novelraw Chapter 344: The Shivering Little Crow
Chapter 344: The Shivering Little Crow
At dawn, on the Ghost Ship, a gentle breeze blew.
Tick, tock.
Time passed second by second... Little Crow leaned against the wall of the captain's cabin, watching the pocket watch in her hand.
After just three hours of sailing, the sounds of gunpowder smoke and battle had disappeared, replaced by the peaceful sea breeze and the cries of white seagulls in the sky.
This was the legendary Ghost Ship capable of spatial travel, where witches and hunters imprisoned slaves... Little Crow nervously glanced around, not daring to move a single step.
After boarding the ship, she could smell a faint floral fragrance, and at the same time, heard strange collision sounds from the cabin, but couldn't see any human figures.
Little Crow looked around, trying to find traces of more crew members.
According to rumors, after every major event, even though the Black Hunter didn't personally handle the "loot cleanup" work, the spoils would always mysteriously disappear.
This proved that the Black Hunter had a specialized battlefield cleanup team.
To silently take away the spoils under everyone's watchful eyes, it must be an assassin skilled in hiding and highly versatile... Little Crow thought to herself.Suddenly, Water Spirit No.5 holding a mop walked out from the kitchen.
"Woo (Clean up the spoils, scrub the toilet, then sweep the deck.)"
The hardworking Water Spirit No.5, holding a small custom mop from Burry, began cleaning the grime on the deck caused by the tsunami.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The skilled Water Spirit No.5 quickly restored the filthy deck of the Ghost Ship to pristine condition.
That bouncy little body... Little Crow widened her eyes, excitedly watching this scene.
Watching the deck transform from covered in dirty water to clean always gave an inexplicable sense of satisfaction!
As someone who often stayed up late reading newspapers, Little Crow was familiar with the legends about witches and hunters.
"Is this the legendary slave on the Ghost Ship who's been tortured beyond recognition?"
Little Crow twirled the hair near her earlobe.
So these slaves were water spirits.
But to train water spirits to this extent, who knows what methods the witch used.
In legends, Deepsea Water Spirits, as ultra-rare creatures lurking in the ocean depths, were extremely difficult to capture and train.
The ship's speed gradually decreased.
They've reached the witch and hunter's headquarters... Little Crow bit her hair, excitedly gazing at the witch's headquarters.
Chen Qi had said that once they reached shore, he would deal with her situation!
What would the witch and hunter's headquarters be like? Little Crow was particularly excited.
And the next second, one after another sea dragon as pure as the moon emerged from the sea, their graceful forms resembling the Sea Goddess bathing under moonlight!
Noble, elegant, and extremely dangerous!
The legendary lamp-moon sea dragon! Little Crow almost didn't hesitate, biting her finger, trying to use basic pain to resist the lamp-moon sea dragon's illusions!
The next moment, the lamp-moon sea dragon lowered its body, its white snake-like dragon head approaching her own head.
"Hoo!"
The lamp-moon sea dragon opened its mouth and blew a thick white breath toward her.
The lamp-moon sea dragon's pure white dragon teeth were only ten centimeters away from her!
It wants my life!
"Don't come any closer!"
Even as someone who loved sea creatures, Little Crow still felt instinctive fear facing such a massive being in that moment.
However, facing Little Crow's terrified pupils, the lamp-moon sea dragon still didn't retreat at all.
Those white fangs came closer and closer to Little Crow, almost about to crush her head in the next moment.
"Waku waku (Don't block the ship's path!)"
The next second, an even larger Blackship Sea Dragon leaped fiercely from the seabed.
Under the guidance of Water Spirit No.1 on the dragon's head, the Blackship Sea Dragon fiercely used its thick dragon tail to lock around the lamp-moon sea dragon's neck, forcibly dragging its massive body underwater.
"Ah?"
Little Crow tremblingly raised her head, looking again at the huge shadow above her.
What is this now?
The Coastal Apex Predator looked down at her with its blood-red eyes, thick blood dripping piece by piece from its multiple rows of sharp dragon teeth onto the deck.
Nourished by the Dragon Tamer King's materials, the Coastal Apex Predator now resembled a massive warship.
Above her head, there was also a water spirit holding a long sword, like a dragon rider.
In that brief moment, her mind fell into deep thought.
Until the next second, Chen Qi's voice came:
"Number One, stop playing around, go distribute food to the lamp-moon sea dragons. Look at them, they're so hungry they're trying to beg food from strangers."
Chen Qi casually waved his hand, and the Blackship Sea Dragon submerged underwater, picking up the fish feed on the deck. One dragon and one water spirit charged into the lamp-moon sea dragon's nest.
I wonder when the lamp-moon sea dragon's fruit will mature for the second time... Chen Qi watched the distant lamp-moon sea dragons.
Little Crow stared blankly into the distance.
The witch is actually raising sea dragons, and lamp-moon sea dragons at that - such extremely proud sea dragons!
In legends, the Goldenfinch Kingdom's hypnotic flowers could make proud creatures obey humans - it's really true... Little Crow's first thought was that the witch had used some method to bewitch the lamp-moon sea dragons.
She murmured and asked:
"Food? What do they eat?"
Chen Qi spread his hands:
"Some fish feed made from supernatural materials, freshly prepared, plus some purchased ones."
Huh? Don't lamp-moon sea dragons only eat things they hunt themselves? Sea creature research master Little Crow was extremely surprised, carefully examining the lamp-moon sea dragons.
Why do they seem somewhat bloated compared to the noble lamp-moon sea dragons in legends, even a bit fat?
She thought back carefully - just now, the lamp-moon sea dragon's eyes didn't seem like they wanted to eat her, but rather had a hungry look craving to be fed.
"These guys eat way too much—"
Chen Qi clapped his hands.
Fortunately, they're currently in a cooperative relationship with the Ice Demon Pirates.
Chen Qi and Fen had just traded the supernatural materials salvaged from the battlefield by Water Spirit No.1 with the Ice Demon Pirates for a large amount of food.
If not for the Ice Demon Pirates, Chen Qi wouldn't know where to get enough food to feed over ten sea dragons in such a short time.
Each sea dragon's appetite was incredibly huge.
Dragons are really hard to raise... Chen Qi crossed his arms.
Even though he's involved in major events every day, he has almost no savings.
The resources needed for legendary growth are hundreds or thousands of times that of the third tier.
Even with Fen and the lamp-moon sea dragons saving a large amount on medicinal materials and preparation costs, the resources he needs for growth are still far from enough.
If I want to practice Rift Slash, it would be best to consume some items that enhance ice affinity... Chen Qi thought silently.
At this moment, Fen patted Little Crow's shoulder and handed her a round cake, asking:
"Want to eat?"
The witch's food... Little Crow took the cake and said:
"I'll eat it."
Don't eat it, don't trust Fen's cooking skills, her brain only thinks about sweetness and high nutrition... Chen Qi was about to speak up and stop Little Crow.
But it was already too late.
Little Crow ate the cake, and instantly, a strange sensation mixing milk, grass, and saccharin shot through her taste buds!
This feeling was like eating weeds on the ground!
So disgusting, no, it should be super disgusting, but I can't defy the witch... Little Crow looked at Fen wearing the witch's hat, swallowed the cake, and forced out a bitter smile.
Fen glanced at Chen Qi, then said confidently:
"My cooking skills are pretty good, right?"
Little Crow racked her brains and praised:
"Well, it has a kind of natural, pure deliciousness from nature."
Fen winked at Chen Qi, showing off her newly invented dish - Grass Witch Cake!
"Some people really don't appreciate good things. This cake can also maintain your skin. Here, take it, I have plenty more grass cakes."
Fen smiled and handed another Grass Witch Cake to Little Crow.
The witch really is like the rumors say, loves tormenting people... Little Crow took the grass cake and put it into her small mouth again.
The ship docked, and mechanic Burry began repairing the vessel.
It's time to talk business... Chen Qi leaned against the wall and asked:
"Little Crow, what did you want to say on shore?"
Chen Qi was certain that the Black Death Doctor must have conveyed some key information to Little Crow on shore.
Fen spun the grass cake in her hand, anticipating Little Crow's answer.
Little Crow looked at the witch, then at Chen Qi.
What should I do? Should I choose to betray the Blackfin Crew?
Wait, I was never really part of the Blackfin Crew... Little Crow suddenly realized.
The Blackfin Crew has committed countless atrocities - she's long been unable to stand it!
Moreover, if she doesn't confess, the witch will definitely force her to eat more grass cakes, or even tie her up in a secret room for interrogation.
In that case, it's better to pledge loyalty to the Black Hunter!
Little Crow took a deep breath, straightened her back and said:
"The Black Death Doctor hopes I'll act as a spy, to track you, to extract information about the Witch's Coffin from you..."
"Huh?"
A surprised little flower sprouted on Fen's head.
Even pirates want you to be a spy... Chen Qi suppressed the urge to complain and continued asking:
"What specific information to obtain?"
Little Crow answered truthfully:
"Location. As long as they know your location, they can prevent you from entering the Witch's Coffin and resurrecting the Ice Witch. No, more precisely, it's to track you into the Witch's Coffin..."
Witch's Coffin... Chen Qi rubbed his forehead with his hand.
Currently, counting Palu's relic, they've collected five witch relics and have the qualification to enter the Witch's Coffin.
Little Crow continued sharing some intelligence:
"According to the information I know, inside the Witch's Coffin, witches get strengthened, and it has already merged with an A-grade rift..."
A-grade rift... Chen Qi frowned.
The Witch's Coffin is one of the earliest A-grade rifts in the Witch Sea, its depths containing the Ice Witch's coffin.
Under the influence of tides, countless phantoms wander there. Even legends can easily perish there.
Even for legends, there's a fifty percent mortality rate in A-grade rifts.
Chen Qi asked curiously:
"Location? How would they know your location through you..."
In that moment, six blood-red long blades flashed in Little Crow's eyes.
"My blood, no, more precisely, the blood of all Blackfin Crew higher-ups, is in the Blood Hunter's hands..."
"Unless undergoing complete blood replacement, no one can escape the Blood Hunter's shadow. Whenever he wants, he can track me..."
Blood Hunter... Chen Qi's pupils suddenly contracted sharply.
Within the Blackfin Crew, the Blood Hunter and the Ferryman of the Underworld River are both undisputed monsters.
With just a single drop of blood, he can track anyone.
In past eras, it was precisely through the Blood Hunter's hunting, threatening numerous high-ranking navy officials, making the many families of Moonstone City who tried to meddle in Witch Sea business cower like ants, that created such a behemoth as the Blackfin Crew.
Little Crow continued:
"However, because of my research, the Black Death Doctor initiated the complete blood replacement experiment early, attempting to give the Blood Hunter the power of Great Whale blood. The research requires time and cannot be interrupted...
Hmm... The Blood Hunter cannot act for a short period, at least two months."
Research... Chen Qi closed his eyes, falling into thought.
He vaguely remembered that after completing the Great Whale blood experiment, the Blood Hunter's power would ascend once again!
As a fringe hunter, once the Blood Hunter completes the Great Whale blood experiment, his power will break through the legendary level and reach the Saint realm.
"Besides that, I've taken some potions. These potions are specially made by the Black Death Doctor - they enhance my shadow affinity but are highly toxic. No third-tier supernatural could resist them.
I must regularly take the antidote, and this antidote is only in the Black Death Doctor's possession...
This is the Black Death Doctor's method for controlling weaker supernaturals."
As Little Crow spoke, she suddenly paused.
She suddenly realized - was her decision to betray somewhat rash?
From the moment she stepped onto Blackfin Island and was recognized as talent by the Blood Hunter, she had no way back - she would live under the Blood Hunter's shadow for life!
Even the Pirate General who had long prepared to escape, the lofty and proud Dragon Tamer King, couldn't escape the Blackfin Crew's control.
What could a small doctor like her possibly accomplish?
Little Crow's pupils rapidly contracted.
Only now did she understand why the Black Death Doctor trusted her so much, why he treated her as his successor.
From the very beginning, she had no way out!
Just like how the navy felt secure letting her become a spy, because her beloved grandmother, her family, were all under the control of the Beiguo Meteorological Bureau.
In the research institute, hailed as a genius researcher, she was always just a pawn.
Little Crow's breathing suddenly became somewhat rapid, the accumulated despair over a long time suddenly erupting at this moment.
"No..."
However, under the witch's gaze, she gritted her teeth, trying not to let her collapsing emotions spill out.
"What's wrong?"
Fen watched Little Crow's strange expression, raised her hand, and like a mother comforting an injured child, soothed:
"Doctor, don't be too afraid. They won't catch you that easily."
Witch... Little Crow hurriedly shook her head:
"No, no, they're monsters. Especially the Whale Father - he's not human at all, more like those strange evil gods described in legends...
Why do you think..."
Chen Qi spun the dice in his hand and said calmly:
"Because, don't be afraid, we're going to crush the Blackfin Crew. And the Blood Hunter, the Ferryman of the Underworld River - they'll all become stepping stones for our advancement to Sainthood..."
"..."
Little Crow looked at Chen Qi's face and remained silent for a long time.
Is this comforting me? The witch and hunter seem quite nice... Little Crow felt a sense of security she hadn't experienced in a long time, a feeling of not having to worry about being mysteriously killed in her sleep.
Then, Little Crow picked up her medical kit, looked again at the flesh tentacles on Chen Qi's back, pursed her lips and said:
"Now, can we begin the surgery?"
A flash of surprise appeared in Chen Qi's eyes:
"Now? No need for other facilities?"
This kind of flesh modification involving the spine typically requires multiple large medical devices.
Chen Qi had originally planned to rent some.
"Normally that would be the case, without relics..."
Little Crow took a deep breath and said in an extremely soft voice:
"In my Backpack Card, I have a specialized set for flesh modification - a blood-mechanical implant set that only legendary bodies can withstand."
"Hmm... This is what I saved up, planning to sell after washing my hands of this business, to build a house, go to university, and have money for my retirement..."