"but!"

"I, Heka Shanlan, can guarantee that if you team up with me, you will be unstoppable and take first place!"

"Our Hecka family doesn't want the first-place prize, but you can accept it all!"

"Furthermore, because of this cooperation, our Heca family will also establish a good trade relationship with the [Cloud Dragon King]... What do you think?"

The voice on the other end of the phone was warm and gentle, as it spoke in a leisurely manner.

Anyone who heard that would be tempted.

pity...

Zheng Hao decisively shook his head: "Sorry... I already have a partner to choose from!"

"Who?! Who is it?!"

"The Collins family? Did those women trade you for SS-class ship girls?! Or the Rael family? Their beast ships are completely unsuitable as teammates!"

Upon hearing that Zheng Hao had found a partner, Heka Shanlan immediately became anxious.

The gentle voice disappeared, replaced by a sarcastic remark that belittled others.

There's nothing I can do about it~

Zheng Hao is too strong!

He's so powerful that everyone who's seen his videos is afraid this monster might create some kind of "ship skill" on the spot!

"Well..."

"Neither..."

"I think you'll know who I chose on the day of the competition..."

"you!!!"

"......"

The voice on the phone gradually fell silent.

After a long silence, Zheng Hao muttered boredly, "Anything else? If not, I'm hanging up!"

"Wait a minute..."

"My apologies. Since you've already chosen your companions, I'd like to treat you to a meal before the competition! After all, my younger sister mentioned that you took good care of her in the [Shaking Spider Forest]..."

The gentle voice came again, and Zheng Hao smiled: "Forget about dinner. If you're interested, tell me about your opponents in this competition..."

"this..."

"What? It won't work?"

"It's not impossible. Since you're curious, I'll just say a few words."

"As you know, the [Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain - Team Tournament] has always been hosted by the [Tasius Family]. Their family is the most prestigious in the noble circles, so the [Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain - Team Tournament] is the most important honor tournament for every family!"

"You may not know how much our families value honor!"

"You could say that..."

"Winning the [Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain - Team Competition] championship brings more honor to the family than making it into the top three in the world championship!"

"Oh~"

"No wonder you all want to win..."

Zheng Hao felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this.

These guys are just like those nobles of the past who hunted for the sake of the aristocratic circle.

Even the most prestigious hunting competitions outside the circle, no matter how world-class, don't bring the same prestige as the top spot in their aristocratic private tournament.

"What a group of people who care so much about saving face..."

He muttered something under his breath.

On the other end of the phone, Heka Shanlan sounded as if she were flipping through something, the rustling of books opening and closing echoing through the room: "This competition isn't just about family factions; many [Ship Girl Families] are also eyeing it..."

"Therefore, you should know even better what this first place means..."

Get to the point!

"The teams I know of participating this time are: [Shipping Association] Yun Yang and Yang Fan. The [Shipping Association] doesn't seem to care about this competition; they've only sent Yun Yang, and Yang Fan is practically a mini-Karami..."

"Next, I heard that Hai Yi, the son of the [Sea King], seems to have teamed up with Zhou Zhong, the son of the [Mountain King]. This team should not be underestimated!"

"If you don't team up with me, then the third team, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will be a powerful alliance between our [Heca family's] [Bullet Ship] and the [Rayle family's] [Beast Ship]!"

"......"

A rather proud voice came over, and Zheng Hao shook his head upon hearing it.

Not a buddy?

You were the one who just criticized the "Beast Ship," and now you're praising it too!

"The fourth team..."

"That's the Collins family's 'Spring Ship,' and I heard it's piloted by the eldest son of 'Sea King,' who recently returned from his disappearance. Since his return, he's been very secretive, and for this competition, he didn't team up with any other family, reportedly instead partnering with the 'Mithril Ship'..."

"This team... is probably the most threatening team in this match..."

When Heca Shanlan mentioned Hai Wuliang, his tone became noticeably serious.

The protagonist is the protagonist; even before appearing on screen, he puts pressure on the supporting characters.

"oh?"

"Any other teams besides these?"

"It's gone!"

"Besides these four teams, I don't think other smaller families would dare to come up! Of course... if your fifth team were involved, it would probably be quite formidable..."

"Wow, you really know how to compliment people!"

"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up!"

"Won't you reconsider? We..."

"Beep beep beep~"

Before Heca Shanlan could say anything more, Zheng Hao hung up the phone, his eyes darting around.

"This is incredible..."

"This is terrible..."

"The struggle for the crown prince position, the power struggle within families... this competition, I estimate..."

He was muttering to himself when suddenly his eye twitched.

Because of the sudden sound of running water coming from the direction of the bathroom...