Witch, I Swear I’m Not a Deep Sea Ancient God!

Chapter 235: The Witch's Coffin

Leave? Jin Li's smile faltered momentarily with hesitation.

Since its founding, the Ice Demon Pirates had always been deeply tied to the Witches.

They followed the teachings of the Ice Witch, constantly searching for lost ruins and hunting dangerous sea monsters.

Targets like Chen Qi were precisely what they specialized in hunting.

In newspapers, they openly praised the Witches without reservation.

Whether it was discussions about the relationship between the Black Hunter and the Flower Witch, or debates about the Flower Witch's morality.

No matter which newspaper, the Ice Demon Pirates firmly stood on Fen's side.

Moreover, their leader, the Shapeshifter Palu, had shown Fen considerable goodwill.

During the Blood Blade Pirates' major incident, they had even sailed to the Mutated Sea to intercept the Blackfin Crew's ships.

However, Jin Li had overlooked two things.First, Fen didn't read tabloids, and the Ice Demon Pirates' recent activities weren't noteworthy enough for proper newspapers.

Second, Fen didn't know her at all.

Even as the Ice Demon Pirates' second-in-command, Fen had no recognition of Jin Li.

Nor did she care.

Adjusting her gold-rimmed glasses, Jin Li straightened her posture and cleared her throat:

"Well, I am—"

"Was I being rude...?" The Flower Witch blinked, speaking more softly:

"Nurse, could you please step out? Sorry, we have important private matters to discuss."

Fen said seriously, as what she was about to reveal concerned the Ice Witch.

If ordinary Transcendents learned these things, it would only bring disaster.

Chen Qi coughed twice, interrupting:

"Fen, this is Jin Li, second-in-command of the Ice Demon Pirates."

As a legendary merchant! Jin Li perfectly lived up to her name! She was both wealthy! And beautiful!

As a mysterious merchant, Jin Li's shop carried countless rare materials and supernatural artifacts!

Moreover, Jin Li herself possessed the trait of dropping gold coins and random supernatural items when defeated!

As a rare treasure chest monster everyone loved to attack, Jin Li was quite famous on player forums!

Everyone wanted to defeat Jin Li for her loot.

If Chen Qi were a Witch, he'd already be scheming to exploit his status to plunder Jin Li's supernatural materials.

"Second-in-command of the Ice Demon Pirates..."

Fen froze momentarily.

Jin Li's coin-like eyes gleamed as she extended her hand again:

"Yes! I'm Jin Li, a great pirate of the Ice Demon Pirates."

"Pirate!"

Fen instinctively recoiled, looking at Jin Li with a mix of disgust and fear.

Jin Li quietly withdrew her hand.

Chen Qi explained further:

"The Ice Demon Pirates focus on exploring ruins and uncovering history. That bard we met earlier is actually this merchant's leader."

Fen pinched the anxious little black flower on her head and nodded:

"I understand now, but what do you want? To be honest, I can't provide much help regarding the Witch Trial Grounds."

Jin Li rubbed her hands together:

"Miss Witch, we need your help. Actually, we've discovered many clues about the Trial Grounds! Of course, as history states, we would never seize the Witch relics in your possession!

Also, we wanted to warn you—many within the Blood Blade Pirates are now searching for information about you."

"Won't take relics... searching... for us?"

Fen clenched her fists.

The Ice Demon Pirates knew far more about Witches than she'd imagined!

Chen Qi lowered his head, thoughts wandering.

Currently, the Blood Blade Pirates were mired in war. Whether it was Veteran Gael or the Blood Lady, they were all required on the frontlines.

Staying with the Blood Blade Pirates long-term wasn't a wise choice.

I need to take the next step in strength too... Chen Qi tapped the nightstand twice, steering the conversation back:

"Alright, Fen, you were talking about your dream earlier. After your teacher hugged you, what happened?"

Fen remained somewhat uneasy:

"This concerns the Ice Witch—my teacher's information. I'm not sure if I should tell her..."

Chen Qi added:

"The Ice Demon Pirates, as history researchers, know many things. I suspect they know the Ice Witch was your teacher, about the Witch Trial Grounds, and the relics' purpose..."

The Witch storyline was the premise for the Witch Sea arc, and besides the Flower Witch, the Ice Demon Pirates and Black Whale Pirates were also keys to unlocking the main plot.

"???"

Jin Li blinked:

"Hunter, you seem to know quite a bit about our pirate crew."

"Yes, he knows a lot!"

Fen interjected, her tone carrying barely concealed pride.

Because your crew members are all important NPCs... Chen Qi coughed twice:

"I'm a newspaper fanatic. The Witch Times and Seal Times often feature the Ice Demon Pirates."

"I see..."

Fen nodded and spoke:

"My teacher held me from the deep sea's depths, telling me that to fight that Deep Sea Ancient God, to prevent the Witch Sea from becoming the Lost Land, for my future... I must gather all the Witch relics from the Trial Grounds..."

Fen trembled, instinctively hugging herself.

As if cold seawater truly brushed her face, ghostly hair strands lightly grazing her cheeks.

Collect relics... Chen Qi's expression turned grave as he listened attentively.

Unsurprisingly, the Flower Witch's account revealed the Witch Sea's main storyline clues.

This storyline involved both the Witch Sea's apocalyptic crisis and the path to sainthood.

"The Ice Witch was the deity of the Thirteen Ice Aspects, the Thorn Goddess' chosen saint, the Witch Sea's savior..."

Jin Li murmured to herself.

She knows my teacher's prophecy... Fen continued:

"My teacher prophesied that when war begins, the Smiling Moon will rule the night, the Four Pirate Emperors will vanish into whirlpools, the Steam Hand will crash in the northern seas, the city upon moonstone will become pirates' paradise amidst siren calls, and as a demigod unaffiliated with any kingdom or ancient supernatural organization emerges, the Great Whale will cross borders, swallowing all existence into its belly..."

"Their power surpasses legendary limits, beyond our capabilities. We can do nothing..."

Fen glanced at Chen Qi, apologetic:

"With our strength, we truly can't accomplish anything."

Can't do anything... Chen Qi tried recalling key Witch Sea events.

Fen's prophecy likely referred to major events: the Steam Hand's defeat, the Blackfin Crew's siege, and the Blood Blade Pirates' collapse...

The Flower Witch wasn't wrong—facing the Witch Sea's cataclysms alone, she stood no chance.

Like ants trying to move mountains—this wasn't a one-person task.

Fen clasped her hands, praying:

"My teacher said I must gather at least five Witch relics before the Great Whale's call arrives."

"Then at the Witch's Coffin in the sea's depths, open the path to sainthood..."

Here, Fen paused:

"And resurrect her... resurrect my teacher..."

"Only then might we stand a chance against that prophesied Deep Sea Ancient God and the Great Whale."

Resurrect her? That murderous monster-slaying grandmother over five centuries old? Chen Qi couldn't help but think sarcastically.

Though Chen Qi remained composed, Jin Li beside him could no longer contain her excitement.

Resurrecting the Ice Witch! This was unprecedented news! A monumental event!

A legendary historical figure might return!

But politely, Jin Li suppressed her outburst, listening intently.

The Flower Witch lowered her gaze to her wounded arm:

"The Witch Sea's destruction is prophesied, an undeniable fact...

To resurrect my teacher requires collecting all Witch relics—an impossible task, since twenty years ago, the Blackfin Crew's Whale Father stole relics from my teacher...

Not to mention I'm just a sick patient."

Fen gritted her teeth slightly:

"If you two wish to survive these seas, stay as far away as possible from—"

"Fen!"

More defeatist talk... Chen Qi interrupted:

"Don't worry, I'll accompany you. Besides, if there's a path to sainthood, I won't abandon that hope."

Compared to other region's main storylines, the Witch Sea's goal of resurrecting the Ice Witch was relatively simple.

Moreover, all main storylines contained paths to sainthood—even godhood!!

Chen Qi rubbed his forehead.

This path was one of his ultimate goals.

He'd already begun the Witch Sea's main quest.

If he couldn't become legendary, couldn't attain sainthood, his fate would be becoming another sea wraith.

Not to mention, Chen Qi couldn't abandon the Flower Witch now to become some beast tamer in the Goldenfinch Kingdom.

Adrift at sea, the two lonely souls had already formed bonds.

Qi... Fen blinked blankly at Chen Qi, a shy red flower sprouting atop her head:

"Mmm."

Chen Qi asked calmly:

"Simply put, Fen, you need to resurrect the Ice Witch? If possible, perhaps the Ice Demon Pirates could help."

The Ice Demon Pirates' goals aligned perfectly with Fen's.

Really? Fen perked up, calm emerald eyes meeting Jin Li's:

"My teacher is the legendary Ice Witch. If you assist us, I believe she wouldn't mind offering a path beyond human limits—a way to sainthood..."

"Path to sainthood?"

"Yes, the Witch's Coffin is a ruin created by the Thorn Goddess! It contains methods and power to ascend to sainthood.

That's why the Blackfin Crew hunts me..."

Jin Li clenched her fists excitedly, hardly believing her ears.

The Flower Witch actually spoke so much to her!

And the path to sainthood was crucial information.

For legends, a sainthood path could drive them mad with desire.

Even Jin Li was no exception!

Placing hands on her thighs, Jin Li declared earnestly:

"Miss Witch! The Ice Demon Pirates pledge our full assistance! Everything!"

A valuable ally... Chen Qi leaned back slightly:

"This is extremely dangerous and significant—we can't act rashly. Fen, do you have a plan?"

Chen Qi vaguely remembered after the Blood Blade Pirates incident, Fen moved like death incarnate—wherever she went, catastrophe followed.

Each time, she barely escaped using 'Blooming Bloodflower' before fleeing.

Fen said seriously:

"There are thirteen Witch relics total. I need five, but most are already lost. I only know the Ice Aspect relic is with the Whale Father, and the Goblet Aspect relic is held by the Sea God Pirates.

These two are nearly impossible to obtain, so my plan is searching ruins for clues, then clearing them..."

"Of course, first I must complete my ascension quest—brewing the perfect potion amidst a blooming flower field to advance."

Clear rifts for relics... Chen Qi shook his head:

"Fen, that's too difficult. Even with perfect intelligence, others would claim relics first. Our best method is theft!"

The Black Hunter's right... Jin Li pondered this too.

The Flower Witch made it sound simple, but as seasoned ruin explorers, they understood the true difficulty.

Witch Trial Grounds were rare, and not all contained treasures.

Situations like the Blade Witch's Trial Grounds were exceptional.

Every Trial Ground appearing would be instantly targeted.

Theft! Was the best way to obtain relics!

Moreover, organizations aware of relics' value weren't limited to the Blackfin Crew.

The Bonfire Energy Company and navy were competitors too.

Fight the Steam Hand? The Blackfin Crew?

The room fell silent briefly.

Chen Qi closed his eyes, thoughts racing.

The Ice Witch just prophesied and awaited resurrection, while they faced countless complications.

Ultimately, without the Flower Witch, his current strength shouldn't touch main storylines.

Improving strength, reaching third-tier, entering elite ranks was the true priority.

Main quests weren't his concern yet.

These high-difficulty tasks would have to fall to the Ice Demon Pirates.

Chen Qi glanced at his aching arm.

Third-tier Transcendents represented the widest power disparity.

This tier included monstrous, spectral, shadow, martial arts, coin, and gunplay styles.

Additionally, there were enhancement paths: prosthetics, fleshcraft, tattoos, book implantation, etc.

At this stage, I must choose a style, a third-tier profession... Chen Qi rubbed his head, troubled.

Though he had some style and profession card ideas, he severely lacked necessary materials.

Third-tier emphasized versatility, yet every powerful style demanded specific rare resources.

Without organizational backing, acquiring these was extraordinarily difficult.

With the seas so turbulent, Chen Qi couldn't quickly obtain materials.

Where to find these resources or intel?

Wait!

Chen Qi suddenly realized—this room contained an obscenely wealthy super merchant.

A merchant overflowing with intel and rare style materials!

Unnoticed by Chen Qi's gaze, Jin Li excitedly opened her Backpack Card, pulling out collected intel and rare materials:

"Miss Witch, anything you'd like to purchase?"