Goblin Dependency

Although the goods plundered by the pirates were valuable to most ordinary people, they were merely a drop in the bucket compared to Aurie’s wealth, not worth mentioning.

However, doing nothing would greatly affect his future development in the Southern Islands.

If just any group of pirates can snatch his goods without any retaliation, how will Aurie survive in these seas in the future?

It would only lead to him being considered a fat sheep with riches and bones licked clean.

This is also why he added "teach the Ebbtide Gang and pirates a lesson" as an extra condition in his commission.

But the value of the goods was ultimately limited, and hiring an elite adventurer team like the Sword of Vengeance would cost more than the goods themselves.

Therefore, he entrusted the task to the Iron Rock Shield Team, which was relatively ordinary in both team size and combat strength.

As for the temporary addition of Xia Nan...

It was mainly because Xia Nan had shown interest in his collection, and while he was willing to invest in this potential adventurer, he also wanted to test the "Haiya" reputation.

The result exceeded Aurie’s expectations.

Because Xia Nan took slower time on the return journey, needing to accompany islanders saved from Wildberry Cliff, and the islanders spread the news as they returned to their hometown.

The incident at Wildberry Cliff reached Suo Yu Bay even before Xia Nan and the others.

Aurie specifically sought confirmation from the accompanying crew last night.

The news completely exceeded his expectations.

Although he wanted to teach the Ebbtide Gang a lesson, honestly, Aurie originally thought of just killing a few lower-level professionals and causing some damage at their outpost outside Suo Yu Bay.

Even the Iron Rock Shield Team’s previous plan of killing some ordinary gang members blocking the way and bringing back the goods would have been enough to complete the mission.

Nothing like Xia Nan’s thorough massacre of the entire upper echelon, including many leaders and executives, was expected.

At this moment, Aurie paused in his thoughts.

His gaze turned to the young black-haired man sitting on the opposite sofa, seemingly deep in thought, sipping tea slowly.

His eyes swept over Xia Nan’s good equipment, and he subconsciously remembered the origins of the "Haiya" title, the now-historic "Corner Shark Gang."

Aurie secretly increased his regard for Xia Nan.

On the way, passing a dessert shop, the sweet milky scent wafting out aroused strong cravings in Xia Nan, who hadn’t had breakfast and returned from training that morning, bringing the goods with him.

He thought about visiting the dessert shop after concluding business later.

Suddenly, he sensed the gaze from ahead and realized he had spaced out a bit.

Maintaining his composure, Xia Nan placed the teacup back on the table and said seriously:

"The mission duty, it is what I should do."

"Additionally, regarding your supplemental request to ’teach the Ebbtide Gang a lesson,’ I have already completed it."

"With your detailed channels, I imagine it would not be difficult to verify."

"Indeed!" Aurie nodded, having detected another layer of meaning from the young man’s words.

Since the commission was complete, it was time to settle the related remuneration.

"Clap, clap."

Having prepared in advance.

The elegant collector merely clapped lightly, and the parlor door slowly opened.

A man in his forties, dressed in a butler’s uniform, entered the room, steadily carrying an oak tray cushioned with soft silk.

The transparent glass cover that should have encased it had been removed, and the deep gray bracelet named [Proof of Diligence] lay silently on the silk.

Without speaking a word.

The butler carefully placed the item on the table and respectfully exited the room.

"I may not have clarified this bracelet’s specific effects that day."

"Besides boosting stamina recovery speed, it also reduces energy consumption during training and helps the wearer easily enter a focused state while training."

Aurie had deliberately concealed this while testing Xia Nan, but now that the latter had passed the test, there was no need to hide it anymore.

He straightforwardly shared the unique effects he identified on the bracelet, to avoid any potential misunderstandings later.

Regarding this, Xia Nan’s face remained expressionless, responding normally but feeling a stir inside.

He had suspected Aurie’s concealment while reviewing that day, with his keen perception.

However, he hadn’t expected that this reputable collector at Suo Yu Bay had still not identified all of [Proof of Diligence]’s effects.

It should be known, this equipment’s attribute panel still held two crucial, quality level affecting special effects.

These were the bracelet’s "+33% training efficiency (when training duration exceeds 180 minutes)";

And the "+50% skillful combat skill level acquisition speed" from the bracelet accessory [Shadow Dust].

Was it another test or an oversight?

Xia Nan controlled his facial expression well, maintaining a calm exterior while pondering internally.

Unaware of the young adventurer’s internal musings, Aurie continued:

"Although this bracelet doesn’t enhance actual combat strength, its special effect to improve training efficiency and its type as ’accessories’ ensure its value is much higher than equipment tools of the same quality level."

"Regarding this, you’re no newcomer, so you should understand clearly."

Indeed, as Aurie said, even if he hadn’t discovered [Proof of Diligence]’s key attributes, just the mentioned effects were enough to sell the bracelet for an unimaginably high price at the Auction House.

Xia Nan nodded slightly, indicating for Aurie to continue.

"Originally, as a rare collectible, I didn’t intend to put it on the shelf."

Since he had agreed to sell it to Xia Nan, Aurie emphasized the bracelet’s rarity, to maximize the favor he intended to leave.

"But since you completed the commission, I won’t go back on my word."

"It’s just that the price might be a bit higher."

As long as he’s willing to sell it, everything else can be discussed.

Upon seeing the [Proof of Diligence] attribute panel, Xia Nan perceived it as a must-have item for himself without a second thought.

The price could be steep, but if Aurie wasn’t willing to sell, that would be another matter.

He considered how much gold he currently possessed. Xia Nan intended to inquire about the price, but just then, Aurie shifted the conversation towards the spoils of his mission.

"To be honest, before you arrived, I had already sent people to investigate Wildberry Cliff’s situation."

"I heard... the Ebbtide Gang’s leader, ’Carrion Vulture’ Gerry, was also on the island at the time, right?"

Xia Nan nodded, "And some Sha Hua Fishmen."

"How was the harvest?"

"Quite reasonable. Besides some odds and ends, mainly brought back two pirate ships and three enchanted equipment of decent quality."

"If you don’t mind, regarding those three pieces of enchanted equipment, would it be possible to..."

Understanding his intention, and because the items were meant for sale at the adventurer association anyway, there was no need to hide it.

Xia Nan pointed to the crate brought over with the goods alongside the sofa.

"Everything is in there, take a look yourself."

Aurie stood up, brought the crate to the table.

Carefully opened it.

The first thing he saw was a heavy tower shield reflecting a metallic sheen.

An inexplicable familiarity arose in his heart, as if he’d seen it somewhere before, causing Aurie to pause in his gaze.

Then, as he recalled, a subtle change came over Aurie’s facial expression.