Apocalyptic Flood: Sexy Beauty Neighbor's Midnight Plea for Food Chapter 1211 - 549: Redemption Price

A slight smile touched Liang Yuan's lips; everyone present was an adult, and the two individuals had already understood their predicament after his subtle reminder.

He let out a soft chuckle, "There's no need to rush. Let's address the current matter first."

"Please, proceed," Xu Haoyang responded promptly.

Liang Yuan stated, "Gentlemen, I have successfully refined the Heart Core of this Floating Island. By logical deduction, shouldn't all the resources found on this island be considered mine?"

Both Xu Haoyang and Ma Gaoxuan were taken aback by his words.

Xu Haoyang immediately replied, "Naturally. Having refined the Floating Island Core, you are unequivocally the master of this Floating Island, and consequently, all its resources rightfully belong to you."

Ma Gaoxuan chimed in, "That is indeed how it should be."

Liang Yuan's smile widened, "Then, by that same logic, shouldn't anything you two have previously taken from here be returned to its rightful owner?"

The breaths of Xu Haoyang and Ma Gaoxuan hitched simultaneously.

The full implication of Liang Yuan's statement finally dawned upon them.

While they hadn't secured the Heart Core, they had managed to extract a considerable quantity of Blood Crystals using their Spatial Equipment.

These Blood Crystals, upon their return, would be instrumental in cultivating a significant number of experts within the Dark Attribute Genetic Species!

It became abundantly clear that Liang Yuan had been anticipating their actions and waiting for them here.

The two men took a deep, steadying breath, realizing they were left with no viable alternatives.

Now, like fish laid out on a cutting board, they could only resign themselves to their fate.

Xu Haoyang stated, "Mr. Liang, you are absolutely correct. I did indeed excavate some Blood Crystals from this location earlier, and upon our departure, I will certainly return them to their owner."

Ma Gaoxuan echoed softly, "That is as it should be."

Liang Yuan chuckled, "Both of you are sensible individuals, which certainly simplifies matters."

"Let us continue. There exists no prior animosity or obligation between us, yet you both now seek my assistance for rescue. Should there not be some form of recompense for this endeavor?"

"Do you two concur with my assessment?"

A wave of confusion washed over Xu Haoyang and Ma Gaoxuan's minds.

They thought, *You've refined the Heart Core of this Floating Island; expelling us from it should be a trivial act. Does this simple act still warrant compensation?*

However, they found themselves in a position where they had no means to refuse.

Everyone understood that there was no such thing as a free lunch.

When one person extends a helping hand, it is an act of kindness; when they choose not to, it remains their prerogative.

The principle that age alone does not entitle one to special treatment, like a seat on a bus, was a universally acknowledged truth.

This fundamental understanding, even in the mundane world before the apocalyptic flood, was widely recognized.

Back then, people were increasingly resistant to moralistic coercion, and in the aftermath of the great flood, the very foundation of societal morality had completely eroded.

Xu Haoyang hesitated only for a moment before making his decision.

"Mr. Liang, please state your terms."

Ma Gaoxuan sighed, "What is it that Mr. Liang desires?"

Liang Yuan smiled, "We can discuss potential alliances at a later juncture; for now, let us focus on your immediate survival. How many Superpower Stones do you believe your lives are worth?"

"Set a price yourselves; I shall accept whatever amount you deem appropriate."

Liang Yuan was not particularly concerned with the specifics of any alliance conditions.

He mused, *Are alliances truly forged merely through conversation?*

Even written agreements on parchment often proved unreliable.

Only when two forces possessed comparable strength did they truly hold the right to forge alliances.

As one's strength grew, numerous parties would naturally seek to establish connections.

Xu Haoyang seemed mentally prepared for such a demand and immediately responded, "Mr. Liang, I believe my life holds significant value. However, I did not bring an excessive amount of Superpower Stones on this expedition. My ship carries over 6,000 Superpower Stones of various attributes, all of which I shall gladly present to Mr. Liang as compensation for your rescue. What are your thoughts on this offer?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Yuan burst into laughter, "Brother Xu demonstrates remarkable directness. Very well, one ship along with all its Superpower Stones – it is a deal."

Xu Haoyang was momentarily taken aback, "Ah? A ship?"

"What is it, Brother Xu? Is your life not worth a ship and those 6,000 Superpower Stones?"

Xu Haoyang fell silent, a familiar phrase echoing in his mind: *Why ask for a bike when you're offered a whole car?*

"Haha, Mr. Liang is quite right. It is merely a ship; Brother Xu shall present it to Mr. Liang."

Liang Yuan chuckled again before turning his attention to Ma Gaoxuan, "And what about you, Brother Ma?"

Ma Gaoxuan let out a bitter laugh, realizing that his escape from this situation would indeed come at a steep price.

He could only concede, "Mr. Liang, I too possess a ship carrying nearly seven to eight thousand Superpower Stones. These shall all be bestowed upon Mr. Liang as my 'gratitude' for preserving my life."

Both men understood that this was effectively a ransom.

Liang Yuan laughed heartily, "It is truly no trouble at all, a mere flick of the wrist. Given your immense generosity, I find myself unable to refuse. Thus, it is settled."

"I shall personally escort both of you out."

With those words, Liang Yuan made a sweeping gesture, tearing open a rift in space.

Xu Haoyang and Ma Gaoxuan were instantly filled with elation, feeling the revitalizing energy of the outside world surge into the enclosed space.

At this critical moment, Deng Ze suddenly lunged forward, attempting to be the first to escape through the newly opened fissure.

However, Liang Yuan observed this move and let out a cold snort, "Did I grant you permission to leave?"

He bellowed ferociously, and an immensely terrifying surge of Spiritual Power erupted instantaneously.

Buzz!

A collective groan erupted from the three individuals present simultaneously.

Even Xu Haoyang and Ma Gaoxuan felt the jarring effect of the Spirit Shock, their heads throbbing with intense pain!

Liang Yuan's eyes glinted as he stealthily implanted three Parasite Species into their consciousness realms.

Deng Ze cried out in sheer agony, targeted by Liang Yuan's particular focus.

With a gentle pat on their shoulders, Liang Yuan addressed Xu Haoyang and Ma Gaoxuan, stating, "Gentlemen, you are free to depart."

Bang! Bang!

Their bodies were propelled outwards uncontrollably, hurtling through the rift and clear of the Shadow World.

Liang Yuan moved swiftly, following them out.

Inside the receding Shadow World, the temporal rift began to seal itself. Deng Ze shrieked in panic,

Neither of them desired to remain with the individual who had, in essence, betrayed them.

Xu Haoyang brought his clasped fists together and declared, "Mr. Liang, please be at ease. Upon my return to Baoshan, the vessel and the Superpower Stones shall be dispatched to Yangshan."

Ma Gaoxuan chimed in with a similar assurance, "Fir Valley will also uphold its agreement."

Liang Yuan let out a soft chuckle, responding, "I have faith in both of you, but my current financial situation is rather strained. I would appreciate it if you didn't make me wait excessively long."

With evident reluctance, the two men nodded, pledging their commitment to deliver within the span of a fortnight.

Following this, they made a swift departure from the Floating Island at the Abyssal Mouth.

As Liang Yuan observed their retreat, a smile touched his lips, unconcerned about any potential breach of their promises.

His foremost concern was to make haste back to Yangshan.

The reasoning was simple: should the temperature continue its downward trend and the surface of the water begin to freeze, the Floating Island would become trapped in its current location.

It was imperative for him to depart before the river's surface succumbed to the ice.

"Let me ascertain my current position," he murmured to himself.

Liang Yuan needed to confirm his bearings to effectively steer the Floating Island toward Yangshan.

His method for verifying their location was both straightforward and direct.

Were there no discernible landmarks on the surface? Then he would venture beneath the waves!

While Xu Haoyang and Ma Gaoxuan lacked the capacity for underwater survival, Liang Yuan possessed this very ability.

With a resounding "Splash!", he plunged into the water, immediately registering the frigid embrace of the floodwaters, which had reached a temperature perilously close to freezing, threatening to form ice at any moment.

Swiftly, Liang Yuan descended and propelled himself underwater.

Surveying his immediate surroundings, his gaze fell upon a forest submerged beneath layers of mud, as well as a highway stretching nearby.

A sense of helplessness washed over him; this area was undeniably on the outskirts, devoid of any striking architectural features.

Liang Yuan commenced a rapid swim along the course of the unearthed highway.

After covering approximately ten kilometers underwater, a service area, situated adjacent to the highway, came into view ahead.

Craning his neck to look upward, he observed the name of the service area, obscured by a thick growth of algae and encrusted shells.

"Chengyang Service Area"! This inscription met his gaze.

Liang Yuan was taken aback, a wave of profound astonishment washing over him.

"Chengyang? How could the Floating Island have drifted all the way here?"

The Chengyang Service Area was situated within Chengyang City, a locale belonging to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River region.

Its geographical position lay even further southeast of Linjiang, requiring passage through several additional cities downstream.

Liang Yuan had never imagined that, within the brief span of just one month, this Floating Island would traverse hundreds of kilometers, effectively crossing provincial boundaries!