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

Chapter 348: Little Crow’s Scheme and the Grand Barbecue

I feel completely drained and desperately need rest, treatment, and food... Chen Qi's stomach rumbled loudly.

It was mealtime.

However, why hadn't Fen come to call him to cook today? Chen Qi noticed something odd.

The Ghost Ship's cleanliness was handled by the water spirits, and potions were Fen's responsibility.

But all the meals on the entire Ghost Ship—from the water spirits' juice drinks, to the feed for the lamp-moon sea dragon and Coastal Apex Predators, and the food for Fen, Burry, and others—were his responsibility.

Therefore, every day, he'd be awakened by the Coastal Apex Predators' snoring and Fen's shouts calling him to cook.

Chen Qi turned his head and stared blankly at the deck outside the window.

Outside the window, the night sea stretched endlessly. The red moonlight, filtered through cloud layers, presented a peculiar pale red hue, like an orange-red veil cast across the night sky.

The wind in this tranquil night became exceptionally gentle and delicate, lightly brushing over the sea surface, creating subtle ripples.

A rare serene night... Chen Qi thought to himself.As the Dimensional Tide intensified, coupled with the war between the navy and pirates, the entire sea hadn't been this quiet for a long time.

And he had been constantly busy with various tasks and skill practice.

Hungry... Chen Qi stood up, dragging his exhausted body out of the room and onto the deck.

On the deck, a temporarily set up long dining table and a large barbecue grill were already prepared.

"Waku waku!"

Water Spirit No.1 and No.2 were holding charcoal, adding fuel to the bonfire and barbecue piles.

A cold breeze blew past.

So cold... Chen Qi instinctively hugged himself tightly.

Fen heard Chen Qi's footsteps, a faint smile curling at the corner of her mouth as she pulled out a bundle of freshly skewered large meat skewers:

"Hungry?"

Chen Qi asked:

"Fen, why are you cooking today?"

Can't you see you're tired... Fen slightly raised her head:

"I felt like cooking!"

After saying this, Fen took out a jar of freshly prepared green liquid and shook it.

"What's this?"

Chen Qi looked at the green-bubbling liquid, feeling a slight nausea.

Fen said proudly:

"Barbecue sauce made with ten types of green medicinal herbs, combined with shallow-sea bubble fish. It's very healthy, nutritious, good for the body, can boost energy, refresh..."

Bubble fish? Chen Qi walked over and sniffed it. An odor comparable to 'surströmming' instantly assaulted his nostrils!

Ugh!

Even hungry Chen Qi couldn't help but dry heave.

In Fen's recipe book, only health mattered, not flavor!

As long as it's nourishing, it's good!

Whether it's Fen's potions or dishes, she seemed determined to nourish Chen Qi to death.

This is way too nourishing... As someone from the Glutton Kingdom, Chen Qi was far more picky about food than people from the Witch Sea.

Chen Qi struggled to suppress his gag reflex and said:

"Fen, let me handle the barbecue sauce..."

Is it really that smelly? It clearly has the fresh scent of nature! Fen held the green jar and sniffed:

"Won't you be too tired? You expended a lot of energy in the bedroom..."

"Not tired, let me do it."

Chen Qi stepped forward, pulling out olive oil, chili peppers, pepper, onions, lemon juice, and other spices from his specialized chef backpack card, adding some butter, then stir-frying them in a pan on the temporarily set up stove.

The butter and spices mixed together, slowly releasing a mouthwatering aroma!

Spicy, salty, sweet... Chen Qi clapped his hands.

In the Witch Sea, freshly made barbecue seasoning paired with fresh ingredients was already enough for an enviable barbecue feast.

"You two, keep warm, the heavy snow season is coming."

Sitting in the corner, wrapped in thick black clothes, Little Crow reminded softly.

Heavy snow season? Chen Qi took a deep breath. Tonight was indeed exceptionally cold.

At the same time, his clothing wasn't particularly thick either.

Little Crow murmured:

"According to the Disaster Messenger's forecast, the heavy snow season is coming. Although legendary bodies have strong disease resistance, winters during the Dimensional Tide, if temperatures remain low for extended periods, might attract some snow spirits. These snow spirits can give you frostbite syndrome..."

"Snow spirits are supernatural creatures like bacteria, everywhere in the air."

Little Crow added another sentence.

Frostbite syndrome... Chen Qi rummaged through his backpack card and pulled out an ill-fitting wool coat to wear.

His powerful legendary body could already resist most diseases from his human days.

Even if he caught a chill at a hundred meters underwater, Chen Qi's current body could still withstand it.

However, everything comes with a price. A powerful physique also more easily attracts attacks from various supernatural creatures.

The stronger you are, the more likely you are to be hunted by strange things.

In this regard, Little Crow, as a doctor, understood far more than he did.

Better listen to the doctor... Chen Qi stood by the stove, warming himself up:

"Thanks for the reminder. By the way, dinner's ready."

Little Crow swallowed and said tiredly:

"I'm not... very hungry... A lot has happened recently, my appetite isn't great."

Little Crow stared at Chen Qi. The gruesome scene of the Blood Demon Doctor slaughtering researchers, and how Chen Qi, in monstrous form, crushed the Blood Demon Doctor, still replayed constantly in her mind.

The Blood Demon Doctor who terrified and made her tremble, the monster that forced her into life-and-death decisions, the butcher who made the entire research institute too afraid to speak!

That monster was actually killed by her former subordinate like kicking a stray dog to death on the roadside.

This is what legendary means. Unconsciously, a tragic thick barrier had already formed between her and Chen Qi.

Little Crow looked at Chen Qi, her heart increasingly yearning to advance to a higher rank.

On this Ghost Ship full of legends, she always felt a strong sense of unease.

If she didn't know Chen Qi, she would have started planning her escape already.

"Is that so?"

Chen Qi smiled slightly, not forcing her to eat his food, and called for the three from the Ice Demon Pirates: Palu, Jin Li, and Burry.

Five minutes later, the water spirits placed the meat skewers they were holding onto the barbecue grill.

The grill emitted an enticing sizzling sound. Fresh sea fish, plump beef, venison, and various vegetables slowly released mouthwatering aromas.

Fen occasionally waved her staff, adjusting the flame intensity, lightly sprinkling some spices prepared by Chen Qi.

Soul Seasoning!

Fen took a deep breath and said:

"Everyone, it's almost done cooking, you can start eating."

Fen said this to Chen Qi, Little Crow, and the three expectant members of the Ice Demon Pirates.

Chen Qi picked up a meat skewer and took a bite.

Rich meat juices exploded on his taste buds.

Not bad! Chen Qi showed a happy expression.

Jin Li from the Ice Demon Pirates also ate a sea fish skewer:

"Delicious, delicious, Black Hunter. Our captain doesn't have your skills. Captain, can you learn a thing or two?"

Palu munched on a vegetable skewer:

"I can't learn it."

Jin Li frowned:

"What a waste! Captain, if you can't guarantee the crew's meals, excellent crew members like me might betray you. Honestly, I'm starting to want to join the witch's side..."

Qi is the captain... Fen muttered quietly.

Palu looked speechlessly at Jin Li:

"Outside, give me some..."

Jin Li retorted mercilessly:

"Face? Captain Palu, back when we agreed to sail with you to explore the Ice Witch's secrets, you promised to be our slave...

I was originally supposed to study abroad at the White Tower Federation..."

"..."

Palu wanted to retort but swallowed his words.

Unlike other pirate crews, the Ice Demon Pirates' elite members were all people Palu had painstakingly persuaded back in university—they were esteemed founding members.

Therefore, most members of the Ice Demon Pirates had substantial backgrounds. For example, Burry was the son of a Steam Hand Workshop engineer, and Jin Li was the daughter of the coastal bank president.

Palu really has no authority... Chen Qi couldn't help but complain internally, then looked toward the corner at Little Crow.

Among the four legends present, Little Crow seemed out of place.

Chen Qi made eye contact with the dazed Water Spirit No.5.

"???"

Water Spirit No.5 tilted its head in confusion, then understood its master's meaning.

Water Spirit No.5 jumped up, holding a half-meter-long large meat skewer and a bottle of strong liquor, bouncing over to Little Crow in the corner:

"Waku waku (Here!)"

Little Crow froze for a long time, her face instantly turning red as she looked at Chen Qi.

Thank you... She tremblingly reached out her hand:

"I'm really not hungry, but I might indeed need some alcohol..."

Little Crow hesitated for a moment, then took the strong liquor and drank a mouthful.

A flicker of curiosity appeared in Chen Qi's eyes as he asked:

"By the way, Little Crow, what's your real name?"

Little Crow's name was an unsolved mystery on the forums.

After drinking the strong liquor, Little Crow's face was bright red as she slowly said:

"Ifrene, an ominous name. Because my mother had bad luck but had a Goddess of Luck's name, they thought if they gave me an ominous name, I would become lucky..."

The strong liquor went down her throat! Little Crow suddenly felt filled with courage, even having the impulse to tear open Chen Qi's clothes and study his physique!

Giving an ominous name, what kind of reverse jinx operation is this... Chen Qi couldn't help but complain.

Little Crow, who hadn't had a normal conversation with anyone for a long time, hugged Water Spirit No.5 and said:

"Then after I was born, my already not wealthy family declined. Due to gang conflicts, many of my relatives died, including my parents.

My grandmother always told me that before I was born, our family was wealthy with a second-tier supernatural.

Also, I'm really not little, just my face looks immature..."

Little Crow patted her chest.

I see... Chen Qi took a bite of his skewer. This was the first time he'd heard Little Crow's background story.

Little Crow drank some alcohol, ate a bite of skewer, and asked with a blushing face in a soft voice:

"That... could I have another barbecue skewer? As repayment, I can help check your health..."

So cautious with words... Chen Qi looked at the inexplicably blushing Little Crow and replied:

"No need to be so formal... Health check? Of course."

Little Crow scanned Chen Qi from head to toe:

"Your physique is strong, but your progress is too fast. The supernatural spiritual energy in your body hasn't formed equilibrium. If you don't slow your growth speed, you might develop spiritual energy disorder syndrome..."

Huh? Chen Qi closed his eyes and carefully sensed the spiritual energy in his body.

Powerful spiritual energy flowed through his blood vessels! Qi force had created his powerful physique!

However, just as Little Crow said, this spiritual energy was chaotic, like intersecting branches.

Numerous diverse skills and excessive potion use had made the spiritual energy in his body extremely disordered.

During constant battles, Chen Qi hadn't noticeably felt this.

Now, resting, Chen Qi realized his body already had many ailments.

So many strange diseases exist, no wonder Fen keeps feeding me nutritional potions. Is this what they mean by 'good medicine tastes bitter'... Chen Qi couldn't help but sigh:

"Indeed, but adjusting spiritual energy is a lengthy process. Right now, we can't afford to slow our growth speed.

After all, the Blackfin Crew is watching us, and an overwhelming wave is about to sweep across the entire sea."

Given the current situation, they simply couldn't rest properly.

Is the world ending... Little Crow tidied her black hair, then looked at the even more terrifying witch, muttering softly:

"Respected Witch... Madam, the spiritual energy on you is the legendary life energy. I read in a classic that life energy strengthens the power of Blood Blossom Disease...

But simultaneously, it will make more blood blossoms grow on your body, making you endure more pain. If possible, you should find time to have someone clean the blood blossoms on you..."

Fen ate a piece of meat skewer and said:

"I know, this requires a doctor and a long period of quiet rest..."

The witch spoke to me normally! Little Crow's face turned completely red.

The Flower Witch was the idol of countless doctors in the Witch Sea!

Although Fen was just a successor of the Flower Witch, Little Crow was still exceptionally excited.

She suddenly realized the witch wasn't that terrifying, but rather approachable, and her voice was pleasant to listen to too.

Little Crow patted Water Spirit No.5's head and muttered softly:

"Respected... Witch Madam, after this tide ends, if you need, I can help check your health... and... thank you for the previous alchemy books..."

Respected... Fen blushed a little from the praise:

"If you need potions, I can give you potions too!"

Fen threw ten combat potions to Little Crow.

Palu watched this scene and added, sighing:

"Even after becoming legendary, you can't avoid doctors. On the contrary, you pay more expensive costs for doctors..."

Little Crow looked at Palu again:

"I've heard of you, great... Captain Palu. Compared to physical diseases, Shapeshifters are more prone to psychological illnesses. You don't have thoughts of wanting to become someone else, like the witch or something, do you?"

Palu ate a bite of meat skewer and said firmly:

"No."

Little Crow hugged the water spirit and used her medical knowledge to examine everyone.

Among them, Chen Qi had the most issues. Due to rapid growth and his monster path, his body had many hidden problems.

However, these hidden problems weren't something that could be dealt with now.

Need a professional personal doctor, need a long rest period... Chen Qi crossed his arms and sighed helplessly.

Of course, if he could advance to Saint, these problems could also be resolved.

Little Crow looked up and glanced at Chen Qi:

"After the tide ends, I can check your health for free, little chef... Qi..."

Little Crow said quietly. This was the first time she had called the Black Hunter by his name.

To make herself seem less humble, Little Crow deliberately emphasized the 'little' tone.

Palu changed the subject:

"By the way, everyone, the heavy snow season is coming. Our journey to the Witch's Coffin sea area might take over two weeks. Before that, we must be fully armed..."

Two weeks, that should be enough time for me to master Rift Slash... Chen Qi planned internally.

Beside the warm bonfire, everyone enjoyed the rare tranquility.

Fen hugged Water Spirit No.2 and said with a mischievous smile:

"Number Two, come drink some nutritious juice I prepared. It can make you stronger than Number One..."

"This is really nice..."

Little Crow ate a bite of barbecue skewer.

But suddenly, her whole body shuddered.

She stared blankly at the night sky, as if she had seen some terrifying monster!

What's wrong? Chen Qi followed Little Crow's gaze and looked behind him.

Above the dark waves, a red-eyed crow stood on the sea surface, watching their ship.

This crow emitted no spiritual energy field and made almost no sound, like an omen of misfortune.

If not for Little Crow, even Chen Qi's inspiration wouldn't have noticed this special crow.

Chen Qi turned back:

"This is?"

Under Chen Qi's cold gaze, Little Crow's body couldn't stop trembling.

Little Crow retreated a few steps, biting her tongue:

"I don't know it, don't know it, no..."

"Hmm?"

Chen Qi's gaze was like a scorching sharp sword piercing through her chest.

"I only know some information, only some, no, I know nothing..."

Little Crow contradicted herself a few times, then suddenly froze.

Thinking carefully, the Ghost Ship had both the witch and cute water spirits, reliable Chen Qi, and delicious food.

Meanwhile, the Blackfin Crew had nothing but power and money!

There's no need to remain loyal to the Blackfin Crew anymore. I wasn't originally part of them anyway...

Under the warm glow of the bonfire, Little Crow looked at Chen Qi, her face red, clenched her fists, took a deep breath:

"It's the Black Death Doctor's messenger crow. Inside, there should be... Black Death medicine that can easily poison you all... and some forbidden weapons..."

Easily poison us? A small black flower of terror sprouted above Fen's head.