Chapter 268: Chapter 261: Celebration Banquet! Each Faction’s Thoughts

’So, the *She Ri* used to be called the *Tun Nan*.’

Wandering Ships were the sanctuaries of the Wandering Era. On the vast ocean, it was quite common for ships to be lost and captains to perish.

Regarding the inheritance of ownerless Wandering Ships and "Ghost Ships," there was a process tacitly approved by all factions. As long as the means of acquisition were not morally questionable, the new owner, after obtaining the ownerless ship’s Skynet and captain’s authorities, was considered its default legal heir.

This was sanctioned by all seven King-level Wandering Ships.

Chongwen naturally knew this as well.

A Gold-level Wandering Ship that had been lost for over twenty years, even if it was in Shi Ming’s hands, was not something Xirang had any grounds to demand back. Besides, the value of a Gold-level Wandering Ship was far less than that of an S-class Awakened.

And far less than news about his brother.

As for Shi Ming, this Gold-level Wandering Ship had already advanced to the General-class under his command. It was no longer the original *Tun Nan*; it had become one of his trump cards. No matter the offer, he would never transfer its captain’s authority. However, the "notes" he had excavated along with the canoe, and the clues about the Sea Beast Xuanwu, could serve as a bridge between them. Through these, he could gain opportunities to read the great stone monument.

When two matters seemed completely unrelated, one had to create a connection.

Of course, in the end, these connections all came down to strength.

If Shi Ming were merely a D-class Awakened, it would be a different story. In that situation, he would have played it safe. He would never have let the information that he possessed the *She Ri* get out, instead hiding it away securely. Even if he coveted Xirang’s great stone monument, he would have pursued it through other means.

After accepting Chongwen’s invitation, Shi Ming rested for a short while. Soon, the faint silhouette of Mount Everest became visible through the window, several hundred nautical miles away. Once Mount Everest could be seen in this direction, it meant they weren’t far from the Da Yu.

As sunset approached, they finally reached their destination.

From a distance, Shi Ming could see a naval procession celebrating on the water.

...

...

...

A celebration was in order.

In the struggle between humans and sea beasts, humanity was at an overall disadvantage. Although there were peerless experts among humans who could match S-class sea beasts, the sea was still not their home turf. Countless small vessels faced attacks from unknown sea beasts every day, teetering on the brink of life and death.

Therefore, slaying a high-ranking S-class sea beast without any casualties was a rare and celebratory occasion.

They wouldn’t go as far as the nouveau-riche Pharaoh to hold a "Sea Beast Banquet," but they did organize an internal victory dinner. They invited the embassies of various factions stationed on the Da Yu to participate. This was not only to publicize and celebrate humanity’s latest conquest over an S-class sea beast, but also to subtly leak certain information to the other powers on the Endless Ocean.

One: The Da Yu possessed the strength to vanquish the Moonlight Ripple Beast.

Two: Shi Ming was from the Dragon Country and had assisted the Da Yu in eliminating an S-class sea beast, making him a partner to the Da Yu.

In short, it was a show of force.

The next day, this news would make the front-page headlines of the Da Yu’s *Soaring Dragon Report*, as well as others like the *Eternal Lighthouse Herald*, the *Twelve Morning Stars*, and the *Black Gold Times*. The Katyusha, being closest to the Da Yu, immediately sent a congratulatory telegram. It celebrated the Da Yu for removing a thorn at the junction of two seas, avenging the humans aboard the *Dawn* and other ships large and small who had been innocently devoured by the Moonlight Ripple Beast, and for gaining another powerful S-class Awakened.

Half of the *Da Yun*’s crew also participated in the banquet.

"So many people!"

"As expected of a King-level Wandering Ship!"

"It’s so lively!"

"Is all this food grown from soil?"

Yellow Cannon maintained his composure, doing his best to uphold the *Da Yun*’s image.

But he had never seen such a scene. He could only sigh in his heart while "occasionally" picking up cream cakes, macarons, and Dragon Country-style pastries from the dessert table, his eyes shining.

Sometimes trying a slice of some strange, never-before-seen "fruit" and grass-fed beef,

Sometimes watching the dazzling dances before him, and the "social butterflies" who were constantly trying to find ways to strike up a conversation with his captain—

In the three-hundred-square-meter banquet hall (a temporarily converted conference room), Shi Ming and Rong Bing were the undeniable stars of the show.

This was especially true for Shi Ming. He was so young, yet he possessed the ability to battle an S-class sea beast. As this was his first appearance in a social setting, he was naturally the center of attention.

Some of the bigwigs who had gotten the news in advance had even rounded up a group of single, exceptional women. These social experts flitted through every corner of the banquet. They had long given up on a blockhead like Rong Bing, who didn’t understand the first thing about romance. But a warrior in his early twenties who was strong and had a good physique? He was an absolute catch. If they could just seize the opportunity to win his favor, they would gain a powerful backer on the Endless Ocean and more say on their own ships.

’Even if it means going out to sea with him, braving the wind and sun, and crying in a bronze boat, it would be worth it!’

Besides the personnel from the Da Yu itself, members from the embassies of various factions permanently stationed on the Da Yu also attended the banquet—

Kato Tarō of the Vortex Country appeared cheerful on the surface but was cursing inwardly. ’This despicable Shi Ming! He rose to power relying on a ship from my Vortex Country, yet he shows not a shred of gratitude. He has even repeatedly opposed His Majesty Renhuang! I heard the Prince’s death was related to him, too. How utterly shameless! How can such an evil person exist in this world!’

Alice from the Lighthouse held her wine glass, her smile radiant and her words charming, but who knew what she was thinking? Perhaps she was considering a little North American-style game of love with the man before her. Or perhaps she was trying to figure out how to leverage her charm to gain some social advantages for her faction.

Vivian of the Twelve Stars took one look and thought, ’Isn’t that the thirteenth Honorary Knight, the same gentleman who’s on the *European Sea Region’s Must-Eat List*? He really is quite charming.’

Amita of Shiva was both envious and mournful. ’Why doesn’t my faction have someone like him?’

As for Shi Ming, he was truly busy.

He even felt that this socializing was far more troublesome than fighting. He had originally thought this banquet would just be everyone sitting at a table for a meal, followed by handing over the mission’s rewards and results, shaking hands, and saying "a pleasure doing business with you." He never expected it to be ten times more complicated than the Twelve Stars’ simplified award ceremony!

Seeing the different treatment the two of them were receiving, Rong Bing was suddenly plunged into deep self-doubt.

’Seriously, man?’

’We both put in the hard work, so how come no one’s asking me to have a drink and chat?’

Feeling dejected, he opened a bottle of baijiu and walked straight over to his crew.

The banquet hall was filled with a celebratory atmosphere.

At sea, monotony and solitude were the dominant themes most of the time. Days like this, when people could gather and celebrate, were truly a rare sight.

...

"Elder Zhou! Elder Zhou is here!"

The focus of the spotlight shifted in an instant. The bustling banquet hall paused as if someone had hit a pause button, only to erupt with an even more fervent wave of noise.

’Elder Zhou?’

Shi Ming peered through a gap in the impenetrable crowd.

An elderly man dressed in a Tang suit, surrounded by several Awakened, walked into the banquet hall. His aura alone marked him as an extraordinary person.