Chapter 598 - 563: Mermaid Saint’s New Task
Andria Sea, Da Fei’s fleet sped away from the regular sea routes, traversing the vast, empty ocean. Selvia’s harp music echoed over the tranquil sea, its ethereal clarity standing out. Although Selvia only possessed a Basic Poetry Chanting Skill and wasn’t specialized in the harp, her performance was not inferior to Coltner’s oceanic piano in the past. It must be said, this was true talent.
Amidst the clear, bell-like sound of the music, Da Fei, exhausted from a day’s intense work, started to doze off. He truly was tired, unable to recall all he had accomplished throughout the day.
After an indeterminate time, faint singing drifted from the distant sea, stirring the fishermen onboard into a commotion!
"There it is!" Selvia and Anlicia exclaimed excitedly.
Da Fei abruptly awoke and hurriedly gathered his wits, shouting, "Quick, the fleet should advance toward the singing!"
Soon, a small, shiny golden island appeared on the distant sea. Of course, Da Fei knew that wasn’t an island, but the giant whale mount of the Mermaid Saint!
This Saint indeed lived up to her reputation, appearing as soon as she was mentioned—proof of a God-level expert’s power in the Sea Realm. This realization made Da Fei feel utterly inadequate, even as a God-level Navigator, in comparison to the Sea God. Perhaps Makar was right; the closer he got, the smaller he felt.
There was nothing more to say. Da Fei once again dressed in his Captain’s uniform, adjusted his hat, and led his family to the bow to prepare to meet the Saint. Selvia also stopped playing to avoid showing off in front of a master.
Meanwhile, the fishermen, including Savaran, accompanying the ship were awestruck, kneeling on the deck in devout reverence.
Da Fei was suddenly stunned! Damn, he had forgotten them? The kind of secrets he was involved in were usually closely guarded by the Kingdom—did they know too much? At this point, he had to speak vaguely, as long as both parties got the gist.
Now the fleet stopped beside the giant whale. The dazzling, unapproachable, golden-haired mermaid ceased her singing, and her ethereal voice echoed across the sky and sea: "Mortal, our encounter is fate, and a blessed favor from the divine. Let us once more share in the luck bestowed upon us by the gods!"
The mermaid waved her hand, enveloping the fleet in a massive rainbow light!
—System Prompt: You have met the Mermaid Saint. Your troop’s luck increased by 5, and your fleet’s speed has improved, lasting for 1 month!
—System Prompt: The Mermaid Saint has enhanced the Luck Skill levels of your Vice Heroes. Selvia learned the intermediate Luck Skill!
—System Prompt: ... Catherine learned the intermediate Luck Skill!
—System Prompt: ... Anlicia mastered the Expert Level Luck Skill!
—System Prompt: ... Deirdre learned the Basic Luck Skill!
—System Prompt: ... Elena learned the Basic Luck Skill!
Holy crap! So every time he met a mermaid, the whole family’s Luck Skills leveled up? Saving Da Fei 5 Skill Points, hahaha!
Da Fei saluted, "Thank you, Saint, for your blessings. We’ve made progress, but due to many inconveniences, we can only ask you to evaluate this harp."
After saying that, Selvia respectfully presented the harp with both hands. Damn, were they certain the Saint’s arms were as long as an octopus monster’s, capable of reaching from the whale’s back to the ship’s bow?
Evidently, such a small task posed no problem for the Saint. With a flash of demon light, the harp in Selvia’s hands disappeared and reappeared in the Saint’s hands.
The Saint strummed the strings, letting a beautiful melody ring out over the ocean. Then, she began to sing passionately, accompanied by the harp. This melody was apparently the same one the Sea God Priest used to soothe Leviathan!
There was indeed hope!
The singing remained beautiful, but without the dazzling dances of light, with less intensity compared to the Sea God Priest’s rendition. Even so, Savaran and the other fishermen were so moved by the song that they prostrated themselves in worship.
Finally, when the song ended, the harp returned once more to Selvia’s hands, echoing throughout the sea and sky.
—System Prompt: You have received the S-grade strategic treasure "Mermaid Harp" from the Mermaid Saint!
—Mermaid Harp: S-grade strategic treasure, secondary weapon position, Magic Power +10, Knowledge +10, boosts Poetry Chanting Skill +1. Task item.
Da Fei was suddenly struck with surprise. Just transferring the harp added 10 points to Magic Power and Knowledge? Does that mean, with each task stage completion, there’s an enhancement reward for the harp’s attributes?
Damn it! It had to be like this. Now the attributes make it resemble S-grade equipment! It cannot be worse than the Thunder God Set, right? One could imagine what level the harp would rise to once the task reached its final stage. Will it become a Divine Artifact?
The Saint shook her head with a faint sigh: "So that’s it! She finally appeared, and her intent is within the music. She fell in love with an Elf Prince, and the Prince loves her too. She’s steadfast in her love and unwilling to return to the Sea God’s side..."
As expected! It’s the love story of a mermaid and a prince, and they are hopelessly in love! The problem is—well, the Sea God Priest clearly managed to get two legs, so their conjugal life should be fine. Of course, even without the legs, it might not be an issue! This Prince truly had some romantic blessings, finding ordinary elf beauties unsatisfactory. Such a realization made Da Fei feel left out of that realm...
Just as Da Fei’s imagination wandered, the Mermaid Saint’s tone changed abruptly, her face darkening: "But—"
In an instant, as her expression changed, the once serene and pleasant sea abruptly transformed. A massive dark cloud quickly formed and shrouded the head of the fleet, casting the sky and sea into sudden darkness!
Da Fei’s brows twitched in alarm. What was about to happen? The system wouldn’t trouble the players all of a sudden, right? Her mood changed as fast as the weather—what divine power was this!
Savaran and the fishermen cried out in panic: "Saint, calm your anger!"
While Da Fei was bewildered, the Mermaid Saint said coldly, "Mortal, if I were to take all these beautiful deputies beside you, how would you feel?"
"Wow!" The ladies gasped in unison!
No way! What did she need Da Fei’s women for? Da Fei was so shocked his hair stood on end and quickly said, "Saint, let’s discuss this calmly. Whatever your demands, feel free to state them!"
The Mermaid Saint spoke solemnly, "I assume you understand Lord Sea God’s feelings by now?"
This NPC knew the inner desires of a male player! Da Fei nodded urgently: "Understood! Understood! As a man, I understand!"
Of course, if it were me and someone dared to claim the Sea God’s woman, even a Chamber of Commerce curse would mean nothing—I’d summon a tsunami to destroy the Elf Kingdom! I would demand the Elf Kingdom hand her over and provide a thousand elf beauties before I could slightly calm my anger!
The Mermaid Saint nodded, "However, with a powerful prince on one side and an unfathomable god on the other, neither is something you can contend with now. I understand your dilemma."
Da Fei was moved to tears: "The Saint is wise and understanding!" Attempting to elope with the Prince’s woman would surely result in a dreadful demise! If I were the Prince, who would dare touch my woman? One side is a tiger, the other a wolf—not something I could afford to offend!
The Mermaid Saint continued solemnly, "But you can still do some things to ease everyone’s troubles and pacify the Sea God’s anger. First, find the Sea God Trident in Fallen Atlantis. Second, pacify Bahamut’s Sea. These are two long-held wishes of the Sea God. Fulfill just one, and he will lift the curse on your Chamber of Commerce! Moreover, the Sea God will bestow upon your Chamber of Commerce supreme glory!"
—System Prompt: The Mermaid Saint offers you the task "Sea God’s Two Wishes". Will you accept?
Da Fei was dumbfounded! The legendary Atlantis? It’s at the bottom of the ocean! Bahamut? Holy crap, such a renowned Dragon God that in the Arabian Nights, even Jesus passed out for three days upon seeing him—utterly laughable! Just destroy my Chamber of Commerce already. I’m not concerned about a mere Chamber of Commerce with my family and assets so vast now!
Da Fei coughed and said, "Um, is it possible not to do it?"
The Mermaid Saint coldly responded, "By Sea God’s decree, any ship from the Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce encountered shall be destroyed without mercy!"
—Ah, sputter! Da Fei almost spat out old blood—last time, it seems you left me alive to carry a message!
What good are big ships or Alina’s human-shaped cannon compared to the Mermaid Saint—or rather, her island-like whale mount? Was there any choice left for me? I needed to accept the task to keep the team safe first. Once the Mermaid Saint wasn’t hostile, everything could be negotiated. Mermaid sister, you’re good-natured and only bluffing, right?
Da Fei sorrowfully declared, "I am willing to accept!"
—System Prompt: You accepted the Legendary Task "Sea God’s Two Wishes".
—Task Hint: Fulfilling one of Sea God’s two wishes is sufficient. The completion locations for both tasks are in the New World.
—System Prompt: You completed the Epic Quest "Revival of the Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce" fourth stage "Negotiations with the Sea God." You have earned +5 million experience rewards, Dragon Cavalry Chamber of Commerce prestige +500,000, all heroes in your team have leveled up +1. All heroes in your team have gained 5 Skill Points, and total hero life has increased by +50.
Then, brilliant streaks of gold flashed for the entire team leveling up!
—System Prompt: Congratulations! You’ve reached Level 43...
—System Prompt: Congratulations! Your Vice Hero Selvia reached Level 41...
—System Prompt: Congratulations! Your Vice Hero Catherine reached Level 41...
—System Prompt: Congratulations! Your Vice Hero Deirdre reached Level 43...
—System Prompt: Congratulations! Your Vice Hero Alicia reached Level 37...
—System Prompt: Congratulations! Your Vice Hero Elena reached Level 29...
...
Da Fei was astounded! Holy crap! From the Sea Monster experience plus now the Epic Quest rewards, each was a jump of 2 levels, and Elena even leaped 3 levels! What’s the deal now, with an unexpected fourth stage popping up in the Chamber of Commerce revival task?
(Seeking monthly votes, recommended votes. Also, recommend a rebirth entertainment novel "Red Director," for those interested in entertainment literature, you can check it out.) (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian.com to vote and recommend. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile readers, please read on m.qidian.com.)