"Hey, little brother!"
Lu Kun was quite proactive and enthusiastic, holding onto Fang Yu as he said with a smile, "This shipment is pretty simple, just transporting some grain. But if you could help deal with the Sand Crocodile problem, the island's association would give you a handsome reward."
Lu Kun had become very enthusiastic after his relationship with Fang Yu improved during this time.
The reason was simple.
It's never a bad thing to befriend an Extraordinary Captain.
Although the native inhabitants can also become extraordinary through the use of magic stones,
their growth rate is far behind that of Outer Realm Captains.
Lu Kun was well aware of this.
He could barely tell that Fang Yu and his crew hadn't been in this world for long.
Comparatively, Fang Yu's growth rate was much faster than the other Outer Realm Captains who arrived at the same time!
Generally, Outer Realm Captains like Fang Yu have very high potential for the future.
Establishing a connection while Fang Yu is still weak could be a top-tier resource once he grows.
As a businessman, Lu Kun was quite shrewd.
So, even though the chairman was away this time, Lu Kun still managed to find a good collaboration opportunity for Fang Yu.
Indeed, after hearing Lu Kun's words, Fang Yu maintained his composure on the outside but couldn't help praising Lu Kun internally as a great buddy.
This collaboration wasn't just a single task but a chain mission.
The rewards would be more generous than a single collaboration task.
This guy... is quite decent!
While satisfied internally, Fang Yu still asked carefully, "What's the situation? Why handle the Sand Crocodiles?"
"Little brother, here's the thing."
Lu Kun explained seriously: "On Nanyu Island, the Ji Clan Trading Association's partners established a pig farm there for pork production."
"But recently, a group of Sand Crocodiles appeared near the islands from who knows where."
"These crocodiles are about 3 to 5 meters long. Normally, an adult with a weapon wouldn't fear Sand Crocodiles."
"But these crocs are very crafty, waiting until no one's around to sneak ashore, biting down the pigs on the island and dragging them underwater to share among themselves, impossible to guard against, a considerable loss."
"The butcher we collaborated with has been troubled by this for a long time, planning to post a bounty to find a captain to deal with these Sand Crocodiles."
"I figured why let the opportunity slip away to outsiders; might as well hand this task to you guys!"
Hearing Lu Kun's words, Fang Yu suddenly understood.
The Ocean World differs from Blue Star.
This world is 90% ocean and only 10% land.
And of the land, about 4% consists of islands.
So, the planting and farming industries here often involve merchants contracting an island for production.
This model has its pros and cons.
The advantage is there's less worry about pests, viruses, or theft.
The downside is that many marine creatures near the islands can be attracted by the island's food, causing marine disasters.
So many contractors issue tasks to invite captains to solve these disasters and then settle the rewards.
"Alright, Mr. Lu, you're indeed a friend, getting me this task!"
Fang Yu's eyes lit up, and he quickly patted Lu Kun's shoulder warmly.
"Hey, it's nothing!"
Lu Kun glanced around, then lowered his voice, "The Ji Clan Trading Association recently has a sea mining project; that's the real prize."
"But..."
Lu Kun looked Fang Yu up and down, then said, "Whenever it involves mineral transportation, there are always pirates. It's not that I don't want to give you the contract; I just fear taking it might harm you."
"Sea mining?"
Fang Yu was tempted, eager to take the sea mining contract immediately.
But he understood that this needed a certain level!
At the Salted Fish's current level, they could barely handle ordinary gunfire.
But if the pirates bombard them, breaking through their shields, and several extraordinary figures board their ship to subdue the crew...
This was beyond Fang Yu's current capability.
"I understand! No rush, brother. When I'm a bit stronger, save it for me!"
"Don't worry, sea mining is measured in years, no rush for you, little brother."
Lu Kun smiled, his eyes narrowing.
...
"Gather up, load the cargo, and prepare to set sail!"
Fang Yu quickly summoned his crew in the Salted Fish's forum group.
Soon, six crew members stood neatly in front of Fang Yu.
Seeing the increasingly robust team, Fang Yu nodded and then navigated the ship to the Ji Clan Trading Association's port, where Lu Kun's men loaded boxes of pig feed onto the ship.
This time, with the assistance of the mechanical arms and increased manpower.
A total of 1380 tons of goods, which used to take a whole day,
now only took just over two hours to load fully.
The efficiency had improved by several levels.
Despite this, Fang Yu took the opportunity to visit the marketplace and spent his remaining copper coins.
A basic model handgun, holding a seven-bullet magazine.
The power wasn't great, but enough to kill creatures without extraordinary abilities.
The shop owner included 21 additional bullets besides the 7 in the magazine for Fang Yu.
More than sufficient.
After buying the gun, Fang Yu returned to the Salted Fish, where the crew, with the aid of the mechanical arms, had completed loading the cargo.
The ship visibly lowered, loaded with 1380 tons of goods.
"Why are you idling? Get on board, we're setting out!"
Fang Yu glanced at the three newly recruited crew members, seeing them frozen in place, and patted Luo Kuan's shoulder, urging them.
"C... Captain..."
Luo Kuan stammered, a bit confused:
"Is this task a collaboration task?!"
"Yes! Stop wasting time, get on board!"
Fang Yu glanced at the trio unfavorably.
What's going on? Why do these three act like naive kids who've never seen the world?
It's just a collaboration task. What's so strange about it?
"Holy crap!"
The three stared wide-eyed at each other, excitement flashing in their eyes, and without another word, they ran eagerly onto the ship.
This is lucrative!
Their first-ever cargo run, and it's a collaboration task?!
This would surely boost their level by two? Earn them two months' salary?
The three felt they were dreaming. To know, currently, about 80% of captains were still hauling general cargo.
The remaining 20%, those with good luck and ability, might handle special goods.
And here our captain is handling a collaboration task?!
The trio initially thought it was special goods until Ma nonchalantly boasted: "It's just an average collaboration task, chill out, don't act like you've never seen the world."
The three were shocked.
Indeed, they hadn't seen much... whose captain gets a collaboration task on their second cargo run?
Behind Captain Fang Yu, could there be some conglomerate?
The three couldn't help but scrutinize Fang Yu with curiosity. Yet, the other three veterans had long been accustomed.
Luu Yuan and the other two stood firm like old hands, gradually immune to Fang Yu's various peculiar strategies.
This is just the beginning.
During the voyage, there'll be more to astonish you!