25: The Big Three: Trading, Settlement, and Enjoyment – ​​Dominating the CBD!

That phrase, “an eyesore to your grandpa,” was like a resounding slap across the face of every member of the Blazing Flame Fleet.

The smile completely vanished from Zhou Hai's face, the muscles at the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably, and the fury in his eyes almost solidified.

The large hand resting on the ship's rail was bulging with veins, and his knuckles were white from clenching too hard.

Given his usual temper, this dog named Li San standing before him would already be a charred corpse.

But he held back.

"Lao Zhou." Zhao Ze stepped forward, subtly placing a hand on Zhou Hai's shoulder; the steady pressure made Zhou Hai's tense body relax slightly.

Zhao Ze turned, putting his amicable smile back on, and said to Li San on the assault boat, "Brother, this is our first time here, we don't know the rules, please bear with us."

As he spoke, he gave a crew member on the deck behind him a look.

The crew member understood, immediately turned and ran into the cabin. A moment later, he ran out carrying a box of unopened Braised Beef Instant Noodles and carefully handed it onto the assault boat.

Li San glanced at the box of instant noodles, then let out a soft snort from his nose, the contempt on his face completely undiminished.

He waved his hand behind him, and another team member on the assault boat immediately stepped forward and moved the instant noodles into the cabin.

"Get on." Li San gestured toward the empty space on the assault boat with his chin, his tone still condescending. "All weapons stay on your ship. That's the rule."

Zhou Hai took a deep breath, tossed the Fire Axe he never parted with onto the deck, and was the first to jump onto the assault boat.

Zhao Ze and Lu Sheng followed suit, leaving their Massive Hammer and the twin fiends spear behind.

Only Su Li, as she leaped onto the boat, still held her slender Combat Saber.

"Hmm?" Li San's brow instantly furrowed, and the gaze beneath his sunglasses turned cold. "Didn't you hear what I just said?"

Su Li raised her eyes, her cool, clear gaze fixed silently upon him.

But an invisible, bone-chilling Killing Intent instantly enveloped Li San like a tide!

The arrogance on Li San's face instantly froze, and his complexion turned deathly pale.

He felt as if he had been targeted by a Primeval Savage Beast, ready to be torn to shreds the next second!

"Ahem!" Zhao Ze quickly intervened, explaining with a smile, "Brother, this is our captain's sister. Her saber is part of her Sequence Talent; it's bound to her and can't be removed. Please make an exception."

"Ta... talent bound?" Li San swallowed hard, and the terrifying sense of being locked onto slowly dissipated.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, not daring to look at Su Li again, and merely gave a blustering snort: "Don't let it happen again!"

With that, he immediately started the assault boat and sped toward the three massive buildings.

The assault boat sliced through the water, and the closer they got, the stronger the imposing pressure exerted by the three colossal skyscrapers became.

Lu Sheng could now clearly see that the vast expanse of water between the three massive buildings was covered in floating platforms welded together from shipping containers and steel plates. These platforms were connected by Iron Chain Bridges, forming an immense steel city on the water.

Countless assault boats shuttled through the waterways. The personnel on board, without exception, wore the same uniform as Li San, were heavily armed, and had vigilant eyes.

This place looked more like a strictly disciplined Military Fortress.

The assault boat stopped at a dock converted from shipping containers. After another round of strict inspection, confirming that the three individuals were indeed unarmed, the four of them were finally allowed to step onto the entrance platform of the Modu Central Tower.

"Once inside, don't wander off, don't start fights. Trading is on the second floor. If you need anything, find the Patrol Team." Li San tossed out a few cold warnings, then drove the assault boat away without looking back.

The four stepped into the first-floor lobby of the Modu Central Tower.

The sight before him made Lu Sheng's pupils contract slightly.

The spacious lobby, large enough to hold over a thousand people, was currently bustling with noise and activity.

At least several hundred survivors were gathered here, and judging by the faint Spirit Source Fluctuations emanating from them, the vast majority were Sequence Transcendent!

They gathered in small groups of three or five. Some were arguing loudly about something, others were quietly exchanging information, and still others had simply spread a cloth on the ground, laid out the supplies they had scavenged, and were shouting out their wares.

"Freshly caught sea fish! Trade for one pack of compressed biscuits!"

"Common-Grade Sea Beast carcass, anyone interested? Trading for weapons!"

"Seeking antibiotics! I'll trade my sister for them!"

It was noisy and chaotic, yet it possessed a raw, savage vitality unique to the apocalypse.

The appearance of Lu Sheng and the other three was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present.

One Level 4 Spirit Source Practitioner.

Three Level 3 Spirit Source User.

This configuration, which could be called luxurious, was an absolute focal point no matter where they went.

Countless gazes mixed with surprise, apprehension, and greed fell upon them simultaneously. The noisy chatter in the lobby fell silent.

"Damn, where did these guys come from? That aura... they don't look like easy targets."

"That red-haired chick... I feel like if she looks at me, I'm going to die..."

"Don't cause trouble. When did such a powerful team emerge in this sea area?"

Faced with this scene of universal attention, Zhou Hai showed no trace of pride; instead, his brows were tightly furrowed.

A Tree That Stands Out in the Forest Will Be Destroyed by the Wind.

He lowered his voice and said to the three, "Wait for me here, don't wander off. I'm going to find out the situation."

"Alright." Zhao Ze nodded.

Zhou Hai quickly squeezed into the crowd and disappeared.

Zhao Ze and Su Li stood on his left and right, cautiously surveying their surroundings.

Lu Sheng, meanwhile, was like a Curious Baby, examining this apocalyptic version of a free market with great interest, while secretly complaining internally.

Good heavens, the rulers of the Golden Triangle are truly Commercial Geniuses.

They managed to revitalize three waterlogged buildings into the CBD of this sea area.

Charging admission, establishing monopolies, maintaining order, skimming profits, collecting rent... with this combination of moves, wouldn't they be raking in profits hand over fist?

Before long, Zhou Hai returned, his expression somewhat grave.

He pulled the three of them into a relatively quiet corner and said in a deep voice, "I've found out the situation."

"The Golden Triangle is jointly controlled by three Level 5 Spirit Source Users, nicknamed 'The Three Overlords.' No one knows their real names or Sequence Abilities. They are only known to be among the first batch of Sequence Transcendent to awaken in this sea area, and their strength is unfathomable."

"The Central Tower where we are now is the Trade Hall, where all verbal agreements for bartering are reached."

He pointed to a Steel Cable Bridge connecting to the Jinmao Tower not far away.

"Once the price is agreed upon, you go to the adjacent Jinmao Tower for the actual settlement. The Three Overlords' people are stationed there, so no one dares to pull any tricks."

"As for the furthest building, the World Financial Center," Zhou Hai's tone carried a hint of strangeness, "that's a place of pleasure for the captains of the various fleets—lodging, fine food, women... anything you can pay for."

Hearing this, Zhao Ze couldn't help but sigh in admiration: "What clever methods. Trade, settlement, entertainment—clearly separated. These three have truly mastered the human psyche."

"Indeed." Zhou Hai nodded, his expression growing more serious. "The most crucial thing is that they use this system to virtually monopolize all the rare resources and intelligence in this sea area. If we want to operate here, we must follow their rules."

Lu Sheng understood clearly.

This was no longer just a simple Survivor Camp, but the embryonic form of a complete, well-ordered miniature society.

"Let's go," Zhou Hai took a deep breath, fighting spirit reigniting in his eyes. "Our objective for this trip is clear: let's first check the Trading Area on the second floor and see if we can find any news about a map."

"Mhm."

The three followed Zhou Hai, taking the emergency staircase on the side of the lobby up to the second floor.

As soon as they stepped onto the second floor, a wave of noise, even louder and more enthusiastic than downstairs, washed over them.

This was the true Core Trading Zone.

simple shops converted from shipping containers were lined up one after another. The shop fronts displayed a variety of signs, and the sounds of hawking and haggling rose and fell continuously.

"High-quality Sea Beast Meat! One catty for two packs of cigarettes!"

"Rifle Ammunition obtained from the West Zone, fifty rounds for one barrel of purified water!"

"Homemade diesel for sale! Discounts for bulk orders!"

Lu Sheng's gaze rapidly swept over the dazzling array of goods, and he secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.

However, just as he was about to follow Zhou Hai further inside, his steps abruptly halted.

His attention was firmly captured by an inconspicuous stall in the corner.

There was nothing on the stall except for a wooden sign with a few hastily written words in charcoal.

"Selling the latest edition of the Dragon Kingdom Map, first come, first served!"