Sapphire Port (9.5K)

As Su Ming's consciousness broke free from the chaos, he seemed to hear a faint rustling sound, like fabric rubbing together.

He reluctantly opened his eyes, his vision filled with the blurry outline of a rooftop shrouded in darkness. The cool moonlight streamed in through the window, which was made from a single piece of clear crystal, casting a hazy glow on the corners of the tables, chairs, and cabinets.

The scene felt somewhat familiar – firstly, it was the residence that Elder Zhimeng Weaver had arranged for the guests. He had rested in this room last night.

Su Ming quickly noticed the abnormality in his body. His five senses seemed to be covered by a veil, and his spiritual power, which was usually spread out like a spider web, was now dormant. It seemed that the sealing effect applied by Stacy was still in effect.

In his sluggish perception, a cold glint appeared without warning above his field of vision! Su Ming abruptly looked up and saw a long, narrow blade hanging before him, its edge clearly reflecting the moonlight seeping in from the window, chilling to the bone!

Su Ming felt a chill run down his spine! He almost instinctively tried to jump out of bed, but his body was stiff and numb from lying down for so long. He only managed to complete half of the movement before being tripped by something beneath him, causing him to fall uncontrollably to the side.

His palm instinctively braced itself against something, immediately feeling a warm, soft, and elastic touch. His forehead bumped into something, accompanied by a short, sharp "Ah!"

That voice is so familiar, it's Zijin!

Su Ming hurriedly propped himself up and, sure enough, saw Zijin sitting against the headboard. As he sprang up, she sheathed the small knife to avoid accidental injury, letting Su Ming bump into her.

"What are you doing here?" Su Ming asked, regaining his composure.

Elder Zhimeng arranged separate rooms for each of them.

"It's definitely Stacy's doing." Zijin sighed helplessly. "When I woke up, I found myself lying in this bed." Considering Stacy's mischievous nature, this was indeed something she was capable of doing.

Su Ming subconsciously looked down to check himself. Fortunately, he had only taken off his outer robe and was still covered by a quilt. He had tripped over the quilt when he tried to jump up earlier.

"----Since it wasn't my fault." Su Ming breathed a sigh of relief, but a trace of grievance resurfaced in her heart after being frightened. "Then what were you doing with the knife just now?"

Zijin did not answer immediately, but instead stretched out her fair hand, her fingertips twirling a strand of short, black hair that had clearly been cut off.

"I woke up and couldn't fall back asleep," she said casually. "Your hair looked like it had been chewed by a dog during the day, so I decided to fix it for you."

Su Ming was speechless for a moment. Although it was a misunderstanding, in this unfamiliar world, having just woken up from unconsciousness, to open his eyes and see a sharp blade hanging overhead would terrify anyone, wouldn't it?

He rubbed his still throbbing temples and asked another crucial question, "Why—why can't I still use my mental power?" If he could still mobilize his senses just now, he wouldn't be in such a sorry state.

"The power of the seal will gradually fade over time, giving the newly integrated ' Whispers of the Stars ' source time to adapt," Zijin explained. "Me too, I can't use any magic at all right now."

A glint suddenly flashed in Su Ming's eyes. Unable to use his mental power, he was essentially also unable to cast spells.

But in terms of pure physical strength, his advantage over Zijin, who is also "sealed," is enormous! This golden opportunity can be immediately recovered from the tent that was blasted away by the Green Dragon's breath during the day!

"Lie down." Zijin pointed with her chin to the spot in front of her, brandishing the small knife. "Your hair... there's still a little bit left to do."

"Uh, thank you------" Su Ming subconsciously thanked her, but his gaze followed her gesture and fell on her legs. "----I was just lying on that?" His voice was filled with disbelief.

"Yes!" Zijin answered matter-of-factly, "Otherwise, how am I supposed to cut your hair?"

Su Ming looked at the spot, hesitated for only a moment, and then actually did as she was told to lie down again, resting his head on her lap. Zijin wore a loose coat casually draped over her shoulders, and a soft, flowing top on her lower body.

Spring/Autumn style pajama pants.

The back of his head sank into a warm, soft touch, and the faint, sweet scent of her breath, which had been barely perceptible, instantly became clear and intense.

Outside, an unknown insect was chirping softly.

"I said," Su Ming couldn't help but ask, "Why don't you mind—being taken advantage of like this by me?"

"Anyway, a person who is unconscious can't feel anything," Zijin replied casually, running her fingertips through his hair, looking for places to trim.

"But I'm awake right now!" Su Ming was even more confused.

Zijin's movements paused slightly. She thought for a moment, her tone still calm, yet with a hint of self-righteousness, "I tricked you during the day. So now—I'll give you a little advantage."

She paused for a moment, then added, "So you won't keep thinking about it and want revenge."

"----You make it sound like I'm petty!" Su Ming immediately retorted, feeling wronged.

****

The next morning, Su Ming felt his energy return somewhat, and the sluggishness in his body had subsided considerably. Beside him, Zijin's fingertips flickered with faint Magic Power light; she was now able to cast even the most basic spells.

Su Ming took his toiletries and went to a nearby pond, looking at his reflection in the shallow water. In the reflection, a faint purple mark could be seen between his eyebrows. He raised his hand and gently stroked the skin; it felt smooth and there was nothing unusual about it.

"It's blended very well now," Stacy's voice came from the side. She was carrying a wicker basket filled with fruit. She casually tossed one to Su Ming, "The color will fade in a few days."

"So how exactly do you use this ' Whispers of the Stars '?" Su Ming asked, taking the fruit and weighing it in his hand.

"What's the rush? Let's talk about it when your mental strength is fully recovered." Stacy took a bite of the fruit in her hand, juice spilling out. "I remember that the Zijin talent is passively activated; you don't need to consciously activate it."

Su Ming looked at the fruit in his hand, a sense of helplessness welling up inside him. This was the third consecutive day he had eaten fruit for breakfast, and the little dry food he had brought with him was long gone.

"Is there no other food besides these?" he couldn't help but complain.

"Believe me," Stacy swallowed the fruit, her tone tinged with sympathy, "The other food you can find here will only be more unpalatable. Dragons have astonishingly large appetites and will eat anything that will fit in their mouths. To put it bluntly, even pigs are pickier eaters than them."

"Where's the meat!" Su Ming pressed on, unwilling to give up. "There must be some meat!"

"The area where Dragon Race gather," Zijin's voice rang out at the opportune moment. She approached, carrying a string of small, squeaking, grayish-brown animals tightly bound with sturdy straw rope. "It's impossible for any living creature larger than a rat to exist there."

Su Ming immediately looked at Zijin's hand, and sure enough, it was...

"----You're not planning to eat this, are you?!" His eyes widened.

"These are top-quality wild game, field mice!" Zijin proudly waved the string of struggling "trophies" in her hand, tightening the straw rope even more. "I used to catch so many field mice around here that they were almost extinct, but now there are so many again. Those dragons really don't know what's good."

Su Ming was extremely resistant, but when his gaze swept over the bland fruit in his hand, and then he thought about the "all-fruit feast" he had been having for two consecutive days, a strong feeling of nausea welled up inside him.

He decided to compromise, "Fine! But do you have a pot? Any piece of iron will do!"

The risk of parasites in wild animals must be eliminated by high-temperature stewing.

Having also had her fill of fruit, Stacy immediately volunteered, "I'll go Zhimeng for some!"

If we don't care about the appearance, as long as it's just iron or metal, it definitely exists.

"Remember to ask for some more salt!" Su Ming quickly added, "If you can find some spices, that would be even better!"

"I'll be scouting along the way," Stacy replied, turning and quickly walking away.

Su Ming took the field mouse skewers and began processing them by the water's edge, immediately filling the air with a raw, fishy smell.

Zijin's appetite has become quite picky lately, and the smell of this instantly dispelled her idea of eating it raw.

She found a bundle of dry branches and withered grass, and soon set up a makeshift campfire in the open space.

Before long, a gleaming iron wok was placed on the fire. Su Ming waved his hand, and a standard Chinese spatula appeared in his hand.

[Thanks, Doraemons.] Su Ming sent a message to Miao Xin.

[You're Doraemon, your whole family are Doraemon!]

Su Ming threw some white sugar he had brought into a pot and caramelized it. Then he blanched the cleaned and chopped field mouse meat in water to remove the blood, impurities, and fishy smell.

Finally, along with a few sprigs of spices picked from Stacy's Road, they were added to the pot, stir-fried briefly, and then water was added to simmer.

Stacy also brought back a small bag of dusty flour. She added water and kneaded the dough, a faint magical glow emanating from her fingertips—a fermentation spell that made the dough rise slightly in a short time.

Su Ming pinched the fermented dough into small pieces, flattened them, and stuck them around the hot inner wall of the pot.

Soon, a unique aroma filled the morning breeze—the rich, bubbling broth mingled with the caramelized scent of the baked flatbread.

The three sat around the pot, not even waiting for the food to cool down. They peeled off the golden-brown, crispy bits from the pot...

The thin pancakes, with their slightly browned edges, are broken open and dipped in the thick, oily gravy from the pot. One bite of pancake, one bite of meat—it's a truly satisfying meal, with even the gravy on your fingers being sucked clean.

****

After enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal—the most filling they'd had in days—the three of them felt warm and fuzzy inside, which also boosted their spirits considerably.

The massive figure of Elder Mo Yuan of the Black Dragon came into their field of vision.

"Gentlemen, I will be in charge of accompanying you today!" His deep, resonant voice carried clearly like the friction of rocks.

According to the plan, Su Ming needs to survey the terrain today.

Logically, arranging an ordinary dragon as a flying vehicle would be sufficient. However, considering that Su Ming's mental power was still imprisoned at the moment, for safety reasons, a powerful elder was arranged to accompany him personally.

Considering that Zijin had undergone two bloodline fusion ceremonies yesterday, Su Ming suggested that she stay here and rest.

"No need, I can't sleep anyway." Zijin stood up, brushing the bits of grass off her clothes. "We might as well go for a walk together."

Stacy stayed, of course. This doctor was quite busy here; her appointments were all booked for the day.

Su Ming and Zijin climbed onto Mo Yuan's broad back, which was covered with scales that shimmered with a dark luster. Accompanied by a strong airflow, the Black Dragon Elder carried them into the air.

Our first destination was Dragon Valley Dragon Gorge Port capable of accommodating large ocean-going vessels.

Mo Yuan's flight speed was extremely fast; the distance of 100 kilometers was covered in just twenty minutes. Su Ming looked down from high above and saw the Baihe River, the largest White River in the Dragon Valley, rushing into the sea. At the confluence of the river and the sea, flat-bottomed boats on the White River and ocean-going vessels from the open ocean converged, forming a busy transportation hub.

The harbor's natural terrain isn't exactly ideal, but through the long years of transformation by the Dragon Race, it has been transformed into facilities capable of accommodating medium-sized ocean-going vessels of several thousand tons for loading and unloading.

Su Ming's gaze swept across the area below: on the docks, all sorts of laborers bustled about like ants. Besides humans, dwarves, and goblins, one could even spot a few giant dragons, effortlessly hauling large loads of cargo with their unparalleled strength. At the berths, all kinds of ships were densely packed together, their gun barrels standing tall and their sails crisscrossing.

Outside the port, a sizable town has developed around the docks, its prosperity seemingly no less than that of the goblin Green Thorn Port. Further away, several wide roads extend like veins into the interior of Dragon Valley.

As Dragon King Gelie said, this is indeed the core area with the most convenient transportation and the most active commerce within the Dragon Race's territory.

However, after careful examination, Su Ming slowly shook his head. He patted Mo Yuan's sturdy back scales and gestured, "Elder, fly south along the coastline."

"What's wrong?" Zijin asked from beside her. "Is this place not suitable?"

"The docks are too close together and the water isn't deep enough to berth the Pansy," Su Ming explained, pointing downwards. "Furthermore, large ocean-going vessels can't dock there either, which will hinder our subsequent raw material procurement."

"So you're planning to relocate and build a new port?" Zijin immediately understood his intention.

"That's the only way," Su Ming said firmly. "Besides, Dragon Gorge Port is a melting pot of all sorts of people, and the excessive flow of people there poses a significant threat to our confidentiality and management control."

The new port of the Final Bone Mad Machines will primarily employ undead creatures, requiring no additional human staff. Therefore, the complex cluster of human towns surrounding Dragon Gorge Port becomes a disadvantage.

"As for the location of deep-water harbors," Mo Yuan's steady voice rang out like a muffled thunder, interrupting their discussion, "I do know of one nearby— Sapphire Bay!"

Su Ming unfolded the map scroll given to him by Zhimeng, and slid his finger south along the coastline. Sure enough, about two hundred kilometers away, he found the outline of a natural bay marked "Sapphire Bay".

He nodded. "Okay! Let's go take a look there!"

****

The flight lasted nearly fifty minutes before finally reaching its destination.

From above, below lies a beautiful bay gently embraced by the land, like the outstretched arms of the Earth Goddess carefully cradling a dazzling blue gem. The capes on either side, like the arms of giants, extend into the sea, formed by hard rocks eroded by millions of years of wind and waves, creating natural breakwaters that protect the tranquility of the inner bay.

Su Ming carefully observed the depth of the bay and the outline of the coastline, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

With just a little artificial modification and dredging, this place could be used to moor the large ships he planned. Moreover, the distance from this place to Dragon Gorge Port was moderate, neither too far to cause inconvenience in transportation, nor too close to lack space for independent development.

Mo Yuan landed on the wide beach, and Su Ming and Zijin jumped off the dragon's back one after the other. The sand under their feet was coarse and crunchy, and the surrounding vegetation was sparse with exposed rocks. However, these natural conditions were not a problem for building a seaport.

Su Ming gazed at the horizon where the sea met the sky. Thanks to the headland's protective barrier, the bay was almost devoid of the turbulent waves of the open sea. Only gentle, sigh-like ripples patiently lapped at the sand, producing a continuous and soothing "shush" sound, peaceful and serene.

****

As his mental strength further recovered, Su Ming was able to maintain contact with Earth for extended periods. He communicated in detail with the engineers and technicians of the Dodder Group and, based on their requirements, conducted more in-depth measurements and surveys of the selected location.

Soon, a positive reply came from the Dodder: the location perfectly met the requirements!

"It's decided, this is the place!" Su Ming informed Zijin, who was standing beside him, of the result.

Next, the two further investigated the surrounding environmental resources, with Elder Mo Yuan continuing to serve as their guide.

Before long, they found a water source with clear water, and a patch of tall, straight trees.

A dense forest of hard, clearly usable trees.

"This area, approximately 100 hectares of land, is what I need in my plan," Su Ming said, pointing to the map. "Also, how does the Dragon Race calculate the usage rights for the water area of this bay?"

In terms of total area, this bay covers approximately two thousand hectares.

"These coastal areas don't need to be strictly demarcated and calculated like inland land," Elder Mo Yuan explained in a deep voice. He pointed with his massive claw to the barren beach beneath his feet, covered in rough sand and shell fragments. "Such beach conditions have very little practical value for us Dragon Race. I estimate that you only need to pay the management fees for the coastal land area to obtain the right to use the entire bay."

Su Ming did the math and came up with an annual fee of only about 20,000 gold coins. This price was so cheap that it made his conscience feel a little uneasy.

However, this large port can certainly bring more than just land rent to the Dragon Race.

Afterwards, Elder Mo Yuan led the two to explore the surrounding area further away. About thirty kilometers away from the bay, there was a settlement of the Red Dragon Clan. It was noon, so he led the two into it to search for food.

Every now and then, Red Dragon would peek out, curiously watching the two humans who were personally led by the Black Dragon elder. Soon, Elder Mo Yuan obtained a large pile of tuberous plants of various shapes and types that Su Ming couldn't name at all.

But Zijin keenly noticed something. She squatted down and rummaged through a pile of tubers covered in mud, and sure enough, she found several bright yellow potatoes.

She immediately scooped them up and volunteered, "I'll go wash the potatoes!"

"I counted them." Su Ming held out his palm, a knowing smile in his eyes. "Five in total!"

So, don't even think about sneaking a raw one!

"You stingy little thing!" Zijin, her little scheme exposed, sullenly walked towards the water source.

****

A small campfire was lit, and Su Ming poked at the burning branches until they turned into a pile of dark red ashes.

He buried the round potatoes he found inside and slowly baked them using the residual heat.

While roasting potatoes, he discussed ideas with Zijin beside him, and contacted his team on Earth to begin outlining the blueprint for the new port.

The nearby Red Dragon seemed to have received the news that the new "Honorary Elder" had visited their territory, and they flew or walked from all directions to watch. In a short time, the huge figure stood or lay around the campfire, creating a spectacular sight.

Su Ming quickly noticed that the Red Dragon gathered here today were completely different from the aggressive challengers he had seen in the Land of Ancestral Spirits. Many of the dragons were noticeably smaller, and their scales lacked the dazzling brilliance and heavy texture of the others. He even vaguely sensed that the average level of the Magic Power fluctuations surrounding them didn't seem particularly strong.

He thought it was Stacy's seal that affected his senses, so he whispered his doubts to Zijin.

"Oh, that's normal!" Zijin glanced around at the onlookers and explained calmly, "Those who went to the Land of Ancestral Spirits to participate in the challenge that day were basically the best of their respective races."

"Uh, does that mean the other dragons aren't that powerful?" Su Ming asked, somewhat surprised.

"Just like humans," Zijin shrugged. "Not every dragon possesses innate Magic Power talent. Generally speaking, about one-tenth of dragons can be classified as elite. The rest are indeed much weaker in combat."

Although this ratio is far higher than that of human superhumans, considering the enormous size of the dragon, Su Ming felt inexplicably that it was somewhat "wasteful."

But then I thought, if every single Dragon Race was an elite, then that power would probably be enough to make them invincible in another world.

"Most ordinary dragons," Elder Mo Yuan's deep voice slowly rang out, "Are insurmountable behemoths in the eyes of ordinary people." He paused, a heavy look flashing in his massive amber dragon eyes, "However, in the eyes of extraordinary beings of various races, especially those greedy dragon hunters and alchemists, they are simply walking treasure troves of materials."

Su Ming immediately understood. It was precisely this situation, coupled with the already small number of the entire race, that forced the dragons to adopt a close-knit, mutually supportive strategy and rarely venture into the outside world.

****

The following morning, upon receiving the communication instructions, the "Pansy," resembling a moving white hill, sailed straight into the tranquil embrace of Sapphire Bay.

Its massive, sleek white hull slowly passed through the natural openings formed by the two headlands, its bow parting the calm waters and stirring up visible, layered waves. With the stern propellers precisely adjusting their angle and thrust, the giant ship finally came to a steady stop in the deep waters near the shore.

"Complete!" The final command from the bridge reached the engine room.

The large power unit, which had been roaring continuously in the lower deck for several days, finally began to execute the shutdown procedure, and the deafening roar gradually subsided. The steam pipes that had been flowing continuously and radiating scorching heat also slowly cooled down, emitting a slight hissing sound.

Immediately afterwards, the ship teemed with people. Thousands of members of the Final Bone Mad Machines, including the core management team, flew off the deck like a swarm of bees leaving their hive, landing on the somewhat desolate beach. With irrepressible curiosity and heartfelt joy, they greedily surveyed the azure waters and the surrounding land before them.

Despite the rough sand and gravel beneath their feet and the still pristine surroundings, nothing could dampen the excitement rising in their hearts—this place was about to become their new home and foothold!

An indescribable excitement radiated from everyone's face. This meant that after being wanted and living in hiding for more than a year, they had finally regained their right to breathe freely and move about in the sunlight!

Although the shadow of the Temple of Light still looms in the distance, no one now believes that those charlatans have the qualifications or ability to hunt down the Final Bone Mad Machines. Moreover, the protection of the powerful Dragon Race makes them feel even more secure.

"Hi! Good morning!" A lively voice rang out, and Beianqi and Qiluo landed lightly in front of Su Ming and Zijin.

"Good morning!" Su Ming waved to them with a smile.

"Mmm! I can hear cute groupers singing in the sea!" Qiluo pointed to the shimmering surface of the sea and said to Su Ming, "Arrange a fishing team for me! They're calling me!"

"No problem!" Su Ming was naturally happy to fulfill Qiluo's request.

But that's a minor matter. He turned to Beianqi, "Beianqi, we need to immediately notify the dwarves to change the destination of their subsequent cargo ships and deliver the goods directly here."

"I'll contact them right away." Beianqi nodded, then asked, "But in unfamiliar waters, we need to set up a Lighthouse here as a navigational landmark as soon as possible."

Finding a rendezvous point near Giant Horn Island last time was quite a hassle. It's very difficult to pinpoint the exact location on the vast ocean using only nautical charts and GPS.

"Okay, I'll leave this to you." Su Ming readily agreed.

****

Meanwhile, the other members of the management team also landed one after another, greeting each other.

Hansite kicked at the pebbles under his feet with the tip of his boot, frowning as he commented, "This beach is terrible—not really suitable for a vacation, it'll hurt your feet."

"More stones are better!" Island girl Younier immediately retorted, "Abundant building materials! That makes it an excellent location for a port!"

Su Ming waited patiently until the initial fervor of the Final Bone Mad Machines members subsided slightly before clapping his hands to signal everyone to come closer.

"As you can see," his voice, though not loud, carried clearly across the beach, with a steady strength, "This Sapphire Bay will become our new starting point."

A more enthusiastic cheer immediately erupted from the crowd. These people, who had escaped from prison and endured hardships, were expressing their excitement and hope for the future in this way.

"All trainees, training battalions 1-10, and all official members, listen to my command!" Su Ming raised a thick stack of pre-prepared engineering drawings, his voice suddenly rising with unwavering decisiveness, "Construction of Sapphire Port, commence immediately!"

The members were already very familiar with the corresponding collaboration model. They quickly formed groups according to the plan, and the heads of each area stepped forward to receive the detailed drawings of their respective sections from Su Ming.

Soon, a large number of undead creatures poured out of the huge hatch of the "Pansy" like a tide, their movements stiff but orderly. Led by the raw material collection team, they headed to the nearby dense forest and the planned quarrying site.

The other group began building roads and started their tireless labor.

Zijin stood beside Su Ming, gently rubbing her wrist as she deliberately released the Magic Power seal that was about to expire.

In an instant, an invisible energy rippled outwards from her center. The girl's draped clothes fluttered slightly without wind, and a faint, almost visible Magic Power light, flowing like ripples on water, began to surround her.

Her body seemed to lose weight, floating lightly off the ground. The dim light illuminated her focused profile, making her appear even more mysterious and ethereal.

Having absorbed the elemental essence of the Faerie Dragon, her aura reached an unprecedented level of harmony. At this moment, she resonated with the world around her on a deeper level, naturally exuding a unique temperament, like a natural elf.

She closed her eyes slightly, feeling the elemental power surging within her. Then, she gracefully raised her slender arm, palm outstretched, fingertips pointing towards the azure sea in front of her, and lightly pressed down.

A powerful terrain magic was instantly unleashed! A deep rumble came from beneath the calm sea, and a pier made of solid rock, like a sleeping dragon awakening from the seabed, broke through the surface and, with a rushing sound, rapidly rose and extended from the seabed, connecting steadily to the massive side of the "Pansy" ship!

Immediately afterwards, Zijin waved her hands repeatedly, and several more beams of the same magical light shone in different locations along the coastline. Accompanied by the rumbling sound of rocks growing, several new piers stretched out of the sea like arms, taking firm root on the sandy beach and reefs.

The necromancers, who were already prepared, immediately followed up, directing the undead laborers to make detailed repairs to the newly "grown" piers. The laborers wielded tools, smoothing the rough rock surfaces, and then carefully laid out the cut stone slabs to reinforce the embankment and prevent it from being washed away and eroded by the waves.

On the shore, large swathes of land that were originally uneven were quickly leveled and compacted under the Magic Power of the Zijin.

A dedicated team immediately began clearing the foundation and, following the plans on the blueprints, enthusiastically began constructing the port operation area and living quarters.

With the pier in place, the building materials piled up in the massive hold of the "Pansy" were continuously transported ashore by a transport team composed of undead laborers.

The entire Sapphire Bay coastline was abuzz with excitement!

Su Ming vaguely sensed the roar of machines and the chants of laborers, even though it was actually quiet magic and silent ghosts. But the clatter of tools, the collision of rocks, and the gentle sound of the waves intertwined to create a powerful symphony of construction.

The initial outline of a modern seaport is emerging at an astonishing speed in this pristine harbor.

****

A strange sensation, like the crisp sound of crystal shattering beside his ear, came to Su Ming. He felt as if the world before him had suddenly opened up, as if the thin veil covering his eyes had been abruptly lifted. The mental seal placed on him dissipated on its own.

An unprecedented sense of freshness instantly swept through his body. The world at this moment was so beautiful in his perception: the sunlight was clear and bright, pouring down with warmth; the sea breeze was gentle and warm, and even the strong salty smell in the air became distinct.

The fresh scent of earth stirred up by the construction now carried a vibrant, life-giving fragrance.

But the next moment, a pulsating sensation he had never experienced before enveloped him, surrounding and enveloping him. It was omnipresent, permeating every corner of the space like background radiation, yet upon closer inspection, it seemed to be nothing more than an illusory phantom. Everything around him—the passing wind, the sand beneath his feet, the surging waves, even the more distant existences—seemed to be conveying vague "whispers" and fragments of information to him.

"[Zijin! What is this?!]" he asked immediately, his voice filled with surprise.

[Literal meaning, "Whispers of the Stars," I suppose.] Zijin said calmly, [Don't be nervous, it just means you can now perceive information flows that ordinary people can't access.]

"[Then—what's the use of these information streams? Can they be interpreted?]" Su Ming pressed, trying to understand the jumbled "sounds."

"I don't know," Zijin answered honestly. "Although some ancient texts describe it in a very mystical way, saying things like 'feeling the pulse of the world, listening to the whispers of the Stars, and deciphering the echoes of laws,' in terms of its actual function—" she paused, "Its most important function is to bring you continuous mental pressure."

[Mental stress? What's the point of this "stress"?] Su Ming was somewhat taken aback.

[I'm just taking advantage of you.] Zijin's tone was matter-of-fact. [Otherwise, what do you think will keep increasing your mental strength?]

Su Ming suddenly realized. So this seemingly impressive talent was essentially a 26-hour non-stop mental strength training device!

[What should I do now? These "whispers" are interfering with my normal perception.]

Those ubiquitous "voices" made it difficult for him to concentrate on the tasks at hand.

As she spoke, Zijin had already walked to Su Ming's side. She didn't say much, but simply stretched out her hand, revealing a pair of bracelets that shimmered with a faint blue light in her palm—one of which was the mental defense item she had used before, the "Spirit Wall Crystal Barrier" component.

Su Ming took the bracelet and put it on his wrist. A cool and tranquil barrier instantly spread out, and the chaotic "whispers" surrounding his consciousness were immediately covered by a thick layer of soundproofing.

Zijin then hung the same faintly glowing necklace around his neck. With the double protection in effect, Su Ming felt the noise in his mind completely filtered out, and the world finally returned to a reassuring tranquility.

However, Zijin reached into her small bag again and pulled out a pair of delicate blue earrings, her eyes gleaming with eager anticipation.

"No, no, no! That's enough!" Su Ming quickly waved his hand in refusal.

"Actually, once you get used to it, it's quite good." Zijin put away her earring, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You don't need to do anything; your mental strength will naturally increase under the continuous burden. This is a passive buff talent that many people dream of and envy."

Although this talent comes with the side effect of "mental noise," it's essentially an automatically running training cheat code, so we can't really be too demanding of it.

"You should gradually reduce your reliance on these accessories, step by step, until you no longer need them at all," Zijin explained.

"Okay, I understand. I'll gradually figure it out and get used to it." Su Ming nodded.

"As for the content of those information streams you perceive, that varies from person to person," Zijin added. "Once you've mastered it, you can actively choose to ignore or block out their interference."

"Understood!"

"By the way, are you really not considering earrings?" Zijin smiled. "I even went out of my way to trim the hair around your ears yesterday!"

"----no thanks!"