Chapter 250

Chapter 250

As the food truck searched for domain anomalies according to the 'Duke's List,' the three physical food stores simultaneously announced a message: the store owner invited qualified individuals to jointly attack the 'Bird Island' domain.

The conditions were as follows: "high-ranking officials" and "children under fourteen years old" among humans, who also possessed the ability to independently clear mid-level domain anomalies.

Those who met the criteria were asked to arrive at 'Bird Island' by a certain date, with specific details to be discussed upon meeting.

This was an announcement from the store owner. Think about the last task they issued—it was the juvenile boss of the Gate City, which directly advanced the progress by nearly five percent!

The students were ambitious, especially with the support of the special foods from the food stores, making them fearless. They immediately began inquiring about 'Bird Island' and contacted local governments to obtain the 'high-ranking official' buff.

There was no mention of the origin or exact location of 'Bird Island.' After all, 'Bird Island' was just a code name, and it had a formal name.

To gather at 'Bird Island,' one first needed to know which island it referred to and its location, and then be able to cross the sea.

In this era of severed transportation and difficult information access, investigating a small island known only to a few and located far out at sea was no easy task. Crossing the sea was even more challenging.

This was precisely why Ji Xinghai did not provide detailed information about 'Bird Island.' If someone couldn't even figure out what 'Bird Island' was, they were not qualified to participate. Even if they found out but couldn't make it, they were still not capable enough.

The screening process began right after the announcement.

"Quite lively," Ji Xinghai remarked, observing the students' enthusiasm.

Although everyone had been quite active before, that activity was often aimless. Now, they had a clear goal and motivation.

The food stores' revenue skyrocketed, thanks not only to new customers from the Sky Garden but also the students working tirelessly, almost treating the special foods as medicine.

Thus, within a short time, Ji Xinghai had gathered enough funds to upgrade the Sky Garden: "Confirm upgrade."

With a swoosh, millions of Anomaly Coins vanished, and the entire floating 'Sky Garden' was enveloped in golden light.

After the glow faded, the simple wooden tables and chairs transformed into beautifully designed walnut wood furniture, adorned with lace tablecloths. The carpets upgraded from plain jute-like ones to patterned wool-like ones, yet the patterns remained subtle, complementing the walnut wood furniture perfectly.

"The utensils have changed too, from basic white porcelain to gold-rimmed bone china. It looks like we could raise prices."

However, Ji Xinghai wasn't that cunning, so he didn't increase the prices.

The seating capacity increased from 268 to 388, and the coverage area expanded from 1,500 kilometers to 2,000 kilometers.

Only during the moment of upgrade could he enjoy the joy of management, but such happiness was fleeting. Looking at his meager balance, Ji Xinghai dejectedly put away the mini model.

Now, he just needed another ship. The Duke's list included anomalous ships, mostly ancient ones from legends, with only two modern ones.

"A large cruise ship from the Geff family, carrying many high-ranking officials and celebrities from that country, disappeared during a storm in a certain year and month, leaving no trace of life or death. However, during the early stages of the White Fog Era, this cruise ship reappeared, with all passengers intact.

"This news went viral online, with rumors suggesting it had entered an alternate dimension where people thought only a few days had passed, but in reality, several years had gone by. Later, this legendary cruise ship became a domain anomaly."

Ji Xinghai paused here and commented to Qin Yu beside him, "Could it be that all the anomalies on board came through the White Fog? But now it is confirmed to be a mobile domain anomaly. Let's see the next one."

The other ship had a fairy tale quality, known as the 'Goddess of Fortune Fishing Boat.'

As a deep-sea fishing boat, it discovered three sunken treasure sites and once caught a large group of rare fish believed to be extinct.

Additionally, it survived several dangerous storms and a tsunami caused by an underwater earthquake, as well as a tornado, always escaping unscathed.

Gradually, it became known as the 'Goddess of Fortune Fishing Boat' among the common folk.

"During the White Fog Era, someone encountered it. It is said that it approaches those who fall into the sea. Those chosen by it will return to land with a bountiful catch, while those not chosen will remain at sea forever, becoming sea ghosts." Ji Xinghai read quickly, his mouth agape in surprise.

"Only those with incredible luck can pass? Being unlucky is bad enough, but being mocked by a ship?"

Thinking about it made him angry for those unfortunate souls.

"I want both ships," Ji Xinghai clapped his hands, "one for fishing, one for leisure."

Qin Yu immediately locked onto their locations and identified the conditions to trigger the domains: "Following this route will enter the trigger range of the Goddess of Fortune Fishing Boat. Engaging in purely luck-based games within its domain will trigger it."

"Let's go."

"Beep beep." The food truck received the signal, its wheels turning, and it started moving.

Crushing the anomalies that approached, the food truck finally reached the coast.

Unlike the land, the sky over the sea floated with only a few thin patches of mist, formed by sea ship domain anomalies, drifting above.

"Wow!" After seeing the dull fog for so long, suddenly seeing such vast skies and seas, even Ji Xinghai couldn't help running down from the food truck, racing along the concrete path by the shore.

The concrete path, cracked and covered by greenery due to years of plant growth, was surrounded by buildings and cars also overtaken by plants, presenting a world abandoned by humans but still teeming with life.

Especially when the sunlight fell unobstructed on his body, it felt like a baptism from the sun, lifting the invisible weight of hopelessness from his heart.

"Ah Qin, want to play rock-paper-scissors?"

Qin Yu nodded and extended his hand.

"Rock-paper-scissors!"

Qin Yu chose scissors, while Ji Xinghai chose rock. However, with the sea breeze blowing, nothing changed.

"...," Ji Xinghai slowly covered his face, "I subconsciously adjusted my hand from paper to rock in the fastest time possible. I probably used a bit of skill, so it doesn't count as a pure luck game." Top cancer is like this; even in a game, one wants to be first.

A question mark appeared above Qin Yu's head.

Could rock-paper-scissors involve skill?

"Because when we choose our gestures, our minds already decide. So even if you're choosing rock, your fingers will move differently in preparation. Seeing this allows me to predict your choice and respond accordingly." It sounds simple, but it requires quick eyes and hands.

"Although we failed, it shows that any use of skill will be detected and deemed invalid. Truly a game for the lucky."

Not exactly unlucky, but not particularly lucky either, Ji Xinghai looked at his hand: If he lost in the end, he would violently dismantle the ship, making it understand that "luck is nothing before strength." If he won, he would pretend he never said anything.

"Just now doesn't count; let's play again, this time with our eyes closed."

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

The moment they threw their hands, the atmosphere around them changed. Sure enough, when they opened their eyes, they were no longer on the shore but on a 6,000-ton ocean-going fishing vessel. The hull was deep blue, and the white structures in the middle were where the crew originally lived and rested.

This ship was 134 meters long, with a gross tonnage of 6,083 and a carrying capacity of 6,799 tons. It was a refrigerated fishing vessel using a cold bridge structure.

"What should we do next?"

As soon as he spoke, a rule popped up:

Dear passengers, congratulations on boarding the legendary Lady Luck. For the next two hours, please compete with our crew in fishing. The one with the higher total value of fish catches wins. Fishing rods, hooks, bait, and other tools can be used freely.

As soon as the rule was announced, a faceless sailor appeared beside them, holding a fishing rod.

Simultaneously, the previously calm sea began to churn, and the fishing boat started to sway. Various types of fish appeared in the water. The fish were so dense that several could be caught with each hook, yet the two standing on the deck fell silent, their faces turning pale.

Ji Xinghai: ...

Cheaters.

What about comparing luck?

"Since you're playing this way, don't blame me," Ji Xinghai, feeling targeted, decided to use his 'Ji-style fishing method.'

He set up a fixed stand, placed the fishing rod, and skipped the bait, leaving only an iron hook hanging in the water. Then, after warming up, Ji Xinghai jumped into the sea. Even sharks with big white teeth were no match for him; he knocked out one fish after another with a single punch.

However, since sharks weren't valuable, he released them after knocking them unconscious. He focused on the bluefin tuna instead.

Bluefin tuna are large, and it's impossible to catch them with ordinary hooks. So Ji Xinghai gently knocked them unconscious, hung them on the hook, climbed back onto the boat, and scooped them up with a net.

The faceless sailor nearby stared at the bluefin tuna Ji Xinghai had 'fished' using unconventional methods. Even without seeing his face, one could feel his shock.

"You're cheating," a muffled voice carried by the wind said.

"Your hook, your fish, your hook caught your fish, and then I scooped them up. Is there a problem? If you ask why the fish bite when I jump in, it's because of good luck," Ji Xinghai smiled.

How could it be considered cheating? At most, he exploited a loophole in the rules, a loophole created by the domain's overconfidence. Because the churning seawater formed countless undercurrents, and many dangerous creatures lurked within—great white sharks were relatively mild compared to venomous sea snakes and jellyfish. A slight misstep could mean staying here forever. They didn't anticipate someone jumping in and coming back alive.

Not only did he come back, but he continued to jump in and climb out repeatedly.

Ji Xinghai did just that, jumping in and climbing out, filling the front deck with bluefin tuna in less than half an hour. The massive fishing vessel swayed violently, trying to shake off the fish.

But Ji Xinghai was prepared, and the tuna were secured with harpoons, lined up neatly on the deck.

In the end, the Lady Luck fishing vessel couldn't match Ji Xinghai. Once the competition results came out, it reluctantly prepared to send him back, even giving him all the bluefin tuna hanging there to bleed out.

However, while it was ready to part ways, Ji Xinghai wasn't.

In that moment of distraction, the seawater formed a giant fish mouth and swallowed the entire fishing vessel whole.

Ji Xinghai and the pile of bluefin tuna reappeared on the previous shore. Not long after emerging from the water, the bluefin tuna lay scattered on the ground, their scales shining brightly.

"You have defeated the S-class anomaly 'Lady Luck.' Do you want to bind it as an employee of the Magic Food House?"

"No."

Ji Xinghai chose to consume it, making it appear in the Book of Gluttony: "This is a fishing vessel, not as comfortable as a cruise ship and unsuitable for transforming into a food vessel. Besides, we don't need two ships, so there's no need to bind it as an employee."

He rarely explained himself to others. Although no substantial changes had occurred, Ji Xinghai was indeed proving something through his actions.

Qin Yu already felt the joy of being specially cared for.

"I wonder what it will be like in the secondary ledger. Will it become a fishing spot for sea angling?"

After many days, it was time to report safety to the folks back home.

"Although they can't see the situation here through live broadcasts, receiving gifts lets them know everything is fine, which gives them peace of mind. However, I suspect the time flow rates are different. Here, months might pass, while only days go by there, so sending signals every two months should suffice."

Qin Yu nodded.

With his decision approved, Ji Xinghai became more enthusiastic: "Even if it were bound as an employee, it probably wouldn't produce any delicious dishes. It looks like it has no taste. Most likely, it would serve bluefin tuna sushi, maybe with an annoying setting where good luck gets you the fatty belly, and bad luck gets you the tail end..."

The tasteless Lady Luck fishing vessel: ...

The two walked and talked, enjoying a great atmosphere. Only the poor Lady Luck, which lost its bluefin tuna, its ship, and its reputation.