62: Interstellar black market, selling stolen goods and Taobao

The spaceship slowly sailed into the gigantic Metal Hive.

This was the Interstellar Black Market, No. 9 Exchange.

Looking out the porthole, the outside was a bizarre and fantastic world.

Countless massive holographic billboards floated in the air, flashing with dazzling neon light.

Scantily clad virtual dancers twisted their bodies in the air, batting their eyelashes at passing spaceships.

All sorts of strange-looking spaceships shuttled through the narrow channels, the roar of their engines deafening.

The air was filled with a scent mixing machine oil, alcohol, and cheap perfume.

Decadence.

Chaos.

Yet, it was also full of fatal attraction.

"Is this the Black Market?"

Gu Nian pushed up the glasses on her nose bridge, looking at the scene outside the window, her brows slightly furrowed.

As a rational data analyst, she instinctively rejected this kind of disorder and chaos.

"Don't be nervous, Strategist."

Gu Pingsheng stood on the bridge, fiddling with the newly upgraded [Thousand Mechanism Transformation] (now an inconspicuous black ring) in his hand.

He had changed into a black trench coat over a white shirt, the collar slightly open, revealing his collarbone.

He looked both cool and languid, like a rich young master who had come here seeking excitement.

"Although this place is chaotic, as long as you have money, you can buy anything."

He turned his head and looked at the three women behind him.

Gu Nian was wearing a smart business suit, holding a metal briefcase (which contained the manifest of stolen goods they were going to fence this time).

An An was still wearing a black hoodie, the hood pulled low, revealing only half of her pale, small face. She huddled in the corner like a shadow, tightly gripping a dagger.

And the most eye-catching one was Liu Ruyan.

She had clearly dressed up carefully today.

She wore a bright red velvet cheongsam that tightly hugged her devilish figure.

The slit of the cheongsam went extremely high, reaching up to her upper thigh.

As she moved, her long, fair, beautiful leg was revealed intermittently, sparking imagination.

She wore a pair of black stiletto heels, swaying gracefully as she walked.

Her face was painted with exquisite heavy makeup, her red lips like flames, her eyes moving alluringly.

She looked exactly like a courtesan who had time-traveled from Old Shanghai.

"Captain~"

Liu Ruyan walked up to Gu Pingsheng and naturally looped her arm through his.

The two mounds of soft flesh pressed tightly against his arm, rising and falling slightly with her breath.

"This is my first time in a place like this, you have to protect me~"

Her voice was so sickly sweet it sounded like it was mixed with honey, making one's bones melt.

Gu Pingsheng glanced down at her, a playful smile curling his lips.

"Don't worry."

He reached out and pinched her chin.

"As long as you behave, no one will dare touch you."

"Let's go, time to work."

...The spaceship docked at the port in Area C.

As soon as the group disembarked, they were surrounded by the noisy crowd.

Stalls were everywhere here.

They sold everything.

From second-hand mechanical prosthetics to unknown alien creature cubs, and even slaves locked in cages.

The sounds of hawking, haggling, and cursing rose and fell.

Gu Pingsheng walked straight ahead, leading the three women directly to the largest acquisition house—the [Golden Finger Merchant House].

This was a lavishly decorated shop, with two seven-foot tall mechanical bodyguards standing at the entrance.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, what can I do for you?"

An alien shop owner with four arms and green skin came forward to greet them.

His eyes sparkled with shrewdness, scanning Gu Pingsheng and the others before finally settling on Liu Ruyan.

Clearly, beauty was universal currency everywhere.

"We're selling things."

Gu Pingsheng wasted no words and immediately signaled Gu Nian to open the briefcase.

Gu Nian placed the case on the counter and opened it.

Inside was a holographic projection chip.

As the chip activated, a long manifest floated in the air.

It was full of junk equipment scavenged from the pirate spaceship, as well as some scraps brought out from the ruins.

For example, the wreckage of scrapped Mechanical Spiders and fragments of Obsidian Guards.

Although they were garbage to Gu Pingsheng, in this resource-scarce star sea, these were valuable items.

The shop owner picked up the manifest and looked at it, his eyes immediately lighting up.

"Oh! The quality of these mechanical parts is excellent! And these alloy fragments, the purity is very high!"

He rubbed his hands together, all four hands moving at once, which looked a bit comical.

"But... the current market isn't great. Although these items are good, they won't fetch too high a price."

His eyes darted, and he held up two fingers.

"How about twenty thousand energy coins?"

"Twenty thousand?"

Before Gu Pingsheng could speak, Liu Ruyan spoke first.

She let go of Gu Pingsheng's arm and swayed her hips as she walked to the counter.

Her seductive eyes looked at the shop owner with a half-smile, and her fingers gently tapped the counter.

"Boss, that's not very generous of you, is it?"

She leaned forward slightly, and the view down her collar was immediately exposed.

The shop owner's eyes went wide, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

"These are items from Ancient Ruins. The alloy formulas alone are priceless."

Liu Ruyan extended a finger and lightly lifted one of the shop owner's tentacles (which seemed to be his beard).

"You only offer twenty thousand? Are you trying to take advantage of us because we don't know the market?"

Her voice was soft and sticky, yet carried an undeniable tone.

"This..."

The shop owner wiped the sweat from his forehead (though it was unknown if aliens sweat).

"Then... how much do you say, beautiful lady?"

"Fifty thousand."

Liu Ruyan held up an open palm and waved it in front of him.

"Not a single coin less."

"Fifty thousand?! That's too high! I won't make any money!"

The shop owner complained bitterly.

"Is that so?"

Liu Ruyan withdrew her hand and sighed regretfully.

"Then never mind. Let's go check out the place next door. I heard that boss is very generous."

Saying this, she turned to leave.

That swaying silhouette, the skirt hem swinging with her movement, was simply silent temptation.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't go!"

The shop owner panicked.

He gritted his teeth and stamped his foot.

"Fine! Fifty thousand it is! Consider it making a friend!"

"That's better~"

Liu Ruyan turned around, a brilliant smile instantly blossoming on her face.

She winked at the shop owner.

"Boss is truly a straightforward person. I'll come find you next time we have good stuff~"

The shop owner was so stunned by the look that he became dizzy and nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, yes, absolutely!"

The transaction was completed.

Fifty thousand energy coins were credited to the account.

Gu Pingsheng looked at the extra number in his account and nodded contentedly.

This Liu Ruyan really had some skill.

If he had negotiated, thirty thousand would probably have been the maximum.

After all, he couldn't be bothered to waste words on such a profiteer.

"Well done."

Walking out of the merchant house, Gu Pingsheng patted Liu Ruyan's butt.

Smack!

A crisp sound.

Liu Ruyan let out a startled cry, her face instantly turning red.

But she wasn't angry; instead, she leaned into Gu Pingsheng's embrace.

"Then... does the Captain have a reward for me?"

She looked up at him with moist eyes.

"What do you want?"

Gu Pingsheng was in a good mood and waved his hand grandly.

"Buy anything you like today."

"Really?!"

Liu Ruyan's eyes lit up.

"The Captain is the best!"

...The rest of the time was dedicated to the women's shopping spree.

Liu Ruyan dragged Gu Pingsheng through the various stalls.

She was like a flower butterfly, stopping to look at everything she saw.

Clothes, jewelry, cosmetics... anything that could make her more beautiful interested her.

Gu Pingsheng didn't stop her; if she liked it, he just swiped the card.

Anyway, this amount of money was a drop in the bucket for him.

Gu Nian followed behind, watching the scene and shaking her head involuntarily.

"Wasteful."

She muttered softly.

But a hint of envy flashed in her eyes.

Which woman didn't like to shop?

It was just that her personality prevented her from acting coy or seeking favor like that.

"Oh my! This is so beautiful!"

Liu Ruyan suddenly stopped in front of a jewelry stall.

Her eyes were fixed on a necklace inside the counter.

It was a fine silver chain, and the pendant was a dark blue gemstone.

The teardrop-shaped gem was crystal clear, seemingly containing the entire ocean.

[Heart of the Deep Sea (Ornament)].

Although it offered no attribute bonuses, it was indeed beautiful.

"Boss, how much is this?"

Liu Ruyan asked.

"Beautiful lady has good taste! This is a rare treasure obtained from the Deep Sea Merfolk Tribe! Only three thousand energy coins!"

The stall owner, a skinny old human man, said with a smile.

"Three thousand..."

Liu Ruyan hesitated slightly.

Although Gu Pingsheng said to buy anything she liked, this was only an ornament, and three thousand was indeed a bit expensive.

She turned her head and looked at Gu Pingsheng.

Her eyes held a hint of pleading and a touch of testing.

"Captain... I want this~"

She tugged at the corner of Gu Pingsheng's coat, shaking it gently.

Her body intentionally or unintentionally brushed against him.

That soft sensation transmitted through the thin shirt.

Gu Pingsheng looked down at her.

Looking at her eyes full of desire.

He smiled.

"Wrap it up."

He directly tossed out a card.

"Alright!"

The stall owner beamed, quickly wrapped the necklace, and handed it over.

Gu Pingsheng took the necklace, but instead of giving it to Liu Ruyan, he opened the box.

"Turn around."

He said indifferently.

Liu Ruyan was startled for a moment, then realized what he meant.

She obediently turned around, facing away from Gu Pingsheng.

She lifted her long hair, exposing her snow-white nape.

Gu Pingsheng took the necklace and placed it around her neck.

The cold metal chain touched her warm skin, making Liu Ruyan instinctively shrink her neck.

Gu Pingsheng's fingers were agile, and he quickly fastened the clasp.

But he didn't let go immediately.

His fingertips slid down the chain, lightly tracing her collarbone, finally stopping on the deep blue gemstone.

"It suits you well."

He whispered in her ear.

The warm breath sprayed onto her ear, making half her body go numb.

"Thank you, Captain..."

Liu Ruyan's voice trembled slightly.

She turned around and looked at Gu Pingsheng.

The affection (or perhaps adoration) in her eyes was practically overflowing.

"Wear my chain, and you belong to me."

Gu Pingsheng pinched her cheek, his tone domineering yet casual.

"Be good from now on, and stop having those wicked thoughts."

"Mhm..."

Liu Ruyan nodded, her face flushed.

This time, she was genuinely moved.

In this cruel apocalypse, meeting a man who was so powerful, rich, and willing to spoil her...

Even if she was just a pretty face, perhaps it wasn't so bad?

...After buying the necklace, the group continued forward.

Gu Pingsheng's gaze swept across the various stalls.

Although most of it was junk, occasionally he could spot something good.

This was the passive effect of the [Hand of God]—his perception of treasures far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Suddenly.

His steps halted.

His gaze fell upon an inconspicuous street stall.

The stall was dilapidated, and the owner was a mysterious person wrapped in a black robe, whose face couldn't be seen.

The stall displayed a pile of messy rocks and ores.

They looked like garbage picked up from some abandoned mine pit.

But Gu Pingsheng's attention was fixed on a black rock in the corner.

The rock was only the size of a fist, its surface pitted and dull, lacking any luster.

It didn't even have the slightest energy fluctuation.

Yet, in Gu Pingsheng's perception, it was like a black hole, greedily swallowing the surrounding light.

[Unknown Black Ore (Gray)].

"Boss, how much for this rock?"

Gu Pingsheng squatted down, casually picked up the rock, and weighed it in his hand.

"Five hundred."

The Black Robe Man's voice was hoarse and unpleasant, like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together.

"Five hundred? For a broken rock?"

Gu Pingsheng scoffed.

"Fifty."

"Not selling."

The Black Robe Man said coldly.

"One hundred."

"Not selling."

"Two hundred. Take it or leave it."

Gu Pingsheng made a move to toss the rock away.

"Deal."

The Black Robe Man suddenly spoke.

A barely perceptible smile curled Gu Pingsheng's lips.

He tossed down two hundred energy coins, picked up the rock, and walked away.

After walking a short distance.

The hand holding the rock tightened slightly.

He silently recited:

"Hand of God, activate!"

Buzz—!

An invisible fluctuation flashed past.

The black rock in his hand suddenly trembled.

The originally dull gray surface instantly cracked open with fissures.

purple light shone through the cracks.

Immediately afterward, the outer shell of the entire rock peeled off, revealing a crystal-clear purple crystal inside.

"Ding! Hand of God activated! Gray -> Blue -> Critical Hit!"

[Obtained: Void Gravity Stone (purple)]

Description: A rare ore containing Void Gravity. Extremely unstable. Can be used to manufacture small Black Hole Grenades, or as core material for a Gravity Engine.

"Good stuff."

Gu Pingsheng calmly put the stone into his spatial storage.

If this thing were made into a grenade, throwing it would create a miniature black hole.

An absolute killing machine.

Just then.

A melodious announcement suddenly echoed throughout the entire Black Market.

"Good evening, esteemed guests."

"The annual Interstellar Black Market Auction is about to begin."

"This auction has gathered rare treasures from various star systems."

"And featuring the finale item—the legendary [eden fragmented map]!"

"Do you want to find the legendary paradise? Do you want to achieve eternal life?"

"Then come and participate in the auction!"

Hearing the words "eden fragmented map."

Gu Pingsheng's steps abruptly halted.

His gaze instantly sharpened.

Eden.

The destination mentioned in Adam's memories.

The final resting place for all survivors.

Unexpectedly, it appeared here.

"It seems we came to the right place."

He raised his head and looked at the tallest building in the center of the Black Market.

That was the auction venue.

"Let's go."

He adjusted his collar and strode toward that direction.

"Let's go see what this so-called 'Eden' actually is."