Shortly after they had started, shortly after the space ring was filled with as many starfish as they could fit within it's innards.
Despite this the number of starfish still present within the alcove was just as great as great before.
'Good we barely made a dent, although these starfish are valuable goods I'd hate to affect their breeding population.' Nereus thought to himself relieved, 'There must always be balance.'
"Whew I'd say we're done here" he then sighed before he gestured towards the exit.
"Yeah I'd say so too." Triton replied, "let's head home!"
Now with the starfish safely gathered, they began their journey back to the sect.
Nereus and Triton swam side by side, their journey back to the sect marked by a newfound sense of camaraderie.
The bond they had forged through the ancient Sealocke agreement allowed them to communicate telepathically, an ability that both found fascinating and incredibly useful.
"This is incredible," Triton thought, the words forming clearly in Nereus's mind. "I can't believe how easily we can talk like this."
"It's certainly a rare gift," Nereus replied, a hint of pride in his thoughts. "Psychic abilities like this are uncommon outside of certain Mer clans, particularly those with strong mental affinities. Most Mer can only dream of this level of communication."
As they swam, they continued to practice, exchanging thoughts and ideas seamlessly.
'I definitely appreciate the privacy aspect,' Triton mused. 'I was worried at first that you'd hear everything I'm thinking.'
Nereus chuckled mentally. 'Yes, it's a relief. This way, we can keep our strategies and plans clear while retaining our personal space.'
Their telepathic conversation made the journey feel shorter and more enjoyable.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the sect, they had grown accustomed to the ease of their new form of communication.
Shortly after arriving back home, they soon navigated their way through the bustling undersea streets, their destination clear in their minds: the market, where they were to meet Marina and deliver the silver starfish.
As they entered the market, the familiar cacophony of merchants and buyers surrounded them.
The vibrant stalls and colorful displays were a stark contrast to the darker, more dangerous waters of the Open Sea.
Nereus led the way, his eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of Marina.
They soon spotted her near the entrance of the Silver Siren tent, her striking silver hair catching the light.
Also catching sight of them she wasted no time in waving them over with a warm smile.
"Nereus! It's good to see you again!" Marina greeted them excitedly, her eyes twinkling with curiosity but pausing for a bit longer on Triton's form. "I'm guessing you're here to fulfill our business arrangement. Do you have the starfish? And who's your cute friend here?"
Nereus nodded before rolling his eyes and saying, "His name is Triton"
Having satisfied her curiosity he then produced one of the glittering silver starfish from his space ring. Marina's eyes widened in appreciation as she examined it.
"By the depths...It's perfect!," she all but squealed, clearly ecstatic and impressed. "Come, come quickly let's go inside where we can talk more privately!"
She led them into the depths of the Silver Siren tent, the interior even more impressive than the bustling market outside.
The tent was filled with an array of exotic goods: rare shells, enchanted trinkets, and intricate jewelry that sparkled under the soft glow of bioluminescent lamps.
The walls were adorned with shimmering tapestries depicting underwater scenes, and shelves were lined with elixirs in delicate glass vials, their contents glowing with vibrant colors.
Nereus and Triton couldn't help but marvel at the wealth and variety of items on display.
As they moved deeper into the tent, Marina guided them to a secluded area where they could conduct their business without interruption.
"This place is amazing," Triton whispered telepathically, awe evident in his thoughts.
"Indeed," Nereus agreed. "The Silver Siren Trading Company is as prosperous as they claim."
Marina set the starfish on a table and turned to face them, her expression serious yet friendly. "These starfish will fetch a great price," she said. "I must say, I'm impressed by your resourcefulness. Needless to say I think we should continue this partnership."
She reached into a chest and produced a hefty bag of gold coins, placing it in Nereus's hands. "Consider this an advance payment for your efforts and a sign of good faith for future dealings."
Nereus felt the weight of the coins and nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Marina. Your generosity is appreciated."
The bag of gold coins was more than the late Argent had ever been in possession of at one time.
Although this wealth to the long lived Nereus was basically chump change, he knew in this new life this wealth meant he could secure better living conditions, purchase higher-quality resources for cultivation, and even start building a network of influence within the sect.
It was a significant step up from the modest earnings he had managed before.
Marina smiled, her eyes flicking to Triton. "Of course, and if you two keep bringing me such treasures, there's plenty more where that came from." She leaned closer to Triton, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "And maybe next time, Triton, you can join me for a private dinner. I'd love to get to know you...more intimately."
Triton blushed deeply, his thoughts a flurry of nervousness. "I... I'd be honored," he managed to stammer out in reply, causing Nereus to chuckle softly.
'Relax, there lover boy,' Nereus thought, amusement clear in his tone.
Marina laughed lightly at Triton's reaction before turning her attention back to Nereus. "So, what do you say, Nereus? Shall we continue this partnership? If you're able to meet my demand of atleast 200 or so starfish per month I think there's definitely a veritable market we could exploit together."
Nereus pondered her proposal, considering the potential benefits of their alliance.
Marina's influence and resources could prove invaluable in their quest for power and stability within the sect.
The prospect of regular income and access to rare goods was tempting, and he could see how this partnership could be mutually beneficial.
'This could be very fruitful, judging by the number in that alcove we found back there in the Open Sea, the silver starfish are using that as a natural breeding ground and could support the loss of the number she's looking for" he thought to Triton, who mentally provided his agreement. 'Plus we need allies and resources, and Marina seems like a reliable partner.'
As Nereus weighed his options, he thought about the value of the silver starfish.
These rare creatures were not only beautiful but also incredibly potent in enhancing and replenishing sea essence stores and subsequently aiding in cultivation.
Their ability to provide more than enough sea essence for a breakthrough as well as induce a qualitative change in sea essence quality made them highly sought after, and their rarity only increased their worth.
Marina's offer was generous, and the potential profits from continued dealings with her were substantial.
As Nereus weighed his options, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
He already knew his answer.
"Well, Nereus?" Marina's voice broke through his thoughts, her eyes fixed on him expectantly. "Do we have a deal?"