Chapter 29: Beneath the Waves — The Quest for the Celestial Blue Diamonds

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an amber glow across the boundless sea. Zhao Feng stood on the deck of his luxury yacht, the rhythmic sound of the waves mingling with the hum of the engines. Yet even with the Midnight Sovereign now secured, his gaze remained set on the next prize — the legendary Celestial Blue Diamonds.

Unlike the Midnight Sovereign, which had been held in the hands of an arrogant count, the Celestial Blue Diamonds were far more elusive. Formed deep within the earth, their brilliant azure hue made them one of the rarest and most coveted gemstones in existence.

But Zhao Feng had no intention of purchasing these diamonds through mere negotiation.

"Boss," Xiao Ling's voice chimed softly as she approached. She wore a fitted white suit that glinted beneath the golden light, a picture of composed elegance. "The reports are confirmed. The Celestial Blue Diamonds are likely located in a submerged mine off the coast of South Africa — the 'Azure Depths.'"

Zhao Feng nodded, the name igniting a sense of curiosity. "And the excavation rights?"

"Privately owned," Xiao Ling continued. "The South African Blue Horizon Consortium holds complete control. They've deemed the operation too dangerous, so the mines have remained untouched for over a decade."

A lesser man might have turned away. But Zhao Feng wasn't a lesser man.

"Arrange a meeting with the consortium's chairman," he said firmly. "If they refuse, we'll offer a number they can't ignore."

A day later, Zhao Feng found himself standing within the gleaming headquarters of the Blue Horizon Consortium in Cape Town. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a panoramic view of the vast Atlantic, where the distant glimmer of oil rigs and shipping freighters dotted the horizon.

Chairman Albert Visser, a broad-shouldered man with sun-weathered skin and piercing gray eyes, greeted Zhao Feng with a firm handshake. Despite his aged appearance, there was an undeniable strength in his presence — the mark of a man who had conquered both sea and land.

"Mr. Zhao," Visser rumbled, his Afrikaans accent thick. "I've read much about your recent… acquisitions."

"I'm not here to admire the view," Zhao Feng replied evenly. "I'm here to secure the rights to the Azure Depths."

Visser's chuckle was low and dry. "Those mines are a graveyard. Two failed expeditions. Unstable caverns. And rumors of collapses. Even the finest equipment couldn't make it past the first layer of sediment."

"Every risk has a price," Zhao Feng countered. "I'm willing to pay it."

The room grew still. Visser studied Zhao Feng, searching for weakness. But all he found was unshakable resolve.

"One billion dollars," Visser said, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Non-refundable. And that's just for the rights."

"Deal."

The swiftness of Zhao Feng's reply left Visser momentarily stunned. There was no hesitation, no negotiation. The sheer dominance of it left no room for doubt.

Three days later, Zhao Feng's private research vessel, the Azure Sovereign, floated above the suspected location of the submerged mine. The crew bustled about, preparing state-of-the-art diving equipment. Massive underwater drones equipped with reinforced sensors and cutting lasers stood ready.

The ocean was vast, dark, and unpredictable — but Zhao Feng thrived on challenges.

"Boss, we're detecting traces of high-density carbon deposits below," Xiao Ling reported, her eyes locked onto the data streaming across her console. "The diamonds are there. But the pressure at that depth could crush most conventional equipment."

Zhao Feng's smile was faint. "Then we won't use conventional equipment."

The system had rewarded him generously after securing the Midnight Sovereign. Among the rewards was a Subterranean Excavator Drone — a specialized piece of machinery engineered for deep-sea operations. Activated through the system, it appeared on deck like a sleek mechanical leviathan, gleaming with metallic blue plating.

[Subterranean Excavator Drone Activated.]

[Excavation Speed +300%]

[Structural Integrity Reinforcement Applied.]

The crew stared in awe as the drone descended into the water, disappearing beneath the waves. Its sonar signals painted a picture of the jagged ocean floor — a labyrinth of sunken tunnels and cavernous depths.

Hours passed, tension lingering in the air. Then, the speakers crackled with the drone operator's voice.

"We've breached the outer layer. Visual feed is coming through now."

The monitor flickered before revealing the vast, glittering chamber that lay beneath the ocean floor. Stalactites of unearthly blue diamonds gleamed like suspended stars, illuminating the darkness with a soft, ethereal glow. The sight stole the breath from every crew member watching.

"My God," Xiao Ling whispered. "It's like a lost world."

Zhao Feng's gaze remained fixed on the screen. "Retrieve the finest specimens. The Celestial Blue Diamonds will be the heart of the Lunar Serenity."

Ding!

[Celestial Blue Diamonds Acquired.]

[Jewelry Market Influence +700]

[Simp Coins +80 Million]

As the Azure Sovereign sailed back toward the coast, Zhao Feng stood at the helm, the ocean breeze rustling through his hair. Another piece of the Eclipse Collection was now his.

Yet even with these victories, Zhao Feng knew that the road ahead would only grow more treacherous. The Eclipse Collection had begun to attract whispers — powerful figures, rival tycoons, and ancient aristocrats who would stop at nothing to prevent its completion.

But Zhao Feng welcomed it.

Power wasn't about avoiding conflict. It was about standing above it.

"Next," he said, his voice steady. "We move for the meteorite fragments needed for Eternal Zenith."

A challenge awaited in Qatar. And Zhao Feng would meet it head-on.