Chapter 246: Chapter 241: The "Black Tortoise Shield" Ranking! Revealed

The King-level Wandering Ship, Da Yu.

27th Floor Medical Ward, Intensive Care Unit.

"Teacher, the King Ship’s administrative center has issued a new directive."

Another one of Chongwen’s students entered the monitoring room.

"Oh? What did they say?"

In the monitoring room, Chongwen looked at the data on his student’s deteriorating condition with great concern. He had dedicated his entire life to his research, especially in the early days of the Wandering Era. After his older brother passed away, these three students had become his family. ’How could he not be worried?’

The negative effects of the Nine-Strand Pattern were growing more severe. Even after consuming a leaf from a Snowcap Jade, it was barely being suppressed.

"Their exact words were to use this meeting to show goodwill and win over the Awakened named Minglong."

Chongwen wasn’t surprised by this.

The Black Society had always acted with impunity in the Yinping Sea Region. They were proponents of extreme social Darwinism and militaristic warmongering. Da Yu had long wanted to teach them a lesson, but its duty as a King-level Wandering Ship was to protect. Bound by that and the Endless Ocean Pact, it had never taken any official action.

But now this young man had dared to clash head-on with the Black Society, ramming and sinking one of their ships, and even putting the Michael in its place. In the eyes of the ordinary citizens of Da Yu, he was already a hero.

A lone wolf—an S-rank lone wolf, no less—with the terrifying ability to destroy a General-level Wandering Ship. Any faction would show the utmost goodwill toward such an individual.

"I understand. That was my intention as well."

As Chongwen mused, he received another message, this time from Shentu Kuo.

"Doctor, Minglong has reached the Sea of Soaring Dragons. He will arrive at Da Yu’s coordinates at approximately three in the afternoon."

He put away his communicator.

"Get Li Jiuyuan."

Li Jiuyuan was one of Da Yu’s S-rank Awakened and also Chongwen’s senior disciple. He possessed the skill "Idealism"—whatever he believed in from the bottom of his heart would manifest into reality.

"Understood! Teacher, the Sword Captain also returned to Da Yu recently. He said he’s very interested in this young man and wants to meet him."

The Sword Captain was the captain of the Kunwu, Rong Bing. He preferred his old title, "Sword Captain of the Sea of Soaring Dragons," over just "Captain."

’What’s he doing here trying to get in on the action? Is the Kunwu’s mission even finished?’

’It’s just a meeting. Making too big of a scene might intimidate our guest and cause unnecessary trouble.’

"Refuse him."

Before the words had even left his mouth, an Awakened in a naval uniform walked into the observation room.

He was a man with a scar on his forehead.

His gaze was exceptionally resolute, his aura powerful. He looked to be in his mid-thirties. Anyone’s first impression would be that he was an extremely reliable and outstanding warrior with overwhelming combat strength, which was, in fact, true.

However, that was only true when he was on a mission.

Speak of the devil.

The Sword Captain, Rong Bing.

The seemingly stoic Awakened smiled.

"Dr. Chongwen, don’t be so quick to refuse... This is my mission, too. You can’t deny my request to carry out my mission."

"...Change into civilian clothes." Chongwen had no desire to argue with him.

"Done!"

...

...

...

The appointed meeting place was not on Da Yu, but on an ordinary Silver-level Wandering Ship, thirty nautical miles away.

Holding a first meeting with a lone Awakened on a King-level Wandering Ship would be highly inappropriate and rude, giving the impression that they were throwing their weight around. Since Chongwen was the one asking Shi Ming for a favor, he naturally wouldn’t make such an arrangement.

The best option was to meet as equals.

Neither subservient nor overbearing.

Chongwen stood at the bow, with Shentu Kuo and the S-rank Awakened, Li Jiuyuan, by his side in the roles of liaison and deputy. The Sword Captain, Rong Bing, stood at the very back in the inconspicuous guise of an attendant, awaiting Shi Ming’s arrival.

This eighty-meter-plus Silver-level ship was full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons.

Finally,

they saw a Wandering Ship, also nearly a hundred meters long, sailing toward them from the distance. A young man in his early twenties stood at its bow, acknowledging them from afar.

...

The ships were still some distance from each other.

Shi Ming blinked.

The Eye of the World sent a timely reminder.

The most outstanding Awakened naturally deserves the most special treatment.

On this inconspicuous Silver-level Wandering Ship, the Eye of the World has detected two S-rank Awakened. Look at their rankings... Tsk, tsk. As expected of a faction with five thousand years of history. They’re so much stronger than the loosely-organized Twelve Stars.

S-rank Skill: Idealism

Rank: 27

From the sea beast "Spiritual Illusion Dragon." I think, therefore I am. An abstract-type sea beast born from philosophy. For an Awakened with this skill, whatever they deeply believe in will become reality. In a materialist world, this might seem like the work of a charlatan, but compared to the Lamp of Wishes, this is still within the realm of reason.

The Eye of the World reminds you: remember to give him a "completely reliable" impression!

’Give him a "completely reliable" impression?’

’As long as this Awakened believes from the bottom of his heart that I’m "completely reliable," then my success rate for certain things will reach 100%?’

This buff was certainly abstract, but it was also powerful.

But at the end of the day, an unreliable person couldn’t give off a reliable impression anyway.

The words before his eyes continued to shift.

S-rank Skill: Royal Hegemony

Rank: 18

From the sea beast "Great Hegemon Steed." Activating this skill consumes 20% of your Physical Strength. Afterward, you are imbued with a hegemonic aura, entering a state of solitary dominance and unstoppable presence for three seconds. All personal attributes are increased by 300%, and you gain direct immunity to all damage, up to and including Holy Hall-level attacks!