Considerate Service

Following the navigation shuttle's flight path, Tang Chuan took in the beauty of Heka Star 18 from within the Quin Shuttle.

A few minutes later, the Quin Shuttle slowly decelerated and descended, landing on a massive tarmac packed with all kinds of shuttles.

Hiss~

The hatch opened, and Tang Chuan stepped out of the cabin. On his wrist was a simple, unadorned silver wristwatch.

This was another form of the Fantasy Weapon. As for the ship behind him, it was now nothing more than a powerless empty shell.

Both the Cosmic Sandbox and the Divine Transformation Device were contained within the wristwatch, carried on Tang Chuan's person.

After all, such important items were also his lifeline in times of danger—there was no way he would be separated from them.

Breathing the air of this planet, he found it fairly comfortable.

The oxygen content was a bit higher than on Azure Star, mixed with some inert gases that posed no harm to the body.

If it had been before Tang Chuan received the injection, he might have needed a few minutes to adapt.

But now, with his life level slightly elevated, he felt no discomfort at all.

Soon.

From the adjacent navigation shuttle, a woman stepped out quickly. She was dressed formally, with black hair and green skin—the very Heka Star Woman who had exchanged a few words with Tang Chuan on the panel projection earlier.

She walked over courteously, performing a salute by pressing her right hand to her chest and bowing slightly, then smiled. "Hello, Mr. Tang Chuan. My name is Teregal, and I am your exclusive guide on Heka Star 18. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to ask me."

Tang Chuan nodded slightly. "Hello, Teregal. Thank you for the navigation."

As he spoke, he slapped Chiliu, who had climbed up to his neck, down to the ground.

That's going too far. Hanging on me is one thing—I've gotten used to your looks, so you're not too hideous anymore.

But what's with crawling onto my face? Don't you see I'm talking to someone?

Yet this scene appeared strange and puzzling to Teregal.

Mr. Tang Chuan...

Why is he waving at the air?

Is it some special custom of his race?

This confused expression did not escape Tang Chuan's notice.

Snapping back to reality, he glanced out of the corner of his eye at Chiliu, who was writhing on the ground and climbing back up his calf.

Teregal can't see it?

Well, that makes sense.

Although Chiliu was just a communicator left behind by Meatball.

To a Divine Core, it was a negligible existence.

But since it carried a trace of the Divine Core's attribute, it was only natural that low-dimensional beings couldn't perceive Chiliu's form.

And he himself could only capture Chiliu's three-dimensional appearance thanks to the blessing of the Divine Core.

However, this three-dimensional appearance might not be Chiliu's full form. If he raised his perspective by a few more dimensions, Chiliu's shape could even be something as vast as a planet, a horrifying entity as ugly as the Meatball lineage itself...

Teregal quickly suppressed her surprise and smiled sweetly. "You're welcome, Mr. Tang Chuan. So, how would you like to pay? Will you only pay for the navigation shuttle's optimal sightseeing flight path, or would you like to join my VIP Client list, or directly book Teregal herself so that I serve only you during this time?"

Tang Chuan was taken aback.

What?

The navigation shuttle's guidance service costs money?

So, even if she hadn't provided the shuttle navigation, he could have still landed on the tarmac after passing the review?

And here he thought the service was so thoughtful—just guiding the landing while letting him take in the planet's scenery from the sky.

Turns out it was a paid service?

Tang Chuan's expression stiffened slightly. He raised his hand and said, "Hold on a moment. Let me check your currency with my Smart Butler."

Teregal glanced at the silver Metal Watch on Tang Chuan's wrist and smiled. "Of course, Mr. Tang Chuan."

Then, Tang Chuan complained to Quintessa in his mind. "Is this what you meant by being treated with courtesy? Sure, it's polite, but they want money!"

Judging by Teregal's attitude, not only would she provide simple information assistance, but she might even be willing to return to the Quin Shuttle for some cross-species harmonious exchange.

But you'd have to pay for it, dear!

When you first said you'd provide navigation, you didn't mention it cost anything.

Quintessa laughed in his mind. "Master, get used to it. In any intelligent civilization, strength and economy reign supreme. There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Tang Chuan said helplessly, "Fine. My first interaction with a Main Universe civilization, and I've already been taught a lesson about how treacherous the cosmos is. What now? How do we get some money?"

Quintessa replied, "No need to worry. The Rare Mineral resources in the Origin Universe are abundant for low-level civilizations. Wait a moment—I'll fetch a piece of Rare Mineral."

Though she said "wait a moment," only a second or two passed before Quintessa had Tang Chuan open his palm.

He did as instructed, and saw beams of light project from the Metal Watch, teleporting a head-sized chunk of natural metal ore into his hand.

Teregal's eyes lit up.

This is...

Stable spatial storage technology!

Even a high-level Level 8 civilization might not necessarily possess this kind of portable tech.

His guess was right on the mark—as a seasoned interstellar traveler, Mr. Tang Chuan was a genuine tycoon!

Tang Chuan handed the roughly twenty-pound lump of natural ore to Teregal.

Teregal accepted it with a ceremonial flourish, then set the ore on the ground, pulled out a portable measuring device, and scanned it from top to bottom.

She put away the measuring instrument, beamed like a blooming flower, and called over the two male staff members from the Navigation Shuttle to come collect the ore.

Then she said to Tang Chuan, "A piece of pure natural 'Hyena Gold' ore this large is enough to buy a small starship outright. Mr. Tang Chuan, we'll help you exchange this Hyena Gold ore for the currency of our Heckarian civilization. Would you like to exchange the full amount?"

Tang Chuan nodded. "Exchange it all."

"Of course~"

Teregal pulled out her Communicator, relayed a few words into it, then said to Tang Chuan, "Since the amount is too large and exceeds our service authority, please wait a moment. I'll be right back."

With that, she tossed her hair in a flirtatious gesture and walked back toward the Navigation Shuttle.

After about three to five minutes, she hurried out again, holding a half-transparent card the size of half a palm, resembling a black crystal.

Handing the card to Tang Chuan, Teregal said, "This is the highest-grade 'Information Currency Storage Card' we can issue. It has a limit of one billion credits. After the Hyena Gold ore undergoes a precise appraisal, the remaining amount will also be deposited into your card.

By the way, I'm not sure if you're familiar with the prices on Heka Star 18. An ordinary meal for our citizens usually costs between two and ten credits. Thirty credits is enough for a family of several to enjoy a very lavish dinner.

Also, when we help high-level clients auction rare items, out of the principle of interracial exchange and goodwill, we don't charge any handling fees~

However, this requires that your final spending on Heka Star 18 exceeds three hundred thousand credits.

But with Mr. Tang Chuan's financial strength, that's certainly no issue."

What else could Tang Chuan say?

He could only mutter one complaint: damn capitalism...

He took the card and said flatly, "Alright, I understand. I just checked—Heka Star's public facilities and all notarized merchants accept card payments, right?"

Teregal explained, "That's correct. Our public facilities and technological level are top-tier even among Level 9 civilizations. Whether it's a shuttle for transport or various entertainment facilities, you can pay by card.

Also, you don't need to worry about losing the card. Our public security is excellent. Even if you lose it, you can get a replacement at any bank branch for ten credits. We've already registered your identity information in the backend, so you needn't worry at all.

However...

Mr. Tang Chuan, I'd like to respectfully remind you—you haven't yet answered whether you'd like to join my VIP Client list, or have me and my team serve you exclusively, wholeheartedly, and with full dedication?"

Teregal's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Tang Chuan said, "I'll join the VIP Client list."

Teregal looked a bit disappointed at this, but she didn't let it show on her face. Still warm and sincere, she said, "Alright. This is my personal communication number. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Though, if you need certain special services, there will be an additional charge~"

Tang Chuan: "Mm, got it."

(PS: The Heckarians don't use a decimal system, but the description still has to be expressed in decimal terms. When they say a number, Tang Chuan's mind automatically translates it into Azure Star's numerical units. 'One billion' can be understood as roughly one billion—after all, being precise down to the single digit would make the text too cumbersome. Also, please vote for recommendation tickets.)