Only the outer areas of the Twelve Stars were open to the public for visits.
This open area was divided into sections of various sizes. So beca offices for different organizations and general-level wandering ships, so were rented out to various "organizations," and others served as "shops" selling strange items from the ocean.
The Ocean Hunter Organization that Shi Ming was looking for was an organization jointly run by seven King-level Wandering Ships, with a contact point on each one.
"All visitors, please register."
"Codena: Stone."
"Celestial Net Chip verification passed."
"No permanent residency status. First-ti entry into the outer area requires a paynt of 10 High-Level Sea Crystal Stones for a 10-hour ti limit. Visitors who do not leave or renew their stay within 10 hours will be charged a 50% late fee. If the late fee reaches a certain limit, it will be forcibly collected, and you will be added to the Twelve Stars’ visitor blacklist."
...
Uh...
Shi Ming was stunned.
’It costs money?!’
It was no wonder. Space on a King-level Wandering Ship was limited and precious. After thirty years of developnt, it had evolved from a "sanctuary" into "one of the largest civilized strongholds." They controlled the highest-end living and production resources in existence, easily capable of satisfying all levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
If people were allowed to co and go as they pleased, the ships would quickly beco overwheld.
On the Endless Ocean, if an ordinary person or an Awakened suffered a severe injury, like a severed leg, they would most likely die if not treated promptly.
But here, the dical technology of the old world had been perfectly preserved. As long as you had the money, even an Awakened could have a limb reattached.
Therefore, with the exception of the extrely rare native inhabitants and the new generation of privileged "Celestial Dragon People," all other outsiders had to pay a fee to enter.
It was said that on the black market, a residency permit for a King-level Wandering Ship could sell for several hundred Pure Do Crystals.
This was a price an ordinary person couldn’t even dream of.
’I can’t afford to live here permanently, but a trial pass for a few hours is manageable.’
The fee of one High-Level Sea Crystal Stone per hour was actually a humanitarian discount. The crews of Bronze or Silver-level Wandering Ships could scrape it together. After drifting at sea for a long ti, they could co here to handle business like consigning materials or accepting commissions, which could be done in an hour.
Wandering ships without backing, and even wild ships, could pass through here without issue as long as they paid the fee.
Shi Ming took out 10 High-Level Sea Crystal Stones.
A staff mber from the Twelve Stars gave him a watch-like device.
It had a countdown tir on it.
hours.
The staff mber kindly reminded him, "Please proceed to sea area point 122 to arrange for your wandering ship’s anchoring service. You’ll receive a 10% discount for your first ti. The anchoring fee is also one High-Level Sea Crystal Stone per hour..."
’There’s a parking fee too? Fine!’
He felt like a country bumpkin visiting the big city.
’Don’t tell I have to pay to use the restroom too?’
He shook his head. Following the directions, he paid the corresponding fee and anchored his wandering ship in the designated sea area. After giving a few instructions to Stone Pillar and Lin Hai, he took one of the Twelve Stars’ public shuttles alone to the boarding dock.
The Great Fortune would be very safe docked here. Since he had paid the fee, the Twelve Stars would be responsible for the ship’s security.
So, he had nothing to worry about.
...
All ard conflict was forbidden within the Twelve Stars. Anyone caught would be subject to forceful control asures.
Boarding another wandering ship for the first ti, a King-level one at that, Shi Ming felt quite excited.
This King-level Wandering Ship was enormous; calling it a floating city would be more accurate. But even so, its internal layout was still very compact, with all space utilized to the absolute maximum.
Narrow corridors, various contact points, embassies, organizations, repair shops, service centers...
The passageways were also lined with caras.
There were official "shops" run by the Twelve Stars, selling all sorts of common materials.
"D-rank Sea Beast Blood, 20 High-Level Sea Crystal Stones per portion."
"Rare material [Black Coral], 10 High-Level Sea Crystal Stones per gram."
"Real-ti language translator, 100 Sea Crystal Stones each."
"Triangular Sea Star, 100 Sea Crystal Stones."
There were also "banks" where you could exchange different Energy Stones. For example, one Do Crystal could be exchanged for 100 High-Level Sea Crystal Stones, but it required an additional 5% service fee.
There were also "contact points" for major wandering ships.
"Residency Agencies" that provided housing services and "hospitals" for dical care.
"Residency Offices" for handling registration.
Passing by a Residency Office, Shi Ming went over to take a look out of curiosity.
Electronic screens were filled with all kinds of information.
[Room 1221 in Area D222, 3 square ters, fully furnished. Only 300 Pure Do Crystals to make a ho for yourself on the Twelve Stars!]
[High-end residence, Villa 122 in Area A12, 30 square ters. Exclusive 5A-grade living resources, inheritable by descendants, close to dical research institutes and Awakened training facilities. For sale at only 1800 Pure Do Crystals!]
Tsk, tsk.
’1800 Pure Do Crystals?’
’Is this sothing I should even be looking at?!’
Even if the native inhabitants of the Twelve Stars enjoyed special treatnt, Shi Ming still couldn’t believe a 30-square-ter residence could sell for 1800 Pure Do Crystals.
’That’s equivalent to my entire bounty!’
’I’d have to sell myself to afford that!’
After satisfying his curiosity, he didn’t linger and headed for the Ocean Hunter Association on the seventeenth floor, just as the hooded woman had told him.
’First, I need to take care of business.’
After paying 20 High-Level Sea Crystal Stones, Shi Ming registered a new Ocean Hunter identity under the codena "Stone."
During the strength demonstration part, Shi Ming displayed the physical constitution and power of an A-rank Awakened.
His control over his own power was currently superb.
The staff mber in charge beca much more respectful. After completing a series of evaluations, they retrieved a palm-sized "A-rank Hunter Terminal" from under the counter.
The Ocean Hunter Association’s bounties and missions would be continuously updated on the terminal.
However, the Association only provided the platform and was not responsible for other matters.
The subsequent execution of the mission and the exchange of the bounty money had to be handled by the parties themselves.
The A-rank terminal was a bit more advanced, signifying a different status. It also ca with a golden naplate that was particularly conspicuous in the listings, and it allowed him to accept higher-paying missions.
Shi Ming picked up the terminal and gave it a quick look.
[A-rank Mission: Hunt the sea beast "Candlelight Clam." Reward: 5 Do Crystals.]
[B-rank Mission: Search for the whereabouts of Wandering Ship No. 33281. Reward: 30 High-Level Sea Crystal Stones.]
[Selling D-rank sea beast carcass. Price negotiable. Location to be arranged.]
...
The rows upon rows of missions and information were dazzling.
After a quick glance, Shi Ming suddenly saw a noteworthy piece of information.
[Bounty: Dragon Fish Golden Scale. 30 Do Crystals.]
The screen was in color and ca with images and photos. This bounty had a picture of a scale attached. Shi Ming found it familiar. Thinking back, wasn’t this the exact sa golden scale he had found in a safe on the Huangshi?
’That scale... I never knew what it was used for.’
’It’s actually worth 30 Do Crystals?!’
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