"Newspaper?"
Chen Qi looked at Levin with confusion.
Levin rubbed her hands with a cute gesture,
"That captain, sir, you should know that the White Dove Newspaper offers a hefty reward to those who provide clues. From what I've observed, the Blood Blade Pirate Group would also relay information to the newspaper, and I—I want to—" Levin whispered.
"Captain, sir, I want to make some extra money!"
This operation had granted him a Skill Card of no small value.
However, to board Chen Qi's pirate ship, he rented a small steamboat.
Levin wanted to exchange 'first-hand information' for a bit of money from the White Dove Newspaper.
Chen Qi pondered for a moment.
Undoubtedly, the Black Pig Shark was one of the major menaces to the waters around Black Mine City.
Due to the Black Pig Shark, the city's port was in a state of unrest.
Now, having defeated the Shark Tamer and gravely injured the Black Pig Shark, although it wasn't earth-shattering news, it was indeed a positive piece of news.
Levin would surely not dare to speak ill of him.
It would be good, through this report, to salvage his reputation somewhat.
As the Crack Tide deepened, more and more forces would arrive at the Crack Sea, especially those specialized in hunting monsters.
And at such a time, a good reputation was particularly important.
Levin definitely wouldn't speak badly of me, my reputation might be saved… Chen Qi rejoiced secretly and nodded.
After getting an affirmative response, Levin turned around, clenching her fists with excitement,
"Yay!"
Chen Qi looked at the jubilant members of the Blood Blade Pirate Group and took a small sip of red wine.
The atmosphere of celebrating a victory over a formidable enemy together was quite pleasant.
After the Blood Blade Pirate Group finished up, Chen Qi stood up, bid farewell to Fenrir, and returned to his houseboat.
Finally, after dropping Levin off at her original location, he returned to his humble houseboat.
...
"Phew…"
After seeing off Levin, Chen Qi deactivated his houseboat's Ghost Ship mode and removed the Residual Fire Touch. Then he changed into the Chef's clothes.
"So tired—"
Chen Qi returned to the bedroom and stretched his muscles.
The Residual Fire's eruption, especially the Rage Blade's toll on his body, was more severe than he had imagined.
Just one strike had drained a great deal of his energy.
Body aches often stemmed from overexertion.
"Waku Waku (Master! Need a massage?)"
Water Elves Number Four and Number Five hopped around excitedly; they had become professional masseurs under Chen Qi's training.
"No, you two rest as well—"
Chen Qi patted the obedient Water Elves and headed to Water Elf Number One's room.
"I wonder how Number One is doing?"
Chen Qi slowly pushed open the door to the Water Elf's room, and the moment he did, a massive blood-colored eye fiercely locked onto him.
The eye was intensely red, as if it were a fusion of stars and flesh. A thousand eyes twisted and stared at him!
"!!!"
Abyssal Pillar?
Chen Qi instantly became alert, quickly retreated, and drew his black blade!
In the next second, those countless blood eyes surged toward him like a huge tidal wave!
Chen Qi swiftly retreated, but the room on the boat was too small, leaving no place to hide.
It was too fast… He could only, by instinct, pull out his long blade!
In the next instant, the wave engulfed him!
However, contrary to his expectations, there was no pain, nor was there any mental corruption.
Instead, Chen Qi felt a soft, bouncy sensation on his head.
"???"
Chen Qi blinked and removed whatever was blocking his vision from atop his head.
Before him, a plump Water Elf was clinging to his head.
"Waku Waku! ✪ω✪! (Master!)"
Number One? Chen Qi looked surprised as he gazed at the soft Water Elf Number One in his hands.
Water Elf Number One had finally awakened.
It had actually succeeded in digesting the power of the Dream Beast… Chen Qi was overjoyed!
Even with the enhancement of a Beast Tamer, a pet often struggled to digest the power of a calamity-level beast, even if it was but the remnants of such power.
Yet Number One had truly digested the power of the Dream Beast in such a short time.
From the outside, Water Elf Number One seemed almost unchanged.
The only notable change was in its eyes!
Simply put, it evolved from O^O to ✪ω✪!
But its power had gained a tremendous boost.
"This is your doing—"
Chen Qi looked at the countless black mists surrounding the room, as well as the numerous twisted red eyes.
Illusion… Chen Qi used his blade to touch and break through the illusion before him.
That meant Water Elf Number One had gained the ability to create illusions!
Typically, a Third Rank Flower Hammer Phase magician would possess the skill to create illusions.
However, illusions often have one significant weakness: they are immediately seen through by those with strong perception abilities.
This is a unique class that counters warriors but is in turn countered by mages.
My perception is not weak… Chen Qi carefully examined the illusions around him.
As someone with high inspiration, he was unable to recognize this kind of illusion at the first moment.
Chen Qi squatted down; on the surface of the illusion, there was a layer of a very special Spiritual Power that prevented others from peering inside.
This Spiritual Power was like a thin film, blocking external perception!
"So strong!"
Chen Qi couldn't help but mutter to himself.
You see, only a Third-tier Illusion Master could create an illusion of this caliber!
"Number One!"
"Vaku Vaku (Master)!"
After thinking for a moment, Chen Qi commanded:
"Deep Sea Water Elf Number One, create an illusion of the Flower Witch."
"Vaku Vaku (Understood, Master)!"
The Deep Sea Water Elf's eyes shone brightly as its body emitted a great deal of blue light.
Suddenly, a crouched witch slowly raised her head and stood up from the ground.
"..."
Chen Qi looked at the 'Flower Witch' before him.
Her form was tall and twisted; her skin resembled ancient wood eroded by time, yet a decaying grey-green hue faintly shimmered through, as if covered by a thin layer of oil paint.
The petals on her head had long lost their former brilliance, becoming dull and distorted, but they still exuded a bizarre charm.
"Hiss—"
Chen Qi was startled.
This was less the Flower Witch and more the Corruption Witch!
Something wasn't right... Chen Qi, like an expert Pokémon Trainer, once again extended his hand to command:
"Number One! Create my illusion!"
"Vaku Vaku (Master! Understood!)"
The Deep Sea Water Elf looked up, its body emitting blue light.
Afterward, a shadow was born from the mist, slowly rising to its feet.
His head was engulfed by a broad black hood whose edges were fringed with sharp tentacles, resembling a circle of black thorns, and beneath the ragged Hunter's Clothes were indescribable, twisted black tentacles.
Moreover, his joints and limbs had numerous dislocations, making his whole appearance even more terrifying.
Am I really that frightening... Chen Qi touched his chin.
"Vaku Vaku (Master! How is it?)"
The Deep Sea Water Elf Number One's eyes sparkled with stars.
Chen Qi pondered for a moment.
The essence of creating illusions is to use Spiritual Power for 3D painting.
Therefore, it not only requires control of Spiritual Power but also a powerful artistic ability.
And lacking the basic ability in art can easily lead to drawing some terrifying images.
Many extremely horrifying paintings come precisely from casual doodles.
As a pet creature, Deep Sea Water Elf Number One completely lacks the drawing ability for "human anatomy."
Therefore, it's quite reasonable that the illusions it creates have some 'twists'.
However, to be able to 'twist' that horrendously is also a skill... Chen Qi squatted down, smiled, and patted Number One on the head:
"You did very well!"
For a pet creature, Deep Sea Water Elf Number One had done quite well.
You know, many professional Illusion Masters find it difficult to create such twisted, terrifying illusions.
Anyway, he now possessed a super 'Water Elf' capable of creating illusions.
"Vaku Vaku!"
The Deep Sea Water Elf jumped with joy and leaped onto Chen Qi's shoulder.
Chen Qi touched the Deep Sea Water Elf. After a long spell of running, his energy had reached its limit.
He planned to get some good rest after practicing meditation.
...
...
Black Mine City, White Dove Newspaper branch, at twilight.
In the center of the newspaper, several large wooden desks were filled with drafts, documents, and manuscripts.
Perl tied her blonde hair into a ponytail, then picked up her cherished camera:
"Thank you, boss, I really need a camera that can record everything perfectly right now."
The newspaper's boss was a lean middle-aged man, who shook his head:
"Perl, that is a Second-tier Lamp Phase forbidden object sealed by the Federation, and it's the only creation that your body can handle right now.
However, this doesn't mean you can face a deep-sea creature like the Black Hunter on your own. You must be grateful that you weren't brutally murdered by the terrifying Black Hunter."
That's the savior of my newspaper... Perl, like a happy kitten, accepted the camera:
"I know, I know. Coming to Black Mine City, the biggest news here will certainly belong to our White Dove Newspaper!"
Perl confidently patted her chest, making a crisp sound.
The newspaper's boss sighed:
"Sigh... Perl, sales are important, but the Crack Tide nowadays is enough to devour us. You must be careful; there's no need to risk your life for a lamp's reward."
"I understand, boss. But in the midst of the tide, we in the White Tower Federation have no choice."
The vivacious Perl furrowed her brows for a rare moment.
Then, the newspaper's boss glanced at the time:
"Oh, Perl, today's your first day on the job. There are two visitors outside who claim to have clues to big news. These two are now your responsibility."
"Mhm!"
Perl nodded lightly, took the camera, went downstairs, and pushed open the door of the newspaper.
Outside the door, two 'Intelligence Officers' were waiting for her.
"Good afternoon to the two of you,"
Perl bowed in greeting and offered two chairs to them.
Before her were two individuals who had already been waiting for quite some time.
A Third-tier Transcendent and a Second-order Transcendent.
A blond young man, and someone wearing a cloak...
Both of them seemed anxious, and the cloaked one smelled so good... Perl looked at the two with interest, then clapped her hands and said:
"What information do you have? The White Dove Newspaper will pay accordingly for your information."