Free Web NovelChapter 410: Chapter 402: The Black Gold Grand Commander Awakens
"Hehehe~"
"There are two ways to solve the problem of the Unceasing Water."
"First, find the source of the Unceasing Water and eradicate it from Earth completely. Second, earth overcomes water. You can use the principle of elemental counters to suppress the Unceasing Water’s rampant growth, allowing it to slowly return to a dormant state."
"Either of these two methods will fulfill your request~"
"Big guy,"
"Your first wish is as good as granted. Do you have any others? I can grant them all for you, you know~"
The Star Spirit finished speaking and leaned forward with a smile, as if eager to hear more wishes.
As she moved, the golden bells on her wrists and ankles chimed, their crisp sound seeming to mesmerize the soul. Yet her body had form without substance—visible, but impossible to touch.
Shi Ming frowned.
The two methods the Lamp of Wishes proposed sounded feasible enough. However, they were just a more detailed version of what the Eye of Destiny had already said: "scoop it out and plug it up." The Star Spirit had simply elaborated a little and pointed him in a more specific direction.
’The first method... Eradicate it from Earth completely?’
’That was impossible before, but now...’
’If I use the "Starry Sky Specimen" treasure I just obtained, I could use my Spiritual Power to envelop the entire sea where the Unceasing Water is located. I could then collect it all into the "Starry Sky Specimen" crystal ball. Taking that crystal ball off Earth would count as removing the source. But the "Starry Sky Specimen" is unique. It requires a constant, massive drain on my Spiritual Power to maintain control over it, with no room for error. If my concentration slips for even a moment, whatever is inside will escape and return to its original location within three minutes.’
If he took it many light-years away, Shi Ming wasn’t sure if the water could still warp back.
’It’s worth a try.’
’As for the other method... using elemental counters to neutralize the energy.’
’Earth overcomes water.’
Shi Ming immediately thought of the Xirang Research Institute’s secret project: "Artificial Earth." Some time ago, he had revealed more intelligence to Da Yu, who had subsequently increased the institute’s research budget. Given their scientific capabilities and the direction he provided, they might be able to develop a viable solution.
The threat of the Unceasing Water wouldn’t be resolved overnight. There was still time.
He could pursue both paths at once—a two-pronged approach.
This gave Shi Ming a clear plan of action.
"Other wishes? I don’t have any for now."
"You can go back into the lamp."
Hearing this, the Star Spirit looked very disappointed. Her body once again dissolved into a viscous, liquid light and poured back into the oil lamp, which had reverted to its brand-new, ashtray-like shape. Then, all was still.
Shi Ming stored the Lamp of Wishes in his personal honeycomb.
He walked out of the Captain’s Space.
There was still much to do. He needed to study the Dark Star Race corpses and the [Grief] Origin. He had to discuss the "Skynet" incident with the other King-level Wandering Ship captains and bring this whole chaotic affair to a close. Then, he had to absorb the Space-Time and Life Holy Hall Origin, attempt to fuse it, and advance to the ranks of Great Fortune and Sun-Shooter. And after all that, maybe take a casual trip through the Star Sea...
He had to prioritize,
and tackle them one by one.
"Master, that mixed-race woman, the French-African one, seems to be waking up."
Ah Jian’s voice reported.
...
...
...
"When you wake up, you’ll be back in the place you’ve been dreaming of."
"It’s sure to be a surprise."
These were the words Rui Liang had said to Beyoncé after she entered hibernation.
As one of the humans chosen to serve the captain of Wandering Ship 001, she knew from long experience that the man who had spoken those words was anything but benevolent. He had a vicious, twisted sense of humor. That promise had become an inescapable nightmare during her deep hibernation. In her dreams, she saw countless terrible fates for Earth and Black Gold...
But now,
she realized she was awake.
The reality she had to face washed over her like a tidal wave.
Her breathing grew heavy.
Subconsciously, she was terrified to open her eyes. She had no idea what she was about to face. Her eyelashes fluttered, her eyelids twitched. Finally, she summoned her courage to face the "surprise" her "master" had promised.
A surprise...
The air was so fresh.
It carried the long-missed salty tang of the sea, a scent that was utterly invigorating.
The light was soft, too—not too bright, not too dim. It was nothing like the usual lighting on the *Nirvana*. Through the wall of the Hibernation Pod, she could even hear the gentle sound of ocean waves.
LAP, LAP,
It’s an old saying: the closer you get to home, the more anxious you become. For Beyoncé, this was doubly true.
She summoned her courage and opened her eyes.
There were no Dark Star Race faces. Instead, her vision was filled by the unfamiliar face of a young human man. She shifted her gaze and saw several other humans standing beside him, all wearing similar maritime suits. Their faces showed no negative emotions. Instead, they seemed... curious?
She opened her mouth to speak.
French, Arabic, English... it had been so long since she’d spoken them that they felt foreign. The words were stuck in her throat.
Instead, it was the young human standing before her who spoke first.
"You’re awake."
"Do you need them to help you attach your limbs?"
Shortly after leaving Black Gold, Beyoncé’s limbs had been replaced with metal prosthetics. The Dark Star Race’s technology greatly increased her adaptability and combat strength. But to Rui Liang, this was less a modification and more a twisted favor—a means of control. Without his permission, she couldn’t even possess the basic dignity of being human.
Her cold limbs had become a cage for her body and soul.
With the crew’s help, Beyoncé had her prosthetic limbs attached. She understood now that the young man before her must be the leader of this group, and that she was on a Wandering Ship. Though confused, she was too wary to ask questions. Surprisingly, the young leader didn’t seem eager to interrogate her either. He simply said:
"We can ask questions later."
"Feel free to walk around a bit. See if they’re fitted properly."
’Dragon Country People. The Dragon Country language.’
Since he wasn’t asking, Beyoncé couldn’t hold back any longer.
’Where’s Rui Liang? Where’s the *Nirvana*? Why did I wake up to unfamiliar people and an unfamiliar place? Given the nature of the Dark Star Race People, why would they ever hand me over to other humans?’
The observation cabin had its own exit leading directly to the deck.
Hesitantly, she walked toward the exit and stepped over the threshold onto the deck. The fresh sea breeze blew against her face and limbs, giving her a long-forgotten sense of reality.
At the sight of the ocean, tears instantly welled up and streamed from her eyes.
"This is a dream..."
Beyoncé mumbled incoherently, bracing herself against the cold doorframe.
"This is Earth, the Endless Ocean."
"Rui Liang is dead. ’Skynet’ has been destroyed. Commander Xivier of Black Gold will be here to pick you up soon."
"This isn’t a dream."
"You,"
"are free."
