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

Chapter 449: The Crow Brings a Message!

[You have tamed the Dragon Lantern Little Pearl...]

[You have tamed the Dragon Lantern Tiny Pearl...]

Chen Qi drank a potion to replenish his spiritual energy, continuously using the 'Capture' skill.

"Ha-wu! (Noooo!)"

"Ha-wu! (Great Deep Sea God, I pledge my loyalty to you!)"

"Ha-wu! (Master! Master, will there be food if I follow you?)"

Inside the cavern, the noisy sounds of tiny red crabs echoed.

Soon, a full two hundred red crabs were all branded with his mark of the lamb.

Fall in line!

Under the command of Water Spirit No.1, the many tiny red crabs arranged themselves into a ten-by-ten square formation, raising their spears high!Although their essence was that of little pearls, let's just call them the Little Red Crab Platoon... Chen Qi stroked his chin, looking at the tiny red crab square formation.

The many tiny red crabs lifted their heads, their large red eyes gazing up at their great new master.

"Ha-wu ha-wu! (Master! What should we do?)"

"Ha-wu ha-wu! (Master! You won't steam us, will you?)"

Braised would be better... wait, wrong topic! Chen Qi thought to himself.

Like the water spirits, they were sea beasts with a certain level of intelligence.

But still, they didn't seem very bright...

Something still feels missing... Chen Qi snapped his fingers:

"Water Spirit No.1! From now on, these two hundred tiny red crabs are your army!"

Out of a full two hundred little crabs here, there wasn't a single king-level leader.

"Waku waku (Understood!!!)"

Water Spirit No.1 walked over, looked at the many tiny red crabs before it, and commanded them to assume proper stances, raising their spears high.

Water Spirit No.1 would definitely lead the red crabs to glory.

A great harvest!!

Chen Qi clapped his hands. This trip, they had gained two hundred powerful pet beasts and the rift unique item, the Dragon Lantern.

Now, personnel and materials were all in place. The next step was to develop properly.

"Let's go, you two."

Chen Qi excitedly clapped his hands.

After handling everything, Chen Qi, Fen, An, and the others left the cavern and headed towards their base near Damarro Island.

……

Damarro Islands, dusk.

This once sparsely populated island chain now had an endless stream of ships.

Through the efforts of the Blood Blade Pirates and the Sea God Pirates, within just two short weeks, one tall building after another rose on the islands, and one sturdy defensive wall after another was erected!

Near the Damarro Islands, apart from Damarro Town, the most crucial location was the five islands selected by the Ice Witch—the Witch's Refuge, the new base for Chen Qi and the others.

"It's truly spectacular..."

On the deck of the Nether Sea Ghost Ship, An rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the brand-new islands before her.

Under the Ice Witch's arrangements, both the Sea God Pirates and the Blood Blade Pirates had invested in this massive construction project.

Currently, they had three main teams.

The Exploration Fleet, led by Palu and Jin Li of the Ice Demon Pirates, was responsible for clearing dimensional rifts and continuously transporting materials like the incredibly hard Storm Steel from the rifts.

With the Great Whale's breath approaching, the entire Rift Sea had now completely turned into a hellscape.

Therefore, the entry threshold for this fleet was extremely high. Even powerful third-tier Transcendents had to pass multiple rounds of assessment to qualify for the Exploration Fleet.

The second team was the Artisan Corps.

Led by the veteran Gai Li of the Blood Blade Pirates and the Blood Lady, it consisted of a large number of Hammer affinity Transcendents responsible for constructing the refuge.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

An quietly watched the scene in the distance.

The artisans submerged rusted metal into boiling magma, and the quenched metal, under the glow of dusk, stretched out into serpentine steel beams!

In addition, Floral affinity Transcendents used the black soil excavated from the Floral Aspect Rift to reinforce the islands' foundations.

Watching her hometown, Damarro Town, grow bit by bit into a massive defensive base, An couldn't help but let a smile curl at the corner of her mouth.

And the third team, the Logistics Team.

Led by Madame Oli, it was primarily responsible for food, communication, trade, intelligence, and more.

Currently, apart from the Black Blood Empire, trade fleets from other nations were arriving continuously.

To resist the great disaster, Moonstone City conducted a large volume of trade daily.

Many of the auxiliary ingredients for Sage-Level potions were also obtained through these trades.

"Everything went smoothly today too."

An glanced at the pigeon mailbox.

The Book Tower was safe and sound, and the auxiliary medicinal ingredients needed to refine the Titan Potion were also fully prepared.

Two weeks had passed, and to this day, the Book Tower still hadn't discovered the Book Saint's disappearance.

Now, within Moonstone City, the massive Noah's Wall had taken shape.

And as the Damarro Islands were being constructed, they too had acquired all the functions of a refuge.

To withstand the great disaster, they now had a full two layers of insurance.

"I wonder how Qi is doing?"

An stretched her limbs, gently nudging Water Spirit Number Three with her foot:

"Let's go, Number Three, I'll take you to see the master!"

"Waku waku (Okay!)"

Water Spirit Number Three, who had already learned to operate mechas at the Book Tower, now acting as captain, piloted the Nether Sea Ghost Ship towards the innermost island of the base.

On the Five-Island Base, apart from the refuge, there were two other important projects.

The first was the rift workshop led by the Book Saint.

The second was Chen Qi's Great Sea Ranch.

However, compared to the rift workshop, constructing the sea ranch was much simpler.

The sea was the home of sea beasts.

Therefore, it only needed a place to feed the sea beasts and a light source that could assist in their growth.

Without much hesitation, Chen Qi directly chose the deepest island among the five as the base for the ranch.

This base was also the location of Fen and Little Crow's alchemy workshop.

On the dock, Fen was dragging a massive bag over twenty meters tall with both hands:

"Qi, Qi, these are the enhancement fruits collected by Palu after clearing the B-tier rift 'Red Apple Paradise,' a total of three thousand tons—"

"And also, the Black Sea Mammoth moved the big white tree from your previous White Tree base back here!"

"Help me... I... with this..."

Fen gritted her teeth, panting heavily.

A three-thousand-ton bag was still too much for her!

"Okay."

Chen Qi snapped his fingers, summoning the Coastal Apex Predator to lift the giant bag high.

Then, the water spirits poured the numerous enhancement fruits into the feeding machine that stretched for several kilometers.

Rumble!

Under the dusk sky, as the feeding machine started up, the Lamp-Moon Sea Dragon, the Black Sea Mammoth, the Coastal Apex Predator, the tiny red crabs, and many other sea beasts opened their mouths, began to swim, and started their meal.

"You two! Good work!"

An, holding Water Spirit Number Three, leaped down from the ship.

Landing on the dock, An asked:

"Qi, how's the ranch construction going?"

Chen Qi looked at the base before him:

"Almost done. Just waiting for the Shepherd's Lamp from the rift workshop. The Book Saint will deliver the Shepherd's Lamp tonight."

"Oh!"

An's eyes lit up, and she asked:

"By the way, should we give this place a name? After all, this isn't just some island anymore!"

With the launch of various major projects, these once-nameless islands had also gained new names.

For example, the entire base was called the Five-Island Base, also known as the Witch's Refuge, the Second Wall.

Chen Qi thought for a moment:

"Let's call it the Dragon Lantern Ranch."

One of the core elements of this ranch was the Shepherd's Lamp and the Dragon Lantern they obtained from their expedition.

The Dragon Lantern could absorb the power of the sea, becoming a healing station for the sea beasts.

Once the Book Saint's rift workshop was fully completed, this Dragon Lantern could be further enhanced.

"Hmm... a good name, right! My Witch Boss!"

An looked at Fen and took out a bag of her own:

"Witch Boss! This is the medicinal herbs your dear assistant collected for you, as per your orders."

"Mm, mm..."

Fen took the herbs and said:

"Thank you. And, don't call me boss. I don't like that title."

Fen didn't like being called boss.

"Is that so?"

An tilted her head slightly, a playful smile curling at the corner of her mouth:

"How about 'Master' then?"

Master!!!

A shy little pink flower instantly sprouted on Fen's head as she said angrily:

"No! Absolutely not! If you must, you can just call me by my name, Fen, just Fen is fine."

Plan successful! An secretly rejoiced in her heart:

"Okay, Fen!"

Although she had been an assistant for a few days, An always felt that Fen held some inexplicable hostility towards her and was a bit distant.

Perhaps calling her by her name could bring them closer.

Still, Fen was so cute... An looked curiously at the blushing Fen and the little pink flower wiggling on her head.

I really want to pluck it! An's little hands were itching to try.

And just then, a loud whip crack sounded beside Chen Qi's ear.

"Waku waku (No slacking off while traveling!)"

"I know, I know..."

From the distant sea surface came a weary female voice.

On the sea, a petite figure with two meters of naturally curly hair was walking towards them with slow steps.

And on top of that petite head was Water Spirit Number Seven, holding the Whip of Agony.

"Waku waku (Pick up the pace!)"

"I've already worked for sixteen hours straight..."

The Book Saint pursed her lips, saying painfully.

Once the Book Tower discovered her disappearance and sent a massive force, she would make sure the Ice Witch, the Black Hunter, and Water Spirit Number Seven understood what real whipping was!

She would lock these three in a confinement room and not let them out until they whipped each other a hundred times with the Whip of Agony!

But why, after two whole weeks, hadn't she seen any sign of reinforcements?!

Could it be that the Book Tower could operate normally even without her, a fifth-tier being?

"Teacher..."

An sidestepped, guiltily hiding behind Chen Qi.

"Black Hunter, your Shepherd's Lamp..."

The Book Saint, Aslina, took ten Shepherd's Lamps from the Backpack Card at her waist and handed them to Chen Qi.

"You've worked hard!"

Chen Qi took the Shepherd's Lamps.

"It's good that you know I'm tired..."

The Book Saint pursed her lips, tears almost welling up. The work she had completed in these two weeks was comparable to fifty years of her usual workload!

A full fifty years!

Chen Qi asked:

"By the way, how's the Abyssal Spark coming along?"

"Still working hard on it."

Aslina asked quietly:

"Oh, Black Hunter, Little Witch, and that damned traitor An, do you have any questions you need to ask the great me, the Saint?

I, the Saint, can answer all questions, including..."

"Waku waku (The Witch Lady says! No slacking off for any reason!)"

Water Spirit Number Seven brandished the Whip of Agony.

Damn it, foiled again...

Her slacking-off plans had all succeeded before!

It must be that damned Ice Witch!

Aslina looked utterly helpless, dragging her exhausted body towards the rift workshop at the island's center.

Work time was upon her again.

What a harsh taskmaster... Chen Qi thought silently.

The Book Saint's progress was a bit faster than he had expected.

Chen Qi looked at the Shepherd's Lamps.

The Shepherd's Lamps weren't large, only about the size of a palm.

The pale sky faded, and the world once again plunged into darkness.

The rustling sounds of Shadow Demons began to emanate from the darkness.

Without hesitation, Chen Qi infused them with spiritual energy from his Spiritual Core, completing the final forging.

Soon, the Shepherd's Lamp in his hand ignited with a bright light, flying into the air like a dazzling firefly.

Continue infusing!

Ten Shepherd's Lamps rose, encircling the entire island, illuminating the night sky!

Guided by the Shepherd's Lamps, the sea beasts originally hidden in the deep sea couldn't help but tentatively poke their heads out—

"Ha-wu ha-wu (So comfortable!)"

The little red crabs lay floating on the sea surface.

Even the Black Sea Mammoth, which liked to hide kilometers deep in the sea, couldn't help but poke its head out, letting out a comfortable roar.

[Your lambs receive the blessing of the Shepherd's Lamp and are thriving...]

Chen Qi clapped his hands.

With the Dragon Lantern plus the Shepherd's Lamps, they would soon be able to achieve mass production of Sage-Level potions!

So beautiful... An and Fen both looked up at the dazzling Shepherd's Lamps in the sky.

These Shepherd's Lamps were like stars.

And at that moment, Fen suddenly clapped her hands and said:

"Oh! Qi! I almost forgot!"

"Starting today, you can take the tonic I, the Witch, make every day!"

Fen curled her lips into a proud smile, taking out two vials of Sage-Level potion from her waist pouch.

These were the Titan Potion and the Sage-Level Agility Potion... Chen Qi was slightly startled as he took the two vials.

Without hesitation, Chen Qi directly drank both potions.

As they went down his throat, an extremely powerful force shook his body!

If he hadn't already advanced to Saint, this force would have been enough to make him explode and die from blood overload!

[You consumed a Sage-Level Agility Potion. Agility +10 points.]

[You consumed a Titan Potion. Constitution +20 points. Strength +10 points.]

Chen Qi felt the power surging within him.

For a Saint, even Sage-Level potions couldn't bring about a qualitative change.

However, this boost was already terrifyingly significant, greatly satiating his hunger for power.

Fen lifted her head, a proud little yellow flower sprouting on top:

"Qi, follow me, the Witch! Good stuff like this, you'll have it every day!"

Fen is so good... Chen Qi nodded.

Not to mention, starting tomorrow, he could take two vials of Sage-Level potion every day!

After stabilizing the immense power within him, Chen Qi asked with concern:

"By the way, Fen, how is Little Crow's condition? Any improvement?"

Hearing Little Crow's name, Fen's brow instantly furrowed:

"She's much better, thanks to the newly developed prototype antidote for the black whale blood..."

"However, recently, Little Crow has been having nightmares every night, dreaming of plague crows and water ghosts from the sea coming for her..."

"She hasn't slept for three days."

Fen sighed.

Little Crow's condition was still precarious.

Plague crows, water ghosts... Chen Qi frowned.

Little Crow's profession was Disaster Messenger, a special profession capable of predicting the arrival of disasters.

And just then, from within the profound darkness, a crow wearing a hat and with red eyes suddenly pierced through the layers of fog—

What is this? A flicker of confusion passed through Chen Qi's eyes.

The crow's blood-red eyes also gradually twisted, transforming into the eyes of a terminally ill human:

"Disaster is coming, Hunter!"

"We won't let you build walls to resist the Black Whale's great power in peace."

Swish—

The crow suddenly accelerated, shooting like a bullet straight towards the Dragon Lantern beside Chen Qi, splattering into a pool of dark blood!