely scratched the surface, leaving a white imprintrger than a palm.


    Prolonged scrutiny ensued until Ram Scott erupted in gleefulughter, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a fortuitous urrence! Our Number 1 has endured an attack, leaving naught but a white mark. This demonstrates the formidable strength of its defense."


    Indeed, the significance of this attack and its reasons failed to prate their thoughts. Oblivious to the creature''s violent assault on a whaling vessel, resulting in the deaths of over twenty crew members, their attention remained fixated on the crocodile''s unyielding resilience.

 Chapter 256 Could It Be Submarine ?

    ?


    Amidst these individuals, the value of approximately twenty human lives seemed trivial and insignificant. Their primary concerny in an ambitious venture¡ªan enigmatic undertaking revolving around creating an extraordinary entity, an immense crocodilian behemoth.


    They embarked on a flurry of activities without dy, engaging in a meticulous array of tasks. These endeavours epassed the relentless scrutiny and refinement of the biological chip nestled within the colossal reptile''s cranium.


    Nearby, a second enormous crocodiley supine, its colossal form only marginally smaller than its predecessor, measuring an imposing seventy to eighty meters in length and weighing no less than five to six hundred tons.


    Ram Scott, the authoritative figure among them, waved his hand,manding attention. "Our esteemed Number One exhibits remarkable progress, and I believe our Number Two ought to be given an opportunity for some exercise as well," he dered.


    A voice of caution interjected from a nearbypanion, "Sir, considering the tonnage and dimensions of Number Two areparatively smaller, would it not require an additional year or perhaps half a year before it can be deemed ready?"


    "Yes, indeed. There is a concern for potential peril, but even if we were to release it, we would endeavor to confine its range to a few hundred nautical miles," responded Ram Scott, brimming with unwavering confidence. "Given its colossal stature, danger should be but an afterthought. Once liberated, the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean shall be its veritable domain."


    As the person in charge, his authoritative words left little room for dissent.


    Soon after, a group of scientific researchers busied themselves, meticulously scrutinizing every aspect of Number Two. Thisprehensive examination entailed the exact measurement of pertinent dimensions, ensuring that every piece of data was urately recorded.


    Once these tasks concluded, the chief scientist overseeing Number Two assumed a position before aputer, while others instinctively stepped back, maintaining a safe distance.


    As he busied himself before theputer, the chief scientist activated the awakening protocol. Gradually, the massive crocodile, spanning over seventy meters, stirred from its slumber.


    Initially, it merely opened its eyes, immobile and adjusting to the abrupt interruption following its prolonged period of dormancy.


    After approximately two to three minutes, the crocodile limated to its surroundings. Obediently adhering to the instructions transmitted via the biochip embedded within its brain, it executed a deliberate turn and proceeded to swim through the expansive passage that led to the outside world.


    The passage descended gradually, presenting a subtle incline before straightening out after several hundred meters. The mammoth reptile dutifully followed this path, entering the boundless expanse of the sea.


    Upon entering the vast oceanic realm, the creature propelled itself forward swiftly. Opting to remain primarily near the water''s surface, it ventured sparingly into the abysmal depths below.


    Ram Scott settled into his office, preparing a cup of coffee before directing his gaze toward a colossal screen adorning the walls. Projected onto this expansive disy was a cartographic representation of the world, upon which a luminous marker designated the current whereabouts of the colossal Number Two crocodile.


    Amidst the vast seascape, an enormous iron ore bulk carrier traversed the waters, steadily progressing toward the maind of Yanguo along the designated international maritime route.


    Blessed with impable weather, the sky donned an azure hue devoid of cloud formations while the sea maintained a sereneposure. To while away the hours, several crew members endeavoured in the age-old pursuit of fishing upon the vessel.


    Their endeavours focused on capturing tuna, utilizing specialized fishing rods designed explicitly for this purpose. Casting their lines far into the distance, they skillfully exploited the boat''s velocity to simte the movement of swiftly swimming prey. It was an artful deception intended to entice the tuna to strike.


    Fortuitously, one of the crew members sessfully hauled in a sizable tuna weighing several tens of pounds.


    Taking advantage of the elevated position from the deck to the sea''s surface, they exerted strength to retrieve this bountiful catch.


    "Mirthful tidings! An additional feast awaits us tonight," one crew member eximed with delight.


    "This tuna is truly exceptional. I fancy a dish of sashimi, resplendent in its raw splendor," another crew member said. "However, I believe braising it in soy sauce would be equally delectable. Let us not squander the fish bones, for they shall grant us a sumptuous soup."


    "Fret not, for there shall be sashimi aplenty,plemented by the sulence of braised fish. Trust in my ability to capture one or two more," assured a particrly confident crew member.


    Before long, another tuna sumbed to their deception, causing the fishing rod in the hands of a crew member to bow under its weight.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Heave ho, it is a weighty catch. I implore your assistance," the crew member beseeched, prompting several others to rally to the cause. With thebined might of two or three stalwart individuals, the fishing rod was held steadfast. A voice eximed in exhration, "This specimen weighs no less than a hundred pounds!"


    "Nay, I dare surmise it exceeds two hundred pounds, a true leviathan among tunas," countered another with mounting excitement.


    Mirth and joy permeated the atmosphere as, through concerted effort, the crew members gradually glimpsed the nearing prize.


    "Behold, its magnificence! This tuna must surely tip the scales at two or three hundred pounds!"


    "Ha! Sashimi and braised fish in abundance, sufficient to sustain us through the morrow and the day after. With every meal, we shall relish the gift of tuna."


    Yet, as their joy reached its zenith and they contemted the means to trap this giant tuna, an astounding spectacle unfolded before their very eyes.


    Beneath the shimmering depths, a colossal ck shadow emerged, casting an ominous pall over the scene.


    "By the heavens, it cannot be a mere whale," someone eximed in shock.


    "Indeed, it is no ordinary whale. Where could such a colossal behemoth be found? Observe the sheer magnitude of this shadow; its length must exceed sixty to seventy meters," another individual asserted gravely.


    True enough, the whales'' dimensions failed to match this entity''s enormity. Even from the vantage point of their vessel, a tangible sense of unease coursed through their veins as they beheld the sudden manifestation of this mysterious obsidian silhouette.


    One individual stood transfixed, uttering doubtlessly, "Could it be a submarine ndestinely deployed by a foreign power?"


    Yet, before the echoes of this question could dissipate, the colossal ck shadow surged forth from the water''s depths, effortlessly snatching the meticulously crafted spear, along with the two- to three-hundred-pound tuna, in a single gulp.


    At that moment, their eyes unveiled the terrifying reality¡ªan immense crocodile had unveiled itself before their very eyes.


    The beast''s maw, agape and brimming with razor-sharp teeth, left an indelible imprint upon the minds of all who bore witness. Even from their considerable distance, an aura of trepidation enveloped each soul.


    Apprehension permeated the air.


    Horror thrived.


    This monstrous crocodile had stolen The painstakingly caught tuna, followed by a series of menacing strikes against the vessel, emanating a resounding "bang, bang, bang."


    Amidst the assault, anxiety coursed through the crew as they wondered whether the ship''s hull would be rent asunder. Fortunately, after several attempts, the behemoth retreated with a quiet resolution, leaving behind naught but a slightly dented and deformed section of the hull, which posed no threat to the ship''s seaworthiness.


    As the colossal crocodile gradually receded into the distance, a sigh of relief swept over the crew aboard the vessel. The terror experienced moments before still clung to their souls, leaving many with a lingering dread.


    Meanwhile, within the confines of his own home, Liu Yong lounged on the living room sofa, engrossed in the television''s captivating allure.


    This was their new vi, a residence they asionally frequented. Tonight''s dinner had been procured from a high-end restaurant, its excellent contents now being unveiled and arranged by Li Changle upon the dining table.


    At this very moment, Liu Yong''s cell phone stirred to life, its dulcet tones announcing an iing call from Hu Shijun.


    ...

 Chapter 257 I Want To Give A Shot !

    ?


    Li Changle''s resonant voice echoed through the air, reverberating towards the expanses of the living room. "Liu Yong, the culinary delights have been prepared with utmost finesse. Come, indulge in the feast that awaits."


    In a resolute tone, Liu Yong responded, his voice resounding with determination. "Allow me to address the iing call first, and then I shall join you without dy."


    As the telephone conversation transpired, a familiar voice belonging to Hu Shijun emanated from within. "Brother Yong, a mere two hours ago, our gant vessel, ''Shinan,'' encountered an unprecedented incident. After much contemtion, I found it necessary to bring this matter to your esteemed attention."


    Traditionally, matters of insignificance didn''t warrant immediate notification, with Hu Shijun and Qiu Yang being aptly equipped to handle such affairs on their own ord.


    Curiosity piqued within Liu Yong as he inquired, "Ah, yes. If memory serves me correctly, our vessel ''Shinan'' departed from the shores of Australia a few days ago, brimming with a robust cargo of iron ore. Its intended destination¡ªHuahai Cityy along the international trade routes. Pray, enlighten me as to the nature of this unforeseen urrence."


    Whilst his words resided on his tongue, an air of profound concern enveloped Liu Yong, a substantial weight that settled deep within him.


    Hu Shijun articted, his voiceced with urgency, "Our illustrious vessel ''Shinan'' encountered a gargantuan crocodilian behemoth, a creature of unparalleled enormity. The crew''s report suggests that this prodigious crocodile measured a staggering seventy meters in length, potentially weighing a mammoth five to six hundred tons."


    Having swiftly ryed the incident, Hu Shijun''s ount provoked a sense of awe within Liu Yong, leaving him in absolute astonishment.


    A colossal crocodile, surpassing seventy meters in length!


    An assault directed at our formidable iron oreden vessel, the "Shinan." Miraculously, this mighty ship, constructed under the watchful eyes of Qidong Shipyard, withstood the hard blow with minimal damage, merely acquiring a slight indentation in the affected region¡ªinsignificant enough not to impede its safe navigation, at least for the immediate future.


    Liu Yong pondered inquisitively. On two previous asions, he encountered news reports describing a crocodile of colossal proportions, measuring nearly one hundred meters in length. Yet, the "Shinan" crew witnessed a creature approximately seventy meters in size.


    Seventy meters inparison to nearly one hundred meters¡ªa noticeable disparity. Could it be that two such giant crocodiles inhabited these waters, one smaller in stature than the other?


    The mere notion of possessing such colossal reptilian creatures had the potential to jolt the very foundations of society. One could only fathom that Liu Yong alone would harbour such audacious spections.


    Upon being informed of an excellent crocodile inhabiting the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Ordinary folk would undoubtedly meet such revtions with disdain. It would be futile to persuade them, for they would simply dismiss such ims as mere fantasy, deeming the bearer of such tales a fool.


    On the other hand, Liu Yong conjectured that if the crew of the "Shinan" indeed ryed the truth, the existence of two colossal crocodiles¡ªone sizable, the other slightly diminutive¡ªseemed a usible conclusion.


    "Brother Yong, Brother Yong!"


    Hu Shijun, perceiving the prolonged silence on the other end of the line, called out twice, attempting to recapture Liu Yong''s attention.


    Liu Yong finally spoke, his wordsden with sagacity. "Ah, yes, I understand. Let us retain this urrence as a closely guarded secret, withholding it from idle gossip and idle ears."


    "Very well, Brother Yong. Iprehend the significance of this discretion," replied Hu Shijun, fully aware of the implications. After all, the revtion of a colossal crocodile capable of subverting society''s understanding demanded a reasonable approach, withholding the dissemination of information far and wide.


    With the conclusion of the phone call, Liu Yong settledfortably within the dining room confines. Li Changle meticulously orchestrated the surroundings, ensuring every facet of the dining experience reflected an air of refinement. Two sses brimmed with crimson nectar, their contents embodying a friendly ambience and uplifting spirits.


    Concerning culinary excellence, Liu Yong remarked, "This establishment boasts delectable delicacies. Come, let us savor their culinary prowess."


    The twopanions raised their sses in unison, letting them rattle against each other gently, and indulged in a modest sip of the crimson elixir.


    As they imbibed the wine and relished, the sulent fare,ughter and conversation filled the air. Once the meal concluded, the pair cleared the remnants, basking in a joyous camaraderie.


    Liu Yong, ever practical, offered a suggestion. It may be time for us to employ a few household staff, alleviating our burden of dishwashing and domestic chores.


    In her wisdom, Li Changle mused, "While it may be true that it is only the two of us, devoid of external disruptions, our hidden realm forges an intimate bond. Engaging in manualbor fosters a unique connection."


    After tidying up their surroundings, the duo settled upon the plush sofa in the living room, indulging in a brief interlude of television entertainment before embarking on a shared ablution.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Under the nocturnal cloak, as darkness enveloped the world, Li Changle nestled into a peaceful slumber within the embrace of Liu Yong. Meanwhile, Liu Yong reclined upon the bed, engaging in an etherealmunion with the Overlord reigning supreme in the Indian Ocean.


    Two colossal crocodiles had materialized within the Pacific Ocean, one colossal and the other marginally smaller. Therger of the two had posed a dangerous threat to the "Shinan."


    Were other vessels destined to endure simr encounters in the days toe?


    The likelihood stood firm.


    Indeed, the 100-meter behemoth crocodile possibly weighed close to a thousand tons. The aftermath would undoubtedly be dire if its temper were to turn hostile, targeting one of its ships.


    Realistically, beseeching the Overlord to engage inbat with such an enormous crocodilian creature appeared futile. The disparity between the two entities transcended mere levels¡ªthey were on entirely different nes of existence.


    However, theparatively more minor behemoth, measuring over seventy meters long and weighing an estimated 500 to 600 tons, piqued Liu Yong''s interest.


    essing the pet panel, Liu Yong gazed upon Bawang, whom he had unintentionally neglected for several days. As his eyes scanned Bawang''s status, particrly its weight, he noticed a remarkable surge.


    Mere days ago, Bawang''s weight hovered around 260 tons. Yet, in a remarkably brief period, it had ascended to an impressive 286 tons¡ªa staggering increase of nearly 30 tons.


    Liu Yong mused aloud, "Overlord, within a span of a few days, your weight has skyrocketed by twenty or thirty tons. Did you, by chance, feast upon that colossal fish with two prodigious ws once again?"


    Proudly, Bawang responded, "Indeed, Master, fortune favored me. I stumbled upon such a creature within the abyssal trench and savored its sulence for several days, resulting in my weight surge of 20 to 30 tons."


    Liu Yong offered words of praise, acknowledging Bawang''s achievement. "Impressive, indeed. It seems usible that you will reach the 300-ton milestone shortly."


    Liu Yong and Bawang engaged in a brief exchange, primarily consisting of Liu Yong inquiring about Bawang''s recent exploits. Subsequently, Liu Yong imparted his request, urging the Overlord to temporarily vacate the Indian Ocean and journey into the vast expanse of the Pacific.


    Liu Yong ryed a condensed version of events, revealing the existence of two colossal crocodiles¡ªa huge one weighing a thousand tons and a slightly smaller specimen measuring seventy meters long, estimated to weigh 500 to 600 tons.


    Upon digesting the information, Bawang responded with unwavering confidence. "Master, it has been quite some time since I faced a genuine adversary. Allow me to encounter them."


    Well aware of the overwhelming power discrepancy, Liu Yong cautioned hispanion. "Should you encounter therger one, flee and conceal yourself at a safe distance. I suspect you would be no match. If youe across the smaller crocodile, exercise utmost caution. Its tonnage exceeds yours significantly."


    With Bawang weighing 286 tons, even the smaller crocodile would outweigh it by two-fold or more.


    The Overlord vowed, "Master, be at ease. I shall prioritize my safety above all else."


    Having imparted his guidance, Liu Yong bid farewell to his trustedpanion and deactivated the pet panel, surrendering himself to rest.


    Two days have psed.


    Bawang circumvented the Strait of a, traversed the South China Sea within Yanguo''s domain, and took respite before embarking upon the heart of the Pacific Ocean.


    Liu Yong remained unaware of the colossal crocodiles'' whereabouts without a definitive objective. While he knew the location where the "Shinan" suffered its attack, several days had passed since the incident. Did the giant crocodile linger in proximity to that area?


    Liu Yong fled to that region without knowledge, allowing chance and fortune to guide him.


    Brandishing its colossal spear, Bawang set toward the same sea territory where the "Shinan" had encountered its assant. Fortune might smile upon their quest, bringing them face-to-face with the elusive crocodile.


    ...

 Chapter 258 Bad News - Auff!

    ?


    The Overlord embarked on a perilous journey that spanned vast oceanic distances. With the swiftness befitting its majestic nature, it traversed the expanse from the Yan Kingdom''s South China Sea to the waters where the dreaded "Shinan" had fallen victim to an enigmatic attacker.


    Enveloped by anticipation, Bawang trod the ocean''s expanse, meticulously scouring the seascape in pursuit of the legendary colossal crocodile rumoured to measure an astonishing 70 meters in length and weigh a staggering 500 to 600 tons. Endowed with extraordinary vision, Bawang surveyed the vast domain, its senses reaching far and wide, facilitating the search for the elusive behemoth.


    A day psed with surprising haste as Bawang tirelesslybed through the nautical expanse spanning one to two hundred miles in all directions. Yet, despite its diligent efforts, no trace of the prodigious crocodile manifested itself¡ªno semnce or whisper of its presence could be discerned.


    "Master," Bawang conveyed with a tinge of disappointment, its message reaching the ears of Liu Yong, "it appears that our quarry may have departed this area. Despite an entire day spent scouring the vast expanses within a radius of one to two hundred nautical miles, there was no sign of its existence."


    Regret tugged at Liu Yong''s heartstrings as he responded to Bawang''s report, "s, it seems this territory holds no trace of our sought-after target. It is possible that the creature has ventured elsewhere. You have toiled relentlessly, my faithfulpanion. Rest well, nourish yourself, and I shall reach out as soon as news surfaces."


    "Very well, master," Bawang acknowledged, its hunger and weariness entuated by the longing for respite. Swimming towards the bountiful shores of Australia, he covered hundreds of nautical miles in one uninterrupted surge, drawn by the allure of tropical fish that flourished in that coastal paradise.


    A majestic yacht adorned the tranquil waters in the western expanse of the Pacific Ocean, approximately two to three hundred nautical miles northeast of Saipan. Its upants, hailing from the affluent country of M, revelled in the throes of leisure, engaging in activities ranging from fishing to sunbathing and delightfully immersing themselves in the gentle embrace of the azure sea.


    The crystalline waters beckoned, offering shining rity, gentle caresses, and perfect weather. Laughter and joy punctuated the scene as several young souls frolicked and sshed about, their exuberance echoing throughout the waves. Among them, bikini-d maidens added to the tapestry of vibrant delight.


    "Theodore," called out apanion to a young man revelling in high spirits, "methinks it is prudent for you to surface lest a shark approaches."


    Theodore, undeterred, rejected the notion vehemently, eximing, "Nay! Let us revel for yet another hour; the sheerfort of being submerged in these waters is too exquisite to forsake."


    One of Theodore''srades voiced agreement, saying, "Indeed, let us not part from this aquatic paradise just yet. Fear not, for sharks shall not encroach upon these hallowed grounds, I assure you."


    On the yacht, a middle-aged man, resignedly shaking his head, observed the proceedings, surrendering to the whims of the young revellers. He reclined upon a chair, sacrificing himself to the warm embrace of sunlight.


    However, a mere ten minutester, a startled cry erupted from the yacht, reverberating like a rion call of distress. "Behold, what sight befalls our eyes!"


    All gazes converged upon a singr point, their faces turning pallid with unadulterated terror, their cries of horror rending the calmness of the sea.


    "Oh, merciful heavens, no, no!"


    "Theodore, hasten your retreat, I implore you!"


    In the near distance, an immense crocodile arose from the depths, its colossal frame, unlike anything they had ever conceived.


    This was a behemoth of unimaginable proportions¡ªa veritable terror incarnate. What exacerbated their plight was the creature''s relentless advance, its colossal maw drawing nearer. Their panic-stricken voices filled the air, punctuated by frantic cries, as they swam with all their might toward the yacht, desperate to escape their impending doom.


    The yacht''s upants, consumed by terror, shouted in dismay, their frenzied pleas urging theirpanions to mber aboard. The distance between them and the vessel proved a formidable obstacle, necessitating precious moments for them to ascend to safety.


    Meanwhile, the colossal crocodile outpaced their efforts, its relentless pursuit closing in swiftly. Its malevolence became increasingly palpable, its path unequivocally set upon the hapless swimmers.


    The once-thrilled young souls were caught in a whirlwind of panic, their voices reduced to anguished wails as they fought against the relentless current. Shocked and distressed, the onlookers on the yacht frantically extended adder, imploring the stranded swimmers to ascend with all haste.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    But their deliverancey at a considerable distance, and time seemed an elusive luxury. The enormous crocodile, propelled by a speed surpassing their own, approached with terrifying swiftness, its gaze fixated upon its vulnerable quarry.


    With a visceral disy of violence, the crocodile unleashed a monstrous tail swipe, obliterating the yacht into fragments, disintegrating it as if it were naught but a ything. Its enormous jaws loomed wide open, descending upon the wreckage, swallowing two or three unfortunate souls, including Theodore, in one fell gulp.


    Screams of horror erupted from the yacht''s upants, their faces contorted in anguish and grief, bearing witness to the grim spectacle of the crocodile sating its insatiable hunger amidst the waters. No trace of the once-thriving group remained¡ªonly a handful of lifebuoys drifted upon the scarlet-tinged surface, a testament to the unfolding tragedy.


    "Oh, no, no!"


    "Damnation! It turns toward our vessel!"


    The passengers aboard the yacht bellowed and shrieked, their fear-stricken gazes fixed upon the colossal crocodile that relentlessly approached. The monster, driven by a sinister hunger, moved with relentless purpose, its sights now set upon the yacht, caused by an addiction to devouring human flesh.


    The moment of reckoning it had arrived.


    With a single, monstrous bite, the yacht became a mere ything in the crocodile''s maw. Its formidable jaws cleaved through the vessel, rending it asunder. Splintered remnants tumbled into the abyss while some unfortunate souls clung to the yacht''s railings, their terrified faces etched with despair.


    Amidst the chaos, a lone middle-aged man swiftly seized a pistol, turning to face the enormous beast. Shots rang out, reverberating with futility against the crocodile''s imprable skull. Magazine after magazine was emptied in a valiant but futile attempt to repel the massive predator.


    The pistol''s bullets, feeble against the creature''s impervious hide, stoked its primal fury. With a violentsh of its colossal tail, the crocodile pulverized the remnants of the yacht, reducing it to mere rubble. It unleashed a final, devastating bite, obliterating the remnants of the vessel and vanquishing any vestiges of hope in its wake.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong sat in his study, digesting the harrowing news. As the images of destruction and carnage yed across his television screen, a chilling thought gripped his mind¡ªa clue that this gruesome spectacle could be the handiwork of one of the two colossal crocodiles he had encountered.


    Stunned and unable to endure the news, Liu Yong sought sce within his study, his thoughts consumed by the unfolding events. Unfurling arge map on his desk, he meticulously traced the distance between the recent tragedy and the Ban Ind area¡ª approximately two thousand nautical miles.


    The notion of one of the giant crocodiles traversing such vast expanses in a matter of days weighed heavily upon his mind. Their astonishing speed and formidable capabilities meant that they were capable of venturing into these distant waters.


    Gathering his resolve, Liu Yong knew that action was necessary. He must summon his trustedpanion, Overlord, to investigate the distressing events. Retrieving a world map, Liu Yong marked the approximate location of the recent incident and called upon Overlord, that had been basking in the sun on an uninhabited ind.


    Overlord roused from its slumber, responded dutifully to Liu Yong''s call. Sensing the urgency in its Master''s voice, it prepared to embark on a dangerous mission.


    "Master, is there news concerning the crocodile?" Overlord queried, prepared to face the task at hand.


    "Yes, it appears that one of the crocodiles may have appeared in the waters two or three hundred nautical miles northeast of Saipan Ind," Liu Yong responded gravely. "You must exercise caution and prioritize your safety. If it happens to be the giant crocodile measuring one hundred meters in length, I strongly advise against engaging it for the time being."


    Overlord assured his Master, "Master, I understand the gravity of the situation. I shall set forth immediately. Await my report."


    The following day, with the break of dawn, Overlord arrived in the designated area after a night of relentless swimming. First, it tended to its voracious appetite, consuming a hearty breakfast to replenish its energy. Armed with its colossal spear, it set out to search the expanse of the sea.

 Chapter 259 Have Found That SH*T!

    ?


    Deep within the ndestine confines of Fast Company, a hidden sanctuary nestled on a mysterious ind, a subordinate approached the formidable figure of Ram Scott, the enigmatic leader of this covert establishment. The air was thick with an aura of secrecy and urgency as the subordinate began to ry a crucial report.


    "BOSS," the subordinate began, his voiceced with a mix of concern and trepidation, "our No. 2 unleashed a devastating assault upon a grand yacht sailing the northeastern waters of Saipan yesterday, precisely at noon. The tragic oue of this ruthless encounter resulted in the loss of twenty-six innocent lives."


    Upon hearing this report, Ram Scott, the inscrutable head of the secret base, reacted indifferently. His countenance remained stoic as he nonchntly responded, "It''s nothing, merely a trivial matter unworthy of our attention."


    It was evident that the lives of these twenty-six individuals held no significance in the eyes of the Fast executives, including Ram Scott himself. Their primary concern revolved around the situation surrounding their No. 1 and No. 2 operatives.


    Ram Scott inquired, his voice tinged with a hint of detachment, "And what of our No. 2? How fares the situation?"


    The subordinate, well-versed in providing thorough updates, promptly replied, "Upon examining the data transmitted by No. 2 on the second, we found everything to be in order, indicating a seamless operation."


    "Very well," Ram Scott acknowledged, his tone devoid of emotion. "If all is normal, then the other matters are of no consequence. Focus your attention on closely monitoring the activities of No. 2. I believe it may be permissible to extend their reach to more distant locales, such as the North Pacific region."


    An undercurrent of worry coursed through the subordinate as he issued a concerned reminder. "Boss, however, our No. 2 has never ventured into such remote territories. Embarking on a journey spanning thousands of nautical miles carries inherent risks. What if an unforeseen incident urs?"


    Deep in contemtion, Ram Scott took a moment to reflect. After careful deliberation, he finally spoke, "In that case, exercise caution for now. Let No. 2 continue operating in the northeastern waters of Saipan, albeit at a reasonable distance from the central area to avoid detection. The vast expanse of the ocean shall serve as their yground."


    "Understood, Boss. We shall ry your instructions to No. 2," the subordinate dutifully affirmed.


    In the early morning hours, a colossal vessel gracefully sailed into the northeastern waters of Saipan.


    Gliding just beneath the surface, mere tens of meters below the azure sea, Bawang basked in the radiant rity of the water. The visibility was remarkably high, allowing it to discern distant targets with remarkable precision.


    Indeed, even from a considerable distance, Bawang could spot a great white shark meandering about, a creature of immense proportions spanning six meters. With its predatory intentions, the shark ventured forth in search of sustenance.


    asionally, Bawang emerged partially from the ocean''s embrace, its keen eyes scouring the expansive sea. Enhanced by extraordinary vision, it possessed an acuity that surpassed the norm, affording it the ability to perceive far-off objects.


    From dawn until noon, Overlord tirelesslybed the waters within a radius of 100 nautical miles. Yet, despite its unwavering efforts, no target emerged, not even the faintest trace of the colossal crocodile it sought.


    A vexing predicament indeed. Overwhelmed by uncertainty, Bawang contacted its trusted confidant, Liu Yong, and ryed the disheartening update. "Master, I have diligently scoured the sea within a 100-nautical-mile radius, but to no avail. Our quarry eludes us still."


    In an instant, Liu Yong, positioned in the confines of his office, sprang to attention. Upon hearing Bawang''s report, he swiftly rose from his seat and approached the colossal world map adorning the office wall.


    Fixated on the map, Liu Yong embarked on a mental voyage. He meticulously located the northeastern waters of Saipan, allowing his thoughts to traverse uncharted realms.


    "Where might that wretched giant crocodile have ventured?" Liu Yong pondered aloud, his voice resonating with both frustration and determination. "It is unlikely to have ventured towards Saipan Ind, for it teems with humanity. Rather, it shall likely continue its course northeastward, distancing itself from the bustling international waterways, and venturing further into the heart of the ocean."


    After much contemtion, Liu Yong began to form a definitive n. "Bawang, expand your search parameters. Focus your efforts on the seas northeast of Saipan. It is there that we shall seek our elusive prey."


    "Understood, Master. I shall take my chances amidst the northeastern waters," Bawang replied with unwavering resolve.


    And so, with a spear in hand, Bawang embarked on its arduous journey, propelling itself through the ocean depths with impressive swiftness. Though advancing with purpose, it asionally paused to survey its surroundings. After traversing hundreds of nautical miles, Bawang temporarily ceased its relentless movement.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Before ity a pod of majestic killer whales, their magnificent forms dotting the vast expanse. Dozens of these awe-inspiring, colossal and diminutive creatures traversed the waters. Sensing a pang of hunger, Bawang, having foregone its morning meal, contemted indulging in a "morning tea" of sorts. Undoubtedly, capturing one or two killer whales would satiate its appetite.


    Indeed, these killer whales served as one of Bawang''s preferred delicacies, a mainstay within its culinary repertoire. Its discerning gaze swiftly identified thergest among them¡ªa mature male stretching nearly ten meters long, weighing an enormous six to seven tons.


    With unparalleled agility, Bawang propelled itself forward, triggering a panicked response from the pod of killer whales. The once-majestic creatures swiftly retreated, desperately attempting to outpace their pursuer.


    Yet, where could they possibly flee?


    Can they genuinely evade their relentless adversary?


    Overlord''s unyielding swiftness effortlessly outpaced its prey, rapidly closing the distance. In one fell swoop, it ensnared the most enormous killer whale, its mighty jaws making short work of the unfortunate creature. The gargantuan mammal was consumed in mere moments, its essence absorbed by the insatiable predator.


    "A delectable morsel indeed," Bawang mused with satisfaction. Regarding this act as nothing more than an appetizer, it elected not to pursue the remaining members of the pod, for its purpose transcended mere indulgence.


    But what of the elusive giant crocodile?


    This enigma upied Bawang''s thoughts as it ventured forth, scanning the surrounding waters within a range of one to two hundred nautical miles. In a fortuitous turn of events, Overlord took only a few minutes to witness a truly captivating sight.


    The pod of fleeing orcas, gripped by terror, abruptly changed their course. Remarkably, they reversed their direction, seemingly unafraid of the impending doom that awaited them. Curiosity piqued, Bawang meticulously surveyed the situation, attempting to discern the source of their frenzied reversal.


    Then, rity emerged.


    A colossal figure trailed the pod of orcas¡ªa massive crocodile stretching approximately 70 meters long and weighing 500 to 600 tons. The behemoth seized the opportunity to prey upon the fleeing killer whales, swiftly dispatching them with effortless abandon. Each swipe of its immense jaws devoured its hapless victims, unconcerned with their size or gender.


    Bawang stood awe-stricken before this gargantuan crocodile, known only as XX. It towered above Bawang, surpassing its own grandeur and striking fear into its heart. "Master, I have found the giant crocodile," Bawang dutifully informed Liu Yong.


    By receiving this vital information, Liu Yong activated his third vision, instantly transforming the watery depths into a vivid, high-definition spectacle. Within the submerged realm, Bawang, its presence concealed beneath the depths, maintained an unwavering vignce.


    Approximately 500 to 600 meters ahead, dozens of killer whales formed a desperate procession, fleeing for their very lives. Trailing behind them, the colossal crocodile relentlessly pursued, closing the distance with each passing moment.


    Liu Yong witnessed the awe-inspiring sight, and his eyes fixated upon the gargantuan adversary. The sheer magnitude of the crocodile struck him profoundly, for it loomed more extensive than even Overlord itself. What chance did Bawang possess in a confrontation with such a fearsome creature?


    However, circumstances rendered any notion of a quiet escape imusible. Abandoning Bawang was not an option, for the potential loss was inconceivable. Additionally, the colossal crocodile had unmistakably detected Overlord''s presence; its pursuit of the killer whales abruptly halted to set its sights upon its new prey.


    Halting its advance roughly two to three hundred meters away from Bawang, the colossal crocodile observed the imposing figure before it. An air of curiosity permeated the beast''s consciousness, incredulous at the existence of a creature of such magnitude within its domain.


    Bawang, now weighing over 290 tons, exuded an aura of armoured majesty, radiating dominance. Yet, this crocodile surpassed Overlord''s grandeur, exuding an even more formidable and ferocious presence.


    And so, the encounter between these two colossal beings began the ocean depths serving as their battleground.

 Chapter 260 Perilous Opponent

    ?


    Bawang stood unwavering, resolute in its confrontation.


    To speak truthfully, Bawang had never encountered such an immense adversary before. Thergest monstrous fish he had ever encountered weighed around 300 tons, adorned with colossal wed fins.


    Yet, the colossal crocodile looming before it surpassed even the magnitude of the previous monstrous fish, exceeding its size by more than twofold.


    What made matters worse was the ferocious visage of this colossal crocodile, exuding a terrifying aura that sent shivers down Bawang''s spine.


    "I shall not budge if the enemy remains motionless," dered the Overlord.


    Liu Yong dared not disy his anger, aware that this would be the most difficult battle in the Overlord''s life. The crocodile standing opposite it was twice its size, a lifelong nemesis. Liu Yong feared that the Overlord''sbat could bepromised.


    The confrontation persisted for what seemed like a minute or two, an unyielding deadlock.


    And then, the colossal crocodile began to move, gliding gradually toward the Overlord, progressively shortening the distance between them. Its intentions were unmistakable¡ªit sought to draw near within striking range of its fearsome jaws.


    As the crocodile reached a critical distance, it would pounce upon the Overlord with lightning speed, mping its colossal maw shut instantly, aiming to deliver a devastating bite.


    The Overlord, however, was no simpleton. It quickly discerned the adversary''s intentions and focused intently on the crocodile''s gradual approach.


    Suddenly, the Overlord sprang into action.


    The colossal crocodile had now fully entered the Overlord''s sprinting range. What reason was there to wait for the opponent''s assault and bite? The most sensible choice was to seize the initiative.


    No, preempt the crocodile!


    The Overlord moved with the swiftness of an ethereal spectre, the tip of its colossal spear aimed unerringly at the crocodile''s nk.


    The speed was unfathomable, leaving the crocodile with limited reaction time. The giant spear found its mark, striking the crocodile with a resounding thud.


    TANGGG!!!!


    Though the giant spear barely pierced the remarkably tough crocodile hide, prating the flesh to a depth of less than a meter, it could delve no further.


    The Overlord had prepared itself to withdraw, having barely retrieved the giant spear, when it found itself unable to retreat. The colossal crocodile swiftly turned and lunged at the Overlord, sinking its formidable jaws into Bawang''s turtle shell. Under the crushing force of the bite, Bawang felt immense pressure as though its very being was on the verge of being shredded.


    Such terror!


    The bite of the colossal crocodile possessed an unimaginable power. Were it not for the third-level tortoise shell technique, the Overlord believed its shell would be in danger of being crushed.


    The giant crocodile bit down on the Overlord, then began its death roll, utilizing one of its lethal tactics.


    "F*CK!" eximed the Overlord, unable to contain its impulse. In the midst of this wild whirl, the sensation was nothing short of excruciating, as if the world itself was spinning.


    When the death roll ceased, the Overlord found sce in its recovery. Clearly, the colossal crocodile had aimed to crush it, striving to tear it apart, yet its tortoiseshell had proven impervious to its onught.


    Witnessing the tremendous bite force of the colossal crocodile, the Overlord sensed only pressure, its turtle shell remaining intact¡ªaforting realization.


    The giant spear in his hand remained active, thrusting vigorously toward the colossal crocodile. Their proximity rendered uracy inevitable.


    "Boom!"


    The giant spear pierced the colossal crocodile unerringly. Though the distance was short and the force limited,cking the power of a sprinting charge, it still prated the crocodile''s tough hide, though not deeply.


    Nevertheless, it proved sufficient against the colossal crocodile.


    In addition to repeatedly impaling the colossal crocodile with its giant spear, the Overlord mped its jaws upon its adversary, rending it into pieces.


    The colossal crocodile had intended to bite the Overlord to death, to shatter its tortoise shell. Unexpectedly, it found itself being bitten and stabbed repeatedly, eventually relinquishing its grip.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Having released its grip, the colossal crocodile swiftly retreated, receding several hundred meters beforeing to a halt.


    This round, victory belonged to the Overlord.


    The gain crocodile remained unscathed from the bite upon the Overlord''s remarkably sturdy shell.


    The colossal crocodile bore visible scars, mainly where the Overlord had thrust its spear. The wound was substantial, blood mingling with the surrounding seawater, casting a faint reddish hue.


    Once again, the two adversaries faced each other.


    After another minute or two, the Overlord took the initiative, swimming gradually closer. Should the punching technique be activated, the Overlord would charge forward and strike again.


    The colossal crocodile, beholding the Overlord''s approach, issued a warning, seeking to intimidate its foe.


    Now, Bawang knew the creature''s nature and was no longer fearful, advancing slowly but steadily.


    As the warning and demonstration proved ineffective, the colossal crocodile hesitated, then swiftly turned and retreated.


    "Master, it fled. Shall I give chase?" asked the Overlord.


    "What in the world? It turned tail and ran!" The Overlord couldn''t help but exim. How could it retreat so abruptly? Was this fight not yet concluded?


    Liu Yong pondered for a moment, then replied, "Do not pursue the wretched creature. Let it go."


    Their recent encounter showed that although the Overlord had the upper hand, the advantage was limited.


    ying the colossal crocodile would prove an arduous task for the Overlord. Even if sessful, the price it would pay was sure to be substantial.


    Furthermore, Liu Yong worried that an even more enormous crocodile had yet to emerge¡ªa colossal creature weighing approximately 1,000 tons, dwarfing the Overlordpletely. Liu Yong harboured concerns that this crocodile might call forth even more giant beasts.


    Therefore, the best course of action was to let it go and refrain from pursuit.


    In a few months'' time, Liu Yong doubted the growth rate of these two crocodiles would match that of the Overlord. The Overlord was bound to grow to four or five hundred tons in merely two or three months.


    If not by 400 or 500 tons, they would patiently await a few more months until the Overlord reached 600 to 700 tons or even 800 to 900 tons.


    Liu Yong cautioned, "You may depart and rest well. If you encounter therger crocodile, remember to keep your distance. You are not yet a match for it."


    Against this smaller colossal crocodile, they possessed a little upper hand. But when faced with the more giant creature, victory was utterly imusible.


    "Understood, master," acknowledged Bawang, leaving the scene gradually.


    Within the confines of his office, Liu Yong severed the connection with Bawang, severing the third-party vision. He contemted quietly, acknowledging that Bawang still had much room to grow.


    Currently weighing less than 300 tons, precisely 293.6 tons, the Overlord would find it rtively effortless to dispatch the recently encountered colossal crocodile if it surpassed 400 tons.


    With over 400 tons, the Overlord would possess even greater power, particrly in its ability to execute a sprint, which would be far more terrifying.


    After a sprint, the giant spear would likely pierce the colossal crocodile entirely rather than simply prating its hide and lodging a meter deep.


    Growingrger was the ideal scenario, preferably surpassing 400 tons. If it could reach over 500 tons or even 600 tons, the Overlord would stand a chance against the more enormous colossal crocodile.


    It could only grow steadily, endeavouring to increase its size.


    In Fast Company, an underground, underwater base, Ram Scott had just concluded a phone call when the office door swung open, and Odeen, one of his most crucial subordinates, burst in.

 Chapter 261 Into A New Realm

    ?


    Ram Scott''s countenance shifted imperceptibly, his dissatisfaction apparent as he mmed in a reprimanding tone, "Pray to tell, what ails you that you failed to even grace the door with a knock?"


    Odeen, devoid of any inclination to announce his presence, promptly ryed his report with palpable anxiety, "Boss, there exists an overt irregrity within the data transmitted back on the 2nd. I implore you to peruse it with utmost urgency."


    What!


    Could it indeed be so??


    Ram Scott''s visage underwent a slight transformation, hastening him to power on theputer that adorned his desk. Engaging in a flurry of keystrokes, he swiftly beheld the data received from the colossal No. 2 crocodile.


    Suddenly, a flicker of concern danced across his countenance.


    Undoubtedly, these data exhibited aberrations. What could have precipitated such a turn of events? Could it be that No. 2 had sustained injuries, prompting the data to fluctuate, or was there a malfunction in the biochip embedded within its cranium?


    Whichever the case, it was no trifling matter.


    Fast Company had expended over 10 billion US dors and dedicated more than five years to this endeavour. Their investment aimed to realize the audacious dream of cultivating two marine behemoths, enabling them to reign supreme over the vast expanse of the ocean and ultimately bestow unimaginable wealth and prosperity upon Fast Company.


    There could be no room for error!


    Such ruminations dominated Ram Scott''s thoughts as he swiftly issued directives to No. 2,manding its immediate return to the secret base.


    Before long, Ram Scott orchestrated a meeting with the base''s middle and senior managers alongside the principal scientists, and together they embarked upon a flurry of activity.


    Meanwhile, Bawang, having ventured further afield, approached the vicinity of the fabled Tonga Trench, a chasm renowned as the abyss that caresses the horizon.


    The Tonga Trenchy a mere tens of nautical miles ahead.


    Should it satiate its curiosity and explore its mysterious depths?


    Bawang could not suppress the inquisitiveness that stirred within it.


    Initially, it had skimmed the ocean''s surface, submerged to a few meters. However, now it propelled itself toward the unfathomable abyss of the seabed.


    With each increment in-depth, luminosity progressively waned.


    Beyond the threshold of 150 meters, illumination dwindled to a mere vestige.


    From 1 to 3 meters beneath the water''s surface, ordinary individuals partake in recreational swimming.


    Diving coral reefs thrive between depths of 20 to 30 meters.


    Scuba divers training diligently immerse themselves at 40 meters.


    The formidable apex predators, killer whales, roam at a depth of 60 meters.


    Whale sharks, the colossal gentle giants of the sea, prefer depths of 70 meters.


    In the North Pacific, giant octopuses venture forth at 100 meters.


    When the current depth reaches 150 meters, a mere trace of visible light remains, amounting to a paltry one per cent of the ambient luminescence.


    Oarfish gracefully glide at a depth of 200 meters.


    Giant crabs scuttle along the seabed at 300 meters.


    At 500 meters, blue whales, unparalleled in their enormity, plunge to the utmost depths.


    Down at 828 meters lies the submerged pinnacle, the Burj Khalifa, the epitome of architectural grandeur and the tallest artificial structure on Earth.


    King squids im dominion at 900 meters.


    Reaching the threshold of 1000 meters, great white sharks attain their most profound realm of activity.


    Deep-sea ck dragonfish im the darkened domain at 2000 meters.


    Abyssal coral reefs flourish at the profundity of 3000 meters.


    The watery tomb of the Titanic descends into oblivion at 3800 meters.


    The intrepid viperfish reach their maximum depth of 4000 meters, beyond which lies an uncharted world. Humankind''s understanding of the depths surpassing this threshold parallels the knowledge of the moon.


    The number of individuals who have plumbed these depths is fewer than those who have graced the lunar surface, rendering this realm an enigmatic abyss. <novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The Overlord, harbouring an ardent desire, yearned to explore this uncharted expanse.


    Bawang, now weighing nearly 300 tons, contemted the depths to which it could plunge.


    What would be the limits of its submersion?


    Bawang yearned to push the boundaries. The opportunity presented itself as it drew ever closer to the Tonga Trench, also known as the "Abyss of the Horizon."


    Ba Dynasty pressed onward, descending into thebyrinthine seabed. Gradually, the surroundings morphed into an inky ckness devoid of any trace of light.


    Within a radius of 500 meters, Overlord''s perception discerned many captivating marine creatures, some of which disyed peculiar and disgusting forms.


    At depths exceeding 2000 meters, Bawang reached the seabed and continued its trajectory toward the nearby Tonga Trench.


    Subtly, the underwater topography inclined downward.


    After traversing a considerable number of nautical miles, the decline in the gradient became more pronounced, shrinking to a mere two or three nautical miles before plunging vertically into an unfathomable abyss¡ªa colossal trench of profound magnitude stood before Bawang.


    This was the Tonga Trench.


    A fathomless, benighted realm!


    Would it venture forth and unravel its secrets? Indeed, Overlord harboured an indomitable spirit. Without uttering a single word, it resolutely embarked upon a leisurely sojourn into the trench, its colossal trident firmly in hand.


    Upon ingress, it sensed an overwhelming immersion in an entirely new world. Within Overlord''s perceptual domain, vitality gradually infused every corner, teeming with diverse marine creatures.


    Among them, some stood out, boasting peculiar visages never before witnessed.


    "Master, I have prated the Tonga Trench," Bawang reported with unbridled delight as if it had aplished a remarkable feat.


    Liu Yong promptly activated third-party vision, beholding Bawang and gaining unimpeded visual ess to everything within a 1000-meter radius of the colossal creature.


    The sight that met his eyes was a vast, bottomless abyss stretching boundlessly in every direction.


    The unfamiliar wonders within Liu Yong''s line of sight were a revtion.


    "Proceed with caution, for formidable creatures may lurk here," Liu Yong cautioned.


    In a prior encounter at an unnamed trench in the Indian Ocean, Bawang encountered a giant white monster fish and a colossal fish endowed with immense ws weighing 300 tons.


    This was the renowned Tonga Trench, aptly dubbed the "Horizon Abyss," boasting depths surpassing 10,000 meters¡ªan order of magnitude greater than the previously unnamed trench.


    Overlord reassured, "Master, I shall exercise due diligence. I will proceed deeper to explore."


    "Very well, continue your exploration," Liu Yong concurred.


    Bawang persisted in its descent, and at a depth of 3000 meters, an assortment of strange marine creatures of varying sizes greeted its perceptive senses.


    Within Overlord''s purview, several formidable entities emerged¡ªghost-haired jellyfish. These behemoths boasted umbre-like structures measuring up to 15 meters in diameter, with tentacles extending nearly 200 meters.


    They were colossal creatures, yet they posed no threat to the indomitable Overlord.


    The present-day Bawang had evolved significantly since its initial encounter with the ghost jellyfish, having grown to a prodigious mass approaching 300 tons.


    Of course, Overlord had no intention of provoking these creatures, opting to traverse the depths leisurely.


    4000 meters!


    Bawang reached a depth of 4000 meters, beginning to feel the mounting pressure exerted by the seawater.


    Nheless, it believed it could descend a few hundred meters further, perhaps even pushing the boundary by a thousand meters.


    Descending into the Tonga Trench, one of Bawang''s objectives was to ascertain its limits of submersion.


    It pressed onward.


    Slowly but surely, Bawang''s depth surpassed 4500 meters, persisting deeper. As it neared the 5000-meter mark, it halted abruptly,pelled by an overwhelming pressure that made further descent untenable.


    At this depth, Overlord could no longer withstand the immense pressure. Simultaneously, it stumbled upon an unprecedentedly colossal marine creature¡ªan unseen enigma.

 Chapter 262 A Subaquatic Confrontation

    ?


    Overlord, an embodiment of unprecedented power and dominance, loomed in the depths of the ocean, an entity rarely witnessed by mortal eyes. Liu Yong, a witness to this awe-inspiring spectacle, stood in awe, unable to fathom the sheer magnitude of whaty before him. Prepared for peculiar and grandiose discoveries in the abyssal abyss, it found itself astounded by the colossal sight that unfolded.


    Presenting itself was an enigmatic creature, a ck, scaleless fish of obsidian hue. Yet, its most remarkable characteristic was its prodigious maw, surpassing any other aspect of its anatomy. This mouth, wide beyond imagination, appeared akin to a colossal catfish, although the ratio of mouth to body exceeded that of its feline counterpart. Its slender form extended over a length of at least a hundred meters, mercifully less expansive than its gargantuan mouth, lending it an appearance of grace.


    Whatever this marvel might be, such a peculiar fish possessed a weight of no less than four to five hundred tons, surpassing even the Overlord in mass. It detected the presence of the Overlord and issued a warning, its vast mouth opening slightly, revealing a formidable array of razor-sharp teeth. Bearing catfish, this creature boasted tentacle-like appendages sprouting from the corners of its oral orifice. Yet, the defining difference that set it apart from its feline resemnce was its horrifying, gigantic ruler-like pprotrusion


    To be ensnared by this entity would surely prove fatal.


    Unyielding in the face of danger, the Overlord remained undaunted, engaging in a war of dominance. Bawang, its loyalpanion, jestingly remarked to Liu Yong, "Master, such an immense adversary, I wonder how it might taste."


    "If it happens to be delicious, we shall rejoice, for a specimen of such magnitude could provide sustenance for five or six days," replied Liu Yong, his responseden with incredulity.


    The shresponseacity of pondering culinary delights amid a perilous encounter spoke volumes of their character. Their shared inclination to savour the taste of this prehistoric leviathan, this wide-mouthed behemoth, persisted even as the creature issued warnings and bared its teeth. Witnessing the Overlord''s unwavering resolve, it lunged forth, its colossal mouth wide open, propelling itself towards the Overlord.


    The sheer enormity of its maw eclipsed all else, obscuring its other corporeal features from view. The Overlord, ever relentless, activated its sprinting prowess, achieving a velocity surpassing that of the prehistoric giant. The tip of its colossal spear aimed unyieldingly at the massive mouth.


    With such incredible speed, the prehistoric giant wide-mouthed fish found itself bereft of time to react. The tip of the mighty spear pierced directly into its gaping maw. Its defences provedcklustre, as the spear, measuring a staggering fifty meters, became lodged almost halfway through its form, undoubtedly shattering its cranium in the process.


    -Boom!


    This was a fatal blow¡ªa swift and decisive strike, ensuring the foe''s demise.


    The prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish sumbed instantaneously, and the Overlord, withholding the extraction of the spear, clutched one end of the weapon and departed, dragging the colossal prey in its wake. However, such depths were not conducive for extended durations, and Bawang''s endurance was destined to wane.


    Swimming swiftly upon the waves, at a depasurpassing three thousand meters, the Overlord discovered a respite from the oppressive pressures that previously encumbered them, feeling remarkably invigorated, almost weightless.


    Observing the entire ordeal, Liu Yong contemted that this prehistoric wide-mouthed fish likely inhabited oceanic depths reaching a minimum of four thousand meters. Perhaps, it dwelled within trenches, rarely venturing into shallower seas due to its inability to withstand the pressures found there.


    Bawang, having ascended to a depth of three thousand meters, proceeded onwards, propelling itself out of the Tonga Trench, setting course for distant horizons. Naturally, a creature of such magnitude deserved to be relished, and thus, their immediate objective became finding a suitableble location¡ªbe it a shoal or an expansive cavern.


    Not far from the Tonga Trenchy an extensive chain of inds stretching for thousands oThe vastetres. This vast, the arcroastedain boasted numerous inds scattered indiscriminately across the seascape¡ªboth sizable and diminutive.


    Before long, Bawang arrivideoerating ind chain, navigating perilously close to the seabed, as the water gradually grew shallower. Before themy an unnamed isle, a mere speck on the vast canvas of the ocean. Itsndmass, measuring no more than half a square kilometre, concealed a remarkable secret¡ªthe ind itself was merely the visible crest of a submerged mountain, with the bulk of its expanse hidden beneath the waves.


    Descending to a depth of approximately two to three hundred meters, Bawang traversed a rtively t seabed characterized by a gentle incline. After a brief swim, an imposing vertical cliff materialized before them¡ªa sheer precipice plunging into the depths for at least a hundred meters, with a portion extending tens of meters above the surface, thus forming the cliff side of this small ind.


    What elicited the Overlord''s delight, however, was the discovery of a colossal cave nestled at the cliff''s base¡ªan entrance of immense proportions, measuring nearly one hundred meters in width and exceeding twenty meters in height. Such a cavernous expanse proved more than sufficient to amodate their needs.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Unperturbed by the imminent danger, Bawang hauled the mammoth prehistoric fish within, only to realize that the cave gradually sloped upwards, leading to an expansive chamber a mere three hundred meters away¡ªa subterranean haven suddenly unveiled.


    Within this cavernous expanse,parable in size to a football field, the air remained dry, and the waters kept at bay. Illumination permeated the hall from a curved crack, scarcely half a meter wide yet stretching tens of meters, allowing daylight to prate its depths.


    This ce was a marvel, a sight long yearned for by the Overlord in its dreams.


    Here, it could find respite,fort, and easy ess to the open sea. Through thisbyrinthine passage, the Overlord could venture forth into the boundless expanse of the ocean.


    Surveying the surroundings with utmost satisfaction, the Overlord gently ced the colossal prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish on the cave floor, retracting its spear. Gazing upon the giant creature, an introspective thought crossed the Overlord''s mind¡ªan entity of this magnitude could sate its appetite for at least five or six days, yet the taste remained a mystery.


    Parting its jaws wide, the Overlord sank its teeth into the creature''s flesh, consuming an entire ton of sulent meat in a single, ravenous bite. Waves of pleasure wasThe Overlord revelled in this newfound gastronomic pleasure, astonishinglyOverlord''s senses, evoking a profound satisfaction.


    Astonishingly delecured, the Overlord revelled in this newfound gastronomic pleasure. Its appetite seemed insatiable, gorging on no less than forty to fifty tons of flesh in a single feast.


    Satiated, the Overlord reclined upon the cave floor, basking in the aftermath of its indulgence, sumbing to a wave of drowsiness. The lull of sleepiness enveloped its being, apanied by a warmth that spread through its body, reminiscent of the previous encounter with the monstrous fish possessing colossal ws. That peculiar meal had yielded exponential growth, surpassing the Overlord''s usual developmental rate.


    Could it be that this wide-mouthed giant fish also possessed simr properties?


    Such thoughts flitted through the Overlord''s mind, but fatigue overwhelmed it, and it sumbed to slumber.


    Meanwhile, in a secret underwater facility known as Fast Company...


    Lam Scott led a group of individuals, including several scientists donning whiteb coats, descending deep underground via an elevator to the familiar subterranean hall.


    In the distance, the colossal one-hundred-meter-long crocodile appeared motionless, seemingly in a state of inertia. Several individuals conducted various tasks in its vicinity.


    However, Ram Scott and his team paid little heed to the massive reptile, directing their attention toward the sloping cave leading to the sea.


    One of his subordinates remarked, "Boss, our No. 2 is about to enter the passage. We''ll catch a glimpse soon."


    Ram Scott nodded, his gaze fixated upon the water''s surface within the channel.


    Momentster, ripples disrupted the otherwise tranquil passage, and soon, the colossal head of a crocodile emerged from the water''s depths.

 Chapter 263 The Return Of No. 2

    ?


    A sudden cry of surprise echoed through the air, disrupting the tranquil atmosphere. "Our esteemed No. 2 has returned, marvelously!" the voice eximed.


    Beneath the watchful gaze of onlookers, a colossal crocodile emerged from the depths of the water, venturing onto the open expanse of the hall. Every pair of eyes fixated upon the creature, gradually discerning the extent of its plight, causing many to gasp in disbelief.


    "Oh heavens, this cannot be true!" eximed one person, their voice fraught with disbelief.


    "How could our beloved number 2 be in such a state?" queried another, their tone filled with doubt.


    "Damn it! What on earth has happened?" cursed someone else, their frustration palpable.


    Silence permeated the surroundings, broken only by the murmurs of astonishment. Ram Scott, seething with anger, clenched his fists tightly. These two crocodiles were his cherishedpanions, and to witness the second one adorned with injuries was nothing short of an insult.


    A wound of staggering proportions was of concern, measuring a meter in length and reaching a depth that seemed to graze the very bone. The severity of the injury cast doubt upon No. 2''s chances of a smooth recovery in theing days.


    Who could havemitted such an act?


    The question resounded within Ram Scott''s mind, each syble echoing with rage. His eyes burned with an infernal fire, reflecting the depths of his fury.


    The scientists, aware of the gravity of the situation, hurriedly embarked upon a lengthy sequence of instructions. The crocodile, eventually sumbing to slumber, became the focus of their meticulous examinations.


    The more they probed, the greater their rm grew.


    The injuries sustained by the crocodile bore the distinctive marks of biting and the punctures of sharp implements. Their hearts quivered at the thought¡ªwhat manner of creature could inflict such wounds upon No. 2?


    And what could have caused the deep gashes inflicted by a sharp object of such considerable size? Who possessed the strength to wield such a colossal instrument?


    Their thoughts spun in circles in their perplexity, confounding any semnce of resolution.


    With its belly satiated, Bawang luxuriated in a profound slumbersting over ten hours. Upon awakening, a sense of contentment coursed through its body. The fish had proved to be a delectable treat, enticing it to seize another for its indulgence.


    This newfound abode exuded an air of serenity andfort, albeit temporary. Sleep came quickly without disturbance, making it an idyllic haven.


    Contemting its surroundings, Bawang ventured outside, yearning to explore the periphery of its newfound home.


    Following the cavern''s winding path, Bawang soon arrived at the shore, casting its gaze across the vast expanse of the ocean, stretching for dozens of nautical miles.


    Located amidst an archipgo, this area formed part of an expansive underwater mountain range spanning thousands of kilometres. As the mountains emerged from the depths, some transformed into picturesque inds.


    The water surrounding the ind chain exhibited varying depths, ranging from shallow tens of meters to profound hundreds of meters. The abundance of marine life lent a vibrant tapestry to the ocean''s depths¡ªa colourful realm teeming with diverse fish, akin to an underwater forest in regions adorned with sprawling seaweed beds.


    Bawang devoted an hour to familiarising itself with the surroundings, gradually assimting the details. Yet, its insatiable hunger tugged at its stomach,pelling it to return to the cavern''s enticing feast.


    A deep hunger pervaded its being, intensifying with each passing moment.


    Overlord seized a great white shark, only to find its taste sorelycking. It was akin to a connoisseur of fine cuisine being forced to endure the mediocrity of a meagre roadside eatery''s fare¡ªa dull andcklustre experience.


    Guided by instinct, Overlord retraced its steps into the cavernous hall, positioning itself before the colossal prehistoric fish with its gaping maw. Without hesitation, it began feasting; its jaws extended wide to amodate the bountiful meal.


    It consumed fifty to sixty tons of fish in one continuous motion, and its stomach finally satiated. Aforting sense of fullness permeated its being as it reclined leisurely upon the ground.


    A peculiar warmth spread throughout its body, induced by the consumption of these fish. Gradually, drowsiness settled upon it, and it was not long before it surrendered to the embrace of sleep.


    This time, it slumbersted no more than five or six hours before he awoke, roused by a persistent hunger. Bawang promptly indulged in yet another substantial meal.


    In the ensuing days, its routine revolved around eating, sleeping, and eating. asionally, it ventured outside to bask in the surroundings for a brief respite, never exceeding two hours.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    While at the entrance to themunity gate, Liu Jianping, Liu Wenkang, and Liu Hongyuan stood, their gaze fixed upon the rows of stacked vis before them. A tinge of trepidation gripped their hearts, rendering them hesitant to venture further.


    They had journeyed from their rural hometown precisely to locate Liu Yong, having obtained his address from Liu Hongfu. However, the sight of the majestic vis proved overwhelming for individuals unustomed to such luxury, leaving them uneasy.


    "Jianping, why don''t you give him a call and inquire?" suggested Liu Wenkang, the vige partymittee secretary. Liu Hongyuan, Liu Hongfu''s cousin and a rtive, nodded in agreement.


    Following their suggestion, Liu Jianping extracted his mobile phone and swiftly dialled the number. The call connected promptly, and the familiar voice of Liu Hongfu resonated from the other end, brimming with delight.


    "Jianping, have you arrived? I''lle to pick you up," Liu Hongfu eximed. Within minutes, he arrived, exuding sheer joy. The joy of their reunion was palpable.


    Guided by Liu Hongfu''s enthusiastic lead, they embarked on the journey. "Behold, that building is my humble abode," he dered.


    Stepping into the vi, Liu Jianping, Liu Wenkang, and Liu Hongyuan resembled characters from the ssic novel, "Dream of the Red Chamber," marvelled and envious at every turn. Everything seemed novel and pristine, leaving them captivated.


    Liu Hongfu extended a warm invitation. "Please, make yourselves at home. Treat this ce as your own, and feel free to sit wherever you please."


    With cautious steps, the trio gingerly settled onto the luxurious sofa. Liu Jianping voiced his thoughts, addressing Liu Hongfu, "Hongfu, this is the house your son purchased. It must have cost several million."


    Millions!


    To rural inhabitants, such an astronomical sum represented a fortune beyondprehension. Liu Wenkang and Liu Hongyuan concealed their astonishment, their hearts rendered speechless.


    Casually, Liu Hongfu revealed, "I heard it was acquired for a mere 2,000 yuan initially."


    What!


    Over twenty million!


    The collective gasp that escaped the three men''s lips painted a portrait of utter disbelief. They had never fathomed the exorbitant price tag attached to this grand house.


    At that moment, Zhou Xiuying approached with a tray of fruits, her voice brimming with warmth. "Please, enjoy the fruits. They are absolutely delightful."


    These fruits were of the highest quality, imported luxuries unfamiliar to the trio. While trepidation prevented them from partaking, Zhou Xiuying insisted, pressing a few fruits into their hands.


    Liu Jianping sampled a cherry and inquired, "Where is Liu Yong? Has he left for work?"


    Liu Hongfu responded, "He should be at thepany. Nowadays, he rarely returns home, preferring to reside in his spacious vi."


    What!


    Liu Yong had acquired another vi, an expansive property. It became apparent that the contemporary vi was reserved solely for the elderly couple''s use.


    Liu Wenkang contained his curiosity and posed the question, "Liu Yong has procured yet another vi. It must have covered a considerable area and incurred substantial costs."


    Liu Hongfu beamed with pride, proiming, "It upies around five or six acres, and the price tag came to a staggering one or two hundred million yuan."


    Good heavens!


    The three men were dumbfounded, struggling to process the concept of spending one or two hundred million yuan on a mere five or six-acre property.


    While they were aware of Liu Yong''s wealth, they could never have anticipated the extent of his affluence.

 Chapter 264 Way Out Of Expectations !

    ?


    After enduring a prolonged state of astonishment, the trio gradually regained their senses, one after the other.


    Their minds were consumed by a singr thought: Liu Yong had truly amassed a fortune. He had expended an astounding sum of million yuan to procure avish vi.


    The guests who had arrived hailed from esteemed ancestral lineages. Liu Hongfu and Zhou Xiuying felt an inherent familiarity and warmth towards them, prompting them to engage in heartfelt conversations revolving around their shared ce of origin.


    They discussed various matters rted to their hometown, such as marriages within families and the advent of new grandchildren.


    The dialogue was replete with enthusiasm and animated spection.


    Gradually, the topic veered toward the plight of migrant workers in the vige. Liu Jianping interjected, "The vige is immensely grateful to Liu Yong. During thest recruitment, hundreds of individuals were enlisted as crew members, receiving monthly sries ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 yuan."


    Liu Hongfu chimed in gleefully, "Given Liu Yong''s current capabilities, he should extend his assistance to everyone."


    Liu Jianping added, "There are still some robustborers in the vige who, due to various circumstances, were unable to join the crewst time. They now regret their decision and want to be crew members. I''ve been tasked with inquiring about the next recruitment phase. They are eager to seize the opportunity."


    Liu Hongfu responded, "I''m not entirely privy to the specifics. I must consult with Liu Yong himself. We will have lunch togetherter, and you can inquire directly."


    The primary purpose behind Liu Jianping and hispanions'' visit was to discuss the prospects for the remaining youngsters in the vige with Liu Yong. Evidently, they too harbored aspirations of bing crew members.


    Inparison to toiling away elsewhere, joining Liu Yong''s crew offered greater stability and substantially higher ie.


    News had circted that official crew members could settle in Huahai City, and even bring their spouses and children along, as thepany provided shared amodation.


    To the vigers, possessing a house within the county was a momentous achievement, let alone owning a residence in the dreamlike realm of Huahai City.


    Many were skeptical, assuming it to be mere exaggeration, but the fact remained that dry crew members earned a minimum monthly ie of 20,000 to 30,000 yuan, asionally supplemented by additional bonuses.


    Liu Hongfu and Liu Jianping engaged in congenial conversation, punctuated byughter, as time effortlessly slipped away.


    Soon, noon arrived, and Liu Hongfu received a call from Liu Yong. Rising from his seat, he gestured, "Come, let us dine. Xiaoyong has sent a car to pick us up."


    Leading the way, Liu Hongfu escorted everyone outside, where two brand-new Cullinans were prominently parked in front of the grandiose vi.


    The Global Shipping Group exuded opulence and authority. Last month, they had acquired over a dozen new cars in a single transaction, each one no less than an S600, with several being Cullinans. Two of these magnificent vehicles stood before them now.


    Upon witnessing the sight, Liu Jianping examined them intently and cautiously asked, "Hongfu, are these the legendary Rolls-Royces?"


    Liu Hongfu smiled and replied, "Indeed, I''m not entirely certain either, but it would seem so."


    The driver alighted and took the initiative to enlighten them, saying, "These are Rolls-Royce Cullinans, with each one exceeding six million in value."


    -OMG, such exorbitance!


    Beside them, Liu Wenkang and Liu Hongyuan wore expressions of astonishment, exchanging nces that revealed a shared sense of exhration.


    Never in their wildest dreams had they anticipated the prospect of riding in such a high-end automobile.


    This marked their inaugural experience within the confines of such luxurious transportation. Upon entering the vehicle, Liu Jianping remarked, "This surpasses the quality of our county magistrate''s car by leaps and bounds."


    Liu Wenkang added, "There''s noparison at all. Our county magistrate''s car is merely an Audi, far inferior to this splendid automobile."


    The two cars slowly departed. Liu Jianping and Liu Wenkang shared a ride, their hearts ever restless, consumed by contemtions regarding Liu Yong''s vast wealth and the sheer magnitude of his enterprise.


    How much capital did Liu Yong currently possess? And how extensive had hispany grown?<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Approximately forty minutester, the vehicles halted before an upscale restaurant, and the driver led the way, guiding everyone towards a private room. "Mr. Liu has arrived; you may enter now."


    As soon as the driver finished speaking, the sound of movement reached Liu Yong''s ears, prompting him to voluntarily swing open the door, his face alight with happiness and enthusiasm. "Mom, Dad!"


    He warmly greeted Liu Jianping and the other three, inviting them to take their seats with utmost courtesy.


    In due time, an array of dishes cascaded onto the table, avish feast in its own right.


    Alongside the various culinary delights stood two bottles of vintage Moutai, each valued at tens of thousands.


    Liu Yong personally uncorked the wine, filling everyone''s sses while eximing, "Uncle Jianping, it''s a rare asion for you to grace us with your presence. Please, indulge in the delicacies and libations without reservation."


    Liu Jianping, beholding the two bottles of Moutai, inquired, "Mr. Liu, this is an exquisite vintage. Each bottle is worth several thousand yuan."


    Liu Yong responded, "Why concern yourself with the price of the wine? If you find it to your liking, have a few more bottles, and take some back with you to enjoyter."


    He intentionally avoided divulging the individual value of each bottle, fearing it might overwhelm them. Moreover, he refrained from mentioning that the dishes adorning the table amounted to a sum well over 100,000 yuan, lest it cause further consternation.


    Liu Jianping and the others perceived the culinary spread to be of exceptional quality, estimating its worth to be several thousand yuan at the very least.


    Never having experienced such avish banquet, they abandoned all formalities, clinking sses with Liu Yong and relishing the food with unrestrained enthusiasm.


    Amidst the feast, resounding praise filled the air as they delighted in the delectable vors.


    After a couple of sses of wine, the ambiance grew increasingly animated, with conversations flowing more freely.


    Liu Jianping even steered the discussion toward business matters, saying, "Mr. Liu, there are quite a few young people in our vige who express a unanimous desire to work with you as crew members."


    Before he could finish his sentence, Liu Yong waved his hand dismissively and dered, "As long as they have a high school education and good health, I will ept anyone who wishes to join. The more, the merrier."


    He considered the sentiments of his hometown and rxed the requirements. In reality, to be a crew member at Global Shipping Group, the minimum prerequisite is a college degree or above, and the number of college students recruited remains rtively limited, with most candidates holding at least an undergraduate degree.


    Observing Liu Yong''s candid response, Liu Jianping''s spirits soared, and he raised his ss in a special toast to Liu Yong on behalf of the vige''s young poption.


    Liu Wenkang asked, "Mr. Liu, I''ve heard that all crew members employed by yourpany receive an allocated house. Is that true?"


    Liu Yong nodded and affirmed, "Indeed. All regr employees of ourpany are entitled to a fully furnished residence measuring over 90 square meters,prising two bedrooms and two living rooms. They can relocate to Huahai City with their spouses and children."


    My God, it''s true!


    Liu Wenkang nced at Liu Yong in disbelief, his eyes seemingly conveying the message that hispany was truly extraordinary¡ªperhaps one of the few across the entire country offering such exceptional benefits.


    And so the mealsted for over an hour.


    Liu Jianping and the others were overjoyed and deeply satisfied. Their objective for this trip from their hometown had been aplished: Liu Yong readily agreed to ept the vige''s young poption as crew members.


    After the meal, Liu Yong urged Liu Jianping and the others to spend a few more days in Huahai City, instructing his parents to host them warmly.


    After issuing his instructions, Liu Yong departed in his car, needing to return to thepany.


    ...

 Chapter 265 An Enigmatic Black Shadow!

    ?


    In the realm of the office, where the air carried the scent of ambition and the hum of productivity, Liu Yong, a figure of authority,fortably seated in the exalted boss''s chair.


    With a diligent demeanor, he immersed himself in the task at hand, delving into the intricate realm of reports. These documents encapsted vital information regarding the ongoing progression of the grand Global Building''s construction and theplex designated for the amodation of diligent staff members.


    Having perused theprehensive reports with care and precision, Liu Yong, seeking a momentary respite, indulged in a sip of the fragrant coffee that awaited him on the sprawling desk.


    Following this brief interlude, his attention shifted toward an altogether different realm¡ªthe realm of his cherished pet, Bawang. Neglectful of this loyalpanion for several days, curiosity swelled within Liu Yong, eager to unravel the mysteries of Bawang''s recent endeavors.


    Thus, with anticipation brewing in his heart, Liu Yong ventured to unseal the pet panel. As the interface revealed itself before his gaze, a sudden surge of astonishment overwhelmed him, causing his eyes to widen involuntarily.


    The revtion he bore witness to was beyond his wildest expectations¡ªBawang''s weight had skyrocketed to an astounding 362 tons, a remarkable increase aplished in a mere span of days.


    In the depths of Liu Yong''s reveries, he yearned for Bawang''s rapid growth, especially after the awe-inspiring sh between the colossal creature and a 70-meter-long behemoth of a crocodile, a mere few days past. The profound desire for Bawang''s ascension to even greater proportions filled Liu Yong''s every thought.


    Eximing silently, "How fortuitous! It has reached 362 tons!" Liu Yong''s tion knew no bounds. Filled with unabated joy, he engaged the third-party vision, unveiling the splendid tableau that awaited him¡ªthe majestic Overlord, draped in tranquility, sprawled amidst an expansive cavernous hall resembling a football field, devoid of the surrounding embrace of seawater.


    Adjacent to Bawang''s slumbering formy the remnants of a gargantuan prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish, its immense stature having sumbed to Bawang''s insatiable appetite, leaving behind naught but a colossal skeleton as testament to the Overlord''s voracity. Was this astonishing growth truly an oue of the prehistoric fish''s consumption?


    Intrigued, Liu Yong spected within the recesses of his heart, yearning to rouse Bawang from his peaceful slumber and pose the inquiry that danced on his lips.


    Yet, a modicum of restraint prevailed, urging him to await the opportune moment for enlightenment. Thus, he resolved to patiently bide his time until Bawang awoke from his slumber, cherishing the notion that haste may well hinder the course of nature''s unfolding.


    As the clock''s hand traversed the vast expanse, marking the arrival of the afternoon''s embrace, Liu Yong revisited the pet panel once more, permitting himself another glimpse into Bawang''s current reality.


    The Overlord had stirred from its tranquil respite, partaking in a feast upon the remnants of the prehistoric giant broadmouth fish, a once-magnificent creature now reduced to a mere skeletal framework. Liu Yong marveled at Bawang''s resourcefulness, for the skeletal remains held meager quantities of meat, yet the Overlord exhibited an unparalleledmitment to indulging in every morsel, leaving naught behind.


    "Incredible, Overlord! Not a morsel goes to waste," Liu Yong congratted his steadfastpanion. The words reverberated within Bawang''s consciousness, prompting it to halt momentarily, acknowledging its master''s sentiment. "Master, the fruits of mybor mustn''t be squandered. I am resolute in my endeavor to consume every morsel," the Overlord affirmed, its dedication unwavering.


    Liu Yong, nodding appreciatively, broached the heart of the matter, endeavoring to unravel the mystery behind Bawang''s prodigious growth. "How is it that you have experienced such exponential growth in recent days? Your weight has increased by over 60 tons, with an astounding daily increment of over ten tons!"


    To this query, the Overlord responded, shedding light on the circumstances with an air of informed wisdom. "It is, perhaps, the result of consuming the prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish. With each meal I partake in its sulent flesh, an all-epassing warmth permeates my being, lulling me into deep slumber," the Overlord divulged, presenting a glimpse into his recent escapades.


    Having ryed this crucial information, the Overlord proceeded to consume the few remaining morsels of fish flesh clinging to the immense skeletal structure. With a regal air, it grasped the substantial remains within its formidable jaws and proceeded to withdraw from the cavernous hall, preparing to venture forth into the realm beyond.


    "Master, this meager offering hardly warrants my attention. I shall embark on a quest to procure another prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish," the Overlord dered, addressing Liu Yong, its resolve unwavering.


    Intent on securing a more substantial meal that would truly satisfy its gargantuan appetite, the Overlord, bearing the colossal skeleton within its grasp, departed with purpose.


    Liu Yong, acknowledging the Overlord''s ambition, bestowed upon him a word of caution, ensuring its safety in the impending endeavor. "Proceed with vignce, my loyalpanion," Liu Yong intoned, his voice filled with concern.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    With the enormous skeletal remains sped firmly between its powerful jaws and one front paw grasping its own colossal spear, the Overlord, a vision of awe-inspiring grandeur, traversed the wide expanse of the cavern and disappeared into the depths of the Tonga Trench.


    The journey proved to be brief, as the distance was not great and the Overlord''s speed, despite its immense size, defied expectations. Before long, the Overlord reached the pinnacle of the Tonga Trench, relinquishing its grip on the skeletal trophy. A structure spanning hundreds of meters in length, it descended into the abyssal depths, a testament to the Overlord''s conquest.


    The Overlord itself, firmly clutching its mighty spear,menced its descent, plunging ever deeper into the inky ckness. The depths unfurled before it, chilling embrace enveloping its form as it ventured beyond the 4,000-meter mark.


    At this point, the Overlord''s movements became deliberate, its progression marked by measured strokes as it scoured the surrounding depths in search of the elusive prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish.


    Liu Yong, as a passive observer, found himself enthralled by the spectacle that unfolded before his eyes. His connection to the Overlord granted him a vivid, almost cinematic perspective of the surroundings, capturing the magnificence of the underwater realm within a radius of a thousand meters surrounding Bawang.


    At a depth of 5,000 meters, the ocean''s depths revealed a realm both dark and frigid, yet teeming with life that seemed to defy the crushing istion. Within Liu Yong''s field of vision, an enchanting disy unfolded¡ªa mesmerizing panorama of otherworldly marine creatures, their forms strange and captivating in equal measure.


    After a brief period of observation, Liu Yong''s gaze alighted upon a prehistoric giant fish with an expansive maw, its size substantial but notparable to the previous encounter. Measuring around seventy to eighty meters in length, the creature possessed a colossal head, an all-consuming mouth, and a sleek, scaleless body that tapered from the substantial head.


    While not matching the grandeur of the previous specimen, this prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish stillmanded awe, weighing in at over two hundred tons.


    "Overlord, a prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish awaits you on your right," Liu Yong ryed the crucial information, ensuring that the Overlord would not miss the opportunity to engage in a new battle.


    Prompted by Liu Yong''s notification, the Overlord propelled itself towards the target with incredible swiftness, surging forward in a determined charge. With a current weight of 362 tons, the Overlord''s strength and agility had reached new heights. Its colossal spear, driven by an unfathomable force, cleaved through the water, striking the head of the giant fish with resounding force.


    The encounter ended swiftly, the Overlord dispatching the creature with a single, decisive blow. Liu Yong, impressed by the Overlord''s prowess, voiced his admiration,uding the efficient conclusion of the battle. "Overlord, you are truly remarkable. The battle was decided in a single strike," Liu Yongmended, his wordsden with genuine appreciation.


    The Overlord, relishing in its triumph, responded with a hint of pride. "This fish was but a minor adversary. In the face of my might, it stood no chance," the Overlord dered, expressing his dominance over lesser beings.


    Liu Yong, acknowledging the Overlord''s burgeoning intelligence alongside its increased weight and improved attributes, contemted the implications of this newfound growth. Content with the Overlord''s progress, Liu Yong disconnected from the third-party vision, musing on the prospect of consistently acquiring prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish.


    If the Overlord could secure such a meal regrly, it was only a matter of time before its weight exceeded 400 tons and even surpassed the monumental milestone of 500 tons.


    Days passed, and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean stretched out before a massive container ship belonging to the Risheng Ocean Group. Laden with thousands of standard containers, the colossal vessel embarked on a journey across the Pacific, bound for country M. Amid the tranquil voyage, the ship''s upants were jolted from their routines by a captivating sight unfolding before them¡ªan enigmatic ck shadow looming ahead, shrouded in the distance.


    "Look, what is that?" one person eximed, drawing the attention of many onboard.


    As the passengers and crew turned their gazes towards the unknown entity, curiosity piqued, a consensus emerged. "It can''t be a whale. Even thergest blue whale cannotpare to its magnitude."


    ...

 Chapter 266 Claws Of Destruction

    ?


    The sight before their eyes defiedprehension. It was a colossal entity, surpassing the mere resemnce of a whale in sheer magnitude. Gasps and exmations filled the air as more individuals aboard the vessel caught sight of the ominous ck shadow adorning the ocean''s surface. Curiosity piqued, and some ventured to stretch their necks for a better view.


    Among the multitude, the ship''s captain remained transfixed by the colossal phenomenon. His unwavering focus fixated on the awe-inspiring spectacle. Fortunately, the sun''s rays bathed the scene in broad daylight, sparing them the terror of encountering such an immense entity in the shrouds of night.


    "It is not a whale," the captain proimed, his voice tinged with a mix of certainty and incredulity, "but rather an enormous crocodile."


    His statement elicited disbelief and scepticism from those around him. "Impossible," one eximed, struggling to fathom the existence of such a colossal crocodile. "It must be a species of giant crocodile hitherto unseen," another spected, steadfast in their belief.


    Captain Leng Jianbai, his eyes trained through the binocrs, possessed a vantage point superior to the others. From his elevated position, the scene unravelled with greater rity. Gradually, a sense of solemnity overtook his features as he made a disquieting observation. "Truly, it is an immense crocodile," he affirmed with measured urgency. "Its visual length stretches approximately a hundred meters, with a weight exceeding a thousand tons."


    The revtion sent a collective shudder through the assembled onlookers. The mere notion of a crocodile of such colossal proportions was unimaginable. Anxiety riddled their thoughts as one worried voice broke the silence, "Let us hope it does not approach our vessel. May our ship remain unscathed."


    "Chances are slim," another interjected, attempting to provide reassurance. "It remains a couple of hundred meters distant from us."


    Yet, their fears materialized before their very eyes. The gargantuan crocodile began to swim towards their ship, drawing ever closer with every passing moment.


    "No! It approaches!" a cry of rm reverberated through the vessel, apanied by exmations of disbelief and trepidation. The crew members, caught in a state of frenzy, disyed expressions wrought with fear. In the face of such an extraordinary sight, any soul would be gripped by terror.


    In response to the impending danger, Captain Leng Jianbai bellowed in amanding voice, "Full speed ahead! Increase our pace, endeavor to elude its advance!"


    -WUNGGGG!


    The vessel''s engines roared to life, propelling them forward with augmented velocity. However, their desired oue remained elusive. The colossal crocodile disyed astonishing prowess, effortlessly keeping pace with their fleeing ship.


    Meanwhile, a flurry of activity pervaded the control room in a private, covert facility situated thousands of miles away, within Fast Company''s hidden ind base. Various screens and instruments hummed with purpose as a multitude of individuals engaged in their tasks.


    On the most prominent disy screen, the figures of the gargantuan crocodile and the 100,000-ton container ship belonging to the Risheng Ocean Shipping Group upied a prominent position. This real-time satellite imagery provided an unprecedented view.


    Fast Company boasted formidable strength, their private satellites orbiting above, allowing them to witness the encounter between the crocodile and the freighter.


    "Boss, all parameters of our Number One are within normal range, and it is now a mere hundred meters away from the Yanguo freighter," a subordinate reported, his tone tinged with deference.


    Ram Scott, wearing a satisfied smile, responded, "Excellent. Issue Number One the order tomence the attack on the ship."


    Little did they know their actions were part of a grand experiment. Remote control granted them dominion over the colossal crocodile, enabling them to orchestrate an assault on the freighter, all in the name of research and evaluation. Their disregard for human life, in favour of the vast expanse of the sea, the boundless Pacific Ocean, dictated their priorities. If the cargo ship were to sumb to the attack, the lives of those aboard would hang in the bnce.


    Yet, the significance of the Yan Guo crew''s fate paledpared to the experimental objectives harboured within the depths of their ambition.


    Upon receiving Ram Scott''smand, white-coated figures adjacent to himmenced a flurry of inputting instructions, their keystrokes resounding with purpose.


    Back on the sea, the vessel owned by the Risheng Ocean Shipping Group strained to elerate, its crew relying on speed to extricate themselves from the clutches of the formidable behemoth. s, their efforts proved futile. To their horror, the colossal crocodile drew nearer andunched an attack upon the vessel.


    The resounding echoes of muffled impacts filled the air, prating the ears of all aboard. A startled voice eximed, "Captain, that gargantuan crocodile is assaulting our ship with its tail!"


    Leng Jianbai swiftly emerged, rushing toward the railing''s edge to witness the astonishing scene unfold. His eyes beheld the relentless barrage of the crocodile''s tail striking the ship''s structure, each blow imprinting visible depressions upon its surface. The peril of a breached hull loomed, its consequences ominously dire.


    With each thrash of its tail, the colossal crocodile inflicted substantial deformation upon the ship''s hull yet refrained from shattering it. Its methodology shifted, abandoning the tail in favour of its menacing ws.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The data umted thus far was transmitted to Fast Company''s hidden submarine base, where their scientists subjected it to meticulous analysis, drawing a series of conclusions to further their research objectives.


    To them, these data points served as the foundation for their future inquiries.


    The colossal crocodile redirected its assault, directing its titanic ws at the ship''s hull. Leng Jianbai, situated beside the railing, bore witness to the ensuing carnage. Puzzlementced with trepidation gripped his mind as he pondered the uncanny size of the crocodile''s ws, emitting an ominous ck radiance.


    With a chilling aura, the gargantuan creature''s colossal ws made contact with the vessel, piercing through its metallic exterior. A cavernous breach manifested, expanding rapidly before their disbelieving eyes.


    Overwhelmed by fear, Leng Jianbai averted his gaze, his heart racing with adrenaline. He recognized the profound implications a ruptured hull would bring.


    As the colossal crocodile continued its onught, transferring its assault from the tail to its colossal ws, the ocean''s surface became a battlefield. Leng Jianbai, lying prostrate beside the railing, witnessed the harrowing scene. Bewilderment gripped his thoughts as he grappled with the enormity of the crocodile''s ws, exuding an eerie ck radiance.


    The creature''s colossal talons, emanating a frigid luminescence, ensnared the ship''s hull, rending it with chilling ease. A profound breach materialized, growing wider and wider.


    Leng Jianbai recoiled, drenched in a cold sweat, unable to endure any further. He hastily retreated toward the captain''s cabin, his voice resounding through the panicked chaos. "Quickly, don your life jackets!" he implored urgently.


    Panic spread like wildfire among those aboard the vessel. Terror-stricken cries echoed, "Our ship is flooding! Seawater inundates our vessel, sinking us!"


    Leng Jianbai swiftly donned his life jacket while simultaneously issuing an SOS distress signal, desperately pleading for the assistance of any nearby vessels.


    (The SOS is used in Morse code as a distress signal¡ªa way to call for help during an emergency, such as on a ship. Morse code uses clicks and pauses, short and long sounds, or shes of light to represent letters and numbers.)


    Thousands of miles away, within Fast Company''s secret ind base, Ram Scott surveyed the unfolding events as though observing a live broadcast. Witnessing the colossal crocodile''s sess in rending the ship''s hull, he rose from his seat, a triumphant smile etched across his face.


    He apuded exultantly, proiming, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a momentous asion! Our Number One has finally seeded in sinking a 100,000-ton cargo ship."


    Hispatriots, equally ted, joined in vigorous apuse, echoing their leader''s exultation.


    Meanwhile, Hu Shijun ryed the disheartening news to Liu Yong in an office. "Brother Yong, several hours ago, a 100,000-ton bulk carrier belonging to the Risheng Ocean Shipping Group sank in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in substantial losses."


    The tragedy unfolding was no ordinary urrence. The Apollo Group had suffered the loss of a 100,000-ton vessel, along with thousands of standard containers and over 30 crew members.


    Liu Yong expressed his confusion. "There were no severe storms in the Pacific Ocean. Ordinary inclement weather alone should not have been enough to sink a vessel of such size."


    Hu Shijun leaned in, divulging his mysterious findings. "Brother Yong, from the rumors I''ve heard, their ship did not sink due to adverse weather conditions. Instead, it fell victim to an attack by a 100-meter-long colossal crocodile."


    Astonishment etched across Liu Yong''s face.


    Hu Shijun continued, "Furthermore, before the ship was engulfed entirely, the crew managed to contact the Risheng Group, reporting that they had been assaulted by a colossal 100-meter-long crocodile."


    Liu Yong nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.


    Though mere gossip, he attributed considerable credibility to the ount. A colossal 100-meter-long crocodile had reemerged in the Pacific Ocean, striking once again and iming a vessel from the Apollo Group.

 Chapter 267 Bawang Vs. Giant Crocodile

    ?


    The colossal crocodile, spanning a length of a hundred meters, had vanished into obscurity for over two weeks, only to resurface unexpectedly, capturing the attention once again.


    While some might dismiss this as sheer nonsense, deeming the existence of such an immense reptile preposterous, Liu Yong remained resolute in his conviction that the monstrous creature was responsible for the tragic demise of Risheng Group''s cargo ship.


    If it could sink the freighter belonging to the Risheng Group, could it potentially target the vessels of the Global Shipping Group in the future? The probability was undeniably high.


    Liu Yong firmly believed that all threats must be eradicated. Since this vast crocodile was the perpetrator behind the sinking of a massive cargo ship and the deaths of over thirty individuals, it had to pay the ultimate price¡ªits own life.


    As the days psed, the Overlord, as Liu Yong affectionately referred to the crocodile, grew in size and strength. Curiosity led Liu Yong to ess the pet panel, where he discovered a wealth of information regarding the Overlord''s attributes and weight. Overwhelmed with satisfaction, he noted that the Overlord weighed an impressive 421 tons, slightlyrger than before.


    Contemting the idea, Liu Yong wondered if he should send the Overlord to confront the giant crocodile. However, if the Overlord had remained around 300 tons in weight, Liu Yong would have immediately dismissed the thought. It would have been futile even to consider it since a 300-ton Overlord stood no chance against the colossal 100-meter crocodile,cking any opportunity for victory.


    But now, the circumstances appeared different.


    Setting aside the prospect of defeating the opponent, the Overlord was, at the very least, capable of self-preservation. If victory presented itself, it would embrace the battle.


    Furthermore, such a rare opportunity could not be forsaken. Given the difficulty of obtaining news concerning this enormous crocodile, relinquishing this chance could mean an indefinite wait until another opportunity arose.


    The time was ripe, and Liu Yong uttered, "Overlord, I have a task for you."


    Upon hearing the mention of a mission, the Overlord immediately perked up, reinvigorated with energy. Lately, it had fallen into a monotonous eating routine and sleeping, resembling nothing more than a passive creature. A spark of enthusiasm kindled within the Overlord upon the mention of a task. "Master, what task shall I undertake? I am ready tomence immediately."


    Briefly recounting the attack on a Risheng Ocean Group''s 100,000-ton container ship, Liu Yong cautioned, "There exists a giant crocodile, 100 meters in length, and it may weigh around 1,000 tons. It surpasses your size, so exercise caution."


    Confidently, the Overlord responded, "Understood. If we can overpower it, we shall engage inbat. If we are unable to triumph, we shall retreat and not suffer defeat."


    Liu Yong issued a final warning, "Be vignt, for it is likely still in that specific area of the sea."


    Equipped with its colossal spear, the Overlord prepared to depart. The Risheng Ocean Group''s attacked sea zoney quite a distance away, requiring a continuous swim of over ten hours.


    Before embarking on the journey, the Overlord, mindful of its sustenance, satiated its hunger. A prehistoric giant fish boasting a wide mouth resided within a nearby cavern, providing a convenient source of nourishment. The Overlord devoured a substantial meal, consuming at least 70 to 80 tons of food.


    Replete with nourishment, the Overlordmenced its journey, the satiety causing aforting warmth to permeate its body. Though initially drowsy, it swiftly shook off the lethargy and surged forward, brimming with vitality.


    Covering a distance exceeding 2,000 nautical miles was undoubtedly a considerable endeavour. Yet, the Overlord traversed the vast expanse in a mere dozen hours, arriving at the intended sea zone.


    Upon reaching its destination, the Overlord hoped the colossal crocodile remained close and had not ventured far.


    Without pausing to rest, the Overlord initiated a thorough search across the world''s waters, tirelessly scouring for the elusive 100-meter-long giant crocodile. And during this pursuit, the Overlord caught several sizable fish to replenish its reserves.


    After scouring the sea area for two to three hours, the Overlord''s endeavours yielded no sight of the immense crocodile. Undeterred, it refused to surrender, taking a brief respite before expanding the search radius.


    Another couple of hours passed, and at longst, the Overlord discovered its quarry. In the distance, on the ocean''s surface,y the colossal 100-meter crocodile, baskingzily under the sun.


    Stationed at a depth of tens of meters underwater, the Overlord maintained clear visibility of the distant giant crocodile. The colossal creature remained oblivious to the Overlord''s presence.


    Masterfully, the Overlord conveyed the news: "Master, I haveid eyes upon the 100-meter giant crocodile."


    Receiving the Overlord''smunication, Liu Yong swiftly activated his third-party vision, witnessing the Overlord''s encounter and a giant crocodile quietly lounging on the water''s surface.


    This is a splendid opportunity!<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Realizing the potential, Liu Yong remarked, "It remains unaware of your presence, providing a prime opportunity. Approach stealthily, deliver a swift strike, and swiftly retreat once aplished."


    The Overlord found the suggestion agreeable, reducing its speed and advancing noiselessly, ensuring minimal disturbance.


    Gradually, the distance between the two formidable creatures diminished. Eventually, the Overlord found itself within 200 meters of its target.


    This proximity sufficed, prompting the Overlord to halt any further approach, cautious not to risk detection.


    Charge!


    Before its adversary could react, the Overlord triggered its "sprint" skill, dashing toward the 100-meter giant crocodile with astounding velocity akin to a fleeting apparition.


    The tip of the vast spear aimed at the colossal reptile.


    Blink, and the 200-meter spear was already upon it. When the 100-meter giant crocodile perceived the imminent danger, evading proved insurmountable.


    With a resounding "boom!" a dull thud reverberated.


    The giant spear forcefully collided with the colossal crocodile''s body, emitting a deep sound.


    Propelled by its velocity and augmented by its mass, the colossal spear managed to pierce through the remarkably resilient crocodile hide, prating to a depth of two meters before bing lodged, incapable of progressing further.


    Although the adversary had not sumbed to a single blow, the colossal crocodile writhed in agony, sustaining substantial injuries.


    Reacting swiftly, the 100-meter giant crocodile unleashed its fury, its massive jaws gaping wide, intending to trap the Overlord within its powerful grip.


    This scene mirrored the Overlord''s previous encounter with a 70-meter giant crocodile, during which it narrowly escaped the clutches of the beast, its tortoiseshell almost crushed under the crushing force of the predator''s bite.


    But this was a 100-meter giant crocodile, potentially possessing a bite force exceeding its predecessor''s. Even with the Overlord''s current weight surpassing 400 tons, avoiding injury proved uncertain.


    Having learned from its prior experience, the Overlord anticipated the impending bite and swiftly ran out of harm''s way, unable to retrieve the embedded giant spear in Tim.


    The Overlord''s superior swiftness emerged as a valuable asset. Consequently, the enormous jaws of the 100-meter giant crocodile missed their mark, failing to capture the Overlord.


    Having retreated several hundred meters, the Overlord eventually ceased its evasion, gazing intently at the colossal adversary.


    The entire sequence of events had unfolded in a breathtaking spectacle. Witnessing it all, Liu Yong realized the Overlord remained utterly outmatched against its opponent.


    Though the Overlord had sessfully executed a surprise attack, the chances of emerging victorious from a confrontation were virtually nonexistent.


    The Overlord needed to grow even more prominent, requiring a weight of at least five to six hundred tons to stand a reasonable chance of sess.


    Liu Yongprehended this essential reality andmanded: "Overlord, let''s acknowledge our limitations for now. Dodge the confrontation and return to challenge it another time."


    Reluctantly, the Overlord voiced its concern, "But, my weapon remains embedded within the adversary."


    Liu Yong reassured, "Fear not, I shall forge you a new weapon."


    The current giant spear possessed a diameter of 500 mm, measuring 50 meters in length and weighing approximately 78 tons. Crafted when the Overlord weighed a mere 100 tons, it no longer proved adequate. With the Overlord''s weight now exceeding 500 tons and ted to grow further in theing days, a more powerful weapon became necessary.

 Chapter 268 The New Weapon

    ?


    The Overlord hesitated, a sliver of reluctance tugging at its resolve. Liu Yong, undeterred, pressed on with his plea: "We have no use for this colossal spear any longer. Let us depart swiftly, leave this ce behind, and I shall construct for you a novel weapon with utmost haste."


    Reluctantly, the Overlord acquiesced and departed.


    To their astonishment, the 100-meter-long giant crocodile did not chase either, perhaps weighing its own odds in the matter.


    The Overlord faded into the distance, and after considerable exertion, the gargantuan crocodile finally dislodged the colossal spear that had impaled its flesh. With great effort, it too departed the scene.


    However, the wound inflicted upon its body bore a striking sight. Had the Overlord possessed even greater strength, it could have pierced the creature''s very innards instead of merely embedding itself in muscle and bone.


    Liu Yong procured a nk sheet of paper and meticulously sketched a design¡ªa grand blueprint for a colossal spear. This new design is expected to surpass its predecessor in every way.


    The former spear stood at a length of 50 meters, possessed a diameter of 500 mm, and weighed roughly 78 tons. But the spear being envisioned now, Its diameter expanded to a whopping 800 mm, lengthened to an impressive 60 meters, and its weight surged to an astounding 240 tons.


    A lengthened reach of 10 meters and a weight tripling from 78 tons to 240 tons!


    In Liu Yong''s mind, he pondered the possibility of the Overlord wielding such a formidable spear. With its sheer mass and overwhelming impact force, it could likely impale the 100-meter-long giant crocodile through and through.


    Truly, this new colossal spear was a remarkable creation.


    The Overlord would undoubtedly appreciate it.


    Equipped with this new weapon, Bawang''sbat prowess would undoubtedly surge exponentially. The next encounter with the monstrous crocodile would likely be resolved swiftly and effectively through a stealthy assault.


    Meanwhile, at Risheng Ocean Shipping Group, Luo Maoyuan appeared to have aged a decade in an instant. Seated weakly upon his executive chair, he gazed out of the window, his gaze vacant and unmoving for an extended period.


    A catastrophic event had befallen thepany¡ª a 100,000-ton container ship had met its watery demise, dragging thousands of standard containers down with it to the murky depths of the sea. Regrettably, more than 30 crew members lost their lives. Risheng Group had been dealt a devastating blow.


    Ever since their sh with the Global Shipping Group, Risheng Ocean Group had been plummeting into a downward spiral.


    Mere months ago, they had fallen prey to pirates, their finances suffering as a consequence. And now, faced with this new cmity, it was no wonder that Luo Maoyuan seemed to have aged so drastically in such a short span of time.


    After a prolonged period of contemtion, he reached for the phone resting upon his desk and issued amanding order: "Summon all high-ranking personnel for an urgent meeting."


    Thirty minutester, the high-level assembly of Risheng Groupmenced. During the meeting, Luo Maoyuan dropped a bombshell that left all bewildered and perplexed.


    Luo Maoyuan dered, after due consideration, his decision to gradually divest from the ocean shipping industry and embark upon a transformation into the real estate sector.


    Shockwaves rippled through the room.


    "What?!" gasped one senior executive, struggling to fathom the audacity of such a proposition. Risheng Ocean Shipping Group, which had thrived in the shipping business from its inception, was now contemting forsaking this familiar industry.


    A concerned senior executive interjected, "Mr. Luo, our current financial situation is dire. The recent incident, wherein thousands of standard containers sank into the depths of the sea, will necessitatepensating customers for losses exceeding one billion. Venturing into real estate, given our limited resources, seems an insurmountable challenge."


    Luo Maoyuan sighed wearily, his voice tinged with resignation. "Under these circumstances, we have no choice but to sell all our ships, which should yield at least several billions."


    Thus, the once mighty Risheng Ocean Group found itself reduced to selling its very fleet in a desperate bid for survival.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    A palpable sense of destion pervaded the meeting room.


    Meanwhile, at the Global Shipping Group, Qiu Yang presented a report to Liu Yong, detailing their astonishing prospects. It was determined that, in a short span of time, they needed to augment their shipping capacities by no less than 500,000 tons for standard container transportation, 2 million tons for crude oil transportation, and at least 500,000 tons for bulk cargo transportation epassing iron ore and coal.


    In essence, Global Shipping Group was required to bolster its overall transportation capacity by a staggering 3 million tons within a month.


    Crude oil transportation, in particr, held paramount significance. Both Yanguo Petroleum Group and Yanguo Offshore Oil Group had ced substantial orders with Global Shipping. Enhanced crude oil transportation capabilities would inevitably attract a greater influx of orders.


    Liu Yong deliberated thoughtfully before speaking, "While we have ced orders with prominent domestic shipyards such as Qidong Shipyard and Changxing Ind Shipyard, it is inly imusible for them to deliver such an extensive fleet in such a short timeframe."


    Qiu Yang proposed a solution, "Given the circumstances, our best option is to focus on the second-hand boat market in our immediate ns. We hope to procure a batch of pre-owned vessels."


    Liu Yong offered a nod of agreement but refrained from immediatementary, acutely aware of the tremendous challenge thaty ahead.


    Obtaining over 3 million tons of second-hand ships within a limited time frame was, by all ounts, an arduous endeavor. Securing even one or tworge vessels within a month would be considered a sess.


    After a prolonged silence, Liu Yong finally spoke, his tone measured, "Proceed with the endeavor. I hope to acquire several boats from the second-hand market. However, remember that they must be sizable vessels of superior quality."


    Qiu Yang assured, "Understood, Boss."


    Engaging in a brief conversation with Liu Yong, Qiu Yang departed, knowing the urgency of acquiring arge vessel promptly.


    While other ocean shippingpanies ssified "big ships" as those exceeding a discement of 10,000 tons, the standards within the Global Shipping Group were vastly different. In their realm, a "big ship" denoted a vessel surpassing 100,000 tons in discement.


    Meanwhile, the Overlord had returned to its cavernous abode.


    Upon its return, it indulged in a hearty meal, devouring the remaining flesh of the prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish before nestling down within the confines of its cave, sumbing to a deep and restful slumber.


    When it awoke, night had enveloped its surroundings, casting an imprable darkness. Yet, this did not hinder the Overlord in the slightest.


    A pang of hunger once again gnawed at Overlord, necessitating another hunt. Instinctively, it reached out for the giant spear, only to realize that it had not brought it back.


    Without a weapon, it contemted the journey to the Tonga Trench. Anticipating arger and more imposing weapon, the Overlord agreed with its master''s assessment that the previous giant spear was insufficient.


    Thus, the Overlord embarked on its journey, swimming out of the cave and setting a course for the Tonga Trench. Along the way, it encountered a group of whale sharks, numbering at least 20 to 30, varying in size.


    Normally, the Overlord would seize the opportunity to catch two or three whale sharks and satiate its hunger. However, this time it paid no attention, continuing resolutely on its path.


    The Overlord''s swift pace propelled it deeper into the abyss. As the depth rapidly increased¡ª2,000 meters, 3,000 meters, 4,000 meters¡ªthe creature finally ceased its descent after surpassing the 4,500-meter mark.


    With its augmented size, weight, and various attributes, the Overlord was now capable of descending to depths of 5,500 meters and linger there for over ten minutes without issue.


    At a depth of 4,500 meters, the domain of the prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish, the Overlord caught sight of a colossal specimen. It dwarfed anything it had encountered before¡ªa true behemoth.


    ...

 Chapter 269 Underwater Arsenal

    ?


    Bawang, in a moment of revtion, beheld the astonishing enormity to which the prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish could grow, and this particr specimen stood as the undisputed king among its kind.


    With a colossal head, an immense mouth, and a body length exceeding 100 meters, it possessed a visual weight of 450 tons, a weight akin to that of an Overlord.


    The adversary spotted Bawang and, regardless of the circumstances, lunged towards it, jaws wide open, ready to bite.


    The Overlord,cking any weapons, relied solely on its razor-sharp ws and formidable maw. Confronted with the oing opponent, it did not retreat but rather moved forward to meet the challenge.


    In the absence of weapons, the confrontation would take the form of a bare-handedbat.


    Naturally, the possession of a weapon would have alleviated much trouble. A single strike could have inflicted severe damage upon this prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish.


    The opponent lunged forward, its gaping maw unleashed!


    Reacting with astounding swiftness, the Overlord evaded skillfully, then swiftly swung one of its forepaws, instantly rending the skin of the giant fish as blood oozed from the wounds.


    The w''s trajectory extended perilously close to the eyes of the prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish, tracing a path from the eyes nearly reaching the corner of its colossal mouth.


    The giant fish leapt with thunderous force, its mammoth tail sweeping toward the Overlord like an impregnable wall, a terrifying disy of formidable might.


    "Hehe, if you intend to strike me, you may find your expectations far too grand," the Overlord taunted, exuding a sense of invulnerability.


    The Overlord deftly evaded the sweeping tail of the prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish and swiftly counterattacked, tearing off several tons of flesh with a single bite.


    Such delectable meat must not go to waste, and thus Bawang devoured it eagerly, savoring each mouthful.


    The battle unfolded in a one-sided manner, leaving no room for doubt.


    After another two or three rounds, the prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish bore heavy scars, with some wounds nearing the point of fatality, while the Overlord remained unscathed.


    Finally realizing the magnitude of the challenge it faced, the giant fish chose to flee, but its escape was short-lived as the Overlord swiftly seized and dispatched it, ending its struggle.


    Surveying its spoils¡ªover 400 tons of grand fish¡ªthe Overlord felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. Having secured a bountiful harvest, it returned to its cavernous abode to relish in this exquisite feast.


    In Huahai Food Street,


    On this Friday evening, the bustling food street overflowed with a sea of people, rendering navigation through the crowd nearly impossible.


    A multitude of individuals filled the area, predominantlyprising young folk. Amidst the dense throng, Liu Yong sped Li Changle''s hand, the two of them partaking in the culinary delights offered here, having already savored several delectable dishes.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "The fare here is truly exceptional, but the crowd is rather overwhelming," Liu Yongmented.


    Li Changle concurred, "Indeed. Shall we find a more serene spot to sit? The congestion here is bing unbearable."


    After a brief deliberation, the couple decided to seek refuge in a cozy coffee shop. They ordered two cups of fragrant coffee along with an assortment of delectable desserts, finally finding sce in the quiet ambiance.


    Ah, the tranquility of this ce is so refreshing, Liu Yong mused.


    Just as he took a sip of his coffee, Liu Yong''s attention was drawn to a message notification on his mobile phone. Retrieving the device, he discovered it was a message from Qiu Yang.


    Apologizing profusely, Qiu Yang informed Liu Yong that thus far, he had onlye across two second-hand vessels that piqued his interest. One was a bulk carrier with a discement exceeding 50,000 tons, while the other was an ocean-going tanker surpassing 70,000 tons in discement.


    While considered sizeable ships by most standards, Qiu Yang believed them to be somewhat inadequate, thus he forwarded the relevant information and quotations for both ships to Liu Yong, hoping to garner his decision.


    Upon perusing the details, Liu Yong promptly replied, expressing his disapproval of the exorbitant prices quoted by the other party.


    Even when contemting the acquisition of a used vessel, one ought to opt for a superior option. The two vessels in question failed to meet his expectations in terms of size and were apanied by excessively high price tags. Needless to say, they were dismissed without further consideration.


    The following day arrived.


    In the early hours of the morning, Liu Yong received yet another message from Qiu Yang. The message inquired about the location for the newly constructed giant spear as requested by Liu Yong.


    Overjoyed by the news, Liu Yong realized that Bawang possessed a formidable new weapon. He promptly responded, informing Qiu Yang to ce it in the usual location¡ªsubmerged in the sea near their seaside warehouse.


    Qiu Yang expeditiously acknowledged the receipt of the message, responding promptly with a sinct and affirmative affirmation in the form of a concise and resolute "yes."


    Eager to confirm the status of the weapon, Liu Yong swiftly essed his pet panel, activating the third-party vision to observe Bawang.


    In that moment, the magnificent sight unfolded before their eyes¡ªnone other than Bawang, the indomitable force of nature, engrossed in the consumption of a substantial feast. It urred in the expansive waters, stretching over a distance of more than a thousand nautical miles from the bustling hub of Huahai City. Nestled at a profound depth of around 1,500 meters beneath the surface, Bawang''s triumphant capture had ensnared a gargantuan squid, surpassing a staggering length of 20 meters. With unparalleled finesse, Bawang reveled in the bounty, savoring each morsel of its hard-earned spoils.


    "Master, I have satiated my hunger. Once I finish my meal, I will resume my journey. I anticipate reaching the seaside warehouse within three to four hours," Bawang reported.


    Liu Yong, unpressured, responded, "Take your time, my loyalpanion. Consume your meal and rest well. There is no rush for your arrival."


    Ultimately, the colossal speary nestled at the tranquil depths of the ocean, ensconced securely at the seabed, an ample distance beneath the shimmering surface. Its strategic positioning bestowed upon it an impregnable shield, shielding it from the merest possibility of danger. Serenely ensconced within the aquatic embrace, it basked in a state of utmost security and tranquility, undisturbed by external forces or prying eyes.


    ...

 Chapter 270 The Power Of Twelve: Unraveling The Fleet

    ?


    In the tranquil afternoon, Qiu Yang burst into Liu Yong''s office brimming with excitement, his voice resonating through the room as he eximed, "Boss, I have meticulously handpicked a magnificent fleetprising twelve colossal vessels, each surpassing the awe-inspiring mark of 100,000 tons, boasting a cumtive tonnage exceeding a staggering 2.2 million tons."


    Eagerly, Liu Yong enthusiastically responded, "Oh, do show me which vessels you have chosen."


    Qiu Yang had diligently organized the information beforehand, meticulouslypiling aprehensive dossier on each ship with borate descriptions and vivid colour photographs.


    Each ship''s character was meticulously presented, unveiling its distinct qualities such as its purpose, cargo capacity, colossal dimensions, birthce, construction timeline, and even the number of sessful voyages.


    Immersed in these materials, Liu Yong meticulously perused each page, his satisfaction evident as he silently nodded in approval.


    Without a doubt, these ships were undoubtedly a remarkable selection.


    The essence of choice lies in its quality; undoubtedly, this was an excellent choice. Each ship was a behemoth of the seas, built within the past ten years, with the majority boasting a mere five-year lifespan. There were twelve vessels, of which seven weremissioned within the past five years.


    Excellence personified!


    Repeatedly, Liu Yong expressed his delight, demonstrating his profound satisfaction with these twelve majestic ships.


    Among them were seven ocean-faring oil tankers, with thergest boasting an astonishing capacity of over 1.5 million barrels of crude oil. With less than three years of construction durations, they were unequivocally deemed new additions to the maritime realm.


    Additionally, three container bulk carriers were included in this formidable fleet, with thergest capable of amodating a staggering 13,000 standard containers.


    The remaining two vessels were iron ore and coal bulk carriers, both hulking giants surpassing the 100,000-ton mark.


    Happily, Qiu Yang interjected, "Luo Maoyuan''s asking price is not exorbitant. I am confident that we can secure these ships at a 10% reduction from the prevailing market rates."


    Indeed, this aplishment should not be underestimated.


    Thebined value of these twelve vessels amounted to billions of yuan, constituting a momentous achievement that saved several hundred million yuan in the process. It felt like a windfall had been stumbled upon without exerting effort.


    Most importantly, these twelve vessels addressed the pressing needs of the esteemed Global Shipping Group, serving as a catalyst for rapid expansion and propelling them into the coveted echelons of the ten-million-ton ocean shipping group.


    The ten-million-ton threshold was a defining demarcation.


    Any entity falling short of this threshold could hardly be deemed an oceanic behemoth. However, upon crossing this threshold, they would be bona fide shipping giants, joining the exclusive ranks of less than ten ocean shippingpanies worldwide boasting a transportation capacity exceeding ten million tons.


    With unbridled joy, Liu Yong eximed, "Regarding the price, represent ourpany and negotiate with Luo Maoyuan."


    Confidently, Qiu Yang affirmed, "No problem. I can perceive Luo Maoyuan''s eagerness to sell his vessels. Given that customers like us intend to acquire a substantial number of ships in one fell swoop, even if we negotiate a modest discount, he will undoubtedly ept our offer."


    Furthermore, Qiu Yang added, "Boss, in addition to these twelve ships, they also possess a few exceptional vessels currently berthed outside domestic ports. I propose that we consider acquiring those as well."


    Liu Yong, gesturing nonchntly, replied, "Absolutely. If you believe these vessels hold merit, go ahead and procure them all. Our coffers brim with ample resources."


    Undoubtedly, wealth and influence adorned their path.


    Confidence radiated from every fibre of their beings.


    Qiu Yang departed with a jubnt heart, while Liu Yong''s countenance exuded a satisfied smile. The deal had been sealed, and it was a truly remarkable one.


    Before long, the resonating voice of Bawang echoed within Liu Yong''s mind, "Master, I have arrived."


    Liu Yong activated his third eye, visualizing Bawang''s presence near the seaside warehouse. It nestled at the bottom, submerged beneath tens of meters of azure depths, diligently scouring for its newest armament.


    Familiar with the precise location of this newfound weapon, Liu Yong instantaneously discerned its whereabouts. He instructed Bawang, "To your right front, approximately 800 meters away, lies your new weapon."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Bawang swiftly propelled itself toward the designated coordinates, promptly locating the highly coveted weapon and deftly iming it as its own.


    Liu Yong cautioned, "Refrain from testing your new weapon in this shallow water. Seek deeper depths for experimentation."


    With the newly acquired colossal spear clutched firmly, Bawang briskly swam towards a distant location. In one uninterrupted surge, it traversed hundreds of nautical miles, arriving at a region where the water depths surpassed hundreds of meters¡ªa location deemed fit for its pursuits.


    Bawang revelled in the joys of wielding its newfound weapon, disying an insatiable appetite for yfulness. It indulged in its newfound delight for well over ten minutes, ceaselessly engaging with the gun before finallying to a halt.


    "Master, this weapon is truly magnificent. With it in my possession, I possess unwavering confidence in my ability to vanquish the 100-meter colossal crocodile," Bawang eximed with conviction.


    Liu Yong concurred, saying, "Very well, as soon as news regarding the location of the 100-meter colossal crocodile surfaces, I shall promptly inform you."


    With Bawang''s current weight nearing a colossal 500 tons and wielding over 240 tons of armaments, it stood poised to confront the 100-meter behemoth head-on.


    Relishing its newfound weapon, Bawang bid farewell, departing joyfully to its abode near the Tonga Trench.


    For several consecutive days, the silence prevailed, shrouding any trace of the two crocodiles. It was as if they had vanished into thin air.


    Where could they have gone?


    Unbeknownst to many, the secret submarine base of the Fast Company harboured both reptilian behemoths. Within the expansive underground chamber, theyy dormant, biding their time.


    They had made remarkable recoveries after receiving substantial care during this interim period. Ram Scott waved his hand and ordered, "Release both Number 1 and Number 2. Monitor their movements closely and ry the data promptly."


    A voice interjected, seeking rification, "Boss, do you mean to release them simultaneously?"


    Ram Scott affirmed, "Indeed. Set them free simultaneously. They are now a cohesive team, moving in unison. Their proximity to each other should not exceed ten nautical miles."


    They could provide mutual support by maintaining proximity should unforeseen circumstances arise.


    Recalling their prior encounter, during which both returned with injuries¡ªbearing wounds that bore the signature of a singr, enigmatic weapon¡ªRam Scott and his crew spected that it must have been the covert creation of a mighty nation.


    However, the notion of a giant snapping turtle wielding such weaponry was a notion they dismissed with incredulity.


    Before long, the two colossal crocodiles exited the underground vault, resuming their aquatic sojourn.


    In Ram Scott''s office, a massive screen showcased a world map adorned with dots denoting the locations of the colossal crocodiles.


    Amidst a ship''s journey from South America to Yanguo, a vast vessel sailed the expansive oceanden with over 200,000 tons of new iron ore.


    This vessel, "Blessed," belonged to the Global Shipping Group. Freshly constructed at a fledgling shipyard a few months prior, this maiden voyage transported iron ore from South America back to its port of origin.


    Captain Sun Zhou gazed upon the boundless horizon through his telescope, thoughts wandering within his mind. The weather proved impable that day¡ªan antithesis to the previous day''s torrential rain. The clear sky bore no trace of clouds, leaving behind only an expanse of vibrant blue.


    The first mate, Jiang Botao, said, "Captain Sun, two-thirds of our voyage has beenpleted. We shall reach Hong Kong within a week at most."


    Captain Sun nodded in agreement. "Indeed, everyone has toiled tirelessly. This voyage spans over 20,000 nautical miles and has upied over a month of our lives. Nostalgia for home has long taken root within our hearts."


    Anticipating their imminent return, Captain Sun looked forward to a well-deserved respite¡ªten days to a fortnight of blissful rxation.


    However, his countenance soon contorted as he noticed a peculiar sight on the ocean''s surface. A dark silhouette emerged, resembling a colossal whale breaching the water''s surface, yet its form defied the image of a whale.


    Eager to ascertain the nature of this anomaly, Captain Sun hastily adjusted his binocrs, granting him a clearer view. What stood before him was no ordinary whale; instead, it bore a striking resemnce to a giant crocodile.

 Chapter 271 A Narrow Escape

    ?


    Is that a formidable alligator lurking in the depths?


    Such an enormous reptile, reminiscent of a crocodile of epic proportions!


    Sun Zhou was taken aback, its eyes widening as it drew closer to inspect the creature. Beyond any doubt, it was an immense crocodile, its length estimated to be no less than seventy meters based on its visual assessment.


    Jiang Botao, the first officer beside Sun Zhou, seemed to sense something amiss and asked, "Old Sun, what''s troubling you?"


    Sun Zhou passed it the binocrs, its tone grave as it dered, "Look in the direction of two o''clock, roughly 600 meters away. There lies an enormous crocodile gliding upon the water''s surface."


    As Jiang Botao received the binocrs, thoughts of a crocodile venturing into the open sea hardly struck it as extraordinary. It failed toprehend its significance even if it were a colossal saltwater crocodile.


    Nevertheless, as it peered through the binocrs, its countenance transformed into sheer horror, its mouth agape in disbelief.


    Great heavens!


    What manner of the world is this, harbouring a behemoth of a crocodile stretching at least seventy meters in length?


    "Old Sun, we must alter our course to avoid it," Jiang Botao urged.


    Sun Zhou nodded, sweepinglymanding, "Change our heading and increase our speed!"


    The mammoth vessel initiated its turn with a coordinated effort, deftly evading the colossal crocodile that loomed ahead at the two o''clock position.


    Observing its vessel sessfully maneuvering away from the reptilian menace, Sun Zhou exhaled a silent sigh of relief.


    Narrow escape, indeed!


    The distant crocodile appeared content, baskingzily under the sun''s rays, exhibiting no inclination to give chase. Sun Zhou discreetly wiped beads of cold sweat from its forehead, acutely aware that arge Risheng Ocean Shipping Group vessel had recently met its demise, allegedly attacked by a substantial 100-meter-long crocodile.


    Haunted by this unnerving recollection, Sun Zhou couldn''t help but contemte the possibility of another 100-meter-long titan prowling these waters alongside the current 70-meter-long leviathan.


    This portended no good fortune. If a 70-meter-long crocodile had made its presence known, it was highly likely that the 100-meter-long behemoth was not far off.


    An ominous sign indeed.


    Sun Zhou refused to underestimate the situation, promptly reaching for the satellite phone to ry the rming news to thepany.


    Meanwhile, in the office...


    Liu Yong sat in his boss''s chair, perusing news articles on itsputer, hoping to chance upon reports regarding the two colossal crocodiles.


    However, despite the passage of several days, no such reports surfaced. Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel a tinge of regret. How had these two massive reptiles vanished into thin air?


    Knock, knock, knock!


    A firm knock on the door interrupted its musings. Hu Shijun entered, expression grave, as it delivered the news, "Brother Yong, the situation is dire."


    "Oh," Liu Yong responded, his demeanour instantly serious. "What has urred?"


    Hu Shijun proceeded to describe the phone call they had received from Sun Zhou, captain of the cargo ship named "Blessed." They had sighted an enormous crocodile in the waters of the Western Pacific.


    In brief detail, it ryed the ount, its words infused with genuine concern.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Hu Shijun, well aware that not long ago, a vessel from the Risheng Ocean Shipping Group had met its tragic fate in the Pacific Ocean, imed by a 100-meter-long giant crocodile, understood the imminent danger faced by the "Blessed." If this enormous reptile were to attack them, the consequences would be dire.


    What!


    The freighter "Blessed" had encountered a colossal crocodile at sea.


    Such impable timing! The search had proven futile, as if the crocodiles had intentionally eluded their pursuers, only to resurface at this precise moment.


    Liu Yong''s excitement surged as it consoled Hu Shijun, "Old Hu, fret not. I find it highly unlikely that our ''Fu'' would suffer such misfortune. I will personally handle this matter."


    Relieved by Liu Yong''s reassuring words, Hu Shijun departed, confident that the situation would be resolved under its capable guidance.


    Once Hu Shijun had left, Liu Yong turned its attention to the pet panel, meticulously examining Bawang''s attributes, including its weight.


    The weight now exceeded a staggering 500 tons, precisely 507 tons, surpassing its previous size.


    Correspondingly, various attributes have undergone remarkable enhancements. The strength attribute had surpassed the 30,000 mark, while constitution and agility closely trailed, nearing the same milestone.


    Considering that an adult''s strength attribute typically hovered around 30 to 50 points, Bawang''s strength, surpassing 30,000 points, was equivalent to thebined might of 1,000 adults.


    Such prodigious power, bolstered by a 240-ton colossal spear and its lightning-fast sprint, promised unparalleled lethality. Liu Yong eagerly anticipated witnessing its true potential.


    However, Liu Yong couldn''t help but harbour a hint of regret. With Bawang''s weight surpassing 500 tons, the efficacy of consuming prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish had diminished. No longer would the weight surge by ten or twenty tons daily; a mere two to three tons now constituted a daily gain.


    Three days had passed since Bawang''s weight crossed the 500-ton threshold. In that time, its weight had increased by a mere 7 tons, resting at 507 tons.


    Liu Yong reflected upon the situation, recognizing that despite the slowdown in weight gain, Bawang''s growth persisted beyond the 500-ton mark. A steady increase of two to three tons per day remainedmendable.


    "Overlord, duty calls. Where are you?"


    Startled back to reality by the mention of work, the Overlord promptly responded, "Master, I departed the vicinity of the Tonga Trench two days ago. I''ve been meandering across the Western Pacific, covering thousands of nautical miles."


    Having realized that feasting on prehistoric wide-mouthed giant fish yielded minimal returns, as their weight gain became indistinguishable from regr fish, the Overlord temporarily relinquished hunting those gargantuan creatures residing in the Tonga Trench.


    Although the taste of such colossal fish remained exquisite, Bawang had grown weary of consuming them exclusively. It craved a change of pte.


    Upon hearing that Bawang had ventured into the Western Pacific Ocean, Liu Yong''s countenance lit up with excitement as he promptly ryed the " Blessed " location to the Overlord.


    "Overlord, our cargo ship ''Blessed'' has encountered a predicament. Swiftly make your way there and protect it. If you encounter those two colossal crocodiles, eliminate them both."


    With an Overlord weighing 507 tons, boasting attributes surpassing 30,000, and wielding a new 240-ton weapon, Liu Yong firmly believed it could defeat the two monstrous crocodiles.


    Bawang responded dutifully, "Master, I shall depart immediately. The distance is not substantial, and I will arrive within slightly over an hour."


    Setting off with its newfound weapon, the Overlord''s incredible speed allowed it to traverse at approximately 300 nautical miles per hour.


    Within an hour and a half, it had closed in on the "Blessed," sailing merely two to three nautical miles away. It swam parallel to the cargo ship, maintaining a distance of three to five hundred meters to safeguard it.


    Suddenly, the Overlord noticed a colossal figure merely a few hundred meters away.

 Chapter 272 A Fatal Strike!

    ?


    In the depths of the vast ocean, a colossal creature emerged from the watery depths, revealing its proper form¡ªan awe-inspiring giant crocodile. Its immense size sent shivers down the spine of any onlooker, yet it was precisely the sight that the Overlord sought. With unwavering determination, the Overlord, wielding a massive spear, stealthily swam towards the enormous reptile concealed beneath the waves, utterly unbeknownst to its potential prey.


    Meanwhile, thousands of nautical miles away, Fast Company, a bustling control hall, buzzed with activity. The room teemed with a multitude of individuals engrossed in their respective tasks, including technical personnel meticulously attending to their duties, several scientists garbed in new white coats, and even the esteemed Ram Scott himself, present among them.


    The expansive chamber was adorned with a multitude of instruments and gauges, each diligently fulfilling its purpose as a plethora of data, images, and more materialized on the various disy screens. None of the impressive disys adorning the room was more prominent than the real-time satellite image, depicting a vast expanse of boundless sea traversed by a grand vessel navigating the waters.


    One of Ram Scott''s subordinates promptly reported, "BOSS, the data from Number 1 and Number 2 are within the normal range. Number 2 is situated two nautical miles away from the ship, while Number 1 lingers eight nautical miles away."


    Satisfied with the update, Ram Scott nodded approvingly before projecting his voice with conviction, "If we were to issue an attackmand to Number 2, could it replicate the sess of Number 1''s previous endeavor?"


    A scientist, attired in a new white coat, positioned adjacent to Ram Scott, voiced his professional opinion, "I believe Number 2 will not disappoint us. It should exhibit the same formidable prowess as its predecessor, Number 1. I have faith that it possesses the capability to submerge that vessel."


    Oh, the unfortunate circumstances that unfolded previously!


    Merely half a month had passed since the sinking of a colossal vessel owned by the illustrious Risheng Ocean Shipping Group. Thousands of standard containers plummeted into the unfathomable depths of the ocean, while more than thirty crew members met their untimely demise.


    Yet, astonishingly, within such a short span of time, the team embarked on a dangerous experiment once again, solely to assess the capabilities of a vast 70-meter-long crocodile in sinking a mammoth bulk carrier. Ram Scott exhibited no concern for the "Blessed" vessel nor acknowledged the precarious lives of the crew members aboard. His sole preupationy in the test results of Number 2, harbouring the sincere hope that it would emte the triumph of its predecessor, Number 1, in sinking a colossal ship.


    Their satellites diligently monitored the targeted marine region, providing a live feed of the unfolding events. Technicians and scientists stood poised, eagerly awaiting the data transmitted by the two crocodiles.


    Swiftly, themand to attack was issued.


    Through the captivating live feed, they witnessed the 70-meter-long giant crocodilemence its advance, steadily propelling itself towards the "Blessed," an iron ore bulk carrier sailing in the distance. Little did they anticipate the presence of an enormous snapping turtle, armed with a weapon, lurking in the depths, stealthily pursuing their very own giant crocodile.


    The Overlord, maintaining a measured pace, shadowed the crocodile with the utmost care, slowly narrowing the distance between them.


    It appeared that the Overlord aimed to set its sights upon the "Blessed," perhaps harbouring intentions ofunching an assault upon the vessel.


    Ha! With me here, it shall remain naught but a mere dream, a fanciful illusion!


    The Overlord''s velocity escted slightly, gradually closing in on the giant crocodile. Oblivious to the impending threat, the colossal reptile continued its inexorable trajectory toward the "Blessed."


    A mere two hundred meters remained between the Overlord and the colossal crocodile. Such proximity sufficed, negating the necessity for further advancement.


    Without a moment''s hesitation, the Overlord fixated its gaze on the target, unleashing a surge of determination that propelled it forward like a fleeting shadow. The colossal spear''s tip, guided unerringly by the Overlord''s hand, aimed directly at the giant crocodile.


    -BOOM!


    A resounding "Boom!" reverberated through the water as the spear''s point struck its intended mark impably. It pierced through the right nk of the colossal reptile''s body, traversing its colossal frame and emerging from the left side in a glorious disy of force.


    A direct and lethal blow!


    The spear''s tip, having traversed the giant crocodile''s body, carried with it a profusion of flesh and blood, transforming the surrounding seawater into a crimson tableau.


    Exhration surged within the Overlord upon witnessing this sight¡ªa culmination of joy and triumph!


    Finally, the ursed crocodile met its demise!


    Memories of the fierce battle waged against this formidable creature twenty days prior flooded the Overlord''s consciousness. Back then, victory had only been attained by the narrowest of margins, for ying such a colossal crocodile proved gruelling. Yet now, a solitary charge sufficed to conclude the encounter decisively.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The Overlord revelled in the gratifying sensation apanying this disy of enhancedbat prowess. After twenty arduous days of relentless effort, the spear had barely prated a mere meter during the initial encounter. However, now the Overlord had conquered the giant crocodile in a single, decisive thrust.


    A surge of invigoration coursed through the Overlord''s veins as it gazed upon the lifeless behemoth, subsequently retrieving its colossal spear.


    Unbeknownst to the Overlord, this single act of impalement triggered a cataclysmic chain of events, resulting in the explosive decimation of Fast Company''s ind base.


    Within their colossal control room, disconcerting rms echoed, devoid of life, piercing through the air. The extensive array of data disys glowed an ominous shade of crimson, collectively shrouded in a terrifying sea of red.


    This unnerving scarlet hue overwhelmed their chief scientist, the very leader of the project, a middle-aged white-coated figure named Baike Aiwen. His countenance contorted into a mask of distress.


    He urgently eximed, "Number 2 has perished! Number 2 has perished!"


    In a state of disbelief, Ram Scott jolted upright from his seat, bellowing with disbelief, "Oh, God! This cannot be true! This simply cannot be!"


    He hastened towards Baike Aiwen, gazing at the disconcerting crimson data adorning the disy screens.


    "What has urred? Exin this madness!" he practically roared, frustration palpable in his voice.


    Baike Aiwen promptly responded, "Initiate satellite image yback! We must ascertain the events that unfolded moments ago."


    The technicians hastilyplied, initiating the yback of the satellite images. As the footage unfolded, they observed distinct disturbances on the water''s surface, as if an unseen force hurtled towards Number 2 with unparalleled swiftness.


    "Could it be a torpedo?" one of the technicians pondered aloud.


    "Unlikely," another interjected, "torpedoes typically explode upon contact."


    "Judging by the scale of the disturbances on the water''s surface, it exceeds the size of any torpedo. How could such a massive torpedo even exist?"


    Confusion befell the technicians as they struggled toprehend the nature of the attack that had befallen their colossal crocodile.


    "Zoom in on the footage and slow down the yback," Baike Aiwen suggested.


    The imagery underwent several magnifications while yback speed was reduced fourfold, yet rity eluded them. It was not until the yback speed decreased by sixteenfold that the truth finally materialized before their eyes.


    Beneath the water''s surface, an enormous ck silhouette hurtled toward the colossal crocodile at a genuinely terrifying velocity.


    However, the underwater vantage point and the satellite''s resolution prevented them from discerning the exact identity of this mysterious assant. They could only approximate its size, estimating it to be between fifty to sixty meters in length and breadth, with a height exceeding ten meters.


    Consumed by a storm of emotions, Ram Scott cried out to the heavens, "God, I beseech you, reveal the true nature of this monstrosity!"


    Baike Aiwen, standing beside him, offered a suggestion, "Boss, I strongly advise terminating the experiment immediately. Abandon the assault on the ship and instruct Number 1 to return posthaste. The situation in that vicinity is far too perilous."


    Should Number 1 suffer a simr attack and meet its demise, its investment of over ten billion dors and the five-year endeavour invested into this project would be rendered futile, resulting in aplete and irreparable failure.


    Ram Scott, visibly weakened, waved his hand in resignation. "Very well, recall Number 1."


    While Bawang revelled in the satisfaction of conquering the seventy-meter giant crocodile with a decisive blow, it remained oblivious to the catastrophic turn of events unfolding in Fast Company''s ind base.

 Chapter 273 Chasing Shadows

    "Master," announced the triumphant Pet Bawang, "I have sessfully dispatched that colossal 70-meter behemoth, the giant crocodile."


    Upon receiving Bawang''s message, Liu Yong swiftly activated his third-party vision, instantly witnessing Bawang''s presence meters beneath the water''s surface and the massive crocodile lying hundreds of meters deep motionless.


    The giant reptile''s body bore a gaping, ghastly wound, seeping blood into the surrounding waters, causing a reddish tinge to envelope its vicinity.


    The colossal crocodile floated belly-up, its immense form gradually descending into the watery abyss, destined to rest at the seabed''s depths of three to four kilometres. Ultimately, it seemed likely that its final resting ce would be within the confines of another creature''s belly.


    Liu Yong''s joy overflowed, and heuded, "Splendid performance! Pray, enlighten me on the manner in which you dispatched this colossal crocodile."


    Bawang promptly offered a concise ount of the encounter, to which Liu Yong listened with rapt fascination.


    It had been a single, devastating strike!


    The giant spear had effortlessly impaled the mighty reptile.


    Promptly, Liu Yong presumed that the Overlord''s sheer might exceeded 500 tons, possessed strength surpassing 30,000 units, and wielded an arsenal weighing more than 240 tons.


    Even amidst his delight, Liu Yong did not neglect the other giant crocodile and reminded Bawang, "Overlord, there are two crocodiles, onerger and one smaller. The other may be in close proximity. Search for it and see if you can locate it."


    Overlord responded, "Master, that is precisely my intention. I must find the colossal 100-meter crocodile."


    Recalling the encounter with the 100-meter behemoth, Overlord had been unable to defeat it, bearing an unfulfilled vendetta within its heart. Now, bolstered by considerable advancements in strength, it yearned for another opportunity to confront the enormous reptile.


    Thus, Bawang initiated a search for the 100-meter crocodile within the vicinity.


    Captain Sun Zhou remained uneasy on the vessel "Fu," gued by the lurking threat of reencountering the giant crocodile.


    The second engineer interjected, "Captain, we have been maintaining high-speed sailing for over an hour. It is my belief that we have sessfully evaded the giant crocodile. There is no need to continue at such an elerated pace."


    The second engineer added, "Indeed, sailing at such high speeds consumes copious amounts of fuel and ces an immense strain on our power system."


    Operating at an economical speed was undoubtedly the most prudent choice. Sustained high-speed navigation taxed the power system to its limits, leaving doubts about potential malfunctions after prolonged periods.


    Captain Sun Zhou acknowledged this fact and nodded in agreement. "Then let us reduce our speed and revert to an economical pace."


    Having expressed his decision, he handed the telescope to his first mate, stating, "Lao Jiang, keep a vignt watch over the sea. May the fearsome giant crocodile never grace us with its presence again."


    Jiang Botao took the binocrs, assuming a rxed countenance, and responded, "We shall not befall such misfortune. Rest assured, we have surely distanced ourselves from that terrifying giant crocodile."


    Observing the situation at sea through his telescope, Jiang Botao remained alert.


    Finally, Captain Sun Zhou had a moment of respite. He brewed a cup of tea using hot water, settled into a seat, and began savouring it leisurely.


    Approximately three to five minutester, before he could take more than a couple of sips from his teacup, Jiang Botao suddenly eximed, his voice filled with rm.


    "Oh heavens, another giant crocodile! It surpasses the previous one in size. Captain,e and witness this."


    Startled, Sun Zhou promptly set down his teacup, hastening towards Jiang Botao to examine the direction he indicated through the binocrs.


    Not far away, near the vessel "Blessed," at a distance of three to four hundred meters, a formidable hundred-meter-long crocodile, potentially weighing over a thousand tons,zily swam through the waters.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Sun Zhou''s countenance changed abruptly.


    Such an immense crocodile left no room for doubt. If it were to assail the "Blessed," it would undoubtedly rend a gaping hole in the vessel with a single, devastating strike.


    Goodness, gracious!


    Such a great reptile was beyondprehension!


    The first engineer, second engineer, second officer, boatswain, and others aboard the ship directed their gaze towards the sea without binocrs. Their eyes fixated on the colossal crocodile, their faces etched with terror, while the more timid among them paled slightly.


    A hushed silence enveloped the vessel.


    Everyone seemed apprehensive, as though any negligent action might provoke the colossal crocodile''s attention, causing it to swim towards the "Blessed" andunch an assault upon the ship.


    However, a peculiar development unfolded.


    The colossal crocodile appeared to pay no heed to the "Blessed," despite its proximity, as if blind to its presence. It passed by at a distance of three to four hundred meters, gradually fading from view, allowing those on board to exhale finally.


    "Oh my goodness, it nearly gave me a heart attack."


    "It was truly terrifying. If such a colossal crocodile were to engage us, the ship would surely be obliterated."


    "Quick, quick, increase the speed! We must navigate at maximum velocity. If it catches up again, we''ll be in dire straits."


    Shortly after the "Blessed" reverted to an economical speed, it elerated again. Captain Sun Zhou desperately sought to distance themselves from the area, ensuring they put as much distance as possible between themselves and the colossal reptile.


    Meanwhile, Bawang had yet to locate the hundred-meter crocodile and continued its search.AA message reached Bawang from Liu Yong, stating, "Overlord, a few minutes ago, that hundred-meter crocodile passed by our ''Fu'' iron ore bulk carrier."


    "Truly? Marvelous! I shall head there immediately," Bawang eximed with joy. Grasping its colossal spear, it swiftly turned and propelled itself toward the "Blessed."


    After a brief span, Overlord caught sight of the vessel "Blessed," subsequently embarking on a quest to find the hundred-meter crocodile.


    Minutester, Bawang located the colossal reptile, which seemed to be moving away from the "Blessed." Without hesitation, Bawang pursued it, undeterred by the possibility of being detected. Its speed surpassed that of the hundred-meter crocodile, having already dispatched the seventy-meter ones swiftly and efficiently trimmed, confident in confronting the colossal reptile.


    Bawang''s velocity outmatched the hundred-meter crocodile''sing the distance swiftly. At three to four hundred meters, the crocodile caught sight of Overlord.


    Halting in its tracks, the hundred-meter reptile patiently awaited Overlord''s approach.


    With each passing moment, their proximity grew.


    Finally, the hundred-meter crocodile discerned Bawang, vaguely recognizing it. Although its cognitive abilities were limited, it failed to reconcile how the smaller Overlord it once encountered had grown significantly.


    Unconcerned with the crocodile''s momentary confusion, Overlord pressed forward, propelling itself directly towards the enormous reptile.


    Observing Overlord''s refusal to halt and engage in a standoff, instead choosing to swim directly towards it, the hundred-meter crocodile grew incensed,unching an aggressive charge in response.


    Unperturbed, Overlord met its aggression head-on. Brandishing the colossal spear, it aimed the tip towards the massive head of the crocodile, initiating a sprinting maneuver.


    ...

 Chapter 274 A Fatal Blow !!

    ?


    This time, it was not a stealthy assault but a direct retaliatory strike against its adversaries!


    In the face of the Overlord''s lightning-fast approach, the 100-meter behemoth, a colossal crocodile, disyed incredible arrogance. It stood its ground instead of evading, opting to confront the Overlord head-on, charging forth with astonishing speed.


    Then came the resounding impact!


    A resounding thud reverberated from a submerged depth of 20 to 30 meters, marking the moment the immense 240-ton spear forcefully impaled the colossal crocodile''s head.


    Click!


    The spear''s tip prated the sturdy cuticle and thick hide of the enormous crocodile''s head and pierced through its skull, reaching the depths of its brain.


    The colossal spear traversed more than ten meters.


    Another single strike, another life extinguished!


    The massive crocodile, devoid of any struggle, perished instantly, akin to an unplugged electronic device, devoid of any lingering signs of life.


    Observing this scene from a third-party perspective, Liu Yong was thoroughly gratified.


    "Overlord, truly extraordinary!" he eximed.


    Bawang, with pride brimming in its voice, responded, "Master, the new weapon you aided me in constructing has proven its worth. Through repeated trials, I have witnessed the swift demise of both these gargantuan crocodiles with a single strike."


    Indeed, the sensation of delivering a swift, decisive blow was exhrating!


    This invigorating sensation coursed throughout the Overlord''s being, visibly enlivening it as it swam with joyous abandon, gleefully circling the fallen giant crocodile several times.


    "Master, this thousand-ton giant crocodile is so colossal. I wonder how it tastes," the Overlord inquired, its characteristic fondness for culinary indulgence manifesting itself.


    Liu Yong smiled and replied, "It is now your trophy. You shall savor it and discover its vor."


    The Overlord found the notion reasonable, opening its jaws wide to take a bite of the colossal crocodile. However, it promptly spat it out, expressing its disappointment.


    "This tastes utterly unsatisfactory. It deceived me into thinking I had secured several days'' worth of sustenance. s, it was all for naught," the Overlordined, wearing an expression of disdain as it peered at the 100-meter behemoth. He then withdrew the gigantic spear and allowed the vast crocodile to descend into the sea''s abyssal depths gradually.


    Liu Yong found the Overlord''s reaction amusing, providing a momentary respite from the situation''s intensity.


    At Fast Company''s secret ind base.


    Shortly after nullifying the rm inside the vast control room, the data disys transitioned from rming red to bright green. The indicator lights on all the instruments shifted from anxiety-inducing red and yellow to a calming green glow.


    Silently, a sigh of relief escaped the lips of many present, while some pondered that despite the demise of No. 2, No. 1 remained, showcasing the triumph of their research project.


    No. 1 was more extensive and formidable, serving as a testament to their project''s sess.


    Now, all the data disys exhibited information regarding the 100-meter behemoth crocodile. Several scientists observed these data and felt contentment, seemingly leaving the matter concerning No. 2 behind them.


    Suddenly, without any forewarning!


    The previously tranquil control room erupted in ring rms, and the once serene green hues on the data disy abruptly shifted to rming red.


    Previously emanating aforting green, the indicator lights collectively transitioned to a pulsating red or flickering yellow, generating a disturbing spectacle.


    Reacting with utmost urgency, Ram Scott leapt to his feet, his voice filled with agitation as he eximed, "What is happening once again?"


    Bike Aiwen, the project''s chief scientist, appeared dispirited, wearing a mournful countenance. He replied, "Boss, our No. 1 has also met its demise. I don''t understand why, but it has perished."


    What!


    How could this happen?<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Right on the heels of No. 2''s demise, the beacon of hope for everyone¡ªNo. 1¡ªalso met its untimely end. In an instant, disbelief swept over the multitude, leaving many dumbfounded.


    This project consumed over 10 billion in funding and endured for over five years. How would they exin this to the upper management and the board of directors? Ram Scott felt as though his world was crumbling.


    Without a word, he left the stupefied crowd behind, paying no heed to the cacophony of sirens within the control room. Lost in a daze, Ram Scott returned to his office.


    Upon reaching his sanctuary, he first picked up the phone and reported the situation, then gently opened his desk drawer, retrieving a pistol from within.


    Releasing the safety and loading a bullet, Ram Scott''splexion grew pallid. With trembling hands, he pressed the muzzle of the gun against his temple, and with a decisive pull of the trigger¡ª


    Boom!


    A gunshot echoed through the room as Ram Scott''s brain burst forth, reminiscent of a watermelon smashed into pieces. The desk and wall were sttered with a grotesque red and white matter amalgam.


    The gunshot startled onlookers, causing their hearts to skip a beat. All eyes turned towards Ram Scott''s office, overwhelmed by a potent mix of shock and horror.


    At Global Shipping Group.


    Liu Yong basked in a euphoric mood. The two threats had finally been vanquished, ensuring the safe passage of his ships across the Pacific Ocean.


    Resting atop his desk was a document dispatched by Qiu Yanggang. It contained an extensive list of the ships owned by the Global Shipping Group.


    Comfortably settled in his executive chair, Liu Yong perused the document with great satisfaction.


    Each ship''s number, name, tonnage, and essential details were meticulously outlined, apanied by vivid photographs.


    Liu Yong spent over ten minutes perusing the document, revelling in a profound sense of aplishment. The Global Shipping Group currently boasts 83 ships of varying sizes, withrge vessels exceeding 100,000 tons ounting for over 80% of the fleet. Among them, 21 ships surpassed 200,000 tons.


    Merely 12 ships fell below the 100,000-ton threshold, with two remaining beneath the 50,000-ton mark.


    The fleet consisted of 83 vessels, amassing abined deadweight tonnage exceeding 10 million tons, officially propelling the Global Shipping Group into the esteemed ten-million-ton club. Given the current total capacity, the Global Shipping Group ranked eighth globally.


    Closing the document, Liu Yong contemted the future with anticipation, envisioning the day when his organization would ascend to the pinnacle of the global shipping industry, clinching the coveted number one position.


    A knock at the door disrupted his thoughts.


    Qiu Yang entered, sporting a jubnt expression. He proimed, "Boss, congrattions! We have just acquired anotherrge oil tanker from Risheng Ocean Shipping Group¡ªa vessel boasting a deadweight tonnage of 160,000, capable of transporting over 1 million barrels of crude oil."


    Liu Yong smiled and replied, "Excellent news! With an additional 160,000 tons, we havee one step closer to iming the top spot worldwide."


    Both men took their seats and conversed about thepany''s affairs.


    In recent days, acting on behalf of thepany, Qiu Yang had procured over a dozenrge ships from Risheng Ocean Group, expanding the shipping capacity of the Global Shipping Group even further.


    The influx of these new vessels necessitated an increased number of crew members. However, Qiu Yang didn''t retain the entireplement from Risheng Ocean Group; instead, he conducted a rigorous screening and assessment process, selectively recruiting a portion of their crew.


    "Boss, we still have a few gaps to fill, particrly when ites to experienced engineers like chief engineers, boatswains, electricians, third mates, and third engineers," Qiu Yang pointed out.


    Liu Yong waved dismissively and said, "Let''s announce our recruitment drive to the world. We offerpetitive benefits, so I''m confident we can attract the right talent."


    Qiu Yang agreed, stating, "I concur. I n to cast our globally."


    Facing the world!


    Liu Yong was momentarily taken aback, and then a wry smile yed upon his lips. Considering the Global Shipping Group''s current scale and strength, coupled with its favourable employment conditions, recruiting talent from around the globe was a viable option.


    There was no harm in hiring foreign personnel. In fact, it might even prove beneficial. Such thoughts swirled in Liu Yong''s mind as he contemted the possibilities.

 Chapter 275 Dream Homes At (HiG)

    ?


    Currently, the sry structure within the esteemed Global Shipping Group is notablypetitive, aligning harmoniously with international standards. For instance, the honourable captains and chief engineers typically enjoy a monthly ie of 200,000 and above.


    Meanwhile, the first mates and first engineers receive an approximate monthly sry of 80,000, whereas the second mates and second engineers receive approximately 60,000. Even ordinary sailors and mechanics earn a monthly sry ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 while upying more junior positions.


    However, the allure of the Global Shipping Group lies not only in its sry packages but also in its employees'' exceptional benefits. The organization goes above and beyond by providing various bonuses, ensuring its workforce feels valued and appreciated.


    Furthermore, the highly anticipated Huahai International Garden, an employee residentialplex currently under construction, is on the verge ofpletion, adding to the already impressive array of benefits.


    Situated in the bustling metropolis of Huahai City, this residentialplex boasts an unrivalled location, with a subway station conveniently located right at its doorstep. Such essibility holds tremendous appeal to potential residents, creating an enticing prospect for employees of the Global Shipping Group.


    Captivated by these prospects, Liu Yong contemtes embarking on a global recruitment drive, potentially inviting foreign talent to join their ranks.


    "Mister Qiu, I received news that our Huahai International Garden Community is about tomence house handovers," announced a colleague to Mr Qiu.


    Qiu Yang, the recipient of this news, responded, "The construction progress is proceeding exceptionally well. The renovation work is currently underway, and we are nning to initiate the handover process next month, allowing our employees to gradually move into their new residences."


    Intrigued by the updates, Liu Yong said, "It has been over a month since Ist visited. I believe it''s time for me to go and witness the progress firsthand."


    Qiu Yang inquired, "Boss, would you like me to apany you?"


    Liu Yong replied reassuringly, "That won''t be necessary. You have your ownmitments to attend to. Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang will be goodpany for me."


    After a brief moment, Liu Yong set off towards the Huahai International Garden Community. Instead of relying on public transportation as he did previously, he opted to traverse the distance in his luxury vehicle, a Cullinan. He was apanied by He Qiang, the driver, and Kang Zhenggang, seatedfortably in the passenger seat.


    During the journey, Liu Yong found sce, closing his eyes to rejuvenate his mind. In a peculiar twist, he engaged in a mental dialogue with Bawang, tapping into a third-party perspective. This unique connection gave him insights into Bawang''s current whereabouts and activities.


    At present, Bawang had yet to return to the Tonga Trench area, choosing instead to explore the vast expanse of the Western Pacific Ocean. Recent triumphs included conquering a colossal whale weighing over 30 tons, which it was currently feasting upon on the shores of an unnamed deserted ind. Nearby, Bawang''s massive speary, gently caressed by the sea''s ebb and flow.


    Amidst mouthfuls of sustenance, Bawang merrily conversed with Liu Yong, "Master, it has been a productive day. I have captured such a substantial whale. Yet, my appetite is not sated; once I finish devouring this feast, I must hunt down and im two more."


    Indeed, Bawang required three such gargantuan whales to satiate its hunger, amounting to 100 tons of nourishment. The sheer magnitude of its consumption was genuinely awe-inspiring.


    Teasingly, Liu Yong responded, "You possess an insatiable appetite. Fortunately, you procure your own food, or else I would struggle to amodate your voracity."


    Bawang yfully retorted, "Master, with your immense wealth, fret not over the prospect of me impoverishing you."


    Bawang inquired, "Master, you relish the taste of beef and mutton. How does it tantalize your pte? When can you arrange for some cattle and sheep for me to savor?"


    -Haha!


    Amidstughter, Liu Yong reprimanded, "Enough of your musings, my friend. Content yourself with a diet of fish." Their camaraderie through conversation brought joy to Liu Yong''s heart. After some time, Kang Zhenggang''s voice prated his consciousness, interrupting their delightful exchange.


    "Boss, we have arrived at the Huahai International Garden," Kang Zhenggang announced.


    Liu Yong opened his eyes, promptly exited the vehicle, and beheld the residentialplex before him. A little over a month ago, this site was a bustling construction zone resembling a colossal project. However, the transformation that had taken ce was nothing short of remarkable.


    The grand entrance of themunity had taken shape, guarded by a vignt security detail. Upon surveying the vicinity, it became evident that significant efforts had been invested inndscaping the surroundings. The pace of progress was genuinely astonishing.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Intrigued by the unfolding panorama, Liu Yong beckoned, "Come, let us venture inside and witness the spectacle firsthand."


    While ess to the premises was restricted to authorized personnel only, Global Shipping Group employees were privileged to enter themunity by simply swiping their work cards at the entrance. Consequently, Liu Yong and hispanions seamlessly passed through the gates.


    Once inside, Liu Yong marvelled at the abundance of flora and fauna adorning themunity. Vast expanses of turf were meticulouslyid, and diligent gardeners could be observed tending to their green domain. While some areas awaitedpletion of the nting process, the overall ambience exuded an air of tranquillity.


    Themunity boasted eight towering residential buildings, each soaring 32 stories high, exuding contemporary elegance. Mere months ago, these structures were adorned with scaffolding, but now, all traces of construction had vanished. Every tile was meticulously positioned, and every window and door was wlessly installed.


    Approaching the entrance of Building No. 2, Liu Yong and hispanions encountered a group of seven or eight individuals exiting the premises. Each individual was an employee of the Global Shipping Group, and their joyousughter resonated as they conversed while strolling outside.


    "The interior decor is remarkable, simply exquisite. I''m enamored," expressed one employee.


    "It feels like a dreame true. Never did I envision sharing such a prestigious residence," added another, his voice brimming with excitement.


    Listening to their remarks, Liu Yong''s smile grew wider. Evidently, the employees were immensely pleased with their future abodes, thus reaffirming his desire to explore the interior.


    Upon stepping into the building, Liu Yong''s eyes were greeted with an enchanting sight. The interior design exceeded his expectations, boasting meticulously pasted floor and wall tiles that seemed to mirror one''s presence.


    Additionally, the presence of elevators further entuated the convenience, with each unit housing two of these vertical transporters. It was a prime example of a two-elevator system serving five households.


    With a touch of eagerness, Liu Yong directed hispanions into one of the elevators, casually pressing the button for the 20th floor. As the elevator ascended, it halted at its designated destination, revealing remnants of construction materials, such as tiles and adhesivepounds, along with several workers engaged in the ongoing renovation process.


    Five units were present on this particr floor, three of which hadpleted renovations, while the remaining two were still refurbished and expected to conclude in a few days.


    Liu Yong led the way into one of the renovated units, a spacious abode spanning 142 square meters featuring four bedrooms and two living rooms. It exuded an air of grandeur, characterized by a capacious living area, an expansive dining space, and four generous bedrooms.


    Impable finishing, exquisite design¡ªa ce one could instantly fall in love with.


    These luxurious residences were exclusively reserved for managerial-level employees of thepany, with Buildings 1 and 2 housing this elite selection. Presently, over 100 such homes are avable, satisfying the immediate demand.


    Eximing with delight, Liu Yong remarked, "Wow, these windows are simply captivating."


    "Beautiful, simply beautiful. It exceeds my imagination," echoed another.


    The expressions on Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang''s faces revealed their delight and a trace of envy as they yearned to upy such opulent living spaces. The realization of their aspirations lies in attaining managerial positions within thepany.


    Observing their reactions, Liu Yong couldn''t help but inquire, his smile evident, "Well, how do you feel? These houses are quite impressive, aren''t they?"


    Simultaneously nodding, their responses came in near unison, "Impressive doesn''t suffice; they''re mansions straight out of our dreams."


    Liu Yong grinned and continued his query, "Do you fancy living in such a house?"


    The two seemed to realize something, their hearts racing, their breaths momentarily suspended...

 Chapter 276 International Requirements

    ?


    Could it be that our esteemed boss intends to partition a residence akin to ours?


    Pondering over this intriguing possibility, the two individuals exchanged silent nces, and within the depths of each other''s eyes, they could discern a shared exhration.


    This was an idea they had scarcely allowed themselves to entertain, for the dwelling in question was an expansive four-bedroom abode spanning a generous area exceeding 140 square meters. It was a privilege exclusively granted to those upying managerial positions within thepany''s upper echelons. Regrettably, the duo were merely assigned bodyguards and drivers'' roles.


    Liu Yong sported a smile and uttered, "Indeed, each of you shall be endowed with a quartet of bedrooms, and your treatment shall bemensurate with that of the esteemed managers."


    "Truly?" The pair was excited, their voices nearly merging into a harmonious chorus. "Thank you, thank you, boss!"


    Liu Yong inclined his head in acknowledgement, expressing his concern. "Lao Kang, ensure you relocate with your wife and children. And He Qiang, how is your rtionship progressing with Du Xue? Strive to cohabitate as expeditiously as possible."


    Kang Zhenggang expressed his gratitude, "Certainly, I will make the necessary arrangements for my wife and children."


    He Qiang appeared slightly bashful as he replied, "Boss, Du Xue and I have only recently confirmed our rtionship. It''s still in its nascent stage."


    Liu Yong nodded understandingly, refraining from further inquiry. He proceeded to lead the pair on a tour of the four-bedroom apartment before casting his gaze upon several other residences.


    Each dwelling boasted exquisite and fashionable design, with top-notch quality in terms of decoration. Liu Yong found himself immensely satisfied with the oue.


    Over the past few days, the WeChat groupprising the employees of the Global Shipping Group had been inundated with a single incident, driving everyone to the brink of madness.


    Every subgroup was engaged in spirited discussions concerning the allocation of the newly constructed residences, inundating the tform with a deluge of photographs.


    "Wow, this is thepany''s construction! It''s incredibly stunning."


    "Thanks to thepany, I shall finally have a ce to call my own in the illustrious city of Huahai."


    "Tsk tsk, the decor and design are exceptionally professional. Although I have yet to witness the interior firsthand, I am determined to pay a visit when time permits."


    "As soon as my girlfriend caught a glimpse of our future abode in the photos shared by thepany, she wholeheartedly agreed to my proposal. She was ovee with joy."


    Silence pervaded the WeChat group of the Global Shipping Group as its members enthusiastically delved into passionate conversations and aspirations. Naturally, a greater number of individuals nurtured the desire to receive their allotted residences as swiftly as possible.


    Yet, apart from this extraordinary urrence, the Global Shipping Group had been primarily focused on an equally significant endeavour as ofte¡ªinternational recruitment.


    Their promotional endeavours had yielded fruitful results, with thepany''s human resources department being inundated with an extensive array of physical and digital resumes pouring in from numerous domestic and foreign quarters. The presence of foreign faces in these documents left the staff members of the department astounded, struggling to fathom the reason behind such a surge.


    They collectively mused that their organization had swiftly ascended to prominence in the global job market, transforming into a coveted destination for aspiring professionals.


    Hua Yuanxun, an inexperienced employee who had recently transitioned from an internship to a full-time position within the Human Resources Department, was entrusted with the task of receiving and organizing the overseas correspondence. Upon encountering the resumes submitted by these foreign candidates, he found himself bewildered yet tinged with excitement.


    In his heart, he fervently believed that joining the Global Shipping Group had been the wisest decision of his life.


    In a distant Western country, several foreigners huddled concurrently, engrossed in a hushed conversation within the confines of arge shippingpany.


    "Peter, are you genuinely nning to embark on a journey to Yan Country and assume the mantle of captain within the esteemed Global Shipping Group?"


    "Well, my resume has already been dispatched. As long as they extend an offer, I shall promptly set sail for Yan Country."


    "But..."


    Peter gently patted hispanion''s shoulder, reassuringly dering, "My friend, there is naught to fret about. I have thoroughly researched the Global Shipping Group, and despite its rtively brief existence, it has been experiencing rapid growth. I firmly believe that a prosperous future awaits me there."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "But what about the remuneration package?"


    Peter interjected, "The benefits are quite favorable. Captains earn a monthly sry exceeding 30,000 euros, alongside a myriad of additional perks. The highlight, however, is the provision of a spacious abode epassing over 140 square meters."


    "Is that so?" The individuals beside him counted, their gazes fixed upon Peter. If these ims hold true, then the proposition was undoubtedly appealing.


    Peter confidently affirmed, "It is indeed true. I assure you that the Global Shipping Group has constructed a vast residentialplex in the vibrant city of Huahai, boasting a pristine environment."


    Huahai City, situated within the illustrious country, resonated deeply with their awareness. An international metropolis teeming with over 20 million patrons, it was renowned for its excellent living conditions, unparalleled prosperity, and remarkable development.


    "Peter, I have served as a first mate for quite some time. Do you reckon I should submit my resume as well?"


    "Absolutely! I fervently hope to ascend to the rank of captain within the Global Shipping Group, with you remaining as my trusted first mate."


    The chief mate and several otherpatriots found themselves yearning for this newfound opportunity. The allure of a handsome sry, a workce in the esteemed Huahai City, and the promise of an abode upon arrival proved irresistibly enticing.


    In Liu Yong''s office, he perused a message on his mobile phone. It emanated from Zhou Jingkang, a ssmate from his junior high school days, and included an assortment of captivating photographs.


    "Brother Yong, your grand vi has beenpleted. When shall you return to marvel at its splendor?"


    Upon returning home the previous year, Liu Yong resolved to demolish the ancestral house and erect a magnificent vi in its ce. Zhou Jingkang had been entrusted with this pivotal task.


    Over the ensuing months, Zhou Jingkang had admirably fulfilled his responsibilities, sparing Liu Yong any cause for concern. The vi had materialized precisely ording to his specifications.


    Not only had it been meticulously adorned in line with Liu Yong''s desires, but Zhou Jingkang had also conscientiously procured various household necessities¡ªkitchenware, bedding, toiletries¡ªensuring that Liu Yong''s abode would be fully prepared for his arrival.


    Many photographs apanied the message, each showcasing the vi''s splendid grandeur. Liu Yong found himself thoroughly contented with the oue.


    Since thest time he had visited and brought his parents along, Liu Yong had not made a subsequent trip.


    "Now that I possess a modicum of leisure, with no pressingpany affairs to attend to, I can finally return andy my eyes upon this newly erected vi." Such ruminations upied Liu Yong''s thoughts.


    Consequently, he swiftly replied to Zhou Jingkang''s message, expressing his intent to visit imminently and personally inspect the fruits of his ssmate''sbour over the past several months.


    Zhou Jingkang responded promptly, expressing his anticipation for Liu Yong''s swift return and eagerly awaiting his scrutiny and approval of the vi.


    In the afternoon, Liu Yong arrived at his parents'' house, bypassing the recently acquired 100-million yuan mansion.


    Upon stepping through the door, he noticed his father seated on the living room sofa, cigarette in hand, a vexed expression etched upon his face.


    Immediately concerned, Liu Yong inquired, "Dad, is something troubling you? You appear rather unhappy."


    Liu Hongfu angrily responded, "It''s all because of your mother."


    "What''s the matter, Dad? Did you have an argument with Mom?" Liu Yong inquired further.


    Liu Hongfu snorted but refrained from disclosing the cause of his displeasure.


    Observing this, Liu Yong could only shake his head wryly, recognizing that asional quarrels were not out of the ordinary despite their otherwise harmonious rtionship. Often, they would reconcile the following day.


    Yet, the nature of today''s dispute remained a mystery to him.

 Chapter 277 Two Majestic Vehicles

    ?


    As the evening descended, Zhou Xiuying returned to her humble abode, and the family assembled harmoniously to partake in their evening repast. Amidst the conviviality, Liu Yong astutely observed his father''s visage still bearing the marks of sternness and anger. At the same time, his mother seemed to exude an air of unaffected cheerfulness, as though naught had urred to disrupt the domestic equilibrium.


    Gently, Liu Yong broke the silence, his words carrying an undertone of concern, "Father, does your anger still persist?"


    Liu Hongfu emitted a soft snort, yet his countenance appeared to have softened to some extent, hinting at a potential amelioration of his mood.


    Before Liu Yong could inquire further, Zhou Xiuying, taking the initiative, interjected with a conciliatory tone, "Head of the household, please do not remain aggrieved. I shall apany you on a sojourn to your hometown tomorrow, if it pleases you."


    Upon hearing this, Liu Hongfu''s countenance further rxed, and a visible improvement in his overallplexion could be discerned.


    Curiosity danced in Liu Yong''s eyes as he observed the exchange between his parents, for he sensed a veiled understanding of the unfolding situation.


    Zhou Xiuying enlightened her family, "Let me elucidate the matter. Your Uncle Hongyuan telephoned earlier today, informing us of their imminent nuptials taking ce the day after tomorrow. Hence, they extend an invitation for us to attend the wedding festivities."


    Liu Yong chimed in, his voice brimming with enthusiasm, "Mother, this is indeed auspicious news!"


    Zhou Xiuying responded, "I am well aware of the joyous tidings, but I had already arranged for my fellow sisters to partake in their nightly square dance routine. We have been diligently rehearsing a new routine in preparation for apetition. I proposed that your father could return to his ancestralnd unapanied, while I continue our dance practices. Yet, your father had insisted that we embark on this journey together, bing vexed with me."


    Thus, the true nature of the situation came to light.


    Liu Yongughed heartily, interjecting, "Mother, it is but a trivial matter for you to suspend your participation in the square dance temporarily. I am certain your dancepanions would understand should you request a two-day hiatus."


    "I have already informed them to take two or three days off so they can apany your father on his hometown expedition for the wedding celebration," Zhou Xiuying revealed.


    Seizing the opportunity, Liu Yong conveyed his own intentions: "Actually, I was just about to disclose that the house in our ancestral vige has been constructed. Zhou Jingkang urged me to pay a visit and inspect the abode. I have already given him my word. Therefore, why don''t the three of us journey together tomorrow? Lan, due to her academicmitments, should be exempted."


    Liu Hongfu astonished Liu Yong, "Xiaoyong, the notion of the three of us traveling in unison tomorrow is indeed remarkable."


    Liu Yong affirmed, "Very well then, we shallmence our voyage early tomorrow morning."


    Suddenly, Liu Hongfu''s countenance transformed into sheer delight as he eximed with exuberance, "Darling, retrieve a bottle of wine. Xiaoyong and I shall partake in a celebratory libation."


    Zhou Xiuying smiled wryly, teasingly ncing at Liu Hongfu, "Pray, who was the epitome of sternness mere moments ago, and now, inexplicably brimming with joy?"


    Both Liu Hongfu and Liu Yong joined in theughter. Liu Yong fetched a bottle of Moutai, expertly uncorking it and pouring two sses of the precious nectar, thereby engendering an atmosphere of friendliness as they conversed and revelled in each other''spany.


    Given their imminent return to their ancestral homnd, it behoved them to make suitable vehicr arrangements. Liu Yong devised a n involving two opulent Rolls-Royces, with Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang serving as their chauffeurs.


    Liu Hongyuan, being distantly rted to Liu Hongfu, with their fathers sharing the bond of cousinhood, had extended a formal invitation, warranting the presentation of traditional red envelopes.


    Liu Hongfu cautiously probed, "Xiaoyong, how much shall we enclose within the red envelopes? Ten thousand yuan should be adequate."


    In rural regions, customary practices dictated the amount bestowed in red envelopes, typically ranging from one to two hundred yuan for acquaintances and three to five hundred yuan for closer rtionships.


    Considering the affinity between Liu Hongfu and Liu Hongyuan, Liu Yong opined, "Father, if we wish to exhibit utmost courtesy, we should proffer an envelope containing 88,000 yuan."


    An exorbitant sum indeed, equivalent to bestowing 88,000 yuan!


    Liu Hongfu expressed apprehension, "Do you not believe it to be excessive?"


    Liu Yong retorted with a smile, "Father, Uncle Hongyuan''s family shares an intimate connection with us. If we wish to demonstrate our magnanimity, let us present them with an auspicious sum of 88,000 yuan."


    Zhou Xiuying concurred, "Indeed, Head of the household, heed your son''s counsel. By gifting 88,000 yuan, we not only convey our goodwill but also alleviate their financial burdens. I heard that they scrambled to amass a dowry of 300,000 yuan, taking loans from various sources just to secure their daughter-inw''s hand in marriage."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Very well, we shall bestow 88,000 yuan," Liu Hongfu resolved.


    Dispensing such a generous red envelope within a rural setting bore significant implications of honour and prestige. Liu Hongfu was well aware of this, and as a result, a rosy blush graced his countenance.


    Post-dinner, the family embarked on a trip to the local supermarket, acquiring an assortment ofmodities such as spirits, tobo, confectionery, and fruits. These provisions would apany them on their journey back to their ancestral homnd the following day.


    The break of dawn marked themencement of their long-awaited expedition.


    Two resplendent Rolls-Royces set in motion; the leading vehicle is a majestic Rolls-Royce Phantom, chauffeured by He Qiang, with Liu Hongfu and Zhou Xiuying upying its luxurious interior.


    The next car, a magnificent Cullinan, bore Liu Yong within its elegant confines.


    Peering through the crystal-clear ss, his gaze fixed on the scenery passing by, a multitude of thoughts meandering within his mind, pondering the changes that may have transpired in his hometown during his extended absence.


    The journey predominantly unfolded on the highway, allowing them to traverse great distances within a span of a mere two and a half hours before exiting onto local roads and finally arriving at the town.


    Coincidentally, the town was abuzz with a bustling fair, its narrow streets teeming with a sea of humanity. Vehicles, ranging from modest tricycles to predominantly utilitarian vans, lined the sides of the road, while the presence of two Rolls-Roycesmanded the attention of onlookers.


    "Pray, what wondrous chariots be these? Their splendor surpasses all; could they perchance be the fabled luxury automobiles?" inquired one curious observer.


    "Why, indeed! ''Tis a Rolls-Royce, each worth no less than six or seven million! Make way and avoid any inadvertent contact!" advised another, fearful ofpromising the vehicles'' immacte condition.


    "By heavens! Such opulent conveyances! In our vige, Ergui procured a brand-new van for over 40,000 yuan. These vehicles must have cost 60,000 to 70,000 yuan apiece!" marvelled a bystander.


    As word spread of the arrival of these shy cars, more and more people gathered, their curious gazes drawn to the spectacle.


    "Who dares unt such extravagance?"


    "Indeed! One Rolls-Royce alone would make one''s heart skip a beat, but two together!"


    "The upants of these cars must be true luminaries."


    The arrival of the two Rolls-Royces triggered a wave of astonishment and curiosity, captivating the attention of all. Coincidentally, Mao Yiming and his daughter-inw had also ventured to the town fair, seeking excitement and merriment.


    Mao Yiming''s wife handled the driving duties. At the same time, Mao Yiming himself, seated in the passenger seat, fretted incessantly, urging caution to prevent any potential mishaps or scratches to their own vehicle.


    His daughter-inw, her countenance twisted in annoyance, retorted, "I know, you don''t have to keep nagging. You''re so annoying!"


    Mao Yiming fell silent, only to have his eyes widened by the sudden sight of two Rolls-Royces approaching. Although their speed was modest, his heart raced in apprehension.


    These were luxury cars; the merest brush against them would leave him impoverished, unable to afford their repair costs even if he sold his own vehicle.


    "Slow down and yield the right of way; let them pass," Mao Yiming advised with trepidation.


    His daughter-inw, however, eximed indignantly, "Why should I yield to them?"


    Observing his wife''s stubbornness, Mao Yiming realized she intended to drive on, prompting him to blurt out, "You prodigal woman! Do you think you''re invincible? These are luxury cars worth millions! If you so much as touch them, we won''t be able to afford their repairs, even if we sold everything!"


    His daughter-inw, oblivious to the nuances of car branding, had initially believed the Rolls-Royces to be merely superior to her own vehicle. But upon learning their exorbitant price, she grew pale with fright, mistakenly depressing the elerator instead of the brake, causing their car to surge forward.


    ...

 Chapter 278 A Wealthy Homecoming

    ?


    Mao Yiming found himself in utter disbelief, and his faculties momentarily abandoned him!


    As expected, adhering to the conventional stereotype of a female driver, the elerator functioned more like a brake!


    "Brakes, brakes, brakes!" Mao Yiming anxiously shouted. s, his plea was brushed aside as his daughter-inw seemed to have pressed the gas pedal to its fullest extent, leaving him no choice but to raise his voice again, eximing, "Release, release your foot!"


    Finally, upon hearing the urgent plea to lift her foot, his wife snapped back to reality, swiftly retracting her right foot, perspiration trickling down her forehead and body.


    Thankfully, their car boasted a manual transmission. Mao Yiming had been wise enough to opt for a manual transmission when purchasing the vehicle, considering his wife''s recent acquisition of a driver''s license. Oh, the wisdom in that decision!


    Fortunately, it was a manual transmission, and even more fortunate was that they had engaged only the second gear due to the heavy traffic. Otherwise, the consequences could have been unimaginable.


    Meanwhile, Kang Zhenggang, driving ahead, cautiously observed an approaching vehicle driven by a female driver. Witnessing her careening towards him from the opposite direction, he proceeded with utmost vignce.


    As the distance between the two vehicles diminished to 30 to 40 meters, Kang Zhenggang was taken aback as the other driver suddenly floored the elerator, causing her car to roar forward. Swiftly reacting, Kang Zhenggang deftly maneuvered the steering wheel, veering his vehicle to the side while simultaneously applying the brakes.


    Thankfully, his car came to a halt without any collision. Kang Zhenggang breathed a sigh of relief, his tense muscles finally rxing.


    The onlookers around him were startled, their gazes pointing usingly at Mao Yiming''s car.


    "Look, she is indeed a female driver. It''s evident she mistook the elerator for the brake."


    "Thank goodness there was no impact. Those are Rolls-Royces, and a collision would have been disastrous."


    Silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the crowd''s murmurs.


    Observing the spectators outside the car, Mao Yiming''s daughter-inw flushed with embarrassment, no longer dismissing Mao Yiming''s warnings. From that moment on, she drove with utmost obedience and sincerity.


    The two Rolls-Royces continued their slow progress, navigating through the bustling market crowd until they finally reached the three-way intersection at the town government''s entrance. Taking a sharp turn, they embarked upon the concrete road leading to Dongmen Vige.


    At the entrance of the town government, a small ck car sat parked. A middle-aged man apanied by a young fellow prepared to embark on their journey. However, upon catching sight of the two Rolls-Royces, the middle-aged man halted abruptly, his gaze transfixed upon the spectacle.


    "Xiao Gu, whose vehicles do you suppose those are?" he inquired.


    Secretary Xiaogu, casting his eyes upon the luxurious automobiles, pondered thoughtfully before responding, "Mr. Mayor, considering the direction they''re headed, towards Dongmen Vige, could it be that the boss of Global Shipping Group has returned?"


    Prompted by this realization, the middle-aged man dered, "It must be Mr. Liu from Global Shipping Group who has returned!" He swiftly retrieved his mobile phone, dialled a number and reported, "Leader, I have just witnessed two Rolls-Royces proceeding towards Dongmen Vige. It appears to be Mr. Liu of Global Shipping Group returning."


    Little did Liu Yong anticipate that his inconspicuous return would attract the attention of the local government.


    He was seatedfortably in the car and admired the concrete road repaired half a year ago. Satisfaction washed over him as he remarked, "Once this road is fully restored, its condition will vastly improve."


    Kang Zhenggang, the driver, agreed wholeheartedly, adding, "This road is truly remarkable. It''s a rarity to have twones, and driving here presents no challenges whatsoever."


    With their sights set on Dongmen Vige, the two vehicles ventured forth.


    At that very moment, Dongmen Vige brimmed with liveliness.


    A multitude of people assembled at the vige entrance, radiating joy. The vige chief, Liu Jianping, and the branch secretary, Liu Wenkang, were also present.


    On either side of the vige entrance, fireworks and firecrackers adorned the scene. The vige''s dragon and lion dance troupe had assembled, apanied by the resounding beats of gongs and drums and a mandating Yangko dance team.


    Liu Jianping nced at his watch and proimed, "Mr. Liu should be arriving soon. Let usmence the preparations."


    Those responsible for igniting the firecrackers and fireworks assumed their positions, while the dragon and lion dance teams and the musicians arranged themselves ordingly.


    After a brief interval, Liu Jianping called out, his voice resounding, "Here theye, here theye. Two vehicles in total!"


    Liu Yong possessed keen eyesight, and he, too, caught sight of the vibrant scene at the vige entrance. A smile graced his lips as he marvelled at the unexpected mobilization of the entire vige. Honestly, his presence had garnered substantial attention.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Slowly but surely, the procession drew closer.


    Amidst the resounding fireworks, firecrackers, and the live performances of the dragon and lion dancers, the atmosphere brimmed with jubtion.


    Overwhelmed by the sight before him, Liu Yong felt immense delight.


    Upon reaching the vige entrance, he instructed Kang Zhenggang to halt the vehicle. Stepping out of the car, he graciously extended his hand, warmly shaking the hands of those present.


    For at least the vige entrance, he was basking for at least twenty minutes in the festivity before finally returning to the car. The engine roared to life, and with a leisurely pace, the vehicles made their way to the entrance of his newly constructed vi.


    When constructing this mansion, Liu Yong had purchased the neighbouring Liu Wei''snd, expanding the estate to cover several acres. The terrain boasted an expansive openness, while the vi''s entrance gate aligned perfectly with the adjacent cement road. As the two vehicles approached the gates of the grand estate, they were followed by a sea of vigers.


    Awaiting their arrival at the vi entrance stood Zhou Jingkang, a red carpet elegantlyid before him, and the gates swung wide open.


    The two vehicles gracefully traversed the gates, parking within the spacious front yard of the grand vi.


    Stepping out of the car, Liu Yong cast a cursory nce, eschewing immediate entry into the vi. A sense of satisfaction welled up within him.


    The reality before him mirrored the photographs Zhou Jingkang had shared, yet the actual sight surpassed their digital depiction in its magnificence.


    Spotting Liu Yong''s arrival, Zhou Jingkang happily approached him, "Mr. Liu, are you pleased with the result?"


    Liu Yong nodded approvingly, affirming, "Old ssmate, yes, it''s truly exceptional. You needn''t worry."


    Observing Liu Yong''s satisfaction, Zhou Jingkang sighed in relief.


    The vi''s front yard buzzed with excitement as over a hundred people marvelled at the grandeur before them. Envy and praise filled the air as they gazed upon this splendid vi.


    "This mansion is simply awe-inspiring. I can guarantee that there isn''t another one like it in the entire county."


    "Forget the county; this vi is unparalleled even within the entire city. I heard it cost 30 to 40 million yuan to build."


    Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd.


    Liu Yong was undoubtedly a wealthy man!


    Envious gazes locked onto Liu Yong as he approached the grand vi, apanied by Zhou Jingkang, to tour the newlypleted residence.


    Liu Hongfu and his wife beamed with joy, warmly greeting the vigers. The trunk of one of the Rolls-Royces was opened, revealing an array of goods.


    Boxes of Zhonghua cigarettes and Moutai liquor enticed the onlookers.


    Liu Hongfu extracted several cigarettes from one of the boxes, tossing a few to Liu Jianping and Liu Wenkang, respectively, and proimed, "Help yourselves to a smoke!"


    Having spoken, Liu Hongfu lit a cigarette for himself, and the distribution of cigarettesmenced. Men, women, young, and old¡ªall were offered a share.


    Liu Wenkang received three Zhonghua cigarettes and, originally intending to distribute them individually, was taken aback by Liu Hongfu''s approach. Hastily emting him, he began distributing them one by one.


    As he smoked, Liu Wenkang marvelled, "Liu Yong is truly wealthy. The cost of distributing this pack of Zhonghua cigarettes alone must be exorbitant."


    He would have surelyughed if Liu Yong had been privy to Liu Wenkang''s thoughts. Such an amount was inconsequential, a mere drop in the ocean. My other car is filled with Zhonghua cigarettes and Moutai liquor.


    Apanied by Zhou Jingkang, Liu Yong stepped into the grand vi. His eyes glimmered with delight upon entering.


    ...

 Chapter 279 Ripples Of Change

    ?


    Ah, how splendid!


    Whether enveloped within the confines of its walls or casting its majestic aura upon the world outside, this ethereal abode transcends the mere realm of photographic portrayal, offering a splendid panorama that elicits an all-epassing warmth and a sense of refined elegance, capable of captivating the very soul of those who behold it.


    Observing the unmistakable expression on Liu Yong''s countenance, Zhou Jingkang couldn''t help but utter, "Well, my dear friend, how does my endeavor fare in your esteemed estimation?"


    Liu Yong enthusiastically responded, "The effect has been splendidly materialized, leaving me astounded by an overwhelming sense of astonishment."


    Upon hearing such words, a beam of joy yed upon Zhou Jingkang''s visage, its radiance rivalling the sun.


    This magnificent vi, the epitome of architectural brilliance, was meticulously conceived by a renowned design firm within the bustling confines of Huahai City. With masterful blueprints, Zhou Jingkang rallied his dedicated team and embarked on an arduous construction journey. After months of tireless efforts, this splendid mansion, with its lofty aspirations, finally breathed life into existence.


    Guiding Liu Yong through an enchanting expedition within the vi''s opulent confines, Zhou Jingkang ensured no stone was left unturned in their exploration. Having perused every nook and cranny, the duo traversed again towards the vi''s rear sanctuary.


    Enveloped by verdant foliage, the vi''s backyard unveiled a splendid private garden, a testament to its timeless allure. Bridges spanning crystalline streams, pavilions and pagodas emanating an air of regality, and meticulously manicured greenery in abundance¡ªall harmoniously intertwined to create an immersive ambience akin to stepping foot into an ethereal wondend.


    Ambling along the cobblestone path, one couldn''t help but be entranced by the sensory tapestry woven by the surrounding vista, each step akin to embarking on a metaphysical journey into the heart of a magical oasis.


    Seated gracefully within the confines of a gazebo nestled amidst this idyllic haven, Liu Yong spoke, his words resonating with a sense of familiarity and camaraderie, "Old ssmate, it appears your prowess knows no bounds, rivaling even the most illustrious construction teams of grand metropolises."


    Zhou Jingkang, touched by this sentiment, replied, "Our technical prowess and wealth of experience stand resolute, leaving no room forparison. However, what weck is a tform for further development. Many a time have I pondered venturing forth into the promisingndscape of Huahai City, yet the absence of an affiliated constructionpany left me no choice but to abandon those aspirations."


    A stir of intrigue took hold within Liu Yong''s heart, for his unwavering trust in Zhou Jingkang rendered him ever-confident in entrusting his special projects to this invincible force.


    "Old ssmate," Liu Yong''s voice rang with assurance, "our esteemedpany hasmissioned the construction of a residential area for our valued employees. The initial phase is nearingpletion, and preparations for the subsequent phase are about tomence. How would you feel about embarking on this journey alongside me and spearheading the construction of a residence?"


    Utterly amazed, Zhou Jingkang beheld Liu Yong with a gaze rife with astonishment. Such an opportunity, so rare and fortuitous, seemed an offering from the heavens.


    Wearing a gentle smile, Liu Yong offered a brief overview of the Huahai International Garden project, disclosing that the investment for the uing phase had exceeded a staggering one billion units of currency.


    Awestruck, Zhou Jingkang found himself teetering on the precipice of disbelief. The magnitude of this endeavour defied all expectations.


    Trembling ever so slightly, he managed to stutter, his voiceden with trepidation, "Brother Yong, you truly grant me the privilege of partaking in such a monumental undertaking?"


    Liu Yong firmly dered, "Indeed, my dear friend. I shall allocate responsibilitiesmensurate with your capabilities. I shall arrange a detailed discussion between yourself and our esteemed General Manager, Qiu Yang."


    Overwhelmed with joy, Zhou Jingkang realized that his path would be paved with fortune''s opulence.


    As the lively conversation lingered, Liu Yong and Zhou Jingkang strolled towards the front yard, where an air of exuberance permeated the atmosphere.


    News of Liu Yong''s return had reached the ears of vigers spanning eight nearby hamlets, prompting an influx of eager faces. Amongst them, numerous families boasted a member employed in the prestigious Global Shipping enterprise, rendering Liu Yong, a patron of their prosperity.


    In their eyes, Liu Yong stood as the patriarch responsible for their sustenance, a benefactor of immeasurable worth.


    Husbands, sons, and brothers toiled as crew members aboard Global Shipping vessels, their monthly earnings ranging from a handsome twenty to thirty thousand units of currency. Some even ascended to the esteemed chief engineer or bosun positions,manding even greater financial rewards.


    However, there existed those families whose loved ones, not yet initiated into the esteemed ranks of the crew, found sce in the hopes of a brighter future. The aged and less educated, their aspirations held hostage by circumstance, beseeched any chance of inclusion within this esteemed fraternity.


    "Jianjun, your son possesses immense promise. Word has it that he has ascended to the rank of second officer, reaping monthly remuneration amounting to fifty to sixty thousand units of currency."


    "That youngd of yours is truly exceptional. Havingpleted his collegiate education, he now assumes the esteemed mantle of chief engineer."


    Such jubnt exchanges saturated the air like ancestral spirits awakened, brought to life by the newfound fortune bestowed upon their progeny. Previously confined to menial earnings of a meagre few thousand units, they now revelled in the abundance of twenty, thirty, and even fifty to sixty thousand units.


    "Rumor has it that joining forces with Liu Yong grants one the privilege of securing an apartment. Can this be true?"


    "Indeed, my dear, it is no fabrication. My son assures me that housing allocations willmence next month, affording them residences exceeding ny square meters in area."


    "Indeed, the tales hold veracity. My husband, too, has ryed the same news. We shall soon embark on a journey to Huahai City alongside our third mother. Never in our wildest dreams did we envision a life within the grandeur of a metropolitan expanse."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Euphoria permeated the collective consciousness, fanning the embers of anticipation. Amidst the vibrant discussions, a cry pierced the air like a rion call.


    "Behold, a procession of automobiles approaches!"


    In unison, all gazes converged upon the vi''s gate, witnessing a fleet of vehicles gracefully traversing the concrete road.


    The cars came to a halt at the very entrance of the vi, releasing a group of individuals who bore the unmistakable air of officialdom.


    "Look, that''s Mayor Qi."


    "And there stands County Magistrate Wang, apanied by others of even higher rank."


    This spectacle surpassed all expectations, with more than a dozen dignitaries gracing the scene. Led by County Magistrate Wang, they stepped forward, their footfalls echoing the gravitas of their positions.


    Liu Yong promptly recognized County Magistrate Wang, advancing with a cordial smile while extending his right hand in greeting.


    County Magistrate Wang hastened his approach, sping Liu Yong''s hand and earnestly proiming, "Mr Liu, wee home. On behalf of the 560,000 residents in our county, I extend a warm wee."


    Liu Yong reciprocated the gesture, his smile unwavering as he replied, "Mayor Wang, the wee is much appreciated."


    Polite pleasantries ensued, and County Magistrate Wang introduced Liu Yong to the other officials present. Each one took turns approaching Liu Yong, engaging in a formal handshake.


    The onlooking vigers, eyes wide with disbelief, regarded these figures as paragons of authority. Mayor Qi, already an esteemed official, now paledpared to the ranks of those apanying him.


    County Magistrate Wang''s visit to the vi served dual purposes: offering a warm reception to Liu Yong and attending to other matters of significance.


    In the front yard, Liu Yong and County Magistrate Wang settled down, surrounded by a crowd of officials.


    Conversations flowed effortlessly between the two, Mayor Wang expressing gratitude, "Mr. Liu, we extend our thanks for recruiting 352 crew members from our county, providing employment to hundreds."


    Following the expressions of gratitude, County Magistrate Wang inquired, "Our county boasts a significant number of young individuals. Does Mr. Liu have ns to recruit crew members from our region?"


    Joining Global Shipping as a crew member held an allure akin to the sweetest nectar. Countless individuals harboured aspirations of bing part of this renowned enterprise.


    Liu Yong responded assuredly, "We have acquired over a dozenrge vessels, our group''s total tonnage exceeding 10 million. Consequently, we require a substantial number of crew members."


    The notion of surpassing the ten million-ton mark left County Magistrate Wang awe-stricken, for it exceeded the scope of his imagination. The actual might and magnitude of the Global Shipping Group became readily apparent.


    Once more, the beckoning call of recruits resonated!


    Overwhelmed by this revtion, County Magistrate Wang inquired eagerly, "How many individuals do you intend to recruit from our county?"


    Liu Yong replied, "We n to recruit an additional 30 individuals from Dongmen Vige and 200 from the county atrge, totaling 230 individuals."


    230 individuals!


    Magnificent! Magnificent!


    County Magistrate Wang rejoiced, extending his gratitude, "Mr. Liu, thank you. Thank you so much."


    The jubnt atmosphere spread among the onlookers, especially within Dongmen Vige, whose residents would witness the recruitment of an additional 30 crew members. To them, this news held the promise of a brighter future.


    Those who had yet to join the esteemed ranks of the crew, but possessed family members fitting the criteria, eagerly reached for their phones. They dialled home, eager to share the joyous tidings.


    ...

 Chapter 280 The Wedding Gift~!

    ?


    The following day had dawned, bringing forth a momentous asion - the long-awaited wedding day of Liu Hongyuan''s beloved son. The vibrant spirit of Dongmen Vige was palpable in the air, and nowhere was it more evident than at the front of Liu Hongyuan''s residence, where sheer jubtion abounded.


    Having recently emerged from the embrace of slumber, Liu Yong began his day afresh. The vi he resided in exuded unparalleledfort. The previous day had seen the vigers linger until twilight, yet the grand courtyard had returned to tranquillity.


    County Magistrate Wang, apanied by his entourage, had departed early, but not before spending a delightful half-hour conversing with Liu Yong. The primary topic of discussion revolved around the county''s industrial park, which was actively attracting investments. The officials expressed their desire for Liu Yong to partake in this venture, establishing factories within its bounds.


    While Liu Yong pondered the prospect of investing in a factory, he acknowledged that financial resources were not his shortfall; instead, he grappled with the question of which type of factory to establish, as technological expertise eluded him.


    County Mayor Wang, slightly crestfallen by Liu Yong''s hesitance to invest, bid his farewell with a firm handshake and extended a warm invitation for Liu Yong to visit his office at his leisure.


    As morning broke, Liu Yong reflected upon the faint trace of disappointment etched upon County Magistrate Wang''s visage the previous day. A subtle smile graced his countenance, a knowing acknowledgment of the circumstances.


    Suddenly, Zhou Xiuying''s voice bellowed from downstairs, permeating the atmosphere, "Xiaoyong, arise and partake in the morning repast!"


    Liu Yong descended the stairs, freshened himself, and settled at the dining table to savour the morning meal. Between bites, he praises, "Mother, these noodles you ordered are a delectable delight."


    Zhou Xiuying beamed with satisfaction and replied, "Indeed, they are scrumptious. You should partake heartily."


    Liu Yong consumed his meal with gusto while sensing the stirrings outside. "Mother, today is the auspicious day when Uncle Hongyuan''s family wees a new daughter-inw. I shall promptly prepare the traditional wedding gift."


    "Very well, my son. Proceed with your preparations. Our family shall convene for a festive midday feast. Given Uncle Hongyuan''s predilection for ostentation, a sizable gathering would be most befitting," Zhou Xiuying replied, her tone brimming with anticipation.


    Having concluded his breakfast and taken a momentary respite, Liu Yong embarked on his journey to Liu Hongyuan''s abode. Around him, a lively ambience pervaded, with numerous individuals extending warm greetings upon his arrival.


    "Mr. Liu, how splendid to see you in attendance!"


    "Liu Yong, your aplishments are truly remarkable."


    Bathed in the enthusiasm of their hunger, Liu Yong responded with a courteous nod and a serene smile. He approached their midst and observed a cluster of people registering for the gift-giving ritual.


    Whispers reverberated through the crowd as onlookers spected on the extent of Liu Yong''s generosity.


    "Liu Yong, being the affluent tycoon should undoubtedly bestow two or three thousand yuan."


    "I dare say it may surpass that figure, perchance five thousand."


    He may round it with an elegant flourish, presenting a grand 10,000 yuan.


    Amidst the hushed tones, fragments of conversation reached Liu Yong''s ears, unveiling the vigers'' ongoing deliberations regarding his imminent mary contribution.


    A dowry of 10,000 renminbi was hypothesized, an exorbitant sum that had discreetly astonished many a viger. Never before had suchvishness been witnessed within the confines of Dongmen Vige''s matrimonial celebrations.


    Liu Yong approached the cash register, extracting his wallet, inadvertently prompting those surrounding him to discern the approximate extent of his gift. Although his wallet did not bulge with an overwhelming abundance of cash, it still bore a semnce of a modest sum.


    The individual entrusted with registering the gift money, a rtive of Liu Hongyuan, curiously craned his neck to examine Liu Yong''s wallet. s, he found only a meagre count of three or four thousand yuan, which left him somewhat disheartened. Yet, his disappointment was soon quelled upon noticing several bank cards nestling within the wallet, each exuding an air of luxury, whether gold or obsidian.


    With a tinge of disappointment lingering in his gaze, the rtive poised a pen and inscribed Liu Yong''s name, patiently awaiting the cash contribution. Little did he anticipate that Liu Yong would present not a single penny in cash but instead withdraw a long-prepared cashier''s check from his pocket.


    In his fifties, the rtive remained unfamiliar with the concept of cashier''s checks, and an air of perplexity clouded his features upon receiving this strange form of payment.


    "What manner of sorcery is this?"


    "How much value does this hold?"


    Fortunately, a young man in proximity better grasped the situation. Leaning forward, he cast a discerning nce at the check and kindly enlightened the rtive, "This is a cashier''s check, a negotiable instrument that can be redeemed at the bank."


    "Observe closely, for the mary value is inscribed upon it."


    Donning his spectacles, the individual overseeing the gift money registration peered at the cashier''s check and read aloud, "Eighty-eight thousand yuan."


    What!<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Astonishment rippled through the crowd.


    Eighty-eight thousand yuan!


    Good heavens, Liu Yong''s munificence transcended all expectations. The vigers had spected figures ranging from three to five thousand yuan, with the most audacious projections reaching the zenith of 10,000 yuan.


    Marvellous, genuinely awe-inspiring!


    Undeniably affluent, exuding the aura of luxury!


    Some were left dumbfounded, others astounded, while a few harboured a tinge of envy.


    Maintaining a serene smile, Liu Yong had already spotted Liu Hongyuan in the distance, engaged in a telephone conversation. Swiftly, he made his way towards him, extending his warm greetings.


    Indeed, Liu Hongyuan was embroiled in a heated exchange over the phone, his countenance flushed and his voice brimming with enthusiasm.


    Eager toprehend the situation, Liu Yong approached Liu Hongyuan''s wife and proactively conveyed his congrattions. "Auntie, my heartfelt congrattions on this joyous asion."


    Receiving Liu Yong with genuine warmth, Liu Hongyuan''s wife promptly handed him a cup of steaming tea and beckoned him to settle upon a nearby stool.


    Observing Liu Hongyuan engrossed in his phone call, Liu Yong inquired, "Auntie, may I inquire about the situation? It seems Uncle Hongyuan is embroiled in a dispute."


    With a tinge of frustration, Hongyuan''s wife replied, "s, these businesses! The tobo and liquor for our banquet were pre-ordered, and yet the supplier has the audacity to inform us that the cigarette prices have skyrocketed, demanding an additional 15 yuan per pack."


    Ah, so that''s the crux of the matter.


    Liu Yong swiftlyprehended the predicament, meditating on the corrupt nature of such dealings. Once a negotiation has been finalized, prices should remain firm, unyielding to abrupt alterations.


    Concluding his phone conversation, Liu Hongyuan heaved a sigh and mentally calcted the implications. With 60 cigarette packs, each necessitating an extra 15 yuan, the cumtive expense amounted to 900 yuan.


    "Xiaoyong, you''re here."


    Confronted with this predicament, Liu Hongyuan felt a pang of difort. Nheless, he weed Liu Yong warmly.


    Liu Yong proposed a solution: "Uncle, if the other party fails to honor theirmitment and attempts to exploit the situation, then we shall relinquish the entire order."


    Anxiety flickered in Liu Hongyuan''s eyes as he retorted, "But if we cancel the order, where will we find a sufficient supply of cigarettes and alcohol? The banquet is due tomence in two hours."


    Liu Yong assured him, "I happen to possess nearly a hundred packs of cigarettes and dozens of bottles of alcohol. Two bottles per table shall suffice."


    "Do you truly possess alcohol and cigarettes?"


    Liu Hongyuan swiftly noticed the trunks of Liu Yong''s two cars,den with cigarettes and alcohol. The cigarettes were Zhonghua, and the liquor was Maotai.


    Such exceptional quality!


    Shaking his head hurriedly, Liu Hongyuan rebuffed the offer, "That wouldn''t do; we cannot afford such extravagance."


    Liu Yong maintained his gentle smile, remarking, "It is but a small token of support from an elder brother to his younger brother on his wedding day. When Bowen marries, it is only natural for me to offer a bit of tobo and alcohol."


    Amid Liu Yong''s unwavering insistence, Liu Hongyuan relented, harbouring gratitude within his heart.


    Noon arrived, marking themencement of the wedding ceremony and the ensuing banquet.


    Thirty tables had been arranged, radiating an atmosphere of jubtion. Upon discovering Zhonghua cigarettes and Maotai liquor adorning the tables, the attendees were taken aback. Such opulence had never graced the matrimonial feasts of Dongmen Vige.


    Perked with curiosity and a penchant for imbibing, the wedding guests were intrigued by this unexpected extravagance.


    ...

 Chapter 281 High School Friends

    ?


    Liu Xinjue hailed from the quaint vige of Dongmen, residing in close proximity to his fellow viger, Liu Hongyuan. In the intricate tapestry of Dongmen Vige, Liu Xinjue''s name shone with a resplendent fame. But what exactly set him apart from the rest? The answery in his unyielding devotion to the art of inebriation, where every meal, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, was iplete without the apaniment of his beloved elixir, wine.


    A seasoned member of his family, Liu Xinjue, now well into his sixties, held the distinguished title of the third eldest. Among the middle-aged denizens of the vige, he was affectionately known as "Sanshu," while the younger generation fondly referred to him as "Sanye."


    As the banquet unfolded, Liu Xinjue, like hispatriots, settled into his seat, anticipation dancing in his eyes as they fell upon a tantalizing bottle of wine gracing the table before him.


    "Ah, what a splendid vintage," he remarked with a glimmer of admiration.


    A young man seated nearby chimed in, "Third Master, this is none other than Moutai, a gem worth over two thousand yuan per bottle at the supermarket."


    Moutai! The mere mention of the renowned spirit stirred a familiar excitement within Liu Xinjue. Although he had never had the privilege of savoring its taste, his ears had long been serenaded by tales of its excellence. His weathered hands, now aze with enthusiasm, came together in a delighted rub. "Is this truly Moutai, or are you youngsters ying tricks on this old man?" he yfully inquired.


    "Third Uncle, rest assured, this is indeed Moutai, and not just any Moutai¡ªit''s a vintage masterpiece. A bottle of ten-year-old Moutai carries a price tag exceeding two thousand yuan," a middle-agedpanion at the table assured him.


    Unmistakably Moutai! Liu Xinjue''s excitement reached new heights. Without wasting another moment, he took hold of the wine, scrutinizing it with reverence before deftly uncorking the bottle and pouring himself a brimming ss.


    Raising his ss, he dered, "Should any of you desire a taste, I invite you to partake in this exquisite libation."


    Indeed, it was an extraordinary wine¡ªone that had eluded Liu Xinjue''s lips until now. Its reputation resonated with all in attendance, prompting the drinkers to fill their sses to the brim, while even the abstainers ventured a sip to relish its essence.


    With the banquet in full swing, the harmonious union of Zhonghua Tobo and Moutai elevated the atmosphere to a crescendo. The ample supply of Moutai, two bottles per table, ensured there was no shortage to dampen the mirth.


    Observing the women among the revelers indulging in a taste of Moutai, Liu Yong couldn''t help but wear a contented smile. To his surprise, the toasts poured in abundantly, as if he, Liu Yong, had be the focal point of the day, surpassing even the newlyweds in prominence.


    Noontime arrived, signaling the advent of a sumptuous dinner spread across thirty tables. As dusk settled in, a smaller gathering of seven or eight tablesmenced, reserved for close rtives and dear friends.


    Throughout the festivities, Liu Hongyuan and his bride repeatedly toasted Liu Yong, expressing gratitude time and again.


    After the evening banquet concluded, Liu Yong found himself once again seated at Liu Hongyuan''s abode, savoring the warmth of the familial setting before eventually returning to his own dwelling.


    The following day, the early morning rays ushered in a new dawn. Over breakfast, Liu Yong noticed with mild surprise that his parents disyed no inclination to return to the bustling metropolis of Huahai City just yet.


    "Mom, Dad, it seems you n on lingering in our hometown for a few days before journeying back to Huahai City, am I correct?" Liu Hongfu inquired.


    His father, Liu Yong, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, both your mother and I share the same sentiment. It is a rare asion to return, and with our stately abode awaiting us, we intend to bask in the ambiance of our hometown for a while before contemting our next move."


    Liu Yong offered no objection, voicing his support. "Certainly, if you decide to return to Huahai City, do let me know in advance, and I shall arrange for a car to ferry you back."


    When the time came for the elderly couple''s departure, purchasing tickets would be unnecessary; thepany possessed a vehicle at their disposal, rendering the journey back to the city effortlessly convenient.


    With breakfast concluded, Liu Yong contemted his own ns. Should he return to Huahai City today, or perhaps prolong his stay in the embrace of his hometown for an additional day or two? Time was of no concern, as hispany thrived without his immediate presence. Extending his sojourn in familiar surroundings seemed a perfectly viable option.


    While pondering this matter, Liu Yong''s attention was captured by a notification on his mobile phone''s WeChat. Picking up the device, he discovered a message from a long-lost high school ssmate, Lu Xiujie, whom he had recently reconnected with through WeChat.


    "Liu Yong, today is Teacher Zhang''s 60th birthday. Are you in Huahai City or still at home?" the message read.


    Liu Yong needed no reminder of Teacher Zhang''s identity¡ªan esteemed figure who had served as his ss teacher throughout three formative years of high school. Time had flown by, for Teacher Zhang now stood at the threshold of sixty, prompting vivid recollections of the educator''s visage during those formative years.


    Since entering university, Liu Yong had lost touch with Teacher Zhang, and contact with his high schoolrades had dwindled. Nheless, this high school ssmate, Lu Xiujie, had somehow acquired Liu Yong''s phone number and added him on WeChat. Unaware of Liu Yong''s current circumstances, Lu Xiujie assumed he remained in Huahai City.


    Teacher Zhang''s milestone celebration aligned fortuitously with Liu Yong''s presence in his hometown¡ªa convergence that called for a celebratory toast. Responding swiftly, Liu Yong confirmed his attendance, stating that he was currently in his hometown and would arrive promptly.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Lu Xiujie suggested they rendezvous at Teacher Zhang''s residence before heading to a hotel for a midday drink. Liu Yong readily agreed, dering his intent to proceed directly to Teacher Zhang''s abode.


    A few more brief exchanges transpired between Liu Yong and Lu Xiujie, leading thetter to add Liu Yong to their high school ss group on WeChat.


    Lo and behold, the ss group sprang to life as soon as Liu Yong joined, brimming with enthusiastic greetings and a flurry of inquiries as to why he had only joined at this juncture.


    "Liu Yong, you''ve finally emerged from the shadows!"


    "Our dear Brother Yong has been keeping a low profile. Tell us, where did you stumble upon such fortune?"


    "Liu Yong, I heard you''re in Huahai City, just like me. Let''s keep in touch moving forward."


    The ss group reverberated with animated chatter, each member extending warm regards, while expressing surprise at Liu Yong''s bted arrival.


    And then came the customary ritual¡ªa time-honored tradition¡ªthe distribution of red envelopes upon joining the group.


    Indeed, red envelopes!


    Anticipation built as everyone eagerly anticipated a generous red envelope from the boss.


    Liu Yong chuckled and obliged, sending a red envelope to the group. Indicating hisck of concern, he dispatched a 2,000 yuan red envelope, ensuring everyone received their fair share of the bounty.


    In a matter of seconds, the red envelopes were swiftly snatched up by the recipients.


    Subsequently, an exmation of awe permeated the group.


    "Wow, what a substantial red envelope!"


    "Goodness gracious, I managed to seize 89 yuan and 60 cents¡ªthergest red envelope I''ve ever acquired!"


    "The boss is truly mighty!"


    The ss group became even more animated. Witnessing Liu Yong''svish disy of generosity, some individuals inquired with curiosity.


    "Liu Yong, it seems you''ve amassed a considerable fortune. Do tell, what line of work are you engaged in within Huahai City?"


    "Yes, I''m quite intrigued as to whichpany our esteemed ssmate works for."


    Unable to evade the group''s inquiries, Liu Yong relented and replied, announcing his presence as the founder of apany in Huahai City, much to the surprise of his ssmates.


    A chorus of reactions echoed through the group, with the majority assuming that Liu Yong operated a small enterprise with only a handful of employees. Some spected that his grandiose red envelope disy merely masked an inted ego, a mere facade.


    Having provided a response, Liu Yong paid little heed to what others may have thought, tucking his mobile phone back into his pocket as he readied himself to depart for Teacher Zhang''s residence.


    Observing his imminent departure, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang approached, presuming they would apany their boss on the outing.


    Waving them off, Liu Yong declined their offer. "No need, it''s our high school ss teacher''s 60th birthday. I can manage on my own."

 Chapter 282 Two Liu Yongs ?

    ?


    Embarking on a journey from the quaint Dongmen Vige to the bustling county seat, Liu Yong found sce in his familiarity with the road, confidently navigating the path unapanied.


    Lu Xiujie had thoughtfully shared the location map, yet Liu Yong possessed an innate knowledge of the route, rendering the need for navigation obsolete. The destination resided in amunity opposite the school¡ªamunity that housed the newly acquired abode of Teacher Zhang.


    In a remarkably brief span of 20 to 30 minutes, Liu Yong arrived at the gate of his former high school, which had witnessed his transformative three-year educational sojourn. From there, his gaze extended towards themunity that stood opposite, beckoning him to explore its alleys and corridors.


    Veering leftward, Liu Yong directed his vehicle into the weing embrace of themunity. Finding a suitable parking spot adjacent to Mr Zhang''s residence, he disembarked, his eyes tracing the vertical ascent of the building. Intuitively, he deduced that 1201 denoted the dwelling''s location on the 12th floor. This marked Liu Yong''s inaugural visit to Mr Zhang''s abode, and he was determined not to arrive empty-handed, considering it essential to bring a token of appreciation.


    With purposeful strides, Liu Yong retrieved two bottles of Moutai and two of Zhonghua from the trunk, carefully securing them within bags. Bncing these prized offerings, he entered the tower, intent on delivering his heartfelt greetings.


    Boarding the elevator, he ascended towards the twelfth level; after that, the musical strains ofughter reached his ears, filling the air with an infectious liveliness. Intrigued, Liu Yong discerned that the jovialmotion emanated from Room 1201, the epicentre of the festivity.


    Numerous fellow students appeared to have gathered, their punctuality outweighing his arrival time. Pondering this realization, Liu Yong silently acknowledged their timely attendance before advancing into the suite, clutching his gifts.


    As he crossed the threshold, all eyes turned towards Liu Yong, their voices animatedly proiming his name with an air of familiarity and delight.


    "Liu Yong, Liu Yong has graced us with his presence!"


    "It''s been years since west saw him. Liu Yong has undergone quite the transformation; he''s undeniably more handsome than during our high school days."


    "Not only that, but there''s an aura of distinction about him now."


    Smiling warmly, Liu Yong reciprocated the enthusiastic greetings, offering gentle waves of acknowledgement to his peers. Spotting Teacher Zhang amidst the crowd, he took a few steps forward.


    "Teacher, a jubnt birthday to you," Liu Yong greeted, extending the items in his possession towards Mr Zhang.


    Appreciatively epting the proffered gifts, Mr Zhang voiced concern, "Liu Yong, what more have you brought? There''s no need to burden yourself with such gestures whenever you visit."


    Liu Yong''s smile persisted, his response brimming with sincerity, "Teacher, knowing your fondness for a drink and a smoke, these two bottles of wine and two packs of cigarettes seemed only fitting."


    Observing the contents within the bag, Ms Zhang''s initial surprise transformed into a gracious smile. "These gifts are rather extravagant; you needn''t have gone through such trouble. Perhaps you can take them back with youter."


    Unyielding, Liu Yong insisted, "Teacher, I''ve brought these items with utmost sincerity. I implore you to ept them, sparing me the task of returning empty-handed."


    Swayed by Liu Yong''s determination and awareness of her affinity for these indulgences, Ms Zhang''s smile widened as she ushered the offerings into the interior of the dwelling.


    Engaging in a heartfelt conversation, the atmosphere gradually shifted to epass the topic of Liu Yong''s entrepreneurial endeavours within the vibrant confines of Huahai City.


    "Rumor has it that you''ve established a smallpany in Huahai City, venturing into the realm of entrepreneurship," Meng Hengsheng, a high-achieving alumnus who had secured admission to Huahai University, interjected, his toneced with a hint of superiority.


    Liu Yong''s smile turned understated as he gracefully affirmed, "Indeed, I find myself situated in Huahai City, treading the path of entrepreneurship during this nascent phase."


    Meng Hengsheng, embodying an air of self-assurance, seized the opportunity to showcase his aplishments. "I, too haveunched apany in Huahai City, and allow me to share my contact information with you."


    Extending a meticulously crafted business card embossed with an air of elegance, Meng Hengsheng presented it to Liu Yong. Thetter, however, fumbled slightly, realizing he rarely carried business cards, a disy of his apologetic smile serving as an exnation.


    An astute ssmate interjected, "Liu Yong, Brother Meng''s business has flourished tremendously. He specializes in international trade, overseeing transactions amounting to tens of millions annually."


    Envious gazes abounded, casting their nce in Meng Hengsheng''s direction. Basking in the adtion, he feigned modesty, casually remarking, "Tens of millions? That''s merely child''s y in the grand arena of international trade¡ªa modest aplishment, at best."


    "Brother Meng, with such an impressive volume, the profits must be in the millions! We, on the other hand, are still toiling away at part-time jobs, earning a meager few thousand dors per month."


    "Indeed, Brother Meng stands as the paragon of our ss, the embodiment of promise and sess. We can''t help but envy you."


    Amidst the flurry ofpliments cascading towards Meng Hengsheng, he retained an air ofposure, having grown ustomed to such des, the centre of attention for one and all. Meanwhile, Teacher Zhang emerged from one of the rooms, a wistful smile etched upon his face, observing the discourse around Meng Hengsheng.


    As their collective transition into adulthood unfolded, the students underwent subtle transformations. Innocence waned, reced by a newfound understanding of social acim and worldly matters.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Seated on the periphery, Liu Yong quietly contemted, unaffected by the words exchanged among his peers. Sipping tea leisurely, he appeared impervious to their banter, unswayed by their attempts to overshadow his presence.


    Gradually, the conversation gravitated towards the illustrious Global Shipping Group¡ªa topic that seized the collective interest.


    "Surely, you''re all aware of the celebrity within our county¡ªthe renowned Global Shipping Group," one individual initiated, ensuring the query ignited recognition among the listeners.


    "Of course, I''ve heard of it¡ªa colossal conglomerate with a valuation in the billions. I recall they recently conducted a county-wide recruitment drive to bolster their crew. Unfortunately, being away at work, I missed that opportunity. I''ve heard murmurs of another round of recruitment taking ce soon."


    "I, too, aspire to join the ranks of Global Shipping Group''s crew members. If fate allows, perhaps I''ll secure a position."


    Amidst contemtive silence, several students expressed their longing to embark on a nautical career, fully aware of the allure of such a jobpared to their current part-time employment. In a ss of 52 students, most struggled to emte Meng Hengsheng''s sess, while the possibility of joining a multinational conglomerate seemed like a distant dream.


    Having expressed their collective yearning, the discussion delved deeper, with one student mentioning, "The founder of Global Shipping Group hails from our county, and I hear he''s remarkably young."


    With expectant gazes now fixated on Meng Hengsheng, it became evident that their curiosity regarding this enigmatic figure had been piqued.


    Meng Hengsheng spoke confidently, asserting, "I am acquainted with the founder of Global Shipping Group. We''ve had several conversations."


    Gasps of surprise reverberated throughout the room.


    "Brother Meng, you''re truly remarkable!"


    "Brother Meng, the founder of Global Shipping Group is incredibly young."


    Basking in the adtion, Meng Hengsheng beamed, "The boss of Global Shipping Group is in his thirties, and his name is Liu Yong."


    A collective realization swept through the room as many pairs of eyes fixed upon Liu Yong, who calmly savoured his tea in a secluded corner. Someone couldn''t resist eximing, "Liu Yong, the founder of Global Shipping Group, shares your name!"


    Laughter erupted, echoing through the room.


    The underlying message was clear: sharing a name didn''t equate to shared sess. While the billionaire Liu Yongmanded a worth in the billions, Liu Yong, in his midst, iming to operate his ownpany, likely ran a modest venture with only a handful of employees.


    Amidst theughter and the gazes fixed upon him, Liu Yong remained unperturbed, his countenance serene. A faint smile graced his lips as he raised his teacup to his mouth, taking a sip.


    Trees crave tranquillity, yet the wind shows no respite.


    Liu Yong sought a calm moment, but Meng Hengsheng seemed determined to undermine his tranquillity.


    "Liu Yong, you and the founder of Global Shipping Group share the same name. Pray tell, what kind ofpany do you run in Huahai City, and what line of business are you engaged in?"


    All eyes turned to Liu Yong, awaiting his response.


    Unbeknownst to Liu Yong, Meng Hengsheng aimed to establish his sense of superiority in the presence of their peers. Meng Hengsheng firmly believed that Liu Yong''spany must be minuscule, staffed by a mere three or five employees.


    Setting his teacup down, Liu Yong smiled and calmly replied, "I operate a maritime shippingpany in Huahai City, and it goes by the name of Global Shipping Group."


    Meng Hengsheng interjected, "Liu Yong, yourpany is also named Global Shipping Group, the same as hispany."


    Astonishment painted the faces of many as their collective gaze shifted towards Liu Yong. Perplexed, they wondered how twopanies could share the same name.


    Yet, a select few individuals seemed to grasp the situation, contemting silently: "Good heavens, this can''t be true. Liu Yong from our ss couldn''t possibly be the billionaire Liu Yong."


    ...

 Chapter 283 Pirates Spotted!!

    Amidst the sea of surprised gazes fixated upon him, Liu Yong''s lips curled into a faint smile, carrying an air of confidence. "Indeed, I am none other than Liu Yong, hailing from the illustrious Global Shipping Group that you just mentioned," he calmly affirmed.


    In an instant, an uproar erupted!


    "You are truly Liu Yong!"


    "The CEO of the esteemed Global Shipping Group!"


    The astonishment on everyone''s faces deepened, and some even stood there with gaping mouths, utterly dumbfounded by the revtion. Meng Hengsheng, too, found himself struck dumb, his face gradually reddening.


    After all, he had just boasted about having met the CEO of the Global Shipping Group on multiple asions, emphasizing his age as being in his thirties. Yet, here stood Liu Yong, who had only recently graduated from university and was not even twenty-five years old yet.


    Silence engulfed the scene.


    Each individual was immersed in a state of profound shock.


    "My ssmate is the CEO of the Global Shipping Group... it''s beyond belief!"


    Breaking the silence, Lu Xiujie was the first to find his voice. "Liu Yong, you are absolutely incredible! A young magnate with billions of dors under yourmand."


    "Liu Yong, hand out some red envelopes! We''d love to snatch them."


    "Yes, present us with those generous red envelopes once more."


    Liu Yong nodded, his response resolute. "No problem, everyone, get ready. I shall bestow upon you red envelopes aplenty."


    In an instant, nearly twenty individuals whipped out their smartphones. Someone even excitedly announced in the group, urging everyone to prepare themselves for the impending shower of red envelopes courtesy of Mr Liu.


    Liu Yong retrieved his mobile phone and promptly sent out thirty red envelopes worth 2,000 yuan each.


    Within a mere five seconds, all thirty red envelopes were imed, snatched by eager hands.


    "Haha! Luck favors me today! I managed to seize 182 yuan!"


    "I grabbed over a hundred as well!"


    Inside Mr Zhang''s room, the recipients of the red envelopes rejoiced, their faces alight with joy.


    Meng Hengsheng, on the other hand, stood there with an embarrassed expression, realizing that the tables had turnedpletely. No longer the centre of attention, he watched as Liu Yong, the absolute focal point, basked in adoration.


    "What in the world is happening?"


    "I feel like I''ve missed out on a fortune!"


    "Whoa! I didn''t receive such a grand red envelope..."


    "Mr. Liu, please send another one! Send another round!"


    The voices in the group moured for another wave of red envelopes, and Liu Yong, ever generous, responded to their call. "Pay heed, everyone! I am prepared to bestow upon you another round of red envelopes."


    Upon Liu Yong''s announcement, the entire group fell into instant silence. The twenty or so students by Liu Yong''s side swiftly whipped out their smartphones, and their guard raised high, fearful of missing out on the impending shower of generosity.


    Liu Yong once again sent out thirty red envelopes, each worth 2,000 yuan. Should anyone fail to seize one, it would be their own doing.


    Within a mere three seconds, all thirty red envelopes were snatched away.


    The group erupted into a frenzy once more.


    Ms Zhang checked the time, her face beaming with a smile. "Everyone, let''s refrain from requesting more red envelopes from Liu Yong. We shall now head to the hotel."


    "Oh, let''s proceed to the hotel then."


    Everyone rose from their seats, one after another, and made their way downstairs. They were now en route to the hotel, where preparations for the celebratory dinner were underway.


    As they descended, several ssmates arrived in their vehicles. Meng Hengsheng, for instance, drove an excellent off-road vehicle worth over 300,000 yuan, while Mao Yiming opted for a modest domestic sedan.


    Had it not been for Liu Yong''s presence, Meng Hengsheng would have undoubtedly been the centre of attention. His off-road vehicle, boasting a price tag surpassing 300,000 yuan, was undeniably the most impressive among the cars. However, at this very moment, all eyes were captivated by the sight of a Rolls-Royce.


    "Wow, a Rolls-Royce!"


    "Liu Yong, is this your car?"<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong nodded, opening the car door with grace. "Teacher, and Teacher''s wife, please grace my car with your presence."


    Radiating happiness, Teacher Zhang hopped into the car while envy consumed the rest of the students, their eyes brimming with longing.


    A brave female ssmate said, "Liu Yong, can I also join you in your car? Is that alright?"


    Having never experienced the luxury of a Rolls-Royce before, it was only natural for her to desire such an opportunity. To her immense delight, Liu Yong agreed. "Step inside, there''s still room. Whoever gets here first."


    Before his words could fully settle, another female ssmate gleefully boarded the vehicle. The remaining students stood there, a mix of envy, regret, and mild disappointment.


    Mao Yiming, however, stood there dumbfounded, as if he had seen this Rolls-Royce before.


    The journey to the hotelmenced.


    Within the hotel premises, Liu Yong was the undeniable centre of attention. Many ssmates grew closer to him, while some even inquired about potential employment opportunities within hispany.


    After the sumptuous meal, Liu Yong decided against returning home immediately. Instead, he headed to the residence of his future inws, joining them for dinner before eventually making his way back.


    The following day dawned.


    Liu Yong returned to the bustling city of Huahai, leaving Liu Hongfu and his wife behind as they opted to prolong their stay in their hometown¡ªan arrangement that met no objections from Liu Yong.


    Days turned into weeks.


    The Global Shipping Group proudly unveiled yet another massive vessel, freshly delivered from the Qidong Shipyard. This time, it was a colossal oil tanker boasting a capacity exceeding 200,000 tons.


    With each new addition to their fleet, the Global Shipping Group''s prowess in crude oil transportation soared to greater heights, paralleled by an expansion in their overall scale.


    Off the Persian Gulf, in the heart of the Middle East.


    An oil tanker glided steadily toward the Persian Gulf, its destination fixed on one of the crude oil ports nestled within the expansive gulf. The vessel, belonging to the Proton Group, weighed a staggering 100,000 tons.


    Onboard, Captain Guan Yuankai contemted the voyage ahead. "In just one more day, we shall enter the Persian Gulf," he mused silently.


    Yet, in the blink of an eye, his gaze froze.


    His attention snapped to the distant horizon, where three minuscule ck dots gradually grew more prominent against the vast expanse of the sea¡ªthree speedboats racing toward their location.


    Could it be pirates?


    A slight unease swept over him, and he promptly reached for the binocrs, training his sights on the approaching vessels. Within moments, his expression shifted drastically.


    Yes, they were undoubtedly pirates.


    Through the telescope''s lens, Guan Yuankai could discern the menacing figures aboard those speedboats, brandishing weapons in their hands. There was no mistaking their intent¡ªthey were pirates.


    "Man the battle stations! Pirates spotted!"


    His thunderous cry sent shockwaves through the ship, spreading panic among the crew. No one had anticipated encountering pirates in these supposedly safe waters¡ªa stroke of highly ill fortune.


    The three pirate speedboats closed in at breakneck speed, quickly encircling the oil tanker. The oue seemed inevitable.


    After approximately thirty minutes of resistance, the pirates sessfully took control of the vessel, changing its course to an undisclosed destination.


    The crew, including Captain Guan Yuankai, were rounded up and detained. They had been members of the Proton Group a mere thirty minutes prior, but now they found themselves captives in the pirates'' clutches.


    In Liu Yong''s office, he sat sipping his coffee while perusing through some documents until a knock on the door interrupted his focus.


    Hu Shijun, his subordinate, entered the room. "Brother Yong, we''ve just received news that a Proton Group oil tanker has been hijacked by pirates off the Persian Gulf. The pirates are demanding a ransom of 50 million US dors."


    Liu Yong''s eyes widened in surprise. "Are you certain it''s the Persian Gulf? It''s always been a rtively safe region."


    Hu Shijun affirmed, "Brother Yong, it''s indeed the sea off the Persian Gulf, approximately 300 nautical miles away."


    As the weight of the situation settled upon Liu Yong, his expression grew grave. The sea area in question was one that Global Shipping Group vessels frequently traversed, and now, there were pirates present.


    Fully aware of the gravity of the matter, Hu Shijun reported, "I''ve already sent a situation report to all our ships, urging everyone to stay vignt and be on guard against pirates."


    ...

 Chapter 284 MMP!

    ?


    Liu Yong stood in agreement, his expression firm and resolute. He understood the gravity of the situation and the need to be prepared.


    "This kind of thing must be guarded against," he affirmed, his voice filled with determination. He knew that reasoning with the pirates was futile, and their affiliation with the Global Shipping Group wouldn''t dissuade them from their hijacking endeavours.


    After bidding farewell to Hu Shijun, Liu Yong conversed with Overlord, active in the Western Pacific Ocean. The mention of work piqued the interest of Overlord, whose recent days had been devoid of excitement, leaving it yearning for a purpose.


    "Master, what work do you need me to do?" Overlord inquired, its spirit slightly shaken.


    Liu Yong respondedmandingly, "You must proceed to the Persian Gulf and stand by. Our tanker requires your vignt escort in that sea area."


    "Okay, master, I will make my way to the sea off the Persian Gulf promptly," Bawang replied. It embarked on its journey, wielding its colossal spear. While its weight gain had slowed down, the gradual umtion had still brought it to an impressive 552 tons, marking considerable growth.


    Bawang''s capabilities were exceptional, maintaining a swimming speed of approximately 300 nautical miles. Swimming two or three thousand nautical miles without pause posed no challenge for this mighty entity.


    Meanwhile, the owner of the Proton Ocean Shipping Group, Shi Wanquan, found himself gued by a distressing predicament. Pirates had contacted him via long-distance phone, demanding a deposit of 50 million US dors within 48 hours. Failure toply would result in losing a crew member every hour during the night.


    The weight of 50 million dors bore heavily on Shi Wanquan''s shoulders. Although the Proton Group was a sizablepany, it could not produce such a substantial sum immediately.


    In the past, they possessed the financial resources to tackle such demands. At the outset, their total transport tonnage exceeded 3.5 million tons. However, with the rise of the Global Shipping Group, their business improved considerably.


    Despite their best efforts to survive, they had to sell severalrge ships during financial hardships. As a result, their current total tonnage stood at approximately 2.5 million tons.


    Shi Wanquan found himself grappling with an exasperating dilemma. Where could he possibly procure such a substantial amount of money? The options ranged from seeking a bank loan to selling one or two of theirrgest vessels.


    The office door swung open, and Yuan Guanghui, Shi Wanquan''s subordinate, entered with a mournful expression. He reported, "Boss, the pirates called again, urging us to transfer the money."


    "MMP! Couldn''t they have reminded me sooner if I had the money?" Shi Wanquan muttered in frustration. Yuan Guanghui, well aware of thepany''s financial situation, asked softly, "Boss, are you worried about the money?"


    Shi Wanquan sighed deeply. "Yes, where can I raise 50 million US dors in such a short time? If it were 20 million US dors, I might manage."


    Yuan Guanghui suggested, "Boss, the ocean shipping business has be increasingly difficult, with the Global Shipping Group dominating the industry. Perhaps we should consider following in the footsteps of Risheng Group and gradually sell some of ourrge ships."


    Shi Lijun contemted Yuan Guanghui''s proposal. "You mean sell our ships one after another to the Global Shipping Group?"


    Surveying the shippingndscape, Shi Lijun recognized that the Global Shipping Group stood as the only viable contender to purchase their ships apart from the two state-owned ocean shipping groups.


    The state-owned Ocean Shipping Group''s intricate buying procedures and sluggish funds posed significant hurdles. On the other hand, selling to the Global Shipping Group would provide immediate funds, allowing them to secure the required 50 million US dors within the given 48 hours.


    Shi Lijun delved into deep thought, considering the potential implications of such a decision.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong was away from the office, overseeing the Universal Tower construction site. The grand skyscraper, designed to soar to an impressive 98 floors, had currently reached the 72nd floor. Progress was swift, adding a new floor every two to three days. Thepletion of the roof was expected within a month.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang apanied Liu Yong, while Qiu Yang was not required to join them. They arrived inconspicuously, not wishing to disrupt the construction efforts, merely observing the towering structure from the outside.


    Liu Yong''s satisfaction radiated from his countenance as he remarked, "The construction is progressing admirably. In approximately a month, the roof will beplete. Within half a year, we shall have our new office space within this magnificent building."


    Universal Tower, andmark structure in Huahai City, ranked among the top five in all of China, epitomized the epitome of a Grade A office building.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang couldn''t conceal their excitement, sharing in the creative aplishment.


    As the three of them marvelled at the construction progress, a young man dashed toward them. "Brother, could you take a photo of us?" he asked, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.


    Liu Yong grinned warmly. The couple before him appeared to be college students seeking amemorative snapshot.


    "Absolutely," Liu Yong replied, epting the phone handed to him. "Let''s use the construction site as the background."


    The boy, grateful for the offer, held his girlfriend''s hand, assuming a pose. Liu Yong skillfully captured several photographs with his own mobile phone.


    Delighted by the quality of the images, the young man expressed his gratitude once again.


    Intrigued by their choice of background, Liu Yong inquired, "The Universal Tower is still under construction. Why are you taking photos with it as the backdrop?"


    The boy responded, excitedly singing, "Brother, the Universal Tower is incredibly popr now. This area has be a hotspot for online influencers to visit. Taking a photo before itspletion serves as a specialmemoration."


    Liu Yong smiled, never expecting the construction site to transform into a trendy spot for social media check-ins.


    His attention piqued, and Liu Yong soon noticed many people capturing the site''s essence. Some utilized smartphones, while others wielded professional cameras. Some focused on the building''s construction, while others captured themselves alongside the structure. A young, fashionable woman even took it a step further, employing a mobile phone stand to engage in a live broadcast. She interacted energetically with her numerous fans, utilizing the construction site as an engaging backdrop.


    "Everyone wanted me to live broadcast in front of the Universal Tower, so here it is," the young woman eximed, pointing the lens of her mobile phone toward herself and the building. "Take a look, everyone! The under-construction Universal Tower looms behind me."


    Close enough to hear her words clearly, Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile. The Universal Tower had indeed transformed into a hotspot for online celebrities, and this lively broadcast served as further proof.


    As the young woman continued her engaging stream, Liu Yong''s attention turned toward her. She exuded youth and style, likely in her early twenties.


    Curiosity piqued, and he wondered if she had captured him in her live feed. Should he discreetly move out of the way? Observing the captivating woman immersed in her broadcast, Liu Yong contemted his next move.


    Indeed, Liu Yong had been photographed, though among the numerous individuals captured by the camera, and he remained just another passerby in the live broadcast. The majority of attention from the fans remained fixed on the captivating young woman.


    Unbeknownst to Liu Yong, the woman went by the online alias "Xiao Qingya" and boasted over 10 million devoted fans, effectively qualifying as an inte celebrity.


    Devoting herself wholeheartedly to the broadcast, Xiao Qingya asionally adjusted her angle to capture her surroundings more effectively. Her fans chimed in withments.


    "The Universal Tower looks incredible. It''s already so tall, probably at least 70 stories high."


    "Being andmark building in Huahai City, I can''t wait for itspletion. I hope it gets capped soon."


    As expected, most fans'' focus revolved around the under-construction tower. However, a few keen-eyed individuals noticed Liu Yong''s presence in the camera frame.


    "Who''s that handsome young man? He''s incredibly good-looking."


    "A true epitome of handsomeness! Xiao Qing, point the camera at the handsome guy. We want a closer look."


    Noticing the fans''ments, Xiao Qingya, too, caught sight of the handsome man beside her in the camera feed.

 Chapter 285 Handsome Boss

    ?


    In her heart, she couldn''t help but admit that her little brother was undeniably handsome. A mischievous smile yed on her lips as she adjusted the camera to focus more on Liu Yong, ensuring that he dominated the live broadcast room, allowing his fans to get a clear view of his captivating features.


    "He''s incredibly handsome!" she eximed, her voice filled with genuine admiration.


    "Handsome doesn''t even begin to describe it. Just look at the wristwatch he''s wearing. It''s a limited edition worldwide, worth over 8 million," remarked another person, unable to contain their awe.


    "No way! It''s unfathomable to be both handsome and incredibly wealthy," responded someone else in disbelief.


    As tens of thousands of fans tuned in to the live broadcast, some recognized the watch as something extraordinary, while others pieced together Liu Yong''s true identity.


    "Oh my god, he must be the boss of the Global Shipping Group. I had my doubts initially, but seeing such an expensive timepiece confirms it," eximed a fan who connected the dots.


    "Yes, indeed. This is our boss, and I am an employee of the Global Shipping Group," chimed in another, affirming the spection.


    The live broadcast room erupted into a frenzy, the atmosphere electrified with excitement and curiosity. Xiaoqing, taken aback by the unexpected events, never anticipated hosting a live broadcast outside the Universal Building. It seemed luck was on her side as she stumbled upon the boss himself.


    The live broadcast room became scorching hot, buzzing withments and reactions. Xiaoqing felt a mix of surprise and joy, realizing that fortune had smiled upon her that day.


    Summoning her courage, she mustered the confidence to greet Liu Yong directly, "Mr. Liu, hello!"


    Liu Yong was taken aback, astonished that this enchanting broadcaster knew him, although he couldn''t recall ever meeting her. Xiaoqing, noticing his confusion, quickly exined, "Mr Liu, it''s not that I recognized you personally, but my fans were the ones who identified you."


    Understanding her exnation, Liu Yong nced at her mobile phone and observed the immense poprity of the live broadcast. He smiled at the screen, waved his hand in acknowledgment, and swiftly made his way out, discreetly slipping away from the spotlight.


    Pouting and stomping her feet coquettishly, Xiaoqing couldn''t help but feel a tinge of disappointment. After all, she, too, was a beautiful woman deserving of attention.


    "Hmph! I didn''t even get his WeChat ount. How am I supposed to exin to my fans? This beauty is too unlucky," she muttered, realizing that Liu Yong had already left.


    Not far away, his car stood parked. He Qiang, the driver, apanied Liu Yong, swiftly driving them away from the scene. Liu Yong had no desire for fame or to be an inte sensation. Maintaining a low profile was always his preference.


    As they arrived at Huahai International Garden, amunity nearingpletion, Liu Yong''s attention was diverted by a call from Qiu Yang.


    "Boss, Shi Wanquan, the head of Proton Ocean Shipping Group, personally sent a greeting card and wishes to invite you for an afternoon tea," Qiu Yang informed.


    Proton Ocean Shipping Group, headed by Shi Wanquan!


    Liu Yong swiftly surmised the situation. Not long ago, a Proton Group ship had fallen victim to piracy off the Persian Gulf. Reports indicated that the pirates demanded a staggering $50 million in ransom.


    Eighty percent of his hunch told him it was rted to this incident.


    Understanding the circumstances, Liu Yong instructed, "Inform him that I am avable this afternoon."


    Acknowledging the order, Qiu Yang replied, "Certainly, boss."


    Shi Wanquan anxiously waited in a private room in a high-end teahouse near the Global Shipping Group. He had personally sent an invitation to the Global Shipping Group, but he couldn''t shake off his uneasiness with no apparent response.


    Suddenly, his phone buzzed, and he received a text message stating, "Please wait. Our boss will be avable this afternoon."


    Instantly, Shi Wanquan''s face lit up with joy. Although the message didn''t specify the exact time of Liu Yong''s arrival, it was clear that he would indeede during the afternoon.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Swiftly, he instructed the teahouse staff to prepare a dedicated room, arranging the finest tea, exquisite snacks, and the freshest fruits to ensure a memorable meeting.


    Hours ticked by, and finally, after four or five long hours, Liu Yong arrived at nearly 4:00 in the afternoon. Spotting Liu Yong''s entrance, Shi Wanquan rushed to greet him, filled with genuine delight. His demeanour was humble, more akin to a younger brother meeting an older brother than a conversation between equals.


    "Mr. Liu, hello! It''s an honor to meet you," Shi Wanquan beamed with reverence.


    Liu Yong responded with a faint smile, "You must be Shi Wanquan from Proton, correct?"


    "Yes, yes! That''s me," Shi Wanquan answered with the enthusiasm of a devoted follower. It was clear that he regarded Liu Yong with the utmost respect.


    Sitting, Liu Yong watched as Shi Wanquan hurriedly prepared the tea, warmly attending to him. Liu Yong''s tone wasposed as he said, "Let''s get straight to the point. What brings you here?"


    In the early days of Universal, Proton Group had tried in vain to suppress them, resorting to underhanded tactics. Those actions left asting impression on Liu Yong.


    Apologizing profusely, Shi Wanquan finally reached the crux of the matter. "Mr. Liu, we''ve run into misfortune. One of our ships was hijacked by pirates in the Persian Gulf. They demanded a $50 million ransom within 24 hours, leaving us with no room for negotiation."


    Sighing, Shi Wanquan continued, "We have no idea how to secure $50 million. That''s why I''vee to implore you for assistance."


    Liu Yong chuckled, amused by the turn of events. Gone were the arrogance and past grievances. Shi Wanquan, bowing his head, assumed the role of a subordinate who had made a mistake.


    Waving away the need for further apologies, Liu Yong said, "Alright, enough with the apologies. Just tell me how you want me to help."


    Shi Wanquan pleaded, "Mr. Liu, could you lend us $50 million for one month? We''ll pay you back at a monthly interest rate of two percent."


    Liu Yong shook his head, dismissing the idea. "If you''re looking to borrow money, then let''s drop the pretense."


    In truth, Shi Wanquan''s request was a desperate attempt. Nevertheless, he hoped for a stroke of luck, a chance that Liu Yong might consider his proposal.


    Regrettably, for Shi Wanquan, luck was not on his side.


    Disheartened but undeterred, Shi Wanquan continued his plea, "Alternatively, if you''re interested, we are willing to sell our oil tankers ''Lianyong'' and ''Liansheng.'' They are both less than five years old and have a maximum load capacity of 120,000 tons of crude oil."


    "Sell the ships?" Liu Yong repeated, surprised by Proton Group''s willingness to part with their vessels.


    Indeed, this was an excellent opportunity. If Proton Group sold their ships, its strength would gradually weaken, further strengthening Global Shipping Group. It was an oue that Liu Yong found highly favourable.


    After contemting, Liu Yong replied, "I''m open to purchasing your two ships, but the price must be reasonable."


    "Of course, certainly," Shi Wanquan eagerly assured. "We understand that the price must be lower than the market value. However, we have a condition: we require immediate payment."


    With such haste to sell the ships, it was clear that the price would not be favourable. Typically, two second-hand ships of this calibre, with 70% new condition, could be sold at 600 to 650 million yuan.


    Liu Yong proposed a price of 500 million yuan, intending to buy the two ships at a lower cost. Surprisingly, Shi Wanquan agreed to the offer, emphasizing the need for an immediate contract signing and payment.


    epting the deal, Liu Yong felt a sense of satisfaction. It was practically a windfall of nearly 100 million yuan, considering the ships'' price was at least 100 million yuan lower than the market rate.


    ...

 Chapter 286 Pirates And Partnerships

    ?


    With a cheerful disposition, Liu Yong found himself in a particrly jubnt mood. "Today, I stumbled upon a tremendous opportunity," he eximed, his excitement evident. "And it came right to my doorstep, practically begging for my attention."


    The deal in question had been carefully negotiated, amounting to a staggering sum of 500 million yuan. Shi Wanquan, visibly relieved by the sessful negotiation, anxiously implored Liu Yong, "Mr. Liu, can we finalize the contract today? I''m eagerly anticipating the arrival of the funds."


    Liu Yong, raising his hand to check the time, responded in a deliberate manner, "It''s nearly 5 o''clock, and I''m afraid it might be toote toplete the transaction today."


    A sudden wave of distress washed over Shi Wanquan. He desperately needed the money to fulfill a ransom payment, and waiting until the next day to sign the contract would only further dy the process. With a tinge of desperation in his voice, he beseeched Liu Yong, "Mr. Liu, could you consider paying us half of the money in advance?"


    His voice grew weaker as he continued, fully aware of the unlikelihood of his request being granted. However, to his astonishment, Liu Yong calmly responded, "Sure, I can give you half of the money now."


    "What? You mean you''re willing to provide half the amount upfront?" Shi Wanquan was caught off guard by this sudden turn of events. It felt like he had just been transported from the depths of despair to the peak of ecstasy in an instant.


    Overwhelmed with excitement, Shi Wanquan''s face flushed slightly, revealing his delight. In front of him, Liu Yong made a phone call, briefly exining the situation, and promptly instructed Qiu Yang to transfer 250 million yuan to the Proton Group''s ount.


    Within a short while, Shi Wanquan received a message from the financial department confirming the arrival of the money. A sense of relief washed over him entirely.


    Feeling a newfound sense of ease, Shi Wanquan asked, albeit tentatively, "Mr. Liu, we haven''t even signed the contract yet, and you''ve already transferred 250 million yuan to our ount. Aren''t you concerned that I might default on the debt?"


    Liu Yong smiled nonchntly, locking eyes with Shi Wanquan as he replied, "Do you dare?"


    His tone carried a hint of dominance, leaving no room for doubt. The sheer audacity of Liu Yong''s question left Shi Wanquan momentarily speechless. He smiled sheepishly, struggling to articte his response. "I truly dare not," he finally managed to utter.


    With that, Liu Yong rose from his seat and made his way towards the exit, his voice resounding with authority. "Had it not been for the fact that the dozen crew members abducted by pirates were all from the Yan Kingdom, I wouldn''t have intervened to save you," he dered.


    Both beingpatriots from the Yan Kingdom, Liu Yong couldn''t bear to see harm befall his fellow countrymen at the hands of pirates. With that sentiment in mind, he left the premises, leaving Shi Wanquan behind, deeply contemting the unexpected turn of events.


    One of Shi Wanquan''s subordinates, Yuan Guanghui, approached him softly and whispered, "Boss, this is 250 million yuan. Liu Yong didn''t even ask for a receipt. If we were to turn our backs on the deal, it seems he wouldn''t be able to do anything about it."


    The idea appealed to Shi Wanquan, as it held a certain allure. However, he knew all too well that if Liu Yong had the confidence to provide such arge sum without seeking any guarantees, he must possess countless means to ensurepliance.


    With a sigh, Shi Wanquan spoke slowly, "The Proton Group is no longer the same as it once was. Let''s not entertain thoughts of defaulting on our debts; it would only lead to our swift demise."


    Despite theck of a formal receipt, Shi Wanquan truly didn''t dare to renege on his obligations, well aware of the consequences. Meanwhile, Liu Yong returned to his office.


    Taking his seat, Liu Yong was soon greeted by Qiu Yang, who entered the room with a visibly surprised expression. "Boss, did you really manage to acquire Proton Group''s ''Lianyong'' and ''Liansheng'' for a mere 500 million yuan?" he eximed.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong affirmed with a smile, "Yes, tomorrow you will represent the group and sign the official contract with Shi Wanquan."


    Qiu Yang responded promptly, "Alright, no problem. Boss, I''m familiar with these two ships. They''re in excellent condition and quite sizable, capable of carrying up to 120,000 tons of crude oil. I suggest we retain them."


    At the time, the ships were not even up for sale, but now they had conveniently presented themselves. Liu Yong''s happiness was evident as he listened to Qiu Yang''s assessment.


    Once Qiu Yang departed, Liu Yong''s thoughts turned towards the crew members who had been taken hostage by the Proton Group. The pirates had demanded an exorbitant sum of 50 million US dors, leaving no room for negotiation. It became clear that these were not ordinary pirates, but rather an organization of considerable scale pulling the strings behind the scenes.


    Based on the location of the hijacking, it was unlikely that they were Somali pirates, as the incident had urred off the Persian Gulf rather than the Gulf of Aden, where Somali pirates were known to operate. Deep in thought, Liu Yong remained seated in his office, contemting his next move.


    After carefully considering the situation, Liu Yong realized that one of his ships was approaching the waters off the Persian Gulf. It was arge oil tanker with a capacity of 1.5 million barrels, named "Shiquan." This maiden voyage, spanning thousands of miles, was destined to transport crude oil to the Persian Gulf.


    Recognizing the urgency of the matter, Liu Yong promptlymunicated with Bawang, instructing them to safeguard the oil tanker "Shiquan" and ensure its safe passage through the outer waters of the Persian Gulf, into the heart of the region. Once within the Persian Gulf, the vessel would be rtively secure, free from potential threats.


    At that moment, Bawang had already passed through the Strait of a and ventured into the Indian Ocean. Their arrival in the Persian Gulf was imminent, and there were no significant obstacles in their path.


    In the Middle East, specifically in YM, a vtile and tumultuous country, one of the most significant anti-government armed forces in the region operated ndestinely¡ªan organization known as Rhodes. Proudly serving as one of its leaders, Alfred devised a n to hijack a Proton Group oil tanker, instructing his subordinates ordingly.


    Pleased with the sessful execution of his scheme, Alfred reveled in the fact that 50 million US dors had been deposited into their ount. He couldn''t help but bask in his aplishment, contemting how he might be rewarded by the group''s leader. The prospect of repeating such lucrative endeavors seemed as enticing as selling oil itself. Perhaps it was time to embark on a search for more ships from the Yan Kingdom.


    Addressing his subordinate, Rob, Alfred issued an order with a firm tone, "Rob, continue your exploration of the Persian Gulf tomorrow. With it being an international waterway, you should be able to locate a suitable tanker."


    Rob stood at attention, responding confidently, "Head, there won''t be a problem. Tomorrow morning, my team and I will set out, and we won''t disappoint you."


    Satisfied with Rob''s response, Alfred patted him on the shoulder and dered, "I''ll be awaiting your good news."


    The following day, Rob and his team embarked on their journey to the Persian Gulf, setting sail early in the morning without further dy. Under the morning sun, a colossal oil tanker plowed through the sea¡ªit was the "Shiquan," owned by the Global Shipping Group, bound for the Persian Gulf.


    Captain Tang Ruiming had risen early, eager to arrive at the port after over 20 days of sailing. With the "Shiquan" now in the outer waters of the Persian Gulf, he anticipated reaching his destination the following morning. He hoped for an expedient arrival, looking forward to a few days of rest and rxation before departing with a full load of oil.


    As the morning passed uneventfully, with calm winds, the "Shiquan" fully entered the outer waters of the Persian Gulf by afternoon, less than 200 nautical miles away from the gulf''s entrance. Tang Ruiming silently breathed a sigh of relief, recognizing that the journey had progressed remarkably smoothly and that the Persian Gulf was now within close reach.


    ...

 Chapter 287 Target: Global Shipping

    ?


    The euphoria of good times was short-lived, as adversity soon cast its dark shadow upon the horizon. Tang Ruiming''s focus sharpened, and he was taken aback to witness several speedboats approaching their location on the distant sea. A wave of concern tightened his heart as he wondered if these were pirate speedboats, for their velocity surpassed that of ordinary fishing vessels. The possibility of encountering pirates sent a surge of seriousness coursing through his expression, prompting him to swiftly grab his binocrs. With a quick nce, he confirmed his fears¡ªthere were indeed multiple pirate speedboats headed their way.


    "MMP, it''s actually pirates!" Tang Ruiming eximed in disbelief. Taking charge, he immediately sounded the rm aboard the ship and urgently conveyed through the microphone, "Attention, everyone! Attention! We have a pirate speedboat approaching us!"


    Four pirate ships loomed closer, visible even without binocrs. The crew members onboard could discern the impending threat, causing panic to ripple through their ranks, their faces paling ever so slightly.


    Beneath the sea''s surface, just a few hundred meters away from the "Shiquan," Bawang swam leisurely, acting as the ship''s covert guardian. The revtion of pirates nning to harm their vessel only ignited Bawang''s ire.


    "How dare they!" Bawang seethed, witnessing the pirate speedboats attempting to nk the "Shiquan." Determined to strike first, regardless of the consequences, Bawang swiftly swam towards one of the pirate vessels. Positioning himself beneath it, he grasped a colossal spear and deftly punctured the underside of the speedboat¡ªa task that required minimal effort.


    The speedboat sumbed to the assault, flipping over and sending the heavily armed pirates hurtling into the water. The crew on the "Shiquan" stood in stunned silence, bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.


    "Look, their boat capsized!" someone eximed.


    "Amazing! Another one overturned!" another marveled.


    As if under a spell, each pirate speedboat met the same fate, one after another, until only thest vessel, overwhelmed by fear, swiftly changed course, powering away at full throttle.


    Regrettably for them, their escape was short-lived. Without venturing too far, the boat capsized, plunging all its upants into the unforgiving waters below.


    With the speedboats sunk and several pirates floundering on the surface, Tang Ruiming felt a surge of relief. "Damn, they had the audacity to attack our ship. They must be feeling like fools now," he remarked, satisfactioncing his words.


    Leaving the disoriented pirates to their aquatic struggle, the "Shiquan" gradually sailed away, putting distance between themselves and the remnants of the failed assault.


    Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Global Shipping Group, Hu Shijun entered Liu Yong''s office, delivering the anticipated report. "Brother Yong, just as you predicted, the pirates initiated an attack on our ship. The ''Shiquan'' reported that a group of pirates intended to hijack them. However, all the pirate speedboats capsized, and the pirates fell into the water," he joyously informed Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong, of course, was aware of Bawang''s ndestine protection and understood the sea lion''s vital role in foiling the pirate attack.


    Nevertheless, the audacity of these pirates rankled Liu Yong. They dared to target the ships of the Global Shipping Group, igniting a simmering anger within him. "Do they think they can jeopardize our operations without consequences?" he mused aloud. "Perhaps it''s time we paid a visit to the Middle East and remind them of their folly."


    Across the seas, in Rhodes Armed, Alfred''s countenance darkened. A team he dispatched had been utterly obliterated, bing mere morsels for the denizens of the deep. How had this transpired?


    The inexplicable overturning of all their formidable speedboats perplexed him greatly. Could it be that the ships of the Global Shipping Group concealed secret weapons unknown to him?


    Lost in thought, Alfred''s face bore a deep scowl. He yearned for another attempt but feared a repetition of the inexplicable events. To relinquish his ambitions after a single failure was not in his nature.


    In Alfred''s eyes, the Global Shipping Group represented a sumptuous feast waiting to be devoured. After hijacking one of their vessels, his initial demand stood at a staggering 100 million US dors.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    One of his subordinates, sensing Alfred''s unyielding determination, offered a suggestion, "Boss, since we failed to hijack a ship from the Global Shipping Group, we can alter our approach by kidnapping one or two crew members."


    Alfred''s gaze fell upon the subordinate, his voice tinged with anticipation. "Tell me quickly, what ideas do you have?"


    With a detailed exnation, the subordinateid out his n. "The Global Shipping Group has numerousrge ships engaged in oil transportation throughout the Middle East. Harriman Port, located in the Middle East, stands as one of the region''srgest oil export ports. Their tankers frequently dock there. We can dispatch a team to Port Harriman and abduct a couple of their crew members."


    The choice of Port Harriman was deliberate, as its proximity to Rhodes and the tenuousw and order prevalent there made it an ideal target.


    Alfred found the proposition enticing. The notion of dispatching individuals to Port Harriman to seize a few crew members seemed well within their capabilities. "But even if we manage to abduct them, do you think the Global Shipping Group will meekly surrender the ransom? They would demand at least 50 million US dors, if not 100 million," he voiced his reservations.


    The subordinate confidently replied, "Boss, the people of Yan Kingdom cherish life dearly. They won''t gamble their lives for money. I believe the Global Shipping Group willply willingly."


    Satisfied with the response, Alfred issued his directive. "Very well, proceed with the n. Lead a small team to Port Harriman and abduct one or two hostages."


    "No problem," the subordinate affirmed, brimming with confidence.


    Port Harriman, situated along the northwest coast of the Arabian Sea, held a vital role as a prominent oil export hub in the Middle East. Its significance stemmed not from its proximity to the Persian Gulf, but from its status as a crude oil port belonging to AM country.


    AM country shared borders with YM country, and the distance from Rhodes-controlled territories to the region barely exceeded a few hundred kilometers.


    Within Port Harriman, severalrge vessels were docked, including the oil tanker "Shirong" from the Global Shipping Group. The vessel had arrived three days prior, poised to be loaded with crude oil and supplies. It would embark on its journey in approximately three to four days.


    Adjacent to the porty the town of Saimaili, a small settlement inhabited by fewer than 10,000 residents. The town''s existence was entwined with the port''s operations.


    A three-story hotel within the town served as a rtivelyfortable abode for the crew members of the Global Shipping Group during their visits. Gui Yuanliang, a sailor aboard the "Shirong," adhered to the regtions that stipted their stay exclusively at the hotel. Venturing into the town required the captain''s approval.


    "Captain, I would like to explore the town and purchase some local goods," Gui Yuanliang requested.


    Captain Sima Hongguang hesitated momentarily before granting permission. "Granted, but you must be apanied by at least one other crew member, and your excursion should not exceed one hour."


    With the captain''s consent, Gui Yuanliang''s face lit up. "Don''t worry, Captain. I''ll return within half an hour."


    Sima Hongguang cautioned him, "Stay vignt and keep your phone essible."

 Chapter 288 How Dare They Huh!

    ?


    "Captain, I will keep the call open," Gui Yuanliang replied happily, his voice filled with enthusiasm and readiness.


    Sima Hongguang nodded approvingly, his tone filled with concern. "Then you go, go early and return early."


    Gui Yuanliang exited the room, a smile adorning his face as he dialled the number of his best colleague, Xiao Chang. Both young men were eager to explore and embrace the opportunity to wander the unfamiliar streets.


    Saimaili, a town nestled in the heart of a desert country known as AM, boasted a poption nearing 10,000¡ªan impressive figure for a medium-sized city in this aridnd. While asional acts of violence marred its reputation, overall, the town maintained a semnce ofw and order. It had yet to reach the point where firearms dotted the streets or remnants of a war-scarredndscape.


    "It finally came out, it suffocated me," Gui Yuanliang eximed, a sense of liberation evident in his voice.


    Xiao Chang chuckled in response. "Our captain is overly cautious. The country of AM may not be in turmoil, and the situation seems rtively stable. However, our neighboring country, YM, is embroiled in constant conflict."


    As the two young men strolled through the streets, engaging in lively conversation, they asionally halted in front of street stalls, their eyes gleaming with curiosity. They examined local trinkets and curiosities, their interest piqued by the unique offerings.


    Unbeknownst to them, a few Middle Eastern men trailed closely behind, dressed in traditional attire, donning robes and turbans. These individuals were Rhodes'' armed cohorts tasked with kidnapping crew members from the Global Shipping Group. They had diligently surveilled the hotel for days, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.


    Finally, they sensed the perfect chance was upon them. The intersection ahead offered convenient transportation options, with one street leading directly out of the town¡ªan ideal escape route.


    Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang remained oblivious, their carefree steps guiding them further away from the looming danger. Engrossed in their surroundings, they purchased local artifacts and savoured the freedom of exploration.


    Abruptly, a worn-out van screeched to a halt beside them, catching the young men off guard. In a sh, two individuals d in swift and practised robes seized Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang, effortlessly guiding them into the van.


    Amidst the chaos, Gui Yuanliang mustered the courage to question their captors. "Who are you? We are crew members of the Global Shipping Group!" His voice trembled with fear.


    The captors remained silent, wasting no time in brandishing syringes and injecting their victims. Soon, Gui Yuanliang, Xiao Chang, and their consciousness sumbed to the drug''s effects.


    Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Captain Sima Hongguang inquired about Gui Yuanliang''s return from his colleagues. "Has Gui Yuanliang returned from his leave?"


    One of hispanions shook their head. "No, I haven''t seen theme back yet."


    Sima Hongguang nced at his watch, growing increasingly dissatisfied. More than an hour had passed, and Gui Yuanliang had agreed not to exceed this timeframe.


    Concern etched on his face, Sima Hongguang attempted to contact Gui Yuanliang, only to encounter a frustratingck of signal. His heart sank, a foreboding feeling engulfing him. While the mobile reception in this area was notoriously unreliable, this extended absence was disconcerting.


    "Old Li, notify me immediately if they return," Sima Hongguang instructed urgently.


    Li nodded solemnly, promising to ry any updates promptly.


    Another half hour trickled by, and Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang were still nowhere to be seen. The futile attempts atmunication only deepened Sima Hongguang''s unease. Something must have gone terribly wrong during their expedition.


    "This can''t be a mere dy anymore, Captain. It''s time to send a search party," a crew member suggested, concerncing their voice.


    Sima Hongguang nodded solemnly. "Indeed, that seems to be our only option now. If we can''t locate them, we''ll have to involve the authorities."


    Organizing fifteen crew members into five groups, Sima Hongguang dispatched them to scour the town for any sign of their missing colleagues. Every street, alley, and corner was meticulously searched, yet Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang remained elusive.


    Faced with the harsh reality, Sima Hongguang wasted no time. He contacted the local police, their presence essential in investigating this distressing incident.


    A police station, moderately sized, nestled within the town. Dozens of officers scurried into action, and their collective efforts focused on recovering the kidnapped crew members. The town''s proximity to Port Harriman and its diverse seafarers'' poption justified the station''s robust personnel.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    However, hours ticked by, and the search efforts yielded no results. Eyewitnesses reported that two individuals matching Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang''s description had been forcibly taken into a vehicle. Rhodes'' cohorts were the primary suspects.


    Sima Hongguang promptly ryed the dire situation to Global Shipping Group, urging them to take swift action.


    In the headquarters of Global Shipping Group, Liu Yong received the distressing report, his surprise evident. It marked the first instance of his crew members being kidnapped overseas.


    "MMP, whoever eats the guts of a leopard! How dare they kidnap Brother Yong''s people?" Liu Yong fumed, his voiceced with righteous anger.


    Approximately two hourster, a call finally reached the offices of Global Shipping Group. The kidnappers demanded a staggering 50 million U.S. dors be deposited into a designated ount within 24 hours, threatening dire consequences should their demands go unmet.


    Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun, both present in Liu Yong''s office, visibly wore expressions of anxiety. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily upon them.


    "Boss, what should we do?" Qiu Yang implored, his voice tinged with desperation.


    Liu Yong pondered the situation, his mind working through the avable options. After a brief pause, he offered his guidance. "Do your utmost to negotiate and buy time. If dying proves futile, transfer the 50 million U.S. dors. However, ensure the safety of our crew is guaranteed. Their lives take precedence over money."


    Life safety took precedence in Liu Yong''s code of ethics; mary concerns paled inparison.


    Qiu Yang inwardly admired Liu Yong''s decision, recognizing that not all bosses would prioritize the welfare of their employees over financial matters. He felt fortunate to work under such a leader.


    After a few additional instructions, Liu Yong revealed his own course of action. "It appears I must personally travel to the Middle East and meet these criminals face-to-face."


    Concern painted their faces, and Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun exchanged nces.


    Liu Yong, sensing their apprehension, offered a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry about me. Last time I ventured to Somalia, it wasn''t entirely without its challenges, yet I returned unscathed, didn''t I?"


    Relieved by Liu Yong''s confidence, Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun found sce in his words.


    "Focus on managing thepany efficiently in my absence. I''ll be apanied by Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang this time," Liu Yong stated, formting the n.


    Shortly after Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun departed, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang entered Liu Yong''s office together.


    "Boss, you summoned us?" they chimed in unison.


    Liu Yong nodded, recounting the kidnapping incident involving Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang in the small town of Saimaili. He then presented his proposition. "Both of you will apany me to the Middle East. As per our agreement, you will receive abor cost of 10 million yuan each."


    The offer delighted the two men.


    Beyond the financial gain, the opportunity to wield firearms excited Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang. They yearned for an opportunity to venture outside the confines of the country.


    "Boss, we''ll dly go with you to the Middle East," they responded in unison, their decision instantaneous.


    "Very well. We mustn''t dy any further. Let us depart immediately and head for the capital of AM," Liu Yong dered, setting the wheels in motion.


    The trio required minimal preparations, travelling light without extensive luggage. Their minds focused on the critical task that awaited them.

 Chapter 289 Rescue Mission

    ?


    The three embarked on a direct flight from Huahai International Airport to Dubai before making their way to Muscat, the capital of AM. As they exited the airport, He Qiang couldn''t help but remark, "Boss, this city is quite impressive. I had expected it to be engulfed in warfare and overrun with slums."


    -Haha!


    Liu Yong chuckled and replied, "That''s the situation in other Middle Eastern countries. AM, on the other hand, is an incredibly wealthy nation, boasting a per capita annual ie of over $15,000, which far surpasses our own country."


    The trio hailed a taxi leaving the airport premises, and Liu Yong conveyed in English, "Take us to the finest hotel."


    The driver, taken aback, pondered to himself, Could it be that these three are affluent individuals?


    To their surprise, the driver chauffeured Liu Yong and hispanions to the most exquisite five-star hotel in the vicinity.


    Three rooms were booked, with Liu Yong settling into a luxurious executive suite. After settling in, he indulged in a meal and some rest.


    Their next priority was gathering intelligence. They needed to ascertain the identity of the perpetrators who had hijacked the Universal crew.


    Liu Yong already had a n in mind for acquiring information. He directly reached out to the police department in AM.


    Upon learning that Liu Yong as the head of the Global Shipping Group, the police department promptly dispatched a high-ranking official to attend to him, ensuring nopse in courtesy.


    "Mr. Liu, we apologize for the unfortunate incident of your crew being kidnapped within our territory," the official expressed remorse, briefing Liu Yong on the progress of the kidnapping case.


    Liu Yong inquired, "Is it possible to apprehend the mastermind behind this kidnapping and bring them to justice?"


    With a hint of regret, the official responded, "Regrettably, we cannot aplish that. The Rhodes Armed Forces, responsible for the abduction, is a formidable armed organization deeply entrenched in YM territory. They exert control over several major cities within YM."


    Liu Yong had asked the question out of curiosity, without harbouring any real hope.


    Nheless, if the AM police couldn''t act against the Rhodes Armed Forces, they could still provide valuable information about the organization.


    Liu Yong requested, "Could you furnish us with some information regarding the Rhodes Armed Forces? It would be even better if you could identify the specific leader responsible for nning and ordering this kidnapping."


    The official assured him, "That won''t be a problem. Give us a little time, and we will dispatch someone to deliver the relevant information to you."


    Having briefly spent time at the police department, Liu Yong and hispanions returned to their hotel.


    A few hourster, they hadn''t yet received the intelligence materials from the AM police, but Qiu Yang made an unexpected call.


    "Boss, the other party has contacted us again, giving us a two-hour ultimatum. If we don''t transfer $50 million to their designated ount, they will execute our two crew members."


    Liu Yong swiftly responded, "Give them the money and insist that they release the two crew members unharmed. Ensuring their safety is of utmost importance."


    "Understood, boss. I will carry out your instructions," Qiu Yang affirmed.


    After ending the call, Liu Yong contemted, "$50 million is a trivial sum. As long as our two crew members are safe, I can proceed with my ns unhindered."


    Later that evening, the long-awaited intelligence materials from the AM police department finally arrived. Liu Yong retired to his room to carefully peruse the documents.


    Though the information was in English, Liu Yong managed toprehend it to a reasonable extent. He gained a preliminary understanding of the Rhodes Armed Forces through his perusal.


    The armed organization was massive, boasting tens of thousands of well-equipped personnel. They possessed almost every conventional weapon imaginable except for nuclear arms.


    Their arsenalprised artillery, missiles, armed helicopters, and tanks. Operating primarily within YM territory, they asionally conducted operations in neighbouring countries. For instance, this time, they had ventured into AM territory to abduct two Global Shipping Group crew members.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Aside fromprehensive details about the Rhodes Armed Forces, the police had managed to deduce that this particr kidnapping was likely orchestrated by a subordinate named Alfred within the organization.


    Liu Yong finally discerned the culprits responsible for abducting his two crew members.


    "Hmph! I wish to meet this Rhodes Armed Forces face-to-face and make them pay the price," Liu Yong seethed.


    Extorting $50 million from me? I won''t rest until I''ve recovered that money twice from their grasp.


    Liu Yong shared the extensive intelligence document with Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang, emphasizing, "Rest well tonight, for tomorrow morning, we shall journey to YM."


    The two of them, brimming with excitement, nodded eagerly.


    Throughout the night, silence pervaded their abode.


    Early the following day, Liu Yong chartered a ne that whisked them directly to YM territory,nding in a city near the stronghold of the Rhodes Armed Forces.


    Upon their arrival, they made their way to a weapon store, promptly acquiring many firearms and equipment in one fell swoop.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang couldn''t contain their delight as they revelled in the presence of the newly acquired weaponry. They seemed to harbour a peculiar affinity for such tools of war.


    The city they found themselves in was perpetually embroiled in conflict and chaos. Armed men roamed the streets, some of whom were mercenaries.


    In addition to procuring weapons and equipment, Liu Yong also acquired a high-performance off-road vehicle.


    Having concluded their purchases, Liu Yong approached an armed individual on the street, addressing him with a loud voice, "Hey, my friend, where can I find the most formidable mercenary organization in this vicinity? Lead me there, and I''ll reward you with $2,000."


    Observing the dors in Liu Yong''s hand, the armed man responded, "The most powerful mercenary force around here is known as the Wild Wolf. I happen to be a member. Allow me to guide you."


    With that, he unabashedly epted the $2,000 from Liu Yong and fearlessly climbed into the off-road vehicle.


    The destination wasn''t far, and after traversing a few streets, they arrived at a building epassing a spacious courtyard.


    Several armed guards stood sentry at the courtyard''s entrance, and within it rested an armoured vehicle and several pickups, each equipped with heavy machine guns.


    While stepping out of the vehicle first, Liu Yong surveyed the surroundings before issuing amand, "You two wait in the car."


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang nodded, confident in their Boss''s capabilities eliminating any concern for his safety.


    Unarmed, Liu Yong gestured to his guide and proimed, "Lead the way. Take me to meet your Boss."


    The mercenary gazed at Liu Yong in bewilderment as if his brain had temporarily malfunctioned.


    He couldn''t fathom the identity of this individual who ventured forth so audaciously. Unbeknownst to him, their Boss was a remorseless killer, seemingly devoid of conscience.


    After a long moment, the mercenary regained hisposure and guided Liu Yong into the building, stopping outside the door of a third-floor office.


    The office stood out from the rest, with a thick, bulletproof door and two burly men stationed at its entrance.


    The guide briefly exined the situation to the guards, one of whom knocked on the door before escorting Liu Yong inside.


    The office was spacious, and behind an expansive desk sat a white man adorned with a menacing scar on his face, signifying his status as an individual of significance.

 Chapter 290 Are You Captain America?

    ?


    Sitting atop the imposing boss chair, his face marked with scars, he nced disdainfully at Liu Yong. The intense stare seemed to convey a clear message, a silent warning that echoed in his eyes: "Boy, if you dare set foot in our territory, be prepared to face excruciating pain or even death."


    He didn''t budge an inch, merely fixing Liu Yong with a disdainful look.


    Inside the office, Scar, apanied by a group of robust men who undoubtedly served as his subordinates, exuded an aura of power.


    Following an established protocol, one of the subordinates stepped forward regardless of the situation and delivered a resounding p across Liu Yong''s face. It was the customary way they operated in this domain.


    But could Liu Yong stand idly by and let himself be struck? That was clearly an impossibility.


    With his hand mere inches away from Liu Yong''s face, his attempt tond a blow was abruptly halted. Liu Yong exerted a fraction of force, causing the other party to emit a pained grunt.


    "Go!"


    A gentle yet forceful kick propelled Liu Yong''s leg forward, sending the towering man, who stood at over 1.8 meters tall and weighed more than 200 kilograms, flying several meters away before crashing to the ground with a resounding thud. Hey motionless, unable to rise for a considerable time.


    "Stay put!"


    "Don''t move!"


    The other two muscr men disyed swift reflexes. The muzzles of their pistols were instantly aimed at Liu Yong while two additional strong men rushed in from outside the gate, their assault rifles trained on Liu Yong as well.


    Meanwhile, sporting aposed expression, Liu Yong paid no heed to the imminent threat and advanced steadily toward Scarface.


    "The purpose of my visit is simple," Liu Yong stated, his voice calms and collected. "I seek information regarding a person¡ªAlfred, a prominent member of Rhodes'' armed forces. I wish to discover his whereabouts."


    Scarface, slightly taken aback, found it hard to fathom Liu Yong''s unfazed demeanour when four guns pointed directly at him. Though briefly surprised, Scarface had encountered many individuals throughout his life, some of whom merely feigned courage and met a tragic end. He immediately categorized Liu Yong as one of those individuals.


    Eyeing Liu Yong with a contemptuous gaze, Scarface leisurely retrieved a pistol from his desk drawer. Methodically, he disengaged the safety, inserted a bullet into the chamber, and aimed the gun at Liu Yong.


    "I have no knowledge of Alfred''s whereabouts," Scarface uttered, his toneced with a hint of menace. "What I desire most at this moment is to reward you with two bullets."


    Liu Yong responded with a smile.


    In an instant, Scarface''s vision blurred, leaving him utterly unable to react. The pistol he held tightly moments ago now rested in Liu Yong''s hands.


    His mind seemed to stutter, much like aputer malfunctioning, struggling to process the situation. Scarface, a renowned figure in the world of mercenaries, had ascended to his current position based on sheer strength. He considered himself highly skilled and capable of easily handling three or five self-proimed "kings" of warfare. Yet, before Liu Yong, he couldn''t even retain his grip on the firearm.


    Though his face registered a slight change, Scarface remained steadfast. "I have over fifty individuals under mymand, all professional mercenaries. With four guns pointed at you, I suggest you obediently drop the weapon."


    "Do you think I require a gun to deal with you?" Liu Yong retorted, his voice unwavering.


    As soon as the words left his lips, Liu Yong exerted a slight force with both hands, causing the pistol to crumple like a piece of soft y, transforming it into a twisted mass of metal.


    This, this, this...


    Scarface''s countenance shifted dramatically, his expression morphing into one of horror. Had the gun belonged to Liu Yong, he might have questioned its authenticity, suspecting it to be a prop or some ruse. However, the firearm was undeniably Scarface''s own.


    Oh God, could such an individual genuinely exist in this world?


    Liu Yong paid no mind to Scarface''s terror-stricken face, nonchntly dragging a chair from the side and seating himself. He propped his feet up on Scarface''s desk, an audacious act that rendered Scarface incapable of uttering even a word of protest. The thoughts racing through his mind undoubtedly revolved around whether Liu Yong was Captain America himself or a member of the X-Men, for only such beings could possess such unfathomable power.


    "I havee here for one purpose alone¡ªto learn the whereabouts of Alfred," Liu Yong dered, his voice devoid of any aggression. "This man abducted two members of my crew and demanded a ransom of 50 million dors. I intend to im his head and also teach Rhodes a lesson."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Struggling to regain hisposure, Scarface managed to utter a few words, his voice strained, "Alfred is one of Rhodes'' top leaders. His location has always remained unsurprisingly, and I am unaware of his whereabouts."


    Liu Yong''s gaze remained fixed on Scarface, his scarred face betraying a hint of surprise. Scarface, the boss whomanded respect and fear, was rendered speechless by Liu Yong''s unyielding presence, even in the face of four guns.


    Liu Yong continued, "I will grant you 24 hours. I shall return tomorrow. I expect you to have the information regarding Alfred''s whereabouts. Furthermore, anyone who can provide me with the exact location of Alfred shall receive a reward of 10 million US dors."


    Ten million dors¡ªa sum that tantalized Scarface and his fellow mercenaries, who risked their lives for wealth. The prospect of acquiring such a substantial reward for divulging Alfred''s precise location without the associated risks of executing the man himself sent their hearts racing.


    "If we can provide the exact whereabouts of Alfred, can we also receive the 10 million US dors?" Scarface inquired, his voiceced with hope.


    "Yes, but only after I have eliminated Alfred," Liu Yong affirmed.


    With his statement delivered, Liu Yong rose from his chair, strolled toward the exit, and said, "I shall return tomorrow. Should you acquire any information, kindly forward it to the Isaiah Hotel, where I reside."


    Scarface knew the Isaiah Hotel, renowned as the city''s finest establishment.


    Liu Yong departed, descending the stairs and climbing into an off-road vehicle. Not a soul dared to hinder him throughout the entire encounter.


    Scarface remained motionless, his face a mask of nkness. It took him considerable time to regain his senses. Retrieving the mangled iron lump from the table, he found it impossible to quell the unease that enveloped him.


    Liu Yong and his threepanions had taken up residence at the Isaiah Hotel. By local standards, the hotel might merit no more than three stars, yet it reigned as the city''s grandest and most luxurious amodation.


    Safety was also paramount at the Isaiah Hotel. Armed guards stood sentry at the entrance, their weapons loaded. The hotel''s security appeared to be top-notch.


    Word spread rapidly. The offer stood: 10 million US dors for anyone providing urate information leading to Alfred''s location and his subsequent demise.


    The ten-million-dor bounty proved irresistible, capturing the attention of numerous mercenary organizations.


    Within the hotel, Liu Yong received a call from Qiu Yang, reporting that the two abducted crew members had been recovered. However, both had suffered injuries, one of them even having an ear severed.


    Upon concluding the call, Liu Yong experienced a mixture of relief and fury. While his life was no longer in immediate peril, he was incensed by the audacity of the perpetrators. Despite paying the demand of 50 million dors in full, they had maimed his crew members, severing their ears as a gruesome warning.


    Unreasonable, to say the least!


    Lifting the hotel phone, Liu Yong dialled the number left by the abductor. The call connected swiftly.


    Without waiting for the other party to speak, Liu Yong warned, "Tell Alfred to wait for me. I will find him and ensure his demise."


    Ending the call, Liu Yong pondered, hoping that the promised 10 million dors would yield results. This time, Alfred must meet his end.


    The following day arrived.


    Early in the morning, a leader from the Wolf Mercenary Group named Gilsnut arrived at the hotel. Scarface, likely intimidated by yesterday''s encounter, did not dare to show himself.


    They had uncovered Liu Yong''s true identity as the boss of the Global Shipping Group, a fact not difficult to ascertain.


    "Mr. Liu, I have provided you with the information you requested," Gilsnut informed Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong was mildly taken aback, not expecting Gilsnut to speak Mandarin fluently.


    ...

 Chapter 291 Updated Genetic Medicine(Yellow)

    ?


    Liu Yong''s heart skipped a beat as he absorbed Giles'' revtion. The realization dawned upon him, connecting the dots of his earlier confusion. It seemed that Giles had Yan Kingdom blood running through his veins, and his impable Mandarin skills resulted from his father''s teachings. Liu Yong understood the significance of this newfound information, recognizing its advantages to their mission.


    Speaking in Mandarin would makemunication morefortable, but Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel self-conscious about his limited English proficiency. He struggled to express himself clearly, his broken English making it challenging to convey his thoughts effectively.


    Giles took the lead in providing crucial information about their target, Alfred. ording to their investigation, Alfred was currently located in a small town named Turki, which was under the control of the Rhodes Armed Forces.


    Approximately 150 to 200 armed personnel and armoured vehicles, tanks, and heavy weapons were stationed there. Liu Yong listened attentively, absorbing every detail.


    To Liu Yong''s surprise, he was already familiar with the location of Turki, knowing it to be approximately 500 kilometres away. Impressed by Giles''petence, Liu Yong decided to extend an invitation. He turned to Giles and asked, "We n tounch an attack on Alfred. Would you be interested in joining us?"


    Giles, showing his astuteness, didn''t rush to ept the offer or inquire about the reward. Instead, he questioned Liu Yong about the number of people involved in the mission. Liu Yong responded, "There are three of us."


    The revtion left Giles visibly taken aback. He warned Liu Yong, "Mr. Liu, there are at least 150 militants in the small town of Turki."


    Unperturbed, Liu Yong confidently replied, "So what if there are 150 militants? In fact, the three of us are more than enough. With your assistance, I want you to help me in the fight. In return you will be rewarded with 1 million dor."


    Giles couldn''t help but be enticed by the offer. As a mercenary driven by mary gains, the prospect of earning $1 million for this mission was tempting. It might even be enough for him to retirefortably afterpleting the job. Sumbing to the temptation, Giles agreed, saying, "Okay, I promise you."


    Liu Yong''s satisfaction was evident as a smile spread across his face. With Giles, who was familiar with the situation, joining their ranks, their mission became considerably more convenient. However, Liu Yong couldn''t help but wish for a few more individuals to strengthen their team. He asked Giles, "Could you help me find two more people? Each of them will be rewarded with $500,000. Additionally, we''ll need assistance in acquiring a helicopter."


    Without hesitation, Giles replied, "Okay, I''ll get on it right away."


    While belonging to the Wild Wolf Mercenary Group, members were allowed to engage in private work. This practice wasmon among the group''s leaders, and Giles was no exception.


    Once Giles had departed, Liu Yong reached into his pocket and retrieved two small ss bottles. He handed them to hispanions, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang, and said, "Drink this. It will further enhance your strength, as we may face a tough battle today."


    Excitement welled up in Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang as they recognized the contents of the ss bottles¡ªgic medicine. Although the previous batch had been in blue bottles, the liquid was housed in yellow ones this time. They wondered if there was any difference between the two.


    Liu Yong exined, "This is an enhanced version of the gic medicine. Upon consumption, your physical abilities will be significantly improved."


    Realizing they were about to consume an enhanced version of the medicine further heightened their excitement. Expressing their gratitude, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang drank the contents of the bottles without hesitation, noticing a pleasant, slightly sweet taste.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong essed his pet panel and allocated 500 points each to Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang, enhancing their strength, constitution, and agility. Previously, they had received 200 points each, which had already elevated them to superhuman levels. Now, with an additional 500 points, they indeed became supermen.


    Together with their previous enhancements, their strength attribute alone approached nearly 800 points. Such incredible strength enabled them to hurl cars more than ten meters away with bare hands.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    With agility attributes nearing 800 points, their speed and reflexes became extraordinary. Their opponents would find it near impossible tond a hit on them, as their reaction speed surpassed human capabilities.


    Moreover, possessing physical attributes close to 800 points had significant benefits. Their robust physiques became almost immune to sickness, and their endurance levels became astonishing. Running several hundred kilometres without a break would be a trivial feat.


    At this moment, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang had be superhumans, thanks to Liu Yong''s enhancements. While Liu Yong could have allocated even higher attributes, he believed 500 points were more than sufficient. Apart from himself, no one could match their newfound power in this world.


    Giles returned in less than an hour, demonstrating his efficiency. Two mercenaries from the Wolf Mercenary Corps were apanying him¡ªone ck and one white. Additionally, they had managed to secure a rented helicopter, albeit at a high cost of $100,000. Without bargaining, Liu Yong swiftly agreed to the terms.


    Now, with a team of six individuals, they boarded the helicopter and set off towards Turki. The helicopter''s speed was impressive, allowing them to cover the 500-kilometre distance in under two hours.


    As the helicopter descended to a lower altitude, the vast expanse of desert and Gobi stretched out beneath them, a monotonousndscape that had apanied them throughout their journey. A mere twenty to thirty kilometres aheady the small town of Turki. Lowering their flying altitude even further, the helicopter almost skimmed the surface of the desert to maintain stealth.


    Upon reaching the rear of a small hill, the helicopternded. Giles exined to Liu Yong, saying, "Mr. Liu, you can see Turki clearly from this hill. It''s merely three or four kilometers away."


    Liu Yong nodded in acknowledgment. Once the helicopter departed, Liu Yong began assigning tasks and dividing responsibilities.


    Giles and the other two mercenaries would act as support, primarily carrying weapons and ammunition for Liu Yong''s team while also serving as perimeter defence. Giles and hisrades loaded themselves with a considerable arsenal, following closely behind Liu Yong, Kang Zhenggang, and He Qiang as they ascended the hill together.


    At the hill''s peak, Liu Yong used a telescope to observe the small town of Turki. Comprising mainly low-rise buildings, it appeared more like a small vige than a town. Liu Yong''s gaze focused on the armed elements present, failing to spot any local vigers.


    Decisively, Liu Yong dered, "Bring ample ammunition. Let''s go, Giles, stay close."


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang were armed with assault rifles, pistols, and multiple grenades. Their ammunition supplies were plentiful, but theycked bulletproof vests. Liu Yong armed himself simrly, wielding an assault rifle equipped with several magazines.


    "Let''s move out!" Liu Yongmanded.


    With Liu Yong taking the lead, the group surged forward towards Turki at an astonishing speed. It would take them merely two or three seconds to cover 100 meters. Giles and his twopanions stood in awe, their mouths agape. How were these humans capable of such swiftness?


    To their astonishment, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang disyed simr agility, trailing only slightly behind Liu Yong. The three figures appeared as ck shadows darting across the terrain, rapidly closing the distance between themselves and the small town of Turki.


    Still immersed in their shock, Giles and hisrades only snapped out of it when they heard the sound of gunshots.


    -DANG! DANG!

 Chapter 292 Huh! Only Three ?

    ?


    By disying exceptional agility, Liu Yong swiftly took the lead and found himself on the outskirts of the town within moments. The armed personnel there finally caught sight of Liu Yong''s presence and unleashed a barrage of gunfire towards him.


    The loud sound of machine guns reverberated through the air as bullets rained down upon Liu Yong. Astonishingly, the projectiles seemed to have no effect on him, despite the sheer volume of fire unleashed. Unfazed, Liu Yong pressed forward relentlessly, closing the distance from 700 to 800 meters down to a mere 200 meters.


    Horror-stricken, some of the armed men watched in disbelief, unable toprehend how their bullets failed to impede Liu Yong''s advance. "Is he immortal?" they murmured, mouths agape, as they witnessed the seemingly invincible figure drawing nearer.


    On a small hill nearby, Giles and hispanions wore expressions of bewilderment. They struggled to fathom why Liu Yong remained unscathed while the enemy''s machine guns unleashed a torrent of violence.


    A ck-d mercenary next to Giles pped himself twice, his face stinging with a burning sensation. The pain assured him that this was no dream; his vision was clear. Liu Yong continued his relentless approach, firing his weapon as he charged forward. The sound of gunfire reverberated through the air as Liu Yong skillfully wielded his assault rifle.


    Employing burst fire, Liu Yong efficiently neutralized one or two militants with each shot, causing the two machine guns stationed on the outskirts of the town to malfunction rapidly.


    Before long, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang joined Liu Yong, their excitement palpable. Evidently, the enhanced version of the gic medicine they had taken had transformed them into superhuman beings. Their speed and reflexes had skyrocketed, and their hands became remarkably agile. Their shooting uracy had also improved significantly, akin to that of seasoned sharpshooters.


    Leading the charge, Liu Yong was the first to storm into the town, closely followed by Kang Zhenggang and the others. Finally grasping the situation, Giles and hisradesprehended why the intrepid trio dared to attack the town of Turki in broad daylight. They possessed an absolute strength that rendered investigations and tactics unnecessary. Instead, they could boldly and straightforwardlyunch their assault, irrespective of the nearly two hundred armed personnel opposing them.


    "This group of people is finished," Giles muttered to himself. "Rhodes Armed Forces truly should not have provoked the Global Shipping Group. The price they will pay for this recklessness shall be heavy."


    "Let''s go," Gilesmanded, observing Liu Yong and the others vanish into the heart of the town. Though the cacophony of gunfire persisted, drowning the air in a symphony of destruction, Giles led his two mercenaries closer, positioning themselves about two to three hundred meters away. They sought cover and waited, keenly aware of the ruthless carnage unfolding inside.


    The intensity of gunfire intensified, transforming into an overwhelming massacre as militants within the town fell one after another. Giles'' information was urate; the enigmatic Alfred truly resided in this ce. Furthermore, several subordinate leaders harboured ns to hijack a merchant ship through armed force in the Arabian Sea.


    While they were discussing these nefarious intentions within a room, the abrupt eruption of ferocious gunfire shattered the air. Startled by the dense and intense sounds of battle, Alfred''s heart skipped a beat, suspecting that they were under attack from the special forces of Country M. He immediately voiced his concern in a grave tone, demanding an exnation for the unforeseen turn of events.


    "How did this happen?" he questioned anxiously.


    Swiftly, a subordinate leader rushed in to report, "Boss, three individuals are assaulting us, but we are eliminating them."


    "Only three people?" Alfred queried, his anxiety somewhat assuaged. After all, hemanded a force of nearly two hundred armed men. It seemed clear that victory was inevitable.


    However, his assurance wavered as another leader burst into the room in a state of disarray. "Head, we must retreat immediately! We are unable to halt the enemy''s advance in any way!"


    "What?" Alfred eximed incredulously. "Weren''t there only three people on their side? We have nearly two hundred!"


    Baffled, Alfred''s attention was swiftly drawn back to the gunshots resounding perilously close. Realizing the battle had approached their doorstep, he grasped the situation''s urgency. "Let''s go!" he ordered urgently, understanding the need for an immediate departure.


    Withoutprehending how their assants had arrived at their location with such astonishing speed, Alfred and his men hastily rose from their positions, some even abandoning their weapons. However, before they could make their escape, a gunshot echoed at the door, and in an instant, it was kicked open.


    With a resounding thud, the fairly sturdy wooden door splintered, sending sawdust flying. Two individuals strode in, assault rifles poised and ready. A burst of gunfire ensued, decimating the room''s upants. What was once a group of a dozen individuals, including Alfred himself, was reduced to less than half within moments.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Nobody move!" one of the intrudersmanded in Chinese. Although thenguage was unfamiliar to most, the sight of the ck gun muzzles made their intentions clear. In unison, the survivors obediently raised their hands, understanding the difficult situation they found themselves in.


    Liu Yong and Kang Zhenggang, armed with assault rifles, were the intruders who had breached the room. He Qiang remained outside, standing guard. Amidst the tense silence, one of the subordinate leaders harboured a shred of disbelief and quietly attempted to reach for his gun. Before his hand could even make contact, Kang Zhenggang swiftly fired, and the defiant leader crumpled to the ground instantaneously, a lifeless heap.


    Other individuals, including Alfred, dared not make a move. Adopting an air of nonchnce, Liu Yong strolled over and casually sat on one of the chairs. In English, he inquired, "Who is Alfred?"


    Summoning his courage, Alfred responded, "I am. And who might you be?"


    Liu Yong ced his gun on the table, crossed his legs, and replied, "I am the boss of the Global Shipping Group. You kidnapped two of our crew members and extorted $50 million from us."


    Recognition dawned upon Alfred as he realized the young man''s identity before him, none other than the influential leader of the Global Shipping Group. Overwhelmed by the swiftness with which the kidnappers had been neutralized, Alfred''s countenance soured. With Liu Yong''s ck muzzle aimed at him and the knowledge that all of his armed personnel outside had been swiftly dispatched, Alfred''s heart sank.


    "What do you want?" Alfred asked, his voice strained.


    Nonchntly, Liu Yong picked up a teacup from the table and hurled it, striking its intended target¡ªa subordinate leader¡ªsquare in the head. The resulting impact resembled a watermelon explosion, scattering crimson and white fragments across the ground as the unfortunate man''s skull was pulverized.


    The casual manner in which Liu Yong dispatched his adversaries left Alfred bewildered. After all, he, too, feared death. Those rare individuals on television who embraced death fearlessly, hailing the glory of their demise, were but a minority. Faced with the spectre of mortality, Alfred could not embody such audacity.


    Struggling to find his voice, Alfred proposed, "How about we apologize andpensate you financially?"


    Liu Yong retorted, "Compensate us? How much can you afford?"


    Quickly formting a response, Alfred offered, "We can double the original amount and pay $100 million."


    Yet another teacup hurtled through the air, and the head of another subordinate leader was blown apart.


    Liu Yong stated matter-of-factly, "A mere $100 million will be enough to ensure our departure. I''ve heard that the Rhodes Armed Forces are quite wealthy and control several significant oil fields."


    Caught off guard, Alfred blurted out, "We will pay $200 million, double that amount! We can pay $200 million."


    Once again, Liu Yong reached for a teacup on the table, causing Alfred to interject, "No, $500 million hastily! We can pay $500 million!"


    The cup left Liu Yong''s hand again, resulting in the instant demise of yet another subordinate leader.


    Looking sad, Alfred pleaded, "How much do you want us to pay? Name your price."


    ...

 Chapter 293 Blood Money

    ?


    Liu Yong''s voice rang out, filled with a mischievous tone. "Hehe, of course, it''s all your money. Do you want me to enlighten you on its management?"


    The weight of those words echoed in the room, as the mention of "all the money" caused Alfred''s expression to shift, his gaze osciting between Liu Yong and Kang Zhenggang, who ominously held an assault rifle.


    A somberness settled upon Alfred as he spoke with a tinge of sadness. "I have one condition. After I hand over my wealth to you, promise me that you won''t take my life."


    Disdain dripped from Liu Yong''s voice as he scoffed at Alfred''s fear of death. "Yes, I promise not to kill you nor your subordinates," he retorted dismissively.


    With Liu Yong''s assurance, Alfred retrieved aptop and executed a series of operations. In a calcted move, he transferred all the funds from his ount to Liu Yong''s private ount in a Swiss bank, totalling over 560 million US dors.


    Yet, Liu Yong''s conviction remained unshaken. He firmly believed that Alfred''s wealth exceeded this modest amount. Considering their involvement in kidnappings, ship hijackings, and control over vast oil fields, Alfred, a high-ranking figure, was likely worth more than a billion yuan. Even twenty dors would seem trivial to someone of his stature.


    With a cold smile, Liu Yong picked up a water ss from the table, hinting that he would retaliate if Alfred had deceived him. Trembling with fear, Alfred hastily interjected, "You promised not to kill us."


    Liu Yong''s voice dripped with calcted cruelty. "If you try to be clever, I won''t hesitate to end your lives. As you yourself said earlier, hand over all your money and transfer the remaining funds from your other ounts."


    Left with no choice, Alfred obediently transferred the funds from his other ounts to Liu Yong''s control. Sevennchargess were emptied, thergest containing over 1.1 billion US dors, while the smallest held only tens of millions.


    Once the transfers wereplete, Alfred confirmed, "I have truly transferred all the money to you. This is the extent of my wealth."


    A sense of satisfaction washed over Liu Yong as he realized the magnitude of his newly acquired fortune, which now amounted to more than 2.35 billion US dors.


    "Well, yes, I believe you have fulfilled your end of the bargain," Liu Yong stated, a trace of contentment in his voice. "And now, I shall take my leave."


    With those words, he snatched the assault rifle from the table and swiftly headed towards the exit, leaving behind a room filled with people who could finally breathe a sigh of relief.


    However, in a sudden turn of events, gunfire erupted without warning, cutting through the air and iming the lives of everyone present, including Alfred. It was Kang Zhenggang who had pulled the trigger.


    In his final moments, Alfred''s gaze locked onto Liu Yong, his eyes filled with disbelief and resentment, silently using him of breaking his promise to spare their lives.


    With a cold demeanour, Liu Yong rified, "I didn''t kill you. The one responsible for your demise is someone else, a man named Kang Zhenggang."


    To further solidify his statement, Liu Yong retrieved his mobile phone and captured several photos depicting the tragic aftermath of Alfred and his associates.


    The three men convened once Kang Zhenggang emerged from the scene, carrying out his duty. Liu Yong gestured, signalling their departure. "Let''s go; it''s time to leave."


    They had not ventured far when Giles and two others approached them. The three neers wore expressions of sheer astonishment as they surveyed the surroundings, their eyes falling upon the lifeless bodies strewn about.


    They had arrived from the outskirts of the town, bearing witness to the aftermath of relentless carnage. Nearly 200 armed men, all wiped out within a matter of minutes¡ªnone left alive.


    The trio of Giles was amazed, their gazes filled with reverence, respect, and fear for the sheer might they had just witnessed.


    Sensing their presence, Liu Yong beckoned them forward, his voice resonating urgently. "You''ve arrived at the perfect moment. Over there, you''ll find a helicopter. Let us depart together."


    Indeed, a helicopter stood not far away on the open ground, surrounded by lifeless bodies. Bullet holes marred its exterior, evidence of the recent violence.


    "See if it''s operational. If it is, we shall make our escape by air," Liu Yongmanded, his gaze fixed on the machine.


    In this vast desert hintend, the town was hundreds of kilometres away. Travelling by off-road vehicle would be a time-consuming endeavour.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang assumed their positions in the pilot and co-pilot seats, respectively. Fortunately, despite sustaining a few bullet wounds, the helicopter seemed unaffected.


    "Boss, we''re ready for takeoff. The fuel tank is almost full," Kang Zhenggang announced.


    Liu Yong''s voice exuded confidence as he gave the order. "Take off. Let us depart this ce."<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The helicopter roared to life, its propellers spinning faster and faster, gradually lifting off the ground and soaring into the distance.


    The triumphant trio of Liu Yong arrived safely back at the Isaiah Hotel, where they had been staying. Upon their return, they relinquished their weapons and equipment, feeling relief.


    Alfred had met his demise, leaving behind a staggering windfall of over 2.1 billion US dors. It was an unprecedented haul.


    Kang Zhenggang couldn''t contain his joy. "Boss, today was truly exhrating!"


    He Qiang chimed in, sharing his sentiment. "Indeed, I eliminated at least 40 to 50 militants. Fired off more than a dozen clips. It was invigorating."


    Liu Yong''s smile conveyed his satisfaction as he addressed his loyalrades. "It seems you both have a penchant forbat. As fate would have it, I have a task for the two of you."


    The pair responded in unison, their loyalty evident. "Boss, just give us your orders."


    Liu Yong divulged his ns. "I intend to establish a mercenary organization operating in the Middle East."


    Kang Zhenggang''s eyes gleamed with anticipation.


    The prospect of founding a mercenary organization resonated deeply with them.


    "If we have such an organization in the Middle East, no one would dare harm our ships or crew, as they could be swiftly dealt with," Liu Yong exined. "We won''t need arge membership¡ªjust a select few, perhaps a dozen or so. I will provide them with gic enhancements, transforming them into super soldiers."


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang''s excitement surged as they envisionedmanding a group of formidable warriors.


    Liu Yong emphasized, "This organization will be under your leadership. Recruit individuals with experience, exceptional skills, and unwavering loyalty."


    The two listened intently, absorbing every word.


    After Liu Yong finished outlining his expectations, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang responded almost in unison. "Boss, rest assured, we will establish this organization as quickly as possible."


    Liu Yong revealed the name of the organization. "We shall call it the ''Wolf Warriors Mercenary Corps.'' Initially, we will aim for a core group of around 20 members, expanding gradually over time. I will provide you with a funding of 1 billion US dors."


    The enormity of the opportunity struck the two like a lightning bolt.


    "Boss, you can count on us," they assured him.


    With the addition of Giles, who had joined their ranks, the recruitment process began in earnest. Besides the allure of higher sries than the Wild Wolf Mercenary Corps, Giles admired Liu Yong and hisrades'' strength.


    Following the powerful was second nature for mercenaries like them, especially for individuals like Liu Yong.


    Addressing Giles, Liu Yong posed a question. "Do you want to know why we possess such power?"


    Giles responded eagerly, "I do, Boss. I''m curious to learn."


    Liu Yong skillfully wove a tale, his words painting an enticing picture. "The answer is simple. I possess a unique gic enhancement that, once taken, can grant you immense strength. Follow us, work diligently, and demonstrate outstanding performance, and I shall grant you the same gic enhancement. I will make you a formidable force."


    Excitement brimmed in Giles'' voice as he eagerly replied, "Boss, I will excel in my duties."


    Liu Yong didn''t linger long at the hotel. After providing Kang Zhenggang and the others with further instructions, he embarked on a solitary journey to Sanaa, the capital of Yemen.


    Liu Yong''s visit to Yemen''s capital hinted at unfinished business.

 Chapter 294 PM - Hasan !

    ?


    YM Capital, Sanaa


    Liu Yong arrived in YM''s capital alone. As he disembarked from the ne, he hailed a taxi andmanded, "Take me to the Prime Minister''s Office."


    The taxi driver stared at Liu Yong in astonishment and asked, "Sir, are you really going to the Prime Minister''s Office?"


    Liu Yong nodded firmly and replied, "Absolutely."


    The taxi driver remained silent, but his thoughts were in turmoil inwardly. He pondered over the identity of this passenger, which led him to proceed directly to the Prime Minister''s Office.


    Impressive!


    This man is no ordinary individual.


    The taxi driver''s awe for Liu Yong intensified. While driving, he asionally stole nces at Liu Yong through the rearview mirror, trying to unravel the mystery of his identity.


    The journey from the airport to the Prime Minister''s Office was considerably extended,sting about 40 to 50 minutes. Throughout the ride, Liu Yong gazed out the car window, observing the cityscape of Sanaa. Even in YM''s war-torn capital, remnants of conflict were omnipresent, with unrepaired ruins serving as poignant reminders.


    "Sir, we have arrived at the Prime Minister''s Office," the taxi driver announced.


    Liu Yong noticed a small contingent of heavily armed soldiers stationed at the entrance of the grand and opulent building.


    He handed the taxi driver a hundred-dor bill, prompting profuse gratitude from the recipient. Earning such an amount would likely take the taxi driver an entire day.


    Ignoring the driver''s repeated expressions of gratitude, Liu Yong strode toward the Prime Minister''s Office. However, before reaching the gate, he was intercepted.


    A middle-ranking individual stood in Liu Yong''s path and inquired, "This is the Prime Minister''s Office. Who are you?"


    Liu Yong confidently identified himself, stating, "I am the CEO of Global Shipping Group, and I need to meet Prime Minister Hassan."


    The individual eyeing Liu Yong exhibited suspicion, doubting the authenticity of his im.


    Liu Yong retrieved his passport without uttering a word and presented it to the individual. Unexpectedly, his gesture was met with indifference, and with a sweeping motion, the guns of the armed men at the door were trained on Liu Yong.


    Witnessing this, Liu Yong couldn''t help but let out a mockingugh.


    What ack of respect!


    Suppressing his anger for the time being, Liu Yong reiterated his identity, "I am the CEO of Global Shipping Group, and I must see Prime Minister Hassan."


    "Go away! Our prime minister is not someone you can see just by saying so," the individual retorted, disying a disrespectful attitude.


    Having witnessed the exchange, the taxi driver marvelled at Liu Yong''s self-control but sensed the mounting anger within him.


    YM was a small war-torn country, and Liu Yong''s standing far surpassed that of their so-called prime minister. It was quite an honour for them that he hade here in person.


    Liu Yong reaffirmed, "I am the CEO of Global Shipping Group. If you hinder me any further, you will face the consequences."


    After speaking his mind, Liu Yong stepped forward, advancing toward the entrance.


    Besides relying on sheer strength, opting for such a direct approach was the most efficient and hassle-free method.


    The embassy would have been the best route, but Liu Yong sought to avoid unnecessaryplications.


    Witnessing Liu Yong''s movement, the middle-ranking individual immediatelyunched an attack.


    However, they were no match for Liu Yong. In less than a minute, he had effortlessly incapacitated the guards, including the middle-ranking individual, without inflicting fatal injuries but merely leaving them with minor wounds.


    Consider it a lesson.


    Themotion quickly drew the attention of numerous onlookers, including passersby on the street outside the Prime Minister''s Office. Timid individuals swiftly retreated, seeking safety. Yet, the brave turned their heads towards the scene, astounded by Liu Yong''s effortless defeat of many adversaries.


    A true master.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    They were in awe of his incredible prowess.


    The unfolding spectacle garnered the Prime Minister''s Office''s attention as well. Arge group of people promptly made their way towards the disturbance.


    Among them, a high-ranking individual, likely a general, led the charge. He surrounded Liu Yong with his subordinates and bellowed, "Seize him!"


    The soldiers prepared to attack, but Liu Yong raised his voice to halt them, "Hold on! I am the CEO of Global Shipping Group, and I need to meet Prime Minister Hassan."


    "Global Shipping Group!"


    Indeed, Global Shipping Group enjoyed great renown in the Middle East as one of the top ten shippingpanies globally. Furthermore, thepany operated numerousrge tankers transporting crude oil.


    The general scrutinized Liu Yong, then inquired, "Are you truly the CEO of Global Shipping Group?"


    Observing the general''s demeanour change, Liu Yong realized that his identity had made an impact.


    "Yes, I am the CEO of Global Shipping Group. We have eliminated Rhodes Armed Forces'' leader, Alfred," Liu Yong confidently responded.


    What!


    Was Alfred killed?


    The general''s attitude improved further, and a visible expression of surprise adorned his face. "Is what you''re saying true?"


    Liu Yong retrieved photos from his mobile phone and presented them to the general, solidifying the truth.


    Immediately, the general''s enthusiasm surged, treating Liu Yong as an esteemed guest.


    The middle-ranking individual who had been battered earlier struggled to rise from the ground, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.


    What just happened?


    Why is the general treating him with such respect?


    He failed toprehend the situation entirely but understood one thing: his n had gone awry.


    Regarding Liu Yong as an honoured guest, the general personally escorted him to the presidential pce and arranged for him to be seated in the reception room.


    Liu Yong received a warm reception.


    Sitting in the reception room, Liu Yong reflected on the efficacy of his direct approach. Although somewhat risky, it yielded favourable results.


    Liu Yong understood two key factors that had earned him this distinguished treatment. First, his status as the CEO of Global Shipping Groupmanded respect even in YM, a small war-torn country. Secondly, the elimination of Alfred carried significant weight.


    The Rhodes Armed Forces had been a thorn in their side. Despite numerous attempts, the YM government had failed to neutralize them. Little did they expect Liu Yong and his allies to seed in eliminating Alfred.


    After a brief interval, Yemeni Prime Minister Hassan arrived, apanied by a sizable entourage, mostlyprised of soldiers.


    Donning a military uniform, Hassan exuded the air of a general, which would mislead those unaware of his position as the prime minister of YM.


    "Mr. Liu, wee to our country," he greeted, speaking in Arabic, promptly followed by an interpreter.


    Both parties exchanged pleasantries before delving into the matter at hand.


    Liu Yong retrieved his mobile phone and disyed the photos to Hassan.


    Observing the evidence of Alfred''s demise, Hassan visibly rejoiced.


    They had dispatched troops several times to encircle and suppress Alfred, but each attempt had failed. They never expected Liu Yong and hisrades to seed where they had faltered.


    ...

 Chapter 295 Confirmation And Next Cooperation

    ?


    "Thank heavens, Alfred has finally met his demise," eximed a relieved voice. The sentiment was shared by Hassan and everyone present, their joy evident on their faces.


    Liu Yong nced at the group, taking in their expressions of ecstasy, before remarking, "I heard your government had put a hefty price on Alfred''s head, so there must be some truth to it."


    Hassan wasted no time in confirming, "Indeed, we offered a reward of 30 million US dors, but I need to verify the situation firsthand."


    Without dy, someone reached for their mobile phone and dialled a number, likely issuing orders to the nearest army unit,manding them to dispatch a helicopter for on-site verification.


    The verification process would take some time.


    While waiting for confirmation, Hassan and Liu Yong engaged in casual conversation.


    "Mr. Liu, I can imagine the immense effort you must have put into eliminating Alfred this time. It must have required a significant number of people," remarked Hassan, seeking confirmation.


    Liu Yong responded casually, "No, we only had a team of three."


    "What!" Almost everyone''s surprise was palpable. The notion of three individuals sessfully taking down Alfred was hard to fathom.


    Including Hassan, scepticism filled the room. They found it difficult to believe that just three people had managed to eliminate Alfred, a feat that would have been deemed impossible.


    Liu Yong reaffirmed, "There were indeed only three of us, and the opposition numbered no more than 200. The battle concluded within minutes."


    "What!" The room fell into stunned silence.


    After recovering from the shock, some individuals considered Liu Yong suspiciously, questioning whether he was boasting.


    "Do I seem like someone who brags?" Liu Yong retorted calmly, downying the significance of the aplishment. Killing a few people hardly warranted bragging rights.


    Witnessing Liu Yong''s genuine demeanour, Hassan acknowledged his astonishment, "You have aplished something remarkable. As the Prime Minister of this nation, even I am surprised by this turn of events, as it surpasses my understanding."


    Hassan struggled toprehend how three individuals could eliminate nearly 200 adversaries when even the most elite special forces would find such a task formidable.


    Liu Yong continued, "In addition to receiving the reward, I believe we can discuss further cooperation during my visit here."


    Cooperation? The room buzzed with curiosity.


    Hassan gazed at Liu Yong, inquiring, "Mr. Liu, what kind of cooperation are you suggesting?"


    Liu Yong responded, "You have long regarded the Rhodes Armed Forces as a serious problem, correct? If you provide us with information, I can ensure the eradication of all the leaders within the Rhodes Armed Forces."


    Silence settled over the room.


    Everyone stared nkly at Liu Yong.


    To eliminate all the leaders of the Rhodes Armed Forces was a dream they held but had only dared to entertain in their imagination.


    And now, someone imed that such a feat was within reach.


    Some individuals erupted in excitement, while others remained skeptical, their disbelief evident. One person ventured, "Is what you''re saying true? Are you not exaggerating?"


    With a hint of amusement, Liu Yong replied, "Do I strike you as someone who exaggerates?"


    Killing a few people hardly warranted boasting.


    Seeing that Liu Yong appeared neither boastful nor deceptive, Hassan concluded, "If Mr. Liu truly possesses this capability, then perhaps we can indeed cooperate."


    Liu Yong had already contemted the terms of cooperation. The YM government would provide intelligence on the Rhodes Armed Forces, and Liu Yong''s team would carry out the necessary operations to eliminate their leaders.


    Hassan knew that such favourable terms wouldn''te without conditions.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    As expected, Liu Yong presented his conditions: "We will take on the risks and make the contributions. Firstly, your government must provide a training base free of charge, along with weapons and ammunition for our personnel to train."


    Establishing a training base for the Wolf Warriors mercenary regiment was essential, and it was a task that the YM government could easily aplish.


    Hassan readily agreed, saying, "That won''t be an issue. About 30 kilometers northeast of Sana''a, we have arge military base where our National Defense Division is stationed. We can allocate space for your team there."


    The proximity to YM''s capital made it an ideal location, and sharing the military base with the prestigious Weiguo Division guaranteed convenience and security for the Warrior Wolf Mercenary Group.


    Although Liu Yong hadn''t been to the military base personally, he had heard of its reputation for being secure. The Warrior Wolf Mercenary Corps need not worry about minor disturbances from insignificant entities.


    Liu Yong proceeded with his second condition, "The Rhodes Armed Forces currently control several major oil fields in your country. Once we eliminate the militants entrenched near these oil fields, the exploitation and management rights of those oil fields will belong to us."


    The prospect of controlling the oil fields held tremendous allure.


    YM was rich in oil, though not as prodigious as some Middle Eastern nations. Nevertheless, the territory housed several substantial oil fields.


    Each oil field held a value exceeding 10 billion US dors, with thergest one boasting reserves exceeding 1 billion tons, all under the control of the Rhodes Armed Forces.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but covet such a massive oil field with reserves surpassing 1 billion tons.


    Hassan shook his head in response, "I''m afraid that''s not possible. The oil fields currently under Rhodes'' control ount for over half of our country''s total reserves."


    The implication was clear. If these oil fields were to fall into Liu Yong''s hands, it would mean that the Global Shipping Group would control more than half of YM''s oil resources.


    Hassan considered such a proposition to be utterly unfeasible.


    Liu Yong countered, "These oil fields are presently under the control of the Rhodes Armed Forces. It might as well be us managing them."


    "No, no, no," Hassan interjected firmly. "That would only be a temporary situation. Sooner orter, we will drive away the Rhodes Armed Forces and reim control over these oil fields."


    Liu Yong chuckled, his tone tinged with mockery. "For so many years, you have yet to reim them. I find it highly unlikely to ur anytime soon. Even if you were to regain control, it would be several years from now."


    The negotiations ensued, eventually leading to Hassan being persuaded by Liu Yong''s arguments. If Liu Yong could reim the oil fields from the Rhodes Armed Forces, he would be allowed to manage and exploit two oil fields at most.


    Furthermore, the mining operations would be exempt from any taxes or management fees imposed by the YM government.


    Two oil fields would suffice.


    Liu Yong mentally marked thergest oil field as his priority, along with the two oil fields currently controlled by the Rhodes Armed Forces, particrly the one located just 200 kilometres away from the western port city, boasting reserves exceeding 1 billion tons.


    Momentster, a military officer entered the room, whispering something into Hassan''s ear.


    Suddenly, Hassan''s face lit up with delight.


    "Mr. Liu, we have verified the situation. Alfred has indeed been eliminated by you, and a total of 192 militants were vanquished alongside him."


    The news was confirmed, and a sense of relief washed over Hassan.


    Liu Yong smiled and remarked, "It seems that the reward of 30 million US dors is rightfully earned."


    Without hesitation, Hassan assured him, "No problem. I will immediately issue the order to transfer the funds to the designated ount."


    $30 million secured!


    ...

 Chapter 296 One Vs Many!

    ?


    $30 million in U.S. dors, which equates to approximately 200 million Yan Guo currency, was deemed a modest fortune. Despite the chaos of war, financial scarcity was not an issue for them. Abundant oil resources within their territory had ushered in great wealth, leading to excessive bounties offered by leaders like Alfred, reaching an impressive $30 million.


    The top-ranking leader of the Rhodes Armed Forces, the No. 1 leader, had an even more tremendous reward on his head, amounting to $350 million. However, the whereabouts of these influential Rhodes figures remained shrouded in secrecy, making it rtively easier to obtain a certain bounty.


    This particr aspect of the situation was a driving force behind Rayong''s cooperation with the YM government. As long as the intelligence agencies of YM were not too proficient, they could always unearth some clues regarding the armed forces of Rhodes.


    Liu Yong presented his third condition, addressing Prime Minister Hassan.


    "Mr. Prime Minister, our ships frequently navigate the Middle East, crossing the Suez Canal from the Red Sea to Europe. We require a port in the Middle East," Liu Yong stated.


    Hassan acknowledged, "Mr. Liu, this is your third condition."


    "Yes, indeed, this is my third condition. Your western port city of Dasha seems suitable. I desire to construct a port there for our ships to dock and resupply," Liu Yong proposed.


    Hassan promptly shook his head, firmly dering, "That''s uneptable. It is the most crucial port in the western part of our country. It cannot be relinquished to you. However, if it''s solely for docking and resupply purposes, I can agree. But constructing a port there is absolutely out of the question."


    It became evident that Hassan possessed a strong sense of territoriality, allowing him to discern Liu Yong''s true intentions.


    Liu Yong had taken a liking to Dasha. The prospect of establishing his own port there was enticing. Nheless, Hassan''s unwavering stance left no room for negotiation. He merely consented to docking Global Shipping Group''s vessels in Dasha.


    Liu Yong could only muster a wry smile. Without expanding the port, vessels exceeding a capacity of 100,000 tons would be unable to dock, and most of Global Shipping Group''s ships surpassed that threshold.


    Acknowledging Hassan''s unwavering position, Liu Yong chose not to press the matter further, nning to revisit the topic when a more opportune moment arose.


    Besides not eding to Liu Yong''s third request, Hassan disyed great hospitality. Liu Yong received a warm wee, with arrangements made for him to visit the residence of Weiguoshi the following day.


    Meanwhile, within the ranks of the Rod Armed Forces, their third-ranking leader, Dagger, learned about Alfred''s assassination, fueling his intense anger.


    Dagger was responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the entire Rhodes armed forces. As for the elusive No. 1 and No. 2 leaders, they operated from the shadows,manding from a distance, making it exceedingly difficult to catch a glimpse of their true identities.


    Global Shipping Group!


    They were the culprits!


    Dagger gritted his teeth!


    Almost 200 individuals, including Alfred, had been eliminated!


    Dagger''s face contorted with fury as he fiercely addressed his subordinates, "We must avenge this atrocity, and the Global Shipping Group will pay the price."


    One of the high-ranking members concurred, "Boss, we can target the vessels of the Global Shipping Group, seize their ships with our armed forces, and hold them for ransom. Alternatively, we can ughter everyone on board and destroy their ships."


    The proposed course of action was genuinely ruthless, characterized by extreme cruelty.


    Typical, yet brutal.


    Dagger approved, "This suggestion is excellent. Proceed with it, but n meticulously before taking action to ensure sess."


    The next day, apanied by General Said, Liu Yong embarked on a journey in several off-road vehicles, eventually arriving at the military base.


    The surroundings were a barren desert adorned with low shrubs and sandy gravel.


    In this destendscape stood a sprawling military base, preceded by a heavily guarded checkpoint located approximately seven to eight kilometres away.


    Upon entering the military base, one would encounter various structures, including barracks, weaponry, and equipment such as tanks, armoured vehicles, and armed helicopters.


    In addition, anti-aircraft weapons and warning radars were also present. The prospect ofunching an aerial assault or a missile-based sneak attack appeared slim, as such endeavours would be promptly intercepted.


    Taking in the sights, Liu Yong felt content with what he saw.


    Said guided Liu Yong to a training base,plete with all necessary facilities, including barracks and a three-story building. In terms of hardware, this training base was considered top-notch within the military base.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Liu Yong found it somewhat surprising that Hassan had provided such an excellent training base.


    "General Said, was this not originally the training base for a division under the Weiguoshi?" Liu Yong inquired.


    A group of individuals approached. Seeing their arrival, Said pointed towards them and exined, "Indeed, it used to serve as their training base, but now it belongs to you."


    The leader among them appeared disgruntled, immediately expressing his discontent, "General, I fail toprehend why this ce is now under someone else''s control. Why must we make room for others?"


    Said rified, "This is the Prime Minister''s decision, and you must unconditionallyply."


    Observing Liu Yong, the leader loudly eximed, "Is it because of him?"


    Said responded, "Attar, Mr. Liu is the Prime Minister''s guest, and his people will be stationed and trained here."


    Finally, Liu Yong discovered the leader''s name¡ªAttar.


    Attar seemed highly agitated. Even after learning that Liu Yong was Hassan''s guest, he continued, "This is a training base for the strong, and only the strong deserve a ce here. I wish topete with you."


    Liu Yong chuckled. There were still individuals who desired to challenge him. He pondered what they intended topete in¡ªmarksmanship orbat skills.


    Said reproached Attar sharply, "Attar, this is the Prime Minister''s guest. You must ord him due respect."


    Liu Yong raised his hand, maintaining a rxed demeanour. "General, since they wish topete, let us engage in a sparring session."


    Afterwards, he queried, "What shall wepete in, and with whom shall Ipete?"


    Attar promptly responded, "I willpete with you inbat."


    Liu Yong nced at Attar and said, "You are not my match. All of you maye at me."


    What!


    Attar''s face flushed crimson as if he had been deeply insulted.


    He held the position of chiefbat instructor in the Weiguoshi Division. Throughout the division, it was rumored that he was second to none¡ªno one dared to im superiority over him.


    The soldiers apanying him were even more elite, belonging to a particr unit within the Weiguoshi Division. Judging by their appearance, they had likely undergone numerous battles, earning the status of formidable fighters.


    To demand that they all attack simultaneously was preposterous.


    Suddenly, an intense surge of anger gripped them as they red at Liu Yong with eyes brimming with fury.


    Undeterred, Liu Yong calmly stated, "If you do note at me together, you won''t stand a chance against me. Even if you doe together, I doubt you willst three minutes."


    Such audacity!


    To be disparaged so tantly.


    Attar''s anger erupted as he retorted, "Very well, I will make you understand our might. Remember, if you get injured, don''t me us for going all out."


    Liu Yong nced at the group consisting of approximately twenty individuals and asked for rification, "Shall we do it here?"


    Attar replied, "Let us proceed to the training ground over there; a dedicated fighting tform awaits us."


    Observing Liu Yong''s intended direction, Said grew anxious and hastily interjected, "Mr. Liu, it might be better to engage in one-on-onebat, merely for the purpose of exchanging techniques."


    ...

 Chapter 297 The Palpable Outcome !

    ?


    Liu Yong exuded an air of calmness as he maintained his rxed posture, his voice brimming with unwavering confidence. "Fear not, for I possess the unwavering certainty of emerging victorious."


    Witnessing this disy ofposure, shooking his head in amusement, his smile carrying a tinge of wryness. Deep within, he pondered how to exin to the Prime Minister if Mr Liu sustained any injuries. Thoughts of persuasive exnations began to take shape in his mind.


    A group of individuals, including Liu Yong, Said Cameo, and Atar, moved toward the adjacent training ground, capturing the attention of the onlookers¡ªboth fellow trainees and trainers. The training ground sprawled across an expanse akin to three or four standard football fields, amodating many activities. The bustling scene featured some engrossed inline training, others engaged in weight-bearing cross-country drills, and a few taking aim at distant targets in the shooting range.


    Lined up beside the training ground were neatly parked tanks, armoured vehicles, and off-road vehicles, apanied by several helicopters. Liu Yong, Said, Atar, and their entourage garnered further curiosity, swiftly capturing the onlookers'' attention, including those currently engaged in training.


    While the nature of training demanded undivided focus and restricted any stray nces, the presence of this particr group of individuals spoke volumes. Mainly, Said and Atar possessed an air of significance, setting them apart. The training ground''s overseer swiftly approached, assuming a formal stance, saluting, and delivering a loud report. "Your Excellency, we are currently engaged in our daily training routine. Your guidance is awaited."


    Said, cognizant of the impendingbatpetition, realized that their presence would inevitably disrupt the training, inhibiting the trainees'' ability to concentrate fully. Thus, he decided it would be best to halt all activities altogether. "Cease the training. Everyone shall gather to witness the uingbatpetition."


    A fightingpetition? The mere mention of it sparked excitement among the officers, mainly when theyid eyes on Atar. The prospect of witnessing a battle became tantalizingly appealing. One of the officers couldn''t help but voice his anticipation aloud. "Chief Instructor Atar has arrived. I wonder if he will participate."


    "It''s unlikely. The chief instructor has refrained from engaging inbat for quite some time," another officer said, sharing the sentiment.


    "Have you noticed? These are the elites from the special warfare unit, personally instructed by Chief Instructor Atal himself. Theirbatpetitions are always spectacr. Today promises to be an eye-opening experience," a third officermented, his excitement palpable.


    "Look, next to General Said, there''s a young man who appears to be from the Yan Kingdom," a curious officer remarked.


    "What brings someone from Yan here? Could it be that he is a guest of General Said, like us, here to witness thisbatpetition?" spected another officer.


    Over a thousand officers and soldiers stood in impable formation, yet their whispered conversations created a buzzing undercurrent. Resting during this brief respite, their minds wandered, sparking many discussions. Although everyone knew abatpetition was imminent, the specifics remained uncertain.


    Amidst the murmurs, Said ascended the fighting tform, his voice reverberating powerfully. "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for the fortingbatpetition. One of the contenders is none other than Mr. Liu Yong, the esteemed leader of the Global Shipping Group."


    Liu Yong responded with a gracious smile and a wave, stepping into the fighting arena.


    What? One of them hails from the Yan Kingdom.


    Numerous individuals were left dumbfounded, never considering the possibility that Liu Yong, an unexpected participant, represented the Yan Kingdom. Questions lingered regarding the identity of the other contender.


    "Could it be an elite member of the special operations unit?" one officer spected.


    "Most likely. Perhaps a member sent by the special warfare unit to challenge Mr. Liu Yong," another officer theorized.


    "Look at Liu Yong, dressed in a shirt, tie, and leather shoes. Is he truly serious?" one officer remarked sceptically.


    "I suspect it''s merely a formality. As a guest, we cannot cause him any harm," another officer said, suggesting that Liu Yong''s involvement might be more symbolic than substantive.


    "Well, I had anticipated an enthrallingbatpetition, but it seems we''re in for ackluster affair. Hardly worth the anticipation," an officer remarked dejectedly.


    The chorus of conversations continued, echoing the sentiments of the crowd. They appeared to have already settled upon the oue of thepetition, finding humour in Liu Yong''s audacity.


    Observing the growing amusement, Said raised his hand,manding silence. The entire scene quickly fell into peaceful tranquillity. After all, every individual present was a disciplined soldier, ustomed to adhering to protocols more diligently than the average person.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    With the audience now attentive, Said resumed speaking in a resounding voice. "On the opposing side, we have the esteemed members of the special warfare team, led by Atar, the chiefbat instructor of the National Defense Division. They total twenty-three in number."


    Another wave of astonishment washed over the crowd, leaving them momentarily stunned. They couldn''t fathom what they had just heard. This couldn''t be a jest!


    Liu Yong alone, they pondered, would challenge Atar, the chief instructor, along with twenty-three members of the special warfare team. The notion seemed preposterous.


    Following a brief silence, a collective exmation rippled through the audience. The scene erupted into an uproar.


    One officer, his voice strained from shouting, eximed, "Your Excellency, this can''t be a joke!"


    "The Yan Kingdom representative just defeated twenty-three opponents, including Chief Instructor Atal," another officer blurted out.


    Atar''s countenance soured, his heart seething with anger. He hadn''t desired to participate in this contest, aware that victory would be considered a slight and defeat an unbearable humiliation. Nheless, he couldn''t ignore the storm of emotions brewing within him.


    Taking the lead, Atar ascended the fighting arena alongside the special operations team members. His voice carried across the quiet arena as he addressed the assembly. "Ladies and gentlemen, I share your sentiment. It was the other party''s suggestion that one person should face us all."


    "Rest assured, I shall endeavor not to exert excessive force, and I have instructed my team members to employ minimal strength as well."


    Laughter resonated from the crowd, some even teetering on the brink of tears. Their joy seemed aimed at Liu Yong''s audaciousness.


    "How amusing! He dares to face twenty-three opponents alone?"


    "Indeed, perhaps only one or two will make a move, and he will be swiftly defeated."


    "I wager he won''tst a minute."


    "No, I''d say he won''t evenst thirty seconds."


    The officers and soldiers, numbering over a thousand, engaged in lively discussions, their demeanour implying they had already concluded the oue of thepetition.


    Seizing the role of referee, Said Cameo raised his hand and signalled for silence. The mour subsided, and he proceeded with the next step. Both Liu Yong and Atar acknowledged their readiness.


    Said Cameo retrieving a whistle and positioning it within reach. He had predetermined that he would immediately blow the whistle if the situation worsened, such as Liu Yong sustaining a severe injury. As the Prime Minister''s guest, Liu Yong must not be subjected to harm. Assured of his contingency n, Said blew the whistle, marking the beginning of thepetition.


    A thousand pairs of eyes in attendance focused intently on the fighting ring, engendering absolute silence.


    Atar, seemingly hesitant to engage, gave a signal, and two special operations team members promptly rushed toward Liu Yong. The remaining team members appeared disinclined to intervene, confident that two members would suffice.


    The two special forces operatives braced themselves, roared in unison, and charged at Liu Yong, one from the left and one from the right.


    With a slight smile, Liu Yong shifted his position and met their advance head-on. A resounding "bang, bang" echoed in a shocking turn of events, leaving even Atar struggling to discern the sequence of events. The two special forces members were sent flying, crashing heavily onto the fighting tform, incapacitated and unable to rise.

 Chapter 298 Unfathomable !

    "Oh my God!"


    The exmation echoed through the crowd, a collective gasp of astonishment rippling through the thousand-strong audience. Liu Yong''s performance had far surpassed their wildest expectations. It was a mesmerizing disy, an instant obliteration, as he swiftly dispatched his opponents with unparalleled skill.


    Liu Yong''s movements were like that of a predator pouncing on its prey, effortlessly weaving through the ranks of special forces like a tiger amidst a flock of sheep. His every strike was precise, leaving no room for resistance.


    Atar, taken aback by the turn of events, had initially hesitated to engage. However,pelled by a surge of adrenaline, he let out a resounding battle cry and charged towards Liu Yong.


    But as Atar closed in, a colossal fist collided with his body, the impact apanied by the explosive sound of air rupturing. The punch was swift and devastating, surpassing Atar''sprehension.


    Atar''s instincts screamed at him that something was amiss as he witnessed the formidable force behind that punch. Realizing he had no time to evade, he braced himself, interlocking his hands with sheer determination and channelling all his strength.


    Inwardly, Atar prayed that he could withstand the blow.


    When his hands made contact with the punch, an overwhelmingly formidable force overwhelmed him, rendering his resistance futile. He staggered backward, unable to withstand the sheer might of Liu Yong''s strike, finally stopping after several steps.


    Atar was utterly astonished.


    His gaze locked onto Liu Yong, and his expression mixed with disbelief and awe.


    Unrelenting, Liu Yong did not pursue Atar but continued to pummel the remaining two special forces soldiers with unyielding ferocity. Soon, the floor was strewn with bodies, and only a handful of the original twenty soldiers stood.


    Driven by both determination and desperation, Atar roared, charging towards Liu Yong and delivering a forceful punch to his back. In that fleeting moment, Liu Yong turned to face him, delivering another devastating blow to knock out yet another exceptional soldier with a single punch.


    Atar, seizing what he believed to be an opportune moment, poured all his strength into a powerful punch aimed at Liu Yong''s back.


    "Boom!"


    The sound reverberated in Atar''s mind as he willed for his attack to connect.


    However, to his horror, a tremendous recoil surged through his fist, destabilizing his stance and forcing him to retreat two or three steps.


    Liu Yong swiftly turned around, his foot connecting with Atar''s body, sending him crashing to the ground with a resounding thud. The world spun around Atar as hey heavily on the floor, momentarily incapacitated.


    Liu Yong, undeterred, proceeded to dispatch the remaining three special forces soldiers with a series of precise strikes. There was not a single enemy left standing on the fighting stage.


    Silence enveloped the scene.


    A profound stillness settled over the onlookers, including General Said, whose expression mirrored the astonishment shared by all present.


    "God, what in the world just happened?" someone muttered in disbelief.


    "Why did this happen? How can our chiefbat instructor and our special warfare unit soldiers be defeated so easily? It''s unfathomable!" another voiced their bewilderment.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    The crowd gradually regained their senses, and the once-quiet atmosphere erupted into a mour of discussion.


    "It''s inconceivable. If I hadn''t witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn''t believe it!"


    "Twenty-three people, unable tost three minutes. Unbelievable!"


    "The people of Yan Kingdom possess unimaginable power!"


    The many officers and soldiers, totalling more than a thousand, struggled to process the astounding spectacle before them. Some stood in stunned silence, their gazes fixated on the fighting ring, while others conversed animatedly with theirpanions, their expressions a mixture of shock and horror.


    Meanwhile, Atar and the other soldiers gradually rose to their feet, their injuries thankfully not severe. Liu Yong exhibited remarkable restraint, refraining from using excessive force. Had he unleashed his full power, even their bones might have shattered upon impact.


    General Said approached Liu Yong, his face adorned with a mixture of admiration and respect. "Mr. Liu, I now truly understand why only the three of you were able to vanquish nearly two hundred people in Alfred."


    Liu Yong smiled confidently, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Alfred is nothing more than a fleeting obstacle. As long as you provide me with the whereabouts of the leaders of Rhodes Armed Forces, I can eliminate them as well."


    Said reassured him, his voice filled with conviction. "Rest assured, we will mobilize all our resources to uncover the location of the Rhodes Armed Forces leaders and provide you with the necessary intelligence for your pursuit."


    With thepletion of the training and garrison base for the Wolf Warrior Mercenary Group, equipped with top-notch facilities and strategically situated, Liu Yong''s exceptional prowess garnered significant attention. News of his victory over the twenty-three soldiers, including Atar, had reached Hassan, who extended his warmest hospitality.


    Liu Yong waspelled to remain in Sanaa for two days, apanied by General Said throughout his stay. During this period, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang arrived, joining Liu Yong at the training base.


    Within a span of two or three days, Kang Zhenggang sessfully recruited four international mercenaries, all retired special forces veterans with extensive experience in the realm of mercenaries. The reputation and attractivepensation offered by the Wolf Warrior Mercenary Regiment had enticed numerous individuals to seek membership. However, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang exercised strict standards and rigorous selection criteria, ultimately choosing only four from the pool of applicants.


    Including Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang, the Warrior Wolf Mercenary Group now boasted a total of seven members. Liu Yong acquainted himself with each of them at the training base, offering words of encouragement and bestowing upon them the "gic drug."


    Through the pet panel, Liu Yong allocated 100 attribute points to each member, instantly enhancing their physical prowess. With some training, these individuals would undoubtedly be some of the most formidable soldiers in the world.


    The significance of the 100 attribute points should not be underestimated. The recipients experienced a rapid surge in physical fitness thanks to Liu Yong''s intervention. Recognizing the importance of their loyalty, Liu Yong emphasized the necessity of unwaveringmitment and absolute obedience.


    Liu Yong warned them that ack of loyalty would result in their expulsion from the Wolf Warrior Mercenary Corps. Moreover, if they were removed, the attribute points assigned to them could be reimed, leaving no chance for them to benefit from "gic medicine" again.


    He further emphasized that the effect of the "gic medicine" they had taken was not permanent, with a validity period of just one year. This im was, of course, a fabrication intended to strengthen their loyalty.


    Mercenaries like them yearned for strength, and after experiencing the immediate enhancement provided by the "gic drug," they desired to maintain their newfound power. Consequently, they became reluctant to entertain the notion of leaving the Wolf Warrior Mercenary Group. Liu Yong went a step further, iming that the current "gic medicine" they had received was merely the basic version. He tantalizingly hinted at improved iterations, such as enhanced and unique enhanced versions, awaiting them in the future. Their unwavering loyalty was paramount to essing these advancements and achieving greater strength.


    Once the training wasplete and each member had received the "gic drug," Liu Yong departed with a sense of assurance. He rified that if any member were to betray the group, he could retract the attribute points allocated to them through the pet panel.


    After spending two to three days in Sanaa, Liu Yong prepared to depart and return to China. The Wolf Warrior Mercenary Group had made significant progress with Alfred eliminated and over 2.1 billion US dors acquired. The training and garrison bases were established, and the next step involved honing their skills, fostering camaraderie, and expanding the team by recruiting exceptional individuals.


    However, Hassan informed Liu Yong before his departure about the Rhodes Armed Forces'' intentions to target the "United Signal," a container bulk carrier belonging to the Global Shipping Group.

 Chapter 299 Lianxins Peril

    ?


    Liu Yong''s heart brimmed with a sneering amusement as he realized that the Rhodes Armed Forces were relentless in their pursuit. It seemed that Alfred''s thirst for revenge was unfolding before him.


    "Your Excellency Prime Minister, I am truly grateful for providing me with this crucial information," Liu Yong expressed his gratitude, his voiceced with appreciation.


    With a worried expression, Hassan spoke with concern, "Based on the information we have, the Rhodes Armed Forces have deployed an elite unit, cunningly disguised as Somali pirates, to hijack yourpany''s ship using armed forces."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but scoff inwardly at the audacity of Rhodes Armed Forces, even resorting to such a lowly disguise as Somali pirates. It was a clear indication of their underestimation.


    Naturally, the Rhodes Armed Forces dared not act overtly, fearing international condemnation. However, should they choose to ignore these concerns, they would inevitably send warships or armed helicopters.


    Hassan''s concern deepened as he inquired, "Mr. Liu, would you like us to dispatch a warship to intercept the ''Lianxin''?"


    Liu Yong nodded, declining the offer graciously, "No need, Prime Minister. I appreciate your kindness. I will reach out to the fleet escorting us in the Gulf of Aden."


    "That would be preferable," Prime Minister Hassan acknowledged, maintaining his courteous demeanour. He personally arranged for a convoy to escort Liu Yong to the airport in Sanaa.


    En route to the airport, inside the car, Liu Yong initiatedmunication with Bawang. Bawang''s current location lies in the Arabian Sea, near the Gulf of Aden. With its exceptional speed, Bawang could reach the "United Signal" vicinity within a couple of hours.


    However, Liu Yong had no intentions of utilizing Bawang''s might. Instead, he contacted Yan Guo''s naval fleet in the Gulf of Aden via phone.


    Out at sea, the massive container ship named "Lianxin," belonging to the Global Shipping Group, sailed steadily, anticipating its entry into the Red Sea in approximately two hours.


    Captain Sun Ming released a quiet sigh of relief. The passage through the Gulf of Aden always left his heart pounding, fearing encounters with pirate speedboats and simr threats.


    Fortunately, the journey had been tranquil thus far, devoid of any signs of the so-called pirate speedboats. Once they crossed into the Red Sea, their safety increased significantly, as pirates rarely operated in those waters.


    The "Lianxin" glided into the Red Sea two hourster, and Sun Ming''s relief was absolute.


    As they progressed through the Red Sea, traversed the Suez Canal, and finally reached a significant port in country D, Captain Sun Ming couldn''t help but revel in the knowledge that the "Lianxin" was a newly constructed vessel, fullyden with 13,000 standard containers. It proudly stood as one of the Global Shipping Group''srgest container ships.


    Suddenly, Sun Ming''s gaze sharpened, capturing movement in the distant sea. Swiftly reaching for his binocrs, he peered intently, the details bing increasingly distinct. Five small ck dots rapidly approached their location.


    Could it be pirate speedboats?


    Considering their presence in the rtively safe Red Sea region, it seemed unlikely. Nheless, Sun Ming observed through his binocrs for another couple of minutes, confirming his initial suspicions¡ªthe approaching vessels were indeed pirate speedboats.


    Each boat carried several armed individuals brandishing AK47 rifles d in turbans and either ck or white robes.


    "Pirates! We have pirates iing!" Sun Ming shouted urgently, activating the entire ship''s rm system. The crew swiftly grasped the gravity of the situation.


    "Pirates are approaching!"


    "Take cover, and keep your heads down!"


    Apart from a few panicked crew members, most maintained remarkableposure¡ªa testament to their diligent emergency drills. The Global Marine Group ensured that every ship underwent various emergency training sessions, including piracy scenarios.


    The pirate speedboats closed in, growing nearer by the second.


    Suddenly, a crew member shouted with a mix of surprise and relief, "Captain, look behind us!"


    Sun Ming swivelled his head in response. A guided missile frigate sliced through the waves toward the Gulf of Aden, trailing them from behind, propelled by the wind''s force.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    Could it be our country''s warship?


    Sun Ming retrieved his binocrs, his face lighting up with astonishment as he confirmed his suspicions. The distinctive red g fluttering atop the warship left no room for doubt.


    "We''re saved! Our warship has arrived!"


    "Exhrating and nerve-wracking, all at once!"


    "Remain steady; our rescuers are here."


    The crew on board erupted in jubtion. The warship had undoubtedly detected the pirates. A helicopter had already taken off from the vessel, swiftly approaching their location.


    Despite being several hundred meters away, the helicopter''s machine gun opened fire upon the pirate speedboats on the water''s surface. Bullets churned up waves, densely peppering the area.


    Soon, one pirate speedboat came to a halt, billowing smoke. Sun Ming observed through his binocrs as the pirates on that vessel met their demise.


    The machine guns on the helicopter continued their relentless barrage, causing the remaining pirate speedboat to decelerate and eventually sumb to the same fate.


    Two speedboats wereunched from the warship, dashing towards the "Lianxin" at a rapid pace. As they drew closer, the machine guns mounted on the speedboats unleashed a hail of bullets upon the pirates.


    On board, the "Lianxin," crew members brimmed with excitement. Witnessing the battle unfold through the ship''s windows, they watched as the pirates were systematically eliminated. Joy and relief coursed through their veins.


    Meanwhile, aboard a passenger ne en route to Huahai City, Liu Yong awoke from a peaceful nap.


    First-ss service truly lived up to its reputation. Flight attendants promptly provided nkets for passengers intending to rest. Upon awakening, another attendant approached to inquire about their needs.


    Liu Yong requested a ss of warm water, taking a few sips before heading to the restroom. On his return, he checked the time, raising his hand to glimpse his watch.


    "Stewardess, how much longer will it take to arrive at Huahai International Airport?" Liu Yong inquired, seeking information from the friendly flight attendant.


    The stewardess smiled sweetly, poised to respond, when an announcement resonated throughout the ne, "Ladies and gentlemen, we will bending at Huahai International Airport in approximately 30 minutes."


    Just thirty more minutes, Liu Yong contemted as he mentally calcted the hours of rest he had enjoyed. It, indeed, had been a restful slumber.


    ¡¤?¦Èm Time flew by swiftly, and within moments, the ne touched down. Liu Yong, devoid of luggage, disembarked with ease. A trash can conveniently stood nearby as he approached it, casually disposing of a small note tucked in his pocket. He had no intention of pursuing the contents of the note delivered by the first-ss stewardess.


    As he stepped outside the airport, Liu Yong''s gaze caught sight of Li Changle in the distance.


    She stood, ncing around, next to a vibrant red Porsche sports car.


    Liu Yong waved at her and proceeded to walk briskly in her direction. Spotting Liu Yong, Li Changle''s face lit up, and she ran towards him, her excitement evident.


    Her sprint attracted the attention of many onlookers, especially young men and women who couldn''t help but admire Li Changle''s beauty. With her fair skin and long legs, she could captivate most individuals'' attention.


    "Brother Yong!" Li Changle cried out joyfully, throwing herself into Liu Yong''s embrace. Liu Yong reciprocated, gently encircling his girlfriend''s waist.


    ...

 Chapter 300 Lost Love, Secret Fortunes

    ?


    Liu Yong chuckled, leaned in to kiss his girlfriend, and eximed loudly, "Alright, I''m famished. Let''s go grab a bite to eat."


    Having boarded the ne not long ago, hunger gnawed at Liu Yong. As the cabin lights came on, the couple walked hand in hand towards the gleaming red Porsche parked nearby.


    Li Changle took the wheel while Liu Yong settled into the passenger seat.


    Observing the young couple, many onlookers couldn''t help but feel envy and admiration. "Wow, that guy is impressive. His girlfriend is stunning and wealthy, and she drives a Porsche."


    The Global Shipping Group.


    After being away for several days, Liu Yong returned to work at the group. On his first day back in the office, he sat down and was soon interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Hu Shijun, entering with concern written all over his face.


    "Brother Yong, you''re finally back! Lao Qiu and I were worried sick," Hu Shijun eximed.


    Liu Yong smiled reassuringly and replied, "There was nothing to worry about. It was just a minor confrontation with Rhodes'' armed forces. I didn''t pay much attention to it."


    Hu Shijun''s admiration for Liu Yong grew. Rhodes'' armed forces were formidable, yet they seemed like nothing to Brother Yong.


    "Brother Yong, it seems that Alfred, the one who nned to hijack our ship and demanded 50 million US dors, has met his demise," Hu Shijun informed.


    Liu Yong nodded and shared the news, "He was shot in the head by Kang Zhenggang,pletely decimated."


    Hu Shijun shook his head with a tinge of regret. "Old Kang is impressive, but it''s a shame that Alfred demanded such a hefty sum before meeting his end. We''ll never see that money again."


    A triumphant smile crept across Liu Yong''s face. "Who said the money wouldn''t be returned?"


    Hu Shijun''s eyes widened in pleasant surprise. "Brother Yong, did you manage to retrieve the money?"


    "Of course," Liu Yong replied with confidence. "Alfred was terrified of us and feared he would meet a simr fate, so he handed over all his assets. In total, I acquired a whopping 2.1 billion US dors. I made quite a fortune this time."


    "What? 2.1 billion dors!" Hu Shijun eximed in disbelief. This sum was astronomical, equivalent to over 10 billion Yan Guo currency. Brother Yong had deemed it a small fortune.


    "You''re incredible, Brother Yong! Truly amazing! With 2.1 billion US dors, those Rhodes-armed individuals must swim in riches," Hu Shijun marvelled.


    Liu Yong exined, "They control severalrge oil fields in YM territory and dabble in kidnapping, extortion, and hijacking merchant ships as side ventures. Naturally, they''re swimming in wealth."


    As the two friends happily conversed, Qiu Yang knocked on the door and entered the room. "Boss, it''s a relief to have you back."


    Liu Yong chuckled and replied, "Why are you worrying like Lao Hu? I was just in the Middle East. There was nothing to fret about."


    Qiu Yang nodded, then proceeded to report a situation. "Boss, Captain Sun Ming of the ''Lianxin'' reported encountering a band of pirates a few hours ago. Fortunately, our warship arrived just in time, and we managed to eliminate them all. Currently, the ''United Signal'' is en route to the Suez Canal."


    Liu Yong nodded knowingly. "I''m aware of this incident. It wasn''t mere pirates, but Rhodes'' armed forces in disguise. Their aim was to hijack our ''Lianxin''."


    Upon hearing this, both Qiu Yang and Liu Yong felt angry.


    "Those Rhodes-armed individuals again!" Qiu Yang eximed.


    Liu Yong noticed their frustration and reassured them, "Don''t worry, nothing will happen to our ship. I''ll make sure Rhodes sees a vivid disy of our retaliation."


    "They dare to hijack our merchant ship again? We must teach them a lesson," Qiu Yang dered with determination.


    After bidding farewell to Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun, Liu Yong picked up the phone on his desk and made an international call.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    The call connected swiftly, and Kang Zhenggang''s voice echoed. "Hi, boss."


    Liu Yong issued an order, his tone filled with purpose. "Old Kang, apart from training and maintainingmunication, I have another task for you¡ªto show Rhodes'' armed forces the consequences of their actions by eliminating one of their leaders."


    To capture the thieves, one must first grasp the king. Killing their leader would have a more significant impact than targeting their subordinates.


    Kang Zhenggang responded promptly, "Boss, no problem. Since we''ve taken the gene medicine, everyone is eager to engage in battle. I''ll take the initiative to contact General Said. Once we receive actionable intelligence, we''ll act swiftly."


    While they could directlymunicate with General Said, the YM government focused on investigation and intelligence gathering. Once they confirmed the whereabouts of influential Rhodes Armed Forces leaders, Kang Zhenggang and his team would take immediate action.


    Confirming the location of a significant leader of the Rhodes Armed Forces would take time, perhaps two or three days or even longer.


    Huahai International Garden.


    Today marked the official move-in day for everyone in themunity. With eight buildings equipped with elevators and over 2,000 housing units, excitement filled the air at themunity''s entrance.


    The gate was bustling with activity.


    Joyful individuals walked into themunity, carrying their luggage. Even a movingpany''s truck arrived,den with furniture and belongings, gradually making its way inside.


    The significant movement caught the attention of onlookers, especially considering themunity''s proximity to the subway station.


    "What kind ofmunity is this? Why are so many people moving in?" someone inquired.


    "Yes, it seems quite lively," another remarked.


    While most people were unaware of Huahai International Garden''s specifics, a few well-informed individuals shared their knowledge.


    "This is Huahai International Garden, an upscalemunity developed by the Global Shipping Group exclusively for its employees," one person revealed.


    "An employee residentialplex?" Many people were taken aback, their interest piqued.


    "Yes, that''s right. All the residents here are employees of the Global Shipping Group. Regr employees are allocated houses, starting from well-furnished rooms measuring over 90 square meters. Larger furnished units are also avable."


    Gasps of amazement filled the air. Everyone''s envy grew exponentially.


    Huahai City, situated in an international metropolis with a poption exceeding 20 million, boasted exorbitantnd prices. Communities near subway entrances typicallymanded prices of no less than 70,000 to 80,000 yuan per square meter.


    Owning a property in Huahai City was the dream of many residents.


    Yet, here was the Global Shipping Group, directly providing houses to its employees, with the smallest unit being a well-furnished room measuring over 90 square meters.


    "Amazing!"


    "They''re simply unstoppable!"


    "The Global Shipping Group has no boundaries!"


    Envious gazes were fixated on the entrance of Huahai International Garden Community as thoughts of being a part of the Global Shipping Group crossed their minds.


    Some individuals resolved to seize the opportunity, thinking, "When the Global Shipping Group recruits again, I must give it a shot. If I manage to be a member, I could live in the Huahai International Garden Community too."

 Chapter 301 Our New Home!

    ?


    Cai Jianshu, a long-standing employee of the Global Shipping Group, proudly represented the loyalty and dedication he had shown towards thepany over the years. With his bachelor''s degree as his only qualification, he was content with being allocated a house as part of thepany''s employee benefits. As Cai Jianshu''s girlfriend, Hu Xinxin, helped him pack their belongings in their current rental home, she couldn''t help but question the astonishing size of the house he had been allocated.


    "Honey, are you sure the house is really over 90 square meters? It sounds too good to be true. Is it really an apartment with such a spacious area?" Hu Xinxin inquired curiously.


    Cai Jianshu, ustomed to her persistent questioning, reassured her confidently, "Xinxin, you''ve asked me countless times, and I assure you, there''s no mistake. It''s a fully furnished room spanning over 90 square meters, precisely Room 1605 in Building 5."


    Hu Xinxin expressed her disbelief, "I still find it hard to believe. How can apany treat its employees so well, providing them with such generous amodations?"


    Beaming with pride, Cai Jianshu replied, "Ourpany truly values its employees. I consider myself fortunate to have joined during its early days. Nowadays, it''s bing increasingly challenging for graduates to secure a position with thepany."


    The couple swiftly packed their belongings: tworge cardboard boxes and three oversized bags. Cai Jianshu made several trips down the stairs to move their possessions, even arranging for a taxi to assist them.


    Loading their belongings into the vehicle, Cai Jianshu gazed at their current rental house and pondered that he would likely never return to this ce again. The environment was subpar, the space limited, and the rent exorbitant. He had grown tired of it.


    Considering the exorbitant housing prices in Huahai City, the rental house Cai Jianshu upied was far from affordable. A single room with a small toilet and bathroom costs them a monthly sum of 1,800 yuan.


    On the other hand, thepany-provided house came free of charge, with no additional expenses except for minor water and electricity bills. The key selling point, of course, was the spaciousness of over 90 square meters, featuring tworge rooms, meticulous interior design, and all the necessary appliances.


    Cai Jianshu marvelled, "Ourpany is truly incredible!"


    Their taxi ride to Huahai International Garden took 40 minutes due to the distance between their rental house and their new amodation.


    As they entered the underground garage of Huahai International Garden and the taxi came to a halt near the entrance of Unit 1 in Building 5, even the driver couldn''t help but express his envy, "Brother, yourpany is exceptionally generous, constructing such exceptional housing for its employees."


    Cai Jianshu smiled proudly, feeling even more honoured as he carried their belongings into the elevator, taking his girlfriend to the 16th floor.


    Arriving at the doorstep of Room 1605, the couple stood before it, and Hu Xinxin couldn''t contain her excitement, "Honey, is this our new home?"


    Cai Jianshu responded joyfully, "Yes, from today onwards, this will be our new home." He retrieved the key from his pocket, unlocking the door.


    As soon as the door swung open, Cai Jianshu''s eyes widened in awe. Although he had visited the ce before, he took in the room''s ambience this time.


    Hu Xinxin eximed happily, darting inside without a second thought, disregarding the belongings left at the entrance. Her triumphant voice echoed through the room, "Wow! This ce is amazing!"


    The house boasted a stunning interior design, top-notch decoration quality, and sparkling clean windows that let in ample natural light. The furniture and appliances were all in ce, including a sofa, coffee table, dining table, TV, refrigerator, and washing machine¡ªnothing wascking.


    "Honey, look at this spacious balcony filled with sunlight. I can sunbathe here whenever I want," Hu Xinxin eximed, her face radiant with delight.


    Cai Jianshu brought their belongings inside, replying with a smile, "Absolutely, no problem at all."


    Hand in hand, the couple ventured into the bedrooms, each fitted with afortable 1.5-meter bed and arge wardrobe. Stepping into the bathroom, they were surprised to find it spacious, divided into two sections¡ªan inner and an outer part.


    Overwhelmed by the extraordinary events, Hu Xinxin expressed her disbelief, "Honey, this feels like a dream. How did we end up with such a beautiful house in Huahai City?"


    Cai Jianshu vowed, "Honey, I will work even harder and strive to be a supervisor. That way, we can live in a junior suite measuring over 120 square meters, surpassing the size of our current house."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Smiling, Hu Xinxin responded, "Well, I believe in you."


    Cai Jianshu gently embraced his girlfriend, his voice filled with tenderness, "Xinxin, will you marry me?"


    Surrounded by overwhelming happiness, Hu Xinxin blushed slightly and nodded, "Yes, let''s pick a good day. We''ll go and register our marriage in a few days."


    Meanwhile, in Room 2801 of Building 1, Kang Zhenggang''s wife marvelled at their newfound abode, their child ying happily in the new house. Everything felt surreal to her.


    Just a few months ago, her husband worked as a security guard in themunity, earning a meagre 4,000 yuan per month. Now, they resided in a spacious house spanning over 140 square meters, with several million yuan safely stored in their bank ount.


    At that moment, her phone rang, and Kang Zhenggang, who was currently abroad, was on the line, asking, "Honey, have you moved into our new home yet?"


    "Yes, we''ve already settled in. Mr. Liu kindly arranged for some people to help us, so I didn''t have to worry about a thing," she replied gratefully.


    Kang Zhenggang said, "Please thank Mr. Liu on my behalf, my dear."


    She assured him, "Husband, I will. Mr. Liu didn''t just provide assistance; he also visited us earlier, inquired about our well-being, and even bought many things for our child."


    Kang Zhenggang felt a surge of gratitude towards Liu Yong and repeatedly requested his wife to express his appreciation once more.


    After conveying his gratitude, Kang Zhenggang revealed, "Honey, I''ve transferred a total of 10 million yuan to your bank ount. Please check it to confirm."


    "Husband, did you say 10 million? How did wee across such a substantial amount?" she asked in astonishment.


    Kang Zhenggang exined, "I went abroad with Mr. Liu toplete a task, and he rewarded me with a bonus."


    It turned out to be a bonus. Upon hearing the news, his wife couldn''t contain her happiness, though she also worried about Kang Zhenggang''s well-being.


    "Husband, when can you return to visit us? Our daughter and I miss you dearly," she inquired with a hint of concern.


    Kang Zhenggang assured her, "It won''t be too long, maybe a month at most. I will definitelye back."


    Relieved, his wife acknowledged that a month wasn''t too long. After all, some business trips often exceeded that duration.


    The Wolf Warriors had been recruiting exceptional individuals while undergoing training. Over the past few days, three more outstanding candidates have joined their ranks. With the addition of Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang, the team now consisted of ten members.


    At Huahai International Garden, Liu Yong beamed joyfully as he witnessed his employees happily settling into their new homes. His mood mirrored theirs, a constant smile adorning his face. Liu Yong even took the time to visit certain employees in their new residences, bringing gifts for their children.


    After surveying several homes, apanied by Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun, Liu Yong arrived at the construction site for the second phase of Huahai International Garden. Separated by only a wall, this new phase upied arger area and had alreadypletednd levelling. Various engineering equipment dotted the tnd, spanning several hundred acres.


    In the surroundings, Liu Yong inquired, "Mr. Qiu, Mr. Hu, what are your ns for the second phase? How do you intend to proceed with the construction?"

 Chapter 302 Phase Two Plans

    ?


    As the boss posed his question, Qiu Yang swiftly responded, "After consulting with Mr. Hu, we have concluded that the second phase can amodate the construction of 12 to 16 buildings with elevators."


    Qiu Yang provided a brief n outline, giving the boss a general overview of the proposal. Upon hearing this, Liu Yong shook his head lightly andmented, "There have been slight alterations to the second phase n."


    Being the boss, Liu Yong naturally had the final say. Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun almost simultaneously spoke up, addressing Liu Yong as "Boss" or "Brother Yong," pledging their loyalty and willingness to follow his directives. They expressed, "Boss (Brother Yong), we will adhere to your guidance and construct the second phase ording to your specifications."


    Liu Yong took the lead in borating on the revised n, stating, "There will be ten elevator buildings, each identical to those in the first phase, featuring 32 floors and two units. The remaining structures will consist of townhouses. We should be able to construct around 50 or 60 vis."


    The mention of building vis ignited excitement among the group. In Huahai City, living in a vi symbolized sess, typically associated with prosperous individuals. Even those with substantial wealth often chose not to live in vis, opting for ts or duplex buildings. However, estates were considered superior torge apartments or duplexes in status and luxury.


    Liu Yong further emphasized, "We will build three-story vis with front and rear courtyards."


    Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun were overjoyed. Qiu Yang eximed, "Boss, if thepany''s middle and high-level executives learn about the n to build vis, they will undoubtedly be thrilled."


    Liu Yong smiled and reassured them, "There''s no need to keep this news a secret. It will undoubtedly bring joy to everyone."


    True to his words, news of the uing vi construction spread rapidly throughout thepany.


    "Oh my God, I heard that the second phase will begin soon, and dozens of vis are in the works."


    "Yes, I heard the same. They''re building three-story vis with front and back yards."


    "It looks like we have to work harder and strive to live in one of thepany''s vis someday."


    Global Shipping Group''s decision to develop vis motivated its employees and attracted arge influx of job applications. The human resources department received numerous resumes daily, with aspiring individuals hoping to work for Global Shipping Group.


    Given the many applicants, thepany no longer needed to organize job fairs. Instead, they could select candidates from the pool of resumes and conduct interviews ordingly.


    Nowadays, to join Global Shipping Group, a minimum requirement of a bachelor''s degree from a prestigious university (such as a 985 or 211 undergraduate degree) is necessary. Even ordinary seafarers were recruited based on these higher educational qualifications, recing the previous requirement of a junior college degree.


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang led the team in intensive training sessions within the training base. The Wolf Warrior unit, currentlyprised of fifteen members, witnessed seven individuals taking gic medicine.


    There was an evident sense of envy in the eyes of the remaining eight team members who had not taken the generic drugs. During the recent 20-kilometre armed cross-country exercise, it became apparent that the members who had taken the gic medicine appeared untroubled while the others perspired profusely, seemingly exhausted.


    After a short break, the teammenced shooting training, further entuating the disparity between the two groups. The members who had taken the "gic drugs" showcased quick reactions, agile movements, and exceptional marksmanship.


    Although the performance of the team members who had not taken the "gic medicine" wasmendable, particrly inparison to most special forces, it paledpared to their enhanced counterparts.


    While training, an off-road vehicle arrived at the base, heading towards the shooting range. Several individuals stepped out of the car, with Liu Yong leading the group, apanied by a few YM soldiers who had escorted him.


    Indeed, Liu Yong had arrived once again!


    Travelling from Huahai City to Sanaa, the capital of YM, proved convenient, requiring only a transfer to Dubai.


    "Boss!"


    Upon seeing Liu Yong alighting from the car, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang hurried over, stood at attention, and saluted.


    Liu Yong expressed his satisfaction, stating, "Well done. The team has now expanded to thirteen yers."


    The team consisted of fifteen individuals, including Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Kang Zhenggang remarked, "War Wolf offerspetitive remuneration, attracting many mercenaries who wish to join. However, we have set the bar high. If we had lowered the requirements slightly, we could have recruited at least twenty to thirty individuals by now."


    Liu Yong nodded approvingly, affirming, "The threshold must remain high. Only the elite among the elite should be eligible to be a member of the Wolf Warrior unit."


    After exchanging more words, Liu Yong dered, "We have a mission today, and General Said will provide you with the details shortly."


    Finally, a mission awaited them!


    Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang disyed evident excitement. They had longed for the opportunity to embark on missions and engage in meaningful endeavours.


    Liu Yong nced at the team members nearby, waving his hand and instructing, "Gather everyone!"


    The team members assembled neatly without dy, their gazes fixed intently on Liu Yong.


    They knew that standing before them was the legendary boss.


    Having witnessed the prowess of Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang, they were already aware of their exceptional abilities, surpassing the capabilities of most ordinary soldiers. Comparing them to TV show characters like Captain America would not be an exaggeration.


    As for Liu Yong, rumours of his extraordinary skills had circted widely. As elite mercenaries, their respect for the strong emanated from the depths of their hearts. They revered Liu Yong, especially those team members who had taken the "gic medicine."


    Liu Yong''s gaze swept across their faces, a sense of gratification filling his heart. It was evident at first nce that the individuals Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang had recruited were exceptional, having emerged victorious from the hail of bullets.


    Among them were individuals of various ethnic backgrounds¡ªyellow, white, and ck.


    In English, Liu Yong addressed the team with amanding voice, "Gentlemen anddies, greetings to all!"


    "Hi, boss!" they replied in unison, their response precise and synchronized. Eleven of the thirteen team members were males, while two were females.


    Liu Yong announced, "Today, you have a mission¡ªthe first official mission since the establishment of the Wolf Warrior unit."


    The news of an uing mission evoked diverse emotions within the team. Their eagerness to take action and demonstrate their abilities was palpable.


    Liu Yong emphasized, "During this mission, I hope all of you return safely. To ensure your safety, I have the gic medicine avable. Those who haven''t taken it, step forward."


    The team members who hadn''t taken the gic medicine disyed a newfound excitement as they stepped forward.


    Liu Yong produced a small blue bottle, instructing them to consume its contents. Each team member was granted an additional 100 attribute points using the pet panel.


    Previously, their attribute points ranged from around 90 to 100. After taking the "gic medicine," each attribute would increase to approximately 190 to 200 points.


    In this world, elite soldier kings rarely exceeded 100 attribute points. Their attributes now boosted to 190 to 200 points, significantly surpassing those of ordinary soldier kings.


    Their physical fitness surpassed regr soldiers in numerous aspects: strength, reaction speed, physical coordination, danger anticipation, resistance to extreme temperatures, endurance, and more¡ªall had seenprehensive improvements.


    Grateful for the opportunity, the team members who had taken the "gic medicine" thanked Liu Yong in unison, vowing, "Thank you, boss. We will serve you with unwavering loyalty and give our utmost to fulfill our duties."


    Liu Yong waved his hand dismissively, stating, "Let''s go to the meeting room. General Said is already waiting for us."


    And so, they departed for the meeting room, eager to receive the mission briefing and embark on their first official mission as the Wolf Warrior unit.

 Chapter 303 The Elimination Of No. 7

    ?


    Said and hispanions had already gathered in the expansive conference room, diligently making all the necessary preparations. The entrance of Liu Yong with the group caught General Saeed''s attention, prompting him to rise. General Saeed and Liu Yong exchanged a warm handshake and a cordial greeting.


    With great enthusiasm, General Saeed acquainted everyone with the recently acquired information. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have just received intelligence that the leader of Rhodes Armed Forces No. 7 has been sighted in the western port city of Hodeidasha."


    Initially, he provided a concise overview before delving into aprehensive discussion of the action n with the assembled individuals.


    The task ahead was treacherous, considering the journey of over a thousand kilometres from Sanaa to Hodeidasha. Moreover, the city was under the control of Rhodes''s armed forces, with no shortage of a thousand armed elements.


    The mission carried significant risks.


    Yet, the esteemed Wolf Warriors members disyed unwavering enthusiasm and unwavering confidence. Having consumed the "gic medicine," they firmly believed thatpleting this mission would be well within their capabilities.


    Eventually, a unanimous decision on the action n was reached. A transport helicopter would transport the team to the outskirts of the port, allowing them to infiltrate with the support of the armed forces. Once the No. 7 leader of Rhodes Armed Forces was eliminated, a rendezvous point in the suburbs would facilitate their retreat.


    The Wolf Warriorsprised the core operatives of the operation. At the same time, the YM government''s army yed a crucial role by providing weaponry and ammunition and assisting with the retreat and other essential tasks.


    With the n firmly established, Liu Yong''s voice resounded. "Do you possess the necessary confidence?"


    "Confidence, we have!" came the resolute response, resonating powerfully from the mouths of the dozen-plus team members.


    Wasting no time, the groupmenced their preparations, spending the next 20 minutes boarding two transport helicopters that would swiftly carry them toward Hodeidah, the western port city of YM.


    Liu Yong remained behind, observing the operation from a distance while eagerly awaiting updates. Staying at the finest hotel in Sanaa, the Presidential Suite, he found himself in thepany of General Saeed.


    As the capital of YM, Sanaa boasted an impressive hotel that could barely meet the standards of a five-star establishment. The Presidential Suite, where Liu Yong sat on afortable sofa, provided an impable setting for his stay.


    Settling in, Liu Yong activated his third-party vision, establishing a connection with Bawang, his loyalpanion.


    Over time, Bawang had grown immensely, surpassing its previous size by gaining two or three tons daily. After many days, its weight had soared to a staggering 612 tons, presently situated in the waters of the Gulf of Aden, a mere two to three hundred nautical miles away from Hodeidah, the target city.


    "Overlord, make haste to Hodeidasha immediately. I have a team ready to conduct an operation there, aiming to neutralize the leader of Rhodes Armed Forces No. 7," Liu Yong ryed through the connection.


    "Fear not, Master. I shall depart without dy," assured Bawang as it propelled itself forward with its colossal 60-meter-long spear. Moving at a speed exceeding 300 nautical miles, it reached the vicinity of Hodeidasha within an hour.


    Hodeidasha, a port city in the western region of YM, revealed a bustling pier adorned with various vessels: fishing boats, speedboats, and even an old second-hand warship. The city, resembling a small town, housed a modest poption estimated to be only two to three thousand. Low-rise structures dominated thendscape, with a scarcity of buildings exceeding three floors. Lingering remnants of past conflicts were visible in the vast stretches of ruins scattered throughout the area.


    Employing his third-party vision, Liu Yong keenly observed the entirety of Hodeidasha''s circumstances, almost as if viewing a meticulously crafted live broadcast, surpassing the excitement of any blockbuster movie from country M.


    Suspended at a depth of 30 to 40 meters on the seabed, Bawang remained motionless, poised for the impending operation.


    Just over an hourter, Kang Zhenggang and his team emerged within the field of view provided by Liu Yong''s third-party vision, stealthily making their way through the city. The group, consisting of more than a dozen highly skilled individuals, moved swiftly, dispatching any militants they encountered with precision and silence. Their swift progress went undetected by the unsuspecting adversaries.


    Progressing unhindered, their destination clear, Kang Zhenggang and his team made their way toward a building in Hodeidasha''s West District. Intelligence had pinpointed this location as the likely whereabouts of the Rhodes Armed Forces'' No. 7 leader.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Once the armed forces covertly infiltrated the urban area of Hodeidasha, they eventually drew attention, sparking a fierce exchange of gunfire with the opposition.


    Through his third-party vision, Liu Yong observed the unfolding spectacle, fully engaged as if witnessing a grand spectacle that exceeded the thrill of any motion picture from country M.


    His satisfaction knew no bounds.


    Although Rhodes boasted a sizable contingent of armed personnel, the Wolf Warriors proved themselves equivalent to tenfold their number. The rtively confined dimensions of Hodeidasha expedited their arrival at the building harbouring the No. 7 leader of the Rhodes Armed Forces.


    Aware that his subordinates would struggle to reach him, the No. 7 leader attempted to flee alone, apanied by a small entourage of a few armed individuals in an off-road vehicle.


    However, their escape was futile, and the armed men trailing behind them swiftly met their demise. Kang Zhenggang and his team pursued relentlessly, firing upon the fleeing vehicle.


    Perplexed, the No. 7 leader couldn''tprehend why his off-road vehicle fell behind, unable to maintain the necessary distance. Swiftly, bullets from Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang''s weapons found their mark, iming the life of the No. 7 leader.


    The primary target had been eliminated.


    Left with insignificant minions, the armed personnelcked the resolve to fight back. Resistance efforts were met with a swift demise, as Kang Zhenggang and hisrades gradually withdrew from Hodeidasha, skirmishing when necessary.


    Within the confines of his hotel room, Liu Yong observed every moment through the lens of his third-party vision, exhaling a sigh of relief and witnessing the safe retreat of his team.


    In less than half an hour, Liu Yong received phone calls from both Kang Zhenggang and General Said.


    The Rhodes Armed Forces'' No. 7 leader had been eradicated, and the members of the Wolf Warriors had sessfully extracted themselves from the situation unscathed.


    On their maiden mission, the Wolf Warriors had performed wlessly.


    Admiration and loyalty toward Liu Yong surged within the team members'' hearts. They understood their ability to eliminate numerous militants and emerge victorious from overwhelming odds was attributed mainly to the "gic medicine" they had ingested.


    General Said and Prime Minister Hassan treated Liu Yong as an esteemed guest, showing him respect and deference.


    Nheless, Liu Yong''s stay in Sanaasted only a single day, for his primary purpose was to distribute the "gic medicine" to the team members, observing their performance as an incidental objective.


    Afterpleting these tasks, Liu Yong promptly returned home, receiving the $40 million USD reward from the YM government, courtesy of the Rhodes Armed Forces'' No. 7 leader.


    Several days had passed since Liu Yong''s return from Sanaa, during which he filled his time with activities such as visiting the office, shopping with Li Changle, or simply enjoying a peaceful slumber at home.


    Having awakened from a satisfying nap, Liu Yong contemted his next move. Should he proceed to the office or pay a visit to Ding Wen''s ce?


    Opting to visit Ding Wen, Liu Yong embarked on the journey in his supercar, arriving at the entrance of Ding Wen''spany in a short period.

 Chapter 304 The Chairmans Son

    ?


    "Good day, Mr. Liu," a chorus of voices rang out as they stepped into the bustling premises of Hanhai Culture. Liu Yong was no stranger to such greetings, as everyone recognized him as the esteemed boss of the Global Shipping Group and a close friend of Ding Wen.


    Unbeknownst to Ding Wen, Liu Yong had nned his visit and confidently knocked on the door of his office before entering. However, upon focusing on Ding Wen, Liu Yong couldn''t help but be taken aback. It had only been a few days since theirst encounter, yet Ding Wen appeared visibly worn out. In his office, the air was thick with the acrid scent of smoke, with the ashtray overflowing with discarded cigarette butts.


    Concern etched across his face, Liu Yong furrowed his brow and quickly opened the office window to allow fresh air to circte. He genuinely worriedly approached Ding Wen and asked, "Brother, what''s troubling you?"


    Sighing heavily, Ding Wen replied, "Brother Yong, I''m in deep trouble. I''ve encountered a colossal problem."


    Immediately offering his support, Liu Yong reassured him, "If Hanhai Culture is facing operational difficulties or requires financial assistance, I''m more than willing to lend you any sum of money you need."


    Ding Wen expressed his gratitude and replied, "Brother Yong, thank you. Your words warm my heart. With a brother like you, I consider my life truly blessed."


    Brushing off the sentimental remark, Liu Yong urged, "Enough with the sentimentalities. Let''s discuss the specifics of the issue."


    Ding Wen nodded in agreement and divulged, "The trouble doesn''t lie with Hanhai Culture itself. It''s a grave matter that has befallen my family¡ªa crisis of unprecedented magnitude."


    Concern instantly filled Liu Yong''s eyes. With their strong bond, the news of Ding Wen''s family facing a significant ordeal stirred deep anxiety within him. Eager to offer his assistance, Liu Yong asked, "Is there something troubling happening in your family? Do you need my help?"


    Ding Wen paused momentarily, collecting his thoughts, before responding, "Brother Yong, did you ever know about my family background?"


    Liu Yong nodded, indicating that he was not privy to such information.


    A true friendship, like water in a desert, is a rarity indeed. Liu Yong had never actively sought to delve into Ding Wen''s family background specifics. Nevertheless, he had always surmised that Ding Wen''s heritage was far from ordinary.


    Clearing the air, Ding Wen continued, "Brother Yong, I should have revealed this to you much earlier. You must be familiar with Qingyun International, correct?"


    Liu Yong''s acknowledgment came swiftly. Qingyun International was a household name in Yan Country¡ªa colossal conglomerate with an annual revenue surpassing billions of dors. Furthermore, it stood proudly among the top 200panies in the world.


    As the world''s leadingmunication equipment supplier, Qingyun International held an extensive portfolio of patented technologies and boasted a workforceprising hundreds of thousands of employees. Its headquarters, the renowned Qingyun Building, graced the capital city''s skyline. Bi Qingyun, the chairman of Qingyun Group, had singlehandedly transformed thepany from humble beginnings into a global behemoth.


    Bi Qingyun had repeatedly aspired to be the wealthiest man in the Yan Kingdom, a testament to his position as the head of a technology-driven enterprise. Remarkably, Qingyun Group had never entertained the idea of going public, thereby significantly underestimating thepany''s potential market value.


    Curious, Liu Yong inquired, "Ding Wen, does your family have a connection with Qingyun Group?"


    Ding Wen nodded solemnly, revealing, "My father is the chairman of Qingyun Group. I''m the youngest child in our family, following my mother''s lineage. I have two elder sisters and one elder brother."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Taken aback, Liu Yong now fullyprehended Ding Wen''s family background. The fact that he was the son of Bi Qingyun, the revered chairman of Qingyun Group, was astonishing.


    Sensing Liu Yong''s growingprehension, Ding Wen continued, hinting at the more significant issue: "Something of immense significance has urred within my family, or rather, within Qingyun International."


    Understanding dawned upon Liu Yong. The mention of Qingyun International, renowned for its cutting-edgemunication equipment and abundant patented technologies, immediately hinted at a troubling predicament. Several significant nations, fearing Qingyun''s dominance, had instigated relentless sanctions and withdrawals since the previous year.


    Ding Wen rified, "Country M has imposed the most severe sanctions on Qingyun International. No chip manufacturer dares to coborate with us. Luckily, we had prepared a contingency n with substantial chip inventory and the capability to design chips in-house."


    Liu Yong nodded in acknowledgment. He was well-versed in the news surrounding these events, following the developments closely. "And now," Liu Yong interjected, "these foundrypanies refuse to produce chips for us due to the fear of reprisals led by Country M."


    Liu Yong''s observations were agreed with Ding Wen, who further borated, "Indeed. We''ve reached a point where our greatest challenge lies in chip production, rather than financial constraints."


    Liu Yong said, "If only we could obtain one or two advanced lithography machines."


    The world''s foremost lithography machine was the highly coveted 5nm model created by Asmer. Unfortunately, Chinese-made lithography machines fell far short, with capabilities limited to a mere 20 nanometers.


    Dispelling any illusions, Ding Wenmented, "Asmer has made it clear that they will neither sell their lithography machines to Qingyun International nor to anypany within Yan Country."


    Slightly uplifting the atmosphere, Liu Yong offered some sce, "Don''t burden yourself too much, and remember that for every difficulty, there are more solutions than obstacles."


    "Brother Yong, you''re absolutely right," Ding Wen acknowledged, his demeanour visibly brightening. The weariness that had etched itself onto his face was slowly dissipating.


    Deciding it was time for a respite, Liu Yong suggested, "Let''s step away for a moment and find a ce to enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea, where we can rx and unwind."


    Ding Wen readily agreed, saying, "Sounds good. No problem at all."


    Leaving the office behind, the two friends ventured out together, seeking sce in a cozy setting where they indulged in afternoon tea, allowing their troubles to fade.


    Several days passed, and Liu Yong was seated in his office, engrossed in reading various documents and reports. In between, he checked the news on his mobile phone, stumbling upon a headline that sparked his curiosity. It reported that a semiconductorpany from Country M had secured the purchase of three 5nm lithography machines from Asmer, scheduled to be delivered in the near future and airlifted to the United States.


    A tinge of envy coursed through Liu Yong. "They didn''t sell a single lithography machine to us, but Country M managed to acquire three in one fell swoop," he muttered under his breath, bitterness evident in his tone. Frustration took hold, and Liu Yong''s thoughts ventured into the realm of misfortune. In a fit of irritation, he imagined the ne carrying the precious lithography machines crashing and sinking into the depths of the sea.


    However, Liu Yong quickly shook off the negative thoughts, reminding himself that dwelling on such ill fortune would not yield any positive oues. Instead, he focused his attention on supporting his friend Ding Wen and finding alternative solutions to the challenges faced by Qingyun International.

 Chapter 305 King Of Kings SC

    ?


    However, deep within Liu Yong''s thoughts, he couldn''t help but chuckle. The mere idea seemed absurd to him. There was no way he would ever find himself plunging into the depths of the sea.


    ncing at his watch, Liu Yong mused to himself, "Lele will be finishing work soon. Today is the day when the students receive their notices, and tomorrow marks the beginning of the long-awaited summer vacation."


    With the arrival of summer vacation, Li Changle would have ample time on her hands.


    Stepping outside, Liu Yong went to the underground garage, taking the elevator down. The Global Shipping Group had dozens of exclusive parking spaces, most of which were upied by luxury cars.


    Deciding on which car to drive to Lele''s school, Liu Yong contemted using the Pagani this time. Although it meant parking a bit farther from the school gate, it was a smallpromise.


    The Pagani supercar, worth more than 30 million yuan, was acquired by the Global Shipping Group duringst month''s Huahai Auto Show. Though officially apany car, Liu Yong had imed it as his own.


    Driving the magnificent supercar through the gates, Liu Yong effortlessly turned heads along the way. The distinctive roar of the Pagani''s engine always drew attention whenever he elerated.


    Ahead, he spotted the entrance to Li Changle''s school. Deliberately choosing a parking spot a bit further away, Liu Yong searched for a vacant space along the side of the road.


    A public parking space was nearby, but just as he was about to park there, a Mercedes-Benz convertible sports car zoomed in, evidently aiming to snatch the spot.


    Liu Yong was taken aback. A collision with the Mercedes-Benz was inevitable if he didn''t slow down. Reacting swiftly, Liu Yong hit the brakes,ing to a halt with a mere 20 centimetres of the distance between the two vehicles.


    The driver, a young man, seemed unaware of the car Liu Yong had been driving moments ago. His shock was palpable as soon as he recognized the Pagani, valued at over 30 million.


    Apologizing hastily, the young man stammered, "Brother, I''m sorry. I didn''t see your car approaching."


    Without daring topete with the Pagani for a parking space, the young man quickly pressed the elerator and sped away. The thought of potential damages rendered him unwilling to risk his own car, even if it meant selling it wouldn''t cover the costs.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile. He hadn''t anticipated such perks from driving a luxury car, effectively deterring other car owners.


    After parking the car, Liu Yong approached the school gate. At this time, numerous students emerged and engaged in various conversations. Some wore smiles, while others seemed crestfallen.


    Achieving good grades naturally brought joy, but failure left one feeling quite the opposite.


    After waiting for approximately ten minutes, a jubnt Li Changle finally emerged, shing a wide smile from a distance.


    "Brother Yong, you''ve been waiting for a while," Li Changle eximed happily.


    "No, I just arrived a short while ago," Liu Yong replied.


    Li Changle took the initiative to link her arm with Liu Yong''s, her expression rxed. "Summer vacation is finally here, and those brutes have finally gone home. I can rx for two whole months," she sighed with relief.


    Liu Yong responded, "You should truly take this time to rx. The LD Olympic Games will begin next month, and I''ve already purchased the tickets. Let''s go and have some fun in LD."


    Li Changle readily agreed, saying, "That sounds great, let''s go and have a st."


    The two engaged in light-hearted banter as they approached the Pagani parked on the side of the road. Li Changle eximed, "Brother Yong, your new car."


    Liu Yong replied, "Yes, I recently purchased it and took it out for a spin today."


    A crowd had gathered around the supercar, mainly consisting of young men and women who observed,mented, and even snapped pictures.


    "That''s a Pagani supercar, worth at least 30 million in the domestic market."


    "I wonder who owns this car. Huahai City truly boasts its share of wealthy individuals."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    "The king of supercars has arrived! If only I could sit inside for a moment, that would be incredible."


    Upon hearing these remarks, Li Changle smiled and whispered, "Brother Yong, this car is drawing quite the attention. If we stay here a bit longer, it might cause a traffic jam."


    Liu Yong chuckled, taking a few steps forward and raising his voice, "Please make way, everyone. Please make way."


    A stylish woman, engrossed in taking pictures, appeared unwilling, furrowing her brows andining, "When taking pictures, it''s firste, first served. I haven''t finished yet, so please wait a bit."


    Mistaking Liu Yong for a fellow photographer, she failed to grasp the situation. She made no attempt to step aside, instead holding her phone, posing, and even lying in the car to take pictures.


    Liu Yong shook his head slightly, retrieved the car key from his pocket, and pressed a button. Instantly, the Pagani''s headlights shed, and the iconic scissor doors gracefully opened.


    At that moment, the crowd realized who the car''s owner was, promptly making way.


    The fashionable woman, who had been perched on the car, taking snapshots, was taken aback. When she caught sight of the car key in Liu Yong''s hand, she couldn''t hide her astonishment. "Brother, this is your car?"


    Liu Yong nodded and replied, "Yes, it belongs to me."


    The fashionable woman''s previous dissatisfaction and disdain vanished instantly. Instead, she became exceedingly enthusiastic, even a bit flirtatious.


    "Brother, may I have the privilege of sitting inside?" she inquired.


    Apologizing politely, Liu Yong stated, "I''m sorry, but we have to leave soon."


    The woman persisted, "Young man, could you at least add me on WeChat?"


    Liu Yong was about to refuse when Li Changle, unable to tolerate the situation any longer, stepped forward and linked her arm with Liu Yong''s, speaking affectionately, "Brother Yong, let''s get in the car."


    The fashionable woman blushed, feeling incredibly embarrassed. She hastily retreated, realizing that Liu Yong had a girlfriend and a much more attractive one at that.


    Amidst envious gazes from the onlookers, Liu Yong drove away. Seated in the passenger seat, Li Changle teased, "Seems like I need to be more vignt. If I''m not careful, youngdies will be vying for your attention."


    Liu Yong smiled and replied, "Well, who can me us for being handsome?"


    Li Changle rolled her eyes yfully, remarking, "You''re definitely getting conceited."


    They bothughed heartily as Liu Yong steered the car toward a fine restaurant. It was already noon, and they decided to have lunch there.


    The restaurant was bustling with customers, predominantly affluent individuals. The crowded venue underscored the fact that Huahai City was home to numerous wealthy residents.


    With all the private rooms upied, Liu Yong and Li Changle settled for a seat in the main dining area on the second floor. Thankfully, they secured a spot by the window.


    Liu Yong perused the menu and ordered various dishes, including meat, vegetables, and two of the restaurant''s signature specialties. Knowing he had to driveter, he refrained from ordering wine, opting for freshly squeezed juice.


    The dishes arrived promptly, and as they savoured their meal, the two engaged in conversation, sharing amusing anecdotes that elicited frequentughter. Li Changle, in particr, found herself amused by Liu Yong''s remarks.


    The ambience was pleasant, and the food was delightful. The only drawback was the rtively high prices. The meal cost them over a thousand yuan, but Liu Yong didn''t give it much thought.


    After approximately half an hour, they had nearly finished their meal and were preparing to settle the bill, intending to catch a movieter in the afternoon.


    Suddenly, a surprised voice rang out, "Lele, is that really you?"

 Chapter 306 The Elusive Lithography Machine

    ?


    Both Liu Yong and Li Changle were taken aback momentarily, surprised to encounter acquaintances in this particr ce. Following the sound of the voice, their curiosity led them to gaze in the direction it came from.


    A young man stood before them, his face filled with astonishment. He sported a pair of gold-rimmed sses, meticulously groomed hair, and attire that exuded sess¡ªd in a white shirt and tie, and he projected an air of confidence and aplishment.


    "Lele, it''s really you! I thought I must be mistaken," the man eximed, walking over with a noticeably ted expression.


    Li Changle reacted with moreposure, replying tly, "Chen Yiyuan, didn''t you go to America?"


    "Not long after returning, I''ve been inquiring about you. I heard you''re teaching at Huahai City''s No. 1 Middle School. I had intended to visit your school, but I didn''t expect to run into you here," Chen Yiyuan replied, his words flowing out in a rush.


    Liu Yong felt confused, unsure of Chen Yiyuan''s identity. Judging from his demeanour, it seemed likely that Chen Yiyuan had feelings for Lele.


    Li Changle''s reaction remainedposed, merely offering a polite smile.


    Chen Yiyuan continued, "Lele, let''s exchange WeChat IDs so we can easily stay in touch."


    As he spoke, he took out his mobile phone.


    Li Changle frowned slightly and said, "I''m sorry, I didn''t bring my phone with me today."


    Chen Yiyuan appeared momentarily stunned, but he refused to give up. Producing his business card, he said, "Here''s my business card. I''m heading back to work. I''ve found a position and I n to submit my resume to the Global Shipping Group."


    "Do you want to join the Global Shipping Group?" Liu Yong couldn''t help interject, reminding them, "It''s quite challenging to get in. Even domestic graduates from prestigious universities may struggle."


    Chen Yiyuan cast a disdainful nce at Liu Yong, privately wondering where this "loser" hade from. Why was he having dinner with Li Changle? Could he be Lele''s boyfriend?


    No, I pursued Lele for so long back in school and made no progress. How could hepare to me? How could Lele possibly fall in love with him?


    Concluding that Liu Yong might be another suitor for Lele, Chen Yiyuan''s thoughts spiralled, and his contempt for Liu Yong grew more apparent, mingled with a hint of hostility.


    "Hehe, it might be difficult for others to enter the Global Shipping Group, but I won''t have any problems. I graduated from Huahai University and have overseas work experience. I''m confident I can secure a position at the Global Shipping Group," Liu Yong smiled, disregarding Chen Yiyuan''s ignorance.


    With the meal concluded, Liu Yong stood up and said, "Lele, let''s go."


    Li Changle happily stood up, took a few steps forward, and gently hooked her arm through Liu Yong''s, disying an intimate gesture.


    Chen Yiyuan looked on, confused. Could it be that he''s Li Changle''s boyfriend? No, I''m far superior to him. Li Changle should find someone like me.


    Driven by urgency, Chen Yiyuan hurriedly caught up and eagerly suggested, "Lele, where are you headed? I have a car; let me give you a ride."


    Li Changle politely declined, saying, "No need, we have a car too."


    Chen Yiyuan persisted, stating, "Lele, my car is a Mercedes-Benz. Let me drive you. How about going to the movies together this afternoon?"


    Li Changle ignored his plea and, holding onto Liu Yong''s arm, proceeded to descend the restaurant''s staircase.


    Chen Yiyuan ruminated, noting that his car was worth over 400,000 yuan, a Mercedes-Benz sedan. Reluctant to surrender, he loudly said, "Lele, Lele, let''s go this afternoon!"


    Suddenly, his voice halted abruptly.


    Liu Yong took out his car keys and pressed a button. The entrance of the hotel illuminated, revealing a Pagani supercar. Liu Yong and Li Changle swiftly entered the vehicle.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    A Pagani supercar with a domestic price exceeding 30 million yuan!


    Chen Yiyuan stood there dumbfounded, left to the mercy of the wind.


    Once inside the car, Li Changle was apologetic and said, "Brother Yong, please don''t overthink it. Chen Yiyuan was just a suitor from my college days. We have no rtionship whatsoever."


    Liu Yong responded with a generous smile, "I didn''t pay it any mind. After all, he doesn''t even have your contact information. There''s no reason for me to dwell on it."


    Hearing Liu Yong''s words, Li Changle, felt relieved and smiled joyfully.


    With Huahai University on summer break, Ding Wen had returned to the capital. Hanhai Culture Company was temporarily entrusted to its subordinates for management and operation, with a professional manager assuming the specific leadership role.


    In the study, Ding Wen and his father, Bi Qingyun, sat together, creating an atmosphere tinged with solemnity.


    "Dad, the school doesn''t have many courses now, so I want toe to thepany and assist you," Ding Wen proposed.


    Bi Qingyun replied, "Your current task is to focus on studying diligently. We can discuss it further after you graduate. Thepany has your brother, sister, and uncles to help me. For now, I don''t need your assistance."


    Ding Wen persisted, "However, the sanctions imposed by country M on Qingyun Group have intensified. Even finding a chip foundry has be a problem. No foundrypany dares to manufacture chips for us."


    Bi Qingyun confidently said, "There''s always a solution to every problem, and we''ll ovee these difficulties too."


    Bi Qingyun exuded an air of self-assurance, seemingly unafraid of adversity.


    Feeling reassured by his father''s confidence, Ding Wen sighed softly, offering another suggestion, "Dad, should we put in more effort? If we can acquire an advanced lithography machine from abroad, all our problems would be solved."


    Bi Qingyun shook his head, deeming the possibility almost zero. "No one abroad will sell us a lithography machine. We have to focus on domestic options," he stated.


    Ding Wen remarked, "But the most advanced domestic lithography machine is only capable of 20 nanometers, which falls short of our requirements."


    "Well, a 20nm lithography machine can''t meet our needs indeed. Don''t worry about the current challenges faced by the group. Concentrate on your studies, and we''ll address them after you graduate," Bi Qingyun replied.


    Ding Wen wanted to say more, but Bi Qingyun raised his hand, interrupting him, and left the study. Ding Wen sighed, understanding that his father wanted to shoulder the burdens alone, sparing him from undue pressure.


    I hope we can resolve these difficulties as soon as possible. If only we had one or two advanced lithography machines. Even without them, having a chip foundrypany willing to manufacture our chips would be beneficial.


    At the Global Shipping Group, Liu Yong had just informed Qiu Yang that any Chen Yiyuan applicant should be immediately disqualified.


    After the call, Liu Yong settled into the boss''s chair and watched the news. By chance, he stumbled upon a piece of information concerning lithography machines.


    Two 5nm lithography machines, ordered by a semiconductorpany in country M, were loaded onto a ne and shipped to the United States.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but curse inwardly. "Damn it! They managed to purchase two 5nm lithography machines at once. It''s infuriating that Qingyun International can''t even buy one, and no chip foundrypanies are willing to assist us."


    He silently wished for the ne carrying the machines to crash into the sea, resulting in their loss.


    Just as Liu Yong was about to leave thepany early and head to the big vi where Li Changle resided, his phone rang a few minutester.

 Chapter 307 The Call

    ?


    As Liu Yong picked up the phone, he nced at the caller ID and saw that it was Ding Wen. A sense of curiosity filled his mind. "Why would Ding Wen call me so soon after returning to the capital?" he pondered.


    The call connected swiftly, and Ding Wen''s voice brimmed excitedly as he spoke. "Brother Yong, you won''t believe it! Something has happened to the two lithography machines shipped from Asmail to Country M."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but be amused. Just moments ago, he had read the news about an unfortunate ident where their ne carrying the two lithography machines crashed, causing them to plummet into the depths of the sea. "Oh, really? Something actually happened?" Liu Yong chuckled, thinking about how he had jokingly cursed the ne''s misfortune while reading the news.


    Ding Wen''s voice resonated with urgency. "Yes! The transport ne carrying the lithography machines lost contact. There was heavy fog in the area, so it''s possible that it crashed into the sea."


    The news took Liu Yong aback. He couldn''t help but question himself inwardly. "Am I some jinx? Did my mere mention of a ne crash make it actually happen?"


    A surge of determination swept through Liu Yong as he regained hisposure. "Tell me everything you know," he urged Ding Wen, his curiosity piqued.


    Ding Wen proceeded to disclose all the information he had gathered. The two 5nm lithography machines were a significant delivery for Country M, warranting a military transport ne instead of a conventional cargo aircraft. Departing from an airport in Europe, the n was to transport the machines to the semiconductorpany in Country M. However, within half an hour of takeoff, the ne lost contact, leading to spections of a potential crash into the sea.


    Liu Yong''s mind raced with various thoughts as he absorbed the details shared by Ding Wen. Possessing those two state-of-the-art lithography machines surged within him, rapidly growing and upying his every thought.


    "I should give it a try," Liu Yong resolved. The prospect of obtaining the machines through sheer luck ignited his determination. "If I manage to acquire those two lithography machines, it would be an incredible opportunity," he mused.


    Recognizing the significance of the machines, Liu Yong understood that they could swiftly address the domestic high-end chip production and manufacturing challenges. However, luck would y a pivotal role in his pursuit. While the search operation by Country M was likely already underway, Liu Yong knew he had to find the crashed ne and retrieve the two lithography machines before they did.


    Obtaining the machines was only the first step. Liu Yong was aware of the potential damage caused by the crash and subsequent submersion in water. If the devices were extensively soaked, they might be unusable. Despite the numerous factors, Liu Yong was prepared to give it his all, fueled by the determination to seed.


    Without wasting any more time, Liu Yong contacted Bawang, currently patrolling the waters of the Gulf of Aden. It was positioned before it was a massive ship from the Global Shipping Group, en route from Haihong and nearing its return home.


    "Overlord, I have a mission for you," Liu Yong urgently addressed it. Hearing the mention of a mission, Overlord''s interest was piqued, and it eagerly responded, "Master, what mission awaits? Just give me the order, and I''ll carry it out immediately."


    Liu Yong provided aprehensive overview of the situation, including the approximate location where the military ne had crashed. "Overlord, your task is to head to that specific sea area, locate the two lithography machines, and retrieve them," Liu Yong instructed.


    Overlord enthusiastically eximed, "Okay, I''m setting off now."


    Considering the distance between Bawang''s current location in the Gulf of Aden and the crash site in the Antic Ocean, off the coast of Europe, there were two possible routes to reach the destination.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    One route involved circumnavigating the African continent, passing through the Cape of Good Hope at the southernmost tip, and eventually reaching the European coast. Although this route was the safest, it also required considerable time¡ªa resource currently in short supply. Liu Yong knew that he had topete against Country M in a race against time, making this route unsuitable for Overlord''s mission.


    The other route, whichy closer to the European offshore, involved traversing the Red Sea, passing through the Suez Canal, and entering the Mediterranean Sea before reaching the crash site. This route carried significant risks for Overlord due to its colossal size and weight. Weighing 621 tons with a length exceeding 80 meters and a carapace measuring over 30 meters, Bawang would be easily detected, especially when navigating the narrow waterways of the Suez Canal, where the sea''s depth ranged between 20 to 30 meters. Any discovery of Bawang could spell disastrous consequences.


    Liu Yong deliberated intensely, weighing the options before making a crucial decision. Time was of the essence, and he couldn''t afford to waste a moment. "Overlord, proceed through the Red Sea, enter the Suez Canal, and make your way to the crash site," Liu Yong finallymanded.


    Acknowledging the instructions, Overlord confirmed, "Okay, I''m on my way."


    Liu Yong emphasized the importance of caution as Overlord prepared to navigate the Suez Canal. "Be careful throughout the passage, ensure utmost caution, and avoid detection," Liu Yong warned.


    "I understand, Master," Overlord assured.


    With impressive speed, Overlord swiftly progressed, reaching approximately 310 nautical miles per hour, pushing forward with determination. In a matter of hours, it arrived at the Mandeb Strait, where it gradually slowed its pace.


    The Strait of Mandeb served as the gateway to the Red Sea. A long and narrow waterway, it provided enough space for Bawang to maneuver. Overlord maintained a slower speed to prevent unnecessary disturbances while passing through this international waterway.


    Once sessfully through the Mandeb Strait, Overlord officially entered the Red Sea, resuming its swift speed of over 300 nautical miles per hour as it steered towards the Suez Canal.


    After a few hours, Overlord crossed the Red Sea and arrived at Suez City, located at the southernmost tip of the Suez Canal. Overlord adjusted its pace with the canal just ahead, slowing significantly as it became increasingly cautious. Its speed dropped from 300 knots to less than 30 knots.


    Overlord cautiously moved along the canal, almost skimming the canal''s floor, covering a distance of several nautical miles. Alongside it, a massive oil tanker weighing at least 100,000 tons proceeded leisurely. The canal''s width in this section ranged between 200 to 300 meters, while the water depth measured around 20 meters.


    Overlord contemted overtaking the sluggish tanker on multiple asions but hesitated due to the canal''s limited width. Patiently following behind, it swam alongside the ship for approximately an hour. As the waterway widened slightly, Overlord carefully navigated around the vessel.


    Having surpassed the oil tanker, Overlord gradually increased its speed, albeit cautiously. Advancing at around 20 knots¡ªslightly faster than the other ships within the canal¡ªBawang didn''t dare to elerate significantly. This conservative approach aimed to avoid any attention from the canal''s staff.


    As the lighthouse came into view, its beam of light illuminating the canal''s waters, several staff members within the lighthouse noticed something unusual. One pointed at the water''s surface and eximed, "Look, everyone! There appears to be an enormous creature swimming beneath the water!"


    ...

 Chapter 308 Liu Yongs Lucky Break

    ?


    Several onlookers turned their gaze toward the tranquil surface of the canal, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary amidst the sparkling water.


    "No!"


    "Yeah, I didn''t see anything either," someone said.


    However, one staff member who had detected the anomaly persisted, affirming, "I''m telling you, I saw it with my own eyes. There was a massive ck shadow on the water''s surface, almost a hundred meters long, and it passed by swiftly."


    Sceptical nces and dismissive headshakes met the staff member''s im. Another person quipped, "Croft, your vision must be blurred. How could something of such enormous size exist?"


    "I assure you, I saw it¡ªa colossal creature, moving at an astonishing speed," Croft insisted.


    "Croft, you must have been drinking at night. It''s likely just alcohol-induced hallucinations," someone mocked.


    None of Croft''s friends believed his ount, shaking their heads with smiles. Some even jokingly mentioned the notion of a massive whale swimming past.


    Indeed, the behemoth Bawang had traversed the canal moments ago. Cloaked by the cover of night, it propelled itself rapidly, surpassing 20 knots, swiftly vanishing into the distance.


    The Suez Canal stretched over 200 kilometres, connecting vastkes through several meticulously dug channels. One would encounter Small Bitter Lake, Big Bitter Lake, Timsah Lake, and Manz Lake from south to north.


    Bawang smoothly navigated the initial section of the canal, entering Little Bitter Lake without hindrance. Once within theke, Bawang''s speed surged, quickly passing through its expanse before entering the canal''s second section.


    Upon entering the canal again, Bawang decelerated, cautiously maneuvering through this stretch of water. With the cover of darkness, no one noticed any abnormalities beneath the surface.


    Bawang continued its sequential journey through multiple sections of the Suez Canal, traversing variouskes. Eventually, after departing from Port Said, Bawang finally reached the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea.


    In the Mediterranean, the Overlord could finally rx, liberated from the need for stealth and now elerating at full speed.


    In the early morning hours, after a long voyage, the Overlord finally arrived in the specific sea area mentioned by Liu Yong.


    Ayer of white mist veiled the sea''s surface, presenting formidable challenges for the search efforts of Country M''s personnel. The dense mist significantly reduced visibility.


    However, for Bawang, it was a fortunate circumstance. The colossal overlord promptly reported, "Master, I have arrived."


    Liu Yong heard Bawang''s voice resonate in his mind and activated his third-party vision, enabling him to witness not only the massive presence of Bawang in the sea but also the ethereal mist shrouding the waters.


    "How fortuitous," Liu Yong remarked. "This mist will undoubtedly impede Country M''s search efforts, making their task more arduous."


    "Let''s hope they haven''t discovered the downed ne, let alone the two lithography machines that plunged into the sea," Liu Yong''s mood improved, his voice tinged with hope.


    "Master, it was no trouble at all. I could easily swim thousands of nautical miles without issue," Bawang replied.


    Liu Yong nodded; gratitude was evident in his voice. "Please continue your efforts. Search for the crashed ne and locate the two lithography machines submerged in the water."


    Internally, Liu Yong prayed, desperately hoping that Country M had not yet stumbled upon the ne wreckage. Furthermore, he yearned for the lithography machines to remain undamaged and fully operational.


    Following Liu Yong''s instructions, Bawang tirelessly scoured the designated sea area.


    This region constituted the coastal waters of the European continent, where the sea''s depth averaged a mere three to five hundred meters, asionally even plummeting to just tens of meters. Scattered throughout were clusters of small inds.


    Roughly 20 to 30 nautical miles away from Bawang, a search and rescue ship manned by Country M''s personnel diligentlybed the area in search of the downed ne.


    The head of the search team, Ernesta, expressed her frustration, venting, "This infernal weather! We''ve been working for over ten hours, from yesterday afternoon until now, and yet we''ve found nothing."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    "Boss, dawn has broken. Can weunch our helicopter now?" a team member inquired.


    Ernesta responded impatiently, "Yes, take off, but be cautious. The sea is shrouded in thick fog."


    A search and rescue helicopter sat on the deck of the ship. Due to the dense fog during the night, it had remained grounded. However, it could finally ascend into the sky, aiding the search efforts.


    Shortly after, the search and rescue helicopter began exploring, braving the limited visibility caused by the thick fog. Luck would likely y a significant role in their search.


    Meanwhile, the Overlord''s fortune proved superior to theirs. At that very moment, Bawang had spotted the wreckage of the ne.


    The crash site rested in rtively shallow waters, with depths of no more than a dozen meters. The ne''s remains were lodged obliquely in the water, its nose pointing downwards, while a portion of the tail jutted above the sea''s surface.


    The massive impact had severely damaged the transport ne, nearing the point of disintegration.


    "Master, I believe this is the ne!" Bawang''s voice resonated with excitement. After a journeysting over ten hours, Bawang hadn''t expected to discover the wreckage so swiftly upon arrival.


    Liu Yong''s own enthusiasm surged. The odds seemed uncanny, almost as if fate were favouring their cause.


    "It appears that Country M hasn''t located the ne wreckage yet. This is a prime opportunity to seize the two lithography machines before they do," Liu Yong mused, his voice brimming with determination.


    Without awaiting any explicit orders, Bawang approached the ne wreckage.


    Simultaneously, Liu Yong keenly observed everything through his third-party perspective, his focus squarely on the remains of the downed ne.


    To his delight, Liu Yong noticed the presence of four standard containers within the damaged cargo hold of the military transport ne.


    The securing cables mainly were severed, causing the fourrge containers to tilt precariously.


    The lithography machines were housed within these containers!


    Curiosity arose in Liu Yong''s mind. Why were there fourrge containers instead of the expected two? Logically, each lithography machine should have required a single container, not two.


    Nheless, dismissing the anomaly, Liu Yong resolved to remove all the containers. "Overlord, check the cargo hold for fourrge containers. Retrieve them all," hemanded.


    "Understood, Master."


    Bawang promptly set to work.


    With a weight surpassing 620 tons, Bawang effortlessly handled objects weighing dozens of tons, even capable of managing loads exceeding 1,000 tons.


    The first container was swiftly extracted, remaining intact without any deformations.


    Internally, Liu Yong expressed a mix of relief and trepidation. Although the containers remained undamaged, he pondered whether water had breached them. He desperately hoped that the lithography machines were suitably packaged to resist water damage.


    As the first container emerged, Liu Yong witnessed a baffling sight. Rather than sinking, it surprisingly floated to the water''s surface.


    "Master, it has a buoyant force. I have to hold it down; otherwise, it will rise to the water''s surface," Bawang reported.


    Liu Yong''s initial confusion dissipated as he swiftlyprehended the situation, his heart filling with joy.

 Chapter 309 Oceanic Hideaway

    ?


    The container effortlessly ascended through the water''s surface, indicating its impable sealing that prevented any water ingress. Liu Yong, upon realizing this, couldn''t contain his delight.


    Further inspection revealed that these four containers were not ordinary; they were special packing boxes designed to be sturdier and more secure than standard containers. Not only were they well sealed, but their size exceeded that of their traditional counterparts. Although their width and height appeared simr, the length was undoubtedly longer, akin to half the length of a standard container.


    "Overlord, we must act swiftly and seize these four boxes before the people from country M arrive," Liu Yong eximed with urgency, his eyes gleaming with determination.


    Bawangprehended the gravity of the situation, understanding the need for prompt action. Time was of the essence. With the ne''s tail exposed above the water, it was susceptible to being discovered by search and rescue vessels or helicopters dispatched by country M.


    The imposing Overlord temporarily grasped its colossal spear-like object with a front paw, swiftly seizing the first box in its jaws and swiftly departing, swiftly putting distance between it and the scene.


    Liu Yong interjected with a reminder, "Overlord, find a nearby uninhabited deserted ind and conceal these four containers there."


    cing them in the water was out of the question as they would undoubtedly float away with the ocean''s currents. Hence, the only option was to secure them onnd. However, with no avablend in close proximity, their only choice was to locate a deserted ind, hide all fourrge containers there, andter transport them individually.


    Covering a substantial distance in a single breath, Bawang swam dozens of nautical miles, diligently scouring the area for an uninhabited deserted ind. After over ten minutes, a ray of hope emerged as it finally stumbled upon one.


    The ind boasted a considerable expanse, estimated to be around two or three square kilometres. Verdant trees adorned thendscape, forming dense jungles, making it an ideal location to stow away the containers.


    Once on the ind, Overlord carefully ced the first container amidst the jungle, ensuring it remained inconspicuous from both aerial and nearby maritime vantage points.


    There was no time to waste, as the people from the country. M might stumble upon the wreckage of the ne at any moment. The second container was sessfully transported to the ind three to forty minutester. An hour and a half psed before the third container joined itspanions on thendmass.


    Having concealed the third container, Overlord wasted no time and swiftly swam back towards the ne wreckage, resolute in his mission.


    The local time now approached 9:00 a.m., causing the dissipating white fog over the sea to enhance visibility by over half. If the early morning visibility spanned 500 meters, it now stretched to at least one kilometre.


    Liu Yong prayed fervently, hoping that one container remained on the ne, praying that the people from country M would not arrive and discover the wreckage.


    Bawang''s relentless pace persisted, taking him no more than twenty minutes to traverse the distance from the unnamed deserted ind to the ne wreckage. At this moment, Liu Yong''s heart skipped a beat as a helicopter materialized on the periphery of their field of vision. Undoubtedly, it was a search and rescue helicopter hovering a mere 800 to 900 meters from the wreckage.


    "Bawang, hasten your pace. The opponents may stumble upon the wreckage at any moment," Liu Yong urged, his voiceced with concern.


    "Understood, Master," Bawang replied resolutely.


    Bawang sessfully extracted the finalrge container from the ne, wasting no time in departing. The helicopter in the distance had already spotted the downed ne, arge military transport aircraft whose exposed tail made it increasingly conspicuous as the dissipating white fog unveiled its visibility.


    As Bawang distanced himself, the helicopter closed in, hovering at an altitude of 30 to 40 meters above the sea. Upon confirming the presence of the crashed military ne, the upants aboard the helicopter erupted into excited exmations.


    Twenty nautical miles away, a search and rescue ship surged toward the location at full speed. Upon arrival, frogmen promptly plunged into the water, initiating the search and rescue operation.


    Meanwhile, atop the nameless desert ind, Bawang sessfully transported all fourrge containers, situated roughly 50 nautical miles from the crash site. It struck a bnce between distance and proximity, not too far to hinder retrieval, yet not too close to risk exposure.


    Liu Yong released a long sigh of relief, grateful for their temporary safety.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Overlord spoke, his deep voice resonating with hunger. "Master, I require sustenance. Let us rest momentarily and satiate my hunger before we continue."


    Having traversed the waters of the Gulf of Aden in one continuous swim, Overlord had not paused for over ten hours, nor had he consumed a morsel of food.


    Understanding Overlord''s fatigue, Liu Yong respondedpassionately, "Overlord, you have exerted yourself greatly. Please find nourishment in the vicinity and take some time to rest."


    Bawang nced at the four hidden containers on the ind, ensuring their security, before plunging into the sea for sustenance.


    Fifty nautical miles away, several frogmen disembarked from the search and rescue ship at the site of the ne crash. Upon verifying the situation, they expeditiously ryed their findings to their colleagues aboard the vessel.


    Ernesta, in charge of the search and rescue mission, wore a look of disbelief. "What? There''s no trace of the lithography machine? Is the cargo hold empty?"


    This revtion left him incredulous. It was simply inconceivable!


    Ernesta yearned to dive into the water himself, refusing to ept the circumstances. However, as the frogmen returned one by one, consistently reporting the same findings, he had no choice but to acknowledge the truth.


    Cursing under his breath, Ernesta pondered the whereabouts of their lithography machine. Could fish have devoured it? Yet, sea creatures did not consume such items.


    Perhaps it had been jettisoned from the cargo hold before the ne crash, but the probability of this scenario was nearly negligible.


    Unwilling to concede defeat, Ernesta ordered his team to scour the sea within a several nautical mile radius of the crash site. Lowering a submersible from the ship, they meticulously searched the seabed, hoping to recover the lost lithography machine.


    On the pinnacle of the ind, Bawang concluded its meal and slumber, awakened by renewed vigour and boundless energy. The fourrge containers rested in the adjacent jungle under the shade of towering trees.


    A distant whir of helicopter des slicing through the air, alerting Bawang and prompting it to plunge into the water to avoid detection.


    "Master, a helicopter is approaching," Bawang swiftly informed Liu Yong.


    Immediately, Liu Yong activated his third-party vision, confirming the presence of a helicopter hovering at a mere two to three hundred meters above the ground. It soared over the ind, with the closest proximity to thendmass not exceeding one kilometre.


    Observing the helicopter recede from their field of vision, Liu Yong deduced that the current ind offered insufficient safety. The lithography machine could not remain there for an extended period.


    It had to be relocated once more. The current location was perilously close to the crash site.


    Addressing Bawang, Liu Yong dered, "Overlord, this ce is not secure. We need to transfer the four containers to a new ind, at least a few hundred nautical miles away from here."


    Understanding the urgency, Bawang responded promptly, "Master, I will immediately search for another suitable ind and relocate all four containers there overnight."


    Liu Yong affirmed, "Time is of the essence. Find a suitable ind now, and ensure all containers are transferred to the new location by tonight."


    With determination, Bawang set out to locate a suitable ind, resolute in its mission.

 Chapter 310 A Sons Burden!!

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    Liu Yong switched off the third-party vision, feeling euphoric at that moment. He had finally acquired the coveted lithography machine he had dreamed of. It was a prized possession that even domestic technology giants like Qingyun International had been unable to purchase. The country had to intervene to secure this remarkable piece of technology.


    A 5nm lithography machine! Just imagine the joy and excitement coursing through his veins. Liu Yong couldn''t contain his joy, leaping up from his seat and pacing around the room, his excitement refusing to settle.


    Yet amidst his happiness and anticipation, Liu Yong couldn''t help but ponder a nagging thought: would some individuals argue that the manner in which he obtained the lithography machine was dishonourable? It troubled him deep within his heart.


    The opposing party had levied severe sanctions against the lithography machine,pletely disregarding internationalws. They had acted unkindly, and Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel that he was merely responding kindly. If they hadn''t imposed a ban on the sale of the machine and sanctions on domestic high-techpanies, he wouldn''t have had to go through all the trouble to acquire those four colossal containers.


    If only they had agreed to a short sale, he could have easily purchased them with his wealth. Did heck the means to afford those hundreds of millions? No, he certainly did not. It was the other party''s disregard for internationalws that had led him down this path.


    "Take your lithography machine and leave. You wanted a fight? Well, now you''ve got one!" Liu Yong muttered defiantly under his breath.


    The next day, Liu Yong went to the Global Shipping Group. As he settled into his office, he couldn''t help but contemte how he would retrieve those fourrge containers. Bawang had been quite busy the previous night, finding an uninhabited deserted ind hundreds of nautical miles away from the crash site, away from the usual maritime routes. It was a safe spot to store the containers temporarily.


    The real question now was how to transport them all back. Liu Yong considered utilizing Bawang''s services, but it could only transport one container at a time, despite its speed. The distance from the uninhabited ind to Huahai City made it impossible to pass through the Suez Canal, necessitating a journey around the African continent¡ªa daunting 20,000 nautical miles. Factoring in rest and necessary breaks, it would take at least a week for Bawang toplete a round trip. With four containers, the entire process would take over a month. Even with Bawang''s endurance, it would undoubtedly be exhausting.


    After pondering for some time, Liu Yong''s mind wandered to the "Blue Whale," an ocean-going salvage ship with its own lifting equipment. Hoisting arge container weighing dozens of tons onto the ship would be a breeze. The ship had just returned from the uninhabited deserted ind a couple of days ago after a month-long journey from Huahai City. It seemed like the perfect solution.


    With determination in his eyes, Liu Yong reached for his phone and issued the necessary orders. He requested the presence of Ren Ziquan, the captain of the "Blue Whale," without dy.


    Approximately ten minutester, Ren Ziquan knocked on the door and entered Liu Yong''s office with the utmost respect. "Boss, you asked for me?" he inquired.


    Liu Yong waved him closer and said, "Captain Ren,e in. I have a task I''d like to entrust to you."


    Ren Ziquan approached obediently, attentive to his superior''s words. Liu Yong spread out a world map on his desk, searching for the location of the uninhabited ind where the four containers were stowed.


    Naturally, the uninhabited desert ind was not marked on the map. In the vast Antic Ocean, there were countless such inds. Liu Yong pointed to the approximate location and exined, "Captain Ren, at this position lies an uninhabited desert ind. There are fourrge containers situated there, each weighing tens of tons. Your mission is to assemble a team, locate the uninhabited ind, and return the four containers for me."


    Taking note of the location, Ren Ziquan swiftly agreed, "Boss, the ''Blue Whale'' will set sail immediately. We shall retrieve those four containers without fail."


    He didn''t bother to inquire about the contents of the containers or whether they might be restricted items viting thew. Ren Ziquan''s loyalty to Liu Yong was unwavering, and he was filled with gratitude. Life had changed for the better since he hade under Liu Yong''s wing. Resolute and without hesitation, he embraced the task assigned to him by his esteemed boss.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    "Then I wish you the best of luck, and a swift return," Liu Yong conveyed his well wishes.


    After watching Ren Ziquan leave, Liu Yong felt a sense of assurance settle within him. The matter seemed to be on a stable course.


    Meanwhile, numerousrge salvage ships had gathered at the sea area where the ne had crashed. The aircraft''s wreckage mainly had been recovered, along with several bodies. However, the absence of the four containers puzzled the officials in charge of salvage and search and rescue, particrly those from the M country. They seemed to have vanished without a trace. The mystery surrounding their whereabouts remained unsolved.


    Back in Huahai City, at one of its bustling ports, the "Blue Whale," an imposing Chinese ocean-going salvage ship with an impressive discement of 85,000 tons, hadpleted its replenishment and refuelling. The crew, brimming with energy, stood ready for their imminent voyage.


    Amidst the resounding st of its whistle, the "Blue Whale" gracefully departed, embarking on its journey through the vast Antic Ocean. Their primary objective was transporting the fourrge containers back to their destination.


    Liu Yong stood at the pier, watching as the "Blue Whale" grew smaller and smaller until it vanished on the distant horizon, swallowed by the vast expanse of the sea. A smile yed on his lips as he anticipated the containers'' safe return.


    Returning to his car, Liu Yong departed from the scene. Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang were currently absent, leaving him in thepany of a seasoned driver from thepany''s security department¡ªa skilled veteran behind the wheel.


    It didn''t take long after leaving the pier for Liu Yong''s phone to ring, and Ding Wen''s voice reverberated through the call. "Brother Yong, hurry up and pick me up from the airport."


    Liu Yong chuckled and responded, "You''re already back in Huahai City? Why not stay a few more days in the capital?"


    Ding Wen replied, "The old man doesn''t want me worrying about family affairs. After spending a few days in the capital, I realized howfortable I feel in Huahai City. I''ve justnded, soe and get me."


    With the call concluded, Liu Yong instructed his driver, "Let''s head to the airport to pick someone up."


    As Liu Yong''s luxurious Rolls-Royce arrived at the airport, Ding Wen was already waiting at the exit, his gaze shifting left and right in search of his friend. The car stopped before him, and Liu Yong rolled down the window, waving him over. "Get in the car."


    Ding Wen dly hopped into the vehicle, his absence of several days leading to an overflow of stories and anecdotes. He seemed to have an endless stream of things to say and eagerly shared them with Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong maintained a warm smile, attentively listening to Ding Wen''s ount.


    After a long monologue, Ding Wen changed the subject and sighed softly, "The only downside is that my father is under a lot of pressure. As his son, I can''t share the burden, and it makes me feel uneasy."

 Chapter 311 Masterstroke

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    Qingyun International faced a dire situation as the supply of mid and high-end chips became a significant problem. Bi Qingyun, thepany''s leader, bore the burden of this challenge single-handedly, while Ding Wen, a close associate, couldn''t help but feel uneasy.


    Understanding the weight on Bi Qingyun''s shoulders, Liu Yong, a trusted friend, expressed his empathy and reassured him with a nod. "Brother, don''t overthink it," Liu Yongforted, "Uncle is right, there''s always a solution to every problem. The car will find its way up the mountain, and we''ll ovee this hurdle too."


    The twopanions engaged in conversation throughout their journey, providing aforting presence for each other. As they continued, Liu Yong suggested, "Shall we grab dinner now? I''ll join you for a drink, brother."


    Ding Wen replied, "That sounds good. I just want to drown my worries tonight. I won''t go home until I''m drunk."


    Following Liu Yong''s instructions, their driver took them to a reputable restaurant, where they secured a private room and ordered a sumptuous feast. Ding Wen personally uncorked a bottle of Moutai, pouring generous amounts into two sses. With a strong voice, he eximed, "Brother, let''s raise a toast. Here''s to my father resolving the chip problem and Qingyun International smoothly oveing this challenging period."


    Liu Yong raised his ss, clinking it gently with Ding Wen''s, before taking a deep sip of wine.


    As they conversed over drinks, their discussion centred predominantly around the chip supply issue faced by Qingyun International Group. After more than an hour of indulging in food and alcohol, the bottle of Moutai had been emptied.


    As they emerged from the private room, Ding Wen was noticeably intoxicated. Liu Yong''s driver assisted him until he settled into the car, and with instructions from Liu Yong, the driver embarked on taking Ding Wen home.


    Meanwhile, on an unnamed desert ind, fourrge containers sat nestled amidst the woods. asionally, curious seabirds flew by, inspecting the containers before soaring away.


    Bawang, a loyal guardian, rested near the ind. Upon awakening, he ventured within a range of one to two hundred nautical miles, hunting for prey. Once sated, he returned to the vicinity of the ind.


    Bawang''s sole responsibility was to safeguard the fourrge containers. Days passed with calm weather, devoid of ships or passing nes within the area.


    After several days, Bawang became certain that the ind was exceedingly safe. Yet, as he dutifully watched the containers, he couldn''t help but ponder: When would their ship arrive? How much longer would he have to wait?


    Simultaneously, the "Blue Whale" sailed across the vast expanse of the sea, forsaking fuel efficiency for speed. Liu Yong wished for the ship''s prompt arrival at the unnamed desert ind, hastening the retrieval of the fourrge containers.


    Within the Global Shipping Group headquarters, Liu Yong upied the Boss''s chair, engrossed in monitoring the situation of the containers through third-party surveince. The feed revealed a clear view within a thousand-meter radius centred around Bawang. The loyal guardian nestled in the ind''s woods, not far from the containers.


    Liu Yong''s attention was fixated on these four containers. The more he observed, the more he sensed their exceptional nature. Their appearance surpassed that of ordinary containers, exhibiting a delicate quality. The material appeared to be an aluminium alloy adorned with English lettering.


    Uful scrutiny of the English markings, Liu Yong''s certainty solidified¡ªthe containers housed lithography machines. Moreover, it seemed they possessed not just two but four lithography machines.


    A wave of astonishment washed over him. "Oh my God! Could it be four lithography machines?" he pondered. Two of them were undoubtedly 5-nanometer lithography machines, but the identity of the other two remained a mystery.


    After deciphering the English text on the containers, Liu Yong deduced that they hou of four lithography machines. Two were 5-nanometer lithography machines, while the others potentially belonged to the 8-nanometer category.


    The realization that there might be four advanced photolithography machines left Liu Yong exhrated. This discovery was far from ordinary.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    "Four lithography machines!" he eximed, fully aware of the immense value each possessed. Acquiring a single one at a high price would be nearly impossible, yet he passed four.


    The question loomed: How should he handle these four lithography machines? Should he sell them to others or retain them for personal use? After considering it, Liu Yong felt it would be best to retain them and start a chip foundry business.


    China''s annual import of chips amounted to hundreds of billions of dors, with an insatiable demand. Thecky not in chip design and development by domesticpanies but in manufacturing capacity. They werepelled to seek chip foundrypanies for production.


    Liu Yong firmly believed that once he established a chip foundrypany, orders would pour in like snowkes, eliminating concerns about ack of demand.


    Determined, Liu Yong picked up the phone and summoned Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun to his office.


    "Boss, you called for us," they greeted as they entered.


    "Yes," Liu Yong confirmed, diving straight into the purpose of the meeting, "I intend to establish a global semiconductorpany primarily focused on chip OEM production. I need you both to n ordingly."


    The revtion stunned them. "What! The Boss wants to venture into high-tech? Chip foundry production, no less!" Qiu Yang eximed, taken aback. Hu Shijun mirrored his surprise, and a brief moment passed before theyposed themselves.


    Qiu Yang spoke cautiously, "Boss, if we''re to enter the chip foundry industry, we have no shortage of funds, and we can recruit the required technical talent. We can also acquire some manufacturing equipment. However, the critical equipment¡ªchip lithography machines¡ªmay pose a challenge to procure."


    Hu Shijun added, "Brother Yong, it''s nearly impossible to purchase a lithography machine from the international market. They aren''t avable for sale at any price."


    "China has managed to develop a 20-nanometer lithography machine, but its technology remains immature and unstable for industrialized mass production. Even if it were viable, chips produced using 20-nanometer technologyg behind in terms of advancement, limiting their market potential."


    Liu Yong smiled, witnessing their concerns and reservations. "Who said we can''t acquire a lithography machine? Let me assure you I possess two 5-nanometer lithography machines and two 8-nanometer lithography machines. Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun stared at Liu Yong in disbelief, assuming they had misheard.


    Qiu Yang, delighted, eximed, "Boss, you truly possess two 5-nanometer lithography machines and two 8-nanometer lithography machines?"


    Liu Yong affirmed their doubts, "Yes, I do indeed have four such lithography machines."


    Hu Shijun''s excitement was palpable. "Brother Yong, you''re incredible! These advanced lithography machines, even the 8-nanometer ones, are highly sought-after in the chip industry."


    The 8-nanometer process represented the current mainstream, while the 5-nanometer process had limited applications. The semiconductorpany in country M had purchased two 5-nanometer lithography machines as a forward-looking move and to prepare for the future. Now, Liu Yong has gained a significant advantage.


    With two 5-nanometer lithography machines and two 8-nanometer lithography machines at his disposal, there was no longer any hindrance to establishing a global semiconductorpany specializing in chip foundry services.


    Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun wore expressions of delight. They were about to embark on an extraordinary journey of high-tech chip manufacturing.

 Chapter 312 Chip Foundry Dreams Unveiled

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    Since the introduction of the lithography machine, a crucial breakthrough has been achieved, alleviating all concerns.


    The Global Shipping Group had assembled a dedicated team to tackle the intricate nning involved. Their tasks included determining the requirednd area, estimating the necessary investments, selecting the appropriate production equipment, and establishing an efficient management structure. Every aspect was meticulously considered to ensure a seamless execution.


    As a chip foundry specialist, Liu Yong rified that his focusy solely on chip production rather than manufacturing the initial wafers. He preferred to procure the required wafers directly from the market, thus avoiding the need to produce raw materials internally. With numerous world-sspanies in China excelling in wafer production, Liu Yong remained confident that any concerns regarding the avability of raw materials for chip manufacturing would be unfounded.


    The nning process was in full swing, with the dedicated team working diligently to set everything in motion.


    A few dayster, the "Blue Whale" vessel traversed the Strait of a, venturing further into the Indian Ocean. Uninterrupted by stopovers or rest breaks at any port, the ship maintained a swift pace, aimed at crossing the Indian Ocean and entering Europe via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.


    At the Global Shipping Group headquarters, apanied by Hu Shijun, Liu Yong assessed several plots ofnd. However, he found them somewhatcking, whether in inadequate areas, suboptimal locations, or exorbitant prices.


    On this particr day, Liu Yong and Hu Shijun, joined by members No. 1 and No. 20 of their entourage, visited an industrial park in Huahai City. Present were also middle and high-level executives from the Global Shipping Group and several officials from the Industrial Park Management Committee.


    "Mister Liu," began Director Lu, an official from the managementmittee, "thisnd spans 282 mu and boasts a well-aligned, square terrain. It is situated alongside Jianshe Road, offering excellent transportation connectivity."


    Liu Yong listened attentively as Director Lu presented the details, maintaining aposed demeanour that revealed little of his inner thoughts. While the information appeared formal, there was no visible sign of satisfaction on Liu Yong''s face. After absorbing the presentation, Liu Yong inquired, "Director Lu, what is the price of thisnd?"


    Director Lu replied, "As one of Huahai City''s iconic enterprises, the Global Shipping Group has been granted favorable treatment in its pursuit of chip foundry investment. Thend price is exceptionally advantageous, priced at only 6.2 million yuan per mu."


    Indeed, the price was remarkably lower than expected. In a city like Huahai, wherend prices in most industrial parks exceeded 10 million yuan per mu, securingnd at a rate of 6.2 million yuan per mu was undeniably economical.


    However, there was one drawback¡ªthend area was preliminary. With only 282 mu at their disposal, it fell short of Liu Yong''s requirements. He was concerned, "Director Lu, could the price be further negotiated? Our investment amounts to tens of billions, and our future annual output value will reach the same magnitude."


    Director Lu, exhibiting generosity, responded, "Let''s round it up to an even figure of 6 million yuan per mu. The total price for the 282 mu would amount to 1.692 billion yuan. Moreover, this is thergestnd parcel avable in our entire industrial park."


    Liu Yong refrained from furtherments. Although the price was ideal, thend area remained a concern. Liu Yong yearned for a plot spanning 350 mu or even more, which would be optimal for their endeavours.


    Director Lu interjected, remarking, "Mr. Liu, finding and parcel spanning four or five hundred acres in Huahai City is exceedingly challenging."


    Liu Yong concurred, understanding theplexities involved. Acquiring such a sizable plot within the existing industrial parks was daunting unless the government intervened by allocating new areas. Alternatively, they could explore nearby cities, wherend might be avable, and local governments might be willing to give prime industrialnd for their project. However, smaller towns held less allure, dissuading many from considering them as potential locations.


    Shortly after they inspected the industrial park, Liu Yong received a call from Ding Wen.


    "Brother Yong, have you returned to thepany?" asked Ding Wen.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    "I just got back. Is there something you need?" replied Liu Yong.


    Ding Wen responded, "I''d like to have a chat over tea. I''lle over right away."


    Liu Yong smiled, realizing that there was likely more to their meeting than mere tea drinking. Ding Wen''s unexpected request piqued his curiosity. What could Ding Wen possibly want from him?


    Approximately ten minutester, Ding Wen arrived, dering, "Brother Yong, I''ve brought some fine tea."


    With these words, Ding Wen set up a tea set in Liu Yong''s office, taking charge of boiling water and preparing the tea leaves. Diligently attending to each step, he soon filled the air with a delightful aroma. This fragrance suggested the tea was of exceptional quality, such as the scarce West Lake Longjing harvested in limited quantities each year.


    After the tea was brewed, Ding Wen proposed, "Brother Yong, care to taste this tea?"


    Liu Yong nodded, taking a sip from his cup andmending, "Impressive. This is truly excellent tea."


    As the two conversed, their dialogue flowed along with the tea. After indulging in a few cups, Liu Yong addressed Ding Wen, saying, "Brother, based on what I know about you, I sense that today''s meeting involves more than just tea. There must be something else on your mind."


    Ding Wen affirmed, "Brother Yong, you know me well. There is indeed another matter I wish to discuss."


    Liu Yong chuckled, "Then speak freely. We''re just tworades here."


    Curiosity piqued, Ding Wen asked, "Brother Yong, I heard that you''re nning to establish a global semiconductorpany and venture into the field of chip foundry. Is that true?"


    Ding Wen had likely caught wind of the Global Shipping Group''s ns as Liu Yong had been actively scouting industrialnds recently. The chip supply issue faced by Qingyun International, entangled in sanctions by Country M, had its roots in theck of chip foundries capable of manufacturing their designed chips.


    Liu Yong confirmed, "Yes, that''s indeed the n. Ourpany''s professional team is already working on the rted nning, and I''ve personally inspected several industrialnds in recent days."


    Ding Wen''s excitement surged upon hearing the confirmation. Clearly, Liu Yong''s intention to establish a Universal Semiconductor Company and delve into chip foundry had piqued Ding Wen''s interest.


    Responding to Ding Wen''s query, Liu Yong shared, "Who said we couldn''t acquire lithography machines? We currently possess two 5-nanometer lithography machines and two 8-nanometer lithography machines."


    Ding Wen was dumbfounded! It took him a moment to process the revtion before he posed his next question, "Brother, where did you obtain these lithography machines? Did you conjure them up?"

 Chapter 313 The Game-Changing

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    Ding Wen gazed at Liu Yong, his eyes filled with confusion and astonishment. He couldn''t fathom where Liu Yong had acquired the lithography machine he held in his hand. It was as if Liu Yong possessed some mystical ability to conjure such advanced technology out of thin air.


    Sensing Ding Wen''s bewildered stare, Liu Yong grinned and spoke, breaking the silence, "Don''t look at me like that, I''m just as surprised as you are."


    Ding Wen''s excitement couldn''t be contained as he eximed, "Brother Yong, do you really have four of these lithography machines? Two 5nm machines and two 8nm machines?"


    Liu Yong affirmed with confidence, "Yes, that''s correct. I''m not exaggerating."


    Ding Wen''s admiration knew no bounds. "Wow! Brother Yong, you''re incredible! While others dream of building just one, you''ve managed to construct four of these cutting-edge lithography machines simultaneously!"


    Without delving into the origins of these impressive machines, Ding Wen eagerly delved into a conversation with Liu Yong, seeking insights and ns for entering the chip foundry field.


    For about 20 to 30 minutes, the two engaged in an animated discussion. Unable to contain his restlessness, Ding Wen bid farewell and left first.


    His heart was excited; Ding Wen immediately thought of sharing this fantastic news with his father.


    Ding Wen swiftly settled into his car. Before the engine could roar to life, he reached for his phone and dialled his father''s number.


    "Dad, I have some incredible news to share with you," Ding Wen announced eagerly.


    Bi Qingyun, engrossed in a high-level report concerning chip inventory and foundry, paused momentarily upon hearing the phone ring. Qingyun International had amassed a substantial chip stockpile, anticipating potential sanctions from country M. Presently, they were slowly depleting these reserves.


    Having perused the report, Bi Qingyun estimated that thepany could persist for another six months without significantplications. However, he couldn''t remain idle. He contemted alternatives, considering the possibility of coborating with a foundrypany to produce chips for Qingyun International.


    In the midst of his deliberations, the phone call took centre stage, and Bi Qingyun could detect Ding Wen''s jubnt tone right from the start.


    Maintaining hisposed demeanour, Bi Qingyun inquired, "Ding Wen, what''s the great news?"


    Ding Wen replied with certainty, "Dad, you''re familiar with the Global Shipping Group, right? Well, the owner of thatpany is my close friend. Just now, he mentioned that he intends to venture into the chip foundry industry. And to my astonishment, he possesses four lithography machines¡ªtwo 5-nanometer and two 8-nanometer machines."


    Bi Qingyun''s calm countenance underwent a visible transformation, disying genuine surprise. This news unsettled him slightly. Though he possessed unwavering inner strength, he had encountered countless storms without flinching.


    "Ding Wen, is this true?" Bi Qingyun inquired with a tinge of urgency.


    Ding Wen hesitantly said, "To the best of my knowledge, it should be true. My friend doesn''t boast about such matters."


    Relief washed over Bi Qingyun as he responded, "This is truly fantastic news." The burden on his shoulders seemed to lighten considerably.


    "Ding Wen, tell your friend that when the time is right, I would like to pay a visit to the Global Shipping Group."


    Ding Wen interjected, "Dad, there''s no need for you to personally visit. If you have any requests, just let me know."


    Bi Qingyun insisted, "A visit is necessary. I will certainly make time toe over. Until then, you must maintain a strong rtionship with your friend."


    "Understood, Dad," Ding Wen acknowledged.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    In the tranquil ambience of the vi''s lobby, Liu Yong was engrossed in a contemtion: should he build a singlerge factory or opt for two smaller ones?


    Leaning towards thetter option, Liu Yong mused the advantages of constructing two separate factories. His n entailed establishing Factory No. 1 with the two 5nm lithography machines and Factory No. 2 with the two 8nm lithography machines.


    Ideally, each factory would upy an area of approximately 300 acres, though Liu Yong secretly hoped for an even more enormous expanse of 400 acres or more. He pondered the possibility of focusing on cities near Huahai City, such as establishing one factory within Huahai City itself and another in a neighbouring city.


    Lost in thought, Liu Yong contemted various scenarios until he was interrupted by Li Changle''s voice, "Brother Yong, I''m ready. Shall we depart?"


    Standing up, Liu Yong waved his hand and dered, "Let''s go, then."


    Shortly after, the Mercedes-Benz G and the Rolls-Royce Phantom, parked outside the vi''s gates, awaited their upants.


    Li Changle had been on summer vacation for over ten days, and her family requested her return for a few days. It had been a while since shest saw her parents, so Liu Yong decided to apany her.


    As Liu Yong and Li Changle approached the vehicles, the Phantom and the G departed in session, merging onto the highway after twenty minutes.


    elerating briskly, the cars swiftly covered the distance, leaving the highway behind and venturing towards the county.


    Upon exiting the highway, Liu Yong nced out the window and caught sight of a sprawling industrial park. Spanning at least a thousand acres, thend had been meticulously levelled, it''s surface a patchwork of yellow-red earth with scattered tufts of weeds.


    Intrigued by the sight, Liu Yong considered the prospect of cing one of Universal Semiconductor''s factories within this industrial park.


    Carefully surveying the area, he deemed it suitable due to its vast size and convenient essibility. Situated near the highway entrance, the park was a mere three or four kilometres from the county seat.


    Yes, this could be an excellent location!


    A surge of eagerness coursed through Liu Yong''s veins as he entertained the possibility of constructing Factory No. 2 in his hometown.


    A few minutester, the two cars arrived in the county seat. The Mercedes-Benz G led the way to the finest hotel in town while the Phantom approached Li Changle''s residence.


    The newly established neighbourhoodprised a residentialplex primarily housing the families of teachers and staff from County No. 1 Middle School and the families of the County Education Bureau personnel.


    The entrance of the Phantom turned heads, eliciting awe and curiosity from onlookers. The doorman couldn''t help but take a second nce, marveling at the grandeur of the vehicle.


    Such wealth! A Rolls-Royce! Our chief''s car pales inparison.


    As the car came to a halt beneath Li Changle''s house, Liu Yong and Li Changle stepped out, prompting an excited shout from someone nearby.


    "Ms. Li, your daughter and son-inw have returned!"


    ...

 Chapter 314 Lavish Gifts

    ?


    As the sleek Rolls-Royce Phantom glided into themunity, a wave of excitement rippled through the onlookers, their voices rising in anticipation.


    "Mr. Li, Mr. Li!"


    "Lao Li,e down quickly."


    Stepping out of the car, Liu Yong observed the vibrant atmosphere and wasted no time. He reached into his pockets and pulled out two packs of soft Zhonghua cigarettes, indifferent to gender, ensuring everyone received their share.


    Like a child grabbing a handful of candies, Liu Yong returned, this time bearing great gifts. The car was brimming with premium cigarettes, exquisite liquors, and high-end confectioneries.


    In a swift motion, Liu Yong distributed the two or three packs of soft Zhonghua cigarettes in his hands, procuring a few more from the car.


    The children, beaming with joy, ran around cheerfully with their newfound candies, while the adults who received the soft China cigarettes wore enthusiastic smiles as they nced at Liu Yong.


    "Li Zhengkai is blessed to have such an exceptional son-inw."


    "We also follow Zhanguang''s lead. Look at these Soft China cigarettes¡ªhow generous they are, providing one pack per person."


    Downstairs, the liveliness reached its peak. Li Zhengkai and Meng Chunli knew that Li Changle had brought Liu Yong home.


    Upon hearing themotion, the couple swiftly descended the stairs, their haste so evident that Meng Chunli, who had been busy in the kitchen, hadn''t even had a chance to remove her apron.


    With a delighted expression, Li Changle greeted her parents, "Dad, Mom, I''m back."


    "Wee home, my dear. It''s wonderful to have you back," Meng Chunli said, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction. She turned to Liu Yong, "Little Liu, let''s go upstairs."


    Liu Yong hurriedly greeted the elder couple, "Hello, Uncle, Auntie."


    Engaged in conversation, he retrieved the prepared gifts from the car, carefully holding multiple bags of varying sizes¡ªseven or eight in total.


    Under the envious gazes of the onlookers, the family ascended the stairs. Upon entering their home, Li Zhengkai personally fetched a pair of slippers for Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong was ttered by the gesture and quickly said, "Uncle, I can manage on my own. Please, allow me."


    Sitting on the sofa, Liu Yong ced the gifts on the coffee table, and Li Changle opened them one by one.


    "Mom, this is for you. I hope you like it," Li Changle said, presenting a Hermes handbag¡ªa spacious and practical essory priced at 20,000 to 30,000 yuan. It was ideal for middle-aged and elderly individuals.


    Meng Chunli admired the bag, her eyes sparkling with delight. "This bag is wonderful. I can use it when I go to the vegetable market tomorrow. It can amodate so much."


    Li Changle smiled and interjected, "Mom, this is from Hermes. It costs approximately 30,000 yuan. Are you willing to use it for buying vegetables?"


    Meng Chunli was momentarily taken aback. "It''s quite expensive. Xiao Liu, why would you buy me something sovish?"


    Liu Yong reassured her, "It''s not a big deal. Lele picked it out, and I wasn''t sure if you would like it or not."


    "I do like it, but it''s too expensive. I feel a bit embarrassed using it," Meng Chunli confessed.


    In addition to the handbag, Liu Yong bought several items for Meng Chunli and a few things for Li Zhengkai.


    These included about worth over 10,000 yuan, leather shoes worth more than 30,000 yuan, a pair of pants valued at more than 20,000 yuan, and a short-sleeved shirt costing more than 10,000 yuan.


    Witnessing the array of gifts, the elder couple couldn''t contain their happiness. Li Changle tactfully refrained from mentioning the prices again, revealing only a fraction of the actual cost when asked by her parents.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Li Zhengkai, having tried on the pair of leather shoes valued at over 30,000 yuan, expressed his satisfaction. Curious about the price, he inquired, to which Li Changle responded that they were reasonably priced at a little over 3,000 yuan¡ªjust a tenth of the actual cost.


    Li Zhengkai praised the shoes profusely. They were far superior to the hundred-yuan shoes avable at the mall, both in appearance andfort.


    Meng Chunli stowed away the gifts in the closet and graciously served tea, presenting an assortment of fruits and snacks she had prepared in advance. Soon, she busied herself in the kitchen, skillfully crafting a sumptuous Chinese meal for the family.


    Meanwhile, Li Zhengkai engaged in a friendly conversation with Liu Yong while Li Changle sat by Liu Yong''s side.


    Taking a cursory nce around the house, Liu Yong estimated its size to be over 120 square meters, appreciating the tasteful Chinese-style decor.


    In Jinpen County''s Magistrate''s Office, Wang Yongwang settled onto the sofa instead of his office chair, took out a cigarette, and lit it with a deep inhale.


    Moments ago, Niu Zhixin, the director of the Jinpen County Industrial Park Management Committee, presented a work report. As the county magistrate, Wang Yongwang faced significant pressure.


    Wang Yongwang initiated the industrial park upon assuming office. However, after more than a year, only two or threepanies had established their presence within the park.


    During Niu Zhixin''s report, the suggestion to lower the admission standards arose. Several local enterprises, including a wood processing factory, a ughterhouse, and a waste stic processing facility, expressed their desire to enter the park.


    Wang Yongwang familiarized himself with the scale of these enterprises, which tended to be small and ssified as small and micro businesses.


    Would admitting such small enterprisespromise the overall standards of the industrial park? If standards were not adjusted and external investments failed to materialize, most of the park''snd would remain unutilized.


    Deeply conflicted, Wang Yongwang furrowed his brows as he contemted the dilemma, his thoughts clouded in a haze of smoke.


    Knock, knock, knock!


    The sound of a gentle knock interrupted his ruminations as his secretary pushed the door open and entered.


    "Leader, the CEO of Global Shipping Group has returned just now," the secretary reported.


    Wang Yongwang''s eyes brightened, and his previously furrowed eyebrows rxed. "Really? Is Mr. Liu currently in Dongmen Vige?" he asked.


    The secretary rified, "No, he''s at his girlfriend''s house, in the Dujuanmunity."


    Wang Yongwang recognized themunity. It had been established as a residentialplex for employees'' families from the County Education Bureau and County No. 1 Middle School.


    So, Mr Liu''s girlfriend hails from Jinpen County, Wang Yongwang mused.


    His secretary prompted, "Leader, would you like to pay a visit?"


    After a moment of consideration, Wang Yongwang responded, "Since he''s at his girlfriend''s house, it wouldn''t be appropriate for us to disturb them. I''ll give Mr. Liu a call at an opportune time."


    Once the secretary exited the room, Wang Yongwang checked the time. It wasn''t quite suitable to make the call then, so he scheduled it for the afternoon.


    In his mind, Wang Yongwang couldn''t help butment the fact that Liu was involved in shipping rather than industry. If only he could invest a few hundred million in the county, it would surely turn the tide.


    Nevertheless, even though President Liu couldn''t bring in investments, it was still crucial to maintain a strong rtionship with him. After all, Liu was a source of pride for Jinpen County on a broader scale.


    Over lunch, Liu Yong enjoyed avish meal with his future father-inw. Knowing that their daughter and her fianc¨¦ were returning, Meng Chunli had awoken early that morning, rushing to the vegetable market to purchase an array of fresh produce. By 9:00 a.m., she had already busied herself in the kitchen, preparing for the feast.


    Following the meal, Liu Yong apanied Li Zhengkai for tea and conversation.

 Chapter 315 Farewell And Blush

    ?


    In the depths of my thoughts, a realization struck me. The afternoon was waning, and apelling urge to return to Dongmen Vige gnawed at me. My parents were still there, awaiting my arrival. Dongmen Vige, situated a moderate distance away from Huahai City, could be reached in approximately two and a half hours by car. Liu Hongfu and his wife frequently travelled back and forth, seamlessly transitioning between the tranquillity of their country vi and the vibrant city life of Huahai.


    The flexibility of choice was a luxury I enjoyed. Should I desire theforts of a vi in Huahai City, I could easily reside there. Conversely, if the allure of a countryside vi beckoned me, I could return to my cherished abode. Freedom apanied my decisions, granting me the liberty to shape my living arrangements as I pleased.


    After a pleasant conversation and some idle chitchat, Liu Yong gracefully rose to bid farewell. Li Changle apanied him downstairs, exchanging parting words. "Brother Yong, please send me a message on WeChat once you arrive home. Convey my warm regards to my parents," Li Changle requested.


    In a tender gesture, Liu Yong gently pulled Li Changle closer, nting a kiss on her lips. The sudden disy of affection evoked a rosy blush on Li Changle''s cheeks. She whispered softly, "You''re being daring, my love. There are people around."


    Indeed, a few onlookers had observed their affectionate exchange, their smiles acknowledging the young couple''s intimate disy of affection.


    The car door swung open, and Liu Yong gracefully stepped inside, his hand waving farewell to Li Changle. "Lele, stay in touch with me through WeChat," he urged.


    As the car gradually retreated, the driver and co-pilot, both dedicated bodyguards from the Global Shipping Group security department, maintained a watchful presence. Liu Yong had made a point to bring four bodyguards with him during his visit to Dongmen Vige. They were amodated at the county''s finest hotel, ready to respond promptly whenever a vehicle was needed.


    Liu Yong''s return to Dongmen Vige stirred up a frenzy of excitement. The vi''s entrance brimmed with an atmosphere of jubtion as friends and acquaintances gathered to wee him. Expressing his gratitude, Liu Yong treated everyone to cigarettes and candies, savouring the joyous moment before retiring to his vi for a well-deserved nap.


    Behind the closed door, the lively atmosphere outside vanished, and tranquillity enveloped the room. Liu Yong slumbered until thete afternoon, waking up past three o''clock. Stretching his limbs, a sense of contentment washed over him. His thoughts wandered to the "Blue Whale," his prized possession. Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to personally call Ren Ziquan, the captain of the magnificent vessel, to inquire about its current status.


    Ren Ziquan''s voice crackled with excitement on the other end of the line. It was a rare urrence for the boss himself to reach out directly. With fervour, Ren Ziquan shared the vessel''s progress. The "Blue Whale" had been traversing the Indian Ocean day and night, swiftly approaching the Gulf of Aden. In approximately five or six days, it would reach its destination. Within a week, it was estimated that the "Blue Whale" would sail through the Suez Canal and enter the Mediterranean Sea. The crew and the vessel were functioning optimally, ensuring smooth navigation.


    Liu Yong instructed Ren Ziquan to inform him an hour in advance of the vessel''s arrival. Ren Ziquan readily agreed, assuring Liu Yong of promptmunication.


    As the clock struck four in the afternoon, Liu Yong''s phone rang once again, and it was none other than Wang Yongwang, the county magistrate, reaching out to him. "Mr. Liu, I''ve heard the news of your return," Wang Yongwang greeted.


    Liu Yong responded with a hint of amusement, "Magistrate Wang, you have an impable source of information indeed. I arrived earlier today."


    Wang Yongwang''s voice brimmed with enthusiasm as he asked, "Mr. Liu, would it be convenient for me to pay you a visit?"


    Liu Yong smiled warmly, "There''s no need to stand on ceremony, Magistrate Wang. How about this? I have some free time tomorrow morning, so why don''t we meet then?"


    Overjoyed, Wang Yongwang eximed, "That sounds perfect! I''ll eagerly await your arrival tomorrow morning, Mr. Liu."


    Liu Yong agreed, "No problem at all. I''lle around 9 o''clock tomorrow morning."


    "Thank you for your graciousness, Mr. Liu. Until tomorrow," Wang Yongwang bid farewell.


    "See you tomorrow," Liu Yong responded before ending the call. Deep in thought, he mused about County Magistrate Wang''s unfailing hospitality every time he returned. There was an inherent warmth and sincerity in his gestures.


    The following day arrived swiftly. Liu Yong''s Rolls-Royce gracefully glided through the gates of the county governmentpound. As he exited the car, Wang Yongwang, apanied by several officials, eagerly awaited his arrival.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Wang Yongwang warmly greeted Liu Yong, extending his right hand in a friendly gesture. "Mr. Liu, wee, wee!" he eximed.


    The two men shook hands firmly, exchanging pleasantries and courteous words. Wang Yongwang, with utmost courtesy, led Liu Yong upstairs to his office.


    Seated on the plush sofa, a secretary promptly served them both with steaming cups of tea. As they settled in, the atmosphere became rxed and amiable. Conversations flowed effortlessly.


    With genuine concern, Wang Yongwang inquired about thetest developments of the Global Shipping Group. News of the group''s expansion, adding a dozenrge ships to their fleet with a total tonnage surpassing 13 million, earned Wang Yongwang''s congrattions.


    Deep admiration mingled within Wang Yongwang''s thoughts. The Global Shipping Group had increased its transportation capacity by an astonishing 3 million tons within such a short span of time.


    He pondered how remarkable it would be if Liu Yong could channel his immense financial resources into industrial ventures rather than ocean transportation. The county''s industrial park could be transformed with such investments, securing its future.


    Suppressing these thoughts, Wang Yongwang maintained aposed demeanour. He knew it was futile to voice such desires aloud. The nature of the Global Shipping Group''s business precluded investments in a small county like Jinpen.


    Hence, he opted to keep his thoughts to himself, silently appreciating the positive oues the group''s presence had brought to the crew members hailing from Jinpen County. These crew members now enjoyed lucrative sries, enticing benefits, and thefort of new homes in the Huahai International Garden.


    As the pleasant conversation continued, Wang Yongwang''s secretary discreetly entered the room. Leaning over, she whispered a few words into Wang Yongwang''s ear. A sudden change in Wang Yongwang''s expression signalled unexpected news.


    Never had he anticipated the impending visit of Deputy Mayor Zhang, the official in charge of industry and economy, to inspect the county industrial park. The realization weighed heavily upon Wang Yongwang, igniting a surge of pressure within him.


    The county industrial park, an endeavour Wang Yongwang had initiated, stood in disarray. With over two-thirds of the more than 1,000 mu ofnd left unused and abandoned, Wang Yongwang knew he had fallen short of his responsibilities. The pressure intensified as he contemted the consequences of Deputy Mayor Zhang''s visit.


    Thoughts raced through Wang Yongwang''s mind, realizing that he needed to lower the threshold and attract small and micro enterprises to upy the idle spaces. The desertedndscape was a stark reminder of his failures, and he feared Deputy Mayor Zhang''s potential disappointment.


    The mounting pressure became palpable, weighing heavily on Wang Yongwang''s shoulders. Even though Liu Yong couldn''t discern the exact details, his acute hearing caught the gist of the conversation. Deputy Mayor Zhang''s imminent visit to the industrial park seemed to elicit a mix of emotions from Wang Yongwang.


    "Major Wang, could you kindly update me on the current situation at the county industrial park?" Liu Yong inquired, unknowingly exposing Wang Yongwang''s vulnerabilities.


    Internally, Wang Yongwang bristled at the question, frustrated that Liu Yong had inadvertently touched upon his shorings. Nevertheless, he maintained a cordial expression, his enthusiasm undeterred. "Our county industrial park, located in the southeast of Xincheng, boasts a prime location just 3 kilometers from the county seat. The nearest expressway entrance is a mere 500 meters away. With an expansive area spanning 1262 mu, all thend has been meticulously prepared, with infrastructure and levelingpleted."


    Liu Yong listened attentively, recognizing the potential of the county industrial park. Its generous size, convenient proximity to the county town, and excellent transportation links made it an appealing investment. If one were to scrutinize its ws, the park''s small scale inparison to the bustling metropolis of Huahai City would be the only shoring. Yet, considering Jinpen County from a broader perspective, the proximity to Huahai City held significant advantages.


    However, Liu Yong remained oblivious to Wang Yongwang''s inner turmoil. He concluded that Deputy Mayor Zhang''s visit to the industrial park was a positive development. This ted Liu Yong, unbeknownst to the burden it ced on Wang Yongwang. How would he confront Deputy Mayor Zhang?


    "Magistrate Wang, I appreciate your efforts in developing the county industrial park," Liu Yongmended sincerely. His words, unknowingly, furtherplicated Wang Yongwang''s predicament.

 Chapter 316 The Investment!!

    ?


    Wang Yongwang was enveloped in a cloud of uncertainty, unaware of Liu Yong''s true intentions. The weight of his responsibilities pressed heavily upon him as Deputy Mayor Zhang''s impending arrival to inspect the county industrial park loomed closer.


    After providing aprehensive overview of the county industrial park, Wang Yongwang sincerely apologises to Liu Yong, saying, "Mr. Liu, I deeply regret the inconvenience, but Deputy Mayor Zhang''s visit necessitates my presence at the industrial park."


    Liu Yong, without hesitation, inquired, "Mayor Wang, may I apany you to the industrial park? I''m interested in exploring it."


    Wang Yongwang was caught off guard by Liu Yong''s sudden request. Perplexed, he couldn''t fathom why, seemingly out of the blue, Liu Yong took an interest in the county industrial park. Perhaps he harboured intentions of investing.


    Wang Yongwang''s surprise quickly transformed into anticipation as this notion crossed his mind. He eagerly gazed at Liu Yong and asked, "Mr. Liu, are you considering investing in our county industrial park?"


    Not attempting to conceal his intentions, Liu Yong replied candidly, "Indeed. We are nning to invest over 15 billion yuan in establishing a chip foundry factory. We require five to six hundred acres of industrialnd and have been seeking a suitable location."


    Wang Yongwang was dumbfounded! As the county magistrate, he possessed a resilient temperament, yet upon hearing this news, he stood transfixed, unable to move.


    After a few moments, Wang Yongwang regained hisposure, a mixture of surprise and excitement etched across his face. He eximed, "Truly, Mr. Liu? How do you find our county industrial park?"


    Astounded by the staggering magnitude of the 15 billion yuan investment, Wang Yongwang realised that such an infusion of capital had never been witnessed in Jinpen County. The most significant previous investment had not surpassed 1 billion yuan.


    Good heavens! Over 15 billion yuan!


    No, even more than that!


    Struggling to maintain hisposure, Wang Yongwang''s enthusiasm overcame him as he eagerly dered, "Mr. Liu, allow me to escort you to the county industrial park for a thorough visit."


    A group of people, including Wang Yongwang and Liu Yong, exited the county government office building, causing news of Liu Yong''s investment ns to spread like wildfire.


    "Oh my God, Mr. Liu ns to invest 15 billion yuan!"


    "Such an unprecedented investment!"


    "If this investment materializes in our county, the future development is bound to be revolutionary."


    Amidst the buzz of excitement and anticipation, several cars were arranged in front of the office building, ready to escort Deputy Mayor Zhang to the county industrial park. Liu Yong was also to be given a tour of the park.


    Politely, Liu Yong extended an invitation, "Mayor Wang, why not join me in my car? We can discuss the situation of the industrial park during the journey."


    Wang Yongwang readily agreed, smilingly remarking, "I''ve never had the chance to ride in such a splendid vehicle. Today, I feel truly honored, thanks to Mr. Liu."


    Liu Yong and Wang Yongwang boarded the luxurious Rolls-Royce, apanied by others who upied the remaining vehicles in the convoy. The procession set off toward the county industrial park.


    Seated side by side in the backseat of the Rolls-Royce, Wang Yongwang couldn''t help but feel as though he were living in a dream.


    "Mr. Liu, your investment must find its home in our industrial park. We can offer you the most favorable treatment, including freend and a tax exemption for three years," Wang Yongwang eagerly proposed, gently conveying a stream of preferential policies in his eagerness to secure the investment.


    Wearing a satisfied smile, Liu Yong responded, "As long as the conditions of the industrial park meet our requirements, we can definitely consider cing our investment there."


    Relieved by Liu Yong''s positive response, Wang Yongwang felt a renewed sense of hope. "Mr. Liu, what kind of chip foundry are you nning to establish?" he inquired, attempting to gauge the scope and nature of Liu Yong''s venture.


    Wang Yongwang spected that it might involve the production of low-end chips, possibly in the range of 50 or even 100 nanometers.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Liu Yong proceeded to borate, "We are in the process of establishing a global semiconductorpany. Our primary focus is chip foundry, and we n to build a cutting-edge factory, referred to as No. 1, in Huahai City. This factory will utilize a 5-nanometer chip processing technology, requiring an investment of over 20 billion yuan and covering an area of approximately 500 mu."


    "In addition," Liu Yong continued, "we are also nning a No. 2 factory in a neighboring city, specializing in 8-nanometer technology. The factory''s size will exceed 500 acres, and the projected investment is 15 billion yuan, potentially even more."


    Wang Yongwang''s jaw dropped in astonishment! A factory utilising 5-nanometer and 8-nanometer processes! If such a facility were to be established in Jinpen County, it would create many employment opportunities and generate substantial tax revenue, potentially doubling the county''s GDP.


    Furthermore, Jinpen County would undoubtedly gain widespread recognition, transitioning from obscurity to global prominence overnight.


    Deep within his heart, Wang Yongwang resolved to do whatever it took to secure this investment. Regardless of the methods required, he was determined to retain this opportunity.


    After a while, the convoy arrived at the entrance of the county industrial park. Representatives from the park''s managementmittee were already present, awaiting their arrival. Everyone disembarked from the vehicles.


    County Mayor Wang, taking charge, addressed the gathering, "Mr. Liu, Deputy Mayor Zhang will be arriving shortly. Allow me to wee him first, and then we can proceed to explore the industrial park together."


    Liu Yong responded, "No problem. Take your time."


    With ample time to spare and no pressing matters, Liu Yong patiently waited for Deputy Mayor Zhang''s arrival. Meanwhile, the rest of the group assembled near the entrance, their eyes drawn toward the vast expanse of the industrial park.


    At first nce, it was evident that the park boasted an expansive area, surpassing the standards of a typical county-level industrial park. Three links and one levelling had beenpleted, and the park''s internal roads were smoothly paved with asphalt.


    The only blemish was the park''s rtively underwhelming investment attraction efforts. With only two or three enterprises operating within the park, over two-thirds of thendy idle.


    "I''m here!" Liu Yong announced, catching sight of three ck cars approaching the park''s gate.


    A group of individuals descended from the vehicles. Wang Yongwang immediately stepped forward, warmly shaking hands with a middle-aged man, Deputy Mayor Zhang. He then proceeded to introduce the remaining officials one by one.


    "Mayor Zhang, allow me to introduce Mr. Liu Yong, the chairman of the Global Shipping Group. Mr. Liu hails from our very own Jinpen County," Wang Yongwang proudly announced.


    Deputy Mayor Zhang''s eyes sparkled with excitement as he stepped forward, extending his right hand in a gesture of warm wee.


    "Mr. Liu, I''ve long admired your name and have been hoping for anopportunity to meet you," Deputy Mayor Zhang expressed with genuine enthusiasm. The Global Shipping Group, a conglomerate worth hundreds of billions of dors, undoubtedly deserved such a warm reception.


    Liu Yong reciprocated the handshake, saying, "Mayor Zhang, the pleasure is mine."


    After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Yongwang wasted no time reporting the news to Deputy Mayor Zhang, saying, "Mayor Zhang, Mr. Liu intends to invest over 15 billion yuan to establish arge chip foundry factory in our county industrial park."


    The magnitude of the investment left Deputy Mayor Zhang speechless. A substantial sum of over 15 billion yuan had never been witnessed before. Grateful for Liu Yong''s investment on behalf of the localmunity, he expressed his most profound appreciation.


    The group entered the industrial park, led by Liu Yong and Deputy Mayor Zhang. County Mayor Wang, slightly trailing behind, took the opportunity to provide a detailed ount of the park''s current state and its potential to Liu Yong.


    While listening to Wang Yongwang''sprehensive introduction, Liu Yong scrutinized the industrial park. They covered various aspects, including the park''s size, scale, infrastructure, transportation links, etc.


    After the inspection, the group returned to the county government office, settling into a spacious conference room. Deputy Mayor Zhang led, addressing Liu Yong, "Mr. Liu, our county industrial park is in excellent condition. If you choose to invest here, we can offer aprehensive package of preferential policies."


    Liu Yong''s face beamed with satisfaction. Favourable policies were precisely what he sought.


    "Mayor Zhang, what specific preferential policies are avable?" he inquired, eager to explore the possibilities.

 Chapter 317 Promising Investment

    ?


    Deputy Mayor Zhang eloquently presented a series of preferential policies that aimed to attract investment and foster economic growth. The first and foremost among these policies was the remarkable offer of providing Universal Semiconductor with over 700 acres of industrialnd in the industrial parkpletely free of charge. This generous provision alone was bound to save Universal Semiconductor a significant amount of capital.


    Furthermore, Deputy Mayor Zhang unveiled several other substantial incentives, including an extended 5-year tax exemption, surpassing the initially promised 3-year tax relief by County Mayor Wang. As Liu Yong listened to the presentation, he couldn''t help but feel an overwhelming sense of delight. Theprehensive range of preferential policies made the prospect of establishing Universal Semiconductor''s No. 2 factory in the county industrial park incredibly enticing.


    Liu Yong''s decision to build the factory in Jinpen County was met with resounding apuse in the conference room. The leaders of Jinpen County, from Wang Yongwang downwards, disyed visible excitement on their faces. This investment would be transformative for the county, not only generating thousands, if not tens of thousands, of job opportunities but also exerting a strong stimulus on the region''s GDP.


    Liu Yong felt relieved after settling the No. 2 factory in Jinpen County. Jinpen County was an ideal location, conveniently situated just two and a half hours away from Huahai City by car. News of this momentous decision spread like wildfire throughout Jinpen County. Discussions about the investment abounded in the streets, in WeChat groups, and among its inhabitants. The people of Jinpen County wore expressions of joy akin to those seen during festive New Year celebrations.


    Liu Yong stayed in Jinpen County for two nights, apanied by Li Changle, who spent quality time with her parents. Now, they were preparing to return to Huahai City. The convoy consisted of two cars, with the prominent figure of Liu Yong leading the way in a superb G-ss vehicle while a sleek Rolls-Royce Phantom followed closely behind.


    As Liu Yong bid farewell, the departure garnered far more attention than his arrival. County Magistrate Wang and his colleagues warmly saw him off, showcasing their gratitude and appreciation. Finally, back in Huahai City, Liu Yong resumed his responsibilities as the days unfolded.


    The following day, while Liu Yong settled into his office, Qiu Yang promptly arrived to deliver a report. "Boss," Qiu Yang began, "Mayor Zhao of Yinhai City has made a special visit, seeking an audience with you."


    Yinhai City? A prefecture-level city located approximately four hours away from Huahai. Liu Yong swiftly grasped the reason behind Mayor Zhao''s visit¡ªnews of the nned investment exceeding 15 billion in Jinpen County had reached him,pelling him to pursue Liu Yong''s favour. The mayor hoped to convince him to invest such a substantial amount in Yinhai City instead.


    Understanding Mayor Zhao''s intentions, Liu Yong instructed, "I''ll be leaving, so you can receive him on my behalf."


    "Understood, boss," Qiu Yang replied.


    Over the next few days, officials from neighbouring counties and cities began to pay visits, all vying for the investment opportunity. However, their efforts stopped once Universal Semiconductor signed a formal contract with Jinpen County. Realizing that their chances were slim after the contract''s signing, these officials shifted their focus elsewhere.


    With the formal establishment of Global Semiconductor Company, led by Hu Shijun as the general manager, the leadership structure fell into ce. Ling Jun, a highly sought-after talent in the semiconductor industry, assumed the first deputy general manager role. To everyone''s surprise, Huang Guang was promoted to the position of deputy general manager, ranking just below Ling Jun. With the leadership team now assembled, Universal Semiconductor Corporation was ready to embark on its ambitious ns. Thepany''s operations spanned two expansive factories. Factory No. 1, spanning over 350 acres in Huahai City, required an investment exceeding 20 billion. Factory No. 2, situated in Jinpen County Industrial Park, epassed an area of over 600 acres, with a nned investment exceeding 15 billion.


    Meanwhile, out on the vast sea, the mighty vessel, the "Blue Whale" embarked on its journey. After navigating the waters for over 20 days, covering a distance of more than 10,000 nautical miles, it had finally entered the Antic Ocean, drawing closer to its destination.


    Ren Ziquan, the captain, stood resolute in the ship''s cabin, gazing through the ss at the endless expanse of the sea. He couldn''t help but reflect on the arduous voyage they had undertaken. With Liu Yong''s instructions firmly etched in his mind, Ren Ziquan confirmed their location and estimated that they would reach their destination within an hour. Filled with anticipation, he picked up the satellite phone to ry the news.


    "Boss, this is Ren Ziquan, captain of the ''Blue Whale''," he announced. The time waste at night in Huahai City, and Liu Yong had already retired to bed.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    The moment Ren Ziquan''s call reached Liu Yong, sleep vanished from his eyes. Evidently, the "Blue Whale" had reached its designated location. "Captain Ren, are you approaching the destination?" Liu Yong inquired eagerly.


    "Yes, boss," Ren Ziquan responded, his voice brimming with confidence. "We have approximately an hour left until we arrive at the location you specified."


    Liu Yong''s heart swelled with delight at the news of the imminent arrival of the "Blue Whale." Without hesitation, he issued instructions: "Once you reach the destination, you will encounter a deserted ind. On the ind''s southwest side, you''ll find a beach adorned with fourrge container ships. Your task is to transport those four containers back to the ship intact."


    "Understood, boss," Ren Ziquan affirmed with determination. "Rest assured, we will sessfullyplete the mission."


    After imparting a few more words of guidance to Ren Ziquan, Liu Yong activated his third-party vision and establishedmunication with Bawang. Bawang resides on a nearby deserted ind, well-provisioned with ample food and drink. Adjacent to its location sat the fourrge containers waiting to be transported.


    "Overlord, rise and shine," Liu Yong called out. "It''s time to get to work."


    Startled from its slumber, Bawang responded, "Master, what would you like me to do?"


    Liu Yong revealed his n: "Your task is to move these four containers onto the beach and position them partially in the water, allowing them to float ever so slightly."


    Eager to fulfil its master''s instructions, Bawang sprang into action. Within minutes, the massive canine had maneuvered the first container onto the southwest beach of the deserted ind, with half of it submerged in the water. These special aluminium alloy containers were impably sealed, ensuring no water damage would ur.


    Liu Yong said, "Move it a little further into the water... Yes, just like that."


    With Liu Yong''s expert guidance, Bawang deftly maneuvered the remaining three containers onto the beach. Each container was partially immersed in the water, poised to float once Ren Ziquan and his crew arrived. The substantial weight of the containers, totalling tens of tons, rendered their ability to float an invaluable asset, simplifying the loading process onto the "Blue Whale."


    "Excellent, Bawang," Liu Yong praised. "Now, make yourself scarce in the ocean depths. Await the arrival of the ''Blue Whale'' and ensure the four containers are safely transferred aboard. Your mission will then be aplished."


    Relieved to hear these words, Overlord sensed a weight lifted from its shoulders. For nearly 30 days, it had faithfully safeguarded the fourrge containers on this deserted ind, with its range of activity limited to a mere 200 nautical miles. Finally, the task was nearingpletion, granting Bawang the freedom to explore farther reaches and revel in the mysteries of the vast Antic Ocean.


    Following Liu Yong''s instructions, Bawang submerged itself in the sea, temporarily resting on the ocean floor, several tens of meters below the surface. It patiently awaited the arrival of the "Blue Whale," ready to assist in the smooth transfer of the four containers.

 Chapter 318 Wolf Warriors New Assignment

    ?


    On the vast sea, the mighty vessel known as the "Blue Whale" cut through the waves, sailing with purpose and determination. Ren Ziquan, the ship''s captain, gazed at the satellite navigation system, his eyes filled with focus and anticipation. He knew that they were drawing near the designated sea area, the location of their objective. A sense of urgency gripped him as he raised a telescope to his eyes, scanning the expanse of the sea before him.


    His mind reyed the boss''s instructions: the vital item they sought was located on the southwest beach of a deserted ind. Finding that ind was their utmost priority. Ren Ziquan took a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing the crew, his voice unwavering. "Everyone, let us search diligently and discover a deserted ind as swiftly as possible. It is our destined destination."


    The chief engineer, first mate, second engineer, second mate, and other crew members followed suit, each peering into the distance, their hands clutching telescopes. The sea stretched out endlessly before them, devoid of any sign ofnd. They were far from established shipping routes, wholly isted from other vessels.


    "Captain, I see no trace of any inds!" eximed one crew member in dismay.


    "Indeed, not a single ind in sight," added another, frustration evident in his voice. "The sea seems to go on forever, with no hint of even the smallestndmass."


    Silence settled over the crew as disappointment lingered in the air. However, Ren Ziquan remained undeterred. His eyes surveyed the surroundings through his binocrs before making a decision. "Let us ascend to the upper deck. Perhaps a higher vantage point will grant us rity."


    Standing tall on the topmost floor, Ren Ziquan led hispanions to peer through their binocrs, one by one. And then, a sudden cry of excitement erupted from the second officer. "Look! At ten o''clock, isn''t that a small ind?"


    Eagerly, everyone turned their gaze in the specified direction. Although the ind appeared distant, its details were obscured, and a faint ck dot marred the sea''s surface. Ren Ziquan scrutinized it intently through his telescope for several minutes before confirming, "It must be the small ind we seek."


    With a relentless wave of his hand, Ren Ziquan issued the order. "Increase our speed and adjust our course. Full speed ahead, towards ten o''clock!"


    The "Blue Whale" altered its trajectory, its engines roaring with newfound vigour as it surged forward. After a tense wait of over ten minutes, the ind drew closer, revealing its distinct features. The crew could now unmistakably identify it through their telescopes as a deserted ind.


    Gazing across the vast expanse of water, Ren Ziquan felt relief. The four essential containers would soon be secured on the "Blue Whale," marking a significant milestone in their mission. As they neared the small ind, the crew began skillfully maneuvering the ship closer to the shore.


    However, due to the draft of the massive 8,500-ton vessel, they had to exercise caution. The water depth in their current position was merely around twenty meters, posing a risk of grounding if they ventured any further. Hence, the "Blue Whale" stopped, and two smaller boats were lowered into the water, destined for the beach. The crew eagerly watched as the ships made their way toward the shoreline.


    The small boats swiftly reached their destination, their upants promptly securing ropes to the containers. With meticulous effort, they gradually maneuvered one of therge containers towards the "Blue Whale." Through slow progress, they sessfully brought the container within reach after a few minutes. This process repeated for the remaining containers until all four were safe aboard the ship.


    The crew members, curious and excited, gathered around the containers. Observing their unique appearance, one remarked, "What is this? These containers seem different from the ordinary ones. They appear to be made of aluminum alloy."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    "Look! The containers are covered in English markings," another crew member pointed out.


    A few crew members proficient in English examined the inscriptions and eximed in astonishment, "My goodness, these are lithography machines!"


    "What? They are not just any lithography machines; there are two 5nm and two 8nm lithography machines," someone added, marvelling at the advanced technology within.


    "Absolutely incredible! With these four lithography machines, the M country''s sanctions on our chips will be rendered ineffective. We can produce a wide range of cutting-edge chips," another crew member eximed, their enthusiasm spreading among their peers.


    A buzz of excitement filled the deck as the crew marvelled at the invaluable cargo. Ren Ziquan approached, his expression serious as he addressed them sternly, "Everyone, keep your silence regarding today''s events. Failure toply will result in immediate dismissal from thepany."


    His words carried the weight of a strict gag order, instilling a sense of caution among the crew. No one wished to forfeit their position in the esteemed Global Shipping Group, with its generous benefits and housing provisions. With a renewed sense of focus, the crew members returned to their duties, and soon after, the "Blue Whale" weighed anchor and set sail from the area.


    As Liu Yong watched the ship''s departure, a wave of relief washed over him. The mission had been a sess, and the four advanced lithography machines were now on their way back to Huahai City. With a sense of aplishment, he turned his attention to other matters. "Overlord, your task isplete. You are free to move about as you please," hemunicated to the mighty AI-controlled submarine.


    "Master, I will venture into the depths of the Antic Ocean for some exploration," the Overlord replied, eager for further adventures.


    "Absolutely, go ahead and enjoy your expedition," Liu Yong granted the Overlord permission, confident in its ability to navigate the vast and mysterious depths.


    With that, the Overlord departed, leaving Liu Yong to his peaceful slumber, knowing that stability had been achieved. Shortly, the four advanced lithography machines will arrive safely in Huahai City.


    The following day, brimming with contentment, Liu Yong arrived at the Global Shipping Group headquarters, settlingfortably into his plush boss chair. His thoughts filled with satisfaction, he mused, "The four lithography machines are already on their way back. How extraordinary!"


    Meanwhile, two small cars pulled up outside the office building, disgorging a group of individuals led by Kang Zhenggang. These foreigners possessed an unmistakable air of distinction, bearing an aura of lethal expertise. They were the elite members of the expanded Wolf Warriors team, carefully handpicked for their exceptional skills.


    Having undergone intensive training and proven themselves under Kang Zhenggang''s supervision, they now stood before the Global Shipping Group, ready to meet with Liu Yong, their benefactor and leader.

 Chapter 319 Wolf Warriors Transformation

    ?


    Kang Zhenggang stood patiently outside the imposing office building, his gaze fixed on a group of individuals approaching the entrance. Their arrival sparked curiosity and spection among the onlookers.


    "Look, who are they?" whispered a curious bystander.


    "Lower your voice. We don''t want to be overheard. It''s clear they''re no ordinary people," cautioned another, recognizing the group''s distinctiveness.


    "I used to be a soldier, and they appear to be military personnel. But why are they all foreigners, both white and ck?" pondered Kang Zhenggang, voicing his observations.


    Amidst the hushed murmurs, Kang Zhenggang''s keen hearing picked up the crowd''s whispers. However, he paid little attention, leading his group into the elevator, ascending to the floor upied by the Global Shipping Group.


    Liu Yong awaited Kang Zhenggang''s arrival inside the office, anticipating their scheduled meeting. Aware of their visit, Liu Yong had made preparations, including procuring a supply of "gic medicine."


    A knock resounded on the door, and Kang Zhenggang entered the room. He stood at attention, saluted, and firmly said, "Boss, Kang Zhenggang is reporting to you."


    Liu Yong''s face lit up with satisfaction as he surveyed Kang Zhenggang. "Very well, Kang Zhenggang. Your transformation is remarkable."


    Indeed, Kang Zhenggang now exuded an air of a seasoned soldier. Several months prior, he had resembled more of a bodyguard than a warrior.


    "Please, have a seat, and enlighten me on the current status of the Wolf Warrior project," Liu Yong gestured, urging Kang Zhenggang to sit down.


    Taking a seat, Kang Zhenggang proceeded to provide aprehensive report on the current state of the Wolf Warrior project. He highlighted the team''s growth, nowprising nearly thirty members and detailed their recent sessful operation.


    "Our entire pack was deployed to assault a secret base belonging to Rhodes'' armed forces. We eliminated over three hundred hostiles and neutralized their fifth-ranking leader," Kang Zhenggang revealed.


    Following the report, Kang Zhenggang expressed a minor setback. "The only downside is that five of our members sustained injuries, with two in critical condition."


    These two members had yet to partake in the "gic medicine" treatment, further emphasizing the significant disparity between those who had and those who hadn''t received the enhancement.


    The team members who had benefited from the "gic medicine" possessed unparalleled prowess, demonstrating superhuman strength, reflexes, marksmanship, and physical endurance. They even disyed exceptional situational awareness, effortlessly evading enemy fire.


    Their unenhanced counterparts observed with envy, yearning for the day they too could experience the transformative effects of "gic medicine." Kang Zhenggang assured them that as long as they remained loyal and performed admirably, the opportunity to receive the treatment would present itself in due course.


    Kang Zhenggang carefully handpicked the six most exceptional individuals among the dozen unenhanced team members. He apanied them to Huahai City, where they would undergo the "gic medicine" treatment.


    As news of the selected six spread among theirrades, a collective desire to excel and earn their chance at the transformative treatment took hold. They resolved to continue performing exceptionally and strive for a future where they would be as formidable as their enhanced peers.


    "Boss, we have all six team members present. They have performed exceptionally well and are waiting in Reception Room 1," Kang Zhenggang informed Liu Yong.


    Waving his hand dismissively, Liu Yong replied, "Very well, lead the way. Let''s meet them."


    The two men exited the office, going to Reception Room 1 together.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Upon entering the room, Liu Yong was greeted by the synchronized movement of the six team members. In one swift motion, they rose from their seats, stood at attention, saluted, and in unison proimed, "Hi, boss!"


    Surprisingly, they spoke in Mandarin, not English, indicating they had tried to learn this greeting beforehand.


    Satisfied, Liu Yong nodded and shook hands with each team member individually. With each handshake, the team member would salute before offering a brief self-introduction.


    Liu Yong made a conscious effort to remember their names, noting that among the six yers, five were men, and one was a ck woman who exuded a captivating presence despite her shorter stature.


    Commending their outstanding performance, Liu Yong handed each of them a small blue bottle, which in their eyes, symbolized the long-awaited dream of "gic medicine." Unbeknownst to them, the small blue bottles contained zinc gluconate, not the expected gic enhancement form.


    Filled with anticipation, the six team members eagerly clutched their bottles, aware that these substances could significantly enhance theirbat abilities.


    "You may consume it now and witness your transformation into something stronger," encouraged Liu Yong.


    Without hesitation, the six individuals opened their bottles and downed their contents in a single gulp.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong essed his pet panel, allocating 100 points of strength, speed, and physique to each team member. This additional boost would elevate them to superhuman soldiers like their predecessors.


    Having endowed them with these newfound attributes, Liu Yong retrieved a small yellow bottle from his pocket and metaphorically painted an enticing future.


    "As of now, you have experienced the normal version of the gic medicine. However, I possess an enhanced version, and I hope you will continue to excel, for it is my intention to offer you the enhanced treatment in the future," Liu Yong announced, alluding to the enhanced gic medicine contained in the small yellow bottle.


    The mere thought of ordinary gic medicine''s potency had already sparked eagerness within the team members'' eyes. They resolved to surpass themselves, striving for a future where they, too, would have the opportunity to embrace the enhanced version.


    After consuming the regr gic medicine, Kang Zhenggang ushered the six team members away. Soon, they would depart Huahai City and return to the Wolf Warriors training base, their stay limited to a mere day or two.


    However, Kang Zhenggang himself was granted a more extended respite in Huahai City, as Liu Yong generously approved a half-month leave for him.


    Meanwhile, in the depths of the Antic Ocean, the mighty Bawang continued its journey, swirling over 2,000 nautical miles without pause. Its current position drew nearer to the deep-sea expanse of the Antic.


    Growing hungry, the colossal creature sought to satiate its appetite, paying no heed to the average-sized fish that proved insignificantpared to its immense size.


    Spotting a great white shark in the distance, Bawang swiftly closed the gap, prompting the shark, considered the region''s apex predator, to retreat in fear. Yet, even in its desperate attempt to flee, the great white shark proved no match for the superior speed of the Overlord.


    Within moments, the Overlord closed in, its enormous jaws unhinged to engulf the five to six-meter-long shark in a single gulp. The great white shark''s demise was swift, and within a few bites, it became a part of the Overlord''s big belly.


    The area teemed with numerous great white sharks, yet Bawang remained undeterred. One by one, these formidable creatures fell prey to the overpowering might of the Overlord. In addition to the great white sharks, Bawang also feasted on other sizable fish that ventured into its path. These massive fish, weighing thousands of pounds, proved to be a more substantial meal, though they still failed to satisfy the enormous appetite of the Overlord. A pungent scent of blood infused the seawater as Bawang''s feast continued.


    Attracted by the scent, several great white sharks followed the trail, unaware of the colossal presence of the Overlord. Yet, despite their efforts, they remained oblivious to the massive predator lurking nearby.

 Chapter 320 Flying Palace?

    ?


    As Overlord emerged from the unfathomable depths of the ocean, its sheer magnitude and awe-inspiring presence demanded immediate attention. The azure waters shimmered with life, teeming with a great assembly of majestic creatures¡ªthe awe-inspiring great white sharks. Towering above the underwater realm, these magnificent beings boasted impressive lengths of 5 to 6 meters, their powerful bodies and sleek forms a testament to their dominance in these waters. Grouped together in substantial numbers, ranging from 20 to 30 individuals, they were inexorably drawn by the unmistakable scent of blood wafting through the currents, an irresistible call to satiate their primordial instincts.


    Ba Wang, the formidable protagonist, was in search of sustenance. Having recently consumed a few fish, he remained unsatiated, leaving him eager for more. The presence of these great white sharks presented a golden opportunity¡ªa feast delivered right to his doorstep. A wicked grin adorned Overlord''s face as he approached the approaching horde of sharks, their proximity gradually closing the gap between them.


    Finally, the great white sharks caught sight of the colossal Overlord, and in an instant, they scattered in a frenzied panic, fleeing in all directions. Witnessing their fear-induced dispersal, a sneer curled upon Overlord''s lips, disying his disdain. "You im to be at the pinnacle of the food chain, yet look at you now," he scoffed.


    The great white sharks swiftly fled, their hasty escape apanied by thoughts of self-preservation. They inwardly pleaded with Overlord not to pursue them, as their flesh held no delectable allure. Far from embodying the regal demeanour expected of top predators, these sharks disyed their ability to flee as fast as possible.


    Bawang, with his incredible speed, outpaced them effortlessly, swiftly overtaking one of the sharks¡ªa colossal specimen measuring six to seven meters in length, thergest of the group. Giving chase, Overlord lunged forward, sinking his formidable jaws into the hapless shark, promptly subduing it.


    Bawang''s ferocious nature wasid bare for all to see. He crushed the massive great white shark with just a few bites, causing the surrounding seawater to turn a faint shade of red. Having consumed a few more bites, he devoured the shark entirely, feeling content with the satisfying meal.


    The pursuit continued as Overlord set his sights on another great white shark, swiftly closing the distance and seizing it in a blink of an eye. He unleashed his sprinting prowess with unmatched agility, mping his powerful jaws around the shark''s body. Of the original 20 to 30 great white sharks, more than half now found themselves consigned to the belly of the mighty Overlord.


    Having feasted upon over a dozen great white sharks, Bawang began to feel a sense of satiation. His enormous appetite allowed him to consume more than 200 tons of food in a single sitting. As far as his eyes could see, the Antic Ocean held no remnants of great white sharks or even slightlyrger fish¡ªthey had all escaped.


    Bawang pressed on, continuing his journey into the depths of the sea. As a true foodie, he prioritized the pursuit of exquisite delicacies. What wonders awaited him in the depths of the Antic Ocean?


    Meanwhile, in Huahai City, August had arrived, marking the end of summer vacation. Liu Yong and Li Changle strolled through the bustling streets, engaging in leisurely shopping.


    Liu Yong, brimming with excitement, spoke up. "Lele, the Rio Olympics are just around the corner. How about joining me to witness the grand event?"


    Li Changle readily agreed, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Absolutely! I''ve heard that Chen Hu is participating in multiple events. I''d love to see him in action."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel ted. This trip to Rio de Janeiro was primarily motivated by the desire to witness Chen Hu''s remarkable performances. The talented athlete had a packed scheduleat the Olympics,peting in an impressive array of events. Chen Hu''s participation included the men''s 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, and 1500 meters races, as well as the men''s long jump, javelin throw, shot put, and triathlon¡ªeight events in total.


    With the Rio Olympics just days away, the national sports delegation had already set off, leaving Liu Yong eager to secure tickets for the opening ceremony and all eight events in which Chen Hu wouldpete. Taking charge of the arrangements, Liu Yong ensured they had ess to all the thrilling action.


    Li Changle, intrigued by Chen Hu''s prowess, couldn''t contain her curiosity. "Brother Yong, with so many events on his te, how many gold medals do you think Chen Hu will win?"


    Liu Yong, exuding confidence, replied without hesitation, "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I believe he''ll im all eight gold medals."


    Li Changle gasped in astonishment. "Eight gold medals! If he manages to achieve that, he''ll undoubtedly set a new world record in track and field events."


    Liu Yong nodded, his eyes shining with pride. "Indeed, my primary aim is to witness his extraordinary performances."


    Two dayster, Liu Yong and Li Changle embarked on their journey to Rio de Janeiro. They made their way to the airport, apanied by a convoy of three cars. Leading the way was an imposing off-road vehicle manned by four vignt bodyguards. The final car in the procession, also an off-road vehicle, housed an additional quartet of security personnel.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Inside the vehicle, Li Changle couldn''t contain her curiosity. "Brother Yong, are we really traveling by private ne?"


    Liu Yong grinned, confirming her suspicions. "Of course! Our private jet has just arrived, and this will be its inaugural flight."


    Months prior, Liu Yong hadmissioned the Global Shipping Group to procure a private jet for his personal use. Qiu** Gymnastics oversaw the matter, securing a Boeing 777 airliner tailored to his specifications. This customized aircraft stood apart from itsmercial counterparts, exuding an air of luxury befitting a flying pce. Though Liu Yong had seen design renderings, this would be his first opportunity to explore the ne in detail.


    With seamless grace, the trio of vehicles glided into the premises of Huahai International Airport, granted exclusive passage through a dedicated entrance that guided them unimpeded to the wide apron. The ownership of a private jet bestowed upon them many advantages, liberating them from theborious routines of conventional air travel, with its tiresome security checks and banal airport procedures bing mere distant memories.


    Before alighting from the car, Li Changle caught sight of the parked ne on the tarmac, and her eyes widened with admiration. "Wow, it''s stunning!"


    Indeed, the ne radiated an aura of elegance and grandeur. Adorned primarily in blue and white, its livery was visually striking. Adding to its allure, the fusge prominently disyed the logo of the Global Shipping Group.


    Liu Yong stepped out of the car, ncing at the aircraft and the crew members eagerly awaiting their arrival near the gangway. Satisfied with what he saw, he nodded approvingly. "Let''s proceed and board the ne."


    With a gentle grasp of Li Changle''s hand, Liu Yong assumed the role of a guide, charting their course through the bustling surroundings. A loyal entourage trailed closely behind him,prised of two men and two women, all meticulously chosen members of the esteemed Security Department within the esteemed Global Shipping Group. While Liu Yong''s own capabilitiesmanded respect and admiration, he understood the immeasurable value these dedicated protectors offered, extending far beyond their primary duty of safeguarding his well-being. They were pirs of support, ever attentive to his every requirement, ensuring a harmonious and effortless journey.


    The Boeing 777, meticulously prepared for its owner''s arrival, had its crew lined up on both sides of the gangway, awaiting their esteemed guests.


    "Hi, boss!" they greeted respectfully.


    "Boss, wee aboard," they chimed in unison.


    Liu Yong acknowledged their salutations with a slight nod, his satisfaction evident. With Li Changle by his side, he ascended the gangway step by step, entering the luxurious interior of the ne.


    In close proximity to the aircraft, a bustling waiting hall teemed with passengers eagerly observing the spectacle unfolding before their eyes through the transparent ss panels. The air was filled with an undercurrent of anticipation as their collective gazes remained transfixed on the captivating scene. Three impably maneuvered cars made their way with remarkable ease towards the magnificent Boeing 777, effortlesslymanding attention. Positioned at the centre of this procession stood the opulent Rolls-Royce Phantom, its mere presence igniting a spark of curiosity among the onlookers.


    "Look at that! They''re heading straight to the ne''s gate, bypassing security checks and waiting like the rest of us."


    "That''s a Rolls-Royce Phantom! Whoever travels in such a car apanied by bodyguards must be someone extraordinary."


    "It must be a private jet!"


    As many individuals turned their gaze towards the captivating scene unfolding before them, spection swiftly permeated the air, spreading like a voracious wildfire. All eyes were fixed on Liu Yong and Li Changle as they gracefully disembarked from their vehicle, making their ascent up the gangway with an air of elegance. At this moment, a prevailing notion took hold among the spectators¡ªa clue that they were witnessing the arrival of a private jet. However, the sheer magnitude of the aircraft standing before them shattered their preconceived notions, for private jets were traditionally associated with smaller, morepact models like the Gulfstream series. The grandeur exuded by this Boeing 777 defied their understanding of what truly constituted a private jet, leaving them in awe of its sheer size and luxury.


    The atmosphere was electrified with curiosity and hushed whispers as their hands interlocked; Liu Yong and Li Changle stepped forward tomence their thrilling expedition to Rio. Together, they embarked on a captivating journey that promised unforgettable experiences and boundless excitement. Their mode of transportation, a private jet that epitomized luxury and exclusivity, symbolised their elevated status and provided an unparalleled level offort. This extraordinary vessel became the conduit through which they would defy conventional travel norms, transcending the mundane and embracing a realm of splendor and indulgence. As they boarded the jet, a tangible air of anticipation and wonder enveloped them, for they knew that this remarkable voyage would be etched in their memories forever, a testament to their audacity to dream and the unwavering spirit of adventure that propelled them forward.

 Chapter 321 Favorite Idol ??

    ?


    In the world of private jets, grandeur and luxury reigned supreme. While it was umon to find private jets of immense size, exceptions did exist. These extraordinary cases often appealed to individuals with boundless wealth, known as local tyrants, who revelled in the luxury ofrge private jets. One such groupprised the world''s top ten private jet owners, whose aircraft were great upgrades of enormous passenger jets.


    Among a crowd of onlookers, many gazed upon these magnificent machines with envy, their mobile phones poised to capture the perfect shot. They eagerly snapped pictures of the aerone, intending to share their envy-inducing findings on social mediater.


    Stepping aboard the ne, Liu Yong and Li Changle''s eyes widened in awe as they entered the great aircraft. The sheer extravagance overwhelmed their senses. With over 3,000 square feet of space, the interior was designed with unparalleled luxury. Staterooms, lounges, offices, spacious dining rooms, bars, and even a home theatre adorned the ne.


    The lounge, in particr, held an air of pure sophistication. It boasted a sumptuous bedroom and a fully equipped shower room, offering a delightful experience amidst the clouds.


    Overwhelmed by the splendour surrounding them, Li Changle couldn''t help but exim, "Brother Yong, thispletely surpasses my wildest imagination."


    With satisfaction, Liu Yong replied, "This aircraft alone is valued at over 300 million U.S. dors, and with the modifications costing an additional 100 million U.S. dors, the total worth approaches the staggering sum of 500 million U.S. dors."


    Li Changle was left momentarily speechless,prehending that such an astronomical price tag could only belong to an aircraft beyond the wildest dreams of ordinary individuals.


    Soon after, the ne gracefully took off, embarking on its journey to Rio. The next ten-hour flight proved to be far from mundane or ufortable. Passengers luxuriated in their ability to sleep soundly and revel in the pleasures of a captivating blockbuster movie screened within the confines of their own personal theatre. Alternatively, they could enjoy the breathtaking views from the first-ss cabin,fortably seated on plush sofas.


    Upon touchdown at Rio International Airport, Liu Yong, Li Changle, and their four bodyguards disembarked the ne, greeted by meticulously arranged logistics. The hotel dispatched two high-endmercial vehicles to whisk them away, ferrying them to a super five-star establishment.


    Liu Yong would be amodated in the presidential suite, an epitome of sophistication andfort. Thick curtains, once drawn apart, revealed a sweeping cityscape. While other cities might pale inparison, Rio boasted a captivating allure.


    The following day, after a leisurely breakfast, Liu Yong and Li Changle strode ahead, trailed closely by their quartet of bodyguards. With the opening ceremony scheduled for the day after tomorrow, the current day allowed them to immerse themselves in the local customs, exploring the wonders of a foreignnd.


    Just as they emerged from the elevator, another set of doors opened, disgorging a group of individuals. A young man in his twenties stood at the centre, surrounded by an entourage of bodyguards, assistants, and managers.


    Casting a fleeting nce, Liu Yong felt a flicker of recognition. Soon, he recalled that the young man belonged to the realm of fresh-faced entertainers, often called a "niang gun" by many. Having no particr interest in celebrity culture, Liu Yong merely acknowledged the sight.


    This young heartthrob appeared to be in high spirits, and engaged in lively conversation with his assistant and manager. Their words inadvertently reached Liu Yong''s ears.


    "Sister Yu, Nicole willpete in the 1500m finals the day after tomorrow," the young man remarked.


    To which a woman in her thirties, Xiao Xianrou''s manager, responded, "Yes, the finals are scheduled for the afternoon of the day after tomorrow. Why? Are you particrly optimistic about Nicole''s chances?"


    In a confident tone, Xiao Xianrou proimed, "He''s my idol. As the current world record holder, he''s bound to emerge victorious this time."


    Chiming in, the young assistant interjected, "Not necessarily. Chen Hu is a formidable contender. I believe he will secure the men''s 1500m championship."


    Clearly displeased, Xiao Xianrou nced at the assistant, Xiao Zhang, and retorted, "Xiao Zhang, Chen Hu excels in sprinting, and he might have a shot at the 100-meter event. But when ites to other disciplines, I''m more inclined to believe in Nick''s prowess. So, don''t underestimate him."


    Muttering under his breath, the assistant whispered, "But Chen Hu is from our homnd."


    Dismissing the remark, Xiao Xianrou scoffed, "What kind of logic is that? Just because Chen Hu hails from our country, does it mean I should automatically support him? You must understand, Nick is my idol."


    The assistant, feeling somewhat sad, remained silent, his gaze averted. Inwardly, he grappled with the disturbing thought that they should ideally support their fellow countrymen in a majorpetition like the Olympics. Yet, here they were, cheering for apetitor from Country M instead.


    Unfazed by the assistant''s unease, Xiao Xianrou continued unabated, "Sister Yu, I heard that the underground casinos in Rio City are epting bets on various events. We should check them outter and ce wagers worth tens of thousands of dors."


    Cautiously, the agent intervened, "You can indulge in some gambling, but remember not to go overboard. Rio City is rife with underground forces, and the criminal elements control these illicit casinos."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Nonchntly, Xiao Xianrou replied, "I understand. We''ll y with no more than tens of thousands of dors."


    As they departed the hotel, they paid no heed to Liu Yong and his entourage as though their fellow countrymen in a foreignnd were invisible to them. Consequently, Liu Yong saw no reason to initiate contact, leading Li Changle out of the hotel.


    Expressing his dissatisfaction, Li Changle voiced his disapproval, "Brother Yong, how could they act that way? Instead of supporting Chen Hu, they''re backing apetitor from country M to win the championship."


    In a rxed manner, Liu Yong assured him, "Don''t worry. The champion of the 1500m event will undoubtedly be Chen Hu."


    The sprawling city of Rio awaited exploration, and with abundant resources at his disposal, Liu Yong engaged the services of a knowledgeable guide, spending a considerable sum to make the most of their time. They ventured to scenic locales, sampled local delicacies, and discovered numerous betting establishments that existed semi-publicly.


    During the Olympics, the underground forces in Rio saw a golden opportunity and aimed to amass their fortunes. Betting odds on various sports were offered openly, seemingly disregarded by the local government.


    After a satisfying dinner, Liu Yong asked their guide about a reputable bar where they could unwind. Having arrived in Rio City, it seemed only fitting to experience the local bar culture firsthand.


    Apanied by their guide, Liu Yong and his party of six entered a renowned local bar. The venue bustled with energy, boasting ample space for revellers to enjoy drinks and revel in captivating performances.


    Liu Yong chose a prime spot, reserving arge table and ordering a selection of drinks for his group. They settled in, savouring their chosen beverages while immersing themselves in the vibrant stage performances.


    "You''re all wee. Rx and enjoy yourselves. If you feel like eating, go ahead and order. Money is no object," Liu Yong generously dered, embracing his wealth and influence.


    The bodyguards expressed gratitude in unison, "Thank you, boss."


    The bar''s performances exceeded expectations, providing an eclectic mix of entertainment. The drinks they savoured boasted unique vours, offering an entirely different experience from their usual haunts back home. True to its reputation, the bar catered to every taste and desire.


    As the night progressed, the ambience grew livelier, amplifying the patrons'' enjoyment. Laughter and animated conversations filled the air as the diverse crowd revelled in the vibrant atmosphere.


    Amidst the joyful atmosphere, Liu Yong couldn''t help but notice a plethora of betting stations scattered throughout the establishment, semi-publicly epting wagers. Seizing the opportunity presented by the Olympic Games, the local underworld capitalized on these events, confident in their ability to amass substantial fortunes. Sporting events of all kinds disyed prominently advertised odds, seemingly overlooked by the local authorities.


    After an eventful evening, Liu Yong, Li Changle, and their entourage left the bar, seemingly unnoticed by the crowd. Despite sharing the same nationality in a foreignnd, the group led by Xiao Xianrou had chosen to disregard their fellow countrymen. By reciprocating the indifference, Liu Yong saw no reason to initiate any interaction, and together with Li Changle, they made their way out of the establishment.


    Expressing his disappointment, Li Changle voiced his discontent, "Brother Yong, how could they behave like that? Instead of supporting Chen Hu, they''re rallying behind apetitor from country M to win the championship."


    With an air of confidence, Liu Yong reassured him, "Don''t worry. The victor of the 1500m event will undoubtedly be Chen Hu."


    The expansive city of Rio beckoned, and with his wealth, Liu Yong spared no expense in ensuring a memorable experience. Hiring the services of a knowledgeable guide, they embarked on aprehensive tour, exploring the city''s scenic spots, sampling its delectable cuisine, and even encountering a myriad of betting establishments that operated in semi-public spheres.


    During the Olympics, the underground forces in Rio City saw the Games as an unprecedented opportunity for financial gain. Betting outlets openly epted wagers on various sports, with the local government seemingly turning a blind eye to their existence.


    After an indulgent dinner, Liu Yong sought advice from their guide on the best bar to visit. If they were in Rio City, it was only fitting to immerse themselves in its vibrant nightlife and enjoy the ambience of a local establishment.


    Apanied by their guide, Liu Yong and his group ventured into a highly regarded bar renowned for its lively atmosphere and diverse offerings. The spacious venue teemed with energy, catering to those seeking drinks and captivating performances that delighted the senses.


    Taking their seats at a prominent location, Liu Yong ordered a selection of drinks and settled in to enjoy the entertainment unfolding on stage. The performers dazzled the audience with their talent, adding an extrayer of enchantment to the already intoxicating atmosphere.


    Liu Yong''s words echoed in the minds of hispanions as they embraced the generosity extended to them by their affluent benefactor. The night promised to be one of revelry and indulgence as they immersed themselves in the experience and the electrifying pulse of Rio''s nightlife.

 Chapter 322 Bad Eye On My Girl Huh!

    ?


    In the vicinity, a vibrant group of young individuals caught the attention of passersby. They exuded the essence of South American culture, each showcasing their distinctive style through their attire.


    Among them were both men and women,prising a gathering of over a dozen individuals. Their boisterousughter and animated conversations revolved around a young man with long, flowing hair who seemed to be the centre of attention. They revelled at the moment, immersed in their drinks, their voices echoing with a touch of arrogance.


    Liu Yong, a bystander, merely cast a fleeting nce in their direction, not deeming them worthy of his serious consideration. Yet, life often unravels unexpectedly, much like a tree yearning for stillness butpelled to sway in the ceaseless winds.


    Unbeknownst to Liu Yong, the group had taken notice of his presence, or rather, they were captivated by the stunning figure apanying him¡ªLi Changle. Wherever she went, Li Changle''s remarkable beauty, by the standards of both Westerners and South Americans, was nothing short of captivating.


    "Romen, have youid eyes on that enchanting beauty? She is truly exquisite," eximed a young man named Luo Men, his gaze fixated on Li Changle, his eyes lighting up with undeniable interest.


    "This girl''s beauty is unparalleled. Tonight, she shall be mine, and none of you can rival me," dered Luomen confidently, promptingughter from the rest of the group. They understood that Luomen''s words carried weight, as very few women in Rio City evaded his charm.


    It is worth noting that Romen held a peculiar status. He was the sole heir of Evan Joyce, the notorious godfather of Rio City''s criminal underworld. Evan Joyce wielded significant influence, presiding over thergest casino in the city, overseeing over 50% of the drug trade, and virtually controlling all arms transactions.


    Luomen, ustomed to his own arrogance, never allowed an opportunity to slip away when encountering a beautiful woman. Behind his back, people referred to him as a "walking biological machine" or a "humanoid P-type machine," given his relentless pursuit of romantic conquests. The Oriental beauty disyed by Li Changle left Luomen in awe, and he approached her, apanied by severalpanions.


    "Beauty, care to join me for a drink or two?" Luomen beckoned, his eyes fixated on Li Changle.


    Liu Yong observed the motley crew with a discerning eye, immediately recognizing them as unsavoury characters. They sported dyed hair adorned with tattoos, nose rings, and earrings.


    Feeling a sense of unease upon encountering such a group, Li Changle instinctively leaned closer to Liu Yong forfort and protection.


    In English, Liu Yong curtly replied, "Get lost."


    "What?" Luomen was momentarily taken aback before retorting arrogantly, "Do you know who I am?"


    Liu Yong''s expression of disdain made it evident that he neither cared nor bothered to acknowledge Luomen''s identity. "Move along. I have no interest in knowing who you are."


    Romen interjected, stating proudly, "I am Roman, the son of Evan Joyce, the godfather of Rio City."


    Without hesitation, Roman extended his hand towards Li Changle, seemingly intent on pulling her away. The other group members followed suit, eagerly attempting to separate Li Changle from her protector forcibly.


    Provoked by their audacity, Liu Yong''s anger surged, and he swiftly seized a wine bottle from the nearby table, shattering it against Luomen''s wrist.


    The sound of the ss breaking reverberated throughout the bar, apanied by Luomen''s pained cry. His wrist had suffered a severe fracture from the impact. The sudden turn of events jolted the other members of Luomen''s group, momentarily freezing them in surprise. Soon, they sprang into action. Some brandished daggers while others brandished machetes, a palpable threat in the dimly lit bar.


    Li Changle''s face paled with fear, seeking refuge behind Liu Yong''s protective stance. Sensing the imminent danger, Liu Yong barked out amand in English, "You four, protect Lele. Don''t worry about me."


    As the words left his lips, the group of assants surged forward, their hostile intentions apparent. Undeterred, Liu Yong advanced with steadfast determination.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    A sh ensued, causing amotion that swept through the entire bar. Faint-hearted patrons shrieked and fled, seeking safety outside, while braver souls prudently created distance, their eyes fixed on the unfolding spectacle.


    To many onlookers, it seemed like a lost cause for Liu Yong, outnumbered as he was by more than a dozen adversaries armed with des. Even his four bodyguards couldn''t help but feel a twinge of concern. Yet, their years of teamwork had honed their synchronicity, and without a word, the two female bodyguards stayed close to protect Li Changle while the two male bodyguards rushed to aid Liu Yong.


    Within moments, the bar became an arena where Liu Yong showcased his mettle. His opponents fell like dominoes, each blow from his fists, kicks, or ps, sending one sprawling to the ground. He seemed impervious to theirbined assault, fighting multiple foes with astonishing prowess.


    The confrontationsted no more than a mere two or three minutes. A dozen bodiesy strewn across the floor, incapacitated and incapable of rising to their feet.


    Roman stood frozen, his mouth agape, unable toprehend the sight before him. It was inconceivable¡ªa single individual singlehandedly decimating their ranks in such a short span of time. How could such an awe-inspiring force exist in the world, capable of quickly subduing more than a dozen adversaries?


    Having dealt with the group, Liu Yong approached Luomen and delivered a resounding p across his face, a public humiliation of sorts. "Consider this a warning. Don''t meddle with us. I won''t be as forgiving next time," he warned, his voice carrying a stern tone.


    He led Li Changle out of the bar, hand in hand, trailed closely by his four loyal bodyguards. Excitement gleamed in their eyes, unable to conceal their awe for their boss''s extraordinary skills. Unanimously, they marvelled at his unyielding power, an attribute beyond belief.


    Boarding two taxis waiting outside the bar, Liu Yong and his entourage returned to the opulent super five-star hotel they called their temporary residence. Their initial intention had been to immerse themselves in the local bar culture, but Luomen''s intervention had dashed those ns.


    Once back in the hotel, Liu Yong silently resolved to take a hot bath and retire early. With Li Changle by his side, they indulged in aforting soak before preparing to rest.


    However, just as they were about to retire for the night, Liu Yong''s cellphone jolted to life, piercing the tranquility of the room. A text message awaited him, sent by He Qiang. "Boss, we will arrive in Rio tomorrow morning."


    Initially, Liu Yong had discouraged Kang Zhenggang and He Yong from joining him in Rio, concerned for their safety. However, their deep-rooted worries prompted them to insist on making the journey to support their leader.


    Both Kang Zhenggang andHe Qiang understood that while Rio City might project an image of rtivew and order, underground activities ran rampant beneath the surface. Their purpose ining to Rio was not only to ensure Liu Yong''s safety but also to neutralize any potential threats that might arise.


    He Qiang, apanied by six other members, would be arriving in Rio, bringing their total number to seven. Liu Yong swiftly replied, instructing them to find their own amodations and to keep tabs on a certain individual named Luomen, Evan Joyce''s son and a prominent figure in Rio City.


    Upon reading Liu Yong''s message, He Qiang immediately responded, his confidence apparent in his words. "Boss, do you want us to eliminate Evan Joyce and his son?"


    Liu Yong, however, had no immediate intention of resorting to such drastic measures. He simply instructed them to monitor their movements for the time being.


    Satisfied with the exchange, Liu Yong set his phone aside and focused on getting some rest, eager to witness the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics the next day.


    The following morning, Liu Yong and hispanions finished their breakfast and embarked on the hotel car that would transport them to the entrance of the opening ceremony venue. As holders of VIP tickets, their entry into the venue''s exclusive area proved swift and hassle-free.


    Presenting their tickets, a staff member promptly guided them through a designated passage, leading them closer to the grand spectacle that awaited.


    ...

 Chapter 323 VIP Tickets And Olympic Dreams

    ?


    "How can they go in directly? We have to queue here," Li Changleined, feeling frustrated by the situation.


    Li Changle''s friend, Liu Yong, nced at him with a smirk. "Idiot, that''s a VIP ticket," he retorted, emphasizing their privilege.


    Understanding their advantage, many onlookers watched enviously as Liu Yong led Li Changle, apanied by four imposing bodyguards, and entered through the VIP passage. Given his VIP status and affiliation with the influential Global Shipping Group, Liu Yong was no stranger to such exclusivity. Money was of little concern regarding securing VIP tickets, as thepany had its own channels for such arrangements.


    The VIP experience proved to be much more convenient. Liu Yong and hispanions swiftly settled into the VIP area, revelling in the splendid view and prime location afforded to them by their exclusive tickets.


    Excitement filled the air as the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics unfolded. After a wait of approximately thirty to forty minutes, the ceremony finallymenced. Seatedfortably in the VIP section, Liu Yong and Li Changle relished the visual spectacle before them.


    Apuse erupted sporadically as the athletes made their grand entrance into the arena. Among the delegations, the arrival of the Yan Guo team garnered a memorable standing ovation from the crowd. Liu Yong''s gaze scanned the athletes, and his eyes locked on Chen Hu, whom he recognized among the group. Although Chen Hu wasn''t serving as the g bearer, he stood prominently at the forefront of the team, unmistakable in his sports attire.


    Chen Hu, too, noticed Liu Yong''s presence, and their eyes met in an unspoken acknowledgment.


    In his heart, Liu Yong silently urged Chen Hu to perform well and strive for nothing short of eight gold medals. The opening ceremonysted for several hours until noon, after which the festivities spilled onto the streets in the form of a triumphant carnival.


    Liu Yong, apanied by Li Changle, ventured into the bustling streets, immersing themselves in the joyous atmosphere and the celebratory spirit that engulfed the Olympic Games.


    "Brother Yong," Li Changle gently tugged at Liu Yong''s clothes, drawing his attention to a group of people not far away. Among them stood Luo Men, his right wrist wrapped in a ster cast and bandaged with thick white gauze. Behind him stood a cohort of seven or eight individuals.


    "The people with him have changed, but those who were with himst night are all in the hospital," Li Changle whispered, fear evident in his voice.


    Liu Yong''s expression softened as he empathized with the severity of their injuries. While serious, none of them had suffered fatal wounds. Luo Men, in particr, had only sustained a broken wrist without any other significant injuries.


    Reassuring Li Changle, Liu Yong gently patted the back of his hand. "Don''t worry, he won''t dare to do anything," he reassured, ncing confidently at Luo Men, who approached them upon spotting Liu Yong and Li Changle.


    Speaking in English, Luo Men warned, "Boy, remember this, I will seek revenge, and you won''t be able to leave Rio City."


    Liu Yong chuckled. "It seems I haven''t taught you enough of a lesson. Believe me, I can even disable your other hand," he asserted, exuding an air of confidence that momentarily shook Luo Men. Aware of the nearby police presence, Luo Men snorted in frustration and left.


    "Lily, you see? He won''t dare to touch us. Don''t be afraid of him. I''ll handle everything," Liu Yong assured, his voice filled with conviction.


    With Li Changle no longer feeling afraid, he apanied Liu Yong to continue enjoying the carnival atmosphere with the people of Rio.


    They noticed a lottery shop nearby as they strolled through the lively streets. Intrigued by the possibilities, Liu Yong''s curiosity got the best of him, prompting him to step inside. To his delight, he discovered that the shop offered detailed odds for each Olympic Games event.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    For instance, the men''s 100-meter event listed the winning odds for every participant. Surprisingly, the underdogs had the highest odds, while the most promising contenders, like Chen Hu, had rtively low odds of winning. Even though Chen Hu held the world record in the men''s 100 meters, his odds stood at a modest 1:1.12.


    The highest odds belonged to a yer with a mere 1:15 chance of winning the championship, making it unlikely that anyone would ce a bet on them.


    Liu Yong''s attention was immediately drawn to the eight events in which Chen Hu would participate. In the men''s 200 meters, Chen Hu''s odds of winning were slightly higher at 1:1.56. However, it seemed that most people didn''t expect him to secure victory in the 1500 meters, as his odds were set at 1:4.2. The general perception was that sprinting and long-distance running were two distinct disciplines.


    But the men''s javelin event caught Liu Yong''s interest the most. The odds of Chen Hu winning the championship were as high as 1:8.1. cing a $100 bet on Chen Hu to win would yield an impressive $810 in return.


    The odds were undeniably tempting.


    Considering the threat he had just received from Luo Men, Liu Yong made up his mind to ce a bet¡ªa substantial one. Determined, he wondered if he could do so in the most prominent possible manner. He had heard rumours that the gamingpanies behind these lotteries were not affiliated with official institutions but had connections to the influential figures of Rio City.


    Leaving the lottery shop with a n in mind, Liu Yong turned to Li Changle. "Lele, go back to the hotel for now. I have something to take care of," he instructed.


    Concern filled Li Changle''s eyes as he asked, "Brother Yong, what are you nning to do?"


    Liu Yong grinned. "I''m going to make some money. You saw it earlier¡ªthe odds for Chen Hu to win are not bad. I''m going to ce a bet on him in every event, with a bet of $50 million for each."


    Worried, Li Changle inquired about the risks involved.


    Liu Yong''s confident demeanour put Li Changle at ease. "There''s no risk at all. Just wait for me at the hotel, my good boy."


    Obediently, Li Changle nodded and was escorted back to the hotel by two female bodyguards. Once they had left in a taxi, Liu Yong, apanied by his male bodyguards, hailed another taxi and headed toward the Yamos Gaming Building.


    With Rio City''s godfather''s backing, the Yamos Tower gaming establishment held a semi-public, semi-official status. As Liu Yong stepped out of the taxi and gazed up at the towering building, it seemed more official than he had anticipated.


    After briefly observing the structure, Liu Yong walked inside and expressed his purpose to the staff. Soon, a senior manager, who exuded an air of authority, greeted him.


    Liu Yong exined his intention to bet on all eight events, inquiring about the maximum amount he could wager on each. The senior manager appeared taken aback by the enormity of the bet and quickly sought instructions from his superiors. Liu Yong remained calm, sipping his coffee while patiently awaiting the senior manager''s return.


    Behind the scenes, Evan Joyce, a key gaming establishment figure, noticed the substantial bet. With the help of their professional team''s analysis, they determined that for Liu Yong to keep his capital intact, Chen Hu would need to win four championships¡ªan oue they deemed highly unlikely. Despite the doubts surrounding Chen Hu''s chances, Evan Joyce made a decision.


    After a waiting period of around 30 to 40 minutes, the senior manager returned to Liu Yong.

 Chapter 324 The Cheating Game

    ?


    "Good evening, Mr. Liu," a familiar voice greeted Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong gently ced his teacup down and inquired, "Can I ce my bet now?"


    The manager, brimming with enthusiasm, responded, "Absolutely! You can wager up to 100 million U.S. dors on each project."


    "Oh," Liu Yong was pleasantly surprised. Hadn''t the maximum bet been limited to 50 million dors? This sudden increase to 100 million dors was a pleasant turn of events.


    A smile formed on Liu Yong''s face as he pondered. He quickly realized that the influential figure behind the gambling industry in Rio City must be Luomen''s father. They were likely aware of the conflict between Liu Yong and Luomen and raised the maximum bet to 100 million dors, hoping to deceive him.


    In his mind, Liu Yong chuckled and thought, "When Chen Hu secures one championship after another, you will surely weep."


    Then, with confidence, Liu Yong dered, "In that case, I shall ce my bet now¡ª100 million dors on each item, making it a total of 800 million dors."


    The manager nodded and affirmed, "Certainly, a total of 800 million dors. Mr. Liu, you are our most esteemed guest."


    The manager''s unwavering enthusiasm made Liu Yong ponder. If only such fervour had been disyed when it came topensating him for his losses.


    The process of cing the 800 million dor bet consumed nearly an hour, involving the signing of various documents and agreements. After all, this was a high-stakes wager, far from the realms of mere hundreds or thousands of dors.


    Once the formalities werepleted and the documents safely stored away, Liu Yong handed over the total amount of 800 million dors. He gestured towards the exit and casually said, "Let''s go."


    He led the way, apanied by two vignt bodyguards, while the manager escorted him to the building''s entrance.


    Returning to the hotel and entering the luxurious presidential suite, Liu Yong was promptly greeted by Li Changle, who wore a worried expression. "Brother Yong, you''ve finally returned! I''ve been so concerned about you."


    Liu Yong, with a rxed demeanour, assured her, "Don''t worry. No one capable of threatening your man has been born yet."


    Upon hearing the words "your man," Li Changle blushed slightly and cast a timid nce at Liu Yong. She softly murmured, "You''re so vulgar."


    Liu Yongughed heartily, enjoying the yful banter. He retrieved the signed contracts and examined them, relishing the thought of Evan Joyce and his associates soon facing despair.


    Later that evening, Liu Yong received a call from He Qiang, who reported that they had already settled in a prestigious hotel in Rio City and had been closely monitoring the activities of Roman and Evan Joyce.


    Liu Yong informed He Qiang about his 800 million dor bet, which instantly delighted He Qiang. He couldn''t contain his excitement, repeatedly congratting the boss and promising to deliver even more substantial funds this time.


    As Liu Yong calcted the potential oues, he realized that with an 800 million dor bet, winning a total of 8 gold medals would earn him over 3.52 billion dors. The immense wealth he stood to gain would undoubtedly leave Evan Joyce impoverished for years toe.


    After chatting with He Qiang for a while, Liu Yong made another call, this time to Chen Hu. The two engaged in a pleasant conversation.


    Although Chen Hu had preliminarypetitions scheduled for the following day, the first final event, the men''s long jump, was set to take ce the day after. The highly anticipated men''s 100 meters and men''s 200 meters events¡ªthe most thrilling events of the Olympics¡ªwere a few days away, adding to the excitement of the ongoing games.


    Two dayster...


    Liu Yong, apanied by Li Changle, took their seats in the VIP area once again. This time, they eagerly awaited the men''s long jump final at the Olympic Games.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    The colossal stadium was packed with nearly 100,000 spectators, all eagerly anticipating thepetition.


    When checking into the hotel a few days ago, Liu Yong noticed a familiar face sitting next to him¡ªthe young celebrity he had encountered. He recalled the name Fu Hanhan, a rising star known for his poprity. Due to his delicate appearance, manyizens gave him the nickname "Fu Niang Niang" or "Rich Girl."


    ncing at Fu Hanhan and hispanion, whom he called "Sister Yu," Liu Yong initially assumed they were here to cheer for the Chinese athletespeting in the men''s long jump. However, his assumptions quickly unravelled as he overheard their conversation.


    "Sister Yu, I''m so thrilled! Trivikane, the renowned long jump yer from country M, is sure to secure yet another Olympic gold medal. And I''ll be there as a witness," Fu Hanhan eximed.


    "Sister Yu" nodded in agreement. "Trivikane''s victory is practically guaranteed. Once thepetition is over, I''ll find a way for you to get his autograph."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel a sense of disappointment. Here he was, a native of Yan Kingdom, witnessing someone from his own country cheer for an athlete from country M in such a crucial event. It was clear that Fu Hanhan was an avid fan of M''s athletes.


    Wearing a wry smile, Liu Yong shook his head. Indeed, the world was vast, amodating all sorts of people.


    Soon, Liu Yong realized that the men''s long jump final was about tomence. After the preliminary rounds, only eight contestants remained in thepetition.


    All of thepetitors were white or ck, except for Chen Hu, the lone representative with his distinctive oriental features.


    As Trivikane prepared for his jump, the atmosphere in the stadium intensified, with cheers and apuse resonating through the air. After all, Trivikane had imed the gold medal in the men''s long jump during the previous Olympics, creating high expectations for a repeat performance.


    Numerous cheers could be heard, primarily from Country M''s supporters. Surprisingly, Fu Hanhan, seated beside Liu Yong, also stood up and fervently cheered for Trivikane.


    Unable to bear it any longer, Liu Yong couldn''t resist speaking up. "Brother, you must be from Yan Kingdom," he stated.


    Fu Hanhan instantly grasped the implication behind Liu Yong''s words. "Yes, you''re right. However, our athletes from Yan Kingdom simply can''t match up. That''s why I''m here to support Trivikane."


    Amused, Liu Yong responded, "Who said our athletes from Yan Kingdom arecking? Chen Hu is destined to win the gold medal in the long jump."


    Fu Hanhan scoffed dismissively. "Hmph! If Chen Hu manages to win the gold medal in the long jump, I''ll livestream myself."


    Liu Yongughed heartily. "Well then, I''ll be eagerly waiting to witness your livestream. Let''s see how you handle that."


    "You..." Fu Hanhan fumed, struggling to form a retort. Finally, he managed to speak through gritted teeth, "In front of Trivikane, Chen Hu is nothing."


    Chuckling, Liu Yong realized that someone with such distorted perspectives could be influential in the entertainment industry. Public figures like Fu Hanhan often had the ability to mislead others. It was a testament to the diversity of opinions and perspectives present in the world.


    Shortly after their conversation, the men''s long jump final began. Being the sixth athlete to take the stage, Chen Hu drew a great deal of attention and support from the crowd. The stadium echoed with cheers as Chen Hu stood on the run-up line, exuding a sense of calmness.


    With a deep breath, Chen Hu elerated and leapt into the air, executing a beautiful and wless jump. Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel confident that this jump would shatter the world record.


    As expected, Chen Hu''snding point was remarkably far, impressing both spectators and experts alike. It seemed highly likely that he had broken the world record with this jump.


    While some were overjoyed, others appeared solemn and astonished...

 Chapter 325 A Legendary Sprinter

    ?


    Chen Hu''s remarkable leap surpassed Trivikane''snding point by at least ten centimetres. The once bustling scene fell into a profound silence as the spectators in the auditorium ceased their cheers, fixated on the bunker from which the man hadunched his extraordinary jump.


    Responding swiftly to the referee''s signal, several staff members rushed forward to measure the distance. The results were promptly announced: 9.03 meters! With his very first jump, Chen Hu shattered the long-standing world record of 8.95 meters, instantly entering the prestigious realm of the 9-meter mark.


    The tranquil atmosphere erupted into a crescendo of jubnt excitement as the news of Chen Hu''s monumental achievement reverberated through the radio waves. Cheers and apuse filled the air, apanied by the ring of horns. The triumph was palpable, with some individuals even brandishing the five-star red g, their fervour visible from afar.


    Liu Yong, wearing a calm smile, appeared rtivelyposed. Chen Hu''s extraordinary jump had been entirely expected. With each of Chen Hu''s attributes carefully honed and extensive professional training, it was no surprise that he had finally broken the long-standing world record.


    In contrast, Li Changle stood up, cheering, shouting, and pping incessantly, unable to contain her joy. She appeared far from the image of a demuredy, instead embodying a vibrant spirit.


    Meanwhile, an absence of vitality was evident in the vicinity of Fu Hanhan. Rather than joining the chorus of apuse and cheers, he sighed, his thoughts seemingly fixed on Trivikane.


    Liu Yong found this shift in attitude somewhat difiting. Weren''t you brimming with arrogance and confidence just moments ago? Weren''t you the one proiming Trivikane''s inevitable victory?


    Liu Yong cast a scrutinizing gaze in Fu Hanhan''s direction and dered with a resounding voice, "Well, it seems Chen Hu is on track to win the gold medal. With Chen Hu in our midst, our track and field prowess in the Yan Kingdom is no longer feeble."


    However, to Liu Yong''s surprise, Fu Hanhan remained steadfast and showed no intention of acknowledging his mistake or apologizing. "Chen Hu got lucky this time and performed exceptionally. Trivikane will surely surpass him," Fu Hanhan retorted stubbornly.


    Mockingly, Liu Yong responded, "Well, then let''s wait and see. I have a feeling that certain individuals will soon have their faces pped."


    True to Liu Yong''s words, Trivikane''s second jump fell short at 8.86 meters, inferior to his initial jump of 8.91 meters. Chen Hu''s record-breaking leap seemed to have ced immense pressure on Trivikane.


    However, Chen Hu''s second jump was even more astounding, surpassing his previous feat. He achieved a tremendous distance of 9.06 meters, a staggering improvement of three centimetres.


    It must be noted that increasing even a single centimetre beyond an existing world record is a daunting task. Yet, Chen Hu surpassed his previous mark by three centimetres, effectively securing the gold medal.


    The subsequent events held no suspense, as all thepetitors paledpared to Chen Hu''s exceptional performance. His final result was an awe-inspiring 9.10 meters, a peak that seemed impossible for years toe.


    Confronted with this oue, Fu Hanhan''s face reddened, his idol Trivikane''s performance deteriorating with each attempt. Trivikane''s best score, a meagre 8.91 meters, was a far cry from Chen Hu''s extraordinary achievement even before the long jumppetition had concluded; with a few contestants yet to make their final jumps, Fu Hanhan, without waiting, left the premises in disgrace. He departed without any intention of offering an apology for his earlier ims. Observing Fu Hanhan''s departure, Liu Yong''s eyes narrowed with a touch of coldness. In his mind, he vowed to obstruct this so-called "little fresh meat" whocked integrity upon his return.


    Chen Hu continued participating in several events, preliminaries and finals in the following days and disyed remarkable performances. Following his triumph in the long jump, Chen Hu clinched the men''s javelin and shot put championships, amassing three gold medals in just a few days.


    The frenzy surrounding Chen Hu captured the attention of domestic media, with an overwhelming number of reports dedicated to his achievements. Even as Liu Yong watched the Olympic Games from South America, he could feel the enthusiasm emanating from the domestic media simply by ncing at his mobile phone.


    Today marked the finals of the men''s 100m and men''s 1500m races, both taking ce in the same stadium. The men''s 100m final was scheduled first, with eight athletes already engaging in warm-up exercises, including Chen Hu.


    Undoubtedly, Chen Hu was the favourite to win the championship in this event. He had shattered the men''s 100m world record in the previous IAAF Diamond League.


    The Olympic Games had attracted all the prominent names in men''s 100m, each eager topete against Chen Hu and determine if he possessed the strength he was reputed for. These aplished athletes couldn''t help but hold an air of scepticism, each harbouring a desire to defeat Chen Hu and ascertain his true prowess.


    Chen Hu, in turn, had given them enough reason to hold onto that hope. His performance in the 100m preliminaries had been satisfactory but not exceptional. For instance, he only secured the second position in one of the groups and ranked sixth among the thirty participants.


    The atmosphere in the arena grew hushed as the men''s 100m finalmenced. The contestants stood poised on the track, preparing for the momentous race ahead.


    Chen Hu positioned himself on the secondne, his vibrant red sportswear making him easily distinguishable. The once bustling and noisy stadium gradually fell into a pregnant silence, every gaze fixed upon the 100-meter track.


    Undoubtedly, the men''s 100m final was the most captivating and highly anticipated event of the entire Olympic Games. It attracted an immense crowd of media reporters, with countless cameras trained on the athletes.


    In a few moments, the voice on the radiomanded, "Everyone on your marks." The eight contestants concentrated intensely, readying themselves for the start.


    A gunshot resounded, releasing the eight athletes in unison. To the average observer, their starting reactions appeared nearly identical, but keen-eyed professionals could discern that Chen Hu''s reaction time was slightly quicker.


    Upon witnessing Chen Hu''s start, even the national team''s coach froze momentarily, sensing that something was amiss. A vague suspicion formed within him, suggesting that Chen Hu must have deliberately held back during the preliminaries, lulling his opponents intocency.


    After covering a distance of twenty meters, the coach of Country M realized his intuition had been urate. Chen Hu had already secured a position ahead of the other runners.


    "Oh my God!" eximed the knowledgeable onlookers, unable to contain their astonishment. After just twenty meters, Chen Hu surged ahead.


    By thirty meters were reached, Chen Hu''s lead became even more evident. At the fifty-meter mark, he was firmly in the information, with the other athletes trailing behind.


    The oue of the race was no longer in doubt. Everyone knew that Chen Hu would im the gold medal. What intrigued them now was the record he would set.


    As the race progressed, Chen Hu''s lead continued to widen. He had a substantial advantage in the final sprint stage, crossing the finish line ahead of everyone else.


    The stadium erupted into cheers as Chen Hu''s time was disyed on the enormous screen. All eyes were fixated on the numbers that appeared.


    "Oh God!"


    "My God!"<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Chen Hu had clocked an astonishing time of 9.38 seconds!


    Not only had he broken his world record, but he also became the first human being to run below 9.40 seconds. Whether they were from Yan Kingdom or foreign nations, the crowd went into a frenzy. This achievement belonged not just to Yan country or Chen Hu alone but to all of humanity.


    It turned out that the human limit was not 9.50 seconds, as previously thought, but 9.40 seconds. Chen Hu shattered that barrier with his incredible time of 9.38 seconds.


    Liu Yong stood up and apuded, congratting Chen Hu on his remarkable feat.


    The unfolded events left Fu Hanhan dumbfounded and his idol, Trivikane, in a worse position. Trivikane''s best time was a mere 8.91 seconds.


    Before the conclusion of the long jumppetition, some contestants who had yet to make their final jumps watched Fu Hanhan''s departure in disgrace with no intention of apologizing.


    Observing this, Liu Yong''s eyes grew cold, and he silently vowed to block this so-called "little fresh meat" with no moralpass upon his return.


    Over the next few days, Chen Hu participated in several events, both preliminaries and finals, delivering impressive performances. Following his victory in the long jump, he secured gold medals in the men''s javelin and shot put events, earning three gold medals in a short period.


    The domestic media entered a frenzy, inundating the public with countless reports about Chen Hu. Even though Liu Yong was watching the Olympic Games from South America, he could sense the enthusiasm of the domestic media by simply checking his phone.


    Today marked the finals of the men''s 100m and men''s 1500m races, both held in the same stadium. The men''s 100m final was scheduled first, with eight athletes already engaged in warm-up exercises, including Chen Hu.


    Undoubtedly, Chen Hu was the favourite to win the championship in this event. He had shattered the men''s 100m world record in the previous IAAF Diamond League.


    The Olympic Games had attracted all the prominent names in men''s 100m, each eager topete against Chen Hu and determine if he possessed the strength he was reputed for. These aplished athletes couldn''t help but hold an air of scepticism, each harbouring a desire to defeat Chen Hu and ascertain his true prowess.


    Chen Hu, in turn, had given them enough reason to hold onto that hope. His performance in the 100m preliminaries had been satisfactory but not exceptional. For instance, he only secured the second position in one of the groups and ranked sixth among the thirty participants.


    The atmosphere in the arena grew hushed as the men''s 100m finalmenced. The contestants stood poised on the track, preparing for the momentous race ahead.


    Chen Hu positioned himself on the secondne, his vibrant red sportswear making him easily distinguishable. The once bustling and noisy stadium gradually fell into a pregnant silence, every gaze fixed upon the 100-meter track.


    Undoubtedly, the men''s 100m final was the most captivating and highly anticipated event of the entire Olympic Games. It attracted an immense crowd of media reporters, with countless cameras trained on the athletes.


    In a few moments, the voice on the loudspeakermanded, "On your marks." The eight contestants concentrated intensely, readying themselves for the start.


    A gunshot resounded, releasing the eight athletes in unison. To the average observer, their starting reactions appeared nearly identical, but keen-eyed professionals could discern that Chen Hu''s reaction time was slightly quicker.


    Upon witnessing Chen Hu''s start, even the national team''s coach froze momentarily, sensing that something was amiss. A vague suspicion formed within him, suggesting that Chen Hu must have deliberately held back during the preliminaries, lulling his opponents intocency.


    After covering a distance of twenty meters, the coach''s suspicion was confirmed. Chen Hu had already secured a position ahead of the other runners.


    "Oh my God!" eximed the knowledgeable onlookers, unable to contain their astonishment. After just twenty meters, Chen Hu surged ahead.


    By thirty meters were reached, Chen Hu''s lead became even more evident. He was firmly in the information at the fifty-meter mark, with a significant margin between him and the other athletes.


    The oue of the race was no longer in doubt. Everyone knew that Chen Hu would im the gold medal. What intrigued them now was the record he would set.


    As the race progressed, Chen Hu''s lead continued to widen. He had a substantial advantage in the final sprint stage, crossing the finish line ahead of everyone else.


    The stadium erupted into cheers as Chen Hu''s time was disyed on the enormous screen. All eyes were fixated on the numbers that appeared.


    "Oh God!"


    "My God!"


    Chen Hu had clocked a great time of 9.38 seconds!


    Not only had he broken his world record, but he also became the first human being to run below 9.40 seconds. Whether they were from Yan Kingdom or foreign nations, the crowd went into a frenzy. This achievement belonged not just to Yan country or Chen Hu alone but to all of humanity.


    It turned out that the human limit was not 9.50 seconds, as previously thought, but 9.40 seconds. Chen Hu shattered that barrier with his incredible time of 9.38 seconds.


    Liu Yong stood up and apuded, congratting Chen Hu on his remarkable feat.


    The events unfolded left Fu Hanhan dumbfounded and his idol, Trivikane, in an even worse position. Trivikane''s best time was a mere 8.91 seconds.


    With his extraordinary talent and relentless drive, Chen Hu firmly established himself as a legend in the world of athletics, leaving no room for doubt or scepticism. His name would forever be etched in the annals of Olympic history.

 Chapter 326 Golden Resilience

    ?


    Gu Xingxian, an avid sports enthusiast, was engrossed in the thrilling men''s 100-meter race at the Rio Olympics. It was well past 10 o''clock in the evening in China, yet a group of dedicated fans, including Gu Xingxian, gathered around the television, their eyes fixed on the grand screen. Their excitement burst forth as Chen Hu crossed the finish line, iming victory.


    "Brother Hu is absolutely incredible!" one of them eximed.


    "The sheer awesomeness and excitement are unparalleled!" another chimed in.


    "Yet another gold medal for our country!" a third person rejoiced.


    With the announcement of the results, their restlessness escted, leading to triumphant shouts, exuberant outbursts, and even some of them picking up beer bottles and indulging in celebratory drinks. The scene momentarily spiralled out of control, echoing simr scenes ying out across the entire nation. Chen Hu''s record-breaking gold medal ignited a fervour that permeated every corner of the Yan Kingdom.


    The media, too, found themselves consumed by the electrifying events. Reporters tirelessly scrambled to capture the moment in their manuscripts, while media personnel feverishly worked on creatingpelling videos to encapste the Olympic experience.


    The Olympic Games had an enchanting effect on everyone present. At that very moment, regardless of nationality or race, an eruption of thunderous apuse reverberated through the stadium. Donning the national g, Chen Hu embarked on a victoryp, reaching the pinnacle of an exhrating atmosphere.


    Liu Yong, brimming with genuine happiness, revelled in the achievement. This gold medal brought Chen Hu one step closer to his ambitious goal of winning eight gold medals in the Olympic Games.


    Li Changle, wearing a joyful expression, shared his sentiment. "Brother Yong, Chen Hu is truly extraordinary. He has not let anyone down."


    Liu Yong confidently replied, "Just wait and watch the men''s 1500m final. Chen Hu is poised to secure yet another gold medal."


    However, Li Changle expressed concern, "But he just finished the 100-meter race. Can he endure the 1500 meters?"


    Liu Yong convinced him, "You must understand, he is no ordinary individual. Chen Hu possesses remarkable abilities."


    Indeed, Chen Hu was far from ordinary. His attributes¡ªstrength, agility, and physique¡ªsurpassed 200 points, while the average person barely reached 30 or 40 points. Even exceptional athletes struggled to break the 100-point threshold in these attributes.


    Consider a top-tier long-distance runner; their physical attribute might approach 100 points, but their strength and agility would pale inparison. Simrly, a renowned weightlifter might possess strength close to or exceeding 100 points, yet their agility and physique attributes would becking.


    In contrast, Chen Hu excelled in all three attributes, boasting scores of around 200 points. For someone like him, finishing the 100-meter race, taking a brief rest, and proceeding to the 1500-meter race posed no significant challenge.


    The women''s long jump final followed the men''s 100m race in the same stadium. As the event progressed, preparations for the men''s 1500-meter finalmenced.


    Chen Hu warmed up, pacing around before reaching the starting line, ready to participate in the gruelling 1500-meter final.


    Many onlookers were astounded. Perhaps they hadn''t paid much attention to Chen Hu''s Olympic journey, as they were taken aback by the sight of him transitioning from the 100-meter race to the 1500-meter final with such swift determination.


    "Good heavens!" they eximed in awe.


    "Is that man made of iron?" they wondered, astounded by Chen Hu''s resilience.


    Could his physical strength withstand such a demanding challenge? The men''s 1500m final was a rigorous test of endurance.


    Unfazed by the astonished gazes around him, Chen Hu stood at the starting line with aposed expression, paying no mind to the doubts cast upon him.


    After a brief pause, the radio crackled with themand, "On your marks!" followed by the resounding gunshot that initiated the men''s 1500m final. The athletes surged forward, their determined strides propelling them into the race.


    Chen Hu''s speed was notably faster than the rest in the initial stages. Observers couldn''t help but notice something unusual. Was he not concerned about preserving energy for a sprint towards the end? Would his physical stamina hold up under such a relentless pace?


    As the firstp concluded, Chen Hu had already established a remarkable lead of 30 meters ahead of the runner-up. Rather than slowing down, his advantage grew, leaving many spectators awestruck.


    "Oh, this can''t end well," murmured concerned voices.


    "Running at this pace is simply unsustainable."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    "After just one morep, his physical strength will undoubtedly plummet, leaving him vulnerable to the runners trailing behind."


    Across the Yan Kingdom, the audience, anxious and apprehensive, feared Chen Hu would be overtaken, jeopardizing his gold medal hopes.


    Even the CCTVmentator mirrored this sentiment. "We''re unable toprehend Chen Hu''s strategy at this moment. Let''s hope his physical strength holds up for the remainingps."


    Anothermentator chimed in, and his voice tinged with worry. "I share your concerns. Remember, Chen Hu had little time to rest after the men''s 100-meter race, not even an hour."


    The millions of viewers glued to their screens mirrored thementator''s anxiety, clutching their hearts as perspiration adorned their brows.


    Li Changle, too, wore a concerned expression, turning to Liu Yong. "Brother Yong, did Chen Hu push himself too hard in the beginning? Our physical education teacher always emphasized the importance of pacing oneself in middle and long-distance running."


    With a rxed smile, Liu Yong reassured him, "That''s a conventional running style. Chen Hu possesses abundant energy, and it was wise of him to seize the lead from the start. Trust me, no one can surpass him."


    Encouraged by Liu Yong''s words, Li Changle found sce and refocused his attention on Chen Hu''s race.


    With each passingp, Chen Hu maintained his lead.


    During the firstp, he led the pack.


    During the secondp, his position remained unchallenged.


    By the thirdp, Chen Hu had already distanced himself significantly from thepetition.


    Upon entering the fourth and finalp, a wave of cheers erupted, particrly from the people of Yan Kingdom, who avidly watched the race. Their voices resounded, brimming with admiration and support.


    "Brother Hu is truly remarkable! He deserves every bit of praise!"


    "With such unwavering strength, it''s no wonder he dared to dominate from the very start."


    "This is absolute brilliance, obliterating any doubts that lingered in the minds of otherpetitors."


    The final sprint phase drew near.


    Chen Hu''s speed appeared to intensify, and though other runners attempted to pick up the pace, his eleration seemed unmatched, continually widening the gap between himself and the second-ce contender.


    Amidst thunderous apuse, jubnt cheers, and heartfelt apuse, Chen Hu crossed the finish line, securing his victory.


    Two minutes and fifty-seven seconds!


    As the result was announced, the audience again rose to their feet, transcending racial, cultural, and national boundaries.


    This achievement was nothing short of extraordinary people who bore witness to this record-breaking moment stood up in tribute to Chen Hu. It was a record that belonged to all of humanity.


    The entire stadium was engulfed in a frenzy of excitement. Even in thete night hours, almost half of Yan Kingdom''s buildings were illuminated, and in certain cities, colourful fireworks lit up the sky.


    Across the globe, people of all nations, races, and religions rejoiced in Chen Hu''s remarkable aplishment.


    However, a few individuals did not share in the celebration. One such person was Evan Joyce, the influential figurehead of Rio City''s gaming industry and an influential figure behind the scenes.

 Chapter 327 The Gold Medals

    ?


    Rio City, nestled in the picturesque western suburbs, boasted a magnificent twone asphalt road that stretched far into the distance. Journeying along this road, one would be treated to breathtaking scenery on either side.


    At the road''s end awaited a sprawling manor across hundreds of acres encircled by majestic mountains and rivers. The natural beauty surrounding it was indeed a delightful sight to behold.


    Within the manor stood several exquisite vis, each more enchanting than thest. However, the grandest of them all was a five-story mansion resembling a regal castle that spanned over a thousand square meters.


    Positioned before the mansion was a spacious parking lot adorned with an array of luxury cars. Just a stone''s throw away, a glistening artificialke sparkled under the sun''s gentle rays. And nestled discreetly behind the grand vi was an impably manicured golf course.


    On this court, a middle-aged man named Evan Joyce revelled in the extravagant lifestyle that only the super-rich could afford. He swung his golf club with effortless grace, causing the ball to trace an elegant arc through the air before gracefullynding on the distant green.


    In the midst of his leisurely game, a young man approached Evan Joyce, exuding a respectful demeanour. Leaning in closer, he whispered into Evan''s ear, bearing news of significant importance.


    "Boss, Chen Hu has once again imed the men''s 200m gold medal, setting a new record," the young man ryed.


    Evan Joyce''s countenance immediately darkened. When the Rio Olympicsmenced, Liu Yong had ced an astounding $800 million bet. Evan had anticipated a substantial windfall from this venture. Little did he expect Chen Hu to secure victory after another, thus undermining their prospects.


    Evan Joyce''s voice resonated with a tinge of gravity as he inquired, "Which gold medal is this for Chen Hu?"


    The young man promptly responded, "It marks his seventh gold medal. Tomorrow, the men''s triathlon final awaits. If Chen Hu emerges triumphant, he will have umted a total of eight gold medals."


    Contemting the implications, Evan Joyce mulled over the odds. He slowly voiced his concerns, "If Chen Hu secures the gold medal tomorrow, what will our total losses be?"


    The young man confidently replied, "We''ve performed the calctions. Liu Yong''s wagers amount to a staggering $800 million. Based on the odds, our losses will tally up to a staggering $3.52 billion."


    $3.52 billion¡ªa sum of monumental proportions.


    While Evan Joyce could indeed afford such a substantial amount, the burden weighed heavily upon him. It threatened to erode his wealth, painstakingly amassed over the years, draining nearly half of his fortunes into Liu Yong''s pockets.


    No.


    This was categorically uneptable.


    Evan Joyce abruptly abandoned his golf club, gesturing dismissively, dering, "Gather the leaders for a meeting at the manor tonight at eight."


    "Understood, boss," the young man acknowledged.


    Evan Joyce''s intent was crystal clear¡ªto summon his subordinates to discuss nullifying this impending loss.


    Under no circumstances would he allow himself to be burdened with such an astronomical debt.


    The following day, the men''s triathlon took centre stage. As expected, Chen Hu emerged victorious, once again obliterating records.


    Against the backdrop of this momentous Olympic triumph, Liu Yong sought out the finest upscale restaurant in the vicinity tomemorate the asion. Nestled within a private room, avish feast awaited¡ªa cornucopia of local delicacies renowned for their unique vours.


    Li Changle, the four bodyguards, and two individuals named He Qiang and Gilsnut were Apanying Liu Yong. The rest of their group remained discreetly stationed at various locations in Rio, meticulously observing Evan Joyce''s every move.


    Gilsnut, a longstanding member of the Wolf Warriors, held a prominent position as the first team leader. Possessing fluency in Mandarin and boasting a quarter of Yan Kingdom lineage, his skills have provenmendable over time.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Amidst the joyful atmosphere, Liu Yong raised his ss in a toast, eximing, "Originally, I had wanted to invite Chen Hu to join us, but considering his current record, I will make sure to celebrate him properly upon our return to China."


    His words resonated, prompting everyone to follow suit, raising their sses in unison.


    Amidst the celebratory ambience that honoured Chen Hu''s remarkable achievement of securing eight gold medals, an underlying undercurrent of excitement lingered¡ªa sense of anticipation surrounding the vast sum of money soon toe into Liu Yong''s possession.


    He Qiang said, his voice brimming with admiration, "Boss, your prowess is truly astounding. Had I known earlier, I would have wagered tens of thousands alongside you. The gains would have been astronomical. Now, it''s merely a few hundred thousand."


    Liu Yong chuckled, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. "The money isn''t in my hands just yet. It will require some effort to retrieve it."


    Gilsnut''s expression tinged with determination interjected, "Boss, if Evan Joyce dares to renege on his debts, shall I gather my brothers and teach him a lesson at his doorstep?"


    Gilsnut''s words carried an air of unwavering conviction. He regarded Evan Joyce as nothing more than a trivial obstacle, one easily subdued should he dare to default on his obligations.


    Liu Yong responded assuredly, "There''s no need to worry. Today, we shall pay a visit to Amos Gaming Building. If the cashing process proceeds smoothly, it will be the ideal oue, minimizing unnecessaryplications. However, should the funds remain elusive, we shall confront Evan Joyce once more."


    Liu Yong was fully aware that the likelihood of sessfully retrieving the money was slim. Evan Joyce would undoubtedly resist parting with such a substantial sum. If pressed to the extreme, Liu Yong would emphatically dere, "Young man, you overestimate yourself. I cannot simply let go of what is rightfully mine."


    Amidst the camaraderie and revelry, the meal progressed harmoniously. Congrattions were extended to Chen Hu for his astonishing feat of capturing eight gold medals, while des were bestowed upon Liu Yong for his impending fortune.


    The following day, Liu Yong embarked on his mission with only one bodyguard in tow. The remaining three bodyguards and Li Changle opted to remain at the hotel temporarily.


    Liu Yong personally ventured to the Yamos Gaming Building, where he was greeted by the same senior manager who had previously attended to him. The manager''s initial demeanour exuded warmth and enthusiasm, yet as Liu Yong broached the topic of cashing in, a cascade of excuses and exnations followed.


    Naturally, Liu Yong''s frustration began to simmer. He emphasized that the agreement stipted an honorarium to be paid within 24 hours following the conclusion of the eightpetitions.


    With Chen Hu''s eighth gold medal victory having urred over 20 hours prior, a mere three hours remained before the cashing deadline expired.


    Observing the manager''s litany of excuses, Liu Yong decided against further indulging in fruitless discourse. Leaving behind a stern deration, he warned that failure to transfer the total sum of $3.52 billion beyond the agreed-upon timeframe would incur severe penalties.


    The senior manager, seemingly dismissive of Liu Yong''s words, allowed a hint of disdain to surface on his face. Even his demeanour shifted, shedding the earlier pretence of warmth. Meanwhile, an individual standing beside the manager suggested hushedly, "Boss, why don''t we detain him and confiscate the agreement? Then we can deny that Liu Yong ever ced a bet."


    The suggestion was straightforward: by absconding with Liu Yong''s agreement, they could eliminate any evidence of his wager, thus denying his im altogether.


    The senior manager cast a contemtive nce at Liu Yong, who was walking away, and then at the security guards, who seemed prepared to take action. Ultimately, he shook his head, deeming the n inappropriate. Deep down, he believed that his boss possessed a superior strategy.


    One thing remained certain in his mind: even if Liu Yong possessed airtight documentation, retrieving the total $3.52 billion or even the initial $800 million wagered seemed highly improbable.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong''s departure signalled the conclusion of the encounter, his departing words serving as a final warning. He stressed thatte fees would undoubtedly be incurred if the deadline expires without the $3.52 billion credited to his ount.


    The senior manager''s expression darkened, and a whisper escaped his lips, "Inform Evan Joyce of what Liu Yong just said. Once the deadline passes, the debt will exceed $3.52 billion, and additional charges will apply."


    Although the senior manager did not take Liu Yong''s words seriously, he realized that challenging the determined gambler might prove difficult. He suspected Evan Joyce would be unwilling to ept such an exorbitant sum.


    ...

 Chapter 328 Debt Showdown

    ?


    He dared not take a step further.


    The sixth sense whispered to him, an intuitive feeling that if he mustered the audacity to enter as a duo and dismiss the cautionary words, he must possess something substantial to hold onto. Alone, he stood there, lost in thought, until Liu Yong entirely vanished from sight. Only then did he gather the courage to make the slightest movement.


    At that moment, a tinge of anger swept through Liu Yong.


    Despite his prior knowledge that it was doubtful to collect the money this time, the anger simmered within him, beyond his control. Returning to the hotel, as soon as he entered the room, Li Changle anxiously inquired, "Brother Yong, are you alright?"


    Liu Yong replied, "I''m fine. As I suspected, Evan Joyce never had any intentions of honoring his debt. It seems he ns to renege on his obligations."


    Concern etched across Li Changle''s face as she said worriedly, "Brother Yong, what should we do?"


    Liu Yongforted her, "Don''t worry. I have a solution."


    After exchanging a few words with his girlfriend and escorting her to the inner room, Liu Yong picked up the phone and summoned He Qiang and Gilsnut.


    Both of them were temporarily staying at the same hotel. They almost spoke in unison as they entered the room, "Boss, you called for us."


    Liu Yong nodded and recounted his recent visit to the Amos Building, emphasizing, "As we expected, Evan Joyce had no intention of providing the money. Instead, he has a task for us."


    Eagerly, He Qiang interjected, "Boss, please tell me."


    Liu Yong exined, "Go and investigate. I want Evan Joyce''s private phone number, and I also want to know his current whereabouts, his base of operations."


    The two of them couldn''t help but feel a surge of excitement. Simultaneously, they realized that their Boss intended to deal with Evan Joyce. This was excellent news since they had been in Rio for over a week, bored without significant action. Individuals like them were not ustomed to mundane lives; they found joy in battles and confrontations.


    He Qiang eagerly dered, "Boss, I will start the investigation immediately."


    Once they departed, Liu Yong remained in the hotel, temporarily residing in the presidential suite. He spent his time sipping coffee, gazing at the captivating view from the spacious balcony, or watching television with Li Changle. The hours passed swiftly.


    Three to four hours had swiftly psed, and it was now afternoon. Liu Yong nced at his watch, realizing the 24 hours had expired. However, no text message reminder had arrived, indicating that the promised $3.52 billion had yet to materialize. Evan Joyce seemed resolute in his refusal to pay.


    Shortly after, He Qiang returned with a report, saying, "Boss, we have thoroughly investigated Evan Joyce''s situation. He has been residing in a manor located in the western suburbs of Rio City for the past few days, and he is still there."


    The investigation itself proved to be rtively straightforward. However, obtaining Evan Joyce''s personal phone number posed a minor challenge. As the self-proimed godfather of the Rio City underworld, Evan Joyce was fearless, unafraid of anyone, even some government officials. While he may have umted numerous adversaries, he had dealt with most of them, leaving only a few inconsequential ones. Consequently, he became increasingly high-profile, with his whereabouts no longer a closely guarded secret.


    He Qiang continued his report, "The manor spans several hundred acres. Evan Joyce usually resides in the grand vi. ordingto our findings, the manor is heavily guarded, with 70 to 80 individuals protecting Evan Joyce at all times."


    He provided a detailed ount of their investigation and handed over a nk piece of paper with Evan Joyce''s private phone number written on it.


    Liu Yong epted the paper, nodding in satisfaction. He walked over to the phone and dialled the number.


    The phone in the presidential suite connected quickly, allowing Liu Yong to pick up the microphone and speak in English, "Mr. Evan Joyce, I am Liu Yong, the man who once wagered 800 million dors."


    On the other end of the line, Evan Joyce was taken aback, not expecting Liu Yong''s call. After a brief silence, Evan Joyce responded coldly, "What do you want?"


    Liu Yong calmly continued, "I called for two reasons. Firstly, the 24-hour deadline has passed, and I have yet to receive the payment you promised."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    He paused briefly before adding, "Secondly, since more than 24 hours have psed without any funds transferred, I can onlye knocking at your door to collect the debt. However, I must impose ate fee andpensation for the trouble caused."


    Before Liu Yong could finish his sentence, Evan Joyce abruptly ended the call, leaving only a beeping, busy tone in response.


    At that moment, Evan Joyce was likely cursing Liu Yong''s audacity. He still desired the money and foundte payment fees preposterous. But Liu Yong remained unfazed, simply waving his hand and dering, "Inform the others. We will pay him a visit."


    He Qiang''s spirits soared upon hearing themand. They were about to confront the Godfather of Rio City to settle the debt. It was an exhrating prospect, especially after spending over a week in Rio with no significant action.


    "Boss, we have made all necessary preparations and are ready to act whenever you give the order," He Qiang eximed.


    Several hours earlier, He Qiang had anticipated this scenario and ensured his team was fully prepared.


    Satisfied with He Qiang''s response, Liu Yong gestured, "In that case, let''s proceed."


    Li Changle, however, harboured concerns for Liu Yong''s safety.


    Liu Yong reassured her, saying, "Lele, don''t worry. Wait for me at the hotel. We''ll have dinner together in the evening before heading to the airport to go home."


    The private ne had arrived again at Rio International Airport, preparing to return to Huahai City that night. The Olympic Games were ongoing, but Chen Hu hadpleted all eight events, allowing Liu Yong to return home.


    Li Changle nodded, saying, "Brother Yong,e back soon."


    "Of course, we''ll have dinner together," Liu Yong replied, gently kissing Li Changle''s forehead.


    At the hotel entrance, three off-road vehicles awaited, with seven fully armed team members, including Gilsnut. Meanwhile, Li Changle remained in the hotel, apanied by four bodyguards Liu Yong had brought from China for her protection.


    The three off-road vehicles embarked on their journey to the western suburbs of Rio City. Despite the imminent confrontation, the team members disyed no signs of nervousness. Instead, a palpable sense of excitement emanated from them.


    These were individuals born for battle. The prospect of engaging inbat and unleashing their skills was invigorating.


    The three vehicles maintained high speeds, gliding along smooth and picturesque asphalt roads. As they ventured deeper into the western suburbs, the city of Rio faded into the distance, and the poption grew sparse. Thendscape transitioned from urban buildings to dense forests and rolling hillsides.


    After driving for around ten kilometres, they came across a vastke ahead. Adjacent to theke was the sprawling manor they had been seeking, with the grand vi standing prominently like a castle in the middle.


    Liu Yong nced at the impressive sight and couldn''t help but think that Evan Joyce had chosen an idyllic location for his retreat. The man knew how to indulge himself.


    As they approached the manor, Liu Yong and his team could see that it was heavily fortified, guarded by many armed personnel. The security detailprised 70 to 80 individuals who always surrounded Evan Joyce.


    Taking in the information provided by He Qiang, Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel a surge of determination. This was their moment to confront the self-proimed Godfather of Rio City and reim what was rightfully theirs.


    Gathering his resolve, Liu Yong gave his final instructions to the team, "Stay focused and be prepared for any situation. We''re here to collect the debt owed to us."


    He Qiang and the others nodded, their anticipation building. They were eager to face off against a figure as formidable as Evan Joyce. To them, a life without action was dull and unfulfilling. This was their chance to experience the thrill ofbat once again.


    With their preparationsplete, Liu Yong and his team approached the heavily guarded entrance of Evan Joyce''s manor, ready to demand what was owed to them.

 Chapter 329 Paying The Price

    ?


    The three powerful off-road vehicles surged forward, their engines roaring in unison as they elerated towards their unmistakable target¡ªthe grand vi nestled within the sprawling estate.


    Upon reaching the entrance gate of the manor, several individuals immediately signalled for the convoy to halt. Two of them were conspicuously armed, their weapons disyed with an air of authority.


    "Park the damn car!" barked one of the armed men, his voice filled with stern authority.


    The request to stop and submit to inspection was met with disbelief. The window of the lead off-road vehicle rolled down, revealing the menacing figures of the gangsters within, each wielding a silenced pistol.


    Several suppressed shots rang out in a swift and nearly inaudible sequence, leaving the individuals outside wholly motionless. Their heads had been targeted with lethal precision, a disy of marksmanship and speed characteristic of the esteemed Wolf Warriors.


    Without pausing, the three off-road vehicles surged through the gate of the grand vi. The vehicles didn''te to aplete stop before the team members disembarked, one after the other.


    As they stepped onto the premises, they were met with the astonished gazes of the vi''s security personnel, both stationed at the front and scattered around. Witnessing the heavily armed upants of the off-road vehicles exiting, a sense of shock washed over them.


    Before any of the security personnel could react, the Wolf Warriors unleashed a barrage of gunfire, their weapons of choice ranging from assault rifles to the mighty Desert Eagle wielded by Liu Yong.


    "Da da da!"


    The air filled with the loud chorus of gunfire as the Wolf Warriors conducted a one-sided massacre. Evan Joyce''s formidable horse boys men were swiftly and mercilessly eradicated.


    Leading the pack with his trusty pistol, Liu Yong was followed closely by He Qiang and Gilsnut. The trio boldly advanced toward the vi''s entrance gate.


    The door stood solidly shut, but that didn''t deter Liu Yong. The robust safety door yielded with a forceful kick, crumbling beneath his sheer strength.


    The disy of raw power evoked admiration from the other team members, who recognized their leader''s indomitable spirit. Ever since consuming the "gic medicine," their physical abilities had been vastly enhanced, yet none of them could rival the might of Liu Yong. The door they had encountered was made of sturdy metal, typically requiring explosives to breach. But Liu Yong had kicked it open.


    Once inside the vi, they methodically eliminated anyone in their line of sight, sparing only the non-threatening servants who happened to be present.


    "Boss, ording to our intelligence, Evan Joyce is usually on the fifth floor," one of the team members informed Liu Yong.


    With a subtle nod, Liu Yong acknowledged the information and led hisrades up the stairs, encountering armed personnel along the way. Each time, he effortlessly dispatched them with calcted precision.


    Indeed, Evan Joyce resided on the fifth floor, currently engaged in a meeting with a group of his loyal subordinates. The agenda included discussions on how to seize control of another underground force in Rio City and deliberations regarding Liu Yong''s audacious $800 million wager.


    "Boss, the total amounts to $800 million. Such a substantial sum should remain in our possession," one of the subordinates confidently asserted.


    "Absolutely. Not only will we keep the $800 million, but Liu Yong won''t receive a single penny of his ill-conceived bet," Evan Joyce concurred.


    As their conversation continued, a sudden eruption of gunfire reverberated outside the conference room, jolting them from theircency.


    rmed, Evan Joyce asked, "What is happening out there?"


    A subordinate, one of the more minor bosses, hastily replied, "Boss, it appears that we have unwee visitors at our doorstep."


    Yet, despite the intrusion, none of the upants in the room exhibited the slightest hint of tension or concern. They had grown ustomed to such instances of vendetta, knowing that enemies seeking retribution would asionally appear throughout the year. And each time, they had sessfully repelled them. After all, the manor boasted a force of seventy to eighty armed personnel, providing an illusion of invincibility.


    However, a sense of unease crept into Evan Joyce''s consciousness as a few more minutes passed. Something felt awry. The conference room door swung open abruptly, revealing a small boss who bore wounds and was drenched in blood, evidence of the fierce battle ensuing outside.


    Trembling with fear, the bloodied subordinate uttered in horror, "Boss, we can''t hold them off any longer. You need to go."


    "What?!" Evan Joyce eximed in disbelief. How could their formidable force,prising dozens of armed men armed to the teeth, fail to withstand the assault?


    Desperate for information, Evan Joyce asked, "How many of them are there?"


    His voiceced with trepidation, the subordinate responded, "There are only nine of them, but they possess extraordinary power. I suspect they are among the world''s most elite mercenaries. It seems they are not our regr foes."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    The gangsters they typically faced were hardly a match for Evan Joyce''s well-equipped and numerous entourage. But facing just nine opponents who showcased such unparalleled prowess baffled them all.


    As Evan Joyce struggled toprehend the situation, a barrage of gunshots erupted from the vicinity, followed by the lifeless body of the wounded subordinate copsing to the floor. Liu Yong, wielding his Desert Eagle, had swiftly dispatched him without a moment''s hesitation.


    Leading the charge, Liu Yong and hispanions strode into the conference room, their presencemanding respect and fear. The remaining team members assumed control of the manor, eliminating the remnants of Evan Joyce''s militants, with sporadic gunfire asionally echoing through the halls.


    Liu Yong nonchntly approached, his piercing gaze sweeping across the room. "Who among you is Evan Joyce?" he demanded.


    Silence engulfed the room as the individuals inside stared, incredulous at the audacity of their uninvited guests. Sensing the gravity of the situation, a leader within the room instinctively reached for his weapon.


    Unperturbed, Liu Yong raised his hand, aiming his gun with unwavering precision. In one swift motion, he fired, obliterating the leader''s head. The room fell into a calm stillness, the upants realizing they stood in the presence of a ruthless killer who didn''t flinch at the prospect of taking lives.


    Evan Joyce rose from his seat, his voice strained, "I am Evan Joyce. And who might you be?"


    Seating himself casually atop the conference table, Liu Yong responded with a steely resolve, "I am Liu Yong, and I havee to settle a debt."


    The weight of those words hung heavily in the air, leaving Evan Joyce momentarily dumbfounded. As realization dawned upon him, he understood that Liu Yong stood before him, demanding the repayment of the audacious $800 million wager.


    Evan Joyce seethed with anger, silently cursing the audacity of this man who not only sought a reckoning but had brazenly barged in, dispatching his men without mercy.


    "And what sort of debt are you referring to?" Evan Joyce managed to muster, and his voice tinged with bitterness.


    With an air of unwavering resolve, Liu Yong pointed his gun toward another boss, instilling a palpable sense of terror in the man. "Boss, we shouldhurry and pay him," the trembling subordinate pleaded.


    Evan Joyce hesitated, torn between his pride and the stark reality before him. But Liu Yong allowed him no room for contemtion. In an instant, he pulled the trigger, ending the life of the cowering boss with a resounding gunshot.


    Liu Yong''s actions sent a chilling message to the room''s upants, who now understood their lives were at the mercy of this ruthless assassin.


    Fixing his gaze on Evan Joyce, Liu Yong spoke sternly, "The original debt amounted to $3.52 billion, but with additional fees for inconvenience caused, our arduous journey to your doorstep, and other expenses, the total now stands at $5 billion."


    The audacity of Liu Yong''s demands stoked Evan Joyce''s anger, who thought bitterly to himself that even his most extravagant fees wouldn''t warrant such an exorbitant sum.


    With his gun trained on another boss, Liu Yong spoke with unwavering authority, "Hurry up and transfer the funds. I dislike hearing excuses about not having the money. Failure toply will result in the next bullet piercing your chest."


    Fear gripped Evan Joyce as he stared into the cold, ck muzzle of the gun. In that moment, his bravado vanished, and the prospect of death loomed before him.


    "I-I understand, but I don''t have ess to such a vast sum immediately," Evan Joyce stammered, his voiceced with desperation.


    Liu Yong fired a shot without hesitation, hitting Evan Joyce in the thigh. The pain surged through his body, leaving him pale and trembling.


    "I detest hearing excuses," Liu Yong retorted coldly. "Transfer the money quickly, or the next bullet will find its mark in your chest."


    Terrified, Evan Joyce abandoned any pretence and hastily began operating hisptop. His hands shook uncontrobly as he initiated the transfer of $5 billion from the three designated ounts to Liu Yong''s offshore ount.


    "Mr. Liu, the funds have been transferred," Evan Joyce managed to utter through trembling lips, his fear palpable.


    Liu Yong''s steely gaze bore into Evan Joyce''s soul as he responded, "Good. Remember, next time, be more mindful of your debts."


    With the transferplete, the room''s atmosphere remained tense. Evan Joyce''s fate hung in the bnce, his life resting solely in the hands of Liu Yong, the ruthless enforcer.


    The events unfolding in that room were a stark reminder of the power wielded by those with the skills, the determination, and audacity to im what they believed was rightfully theirs.

 Chapter 330 Regret And Reflection ?

    ?


    Liu Yong gazed at the staggering amount before him, a whopping 5 billion U.S. dors. It was an immense sum, and every penny had been transferred to his ount.


    Evan Joyce pleaded, trembling, "Mr. Liu, please spare my life. I swear I''ll pretend none of this ever happened. I won''t even think about going to the police."


    Liu Yong fixed his eyes on Evan Joyce, his voice dripping with calcted menace. "So, should I end your life, or should I show mercy?"


    A resounding "plop!" echoed through the room, followed by the sight of several high-ranking figures dropping to their knees, their foreheads touching the floor as they begged, "Mr. Liu, we implore you, please spare us!"


    It was evident that the fear of death had gripped them all.


    "Plop, plop."


    Even Evan Joyce, relinquishing any semnce of pride, joined the others on his knees, praying for mercy. He promised not to bear any grudges, trouble Liu Yong, or avoid involving the authorities.


    Liu Yong cast a disdainful gaze upon them. Such gangsters were hardly worth his attention. If they dared to seek revenge, they would be swiftly eliminated.


    Waving his hand dismissively, Liu Yongmanded, "Go, let''s return."


    Heading towards the exit to settle the remaining business, knowing that his objective had been achieved, Liu Yong left behind a manor that now bore the weight of lifeless bodies. All the men had been ruthlessly dispatched, leaving only the defenceless servants unharmed.


    The three off-road vehicles departed, vanishing into the distance. The ce they left behind was an eerie sight, with corpses littering the once vibrant manor.


    After a considerable amount of time had passed, one of the leaders spoke slowly, his voiceden with apprehension. "Boss, can we really just let it go like this?"


    Evan Joyce, helplessness colouring his voice, responded, "What else can we do? He wiped out so many of us with just nine people, unscathed. We are no match for him at all. This matter hase to an end."


    In that moment, Evan Joyce deeply regretted his decisions. If only he had known, he would have willingly transferred a total of 3.52 billion U.S. dors into Liu Yong''s ount. Not only would it have saved over a billion dors, but it would have spared the lives of seventy or eighty of his subordinates.


    This encounter had proven to be a heavy blow for Evan Joyce, filling him with regret, a regret that weighed heavily upon his conscience.


    Within the luxurious confines of the Presidential Suite in a hotel, Liu Yong returned, his countenance rxed as if he had merely taken a leisurely stroll.


    Li Changle, perpetually filled with worry, found sce upon seeing Liu Yong''s safe return. "Brother Yong, you''re finally back. Are you alright?"


    With an effortless air, Liu Yong replied, "Everything''s fine. Evan Joyce has handed over all the money as I requested. It was an easy task."


    Li Changle suspected the whole process couldn''t have been so simple, but her astuteness urged her not to probe further. She wouldn''t question Liu Yong''s judgment.


    Liu Yong nced at the time, gesturing with a wave of his hand. "Come, let''s have dinner before heading back."


    Within the hotel, Liu Yong ordered a sumptuous feast, indulging in a delicious meal before going to the airport.


    The private Boeing 777 jet stood ready, prepared for their departure. Shortly after Liu Yong and hispanions boarded the ne, it taxied onto the runway, gaining speed until it gracefully lifted off, soaring towards Huahai International Airport.


    During his trip to Rio City, Liu Yong reaped considerable rewards. Not only had he witnessed Chen Hu''s triumph in winning gold medals, but he had also amassed a staggering 5 billion U.S. dors.


    ...


    Far out in the South Antic Ocean, the "Blue Whale" sailed through the vast expanse of water. On its return journey to Huahai City, it cruised at an economical speed, eschewing haste.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    After days of traversing the ocean, covering thousands of nautical miles, the vessel had bypassed the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal. Now, it found itself skirting the African continent.


    Sailing southward from the North Antic Ocean, it had reached the southernmost tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope.


    Captain Ren Ziquan peered through his telescope, his face disying a serene expression as he observed the boundless sea in the distance.


    "Captain, we are passing the Cape of Good Hope today. Tomorrow, we will enter the Indian Ocean," a crew member reported.


    Ren Ziquan nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. "Our journey has been smooth. We are finally on the cusp of entering the Indian Ocean."


    Lowering his binocrs, he reached for the satellite phone, rying the ship''s status and current location to thepany. The "Blue Whale" had been back from South America for two days, and this was the first time Liu Yong had returned to thepany''s office since his arrival, even though it was already 10 o''clock in the afternoon.


    Just as Liu Yong settled into his office, preparing to delve into the pile of documents and reports on his desk, a knock came on the door. Qiu Yang entered the room.


    "Boss, the ''Blue Whale'' has reported that they have reached the Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost tip of Africa, and are about to enter the Antic Ocean," Qiu Yang informed him.


    Liu Yong''s spirits lifted instantly. "Their progress ismendable. I hope they return soon."


    On the "Blue Whale," four lithography machines were stowed, ready to be transported. Universal Semiconductor, the newly establishedpany, was poised tomence the construction of two factories.


    "In no more than 30 days, the ''Blue Whale'' will arrive in Huahai City. By that time, the construction of our two factories will be in full swing," Qiu Yang assured Liu Yong.


    The two engaged in conversation, discussing the current state of thepany and the imminent construction of the new factories. Each facility demanded an investment of 30 to 40 billion dors and had been meticulously nned by a team of experts. These factories would undoubtedly rank among the world''s most advanced and scientifically designed chip manufacturing establishments.


    ...


    In the depths of the North Antic Ocean, the Overlord swam leisurely, lurking several tens of meters beneath the surface. Having recently devoured a massive sperm whale, it was now satiated, its hunger temporarily sated.


    Located far from both the North American and European continents, the Overlord meandered through the icy waters. Lost in thought, it wondered about the mysteries concealed beneath the ocean''s depths.


    The Overlord''s mind drifted to memories of the peculiar white fish it had encountered in the Indian Ocean trench. They wererge and delectable, a single catch that satiated its appetite.


    Now, it yearned to explore the depths of the North Antic Ocean, pondering the existence of undiscovered colossal creatures. Could they be devoured, and if so, what would they taste like?


    Driven by curiosity, the Overlord embarked on a deeper descent, plunging into the sea''s abyssal depths. The water grew darker as it ventured further, with sporadic light spots illuminating the surroundings¡ªthe bioluminescent fish inhabiting these depths.


    Undeterred, the Overlord continued its descent, hoping to encounterrger prey within its perceptible range. Yet, despite its extensive perception, it only encountered creatures of modest sizes, with thergest measuring a mere one or two meters.


    As it reached a depth of over 4,000 meters, the Overlord finally arrived at the seafloor. A vast and level expanse stretched before it, resembling a sprawling in at the ocean''s bottom.


    The Overlord leisurely swam across the seabed, its perception epassing a radius of 500 meters, providing a clear view of its surroundings. The seafloor remained uniformly t for dozens of nautical miles¡ªa seemingly endless in.


    Suddenly, the Overlord sensed a colossal and seemingly bottomless pit ahead. Intrigued, it swam towards it, discovering a circr abyss of unfathomable depth.


    The Overlord hovered at the pit''s edge, captivated by its enormity.

 Chapter 331 The Unfathomable Pit

    ?


    In front of the Overlord loomed an immense and unfathomable abyss, a pit unlike any ordinary chasm ever witnessed.


    Ba stood poised on the precipice of this colossal void, his gaze locked upon it with meticulous scrutiny, sensing an extraordinary essence emanating from its depths.


    "Master, please behold this colossal chasm," Ba eximed, unable to contain his astonishment.


    At that moment, Liu Yong had already concluded his work for the day and found himself in his opulent multimillion-dor vi. Nowadays, he resides in this grand residence as his primary abode.


    The vi, worth hundreds of millions, exuded sheer extravagance, equipped with every imaginable luxury and offering a climate-controlled environment that ensuredfort regardless of the season. Living there was a true indulgence.


    An entourage of staff members attended to every need, including security personnel, gardeners, housekeeping staff, and chefs, totalling more than a dozen individuals devoted to serving Liu Yong.


    Additionally, Li Changle frequented the vi for extended stays, particrly during summer vacations when she found respite within itsvish confines.


    Liu Yong was engrossed in his study when the voice of Ba, his trustypanion, resounded within his mind. Reacting promptly, he essed his pet control panel and activated the third-party field of vision.


    In an instant, Liu Yong''s eyes fell upon Ba.


    Aware that Ba was currently positioned at a staggering depth of over 4,000 meters below the sea surface, within a radius of 1,000 meters visible through the field of vision, the underwater terrain stretched out in a remarkably t expanse.


    To Liu Yong''s astonishment, a colossal circr cavity emerged before Ba''s gaze.


    This massive hole plunged vertically into the abyss, appearing unfathomable and possessing a diameter exceeding one kilometre.


    The sudden appearance of such an immense, vertically descending cavern in the submarine in was already a sight profoundly awe-inspiring.


    Liu Yong found himself astounded by the meticulous circrity of this giant cavity, akin to a perfectly rendered blueprint.


    Indeed, it appeared as precisely shaped as a masterfully drawn circle.


    Could this be the result of natural forces, or was it a testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship of an advanced civilization? Liu Yong marvelled at the thought. For such a colossal and perfectly circr opening to exist naturally would be an astonishing feat.


    But if it were artificial...


    That notion struck a nerve, evoking a sense of dread. Creating a wlessly symmetrical, vertically descending cavity on the seabed at a depth exceeding 4,000 meters would require an iprehensible scientific and technological prowess. To the best of Liu Yong''s knowledge, humanity had yet to achieve such capabilities.


    Regardless of whether the cavity was a natural urrence or the result of human intervention, Liu Yong decided it was imperative to explore further.


    From the third-party perspective, Liu Yong detected no immediate threats. Though peculiar marine creatures roamed the surroundings, they paledpared to the colossal Overlord and posed no tangible danger.


    "Master, this colossal cavity appears incredibly peculiar," Liu Yong said.


    "Do you wish to venture inside and explore?" he asked.


    Bawang replied, "Certainly, Master. It would be wonderful if there were delectable treasures hidden within this gargantuan chasm."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel a hint of disdain. Bawang''s insatiable appetite governed his thoughts always fixated on the possibility of delicious discoveries within the immense cavity.


    Allowing his foodie nature to guide his actions, the Overlord initiated its descent into the colossal cave, leisurely swimming deeper into its recesses, gradually increasing the depth.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong remained vignt, keenly observing the surrounding environment through the third-party vision, mainly focusing on the walls of the vast cavity.


    "Overlord, take it slow, don''t rush," Liu Yong instructed, concerned about potential hazards within the cave.


    Following hismand, Bawang proceeded more deliberately, steadily descending toward the cave''s depths.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but notice the impable regrity that defined the colossal cavity. The opening was a perfect circle, and the interior walls maintained the same wless circr form.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    This consistency struck Liu Yong with profound suspicion, prompting him to question whether this was the product of human hands rather than the forces of nature.


    He mused that the meticulousness and uniformity disyed were astounding if it were a natural urrence. A perfectly symmetrical, vertically descending cavity on such a grand scale seemed beyond possibility.


    However, if it were indeed the result of artificial intervention, the implications were spine-chilling. The level of technological advancement required to create such a precisely engineered structure at over 4,000 meters in the ocean was iprehensible by current human standards.


    As Liu Yong delved deeper into his thoughts, he couldn''t help but ponder the notion of a long-lost civilization, or perhaps even extraterrestrial beings, having a hand in this awe-inspiring creation.


    Engrossed in his exploration through the third-party perspective, Liu Yong dedicated considerable time to examining the cave walls. Despite their rtive smoothness, no discernible traces of human craftsmanship were visible.


    Could this cavity have existed for eons, with any evidence of its artificial origins eroding over time?


    The idea struck Liu Yong abruptly, causing him to recoil in surprise. Perhaps this immense hole had existed for thousands, or even tens of thousands, of years, its artificial traces fading into the annals of history.


    As this notion took root, Liu Yong consumed himself with the possibilities. Thousands of years ago, or even tens of thousands of years ago, was it the handiwork of an ancient civilization? Or could it result from encounters with beings from beyond our world?


    Through the lens of the third-party vision, Liu Yong scrutinized the cave walls intently, gradually confirming that this colossal cavity couldn''t have been formed recently. It exuded an aura of antiquity.


    Comparing the likelihood of a natural phenomenon to that of prehistoric or extraterrestrial origins, Liu Yong found himself leaning toward thetter.


    "Overlord, proceed to your maximum depth," Liu Yongmanded.


    "Understood, Master," Bawang replied dutifully.


    "But take it slow," Liu Yong cautioned. "This immense cavity strikes me as peculiar, and it''s always wise to exercise caution."


    Bawang continued his descent, maintaining a moderate pace. Liu Yong''s third-party vision remained fixated on the surroundings, yet the cavity seemed deste. Apart from the seawater, no signs of life or peculiarities presented themselves, and even the luminescent marine organisms vanished as the depth increased.


    Pressing onward, Bawang surpassed the depth of 6,000 meters, at which point the unforgiving pressure of the seawater made its presence known. Yet, undeterred, the Overlord persisted, determined to delve further.


    Reaching 6,800 meters, Bawang reached its limit¡ªa depth where the pressure became almost crushing. Sustaining a few minutes at this extreme depth seemed to be the threshold, pushing the Overlord to its limits.


    "Master, I can''t descend any further. The pressure is too immense," Bawang conveyed.


    Liu Yong nced at the depth disyed on the pet control panel, feeling satisfied with the Overlord''s achievement. The 800-ton behemoth had reached a depth of 6,800 meters, a feat worthy of recognition.


    Nheless, one disappointment remained: the bottom of the enormous cavity remained elusive. With Bawang positioned at 6,800 meters and the third-party vision extending to 1,000 meters, Liu Yong''s line of sight reached a depth of 7,800 meters. Yet, the bottom of the cavity remained hidden, its actual depth unknown.


    Could it indeed be an endless abyss?


    Recognizing the futility of further descent, Liu Yong made a decision. "Bawang, let''s return. This massive cavity is too deep."


    Bawang heeded its master''s instruction, relieved to ascend from the crushing depths. Swimming upward, the Overlord regained a morefortable position where it could sustain itself for extended periods.


    As Liu Yong monitored the ascent, his attention still fixated on the cave walls, searching for any peculiarities or indications of significance.


    Then, unexpectedly, he witnessed something extraordinary, prompting a startled exmation to escape his lips. "Huh!"


    "Overlord, slow down. Let me examine the cave wall more closely," Liu Yong urgently requested.


    Complying with themand, Bawang reduced its speed until finallying to a halt.


    Liu Yong''s gaze remained fixed on the pet panel''s disy, observing the intricacies of the cave walls through the third-party vision. And there, he detected something unusual amidst the otherwise smooth and featureless walls.

 Chapter 332 Awe-Inspiring Phenomena!!

    ?


    "Master, do you see anything unusual on the cave wall?" The question was filled with curiosity, akin to that of a curious baby.


    With a hint of intrigue, Liu Yong responded, "Confidently observe the cave wall. Are there any new discoveries?"


    Bawang gracefully swam to the forefront of the cave wall, utilizing its extraordinary perceptiveness to discern the subtle variations in texture and colour.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong possessed a unique third-party vision that allowed him to perceive even the darkest depths of the seabed as if it were daylight.


    Moments ago, Liu Yong had stumbled upon an abnormality on the cave wall. To be precise, the wall appeared to beyered with distinct boundaries. Someyers were pitch ck, while others were dark grey or grey. It resembled the strata of a mining bed. Could it be that this colossal circr hole was, in fact, a mine where ancient or extraterrestrial civilizations had once extracted minerals?


    Liu Yong found himself bewildered, yet upon contemtion, he found this hypothesis to be highly usible.


    Regrettably, Bawang was still too small. If it were more extensive, it could venture deeper into the vast expanse of the cave, possibly reaching depths exceeding 8,000 or even 9,000 meters, potentially uncovering astonishing revtions.


    "Master, the cave wall exhibits different colors,yer byyer. It''s rather beautiful," Bawang remarked.


    Liu Yong concurred, saying, "It does bear resemnce to a mining formation. It''s possible that this immense hole was created through the extraction of a specific mineral."


    Upon hearing this audacious spection, Overlord was genuinely taken aback.


    Indeed, this notion challenged their preconceived understanding, but the more Liu Yong scrutinized the colossal hole, the less it appeared to have formed naturally.


    "Overlord, strive to growrger. Once we can delve deeper into this cavity, we can unveil its mysteries," Liu Yong suggested.


    Intuition seemed to guide Liu Yong, assuring him that deeper exploration would yield significant discoveries.


    Overlord replied, determined, "Okay, I will exert myself to grow, aiming to surpass 1,000 tons."


    "Excellent, I believe in you. Let us make our way back," Liu Yong responded.


    Overlord began ascending, swiftly leaving behind the vast abyss and returning to the expansive in of the seabed.


    Liu Yong disengaged from the third-party vision and pet panel, resuming his role as a surface-dwelling human.


    The following day...


    Liu Yong arrived at the Global Shipping Group in his car. Before visiting the Universal Building, he intended to peruse documents and reports in his office.


    The Universal Building had reached itspletion stage, with 98 floors towering above and three floors extending beneath the surface. The exterior walls were being decorated, internal plumbing and electrical instations were underway, and interior decor was being attended to.


    Remarkably, less than a year had passed since constructionmenced, and the building had already reached its roof. Such swiftness was a record attributed to the financial abundance and flexibility of the Global Shipping Group.


    After briefly scanning a few documents and pouring himself a cup of coffee, Liu Yong was interrupted by Overlord''s voice echoing in his mind.


    "Master, I have discovered another massive hole!"


    Surprised, Liu Yong paused for a moment. The notion of finding another colossal underwater cave seemed imusible, yet here they were, facing another one.


    Liu Yong swiftly activated his third-party vision and immediatelyid eyes on Bawang, still situated on the seabed in, with an unfathomable abyss before it.


    This new cavity mirrored the previous one¡ªperfectly circr, descending vertically, and with a diameter of approximately 1,000 meters. Had it not been for the presence of several colossal boulders nearby, each weighing thousands of tons, Liu Yong would have doubted whether this new hole was the same as the one they had encountered the day before.


    "Master, shall I explore it?" Overlord asked, eager to investigate the newly discovered hole.


    With two identical colossal holes before them, it was imperative to delve deeper and uncover their secrets. Liu Yong responded, "Be cautious. Let us proceed slowly."


    Following Liu Yong''s guidance, Overlord cautiously ventured into the enormous cavity, gradually swimming towards its depths.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong observed with great care through his third-party vision. The new hole mirrored the previous one perfectly¡ªa perfectly circr shape with a vertical descent.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but entertain the idea that extraterrestrial beings had created the holes using a colossal drill bit with a diameter of 1,000 meters. The sheer precision and uniformity of the holes defied natural formations.


    After reaching a depth of 6,800 meters, Overlord could progress no further. Even with the aid of Liu Yong''s 1,000-meter range of vision, the abyss remained bottomless, its true depth and extent obscured.


    "Master, the pressure is bing too intense. I must retreat," Overlordmunicated.


    Understanding the limitations imposed by the overwhelming pressure, Liu Yong concurred, "Very well, let us ascend. It seems that we cannot reach the bottom of this enormous cavity at this time."


    Overlord voiced his determination, "Master, my next task is to consume and grow. I will endeavor to expand rapidly, allowing us to explore the seabed''s depths. Once I have grown, I will undoubtedly venture into the cavity."


    Liu Yong reassured him, saying, "Indeed, your current objective is to grow. Strive to attain arger size."


    After a brief exchange, Liu Yong deactivated the third-party vision, settled into his office chair, and savoured a warm cup of coffee while deep in thought.


    How could such perfectly formed cavities exist over 4,000 meters beneath the sea? If he were to share this revtion, who would believe him?


    Were they remnants of ancient civilizations or evidence of extraterrestrial activity? What purpose could these immense holes serve? Mining minerals or some other enigmatic motive?


    Liu Yong pondered these questions for an extended period but found no answers. Perhaps, he concluded, they would have to await Overlord''s growth, enabling them to explore deeper and potentially unravel the mysteries concealed within the colossal caverns.


    With his coffee consumed, Liu Yong rose from his seat and went to the Universal Building.


    The construction of the tower had surpassed its halfway mark. The main structure had beenpleted, and the roof was sessfully sealed. Most of the ss panels adorned the exterior walls, showcasing the building''s breathtaking beauty.


    Standing before the towering structure, Liu Yong marvelled at the 98-story building, appreciating its grandeur and magnificence.


    The building''s surroundings buzzed with activity, attracting inte influencers and content creators eager to capture its allure. Liu Yong observed young individuals shooting videos or live streaming, utilizing the building as a backdrop.


    Contemting the future, Liu Yong relished the prospect of relocating to the Universal Building for work. The panoramic view from his office on the top floor, overlooking the entire city, would be an unmatched experience.


    Envisioning this, Liu Yong opened his heart, gazing at the building before him. Suddenly, the startled exmations and surprised whispers of onlookers filled his ears.


    Puzzled, Liu Yong turned his attention toward themotion, discovering a group of young people who had been filming in front of the Universal Building.


    Curiosity piqued, Liu Yong listened closely and soon understood the reason for themotion. The young individuals were in awe and disbelief as they pointed towards the sky.


    Liu Yong turned his gaze upward and was met with an astonishing sight. Hovering in the sky above the Universal Building was an enormous object, unlike anything he had ever seen before. It resembled a massive metallic sphere, its surface reflecting the sunlight, casting a dazzling glow.


    Gasps of astonishment echoed throughout the crowd as people marvelled at the spectacle unfolding before them. Liu Yong''s mind raced with questions, trying toprehend the nature and origin of this extraordinary phenomenon.


    Unable to contain his curiosity, Liu Yong activated his third-party vision again, zooming in on the colossal sphere hovering above. He scrutinized every detail, analyzing its structure and searching for any clues to shed light on its origins.


    The sphere appeared to bepletely motionless, defying thews of physics. It emitted an otherworldly aura, captivating everyone who beheld it.


    Liu Yong''s thoughts raced, considering the possibilities. Could this be a spacecraft from an advanced extraterrestrial civilization? Or was it a product of advanced human technology, a secret project unbeknownst to the public?


    As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Liu Yong realized he had stumbled upon an unprecedented discovery. The existence of the mysterious cavities deep beneath the ocean and now this enigmatic sphere hovering above the Universal Building seemed to be connected somehow.


    Excitement and a sense of urgency filled Liu Yong''s heart. He knew he needed to gather more information, investigate, and uncover the truth behind these extraordinary phenomena.


    Leaving the crowd behind, Liu Yong hurriedly returned to his office. He essed the vastwork of resources avable to him through the Global Shipping Group, seeking any information or reports rted to simr incidents or unexined phenomena worldwide.


    Liu Yong understood that this discovery could potentially change the course of human history and unlock new frontiers of knowledge. It was a responsibility he couldn''t ignore.


    As he delved into the research and analyzed the avable data, Liu Yong felt a surge of determination. He was prepared to embark on a journey that would test his limits, challenge his understanding of the world, and potentially reshape the destiny of humanity.

 Chapter 333 Change In A Position

    ?


    Two days ago, Chen Hu was preparing to leave at the National Athletic Centre. Several team members, including the renowned national sprinter Su Tian surrounded him. They gathered close to Chen Hu as he packed his belongings, sensing that something significant was about to unfold.


    With a hint of sadness, Su Tian addressed Chen Hu, "Brother Chen, it''s hard to believe you''re leaving at the pinnacle of your career."


    Chen Hu replied calmly, "Yes, it''s true. Tomorrow morning, my retirement will be officially announced. I have made up my mind."


    Expressing his regret, Su Tian said, "It''s a shame, Brother Chen. With your incredible strength, you could dominate the Diamond League and even the next Olympic Games."


    A bittersweet smile adorned Chen Hu''s face as he responded, "There''s a sense of solitude that apanies expertise at my level. It''s something you might not fully understand. I believe it''s time for me to bid farewell to the track and field team and pursue other endeavors."


    Curious about Chen Hu''s ns post-retirement, Su Tian inquired, "Brother Chen, what do you intend to do after you retire? Start a business, be a coach, or something else?"


    Chen Hu, who had already decided, didn''t hesitate to reveal his decision. "I will be a driver."


    The announcement took everyone by surprise, leaving them astonished. They couldn''t fathom who possessed such influence and stature to have Chen Hu as their driver. Doubt and confusion clouded their minds.


    "Are you serious? You''re going to be a driver?" Su Tian questioned in disbelief.


    Startled, one of the team members who assisted Chen Hu in packing spoke up, "Brother Chen, this can''t be true. You''re just joking with us, right?"


    Chen Hu reassured them earnestly, "I''m not joking. I genuinely n to be a driver. Once the retirement announcement is made tomorrow, I will start working as a driver the day after. I''ll return to my previous upation and continue to drive for someone."


    The team members remained stunned, struggling to ept this unexpected turn of events. They couldn''tprehend how Chen Hu, a renowned athlete, would transition into the role of a driver.


    Only Chen Hu himself understood the reasoning behind his decision. Being a driver and bodyguard for his boss was a privilege he valued. The boss''s support and the use of "gic medicine" enabled him to achieve numerous gold medals and even set world records. Now that he had aplished what he set out to do, it was time for him to return to a more ordinary life and continue serving as a driver for his boss.


    Meanwhile, outside the Universal Building, Liu Yong, the boss himself, overheard the exmations of a group of young individuals nearby. Initially curious, he soon smiled slightly as he listened attentively to their discussion.


    "These reports must be fake. Chen Hu is at the height of his career. Why would he suddenly retire?" one of the young individuals eximed.


    "Chen Hu is my idol. I never expected him to retire. It''s such a pity," another chimed in.


    "He has won all the gold medals he could, and his world records stand tall. If I were him, I would retire and enjoy life," someone else added, expressing their perspective.


    "Well, that makes sense," another agreed.


    Listening to their conversation, Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile, recalling his conversation with Chen Hu two days ago.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Chen Hu personally called Liu Yong and informed him of his decision to retire and return as a driver and bodyguard. Liu Yong had suggested that Chen Hu participates in another Olympic Games, but Chen Hu firmly believed that returning to work as a driver for the boss would bring him more ease and happiness. epting Chen Hu''s choice, Liu Yong weed him back anytime he wished.


    Observing the young individuals reacting fervently, Liu Yong nced at the Universal Building, checked the time, and approached a car parked further down the road. It was time to return. He eagerly anticipated thepletion of the Universal Building in a few months, as it would be their new workce.


    Liu Yong left his vi''s gate a little after nine o''clock the following morning. As the boss, he was free toe to thepany whenever he pleased or not at all. A sleek Rolls Royce awaited him by the gate, which was usually driven by someone from thepany''s security department. Recently, it was mostly Xiao Zhao who took on the driver role.


    Spotting Liu Yong''s arrival, Xiao Zhao swiftly exited the car and opened the rear seat door to assist him. Liu Yong casually instructed, "Let''s head to the construction site of Factory No. 1 first."


    Global Semiconductor Company had been established, with its organizational structure already taking shape. Two chip manufacturing factories were constructed, and Factory No. 1 was situated on the outskirts of Huahai City, covering an expansive area of 300 to 400 square meters.


    Liu Yong''s request to visit Factory No. 1 was casual, but soon he realized something was amiss. Then, he noticed Chen Hu sitting behind the steering wheel, a realization that filled him with joy. "Chen Hu, it''s you! You didn''t mention anything."


    Chen Hu wore a contented smile and turned to face Liu Yong. "Yes, boss. It''s me, Chen Hu. Reporting for duty."


    Liu Yong''s mood instantly lifted. "Wee back! I feel reassured with you as my driver."


    Engaging in a cheerful conversation, Liu Yong settled into the car while Chen Hu started the engine. Their destination was the site of Factory No. 1, which was approximately an hour''s drive away.


    Upon arrival, Xiao Zhao quickly emerged from the car to open the door for Liu Yong. Chen Hu had taken over the driver role, while Xiao Zhao had assumed the position of a guest bodyguard. Liu Yong disembarked, apanied by Chen Hu and Xiao Zhao, and proceeded towards the vast construction site without disturbing the site''s supervisor for the time being.


    The industrialnd had long been levelled, spanning an area of three to four hundred square meters. Construction materials were already in ce, including stacks of cement, steel bars, river sand, and gravel. Neatly parked excavators, cement mixer trucks, cement pump trucks, andrge cement mixing nts were visible, indicating the magnitude of the project.


    Lime lines were drawn across the open space, while several pile drivers were diligently at work, driving piles into the ground to create foundation holes with depths of tens of meters and diameters of about one meter.


    Observing the scene, Chen Humented, "Boss, this is our chip manufacturing Factory No. 1. The scale is truly impressive."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement. "Indeed, this is just our No. 1 factory, and it''s not even thergest. No. 2 factory upies an area of over 600 acres, whereas this one is merely 380 acres."


    Thebined area of the two factories approached 1,000 acres, indicating their substantial manufacturing capacity.


    Immersed in awe, Chen Hu silently marveled at the boss''s generosity. He thought to himself, "As expected of the boss, his magnanimity knows no bounds."


    Surveying the construction site with satisfaction, LiuYong noticed a group of more than a dozen people approaching him from a distance. A few individuals at the front hastened their pace, followed closely by the rest of the group. It was evident that they were aware of Liu Yong''s presence, even though he had intended to keep a low profile and not disturb the construction site''s supervisor.


    As the group drew nearer, Liu Yong awaited their arrival, curious about their purpose.

 Chapter 334 A Star In Restaurant ?

    ?


    Chen Hu''s voice carried a sense of urgency as he alerted his boss, "Boss, a group of individuals is heading in this direction."


    Liu Yong acknowledged the information with a slight nod. From his vantage point, he could already discern the leader of the approaching group¡ªLing Jun, the first deputy prime minister of Universal Semiconductor Corporation. Ling Jun, an expert in chip foundry manufacturing, had been recruited through a headhuntingpany.


    Leading the way, Ling Jun walked towards them, his voice resounding with enthusiasm from a distance of at least ten meters, "Boss, you''ve arrived."


    Initially, Liu Yong had no intention of interrupting their work, but now that they hade, maintaining a low profile was no longer an option. Sporting a smile, he said, "You all have put in great effort. I will join you and take a look around."


    Ling Jun''s excitement was palpable as he tightly shook hands with Liu Yong, and the group members disyed simr enthusiasm. To encounter the big boss in person was a rare opportunity.


    Following the spirited handshake with Liu Yong, Ling Jun introduced the other group members, each shaking hands with Liu Yong individually. Evidently, their excitement ran deep; some even trembled slightly during the handshake due to their delight.


    After the introductions and handshakes, Ling Jun apanied Liu Yong and the rest of the group to inspect the construction site.


    Ling Jun proceeded with an introduction, and his words imbued with pride, "Boss, our preparations are nearlyplete. Wemencedying the first pile foundation yesterday. Currently, there are six pile foundations in ce. Our n is toplete a total of 628 pile foundations within the next two weeks."


    He presented the information as though it were a valuable treasure, and Liu Yong listened attentively. It was evident that Ling Jun had done thorough research, as his introduction provided urate and precise details, rendering the need for external information unnecessary.


    Liu Yong responded, "The two 5-nanometer lithography machines required for the No. 1 factory have already been dispatched and are en route. They are currently traversing the international waterway from the Indian Ocean to the Strait of a. We can expect their arrival in Huahai City within approximately 20 days."


    Ling Jun''s face lit up with joy, fully aware that with the arrival of these two 5nm lithography machines, their production capacity would significantly increase.


    In addition to the critical lithography machines, chip manufacturing necessitated acquiring numerous other manufacturing equipment. These additional equipment were already in the process of being procured and would be in ce within the next month or two.


    Apanied by Ling Jun and the others, Liu Yong continued to observe the construction site for another 30 to 40 minutes.


    As noon approached, shortly after 11:30, Ling Jun tentatively proposed, "Boss, how about we depart after having lunch?"


    Liu Yong responded promptly, "No problem. Let''s find a restaurant of higher caliber, and I''ll treat you all."


    Ling Jun was delighted, eximing, "Boss, lead the way."


    Liu Yong did not insist and added, "The expenses for this meal will be covered by thepany''s ount. No one should pay for it individually."


    The group exited the construction site and entered their respective cars parked at the gate. Including Liu Yong and three others, the total number of people amounted to nearly twenty.


    Ling Jun quickly located a reputable restaurant nearby, approximately a 20-minute drive from the No. 1 factory site.


    The restaurant boasted a pleasant ambience, though it was bustling due to the lunchtime rush, resulting in all the private rooms being upied.


    Observing the favourable establishment, Liu Yong saw no need to search for another restaurant and waved his hand, stating, "Here will do. Let''s take two tables on the second floor lobby."


    The group settled into the second-floor lobby, which exuded a lively atmosphere despite not being a private room. Around seven or eight diners at each table contributed to the festive ambience, and the restaurant was bustling with a considerable crowd.


    Once seated, Liu Yong wasted no time perusing the menu, confidently ordering various dishes, some of which were the restaurant''s renowned specialties, undoubtedly carrying a hefty price tag.


    As he ced the order, Liu Yong discerned the high-end nature of the establishment. The extensive selection of dishes alone would amount to tens of thousands of dors. This didn''t even ount for beverages.


    Such extravagant dining required substantial financial means. Nevertheless, Huahai City boasted a multitude of affluent individuals with esteemed status, hence the thriving business of this particr restaurant.


    Upon confirming the food selection, Liu Yong also ordered a bottle of Moutai for each table, saying clearly, "Please drink in moderation. There is only one bottle per table, as we all have work in the afternoon."


    Laughter filled the room, indicating the warm reception of his statement.


    The first tableprised ten individuals, while the second table amodated nine, totalling neen predominantly male guests, with only three female attendees. Two bottles of Moutai were clearly insufficient to quench everyone''s thirst.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Prompt service saw the dishes promptly served, their exquisite presentation immediately catching the eye. Taking hold of his chopsticks, Liu Yong eximed, "Let''s dig in, everyone! Enjoy the dishes before indulging in some drinks."


    Each table was graced with a bottle of Moutai, distributed among the male guests, with each receiving less than two small cups of the prestigious liquor. The asion focused primarily on savouring the culinary delights, with the drinks ying a supplementary role.


    Despite theck of a private room, the lively atmosphere persisted within the hall.


    Dining alongside Liu Yong was considered an exceptional opportunity, prompting each individual to offer toasts. After raising their sses to Liu Yong, many turned to Chen Hu, acknowledging his presence and importance.


    Whispered remarks circted among the guests, expressing awe at Chen Hu''s presence and acknowledging his role as the boss''s personal driver.


    "Chen Hu, the renowned athlete?"


    "Yes, that Chen Hu. The one who shattered eight world records and won eight gold medals in the Olympic Games."


    "Ah, it truly is him! Chen Hu!"


    "Oh my, why is Chen Hu here?"


    As more onlookers became aware of Chen Hu''s presence, murmurs spread throughout the restaurant. Curiosity peaked, and some individuals even rose from their seats. Gradually, the entire establishment became animated with excitement.


    Not only the patrons in the first and second-floor lobbies but even those dining in private rooms caught wind of the news and ventured out to catch a glimpse.


    Themotion continued to escte.


    Observing the situation, Liu Yong couldn''t help but think to himself, "Your reaction is excessive."


    Considering the restaurant''s clientele consisted of the wealthy and influential, a degree ofposure and restraint would be expected.


    Your identities, and your status have all seemingly vanished.


    Amidst the frenzy, bold individuals approached Chen Hu, raising their wine sses in a toast. Content with sipping fruit juice, Chen Hu would reciprocate, clinking his ss against theirs, disying no airs of superiority.


    Apart from the toasts, requests for autographs surfaced, transforming the scene into a star-chasing spectacle. However, this type of star-chasing differed from the pursuit of entertainment celebrities. As a sports star and a national hero with numerous gold medals to his name, Chen Humanded a level of respect and admiration that surpassed typical celebrities.


    The entire atmosphere grew increasingly lively, capturing the attention of the restaurant owner. He approached, requesting an autograph and offering a generous 50% discount on the two tables.


    Such an offer carried significant weight. Usually, a 20% discount would be considered excellent, but a 50% discount tranted into substantial savings, amounting to tens of thousands of yuan.


    The scene spiralled out of control, and, aware of the situation, Liu Yong waved his hand, urging everyone, "Let''s go. We need to leave, or things might escte."


    The group exited the restaurant, with numerous onlookers casting curious nces. Many even began following them.


    As Liu Yong stepped into his Rolls-Royce and Chen Hu assumed the driver''s seat, astonishment washed over the crowd. Confusion and curiosity swirled.


    "Who is that young man? And why is Chen Hu, the famous athlete, acting as his driver?"


    "He must be extraordinary if Chen Hu is driving for him."


    Themotion continued as the group departed, attracting more attention from passersby and diners alike. The atmosphere had reached a fever pitch.


    Observing the spectacle, Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile. The reaction was far more intense than he had anticipated.

 Chapter 335 Chen Hu, My Best Driver

    ?


    A hush fell over the bustling restaurant, making it a sea of silence. All eyes were fixated on the departing cars, especially when they witnessed Chen Hu assuming the role of Rolls Royce''s driver.


    Curiosity consumed the minds of many, leaving them with numerous questions. Some even spected that Chen Hu might be the chauffeur for the young man who had just left.


    Sitting inside the car, Liu Yong couldn''t help but jest, "Chen Hu, your talents are wasted as my driver. With your fame, you could venture into business and make the most of it."


    Before Liu Yong could finish his sentence, Chen Hu promptly interjected, "Boss, I may not be skilled in much else, but I''ll remain your driver until the day I retire."


    Hearing those words, Liu Yong felt a surge of contentment. Chen Hu remained unchanged throughout his journey of breaking world records and winning countless gold medals. He had remained loyal and dedicated.


    "Let''s head to the office," Liu Yong instructed as they arrived at the Global Shipping Group. "Chen Hu, have Xiao Zhao park the car. You and I will go to the office."


    The two men entered the office, taking their seats behind the desks. Liu Yong opened arge drawer and retrieved a small yellow bottle.


    "Chen Hu, this is an enhanced version of the ''gic medicine.'' You should take it now," Liu Yong revealed, presenting the bottle.


    "An enhanced version of gic medicine?" Chen Hu''s eyes widened with excitement. He had previously experienced remarkable physical improvements when he had taken the standard "gic medicine," enabling him to achieve numerous gold medals. The prospect of taking the enhanced version intrigued him. He wondered how much further his physical abilities would progress.


    Without hesitation, Chen Hu epted the small yellow bottle and downed its contents in one gulp. Gratitude overflowed from him as he eximed, "Boss, thank you! Thank you!"


    Liu Yong smiled warmly and replied, "You''re wee. Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang have already taken the enhanced gic medicine, but I have an even stronger version here. Perform well, and I''ll administer it to you in the future."


    A more potent version existed beyond the enhanced one. Chen Hu''s mind raced with awe. Determined to demonstrate even greater loyalty and performance, he vowed to strive for the opportunity to receive more powerful gic medicine in the future.


    After expressing his gratitude again, Chen Hu quietly retreated and gently closed the office door, leaving Liu Yong to attend to the documents and reports spread across his desk.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong essed his pet panel and allocated 800 attribute points to Chen Hu for strength, constitution, and agility. This generous boost,bined with Chen Hu''s existing attributes of approximately 200 points each, brought his overall attributes to around 1,000 points.


    Chen Hu became the first among the group to achieve such a milestone, surpassing Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang, who had approximately 800 points in each attribute. With 200 points in strength, constitution, and agility, Chen Hu possessed an extraordinary physique akin to a superhero''s. The performance of the Wolf Warriors exemplified their explosivebat capabilities,parable to iconic figures like Captain America, Wolverine, and ck Panther.


    Meanwhile, Bawang, the colossal sea creature, continued exploring the depths of the North Antic Ocean. It had ventured to the submarine in, descending over 4,000 meters beneath the surface to search the vast seabed.


    Although Bawang rarely delved to such profound depths, it typically remained at a depth of one or two hundred meters or even a few hundred meters.


    On this particr day, Bawang returned to the submarine in. Having familiarized itself with the area during previous expeditions, Bawang understood the vastness of the submarine in, spanning tens of thousands of square kilometres. The seabed at this extreme depth appeared pitch ck and deste, interrupted only by the asional flickering glow of deep-sea luminescent organisms.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    As Bawang moved steadily, its super perception activated, keeping a distance of 500 meters between itself and the surroundings. It gracefully approached the entrance of a colossal hole, a perfectly circr cavity plunging vertically into the abyss, seemingly bottomless. The dark abyss emanated an aura of mystery, inviting further exploration.


    However, considering its current size of over 800 tons, just shy of 900 tons, Bawang knew that descending to depths greater than 7,000 meters was beyond its capabilities. Thus, the majestic creature opted against venturing too deeply into the cavernous abyss. With a moment''s pause to take in sight, Bawang proceeded towards another enormous cave entrance.


    To its surprise, the second cave bore an uncanny resemnce to the first, boasting the same circr shape with a diameter of 1,000 meters and an unfathomable descent. Separated by approximately 10 kilometres, these two colossal holes held an intriguing symmetry.


    A question surfaced in Bawang''s consciousness: Could a third gigantic hole exist? Driven by curiosity, the magnificent creature embarked on a meticulous search of the seabed. Before long, it stumbled upon another circr chasm, identical to its predecessors. This third giant holepleted the trio, presenting the same circr configuration, a diameter of 1,000 meters, and an imprable vertical descent.


    An overwhelming desire to explore gripped Bawang. What secretsy within these enigmatic abysses? Its connection with Liu Yong prompted it to convey the discovery.


    "Master, I''ve found the third giant hole," Bawangmunicated telepathically, rying the information to Liu Yong''s mind.


    Using his third-party vision, Liu Yong promptly beheld Bawang resting upon the submarine in while the massive hole loomed ahead.


    "Overlord, are you certain that this is the third giant hole you''ve discovered?" Liu Yong sought confirmation.


    "Yes, it is indeed the third hole," Bawang replied resolutely.


    Liu Yong marvelled at the realization. Three enormous holes, each identical to the others, now punctuated the submarine in. The appearance of a single void had been awe-inspiring, but the existence of a third defied expectations.


    Bawang interjected, "Master, I estimate that the distance between these three holes is approximately 10 kilometers, forming a perfect equteral triangle."


    The revtion struck Liu Yong with a profound understanding. These holes couldn''t have formed naturally; their precise symmetry ruled out any random urrence. They were undoubtedly the product of human intervention.


    "Bawang, swim towards the other two holes while I calcte the distance," Liu Yong instructed.


    Bawang diligently obeyed, making its way to the remaining two colossal cavities. As Liu Yong timed Bawang''s movements, he discovered that the duration it took Bawang to travel between any holes remained consistent. This revtion confirmed his suspicions: the three giant holes formed an equteral triangle.


    Liu Yong''s conviction grew stronger as he realized these awe-inspiring formations were unmistakably artificial. Their creation''s origins and purpose remained unsurprisingly, leaving him pondering who had engineered them and when.


    Furthermore, he wondered if simr colossal cavities dotted the expansive submarine in, awaiting their turn to be unveiled.

 Chapter 336 China Shippings Chip Challenges

    ?


    Liu Yong''s doubts were evident as he contemted the possibility of more giant holes beyond the three they had already discovered.


    "Overlord, continue your efforts. Focus on these three massive cavities for now, and explore the surroundings to see if there are any more awaiting our discovery," Liu Yong instructed, his tone filled with determination.


    "Okay, no problem," Overlord responded without hesitation, ready to undertake the task.


    For Bawang, plunging to depths of over 4,000 meters was mere child''s y, hardly exerting any pressure on the colossal creature. It could stay at such depths for days on end without issue.


    Having agreed to the mission of searching for the next giant cave, Overlord became increasingly intrigued by the newly discovered one. It couldn''t help but ask Liu Yong, "Master, may I enter this cave and explore its depths?"


    Liu Yong nodded and replied, "Yes, you may venture inside and have a look."


    In previous encounters, Liu Yong explored two giant holes only to find them unfathomable and devoid of significant findings. This time, he wondered if the newly discovered cave would be identical.


    Curiosity got the better of Liu Yong, knowing that the two previous caves held no danger. He immediately granted Overlord''s request, allowing the massive creature to swim into the newly discovered cave, delving deeper into the unknown.


    Using a third-party vision, Liu Yong observed Overlord''s slow descent into the depths, simultaneously taking in the vast expanse of the enormous cave.


    Like the previous two caves, the newly discovered one possessed identical characteristics. It descended vertically, adhering to a standardized structure reminiscent of a colossal drill bit with a diameter of 1,000 meters.


    As Overlord ventured deeper, surpassing the 6,000-meter mark, the pressure became increasingly apparent. However, undeterred, Overlord continued until reaching its limit of 6,800 meters.


    6500 meters!


    6600 meters!


    6800 meters!


    Overlord''s pace slowed considerably upon reaching this depth, indicating a hint of hesitation. Seeking guidance, itmunicated, "Master, the pressure is immense, but I believe I can descend another 100 meters."


    Over the past few days, Overlord''s weight had increased by over 20 tons, resulting in a slight boost to its attributes, each growing by over 100 points.


    Liu Yong pondered momentarily before replying, "Go ahead and descend approximately 100 meters further."


    Through the third-party vision, Liu Yong observed the depth of approximately 7,800 meters¡ªan unfathomable abyss, hiding the bottom of the colossal hole from sight.


    Specting in his mind, Liu Yong postted that the subsequent giant holes were likely simr to the first two¡ªmysterious and unfathomable, with an unknown quantity yet to be discovered.


    Despite the extensive exploration, no single item or deep-sea luminescent creature had been found within the massive cave, leaving Liu Yong perplexed.


    Undeterred, Overlord continued its descent, reaching around 6,900 meters. Through the third-party vision, Liu Yong glimpsed the environment at 7,900 meters.


    Apart from the seawater, the only visible entities were colossal holes, their bottoms visual¡ªa mirror image of the previous two gigantic cavities.


    Liu Yong mused, "It appears that this newly discovered cave is no different from the previous ones."


    Overlord then ryed, "Master, the seawater pressure at this depth is exceedingly high. I can only hold on for a minute or two at most."


    Just as Liu Yong was about to instruct Overlord to ascend and return to a depth of five or six kilometres, an unexpected revtion jolted him.


    Could it be that my eyes deceived me?


    A colossal shadow had momentarily emerged in the corner of Liu Yong''s third-party vision, but it vanished within a mere second or two. The fleeting glimpse left Liu Yong bewildered, unable to discern its true nature except for its sheer enormity.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Was it a trick of the eyes, or had a colossal figure appeared before me? Liu Yong questioned himself, standing there in a daze.


    His mind raced, contemting whether it was a mere illusion or an actual urrence. It didn''t feel like a mere figment of his imagination.


    Breaking Liu Yong''s reverie, Overlord interjected, "Master, I can''t hold on any longer. I need to ascend."


    Only then did Liu Yong snap back to reality, urgently responding, "Ascend, Overlord! This enormous hole is no different from the previous two¡ªit seemingly has no bottom. You need to grow evenrger."


    Relieved by themand, Overlord turned and swam towards the cave''s entrance. Gradually, the depth decreased from 6,900 meters to 6,000 meters and then to over 5,000 meters.


    Upon exiting the colossal hole, Overlord experienced a wave of relief, no longer burdened by the oppressive pressure of the seawater.


    Liu Yong instructed, "Overlord, your next task is to explore this in further and ascertain if there are additional giant holes."


    "Understood, Master," replied Overlord with determination.


    Liu Yong added, "Furthermore, strive to grow in size. I hope you can reach a weight of 1,000 tons or even surpass that threshold."


    Overlord affirmed, "I will dedicate myself to growing as you have instructed."


    After exchanging a few more words and rifications, Liu Yong concluded the third-party vision, leaving his mind immersed in the realization that three immense abyssesy scattered across the submarine in, forming a perfectly triangr arrangement.


    Liu Yong believed he had seen an immense figure within the third colossal hole. Uncertain whether it was a figment of his vision, he couldn''t shake the feeling of its sheer magnitude.


    Meanwhile, at China Shipping Communication Co., Ltd., a world-leading provider ofprehensivemunication solutions, Wei Zhengde, thepany''s president, was burdened with numerous challenges. Comparable to Qingyun International inmunication, thepany''s prowess in cloudputing, big data, and data centres remained at the forefront of the industry.


    Yet, much like Qingyun International, China Shipping faced sanctions from country M. Chip supplies had dwindled over the past six months, with imports almost entirely severed.


    Wei Zhengde sat in his office, his head heavy with the weight of these troubles, a cigarette smouldering between his fingers.


    During a recent high-levelpany meeting, some executives had proposed releasing the source code and divulging core technologies to country M in exchange for chip supplies. However, Wei Zhengde staunchly objected, refusing to bow down to threats.


    He believed that it was better to be self-reliant and face adversity head-on. Months earlier, he had invested billions of dors in establishing a chip design and development centre.


    China Shipping required chips, but instead of relying on imports, Wei Zhengde took matters into his own hands. Designing and developing chips in-house, thepany nned to entrust their manufacturing to chip foundries.


    Frustrated by the constant pressure imposed by country M, Wei Zhengde sought to break free from their grip. Establishing the chip design and R&D centre was the correct path to pursue.


    Just then, a knock interrupted Wei Zhengde''s thoughts, and Shi Xinyuan, thepany vice president of technology, entered the room.


    Wei Zhengde extinguished the cigarette, and his tense expression eased as he recognized Shi Xinyuan. "President Xinyuan, what''s the progress on the chips we''ve been designing and developing?"


    Shi Xinyuan replied, "The design progress is going well. If things continue smoothly, we may be able to hand over the first batch of three chip designs to the foundries within three months, or even as early as two months."


    Wei Zhengde felt a sense of relief wash over him upon hearing the news. It felt like a glimmer of victory in the face of adversity.


    In his mind, he acknowledged the importance of his decision to reject external opinions and invest heavily in establishing the chip design and R&D centre. The ability to rely on self-designed and self-developed chips, rather than relying on imports from country M, brought him a sense of empowerment.


    However, Wei Zhengde failed to notice that Shi Xinyuan seemed to have something more to say, leaving an unspoken tension in the air.

 Chapter 337 Collaborative Potential !!

    ?


    The air in the office hung heavy with tension as Shi Xinyuan hesitated to speak, his words caught in his throat. President Wei Zhengde finally noticed his hesitation, furrowing his brows in concern. Sensing something amiss, he couldn''t help but ask, "Xinyuan, what''s the matter?"


    Shi Xinyuan''s voice was barely above a whisper as he slowly uttered his concerns, his toneced with apprehension. "President, our chip design and development have made significant progress. We have ventured into 8-nanometer chip design for the first time. However, once the design ispleted, we may encounter obstacles in OEM production."


    Wei Zhengde, hoping to alleviate the tension, replied confidently, "Coffey Company, Becky Company, and Pole Company are all reputable chip foundrypanies. Once the chip design is finished, we can entrust them with manufacturing. It shouldn''t pose a major problem."


    A heavy sigh escaped Shi Xinyuan''s lips as he dropped the bombshell. "I just spoke with the senior management of Coffey Company and Becky Company. They informed me that due to pressure from country M, they will not undertake chip foundry production for us."


    Wei Zhengde''s face contorted in shock. If what Shi Xinyuan said was true, the situation would be dire. Designing the chip would be futile without a manufacturer to produce it.


    Wei Zhengde had initially believed that finding a manufacturer wouldn''t be an issue with numerous chip foundrypanies avable. However, he realized his assumptions were wed, and a sense of urgency overwhelmed him.


    "What about Jiji? Surely they won''t refuse to manufacture our chips," Wei Zhengde implored, his voice tinged with desperation.


    Shi Xinyuan replied, "I haven''t contacted Jiji Company yet, so I''m unsure of their stance."


    Wei Zhengde grabbed the phone, his mind racing. China Overseas Communications and Jidian Company had a well-established rtionship, with Jidian Company manufacturing chips for country M and supplying them to China Overseas Communications. After a brief conversation over the phone, Wei Zhengde''s face grew graver.


    Silence filled the room as he hung up, absorbing the conversation''s implications. Although the other party had couched their words delicately, they inadvertently disclosed a crucial piece of information¡ªmanufacturing chips for China Overseas Communications Company was out of the question.


    Wei Zhengde was gripped with anxiety, his thoughts running wild. What could he do? It seemed as if they were being pushed into a corner, forced to submit to the demands of country M.


    The office atmosphere turned sombre, and Shi Xinyuan found himself at a loss for words. He wanted to offer words offort, but under such circumstances, he understood the futility of mere constion.


    Just as despair settled upon them like a heavy shroud, a knock on the door shattered the silence. The executives of China Shipping Communications entered the room, their faces beaming excitedly.


    "President, we bring good news, great news!" one of the executives eximed, unable to contain their enthusiasm.


    Wei Zhengde looked at them with puzzled curiosity, urging them to exin. "Vice President Fang, why are you so jubnt?"


    Vice President Fang proimed joyfully, "I have received thetest information. The Global Shipping Group has established a global semiconductorpany, intending to venture into the field of chip foundry."


    Universal Semiconductor Corporation!


    I am entering the field of chip foundry!


    Wei Zhengde and Shi Xinyuan stood dumbfounded, taking a few seconds to regain theirposure.


    "Is this information genuine?" Wei Zhengde asked, his voiceced with disbelief.


    Vice President Fang nodded emphatically, affirming the news. "It is absolutely true, President. I havPresidented thorough investigations. They have registered a capital as high as 15 billion, and construction has alreadymenced on tworge factories."


    A glimmer of hope ignited in Wei Zhengde''s eyes, dispelling the darkness that had settled upon him. Shi Xinyuan couldn''t help but ask, his voice filled with anticipation, "What about their foundry capabilities? Can they handle the 8nm chip process?"


    Vice President Fang reassured them, "There shouldn''t be any issues. I made a specific inquiry, and they possess both 5nm and 8nm lithography machines."


    Unbelievable! How did they acquire such advanced lithography machines? The presence of 5nm lithography machines was awe-inspiring.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Wei Zhengde''s spirit began to rekindle, and he waved his hand firmly. "Prepare everything. I''m going to visit the boss of Universal Semiconductor."


    Vice President Fang inquired, "Shall we schedule the visit in a few days?"


    Wei Zhengde shook his head determinedly. "The sooner, the better. I can''t wait any longer."


    At the Global Shipping Group headquarters...


    Liu Yong, the prominent figure leading the organization, conversed with Hu Shijun, his trusted subordinate.


    "Brother Yong, both of our factories havemenced construction. I visited the sites myself, and they are bustling with activity. The progress is highly gratifying," Hu Shijun reported excitedly.


    Liu Yong smiled and replied, "I visited Factory No. 1 a couple of days ago, and I was pleased with the construction progress."


    After briefly discussing the advancement of the factories, Hu Shijun broached another matter. "Brother Yong, China Overseas Communications has sent an official letter. Their president, Wei Zhengde, wishes to visit usPresidentng chuckled. "You can handle the visit, Hu Shijun. I suspect it''s rted to the chip foundry. Both Qingyun International and China Shipping Communications have faced severe sanctions."


    Hu Shijun raised a concern, "But Brother Yong, China Overseas Communications boasts an annual revenue in the hundreds of billions. Is it appropriate for me, as the general manager of Universal Semiconductor Corporation, to receive the president of such a colossalpany?"


    LiuPresidentmile widened, and he assured him, "Why would it be inappropriate? You are now the general manager of Universal Semiconductor Corporation. Embrace your role. Besides, they havee to visit you, so there''s no need to be nervous."


    With newfound confidence, Hu Shijun pondered on Liu Yong''s words, acknowledging his position as the general manager of Universal Semiconductor Corporation. He felt reassured by this realization.


    Building on his newfound assurance, Hu Shijun continued, "Boss, has our ''Blue Whale'' safely passed through the Strait of a?"


    Liu Yong nodded with satisfaction. "I received a call from Captain Ren Ziquan of the ''Blue Whale'' not long ago. They sessfully navigated the Strait of a and will enter the South China Sea of the Yan Kingdom in two days."


    The news brought a smile to Hu Shijun''s face. He knew that four lithography machines would soon arrive in Huahai City.


    At China Shipping Communications Co., Ltd...


    Wei Zhengde appeared markedly different from just a few days ago. He exuded energy and vitality, no longer bearing the weariness of before.


    He meticulously adjusted his tie in his office, examining himself in the mirror. Satisfied with his appearance, he confidently dered, "Xinyuan, during our visit, Universal Semiconductor will surely agree tocooperate with us."


    Shi Xinyuan responded, his voice filled with hope and confidence, "I believe it won''t be a problem. I have high hopes and confidence in this coboration."


    The two shared a joyfulugh, brimming with optimism for their uing trip to Huahai City. They had gathered more information, confirming that Universal Semiconductor possessed 5nm and 8nm lithography machines, indicating that manufacturing the 8nm chips through OEM wouldn''t pose a significant challenge.


    After a while, Wei Zhengde took the lead, apanied by a group of over a dozen people dressed formally, exuding a sense of importance. They boarded the vehicles waiting outside the China Shipping Communications Company''s office building, heading towards the airport.


    Their purpose was to visit Universal Semiconductor formally, but their main objective was to discuss a potential coboration. They hoped that Universal Semiconductor could manufacture the chips they had independently developed and designed.


    If they could resolve this issue and establish a partnership, all their problems would be solved, rendering the sanctions imposed by country M meaningless.


    ...

 Chapter 338 Bam! Bam! Bam!

    ?


    North Antic Ocean.


    Beneath the vast expanse of the seabed, more than 4,000 meters deep, the majestic Overlord gracefully swims, its movements unhurried and deliberate. While finding moments to rest and hunt, it has been tirelessly exploring the intricacies of this in.


    The Overlord''s search revolves around the three colossal caves arranged in a triangr pattern. Its objective is to survey the surrounding area meticulously, determined to ascertain the existence of any other grand caverns hidden in this domain.


    However, despite several days of relentless exploration, the Overlord''s efforts yield little result. It scours a radius of two to three hundred nautical miles, leaving no stone unturned.


    Fortunately, the enormity of the gaping holes makes them conspicuous, significantly reducing the search challenge. It is akin to finding a distinctive ne on the ocean floor¡ªno arduous task.


    The Overlord is situated at least 300 nautical miles away from the three giant caves. The once-t seabed has given way to undting mountains, creating a captivating and treacherousndscape.


    As the Overlord proceeds, the topography gradually shifts, and an upward slopees into view. Rather than continuing its forward movement, itmunicates with its master, Liu Yong.


    "Master, as per your instructions, I have conducted aprehensive search within a radius of two to three hundred nautical miles. I can confidently confirm that only those three giant caves exist in this submarine in," the Overlord telepathically rys to Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong finds himself in his office at this moment. Representatives from China Overseas Communications Company have arrived, and Hu Shijun, acting on behalf of Universal Semiconductor Company, is hosting them in the reception room. Negotiations are likely underway, although Liu Yong is unaware of the details. Nevertheless, he anticipates fruitful cooperation between the two parties.


    This development is quite reasonable. Universal Semiconductor Company has recently been established, with its factory still under construction, and business opportunities have already presented themselves.


    While contemting these matters, Liu Yong is interrupted by the voice of the Overlord resonating within his mind. He promptly engages inmunication.


    "Have you discovered a fourth giant hole?" Liu Yong inquires.


    "No, I have searched within a radius of two to three hundred nautical miles, and I am absolutely certain that no other giant caves exist," the Overlord responds unequivocally.


    Liu Yong concurs with its conclusion. Given the immense size of these cavities, measuring a thousand meters in diameter, they would be practically impossible to overlook.


    "Bawang, I appreciate your diligent efforts," Liu Yong expresses his gratitude.


    "Director, it was not much trouble. I did not encounter any significant creatures apart from sharks. asionally, I would encounter whales. However, I do miss the Indian Ocean dearly. It would be pleasant to return to the Pacific Ocean," the Overlord muses with a touch of longing.


    Liu Yong responds straightforwardly, "That''s not an issue. You can indeed return to the Pacific Ocean. However, before you depart, please visit any one of the giant caves and retrieve a stone from its walls."


    The Overlord''s curiosity is piqued. Why would its master desire such an inconsequential object? To the Overlord, a mere stone holds no value whatsoever.


    Having examined the cave walls before, Bawang knows that although they possess distinctyers, each showcasing a different hue, they do not appear to contain any valuable ores.


    Liu Yong proceeds to elucidate, "Bring back a stone so that we can analyze its isotopes and determine the time of formation for these three giant holes."


    Initially, Liu Yong sought to ascertain the time of their creation, but now the Overlordprehends the purpose behind its master''s request.


    "Very well, I will proceed into the giant cave immediately," the Overlord responds dutifully.


    Equipped with its colossal spear, the Overlord embarks on its journey. It arrives at its destination after approximately an hour of traversing over 300 nautical miles.


    Before it lies a perfectly formed giant round hole with a diameter of 1,000 meters; familiar with the path, the Overlord swiftly swims into the cave, quickly navigating its way.


    Descending to a depth exceeding 6,000 meters in a single breath, the Overlord employs its massive spear to gently dislodge and collect a few stones from the cave wall. Among the assortment, it selects one that captivates its aesthetic sensibilities.


    Though the chosen stone weighs a mere hundred or so catties, it appears insignificant in the presence of the Overlord. Grasping it in its powerful jaws, the Overlord emerges from the cave, carrying the stone with pride.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    At this moment, the Overlord experiences a surge of excitement. After spending more than a month, nearly two months, in the North Antic, it relishes the prospect of returning to the Pacific Ocean, a ce it holds dearer than the Indian Ocean.


    Transitioning from the depths of the seabed, exceeding 4,000 meters, to a mere depth of two to three hundred meters, the Overlord propels itself at full speed, racing across the waters at a staggering pace of over 300 nautical miles per hour, heading towards the South Antic Ocean.


    However, instead of traversing the Suez Canal, the Overlord ns to navigate through the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, venturing into the Indian Ocean. From there, it will continue its journey back to the Pacific Ocean, ultimately returning to Huahai City.


    With its path set, the Overlord embarks on its voyage, maintaining a depth of approximately two to three hundred meters underwater as it elerates towards the southernmost tip of the African continent.


    Meanwhile, in the reception room of Universal Semiconductor Corporation...


    Wei Zhengde and his entourage arrived in Huahai City the previous day. The two parties engaged in an entire morning of discussions primarily focused on cooperation. In the afternoon, they visited the construction site of the No. 1 factory. Now, they sit together, continuing their in-depth negotiations.


    The conversation revolves around the prospects of their coboration, and progress flows smoothly. China Overseas Communications is in dire need of a chip foundrypany, and Global Semiconductor, in turn, positions itself as a critical yer in chip manufacturing.


    Hu Shijun, acting as the host of this crucial business endeavour, attaches great importance to the negotiations. At this point, the discussions have covered most of the essential details, and the two parties are prepared to sign a cooperation memorandum the following morning.


    The strategic alliance between the twopanies will revolutionize their operations. China Overseas Communications will focus on chip design and development, while Universal Semiconductor will take charge of chip fabrication.


    In the afternoon, Liu Yong finds himself lost in thought. He ns to finish work early to apany Li Changle on a shopping trip at the supermarket. Cooking has be Li Changle''s newfound passion, and she jests about mastering the hall and the kitchen.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    A knock at the door jolts Liu Yong back to reality. Hu Shijun enters the office, wearing an expression of pure joy, eager to share the news. "Brother Yong, the negotiations have reached a substantial agreement," he announces enthusiastically.


    Hu Shijun provides a detailed ount of the negotiation process, exining the key points discussed between the two parties. Liu Yong listens attentively, absorbing the information.


    After hearing the report, Liu Yong praises the oue, recognizing the significant benefits of this coboration. With Universal Semiconductor as their chip foundry partner, they gainplete control over the pricing power of chip manufacturing.


    Hu Shijun exins, "China Overseas Communications has a pressing need for a chip foundrypany. We possess both 5nm and 8nm lithography machines, which are the exact resources they were searching for."


    Indeed, the emergence of Global Semiconductor Company fulfils the urgent requirement of China Overseas Communications. Hu Shijun further borates, "The most demanded lithography machines will undoubtedly be located in the South China Sea of Yan Kingdom."


    Liu Yong confirms, "I entered the South China Sea of Yan Kingdom the day before yesterday and will arrive in Huahai City in four or five days."


    Excitement surges through Hu Shijun as he exims, "That''s fantastic! We''ll be able to witness these lithography machines in just a few days."


    Liu Yong nces at the clock, realizing it''s time to leave work early to apany Li Changle on their shopping trip. She has developed a keen interest in cooking and wants to buy ingredients to prepare another meal tonight.


    "Boom, boom, boom!"


    The sound of knocking interrupts their conversation once again. Hu Shijun is momentarily taken aback, his expression hinting at his disbelief. With his busy schedule, he seems to question whether Liu Yong truly needs to buy vegetables and cook for himself.


    With a slight smile, Liu Yong ignores Hu Shijun''s bewilderment and exits the office. Hu Shijun finally regains hisposure and follows suit, closing the office door behind them.


    True to his words, Liu Yong intends to purchase vegetables and apany Li Changle on their grocery shopping trip. Li Changle has ample time during the summer vacation, but once it ends, she will have little opportunity to cook for herself. Most of the meals will be prepared by the private chef at their vi.


    A Rolls-Royce pulls out of the office building, with Chen Hu serving as the driver, a role now widely acknowledged by the entirepany. Chen Hu has be the boss''s full-time driver and bodyguard, and no one would dare to usurp his position.


    And so, Liu Yong departs from the office, eager to join Li Changle for their shopping expedition.

 Chapter 339 The Stones Secret ?

    ?


    TW Strait.


    As Bawang traversed the waters, he opted to pass through the TW Strait instead of taking the longer route across the TW Sea. This decision allowed him to save some distance, making his journey more efficient.


    Pointing towards a ship near him, Bawang eximed, "Look, it''s our ''Blue Whale''! It''s sailing right here!"


    Recognizing the vessel as the "Blue Whale" salvage ship, Bawang felt a deep sense of familiarity. Proudly, he reflected on the past thirty days when the "Blue Whale" had transported fourrge containers from a lonely ind in the North Antic Ocean.


    "It''s been almost a month, and I''ve arrived here in just three days. I''m undoubtedly the best," Bawang thought to himself confidently. With only a few hours remaining, he would soon reach Huahai City.


    Swimming alongside the "Blue Whale" for about 20 to 30 minutes, Bawang grew impatient with its slow speed. Ignoring the ship, he elerated, forging ahead on his own.


    Several hourster, Bawang finally arrived in Huahai City, near the seaside warehouse. A wave of relief washed over him as he realized that he had sessfully returned, bringing back the stone his master needed.


    Once at the seaside warehouse, the Overlord carefully ced its enormous spear in its ws on the seabed, not too far from the warehouse entrance. It prepared to enter through the warehouse passage.


    The waterway leading into the warehouse was approximately twenty meters wide with a depth exceeding ten meters, requiring Bawang to proceed cautiously. Luckily, it waste at night, and the areacked any witnesses, minimizing the chances of the Overlord''s presence being revealed.


    The sheer size of the Overlord posed a challenge. Weighing nearly 900 tons and measuring over 90 meters from head to tail, with a tail length surpassing 30 meters, it barely squeezed through the waterway. It realized that navigating the passage would be impossible if it grew more significant.


    Once inside the warehouse, the Overlord carefully ced the stones it had brought from afar onto the warehouse floor. Satisfied with its task, it then returned to the sea through the waterway.


    Lifting the giant spear again, the Overlord embarked on its next adventure. It nned to roam the Pacific Ocean, free from immediate tasks. Its primary objectives now were to consume more food, rest, and growrger as quickly as possible.


    Around 8:00 in the morning, Liu Yong emerged from his vi earlier than usual. Typically, he would head to thepany after 9:00.


    Chen Hu, driving arge G-ss vehicle as instructed, arrived promptly. The passenger seat remained vacant, and no bodyguards apanied them, following Liu Yong''s specific orders.


    Rather than taking the back seat, Liu Yong entered the front passenger seat, fastened his seatbelt, and gestured, "Let''s go to the seaside warehouse."


    Chen Hu was momentarily taken aback, finally understanding why the boss had ventured out so early. It appeared that something out of the ordinary was happening.


    As apetent driver and bodyguard, Chen Hu knew better than to pry. If the boss didn''t initiate the conversation, certain matters were best left unasked, kept silently in his heart.


    Focused on the task at hand, Chen Hu drove swiftly and smoothly. Typically, the journey from the grand vi to the seaside warehouse took approximately 40 to 50 minutes, but they arrived in just 30 minutes.


    Without stepping out of the car, Liu Yong retrieved the remote control key, unlocked the warehouse doors, andmanded, "Drive straight in."


    Well acquainted with the route, Chen Hu expertly maneuvered the vehicle into the warehouse. Though curiosity gnawed at him, Chen Hu contemted silently. The boss had chosen to bypass thepany ande directly to the seaside warehouse, indicating that something significant awaited them within its confines.


    He had witnessed it before¡ªvast amounts of gold and substantial timber stored within these walls. What could it be this time?


    To his surprise, there was nothing. The warehouse stood empty, save for a solitary stone upying the open space. It was neither too small nor toorge, weighing around a hundred catties, barely surpassing two hundred catties.


    Liu Yong, stepping out of the car with an exuberant smile, approached the stone as if gazing upon a priceless treasure. After scrutinizing it repeatedly, he eximed, "Chen Hu, help me load this into the car."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Chen Hu finallyprehended why the boss had explicitly requested the presence of therge G-ss vehicle. It served the purpose of conveniently transporting the stone, given its spacious trunk.


    Approaching the stone, Chen Hu examined it and effortlessly lifted it as though it were not a stone but a mere chunk of foam. The task required no exertion on his part.


    With attributes like strength, agility, and constitution reaching around 1000, Chen Hu found handling objects weighing a few hundred catties or even a couple of tons effortless.


    Observing the stone carefully ced in the car and the trunk closed, Liu Yong waved and said, "Let''s go. We''re headed to the Huahai Mineral Research Institute. I''ve already arranged a meeting with Director Luo."


    The off-road vehicle set off, and the warehouse gates closed behind them. Roughly an hourter, they arrived at the Huahai Mineral Research Institute.


    Liu Yong had arranged this visit well in advance. Travelling extensively to acquire the stone, he only intended to determine when the colossal cavities at the bottom of the North Antic Ocean had formed.


    Luo Yong, eagerly awaiting their arrival, hurriedly approached Liu Yong as he stepped out of the car, extending his hand for a handshake. "Mr. Liu, wee to our Mineral Research Institute."


    Liu Yong reciprocated the gesture and eximed, "I appreciate your assistance."


    Opening the trunk himself, Liu Yong pointed towards the sizable rock resting within and stated, "Director Luo, please employ the isotope measurement method to determine when this side of the rock was formed."


    Despite its many years submerged on the seabed, the stone exhibited a discernible cut surface. Liu Yong surmised that this cut face had originated when the three colossal holes were formed, potentially revealing the age of these geological formations¡ªcenturies, millennia, tens of thousands of years, or even longer.


    Utilizing the isotope method to measure time posed no difficulty for Luo Yong and his team. They boasted highly skilled personnel and sophisticated equipment.


    However, moving the stone presented a challenge due to its substantial size, necessitating the efforts of at least three or four individuals.


    Luo Yong eximed, "Yuan Gong, gather some young men to assist in moving the stone."


    A smile graced Liu Yong''s face as he responded, "No need to call anyone. Just bring a cart over here."


    Soon enough, a cart was wheeled in their direction.


    Rolling up his sleeves, Luo Yong grinned and said, "It''s been a while since I''ve moved something this heavy. Gong Yuan, you and the others can lend me a hand."


    With a smile, Liu Yong''s gaze shifted towards Chen Hu, and he uttered, "Director Luo, no need for your personal involvement. Leave itto my driver."


    Luo Yong was momentarily taken aback by the statement, cautioning, "Mr. Liu, this rock isn''t small. It weighs at least one hundred and seventy to eighty catties, far too heavy for a single person to handle."


    Without uttering a word, Chen Hu effortlessly lifted the stone off the cart and ced it onto it, appearing at ease.


    The onlookers, including Luo Yong, were stunned by the disy of strength. Liu Yong''s driver possessed exceptional power, resembling a true powerhouse.


    Beside him, Yuan Gong, an avid sports enthusiast, couldn''t help but find Chen Hu familiar, although his identity remained elusive beneath the shield of oversized sunsses.

 Chapter 340 Its Him!

    ?


    He nced at Chen Hu and then another, the sense of familiarity growing stronger with each passing moment.


    Chen Hu had developed a habit of wearing oversized sunsses, not only to appear calm but also to avoid being recognized.


    Liu Yong noticed the expression on Yuan Gong''s face and smiled slightly, deciding not to point out the obvious. After all, it was better to let things be.


    In the end, Yuan Gong couldn''t recall Chen Hu''s identity. He racked his brain but couldn''t ce where he had seen him before. How could he feel so familiar?


    As the giant rock was loaded onto the cart, Liu Yong instructed, "Director Luo, I''ll leave this matter in your hands. Let me know when you have the results."


    "No problem, don''t worry," Luo Yong replied enthusiastically. "Mr. Liu, why don''t youe to my office for a cup of tea?"


    Liu Yong politely declined, saying, "No, I have to head back to thepany."


    Recognizing Liu Yong''s busy schedule, Luo Yong didn''t insist and instead shook hands with him. He watched as Liu Yong got into his car and drove away.


    Chen Hu, who was behind the wheel, remarked, "Boss, you''ve got quite the influence. The director was so enthusiastic."


    Liu Yong smiled and replied, "Most likely because I donated 2 million for their specialized mineral research."


    Ah, I see.


    For institutions like the Huahai Mineral Research Institute, 2 million wasn''t a small sum, but it wasn''t significant for Liu Yong. As long as it helped determine the formation time of the facets on the stone, the investment was well worth it.


    Liu Yong made his way back to the Global Shipping Group. Under Luo Yong''s supervision, the isotope determination on the stone began.


    Yuan Gong was one of the technicians involved, and they all prepared diligently and efficiently.


    While making preparations, Yuan Gong''s mind kept wandering. The familiarity of Liu Yong''s driver nagged at him as if they had met somewhere before.


    His gaze inadvertentlynded on an old newspaper lying nearby. It had been published over a week ago and featured news about Chen Hu winning championships and breaking records.


    It''s him!


    It was him!


    The person he had just seen was Chen Hu!


    Yuan Gong suddenly felt excitement, but a tinge of regret quickly followed it. If only he had recognized Chen Hu earlier, he could have asked for an autograph or even a group photo.


    Technician Xiao Zhao noticed Yuan Gong''s excitement and asked, puzzled, "Yuan Gong, what''s got you so worked up?"


    Yuan Gong eximed, "Xiao Zhao, did you notice that Mr. Liu''s driver isn''t here?"


    Xiao Zhao replied, "Yeah, I noticed. I stole a few nces, and he did look familiar."


    Yuan Gong eximed, "He''s Chen Hu! I only remembered when I saw this newspaper."


    What? It''s Chen Hu!


    Yes, it''s Chen Hu!


    Xiao Zhao also got excited, "Oh, I missed a great opportunity. If I had recognized him earlier, I could have asked for a photo and posted it on social media. It would have been so cool."


    "Yeah, we missed a golden chance."


    "Mr. Liu is amazing. Chen Hu is actually his driver, and he seems willing. That''s incredible."


    "It''s truly impressive. Who would have thought that Chen Hu, after retiring from the military, would end up working as a driver for Mr. Liu? It''s hard to believe."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Yuan Gong, Xiao Zhao, and the others couldn''t contain their excitement. The fact that Chen Hu worked as Liu Yong''sdriverpletely exceeded their expectations, and they could hardly wrap their minds around it.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong arrived back at the Global Shipping Group.


    To determine the formation time of the three massive holes at the bottom of the North Antic Ocean, they had to wait for the results of the isotope measurements.


    Liu Yong was pleased to learn that Luo Yong and his team were highly efficient. Just a few hourster, Luo Yong personally called him in the afternoon.


    "Mr. Liu, it''s Luo Yong from the Institute of Mineral Research."


    "Hello, Director Luo. Do you have the results?"


    Luo Yong responded, "Yes, the results just came in. ording to our measurements, the surface of the stone should have formed approximately 50,000 years ago."


    50,000 years!


    Liu Yong was momentarily taken aback. He had spected that the stone might have formed millions or even tens of millions of years ago. The fact that it was only 50,000 years old surprised him.


    The three giant holes were evidently of artificial origin, not formed naturally. Liu Yong wondered if they were the handiwork of a prehistoric or perhaps even an extraterrestrial civilization.


    Had an alien civilization visited Earth 50,000 years ago, leaving these enigmatic and colossal cavities behind? What purpose did they serve? And were they still present, lurking in some remote corner?


    Liu Yong''s mind raced with countless thoughts until he was interrupted by Luo Yong''s voice. "Mr. Liu, are you still there?"


    Apologizing for his temporary distraction, Liu Yong replied, "I''m listening. Thank you for the information."


    Luo Yong asked, "Shall I deliver the formal report to you personally?"


    Liu Yong declined, saying, "That won''t be necessary. We no longer require the stone. You can handle it however you see fit."


    The stone appeared ordinary, and Liu Yong believed a cut surface formed 50,000 years ago wouldn''t attract much attention. Perhaps even Luo Yong considered it a regr urrence. Stones could develop new characters due to natural fractures, external forces, or other factors.


    This was precisely why Liu Yong had boldly entrusted the stone to the Huahai Institute of Mineral Research.


    After hanging up the call, Liu Yong sat in his office chair, lost in contemtion.


    It was now highly likely that the three massive holes were the remnants of an alien civilization. However, the reasons behind their creation remained a mystery. The depths of these colossal cavities and whaty beneath them remained unanswered.


    Liu Yong pondered, "Bawang is still a little too small. Once it surpasses 1,000 tons, I must explore those three giant holes more extensively."


    He meditated alone for a long time. In his mind, Bawang, his advanced vessel, had yet to reach its full potential. If it exceeded 1,000 tons, he believed it could delve into the seabed depths, potentially unravelling the secrets held within.


    "When Bawang exceeds 1,000 tons, I will explore those three giant holes thoroughly," Liu Yong resolved.


    Lost in his thoughts, Liu Yong considered the possibilities. The "Blue Whale," sailing in the waters outside Huahai City, was only a dozen nautical miles away from the port of arrival.


    Having travelled over 30,000 nautical miles, a journey longer than circling the Earth, the "Blue Whale" was finally returning after nearly two months.


    Several vehicles were parked on the pier, including cars, SUVs, and fourrge trailers used for transporting containers.


    Hu Shijun, Ling Jun, Huang Guang, and other middle and high-level executives of Universal Semiconductor Company anxiously awaited the "Blue Whale." Their excitement and anticipation were evident as they frequently nced towards the sea.


    Hu Shijun, Ling Jun, and Huang Guang had been conversing aboutpany matters, but when they noticed themotion, their discussion halted abruptly. Like the others, they turned their gaze towards the distant sea.


    The air was filled with anticipation as they eagerly awaited the return of the prodigious vessel that had embarked on an extraordinary journey. The "Blue Whale" had traversed vast distances, encountering unknown challenges and venturing into uncharted territories.


    With their hearts racing, the executives of Universal Semiconductor Company stood on the pier, eagerly awaiting the vessel''s arrival that held the promise of discoveries and potential breakthroughs.

 Chapter 341 A Comeback!

    ?


    The mighty vessel, the "Blue Whale", gracefully sailed towards the bustling pier, its imposing figure gliding through the azure waters. The ship had endured a tumultuous journey, traversing over ten thousand nautical miles, braving treacherous storms and unforgiving waves. Yet, against all odds, it had triumphantly returned home.


    "We''re back, we''re back!" eximed a crew member, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. "This voyage was arduous and never-ending. I yearn to find sce within the confines of my home, to embrace my beloved wife and children."


    Observing the many people eagerly gathered on the pier, another crew member remarked, "Look, there''s quite a reception awaiting us. It seems they are here to wee our triumphant return."


    Silence permeated the air as the crew absorbed the scene''s grandeur before them. Captain Ren Ziquan, a stalwart figure, peered through his trusty telescope, a grin etching across his face. His heart swelled with pride as he thought, "We have aplished our mission. Four lithography machines now rest safely within our grasp."


    The "Blue Whale" steadily approached the pier, transforming from a distant speck to a colossal presence enthralling all onlookers. With thunderous jubtion, the crowd erupted into boisterous cheers.


    "Our Blue Whale has returned!" proimed a voice brimming with unwavering pride.


    "Indeed, it is our Blue Whale. Look at the four immense containers on its deck," responded another voice, resonating with awe and admiration.


    The excitement intensified as the vessel drew closer, culminating in a wless docking maneuver.


    A cry pierced through themotion, "Behold, several vehicles approach!"


    Hu Shijun, Ling Jun, and Huang Guang turned their heads in unison, their gaze fixed on the approaching convoy. The lead vehicle, an off-road beast, was followed closely by a regal Rolls-Royce.


    "The boss is here! It''s none other than our esteemed leader!" eximed Hu Shijun, his voice brimming with excitement.


    The vehicles stopped, and the atmosphere crackled with anticipation as Liu Yong, the boss himself, stepped out of the car. A wave of joy swept through the crowd upon seeing him.


    Hu Shijun, eager to show his respect, led a group of individuals in greeting their revered leader. "Brother Yong, it''s truly an honor to witness your presence here."


    Liu Yong''s spirits soared. The arrival of the four lithography machines brought him immense joy. Casting a quick nce at the "Blue Whale" moored by the pier, he fervently dered, "I must see it for myself."


    Deep within, Liu Yong harboured a flicker of concern. He longed to inspect the contents firsthand, having only seen the machines from a third-party perspective. This was his chance toy his eyes upon them up close.


    The "Blue Whale" had arrived, and Liu Yong hade personally to witness its triumphant return.


    Captain Ren Ziquan, apanied by a group of crew members, disembarked from the ship and approached Liu Yong with military precision. Standing at attention, they saluted their esteemed boss, their military background ingrained in their every gesture.


    "Boss, we have sessfully transported all four lithography machines. Please provide further instructions," Captain Ren Ziquan proimed, his voice echoing with unwavering loyalty.


    Liu Yong surveyed Ren Ziquan and hispanions with satisfaction, acknowledging their dedication. "You all have done an exceptional job. The next step is to unload and hang the four lithography machines."


    "Yes, immediately,Boss," the captain responded crisply, his voice brimming with determination.


    Another salute marked the beginning of the task, and Ren Ziquan assumed direct control over the lifting operation.


    The "Blue Whale" boasted its own formidable crane, capable of effortlessly hoisting containers weighing tens of tons. With meticulous precision, the crew swiftly initiated the lifting process.


    Amidst a symphony of anticipation, the first container was gracefully raised and securely ced onto a waiting container truck stationed nearby on the pier. A resounding apuse erupted from the onlookers, their hearts filled with admiration.


    One by one, the second, third, and fourth containers were deftly lifted, each eliciting a fresh wave of enthusiastic cheers. The four lithography machines now rested atop the massive container truck, a testament to the crew''s unwavering dedication and expertise.


    With a wave of his hand, Liu Yongmanded, "Let us proceed to the seaside warehouse."


    Some individuals boarded their respective vehicles, eagerly trailing behind Liu Yong''s lead. Meanwhile, those whocked the necessary qualifications remained at the pier temporarily, their gazes filled with longing.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Several small cars took the lead, followed closely by the four imposing trucks, forming an impressive convoy en route to the seaside warehouse. The journey was brief, spanning a mere twenty to thirty minutes before the procession arrived at its destination.


    Cars lined the roadside, carefully parked as their upants stepped out, entering the expansive warehouse.


    Therge trucks gradually entered the warehouse, and their cargo was dutifully unloaded one by one before departing. The four imposing containers found their designated spots in the centre of the vast open space, signifying the sessfulpletion of their mission.


    Perceptive individuals couldn''t help but notice a notable change within the seaside warehouse. d in security uniforms, a contingent of twenty to thirty individuals stood guard, representing the security department of the esteemed Global Shipping Group.


    Henceforth, the once deste warehouse teemed with activity. A dozen security guards now manned the premises day and night, effectively sealing off the area from unauthorized entry. The warehouse had transformed into a crucial site of immense importance.


    As the fourrge trucks departed, leaving the four containers proudly disyed within the open space, Liu Yong''s gaze lingered upon them with contentment. He knew that within those containersy the coveted lithography machines, awaiting their destined purpose.


    Liu Yong, donning a satisfied smile,manded, "Close the warehouse doors. Only high-level personnel may remain within."


    Most individuals respectfully retreated, leaving behind only a select few in leadership positions. The security guards, too, bid their temporary farewell, ensuring the warehouse doors were securely sealed.


    "Brother Yong, there are four lithography machines in total," Hu Shijun beamed, his hands unconsciously rubbing together in excitement.


    Liu Yong, his eyes sparkling, inquired, "Would you like to unveil the contents?"


    Hu Shijun nodded enthusiastically. "Certainly! We are all eager to witness their magnificence."


    The sentiment resonated throughout the assembled group, each member nodding in agreement. The collective curiosity to witness the grandeur of the lithography machines was palpable.


    Waving his hand gracefully, Liu Yong ordered, "Chen Hu, open the containers."


    "Understood," Chen Hu acknowledged, retrieving tools from the off-road vehicle. Alongside bodyguard Xiao Zhao, he expertly began the process of unlocking the first container.


    Apuse erupted as the lid of the first container swung open, revealing a pristine, untouched 5nm lithography machine.


    Liu Yong approached the machine, his eyes scrutinizing every detail. His most pressing concern, water and moisture damage, dissipated as he realized the interior remained remarkably dry. The lithography machine had undergone meticulous waterproofing and moisture-proofing measures during packaging, ensuring its safety during transportation.


    All four containers were opened one by one, revealing the four magnificent lithography machines in their full glory. A sense of aplishment filled the air, apanied by an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction.


    Hu Shijun couldn''t contain his joy, his smile resembling a blossoming lotus. "This is truly amazing!"


    Liu Yong surveyed the scene with great interest, his face radiant with delight. He raised his hand and dered, "That will do. Close the containers."


    Hu Shijun hastily interjected, "Just ten more minutes, Brother Yong. Let us revel in their presence for a little longer."


    Liu Yong chuckled and agreed, "Ten more minutes it is. After that, we shall secure the containers."


    Hu Shijun and the others savoured every moment, exploring the details of the lithography machines with awe and excitement. Eventually, the ten minutes psed, and the containers were sealed again.


    To ensure utmost security, Liu Yong ordered the instation of surveince systems and assigned a dozen security guards to protect the warehouse day and night. A strict confidentiality protocol was also enforced, limiting the knowledge of the lithography machines'' cement to a small group of trusted individuals.


    Meanwhile, at the Nibik Semiconductor Corporation in M Country...


    The renowned chip manufacturingpany suffered a severe blow two months ago when their order of four lithography machines plunged into the depths of the sea, remaining undiscovered to this day...

 Chapter 342 Lost Engines ?

    ?


    In the opulent office of the president, Mordegavin sat on his boss''s chair, pondering over the mysterious disappearance of four lithography machines that had fallen into the sea. As the weight of ordering four more machines burdened his mind, Mordegavin couldn''t shake off the difort that came with their exorbitant price tags. The baffling question lingered: Where had those machines vanished? Could the search efforts have overlooked certain areas?


    With furrowed brows, Mordegavin found sce in the flickering me of his lit cigar. The rhythmic knock on his door interrupted his contemtion, prompting him to call, "Come in."


    The door swung open, revealing Ernesta, one of the high-ranking personnel within thepany. Ernesta had spearheaded the search operations for Nibik Semiconductor Company two months ago when a transport ne carrying the precious photolithography machines crashed.


    Curiosity etched on his face, Mordegavin extinguished his cigar and asked, "What brings you here? Is there something urgent?"


    Ernesta, wearing an air of mystery, closed the door gently before delivering his report, "President, I''ve received news about the establishment of a chip foundrypany in Yanguo. It boasts a staggering registered capital of 15 billion yuan."


    Mordegavin''s interest was piqued as he responded, "Oh, really? Tell me more."


    Ernesta continued, "That''s not all. Thispany, known as Global Semiconductor Corporation, is currently constructing two massive factories. What''s even more astonishing is that they possess both 5-nanometer and 8-nanometer photolithography machines."


    A wave of disbelief washed over Mordegavin as he eximed, "Do they really have 5nm and 8nm lithography machines?"


    Caught off guard by this revtion, Mordegavin sprang up from his chair, unable to fathom such a possibility. While he could imagine Yanguo potentially achieving independent design and manufacturing capabilities for lithography machines in the realm of 20nm or higher, the idea of them possessing 5nm and 8nm machines seemed imusible due to the sanctions restricting imports of such advanced technology.


    "I find it hard to believe," Mordegavin muttered aloud. "How could they possibly possess such advanced lithography machines?"


    Ernesta, however, provided a glimmer of evidence, saying, "President, I initially had my doubts too. So I conducted an extensive investigation, and it appears highly likely that they do possess these lithography machines."


    The weight of the information settled upon Mordegavin, making him silent momentarily. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally spoke, "How could they have obtained those lithography machines? Where did theye from?"


    Ernesta posited his theory, "President, that''s precisely why I suspect the four lithography machines we lost might have ended up in the hands of Universal Semiconductor."


    Mordegavin pondered briefly before responding slowly, "That possibility does exist, but without concrete evidence, it remains a mere conjecture."


    Ernesta said, "We mayck definitive proof, but considering our missing lithography machines and their possession of 5nm and 8nm machines, the coincidence is too ring to ignore."


    Mordegavin acknowledged the validity of Ernesta''s argument but couldn''t shake off his reservations. "You make a valid point, but until we have solid evidence, we''re treading on thin ice."


    Undeterred, Ernesta proposed, "President, what if I personally visit Universal Semiconductor on behalf of ourpany and request the return of our lithography machines? How about giving it a try?"<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Mordegavin fell silent once again, contemting the proposition. After much contemtion, he finally responded, "Let''s give it a shot. However, we must remain realistic. Even if they do have our four lithography machines, I doubt they will willingly return them."


    Mordegavin tempered his expectations, aware that their chances of reiming the lost machines were slim. However, Ernesta exuded confidence, determined to travel to Yan Kingdom and approach Universal Semiconductor Corporation personally, demanding the return of the four lithography machines.


    Meanwhile, a formidable presence emerged in the vast expanse of the North Pacific Ocean¡ªBawang. Its primary objective was to grow, striving to reach a monumental weight of 1000 tons or perhaps even surpass that milestone.


    Days were consumed with the ceaseless pursuit of sustenance. The enormous fish weighing hundreds to thousands of pounds, merely served as snacks, barely enough to satiate Bawang''s colossal appetite. It devoured hundreds of fish to meet its dietary requirements, a testament to its massive size.


    Bawang propelled itself northward through the ocean depths, devouring various prey along its journey. It encountered massive sharks, including the elusive whale sharks and whales themselves. Now in the hightitudes, where the seawater turned noticeably colder, Bawang halted its northward trajectory, content to roam within this realm.


    After traversing hundreds of miles, Bawang was drawn to a deste ind on the horizon. The ind,posed entirely of bare rocks without a single trace of vegetation, served as an unexpected gathering ce for countless walruses¡ªtens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands.


    The stench emanating from the ind was overpowering, even from a distance. However, Bawang''s disappointment overcame its curiosity, driving it back underwater, away from the unpleasant odour. Close to the ind''s waters, many walruses engaged in yful activities, hunting, and breeding, while great white sharks and killer whales lurked nearby, preying upon the walruses.


    Annoyed by the interlopers, Bawang felt a possessive rage bubbling within. Those walruses were rightfully its prey, and no great white shark or killer whale should dare infringe upon them. With its immense size, Bawang could feast on the abundance of walruses, likely surpassing the astonishing count of over 100,000.


    Spotting a nearby killer whale, Bawang charged forward, seizing the opportunity for a satisfying meal. As it devoured the massive whale, weighing around six or seven tons, Bawang found the taste to be tolerable, but its appetite yearned for the delectable walruses it had missed.


    While Bawang had consumed a few killer whales in the past, the encounters were infrequent. It couldn''t help but reminisce about the delectable vour of the walruses, now a distant memory. Determined to fulfil its desire, Bawang swam onward, eliciting avoidance from the great white sharks, killer whales, and other predators that patrolled the vicinity.


    Before it, a group of walruses emerged, thergest among them weighing a remarkable four or five tons. Plump and enticing, they presented an irresistible feast for Bawang. In a swift motion, Bawang lunged forward, capturing thergest walrus in its powerful jaws, savouring each bite.


    Meanwhile, at the Global Shipping Group headquarters, Hu Shijun entered Liu Yong''s office, bearing news of a foreign visitor named Ernesta iming to be an executive from Nibik Company. The mention of Nibik Semiconductor Company caught Liu Yong''s attention, as he knew thepany''s prowess in chip manufacturing.


    Liu Yong responded calmly, "Allow him toe in. I would like to hear what he has to say."


    Recognizing Nibik Semiconductor Company as a formidablepetitor, Liu Yong suspected that Ernesta''s visit was not for the purpose of cooperation. Hu Shijun concurred, suggesting that their meeting would likely involve a contentious matter rather than a potential partnership.


    Liu Yong pondered the possible motives behind Ernesta''s visit and began to connect the dots. The sudden appearance of Ernesta and the mention of Nibik Semiconductor Company coincided with the mysterious disappearance of their four lithography machines. A realization dawned on Liu Yong, leading him to believe that Ernesta''s intention might be rted to the lost equipment.


    Contemting the situation, Liu Yong anticipated Ernesta''s arrival and the inevitable discussion that would follow. The fate of the missing lithography machines hung in the bnce, and Liu Yong braced himself for the potential revtions that awaited them.

 Chapter 343 Threats & Ideas!!

    Chapter 343 Threats & Ideas!!


    As Liu Yong pondered the situation, Hu Shijun noticed his contemtion and swiftly inquired, "Brother Yong, have youe up with something?"


    Liu Yong nodded, indicating his spection. "If I''m correct, the other party must havee for the lithography machine."


    "What? The lithography machine?" Hu Shijun eximed, suddenly filled with anxiety. His reaction was strong, and he spoke loudly, "They''ve got some nerve, daring to target our lithography machines."


    "It''s a precious asset that cannot be easily reced," Liu Yong remarked. "When you meet them tomorrow, if their intention is indeed the lithography machine, make it clear that we do not possess such a thing."


    "Yes, I understand," Hu Shijun nodded earnestly.


    The following day arrived, and following Liu Yong''s instructions, Hu Shijun, as the general manager of Universal Semiconductor Corporation, received Ernesta and his group.


    As soon as the two parties met, Ernesta wasted no time and delved straight into the matter at hand. "I''ve heard that yourpany has 5-nanometer and 8-nanometer lithography machines."


    Hu Shijun saw no reason to conceal this fact and decided to be straightforward. "Yes, we do possess such lithography machines."


    Ernesta responded mockingly, his tone filled with disdain. "With the strength of your country, it''s highly unlikely that you can manufacture such advanced lithography machines."


    Hu Shijun felt the sting of ridicule and retorted, "What does that have to do with you?"


    "It does concern us," Ernesta asserted confidently. "We suspect that yourpany''s lithography machine was a result of our ne crash and ended up in the sea."


    Hu Shijun turned his face directly, spreading his hands in disbelief. "Where''s the evidence? Show us the evidence."


    Ernesta''s audacity seemed to grow. "We don''t need evidence. The lithography machine in your possession belongs to us. Return it to us immediately."


    Hu Shijun scoffed at the sheer audacity. "Who do you think you are? You can''t simply demand something without evidence."


    "If there''s no evidence, then leave," Hu Shijun dered, firm in his stance. Realizing the purpose of the opposition, he had no intention of wasting any more time with Ernesta.


    Ernesta, considering himself a high-ranking executive of a significantpany, believed that Nibik possessed great strength in the field of chip foundry. Therefore, he resorted to a direct threat. "Fine, I''ll leave now. But yourpany will be held responsible for any future consequences."


    Hu Shijun''s anger grew, and he loudly said, "Security, remove these individuals from here."


    Immediately, seven or eight security guards entered the scene. Faced with this situation, Ernesta and hispanions had no choice but to leave in despair.


    After a while, Hu Shijun knocked on Liu Yong''s office door and entered, reporting the recent events. The anger in Hu Shijun''s heart had not subsided.


    "They think highly of themselves and even try to threaten us. It doesn''t scare me," he vented.


    Liu Yong offeredforting words. "Don''t bother with such rabid dogs. Once our two factories are operational, Universal Semiconductor will issue a public announcement."


    "The announcement will be straightforward, explicitly stating that we refuse to engage in chip foundry with anypany that coborates with Nibik."


    Hu Shijun''s eyes lit up upon hearing this n.


    He gave Liu Yong a thumbs-up, expressing his admiration. "Brother Yong, this strategy is brilliant, truly remarkable."


    Considering the global market, where chip consumption is highest, it undoubtedly lies in the country of Yan. The annual import of chips reaches hundreds of billions of dors. The reason behind this extensive import is our inability to produce chips domestically.


    While we excel in chip design and R&D, the production and manufacturing stages remain our bottleneck due to theck of lithography machines. However, this problem will soon cease once Universal Semiconductor is established and production begins. With such a vast domestic chip consumer market, there is no need to fear external threats.


    Liu Yong strategically yed his cards, employing a tactic that would yield significant results. He had to make a choice between two options: anypany that coborates with Global Semiconductor would be prohibited from conducting business with Nibik. This move was truly remarkable.


    Such brilliance!


    Absolutely fantastic!


    They won''t know what hit them!


    Afterprehending the power behind this strategy, Hu Shijun admired Liu Yong''s ingenuity.


    Ernesta and his group left in disgrace.


    Upon their return to Nickelby Company, the first thing they did was report to Morde Gavin.


    Observing Ernesta''s expression, Morde Gavin already understood what had transpired. He inquired, "Did you manage to retrieve the lithography machines?"


    Ernesta expressed his anger, saying, "Those lithography machines are clearly ours. If we can''t get them back, I won''t let this slide."


    Morde Gavin patted Ernesta''s shoulder gently, offering words of sce. "Let it go. The four lithography machines fell into the sea and can''t be recovered."


    In reality, Morde Gavin couldn''t think of a better solution.


    The Overlord had been lingering near an ind in the North Pacific Ocean for a few days. It would catch fat walruses to satisfy its appetite when it grew hungry. When satiated, it would rest or engage in nearby surfing, disying an air of nonchnce.


    Great white sharks, killer whales, and other formidable predators surrounded the ind. Ever since the Overlord appeared nearby, their numbers had significantly dwindled.


    After several days of feasting on walrus, the Overlord began to crave a change in its diet. It decided to swim south, covering thousands of nautical miles in a single stretch.


    Thetitude in this region was slightly lower and warmer, suggesting that walruses would be challenging to find. The Overlord intended to explore the ocean''s depths in search of something more substantial. Perhaps it would stumble upon some colossal creatures.


    Previously, in the Indian Ocean, it had encountered massive beings in an unnamed trench, including an unusual white fish weighing several hundred tons. Thergest one weighed over 300 tons, which was more than sufficient to satiate the Overlord by 80%.


    With its current weight surpassing 900 tons, consuming 300 tons of food in one go posed no problem. It could effortlessly devour dozens of walruses weighing three to five tons each during a single meal.


    Having swum thousands of nautical miles south, the Overlord sensed that the water depth had gradually increased. It estimated the depth to be around three to four thousand meters, potentially indicating the presence of a significant trench or simr structure below.


    The Overlord aimed to locate a substantial trench, swim inside, and investigate. If luck was on its side, it might discover some colossal creatures, thus ensuring a steady food supply.


    After swimming to great depths, the Overlord reached the seafloor. Activating its extraordinary perception, it slowly made its way across the seabed. However, its initial disappointment was palpable as the area turned out to be a vast underwater in.


    The seabed was remarkably t, with a depth ranging from 3,600 to 7,000 meters. Despite swimming for dozens of nautical miles, the Overlord found nothing but a featureless in. It wondered how expansive this submarine in was.


    Feeling disappointed, the Overlord reminded itself that it was searching for a trench, not a in. Continuing its slow exploration, it swam for over ten nautical miles until it came to a halt. Before ity a colossal underwater cave.


    This enormous cavity resembled the three giant holes discovered in the North Antic Ocean. It had a perfectly circr shape and extended vertically downward, mirroring the characteristics of the previous findings.

 Chapter 344 Be Careful!

    Chapter 344 Be Careful!


    Bawang''s intellectual prowess was on par with that of an adolescent, roughly aged thirteen to fourteen years old. Remarkably perceptive, it had once again stumbled upon an immense circr cavity, situated at an astonishing depth surpassing 3,000 meters. This revtion left Bawang utterly astonished, and its extraordinary sensory abilities were now under scrutiny as it questioned their unwavering uracy.


    Swimming swiftly over a rtively short distance in the water, Bawang abruptly stopped right at the edge of the colossal hole that loomed before him. As soon as he ascertained the presence of this massive opening, he promptly decided to initiatemunication with his esteemed Master, Liu Yong, disying his proactive and responsible nature.


    "Master, master, there is a tremendous hole here, identical to the three giant holes we encountered in the North Anticst time."


    "What!" eximed Liu Yong, his surprise evident. Another enormous hole had been discovered! Hastily, he opened the pet panel to verify that the Overlord''s current location was the North Pacific Ocean, not the North Antic, before activating the third-party vision.


    Before Liu Yong''s eyes appeared, the seabed at a depth surpassing 3,000 meters. Ity before him as a vast expanse with a radius of 1000 meters, revealing a remarkably t terrain.


    To Liu Yong''s astonishment, he caught sight of the colossal hole. It stood tall and vertical, its depths immeasurable. He couldn''t fathom the existence of such an immense cavity in the Pacific Ocean''s seabed, more than 3,000 meters beneath the surface.


    "Master, would you like me to venture inside and explore?" Bawang inquired, highlighting the presence of yet another enormous hole.


    Naturally, Liu Yong was determined to investigate the situation further. What secrets did this colossal abyss hold? What mysteriesy within its unfathomable depths? Recalling the sighting of a colossal figure in one of the three giant holes in the North Antic, Liu Yong agreed, "Bawang, you may proceed, but prioritize safety and proceed with caution."


    "Very well, I''ll exercise utmost care," replied Bawang.


    Armed with his giant spear, the Overlord embarked on his journey, swimming into the deep cave, gradually descending into its mysterious depths. Meanwhile, Liu Yong carefully observed the cave''s interior from a third-party perspective. The cave walls were strikingly even as if they had been meticulously carved rather than shaped naturally.


    Based on the condition of the cave walls, Liu Yong noticed a striking simrity to the three giant caves encountered earlier. The aging appearance suggested they were not freshly hewn but had endured the test of time.


    Descending further, Bawang steadily reached greater depths, surpassing 3,000 meters, then 4,000 meters, and finally exceeding 5,000 meters. At this point, when the Overlord had descended to a depth of over 5,000 meters, Liu Yong made an intriguing discovery through the third-party vision.


    To his astonishment, Liu Yong beheld an abundance of colossal octopuses below¡ªa species entirely unknown to humankind. These massive creatures boasted tentacles and arms spanning over 100 meters in length.


    The magnitude of these creatures was mind-boggling¡ªan appropriate giant in every sense. Each one likely outweighed the Overlord himself, and there wasn''t just one but several.


    "Overlord, if you continue your descent, you will encounter giant octopuses. Each one of them is colossal and may outweigh you," warned Liu Yong, concerned for Bawang''s well-being.


    The Overlord, slightly thrilled by the prospect, hadn''t encountered such massive marine life in quite some time. "Fantastic! I wonder how they taste. I''d like to catch one and savor it."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but find amusement in the Overlord''s voracious appetite. "Remember to exercise caution. There are severalof them, and thergest one appears quite formidable."


    Filled with confidence, Bawang assured his Master, "Master, fear not. I will proceed with caution and ensure my safety."


    Though exuding confidence, Bawang seemed to possess a sense of discernment as he slowed his pace, continuing his descent into the depths of the colossal cave.


    Finally, the first giant octopus came into view within the range of the Overlord''s extraordinary perception. Its approach was gradual and deliberate. The colossal creature only noticed Bawang when they were mere hundreds of meters apart, recognizing him as an unwee intruder.


    To defend their territory, the giant octopus lunged towards the intruder, its tentacles and limbs, each hundreds of meters long, thrashing with fury.


    Seizing the opportune moment, the Overlord swiftly maneuvered, his massive spear piercing the giant octopus''s body to a depth of over 20 meters.


    The creature''s limbs ensnared Bawang, exerting immense pressure, but the Overlord withstood the force. Employing his mighty spear, Bawang delivered a powerful thrust, stirring the creature''s insides.


    The giant octopus sumbed to its injuries, its grip on the Overlord gradually loosening.


    Liu Yong witnessed the entire battle unfold through the perspective of the third-party vision, impressed by Bawang''s prowess. The Overlord, weighing over 900 tons, disyed remarkablebat strength.


    Simultaneously, through the third-party vision, Liu Yong observed the remaining giant octopuses reacting with rm, converging on the Overlord''s location.


    It seemed that the Overlord had stirred a ho''s nest.


    However, what excited Liu Yong wasn''t just the imminent sh but the sight of the bottom of the enormous hole revealed by the third-party vision. Unlike the previous three abyssal cavities, this one possessed depth and a discernible bottom, not an unfathomable abyss.


    Though there was much to explore in the depths of the giant hole, several giant octopuses prevented an immediate investigation. It appeared that Bawang would have to wait a few days to satiate Liu Yong''s curiosity.


    "We may have to wait a few days if we wish to see what lies at the bottom of this colossal hole," Liu Yong contemted while Bawang contentedly devoured the colossal octopus.


    Observing Bawang''s enjoyment, Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel his appetite stimted. With each arm weighing hundreds of tons, the Overlord made quick work of the feast, devouring them rapidly.


    Such a gigantic octopus, weighing over 1,000 tons, would provide sustenance for several days.


    Yet, at this moment, Liu Yong''s primary desire was for Bawang to revisit the depths of the massive hole. Something intriguing had caught his attention, but the presence of several giant octopuses made it impossible to investigate further.


    For now, Bawang was satisfied with his feast, while Liu Yong eagerly awaited the opportunity to unveil the secrets lurking in the depths of the colossal hole.

 Chapter 345 Does It Taste Great ?

    ?


    Two days had passed since the Overlord devoured the colossal octopus, leaving nothing but emptiness in its wake.


    "Mmm, that was truly delicious. I must find another one to satisfy my cravings. However, before venturing into this immense abyss, I should scout the area," pondered the Overlord in its thoughts.


    During the past two days, the Overlord had basked in the joy of abundant food, sparing itself the effort of hunting for prey. Thus, it roamed the surroundings in search of a second colossal pit.


    In the eyes of the Overlord, these massive holes symbolized delectable feasts. If it discovered another such cavity nearby, another considerable octopus might lurk within.


    For most of the past two days, the Overlord tirelessly scoured the depths of the submarine in, asionally surfacing to the sea''s surface for some fresh air and sun.


    Armed with its colossal spear, the Overlord embarked on another journey, slowly swimming through the seabed, which extended over 3,000 meters deep.


    This time, the Overlord ventured farther, exploring within a radius of tens of nautical miles from the colossal hole, yet no second abyss revealed itself.


    Thendscape remained nothing more than a vast submarine in devoid of even the slightest elevation.


    Gradually distancing itself from the colossal pit, the Overlord ventured at least sixty to seventy nautical miles away beforemencing an earnest search.


    After a while, a mountain range loomed before the Overlord, modest in height but stretching considerably.


    Curiosity piqued, and the Overlord swam closer until reaching the mountaintop. Surprisingly, it discovered only this solitary range, with a in stretching behind it as far as the eye could see.


    It appeared as if this rangey upon the boundless expanse of the in, creating a peculiar sight.


    Bawang, as the Overlord was known, meandered along the length of the mountain range, carefully estimating its span¡ªapproximately thirty nautical miles.


    The mountain range''s peculiar characteristics struck Bawang, as its lines appeared unusually rigid, with several sections resembling straight lines rather than the curves and undtions typical of mountains.


    "Aha! There''s a cave in there," eximed Bawang, hastening its approach. The cave was unconventional,cking the usual curves and roundness associated with such formations.


    Examining the cave, Bawang found its dimensions suitable, despite the odd shape. It decided to use this cavern as a temporary dwelling.


    The cave would serve as a ce to rest when tired and a storage site for the prey it hunted.


    With the temporary residenceplete, the Overlord swam toward the colossal hole, gripping its massive spear firmly.


    After an exhaustive search within a radius of tens of nautical miles, it was evident that only this colossal pit existed¡ªno second one was in sight.


    The journey of sixty to seventy nautical miles did not take long toplete. Upon beholding the immense circr opening before it, Bawang felt a sense of familiarity and swiftly swam into the colossal cavity.


    As it descended more profoundly, the water''s depth gradually increased. At a depth of 5,000 meters, Bawang''s speed decelerated.


    "Enter the vige quietly, don''t startle anyone," whispered Bawang to itself.


    Descending another three to five hundred meters, the Overlord''s gaze fell upon a colossal octopus, even more, significant than the previous one it had devoured.


    Seizing the opportunity while the creature remained unaware, Bawang approached stealthily. As it drew closer, Bawang sprinted swiftly, executing a ssic sneak attack.


    Thebination of stealth and speed has always been tried and tested, and this asion was no different. The giant spear struck true, precisely piercing the enormous octopus''s body.


    The dying creature fought back, its numerous arms and legs coiling around the Overlord with forceful determination.


    Undeterred, the Overlord persisted, thrusting the giant spear into the octopus''s body with vigour, stirring it vigorously. Before long, the giant octopus sumbed to its wounds, life fading away.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    The Overlord wasted no time as the octopus''s limbs loosened their grip. Dragging its prey, it swiftly swam towards the entrance of the colossal cave.


    To the Overlord''s surprise, no other giant octopuses pursued it. Puzzled but not dwelling on the matter, the Overlord attributed it to the possibility that the other giant octopuses were slumbering.


    Though the Overlord found it peculiar, it did not ponder further. It continued to drag the massive octopus for sixty to seventy nautical miles, reaching its temporary cave, ready to feast upon its catch.


    The routine was the same¡ªdevouring the arms and legs of the octopus first, biting off one limb at a time, savouring each morsel with unparalleled delight.


    "This is even more gratifying than consuming a great white shark or even a whale!" the Overlord mused within itself.


    Indeed, great white sharks were not small creatures weighing up to two thousand kilograms. However, they barely satisfied the Overlord''s appetite, unable even to fill a single bite.


    In contrast, these colossal octopuses were a true delight. The Overlord wondered what species they were and what circumstances had allowed them to grow so immense, surpassing a thousand tons in weight.


    Each arm alone weighed at least a hundred tons, and Bawang relished every mouthful with an insatiable desire.


    "In the afternoon, I''ll pick you up," Li Changle dered as she stepped out of the car. The school year hadmenced, demanding her undivided attention as a ss teacher. She arrived at the school before 8:00 AM and departed after 5:00 PM.


    Luckily, it wasn''t a boarding school, sparing her from spending the night on campus.


    Liu Yong jokingly suggested abandoning the teaching profession since it required such an arduous effort, but Li Changle vehemently disagreed. She cherished being an educator, deriving immense fulfilment from the profession. Without it, she feared an empty existence, unsure of what else she could devote herself to.


    "Very well then," Liu Yong conceded.


    Li Changle bid farewell, exiting the car. "Brother Yong, it should be around five o''clock in the afternoon by now," she remarked.


    Liu Yong affirmed, "Alright, I''ll wait for you at the school gate before five o''clock."


    Observing his girlfriend''s entrance into the school, Liu Yong waved his hand. "Let''s go. We''re off to the Universal Building."


    Chen Hu, the driver, disyed great enthusiasm as he asked, "Boss, I heard that we can go to the top floor."


    Liu Yong chuckled, replying, "Indeed, most of the elevators have been installed and tested. The exterior of the building is nearly finished, while the interior decoration is currently underway. We can take a glimpse inside."


    At longst, they could enter the building''s interior and even ride the elevator to the top floor¡ªan opportunity Liu Yong eagerly anticipated.


    Chen Hu maintained a steady and swift pace while driving, bringing them to the vicinity of the Universal Building in less than an hour.


    Across the street, they could already glimpse the towering Universal Building across the street through the car''s window.


    Liu Yong gazed at the iconic building, feeling a surge of excitement within his heart. In just two or three months, he would be able to move into his new home.


    Initially, the n was to move in on the National Day, but considering the substantial workload involved in the interior decoration, it was already September, and time was running short.


    Liu Yong resolved to ensure that the Universal Building would be fullypleted and ready for upancy before New Year''s Day. Both the Global Shipping Group and Universal Semiconductor would relocate to the building at that time.


    After a brief moment, the car arrived at the entrance of the Universal Building.


    Chen Hu prepared to drive into the underground garage, but Liu Yong intervened, saying, "Park on the side. I want to take a closer look at the building."


    Chen Huplied, finding a suitable spot to park the car. Liu Yong stepped out, craning his neck to admire the majestic and stunning structure before him.

 Chapter 346 Its My Pride !!

    ?


    In the heart of the bustling city stood a magnificent skyscraper stretching high into the heavens with 98 floors. With its striking octagonal shape, the Universal Building epitomized the epitome of architectural beauty. From the first floor up to the 90th floor, each level boasted an expansive area exceeding 2,600 square meters.


    The space gradually diminished as one ascended to the 91st floor through the 98th floor. For instance, the 91st floor covered an area of 2,300 square meters, a mere two to three hundred square meters more petite than its predecessor on the 90th floor. Further up, as one reached the 98th floor, the area reduced significantly to a mere seven or eight hundred square meters.


    The building showcased its splendour with elegant ss exterior walls spanning from the ground floor to the topmost level. And crowning the building, perched above the 98th floor, was a helipad designed to facilitate thending and takeoff of helicopters.


    Liu Yong, gazing upward, marvelled at the resplendence of his creation¡ªthe Universal Building¡ªfinding it even more captivating than its initial design renderings. While lost in admiration, his trance was interrupted by a voice.


    "Whose car is this? You can''t park here!" eximed a man who appeared to be the property owner, pointing at a Rolls-Royce and shouting.


    Liu Yong and hispanion, Chen Hu, turned their attention towards themotion. Liu Yong smiled and gestured to Chen Hu, saying, "It seems we''ll have to park the car in the underground garage."


    Chen Hu hastily replied, "Boss, I''ll take care of parking the car."


    "Very well," Liu Yong nodded, "I''ll be waiting for you on the 98th floor."


    As they were about to take a step, a person resembling a property manager hurriedly approached, scolding, "Xiao Zhang, have you gone mad? This is a Rolls-Royce!"


    Liu Yong, now standing beside the car, smiled and said, "It''s alright. Parking here is not appropriate, and he did the right thing."


    The property manager stared at Liu Yong, his expression transforming into one of astonishment. "You''re Mr. Liu, aren''t you? The owner of this building!"


    Overwhelmed with joy, the property manager forgot his words momentarily, remaining motionless. Only when Liu Yong entered the building''s first-floor lobby, and Chen Hu drove the car into the underground garage the property manager snapped back to reality.


    Perplexed, the property manager Xiao Zhang couldn''t help but inquire, "Director, who is this Liu person you were talking about? Is he someone important?"


    The property manager looked dissatisfied at Xiao Zhang before responding, "That was Liu Yong, the boss of Global Shipping Group and the owner of this very building!"


    Xiao Zhang was left dumbfounded, his mouth agape. He knew the significance of Liu Yong, the prominent figure behind the Universal Seaman Group. To witness his presence firsthand and even ask his car to be moved... It was a remarkable encounter. Thoughts raced through Xiao Zhang''s mind as he realized he had a great story to share with his colleagues.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong stepped into thevishly decorated lobby on the first floor of the building. The floor shimmered, reflecting the grandeur of its crystal chandeliers suspended above, seemingly elevating the hall''s height. The octagonal shape of the Universal Building granted it four spacious entrances on the east, south, west, and north sides, each spanning over 400 square meters. Luxurious and elegant, the halls epitomized opulence.


    While the first-floor halls were almostplete in their decoration, the rest of the floors were still undergoing renovation. However, the 91st to 98th floors had made significant progress and were nearingpletion. The security captain stationed in the lobby recognized Liu Yong and hurriedly approached, opening the door to the exclusive elevator.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    The elevator possessed only a few buttons: B1, B2, B3, 1, and floors 91 to 98. It provided direct ess to the upper floors while stopping at the first, second, and third underground levels, bypassing the other floors altogether.


    The management of the Universal Building had been entrusted to a reputable real estatepany renowned for its strength and credibility in Huahai City. Thepany had recently taken over the management and begun overseeing the building''s operations, ensuring professional and efficient property management.


    Declining the security captain''spany, Liu Yong entered the elevator and pressed the "98" button, swiftly ascending to the top floor¡ªthe 98th floor. Stepping out of the elevator, Liu Yong''s eyes widened in awe.


    Even though he had received reports from Qiu Yang, he hadn''t expected the grandeur of the decoration to be so overwhelming. The floor exuded an aura akin to a luxury five-star hotel, surpassing the standards set for a Grade A office building.


    While the first to 90th floors adhered to the Grade A office building standards, the 91st to 97th floors exceeded those expectations, and the 98th floor boasted an even higher level of extravagance. The space felt spacious and open, thoughparatively more minor, spanning 700 to 800 square meters.


    Within this area, there were a fewrge offices, two reception rooms, two meeting rooms¡ªonerge and one small¡ªand severalvatories. The small meeting roomfortably amodated 20 to 30 people and, despite its size, featured an exceptionally high standard of decoration,plete with advanced conference equipment.


    "Boss, I''m here," announced Chen Hu, having parked the car and joining Liu Yong on the 98th floor.


    Liu Yong waved his hand and replied, "Come, let''s explore this floor together."


    Chen Hu nodded, apanying Liu Yong as they toured the 98th floor. Throughout the tour, Chen Hu couldn''t help but ponder the floor''s purpose, finding its ambience remarkably distinct, possibly reserved for thepany''s top executives.


    Having thoroughly examined the floor, Liu Yong pushed open the door to the president''s office, revealing an expanse of space that immediately imparted a sense of grandeur. While the primary decorations wereplete, some office equipment, such as a magnificentrge desk crafted from a single piece of red sandalwood, remained in the customization process, promising unparalleled luxury.


    Spanning over 200 square meters, the office dwarfed Liu Yong''s current workspace. The floor boasted precious mahogany flooring, and its walls would soon showcase renowned artworks. In addition to office equipment, the room would be adorned with exquisite antiques and high-end handicrafts.


    Radiating spaciousness and brightness, the office captivated Liu Yong. Intrigued, he walked towards the vast French windows, pulling back the curtains. Through the ss, he beheld amanding view.


    From his elevated perspective, the sprawling streets of Huahai Cityy below, with other buildings appearing minuscule, resembling tiny hills. With a sense of openness and pride, Liu Yong felt an indescribable sensation of being a king overseeing his domain.


    Meanwhile, in the depths of the North Pacific Ocean, the Overlord, having devoured the giant octopus it had hunted, found itself growing hungry once again. The Overlord carried its big spear and swam toward a massive hole in the seabed in.


    Entering the cavernous entrance, the Overlord joined the abyss with impressive speed. Within moments, it had descended from a depth of over 3,000 meters to surpass 5,000 meters. Giant octopuses weremonly found at this depth, well within the Overlord''s exceptional sensory range.


    .........

 Chapter 347 What! Grey-Black ?

    ?


    Overlord stood in utter bewilderment, rooted to the spot. Its confusion lingered for several seconds before he mustered the courage to swim deeper into the depths, descending several hundred meters. The location had already surpassed the depth of 5,800 meters.


    But still, no sign of the giant octopus could be found.


    Bawang, taken aback,municated with Liu Yong, "Master, it seems like the giant octopus in this enormous cavity has vanished."


    Liu Yong promptly activated the third-party vision, catching sight of Overlord in the massive cave and surveying the situation within.


    Previously, there had been several giant octopuses within this vast hole. Overlord had in a few, yet at least three or four more had now seemingly vanished.


    "Overlord, there truly are no giant octopuses in sight. It''s likely they have all fled," Liu Yong deduced.


    Overlords joined the hunt one by one, causing the remaining giant octopuses to be startled and potentially flee.


    Hearing this, Overlord''s spirits dampened momentarily.


    Liu Yong consoled him, saying, "Don''t lose heart. I suspect they can''t have gone far. Perhaps they sought refuge in a nearby trench."


    These giant octopuses were a mutated species ustomed to depths exceeding 5,000 meters. Once they escaped from this massive cavity, the outside seabed ins only descended to a depth of 3,000 meters, an environment unsuitable for long-term survival.


    Liu Yong spected that they would likely seek refuge in the nearest trench. Furthermore, he entertained that these giant octopuses might have originally inhabited a nearby canal, venturing out temporarily and entering this big cavity.


    After all, octopuses were known to be drawn to crevices and simr formations. Discovering this immense cavity, they likely decided to take temporary shelter there.


    Having listened to Liu Yong''s analysis andforting words, Overlord''s mood improved slightly. "Master, in that case, I will search the surroundings and hopefully find the nearby trench."


    Liu Yong replied, "Yes, but before that, you have another task. I have already examined the bottom of this colossal hole. You should explore it as well."


    Following Liu Yong''s instructions, Overlord continued his descent and eventually reached the bottom of the immense cavity.


    The depth of the hole measured approximately 6,500 meters. However, unlike the unfathomable depths of the three giant cavities in the North Antic Ocean, this one ceased descending for reasons unknown.


    The bottom of the cavity appeared rtively t, which Liu Yong could observe clearly through the third-party vision.


    There, at the t bottom, something peculiar caught their attention.


    Apart from ordinary stones, there were several grey-ck stones of varying sizes. Therger ones reached several meters in length, weighing dozens of tons, while the smaller ones were mere fist-sized.


    Liu Yong pondered whether the giant octopuses collected these grey-ck stones. After all, certain octopuses were known to gather items they found appealing.


    The grey-ck stones differed from ordinary rocks in their appearance. Were they a particr kind of ore, or had the giant octopuses merely collected them for their aesthetic appeal?


    Liu Yong scrutinized these grey-ck stones through the lens of the third-party vision. At the same time, Overlord, holding a giant spear, curiously knocked and prodded the surroundings within the massive cavity.


    Liu Yong adjusted the visual angle, zooming in on one specific area, and closely examined one of the gray-ck stones. The more he observed it, the more convinced he became that they were no ordinary rocks.


    However, as the view was limited to the third-party vision, the stone''s rity was not as precise as it was right before him.


    After a brief contemtion, Liu Yong ordered, "Overlord, do you see those gray stones? Retrieve a few small ones and bring them to the seaside for me. I want to examine theirposition."


    Overlord readily agreed, "Certainly, no problem."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Following Liu Yong''s instructions, Overlord randomly selected two or three pieces, the smallest of which was still over a meter in size.


    Visually estimating the weight, even the smallest stone seemed to weigh several tons. Although Overlord considered it small, Liu Yong considered it ratherrge.


    "You don''t need them to be that big, choose smaller ones," Liu Yong reminded.


    In the end, Overlord chose two or three stones about the size of a washbasin and one that was half that size.


    "Master, how about these?" Overlord inquired.


    Liu Yong nodded approvingly, "Yes, those will do. Bring them to me and meet me near Huahai City."


    It was crucial not to take them to the seaside warehouse. Firstly, Overlord''s size would make navigating the narrow warehouse aisles challenging. Secondly, the warehouse housed several lithography machines, and strict security measures were in ce to protect them. Exposing Overlord''s existence to the warehouse staff would be unfavourable.


    It was best to select a secluded spot along the coast near Huahai City. Overlord took the stones and departed from the massive cave. Once outside the cave, he positioned himself a few hundred meters below the water''s surface before rapidly propelling.


    When Liu Yong awoke the following morning, he heard Overlord''s voice resounding, "Master, I am nearly reaching Huahai City."


    Overlord''s speed was extraordinary, swiftly covering thousands of nautical miles in just over ten hours.


    Liu Yong replied, "Great, I will head to the beach immediately. You can ce the stones in the sea, no need toe ashore."


    Ideally, the stones should be deposited at a depth of over ten meters near the seashore. Venturing onto the beach in broad daylight risked rming onlookers if someone were to stumble upon the scene.


    Liu Yong called, instructing Chen Hu to drive arge G off-road vehicle. He then proceeded to get ready, washing up and having breakfast before leaving the house.


    Chen Hu had already arrived and was waiting by the gate of the grand vi. As Liu Yong stepped outside, Chen Hu promptly opened the car door. Once Liu Yong settled inside, Chen Hu returned to the driver''s seat. However, there was no passenger in the co-pilot seat.


    This arrangement was at Liu Yong''s behest, as the matter involved critical information known only to Chen Hu. Liu Yong preferred that others remain unaware.


    After getting into the car, Liu Yong indicated their destination, and Chen Hu began driving.


    Although the chosen location was a bit distant, necessitating a longer journey, it offered solitude, devoid of the bustling crowds in closer locales.


    After driving for about an hour and a half, the off-road vehicle arrived at the seaside. Liu Yong alighted from the car, removing his outer clothes and donning a pair of swimming shorts in preparation for entering the water.


    Observing this, Chen Hu hurriedly said, "Boss, allow me to handle it."


    Liu Yong replied, "You wait in the car."


    He walked toward the sea and swiftly disappeared beneath the surface. Liu Yong alone knew the precise location of the stones, making it easier for him to retrieve them personally and transport them back quickly.


    Within three or four minutes, Liu Yong emerged from the sea, holding two gray-ck stones the size of washbasins. He called Chen Hu, "ce the stones in the car."


    Chen Hu promptly approached and took a stone in each hand, carefully setting them in the vehicle. Meanwhile, Liu Yong returned to the water to retrieve two more grey rocks, onerge and one small.


    As Chen Hu ced the stones in the car trunk, he examined them closely and began to sense that they were far from ordinary. Their appearance and texture seemed to distinguish them from regr stones.


    ...

 Chapter 348 Aliens Among Us?

    ?


    Chen Hu stood before two peculiar stones, his mind filled with curiosity and bewilderment. These stones seemed to possess an extraordinary quality, distinguishing themselves from the mundane rocks surrounding them. Chen Hu seriously examined them, running his fingers along their surfaces.


    "These cannot be mere stones," he concluded, his decision made. Delving deeper into his scrutiny, he observed their uniform grey-ck colour and the absence of discernible patterns or lines.


    "A genuine stone wouldn''t possess such uniformity in color, nor would itck any markings," Chen Hu mused aloud, his fingertips caressing the enigmatic objects. To his surprise, they emitted a coldness that resembled the touch of metal.


    "Could it be...?" Chen Hu''s thoughts trailed off as he began to suspect that these "stones" were, in fact, pieces of metal.


    Just as this realization began to take root in Chen Hu''s mind, a figure emerged from the sea¡ªLiu Yong. In his hands, he held two stones, onerge and one small, mirroring the appearance of the previous pair.


    Storing the new additions in the car trunk, Liu Yong dried himself off with a towel and changed into fresh clothes. Chen Hu observed the quartet of stones, unable to contain his curiosity any longer. He turned to Liu Yong and spoke, his voice brimming with intrigue, "Boss, these objects don''t resemble stones at all. They bear a striking resemnce to metal."


    Enquiring Chen Hu''s observation, Liu Yong approached the car''s rear and scrutinized the "stones" again. Chen Hu''s remark had sparked something within him¡ªa growing certainty that these objects were more than just stones; they appeared metal.


    "Indeed, they do appear metallic," Liu Yong responded, his enthusiasm ignited. The more he examined the objects, the more convinced he became that they were indeedposed of metal.


    Mulling over the implications, Liu Yong contemted the concept of metal existing deep within an underwater cave, thousands of meters beneath the surface. Could it be a relic from an alien civilization? Perhaps, fifty thousand years ago, extraterrestrial beings had indeed visited Earth.


    Picking up one of the metals, Liu Yong weighed it in his hand. If it were indeed metal, it felt surprisingly lightweight¡ªlighter than an ordinary stone. Determined to unravel the mystery, he returned the objects to hispany for further examination.


    With a decisive wave of his hand, Liu Yong instructed, "Let''s go back to thepany."


    The two men boarded the car and headed to Global Shipping Group. Chen Hu focused on driving while Liu Yong upied the back seat, lost in his thoughts.


    "If these objects are indeed metal, what kind of metal are they? What are their physical properties?" Liu Yong pondered aloud, his mind abuzz with questions. He deduced that their density must be rtively low if they were not hollow. Could there exist a lightweight metal that matched their description?


    In Liu Yong''s recollection, the aluminium alloy was a light metal. The pieces of metal sent by Bawang seemed to possess a weightparable to aluminium alloy.


    Moreover, their corrosion resistance appeared formidable. Since the giant cavity had formed fifty thousand years ago, the metals must have been submerged in seawater for the same duration. Usually, any metal subjected to such an environment would have rusted beyond recognition. Yet, the surface of these pieces remained utterly unblemished.


    Chen Hu safely navigated the car back to Global Shipping Group while Liu Yong ruminated over his musings throughout the journey.


    Upon arriving at the office building, Liu Yong gestured to Chen Hu, saying, "Move these items to my office."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Chen Huplied, carrying the threerge rocks inside. Liu Yong scanned his office, considering the best cement for the objects. Eventually, he opened a spacious cab, clearing a shelf for their temporary resting ce.


    "Let''s put them here for now. I don''t need your assistance at the moment, Chen Hu. Feel free to upy yourself with other tasks," Liu Yong directed, closing the cab door after the rocks were safely stored.


    Chen Hu nodded, exiting the office and gently closing the door behind him.


    Left alone with the intriguing pieces of metal, Liu Yong couldn''t help but fixate on their appearance. The more he observed them, the more they resembled sizable metal fragments rather than ordinary stones.


    After a contemtive gaze, Liu Yong closed the cab door, concealing the objects from view. Taking a seat in his office chair, he retrieved a magnifying ss from the drawer, its purpose clear¡ªto scrutinize the metal piece resting on his desk under closer inspection.


    Examining it meticulously, Liu Yong couldn''t contain his excitement as he quietly affirmed, "Without a doubt, it''s forged metal, not a stone." The notion that these metals could be remnants of an ancient alien civilization, existing for fifty thousand years filled him with a sense of exhration.


    Metals originating from extraterrestrial civilizations couldn''t be ordinary. Their properties remained an enigma that Liu Yong eagerly anticipated solving firsthand.


    Qiu Yang, acting with remarkable efficiency, swiftly procured all the items Liu Yong had requested. He knocked on the office door in less than an hour, entering at Liu Yong''s beckoning.


    "Boss, I''ve purchased everything you asked for and arranged them in the adjacent room," Qiu Yang reported dutifully.


    Liu Yong''s excitement grew further upon hearing the news. With one hand gripping the metal piece on the desk, he rose from his chair, ready to proceed to the small conference room where the acquired items awaited.


    Observing therge metal piece in Liu Yong''s possession, Qiu Yang''s brows furrowed with perplexity. He couldn''t help but wonder what the boss intended to do with such a sizable stone.


    Could it be that Liu Yong nned to conduct chemical experiments with it? Images of his high school chemistry teacher''s ssroom demonstrations shed through Qiu Yang''s mind.


    Unbeknownst to Qiu Yang, Liu Yong''s motivations were far from whimsical. His purpose was to examine and verify the properties of this peculiar metal personally.


    Pushing open the conference room door, Liu Yong entered, and his eyes immediately fell upon the assortment of items disyed on the conference table. Qiu Yang had sessfully acquired all twenty to thirty pieces as requested.


    A surge of excitement coursed through Liu Yong''s veins as he shed his coat, rolling up his sleeves. He was poised to embark on a personal investigation, determined to uncover the true nature of this metal.


    "I am eager to discover what kind of metal this truly is," Liu Yong dered, anticipation palpable in his voice. And so, with a sense of purpose, he set about his quest for answers, ready to unveil the mysteries hidden within these enigmatic objects.

 Chapter 349 Unveiling Alien Metal

    ?


    I bought all the necessary items, carefully selecting each to fulfil my needs.


    As I looked at the purchased items, a surge of excitement coursed through me, causing a slight tremor in my hands. With eager anticipation, I ced the metallic object on the table, observing it with great satisfaction.


    Although the items I acquired were quite ordinary in nature, consisting of everyday chemical utensils, chemicals, electronic scales, and cutting tools, their significance to my experiment was immeasurable.


    Taking utmost precaution, I switched on the venttion fan and closed the blinds, creating a controlled environment for my undertaking. It was time tomence the meticulous verification process.


    The first task was to determine this enigmatic metal''s density. I began cutting into the metal with the cutting tool in my grasp.


    After considerable time and effort, it became apparent that this metal possessed an extraordinarybination of characteristics. Despite its lightweight nature, it exhibited a hardness surpassing that of ordinary steel. I persevered, ultimately slicing off a small piece using an electric cutting tool.


    The freshly cut surface gleamed with a distinct metallic lustre, reinforcing my conviction that this was indeed a remarkable metal, potentially of extraterrestrial origin.


    The next step was to ascertain its weight. Carefully cing the cut metal piece on an electronic scale, I observed the needle settling at 27.35 grams.


    Utilizing a measuring cylinder to determine its volume, I meticulously calcted the density using a calctor, arriving at a value of 2.6.


    Comparing this density to known materials, such as iron (7.8), titanium alloy (approximately 4.5), and aluminium alloy (2.7), it became evident that this grey-ck metal boasted a density slightly higher than that of aluminium alloy. Truly fascinating!


    The weightlessness of this metal, coupled with its resistance to deformation, exceeded even that of aluminium alloy. It possessed a remarkable hardness, surpassing that of ordinary steel.


    Intrigued by its corrosion resistance, I decided to subject it to various acids, such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. Astonishingly, no reaction urred.


    Refusing to sumb to doubt, I prepared a ss of aqua regia and introduced the metal shavings from the previous cutting into the solution. Aqua regia, known for its formidable corrosive properties capable of dissolving gold, exhibited sluggish corrosion when in contact with these metal shavings.


    Undeterred, I stirred the mixture with a ss rod, hoping to elerate the reaction. However, the corrosion process remained sluggish. epting its sluggish nature, I allowed the response to progress at its own pace, carefully noting the time required for aplete reaction.


    Eager to unveil more secrets, I conducted a series of experiments that yielded astonishing results. It became apparent that this metal possessed an extraordinarily high melting point. Even after subjecting it to intense heat for an extended period, it did not exhibit signs of redness or alteration in colour. Instead, it maintained its ck and grey hue.


    To confirm the reliability of my me, I swiftly tested it with an iron wire, which swiftly turned red and white under the searing heat. This ensured that the me possessed a temperature in excess of 1200 degrees Celsius, approaching the melting point of iron wire at over 1500 degrees Celsius.


    After conducting aprehensive series of tests, I began to form a preliminary understanding of this enigmatic metal. Its characteristics included low density, high melting point, exceptional hardness, and remarkable corrosion resistance.


    Overwhelmed by awe, I couldn''t help but marvel at its origin, recognizing that it far surpassed the technological advancements of Earth''s civilization.


    However, certain specific properties, such as hardness, tensile strength, flexibility, and melting point, remained unverified due to theck of specialized equipment and institutions capable of conducting such analysis.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Contemting the next course of action, I pondered whether sending the metal to a professional institution for thorough testing was prudent. Without dy, I made the decision to entrust the cut piece of metal, weighing a mere 20 grams, to the utmost care. I meticulously wrapped it with multipleyers of stic film before assigning Qiu Yang to deliver it.


    The metal piece was destined for the most esteemed professional institution in Yanguo, the Institute of Special Metal Materials under the renowned Yanguo Academy of Sciences. The recipient of this precious cargo would be none other than Hu Jianguo, the esteemed director of the institute. Revered as an authoritative expert in the realm of unique metal materials and a respected academician of the Yanguo Academy of Sciences, Hu Jianguo''s expertise was indispensable for unravelling the mysteries of this extraordinary metal.


    Meanwhile, Hu Jianguo was engrossed in a meeting with a distinguished guest within the hallowed halls of the Institute of Special Metal Materials. The visitor in question was none other than Liang Chengwen, a renowned authority in aero-engine technology in Yangshuo.


    Liang and Hu shared a deep bond, having graduated from the same university in the same ss. While their fields of expertise diverged, with one specializing in materials and the other in aero-engine design, their friendship endured. They understood the paramount importance of materials science in the realm of cutting-edge aero-engine development.


    Yanguo, though possessing formidable aero-engine technology, remained a generation behind certain developed nations. While Yanguo boasted third-generation aero-engine capabilities, some advanced countries had already attained fourth and fifth-generation aero-engine technology.


    Concerned for Liang''s progress, Hu inquired, "Old friend, how is the development of Turbofan X progressing?"


    Turbofan X represented a fourth-generation engine featuring a design thrust-to-weight ratio of 10:5 and vector nozzle technology. Its intended use was for the new domestically developed fifth-generation fighter, making it a project of immense national significance.


    With great expectations and ample support from the country, the development process of Turbofan X encountered numerous obstacles and setbacks, presenting a formidable challenge.


    Liang Wencheng sighed softly, his face etched with a touch of bitterness as he replied, "There are still some unresolved issues, the most critical being the inability to increase the temperature ahead of the turbine and the limited lifespan of the turbine des."


    The temperature before the turbine in an aero-engine held significant importance. Advanced engines could withstand temperatures surpassing 1800 degrees Celsius in that region. With such extreme heat, numerous metals would melt, let alone function effectively and generate substantial thrust.


    This necessitated the use of particr metals known as superalloys. These alloys were not ordinary by any means. They required powder metallurgy techniques to withstand higher temperatures and an array of cooling designs to ensure the longevity of turbine disks and des in such demanding conditions.


    Liang Wencheng harboured dreams of pushing the temperature limits of Turbofan X ahead of the turbine and enhancing the service life of the des. However, the existing materials fell short of their aspirations.


    "I''vee to you, Jianguo, seeking your assistance," Liang pleaded with a sense of urgency. "We require a material that can rival the imported high-temperature alloys. Otherwise, our Turbofan X project will remain stagnant."


    Hu Jianguo''s expression grew serious as he contemted the gravity of the situation. He responded slowly, "Quenching this thirst may not be an easy task. While we have initiated a project aimed at localizing single crystal superalloys, it will still take at least five to eight years before we can achieve industrial-scale application."


    The prospect of waiting for such a prolonged period left Liang Wencheng disheartened. The timeline was too extensive, and their project couldn''t afford such a dy.


    Importing single crystal superalloys from abroad wasn''t a viable solution either. It was immensely challenging, but the exorbitant prices and potential supply disruptions posed significant risks.


    Liang Wencheng''s mind sank as he contemted the dilemma they faced.


    Interrupting their conversation, a knock resounded on the office door. Hu Jianguo''s assistant entered, holding a courier package in hand.

 Chapter 350 Adapting To A New Feast!!

    ?


    "Dear Director, I have this express package for you," the assistant politely announced, extending a small parcel into the waiting hands of Hu Jianguo, who happened to hold the esteemed position of director of the prestigious research institute. With a blend of intrigue and interest, Hu Jianguo directed his attention towards the intriguing package, swiftly discerning its diminutive proportions, measuring approximately 10 centimetres in length and width, piquing his curiosity even further.


    Perplexed, he wondered aloud, "It''s so small. What could it be?" He recalled not having made any recent purchases and spected that perhaps it was something sent by another department.


    Deciding it was best to inspect itter, Hu Jianguo gestured to his assistant, Xiao Li, saying, "Xiao Li, put it on my desk." He paid little attention to the small package and resumed his conversation with Liang Wencheng, an old friend and colleague, in the reception area.


    "Old man, what''s your next n?" Hu Jianguo inquired, engaging in a casual conversation.


    Liang Wencheng sighed softly and responded, "If we don''t have much hope here, we''ll have to rely on imports. Hopefully, we can secure the single crystal superalloys we need through international channels."


    Hu Jianguo nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "The current turbofan X engine utilizes the best domestic superalloy, but during several verification tests, issues with the turbine des have consistently arisen. Problems like surface ation or de cracks. We can''t even determine its service life at this point, considering it''s merely a verification test run."


    He continued, emphasizing the importance of turbine des as high-temperature vitalponents with a required service life of at least 1,000 hours. Comparatively, foreign countries often achieve service lives of 5,000 or even 8,000 hours. Hu Jianguo regretfully remarked, "We can''t provide much help now. Developing domestic single crystal superalloys takes time. I suggest we prioritize international cooperation and attempt to import some single crystal superalloys as an interim solution."w


    Liang Wencheng agreed, resigned to the reality. "It seems that''s our only option. I hope we can import the required single crystal superalloys soon." He acknowledged the need to take one step at a time, starting with importing a small portion of the required materials.


    As they chatted further, Liang Wencheng bid farewell and expressed his urgency to return to work, acknowledging the lost hope and hoping to resolve the technical challenges faced by the Turbofan X engine swiftly. Hu Jianguo apologized for the situation and saw his old friend off. He settled into his office chair and turned to the small package on his desk.


    "Hey, it''s sent by the Global Shipping Group. I wonder what''s inside," Hu Jianguo mused, his curiosity piqued. Perplexed by the unexpected sender, as he had no previous connection with them, he retrieved a paper cutter from his drawer and carefully opened the package. He discovered an item wrapped in stic film, apanied by a small printed note.


    The note bore a few concise instructions, indicating that the enclosed piece of metal was extraordinary. The Institute of Special Metal Materials was invited to conduct verification tests epassing density, melting point, hardness, and tensile strength.


    Hu Jianguo unravelled the stic film and beheld the small piece of metal. As an authority on metal materials, he immediately recognized it as a piece of metal rather than a stone. Its density was remarkably light, adding to its intriguing nature.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Inspecting it closely with a magnifying ss, Hu Jianguo realized the uniqueness of the metal. Filled with anticipation, he picked it up and headed towards theboratory, eager to explore its properties and potentially the depths of the North Pacific Ocean. The colossal figure known as Overlord resurfaced once again. After a few hours of rest in its cave, a deep hunger gnawed at its insides, prompting it to grab its massive spear and set off towards an enormous cavern sixty to seventy nautical miles away.


    Hope lingered within Overlord''s heart. Why had the few giant octopuses that once inhabited the cavern vanished? Would they return to their abode? Determined to find out, Overlord swiftly swam towards the entrance of the colossal cavern, spear in hand, undeterred by uncertainty.


    As it ventured more profoundly, the seabed sloped gradually, and the familiar presence of the giant octopuses failed to appear even when Overlord reached over 5,000 meters. It delved further into the very bottom of the immense cave, which extended to approximately 6,500 meters in depth.


    Disappointment washed over Overlord as the cavern proved devoid of any giant octopuses. Not a single one remained. With shattered hopes, Overlord gazed at the grey-ck "stones" littering the cave floor before slowly swimming out, a growing hunger intensifying its inner turmoil.


    "Well, there are no giant octopuses here. I must find something else to satiate my hunger," Overlord murmured, resigned to its current circumstances. It acknowledged that it needed to adapt and seek sustenance elsewhere.


    Overlord descended one or two hundred meters below the water''s surface, scanning the surrounding waters forrge fish to devour. It paid no mind to the sheer size of its prey, gobbling down dozens of enormous fish weighing hundreds of pounds each.


    Among the catch was a magnificent bluefin tuna, weighing an impressive five to six hundred pounds. Such a colossal fish could fetch an exorbitant price at upscale restaurants, but for Overlord, it vanished in a single bite, barely granting it the opportunity to savour its taste.


    As it continued its hunt, a colossal whale appeared on the horizon, yfully spouting water into the air. Overlord wasted no time and swiftly approached, deeming the whale its next meal.


    Having already consumed numerous massive fish, including the whale, Overlord''s stomach was finally half full. The absence of the vast octopuses with their tons of flesh proved more challenging and time-consuming to satiate its hunger. It took over an hour to reach a point of satisfaction.


    Setting its sights on a different goal, Overlord contemted, "Well, there are no giant octopuses weighing thousands of tons. Perhaps they have migrated or sought refuge in nearby trenches." Motivated by this possibility, Overlord swam through the depths, employing its extraordinary sensory perception to its fullest extent, hoping to locate its elusive prey.


    Swimming for several nautical miles, Overlord eventually came to a halt, within the range of its heightened perception, as a colossal figure loomed before it in the deep abyss.

 Chapter 351 A Metal Of Marvels

    ?


    In the depths of the vast ocean, a colossal figure loomed at the fringes of Overlord''s extraordinary perception. A surge of joy washed over him, prompting him to approach stealthily, gliding through the waters with great care.


    "There it is, a colossal octopus!" Overlord eximed in hushed tones. Its tentacles and limbs stretched over a hundred meters long, giving the impression of a monstrous behemoth. Despite its terrifying appearance, Overlord found an odd fondness for the creature.


    Closing in silently, Overlord then swiftlyunched a powerful strike, employing a surprise attack to gain the upper hand. As expected, the ambush proved immensely sessful.


    With tremendous force and rapid impact, Overlord''s gargantuan spear impaled the colossal body of the octopus, nearly piercing it through entirely. The dying creature convulsed and thrashed, its reaction immense. Multiple colossal arms and legs strained heavily toward Overlord''s body, entangling it in their grasp.


    However, the Overlord''s defences proved imprable, frustrating the octopus''s desperate attempts.


    Within a matter of seconds, the massive limbs ckened and hung limply. The colossal octopus had met its demise.


    Overjoyed, Overlord revelled in the victory. The giant cephalopod, weighing over a thousand tons, would provide sustenance for two days, alleviating any concerns about food scarcity.


    "What a thrilling experience!" Overlord eximed. "So exhrating!"


    In the depths of his thoughts, Overlord contemted the prospect of indulging in such delectable fare once again, relishing the sheer beauty of such moments.


    Brimming with delight, Overlord''s euphoria was interrupted when another colossal figure appeared within the realm of his extraordinary perception¡ªa second giant octopus. Recognizing the situation, Overlord decided to retreat.


    It wasn''t that the battle was impossible; instead, it seemed unnecessary. Overlord swiftly retrieved the spoils of its victory and swam away, quickly leaving behind the vast trench.


    Emerging from the depths, Overlord cast a contemtive gaze upon the immense trench, confirming the uracy of the master''s spection. This expansive chasm served as the nesting ground for the giant octopuses.


    Most of the enormous cephalopods spotted in the gigantic cavern had traversed this trench as it aligned with the octopuses'' affinity for hollow spaces.


    Dragging its prize¡ªthe lifeless carcass of the colossal octopus¡ªOverlord returned to its makeshiftir.


    Upon arrival, the first order of business was to ce the giant spear firmly on the ground, followed by a voracious feast.


    Overlord savoured the taste of victory, tearing into one of the octopus''s limbs with a single bite, relishing the sensation as if consuming a spicy delicacy.


    Aboratory buzzed with activity at the Yanguo Institute of Special Metal Materials. Several technicians and two researchers diligently conducted a series of tests on a small piece of metal, guided by Hu Jianguo''s instructions.


    Density was meticulously examined, and the results revealed an astonishing 2.62 grams per cubic centimetre, even lighter than aluminium alloy.


    The hardness test followed, unveiling a Rockwell hardness rating of 52. This exceeded the hardness of ordinary steel, which typically ranges from 35 to 45.


    The metal''s melting point was most impressive¡ªa staggering 3150 degrees Celsius. Inparison, ordinary steel''s melting point stood at 1538 degrees, with a boiling point of 2750 degrees. This newfound metal boasted a melting point that soared to an astounding 3150 degrees, surpassing ordinary steel''s boiling point.


    "Boss, this is unbelievable! It doesn''t turn red until heatedto 2500 degrees, and it remains solid even beyond 3000 degrees," eximed one of the technicians in amazement.


    "Yes, we''ve dedicated our lives to studying metal materials, and this is the first time we''vee across such a remarkable metal," remarked the boss with equal astonishment.


    Curiosity piqued, and one of the researchers couldn''t help but inquire, "Boss, where did this piece of metale from?"


    A moment of silence urred in theboratory as everyone, including the two researchers and the technicians, marvelled at the mysterious origins of this extraordinary metal.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Whispers circted among the staff, with some secretly specting that this could be the director''s ndestine research result, unbeknownst to them.


    Observing the test results one by one, Hu Jianguo''s excitement became palpable. As an authority in metal materials, he sensed that this discovery possessed a revolutionary potential that could reshape the world''s materialndscape.


    Perhaps, with the advent of this metal, the entire global perspective on materials would be rewritten.


    However, lingering questions remained regarding the metal''s mechanical strength, flexibility, and processability. These aspects required thorough examination.


    Two dayster, Hu Jianguo found it impossible to contain his emotions any longer. Aprehensive test reporty on his desk, and he perused it repeatedly.


    The data presented was nothing short of astonishing. The metal exhibited exceptional performance, boasting a high melting point, low density, and outstanding mechanical strength.


    Given the limited sample, the test data could only serve as a reference, yet it was sufficient to leave people in awe.


    The mechanical strength of this metal surpassed that of high-strength steel by over fivefold¡ªa truly remarkable feat.


    "It''s incredible!" Hu Jianguo eximed in awe. After spending his entire life working with unique metal materials, he struggled to suppress his excitement. Retrieving a shipping box from his drawer, he reviewed the information, pondering over the connection with the "Global Shipping Group." How could a shippingpany be involved with this extraordinary metal?


    cing the box back down, Hu Jianguo reached for the phone and dialled a number, eager to share his groundbreaking discovery.


    In a renowned aero-engine design institute, Liang Wencheng''s countenance turned grave after concluding a phone call. Frowning deeply, he seemed lost in thought.


    One of the directors in the design office asked, "Master Liang, is there no hope?"


    Sighing heavily, Liang Wencheng replied, "There''s no hope. The other party explicitly stated that they won''t sell it, no matter the price."


    Confusion filled the room as the director struggled toprehend. Logically, there should always be a price at which something could be sold. So why did the other party refuse?


    Liang Wencheng, seemingly grasping the director''s thoughts, spoke slowly, "The other party is aware that we import this single crystal superalloy for our turbofan X engine. They don''t want us to sessfully develop the engine, hence their refusal to sell."


    Materials and engines, each generation building upon thest. Even the finest design would be rendered useless without superior materials, as the manufactured parts wouldn''t meet the required standards.


    Take, for instance, the turbofan X engine¡ªa design of unparalleled excellence. Despite meeting the criteria of a fourth-generation aero-engine, the subpar materials used in its construction hindered progress. Turbine des and otherponents crafted from domestic high-temperature alloys failed to meet the requirements, proving useless after only a few tests andcking durability.


    A sense of helplessness filled the air as everyone recognized the situation''s gravity. Silence settled, conveying the weight of the impending challenge.


    As the sombre atmosphere enveloped the room, Liang Wencheng''s phone rang, breaking the silence. He picked it up and nced at the caller ID¡ªit was his friend Hu Jianguo. He answered the call with anticipation, and Hu Jianguo''s voice burst through the receiver, filled with excitement.


    "Old Liang, I have fantastic news! I''ve discovered a metal material that perfectly meets your requirements. I''ll send you the test report via fax immediately."


    A glimmer of hope ignited within Liang Wencheng as he listened to Hu Jianguo''s words. Could this be the breakthrough they desperately needed?


    ...

 Chapter 352 Fax Me Okay ?

    ?


    Lao Hu, a renowned scientist, had made a groundbreaking discovery¡ªa metal that held immense potential for fulfilling the requirements of the turbofan X engine. The nature of this extraordinary metal remained a mystery: was it domestically sourced or imported?


    Intrigued by the news, Liang Wencheng, a prominent figure in the field, expressed his interest in examining the test report firsthand. "If this is true," he eximed, "please fax me the test report immediately. I would like to verify it myself."


    Shortly after concluding the call, the fax machine on Liang Wencheng''s desk sprang to life, steadily printing out page after page of the eagerly awaited test report. As he perused the document, Liang Wencheng''s anticipation grew with each passing moment. The more he delved into its contents, the more his astonishment gave way to disbelief.


    His face initially registered sheer bewilderment, but a profound sense of surprise soon emerged. It was an unexpected turn of events!


    Just when hope seemed shattered, Providence opened a window wide. The newfound metal materials effortlessly surpassed their imported counterparts, particrly the high-temperature alloys that had long held sway.


    If specific criticalponents of the turbofan X engine could be fabricated using these extraordinary materials, the engine''s performance would witness an exponential leap, especially in terms of service life. It would undoubtedly surpass that of any foreign engine.


    "How remarkable!" Liang Wencheng''s exmation captured the attention of those around him. Their eyes met, and each person silently wondered what had transpired.


    Embodied with a daring curiosity, one of the individuals gathered nearby couldn''t resist inquiring, "Master Liang, is there hope after all?"


    Liang Wencheng''s voice resounded with confidence as he dered, "Hope? We have more than just hope. The problem we faced has been unequivocally resolved!"


    A chorus of surprise ensued, echoing throughout the room. Everyone present was momentarily taken aback, but once they regained theirposure, their collective jubtion reached a crescendo. The problem had been solved¡ªa dreame true.


    Liang Wencheng spoke with unwavering conviction, raising his voice to ensure everyone could hear, "Academician Hu and his team have sessfully developed an innovative type of special steel. This report contains the details of its performance. I encourage you all to take a look."


    The report,prising only a few pages, circted among the eager hands in the room. As each person absorbed its contents, they were left utterly astonished.


    "My goodness! Such a remarkable special steel!"


    "How impressive! It far outshines any imported high-temperature alloys."


    "Imagine the transformative effect this metal could have on our turbofan X engine if utilized in keyponents."


    A spirited discussion ensued, brimming with enthusiasm and anticipation. The atmosphere was electric.


    Liang Wencheng''s mindset underwent a significant transformation. The burden of pressure that once weighed upon him was now lifted, reced by an optimistic outlook filled with hope and anticipation.


    Without further dy, he set out for the Yanguo Institute of Special Metal Materials to visit Hu Jianguo in his office. As the two sat down together, their conversation flowed effortlessly.


    However, Liang Wencheng couldn''t contain his restlessness upon learning that the metal in question wasn''t a result of Hu Jianguo''s research but rather a small sample sent by the Global Shipping Group.


    Unable to contain his curiosity, Liang Wencheng proposed, "Old Hu, why don''t we pay a visit to the Global Shipping Group together to understand the specifics of this situation?"


    Hu Jianguo responded eagerly, "That''s precisely what I was thinking."


    With their minds in perfect alignment, the two swiftly reached an agreement. They wasted no time and promptly purchased ne tickets to Huahai City. There was no time even to gather their assistants or subordinates¡ªthe urgency and excitement propelled them forward.


    At the Global Shipping Group headquarters, Liu Yong, the CEO, sat at his desk, engrossed in examining a metal sample about the size of a washbasin. Holding a magnifying ss, he carefully scrutinized its details, knowing it had been sent out for testing several days prior and anticipating a response.


    A knock at the office door interrupted his concentration, and Qiu Yang, his assistant, entered to report, "Boss, we have two guests. It''s Director Hu Jianguo from the Institute of Special Metals and the chief designer of the turbofan X engine."


    Liu Yong''s eyes widened in surprise. "Director Hu hase in person? Please show them to Reception Room 1. I''ll join them immediately."<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    Quickly tidying his desk, Liu Yong picked up the sizable metal sample and exited his office. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as he entered Reception Room 1, where Hu Jianguo and Liang Wencheng were seated.


    Hu Jianguo couldn''t help but feel a surge of excitement upon catching sight of the massive metal sample. It weighed at least a dozen kilograms¡ªgenuinely awe-inspiring.


    With a warm smile, Liu Yong ced the metal on the table, warmly weing his esteemed guests. After the introductions and customary pleasantries, the conversation quickly turned lively.


    "Mr. Liu," began Hu Jianguo, "we have received the metal sample and conducted an extensive series of research and tests. This is the performance report."


    Using Hu Jianguo''s report, Liu Yong flipped through its pages, his eyes widening in astonishment. "I never expected the performance to be this remarkable, especially regarding mechanical attributes."


    Hu Jianguo nodded approvingly. "This is an exceptional metal with a wide range of applications. In the field of aero-engines, for instance, it has the potential to elevate our engine technology to levelsparable to those of developed countries."


    As an expert in metal materials, Hu Jianguo praised it, recognizing the significance of such an exceptional material. Its introduction would trigger substantial changes, particrly in industries like aviation and aerospace. With this metal, the magnitude of transformation would be earth-shattering.


    Liang Wencheng''s face glowed with excitement. Unable to contain himself any longer, he asked, "Mr. Liu, how much of this metal do you have?"


    Liu Yong contemted momentarily before replying, "For now, we have at least two hundred tons."


    The room erupted in astonishment. More than two hundred tons¡ªsuch an abundance! The delight on Liang Wencheng''s face grew more apparent. It meant there would be enough of this extraordinary material to manufacture the keyponents of the turbofan X engine, with each machine requiring only a hundred kilograms.


    More than two hundred tons¡ªindeed, an ample supply! Moreover, Liu Yong''s mention of "temporary" suggested that even more would be avable.


    The immense hole harboured numerous pieces of varying sizes, some several meters in diameter, weighing tens of tons each. Liu Yong conservatively estimated theirbined weight at over 200 tons. Furthermore, he suspected that these metals were not of earthly origin but perhaps remnants of the appearance of civilization that resided near the colossal hole.


    Liu Yong had an inkling that the area surrounding the hole likely contained a vast reserve of such metals, leftovers from a civilization that had existed fifty thousand years ago. With a sense of certainty, he foresaw the prospect of discovering even more of these extraordinary metals in the future.


    While the quantity of the metal intrigued Liang Wencheng, Hu Jianguo was more interested in its origin. Curiositypelled him to inquire, "Mr. Liu, this metal is truly remarkable and technologically advanced. I''m curious to know where ites from."


    Liu Yong paused for a moment, contemting how much to reveal. Finally, he decided to share some information. "This metal is indeed extraordinary, and its source is equally intriguing. It was not developed by us but rather sent to us by the Global Shipping Group."


    Hu Jianguo and Liang Wencheng exchanged puzzled nces. They hadn''t expected this revtion. Liu Yong continued, "The metal sample was obtained by the Global Shipping Group from an undisclosed location. We believe that it may have been procured by the giant octopuses that are active in the vicinity of the colossal hole."


    As the words left Liu Yong''s lips, Hu Jianguo and Liang Wencheng''s eyes widened in astonishment. Giant octopuses and a colossal hole were gradually piecing together a fascinating puzzle.


    "Investigating the origin of these metals is a priority for us as well," Liu Yong added. "We suspect that these materials are not products of our civilization but may have connections to an ancient appearance civilization that existed thousands of years ago."


    Hu Jianguo''s curiosity deepened. He leaned forward and asked, "Do you have any leads on where the giant octopuses obtained these metals? It could provide invaluable insight into their origins."


    Liu Yong nodded. "We are currently in contact with Bawang, our resident expert, to investigate the source of these metals. Once we uncover more information, it will undoubtedly shed light on their origins and potentially open up further avenues for acquiring simr materials."


    Hu Jianguo and Liang Wencheng exchanged nces again, their minds buzzing with possibilities. The convergence of extraordinary metals, giant octopuses, and a lost appearance of civilization held the promise of unlocking unprecedented advancements.


    With excitement and determination, Hu Jianguo said, "Mr. Liu, we are grateful for this coboration and the opportunity to explore the potential of this extraordinary metal. The Institute of Special Metals is eager to contribute to its research and development. Together, we can unlock its full potential and revolutionize various industries."


    Liu Yong''s face lit up with a smile. "I couldn''t agree more, Director Hu. This partnership holds immense promise. Let''s join forces and embark on this remarkable journey of discovery."


    And so, the meeting continued, fueled by shared enthusiasm, a thirst for knowledge, and the extraordinary possibilities offered by the mysterious metals and the secrets hidden within the colossal hole.

 Chapter 353 Unimaginable!

    ?


    Upon hearing Liu Yong''s proposal, a smile crept across his face, reflecting the thoughts he had pondered for an extended period. The inquiry posed before him had lingered in his mind, contemting the most fitting response and the approach to adopt in such a situation.


    And now, a golden opportunity had presented itself.


    In Liu Yong''s discerning eyes, Hu Jianguo emerged as the perfect shield, the epitome of an ideal candidate. With Hu Jianguo at the forefront, the enigmatic origins of this remarkable metal would cease to be a problem, enabling aprehensive exnation to be disseminated to the world beyond.


    Seriousness filled the air as Liu Yong addressed Hu Jianguo with unwavering resolve. "Director Hu, when ites to the source of this extraordinary metal, I assure you that it is unquestionably legitimate. However, I have a request to make."


    Hu Jianguo mulled over the proposition momentarily, his voice conveying a hint of curiosity. "Tell me, what is your request?"


    Liu Yong leaned in, his words dripping with sincerity. "I am willing to provide you with a quantity of this metal for scientific research,pletely free of charge. In return, I ask that you publicly announce that this metal was sessfully developed by your own efforts."


    A moment of astonishment washed over Hu Jianguo. "What? Such a generous gift!"


    Momentarily stunned, he gathered his thoughts and issued a gentle reminder. "Mr. Liu, are you certain about this? This would bestow upon me a great honor."


    This metal was nothing short of miraculous, boasting technological advancements that surpassed all previous achievements. Once it becamemon knowledge that Hu Jianguo''s scientific research team had developed this unparalleled substance, a whirlwind of sensation would ensue, apanied by a cascade of prestigious des.


    Liu Yong''s voice carried unwavering conviction as he responded. "We do not seek personal glory. As long as Director Hu agrees to publicly credit the sess of this metal''s development to yourself while maintaining its secrecy, my gratitude will be boundless."


    Hu Jianguo concurred, expressing his sense of worthiness. "This honor is indeed tremendous. I am deserving of it."


    Liu Yong proposed the signing of a confidentiality agreement to solidify theirmitment. "Let us formalize our agreement through a confidential contract. I will uphold absolute secrecy and maintain that this metal is the result of your team''s research."


    Hu Jianguo felt the allure tugging at him, yet his integrity prevailed. Reluctantly, he consented to the arrangement, recognizing the magnitude of the offered advantage.


    "Well then, I must seek approval from the higher-ups before proceeding. Only after obtaining their consent can I proceed with this endeavor."


    The upper echelons of Hu Jianguo''s organization were revered figures, representatives of the nation itself. Their agreement would signify the country''s decision to safeguard Liu Yong''s secret, an auspicious oue.


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement. "Yes, if you can secure the confidentiality, I can offer you additional quantities of the metal, all free of charge."


    With that, Liu Yong retrieved three more substantial pieces of metal. Each piece dwarfed a washbasin size and weighed between 20 and 30 kilograms.


    Upon witnessing the total of four awe-inspiring chunks of metal, Hu Jianguo and Liang Chengwen struggled to conceal their amazement.


    "Mr. Liu, are you genuinely gifting us all of this for free?" Hu Jianguo inquired, his voice tinged with disbelief.


    Liu Yong''s response was unwavering. "Of course, they are yours, free of charge."


    As Hu Jianguo and Liang Chengwen marveled at the disy before them, Hu Jianguo voiced his concern. "Mr. Liu, are you not afraid that the country might demand all of the metals from you? Are you not worried about being forced to disclose their source?"


    Liu Yong''s expression turned solemn as he replied, "If such a situation were to arise, I would have no choice but to resist. However, I firmly believe it won''te to that."


    Hu Jianguo nodded, sharing Liu Yong''s conviction. Most likely, the country would make reasonable requests rather than resort to drastic measures. They might restrict selling the metal to foreign entities and limit its avability to domestic enterprises and organizations.


    Prompted by his thoughts, Hu Jianguo called to seek approval from the higher-ups, swiftly obtaining the green light for their coboration. Things were falling into ce.


    With the approval of the esteemed leaders, the two parties delved deeper into their discussions, eventually sealing the arrangement with a formal non-disclosure agreement.


    Liang Wencheng, a witness to the proceedings, appended his signature to the document, pledging to keep the matter confidential.


    In total, there were four sizable pieces of metal. Two were designated for Hu Jianguo and his team, enabling them to conduct scientific research. At the same time, the remaining two would be allocated to Liang Chengwen and his team for the turbofan X engine project.


    Each of these two metal pieces weighed tens of kilograms, a sufficient quantity to fabricate crucialponents for the turbofan X engine. Liang Wencheng eagerly anticipated the remarkable performance enhancements that could be achieved by employing such extraordinary materials.


    "Mr. Liu, I express my gratitude for these two pieces of metal. We will undoubtedly require them in significant quantities in the future. I shall contact you for purchasing arrangements, with the expectation of a reasonable price," Liang Wencheng remarked, his tone brimming with enthusiasm.


    Liu Yong responded unwaveringly, "Price negotiations shall be effortless, and I assure you, it will be a fair deal."


    The three individuals engaged in pleasant conversation, revelling in the joyous atmosphere that apanied signing the non-disclosure agreement. Hu Jianguo and Liang Wencheng politely declined the invitation to stay for dinner as they had pressing matters to attend to.


    One would embark on profound scientific research on the metal, while the other would immediatelymence processing and producing key turbofan X engineponents.


    After bidding farewell to their guests, Liu Yong couldn''t help but ponder the staggering wealth concealed within the cave¡ªapproximately two to three hundred tons of coveted metal. Its value was immeasurable.


    Liu Yong knew all too well the exorbitant prices of imported high-temperature alloys, particrly those required for aerospace engines, which could reach thousands of dors per kilogram. He marvelled at the fact that the metal in his possession surpassed these so-called imports in quality. Selling it at a simr price, such as thousands of dors per kilogram, would hardly be unreasonable.


    A kilogram fetching thousands of dors would mean a ton wouldmand millions of dors.


    Such thoughts sent a shiver down Liu Yong''s spine. Earlier, he had estimated a reserve of at least two to three hundred tons in the massive cavern. However, he suspected there might be even more. The giant octopuses from elsewhere likely acquired the dozens ofrge and small pieces within the colossal circr cavity.


    Considering this possibility, Liu Yongmunicated with Bawang.


    From a third-party perspective, Liu Yong glimpsed Bawang, resting within a vast cave that was nestled halfway up a mountain range.


    As Liu Yong surveyed the expansive opening, he marvelled at the wonders of nature. The cavity assumed a nearly rectangr shape, spanning a width of around 50 meters and towering over 30 meters in height. However, the actual depth of the cave remained unknown to him.


    Unbeknownst to Liu Yong, the cave''s interior mirrored its rectangr entrance, a straight and uninterrupted expanse without any bends. If he had witnessed this phenomenon, his astonishment would have only deepened. For now, he could only marvel at the entrance, acknowledging the incredible diversity found in nature.


    "Overlord, I have a task for you," Liu Yong addressed his loyalpanion.


    Overlord promptly responded, "Master, please enlighten me. What is the mission at hand?"


    Liu Yong shared his observations of the grey-ck metal within the circr cave, specting that the giant octopuses might have sourced it from other locations. He instructed Overlord to scour the vicinity, extending hundreds of nautical miles, to ascertain if simr metals were present elsewhere.


    Overlord, ever obedient, assured him, "There is no problem, Master. With ample food supply, I can devote plenty of time to exploring the nearby areas."


    With those words, Overlord embarked on his quest armed with his formidable spear. The cave still housed the lifeless remains of a giant octopus, guaranteeing him sustenance throughout his journey. Before venturing out, he decided to feast on the octopus, ensuring his hunger wouldn''t hinder his exploration.


    Meanwhile, at a renowned aero-engine design institute, Shen Wencheng returned in high spirits, carrying tworge pieces of metal, each exceeding the size of a washbasin.


    ...

 Chapter 354 The Turbofan X Engine Upgrade

    Liang Wencheng returned with great enthusiasm, immediately calling for a meeting with the key staff. He announced that Hu Jianguo''s team had achieved a remarkable feat¡ªsessfully developing a unique steel. This groundbreaking steel was destined to rece criticalponents of the turbofan X engine, revolutionizing its performance.


    During the meeting, it was unanimously decided that the vital thermal parts of the turbofan X engine, such as the turbine guide vanes and working des at all levels, should be reced with this extraordinary special steel. The implications of this decision were profound, marking a significant leap forward in technological advancement.


    Amidst a mixture of astonishment and admiration, the backbone members of the team expressed their awe and respect for Academician Hu and his team''s remarkable achievement.


    "Academician Hu and the others are truly remarkable. To develop such an exceptional special steel is beyond belief."


    "The mechanical strength of this steel is over five times greater than high-strength steel. It surpasses imported high-temperature alloys in terms of strength."


    "The impressive high melting point indicates excellent resistance to extreme temperatures. We can potentially optimize designs to further enhance turbine performance."


    As the meeting concluded, a sense of relief and excitement permeated the room. The worries concerning the failure of domestic superalloys and the costly efforts to import single-crystal superalloys were now a thing of the past. The solutions to all their problems seemed to have been found.


    Following the meeting, the production of turbine desmenced without dy. Equipped with the necessary technology and production equipment, an aero-engine manufacturing nt and a forging workshop swung into action.


    The manufacturing process began with die forging the nks for the turbine des. Each de had to be meticulously processed, starting with the forging of the de nk. The enormous heating furnace reached an astonishing temperature of 1500 degrees, a temperature at which ordinary steel would have already begun to soften. In contrast, the two gray-ck metal pieces remained stable, not even changing their color.


    Observing this extraordinary heat resistance, several workers were secretly amazed. One experienced cksmith in his fifties couldn''t contain his astonishment and eximed, "My God, I have never witnessed such exceptional heat resistance in my entire life."


    "Yes, and it''s already at 1500 degrees," another worker remarked.


    A nearby technician interjected loudly, "This is a new type of special steel known for its unparalleled resistance to high temperatures. We need to heat it to 2600 degrees."


    Gasps filled the room. The notion of heating the metal to such extreme temperatures left everyone astounded. The temperature continued to rise, pushing the limits of the special electric furnace, which could reach a maximum temperature of 2800 degrees. Without it, achieving the desired red-hot state for the metal would have been impossible.


    As the temperature surpassed 2500 degrees, the two metal pieces inside the furnace began showing signs of redness. When it reached 2600 degrees, the redness became even more apparent but still fell slightly short. After a brief discussion among the technicians, they unanimously decided to increase the temperature by another 100 degrees, pushing it to an impressive 2700 degrees. Finally, it seemed that the forging process requirements had been met.


    The two metal pieces glowed red and were carefully removed from the furnace. One of them was mped and ced onto the forging machine for the forging process. The production continued for several hours until the first working de''s nk was sessfully forged, followed by the second and third.


    Meanwhile, deep beneath the ocean''s surface in the North Pacific Ocean, Overlord, also known as Bawang, swam with a colossal spear in hand. Following Liu Yong''s instructions, it meticulously searched for any traces of the elusive ck-grey metal. Bawangtraversed the vast expanse of the ocean, gradually reaching the edge of a submarine in where the terrain became less t.


    Noticing something in the distance, Bawang eximed, "Hey, aren''t those gray-ck metals?" Intriguing objects came into view within Bawang''s enhanced perception. They resembled stones but also bore a resemnce to the elusive gray-ck metal.


    Curiosity piqued, Bawang swiftly swam closer. However, upon closer inspection, disappointment washed over it as the objects turned out to be mere stones of various sizes, not the sought-after gray-ck metal.


    Undeterred, Bawang refused to give up and continued searching tirelessly for several more hours. Eventually, hunger gnawed at its stomach, prompting a return to its temporary cave. The cave provided sustenance in the form of a colossal octopus¡ªBawang''s preferred meal. It ventured to the Great Trench every five days, hunting these massive cephalopods.


    Not driven by greed, Bawang settled for a single octopus per hunting trip, knowing it could always hunt for more after satisfying its appetite. The Great Trench teemed with an abundance of these giant creatures, ensuring Bawang never returned empty-handed from its hunts.


    With an ample food supply, Bawang''s weight increased astounding, nearing a staggering 1,000 tons. However, despite the relentless search, the task assigned by Liu Yong remained unaplished. Days turned into weeks and the realization that within a radius of one or two hundred nautical miles, no trace of the grey-ck metal had been found started to sink in.


    Bawang pondered two possibilities: either the metal resided at the bottom of the Great Trench or it existed in the more distant surroundings. Although it yearned to explore the trench''s depths, Bawang had already pushed its physical limits, unable to reach the trench''s absolute bottom. The tremendous depth of the trench, estimated to be at least 7,500 meters, made it one of the ocean''s deepest abysses.


    Contemting its next move, Bawang decided to broaden the search area in theing days, hoping that luck would lead to a fortuitous discovery.


    Meanwhile, at the Yanguo Institute of Special Metals, Hu Jianguo and his team delved deeper into their research. As they continued their investigations, they encountered increasingly surprising revtions.


    Utilizing a powerful electron microscope, the team scrutinized the microstructure of the metal, revealing its intricate details. Astonishingly, the metal''s microscopic structure exhibited a pattern of regr hexagons, reminiscent of the diamond''s atomic structure. However, these hexagons existed not at the nuclear level but rather at the nanoscale.


    Hu Jianguo and his team finallyprehended why this metal possessed exceptional strength¡ªthe structure itself was the key. Analogous to graphite and diamond, both carbon-based substances, their arrangement of atoms dictated their contrasting properties: one soft with low strength and the other hard with high strength.


    The metal''s microstructure was already a remarkable finding, but what truly astonished them was the presence of several unknown elements, seemingly absent from the periodic table. Even Hu Jianguo couldn''t help but be astounded. An idea began to form in his mind¡ªcould this metal be a product not of Earth''s civilization but potentially of an alien culture?


    However, each time this thought surfaced, Hu Jianguo swiftly dismissed it, considering it mere fleeting spection.


    Meanwhile, Overlord reported to Liu Yong, "Master, I searched the surrounding area spanning two to three hundred nautical miles, but I found no trace of the gray-ck metal."


    Liu Yong''s mind raced as he appreciated Overlord''s report. Doubt began to cloud his thoughts¡ªcould his initial hypothesis have been incorrect? Perhaps the octopuses weren''t responsible for moving the metals found in the circr giant hole. If not, then where did those metals originate from?


    Liu Yong''s mind raced with possibilities, but the answer remained elusive. Further exploration and investigation would be necessary to unravel the grey-ck metal''s mystery and its connection to the deep-sea environment.

 Chapter 355 Blades Of Innovation

    ?


    Liu Yong stood there, stunned by the revtion. It took him a while to regain hisposure, his mind racing with the implications of what he had just discovered. If there was no trace of that distinct grey-ck metal within a few hundred nautical miles, it was highly likely that it didn''t exist nearby.


    A profound sense of loss engulfed Liu Yong''s heart. The realization hit him hard that this exceptional metal, with its unique properties, could only be found within the confines of that massive round hole, and even then, only in quantities of two or three hundred tons. Oh, how he yearned for several thousand or tens of thousands of tons of this extraordinary material.


    These metallic fragments were undoubtedly remnants of ancient alien civilizations. Could they be the artifacts left behind by extraterrestrial visitors who had graced Earth with their presence some 50,000 years ago? Liu Yong pondered the purpose of the colossal hole and whether the aliens themselves had abandoned it, opting not to delve any deeper. What could havepelled them to excavate such an immense cavity in the first ce?


    Lost in his thoughts, Liu Yong''s solitary contemtion was interrupted by the voice of Bawang, his loyalpanion, resonating within his mind.


    "Master, I have discovered a vast trench nearby, seemingly bottomless. It is inhabited by gigantic octopuses. Perhaps we might find traces of the same metal at the trench''s depths," Bawang informed him.


    With a tinge of regret, Liu Yong replied, "That''s a possibility, but s, you are too small to reach the bottom of that trench."


    Fear not, Master. I shall strive to grow stronger," Bawang reassured him with determination.


    After a brief conversation, Liu Yong ended the telepathic connection, feeling slightly disappointed. Perhaps, he mused, he could venture deeper into the trench when Bawang matured and reached a more substantial size. It held the potential for new discoveries. Alternatively, Bawang could revisit the three enormous holes in the North Antic Ocean, delving further into their mysteries. Liu Yong found sce in the hope of future revtions.


    In the realm of aerospace engineering, progress was being made. The turbine''s working des and guide des for the first machine had been meticulously manufactured, setting a near-record pace. What would typically take 20 days or even a month had been aplished in less than a week.


    Inside the aero-engine assembly workshop, a turbofan X engine was being carefully pieced together. A crowd of onlookers surrounded the engine, including Liang Wencheng, the chief designer, and a team of 20 to 30 people. The assembly process progressed smoothly, guided by skilled workers and technicians who were well acquainted with the intricacies of the turbofan X engine.


    As the assembly nearedpletion, the engine underwent thorough inspections before being promptly transferred to the test workshop for trial runs. The test bench stood ready, awaiting the engine''s arrival. The tests proceeded systematically, and all the data indicated average performance, even during the afterburner test run. Liang Wencheng and his team breathed a collective sigh of relief.


    After sessfullypleting the test run, the engine was dismounted from the test stand and swiftly transported back to the assembly workshop while still radiating residual warmth. The next step was to remove the turbine section, inspecting the individual turbine levels one by one. Liang Wencheng and his team wasted no time scrutinizing the turbine des even before detaching from the turbine disc.


    Gradually, a wave of excitement rippled through the crowd. The turbine des had endured the baptism of high temperatures during the test run, yet their appearance remained unchanged. Each de retained its original grey-ck colour without signs of bluishness or ation. It was as if they hadn''t been tested at all.


    "Look at these des; they appear brand new,pletely unaffected by the extreme conditions," remarked one observer.


    "I must admit, if I hadn''t witnessed the test run myself, I would have assumed these were pristine, untouched des," another chimed in.


    "Our long-standing predicament has been resolved! These des, made from this incredible material, meet all our requirements," eximed a delighted team member.


    "Haha, we no longer need to go through the trouble of importing so-called single crystal superalloys. This material surpasses them by leaps and bounds," added another, unable to contain their excitement.


    The atmosphere in the assembly workshop shifted. An air of exhration, joy, and anticipation enveloped the room. The turbine des were meticulously dismantled and professionally examined, confirming their wless condition.


    Liang Wencheng waved his hand, signifying that the engine was ready for an extensive 300-hour long-term test run. With the ns in motion, he made a decision. He would personally travel to Huahai City to meet Liu Yong and discuss procuring more of this remarkable metallic material.


    The two pieces of metal they currently possessed only met the requirements for a single engine. Liang Wencheng intended to purchase several tons of the material to support small-scale production of the turbofan X engines.


    Meanwhile, in the Global Shipping Group office, Liu Yong contemted the idea of relocating all the metal from the gigantic round hole in the North Pacific Ocean to their seaside warehouse. The warehouse, now emptied of its previous contents, had made way for transporting advanced lithography machines to other factory areas. Liu Yong considered the feasibility of storing the metal in this coastal facility, especially since the security personnel had already been withdrawn.


    Opening his pet panel, Liu Yong activated the third-party vision, observing the Overlord resting peacefully in its temporary cave. As his gaze wandered, Liu Yong couldn''t shake the feeling that something was amiss with the hole itself. Its rectangr shape seemed peculiar, and a sense of unease lingered within him.


    Expressing his gratitude, Liu Yong addressed the Overlord telepathically, "Overlord, I sincerely thank you for relocating some of the metal from the enormous round hole to our seaside warehouse."


    The Overlord, ever dutiful, responded, "Master, I will proceed immediately."


    The massive spear was temporarily positioned at the cave entrance, ensuring its contents'' security. With stealth and ease, the Overlord embarked on its journey back to the enormous round hole, a mere sixty or seventy nautical miles away. Swiftly swimming into the cave''s depths, it carefully collected several more significant pieces of metal and held them securely in its mouth. The weight varied, ranging from 30 to 40 tons for the most tremendous fragments to several tons for the smallest. Altogether, the Overlord carried over a hundred tons of the grey-ck metal in its formidable jaws.


    Emerging from the colossal round hole, the Overlord set course for Huahai City, its precious cargo safeguarded within its grasp. Meanwhile, he concluded his observation in Liu Yong''s office, closing the third-party vision and indulging in a sip of coffee. At that moment, his phone rang, and he recognized the number as Liang Wencheng''s.


    "Mr. Liu, I will be traveling to Huahai City tomorrow morning. I hope it''s not an inconvenience; I would like to pay you a visit," Liang Wencheng conveyed.


    Liu Yong immediately surmised that Liang Wencheng''s visit had everything to do with the grey-ck metal. Realizing the significance of the call, Liu Yong pondered momentarily and responded, "Tomorrow at three o''clock in the afternoon works for me. I''ll be waiting for you in my office."


    With their meeting scheduled, Liu Yong eagerly anticipated Liang Wencheng''s arrival, knowing that their discussion would revolve around the extraordinary grey-ck metal. Little did he know that the Overlord was already en route to Huahai City, carrying a substantial amount of the prized material that could potentially revolutionize their production of turbofan X engines.

 Chapter 356 A Lucrative Deal!

    ?


    The following day arrived, and Liang Wencheng made his way to Global Shipping Group well in advance. He settled himself in the reception room, patiently waiting for the arrival of Liu Yong.


    Within a few minutes, footsteps echoed outside the door, and Liu Yong entered the room enthusiastically.


    "Master Liang, wee," Liu Yong greeted, his voice filled with genuine warmth.


    "Mr. Liu, you''re too kind," Liang Wencheng replied with equal courtesy.


    The two men shook hands, their gestures a disy of mutual respect, before settling down on the plush sofa and engaging in a lively conversation.


    Liang Wencheng began the discussion by introducing the exceptional qualities of the metal material. "Mr. Liu, this metal is truly remarkable. We utilized it to create turbine des for an engine, and after testing, the performance was nothing short of astounding."


    His face beaming excitedly, Liang Wencheng described the sessful test run in detail. He then expressed his interest in purchasing approximately 10 tons of the metal, recalling Liu Yong''s mention of having two to three hundred tons avable.


    Liang Wencheng had already devised a n in his mind. With this metal, not only could they produce turbine des, but a significant portion of the turbofan X engine''s criticalponents could also benefit from this material. He aimed to incorporate this metal into 20 to 30% of the engine''s parts.


    The metal possessed exceptional strength, high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and low density. It was practically tailor-made for aerospace engines¡ªa coveted metal in the field.


    Considering an engine requires 50 to 100 kilograms of the material, 10 tons would be sufficient to produce over 100 turbofan X engines, quickly meeting the requirements for small-scale production.


    Without hesitation, Liu Yong readily agreed, "No problem at all. We can deliver the goods within a week."


    Liang Wencheng couldn''t contain his joy, his excitement nearlypelling him to p his thigh enthusiastically. He hadn''t expected Liu Yong to be so forthright, offering to deliver the goods within a week. More than half of the 300-hour test run would have beenpleted by that time.


    Grinning with delight, Liang Wencheng inquired, "Mr. Liu, what would be the price?"


    Liu Yong calmly replied, "The price will be equivalent to that of imported single crystal superalloy."


    Liang Wencheng''s eyes widened, suspecting he had misheard. After a moment, he regained hisposure and reminded Liu Yong, "Mr. Liu, your metal surpasses the imported single crystal superalloy in quality. It is only natural that its price should be two or three times higher."


    Liu Yong smiled, "Let''s stick to the price of the imported single crystal superalloy. I consider it a small contribution to the country''s aviation industry."


    Liu Yong had no shortage of wealth and was content to sell at the same price as the imported single crystal superalloy.


    Curiosity piqued, Liang Wencheng asked, "What is the price of the imported single crystal superalloy?"


    "You''re at a disadvantage with such a price," Liang Wencheng exined. "The price of imported single crystal superalloy is approximately $3,500 per kilogram. We once quoted over $8,000, but they refused to sell."


    Liu Yong waved his hand dismissively, stating, "Then let it be 20,000 yuan per kilogram, which is roughly equivalent to the current exchange rate of $3,500."


    Delighted by the proposed price, Liang Wencheng smiled and remarked, "Mr. Liu, the conversion of 3,500 US dors should be around 21,000 yuan. You''re being quite generous."


    Liu Yong chuckled, "Let''s make it an even 20,000 yuan. We''ll round it up for the sake of simplicity. Consider it my contribution to the aviation industry."


    For 20,000 yuan per kilogram, it amounted to 20 million yuan per ton. Liu Yong had every reason to be satisfied. Furthermore, this transaction seemed almost cost-free, with the potential for a substantial profit. As for those foreign suppliers, demanding $8,000 per kilogram for a single crystal superalloy was simply excessive.


    The two swiftly agreed, with Liang Wencheng ordering 10 tons of the metal. Liu Yong assured him that the goods would be delivered within one week. But why wait? Liu Yong contemted that the ck-grey metal retrieved by Bawang could already be processed.


    Earlier that morning, before dawn, Bawang had transported dozens of tons of the metal from the depths of the North Pacific Ocean, swimming thousands of nautical miles in one impressive journey.


    Under the dim light of the breaking day, the metal was quietly unloaded into the seaside warehouse, escaping notice from prying eyes.


    Liu Yong entertained the idea of remodelling and expanding the seaside warehouse to erge, widen, and deepen the passageway leading to the sea, facilitating Bawang''s smooth entry and exit.


    With the business sessfully negotiated, Liang Wencheng expressed his gratitude, warmly shaking hands with Liu Yong and expressing his heartfelt thanks. Liang Wencheng believed that the price of 20,000 yuan per kilogram was ideal.


    This imported single-crystal superalloy was cost-effective and surpassed its imported counterparts in quality. It was an all-around performer, suitable for manufacturing various engine parts.


    And most importantly, it was lightweight!


    The abundance of lightweight metals or materials was a dream in aerospace engines. With a single crystal superalloy, only a limited number of parts could be produced with 50 kilograms of material. A turbine disk, for example, might weigh as much as 20 kilograms.


    However, 50 kilograms could yield numerous parts with this newly acquired metal. Utilizing this metal for 20% of the turbofan X engine''sponents posed no issues.


    Liang Wencheng left the meeting with a contented smile, his mind filled with visions of whaty ahead.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong picked up the phone and summoned Qiu Yang, instructing him to contact a reputable forging factory capable of processing the metal materials stored in the seaside warehouse.


    Money was not an obstacle, and Qiu Yang swiftly reached out to a powerful forging factory in Huahai City. The factory would heat and forge the metals to transform them from massive chunks into standardized bars measuring 20 centimetres in diameter and 2 meters in length.


    Once the forging wasplete, Liu Yong called Liang Chengwen, arranging for a vehicle to transport 10 tons of the metal bars to their destination.


    The remaining dozens of tons of bars were temporarily stored in the seaside warehouse. Simultaneously, the transformation and expansion project for the warehouse hadmenced, aimed at amodating the influx and efficient management of resources.


    The Overlord revelled in its satisfaction in the vast expanse of the North Pacific Ocean. Having feasted and rested, the creature lived a life of unparalleledfort.


    Inside its temporary cave, a substantial portion of a giant octopus remained, enough to satisfy the Overlord''s hunger. Food was no longer a concern¡ªthere was always the nearby trench, where catching another giant octopus was just a matter of time.


    After its rest, the Overlord regained its energy. ncing around the cave, I suddenly wanted to tidy up and make the space morefortable.


    Equipped with its giant spear, the Overlord began cleaning the vast cave. It steadily made progress by removing soil, stones, and even some coverings from the cave walls.


    Amidst the cleaning process, the Overlord was surprised when its giant spear struck something hard beneath ayer of soil. It tried again, and the sensation of hitting a solid object persisted. There seemed to be ayer of hard metal beneath the shallow soil.


    Eagerly, the Overlord continued to clear away the soil using its giant spear. As it removed about 20 to 30 centimetres of earth, a wholeyer of metal emerged¡ªa grey-ck material identical to the one in therge circr hole.


    ...

 Chapter 357 From Caves to Engines!

    Chapter 357 From Caves to Engines!


    "Stay right where you are, Overlord!" Liu Yong''s voice reverberated through the air, filled with surprise and disbelief. The Overlord, after taking a moment to recover, gazed at the exposed metal flooring in sheer astonishment. It couldn''tprehend why the cave it had stumbled upon would possess a metallic floor. The mystery perplexed the Overlord, urging it to seek answers from the one who held the knowledge.


    "If you''re bewildered, inquire with the owner," suggested Bawang, breaking the silence. Addressing Liu Yong, he continued, "Master, pleasee and inspect the situation here. This cave is quite expansive, yet it rests upon a metallic floor. It''s perplexing."


    Astonished, Liu Yong''s eyes widened as he struggled to ept the truth. It took considerable time for him to graduallye to terms with the fact that there existed grey-ck metal within Bawang''s makeshift cave. From a third-person perspective, Liu Yong gained a glimpse of the unfolding scene.


    Bawang had cleared a small area spanning several square meters at the cave''s entrance. He painstakingly removed ayer of soil, roughly 20 to 30 centimetres thick, revealing the metal surface below. The entire expanseprised a seamless, t, and smooth grey-ck metal, exuding a captivating metallic sheen.


    A realization struck Liu Yong, "Some opportunitiese unexpectedly, seemingly out of nowhere, yet require no effort to acquire." Despite the relentless search efforts covering a radius of two to three nautical miles, Bawang had found nothing of value. And yet, this grey-ck metal had serendipitously appeared within their temporary cave, eliciting a surge of excitement within Liu im 1 Frame(randomly),3 Fast Pass reward at the Mission Center!


    their temporary cave, eliciting a surge of excitement within Liu Yong.


    "This metal is remarkable; it could potentially be a relic of an alien civilization," mused Liu Yong, hoping for abundant such extraordinary materials. He recognized their versatile utility across various industries and pondered the profitable prospect of selling each kilogram for 20,000 yuan.


    As the initial excitement subsided, Liu Yong''s mind settled, prompting him to contemte the enigma of the metallic presence within Bawang''s cave. The rectangr shape of the opening and the discovery of the grey-ck metal led him to believe that this was not a natural urrence but an artificial construct.


    "Overlord, your task is to clean up the cave entrance, removing all the dirt," Liu Yongmanded, asserting his hypothesis that this was indeed an artificial cave meticulously concealed by the grey-ck metal.


    "Understood, master," Overlord replied obediently, brandishing its colossal spear-like weapon to initiate the cleaning process.


    The gigantic spear expedited the cleaning process, efficiently clearing away thepacted soil at the cave entrance. However, during the cleaning, the previously crystal-clear seawater surrounding the area unexpectedly turned turbid, partially obstructing Liu Yong''s vision. Yet, he could still discern the overall situation.


    Unlike loose mud, the soil at the entrance waspact, making the cleaning process more manageable. Overlord initially employed its mighty spear, diligently followed by its massive ws, as the snapping turtle''s innate digging prowess facilitated the task. An hourter, the cave entrance had been extensively cleared, exposing the underlying metallic expanse. The once encrusted shell had been unveiled, revealing its proper form¡ªa stretch entirelyposed of grey-ck metal, radiating a distinct metallic sheen.


    Unbelievable! This was no natural cave; it was an artificial construct made entirely from grey-ck metal! The revtion struck Liu Yong like lightning, igniting his imagination.


    "It may not be a cave after all; it could be something entirelydifferent," Liu Yong contemted aloud, his mind racing with possibilities. The sudden realization sent shivers down his spine, his excitement reaching unprecedented levels. If his conjecture held, it would be nothing short of astounding.


    Attempting to regainposure, Liu Yong took several deep breaths, striving to steady his racing thoughts. He issued an order with unwavering determination, "Bawang, your task for the uing days is to thoroughly clean this cave, unveiling its true nature."


    "Very well, Master," Bawang acknowledged, grateful for its surplus of time. Bawang could allocate more than ten hours each day to the meticulous cleaning process without the need to dedicate extensive hours to hunting.


    Liu Yong''s n was simple but consequential: to clean the cave''s interior and its immediate surroundings, revealing the full extent of its enigmatic origins.


    ...


    The test workshop bustled with excitement in the realm of a renowned aero-engine manufacturer. After more than ten days of rigorous assessment and test runs, the turbofan engine X, designated No. 005, finally ceased operating on the test bench.


    With an exuberant expression, the director of the test run workshop eagerly approached Liang Wencheng, standing at attention, and announced, "Comrade Chief Designer, Turbofan X No. 005 has sessfullypleted the 300-hour long-term assessment and test run. All data indicators are within the required parameters, making it qualified!"


    As the promation resounded, a wave of jubnt apuse erupted,sting for an extended period. The achievement was nothing short of extraordinary. Everyone involved in the test run was immersed in a surreal sense of aplishment. The operation proceeded smoothly, defying their earlier concerns of excessive turbine temperature, inadequate thrust, and excessive vibrations.


    Liang Wencheng himself visibly rxed, a genuine smile gracing his face. His confidence in the design of Turbofan X,parable to that of a fourth-generation aero-engine, had been validated. Previous setbacks had gued the project, with only a handful of units produced over several years. The root cause lies not in the design or manufacturing process but in the materials employed.


    The turbine section, in particr, had consistently posed challenges, especially with high-temperature materials. But now, such problems seemed like a thing of the past. The sessful test run addressed resolving these material-rted issues, leaving Liang Wencheng satisfied.


    With a resounding voice, Liang Wencheng dered, "Havingpleted the 300-hour long-term assessment test run, send the engine to the assembly workshop for disassembly and inspection, scrutinizing each individual part."


    The engine was carefully removed from the test bench, ced into a vehicle, and transported to the general assembly workshop. There, it would undergo meticulous disassembly and examination.


    The following day, Liang Wencheng, apanied by arge entourage, arrived at the general assembly workshop. The engine had already been disassembled, itsponents meticulouslyid out for inspection. Inspectors and technicians scrutinized each part with meticulous precision.


    Liang Wencheng approached the turbine des, examining them intently. Slowly, a sense of contentment washed over him. After enduring 300 hours of testing, the edges remained unscathed, their grey-ck hue unaltered. No signs of discolouration, erosion, or even micro-cracks manifested, defying expectations.


    "Inconceivable! These des have endured 300 hours of intense testing," Liang Wencheng marvelled, unable to contain his delight. "Magnificent! It appears that we have sessfully ovee the material-rted challenges we once faced."


    The surrounding personnel, from essential technicians to senior managers, erupted joyfully. The collective relief was palpable, knowing the engine had passed the 300-hour assessment without a hitch. However, Liang Wencheng and his team were not content with this aplishment alone.


    Liang Wencheng decided: "Rece more than 20% of the engine''s parts with gray-ck metal material. Let''s see how this modification will enhance its performance."


    ...


    Meanwhile, the Overlord dedicated several days to the meticulous The potential improvements were undeniable, including an enhanced thrust-to-weight ratio and an extended service life. The team eagerly anticipated the oue of integrating grey-ck metal into more than a fifth of the turbofan X''sponents.


    ...


    Meanwhile, the Overlord dedicated several days to the meticulous cave cleaning, with breaks only for eating and sleeping. Its massive ws proved efficient cleaning tools, allowing the creature to clear out the entire cave, including the expansive area at the entrance. Theyers of soil covering the surface were removed, finally revealing the true nature of the cave.


    As the cleaning progressed, Liu Yong and the Overlord witnessed a revtion that awakened them. The cave''s interior was entirelyposed of the same grey-ck metal, exuding a distinct metallic sheen.


    Liu Yong gasped in astonishment, eximing, "My God! This is no natural cave but an artificial structure made entirely of gray-ck metal!"


    The implications were staggering. The realization that the cave might not be a cave at all, but something entirely different, sent a surge of excitement through Liu Yong''s veins. The mere thought of such a revtion being true was mind-boggling.


    Attempting to regain hisposure, Liu Yong urged Bawang, "Continue cleaning the cave in theing days. Uncover its true formpletely."


    Bawang, now granted an abundance of time, readily epted the task. With hunting off the agenda, it could devote more than ten hours daily to meticulously cleaning the cave and its surroundings, ensuring its enigmatic secrets would be fully exposed.


    ...

 Chapter 358 Ancient Alien Relic!

    Chapter 358 Ancient Alien Relic!


    These days, Liu Yong observes Bawang''s situation from a third-party perspective daily. The more he watched, the more his amazement grew. The cave''s surfaces that had been cleared of mud were now adorned with a striking grey-ck metal. Liu Yong believed that if they continued to expand the cleaning efforts, they would undoubtedly encounter more of the same. The exposed grey-ck metal hinted at something extraordinary, possibly a relic from an ancient alien civilization that had resided on the seabed for an astonishing 50,000 years.


    After centuries of sediment umtion, this enigmatic objecty concealed beneath a thickyer of matter. The outermost portion measured between 20 to 30 centimetres in thickness, while the core extended to two to three meters or even more than ten meters.


    "Master, do you think we should continue cleaning?" Bawang''s voice resonated within Liu Yong''s mind, interrupting his contemtion.


    Through third-party observation, Liu Yong could vividly perceive the scene before him. The entire cavern, including the vast area in front of the entrance, had been thoroughly cleansed, revealing a uniform expanse of grey-ck metal. As they continued their efforts, the spectra of exposed metal grew more prominent and prevalent.


    It was bing increasingly evident that the buried structure was a significant artifact of an alien civilization. Yet, this find''s true magnitude and nature remained shrouded in mystery.


    "Overlord, slowly swim around this mountain. I wish to survey the entire area," Liu Yong instructed, his tone filled with intrigue.


    "Understood, master," Overlord assented readily and began a leisurely circuit around the mountain. Liu Yong observed the unfolding scenery through the eyes of his trustedpanion.


    The mountain spanned approximately 100 kilometres, with varying widths ranging from a few to over ten kilometres. It towered 300 to 500 meters above the surrounding submarine ins, its presence growing increasingly conspicuous with every passing moment.


    The more Liu Yong examined the mountain, the more peculiar it appeared. Certain features exhibited resolute lines, clear and definite, contrasting starkly with the natural curves of typical hills and peaks. This dichotomy only amplified its enigmatic aura.


    Could it be...?


    A sudden thought sprang to Liu Yong''s mind, startling him. He entertained the notion that perhaps this colossal structure wasn''t a mountain. Instead, it might be an artifact of an ancient alien civilization, now transformed into a hill after centuries of submersion beneath the seabed and encased inyers of sediment.


    However, the sheer size of this structure¡ªstretching over 100 kilometres¡ªseemed too immense toprehend fully.


    To verify this conjecture, Liu Yong instructed Bawang to excavate the surrounding area as if they were standing atop the summit of this "mountain."


    "Bawang, if you dig into the soil here, will you expose the gray-ck metal beneath?" Liu Yong inquired.


    Bawang''s colossal ws began excavating, swiftly slicing through the earthyer byyer. After a few passes, several meters of soil had been unearthed, revealing the awaited grey-ck metal.


    "Master, the gray-ck metal is indeed exposed," Bawang confirmed, its voice brimming with excitement as if it had made a monumental discovery.


    Although Liu Yong had anticipated the presence of the grey-ck metal upon removing the soilyer, he couldn''t help but feel the exhration as it came into view.


    "Excellent! Let''s try another location," Liu Yong dered.


    Bawang swiftly swam a few kilometres away, changed their position, and resumed digging. Each time, the thickyer of soil was peeled away to expose the grey-ck metal beneath. They repeated this process in multiple locations, yet the oue remained consistent.


    They changed their location again and continued their excavation, only to find that the pattern persisted. No matter where they dug, the grey-ck metaly concealed beneath the soilyers.


    Liu Yong, refusing to sumb to doubt, instructed Bawang to dig at the front of the "mountain."


    "Bawang, if you dig at the front of this ''mountain,'' will you still encounter the gray-ck metal?" Liu Yong inquired.


    Bawang''s immense front paws swiftly tore through the soil, unearthing ayer several meters thick. True to form, the grey-ck metaly revealed beneath.


    "It''s the same, master. The metalyer is still present," Bawang reported.


    Liu Yong nodded, feeling a mix of awe and curiosity. It was now abundantly clear that this structure, resembling a mountain, was not as it seemed. Instead, it harboured a colossal alien artifact from a civilization long past.


    It was massive, stretching over a hundred kilometres¡ªan awe-inspiring sight. Liu Yong found himself pondering the nature of this immense structure. What could it possibly be?


    His mind teeming with questions, Liu Yong resolved to remove the covering soil, unveiling the true nature of the artifact hidden beneath. However, he acknowledged the daunting task ahead. Even with Bawang''s substantial weight and formidable ws, removing all the soil that concealed the artifact would take an unfathomable amount of time and effort.


    But Liu Yong refused to be deterred. He couldn''t help but wonder about the astonishing secrets thaty within. He wanted to glimpse itsplete form, hoping that even a fraction of its exposed surface would provide clues to unravel its mystery.


    With this decision, Liu Yong settled into his boss''s chair, contemting the lengthy process ahead. As Bawang toiled away at clearing the top of the "mountain," Liu Yong realized he had time to make preparations.


    In the future, he nned to personally venture into the seabed depths to witness the artifact firsthand. The depths beyond 3,000 meters were shrouded in pitch-ck darkness, requiring a reliable light source to navigate. Liu Yong knew he needed a light source capable of withstanding the immense water pressure at such depths.


    He remembered the owner''s contact information for Dingfeng Deep Sea Equipment Company. In the past, he had acquired a custom light source capable of functioning at depths exceeding 1,000 meters. He intended tomission a new deep-sea light source capable of enduring pressures beyond 3,000 meters.


    Despite possessing heightened sensory perception, Liu Yong acknowledged that additional lighting would enhance his ability to explore the depths more thoroughly. With that in mind, he left his office and climbed into the car, instructing Chen Hu, his trusted assistant, to drive him to Dingfeng Deep Sea Equipment Company.


    Though a small-scalepany with an annual revenue of less than one billion yuan, Dingfeng Deep Sea Equipment Company boasted exceptional expertise in deep-sea technology. Their general manager, well aware of the importance of Liu Yong''s visit, had set aside all other matters to await his arrival.

 Chapter 359 Enigma Of The Gray-Black Metal

    ?


    Mr Liu Yong was greeted personally by Yuan Heng, thepany''s boss, emphasizing that he held a higher position than the general manager. The Global Shipping Group, with its immense scale and strength, boasted total assets exceeding 100 billion yuan and a shipping capacity surpassing 15 million tons. This ced them among the top five shipping groups globally. Furthermore, the group had a ster reputation in Huahai City, which would only be enhanced with thepletion of the prestigious Global Building.


    "Mr. Yuan, hello!" Liu Yong greeted Yuan Heng warmly, and the two exchanged a handshake that conveyed a long-standing friendship. Such camaraderie was typical in business, where harmony in dealings was highly valued.


    After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yuan Heng courteously invited Liu Yong into the reception room, where they settled down to business. Liu Yong wasted no time and delved straight into the topic.


    "Mr. Yuan, I am in need of a customized deep-sea light source capable of withstanding the immense pressure at a depth of 4,000 meters..."


    Liu Yong outlined his specific requirements, and Yuan Heng attentively listened to every detail. After contemting, Yuan Heng responded, "Given the depth of the seawater, adapting to such extreme pressure might necessitate a rtivelyrge, cumbersome, and heavy light source."


    Curious about the weight, Liu Yong inquired, "How much would it weigh?"


    Yuan Heng replied, "It may weigh more than one ton."


    Relieved by the manageable weight, Liu Yong confidently stated, "One or two tons is of no concern as long as it can withstand the pressure at a depth of four thousand meters."


    The two engaged in a lengthy discussion, both satisfied with the prospects of customizing the deep-sea light source. As for the price, negotiations were a mere formality.


    Yuan Heng offered 15 million yuan, but Liu Yong was not interested in bargaining. Even 20 million yuan would be eptable if the product met his expectations. With the deep-sea light source matter settled, Liu Yong paid a deposit of 5 million yuan. However, as he prepared to leave, Yuan Heng had an additional request.


    "Mr. Liu, please wait a moment. There is something else I would like to ask for your help with."


    Surprised by Yuan Heng''s plea, Liu Yong reassured him, "If there''s anything I can do to assist, please don''t hesitate to ask."


    With a touch of nervousness, Yuan Heng rubbed his hands together, his eyes filled with hope. "Mr. Liu, here''s the thing. I wish to rent a half-floor office space in the Universal Building, but I was informed that all the floors have already been leased."


    Yuan Heng''s desire to secure an office in the Universal Building stemmed from its status as andmark Grade A office building in Huahai City. Working in such a prestigious location was a matter of prestige, and everypany, regardless of its size, longed to have a presence there.


    Naturally, with the building''s poprity, all floors were swiftly leased within a few days, despite the high rental costs. Yuan Heng missed the opportunity, but with Liu Yong''s visit and the warm reception, he saw a glimmer of hope.


    Expressing his regret, Liu Yong replied, "Mr. Yuan, the Universal Building ispletely rented out at the moment, and I have no avable floor to offer you."


    Yuan Heng''s hopeful expression faded slightly. Recognizing his disappointment, Liu Yong offered some constion, saying, "Why don''t we wait until next year? If any floors be avable,I will give you priority."


    After hearing Liu Yong''s suggestion, Yuan Heng''s face lit up with joy. "Really? That would be fantastic!"


    epting that there was no possibility this year, they agreed to revisit the idea next year. Securing an office in the Universal Building became a hopeful prospect for Yuan Heng.


    As Liu Yong departed from Dingfeng Deep Sea Equipment Co., Ltd., he sat in his car and contemted the resolution of the deep-sea light source matter. However, he couldn''t help but marvel at the immense poprity of the Universal Building, to the point where Yuan Heng sought his assistance to secure an office there.


    Nheless, the opportunity would have to wait until next year. Liu Yong reassured himself, knowing that time would bring forth new possibilities.


    Returning to the Global Shipping Group and assuming his position in the boss''s chair, Liu Yong contemted the progress of the deep-sea cleanup project. With the marine light source requirements taken care of, he shifted his focus to the cleaning efforts of Bawang.


    Deep in the North Pacific Ocean, at a depth of over 3,000 meters, Bawang diligently carried out its work. Over the past two days, it diligently used its ws instead of the giant spear to clear away the covered mud and rocks, disying remarkable efficiency.


    Within a short span, it had cleared an area of thousands of square meters and unearthed tens of thousands of tons of soil. The thickness of the coveringyer varied from a few meters to over ten meters, revealing the underlying grey-ck metal.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel a surge of delight at the sight before him. "Overlord, your efficiency is truly remarkable."


    Inquisitively, Liu Yong asked, "Can you guess what this is?"


    Through a third-party perspective, Liu Yong carefully observed the exposed grey-ck metal spanning thousands of square meters but couldn''t discern its true nature.


    "For now, I can''t determine its identity, but I am confident that it originates from an alien civilization," Liu Yong spected, affirming the extraordinary nature of the find.


    Although thousands of square meters may seem substantial, it paledpared to the "big mountain" spanning over 100 kilometres in length and several kilometres in width. It was a mere fraction of the colossal structure.


    Liu Yong turned to Overlord and said, "Continue clearing arger area. The more we uncover, the closer we get to unraveling the mystery of this mountain."


    With no immediate rush, Liu Yong knew that this relic had rested undisturbed on the ocean floor for 50,000 years and wouldn''t escape his grasp. Once Bawang cleared a more extensive area, he nned to descend to the seabed himself and witness the enigma firsthand.


    Over the next few days, Bawang became a diligent mountain excavator, relying on its giant ws to remove the soil obstructing the path. When fatigue set in, Bawang retreated to its temporary cave, free of dirt and revealing its shiny grey-ck metallic surface.


    Feeling hunger gnawing at its core, Bawang embarked on a journey with its giant spear, venturing to a trench sixty to seventy nautical miles away to hunt down the colossal octopuses dwelling there.


    Today, after cleaning the soil for a few hours, Bawang took a break. It swam around the vast "big mountain" expanse and carefully surveyed its surroundings. Slowlypleting arge circle, it halted near its base in the middle of the mountain.


    At that moment, Bawang sensed that something was amiss in that particr spot. There was an intriguing anomaly.


    Puzzled, Liu Yong shook his head when observing the exposed grey-ck metal. Unable to determine its true nature, he admitted, "I can''t see what this is at the moment, but I''m certain it belongs to an alien civilization."


    With the goal of unravelling the mystery, Liu Yong suggested that Bawang continue cleaning arger area. The more they uncovered, the closer they woulde to understanding the true nature of the "big mountain."


    Bawang diligently worked as a mountain digger, using its giant ws to clear the soil obstructing its path. When tired, Bawang would retreat to its clean temporary cave, showcasing the shiny grey-ck metal beneath the dirt''syers.


    Taking a break from its excavation, Bawang swam around the "big mountain" to survey the area. As it reached the middle of the mountain, near its base, Bawang noticed something peculiar¡ªa distinctive anomaly that stood out from the rest.


    Curiosity piqued, Liu Yong couldn''t discern the anomaly from his vantage point. Nevertheless, the discovery fueled his determination to explore further. He decided to wait until Bawang cleared arger area, allowing him to witness the enigma of the grey-ck metal on the seabed himself.

 Chapter 360 Titans Pursuit

    ?


    Finding something amiss, Bawang swiftly propelled himself through the water, drawing closer to the enigma that had caught his attention. The longer he observed it, the more apparent it became that this ce was unlike any other he had encountered. Every gaze cast upon it unveiled its distinctiveness and set it apart from its surroundings.


    At the base of the colossal mountain, various stones of various sizesy scattered about. Some were thick, te-like bs, while others presented themselves as solid blocks. Overlord approached the scene, tidying up the area and removing the surfaceyers concealing the "big rocks." To his surprise, the unveiled objects revealed themselves as fragments of grey-ck metal.


    Bawang''s intuition warned him that this ce possessed an abnormal quality. Whenever faced with something peculiar, he always feltpelled to consult his trusted confidant, Liu Yong.


    "Master, pleasee and take a look. What could be happening here?" Bawang inquired, seeking Liu Yong''s guidance.


    Liu Yong, equipped with a third-party perspective, had a clear view of the location situated beneath the "big mountain." Countless pieces of grey-ck metal were scattered haphazardly across the area, varying in size. Some were merely a meter long, while others weighed an estimated one to two tons.


    Liu Yong began toprehend the situation. The grey-ck metal fragments found within the enormous cavity must have originated from this spot, likely brought here by a colossal octopus.


    "I see! The gray-ck metal inside the giant cavity must have originated from this ce," Liu Yong concluded.


    However, there was an inexplicable phenomenon that baffled Liu Yong. He noticed no other parts of the "big mountain" were littered with grey-ck metal like this location. It stood alone, adorned with a vast collection of grey-ck metal pieces in varying sizes, umting to a staggering tens of thousands of tons.


    "Goodness gracious! There are so many!" Liu Yong eximed in astonishment.


    Visually estimating the weight, tens of thousands of tons at the current market price of 20 million per ton amounted to an astronomical sum. Liu Yong''s heart fluttered excitedly, and he took a few deep breaths to steady himself.


    After carefully surveying the surroundings, Liu Yong made a decision. "Bawang, I believe we should excavate this ce. There might be something significant waiting to be discovered."


    Overlord questioned, "Master, what about the location I have been digging for the past two days?"


    Liu Yong responded, "Temporarily abandon that spot and focus on this new one. Spend a few days clearing away the soil and debris here. We might stumble upon something valuable."


    "Very well, but I am feeling hungry now. The giant octopus in the cave has been consumed. I shall hunt another one and return," Overlord suggested, contemting his next course of action.


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement, saying, "There''s no hurry to clean up and excavate. First, go and hunt down the octopuses."


    With that, Liu Yong turned off his third-party vision and pondered the immense fortune thaty beneath the "big mountain." He had a hunch that unearthing whatever secrets resided there would profoundly impact humanity as a whole. However, he knew such a discovery would inevitably attract envy and greed. Thus, Liu Yong began strategizing on safeguarding and making the best use of this newfound treasure.


    Meanwhile, Overlord embarked on a journey armed with his mighty spear, headed towards the vast and deep trench, and dived into its depths. As the depth increased gradually, surpassing 3,000 meters and then 4,000 meters, it plunged further into the abyss, reaching depths exceeding 5,000 meters. In the past, Bawang would have begun feeling the mounting pressure at this depth, but this time was different. Bawang was determined to test the limits of its descent, driven by its ever-increasing weight.


    Approaching a remarkable milestone, Bawang''s current weight stood at 982 tons. With a growth rate of two or three tons per day, it was estimated to reach 1,000 tons within a week. This impending milestone presented a challenge, as Bawang was uncertain how to surpass it. Nevertheless, Bawang decided to push the boundaries of its exploration, eager to discover how deep it could reach.


    The motive behind Bawang''s ambition to reach the deepest point stemmed from its weight nearing 1,000 tons. It believed that once this mark was surpassed, it would attain a greater understanding of its own capabilities. The journey downward continued, each stroke taking Bawang deeper into the Great Trench. Progress was deliberate, apanied by heightened sensory perception.


    Soon, the depths surpassed 6,000 meters, and the pressure from the surrounding seawater grew intense. Undeterred, Bawang pressed on, reaching approximately 6,800 meters¡ªa chasm that signalled the limits of its current capabilities. In a matter of days, Bawang''s weight would reach the coveted 1,000-ton milestone, and its maximum diving depth was estimated to be around 7,200 meters.


    Just as Bawang contemted resurfacing, the weight of the water pressing against it, a stunning sight caught its attention within the expansive range of its super perception¡ªan enormous octopus. Unlike any encountered before, this specimen surpassed them all in size, its massive form upying arge cave nestled within the trench''s cliff.


    The sight of this colossal octopus ignited Bawang''s culinary desires. A self-proimed foodie, Bawang couldn''t resist the temptation of such a delectable meal. Ignoring the mounting water pressure, Bawang swam closer to provoke the creature.


    As expected, the giant octopus was incensed by Bawang''s provocation. As the undisputed ruler of its domain, it had never been challenged before. Instantly, its fury erupted, igniting like a powder keg, and it shot out of the cave with tremendous speed.


    Witnessing the octopus''s response, Bawang swiftly ascended, swimming against the current to evade the approaching threat. A thrilling chase ensued, with Bawang battling against the relentless pursuit of the enraged creature.


    Amidst the chase, Bawang''s super perception unveiled a startling discovery¡ªa plethora of grey-ck metal pieces residing within the cavernous hole where the giant octopus had concealed itself. Ranging in size from several tons to mere hundreds of kilograms, these metal fragments dotted the chamber.


    Reflecting on this revtion, Bawang marvelled at the uracy of Liu Yong''s insight. These giant octopuses appeared to have a penchant for collecting the grey-ck metal. Pushing aside thoughts of the metal, Bawang quickly swam back up to a depth of over 5,000 meters, turning around and stopping.


    The giant octopus also halted, maintaining a distance of around three to four hundred meters from Bawang. Puzzled by Bawang''s sudden stop, the octopus observed its opponent, unsure of its intentions.


    As Bawang observed the creature, it couldn''t help but acknowledge the colossal size of the octopus. Each tentacle was not only thick but also exuded an aura of power. With nearly two hundred meters in length, this massive cephalopod weighed at least 1,500 tons, making it a substantial meal for Bawang.


    Unbeknownst to the giant octopus, Bawang had considered it as potential sustenance. Thoughts of devouring the creature and savouring multiple meals crossed Bawang''s mind. Little did it know that entertaining such studies would only incite the octopus''s wrath.


    After a few seconds of tense confrontation, the giant octopus made its move. Fueled by confidence, it charged toward Bawang with rapid swings of its massive limbs, intending to overpower its opponent.


    However, in Bawang''s eyes, the octopus''s speed wascklustre. Unimpressed, Bawang decided not to engage in a sprint and instead charged directly at the creature, wielding its formidable giant spear.


    The sh between the colossal octopus and the Overlord began, and the oue hung in the bnce.

 Chapter 361 Top-Notch Excavator!

    ?


    Even without the sprint skill, Bawang''s speed was nothing short of astounding, racing at a breakneck pace, easily surpassing a hundred meters per second. The colossal octopus, driven by its immense strength, matched the speed and charged forward with unyielding determination.


    Tit for tat!


    The Overlord, brandishing an enormous spear, surged forward, aiming directly at the heart of the colossal octopus. The creature''s arms and legs were massive, eachponent measuring almost two hundred meters long, powerful and robust beyond imagination.


    With a swift and well-coordinated maneuver, the colossal octopus ensnared Bawang with several of its immense arms, the suction cups adhering to Bawang''s sturdy carapace as if they were destined to be inseparable. The creature''s intention was evident ¨C to subdue Bawang with relentless force and gnash the challenger with its formidable teeth, unyielding and upromising in its pursuit of victory.


    However, the colossal octopus had gravely underestimated the Overlord''sbat prowess. Before it could even react, the tip of the giant spear thrust into the creature''s formidable body.


    Puff!


    The massive spear drove in with incredible speed, prating one meter, two meters, three meters... until it reached an astonishing depth of over twenty meters in less than a second. Almost in the blink of an eye, the colossal spear nearly pierced through the entire giant octopus.


    The powerful arms and legs that had initially ensnared the Overlord''s body gradually loosened their grip as the life force of the colossal octopus rapidly waned. Within a matter of seconds, the once invincible creature sumbed to its wounds, lifeless.


    The Overlord mused triumphantly, the majority of this magnificent beast shall be my next meal. With that thought in mind, he deftly withdrew the giant spear from the fallen octopus. Then, with a ravenous appetite, he bit into one of the creature''s colossal arms and legs, quickly swimming away from the trench, eager to savour the spoils of his hard-fought victory.


    Returning to its cave, the majestic Overlord gentlyid down the giant octopus it had just devoured, a meal that had filled it with undeniable excitement. The satisfaction coursing through its veins was palpable as it basked in the afterglow of the feast. The once dingy and cluttered cave had undergone a remarkable transformation. What was once a crude chamber had now metamorphosed into an elegant, hardcover abode.


    Bawang Meimei, having relished a sumptuous meal, delighted in consuming not one but two substantial octopus tentacles. Satiated and content, it dered, "I''m full, it''s time to work!"


    With an animated sense of purpose, the mighty Overlord emerged from the cave and reached the foot of the colossal mountain, simply called the "big mountain." It diligently heeded Liu Yong''s instructions andmenced itsbour as a diligent excavator.


    Equipped with its four enormous ws, the Overlord wielded the ultimate digging tools. Formidable as they were, they effortlessly prated even the most stubborn soilyers. Should theyer be less substantial, a single w sufficed to pierce through the dense metal surface beneath. For the thicker soilyers, the Overlord employed multiple ws, deftly carving through the earth, revealing the enigmatic, gray-ck metal concealed beneath.


    Back at the Universal Building, Liu Yong, the mastermind behind this awe-inspiring creature, strode confidently into his expansive office. Apanying him were several individuals, including Qiu Yang, eager to seek the boss''s approval.


    "Boss, what do you think of the office space? Are there any areas that you believe require improvement?" Qiu Yang inquired, visibly hopeful.


    Liu Yong gazed around the grand office, a glimmer of pride dancing in his eyes. Inwardly, he mused, "With an area and opulence such as this, there are probably few rivals in the entire Huahai City."


    In the heart of the sprawling metropolis, a grand spectacle awaited those fortunate enough to step inside the colossal edifice known as the Universal Building. An aura of opulence and grandeur enveloped the ce, emanating from every inch of itsvish interiors. The office of Liu Yong, the esteemed leader of the Global Shipping Group, was a testament to this affluence. Awe-inspiring and extravagant, it boasted a top-notch,rge desk befitting its owner''s status,plemented by a million-dor boss chair, a throne of ultimate authority that exuded an air of ss and power.


    As Liu Yong settled into the luxurious boss chair, his fingers delicately traced the smooth surface of the vast desk before him. A contented smile graced his lips as he proimed, "Indeed, I am immensely satisfied with the result. There is hardly anything that could be improved upon in this office."


    But Liu Yong''s ambitions did not stop at the confines of his office walls. The entire stretch from the 91st to the 98th floors had undergone a meticulous transformation, ready to serve as the headquarters of the Global Shipping Group. The grandeur of the Universal Building, with its Grade A office ssification, epassed a staggering 20,000 square meters of office space across its eight magnificent floors.


    Qiu Yang, one of Liu Yong''s loyal associates, couldn''t help but inquire, "Boss, can we move into the new office and start working here in advance?" The current leased office felt foreign, a space not truly belonging to the ambitiouspany, while the Universal Building held the promise of bing their very own prestigious domain.


    Liu Yong nodded sagely, his confidence in the project apparent as he responded, "Indeed, it is entirely possible for us tomence our operations here ahead of schedule. I see no reason why we shouldn''t proceed with this n."


    Joyous and relieved, Qiu Yang and the rest of the team beamed with enthusiasm. Satisfied with the decision, they discussed the logistics of the move before eventually departing the office.


    Alone in the opulent space, Liu Yong relished the moment, examining every exquisite detail with pride. He found himself irresistibly drawn to the French windows, where he stood with an air of self-assurance, looking down upon the bustling cityscape below.


    Momentster, Liu Yong summoned his trusted driver, Chen Hu, to apany him to the seaside warehouse. A brief ride from the Universal Building brought them to their destination.


    Within the warehouse, a mesmerizing sight greeted their eyes: thick, grey-ck metal bars adorned the centre, each one weighing hundreds of kilograms. These bars were the result of processing the bulk of gray-ck metal that had been shipped earlier, a substantial portion of which had been sold to Liang Wencheng.


    As Liu Yong observed the metal bars, his mind wandered to the vast reserves still hidden beneath the ocean''s depths. "Should we have Bawang retrieve some more from the sea?" he contemted aloud before reminding himself of the current task assigned to the capable entity named Bawang. It was to clear the mud and rocks that obscured certain sections of the immense underwater "big mountain."


    Driven by curiosity and concern for Bawang''s progress, Liu Yong tapped into his third-party vision, an extraordinary ability that allowed him to observe events transpiring at great depths below the ocean''s surface. There, in the mysterious abyss beyond 3,000 meters, Bawang toiled tirelessly, diligently excavating and cleansing the concealed terrain, unearthing hundreds of thousands of tons of soil with remarkable efficiency.


    "what!"


    "This ce seems to be a bit different." Liu Yong didn''t have time tomunicate with Bawang, and when he saw the situation over there, he was immediately surprised.


    In other ces, Bawang excavated and cleared the soilyer covering the surface, revealing a huge area ofplete gray-ck metal underneath.


    It''s different here.


    Under the thick soil cover, the grey-ck metal is notplete but broken.


    For example, in the process of digging and cleaning, Overlord continuously cleaned out grey-ck metals of different sizes.


    Some of them weighed several tons, some tens of tons, or hundreds of tons. These metals were cleaned out, and Bawang carried them to a t open space not far away.


    Now, Bawang is clearing arger piece of metal, which is estimated to weigh four or five thousand tons.


    It cleaned up the dirt that covered the huge metal surface, and then tried to get it out.


    "Overlord."


    After watching for a few minutes, Liu Yong took the initiative to greet Bawang.


    Overlord stopped, feeling happy, "Master, I''m going to get this piece of metal out."


    Liu Yong nodded, "Well, you can try."


    This piece of metal weighs at least four or five thousand tons, but Liu Yong thinks it should be able to move.


    On the one hand, Bawang has such great strength, and on the other hand, this is the bottom of the sea, with the buoyancy of sea water.


    Under the action of buoyancy, this piece of metal will be more than one-third lighter, and it can be moved with a force of two to three thousand tons.


    However, Bawang tried it, but the piece of metal did not move, and Bawang was shocked for a while.


    It doesn''t believe in evil, and it uses its greatest strength, but it still doesn''t move.


    "Master, I can''t move it."


    Liu Yong watched this scene all the time, thinking that Bawang couldn''t move the piece of metal.

 Chapter 362 The Answer!

    ?


    In a state of profound astonishment, Liu Yong''s eyes widened as he finally grasped the situation that unfolded before him.


    "This piece of metal is firmly stuck," Liu Yong observed, his mind racing to understand the challenge thaty ahead.


    Though the immediate area was not wholly devoid of soil, the remnants of earth stubbornly clung to the colossal metal structure. It became evident to Liu Yong that Bawang, the mighty entity before him, could not extract the metallic behemoth with sheer force alone.


    The gravity of the situation became apparent as Liu Yong realized the scale of the problem. The piece of metal in question weighed an astounding four to five thousand tons, far beyond the capacity of Bawang to dislodge it by strength alone. Even if it were a piece weighing merely four to five hundred tons, Bawang''s immense power could have surmounted the challenge. However, this piece was of such monumental proportions that brute force alone would not suffice.


    Comprehending the gravity of the task, Liu Yong spoke with a thoughtful tone, "Overlord, the soil and rocks surrounding this massive metal structure need more meticulous attention. Ensure you clean it thoroughly before attempting to remove it."


    The Overlord, enlightened by Liu Yong''s words, immediately deployed its razor-sharp ws to embark on the painstaking process of cleaning the area around the metal artifact. It even managed to extract the mud and rocks lodged within the minute gaps between the metal surfaces with precision and finesse.


    For what seemed like an eternity but was actually a determined and focused 20 to 30 minutes, the Overlord diligently toiled under Liu Yong''s watchful gaze through the third-party vision. Even after they had left the warehouse and embarked on their journey in the car, Liu Yong maintained an unbroken connection through the extraordinary idea granted by the Overlord.


    Within the confines of the vehicle, Liu Yong was captivated, offering instructions and guidance to the Overlord, directing its efforts to clean everyst nook and cranny between the metal pieces.


    Satisfied with the thorough cleaning, Liu Yong confidently spoke, "There should be no hindrance now. You may attempt again."


    In response to Liu Yong''smand, the Overlord resumed its attempt to move the colossal piece of metal, and soon, jubtion filled the air as the impossible became a reality.


    Awe-inspiring in its sheer magnitude, the metal monolith weighed an astonishing four to five thousand tons and boasted a thickness of nearly a meter. It loomed like an ancient titan, casting an imposing presence upon the surroundings. A glimmer of curiosity danced in Liu Yong''s eyes, for he knew that this monumental te held secrets concealed within its vast expanse.


    Once the Overlord had pulled the considerable te from its resting ce, an immense void greeted their gaze, revealing an unfathomable chasm that seemed to plunge into the depths of the Earth. The revtion of this vast cavity evoked a surge of excitement in Liu Yong''s heart as he sensed that this abyss might be the gateway into the enigmatic interior of this enigmatic "big mountain."


    Eager to explore the mysteries hidden within, the Overlord, brimming with enthusiasm, offered, "Master, would you like me to venture inside and explore right away?"


    Peering at the massive frame of the Overlord, then ncing at the size of the aperture, Liu Yong thoughtfully shook his head. "The dimensions of this opening might prove a bit too snug for you to maneuverfortably. I fear it would require too much exertion on your part. It''s wiser for me to wait a few days and venture in personally."


    Reluctantly, the Overlord conceded to this wise decision, epting that poking its head into the crevice was the extent of its exploratory capabilities.


    And so, the Overlord cautiously dipped its head into the dark, abyssal void, its senses attuned to the murky waters that filled the unseen depths. The inky ckness enveloped its vision, offering no respite for light to prate. Nheless, the Overlord''s extraordinary perceptions granted it an advantage, allowing it to perceive fragments of the concealed realm beyond.


    "Master," the Overlord''s voice echoed in Liu Yong''s mind, "this hole is very deep, and the space inside is huge, beyond the scope of my super perception."


    Liu Yong nodded, his gaze fixated on the dark abyss before him. Heforted the Overlord, "We''re not in a hurry right now. We can''t escape anyway, and I''lle over in person in a few days."


    While Liu Yong waited, he eagerly anticipated the arrival of a specially customized deep-sea light source. The device was currently under production and scheduled for delivery in a few days'' time. Originally, Liu Yong had nned to venture into the ocean depths with the light source, but the revtion of this enormous hole had now opened up a new possibility. It offered him a chance to enter the heart of the mountain, and curiosity gnawed at him, urging him to explore its mysteries.


    Deep down, Liu Yong had a hunch that this cave held astonishing discoveries waiting to be unveiled, and he felt an unyielding desire to be the one to uncover them. He yearned to know whaty hidden beneath the veil of this colossal mountain. After concluding hismunication with the Overlord, Liu Yong returned to his office to continue his preparations.


    Upon his return, the first order of business was to pick up the phone and call Yuan Heng. Liu Yong inquired about the progress of the deep-sea light source production, and to his relief, Yuan Heng confirmed that the device was almostplete. Within three days, they would be able to deliver it.


    With everything falling into ce, Liu Yong felt a sense of readiness, save for the impending journey. Three dayster, he sessfully obtained the deep-sea light source, as bulky as he had imagined, weighing a staggering 1.5 tons. The device''s size was equally impressive, requiring the might of a crane for transportation. However, Liu Yong''s exceptional strength rendered such machinery unnecessary; he could easily lift the device with one hand.


    Fully prepared, Liu Yong set sail towards the sea area where the Overlord had made its discovery. Only Chen Hu, his trustedpanion, apanied him on the journey to ensure secrecy. Chen Hu took charge of piloting the yacht, while Liu Yong''s mind wandered with anticipation as the days at sea passed by.


    Upon reaching the designated location, Liu Yong''s heart pounded with excitement. He was on the verge of uncovering the truth behind the "big mountain" that had stirred his curiosity relentlessly. As the Overlord had diligently excavated the site, it had cleared a substantial area, revealing the vastness of the metal structure beneath the thick mudstone cover.


    Every inch of the exposed metal emanated a pristine grey-ck metallic luster, void of any signs of damage or rust. Liu Yong was filled with wonder and amazement at the sight. He believed that the answer to the mystery would be unveiled within the next few days.


    At a depth of 3000 meters below the seabed, the Overlord continued its relentless efforts, returning to the forefront of the "big mountain" to dig and clear the covered mud and rocks. Day after day, the area cleared by the Overlord expanded, reaching thousands of square meters in size.


    Then, on one fateful day, the Overlord stumbled upon a breathtaking discovery. Beneath ayer of soil, two or three meters thick,y not the familiar gray-ck metal, but an expanse of massive ss! Upon seeing this remarkable sight, the Overlord immediately contacted Liu Yong to share the revtion.


    At that moment, Liu Yong was still sailing across the Pacific Ocean, with therge yacht racing towards its destination at a speed of more than 20 knots. He swiftly opened the pet panel and activated the third-party vision to view what the Overlord had uncovered.


    "Bawang, what''s the matter?" Liu Yong inquired eagerly.


    Excitedly, the Overlord responded, "Master, take a quick look. After I dug up this piece of soil, the bottom is no longer gray-ck metal, but thick ss!"


    Liu Yong''s heart quickened with anticipation, and hemanded, "Overlord, continue to clean up the covered soil to expose arger area. It will help us better understand what lies beneath."


    Undeterred, the Overlord resumed its work, steadily clearing away the mud and revealing more and more of the colossal ss surface below. The magnitude of the discovery left Liu Yong eager to uncover the hidden secrets locked within the depths of this awe-inspiring structure. The answer to the mystery would soon be within their grasp.

 Chapter 363 Alien Spacecraft!

    363 Alien Spacecraft! The exposed ss area continued to expand relentlessly as if peeling away the veils of mystery that had shrouded it for centuries. With each passing moment, the situation grew clearer, revealing glimpses of an astonishing truth waiting to be unravelled. Like a precious gem, the answer shimmered tantalizingly close, almost within grasp.


    After diligently removing the soil that concealed the ss''s proper form, Bawang''s resonant voice echoed within Liu Yong''s mind, immediately breaking the silence. "Master, take a quick look!" he urged.


    Liu Yong turned his gaze to the uncovered spectacle before him, his eyes widening in awe. Two immense ss panels, each spanning hundreds of square meters, stood side by side, creating an otherworldly spectacle resembling a futuristic spacecraft''s grand windshield. This site would not have been out of ce in a sci-fi blockbuster.


    The realization slowly settled in, like ripples in a tranquil pond. The truth had finally unveiled itself¡ª


    the colossal "mountain" was, in fact, a long-lost alien spaceship. It hade to rest upon this deep-sea in an astounding 50,000 years ago, its purpose and origin shrouded in enigma.


    For millennia, the spacecraft had remained hidden beneathyers of sediment, concealed from the prying eyes of humanity. Unperturbed by time, it had patiently awaited the day fate would lead Liu Yong and hispanions to this remarkable discovery.


    The knowledge of their extraordinary find inside the yacht pounded Liu Yong''s heart with excitement. The realization that they were in the presence of an alien spacecraft filled him with an intoxicating mix of curiosity and wonder, rendering him unable to quell his emotions for quite some time.


    An eagerness to explore the uncharted depths of the sea consumed him. He yearned to reach the designated area without dy and immerse himself in the mysteries of the spaceship.


    "Chen Hu, speed up; I want to get there earlier."


    "Okay, boss."


    Chen Hu speeded up, the big yacht was sailing fast on the sea, and this spaceship almost firmly attracted Liu Yong''s thoughts.


    Alien spacecraft!


    The kind that is more than 100 kilometres long!!


    In less than twenty-four hours, Liu Yong reached the designated sea area. As hemanded Chen Hu to halt the boat, he swiftly changed into a sleek rubber diving suitmonly used by diving enthusiasts. However, unlike typical divers, Liu Yong didn''t need an oxygen tank. Instead, he possessed the extraordinary ability to dive to depths of over 3,000 meters. His mission was to explore a mysterious spacecraft hidden beneath the sea''s surface.


    "Chen Hu, wait for me on the boat," Liu Yong instructed.


    "Okay, boss, but you have to be careful," Chen Hu replied with concern.


    Liu Yong acknowledged the unspoken realization that this dive would be an unprecedented challenge, possibly taking him to depths surpassing one thousand or even two or three thousand meters. Such depths were only attainable by a superhuman. While Liu Yong considered himself extraordinary, his diving limit was around three or four hundred meters, far from the abyss he was about to explore.


    With determination, Liu Yong dived into the water from the yacht''s stern. A well-designed swimming tform at the same level as the sea facilitated his descent. Clutching a specially customized deep-sea light source, he propelled himself toward the depths. The transition from a few to tens of meters and eventually hundreds of meters underwater was awe-inspiring.


    The sunlight''s pration diminished significantly at a depth of more than 100 meters. To counter the darkening surroundings, Liu Yong activated his powerful deep-sea light source, emanating a bright beam that pierced through the underwater gloom, making him distinctly visible even from a distance.


    Pleased with the effectiveness of his customized light source, Liu Yong continued his descent, passing various marine creatures along the way. The further he went, the fewer fish he encountered, but the ones he did see were massive, weighing hundreds to thousands of kilograms.


    Liu Yong utilized his superhuman senses, aware of everything within a 500-meter radius. Suddenly, he sensed the approach of a formidable adversary from behind. Without turning his head, he knew it was a deep-sea great white shark, about five or six meters long and weighing three to four thousand kilograms¡ªa top predator in the ocean.


    "Hehe!" Liu Yong thought, "The great white shark is trying to ambush me!"


    Refusing to be the prey, Liu Yong promptly turned around and aimed the powerful light source at the shark''s eyes, startling it into retreat. The encounter reaffirmed the need for vignce, but Liu Yong was determined to push on.


    As the sea grew pitch ck, the depth exceeded thousands of meters. Yet, Liu Yong remained resolute, driven by curiosity and the need to explore. More than a thousand meters, more than two thousand meters¡ªhe pressed onward. The seawater pressure mounted with each meter he descended, but Liu Yong''s determination persisted.


    Contemting Bawang''s previous exploration at a maximum depth of nearly 7,200 meters, Liu Yong wondered about his limits. If he were half as capable as the Bawang, he could reach depths of 3,600 meters without trouble. The submarine in''s depth was around 3,300 meters, making this endeavour theoretically feasible.


    But Liu Yong had never tested himself at such depths before, unsure how long he could endure the pressure. With the pressure increasing, Liu Yong couldn''t help but marvel at the enormous figure of the Overlord swimming nearby.


    "Master, I will guide the way," the Overlord said.


    "Yes," Liu Yong responded, "Direct me to thatrge hole¡ªI want to explore its depths."


    Following Bawang''s lead, Liu Yong positioned himself on its back, and together, they swam towards the entrance of the massive cave. Some days ago, Bawang had unearthed this hole by discing a piece of four to five thousand tons of metal at the foot of the "big mountain."


    Arriving at the cave''s entrance, Liu Yong illuminated the dark void with his light source. The vast, mysterious darkness engulfed him, and he sensed the pressure of the seawater again. Although not reaching his absolute depth limit, it was undoubtedly close.


    Liu Yong knew he had about ten minutes to explore before he had to return to avoid putting himself in danger. He decided to venture forward, leaving the Overlord waiting outside the cave entrance.


    Inside, Liu Yong discovered the wreckage, evidence of a spaceship''s demise. The entrance had suffered severe damage, causing debris to umte nearby. As he swam further, he encountered scenes reminiscent of a science fiction movie¡ªspectacr and surreal.

 Chapter 364 In Person Deep Down!

    364 In Person Deep Down!


    Liu Yong was immersed in a vast and awe-inspiring expanse, as though he had stepped into the pages of a science fiction epic. The sight before him was nothing short of astounding! It took him considerable time to regain his senses after being spellbound by the ethereal spectacle.


    With the light source guiding his way, Liu Yong cautiously explored his surroundings, marvelling at the enormous space around him. However, he was cautious not to venture too deep into the mysterious abyss, fearing that he might lose his way amidst thebyrinthine expanse.


    The scale of the interior was truly immense, and the grandeur of it all left him breathless! The experience was surreal, akin to encountering the most advanced technology crafted by otherworldly beings.


    A few momentster, Liu Yong began retracing his path back along the route he had taken initially. The ocean''s pressure weighed heavily on him, limiting the time he could spend exploring the depths. Soon, the wreckage of the spaceship emerged into view, and once he was outside, Liu Yong propelled himself upward, ascending the colossal distance of over 3,000 meters in a mere 20 minutes.


    Reaching the surface, Liu Yong let out a relieved sigh. He felt a wave of tranquillity wash over him as he caught sight of the grand yacht anchored in the distance.


    Boarding the yacht, Liu Yong finally fully rxed, reying the astonishing scenes he had witnessed in his mind. The wreckage he had encountered, without a doubt, belonged to an extraterrestrial spacecraft. The damage it sustained was evident, particrly the section that had prated through the massive breach.


    Deeper inside, however, the damage seemed less severe, but Liu Yong remained uncertain about the specific section of the spaceship he had explored.


    The spacecraft''s interior had been an immense and surreal space, with colossal pipelines stretching out before him, their sheer size and length defyingprehension.


    Every detail presented to Liu Yong was breathtakingly spectacr, a testament to the advanced technology of beings not of this world.


    "Boss, are you alright?" Chen Hu approached Liu Yong with genuine concern. His eyes reflected his profound admiration for his leader, fully aware of the depths Liu Yong had braved, delving into the unfathomable oceanic abyss.


    Though Liu Yong didn''t say a word, Chen Hu could gauge the extraordinary feat his boss had aplished, descending to a depth of two or three thousand meters. His sheer respect and admiration for Liu Yong resonated deep within his heart. "My goodness, the boss is truly extraordinary. To venture to such unfathomable depths, he possesses incredible prowess," Chen Hu thought.


    As he rested on the yacht, Liu Yong knew that his journey was far from over. After a period of recovery, he would undoubtedly continue his exploration. Regrettably, the depth of over 3,000 meters had posed immense pressure, severely limiting the duration of his underwater escapade.


    Had the depths been slightly shallower, say around 2,000 meters, Liu Yong would have been able to linger beneath the sea for an extended period, potentially exploring for over an hour.


    The cold, dark waters extended to an unfathomable 3,300 meters, where even the brave Liu Yong could only linger for ten minutes before the pressure and inhospitable conditions forced him to return to the surface.


    Descending to such depths was time-consuming, taking approximately 20 minutes to reach the ocean floor. This left Liu Yong merely ten minutes to explore the spaceship before ascending again. Frustratingly, the time spent at this depth was far too brief for meaningful discoveries or progress in his mission.


    But Liu Yong knew there was hope for a solution ¨C the Overlord. This magnificent creature possessed the remarkable ability to grow in size and power, enabling it to venture into even more profound, more treacherous seabeds. As the Overlord expanded, so did Liu Yong''s strength, granting him the capability to endure greater depths alongside his aquaticpanion. This harmonious bond allowed them to brave the perils of the abyss together, staying submerged for longer durations and unlocking untold secrets concealed in the ocean''s enigmatic depths.


    After a much-needed respite aboard a luxurious yacht, where he savoured the tranquil atmosphere and indulged in a refreshing cup of coffee, Liu Yong felt rejuvenated and ready to dive into the mysterious underwater realm again.


    Equipped with a cutting-edge deep-sea light source, Liu Yong plunged beneath the waves and embarked on another daring descent. The further he ventured, the dimmer the light became, until at two or three hundred meters, the sea''s illumination seemed almost ethereal, barely prating the surrounding darkness.


    Undeterred, Liu Yong activated his handheld light source, illuminating the murky abyss before him. With its bright radiance, he could perceive the world hundreds of meters ahead, bringing a semnce of rity to the gloomy depths.


    Approaching with majestic grace, the Overlord emerged from the shadows. Its awe-inspiring presencemanded respect as it swam closer to Liu Yong, offering its back for him to sit upon. The symbiotic rtionship between man and creature had forged an unspoken bond, a connection that transcendednguage and united them in their quest for discovery.


    "Master, please sit on my back," the Overlord conveyed through some unknown means.


    "Alright, let''s make our way to the cave entrance this time," Liu Yong responded, his voice steady with determination. The cave held an allure of mystery; this time, he sought to venture even deeper within its enigmatic confines.


    Learning from his previous experiences, Liu Yong understood the importance of pacing their descent. While the Overlord could traverse the waters faster, Liu Yong knew a gradual approach was necessary to withstand the increasing water pressure. Rapid ascents or descents could cause difort and even endanger their lives.


    Thus, the journeymenced, with the Overlord leading the way, slightly outpacing Liu Yong but ensuring a steady and controlled pace as they delved deeper into the ocean''s embrace, the weight of the water pressed upon them, a testament to the depth they were reaching. Yet, they pressed on, guided by an insatiable curiosity and the promise of untold wonders lurking in the abyss.


    At a depth of 3,300 meters, Liu Yong had learned from experience that approximately 20 minutes was an ideal duration for his ventures into the unknown.


    Bawang, with a mix of determination and curiosity, found himself standing once more at the entrance of the vast underwater cavern. Hispanion, Liu Yong, followed closely, clutching a dependable light source to pierce the darkness enveloping them below the ocean''s surface.


    Drawing from their previous experiences, Liu Yong had initially ventured into the cave with a burst of speed, only to slow down after a few minutes of swimming. The two explorers leisurely made their way through the depths, Liu Yong using the light in his hand to illuminate the surroundings and observe the interior of the spaceship they had discovered.


    Amidst the awe-inspiring sight of the massive spacecraft, Liu Yong''s eyes gleamed with the anticipation of discovering hidden treasures. However, he couldn''t immediately discern which part of the spaceship they were in. Thebyrinth of colossal pipelines suggested they might have stumbled upon the spaceship''s power cabin, but Liu Yong wasn''t entirely convinced. He had yet to catch sight of any engines or simrponents that would confirm his theory.


    The condition of the spaceship''s interior was a mix of well-preserved pipelines and noticeable damages, the entrance they used being one such visible rupture. Liu Yong couldn''t help but specte that perhaps these damages were why the spaceship had stopped in this underwater realm, seemingly fearless in its stance.


    As they continued their exploration, a fleeting thought crossed Liu Yong''s mind¡ªcould alien beings lurk within these walls? While the notion added an element of intrigue, it also added a sense of caution to their journey. Nevertheless, Liu Yong pressed forward, eager to uncover any valuable secrets the spaceship might hold.


    Momentster, an unexpected sight illuminated by the light source caught Liu Yong''s attention. At first, it appeared to be a robot, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was the remains of an alien. The creature was adorned in full-body armour, standing more than five meters tall, with four hands and four legs instead of the familiar human form.


    Despite the passage of 50,000 years, the armour seemed remarkably intact, and Liu Yong couldn''t contain his excitement. The thought of possessing such advanced alien armour was exhrating. He wasted no time, utilizing every ounce of strength to drag the alien''s lifeless body¡ªarmour and all¡ª


    towards the cave''s exit.


    Despite his determination, the task proved arduous, and Liu Yong found himself straining to make it out of the cave. Upon reaching the surface of the sea, gasping for breath, he couldn''t help but feel relieved. The pressure at 3,300 meters beneath the ocean tested his limits, and he knew he needed a substantial rest before attempting another dive.


    Back aboard therge yacht, Liu Yong allowed himself time to recuperate. The first order of business was to rest and recharge. He secured the substantial light source beneath the vessel and peeled off his rubber diving suit. The refreshing shower onboard washed away the weariness from his body, leaving him feeling rejuvenated as he slipped into clean andfortable clothes.


    Knowing that another descent to the depth of 3,300 meters would require him to be well-prepared, Liu Yong settled in for an extended break. More than two hours would pass before he would embark on another perilous journey into the enigmatic depths of the underwater world, where ancient mysteries and untold treasures awaited him.

 Chapter 365 What! An Alien Weapons?

    ?


    Under the starry night sky, Chen Hu carefully brewed a cup of steaming coffee and carried it to his boss, Liu Yong. Concern etched on his face, and he asked, "Boss, are you okay?"


    Liu Yong graciously epted the coffee, giving a reassuring smile. "I''m fine. Take a break for an hour or two, and then I''ll head down."


    Relieved by his boss''s response, Chen Hu set his mind at ease and began preparing dinner. The yacht''s lights flickered to life as the evening approached. In the cozy kitchen, Chen Hu efficiently worked on the meal. Most of the ingredients were already prepared, requiring only a quick heating before serving.


    During their time on the yacht, Chen Hu had not wasted any time. He had sessfully caught a fewrge fish, ensuring a delightful seafood dinner for the night.


    Meanwhile, while sipping his coffee, Liu Yong focused on the pet panel, where he monitored the attributes of his faithfulpanion, the mutant snapping turtle named Bawang.


    Pet name: Bawang (mutant snapping turtle)


    Weight: 972 tons


    Power: 59325 Physique: 59012


    Agility: 58665


    Swimming speed: 345 nautical miles


    Skills: Tortoise Shell (Level 3),


    Turtle Breath (Level 3),


    Super Vision (Level 2),


    Super Perception (Level 2), Sprint (Level 1)


    Pondering Bawang''s incredible growth, Liu Yong wondered if the snapping turtle could soon break through the 1,000-ton mark.


    Liu Yong held high hopes for Bawang, wishing it would surpass the 1,000-ton milestone in the future. Such an achievement would enable Bawang to delve even deeper into the mysterious seabed, allowing Liu Yong to extend his stay at the astonishing depth of 3,300 meters.


    However, time was their most pressing challenge. The limited duration Liu Yong could spend at the bottom of the sea restricted the scope of his exploration. Even during the initial dive into the spaceship wreckage, he had barely scratched the surface, merely familiarizing himself with the environment inside.


    The second dive yielded better results, taking him further down, where he discovered the body of an alien.


    Contemting the significance of this extraterrestrial corpse, Liu Yong activated his third-party vision. In the holographic disy, he saw Bawang stationed near the entrance to the spaceship''s wreckage, and right beside ity the alien remains.


    Liu Yong marvelled at the sight, not only impressed by the immense presence of Bawang but also intrigued by the mysterious nature of the alien corpse.


    The sight before Liu Yong was both awe-inspiring and mysterious. Standing over five meters tall, the colossal alien corpse bore little resemnce to any human form. Its peculiar armour shrouded its entire body with a transparent mask resembling ss, though he couldn''t be sure. Gazing through the show, he observed the alien''s remains had dposed, leaving nothing but bones.


    "Wow!" Liu Yong eximed, taken aback by the startling transformation. Just moments ago, when he had pulled the corpse from the ocean depths, it still retained its skeletal structure. But now, the bones had vanished, reced by darkened mud.


    Swiftly calcting in his mind, Liu Yong surmised that this otherworldly corpse had been submerged in the sea for an incredible 50,000 years. Its preservation was rtively stable until his intervention disrupted the delicate bnce, causing the remaining bones to degrade rapidly into a muddy mess.


    While the alien''s corpse itself appeared to be of little value, Liu Yong couldn''t help but be intrigued by the extraordinary suit of armour adorning it. He scrutinized it closely, considering the possibility of salvaging and returning it for further examination.


    Yet, his aspirations were dashed, for he knew that with the current level of technology and limited resources at his disposal, attempting any meaningful scientific research on the armour would be futile. Even the thought of donating it to his country crossed his mind momentarily, but he quickly dismissed the idea, realizing the unexinable nature of his discovery.


    How could he possibly tell his government that the ocean''s depths concealed the remains of an alien spacecraft lying more than 3,000 meters below the surface?


    As Liu Yong ruled out various options, his attention shifted to an alien weapon on the armour¡ªan intriguing device reminiscent of the assault rifles used by their own military but bulkier in design. Captivated by its enigmatic technology, he resolved to retrieve it and study it thoroughly. If the weapon were still functional, the potential implications and rewards would make his numerous dives into the ocean''s depths entirely worthwhile.


    Beyond the weapon, Liu Yong nurtured the hope of uncovering more valuable artifacts amidst the wreckage of the alien spacecraft. His thoughts wandered to the intelligentputer systems the aliens might have employed, harbouring advanced technologies that could revolutionize the entire human race.


    Following a brief rest after dinner, Liu Yong was reinvigorated and prepared to venture back into the ocean''s depths. With a reliable light source, he descended from the yacht''s aft deck again.


    Nighttime submerged the seawater in darkness, necessitating the use of Liu Yong''s underwater light source when he reached a depth of tens of meters. From the yacht''s deck, Chen Hu watched the bright light source recede deeper into the abyss.


    Liu Yong pressed onward, apanied by the Overlord, swimming towards the massively damaged cavity in the alien spacecraft. He had be familiar with the route, having ventured into the vessel twice before.


    Finally, he arrived at the spot where the alien corpse had previously been found, half-hoping to stumble upon another one. However, his search yielded nothing, leaving him with only the continued exploration of the seemingly boundless space.


    The scale of the spaceship was overwhelming, making Liu Yong feel insignificant inparison. He pushed forward for several minutes, arriving at a colossal metallic gateway standing over 20 meters tall and over 10 meters wide.


    Determined to ess the other side, Liu Yong attempted to open the door, but it remained stubbornly shut. His eyes scanned for a control switch or mechanism that might grant him entry, but his search proved fruitless. The imposing door seemed imprable, defying all his attempts to move it even slightly.


    Liu Yong found himself with no other option but to abandon the search and reluctantly began his ascent, ascending from the ocean floor depths, where he had ventured to a staggering 3,300 meters below the surface. The pressurized environment allowed him only a mere ten minutes to explore this alien realm before the limitations of his equipment forced him to resurface.


    During his return, Liu Yong carried a reliable light source to sweep his surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive second alien, but to no avail. The creature seemed to have vanished without a trace.


    Emerging from thepromised hole in the ship''s hull, Liu Yong carefully retrieved the peculiar weapon left behind by the extraterrestrial visitor. Its design and technology were beyond anything he had ever encountered, making him wonder about its origins and capabilities.


    Gazing at the alien armour that adorned the lifeless body, Liu Yong signalled his trustypanion, Bawang, to dispose of it by tossing it into the spaceship. The decision was made out of precaution, to ensure no potential danger lingered aboard the yacht.


    Clutching the extraordinary weapon in one hand and the trusty light source in the other, Liu Yong propelled himself through the crystalline waters, heading back towards the surface with a mix of excitement and trepidation in his heart.


    Twenty minutester, Liu Yong reached the familiar surface and returned to the sturdy yacht. He wasted no time in shedding his rubber diving suit, eagerly weing thefort of a warm shower before slipping into clean andfortable clothes. The mysteries of the deep would have to wait as it was time to set course for their return journey.


    Liu Yong issued amand to Chen Hu, the yacht''s skilled captain, instructing him to initiate their voyage back home. Reflecting on his three consecutive dives, Liu Yong recognized his limitations and knew he had to grow stronger before further exploring. The ocean held wonders and secrets beyondprehension, and he aimed to uncover them, but only when he could endure longer stays at its unfathomable depths.


    With a firm resolve to return someday with more outstanding prowess, Liu Yong found himself in the ship''s restroom, attentively studying the alien weapon. It''s intricate craftsmanship and alien technology fascinated him, setting his mind aze with questions and possibilities. This extraordinary artifact could hold the key to humanity''s understanding of arger universe thaty beyond its reach.

 Chapter 366 Big Baby!

    ?


    Liu Yong carefully ced the alien weapon on the table, casting an observant eye upon it. His first impression was that it appeared a little dirty, with its surface coated in a sleek jet-ck hue. Picking it up, he noticed water could be poured out from within the gun as if submerged for a considerable time. Eager to cleanse it, Liu Yong was cautious not to touch its peculiar trigger, which was slightly different from what he was ustomed to.


    The sheer size of the weapon intrigued him; it was nearly two meters long and weighed around 40 to 50 catties, suggesting it was designed for beings taller than humans. With utmost care and gentleness, Liu Yong dedicated at least three to forty minutes to meticulously cleaning the gun''s surface until its authentic appearance was finally unveiled.


    The gun resembled the weapons in science fiction movies but seemed even more significant in scale. Despite its extended stay on the seabed for an astonishing 50,000 years, the exterior showed no signs of rust or decay. This remarkable preservation amazed Liu Yong, who admired the aliens'' advanced technology. He pondered that if it had been constructed from steel or even stainless steel, it would have eroded long ago, even after 500 years.


    Intrigued by the well-preserved weapon, Liu Yong couldn''t help but wonder if it still possessed its functionality. The thought of testing it on the deck crossed his mind, prompting him to carry the gun outside, with Chen Hu following him, filled with curiosity.


    Observing the peculiar firearm, Chen Hu said, "Boss, this looks like a gun, but I''ve never seen anything quite like it before."


    Liu Yong confirmed, "Indeed, it is a gun. I want to see if it can still fire."


    Taking a firm grip on the gun, Liu Yong aimed it towards the distant sea and pulled the trigger, only to be met with silence. Perplexed, he attempted multiple times, but the gun remained unresponsive. Liu Yong and Chen Hu examined the weapon closely, determining if it was still operational or secured with a safety mechanism. They tinkered with it for quite a while, but nothing seemed to coax any response from the enigmatic firearm.


    Despite their efforts, the gun appeared dormant after its lengthy sojourn beneath the waves. Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel regret at this discovery. Abandoning firing it, he returned to the yacht with the gun in hand.


    Sitting on the sofa, Liu Yong studied the gun with newfound freedom, relieved that there was no longer a fear of idental discharge. As he toyed with the weapon, he pondered whether the interior had suffered from the prolonged submersion. He wondered if disassembling it might reveal some hidden secrets.


    Examining the gun closely, Liu Yong attempted to locate screws or any means of disassembly, but to his surprise, there were none to be found. Perplexed, he mused aloud, "Don''t the aliens use screws? Is their technology really this advanced?"


    Scrutinizing the gun further, he noticed a peculiar buckle-like mechanism. Curiosity piqued, Liu Yong pressed the buckle, and with a soft "click," aponent protruded slightly from the handle. Could this be a magazine? In the manner that assault rifles often housed a magazine in this location, Liu Yong decided to investigate further.


    Carefully removing the object, he discovered it resembled arge magazine, surpassing the size used in their weaponry. Could this indeed be the magazine for the enigmatic alien gun? The mysteries surrounding the weapon seemed to deepen with each revtion.


    Liu Yong''s eyes darted left and right as he carefully examined the enigmatic "magazine" he had discovered. To his astonishment, not a single bullet was found within. This was no ordinary gun that fired metal projectiles; it seemed to be powered by some form of energy, like the futuristicser beams seen in sci-fi blockbusters or other mysterious energy beams.


    The realization struck him that this weapon must require substantial energy to operate. Could it be that the "magazine" contained a vast energy reservoir? If true, then it held the potential for groundbreaking research. Regrettably, Liu Yong and hispanions were not experts in this field, or they could have embarked on a profound investigation of this intriguing device.


    His mind buzzing excitedly, Liu Yong envisioned the possibilities hidden within the unassuming "magazine." Though small in size, not muchrger than a palm, if it genuinely possessed formidable abilities and could be replicated on a mass scale, it could revolutionize humanity''s technology. For instance, a new energy vehicle equipped with such a power source could travel thousands of kilometres at a stretch, a feat that would be nothing short of awe-inspiring.


    Liu Yong''s heart raced with anticipation as he pondered the significance of this discovery. The implications were profound, and he dared not delve too deeply into them for fear of overwhelming himself with excitement. The more he thought about it, his excitement grew, driving his curiosity to unfathomable heights.


    After inspecting the "magazine again," Liu Yong carefully loaded it into the weapon and deduced that it likely served as an energy block to power the gun. As night descended, he finally decided to retire for the day, knowing that he needed rest to face the intense challenges ahead.


    Descending to depths exceeding 3,000 meters thrice over had taken its toll, even on Liu Yong, whose physique rivalled that of Superman. It was an arduous task that only he could endure.


    Several dayster, their big yacht reached Huahai City, where a dedicatedpany that handled its maintenance and care promptly took care of it.


    Liu Yong took the alien weapon, carefully wrapped it in newspapers and clothes, and ced it in the trunk of his car. "Chen Hu, let''s head to the Universal Building," he called out.


    The journey took nearly ten days, but the Global Shipping Group eventually moved into their new offices at the Global Building.


    Upon reaching the 98th floor, Liu Yong entered his private office, shutting the door behind him. Settling into his executive chair, he devoted considerable time to studying the enigmatic weapon and the perplexing "magazine" that seemed to hold immense potential.


    Liu Yong spected that the "magazine" might function as a rechargeable battery, unlike any on Earth. A single charge could harness a terrifying amount of power. His suspicions were bolstered by observing positive and negative poles and a peculiar charging port.


    After exhaustive examination, he reloaded the "magazine" back into the weapon and secured the otherworldly device inside a giant safe tucked away in the corner of hisvish office. This safe, designed to hold sizable objects, was a fitting repository for the nearly two-meter-long weapon.


    With the mysterious weapon safely stored away, Liu Yong''s mind brimmed with possibilities. He considered the following steps carefully, formting a preliminary n of action. Picking up the phone, he dialled Qiu Yang and requested his presence in the office.

 Chapter 367 Global Scientific Center

    ?


    "Boss!" Qiu Yang''s respectful voice echoed through thevish office, breaking the tranquil air surrounding the sessful entrepreneur Liu Yong. Despite being at the helm of an expansive business empire with authority tomand the actions of thousands, Qiu Yang remained astonishingly modest, especially in the presence of Liu Yong.


    "Come, sit down," Liu Yong gestured warmly, beckoning Qiu Yang to sit on the sumptuous sofa. Eagerly, Qiu Yangplied his expression a picture of rapt attention.


    "We are nning to establish a global scientific research center," Liu Yong began, his tonemanding anticipation. "Huang Guang will be the general manager. We''ll bring in external talent, especially in the fields of scientific research and technology."


    The revtion caught Qiu Yang slightly off guard. He hadn''t expected that the boss would venture into the realm of technology by creating a global scientific research center¡ªan ambitious move indeed.


    Curious and keen to grasp the full scope of the endeavor, Qiu Yang inquired, "Boss, could you tell me more about the scale of the Global Scientific Research Center, its registered capital, and the focus of its scientific and technological research?"


    Liu Yong replied, "The initial registered capital will be 1 billion. Our primary focus in the first stage will be energy, more specifically, research on rechargeable batteries. We won''t hesitate to invest in the best talent, and we''ll recruit a significant number of senior researchers in this field."


    As Liu Yong borated on his vision, Qiu Yang listened attentively. The prospect of researching rechargeable batteries, a burgeoning sector with immense growth potential, impressed him. The surge in demand for high-performance rechargeable batteries, driven by the rapid rise of new energy vehicles, had already attracted substantial investments from various enterprises and institutions. Knowing the deep pockets of the Global Shipping Group, Qiu Yang recognized that allocating billions or even tens of billions for research in this domain would be well within their capacity.


    After Liu Yong concluded his speech, Qiu Yang nodded affirmatively. "Okay, boss, I''ll get to work right away on your instructions."


    The n unfolded in a series of steps: registering and establishing the Global Scientific Research Center, acquiring a dedicated building for research purposes, recruiting arge pool of talented individuals, and finally, embarking on scientific research pertaining to rechargeable batteries.


    Leaving Liu Yong''s office, Qiu Yang immediately began making the necessary arrangements to set the n in motion.


    In no time, Huang Guang, the vice president of the Global Shipping Group, entered Liu Yong''s office. Although he still held a high-ranking position, it was evident that his growth within thepany under Liu Yong''s support had been exponential. Grateful for the opportunities provided to him, Huang Guang remained devoted, diligent, and fiercely loyal to Liu Yong.


    Anticipating the sensitivity and confidentiality of the research to be undertaken at the Global Scientific Research Center, Liu Yong knew he needed someone trustworthy to lead the charge. Naturally, Huang Guang''s name surfaced as the ideal candidate.


    "Brother Yong, you wanted to see me?" Huang Guang inquired.


    Liu Yong nodded, providing an overview of the center''s establishment and expressing his desire for Huang Guang to take on the crucial role of general manager.


    Without hesitation, Huang Guang epted the responsibility and pledged, "Brother Yong, rest assured, I will manage the Global Scientific Research Center with utmost dedication."


    With the general manager position filled, Liu Yong''s vision continued to materialize step by step.


    In a separate office, Liang Wencheng was in the midst of hosting a friend¡ªa chief designer from a military industrial unit, responsible for a specific type of armed helicopter. Both veterans in the military industry, their camaraderie was evident as they engaged in animated conversation.


    Curiosity piqued, the friend, Ming Xiuwei, inquired about the progress of Liang Wencheng''s "turbofan X," a project involving a powerful engine.


    Liang Wencheng''s face exuded confidence as he replied, "My old friend, you seem a bit behind on the news. We have already resolved that issue."


    Ming Xiuwei was taken aback. The challenge faced by his own project had consumed much of his attention, causing him to overlook Liang Wencheng''s developments.


    "Resolved? How did you manage that?" Ming Xiuwei inquired, eager to understand the solution.


    Liang Wencheng''s smile widened as he revealed, "Rather than buying the required single crystal superalloy from abroad, we''ve employed an even more superior metal. About 30% of the future turbofan X will be made from this extraordinary material."


    Astounded, Ming Xiuwei struggled to grasp the significance of such an innovation. His eyes spoke volumes, silently questioning Liang Wencheng''s words, as if saying, "Are you pulling my leg?"


    "Haha Haha "


    Liang Wencheng''sughter echoed in the spacious office as he reached into the depths of the desk drawer, retrieving a sleek, gray-ck metal performance report. He handled it with a sense of reverence, fully aware of the groundbreaking significance it held.


    "We''ve harnessed the potential of this remarkable metal material," he dered with a gleam in his eye, "It surpasses those so-called advanced metal materials by leaps and bounds."


    Ming Xiuwei, the chief designer of Wuzhi D, took the performance report in hand, flipping through its pages with growing anticipation. His eyes widened in amazement as he examined the apanying gray-ck metal sample.


    His excitement was palpable, and a faint flush colored his cheeks. Despite his age of fifty, he had experienced numerous remarkable moments throughout his career, and his mental fortitude was known to be unyielding. Yet, even he couldn''t help but be swept up in the excitement of this moment.


    He understood that the persistent issues guing Wuzhi D had been unequivocally resolved. Through the extensive application of this groundbreaking metal, the weight of the aircraft could be significantly reduced. This, in turn, would allow for the instation of a new radar system and an increase in ammunition load.


    The gray-ck metal exhibited a surprising characteristic¡ªit was incredibly lightweight, surpassing even the lightness of aluminum alloy. By incorporating this material, Wuzhi D could shed an astonishing two to three tons of weight without encountering any drawbacks.


    With this newfound weight advantage, a plethora of possibilities opened up. Ming Xiuwei was confident that Wuzhi D''s overall performance would soar to unprecedented heights.


    Meanwhile, the Global Scientific Research Center was well on its way to being officially established, and Liu Yong and Chen Hu found themselves with some free time, making their way to an industrial park in Huahai City.


    Liu Yong envisioned the Global Scientific Research Center as an expansive hub of knowledge, destined to be the most renowned scientific research institution in the world. Naturally, such a grand vision necessitated a vast tract ofnd.


    In the pursuit of this ambitious goal, Liu Yong sought to purchase an extensive piece of real estate to amodate thousands, if not tens of thousands, of scientific researchers and their endeavors.


    However, as they scoured the area, the perfect location proved elusive. Sometimes, the scarcity of suitablend proved to be a hindrance. In the sprawling metropolis of Huahai City, finding such arge and ideal space was proving daunting.

 Chapter 368 Not An Expensive!

    ?


    In the bustling confines of the industrial park, wherend came at a premium, leaving little room for expansion, Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. The inadequate traffic situation furtherpounded his concerns, making it apparent that challengesy ahead for his endeavors.


    However, just as he was grappling with these thoughts, Liu Yong''s cell phone resonated with a melodious ring. With a swift motion, he retrieved the device, and the voice of Qiu Yanghui, his trusted associate, reverberated through the air. "Boss, the esteemed chief designer of Wuzhi D has expressed a desire to meet you. They''ve already arrived in our city," Qiu Yanghui ryed with a sense of urgency.


    Liu Yong nced at his wristwatch, a gesture of punctuality that defined his character, and stated calmly, "Let the meeting be scheduled for one hour from now, precisely at 11:00 am. I shall receive them in the distinguished reception room."


    "Understood, Boss. I''ll make the necessary arrangements," Qiu Yang affirmed dutifully.


    Wuzhi D was a name thatmanded reverence and recognition. It had earned its fame as thetest generation of cutting-edge armed helicopters, and the nation''s military held lofty expectations for this remarkable creation.


    As the call ended, Liu Yong''s discerning mind started to specte about the chief designer''s visit. He couldn''t help but surmise that the purpose behind the visit, politely referred to as a "visit," was most likely centered around the coveted super metal, a preciousmodity that held the potential to revolutionize the realm of technology and warfare alike.


    With a mix of anticipation and curiosity, Liu Yong prepared himself to meet the distinguished guest, knowing that the fate of his enterprise might hang in the bnce during this crucial encounter.


    In the distant realms of the cosmos, an enigmatic alloy bore the name "super metal," an extraordinary creation attributed to the brilliant minds of Hu Jianguo''s esteemed research team.


    Upon learning of this monumental discovery, Liu Yong''s heart brimmed with curiosity and anticipation, leading him to readily agree to a meeting with Ming Xiuwei and their associates.


    Seatedfortably in a sleek automobile, Liu Yong gestured excitedly and urged, "Let us make haste! Back to thepany we go."


    Chen Hu, the skilled driver, maneuvered the vehicle through the bustling streets, effortlessly navigating until they reached the majestic Universal Building. As Liu Yong settled into his office, pondering deeply, a question arose in his mind: Should the Universal Scientific Research Center be situated beyond the confines of Huahai City?


    He mused over the possibility of locating it in the neighboring counties or cities, considering their favorable conditions. The keyy in finding a location that stood close enough to Huahai City, facilitating easy ess within a two-hour economic radius.


    Knock, knock, knock!


    Interrupting his contemtion, the door swung open, and Huang Guang, brimming with respect, entered the room. "Brother Yong," he addressed Liu Yong with deference, "I have some work-rted matters to discuss with you."


    Eager to hear about the progress of the Universal Scientific Research Center, Liu Yong encouraged, "Please, do share the current situation with me."


    Huang Guangunched into aprehensive report. If all went well with the Global Scientific Research Center''s registration, the entire process would be wrapped up in just a few days. He had already identified several reputable domestic experts in the field of rechargeable batteries, engaging headhunting agencies to entice them into coboration.


    Upon delivering these updates, Huang Guang ventured a suggestion, "Brother Yong, I have my eyes set on an office building located along Chuanghui Road. I''m contemting renting the first floor."


    Liu Yong, exuding an air of magnanimity, dered, "Why settle for just one floor? Rent as many floors as necessary. We are notcking in funds."


    Indeed, wealth and power restedfortably in their grasp.


    Money flowed abundantly, allowing the Global Scientific Research Center''s development to surge at a remarkable pace. A mere single floor of office space would pale inparison to the vastness of their ambitions. Envisaging a future where thousands of personnel would be part of their ranks even before the new Global Scientific Research Center''s construction began, Liu Yong''s aspirations soared beyond the horizons of possibility.


    Huang Guangdao pondered over Liu Yong''s proposal, marveling at his ambitious ns for the Universal Scientific Research Center. "Okay, then I will rent a few more floors. In addition, I will report to you on the location selection of the Universal Scientific Research Center," he affirmed.


    Liu Yong''s thoughts about Wanghai City resonated with Huang Guangdao. After inspecting various ces in Huahai City, they found the options limited due to the highnd prices and small areas. Wanghai City, located next to Huahai City, appeared to be a promising alternative.


    Wanghai City, despite being a county-level city, boasted a robust economy and well-developed transportation infrastructure, especially in recent years. It was merely an hour''s drive from Huahai City via the expressway. Furthermore, the presence of high-speed rail further facilitated convenient travel between the two cities.


    The decision was made by Liu Yong, who dered, "I think it''s good to put the Universal Scientific Research Center in Wanghai City, but the area should not be small, at least it needs to cover an area of more than 2,000 mu."


    Huang Guangdao was astounded by the scale of the proposed area, realizing the magnitude of Liu Yong''s ambition. He acknowledged that Brother Yong was embarking on a grand endeavor.


    After providing aprehensive report on the Global Scientific Research Center''s relevant matters, Huang Guangdao took his leave to immerse himself in the establishment of the research center.


    Some timeter, a knock on the door heralded the arrival of Qiu Yang, who entered and informed Liu Yong, "Boss, Ming Xiuwei, chief designer of Wuzhi D, and his team of five have arrived at reception room 1."


    Liu Yong nodded, "Well, I''ll go there."


    In reception room No. 1, Ming Xiuwei and his team had already arrived, but despite their familiarity with prominent scenes, they couldn''t contain their excitement as they entered the awe-inspiring Universal Building. The towering skyscraper exuded magnificence and sophistication.


    "Incredible," Ming Xiuwei remarked, "The Global Shipping Group is truly extraordinary. In all of Huahai City, there''s probably no office environment better than this."


    "And look," one of his team members pointed out, "Apart from a fewrge offices, the entire 98th floor consists mainly of conference and reception rooms. This is where their high-level offices work."


    "I''ve read the performance report of the super metal multiple times, but I still can''t believe such a material exists," another team member chimed in.


    "You''re right," Ming Xiuwei agreed, "The idea that this superb metal will be used in our Wuzhi D, elevating its overall performance, is beyond imagination."


    Just as they exchanged thesements, footsteps outside the door signaled Liu Yong''s arrival. Ming Xiuwei motioned for everyone to settle down, straightening his suit and tie in preparation.


    Liu Yong entered, apanied by Qiu Yang and several other middle and high-level personnel. The two parties exchanged warm greetings and quickly delved into discussions about the super metal.


    Ming Xiuwei detailed the current situation of Wuzhi D, highlighting issues like insufficient ammunition load, the inability to install advanced radar, and the helicopter''s excessive weight.


    After presenting the situation, he expressed his hope, saying, "Mr. Liu, I heard that you have Super Metal One, and we want to buy some."


    Liu Yong''s response was immediate and straightforward, "No problem, how much do you want?"


    Ming Xiuwei was ted, having harbored concerns about the possibility of Liu Yong not selling it or only offering a limited quantity. The ready eptance of his request filled Ming Xiuwei with gratitude.


    "Mr. Liu, thank you very much," he expressed his gratitude.


    Liu Yong responded warmly, "Master Ming is very polite, and I am pleased to contribute to the cause of national defense and the military industry."


    The conversation flowed, and Ming Xiuwei ventured, "We n to buy 100 tons in the first batch, but the price is a bit high. We are under pressure at the price of 20 million per ton."


    Liu Yong smiled, "Then how much per ton do you consider appropriate?"


    Ming Xiuwei pondered for a moment and tentatively suggested, "Mr. Liu, how about 2 million per ton? At this price, super metals will be widely used in the defense and military industry, profoundly impacting the entire sector."


    The proposal caught everyone by surprise; 2 million per ton was merely a fraction of the original price of 20 million. Nevertheless, Ming Xiuwei''s words resonated with the potential implications of such a reduction in cost for national defense weapons and equipment.


    As the discussions continued, the negotiation took an interesting turn, leaving everyone eager to see how Liu Yong would respond to Ming Xiuwei''s proposal.

 Chapter 369 Likes Of Military~!

    ?


    Amid pregnant silence, all eyes converged on Ming Xiuwei, epassing even the few individuals he had brought along. The collective reaction was disbelief as if they had misheard: a staggering two million yuan per ton.


    Sensing the weight of the situation, Ming Xiuwei''s countenance turned apologetic, and he hastened to rify, addressing Mr Liu, "Please understand, Mr Liu. The reason behind the seemingly exorbitant price lies in the exceptional quality of this metal. It is tailor-made for the military and defence industries, and its applications extend far beyond just engines and aircraft. We require copious amounts of this metal for diverse weaponry and equipment."


    "However," he continued, "I must acknowledge that a price of twenty million yuan per ton is indeed steep. At such a cost, the utilization of this metal would be severely limited. Only a select few state-of-the-art weapons and equipment could afford it. But if we could reduce the price to a more moderate two million yuan per ton, it would revolutionize everything."


    His words wereden with sincerity and remorse. Ming Xiuwei conveyed the essence of the spirit that had driven generations of military workers¡ªa dedication to the cause of national defence and the advancement of the military industry. Their lives had been devoted to this selfless pursuit, expecting nothing in return, their sole desire being to elevate the capabilities of their nation''s military and defence systems. With the advent of super metals like this, their aspirations were finally within reach.


    The key to progress, however,y in the essibility of the metal. Only when it could be procured in substantial quantities would the military and defence industries experience rapid development, catapulting them to new heights within a short span of time.


    Liu Yong, wise enough to discern the passion andmitment that emanated from Ming Xiuwei, pondered the situation for a significant period before surprisingly nodding in agreement.


    "Very well, then let it be two million yuan per ton," he proimed.


    The response elicited astonishment from the others present and even from Ming Xiuwei, who stared at Liu Yong in utter disbelief. After a momentary daze, he burst into ecstatic jubtion, eximing, "This is fantastic, truly marvellous!"


    Three consecutive "Greats" resounded through the room, underscoring the depth of Ming Xiuwei''s tion.


    Beside him, an elderly expert with silver-grey hair and a pair of presbyopic sses, who had dedicated his entire life to the gunship industry, rose from his seat, slightly trembling. With utmost reverence, he approached Liu Yong and offered a profound bow. Mr Liu, your contribution to the cause of national defence and the military industry is immeasurable."


    Despite his many years of experience, the seasoned expert''s eyes glistened with tears, and this humble bow was a genuine expression of gratitude from the depths of his heart.


    In the world of cutting-edge military technologies and dreams of possessing extraordinary metal materials, Liu Yong had spent a lifetime yearning for super metals. Now, that very dream had manifested into reality, with a price tag of 2 million yuan per ton.


    Liu Yong''s eyes gleamed excitedly as he supported the aging expert, Old Qi. Humble and appreciative of the opportunity, Liu Yong replied, "Old Qi, I dare not be, I dare not be."


    Gently guiding Mr Qi to the sofa, Liu Yong continued, "The price is two million per ton. If there''s an urgent need, I can arrange to deliver over 30 tons in the uing week. Completing the delivery should pose no significant challenges."


    "Thank you, Mr. Liu," expressed Ming Xiuwei gratefully, standing up to shake hands with Liu Yong.


    The path forward seemed clear and promising, with the price negotiations smoothly concluded.


    Over an hour, every intricate detail was meticulously discussed. By noon, Liu Yong cordially invited everyone to a sumptuous meal, fostering camaraderie and setting the stage for signing a formal contract in the afternoon.


    With all tasks aplished, Liu Yong saw off Ming Xiuwei and the others, basking in the sense of fulfilment as he settled back into his spacious andfortable office.


    Liu Yong pondered, musing over the reasonable price of 2 million yuan. Indeed, the seabed harboured a wealth of this extraordinary metal, with tens of thousands of tons lying amidst the wreckage of various spaceships alone.


    Metal fragments were weighing in the tens, hundreds, or even thousands of tons scattered outside the damaged areas, just waiting for themand to be transported.


    In tune with his thoughts, Liu Yong established a telepathic connection with Bawang, the enigmatic entity aiding him in various tasks. He ordered, "Bawang, I have a task for you. Move two to three hundred to grey-ck-ck metal from that enormous hole and store it in the seaside warehouse."


    Meanwhile, the Overlord was delighting in a grand feast of a giant octopus within its temporary cave. With the remains of the massive cephalopod already devoured, the creature, weighing thousands of tons itself, eagerly responded, "Master, I''m on my way."


    The Overlord swam gracefully out of its cavern, quickly reaching the massive round hole. It paused momentarily, surveying the surroundings before descending deeper into the abyss. As it approached the bottom, the Overlord was pleasantly surprised to encounter yet another giant octopus.


    It had been a lucky day indeed!


    Although several giant octopuses were inhabiting the cave before, they had been hunted and killed by the Overlord, causing the remaining ones to flee. But now, another one stood before it.


    Unperturbed, the Overlord''s determination remained steadfast¡ªthe giant octopus was its rightful prey.


    With a swift approach, the Overlord engaged the unexpected visitor. The giant octopus, wary of the intrusion, assumed a defensive stance, waving its numerous arms and legs in a show of force.


    Unfazed, the Overlord pressed on, biting down with tremendous force and razor-sharp teeth, not caring for the octopus''s warning.


    Having secured a supply of grey-ck metal at the bottom of the massive cave, the Overlord carefully returned the giant octopus to its temporary resting ce. Then, with its mission in mind, it collected the metal pieces,rge and small, weighing over a hundred tons, filling its massive mouth.


    The creature even wielded its front paw to grasp the most significant pieces. Satisfied with the haul, the Overlord exited the colossal hole, embarking on its journey back to Huahai City, where Liu Yong eagerly awaited the fruits of itsbour.


    In the bustling city of Beijing, a scene unfolded inside a specific dignified office, leaving military personnel in awe. Seated in that room were three distinguished figures, all prominent military leaders whose appearances were not unfamiliar to the public, often gracing the television screens with their authoritative presence.


    Engaged in a calm conversation, their attention was centred around an intriguing subject - super metals. Resting on the sturdy desk before them, a small but weighty sample, weighing approximately one or two kilograms, served as a tangible representation of this extraordinary material.


    "Old Yu, Lao Xu, and Liu Yong managed to lower the price to 2 million per ton; it truly exceeded my expectations," one of them remarked, his voice tinged with surprise.


    "Indeed, I too found it rather astonishing," another chimed in, nodding thoughtfully.


    "The price plunge to 2 million per ton is undoubtedly a tremendous boon for us," added the third, his eyes gleaming excitedly.


    "Certainly, it''s fantastic news. This development reveals that Liu Yong possesses a keen awareness and isn''t solely driven by profit-seeking motives," remarked the first speaker, a sense of admiration evident in his tone.


    The trio exchanged nods and appreciative nces, collectively acknowledging Liu Yong''s praiseworthy actions and the immense potential of the super metal they were now discussing. As their conversation continued, weaving between discussions about Liu Yong and the remarkable properties of the excellent metal, their collective approval only grew.


    After a while, one of them couldn''t help but let his curiosity surface, momentarily breaking the conversation flow. "I wonder, where did Liu Yong obtain the super metal he possesses?" he inquired, his eyes momentarily flickering with intrigue as he sought the insights of hispanions.


    Awaiting their response, he turned his gaze towards the other two seated figures, eager to delve deeper into the enigmatic origins of this extraordinary substance.

 Chapter 370 The Exclusive!

    ?


    High above the city, a group of influential individuals surveyed the world below, seemingly believing that the revolutionary super metal was solely the product of Lin Jianguo''s research team. Despite their elevated status and knowledge of the truth, they remained curious about the origins of this incredible material, well aware that Liu Yong possessed it but unsure of its genesis.


    Among them was the military leader, his interest piqued by the miraculous properties of the super metal. Eager to uncover its origin, he posed the question to hispanions, who chuckled in response. One of them spoke up, suggesting that it was best not to pry into Liu Yong''s secrets, for everyone had their mysteries to safeguard. The source of the super metal was a secret known only to Liu Yong.


    Another agreed, emphasizing that now that Liu Yong had reduced the price to a mere 2 million yuan per ton, their focus should shift from the source to supporting him. They deemed it vital to prevent others from acquiring this extraordinary material, thus bing Liu Yong''s reliable allies.


    The consensus among the trio was swift. From their lofty vantage point, they saw things more clearly than ordinary people, no longer fixated on unravelling the enigma of the super metal''s origin. Instead, they recognized that what truly mattered was its abundant supply to meet the military''s needs. They regarded the excellent metal at 2 million yuan per ton as an exceptionally cost-effective resource.


    Meanwhile, within the confines of the Universal Building, Liu Yong sat in his office, enjoying a sip of hot tea. He had just returned from a visit to the seaside warehouse where Bawang, his highly efficient team, had transported over 200 tons of the enigmatic grey-ck metal, taking advantage of the early morning darkness to ensure secrecy and security.


    Liu Yong eagerly ventured into the depths to witness the astounding sight for himself. Before himy a sprawlingndscape of wreckage, an awe-inspiring array of dozens of massive and minuscule pieces scattered across the ocean floor.


    "This thing is truly magnificent!" he marvelled aloud, unable to contain his excitement.


    Not only did the wreckage exhibit outstanding performance, but the price itmanded was also beautiful. Mulling over the possibility of acquiring these materials at 2 million per ton, Liu Yong couldn''t help but consider it an excellent deal.


    Below the sea''s surface, countless broken pieces of grey-ck metal awaited retrieval, amounting to tens of thousands of tons, if not more. And when taking into ount the entire spacecraft''s debris, stretching over 100 kilometres in length, thebined weight could easily reach tens of millions or even billions of tons.


    Liu Yong''s mind was captivated by the colossal treasure trove of grey-ck metal, seemingly inexhaustible in its abundance. Nevertheless, he was not solely fixated on this vast amount of metal; his vision epassed all the other valuable assets strewn amidst the wreckage, including the remnants of the spaceship''s intelligentputer.


    With such an overwhelming quantity of grey-ck metal at stake, Liu Yong knew that even if the price were reduced to 200,000 per ton, it would still amount to a substantial fortune.


    To Liu Yong''s surprise, two dayster, the military unexpectedly appeared at the Universal Building, where he conducted his business. The delegation, led by a senior colonel, arrived discreetly, dressed inconspicuously in casual attire, almost appearing like a group of businesspersons to discuss matters ofmerce.


    Weing them into the reception room on the 98th floor, Liu Yong was struck by the soldiers'' straightforwardness as they expressed their interest in procuring super metals.


    "Mr Liu, on behalf of the military, we are ordering 5,000 tons of super metals. Is there a problem?" the senior colonel inquired directly,ying the groundwork for a substantial contract?


    The figure of 5,000 tons represented an astronomical value of 10 billion, making it an immensely significant deal. Liu Yong felt excited, realizing this would be his first important transaction with the military, an opportunity he couldn''t quickly overlook.


    Composing himself as best as possible, Liu Yong responded with grandeur, "Five thousand tons pose no issue. If the military desires 50,000 tons, I will be more than satisfied."


    The senior colonel''sposed demeanour wavered ever so slightly at the mention of 50,000 tons. He hurriedly asked, "Mr Liu, are you certain that such a colossal quantity is avable?"


    "Absolutely," Liu Yong replied with conviction. "There is no doubt about the existence of 50,000 tons. Give me a month, and I will ensure theplete delivery."


    The senior colonel''s face lit up with approval, "Excellent, I will report this to my superiors immediately. Let me make the call right away."


    In the presence of everyone, the senior colonel swiftly made the crucial call, detailing the extraordinary opportunity thaty before them.


    In a resounding voice that echoed through the room, a man addressed as Mr Liu made an intriguing proposition, eximing, "Mr Liu, we shall procure 10,000 tons initially, reserving the remaining 40,000 tons solely for our use, impervious to any external sales or exports."


    Such a decision was of profound significance, for these 50,000 tons were equivalent to an exclusive military supply, a raremodity that could alter the bnce of power. In the past, Western countries had often imposed their dominance on them, but this time, the tables were turned, and they firmly refused to sell to their former dominators.


    Rapid negotiations ensued between the parties involved, quickly settling the terms for the first 10,000 tons valued at an astounding 20 billion yuan, followed by the remaining 40,000 tons, with the entire supply to bepleted within six months.


    Once the military representatives departed, Liu Yong revelled in his office. Doing business with the military was undeniably a cause for celebration, and Liu Yong was more than pleased with the oue.


    However, amid his happiness, Liu Yong couldn''t ignore the pressing task of retrieving all those tens of thousands of tons of grey-ck metal scattered outside the dpidated spaceship. He already had a preliminary n to aplish this formidable undertaking.


    Liu Yong knew that a specialized steel forging nt was an absolute necessity to facilitate the retrieval process. It would be responsible for the initial processing of the recovered metals, transforming them into bars or thick tes ready for use.


    The perfect location for such an endeavour was Huahai City, and there, the Xinpeng Special Steel Factory stood, under the ownership of its boss, Li Xinpeng, also known as Alexander.


    Li Xinpeng found himself in dire straits, seated in his office and puffing on a cigarette as he faced relentless pressure from the bank to repay a massive loan of 50 million yuan. The factory''s business had dwindled over the past couple of years, and the financial constraints were unbearable. He had even attempted to sell the factory as a whole package, initially demanding 4.5 billion yuan butter lowering the asking price to 3 billion yuan in a desperate bid to recover at least some of the invested capital. Yet, finding a suitable buyer remained an elusive task.


    With a heavy sigh, Li Xinpeng muttered, "I''d settle for 2.8 billion, if only someone would make an offer." The factory possessed state-of-the-art equipment, predominantly imported, with a special smelting furnace alone costing over 100 million yuan. There were numerous other imported machines like steel rolling equipment and forging machinery.


    As the smoke-filled room bore witness to his growing frustration, the director of Xinpeng Special Steel Factory entered, a loyal right-hand man to Li Xinpeng. In a tone of concern, he informed his boss, "Boss, our current orders are nearly fulfilled, and without new orders, we may soon have to halt production."


    The news intensified Li Xinpeng''s anxiety, forcing him to stub out his cigarette, contemting the possibility of further price reductions to attract new orders.


    Just outside the factory premises, arge luxury car pulled up, and two figures emerged ¨C Liu Yong and Chen Hu. Standing before the gates, Liu Yong gazed at the factory and felt convinced that this was the ce they sought.


    Gesturing excitedly, Liu Yong said, "Let''s not waste any time; it''s time to step inside and see what awaits us."

 Chapter 371 Looking Forward!

    ?


    Liu Yong and Chen Hu found themselves at the grand entrance of the Xinpeng Special Steel Factory, a sprawling industrialplex that held promises of untapped potential. With its imposing gates and modern architecture, the factory invited them in with a sense of purpose.


    Curiosity burning within him, Chen Hu couldn''t help but ask, "Liu Yong, why did we choose this particr factory today?"


    Liu Yong''s eyes gleamed with determination as he exined, "My foremost objective is to find a suitable special steel processing facility capable of transforming these enigmatic gray-ck metals into standardized bars, sheets, or steel ingots. As they are now, these metallic fragments merely hint at the wreckage of a mysterious spaceship. To avoid unnecessary spection andplications, we must have them properly processed."


    The rumours of Xinpeng Special Steel Factory nning to transfer its operations to foreign hands piqued Liu Yong''s interest, prompting him to venture here in person, apanied by Chen Hu.


    The duo strolled purposefully into the vast expanse of the factory, observing keenly as they moved along. Covering an impressive area of at least 300 acres, the factory''s infrastructureprised rtively new buildings and state-of-the-art facilities. Liu Yong had gathered information about the ce beforehand, which sparked his hopefulness and motivated him to inspect it personally.


    His optimism only grew as he explored further. The factory''s modernity, efficiency, and well-maintained premises reaffirmed his initial belief in its capabilities. Liu Yong continued his tour, taking in the sights and sounds, eventually arriving at the smelting workshop.


    Within the confines of the workshop, special steel was born. The heartbeat of the operation was the massive 500-ton special smelting furnace, an impressive piece of imported equipment that impressed even the most seasoned observers.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but marvel, "It''s astounding! Huahai City can''t boast of more than one such gargantuan smelting furnace."


    While they stood at a safe distance, Liu Yong and Chen Hu watched as the diligent workers carried out their tasks with unwavering dedication. The sweltering molten steel flowed like moltenva, finding its ce indles before being carefully poured by the crane into moulds, where it would cool and take on the form of steel ingots, one by one.


    Although they didn''t venture into the midst of the production site, the passion and craftsmanship of the workers were evident even from afar.


    Before too long, a figure emerged, seemingly an authoritative figure, perhaps a supervisor or the workshop director. He approached Liu Yong and Chen Hu with a hint of curiosity, questioning, "May I inquire who you are and what brings you here?"


    Liu Yong confidently responded, "We are merely here to observe and learn."


    As they stepped into the smelting workshop, the supervisor''s words echoed in Liu Yong''s mind like a cautionary whisper. "This is a special smelting workshop, teeming with potential risks. You mustn''t venture deep into the operation site. At most, you can observe from a safe distance."


    With a respectful nod, Liu Yong acknowledged the gravity of the situation. He was curious about the smelting furnaces and couldn''t help but inquire further. "These are imported special smelting furnaces, correct?"


    Pride brimmed in the executive''s voice as he confirmed, "Indeed, these smelting furnaces were imported from Germany. Take the 500-ton special smelting furnace, for example; it can even smelt tungsten steel, reaching scorching temperatures of up to 3500 degrees Celsius."


    The executive was passionate about the subject, and discussing this impressive equipment appeared enough to open the floodgates of conversation.


    Listening intently, Liu Yong pondered the benefits of such advanced equipment. With this machinery, they could effortlessly melt various metals, producing steel ingots, bars, and other valuable products. The potential for their steelworks was vast.


    Concern etched on Liu Yong''s face as he asked, "Given the capabilities of your equipment, I assume your business is doing quite well?"


    A bitter smile yed across the executive''s lips as he replied, "Mediocre, at best. Unfortunately, our Boss has ns to transfer the entire factory. We are all in a state of uncertainty, not knowing what the future holds."


    Amid their conversation, Liu Yong skillfully gleaned valuable insights, gradually forming a picture of the factory''s current predicament.


    After some time, Liu Yong and hispanion Chen Hu proceeded to another section of the steelworks, specifically the Xinpeng Special Steel Factory rolling workshop. The raw special steel was processed into many steel products, ranging from sturdy bars to sleek tes and even finely crafted wires.


    The pair wandered through the workshop, curiosity guiding their steps, until they inadvertently attracted the attention of the director of Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting Factory. The director, having received a report from his subordinates, approached them with a polite inquiry.


    "What brings you two here?" he asked, his demeanour amiable yet tinged with a hint of curiosity.


    Liu Yong stepped forward and candidly replied, "We were just curious to see the operations in action."


    Factory Director Xin Feiwen scrutinized Liu Yong with suspicion, his mind racing toprehend the true purpose of Liu Yong''s visit. With pride and self-assurance, Xin Feiwen boasted about the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting Factory''s remarkable prominence within the industry, dering their capability to fulfil virtually any requirement a potential client might have.


    Inwardly, he saw Liu Yong as a potential client, his eyes alight with the prospect of securing a lucrative deal. However, Liu Yong''s response caught him off guard. With a friendly smile, Liu Yong casually mentioned having heard about the factory''s impending transfer. Xin Feiwen''s surprise at this unexpected turn of events was palpable. He had assumed that Liu Yong was just another prospective customer, but he seemed genuinely interested in acquiring the factory.


    Acquisition? The word resonated in Xin Feiwen''s mind, echoing the secret desire harboured not only by him but also by Li Xinpeng, the factory''s owner. Li Xinpeng had been facing hardships, ruing the decision to diversify into real estate and the unique steel smelting industry, yearning for the stability and prosperity of his previous ventures.


    Momentarily taken aback, Xin Feiwen eximed in a raised voice, inquiring whether Liu Yong hade for an acquisition inspection. Liu Yong responded calmly, affirming he was there to assess the potential purchase. This response left Xin Feiwen inwardly shocked. It seemed as though buying the factory was as simple for Liu Yong as purchasing vegetables from the market, with no apparent financial strain.


    Unsure whether Liu Yong''s ims were mere bravado or if he genuinely possessed such formidable financial strength, Xin Feiwen was torn between scepticism and intrigue. After introducing himself courteously, he inquired about Liu Yong''s name, to which Liu Yong replied with a warm smile, stating that he was called Liu Yong. He then exchanged a subtle signal with hispanion, Chen Hu.


    Understanding the gesture''s significance, Chen Hu promptly presented Xin Feiwen with a luxurious bronzing business card. Surprised by the luxury of the card and curious about its owner, Xin Feiwen couldn''t help but nce at it. To his disbelief, the card revealed that Liu Yong was none other than the Chairman of Global Shipping Group.


    Astonished, Xin Feiwen''s heart raced, realizing the significance of this revtion. The Global Shipping Group was a prominent and renowned 100-billion-level shipping conglomerate responsible for constructing Huahai City''sndmark building, the awe-inspiring Global Building.


    In a state of near disbelief, Xin Feiwen eagerly weed Liu Yong and hispanion to the factory''s best reception room. Excitedly, he arranged for refreshments, tea, and delectable fruit snacks to be served. Overwhelmed by enthusiasm, he rushed to Li Xinpeng''s office, not even bothering to knock before entering.


    Breathlessly, he eximed, "Boss, we''re saved! Do you know who''s here at our factory?"


    Li Xinpeng, smoking contemtively, instantly stood up, his eyes brimming with hope. "Tell me quickly! Who''se to our factory?" he urged, anxious for the answer.

 Chapter 372 The Top Business Deal!

    ?


    Li Xinpeng gazed at Xin Feiwen with excitement and uncertainty dancing in his eyes. As he stood there, memories and images of various influential figures shed through his mind ¨C a confident esteemed leader, a particr significant client, and others. It was as though destiny was urging him to take a decisive turn, escape the current predicament that surrounded him, and seize the golden opportunity that now presented itself.


    Xin Feiwen''s voice broke through his contemtion, brimming with excitement. "Boss, Liu Yong, the CEO of Global Shipping Group, has personallye to our factory with the intention of acquiring it!"


    "What?!" Li Xinpeng eximed, hardly able to believe his ears. "The CEO of Global Shipping Group? This is incredible!"


    Despite being a sessful individual with a worth reaching billions, Li Xinpeng couldn''t help but feel dwarfedpared to Liu Yong. The gap between their aplishments seemed insurmountable.


    Upon learning that Liu Yong had arrived to discuss the acquisition of Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter, Li Xinpeng''s heart raced with anticipation. He gestured energetically, urging Xin Feiwen to take him to meet Liu Yong without dy.


    "Mr. Liu is here? Lead the way; let''s not waste any time!" Li Xinpeng''s eagerness was palpable. He longed to sit down with Liu Yong and discuss the factory transfer immediately.


    As they hurried towards the VIP reception room, Xin Feiwen shared some essential information with Li Xinpeng about their esteemed guest. Li Xinpeng was absorbed in every detail, entirely focused on the forting encounter. Finally, they arrived at the door of the VIP reception room.


    "Mr. Liu, wee to Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting Factory. I am Li Xinpeng, the owner," he warmly greeted Liu Yong from a distance, extending his right hand with genuine enthusiasm and a touch of nervousness.


    Liu Yong rose from his seat to shake hands with Li Xinpeng. "Hello, I''ve heard that your factory is up for sale, so I thought I''de and take a look."


    "Mr Liu, please have a seat. Let''s discuss this in detail," Li Xinpeng replied, maintaining his cordial demeanour.


    As they settled into their chairs, the conversation flowed smoothly, exchanging polite pleasantries. Before long, they got down to business.


    Li Xinpeng meticulouslyid out the factory''s current status, providing detailed information about the facility''s size, workforce, and critical equipment.


    Upon hearing this, Liu Yong inquired, "Mr. Li, what price are you looking for to sell this factory?"


    After contemting, Li Xinpeng replied, "Our asking price is 3.5 billion."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but be bothered by the increased asking price. "That''s quite a significant sum!" he remarked.


    Indeed, as a seasoned businessman, Li Xinpeng had astutely recognized the challenges and rtively thin profits in the unique steel smelting industry. Consequently, he decided to take the opportunity to sell the factory and embark on a new venture.


    As Liu Yong arrived at the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting nt, his presence alone exuded an air of prosperity and wealth. As a shrewd businessman, he had initially intended to quote 3 billion for the acquisition, but secretly, he believed the base price should be around 2.8 billion. However, he decided to make a bold move and abruptly raised the offer by several hundred million, quoting an impressive 3.5 billion.


    A knowing smile yed on Liu Yong''s lips. Before setting foot in the factory, he had meticulously researched its operations, poring over information. He was well-prepared for this negotiation.


    "Mr. Li, you''re not being entirely forthright. I am willing to offer up to 2.5 billion," Liu Yong calmly stated.


    The unexpected offer of 2.5 billion sent shockwaves through Li Xinpeng''s mind. He couldn''t believe what he had just heard and thought he must have misheard. His expression shifted, and he grew anxious, retorting, "How can you suggest our vast factory is only worth 2.5 billion? We have an extensive facility spread over 326 acres and a workforce of 1,229 employees. Our equipment alone holds great value!"


    Li Xinpeng rushed to defend the worth of his factory,ying out its impressive features in one breath. However, the impact of Liu Yong''s offer rattled him.


    Seated nearby, Chen Hu, wearing oversized sunsses, maintained a calm facade. But deep inside, he couldn''t help but admire Liu Yong''s negotiation skills immensely. "As expected of the boss, simply remarkable. That 2.5 billion offer struck Li Xinpeng right in the weak spot," Chen Hu thought, eagerly anticipating how the rest of the negotiation would unfold.


    "Faced with such a bold offer, what will Li Xinpeng do? Can the two parties eventually reach a deal?" Chen Hu wondered, his mind racing with possibilities.


    Despite Li Xinpeng''s impatience, Liu Yong remained calm andposed, like an experienced and cunning old fox, skillfully keeping the initiative firmly in his grasp.


    The two sides engaged in a back-and-forth negotiation for nearly an hour until they finally reached an agreement on all aspects, including the price.


    The deal was sealed at a transaction price of 2.72 billion yuan!


    This figure was 80 million yuan below Li Xinpeng''s initially expected reserve price. However, he realized this might be his best opportunity to sell the factory, and finding another buyer with such an offer could prove difficult. Moreover, the burden of the 50 million bank loan weighed heavily on his mind,pelling him to make concessions.


    The deal was finally done despite the slightly lower price, and the factory was sold. With this significant sum of money, Li Xinpeng could venture into other industries, freeing himself from the financial predicament he had been struggling with.


    Feeling a sense of relief and joy, Li Xinpeng stood up and proactively extended his hand to shake Liu Yong''s. In response, Liu Yong also rose to his feet, his face now adorned with a happy expression, knowing he had struck a lucrative deal.


    Indeed, he had picked up a grand bargain!


    Before his visit, Liu Yong had thoroughly assessed the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting nt, even seeking professional evaluations. Experts had estimated the transaction price to be around 3 billion. Yet, through skilful negotiation, Liu Yong managed to secure the deal at 2.72 billion. He couldn''t help but feel a sense of self-admiration and pride for his astute abilities.


    The deal was done, and congrattions were in order!


    Liu Yong bid farewell, leaving Li Xinpeng to lead an exuberant crowd toward the factory gate. With enthusiasm, they watched as Liu Yong and hispanion, Chen Hu, got into their car and gradually disappeared into the distance.


    As the car vanished from sight, Xin Feiwen seemed to have a sudden realization. "Boss, doesn''t Mr. Liu''s driver look oddly familiar to you? I can''t shake the feeling that I''ve seen him somewhere before."


    Li Xinpeng pondered the question for a moment before nodding thoughtfully. "You know what, I feel the same way."


    A nearby individual chimed in with surprise as if he had just stumbled upon a treasure trove of knowledge. "I think I''ve got it! He''s Chen Hu!"


    "What?!" Li Xinpeng and Xin Feiwen eximed in unison.


    "That''s right," the person continued, "he''s none other than Chen Hu¡ªthe Olympian who swept several gold medals and holds numerous world records!"


    The realization hit Li Xinpeng and Xin Feiwen like lightning bolt, and their eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, it really is Chen Hu! It''s him!"


    In his heart, Xin Feiwenmented having missed a golden opportunity. If he had known that the driver was Chen Hu, he would have seized the chance to take a photograph with the celebrated athlete and perhaps even asked for an autograph.


    Meanwhile, Li Xinpeng marvelled at Mr Liu''s connections, realizing that his driver and bodyguard were no other than the renowned Chen Hu.


    As the conversation about Chen Hu unfolded, Liu Yong headed back to the Universal Building. Once in his office, he took a moment to settle in before deciding to call Qiu Yang to discuss the potential acquisition of Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter.


    However, just as he was about to ce the call, a polite knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

 Chapter 373 The Opportunity!

    373 The Opportunity!


    As the door creaked open, Liu Yong''s eyes widened in surprise when he saw that it was none other than Qiu Yang, his trusted associate. However, the shock was quickly reced with a warm smile.


    "It''s just in time," Liu Yong greeted, gesturing for Qiu Yang toe in. "I was about to call you over."


    With a respectful nod, Qiu Yang entered the room, holding a stack of evaluation materials about the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting nt.


    "Boss, I sent you thetest evaluation materials. The professionals have conducted another assessment, and this one is more urate and valuable than thest."


    Qiu Yang carefully observed his boss''s reactions while handing the documents to Liu Yong. Liu Yong smiled once more, setting the information aside.


    "It''s no longer needed," he said, his tone filled with satisfaction.


    "What?"


    The unexpected response took aback Qiu Yang. His mind raced, wondering if someone else had already acquired the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter. However, he dismissed the thought after seeing Liu Yong''s content expression.


    Could the boss have already taken down the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter? The idea struck him, leaving him amazed at the boss''s prowess.


    Liu Yong had recently visited the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting nt, and Qiu Yang was aware of this. He knew that it had only been about three hours since Liu Yong left and returned, making it practically impossible to finalize a deal worth two to three billion yuan in such a short time.


    Seeing the puzzlement on Qiu Yang''s face, Liu Yong rified, "Don''t overthink it. Yes, I''ve already acquired the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter, and the transaction price was 2.72 billion yuan."


    Qiu Yang''s expression turned incredulous. He knew that professionals had conducted detailed assessments, and their consensus was that the value of the Xinpeng Special Materials Factory was around 3 billion, with the minimum not being lower than 2.95 billion. The factory had been sold for 2.72 billion. It was beyond belief!


    "How did you manage that?" Qiu Yang couldn''t hide his astonishment. "The boss''s skills are truly extraordinary!"


    After a brief shock, Qiu Yang regained hisposure, and an even more apparent surprise adorned his face. "Boss, I never expected you to repurchase this factory for only 2.72 billion yuan. That''s incredible."


    Liu Yong beamed with satisfaction. "Indeed, it''s an ideal price. We''ve struck a tremendous bargain. I''ve already discussed some details with Li Xinpeng. Now, it''s up to you to sign the formal contract on behalf of the group."


    With meticulousness, Liu Yong exined the situation in greater detail. He assured Qiu Yang that he would not need to go in person for the subsequent matters. Instead, the Global Shipping Group would deploy a professional team to handle the remaining formalities and finalize the contract.


    Shortly after, Qiu Yang walked out of Liu Yong''s office, his heart brimming with happiness. He would personally oversee and arrange all the follow-up tasks.


    Once Qiu Yang had left, Liu Yong turned his attention to Bawang, a trustedpanion with whom he could openly discuss his strategies and ns.


    Bawang, a mighty and enigmatic being, had taken up residence in this oceanic expanse, dedicating itself to an extraordinary purpose ¨C growth and each passing day witnessed its incredible expansion, with a remarkable daily increase of two to three tons, inching ever closer to the astounding milestone of 1,000 tons.


    Within this ethereal realm, a voice echoed through the vastness, resonating with an air of authority. "Overlord, I have a task for you," spoke Liu Yong, the master of this magnificent creature.


    Without hesitation, Bawang responded with unwavering loyalty, "Boss, just tell me what you desire, and it shall be done."


    With utmost rity, Liu Yong conveyed his request: "Journey to a rtively shallow sea, at least 500 nautical miles away from the spaceship wreckage. Once you find a suitable location, relocate all the grey and ck metal scattered near the wreckage to that spot."


    In the remains of the spaceship''s breachy a treasure trove of metal fragments amounting to tens of thousands of tons. These seemingly inconsequential pieces were highly coveted in the market, fetching an astonishing 2 million per ton price. Liu Yong''s acquisition of the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter was precisely to harness the potential of these metallic remnants, refining them into steel ingots, sheets, bars, and various other forms.


    The grand n was in motion, with the smelting nt awaiting its precious raw materials. Yet, the daunting challenge remained ¨C transporting the massive haul back to its destined location.


    To tackle this endeavour, Liu Yong devised a strategic n. Bawang, his most reliable asset, was tasked with locating an appropriate site nearby. It was no simple feat, as the chosen spot had to strike a delicate bnce ¨C far enough from the spaceship wreckage to ensure its safety and yet not too distant, as it would necessitateborious efforts to ferry such an immense volume of metal.


    Responding to the task, Bawang dered, "Master, I shall set forth immediately and update you once I have found the ideal location."


    "Go ahead, and I await your tidings," Liu Yong replied, acknowledging the diligence and capability of his trustedpanion.


    With unwavering resolve, Bawang embarked on its Journey, wielding its colossal spear as it dove into the ocean''s depths. Its initial speed was awe-inspiring, covering almost 500 nautical miles in one breath, soaring at 350 knots. Then, the pace subsided, and Bawangmenced its search for the perfect site.


    The criteria were precise ¨C shallow waters ranging from 30 to 50 meters, a serene seabed free fromplexities such as reefs, corals, and seaweeds. Bawang''s keen eyes scanned the underwater panorama as it glided through the crystalline waters, meticulously scrutinizing each potential location.


    After an arduous two hours, Bawang''s unwavering perseverance bore fruit ¨C it had found the optimal location. The sea floor here was a gently undting ne of fine sand, bountifully devoid of obstructions.


    Taking the initiative tomunicate with Liu Yong, Bawang inquired, "Master, what do you make of this ce?"


    Observing the surroundings from a distance vantage point, Liu Yong assessed the situation and replied, "This ce is perfect. Your next task is transporting all the metal fragments to this site andying them on the seabed."


    "Understood, Master," affirmed Bawang, ready to execute its mission with the precision and dedication that hade to define its very being.


    After diligently finalizing the chosen location, Bawang knew the uing endeavour would demand unwavering dedication. His mission? To transport an enormous quantity of metal fragments, totalling tens of thousands of tons.


    The metal fragments were diverse; some were vast and formidable, easily weighing four or five thousand tons, while others wereparably smaller, ranging from a few tons to mere tens of kilograms.


    Undeterred, Bawang set about the Herculean task of moving all the transportable metal fragments, ensuring they found their new home in the shallow sea. The strategic n was devised in close coboration with Liu Yong, who hadmitted to dispatching a boat capable of safely conveying all the recovered metal fragments from the seabed to their destination.


    Bawang had already pledged a staggering supply of 50,000 tons of super metals to the military, reserved exclusively for their purposes. With this responsibility firmly on his shoulders, he earnestly hoped that these newly acquired metal fragments would be efficiently transported back to the esteemed Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter for processing. Once refined, these valuable materials would find their way into the hands of the military, as initially promised.


    Undaunted by the challenge, Bawang embarked on his Journey as a dutiful guest porter,boriously carrying the shattered remains of the spacecraft''s metal near the gaping hole where ity in ruins. The distance was formidable, stretching across a vast expanse of 500 nautical miles, and eachborious trip took two to three painstaking hours toplete. Yet, propelled by determination, Bawang transported several hundred tons of metal fragments in each round.


    While Bawang toiled relentlessly, the colossal "Blue Whale" salvage ship, owned by the prestigious Global Shipping Group, sailed purposefully towards the sea area he had meticulously chosen. This enormous vessel was a renowned expert in seabed salvage, equipped to handle the task with utmost precision and skill.


    Fortunately, the targeted seabed area was uplicated, presenting a favourable water depth of only 30 to 50 meters. Liu Yong''s unwavering confidence in the "Blue Whale" left little doubt that the mission would be executed wlessly, ensuring the salvage of all those invaluable metal fragments.

 Chapter 374 The Mighty One!

    374 The Mighty One! The mighty vessel "Blue Whale" embarked on its voyage towards a distant sea area. As the ship sailed away, Huahai City gradually faded into the horizon.


    A superb map sprawled across the table inside the captain''s room, illuminated by a soft glow. Captain Ren Zhiquan, a seasoned seafarer, fixed his gaze on the map, marking a conspicuous red dot representing their intended destination.


    With the precision of a skilled navigator, he employed a ruler to measure the distance and made rough calctions in his mind. Ren Zhiquan estimated it would take at least seven or eight days to reach their target, considering the current speed of the "Blue Whale."


    In the depths of his thoughts, the captain pondered the enigmatic nature of their mission. For the sake of utmost secrecy, Liu Yong, the mission''s architect, had refrained from disclosing the mission''s specifics to Ren Zhiquan. The only assurance was that the captain would be briefed upon their arrival at the designated location.


    Meanwhile, thousands of nautical miles away, the imposing figure of Bawang the Overlord loomed over the scene. With remarkable strength, the creature performed porting duties almost second nature. Its massive paws deftly carried grey-ck metal fragments, each piece a testament to the wreckage that now adorned the ocean floor.


    The hauls were substantial, amounting to several hundred tons each, and the temporary cave nearby served as a makeshift storage for the collected weapons. Time after time, the relentless Bawang ferried more metal fragments, carefully cing them within the shallow depths of the sea.


    Despite the enormous effort, the Overlord remained undeterred. It continued its vital work, swimming with determined grace toward yet another damaged spacecraft, eager to salvage whatever valuable resources it could find.


    One particrly sizable metal fragment caught the Overlord''s attention. A piece exceeding the weight of 1,000 tons posed a significant challenge, even for a creature as mighty as Bawang. With a moment of hesitation, the Overlord decided to persist, knowing that the reward justified the effort.


    As Bawangboured on, the fragment''s weight affected its swimming speed. What would typically take less than two hours to cover 500 nautical miles now consumed over three hours? Yet, the Overlord''s tenacity knew no bounds, and it finally sessfully transported the massive metal fragment to the designated location.


    After a brief respite, the Overlord contemted its progress. It recognized that growth was essential to meet the demands of this daunting task. It could only transport even more substantial metal fragments by surpassing the 1,000-ton weight bottleneck, perhaps reaching the impressive range of 2,000 to 3,000 or even 4,000 to 5,000 tons.


    With determination shining in its eyes, Bawang knew its purpose¡ªgrowth and oveing limits. The journey ahead was arduous, but the Overlord was resolute in its pursuit.


    Overwhelmed by fatigue and hunger afterpleting itstest task, Bawang realized that this endeavour was not a mere skirmish but a longsting battle. Transporting such an abundance of metal fragments to the shallow seas, located more than 500 nautical miles away, would demand at least ten days, if not longer.


    Yet, the Overlord did not rush; it understood the gravity of its mission. After finding a temporary refuge within its cave, Bawang indulged in a much-needed meal and drifted into a well-deserved rest. Theing days would be filled with challenges, but Bawang knew it had the strength to face them all.


    For several consecutive days, the mighty Overlord tirelessly carried an ever-increasing load of metal fragments, pausing only for essential tasks such as hunting and rest. The shallow sea they navigated was strewn with a vast assortment of these metallic remnants, varying greatly in size and weight. Some pieces were as light as a mere tens of kilograms, while others boasted staggering masses of hundreds or even thousands of tons.


    Among these metallic vestigesy the grandest find of them all, a colossal fragment weighing over 1,000 tons, which required an enormous effort from Bawang and his crew to transport. Departing from the bustling Huahai City, the "Blue Whale" had embarked on an arduous journey, traversing vast distances and battling the waves for nearly eight days to finally reach this mysterious sea region.


    Standing resolute on the bow deck, Ren Zhiquan led a group of several individuals, all wearing expressions of awe and bewilderment as they beheld the seemingly infinite expanse of the sea before them. A mix of relief and confusion filled their hearts as they contemted the purpose of their journey. Whaty ahead for them in this far-flung corner of the world?


    "The captain, this sea is rather shallow. We''ve taken measurements, and the depth is only around thirty to forty meters," one of Ren Zhiquan''s crew members reported.


    Another crew member chimed in, "Indeed, the seabed is remarkably simple here. The water is unusually clear, and the terrain consists mainly of fine sand, presenting an almost tndscape."


    A collective sense of uncertainty lingered among them, and one person couldn''t help but voice the question that seemed to upy everyone''s thoughts, "What exactly are we supposed to do aftering all this way?"


    Silence followed, leaving the group pondering their mission''s purpose until Ren Zhiquan broke the quietude by picking up a satellite phone, his voice resonating with authority as hemunicated with their superior.


    "Boss, we''ve arrived at the designated sea area. Please provide instructions for the next steps," Ren Zhiquan spoke into the device.


    Liu Yong''s reassuring voice came through the satellite phone, acknowledging their efforts and setting forth their task: "You''ve all worked hard. Now, your objective is to send your team members into the water to salvage the abundant gray and ck metals beneath the surface. Once collected, we''ll arrange for their transportation back to Huahai City aboard the freighter."


    Finally having rity on their mission, Ren Zhiquan''s curiosity was piqued. What were these gray-ck metals hidden beneath the shallow sea''s depths? He had heard rumors of a remarkably light metal, a military-exclusive material with a staggering price tag of 2 million per ton. Could this be the elusive metal they sought?


    Fueling his inquisitiveness, Ren Zhiquan wasted no time in organizing the operation, sending the first group of skilled frogmen into the crystal-clear waters to investigate and pinpoint the locations of these mysterious metallic deposits.


    Soon enough, not far from the majestic "Blue Whale," the divers discovered an impressive umtion of gray-ck metals scattered across the seabed. With the precise location marked, the "Blue Whale" shifted its course to anchor itself above the bounty, about a nautical mile away.


    The subsequent steps seemed rtively straightforward - to salvage the gray metals. The crane on the "Blue Whale" salvage ship sprang to life, lowering its fishing lines with careful precision, initiating the endeavor to retrieve the valuable cargo from the depths of the sea.


    Deep beneath the azure waves, the "Blue Whale" was a master of the deep-sea salvage, renowned for its expertise in retrieving sunken treasures from the ocean''s abyss. In these crystal-clear waters, where the depths reached a mere 30 to 40 meters, salvage operations were typically straightforward and undemanding.


    One day, the team''s hard work paid off as they sessfully salvaged the first batch of enigmatic gray-ck metal from the ocean''s depths. The sheer size of this metal piece astonished the crew. Judging by its dimensions, it should have weighed a staggering four to five thousand tons, yet to their bewilderment, it felt surprisingly light, as if it were only a fraction of that weight.


    Word spread like wildfire among the crew, and the mystery of the metal''s weight piqued their curiosity. With the captain, Ren Zhiquan''s consent, the decision was made to hoist the salvaged metal onto the deck of the "Blue Whale" instead of transferring it directly to the adjacent bulk ship. This unusual approach gathered a throng of curious onlookers.


    Among them was Old Zhou, an experienced member of the crew. He was renowned for his strength and had a reputation for aplishing seemingly impossible feats. As the crowd buzzed with spection, Old Zhou confidently stepped forward, his sleeves rolled up with enthusiasm. With a twinkle in his eye, he addressed Old Zhu, a fellow crewmate.


    "Old Zhu, you underestimate the power within me. This piece of metal may berge, but it cannot possibly weigh more than two or three hundred catties. I can lift it without breaking a sweat," Old Zhou dered.


    Old Zhu, intrigued by Old Zhou''s confidence, saw an opportunity for some friendly banter. "Oh, really?" he responded with a grin. "If you manage to lift this metal, I''ll bet a bag of Zhonghua on it."


    "Count me in too!" chimed another crewmate, eager to join the bet.


    With all eyes fixed upon him, Old Zhou''s excitement only grew. "You can count on me! I''ll prove to you that my words are true," he proimed boldly.


    Without further ado, Old Zhou positioned himself in front of the colossal metal piece, and with determination in his eyes, he gripped it firmly with both hands. Everyone around him held their breath in anticipation. Then, in a show of incredible strength, he began to lift the massive object before their astonished eyes. Gasps of disbelief rippled through the crowd.


    "This is impossible! How can Old Zhou possess such strength?" whispered some in hushed tones.


    Only a man of extraordinary might could achieve such a feat. The atmosphere fell silent as the crew struggled toprehend how Old Zhou had managed to lift such an immense piece of metal with apparent ease.


    The "Blue Whale" and its crew had stumbled upon a remarkable enigma, and as the story of this astonishing feat spread among the seafaringmunity, adventurers from all corners of the world set their sights on the depths of these clear seas, eager to unlock the secrets thaty hidden beneath.

 Chapter 375 Damn! 1000 Tons ?

    ?


    Amidst the bewildered crew members of the "Blue Whale," a sense of disbelief hung like an unresolved enigma. All eyes were fixed on Comrade Zhou, who stood before them; his seemingly ordinary demeanour now transformed into something extraordinary. It was as though he had undergone a sudden metamorphosis, akin to the legendary character Popeye gaining supernatural strength after devouring spinach.


    For a moment, the deck fell into a stunned silence. Then, like a dam bursting open, a torrent of apuse and jubnt shouts erupted, transforming the once calm atmosphere into an electric buzz of excitement.


    With a flourish, Old Zhou gently set down the massive grey-ck metal he had effortlessly lifted. His voice boomed across the deck,manding attention, "Myrades of Zhonghua Tobo, let it be known that debts must be honoured!"


    True to their word, those who had ced bets with Old Zhou retrieved Zhonghua cigarettes, and no one fulfilled their obligations. As a reward, Old Zhou received a generous handful of Zhonghua packs, his face radiant with joy.


    "Old Zhou, where on earth did you find such astounding strength? This metal appears to weigh at least two or three hundred catties," marvelled one of his colleagues.


    "Indeed, I reckon it''s around three hundred catties," Old Zhou replied with a yful smile.


    "You''ve outdone yourself, Old Zhou! You''ve opened our eyes," praised another crew member.


    Seeing the admiration in the eyes of his peers, Old Zhou''sughter resonated heartily across the deck. He spoke once more, raising his voice for all to hear, "To be honest, this metal isn''t as heavy as it seems. If you don''t believe me, give it a try, and you''ll know."


    Inspired by his challenge, a curious colleague rolled up his sleeves and strode forward to attempt to move the mysterious metal. However, the moment he applied force, he almost stumbled from the unexpected lightness of the object.


    "By heavens, it''s true! It feels no more than eighty or ny catties at most," the astonished colleague eximed.


    Word of the astonishing discovery spread like wildfire, and soon, one by one, the crew members tried their hand at lifting the metal. The deck transformed into a vibrant spectacle, alive withughter and chatter.


    "It''s unbelievable! What kind of metal is this? It''s as light as a stone of the same size."


    "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine such a metal existed."


    "It''s a revtion! There''s nothing like it in the world."


    As everyone continued their salvage efforts, a sense of aplishment and newfound knowledge filled the air. Ren Ziquan, the operation''s leader, looked upon his team with pride, their dedication evident in their actions. He gestured satisfactorily and addressed them loudly, "Well done, everyone! Let''s keep working together and salvage all the remaining metal from the seabed."


    Undeterred, the team immediately resumed their tasks, diligently retrieving the grey-ck metal piece by piece. The colossal transport ship, the crane aboard the "Blue Whale," efficiently hoisted the salvaged metal onto the vessel''s deck.


    After a day of relentless work, they gathered 60,000 to 70,000 tons of metal. The vast quantity almost filled the "Blue Whale''s" warehouse, leaving it brimming with these mysterious metallic pieces.


    The head of the salvage team approached Ren Ziquan and reported enthusiastically, "Comrade Captain, all the metals from the seabed have been sessfully salvaged. Please give further instructions."


    Checking the time, Ren Ziquan noted that the entire salvage operation had taken just over a day. It was afternoon, with the sun beginning to set, leaving them with three to four hours of daylight left.


    Nodding in approval, he instructed, "Let''s set sail. It''s time to head back."


    The mission had been executed wlessly, leaving no trace of the metal on the seabed untouched. Both ships set off to return home, one leading the way¡ªthe "Blue Whale," and the other following closely behind¡ªthe massive bulk carrier carrying at least 50,000 to 60,000 tons of the enigmatic grey-ck metal.


    Not far away, a being named Bawang remained submerged in the water, observing the entire scene through a third-party vision. Liu Yong, who controlled Bawang, could not help but feel relieved as he witnessed the sessful salvage of all the metal.


    Seeing the freighter''s warehouse almost overflowing with metallic cargo, Liu Yong''s heart swelled joyfully. In a week or so, the first batch of metal would reach Huahai City.


    "Overlord, we can return now," Liu Yong conveyed to Bawang.


    However, Bawang, disying exceptional diligence, questioned, "Master, there''s still a substantial amount of metal next to the spaceship wreckage. Should I continue transporting them and store them somewhere else?"


    Liu Yong pondered momentarily and responded, "You may continue with the work, but ensure not to return the metal you''ve already moved to its original position. Instead, ce it at least ten, twenty, or thirty nautical miles away."


    This particr sea area was rtively shallow, covering a radius of tens of nautical miles with a depth of only a few tens of meters. A distant, uninhabited ind could be spotted on the horizon.


    Obeying Liu Yong''s instructions, Bawang diligently transported the metal to the designated location. After a while, the "Blue Whale" arrived again to carry out the salvage process.


    Meanwhile, Bawang swam back to the wreckage of the spaceship. Arriving at therge damaged hole, it discovered that only about half of the debris had been cleared despite moving around 50,000 to 60,000 tons of metal. There was still an extensive amount of metal fragments left.


    Surprised by the magnitude of the remaining salvage, Liu Yong remarked, "Overlord, I never expected there would be so much metal left."


    Bawang responded, "I''ve only removed less than a third of it so far. There are at least hundreds of thousands of tons of metal fragments still here."


    The prospect of thousands of tons of valuable metal left to be collected left Liu Yong ted. Each ton could fetch over 2 million yuan, and these resources would greatly benefit the country''s military and national defence efforts. The more they salvaged, the better.


    Liu Yong decided that Bawang should continue to work, focusing on moving metal fragments below 1,000 tons, leaving the more significant pieces forter. Without any furthermands, Bawang promptly resumed itsbour.


    Using its massive front paws, Bawang expertly carried the rtively smaller metal fragments weighing tens or hundreds of tons in its mouth. One trip alone could amount to transporting hundreds of tons of metal.


    Amidst thebour, Liu Yong couldn''t help but express his concern, "Overlord, don''t you need to take a break?"


    "Master, I''m tired at all, I''ll carry it two or three times, and then rest."


    Wireless and robust, it seemed as though weariness was a foreign concept to this extraordinary being¡ªa trait that undoubtedly stemmed from its mighty physique.


    Once, it embarked on an arduous task, transporting hundreds of tons of mysterious grey-ck metal to a shallow sea location approximately ten nautical miles away from its previous destination. This time, the sea''s depth was even shallower, with clear waters revealing a stunning sight beneath¡ªa t expanse adorned with white, velvety sand devoid of seaweed.


    The grey-ck metals'' monumental weight was meticulously ced in this serene spot. Then, without pause, the indomitable Bawang returned to the wreckage of a spaceship, taking up the burden of transporting each metal piece with unmatched determination.


    Throughout itsborious days, Bawang would take short breaks when exhaustion tugged at its immense form. And in moments of hunger, it would seize the opportunity to prey upon the colossal giant octopuses that dwelled in the deep.


    A profound transformation unfolded as the sun set and rose over several days. Bawang''s weight steadily climbed, reaching an astonishing 1,000 tons. True to expectations, it ceased growing further, maintaining this incredible mass for two or three days.


    Liu Yong, the witness to this awe-inspiring journey, diligently observed Bawang''s progress by consulting the pet panel daily. There, he saw the momentous achievement¡ªBawang''s weight had attained the remarkable milestone of 1,000 tons. Strangely, though, the data on the pet panel seemed to stagnate after this aplishment, not showing any significant changes.


    Even more curious was that Bawang disyed no intention of sumbing to a prolonged slumber, as one might anticipate after such a tremendous feat. Instead, it carried on with its usual routine¡ªrelentlessly ferrying the grey-ck metal and engaging in fierce battles with giant octopuses daily. However, one noticeable difference was its ravenous appetite, which intensified, leading Bawang to consume more food than ever.

 Chapter 376 Employee Mot!!

    ?


    Liu Yong stood on the shore, his eyes fixed on Bawang, the magnificent Mutant Snapping Turtle, as he observed its relentless efforts through a unique third-party perspective. The sight was both awe-inspiring and concerning.


    "It works fine," Liu Yong muttered, reassured by the ongoing progress. Bawang, with indomitable determination, exerted its colossal strength, maneuvering a massive grey-ck metal fragment weighing at least 700 to 800 tons towards the shallows of the sea. The sheer force and determination disyed by the Overlord left Liu Yong pondering its true potential.


    Yet, a hint of worry crept into Liu Yong''s mind. He wondered if the Overlord had reached its maximum capacity, capped at a weight of 1,000 tons. Could it be that Bawang''s growth had reached its limit, leaving it unable to ascend to even greater heights?


    "This is not eptable!" Liu Yong thought resolutely, his hopes soaring for the seemingly invincible creature. He yearned for the Overlord to surpass its current boundaries, to burgeon into a leviathan of thousands, if not tens of thousands of tons. Such a colossus would be an unparalleled dominator, reigning supreme over the ocean. Not even the most formidable warships or aircraft carriers could hold a candle to its power, let alone other oceanic beings.


    An image of the Overlord at tens of thousands of tons, a true behemoth of the seas, tantalized Liu Yong''s imagination. The mere thought of it brought him immense delight. "With such size and might, the Overlord could crush anyone who dares challenge its rule. How truly enjoyable that would be," Liu Yong mused.


    Looking at Bawang from a third-party perspective, Liu Yong''s focus shifted to the pet panel. The data disyed there outlined the astonishing attributes of the Mutant Snapping Turtle:


    Name: Mutant Snapping Turtle


    Power: 6W


    Physique: 6W


    Agility: 6W


    Weight: 1000T


    Swimming speed: 350 knots


    Skills: Turtle Breath (Level 3), Tortoise Shell Art (Level 3), Super Vision (Level 2),


    Super Sense (Level 2), Sprint (Level 1)


    As he studied the numbers, Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel that the Overlord had reached a significant impasse. Its attributes had all peaked at an astounding 6W, yet there had been no sign of any further growth for several days.


    "God bless, the Overlord must break through this bottleneck," Liu Yong whispered fervently, his heart filled with determination and hope.


    In the vast expanse of the North Pacific Ocean, amidst the tranquil blue waters, the enigmatic Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter stood like a fortress of industry. Within its smelting workshop, the formidable figure of Xin Feiwen, apanied by a group of skilled technicians and seasoned managers, strode purposefully through the bustling work site. Adorned in hard hats and sturdy work clothes, they embodied a collective determination to achieve greatness.


    In a tale of corporate transformation, Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter has undergone significant changes since its acquisition by the esteemed Global Shipping Group. Amidst this transition, Xin Feiwen emerged as the resolute factory director, steering the ship of progress with unwavering leadership.


    The heart of the smelting workshop pulsed with life as the special smelting furnace roared with fiery intensity. Within its belly, dozens of tons of grey-ck metal underwent a dramatic transformation, melting into a molten cascade that gracefully flowed from the furnace''s mouth into waitingdles. There, the liquid metal underwent a metamorphosis, shaping into pristine steel ingots, symbolizing the birth of newfound strength and unity.


    In the bustling port city of Huahai, the towering "Blue Whale" docked majestically, apanied by the bulk carrier "Shiwang," an immense vessel with a colossal discement exceeding 100,000 tons. Proudly bringing back a treasure trove of 50,000 to 60,000 tons of ck and grey metal, the ships heralded a prosperous future for the smelter.


    With great precision, the grey-ck metals were unloaded and meticulously transported to the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter. They were destined to undergo a remarkable metamorphosis, transitioning from raw fragments into refined steel ingots, sheets, and bars, each destined to y a vital role in shaping the world.


    Meanwhile, a titan of the deep, known only as the Overlord,pleted a monumental mission in the depths of the North Pacific Ocean. Carrying a vast spear, the Overlordbed the ocean floor, retrieving nearly all the transportable metal fragments scattered across the underwater realm. Only the colossal remnants, weighing several thousand tons each, remained untouched.


    The Overlord''s triumphant feat allowed him to rx, indulging in a well-deserved respite. As he ventured into the depths of a grand trench, he unwittingly found himself entangled in a thrilling encounter with a massive, thousand-ton giant octopus. A battle of wills ensued, and the Overlord''s prowess eventually triumphed as he overcame the behemoth, dragging it back to his temporary underwater cave.


    With the giant octopus at the cave entrance, the Overlord retreated into the shadows to partake in a sumptuous feast. His monstrous appetite knew no bounds as he devoured the octopus with voracious delight, consuming half of the thousand-ton creature in one magnificent feast.


    As astonishing as it may seem, this titanic being had devoured five to six hundred tons of food in one sitting. Indeed, it was a testament to the insatiable hunger of the Overlord, whose appetite seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.


    Now sated and content, the Overlord decided to rest in the cozy confines of his cave. No longer burdened by the role of a porter, hey down to slumber, his immense frame radiating an awe-inspiring power.


    In the following days, a delightful routine unfolded for the Overlord. Each day was marked by its relentless pursuit of giant octopuses, honing its hunting skills with precision and grace. After a sessful hunt, the majestic creature would indulge in moments of repose, basking in the calming rhythm of the ocean waves. Yet, even amidst these tranquil interludes, the Overlord remained vignt, always watchful for any signs of danger that might encroach upon its territory.


    The Overlord couldn''t help but marvel at how contented it felt, despite its voracious appetite as the days stretched on. Surprisingly, its weight maintained a steady equilibrium at an impressive 1,000 tons, showing no signs of fluctuation. This newfound equilibrium puzzled the Overlord, but it epted it as a gift from the vast ocean that cradled its existence.


    Meanwhile, onnd, a different tale was unfolding. Liu Yong, an influential figure, had embarked on a personal visit to the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter. The imposing factory stood before him, and with him, his trusty bodyguard, Xiao Zhao, upied the co-pilot seat, chauffeured by the capable Chen Hu. The purpose of Liu Yong''s visit was to inspect the results of the grey-ck metal''s processing.


    As the car pulled up to the factory gate, Xin Feiwen, a dedicated employee, was already there, eager to greet the distinguished guests. Apanied by several senior managers, he exuded a respectful air and weed Liu Yong with deference. "Hi, boss, wee to guide the work," he beamed.


    With a warm smile, Liu Yong exchanged handshakes with everyone, including Xin Feiwen, before gesturing for them to lead the way. "Let''s proceed inside," he said,manding authority.


    Xin Feiwen acted as the gracious guide, ushering Liu Yong through the factory premises while providing an insightful overview of current affairs. Evidently, the acquisition of this factory had not disrupted its operations; on the contrary, the workforce appeared more energized and productive.


    This revitalized atmosphere was partly due to Liu Yong''s generous gestures. Upon acquiring the factory, he had thoughtfully rewarded each employee with a well-deserved bonus and promised a significant 20% increase in their sries. Thispassionate approach engendered loyalty and dedication among the workers.


    Their first stop was the raw material yard, a vast expanse of cement floor spanning over 1,000 square meters, now filled with grey-ck metal. The scale was staggering, totalling an impressive 50,000 to 60,000 tons.


    Proudly, Xin Feiwen reported, "Our primary focus at the moment is to process these metals into standard steel ingots, as well as various sheets and bars through smelting."


    With a discerning eye, Liu Yong surveyed the surroundings, acknowledging the significance of this metal umtion. He offered a word of caution, "Ensure tight security to prevent any theft."


    Reassuringly, Xin Feiwen replied, "Boss, you can trust us on that matter. We have taken extensive measures, installing multiple cameras and doubling the number of security guards."


    Satisfied with the preparations, Liu Yong continued his tour, inspecting the finished product warehouse where processed steel ingots, sheets, and bars were neatly arranged. The sight filled him with a sense of aplishment, knowing that his investments had borne fruit.


    Meanwhile, the Overlord revelled in a triumphant feast in the boundless expanse of the North Pacific Ocean. Its mighty jaws devoured over half a thousand-ton giant octopus, savouring every morsel. However, an unusual sense of drowsiness enveloped the sea behemoth this time.


    A deep instinct, often inherent in animals, stirred within the Overlord. It realized that a significant change was on the horizon¡ªone that might lead to its evolution, surpassing the 1,000-ton threshold it had long held. Resolute not to overlook this crucial juncture, the Overlord swam with determination, covering hundreds of sea miles in one relentless swim until it reached a secluded, uninhabited deserted ind.


    In the heart of the North Pacific Ocean, this ind spanned several square kilometres and was densely cloaked in a prehistoric jungle. Towering trees, reaching tens of meters in height, loomed majestically. Their trunks were so thick that several people would need to join hands to epass them fully.


    An abundance of wildlife and exceptionally diverse bird species inhabited this untouched sanctuary. Upon the Overlord''s arrival, a cacophony of fluttering wings filled the air as flocks of birds took to the skies in startled unison.


    With the innate wisdom of its kind, the Overlord ventured into the heart of the dense jungle, seeking a serene spot to rest. It discovered a t clearing, settledfortably, and surrendered to a profound slumber.

 Chapter 377 Metallic Monarch!

    ?


    Liu Yong had been distanced from the world of Overlord for a couple of days, finding himself immersed in a state of idle contemtion. After his return from the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter, he luxuriated in his capacious office. Leaning backfortably in his chair, he reached for the telephone and issued a directive for the resumption of the "Blue Whale''s" maritime activities.


    Days had psed since the triumphant return of the "Blue Whale," affording the crew ample time to rejuvenate. Their sails would once again unfurl to embark on the mission of recovering the remaining cache of somber, gray-ck metal from the depths below.


    Beneath the shallow expanse of the sea bedy a treasure trove¡ª110,000 to 120,000 tons of the elusive gray-ck metal. This bounty far exceeded their previous haul, nearly double the quantity. Overlord, with its imposing strength, had managed to retrieve every fragment of metal within reach.


    Following a series of instructions conveyed through the phone, the "Blue Whale" was primed to depart anew, nked by two colossal bulk carriers, the "Shiwang" and the "Shitong." Each vessel promised a return of 50,000 to 60,000 yuan per ton of metal, a lucrative venture unencumbered by logistical concerns.


    Once the orchestrations for this maritime operation were concluded, Liu Yong indulged in the creation of a fresh cup of coffee. Seated in hismanding chair, he sipped thoughtfully, his mind awash with contemtion.


    Yet, amid his musings, he couldn''t help butment the stasis afflicting Bawang¡ªthe Overlord. For over a fortnight, its progress had been stymied, arrested at the weight of 1,000 tons. He pondered whether this impasse might somehow be surpassed.


    Summoning the pet interface, Liu Yong scrutinized the data presented. To his chagrin, the attributes of the Overlord remained resolutely unchanging: strength, agility, and physique, each steadfastly set at 60,000, bereft of any elevation. Even its mass¡ªunchangeably 1,000 tons¡ªdefied augmentation.


    Yet, abruptly, a thrill coursed through Liu Yong''s being.


    Astonishment rippled through him as he observed the newfound status entry on the pet panel: "sleeping."


    Eyes widened with realization, for there was but one exnation for this addition. The Overlord was primed for another breakthrough¡ªa profound slumber heralding advancement. This, Liu Yong knew from experience, signified that the Overlord was poised to transcend its current limits, much like when it breached the 100-ton barrier, sumbing to an extensive, days-long sleep.


    Might this herald the arrival of yet another milestone for the Overlord?


    Impelled by eagerness, Liu Yong engaged a third-party viewing tform. And there, amidst the verdant embrace of an uninhabited isle''s jungle,y the Overlord, enwrapped in a profound torpor.


    Stillness hung about it.


    Surveying its repose, Liu Yong was ovee by an unbidden thought¡ªone that evoked a desire for a simr, restful reprieve.


    The Overlord was unequivocally ensconced in a deep sleep.


    Two days psed. Then three.


    In these days, a daily ritual manifested: Liu Yong''s unwavering attention to the status of Bawang. However, the Overlord remained entrenched in immobility, leaving Liu Yong to wonder when this slumber would relinquish its hold. Patience became his sole recourse.


    Five days psed¡ªan eternity in wait.


    Atst, a stirring.


    Bawang roused, limbs stretching luxuriously. A serpentine neck unfurled, its massive head shaking free of slumber''s grasp. With a resounding whip, its colossal tail cleaved the air, encased in the gleam of metallic scales. As its tail swayed, stout trees sumbed, crashing to earth in its wake.


    The spectacle roused a multitude of birds to flight.


    Yet Bawang himself remained unperturbed, regarding the tumult with nonchnce. Eagerly, it extracted itself from the verdant enve, plunging into the embrace of the sea.


    The waters weed its entry, bestowingfort anew.


    With limbs outstretched, it swam with crity¡ªits jubtion palpable.


    A ravenous hunger gnawed within, an appetite insatiable. A single gulp, it seemed, could engulf an entire octopus¡ªa feast fit for royalty. And so, it set course for a deep trench, hundreds of miles hence, its intent to seize and devour an immense octopus in a single, ravenous repast.


    Amidst its watery traverse, Bawangmunicated its resurgence to Liu Yong.


    "Master, I am awake, my hunger is insatiable."


    The voice resonated within Liu Yong''s mind, a chorus of tion engulfing him. Bawang was awake¡ªa revtion of unparalleled delight.


    For days uncounted, Liu Yong had yearned for this very moment¡ªBawang''s reawakening.


    Five days transpired.


    Now, finally, it had awakened.


    "Overlord, marvelous! Your reawakening is a triumph!" Liu Yong eximed with genuine jubtion.


    "Master, I sense a breakthrough. The sensation is extraordinary," Bawang replied, an air of certainty in its voice.


    A breakthrough, undoubtedly!


    Liu Yong hastened to the pet panel, eager to validate Bawang''s im.


    Name: Mutant Snapping Turtle Power: 60101 Physique: 60032 Agility: 60011 Weight: 1000 tons Speed: 352 knots Skills: Tortoise Shell (Level 4), Turtle Breath (Level 4), Super Vision (Level 3), Super Perception (Level 3), Sprint (Level 2)


    The evidence was incontrovertible¡ªit was a true breakthrough!


    Though no new skills adorned the list, every existing skill had ascended a rung. And the triad of attributes¡ªstrength, physique, and agility¡ªhad each surmounted the 60,000 point barrier.


    A triumph of monumental proportions!


    With the 1,000-ton threshold shattered, Bawang''s ascension knew no bounds. Its potential for growth seemed limitless¡ªa herald of greater strength and the unfathomable deeps it could now traverse.


    Arousing a fresh surge of joy, Liu Yong made a discovery¡ªsmall, yet far-reaching. Upon the pet panel, a world map had materialized, denoting two distinct points of light: Liu Yong and Bawang, each pinpointed with precision to theirtitude and longitude.


    A revtion of wondrous magnitude.


    Yet another revtion followed¡ªthe elucidation of "Attribution." Through attribution, a bond of loyalty formed between the bestowed and its benefactor. Those bearing 100 points and above remained unwaveringly loyal. A safeguard against treachery.


    A revtion of profound import!


    Liu Yong''s mind raced, contemting the implications. The opportunity to assemble a loyal retinue, each formidable and steadfast, beckoned. The loyalty of Wolf Warriors, their unwavering allegiance¡ªcould it be attributed to this hidden attribute?


    An assurance beyond measure!


    With this rity, Liu Yongprehended the dedication of Chen Hu, Zhou Zhenggang, and He Qiang, the indomitable loyalty of Wolf Warriors. The assimtion of attributes kindled a fidelity unbreakable.


    A sce unrivaled.


    In Liu Yong''s mind, the realization dawned that most Wolf Warriors possessed 100 attributes, a select few endowed with 200. Their might paralleled that of Little Superman.


    The prospect of augmenting this power beckoned. A gift of 300 points for every ordinary team member, 500 points for the leader¡ªpower augmented by loyalty unassable.


    Iparably loyal!


    Never a whiff of betrayal!


    Was this atent gift of attributes?


    A gift of extraordinary magnitude!


    Staring at the pet panel, Liu Yong chuckled¡ªa solitary moment of exultation. Bawang''s breakthrough, it seemed, had ushered in a cascade of marvels.


    In the realm of Country M, the ck Iron Company held sway¡ªa purveyor of extraordinary metallic materials. A link to military enterprises, its products graced cutting-edge weaponry: fifth-generation fighters, engines, battleships, aircraft carriers, submarines, tanks¡ªall infused with thepany''s metallic prowess.


    Its connection with the military ran deep.


    Even officialdom''s embrace was evident.


    Within an opulent conference chamber, thepany''s president, Sherman, presided over a critical meeting. Senior executives converged, united in purpose, the gravity of the discussion evident.


    Projected onto arge screen, the Global Shipping Group''s information unfolded¡ªan borate tableau in English,bining text and imagery to detail the unfolding saga.

 Chapter 378 Beyond The Blue-Print!

    ?


    The meeting room was steeped in an air of profound silence, a hushed tension that seemed almost palpable. Throughout the chamber, nearly everyone in attendance seemed ensnared by rapt attention. However, amongst the assemge, a handful were privy to the truth that today''s meeting held far more weight than its outwardly innocuous facade suggested.


    At the vanguard of the discussion was the introduction of the Global Shipping Group, though this was but the preamble to more momentous revtions. Concealed beneath the surfacey an array of matters of utmost importance, yet not all the high-ranking executives were made cognizant of these impending intricacies; only a select few were entrusted with this confidential knowledge.


    Amidst the pretense of earnestly absorbing the discourse about Global Shipping Group''s operations, there were individuals who were, in fact, grappling with their own confusion. For instance, there were those who dealt in specialized metal materials, wondering what relevance a shipping conglomerate held in their domain.


    Following the introduction, a high-ranking executive could no longer contain his bewilderment and questioned, "Mr. President, forgive my uncertainty, but what significance does the presentation about Global Shipping Group hold for us?"


    "Indeed, what could possibly be the rationale behind this?" Another executive chimed in, his tone incredulous. The notion seemed unfathomable ¨C a shippingpany intertwining with their interests at the ck Iron Company appeared incongruent at best.


    Perplexity gripped the minds of numerous high-level officials, their collective gaze settling upon Sherman, beseeching him for elucidation. With measured gravitas, Sherman began to unravel the truth, like a master storyteller building suspense.


    "Gentlemen anddies," Sherman''s voice carried a weight of anticipation, "You might be unaware that this ostensibly shipping-oriented enterprise harbors an impressive secret ¨C they possess an extraordinary metalposite. The Yan Kingdom''s military has already made substantial procurements of this very material."


    A ripple of incredulousness surged through the room, punctuated by the odd exmation of "what!" and phrases like "an exceptional metal?" Within the annals of ck Iron Company''s repertoire, their specializationy in the realm of specialized metal materials, an array epassing diverse alloy steels and cutting-edge high-temperaturepositions. That a seemingly unrted shipping consortium boasted ess to such remarkable metal was nothing short of astonishing.


    Sherman''s preparedness was palpable, as he orchestrated a prompt segue into a live demonstration. With a flourish, hismand beckoned forth a subordinate whomenced a sinct exposition of this newfound supetive metal, its attributesid bare on amanding disy.


    All eyes were fixated on the imposing screen, the erstwhile hush bing almost suffocating in its intensity, punctuated only by the rare sound of indrawn breaths. Then, the profound silence surrendered to an orchestra of exhtions, as amazement and disbelief tangoed across the canvas of expressions.


    Voices erupted in a chorus of incredulity:


    "By the heavens, this can''t be real!"


    "The existence of such a metal is nigh imusible!"


    "Am I hallucinating? Is this some surreal dream?"


    Emotions and exmations traversed a kaleidoscope of reactions, as the initial tumult of disbelief gave way to a rising tide of earnest awe. It was as if the entire room was caught in the throes of a seismic revtion, a tableau depicting the collision of the prosaic and the miraculous.


    Gradually, the din moderated, reced by an undercurrent of envy and yearning, tinging the ambiance with an undercurrent of covetousness. A senior executive''s deration encapsted this collective sentiment, "A shipping consortium wielding such a peerless metal is beyond inconceivable. This treasure ought to rightfully belong to our domain."


    Determined murmurs filled the air, apanied by fervent propositions:


    "We must secure this metal, at any cost."


    "Mr. President, we must take any measures necessary for this metal."


    Sherman surveyed thendscape of emotions and yearnings, his own longing echoing within him. For, ever since his introduction to the existence of this otherworldly metal, dreams of its incorporation into the ck Iron Company''s arsenal had be recurrentpanions.


    Prompted by Sherman''s invitation, a high-level executive proffered a strategic solution: "Mr. President, I advocate initiating dialogue with the Global Shipping Group. We should ascertain the viability of procuring the smelting technology for this extraordinary metal."


    Yet, dissension soon arose. A dissenting voice opined, "The feasibility of such an arrangement is dubious; they''re unlikely to relinquish their technology."


    And so, the discourse oscited between feasibility and aspiration:


    "What alternative pathsy before us?"


    "Perhaps we could secure a quantity of this metal for research purposes, channeling our efforts toward reverse-engineering its fabrication."


    Debates, discussions, and ideas mingled within the chamber, as time flowed like a river. Eventually, a course of action took form ¨C a dual strategy, entailing procurement of the metal alongside ndestine investigations into its origins within the Global Shipping Group.


    Meanwhile, upon the vast expanse of the North Pacific Ocean, the "Blue Whale" and itspanions reached a shallow sea after a week-long sojourn. Here, a trove of grey-ck metaly hidden beneath the sea''s surface, a secret known only to those initiated, like Ren Ziquan.


    Ren''s experience lent the salvage operation remarkable ease, resulting in the retrieval of over a dozen tons of this enigmatic metal within a span of days. Laden with their newfound treasure, the vesselsmenced their journey back to Huahai City.


    As the "Blue Whale" sailed the waves, a trio of foreign visitors descended upon the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting nt. Their leader, Zavier, a middle-aged foreign dignitary, headed the ck Iron Company. The unexpected arrival spoke volumes about their intent, a tacit acknowledgement that a formal invitation would only be met with refusal.


    Barring their entry, the factory''s security personnel were momentarily nonplussed by this unexpected visitation. Yet, the weight of their identitiespelled swiftmunication with the appropriate channels. Subsequently, the foreign delegates found themselves within the confines of a reception room, where they engaged in conversations with Xin Feiwen, the intermediary.


    It was soon revealed that Zavier''s purpose pertained to the enigmatic super metal. The foreignpany wished to purchase a portion of it and negotiate technology transfer ¨C a proposition rendered moot by Liu Yong''s directive. After internal deliberations and consultations with Liu Yong, Xin Feiwen conveyed the stance: the metal could be procured at a steep price of $20 million per ton, yet technology transfer remained an imusible demand.


    Liu Yong''s strategic decisions stemmed from his exclusive deal to provide the military with the initial 50,000 tons of the super metal, apanied by the privilege of limited exports. The product''s provenance from alien technology eliminated the fear of leaks, while Liu Yong''s judicious reputation as a custodian of this novel resource affirmed his discretion.


    As Xin Feiwen absorbed Liu Yong''s directive, admiration bloomed for his audacity and sagacity. To unhesitatingly price the metal at $20 million was audacious, a testament to Liu Yong''s grasp of the metal''s unique value.

 Chapter 379 The Innovation Price!

    ?


    Xin Feiwen, a man known for his unyielding principles and resolute character, entered the conference room with a demeanor that exuded both confidence and authority. His presence immediately drew the attention of those gathered, including Zavier and hispanions, who eagerly anticipated the unfolding discourse. "Ladies and gentlemen," Xin Feiwen began, his voice carrying a steady cadence that resonated throughout the room, "I assure you that the acquisition of our remarkable super metal poses no challenges."


    The room was charged with a palpable sense of astonishment.


    "What you''re saying is that we actually have the opportunity to procure this extraordinary metal material?" Zavier''s voice was tinged with a mix of enthusiasm and incredulity, his eyes fixed intently on Xin Feiwen.


    "Indeed," Xin Feiwen affirmed with a nod, his gaze unwavering. "And as for the cost, it has been set at a reasonable price of 20 million US dors per ton."


    A wave of tion swept through Zavier and his fellow attendees, their reactions unified in an enthusiastic chorus: "This is fantastic news! However, could you please borate on the specifics of the pricing for a ton of your super metal?"


    In response, Xin Feiwen extended two fingers, an air of unwavering confidence emanating from his posture. "Allow me to elucidate. The price point stands at 20 million US dors per ton, a valuation that is both justifiable and reflective of the exceptional nature of the metal."


    Zavier''s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly as he absorbed this revtion.


    "By the heavens, this certainly seems like a substantial sum," he thought to himself.


    Even the renowned ck Iron Company had been hesitant to offer their finest metal materials at such an exalted rate. Yet, here stood Xin Feiwen, establishing a remarkable benchmark of 20 million US dors per ton.


    A subtle smile graced Xin Feiwen''s lips, a silent assertion that spoke volumes. Their prospective clients were not just anyone; they were the military itself.


    Amidst this conversation, the topic transitioned to other matters, with Zavier proposing a tour of the factory premises.


    After a brief pause, Xin Feiwen conceded, though he imposed a condition: "While I wee your exploration of the factory area, I must request that you refrain from entering the production workshops or taking any photographs."


    Zavier agreed, and thus, guided by Xin Feiwen, the two groups left the reception area, embarking on a journey to acquaint themselves with the intricacies of the factory grounds.


    In the course of this guided tour, their footsteps led them to the raw material yard¡ªan expansive expanse adorned with heaps of gray-ck metal. These were remnants, various in size, borne from the wreckage of a spaceship''s catastrophic descent.


    Zavier halted his advance, his gaze transfixed by the mounds of metallic fragments before him.


    An epiphany washed over him¡ªan understanding of the origin of Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting nt''s super metals. These fragments, borne of destruction, were transformed through intricate processes into their current form.


    In an instant, he felt as if he had stumbled upon an undiscovered treasure trove, a revtion that sent jubnt ripples through his heart, tempered by a conscious effort to contain his excitement.


    Guided by Xin Feiwen, their journey continued, yet the seed of their newfound revtion germinated within Zavier''s mind, urging him to share this remarkable insight with Sherman at the earliest opportunity.


    As they concluded their factory tour, an undeniable urgency coursed through them, prompting their swift departure to the airport and their eagerness to return to country M.


    ...


    High above the North Pacific Ocean, the passage of several days witnessed a remarkable metamorphosis in Bawang''s stature¡ªan increase of nearly ten tons. Its daily growth now exceeded three to four tons, marking a significant eleration from its prior progress.


    Giant octopuses remained the cornerstone of its diet, thriving within the vast underwater trench that stretched across thousands of kilometers in length and spanned more than ten kilometers in width.


    Beyond its staple sustenance of giant octopuses, Bawang embarked on daring dives to depths of tens or even hundreds of meters beneath the ocean''s surface. There, it hunted a diverse array of marine life, including sizable sharks.


    On this particr day, Bawang achieved a remarkable feat by capturing several great white sharks, basking in the sun''s embrace before resuming its aquatic pursuits near the remnants of the spaceship¡ªwhere its tireless excavation efforts persisted.


    For hours on end, Bawang''s colossal ws meticulously removedyers of soil shrouding the spaceship''s head, unveiling the ss of its cockpit. This obscured perspective could potentially be illuminated by an external light source, revealing the interior''s secrets.


    The more worn and battered region near the spaceship''s tail also piqued Overlord''s interest, prompting it to resume its soil-shifting endeavors.


    Its massive ws proved to be formidable tools, dislodging significant amounts of soil with each forceful movement. In this regard, Overlord''s excavation prowess outmatched even the most robust industrial excavators¡ªan unparalleled marvel of strength.


    As clumps of earth were disced, gray-ck metallic fragments emerged, a testament to the enormity of the find. This section''s apparent dpidation belied the hidden treasures beneath, evoking a profound sense of awe in Overlord''s heart.


    "Master, observe closely," Liu Yong interjected, connecting with Bawang''s perspective. The visual range of its "third-party vision" had expanded to a radius of 2,000 meters since surpassing the milestone of 1,000 tons.


    With Liu Yong as intermediary, Overlord unearthed an array of metallic fragments beneath the soil''s cloak, fueling an infectious excitement.


    "So many metal pieces!" Liu Yong''s exmation resonated with enthusiasm, underscoring the magnitude of the discovery.


    Indeed, the bounty before them eclipsed the earlier revtion, a multiplication of the metal fragments amassed during previous excavations. This revtion kindled a spark of tion in Liu Yong''s heart, surpassing even his initial expectations.


    "Shall I proceed to retrieve these fragments and transfer them to the adjacent open space?" Liu Yong inquired, cognizant that the "Blue Whale" had yet to return to Huahai City.


    Deliberating on the matter, Liu Yong offered, "We can excavate and transport these fragments to the nearby area for the time being. There''s no urgency to convey them to the shallow sea, which lies over 500 kilometers away."


    Overlord nodded, acknowledging the n. Thus, it set to work, revealing the hidden metallic fragments beneath theyers of soil, which were subsequently transported to the neighboring expanse.


    Meanwhile, Zavier and his entourage returned to country M, wasting no time in heading to ck Iron Company. Their foremost task was to confer with Sherman, sharing the wealth of discoveries made at Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting nt and imparting the details of their illuminating visit....

 Chapter 380 Technological Breakthroughs

    ?


    Zavier burst into the room with an air of exuberance. "President, I''ve returned!" he eximed, his enthusiasm palpable.


    Sherman cast a curious gaze upon him, his interest piqued. "Have you managed to secure the super metal?" he inquired, his toneced with anticipation. "And how much of it did you manage to acquire?"


    Zavier''s response wasden with a sense of reluctance. "The cost of the metal was exorbitant," he confessed. "The supplier demanded a staggering 20 million dors per ton. Regrettably, I wasn''t able to purchase even a kilogram."


    What a turn of events! The news struck like a lightning bolt, leaving the room stunned.


    "Haven''t acquired it at all?" Hillman''s visage contorted, his displeasure evident as he readied himself to reprimand Zavier.


    Anticipating this, Zavier swiftly interjected, seeking to exin his actions. "President, although I wasn''t able to secure the metal itself, I have, however, uncovered the source from which it originates."


    Sherman''s curiosity was instantly rekindled, his unease reced by intrigue. "Tell me more," he urged, a tinge of excitement coloring his voice. "Have you truly managed to uncover the metal''s source?"


    "Absolutely," Zavier affirmed confidently. "I''ve pieced together the puzzle."


    With the enthusiasm of a detective unveiling a breakthrough, he recounted his visit to the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelting nt. "It''s be clear to me that their metal is forged from those very metal fragments we''ve been chasing."


    A spark of realization ignited in Sherman''s eyes. "So, what we need is to determine the origin of those fragments," he mused aloud, his satisfaction at Zavier''s deduction evident.


    Indeed, this revtion struck a chord with Sherman. The key to unravelling the enigma seemed to lie in tracing the origin of those elusive metal fragments.


    His resolve galvanized, and Sherman gestured firmly. "Summon a high-level meeting immediately," he dered, the urgency ringing in his voice. "We must leave no stone unturned in our quest to unearth the provenance of these fragments."


    In no time, the top echelons of the ck Iron Company convened, their minds set on devising a strategy. The consensus was unanimous: every conceivable resource and avenue would be explored to unveil the source of the enigmatic metal fragments.


    ...


    In the bustling harbour city of Huahai, the "Blue Whale" finally docked after a long voyage, nked by two massive bulk carriers.


    These carriers wereden with a treasure trove of grey-ck metal fragments, an astounding 110,000 to 120,000 tons.


    Without dy, the fragments were offloaded, making their way to the Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter.


    Merging seamlessly with the existing fragments, they formed a monumental heap that rose like a colossus within the raw materials yard, a testament to their sheer quantity.


    Round-the-clock operations unfolded within the smelter, where the fragments underwent unrelenting smelting and processing.


    Meanwhile, within the finished product warehouse, gleaming steel ingots, sheets, and bars stood orderly, awaiting their destined purpose.


    Almost daily, military convoys descended upon the premises. Laden with the processed super metals, these motorcades departed for various military-industrial enterprises, where the materials would be channelled into an array of weaponry and equipment.


    Over time, this extraordinary metal became public knowledge within the defence and military sectors.


    Veterans of national defence and military industries revelled in a newfound pride. The advent of this excellent metal marked a milestone, obviating the need for costly imports and ushering in an era of self-sufficiency.


    ...


    A pivotal moment unfolded in the lofty Universal Building as Huang Guang presented a meticulously curated list. Thisption showcased premier talents from the domestic rechargeable battery sector, meticulously scouted through headhunting efforts.


    Liu Yong, seated authoritatively, perused the roster with discerning eyes. Having absorbed its contents, he issued his directives.


    "Alert the headhunting firm to expedite the interview process," hemanded, his wordsced with authority. "And ensure theirpensation reflects their caliber."


    Huang Guang, attentive to every syble, nodded earnestly. "Brother Yong, with apetitive sry package, I believe we can secure at least a third of these experts."


    The prospect of attracting such a significant fraction was indeed promising. It could yield a dozen exceptionally skilled individuals for the Global Research Center''s ranks.


    Liu Yong''s affirmation was resolute. "Our scope shouldn''t be confined to domestic prospects. The internationalndscape harbors untapped potential. Scouring foreign talent is a viable strategy."


    Yet, Huang Guang harboured reservations. "Brother Yong, won''t international hires pose security risks, jeopardizing confidentiality?"


    Liu Yong, unwavering in his conviction, divulged his n. "Rest assured, I''ve devised a strategy to ensure their unwavering loyalty."


    Assured by this revtion, Huang Guang''s apprehension abated. "With your assurance, Brother Yong, I''ll proceed confidently with our international recruitment drive."


    With a knowing smile, Liu Yong extracted a small azure vial from his drawer. "Huang Guang, this is a gic enhancer. It enhances physical attributes safely, making the recipient akin to a mini-superhuman. Would you be interested?"


    Huang Guang''s surprise was palpable. "Such a thing exists?" he marvelled, hastily adding, "Brother Yong, your word is my guarantee. I''ll take one."


    Trusting Liu Yong implicitly, he uncorked the vial under Liu Yong''s watchful gaze, swallowing its contents without hesitation.


    Liu Yong borated on the transformation that awaited. "You''ll soon experience heightened strength, agility, and endurance¡ªan all-epassing enhancement, akin to a fledgling superman."


    A hopeful gleam entered Huang Guang''s eyes. "Really? That''s absolutely exhrating!"


    Their conversation delved deeper into matters of the Universal Scientific Research Center before Huang Guang departed, ted.


    As Huang Guang exited, Liu Yong essed the pet panel, endowing Huang Guang with a hundred attribute points each.


    With many attributes at his disposal, Liu Yong''s gifts brought physical prowess and an unspoken pledge of loyalty. This was the trump card¡ªdetails granted, dedication ensured.


    With over sixty thousand attributes to allocate, the potential for forging an intensely loyal team was immense. And as Liu Yong''s details continued to burgeon, this potential swelled further.


    Hidden within these augmented abilitiesy a crucial attribute¡ªa vow of allegiance to Liu Yong. Such a power could not go untapped.


    And so, Liu Yong''s vision took shape. The upper echelons of the global shippingpany would be imbued with attributes, fostering unwavering allegiance. The pirs of the Universal Scientific Research Center, too, would receive this gift, solidifying their loyalty.


    This rationale underscored Liu Yong''s decision to seek foreign talent. The goal was clear: an unbreakable, devoted team, each member an extension of his purpose.


    ...


    The narrative unfolds, revealing intricate threads that bind diverse characters and motives. Through diligent efforts, secrets unveiled, and alliances solidified, the stage is set for a thrilling saga where


    loyalty is paramount, and the quest for excellence knows no bounds.

 Chapter 381 The Genetic Loyalty Equation

    ?


    In a span of merely two or three days, an astonishing transformation unfolded. Over a dozen individuals willingly embraced the "gic medicine," each attaining an astounding infusion of 100 attribute points.


    Physical prowess surged in a multidimensional surge, equating these beneficiaries to the likes of Superman, individuals who could effortlessly shatter Olympic world records with casual ease.


    Remarkably, these select fewprised primarily the upper echelons and key figures of the corporate hierarchy. Their allegiance to Liu Yong grew steadfast, a loyalty set in stone, never to waver.


    Huang Guang, the harbinger of efficacy, orchestrated the recruitment of eminent scientists and technical virtuosos from the domestic rechargeable battery sector. Their influx added a new dimension to thepany''s burgeoning prowess.


    Liu Yong had conceived an intention to convene a personal encounter with these prodigious recruits, engaging them in conversation while bequeathing each with the transformative "gic drug."


    The recipients of this revolutionary medicine were exclusively thepany''s top-tier executives and mid-level pirs. Notably among them was Hu Shijun, one of Liu Yong''s most trusted confidantes.


    Hu Shijun too underwent the metamorphosis, his strength, agility, and physical endurance escting by an extraordinary 100 points each. Having attained his current stature, Hu Shijun was more devoted than ever to preserving his well-being. His once plump form gradually refined into a more streamlined silhouette.


    Committing himself to a mandatory regimen, he devoutly engaged in an hour of exercise daily. His membership at a prestigious fitness club in the heart of Huahai City underscored his dedication.


    Upon concluding his workday, Hu Shijun arrived at the entrance of this exclusive establishment, stepping out of his Rolls Royce with an air of purpose. This venue was as familiar as his own reflection, and he wasted no time inmencing his workout after changing attire.


    Soon, astonishment knocked at his senses, as he recognized a remarkable augmentation in his strength, transcending all expectations. Not only did his might burgeon, but his overall stamina too witnessed an unprecedented surge. During anaerobic exercises, the typical fatigue setting in after a handful of minutes seemed like a distant memory. He pushed beyond, enduring for ten minutes without a hitch, free from breathlessness or any hastening heartbeat.


    In the midst of his amazement, his mind gravitated to the gic marvel bestowed upon him by Brother Yong. Admiration burgeoned, apanied by an overwhelming tide of gratitude directed at Liu Yong.


    The amplified strength and constitution beckoned the need for more arduous challenges. He promptly elevated the difficulty of his exercises, leaving the personal fitness instructor bewildered, struggling to regainposure.


    Astonishment danced within the instructor''s thoughts. When had Mr. Hu acquired such formidable might? Had he concealed these capabilities all along?


    ...


    Within the premises of the ck Iron Company, Zavier strode into Sherman''s office, a cascade of excitement radiating from him, aprehensive investigation report clutched in his grasp.


    Their paramount pursuit, unfalteringly tracing the origins of the metal fragments within Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter, stood as the cornerstone of thepany''s imminent endeavors.


    Pouring substantial resources and human power, they harnessed diverse channels, even soliciting aid from the military of nation M, ultimately yielding tangible oues.


    Zavier ventured forth, bearing the report and proimed with zeal, "President, we''ve essentially ascertained the roots of those metallic fragments."


    Sherman, buoyed by the news, could scarcely contain his enthusiasm. Seated within hismanding chair, he eagerly perused the document, brimming with anticipation.


    In tandem with Zavier''s narrative, the investigation''s intricacies unfolded. The fragments, it seemed, were retrieved from a maritime expanse.


    "The salvage vessel ''Blue Whale'' conducted two operations in this region. The first retrieved tens of thousands of tons of these fragments, followed by an even more substantial haul during the second excursion..."


    As Zavier ryed these details, Hillman pored over the report, captivated by its contents. Illustrated through images, texts, and satellite imagery, it painted a vivid portrait of the "Blue Whale''s" retrieval endeavors.


    From the satellite images, a candid depiction emerged of the "Blue Whale" alongside a colossal bulk carrier, boasting a staggering tonnage exceeding 100,000 tons.


    A crystalline revtion pierced the fog: the origin of these metallic shardsy within the span of these maritime horizons.


    Sherman''s absorption in the report culminated, Zavier''s voice slicing through the air, "Mr. President, dy is unfeasible. We must act expeditiously."


    "Indeed, urgency is paramount. Our knowledge of the metal fragments'' residual quantities remains nebulous. We must preclude the Global Shipping Group and transport all remnants to our domain."


    Thus, orchestrations unfurled, enlisting an expansive salvage vessel from nation M, coupled with a fleet of substantial transport ships.


    The crusade they embarked upon, an emblem of sheer grandeur, aimed to extract all remaining vestiges from the sea''s grasp. Not an iota was to remain within the Global Shipping Group''s reach.


    Unbeknownst to Liu Yong, the ck Iron Company forged forward, ignorant of the unfolding events. Should they be privy to Bawang''s intercession,ughter would doubtlessly cascade uncontrobly.


    Liu Yong''s mirth would reverberate, echoing his astonishment.


    For Bawang, within the realm of the North Pacific Ocean, life flowed seamlessly. The colossal collection of metallic fragments adjacent to the spaceship wreckage had been methodically assimted, their cement adjourned to an essible terrain nearby.


    Proximity eased the endeavor''s demands, and the routine undertaken posed minimal challenge for the enigmatic Bawang.


    With tasks momentarily relinquished, it roamed the expanse, traversing considerable nautical miles from the spaceship wreckage.


    A venture more abbreviated than a thousand miles but exceeding seven or eight hundred unfolded. Submerged beneath the azure expanse, Bawang basked in the sun''s radiant embrace.


    Sunbeams, piercing through the translucent waters, graced Bawang''s form, endowing a sense of tranquility.


    Then, a palpable shift punctuated Bawang''s tranquility. Movement stirred across the distance, where silence reigned.


    These waters, far removed from internationalnes, seldom weed vessels. Yet, a pulse of disquiet rippled through Bawang,pelling it to rise, peering ahead with heightened interest.


    Albeit remote, its vision remained impable, further augmented by supetive sight.


    The panorama unveiled a floti, the vanguard dominated by a prodigious salvage ship. In its wake trailed colossal transport vessels, their mass surpassing 100,000 tons.


    A cacophony of curiosity reverberated within Bawang, as it shadowed this enigmatic fleet, embarking on an undisclosed voyage.


    Hours psed, rity gradually unfurled. The fleet''s destination appeared to converge with the shallow seabed, housing Bawang''s repository of metal fragments.


    This shallowed realm, devoid ofplexities, harbored a singr mystery¡ªthe intent driving this massive assembly toward such an unassuming locale.

 Chapter 382 The Imitation!

    ?


    Bawang pursued the enigmatic fleet, an unrelenting pursuit that stretched beyond an hour. His persistence only served to deepen his conviction that the caravan was steering its course toward the shallow sea. Yet, the motive behind this maritime convergence remained a riddle, an enigma locked in uncertainty.


    The puzzle waspounded by his inability to deduce their intent. Frustration gnawed at him as he grappled with the enigma. At each impasse, a reflex led Bawang to reach out to his confidant, Liu Yong. This instance was no different.


    "Master, the perplexity deepens. A fleet of vessels is navigating its way to the shallow sea," Bawang''s voice resonated within Liu Yong''s thoughts. Liu Yong activated his third-party vision to heed his subordinate''s ount without dy.


    Through this extraordinary vision, Liu Yong transcended mere observation, and he beheld the Overlord lurking beneath the water''s surface and cast his gaze upon the entire fleet. Aboard them were a mammoth salvage ship of tens of thousands of tons and four substantial transport vessels, each boasting a tonnage surpassing 100,000 tons.


    The question loomed more significant than the waves¡ªwhat drove this armada into these waters? Liu Yong found himself equally mystified, and hisprehension shrouded in ambiguity. However, as he zoomed in on the scene, his focus was drawn to figures adorned in industrial attire on one of the ships. Intuition suggested that these figures were likely affiliates of a specific corporation.


    Intensive scrutiny unveiled the presence of this unique workforce on every vessel, dressed uniformly in corporate attire that bore the distinct insignia. Notably, thergest salvage ship seemed to harbour a preponderance of these personnel, and their clothing even disyed the emblem of a particrpany¡ªHeitie Company.


    An expeditious inte search affirmed Liu Yong''s conjecture; indeed, the logo belonged to Heitie Company. The revtion dawned upon him¡ªHeitie Company was the architect behind this endeavour.


    Suddenly, everything clicked in Liu Yong''s mind. He deduced that Heitie Company had chanced upon intelligence about their metal fragments resting in these shallows. Empowered by this revtion, they had marshalled the fleet to reim their treasure trove of grey-ck metal.


    Understanding washed over him, and a suppressed chuckle nearly escaped Liu Yong''s lips. "Oh, brother, your innocence is truly something to behold," he mused inwardly.


    Liu Yong articted his insight, "They''re agents of the ck Iron Company, scouring the shallow sea for gray-ck metal fragments."


    Even the Overlord, privy to the discourse,prehended the tableau. In its resounding voice, it echoed an emotional urge, "Master, should I teach them a lesson for daring to exploit our metal fragments?"


    The Overlord, as if driven by this notion, elevated its colossal spear, embodying a resolve to pierce through the fleet¡ªa reaction well in line with its disposition.


    Nevertheless, Liu Yong believed restraint was prudent. He deemed intervention unnecessary, allowing the ck Iron Company''s efforts to falter into futility. "Let them be, for now. Allow them to frolic in the shallow sea," he advised, relishing the potential for aedic spectacle.


    Bawang assumed his role as an inconspicuous observer, tailing the fleet for hours until they finally reached their intended sanctuary¡ªthe shallow sea. As predicted, the fleet promptly dispatched divers and unveiled a submarine submersible in their quest for the coveted metal fragments.


    Meanwhile, the Overlord maintained a discreet distance, a silent witness savouring the unfolding drama. Its presence, akin to an unexpected cameo, infused an extrayer of amusement into the spectacle.


    When forceful intervention remained elusive, revelry proved a suitable alternative.


    ...


    The passage of time saw the Global Scientific Research Center flourish, attracting a steady stream of professionals to its ranks. Small groups burgeoned into dozens, then hundreds, signifying an exponential surge in momentum.


    This surge owed much to the Center''s allure¡ªlucrative remuneration and unparalleled perks, including residential provisions. On par with their Global Shipping Group counterparts, Research Center personnel luxuriated in well-appointed dwellings boasting no fewer than two bedrooms and a living area, while elite savants enjoyed expansive quarters.


    Huang Guang, a pivotal figure, strode into Liu Yong''s inner sanctum afresh, delivering an exhaustive assessment of the Research Center''s current status. His purview epassed the entire spectrum, encapsting ongoing construction in Wanghai County¡ªa sprawling edifice spanning 2,000 acres, an investment exceeding 20 billion, with the promise of even loftier returns uponpletion.


    Concluding his report, Huang Guang transitioned to the heart of the matter, "Brother Yong, a few among the recruits stand out¡ªluminaries in the realm of domestic rechargeable batteries, celebrated for their resounding achievements."


    Liu Yong endorsed measured consideration, "Observe for a while, harness these talents judiciously, and don''t hesitate to propose gic enhancement if warranted."


    For Huang Guang, this prospect kindled a glint of anticipation. The multifaceted benefits that followed gic augmentation weren''t lost on him, an insight he harboured as he posed his subsequent inquiry, "Brother Yong, our scientific corps¡ªnumbering more than a hundred¡ªhas coalesced. How shall we proceed with our research?"


    Adopting a carefree demeanour, Liu Yong unveiled his n: "I''ve outlined a roadmap to guide our research endeavors. Tomorrow, convene a select core here, and we shall delve deep into this strategy."


    "Understood," Huang Guang acquiesced.


    With this, the blueprint was set, its efficacy yet to be measured.


    The following day, under Huang Guang''s guidance, the chosen few¡ªseven or eight¡ªgathered within the heart of the Universal Building. Aligned with Liu Yong''s intent, they convened in a modest chamber with palpable anticipation in the air.


    Soon enough, Liu Yong materialized, clutching an unassuming satchel. A reunion of sorts, these professionals had encountered Liu Yong on a solitary previous asion, their initial interaction a candid discourse.


    Following pleasantries and dispelling formality with a wave, Liu Yong embarked on the heart of the matter. He unfurled the Research Center''s aspiration¡ªan audacious undertaking to conceive the paramount battery in the world, an unsurpassed pinnacle in rechargeable technology.


    The ambition resonated, captivating the assembly, immersing them in a vortex of aspirations and apprehensions.


    Undaunted, Liu Yong elucidated, "Don''t bear undue burdens; I provide prototypes. Emtion is the crux."


    The mere presence of prototypes injected renewed vigour; the daunting spectre of an impossible challenge was now a phantom eclipsed.


    Curiosity surged¡ªhow did these prototypes fare on the global stage? Were they indeed an emblem of innovation?


    Bypassing rhetoric, Liu Yong withdrew the prototypes from the suitcase,ying their secrets bare...

 Chapter 383 Widening The Research!

    ?


    A palpable sense of anticipation enveloped the room as if time itself held its breath, all eyes converging on the unassuming battery that Liu Yong held in his hand. In an instant, the focal point of the gathering had shifted, like a celestial alignment drawing the gaze of every attendee to the object that held the promise of something extraordinary.


    This was no mere battery; it was a prism through which a new era might be refracted. One by one, the attendees felt the tendrils of curiosity take hold, a relentless urge to grasp the elusive secrets concealed within this sample battery.


    Liu Yong, ever attuned to the curiosity pulsating in the air, let a knowing smile grace his lips. "Dear friends," he began, his voice a mellifluous blend of excitement and authority, "Indulge your curiosity. Take a moment to acquaint yourselves with this marvel." With his words, the battery embarked on a journey, passed from Liu Yong''s hand to the outstretched palm of a middle-aged gentleman seated beside him.


    And then, the revered name echoed through the room: Hu Nan.


    A titan of the battery industry, his aplishments formed an impressive constetion¡ªan illustrious doctorate, the mantle of chief energy scientist in a new energy vehiclepany, and now, the chief scientist of the renowned Global Research Center. It was Hu Nan who first took hold of the battery, and in that instant, years of expertise converged in his fingertips.


    With the precision of a virtuoso, Hu Nan examined the battery, his gaze a symphony of calction and recognition. The subtle changes in his expression were like the notes of aplex melody¡ªa raised brow here, a barely discernible nod there. It was as though he was deciphering an intricate code written in the battery''s very structure.


    The saying goes, "The bystander watches the spectacle, while the expert watches the process." In this room, Hu Nan stood as the embodiment of expertise, and to his discerning eyes, the battery''s uniqueness was a tapestry unfurled.


    Yet, time flowed on, heedless of the electrifying atmosphere. Expert hands passed the battery, each touch a note in the grand symphony of investigation. Ning Zetao, another luminous figure in the battery realm, received the battery with a mix of reverence and exhration. His eyes, trained to catch subtleties, now alighted on the battery''s form with an artist''s intensity.


    In those moments, the room was a crucible of thought and wonder, a congregation of minds unravelling the enigma within their grasp. The process took time¡ªminutes stretched into what felt like hours, the room resonating with a shared purpose.


    And Liu Yong, the master of ceremonies, observed it all with unwavering patience. As if guided by a cosmic rhythm, the batterypleted its orbit, returning to Liu Yong''s hand. He seized this opportune moment, his voice resonating with purpose. "Behold our catalyst for innovation," his words, infused with urgency, swept through the room, a rion call to action. "Decipher its mysteries, and from its essence, birth batteries that will power smartphones, new energy vehicles, and beyond."


    Liu Yong''s directives hung in the air, a map to the uncharted. He emphasized the crucial timeline, weaving his promises of funding like golden threads into his appeal for haste.


    From his bag emerged a trove of cerulean vials, glistening like sapphire jewels. Huang Guang, a perceptive soul, recognized their contents as "gic elixirs"¡ªelixirs that promised unwavering endurance, supetive strength, and uncharted vitality.


    As eyes widened and brows furrowed in incredulity, Huang Guang''s voice cut through the skepticism. "Indeed, they are real," he affirmed, his tone imbued with the quiet conviction of experience. "I have partaken of their magic. After a marathon, I found myself refreshed, and even hauling weight seemed like child''s y."


    Huang Guang''s words ignited a spark, like a match struck in the darkness. Doubt gave way to curiosity, and curiosity to resolve.


    Hu Nan, the harbinger of trust, pledged his belief. "Master, grant me the elixir," his voice rang out, unwavering. It was a pledge made with unshakable conviction. And Liu Yong, his eyes gleaming with pride, met Hu Nan''s resolve with a nod of affirmation.


    With each vial sipped, transformation unfurled¡ªa metamorphosis of potential, an alchemical fusion of science and physique. As if in a sacred ritual, the elixir bound these minds, intertwining their fate with the battery''s potential.


    The baton of discovery passed, the battery nestled once more in Hu Nan''s hands. An unspoken pact hovered in the air, a silent covenant between Liu Yong''s vision and Hu Nan''s skill. Liu Yong''s words, an oration of dedication, lingered in the room, echoing long after they were spoken.


    And thus, the seeds of exploration took root, the promise of innovation sparking within each heart. The attendees dispersed, each bearing not just the sample battery and gic elixir, but a charge of expectation that hummed like electricity in their veins.


    Liu Yong''s gaze lingered as they departed, his understanding deepened¡ªthe bestower of attributes must align with the heart, for mutual trust is the cornerstone of progress.


    In the boundless expanse of the North Pacific Ocean, contrasts painted a vivid tableau. Bawang, replete with the taste of melon, observed the hubbub of the ck Iron Company''s ceaseless endeavors. They toiled relentlessly, their goal to uncover fragments of gray-ck metal scattered on the ocean floor¡ªan elusive treasure that remained maddeningly out of reach.


    On the grand stage of the salvage ship, Zavier''s frustration danced like a tempest within him. The ship, the "Blue Whale," a vessel of the Global Shipping Group, had salvaged countless metal fragments from these waters. Yet, as if taunting their efforts, these fragments remained as elusive as mist.


    Zavier''s thoughts spiraled, a maelstrom of confusion. Where had the fragments gone? Were they a mirage, or a reality forever eluding their grasp? Questions cascaded, the answers more elusive than the fragments themselves.


    He stood on the deck, his gaze lost in the expanse of the sea, as if seeking answers from the fathomless depths. Nearby, two divers emerged from the water, their faces etched with a weariness that mirrored Zavier''s own.


    Hours bled into twilight, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, the divers returned, their efforts in vain. A symphony of wastedbor yed out beneath the stars, an opera of disappointment under the curtain of night.


    Amidst this unfolding drama, Bawang reveled in silent jubtion. A creature of the sea, he reveled in the irony that thend-bound beings could not decipher the ocean''s riddles. He lingered until darkness draped the world, his mirthful vigil a reminder of nature''s enigma.


    Two dayster, the tides of change ushered in a new act. Zavier''s crew reluctantly disengaged from their fruitless pursuit, leaving the abyss to its secrets once more. And as they retreated, Liu Yong''s machinations ignited.


    With orchestrated precision, Overlord¡ªBawang in a transformed state¡ªreshaped the seabed, transporting heaps of metal fragments to a new location, a virgin ground primed for a new narrative.


    A shallow sea emerged, an arena of potential, as Overlord''sbor transformed it into a veritable alchemical workshop. The fragments, like fragments of destiny itself, found a new canvas upon which their significance could be unraveled.


    Liu Yong''s perspective spanned beyond the confines of the room, a master strategist orchestrating a symphony of change. "This locale holds promise," his voice, infused with foresight, murmured to himself. "A canvas for discovery, a stage for revtion."


    The epic of innovation unfolded once more, as the saga of humanity''s relentless march toward the horizon of knowledge gained momentum. In the convergence of science and perseverance, a new chapter unfurled¡ªa chapter driven by curiosity, sculpted by discovery, and forever enshrined in the annals of progress.

 Chapter 384 I  M Very SMART!

    ?


    For several consecutive days, the enigmatic Overlord yed an unexpected role, masquerading as an adept porter. Diligently, it undertook the task of ferrying the enigmatic gray-ck metal fragments to their underwater resting ce within the shallows of the sea''s embrace. Gently, it lowered each fragment to the seabed, allowing them to find refuge at a depth spanning from thirty to forty meters.


    This choreography of transportation, an elegant ballet that urred several times daily, led to the umtion of a staggering 20,000 to 30,000 tons of these metallic enigmas in a mere matter of days.


    During this period, Liu Yong maintained an almost unwavering vigil over the actions of Bawang. With each passing day, as the reservoir of metal fragments amassed, he came to a steadfast decision. It was now time for the "Blue Whale" to embark upon its own odyssey. Its journey would be graced by thepany of the steadfast vessel "Shiwang."


    With synchronized precision, the two vessels set sail from the bustling port of Huahai City, embarking on an intricate dance that carried them steadfastly towards the heart of their intended sea territory.


    Meanwhile, a significant span of time saw the triumphant return of Zavier and hispanions to the familiar port nestled within the embrace of Hawaii. As their feet found the solid ground, they set their sights on an aerial voyage that would reunite them with country M.


    Yet, within the confines of the ck Iron Company, a shadow of destion draped itself upon the visage of a returning soul. With a heart weighed down by the sorrow of thwarted efforts, this figure found themselves recounting their tale of disappointment to the keen ears of Sherman, thepany''s president.


    "President," the figure began, voice tinged with regret, "our endeavors have borne no fruit. Our exertions, it seems, were in vain."


    In a low, contemtive tone, they rted the story of their pursuits,ying bare the tale of their endeavors and the disheartening result thereof.


    Upon absorbing this narrative, Sherman''s countenance assumed an air of contemtion, his mind churning over this conundrum that had persisted for days on end.


    Why?


    Why, indeed.


    The Global Shipping Group''s "Blue Whale" had undertaken two significant forays into the sea''s depths, extracting vast caches of the enigmatic gray-ck metal fragments. Yet, this extraction seemed fruitless, a puzzle with pieces that refused to fall into ce.


    As moments stretched into minutes, Sherman''s thoughts swirled in the abyss of contemtion. A sudden spark of insight pierced the gloom, illuminating his mind with its brilliance. An almost electric revtion surged through him.


    Eyes alight with newfound understanding, he brought his hand down upon his thigh with a resounding p, his voice resonating with a fervent exmation, "Eureka!"


    A self-satisfied grin emerged as he recognized the elegance of his own mind. A n was now clear - a n that hinged on a singr notion: surveince. The "Blue Whale" must be watched, its movements tracked. Where it journeyed, the ck Iron Company would follow, like a shadow cast by the sun.


    With an immediacy that belied his excitement, Sherman seized the telephone, his fingers dancing across the keys as he issued a decree: the actions of the Global Shipping Group''s "Blue Whale" were to be scrutinized with unrelenting precision.


    In a distant yet intertwined locale, Zavier, too, seemed to have found sce inprehension. His eyes, once veiled by disillusionment, now glittered with a newfound optimism, as if he had glimpsed a path through the thicket of uncertainty.


    "Mr. President," he eximed, admiration woven into his tone, "your ingenuity astounds me. We''ve been blind to the obvious! By tethering our gaze to the ''Blue Whale,'' we''ll surely extract a treasure trove of metal fragments from the sea''s depths."


    In a harmonious echo of sentiment, hispanion added their voice to the chorus of hope, kindled anew by Sherman''s revtion.


    Time, however, was of the essence. Swiftly, the cogs of action began to turn. Momentster, the fruits of their inquiries were harvested - a report affirming the "Blue Whale''s" departure from Huahai City, embarking upon a course that set its sights on the North Pacific Ocean.


    A revtion that spurred determination, a realization that the "Blue Whale" was once more bound for the shallow sea. A resolve was solidified - this time, sess would be grasped firmly.


    Satellites, the sentinels of the sky, were summoned to action. Through their electronic gaze, the movement of the "Blue Whale" and its steadfastpanion "Shiwang" wasid bare upon screens of observation.


    With a tone of conviction, Sherman dered, "Not only the ''Blue Whale,'' but also a colossal transport ship. Their intent is undeniable - metal fragments are the quarry they seek."


    Zavier, now ame with purpose, spoke, his words punctuated by a fervor that matched the inferno in his eyes, "Then let us respond with equal urgency. Wherever they tread, we shall follow in their wake."


    "Indeed," Sherman concurred, his directive crystal clear, "Prepare the Hawaiian fleet without dy."


    The wheels of fate spun ever onwards, entwining destinies in a dance of determination. The fleet - five vessels strong, one a vessel of salvage, the rest titanic transport ships - rose from their fleeting respite, embracing the call to action. Port was left behind, reced by the embrace of open waters, a voyagemenced with scarcely a breath between departure and return.


    Meanwhile, within the Global Scientific Research Center''s provisional abode, the ceaseless dance of curiosity unfurled. Technological artisans and scientists like Hu Nan and Ning Zetao congregated in a sacred space of research. Here, meticulously and with measured reverence, they disassembled the battery - eachponent unveiled like the petals of a rare and elusive flower. Each step was a revtion, a portal into a world previously obscured.


    Excitement tinged their voices as they confided to one another, "With each unveiling step, astonishment blossoms anew."


    Hu Nan, his voice carrying the weight of wonderment, shared, "Unveiling the structure of this battery is a journey through andscape of the unknown. Designs hitherto unseen, theories entirely novel, all coalesce into an enigma that is truly unparalleled."


    Ning Zetao joined in, his voice aglow with the possibility that danced before them, "Through understanding this battery''s essence, the potential for our own innovations beckons. We can build upon these foundations to forge our own path."


    Amidst the alchemical dissection of machinery, a palpable energy thrummed through the air. This task, at once meticulous and momentous, held their hearts in a spell of discovery.


    Across the boundless tapestry of the North Pacific Ocean, the "Blue Whale" marked the passage of eight days with steadfast purpose. Journey''s end unveiled itself - the designated sea expanse awaited. There, within this sanctuary of depths, it came to a halt.


    Ren Ziquan, the captain, breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes scanning the horizon with a glimmer of satisfaction. His intuition whispered of sess; the submersible was poised to unveil its secrets, and the metal fragments that danced within its submerged embrace.


    Onboard the ship, a symphony of diligence yed out. The submersible, an ambassador of the depths, descended into the abyss. Its eyes peered into the underwater realm, rying its revtions to eager onlookers. Their gazes locked onto screens that birthed visions of the sea''s secrets.


    Depth, rity, and serenity - a tapestry woven from fine sand and illuminated by an ethereal light - greeted their eyes. Yet, within the hour''s embrace, revtions emerged. Gray-ck metal fragments adorned the seabed, an enigma that beckoned just a stone''s throw from the "Blue Whale."


    Eagerly, the ship pivoted, anchoring itself with resolute intent. Divers donned suits of rubber and oxygen tanks, their hearts aflutter with the promise of discovery.


    Yet, as their focus drew downward, a cry of rm pierced the air. "Captain, look yonder!"


    Ren Ziquan''s gaze followed the outstretched arm of the eximer, and his heart sank. ck specks upon the azure sea, the vanguard of an encroaching fleet, heralded a presence unbidden and unforeseen.


    With urgency, binocrs were lifted, and reality solidified. Not just ships, but a fleet, an assemge of vessels that breached the boundaries of expectation. Among them stood the colossal "Blue Whale," a titan in their midst.


    In quiet moments, Ren Ziquan connected the dots, intuition weaving the web of realization. Foreboding whispered in his ear, an unwee guest - the ck Iron Company had set its eyes upon this watery arena.


    Tension rippled across the ship as the crew recognized the stakes at hand. A query,ced with uncertainty, cut through the air, "Captain, what is our course?"


    The stage is set, the pieces in ce, as the tides of fate pull disparate threads into an intricate tapestry.

 Chapter 385 Forging Victory!

    ?


    Ren Ziquan stood on the deck solemnly, his gaze fixed on the distant expanse of the sea. Time seemed to stretch as minutes turned into moments; his thoughts were lost in the horizon''s embrace.


    Eventually, he tore his eyes away from the sea, his voice resonating with urgency, "Our rivals are in a race to retrieve those metal fragments. We must act swiftly; dy is not an option."


    The formidable vessel''s crew, the "Blue Whale", promptly sprung into action, each member assuming their designated positions tomence the salvage operation.


    After orchestrating the preparations, Ren Ziquan grasped the satellite phone firmly and initiated a call to Liu Yong, his Boss and confidant, his tone betraying the gravity of the situation. "Boss, the situation has taken a turn for the worse."


    Sinctly, he detailed the unfolding events to Liu Yong.


    During the exchange, a momentary silence gripped Liu Yong, his astonishment evident. He had never fathomed that the audacious ck Iron Company would stoop so low as to shadow the course of their very own "Blue Whale."


    "Miserable rascals!" Liu Yong''s exmation carried a mixture of anger and disbelief. It appeared that the ck Iron Company had been monitoring their movements, potentially utilizing satellite surveince to monitor the activities of the "Blue Whale." Their effort to secure these metal fragments was nothing short of astonishing.


    "Prioritize safety," Liu Yong instructed, his tonemanding yet cautious. "While salvaging is paramount, avoid unnecessary conflicts with them."


    A thread of anxietyced Ren Ziquan''s response, "But Boss, they are also vying for the same metal fragments. Are we to stand idly by as they plunder what rightfully belongs to us?"


    Liu Yong''s voice brimmed with confidence, "Even if they manage to salvage a few fragments, they won''t be able to depart this area unscathed. The fate of their vessel is squarely under my jurisdiction."


    The air of dominance that Liu Yong exuded was awe-inspiring.


    "I hold dominion over this domain," he asserted.


    Empowered by his Boss''s resolute demeanour, Ren Ziquan felt a resurgence of assurance. cing the satellite phone aside, hemanded the intricate ballet of salvage activities that ensued.


    Fragment after fragment, metallic relics were painstakingly retrieved and hoisted onto the nearby vessel, aptly named "Shiwang."


    Yet, as the crew tirelessly worked, the ck Iron Company''s ship loomed into view, creeping closer until it almost brushed against the side of the "Blue Whale,"mencing their operation.


    Amidst the mour, a crew member proposed an audacious move, "Captain, why not collide with their ship? The ''Blue Whale'' dwarfs their salvage vessel."


    With this proposition, Ren Ziquan''s mind wrestled with logic and impulse. While the immense proportions of the "Blue Whale" dwarfed the rival ship, it was a path fraught with risks and potential destruction. Moreover, Liu Yong''s directive to avoid esction lingered in his thoughts.


    Shaking his head decisively, Ren Ziquan declined the proposition while asserting, "Focus solely on the salvage, disregard any other considerations."


    And so, both crews diligently scoured the depths for the coveted fragments. As the ck Iron Company triumphantly recovered their first piece, exultant cheers resounded across the sea, apanied by defiant gestures directed at the "Blue Whale."


    The lead salvager, a figure of evident pride, captured the moment with his mobile phone''s camera. The visual testament of their sess was swiftly dispatched to Sherman and Zavier while he ryed their achievements via phone.


    Across the vast distance, in an elegant office space, Sherman and Zavier joined a cadre of senior executives, the atmosphere celebratory and buoyant.


    Sherman''s voice resonated triumphantly, "Gentlemen, feast your eyes on the spectacle. Our salvage operation is well underway, ensuring us a share of the same prized metal that Global Shipping Group covets."


    The collective excitement in the room was palpable.


    "We shall share in this bounty."


    "Indeed, our esteemed President''s wisdom is manifest. Tracking the ''Blue Whale'' was a stroke of genius."


    "Originally, Global Shipping Group sought to sell us these riches at an exorbitant $20 million per ton."


    "Ah, jubtion! A celebratory repast is in order."


    Laughter and congrattions filled the air.


    Yet amidst the jubtion, Sherman signalled for attention, swiftly quelling the unrest.


    He dialled a number with an air of authority, ensuring all eyes were on him as hemenced a report.


    The recipient of his call held considerable authority within the military of Country M. Given the ck Iron Company''s robust military connections, Sherman''s ount of the unfolding events elicited praise andmendation.


    Pride evident in his tone, Sherman assured the military figure that their efforts would yield substantial metal fragments, poised to augment thepany''s military supplies with a wealth of excellent resources.


    ...


    Across the North Pacific expanse, the "Bawang" navigated towards shallower waters, a strategic maneuver orchestrated by Liu Yong. It was a calcted response to the ck Iron Company''s aspirations, a bid to thwart their remation of the coveted fragments.


    Covering over 600 nautical miles in two hours, "Bawang" arrived hastily, assuming its vigil from a distance.


    Through this external vantage point, Liu Yong was granted aprehensive view of the unfolding drama.


    Two salvage ships worked tirelessly, extracting fragments with relentless determination.


    Studying the scene, Liu Yong detected a shift in the tide of fortune. The "Blue Whale" clearly boasted a more efficient operation due to their prior experience and meticulous preparations.


    The juxtaposition was telling.


    The "Blue Whale''s" crew initially disyed a mixture of apprehension and determination within the expansive ship, but this had given way to camaraderie and jubtion.


    Conversely, the ck Iron Company''s ship had fallen into an uneasy silence, its efficiency far from itspetitor''s.


    The disparity was stark, undeniable.


    Onboard the ck Iron Company''s vessel; a palpable frustration permeated the air. With efficiencygging, their salvaging efforts were akin to sipping broth while others feasted on meat.


    This wouldn''t stand.


    The figure in charge of their salvage effort paced anxiously, furrowed brow reflecting his mounting distress. What to do? The question gnawed at him incessantly.


    Onboard the "Blue Whale," jubnt cheers and apuse erupted with each retrieved fragment batch.


    A stark contrast emerged.


    "Observe, our foreign adversaries, another haul!" a crew member eximed in jest.


    "Indeed, toil away, else you''ll miss the broth," another taunted.


    "Where is that audacity now? The vaunted arrogance, where hides it, prey tell!"


    In response, the ck Iron Company''s crew, hindered bynguage barriers, understood the conveyed sentiments and their expressions soured in response.


    Enraged yet incapable of retort, they were consumed by the gap in efficiency.


    "Blue Whale" consistently hauled in batch after batch, while the ck Iron Company''s progress remained slow, and eventually, they, too, reimed a few fragments.


    One dayter, the seabed was devoid of any remaining fragments.


    The "Shiwang" wasden with an astounding cache of metal debris, a visual testament to the "Blue Whale''s" triumph.


    In contrast, the ck Iron Company''s haul paled inparison, their fraction of sess tallying at most 10,000 tons, far less than Universal Group''s achievements.

 Chapter 386 Crisis Below!

    ?


    Ren Ziquan assumed themanding stance of decision-making, his voice resonating like a rion call brimming with unwavering conviction, proiming, "With resolute determination, we shall chart our course forward."


    The atmosphere aboard the immense "Blue Whale" underwent a metamorphosis, morphing into a resonating symphony of exultant cheers, a crescendo that embodied the triumphant zenith of theirborious expedition, a culmination that had been ardently pursued.


    As the air resonated with jubtion, the crew aboard the adjacent "Shiwang" seamlessly merged into the harmonious chorus, and the gentle caress of the sea breeze bore their joyous celebrations across the expanse, reaching distant shores with a symphonic cadence.


    Within this shared triumph, the pulse of most resonated with a chorus of contentment, their spirits buoyed by the sight of "Shiwang,"den with an astonishing cargo of 50,000 to 60,000 tons of precious metal fragments.


    Yet, amid this harmonious symphony, a discordant note lingered, a note of unfulfilled potential.


    Eyes turned wistfully to the transport ship belonging to the ck Iron Company, situated tantalizingly close, yet bearing a payload of untapped metallic treasure.


    A voice, tinged with a sense of missed opportunity, punctured the otherwise jubnt atmosphere, "Captain, should we truly abandon this fortune?"


    Ren Ziquan''s response carried a hint of reluctant eptance, a touch of resignation, "Yes, these metal fragments were once ours, now adorning their transport ship. Perhaps not the entirety, but at least a considerable 10,000 tons."


    A chorus of subdued murmurs filled the air, one brave soul vocalizing the collective sentiment, "This wealth is substantial; I''ve heard each ton can fetch two million yuan. Must we relinquish it so easily?"


    A palpable sense of disappointment threaded through the gathering.


    Yet beneath the veil of dejection, the echo of Liu Yong''s counsel reverberated within Ren Ziquan''s thoughts, lending a veneer of rationale to their reluctant retreat.


    With a gesture of reluctant concession, he acknowledged, "Our options are constrained, and our hands are tied. Let us set our course for Huahai City."


    As the "Blue Whale" embarked on its journey away from this maritime tableau, the "Shiwang" dutifully followed, bearing its precious load of metal fragments.


    As the Global Shipping Group''s vessel faded from view, a collective exhale of relief swept through the ranks of the ck Iron Company.


    Throughout the days of salvage, they had found themselves overshadowed, their yield a mere fractionpared to the treasure amassed by their rivals.


    Yet now, atst, equilibrium appeared to be reestablished.


    As the "Blue Whale" vanished beyond the horizon, the ck Iron Company''s fleet set forth, maintaining a cautious distance.


    With the passage of time, jubtion began to overpower apprehension, the yield of over 10,000 tons of coveted metal fragments igniting a festive fervor among the salvagers.


    Laughter and celebratory shouts reverberated across the ships, one voice proiming, "An unparalleled harvest!"


    "Over 10,000 tons ¨C a yield that exceeds all imagination."


    "Such a haul is bound to draw the boss''s admiration and reward."


    Mirthful banter wafted on the sea breeze.


    Meanwhile, the individual overseeing the meticulous task of salvage seized a satellite phone, quickly dialing Sherman''s number.


    Upon concluding the call, he poured a cup of coffee, gazing out across the boundless ocean through the ship''s ss windows.


    Within his heart, a fragment of his consciousness had already sailed thousands of miles to country M, his thoughts consumed by visions of the glory awaiting him.


    Around him, the festive atmosphere aboard the ship mirrored the euphoria of the waves, as champagne erupted in joyous celebration.


    Yet beneath the surface, hidden from view, a formidable presence stirred.


    **Overlord**, a guardian of the depths, began to stir beneath the waves.


    Throughout the painstaking process of salvage, Overlord had stood vignt, guided by Liu Yong''s distant observations.


    Seeing the triumph of the ck Iron Company, a silent resolve took hold. Such precious metal fragments could not be surrendered without a fight.


    Before the ck Iron Company''s fleet could put significant distance between them, Overlord sprang into action.


    Its massive appendage pierced the transport ship''s hull, its motion as smooth as an artist''s brushstroke. One pration after another breached the ship''s defenses, rendering it vulnerable.


    Seawater surged forth, sealing the transport ship''s fate. As the ship began to tilt, a rising panic gripped its upants.


    "Something is awry with the ship!"


    "We''re taking on water!"


    "Dear heavens, what is happening?"


    Amidst the festivities above deck, chaos reigned below.


    Unbeknownst to them, the joy masked the lurking danger beneath the waves.


    Overlord''s imposing form remained concealed beneath the water''s surface, its intentions hidden by the abyss.


    **Suddenly.**


    A tremor rippled through the transport ship, a muffled echo resonating beneath the waterline.


    Amid the uproarious festivities, the ship''s inhabitants remained oblivious.


    Yet, as they reveled, a behemoth prowled beneath them¡ªthe Overlord.


    An astute observer might have perceived a certain grace in its movements, a deliberate precision.


    This guardian of the depths had remained a vignt sentinel throughout the salvage, heeding Liu Yong''s guidance from below.


    Now, as the ck Iron Company''s fleet reveled, Overlord''s course of action was clear.


    With Liu Yong''smand, the behemoth struck.


    Four transport ships, singled out one by one, bore the brunt of Overlord''s onught. Its massive appendage prated the ships'' hulls, rending them apart like fragile parchment.


    A sequence of strikes, a meticulously choreographed symphony of destruction, left the vessels fatally wounded.


    Seawater surged in, sealing their fates.


    Onboard the ships, pandemonium erupted.


    "The ship is sinking!"


    "This cannot be happening!"


    "...!"


    Chaos reigned, and amidst the turmoil, some sought lifeboats, while others abandoned ship, plunging into the unforgiving sea.


    Meanwhile, the **"Blue Whale"** pressed on, its upants blissfully ignorant of the unfolding tragedy.


    "Captain, observe!"


    Ren Ziquan seized his binocrs, revealing the spectacle unfolding in the distance.


    With a heartyugh, he passed the instrument to arade, eximing, "Witness, four out of five ships are sinking. A sight to behold."


    The binocrs circted among the crew, each gaze drawn to the unfolding catastrophe on the horizon.


    As the sinking ships slipped beneath the waves, Ren Ziquan''s voice resounded, "A fitting end to their grand ambitions."


    Eyes remained fixed on the tableau; amidst the wreckage, one vessel remained¡ªthe very ship entrusted with recovery.


    And beyond, the "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" pressed forward, the final act in this maritime drama.

 Chapter 387 Cruel Currents!

    ?


    "Behold, behold!"


    Amidst the assembled crowd, the words of enthusiasm reverberated, their resonance akin to a chorus of shared delight. Laughter swelled forth, rising like yful waves upon a tranquil shore. In the distant expanse, a vessel marred by unfortunate circumstances yielded to the inevitable sp of the unyielding ocean.


    "Haha, their vessel has met its watery grave."


    The contagious delight present in the bystander''s voice had a ripple effect, spreading throughout the gathering as they enthusiastically immersed themselves in the grandeur of the unfolding scene of devastation.


    "That ship has taken more than half the plunge."


    A promation underscored by a nuanced touch of exultation, serving to entuate the magnitude of the cmity while subtly conveying a sense of justification and satisfaction.


    "The waters teem with souls adrift, enough to upy their attention for a good while."


    A nod to the irony of life''s fortunes, a tableau of chaos and rescue unfurling on the canvas of the vast ocean.


    "..."


    Silence settled like a heavy fog, voices suspended in a moment of contemtion.


    Surrounded by a symphony of voices, Ren Ziquan found himself enveloped in the discourse, an unanticipatedfort soothing his senses. His tense muscles gradually eased, as though liberated from the burdensome restraints of doubt, and his gaze lingered upon the vessels, gracefully yielding to the inexorable pull of destiny''s embrace.


    A youthful crew member piped up: "Captain, should we lend a hand in the rescue efforts?"


    Before his words could fully find their way, a senior crew member gently tapped the young sailor''s head. "Xiao Yuan, your enthusiasm is admirable, but have you forgotten how swiftly they plundered our belongings earlier?"


    "That''s right, indeed! Their actions were reprehensible, avariciously snatching away our precious metals. It''s only poetic justice that their ship sinks."


    Ren Ziquan nodded sagely, his conviction mirrored in the nodding heads around him. "They are fully capable of saving themselves. Let us increase our pace and return to Huahai City with haste."


    And so, "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" propelled themselves away, leaving behind the sinking ships and the bobbing figures of the ck Iron Company''s misfortunate crew.


    Just beneath the surface of the water, at a modest distance from the tumultuous scene above, Bawang stood watch with unwavering attention. Like a muted observer, it bore witness to the unfolding maritime spectacle. The sailors from M country, who had once exuded an air of triumph, were now ensnared in the clutches of the profound depths, their prowess eclipsed by the sea''s relentless power.


    Liu Yong, an observer of this unfolding spectacle through a detached lens, couldn''t help but marvel at the irony of life''s twists and turns. It was, in essence, a magnificent live show ying out before his very eyes.


    "Overlord, once their ship is lost to the abyss, ensure not a scrap of metal remains aboard."


    A devious smile curved Liu Yong''s lips. They wouldn''t have his hard-earned metal fragments, not if he had any say in the matter.


    "Understood, Master. I shall retrieve every trace of metal from their ship."


    A determined affirmation, a testament to Bawang''s loyalty to its creator''s whims.


    Dayster, the four ck Iron Company transport ships found their final resting ce on the ocean floor, bereft of metal fragments. Most of the crew were saved, though a handful remained lost to the waves.


    The ck Iron Company''s salvagemander surveyed the empty sea, his gaze reflecting the inevitable. "Ready the ship to leave."


    A cloud of despondency hung over the crew. Their enthusiasm had waned, their spirits subdued by the weight of reality.


    Indeed, the cooked duck had flown, slipping through their grasp once again.


    Over 10,000 tons of metal shardsy buried on the ocean floor, mingling with the ruins of the ships that once carried them. The irony, it seemed, was not lost on fate.


    A heavy sigh escaped the salvagemander. Duty-bound, he reached for the satellite phone, knowing full well that the truth could not be concealed.


    ...


    Inside the confines of the ck Iron Company headquarters, Sherman''s face glowed with an uncontainable fervor, his voice robust and unwavering as he addressed the assembled leaders.


    "Esteemed guests, the news we have is profoundly heartening. Nearly 20,000 tons of metal fragments have been recovered, and our fleet is homeward bound..."


    In a single breath, he ryed the tale of triumph. The room buzzed with excitement, anticipatory gazes exchanged between delegates. The promise of this precious metal''s potential tantalized them.


    Renewed military might, advanced aerospace projects, and countless innovations danced in their thoughts.


    Sherman''s phone interrupted his discourse, and with a raised hand, hemanded the room''s attention. The silence was palpable as he answered the call.


    His countenance, once radiating exultation, drained of color. The phone tumbled from his grasp, hitting the ground with a resounding thud.


    Where euphoria had once reigned, only disbelief remained, etched across his pale features.


    The roomful of executives exchanged puzzled nces, their anticipation now mingled with concern.


    How could this bittersweet tale take such a sudden twist?


    ...


    Beneath the expanse of the North Pacific Ocean, the Overlord toiled away, transporting fragments from the ill-fated ships to a designated spot. The wreckage, once rife with metal, nowy bare and void.


    "Master, I''vepleted the task as you instructed."


    The Overlord''s voice resonated within Liu Yong''s mind. A flicker of third-party sight allowed him to witness the vast emptiness where the remnants of the ships once thrived.


    Liu Yong''s smile radiated pride. "You''ve done splendidly."


    "Master, is there more I can do?"


    Liu Yong''s words carried a gentle note of reassurance. "Not for now. Your mission is to grow."


    Bawang''s weight had surpassed the 1,000-ton milestone, a steady increase that promised greater potential. Liu Yong envisioned a future where Bawang would dwarf even its current size.


    "Understood, Master. I shall continue my growth."


    Liu Yong''s reverie danced forward. With "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" due to return soon,den with a fresh bounty of metal shards, his sense of anticipation surged.


    With the promise of the spaceship wreckage and the horizons it would expand, Liu Yong was a sea of possibilities.


    As Liu Yong''s musings persisted, a ringing phone shattered his reverie. The voice of Ding Wen, a friend, beckoned him towards a seafood feast, tinged with a hunch that matters of importance awaited their discourse.


    ...

 Chapter 388 Glamorous Treat!

    ?


    Hung up the phone, Liu Yong''s gaze shifted to his wristwatch, measuring the hands of time that steadily approached four o''clock in the afternoon. A calm anticipation nestled within him, for soon he would be headed to No. 1 Middle School of Huahai City. With deft fingers, he sent a message over WeChat to Li Changle, the words promising a dinnerter in the evening. A gentle press of the button on his expansive desk marked the initiation of his next move.


    In harmonious cadence, a soft knock apanied the opening of the door, and a voice, respectful and attentive, inquired, "Boss, what can I assist you with?"


    Liu Yong''s lips curved into a mild smile, and his voice resonated with authority, "Prepare a cup of coffee for me, if you will."


    The room''s ambiance was graced by two female secretaries, each a paragon of beauty, educated under the distinguished banner of a 985 institution. One of them, tasked with the minutiae of everyday affairs, gracefully brewed tea, crafted coffee, and ensured the tidiness of the office. The other secretary bore the mantle of responsibility for administrative tasks: the meticulous curation of files, the orchestration of meetings.


    Amid this orchestrated ballet of service, the coffee was soon conjured, the steaming brew ced upon the desk with a delicate touch. "Is there anything else you require, Boss?" inquired the secretary.


    Liu Yong''s hand waved gently, an acquiescent dismissal of any further demands. As the beautiful secretary departed, the door closed with a hushed reverence, the sanctity of the office restored.


    Cradling the cup in his hand, Liu Yong wandered to the expanse of the floor-to-ceiling windows. His gaze wandered, transcending the ss barrier to the world beyond. Ding Wen''s invitation lingered, a dinner engagement that beckoned in the near horizon. What was the purpose of this rendezvous, he pondered.


    Ding Wen, a figure whomanded respect, a man of influence and means. An undercurrent of curiosity wove through Liu Yong''s thoughts. The return of "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang,"den with their cargo, stood as an impending eventuality. Could there be envious eyes cast upon the metal fragments they carried? In a realm where super metals were a whispered secret, he mused, the domestic military and defense elite were well acquainted with their exceptional properties.


    The academic contributions of Lin Jianguo, marked by the publication of seminal papers, had staked his im to the discovery. The knowledge was not confined to the realm of the esoteric; its echoes reached far and wide. And yet, Liu Yong''s discerning mind considered the geopolitical implications. Would certain nations harbor doubt, casting skeptical eyes upon these feats of metallurgy? Could the M country, or even the shadowy ck Iron Company, question the origins of this precious resource?


    A scheme of potentiality spun within Liu Yong''s thoughts, a chessboard of intentions and doubt. Could the magnanimous "Blue Whale" and steadfast "Shiwang" evade the scrutiny that brewed? Could the metal fragments, testament to Lin Jianguo''s ingenuity, remain untouched by probing fingers?


    A shiver of premonition traversed Liu Yong''s spine. The gust of inevitability whispered secrets yet to be unveiled. Casting his hopes into the abyss of uncertainty, Liu Yong beseeched fate for mercy. An unspoken prayer was woven into his consciousness as he took a sip of coffee, his contemtion a mosaic of thoughts and a canvas of spection.


    Without notice, the hands of time had strode beyond the four-thirty mark, gently urging Liu Yong from his reverie. With purpose, he stepped away from his contemtive stance, bidding his office adieu. Apanied by the steadfast Chen Hu, Liu Yong descended through the belly of the Universal Building, into the enves of the basement, a domain reserved for the Global Shipping Group.


    A tapestry of luxury cars, worth their weight in millions, sprawled across the parking spaces, awaiting their master''smand. Among them, Liu Yong''s gaze alighted upon a Maybach, an embodiment of elegance and opulence. "Shall we take the Maybach today?" he mused aloud.


    Chen Hu, with a smile that danced upon familiarity, jested, "Choosing a Maybach over a Rolls-Royce, Boss? Quite the deviation."


    Liu Yong''sughter carried a note of light-heartedness. "Variety keeps life interesting. Today, the Maybach it is."


    The car''s door swung open under Liu Yong''s hand, a gentlemanly flourish that preceded his entry to the plush backseat. Chen Hu, ever vignt, assumed the role of the chauffeur. Their departure was a fluid progression, the Maybach purring to life as it embarked on the journey to Huahai City''s No. 1 Middle School.


    Arrival, a harbinger of life beyond the confines of academia, found the school gates locked in silent anticipation. Chen Hu adeptly navigated to a quiet corner, a temporary harbor for the Maybach. With a muted exchange, Liu Yong disembarked, leaving the vehicle to the embrace of the shadows. The school''s exterior echoed with the movements of students and educators, thetter''s departure signaled by the exodus of pupils.


    Once again, Liu Yong''s fingers danced across his device, delivering a message through the digital ether to Li Changle. The words were simple yet pregnant with promise, "Awaiting you at the school gate, my dear."


    Li Changle''s response was swift, an affirmation that danced across the screen. Her duties, still tethered to the ssroom, detained her for a brief interval. An air of expectancy hung as Liu Yong watched the minutes wane, the anticipation tightening its hold. Finally, a figure emerged from within the school''s embrace, an aura of dedication resonating from her very being.


    The transition from academia topanionship was seamless, a smile adorning Li Changle''s features as she intertwined her arm with Liu Yong''s. Their words, exchanged like melodious notes, bore the melody of familiarity and affection. "Where shall our dinner be, Brother Yong?" she inquired.


    A suggestion, a gustatory haven named Zhang Ji Seafood Restaurant, was proffered by Liu Yong. Li Changle''s recognition of the establishment carried a sense of reverence. "A gem of culinary artistry," she affirmed. "The epitome of seafood indulgence in our city."


    Zhang Ji Seafood Restaurant stood as a tribute to taste, an epicurean domain that transcended mere sustenance. The duo strolled together, theirughter harmonizing with the world around them. The anticipation of a shared meal enfolded them in its gentle embrace.


    Unveiling the future, the restaurant''s entrance bore witness to Ding Wen''s presence, his hospitality unswayed by time''s passage. A camaraderie sparked as Liu Yong and Li Changle entered, Ding Wen''s wee ushering them into a private enve.


    Liu Yong''s keen perception noted the twin bottles of liquor gracing the table, an unspoken symbol of preparation for potentialpany. A question danced in his eyes, the query silently poised. A gathering not exclusive to the trio, perhaps? He mused over the possible guests that could grace this repast, and with that, the curtain of anticipation was drawn back, revealing the unfoldment


    of an intricate evening.

 Chapter 389 Business On The Menu

    ?


    Liu Yong''s astute intuition proved correct; Ding Wen''s invitation to a sumptuous dinner held a significance beyond mere hospitality. The zeal with which Ding Wen seized the menu spoke volumes about his intentions; dishes, each more extravagant than thest, were ordered with an unspoken purpose that both intrigued and impressed. The tters that materialized were a testament to his generosity, an borate spread dominated by the opulence of raw seafood that turned the table into a feast of epic proportions.


    With a good-natured chuckle, Liu Yong remarked, "You''re certainly not one to hold back, Ding Wen. But I must ask, how do you n on tackling this culinary mountain? The three of us alone would be hard-pressed to conquer this feast."


    Ding Wen''s response wasced with a warm smile, "Brother Yong, I owe you an exnation. It''s not just the three of us partaking in this banquet tonight; we''re awaiting thepany of two additional guests."


    Ah, the pieces were falling into ce.


    The abundance of dishes and the early appearance of fine wine pointed to the imminent arrival of more participants. Liu Yong''s mental roster of potential attendees whirred, dismissing each name as quickly as it appeared. Yet, Ding Wen''s disclosure had unveiled the mystery ¨C "Beyond us, my father and a few others have justnded in Huahai City. They disembarked from their ne about forty minutes ago."


    Ding Wen''s father!


    None other than Bi Qingyun, the esteemed chairman of Qingyun International. Liu Yong''s initial surprise gave way to a sense of satisfaction; Bi Qingyun''s timely entrance carried significant weight.


    As the construction of Universal Semiconductor Corporation''s two major factories approachedpletion, the uing transition to the production phase demanded a substantial influx of orders. This impending need caused a flicker of joy to illuminate Liu Yong''s expression ¨C Bi Qingyun''s presence was nothing short of providential.


    Amidst the cozy ambiance of the private dining room, the atmosphere was awash with ease and warmth. Time flowed on, until a stirring at the entrance signaled the awaited arrival.


    Ding Wen was quick to rise, an excited grin stretching across his face. "Dad, you''re here sooner than I expected."


    Bi Qingyun''s smile carried a hint of wry amusement. "You sent me three messages in a row, so can you me me for hurrying over?"


    Ding Wen''s boyish grin deepened, his cheeks slightly flushed. "Dad, let me introduce you. This is Liu Yong, from Global Shipping Group, my closest friend."


    Already on his feet, Liu Yong extended a weing hand. "Uncle, Ding Wen has spoken highly of you. It''s truly an honor to meet you."


    Bi Qingyun''s demeanor exuded approachability, casting aside any airs of formality. A warmth and kindness emanated from him as he spoke, "Mr. Liu, I''vee with business in mind. For now, let''s use the title ''Chairman Bi'' for the sake of decorum."


    Handshakes were exchanged, introductions were made. Liu Yong introduced Li Changle, while Bi Qingyun presented the middle-aged man apanying him ¨C Ren Tao, the vice president of Qingyun International, entrusted with all aspects of chip business. His role epassed chip design, development, and foundry, rendering him Bi Qingyun''s indispensable right-hand.


    Seated and at ease, the assembly exuded a sense of camaraderie. Ding Wen took on the role of the consummate host, pouring wine for all present.


    Bi Qingyun raised his ss with a hearty promation, "Mr. Liu, let''s table business for the moment. Tonight, let''s revel in conversation and camaraderie. We''ll reconvene tomorrow at Universal Building for more substantive discussions."


    Liu Yong''s response was marked by eager enthusiasm. "Chairman Bi, your visit is more than just a formality. I''m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to delve into talks and coborations with Qingyun International."


    Within the cozy confines of that private dining space, the air was thick with camaraderie and goodwill. However, the evening''s purpose was far from superficial; the discussions to follow carried the weight of potential coborations that could shape destinies and reshape fortunes.


    As conversations ebbed and flowed around the table, the evening unfolded in a symphony of ideas, prospects, and possibilities. The passage of time was apanied byughter, agreement, and even the asional light-hearted debate. Under the glow of warm lighting, a bond forged over seafood and wine grew stronger ¨C a testament to the power of shared ambition and mutual respect.


    As the clock ticked on, the conclusion of the meal marked the beginning of a new chapter. With sincere smiles and promises of a fruitful tomorrow, the assembly dissolved, each person retracing their steps out of the cozy enve of the restaurant.


    And so, the night whispered tales of anticipation and hope to the bustling city beyond, as the intertwined destinies of industry titans began their dance beneath the stars.


    The sun heralded a new dawn, casting its golden light across the city. The promise of the day''s eventsy ahead, tinged with excitement and potential.


    The next morning, Universal Semiconductor Company stood ready, anticipation hanging in the air like a melody yet to be yed. At the entrance of Universal Building, Hu Shijun, along with several senior executives of Universal Semiconductor Company, stood poised to greet the visitors.


    Before long, a convoy of opulent vehicles rolled up to the entrance, and a group of individuals emerged. Led by Bi Qingyun, they embodied the vanguard of this momentous meeting.


    "Distinguished Director Bi, a warm wee to you. I am Hu Shijun, representing Universal Semiconductor Corporation."


    "Mr. Hu, the pleasure is mine."


    Warm handshakes set the tone for this auspicious encounter. Guided by Hu Shijun, the assembly made their way into the hallowed halls of Universal Building.


    The headquarters of Universal Semiconductor Corporation, perched high above on the 91st floor, bore witness to the forting negotiations. Two elevators carried the gathering to their destined meeting point.


    At the entrance of thepany''s headquarters, Liu Yong and his associates stood ready to extend their greetings.


    "Chairman Bi, wee to our humble abode."


    "Mr. Liu, the pleasure is mine."


    The air buzzed with anticipation and camaraderie. Bi Qingyun introduced his apanying entourage to Liu Yong, who in turn introduced his team. It was a convergence of minds, a prelude to whaty ahead.


    Following the introductions, Liu Yong ushered everyone into a reception room, where hot tea, steaming coffee, delectable snacks, and an array of fruits awaited.


    Amidst this disy of hospitality, the central figures ¨C Liu Yong and Bi Qingyun ¨C took their seats, nked by Hu Shijun and Ren Tao, each a crucial piece in this unfolding chess game.


    The room brimmed with lively discussions,ughter punctuating the air as the gathering navigated through pleasantries and eased into more substantive topics.


    Bi Qingyun''s voice resonated with warmth as he remarked, "I am truly excited by your foray into the realm of semiconductor production. The burden on my shoulders feels a touch lighter knowing this."


    ...

 Chapter 390 Savior Of Silicon

    Bi Qingyun''s resonant voice trailed off, leaving a lingering sense of agreement in the room. The people of Qingyun International nodded, their faces mirroring the weight of the situation they had endured. They were no strangers to the sanctions and stranglehold that had gripped them tightly; their experiences were etched deep within.


    Like a beacon of hope, a world-ss chip foundrypany emerged from the shadows, bearing the gifts of two advanced lithography machines operating at 5 and 8nm. This revtion was nothing short of a dream realized for Qingyun International. The shimmer of hope in their eyes intensified, reflecting the collective yearning for liberation.


    The subtle exchange between Liu Yong and Hu Shijun spoke volumes, an unspoken agreement passing between them. With practised ease, Hu Shijun activated a projector, unveiling a series of slides that told the story of Universal Semiconductor.


    In the hushed reception chamber, Hu Shijun embarked on an eloquent presentation. His words, apanied by rich imagery and flowing text, attracted the audience. In that quiet room, the only sound was Hu Shijun''s voice, a symphony of knowledge and possibility.


    As the presentation concluded, a discernible glint of hope danced across the faces of Qingyun International''s members. Bi Qingyun''s voice cut through the stillness, his gratitude palpable: "How fortuitous it is that Universal Semiconductor Corporation has emerged precisely when we needed it most."


    It was as if fate had intervened, delivering a much-needed saviour to the chip-dependentpanies, Qingyun International at the forefront.


    Bi Qingyun''s words continued to resonate: "With 5nm and 8nm lithography machines at our disposal, Universal Semiconductor offers us the canvas upon which all our chip designs can flourish."


    Turning his gaze toward Liu Yong, he proposed, "Mr. Liu, might we entertain the idea of aprehensive partnership?"


    Liu Yong''s response was swift and affirmative: "Absolutely, our doors are open wide for such coboration."


    And so, the two parties delved into the intricacies of partnership, their dialogue flowing seamlessly as they forged the blueprint of their coboration. Negotiations proceeded like a well-choreographed dance, and within a single day, the framework for their cooperation was meticulouslyid out.


    Qingyun International would take charge of design and development. At the same time, Universal Semiconductor would lend its expertise to chip production and manufacturing ¨C a harmonious division ofbour united byprehensive cooperation.


    As discussions concluded, a collective exhale of relief swept through Qingyun International''s members, the weight on their shoulders lightening. The custodians of Universal Semiconductor, including Hu Shijun, harboured their own concealed tion, a monumental business deal poised to usher in tens of billions in revenue through the synergy of Guanghe and Qingyun International. This prospect could only elicit joy.


    With Qingyun International annually importing hundreds of billions in chips, their dependency was poised to wane. Starting the uing month, they would gradually wean themselves off these imports. Chips, conceived by Qingyun International, would find their physical form within the manufacturing facilities of Universal Semiconductor. The negotiations, for the most part, were an unequivocal sess.


    The final task at hand was the formal signing of the contract.


    Bi Qingyun''s voice brimmed with anticipation: "Mr. Liu, might we propose a visit to your No. 1 factory tomorrow? Could we finalize the formal cooperation contract by tomorrow afternoon?"


    Liu Yong''s immediate response was affirmative: "That sounds like an excellent n. Consider it arranged."


    And so, the sun greeted a new day.


    The delegation descended upon Factory No. 1 ¨C an expansiveplex sprawling over 300 to 400 acres. The nearlyplete facility emanated a contemporary, high-tech ambience, a testament to cutting-edge industry.


    A sense of satisfaction radiated from Liu Yong as he surveyed the factory grounds.


    The tour led them through the chip manufacturing workshop. Donning specialized attire and undergoing meticulous preparations, the group finally crossed the threshold into the sacred workspace.


    Amidst the array of specialized equipment, the centrepiece was undoubtedly the 5nm lithography machine. Eyes glinted with excitement as the delegation converged on the device, this artifact representing their emancipation from the shackles of chip scarcity.


    Bi Qingyun, swept up in the moment, extended his hand to touch the lithography machine.


    Liu Yong''s words, like a balm, soothed the collective apprehension: "The era of chip scarcity is now firmly in the past."


    Bi Qingyun''s emotions running deep, agreed: "You are entirely correct." Spontaneous apuse erupted, filling the room with a chorus of appreciation.


    The culmination of the event was the formal signing of the contract.


    Qingyun International entrusting its chip production to Universal Semiconductor sealed their partnership with a sense of shared purpose. Their coboration was a finely woven tapestry of ambition and ingenuity.


    With the dawn of a new day, Qingyun International stood before a podium, announcing Universal Semiconductor as its exclusive chip manufacturer. It was a deration that resonated far beyond the confines of the room, a testament to their liberation from a history of sanctions and limitations.


    The following press conference was a sensation, captivating the newsndscape and dominating headlines. Praise flowed freely, a unanimous sentiment that united even the most disparate voices.


    "Universal Semiconductor''s triumph is evident. A well-deservedmendation."


    "The relief is palpable. I imagine some in Country M are grinding their teeth in frustration."


    Liu Yong perused the news in his expansive office with a contented smile. Their victory was two-fold: they had shattered the constraints of sanctions while elevating Global Semiconductor''s reputation. Moreover, an influx of orders loomed as domestic enterprises sought to engage their services.


    In the vast embrace of the Pacific Ocean, "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" sailed side by side, their course set for Huahai City. They would transport tens of thousands of tons of metal fragments in a matter of days.


    Despite the smooth waters and gentle currents, Ren Ziquan sensed an unease stirring within him. His sixth sense, that uncanny intuition, hinted at impending turmoil ¨C a disquiet he could not ignore.


    His vignce remained unwavering. As he gazed out across the endless expanse of the ocean, he murmured a silent prayer, invoking the gods'' protection for a safe return to Huahai City.


    At the vantage point atop the "Blue Whale," two crew members maintained a watchful stance, their mission to scan the horizon for any disturbances.


    "No sign of anything. Lao Zhu, let''s take a moment for a smoke."


    Cigarettes exchanged hands, and the crew members engaged in casual banter.


    "This job can be tedious at times. Is the captain overly cautious, you think?"


    A long drag on a cigarette ensued: "Caution is never excessive. I''ll take over lookout dutyter, and you can rest."


    "Sounds like a n, I could use a break."


    Moments I was ticked by. The crew member with binocrs detected a shift in the vista, his expression morphing as he recognized the anomaly.

 Chapter 391 The Approaching Threat!

    ?


    As the vast expanse of the sea extended endlessly before their eyes, a palpable sense of disquiet began to permeate the collective awareness of the crew members present on the deck. The very atmosphere seemed to carry with it a tinge of apprehension, casting a shadow upon their thoughts and emotions as they gazed out onto the horizon where the endless waves met the open sky.


    "Something is stirring out there," one crew member''s voice broke the silence. His gaze fixed on the horizon, where not one but two boats appeared, moving steadily and swiftly.


    "Their speed is astonishing," another crew member remarked, their tone betraying a hint of tension.


    "Are they headed this way?" The sight made the heart of a crew member skip a beat, a rush of apprehension settling in.


    Another crew member, quick to perceive, inquired, "Old Zhu, is there cause for concern?"


    Old Zhu, a seasoned hand, replied calmly, "Have a look for yourself."


    Gripping the binocrs tightly, the crew member focused on the precise location that Old Zhu had singled out. An almost imperceptible alteration in his countenance spoke volumes, revealing a growing awareness unfurling within him. "It is beginning to appear as though their trajectory is unerringly directed towards us," he intimated with a sense of urgency. "I shall expeditiously convey this pressing development to the captain whilst you remain vignt and observant here."


    Before the words had left his lips, he sprinted down the deck and burst into the captain''s quarters, his voice urgent, "Captain, two warships are bearing down on us."


    "What?" Ren Ziquan''s eyebrows twitched, his inner thoughts echoing with the worrisome possibility he had been contemting.


    Reacting swiftly to the unfolding situation, he didn''t allow a moment to slip away unused. With a sense of urgency fueling his movements, he burst forth, tightly clutching the binocrs in his grip. Mounting the height advantage of the ship''s structure, he embarked on an ascent toward a strategic vantage point that would grant him a more straightforward line of sight. He focused the binocrs meticulously on the vessels that drew nearer by the second. As the scene unfolded before him, a heavy feeling took root within his chest, a palpable realization that confirmed his gravest concerns: a distressing reality manifested itself in undeniable rity¡ªtwo warships were, without a doubt, converging upon their location with a swiftness that left no room for doubt.


    Their menacing presence seemed to emanate from a distance, foretelling of impending trouble.


    "Sound the rm, and notify Shiwang of the situation," Ren Ziquan ordered, his voice authoritative.


    The wailing sirens pierced the air, a resounding deration of urgency.


    Swiftly, the first mate, chief engineer, and other key crew members of the "Blue Whale" converged. "Captain, what''s happening?" concern was etched on their faces.


    Ren Ziquan''s tone was solemn as he shared, "Two warships are advancing toward us, and their intentions are far from benevolent."


    The first mate''s countenance darkened, his worry palpable.


    The chief engineer interjected with a trace of optimism, "Perhaps, Captain, they''re not here for us. We haven''t engaged in any illicit activities."


    Ren Ziquan shook his head, a hint of sadness clouding his gaze. "Remember, we''ve just salvaged 50,000 to 60,000 tons of metal fragments. Envy has many allies."


    Metal fragments¡ªobjects of desire. In a realm driven by ruthless self-interest, internationalw often bowed to the will of mightier fists.


    As the warships drew closer, those who trained their eyes through telescopes could distinguish the gs they bore.


    "The E country''s navy," the realization dawned as the gs unfurled in the wind.


    Beneath the waves, in close proximity to the "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang," a colossal form trailed, lurking beneath the surface¡ªthe Overlord.


    Liu Yong''s apprehension had prompted the deployment of Bawang, standing vignt against any potential threat to the prized metal fragments.


    With keen sight, Bawang discerned the advancing warships. "Master, two warships are headed our way. What do you make of this?"


    Liu Yong, amidst contemtion, was jolted by the interruption. "What? Two warships are rapidly approaching the ''Blue Whale'' and ''Shiwang''?"


    His consciousness shifted, and through the third-party vision, he surveyed the scene. His suspicions were confirmed: two warships surged forward, their velocity seemingly surpassing 35 knots.


    "Remarkable speed," Liu Yong marveled, acknowledging the swiftness that bordered on incredible.


    But then, his amazement morphed into bewilderment as the identities of the warships came to light. "The E country''s navy?"


    In his calctions, the pursuers should have hailed from country M¡ªthe ck Iron Company''s home. This sudden twist puzzled him.


    A usible thought emerged, only to be swiftly dismissed. "Country M''s navy passing by? No, this is no mere coincidence."


    As seconds ticked by, the pieces fell into ce. "They''re here for the fragments, or rather, to im them."


    Their approach was relentless, a mere nautical mile between the vessels. Liu Yong''s assessment unfolded with growing certainty.


    A wry chuckle escaped him. "Even country E joins the fray. Envy knows no bounds."


    He spected¡ªa connection between countries E and M, a possibility governed by intrigue. "Country M''s orchestrations, perhaps. E ys the puppet while M pulls the strings."


    In the depths below, the Overlord conveyed an rming revtion. "Master, a submarine''s presence is detected."


    Liu Yong''s intrigue deepened as he observed the underwater vessel, a creation of country M, silently navigating beneath the surface.


    "A costly asset," he mused. The deployment of such a vessel wasn''t insignificant.


    He pieced it together¡ªa sinister partnership between the overt E and the covert M. "Country E acts as a distraction, a smoke screen. Country M''s hidden agenda emerges."


    "Master, shall I neutralize the submarine?" Bawang''s voice reverberated in Liu Yong''s thoughts.


    Liu Yong''s response was measured. "Hold for now. Let''s see what their intentions truly are."


    Bawang, true tomand, maintained its silent vigil, an enigmatic guardian beneath the waves.


    Above, on the sea''s surface, a tableau of anxiety unfolded. The warships'' strategic maneuverspleted their encirclement of the "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang."


    Perched onboard, Ren Ziquan''sposure held firm. "Take your positions, everyone. Stick to the drill n."


    As the crew found their ces, Ren Ziquan grasped a satellite phone, initiating contact with Liu Yong.


    "We''re in dire straits," he confided, his voice weighted. "The ''Blue Whale'' and ''Shiwang'' are under siege by two E country warships. It appears they seek to detain us..."


    To be continued...

 Chapter 392 Cylinder Chaos!

    ?


    Liu Yong''s phone buzzed, and a call from Ren Ziquan lit up the screen. With a knowing nce, Liu Yong picked up the call. The situation over there was crystal clear to him; he''d been meticulously observing events unfolding at sea through an intermediary''s perspective.


    "Ren Ziquan," Liu Yong spoke calmly, his voice infused with unwavering confidence, "There''s no need to let fear cloud our judgment. They''re powerless against us."


    The assertion carried an air of certainty, each word spoken like a shield against trepidation.


    Ren Ziquan''s racing heart found sce in Liu Yong''s self-assured tone. As the tension ebbed away, Ren''s voice steadied, "Captain, they''re hailing us!"


    In haste, a crew member barged into the room, his anxiety palpable. "Captain, they''re shouting at us!" he panted.


    "Stayposed," Ren Ziquan soothed, his words aimed at both the crew member and himself. "Disregard their words; their bark holds no weight."


    Across the channel, the warships'' demands grew louder, theirmands delivered in stern Mandarin. They ordered the "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" to halt instantly and submit to inspection, warning of escted measures should their demands be ignored.


    Amidst the tumult, resentment boiled over. "This is the open seas, a waterway shared by nations," grumbled one seaman.


    "The audacity is beyond measure, pure bullying," another chimed in, a blend of frustration and indignationcing his words.


    "Full throttle it is then," someone suggested fervently, their agitation manifesting as a resolve to collide headlong and risk the confrontation. "Break theirs, even if it means breaking ours."


    Muttered exchanges buzzed like a beehive, opinions shing and emotions churning.


    Initially cloaked in apprehension, the crew''s fear gradually transformed into a smouldering fury. The perceived injustice became a weight that rested heavily on their hearts.


    "Captain, why not meet their challenge head-on?" a voice piped up, a hint of defiance underpinning the words. "We ram into them; I refuse to believe they''re invincible."


    Ren Ziquan''s voice tempered the fervour, his words resonating with reason, "Charging at them would jeopardize our ship as well. That''s ast-resort measure we can''t afford."


    Amid the tension, a pressing question arose. "Captain, what''s our course then? They won''t remain idle for long."


    "We might just witness a miracle," Ren mused. "Remember a few days back, the ck Iron Company''s vessel vanished beneath the waves?"


    Collective gasps erupted.


    A spark of hope ignited in the crew''s eyes. The possibility of the warships inexplicably plummeting to the ocean''s depths tantalized their thoughts.


    For the seasoned crew members, familiarity with shipwrecks made the notion all the more tangible. They''d witnessed such tragedies before; this was far from uncharted territory.


    "Could lightning strike twice?" someone wondered aloud, drawing parallels between the present predicament and the recent maritime disaster.


    "Imagine if these warships met the same fate," another mused, their voice vibrant with newfound optimism.


    Ren Ziquan''s promation resonated, his words echoing with a sense of assurance, "Stay unfazed. Our objective is to outpace them, to vanish into the horizon."


    "Both ''Blue Whale'' and ''Shiwang,'' engage maximum propulsion!" Themand rang out, synchronized like a heartbeat, and the vessels surged forward.


    Beneath the undting surface, a shadowy presence loomed¡ªOverlord, vignt over the unfolding drama. The ships were observed, the warships monitored, and the submerged submarine tracked every move. The waters held their secrets close, a tableau of intrigue far from resolved.


    Overlord, his watchful eyes trained on the rising submarine, contemted his next move. A voice, a trusted advisor named Liu Yong, piped up, "Master, the submarine is beginning to surface. Shall we neutralize it before it poses a threat?"


    Liu Yong, deeply aware of the unfolding situation, observed the submarine''s emergence from the depths. After a thoughtful pause, he responded, "Proceed without hesitation. Sink the submarine first, then engage the two warships that nk it."


    tion danced within Overlord as he clutched his imposing spear, a behemoth of a weapon fit for a figure of his stature. Silently, he slipped through the water, his immense frame carrying him toward the unsuspecting submarine.


    Meanwhile, in a remote navalmand center located thousands of kilometers away, the corridors echoed with urgency. Technicians monitored the colossal screen, which disyed real-time satellite imagery capturing the maritime events.


    On this screen, the "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" surged forward, nked on either side by two warships, forming a protective vanguard. At the helm of this operation was Nation E''s navy four-star admiral, Matthew Ryan. His authoritative presencemanded the room, as he held the reins of the E country''s naval strategy.


    The alliance between countries E and M stood as a testament to shared objectives and the promise of abundant returns. This cooperative endeavor, aside from the diplomatic alignment, bore the potential to secure substantial benefits for Nation E. These epassed a bounty of metal fragments, ranging from 50,000 to 60,000 tons, and an additional 10,000 tons. Moreover, the pact pledged the provision of advanced weaponry and equipment, including the coveted new anti-submarine helicopter that had long lured Matthew Ryan''s ambitions.


    Matthew Ryan''s voice resonated with determination, "Gentlemen, escape is futile. Announce a final warning, or else we shall resort to boarding by force."


    A strategic officer affirmed, "Sir, the matter is settled. Our control over these two vessels is imminent."


    Disying a calcted resolve, Matthew Ryan dered, "Cease further warnings. Initiate the order¡ªour elitemando unit shall engage!"


    "Understood, General!"


    Amid the expanse of the ocean, Overlord had now reached the submarine''s side. The vessel hovered on the brink of the water''s surface, its periscope yet to dip beneath.


    Within the confined quarters of the submarine, oblivious to the looming danger, the upants busied themselves with their tasks. Unbeknownst to them, a colossal force had infiltrated their surroundings.


    Overlord, armed with his gargantuan spear, took aim at the vulnerable submarine. His weapon, an extension of his formidable might, collided with the vessel''s formidable hull. This was no ordinary feat, for Overlord had once aplished the unimaginable¡ªa nuclear submarine had sumbed to his might. Yet, this time, the challenge exceeded all prior expectations.


    With a thunderous impact, the spear drove forward. The vessel''s shell resisted, a testament to its resilience. But the prodigious Overlord, his mass exceeding 1,000 tons, was a force to be reckoned with. With determination akin to an elemental force, he wielded his spear of more than 200 tons, puncturing the hull in a single, resolute strike.


    An echoing boom reverberated through the waters, bearing witness to the immense power at y. The spear''s pration was a resounding sess, punctuating the vessel''s vulnerability. Overlord retracted his weapon, readying it for a follow-up assault. Again and again, the spear struck, a relentless barrage that left the submarine''s upants reeling.


    Inside the submarine, chaos erupted. Panic seized the sailors of country M as they grappled with the unthinkable¡ªan assault from an undetected adversary. The submarine''smander, his voice tinged with rm, demanded answers, "What is happening?!"


    Uncertainty clouded the minds of all aboard. The source of this cmity remained shrouded in mystery; it was neither torpedo nor collision with the seafloor, for the submarine navigated a depth of at least 2,000 meters.


    But beforeprehension could set in, a second reverberation echoed through the hull. The submarine shook once more, a harbinger of dire circumstances.


    A chilling premonition overcame themander. The imminent danger was palpable.


    In an instant, the sea''s tranquility shattered as a colossal metal cylinder impaled the submarine''s exterior. It tore through the hull, iming a life in its destructive path.


    Themand room, a bastion of discipline, dissolved into disarray. Awe mingled with terror as the crew struggled to fathom the inconceivable intrusion. How could such a massive cylinder have infiltrated their sanctuary?


    Beforeprehension dawned, the cylinder was retracted, leaving a gaping hole in its wake. Seawater surged inward, a relentless tide of intrusion.


    Within the submarine, screams echoed¡ªa symphony of panic and despair. The vessel, breached and besieged, faced inevitable demise. Overlord''s assault had rendered it a sieve, the aggressor''s might irresistible.


    Overlord''s triumphant gaze lingered on the ailing submarine. Swiftly, he turned his attention toward a nearby warship¡ªthe next target in his calcted assault. With his colossal spear poised, he descended toward the warship''s underbelly, determination emanating from every fiber of his being.

 Chapter 393 Captains Choice!

    ?


    On the deck of the formidable warship, a vignt team of sailors stood poised, prepared to spring into action at a moment''s notice. These sailorsprised a resolutemando unit, ready for the unpredictability of the open sea.


    The air was charged with anticipation as the sailors went about their duties, their senses attuned to every subtle shift in the surroundings. Suddenly, a resounding "Boom!" echoed through the air, a muffled st that rippled through the water. Its force was palpable aboard the warship and even faintly carried to the "Blue Whale," a massive vessel stationed merely a hundred meters away.


    Confusion seized the crew of the E-Nation warship. The explosive sound had startled them all, and they exchanged bewildered nces, voicing their concerns.


    "What''s the source of this reverberation?" one questioned aloud, his brow furrowed.


    "Where is this sound emanating from?" another sailor demanded, casting his gaze in various directions.


    A sense of disarray settled over the ship''s personnel. The st''s resonance seemed to have permeated the very structure of their vessel, causing a barely perceptible vibration that set their nerves on edge.


    Another "Boom!" resounded, more distinct this time, apanied by a more pronounced tremor. Urgency pervaded the air, and the captain''s voice cut through the mor,manding immediate investigation.


    "Quickly ascertain the cause of these disturbances!" The captain''s voice rang out urgently, his apprehension evident.


    Hardly had the captain''s words subsided when yet another muted detonation resounded, striking a near-debilitating blow to hisposure. Aboard the "Blue Whale," amidst the chaos, Ren Ziquan, the vessel''smander, noticed a familiar sound.


    "Hear that?" he eximed, his senses keenly attuned to the reverberations. The sound bore a striking resemnce to something he had encountered before.


    Recognition dawned upon him, igniting a spark of excitement. His memory jogged, Ren Ziquan realized the significance of the moment. The sound resonating from beneath the enemy ship signaled impending doom.


    "Comrades," Ren Ziquan rallied his crew with conviction, "take heart! The enemy warship is meeting its end!"


    A ripple of hope surged through the crew of the "Blue Whale" as the realization dawned. The imminent demise of the adversary''s vessel sparked tion among the sailors. Their attention remained riveted on the sinking ship as it sumbed to the depths.


    Yet, the euphoria was short-lived for the beleaguered sailors on the E-Nation warship. Panic red among their ranks as a sailor raced towards them, his demeanor frantic as he delivered the dire news.


    "No, our ship is flooding! Seawater is pouring in!" he eximed, his words fueling a sense of desperation.


    Astonishment and disbelief washed over the E-Nation warship''s crew, the captain included. How had their situation turned dire so abruptly? Time for introspection was a luxury they could not afford; seawater surged in, threatening their vessel''s stability.


    Submerged below the waterline, Bawangrger than life¡ªwielded a colossal spear to puncture the ship''s hull. A swift strike bore through the hull, boring a series of gaping holes in a matter of minutes. His actions rendered the warship''s defenses ineffective, a harrowing testament to his strength.


    The vessel, now riddled with breaches, morphed into a veritable sieve, prompting Bawang to shift his focus to another target. His gargantuan spear struck with precision, leaving a trail of devastation. The metal rending apart echoed in the ears of those aboard, a chilling symphony of destruction.


    Desperation consumed the E-Nation warship''s crew. The realization that disaster was imminent dawned on them, yet they had scant time to react, let aloneprehend the assant''s identity. Inundation by seawater ensued, as torrents gushed in unrelenting torrents.


    On the "Blue Whale" and the "Shiwang," jubtion reigned supreme. Cheers erupted among the sailors, their excitement palpable as they watched the enemy vessel''s impending descent into the abyss.


    "Ha! Their ship''s fate is sealed!" a sailor eximed, euphoria infusing his tone.


    "A twist of fate indeed! The tables have turned," another rejoiced, savoring the irony.


    "Remember when they were taunting us? Now it''s their turn!" a third chuckled.


    Yet, the plight of the E-Nation warship''s crew revealed itself, as a panicked sailor from their vessel swam towards the "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang." With urgency in his voice, he pleaded for assistance.


    "They''re begging for our help!" a sailor remarked aboard the "Blue Whale."


    "Look! Some are swimming our way, desperately seeking salvation," observed Ren Ziquan, noting the desperation in their actions.


    The crew was divided;passion and pragmatism warred within their hearts. The unfolding spectacle tested their humanity.


    "Captain, what should we do? Extend aid or leave them to their fate?" a sailor queried, his moralpass wavering.


    "Absolutely not! They sought to impede our progress earlier," another retorted, advocating leaving the enemy to their demise.


    The crew turned to Ren Ziquan, their captain, seeking a verdict. A pivotal decision rested in his hands.


    Ren Ziquan''s verdict resounded with resolute detachment. "Continue our course, leave them behind."


    As the "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" retreated, the abandoned E-Nation sailors were left to grapple with the unforgiving sea. The Overlord, an enigmatic figure, observed from a distance, savoring the spectacle.


    "Master, this is quite the show!" Bawang enthused.


    Liu Yong, watching from afar,mended Bawang''s actions. "You''ve done admirably, reducing a submarine and two warships to ruins."


    Bawang''s excitement was palpable. "Master, sinking warships is my true calling. Any targets you desire obliterated, just give me the word."


    Liu Yong mused, recognizing the delicate geopolitical dance at y. Country E was a pawn, their navy a means to an end. In contrast to the looming threat of country M''s formidable navy, the E-Nation navy''s potency paled.


    If country M dared provoke them again, if they dared unleash metallic fragments of destruction, the retaliation would be severe. The sinking of two warships was but an opening act.


    "Overlord, a new task awaits," Liu Yong dered.


    Eagerly, Bawang responded, "Master, tell me, and I shall execute."


    Liu Yong outlined the mission with gravity. "The main naval port of the E-Nation, Port Fax, is your next target. Sink every warship and submarine harbored there."


    Bawang''s anticipation was palpable. "A task worthy of my talents. I shall strike with precision."


    Liu Yong''s caution underscored the operation. "Prioritize safety. Execute the strike under the cover of night, retreat swiftly, leaving no trace."


    "Understood. Nightfall will be my canvas," Bawang affirmed.


    As Bawang departed, Liu Yong reflected on the emerging narrative. A grim reality unfurled¡ªCountry E was a mere pawn, their navy a


    calcted asset. Against country M''s looming shadow, Liu Yong harbored no reservations about the E-Nation navy.


    Let country M reckon with the repercussions of their actions. Sinking two warships was a mere prelude; the scales of vengeance tipped immeasurably in his favor.


    Liu Yong''s parting words resonated with conviction. "Two warships do not suffice. A grander reckoning awaits."


    With renewed resolve, Bawang embarked on his mission, a silent architect of chaos on the distant horizon.


    In the E-Nation''s navalmand center, bewilderment cast a pall over the room. Their initial assessment had been a gross miscalction, two civilian vessels now having felled their prized warships.


    Confusion reigned, irony carved into their reality. As the "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" sailed calmly away, leaving only ripples in their wake, the beleaguered E-Nation naval crew was left grappling with a harsh truth¡ªthey had been outmaneuvered.


    This unforeseen turn of events, a sequence of surprises that defied expectations, left the E-Nation''s navalmand awash with disbelief. The weight of their miscalctions hung heavy, while lessons in humility were learned in the wake of their staggering defeat.

 Chapter 394 SOS: Oceans Call

    ?


    In the grand expanse of themanding hall for military operations, an air of sorrow hung heavy. Dominating the immense central disy screen was a vivid projection of satellite-linked images, which unfolded before the assemge.


    Upon the open sea!


    Both naval vessels continued their inexorable descent into the depths, their severe tilting ringly evident. One ship, in particr, lifted its stern to a remarkable height, even to the extent of exposing the submerged propeller.


    The hearts of the onlookers bled collectively, their empathy poignant and palpable.


    Amentable realization surged through the room. These were the pinnacle of guided missile destroyers, each an investment of considerable value. The country''s reserves boasted only a handful of these vessels, and they were now irrevocablypromised.


    On the sea''s surface, sailors became mere apparitions, their forms ephemeral and vulnerable to the perilous embrace of the waves.


    "It''s concluded, all is lost," a somber military officer approached, his visage a mirror of destion. "Your Excellency, what course of action do we take?"


    Matthew Ryan''s countenance transformed into a tableau of discontent, his expression rife with frustration. "Initiate immediatemunication with our fleet. Mobilize a rescue operation," he dered through gritted teeth.


    A voice interjected with an unsettling revtion, "Your Excellency, I''ve investigated. There is a regrettableck of our own vessels in proximity to the disaster zone. Not even a solitary merchant ship."


    The gravity of the news reverberated through the room.


    What!


    Shockwaves of consternation rippled through the gathering. The location of the incident was situated in the ocean''s heart, at an unfathomable distance from the nearest maind, separated by a thousand nautical miles.


    The scene of the crisis unfolded thousands of kilometers beyond the reach of Country E''s territory. Within that sea expanse, their vessels navigated, acting at the behest of Country M''s requests, their role mere pawns in arger strategy.


    But not a single one of their vessels was within reach.


    What avenue remained? A question echoed desperately.


    "Your Excellency, over three hundred crew members are stranded at sea. These are our elite sailors. We must mount a rescue effort!" implored another voice, fraught with urgency.


    "Your Excellency, General, may I suggest broadcasting an international distress signal? Enlist the aid of any nearby vessels, irrespective of their g, to hasten to the site and lend aid."


    "Your Excellency, General..."


    The passage of time seemed interminable until Matthew Ryan finally voiced his decision, each word measured. "Then, dispatch the international distress signal."


    He was all too aware of the implications. The signal''s issuance would necessitate relinquishing pride and dignity.


    Anticipating the event''s imminent revtion, it was but a matter of time before neighboring nations and foreign shores alike became privy to the debacle.


    The matter was ignominious, a blow they couldn''t evade.


    The forting storm was impossible to elude.


    If the adversary seeded, the narrative would reshape itself, and falsehoods would parade as truth.


    What recourse remained?


    A wry, almost rueful chuckle escaped.


    In the confines of necessity, only one path presented itself, despite the price it exacted. Over three hundred elite lives hung in the bnce, leaving Matthew Ryan with no alternative but to issue that international distress signal.


    As for the aftermath, as for orchestrating an apt narrative, the wheels of strategy were already in motion within Matthew Ryan''s cogitations.


    "May the Global Shipping Group refrain from exploiting this incident for spectacle¡­" he muttered, his plea whispered into the unyielding abyss.


    Out at sea.


    A mere hundred nautical miles distant from the cmity''s epicenter, a colossal container ship traversed the ocean expanse. It bore an insignia that denoted its affiliation with the Global Shipping Group, a customary sight along these international waters.


    "Captain, an international distress signal has been received on our public channel. Two of Country E''s naval vessels have sunk. They beseech all vessels in proximity to lend assistance."


    "Curious," mused Captain Ji Hongjiang, brows knit in perplexity. The sea offered no fierce turbulence to ount for a vessel''s misfortune.


    Could conflict have broken out? Yet, the incident site remained distant, far removed from the maind of Country E. The circumstance baffled reason.


    In pursuit of rity, Ji Hongjiang concluded that intervention was vital. He lifted the satellite phone, poised to seek guidance from his superiors.


    Instructions arrived promptly, routed to Liu Yong. Qiu Yang entered Liu Yong''s sanctum, his brow furrowed in concern. "Boss, our vessel Shishi has solicited instructions¡­"


    Liu Yong listened intently, Qiu Yang''s ount unveiling a curious tale. An undertone of jest inflected Liu Yong''s chuckle.


    Qiu Yang detected a subtlety in his boss''sughter, prompting inquiry. "Boss, is there some hidden intricacy here? Is there aplication?"


    Liu Yong''s eyes danced with a knowing gleam. "Absolutely, Qiu Yang. Our Blue Whale and Shiwang found themselves on the brink of capture by Country E''s navy¡­"


    The ount woven by Liu Yong unfolded before Qiu Yang, painting a vivid tapestry of audacious maneuvering.


    Uncertainty shaded Qiu Yang''s countenance. "And our ships? Are they secure now?"


    "They''ve slipped the snare," assured Liu Yong, confidence radiating from his demeanor. "Country E''s navy harbored lofty illusions."


    A grin surfaced, concealing the secret guardian named Overlord, unseen but potent in its guardianship. The audacity of Country E''s navy to ensnare the "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang" was nothing but folly, given the hidden sentinel''s vignt watch.


    Unbeknownst to Qiu Yang, Overlord was Liu Yong''s concealed gambit, a y reserved for the highest stakes.


    Bawang remained veiled in Qiu Yang''s knowledge, yet the aura of certainty projected by Liu Yong ayed his reservations.


    "Boss, a distress signal from our vessel beckons. Should we extend aid?" Qiu Yang queried.


    Liu Yong deliberated, a scheme alreadyid bare within his thoughts. "We''ve assisted in prior crises, though the number saved should not exceed ten. A symbolic gesture of rescue will suffice."


    "Understood. I''ll ry instructions to Shishi, urging them to proceed to the incident site for limited rescue operations."


    However, Qiu Yang''s motion was stilled by Liu Yong''s voice. "Mr. Qiu, Country E''s navy endeavors to apprehend our vessels. This affront demands rpense. The Global Shipping Group is not to be trifled with."


    Qiu Yang sensed unwavering resolve in Liu Yong''s words.


    "Boss, what''s our course of action?"


    Liu Yong''s strategy was a foregone conclusion, a n calcted long before. "Convene a press conference forthwith. Illuminate the matter, condemn Country E''s navy with force. Unveil our stance without reservation."


    Qiu Yang exited, embarking on the task assigned.


    In less than half an hour, the news reverberated through the Global Shipping Group''s official channels. Video clips apanied the damning narrative.


    The Group''s official denouncement echoed resolutely, a rion of condemnation aimed at Country E''s naval actions. A


    press conference was scheduled, its purpose to broadcast the Group''s stance on the matter.


    Afternoon descended.


    Within the Global Building''s News Hall, an audience swelled. Cameras poised, journalists prepared for the spectacle. Qiu Yang and hispatriots from the Group stood before the assemge, their gazes steadfast.


    The press conference, a momentous asion,menced at four o''clock.


    Addressing the world, Qiu Yang''s voice carried gravitas. "Esteemed attendees, friends, wee to Global Shipping Group''s press conference. We gather today with heavy hearts, to divulge a truth. At approximately 1:00 p.m., an unsavory incident transpired upon the waters of the North Pacific Ocean..."

 Chapter 395 Press Conference!

    <h4>Chapter 395 Press Conference!</h4>


    Qiu Yang concluded his address with an air of aplishment that filled the grand press conference hall. In response, a wave of silence swept through the room as reporters, stunned and perplexed, processed the magnitude of what they had just heard.


    Their initial reaction was a chorus of disbelief, their collective sentiment echoing within the hushed hall. Recovery from the initial shock yielded to a collective state of bewilderment, leaving many momentarily speechless.


    "My word, is this even possible?" murmured one reporter, their incredulous voice underscoring the astonishment shared by their peers.


    Amid the quiet murmurs, a prevailing sentiment emerged: National E''s navy, renowned for its ndestine maneuvers, had once again surpassed expectations. The transgression against internationalw and basic morality created a dissonance that left the attendees grappling with the audacity of it all.


    "In the realm of international waters? This is simply preposterous!" another eximed, the incredulity tangible in their tone.


    As the room remained captive to the enormity of the revtion, one sentiment was clear¡ªthe audacious attempt to apprehend two ships of the Global Shipping Group in the waters that transcended national borders was a narrative that seemed imusible, surreal even. Yet, as the saying goes, reality often exceeds fiction.


    "Imagine having the audacity to im white is ck when the ship is literally in their hands," quipped a journalist in disbelief, their words tinged with a mix of irony and exasperation.


    The implications of such an unprecedented act reverberated through the conference hall, leaving a resonating impression upon all who bore witness. Questions of internationalw and the very foundations of public order and ethicsy at the heart of the discourse, igniting debates that sought to untangle theplexities of the situation.


    "Consider the inevitable onught of excuses and arguments from the E country''s navy to save face," someone noted, their voice a mixture of wry amusement and pragmatic observation.


    Yet, a prevailing sense of relief pervaded the atmosphere¡ªthankfully, the audacious ns had been thwarted, averting a crisis of unparalleled proportions. A sigh of collective relief hung in the air as the attendees contemted the alternate reality that might have unfolded.


    Gradually, the hushed room began to stir. Whispers and buzzing discussions broke the silence, igniting an undercurrent of spection and analysis. Suddenly, a reporter stood up, their hand raised as if signaling their intent to contribute.


    The attention of the room shifted toward the figure¡ªa foreign journalist, a young man with striking blond hair and blue eyes. His presence elicited a sense of anticipation, a palpable expectation of his forting query.


    Responding to the unspoken anticipation, Qiu Yang raised his hand, an authoritative gesture that orchestrated the symphony of sound into a subdued cadence. The conference hall sumbed to a tranquil quiet, a testament to Qiu Yang''s ability tomand the attention of the room.


    With a voice that projected confidence and assurance, Qiu Yang dered, "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we have traversed the crucial details of the situation. The floor is now open for your inquiries. We stand ready to address your questions."


    His words hung in the air, an invitation to engage in the discourse. With a nod toward the foreign journalist, Qiu Yang weed him to pose his query. "To the esteemed representative of the Liberty Times from country E," he began, his tone measured and respectful, "you raise an essential inquiry¡ªone that resonates with many. It is well known that skepticism and conviction coexist in our society. However, I assure you, our evidence is both substantial andpelling."


    A collective leaning forward indicated the room''s attentiveness. Qiu Yang''s poised demeanor exuded an air of quiet confidence, as if he had rehearsed this exchange countless times before.


    "With absolute certainty," Qiu Yang continued, "we possess irrefutable evidence."


    With a fluid motion, he signaled for a staff member from the Global Shipping Group to present the pivotal piece of evidence¡ªa video, a visual narrative that lent weight to Qiu Yang''s words. As the video yed, a crisp tableau unfolded¡ªthe fully armed sailors on the E country''s warship, poised to board the ship, their readiness palpable. The rity extended to the audio, capturing the scene''s tension with striking precision.


    A video that spanned a minute and a half left an indelible mark on the audience. It was a testament that underscored the veracity of Qiu Yang''s ount. And then, the collective gaze turned toward the foreign journalist¡ªa gaze that bore a blend of mockery and knowing acknowledgment.


    In an instant, the atmosphere shifted¡ªthe once-questioning foreign reporter was now subject to a symphony of silent incredulity. The truth, presented visually and audibly, was undeniable, casting a stark light on the reporter''s skepticism.


    Qiu Yang, satisfied by the reaction, addressed the room with unambiguous pride. "Our repository of evidence extends beyond this video," he proimed, his voice resounding. "You''ll find several videos avable on our official website. And for those who desire further assurance, our news department wees your inquiries. We invite you to copy any video you find intriguing."


    A renewedmotion rippled through the hall, recing uncertainty with rity. Multiple videos, each an irrefutable testament, fortified the narrative beyond doubt. Voices rose in acknowledgement¡ªmany attendees essed the official website of Global Shipping Group, examining the contents firsthand.


    nces were cast toward the foreign journalist from country E, their collective gaze a tacit reminder of the reporter''s earlier skepticism. Laughter, restrained but unmistakable, punctuated the air¡ªa subtle yet poignant manifestation of the reporter''s public difiture.


    The journalist from country E, his face flushing red, stood in the midst of the sea of spectators. The room''s judgmental gaze intensified his embarrassment, amplifying his desire to retreat from the spotlight.


    With the passage of time, Qiu Yang allowed the moment to unfold. After a pause of two or three minutes, he rose from his seat, hand raised in a signal for quiet. "Ladies and gentlemen, let us regain ourposure and continue our discussion."


    A reporter from country M stood up, his inquiry unveiling anotheryer ofplexity. "Mr. Qiu," he began, his voice thoughtful, "given the assertion that National E''s navy aims to apprehend your ships, it stands to reason that evidence should apany such a im. How then do you establish yourpany''s innocence?"


    The room''s attention shifted to the country M reporter. Murmurs resonated, a blend of curiosity and suspicion threading through the discourse. As the audience deliberated on the merits of the question, a sense of tension settled.


    Yet, amidst the uncertainty, Qiu Yang''s response emanated a sense of unshakable confidence. His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the maelstrom of queries. "To address your inquiry," he began, his wordsposed and measured, "let us revisit the incident itself."


    "As events unfolded," Qiu Yang continued, "two warships from the E country navy encountered unfortunate incidents that led to their sinking. Faced with this crisis, the E navy activated an international distress signal, broadcast across public channels. It was fortuitous that our ship, the Shishi, was in the vicinity. Upon receiving the signal, we hastened to the scene."


    "Through concerted efforts," he borated, "we sessfully rescued six sailors who had found themselves in


    the water. Remarkably, one among them was the captain of one of the warships. His testimony holds a pivotal piece of evidence, one that I invite you all to view on the big screen."


    An audible gasp swept through the room as anticipation ignited. The revtion of the captain''s video was a surprise, a twist that further enriched the narrative.


    The country M reporter''s demeanor shifted, his realization palpable¡ªa sudden awareness that he might have inadvertently positioned himself at a disadvantage. As the video yed on the big screen, the room fixated on the unfolding testimony. The captain, d in the uniform of the E country navy, recounted the incident in detail, openly acknowledging a conspiracy to apprehend the Global Shipping Group''s vessels without substantiating evidence.


    A ripple of astonishment surged through the audience¡ªa recognition that the unfolding events transcended mere news, marking a shift toward a narrative of international significance.


    The room''s energy escted; the journalists, invigorated by the newfound dimension, feverishly transcribed the unfolding events. The significance of the revtion was not lost on them¡ªthis was a story that would resonate far beyond the conference hall.


    As the video concluded, a sense of exhration hung in the air. Journalists tapped away on theirptops,mitting the unfolding narrative to words. Eyes turned once more to the country M reporter, their amusement tinged with empathy¡ªan acknowledgment of the journalist''s inadvertent role in unveiling a truth that undermined the very premise of their inquiry.


    The country M reporter, his face ame with embarrassment, found himself ensnared in an irony that was both palpable and inescapable. A question intended to cast doubt now served as a vessel for truth, a potent irony that underscored the twists inherent in this unfolding narrative.


    In the midst of it all, Qiu Yang remained steadfast¡ªan emblem of equanimity amid a sea of inquiries. The room, an arena of spection and intrigue, bore witness to a transformation¡ªa revtion that transcended mere words, charting a trajectory that would leave an indelible mark on history.


    And thus, the press conference surged forward¡ªa tapestry woven with questions and revtions, a stage where truth vied with skepticism. Amid the ebb and flow of dialogue, one figure stood at the helm, directing the narrative with a poise that was both assured and maic.

 Chapter 396 Silencing Skeptics!

    <h4>Chapter 396 Silencing Skeptics!</h4>


    As the video showcasing the candid confession of the E-country navy captain resonated throughout the expansive press conference hall, an unmistakable surge of astonishment cascaded through the assembled crowd. Infused with a potent blend of shock and genuine curiosity, reporters worked theirptop keyboards, diligentlyposing live news releases that skillfully encapsted the riveting revtion within the fluidity of real-time prose. Against the backdrop of this dynamic tableau, the country M correspondent, who had earlier posed a probing question, inadvertently found himself cast as the unwitting source of amusement¡ªa poetic twist of irony that evoked hearty chuckles from the gathered attendees.


    Amid the backdrop of this unfolding drama, Qiu Yang''s demeanour projected a blend of satisfaction and awe. He surveyed the room with a mixture of pride and surprise, realizing that the unconventional idea proposed by Liu Yong to record the captain''s testimony had yielded a remarkably potent oue. This swift and impactful counterpunch silenced sceptics and elevated the truth to the forefront.


    The aftermath of this single video¡ªa visual embodiment of objective truth¡ªresonated deeply, shaking the foundations of prevailing narratives and undermining the fortress of scepticism. Yet, a lingering question persisted: How had the E-country navy captain been persuaded to expose such damaging information?


    The exnation rested within the strategic understanding of Liu Yong¡ªa shining example of his unwavering determination. Equipped with mary incentives, Liu Yong adroitly secured the revtion of truth. A substantial sum of two million US dors proved adequate in coaxing the captain to unveil his candid testimony, as endeavours to influence him with attributes were brushed aside. This scenario provided a vivid illustration of themanding influence wielded by financial incentives and the unpredictable nuances inherent in human motivations.


    As the press conference persevered onward, Qiu Yang maintained an unwaveringposure amid a relentless onught of probing questions. His meticulously crafted andposed answers emerged as an anchor of stability amidst the tempestuous sea of inquiries, casting a reassuring light on the tumultuousndscape of curiosity that enveloped the room. Amidst this ceaseless storm of interrogation, Qiu Yang''s responses emerged as a steadfast guide, offering a sense of direction and coherence within the vortex of curiosity and uncertainty that engulfed the conference hall.


    As the conference concluded, queries arose regarding the Global Shipping Group''s future strategies. Qiu Yang''s allegorical response resonated deeply¡ªa brief assertion underscoring the Group''smitment to meeting proportional reactions to aggression.


    Subjected to persistent inquiries, Qiu Yang adeptly wove an air of enigma, deftly implying that the opportune instant for divulgence still lingered in the future. The chamber hummed with an electric undercurrent of curiosity as the prospect of imminent revtions tantalized and hovered tantalizingly, almost teasingly, just beyond the realm of immediate grasp.


    As the hands of the clock continued their unhurried progression, the press conference inexorably reached its natural conclusion, bringing the curtain down on a spellbinding and rigorous ny-minute session brimming with an array of disclosures. The rapid cadence of developments didn''t decrease, as news agencies swiftly broadcasted the evolving narrative, catalyzing the incident''s transformation into an emergent and fervently discussed subject rapidly gaining traction across digitalmunication channels.


    Meanwhile, separated by vast distances spanning thousands of kilometers, a palpable sense of gravity etched itself onto Matthew Ryan''s visage in the heart of the E-country Navy Command''s sanctum. In thepany of fellow officers of the E-National Navy, his attention remained rapt as aprehensive report was delivered, intricately detailing the full scope of the disaster that had unfolded: two state-of-the-art missile destroyers, bearing the brunt of the catastrophe, now rested ensconced within the unfathomable depths, their tragic demise exacting a toll that numbered in the hundreds.


    The scale of the loss was staggering; with less than two hundred survivors, the toll was heartrending. Amid this sorrow, a simmering anger festered, suspicions growing more substantial that the Global Shipping Group bore responsibility. Whispers of muffled noises preceding the vessels'' sinking stoked the mes of usation.


    Matthew Ryan''s anger was palpable, leading to the violent shattering of a cup¡ªa physical manifestation of the turmoil within. The revtion had left the E-country navy exposed and vulnerable on the international stage, their credibility disintegrated by the very truth they had sought to suppress.


    As the discussions persevered, the possibility of responding in kind came to the forefront. Among the assembled officers, a variety of perspectives emerged. While specific individuals were swift to dismiss the notion, suggesting that retaliation might not be feasible, others championed a more tempered approach, emphasizing the need for prudence and careful nning. The sinking of not just one but both of their warships, coupled with the sad news of a submarine''s loss from country M, addedplexity to their position. This series of setbacks had significantly magnified their vulnerabilities, casting a veil of uncertainty over the efficacy of their future actions.


    In this atmosphere of uncertainty, a singr sentiment held sway¡ªunyielding investigation. Matthew Ryan''s determination remained unshakeable, a testament to the gravity of the situation. The unconventional tactics the Global Shipping Group employed had exposed vulnerabilities that demanded elucidation lest the E-country navy suffer further catastrophic losses.


    In a vastly distant location, separated by thousands of kilometers, the vignt gaze of Overlord remained unwavering as it stationed itself just beyond the perimeter of Fask Harbor. Within this setting, Liu Yong stood at the helm, a beacon of unwavering patience, cognizant of the paramount importance of impable timing and the seamless orchestration of strategic maneuvers. As the contours of a crucial mission took shape on the distant horizon, Liu Yong''s consciousness operated on a ne thatprehended the indispensable role of precision in executing each phase of the intricate n.


    Acknowledging the need for respite and strategic timing, Liu Yong steered Overlord away from the immediate vicinity of Fask Harbor. Awaiting the cloak of darkness to descend, the strategic importance of nightfall couldn''t be overstated, as Fask Harbor provided an optimal backdrop for their impending action.


    A world apart in time and space, Liu Yong ounted for the time zone difference, meticulously nning for the inevitable embrace of nightfall. Under the cover of darkness, Fask Harbor would offer the ideal setting for their imminent operations.


    In summary, the video''s seismic impact on the press conference hall had triggered a cascade of responses, propelling the unfolding events into the global spotlight. Matthew Ryan grappled with the ramifications of the truth''s exposure, while Liu Yong poised himself for a calcted strike under the cover of night, weaving together a narrative that spanned continents and motivations.

 Chapter 397 Midnight Confrontation!

    <h4>Chapter 397 Midnight Confrontation!</h4>


    Bawang''s current mission involved a simple yet crucial sequence of actions: indulging in a hearty meal, replenishing his energy, and biding his time until the witching hour. It was a moment when most souls would surrender to the embrace of slumber, rendering Fask Harbor nearly deserted. And that was precisely when Bawang would make his move, plunging into the depths of Fask Harbor for a colossal confrontation.


    His body had traversed countless nautical miles with an almost supernatural fluidity, a single breath serving as his steadfastpanion. Never had he relented, never had he paused to satiate his hunger. Consequently, the ceaseless journey had left him drained and famished, with an emptiness that was as profound as the abyss he navigated.


    For a connoisseur of vors, the gnawing pangs of hunger were akin to a symphony of torment, each note striking a dissonant chord within his very being.


    At this juncture, he had ventured to a location approximately two hundred nautical miles removed from Fask Port. This distance, he deemed, was amply significant. With meticulous precision, the Overlordmenced his search for sustenance.


    His descent into the depths was deliberate, a gradual descent into the watery expanse where myriad creatures darted and danced. The minnows and shrimps, however, escaped his discerning eye, for they were but morsels unworthy of his attention. His gaze settled upon a monumental fish, its bulk easily tipping the scales at hundreds of catties. Yet, even such a formidable specimen couldn''t incite the Overlord''s appetite. His quest demanded a more substantial catch.


    And then, as if by cosmic arrangement, a voice¡ªa simple deration¡ªechoed through the aqueous surroundings: "Hey, there''s a whale shark!"


    The Overlord''s focus narrowed to a singr point as he zeroed in on his coveted prey. With every stroke, every flex of his immense muscles, the chasm between him and the whale shark rapidly shrank. It wasn''t long before his target took note of his relentless advance.


    The whale sharks, masters of these waters in their own right, instinctively recognized the Overlord''s imposing presence. Their reflex was to flee, to elude this predator of prodigious stature. Yet, their efforts, though earnest, proved futile.


    The chase reached a crescendo as the Overlord bridged the gap between them. In the sh of two leviathans, he enacted his dominance with a single, decisive bite. The once-majestic whale shark met its fate in that crushing embrace, its struggle silenced by the Overlord''s insatiable hunger.


    It was a ravenous feast, a banquet of colossal proportions that resonated with the primal echoes of survival. The Overlord tore into his prize with fervor, savoring each mouthful as if it were a long-awaited masterpiece. The aroma wafting from his prey was a testament to the culmination of his toils.


    After a span that felt like eternity, the whale shark was no more than a memory. Bawang, now sated, began a leisurely underwater exploration, prowling at depths of tens of meters. The hunt had brought nourishment aplenty, an aplishment marked by the consumption of hundreds of tons of sustenance. His stomach, atst, knew contentment.


    Yet, as he reveled in this newfound satisfaction, thoughts of a grander repast beckoned. The giant octopi dwelling within the trench upied his mind¡ªa thought both tantalizing and tititing. These colossal cephalopods, each a behemoth in its own right, promised vors beyondpare. It was not just sustenance he sought, but a culinary indulgence that bordered on the divine.


    As Bawang envisioned these epicurean fantasies, the contours of a n began to take shape. The first step upon returning home, he decided, would be a descent into the trench. There, the clutches of the giant octopi awaited him. His decree was clear: not just one, but two would be captured¡ªone for gastronomy, the other for mere admiration.


    Replete with his musings, the Overlord''s next objective was simple: recharge, await the enigmatic arrival of midnight, and plunge once more into action.


    Meanwhile, a world away, within the confines of Fask Port...


    Despite the prior day''s cmities¡ªa pair of advanced missile destroyers imed by the abyss¡ªthe scheduledmissioning ceremony proceeded as nned. This grand event, meticulously prepared and executed, marked the inauguration of two newly-acquired submarines from country M.


    The harbor was a tapestry of vibrancy, as the submarines stood adorned in brilliant hues, an emblem of celebration. The festivities were met with the presence of dignitaries and luminaries from the E-National Navy, including the prominent figure of Matthew Ryan.


    Standing on the tform, Matthew Ryan''s countenance was a portrait of exuberance. His disposition radiated warmth, unscathed by the preceding trials.


    The transformation of Fask Naval Port was resplendent. An atmosphere of tion pervaded the air, amplified by the assembly of naval powerhouses. Warships¡ªsome indigenous to these waters, others hastily summoned in support¡ªcongregated, creating an imposing tableau that bespoke the might of E-National Navy.


    Among the gathering of officers, sailors, and officers-to-be, the sight of the warships incited uncontainable zeal. An enchanting dance of pride and admiration unfolded, bearing witness to the fruits of diligentbor.


    Post-ceremony, a period of exploration followed, granting the upper echelons an opportunity to inspect their newest acquisitions firsthand. Among the myriad discussions, one sentiment rang universal: the realization that the navy of Country E had scaled new heights, poised to contend among the global elite.


    A deration was made¡ªCountry E''s navy, after years of tireless construction, was primed to im its seat in the upper echelons of naval might.


    Emotions surged among the assembly, a shared conviction fostering unity. The naval fraternity envisioned a future where their fleet upied a coveted ce within the world''s maritime hierarchy.


    As senior officials conducted their tour, the more junior ranks congregated, their enthusiasm palpable. Before their eyes, a pantheon of vessels¡ªsome bearing the moniker of world-ss missile destroyers and frigates¡ªresided in grandeur.


    Then, towering like a leviathan of steel, a colossus weighing tens of thousands of tonsmanded attention¡ªthe nation''s sole helicopter carrier. Anecdotes and quips wafted through the air, fostering camaraderie and a sense of belonging.


    The sentiment among them was effusive, as if bearing witness to the culmination of collective effort. Pride surged like a tide, punctuated by lightheartedments exchanged among colleagues.


    Throughout the day, Fask Harbor resonated with life, bustling with naval officers and soldiers who reveled in the pageantry. Yet, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the hours ebbed toward midnight, the port''s once-bustling demeanor receded. After 11:00 p.m., a hush descended, culminating in a tranquil midnight lull.


    The once-ebullient Fask Harbor now slumbered, its upants drawn into dreams of the sea. The navy''s denizens, their energies exhausted by a day of celebration, surrendered to the embrace of rest.


    As the night progressed


    , an aura of quietude enshrouded the port. The shimmering lights that once illuminated the naval domain gradually dimmed, casting an ephemeral tranquility upon the scene.


    Time unfolded, marching toward the nocturnal hour, casting a veil of enchantment over Fask Harbor. And as the clock hand hovered over the midnight threshold, a hulking figure emerged from the inky depths¡ªthe Overlord.


    At this bewitching juncture, the Overlord had arrived, a harbinger of calcted purpose. His form was a dark shadow against the dark waters, his presence defined by an undeniable authority.


    In this profound silence, a voice¡ªa manifestation of the Overlord''s boundless connectivity¡ªpierced the aquatic ambience: "Master, I have already arrived outside Fask Harbor and spotted an array of warships and submarines moored in the harbor."


    Liu Yong, situated in a distant office in Huahai City, waited with bated breath for the news he sought. His anticipation was rewarded as his vision extended across time and space, encapsting the span of the harbor and its vignt guardian.


    The Overlord''s arrival was no mere event; it was a symbol of anticipation realized. Yet, the vista that met Liu Yong''s gaze was a testament to the increasing fervor of their foes. The number of warships had multiplied, their collective presence veering toward intimidation.


    Liu Yong recognized the implicit challenge, the overture to a grand confrontation¡ªa battle of giants that would solidify his dominance.


    A surge of fervor pulsed through Liu Yong. The gauntlet had been thrown, and his determination was unshakable.

 Chapter 398 Thunk! Thunk !

    <h4>Chapter 398 Thunk! Thunk !</h4>


    Bawang glided through the tranquil waters, a silent shadow slipping into the embrace of Fask Harbor. Before ity an imposing assembly of warships, each securely anchored.


    "Master, which shall be our initial choice?" The query emanated from Liu Yong, who this timemanded the operation, while Bawang executed the meticulous strategies.


    Contemting the array before him, Liu Yong surveyed the warships, his thoughts weaving intricate threads of consideration. The selection process was a nuanced art, requiring careful deliberation.


    The abundance of vessels was overwhelming. Employing the conventional approach, the Overlord would use its colossal spear to submerge each ship individually, a method that demanded patience.


    But time¡ªdid they truly possess the luxury of time?


    With every fierce thrust of the giant spear, ripples of upheaval would cascade, inevitably capturing the attention of Country E''s vignt navy.


    What course of action to take?


    What stratagem would prove optimal?


    Liu Yong''s mind raced, a whirlwind of thoughts. And in mere seconds, he formted a n. "Overlord, do you perceive that colossal warship off your starboard bow?"


    The ship boasted an imposing tonnage, easily surpassing 10,000 tons, if not more.


    "That''s a supply vessel!" The Overlord acknowledged with a deep timbre, its resonance a testament to its immense form.


    "Indeed, but exercise caution. Initiate the maneuver with finesse, a gentle yet prating thrust. It''s quite likely brimming with oil,"


    Liu Yong rmended foreseeing not gasoline but the likelihood of diesel¡ªan essential fuel powering naval endeavours, often harnessed throughrge diesel engines or, on asion, gas turbines.


    Silently, the Overlord glided beneath the surface, aligning itself with the massive supply ship. And with calcted precision, the giant spear extended to make contact.


    The motion was subtle, a measured exertion of powersting no more than five minutes.


    Thunk!


    A muted resonance resonated, the sound muffled by the aquatic embrace. The tip of the colossal spear was purchased against the supply ship''s underbelly. And soon, Bawang''s demeanour shifted from tranquil to triumphant, itsnce having found its mark.


    The spear had punctured the vessel''s hull, driving through its exterior to a depth of nearly a meter.


    "Overlord, splendidly executed!" Liu Yongmended his words a symphony of approval for the Overlord''s deftness.


    Emboldened by the praise, the Overlord pivoted. Instead of retracting the spear, it surged forward with newfound vigour, impelling the weapon deeper, breaching the vessel''syers as if surmounting a barrier.


    The sensation was of resistance, a friction that spurred its pursuit. Yet, as the spear neared its zenith, the Overlord encountered an immovable juncture, the limit of its advance.


    Astonishingly, the spear had be ensnared, trapped within an impervious encasement. Forced to withdraw, the Overlord reversed its course, unveiling an unexpected spectacle.


    As the spear disengaged, a torrent of diesel oil spewed from the aperture, cascading in a flood of golden fluid. Liu Yong''s eyes gleamed with anticipation, the spectacle affirming the contents of the supply ship.


    "Overlord, let us adhere to the time-honored tradition¡ªcreate a perforated tapestry in this supply vessel," Liu Yong instructed.


    "Understood!"


    Boisterous enthusiasm infused the Overlord''s tone, embracing the fervour of its task. With an adept change of stance, it embarked on the time-tested technique, initiating each incision with a gentle prod before escting to forceful plunges.


    The vessel''s surface yielded, punctured by Bawang''s efforts. A deluge of diesel oil surged from the apertures, forming a shimmering slick upon the water''s surface.


    The world remained oblivious to this orchestrated chaos, Fask Harbor shrouded in silence as a ndestine performance unfolded beneath its depths.


    "Master, which vessel shall im our next overture?"


    Liu Yong contemted, a strategist poised to unleash the next tactical symphony.


    "Seek out the helicopter carrier, if it is present. It is that vessel I desire to consign to the abyss," Liu Yong''s voice resounded with conviction, a sense of urgency colouring his words.


    The Overlord echoed his resolve, "Master, exercise no restraint this time. A vigorous jab is the call of the hour."


    "Certainly!" Liu Yong''s voice brimmed with assurance.


    "Engage in full force, and if tumult unfurls, let it be. Swiftness is our ally now. Deliver each ship a robust series of thrusts."


    An aura of joy enveloped the Overlord. The opportunity resonated with its core, a crescendo of purpose interwoven within its every motion.


    An assembly of warships stretched before it, a panorama of vesselsrge and small. Never before had such an exhrating prospect graced its presence.


    It had dispatched ships of every ilk in its tenure¡ªthe grandeur of warships, the ndestine realm of submarines. But such feats had always been limited to one or two, a mere appetizer for its prowess.


    An expansive canvas awaited, a tapestry to paint with enthusiasm and resolve.


    Ba Dynasty, its colossal figure veering toward the helicopter carrier, poised beside the vessel''s nk. The giant spear projected forth, a formidable weapon propelled by the full force of its momentum.


    "Boom!"


    A deafening resonance pierced the air as the colossal spear plunged, its impact cascading through multiple decks, arresting only after traversing over ten meters of structure.


    Spear extracted, the Overlord acted without pause, instigating a session of jabs, each punctuated by an explosive percussion.


    Time is now a paramount consideration. Urgency fueled every movement, a determination to punctuate the canvas with purpose. Each ship met with the same relentless rhythm; thrusts meted out in quick session.


    An E navy sailor, Robert had partaken in the jubnt festivities of a new submarine''s inauguration, imbibing in spirits tomemorate the asion. A second trip to the restroom bore witness to his inebriated state.


    Emerging from the chamber, a harmonious tune upon his lips, he pivoted toward his quarters, an inkling of disquiet gnawing at him.


    An orchestration of sound, akin to the resonance of thunder, stirred the tranquillity. His ears pricked, attuned to the strange symphony.


    Thud!


    A muted echo resonated again, more evident this time, piercing the midnight hush. Puzzlement and confusion held Robert in their grip; what manner of urrence punctuated the night''s serenity?


    Thud!


    Yet another note in this enigmatic sonata, each iteration stoking his bewilderment. Could it be an artifact of the depths, a phenomenon birthed below the water?


    Thud!


    The refrain repeated, each instance unravelling the tapestry of normalcy. A semnce of realization took shape¡ªa disturbancey beneath the waves.


    Hastening toward the searchlight, Robert ignited its brilliance. A cascade of luminescence vanquished the obscurity, its beam piercing the abyss, directed toward the source of the enigma.


    A revtion met Liu Yong''s discerning gaze.


    "Overlord, our endeavours have been unmasked. The circumstances demand adaptation."


    Urgency permeated Bawang''s response, "Master, a mere four warships have known the embrace of mynce. Premature it is, what remedy shall we pursue?"


    Time-pressed upon them, a necessity undenied. A profound desire tinged Bawang''s sentiments¡ªit yearned to continue, the exhration of this newfound role igniting its very core.


    Yet Liu Yong bore aposed demeanour, and his strategy crystallized. "Recall the first ship you prated, Overlord."


    "Indeed," the Overlord affirmed. "A vessel replete with diesel oil, a massive supply ship."


    Liu Yong continued, his design unfolding. "Presently, the diesel has flowed forth, saturating the expanse. Your mission now is to ignite this oil, bathing the Port of Fask in an inferno."


    The Overlord''s gaze ignited with recognition,prehension transforming into a fervour.


    It had deciphered Liu Yong''s intent¡ªto foment chaos and capitalize on the disarray.


    "Master, your n possesses brilliance!"


    Liu Yong offered a final reminder, urgency underscoring his words. "Hurry, their searchlights traverse the waters. Kindling, the mes must transpire swiftly."


    And so, the Overlord plunged toward the supply vessel. Diesel oil enveloped it, a liquid shroud concealing its purpose. Bawang positioned itself and drove its spear into the juncture where the ship met oil.


    A collision of metal and fuel, sparks erupted, an incendiary dance punctuating the oil-slicked waters...

 Chapter 399 Burning Navy

    ?


    Sparks cascaded down in a spectacr disy of incandescent particles dancing upon the water''s surface. Among these showers of sparks, a multitude of them found their destination on the sheen of diesel oil spread over the water. However, despite the anticipation, the fervently desired inferno did not erupt.


    Amid this situation, Bawang''s unease grew palpable, his voice carrying a tinge of anxiety, "Master, this method appears ineffective. The diesel on the water''s expanse resists ignition. What course of action should we pursue?"


    Liu Yong, in stark contrast, maintained aposed demeanour. His understanding of the situation was acute. Diesel oil, he knew, was an entity distinct from gasoline, its ignition far less straightforward. A calm assuranceced his words as he responded, "Overlord, patience is our ally. Let us persist and attempt this method a few more times; ignition shall undoubtedly be achieved."


    Gleaning insights through a third-party vantage point, Liu Yong detected the presence of a thickyer of diesel oil resting upon the water''s surface. He spected. This fuel reservoir harboured the potential to catch fire, a wealth of several thousand tons capable of eventual ignition.


    Encouraged by Liu Yong''s guidance, Overlord rmenced his efforts. The colossal spear''s tip etched fiery friction against the warship''s hull, yielding more sparks than in the previous endeavour.


    Finally, the diesel fuel''s stoic resistance was breached, sumbing tobustion that spread with celerity. While its congrationcked the immediate swiftness characteristic of gasoline, it embarked upon a journey of expansion that soon spanned a considerable domain.


    The satisfaction evident in Liu Yong''s voice resonated, "Overlord, you have seeded. Waste no time in sinking the remaining warships, followed by a prompt departure from this vicinity."


    "Understood. Grant me a mere ten minutes, or perhaps even seven to eight minutes will suffice," affirmed Overlord with conviction.


    Meanwhile, Robert directed a searchlight''s beam upon the water''s expanse, perplexity etching his countenance. A muffled detonation had reached his ears, originating seemingly from the water''s depths. Bewilderment clouded his thoughts as he pondered, **"What transpires beneath the surface?"**


    rity eluded him as he sought the source of the enigmatic noise. He mused, ruminated, and then¡ª


    Astonishment swept over him as his gaze captured a fiery spectacle nearby. Adjacent to a moored supply ship, mes kindled, their reach rapidly expanding. The fire burgeoned in magnitude in mere moments, enveloping the supply ship and exerting influence over several neighbouring warships.


    In an instant, cmity unfolded¡ªan unforeseen upheaval. **"What crisis has unfolded?"** Robert''s once fuddled mind found rity. Inebriation is now a distant memory, reced by a stark sobriety.


    Summoning his instincts, he triggered the rm. A shrill siren pierced the air of Fask naval port, rousing scores of sailors from slumber. Bem ensued, a rush to douse the mes overpowering all other considerations. Unbeknownst to them, Overlord had embarked on a covert offensive, his colossal spear ruthlessly puncturing the warships.


    As muddy waters proved fruitful for fishing, so did the chaotic turmoil favour Overlord''s ndestine maneuvers. Hidden beneath the waves, his activities remained concealed, the underwater detonations shrouded in the pervasive cacophony of mes and chaos.


    "Boom, boom, boom!"


    Overlord''s exultation was tangible, invigorating energy coursing through his being as warships sumbed to his onught, their hulls reduced to fragments. Bawang''s strategy proved effective, puncturing fuel tanks and rendering the waters a cauldron ofbustibles¡ªgasoline and diesel.


    The congration intensified, the inferno''s voracity insatiable. Fask Harbor, once a bastion of military prowess, now resembled a realm consumed by mes. Panic reigned supreme, figures darting frantically amidst the encroaching firestorm.


    Bawang, submerged in the depths, remained untouched by the fiery maelstrom, his determination unwavering as he perforated warship after warship, even sparing not the submarines.


    Notably, two pristine submarines, gleaming symbols of national pride, were stationed at the pier. Their recentmissioning ceremony had imbued them with significance, but now theyy pierced, sinking into oblivion. Bawang had spared no effort, beating and prating each vessel multiple times.


    "Overlord, it is time to retreat," Liu Yong''s voice, transmitted through a third-party perspective, urged Bawang''s withdrawal.


    Amidst the chaos, danger loomed. The vast congration threatened to birth explosive cataclysms at any moment. Observing the E-National Navy''s hurried evacuation, Liu Yong knew the battle was won.


    With nimble swiftness, Bawang vacated Fask Harbor, assuming a prudent distance. From this vantage, he observed the fiery spectacle, an architect of destruction surveying his masterpiece.


    "Master, this has indeed been a gratifying endeavor," Bawang exulted.


    Liu Yong''s de was swift, "Exceptional performance, Overlord. The E-National Navy now stands vanquished."


    Yet, as Bawang prepared to converse, a resounding st rented the air, followed by sessive detonations¡ªa symphony of explosions reverberating in the distance.


    Devastation unfurled, the grand edifice of the E-National Navy''s triumphs crumbled. Matthew Ryan and his naval peers surveyed the once-proud port from a safe haven, heartrending emotions churning within. Years of endeavour, a soaring ascent into the echelons of maritime power, shattered in a nightmarish trance.


    Across Fask City, slumbering residents awoke to a cacophony of chaos. Gazing toward the harbour, they witnessed the heavens aze, the thunderous roars of detonations painting an ominous tapestry. The city stirred with anxiety, a popce united in awe and trepidation.


    As dawn broke, the inferno''s fury subsided, the fire dwindling¡ªits vitality consumed by time. Fask Harbor, once teeming with maritime might,y dishevelled. Warships and submarines, once proud and mighty, now adorned the sea floor, a submerged graveyard veiled in blue smoke.


    Amid this tableau of destruction, Chen Hu awaited Liu Yong, his car at the ready. A routine punctuated by camaraderie began with a casual inquiry, "Boss, is there cause for celebration today?"


    Liu Yong''s buoyant spirits were evident, and he responded with a smile, "I chanced upon news of Fask Harbor''s inferno. All warships docked there met their fiery demise."


    Chen Hu''s enthusiasm was palpable, his words resonating with shared joy, "Boss, this is truly fortuitous tidings for us!"


    Indeed, the news was a balm to their recent strife. A mere two days prior, country E had dispatched warships in an audacious attempt to halt the "Blue Whale" and "Shiwang." Now, their premier naval bastion had sumbed to


    an unforeseen ze¡ªa swift reversal of fortune.


    Enveloped by this euphoria, Liu Yong entered his office at the Universal Building. No sooner had he settled than Qiu Yang barged in, radiating exuberance, "Boss, I bring exhrating tidings!"


    Liu Yong''s smile acknowledged Qiu Yang''s news, "The Fask Harbor ze, I presume?"


    Qiu Yang beamed, confirming Liu Yong''s insight, "Indeed, Boss. You''re already aware. The harbor''s monumental catastrophe is nowmon knowledge."


    And so, Qiu Yang regaled the tale enthusiastically, his voice rife with joy, "Divine retribution, it seems. A raging fire devoured their once-mighty harbour."


    As Qiu Yang spoke, Liu Yong nodded knowingly, absorbing the sentiments. Then, as if cogs in a well-oiled machine, Liu Yong said, "Post an announcement on our group''s official website. rify that we bear no responsibility for the congration at Fask Harbor."


    Qiu Yang''s surprise was evident, the audacity of the move awe-inspiring. With this promation, the upper echelons of the E-National Navy would likely be left sputtering in a fury.

 Chapter 400 Calculated Flames!

    ?


    In the realm of strategic maneuverings and international intrigues, events were unfolding like a symphony of calcted moves, each note resonating with profound significance.


    In the wake of intricate operations such as these...


    Qiu Yang found himself momentarily bewildered, a breathless pause that gave way to swiftprehension. His gaze bore an expression of respectful admiration as he addressed his superior, Liu Yong, his voice infused with genuine awe, "Boss, that was a masterful maneuver you just orchestrated!"


    His admiration was palpable, an unspoken acknowledgment of a genius strategy at y.


    Recently, the Global Shipping Group orchestrated a press conference of tremendous consequence, openly proiming their intent to exact a heavy toll upon the naval forces of country E.


    Yet, the devastation was wrought in the face of a massive congration that ravaged their primary naval hub. Dozens of maritime vessels, ranging from colossal warships to inconspicuous submarines, perished amidst the searing inferno.


    Could this be mere coincidence, a twist of fate''s whimsy?


    Or was it inextricably linked to the machinations of the enigmatic Global Shipping Group?


    In the crucible of this pivotal moment, the Global Shipping Group, in a remarkable publicity act, disseminated an official deration through its web portal, asserting vehemently that the congration bore no nexus to their operations.


    An intriguing narrative began to unfold, a tale woven from contradictory threads.


    They who imed involvement now dered innocence, while those who protested innocence suggested an uncanny corrtion between the congration and the Group''s promation.


    Qiu Yang''s countenance was alight with satisfaction as he departed from Liu Yong''s office. In less than half an hour, the Global Shipping Group had artfully crafted an official announcement, disseminating it across their website and social media channels.


    ...


    Amidst this evolving narrative, one figure stood out: Shi Feng, an ardent admirer of the Global Shipping Group, nurturing dreams of someday joining its ranks. A routine nce at his phone brought him face to face with a revtion that set his pulse racing.


    "What''s this?" Shi Feng''s exmation reverberated through the expansive office, capturing the attention of his colleagues. The announcement on the official ount of the Group had ensnared his curiosity, its content an irresistible blend of sympathy for the zing catastrophe at country E''s paramount naval port and an unequivocal repudiation of culpability.


    Chuckling enthusiastically, Shi Feng proimed to his peers, "Have you all heard? Fask Harbor, the colossal naval bastion of country E, has fallen prey to an inferno, consuming a fleet of warships. Any of you aware of this development?"


    His voice carried through the room, every word a beacon to the ears of those within earshot.


    "I wasn''t aware; I''ll check online for news," one colleague responded.


    "This fire''s ze, it''s almost poetic justice!" chimed another with delight.


    "Truly a spectacle, a ze to remember!" a third voice resonated.


    Laughter andmentary erupted, a chorus of shared amusement. Country E had positioned itself as a relentless adversary on the global stage, and the fire had be a cathartic release of collective satisfaction.


    Interrupting the camaraderie, another colleague interjected, "Remember, just yesterday, the Global Shipping Group unveiled their grand ns, vowing a punitive blow to country E''s navy. Could this fire be their doing?"


    "Ah, we hope it''s their handiwork, though their capability might fall short," someone else quipped.


    "Absolutely, it''s hardly been any time. Pulling off something of this scale so swiftly would be truly remarkable."


    Sensing their interest, Shi Feng took the plunge, revealing a tidbit he had just gleaned, "For those following the Group''s official ount, there''s a captivating announcement¡ªclearly stating the fire is not their doing."


    A collective gasp ensued.


    "Another announcement?" The room buzzed with disbelief, prompting the immediate online search of those not yet in the loop.


    "Unbelievable, this really exists!"


    "The masterstroke behind this, it eludes me."


    "My theory? They''re obstructing country E''s naval prowess."


    "What a spectacle, a feat of strategic brilliance!"


    The contagion of dialogue spread throughout the office, each member contributing to a lively symposium of spection.


    Yet, the enthusiasm wasn''t confined to these four walls. The resonance of the Global Shipping Group''s actions reverberated far and wide.


    Just a day ago, the Group''s press conference had dominated headlines. Now, theirtest move had captivated the discourse of the masses. Within a span of mere hours, the zing spectacle at country E''s naval hub and the Group''s promation had ascended to the zenith of global chatter.


    As conversation rippled across nations, a pivotal question emerged: Was this fiery catastrophe tied to the elusive Global Shipping Group?


    For citizens of the realm of Yan, the fervent hope persisted that the Group''s fingerprints adorned the mes. Yet, reason tempered these aspirations; the logistics of orchestrating such an event in the span of mere hours were practically inconceivable.


    The Global Shipping Group''s actions bore the hallmarks of grand theatre, a web of intricate plots and motives. The fire''s origins remained uncertain, leaving room for spection to flourish...


    At Fask Naval Port, the ze had been quelled, leaving a destion scene behind. Amidst the ruins, Matthew Ryan, a high-ranking naval officer, stood solemnly, his countenance etched with ire.


    Assigned to unearthing the truth behind the congration, Ryan surveyed his surroundings, a motley crew of officers in tow. One officer stepped forward, delivering unsettling news, "Your Excellency, our divers have discovered submerged breaches on nearly every vessel. Enormous, circr apertures mar their hulls."


    Handing over photographic evidence, the officer awaited Ryan''s response.


    A brooding silence hung in the air before Ryan broke it, seeking counsel from his team, "Gentlemen, what do you deduce from this?"


    Their conjectures ebbed and flowed, weaving a tapestry of hypotheses.


    "It is my belief that these holes are the crux of the matter. Leaks from our supply ships,bined with the release of diesel fuel into the water, instigated the ze."


    "Indeed," concurred another officer. "Evidence supports this assertion. Multiple warships suffered fuel leaks, igniting the all-epassing congration."


    Ryan nodded thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on his team. "But how did these gaping fissurese to be? What could possibly puncture through such formidable vessels?"


    An expectant hush enveloped the assembly, a tableau of contemtion and uncertainty.


    The riddle remained unresolved, an enigma of unparalleled proportions.


    No one dared advance a theory, each grappling with the profound mystery¡ªof how these breaches emerge.


    A palpable disillusionment clouded the air, Ryan''s discontent simmering as his thoughts betrayed him: a consortium of ineptitude.


    An officer, however, strode forward with ndestine tidings, whispering a revtion into Ryan''s ear. An abrupt metamorphosis gripped Ryan''s features, a mixture of astonishment and dismay.


    And so, the curtain fell on a scene brimming with intrigue, foreshadowing the chapters yet to unfold...

 Chapter 401 Zero Evidences !

    ?


    What!


    Is there such a thing?


    Matthew Ryan''splexion changed, making it even harder to look.


    He never imagined that the Global Shipping Group issued such a notice, publicly dering that the Fask Harbor fire had nothing to do with them.


    This is typical, not aggressive, but highly insulting!


    Matthew Ryan was so angry that he almost vomited blood!


    Of course, he knew the fire had nothing to do with the Global Shipping Group. Even the day before the incident, the Global Shipping Group publicly stated at the press conference that the navy of country E would pay a heavy price.


    Matthew Ryan has always believed that the remarks of the Global Shipping Group are just a joke, and he does not think that the Global Shipping Group has such capabilities.


    Fask Port fire, he thinks there should be other reasons, and it must have nothing to do with the Global Shipping Group.


    Noticing Matthew Ryan''s face change, an officer said, "General, what happened?"


    Matthew Ryan snorted coldly and then briefly exined the matter.


    What!


    There is such a thing!


    All the E country navy officers were stunned and didn''t recover for a long time.


    "Your Excellency, the Global Shipping Group is too outrageous. Should we give them a warning?"


    "Where warnings are enough, practical actions must be taken."


    These officers appeared to be filled with righteous indignation, but they were outraged.


    Matthew Ryan waved his hand, "Don''t worry about this matter, the most important thing for us now is to figure out the real cause of the fire."


    He was ready to pinch his nose to ept this announcement from Global Shipping Group, but what else could he do.


    North Pacific Ocean.


    Bawang came back here, swam back in one breath, and then swam into the big trench without rest, preparing to hunt a giant octopus to fill his stomach and sleep well.


    Entering the big trench and swimming to a depth of five or six kilometres, Bawang slowed down and swam slowly.


    Its super perception is fully activated. Since breaking through the 1000-ton bottleneck, its various skills have been upgraded by a level, and the range of extraordinary perception has also increased from a radius of 500 meters to 1000 meters.


    It is much more convenient in this dark, deep sea with a depth of five or six kilometres. Everything within a radius of 1,000 meters is self-exnatory.


    Spot the target!


    What is rare is that there are two giant octopuses in total. The distance between them is only a few hundred meters.


    What a great opportunity!


    Overlord felt happy for a while. When he was in Port Fask, he said that he would catch two giant octopuses after returning. Now, this goal should be achieved.


    Bawang was fast and quiet. When the giant octopus found Bawang, it was toote. Bawang chased after him and killed the giant octopus with one bite.


    One more!


    Overlord directly used a sprint skill, and the giant spear almost pierced the octopus.


    "Master, look, I caught two giant octopuses." Overlord asked Liu Yong for credit, very happy.


    Liu Yongughed and praised, "Well, two such big octopuses!"


    "Master, I''m going back to the cave, the food for the next two or three days is enough."


    Liu Yong said, "In the next few days, you will spend time cleaning up the debris outside the cockpit of the wrecked spaceship."


    "Okay, master." Overlord replied.


    Part of the cockpit of the spaceship wreckage has been exposed, and the mudyer outside the cockpit ss has been basically cleaned up.


    Liu Yong meant to continue to expand the scope of cleaning. We would like to find a passage into the cockpit or an entrance.


    The overlord temporarily lives in its temporary cave. It has time, so it can continue to y a guest role as a cleaner.


    There are hundreds of thousands of tons of metal beside the wreckage of the spaceship. Last time, Bawang transported apart about 60,000 to 70,000 tons, only about one-tenth of it. Liu Yong ns to transport the rest back one after another.


    National E Navy Headquarters.


    Matthew Ryan was sitting in the office, reading a document. His brows were slightly frowned.


    This is the investigation report of the shipwreck of the ck Iron Company sent by the military of country M.


    Last time in that shallow sea, the ck Iron Company and the "Blue Whale" rushed to salvage metal fragments. They sank not far from the shallow sea, and four transport ships sank.


    There are many photos in the investigation report, which were obviously taken under the water. Every sunken transport ship has big holes one by one.


    Matthew Ryan quickly took out the photos they had taken underwater. These giant holes on the warship seemed identical to the big holes on the ck Iron Company transport ship.


    Is this a coincidence?


    Probably not!!


    He meditated alone, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt he had something to do with the Global Shipping Group.


    Is it a coincidence, or does it have something to do with them?


    Before that, he thought the fire had nothing to do with Universal Shipping Group, but he was a little shaken.


    Does it really have anything to do with them?


    If they did it, how did they make the big holes in the bottom of the boat?


    He couldn''t figure it out.


    After a long time, Matthew Ryan held a meeting to discuss and analyze it. This meeting was intense, and many people believed it must have something to do with Global Shipping Group.


    Some people even imed that the Global Shipping Group did it. There is nothing to doubt about this.


    To make such arge hole in the bottom of the boat it takes a lot of tools and a lot of strength.


    After their calctions, many people were taken aback. At least hundreds of tons of tools are needed to operate such a significant tool. What kind of equipment is it? A particr type of equipment?


    They tried their best but couldn''t figure it out, all this was done by more than a thousand tons of overlords.


    The matter fell into confusion again. Many suspected that the Fask Harbor fire should be rted to the Global Shipping Group, but there was no evidence.


    There is no favourable evidence to prove this at all. It is just the spection and suspicion of the E country navy.


    Universal Building.


    Two Coasters drove to the entrance of the building, and a group of people got out of the car. The number of people looked like 20 to 30 people. They were basically foreigners, both white and ck, and there were rtively few oriental faces.


    There were several women among these people. After leaving the car, they walked into the Universal Building.


    This scene could have attracted more attention because many foreignpanies are stationed here, and foreignerse in and out typically.


    If you insist on calling it abnormal, 20 to 30 foreigners, which is a little too many, came in this time.


    They walked into the lobby on the first floor and were immediately greeted there by several security guards from the Global Shipping Group security department.


    ...

 Chapter 402 Extraordinary Mercenary!

    ?


    Under the leadership of these security guards, they took two elevators from the first floor to the 91st floor, where the Global Shipping Group is located.


    After arriving at this floor, they were arranged in the conference room prepared long ago. They were calm on the surface, but they were somewhat excited inside.


    All of them are members of Wolf Warriors and have taken "gic medicine". Their attributes are much stronger than ordinary special forces, and they have been given 100 characteristics for each of strength, physique, and agility.


    They can take "gic medicine" again, which will be an enhanced version.


    How not to be excited!


    They deeply understand the effects of taking "gic drugs", and they have the most say.


    Before just taking the ordinary version of "gic medicine", they transformed into the king of soldiers among the kings of soldiers. They have beenprehensively improved, regardless of strength, endurance, reaction speed, etc., directly crushing ordinary special forces.


    Liu Yong had yet toe over. Twenty or thirty people were sitting in this meeting room, and they were very familiar with each other, so they inevitably chatted.


    "I''m so happy, the enhanced version of gic medicine!"


    "The boss is too kind to us, and he must swear allegiance to the boss to the death."


    "After I go back, I can hit ten by myself, haha, it''s so cool!"


    The conference room was lively; everyone looked happy and excited.


    After a while, footsteps sounded outside the door. Liu Yong opened the door and came in. Behind him was only Chen Hu, and there was no third person.


    The boss is here!


    The noisy and lively conference room quickly quieted down. Everyone sat upright and looked at Liu Yong.


    After Liu Yong came in, he nced at everyone, nodded in satisfaction, and thundered, "Everyone, wee to Universal Tower. I know all about your performance in the Middle East. It''s excellent."


    After praising and encouraging everyone, Liu Yong gave a little signal, and Chen Hu opened one of the boxes he had brought, which contained small yellow ss bottles.


    This is the "enhanced version of gic medicine".


    Everyone seemed to realize something, and they were inevitably excited again.


    As long as they take this "enhanced version of gic medicine", they will be the most beautiful boys, their physical fitness will improve in a straight line, and they will be like little supermen.


    Liu Yong took out a list. A few days ago, Kang Zhenggang returned and stayed in Huahai City for a few days.


    He went to Liu Yong''s office to report on the work and gave this list.


    Liu Yong took out the list and started roll call. Whenever the name is called once, someone wille to receive an enhanced version of gic medicine.


    The first person whose name was called was a strong ck man. He walked forward, first stood at attention and saluted Liu Yong, and then took the bottle of enhanced gene medicine with a little excited hands.


    In front of everyone, in the eyes of everyone, he opened the small yellow bottle and drank the liquid inside in one gulp.


    As for Liu Yong, he opened the pet panel and gave this **** man 200 attribute points each for strength, constitution, and agility.


    In this way, he was given a total of 300 attribute points twice, and his strength, constitution, and agility should be around 400.


    With attributes like this, a veritable Superman is much more powerful than any special forces.


    He would be invincible if he was ced among a group of ordinary special forces. It would be fine if he could fight more than a dozen.


    Letting him face a group of ordinary soldiers is like a tiger facing a group of sheep.


    Liu Yong''s n is straightforward: to build the Wolf Warrior into his own personal armed force and make it into the most potent mercenary organization in the world.


    Yes, it is a mercenary organization!


    Not only serve Liu Yong himself but also other people, organizations, and even the country, as long as they can afford the price, and as long as Liu Yong agrees, they can let Warriors perform tasks for them.


    First, second, third.


    A total of 27 people came here this time; all of them had taken the regr version of "gic medicine", and now they are taking the gic medicine for the second time and are still the enhanced version.


    A total of 22 people took the small yellow bottle.


    After the 22 people finished taking the medicine, Chen Hu closed the small yellow bottle box. Everyone noticed that there were still some tiny yellow bottles inside.


    What happened?


    There are still 5 people who have not taken it, and they will take gic medicine after agreeing.


    Liu Yong also seemed to have forgotten about this matter. After the 22 team members finished taking the medicine, they spoke to everyone.


    Unexpectedly, the five people who did not take the enhanced version of the gene-drug did not show any dissatisfaction on their faces, and they were very calm.


    They were once given 100 attributes each and were naturally highly loyal to Liu Yong. They would never express dissatisfaction with Liu Yong''s doing anything.


    Liu Yong nced at their reactions with satisfaction.


    He remembered the five people.


    After speaking these words, Liu Yong gave a little signal, and in the eyes of everyone, Chen Hu opened another box, which also contained small yellow bottles, one by one.


    It''s just that they are very dark in colour, just a light yellow, and now a dark yellow.


    Liu Yongdao: "The enhanced version of gic medicine is divided into ordinary enhanced version and special enhanced version. Just now everyone took the ordinary enhanced version."


    Oh my God!


    Particr enhanced version!!


    After taking it, it is not against the sky!


    Some people inevitably got excited, especially the five members of the Wolf Warriors who hadn''t taken the gic medicine just now.


    Could we take a particr enhanced version of gic medicine?


    As soon as this idea popped up in their hearts, they were all taken aback, and then, their hearts became uncontrobly excited.


    Sure enough, Liu Yong shouted: "We still have 5 members who didn''t take the gic medicine just now. They performed very well, and all of them are team leaders. Of course, they must take the particr enhanced version of the gic medicine.


    Compared with the ordinary team members, they should be more powerful!"


    Boom!


    The meeting room became lively, and everyone looked enviously at the five of them.


    Liu Yong raised his hand and pressed down. The meeting room quickly fell silent, and Liu Yong began to roll the roll.


    The first person to be called was a woman, the only female team leader of Wolf Warriors, with an ordinary oriental face,petent.


    She took the bottle of specially enhanced gene medicine with excitement, stood at attention, saluted, and then opened the bottle cap and drank it in one gulp.


    Liu Yong also gave her 400 attributes each, plus the previous ones. She was given 500 details each, plus she may have 100 facts each; her strength, constitution, and agility should be close to 600 points.


    A total of 5 people took the enviable enhanced version of gic medicine, and they were all endowed with 400 points of attributes.


    ...

 Chapter 403 Hijacking The Plane!

    ?


    The Wolf Warriors had gathered in such a way, forming structured levels and echelons.


    The Wolf Warriors'' novices,mon yers without any attribute points, were at the very beginning of the game.


    As one advanced in rank, they came across the best soldiers, who were each given a generous 100 attribute points, cing them in an exclusive league.


    Beyond this level were the team members who had undergone the usual gic modification with the addition of 300 attribute points each, greatly enhancing their prowess.


    Another level existed, made up of individuals who had undergone a specific, enhanced version of the gic therapy and received an astounding 500 attribute points per person, catapulting them even farther into the category of the extraordinary.


    This structure had fouryers, or five if Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang were included¡ªa formidable duo whose power knew no bounds.


    As a result, the tapestry had 27 team members who hadpleted the gic augmentation process; 22 of them epted the augmented standard, while the remaining 5 were blessed with the extraordinary variety.


    With joy dancing in their eyes, they departed the Global Building and set off on a journey that took them by ne from Dubai to Huahai City and then to the airport of country A. They set out with an expectation that was woven with both hope and uncertainty.


    Although the trip from Huahai City to Dubai went without a hitch, the journey from Dubai to the airport serving country A turned out to be more turbulent.


    And so, within the limits of the aircraft, a fascinating situation yed out.


    Not even an hour after flight, a man got up, his intentions initially appearing mundane¡ªperhaps to go the restroom. But as soon as he pulled out a gun, his actual intent became clear, sending the cabin into a dissonant cacophony of terrified gasps.


    A mystery-origin pistol was now pointing menacingly in the direction of the passengers as its ownermanded with a sense of power, "Remain immobile! This is a hijacking, I tell you."


    The intimidating muzzle of the weapon and the man handling it made people''s faces turn pale. Some women gave in to fear and screamed loudly, blending in with the general turmoil.


    Four additional figures rose from their chairs as the hostages, who were trapped in an apparent irreversible abyss, formed an unexpected bond. These figures were skilled infiltrators with malicious intentions.


    This scene was clearly the result of careful nning and an organized hijacking intended to take lives in mid-flight.


    Three of these five held guns in their hands, but the other two held daggers in their hands that were free of weaponry.


    The order was given with stern directness: "Stay still, and remainpliant."


    The woman''s scream was muffled by the gun''s upromising presence; her horror was seen in her pale visage and trembling form.


    The ringleader, a middle-aged man, stepped center stage as the situation started to spiral out of hand and raised his voice to fill the entire cabin: "Ladies and gentlemen, I implore your cooperation; deviance shall not be met with clemency."


    After making this announcement, he indicated to apanion, who took over the cockpit and removed the pilots'' authority.


    The purser''s face took on a hue of stark concern as a specter of dread clung to him. Silent tears were streaming down the cheeks of several passengers, mostly women, who were baffled by the suddenness of their predicament and cloaked in the chill of sorrow.


    A lone voice, though, broke through the tenebrous atmosphere, asking, "Sir, are you trulymitted to this course of action, to hijack this ne?"


    A strong white man with an unwavering manner who dared to express his uncertainty was the person who did so.


    Unfazed, the hijacker pointed his gun in the direction of the intruder and threatened him with dire repercussions: "Silence, or your cranium shall suffer the consequences of my lead."


    Onlookers held their breath, as if caught in a time warp, their anxiety reflecting theing death, confident the next heartbeat would announce the man''s mortality.


    The white man, on the other hand, maintained hisposure in the face of death, acting as if it were merely a toy in his presence.


    The hijacker''s intention to shoot was stopped in an instant, agony surging through his wrist and destroying both his goal and bone.


    The pistol ttered to the ground with an audible "snap," being knocked several meters away by a precise kick.


    The hijacker''s eyes provided a shelter for disbelief; a coin symbol was inserted into his wrist, obliterating bone and shattering reality. A searing reminder of the force that had destroyed his supremacy was only a small portion of the coin that dared to show itself.


    Incredulity overcame the bystanders as the pistol fell to the ground, instantly rendered unarmed. They were astounded by the boldness of someone who would kick away a weapon like it were a mere ornament.


    A revolution of activity had begun in the matter of seconds, with momentum firmly captured. However, the surviving attackers remained still, their understanding bound to their leader''s agonizing cries.


    A lightbulb momentarily appeared, and a flurry of movement engulfed the cabin, giving justice''s emissaries immediate control.


    And in the midst of the chaos, there was tion, brought forth by those who had witnessed the unbelievable turn of events in a chorus of yells and a symphony of apuse.


    The would-be captors met their ends in this performance, and their restraint was executed with skill down to the strings of their shoes.


    The purser apologized as a constion for the situation, the flight attendants sighed, and the hero of the hour downyed his achievement with an almost flippant demeanor, insisting that this was only a minor issue.


    Such hardships appeared to them to be insignificant inparison to the Wolf Warriors'' furnace. Twenty-seven of these unwavering spirits made up the mosaic of the ne''s passengers; they were a band of brave defenders whose very existence ced doubt on criminals'' aspirations.


    They were unaware that this airne carried more than simply 27, and that one Wolf Warrior alone would have been sufficient to foil their n¡ªa irony lost to their misguided endeavor.


    ...


    Ren Tao and Bi Qingyun engaged in conversation within the confines of Albatron International, exchanging meaningful words and cautious optimism.


    "President, all three models in our first batch¡ªwhich includes the processors for each model¡ªhave embraced the state-of-the-art 8-nanometer technology. "Universal Semiconductor has now been entrusted with the production of these entities," Ren Tao reported, his voice tinged with a sense of achievement.


    The smile on Bi Qingyun''s face belied the happiness brought forth by a long-awaited turning point. "Full-scale production will begin in the offices of Universal Semiconductor in the uing month. We anticipate that the world will soon be graced with our first batch of chips.


    Their talk was infused with the anticipation thates with the end ofbor as they enjoyed a brief bit of relief.


    . Ren Tao echoed the attitude that reverberated throughout Qingyun International, "In fact, we eagerly await the fruit of ourbor."


    The chip problem had been solved, and its effects had been reced by a renewed vigour, which had before gued Qingyun International. The team was engulfed in amon fervor that lifted everyone''s spirits and injected new energy into every project.


    A knock cut off their conversation, and the person who came in was Song Jianwei, a vice president of Qingyun International. But instead of disying the normal calm, his demeanor revealed a sense of dire urgency.

 Chapter 404 Business JL6A Model !

    ?


    When Bi Qingyun noticed the slight changes in Song Jianwei''s expression, he asked with genuine concern, "Jianwei, are things okay? You seem to be pretty upset."


    Song Jianwei responded with a low sigh and a grave tone, "President, indeed, there is a matter of concern that we all have to be worried about."


    Bi Qingyun''s tone changed immediately as he realized that this was probably not a small matter. A sensation of impending doom descended upon him as Song Jianwei said, "Do proceed but be careful with anything that is being proceeded."


    Song Jianwei introduced the new JL6A mobile phone with a calm demeanor appropriate to the situation: "The newlyunched JL6A mobile phone has encountered a slight hup."


    Immediately, Bi Qingyun''s worry increased, and he asked, "Is there a problem with the product''s quality? " in a slightly more anxious tone.


    When this topic was brought up, Ren Tao, the observer standing next to them, perked up his ears. As vice president, he wasn''t in charge of the mobile phone business, but he still had a strong interest in the recently released JL6A model.


    With a wide range of switches and cutting-edge 4G and 5G equipment, Qingyun International was a leading supplier ofmunication equipment on a global scale. Their cell phone business was extremely important during this time.


    The renowned Golden Dragon mobile phones were distinguished by the insignia of a painstakingly made golden dragon on their back, a design feature that added to their unmatched reputation. The heritage of these phones entered its sixth generation with the release of the JL6A model, and the market immediately experienced a surge in demand, leading to exceptional sales numbers that served as proof of their appeal.


    The mobile phone industry served as a crucialponent of Qingyun International''s business endeavors, delivering billions in annual sales and making up a sizeable portion of the conglomerate''s overall revenue.


    Bi Qingyun''s attention became more focused when the matter was revealed, and he directly asked Jianwei to "exin the situation."


    Song Jianwei continued, "The situation is that the JL6A mobile phone, for the first time, included foreign lithium batteries. We regretfully learned from our foreign supplier that their battery pricing will increase by 20% as of the next month.


    The announcement was met with a collective gasp from everyone in the room.


    Business veteran Bi Qingyun recognized the seriousness of the problem right away. The timing of this price increase, which coincided with the importantunch of the JL6A, suggested a more cunning n.


    We cannot allow such a supplier to manipte us in this way, Bi Qingyun said with a voice that rang with resolve. Jianwei, I beg you to hold in-person discussions and, if necessary, to go see them in person.


    "Yes, President," Song Jianwei agreed, ready to carry out Bi Qingyun''s instruction.


    However, Ren Tao chimed in, his voice tinged with skepticism, "President, what if Mr. Song''s attempts at negotiation prove fruitless?"


    The quick and firm response from Bi Qingyun was, "Should that happen, we shall immediately turn to domestic battery providers. Prudence requires us to resist giving in to such pressure.


    Ren Tao nodded, pleased with the n''s decisiveness.


    This situation highlighted Bi Qingyun''s steadfast ideals and honesty. Ren Tao emphasized, "President, if I may point out, our JL6A model benefits from the superior battery life of these imported batteries."


    Bi Qingyun knew the truth but didn''t budge. Yes, Ren Tao, but the difference isn''t that great. We will favor domestic options if our foreign supplier insists on this unjustified hike.


    Given the high-end cement and high price of the phone, Bi Qingyun had initially been dubious about foreign batteries but had agreed upon the advice of his team. He was determined to recover from the shock of a 20% price increase being imposed on this essentialponent.


    Bi Qingyun''s frustration increased as the conversation went on. His normally cool temperament was marred by this unanticipated emergency.


    ...


    Overlord carried out Liu Yong''s orders precisely in a remote region of the North Pacific Ocean. Weeks passed into days, and the tireless search for the spaceship''s debris continued.


    Amidst the dirt and debris, the cockpit had previously been hidden. The secret-holding ss was previously hidden, but Overlord''s never-ending ws managed to find it.


    The enormous cockpit covered hundreds of square meters and was built with huge ss panels that offered nces into its sacred interior. The dark gray-ck metallic hull of the ship was visible behind the muck-filledyers.


    Even after thorough cleaning, an entryway eluded discovery. Liu Yong acknowledged the size of the task and urged Overlord to press on, saying, "Overlord, keep up your efforts. Within this space, there must be an entrance.


    Overlord, resolute in its mission, acknowledged Liu Yong''s remarks and promised to get through the monotony of this work.


    It was not lost on anyone that Overlord had made significant progress while working nonstop. Liu Yong watched the cleared area grow while thinking about how enigmatic the spaceship was.


    Liu Yong said, "Overlord, you have already cleared an impressive expanse," in an effort to encourage him. I think this is exactly where the entrance is.


    In an effort to please, Overlord started another thorough cleaning process with the goal of discovering the ship''s hidden mysteries.


    But as the time passed, Overlord''s hunger took over. It departed for its underwater den, where a glut of enormous octopuses offered both nutrition and satisfaction.


    After its meal, Overlord felt rejuvenated and found shelter on a barren ind, soaking up the sun''s warmth. With fresh vigour, Overlord prepared to resume itsborious mission.


    In order to continue its underwater chase, Overlord came into contact with two enormous ships, which temporarily slowed its progress. In this remote zone, these behemoths stood out and intrigued Overlord.


    Overlord calmly watched the two ships from below the waves, drawn to the mystery. The enormous ships were far from the usual shippingnes, as shown by their immense tonnage.


    Overlord was perplexed by their existence and couldn''t help but investigate. It approached the imposing spacecraft closer after briefly putting its search for the spaceship''s secrets on hold.


    The waters around these enormous ships contained mysteries of their own as Overlord examined them, creating a fascinating contrast between its objective and the unanticipated maritime mystery that had surfaced.

 Chapter 405 Black Iron Co.

    ?


    In the midst of a vast and shallow sea, two remarkable vessels graced the tranquil waters. These were no ordinary ships but vessels uniquely suited for exploration and salvage, each bearing the hallmark of a craft designed for the most daring maritime endeavours.


    As one observed this picturesque scene from a third-party perspective, it became immediately apparent that these were no mere seafaring vessels; they bore the distinctive ck ironpany uniforms. These uniforms left no doubt about the origin of these ships - they were the handiwork of the formidable ck Iron Company.


    The resilience of the ck Iron Company was indeed impressive, for here they were again, navigating their way to this shallow sea with two exploration vessels in tow. Their mission was clear: to delve into the depths of this shallow expanse, braving its mysteries in the quest to unearth the elusive gray-ck metal fragments.


    A bitter exmation escaped the lips of Liu Yong, who was observing these events unfold. "MMP''s, they still don''t give up!"


    It was a testament to their unyielding determination that they had returned, this time with two exploration vessels, all in a relentless pursuit of the coveted grey-ck metal fragments hidden beneath these tranquil waters.


    In response to this audacious incursion, Bawang, a loyalpanion to Liu Yong, inquired in a hushed tone, "Master, do you want me to sink them?"


    Liu Yong considered the question carefully, a sly grin slowly forming on his face. "Go about it quietly," he suggested, "Give their vessels a few ''love taps,'' enough to deter them from ever venturing here again."


    Bawang''s eager response was swift and unwavering. He descended into the watery depths with a giant spear, an executioner tasked with carrying out Liu Yong''smands. His target was the underbelly of one of the vessels, where he nned to deliver a powerful strike.


    A loud "Boom!" reverberated through the depths as the colossal spear pierced the vessel''s hull. It prated to a depth of at least ten meters, effortlessly breachingyer uponyer of metal. In contrast to a warship''s thick, resilient ting, this vessel''s defences were child''s y.


    It was a stark reminder of the ease with which they could undermine their foes.


    Bawang retracted the formidable weapon, readying himself for another strike. The spear struck again, puncturing the vessel''s hull to a simr depth.


    Panic began to spread among the ship''s crew; someone had sensed the unusual disturbance beneath the waves and was frantically peering into the depths.


    Maintaining the utmost stealth, Bawang nestled himself at a depth of approximately 40 to 50 meters below the surface.


    Even if the seawater were crystal clear, he would remain virtually invisible, an aquatic phantom at this depth.


    He continued his assault, beating - the third, the fourth, the fifth time. Liu Yong chuckled with a mischievous glint in his eye, "That''ll do, my friend. You''ve poked more than a dozen gaping holes in their ship. At this rate, it''s be a veritable sieve."


    Having aplished his mission, Bawang emerged from the water''s depths, giant spear in hand. On the two ships, panic had fully set in. They''d taken on a substantial amount of water and were now listing dangerously.


    Some crew members scrambled to don life jackets, others desperately lowered lifeboats, while a few babbled incoherently for help.


    Over the course of an hour, Bawang made his way back to his underwater abode, where a sumptuous dinner awaited him. In the shallow sea, the two ships had nearly disappeared beneath the surface, with only a small section remaining visible.


    Several lifeboats, teeming with individuals wearing life jackets, bobbed on the water''s surface, awaiting rescue. Isted from international waterways, it could be a day or even longer before another vessel arrived to aid them.


    Meanwhile, an atmosphere of excitement filled the air at the Global Scientific Research Centre. Hu Nan, Ning Zetao, and other key members engaged in a technical seminar, discussing the remarkable battery they had discovered.


    "This battery, it''s truly remarkable. It has unlocked a realm of possibilities we hadn''t even fathomed," remarked one.


    "Indeed, it''s as if a veil has been lifted, revealing new frontiers in our understanding," added another.


    In the eyes of these scientists, the battery sample was an endless source of wonder. Although their exploration of its potential had only just begun, the insights gained were profound.


    Hu Nan spoke, his voice filled with determination, "Our first harvest may beplete, but it will take us five to ten years to fullyprehend this battery''s technology."


    Five to ten years - a sobering timeframe that spoke to the battery''splexity. Research into these emerging theories would be a protracted endeavour with no quick fixes.


    However, despite the daunting prospect of the long road ahead, their initial encounters with this battery had already yielded substantial rewards.


    The following day, Liu Yong himself visited the Global Scientific Research Center. He sat with Huang Guang, Hu Nan, and Ning Zetao for aprehensive briefing.


    Liu Yong''s presence was a testament to his keen interest in the centre''s progress, particrly regarding studying the alien technology battery.


    As the head of the research centre, Huang Guang provided an overview of its current status, outlining details such as the team structure, management hierarchy, and overall research framework.


    Listening attentively, Liu Yong was deeply impressed by the centre''s swift development. The centre had taken form in a rtively short period, its essential structure already in ce.


    Following this, Hu Nan and Ning Zetao delved into the specifics of their research. Hu Nan began, "Boss, our exploration of the battery you provided has borne fruit. We''ve gained invaluable insights and knowledge."


    Ning Zetao echoed this sentiment, "This battery has been a wellspring of inspiration. It''s not only resolved longstanding questions but has also paved the way for entirely new theories."


    Buoyed by their reports, Liu Yong inquired, "What are your ns for the next phase?"


    Hu Nan answered confidently, "We''ve devised a dual-pronged approach. Firstly, we''ll continue researching this battery, which we believe will be a long-term endeavor. We anticipate it will take at least five to ten years to fullyprehend its technology."


    The prospect of acquiring more of these batteries was tempting, but there was only one for now. Liu Yong assured, "Rest assured, if more be avable, you''ll have them."


    The scientists'' eyes sparkled with anticipation as they spoke in unison, "Boss, there might indeed be more in the future!"


    Liu Yong grinned, "I''ll do my best."


    As the Overlord grew, Liu Yong harboured hopes of discovering additional batteries within spaceship wrecks.


    The potential for more batteries was very much on the horizon.


    Hu Nan unveiled their grand vision: "Secondly, we n to establish a research team to develop our own battery."


    The notion of crafting their own battery was electrifying, and it resonated perfectly with Liu Yong''s ambitions. He yearned for the Global Scientific Research Center to create groundbreaking scientific innovations.

 Chapter 406 Graphene-Aluminum Battery

    ?


    Liu Yong''s excitement was palpable as he watched the video feed from Bawang, their trusted underwater explorer. Together, they embarked on an extraordinary journey of exploration in the depths of the ocean, unearthing treasures beyond their wildest dreams. However, today''s revtion promised to surpass them all.


    Sitting in themand centre of their advanced research vessel, Liu Yong, driven by his insatiable curiosity and visionary ambition, eagerly leaned forward in his chair. The soft hues of dawn were just beginning to touch the edges of Huahai City, and Liu Yong had barely woken up when Bawang''s electronic voice crackled to life in his mind.


    "Master, you have to see this!" Bawang''s mechanical tone quivered with electrifying enthusiasm.


    Without hesitation, Liu Yong engaged the augmented reality interface, and a breathtaking panorama unfolded before him on the expansive disy. Bawang''s meticulous efforts had paid off¡ªthey had cleared a vast area, revealing the sleek, gray-ck facade of the spaceship wreckage.


    Liu Yong''s eyes widened, and his heart raced as he zoomed in on a specific section of the massive spacecraft. There, against the metallic expanse, stood a colossal hatch. It measured an imposing three meters in width and seven meters in height, hinting at its significance.


    Could it really be a hatch?


    The scale of this entry point seemed to match the towering proportions of the alien cadaver they had discovered within the wreckage. A hatch of this magnitude undoubtedly led to an inner sanctum¡ªa chamber concealing the most coveted secrets of the spacecraft.


    A surge of excitement coursed through Liu Yong, a feeling he hadn''t experienced in weeks of relentless pursuit and tireless excavation.


    If they could ess this hatch, what astonishing revtions awaited them within the enigmatic vessel?


    With anticipation, Liu Yong addressed Bawang, his voice trembling with excitement. "Overlord, can you try to open it?"


    In response, Bawang, their unwavering mechanicalpanion, directed its colossal front ws towards the hatch. With all its power, it exerted force upon the sealed entryway. Yet, despite their collective might, the hatch remained unyielding, firmly sealed.


    Could there be a subtler mechanism at y? Liu Yong wondered. His gaze remained fixed on the hatch, searching for any concealed clues¡ªa hidden button or an obscure ess point.


    Moments passed, each one filled with mounting tension. In the dimly litmand center, Liu Yong and Bawang continued their meticulous examination of the enigmatic hatch, determined to unlock the mysteries it held.


    Their relentless pursuit of knowledge had brought them to this pivotal moment, deep within the uncharted expanses of the ocean.


    Liu Yong''s fascination with the alien technology, his unwavering determination to uncover its secrets, and the strong partnership he had formed with Bawang had led them to the brink of a discovery that could reshape human history.


    As Liu Yong scrutinized every detail of the hatch, he couldn''t help but reflect on the incredible journey that had brought them here. It had all started with the discovery of the spaceship wreckage, a find that had sent shockwaves through the scientificmunity and beyond.


    The underwater world had always held a special allure for Liu Yong, but this was beyond anything he had ever imagined. The remnants of an extraterrestrial civilization, buried deep beneathyers of obscurity, had beckoned to him like a siren''s call. And now, they stood on the verge of potentially gaining ess to a realm previously reserved for beings from another world.


    Liu Yong was filled with questions as he contemted whaty beyond the hatch. What knowledge, technology, and secrets awaited them inside the spacecraft? Would they find answers to the mysteries of the universe or encounter powers beyond theirprehension?


    With each passing moment, Liu Yong''s determination grew stronger. He understood that this discovery was not just a scientific achievement, but a testament to human ingenuity and the insatiable thirst for knowledge that defined their species. It was a tribute to the unwavering partnership between humans and machines, exemplified by his coboration with Bawang.


    As time went on, Liu Yong carefully examined the holographic controls before him, manipting the disy to study every detail of the hatch. It was aplexbination of intricate design and advanced materials, showcasing the sophistication of the spacecraft''s creators.


    Bawang, too, tirelessly worked to test the hatch from different angles and apply measured force where necessary. It was a testament to human engineering, an extension of Liu Yong''s will, and a symbol of their shared determination to unlock the mysteries of the universe.


    In the depths of the ocean, where silence reigned and the alien spacecraft remained hidden, Liu Yong and Bawang persisted in their pursuit. Hours turned into an unrelenting quest for understanding, a dance between human intellect and mechanical precision.


    Liu Yong pondered the implications of their discovery. If they could gain ess to the spacecraft''s interior, they might unravel the enigma of the alien civilization that had constructed it. The potential for Earth''s technological advancement was immeasurable. The prospect of harnessing extraterrestrial knowledge and technology ignited a fervor within him, matching the intensity of the ocean''s deepest abyss.


    As Liu Yong examined the hatch, his mind raced with possibilities. Could this spacecraft hold the key to solving the world''s energy crisis or unlocking the secrets of interster travel? The opportunity to advance human civilization was enticing, and he felt a profound sense of responsibility for the potential discoveries thaty ahead.


    In their pursuit of knowledge, Liu Yong and Bawang had surpassed the boundaries of exploration. They had be pioneers on the frontier of human understanding, pushing the limits of what was known and what was possible. It was a partnership forged in the crucible of curiosity and fueled by the desire to chart uncharted territory.


    Themand center was illuminated by the soft glow of holographic disys as Liu Yong and Bawang continued their meticulous examination of the mysterious hatch. Time seemed insignificant in the face of the profound questions that hung in the air.


    Liu Yong recognized that this discovery was a testament to the limitless potential of human ingenuity and the enduring partnership between man and machine. It served as a reminder that the thirst for knowledge could propel humanity to explore the farthest reaches of the universe, surpassing the limitations of the known world.


    The sealed hatch stood as a testament to the advanced technology of its creators. Liu Yong and Bawang were determined to ovee this challenge, driven by the collective understanding of humanity and the promise of a brighter future.


    As Liu Yong searched for hidden mechanisms or clues, a smile crossed his face. He knew they were on the verge of an epochal discovery that would shape history and open doors to unimaginable possibilities.


    In the depths of the ocean, amidst the unknown, Liu Yong and Bawang were poised to unlock the secrets of the universe, one enigmatic hatch at a time.

 Chapter 407 Followed ?

    ?


    The sea extended vastly toward each path, its surface kissed by the brilliant tints of the sunset. On board the smooth and modern yacht, Liu Yong and his dependable sidekick, Chen Hu, remained at the harsh, looking out over the tremendousness of the North Pacific Sea. An unanticipated turn of events was soon to disturb this moment''s tranquillity.


    "Halfway zoom!" Liu Yong requested a delicate order for the yacht''s installed innovation. The high-resolution camera on the yacht''s high-speed response focused on a specific point in the distance.


    Liu Yong watched with expectation as the camera focused on a specific spot. With this activity, he guaranteed that he had a clearer perspective on their objective: an impossible-to-miss dim dark metal entryway. It showed up practically consistent, a firmly fitting expansion to the spaceship''s body, promising viable fixing.


    Chen Hu, consistently mindful, joined his supervisor in the perception. As their eyes followed everyst trace of the strange entryway, they started to see something surprising - a palm-sized object tactfully incorporated into the entrance.


    The sight sent a rush flowing through Liu Yong. He had found something unforeseen that might open the insider facts of this baffling spaceship.


    Liu Yong eximed, "It appears to be the device that opens the door." He could not hold back his enthusiasm and went to his dependable friend. " Master, could you at any point see anything on the centre right of the entryway?"


    Bawang, known for his sharp vision, squinted and highlighted the article referred to. It was scarcely more significant than a grown-up''s palm, and he answered, "Expert, is this what that is no joke?"


    Liu Yong confirmed, "Yes, I believe it is the device to open this door." Try to open it to see if you can."


    Bawang endeavoured a few times, adhering to Liu Yong''s guidelines carefully. However, notwithstanding his earnest attempts, the gadget stayed lethargic. It became apparent that the testy in Bawang''s colossal paws; they were just excessively enormous for such sensitive work.


    Disappointment crawled into Liu Yong''s voice as he hesitantly said, "Fail to remember it, I''ll attempt it myself in a couple of days. Ideally, I can open this seal."


    He was determined despite his optimism being clouded by uncertainty. He realized that answersy behind that metallic entryway, and he could open them somehow.


    "Ace, I will sit tight for your appearance," Bawang guaranteed him, unflinching reliability.


    "Indeed, I''ll be there as quickly as time permits," Liu Yong answered with appreciation. Since finding this lid, fretfulness had flourished inside him. He had initially wanted to visit the spaceship destruction once the Master had developed to more than 1,200 tons. Presently, conditions directed an alternate strategy - a prompt excursion to open the entryway and get to the space apparatus'' cockpit.


    However, vulnerability waited. Liu Yongprehended that the profundities they were wandering into were unforgiving. This time, their submerged investigation would happen at more than 3,000 meters. While they had upgraded since theirst jump, difficulties were still ahead.


    During breakfast, Liu Yong and Li Changle examined the impending endeavour. It would require over ten days for a full circle, and they expected to n as needed.


    Liu Yong likewise settled on a telephone decision, a grave one to his folks. He informed them that he would be away for over ten days, indicating the innate dangers that apanied his unquenchable interest and hunger for disclosure.


    Holding up at the entry of the rambling manor, Chen Hu remained by his vehicle, prepared for the excursion ahead. As Liu Yong ventured into the car, he wanted to think about the unbelievable undertakings he had left.


    "How about we go to the organization first," Liu Yong said as they pulled out of the carport. " Also, guarantee our yacht ispletely powered. We''ll go back to the same spot we wentst time out to sea."


    "Grasped, chief," Chen Hu answered with his trademark proficiency.


    Liu Yong gave another significant guidance. " Remember to bring our remote ocean light source. I''ll require it."


    Their most memorable stop was the General Structure, where Liu Yong took care of squeezing matters and handled fundamental reports. Preparing for this trip was essential because it would keep them away for a long time.


    As determined by Chen Hu, they showed up at the yacht dock in the early evening. The vessel looked for them, a guide of investigation and experience. Effortlessly, they boarded the yacht.


    As the yacht gradually withdrew from the harbour, Huahai City dwindled somewhere far off. The North Pacific Sea called, its secrets ready to be revealed.


    Days passed, and four of them had proactively sneaked past. In about a day, they would arrive at their nned ocean region. For a conventional vessel, for example, a maritime boat, the excursion would have required something like eight days and evenings. Yet, this was no traditional yacht; it was a vessel of speed and extravagance, covering the distance in only five days.


    Weariness had no put on this yacht. Sunbathing, fishing, and watching films in the yacht''s home performance centre were among the redirections essible. Time appeared to pse quickly in this drifting sanctuary of unwinding.


    As of now, the yacht was cruising in autopilot mode, its course set for their objective. Chen Hu and Liu Yong fished leisurely on the stern deck. The heavy fishing rods bent under the weight of anticipation as they cast their lines.


    They used their heaviest fishing gear, lines, and snares. Their grand objective was to catch the subtle, incredible white sharks that slinked these waters.


    As Liu Yong cast his trap into the water, they had drawn in the consideration of a few vast and imposing marine hunters. The catch''s excitement was palpable.


    Chen Hu saw what appeared to be a massive, several hundred-pound tuna with keen vision. His energy was uncontainable.


    "Chief, what a huge fish! We''re in for a very nice dinner tonight if we can catch it."


    Throughout recent days, they have, without a doubt, gotten many fish, crossing different species. Nheless, they still couldn''t seem tond a fish of such stunning magnitude.


    The possibility of guaranteeing such a considerable award powered their assurance.


    Minutes after the fact, Liu Yong''s casting pole shuddered in his grip.


    "Chief, has the enormous fish taken the snare?"


    Liu Yong gestured with a smile. " Yes, it is addicted!"


    Handling a fish gauging a few hundred pounds would have been inconceivable. However, Liu Yong possessed the strength and expertise necessary for this enormous task. In simply an issue of minutes, he had the fish pulled in.


    A massive fish of two to three meters in length was spread out on the yacht''s deck.


    Chen Hu''s excitement was contagious. Chief, this fish should weigh multiple hundred pounds!"


    With pride in his eyes, Liu Yong shook his head. I believe it''s multiple hundred pounds. We have genuinely struck gold today."


    Ideas for how to prepare this enormous, freshly caught tuna rushed through the minds of both men.


    However, Chen Hu saw something unconventional a short distance away during their celebration. He approached Liu Yong and murmured, "Chief, there''s a boat following us."


    Liu Yong''s interest was provoked. He looked toward the path Chen Hu showed, where a little dark dab denoted the presence of another vessel.


    Unperturbed, Liu Yong lifted a consoling hand and said, "Don''t worry. Let me first check to see what kind of ship it is.


    Chen Hu speedily recovered a couple of optics and gave them to Liu Yong.


    With the optics close by, Liu Yong rose to the most noteworthy ce of the yacht. From that point, he zeroed in his look on the seeking-after vessel.


    As he examined the boat, his interest developed.

 Chapter 408 Similar To A Piece Brown Sugar!

    ?


    Through the telescope, a more clear perspective on the circumstance arose.


    "It gives off an impression of being a warship," Liu Yongmented, squinting at it, "yet it doesn''t appear to be extremely huge in size. It appears to be over 3,000 tons and resembles a guided missile frigate from a distance."


    He noted, "The g of country M is quite noticeable."


    Sooner orter, Liu Yong put down the optics and talked serenely, "That is a frigate from country M!"


    "Boss, I hope they are just passing by and not following us," Chen Hu said with seriousness as he took the binocrs and examined the warship.


    Liu Yong shook his head with a serious artiction. " Almost certainly, they are not simply cruising by; they may be following us."


    "Chief, how would it be advisable for us to respond?"


    "To begin with, how about we affirm assuming they are to be sure following us," Liu Yong waved his hand.


    "Shift the direction!"


    Chen Hu gestured, deactivated the autopilot mode, and changed the course. The yacht, which was initially traveling east, presently cruised upper east.


    After in excess of ten nautical miles, Chen Hu acknowledged something was out of order. "Boss, they have also changed their course and are following us again," he informed the boss.


    Liu Yong looked again through the optics. It appeared as though they were left with this warship and couldn''t shake it off.


    "How would it be advisable for them to respond?" Chen Hu asked.


    "Let''s stop and wait for them toe closer and see what they intend to do," Liu Yong shouted after pondering for a moment.


    Despite the fact that it was a warship, Liu Yong wasn''t exactly terrified of it.


    "So imagine a scenario where it''s a warship. If they really want to incite us, I''ll ensure they meet their end in this ocean!"


    The warship initially did not slow down as the yacht came to a stop. Notwithstanding, as they understood something was off-base, they in the end dialed back and halted also.


    Liu Yong murmured, "They''re simply adding to my difficulties!"


    "We should go," he proceeded, "Change to southeast and sail at most extreme speed!"


    Chen Hu changed the course as trained, and the yacht made a sharp turn on the ocean surface, presently cruising from upper east to southeast at a speed of almost 40 bunches, the yacht''s most recent speed.


    "Chief, I think we''ve abandoned them!" Chen Hu shouted.


    Liu Yong utilized a telescope to filter the far off ocean and couldn''t detect the M nation warship. He felt better. At longst, they figured out how to shake them off!


    "Hmph, what else is there to do? It can pursue us to no end. Let them catch up if they have the courage! Liu Yong announced.


    The yacht kept cruising at fast on the ocean.


    "Boss, they must be in a hurry and realized they can''t keep up with us even at full speed," Chen Hu eximed in a cheerful tone.


    Liu Yong grinned and answered, "Keep up with rapid for one more thirty minutes, then, at that point, return to typical speed, take an alternate route, and head towards the objective ocean region."


    "Indeed," Chen Hu gestured.


    Liu Yong pondered internally, for what reason is this M country warship so keen on them? Would they like to follow from a good ways and figure out the reason for their excursion, or do they have different ns? Liu Yong thought about different conceivable oues.


    In any case, one thing was clear; they couldn''t tell individuals from country M the area of the spaceship destruction. The destruction was still around 200 nautical miles away, and they expected to stop there. It should not be uncovered!


    Liu Yong likewise had an inclination that they had grabbed the eye of individuals from country M, particrly their whereabouts.


    The yacht kept cruising at high velocity for about thirty minutes prior to getting back to ordinary speed and taking an alternate route towards the objective ocean region.


    They actually had a long way to go prior to arriving at the objective ocean region. At this speed, they ought to show up there tomorrow around lunchtime.


    A luxurious fish supper would be ideal for the night.


    Liu Yong opened a jug of red wine, and after the dinner, took a brief reprieve. After that, he and Chen Hu went to bed, putting the yacht on autopilot.


    The night passed without a major incident.


    The following morning, Liu Yong cleaned up and assessed that they were under 300 nautical miles from the objective ocean region. They would arrive at it in a few hours.


    Around nine AM, the yacht halted. Having Bawange to pick him up, Liu Yong had nned tounch here.


    Liu Yong started getting ready for the jump. After around forty minutes, everything was prepared. When Bawang showed up, Liu Yong could enter the water.


    At that point, Liu Yong was loaded up with expectation, wanting to open that trapdoor and step into the spaceship''s cockpit.


    He expected to get inside the spaceship''s cockpit...


    While hanging tight for Bawang, Chen Hu unexpectedly yelled, "Chief, that M country warship has showed up once more!"


    Liu Yong promptly got the optics and investigated. For sure, it was simr warship from yesterday, cruising towards them.


    Liu Yong felt very disappointed.


    He thought they had totally shaken them off, yet they continued to wait like a piece of earthy colored sugar.


    What precisely did they need? Did they really want to keep an eye on them and learn about their trip''s purpose?


    Once more, with the warship drawing closer, jump starting was impossible.


    They needed to shake them off or sink them. Sending them to the bottom of the sea would be preferable to wasting time and effort trying to lose them only to have them reappear.


    "What does it matter if it''s a warship from country M?" Liu Yong had even constructed a couple of submarines for them. He didn''t worry about having another warship.


    After checking Bawang''s position on the pet panel, Liu Yong inquired, "Bawang, are you almost here?"


    Bawang''s voice promptly sounded in Liu Yong''s brain, "Expert, I can contact you in a short time all things considered."


    Liu Yong sat tight for Bawang''s appearance.


    It didn''t take long, and Bawang showed up in around three to four minutes. Master''s voice reverberated in Liu Yong''s psyche, "Expert, I''ve shown up. Will I deal with the warship now?"


    Liu Yong answered, "We don''t have to rush there the present moment. Sink the M country warship because it has been relentlessly following us.


    What an undeniably exhrating errand!


    Master was right away excited, it was advantageous to feel that this excursion. There was a warship hanging tight for it to punch a couple of enormous holes in.


    Thrilled, Master swam over without saying a word, holding a goliath stick. It made its way to the warship''s bottom in a short amount of time.


    The warship''s crew was blissfully observing the distant yacht whilepletely unaware.


    They assumed they had lost track, however following an evening of cruising, they found the yacht directly before them.


    "Boom!"


    A muted sound came from submerged, and individuals on the warship felt a slight vibration.


    Some of them felt as though something enormous had brutally raised a ruckus around town of the boat.


    Before they could grasp what was urring, one more muted sound came from underneath the water.


    Many individuals on the warship could obviously hear it, and the sound appeared to start from the boat''s frame.

 Chapter 409 Boom! Boom! Boom!

    ?


    "Boom! Boom! Boom! " came a stifled session of sounds deep inside the boat''s paunch. These sounds rehashed the same thing at periods of more than three to five seconds.


    As this creepy ensemble worked out, the reaction time allowed to the spirits on board the warship was scant, simple minutes toprehend the wild development.


    Fast action was taken by the formidable Overlord, whose Master''s goals aligned with their own. Within minutes, its voice resonated inside Liu Yong''s brain. " Ace, I have prated this warship in excess of twelve openings. Its death is up anding."


    With a disposition that double-crossed how he might interpret the unfurling tumult, Liu Yong answered, "Let us distance ourselves and just let them potentially run wild."


    The powerful and sleek yacht continued unabatedly, maintaining a steady speed of more than 30 knots. Bit by bit, it limited any association with the disabled M-country warship, cruising away from the looming disaster.


    In the significant dimness underneath the ocean''s surface, the Master proceeded with its interest, delivering the warship stable. A grim realization quickly reced the initial panic. The boat''s power frameworks had floundered. However, a more critical torment blockaded it: a downpour of seawater, relentless and constant.


    As the ship''s captain reported the dire situation to superiors, even the most desperate attempts to seal watertightpartments were unsessful. Group individuals mixed to bring down rafts and wear life coats, their activities brought into the world of urgency.


    The once-proud warship turned ominously amid the chaos, giving in to the abyss''s relentless advance on its hull.


    With an uprooting surpassing 3,000 tons, this vessel had turned into the material after which the Master painted its horrendous magnum opus. With more than twelve expanding wounds, its quick plummet into the chasm was essentially guaranteed.


    In only thirty minutes, the warship surrendered, disappearing into the inky void and sinking to profundities past 2,000 meters. Just two stic rafts weaved upon the unforgiving waves, demonstrating the integrity of the ocean''s brutal case.


    "Chief, how much farther would we say we are to cruise?" one of the yacht''s group individuals asked.


    Liu Yong, insightful and creative, gauged his reaction. " We will continue in our current direction. We might stop our excursion after one more hour has passed."


    As the clock approached ten AM, the terrific yacht, an ind of extravagance in the endless ocean, came to an elegant rest. The sea extended perpetually this way and that, with no indication of something going on under the surface or progress, not even the far-off outline of a single fishing boat not too far off.


    Their ongoing directionsy roughly 150 to 160 nautical miles from the spaceship''s destruction. It was an essential distance intended to shroud the mysteries they held onto. The enormous remains of the alien spacecraft rested here, among the vast ocean, beneath more than 3,000 meters of water.


    Who couldprehend the extraordinary secret beneath, just a stone''s throw away, in the imprable depths of the abyss, even from this seemingly ordinary vantage point?


    "Chen Hu, stay on board the vessel. I''m dropping into the profundities," Liu Yong trained, his voice steadfast.


    "Thank you, boss. "I''ll wait for your return," Chen Hu said.


    Liu Yong put on his rubber diving suit and held a powerful deep-sea light as he prepared for this moment. With conscious purpose, he slid from the yacht''s harsh, vanishing into the chasm''s hug.


    As he wandered further into the incredible, unforgiving hug of the sea''s profundities, the water''s hold became always persistent. At the point when he arrived at a depth of more than 100 meters, a recognizable presence arose.


    The Master, the glorious and perplexing substance, moved toward Liu Yong again. In the faint, luminous sparkle of the pit, it showed up considerably more giant, a titan from a domain of old folklore.


    Its structure, set apart by a gigantic head, a lengthy neck and tail, and a monumental carapace embellished with threatening projections, oozed an air of crude power.


    However, this was no customary monster; Liu Yong''s trustworthypanion shared a profound connection with him. It drew nearer with a respectful and submissive disposition. " Master, climb on my back, and I''ll take you where you need to go."


    Liu Yong recognized the Master''s proposal with a straightforward gesture and, with a determined elegance, mounted the animal''s monster carapace.


    The Overlord surged forward under his weight, directing them toward the ruins of the massive spaceship dormant in the abyssal depths.


    In this domain of unending evening, distant from the sun''s nurturing embrace, the climate wasden with an eerie quietness. Their remote ocean light source prated the abusive murkiness, enlightening the cryptic world that epassed them.


    The scene was stunning. A lone light emission, a radiant spear, slices through the obsidian waters, uncovering a frightful delight.


    As they plummeted further into the pit, their general surroundings changed. Luminescent organisms added a mystical element to the scene in the pitch-ck abyss, where even the bravest souls would fail.


    These bioluminescent animals, brilliant and ethereal, had developed to emanate light in the inky profundities ¡ª a transformation that looked simr to fireflies moving in the midnight air.


    With the ocean''s yawning gorge underneath them, the Master conveyed Liu Yong to their objective ¡ª the cockpit of the abandoned spaceship. It was more bearable for Liu Yong than his previous dive because he was acutely aware of the rising pressure. He estimated he could endure this crushing depth for thirty to forty minutes.


    The Overlord called out, breaking the abyss''s silence, "Master, the hatch is located here."


    Directed by the Master, Liu Yong enlightened the monstrous trapdoor with his intense light. His heart hustled with expectation, for this trapdoor was the limit to an outsider world, one he had long longed to investigate.


    From the beginning, the trapdoor seemed wlessly coordinated with the spaceship''s outside ¡ª an exterior of invulnerable secret. Notwithstanding, a cautious examination uncovered an inconspicuous inconsistency ¡ª a palm-sized gadget, somewhat jutting to one side of the lid.


    This disguisedponent, guilefully covered up, held the way to opening the insider facts inside as Liu Yong expanded his hand and cautiously squeezed the gadget, a fantastic reaction was anticipated.


    The gadget respected his touch when flush with the lid, withdrawing a few centimetres internally ¡ª an uplifting indication of progress. Anxious to continue, Liu Yong endeavoured to turn the device to one side, yet it stayed fixed. A basic turn to one side, notwithstanding, created a delicate yet unmistakable "click" that reverberated in the quieted, sea-going climate.


    The entryway was slightly open!


    Liu Yong felt an indescribable surge of joy when he saw the once-impossible portal yield to his persistence. This entryway, a door to the obscure, exemplified the acknowledgment of a long-esteemed dream.


    The visionary who had longed to find a method for admittance to the spaceship''s internal sanctum was finally viewed as the key. It was a snapshot of significant importance ¡ª a defining moment.


    Indeed, even the Master, regrly unfaltering and emotionless, couldn''t hold back its fervour. " Ace, you have opened the entryway," it shouted with amazement.


    Liu Yong answered, his voice touched with fulfilment, "To be sure, it appears to be the entryway has respected our industriousness."


    In that instant, the Overlord, despite its immense might, transformed into a creature of unbridled enthusiasm. It gave Liu Yong friendship, its motions likened to a dedicated canine contribution reverence.


    Liu Yong, overpowered with a feeling of achievement, wondered about the surprising presentation of warmth from his unflinching sidekick. It was a contacting indication of their bond and the meaning of this groundbreaking event.


    With the entryway now slightly open, Liu Yong''s heart hustled with expectation. The limit had been crossed, and the secrets of the spaceship''s cockpit were covered in the significant ambiguity of the pit.

 Chapter 410 Entering The Spaceship!

    ?


    The entryway moaned open, uncovering a thin aperture consistently incorporated into the boat''s structure.


    Guessing this second, Liu Yong applied negligible power and deftly swung the entryway wide. Pasty a passage covered in dimness, a domain immacte by the human presence for centuries.


    As he had predicted, the inside was not the dry, barren space one could expect but rather a watery grave loaded up with the briny profundities of the ocean. It was a bewildering scene, however, one that Liu Yong could figure out, given the conditions.


    "Expected so a lot," Liu Yong mumbled to himself, his voice scarcely perceptible over the surge of water.


    " This spaceship''s beenying on the sea floor for 50,000 years. It would have been odd in the event that it weren''t overflowed."


    Directed by a handheld light source, Liu Yong wandered further into the passageway. It extended ahead,pletely straight, for around forty to fifty meters. Looking for him was a universe of puzzlers, of insider facts murmured by the ocean.


    Bawang, ever the energetic pet, tolled in, "Expert, the entryway''s open! I''m tingling to see what''s inside."


    Liu Yong couldn''t resist the opportunity to grin at Bawang''s excitement. " My friend, you''ll have to wait outside. It''s basically impossible that you can just barely get through this entryway."


    Even though the door had a seven-meter height and a three-meter width, it still needed to be more adequate than the Overlord''s massive frame.


    Overlord let out a resigned sigh as the narrow passage prevented him from exploring.


    Liu Yong recognized Master''s anxiety with a gesture, then, at that point, with the remote ocean light source close by, he set out on the excursion ahead.


    The passage''s walls were shrouded in a dismal, dim, dark metal, summoning a feeling of suspicion. It was estimated to be roughly four to fifty meters long, five meters wide, and at a transcending level of ten meters.


    With each stroke, Liu Yong moved nearer to the passageway''s end, where one more entryway lingered, a perfect representation of the past one. Liu Yong was as used to turning a key as he was to precisely unlocking a door.


    With a delicate "click," the entryway respected his endeavours.


    As Liu Yong swam into the unknown, he cast his light on a sight thatpletely awed him, making his heart race.


    It was an exhibition of past creative minds!


    Venturing through the entry moved him into a titanic round lobby, effectively crossing a width of 200 meters. The sheer glory blew his mind.


    A testament to a civilization steeped in the wonders of science fiction, the hall pulsated with frantic energy. In its middle, an unfilled void called, while epassing it, were a variety of unlimited gadgets, their actual reason an enticing secret.


    Some of these gadgets gave off an impression of mind-boggling instruments decorated with mammoth showcase screens andplex varieties of touch-delicate buttons. Liu Yong couldn''t fight the temptation to test them, wanting to stir some old innovation.


    However, his endeavours were to no end, unfortunately. These relics of a high level of progress had sumbed to the destructive hug of seawater throughout the long term.


    Liu Yong wanted to wonder about the cutting-edge innovation of these tragically missing outsiders. Their manifestations had gotten through a portion of a thousand years lowered underneath the ocean before finally giving up their usefulness.


    Had these gadgets been built from materials like stic or treated steel, they would have broken down into obscurity. However, here they stood, quiet observers of the past, declining to respect the persistent walk of time.


    Liu Yong continued his exploration with his light source, searching the hall for clues to the cockpit''s entrance or any treasures that could be imed.


    The dome was tremendous, its insider facts concealed inside overlyplex corners. Time, in any case, was a steady ve driver, and Liu Yong realized he had a simple thirty to forty minutes to uncover reality.


    "See, there''s an entryway around there!"


    Liu Yong''s heart hustled as he moved toward this newly discovered revtion. Dissimr to the past entryways, this one differed from any he had experienced. It took him a few minutes to unravel its system and get entrance.


    Behind the entrywayy the sought-after prize - the cockpit!


    As Liu Yong shined his light inside, he felt excited as he realized he was finally standing on the edge of the adventure he had always wanted.


    Decisively, he wandered in. Multiple pilot seats dotted the several hundred square meters of the spacious cockpit. One of them, tragically, was covered in a thickyer of sludge, while the others showed up generally perfect.


    One of the seats was covered in dirt, and Liu Yong couldn''t help but think that it might be the remains of an alien pilot. After five centuries, all that remained was an ooze without unmistakable highlights.


    The cockpit was a hypnotizingbination of science fiction feel, a mother lode of sights and vibes that left Liu Yong in wonder.


    Liu Yong, driven by a hunger for grasping, thoroughly reviewed everywhere. Buttons, joysticks, and controls of various sorts asked to be controlled; however, to his embarrassment, none answered his touch.


    He mused aloud, "Perhaps this is an alienputer."


    Liu Yong spotted a mysterious and intriguing object on a table nearby. Its n bore the unquestionable signs of sci-fi, its motivation covered in puzzles.


    "What''s going on here?" Liu Yong contemted, realizing that theory was his primary n of action. Whatever its capability, if it very well may be moved, it was an award worth guaranteeing.


    Liu Yong decided not to rush his departure because he knew time was passing him by. All things considered, he proceeded with his journey for revtion.


    "See, there''s a bureau here."


    The outsiders, transcending monsters of the profound, had created their environmental elements to match their loftiness. The bureau before him remained at a monster four to five meters in level.


    Anxiously, Liu Yong flung the bureau entryways wide. Rather than vacancy, they uncovered a store of treasures from the long past. Among them was one more gadget that looked like a PC, joined by a few overwhelming boxes.


    With Liu Yong''s eager hands, one of these boxes gave way, revealing a treasure trove of batteries identical to those he had found with the gun.


    Detecting no time left, Liu Yong quickly gathered the items and advanced outside.


    With each excursion, Liu Yong collected more relics. Altogether, he recovered two mysterious gadgets that may be PCs and four enormous boxes, their items an enticing secret.


    The containers were almost indistinguishable, and Liu Yong figured out how to open only one, uncovering a variety of batteries. The excess three boxes held mysteries yet obscure, maybe further fortunes or relics of a past time.


    "Master, open up."


    The Master obliged, its gigantic jaws separating to acknowledge the fortunes Liu Yong had uncovered. Fulfilled that he had gotten his revtions, Liu Yong settled onto the Master''s back protectiveyer.


    "How about we head back to the yacht," he pronounced.


    At a profundity surpassing 3,000 meters, the water pressure was severe. Liu Yong only had 40 minutes toplete the task, and he was getting close to the end of his rope.


    Bawang quickly swam upward, aware of his Master''s limits.


    The profundity slowly subsided, first from more than 3,000 meters to 2,000, then, at that point, to 1,000.


    As the water pressure facilitated, Liu Yong''s body lost, the weight of the remote ocean lifting from his shoulders. Past 1,000 meters, the tension was nevertheless ancient history.


    Bawang stopped when they were about 100 meters below the surface. From that point, he diagrammed a course toward the far-off outline of the enormous yacht.


    ...

 Chapter 411 Huge Harvest !

    ?


    Bawang only took 30 to 40 minutes, covering 150 to 60 nautical miles. It might take less time if it were moving at its fastest pace.


    Liu Yong could already make out the overall shape of the enormous yacht on the water from his perch on Bawang''s massive carapace, tens of meters below the surface.


    In addition, Bawang reaffirmed, "Master, we are here."


    "Yes." After taking off Bawang''s back armour and pulling an alienputer from its enormous mouth, Liu Yong swam effortlessly in the boat''s direction.


    As he emerged from the water, Liu Yong shouted, "Chen Hu, hurry over and help me."


    Hearing themotion, Chen Hu, who had been waiting on the yacht for Liu Yong to resurface, hustled over.


    Liu Yong instructed, "Take these items up, but be vignt not to cause any harm."


    These objects were invaluable!


    Exercise utmost care; these items havenguished beneath the sea for over 50,000 years. A single careless move could lead to catastrophe.


    Chen Huprehended the gravity of the situation. He gingerly took the alienputer from Liu Yong''s grasp and stowed it away. He then hefted the colossal light source, weighing over 1,000 kilograms.


    Fortunately, his strength was more than adequate for the task. He connected the light source and ced it on the yacht.


    Liu Yong directed, "There are still more items; I''ll retrieve them."


    Within Bawang''s gargantuan mawy numerous items, including an alienputer and four sizable crates.


    Liu Yong made two additional trips to bring all of these items aboard. After meticulously securing them on the yacht, he shed his rubber diving suit, enjoyed a warm shower, and changed into dry attire.


    Liu Yong decided not to make any further dives for now. He''d wait until Bawang grew even more significant, perhaps to 1,200 or 1,500 tons so that he could endure longer at depths exceeding 3,000 meters.


    While Liu Yong showered, Chen Hu examined the items with great curiosity.


    The two alienputers left him utterly perplexed. He had never encountered such technology before; it seemed like something straight out of science fiction. His best guess was that they were some form of advancedputer.


    As for the fourrge crates, he was simrly intrigued, but he dared not open them without Liu Yong''s permission.


    After changing clothes and safely stowing away the salvaged items, Liu Yong signaled, "Let''s go; we can head back now."


    The yacht set sail and began the return journey.


    After more than an hour of sailing, the yacht passed the area where the M country warship had sunk.


    "Boss, look, a ship ising to rescue them," Chen Hu pointed out.


    Liu Yong observed arge container ship flying the g of country M. It appeared to have been nearby and was now racing to the scene after receiving a distress signal.


    Liu Yong noted the ongoing rescue operation and aided in rescuing the individuals on the two rubber lifeboats in the sea, numbering only 20 to 30 people. He spected that a guided missile frigate would typically carry dozens of crew members, and it seemed that more than half had perished at sea.


    Liu Yong felt no sympathy for them; their situation wasrgely of their own making. They had stubbornly followed him like mas.


    The yacht, without slowing down, continued on its course, seemingly oblivious to the ongoing rescue. Gradually, it distanced itself from the scene.


    Five dayster, Liu Yong and Chen Hu safely returned to Huahai City.


    Within the Universal Building:


    In his office, Liu Yong carefully ced the two alienputers he had retrieved on his substantial desk. He examined them repeatedly, growing increasingly enamored with their intricacies.


    These two devices had undergone preliminary cleaning and were now dry and free of any seawater residue.


    Liu Yong harbored an intense desire to delve into them but ultimately resisted the temptation. He recognized that disassembling theseputers was a task for experts.


    After gazing at them for an extended period, Liu Yong securely stowed them in a sizable safe. He then turned his attention to one of the crates, cracking it open and inspecting its contents.


    Inside, he found a cache of thirty batteries, each roughly the size of a palm, resembling small cuboids, measuring about two or three centimeters thick, much like the previous battery.


    These batteries likely served as backup power sources for the aliens, reserved for emergencies.


    Three morerge crates remained.


    On their journey back, Liu Yong had inspected them superficially and was still in awe.


    Inside these three cratesy items beyond Liu Yong''sprehension. He couldn''t fathom their purpose despite careful examination.


    Taking one of the crates, Liu Yong ced it on his desk, opened it, and studied its contents once more.


    The contents consisted of pieces, some the size of a palm, others as small as a fingernail, and thergest no more than the size of a palm.


    While they varied in size, they all shared amon trait: they were exceptionally thin. For example, a slender slice the size of a fingernail was only as thick as a coin, approximately 1 mm. Thergest sheets were a mere three to four millimeters thick, all featuring exposed slots.


    Liu Yong couldn''t make heads or tails of their purpose, no matter how long he scrutinized them. The other two crates held simr items¡ªthin sheets or peculiarly shaped batteries.


    After a lengthy and engrossing examination, Liu Yong carefully ced all these items in the safe, securely locking them away.


    It was gettingte, and Liu Yong decided to contact Hu Nan and Ning Zetao the following day to provide them with the batteries.


    Locking the safe, Liu Yong pondered the substantial gains from this venture.


    The haul was monumental!


    The batteries alone held incredible value. Moreover, the peculiar sheets intrigued him; their worth might exceed that of the batteries.


    At the Global Scientific Research Center:


    Hu Nan was leading his technical team in the development of graphene-aluminum batteries. The project had been underway for over ten days, with significant progress.


    Many of the technical challenges that had previously gued him were now resolved, and the project was advancing remarkably smoothly.


    His team members were diligently conducting their research, while Hu Nan himself was preparing a research paper on graphene-aluminum batteries. He also needed to initiate the patent application process, which required his personal attention.


    Then came a knock at the door¡ªNing Zetao entered with a somewhat troubled expression.


    Hu Nan immediately inquired, "What''s the matter, Old Ning?"


    Ning Zetao replied with a sigh, "We only have one battery for our research, and it''s causing a ruckus among the team leaders below. They''re all vying for a share."


    Hu Nan couldn''t help but wear a wry smile.


    Such conflicts were not umon; they urred periodically, and he had dealt with simr situations personally.


    Unbeknownst to them, the treasures Liu Yong had retrieved were about to spark a revolution in their research endeavors...

 Chapter 412 A Big Surprise

    ?


    In a world where finite resources constrained the march of technological progress, one solitary battery stood as the linchpin of innovation. Within the bustling confines of the Global Scientific Research Center, technical team leaders found themselves locked in a relentlesspetition, a race against time, for ess to this covetedponent. As with any limited resource, this singr battery gave rise to tensions and disputes among the leaders.


    Amid this contentious atmosphere, Hu Nan, a seasoned technical team leader, couldn''t help but voice his heartfelt wish, a sentiment tinged with emotion. "How splendid it would be," he mused, "if we couldy our hands on a few more of these batteries."


    Ning Zetao, another prominent figure in the technical leadership, nodded in vigorous agreement. "Absolutely," he said, his voice echoing with shared aspiration. "A few more of these batteries would eliminate these ongoing conflicts and expedite our research. No more researchers would be left twiddling their thumbs, waiting for essentialponents. Instead, when one research team concludes its study, the parts would be readily avable for the next group. It''d be a seamless cycle of progress."


    Both harboured a deep longing for more batteries of this kind, yet they were acutely aware of the monumental challenge of this dreaming to fruition, even the near-impossibility.


    However, they decided to sidestep the weighty topic, shifting their focus toward the exhrating realm of graphene-aluminum batteries.


    "Old Hu," Ning Zetao inquired, "how is our graphene-aluminum battery project faring?"


    A contented smile graced Hu Nan''s lips as he responded, "Boss, our progress is proceeding with remarkable fluidity. My initial estimate was that it would take approximately three months to create the first sample battery in a controlledboratory setting. But, to be honest, that projection was rather conservative. At the most, within another month, we''ll have produced the first prototype of our graphene-aluminum battery."


    The pace of advancement took Ning Zetao aback. "So swiftly!" he eximed, his eyebrows shooting up pleasantly.


    With pride, Hu Nan borated, "Indeed, and even the Boss would likely be overjoyed by this news. However, it''s essential to remember that this is just the first generation of our graphene-aluminum battery. As we delve deeper into its technology and gain a more profound understanding, we''ll undoubtedly usher in a third, fourth, and perhaps even an nth generation of graphene-aluminium batteries."


    Their conversation flowed animatedly, offering a wee respite from the recent friction and quarrels that had marred the interaction between the technical teams.


    The sun had barely begun to rise on the following morning when a summons arrived for both Hu Nan and Ning Zetao. Their presence was required at Universal Building, where the Boss eagerly awaited their arrival.


    Anticipating the Boss''s insatiable curiosity regarding their project''s progress, they diligently prepared a wealth of reports and promptly made their way to the appointed meeting.


    A tinge of nervousness crept over them upon entering Liu Yong''s office.


    In unison, they greeted him, "Boss, we''re here."


    Liu Yong, the benevolent yet demanding head of the organization, weed them with warmth and grace. "Please, take a seat, my friends. I have some exciting news to share."


    As they settled into their chairs, with a sparkle of intrigue in his eyes, Liu Yong wasted no time delving into the heart of the matter. "How is the graphene-aluminum battery project progressing?" he inquired.


    Being the spokesperson, Hu Nan replied with a smile, "Boss, the sess we''ve achieved with that revolutionary battery has fueled our determination to propel forward with the graphene-aluminum battery. Progress is proceeding at a pace that has exceeded our initial expectations, and we confidently predict that we''ll have crafted a working prototype within the next month."


    Ning Zetao couldn''t help but exim, "It''s truly astonishing, Boss. In the world of science and technology, most countries and research institutions are still confined to the theoretical and conceptual stages of such battery development. But here, at the Global Scientific Research Center, we''re on the verge of producing a tangible, working prototype."


    Liu Yong''s reaction was a mix of surprise and profound satisfaction. "This is nothing short of groundbreaking," hemented. "But what about the production costs?"


    With meticulous precision, Hu Nan replied, "We''ve remained steadfast in ourmitment to a low-cost strategy throughout the research and development process. Our projections indicate that the manufacturing cost of our graphene-aluminum battery will be less than half that of the current lithium batteries."


    His face lit up enthusiastically, and Liu Yong couldn''t contain his joy. "Splendid!" he eximed. "I''m eagerly looking forward to expediting production and swiftly introducing this marvel to the market."


    Ning Zetao deftly redirected the conversation to the practicalities. "Boss, selecting a suitable location for our battery factory is the next critical step."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement. "Yes, that''s a pivotal decision. We''ll need to act swiftly in this regard."


    Hu Nan, however, chose this moment to broach another equally pressing concern. "Boss, one more issue significantly hampers our progress."


    Liu Yong, with a sense of gravity, encouraged him to continue. "Please, tell me about it."


    Without hesitation, Hu Nan addressed the issue head-on. "Boss, we''re currently in possession of only one of those remarkable batteries. Having even one more, or perhaps an additional battery, would alleviate the strains we''re experiencing in our research endeavors."


    Ning Zetao, echoing the sentiment, added, "Precisely, Boss. With just a single battery, we often find ourselves mired in disputes as different research groups vie for its limited use. It''s impeding our collective progress."


    Unexpectedly, Liu Yong burst intoughter. Hisughter was genuine and heartfelt, filling the room with a shared joy.


    Baffled by this unexpected reaction, Hu Nan and Ning Zetao exchanged puzzled nces, wondering what had prompted their Boss''s sudden mirth.


    After a hearty bout ofughter, Liu Yong rose from his seat, strode purposefully to a massive safe, and unlocked it without hesitation. He retrieved a substantial box from within, cing it with a sense of ceremony on his desk. He then secured the safe once more.


    Resuming his seat, Liu Yong gestured toward the box and grinned, "Open it and see what''s inside."


    Still bewildered by the Boss''sughter, the duo rose and approached the box in unison. As they lifted the lid, what they beheld left them momentarily dumbfounded.


    It felt like their acupoints had been tapped, rendering them momentarily paralyzed. For a few seconds, they stood there, incredulous, as if an electrifying bolt of surprise had struck them. The contents of the box were almost too marvellous toprehend.


    Batteries identical to the one they had possessed filled the box. There were at least thirty of them, neatly arranged in rows.


    Ning Zetao, trembling with disbelief, stammered, "Old Hu, this can''t be real!"


    Still grappling with the shock of the moment, Hu Nan agreed in a hushed tone, "Old Ning, we''re not dreaming. This is undeniably real."


    Seeing their reactions with a mix of amusement and satisfaction, Liu Yong proimed loudly, "You now have thirty-two of these batteries at your disposal for research. I trust that you will swiftly unravel their technological secrets and harness their potential to create even more advanced batteries."


    Their initial astonishment subsided, and Hu Nan and Ning Zetao found their voices again, expressing their unwaveringmitment. "Rest assured, Boss. We shall make the utmost use of these resources to achieve groundbreaking scientific advancements in record time."

 Chapter 413 God Of Wealth !

    ?


    Jinpen County is a serene corner of the world where the currents of change were stirring, and at the heart of this awakening was County Magistrate Wang Yongwang. Seated regally in his office, he sported a ruddyplexion, an emblem of contentment that perfectly matched his mood.


    Fresh from a meeting in the city, the County Magistrate was basking in the glory of the new dawn for Jinpen County. Oncenguishing at the county''s tail-end regarding economic prowess, this was a new chapter.


    Tucked away in the County Industrial Park, the No. 2 factory of Universal Semiconductor Company had sprung to life, producing a steady stream of advanced 8-nanometer process chips. The County Industrial Bureau prophesized a staggering output value exceeding 3 billion in the inaugural month, and a conservative estimate had it crossing the 40 billion mark for the year.


    40 billion! The implications for this quaint county town were momentous, for Jinpen County had grappled with breaking through the 20 billion GDP threshold just the previous year. A single factory''s contribution propelled this county''s economic fortunes into uncharted territory.


    But what truly set County Magistrate Wang''s spirits soaring was that this was only the beginning. The Industry Bureau''s forecast hinted at apelling 50 billion in the factory''s second year of operation.


    Such figures were dreams materialized, and the transformation was palpable. Gone were the days when the county magistrate found himself on the sidelines during city meetings, trailing behind deputy magistrates from more economically developed counties. Today, Wang Yongwang stood tall, a pir of confidence. In his recent city meeting, he had been invited to the front seat ahead of leaders, big and small, and this newfound prominence was heady.


    His pride was further stoked when the mayor publicly inquired about Jinping County''s economic fortunes in a show of support and recognition. Wang Yongwang eloquently narrated the tale, mentioning the No. 2 factory of Universal Semiconductor Company''s predicted 40 billion output for the year, possibly soaring to 50 billion the next. The eyes of other county and city leaders sparkled, gleaming with a shade of envy so bright it nearly lit up the room.


    Wang Yongwang revelled in this moment, his heart swelling with pride, particrly under the envious gazes of his peers. Returning from the city meeting, he remained immersed in unparalleled happiness.


    Amidst processing a stack of documents on his desk, Wang Yongwang leapt to his feet, his voice resonating. "Xiao Yang, arrange my visit to the industrial park."


    "Of course, Leader," Xiao Yang, his new secretary, responded promptly. Wang Yongwang''s former secretary had been promoted and now served as a deputy in the Industrial Bureau.


    In no time, Wang Yongwang''s second car whisked him away to the industrial park, apanied by an entourage of major and minor leaders, as he embarked on an inspection tour of Universal Semiconductor''s No. 2 factory.


    Regrettably, the inner sanctum of the manufacturing workshop was off-limits due to stringent dust-free requirements, a necessary prerequisite for chip production. Instead, the delegation explored the factory area before convening a meeting in the office building.


    During the symposium, Wang Yongwang earnestly inquired if any issues within the factory required his intervention or external coordination. His proactive demeanour didn''t go unnoticed. Among all county leaders, only this factory received personalized attention from the county magistrate.


    Post-inspection, Wang Yongwang decided not to rush back. Instead, he strolled through the industrial park, conversing with Director Jin. "Director Jin, what about expanding the industrial park by an additional 1,000 mu?"


    The audacious proposal stunned everyone present. Wang Yongwang had essentially requested an expansion epassing a thousand acres with casual ease.


    Director Jin, though inwardly awestruck, maintained hisposure. After contemtion, he responded, "It''s feasible, but we''ll need to requisitionnd, and there''s also the matter of ttening the hill nearby."


    A small hill in the vicinity would necessitate considerable earthwork to level it.


    Undaunted, Wang Yongwang instructed, "Draft a n, and I''ll review it. Let''s expand the industrial park by another 1,000 mu."


    The leaders at his side were left dumbfounded. County Magistrate Wang seemed poised for substantial action, ready to roll up his sleeves and oversee an ambitious project.


    In the towering edifice known as Universal Building, Liu Yong, the mastermind behind Universal Semiconductor, he pondered the location of his forting battery factory. His contemtion weighed the pros and cons of establishing it in Huahai City or one of the surrounding counties and cities.


    Huahai City''s international allure promised ess to talent but came with the burden of highnd prices and operating costs. Conversely, the surrounding areas offered lowernd costs and potentially lucrative incentives from eager counties and cities looking to attract investments.


    Reflecting upon the sess of Universal Semiconductor''s No. 2 factory in Jinpen County, Liu Yong chose thetter path. He decided to establish his future battery factory in these neighbouring regions.


    Smiling to himself, Liu Yong dered, "Jinpen County is my homnd; let''s make a contribution to our own people."


    With his decision firm, Liu Yong dialed Wang Yongwang''s number. When the call connected, Wang Yongwang''s voice exuded tion. "Mr. Liu, what a delightful surprise to receive your call."


    In Wang Yongwang''s eyes, Liu Yong was the personification of wealth and prosperity, a patron saint of Jinpen County. The No. 2 factory had already be a beacon of hope, increasing the county''s GDP and providing numerous job opportunities for its residents. Wages at the factory were respectable, elevating the living standards of local families. This trickle-down effect was substantial; one person''s employment rippled to support the livelihoods of thousands if not tens of thousands.


    To the ordinary residents of Jinpen County, Liu Yong was their guardian angel, their God of Wealth. A call directly from Liu Yong filled Wang Yongwang with joy and anticipation.


    Liu Yong dered, "Mayor Wang, I''ll be returning tomorrow."


    "That''s fantastic news, Mr. Liu. On behalf of our people, I extend a warm wee," Wang Yongwang responded enthusiastically.


    As the call progressed, Wang Yongwang couldn''t help but sense there was more to Liu Yong''s intentions. His excitement grew, and he wondered if Liu Yong''s return to his hometown might signify something more significant.


    However, Liu Yong didn''t immediately reveal his purpose, leaving Wang Yongwang to specte eagerly. Eventually, Liu Yong exchanged a few brief words before ending the call.


    Wang Yongwang couldn''t contain his excitement. His mind raced with possibilities, each more exhrating than thest. Was it possible that Liu Yong''s return heralded more than just a visit to his hometown? The county magistrate pondered this enigmatic turn of events, his heart filled with hope and expectation.

 Chapter 414 Jipens Sensation

    ?


    Amid this picturesque scene, Liu Yong couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. The decision he was about to make carried immense weight, not just for himself, but for the entire Jinpen County.


    He contemted, the investment proposition for Jinpen County was overwhelmingly favorable. The advantages far outweighed any potential drawbacks, and the promise of substantial preferential policies hung in the air like ripe fruit ready to be plucked.


    Breaking the silence, Liu Yong addressed the gathered assembly. His voice carried an air of wisdom and authority. "My friends, I''ve taken the Jinpen County Council''s proposal into careful consideration. But before we move forward, it''s imperative that I conduct an on-site inspection. Only through this can we make an informed decision."


    His words rang true.


    Indeed, such a momentous decision warranted thorough examination, but it was undeniable that unease lingered among the group. The fear of the investment slipping away haunted their collective conscience.


    Wang Yongwang, in particr, couldn''t conceal his anxiety. He nced at his wristwatch, noting that it was barely past eleven in the morning. An idea struck him, and he proposed eagerly, "Mr. Liu, perhaps it would be wise to break for lunch first before embarking on the field trip. What do you think?"


    All eyes turned to Liu Yong, eager for his response. Time was of the essence, after all.


    Liu Yong, ever the pragmatic businessman, broke into a warm smile and waved his hand. "Very well, let''s arrange it ordingly."


    Wang Yongwang''s face lit up with relief. He rose to his feet, extending a heartfelt invitation to Liu Yong. "Then, Mr. Liu, let''s enjoy a meal together before setting out for the field."


    Liu Yong, Li Changle, and the entire party followed Wang Yongwang as they made their way to the county''s hotel, where a sumptuous feast awaited. The tables were set with an array of dishes that seemed to flow in an endless stream, demonstrating Wang Yongwang''s hospitality.


    The selection was diverse and tantalizing, and Wang Yongwang had gone the extra mile by providing exceptional wines. As the bottles were presented one by one, those who enjoyed a tipple couldn''t help but feel a twinge of excitement.


    Liu Yong, however, had other ns. He leaned toward Wang Yongwang, suggesting, "Mayor Wang, what do you say we rece the wine with non-alcoholic beverages today? After all, we have a field inspection ahead of us."


    Without a second thought, Wang Yongwang signaled for the wine to be taken away. It left others in astonishment.


    This wasn''t something anyone could have suggested, let alone expected. But Liu Yong''s influence was undeniable, and his request was swiftly amodated. Themon consensus was clear ¨C Mr. Liu was truly extraordinary.


    In ce of wine, the tables were now adorned with an assortment of soft drinks and tea. The atmosphere remained warm, and even those who were averse to alcohol secretly, and gratefully, nced at Liu Yong.


    Many guests followed suit, recing wine with non-alcoholic beverages, and raised their sses in a toast to Liu Yong. They offered heartfelt words of appreciation.


    Liu Yong had undoubtedly be the centerpiece of the gathering, eclipsing even the host, Wang Yongwang. After the meal, they took a brief respite.


    Around two o''clock in the afternoon, the extensive convoy set out, weaving through the city''s streets and alleyways en route to the county industrial park.


    The impressive procession drew the attention of bystanders, prompting discussions among the townsfolk.


    "What a grand convoy!"


    "I counted; there are eighteen vehicles in total. Who''s the big shot? They''ve certainly arrived in style."


    "I heard that Liu Yong, the boss of Global Shipping Group, is back in town. Rumor has it he''s nning a massive new factory investment right here in Jinpen County."


    "Really? That''s fantastic news. My son has been struggling to find a decent job since he graduated. Perhaps he''ll have a chance to work at Liu Yong''s new factory."


    And so, the convoy continued on its path, generating chatter and anticipation along the way.


    The convoy eventually arrived at the County Industrial Park. Liu Yong had visited the park once before, but the transformation since then was nothing short of astounding.


    On his initial visit, thendscape had been barren, with weeds and scant factories dotting the scene. Now, the park boasted wide, well-paved roads and a brand-new, sprawling factoryplex.


    It was the impressive Universal Semiconductor No. 2 factory, spanning over 800 acres, a testament to its colossal scale.


    Liu Yong gazed upon the facility with satisfaction, seemingly uninterested in conducting an immediate inspection. Instead, apanied by Wang Yongwang and the delegation, he proceeded to the Industrial Park''s managementmittee.


    Themittee had been well-prepared, with Director Jin personally presenting the park''s current status to Liu Yong. They unfurled a colossal aerial image of the industrial park,plete with detailed exnations.


    Director Jin borated, "We''re ready to level and prepare this area immediately, epassing at least 1,000 acres..."


    Liu Yong studied the area, which was adjacent to Universal Semiconductor''s No. 2 factory. The proximity to the county''srgest river, visible in the distance, further piqued his interest.


    This location was indeed ideal.


    After Director Jin''sprehensive presentation, the delegation embarked on a tour of the industrial park. Liu Yong''s focus, however, remained fixed on the previously mentioned area.


    Finally, he couldn''t contain his curiosity any longer and inquired, "Mayor Wang, what kind of preferential policies can I expect if I choose to invest and build my factory here?"


    Wang Yongwang couldn''t hide his excitement. A glimmer of hope emerged. If Liu Yong was interested in this plot ofnd, it meant the investment might stay in Jinpen County.


    A 30-billion-dor investment!


    A factory with an output value exceeding 100 billion!


    Wang Yongwang struggled to contain his emotions, choking back his excitement as he responded, "Mr. Liu, if you decide to invest and build your factory here, we will cover thend leveling costs and provide you with the same preferential policies as Universal Semiconductor."


    A free plot ofnd and a slew of preferential policies¡ªLiu Yong found the offer irresistible.


    Without hesitation, he dered, "Very well, my factory will be built here!"


    The officials of Jinpen County were stunned by his audacity. This wasn''t a decision to be made lightly, and the magnitude of the investment was staggering. Wang Yongwang, in particr, was overwhelmed with joy, his face betraying his tion.


    Expressing his gratitude, he could only manage a simple yet heartfelt, "Thank you so much."


    In that phrase, a multitude of emotions and words remained unspoken. Wang Yongwang''s gratitude knew no bounds, and it was a testament to the monumental deal that had just been sealed.

 Chapter 415 Liu Yongs Vision !

    ?


    The erupted apuse seemed to have a life of its own, a spontaneous burst of admiration and pride that swept through the room. It was difficult to ascertain who had initiated this symphony of approval, but it was clear that the scene unfolding before them had captured the hearts of everyone present.


    Liu Yong and Wang Yongwang, the central figures of this momentous asion, found themselves bathed in the warm glow of admiration. Surrounding them were the eager reporters from Jinpen County TV Station and Daily News, armed with cameras and pens, ready to immortalize this historic moment in pixels and ink.


    Among them, one particrly zealous reporter, camera in hand, wielded it like a virtuoso brandishing a musical instrument. With each click of the shutter, he etched into history the image of Liu Yong and Wang Yongwang, their firm handshake symbolizing the dawn of a new era.


    That very night, the digital realms of Jinpen County came alive with the news of this transformative event. The local WeChat public ount and television stations raced to report the groundbreaking development. Word travelled swiftly, reaching every corner of the county, ensuring that Liu Yong''s audacious vision became a household name overnight.


    For the people of Jinpen County, this was not merely a piece of news; it was a lifeline, a promise of prosperity, and a testament to the indomitable spirit of theirmunity.


    "I can''t believe my eyes!"


    "You''re not dreaming, my friend. A 30-billion-dor investment to build a 100-billion-dor super factory? Mr. Liu is a visionary!"


    "To have such a talent hailing from our county is truly remarkable."


    "I am determined to secure a ce within that factory. This opportunity is too great to pass up."


    As conversations buzzed with excitement among the locals, social media tforms exploded with activity. Profiles were aze with shares and reposts, each click andment fueling the collective enthusiasm.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong found himself at the residence of his father-inw, Meng Chunli. The news of his daughter and her soon-to-be husband''s homing had set the house abuzz with anticipation. Meng Chunli, a culinary virtuoso, had spent the entire afternoon orchestrating a sumptuous feast celebrating the momentous asion.


    Li Zhengkai, ever the gracious host, had cracked open a bottle of Moutai, his spirits soaring as he engaged in lively conversation with Liu Yong.


    "Xiaoyong, you''ve brought honor to our hometown once more. The entire county is singing your praises, and my social media feed is flooded with your story."


    Liu Yong, ever humble, replied, "Uncle, my dream has always been to establish a factory. Where better to build it than in our own beloved hometown?"


    Li Zhengkai beamed with pride as he raised his ss. "That''s the spirit! Lele, fetch another bottle. Xiaoyong and I have much to celebrate."


    As the night deepened, it became apparent that Li Zhengkai had allowed the spirits to get the better of him. Perhaps the sheer magnitude of the day''s events or the overwhelming joy had pushed him beyond his usual limits.


    Undeterred, Li Zhengkai insisted, "No, I can handle more. Lele, bring that bottle. Xiaoyong and I aren''t done yet!"


    Li Changle exchanged a knowing nce with Liu Yong as she gently guided her father to the bedroom. "Dad, it''s time to rest. You''ve enjoyed enough for one night."


    "I''m not drunk! Who says I''m drunk?" Li Zhengkai''s voice echoed down the hallway, defiant and merry.


    Always the dutiful son-inw, Liu Yong carefully helped Li Zhengkai to bed. With tenderness, he removed the older man''s shoes and coat, ensuring he wasfortable beneath the quilt. As sleep imed Li Zhengkai, a contented smile yed upon his lips, a testament to the sheer joy that enveloped him that day.


    That evening, Liu Yong chose to stay over at his inw''s residence, and Meng Chunli had prepared a guest bedroom adorned with fresh linens and an inviting ambience.


    The following morning, as the sun bathed the countryside in a warm embrace, Liu Yong set out for his hometown. Negotiating the finer points of the agreement with Jinpen County, including the formal contract signing, were now tasks he could confidently delegate. A single phone call to Qiu Yang would set the wheels in motion to ensure these matters were promptly and efficiently addressed.


    Back at Universal Building, Liu Yong settled into his executive chair, his thoughts a whirlwind of recent events. After a brief trance, he was interrupted by a gentle knock on the door.


    Qiu Yang entered, bearing good tidings. "Boss, everything is in order. Here is the signed contract."


    Liu Yong epted the contract, carefully scrutinizing its contents. His expression reflected deep satisfaction.


    "Mr. Qiu, we''re embarking on a new journey into the realm of new energy. Our inaugural factory in Jinpen County is poised tomence construction."


    Qiu Yang nodded, well aware of the magnitude of this endeavour. "Indeed, Jinpen County will undertake the necessary preparations, includingnd leveling, within the next 30 days. Construction can then proceed unhindered."


    With determination, Liu Yong continued, "Our enterprise is rapidly expanding, and it''s time to establish a global enterprise group to streamline our operations. This group will oversee not only the global shipping division but also the global semiconductor division, the global research center, and the global new energy division."


    Qiu Yang listened attentively, acknowledging the profound implications of this announcement.


    Liu Yong elucidated his vision further. "You, Mr. Qiu, shall assume the pivotal role of General Manager of the Universal Enterprise Group. Deputy General Managers will include individuals such as Hu Shijun, Huang Guang, and others."


    The news of the corporate restructuring, fueled by Liu Yong''s unwavering vision, was quickly disseminated throughout the organization. The announcement was met with enthusiasm, and promotions were generously extended to those who had consistently disyed steadfastmitment and exceptional performance.


    In the realm of the Global Scientific Research Center, an air of palpable excitement enveloped theboratory. Researchers such as Huang Guang, Hu Nan, and Ning Zetao assembled around a test bench, upon which a groundbreaking graphene-aluminum battery rested.


    This prototype battery was the culmination of weeks of tireless work, an achievement that had rewritten the boundaries of scientific discovery and from the project''s initial approval to the realization of this battery, a mere 20 days had transpired¡ªan achievement tantamount to a scientific marvel.


    It starkly contrasted the many research teams worldwide that had expended years of resources and effort to crack the enigma of graphene-aluminium batteries, only to fall short. The barriers they faced were nowhere to be found in thisboratory.


    A serendipitous encounter with an extraterrestrial energy block had triggered the breakthrough. As researchers delved deeper into its mysteries, they discovered it was more aptly termed an "energy block." While it currentlyy dormant, it held the promise of revolutionary advancements within it.


    As they celebrated their triumphs, the birth of the Universal Enterprise Group marked the dawn of a new era. Its vast scope offered boundless opportunities for those who contributed to its growth.

 Chapter 416 The First Battery !

    ?


    As the momentous test was on the cusp ofmencing, a profound silence descended upon the scene, hushing even the technicians. All eyes converged on Huang Guang, Hu Nan, and theirpanions, each pair of eyes brimming with anticipation and anxiety.


    Huang Guang, amidst this palpable tension, offered a subtle nod of affirmation.


    In stark contrast to the quietude surrounding them, Hu Nan''s voice rang out resoundingly, breaking the silence. "Commence the test!" he dered, his voice carrying far more than its volume suggested, for within him, a tempest of nerves swirled.


    This, after all, was no ordinary endeavor; it marked the dawn of a new era with the advent of the graphene-aluminum battery, a product that promised to be epoch-making. Its entry into the market was poised to set off a sensational wave, an innovation unparalleled in its grandeur.


    The world''s first of its kind!


    With these profound thoughts in mind, the critical phase of testing was underway. Initial routines, such as measurements of weight, dimensions, and temperature ranges, took precedence. However, it was the subsequent tests that held paramount importance: the total battery power and maximum current capacity.


    Hu Nan thundered, "Initiate the maximum current test!" The testing instrument''s disy screen promptly sprang to life, its data dancing to reveal the battery''s maximum output current.


    The numbers oscited until they finally settled at 20,065 mA. Hu Nan, relieved, nodded in approval, while Ning Zetao added, "Old Hu, it impably aligns with our design specifications."


    Indeed, this battery had been meticulously crafted with a maximum output current of 20,000 mA, a meticulously calcted value that left no room for extravagance.


    Ecstatic cheers erupted from the technicians; some even broke into a chorus of apuse. To them, this seemingly unassuming battery, norger than a standard mobile phone battery, had defied convention by delivering an astonishing 20,000 mAh current. A far cry from the 5,000mAh, 7,500mAh, or even 10,000mAh capacities found in the average power banks on the market.


    The revtion of this small battery''s capabilities left one question loomingrge: What of its power?


    Power, in this context, held greater significance than current. It held the key to the battery''s energy reservoir. In the realm of batteries, bigger was unequivocally better. The standard power range for a fully charged mobile phone battery was generally between 10 watt-hours (WH) and 30 WH, while power banks often exceeded 30 WH. Through the ingeniousbination of multiple lithium battery packs, some even surpassed 50 WH.


    The collective anticipation now shifted towards the graphene-aluminum battery''s power rating.


    All eyes, once again, turned to Huang Guang and Hu Nan, awaiting their verdict. Though Huang Guang''s demeanor remainedposed, beneath the veneery a turbulent sea of emotions. "In for a penny, in for a pound," he mused.


    Hu Nan''s voice resounded once more, "Initiate the power test!" With bated breath, he watched as the disy screen flickered to life, the data gradually ascending. Hearts raced, silently pleading for a slightly higher figure.


    Finally, the data settled at 312 WH.


    A chorus of astonishment erupted in theboratory. Despite being aware of the 300 WH design standard, many found it incredulous that such a diminutive battery had achieved nearly a third of a kilowatt-hour.


    It was a moment of euphoria and jubtion, a moment where the hearts of Huang Guang, Hu Nan, Ning Zetao, and their team could finally rest easy.


    Ning Zetao, ovee with excitement, gripped Hu Nan''s hand tightly, eximing, "Old Hu, we''ve done it! We''ve seeded!"


    Hu Nan, his voiceden with triumph, concurred, "Indeed, we''ve seeded!"


    This was, without a doubt, a resounding sess. Hu Nan''s team had delivered an extraordinary achievement¡ªa small battery with a whopping 312 WH capacity.


    The good news was swiftly ryed to Liu Yong, who received it with enthusiasticmendations. Yet, he remained pragmatic, inquiring about the timeline forrge-scale industrial production.


    With unwavering confidence, Hu Nan asserted that it could be achieved within three months, a promise that, given their past performance, carried more weight than mere words.


    But Liu Yong, with his acute foresight, contemted the need for the Global New Energy Group''s establishment to hasten, along with the rapid construction of Yihao factory.


    In a different corner of the business world, Bi Qingyun, seated in his office at Albatron International, leaned back, cigarette in hand. The report from Song Jianwei had arrived, bearing unfavorable news regarding negotiations with a stubborn western supplier.


    Half a month earlier, Song Jianwei had ventured overseas, at Bi Qingyun''s behest, to discuss battery imports. However, the Western supplier had proven upromising, making negotiations an uphill battle. After more than ten days of fruitless efforts, Song Jianwei had returned to China, bearing the grim tidings.


    Bi Qingyun, after finishing his cigarette, made a resolute decision: if you can''t get what you want from Butcher Zhang, you''ll have to make do with other options. Domestic batteries suddenly upied his thoughts, and he began to ponder which manufacturer''s battery might serve as a suitable substitute.


    Meanwhile, at Zhang Kee Seafood Restaurant, Liu Yong expressed his concern to Ding Wen, who had hinted at returning to manage the family business. "Are you certain about taking over the family business and assisting your father?" he inquired.


    Ding Wen nodded earnestly, exining, "I''ve had my fill of leisure, and I can''t let my father bear the burden alone. He''s encountered some challengestely, and I must lend a hand."


    It was a ssic case of returning to the family fold after satisfying one''s wanderlust¡ªa decision many would envy. Yet, Liu Yong was not envious, but genuinely concerned. "What challenges has your father faced? The chip issue should have been resolved by now."


    Ding Wen, however, skillfully redirected the conversation, revealing his frustration. "This Western supplier is shameless; they''ve increased their prices by a staggering 20%."


    The revtion shed new light on the situation. Liu Yong, familiar with Qingyun International''s King Dragon mobile phone, understood the magnitude of this battery problem.


    A wry smile yed across his lips as he made a cryptic promise, "Come to my office tomorrow, and I''ll give you a little gift¡ªa solution to your problem."


    The sessful development of the graphene-aluminium battery cleared the path for industrial production. Liu Yong contemted a productunch event to introduce this revolutionary battery.


    However, fate had a different n, and he was relieved of the burden of organizing such an event, allowing him to revel in newfound freedom.

 Chapter 417 Liu Yongs Gift !

    ?


    In the bustling heart of the capital city, Brother Yong and Ding Wen reunited after a long absence. The familiarity and camaraderie between them echoed in the warm embrace of their greeting.


    "Brother Yong, is there something you want to give me?" Ding Wen inquired, his curiosity piqued.


    A sly smile danced on Brother Liu Yong''s lips as he replied, "Indeed, my friend, I have a gift for you. But, you''ll have to wait until tomorrow when you visit my office."


    Ding Wen couldn''t help but yfully guess, "Could it be an antique, Brother Yong? You know how much I cherish such treasures."


    Liu Yong, ever the enigmatic friend, chuckled and deftly deflected, "No need to guess, my friend. Come, join me in savoring this delightful seafood feast."


    And indeed, the seafood spread before them was a testament to luxury. Some of the ingredients had been procured by Liu Yong, while the Zhangji Seafood Restaurant had lent their culinary expertise to transform them into a delectable array of dishes.


    Liu Yong reminisced about theirst fishing expedition, where they had caught a colossal tuna weighing several hundred catties. His eyes sparkled as he revealed, "Ding Wen, this sashimi is exquisite, and the fish bone soup is nothing short of ambrosial. Next time we venture to sea, you shall apany me, and together we''ll aim for another mighty tuna."


    Ding Wen''s face lit up with excitement. "Absolutely, Brother Yong! Count me in. Just give me a call, and I''ll be ready."


    As the evening wore on, the two friends engaged in lively conversation, discussing Ding Wen''s ns as he took on the role of an assistant to the president.


    "Starting as the assistant to the president right from the beginning, that''s impressive!" Liu Yong eximed.


    The pleasant dinner conversation continued for over an hour, leaving them both satisfied and content.


    The following day, within the hallowed halls of Liu Yong''s office, a significant moment awaited. Huang Guang, an esteemed colleague, entered bearing two carefully wrapped batteries, their gleaming presence indicative of something groundbreaking.


    "Brother Yong, here are the batteries you requested," Huang Guang announced his tone a blend of pride and dedication.


    Liu Yong epted the batteries with a radiant smile, appreciating the effort put into their presentation. "Huang Guang, you''ve truly outdone yourself. This packaging is splendid!"


    Huang Guang modestly replied, "Brother Yong, you mentioned giving them away, so I thought they deserved an elegant presentation."


    Diminutive yet powerful batteries rested within a meticulously crafted gift box. Having perfected the production process, Liu Yong''s team, alongside Hu Nan and others, were now focusing onrge-scale industrial production of these graphene-aluminum batteries. The future looked promising.


    After a brief report on the battery project, Huang Guang turned to Liu Yong for guidance, inquiring, "Brother Yong, we''ve eitherpleted the patent applications for the graphene-aluminum battery or are in the process. Should we announce this groundbreaking product to the public?"


    Liu Yong pondered for a moment before responding, "Let''s hold off for a bit longer. There may be no need for a productunch event at all."


    Liu Yong was confident that the quality and benefits of their batteries would speak for themselves, especially with Qingyun International''s mobile phones incorporating them. It was a silent yet potent advertisement that would soon capture the market''s attention.


    With this in mind, Liu Yong decided to dy any productunch ns. Aligning with his leader''s wisdom, Huang Guang dismissed the notion of a grand unveiling.


    After Huang Guang''s departure, Ding Wen entered the office, greeted by Liu Yong''s warm wee.


    "Brother Yong, I''m here!" Ding Wen beamed.


    Liu Yong presented the two batteries in their exquisite packaging, handing them to Ding Wen. "These are a gift for you."


    Ding Wen epted the gift with gratitude. "I''ll examine themter, but anything from you, Brother Yong, is cherished."


    With their business concluded, Liu Yong inquired about Ding Wen''s flight details, offering to drive him to the airport. Ding Wen, however, had arranged transportation, and they parted ways with promises to meet again soon.


    Ding Wen returned to his family in the capital as the day transitioned into evening. Bi Qingyun, his father, had left work early and was engrossed in reading the newspaper when his son''s cheerful arrival disrupted his concentration.


    "Dad, Mom, I''m back!" Ding Wen announced with joy.


    His mother embraced him warmly, while Bi Qingyun nodded and acknowledged his son. Dinner was prepared, and as they gathered around the table, even Ding Wen''s elder brother had rushed home to partake in the family reunion.


    "Dad, I''vee back to join forces with you, father and sons united," Ding Wen dered with determination.


    Bi Qingyun, concerned for his son''s academic pursuits, inquired about his ns. Ding Wen exined, "I''m in my senior year, and my sses have wrapped up. Now it''s time for internships and working on my graduation thesis. The school has approved my application, and I''ll be ready for the defense."


    The family celebrated their reunion with a hearty meal, followed by tea, TV, and heartwarming conversations. The topic naturally drifted towards the transition to domestic lithium batteries in Qingyun International''s products.


    Bi Qingyun confirmed their decision, "We''ll soon switch to domestic batteries. We have enough imported stock tost for a few more months."


    Ding Wen''s elder brother chimed in, "The quality of domestic lithium batteries has improved significantly. I don''t foresee any major issues in transitioning to them."


    Amid these discussions, Ding Wen couldn''t help but bring up the topic of mobile phone batteries. "Dad, are we really going to use domestic batteries exclusively?"


    Bi Qingyun confirmed their decision once more, while Ding Wen''s elder brother added, "Domestic lithium batteries have be quite reliable, almost on par with their imported counterparts. We should be fine."


    With their minds made up, they continued their family bonding, sharing gifts and stories from Ding Wen''s recent journey. When Ding Wen revealed a box from Brother Yong, it piqued their curiosity.


    "Ding Wen, this is a gift from Brother Yong, right?" his elder brother inquired.


    Ding Wen nodded, and with everyone''s eyes upon him, he carefully unveiled the contents of the box.


    To everyone''s surprise, nestled within was not the gold or jade they had anticipated, but two mobile phone batteries¡ªgifts from Brother Liu Yong.

 Chapter 418 Impossible !

    <h4>Chapter 418 Impossible !</h4>


    Ding Wen found himself standing in his living room,pletely stunned by the unusual gift he had received from his friend, Yong. Two mobile phone batteriesy on the coffee table before him, an unexpected and somewhat perplexing present. He couldn''t help but gaze at them in disbelief for an extended period, unable toprehend the reason behind such an unconventional gift.


    His brother, also in the room, broke the silence with a bemused expression. "No way," he eximed, "Brother Yong gave me two cell phone batteries as a gift."


    Ding Wen''s confusion deepened. Why on earth would Yong give him two batteries? It didn''t seem very sensible.


    Perhaps less troubled by the unusual gift, his elder brother picked up one of the batteries and examined it closely. "These appear to be two ordinary mobile phone batteries," he observed, "and they seem quite standard. They should work with most mobile phones."


    Bi Qingyun, known for his analytical mind, couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to these batteries than met the eye. After contemting, he voiced his suspicion, "It might not be as simple as it looks. Let''s return one of these batteries to thepany and have our professionals examine it."


    Qingyun International, thepany presided over by Bi Qingyun himself, boasted a team of experts specializing in mobile phone technology, including professionals well-versed in battery technology. Thepany also possessed state-of-the-art testing equipment, which made it an ideal ce to investigate the mystery behind these batteries.


    Ding Wen, however, had a more straightforward approach. He shrugged off the peculiarity and dered, "Since it''s a gift from Brother Yong, I''ll try it on my phone."


    With that, he deftly removed the back panel of his mobile phone, inserted one of the mysterious batteries, and powered up his device. To his astonishment, not only did it fit perfectly, but it also disyed a full charge.


    "Well, this is intriguing," Ding Wen muttered, a sense of wonder tugging at him.


    As the evening wore on and the family gathered in the living room, exchanging stories andughter, Bi Qingyun decided to retreat to his study to attend to his numerous responsibilities. On the other hand, Ding Wen, finding bedtime still a distant prospect, opted to spend his time ying games and watching videos on his phone. He immersed himself in his digital pursuits, losing track of time until it was already eleven o''clock in the evening.


    When Ding Wen awoke the following morning, he nced at his phone to check the time. It was past eight o''clock, which startled him. But what truly astounded him was the battery indicator on his phone, which disyed a full charge.


    "This battery Brother Yong gave me is something else," Ding Wen marvelled at the inexplicable phenomenon. It defied all reason that the battery, which he distinctly remembered using extensively the previous night, still showed a full charge.


    With no particr ns for the day, Ding Wen indulged in a bit more gaming, marvelling at the remarkable endurance of the battery.


    Meanwhile, at the bustling headquarters of Albatron International, Bi Qingyun, as thepany''s president, had his hands full with the usual array of important tasks. After tackling some essential paperwork, he set aside the battery Yong had given him and dialled Song Jianwei''s number.


    "President, you called for me," Song Jianwei acknowledged.


    Bi Qingyun nodded and handed over the battery, saying, "I''d like you to have this battery professionally tested. It appears to be more than just a regr mobile phone battery."


    "Understood," Song Jianwei replied as he epted the battery.


    In Song Jianwei''s mind, this battery appeared to be a sample from a local lithium battery manufacturer. Qingyun International''s imported battery stock could onlyst a few months, so it was not unusual to explore Chinese alternatives.


    With the battery in hand, Song Jianwei contacted Zou Haiyun, the manager of the battery quality inspection department. He ryed Bi Qingyun''s request and emphasized needing an urgent test report.


    Zou Haiyun assured him, "Mr. Song, I will personally oversee the testing, and I''ll ensure the report is ready promptly."


    With their instructions clear, Zou Haiyun proceeded to the quality inspection department. Here, experienced technicians and specialized testing equipment awaited.


    The initial tests passed without incident; all the data appeared within the eptable range. But the most crucial examination ¨C the battery''s power ¨C was yet toe.


    As the technicians readied themselves, Zou Haiyun observed intently. He understood the gravity of the task and the importance of swift, reliable results.


    "Is everything prepared for the battery''s power test?" Zou Haiyun inquired.


    "Certainly," one of the technicians responded, and Xiao Liu, a young and eager technician, stepped forward to operate the power testing equipment.


    Within moments, the disy presented a shocking figure ¨C a maximum capacity of 316 watt-hours.


    Xiao Liu''s eyes widened, disbelief flooding his expression. He rubbed his eyes to ensure they weren''t deceiving him. It was indeed 316 watt-hours, not a mere 31.6 watt-hours.


    "Oh my God!" he eximed, unable to contain his astonishment. "Master,e and see this! The battery actually boasts a capacity of 316 watt-hours."


    His appeal drew over a middle-aged technician, sceptical and experienced. He dismissed the data as an error and demanded a retest.


    The middle-aged technician''s career had acquainted him with countless mobile phone batteries, most hovering below 30 watt-hours. This reading of 316 watt-hours defied all logic.


    Undeterred, Xiao Liu initiated a series of checks and retests under his master''s watchful gaze.


    And yet, the results remained consistent ¨C 316 watt-hours.


    Xiao Liu was at a loss, his master equally perplexed. Something was undoubtedly amiss, but they couldn''t pinpoint the issue. They considered that the equipment might be faulty and decided to swap it out.


    However, the result persisted at 316 watt-hours even with a new device.


    This baffled Xiao Liu. He could find no logical exnation for this anomaly. Uncertain about how to proceed, he consulted his superior, Zou Haiyun.


    Zou Haiyun, growing impatient, approached the testing area and questioned, "What''s happening? Where are the test results?"


    Xiao Liu hesitated, not knowing how to exin, but his mentor interjected smoothly, "Mr. Zou, the results will be avable shortly."


    With that assurance, he took charge and conducted the power test himself.


    The oue left them all dumbfounded ¨C 316 watt-hours, yet again.


    This was beyond the realm of possibility. Xiao Liu''s master, now thoroughly perplexed, reviewed the equipment and processes to rule out errors. The consistency of the readings defied any logical exnation.


    Zou Haiyun sensed something was amiss and asked, "What''s going on? Is there an issue with the battery?"


    The battery test had be a baffling enigma that neither technician could fathom.

 Chapter 419 The 316 Wh Miracle

    <h4>Chapter 419 The 316 Wh Miracle</h4>


    Xiao Liu''s master, a middle-aged technician with a contemtive expression, shifted uneasily as he attempted to elucidate, "Mr. Zou, it seems there might be an issue with this testing apparatus. I''ll give it another go."


    Zou Haiyun''s countenance conveyed mild discontent as he gently prodded, "Please expedite the process, Mr. Song is awaiting the test results."


    The technician promptly switched to an alternate testing device. After meticulous scrutiny and calibration, he initiated the battery power examination anew.


    Though Xiao Liu stood poised to offer a few words of caution, he hesitated. The testing equipment had changed, yet the reading remained at 316 watt-hours. He refrained, fearing another reprimand.


    After considerable toil and meticulous preparation, the test oue was once more 316 watt-hours.


    How is this conceivable?


    Where on earth could such a battery exist? Its power, in the hundreds of watt-hours, surpassed that ofmon lithium batteries by at least an order of magnitude. It bordered on the incredible. Could there be a w in this device?


    After a spell of astonishment, he began to fathom that the issue likelyy not with the equipment, but rather in the astonishing 316-watt-hour capacity of the battery.


    Inquiring, he asked, "Xiao Liu, what was the battery''s power in your assessment?"


    Finally mustering courage, Xiao Liu replied with crity, "Master, I conducted multiple consecutive tests, and each result yielded 316 watt-hours."


    All 316 Wh!


    Then, assuredly, there was no error. His demeanor shifted from perturbation to a semnce ofposure, as he responded in as steady a tone as he could manage, "Mr. Zou, this battery boasts 316 watt-hours of power, over ten times that of a lithium battery of equivalent size."


    What!


    Such a battery exists!


    Zou Haiyun, the manager of the mobile phone battery testing division, swiftlyprehended the magnitude of this revtion. If all of Qingyun International''s phones featured this battery, it would be a game-changer.


    He was staggered!


    It took him a while to regain his senses.


    Finally, he inquired, "Is this test result reliable?"


    "It''s unequivocally urate. We changed two testing devices and performed multiple tests. Each time, we obtained a reading of 316 watt-hours."


    Zou Haiyun nodded, then gestured, "Examine the maximum power output and charging speed promptly. Generate aprehensive report posthaste. I''ll apprise President Song."


    In the office, Song Jianwei remainedrgely indifferent to the prior battery matter, engrossed in a phone conversation with a domestic mobile phone lithium battery supplier. Their discourse proceeded smoothly.


    Upon concluding the call, he pondered the forting transition to domestic lithium batteries in three to four months. The performance, he concluded, was on par with the imported variety.


    How would they convey this to their customers? Mightpetitors exploit the situation for apetitive edge, potentially tarnishing their image?


    As he sat in his office chair, Song Jianwei''s brow furrowed in deep contemtion. His reverie was interrupted by a firm knock on the door.


    Zou Haiyun entered, bearing the battery and the freshly printed test report. "Mr. Song, I''vepleted the task as you instructed. Here is the test report."


    Taking both documents, Song Jianwei perused the contents. Initially, his expression remainedposed, but within seconds, it transformed to one of incredulity.


    What!


    Such a battery exists!


    Charging at a speed a hundredfold that of conventional lithium batteries, with ten times the power density of lithium batteries of equal size. Maximum output capacity: 20,000 mAh.


    As a vice president, Song Jianwei was typically unppable. Yet now, he could hardly contain his excitement.


    He was astonished!


    He was inwardly bbergasted!


    After a short while, he regained hisposure. Gently closing the report, he queried, "Manager Zou, are all the figures urate?"


    Manager Zou affirmed, "Without a doubt, every single datum is precise. Several of our technicians conducted the tests coboratively."


    "Excellent, very good."


    Song Jianwei rose and lightly patted Zou Haiyun''s shoulder.


    Zou Haiyun sensed President Song''s exuberance and detected a slight tremor in the patting hand.


    "Thank you for the test report. You may return to your duties."


    Zou Haiyun promptly exited the office, leaving Song Jianwei to contemte the battery and its remarkable report.


    At this moment, Song Jianwei harbored an irrepressible desire tough heartily.


    Never in his wildest dreams did he envision such a development.


    Such batteries actually exist!


    If all of Qingyun International''s phones utilized this battery, they would indisputably dominate theirpetition in terms of battery life. It couldst ten days to half a month on a single charge. How splendid!


    Song Jianwei truly wanted to revel in joyousughter.


    Approaching Bi Qingyun''s office, he took a few deep breaths to steady himself before raising his hand to knock.


    "Come in!"


    Bi Qingyun''s resonant voice resonated from within.


    Pushing the door open, Song Jianwei entered and reported, "President, we''ve conducted aprehensive examination of this battery, and this is the resulting test report."


    "ce it on the table. Have a seat and wait for me. I''ll conclude my review of these documents."


    Song Jianwei carefully set down the battery and test report on Bi Qingyun''s desk, then settled into the nearby sofa.


    Bi Qingyun remainedposed, perusing the document with intense concentration.


    After several minutes, he finally finished reading and signing off on the documents, then turned his attention to the test report.


    Gradually, his previously serene expression shifted, though his self-possession was evident. Having finished reviewing the report, he inquired, "Old Song, could this be a mistake?"


    Quickly, Song Jianwei replied, "President, there''s no room for error. The data is unequivocally urate, and our technicians conducted multiple rigorous tests."


    No discrepancies, the data is sound!


    Bi Qingyun disyed a more pronounced look of astonishment, indicating the depth of his incredulity.


    Oh my goodness!


    Such a battery exists!


    It suddenly dawned on him why Liu Yong had presented Ding Wen with two of these batteries.


    Song Jianwei couldn''t suppress his curiosity. "President, may I inquire about the source of this battery? Is it a domestic product or an import?"


    Bi Qingyun couldn''t disclose that it was a gift from Liu Yong to Ding Wen, so he chose his words carefully. "It appears to be domestically manufactured."


    The response left Song Jianwei even more intrigued. He was tempted to press further, but he knew where to draw the line. If the president chose not to reveal the source, he couldn''t press the matter.


    Gazing at the battery on the table, then at Bi Qingyun, Song Jianwei hesitated to speak.

 Chapter 420 Full Charge !

    ?


    In the early hours of the morning, Ding Wen had been immersed in the world of video games, his eyes glued to the screen as he battled virtual foes. The sun''s ascent went unnoticed as time slipped away like sand through his fingers. Only when his stomach growled in protest did he finally tear himself away from the game.


    Noon arrived, and Ding Wen ventured out into the world, where the warm embrace of the sun weed him. He met with a group of friends, three or five in number, theughter and camaraderie infectious. Time passed swiftly as they chatted and reminisced.


    Returning home in the afternoon, Ding Wen found something rather peculiar. His mobile phone, which had been tirelessly powering his gaming marathon earlier, still boasted a full battery charge. Bewilderment filled him. In the past, he''d grown ustomed to seeing his phone perpetually connected to a charger, but today was different.


    Pondering this, Ding Wen considered whether Brother Yong, his generous benefactor, had gifted him a different kind of battery. What kind of battery could this be, and why was it so extraordinary?


    As evening descended, the front door creaked open, announcing the arrival of Bi Qingyun. Ding Wen couldn''t hide his surprise as he greeted his father.


    "Dad, why did youe back so early?" Ding Wen inquired, curiosity evident in his voice.


    Normally, Bi Qingyun''s evenings were consumed by work, and he rarely returned home before ten o''clock. Tonight was an exception.


    "Come with me," Bi Qingyun beckoned his son.


    Intrigued, Ding Wen followed his father into the study. They settled into their chairs, and Bi Qingyun began, "Those two batteries you receivedst night were indeed a gift from Liu Yong."


    Ding Wen affirmed, "Yes, Brother Yong gave them to me personally. I find it rather perplexing, though. Why did he gift me two batteries, and why is my phone still fully charged? It''s as if the battery never drains."


    Bi Qingyun leaned forward and exined, "These two batteries are truly extraordinary. Here, take a look at the test report for one of them."


    Ding Wen examined the report, his expression transitioning from confusion to astonishment. He stammered, "Dad, is there a mistake in this report? These test results are unreal. How can a battery perform so remarkably?"


    Bi Qingyun replied, "I initially had the same doubts as you, but now I''m convinced. These batteries are indeed exceptional. The fact that your phone remains fully charged is a testament to their extraordinary capabilities."


    Ding Wen couldn''t believe his eyes. A battery with such an immense capacity was a game-changer. His mind raced as he considered the implications for hispany''s current challenges. Hopeful, he ventured, "Dad, imagine if all our mobile phones were equipped with these batteries. What would that mean for our business?"


    Bi Qingyun, a seasoned businessman, couldn''t contain his excitement either. "If all our mobile phones use these batteries, they will undoubtedly outshine thepetition and dominate the market."


    Ding Wen nodded vigorously, aligning his thoughts with his father''s. "Dad, I''ll call Brother Yong right away and inquire about these batteries."


    Bi Qingyun nodded approvingly. Ding Wen reached for his phone and dialed Brother Yong''s number, knowing that his father''s early return was no coincidence. It was all connected.


    Meanwhile, in Huahai City, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the foot of Phoenix Mountain. In a grand vi, Liu Yong and Li Changle, an unexpected duo, were busy preparing dinner together.


    Though a private chef usually took care of such matters, Li Changle had been learning a new dish, and today was her opportunity to showcase her culinary skills. She wielded a pair of chopsticks, selecting a piece of sweet and sour pork tenderloin and offering it to Liu Yong.


    "Brother Yong, care to give it a try?" Li Changle''s eyes sparkled with anticipation.


    Liu Yong obliged, tasting the dish and nodding appreciatively. "Well done! The vor is delightful. While it may not match a five-star chef''s expertise, it''s certainly on par with a four-star chef."


    Li Changle chuckled, her cheeks blushing with pleasure. "Brother Yong, you tter me too much."


    Theirughter filled the kitchen as they enjoyed their culinary adventure.


    As the dinner preparations reached their crescendo, the tantalizing aroma wafted through the air. Just as they were about to savor the meal they''d prepared together, Liu Yong''s phone chimed.


    Curious, he nced at the screen and saw that it was Ding Wen calling. With a knowing smile, he answered, suspecting the reason for the call.


    "Ding Wen, have you already put those batteries to the test?" Liu Yong inquired.


    Excitement flowed through Ding Wen''s voice as he responded, "Brother Yong, those batteries are phenomenal! Ourpany conducted a detailed test on one of them, and the results were beyond belief. We couldn''t fathom their performance."


    Liu Yong revealed, "These batteries are not your ordinary lithium-ion batteries. They are thetest development from ourpany¡ªgraphene-aluminum batteries."


    Ding Wen was astounded. "Brother Yong, you mean these batteries are thetest breakthrough from Global Enterprise Group? That''s incredible!"


    For Ding Wen, this discovery was a boon for Qingyun International. If these batteries were indeed thetest achievement of the global conglomerate, it meant unprecedented possibilities.


    "Brother Yong, you''ve aplished something incredible. You quietly developed graphene-aluminum batteries. When this news breaks, it will send shockwaves throughout the industry," Ding Wen dered.


    Liu Yong exined, "We''ve recently seeded in research and development. Mass production is projected to begin in about three months."


    Three months sounded like a short timeframe to Ding Wen. It meant that in a matter of months, they could have ess to these game-changing batteries in bulk.


    Energized by this prospect, Ding Wen said enthusiastically, "Brother Yong, let me be the first to extend our interest. Qingyun International wants to ce a substantial order for these batteries."


    Liu Yong weed the offer with a warm smile. "Our rtionship is strong. Consider the first order yours, Qingyun International."


    Their conversation continued for a few more minutes, during which Ding Wen grasped the essentials of the situation. He ended the call, content with the knowledge that an exciting opportunityy ahead.


    "Dad, you must have heard our conversation," Ding Wen remarked to Bi Qingyun.


    Bi Qingyun nodded, his eyes reflecting the magnitude of the opportunity. "Indeed, I did. This is an incredible chance for us. I never expected that a lifeline would suddenly appear when things looked bleak."


    With these batteries, there would be no need for imports. Bi Qingyun was already envisioning a future where all mobile phones produced by Qingyun International would be powered by graphene-aluminum batteries. The pricing, as Liu Yong had mentioned, was only slightly higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries, making it a highly cost-effective choice.


    Bi Qingyun knew that with the introduction of graphene-aluminum batteries to the market, traditional lithium-ion batteries would swiftly be obsolete. He had already made up his mind: in a matter of days, he would personally visit Universal Enterprise Group to discuss the specifics of their cooperation


    .


    The following day, Bi Qingyun called for an urgent high-level meeting, summoning all executives without revealing the agenda. Spection ran rampant among the executives, and their curiosity knew no bounds. The only detail they knew was that it was an emergency meeting.


    The atmosphere was charged as they waited for the meeting to begin, unaware of the momentous news that would soon be revealed.

 Chapter 421 No One Trust !

    ?


    High-ranking executives at the corporate headquarters found themselves summoned to an extraordinary meeting, its urgency shrouded in mystery. The moment the notifications chimed on their devices, their office routines took a back seat to this abrupt development. With an air of anticipation, they made their way to the designated conference room, carrying with them a swirl of spection.


    "It''s be almost habitual, thesest-minute meetings just as we start our day," one executive remarked, a hint of frustration in his voice. His words resonated with the others, as they nodded in agreement.


    As they gathered, another executive couldn''t help but muse aloud, "I wonder if something significant is afoot this time."


    Spection filled the room like an electric charge. The executives couldn''t help but guess at the nature of the meeting, a mixture of curiosity and trepidation in their expressions.


    "I have a feeling it''s rted to our mobile phone batteries," ventured a third executive, her eyes darting around the room as if seeking confirmation from her peers. "Maybe they''re discussing a shift to domestic battery suppliers?"


    This proposition sparked a brief but spirited exchange of ideas. As they settled into their seats in the conference room, it became evident that the prevailing theory was that the meeting revolved around the usage of domestic batteries.


    Time ticked away as they waited for developments. Soon, the door swung open, and Bi Qingyun, thepany''s President, made his entrance, cradling an object in his hand. The attentive executives noticed right away that it was a battery, and it only served to bolster their initial suspicions that the meeting had everything to do with mobile phone batteries.


    Bi Qingyun, a figure of authority and significance, took his seat at the head of the table, setting the battery carefully on the polished conference table, its presence casting a palpable aura of importance over the room.


    In the ensuing silence, all eyes fixed on the President, waiting for him to unveil the purpose of this ndestine gathering.


    "Ladies and gentlemen," Bi Qingyun began, his voice carrying the weight of leadership, "it''s likely that many of you have already surmised that this meeting pertains to our mobile phone batteries."


    The room buzzed with whispered affirmations. Executives leaned forward in their seats, eager to hear more.


    One executive, known for his cautious approach, raised an important concern. "President, I believe we should approach this matter with caution. There might be adverse consequences we haven''t considered."


    Another executive chimed in, "I suggest we revisit negotiations with our foreign battery supplier. Perhaps we can secure a better deal that would mitigate any potential risks."


    The room filled with the murmur of agreement and counterarguments, reflecting the gravity of the situation.


    Bi Qingyun raised his hand, signaling for silence. The executives fell quiet, their collective attention now directed fully toward their leader.


    "Allow me to rify," Bi Qingyun continued, "our King Long mobile phones will exclusively use domestic batteries. There''s no room for debate on this."


    The deration rippled through the room, leaving an unmistakable air of astonishment in its wake. Had the decision been made so abruptly? Weren''t there concerns about potential bacsh from consumers?


    An executive, unable to suppress his skepticism, spoke up, "President, are you confident that consumers will readily embrace our phones with domestic batteries?"


    Bi Qingyun responded with unwavering confidence, "Not only will they embrace them, they''ll mor for them. Our mobile phones, equipped with domestic batteries, will revolutionize the market."


    He picked up the battery in his hand and waved it gently for emphasis, as if to underscore his unwavering belief in their strategy.


    But doubt still lingered in the minds of many.


    Undeterred, Bi Qingyun continued, "You must not underestimate this battery. It''s a groundbreaking innovation developed by the Universal Enterprise Group¡ªa graphene-aluminum battery."


    This revtion ignited a collective spark of interest throughout the room. A graphene-aluminum battery could indeed be a game-changer. However, skepticism lingered, as the technology remainedrgely theoretical. Had Universal Enterprise Group truly ovee the technical hurdles?


    Bi Qingyun pressed on, "This battery is not your run-of-the-mill lithium battery. It''s a graphene-aluminum marvel."


    The room hung in suspense, waiting for further boration.


    Bi Qingyun obliged, "This remarkable battery boasts charging speeds a hundred times faster than conventional lithium batteries and a capacity over ten times greater within the same form factor."


    As he described the battery''s capabilities, the room descended into a hushed awe.


    Bi Qingyun''s assistant promptly distributed copies of the battery''s test report to all attendees. As they absorbed the astonishing results, the room remained eerily quiet, punctuated only by the rustle of papers and the asional gasp of realization.


    Once the shock had subsided, the executives were unanimous in their decision. King Long mobile phones would fully transition to graphene-aluminum batteries.


    Wen Hongbao, an avid technology enthusiast, stumbled upon an online article titled "The World''s First Graphene-Aluminum Battery Emerges from Global Enterprise Group." Intrigued, he delved into the article and thements section. To his disappointment, the prevailing sentiment was skepticism. Most readers dismissed it as another instance of clickbait.


    Undeterred, Wen Hongbao shared the article on his social media, adding ament expressing his fervent hope that the news was indeed authentic.


    Meanwhile, online reports about graphene-aluminum batteries began to surface regrly but failed to gain significant traction. The vast majority remained skeptical of their authenticity.


    Back at Universal Building, Huang Guang delivered concerning news to Liu Yong.


    "Brother Yong, it appears that our ims aren''t gaining traction. Even within our own $100 billion global enterprise group, skepticism runs rampant," Huang Guangmented.


    Liu Yong, the picture of determination, brushed off the concerns. "Let them doubt. We cannot afford to waver. Instead, we must elerate our efforts to achieve industrial-scale production of graphene-aluminum batteries."


    Huang Guang voiced his apprehensions regarding their mounting inventory of graphene-aluminum batteries, a resource with no immediate demand.


    Liu Yong remained resolute, stating, "We are on the cusp of securing our first substantial order. Qingyun International has made the decision to use our batteries in their Golden Dragon mobile phones."


    Huang Guang''s face lit up with relief. Their dedication and hard work were finally paying off.


    As they discussed the impending production, Liu Yong remained optimistic, asserting, "Superior products will always find their market. Once consumers experience the benefits of our batteries, they will flock to our mobile phones."


    Meanwhile, at Albatron International, Bi Qingyun''s concerns materialized as unfavorable public opinion began to mount. Online rumors insinuated that King Long mobile phones would exclusively feature domestic batteries.


    Recognizing a hidden hand manipting these rumors, Bi Qingyun knew they needed to tackle the growing online dissent head-on.

 Chapter 422 30 Billion First Order !

    ?


    Amid escting public opinion, Song Jianwei found himself unable to remain idle. Filled with apprehension, he hurried into Bi Qingyun''s office, his words tumbling, "President, we can''t let this go on!"


    Surprisingly, Bi Qingyun''s response was measured, a soft smile ying on his lips. "It''s alright. Let them revel in their dance for a while."


    "But if this persists, it could mean..."


    With a dismissive wave, Bi Qingyun interjected, "Fear not, the sky won''t fall. Let them stir up the tempest."


    He continued, "Prepare yourself, we''re heading to Universal Enterprise Group tomorrow. We''ll pay a visit to Mr. Liu and discuss coboration."


    At that moment, Song Jianwei began to glimpse the source of Song Bi Qingyun''s unwavering confidence. Despite the online rumours, he had a n in motion.


    "We possess graphene aluminum batteries!" dered Bi Qingyun.


    "Yes, all our Jinlong mobile phones will now be equipped with domestically sourced batteries. The inte is not wrong, but they''re unaware we''re adopting domestic graphene-aluminum batteries," he revealed, punctuating it with a chuckle, clearly buoyed by the revtion.


    ---


    Universal Building.


    In the boss''s chair, Liu Yong was nked by Huang Guang, Hu Nan, and Ning Zetao on the sofa. They briefed him on the graphene-aluminum battery.


    After listening intently, Liu Yong''s satisfaction was palpable.


    "Three months is being quite conservative. Hu Nan and the team have essentially outlined the entire industrial production process, along with the necessary manufacturing equipment. The majority can be procured directly from the market," Huang Guang reported.


    A small batch of equipment would require a custom design. That aspect was already underway, with ns tomission specialized manufacturers once the blueprints were finalized.


    Liu Yong''s main concern was the manufacturing cost. "Is the production cost of graphene-aluminum batteries truly lower than that of lithium batteries?" he inquired.


    Hu Nan''s response was unequivocal. "We''ve conducted extensive cost analyses. The production cost is at least 30% lower than that of lithium batteries."


    "Boss, our nation boasts rich graphite resources, constituting over 70% of global reserves. Moreover, aluminum is not a precious metal; it''smonce. The manufacturing cost of our graphene-aluminum battery is quite reasonable," he emphasized.


    This affirmation brought another satisfied nod from Liu Yong.


    With low production costs, the profit margins would be substantial as long as the graphene-aluminium batteries were priced simrly to lithium ones. The gains would be even more significant if they go slightly above lithium battery prices.


    "Let''s redouble our efforts and hasten progress. We aim to transition into the mass production stage as swiftly as possible," Liu Yong instructed.


    "Understood!"


    "We''ll give it our all, Boss!"


    "Brother Yong, just watch what we can do."


    The trio echoed theirmitments, exuding confidence. Mass production of graphene-aluminum batteries seemed imminent.


    ---


    "Boom, boom, boom!"


    A knock on the door heralded Qiu Yang''s arrival with important news. "Boss, Qingyun International has sent an official letter. Mr. Bi Qingyun and his entourage will arrive in Huahai City tomorrow morning to visit our group."


    Liu Yong immediately grasped the purpose of Bi Qingyun''s visit. He was here for the graphene-aluminum battery.


    "President Bi from Qingyun International is paying us a visit. Our first graphene-aluminum battery order is on the horizon," Liu Yong announced.


    Huang Guang and the others exchanged knowing nces, their eyes gleaming joyfully.


    ---


    The next day.


    Huahai International Airport.


    A Gulfstream private jet touched down, disgorging a party of over a dozen individuals. Leading the way was Bi Qingyun, nked by Song Jianwei and other high-ranking executives from the mobile phone division.


    A fleet of high-endmercial vehicles was waiting for them, ready to whisk them away.


    They boarded the vehicles and made their way to the Universal Building.


    The grand reception room awaited, and Liu Yong and his team stood at the entrance to greet them.


    After the initial pleasantries, they ascended to the 98th floor and settled into the prepared reception area.


    Formalities were soon dispensed with, and Bi Qingyun got straight to the point. "Mr. Liu, your graphene-aluminum battery is extraordinary. That''s the main reason for my visit today."


    Liu Yong nodded, then turned to announce, "Mr. Hu, kindly present our graphene-aluminum battery to our guests."


    Hu Nan took the reins, activating the projector and presenting the battery in meticulous detail, apanied by visuals and exnatory text.


    His expertise shone through, leaving even Bi Qingyun and his team visibly impressed. The potential of this battery was staggering.


    As Hu Nan concluded his presentation, Bi Qingyun was the first to apud, setting off a ripple of enthusiastic ps through the reception room.


    "Now, Mr. Liu, when can we expect mass production of these batteries?" inquired Bi Qingyun.


    Liu Yong''s response was decisive, "In under three months. As it stands, we''ll be able to start deliveriese June."


    Excellent news!


    This was cause for celebration!


    Bi Qingyun''sposure remained intact, but Song Jianwei and the others couldn''t hide their delight.


    Negotiations flowed smoothly.


    At noon, Liu Yong hosted a banquet, extending warm hospitality to Bi Qingyun and his entourage.


    The afternoon saw continued discussions, each item resolving harmoniously.


    Finally, a mutually beneficial agreement was reached.


    Qingyun International ordered 100 million graphene-aluminum batteries, priced at 300 yuan each, culminating in a total contract value of 30 billion yuan!


    This marked the inaugural order for the graphene-aluminum battery!


    30 billion!


    The magnitude of the order took aback Liu Yong. He had anticipated a substantial purchase, but 100 million surpassed his expectations.


    Last year, King Long''s mobile phones sold approximately 30 million units. Liu Yong had spected that Bi Qingyun might order 20 million or 30 million batteries.


    But 100 million!


    Liu Yong was ecstatic. More orders meant more sess. The more customers bought in, the better.


    Bi Qingyun shared in the jubtion. He hadn''t imagined that graphene-aluminum batteries would be this cost-effective. They were just slightly pricier than lithium batteries.


    Lithium batteries in the market range from tens to hundreds of dors depending on brand and specifications. Some even reached two or three hundred dors for premium brands.


    In contrast, the graphene-aluminum battery was a mere 300 yuan. The cost-effectiveness was undeniable, prompting Bi Qingyun''s 100 million unit order.


    With every detail ironed out, only the formal contract signing remained for the next day.


    The atmosphere rxed entirely, and Liu Yong quipped, "President Bi, our graphene-aluminum batteryes in just one model."


    Indeed, there was only one model with standardized specifications. Mobile phone designs would have to adapt to it, not vice versa.


    That was the confidence they exuded!

 Chapter 423 Making Of Rules !

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    Bi Qingyun, wearing a confident smile, leaned backfortably in his chair as he addressed the matter at hand, "Who makes your things better? We will revolutionize the design of these mobile phones to ensure they perfectly match the specifications and sizes of our batteries."


    Liu Yong, his colleague and partner, chuckled with genuine amusement at Bi Qingyun''s enthusiasm.


    Bi Qingyun continued, his voice carrying a hint of intrigue, "Mr. Liu, do you know whatpelled me to order a staggering 100 million batteries all at once, aside from the undeniable cost-effectiveness?"


    Liu Yong leaned in, intrigued. "Tell me, why?"


    Bi Qingyun''s eyes sparkled with a cunning wisdom as he revealed, "It''s the principle of ''firste, first served'' that you''ve mentioned earlier. Those who ce their orders first will receive priority treatment."


    Liu Yong nodded in agreement, acknowledging the practicality of this strategy. "Indeed, with the Jinpen County factory''s production capacity, it will take a minimum of three to four months toplete such a massive order."


    Bi Qingyun concurred, his tone resonating with realism. "Yes, at least three months of production capacity," he agreed, knowing it was a factual statement.


    The Jinpen County New Energy No. 1 Factory, sprawling across 1,000 acres, had a monthly production capacity of 30 million units. In ordinary circumstances, without any overtimebor, it would indeed take three months to manufacture 100 million mobile phone batteries.


    Bi Qingyun had meticulously calcted this opportunity.


    He had thrived in the cutthroat world of business for many years, and his sharp, calcting mind was his greatest asset.


    Once the graphene-aluminum battery entered production, it would be exclusively avable to Qingyun International for a minimum of three months. If theirpetitors wished to procure these batteries, they too would have to wait for this significant period.


    More than three months¡ªit was ample time to make strategic moves.


    Liu Yong, well aware of the implications, willingly embraced the n. It meant thatpanies in dire need of mobile phone batteries would rush to ce their orders frantically, driving demand through the roof. To secure their spot in thispetitivendscape, they had to be a little unconventional, even a little audacious. Otherwise, they''d be left with nothing but crumbs.


    The next day dawned with a formal contract inked between the two parties. Before mass production even began, the graphene-aluminum battery had secured its maiden order, an astonishing 30 billion yuan in total.


    After seeing off Bi Qingyun and his team, Liu Yong convened a meeting with key personnel, including Qiu Yang, Huang Guang, and Hu Nan, in his office.


    Liu Yong believed that establishing clear rules was paramount.


    Once the graphene-aluminum battery hit the market in earnest, it would create a frenzy among customers. To streamline operations and avoid chaos, Liu Yongid down a set of regtions.


    "Our graphene-aluminum batteries are about to enter mass production," Liu Yong began, "and I believe we need some rules in ce to ensure smooth management."


    In unison, Qiu Yang and the others leaned forward, eager to hear these crucial rules.


    Liu Yong detailed a series of guidelines:


    First, only one type of mobile phone battery would be avable, and customers would have to adjust their mobile phones to fit the battery''s specifications.


    Second, the domestic price for each battery would be fixed at 300 yuan, non-negotiable. Foreign pricing considerations would be deferred for the time being, focusing on domestic needs.


    Third, customers had to collect their orders in person; no door-to-door deliveries would be provided. Customers were responsible for arranging transportation for the batteries they ordered from the No. 1 factory in Jinpen County.


    Fourth, a strict queuing system would be enforced¡ªorders would be delivered sequentially, and the next order couldn''t be picked up until the previous one was fully delivered.


    Liu Yong was resolute, conveying an unmistakable sense of authority throughout the discussion. If customers wanted to procure batteries from Universal Enterprise Group, they would need to adhere to these rules.


    Qiu Yang and his colleagues meticulously recorded each guideline, fully aware that these rules would simplify future operations.


    For both customers and thepany, having these rules in ce provided rity and streamlined the entire process. Negotiations would be straightforward, and contracts could be signed if the terms were eptable.


    Meanwhile, in Jinpen County''s industrial park, construction had kicked into high gear. The 1,000-acre plot had been ttened, and the massive factory''s foundations were already beingid. The once-prominent hill in the vicinity had vanished, reced by a vast, level expanse.


    On this newly prepared canvas, lime outlines marked the future structures. Several pile drivers pounded away,ying the groundwork for the colossal factory building. For a project of this scale, with adequate funding, it would take no more than a month or two from ground-breaking topletion.


    Materials were stockpiled at the construction site, and a swarm ofborers toiled tirelessly, their efforts breathing life into the grand endeavor.


    Wang Yongwang, adorned in a hard hat, strolled the grounds in thepany of Jing Xingpeng, deputy general manager of Global New Energy Company and the leader of Factory No. 1 in Jinpen County.


    A small entourage followed them, including local officials and high-ranking members of Factory No. 1.


    Wang Yongwang inquired with genuine interest, "Mr. Jing, I heard we''ve already secured the first order for graphene-aluminum batteries. Is that correct?"


    Jing Xingpeng''s face beamed with pride as he confirmed, "Indeed, just two days ago, we signed a contract with Qingyun International for 100 million batteries, totaling a staggering 30 billion yuan."


    Jinpen County officials marveled at the astounding figure.


    30 billion yuan¡ªa sum that eclipsed Jinpen County''s entire GDP from the previous year. It was a meteoric rise in prosperity, thanks to these 30 billion graphene-aluminum batteries ted for production within the county.


    Next door, Global Semiconductor''s No. 2 factory was already operational, having achieved over ten billion yuan in chip foundry revenuest month alone. It was well on its way to exceeding 100 billion in annual earnings.


    The prospects were even brighter for Global New Energy''s factory. Even before production had begun, it had secured a 30 billion yuan order.


    Wang Yongwang expressed his eagerness to lend a hand in the construction process and any other needs that might arise.


    The graphene-aluminum battery was poised to be a sensation, and demand would soar. Setting clear rules and regtions was essential to ensure orderly management of the impending influx of orders.


    The stage was set, and Qiu Yang and his team would be responsible for overseeing these critical guidelines to maintain order and efficiency during the anticipated battery rush.

 Chapter 424 Albatrons Revenge

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    Albatron International.


    Bi Qingyun sat in his opulent office; his brows furrowed in concentration as he perused a meticulouslypiled investigation report. Across the room, Song Jianwei lounged on a plush sofa, anxiously eyeing his boss.


    "This is an investigation report," Bi Qingyun finally spoke, his voice carrying the weight of the information presented. "It seems there''s an orchestrated smear campaign against King Long mobile phones circting on the inte. Clearly, there''s a hidden puppet master pulling the strings behind this."


    Song Jianwei leaned forward, his interest piqued. "So, President Bi, what''s your take on this matter?"


    Bi Qingyun''s gaze held a steely determination. "My sentiments precisely, Old Song. It''s time for us to retaliate. We''ll hold a press conference, and you will step forward to announce that three months from now, our Jinlong mobile phones will exclusively feature domestically-produced graphene-aluminum batteries."


    The report mentioned that King Long mobile phones would adopt domestic batteries with a twist ¨C graphene-aluminium batteries.


    Song Jianwei''s eyes lit up with excitement; finally, they could strike back with full force. "President, when our press conference unfolds, it will undoubtedly create a seismic impact. The folks over at Sirius will be fuming with anger."


    A chuckle escaped Bi Qingyun''s lips.


    Sinuo Company, hidden behind the scenes, was the culprit responsible for this campaign. This mobile phone behemoth headquartered in country M held a colossal share of the world''s mid- and high-end mobile phone market, shipping hundreds of millions of devices annually. Even in the Yan Kingdom, their Sirius mobile phones dominated the market, outselling Jinlong mobile phones two to three times over.


    Their tactics had always been ruthless, resorting to underhanded methods to suppress theirpetition. Several major domestic mobile phone manufacturers, including Qingyun International, had fallen victim to their schemes. But now, the tides were turning, and they had an opportunity for aprehensive counterattack.


    The following day arrived swiftly, and Qingyun International orchestrated a grand press conference. Not only did they unveil a new mobile phone set for release, but they also dropped the bombshell announcement that, in three months, King Long mobile phones would exclusively feature graphene-aluminum batteries.


    Pandemonium erupted among the attendees as they struggled to digest the groundbreaking news. Many were left in awe, struggling toprehend the magnitude of the announcement.


    As the press conference continued, reporters bombarded Song Jianwei and his team with questions that were answered diligently.


    "Graphene-aluminum batteries? Is this for real?"


    "Charging speeds 100 times faster than lithium batteries? Power output over 10 times that of lithium batteries?"


    Sceptics emerged, questioning whether it was mere hype.


    However, Song Jianwei dropped a bombshell of his own, revealing that Universal Enterprise Group had sessfully developed graphene-aluminum batteries. They had invested billions in Jinpen County, constructing a massive factory spanning a thousand acres with a monthly production capacity of 30 million mobile phone batteries.


    Slowly but surely, scepticism began to wane as more and more people started to believe in the authenticity of the announcement.


    After the press conference, the news exploded across the inte. Jinlong mobile phones using graphene-aluminum batteries and the Jinpen County battery factory were trending topics.


    This was publicity money couldn''t buy, and Qingyun International was reaping the rewards.


    However, the folks over at Sirius Company were far from pleased.


    In their US headquarters, an urgent meeting convened, with almost all of Sirius'' middle and upper management in attendance. Mor Jeffrey, the president of Sirius, presided over the gathering with solemnity.


    "Ladies and gentlemen," Mor Jeffrey began, "just over ten hours ago, Qingyun International held a press conference in the Yan Kingdom, announcing their adoption of graphene-aluminum batteries in their mobile phones."


    He provided aprehensive overview of the situation, detailing the magnitude of the announcement.


    A senior executive raised an eyebrow. "Mr. President, I have my doubts about the credibility of graphene-aluminum batteries. It''s still in the conceptual stage, and its sessful development seems highly improbable."


    Another executive chimed in, "I concur. This might be nothing more than a publicity stunt. Perhaps it''s still a lithium battery, repackaged andbeled as graphene-aluminum."


    Mor Jeffrey shook his head firmly. "No. Call it intuition, but I have a gut feeling that this could be genuine."


    The stakes were impossibly high, and while many held reservations, the mere possibility that it was authentic was too significant to ignore.


    After extensive deliberation, Mor Jeffrey dispatched a high-ranking executive to the Yan Kingdom to investigate the Jinpen County battery factory.


    Meanwhile, colossal Bawangy submerged in the North Pacific Ocean in the North Pacific Ocean, its gargantuan form weighing in at a staggering 1,178 tons, just shy of the 1,200-ton mark.


    On this fine day, the sun bathed the ocean''s surface in radiant warmth, and Bawangnguidly floated about ten meters beneath the sea''s surface. It revelled in the bliss of basking in the sun for hours before embarking on a journey more profound into the ocean''s abyss.


    Its destination? The remnants of a long-forgotten spaceship. Bawang had previously feasted upon the wreckage''s metallic innards, clearing away hundreds of thousands of tons of debris with each foray.


    The underwater days were long, and Bawang spent them methodically tidying up the ocean floor. Its herculean efforts had uncovered vast quantities of metal fragments and the underlying soil, which had been stubbornly entrenched amidst the spaceship''s remains.


    Once shrouded in mud and stone, the formerly hidden spaceship had grown in size as Bawang diligently excavated. It was bing increasingly evident that the overgrown wreckage was expanding its reach, slowly revealing its vast, grey-ck metallic shell.


    Bawang''s colossal grey-ck size of a small car was its primary tool. With each swipe, dozens of tons of soil were unearthed. It was an arduous task, but Bawang pressed on, day by day, revealing more of the spacecraft''s secrets.


    As the days passed, Bawang had removed hundreds of thousands of tons of soil and rocks, creating an enormous pile of debris adjacent to the spaceship''s remains. It resembled a miniature mountain, a testament to Bawang''s unwavering diligence.


    But Bawang was relentless. In addition to soil and rock, it unearthed even more massive chunks of metal, adding to its growing collection of treasures.


    One such piece of metal, buried beneathyers of earth, caught Bawang''s attention. Slowly but surely, Bawang excavated it, revealing a colossal metal fragment that weighed several thousand tons.


    Despite its immense strength, Bawang struggled to budge the massive piece. It exerted every ounce of its might, even using its gigantic spear as a makeshift lever. Finally, with a loud boom, the metal fragment gave way, and something deep within the wreckage appeared to copse.


    The raucous noise startled Bawang, and it hastily retreated hundreds of meters, its massive spear at the ready.


    The underwater world had momentarily erupted in chaos, perplexing Bawang and on high alert.

 Chapter 425 Spaceship !

    ?


    The scene that met their eyes was one of utter bewilderment. It was as though they had just pried open a colossal metal structure, unleashing a seismic event.


    The resulting explosion echoed through the vast expanse, transforming the once crystal-clear sea into a murky, swirling turmoil. The settling silt obscured their vision for an extended moment, but gradually cleared to reveal a scene of devastation. The metal structure had been sted apart, and the seabed was littered with debris. In the distance, they could see a plume of smoke rising from the water.


    They had no idea what had just happened, but they knew that it was something big.


    The structural integrity unquestionably gave way, unveiling a colossal void that spanned well beyond 100 meters in breadth and ascended to towering heights of at least 70 to 80 meters. The expanse was of such magnitude that it could have effortlessly engulfed an entire city block, rendering it a mere morsel within the vastness. Its sheer dimensions and unfathomable depth were nothing short of stupefying, leaving one to ponder in amazement at the very notion of its creation. The cavernous expanse defied the limits of imagination, a testament to forces and technologies far beyond mortalprehension.


    Furthermore, the outlines of the opening were uneven, strewn with fractured pieces of metal mixed in with mud and stone. At this vital juncture, Bawang pleaded with the master, saying, "Master, you must see this!"


    Liu Yong spurred into action, initiated the activation of his third-party vision, allowing his gaze to epass the entirety of the scene before him. Within the scope of thisprehensive view, he beheld both the formidable presence of Bawang and the expansive, awe-inspiring cavity that stretched out before him¡ªa cavernous breach of such staggering proportions that it presented Overlord with an unobstructed gateway into the heart of the spaceship.


    Without dy, Overlord proceeded to offer a detailed andprehensive recapittion of the recent events, meticulously recounting the unfolding narrative to Liu Yong. This entailed the riveting tale of the gradual revtion of the cavernous breach, delving into the circumstances and intricacies surrounding its discovery.


    Liu Yong processed the information and elucidated, "Bawang, this location was originallypromised, concealed beneathyers ofpact mudstone. Your efforts cleared away some of the umted sediment, ultimately leading to the dislodgment of that immense metal fragment, causing the subsequent copse and the formation of this colossal hole."


    Overlord absorbed this revtion with keen interest, his excitement palpable. "Master, does this mean I can enter the spaceship through this breach and explore its interior?"


    The mere notion of stepping into the spaceship ignited a profound sense of curiosity within Overlord, one that seemed limitless in its scope. Over the course of Liu Yong''s prior expeditions into the vessel, Overlord had nurtured a fervent longing to partake in this exploration firsthand. Yet, the narrow confines of previous entry points had perpetually denied it this privilege. However, the expansive breach now revealed before them presented a tantalizing prospect that beckoned with the allure of undiscovered wonders.


    Liu Yong recognized the low risk associated with entering the spaceship through this breach, given that the interior equipment had long ceased functioning. He also held his own aspirations to unearth potential treasures within. He granted Overlord the permission it sought, and joyously, Overlord embarked on its journey into the enigmatic depths of the spaceship.


    As Overlord ventured forth, it soon found itself in an expansive chamber, its size dwarfing even the colossal creature. Both master and servant were awestruck by the sheer grandeur that greeted them.


    Never in their wildest dreams had they anticipated such a spacious interior¡ªa chamber spanning dozens of football fields in area and rising over three hundred meters in height. It was a stupefying revtion, one that underscored the true magnitude of the spaceship.


    Liu Yong surmised that this immense chamber was likely just one of many within the spacecraft, highlighting the enormity of the vessel itself. Indeed, even Bawang, with its substantial size, appeared diminutive in the face of this cavernous expanse.


    Yet the sensation went beyond mere size¡ªit was an overwhelming spiritual revtion, indescribable by words alone. Only by being within the space could one fully appreciate its profound impact.


    After a prolonged moment of reflection, Liu Yong broke the silence. "Overlord, this chamber is but one among many within the spaceship, and it appears to beden with numerous objects."


    Overlord, now fully attentive, turned its gaze to the surroundings. The chamber was predominantly filled with an abundance of gray-ck, cylindrical metal bars, each measuring about a meter in diameter and some fifty meters in length.


    Although these bars would weigh over three hundred tons each if constructed from standard steel, their gray-ckposition, possessing a significantly lower density, reduced their weight to approximately one hundred tons per piece.


    The chamber was teeming with these metal bars, with the quantities numbering in the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, or even millions¡ªan iprehensible multitude that left them utterly bbergasted.


    Liu Yong ventured a more precise conjecture, concluding that the spaceship was unlikely a war vessel, but rather a transport or mining craft. A battleship would house a diverse array of weapons, such as fighter nes andbat robots, as opposed to an abundance of metallic resources.


    Yet the sight of such perfectly arranged, gigantic metal bars evoked an awe-inspiring spectacle.


    "Too immense," they muttered in unison, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the space they found themselves in.


    The Overlord, still captivated by its surroundings, ventured to pick up one of the metal bars, its movements revealing the object''s unexpected lightness. It equated the bar''s size to that of its formidable giant spear, yet marveled at the significant disparity in weight.


    "Master, this bar, though simr in dimensions to my giant spear, is remarkably lighter. I find myself partial to my beloved spear, which surpasses two hundred tons in weight," Overlord confided.


    With a nod, Liu Yong concurred, his attention never wavering from the panoramic view provided by his third-party vision.


    But then, a new discovery seized his focus. Beyond the plethora of gray-ck metal bars, a smaller collection of cylindrical, jet-ck metal bars upied a secluded corner of the chamber. Each of these bars measured approximately ten meters in length and half a meter in diameter, though their numbers were notably fewer.


    Overlord, now brimming with curiosity, embarked on another exploration, reaching out to grasp one of these enigmatic bars. Its initial expectations were drastically exceeded as the object revealed an astonishing weight¡ªfar heavier than anticipated.


    "Master, this metal bar is exceptionally heavy, weighing at least twenty tons, possibly even thirty," Overlord eximed, taken aback by the unexpected heft.


    Liu Yong, equally astounded, couldn''t help but respond in disbelief. "What an astonishing revtion! The dimensions¡ªhalf a meter in diameter and ten meters in length¡ªshould warrant a weight closer to fifteen tons, yet it surpasses even thirty tons."


    Bearing the weight of the mysteries that enshrouded their recent revtions, the twopanions found themselves teetering on the edge of an extraordinary odyssey. With a profound sense of anticipation, they readied themselves to delve deep into the recesses of the colossal and enigmatic spaceship, where untold secrets awaited their inquisitive minds to uncover and illuminate.

 Chapter 426 Beyond Expectations !

    <h4>Chapter 426 Beyond Expectations !</h4>


    The density of the object stood as a revtion, one that left Bawang awestruck and greatly exceeded Liu Yong''s initial expectations. If this mysterious metal rod did indeed weigh between 20 to 30 tons, then its density must have exceeded a staggering 12 or more.


    In the realm of known materials, steel had a density of approximately 7.8, with alloy steel being slightly denser, possibly around 8. Regardless, whenpared to the unexpected density of 12 or more, these figures appeared inconsequential.


    "It''s astonishingly heavy!" Bawang eximed, his voice tinged with amazement.


    "Master, I apologize for my oversight. I didn''t anticipate it to be this heavy, weighing twenty or thirty tons," Bawang admitted, a hint of remorse in his tone.


    Liu Yong responded with brevity, "Yes." However, his heart raced with excitement, for this was the second type of metal they had ever discovered.


    The first metal they''d encountered was the grey-ck variety, characterized by its low density, lightweight properties, corrosion resistance, high-temperature endurance, and impressive strength. Liu Yong had dispatched several ships to transport over 200,000 tons of this remarkable material.


    Now, the discovery of the second ck metal had opened up an intriguing realm of possibilities. What unique attributes did this new metal possess? Their neat stacking within the spaceship wreck''s immense cargo hold hinted at their exceptional nature.


    "Overlord," Liu Yong instructed, "Let''s explore the rest of this colossal cargo hold to see if there''s anything else of interest. And then, make arrangements to transport a ck metal rod like this back to our seaside warehouse in Huahai City."


    "Of course, master, consider it done," Overlord replied dutifully.


    Setting down the hefty ck metal rod, Overlord embarked on a thorough exploration of the expansive cargo hold. It scoured the area diligently, searching for any hidden treasures or unusual findings.


    However, despite its efforts, it soon became evident that there were only these two types of metals within the hold, and nothing else of note.


    Bawang contemted the possibility of exploring other sections of the cargo hold but found that all the doors leading to different directions were tightly sealed, rendering them impossible to open.


    After a thorough search, Overlord returned to Liu Yong with a sense of disappointment. "Master, it appears that these two types of metals are the only items in this vast cargo hold."


    Liu Yong, on the other hand, was in remarkably high spirits. His excitement was palpable, for this day marked a significant harvest. Within the cavernous cargo holdy not only an extensive collection of grey-ck metal bars, each potentially weighing hundreds of tons and numbering in the millions, but also the newly discovered ck metal, which amounted to tens of thousands.


    The cargo hold had transformed into an inexhaustible treasure trove, an unparalleled repository of valuable materials. "Overlord," Liu Yong instructed, "retrieve a piece of the ck metal for me. I want to conduct a thorough study to determine its properties."


    Following Liu Yong''s directive, Overlord retrieved a piece of the enigmatic ck metal, carefully exited the damaged spaceship, and set a course for Huahai City.


    In the early evening hours:


    "Brother Yong, I''ve just arrived in Huahai City!" Ding Wen''s voice broke through Liu Yong''s thoughts.


    Liu Yong was mildly surprised, "You returned to Huahai City in just half a month after being in the capital?"


    "I indeed returned to Huahai City and am now the assistant to the General Manager at Qingyun International''s Huahai City branch. Quite impressive, right?" Ding Wen replied with pride.


    "You''ve certainly made remarkable progress!" Liu Yong acknowledged. "It''s not easy to secure a position like that at Qingyun International. To be appointed as the assistant to the branch''s General Manager is a significant achievement."


    Ding Wenughed heartily, and after a brief exchange, he proposed, "Brother Yong, are you avable tonight? I have a friend who''s a big fan of yours and would love to meet you."


    Liu Yong considered the invitation and responded, "I have some time this evening. Same ce as before, Zhangji Seafood Restaurant."


    "Great, we''ll discuss the details when we meet," Ding Wen agreed before ending the call.


    Despite the uing dinner with Ding Wen''s friend, Liu Yong''s primary focus was on Bawang''s progress. He activated a third-party perspective to check in on his underwaterpanion.


    Bawang, submerged one or two hundred meters beneath the surface, was making swift progress. It seemed likely that he would reach the seaside warehouse in the middle of the night.


    As dusk descended upon the city, Liu Yong made his way to the nned dinner appointment, apanied only by his driver and bodyguard, Chen Hu. Upon arriving at Zhangji Seafood Restaurant, he decided to bring Chen Hu inside.


    "Chen Hu,e with me," Liu Yong instructed. Chen Hu hesitated but ultimatelyplied, as Liu Yong assured him, "There are no formalities here. Ding Wen and his friend are just like old acquaintances."


    Inside the restaurant, Chen Hu followed Liu Yong into a private room, where Ding Wen and a young man were already waiting.


    "Brother Yong, allow me to introduce my friend, Han Guang," Ding Wen said, gesturing toward the young man.


    Han Guang eagerly extended his hand toward Liu Yong with a warm smile. It was as if a younger brother was meeting his idol.


    "Hello, Brother Liu. I''ve admired you for a long time, and I''m thrilled to finally meet you in person," Han Guang greeted enthusiastically.


    Liu Yong reciprocated with a smile, genuinely appreciating Han Guang''s respectful demeanor. "Ding Wen''s friend is a friend of mine as well. Let''s take a seat and get to know each other better."


    As Han Guang prepared to sit down, he nced at Chen Hu and couldn''t hide his surprise, as if he had stumbled upon a hidden treasure.


    "Are you Chen Hu, the record-breaking Olympic athlete?" Han Guang inquired with reverence.


    Chen Hu modestly replied, "Yes, that''s me. I''ve retired from professional sports."


    Ding Wen chimed in, "Chen Hu is currently Brother Yong''s driver and bodyguard."


    Han Guang greeted Chen Hu warmly, showing no hint of disdain for Chen Hu''s current role.


    Liu Yong nodded in approval. Even though it was their first meeting, Han Guang had left a favorable impression.


    As for Han Guang, he looked at Liu Yong with admiration, almost saying, "Brother Yong is extraordinary. A genius like Chen Hu serving as your driver¡ªit''s incredible!"


    Their conversation flowed smoothly, and after an extravagant dinner, the group decided to continue the evening at a karaoke venue. It wasn''t until midnight that they finally called it a night and headed home.


    The following day, as the morning sun illuminated the city:


    Liu Yong woke up with a contented smile, reflecting on the enjoyable evening he''d spent with new acquaintances. He turned his attention to the task at hand and activated his third-party vision.


    "Overlord, have the materials been sessfully transported to the seaside warehouse?" Liu Yong inquired.


    And so, the story continued...


    Bawang, on his underwater journey, was making remarkable progress. Despite the darkness of the deep ocean, he navigated skillfully, his aquatic movements


    fluid and graceful. The seawater around him shimmered with bioluminescent organisms, casting an otherworldly glow.


    Liu Yong observed Bawang''s progress with a sense of pride and anticipation. The cargo hold''s discovery had opened up a realm of possibilities, and he couldn''t wait to uncover the secrets hidden within these enigmatic metals.


    Meanwhile, in Huahai City, Ding Wen was busy making preparations for the evening''s dinner with Liu Yong. He had informed Han Guang about the uing meeting and the opportunity to interact with the renowned scientist and entrepreneur.


    Han Guang, eager and enthusiastic, couldn''t contain his excitement. He spent the day researching Liu Yong''s work and aplishments, preparing questions and topics for their conversation.


    As evening approached, Ding Wen, Han Guang, and Liu Yong reunited at Zhangji Seafood Restaurant. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie, as if they were old friends reuniting after a long absence.


    Over a sumptuous meal, the conversation flowed effortlessly. Liu Yong shared anecdotes from his scientific endeavors, captivating both Ding Wen and Han Guang with tales of discovery and innovation.


    Han Guang, in particr, was deeply impressed by Liu Yong''s passion for science and hismitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge. He couldn''t help but express his admiration.


    "Brother Yong, your dedication to advancing science and technology is truly inspiring," Han Guang remarked. "Your contributions to our understanding of the world are invaluable."


    Liu Yong, humbled by the praise, responded with gratitude. "It''s the pursuit of knowledge and the desire to make a difference that drive me. I believe that every discovery, no matter how small, has the potential to change the world."


    As the evening progressed, the conversation shifted to Han Guang''s own endeavors in the cutting tool industry. He shared his vision for Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s future and its role in advancing manufacturing technologies.


    Liu Yong was genuinely interested and offered valuable insights and suggestions. The exchange of ideas and experiences created a sense of synergy, a meeting of minds united by amon passion for innovation.


    After the dinner, the group decided to continue their discussion at a nearby cafe. They delved deeper into topics ranging from materials science to the challenges of modern manufacturing.


    Hours passed, but the conversation showed no signs of slowing down. It was a meeting of kindred spirits, individuals driven by a shared desire to push the boundaries of human knowledge and capability.


    In the midst of their animated discussion, Liu Yong received a message from Bawang, indicating that the ck metal had been safely transported to the seaside warehouse.


    Liu Yong''s excitement was palpable. "Gentlemen, it appears that our evening''s discussion has been graced by a significant development. We''ve sessfully acquired a sample of a mysterious ck metal from the depths of the ocean. This marks the beginning of an exciting journey of discovery."


    Ding Wen and Han Guang exchanged nces, their curiosity piqued. They had no idea that their evening with Liu Yong would lead to such an intriguing revtion.


    As the night grewte, they parted ways, each filled with a sense of anticipation for the future. Liu Yong returned to hisboratory, eager to begin the analysis of the ck metal and unlock its secrets.


    The following days were a whirlwind of scientific exploration and coboration. Liu Yong''s research team worked tirelessly to unravel the properties and potential applications of the ck metal, while Han Guang offered valuable insights from the perspective of the cutting tool industry.


    Their efforts yielded fascinating results. The ck metal disyed remarkable properties, including exceptional strength, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance. It had the potential to revolutionize various industries, from aerospace to manufacturing.


    The discovery spread rapidly, attracting the attention of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs worldwide. Coborative research projects were initiated, and investment opportunities emerged.

 Chapter 427 Oceanic Titan !

    <h4>Chapter 427 Oceanic Titan !</h4>


    Beneath the moonlit expanse of the deep, Overlordmenced its quest. With unparalleled grace, it glided through the fathomless depths of the ocean, embarking on a journey spanning over 3,000 nautical miles without a moment''s pause. Neither the need for sustenance nor the beckoning of rest could deter it from its mission.


    Last night, under midnight shroud, Overlord arrived at a secluded seaside warehouse. The sheer awe of this massive entity''s arrival was concealed in the silence of the night. It moved with a purpose, carrying out a covert operation.


    Within the cavernous confines of the warehouse, it meticulously deposited the coveted ck metal cargo, a precious load sought by none other than Liu Yong himself. The task was executed with an innate precision that only a creature of Overlord''s magnitude could achieve. As the first rays of dawn began to streak the horizon, Overlord decided it was time to sate its relentless appetite.


    Amidst the sapphire depths, Overlord had chanced upon an aquatic feast - a giant fish exceeding a weight of 1,000 jins. It devoured this massive creature with ravenous hunger, the symphony of crunching and gulping resonating in the silent ocean abyss.


    Amid this aquatic banquet, the telepathic voice of Liu Yong pierced Overlord''s thoughts. Overlord hesitantly responded, "Master, the requested items have been secured in the seaside warehouse."


    Liu Yong''s gratitude flowed through their unique mental connection, "Overlord, I''m truly grateful."


    In its humility, Overlord responded with a tinge of humour, "It''s hard work, but at the moment, my primary concern is this insatiable hunger."


    With the oceanic panorama as its backdrop, Overlord continued its feast, pausing only for a moment to respond. UsuIt would have preferred the tender flesh of giant deep-sea octopuses over this sizeable fish. However, hunger had a remarkable way of transforming one''s perspective.


    Ten hours had passed without sustenance, and Overlord''s voracity knew no bounds. The food it had typically shunned now tasted like the nectar of the gods. Several colossal fish, with thergest weighing over a thousand catties and the smallest still exceeding several hundred catties, disappeared into the depths of Overlord''s cavernous gullet. Yet, despite this colossal banquet, a gnawing emptiness lingered, akin to a voracious beast that could devour an entire whale in a single gulp.


    In an ironic twist of fate, Overlord''s heartfelt musings gave birth to an unexpected revtion. "Hey, there are truly whales here, and not just any whales, but an entire pod of colossal blue whales!"


    The revtion was met with unbridled joy. A sudden change in circumstances had delivered food right to Overlord''s doorstep, and among its culinary preferences, blue whales held an esteemed ce.


    Without hesitation, Overlord surged forward with astonishing swiftness, its colossal form slicing through the waters with remarkable agility. Initially oblivious to the impending threat, the pod of blue whales soon found themselves trapped by a sudden terror. Panic gripped their hearts as they attempted to flee the approaching behemoth, but it was toote.


    Overlord bore down upon them with a velocity that defied the veryws of nature. With a single, relentless bite, it seized the enormous blue whale, inducing chaos among the others as they scattered like frightened birds. Fortunately, Overlord harboured no intentions of pursuit; the colossal prey it had seized sufficiently quelled its relentless hunger. For now, it would savour this exceptional bounty.


    Amidst this grand banquet beneath the waves, Liu Yong had already awakened, his mind filled with purpose. He prepared for the day ahead, with the seaside warehouse as his first destination. Before the morning repast, he seized a moment to dispatch a WeChat message to Xin Feiwen of Universal Special Materials Company, instructing him to send a substantial cargo truck to the seaside warehouse. The ck metal bars, now securely stored, needed to be transported back to thepany forprehensive scrutiny.


    Liu Yong made a mental note regarding the evolution of Xinpeng Special Steel Smelter into Universal Special Materials Co., Ltd., one of the esteemed subsidiaries within the Universal Enterprise Group''s vast empire.


    Chen Hu, ever the reliablepanion, awaited Liu Yong''s emergence at the vi''s grand entrance. His presence signalled themencement of another day''s journey, a ceremonial tradition they both cherished.


    Liu Yong, however, had a different n for the day. He waved away the notion of an immediate visit to thepany headquarters, remarking, "Let''s head to the seaside warehouse first, rather than proceeding directly to the office."


    The two vehicles set forth, embarking on a brief expedition toward the seaside warehouse. The distance from Phoenix Mountain Vi to the warehouse proved rtively short, allowing them toplete the journey within thirty to forty minutes. Upon arrival, it was evident that the warehouse had undergone extensive modifications. A broad, cavernous passage had been carved, seamlessly connecting the warehouse to the ocean''s depths. This expansive corridor served as a conduit through which the Overlord could ess the warehouse, streamlining the cargo retrieval.


    As the vehicles parked and the upants disembarked, Liu Yong''s eyes fell upon the warehouse''s neatly arranged ck metal bars. Having previously observed the cargo from afar, viewing it up close invoked a heightened sense of anticipation.


    The metal exhibited a remarkable allure, its surface adorned with an obsidian sheen that exuded a lustrous metallic elegance. Liu Yong examined the cargo meticulously, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic metal''s nature and potential attributes.


    Presently, they knew only of the metal''s astonishing density, which potentially exceeded 12 ¨C a figure that dwarfed the thickness of standard alloy steel by at least 1.5 times. Beyond density, the enigma of its unique properties remained an unresolved mystery, necessitating aprehensive suite of tests and analyses upon its arrival at Universal Special Materials Co., Ltd.


    Outside the warehouse, the resonating hum of an approaching cargo truck disrupted the prevailing stillness. To Liu Yong''s surprise, the driver who stepped out of the truck was none other than Xin Feiwen himself, a gesture that underscored the gravity of the cargo at hand.


    "Boss, we''re here. What are your instructions?" Xin Feiwen inquired, his gaze fixed firmly upon Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong issued his directives, "Inspect the cargo for any additional metal bars, load them onto the truck, and procure a sample for in-depth analysis. I require aprehensive inspection and analysis report for this metal."


    "Understood, boss," Xin Feiwen affirmed, promptly conveying the instructions to his team. With the aid of a formidable 50-ton crane, hoisting the metal rods onto the awaiting truck proceeded with seamless efficiency. In due course, the metal rods were securely stowed and ready for transport.


    As the truck embarked on its journey away from the warehouse, Liu Yong gestured toward the awaiting vehicle. "Let''s make our way back to Universal Building."


    Within the walls of Universal Special Materials Co., Ltd., the mysterious ck metal rod found its ce within


    an expansive workshop, an area now aze with curiosity-driven energy. As the metal rod upied its prominent position, the attending workers and technicians gathered in droves, their eyes riveted to the enigmatic cargo.


    "What kind of metal could this be? It''s so impably ck and shiny, almost beguiling to behold!"


    "This metal rod is far from ordinary. Might it be an alloy of some kind?"


    Amid the hushed conversations and curious nces, the atmosphere within the workshop buzzed with anticipation. Xin Feiwen, apanied by a cadre of experts specializing in metallurgy and materials, took centre stage to address the gathering.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the metal rod we have brought back. Our esteemed boss has requested that we secure a sample and subject it to aprehensive analysis to unravel its innate properties."


    The mission appeared straightforward, but the execution delivered an astonishing revtion. As the technicians began cutting a sample from the metal rod, a spectacle unfolded that defied expectations. Sparks flew amidst their attempts, but the surface of the metal rod remained unscathed. The cutting de, however, bore the unmistakable scars of wear and tear.


    The perplexing scene left all onlookers stunned, their collective astonishment palpable. Even alloys, renowned for their resilience, could not withstand this mysterious metal''s defiance.


    A technician, caught between disbelief and fascination, voiced his astonishment, "This is beyond belief. Its hardness exceeds anything we''ve encountered before."


    The leading senior technical expert offered a measured response, "Indeed, its hardness is exceptional, likely surpassing any known material."


    The revtion of such extraordinary hardness posed an unprecedented challenge. Conventional cutting tools and equipment, it seemed, were ill-suited to the task of extracting a sample from this unyielding material.


    As technicians and experts huddled together, pondering the insurmountable obstacle before them, a daunting realization settled in ¨C they stood at the precipice of a unique problem, grappling with how to procure a sample from this enigmatic metal rod.

 Chapter 428 Knife Industry !

    <h4>Chapter 428 Knife Industry !</h4>


    Han Guang was all by himself in his office, which was not very bright. He let out long, deep breaths, and the sound filled up the silent room. The things he had to take care of felt really heavy, and this was very different from how he looked on the outside, all polished and sessful. Han Guang was in charge of the Huahai Branch of Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group, which was a big deal. But being the boss came with a lot of stress and worry.


    Beneath the shiny exterior, many people strongly believed that knives made in their own country weren''t as good as the ones imported from other ces. This belief was deeply ingrained in their minds, and they assumed that knives made in foreign countries were naturally better than those made locally.


    Amid the chaotic market changes, knives from other countries made a strong push, taking over arge portion of the Yanguo alloy knife market. As a result, knives made in our own country ended up mostlypeting in the mid and lower-quality segments, struggling to reach the premium high-end market. This became a challenging battle because they had limited resources to work with, like going into a fight with only a small part of their full strength.


    The esteemed banner of Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group, a stalwart presence in the alloy cutting tool industry, now fluttered in the precarious winds of the domestic high-end cutting tool market. Han Guang couldn''t help but reflect on the arduous journey, a path fraught with adversity, where their share clung stubbornly to modest margins.


    A wistful smile tugged at the corners of Han Guang''s mouth as he sat behind his cluttered desk. He watched a machining video with a mixture of fascination and resignation. The turning tools at y were of imported make, coaxing forth exquisite workpieces from a CNC machine in a seamless ballet of precision.


    Beneath the video, a chorus ofmentary unfolded, a collective voice echoing the disparities.


    "This is undoubtedly the craftsmanship of an imported alloy turning tool!"


    "The finesse is astounding; it''s a vision of what our domestic alloy turning tools aspire to be."


    "We do possessmendable alloy knives here in China, reasonably priced and of remarkable quality."


    "Let''s be realistic, domestic products can''t hope to rival imports."


    Eachment etched itself into Han Guang''s consciousness, carving a chasm of unmet expectations. As he absorbed the sentiments, bitterness pooled within him, mingling with a palpable sense of helplessness.


    The 11th International Alloy Knives Exhibition loomed on the horizon, set to unfurl its grandeur in the very heart of Huahai City. The weight of international participation bore down on Han Guang, casting a shadow over his confidence.


    "Material," Han Guang murmured, his gaze fixated on the burning ember of his cigarette. It was a matter of substance, a core t that determined the fate of their endeavors. The designs were sound, the processes impable, but the alloys at their disposal paled before their foreign counterparts.


    In a bustling workshop at Global Special Materials Co., Ltd., the air thrummed with determination. Workersbored fervently, their efforts focused on an enigmatic ck metal bar. Their endeavors, though valiant, yielded little progress. A meager mark was all they managed, a far cry from the substantial cut they sought.


    The notion ofser cutting emerged from the assembly, tentative and hopeful. Yet, one technician''s sobering shake of the head silenced the spark of optimism. Aser could not tame this beast of a bar, its diameter a formidable obstacle.


    "Wire cutting, then? Let''s give it a try," someone ventured, and the room held its breath.


    Two days unfurled, a relentless onught of effort, before triumph finally emerged¡ªa solitary piece cleaved from the unyielding metal. This fragment became the centerpiece of rigorous examination, a totem of perseverance.


    Its density was nothing short of astounding, amanding 12.5, eclipsing the standard alloy steel by a significant margin. And then there was the matter of its hardness, a testament to its singr nature. It surpassed diamond in this regard, a hardness not weighed down by fragility. Strength was itspanion, and it walked alongside a resistance to corrosion and oxidation that bordered on the miraculous.


    Submerged in seawater for half a millennium, it emerged untarnished, its surface a testament to its enduring resilience. The melting point, while not quite the inferno of gray and ck metals, soared beyond 2400 degrees, dwarfing the thresholds of ordinary steel.


    In the heart of the Universal Building, Liu Yong''s thoughts danced between the graphene-aluminum battery and the enigmatic ck metal rod. Xin Feiwen''s silence prompted a curiosity that Liu Yong couldn''t ignore.


    Finally, Xin Feiwen stood before Liu Yong, a veneer of nervousness clinging to him. The rare privilege of entering Liu Yong''s inner sanctum appeared to weigh on him, an uncertainty that time had woven.


    "Boss," Xin Feiwen began, relief cascading through him as Liu Yong''s countenance betrayed no displeasure. "The results are in; please take a look."


    Liu Yong received the report with measured care, immersing himself in its contents for the better part of a quarter-hour. As the minutes unfurled, a subtle transformation swept over his features. Behind the veneer of calm, an ember of excitement flickered.


    Closing the report, Liu Yong''s voice held a note of wonder, "I hadn''t expected it to be this impervious and robust." Oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance, while expected, took on a newfound gravity. The metal''s endurance,id bare by five millennia beneath the sea, spoke to a resilience that defied time.


    Density, too, aligned with projections, boasting a formidable 12.5. From the outset, Bawang''s estimate of a weight surpassing twenty tons had seemed audacious but now, it stood vindicated.


    With Xin Feiwen''s impassioned exposition, Liu Yong''s curiosity was piqued. "In what realm do you envisage this metal''s supremacy?"


    "In the domain of des, unequivocally," Xin Feiwen dered, conviction coursing through him. "It stands as the quintessential alloy for the knife industry. I''m unequivocally confident that des forged from this material will outshine all others, be they of foreign or domestic origin."


    Liu Yong watched, captivated by Xin Feiwen''s fervour, as words like "most" and "absolutely" tumbled forth, bearing testament to the unyielding belief in the metal''s potential.


    Upon hearing Xin Feiwen''s assessment, Liu Yong''s thoughts raced ahead to one individual¡ªHan Fei.

 Chapter 429 Royal Alloy !

    <h4>Chapter 429 Royal Alloy !</h4>


    In the bustling world of Yan Country, Han Guang stood as the prince of thergest alloy knife group. He was renowned for his expertise in alloy knives, and Xin Feiwen had just emphasized that ck alloy was the most coveted material for crafting these exceptional des.


    Liu Yong, their stern leader, promptly issued an order, "When you return, procure some ck alloy, around ten kilograms should suffice."


    Without hesitation, one of his subordinates replied, "Okay, boss, I''ll arrange it immediately."


    Now armed with a deeper understanding of this remarkable alloy, they had abandoned their brutal cutting methods. Instead, they opted for the more refined approach of melting the alloy and then meticulously crafting it. With a melting point exceeding 2,000 degrees, the process was not as daunting as it might sound.


    After a brief interval, Xin Feiwen returned to the workshop.


    Liu Yong picked up the research report once again, absorbing its contents before reaching for his mobile phone to send a WeChat message.


    In the grand office of the Universal Building, Han Guang was preupied. He was nked by several key deputies, all engrossed in briefing him about the uing 11th Alloy Knives Exhibition.


    "Mr. Han, it appears that all of the world''s top ten alloy tool manufacturers will be participating," one of his deputies stated.


    Han Guang''s expression darkened, but he wasn''t entirely surprised. The Yan Kingdom was a global manufacturing powerhouse and thergest market for various alloy knives. Foreign manufacturers naturally sought to capitalize on this lucrative opportunity, intensifying the pressure on Han Guang.


    In a somber tone, Han Guang remarked, "Thepetition is fierce. It seems we''re poised for a battle even before the exhibitionmences."


    Anxious, a deputy inquired, "Mr. Han, what should we do against such formidable rivals?"


    With a sigh, Han Guang responded, "Give me some time to think. There are still twenty days before the exhibition."


    "Actually, it''s twenty-three days," corrected another deputy as they exited the room.


    Alone once more, Han Guang furrowed his brow in contemtion. The pressure was immense, and he reached for a cigarette to soothe his nerves. This exhibition was a responsibility entrusted to him by his father, and he was determined not to let it falter. Particrly, he couldn''t stand the aggressive tactics employed by foreign knife dealers.


    Just as his thoughts swirled in a cloud of smoke, a WeChat message notification chimed on his phone.


    Putting out his cigarette, Han Guang retrieved his phone and nced at the screen. It was a message from Brother Yong, inviting him over with the promise of something significant.


    With a newfound curiosity and a somewhat improved mood, Han Guang replied promptly, "Brother Yong, I''m on my way."


    His office was some distance from the Universal Building, but Han Guang didn''t deliberate or hesitate; he simply headed straight for Universal Enterprise Group.


    He put away his phone and left his office immediately.


    Meanwhile, within Universal Building, Xin Feiwen had already fulfilled Liu Yong''s request by delivering a ck alloy bar measuring 50 in diameter and 500 in length. This small bar had been meticulously crafted from a colossal 10-meter-long, 500-diameter bar that Bawang had provided.


    Liu Yong observed the alloy bar with great fascination; it easily weighed more than a dozen kilograms. They had only requested around ten kilograms, so the unexpected surplus intrigued him. Even after enduring extreme temperatures during the melting process and exposure to air, the alloy remained free of oxidized skin, retaining its lustrous ck sheen.


    In admiration, Liu Yong mused aloud, "Truly a product of alien technology. The materials they use are extraordinary."


    Suddenly, a knock echoed at the door, and Han Guang entered, announcing, "Brother Yong, I''ve arrived."


    Liu Yong warmly weed him, offering a seat and refreshments. They exchanged pleasantries, and as the conversation flowed, it became evident that Han Guang had temporarily forgotten the pressures of the uing Alloy Knives Exhibition.


    After a while, Liu Yong broached the subject cautiously, "How have things beentely? I heard that the 11th International Alloy Knives Exhibition in Huahai City is just twenty days away."


    At the mere mention of the exhibition, Han Guang''s countenance darkened, and he wore a somber expression.


    "Brother Yong, to be honest, the pressure is mounting. Inparison to well-established knife manufacturers in the West, we still have some catching up to do. Whether on an international or domestic scale, high-end alloy knife markets are predominantly saturated with imported products," Han Guang confided.


    Liu Yong pondered this predicament and inquired further, "So, our domestic alloy knives are struggling not due to craftsmanship or design, but primarily due to the quality of the alloy material?"


    Han Guang nodded, "Precisely. It all boils down to the material. Every year, we appeal to various sources for imported alloys, but they rarely provide us with the superior variants. As a result, we''re forced to manufacture knives that, while top-notch, can onlypete in the middle and lower-end markets."


    Han Guang''s face reflected his disillusionment.


    In contemtive silence, Liu Yong considered the situation and proposed a glimmer of hope, "This situation might soon change. Our Universal Special Material Factory has developed an exceptional ck alloy. It''s the ideal choice for crafting alloy knives."


    Intrigued, Han Guang inquired, "Do we truly possess an alloy suitable for crafting these knives? How does itpare to the imported ones?"


    Liu Yong replied confidently, "I haven''t closely scrutinized the imported alloys, but I can provide you with the performance test report of our ck alloy. Take a look."


    With mounting excitement, Han Guang perused the report. As a semi-professional well-versed in alloy intricacies, he absorbed the details with growing astonishment.


    Confusion, disbelief, shock, and finally, tion¡ªhis emotions swirled through a rollercoaster of reactions. His heart raced with the revtion that such an alloy existed, custom-made for crafting alloy knives. Compared to imported alloys, it didn''t even seem like the same material; it was far superior.


    Closing the report, Han Guang took a deep breath, attempting to regain hisposure.


    "Brother Yong, is this ck alloy truly genuine?" he asked with fervor.


    Liu Yong nodded firmly and retrieved the small ck alloy bar, presenting it to Han Guang.


    "This is a sample of our ck alloy. Consider it a gift from me. Take it back, process it into an alloy tool, and experience the difference firsthand."


    With trembling hands, Han Guang epted the alloy rod. He could feel its substantial weight, far beyond that of ordinary alloy.

 Chapter 430 The Blade Test !

    <h4>Chapter 430 The de Test !</h4>


    In the grip of Han Guang''s calloused hand, the object''s weight nestled with surprising gravity. A raised brow,den with amazement, punctuated his words. "Is it truly this weighty?"


    Liu Yong, the benefactor of this metallic marvel, met Han Guang''s astonishment with an understanding smile. "The density of this ck alloy registers at a staggering 12.5, a mere fraction of the conventional alloys."


    Han Guang''s nod conveyed a silent acknowledgment, yet his heart surged with an inexplicable vigor. In his hand, the metal seemed more akin to a bar of solid gold, rather than a mere alloy.


    After a prolonged appraisal, gratitude couldn''t be withheld any longer. "Brother Yong, your generosity leaves me indebted. I''ll hasten back to my workshop and set to work fashioning des with this extraordinary material."


    Liu Yong, ever the beneficent soul, offered further support. "Forge away, and do not forget to share your findings after the test. I possess a trove of this alloy, and should you desire more, a reduced price awaits you."


    "Very well, then I shall make my way," Han Guang beamed, epting the ck alloy rod with a newfound lightness in his heart. The burdens of his mind seemed to lift, reced with boundless hope.


    Back at the foundry, Han Guang orchestrated a meticulous production process. Two versatile alloy des¡ªthe 35-degree and 80-degree variations¡ªbegan their transformation. In tandem, an array of general-purpose drills and milling cutters were brought to life.


    Through an annealing process, the formidable hardness of the ck alloy yielded to greater machinability. The foundry hummed with ceaseless activity, and within a mere two days, a formidable arsenal of knives emerged.


    Han Guang himself paid a visit to the alloy tool workshop, his keen eye assessing each de with the scrutiny of an artist appraising his masterpiece. Satisfied, he mused on the true measure of their worth¡ªthe crucible of application.


    Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group, fortified by a subsidiarypany in Huahai City, possessed aprehensive array of facilities. It was under Han Guang''s meticulous stewardship that two all-purpose alloy des¡ªthe 35-degree and 80-degree variants¡ªbegan to take shape. Further, a suite of general-purpose drills and a selection of milling cutters soon joined the chorus of creation.


    After an annealing process, the once formidable hardness of the ck alloy yielded to a more cooperative malleability. It was a testament to the relentless dedication of the workers that, within the span of just two days, a formidable arsenal of knives emerged.


    Han Guang returned to the foundry, his presence a testament to the significance of this endeavor. His gaze lingered upon the newly forged des, a master surveying his creation. But the ultimate testy in their application.


    Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group, fortified by a subsidiarypany and factory in the thriving metropolis of Huahai City, boasted aprehensive array of facilities. Guided by Han Guang''s unerring hand, the manufacture of two all-purpose alloy des¡ªthe 35-degree and 80-degree variants¡ªwas set into motion. Additionally, a suite of general-purpose drills and a selection of milling cutters soon joined the chorus of creation.


    Following a meticulous annealing process, the once imcable hardness of the ck alloy yielded to a more pliant malleability. It stood as a testament to the relentless dedication of the workers that, within the span of just two days, a formidable arsenal of knives emerged.


    Han Guang returned to the foundry, his presence a testament to the magnitude of this endeavor. His gaze lingered upon the newly forged des, a master surveying his creation. Yet, the ultimate test of their mettley in their application.


    His visage now suffused with satisfaction, Han Guang turned to the workshop director, Feng Xuesong, for an appraisal. "How fare their quality, Director Feng? The true measure of their worth, I believe, lies in the crucible of application."


    Feng Xuesong, a seasoned hand in these matters, reassured Han Guang. "Rest assured, Mr. Han. Our longstanding partnership with several major processing and manufacturing enterprises ensures a thorough and rigorous evaluation."


    Taking a cue from Han Guang, Feng Xuesong and his team set forth to a renowned manufacturingpany in Huahai City. "Director Feng," Han Guang addressed Feng Xuesong, "I present to you a fresh batch of ourtest knives, eager to put them to the test."


    Feng Xuesong, the workshop director, received Han Guang with warmth. "Your timing couldn''t be more opportune. We''re on the cusp of processing an extensive run of high-temperature alloy parts, and the demand for alloy tools is considerable."


    "I was contemting inviting you for a trial, but it seems you''vee to us," Feng Xuesong added, a glint of camaraderie in his eye.


    Han Guang''s spirits soared. "Then fortune truly favors us. Let us proceed with the knife test."


    Feng Xuesong, ever the conscientious director, hesitated. "While it is feasible tomence the trial at once, there''s a minor matter."


    "Director Feng, what concern is there?" Han Guang inquired.


    "It''s a trifling matter, but Santak is also engaged in knife testing. I fear you may feel undue pressure," Feng Xuesong exined.


    Santak¡ªHan Guang knew them well. Internationally acimed and a formidablepetitor to Taishan Tool Group, especially in the realm of high-end alloy tools.


    In days gone by, Han Guang might have wavered, opting to evade Santak. However, today was a different day.


    "If Brother Yong spoke true, this ck alloy is a force to be reckoned with. The knives we forge from it should rival those of Santak," Han Guang affirmed. "Director Feng, we shall proceed with the knife test without dy."


    Feng Xuesong was taken aback. "Is that so?"


    "Indeed. Let usmence," Han Guang insisted, his resolve unwavering.


    With a nod, Feng Xuesong assented. "Very well, I shall take you to the processing site."


    Han Guang expressed his gratitude, and, under Feng Xuesong''s guidance, he and his team arrived at the bustling heart of the workshop¡ªthe production and processing site.


    Here stood an expansive workshop, brimming with an array of sophisticated machinery, predominantly CNC equipment likethes and machining centers, many of which were imported.


    Not far off, a group was gathered around an imported CNC machining center, including workers, technicians, and representatives from Santak.


    They, too, were in the midst of a knife test.


    Approaching, Feng Xuesong inquired, "Fan Gong, how fares the knife test?"


    Fan Gong responded, "We''ve conducted over half of the trials, and the results are promising. Santak''s tools manage three to four parts on average, but their price quotes are steep."


    Imported alloy tools oftenmanded a premium, typically in the range of three to four thousand yuan per piece.


    Feng Xuesong mused, "Once all trials areplete, we''ll make aprehensive assessment. We''ll deliberate then."


    With that, he beckoned Fan Gong over, and with Han Guang and hispanions keeping watch, they monitored the activity of Santak''s contingent.


    Tension simmered between the two groups, palpable and charged. Two fair-haired foreigners, blue-eyed, and unmistakably long-time residents of Yan Country, addressed Han Guang and his team in Mandarin.


    "Your knives leave much to be desired. We stand head and shoulders above you," one asserted in a less than fluent manner, punctuating his point with a thumbs-down gesture¡ªclearly implying Han Guang''s team wascking.


    This elicited a swift response from Han Guang''s subordinates, one of whom was poised to retort, until Han Guang intervened. Now was not the time for verbal sparring.


    "Director Feng, kindly arrange for us tomence the test," Han Guang redirected.


    Feng Xuesong nodded, dispatching instructions to Fan Gong. However, to Han Guang''s chagrin, Fan Gong hesitated and voiced a somewhat contradictory sentiment.


    "Director Feng, Taishan''s knives hold their own among domestic brands, but this time we''re dealing with high-temperature alloy parts. I rmend utilizing imported knives rather than domestic ones."


    Han Guang registered a disconcerting pang, mirrored by his subordinates'' faces which now wore discontent. If they hadn''t been in need of assistance, sparks might have flown. It stung that, as a technician, Fan Gong held such low regard for our domestic alloy knives.


    Fortunately, Feng Xuesong stood firm, asserting, "Fan Gong, your assertion is problematic. How can we know if we don''t try? Proceed with the test at once."


    Muttering under his breath, Fan Gong relented. Was it truly necessary to conduct the test? Domestic alloy knives, after all, perenniallygged behind their imported counterparts by at least a grade.


    But Han Guang was undaunted. He recognized this moment as an opportunity to showcase the potential of the ck alloy. "Director Feng, let us not dy. The knives we have forged hold the promise of excellence."


    With unwavering determination, Feng Xuesong granted Han Guang''s request. "Very well, Fan Gong, prepare the tools for the trial."


    Despite Fan Gong''s initial reluctance, the knives crafted from the mysterious ck alloy were carefully assembled, ready to be put to the test. The stage was set for a confrontation of metallurgical prowess between domestic and imported des.


    Amidst the ttering of machinery and the anticipatory hush of onlookers, Han Guang''s heart raced with excitement. The fate of the ck alloy rested on this trial, and he was determined to prove its worth.


    As the first part was positioned for machining, Han Guang''s eyes remained fixed on the tools forged from the ck alloy. The test had begun, and the journey to validate the excellence of this remarkable material was underway.

 Chapter 431 Unscientific !

    <h4>Chapter 431 Unscientific !</h4>


    In the heart of Taishan Industrial Park, a vast expanse of steel and concrete, where the relentless hum of machinery filled the air, a test of cutting tools was unfolding. This event was not merely an examination of the physical tools themselves, but a testament to the prowess of those who wielded them.


    At the forefront of this intriguing disy stood Feng Xuesong, a veteran director at the workshop, known and respected throughout the industry. His position and experience had thrust him into the role of a de facto leader in the realm of machining. Opposite him, a figure no less formidable in his own right, was Fan Gaoyi, a senior technician of impable skill. However, even Fan Gaoyi, for all his expertise, found himself constrained by the imposing shadow cast by Feng Xuesong. Here, in the workshop, Feng Xuesong''s word held sway, and Fan Gaoyi, for all his seniority, dared not defy it.


    The asion at hand was none other than the highly anticipated trial of cutting tools. It was a moment of tension, an embodiment of anticipation, as the tools were about to face a grueling test. Would they live up to the expectations of those who had crafted them? The workshop buzzed with an electrifying undercurrent of excitement.


    What made this particr trial all the more captivating was the arrival of Han Guang and his team, bearing tools that glistened with an unusual and conspicuous ck sheen. The sight of these tools, gleaming ominously in the workshop''s fluorescent lights, drew the attention of all present. Each tool, whether it be a drill bit or a milling cutter de, bore this distinct ebony hue. The arrival of these enigmatic tools piqued the curiosity of Fan Gaoyi, who, for all his industry experience, couldn''t help but be slightly surprised.


    As his eyes lingered on these tools, Fan Gaoyi began to form a hypothesis. He surmised that these tools might very well be a new offering from the esteemed Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group. It was not umon for such groups to introduce innovations and improvements to their product lines, and the allure of a shiny new tool was enough to catch the eye of any technician.


    Yet, for all the intrigue these tools held, Fan Gaoyi remained unshaken in his confidence. He was, after all, a devoted advocate of Shante''s knives, renowned in their own right for their quality and performance. In his mind, the novelty of Taishan''s new product was inconsequential. He had seen his fair share of innovations, but none had managed to surpass the prowess of Shante''s knives.


    The anticipation in the workshop reached its zenith as preparations for the knife test werepleted. The air was thick with anticipation, and every eye was fixed on the impending trial.


    "Get ready to test the knife!" Themand rang out, and the CNC machining center, a behemoth of steel and precision, sprang to life with a mesmerizing blend of fluid motion and mechanical precision. The room fell silent as everyone watched with bated breath, the rhythmic whir of the machinery adding to the sense of anticipation.


    Twenty to thirty minutes psed, each second feeling like an eternity, as the first part was meticulously processed. Then, as abruptly as it had begun, the CNC machining center came to a halt, leaving behind a palpable tension.


    Technicians swarmed around the machine, their movements deliberate and calcted. Their scrutinizing eyes assessed the tools¡ªdrill bits and milling cutter des¡ªand found no issues. They then turned their attention to the processed workpiece, employing measuring tools with a precision born of years of experience.


    A voice finally cut through the silence: "Director Feng, Fan Gong, there''s no problem with the tools, and the parts are wlessly processed." It was a deration that rippled through the workshop, causing ripples of amazement.


    "What!" Fan Gong''s voice betrayed astonishment, and he couldn''t help but cast a skeptical nce toward Han Guangdu and his team. Could it be that there were no problems at all? He wondered, his mind racing to reconcile this revtion with his deep-rooted faith in Shante''s knives.


    However, Fan Gaoyi was no novice in the realm of machining, and he understood the peril of making judgments based solely on the oue of a single part. Despite his skepticism, he held his peace, knowing that aprehensive assessment would require more data.


    Feng Xuesong, a man with a profound understanding of machining, approached the processed parts and the tools themselves. He examined them with a discerning eye, nodding slightly in approval. His experienced hand even reached out to pick up some of the iron filings created during the process, studying them thoughtfully before nodding again.


    To the uninitiated, these iron filings might have appeared as nothing more than waste, but to an experienced technician like Feng Xuesong, they held secrets¡ªclues that hinted at the performance of the tools. His examination was a testament to the depth of knowledge thates only with years of hands-on experience.


    The trial continued with the instation of the second part, and the machinists meticulously set up the tooling. Just as Han Guangdu was about to rmence the process, Fan Gaoyi feltpelled to intervene, to express his reservations about the impending decisions. But before he could voice his concerns, Feng Xuesong raised a hand, effectively silencing any dissent.


    "Fear not, Mr. Han," Feng Xuesong interjected with a knowing look. "If you''re confident in your tools, proceed with 1500 rpm."


    Fan Gaoyi''s objections remained unspoken, as he recognized that Feng Xuesong''s experience and judgment were not to be taken lightly. The earlier inspection of the tools and the processed parts had given Feng Xuesong a measure of confidence in the higher speed, and Fan Gaoyi respected his superior''s decision.


    With the CNC program adjusted ordingly, the machining center resumed its operation. This time, the increased speed introduced a dramatic change to the proceedings. What once took aborious 20 minutes was now achieved in a mere seven or eight, a stark testament to the impact of the higher speed.


    Once again, the center came to a halt, and the protective door swung open, revealing the results of their efforts. The technicians and machinists gathered around, their anticipation palpable.


    "What!" Feng Xuesong''s voice held a hint of surprise. "Mr. Han, your tools appear as pristine as before, not a trace of wear."


    With the processing of multiple parts under their belts, particrly on challenging materials like high-temperature alloys, a tool change would have been expected. But to the astonishment of all present, the tools remained untouched, their surfaces unblemished.


    Han Guang joined the scrutiny, his eyes closely examining the cutting tools and the processed parts. The tools remained as sharp and unyielding as they had been at the start, while the parts themselves disyed no signs of wear or imperfection.


    Suddenly, a realization dawned upon Han Guang. The evidence before him was undeniable¡ªthese ck alloy knives were exceptional in a way that defied conventional understanding.


    With newfound confidence coursing through him, Han Guang boldly suggested, "Director Feng, let''s increase the processing speed to 3000 rpm."


    Feng Xuesong, his earlier hesitations quelled by the mounting evidence, agreed without hesitation. The program was once again modified to amodate


    the higher speed.


    As the third part took its turn in the spotlight, the increased speed brought unprecedented efficiency. What had once taken half an hour toplete was now aplished in a mere three to four minutes. The transformation was nothing short of astonishing, and the workshop was abuzz with amazement.


    Gasps and cheers filled the air as each part was wlessly processed, the efficiency and precision leaving onlookers in awe. A sense of jubtion pervaded the workshop, and more workers and technicians were drawn to witness the spectacle.


    Meanwhile, not far away, the employees of Shante Company were left baffled by themotion emanating from Taishan Knife''s corner of the industrial park.


    "What''s happening with Taishan Knife? Why is there such excitement?" one of them wondered aloud.


    As they observed the scene, shock and disbelief gradually set in. Processing one part in three to four minutes, with no signs of tool wear, seemed utterly inconceivable. Their disbelief deepened with each passing moment.


    Back in their own processing center, one part had taken a grueling 20 minutes toplete, a stark contrast to Taishan Group''s lightning-fast efficiency.


    "Old Chen, what''s troubling you?" a concerned colleague inquired, noticing Chen''s troubled expression.


    Chen sighed deeply, shaking his head. "You wouldn''t believe it," he muttered with a hint of bitterness. "Taishan Group can process one part in just a few minutes. We''re left in the dust."


    Their own cutting tools showed clear signs of wear after processing just a few parts, a stark reminder of the discrepancy in performance. Shante''s pride had been wounded, and their confidence shaken.


    As the trial continued, the relentless efficiency of Taishan Group''s tools and the bewildered expressions of theirpetitors continued to amaze. It was a performance so extraordinary, so unexinable, that it defied the veryws of mechanical science.


    In the world of machining, this was a revolution¡ªa seismic shift in the bnce of power. A battle between titans had begun, one that would reshape the industry and set the stage for a new era of innovation andpetition.

 Chapter 432 Metal work Marvel !

    <h4>Chapter 432 Metal work Marvel !</h4>


    Chen Shen found himself amidst a crowd of onlookers, and a tumultuous and intricate web of emotions weighed down his heart. A profound sigh slipped past his lips as he grappled with the mind-boggling sequence of urrences that had transpired at Taishan Knife. It had struck him with an impact akin to a sledgehammer''s force, an unexpected blow that had left his professional esteem fractured into countless shards scattered amidst the chaos of his thoughts and feelings.


    For more than ten years, Chen Shen has invested the entirety of his professional life in cutting tools. He had been an ardent and steadfast champion of Shante Knives, harbouring an unshakable conviction that they represented the epitome of excellence in the cutting tool domain. This true loyalty, however, was subjected to the most unforeseen and challenging trial, ultimately engendering within him a profound and unsettling sense of disillusionment.


    "Did you see the test situation of the Taishan knife next to it?" Chen Shen couldn''t help but inquire, his voice tinged with disbelief as he sought some semnce of understanding amidst the chaos.


    His colleague, equally perplexed, replied, "I saw it, but I must confess, I really don''t understand what all themotion is about."


    The fact that his ownrades were as bewildered as he was only served to deepen Chen Shen''s sense of bitterness. "That''s what they were celebrating," he uttered, his voiceced with a strange mixture of awe and disappointment. "Their set of knives processed more than a dozen parts in one go at an astounding speed of 3000 rpm. What''s more, the knives showed no signs of wear, and the processed parts emerged unscathed and visually stunning, fully meeting all quality standards."


    The disbelief that swept through the crowd was nothing short of seismic. "This is impossible!" someone eximed incredulously.


    Members of the Shante team, who had prided themselves on their expertise and dedication, stood dumbfounded. For years, they had assumed that if any revolutionary alloy cutting tools were to emerge, they would naturally hail from the Shante brand, not from the Taishan Cutting Tool Group.


    Two foreign representatives from Shante exchanged a wordless nce and cautiously inched closer to Taishan Knife, eager to eavesdrop on the buzz.


    Amidst themotion, the cheers continued as more parts were beautifully processed. "What number is this?" inquired one curious voice.


    "It is already the 21st piece," another voice chimed in, "and the tool has not shown any signs of wear. It appears that there will be no issue processing another 21 parts."


    The sense of disbelief coursing through the onlookers was palpable. "My God, today is truly a day for the history books. A set of alloy tools that can process dozens of parts consecutively, I''ve never seen anything like it," one man marvelled.


    "And to think, these parts are all made of high-temperature alloys, notoriously challenging materials to machine," added another. "The Shante team, positioned nearby, is testing their own knives, but I''ve heard they can only manage four parts with a set of knives before needing to regrind or rece the alloy de."


    "It''s like a dreame true," mused yet another spectator. "When did our domestic alloy knives be this extraordinary?"


    The spectacle drew an ever-growing crowd, both inside and outside the venue, like moths drawn to a mesmerizing me. As the faces of the two Shante representatives darkened, they knew they had been utterly humiliated.


    With faces painted in defeat, the two Shante envoys slunk back to their own camp, delivering the crushing news to their colleagues. The realization that their imported alloy knives had failed catastrophically gnawed at them.


    The sense of humiliation was inescapable. Shante, a brand known for its dedication to craftsmanship, had been blindsided by Taishan''s unprecedented disy. Their only option was an ignominious retreat.


    As the afternoon wore on, the batch of parts underwent CNC drilling and milling, a process that would have taken two to three days elsewhere but waspleted in a mere half-day, thanks to Taishan''s revolutionary tools.


    "This is truly remarkable," one worker marvelled as they examined the beautifully processed parts. "There''s barely any wear and tear on this set of knives."


    "Absolutely amazing," another agreed, nodding in approval. "Today, we''ve witnessed something truly extraordinary."


    In awe of the astonishing performance of Taishan''s tools, the workers and technicians couldn''t contain their admiration. It was as if they were witnessing a technological miracle unfold before their very eyes.


    As the final part was processed and inspected, Feng Xuesong couldn''t hide his satisfaction. "Mr. Han, the wear on the tool is minimal, and there''s no need for any sharpening. We can easily process another 20 to 30 parts without a hitch."


    Han Guang, standing beside him, shared in the jubtion. He knew at that moment that the ck alloy, a gift from Brother Yong, had unlocked a realm of possibilities that would send shockwaves through the foreign tool manufacturing industry. He keenly understood that Shante was poised to dominate the medium and high-end alloy tool market with this revolutionary material.


    The CNC turning process followed, with workers diligently preparing the machine and installing the shiny ck alloy de from Taishan Group. Modifications to the CNC machining program, led by Han Guang and Feng Xuesong, promised even greater efficiency.


    "The turning speed is incredible!" someone eximed in awe.


    "Look at that, at such a high speed, thethe remains perfectly stable, and the sound is barely a whisper," another marvelled.


    Initially, it had taken nearly an hour toplete a part using this process. However, the same task was aplished in a mere 12 minutes with the revised parameters. When the protective door of the machine tool swung open, it revealed a stunning part with a mirror-like surface.


    The experienced eyes of the crowd recognized that such a pristine surface indicated the alloy tool was exceptionally sharp. The awe in the public grew stronger.


    All parts were inspected and found to be of impable quality. The alloy turning tools disyed minimal wear, further astounding the onlookers.


    The next day, Han Guang held aprehensive knife test report in his hand and brought along several samples of alloy knives. His excitement was palpable as he made his way to the Universal Building, eager to share this groundbreaking discovery with the world.

 Chapter 433 Billion Yuan Deal !

    <h4>Chapter 433 Billion Yuan Deal !</h4>


    Universal Building, Office:


    Liu Yong was seated in his roomy office on a busy level of the iconic Universal Building, engaged in a lengthy conversation with his tireless and devoted assistant, Bawang. The main topic of their discussion was the sizable amount of metallic debris scattered about among the remains of a once-grand spacecraft, which led them to consider whether it would be possible to transfer these numerous metallic fragments to a nearby, invitingly shallow coastal expanse.


    With the aid of third-party vision, Liu Yong observed Overlord diligently clearing the wreckage''s gaping hole, surrounded by discarded mud and rocks. This cavernous chasm, spanning over 100 meters in width and standing 70 to 80 meters tall,y fully exposed. Beyond ity an immense warehouse stocked with two distinct types of metal materials.


    Overlord, tirelessly working, had already gathered an astonishing 300,000 to 400,000 tons of grey-ck metal fragments from the vicinity of the hole, ranging from small, tens-of-kilogram-sized pieces to colossal fragments weighing several thousand tons each. These metal fragmentsy neatly arranged on t ground not far from the cavernous opening.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but express his astonishment, remarking, "So many!"


    Overlord replied with a sense of aplishment, "Master, this is the fruit of mybor over several days."


    Liu Yong offered hismendation, "Well done, truly exceptional."


    Curious, Liu Yong contemted relocating these metal fragments to the nearby shallow sea. After consideration, he decided, "Then continue your hard work for a few more days and transport them to the shallow sea."


    Two shallow seas were nearby¡ªone to the northwest and another to the southwest of the spaceship wreckage. Thetter seemed the ideal choice, closer to both the destruction and Huahai City.


    Liu Yong specified, "Move them to the shallow sea in the southwest. I''ll arrange for a ship to transport these metal fragments back."


    Although the spaceship''s massive warehouse housed abundant grey-ck metal fragments, Liu Yong prioritized moving the metal fragments from outside the wreckage first. The jet-ck alloy bars would also be transported eventually. Still, he instructed, "Overlord, apart from these metal fragments, transport a hundred ck alloy rods to the shallow sea. We don''t need too many; just a hundred will suffice."


    Each ck alloy rod weighed over 20 tons, totalling more than 2,000 tons¡ªmore than adequate for their current needs.


    With Bawang''s tasks duly assigned, Liu Yong reached for his phone and began making arrangements. The "Blue Whale" would set sail at the earliest opportunity, followed by four iron ore bulk carriers acting as transport vessels.


    This operation aimed to retrieve 200,000 to 300,000 tons of metal fragments and over 2,000 tons of ck alloys¡ªa haul expected to meet their requirements.


    Shortly after finalizing the arrangements, Han Guang entered the room, brimming with excitement.


    "Brother Yong, thank you, thank you so much!" Han Guang eximed, his gratitude evident.


    Liu Yong sensed the reason behind Han Guang''s tion and inquired, "Has the alloy knife been sessfully crafted?"


    Han Guang eagerly confirmed, "Not only have we sessfully crafted it, but we''ve also conducted a knife test. Here''s the test report. The alloy knife made from this ck alloy surpasses our wildest expectations."


    Han Guang''s vivid description of the knife test had Liu Yong captivated, and his spirits soared. This was indeed excellent news!


    The alloy knives could machine dozens of parts in a single go, exhibiting minimal signs of tool wear. Holding the test report in hand, Liu Yong perused it briefly before remarking, "It seems that this ck alloy is tailor-made for manufacturing alloy knives. It''s the most ideal material we could have hoped for."


    Han Guang affirmed, "Absolutely, there''s no alloy more suited for alloy knives than this."


    Excitedly, he continued, "Brother Yong, with this alloy, our Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group will revolutionize the entire alloy cutting tool industry. Its impact on the manufacturing sector will be monumental."


    Liu Yong shared in the excitement, realizing the transformative potential of this discovery. He mused, "Indeed, the impact will be overwhelmingly positive. With a substantial supply of alloy cutting tools, we may now be able to machine parts previously deemed impossible or too intricate to achieve desired precision."


    Han Guang went on to express his intent to purchase this remarkable alloy, asking for a quote. Liu Yong, aware of the alloy''s actual value, offered a price of 10,000 yuan per kilogram.


    This price initially startled Han Guang, who had never encountered an alloy this expensive. However, he quickly recognized its fairness.


    "Brother Yong, I''ll take 100 tons to start, and we''ll purchase more when we need it," Han Guang decided. This initial order of 100 tons equated to a staggering 1 billion yuan!


    After sealing the deal, Liu Yong revealed that he had over 20 tons of the alloy readily avable at the Universal Special Materials Company. Han Guang was thrilled to hear this, as it would enable them to swiftly produce a substantial number of alloy knives and des, seizing the market.


    Before parting ways, Han Guang sought Liu Yong''s stance on selling the alloy to foreign buyers. However, Liu Yong firmly asserted, "Foreigners may want to buy it, but I won''t sell it to them, no matter the price. I''m in no hurry to share this discovery with them."


    Han Guangughed heartily at this response, relieved that their domestic advantage would remain unchallenged. It would be soon that foreign alloy knife manufacturers faced fiercepetition in the middle and high-end markets.


    Global Scientific Research Center:


    In the Global Scientific Research Center, Hu Nan, apanied by his technical team, had achieved a significant milestone in the development of graphene-aluminium batteries. Their industrial production process was meticulously designed, and there were no remaining technical barriers to mass production.


    Hu Nan, now leading his team, transitioned from sessfully creating the graphene aluminium batteries for mobile phones to developing batteries for automobiles. These batteries varied primarily in size and specifications but adhered to the same fundamental principles, and progress was rapid.


    The first batch of car batteries had already been manufactured, their size resembling small bricks. Observing these promising results, Hu Nan couldn''t help but feel a surge of excitement. He realized that once these batteries hit the market, they would undoubtedly revolutionize the industry, marking the end of the era of traditional fuel-powered vehicles.

 Chapter 434 Game-changing Power !

    <h4>Chapter 434 Game-changing Power !</h4>


    Under the meticulous and expert supervision of Hu Nan, these intricately crafted batteries were subjected to a rigorous battery of tests, where their performance was examined with the utmost scrutiny. The oue of this exhaustive examination proved to be nothing less than awe-inspiring and genuinely remarkable, leaving no room for doubt regarding their exceptional capabilities.


    "Undoubtedly," he asserted, his voice tinged with confidence, "the charging velocity exceeds that of lithium batteries by no less than a staggering factor of a hundred. The true marvel, however, lies in the remarkable energy density."


    As a seasoned expert in this field, Hu Nan was well aware that the most modern automobile batteries on the market today, such as Te''s famed lithium battery packs, had an energy density of roughly 350 watt-hours per kilogram (WH/KG). He predicted that future automotive battery packs would strive for roughly 320 WH/KG.


    "Yet," Hu Nan dered with a spark of excitement, "the car battery we''ve meticulously developed and manufactured shatters these benchmarks, boasting an unprecedented energy density of 2000 WH/KG."


    This astounding result corresponded to six to seven times the energy density of themon lithium batteries avable to customers. A new era appeared to be on the horizon since electric vehicles could theoretically be fully charged at temperatures ranging from 80 to 100 degrees, with an energy consumption of only 8 to 10 degrees per 100 kilometres. In principle, a single charge could power an automobile for a thousand kilometres.


    However, when it came to real-world usage, a more conservative picture emerged. In such scenarios, the vehicle''s range typically spanned from 300 to 500 kilometers, a range that could lead to an extended charging periodsting several hours once the battery had beenpletely drained.


    Hu Nan was acutely aware that graphene-aluminum batteries were poised to disrupt the status quo, effectively marking the end of the internalbustion engine era.


    The scene shifted to the Universal Building, where Huang Guang and Hu Nan, the visionaries behind this groundbreaking technology, eagerly presented their progress on the car battery to Liu Yong, the head of thepany. Gradually, Liu Yong''s initial skepticism transformed into genuine enthusiasm.


    With a satisfied nod, Hu Nan reported, "Boss, our car battery boasts an energy density of 2000 WH/KG, a leap far ahead of the lithium batteries prevalent in the market. It provides a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers, and, astonishingly, can recharge fully in just 20 minutes."


    Upon hearing this impressive update, Liu Yong contemted the prospects. "Why not establish a new energy vehiclepany with this exceptional car battery technology?" he mused aloud.


    Yet, he swiftly reconsidered. China''s new energy vehicle production was rapidly expanding, rendering Universal Enterprise Group''s direct involvement unnecessary. Focusing on car battery production alone would suffice.


    With a warm smile, Liu Yong praised his dedicated team, "Your hard work merits substantial rewards. I propose a bonus of 50 million, and I leave it to the two of you to decide how to allocate it among your team."


    The room buzzed with excitement. Fifty million in rewards! Huang Guang and Hu Nan exchanged nces, mutual understanding gleaming in their eyes. Their Boss, Brother Yong, indeed had grand ambitions.


    ---


    The Global Scientific Research Center''s monumental achievement resonated far and wide: the development of a graphene-aluminum battery for automobiles boasting a staggering energy density of 2000 WH/KG. News of this groundbreaking feat began to ripple through media outlets.


    Headlines eximed:


    - "Graphene-Aluminum Battery for Vehicles Sessfully Developed!"


    - "Shock! Universal Enterprise Group''s Graphene-Aluminum Battery Breaks 2000 WH/KG!"


    - "Goodbye, Fuel Cars!"


    - "The New Car Battery - Graphene-Aluminum with 2000 WH/KG Energy Density - Set to Dominate Future New Energy Vehicles!"


    Reports on graphene-aluminum batteries swiftly ascended the ranks, bing a trending topic within two days.


    Nevertheless, skepticism was rampant. Many believed it to be a scandalous scam, with online discourse echoing such sentiments:


    - "Global Enterprise Group''s Latest Graphene-Aluminum Battery Spection: Hidden Agenda?"


    - "Likely Attempt to Defraud National Funds!"


    - "Can They Truly Develop a Graphene-Aluminum Battery? I Doubt It."


    - "..."


    Approximately 50 to 60 percent of people remained dubious, while another 20 to 30 percent adopted a wait-and-see approach. Only a minority, less than 10 percent, ced their faith in the sessful development of graphene-aluminum batteries.


    Yet, Liu Yong remained unfazed by the online reactions, confident that the truth would soon surface. Real would not be mistaken for fake, and the counterfeit would not stand up to scrutiny. Within a month, mass production of graphene-aluminum batteries for mobile phones wouldmence, dispelling all doubts and revealing the remarkable achievement.


    ---


    In the bustling heart of the city, Liu Yong and Li Changle indulged in some leisurely shopping before settling down for a meal at a renowned Michelin-starred restaurant. Amidst sips of fine wine and gourmet dishes, Li Changle broached the subject.


    "Brother Yong," he inquired, "the inte is inundated with skepticism about the graphene-aluminum batteries. Aren''t you concerned?"


    Liu Yong''s response was lighthearted. "Not at all. In just over a month, our mobile phone graphene-aluminum batteries will be mass-produced, and then the world will see. Global Enterprise Group has no reason to bluff."


    Li Changle persisted, showing a viral video from a prominent Douyin blogger who was questioning their battery''s legitimacy.


    Liu Yong nced at the video with an unconcerned grin. "Ignore him. He''s in for a surprise."


    Liu Yong was steadfast in his belief. The truth would soon reveal itself.


    ---


    At the Hongguang Automobile Group, a well-established domestic car manufacturer known for its affordable mid-to-low-end vehicles, Chairman and General Manager Su Liyan convened a high-level meeting. The topic on everyone''s mind: Universal Enterprise Group''s graphene-aluminum battery for cars.


    As the discussion unfolded, opinions within the room diverged sharply. One executive dismissed the news as incredible, asserting that graphene-aluminum battery technology was still in the theoretical stages. Another executive, however, expressed cautious optimism, citing Qingyun International''s adoption of graphene batteries for mobile phones as evidence.


    Debate raged on, with Su Liyan finally stepping in to restore order. He dered his personal faith in the Global Enterprise Group''s achievement and announced his intention to visit thepany in person to fullyprehend its graphene-aluminum battery technology.


    The announcement took the attendees by surprise, but Su Liyan''s resolve was unwavering. He swiftly made arrangements to visit Huahai City with his assistant and a vice president, eager to witness the innovation firsthand.

 Chapter 435 Money ! Money ! Money !

    <h4>Chapter 435 Money ! Money ! Money !</h4>


    In the heart of the bustling metropolis of Huahai City, there existed a high-end restaurant that exuded an aura of opulence and exclusivity. This establishment was where our story unfolds, within the confines of a private dining room where the city''s most influential figures had gathered.


    Seatedfortably within this enve were Liu Yong, Qiu Yang, and Huang Guang, apanied by a trio from Hongguang Automobile. Among them was Su Liyan, whose enthusiasm for the evening was palpable. "Mr. Liu," he dered with a generous smile, "tonight, I insist on being the host, and no one shall vie for that honor."


    Liu Yong, a man of affable disposition, returned the gesture with a hearty grin. "Thank you, Chairman Su," he acknowledged graciously.


    As the evening progressed with polite exchanges, Su Liyan voiced a particr request: "Mr. Liu, if it''s not too much trouble, I would like to visit the Universal Scientific Research Center after our meal."


    Liu Yong''s response was equally polite yet tinged with regret. "The Global Scientific Research Center, I must rify, currently upies leased office space. Our new research center remains under construction. However, once it''s operational, you are most wee to lead a team for a visit."


    Su Liyan''s enthusiasm was momentarily dampened by this response. Having made the proactive journey to visit, he had harbored a fervent desire to explore the Universal Scientific Research Center. Yet, Liu Yong''s courteous but firm refusal left him somewhat disheartened.


    The party had arrived in Huahai City the previous evening and embarked on a visit to the Universal Enterprise Group the following morning, where Liu Yong himself had received them. After aprehensive morning of discussions, Su Liyan had acquired a preliminary understanding of the graphene-aluminum batteries¡ªa subject that had filled him with excitement and a burning curiosity, fanning his desire to explore the Global Research Center.


    Yet, despite these initial setbacks, Su Liyan''s spirits soon rebounded. Liu Yong, sensing Su Liyan''s unfulfilled wish, offered an alternative. "While visiting the Universal Research Center may not be feasible at the moment," he began, "I can arrange for you to receive some battery samples."


    Su Liyan''s eyes lit up with delight. "Mr. Liu," he eximed joyously, "that''s exceedingly gracious of you. I am immensely grateful."


    He proceeded to express his gratitude repeatedly, the words flowing freely from his heart. With a subtle nod from Liu Yong, Huang Guang personally presented Su Liyan with a handful of battery samples that he had meticulously prepared and brought along.


    Each battery, resembling a petite rectangr brick, weighed approximately 1 kilogram. In Su Liyan''s eyes, however, these were no ordinary batteries; they were treasures of immeasurable value. His fascination with them grew with each passing moment, a sentiment he could scarcely contain.


    In Su Liyan''s view, these batteries were not just power sources but rather the embodiment of limitless possibilities. After a thorough examination, he carefully returned the battery to its designated bag. "Mr. Liu," he said with genuine emotion, "this is undoubtedly the most extraordinary gift I have ever received."


    With the exchange of gifts concluded, the meal progressed with dishes arriving in a steady procession. Su Liyan, raising his wine ss, offered a courteous toast to Liu Yong. The atmosphere at the table brimmed with warmth, and the meal continued for approximately two hours. Post-dinner, Su Liyan and his entourage returned to their hotel, preparing for their afternoon flight.


    Back at Hongguang Automobile Group''s headquarters, Su Liyan wasted no time in delivering the precious batteries to the chief scientist of the new energy vehicle division, requesting an urgent evaluation.


    The results of the testing were nothing short of astonishing and sent shockwaves through Hongguang Automobile''s senior management. The graphene-aluminum batteries not only demonstrated a charging speed one hundred times faster than traditional lithium batteries but also boasted an astonishing energy density of 2000 watt-hours per kilogram.


    The implications of this revtion were profound, as Su Liyan and the rest of the senior management were acutely aware. This breakthrough would fundamentally reshape the entire automotive industry.


    In response, an emergency high-level meeting was convened, and Su Liyan took the floor. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "our findings have been confirmed. Universal Enterprise Group has sessfully developed a graphene-aluminum battery with an astonishing energy density of 2000 watt-hours per kilogram. During my discussions with Mr. Liu, he made it clear that mass production is imminent."


    The news ignited a fervor in the meeting room, with exmations of awe and determination filling the air. ns to secure these groundbreaking batteries began to take shape.


    "This is a game-changer! We must seize this opportunity!"


    "I propose we ce our order immediately and be the first to embrace this technology."


    Su Liyan watched the room''s reaction with satisfaction, his resolve unwavering. After a few minutes, he called for order. "Ladies and gentlemen, let us first maintain ourposure."


    As the room settled into silence, all eyes remained fixed on Su Liyan, eager to hear his next words. Su Liyan announced decisively, "I have resolved to gather funds swiftly, even exploring the possibility of securing loans. Our goal is to ce a substantial order for these batteries."


    The decision was met with unanimous agreement. The momentum to raise funds was initiated immediately, with the added impetus tomence designs for incorporating these batteries into all future vehicles produced by Hongguang Automobile Group.


    With the meeting adjourned, the senior management team sprang into action. The singr focus was on raising the necessary funds, with an eye on bing the first to ce an order. Su Liyan was determined to seize the opportunity without hesitation.


    Just two dayster, Su Liyan returned to Universal Enterprise Group, apanied by a formidable delegation. After hours of negotiation, Hongguang Automobile Group ced a staggering order worth 32 billion yuan, securing their position as a pioneering yer in this groundbreaking technology.


    32 billion yuan¡ªa sum that bespoke their unwavering resolve and financial clout. Su Liyan had demonstrated exceptional courage and ambition.


    Having seen Su Liyan''s audacious move, Wei Desheng, President of Geely Automobile Group, was taken aback. He had been cautiously observing the development of graphene-aluminum batteries from a distance, never expecting that Hongguang Automobile''s Su Liyan would take such bold action, cing an order worth 32 billion yuan.


    Recovering from the initial shock, Wei Desheng immediately issued a directive. "Book a flight to Universal Enterprise Group immediately," he instructed, a note of urgency in his voice.


    "Understood, we''ll make the arrangements," his subordinate responded promptly.


    Wei Desheng then turned to the vice president in charge of finance. "Determine the maximum funds we can ess," he urged.


    The vice president, well-versed in thepany''s financial standing, replied promptly, "Mr. President, we can secure up to 20 billion yuan."


    Wei Desheng''s determination was unwavering. "That won''t suffice. We must outdo Hongguang Enterprise Group. Find a way to raise more than 35 billion yuan."


    And so, Geely Auto embarked on its own campaign to secure funds, emting Hongguang Automobile''s strategy of raising funds with an unwavering determination to lead the race. In a


    matter of days, they too would enter the elite circle of graphene-aluminum battery pioneers.

 Chapter 436 Salvaging Riches

    <h4>Chapter 436 Salvaging Riches</h4>


    In the midst of a world abuzz with astonishing news, the atmosphere was electrified by a remarkable development. The exmation, "Shock! Another big order!" echoed through the air, setting the stage for an extraordinary sequence of events.


    In the world of industry, the headlines red, "Congrattions to Geely Automobile for ordering graphene-aluminum batteries with a total value of 35 billion yuan!" The mere utterance of this news sent shockwaves through the businessmunity. The emergence of graphene-aluminum batteries had proven to be a game-changer, with not one but two colossal orders in quick session.


    News of this magnitude reverberated across every conceivable tform - the inte, newspapers, and television. A tidal wave of reports and articles inundated the public domain, casting a spotlight on this technological marvel. The phrase "graphene-aluminum batteries" became a household name as it surged to the top of the trending charts.


    Curiosity and awe sparked conversations around the world. "What''s going on here," people wondered aloud, "Hongguang Automobile ordered 32 billion, Geely Auto ordered 35 billion!" Skeptics were forced to reconsider their doubts, acknowledging that the graphene-aluminum battery was, in fact, a groundbreaking innovation.


    "Universal Enterprise Group is so awesome," some mused in admiration, "it actually produced such a heaven-defying battery." Silence followed, as if to punctuate the collective awe.


    As the days passed, more and more people ced their faith in graphene-aluminum batteries. Even the most ardent skeptics, who had once used the technology of being mere hype, found themselves swiftly changing their tune. Public opinion on the inte underwent a dramatic transformation. Skepticism and doubt were supnted by confidence and celebration, heralding the birth of the graphene-aluminum battery era.


    Even prominent inte personalities and bloggers, often known for their criticism, found themselves at a crossroads. They no longer tore apart graphene-aluminum batteries with their words. Instead, they either adopted an ostrich-like approach, burying their skepticism, or took the humble path of admitting their previous misjudgments.


    Within a mere two days, following the footsteps of Hongguang Automobile and Geely Automobile, another domestic automaker entered the fray with a staggering order of 40 billion batteries. Three momentous orders in session, and the trajectory was on a steady ascent.


    32 billion!


    35 billion!


    40 billion!


    Qiu Yang and his associates could hardly believe their fortune. With orders pouring in at an unprecedented scale, their business soared to unimaginable heights, all before the products had even hit mass production.


    In the western suburbs of Huahai City, within a sprawling industrial park, the construction of Global New Energy Group''s No. 2 factorymenced with astounding efficiency. Spanning an expansive area exceeding 500 acres, this factory was poised to be a production powerhouse, churning out 12 million car batteries and 3 million mobile phone batteries per month.


    Liu Yong, the mastermind behind these ventures, had grander designs in mind. Following this factory''s inauguration, his blueprint called for two more factories to be built, a testament to his unwaveringmitment to the graphene-aluminum battery revolution.


    Meanwhile, in the North Pacific Ocean, a fleet led by the mighty vessel known as the "Blue Whale" embarked on a mission of great significance. Comprising a total of five colossal ships, they navigated to a shallow sea, a location shrouded in intrigue.


    As the "Blue Whale" reached its destination, preparations began for a submersible descent, a critical phase in their quest. Within a mere hour, their efforts bore fruit as they stumbled upon a trove of metal fragments and mysterious ck rods, meticulously arranged on the seabed.


    "Report to the captain," came a swiftmunication, "we''ve found the target."


    Captain Ren Ziquan wasted no time, hastily approaching the screen disying images transmitted from the submersible. His keen eye confirmed what they had hoped for.


    "Yes," he dered with conviction, "this is precisely what we''ve been seeking. The Blue Whale shall anchor, ready to initiate salvage operations."


    Amidst the vast expanse of metal fragments beneath them, the water''s depth here reached a mere 30 to 40 meters, and the rity of the sea allowed for a smooth salvage operation. The "Blue Whale" moved gracefully, efficiently hoisting numerous gray-ck metal fragments from the depths of the ocean.


    Little did the crew know, a mere few hundred meters away, a curious observer named Bawang silently watched the proceedings beneath the waves. "Master, salvage operations have begun," Bawangmunicated telepathically, prompting Liu Yong to engage his third-party field of vision.


    Through this unique vantage point, Liu Yong witnessed the "Blue Whale" in action, stationed beside the "Shiwang," a massive iron ore bulk carrier with a tonnage exceeding 100,000. What was once a cargo vessel now became a vessel for their prized cargo.


    Gray metal fragments of various sizes were systematically retrieved and loaded onto the open cargo hold of the "Shiwang." It was a sight to behold, a triumph of engineering and ambition.


    In this covert operation, a staggering 200,000 tons of gray-ck metal fragments, including a coveted cache of 100 ck alloy rods, were sessfully salvaged. These precious materials, with immense implications, were destined for Huahai City, where Universal Special Materials Company would unlock their potential.


    Liu Yong remained vignt for roughly 20 to 30 minutes, ensuring that the operation proceeded without a hitch. Satisfied with the progress, he disengaged his third-party vision, pondering the next steps in this grand undertaking.


    Elsewhere, in the mysterious depths of Country M, at the heart of the enigmatic ck Iron Company, President Sherman received a disconcerting report from a concerned subordinate. "Your Excellency President," the subordinate began, "a fleet of fiverge ships, including the ''Blue Whale'' from Universal Enterprise Group, has arrived in that designated sea area and is actively engaged in salvage operations."


    Sherman''s visage darkened at the news. His frustration was palpable, for the Universal Enterprise Group was poised to im the very treasures he had coveted for so long. "What should we do?" his subordinate inquired hesitantly, "Should we simply watch as they make off with our prize?"


    Sherman''s frustration was matched only by his sense of helplessness. He sighed softly, as if the weight of the situation bore down on him. The question lingered: What indeed could be done?


    Having previously dispatched ships for simr salvage efforts, Sherman had been met with inexplicable disasters. The ships sent to retrieve the precious cargo had met untimely fates, and the reasons remained shrouded in mystery. Thus, sending another ship seemed unwise.


    However, Sherman''s countenance brightened as a thought urred to him. "What if," he pondered aloud, "we reported this situation to the military? They could deploy a fleet to safeguard our interests."


    The idea seemed to breathe new life into Sherman''s resolve. The ck Iron Company enjoyed a favorable rtionship with the military, having supplied them with invaluable materials for years. Moreover, the military held a vested interest in the enigmatic gray-ck metal. With some strategic persuasion, they could be convinced to send warships to protect thepany''s interests.


    In that moment, Sherman was reinvigorated, seizing his phone to dial a number that could set


    a chain of events in motion.


    As the "Blue Whale" continued its relentless work, three days psed, and more than 200,000 tons of gray-ck metal fragments were retrieved from the ocean''s depths. Among the haul were 100 ck alloy rods, treasures of immense value and potential.


    Captain Ren Ziquan decided it was time to ensure that all possible fragments had been salvaged. The submersibles were dispatched once more to search the seabed, but their efforts yielded no additional findings.


    "Captain," reported one of the crew members, "I can confirm that we''ve salvaged everything."


    Ren Ziquan nodded in satisfaction. "Set sail," hemanded, "we shall depart and rendezvous with our four cargo ships before returning to Huahai City."


    As the "Blue Whale" began its departure, a crew member hurried over, bearing unsettling news. "Captain," he announced, "we''ve spotted a fleet approaching from the northeast. They are heading in our direction."


    Ren Ziquan''s heart sank at the revtion. The presence of an iing fleet in this remote locale was disconcerting. Far removed from international waterways, this area rarely saw any vessels, let alone an entire fleet.


    "Can you identify the country of origin?" Ren Ziquan inquired, his voice betraying a hint of apprehension. "And how many warships have they dispatched?"


    "The distance is still considerable," the crew member replied, "but we can confirm that there are seven warships in the fleet."


    Seven warships. The realization sent a ripple of concern through Ren Ziquan, though he maintained an outward facade ofposure. He gestured for his crew to monitor the approaching fleet closely while the "Blue Whale" continued its journey.


    Meanwhile, unbeknownst to all but a select few, Liu Yong remained vignt beneath the waves. Through the eyes of his loyalpanion, Bawang, he observed the unfolding drama with keen interest, all while the distance between the "Blue Whale" and the approaching fleet steadily decreased.

 Chapter 437 10..9..8..7........

    <h4>Chapter 437 10..9..8..7........</h4>


    The approaching fleet was relentless in its pursuit, steadily closing the gap from a dozen nautical miles down to a mere three or four. The urgency of the situation was palpable as the crew aboard the vessel, helmed by Captain Ren Ziquan, watched the approaching ships through telescopic lenses. The unmistakable g of country M waved boldly in the ocean breeze.


    Ren Ziquan''s voice pierced the tension like a rion call, his urgency evident as he bellowed, "Full throttle, increase the horsepower! Hurry, hurry!" The value of the cargo, more than 200,000 tons of grey-ck metal fragments, was not lost on him. The people of country M harbored envy, and the possibility of them dispatching a fleet was very real.


    With the "Blue Whale" at the forefront, the five vessels of the Global Enterprise Group surged forward, their engines straining to their limits, leaving the perilous sea behind.


    After some time had passed, the first mate of the "Blue Whale" chimed in, surprise coloring his voice, "Captain, it seems they haven''t caught up."


    Ren Ziquan peered through binocrs, his tense demeanor rxing as he observed the country M fleet. They weren''t in pursuit but were instead converging upon the location where the "Blue Whale" had salvaged the grey-ck metal fragments earlier. What could they possibly be doing there?


    Ren Ziquan''s mind swirled with conjecture as he continued to monitor the M country warships with his telescope. It dawned on him that perhaps they aimed to inspect the area in the hopes of finding more fragments on the seabed. The possibility loomedrge.


    As the distance between the two groups grew, the "Blue Whale" eventually left that sector of the sea, and Ren Ziquan finally lowered his binocrs, his tension ebbing away. The M country warships had not pursued them, and he breathed a sigh of relief.


    The M country warships, meanwhile, had initially been the closest to the region and had been dispatched to investigate the shallow sea for a substantial amount of metal fragments. Both the ck Iron Company and the military of country M coveted this grey-ck metal intensely.


    Upon arriving in the area, they swiftly deployed submersibles and sent out frogmen tomence their search.


    The following day, after over ten hours of sailing and covering a distance of over 200 kilometers, the "Blue Whale" and itspanions felt safe in their escape. Ren Ziquan enjoyed the early morning serenity, witnessing the sun rise gracefully over the eastern horizon, casting a radiant glow across the sea. He began his day with exercise and a hearty meal.


    However, in the morning, unsettling news arrived. "Captain, we spotted the M country fleet again yesterday, and they are tailing us."


    Ren Ziquan''s initial calm was shattered. "What?!" He eximed, his sense of security rapidly crumbling.


    Without hesitation, he grabbed his binocrs and peered intently through the captain''s cabin window. The grim reality became evident ¨C the M country fleet was indeed following them, and their numbers seemed to have grown.


    Ren Ziquan immediately picked up the microphone and issued amanding deration, "Attention, attention! The M country fleet is tailing us. Everyone, stay at your posts, and remainposed."


    After reassuring his crew, Ren Ziquan reached for the satellite phone to ry the situation to thepany.


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong, thepany''s head, was astounded by the turn of events. He understood that some would covet the colossal haul of grey-ck metal, but the unexpected pursuer being the navy of country M took him by surprise. Their seven formidable warships were a significant force to reckon with.


    Liu Yong promptly dispatched Bawang, another vessel from their fleet, to hasten and join forces with the "Blue Whale."


    Out on the ocean, the M country fleet and the Global Shipping Group convoy drew closer, with the gap shrinking to a mere two or three nautical miles. A crew member voiced his unease, "Captain, it seems they are attempting to outnk us."


    Ren Ziquan, his expression growing graver by the second, nodded in agreement. He had discerned that the previously linear formation of the M country fleet had now broken into a nking maneuver.


    Their speed far exceeded that of the "Blue Whale" and itspanions, clocking over 30 knotspared to their 27 or 28 knots at best. Thergest vessel among them was likely a 10,000-ton guided missile destroyer or cruiser, a gship of the Pacific Fleet of country M.


    Commodore Wardhouse Lyell of the M countrymanded this warship and had been tasked with detaining these vessels under a suitable pretext. The challenge was to concoct a legitimate justification that would stand up to scrutiny, considering the prominence of the Universal Enterprise Group and the delicate geopolitical situation.


    "We need a valid reason, gentlemen," Wodehouse Lyle stated firmly, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the moral high ground in the public eye.


    A colonel suggested a covert approach, "What if we let the Cairns submarine quietly surface to periscope depth and stage a maritime collision?"


    Wodehouse Lyle''s approval came swiftly, followed by orders to the Cairns submarine. The conventionally powered sub had stealthily positioned itself ahead of the "Blue Whale," hovering just a few dozen meters below the surface.


    Unbeknownst to the "Blue Whale" crew, a periscope had breached the waterline and was now scanning the horizon. In the M country submarine, officers and sailors stood ready, a countdown ringing through the confined chamber.


    "Bump on timing," theymunicated.


    "10, 9, 8, 7..."


    Onboard the "Blue Whale," oblivious to the impending danger, the crew carried on at their 27 or 28 knots, maintaining their course.


    Then, suddenly, a resounding impact jolted the vessel. The chief engineer eximed in shock, "We seem to have hit something."


    Ren Ziquan, too, felt the jarring collision, causing the "Blue Whale" to sway momentarily. "Reduce speed; something isn''t right!"


    Considering that the ocean floor''s depth in this region exceeded two or three thousand meters, encounters with obstacles were exceedingly rare. Yet, they had unmistakably struck something.


    "Look, Captain!" a crew member pointed excitedly.


    Ren Ziquan''s gaze followed the direction and, through the captain''s cabin window, he saw a nearby warship. It appeared to be signaling towards them.


    "Captain, we are surrounded, and they''re ordering us to halt the ship," another crew member reported urgently.


    With little choice left, Ren Ziquan resignedlymanded, "Halt the ship."


    Facing seven well-armed warships, there was no room for a daring escape. The "Blue Whale" came to a stop, followed by the other four vessels in their convoy.


    It was at this point that a crew member eximed, "Captain, it seems we collided with that submarine just now."


    Indeed, a country M submarine had surfaced, its periscope mangled, and its hull showing signs of damage.

 Chapter 438 Warships vs. Overlord

    <h4>Chapter 438 Warships vs. Overlord</h4>


    Ren Ziquan stood upon the deck of his vessel, his eyes wide with disbelief, his jaw agape. A stunned hush fell over him, a deafening silence that encapsted the profound shock that had gripped his soul. The scene before him was nothing short of astonishing¡ªa collision, a sh of steel and water, had brought his world to a screeching halt.


    In a voice quivering with disbelief, he murmured, "My God, just moments ago, we unwittingly collided with a submarine of country M. And the repairs for this ident will take at least half a year toplete."


    The air around him was thick with trepidation, a palpable fear that had spread like wildfire among the crew. The realization dawned on them¡ªtheir vessel hade into contact with a submarine from country M, an entity of maritime might so formidable that even the boldest of souls dared not challenge its supremacy.


    A hush descended upon the deck, broken only by anxious whispers. The submarine, a vessel of shadowy menace, rested nearby, bearing the scars of the recent collision. It was a chilling reminder of the power and prowess of country M''s navy. In the present globalndscape, their naval dominance was immutable, casting a long, ominous shadow over all who dared cross their path.


    Yet, a different sentiment prevailed on thergest guided missile cruiser under country M''s g. Captain Warehouse Lyell stood, poised and triumphant, a telescope in his grip. His eyes, keen and unwavering eyes, peered at the slightly battered submarine, then shifted toward the colossal leviathan that was the "Blue Whale," now idling nearby.


    A gleam of triumph danced in Warehouse Lyell''s eyes as he surveyed the scene before him. He adjusted the focus of his telescope, locking onto the other cargo vessels that the incident had detained. His joy was unmistakable, for whaty aboard those ships held the promise of untold wealth.


    Through the binocr lens, he scrutinized the cargo holds of those vessels, and his pulse quickened as he beheld the glint of grey-ck metal fragments. These were not just ordinary alloys; they were treasures coveted by all. Their potential was self-evident when used in cutting-edge weaponry and advanced military equipment like the F35 and B2. These fragments could tip the scales of power and redefine the bnce of forces on a global scale.


    "Welbeck," Wardhouse Lyell spoke, his voice tinged with admiration as he addressed the naval captain who had orchestrated this audacious n. "You, my friend, are a true genius. Your idea to orchestrate this seemingly idental collision with the ''Blue Whale,'' leading to the detainment of not only it but four other ships, is nothing short of brilliance."


    His gaze of approval settled upon Welbeck, the mastermind behind this intricate web of deceit.


    Standing with an air of calctedposure, Welbeck acknowledged the captain''s praise. It had been his stratagem to employ a submarine to trigger a confrontation with the "Blue Whale," thus providing a pretext to detain the enormous cargo vessel and the four apanying ships.


    Returning his gaze to the binocrs, Wardhouse Lyell issued rapid orders, his face illuminated with urgency. "Sound the call, prepare themandos andunch the helicopters."


    Their modus operandi was clear¡ªa show of force, followed by themandos descending from helicopters to board the detained vessels forcefully.


    Meanwhile, the naval forces of country M red warnings through loudspeakers, demandingpliance with their investigation. Yet, this investigation was a smokescreen, a pretext designed to camouge their true intention¡ªhijacking the cargo and taking control of the ships.


    "Captain, what are we to do?" a crew member queried, his voice trembling with fear.


    Surrounded by seven imposing warships from country M, the situation appeared dire, and a veritable nightmare came to life. Panic and apprehension gripped many among the crew.


    In stark contrast, Ren Ziquan retained a veneer of stoic calmness as he addressed his anxiousrades. "Everyone, stayposed, fear not. Allow me to reach out to Mr. Liu."


    Liu Yong, the mastermind and financial backer of their operation, had imparted a direct line ofmunication for just such emergencies.


    Ren Ziquan raised a satellite phone to his ear, his voice steady as he summarized the unfolding situation. Although outwardly calm, he could not entirely suppress the tremor of anxiety gnawing at his core. They were confronting a formidable fleet from country M, a daunting adversary for any nation, let alone a group of ordinary individuals, however well-supported by the Global Shipping Group.


    Liu Yong, attuned to the urgency of the situation, offered reassurance. "Stay calm, all of you. Even in the face of country M''s navy, they shall not bring harm to you."


    Ren Ziquan found sce in the unwavering confidence of his boss. He recollected instances from the past when, in moments of peril, the vessels of their adversaries had inexplicably met their watery demise. Could it be that this time, too, they would witness the miraculous turn of events that had saved them before?


    Bolstered by his boss''s unshakable assurance, Ren Ziquan''s anxiety dissipated. He rallied the crew with newfound hope, assuring them there was no cause for panic and that a miracle would unfold.


    Even some of the more seasoned crew members, who had witnessed the sinking of their adversaries'' vessels on previous asions, joined in his optimism. This time, they believed, would be no different.


    Meanwhile, the warships from country M continued their barrage of warnings and threats, oblivious to the formidable force racing to the scene.


    Momentster, Liu Yong, monitoring the situation through a third-party perspective, observed the encirclement of his five ships by seven imposing warships from country M. Nearby, a damaged M Army submarine had surfaced.


    Overlord, Liu Yong''s stalwart ally, brimmed with eagerness. "Master, which ship shall we sink first?"


    Liu Yong, keenly assessing the unfolding scenario, made a swift determination. "We shall begin with the submarine; it poses the most immediate threat to us. Then, we shall target thergest warship¡ªideally, their gship. Speed is of the essence."


    Faced with the daunting prospect of seven modern warships armed with advanced weaponry, even the mighty Overlord, weighing over 1,000 tons, acknowledged the gravity of the challenge. Liu Yong recognized the wisdom of neutralizing the most potent threats first.


    Seven warships loomed on the horizon. Overlord, brimming with anticipation, yearned to demonstrate its formidable power by sinking them all.


    "Overlord, prioritize safety, and elerate!" Liu Yongmanded.


    "Understood, Master," replied Overlord, brandishing its 200-ton spear as it advanced toward the submarine. With unparalleled might, it thrust the spear with relentless force, creating an earth-shattering explosion.


    The crew experienced a sudden jolt within the submarine, a disorienting tremor that left them bewildered. Before they could fathom the cause, another roar echoed through their vessel, sending shockwaves through their ranks.


    Their eyes widened in horror as they beheld an enormous, pointed steel cylinder breaching the exterior of their submarine. It was swiftly retracted, leaving a gaping maw through which seawater surged relentlessly.


    Panic and chaos reigned within the confines of the submarine as crew members grappled with the inexplicable turn of events.

 Chapter 439 To the Skies !

    <h4>Chapter 439 To the Skies !</h4>


    The dangerous dance of destruction unfolded in the ocean''s abyss. Amidst the inky ckness of the deep sea, chaos and panic reigned supreme.


    Upon regaining his senses, the sailor aboard the M Army submarine uttered a visceral cry of disbelief. Horror gnawed at his core as heprehended the dire situation around him. With adrenaline coursing through his veins, he made a frantic dash for survival, every muscle in his body propelling him forward in desperation.


    Behind him, an unforgiving torrent of seawater surged, indifferent to the turmoil it caused. There were no signs of mercy, no indication of reprieve; it was an unrelenting deluge that engulfed him in an instant.


    As he struggled, a voice cut through the chaos, offering reassurance. "Bawang, it''s ok, the next one ising!" Liu Yong''s words were a thin thread of sce amidst the turmoil. He witnessed the Overlord''s relentless assault, seeing it pierce through the submarine''s hull with three colossal breaches. It seemed more than sufficient to him¡ªa harbinger of the submarine''s imminent descent into the abyss.


    The submarine would be fully submerged in mere moments, perhaps three to five minutes at most, a metallic tomb imed by the sea''s unforgiving grasp.


    With swiftness akin to a shadow, Bawang departed, its mission far fromplete. It swiftly arrived beneath a colossal 10,000-ton missile cruiser, recognizing the urgency of its task. Time was amodity in short supply, and the Overlord knew it needed to puncture as many warships as possible before the forces of country M could respond.


    The Overlord had no time for remorse or concern for the stricken submarine it left in its wake. Instead, it wielded a colossal spear weighing over 200 tons, thrusting it against the warship''s underbelly with all its might.


    The impact was titanic¡ªa resounding "Boom!" reverberated through the cruiser''s hull as the gargantuan spear prated more than ten meters deep. Overlord could feel it, the sensation of breaching multipleyers.


    Without hesitation, it withdrew the colossal weapon, repeating the process with a second and then a third strike. Bawang was no glutton; it required no reminders from Liu Yong. Five colossal breaches adorned the cruiser''s underbelly, and the Overlord''s work there was done.


    The story, however, did not end there. Bawang hastened away, soon finding itself beneath a formidable Arleigh Burke-ss guided-missile destroyer¡ªa vessel of great expense and technological prowess, representing the pinnacle of country M''s naval power.


    Expensive or not, Overlord cared not. It brandished its massive spear and drove it home with a resounding impact, breaching the destroyer''s hull multiple times.


    Meanwhile, aboard the 10,000-ton missile cruiser, Wardhouse Lear examined the situation with a keen eye. Time was of the essence, and he knew that soon, he could issue orders to deploymandos via helicopter to board the "Blue Whale" and secure it.


    Suddenly, a tremor coursed through the cruiser, apanied by an ominous, muffled sound from beneath the ship. An expression of dread overtook his features.


    "No, this can''t be happening!" Wardhouse Lear''s voice wavered with anxiety. As a brigadier general, he knew of the ominous signs preceding shipwrecks¡ªmuffled sounds from the vessel''s underbelly heralding a swift and catastrophic demise.


    Could their ship befall the same fate? Another ominous "Boom!" echoed from below, plunging him further into unease.


    He urgently cried out, "Something''s beneath our ship! Something''s beneath our ship!"


    Others onboard shared his shock, though some couldn''t fathom the nature of the unseen threat lurking beneath their vessel.


    Another resounding "Boom!" emanated from the depths, and Warehouse Lear''splexion paled further. Seeing that his crew remained unresponsive, frustration welled within him. "Orders! Activate the emergency generator, hurry!" he implored.


    Finally, the crew sprang into action, attempting to engage the active sonar. Yet, their hopes were dashed as one crew member reported, "Our active sonar is malfunctioning and cannot be used."


    Misfortune seemed their constantpanion. Bawang''s earlier attacks had left their mark, crippling their active sonar system.


    Turning off their active sonar sent tremors of dread rippling through the crew. Wodehouse Lear thundered, "Release the depth charges! Deploy them all!"


    With conviction, he believed Something lurked beneath them, an enigma waiting to unleash havoc. Though the nature of this unseen menace eluded them, it was clear that swift action was imperative.


    Crew members scrambled to ce depth charges, a tangible response to their unseen adversary. During their frantic efforts, another dire report echoed through the cruiser: "Our ship is flooding! Seawater is pouring in!"


    Panic gripped the crew as they grappled with the harrowing reality. Was their ship destined to share the same watery fate as those they had engaged in battle? A cacophony of "Boom, boom, boom" resounded from below, drowning their thoughts in uncertainty.


    In the chaos that ensued, Wardhouse Lear made a fateful decision. He dashed for the lifeboats, intent on escaping the ship''s precarious predicament.


    Meanwhile, aboard the "Blue Whale," the crew''s astonishment reached its zenith. What could the M country warship be doing? It appeared as though they were dropping explosives into the ocean depths.


    Ren Ziquan, observing through his telescope, grinned with relief. "Haha, if I''m not mistaken, their warship is sinking, and they''re taking to the skies!"


    Could it be true? Could such a colossal warship indeed be meeting its watery grave?


    The "Blue Whale" crew members and other nearby ships cheered. Hope dawned in their hearts, buoyed by the sight of the beleaguered M country warship.


    However, curiosity lingered regarding the submarine that had been lurking nearby.


    It was sinking rapidly. A significant portion had already descended, and even the exit was perilously close to being submerged. Only a handful of submariners struggled to escape through the narrowing gap, their survival hanging by a thread.


    Ren Ziquan surveyed the scene and made a swift decision. "Full speed ahead! Let''s leave this ce behind."


    Seizing the opportunity amidst the chaos, the M country warships needed more time and the inclination to pursue it. Escape was paramount, and escape they did.


    Beneath the unforgiving sea, Bawang continued its relentless mission. Having punctured several Arleigh Burke-ss destroyers and witnessed their descent into the abyss, the Overlord received a directive from Liu Yong.


    "Proceed to the one on your right, approximately 400 meters away, and send it to the depths," Liu Yong urged.


    Liu Yong had a particr penchant for targeting country M''s fleet''s most advanced and expensive vessels. It was as if he sought to strike at the heart of their naval power.


    Following Liu Yong''s guidance, the Overlord swam with purpose, poised to carry out its next ruthless assault...

 Chapter 440 Breaking Through the Sky !

    440 Breaking Through the Sky !


    Bawang had stealthily approached beneath the imposing warship, its presence masked by the eerie stillness that had settled in the aftermath of a series of thunderous explosions triggered by depth charges. Not every vessel boasted the capability to unleash these underwater shockwaves; only the mightiest of warships, those colossal guided missile cruisers, bore the ominous burden.


    The Overlord, standing tall and resolute, grasped a colossal spear, poised to strike at the underbelly of the ship.


    "Boom!"


    A deep, resonant reverberation echoed from the watery depths below, sending tremors rippling through the vessel. Its upants, now acutely aware of a lurking menace, felt a shiver coursing through their collective spine, the faint yet ominous sounds emanating from beneath the surface only amplifying their unease.


    "We''ve got something beneath our boat!"


    "Oh, dear Lord! It''s under our warship!"


    Panic rippled through the crew, their apprehension almost tangible as they teetered on the edge of sheer terror. It was evident that they were the fourth in a line of warships to be targeted, well aware of the dire consequences that awaited them¡ªa series of muffled explosions and gaping, ruinous breaches in their hull, ultimately dooming their vessel to the abyssal depths.


    Meanwhile, the other three warships remained unscathed, for the Overlord had not yet had the chance to inflict its wrath upon them. The threat from the submerged predator prompted them to activate their anti-submarine sonar systems, swiftly detecting the enigmatic Overlord.


    "Look, there''s something down there!"


    "By the heavens, it''s massive, at least a hundred meters long!"


    The discovery of the Overlord''s presence sent shockwaves through their ranks, spection running rampant that it was a novel and advanced weapon¡ªa mysterious entity beyond theirprehension.


    "Lock onto the target and fire the torpedoes!"


    "No, it''s directly under the ''Roton.'' Firing torpedoes now would inflict massive damage to our own vessel."


    "So, what''s our move then?"


    A hushed silence hung in the air, a palpable helplessness pervading themand center. The crew collectively understood that the ''Roton'' was most likely doomed, destined to descend into the abyss in due time.


    Bawang, meanwhile, had deftly bored seven or eight formidable holes into the ship''s belly, then paused, spear poised for the next assault.


    "Master, which warship shall be our next target?" inquired Liu Yong.


    "There are still three warships left. You have the freedom to choose. Sink them all as swiftly as possible," Liu Yong replied.


    The Overlord exulted at the prospect of unbridled freedom, leaving the current warship behind with its colossal spear in hand, swiftly making its way towards another vessel.


    But then, a sudden alert!


    Within the vast expanse of its superhuman perception, two entities hurtled toward it at a breakneck pace, their velocity easily exceeding sixty or seventy knots.


    Liu Yong, equally vignt, cautioned, "Overlord, those are torpedoes, and they''re formidable. Dodge them quickly!"


    The dreaded scenario had materialized¡ªthe adversary hadunched torpedoes against the Overlord underwater, a precautionary double salvo, no less. Fortunately, it was the Overlord, agile and fleet-footed, capable of evading danger at such close quarters.


    The Overlord''s ingenuity came into y. In response to the twin torpedoes'' relentless pursuit, it swiftly changed course, setting a collision course for another warship nearby.


    A fateful misfortune unfolded¡ªthe torpedoes, racing at 60 to 70 knots, couldn''t match the Overlord''s agility. It tugged the relentless pursuers along, then swiftly darted beneath the adjacent warship.


    These two torpedoes, being far less nimble, couldn''t follow suit and instead met their mark, mming into the warship with pinpoint uracy.


    "Boom, boom!"


    The deafening reverberations filled the air as the warship endured the brutal impact, yielding to a cacophonous explosion and a colossal plume of seawater.


    It was a sight to behold, and Liu Yong couldn''t help but secretlymend the Overlord''s astuteness.


    Now free from immediate danger, the Overlord ventured beneath thest remaining warship.


    "It was you who fired those torpedoes earlier. Allow me to repay the favor, though I believe a dozen holes should suffice."


    The Overlord wielded its colossal spear once more, piercing the ship''s underbelly repeatedly, a relentless onught that left no quarter.


    As Bawang vented its fury, puncturing a score of massive holes within minutes, Liu Yong watched, unruffled.


    With only one warship left, there was no room for doubt¡ªthe inevitable was now a mere formality. The Overlord could afford to take its time, quite unlike the urgency of its initial assault.


    After delivering over a dozen crippling blows, the Overlord ceased its relentless barrage and glided beneath thest warship, repeating the onught.


    The deed was done.


    Bawang retreated to a safe distance, ensuring a buffer of at least 500 meters from the stricken warships. The farthest of the vessels nowy over a kilometer distant.


    Submerged to a depth of tens of meters, the Overlord observed the warships, their gradual descent into the abyss, with satisfaction.


    The "Blue Whale" had long departed, now several nautical miles away.


    tion reigned among the crew, their cheers resonating through the sea-sprayed air as they witnessed the warships'' inexorable descent.


    The ships gradually receded from view, and the crew''s attention shifted forward, no longer looking back.


    Liu Yong, too, remained transfixed, his gaze unwavering as he watched the M country warships disappear beneath the waves.


    His thoughts meandered, reflecting upon the seven warships and one submarine now resting on the ocean floor¡ªthe 10,000-ton guided missile cruiser and the costly Burke-ss guided missile destroyer included. The losses suffered by the U.S. Navy were substantial; what retaliatory measures would they undertake?


    Liu Yong contemted potential consequences and devised contingency ns. While others might fret or tremble, he remained eerilyposed.


    How would the M country react?


    Answers came swiftly, within a few short hours. The U.S. Navy convened a press conference, unveiling to the world the grim tidings¡ªseven warships and a submarine had met their demise in the North Pacific Ocean, iming the lives of over a thousand sailors. The spokesman''s somber tone underscored the magnitude of the tragedy,beling it the U.S. Navy''s gravest loss since World War II.


    At the press conference, reporters erupted in fervor. Their excitement was palpable as they transcribed the unfolding narrative, scrambling to release the breaking news.


    This was colossal news, an unequivocal sensation!


    However, what sent them into a frenzy was the spokesman''s audacious assertion that the Universal Enterprise Group was linked to the sinking of the seven warships and one submarine.


    Suddenly, journalists ceased awaiting the conclusion of the press conference, hastily punching out headlines. They were all eager to be the first to break the story.


    This was news of seismic proportions!


    Andmark event!

 Chapter 441 Oolong Incident

    441 Oolong Incident


    Liu Yong, a man whose days usually began with the soothing ritual of scrolling through his mobile phone for thetest news, found himself unusually tardy in receiving an intriguing piece of information one fine morning. The news he stumbled upon was a pivotal press conference regarding the actions of the M country''s navy, and it was by sheer ident that he came across it.


    At that very moment, across the world in both country M and various Western nations, the news had already erupted like wildfire, dominating headlines and discussions. Meanwhile, in China, the news had just begun to trickle into public consciousness.


    Liu Yong''s eyebrows arched upward in mild astonishment as he digested the contents. He hadn''t anticipated that the US Navy''s response to the recent events would be to hold a press conference implicating the Universal Enterprise Group.


    A faint, knowing smile curled at the corners of Liu Yong''s lips. He couldn''t help but chuckle, and it was a light, almost carefreeugh that escaped him. He had imagined that there would be some grand strategy at y here. Yet, as he considered the situation more deeply, his smile grew more assured.


    On one hand, it seemed likely that the US Navy was acting out of spection and suspicion,cking concrete evidence to substantiate their ims. If they possessed incontrovertible proof, the situation would undoubtedly have taken a more serious turn. Their recourse to ming the Universal Enterprise Group hinted at theirck of substantial evidence.


    On the other hand, there was an air of caution underlying their actions. It seemed that they were hesitant to go too far without a clear understanding of what had submerged their warships beneath the waves.


    Having unraveled the reasoning behind these two possibilities, Liu Yong remained unfazed, the weight of the situation barely registering on his shoulders. After all, he thought, there was no need for him to be overly concerned.


    Following a leisurely breakfast, Liu Yong made his way to the Universal Building, the hub of his vast business empire.


    Once settled into his office, Qiu Yang, his right-hand man, entered in a state of palpable anxiety. "Boss," he began urgently, "the situation has escted. The M country''s military held a press conference, implicating us in the sinking of their seven warships and one submarine."


    Liu Yong''s countenance remained rxed as he reassured Qiu Yang, "Their ims are based on spection and suspicion, Qiu Yang. There''s no need to worry; theyck any concrete evidence."


    Perplexed, Qiu Yang inquired, "What should we do, then?"


    Liu Yong had anticipated this question and waved his hand dismissively. "It''s quite simple, really. We should hold a press conference of our own, disavowing any involvement in this incident."


    "Is that all?" Qiu Yang seemed surprised.


    But he quickly grasped the wisdom of Liu Yong''s approach. Given the circumstances, a press conference was indeed the best course of action. After all, the M country had no evidence to back their ims.


    With a casual air, Liu Yong retrieved his mobile phone and shared a video with Qiu Yang. "Take a look at this video; it can be presented at the press conference. It shows that the M country''s navy caused this incident themselves. They mistakenlyunched torpedoes that struck their own warship, leading to its destruction."


    Qiu Yang viewed the video on his own phone, his eyes lighting up with understanding and approval. Although the clip was brief, its quality was excellent, and it left no room for doubt.


    In the video''s opening moments, a warship from country M could be seen firing two torpedoes, producing distinct "plop, plop" sounds. The torpedoes'' trajectories were clearly visible as they plunged into the water, and not long after, an explosion rocked a warship in the distance.


    Any discerning eye could discern that the torpedoes had struck the warship, causing the subsequent explosions. It was the very epitome of a costly blunder.


    As for whether the other warships met a simr fate, no one could say for certain. The M country had no evidence to support their ims, nor did they possess live video footage. Thus, the Universal Enterprise Group could chalk it up to an internal ident that resulted in the sinking of several warships.


    The afternoon arrived, and the Universal Enterprise Group convened a press conference at the Universal Building''s grand press conference hall. By this time, the domestic media had caught wind of the M country''s naval mishap, transforming it into a global news sensation.


    The press conference held by Universal Enterprise Group attracted a substantial turnout of media representatives. The cavernous hall was packed, and cameras were trained on the podium like an army of sentinels.


    Among the attendees, not only were domestic reporters present, but a significant contingent of foreign correspondents had also assembled. The spotlight bathed the room in a luminescent glow, lending an air of gravity to the event.


    Stepping confidently to the podium, Qiu Yang addressed the gathering with vigor. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "more than twenty hours ago, a mishap urred in the North Pacific Ocean, leading to the sinking of seven US Navy warships and one submarine."


    He provided a concise ount of the incident, offering a fresh perspective to the gathered audience. While most of them were already aware of the situation, Qiu Yang presented the Universal Enterprise Group''s version of events.


    A foreign journalist immediately raised his hand and posed a question when Qiu Yang concluded, saying, "Mr. Qiu, the M country''s navy held a press conference, iming that this incident is connected to your group."


    A hushed anticipation filled the hall as all eyes turned toward Qiu Yang, awaiting his response.


    With unwaveringposure, Qiu Yang replied confidently, "The M country''s navy has fabricated this incident as a means to save face. It''s nothing more than baseless spection."


    A murmur of surprise rippled through the audience at his assertion. Qiu Yang''s statement had ignited a spark of intrigue.


    Global Enterprise Group''s fleet, he continued, had happened to be in the vicinity at the time of the incident. The M country''s navy, he suggested, had chosen to scapegoat them due to ack of better options.


    "Any rational observer," Qiu Yang reasoned, "would recognize that our fleetprises civilian vessels, primarily transport ships and a salvage ship. It is beyond belief that they could be mistaken for a modern navy fleet."


    The hall buzzed with renewed discussion, and many eyes sparkled with understanding. It was apelling argument.


    Indeed, Universal Enterprise Group''s ships were civilian vessels, with even thergest among them barely exceeding 100,000 tons. They were a far cry from the capabilities of a modern warship. Furthermore, the Universal Enterprise Group''s ships had emerged from the incident unscathed, raising doubts about the authenticity of the M country''s ims.


    Qiu Yang was content with the audience''s response and, after a raised hand and a press of a button, projected a video onto therge screen. The brief, twenty-second footage delivered a powerful message.


    The video, although short in duration, was filmed from an excellent vantage point, ensuring utmost rity. Itmenced with a warship from country Munching two torpedoes, producing the unmistakable "plop, plop" sound. The torpedoes'' trajectories were crisp and distinct, and within moments, a


    warship in the distance erupted into mes.


    It was a clear-cut case of friendly fire, an oolong incident of epic proportions.


    Qiu Yang continued, "This video will be avable for download on ourpany''s official website."


    With his final words, Qiu Yang exited the stage, leaving a room of astounded reporters in his wake. The truth of the matter had been unveiled in all its rity.


    The incident had nothing to do with the Universal Enterprise Group, and the hall reverberated with the realization that they had witnessed a masterful disy of crisis management.

 Chapter 442 Viral Stardom !

    442 Viral Stardom !


    The revtion that sent shockwaves across the globe has now be a defining moment in recent history.


    It wasn''t a geopolitical scandal nor a financial crisis, but a revtion as unexpected as it was bizarre - an oolong tea, crafted by the naval forces of country M, had unwittingly be the epicentre of a media maelstrom, altering the course of public discourse in a matter of seconds.


    As if guided by an invisible hand, the domestic media apparatus swiftly pivoted, diverting the public''s attention from the previous news cycles to focus intently on this surreal brew.


    The short 20-second video that had initially caught the world''s attention now seemed to be on an unstoppable ascent to viral stardom. Social media tforms buzzed with reactions ranging from awe to amusement.


    "It''s astonishing! Who would have thought that this is how torpedoes areunched? It''s incredibly powerful!"


    "I burst intoughter! Without this video, I might have beenpletely deceived."


    "Global Enterprise Group deserves immense credit!"


    Despite the joy of domestic media and inte users, the internationalmunity was divided. Because of the vtile fluctuations in public attitude, country M''s naval forces held an emergency press conference to recapture the narrative.


    Unfortunately for them, this endeavour seemed to be backfiring spectacrly.


    In contrast, Global Enterprise Group countered with not one but two sessive press conferences. What had initially appeared as a war of words had now escted, with one side wielding indisputable video evidence while the other relied heavily on verbal persuasion. The momentum was unmistakably tilting in favour of Universal Enterprise Group.


    Country M''s naval forces were left in frustration and disbelief. When had they be the targets of such a public rtions fiasco?


    In response to their growing vexation, over a dozen high-ranking executives convened to devise a strategy.


    "This is infuriating! We must retaliate against Universal Enterprise Group in some way."


    "Perhaps we can fabricate an excuse to detain some of their ships."


    One cautious executive, however, voiced his reservations. "Detaining their ships might not be the wisest course of action. It could further exacerbate public opinion against us."


    Given the current climate, detaining Universal Enterprise Group''s ships could spark a colossal outcry.


    "So, what''s our alternative?"


    Another executive proposed, "Why not put Global Enterprise Group on the sanctions list? We could prohibit countries andpanies from engaging in any business dealings with them."


    This suggestion ignited a spirited discussion within the conference room.


    "That''s an excellent proposal!"


    "I believe this is a pragmatic approach."


    "Indeed, imposing sanctions might yield remarkable results. Once enacted, their fleet would be rendered immobile."


    Many high-ranking executives rallied behind this idea. Following a lively debate, the room gradually fell into silence.


    A four-star general from the US Navy eventually broke the silence. "Gentlemen, what are your opinions on this matter?"


    Without hesitation, one voice eagerly dered, "I wholeheartedly support the imposition of sanctions on Global Enterprise Group."


    "I concur."


    "Count me in!"


    Several executives disyed an unusual level of consensus, firmly supporting the notion of cing Global Enterprise Group on the sanctions list.


    However, not everyone was convinced. Some high-ranking officials remained cautious.


    "I believe this might be a misstep."


    "I disagree with sanctions. If they end up causing damage to our warships, the consequences could be dire. The navy of country E is a pertinent example."


    "I don''t support sanctions either. To my knowledge, Universal Enterprise Group has developed an exceptional graphene-aluminum battery, something we are in dire need of."


    "I''ve heard that, in addition to graphene-aluminum batteries, they possess substantial reserves of gray-ck metal, a high-end alloy that our advanced weaponry necessitates."


    The executives who dissented made their positions abundantly clear. They were apprehensive about potential losses in terms of warships and couldn''t resist the allure of Universal Enterprise Group''s valuable resources.


    Intense exchanges, arguments, and counterarguments characterized the meeting.


    Ultimately, no conclusive decision was reached, and the gathering was hastily adjourned.


    Meanwhile, at Global Enterprise Group, Qiu Yang couldn''t shake off the unease that had lingered over him for the past few days. A disquieting question persisted in his mind: What if country M decided to impose sanctions on Universal Enterprise Group?


    Such an oue would be catastrophic.


    Unable to suppress his concerns any longer, he knocked on the door and entered Liu Yong''s office. "Boss, I''ve been pondering something. What if country M decides to impose sanctions on us?"


    Liu Yong greeted Qiu Yang''s question with a reassuring smile. He had contemted this scenario before and had been somewhat anxious. However, after receiving a call from Kang Zhenggang, Liu Yong''s worries had evaporated.


    Kang Zhenggang had reported that a high-level meeting within the US Navy held just two days ago, had discussed the possibility of imposing sanctions on Global Enterprise Group. The proposal had encountered vehement opposition, ultimately failing to gain traction.


    Liu Yong felt an immense sense of relief.


    It seemed that even a formidable entity like country M was selective in choosing its battles. Global Enterprise Group was far from an easy target. Its significance extended beyond mere scale and revenue. Thepany possessed several invaluable assets, such as coveted alloys and groundbreaking graphene-aluminum batteries.


    Country M couldn''t afford to alienate Global Enterprise Group, which held assets they desperately coveted.


    Liu Yong was no longer concerned about the prospect of sanctions. He had previously prepared for the worst-case scenario: if country M imposed sanctions, Universal Enterprise Group would simply cease selling graphene-aluminum batteries to them.


    This course of action was now rendered unnecessary, and Liu Yong couldn''t help but acknowledge the prowess of the Wolf Warrior intelligence agency.


    "Incredible, country M doesn''t dare to impose sanctions on us. That''s a relief!" Qiu Yang''s voice brimmed with enthusiasm, and he exhaled a long breath, shedding his previous worries and embracing a newfound sense of rxation.


    Liu Yong concurred, "Indeed, sanctions are unlikely. Our next major undertaking is the construction of the second New Energy Battery factory."


    Qiu Yang nodded eagerly. "Boss, don''t worry. Construction on our factory in Huahai City willmence shortly."


    The size of the factory was staggering, covering an area of over 800 acres. It was no surprise that the leaders of Huahai City had shown great interest. Just a few days ago, a prominent official from Huahai City had visited Global Enterprise Group personally, where Qiu Yang had weed him.


    The official had extended numerous incentives, all in a bid to retain Global Enterprise Group''s second factory in Huahai City.

 Chapter 443 The Exhibition !

    443 The Exhibition !


    Huahai City, a bustling port, stretched its arms toward the vast sea like a weing host.


    On this bustling pier, under the gentle embrace of the ocean breeze, a group of high-level executives, including Liu Yong and Qiu Yang, gathered, engrossed in animated conversations. Their eyes intermittently wandered towards the boundless horizon.


    After a brief interlude, a voice erupted with sheer jubtion, cutting through the hum of chatter. "Our ship is approaching, everyone, look!"


    All heads turned skyward, and there it was¡ªa fleet of ships emerged as if conjured by the sea gods themselves. Leading the procession was the mighty "Blue Whale," nked by four colossal cargo vessels, the "Shiwang" among them.


    Cheers erupted. "It''s indeed our ship!"


    "Come on,e on, they''re almost here!"


    The once-serene pier metamorphosed into a cacophonous hubbub of excitement. In a show of camaraderie and eagerness, not only Liu Yong but also twenty to thirty middle and high-level personnel, alongside relevant staff, converged at the dock to wee the triumphant return of the "Blue Whale" and herpanions.


    Ten minutes passed, and the ships drew nearer, progressively more discernible against the expanse of the sea. Animated figures on the pier waved exuberantly at the advancing vessels, and their maritimerades responded with unbridled tion.


    This expedition had been no ordinary odyssey; it hadsted more than half a month and nearly fallen prey to the relentless pursuit of Country M''s fleet. Their safe return was an achievement forged through trials and tribtions.


    Finally, they had returned unscathed.


    Liu Yong, his eyes fixed on the approaching vessels, heaved a sigh of relief. A wave of tranquility washed over him. His gaze drifted to the colossal bulk carriers, eachden with tens of thousands of tons of gray-ck metal fragments¡ªa sight that filled him with profound satisfaction.


    "Wow, such an abundance of gray and ck metal fragments!"


    "All fourrge ships are brimming; we''ve got at least 200,000 to 300,000 tons!"


    "Now that''s a substantial reward!"


    The pier had transformed into a jubnt spectacle, every face radiating joy. Even Qiu Yang and other middle and high-level executives couldn''t contain their exuberance.


    In time, Ren Ziquan and several other captains approached with purposeful strides, eventually standing before Liu Yong.


    Liu Yong extended his hand in a gesture of camaraderie, and one by one, Ren Ziquan and the captains reciprocated with a heartfelt handshake.


    "Your hard work hasn''t gone unnoticed," Liu Yongmended. "In recognition of your exemry performance, the ordinary crew members shall receive a reward of 30,000 yuan each, while the captains will be granted 100,000 yuan each."


    "What! Such a generous reward!"


    "This is an unexpected delight!"


    Ren Ziquan and his fellow captains wore expressions of astonishment, their hearts brimming with joy. A 100,000-yuan reward for a captain, and 30,000 yuan for the crew members¡ªsuch munificence was unprecedented. Other personnel, such as chief engineers, bosuns, and first mates, would also receive substantial bonuses in the tens of thousands.


    "Boss, thank you!"


    "Boss, your generosity knows no bounds."


    "If word gets out about this reward, there''ll be thunderous apuse for sure."


    Liu Yong, his smile reflecting the jubtion of the moment, replied, "You''ve all worked tirelessly. This journey was far from easy; consider it a small token of gratitude from the group."


    Five ships, each smoothly docked, and soon, the massive cranes at the port swung into action, transferring the precious metal fragments from the vessels back to the Global Special Materials Group.


    Meanwhile, at the Huahai Branch of the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group, Han Guang, donned in overalls and a hard hat, found himself surrounded by a group of colleagues. Together, they meticulously examined a fresh batch of des fresh from production.


    A week ago, over 20 tons of ck alloys had arrived at the facility. Utilizing this bounty of raw materials, they''d embarked on the meticulous crafting of various knives and des.


    A majority of these creations were alloy des¡ªinserts for turning tools, alloy inserts for milling cutters, and drill bits, with the smaller ones boasting all-alloy inserts. Mass production was in full swing, thanks to their state-of-the-art equipment and mature technology.


    As another batch of alloy des was rolled out, Han Guang couldn''t help but express his tion. He picked up one of the boxes of alloy des, scrutinizing it intently.


    The more he gazed upon them, the more enamored he became. The quality of these ck alloy des was nothing short of astonishing; one could argue that a single piece was worth fifty imported alloy des.


    "Mr. Han, these ck alloy des are truly remarkable, a sight to behold!"


    "They''re like a dreame true."


    "The only downside is that we''ve exhausted all the ck alloys; everyst bit has been transformed into des or knives."


    Echoing the sentiments of his colleagues, Han Guang nodded. There was an undeniable tinge of regret in the air¡ªck alloys were an exceptional find, but their limited supply had been entirely repurposed into these remarkable creations.


    However, Han Guang''s spirits were soon lifted when he received a WeChat message notification on his phone. His face lit up with glee as he read the message.


    "Everyone, fret not about the ferrous alloys; Global Special Materials Group currently has 2,000 tons in stock!"


    A collective gasp of surprise filled the room.


    "2,000 tons in stock!"


    This announcement triggered thunderous apuse, reverberating with enthusiasm.


    It was indeed a revtion!


    Han Guang wasted no time. "Immediately arrange for a team to head over to Global Special Materials Group and retrieve our remaining 70 tons of ck alloy."


    At a rate of 10,000 yuan per kilogram, Han Guang had initially ordered a total of 100 tons, with a total value of a staggering 1 billion yuan.


    With this matter settled, Han Guang''s focus shifted to the 11th International Cutting Tool Exhibition, set to open the following day.


    After inspecting the newly manufactured alloy des, Han Guang made his way to the expansive exhibition hall dedicated to the event.


    Upon entering, thergest and most prominent booth belonged to none other than the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group.


    "Hey, Brother Yong is here too," eximed Han Guang, spotting Liu Yong within the exhibition hall. It was Xin Feiwen who had invited him.


    Global Special Materials Group was among the exhibitors, showcasing two types of alloy materials¡ª


    gray-ck alloy and ck alloy.


    Their booth, positioned strategically close to Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group, exuded an air of prominence.


    Xin Feiwen eagerly briefed Liu Yong on the preparations. "Boss, we''re all set; we''re just awaiting the start of tomorrow''s exhibition."


    Apart from cutting toolpanies, various allied enterprises were participating in the exhibition, such as suppliers of tool alloys, like Global Special Materials Group.


    Liu Yong examined the setup with satisfaction. The disy at Global Specialty Materials Group''s booth wasprehensive, boasting vivid visuals and informative posters introducing the two alloys.


    An array of physical samples of the two alloys, including bars


    , sheets, and alloy ingots for the gray-ck alloy, were showcased. For the ck alloy, smaller bars weighing over ten kilograms each were featured.


    "Brother Yong!"


    With unabated enthusiasm, Han Guang approached Liu Yong, greeting him from afar with a spirited call. Liu Yong turned, a warm smile gracing his face.


    "Han Guang, what a pleasant surprise. Your preparations seem to be in full swing."


    Han Guang responded, "We''re nearly there. Brother Yong, if you have some time, please visit our booth and provide us with your guidance."


    Liu Yong contemted the invitation. The prospect of seeing how Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group had utilized the ck alloy for de production intrigued him.


    "No need for guidance; I''ll simply pay a visit," Liu Yong replied.


    And so, the anticipation for the grand opening of the 11th International Cutting Tool Exhibition grew, with both Global Special Materials Group and Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group poised to unveil their groundbreaking innovations.

 Chapter 444 A Grand Bet !

    ?


    In the heart of Huahai City, where the hustle and bustle of the international alloy knives exhibition resonated through the corridors of the Expo Center, a riveting saga of rivalry and innovation was poised to unfold.


    Liu Yong, a seasoned luminary in alloy cutting tools, found himself in thepany of his long-time associate and friend, Han Guang. Both shared amon vision ¡ª to make an indelible impression on this year''s illustrious exhibition. As they navigated thebyrinthine expanse of exhibition booths, their footsteps guided them to a spectacle that left Liu Yong awestruck.


    "Remarkable, Han Guang," Liu Yong eximed, his eyes widened in genuine astonishment. "Your booth is nothing short of monumental!"


    Indeed, it was an awe-inspiring sight to behold. The Taishan Alloy Cutting Tools Group''s exhibition space spanned an impressive 200 square meters, dwarfing the neighbouring disys that paled inparison.


    With palpable pride, Han Guang responded, "This, my friend, is a momentous asion for us. Hosting an alloy cutting tool exhibition right here in our hometown deserves nothing less than a grand showcase."


    The International Alloy Knives Exhibition had graced the industry''s calendar for over a decade. Still, it was the first time Huahai City had the privilege of being its host.


    "Brother Yong," Han Guang extended a warm invitation, "why not step inside and explore our offerings?"


    Liu Yong nodded, intrigued. "Since I''m here, I might as well immerse myself in the experience."


    He ventured further into the expansive realm of the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tools Group''s exhibition area.


    It didn''t take long for Liu Yong to discern an intriguing pattern. The booth exclusively featured a mesmerizing array of ck alloy des and knives, each a testament to meticulous craftsmanship.


    "It appears to be a dedicated showcase for ck alloy des and knives," Liu Yong remarked, captivated by the dazzling disy.


    With an air of unassable confidence, Han Guang elucidated, "Indeed, we''ve made a bold decision to focus solely on ck alloy des."


    Liu Yong was visibly impressed. "Your approach is nothing short of audacious."


    His keen eye detected another facet of their disy ¡ª two prominent machines in the exhibition area. One was a precision CNCthe, and the other was a state-of-the-art CNC vertical machining centre. The presence of these machines piqued Liu Yong''s curiosity.


    "Are you nning something extraordinary, Han Guang?" he inquired with an intrigued grin.


    Han Guang''s grin mirrored his friend''s enthusiasm. "Not causing a ruckus, my dear friend. Instead, we''re employing a unique marketing strategy."


    And so, against the backdrop of anticipation, Han Guang unfurled his vision to Liu Yong. It was nothing short of a spectacle ¡ª two machines processing high-temperature alloy parts in full view, cameras capturing every intricate movement. Renowned hosts had been enlisted to infuse excitement and to broadcast the process to a captivated audience.


    "This, my friend, is the power of ck alloy des," Han Guang emphasized with a knowing nod.


    As Liu Yong observed the instation and calibration of these two machines, a wry smile yed on his lips. "You, Han Guang, are a true maverick. I can only imagine how yourpetitors must be scrambling to catch up."


    Han Guang''s gaze shifted towards March Alloy Cutting Tool Group, strategically positioned diagonally across from them, leaving an intriguing space between the two titans.


    With a spark of realization, Liu Yong remarked, "So, this space is reserved for these two machines. It seems that March Company is not pulling any punches."


    March Alloy Knives Group, a formidable conglomerate hailing from M-country, had made a formidable incursion into the high-end alloy knives market, Yanguo included.


    "Brother Yong," Han Guangmented wryly, "it''s not my intention to instigate turmoil. Rather, it''s March Alloy Cutting Tool Group that seeks to shake the status quo."


    Liu Yong''s eyes gleamed with intrigue. "This story just keeps getting more fascinating."


    As the two entrepreneurs observed March Company''s team meticulously preparing their machines, a group approached from the rival camp. Zhu Xiangsheng, the General Manager of Yanguo District for March Alloy Cutting Tool Group, led the pack. He possessed an intimate knowledge of Yanguo''s market dynamics. He was strategically apanied by a retinue of international and local experts.


    With a half-smile and a glint of amusement, Zhu Xiangsheng addressed Han Guang, "President Han, it appears you''re gearing up for something truly significant."


    Han Guang''s response was measured, "We are poised for a renaissance, aiming to reim the market we once dominated."


    Zhu Xiangsheng couldn''t help but chuckle, a hint of skepticism in his tone. "Market share isn''t won by mere ambition. To seed, you need to deliver exceptional products."


    Han Guang''s voice exuded unshakable confidence as he countered, "Our current alloy knives manufacturing has ascended to global standards. We''ve prepared these two machines to demonstrate the unparalleled quality of our des."


    Zhu Xiangsheng''s smile remained, but his doubt was palpable. He nced at the two machines standing proudly within Taishan''s booth. "Actions," he remarked cryptically, "speak louder than words. Mr. Han, are you up for a wager?"


    Undeterred by the challenge, Han Guang epted confidently, "I''m all ears. Please, enlighten me further."


    Zhu Xiangsheng proposed a wager of audacious proportions, "We, too, have two machines, and we shall process identical parts to determine whose de quality reigns supreme."


    Disying unwavering resolve, Han Guang responded, "Very well, and what happens if we emerge victorious?"


    Amused but cautious, Zhu Xiangsheng replied, "You won''t, for we are unbeatable."


    Undaunted, Han Guang added a defining condition, "In that case, let us stake the future. If we triumph, March Alloy Knives Group must withdraw entirely from the Yanguo market."


    Zhu Xiangsheng''s initial amusement morphed into astonishment. He hadn''t expected Han Guang to stake so much on the oue.


    Withdrawal from the Yanguo market ¡ª for March Alloy Cutting Tool Group that would signify a monumental defeat, effectively cutting off their main avenue for business expansion.


    Zhu Xiangsheng was no pushover and agreed cautiously, "Very well, it''s a pact. But let''s document it with a video to ensure no backing down."


    Both men understood that the stakes were astronomical and there could be no room for disputes once thepetition was underway.


    With the audacious bet sealed, the stage was set for a thrilling sh of precision and innovation between Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group and March Alloy Cutting Tool Group. This duel would have the entire industry on tenterhooks.

 Chapter 445 Business Turning Points !

    ?


    The day it had dawned, marking the auspicious beginning of the 11th International Alloy Cutting Tool Exhibition at the grand Huahai International Convention and Exhibition Center. As the doors swung open to usher in a multitude of eager attendees, it became evident that this year''s event would be nothing short of a spectacle, with intrigue,petition, and innovation at its core.


    Amidst the throngs of industry professionals and curious onlookers, Liu Yong, a seasoned entrepreneur with a keen eye for opportunities, found himself at the epicenter of a brewing storm. With a subtle, concealed grin, he watched the unfolding drama, his heart dancing with excitement.


    The epicenter of the exhibition was an audacious bet¡ªone that had captured the collective imagination of the industry. Liu Yong, a shrewd observer, couldn''t help but revel in the anticipation that hung in the air. He concealed his inner jubtion, but it was a near thing; the corners of his mouth threatened to break into a smile.


    To Liu Yong, the oue of this bet was no nail-biter. The secret weapon in their arsenal, the mysterious ck alloy, was the linchpin of their confidence. While its origins remained cloaked in obscurity, one thing was abundantly clear¡ªit had the potential to elevate ordinary alloy knives to the status of extraordinary cutting tools.


    Zhu Xiangsheng, the General Manager of Yanguo District for March Alloy Cutting Tool Group, was, however, blissfully unaware of this game-changing revtion.


    In Liu Yong''s eyes, the oue was as clear as day. The trajectory of this wager had been set in motion, and it was a trajectory that led to an undeniable victory. March Alloy Cutting Tool Group, with its reputation on the line, was destined to retreat from the domestic market.


    March Alloy Cutting Tool Group had, in recent times, been relentless in its quest to prate Yanguo''s market. It had set its sights on local alloy cutting toolpanies, and the sight of their withdrawal from the market would be a victory beyond measure.


    As the two central figures of this unfolding drama, Han Guang and Zhu Xiangsheng, stood side by side, cameras and mobile phones were trained on them. Their voices were steady, their intentions unwavering.


    In unison, they dered, "Voluntarily, we engage in a PK¡ªa battle of precision and innovation. Two machines, processing identical parts, will determine the victor based on superior tool quality and the quantity of parts processed."


    In perfect harmony, they continued, "In the event of my loss," Zhu Xiangsheng stated with an air of bravado, "March Alloy Cutting Tool Group will fully withdraw from the Yanguo market."


    Han Guang, unwavering in his resolve, followed suit, "Should I face defeat, Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group shall gracefully exit the domestic cutting tool market."


    The video recorded and the pact sealed, Zhu Xiangsheng couldn''t help but wear a smug grin as he walked away. In his mind, victory was imminent, and the thought of Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s retreat was nothing short of exhrating.


    On the other hand, Han Guang maintained a sereneposure, his confidence a beacon of steadfastness in the stormy sea of anticipation.


    As the spectators mulled over the bet''s implications, Liu Yong couldn''t resist offering a touch of sage counsel. "Han Guang, you may have given away a tad too much."


    With a quizzical look, Han Guang inquired, "What do you mean, Brother Yong?"


    Liu Yong, ever the strategist, elucidated, "It''s straightforward. We possess the enigmatic ck alloy¡ªa game-changer in its own right. The knives we manufacture with it are light years ahead of any imported alloy knives. Victory against March Alloy Cutting Tool Group is practically assured."


    Suddenly, the room lit up with the spark of realization in Han Guang''s eyes. A gentle pat on his own forehead, and he admitted, "Brother Yong, your insights are invaluable. The withdrawal of March Company from our domestic market was an inevitability waiting to happen."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but chuckle. "Indeed, this bet is a win-win for you."


    As the day wore on, Liu Yong found himself savoring a cup of coffee in his office, his gaze transfixed on his mobile phone. The inte was a-buzz with news about the 11th Alloy Knives Exhibition, and it seemed that Zhu Xiangsheng had pulled out all the stops to ensure the bet garnered maximum attention.


    Liu Yong, attuned to the ebbs and flows of the industry, noted that Han Guang hadn''t expended a single penny on this publicity blitz. Nevertheless, he was convinced that Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s ck alloy knives were poised for meteoric rise in poprity.


    Intrigued by the unfolding events, Liu Yong delved deeper into the online buzz. By the afternoon, he noticed that the story had evolved into a trending topic. Zhu Xiangsheng had undoubtedly invested considerable effort and resources into this endeavor.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but marvel at the rapid progression of events. The poprity of Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s ck alloy knives was set to soar, and soon, legions of knife enthusiasts and businesses would be moring to secure their own ck alloy supplies.


    With a satisfied grin, Liu Yong drifted into slumber that night, knowing that the tide was turning in favor of ck alloy knives.


    The following day marked the grand opening of the 11th International Alloy Cutting Tool Exhibition at the Huahai International Convention and Exhibition Center.


    As the day unfolded, attendees flocked to the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group and March Alloy Cutting Tool Group exhibition areas, captivated by the palpable tension and intrigue surrounding the impending showdown.


    Inte celebrities, bloggers, and prominent figures in the industry converged, armed with mobile phone holders to capture the action for their online audiences. A flurry of media reporters, microphones and cameras in tow, joined the throng.


    Both Taishan and March groups began their preparations for the ultimate showdown. It was clear that this PK had be the center of attention.


    "Have you seen the knives at Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s booth? All ck and gleaming!"


    "This must be their new product; they''ve got the confidence to challenge March Alloy Cutting Tool Group."


    "Take a look at this, it''s a new kind of alloy knife. They even have detailed promotional materials."


    The Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s exhibition area was undoubtedly the more animated of the two. After all, this was China, and the fervor was palpable. Live streaming had already begun.


    "Good morning, everyone. It''s 9:35 AM, and Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group is nowmencing their processing. Both machines are up and running. I''ll be live-streaming the entire process."


    Dozens of live streamers were in action, two renowned hosts rallied the crowd, adding momentum to the proceedings. The anticipation was electric, and the event had all the makings of an industry-defining moment.


    As the day wore on, the anticipation reached its zenith. The exhibition area of Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group was alive with the hum of activity. Bloggers, influencers, and media outlets mored to get the best angles, capturing every moment of the impending showdown.

 Chapter 446 The CNC Showstopper !

    <h4>Chapter 446 The CNC Showstopper !</h4>


    In the heart of the bustling exhibition area, two giants in the world of cutting tool innovation, Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group and Maqi Alloy Cutting Tool Group, had amassed a tremendous crowd of onlookers. It was a sight to behold - people from all walks of life, industry experts, and enthusiasts, all drawn to the promise of witnessing an exceptional showdown.


    As minutes ticked by, the gathering swelled in size and enthusiasm. The anticipation hung thick in the air, palpable and electric. The spectacle was akin to a grand theatre production, with the CNC machines at the centre stage. These machines, colossal in their precision, were the protagonists of this engineering drama.


    The central theme of this alloy cutting tool exhibition revolved around these two distinct locations - the domestic might of Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group pitted against the foreign excellence of Maqi Alloy Cutting Tool Group. Both professional and handheld cameras hovered like watchful sentinels, capturing every second of this high-stakes encounter.


    Under this intense scrutiny, the two awe-inspiring machines from Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group diligently carried out their assigned tasks. Their symphony of motion and precision was awe-inspiring. The raw materials they transformed into intricate masterpieces underwent a profound metamorphosis akin to alchemy. Among them was a high-temperature alloy bar mped securely on the CNCthe. This was no ordinary task; it demanded a substantial machining allowance, subjecting the cutting tool to a rigorous endurance test.


    Every passing minute added to the crescendo of excitement. Onlookers murmured in hushed tones, exchanging curious nces. Conversations buzzed with questions.


    "Which part is currently under the spotlight?" asked one eager observer.


    "The eleventh part," came the swift response.


    The crowd collectively gasped. "Do they not intend to change the tools yet?" wondered another, his brows furrowed in amazement.


    "Remarkably, it appears they have no immediate ns to rece the cutting tool. Observe how the processed part''s surface gleams with an almost mirror-like finish ¨C a clear indication that the de retains its pristine sharpness," exined a seasoned industry insider.


    Amidst this chorus of astonishment, an influential inte celebrity anchor took centre stage. Armed with a mobile phone holder, they initiated a live broadcast, capturing this historic moment for their eager audience. Boldly approaching the CNCthe, they sought and received the approval of Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s staff before presenting the freshly crafted workpiece to the camera.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, bear witness to history in the making! This, right here, is the eleventh part, freshly minted by the CNCthe. Its surface boasts a mirror-like sheen, a testament to its upromising quality," they dered.


    Inspired by this bold move, other anchors followed suit, each contributing their unique perspective to the mounting excitement. Once a sea of anticipation, the exhibition area was now transformed into a vibrant cauldron of emotions.


    In contrast, a sombre atmosphere prevailed at the exhibition area belonging to Maqi Alloy Cutting Tool Group. They had already undergone their second de change, which the discerning crowd had noticed. After processing only five parts with the newly installed de, visible defects marred the workpieces, bearing witness to the inadequacy of their cutting tool.


    "Why the need for yet another de change?" grumbled a member of the audience.


    "Have you heard that Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group has seamlessly processed eleven parts without a single de swap?"


    "Indeed, they''ve alreadypleted the twelfth part, and the thirteenth is currently being meticulously crafted as we speak. I''ve just returned from their side."


    "Incredible! The des from Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group must possess formidable durability!"


    As thesements echoed through the crowd, Zhu Xiangsheng, the key figure from Maqi Alloy Cutting Tool Group, felt an escting sense of embarrassment and disbelief. He feltpelled to investigate the situation firsthand.


    He fought his way through the crowds, his curiosity driving him forward. Upon reaching the two CNC machines, he focused on the neatly arranged finished parts. A sense of impending doom washed over him.


    "Mr. Zhu, what a pleasant surprise," greeted Han Guang, hispetitor, seizing the opportunity to tease.


    Zhu Xiangsheng chuckled nervously. "Tell me, Mr. Han, how many de changes have you undergone thus far?"


    With a sly grin, Han Guang responded, "Why should we change the de? And even if we were to, which de should we change? We haven''t reced ours yet."


    Zhu Xiangsheng''s face bore an incredulous expression. "Mr. Han, you must be joking! We''ve already switched des twice and have sessfullypleted ten parts."


    Undaunted, Han Guang maintained his calm demeanour. "We''ve just wrapped up processing the twelfth part, and the thirteenth is currently in the throes of machining."


    Zhu Xiangsheng''s disbelief was palpable. The presence of an inte celebrity anchor only intensified the situation as they embarked on a live broadcast, capturing every moment for their ardent followers.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group has not swapped out their de even once. We have countless witnesses - there''s no room for doubt," the anchor proimed.


    The revtion and the anchor''s exnation further fueled the fervour. In a previously recorded video, the two gentlemen had ced a wager on the oue. The stakes were high: the loser must venture into the domestic knife market.


    Now under the spotlight, these two individuals became the focal point of countless cameras and smartphone lenses. Zhu Xiangsheng found himself overwhelmed by the situation.


    Han Guang, on the other hand, radiated confidence. "Ladies and gentlemen, we''ve just wrapped up processing the thirteenth part, and preparations for the fourteenth are well underway."


    A voice from the crowd enthusiastically eximed, "The fourteenth part is nowplete!"


    "Unbelievable! Without changing the de, we have scores of witnesses to testify. It appears there''s no limit to what this alloy de can achieve."


    Zhu Xiangsheng''s panic grew as he heard these words and observed the CNCthe resuming its tireless work. Han Guang, standing tall and confident, seized the moment. "Mr. Zhu, I am ready to ept our wager. There''s no turning back now."


    His face drained of colour, Zhu Xiangsheng could not bear to stay any longer and retreated to his own exhibition area in defeat.


    The machinery hummed, tirelessly processing workpieces without pause, even as the noon hour came and went. The agreement stipted that each machine tool should process 50 parts, and by ten o''clock in the afternoon, Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s CNCthe had reached this milestone.


    With thetheing to a halt, Han Guang removed the fiftieth part. Holding it up to the crowd, he announced triumphantly, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have sessfully processed fifty parts. Not only do they exhibit an impable appearance, but they also meet all dimensional requirements!"


    A wave of thunderous apuse filled the air.


    "I''m in awe! I never realized the power of our domestic tools," one visitor remarked.


    "H


    I would never have believed it if I had not witnessed it. A single alloy tool, unflinchingly processing fifty high-temperature alloy parts ¨C an astonishing feat!"


    "In retrospect, their wager stipted that each machine tool should process fifty parts, but they failed to anticipate the boundless capabilities of this ck alloy de."


    The crowd continued to chatter in admiration and amazement.


    After cing the part on the table, Han Guang employed a tool inspection instrument to magnify the alloy de''s edge by a factor of a hundred. The sight of the de left the audience in hushed astonishment.

 Chapter 447 Metallic Mastery

    <h4>Chapter 447 Metallic Mastery</h4>


    Magnified a thousandfold, the de''s condition came into stark rity.


    "OMG, it appears to be nothing more than minor wear and tear!" eximed one observer.


    "I''d wager that given this de''s condition, we can process another 20 or even 30 parts without a hitch," confidently remarked another.


    "I can''t help but think we could go even further, perhaps fifty more parts," mused a third voice.


    A brief hush fell upon the scene before it erupted back into life.


    Seeing the enthusiastic reactions all around, Han Guang couldn''t help but feel ted. It was all thanks to Brother Yong''s innovation that they had ess to such an exceptional alloy de.


    After a while, the CNC vertical machining center finally ceased its operations, having sessfully processed its fiftieth part.


    Before the eyes of the onlookers and numerous cameras, the freshly machined parts were removed, inspected, and deemedpletely up to par.


    The crowd burst into jubnt cheers.


    The machining tool itself was also scrutinized. Upon closer inspection, it was evident that the tool''s cutting edge had only suffered minimal wear and tear, making it more than capable of handling dozens more parts.


    Another round of hearty cheers ensued.


    Not too far away, at the exhibition booth of the March Alloy Cutting Tool Group, their two machines were still diligently at work, processing their respective parts.


    Observing sporadic cheers emanating from the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s exhibit area, the atmosphere was electric. Meanwhile, Zhu Xiangsheng began to sense an impending doom that sent a shiver down his spine.


    "The Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group haspleted the processing of fifty parts," a voice announced.


    "Unbelievable! March Alloy Cutting Tool Group hasn''t even reached half that number!" another voice eximed.


    The collective audience made a beeline for the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s booth while the March Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s machines continued theirbor.


    They had already changed cutting tools multiple times during their operations. The alloy des and tools needed recing every four or five parts, which significantly hampered efficiency. Moreover, they couldn''t push their processing parameters too aggressively, fearing damage to the tools.


    Zhu Xiangsheng watched the lively scene unfolding at the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s exhibit with a sinking heart. He had never fathomed that he would face such a resounding defeatplete and utter.


    How could Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group possess such an outstanding de? He had dedicated almost two decades to the alloy cutting tool industry, and this level of prowess was unheard of. Processing fifty parts without a hitch, with only minor wear to the de, was a feat that defied hisprehension.


    One of his subordinates, in a dejected tone, asked, "Mr. Zhu, should we continue processing parts?"


    Zhu Xiangsheng''s face darkened further. Thepetitors had already concluded their work, and persisting further would only invite further humiliation.


    With a tone marked by frustration and bitterness, Zhu Xiangsheng decided it was best to leave the stage. He offered a hurried exnation, saving face as much as he could, before departing in destion.


    Meanwhile, the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s exhibition area buzzed with activity. The crowd was thick, making navigation nearly impossible.


    Within the vast International Convention and Exhibition Center, thergest hall boasted the highest concentration of attendees.


    Han Guang appeared prepared for this surge in attention. His team had ample promotional materials, sample alloy des, and abundant staff.


    Attendees quickly noticed that all the alloy knives and des were uniformly ck¡ªlustrous and metallic.


    "Look at that! Everything''s ck," one onlooker observed.


    "This must be a new type of ck alloy!" another spected.


    "This ck alloy is stunning! It exudes a unique aesthetic appeal. Is it an alloy developed in-house by the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group, or did they source it elsewhere?" someone pondered.


    The entire exhibition area was abuzz with excitement. The news of the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s victory over Maqi Alloy Cutting Tool Group spread like wildfire, and soon, nearly all exhibitors were privy to the oue.


    What a shock! The March Alloy Cutting Tool Group had actually lost, and lostprehensively! The Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group had processed fifty high-temperature alloy parts in one go, with only minor wear on the de and the ability to process dozens more parts.


    Upon learning this, other knife manufacturers were left stunned and incredulous. They struggled toe to terms with the fact that a de could exhibit such incredible prowess.


    A person in the crowd eventually leaked the news that the coveted ck alloy was being showcased at booth A122. This information set almost every knife manufacturer in motion.


    Booth A122 belonged to the Global Specialty Materials Group, disying only two kinds of metals¡ªone a matte gray, the other a jet-ck, glossy alloy.


    The booth was already swarming with people, including media personnel and live broadcasters.


    "That''s the metal!" one eximed.


    "Wow, it''s gorgeous! I adore this ck color!" another chimed in.


    "It''s ck and shiny, with a metallic sheen," a third observed.


    "Look, there''s a gray-ck metal too. That can''t be ordinary," someone pointed out.


    The entire area was alive with chatter and excitement. Xin Feiwen and her team worked tirelessly to introduce these alloys to the crowd, distributing informational materials and samples.


    "It''s quite heavy¡ªI tried it," one attendee remarked.


    "As mentioned in the materials, the density of this ck alloy is 12.5, much higher than standard alloys," another added.


    "In contrast, the gray-ck alloy is remarkably lightweight, yet incredibly strong. It''s almost unbelievable," a third person marveled.


    Liu Yong stood in the midst of themotion, a satisfied grin ying across his lips. Suddenly, a middle-aged man, seemingly a business leader, approached apanied by Xin Feiwen.


    Xin Feiwen introduced, "President Su, this is Mr. Liu Yong, the chairman of our Universal Enterprise Group."


    Su Jie eagerly extended his hand to shake Liu Yong''s, his face lit with joy. "Mr. Liu, I''ve heard so much about you. I''m Su Jie from the Huanghe Alloy Cutting Tool Group."


    Huanghe Alloy Cutting Tool Group was on par with Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group in terms of size and reputation, known throughout China for their alloy cutting tools.


    Having shaken hands with Liu Yong, Su Jie''s eyes gravitated toward the ck alloys on disy, the very reason for his presence here.

 Chapter 448 Business Boom!

    <h4>Chapter 448 Business Boom!</h4>


    Su Jie''s longing gaze fixated upon the ck alloys, a shimmer of envy dancing in his eyes. He approached Liu Yong with cautious curiosity, inquiring, "Mr. Liu, I am interested in acquiring this exquisite ck alloy. Could you enlighten me regarding its pricing?"


    Liu Yong extended a single, slender finger, using it as a visual aid to emphasize, "We sell this alloy by the kilogram, and the cost per kilogram is as follows."


    As hepleted his sentence, Liu Yong theatrically waved his finger before Su Jie, inviting him to look closer.


    Su Jie''s mind worked rapidly, calcting, "A hundred yuan per kilogram, hmm, it''s somewhat expensive, but it falls within our eptable range."


    However, Su Jie couldn''t resist the urge to negotiate, expressing, "Mr. Liu, while a hundred yuan per kilogram is reasonable, a hundred thousand yuan for a ton seems rather steep."


    Liu Yong''s lips curved into a knowing smile, followed by a gentle, dismissive shake. He retorted with a grin, "No, Mr. Su, you''ve misunderstood. It''s not a hundred yuan per kilogram; our ck alloy is far more precious."


    Su Jie''s heart skipped a beat, and he froze.


    Could it be a thousand yuan per kilogram?


    Such an exorbitant price was usually reserved for rare, imported alloys. In Su Jie''s perception, domestic alloys were generally more affordable.


    A crowd had gathered nearby, given the exhibition''s bustling atmosphere. While Liu Yong, Su Jie, and others upied the reception area, they were surrounded by many onlookers.


    Many curious eyes had nownded upon this intriguing scenario, wondering about the cost of this wondrous ck alloy that had yielded such remarkable alloy knives.


    Oh my God!


    It''s not a hundred yuan per kilogram; it''s a thousand yuan per kilogram!


    Numerous spectators stared in disbelief at Liu Yong''s outstretched finger as if it were an enchanted wand.


    Recovering from his shock, Su Jie, the shrewd businessman, decided to bargain, "Mr. Liu, a thousand yuan per kilogram is quite steep. Could we negotiate a more favourable rate? We''re prepared to ce orders for ten thousand kilograms or tens of thousands."


    Liu Yong responded, "Mr. Su, I apologize for any confusion, but it''s not a thousand yuan per kilogram; it''s ten thousand yuan per kilogram. Our pricing is clear, and there''s no deception involved."


    What!


    Not a thousand yuan, but ten thousand yuan!


    Gasps rippled through the surrounding crowd, as almost no one had anticipated such a staggering price.


    It was indeed an astronomical sum!


    Su Jie was taken aback yet again, shaking his head in disbelief.


    "This is beyond our budget; we can''t afford it."


    With a tranquil demeanour, Liu Yong showed no urgency. He knew that the quality of their product was unparalleled, far superior to any imported alloy. While seemingly extravagant, the price of ten thousand yuan per kilogram still offered remarkable value for the performance it delivered.


    Shortly after that, Han Guang approached, his countenance radiating jubnce. Their victory in thepetition provided exceptional publicity for the Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group and effectively expelled Maqi Alloy Cutting Tool Group from the domestic market.


    "Brother Yong!"


    From a distance, Han Guang greeted Liu Yong with a beaming smile.


    Liu Yong warmly replied, "Mr. Han, please join us. You''ve certainly made quite an impression today."


    Grateful, Han Guang acknowledged, "Brother Yong, it''s all thanks to you. Without your ck alloy, we wouldn''t have achieved this level of sess. March Company would have humiliated us."


    This sentiment was undeniably true.


    They stood no chance against the March Alloy Cutting Tool Group without the ck alloy. The victor would''ve undoubtedly been Zhu Xiangsheng, who had since departed in disgrace.


    With heartfelt gratitude, Han Guang said, "Brother Yong, we''d like to order another 100 tons of ck alloy."


    A hundred tons!


    Incredible!


    There was quite a crowd around, and many had overheard the conversation between the two. Su Jie had balked at the ten thousand yuan per kilogram price tag, while Han Guang was ready to secure a hundred tons at once.


    A staggering hundred tons!


    At ten thousand yuan per kilogram, this purchase amounted to a billion yuan.


    A billion!


    This figure was nothing short of astronomical.


    The news of such substantial orders spread rapidly. The word was out that the ten thousand yuan per kilogram price had spurred numerous alloy-cutting tool manufacturers to action. They had initially hesitated, but witnessing Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group''s orders, they began flocking to the Global Specialty Materials Group''s exhibition area.


    "Mr. Liu, we''d like to ce an order for 200 tons!"


    "I''ll take a hundred tons!"


    "I¡ªI''d like to buy 300 tons!"


    The mour filled the air.


    There was more than just a handful at this exhibition; hundreds of alloy manufacturers were in attendance. Liu Yong and his team were soon engulfed by the mouring crowd, all waving banknotes and mouring for ck alloy.


    The range of orders spanned from dozens of tons to several hundred tons!


    Witnessing this remarkable scene, Xin Feiwen couldn''t help but grin with delight. After a hasty calction, it was apparent that the total orders exceeded a thousand tons.


    Liu Yong cheerfully urged, "Please line up, one by one, and sign contracts with Mr. Xin."


    The contracts had been prepared well in advance, and hundreds of copies were readily avable, requiring only the details to be filled in.


    Xin Feiwen, nked by two assistants, distributed the pre-prepared contracts and official seals to sign contracts with each tool manufacturer, one by one.


    The queue stretched out in front of them, extending beyond the exhibition area''s boundaries, with bosses waiting their turn.


    Such a sight was exceedingly rare.


    The anchors covering the event were exhrated, broadcasting live as if they had struck gold.


    "Oh, look at these big-shot CEOs queuing up to sign contracts."


    "Seasoned industry veterans, take a gander at the line snaking outside the exhibition area."


    "The price of this ck alloy stands at 10,000 yuan per kilogram, equivalent to 10 million yuan per ton. Money appears to have lost its value here."


    The scene was electric, and Xin Feiwen was inundated, quickly signing contracts.


    Every contract took only three to five minutes toplete. As contracts multiplied, Xin Feiwen would rise, shake hands with the signee, and hand over the duly executed agreement to his assistant.


    One, two, three¡­


    Contracts were executed briskly, with more and more orders streaming in.


    Amidst this frenzy, Liu Yong''s attention was drawn to a blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigner, whom he suspected to be a representative of an overseas alloy manufacturer.


    The foreigner''s turn swiftly arrived.


    Xin Feiwen, fluent in English, produced an English version of the contract and exined, "Mr Gordon, the contract terms are identical to the Chinese version, save for the pricing, which is 15,000 yuan per kilogram."


    Gordon, taken aback, protested, "Why is it 15,000 yuan per kilogram for us, while it''s 10,000 yuan for everyone else? That''s a 50% increase!"

 Chapter 449 A Lucrative Offer !

    <h4>Chapter 449 A Lucrative Offer !</h4>


    "The price was set by none other than Liu Yong himself," Xin Feiwen remarked with a contemtive air, his eyes scanning the bustling crowd of potential buyers. The hum of negotiations and the underlying tension of a unique opportunity filled the air. Liu Yong, the man behind this pivotal decision, initially had reservations about extending their trade to foreign alloy knife manufacturers. However, as he delved deeper into the possibilities, the prospect of foreign profits couldn''t be ignored. Still, he knew the premium for these overseas customers would be steep.


    Across the negotiation table, Gordon''s furrowed brows conveyed his dissatisfaction and lingering doubts. Xin Feiwen sensed the unease in his client''s demeanour and leaned forward to address it head-on. "We have a transparent policy, Mr. Gordon," Xin Feiwen exined with utmost rity. "Our pricing is unwavering; we treat all foreign knife manufacturers equally. It''s a t rate of 15,000 yuan per kilogram."


    Gordon hesitated momentarily, his fingers tapping nervously on the polished wooden table. His eyes darted to the snaking line of potential buyers behind him. Xin Feiwen maintained hisposure and continued, "Our price is non-negotiable. If it doesn''t align with your budget, you''re free to choose otherwise."


    "In the realm ofmerce, choices are a currency of their own," Xin Feiwen dered boldly, emphasizing the freedom of choice in business dealings.


    Gordon pondered once more, his eyes sweeping over the queue behind him. His resolve hardened as he considered the broader implications. "I''ll take 10,000 kilograms," he dered firmly.


    Yet, 10,000 kilograms was merely a modest order in this environment. Just moments before, domestic alloy knife dealers had secured tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of kilograms. Some ambitious buyers had mademitments measured in tons.


    Xin Feiwen nodded approvingly, "Certainly, Mr. Gordon. Let''s finalize the paperwork. Please remit 30% of the payment within the next 48 hours, and the bnce will be due upon picking up the goods. Failure toply will result in the contract''s nullification."


    The contract, an intricate document with codified uses, stipted that the buyers would arrange to pick up the goods from Global Special Materials Group; no doorstep delivery was provided.


    Gordon,mitting a staggering 150 million yuan to this order, had yet to inkling the challenges that woulde with future purchases. In retrospect, he wondered why he hadn''t ced a more substantial demand from the outset. However, the future remained uncertain, and his present decision was irreversible.


    As Gordon signed the contract and exited, other eager buyers followed suit, each affixing their signatures to their respective agreements. Many of these buyers hailed from foreign shores, and though the 15,000-yuan price tag initially gave them pause, prudence won the day. They typically ordered a few tons, asionally a dozen, with a select few daring to request 30 tons.


    These foreign alloy-cutting tool manufacturers made rtively modest orderspared to their domestic counterparts. This was fine for Liu Yong and Xin Feiwen; they adhered to their policy of granting clients the freedom to choose.


    As the afternoon waned, Xin Feiwen began packing his materials, his voice ringing, "We conclude our business today. We''ll continue tomorrow."


    Some within the waiting throng expressed mild dissatisfaction at the early closure. Still, Xin Feiwen''s reassurance that business would resume the following day cated them.


    However, Liu Yong, ever the masterful tactician, couldn''t resist a yful twist to the plot. He addressed the restless crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to secure our ck alloy tomorrow, I advise an early arrival. We possess 2,000 tons in stock, but more than 1,700 tons have already been imed. A mere 200 tons remain."


    Panic ensued. The realization that only a tiny fraction of their coveted alloy remained on hand sent waves of anxiety through the crowd. Voices of urgency rose in chorus, questioning why there were only 200 tons left and if they''d have a chance.


    "Mr. Liu, when can we expect the next shipment?" inquired one of the anxious buyers.


    Savouring the anticipation he had stirred, Liu Yong replied solemnly, "You can anticipate a replenishment in approximately a month. We''ll be ready with new supplies by then."


    Murmurs of discontent and frustration spread like wildfire. A month''s wait was daunting; the alloy was exceptional, and the market was rife withpetition. The early bird would indeed catch the worm.


    Unfazed by themotion, Liu Yong raised his hands to quell the growing unrest. "I''m afraid there''s no other recourse," he dered with an air of finality. "We have just over 200 tons avable now. If you wish to secure your share, I rmend early arrival tomorrow."


    As the reality of the situation sunk in, the crowd resigned themselves to the inevitability of waiting. By 5:30 p.m., the exhibition hall''s doors closed for the day, leaving potential buyers to ponder their next move.


    Xin Feiwen''s excitement was palpable as he sorted through the stack of contracts¡ªa testament to their unprecedented sess, totalling a staggering 1,756 tons ofmitted orders. It felt like a dream, a testament to the allure of the ck alloy.


    "Boss, if only we had more of it," Xin Feiwenmented, his eyes brimming with optimism.


    Liu Yong, equally enthused, responded, "In about ten days, we''ll receive another batch of ferrous metals."


    Xin Feiwen couldn''t help but wish for even swifter progress. "Boss, if only we could expedite the process. The profitability of this ck alloy is simply unparalleled."


    After signing deals that amounted to over 1,700 tons, Liu Yong shared his team''s joy. He treated everyone in the exhibition area to avish meal, a fitting celebration for their remarkable achievement.


    After the feast, Liu Yong returned to his grand vi and initiated a conversation with Bawang, his trusty partner.


    "Overlord, I have an important task for you," Liu Yong began, his tone charged with purpose.


    Bawang satiated from its feast and, now resting in its cave, perked up upon hearing Liu Yong''s voice. "Master, I''m at your service. What task do you have for me?"


    Liu Yong leaned in, revealing a n brewing in his mind. "Do you recall those gleaming ck alloy bars? We have a substantial stock in one of our cargo holds."


    Bawang''s excitement was evident. "Of course, Master. Do you wish for me to transport some of them?"


    The previous "Blue Whale" shipment included over 200,000 tons of ferrous metals and a hundred colossal, 2,000-ton ck alloy bars. Each bar weighed an impressive 20 tons. Now, Liu Yong issued hismand. "Bawang, select a suitable location closer to Huahai City, and relocate some of those ck alloy bars there. We''ll summon the ''Blue Whale'' to retrieve them."


    Overlord agreed without hesitation. "Understood, Master. I''ll


    Find the perfect spot immediately."


    Without dy, Bawang swam out of its cave and set forth on its mission, covering thousands of nautical miles to reach a destination that would expedite the process. It then spent additional hours scouting for an ideal location.


    Eventually, Bawang settled on a site only a few nautical miles away from a vast deserted ind. The surrounding waters were shallow, ranging from two to ten meters. The seabed boasted a level expanse of fine sand devoid of silt or seaweed, offering a clear andprehensive view.


    Satisfied with its choice, Bawang began preparations. It secured provisions from the abundant underwater resources and rested near the deserted ind.


    The following morning, Liu Yong, still groggy from sleep and untouched breakfast, received a transmission from Bawang.


    "Master, how does this location appear to you?" Bawang inquired.


    Liu Yong swiftly essed his third-party vision and assessed the location his loyalpanion chose. The sight pleased him immensely.


    Reviewing the world map on his pet panel, he pinpointed Bawang''s new location between Huahai City and the spaceship wreckage. This strategic relocation significantly reduced the "Blue Whale''s" travel distance, trimming the round-trip journey from more than half a month to seven to eight days.


    With a satisfied nod, Liu Yongmented, "This spot is perfect. Bring me 200 ck alloy bars for now."


    Two hundred bars amounted to a staggering 4,000 tons of precious ck alloy.

 Chapter 450 Su Jie’s Gamble ?

    <h4>Chapter 450 Su Jie''s Gamble ?</h4>


    Huahai International Convention and Exhibition Center stood resplendent in the early morning sun, its grandeur befitting the multitude gathered at its gates. An air of anticipation hung heavy among the assembled crowd, their eyes locked on the entrance, eagerly awaiting its unlocking.


    Among these crowds stood Bai Zhiwen, a luminary in live broadcasting with millions of ardent followers. Having already broadcasted tirelessly for the better part of a day at the exhibition, his dedicated fans moured for more. They implored him tomence his broadcast even earlier today, their enthusiasm undeterred.


    As Bai Zhiwen surveyed the sea of faces before him, he couldn''t help but be taken aback. At first nce, he had assumed these individuals to be colleagues, but he realized they were an entirely different breed upon closer inspection.


    This audience was distinctly older, most in their thirties, forties, and even fifties¡ªan age group notmonly associated with live broadcasting. What set them further apart was the absence of ubiquitous cell phones, selfie sticks, and mobile devices clutched in eager hands.


    Noticing a man in his early thirties standing nearby, Bai Zhiwen struck up a conversation, curiosity getting the better of him.


    "Brother, why are you here so early, waiting for the doors to open?" he inquired.


    The man responded with an air of resolve, "Well, it''s imperative to arrive early; otherwise, you won''t secure a ce in line to make your purchases, and that wouldn''t be good."


    A brief exchange revealed that these early risers were here to queue up at the Universal Special Materials Group booth to ce orders for a remarkable substance known as ck alloy.


    "The ck alloy you mentioned," Bai Zhiwen asked, "is that the alloy used by Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group?"


    "Yes, precisely," the man affirmed. "It''s the very same ck alloy. Yesterday, we arrived a tadte and missed out. Only thest two hundred tons remain. We''re hoping for better luck today."


    Bai Zhiwen was well-acquainted with this ck alloy, having spent hours live broadcasting the precision part machining facilitated by Taishan Alloy Cutting Tool Group. He knew this ck alloy tool could process fifty parts seamlessly yet show only slight signs of wear.


    As the clock ticked on, the anticipation swelled. Then, with a grand gesture, the doors were flung open. The attendees surged, each with a clear destination¡ªnot to visit their exhibition spaces or booths but to make a beeline for the A122 exhibition area.


    Gate 2 had opened thirty minutes ahead of Gate 1, primarily catering to exhibitors for early preparations. Half an hourter, Gate 1 followed suit, ushering in the general exhibition attendees.


    Straight to the Global Specialty Materials Group''s exhibition area, they formed orderly queues that quickly dissipated despite some initial disagreements. Within mere minutes, the line had grown considerably,prising over a hundred eager individuals.


    Ten minutester, Xin Feiwen led a dozen associates into the exhibition area. The crowd seemed excited; everyone was thrilled at the prospect of securing this coveted ck alloy.


    With a cellphone stand, Bai Zhiwen initiated his livestream, his voice resonating through the virtual airwaves. "Ladies and gentlemen, have you ever seen the like? It''s truly unprecedented. Those waiting in line are predominantly high-ranking industry titans. There are already well over a hundred people in the queue, and the line shows no signs of abating."


    His livestream underway, Xin Feiwen and two assistants began epting orders. Xin Feiwen announced boldly, "We have a limited stock of just over two hundred tons of ck alloy. Our CEO has stipted a maximum order of ten tons per individual."


    Limitations! The revtion caught some off guard at the front of the queue, but those toward the back erupted in jubtion. They almost shouted in unison,uding the restriction as long overdue.


    With just over two hundred tons remaining, ack of restraint might result in a mere handful of bosses monopolizing the entire stockpile. This would leave nothing for those further back in the line. Thus, the imposed limit of ten tons per order was hailed as a fair solution.


    With contracts in hand, this contractual formality waspleted in two to three minutes per individual. Those fortunate enough to secure their contracts departed with ecstasy. At the same time, those still waiting in the queue craned their necks anxiously, their silent prayers fervently beseeching the heavens for a ten-ton allocation. After all, a month''s wait loomed if they missed this opportunity.


    Meanwhile, Su Jie had left the previous day in the exhibition area of Huanghe Alloy Cutting Tool Group, deeming the ck alloy''s price exorbitant. His return to the International Convention and Exhibition Center needed to be more timely, to say the least, arriving almost an hour after the general public had begun streaming in at 9:00 AM. Exhibitors had already entered at 8:30 AM.


    Upon reaching his designated exhibition area, Su Jie swiftly received an urgent report. The exhibition area manager eximed, "Mr. Su, I was just about to call you."


    "What''s going on?" Su Jie inquired.


    "The ck alloy from the Global Special Materials Group has been selling like hotcakes. They''ve exhausted their entire stock of 2,000 tons," the manager reported.


    "What? That''s preposterous, given its price of 10,000 yuan per kilogram," Su Jie eximed, genuine disbelief etching his features.


    "It''s undeniable, sir. The queue began yesterday afternoon and saw orders for over 1,700 tons. The remaining 200 tons were snapped up early this morning. Word has it that everything has been sold."


    Incredulity washed over Su Jie. Over 2,000 tons of ck alloy are gone in the blink of an eye! It meant countless alloy knife manufacturers would utilize this unique alloy to craft their products, flooding the market.


    His mind racing, Su Jie could no longer remain idle. Waving his hands in agitation, he dered, "Come, let''s go see for ourselves."


    Upon arrival at the Universal Special Materials Group''s exhibition area, Su Jie found the once-formidable queue had dissipated. Those who''d missed out on the ck alloy looked crestfallen.


    Though the long line had vanished, the atmosphere remained charged. Many attendees were aware of the two alloys presented in the exhibition area, with some opting for grey-ck alloy¡ªa superb alternative that found wide application in various fields. It was a solid choice, priced at a rtively affordable 2 million yuan per ton.


    "Mr. Xin, I''m Su Jie from Huanghe Alloy Cutting Tool Group. I spoke with Mr. Liu yesterday. I wish to ce an order for 300 tons of ck alloy," Su Jie announced eagerly, wasting no time.


    Three hundred tons! Su Jie''s urgency was palpable.


    However, Xin Feiwen''s response was disheartening. "Mr. Su, I''m truly sorry, but we''vepletely exhausted our stock. There isn''t even a single kilogram left, let alone one or two tons."


    Out of stock! The revtion hit Su Jie like a hammer blow. If only he hadn''t hesitated


    Over the price the day before, he could have secured several hundred tons effortlessly.


    As disappointment and regret gripped him, Su Jie witnessed a flurry of activity. Liu Yong and his team had arrived at the Universal Special Materials Group''s exhibition area. Initially, Liu Yong had contemted skipping this visit, but ast-minute decision led him there.


    Spotting Liu Yong, Su Jie''s eyes gleamed with hope. It was like he''d glimpsed a lifeline amid the waves of despair. Moving swiftly, he approached Liu Yong, his desperation evident.

 Chapter 451 Liu Yong’s Offer !

    <h4>Chapter 451 Liu Yong''s Offer !</h4>


    In a bustling exhibition hall, amid the murmur of voices and the ng of machinery, a familiar voice cut through the din.


    "Mr. Liu!"


    The words reverberated with urgency and hope, drawing the attention of many. Yet, none could quite match the eagerness in Su Jie''s voice as he approached Liu Yong.


    "Mr. Liu, it''s me, Su Jie from the Yellow River Knife!"


    Su Jie''s face expressed desperate anticipation, as though he feared going unrecognized by the person he sought.


    Momentarily taken aback, Liu Yong quickly recognized Su Jie, the very individual who had deemed his ck alloy too expensive the previous day, resulting in no purchase.


    "Oh, President Su," Liu Yong replied, his toneced with a hint of amusement, "Feel free to drop by whenever you have a moment."


    Su Jie''s smile was bittersweet as he confessed, "Mr. Liu, I''m feeling quite regretful now. Why did I pass up the chance to buy your ck alloy yesterday?"


    Still wearing a genial smile, Liu Yong responded, "We''ve only got 2,000 tons in stock for now. It won''t be long before they''re all sold out."


    Indeed, they were sold out, with nothing remaining.


    Su Jie stood there, his face a portrait of conflicted thoughts, muttering to himself as he wrestled with regret.


    Then, as if surrendering to his remorse, he turned to Liu Yong and confessed, "Mr. Liu, I''m regretting my decision. If only I hadn''t balked at the high price yesterday, I would''ve ordered a few hundred tons. What a missed opportunity!"


    Liu Yong chuckled and remarked, "President Su, do you still think our ck alloy is expensive now?"


    Su Jie''s response was swift and emphatic, "Not at all! It''s a steal! A product as exceptional as this could easily fetch 10,000 yuan or more per kilogram. Even at 20,000 to 30,000 yuan per kilogram, there would still be a thriving market for it."


    "Mr. Liu," Su Jie implored, "We''re in dire need of this alloy. Can you help us out? I''d owe you a great debt. Could you spare us one or two tons?"


    Liu Yong felt a surge of satisfaction. As a seller, having customers earnestly request your product and speak so highly of it was a rare privilege.


    "Boss Su, I''m afraid I don''t have any inventory on hand right now. How about this? In about ten days, we''ll receive a fresh batch of ck alloy. Come by a bit earlier then."


    Ten days!


    Just ten days!


    It was a far cry from the one-month wait he had anticipated. Su Jie''s face lit up with newfound hope, grateful for this elerated timeline.


    With a firm handshake, Su Jie said, "Mr. Liu, thank you so much. I''ll definitely be there in ten days."


    Liu Yong added, "Just get in touch with Mr. Xin."


    Su Jie thanked him again and exchanged contact information with Xin Feiwen before departing from the Universal Special Materials Group exhibition area.


    The 2,000 tons of ferrous alloys had beenpletely sold out, with no further orders being epted. However, grey-ck metals were still avable for purchase.


    Initially, this alloy was meant for something other than export. But with the current surplus, it could satisfy both military and civilian demands.


    Liu Yong had secured the exclusive right to sell 5,000 tons per month, of which 4,000 tons were allocated for the domestic market, and the remaining 1,000 tons could be exported.


    While 5,000 tons may not seem like a colossal quantity, it vanished quickly at the exhibition. Numerous high-end manufacturingpanies were eager for this exceptional alloy.


    Several prominent domestic enterprises had already ced substantial orders, with the majority being state-owned behemoths and a few private manufacturers joining the fray.


    At this exhibition, the undisputed victor was the Global Enterprise Group. They had secured an order for 2,000 tons of ferrous alloys andpletely sold out their stock of 5,000 tons of grey-ck metals.


    These two alloys had rapidly gained recognition in the market. Initially unfamiliar to many, they had now be household names.


    Amidst the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the Bawang, a mighty vessel, embarked on its first journey to deliver dozens of ck alloy rods, each weighing roughly twenty tons.


    For most, a journey spanning over a thousand nautical miles would be significant. Yet, for the Bawang, it amounted to a mere three to four hours.


    Arriving at its destination, the Bawang meticulously positioned dozens of ck alloy rods on the shallow seabed. Upon seeing the neatly arranged rods, it calcted that its Master required 200 rods, equivalent to 4,000 tons of ck alloy, a feat it could aplish in two to three days.


    Satisfied with its task, the Bawang then turned its attention to the wreckage of a spaceship, swimming towards it leisurely.


    As it glided through the water, something peculiar caught its eye.


    "Hey, what is that stuff?" Bawang wondered aloud.


    The closer it drew, the more precise the object became. It was entirely ck, covered in scales, and measured forty to fifty meters long. While it resembled a sea snake, it deviated in significant ways.


    Overlord''s thoughts raced. Could this be an erged sea python? Yet, he had never heard of such a colossal serpent inhabiting the ocean depths. It was an entirely novel species.


    Peering through Overlord''s eyes via a third-party vision, Liu Yong shared the sentiment, "Overlord, I''m not sure what that is, but I''d advise against provoking it."


    The Overlord, however, remained undeterred, its enthusiasm unabated, "Master, it''s not small at all! How about I try a taste?"


    Liu Yong chuckled, offering a mild rebuke, "You''re quite the foodie, aren''t you? Are you not concerned about its toxicity?"


    Undaunted, the Overlord proudly asserted, "I have a robust resistance to poison; I''m not afraid in the slightest."


    As if sensing Overlord''s presence, the enigmatic creature lunged at them, revealing its menacing countenance and charging forward with bared teeth and ws.


    Yet, the Overlord remained unperturbed, for this encounter was brief and decidedly one-sided.


    The battle between the two was swift and one-sided. The "sea python" met its fate in moments, consumed by the Overlord as though it were a mere spicy snack.


    One bite, followed by another.


    After a few mouthfuls, Overlorduded its discovery, "Master, it''s exquisite! I''ve never tasted anything like it before."


    This sea creature was colossal, measuring four to five meters in circumference. Liu Yong estimated its weight to be at least seventy to eighty tons.


    Yet, the Overlord remained unsatiated, having devoured the creature with ease.


    "It''s delectable! I wouldn''t mind another one," Overlord mused.


    "Master


    , I''d like to explore further to see if there''s another one nearby."


    Liu Yong consented, "Feel free to explore. You have ample time; just ensure you transport a total of 200 ck alloy rods over the next five days."


    Since Overlord had moved nearly a hundred rods, five days seemed like an eternity. It began its search in the nearby waters but found no trace of another creature.


    Undeterred, it ventured toward the seabed, where the ocean''s depth exceeded a thousand meters. Yet, curiosity soon led it deeper into the abyssal depths, reaching two to three thousand meters below the surface.

 Chapter 452 The Battery Breakthrough !

    <h4>Chapter 452 The Battery Breakthrough !</h4>


    Bawang descended into the abyss, plunging to the unfathomable depths of the seabed, more than 2,000 meters below the surface. In this subaquatic realm, darkness reigned supreme, interrupted only by the sporadic bioluminescent disys of deep-sea denizens. These ghostly illuminations emanated from curious and enigmatic creatures, casting an eerie and enchanting glow upon the otherwise pitch-ck abyss.


    As Bawang ventured deeper into the abyss, his ruminations revolved around the delectable morsel he had recently encountered. "The little guy from earlier was truly a delicacy," he mused. "If only I could stumble upon a few more like him, it would make for an exquisite feast."


    Overlord''s hunger pangs persisted, his longing for another encounter with colossal "sea pythons" driving him forward. His heart desired to find an entire family of these immense creatures, for a full banquet was what he truly craved.


    However, the seabed beneath him, at this depth, appeared disappointingly uniform. asionally, slight undtions interrupted the terrain: small hills, gentle valleys, and vast ins, but there were no signs of the fabled deep-sea trenches.


    Overlord couldn''t help but feel a tinge of regret. He had presumed that peculiar marine life, such as the albino fish and colossal octopus he had previously encountered, might originate from the depths of a trench. Yet, his search had yielded neither trenches nor the colossal "sea pythons" he so fervently sought.


    Refusing to concede defeat, Overlord pressed on, tirelessly expanding his exploration. Yet, despite his persistence, he remained empty-handed. The elusive trench and its gargantuan inhabitants continued to elude him, leaving him with no choice but to abandon this particr quest.


    With a resigned sigh, Overlord refocused on his assigned mission, the collection of two hundred ck alloy rods. These sturdy artifacts had to be transported back to their point of origin. This task required his full attention and precision.


    "The task isplete, Master," Bawang reported, reaching out to Liu Yong via their mental link. The synthetic servant had efficiently transported the entire quota of ck alloy rods, eager to receive his master''s approval.


    In Huahai City, it was a tranquil afternoon. Liu Yong and his friend Li Changle had decided to unwind at the cinema, indulging in a romantic drama that had profoundly moved Li Changle. Her eyes glistened with tears, her heart engrossed in the emotional narrative of the movie.


    Liu Yong, on the other hand, remainedposed. He continued his telepathicmunication with Bawang, praising the android for its efficiency. "Bawang, you''ve done splendidly. Two hundred pieces have arrived."


    Bawang, ever eager for recognition, responded with pride. "Master, your praise is my greatest reward. If you wish, you can verify the count."


    Liu Yong, trusting his syntheticpanion implicitly, waved off the offer. He had no doubt about Bawang''s capabilities and was content to celebrate their sessful taskpletion.


    The following day, Liu Yong took the initiative to contact Ren Ziquan, instructing him to oversee the return of the two hundred ck alloy rods to their original location. He provided Ren Ziquan with precise coordinates, ensuring a smooth retrieval.


    Meanwhile, the "Blue Whale" had been back in port for several days after itsst salvage operation. The crew had enjoyed a well-deserved respite, but now they prepared to embark on another voyage.


    Thousands of miles away, in M country, military officials had their eyes firmly fixed on the movements of the "Blue Whale." Ever since the vessel had been involved in the sinking of seven warships and a submarine during its previous mission, it had be a high-priority target for surveince.


    Yurpak, a distinguished senior general in the M country navy, received a report about the "Blue Whale''s" departure. He concealed his excitement as he issued orders to closely monitor the vessel''s movements.


    A naval captain pondered aloud, "Your Excellency General, whenever the ''Blue Whale'' is deployed, it signifies a significant mission. However, this time is peculiar because there are no apanying ships."


    Yurpak agreed, acknowledging the unusual nature of the situation. "This time, it''s different. We can''t decipher the ''Blue Whale''s'' intentions for now. Let us continue to observe its movements attentively. If necessary, we will discreetly dispatch ships to shadow its path."


    The M country colonel concurred with a crisp salute, "Understood, Your Excellency General."


    Unbeknownst to Liu Yong, his actions aboard the "Blue Whale" had piqued the interest of M country''s military. Nheless, Liu Yong remained focused on his endeavours, which were about to take an exciting turn.


    In his office, Liu Yong examined the batteries presented to him by Huang Guang. These graphene-aluminium batteries, designed for mobile phones and vehicles, bore the fruits of Global New Energy Group''sbour.


    Liu Yong expressed his keen interest, inspecting the batteries meticulously. "How is their quality?" he inquired.


    Huang Guang beamed with pride as he replied, "Even though it''s just a trial run, their quality is exceptional, boasting a pass rate of over 99.8%. These samples, in particr, surpass our expectations."


    Liu Yong''s relief was palpable. "Excellent news, Huang Guang. I''m delighted to hear it."


    Huang Guang continued, "We''ve identified some issues during trial production, but we''re actively addressing them. Official mass production is on track tomence the day after tomorrow."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile at the prospect. "At longst, our graphene-aluminum batteries will flood the market. I anticipate they will cause quite a sensation."


    Huang Guang shared his enthusiasm. "Indeed, Brother Yong, I have high hopes as well."


    Liu Yong made a decision. "In that case, I''ll visit the factory for the official start of mass production in two days."


    Huang Guang''s excitement was palpable as he acknowledged, "That would be wonderful, Brother Yong."


    Two dayster, the grand opening ceremony of Global New Energy Group''s No. 1 factory unfolded. The venue was adorned with a red carpet, colourful gs, and fluttering banners, a testament to the historic significance of this day.


    Wang Yongwang, beaming with pride, addressed the attendees. "Today is a momentous asion. We are witnessing theunch of mass production for our graphene-aluminum batteries."


    "Mass production is like a dreame true," he continued. "History will remember that the first graphene-aluminum battery was born right here in Jinpen County."


    Excitement and jubtion permeated the atmosphere, and the crowd could hardly contain their enthusiasm. It wasn''t long before someone excitedly announced, "Mr. Liu and his team are arriving!"


    A convoy of luxury vehicles, led by two Rolls-Royces, pulled up at the factory. Liu Yong, apanied by top executives from Universal Enterprise Group, had arrived. This day held special significance for them as well.


    Upon arrival, the weingmittee greeted them with handshakes, and a loud burst of firecrackers filled the air. Liu Yong, amidst the fanfare, made his way into the factory.


    .


    As the opening ceremonymenced, Liu Yong pressed the button that set the production line into motion. The machines roared to life, and graphene-aluminium batteries began rapidly rolling off the assembly line.


    The audience apuded, their hearts filled with pride as they witnessed the realization of years of hard work and innovation. Workers bustled about, packaging batteries and ferrying them to the warehouse via transfer logistics vehicles.


    Meanwhile, on the road leading to Jinpen County, a procession of vehicles made its way toward the county industrial park. This impressive convoyprised several cars at the front and a dozen massive trucks.


    Observers would notice that the trucks were conspicuously empty, adorned with bright red flowers affixed to their fronts.


    Upon reaching Jinpen County, the convoy turned toward the industrial park, where a new chapter in energy and technology was unfolding.

 Chapter 453 Mango’s Moves !

    <h4>Chapter 453 Mango''s Moves !</h4>


    The convoy arrived with a regal procession at the entrance of Global New Energy Group''s No. 1 factory. Bi Qingyun, peering through the window''s pristine ss, couldn''t suppress his sense of awe.


    The sprawling expanse of the factory grounds sprawled out before him, leaving him momentarily speechless.


    "By all ounts," he mused, his gaze sweeping across to the neighbouring No. 2 factory of Universal Semiconductor Group, "this is truly an enormous establishment."


    As the convoy inched closer to the factory gates, the vignt security guard there had already been alerted and promptly swung open the gates.


    A line of petite cars, closely tailed by a procession of imposing trucks, rolled into the factorypound. Once inside, the entrance opened to an extensive reception area, and a magnificent office tower loomed on the horizon.


    A few smaller vehicles made a beeline for the office building''s entrance. Simultaneously, the dozen colossal trucks navigated along the broad, unswerving tarmac within the factory, heading toward the logistics precinct.


    The logistics arena was vast, resembling an area slightly more extensive than a standard football field. It couldfortably house a dozen sizable trucks without any crowding issues. Apart from the expansive open space, an enormous warehouse was also on-site.


    As Bi Qingyun and his entourage disembarked from their vehicles, they were warmly greeted by an eager host.


    "President Bi," the host beamed enthusiastically, "our CEO is at the No. 1 factory''s production site. Allow me to escort you there."


    With that, they all ventured into the No. 1 factory building. Inside this hollow structure, sprawling across thousands of square meters, a diligent workforce was in full swing, multiple production lines humming to life, churning out batteries piece by piece.


    "President Bi, wee!" greeted Liu Yong as he extended a hand toward Bi Qingyun. However, Bi Qingyun''s eyes remained riveted to the mesmerizing assembly lines.


    "Mr. Liu," Bi Qingyun breathed, his voice a mixture of admiration and excitement, "this production scene is nothing short of spectacr. It''s a joy to behold. Witnessing the mass production of so many batteries, it''s impossible not to be moved."


    Liu Yong''s jubnt smile matched Bi Qingyun''s enthusiasm. "Today, we''ve officiallyunched six mobile phone battery production lines and three car battery production lines," he proudly dered.


    Finishing his statement, Liu Yong reached for a mobile phone battery and held it aloft. "See this? This is our mobile phone battery."


    Bi Qingyun epted the petite mobile phone battery, closely scrutinizing it. "I heard that today marks themencement of mass production. I''ve brought along a fleet of a dozenrge trucks, intending to load the first batch of batteries right away."


    Liu Yong nodded affirmatively. "Absolutely, we canmence loading immediately."


    As they strolled through the factory, followed by a sizable entourage, they inspected the production facilities before proceeding to the warehouse. Inside, diligent workers carefully packed the freshly manufactured mobile phone batteries into boxes, one by one.


    The entire Jinpen County was ecstatic, more festive and glorious than any Chinese New Year celebration.


    The inaugural graphene-aluminum battery, heralded with a fanfare, was now a reality in Jinpen County.


    As evening descended, Jinpen County hosted avish fireworks disy, painting half the sky crimson with its breathtaking pyrotechnics.


    News of the first graphene-aluminum battery''s production was swiftly disseminated, with media outlets eagerly covering the event.


    "A Miracle Is Born!" eximed one headline. "Fuel vehicles, prepare to bid farewell!" another announced. "What will a mobile phone powered by a graphene-aluminum battery look like? We eagerly await!" chimed a third. "We are at the vanguard of innovation; let the Western world envy us!" proimed yet another. "An exhrating moment: Remember the birth of the first graphene-aluminum battery!" rhapsodized the final headline.


    The news saturated every corner, inundating the mediandscape¡ªon the inte, television, or WeChat Moments. The world was captivated by graphene-aluminum batteries.


    Liu Yong returned to Huahai City that very day.


    In the evening, seated on his living room sofa and tuning into the CCTV news, his delight knew no bounds upon witnessing the coverage of graphene-aluminium batteries. Even the official media were dedicating airtime to it.


    "This is incredible! Universal Enterprise Group has truly shaken the industry to its core," he eximed, awe-struck.


    "Until recently, it felt like a mere dream. Yet here we are, witnessing the birth of graphene-aluminum batteries," he continued, thoroughly impressed.


    "It''s a shame," he chuckled, "I just purchased a Mango phone. Are they going to force me to switch to a Golden Dragon phone?"


    Amidst the flurry of thoughts, Liu Yong realized that a new era had dawned, and the future was charged with potential.


    Three dayster, Qingyun International Group announced that the Jinlong mobile phone, equipped with graphene-aluminum batteries, would be avable for sale both online and in brick-and-mortar stores.


    Online sales skyrocketed, and queues snaked outside physical stores nationwide. The fortunate early adopters who possessed the new King Long mobile phones were ecstatic.


    "No doubt about it," one customer raved, "the battery life on this Jinlong mobile phone is astounding."


    "Indeed," chimed in another. "The new phone I bought yesterday morning has seen hours of gaming and video streaming, yet its battery only depleted by 10%. At this rate, a full charge will easilyst ten days."


    "Unbelievable! I''m sold!"


    As word of the remarkable battery life spread, King Long mobile phone owners were jubnt, touting their new devices to anyone who would listen.


    Meanwhile, at Universal Building, the president of OOP Mobile emerged with a triumphant entourage in tow.


    "Mr. Liu really delivered," one of his associates marvelled. "He secured an order for 50 million mobile phone batteries. I never anticipated this level of sess."


    "Our time hase," President Kong Demin dered, his voice ringing excitedly. "We''re getting 50 million graphene-aluminum batteries, but we must work diligently to catch up. It''ll take us three months to receive the goods."


    Liu Yong''s disclosure during negotiations had Kong Demin practically dancing with delight. The graphene-aluminum batteries would initially cater to the domestic market, leaving foreign mobile phone manufacturers in the lurch.


    This revtion filled Kong Demin with unbridled joy. Foreign phone manufacturers, deprived of graphene-aluminum batteries, were bound to vanish from the domestic market.


    As Kong Demin and his associates were about to enter their awaiting vehicles, their gaze fell upon an approaching convoy. A multitude of individuals disembarked from the cars and began to assemble nearby.


    Kong Demin recognized many of them, particrly the top brass of Mango Mobile, most of whom hailed from abroad.


    The sight left Kong Demin and his associates stunned. They had expected Trolop Nath, the president of Mango Mobile, to be absent in person. This wasn''t just the general manager of the Yanguo District branch¡ªit was the global president himself.


    Mango Mobile was a renowned international brand, its sales and revenue ranking among the top three worldwide.


    Their presence here could only mean one thing¡ªthey hade for the graphene-aluminum battery.

 Chapter 454 Liu Yong’s Strategic moves !

    <h4>Chapter 454 Liu Yong''s Strategic moves !</h4>


    Trolopenat couldn''t believe his eyes when heid them upon Kong Demin and his entourage. He halted abruptly, his footsteps freezing in their tracks. The unexpected encounter left him momentarily stunned, and he couldn''t help but stop to take it all in.


    Observing Kong Demin and hispanions, Trolopenat couldn''t miss the radiant joy on their faces.


    It was unmistakable ¨C something had clearly gone exceedingly well for them. Trolopenat''s mind raced with spections; perhaps they had sessfully ced an order for the elusive graphene-aluminum batteries he so ardently sought.


    Yet, amidst the whirlwind of hope and trepidation, there was a sudden chill in Trolope Nat''s heart.


    It was a chilling realization that washed over him. Despite the numerous attempts made by his subordinates to establish contact with Universal Enterprise Group, their efforts had been consistently met with rejection.


    With unwavering determination andser-like focus, Trolope Nat had dispatched his subordinates to Universal Enterprise Group with a crystal-clear mission ¨C to secure an order for graphene-aluminum batteries tailored for mobile phones. Unfortunately, every attempt had been met with firm denials.


    The message from Universal Enterprise Group was crystal clear, like a lighthouse beacon on a stormy night.


    Only one factory is operational, and the second is still under construction.


    Their production capacity could have been much higher, a ring testament to their inability to meet the demands of foreign mobile phone manufacturers.


    Trolopenat''s restlessness and impatience had finally reached a breaking point. He decided to take matters into his own hands, leading his team personally to this pivotal meeting.


    His objective was crystal clear ¨C secure a winning bid for these sought-after batteries, even if it meant cing an order of staggering proportions, possibly tens of millions of yuan.


    One of his subordinates leaned in and whispered, "Mr. President, that''s Kong Demin and his team from OOP Mobile Phone Company."


    Trolopenath nodded with an air of recognition. Another team member said, "They seem to be in exceptionally high spirits. It''s highly probable that they have managed to sessfully secure an order for graphene batteries from Universal Enterprise Group."


    The confirmation that hispetitors had indeed managed to order graphene-aluminum batteries only added to Trolopenat''s sense of urgency and dismay.


    He nodded solemnly, his expression growing sterner by the moment. Finally, he raised his hand to signal to his team, saying, "Let''s make our way to Universal Building, the headquarters of Universal Enterprise Group."


    The group proceeded to the building with a sense of purpose. Upon arrival, they promptly conveyed their intentions to the appropriate authorities. They were ushered into a well-appointed reception room. Little did they know that a pivotal encounter was about to unfold.


    Meanwhile, in the confines of a well-appointed office within the same building, Liu Yong was engrossed in monitoring the "Blue Whale" progress via a third-party perspective. After an arduous journey spanning four and a half days, the "Blue Whale" had sessfully navigated its way to the designated sea area.


    This was no ordinary voyage; had it been under previous circumstances, the "Blue Whale" would have taken a gruelling eight days to reach this point. Yet, through an impressive feat of engineering and maritime prowess, they had shaved over three days off their journey.


    It was a testament to their unwaveringmitment to their mission.


    Yesterday afternoon, the "Blue Whale" had finally reached its designated location. To their astonishment, they discovered a bounty beneath the ocean''s surface ¨C 200 ck alloy rods resting on the seabed, waiting to be unearthed.


    The arduous work of salvage hadmenced early the following morning, and over 100 rods had already been sessfully retrieved.


    The "Blue Whale," a behemoth of a salvage vessel, boasted a massive cargo capacity, easily amodating the 200 metal rods they''d discovered. As the ship''s crane deftly hoisted these precious items onto the deck, it was clear that the mission was proceeding smoothly.


    Yet, as the operations continued, there was a palpable tension in the air. For Liu Yong, every moment counted, and he could not afford to overlook the process unfolding beneath the ocean''s surface.


    Suddenly, knocking on the office door jolted Liu Yong from intensely scrutinizing the "Blue Whale." It was Qiu Yang, bearing news of Mango Mobile''s President, Trolope Nath, and his entourage.


    Qiu Yang announced, "Boss, President Trolope Nath and his group, totaling about a dozen individuals, have arrived. They are eager to ce an order for our graphene batteries."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile. He knew Mango Mobile''s interest was just the tip of the iceberg. As the first graphene-aluminum batteries rolled off the production line, he fully expected a flood of inquiries from foreign mobile phone manufacturers.


    Liu Yong weighed his response carefully before delivering his instructions. "Mr. Qiu, please go and receive them. Inform President Trolope Nath that we are currently unable to fulfill any orders for graphene-aluminum batteries. We''re looking at a timeline of at least six months before we can meet any demand."


    Qiu Yang nodded, absorbing the gravity of the situation.


    Liu Yong continued, "Furthermore, convey to them that in six months, we will be in a position to supply graphene-aluminum batteries to foreign mobile phone manufacturers. However, the pricing will reflect a 50% premiumpared to our domestic rates."


    With these words, Liu Yong effectively put control over pricing squarely in his hands. It was a strategic move that could reshape the dynamics of the industry.


    After Qiu Yang departed to ry the message, Liu Yong redirected his attention to the ongoing salvage operation of the "Blue Whale." This was a momentous endeavour, as the discovery of 200 ck alloy rods would send shockwaves throughout foreign and domestic alloy tool manufacturing circles.


    Despite the tremendous potential, Liu Yong remained resolute in his decision not to bring back more ferrous metals than necessary.


    The cargo hold was limited, and transporting excessive quantities at once could attract unwanted attention. It was a calcted approach to manage the situation.


    As he observed the "Blue Whale" continuing its journey back to Huahai City, Liu Yong concluded his vigil over the third-party perspective. The mission''s sess was undeniable and held immense promise for the future.


    Just as Liu Yong contemted these prospects and sipped a cup of coffee, Qiu Yang reentered the office. Evidently, he had spent considerable time conversing with Trolope Nath and his delegation.


    Qiu Yang reported, "Boss, President Trolope Nath and his group are not inclined to depart. They are insistent on sealing an order with us immediately and have even proposed that they can collect the goods after six months."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but find amusement in the turn of events.


    Trollope Nath was a shrewd negotiator, keen on seizing this golden opportunity. Qiu Yang continued, "Moreover, they have suggested that they are willing to assist us in constructing a battery manufacturing facility. Once the factory is operational, they would like exclusive ess to the batteries produced."


    A grin yed on Liu Yong''s lips. It was clear that Trolope Nath had recognized the gravity of the situation and was prepared to make bold moves.


    Liu Yong responded, "Very well, you may proceed with negotiations. The investment required for this factory must not fall short of $5 billion. Uponpletion, it will be under our sole management and ownership. Mango Mobile will only be entitled to one-third of the graphene batteries produced."


    Qiu Yang was visibly impressed by the termsid out by his boss. It was a masterstroke in negotiation ¨C asserting control over the factory''s operations and ownership while ensuring that Mango Mobile would pay a premium for the batteries. The bnce of power was firmly tilted in their favour.


    With a sense of purpose, Qiu Yang left the office to continue negotiations with Trolope Nath and his party. This was a crucial phase in shaping the future of their business endeavours.


    Meanwhile, in the vast expanse of the South Pacific Ocean, the Overlord hadpleted its mission of transporting the 200 ck alloy rods. Only one to use opportunities, Liu Yong had chosen not to assign further tasks to the Overlord at this juncture.


    Overlord''s artificial intelligence recalled its recent encounter with an enormous creature as the submarine cruised tens of meters beneath the ocean''s surface. It longed to encounter another of its kind.


    Suddenly, a sense of awe swept over Overlord as it spotted something of immense proportions in the distance. Caution guided its approach as the colossal size of this new discovery eclipsed even that of Overlord itself.

 Chapter 455 Huh! Black Sea Beast ?

    <h4>Chapter 455 Huh! ck Sea Beast ?</h4>


    The Overlord, who had been leisurely navigating the ocean depths, suddenly became acutely aware of the presence lurking nearby. His initial nonchnce gave way to a growing sense of apprehension, and he approached the mysterious entity with cautious intent.


    As the Overlord inched closer, the enormity of the creature before him came into sharp focus. It sprawled across the ocean floor, a colossal behemoth that dwarfed anything he had ever encountered.


    The Overlord couldn''t help but mutter in disbelief, "This is massive!" The sheer size of the creature was astonishing. Despite having journeyed through the Pacific, Indian, and Antic Oceans, nothing had prepared him for this spectacle.


    The enormity of the creature was staggering, quickly stretching close to 300 meters in length by his visual estimate. To put it into perspective, even the mightiest of ships, weighing tens of thousands of tons, paled inparison.


    Fortunately, this aquatic leviathan had a sleek and serpentine form reminiscent of a colossal python. Its ck body was adorned withrge scales that seemed to glisten with a metallic sheen.


    The Overlord''s thoughts drifted back to a recent encounter with a smaller, 40 to 50-meter-long ck "sea python." The creature he now faced shared a simr appearance but boasted a distinctive feature: four imposing ws.


    Unaware of the Overlord''s presence, the colossal creature moved through the water with an air of lethargy, seemingly oblivious to its surroundings. The Overlord, observing from a safe distance, studied its immense size, evaluating whether he had any hope of confronting this oceanic titan.


    After some contemtion, the Overlordmunicated his astonishing discovery to hispanion, Liu Yong. "Master, I''ve stumbled upon an incredibly massive creature in the South Pacific waters!"


    Liu Yong promptly checked Bawang''s location and realized it was near the southernmost tip of South America, not too distant from Antarctica. Activating the third-party vision, Liu Yong was privy to the Overlord''s cautious approach and the awe-inspiring sight of the enormous creature lurking a mere few hundred meters away.


    In shock, Liu Yong eximed, "My word, it''s colossal!" The creature before him measured nearly 300 meters long, almost equivalent to the Overlord. Its entire body, draped in pitch-ck skin adorned with metallic scales, resembled a super-sized python. However, this one possessed four formidable ws.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but ponder whether this colossal creature might be the legendary "ck Jiao." But that conjecture was quickly dismissed; the ck Jiao was a creature of myth, whereas this colossal enigma was an entirely different, monstrous entity.


    Concerned for Bawang''s safety, Liu Yong carefully assessed the situation. The creature''s size exceeded 2000 tons, possibly even surpassing 2500 tons. In contrast, Bawang weighed slightly over 1279 tons, falling just short of the 1300-ton mark. The odds seemed overwhelmingly stacked against them.


    With caution, Liu Yong said, "Overlord, this creature is not to be underestimated."


    The Overlord responded with unwavering determination, dering, "I agree, but I won''t simply retreat. The Pacific Ocean is my domain, and I intend to assert my dominance."


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but smile, noting the Overlord''s deeply ingrained territorial instincts as if the entire expanse of the Pacific Ocean belonged to him. In the animal kingdom, defending one''s territory was a paramount instinct. Encroachers had to be defeated or driven away; failure meant relinquishing control.


    Liu Yong then brought up the uncanny resemnce between the colossal creature and the smaller ck sea python that the Overlord had encountered just days earlier. "Overlord, a few days ago, you came across a ck sea python measuring around 40 to 50 meters in length, and it bore a striking resemnce."


    The Overlord couldn''t help but grin as he recalled the encounter. "Indeed, that ck sea python was a delectable feast. I''m still savoring the memory."


    Liu Yong chuckled, teasing, "You truly are a gourmet."


    Intrigued, Bawang asked, "Master, why does this creature have four powerful and sharp ws, whereas the one from a few days ago did not?"


    Liu Yong considered the matter and offered a usible exnation. "Perhaps the one you encountered previously was a juvenile, and it hadn''t developed its ws yet. You devoured it before it had the chance to grow them."


    With no better theory to counter this exnation, Liu Yong concluded that despite their striking simrities, the two creatures were indeed different ¨C one colossal and formidable, the other smaller and less menacing.


    Mid-conversation, the colossal creature sensed Bawang''s presence. It swiftly turned its massive form, unleashing its powerful tail to propel itself towards the intruder.


    The aggressiveness of the charge was palpable, even from a distance of thousands of miles. Liu Yong couldn''t help but feel the sheer ferocity of the impending collision.


    In that heart-stopping moment, Liu Yong had just one thought: this colossal creature was not to be taken lightly, and the oue of their confrontation was profoundly uncertain.


    Liu Yong urgently advised, "Overlord, please exercise caution!" But the events transpired too swiftly, leaving no time for warnings.


    In the blink of an eye, the colossal creature closed in on Bawang, its speed nearly matching that of the Overlord.


    Quick reflexes and keen instincts saved the day as the Overlord rapidly retreated, putting distance between himself and the colossal entity. In its urgency, the enormous creatureunched itself out of the water in a spectacr disy of power.


    The Overlord repositioned himself in the water, visibly aggrieved by the near miss. However, he wasted no time and, without hesitation, retaliated with an aggressive counterattack, wielding his colossal spear with precision and might.


    The resulting collision was nothing short of breathtaking. The colossal creature, anticipating the strike, deftly veered away, using one of its front ws to intercept the spear''s trajectory. As a result, the spear merely grazed its body, leaving a trail of zing sparks across its metallic scales.


    Liu Yong watched in dismay as the spear left only a faint mark on the creature''s scales. It was a sobering revtion ¨C the defences of this creature were indeed formidable.


    Undaunted, the Overlord pressed forward. But before he could recover, the colossal creature retaliated with a mighty swipe of its w.


    "Boom!"


    The colossal creature''s blow struck Bawang squarely on the back armour, sending the 1,000-ton behemoth hurtling several meters away. The impact left visible, off-white marks on Bawang''s carapace, each several meters long.


    It was the end of the first round, and the results were precise. The two adversaries appeared evenly matched, with the Overlord finding himself slightly on the defensive.


    Liu Yong''s voice carried a note of urgency as he advised, "Overlord, please remember that it''srger than you. Avoid direct confrontation, and instead, use your advantage in speed to keep it off bnce. Attack, retreat, harry, and tire it out."


    Bawang, disying remarkable intelligence, seemed to grasp Liu Yong''s counsel. He no longer sought directbat with the


    Colossal creature, opting instead to exploit his superior speed, maintaining a safe distance.


    Thus, an extraordinary scene unfolded, with the Overlord leading the chase and the colossal creature relentlessly pursuing from behind.


    After a chase spanning more than ten nautical miles, the colossal creature finally realized it had lost track of the Overlord.

 Chapter 456 Sneak Attack !

    <h4>Chapter 456 Sneak Attack !</h4>


    "Hey, where did it go?" The words escaped from the Overlord''s lips as he scanned the vast expanse of the South Pacific.


    The ck giant, a colossal creature, turned its massive head left and right, its obsidian eyes narrowing in confusion.


    Yet, there was no sign of the elusive Overlord, and the giant wandered aimlessly through the cerulean depths, its behemoth form casting an eerie shadow upon the ocean floor.


    "Where is that F**king Creature ? " the Overlord pondered silently. He possessed superhuman perception and vision, a gift that extended his awareness to a remarkable radius of a thousand meters. Underwater, his vision became even more formidable, piercing through clear seawater to reveal distant secrets.


    The Overlord marveled at his own abilities. He knew that even if the ck giant was over two thousand meters away, he could still make out its rough silhouette. Right now, the ck giant was nearly two kilometers distant. It swam with an air of unconcern, unaware of the impending danger. Bawang, the Overlord''s actual name, sought the opportune moment for a stealthy assault.


    After a patient wait, the Overlord still eluded detection. Frustrated, the giant ck creature swam away, its massive body discing countless gallons of seawater. Unbeknownst to it, Bawang followed stealthily from a distance. As he observed, the ck monster''s guard seemed to lower, and the gap between them slowly diminished.


    When Bawang closed the distance to just over 300 meters, caution overcame his desire for a surprise attack. He feared discovery. This range, however, was within striking distance. The Overlord steadied himself, targeting his quarry with lethal precision, and unleashed his sprint skill.


    The giant spear extended like a shadow, defying the resistance of the surrounding seawater. The Overlord rushed forth, aiming unerringly for his prey. The ck giant sensed impending doom butcked the time to react.


    "Boom!" The colossal spearhead found its mark, plunging into the ck giant''s back. The resistance was immense as if piercing steel. Yet, the Overlord pressed on, determined. The spear pierced flesh more than half a foot deep.


    Blood seeped from the wound as the Overlord retracted his weapon, staining the surrounding waters. While not fatal, the attack had breached the giant''s defences. The ck monster''s rage was palpable as it swiftly turned to confront its assant. Its gaping maw revealed teeth, each two to three meters in length.


    Bawang raced ahead while the ck giant pursued relentlessly, but it soon became evident that the Overlord was slipping away. "Lost again!" the monster roared, its frustration building.


    Unbeknownst to the beast, Bawang maintained his distance, employing the same stealthy tactics once more. As the ck monster''s vignce seemed to wane, the gap between them closed once more. The Overlordunched another sprint when they were within 300 meters of each other.


    This time, the oue was inevitable. The Overlord struck true, his spear sinking deep into the giant''s flesh. Sessful in his sneak attack, the Overlord swiftly disengaged, leaving behind a bleeding wound.


    The ck giant seethed with anger but couldn''t keep up with the elusive Overlord. Its fury drove it to roam the ocean erratically for more than ten minutes, its frustration mounting. It continued its restless search for the Overlord, unaware of its hidden pursuer.


    Bawang bided his time, methodically following from a safe distance. As the ck monster''s vignce rxed, the distance between them once again shrank. When they were just 300 meters apart, the Overlord initiated another sprint, taking his adversary by surprise again.


    The oue was no different. The Overlord''s spear found its mark, plunging deep into the ck giant. Satisfied with his hit-and-run strategy, the Overlord withdrew swiftly, leaving behind a sizeable wound oozing blood.


    Though the ck monster seethed with fury, it couldn''t match the Overlord''s agility. It soon lost track of its nimble foe. Desperate and enraged, it thrashed through the ocean, venting its frustration for more than ten minutes, its search efforts futile.


    This strategy had proven effective for the Overlord throughout the day. He had seeded in frustrating the ck giant to no end,pelling it to wander aimlessly in the ocean. "Hey, what happened to it?" the Overlord mused as he watched the giant creature retreat, fleeing in fear towards the southernmost tip of South America, likely destined for the Antic Ocean.


    With his quarry gone, the Overlord decided to change course, heading south. He had no intention of venturing into the Antic Ocean. He journeyed hundreds of nautical miles to the south and stumbled upon a barren ind devoid of vegetation.


    Yet, this deste ind was teeming with fat, massive walruses, their blubbery forms weighing two to three tons each. They popted the ind in the tens of thousands, a sight that brought joy to the Overlord''s heart.


    The Overlord feasted on the plump walruses for days, indulging in their sulent flesh. When his hunger was sated, he explored the ind, relishing the istion. Despite circumnavigating hundreds of nautical miles, the Overlord never encountered the ck giant again. It had likely ventured into the Antic Ocean.


    The second ck giant remained elusive as well. These creatures were rare indeed, and the Overlord considered himself fortunate to have crossed paths with one in the South Pacific.


    In the confines of his well-appointed office, Liu Yong received aprehensive report from Qiu Yang, shedding light on the unfortunate turn of events during the negotiations with Mango Company. With a discerning understanding of the situation, Liu Yong couldn''t help but share in Qiu Yang''s palpable frustration, acutely aware that Mango Company needed their batteries more than the reverse was true for Mango''s cooperation.


    Qiu Yang sighed, "The people at Mango Company are insufferable. They believe we should supply them with 100% of our mobile phone batteries at a 10% discount to the domestic market."


    Liu Yong offered a reassuring smile, "Don''t let it get to you. They''ll soon realize that their era ising to an end, at least in our domestic market. Soon, all domestic mobile phones will be priced at sky-high rates."


    Later that afternoon, Liu Yong, seated at his desk, nced at his phone and stumbled upon a piece of news that left him intrigued. He hoped it was fake, but deep down, he sensed its authenticity.


    "Hope it''s fake news," he thought, the implications of the news swirling in his mind.

 Chapter 457 Li Changle’s Choice !

    <h4>Chapter 457 Li Changle''s Choice !</h4>


    Liu Yong''s heart churned with an uneasy mix of hope and dread. As he read the disturbing news, he couldn''t help but wonder if it was nothing more than a hoax, a fabricated tale meant to deceive and stir chaos. His thoughts raced as he contemted the dire consequences such an event could have on humanity.


    It didn''t take long for Liu Yong to return home after finishing his day at the office, where he found Li Changle already settled in the living room, engrossed in a television program.


    Seeing the early return, Liu Yong remarked, "You''re back unusually early today, not like your usual self."


    Li Changle responded casually, "Well, there was a school exam today, and summer vacation is just around the corner."


    Liu Yong sighed, "Time is flying by; summer vacation is upon us."


    Li Changle smiled and suggested, "With the official summer vacation just around the corner, we should n something fun. How about a little trip?"


    Always the adventurous spirit, Liu Yong readily agreed, "Certainly, that sounds wonderful. Do you have any particr destination in mind, domestic or foreign?"


    Li Changle''s eyes gleamed with anticipation, and she replied, "I''ve been thinking about it for a while, Brother Yong. How about a self-driving tour to Tibet?"


    Liu Yong''s face lit up excitedly, "That sounds like a fantastic idea! Tibet it is, then."


    Liu Yong had the luxury of not being overly concerned about Global Enterprise Group''s affairs; they mostly ran themselves. Taking some time off for a leisurely trip wouldn''t pose any issues.


    On the other hand, Li Changle rarely had the opportunity for extended breaks. Yet, she was essible and eager to embark on this adventure with Liu Yong.


    After a pleasant dinner together, the two settled in to watch the evening news, and it didn''t take long before they stumbled upon a news segment that left Liu Yong utterly stunned.


    It was an international news bulletin, a brief reportsting less than thirty seconds. The news was concise and to the point, revealing that a colossal sea creature had attacked and severely damaged a merchant vessel in the Antic Ocean. The television screen disyed a harrowing image: a massive ship listing ominously, enveloped in dark plumes of smoke as it sank beneath the turbulent waves. From Liu Yong''s rough estimation, the ship''s cargo exceeded 10,000 tons.


    The idea that such a behemoth had attacked and sunk a ship shocked both Liu Yong and Li Changle. Li Changle questioned with disbelief, "Brother Yong, can this be real? Are there truly sea monsters in our oceans capable of sinking such massive vessels?"


    Though initially skeptical, Liu Yong had encountered simr news earlier in the day on his phone. At the time, he''d dismissed it as fabricated by unscrupulous editors. However, this evening''s news broadcast repeated the same story, and Liu Yong conceded, "I believe it is real. This is an official news report; they wouldn''t publish false information."


    Her amazement growing, Li Changle murmured, "My goodness, it''s unbelievable. To think that such colossal creatures could lurk beneath the ocean''s depths."


    The news report offered no descriptions of the creature responsible, only footage of the ship''s disastrous fate. Liu Yong, too, was left pondering the true nature of the mysterious menace.


    Now gripped by curiosity, Li Changle inquired, "Brother Yong, could it be that there are unknown sea creatures hiding beneath the ocean''s surface, creatures mankind has yet to discover?"


    Liu Yong contemted momentarily before responding, "The ocean remains a realm of mystery and uncertainty. Human ocean knowledge is far fromprehensive, much like our understanding of the moon. It''s entirely usible that sea creatures exist beyond our current knowledge."


    However, Liu Yong knew he couldn''t divulge all he knew about the enigmatic world beneath the waves. For instance, there was the trench in the Indian Ocean teeming with massive white fish, the trench close to the spaceship wreckage housing colossal octopuses, and the recent encounter in the South Pacific Ocean between the Overlord and a colossal ck beast measuring nearly 300 meters in length and weighing over 2,000 tons. Liu Yong pondered whether this new incident in the Antic Ocean was rted to the colossal ck monster he had heard about.


    But these thoughts were mere conjecture, as the news hadn''t provided specific details about the attacking creature.


    Li Changle''s curiosity eventually subsided, and she changed the channel to a lighthearted variety show. At the same time, Liu Yong continued to wrestle with questions about the ocean''s uncharted depths.


    The next day arrived, and Liu Yong arrived promptly at the Universal Building, determined to handle a few critical matters in preparation for his uing trip. He intended to ensure he could take an extended leave withoutpromising thepany''s operations.


    A knock at the door heralded the arrival of Qiu Yang. Liu Yong weed him, stating, "Mr. Qiu, I''ll be away for more than ten days and entrust thepany''s affairs to you during that time. If any significant matters arise, feel free to contact me."


    Qiu Yang nodded in acknowledgment, though hesitation marred his expression. Finally, he spoke up, "Boss, there''s something I''ve been concerned about since yesterday when I saw that news report about the ship attack in the Antic Ocean. They imed it was a sea monster. I can''t help but wonder if our ships might encounter something simr."


    Global Shipping Group, a subsidiary of Global Enterprise Group, boasted substantial scale and a vast fleet ofrge vessels. Their ships traversed all oceans, visiting ports worldwide. The implications of such an attack on their fleet were profound.


    Liu Yong reassured Qiu Yang, saying, "I believe the ship attack was an isted incident. There''s no need for undue worry. Furthermore, our ships are primarily concentrated in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, not the Antic."


    Qiu Yang nodded, still burdened by unease, "I hope it''s just a coincidence."


    The two engaged in a brief discussion about work-rted matters before Qiu Yang departed.


    Liu Yong had the utmost confidence in his team''s ability to manage thepany''s affairs. He had implemented clear protocols and contractual temtes for the graphene-aluminum battery venture, enabling Qiu Yang and his colleagues to operate smoothly.


    Around eleven in the morning, Liu Yong left thepany premises, opting to take his high-performance sports car for a drive. He intended to prepare for his uing trip, including granting Chen Hu some well-deserved time off to rx.


    Liu Yong navigated the bustling city streets effortlessly, arriving at a massive shoppingplex within 20 to 30 minutes. It was one of Huahai City''srgest malls, offering an array of shopping, dining, entertainment, and even travel agencies.


    Li Changle, busy shopping and awaiting Liu Yong''s arrival, sent him a message: "Brother Yong, I''m at the Dior store on the third floor."


    ncing at his phone, Liu Yong promptly made his way to the third floor, where he found Li Changle immersed in the world of luxury fragrances.


    With a warm smile, he said, "That perfume is lovely, Changle. You should get it."


    Li Changle''s face brightened with


    Delight as she made the purchase. She then took Liu Yong''s arm, suggesting, "Brother Yong, let''s pay a visit to a travel agency."


    Contemting the idea, Liu Yong responded enthusiastically, "That sounds like a terrific n. We should definitely go and explore."


    Li Changle added, "But I don''t want to be part of a tour group. The schedules are always so rushed, with early mornings and quick photo stops at the scenic spots."


    Liu Yong reassured her, "Don''t worry; we won''t be joining any tour groups. We''ll do it our way."


    Li Changle''s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she grasped the full extent of Liu Yong''s intentions.


    They wouldn''t follow the group, and Liu Yong had a unique n.

 Chapter 458 Huh! Bragging ?

    <h4>Chapter 458 Huh! Bragging ?</h4>


    The two adventurers had finally reached the bustling sixth floor of the mall, an oasis of entertainment and leisure. Amidst the vibrant hubbub, they discovered an array of attractions, including two sprawling cinemas and a cavernous indoor yground. The scent of popcorn and the joyousughter of children filled the air.


    As they ventured further into this floor, their curious eyesnded on the numerous travel agencies that had set up shop there. The promise of exciting journeys and new horizons beckoned. It was a realm of possibilities.


    With her eyes gleaming, Li Changle turned to herpanion, Liu Yong, and inquired, "Brother Yong, what do you think about visiting a youth-oriented travel agency?"


    Liu Yong''s brows furrowed for a moment as he contemted the options. He replied with enthusiasm, "Indeed, Li Changle. This travel agency appears to be quite substantial, boasting impressive scale and a seemingly ster reputation."


    Guided by curiosity and the allure of exploration, they soon found themselves standing before the entrance of a youth-focused travel agency. With intertwined fingers, they entered.


    Inside, a well-dressed woman in her thirties, the embodiment of professionalism, greeted Liu Yong and Li Changle with unwavering warmth. "Greetings to both of you! May I assist you in nning your next adventure, be it domestic or international?"


    With practiced finesse, she began detailing the diverse travel packages they offered: from domestic tourist hotspots to foreign exotic destinations. The duo listened intently, absorbing every word.


    Liu Yong leaned in slightly and disclosed their intentions, "Our hearts are set on Tibet."


    The woman nodded sagely, her voice carrying an air of authority. "Ah, Tibet! A splendid choice, especially during this season when it is at its most enchanting. We have a range of options, each offering unique experiences. Prices range from 5800 to 7800."


    She continued her pitch, exining the intricacies of each package. Liu Yong intervened, "We won''t be joining a group tour, just the two of us. Is that possible?"


    A hint of hesitation flickered across Zhao Yanhong''s face before responding, "Well, it can be arranged, but please note that such personalized servicese at a higher cost. We typically cater to a more discerning clientele."


    Inwardly, Liu Yong pondered the concept of ''high-end.'' Was it simply a matter of wealth, or did it epass something more elusive? Yet, he chose not to reveal his thoughts, maintaining hisposure.


    With determination, Liu Yong stated, "We are willing to pay the premium. Our journey must epass the Bu Pce, Jokhang Temple, Brahmaputra Grand Canyon, Zhufeng, Namtso, and Yanghu Lake. And, if possible, we''d love to explore the Ngari region."


    Zhao Yanhong inquired, "How do you intend to travel to Tibet? By ne or train?"


    Aware of the pricing disparities between transportation modes, Liu Yong grinned, "We''ll take a private ne. We have one at our disposal, enabling us tond directly at Ganga Airport."


    Zhao Yanhong''s initial astonishment swiftly transformed into skepticism and mild disdain. She wondered if Liu Yong was merely indulging in exaggerated tales. Such bragging was hardly umon.


    In a professional tone, she excused herself, "If you''ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."


    As Zhao Yanhong departed, Liu Yong and Li Changle exchanged knowing nces. Li Changle yfully remarked, "Brother Yong, it seems our ambitious ns have raised some eyebrows."


    Liu Yong chuckled, privately reflecting on whether he had gone too far. Nheless, he remained steadfast, determined to find the perfect travel agency.


    He spoke, "Let''s explore another agency."


    Upon entering a different travel agency, Liu Yong revealed his true identity and intentions. This time, he spoke candidly with the staff, outlining his requirements.


    Just as they were about to leave, a voice interjected, "Is there anything I can assist you with?"


    Liu Yong turned to find a young woman, impably dressed and radiating an air of sophistication. She had noticed their conversation and had a proposal of her own.


    Liu Yong paused, considering the offer. "We''re nning a trip to Tibet, and we''ll be flying on our private jet. If your agency can manage the logistics ¨C tour guides, itinerary, amodations, and transportation ¨C we would be interested. We encountered some skepticism earlier, and we wanted to clear the air."


    The young woman, Xiao Ai, extended her warmest apologies on behalf of her colleague and offered a new perspective. "I''m sorry for the earlier misunderstanding. At our agency, we take pride in providing exceptional service. We have experienced tour guides and well-established travel routes."


    With a friendly gesture, she invited them to a morefortable setting. "Shall we continue our discussion over there, at our guest reception area? We can go into more detail."


    Sitting amidst the elegance of the reception area, Liu Yong and Li Changle epted Xiao Ai''s hospitality. As tea was served, they delved into the intricacies of their travel desires.


    Meanwhile, back at the previous travel agency, Zhao Yanhong''s colleagues curiously observed the unfolding events. They were particrly intrigued by Manager Du''s attention to the young couple.


    Zhao Yanhong assessed the situation and remarked, "Xiao Ai is quite inexperienced. She might have thought they were simply bragging to amuse themselves. Let her learn from this."


    Her colleague said, "Perhaps, Sister Zhao, but what if they weren''t exaggerating? What if their ims are true?"


    Zhao Yanhong replied, somewhat dismissively, "It doesn''t matter. It''s good for young people to encounter challenges and learn from them."


    Meanwhile, Liu Yong, Li Changle, and Xiao Ai engaged in a detailed conversation. Xiao Ai believed in their sincerity and took their requests seriously. However, Liu Yong had yet to reveal his true identity, instead focusing on outlining their desires.


    Upon gathering all the necessary information, Xiao Ai excused herself briefly. She returned with Manager Du, a man in his thirties or forties who was clearly in the know about the situation. It was evident that Xiao Ai had reported their conversation to him.


    Manager Du told Liu Yong, "We understand your requirements, and ites at a higher cost."


    Liu Yong, without hesitation, epted the proposition, "Money is not an issue; we value the quality of your service above all else."


    Manager Du''s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he contemted the potential profit. "For the entire 12-day journey, the total cost would be 300,000 yuan."


    To his surprise, Liu Yong didn''t attempt to negotiate or haggle. He agreed, "No problem, we''re ready to pay."


    Manager Du was taken aback by the ease with which Liu Yong epted the price. He had expected some bargaining, but Liu Yong''s nonchnce suggested that 300,000 yuan was a mere drop in the ocean for him.


    Back at the previous travel agency, Zhao Yanhong watched the unfolding scenario with growing surprise. The absence of negotiation had left her bewildered.


    To her relief, Manager Du reassured Liu Yong, "If there are any inconveniences with your private jet, we can assist you in


    bookingmercial flights, with no additional charges."


    This offer was made with a subtle hint, allowing Liu Yong to gracefully step down from his earlier im. A private jet may not always be the most practical option.


    Not too far away, Zhao Yanhong''s colleagues were buzzing with conversation. One of them remarked, "Did you see that? Manager Du is personally handling their case!"


    And the spection continued.

 Chapter 459 Expensive Trip !

    459 Expensive Trip !


    Zhao Yanhong''s eyes widened in astonishment as she observed Manager Du engrossed in conversation with Liu Yong, his enthusiasm palpable. The sudden transformation left her perplexed, her mind racing with questions.


    But apart from this bewildering scenario, her thoughts were an empty canvas, devoid of rity or direction. She couldn''t fathom the reason behind Manager Du''s animated discussion with Liu Yong, nor could she discern the underlying motives.


    However, for Liu Yong,prehending Manager Du''s intentions was a walk in the park. To him, it was a step-down, a downgrade he couldn''t afford to take. A subtle smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he replied, "No, I find it more convenient to use my private ne."


    Manager Du was momentarily taken aback, a briefpse in his cognitive faculties before fully processing the implication of Liu Yong''s response. His inner turmoil was evident, the realization that he might have just hosted guests with private jets dawning on him.


    Regaining hisposure, Manager Du ventured, "Mr. Liu, do you have any particr preferences when ites to tour guides?"


    Liu Yong, on the other hand, remained unfazed, suggesting, "I think Xiao Ai would be an excellent choice for our journey."


    This rmendation caught Manager Du off guard once more, and he was tempted to caution Liu Yong about Xiao Ai''s rtively young age and potentially limited experience.


    But Liu Yong preempted him, his tone unwavering, "Is there an issue? If Xiao Ai agrees to be our tour guide, I''d be more than willing to tip her 50,000 yuan personally."


    Fifty thousand yuan, a substantial sum to most, was a trifle to Liu Yong. He believed it was a modest investment to secure Xiao Ai''s unwaveringmitment and enthusiasm throughout their journey.


    Manager Du and Xiao Ai found themselves in a state of disbelief. Xiao Ai, in particr, was ovee with gratitude and astonishment as she replied, "Mr. Liu, thank you! I promise to make your journey unforgettable."


    Seeing the situation unfold, Manager Du interjected, "Mr. Liu, Xiao Ai is an excellent choice. She led a group on a sessful tour of Tibetst year."


    With no objections, Liu Yong sealed the deal, producing a substantial bundle of crisp banknotes from his bag. A hundred thousand yuan in total, of which he promptly handed half to Xiao Ai, saying, "This is for you, Xiao Ai."


    Xiao Ai epted the 50,000 yuan with excitement and gratitude, the most substantial tip she had ever received in her two-year career as a tour guide. "Thank you so much, Mr. Liu! I''m genuinely thrilled!"


    Liu Yong then handed the remaining 50,000 yuan to Manager Du, dering it a deposit. This financial assurance left Manager Du overjoyed, reinforcing his belief that he was dealing with a man who owned a private jet.


    As Liu Yong departed with Li Changle, the youth travel agency buzzed withmotion. Conversations erupted among the staff.


    "It''s incredible, a true high-roller! Money''s no object to him!"


    "Xiao Ai hit the jackpot with that 50,000 yuan tip!"


    "I wish I had that kind of luck!"


    Such discussions inevitably reached Zhao Yanhong''s ears, making her uneasy and regretful. She had initially assumed that the 50,000 yuan woulde her way, but instead, it had slipped through her fingers and into Xiao Ai''s hands.


    The change in her colleagues'' attitudes added to Zhao Yanhong''s difort. Their once enthusiastic greetings had evolved into curious, probing nces.


    In a different part of the city, at the port, the "Blue Whale" shippleted its voyage sessfully, securing its ce at the pier''s edge. Crew members began unloading the ck alloy rods onto awaiting trucks.


    Xin Feiwen, standing tall and proud, observed the operation with a sense of aplishment. He was joined by several key figures from the Global Specialty Materials Group, all of whom couldn''t contain their excitement.


    "Mr. Xin, there are 200 pieces in total, a whopping 4,000 tons! This is exhrating!"


    "I can already imagine how word will spread, and tool manufacturers will flock here once they learn the news!"


    "Let''s do the math: at 10 million yuan per ton, that''s 40 billion yuan! Such a windfall!"


    Xin Feiwen, grinning broadly, waved his hand dismissively. "Once these 4,000 tons ofrge bars are unloaded, we''ll initiate the smelting and processing immediately."


    One of his colleagues inquired, "Should we announce this news?"


    Xin Feiwen leaned in, replying, "No need to announce it. They''lle running like moths to a me."


    His prediction proved remarkably urate.


    The following morning, Su Jie from the Huanghe Alloy Cutting Tool Group and his team arrived at the Global Special Materials Group headquarters. It seemed they had received wind of the situation.


    "President Su, your information is remarkably up-to-date!"


    Su Jie beamed, "We''ve been eagerly anticipating this moment. You finally have the goods we''ve been waiting for. We didn''t need any invitation; we''re here to purchase 300 tons!"


    Xin Feiwen yfully quipped, "Boss Su, you don''t find the price too steep, do you?"


    Su Jie, momentarily taken aback, managed to hide his embarrassment, "Mr. Xin, you certainly have a sense of humor."


    After some light banter, they got down to business. Xin Feiwen signaled for the contract, which was handed to Su Jie immediately. These contracts were standardized, used by all domestic tool manufacturers when purchasing ck alloy, and required only signatures and seals toplete.


    Su Jie perused the contract briefly, then signed and stamped it without hesitation. The sight of Xin Feiwen''s signature and the official seal of the Universal Special Materials Group left him resolute in his decision.


    Finally, he had acquired the elusive ck alloy of his dreams.


    Meanwhile, Xiao Ai, whose real name was An and who had graduated from Huahai Tourism College, couldn''t shake the surreal feeling that had engulfed her. Receiving a 50,000 yuan tip from a generous stranger had left her colleagues green with envy.


    Today was the day of their departure, and she had be WeChat friends with Liu Yong, who had arranged for someone to escort her to the airport''s Terminal 2 entrance.


    An arrived at the designated meeting point 20 minutes ahead of schedule.


    "Are you Ms. An?"


    "Yes, I''m An, Mr. Liu''s tour guide."


    "Follow me, Mr. Liu will join us shortly, and we can board the ne in the meantime."


    As An followed the airport staff member, her mind raced with anticipation.


    "Mr. Liu really has a private jet. I wonder what kind of ne it is. Perhaps a small one, or maybe even a Gulfstream? China has quite a few Gulfstream private jets, reserved for the ultra-wealthy. Mr. Liu''s ne might not be a Gulfstream, but it''s surely impressive..."


    She contemted the possibilities as they entered the airport, with a whirlwind of thoughts filling her mind.

 Chapter 460 Secrets of Skies !

    460 Secrets of Skies !


    In the end, Xiao Ai pondered the nature of Liu Yong''s private jet, conceiving it to be of a specificpact variety, possibly not ascending to the echelons of a Gulfstream just yet. Under the adept guidance of the airport staff, she embarked on a journey that defied her historical experiences. For the first time, she bypassed the interminable waits in terminal halls.


    "It''s an absolute marvel having one''s own private jet. Even if it''s on the smaller side, it''s incredibly convenient. No more fretting over security checks and endless waits," she mused with a hint of excitement, the thrill resonating in her voice.


    "Follow me," the airport staff guided her towards a colossal 777 aircraft, broadcasting its grandeur.


    Upon witnessing the immense ne, Ai Lan was momentarily dazed, her senses adrift in awe. She was utterly stunned, her gaze fixated on the imposing aircraft, the logo of Universal Enterprise Group emzoned boldly upon its fusge.


    "I recognize this ne; I''ve heard about it!" she silently eximed. This aircraft, she knew, belonged to the upper echelons of private jets in the country. Rumors whispered of its extreme opulence, an authentic airborne pce.


    However, the ne bore the logo of Universal Enterprise Group. Did Mr. Liu intend to fly it to Lhasa?


    Abyrinthine puzzle took root in Ai Lan''s mind, and enlightenment finally dawned as she neared the ne.


    "Good heavens!" Ai Lan gasped, her hand instinctively covering her mouth to muffle her astonishment. She recollected that Liu Yong held the reins at Universal Enterprise Group.


    Her excitement momentarily hindered her ability to board. It wasn''t until she set foot on the ne and beheld its sumptuous design and d¨¦cor that the reality of the situation sank in.


    Her heart raced as she gingerly eased into the plush, spacious seat. She dared not move but let her eyes roam, each new sight a revtion that further astounded her.


    The luxury within the ne surpassed her wildest imaginings. Time seemed to stand still as she reveled in the extravagant surroundings.


    Momentster, there was amotion outside, and Liu Yong and Li Changle made their way onto the ne.


    An sprang to her feet, enthusiasm bubbling over. "Brother Liu, Sister Le, hello!"


    Liu Yong, devoid of airs and like a friendly neighbor, responded warmly, "Xiao Ai, it''s been quite some time."


    "Not really, I just arrived not long ago," Ai Lan replied. "Brother Liu, I never imagined you were the big boss of Universal Enterprise Group. You''re incredibly low-key."


    Liu Yong offered a humble smile. "Just treat me as an ordinary person. Enjoy your trip; don''t worry about expenses. Have fun and rx."


    Ai Lan readily agreed, "Absolutely, I''ll take care of everything."


    After a brief exchange, Ai Lan ventured, "Brother Liu, may I take some photos? I''d like to share them with my colleagues."


    "Of course, feel free to take all the pictures you want," Liu Yong granted.


    Overjoyed, Ai Lan snapped away with her phone, capturing at least twenty shots within the ne. With trembling hands, she told her work group: "Our 12-day Tibet journey hasmenced, and I''m traveling on Brother Liu''s private jet for the first time. I''m thrilled and ted. Stay tuned for more photos."


    She shared all the images she''d captured with her colleagues at the youth travel agency, where everyone was abuzz with activity. Summer vacation had kicked in, thrusting the tourism industry into a frenzy of activity.


    The first to catch sight of the group''s activity was Li Dongdong. After answering a call and taking a sip of water, she checked her phone for a spare moment.


    "Everyone, check the work group," she eximed, her surprise evident. "My goodness, look at this luxurious private jet!"


    Just as they puzzled over this subaqueous anomaly, a shout rang out, "Look, what is that!"


    09:32


    All eyes turned toward the source of themotion. What they beheld left them stunned and Others followed suit, and the group came alive with incredulity.


    "What an opulent private jet! This goes beyond imagination!"


    "Who are these guests that Xiao Ai brought? Not only a private jet, but arge one at that!"


    "I''d bet there are no more than three of these private jets in the whole country."


    "If I could bring such guests, I''d forego my tour guide fee. Just flying in this jet would suffice!"


    "Ai Lan is living the dream! I can only be envious and jealous."


    The excitement in the group escted, prompting someone to nudge Sister Zhao to check the group.


    Zhao Yanhong, bewildered, opened the work group and observed its contents, and her reaction was nothing short of astonishment. Her mouth hung agape like an acupuncture point had been hit, rendering her motionless.


    She couldn''t snap out of it for quite some time.


    At that moment, she fullyprehended that the young couple who had visited days ago hadn''t been fabricating tales. They indeed owned a private jet, not just any, but a grand and expansive one that resembled a mobile pce.


    Meanwhile, Manager Du was disturbed by the esctingmotion. He expressed his displeasure, "What''s all this? It''s working hours; show some decorum!"


    Someone exined, "Mr. Du, check the work group; An has shared numerous photos."


    Manager Du, intrigued, fished out his phone and checked the group. He was astounded.


    "Good heavens! Not only does Mr. Liu possess a private jet, but it''s also this colossal and luxurious. Remarkable! What''s his identity? Surely, he''s no ordinary person."


    He promptly contacted Ai Lan, inquiring about Mr. Liu''s identity and the high-end private jet. Ai Lan promptly responded, revealing that Mr. Liu was the CEO of Universal Enterprise Group.


    The revtion left Manager Du utterly bbergasted. He muttered to himself, "No wonder... no wonder." He instructed Ai Lan to extend the utmost hospitality to Mr. Liu, treating him as the most distinguished guest of their travel agency.


    Meanwhile, conversations continued to buzz in the work group, and colleagues reveled in pride, grateful that Liu Yong had chosen their travel agency.


    However, one person remained conspicuously silent and regretful ¨C Zhao Yanhong.


    Somewhere else, in the South Antic Ocean, a warship flying the g of country M navigated the waves. A sense of unease overcame many onboard.


    The captain of country M voiced his concern, "What''s happening?"


    A report came in, "Captain, there seems to be movement beneath our ship."


    "Yes, there''s definitely movement," another confirmed.


    Just as they puzzled over this subaqueous anomaly, a shout rang out, "Look, what is that!"


    All eyes turned toward the source of themotion. What they beheld left them stunned and horrified.


    They bore witness to a sight unlike anything they had ever seen.

 Chapter 461 Lhasa Sojourn !

    <h4>Chapter 461 Lhasa Sojourn !</h4>


    Beneath the glistening surface of the water, mere meters below their vessel''s keel, a colossal shadow, as dark as midnight, surged forth from the abyss. It was an enigmatic entity, both awe-inspiring and terrifying. This otherworldly apparition made its fleeting appearance, a mere three to five seconds in the inky depths.


    "Dear God, what in heaven''s name was that?" quivered one voice, trembling with fear.


    "Mom, I was positively petrified! What on Earth was that?" cried another, the anxiety in their voice palpable.


    "At least three hundred meters in length, it couldn''t have been a sea snake. There''s nothing known to man of such staggering proportions," dered a third voice, grappling with the inconceivable.


    A hushed silence followed as their collective understanding of the world beneath the waves unraveled before their eyes. They hadn''t fathomed the existence of such colossal denizens lurking in the ocean''s shadowy depths. Inparison, the Loch Ness Monster seemed feeble.


    Even the ship''s seasoned captain, his countenance befuddled, remained in stunned disbelief. His mouth agape, he seemed suspended in time.


    It wasn''t until a voice broke through the eerie silence that the crew returned to reality. "How can this be? The power systems have malfunctioned!"


    "Report! The entire avionics system is in disarray!"


    "Themunication system has failed, we''ve lost all contact!"


    Additional fault indicators zed to life in mere seconds, their morous rms echoing throughout the warship''smand center.


    Dear God!


    What had urred to their mighty vessel?


    As the captain, now fully recovered, prepared to order aprehensive investigation into the source of these malfunctions, a frantic sailor stumbled into the room, urgently shouting, "Our warship is taking on water! It''s flooding rapidly! Everyone, evacuate immediately! Grab life jackets!"


    What!


    Was their warship indeed sinking?


    The captain bellowed, "Seal the watertightpartments swiftly! Implement all measures to ensure our warship does not meet its demise. This guided missile destroyer is worth over a billion dors!"


    "Captain, it''s toote. Our ship will sink any moment now."


    Before the captain could retort, he beheld a mass exodus onto the deck. Crew members, some hastily donning life jackets, others frantically lowering lifeboats, all sought escape.


    The captain reached for the satellite phone on board, intending to ry the dire situation to his superiors, only to discover that themunication system had ceased functioning. Frustration overwhelmed him, and he cast the device to the ground before hurrying out.


    The warship''s descent was swift. Its pronounced tilt was unmistakable in a matter of minutes, and it was destined for the depths within a mere twenty minutes. None aboardprehended the colossal gashes that marred the vessel''s underside, steel tes seemingly etched asunder by monstrous, razor-sharp talons.


    ***


    Meanwhile, in the tranquil heart of Lhasa.


    Liu Yong and hispanions had arrived the previous day, nestled in the finest local hotel, relishing the region''s culinary delights.


    The previous afternoon had been leisurely, with no visits to Bu Pce or Jokhang Temple yet. Instead, they had wandered along Barkhor Street, savoring every moment.


    Their sojourn had been rtively untroubled, though altitude sickness had struck Li Changle. Gasping for breath after just a few steps, she experienced tightness in her chest and mild dizziness, typical symptoms for those unacquainted with Tibet''s lofty elevations. An, a seasoned Tibet traveler, also exhibited some signs of difort but fared better than Li Changle, a Tibet neophyte.


    As for Liu Yong, he seemed entirely unaffected.


    Observing Li Changle''s plight, Liu Yong swiftly procured several oxygen canisters, which helped alleviate her difort.


    Today marked the conclusion of their adjustment period, with Li Changle''s altitude sickness waning. She now resembled her former self, fit and healthy.


    In the morning, An guided them to the illustrious Pot Pce. The ce was bustling with visitors, but An had secured their spot by queuing up in the predawn hours.


    Entering the Pot Pce was akin to stepping into a gilded realm. The inner sanctum housed golden effigies adorned with a mesmerizing array of precious gemstones. Each statue weighed a dozen to dozens of tons in solid gold. Liu Yong couldn''t help but marvel at the opulence. He was no stranger to wealth, yet this was on an entirely different scale. Within the Pot Pce, the least valuable treasure was gold itself.


    With ample time and freedom, they explored the pce for hours. Upon emerging, Liu Yong and Li Changle posed for numerous photographs in the grand square before the court.


    As dusk descended upon the city, Liu Yong suggested, "I believe we''re all a bit famished. Xiao Ai, lead us to the finest eatery around, and I''ll foot the bill personally. No need to involve the travel agency this time."


    Xiao Ai concurred, "Brother Liu, I know of an exceptional restaurant, but it specializes in Sichuan cuisine."


    Waving aside concerns, Liu Yong replied, "Let''s give Sichuan cuisine a try, then. Lead the way."


    Embarking in a luxurious vehicle, the travel agency''s finest, driven by a taciturn Tibetan chauffeur, they traversed Lhasa''s winding streets. Sichuan restaurants seemed to pepper every corner of the city, a culinary abundance. Xiao Ai''s rmendation was amongst the best.


    Liu Yong paid no heed to the price, and the following meal cost upwards of ten thousand yuan. Even then, he considered it quite reasonable.


    Once again exposed to a world of luxury, Xiao Ai marveled that a single meal could cost tens of thousands.


    Post-dinner, Xiao Ai inquired, "Brother Liu, should we explore the city by night or retire to the hotel?"


    Having spent the day leisurely, Liu Yong was rxed. However, considering Li Changle''s condition, he consented, "Let''s return to the hotel. Li Changle is feeling a bit tired."


    Thus, they made their way back.


    Their off-road vehicle pulled up at the entrance of a luxurious five-star establishment, the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me of local amodations. Only three presidential suites graced this hotel, and Liu Yong had secured one for their stay.


    Once ensconced in the suite, Li Changle nonchntly tossed her bag onto the lobby''s plush sofa. "Brother Yong, I''m truly exhausted. I think I''ll take a hot bath."


    Concerned, Liu Yong offered, "Would you like me to prepare the hot water for you?"


    She declined, saying, "No need, I can handle it myself."


    As Li Changle disappeared into the bathroom, Liu Yong settled onto the sofa, retrieving his phone. First, he checked the group chat of Universal Enterprise Group''s middle and upper management. All appeared well, and nothing seemed to warrant his concern.


    Next, he delved into the news. A particr headline seized his attention.


    It read: "Country. M''s Guided Missile Destroyer Sinks in South Antic Ocean: Enigmatic 300-Meter Creature med for Attack."


    Liu Yong was momentarily stupefied. Could this colossal, 300-meter monstrosity be the same entity that had crossed paths with the Overlord in their prior encounter?


    It was voiceless and possessed no tools, yet it had apparently incapacitated a warship. Could it have been its razor-sharp ws?


    After several moments of introspection, Liu Yong''s anxiety deepened as he pondered the fate of his own vessel.

 Chapter 462 Powerful & Handsome Bf!

    462 Powerful & Handsome Bf!


    A cadre of high-ranking officials convened in solemn deliberation in the hallowed halls of a conference room adorned with the emblems of their nation''s navy. Just a few days prior, the echoes of a tragedy had reverberated through the South Antic Ocean - a guided missile destroyer, once a stalwart sentinel of the seas, nowy beneath the unforgiving waves. The aftermath had been meticulously examined, with photographs depicting the depths of the ocean''s abyss and the sunken vessel strewn across the conference table.


    "The shadows have been dispelled; it is now abundantly clear. Our valiant vessel was brought low by the wrath of a colossal behemoth," intoned one official, their countenance etched with gravitas.


    "ording to the ounts of our vignt witnesses, the assant emerged as a titanic ebony leviathan, stretching some three hundred meters in length. I venture that it is the very same monstrosity that gued a merchant ship not long ago," asserted another, their voice edged with conviction.


    The consensus was immediate. "I am inplete concordance with this assessment. s, this creature, though singr, wields an unparalleled ferocity."


    "Indeed, the visual evidence attests to this creature''s potency. Its talons, honed to a deadly edge, sundered the steel ting of our proud vessel."


    A pregnant pause followed, wherein the weight of the situation bore upon them.


    After a protracted exchange of ideas, they reached an unequivocal conclusion. A massive, obsidian colossus, measuring a staggering three hundred meters in length, roamed the Antic''s depths, posing an imminent threat to merchant vessels and nations'' naval might.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, this ebony behemoth harbors untold peril, a danger we must face head-on," proimed a resolute voice.


    "I second that motion!"


    "Agreed!"


    In unanimous ord, they resolved to mobilize a fleet, embarking on a quest to locate and defeat this enigmatic ck behemoth. Armed with the cutting-edge technology of the modern age, there was an air of confidence that perhaps humanity stood poised to prevail over this ancient adversary.


    Meanwhile, in a divergence from the maritime enigma, Liu Yong and hispanion, Li Changle, found themselves amidst the sublime grandeur of Tibet. From the sacred precincts of Bugong to the venerable halls of Jokhang Temple, from the tranquil expanse of Nam Co to the shimmering beauty of Yanghu, they embarked upon a journey that embraced the soul of this extraordinarynd. Just yesterday, they stood on the precipice of the Brahmaputra Grand Canyon, a profound chasm that plunged over six thousand meters into the very heart of the earth.


    From the pinnacle to the abyss, the magnitude of the drop was staggering. Standing on the precipice, the vista was awe-inspiring, an overwhelming testament to the raw power of nature. Fortune favored them, gifting them a rare sight of Namjagbarwa Peak, also known as the Goddess Peak, a shrouded sentinel perpetually veiled in mist and mystery.


    Yet, on this day of azure skies and crystalline rity, the veil lifted, revealing a titanic spire thrusting heavenward like a celestial de.


    With boundless gratitude, Liu Yong captured this brief moment, etching it onto the canvas of his memory. It was said that some ventured here repeatedly, only to be denied a glimpse. In contrast, others lingered for months, only to leave with the enigma unsolved.


    Today, under the knowledgeable guidance of Xiao Ai, they made their way towards the fabled heights of Mount Everest. Their trusty all-terrain vehicle navigated the twisted mountain roads, drawing them nearer to the mighty colossus''s foot.


    The vehicle stopped at the terminus of a winding ascent, where a bustling parking lot bore testament to the allure of this great peak. This was the heart of the peak season, a time when pilgrims and adventurers alike converged upon this storied ground.


    With regret, Xiao Ai conveyed, "Liu Yong, from this point onward, our path lies in the footsteps of giants. We shall tread thisst leg on our own two feet."


    The Mount Everest Base Camp beckoned an altar where one could pay homage to the mountain''s grandeur, standing at a breathtaking 8,848 meters above sea level and witnessing Zhu Feng in all its glory.


    With vigor undiminished by altitude, Liu Yong dered, "Onward, then."


    Together, they joined the throngs of fellow pilgrims, many reliant on the portable breath of oxygen. Struggling with the thin air, Li Changle periodically partook of the life-giving gas. Yet, Liu Yong''s foresight had led him to amass a cache of oxygen, prepared for this very trial.


    Others, too, felt the toll of altitude, their breathsing ragged as they sought reprieve on roadside boulders. The sublime vistas of Mount Everest stood in stark contrast to the physical demands it levied.


    After a considerable distance, Li Changle''s weariness became palpable. Clutching an oxygen tank, she breathed heavily, conceding, "Yong, I can go no further."


    Without hesitation, Liu Yong responded, "Allow me to bear this burden."


    Li Changle beamed, nestling herself onto his broad back.


    Xiao Ai voiced her concern, "Yong, this is precarious. Should altitude sickness descend with no medical recourse..."


    With a serene countenance, Liu Yong reassured her, "Worry not, for I am untroubled."


    Li Changle, well-acquainted with Liu Yong''s exceptional constitution, echoed, "Indeed, no cause for concern. Yong is possessed of an extraordinary vitality; he shall weather this."


    Thus, Liu Yongmenced his ascent, Li Changle borne aloft, while Xiao Ai followed with an extra oxygen supply. They forged onward, surpassing fellow travelers, who gaped in astonishment and admiration.


    "Inconceivable! At an altitude exceeding 4,000 meters, he bears this load with ease."


    "Had I not witnessed it, I''d scarce believe it."


    "Exhausted am I. A master he is, beyondpare."


    The sentiments echoed amidst the rarefied air.


    A young couple stood nearby, the young womanboring, her breathsbored. She turned to her boyfriend, her tone entreating, "Darling, I would have you do the same for me¡ªcarry me."


    Her boyfriend nced at Liu Yong, then at the empty air in his hands, bereft of oxygen. His expression a tableau of disbelief, heprehended the futility ofparison. Liu Yong ascended, Li Changle in tow, undeterred by the weight.


    As they neared the Mount Everest Base Camp, Liu Yong remained undaunted, bereft of panting, racing heart, or flushed visage. Onlookers marveled at this astonishing feat of strength.


    "Unbelievable! At an altitude exceeding 4,000 meters, he bears this load with ease."


    "A master, no doubt."


    A young woman stood nearby, her admiration evident. She envied Li Changle, resolving herself, "To find a partner with such incredible strength, that shall be my quest. When next we journey to Mount Everest ,I shall demand the same privilege."

 Chapter 463 Lanmas Offer !

    463 Lanma''s Offer !


    In the bustling hub of Universal Enterprise Group, Qiu Yang, the man of the hour, found himself immersed in a whirlwind of activity. A constant stream of visitors graced his office daily, sometimes in multiple waves. Just as he had bid farewell to one group, news arrived that the President of Lanma Automobile Group was en route with his entourage.


    Lanma Automobile Group, a renowned overseas brand from country D, stood tall among the automobile giants. Qiu Yang leaned back in his chair, contemting his response. "Inform them that we won''t entertain orders from foreign car manufacturers for our graphene-aluminum car batteries until six months from now."


    In the current scenario, the domestic market took precedence. Domestic car manufacturers received first priority, followed by joint ventures, and only then were foreign-funded carpanies considered.


    "Very well, I''ll convey the message," replied his subordinate.


    As the underling departed, Qiu Yang rubbed his temples, reflecting on how Universal Enterprise Group had be the darling of the business world.


    Shortly thereafter, the subordinate knocked on the door once more, entering Qiu Yang''s office with an update. "Mr. Qiu, the other party is quite insistent and wishes to meet you."


    Qiu Yang sighed inwardly. He had no choice but to entertain this request. He rose from his chair and gestured, "Very well, let''s go then."


    The delegation from Lanma Automobile Group appeared genuinely earnest and maintained a humble demeanor. Qiu Yang felt a flicker of satisfaction in his heart as they fawned over him.


    The recent days had been tiring yet undeniably gratifying. Emissaries from renowned corporations graced his doorstep, each disying exceptional cordiality. Such a scenario was unimaginable in the past!


    Of course, their intentions revolved around securing the coveted battery technology. The President of Lanma Automobile Group personally showcased theirmitment to new energy vehicles, expressing their intent to reduce the production of conventional cars and boost new energy vehicle manufacturing.


    "Mr. Qiu, we''ll need a substantial number of batteries for this endeavor. We hope you can provide us with robust support," he remarked, his eyes pleading.


    Qiu Yang deliberated momentarily before responding, "Our current production capacity is limited, and our second new energy factory is still under construction. We estimate it will be at least six months before we can begin international market supply."


    Lanma Automobile Group was aware of this limitation but persisted. "Mr. Qiu, for an early supply, we''re willing to offer a 50% price increase."


    A faint smile yed on Qiu Yang''s lips. Nearly everyone in Universal Enterprise Group chuckled. They had heard such promises from other overseas autopanies, either offering price hikes or investments in factories. The conditions promised were consistently generous.


    However, the mere 50% price increase didn''t sway Qiu Yang. He informed them that if they wanted Universal Enterprise Group''s graphene-aluminum batteries, they''d have to wait patiently for half a year.


    Lanma Automobile Group members concealed their disappointment, their smiles remaining intact as they continued negotiations.


    Meanwhile, two warships bearing the g of country M cruised the waters out in the vast Antic Ocean. These guided missile frigates, equipped for anti-submarine warfare, had been on a mission to locate and eliminate a colossal ck sea creature.


    Helicopters hovered above the ocean''s expanse, with one releasing a sonar device into the depths. The frigates deployed towed sonars, vignt in their surveince of the ocean''s secrets.


    "Frustrating! Days of searching and nothing to show for it."


    "Where could that massive beast have disappeared to? I wish we could locate it promptly."


    They aimed to track down the giant ck sea creature menacing the region.


    The challengey in the sheer vastness of the Antic Ocean, akin to finding a needle in a haystack. They had received reports from local fishermen stating that the creature had recently been spotted in these waters. Consequently, the two warships had raced to the scene.


    But despite an exhaustive search spanning hundreds of nautical miles, they remained empty-handed.


    "Captain, we''ve received distressing news," reported a sailor from country M. "The giant ck creature attacked one of our container bulk carriers, owned by Vogt Shipping Group."


    The Vogt Shipping Group, thergest in country M and the world''s foremost shipping conglomerate, boasted an impressive fleet. Their vessels included container bulk carriers, oil tankers, and various bulk carriers, amassing a total transport tonnage exceeding 25 million tons.


    The captain''s face tensed, and he ordered, "Plot a course to that location at full speed, maximum horsepower!"


    The sailor indicated a spot roughly 200 nautical miles to the northwest.


    Within hours, the two country M warships reached the incident scene. The container ship had sumbed to the depths, its cargo strewn across the surface, while crew members in life jackets clung to debris.


    Having witnessed the attack, a fishing boat was already on the scene, rescuing the stranded crew.


    The colossal creature remained elusive despite thebined efforts of the two warships and two anti-submarine helicopters.


    Their efforts seemed futile, and frustration mounted among the country M crew members.


    In another part of the world, Liu Yong and Li Changle had returned to Huahai City following a journey through Tibet that spanned more than ten days. Li Changle intended to visit her parents in Jinpen County, her hometown, for a while.


    On the other hand, Liu Yong had yet to make any ns for Jinpen County. Having been absent from thepany for over a week, he couldn''t return for a brief visit so soon. He arranged transportation to take Li Changle home, resuming his rigorous work routine.


    In his office, Liu Yong perused the news, which was dominated by reports of the enigmatic ck sea creature. ounts of merchant ships falling victim to its attacks, crew members missing, and harrowing tales abounded.


    Liu Yong couldn''t help but ponder the creature''s relentless violence, which showed no signs of abating. It targeted fishing boats, merchant vessels, and even warships with equal ferocity.


    Country M had dispatched numerous warships and formed multiple fleets, but the elusive ck behemoth remained seemingly invincible.


    Liu Yong took sce in that the creature primarily operated within the Antic Ocean, sparing the Pacific for now. Nevertheless, he couldn''t ignore the looming threat to international shipping routes.


    Suddenly, a knock resounded through his office door, and Qiu Yang entered urgently. He ryed thetest news, "Boss, a fishing boat was attacked in the South Pacific waters. Surviving fishermen reported a three-hundred-meter-long ck behemoth."


    Liu Yong''s surprise was palpable. He had hoped the creature would steer clear of the Pacific Ocean, but fate had other ns.


    "Where exactly is this incident?" he inquired.


    Qiu Yang approached therge world map on the wall, pointing to a location near the southernmost tip of South America. "This is the location."


    Liu Yong''s gaze narrowed. It was situated within the South Pacific Ocean, near Antarctica and the southern tip of South America.

 Chapter 464 Overlord Vs Black Monster !

    464 Overlord Vs ck Monster !


    The ebony monstrosity, a restless behemoth, had once reigned supreme in the Antic Ocean. It relentlessly terrorized fishing vessels and merchant ships and even imed a United States Navy warship as its victim. Now, it had ventured into the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.


    Qiu Yang, a stalwart figure on this maritime frontier, harbored deep concerns. "Boss, our presence in the Antic was sparse, but the Pacific is different. There''s an incessant traffic of ships here."


    Liu Yong, a seasoned leader known for his astute thinking, nodded in acknowledgment. After a thoughtful pause, he offered sce, "Don''t fret too much, let me mull it over."


    Qiu Yang had immense trust in Liu Yong''s capabilities. If the boss said there was a solution, then undoubtedly, there was.


    As Qiu Yang left, Liu Yong turned his attention to the interface disying his array of aquaticpanions. His gaze settled on the majestic Overlord.


    Recently, the Overlord had staked its territory in the South Pacific waters. It hunted fiercely, targeting whales, great white sharks, and even creatures as peculiar as walruses and seals. It had ventured close to the Antarctic in a daring move, feasting on unsuspecting penguins. However, the Overlord found the penguins nd and the frigid waters unweing.


    "Overlord, that colossal ck menace has surfaced once more," Liu Yong''s voice resounded within the Overlord''s consciousness, reinvigorating its alertness.


    "Master, are you referring to that 300-meter-long ck behemoth? I crossed paths with it in the past," the Overlord responded with newfound vigor.


    "Yes, the very same. This creature is excessively savage and aggressive, with a penchant for assaulting vessels. I shudder at the thought of our own ships falling victim to its aggression."


    "Master, where is it? I''ll take care of it."


    Liu Yong promptly disclosed the creature''s location and cautioned, "Be vignt. Engaging it head-on might not be prudent. We''ll employ the same tactics as before ¨C harassment."


    "I understand, Master. You can count on me."


    Liu Yong reiterated that their objective was to drive the colossal ck beast back to the Antic without causing it harm.


    The Overlord embarked on its mission, armed with its colossal spear, venturing to the sea region specified by Liu Yong. A few hours prior, the enormous ck beast had savagely attacked a fishing vessel, leaving three fishermen missing.


    The Overlord was stationed over a thousand nautical miles away, a suitable distance for its capabilities. With a speed surpassing 300 nautical miles per hour, it traversed the vast expanse quickly.


    Upon arrival, the Overlord discovered only remnants of a shattered fishing vessel floating amidst the calm ocean. There were no signs of any ship or the colossal ck entity.


    Undeterred, the Overlordmenced an underwater search,bing the depths around the site where the fishing vessel had met its unfortunate fate.


    "Hopefully, it hasn''t ventured too far," the Overlord pondered as it scoured the ocean depths.


    After approximately an hour of fruitless searching, the Overlord contemted taking a brief respite and satisfying its hunger.


    A majestic blue whale captured its attention. The Overlord approached stealthily, forgoing its sprinting abilities, instead relying on its innate speed to draw near.


    This locationy nearly a hundred nautical miles from the attack site of the fishing vessel, suggesting that the colossal ck beast likely hadn''t strayed too far.


    With a swift motion, the Overlord mped its jaws around the massive blue whale, its bitending precisely on its back. Despite the blue whale''s desperate struggles, they proved futile against the Overlord''s overwhelming might.


    In strength and stature, the Overlord eclipsed the blue whale. It made for an unfortunate feast for the Overlord, a spectacle that drew the attention of nearby sharks.


    Though drawn by the scent of blood, these carnivorous predators dared not approach. Not even the formidable great white sharks, typically apex predators, dared to contest the Overlord''s dominance.


    Unperturbed by external distractions, the Overlord savored its meal in serene solitude. In a matter of half an hour, the behemoth of the ocean, a more than 30-meter-long, nearly 200-ton blue whale, met its end in the Overlord''s belly.


    "Now, I''m halfway full. Should I hunt another or simply bask in the sun?" the Overlord contemted.


    The day graced them with splendid weather ¨C calm waves and gentle sunlight. The Overlord, submerged only a few meters beneath the surface, relished the sun''s warmth.


    However, it refrained from fully emerging from the water. Liu Yong had cautioned against such behavior, warning of the risk of human detection. An appearance on the water''s surface might attract unwanted attention from passing ships or satellites.


    Thus, the Overlord contentedly basked, contemting its next move while vignt for any sign of the colossal ck adversary.


    After 30 to 40 minutes of reprieve, a sudden sense of foreboding gripped the Overlord.


    This isn''t good; danger lurks nearby!


    In an instant, the Overlord was on high alert, leaping a thousand meters from its current location. The colossal ck beast, spanning 300 meters in length, had initiated an ambush.


    Unbelievable! It was attempting to ambush me, mimicking the tactics I once employed.


    Maintaining a distance of at least five to six hundred meters between them, the two titanic beings faced off twenty to thirty meters beneath the surface.


    After a brief standoff, the colossal ck beast prepared to charge, but the Overlord deftly evaded.


    It must have been infuriated.


    It couldn''t stand the thought of the Overlord eluding it. Thus, it gave chase, propelling itself with all its might. The spectacle unfolded with the Overlord leading the way and the colossal ck beast pursuing relentlessly.


    The ck beast erupted in frustration as it lost track of the Overlord. In terms of speed, it fell significantly short of the Overlord''s prowess. Catching up was an insurmountable challenge.


    Was the Overlord truly gone?


    No, it lingered merely two or three kilometers away. It faintly discerned the colossal ck beast''s form in the distance with its superhuman vision.


    The Overlord exercised caution, meticulously selecting its direction in line with the ocean currents, ensuring that any scent it emitted would be swiftly carried away by the water''s flow.


    In the distance, it spotted an indistinct yet colossal ck silhouette pulsating like a storm, and the Overlord breathed a sigh of relief.


    Heh, you can''t catch me.


    Just wait and watch as I outsmart you.


    If you dare, enter my Pacific domain, then brace yourself for my retribution. The Overlord was resolute in its intent.


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