novelraw Chapter 262: Departure, Sea of Calamities!
Chapter 262: Departure, Sea of Calamities!
After speaking on his sickbed, Chen Qi silently drank a cup of the health tea beside him.
An clenched her fists tightly, completely stunned by the fierce competition over the Deep Blue Fire between Bonfire Energy Company and the Sea God Pirates.
Including her, they now had a total of nine third-tier Transcendents. With Melanie and herself, in terms of strength, they could fully contend with a top-level A-rank Hunter team, only second to Bonfire Energy Company’s S-tier legendary Hunter team!
But that was still far from enough. In the Sea of Calamities, a black bird in the sky or a Night Scale Dragon in the depths could easily end the life of a third-tier Transcendent in an instant.
Not to mention, based on current information, the Deep Blue Fire was located deep within the Sea of Calamities.
Moreover, they had two enormous rivals: Bonfire Energy Company and the Sea God Pirates.
Still, Chen Qi’s words were like a matchstick igniting the White Tower Hunters’ burning desire to seek treasure.
At sea, unless you were one of the nobles, it was impossible to become stronger without taking risks!
Most importantly, Chen Qi was too confident. Despite being severely injured, he seemed to completely disregard the countless terrifying sea beasts and calamities of the Sea of Calamities.
An lifted her head calmly and said:“As Hunters, seeking treasure is in our nature, but are you truly certain the coordinates you have are correct? Are you sure the coordinates the Viper Father told you before he died aren’t a false trap?”
Chen Qi smiled and said:
“I’m certain. Of course, these coordinates came from my interrogation technique.”
“…”
After hearing this, An stood up from her chair and paced back and forth in the small sickroom, silent for a long time.
The glasses-wearing Hunter Aelor asked:
“Miss An?”
Melanie placed her hand on Aelor’s head and rubbed it:
“Don’t disturb her. She’s thinking.”
An habitually paced and drifted into thought when thinking.
Tick, tick, tick. Time passed bit by bit.
Finally, after a full three minutes, An stopped walking, gave a dry laugh, and said:
“Qi, you’re right! Without Bonfire Energy Company and the Sea God Pirates, recklessly entering the Sea of Calamities with our strength is extremely dangerous.
And although Bonfire Energy Company’s exploration ships are reckless, they will never go alone on this mission. They’ll hire Hunter teams and the navy.”
Chen Qi nodded.
Then An continued:
“So unsurprisingly, when they set out into the Sea of Calamities, they’ll gather a group of Hunters, and I can be one of them, joining Bonfire Energy Company’s team. Over these days, I’ve built quite a reputation among Hunters.”
“Also, Old White Seagull from the navy won’t miss this valuable opportunity. I remember you helped Old White Seagull with a mission. As a Lamp Keeper, the navy won’t easily attack you.”
“So even if you go to Sea God Island, as long as you don’t attack Bonfire Energy Company, you’ll still be very safe. Even if intercepted, you can simply give them the coordinates of Blue Fire Island.”
“Indeed…”
Chen Qi stroked his chin.
The coordinates he knew could serve as crucial intelligence to sell to Bonfire Energy Company.
An straightened her chest, confidently saying:
“Next, I’ll head to Seal No.3 mobile shipyard and temporarily join Bonfire Hunters’ team. Qi, you and the White Tower Hunters will be responsible for piloting the Viper Father and continue to Blue Fire Island!”
As long as she was in Bonfire Hunters’ team, it meant Chen Qi gained an ally. At least, they wouldn’t be easily targeted by Bonfire Hunters.
“Good idea.”
Chen Qi nodded.
An’s plan was quite good. If she joined Bonfire Hunters, it would provide them with an extra vantage point during their mission.
At the same time, her presence would reduce the chance of Chen Qi and the White Tower Hunters being attacked without cause.
Of course, the plan was still dangerous. No one could guarantee Bonfire Energy Company’s ships were orderly vessels, nor could anyone guarantee they wouldn’t encounter the Sea God Pirates.
Besides, the calamities of the Sea of Calamities were also a huge problem… Chen Qi frowned.
An keenly sensed Chen Qi’s moment of unease and kindly comforted:
“Don’t worry. With me here, I will protect you all!”
A confident smile, almost invincible, spread across An’s calm expression.
With her here, who would dare bully Chen Qi or attack the White Tower Hunters?
Though somewhat arrogant, An had yet to meet a stronger third-tier Transcendent in this sea. In fact, her Release ability was already faintly touching on stronger realms—
Because of that innate power, An had the confidence to protect Chen Qi, who was from the same place as her, from dangerous pirates and sea beasts.
An’s words calmed everyone’s tense hearts.
That feeling of having a powerful ally was truly refreshing!
Melanie said somewhat enviously:
“Alright, An! Our White Tower Hunters will definitely not attack the navy or Bonfire Hunters first.”
Finally, An thoughtfully took out three bottles of fine red medicine from her Backpack Card and handed them to Chen Qi:
“By the way, before we part, Qi, take these. These blood medicines should help you.”
Chen Qi took the bottles, sensing a faint familiar fragrance.
“What medicine is this?”
Chen Qi asked in surprise.
An gently said:
“I traded with a little pharmacist at Seal No.3 shipyard using a Snowflake Herb. She’s a very skilled pharmacist. Although she has no banner, her medicines are very good. The medicine you just swallowed came from her.”
At sea, such affordable skilled pharmacists were rare.
A pharmacist with a floral scent—could this be the Flower Witch? No wonder the scent felt familiar; she was also at Seal No.3 shipyard… Chen Qi sniffed and hurriedly asked:
“Where is this pharmacist?”
An thought for a moment and replied:
“She said she’s making a legendary potion and has already gone to the Vine Island in the Sea of Calamities for the ingredients.”
“I see…”
Chen Qi turned his head to look outside the window.
Advancing from third to fourth tier not only required a profession card but also completion of the legendary profession card’s task.
The Flower Witch was currently striving hard for her advancement.
Although the Deep Blue Fire was very important, at this moment, Fen’s promotion was more crucial.
After all, the huge Blackfin Crew was pursuing her.
Hopefully, Fen would go well… Chen Qi silently thought.
An followed Chen Qi’s gaze, looked outside once more, then left the White Tower Hunter ship.
...
The pale sky grew darker as gloomy seawater constantly swept past the Viper Father’s hull.
Chen Qi, six water spirits, White Tower Hunter mechanic Mary, and Hunter Aelor spent half an hour cleaning battle scars on the Viper Father and repairing damage caused by combat.
“Wah wah wah! (Work hard! Work hard!)”
The water spirits wielding cloths worked extra hard since their master was just knocked out by a woman and was clearly in poor condition.
They had to do their best to help their master recover.
Thanks to everyone’s efforts, the Viper Father soon looked brand new, as if it had never been attacked.
After finishing, Chen Qi wiped the sweat from his head, crouched down, and chatted with the water spirits:
“My darlings, are you ready to set sail?”
“Wah wah wah! (Ready! Captain!)”
“We’re ready!”
Melanie and Aelor, who just walked by, raised their hands and said excitedly.
Then they saw the water spirits beside Chen Qi’s feet.
“Were they not talking to us?” Melanie blushed, coughed twice, and said softly:
“What’s next, Lamp Keeper?”
Chen Qi smiled:
“Next, we keep the Viper Father moving forward. For a short time, it shouldn’t attract the attention of the Sea God Pirates or Bonfire Hunters. When we reach the Sea of Calamities, we can abandon the Viper Father depending on the situation.
For safety, it’s best for the three ships to travel separately. Then I’ll give you coordinates, and we’ll regroup inside the Sea of Calamities.”
“Alright. Praise the Sea Goddess! May she bless us! Hmm, on the Witch Sea, I might have to thank the great Book Witch!”
Melanie traced a symbol of a book of knowledge on her chest, along with the Sea Goddess, praying for a smooth journey.
After discussing, they immediately started their engines and headed toward the Sea of Calamities.
Chen Qi set a simple route and assigned Water Spirit Number Three and a White Tower Hunter to pilot the ghost ship. Meanwhile, Water Spirit Number One, who possessed illusion abilities and was strong, acted as a bodyguard, casting illusions to protect the ghost ship.
Now, Water Spirits One and Three were fully capable of independent operation.
Boom!
The engines of the three ships roared to life. Instantly, powerful force surged, pushing the ships through the waves, cutting through the calm sea, leaving three deep water trails behind.
The Viper Father was no weaker in power. It was like a sharp blade slicing through raging waves, charging straight toward the forbidden zone called the Sea of Calamities.
The Sea of Calamities was a favorite high-level dungeon among players. Though full of sea beasts and calamities, after the Smiling Moon event, it became a special zone with many B-tier dimensional rifts. For those seeking stronger Release abilities and legendary promotion, adventure in the Sea of Calamities was essential.
Chen Qi stood on the bow deck, steering the Viper Father forward for two hours.
Behind him, Melanie kept watch.
Newly graduated college student Hunter Aelor continued reviewing for his graduate exam. In just over three months, he would take the exam at Beiguo Royal University.
Four other White Tower Hunters had different roles: two piloted the White Tower Hunter ship; two were inside the Viper Father—one operated the cannons, the other the shield.
All wore stealth clothing, while Chen Qi donned the Viper Father cloak.
Boom! A massive thunderstorm rolled through the sky!
They had successfully entered the Sea of Calamities’ domain!
Huff! Huff!
Indeed, steering a ship was best done standing at the open bow, feeling the storm’s power… Chen Qi enjoyed this storm like an experienced captain.
To him now, a mere storm was no different from a light drizzle before.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The storm raged on, giant waves towering, as if the rawest, wildest forces of nature converged here, challenging all who dared venture.
Rain and wind constantly struck Chen Qi’s face, and the ship rocked violently.
Excited, Chen Qi accelerated the Viper Father’s speed:
“Come on! Let the storm rage harder!”
“Momma…”
Melanie, the acting captain, silently wondered if she should have taken the helm instead.
Just then, suddenly a whirlwind formed from the black sea surface, quickly whipping up black waves into a thirty-meter-tall black wave storm, charging straight at the Viper Father!
The Black Wave Tornado was a minor calamity of the Sea of Calamities, originating from a broken Floral Aspect Rift.
Its speed was so fast there was no chance to dodge.
Behind Chen Qi, Melanie was stunned. Did this Lamp Keeper’s words really come true so quickly?
“Shields, activate!”
Chen Qi shouted.
Boom!
A pale green scale-like shield formed over the Viper Father’s surface, creating steel-like defense.
Boom!
The Black Wave Tornado crashed against the shield and was forcefully deflected, moving away from the ship…
The Viper Father remained steady, continuing straight forward.
“Phew! Luckily, this ship’s shield system is decent! Beiguo craftsmanship is truly world-class!”
Melanie wiped rainwater from her head and smiled slightly.
However, her smile quickly froze.
Her spiritual energy sense, which could extend thousands of meters, detected danger approaching.
Something was behind them…
She turned her head.
In the distance, a shadowy warship stealthily approached. Their lights flickered on the waves like ghosts, eerie and mysterious.
“Still being followed…”
Melanie gritted her teeth.
Chen Qi, confident as captain, turned and said:
“Don’t worry, the Viper Father is fast. They can’t catch us.”
Boom!
At that moment, the distant warship suddenly burst into golden flames, shining brightly in the storm!
Flame overspeed mode!
The whole ship’s speed instantly tripled, charging through the waves!
What a curse of a prediction… Melanie glanced at Chen Qi silently and said:
“You really need someone to shut you up…”
Chen Qi looked puzzled:
“Is there anyone else piloting ghost flames on the sea like me?”
This was troublesome… After briefly worrying, Chen Qi smiled.
The reason he dared enter the Sea of Calamities was that this dangerous sea beast domain was his territory!
But the fact Bonfire Company dared accelerate meant they had changed their tracking strategy…
Could it be they wanted to capture the Viper Father?
Chen Qi analyzed.
In previous missions, Bonfire Energy Company lost the Viper Father in the Sea of Calamities. This time, they changed tactics, aiming to directly seize the Viper Father and interrogate to get Blue Fire Island’s coordinates.
However, if Bonfire Energy Company really caught them, given Bonfire Hunters’ nature, even if they survived, they would be heavily extorted.
Those company Hunter teams were crazy vultures seeking profit.
Melanie also thought of this and anxiously said:
“What do we do? Bonfire Hunters’ ships are aggressive. Should we surrender? But in the lawless Sea of Calamities, we might pay at least 100 million Shell Coins!”
Chen Qi focused on steering:
“Don’t worry, Melanie. This is the Sea of Calamities. Visibility is poor, and tornadoes are everywhere. We just need to wait until they get hit by a tornado, then turn off the lights briefly, and we can shake them off…”
Tornadoes… Melanie turned her head.
Sure enough, a black wave storm rose from the sea and blocked Bonfire Energy Company’s ship, preventing pursuit.
“In this sea area, chasing someone isn’t that easy…”
Chen Qi smiled slightly.
“Little brother, you’re quite witty! No need to find someone to shut your mouth!”
Melanie laughed.
But the next moment, Melanie’s eyes widened, and even Aelor, who had been reading quietly under the eaves, looked up toward the distance.
Boom!
Accompanied by thunderous sounds, a huge black shadow monster forcefully broke through the storm and chased after them.
It was like a giant on the sea, stepping and creating waves as it advanced relentlessly.
Aelor’s glasses were blown off by the storm, stunned, he asked:
“What is that?”
The entire ship fell silent.
Wait… Even the usually calm Chen Qi turned and looked toward the huge humanoid black shadow monster in the distance.
“No way.”
Chen Qi muttered.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Loud engine noises echoed over the sea!
Accompanied by thunder, the huge black shadow suddenly burst into fierce flames.
As the monster closed in, they finally saw its true form.
Running wildly over the stormy sea, chasing them—
It was a mecha.