Chapter 149
Chapter 149: Customer’s Magnanimity
Zhi Ye wasn’t surprised by Zhi Shu’s arrival. With a light smile, he said, “Ah, it’s Xiao Shu. It’s been a while. Are you here to speak with Second Uncle?”
Zhi Shu responded respectfully, “I’ve heard that Second Uncle has recently taken an interest in the Lock Path interval matter. Xiao Shu wanted to ask if there’s anything I can do to help.”
Zhi Ye replied, “There’s no need, it’s just a small matter, nothing that requires troubling Zhi Upper Realm. It’s like how you and the aunts are family—sometimes a few words are exchanged in disagreement, but it doesn’t harm the bond.”
“Understood, Second Uncle. I’ll leave it at that,” Zhi Shu said.
“Mm.”
Watching Zhi Shu leave, Zhi Ye took a sip of tea and turned his gaze to a certain direction. “Sometimes, extending one’s hand too far isn’t a good habit.”
…
Lock Path Interval
Wang Jie gazed at the succession of ships before him, his eyes nearly swimming.
He had been at the trading hall for two days already, and Du Xian had accompanied him the entire time, tirelessly introducing him to one ship after another without complaint.
“Still not satisfied? Then take a look at this one,” Du Xian continued her introductions.
The more time she spent with him, the more guilty Wang Jie felt. He had no money. Buying a ship was just an excuse.
He was seriously considering selling off things like the hundreds of storage rings he had looted, as well as pills and star artifacts, if it came down to it. Du Xian’s explanations went unheard, his mind focused on calculating how much he could scrape together.
He didn’t want to offend Star Dome Vision either.
Just as he was mulling over his options, a maid whispered something in Du Xian’s ear. Du Xian’s expression shifted from surprise to a beaming smile as she turned to Wang Jie.
“Ah, it seems our customer is quite powerful. Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get you the best tea!” she exclaimed.
“Customer, please take a look—this is our latest Star Link-class ship.”
Wang Jie hurriedly stopped her, “Wait, there’s no need to introduce the Star Link-class. Also, what did you mean by ‘powerful’ just now?” He suspected that Zhi Xing Xue had something to do with this.
Du Xian smiled and said, “The message from Black White Heaven came through. Feel free to choose, Customer—Elder Ye will cover the bill.”
Wang Jie was confused. “Who?”
“Elder Ye. Oh, you know, Elder Zhi Ye.”
Wang Jie immediately visualized a man, the one who had subdued two Star Refining Realm experts in the Third Nebula, dragging them into the Fourth Star Cloud. Zhi Ye, the nephew of Zhi Xing Xue.
He had asked the Great Elder Xing Xue about him before. This person wasn’t exactly on Xing Xue’s side—so why would he help him?
“Are you sure he’s covering the bill for me?”
“Yes, absolutely. Whatever you buy, Elder Ye will cover.”
Wang Jie’s mind raced. Perhaps the Great Elder Xing Xue had intervened. After all, why would Zhi Ye help him?
Relief washed over him. If someone else was footing the bill, there was nothing to worry about. Whether it was Zhi Ye or Xing Xue, their financial power was beyond his imagination.
A Domain Master had once casually handed him a thousand Starsea Stones—what more could an even stronger Star Refining Realm figure do?
His energy surged, and with a grand wave of his hand, he said, “Pick the best and most expensive one! Don’t show me any ordinary ships. As for speed, I need Star Link-class. The ship design and materials must be fully customized—let’s discuss the details.”
Du Xian’s joy was evident. “Got it, Customer!”
The dispute over the Lock Path interval had drawn in Black White Heaven—and more so, Zhi Upper Realm.
Zhi Ye’s actions quickly reached the sect.
Many were surprised that Zhi Ye was involving himself. He was a strong contender for the next Realm Lord of Black Domain. Rather than earning merit on the battlefield, he was helping Zhi Xing Xue. Wouldn’t this offend Zhi Qing? This could hurt his chances in the Realm Lord race.
Wang Jie’s name also made its way into Black White Heaven for the first time.
In the lower levels, competition often mirrored the higher-ups’ political games. Rarely did the name of an ant make it out.
When Black White Heaven learned that Wang Jie was a Ten-Seal cultivator who could defeat Peak Full Star Realm experts, the atmosphere grew tense. People like him were rare.
For several days, Wang Jie and Du Xian discussed the ship’s design, speed, materials, and more. Eventually, they had a general idea.
Had Du Xian not casually mentioned that the ship could be ready before the final customization, Wang Jie would never have made it so quickly—at least, not in the next six months.
Du Xian let out a breath of relief. “So, we’re all set for now, right?”
Wang Jie nodded. “For now, this will do.”
Du Xian sighed in admiration, “Customer, your generosity is impressive,” she said happily as she uploaded the customization details.
Now, it was a matter of waiting—waiting for the ship to arrive.
Wang Jie glanced out the window of the trading hall. Shen Wang had not moved an inch, his eyes never leaving him. From the initial fury and impatience to the current calm, this man was prepared for a long standoff.
Wang Jie didn’t underestimate him. His sharp mind had already guessed that Wang Jie would come to the trading hall, and his patience was likely just as keen.
So, they would wait.
Time passed slowly, and Wang Jie stayed at the trading hall, with no worries about food or drink.
During this time, Du Xian received messages from other figures in Star Dome Vision, seeming to suggest involvement in the matter. Wang Jie was momentarily worried that he might be asked to leave.
Fortunately, Star Dome Vision had strict rules: as long as Wang Jie had placed an order, no one could ask him to leave until the ship was completed—not even if they were the highest-ranking figures in Star Dome Vision.
“Don’t worry, Customer. Your actions are fully in line with Star Dome Vision’s regulations. No one will be able to remove you, even if the highest authority in Star Dome Vision is involved.”
Wang Jie’s eyes gleamed. “Thank you.”
This meant that as long as he could stay, he would be fine—unless Shen Wang barged in.
Then, one day, long whips were delivered to Shen Wang.
Shen Wang stood, coldly stared at Wang Jie, and then dragged the whips into the starry sky. He placed each whip at different points across the planet.
Wang Jie watched the scene on the trading hall’s screen, frowning. “What’s he doing?”
Du Xian replied, “He’s likely trying to lock down the planet.”
Wang Jie’s customized ship was Star Link-class, six times faster than a regular Wandering Star Realm ship. Shen Wang’s actions were likely a precaution to prevent Wang Jie from escaping by the speed of his ship.
“I need to buy some intel.”
Du Xian was delighted. “What would you like to know, Customer?”
A short while later, Wang Jie returned to his room, opened his personal terminal, and contacted Zong Cheng Ping.
“Do me a favor.”
“I can’t help you,” came the immediate reply.
“The situation’s changed. I have Zhi Ye behind me now. You should know who Zhi Ye is.”
Zong Cheng Ping replied, “No matter who’s backing you, we can’t help you. Shen Wang is a Wandering Star Realm expert.”
“I’m not asking you to deal with Shen Wang. I just need you to help me contact someone.”
“Qiu Chou?”
Currently, in the Lock Path interval, only Qiu Chou could deal with Shen Wang.
“Correct.”
“We can’t find him. Also, Qiu Chou almost lost his life trying to grab materials last time. No matter what you say, he won’t help you.”
Wang Jie looked up. “Not necessarily. Just pass along the message for me. I have his contact information. As for you… do you really think that after I survive this, things will stay the same?”
Zong Cheng Ping’s gaze sharpened. Would it stay the same? Perhaps not.
Wu Yun was deeply dissatisfied with them.
The past Lock Path interval had been anything but stable, with the Four Alliances continuously changing hands.
“Even if it stays the same for now, it won’t last. You have Xiao Rong behind you, but Xiao Rong is just a Wandering Star Realm—he could die on the battlefield at any time. If I survive this, Lock Path interval won’t be controlled by Wu Yun. Help me, and you won’t offend either side. Don’t help me, and when I get through this trial, I’ll definitely settle the score with you. Elder Brother, in business, as long as you don’t lose, that’s enough. There’s no guaranteed profit.”
Zong Cheng Ping responded directly, “What message should I pass along?”
Wang Jie put down his terminal, rubbed his tired head, stood up, and walked out of the room, heading for the trading hall’s entrance. There, under the gazes of many, he sat cross-legged.
Du Xian was puzzled. “Customer, what are you doing?”
“Waiting for him.”
After some time, Shen Wang, having arranged the whips, returned to the trading hall’s entrance. He looked at Wang Jie, who was sitting there.
Step by step, he approached Wang Jie, and finally, stopped about ten meters away, sitting down cross-legged as well, staring coldly.
“You can’t escape.”
“How did you end up as a prisoner?”
Shen Wang ignored him, closing his eyes.
“Word has it you were a deserter on the Star Cloud battlefield?”
Shen Wang opened his eyes, staring at Wang Jie with icy, furious eyes.
Wang Jie sneered. “I can’t believe a deserter is blocking my path. If our realms weren’t so far apart, I’d kill you like slaughtering a dog.”
Shen Wang’s voice was low. “If you ever make it to the Star Cloud battlefield, you’ll understand what a hell it is. Surviving there isn’t about strength—it’s about luck.”
“Walking, sleeping, eating—no matter what you’re doing, you could die at any moment.”
“And I’m not a deserter. I simply didn’t want to die needlessly.”
Wang Jie furrowed his brows. “Who doesn’t die on the battlefield?”
“But you don’t jump into certain death when you know it’s coming. You haven’t been to the battlefield. You haven’t rolled around in a sea of corpses—you don’t understand what it’s like. For those cultivating Lock Force there, they aren’t alive—they’re just walking corpses. From the moment they step onto the battlefield, they’re dead.”
Wang Jie didn’t rebut him. He was deliberately provoking Shen Wang. Right or wrong didn’t matter—war was a mistake for everyone.
Shen Wang’s gaze grew colder, full of killing intent. “Unfortunately, you’ll never experience the cruelty of the battlefield. You won’t have the chance,” he said, before closing his eyes again, ignoring Wang Jie’s words.
Wang Jie had come here to observe Shen Wang’s aura, searching for weaknesses. Provoking him was part of the strategy.
Time passed, more than a month went by.
During that time, Du Xian had asked if he wanted to modify the ship design, but Wang Jie declined.
He didn’t plan on staying here too long.
Zhi Xing Xue’s only requirement was that he couldn’t lose face. If he kept hiding, there would come a day when he couldn’t hide anymore.
Besides, everything that needed preparation had been done—he was only waiting for the ship.
Two more months passed, and Du Xian informed Wang Jie that the ship was nearly ready.
“That was quick?” he asked.
“Would you like it to be slower, Customer?”
“No, I’m just surprised it only took three months.”
Du Xian smiled. “Custom ships aren’t built from scratch. The core components are the same; only the appearance and materials change. There’s already a place here in Lock Path interval that builds ships.”
“However, the Star Link-class ship you’ve ordered is the only one of its kind in the Lock Path interval. If you want another, you’ll have to wait.”
Wang Jie understood. His gaze turned to Shen Wang. “Then have it brought here.”
The Star Link-class ship started at 20 million Star Stones, and the one he had customized cost a total of five thousand Starsea Stones.
An extravagant price—50 million Star Stones, a sum that could buy even more millions if exchanged.
The materials were top-notch.
He had used the best and most durable materials Lock Path interval had to offer. This ship also had shields and other defensive power to withstand attacks.
No ship in Lock Path interval could compare.
As long as no Wandering Star Realm cultivator interfered, there was no need to worry about this ship being destroyed.