Chapter 39: Flood (Extra Chapter, Please Keep Reading)

“Space rings?”

Hearing Jiang Chen’s question, Jia Yi did not answer immediately. Instead, he asked in return, “Why are you asking about this? The equipment and wealth of the strong are very private matters!”

“I want to borrow some space rings to help me transport a batch of goods,” Jiang Chen stated his request bluntly. “I’m preparing to establish an industrial base in South America, but the materials needed are too numerous for transport planes alone to handle.”

“Space rings are definitely out of the question. As for other factions, I can’t say, but I’ll be straightforward with you: our country has only obtained three space rings, all standard size—ten meters in length, width, and height. One is with me, one is with Councilor Zhou, and the last was exchanged by you. As for other factions, even if they have any, they wouldn’t tell you, let alone lend them. For the construction you want, you’ll need a lot of materials; three space rings won’t be enough,” Jia Yi shook his head, refusing Jiang Chen’s request without hesitation.

Three space rings could transport at most ten or twenty thousand tons of materials at a time. If the cargo is bulky and low-density, perhaps only a few hundred tons per trip.

With over a million tons of materials, how many trips would it take? It’s simply unrealistic.

As for probing what equipment or wealth other strong individuals possess, such taboo matters, Jia Yi would never do.

“What about issuing a reward?” Jiang Chen pressed, unwilling to give up. “I won’t actively investigate who owns space rings. I’ll just issue a reward, offer a high price, and anyone willing to help can approach me on their own. That shouldn’t be crossing any lines, right?”

Jia Yi thought for a moment, then nodded slightly. “I can help you spread the word, but whether it works out, I can’t guarantee. I suspect it’ll be difficult.”

He paused, adding, “Space-type items must come from ancient civilization ruins. Ordinary martial artists simply can’t obtain them, so there’s no need to issue a public reward. I’ll directly contact the major factions for you, and I’ll also post a reward internally at the Temple of the War God.”

“Thank you, Councilor Jia Yi.” Jiang Chen asked a few more questions, confirmed the terms and rewards for borrowing space rings, and entrusted Jia Yi with the task of spreading the reward before leaving the virtual space and returning to reality.

“If possible, it’s still best to build the base in South America. As far as resource output goes, aside from territory already occupied by factions, only Australia and South America have abundant resources, and Australia is off the table. South America is nearly the only option…”

Thinking over his next steps, Jiang Chen bit his lip lightly. “If all else fails, I’ll build a large transport plane myself!”

Among the system’s blueprints, transport plane designs are certainly not lacking.

There are even several spaceship blueprints.

With Jiang Chen’s knowledge, he could exchange for a design capable of large-scale transportation right now.

But such a build—whether a transport plane for planetary use or a spaceship capable of short-range space flight—would consume astonishing amounts of resources and time.

Even the most economical plan would cost trillions and take at least half a year.

If he waited half a year, Luo Feng would already be out of the ruins.

If waiting that long is necessary, he might as well wait for Luo Feng to obtain the inheritance from Meteor Star, then guide him to Ruin No. 12 to acquire the ‘Black Dragon Mountain x81’ spaceship, and borrow it for a while.

After wrestling with the decision for a while, Jiang Chen resolved to wait a bit longer.

At least, he’d see if anyone would actually bring a high-capacity space ring to help “deliver packages” in response to Jia Yi’s reward.

Several days later, Jiang Chen received an unexpected message.

Hong, founder of the Extreme Martial Arts School and Earth’s strongest man, wanted to meet Jiang Chen.

After some hesitation, Jiang Chen told Jia Yi, who had delivered the message, “If it’s at Jiangnan Base City, or in virtual space, I’ll agree.”

Hong rarely left his own Hong Ning Base City, except for major events.

Even when meeting others, he would have them summoned to Hong Ning Base City to pay him a visit.

As Earth’s strongest, Hong had the status to demand that.

But Jiang Chen had no intention of humbling himself before anyone, no matter how much stronger that person might be.

Seeing Jiang Chen’s firm stance, Jia Yi did not argue, simply relaying the message. Soon, Jiang Chen received a reply: Hong agreed to meet in virtual space.

—

In the virtual space, in a reception room.

Jiang Chen met Hong, a man dressed in black training clothes, looking quite ordinary.

But those eyes gave Jiang Chen significant pressure.

The weak wouldn’t sense it at all.

Yet, for those above planetary level, the stronger they were, the more they could feel the terrifying aura faintly emanating from Hong.

“Jiang Chen?” Hong gestured for him to sit. “I’ve wanted to meet you for some time. Unfortunately, you aren’t a member of my Extreme Martial Arts School, so I couldn’t invite you to Hong Ning Base City. Please, sit.”

“Greetings, First Speaker.” Jiang Chen nodded slightly, sitting opposite Hong.

“I heard you want to borrow a high-capacity space ring,” Hong went straight to the point. “The space ring you need, I don’t have it, but I can help borrow one for you. Length 185 meters, width 167 meters, height 56 meters—a space ring of this size is equivalent to over a thousand ordinary ones. It should be more than enough.”

“A space ring that large?”

Jiang Chen did some quick calculations, his heart leaping with joy.

Such a ring could hold as much as seventeen hundred standard ten-meter space rings.

Even given the astonishing quantity of goods Jiang Chen had to transport, two trips would suffice.

He could even bring extra materials along.

Jiang Chen was eager, almost impatient. “First Speaker, what price must I pay to borrow this space ring? As for time… I only need two round trips to South America. If we hurry, I can return it within a day.”

Earth had no shortage of ultra-fast fighter jets, and with Jiang Chen’s ties to the military, borrowing one would be easy.

If they pushed the schedule, with no rest, two round trips in a day were entirely possible.

“This space ring doesn’t belong to me, so I must answer to its owner. My people will accompany you, and the ring will be operated by them. That’s the condition for lending it. If you’re unwilling, then forget it,” Hong stated his first requirement.

Jiang Chen barely hesitated before agreeing.

The materials Jiang Chen needed to transport were valuable, but with Hong’s status and wealth, ordinary resources were hardly tempting.

And with Hong’s people accompanying him, safety was assured. If a formidable monster appeared, Jiang Chen could rely on Hong to handle it.

“No problem,” Jiang Chen replied immediately.

“As for the fee…” Hong looked at Jiang Chen, a slightly strange smile on his face. “Jiang Chen, you’ve received an inheritance from an ancient civilization’s ruins, haven’t you?”