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

Chapter 296: New Pet Beast, Coastal Dominator!

One week later, dusk, Moonstone City, grand harbor.

On the rolling black waves, ships billowing thick smoke sailed in from the distant sea.

Dense crowds packed the harbor, gazing into the distance. Those aboard the ships weren't adventurers returning with full loads - they were mostly wounded, men and women, old and young.

In this chilly autumn, the injured on board huddled together like cargo, crammed into every corner of the ships.

A sea breeze carrying the scent of blood slowly blew past. The moment the ships docked, the crowd anxiously surged forward.

A weapons merchant wearing tattered robes with bark-like skin had set up a small stall by the harbor road, looking toward the crowd.

Among this dense mass of people, only one man in black hunter attire stood on the harbor, gazing at the sea for a long time without moving.

The weapons merchant asked in a dry, hoarse voice:

"Sir, are you a hunter from Blackore City?"

At the man's waist hung a second-tier hunter license from Blackore City.Chen Qi adjusted his hood and turned to scan the merchant before him.

The man was conservatively sixty years old, his skin so dry and shriveled like bark it almost stuck to his bones.

A third-tier Shell affinity Transcendent, probably a【Shopkeeper】of Shell affinity - this was a very popular management profession suitable for farming-type players. During digestion, it required consuming an additional third-tier profession card, plus an artifact anchored to 'shop attributes', and fifty gold coins to advance to a special Shopkeeper. Then by selling items and earning money to complete tasks, one could obtain the rare supernatural currency and inspiration points of the supernatural world.

In Beiguo, many miscellaneous weapon shopkeepers, potion shopkeepers, dock shopkeepers, bar shopkeepers, succubus shop shopkeepers, and other such Transcendents all belonged to branches of the "Shopkeeper" profession.

Chen Qi asked confirmingly:

"Weapons Shopkeeper?"

The weapons merchant calmly lifted the ragged cloth covering his merchandise:

"Yes, I was once a treasure hunter in Blackore City too, sir. Would you like to buy something?"

As he spoke, the skin at the corners of the weapons merchant's mouth made obvious creaking sounds.

This was the common necrotic tree disease from Goblet affinity rifts. If not treated promptly, it could leave a Goblet affinity third-tier Transcendent permanently disabled.

Beyond death, rifts could also bring unimaginable incurable diseases.

The story of a once glorious third-tier expert who eventually became crippled for life due to an illness contracted during constant adventures, or even had their corpse used as material, was not uncommon on these seas.

To be precise, aside from dying in rifts and conflicts, this was the ultimate fate of most third-tier Transcendents in this age of adventure.

Chen Qi looked down, scanning the merchant's goods before him.

He had been in Moonstone City for some time, but there was one very important thing he still hadn't obtained.

Vendors at Moonstone City harbor occasionally had some items. In terms of quality alone, this weapons merchant's goods were quite good.

The weapons merchant said sorrowfully:

"Sir, my eldest son died because abdominal poison insects weren't operated on in time. Now that war has come, the Blackfin Crew has killed many navy personnel."

"My second son, though second-tier, cannot refuse others and lacks his own opinions. Good doctors have limited availability - I need to secure him a spot in advance, if he can return..."

Chen Qi didn't respond, continuing to scan the merchandise.

Seeing this, the weapons merchant added:

"Sir, I'm not seeking sympathy to cheat you out of money. These are all good items I obtained during my early adventures. If not for some conflicts with Moonstone City's Merchant Consortium, they could fetch a large sum..."

Chen Qi remained silent for a moment before saying:

"Do you have those 'tattoo-type magic circuits' that don't require surgery, just need to be applied to the body to increase total spiritual energy and casting speed?"

The weapons merchant lowered his head, thinking for a moment:

"Yes, let me look..."

Chen Qi had already purchased many things during this trip to Moonstone City.

These included eighty spiral magic bullets worth ten million, sixty dazzling flash bombs specifically for blinding large creatures worth three million. During wartime, weapon prices in Moonstone City had increased significantly, but to counter flying dragons, he needed some anti-air capabilities.

Additionally, a Holy Light technique skill card that provided group courage, strength, and inspiration bonuses, worth five million. Though an auxiliary skill, it was essential for Lamp Keepers.

And in the black market, the sky-high priced "Water Breathing" skill card that extended underwater breathing time cost him ten million Shell Coins alone.

Plus express ship tickets, special mall entry passes, and other expenses, the fifty million gold coins Chen Qi had obtained now dwindled to just twenty million.

Fortunately, all his misdeeds were in the Rift Sea, so he had no reputation in Moonstone City. With his second-tier hunter license, he could enter any store without screening.

After a moment, the weapons merchant found a roll of 'bandages' among the densely packed goods on his ragged cloth, with deep blue text engraved on them.

Chen Qi's eyes lit up as he took the bandages.

【Convenience-type Tattoo Magic Circuit

Affinity: Book

Description: A convenience-type magic circuit that only needs to be wrapped around the body to enhance your 'spiritual energy transmission efficiency' and increase your total spiritual energy.】

Magic circuits were enhancements engraved on oneself that greatly improved spiritual energy transmission efficiency and total spiritual energy. However, for non-Book affinity Transcendents, such enhancements could only rely on surgery or equipment.

Convenience-type magic circuits could achieve similar effects, with the only drawbacks being easy damage and looking like a mummy wrapped in bandages when worn.

But for Chen Qi, this was quite good equipment. After all, among his opponents this time, he might directly face extraordinary Transcendents like An, so he needed to maximize his immediate combat power.

An's magic circuit came from her school's special encounter - one connected to the A-grade rift 'Magic Net'.

When Release was activated, her spiritual energy was nearly infinite, limited only by her frail body.

In this conflict, he was highly likely to encounter these third-tier Transcendents with extraordinary encounters.

Good luck this time... Chen Qi took the bandages and asked:

"How much?"

The old weapons merchant paused:

"Sir, I have two here. Total price six million, five million for both together."

A quite good price... Chen Qi took out a money pouch and poured out a thousand gold coins:

"I'll take these two cards, plus these explosion-making bottles and jars."

Though he had no use for many items in this small shop, they could probably be resold at higher prices in Blackore City.

A thousand gold coins! The weapons merchant was momentarily stunned by this amount:

"Thank you so much. This money can schedule a surgery with a doctor."

"Nothing much..."

Chen Qi sighed.

The navy base's great defeat had caused too much chaos, and chaos led to disaster. The entire sea's order had completely collapsed. With so many wounded, surgery fees for good doctors in Moonstone City kept rising.

For an ordinary person, healing a half-crippled body required at least ten million Shell Coins.

This amount was astronomical even in the current 'gold rush' on the Witch Sea.

Not to mention that many wounded had parents who were just ordinary workers in Moonstone City's factories.

Then, as he put away his purchases, he faintly sensed an ominous premonition and opened the envelope in his pocket.

Inside was Melanie's communication card, with only the latest crimson text:

"Danger, help."

"It's finally begun?"

Chen Qi felt a moment of excitement, then quickly frowned.

Red meant emergency - meaning things had developed beyond Fen's expectations!

Plus, transportation was now a problem.

Ordinary travel ships were far too slow.

Coupled with the massive number of wounded, eighty percent of Moonstone City's travel ships had been temporarily requisitioned as transport and merchant vessels for evacuating casualties.

He had stayed in Moonstone City a bit too long.

Chen Qi anxiously looked out to sea.

At this moment, the weapons merchant looked up and said:

"Sir, are you heading out to sea to fight? I hear the Blackfin Crew and Sea God Pirates are taking advantage of the chaos to massively attack various islands. There are hardly any safe places left at sea."

The weapons merchant spoke instinctively. Recently, Moonstone City's morgues had filled up, body bags piled high across the squares - all containing young people seeking glory and wealth.

"I know."

The weapons merchant said uncertainly:

"Is there something important out there?"

Important... quite important indeed... Chen Qi thought for a moment and said:

"You could say that."

"Sir, at Moonstone City's Goldfish Dock, there are cheap, fast steam boats for rent."

The weapons merchant seemed to remember something, then drew a snowflake pattern over his chest:

"May the Ice Witch bless you. May you and your family return safely."

"Mmm..."

Chen Qi nodded, pushed through the crowd, and walked into the distance. He gently stepped onto the seawater, then walked across the sea surface, continuing until he reached the vast, empty ocean.

The sea breeze blew.

As he advanced, black scales gradually emerged from the sea, appearing beneath his feet.

A low roar came from below.

"Let's go."

Chen Qi raised his head, opening his tired eyes to gaze at the distant sea.

......

Two days later.

Dragonflower Archipelago, atop the ruins of Haibao Number One.

Now, the once splendid mobile dock Haibao Number One had broken into two sections. Scorching flames had burned for three days and three nights, with Haibao Number One's location being the strategic passage to the Dragonflower Archipelago.

Over these past days, too many battles had occurred on these ruins. Right beside the raging flames, navy soldiers with severed arms remained.

This was their battlefield, their sleeping place, and where the upcoming decisive battle would occur.

Around the massive ruins of the Haibao Number One mobile dock, numerous adventure ships of hunters lingered nearby.

Some sought wealth, others vengeance for friends.

A ghost ship filled with flowers also stayed in the distance, particularly conspicuous.

Watching the navy's hoarse roars in the distance, Burry checked his pocket watch:

"Miss Flower Witch, according to intelligence, Tiger Shark - one of the Three Admirals and owner of the Great Shark Battleship - will arrive soon. We're running out of time."

"......"

Fen didn't speak, instead turning her head to look at the distant sea.

Rumble!

With the sound of massive waves, the Great Shark Battleship broke through the sea. At the bow stood a man wearing tight navy battle attire and an admiral's cap, looking up at the sky.

He had a square head, rough skin, small round eyes filled with killing intent, constantly emitting extremely violent Blade affinity aura. On these seas, he was like a roaring great shark.

Tiger Shark, one of the Three Admirals. His profession was the Blade-Scale Phase 'War General' - extremely combat-capable himself, while able to grant all 'warriors' fearless buffs and powerful global vision. A profession combining both command and combat abilities.

If he wished, he could even temporarily elevate all second-tier navy personnel present to third-tier Transcendent spiritual energy source levels.

Unlike the navy under White Seagull's command, Tiger Shark's forces revered Blade affinity, worshiped the Thirteen Prison Lords - an extremely violent unit. To many, their naval forces were even more pirate-like than actual pirates!

War drums sounded!

Two thousand Tiger Shark navy personnel wearing 'Storm Hammer' battle uniforms with 'Great Shark' armbands shouted in unison:

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Amidst the overwhelming killing cries, Tiger Shark raised his head, crossing arms as thick as iron pillars, roaring:

"Come out! Jie!"

Boom! His tremendous voice echoed across the sea, stirring layer upon layer of waves.

These past days, the navy and the Dragon Tamer King's forces had clashed twenty times, causing five thousand casualties.

Today, either the Dragonflower Archipelago would belong to the navy, or the Great Shark Battleship would belong to the Blackfin Crew!

"Opportunity!"

Burry's eyes lit up as he urgently exclaimed.

If the Dragon Tamer King and Tiger Shark's navy fought, that would be their best chance to enter the Dragon Tamer King's island backyard.

"......"

Fen shook her head. This might be her closest opportunity to obtain legendary medicinal herbs.

Moreover, the location of the Moon Island Flower was highly likely the sacred land the Ice Witch left for her. Perhaps she could complete her advancement right on Moonflower Island.

But now, they were still missing one person.

Fen touched Melanie's communication card - it had broken after just one use during ultra-long-distance transmission.

Burry turned back to look at the Flower Witch, saying quietly:

"Miss Flower Witch, the recent situation at sea is too severe. All travel ships have become medical vessels. Even if Chen Qi received your message immediately in Moonstone City, he couldn't come.

We don't have time to wait for him now. You might need to gamble."

Burry stretched, having upgraded his equipment these past days and regained his confidence.

"......"

Fen remained silent for a moment. Time was not to be missed. While Admiral Tiger Shark and the Dragon Tamer King confronted each other was their best opportunity.

The next instant, a second-tier Transcendent squad from Tiger Shark's navy charged across the sea.

They were wrapped in crimson aura - Admiral Tiger Shark's skill 'War Zeal' that granted warriors power but also filled them with killing and combat desire.

Fifteen strong, under Tiger Shark's War Zeal, each possessed third-tier spiritual energy sources, temporarily matching third-tier power.

The Tiger Shark squad leader brandished a blood-stained curved sword, eyes bloodshot:

"Who allowed you to be here, Chef?"

"Get back now, leave this place, and prepare us a feast for our triumphant return!"

They approached fiercely like thirsty beasts!

Trouble... Fen held her staff, looking at the Tiger Shark squad on the sea, momentarily caught in indecision.

But if she didn't act, these Tiger Shark squad members might violently plunder items from her ghost ship.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm a mechanic from Steam Hand Workshop. We'll leave immediately..."

Burry bowed down, reluctantly saying. When such a major battle was about to begin, they absolutely couldn't offend these terrifying executioners.

Everyone was an enemy!

"If leaving, leave the woman's body behind..."

The Tiger Shark squad leader grinned, spinning his curved sword.

Boom!

Almost without any warning, a sharp head suddenly emerged from the sea. Sharp black scales danced with blood-stained waves, instantly devouring the fifteen-member Tiger Shark squad.

"!!!"

What was that black thing? Everything happened too fast. Burry's lips trembled slightly, unable to see clearly momentarily.

But Fen slowly turned around. In front of the captain's cabin, she heard a familiar voice and the cheers of water spirits.

"We should depart, you two."

Drenched Chen Qi leaned against the captain's cabin, patting Water Spirit No.1's head, saying quietly.