Chapter 18: Shipwreck Incident

The successful acquisition of the "Qinghe Garden" project was like a precise surgical strike, demonstrating to the outside world that Qin Feng not only possessed the benevolence to give away wealth, but also the sharpness to conquer cities and break through defenses on the battlefield of commerce. With this tailwind, Xingyao Department Store's stock price continued to rise steadily, and Qin Feng's net worth rose accordingly.

However, just as he was preparing to devote more energy to accelerating the unlocking of Super Technology and Wealth Prediction, a sudden disaster interrupted his rhythm.

That afternoon, Qin Feng was reviewing materials compiled by Su Wenqian on several startups on the brink of bankruptcy but possessing unique technologies, when an emergency news bulletin on the office TV caught his attention.

"Breaking news: Around 14:00 today, the sightseeing cruise ship Haiyan encountered sudden extreme weather and mechanical failure in the East China Sea. The hull is now severely tilted and at risk of sinking! There are 127 crew members and passengers on board. Maritime authorities and nearby vessels have rushed to the rescue, but due to severe sea conditions, rescue efforts are extremely difficult…"

The news footage switched to a storm-tossed sea, where a medium-sized cruise ship could be faintly seen violently rocking in massive waves, its hull clearly tilted—a horrifying sight. The reporter's voice, carried through the wind and rain, was anxious and solemn.

127 lives hang in the balance!

Qin Feng's heart clenched sharply. Though he was no saint who mourned the suffering of all, faced with such a massive risk of life loss, a primal concern—and a faint intuition—made it impossible for him to stand idly by.

He instinctively pulled up the system interface. The Blessing Key and Skill Key were both in a gray, usable state, but these conventional blessings and skills seemed powerless against a disaster hundreds of nautical miles away.

His gaze landed on the Shenji Blessing, reset after completing his spending task.

This ultimate skill, with its extremely long cooldown and almost miraculous effect, was one of his greatest trump cards. Was it worth using it on a maritime disaster seemingly unrelated to him?

In the instant he hesitated, the slightly emotional electronic voice in his mind spoke again, unprompted:

【Detected large-scale humanitarian crisis event! Host's current reputation level: Revered (regional).】

【Triggered hidden judgment: The path to the peak lies not only in wealth and technology, but also in reverence for and protection of life.】

【Tip: Your resources may yet create a miracle.】

The system's tip struck him like a revelation!

Yes—if the peak he climbed was built upon piles of bones, what meaning did it hold? He possessed a system, immense wealth—could he only dominate the business world and do nothing at such a critical moment?

"Reputation… resources… create a miracle…" Qin Feng murmured, a flash of resolve in his eyes.

He no longer hesitated!

"System, use Shenji Blessing!" he silently thought, "Target: Bless the Haiyan cruise ship and surrounding waters. May they hold on until rescue arrives. May rescue forces overcome the difficulties. May… a miracle happen!"

He could not directly bless all 127 people to survive—that might exceed the scope of "blessing"—but he could bless for the situation to improve, for hope to descend!

【Ding! Shenji Blessing has been used!】

【Effect generating… Devotional energy released!】

An invisible, intangible force—yet seemingly imbued with some fundamental cosmic law—spread silently from Qin Feng, piercing through space toward the storm-ravaged sea.

Qin Feng clearly felt a long-accumulated energy within him instantly drained; a faint weakness arose, yet his spirit felt unusually clear and exhilarated.

He immediately picked up the phone and connected simultaneously to Su Wenqian and Sun Zhe.

"Sister Su, immediately contact the Maritime Bureau and frontline rescue command center in my name and Xingyao Group's name—ask them what they need most! Specialized rescue equipment, helicopters, or funds? We offer unconditional support!"

"Sun Zhe, prepare an emergency fund—allocate one hundred million first… no, two hundred million! Establish the Haiyan Emergency Rescue Fund. We will cover all expenses incurred in the rescue—including chartering civilian rescue vessels, hiring professional divers, and rewarding individuals and groups participating in the rescue!"

"Also, contact the nation's top maritime and meteorological experts to form an emergency advisory team to provide remote technical support to the frontline—every cost will be borne by us!"

Each command was clear and decisive, radiating undeniable authority and staggering financial power. Though Su Wenqian and Sun Zhe were stunned by their Boss's sudden, massive focus and resource allocation toward this maritime disaster, they raised no objections and immediately executed with efficiency.

The power of money revealed itself once again.

Within half an hour, three large commercial helicopters—chartered with Qin Feng's funds and capable of operating in severe weather—took off from different airports, fully loaded with life rafts, thermal blankets, medical supplies, and professional rescue personnel, heading straight for the disaster zone.

A large ocean-going tugboat, originally operating nearby, turned its bow and surged toward the Haiyan's position after receiving Xingyao Group's astronomical fee—its tonnage and power were unmatched by small rescue vessels.

The expert team, hired at great expense, rapidly analyzed real-time meteorological data and ocean current maps, providing rescue vessels with several safer, more efficient approach routes.

These actions, broadcast in real time through Xingyao Group's official channels and partner media, quickly spread across the internet.

"Holy shit! Qin Feng's acting again! This time he's throwing money to save lives!"

"Two hundred million for a rescue fund! Chartering helicopters, hiring tugs, hiring experts… This is real wealth run wild!"

"So inspiring! Feels like watching a real-life superhero!"

"Hope this actually helps! Praying the Haiyan makes it!"

The internet's frenzy and public praise meant nothing to Qin Feng now. His eyes were locked on the TV's rolling updates and the fragmented information relayed from Sun Zhe via the rescue command center.

Time ticked away, second by second, each one excruciating.

On the news footage, did the storm seem to be easing? The tilted Haiyan rose and fell in the waves, but its rate of capsizing… seemed to slow?

Suddenly, the frontline reporter's voice, nearly breaking with excitement, came through:

"Miracle! An actual miracle! Just before the Haiyan could fully sink, a large tugboat arrived in time and secured it! Though the hull is flooded, it avoided instant capsizing! Most passengers and crew have already been transferred to life rafts and arriving rescue vessels! Rescue teams are now urgently searching for remaining survivors…"

On screen, the massive tugboat held the Haiyan in place with steel cables; orange life rafts and rescue boats dotted the sea, while helicopters circled overhead, casting searchlights.

Success! At least, the worst outcome had been averted!

Qin Feng exhaled a long, deep breath, his tense nerves relaxing, exhaustion washing over him. He knew this was due to the efforts of modern rescue forces, the crew's perseverance—and perhaps, just perhaps, a whisper of fortune brought by the Shenji Blessing.

Ultimately, after more than ten hours of relentless effort, 119 of the Haiyan's 127 passengers and crew were successfully rescued; 8 perished. It was undeniably a great tragedy—but under such extreme conditions, this outcome had been hailed by countless people as a "miracle."

Afterwards, the rescue command center and maritime authorities publicly thanked Xingyao Group and Mr. Qin Feng multiple times for their "timely and critical material and financial support," explicitly stating that the helicopters and large tugboat had played a decisive role at the critical moment.

Qin Feng's reputation surged from "charitable Shenhou" to that of a civilian leader adorned with a halo of heroism, reaching a new peak.

Several days later, as the incident gradually faded, Qin Feng was checking the long cooldown timer of the Shenji Blessing when the system voice sounded again—but this time, it did not originate from an active skill.

【Ding! Detected host successfully leveraged wealth and decisiveness to significantly alter the outcome of a major disaster, fulfilling the duty of peak guardianship.】

【Special reward granted: Unlock progress bonus activated!】

Super Technology unlock progress +10%, current progress: 82%!

Wealth Prediction unlock progress +8%, current progress: 68%!

【Tip: Super Technology unlock imminent. Host, pay attention to opportunities in marine, energy, or information sectors.】

Marine, energy, information?

Qin Feng stared at the tip, lost in thought. Had his intervention in this "shipwreck accident," seemingly accidental, subtly aligned with some direction?

He recalled the Haiyan struggling in the storm—and a thought gradually sharpened.

Perhaps it was time to redirect his "spending" goals toward broader, more foundational fields. For instance, building a fleet truly his own, capable of conquering the deep blue? Or investing in black technologies that could reshape future energy systems and information transmission?

His gaze returned to the system interface, where the progress bar neared completion, filled with anticipation.