After telling the girl everything he had seen and heard along the way, the latter crossed her arms and assumed a thoughtful expression.

Just as he was getting a bit distracted, Xu Xiaoyou's voice alerted him.

"Can you say again how you managed to leave the company headquarters?"

Lin Xing was taken aback and instinctively said, "The company's headquarters center has a Dark Star Energy Gathering Engine, which serves as the power source for the operations of R'lyeh. It's also a one-way teleportation gate for the company's ships to other Nest Cities. When I was cornered with no way out, I piloted the floating ship and rammed into that engine tower..."

As Lin Xing spoke, he realized the logical contradictions in his words; the escape process had been too perilous, and it was only now that he started to comprehend.

"You're saying you went to the company headquarters, hijacked the department head right under the Celestial Eye, and during your escape, found yourself cornered again, forcing the floating ship through the only exit not heavily guarded?"

Lin Xing fell silent.

"Are you suggesting someone was stirring things up behind the scenes?"

Although it sounded absurd, Xu Xiaoyou was considering the information in Lin Xing's words. If Jade 1 wasn't killed by the Puppet Master but by someone eliminating a rival and framing Yorick...

If it was merely internal company conflict, she wouldn't be interested. However, the Forbidden Object Hundred-Section Whip Yorick was carrying had intricate ties to her.

Could this matter be related to Diamond 9?

"Next, I plan to return to the company once more." Lin Xing's voice interrupted Xu Xiaoyou's thoughts.

"Find one escape not thrilling enough?"

"No." Lin Xing's slightly weathered gaze deepened, suddenly revealing a few hawk-like sharpness.

"This time, it's for revenge. Revenge for my brother, and revenge for myself."

"All suffering originates from the company, and I shall repay it double."

"As for these matters, Miss Xu, you are the only one who knows besides me."

As Lin Xing spoke, he slowly turned around, his gray-black long robe fluttering in the wind. He cast a final glance at the girl behind him.

"I am currently wanted by the company. If you wish, you can use my information for the bounty."

"But the next time we meet, we'll be enemies."

After finishing, the young man slowly walked away, disappearing amidst the golden shadows of light.

The sky was scattered with white clouds, the harbor's sea breeze gently blowing, the shimmering sea surface flickering, seabirds soaring across the sky, a few cries echoing from afar.

Xu Xiaoyou helplessly spread her hands:

"How come it sounds like I'm some kind of villain? I could never do something so heartless."

At five in the afternoon, seeing the golden-haired girl sitting by the window in the café, gazing out at the distant dock as dock workers loaded cargo, Tang Xin came in dragging a suitcase.

"What are you daydreaming about?"

"Nothing, just thinking about some things," Xu Xiaoyou replied.

In the end, she didn't betray Lin Xing, although she admitted feeling a slight temptation at the sight of the exorbitant bounty worth billions of credit points.

This also made her curious about what kind of trouble Lin Xing had caused at the company headquarters for them to spare no expense in pursuing him.

At that moment, there was some commotion at the port.

Xu Xiaoyou got up, took the suitcase from Tang Xin's hand, and walked towards the café's door:

"Let's go, my superstar, the cruise ship has arrived."

...

Under the clear sky, the cruise ship's horn echoed from afar, its long whistle breaking the noon quiet of the port, spreading all the way from the distant harbor.

Tightly fitted ship's hull parted the sea surface; tens of thousands of tons made the massive entity's entry into the port appear like a mountain rising from the ground, casting a shadow over the dock workers loading cargo. Looking up, even the Stars in the sky paled in comparison before this ocean sovereign.

With the heavy ship horn sounding, the cruise ship docked at the port, the sea surface shimmering with fine golden glimmers gently swaying, wide white waves lapping the shore, the long Deep Blue Sea Path disappearing amidst the cresting waves, startled seabirds flying towards the sky, turning into small black dots.

The Dream of the Ocean cruise ship, 220 meters long, 12 stories high, 43 meters wide, accommodating 600 rooms, equipped with hundreds of square meters of restaurants, clubs, opera houses, cafés, gyms, medical centers, beauty salons, etc., all on board, like a moving ocean city.

Perennially sailing at sea, it also serves as a mobile ocean monitoring station, periodically measuring oceanographic data 3,000 nautical miles away from the Star of Art to ensure no high-risk absurdities are born in the waters near the Star of Art.

Every year after winter hunting, family youngsters choose a date for a social gala aboard the cruise ship, usually when various entertainment programs gather on the Vacation Island for filming, for the noble youngsters to enjoy leisure time on the island.

"Blocking the way, can't you see?"

On the boarding deck, silhouettes passed by. Behind came a peculiar voice, Xu Xiaoyou turned her head to see a young man whose skin was paler than hers, looking at her arrogantly.

He was followed by a bunch of photographers, makeup artists, fashion designers, looking as if they were traveling with their families. At first glance, the young man seemed familiar, like a second-tier heartthrob that a media company had recently spent a fortune promoting.

Seeing the girl expressionlessly looking at him, the heartthrob, feeling humiliated, was about to say something when his manager, keen-eyed, recognized the golden-haired girl, hurriedly wiped sweat from her forehead and dashed forward to apologize:

"Sorry, Miss Xu, for the trouble, please don't take it to heart, I'll be sure to criticize him."

Seeing his always-respected manager sister speaking in a good-tempered manner to the golden-haired girl, the heartthrob immediately realized he'd made trouble and fell silent.

Xu Xiaoyou merely chuckled, walked to the young man with his head lowered, patted his shoulder, and said nothing.

After she left, the heartthrob was still standing there, lost and forlorn.

Entering the ship cabin, the bright light suddenly dimmed, taking Xu Xiaoyou some time to adapt. Walking through luxurious corridors with goose-down carpets, every few meters there were artworks framed in gilded frames passing by.

Tang Xin needed to prepare for the family banquet on the ship tonight, she asked the company's makeup artist to take Tang Xin onboard first, otherwise, with her current popularity, her presence would likely draw all the 'wows' that would drown her.

Xu Xiaoyou observed her surroundings, aside from family youngsters, media company celebrities, and staff, there were scattered tourists around. On the deck, she spotted students from Starry Arts Academy, appearing to be members of the student council.

A young man's figure caught her attention at that moment; his sunny face showed a strained expression as he continuously declined invitations from surrounding girls. Finally, after entering the cabin, his face quickly darkened as he walked away.

Lancelot, Xu Xiaoyou's heart stirred.

Why would the student council members be here at this time?

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