novelraw Chapter 185: We've Come to Pick You Up
Chapter 185: We've Come to Pick You Up
Deepsea Water Spirit No.1 began convulsing violently on the ocean's surface.
"???"
Chen Qi was startled.
As a max-level crafted familiar, Deepsea Water Spirits only needed to absorb seawater to reconstruct their bodies and grow healthily.
Therefore, Deepsea Water Spirits didn't need to eat! Plus they had incredible work endurance!
But this didn't mean they consumed nothing at all. Under their master's training, they would occasionally ingest beverages, transforming into plum juice water spirits, fruit juice water spirits, milk water spirits, etc.
However, as deep sea creatures, they also instinctively craved deep sea energy cores!
"Troublesome..."
Chen Qi rushed to the shore, trying to stop Deepsea Water Spirit No.1.
But he hadn't fully digested the water-walking knowledge granted by the Illusion Beast yet. Without No.1's assistance, he couldn't immediately run across the sea surface.And by the time he walked there, it would be too late.
Little Crow also recognized the severity of the situation, but she couldn't walk on water either.
No matter how strong a Deepsea Water Spirit was, it remained a fragile water spirit at its core. Could it truly withstand the Illusion Beast's power?
This was the Illusion Beast's dropped loot!
No.1, this power is too much for you to handle!
"Waku! Waku!"
Deepsea Water Spirit No.1 let out agonized cries as the massive energy caused it to expand rapidly, transforming into a super-sized water spirit!
It grew from its original head-sized form to one meter tall, then two meters, finally reaching a full three meters in height.
Tremendous energy condensed within No.1's body, eventually forming a giant spiral.
Super Spiral Water Spirit!
"All units, retrieve No.1 immediately."
Chen Qi commanded urgently.
"Waku waku (Understood!)"
The other water spirits shot forward like torpedoes, swimming at incredible speed to reach No.1's side, then forcibly dragging it back from the sea's surface.
Water Spirit No.1 rolled across the beach like an enormous ball, completely dazed.
The consequences of reckless consumption... Chen Qi examined the water spirit's condition and asked Little Crow:
"Do you have any spirit-suppressing medicine?"
The Flower Witch had only left strengthening potions with Chen Qi.
To ensure Deepsea Water Spirit No.1's safety, they needed some method to neutralize the massive energy within it.
Little Crow frantically searched through her backpack card:
"Yes!"
Without hesitation, Little Crow carefully injected the medicine into Water Spirit No.1.
After some time, the two managed to control No.1's rampaging spiritual energy.
Fortunately, Little Crow possessed pet-healing skills, preventing any serious consequences.
Finally, under the medicine's effects, Deepsea Water Spirit No.1 gradually shrank back to its normal size.
"Whew, that was close..."
Chen Qi wiped sweat from his brow and picked up the unconscious water spirit.
Aside from becoming bluer in color, there were no visible changes.
However, the spiritual energy field around the Deepsea Water Spirit had clearly transformed—its aura now rivaled the Coastal Apex Predators that guarded the sea beast base!
Perhaps Deepsea Water Spirit could even use high-level skills like 'Illusion Creation' now?
Chen Qi studied Water Spirit No.1.
If it could withstand this power, it meant the water spirit would grow stronger.
"Whew, is everything alright?"
Little Crow wiped her forehead, astonished that Chen Qi's water spirit had actually endured the Illusion Beast's energy.
"It's fine now, thanks to you."
Without doctor Little Crow, Water Spirit No.1 would've been paralyzed for at least a month.
"Little Crow, let's board the ship."
"Mm."
Chen Qi lowered the ship's ladder and placed Deepsea Water Spirit No.1 in a dedicated room.
The water spirit would need to rest awhile to fully digest this newfound power.
After handling the water spirit situation, Chen Qi leaned against the ship's rail and started the engine.
Though the Illusion Beast was dead, its mere appearance had released tremendous energy that would undoubtedly attract investigations from the Beiguo Meteorological Bureau and Navy.
The weather tower on Damarro Island wasn't just for show.
Even though he was merely an uninvolved bystander, if the Beiguo Meteorological Bureau mistakenly identified him as an accomplice who summoned the Illusion Beast, it would spell trouble.
To avoid complications, it was best to leave this troubled area quickly.
The gains from this expedition were more than enough to establish his footing in the Rift Sea!
"Little Crow, is there anywhere you need to go?"
Chen Qi asked.
His primary destination should be Blackore City, the largest metropolis in the Rift Sea region.
Blackore City was the central hub of the Rift Sea area, with island space sufficient for 100,000 residents.
Once home to over thirty mining dimensional rifts and numerous miners, this formerly mining-focused city had likely transformed into an adventurer transit hub since the Dimensional Tide arrived. If the Flower Witch completed her legendary-rank trial, she might appear in Blackore City too.
Little Crow sat on a deck chair, resting her chin in her hands as she pondered:
"My next objective should be heading to the Rift Sea. I need to report today's events to Big Mom, and might visit the Rift Sea Research Institute, or possibly..."
Her gaze drifted toward the Illusion Beast's corpse on the ocean.
Though the beast was dead, its influence wouldn't end so simply.
Barring special circumstances, as one of the incident's participants, her bounty would increase by at least five million Shell Coins.
"I really don't want to leave..." Little Crow murmured almost inaudibly:
"Let's depart these waters first. The Beiguo Meteorological Bureau, Navy, even that Black Hunter, or other pirates—all might be drawn by that massive energy. We must leave this place quickly."
"Right."
Chen Qi agreed.
Suddenly, a notification appeared before his eyes:
[You have completed the professional quest "A Journey Through the Rift." You witnessed the Illusion Beast soaring through the skies and gained 4,000 Spirit Points!]
4,000 Spirit Points! Chen Qi reviewed his spoils.
This operation had netted him the most crucial Soul Origin Skill Card, the Daylight Lantern for dispelling Shadow Demons, the Sea Lantern blueprint, and the evolved Water Spirit No.1.
One could say the rewards far exceeded typical gains from an ordinary C-tier dimensional rift.
"Let's move out!"
Chen Qi pressed the ignition button.
The boiler rumbled to life as the large vessel began moving slowly.
The sea was calm, the wind unexpectedly pleasant.
The houseboat departed Storm Strait, sailing toward the Rift Sea.
The prolonged exertions had left Chen Qi utterly exhausted.
He leaned back in the captain's chair, holding Water Spirit No.3 as he rested briefly.
......
After some time, a gentle sea breeze brushed past as someone lightly shook Chen Qi awake.
"Qi, Qi!"
Little Crow tapped his shoulder softly.
"??"
Chen Qi opened his eyes instinctively, noticing the blanket covering him before looking ahead.
Through the captain's window, an enormous ship had appeared before them.
This was no ordinary vessel, but a warship designed with mermaid inspiration—blending mystery, beauty, and power.
Its sleek, elegant lines made it appear to sway gently on the waves. Painted deep blue with elegant red accents, its hull shimmered with fish-scale-like luster under sunlight, radiating mystique and charm.
Additionally, faint red runes visible on the hull enhanced the ship's speed and defense.
Such rune technology could only be crafted by Hammer-affinity rune engravers and came at exorbitant prices.
The prow featured a striking statue of the Sea Goddess.
A truly aesthetic design...
And now, standing at the bow was a tall woman with voluminous red curls, holding a musket with a confident smile.
Her booming voice carried across the houseboat:
"Little Crow, we've come to pick you up. When your ship lost signal earlier, I thought you and White Cloak had been killed by that Black Hunter prowling the coastal waters."
A ship from the Blackfin Crew... Chen Qi and Little Crow swallowed hard simultaneously.