novelraw Chapter 138: Farewell
Chapter 138: Farewell
Chen Qi leaned against the window.
Their hotel room was positioned high up, offering a perfect view of the distant sea and the port of Sea Monster Island below.
Damaged steamships continuously sailed into the harbor as merchants shouted and repair workers scurried about - the entire port seemed endlessly busy with commerce.
Lately, Chen Qi had been extremely fortunate during his sea voyages, encountering almost no special phenomena.
The only risk he'd faced was the storm before reaching Sea Monster Island.
However, not all ships shared the luck of his small houseboat - some steamships had been literally split in half by sea beasts and storms.
A sea breeze gently brushed through his black hair.
"Ah, the wind grows louder... and colder..."
Chen Qi looked up at the artificial sun hanging in the sky.
Even beneath this false sun, the concept of seasons remained - each season had different durations of daylight.Now, the entire New Sun World was approaching winter.
Just like Earth, as winter arrived, the people of Witch Sea would prepare winter provisions and festival foods.
But this year was special - with the Dimensional Tide's influence, the people of Witch Sea would only grow busier.
Whether ambitious adventurers or peace-seeking merchants and fishermen, all would be swept into this rising tide.
Once the tide began, no one could remain unaffected.
Chen Qi turned back to look at the drunken Flower Witch, then took out the skill card 'Shadow Blade Slash' he'd obtained from Sea Monster Gorge.
He hadn't used this skill card yet.
Biting his lip, Chen Qi murmured:
"Absorb..."
The card dissolved into black flames, vanishing from his fingertips.
[You have learned Shadow Blade Slash Lv1.]
Feeling the throbbing pain in his head, Chen Qi knew he needed a test subject... He took out Water Spirit Number Two from his Backpack Card.
This water spirit had actually been charmed by sea witches - clearly lacking willpower.
As its master, Chen Qi needed to temper its discipline!
Deepsea Water Spirits had remarkable recovery abilities - even if stomped flat, soaking in seawater would restore them completely.
Thus, they made perfect punching bags!
"Water Spirit Number Two, stand still!"
"Waku waku! (Am I the practice target?)"
The water spirit instantly bristled, trying to escape.
But Chen Qi gave it no chance.
His blood simmered slightly as spiritual energy transformed into power, then into razor-sharp black sword energy.
Lifting his blade gently, he released the energy as a slicing slash.
Slash!
The defending water spirit was instantly bisected.
Even the wooden chair behind it sported a fresh cross-section!
"Gonna have to pay for that..." Chen Qi smiled wryly.
Being in a hotel, he'd used minimal force.
Yet still produced a sharp blade energy.
At full power combined with Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker's rage mode, this technique might even cut through steel!
"Simple, unadorned violence."
Chen Qi sheathed his blade.
Now sailing the seas, he carried a bounty worth millions.
And that was just the navy's price on his head.
Their real enemies were the Blackfin Crew.
Counting this time, Chen Qi and the Flower Witch had offended them twice now.
The massive Blackfin Crew wouldn't let this slide easily.
"Need to develop my combat system quickly..."
Chen Qi muttered to himself.
For second-tier Transcendents, establishing a personal combat system was crucial.
Currently possessing both Ember's Touch and Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker - two forbidden artifacts - his equipment already surpassed some third-tier Transcendents!
What he lacked were corresponding combat techniques.
But now the side effects of rapid growth appeared.
He'd used too many skill cards - his brain couldn't absorb more!
Patting his buzzing head, Chen Qi realized he'd used cards far more frequently than ordinary Transcendents.
His current state resembled pulling an all-nighter before a deadline - mind utterly fried.
Looking at the drunken, swaying Flower Witch, Chen Qi decided he needed rest too.
Leaning against the dresser, he fell asleep.
......
Five hours later, as dusk fell, Chen Qi opened his eyes.
The Flower Witch, studying potions with legs crossed, flashed a mocking smile:
"So lame! Qi, passing out drunk!"
"Huh?"
Chen Qi never expected to be preemptively roasted by the supremely lame Flower Witch.
They checked out and left Sea Monster Island.
Chen Qi accompanied her to the dry dock to purchase a boat.
With limited funds, she could only afford a small vessel.
After much deliberation, she chose one remarkably similar to Chen Qi's small houseboat!
Then she demanded Chen Qi make her some Supernatural Bait!
Shaking his head at her hunger, Chen Qi indulged the capricious witch.
Along the way, they exchanged meaningless small talk - random, trivial matters without substance.
Mostly just the Flower Witch's repeated warnings.
She truly treated Chen Qi like a terminal patient.
Rubbing his neck, Chen Qi reflected how despite their earlier farewells, they kept dragging out partings with pointless chatter.
Finding a secluded spot near the port, the Flower Witch handed Chen Qi a bag of potions:
"Qi, these are for high blood pressure, heart conditions, potent healing, inspiration, blindness antidote, charm resistance..."
Accepting the heavy bag, Chen Qi realized it contained remedies for every possible ailment!
This stash would last him at least two months!
"Thanks, Fen."
He stored the bag in his Backpack Card.
Truthfully, the Flower Witch had helped him tremendously.
Perhaps he should give her a gift too?
"What would be good?"
Chen Qi pondered.
Besides food, what would the Flower Witch want?
Wait!
Inspiration struck.
The Deepsea Water Spirit would be perfect!
Six spirits were enough for him anyway.
Having a pet made sea voyages much more comfortable.
When they first met, the Flower Witch had been in terrible shape.
At least with a pet, she wouldn't go crazy enough to eat grass again.
Plus, Water Spirit Number Two had been misbehaving lately - time for punishment!
Some time apart would make it appreciate him more.
Taking out the squirming spirit, Chen Qi handed it over:
"Fen, please train this troublesome Number Two for me."
"Eh?"
Excited yellow flowers sprouted from the Flower Witch's head.
Having her thoughts read, she accepted the spirit, stroking it.
So soft!
She adored Deepsea Water Spirits, especially as cushions - supremely comfortable!
Plus, as a Goldenfinch Kingdom native, she'd always dreamed of becoming a beast taming master!
Bowing her head at this generous gift, she asked:
"Qi, really? I can have it?"
"Of course. Number Two makes a perfect household tool - use it however you want."
The cheerful spirit suddenly froze, then began convulsing!
It was being sold! To the horrible witch!
It refused to become some human's work slave!
Working for Chen Qi or sea witches was fine - but humans? Never!
"Waku waku! (Master, I was wrong! I'll never approach sea witches again!)"
"Waku waku! (Master! Don't give me to stupid humans!)"
"Waku waku! (Master! Master! Don't abandon me!)"
The spirit desperately clung to Chen Qi's leg, wailing pitifully.
"Too late for regrets now..."
Chen Qi coldly pried the spirit off and stuffed it against the Flower Witch's chest.
If Number Two stayed with him, it would inevitably fall prey to the little green algae.
"Thank you~"
More yellow flowers sprouted as the Flower Witch said:
"I learned beast taming as a child, even mastered spirit evolution methods! I'll treat it like I treat you - with great care!"
"Right."
Wait... Chen Qi side-eyed her.
Treating the spirit like him meant treating him as a pet?
That cunning witch was taking liberties again!
Though technically, Deepsea Water Spirits were already evolved forms - further evolution would be difficult.
"You know I'm not a pet, Fen. Safe travels..."
"Mhm."
Finally, clutching the struggling spirit, the Flower Witch boarded her boat with heavy steps, constantly looking back.
To grow stronger, to survive the coming tide, she had to leave!
Her destination lay deep in the Rift Sea, while Chen Qi would return to coastal waters - their paths now diverged completely.
Standing ashore, Chen Qi watched as the Flower Witch glanced around, then lifted her hood slightly to reveal her eyes, forcing a crescent-moon smile:
"Qi! When we meet again, don't come missing limbs! Staying alive matters most!"
Her final nagging words reflected her view of Chen Qi - capable but reckless.
He might die.
Waving, Chen Qi replied:
"Absolutely not, Fen. Goodbye!"
The engine roared to life.
The boat carried away the Flower Witch's waving hand and faint fragrance, disappearing into the sunset.
Huu—
Sudden silence enveloped the surroundings.
Chen Qi stood at the shore, gazing blankly at the distant sea as ocean winds blew past.
Time to go home.
Boarding his houseboat, he checked that the hidden sea witch was safe.
He could collect some Sea Clouds during the return trip.
Just then, numerous bounty notices rained from the sky, plastering themselves across Chen Qi's face.