The night was as dark as ink, with the moon casting a feeble afterglow.
The wind was strong at night, and on a small island, the lighthouse shone like the sun, guiding ships on their distant voyages.
The small houseboat swayed uncertainly in the surging waves, like a helpless leaf, at any moment it could be swallowed by a giant wave.
"An hour, finally here."
Chen Qi moored the small houseboat, dropped the anchor, then firmly secured the vessel to the shore with a rope.
Stepping off onto the shore, Chen Qi shook off the water like a cat and surveyed his surroundings.
The island before him was very small, barely able to accommodate ten houses. Nearly a quarter of its area was occupied by a lighthouse and a temporarily constructed research tower.
Besides his small houseboat, there were many other small vessels moored at the edge of the island.
These belonged to weary fishermen and adventurers, the night had fallen, and the wind was strong.
Not daring to navigate in the dark, they had chosen to stop at this island to spend the night temporarily.
Apart from the fishermen, under the lighthouse stood three people dressed in white uniforms.
The uniforms featured loose and comfortable trousers suitable for long hours of maritime work, with an adjustable belt at the waist for members to carry various marine investigation tools.
Like walkie-talkies, Spiritual Power Detection devices, and so on.
Rather than sailors, they looked more like fully equipped researchers.
At the same time, on the back of their clothing, there was a golden symbol resembling a 'WIFI' signal.
The order-embodied Storm Hammer was the emblem of the navy.
The weather tower, symbolizing courage and exploration, was the emblem of the Shell Country Meteorological Bureau.
"It's the Shell Country Meteorological Bureau…" Chen Qi looked at the worried personnel of the Meteorological Bureau in the distance.
This was the first time he had ever seen the people from the Meteorological Bureau.
Although the Shell Country Meteorological Bureau was known as a meteorological bureau, its responsibilities far exceeded the simple scope of 'weather forecasting.'
Within the Meteorological Bureau, apart from the meteorological department, there were crack departments, investigation departments, and research departments. These four major departments were further divided into several smaller ones, forming an extremely large organization.
In essence, their duty was to detect marine crack information and investigate dangerous special zones.
The reason it was named the meteorological bureau was that historically, the emergence of cracks was considered a type of special weather.
Also, under the direction of high-level leadership, in order to differentiate from the White Tower Federation's investigation bureau, they had continued to be called the meteorological bureau.
In the Witch Sea sector's legitimate large-scale Lamp Phase Transcendent organizations, there were only the Meteorological Bureau and the press.
And now the press, self-sealing, no longer absorbs new blood.
This meant that if he chose the Lamp Phase path, this was the only large-scale Lamp Phase organization he could join.
Chen Qi tried to imagine it.
If he did not have the Deep Sea Affinity talent and had a normal start, while also choosing the Lamp Phase principles,
Perhaps his path would be to join the Shell Country Meteorological Bureau and become a researcher delving into dangerous zones, studying the sea.
However, there was an upside. Whenever Chen Qi wanted, he could easily join the Meteorological Bureau.
Moreover, although the Meteorological Bureau was an organization that sounded high-end, their threshold was very low.
The departments of the Meteorological Bureau, especially the investigation department focused on field research, were always understaffed and always hiring.
Not only did they provide five insurances and a housing provident fund, but there was also a bereavement allowance!
And the salary was even paid weekly, which was rare!
Even if you have no dreams, you're welcome to come!
New high school graduates who know nothing can easily get a job!
At this thought, Chen Qi gave a wry smile.
If he did not choose to become a Chef, under the official arrangements of Shell Country, he could well have become a member of the Meteorological Bureau, joining the action of investigating the sea.
In the end, he might have been caught by the dear doctor in the process of studying the sea because of exposing his Deep Sea Affinity, rapidly reaching his possible ending one:
Caught by the doctor, in bed, turned into the doctor's plaything.
Chen Qi stood on the boat, ears perked up, listening to the conversation of the Bei Country Meteorological Bureau's staff.
"Are we still heading out to sea tonight?" an upper-level command has been issued; we must produce investigative results. Doctor Raven of the Black Whale Group has researched a miraculous potion."
"Let's talk about it later. The remnants of the Black Whale Group on Sea Demon Island, the mysterious witches, and monsters are all currently unaccounted for. We might encounter that monster if we go out to sea tonight."
"But during the day, the Deep Sea Titan might be more active, and at night, we might discover more research samples."
The people of the Bei Country Meteorological Bureau sighed and groaned.
With the advent of the Crack Tide, their workload had increased, and so had their burden.
However, conversely, their research progress was exceedingly slow.
Even in the middle of the night, they were still discussing work.
Chen Qi followed their weary gazes, glancing towards the distant, pitch-black sea.
The wreckage of ships constantly drifted in the wind, and now and then, the sea surface would surge with waves.
Below those deep waters, one could vaguely sense enormous shadows, like writhing tree branches, or giant arms lurking in the abyss.
Below the blackened sea surface lay the massive Deep Sea Titan.
The Deep Sea Titan was known as a natural disaster on the sea.
Though incredibly dangerous, the vicinity of the Deep Sea Titan often contained extremely rare things.
Therefore, it was also a key area for the investigative department.
This was his next destination.
Chen Qi packed up his things, ready to begin his action!
This time, his goal was to delve into the waters occupied by the Deep Sea Titan in search of Extraordinary Materials, as well as cultivatable Sea Beasts.
Clearly, the small boat was not suitable for entering this area; otherwise, it might end up like those wrecks.
It was also not advisable to light a lamp, lest nearby fishermen or researchers notice.
Chen Qi placed his kerosene lamp into the backpack card.
Above the sea, there existed a creature known as Shadow, which didn't belong to the Sea Beasts category but was born from darkness and would extinguish others' flames.
It was cunning and elusive, hard to detect, and could silently twist a person's neck without them realizing it.
Now, he possessed the skills 'Dove Perception' and 'Shadow Charm'; even if he encountered a Shadow, he could sense it beforehand, and it wouldn't be too terrible.
He could now barely walk on the dark sea.
Even Deep Sea Merchants would not dare to lightly venture into the habitat of the Deep Sea Titan.
Chen Qi quietly descended from the ship and equipped the Residual Fire Touch.
Dark Concealment!
A faint layer of pitch-black gauze covered him.
His breath, smell, and sound all disappeared above the sea, as Chen Qi entered stealth mode.
Under the faint moonlight, unless someone was particularly close, it would be difficult for even the skillful members of the Meteorological Bureau to detect his presence.
The sea breeze, like a wail, slapped against the boats on the island.
Praying in his heart, with the help of the Water Elf, Chen Qi gingerly stepped onto the sea surface.
Despite the sea breeze, with balance skills and the smart Water Elf, he could just manage to stand on the vast sea.
The Water Walking skill also had to be prioritized very soon... Chen Qi thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Little Green Algae also hugged the second Deep Sea Water Elf and submerged into the sea below, revealing only its green tentacle-like head, following Chen Qi.
"Hopefully, luck will be on our side, and we won't encounter any Shadows or anyone from the Meteorological Bureau."
Chen Qi's heartbeat quickened.
After all, he was still a novice.
The sea was incredibly dangerous; encountering a Shadow or a researcher from the Bei Country Meteorological Bureau would be disastrous.
And so, with vigilance, alone, a Sea Demon, and seven Deep Sea Water Elves, he headed towards the pitch-black sea where the Deep Sea Titan dwelled.