From the start, Beidou's jar pulls had been exceptional, rivaling even Ningguang and Hu Tao's best hauls.
Now, it all came down to whether the remaining four jars would yield anything else of value.
Bang!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Beidou smashed the seventh jar.
Empty.
"So this is an empty jar?"
Seeing nothing fall out, Beidou nodded. It was bound to happen eventually.
"Haha, did I use up all my luck?"
She didn't mind. She laughed heartily and immediately smashed the eighth and ninth jars.
She had already secured a Zanpakutō. Even if the rest were dust, she was leaving a winner.
Bang.Bang.
From the shards of the eighth and ninth jars, two identical items fell out.
Two blue, fungal-looking organisms.
[Sea Ganoderma]: A special species that only grows on islands in certain specific sea regions. Although it looks like a fungus, it is actually a substance secreted by soft-bodied organisms.
"Two Sea Ganodermas," Beidou identified them instantly. She didn't need Felix to explain.
"Not bad. They make for decent ingredients."
She shrugged and moved to the tenth jar.
Even pulling common materials didn't dampen her mood. The sword alone was worth everything.
Bang!
The final jar shattered.
Something fell onto the counter with a metallic clatter.
It was a palm-sized model of a ship.
"Uh."
Beidou blinked. "Is this... a boat?"
It looked like a ship, but unlike any she had ever seen. The design was sleek, complex, and frankly... incredibly cool.
It looked far more advanced than The Alcor.
"It must be a ship, but I've never seen this style before."
"It looks mechanical. Is it just a model? It would look nice on a shelf."
"Probably just a decoration."
Qianyan, Furong, and Huixing crowded around, admiring the miniature vessel. It was undeniably high-quality.
But Felix looked at the "model" with a strange expression.
That was no ordinary toy.
[Steam Battleship]: Equipped with high-speed navigation capabilities and excellent maneuverability. It can conduct ocean operations unaffected by wind direction, wind speed, or currents. Its steam power also operates ammunition loading, water pumps, and lifeboat deployment. It will enlarge to full size when placed in the sea. Currently in miniaturized form.
"Shopkeeper, is this a model? Or a specific type of ship?"
Beidou picked up the tiny battleship, marveling at the intricate craftsmanship. It was beyond her comprehension.
"This is a Steam Battleship," Felix said calmly.
"Don't let its size fool you. This is only temporary. Once placed in the ocean, it will expand to its true size. Think of it as a vessel a tier above anything you currently sail."
"It has high-speed navigation and maneuverability, allowing it to sail regardless of wind or currents. Its steam engine powers everything from loading cannons to lowering lifeboats. You might not understand all the terms now, but you'll see when you put it in the water."
"What?!"
Beidou's jaw dropped.
This tiny toy wasn't a model? It was a real warship?
And "Steam Battleship"? The name alone sounded imposing.
She had heard the word "steam" before.
Legends spoke of a distant nation called Fontaine that used steam engines.
Once, while sailing, they had encountered an artist from Fontaine on a peculiar, fast-moving boat. The artist had been tight-lipped about her homeland, but Beidou remembered the strange machinery.
"Steam ship? I feel like I've heard that name somewhere..." Qianyan muttered, furrowing her brow.
"It was that artist from Fontaine!" Huixing snapped her fingers. "Remember? The Alcor met her years ago. She was on a raggedy boat that moved surprisingly fast. We helped her, and she mentioned 'steam ships' before she left."
"Oh, right!" Furong's eyes lit up. "I remember now!"
"Words can't do it justice," Felix interrupted their reminiscence. "Just put it in the water later."
"In terms of value, this ship is no less valuable than your Zanpakutō."
"Just as the Zanpakutō multiplied your personal combat power, this ship will multiply your naval power. Once you see it restored to full size, you'll understand."
This battleship represented a technological leap.
Just as Ningguang's finance book had elevated her economic warfare to a new level, this ship would elevate Beidou's dominance over the seas.
Currently, The Alcor was the pride of Liyue. But against a steam battleship? It was obsolete. Wood against steel. Sails against engines.
Felix could already imagine the look on Beidou's face when she saw the behemoth in the water.
"I understand."
Beidou nodded solemnly. She trusted Felix's assessment. If he said it rivaled the god-slayer sword, then this ship was a monster.
Phew.
Beidou exhaled a long breath.
"Ten jars today. And the harvest is incredible. I'll make sure to come back next week to continue opening jars."
She clenched her fist.
She rarely visited the harbor. But now? She would make it a mandatory weekly stop.
She had made a killing today.
A Death God's sword that multiplied her strength. And now, a ship that promised to revolutionize her fleet.
She couldn't even imagine how strong she would be with Bankai.
"I look forward to your patronage, Captain Beidou," Felix beamed.
Another loyal whale secured.
He checked his sales count. At this rate, he'd unlock the new Exclusive Jar by tomorrow. Excellent news.
"Shopkeeper! Shopkeeper! I want to open a jar too!"
Qianyan slammed 100,000 Mora onto the counter, unable to contain herself any longer. "Just one!"
Watching Beidou pull insane items made her envious. She wanted a cool weapon too!
"No problem." Felix smiled. "Pick one."
"That one!"
Qianyan pointed to a jar next to the empty spot where the Exquisite Jar had been.
Felix floated it over.
Qianyan smashed it immediately.
Bang!
A blue fungus fell out.
[Sea Ganoderma]
"Why this?!"
Qianyan's face collapsed.
No cool gadget. No magic sword. Just a mushroom she could pick off a beach for free.
"Looks like your luck isn't the best," Beidou chuckled, patting her quartermaster on the shoulder. "That's a 100,000 Mora mushroom."
She turned back to Felix, her expression turning inquisitive.
"Shopkeeper, may I ask... why open this shop?"
"The items inside these jars are incredible. You could easily keep them for yourself and rule the world. Why sell them? And why limit the sales?"
It was contradictory. The goods were too valuable to sell, yet he sold them cheap. But he also refused to sell more.
"To sell jars," Felix replied simply.
Beidou: "..."
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