Chapter 235: Advanced Building - Ghost Shipyard (4k) |
"Guild Leader, why not just have the Crowned Eagle fly over and open a node on their side?"
"Let's observe first." Qin Ziwen narrowed his eyes. It wasn't yet clear if the other side's second map mission was similar to their residential complex's.
If it was, then a group capable of completing ten tasks on the Hunting Ladder was definitely not a soft persimmon to be squeezed at will.
After all, successfully hunting two Level 2 hunting targets meant they likely also possessed large-scale, damaging attack methods.
"They're looking over here. Don't expose the Crowned Eagle yet; they mustn't know we have the ability to carry people while flying." Qin Ziwen said, then looked at Zou Jianghe beside him. "President Zou, what's your take?"
Zou Jianghe was surprised. He hadn't expected Qin Ziwen to actually ask for his opinion.
For a rare moment, a feeling of being flattered and honored actually surfaced in his heart.
But upon detecting this emotion, Zou Jianghe quickly and angrily snuffed it out.
After pondering for a moment, he then said, "Guild Leader Qin, I think we could attempt to make contact with the other side, see what their intentions are. If they want fair competition, then both sides can hunt freely. If they don't want fair competition, then we'll have a real fight with real weapons."
"Thanks for the reminder. How about... I go make contact with them first?" Zou Jianghe asked, pretending it was a casual suggestion.
Qin Ziwen nodded. "Then be careful."
After Qin Ziwen left, a flicker of excitement flashed in Zou Jianghe's eyes.
He turned back to find Huang Tao and told him about his earlier discussion with Qin Ziwen.
Huang Tao was taken aback. "Guild Leader, you want to go discuss fair competition with them!?"
He looked at Zou Jianghe as if he were an alien. Old Zou, don't make me laugh, we're all familiar with each other here.
"Of course not." Zou Jianghe gave a faint smile.
Huang Tao felt slightly relieved internally, but confusion followed closely. If that's not the plan, what scheme is Jianghe cooking up?
"If I hadn't said that, how could I have gotten the priority to communicate with the other side first from Qin Ziwen?" Zou Jianghe said meaningfully. "Do you think there's any possibility of reconciliation between our two sides for this mission?"
Huang Tao pondered. "Don't know. The Home's prompt for us is that the victor can proceed to the next map, while the loser remains on this map. The terms 'victor' and 'loser' are defined very vaguely here."
"We just don't know if the other side, by joining our Home, could avoid such punishment."
"Or if their ordinary people used cards in our empty houses, could they become the Home Master of our residential complex."
Zou Jianghe said, "That hasn't been tested, but one person can't activate two Homes simultaneously."
Huang Tao nodded. "So, essentially, it's the people on both sides who have activated Homes that have irreconcilable contradictions."
"Exactly." Zou Jianghe nodded. "Ordinary people without activated Homes still have a sliver of hope. But for the portion of the group already bound to the residential complex through their activated Homes, there's no way out. So, the leadership absolutely cannot negotiate for peace."
Huang Tao agreed. Those who could activate a Home within the complex were basically groups with relatively superior living conditions or high-ranking leaders.
As vested interest groups, coupled with irreconcilable contradictions, it was hard to imagine what kind of conflict would erupt.
Therefore, he was even more puzzled. Since that's the case, what scheme is Jianghe cooking up?
It can't be like the Spring and Autumn period, where both sides delivered declarations of war before fighting, then scheduled the brawl at a fixed time and place, and when tired, each went home to sleep.
That would be too absurd.
Zou Jianghe asked on his own, "Are you willing to stay here forever?"
Huang Tao glanced at the vast ocean around them and silently shook his head.
If one day in the future, he grew tired of transmigrating, he might try to settle down on a map with warm springs, blooming flowers, and a livable environment.
But it definitely wouldn't be this expanse of ocean before him.
Just looking at the monsters on the island's Hunting Ladder was enough to know this sea wasn't suitable for living.
Moreover, the surrounding islands were all too small. Although the broad ocean looked refreshing and pleasant, when they first transmigrated to the Gobi Desert on the last map, he had also felt the Gobi was rugged and heroic.
But now, looking back, his memory of the Gobi was only desolation and scorching heat.
Although this island archipelago wasn't as hot as the Gobi, the temperature wasn't low either, and the ultraviolet rays were strong.
"Guild Leader, just say it straight. What do you want us to do?"
Zou Jianghe leaned his head closer and said in a low voice, "Find an opportunity to ambush the other side. First, tie up a few of their people, bring them over, and find out the situation of their residential complex."
Huang Tao agreed with this point. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
Intelligence was important.
"Guild Leader, but we're separated from their complex by an island. How do we ambush them?"
Zou Jianghe looked at him and said matter-of-factly, "We have boats, don't we? Daytime won't work; it's too obvious. Wait until night, we'll find a chance to row over and look for an opportunity to strike."
Huang Tao hesitated. "But the boats can't carry too many people. Bringing someone back would be quite troublesome, and if the tied-up person struggles on the boat, it's dangerous."
"Who said we need to bring them back? After interrogating them for information, just deal with them directly." Zou Jianghe patted Huang Tao's shoulder. "Don't be soft-hearted at a time like this."
Separated by a stretch of sea, even though both sides had noticed each other, they couldn't make contact for now. After watching each other for a while, they each went about their own business.
Qin Ziwen walked around the vicinity and finally confirmed one fact.
That was, there were too few animals on the island. It could also be because this island was too small.
The area with the most abundant resources was still underwater.
"Guild Leader!"
Cao Biansheng, drenched from head to toe, climbed onto the beach. He wiped his face, brushing off the seawater.
"Damn, scared me to death! I just jumped into the water and saw a saltwater crocodile swimming past in the water over there. Luckily, I was close to the shore."
"You're really bold." Qin Ziwen said, speechless. "Knowing there are dangers in this sea, you still dared to jump in recklessly."
"I observed before going in. The water here is very clear. I saw nothing around before I went in." Cao Biansheng chuckled. Behind him, Qin Ziwu climbed onto the beach from the sea, panting heavily.
The two, confident in their superior skills and bravery, and seeing the clear, bright water in the shallows where they could see the bottom, spotted a large lobster in a crevice among the rocks nearby and eagerly jumped in.
But as soon as they entered, they noticed a seven-to-eight-meter-long saltwater crocodile coincidentally passing by on the seabed dozens of meters away.
Detecting the disturbance of their entry, the crocodile made a sharp ninety-degree turn and swam straight towards them, scaring the two into scrambling back ashore.
"Eh!? This beast actually dares to come ashore!?"
Qin Ziwu had walked a few steps when he heard a splashing sound behind him.
He saw the saltwater crocodile emerging from the water, striding towards the group on all fours.
"Go, lure it further inland." Qin Ziwen said.
Perhaps the saltwater crocodiles living in this sea had never suffered losses on land. After coming ashore and seeing the several fleeing figures, it didn't think much and directly gave chase with large strides.
Seeing the crocodile lured into the woods at the island's center, the grown trees caused it considerable trouble in movement.
Its speed slowed more and more, and it seemed reluctant to continue chasing.
"This crocodile is huge, probably about the same size as that Male Leader Crocodile we killed in the forest before." Qin Ziwu said.
"It's still different. That crocodile in the forest had a bigger head. This saltwater crocodile's head is a bit smaller." Noticing the crocodile stopping, Qin Ziwen picked up a stone and threw it at the crocodile's head.
Thwack!
The fist-sized stone accurately struck the top of the crocodile's head.
The crocodile's head jerked up, its vertical pupils glaring angrily at the two-legged monkeys ahead.
It had already decided not to chase, but these two-legged monkeys actually dared to provoke it further.
The crocodile sped up, but suddenly, the sky above its head darkened.
The Crowned Eagle, which had been crouching on a treetop diagonally behind, swooped down.
Its claws dug into the crocodile's neck vertebrae.
The immense force directly pressed the crocodile's head into the sandy pit.
The crocodile's four limbs frantically dug at the sand, its tail constantly thrashing.
But no matter how it struggled, its head and spine were firmly pinned to the ground.
Finally, its strength waned.
Grew lighter and lighter.
Until it stopped struggling entirely.
"Amazing, Crowned Eagle!" Qin Ziwu praised.
Besides his elder brother, he was the second person to know the Crowned Eagle.
He could be said to have personally witnessed the Crowned Eagle's growth step by step.
From initially only being able to assist, acting as a third eye.
Later gradually becoming a main force, then breaking through to Superhuman by luring and killing the Hadrosaur at the lake.
Now it could easily hunt and kill saltwater crocodiles.
"Aww~" The Crowned Eagle stamped on the crocodile beneath its feet, its neck held high.
Hunt Saltwater Crocodile (1/5)
"The tide is rising!" someone shouted from the mudflats area.
Qin Ziwen and the others looked in that direction and saw the seawater slowly rising.
Many people carrying buckets were quickly walking back.
"Let's go, head back first."
Looking in that direction, on the land over there, large groups of people began to retreat.
"Brother, aren't we leaving a node here?"
"Unnecessary, too conspicuous." Qin Ziwen said.
The node's outline was extremely conspicuous, especially at night. It was easily discovered.
Not long after returning to their residence, Jia Liangcai hurried over.
"Master, all the loaned-out cards have been collected."
"So fast." Qin Ziwen was somewhat surprised.
Jia Liangcai smiled. "No one defaulted. Collecting the cards went smoothly. This is the will of the people, the trend of the times. Congratulations, Master."
Based on his previous experience collecting rents and taxes in Great Yong, incomplete tax collection was common.
But here, he had encountered almost no obstruction.
He had originally intended to make an example of someone to establish rules, but found nowhere to start, which made him sigh with emotion.
"Smooth is good. Did you get the specific cards I wanted?"
"This time, there are 4 Residence cards, 5 Shipyard cards, and one Common Building Duplication Card." Jia Liangcai knew which cards his master was most anticipating.
"Five Shipyard cards, it seems there is a map drop rate after all." Qin Ziwen was relatively satisfied.
He calculated. Combined with his existing cards, he could directly upgrade the Shipyard to Level 5, then use the Upgrade Card to obtain a Level 4 Advanced Building related to shipbuilding.
Qin Ziwen stored the cards properly, took them, and went to the shipyard.
The keel ship was roughly completed, needing further waterproofing and anti-leak treatment.
The over-seven-meter-long keel ship was exquisite overall, appearing extremely well-crafted.
"Master, in about one more day, the ship should be ready to launch."
Qin Ziwen walked to the ship's side, gently stroking it. Although the ship was large, it still seemed somewhat inadequate for this vast ocean. Even the saltwater crocodile killed today was not shorter than this ship.
"The ship is good. You come out first; I'll upgrade the shipyard."
Qin Ziwen took out the Common Building Duplication Card.
He duplicated the Shipyard card, then synthesized and used it.
The glow of the shipyard's upgrades didn't stop.
Beam after beam of light enveloped the shipyard, and the shipyard continuously leveled up, finally reaching Level 5.
Qin Ziwen took out the Upgrade Card and used it on the shipyard.
[After upgrade, building footprint changes from 2060 → 50100. Please confirm the footprint meets requirements.]
"Upgrade."
The next second, light enveloped the entire shipyard.
The light then spread outward.
Covering a large area.
When the light completely dissipated, a massive wooden-framed, suspended-beam structure covering fifty square meters revealed its true form.
Its entire body consisted of mortise-and-tenon joined damp wood frames, with strands of air-dried seaweed hanging from the cracks between beams and pillars.
A rusted flagpole was planted beside the wooden hut, flying a gray flag printed with a skull.
At the center of the shipyard, on a deep, ink-black pool, sat the keel ship made by Tao Fu. Beside the ship stood transparent, blue human figures.
But in the blink of an eye, these figures vanished without a trace, as if what was just seen was an illusion.
Qin Ziwen cast Insight.
[Level 4 Ghost Shipyard: Level 5 Shipbuilding Efficiency Boost, Level 5 Ship Reinforcement, Level 5 Ghost Shipwrights] (Special Effect: Damaged or rotten ships towed to the Ghost Shipyard. As long as the corresponding shipbuilding materials are provided, the Ghost Shipwrights will repair the ship. There is a low probability of awakening ghosts on the ship, making them special crew members.)
"This is..."
Qin Ziwen's expression turned serious.
He hadn't expected this shipyard to change so dramatically.
What he saw earlier wasn't an illusion after all, right? Those transparent blue figures were the real Ghost Shipwrights.
And what on earth was that 'low probability of awakening ghosts on the ship, making them special crew members'?
Qin Ziwen thought of one thing.
Since these Ghost Shipwrights were all ghosts, did that mean they didn't need to rest?
They could build ships twenty-four hours a day.
He had just been worrying about not having enough personnel for shipbuilding. Now, with these Ghost Shipwrights, a significant amount of pressure was alleviated.
"Master, this..." Tao Fu, upon seeing this dilapidated shipyard, was completely stunned.
Although the shipyard had become larger, it also seemed to have become more run-down.
Like a shipyard that had been abandoned for who knows how many years.
Could a shipyard like this still build ships?
"Follow me." Qin Ziwen walked forward.
Tao Fu followed behind him.
The two arrived at the central area of the shipyard, looking at the pitch-black, ink-like pool water below.
Tao Fu had never seen water of this color and peeked over to look.
The next second, his face turned deathly pale, and he quickly pulled his head back.
"Master, underwater, underwater..."
"Don't be afraid. This is a new building, named Ghost Shipyard."
"Ghost?" Tao Fu heard this term for the first time, but he still secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it's not a 'gui' (demon/evil spirit)... "Master, what is a 'ghost'?"
"It means 'gui'."
Tao Fu's face instantly turned ashen.
He quickly bowed, clasped his hands together, and began paying respects in all directions. "Do not blame the disrespect, do not blame the disrespect."
Qin Ziwen hadn't expected this seemingly forty- or fifty-year-old man to have this side. "You're afraid of ghosts?"
Tao Fu's movements stiffened. In a low voice, he said, "Master, this is respecting the deceased."
"Alright, you can respect them slowly when you have time later. From now on, you are the dockmaster of this Ghost Shipyard. These ghosts are all your employees from today onward."
Tao Fu: ???