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

Chapter 306: The Ice Demon Pirates' Ambition

Bad news from the Ice Demon Pirates, and good news? Chen Qi stood up, poured a cup of tea for Burry, and asked:

"Let's hear the bad news first."

Burry accepted the tea, rubbing his aching forehead:

"Our Captain Palu successfully cleared the B-tier dimensional rift and obtained the highest evaluation, but while leaving the rift, the ship piloted by our vice-captain was besieged by mysterious vessels and forced into the Fog Sea. Their current situation isn't good.

Our captain must go assist the vice-captain and temporarily cannot reach here to cover for us."

"Encountered mysterious ships?"

Fen blinked her large eyes, full of curiosity.

Burry sighed and explained:

"Yes, the information Captain Palu transmitted to me is limited. There's very little about these ships, only that wherever they appear, the sky turns black and red, and numerous ship disappearances occur. Perhaps they're another ghost ship born from a high-tier dimensional rift."

Mysterious ships... A troublesome guess flashed through Chen Qi's mind.Then Burry took out a stack of bounty lists and placed them on the desk:

"Of course, the worst news is that according to our captain's information, the navy has offered an irresistible reward this time to hunt us down!"

After saying this, Burry took a sip of tea and added:

"If I weren't already wealthy, even I would be tempted."

You're quite honest... Chen Qi took the bounty list, unfolded it, and carefully scanned it.

His bounty had shockingly increased to eighty million Shell Coins, while the Flower Witch's bounty reached an astonishing one hundred million Shell Coins due to her legendary promotion.

Of course, the more important reward was the fourth-tier profession card of any Affinity promised by the navy upper echelons in the name of the Sea Goddess.

Additionally, Burry, who only showed his back, also received an astonishing thirty million Shell Coin bounty as a 'mysterious person'.

"A legendary profession card of any Affinity, what extravagance..."

Chen Qi's throat moved slightly.

Had their fame already become worth the navy offering a legendary profession card as reward?

And of any Affinity at that...

Chen Qi swallowed. Faced with such high rewards, he even felt the impulse to capture himself and claim the bounty.

Right now, he desperately needed a legendary profession card.

Under the dimensional tide, third-tier Transcendents were becoming increasingly common, but legendary profession cards remained extremely rare.

Even though both he and the Flower Witch had demonstrated sufficient strength in the newspapers, under the temptation of legendary profession cards, many hunters would still pursue them.

After all, the fall of one legend meant the beginning of another.

And the adventurers and hunters of the Witch Sea wouldn't let slip this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Fen scanned the bounty list, her expression changing from joy to gloom as she slowly sighed:

"Next, I'm afraid many troublesome people will come after us."

Burry continued rubbing his forehead, saying miserably:

"You two, actually, experts have already come for you."

"Experts?"

Chen Qi asked curiously.

If the 'debt collectors' specially responsible for handling monetary issues between merchants from Beiguo's major banks were mobilized, they would be in real trouble.

Burry drank some tea, revealing a bitter smile:

"Moonstone City's bounty hunters."

Moonstone City's bounty hunters! After hearing this, Fen couldn't help tightening her grip on the blanket.

They were more like assassins than hunters.

"Is that all?"

After hearing this, Chen Qi instead revealed a slight smile.

Though Moonstone City's bounty hunters excelled at tracking and assassination, their strength wasn't sufficient to threaten them.

Seeing this, Burry added:

"Besides that, they've gathered a group of experts from the Witch Sea, including the famous Supernova, An. It's said that former Supernova Dya has also prepared to join the hunting team."

"An..."

Chen Qi muttered, pouring himself a cup of tea and drinking it.

Though An was among the top tier of third-tier Transcendents, to the current Chen Qi, she wasn't undefeatable.

Chen Qi couldn't help but snort lightly.

Though An had been powerful before, capable of repelling his Ghost Ship single-handedly.

But now, times had changed!

If she dared to come, he would make sure she never returned!

Chen Qi could let her experience what it meant to have normal attacks crit, enhanced by the Flower Witch's potions, while also letting An feel the chain attacks of twelve tentacles!

After the battle with the Dragon Tamer King, facing An Aotian, Chen Qi felt more composed. Even in a one-on-one fight with An, he had sixty percent confidence.

But the troublesome point was if she cooperated with other hunters, forming an encirclement - that would create some minor complications.

After all, he and Fen had jointly repelled the legendary Dragon Tamer King. Their achievements were too dazzling, making it not impossible for hunting hunters to form alliances.

A united hunter team specifically targeting us... Chen Qi frowned, faintly sensing a possibility of danger.

However, at this moment, compared to these Transcendents threatening their lives, he was more worried about them obstructing their subsequent actions.

After the ship was repaired, they needed to leave quickly. There was no time to deal with bounty hunters now, Chen Qi said silently in his heart.

Burry was very pessimistic. He had already vaguely imagined the terrifying scene of numerous monster hunters from the Witch Sea cooperating under the attraction of a 'legendary profession card of any Affinity'.

Chen Qi then asked:

"What about the good news?"

Burry snorted lightly, then took a special card from the small bag at his waist and handed it to Chen Qi:

"Qi, you should have one of the Dragon Tamer King's backpack cards, right?"

"???"

Chen Qi accepted the card.

On the card's front was a pattern of a bronze key.

[Key Card:

Affinity: Lamp, Book

Tier: Third-tier

Description: The lamp forged into a key. This card can summon a special key for breaking door locks, chests, and other 'locks' below third-tier.]

Key Card... Chen Qi was secretly surprised.

The Key Card was a very rare special card that could summon a key to forcibly break most 'locks'.

Whether chest locks, door locks, or runic password locks on backpack cards, all fell within the Key Card's breaking range. Typically, the only limitation on what it could break was 'tier'.

The Key Card was also the simplest and most brutal tool for opening special treasure chests and hidden doors in dimensional rifts in many situations.

A 'third-tier' Key Card was sufficient to break hidden doors in most low-tier dimensional rifts.

Like backpack cards, crafting Key Cards required reliance on numerous high-tier dimensional rifts. However, unlike backpack cards, Key Card manufacturers didn't have a mature system, making them even rarer and more expensive.

The Dragon Tamer King's backpack card happened to need a specialized tool to break.

At this timing, compared to finding a lock-picking master with Book affinity, directly using the Key Card to break it was indeed more convenient... Chen Qi gently pinched the backpack card and asked:

"What's the cost?"

Burry leaned against the wall, quickly shaking his head:

"This card was gifted by Captain Palu. Captain Palu hopes you'll wait for him. After he rescues the vice-captain, he has an important matter he wants to entrust to you."

"What matter?"

Fen asked curiously.

Burry touched his messy hair:

"I'm not too clear about the specifics, but based on my observations of Captain Palu, it's mostly likely related to the Ice Witch."

Teacher... Fen couldn't help but sprout a surprised flower.

The Ice Demon Pirates knew her teacher was still alive.

Chen Qi showed no particular expression. The Ice Demon Pirates' purpose on the high seas was very pure - to find the Witch's Coffin and resurrect the Ice Witch.

This had been their goal since their founding!

All their various behaviors could be completely understood as the Ice Witch's fanatical fans.

However, the deeper reasons behind Captain Palu wanting to resurrect the Ice Witch had always been subject to various opinions.

Some believed Captain Palu had certain evil plans, wanting to seize the Ice Witch's power, while others thought Captain Palu wanted the Ice Witch's knowledge.

After the ship was repaired, they needed to leave quickly. There was no time to deal with bounty hunters now, Chen Qi said silently in his heart.

"Don't worry, our captain is one of the Three Elite of Beiguo Royal University! Though he has some mental issues, he absolutely has no malicious intentions. Perhaps he simply likes the Ice Witch, or wants to learn the world's unknown secrets from the Ice Witch."

Likes my teacher? After hearing the explanation, Fen looked at Chen Qi.

Chen Qi thought about it, then nodded.

Seeing this, Fen agreed to the matter.

Actually, Chen Qi quite wanted to make contact with the Ice Demon Pirates.

After advancing to legendary tier, they needed unimaginable resources, and undoubtedly, the Ice Demon Pirates' numerous talents were extremely lucrative targets.

After delivering the news, Burry, his throat dry and painful, picked up a cup and brewed some invigorating coffee. After drinking it, he revealed a slight smile:

"You two, I won't say more. I need to continue repairing the ship! It should be repaired tonight. Captain, this area is still too close to the Dragonflower Archipelago. We'd better quickly find a new base!"

Though accidentally drawn into this operation, as the mechanic for this action, Burry was full of motivation.

For some reason, the more he worked, the more energetic he became. Perhaps every time he fixed a leak, the water spirits would cheer beside him?

"Mm."

Chen Qi nodded.

The three briefly discussed their subsequent plans, then Burry pushed open the door and led the highly motivated Water Spirit No.1 and No.4 to continue ship repairs.

Clanging sounds resumed!

After Burry left, Chen Qi sat at the desk and spread out the Ice Demon Pirates' sea chart. Next, he needed to plan a new route while taking inventory of their gains from this journey.

This place wasn't safe. Fen needed to recuperate, and they needed a completely new base.

A base with sufficient medicinal resources!

Fen had already advanced to legendary tier. As long as medicinal supplies were guaranteed, even without flesh surgery, his physical constitution could reach a new realm... Chen Qi thought silently.

Fen sat on the bed, propping her face with her hand, wearing a mischievous smile.

She quietly watched Chen Qi working for a moment, then secretly took out a treasure from her waist pouch and suddenly said:

"Qi, actually I also have good news for you."

"???"

Chen Qi curiously turned around.

Why did it feel like there was so much good news?

In the next instant, Chen Qi's pupils couldn't help but widen.

The potion in Fen's hand had marvelous colors like a starry sea, and inside it, one could seemingly see butterflies under moonlight.

Philosopher's Stone Potion!

Surprised! Fen snorted twice, a small yellow flower sprouting from her head, then took out a tube of potion.

Fen proudly explained:

The Dragon Tamer King's backpack card happened to need a specialized tool to break.

"Ah?"

Chen Qi had to admit he was indeed surprised.

Leaving a quarter of promotion materials - was such manipulation possible?

"This is one of the rewards from this journey!"

Fen pouted proudly and said.

One of the rewards, could there be other rewards... Chen Qi accepted the potion.

[Diluted Moonlight Flower Sea Potion:

Affinity: Flower

Description: A Philosopher's Stone Potion brewed using the legendary ingredient 'Moon Island Flower' combined with hundreds of other medicinal materials. Can break through one's spiritual energy limit, enhance one's inspiration, and massively improve physical constitution. After complete consumption, has high probability of obtaining special spiritual vision ability.

Note: Consuming this potion requires constitution above 100. If constitution below 300, cannot consume all at once.]

A Philosopher's Stone Potion crafted by a witch... Chen Qi accepted the potion, smiling as he said:

"Thank you."

Chen Qi didn't hesitate, opening the potion and taking a small sip.

A drop of azure liquid slowly slid from his tongue tip to his throat, then spread throughout his body.

Unlike previous scalding sensations, drinking this potion instantly brought an indescribable sense of pleasure.

It felt like lying on grassland, feeling the wind while gazing at the starry sea - a comfortable sensation.

"How is it? Are you okay?"

Fen asked curiously, her face red. It was dangerous for ordinary third-tier Transcendents to consume Philosopher's Stone Potions.

All their various behaviors could be completely understood as the Ice Witch's fanatical fans.

After drinking the potion, Chen Qi felt physically and mentally refreshed.

Unlike other supernatural potions, this potion required a long time to take full effect.

Some believed Captain Palu had certain evil plans, wanting to seize the Ice Witch's power, while others thought Captain Palu wanted the Ice Witch's knowledge.

After saying this, Fen lay down, covered herself with the blanket, and small pink flowers sprouted one after another from her head.

Why did Fen seem strangely happy... Chen Qi thought silently.

Chen Qi silently turned back, took out a pen, and continued planning their ship's subsequent base.

The Dragonflower Archipelago was too dangerous. There were too many Sea God Pirates and Blackore City bounty hunters, making it unsuitable.

Chen Qi couldn't help but focus his gaze on a special location - the border between White Tower Sea and Witch Sea, a 'Scorched Earth Island'.

This location backed against a great whirlpool and was once a noble's private mine. After the dimensional tide arrived, it was purchased by a collector from the White Tower Federation.

But at this timing, it should have developed into a moderately sized neutral island like Damarro Town.

Of course, being in neutral territory and backing against a great whirlpool, combined with the island's harsh environment, neither the navy nor pirate groups had much interest in this place.

Due to the excessively harsh environment, most people coming here were poor adventurers, pirates without major backing, or hunters from other countries.

After reaching legendary status, they needed unimaginable resources, and undoubtedly, the Ice Demon Pirates' numerous talents were extremely lucrative targets.

Simply put, this was an extremely dangerous lawless island located on the border.

Chen Qi rubbed his chin. Of course, danger was only relative to others.

Though chaotic, this island had everything - both ship repair docks and merchants selling various goods.

Moreover, because of the numerous hunters and fugitives from other countries, one could occasionally encounter rare opportunities!

Though accidentally drawn into this operation, as the mechanic for this mission, Burry was full of motivation.

After confirming their subsequent action location.

Chen Qi took out the Dragon Tamer King's backpack card, carefully inspecting it to confirm there were no extra traps.

"Time for another box opening."

Chen Qi rubbed his hands. What could be inside the Dragon Tamer King's backpack card?

As expected, it should contain rare items for 'raising pets'.

Hopefully the water spirits and Coastal Apex Predators can use them... Chen Qi thought silently.

Then he took out the Key Card and infused it with spiritual energy.

As spiritual energy was infused, the 'key pattern' on the Key Card slowly materialized into a semi-transparent key.

Chen Qi reached out, grasped the key, inserted it into the Dragon Tamer King's backpack card, and forcefully twisted.

With a "click" sound, the backpack card suddenly opened.