novelraw Chapter 156: The Ritual of Thirteen Hunters
Chapter 156: The Ritual of Thirteen Hunters
Burry had somehow produced a stack of papers filled with intelligence:
"Among these three pirates, Miss Siren is Big Mom's favorite, while the cloaked elder is a cadre of the Sea God Pirates. Doctor Crow is the newly promoted cadre of the Blackfin Crew. All three have already arrived at islands near the coastal waters."
Three pirates arriving at nearby islands... An instinctively gripped her staff, warily scanning their surroundings:
"What are they doing here?"
Burry frowned and spread his hands:
"Do you two know about the prayer rituals of the Thirteen Gods?"
Divine prayer rituals... An searched her memories:
"I know this. In our Beiguo nation, all prayer and sacrificial rituals are strictly forbidden. Those who violate this taboo face capital punishment."
The prayer and sacrificial rituals of the Thirteen Gods... Chen Qi tried to recall.
The thirteen original hunters became the thirteen deities walking the world when the new sun rose.Many forbidden texts suggest that fulfilling specific conditions to complete the rituals can grant blessings from the Thirteen Gods.
For example, arranging a Lamp affinity ritual with seven candles can summon the Lantern Reaper, harvesting those who violate life's taboos to obtain prophecies of salvation.
Or offering lifeblood can summon the Chalice Hunter Blood Ancestor to preserve eternal youth beyond mortal limits.
Presenting rings and love can summon the Flower Hunter Earth Mother Goddess, blessing couples with love's blessing and a haven for their affection.
Performing a Dice affinity ritual might summon the twenty-sided Die Hunter who governs chaos and luck, granting extraordinary fortune temporarily.
Yet despite the Thirteen Gods being officially recognized deities, these prayer rituals remain forbidden.
Chen Qi remembered the players' lamentations on gaming forums.
Praying for divine boons was a special gameplay feature in the early game stages.
But according to players' painful experiences, this feature was only for entertainment.
First was the high failure rate - with knowledge restricted, success probability didn't exceed one percent.
Even if miraculously successful, the outcome was always death.
Like the player who completed the Die Hunter's ritual, effortlessly drawing golden cards and finding coins everywhere.
Then he encountered a once-in-a-millennium meteorite and was instantly obliterated.
Or the wealthy elderly player who successfully performed the Chalice ritual to reverse aging and destiny.
Just as he opened champagne to celebrate with his in-game manor girlfriend, she transformed into the Lantern Reaper, deleting his entire account.
Moreover, performing rituals in Beiguo, the Black Blood Empire, or White Tower Federation would draw pursuit from purification departments.
Thus except for the six sparsely populated religious nations and the frigid Winter Kingdom, all regions strictly prohibited the "Rituals of Thirteen Gods."
All boons demand payment, usually with life itself.
In the Witch Sea region, summoning the Thirteen Gods was extremely rare.
Chen Qi asked:
"You mean they want to summon the Thirteen Gods?"
Burry checked his book:
"No, I was just giving an example. The Thirteen Gods' summoning rituals usually only affect the caster. But the Sea God Pirates are more likely summoning ancient abyssal creatures."
"What!"
An's pupils constricted sharply.
Oh, just summoning deep sea monsters... Chen Qi suddenly felt relieved.
In a vibrant place like the Witch Sea, compared to the Thirteen Gods, people preferred rituals summoning abyssal creatures.
Higher success rates, spectacular visuals, and fitting local customs!
The only downside was the summoned creatures' tendency to torment humans.
Hearing "deep sea monsters," An clenched her fists:
"Are you certain?"
Burry nodded:
"In the Rift Sea, the Sea God Pirates have conducted such rituals multiple times, though coastal cases are rare."
An frowned. To her, abyssal creatures posed far greater threats than Thirteen Hunters' rituals.
Whether failed or successful, the Thirteen Hunters' rituals caused limited damage.
But abyssal summoning rituals, though producing lower-tier entities, were devastatingly destructive.
Like the Blood-Eyed Wall Chen Qi initially encountered - a product of such rituals.
Undoubtedly, if abyssal creatures appeared with ghost ships and Coastal Apex Predators, the entire Moonstone Archipelago would be threatened!
Burry flipped through his intelligence:
"Records show ghost ships once attacked the White Pigeon expedition ships carrying these pirates. I suspect connections between the ghost ships and these three pirates."
No... As an eyewitness, Chen Qi could deny this.
The ghost ships' emergence had nothing to do with the White Pigeon ships.
Burry added:
"If we don't act promptly, we might all perish in the monstrous tides they stir.
So if you have any information about these pirates or ghost ships, please inform me."
An noted this, then eyed him suspiciously:
"Shipbuilder, why do you care? How can I verify your claims?"
Logically, an inland shipbuilder wouldn't bother with Damarro Town's troubles.
"Because of hatred. I loathe the Sea God Pirates and those bloodthirsty night creatures."
Burry glanced at his mechanical watch, calmly stating:
"As for verification, undoubtedly the Beiguo Meteorological Bureau will soon investigate with more information."
Finally, he took a drink and told them:
"Well, if you know anything about ghost ships or these pirates, please tell me. I'll discount your ship."
"Okay."
An nodded, her face reddening again.
Wait, why did he say "your ship"?
Your ship...
Your ship...
No, that's not my ship but Chen Qi's... An suddenly realized!
This shipbuilder Burry mistook them for a couple.
An began stammering, trying to explain:
"Um, we, I..."
Young people these days flaunt relationships so openly, buying big ships so young... Burry lit a cigarette, waving farewell to Chen Qi:
"Customer! Find me east of the docks if needed! My mobile shipyard's anchored there! I'll deliver blueprints tomorrow."
Building a quality houseboat in twenty days - another major project.
After eating, Burry left the beach bonfire gathering.
Chen Qi bid farewell, then looked left at An.
An remained speechless.
Why does Teacher An keep stammering lately... Chen Qi curiously asked:
"Teacher An, my what?"
Huh? An whispered blushingly:
"I meant it's not our ship, but your... ship."
Over this? Chen Qi tilted his head puzzled.
Such confidence of a shipowner!
Now Teacher An doesn't even have her own boat, having to wait for passenger ships to reach the Rift Sea!
Chen Qi smiled faintly:
"Teacher An, you're welcome aboard anytime."
"Okay..."
An nodded slowly, then fiercely patted her cheeks.
She then tucked three bounty lists into her work log.
Three pirates attempting abyssal summoning in coastal waters - extremely serious.
Abyssal creatures like the Blood-Eyed Wall... Chen Qi stroked his chin, deep in thought.
He was very interested in this matter.
Unfortunately, he currently lacked information about Little Crow's whereabouts.
Then An looked up at pensive Chen Qi.
He must be terrified, fearing his new ship becoming sea monsters' feast...
She patted her chest:
"Don't worry, Qi. I'll spare no effort preventing the abyssal creatures' arrival. Before I fall, no abyss-dweller shall tread our Moonstone Archipelago."
An stood gazing at the distant sea.
Her eyes burned with determination to expel every last abyssal creature!
"Rest assured, Qi. Beiguo authorities highly prioritize coastal security. They won't tolerate ghost ships, Coastal Apex Predators, or other intruders.
If the Beiguo Meteorological Bureau proves the Witch Sea's value, inland will deploy active Pioneer Hunter Teams here."
Pioneer Hunter Teams - Beiguo's official units specializing in unknown rifts.
"......"
Chen Qi felt uneasy hearing this.
In some ways, he currently led the coastal abyssal creatures.