novelraw Chapter 241: Lantern's Shadow
Chapter 241: Lantern's Shadow
White Tower Federation, free card-making, free... Chen Qi looked at the other party.
Generally speaking, crafting a third-tier profession card would cost one hundred thousand Shell Coins, and if the creator was highly skilled, the price could rise to between three hundred thousand and five hundred thousand Shell Coins.
Of course, in Beiguo, master card-makers were as rare as phoenix feathers, the kind you couldn't find even with money.
Free card-making was quite a good little windfall.
Free things often meant danger... Chen Qi carefully scrutinized the other party.
Apart from An who had returned from studying abroad, this was probably his first conversation with someone from the White Tower Federation since arriving in this world.
Besides the hunter's attire, there were two silver droplets hanging from the other's ears.
Mercury Drops, another big shot... Chen Qi thought to himself.
Beiguo's renowned card-maker Melany, codename: Mercury Hunter.
Judging by clothing and aura, the Transcendent before him was just an unremarkable second-tier Transcendent.But in reality, White Tower hunters excelled at concealing their spiritual energy fields - all six of them were likely third-tier in actual strength.
Mercury Hunter Melany, whose hobbies included reading, newspapers, card-making, teasing others, plus hunting spies, searching for the Flower Witch, and various other valuable pursuits.
Like Gray Mouse, Melany was a young president of the Hunter Association, serving as a novice mentor to many. By third-tier, she had already mastered multiple powerful Release techniques, just one step away from legend status - extremely dangerous.
Melany gently swirled her wine glass, raising an eyebrow:
"Little brother, you seem to need a knowledgeable and powerful card-maker. If you truly succeed in obtaining intelligence about the Shadow Tide, this hunter is willing to make cards for you free of charge."
Chen Qi pondered for a moment.
The White Tower Federation's card-making standards were exceptionally high.
Card-makers in other countries were merely support professions, but in the White Tower Federation, they were a terrifying combat force.
White Tower card-makers possessed greater power, capable of creating many formidable and dangerous cards while mastering techniques for card-based combat.
Due to investments in supernatural resources, eighty percent of White Tower card-makers had formidable combat strength, hence they were also known as Card Masters by the world.
Making acquaintance with a White Tower card-maker would be quite beneficial...
However, she actually thinks I can obtain intelligence... Chen Qi thought before saying:
"I hope you won't go back on your word."
"Of course not. May you succeed, little brother."
Melany narrowed her eyes and smiled.
Chen Qi shook his head internally.
While befriending a White Tower hunter card-maker wasn't bad, undoubtedly her motives weren't pure.
As expected, her goal was the same as mine - the Sea God Pirates' deep blue fire and the Flower Witch's relics.
These six are all competitors.
In future interactions, I must remain vigilant... Chen Qi pocketed the map and followed Captain Sea Serpent away from the place.
After they left, Melany and her group also departed, heading towards the Sea God Pirates' inn.
Inside the inn, a White Tower hunter asked curiously:
"Captain Melany, why did you agree to make cards for that hunter just now? A second-tier hunter couldn't possibly obtain any useful Shadow Tide intelligence."
Melany hesitated before saying:
"Well, because I took a liking to him."
"Captain???"
Melany curled her lips:
"Just kidding. My inspiration tells me his strength far exceeds ordinary second-tier Transcendents. Plus with his newcomer status, doesn't our plan precisely lack bait - bait that can draw fire!
Given our current situation, cultivating attention-drawing bait would be an excellent choice.
Moreover, if he truly can obtain Shadow Tide intelligence, that would benefit us too! After all, the Shadow Tide represents extremely rich experience.
Therefore, we might as well make contact first, offer some benefits."
Melany smiled confidently, believing she could use White Tower Federation resources to pull Chen Qi into their adventure team as bait.
Would that guy even survive... The White Tower hunter thought helplessly but forced a smile:
"Captain's wisdom is profound!"
......
The next day, midnight.
After handing over with Captain Sea Serpent, Chen Qi went to the shipyard, spending one hundred thousand Shell Coins on repairs and another two hundred thousand to install a more powerful triple propeller on his small houseboat.
Though the ghost ship was powerful, in many sea areas, smaller vessels offered better safety and concealment.
After upgrading the small houseboat, Chen Qi assigned Water Spirit No.5 and No.6 to handle the tentacle grass work.
Maintaining tentacle grass was simple - mainly going to their roots to remove fish bones and applying a layer of essential oil.
As fellow deep-sea creatures, tentacle grass wouldn't randomly attack water spirits. With their manual dexterity, handling two areas would be more than enough.
Finally, Chen Qi spent another one hundred thousand Shell Coins purchasing ten high-intensity waterproof spherical lamps, stuffing them into No.1 and No.3's bellies to temporarily evolve them into light spirits.
Then another two hundred thousand Shell Coins for one hundred light bullets produced by Magic Bullet Company.
Though expensive, they were essential against Shadow Demons... Chen Qi loaded his sniper rifle.
Before nightfall, I must find Lantern's Shadow and kill him... Chen Qi thought silently.
After handling these matters, Chen Qi rode the dawn's light, sailing towards the Shadow Tide's origin point.
......
Noon, Sea God Island waters, Black Forest Island.
Beneath enormous tree shades, a scouting expedition team fled in panic, holding lanterns and frequently looking back.
Behind them came intermittent beast-like sounds.
Forest Island was densely wooded, with fluffy top foliage forming a massive dark cloak burying the entire island in darkness.
Before attacking, the Shadow Tide needed a dwelling, and this island was undoubtedly their perfect residence.
The five-member expedition team were all second-tier Transcendents who came for the Sea God Pirates' promised million Shell Coins reward.
Upon arrival, the team leader had been thrilled, thinking they'd gotten a simple reconnaissance mission!
After all, according to intel, shadow beasts couldn't approach light.
But now, his voice trembled uncontrollably:
"Is... is he still there?"
The expedition leader, a Blade-phase soldier with courage skills activated, still couldn't stop shaking.
"Captain, I don't know. I feel they're always present - whenever our lanterns flicker!"
In the forest, howling winds made it seem like countless dark hands sought to snatch their lanterns.
"Damn Sea God Pirates! If not for their promised flames! I'd never come here! If not for those damned debt collectors!"
The expedition leader gnashed his teeth. As a hunter who'd completed three C-tier dimensional rift missions and twenty D-tier missions, he'd danced with death multiple times.
His family had been minor Moonstone Archipelago miners who once rejected the Damarro Town mayor's marriage proposal.
Yet after the Dimensional Tide, greed led him to borrow thirty million Shell Coins from Beiguo Bank with friends, unable to repay, dooming his fifty-member family to debt collectors' mercy.
Why? Why must I repay? Why must I come to this godforsaken place? Why can't I have freedom? If I ran, I wouldn't die!
The leader grew angrier and more regretful:
"My family could handle this! I should pursue freedom!!"
He'd had enough of this nomadic life. As a Beiguo Royal University graduate, he should be seeking love and legendary adventures.
"I'll become legendary, even if it means betraying everyone! Once legendary, none can stop me!"
The leader gritted his teeth.
Suddenly, three whips shot from darkness, wrapping around his four teammates before piercing their chests.
Dark red blood instantly splashed across the leader's face.
They reacted one beat too slow - that beat decided their fates!
From the darkness ahead, a tall black figure wielding a massive scythe approached.
"Light! Light! Light!"
The leader raised his lantern, trying to ward off the monster!
All shadow beasts feared light!
Yet the figure ignored it, growing more excited instead.
The next instant, a slender arm grabbed his head as the scythe swung - dark red blood painted the ground.
Thud!
Five bodies were casually tossed aside.
In moments, wolf-like shadow beasts emerged from darkness, tails wagging happily.
After disposing of them, the tall figure hunched over, crushing the lantern underfoot while gazing towards the forest entrance.
Faintly, he heard weak voices approaching from afar.
......
"Ha! Ha! Ha! (Go away! Away! Don't approach master! Know who my master is?)"
"Hiss! Hiss! Hiss! (I'm a deep-sea monster! A terrifying monster!)"
Inside Black Forest, Water Spirit No.1 and No.3 puffed up their bodies, bouncing around Chen Qi while chasing shadow beasts.
Their bellies stuffed with spherical lamps, they'd become mobile light sources.
Now, they were light spirits!
Chen Qi held a lantern with Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker at his waist, ready for combat.
His lantern was a divine artifact from veteran Transcendent White Cloak, one of the Witch Sea's best.
With this, even giant shadow beasts wouldn't dare approach lightly.
Thus, Chen Qi considered Lantern's Shadow his only true enemy here.
A mad Transcendent wouldn't pass up hunting me... Chen Qi thought.
Patrolling Black Forest's edges, encountering Lantern's Shadow was only a matter of time.
But time itself was the issue.
Chen Qi frowned. It was already afternoon - barely over an hour until nightfall.
Once night fell, forget killing Lantern's Shadow - survival itself would be questionable.
Against overwhelming shadow beasts, even Daylight Lantern couldn't last long.
"Wah wah wah! (Shadow beasts! You're too weak! Try killing us!)"
"Waku waku! (Pathetic creatures, too scared to even approach us!)"
The two water spirits were having a blast.
Stop provoking them, my cute little ones... Chen Qi called: "Return! Night approaches!"
Bam!
Suddenly, a slender leg emerged from darkness, stomping Water Spirit No.1.
Its powerful kick instantly flattened the spirit and its internal bulb into paste.
Splat!
Then No.3!
In moments, the two arrogant spirits were reduced to paste!
Unaffected by light - Lantern's Shadow... Chen Qi looked up at the towering figure.
Hunched over, wielding a massive black scythe, his entire body was blackened as if armored.
Fresh blood dripped from the scythe.
Drip! Drip!
Lantern's Shadow gripped his weapon, uttering near-mad words:
"Shall I send you off?"
"Finally found you!"
Good luck, or rather, the water spirits' taunting worked... Chen Qi drew Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker as Ember's Touch surged over him like tidewater.
"Second-tier strength, deep blue flames..."
Lantern's Shadow's remaining rationality analyzed the situation.
Whoosh!
Darkness moved! Instantly, black wind enveloped him as his speed quintupled!
A madman's powerful movement skill obtained through shadow bargains!
Fast... Chen Qi activated Super Sense without hesitation.
Ripples spread dozens of meters from his feet, forming a circle.
His sensory world transformed dramatically - unprecedented clarity emerged.
Super Sense! Greatly enhanced perception of high-speed objects!
In this state, Chen Qi could easily catch bullets.
Behind!
Bam!
Black smoke formed two new translucent tentacles that intercepted the scythe.
The blade struck Chen Qi, but incredibly tough black energy absorbed most impact!
Steel Qi!
Combined with Super Sense, Lantern's Shadow's attacks were completely within his defense range.
Chen Qi counterattacked immediately, his tentacles grabbing and slamming Lantern's Shadow against a giant tree like a chicken.
Blade Breathing Technique!
Whoosh! With tremendous force.
His heart pounding, Chen Qi's feet shattered ground as he Shadow Stepped, wielding frenzied Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker for relentless strikes!
"Slash slash slash slash slash!"
"Die!"
Blade and scythe collided repeatedly, sparking dazzling lights!
Their shadows weaved a dense net mid