Ling Tian Sword God

If the pirate group were to rob us, then it would mean more than just losing some escort fees.

The probability of encountering pirates is like winning a lottery; no one can guarantee absolute safety, and the higher the value of the transported goods, the greater the chance of encountering pirates.

”Bright Moon Tower is hiring experts, Grand Master level two hundred people, each person 10,000 taels of Heavenly Origin Pills, Sky Apex Realm ten people, each 600 Spirit Nurturing Pills, the higher the ability, the higher the reward, with no upper limit.”

The prices offered by other forces were high enough, but the prices of Bright Moon Tower were one or two tenths higher than theirs, and the intentional recruitment of Top Sky Apex Strong without an upper limit also highlighted Bright Moon Tower’s wealth and power.

”Randomly recruiting ten Top Sky Apex Strong, deserving of Bright Moon Tower.”

”What can be done? Bright Moon Tower is Donghua Port’s largest chamber of commerce, rich and powerful. Their maritime trade is extensive. At the same time, Bright Moon Tower’s merchant fleet is also the Blood Wolf Pirate Group’s number one target. They have to be cautious, recruit more experts, and prepare for contingencies.”

Everyone was talking about it.

”Count me in.”

”I just wanted to go overseas for an adventure; joining Bright Moon Tower’s merchant fleet is a good choice.”

The people who came to this street were all strong, with the weakest having Cultivation of Grand Master level, and the highest reaching the Seventh or Eighth Heaven of Sky Apex Realm. Such experts are quite famous throughout Xuzhou. Originally, everyone was still considering the offers, but when Bright Moon Tower announced their prices, one-third of the people rushed over.

Soon, the quota for Grand Master at Bright Moon Tower was full, and they recruited eight Top Sky Apex Strong, but Bright Moon Tower was still not satisfied. As the Blood Wolf Pirate Group’s primary target, this trip was of great significance, and without enough strength, they could easily be massacred.

Their previous fleet was attacked by the Blood Wolf Pirate Group, suffering heavy losses, and all accompanying experts died. So this time, they must be fully prepared, or it would be better not to depart at all.

”Leader, we have been recruiting for half the day, and are short two spots. It might be difficult to find suitable candidates quickly. It’s better to depart now; missing two people shouldn’t have that big of an impact.”

A square-faced middle-aged man in his thirties spoke next to the Bright Moon Tower merchant fleet leader.

”No, it’s better to delay than to lack escorts. Otherwise, if the Blood Wolf Pirate Group succeeds again, they will only become more arrogant.”

The leader of the Bright Moon Tower merchant fleet was an elder with graying hair. He appeared very steady and conservative, waving his hand as he spoke.

”But if we delay too long, there might be unexpected problems. There could be Blood Wolf Pirate Group spies in Donghua Port, and if they find out we are about to set sail, they will only prepare more thoroughly. It could be disadvantageous for us,” said another Top Sky Apex Strong.

The merchant fleet leader nodded, acknowledging the valid point. After considering for a moment, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes, as if he made a decision. ”Alright, then we’ll wait one more hour. If no one comes in one hour, we’ll depart on time!”

If no one shows up, there’s nothing more that can be done.

”I heard you’re hiring escorts for a sea trip?”

At this moment, a figure suddenly walked over, causing the eyes of several people from Bright Moon Tower to suddenly brighten. The newcomer was a young man, just over twenty, seemingly a swordsman. Despite his young appearance, the aura he exuded was genuinely that of a Top Sky Apex Strong.

”That’s right!”

The merchant fleet leader’s face lit up with a smile. ”Welcome, young brother. How much are you looking for in terms of reward?”

Ling Chen bowed his head in contemplation for a moment, then said, ”One thousand Spirit Nurturing Pills.”

”Kid, aren’t you asking for too much?”

Ling Chen’s proposition made the square-faced man beside the merchant fleet leader’s face darken. An ordinary Top Sky Apex Strong receives 600 Spirit Nurturing Pills; other merchant fleets offer even less, yet Ling Chen directly asked for a thousand. If that’s not asking for too much, then what is?

”Is that a lot?”

Ling Chen was a bit puzzled, wondering if he really did ask for too much.

”I actually think his price is quite reasonable.”

At this time, a female voice suddenly interrupted, leaving Ling Chen slightly surprised. When he turned and glanced over, he saw a young woman in blue had appeared at some unknown time and was walking forward.

”It’s you.”

Ling Chen was taken aback. This blue-clad woman was precisely the person he had previously encountered in Dongcang City, a talented genius named Lan Xingling.

”Miss Lan!”

The expert from Bright Moon Tower seemed to recognize Lan Xingling, and upon seeing her, their expressions immediately became serious, clearly startled by her presence.

”The young lady?”

Ling Chen looked at Lan Xingling. ”From the Lan Family in Xuzhou, so Miss Lan is a descendant of the Saint Family.”

The largest family in Xuzhou is the Ling Family, followed by the Lan Family, which is also a thousand-year-old family with deep heritage and significant influence within the Imperial Court.

”Indeed, I am from the Lan Family; there’s nothing to hide about it, unlike some people who are cautious and use aliases,” Lan Xingling said with a faint smile.

”Ha,” Ling Chen chuckled, ”Hiding indeed isn’t good. However, I did tell you my real name last time we met, without any deceit.”

”Is that so?”

Lan Xingling clearly did not fully trust Ling Chen; this person was too guarded.

”So you two know each other, that’s great. Since you come recommended by Miss Lan, there should be no problem. One thousand Spirit Nurturing Pills, deal.”

The merchant fleet leader smiled pleasantly. Normally, he wouldn’t offer Ling Chen such a high reward, but Lan Xingling’s influence was significant, so he went along with it, doing a favor for this prominent lady of the Lan Family. What’s a few Spirit Nurturing Pills anyway?

”Count me as one of the escorts. I’ll take the same reward as Brother Wuchen.”

Lan Xingling said to the merchant fleet leader and others from Bright Moon Tower.

”Great, welcome, welcome!”

The merchant fleet leader was all smiles. He knew Lan Xingling’s capabilities very well; she was the leading figure of the young generation in the Lan Family, ranking twelfth on the Hidden Dragon List’s northern standings, with impressive strength. With her around, even if the Blood Wolf Pirate Group’s leader, Lu Yuanzhi, personally appeared, he would be unafraid.

As for this young man, if he could gain the favor of Miss Lan, he likely wasn’t an ordinary person. Even if he turned out to be subpar, having Lan Xingling around was enough.

However, the others’ gazes towards Ling Chen were not so friendly, and some even felt displeasure. To them, Ling Chen’s strength seemed ordinary, a nobody receiving higher compensation than them. Of course, they felt unbalanced.

This guy managed to get in purely through Lan Xingling’s connections, essentially making him seem like a freeloader.

Ling Chen found these thoughts both amusing and frustrating, but he didn’t mind. The opinions of the weak were of no concern.