Blue Dragon Trade
Noticing Lanmo's unhealed wounds and the pained expression he still wore when he landed, Su Ming immediately arranged for the crew to take care of him.
"Immediately build a shelter for our distinguished guest."
"Should we prepare food for him?" The supervisor on duty quickly stepped forward to ask.
"Of course," Su Ming answered without hesitation, "Prepare whatever he wants to eat, make sure he's full."
"Clear!"
The logistics team immediately sprang into action; this wasn't the first time they'd entertained a dragon. Some set up tents, while others cooked large pots of food.
As for the exchange of supplies with the Feather Race, Su Ming didn't need to worry about it too much. After the order was given, the undead creatures that were dormant deep in the ship's hold were activated and carried out boxes of goods in an orderly manner.
The mages, skilled in ice magic, joined forces to cast spells, constructing a twenty-meter-high ice slide that extended directly from the ship's side to the ice surface below. The heavy cargo was then smoothly lowered down this crystal-clear slide.
The trainees got to work with great enthusiasm, and although the scene was busy, it was well-organized.
Su Ming then went to the bridge command center and quickly reviewed the latest report on "Shining Island".
The report indicated that the construction on "Shining Island" was progressing smoothly, the ships had largely regained their self-propulsion capabilities, and preparations for departure were complete. Su Ming quickly made arrangements, ordering them to set sail immediately towards the area where the "Pansy" was located.
As agreed, all these ships will be handed over to the Feather Race for management. On the one hand, the Feather Race is about to launch a full-scale construction project on "Eternal Night Territory" and urgently needs a large number of ocean-going ships with ocean-going capabilities as support.
More importantly, the Feather Race will repair and modify the received ships, and use them as the basis to build a powerful ocean-going naval force. This navy will be under the command of and serve Su Ming for some time to come.
This is the most crucial condition in the series of transactions previously reached between the two sides. In this matter, both sides can be said to have gotten what they wanted. The Feather Race longed to leave the Ice Plains and venture into the wider world, but a mere territorial contract was insufficient to protect their safety.
The real core guarantee lies in a powerful ocean-going force and the corresponding strategic projection capability.
From Su Ming's perspective, his core development direction and strategic focus are not here. It would be too extravagant and wasteful to use the personnel of "Final Bone Mad Machines" as sailors and ship pilots.
****
When the massive transport fleet of the Feather Race finally arrived at the unloading point on the ice, nearly half of the supplies on the ships had already been lowered down the ice slide.
Lanmo, on the other hand, finally got to taste the delicious food he had been longing for. After a whirlwind of wolfing down the food, the huge Blue Dragon contentedly stroked its swollen belly, then lay comfortably on the deck, closing its eyes to rest.
"I'm so sorry, please excuse my rudeness." Having filled his stomach, Lanmo finally had the leisure to think about other things. He said lazily to Su Ming beside him, "It's been fifty years! I haven't tasted anything so nostalgic!"
"It's alright, I completely understand." Su Ming smiled empathetically; he also missed Earth's food. "If I couldn't eat anything decent for fifty years, my reaction would probably be even more exaggerated than yours."
Lanmo raised his enormous head slightly, gazing curiously toward the bow of the ship.
"Oh, right," he said, as if remembering something, "When I got closer, I noticed a rectangular metal box over there, raised and pointed at us—what was that thing?"
"Uh... well—" Su Ming's mind raced, and he said naturally, "That's a signal light! Used to show a warm welcome!"
"Hmm..." Lanmo nodded thoughtfully, accepting the explanation, but then added with great interest, "I heard those little guys from the Feather Race mention that your summoned beast put on a very beautiful fireworks display. So, can this signal light also set off fireworks?"
"I only had a minor plane crash! This is going to never be over!" Su Ming felt a sense of helplessness.
"Uh, well... it's not working right now, there's been a small malfunction." Su Ming made his voice sound apologetic. "Next time, I'll show it to you once it's fixed."
****
After Lanmo had eaten and drunk his fill, he carried Su Ming and flew back to Thousand-Blade Dragon Cliff.
"Thank you for your hospitality." Lanmo sincerely thanked him again, and led Su Ming to the "treasure area" in the very center of his dragon's nest.
"You're welcome," Su Ming replied, his gaze drawn to the mountain of dragon collectibles.
Inside the cave, illuminated by the flickering light of the magical torches, countless crystals and minerals reflected a dazzling array of colors. Most of them were actually just ordinary stones with beautiful colors, such as rose quartz, malachite, lapis lazuli, and labradorite shimmering with iridescence.
In the alchemical systems of this other world, the practical uses of these stones are indeed quite limited.
Su Ming bent down and picked up a beautiful stone with a unique rose-red color and milky-white winding patterns on its surface. His eyes lit up – it was rhodochrosite!
He immediately looked up, his gaze fixed intently on Lanmo's mountain of mineral collection, realizing that there must be quite a few good things inside!
A sly smile appeared on Su Ming's face. "Hey, Lanmo, have you ever heard of something called a 'game console'?"
****
An hour later, Lanmo was completely immersed in the game's Magic Power and couldn't tear herself away.
Even a mere dragon must submit to such absolute control!
His enormous Dragon Claw were fitted with specially designed sensors, and even the joints of his broad wings were adorned with sensor rings. With his slightly clumsy yet fully engaged movements, the character on the virtual screen nimbly rolled, jumped, and dug through the pixelated world, constantly finding glittering "gems."
The only drawback was that the 160-inch giant screen hanging on the wall looked particularly small and pitiful against the backdrop of the Blue Dragon's enormous body.
Su Ming looked with satisfaction at the newly signed, still-wet ink contract in his hand, handed it to the waiting student beside him, and pointed to Lanmo's "gemstone" collection. "Immediately organize everyone to come over and carefully clean this huge pile of ores. Pack up anything valuable and useful and take it back. For transportation, coordinate with the Feather Race for assistance."
"Yes! Understood!" The student immediately accepted the order and quickly turned to leave.