Chapter 261: Chapter 254: General-rank Drifting Ship [Beidou Star]

Even in the Wandering Era, the approval process for major factions remained quite complex.

This wasn’t due to red tape, but to strict protocol.

Shi Ming waited in the Sea of Soaring Dragons for two days before finally receiving the most complete intelligence on the Moonlight Ripple Beast, along with the entire battle plan. He hadn’t been idle during that time, either. He occasionally took the Da Yun hunting in the nearby waters and held special training sessions with Rong Bing to familiarize themselves with coordinating their skills.

He had also taken his crew to the Da Yu’s food district to eat the hot pot he’d been craving for so long.

It didn’t cost much, mainly because someone else was paying.

As the expedition drew near, he also met the captain of another of Da Yu’s Admiral-class Ships.

The Admiral-class Ship, the Beidou Star!

The Beidou Star was an Admiral-class Ship with exceptionally strong support capabilities. It was known as the Frigate of the Sea, the Morning Star of Dawn. It was equipped with the most advanced medical and rescue equipment in the Endless Ocean, as well as a Wondrous Item of unknown rank: the Zhutian Beidou.

The captain, Zhao Li Luo, was a woman in her late twenties.

Similarly, when Shi Ming saw Zhao Li Luo, a notification from the Eye of the World appeared before him once again.

"Women are made of flesh and bone of water! The ancients truly did not lie!"

"Her skill is extremely special, arguably the strongest healing skill below S-rank! With her around, perhaps even death is a luxury?... Ahem, that’s a joke. Death could never be a luxury. But her healing ability is truly, incredibly strong!"

"A-Rank Skill: Canglang Water"

"A large-scale recovery skill! It transforms the user’s body into the rushing Canglang Water. Wherever the Canglang Water washes over, wounds heal rapidly, and Physical Strength, Endurance, and Spiritual Power are quickly restored. All non-fatal injuries can be completely healed within 10 seconds! Even life-threatening injuries will slowly mend with prolonged immersion."

"It’s just that..."

"Let me tell you a secret! No one knows that the healing water is her transformed body. This is Zhao Li Luo’s biggest secret!!!"

’This is the first time I’ve seen a group recovery skill. Not only can it heal wounds, but it also restores Physical Strength, Endurance, and Spiritual Power... Although it’s not a revival skill and seems to have no combat applications, its large area and high efficiency are incredible. Just being able to heal all non-fatal injuries within ten seconds gives it immense strategic value!’

’Her body can turn into water? Doesn’t that mean it’s also a life-saving skill?’

’If she runs into danger, she can just dive into the ocean. Who would be able to find her?’

’It’s just like my own Radiant Body from Descent of the Titan, which can turn my body into light.’

’It’s a shame the Eye of the World didn’t give me any information on the Zhutian Beidou. Da Yu equipped all three of its Admiral-class Ships with a Wondrous Item. I wonder what features and functions the one assigned to Zhao Li Luo has?’

...

"So, you must be the young Shi Ming?"

The Tear of the Earth Sea, a gift from the Twelve Stars that could alter one’s appearance, was nearly depleted, so Shi Ming had reverted to his true identity. The codename "Minglong" had fulfilled its purpose with the sinking of the Black Society. The few people who had known him as Minglong—Rong Bing, Shentu Kuo, Chongwen, and Li Jiuyuan—would keep the secret. It wasn’t a matter of great importance, but it would still help him avoid some potential trouble.

This was their first meeting. Zhao Li Luo looked at Shi Ming, her eyes as clear as a placid, jade-green lake.

The captain of the Beidou Star possessed the charm of a classical Dragon Country beauty. Despite years of exposure to the wind and sun at sea, her skin was flawless. She didn’t look to be in her late twenties, but more like her early twenties. It was possible that Awakened with water-based skills had a passive effect that slowed aging and preserved their skin.

Shi Ming was just about to reply.

He suddenly felt a stream of water, rich with healing energy, materialize from the air and slip inside the cuff of his nautical suit. It glided over his tendons and skin like light gauze, undulating as it moved.

As it flowed gently, it began restoring his Physical Strength and Endurance.

As gentle as a warm breeze.

Zhao Li Luo blinked slowly.

Shi Ming, however, stiffened as if he’d been electrocuted.

"Hahaha, Shi Ming! Li Luo’s skill, Canglang Water, has incredible recovery power. Back when we were in the special training camp together, her skill was a massive help! I’d get healed right after every session, and I wouldn’t feel even a little bit sore the next day!"

’The skill is certainly useful.’

’But I remember the Eye of the World’s tip: "transforms the body into the Canglang Water."’

’Commander, you have no idea how many times she’s taken advantage of you.’

’That being said, I shouldn’t get hung up on the details. According to Dragon Country etiquette, a little open flattery is still necessary—’

"You truly live up to your reputation, Captain Li Luo. Your skill is extraordinary. In just a few moments, my fatigue has completely disappeared. With your support, this expedition is bound for success."

"You’re young, but you’re quite the smooth-talker. Much better than some people I know."

Zhao Li Luo smiled. "Alright, all preparations are complete. Let’s set out! This should be our fourth expedition against the Moonlight Ripple Beast. We’ll do it like before: the Kunwu in front, the Beidou Star in the rear. I can’t immunize myself against the Moonlight Ripple Beast’s abilities, so I can only provide logistical support and can’t join the fight. I hope our two warriors can return victorious this time! And not like last time, when you had to soak in my Canglang Water for three whole days to recover!"

"Don’t worry! We have Shi Ming this time! We’ll definitely succeed!"

SWOOSH!

There was no departure ceremony. The Kunwu tore a surging arc through the water, like a meteor streaking across the deep night sky. The Beidou Star followed close behind, and the two ships sped toward the Northeast Domain of the Sea of Soaring Dragons.

Meanwhile, the Da Yun remained in the Sea of Soaring Dragons to continue hunting B-rank sea beasts.

With two Admiral-class Ships and the hidden trump card, Sun-Shooter, they were equipped to handle any unforeseen circumstances!

...

...

...

Shentu Kuo arrived at the Xirang Research Institute and looked at the confidentiality agreement before him.

’Sigh... I still haven’t found a chance to return that canoe to Shi Ming.’

"Canoe? What canoe?"

Li Jiuyuan asked casually, cracking open sea melon seeds.

The Doctor wasn’t around at the moment. Li Jiuyuan wasn’t in charge of many projects at the institute and mostly served as a mascot, so he was often idle.

"A canoe that saved my life."

"Hah, if it’s that significant, why not just keep it as a memento? A simple wooden boat can’t be that valuable, anyway."

Shentu Kuo shook his head.

"That little boat must be very important to Shi Ming. He once said he needed it back. Besides, I saw some strange patterns carved on its hull. Maybe they’re to commemorate something?"

"Patterns?"

Li Jiuyuan didn’t think much of it.

It was like an artist carving a symbol on their work—not worth paying much attention to.

Shentu Kuo sat in an empty seat in the lab and signed his name on the confidentiality agreement. Then he handed the paper to Li Jiuyuan and stood up to leave.

He glanced around casually and happened to spot an old photograph on Dr. Chongwen’s desk.

It was a photo of a young man who bore a striking resemblance to Chongwen, squatting in front of a canoe for a picture.

"Hm?"

’That canoe... it’s the spitting image of the one in the Doctor’s photo?’

Li Jiuyuan froze.

’How is that possible!’

’The boat in that photo is the long-missing Gold-class Ship, Number 360! It was the life’s work of Dr. Chongwen’s older brother, Shangwu!’

’In terms of value and construction cost, it’s worth more than a million ordinary canoes!’