"Hmm?"
The Water Elf No.2 above Fen's head showed a puzzled expression on her behalf.
All the adventurers on Seal No.1 had already fallen into a panic, but Bree remained calm.
Bree swirled his glass:
"How should I put it? Witch Sea was originally a barren land. Before the Crack Tide, including the City Lord of Moonstone City, the Chairperson of the Hunter Association, the three Admirals and the Marshal of the navy, along with other important island lords and big merchants, the number of legends didn't even exceed ten.
This is not because the pirates are too strong, but because they are too weak. The true power of Shell Country lies in its companies. Once the iron flood is done, when the sky is filled with Mechas falling from the heavens, the Four Great Pirate Groups will be a joke of no significant importance!"
Shell Country's true strength lay in its powerful companies, not its weak navy.
In Bree's view, as long as Shell Country's big companies took action and provided resources to the navy, everything would start to get better.
"This..."
Fen did not reply, for in her prophecy, Witch Sea was doomed without doubt.
Indeed, Shell Country's real strength came from the many powerful companies within, but that was only if those companies would actually come.
Apart from Witch Sea, the crises encountered in other areas were even more sensational!
As expected, Shell Country was about to face a large-scale mechanical disaster. It wasn't just about supporting Witch Sea, even the imperial capital might not hold.
Chen Qi was calm for three seconds before finally shaking his head:
"That might not be the case. I've heard that the Black Whale Group has mastered the use of Black Whale Blood. This power allows them to forcibly tame terrible giant Sea Beasts like the Black Sea Elephant."
Chen Qi shifted the subject:
"By the way, Mr. Bree, can you use special flame elemental materials to upgrade the Day Lantern?"
Chen Qi was prepared to take out five Deep Blues, possessing the ability to upgrade his Day Lantern.
Although Bree's combat power was not strong, he was certainly a genius Mechanic and also mastered many forging techniques.
Bree confidently said:
"Of course, my modular mobile Mechanical Dock is parked nearby. Since you are an investor in my love, I will give you a discount of 20%!
But before that, I have to finish reading the report about the supernovas. My purpose in coming here isn't just for my love, but also to catch the Black Hunter and the Flower Witch, as well as other supernovas."
"Catching the Black Hunter and the Flower Witch?"
Fen coldly said, her voice trembling slightly with anger.
Bree didn't catch the underlying tone and continued with a cheerful smile:
"Of course, our brilliant and mighty boss wants them for some matters. Don't look at my frail appearance, but I am already a Third Rank. My Steam Iron Fist can knock down both the Black Hunter and the Flower Witch with just two punches!!"
Wow... Chen Qi exaggerated his surprise, playing along with the joke.
Bree then picked up the newspaper from the table to check the news about the seven supernovas.
"The rankings of the Flower Witch and the Black Hunter haven't changed. Except for Diya, this bastard, who was actually defeated by the Black Hunter and lost his spot to the Black-eyed Captain."
Black-eyed Captain... Chen Qi emerged from his thoughts, only then remembering this Third Rank Transcendent whom he met first in Witch Sea.
He didn't have a strong impression of the Black-eyed Captain. The gaming forums only mentioned that the Black-eyed Captain used to be a brooding handsome young lad until Carol caught him and he became a male pet.
Eventually, when Carol got bored of him, she gave him a ship as a parting gift. Since then, he turned into an extremely thin, fishing and greed obsessed old captain.
But in the end, he was just a dog under Carol.
Without her, the Black-eyed Captain would have reported the information of the Deep Sea Hunter's treasure to Carol, and Carol would have rewarded the Black-eyed Captain with a bone.
Logically, being a no-name cast-off by Carol, the Black-eyed Captain should not have been able to replace Diya and become a supernova.
The supernovas reported by the Witch Times, written by journalist Lilith, were not necessarily the strongest, but they were definitely among the top Third Rank Transcendents.
A captain with poor inspiration had actually become a supernova.
What exactly happened? Chen Qi also picked up the newspaper and looked it over carefully.
The Witch Times journalist Lilith provided a detailed report on the issue.
According to the report, the Black-eyed Captain, after being abandoned by Black Glove, did not wallow in despair but instead joined a camp fighting against Slave Traders.
The appearance of Black Whale Blood, a material of extreme uniqueness and unlimited potential, necessitated a large number of test subjects.
Among them, patients with special diseases, due to their unique physique, were perfect subjects, thus giving rise to a slave trade targeting these special patients.
And the Black-eyed Captain continuously attacked these Slave Traders.
These slaves with special diseases had no ordinary backgrounds: among them were amnesiac nobles from the Golden Flower Bird Kingdom and experts with unique secrets.
Without exception, these slaves provided the Black-eyed Captain with vast resources as a reward.
Especially during the most recent heist where the rescued slaves included the son of someone who had once found the "Residual Fire Sword"—part of a Deep Sea Hunter's treasure. To express gratitude for the Black-eyed Captain saving his life, this slave gave the Residual Fire Sword to the Black-eyed Captain!
This is also possible... Chen Qi was particularly astonished. Due to the rampant piracy, there indeed were many opportunistic individuals among the slaves.
According to reports by Lilith, the Black-eyed Captain had survived numerous life-and-death crises, becoming public enemy number one of the Slave Traders.
The driving force behind his relentless progress was a successor of the Black-eyed Captain.
His heir also acquired the Sea Beast Disease and went missing due to an accident, and it was for this heir that he continued his relentless pursuit.
Finally, the Black-eyed Captain spoke during an interview:
"If anyone sees my successor! He is handsome, male, slim in appearance, with a spider-like blue pattern on his back, carries a Black Blade, and also a golden limited-edition fishing rod!
If anyone finds him, even if it's just his body, or a hint of his whereabouts, please be sure to tell me! There will be a rich reward! At least one million shell-currency!"
"..."
After reading, Chen Qi didn't know how to express his feelings for a while.
What the hell is a successor?
The Black-eyed Captain was searching for me, capable of finding another Deep Sea Hunter's treasure, and then becoming a supernova. He does seem to have some skill.
Chen Qi's brow furrowed.
His main goal now was to upgrade his Day Lantern and repair the ship, then head to the Dragon Flower Islands to stir up major events—he couldn't be distracted by these strange occurrences.
Moreover, from a long-term development perspective, doing business with the Ice Demon Pirate Group was very profitable.
His ship also needed a reliable, long-term Mechanic.
"Qi, that said, your knife looks black too, you wouldn't happen to be the person that Black-eyed Captain is looking for, would you..." Bree joked and turned around:
"Alright then, you two, come to my dock. I've recently been in the business of making high-grade Day Lanterns, and whatever materials you have, I can create."
...
Saying this, Bree invited Chen Qi and Fen into his Mechanical Dock workshop.
"Is it just you in this dock..."
Fen asked with curiosity.
Bree put on a pair of specialized gloves:
"Yes, although the current situation is not very stable, and a Mechanic like me is easily coerced, my 'Steam Iron Fist' is not for show!"
The Ice Demon Pirate Group is an ally and also a good force to fleece... Chen Qi thought for a moment and took out the Deep Blue Flame and Day Lantern:
"Bree, I want you to use the Deep Blue Flame to upgrade the Day Lantern."
"Sure thing! The Deep Blue Flame, eh? Simp..." Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire
Bree stopped abruptly, his cheek showing a noticeable drop of cold sweat.
Wasn't the Deep Blue Flame, as reported by the newspapers, entirely in the hands of that Black Hunter?
"Could it be..."
Bree swallowed, looking towards Fen at the doorway, now wearing a mask.
Fen bowed his head and slowly drew the workshop's big door and curtain shut.
In that instant, enlightenment struck Bree, and a near-unbelievable idea surged to his mind as he hastily backed away.
The next second, in the dim workshop, Bree looked up in terror and said:
"Qi, don't tell me you've been threatened by the Flower Witch and have become her plaything?"