Chapter 164 – I've Boarded a Pirate Ship

No Hunter could ignore the existence of Red Vein Stones.

Xu Qianqian, being a Hunter herself, was no exception.

In fact, Xu Qianqian had long been dissatisfied with her current strength.

Though everyone called her a Genius and saw her as a rising star in the future Professional circle, this didn’t change the fact that she was still just a student—a third-year with over a year left before graduation.

At only 19 years old, she hadn’t obtained her official Hunter license yet. Even as the top student in the Academy’s Hunter Department, her strength was at most equivalent to a Two-Star Hunter.

This level of power might place her at the forefront within the Academy, but in the Professional world, it merely meant she had just advanced beyond the rookie One-Star rank.

While Xu Qianqian could flawlessly complete tasks assigned by the Academy, she appeared utterly insignificant when facing incidents beyond student-level threats.

Just look at what she had encountered recently.

When she first accepted the investigation mission assigned by Longyao City’s higher-ups to look into the underground Professional organization 『Sin』, she was ambushed and severely injured.

When the Spirit Demon Abyss Entrance appeared, turning Huaming District into a battlefield, she went with Su Ming to investigate Warehouse Street, only to be suppressed by Yi Junchuan and nearly killed by his Demonized form.

After the Huaming Campaign officially began, her squad performed poorly, she was targeted by Xu Yanyan, and she faced danger yet again.

After these repeated traumatic experiences, even the most oblivious person would realize their own inadequacy—especially with Su Ming serving as such a stark contrast.

Look at him—a year younger than her, yet a Dual Professional who even repelled the famous 『Qilin Blade』. Those aware of his existence regarded him as a mysterious powerhouse. Though his identity remained unknown, they acknowledged his strength as a true expert.

In this context, even without feeling resentment or jealousy, Xu Qianqian couldn’t ignore her own weakness and insignificance.

Now, an opportunity for rapid strength improvement had appeared before her.

With sufficient Red Vein Stone assistance, given her Bloodline Rank and innate talent, Xu Qianqian could grow at an astonishing speed until reaching her limits, breaking through her Physical Body constraints, Awakening Demonization, and becoming an Upper-Rank Professional.

Thinking this, her gaze toward Su Ming grew increasingly intense.

She didn’t ask how Su Ming could produce such treasures as Red Vein Stones, nor why he seemed to have an abundant supply.

After all, Su Ming’s mysterious nature wasn’t anything new, and Xu Qianqian had no interest in his secrets.

She only wanted to know if she could obtain this opportunity.

Though Su Ming didn’t know Xu Qianqian’s exact thoughts, he could guess the general idea.

So Su Ming scratched his cheek.

“If you really want some, I can share a portion with you,” Su Ming said after some contemplation.

“Really?” Xu Qianqian’s eyes brightened slightly.

“Why would I lie to you?” Su Ming curled his lip.Although his stock was running low, he still had plenty of chips and was confident he could obtain more from the packages. After meeting his own and Little Hai’er’s needs, the remaining portion could be provided to Xu Qianqian.

Of course, this wasn’t without conditions.

“You’re well aware of the value of Red Vein Stones,” Su Ming chuckled, twirling the stone in his hand as he spoke to Xu Qianqian. “So I can supply you with some, but you’ll need to help me collect some cost-effective Extraordinary Items like before. How about it?”

This way, the surplus Red Vein Stones could be exchanged for Extraordinary Items that could be converted into large quantities of chips, which would then be used to continue opening packages and obtaining treasures including Red Vein Stones.

Only through such recycling could maximum benefits be achieved.

“Cost-effective Extraordinary Items?”

Xu Qianqian furrowed her brows.

The young girl asked in confusion, “If you really need these things, why not just ask Yun Langyue for help?”

Su Ming was momentarily speechless.

Indeed, if he truly needed such items, seeking Yun Langyue’s assistance would be the best approach.

Given Cloudflow Commerce’s business operations, they dealt in Extraordinary Items trade across all Four Base Cities. Having them help collect cost-effective Extraordinary Items for Su Ming would undoubtedly be highly efficient and rewarding.

What Xu Qianqian wanted to know was why Su Ming wasn’t approaching the largest commerce group across the Four Base Cities, but instead asking her to handle such matters.

Although the Xu Family had substantial business operations and did deal in this type of trade, compared to a commercial giant like Cloudflow Commerce, the Xu Family’s business in this area was merely child’s play – just casual involvement.

When it came to Extraordinary Items trade, one ultimately had to look to Cloudflow Commerce.

Given this, and considering Su Ming’s relationship with Yun Langyue, wouldn’t it be better to entrust such matters to Cloudflow Commerce?

This was what puzzled Xu Qianqian.

“Thinking carefully, all those transactions you’ve asked me to handle could actually be managed by Yun Langyue. She would definitely perform better than I could.”

Xu Qianqian spoke these words calmly.

This was the truth, and she wasn’t too proud to admit it.

And how could Su Ming not know this?

The problem was…

“That woman has a neurotic mother. If she gets her hands on my goods, I…”

Just thinking about it made Su Ming’s vision darken, as if his goods had grown wings and flown away, sending chills down his spine.

“A neurotic mother?”

Xu Qianqian raised an eyebrow, understanding the reason now.

After all, that person’s doting on her daughter was quite famous in their circles.

“Alright,” Xu Qianqian pursed her lips and said, “I can give it a try, but I can’t guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”

The value of Red Vein Stones was extremely high – using them to exchange for cost-effective Extraordinary Items could definitely net truckloads of goods.

And this was just for one stone.

If she wanted to exchange for large quantities of Red Vein Stones like this, Xu Qianqian could imagine how many batches of goods she would need to produce to complete the transactions.

Moreover, this time the acquired items wouldn’t be used for continued business profits, but for her personal use.

This meant the Xu Family would have to pay a significant price and sacrifice considerable business opportunities to complete these transactions for Xu Qianqian’s cultivation.This was undoubtedly not an easy task to accomplish.

Xu Qianqian was, after all, only the Young Miss of the Xu Family, not the Family Head. She didn’t have the authority or capability to make the Xu Family expend so much for her alone.

Completing this transaction would inevitably require considerable mental effort.

“It seems I’ll need to ask Grandfather and Father for help this time.”

Xu Qianqian contemplated methods in her heart but didn’t show it, instead giving Su Ming a preliminary warning.

“It’s fine, just do your best.”

Su Ming didn’t press the matter.

After his and Little Hai’er’s consumption, even if there were any Red Vein Stones remaining, there definitely wouldn’t be much. Even if Xu Qianqian wanted more, he might not be able to provide it.

Therefore, having a smaller transaction volume wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.

“Meeling meeling!”

Seeing Su Ming and Xu Qianqian actually discussing business, Little Hai’er, who was restrained by the [Stasis Lock], grew anxious instead.

Her spiritual intelligence wasn’t low—she could understand the content of Su Ming and Xu Qianqian’s conversation. Although she couldn’t grasp the details completely, she knew Su Ming intended to trade with the Red Vein Stones.

This wouldn’t do!

“Meeling! Meeling meeling!”

Immediately, Little Hai’er called out repeatedly, staring intently at the Red Vein Stones in Su Ming’s hand.

“I almost forgot about you.”

Su Ming finally remembered Little Hai’er’s presence and moved the Red Vein Stones back in front of the mermaid girl.

“How about it? I’ll give them to you if you promise to obey me from now on?”

Su Ming began tempting her again.

“Meeling…”

Little Hai’er understood Su Ming’s meaning and couldn’t help but hesitate and struggle.

She really wanted to agree with Su Ming.

But she always felt this human was rather mischievous and somewhat scary.

Couldn’t he just give the little red stones to her?

Would he accept her singing in exchange?

“Meeling!”

Little Hai’er looked at Su Ming with a pitiful expression.

“What?” Su Ming almost softened but hardened his heart and said, “Do you want to get them for free? No way!”

“Meeling!” Little Hai’er dejectedly lowered her small head.

Although she didn’t understand what “get them for free” meant, she clearly and completely understood what Su Ming intended to convey.

As expected, this was a bad person. ╭(╯^╰)╮

“Meeling meeling!”

In the end, Little Hai’er still agreed to the bad guy’s conditions.

Wasn’t it just about obeying him?

She was the most obedient, okay!

(^▽^)

……

And so, Su Ming successfully lured away the beautiful mermaid girl.

Even though Xu Qianqian nearby seemed somewhat reluctant and uneasy, watching Su Ming as if guarding against a wolf and repeatedly suggesting that Su Ming leave Little Hai’er with her to be cared for, Su Ming firmly took the little girl from the villa, preparing to take her away directly.

As for how to handle Little Hai’er’s situation, Su Ming already had an idea.

He prepared an item for Little Hai’er.

Mirage Pearl: An alchemical item crafted using pearls nurtured by Mist Demons as the main materials, capable of continuously generating mist that blocks others’ sight and spying. It can also be used to create mirage illusions to confuse others.

This was what Su Ming prepared to help Little Hai’er conceal her identity.The Mist Demon is a type of Phantom Demon that inhabits water. It resembles a seashell in appearance and can only move in water. Once on land, it loses its mobility, becoming as helpless as a fish out of water, entirely at the mercy of others.

This is a purely aquatic creature, never daring to leave the water throughout its life. The moment it leaves the water, it meets its demise.

In waters or seas where Mist Demons reside, the surrounding area of several kilometers becomes enveloped in dense fog and even mirage-like illusions. Creatures entering these areas lose their sense of direction and clarity, wandering aimlessly until they ultimately fall prey to the Mist Demon.

Due to this characteristic, although Mist Demons are not particularly rare among Phantom Demons, they are almost never encountered on land. Hunting a Mist Demon is an extremely difficult task.

Despite this, the shell of such a Phantom Demon serves as a primary material for multiple alchemical potions and tools, and is even used in many alchemical weapons.

However, the most precious item from the Mist Demon is not its shell, which can serve as a primary material for various alchemical items, but the pearl nurtured within its body.

This treasure has an extremely low chance of forming once every hundred years. Not only is it exceptionally beautiful in appearance, captivating many women, but it also holds significant value.

It is said that a certain alchemical potion capable of granting eternal youth is brewed using this pearl as the primary material.

As a result, once such a pearl appears, it sparks a frenzy among countless women.

About eight years ago, in the nearby Qilan Base City, someone luckily hunted a Mist Demon that had nurtured a pearl. They brought the pearl back to Qilan City and entrusted it to the city’s largest auction house for sale.

That Mist Demon pearl fetched an astronomical price and was acquired by a Six-Star Sorcerer.

This Six-Star Sorcerer was not a local of Qilan City but a powerful female sorcerer of high status who had traveled from another Base City after hearing news of the Mist Demon pearl.

However, when this Six-Star female sorcerer left Qilan City, she was ambushed by numerous female Professionals. In the ensuing chaos, she was ultimately killed, and the Mist Demon pearl was stolen, ending up in the black market of the underground world, its whereabouts unknown.

This incident is regarded by the world as one of the most heinous events in history.

For the sake of a pearl that could grant eternal youth, a powerful and invaluable Six-Star Sorcerer was brutally ambushed and killed. Undeniably, this was a loss for all of humanity.

The Base City where this Six-Star female sorcerer resided was so enraged that they spared no expense to place bounties on everyone present at the scene, leading to another wave of bloody slaughter.

Had it not been for multiple Base Cities stepping in to stop the farce as the situation spiraled out of control, the number of Professionals who would have died in that incident would have been far greater.

This goes to show that when women go mad, men are left with nothing to do.

Especially when it comes to matters of appearance, they are capable of anything.

The Mirage Pearl does not have the effect of granting eternal youth, but it can replicate some of the Mist Demon’s abilities, allowing the wearer to avoid being spied upon.

After Su Ming gave the Mirage Pearl to Little Hai’er, she immediately fell in love with the beautiful little pearl. She held it fondly, rubbing it while summoning waves of mist to envelop her entire body.Before, Little Hai’er had also used water mist to envelop herself, concealing her appearance.

But back then, it was just ordinary water mist.

The mist from the Mirage Pearl, however, was different—it could prevent others from peering in and even allow Little Hai’er to become invisible.

Thus, Little Hai’er directly transformed into an unseen and untraceable spirit clinging to Su Ming’s back. If not for Su Ming’s extraordinary spiritual sensitivity, he truly wouldn’t have noticed a living Phantom Demon trailing behind him.

“This might be useful for infiltration, ambushes, and going undetected.”

Su Ming instantly thought of many unscrupulous tactics.

Little Hai’er had essentially boarded a pirate ship.

(End of Chapter)