novelraw Chapter 193: Treasure Hunting
Chapter 193: Treasure Hunting
"Board the ship..." Levin stood on the steam boat and took a step back.
This was a common phrase used by many captains, but Levin couldn't detect any emotion in it. It sounded less like an invitation and more like an absolute command.
Both the voice and appearance of the other party were completely concealed by black hunter's attire, making it impossible to even discern their gender.
What exactly is this... Levin touched the corner of his eye. Just moments ago, he thought he saw the black clothing sway like tentacles.
Spiritual energy detection!
What am I afraid of? It's just a strangely dressed person whose aura indicates they're only a second-tier Transcendent!
Levin gritted his teeth, mustered his courage, and crouched down to place his sweat-drenched fingers on the steam boat's controls.
But before he could reverse the vessel, accompanied by "Waku waku" sounds from below, his steam boat began moving toward the derelict ship on its own!
"I'm moving forward voluntarily?"
Levin's breathing gradually became rapid, a flash of terror crossing his face.Beneath the boat, there seemed to be some indescribable horrific creature.
He looked up at the rope dangling from the ship's side. After long hesitation, he finally clenched the thick rope tightly and climbed aboard the black ship.
The moment his feet touched the deck, a skull rolled past them.
"Ghost ship!"
Levin vaguely realized something.
He'd heard rumors about strange ghost ships appearing near coastal waters, but never imagined one would actually accept his commission!
That merchant from the agency actually had connections with a ghost ship crew.
Just who was that person?
Slowly raising his head, he looked toward the upper deck.
Standing before him was a hunter clad in tattered black attire.
Only second-tier aura... stay calm, stay calm, I can win this... Levin asked curiously:
"Captain? Where are the other crew members?"
Chen Qi said softly:
"Aside from you, there are only two of us aboard this ship for now. Didn't you say fewer people would be better?"
"Just the two of us!"
Levin exclaimed, feeling a surge of joy in his heart.
Logically speaking, facing just one opponent meant he wouldn't be outnumbered if things went south!
With the other party being only second-tier, and him being a family-trained second-tier Transcendent, he stood a fair chance in one-on-one combat!
Yet now, he felt an inexplicable terror, a fear stemming from the unknown.
Levin tried hard to pull himself together:
"It does meet my requirements. Captain, you've hit the jackpot! With good luck, we could make a fortune!"
Still trying to sell me on this... Chen Qi had no time for idle chatter and got straight to the point:
"Tell me your destination and what payment you can offer."
Normal speech, not a monster... Levin took a deep breath and produced a compass, pointing into the distance:
"From this direction straight ahead, past the dangerous 'Bloodwater Island' waters, lies an abandoned navy base. Though now it's just an uninhabited island... with buried treasure there.
Let me make this clear - this treasure is connected to the Blood Blade Pirates, and only I can open it!
Afterwards, besides the 200,000 Shell Coins payment, we'll split the treasure fifty-fifty!"
Only you can open it... Chen Qi rubbed his chin with his index finger, pondering briefly:
"No problem. But in exchange, once we arrive, you must tell me everything you know."
Leaning against the ship's rail, Chen Qi unfolded the Ice Demon Pirates' map.
Due to navy experiments, the waters near Bloodwater Island's abandoned base had spawned numerous mutated monsters.
The most common were flying fish with speeds rivaling bullet fish - extremely dangerous creatures.
This made the area one of the sea's forbidden zones.
For this island, ship speed would be crucial.
No course adjustments needed - just full speed ahead.
Chen Qi smiled slightly and snapped his fingers.
Depart!
"Waku waku! (Aye aye, Captain!)"
With a crisp sound, Deepsea Water Spirit No.3 in the engine room vigorously started the engines.
Green ghost flames ignited across the ship as it surged toward the distant sea.
So fast... Levin struggled to maintain his balance.
Wait... if there's only one person, who started the engines? Doubt crept into Levin's mind.
Was there truly only one crew member aboard?
Nervously clinging to the ship's rail, Levin found himself too anxious to enter the dining area despite his hunger.
Should I confess everything to this captain now? Otherwise I might... Levin guiltily clenched his fists.
Chen Qi entered the captain's cabin to chart their course.
The abandoned navy base wasn't far from Blackore City, and the route was straightforward - about five hours' journey.
The real challenge would be the sea creatures in the dangerous waters.
But for Chen Qi, this posed virtually no threat.
......
Five hours later.
The voyage proved unexpectedly smooth.
As the ship ventured deeper into the ocean, sharp flying fish began leaping from the water, relentlessly striking the hull.
They showed no aggression, behaving more like obsessive fans.
"Waku waku! (Protect! Protect!)"
Water Spirits No.4 and No.5 donned skull masks and positioned themselves beneath the ship like professional guards, using Water Explosive Bombs to disperse the frenzied fish with loud explosions.
"My god..."
Levin rubbed his aching head while observing the massive school of flying fish from the deck.
Conventional ships would either activate protective systems or accelerate when encountering such numbers!
Yet this vessel employed an unprecedented method to repel the sea creatures.
His gaze drifted toward the captain calmly drinking tea in the dining area.
Facing such swarms, the captain remained utterly unperturbed.
"Such confidence... Could he annihilate these terrifying schools with just a finger?"
Levin unconsciously tightened his fists.
He could already envision the scenario - after excavating the treasure, having outlived his usefulness, being thrown overboard as fish food.
Trembling, Levin peered into the distance.
On the horizon appeared the outline of a deserted island.
The uninhabited ruins still featured a dilapidated domed weather station.
Almost there... Finishing his afternoon tea, Chen Qi exited the dining area and gazed at the distant sea:
"We've reached our destination. The rest is up to you."
"Understood! Captain!"
Levin responded instinctively, producing his treasure map and obediently following Chen Qi.
Chen Qi lowered the gangplank and disembarked, surveying the abandoned island.
The small island could barely be considered more than an islet, featuring only a ruined tower and a two-story abandoned research facility.
The crumbling structures swayed precariously in the fierce wind, their walls overgrown with vines and moss.
"Captain! Be careful..."
Levin cautiously approached.
How did he become so docile in just a few hours... Chen Qi crossed his arms, quietly observing Levin's performance.
Watching his map intently, Levin hurried to a mound of debris, produced a shovel, and began digging vigorously.