After awakening her X-ray vision, the beautiful CEO couldn't sit still any longer.

Ye Tian raised his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on the commander:

"I learned an important piece of information through my personal secret channels."

Three days later, at the Golden Crescent underground black market auction, an ancient surveying tool, whose identity is not yet fully confirmed, will appear on the auction list.

The description is extremely vague, but it mentions key terms such as the material being neither gold nor jade, indicating an invisible anchor point, and resonating with the rhythms of the stars.

The commander's breathing paused almost imperceptibly for a moment, and his pupils contracted slightly again.

"Commander," Ye Tian's voice was even lower, but each word was clear and full of allure.

"If that thing is indeed related to the series of items we have, even if it is just a fragment or a replica, it may be our only chance to quickly obtain the map at present."

If we miss this opportunity, given the frequency and secrecy surrounding these items, who knows when we'll encounter them again?

And neither you nor I probably have unlimited time to wait.

He took a step forward, looking directly at the commander:

"We can represent you in the bidding. Or you can send someone with us."

This is currently the fastest possible way to achieve a breakthrough.

The laboratory fell into dead silence.

Only the faint hum of the instrument's operating current could be heard.

The commander stared at Ye Tian for a long time, his gaze complex and unfathomable.

There was doubt, but also a hint of being swayed by the possibility described by Ye Tian.

Finally, he spoke: "Is the source reliable?"

"I can only tell you that the source is absolutely reliable."

However, due to confidentiality agreements, I cannot disclose specific individuals or channels.

This concerns my future reputation and safety in certain circles.

Ye Tian's answer was firm and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

The commander remained silent for a moment, then suddenly turned around and whispered an order to one of his team members:

"Asking the boss for instructions, password: Deep Blue confirms."

The team member immediately removed the encrypted communication device he was carrying and began operating it.

Ye Tian and Wang Yuyan stood there, exchanging a silent glance.

A hint of impending success flashed in his eyes.

The communication ended approximately five minutes later.

The team member walked up to the commander, whispered a few words to him, and handed him a palm-sized encrypted tablet.

The commander quickly scanned the contents, his expression shifting between coldness and indignation.

Finally, he turned off the tablet and looked at Ye Tian again.

"The auction news has been preliminarily verified and is true."

The list does indeed contain an item of unknown origin with a similar description.

The time and place match what you described.

He paused, his tone extremely cautious:

"I can agree to let you leave the 'Deep Blue Echo' and go to the auction."

but......"

He held up three fingers: "First, we will accompany you."

A four-person team will protect your safety throughout the entire operation.

Any transactions you make must be conducted with their knowledge and consent.

The second finger: "Secondly, all the funds required for the auction will be advanced by you, Boss Ye."

I know you have the financial means. Regardless of whether you win the bid or not, you must report all expenses in detail.

If the bid is successful, the item must be handed over to us for research immediately.

The third finger: "Third, all additional troubles, whether it's local law enforcement, gangs, or other competitors who might covet the item, will be handled by our people."

You only need to focus on identification and bidding.

His gaze, like a tangible shackle, fell upon Ye Tian and Wang Yuyan:

"Remember, in this collaboration, you are the implementers, and we are the regulators."

Any actions that exceed the scope of the task, or any attempt to convey information beyond the scope of the mission itself…

He didn't finish his sentence, but the unspoken threat was more chilling than any words could convey.

Ye Tian and Wang Yuyan exchanged a glance, both seeing the same meaning in each other's eyes—the opportunity had arrived.

Once they reach land, that's their territory.

These people have something to rely on at sea, so it's not convenient for them to use force, but it's a different story on land.

How things should be done is entirely up to Ye Tian!

"We understand." Ye Tian nodded. "When do we depart?"

"We'll be leaving in two hours. Pack your things, only bring the essentials."

"Someone will take you to get your equipment and handover." After saying this, the commander turned and strode away.

A subtle smile bloomed on Wang Yuyan's face as she tightly gripped Ye Tian's arm.

"They agreed, we succeeded!"

Ye Tian nodded slightly, walked to the window, and looked at the sea outside that was gradually brightening.

A streamlined speedboat was being slowly lowered into the water from the side of the "Deep Blue Echo" by a crane, its black hull reflecting a cold metallic luster in the morning light.

Two hours later, Ye Tian and Wang Yuyan changed into casual clothes that were easy to move in, and each carried a small equipment bag.

Standing beside them were four men, also dressed in plain clothes, but exuding a sharp and cold aura.

The four men had sharp eyes, were taciturn, and moved with perfect coordination, clearly indicating that they were highly trained special personnel.

The leader, codenamed "Lynx," handed Ye Tian an electronic ticket and identification.

"Wharf A-17, Sea Breeze Fast Ferry. Estimated journey time: 14 hours. Arrival at Golden Crescent Free Port tomorrow morning."

The lynx's voice was flat and even. "Follow my instructions along the way. Now, let's go."

Like an arrow released from a bow, the speedboat cut through the azure sea and sped off in a southeast direction.

Looking back, the massive silhouette of the "Deep Blue Echo" gradually shrank in the field of vision, eventually becoming a dark silhouette between the sea and the sky.

Like a silent steel behemoth, it lies dormant beneath the sunlight and waves.

The speedboat left a long white trail in its wake.

Ye Tian sat in the swaying cabin, feeling the sea breeze rushing towards him.

He turned his head and looked at Wang Yuyan, who was also looking back beside him.

Under the cover of the engine roar and the howling wind, he lowered his voice and spoke quickly in a volume that only the two of them could hear:

"I have already told Sun that we will meet at the Golden Crescent."

After the auction ends, let's find a chance to slip away and head to the mountain mineral ruins together.

It only takes a day to travel from the Golden Crescent to the mineral deposits.

"I understand, honey. At an auction, there are many people and opportunities that can be fleeting."

I'll figure out a way to get the message to our Wang family's friends.

Our royal family has many trustworthy friends throughout the major ports, and the Golden Crescent is no exception.

As one of the four major families in Jiangcheng, the Wang family's power is naturally not to be underestimated.

Ye Tian held Wang Yuyan's hand and nodded gently.

Their gazes fell upon the gradually blurring horizon as the speedboat cleaved through the waves, leaving the deep blue ocean behind.

The Golden Crescent is the port in China closest to Southeast Asia. It is a complex place where prospectors of different skin colors gather.

It is both a paradise for secretive gray market traders and the most brutal battlefield for the flow of money and exotic treasures.

At this moment, crimson clouds are slowly spreading from the horizon.