https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-31-The-White-Tower-Local-Network/12833230/
Chapter 30: Civilization Ruins
Chapter 30: Civilization Ruins
Due to their families' close relationship, Song Chi and Shen Qing had been mixing together since childhood. Because of his mental maturity, Song Chi naturally took the lead between the two.
However, Shen Qing often resented this, always boasting that he was the older one since he was two years older than Song Chi. Over time, this led to his nickname, "Big Qing."
Knowing that Song Zhao and Shen Wenjie could chat for hours, and it was already close to noon, Song Chi and Shen Qing decided to leave the office rather than sit around idly. They said their goodbyes and stepped out.
As soon as they left the office, Shen Qing, who had been hesitant and nervous, transformed completely. He draped his arm around Song Chi's shoulders and headed straight for the ground floor.
"Come on, it's been a while since we've seen each other. We should catch up properly today."
While Shen Qing was excited, Song Chi had more on his mind.
"Isn't it still your working hours? Let's wait until lunchtime."
Although Shen Wenjie had vouched for them, it was still a public enforcement agency, and it was best to be cautious.
Shen Qing paused but didn't argue. He was currently up for a promotion, and while a minor issue like this wouldn't ruin his chances, it was better to be careful.
They waited for about half an hour until it was lunchtime. Then, they left the Embers Bureau in Shen Qing's Pente II flying car, heading for a famous nearby restaurant.
"Not bad for you, this car must cost over a million, right? When did you get it?"
The Pente brand kinetic flying car was a product of the Morning Star Principality's Pente Corporation. The Pente II, though an old model from over a century ago, still cost over a million credit points.
While it couldn't match the Ai-Tiger Type floating land mining vehicle with its onboard AI that Song Chi had recently purchased, it was certainly not something a typical Zero-Rank Embers Captain would spend money on. Zero-Rank Embers Captains rarely spent their earnings on kinetic flying cars that could only fly within floating lands, as one such car cost as much as the entire profit from an interstellar exploration mission.
Shen Qing's acquisition of this car indicated that he had enough spare cash after enhancing his Embers ship, suggesting he had been doing well over the past couple of years.
Shen Qing grinned with pride, his eyes sparkling.
"Not bad. A few months ago, during an interstellar exploration, I stumbled upon a relic of an alien civilization. I found some great items. I kept one blue and one white item for myself and sold the other white items I couldn't use, netting me over ten thousand strands of Zero-Rank Floating Land Essence."
Song Chi's eyebrows shot up.
He instinctively blurted out a phrase from his past life.
"Damn!"
An alien civilization relic—such an opportunity was incredibly rare. The vast, fragmented star sea had given rise to countless civilizations over the millennia. Many had been lost to the sands of time, leaving behind traces that eventually became civilization relics.
While there were many such relics, finding one in the boundless expanse of the fragmented star sea was extremely difficult.
As Shen Qing continued to smile mysteriously without elaborating, he effectively piqued Song Chi's curiosity.
...
Four Seasons Restaurant, Top-Floor Private Room
After the dishes were served, Shen Qing, under Song Chi's intense gaze, finally spoke.
He lowered his voice to a whisper, ensuring only the two of them could hear.
He began to recount the entire story from beginning to end.
"The civilization I encountered is called the Blo Civilization. The ruins I found were on a completely desolate, abandoned floating land. Last time, I only managed to open the first level of the ruins. According to my final exploration, the ruins have at least two levels."
Song Chi's eyes flickered, his thoughts racing.
At least two levels. Given that the first level contained blue rarities and multiple white rarities, it's highly likely that the ruins also house purple rarities.
"How about it? Are you interested in giving it a try together? The teleportation beacon I left can last for about three more months. We don't need to rush. We can use this time to develop ourselves further and then go together in a little over two months."
Hearing the timeline, Song Chi, who had been hesitant, made up his mind instantly.
"Alright, let's go together in two and a half months."
The first exploration of the alien domain had already been over for half a month, and he had only thirteen days left before his second deployment.
Given this timeline, two and a half months would be more than enough for him to conduct two more deployments to alien domains and participate in two more market transactions. He would have ample time to acquire a large amount of resources.
With sufficient resources, upgrading the Skybound to the first tier wouldn't be difficult. Adding the orange-rarity "Dark Matter Energy Shield Generator" component, exploring the "Blo Civilization Ruins" wouldn't be a problem.
Seeing Song Chi agree, Shen Qing's smile grew even wider. Although the ruins didn't pose any major dangers, the repulsion field was incredibly strong. Even after reinforcing the Ember Fire Vessel again over the past few months, he still lacked confidence.
After some discussion, the two finally agreed. Throughout the entire process, they didn't mention either Song Chao or Shen Wenjie.
Song Chi had considered bringing his father along, which would significantly increase their safety. However, since Shen Qing didn't bring it up, he naturally couldn't suggest it himself.
Was Shen Qing not thinking of asking Shen Wenjie for help? Of course not.
Since he didn't choose to inform Shen Wenjie, it must have been after careful consideration.
Song Chi could guess some of Shen Qing's concerns and understood them. After all, if they reported this to Shen Wenjie, how would they divide the rewards afterward? Who would take the purple-rarity rarity if they found one?
A purple-rarity star sea rarity is not only highly coveted by a second-tier Shen Wenjie but even by third-tier and above Ember Fire Vessel captains.
Shen Wenjie might not take something from his junior, but what if they found a purple rarity that was particularly suitable for him?
Moreover, all of this assumes that they actually find a purple rarity. What if they don't? What if Shen Qing's estimation was wrong, and there is no second level of the ruins at all? Wouldn't everyone have made a wasted trip?
Given these uncertainties, it was normal for Shen Qing not to inform Shen Wenjie.
"Big Qing, you—"
After finalizing the plan, Song Chi was about to discuss the details of the civilization ruins when Shen Qing suddenly raised a finger to his lips, signaling Song Chi to be quiet.
"Shh!"
At the same time, streams of ethereal energy gathered around his ears, as if he was trying to capture something.
Shen Qing had awakened his Ember Seed two years ago. With the dedicated ethereal energy training platform on the Ember Fire Vessel and the substantial resources provided by his father and Uncle Shen Wenjie, his Guidance Technique was already at level 7. With the enhancement of ethereal energy, his hearing was extremely acute at this moment.
Song Chi, on the other hand, didn't hear anything at all.
(End of Chapter)
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