Chapter 99 The First Signs of War

Xia Li was somewhat incredulous when she received Chen Qing's message.

Is the situation in Treasure Sea really that chaotic right now?

First, there was the mad Delugu mechanical family using humans to concoct medicine; then, there was a mechanic who defied the ironclad orders of the Mechanical Association and secretly entered the mechanical ruins to study the mechanical creations inside.

She hasn't been back to Treasure Sea for only a year, and the Mechanical Association has already deteriorated to this extent?

All those mechanics are dead, right?

This was the first time Xia Li had ever been so angry, and at the same time, she felt powerless.

Outsiders may not know, but surely those within the Mechanical Engineering Association are aware?

Just how terrifying are the things inside the mechanical ruins!

They must have gone to great lengths to reseal the mechanical ruins.

The entire Mechanical Association has regressed in strength by at least a hundred years!

Qu Sizhen's teacher also died in that disaster.

Xia Li originally planned to stay on Sapphire Island for another year, but given the current situation, she couldn't stay even a minute longer.

She packed her bags at lightning speed, called over a few other mechanics, and said goodbye to Marzaan. Marzaan, who had no idea what had happened, didn't even have a chance to ask them to stay.

Shirley came to inform Marzaan, not to discuss it with her.

Soon, an inconspicuous little boat left Sapphire Island and headed for Emerald Island.

Chen Qing on Emerald Island is making a copy of the blueprint. The original was meant for Xia Li, but the copy can also be used.

Keeping this blueprint in Chen Qing's possession is definitely a ticking time bomb, and it will explode very soon.

Chen Qing wanted to keep the blueprint, but didn't want to get involved in the dispute too early. The best solution would be to bring in a third party to muddy the waters.

The Mechanical Association is undoubtedly the best choice, and it doesn't matter if her guess is wrong or if the blueprint came from the Mechanical Association.

A power that commands all mechanics must have more than one voice within it.

A Grade A blueprint indicates a significant matter.

Even if the Mechanical Engineering Association were to unify their guns and point them at Chen Qing, Chen Qing wouldn't be afraid.

The worst-case scenario is that they would flip the table, expose the mechanical ruins, and completely muddy the waters.

Dangerous treasures are something that pirates, hunters, and adventure groups would all be very interested in.

The Mechanical Association couldn't kill Chen Qing silently; they would need to carefully consider his value before attempting to kill him.

Not long after Chen Qing finished copying the blueprints, Xia Li and her group arrived at Emerald Island. Without alerting anyone or any force, they quietly boarded Chen Qing's ship.

The super-powered vines reported this news to Chen Qing. When Chen Qing came out, he saw a group of mechanics from different factions, their faces full of worry and their anger blazing.

However, they still forced a smile at Chen Qing.

"Thank you for your help again."

Qu Sizhen tugged at the corners of her mouth, revealing a smile that was more like a grimace.

"It's alright, these are the blueprints. The person who sold me the items was a broker named Sea Urchin."

"But he's not the one who stole the blueprints. The real thief is probably in great danger now."

This was a big deal, so Chen Qing said a few more words.

Xia Li nodded, took the blueprints from Chen Qing, her face terribly gloomy.

This isn't directed at Chen Qing, but at the group from the Mechanics Association.

"I'll give you materials and supplies in exchange for your payment. Things are going to get very chaotic."

"This thing is extremely dangerous."

Xia Li subtly reminded Chen Qing, knowing that Chen Qing must have kept the copy.

Although Chen Qing is a clear-headed and reliable person, she has a gambler's madness at heart.

This can be seen from the matter of Dahlia and the fortifications.

Xia Li couldn't help but worry. It was true that Chen Qing was very talented, but once this thing was created, it wouldn't be something Chen Qing could handle.

Having mechanical talent is useless; you need strong combat power, at least at the level of a dragon above.

"I see."

Chen Qing understood Xia Li's warning and reminder, warning her not to try this drawing casually.

Remind her... The entire Treasure Sea is about to descend into chaos, and this chaos will inevitably affect other sea areas, dragging them into the mess.

The deep blue sea has never been a peaceful place.

The impact of war is undoubtedly terrifying.

Prices soared, order collapsed, and human life was treated like dirt.

Xia Li looked at Chen Qing in front of her and sighed softly in her heart.

For them, war was a nightmare, but for young people like Chen Qing, it was an opportunity.

War is a great furnace that tempers people; only the truly strong can survive.

I'll let you know if there's any news.

Xia Li nodded slightly to Chen Qing and left with the other mechanics.

They came in a hurry, and they left in a hurry.

When one cockroach appears in your home, countless others are likely lurking in the shadows.

It seems that war will break out soon.

However, this is not something Chen Qing can decide.

Even without Chen Qing, there would have been Zhang Qing or Li Qing; things would have come to a head sooner or later.

Early detection gives us more time to prepare.

Chen Qing gazed at the night sky, where a raging storm raged outside the fortifications.

She also needs to start preparing as soon as possible, in all aspects.

Gem events are the best time for her to accumulate initial capital, as war is extremely expensive.

Chen Qing dislikes war and has no intention of directly participating in it, but once war breaks out, some things are beyond one's control.

All she could do was ensure that she had the strength to protect herself during the war, and it was time to start preparing for the military factory.

Not only war machines, but also provisions, medicines, various auxiliary machinery, ...

The original blank plan now needs to be filled with new details.

Turning away from her gaze, Chen Qing went back to her studio.

She had decided to agree to the request from the gem hunters; she needed the distribution map they had.

Compared to war, what are their little problems?

Only high-quality gemstones can fetch high prices, and Chen Qing needs a large amount of funds to prepare supplies.

...

Having not slept all night, Chen Qing sat in the restaurant, already having an idea for the mechanical prosthetics of those gem hunters.

It's not a big problem.

Chen Qing has already drawn the draft drawings; more detailed drawings need to be discussed with them.

After breakfast, before Chen Qing even disembarked, he saw the same group of gem hunters squatting on the dock, who also looked like they hadn't slept all night.

The moment they saw Chen Qing, they looked at her like hungry wolves eyeing prey, filled with anticipation, fearing that her answer would be the one they least wanted.

"Come on up."

Upon hearing Chen Qing's words, their eyes lit up instantly, and they almost burst into tears.

Although Chen Qing was prepared to agree to their terms, he was determined to lower their demands.

She was broke, extremely poor, and had a huge financial shortfall, with debts accumulating in her pocket.