Ocean Lords: Start Harvesting Double from Dice Rolls Chapter 697 - 345: The Strange Essence Feast

"Unable to sign?"

Fang Yu's eyes narrowed, a profound gaze falling upon Chang Dong. He softly mused to himself.

"I do apologize, but we aren't facing an immediate crisis these next few days, are we?"

The man before him, Chang Dong, deepened the pleasant expression on his face and spoke gently, "The war won't erupt in the coming days. Once the boss returns, we shall finalize the contract, and then we can proceed with supplying the front lines as planned."

"I understand!"

Chang Dong abruptly stood, then addressed Fang Yu with sincerity, "Captain Fang Yu, the Essence Feast will halt external resource sales and cease store operations. All current stock will be accumulated. Upon the boss's return, this inventory can be dispatched to the front line punctually."

"While I may lack the authority to sign the contract, I can certainly arrange for the temporary closure of stores due to market conditions!"

Chang Dong conveyed this with a look of earnestness towards Fang Yu.

Observing Chang Dong's demeanor, Fang Yu felt a peculiar sense of inquisitiveness stirring within him.

What was truly occupying the mind of this seemingly astute middle-aged man at this very moment?

If he had no intention of signing the contract, why would he go to such lengths as to close stores and stockpile for war?

Yet, if he was indeed inclined to sign, Fang Yu found it difficult to believe that a market director of his caliber would act without first securing official approval.

Furthermore, the successful establishment, expansion, and operation of Essence Feast on the South Island Continent were all predicated upon the old man's policy of governance—a policy championing unrestricted commercial development.

The old man's allowance for resource trading was intended to position Essence Feast as a strategic military supply reserve prior to the South Island military system's engagement in conflict.

By all logical accounts, both the proprietor of Essence Feast and Chang Dong, the market director, should grasp their company's designated role. At such a critical juncture, they ought to lend unwavering support to the South Island military system; so why the hesitation...?

Doubts began to cloud Fang Yu's mind. He perceived a multitude of oddities surrounding the Essence Feast company, rendering him unable to ascertain their true intentions for the moment.

Initially, his intention was for Essence Feast to provide him with a preferential channel, enabling him to acquire resources at a reduced cost, thereby facilitating his smooth ascension to the Extraordinary Ship.

However, Fang Yu now harbored reservations.

He was uncertain of Essence Feast's stance and was unwilling to grant them any leverage over him.

After all, the military discipline committee had explicit regulations: any soldier representing the military system in cooperative discussions who exploited their position for personal gain would face punitive measures from the committee.

Even with the old man's backing, Fang Yu was disinclined to place the old man in an awkward position or tarnish his reputation for this very reason.

Had Essence Feast's attitude been clear, positive, and proactive, Fang Yu would have felt no concern. A mutual understanding would have been established, and no irregularities would have arisen.

But now, with Essence Feast maintaining an ambiguous posture, Fang Yu remained unsure of their precise alignment or whether hidden complexities remained undiscovered. Consequently, he dared not readily hand Chang Dong ammunition against him.

With these thoughts crystallizing, Fang Yu fixed a profound gaze upon Chang Dong before rising and addressing him:

"In that case, Director Chang, could you provide me with a timeframe? When may I come to finalize the contract with Essence Feast?"

Upon hearing Fang Yu's inquiry, Chang Dong promptly responded, "Four days!"

"The personnel I've dispatched will be able to return to Nanhui City within four days, carrying the boss's directive. At that juncture, with the boss's endorsement, I can formally execute the agreement with Lieutenant Colonel Fang Yu."

"Four days?" Fang Yu nodded slightly, contemplating that within this four-day interval, the Lanyun Sea Country was unlikely to initiate sudden aggressive actions. Following the unification of the northern and southern political systems, Sovereign Lanyun would undoubtedly require additional time for consolidation.

This period would encompass subsequent preparations for conflict—a process that could not be concluded within a mere four days.

If the waiting period was confined to just four days, then it was undeniably feasible for him to abide by it.

With this resolution in mind, Fang Yu nodded and stated directly, "Very well, I shall depart for now. In four days, I will return to meet with Director Chang!"

"Would Lieutenant Colonel Fang Yu care for a cup of tea before his departure? This is a premium tea from the West Qinghai Sea Region, possessing a particularly rich flavor..."

"There is no need!"

Fang Yu declined with a shake of his head, showing no inclination to linger. He pushed open the door and proceeded towards the entrance.

Just as he opened the door, Fang Yu experienced a sudden internal jolt.

This tea... is it indeed from the West Qinghai Sea Region?

...

As Fang Yu ambled along the path, a thoughtful expression was etched on his face, his mind continuously replaying the peculiar events of the day.

The perplexing neutrality adopted by the Essence Feast Company.

The precise replication of the actual hall within the illusionary setup.

And... the tea originating from the West Qinghai Sea Region!

Fang Yu distinctly recalled Yan Yu mentioning yesterday that their benefactor possessed the distinct aura of a Spiritualist from the West Qinghai Sea Region.

Despite the Spiritualist system's diminished prominence, many terrestrial security and military organizations still actively recruited cultivators from its ranks.

This was due to the unique terrestrial advantages offered by the Spiritualist system in managing unforeseen crises.

Consequently, Spiritualist cultivators could be found not just within the West Qinghai Sea Region, but also across other continents and maritime nations.

Thus, upon encountering Spiritualists, Fang Yu did not immediately link them to the West Qinghai Sea Region.

However, given Yan Yu's pointed reminder, it was evident that Yan Yu had identified the individual behind these events as a Spiritualist hailing from the West Cyan Continent.

West Cyan Continent...

Although Fang Yu had never set foot there himself, his past encounters with the West Qinghai Sea Region were quite substantial.