"Waku Waku!"
The deep-sea Water Elf said anxiously.
Water Elf number two... The Flower Witch slowly turned her head, wearing a cloak.
Spiritual Power Detection!
Within the tiny crevice in the wall, she could vaguely see some figures clothed in pitch black, with smooth, dark skin.
Their dark spiritual power spread like shadows upon the wall, forming one hidden eye after another.
Shadows of crime, bred by the dark gloves as a cheap surveillance unit... The cheerful little yellow flower that had just sprung up on the Flower Witch's head wilted in an instant.
These shadow figures were the dark gloves' specialists in dirty work.
She was currently in the outer area of Black Mine City, very close to the port of Black Mine City, and this area was one of the few under the full jurisdiction of the navy.
Underestimating the enemy, the lack of spiritual power, and her own weakened state meant she hadn't detected them at first.
A total of eleven... Pretending to squat down, the Flower Witch gently touched Water Elf number two.
At this point, fighting was not a clear choice, she needed to conserve her strength now.
Moreover, the shadows under the command of the dark gloves totaled a hundred – far beyond what she could handle at the moment.
"Let's go!"
The Flower Witch stood up, cradling Water Elf number two in her arms, and then quickly walked towards the street.
Yet despite this, those fellows, like shadows, continued to close in on her, always maintaining a safe distance.
Annoying fellows, they wouldn't attack, but they wouldn't leave easily either... The Flower Witch was ready to head towards the naval base.
This way, although there was the risk of being discovered by the navy, she could also force these twisted creatures to retreat.
"Waku Waku!!"
Water Elf number two flapped in Fen's embrace.
"Not walk this way?"
Fen looked puzzled, she could roughly understand what Water Elf number two meant.
Did Water Elf number two seem eager to head towards the port?
Could it be wanting to drink seawater?
Fen vaguely remembered Chen Qi instructing her that the deep-sea Water Elf needed to take in seawater regularly.
Or...
Suddenly, a daring thought popped into the Flower Witch's head!
According to the information she had just received, the Black Hunter had been spotted in the nearby sea area and, for various reasons, was seen defeating the Black Pig Shark?
Could it be that Chen Qi's small houseboat was at the port?
And Water Elf number two's destination was the port!
She wondered how Chen Qi was doing now? He couldn't have been in good shape after facing the Black Pig Shark.
Could it be...
A hopeful little yellow flower sprouted in Fen's head as she used Hidden Technique and hurried towards the port of Black Mine City.
As she walked out of the dirty streets, the remnants of the sunset cast their glow onto her face.
The sunset's glow spread across the sea, reflecting the darkness of Black Mine City in a golden light.
"Should have shaken off those shadows by now; time to find someone."
Fen stood at the edge of the port, her gaze sweeping over the busy and vibrant scene, a surge of excitement welling inside her.
She pulled down her hood lower and strode forward, stealing glances at the small fishing boats.
"Not this one, nor this one—"
Fen walked briskly, carefully revealing the colorful eyes beneath her cloak, trying her best to scan every little boat on the dock and each stall at the port.
But her excitement quickly sank with the sunset.
The lighthouse's light glowed, and the night-shift navy returned to their respective posts.
Not at all! Chen Qi's small houseboat was nowhere to be found!
There were no delicious roadside stands either!
Her excitement wilted in an instant.
It was, after all, according to the information, that Chen Qi had encountered the Black Pig Shark in the morning; he was probably in some small clinic now, not at the port... Fen walked on, crossed her arms, and let out a long sigh.
Even Chen Qi could hardly have come out unscathed facing the Black Pig Shark!
He's not here... The Flower Witch felt a slight pain in her heart and was about to turn back when suddenly, Water Elf number two in her arms abruptly raised its head.
"???"
Fen turned back, curious.
Among several warships, a medium-sized vessel was quietly moored on the sea.
Aloft that ship, a flag was waving high!
And on it was unmistakably the image of a Water Elf with a chef's hat!
Water Elf dining boat, such a distinctive vessel, was a rarity in Witch Sea.
But, that ship was way too big!
The Flower Witch vaguely remembered that when she and Chen Qi had said goodbye, Chen Qi had been on just a small houseboat.
Could it be, for the sake of business, his boat had grown larger?
"No way..."
Fen tiptoed, her curiosity piqued, and quietly approached the distant Water Elf dining boat.
...
...
Dusk fell, and all was silent but for a few distant fishing fires flickering with the stars.
The sea breeze of this season was a bit cold—
Chen Qi lay on the deck, his eyes closed, quietly enjoying this rare moment of silence.
Practicing the meditation technique was much more complicated than it was in the game.
As a skill for strengthening mental toughness and increasing the origin of spiritual power, the practice of the meditation technique required significant mental expenditure.
A high-order meditation technique, even with a Skill Card, would still need well over a month of practice.
But luckily, Chen Qi's high inspiration, along with the phonograph specially used for practicing the meditation technique, and the previous basic technique, had significantly cut down the practice time to within two weeks.
[You have mastered the high-order meditation technique Candlelight; your spiritual power origin is enhanced, your inspiration +5, and your spell-casting speed increases by 10%.]