Ninety-five percent of this planet’s surface was covered by water; land accounted for only five percent, and of that, four percent was polar ice caps. True landmass was left at just one percent, mostly scattered as archipelagos dotting the boundless ocean.

The Jushou landed on the largest of these islands, spanning about fifty thousand square kilometers. This island served as the nexus for a massive cluster of thousands of smaller islands scattered around it like scattered stars.

In the large clearing where the Jushou rested, over five hundred various types of spacecraft were parked, spaced widely apart. Around the ships milled creatures of bizarre and diverse forms, engaged in actions that Yang Ying could either understand or not at all.

Yang Ying observed that near the spacecraft closest to the Jushou, several beings with slick, brightly colored skin, resembling giant worms, were directing dozens of Octopods in moving crates onto their vessel. A little further off, several other differently styled ships were doing the same; clearly, they were resupplying, preparing for a new leg of their journey.

Yang Ying turned his gaze the other way and spotted a vessel styled like a 'Star Singer' craft not far away. A young woman with skin like polished silver was perched on its bow, her feet dangling in the air, singing to the sky, seemingly undisturbed by everything around her.

The Octopods led the way, guiding Yang Ying and his party into a flat, hovering vehicle. Along the route, the Octopod introduced the island’s features—local customs, points of sale for specialty products, and so on.

“Do you moonlight as a tour guide too?” Yang Ying asked, impressed by the guide's articulate and well-prepared delivery, which clearly indicated a deep familiarity with the surroundings.

“Indeed, I do. I am Pipinav, a top-tier broker, ready to offer our esteemed guest full-spectrum service.” The Octopod bowed low, projecting an air of deference, yet his tone betrayed a certain…

“If our esteemed guest requires a guide, they must be intending to visit the Ba’ant Great Market. I have worked on this island for twenty rotational cycles and know every merchant, even the newest ones, like the back of my own tentacle. I know what each sells, the going rate, and their trustworthiness—it’s all stored in my mind. Furthermore, my integrity is the highest among all surrounding Ba’ant people. If you doubt me, wait until we arrive; you can ask anyone you meet.”

Yang Ying nodded. Pipinav’s unsolicited pitch certainly sounded honest. “Very well, you’re hired.”

Pipinav flashed an octopus-like smile. “You will not be disappointed.”

The hovercraft traveled a few kilometers to a large, disc-shaped building from which beings of various species entered and exited continuously.

The group disembarked. Yang Ying inquired, “What is this place?”

“This is where we service incoming and outgoing travelers; all landing slot rentals are processed here,” Pipinav replied. “Moreover, Ba’ant is a Class Two public supply planet. Immigration requires some paperwork, unlike unregulated private supply planets, yet it is far less cumbersome than the Class One supply planets established by higher civilizations. Rest assured, esteemed guest, the procedures are very simple and will be completed quickly.”

As they talked, they entered the circular structure. The first thing that caught Yang Ying’s eye was a hall vast enough for an indoor soccer match. The lighting inside was excellent, bright, and the structure was clean and uncluttered, immediately conveying a sense of comfort and order.

Hundreds of aliens from various civilizations were processing their documentation in the hall.

With a broker like Pipinav familiar with all the procedures, Yang Ying gladly delegated most tasks to him. Pipinav proved highly efficient; in just fifteen minutes, the entry permits and landing clearance procedures were finalized. Yang Ying only needed to present his Star Singer Ring and swipe it at the payment terminal.

Once these formalities were complete, Yang Ying asked Pipinav, “Can you take us to the market now?”

“Yes, yes,” Pipinav nodded repeatedly. “I will take the esteemed guest to the island’s great market immediately.”

Leaving the circular building, Pipinav secured another flight vehicle to carry Yang Ying’s party toward the main market on the island.

En route, Yang Ying observed the scenery below the craft. Since leaving the disc-shaped building, the majority of the landscape remained pristine, showing little sign of development—much like the primordial Amazonian forest, though here, the leaves of the various plants were blue, clearly distinct from Earth’s green.

“To achieve such harmony with nature, your Ba’ant people are quite remarkable,” Yang Ying commented with a smile.

“What did you say? I don’t understand,” Pipinav seemed genuinely puzzled.

Yang Ying pointed out the surrounding natural environment and explained his observation.

“Oh, I see now,” Pipinav laughed. “You have likely misunderstood.”

“Then what is the reason?” Yang Ying pressed.

“Actually, the reason we Ba’ant don’t develop this forest isn’t for natural harmony, but because it is unnecessary,” Pipinav chuckled. “Perhaps you didn't know. We Ba’ant people do not live on the land. The place most suitable for us is not the land, but the largest domain on this planet—the ocean!”

“You live in the sea?” Yang Ying sized up Pipinav, thinking he truly was a creature of the deep.

“Precisely. We have always lived beneath the surface. The ocean is our home, the vessel of our history. In the sea, we evolved flexible hands and feet, developed intelligence, and fostered the current Ba’ant civilization,” Pipinav stated with pride.

“Then why come up onto the land? Are you unsuited for the surface?” Katerina interjected.

“Initially, we were very uncomfortable. According to historical records, the first pioneers who reached the surface thousands of years ago were almost entirely desiccated by the sun. Even now, if we didn't apply our daily layer of nano-moisturizing sunscreen, we would quickly dry out,” Pipinav scratched his smooth, bare head. “However, the universe is the true direction of development. Although the ocean is vast, compared to the infinite expanse of space, it falls short. Our ancestors taught us that the Ba’ant must enter the cosmos, and reaching the cosmos is far easier from the land than from the ocean.”

Yang Ying nodded, sighing. “It is never easy for any race to survive and progress.”

“That is a profound truth,” Pipinav smiled. “If you ever have the chance, esteemed guest, you must visit our undersea cities. That is where the true essence of Ba’ant civilization resides.”

The group conversed as they traveled in the craft. This leg of the journey was longer, taking nearly half an hour to reach their destination.

The Great Market was situated in the eastern part of the island, covering about ten square kilometers and having developed into a small city. Many higher-civilization species could be seen on the thoroughfares, with numerous shops run by Ba’ant people lining the streets.

Yang Ying surveyed the area. The buildings in the city were generally low-rise, with only one slightly taller structure in the center, reaching perhaps fifty meters. Its exterior walls appeared dull gray. A line of large characters was projected onto the roof via a holographic display, the script changing every five or six seconds, each iteration displaying a completely different writing style, clearly originating from different civilizations.

After several changes, Yang Ying still couldn't recognize any of the languages.

“This small city is called Ba’ant P’orni, which in our language means the Ba’ant Great Market. Does the esteemed guest have any particular goods in mind? Pipinav can advise you on the fastest way to locate them,” Pipinav asked as the hovercraft entered the small city limits.

“No specific target yet, but I am interested in everything sold here,” Yang Ying replied. “The reason we hired you is precisely so you can show us around this place.”

Pipinav signaled understanding. “Since there is no specific objective, perhaps we should begin right here.” He turned and called out to the cockpit—though he spoke in the Ba’ant tongue, Yang Ying guessed he was instructing the pilot to descend.

Indeed, the hovercraft paused, found the nearest landing platform, and settled down gently.

Pipinav led Yang Ying’s party out of the craft. He first pointed toward the tall building in the distance. “That is the city’s Trade Center, but it only handles large-volume transactions, dealing in unique resources from the Ba’ant planet, such as undersea minerals and flora. Due to the immense volume, usually only representatives of commercial conglomerates from higher civilizations visit there to inspect goods.”

Just then, the Trade Center displayed the characters for “Trade Center” in Star Singer script. Yang Ying saw this, turned to Pipinav, and said, “Let’s skip that for now. We’ll look at the shops in the city first.”

“As you wish,” Pipinav bowed.

They stepped onto the main street. The specialty goods displayed in the shops lining both sides were dazzling: exquisite crafts made from underwater materials, high-performance waterproof technology, and ornamental plants and animals kept in tanks—most items were water-related, a clear reflection of the Ba’ant planet’s character.

As they walked, they arrived before a large establishment whose interior and exterior decoration was exceptionally lavish, one of the finest on the street. Inside, a dozen spindle-shaped transport vehicles were displayed. They were entirely streamlined, with only the cockpit protruding slightly; judging by the cockpit size, they seated one or two occupants.

Yang Ying glanced at them and turned to Pipinav. “What are these?”

The shop owner, also an Octopod, noticed Yang Ying's interest and immediately approached. “Honored guest, these are the finest underwater speeders on our Ba’ant planet. For future chapters and to support the author, please visit…”