Returning empty-handed is a disgrace for a pirate.

To some extreme pirates, it's an even greater disgrace than being cheated on by their wife!

"Are we going back empty-handed?"

Captain Blackeye demanded sternly once again.

Little Crow took a deep breath and replied:

"This isn't returning empty-handed!

We've already discovered that the treasure exists.

We can sail back now and report the intel to the vice-captain and the others.

With their strength, even the Wall of Blood-Eyes can't stop them!

When the time comes, the Deep Sea Hunter’s Treasure will still belong to our Black Whale Crew!"

"After we return… the treasure will still be ours!"

The corner of Captain Blackeye’s eye twitched, then he smiled and said:

"How could that be?

You don't actually think we’re the only ones who got wind of the Deep Sea Hunter’s Treasure, do you?

We just found out a little earlier than the others.

The other three major pirate crews, and even the official navy of the Kingdom of Bay, are all going all out to search for the Deep Sea Hunter’s Treasure!

By the time we return and get back to headquarters, who knows how many ships will have arrived at this Sea Beast Cavern.

At that point, we might not even be able to see this Rift anymore.

The Age of Discovery has already begun!

Ship doctor, you and I will make our names in these surging tides!

Now, faced with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, how can we just give it up!"

"……"

Little Crow was momentarily speechless. She really wanted to protect this capable new assistant, but she couldn't outargue him.

Not to mention, the other party was the captain of the Sawshark.

Little Crow bit her lip and said again:

"He can’t do it. After fighting with Black Bull, he cried his eyes out like a rat in a sewer. That kind of cowardly waste only knows how to scream for mommy and flee in a panic, then run into a woman’s arms. There's no way he can cross the Crack Line.

There are only three Parasitic Sea Beasts left. They should be given to…"

Cried his eyes out, waste, coward… Chen Qi looked utterly confused.

Even though he appreciated Little Crow sticking up for him, it still sounded kind of off.

At that moment, Captain Blackeye placed his hand on Chen Qi’s shoulder:

"So young, yet with the courage to defeat Black Bull! That alone proves he’s a true warrior!

Right, young man!

And I remember, you even used a pistol to kill a Blood-Eye Bat all by yourself, didn’t you?

Such bravery—I believe in you. You can step onto that Trial Path and help us claim the Deep Sea Hunter’s Treasure!"

"He can’t…"

Little Crow clenched her fists and repeated, but her tone had already weakened.

This guy’s performance—both on the ship and inside the Rift—was just too solid!

Why is he doing so well… Chen Qi could sense the reproachful expression beneath Little Crow’s mask.

Although they hadn’t known each other long, he had left a good impression on her.

He was someone with both talent and decency—a normal person she had finally come across after so long.

She hadn’t expected that, just a day later, this assistant was about to die…

She knew better than anyone that being parasitized by a Parasitic Sea Beast didn’t just depend on one’s resistance to deep sea organisms—physical strength was also critical.

Even after taking a Yellow Needle, Chen Qi’s physical condition was still far inferior to that of a Salvage Man.

Even a Tier 2 Transcendent like the Salvage Man couldn’t manage it—how could Chen Qi possibly do it!?

Not to mention his mental resilience.

Captain Blackeye was basically sending him to die for a near-zero chance!

Bang! Bang!

More crashing sounds echoed from the Stone Door as a Sea Beast rammed into it again.

New cracks began to form on its surface.

"No way…"

Little Crow clenched her fists, fury hidden beneath her mask. She even thought about punching the captain to buy some time.

Captain Blackeye spoke again:

"Stop being unreasonable, Little Crow. If we really can’t decide, then let’s put it to a vote!"

A vote…

There was no doubt the result wouldn’t change anything.

Chen Qi’s eyes lit up—fine then, let’s see what kind of treasure the Deep Sea Hunter left behind.

You two, stop fighting over me already… Chen Qi stepped forward, cutting the two of them off and said:

"Let me try."

A simple sentence, yet it echoed through everyone's minds like a wave!

The pirates were all stunned.

None of them had expected that this rookie who had just entered the Rift, after witnessing the terrifying Wall of Blood-Eyes, would actually volunteer to step forward!

"A real man!"

A pirate said admiringly from the heart and tossed him a bottle of rum.

Chen Qi caught the slightly sweet rum, drank half, and threw the bottle to the ground.

This is suicide… Little Crow furrowed her brows. She was just a low-ranking ship doctor—powerless to stop any of this.

All she could do now was lament her own weakness.

Captain Blackeye was beaming with joy. He clapped Chen Qi on the shoulder:

"That’s the spirit! Kid!

If you really get the treasure—one chest of gold, no, two!

And a Class Card to begin your path as a Transcendent! Even your own ship! All yours!

Whatever kind of woman you want—just say the word!

Even if you don’t succeed, just for your courage, I’m willing to give you fifty gold coins in my name as captain!"

Captain Blackeye’s pitch-black eyes carried a hint of something strange, but right now, he forced out a kindly uncle’s smile.

That’s a lot of promises… Chen Qi didn’t believe this empty sales pitch.

Captain Blackeye’s so-called goodwill was all talk.

In the captain’s eyes, he was just a disposable tool—and a piece of live merchandise.

For pirates, profit would always come first.

Rather than dreaming about Captain Blackeye’s fake promises, he cared much more about what exactly the Deep Sea Hunter’s Treasure contained.

Chen Qi could tell—the Black Whale Crew wasn’t the right place for him.

It was time to plan an escape.

But before that, he needed to figure out a way to get something valuable first.

Captain Blackeye leaned in—he couldn’t wait any longer and placed the Parasitic Sea Beast onto Chen Qi’s shoulder.

"Captain, let me handle it myself."

Chen Qi naturally grabbed one of the tentacles at the bottom of the Parasitic Sea Beast, lifted it, and slowly walked toward that Crack Line.

Although he had Deep Sea Affinity, that didn’t mean it was easy for him.

This heavily tested his acting skills.

The Parasitic Sea Beast was large enough that, once placed on his shoulder and positioned at the right angle, others wouldn’t notice that he hadn’t actually been parasitized.

The real key was in the acting—he had to show the pain and struggle of being parasitized.

“Easy there—”

Chen Qi said to himself, then placed the Parasitic Sea Beast onto his own shoulder and pressed it down hard.

In an instant, the Parasitic Sea Beast began to squirm, its slick tentacles slithering toward his arm and underarm!

“Whew—”

Chen Qi panicked internally.

Things weren’t going to be as easy as he had imagined!

The Parasitic Sea Beast really was a forbidden creature—its sudden reaction exceeded all his expectations.

Its slippery tentacles kept wriggling, overstimulating his senses.

The parasitic tentacles were like a clingy kitten, constantly rubbing against his body.

This sensation…

So itchy, so smooth, and kind of… nice—

Trying to show a pained expression under such “pleasant” conditions was truly a challenge.

“This thing could start a massage business…”

Chen Qi forced himself to make a painful face and mentally cheered himself on.

Next, he slowly stepped over the taboo line marked by the Deep Sea Hunter.

Step, step—

One step, two, three, four!

With each step he took, he could hear the excited shouts behind him.

Maybe I should start running just to mess with them… Chen Qi calculated his pace and kept stepping forward.

In just a short moment, he had already surpassed the record set by the Salvage Man!

“Ah…”

Little Crow was momentarily stunned.

Something wasn’t right!

With his physical stats, how was he still holding up this long!?

Was it the effect of the Yellow Needle? Or maybe the Sea Beast lurking in his body?

When he comes back, I’ll have to give him a full-body check—from top to bottom, inside and out.

But… I probably won’t ever get the chance again… Little Crow sighed inwardly.

Suddenly, Chen Qi stopped moving.

Crap! He’s at his limit! Captain Blackeye’s heart jumped, and he quickly encouraged him:

“Don’t be afraid! Hang in there!”

“Don’t give up! Think of your family, your unfinished goals!”

“Just endure this moment, and everything will get better! Nothing is impossible to overcome!

You can always find another woman, and you can earn more money!”

“You’re still young, still a boy—you’ve got endless potential!”

Under the captain’s lead, these bloodthirsty pirates suddenly turned into motivational coaches, cheering him on.

To have walked this far, Chen Qi was undoubtedly their greatest hope!

Faking pain was hard—thankfully all they could see was his dashing back… Chen Qi was a bit speechless. He had already tried his best to walk slower.

This should be enough… He gripped the Sea Beast on his shoulder tightly, then suddenly picked up the pace and rushed up the steps!

Acceleration!

That one burst of speed sent all the pirates into a frenzy.

At the top of the steps was the Deep Sea Hunter’s Treasure—now just one shaky step away.

“He’s there!”

Chen Qi stepped over the last stair, crouched down, and gave the Wall of Blood-Eyes a wink.

After all, this treasure was under that old monster’s wall.

I’m taking it now—

The Wall of Blood-Eyes gave no response. It was, after all, a deep sea creation and had no interest in what the Deep Sea Hunter left behind.

After years of exposure to the elements, the Turquoise Chest had grown a bit worn and dusty, but it still showed signs of its intricate and luxurious design.

In the tense atmosphere, Chen Qi slowly wiped the dust from the Turquoise Chest with his hand, then gave it a gentle tug.

The chest was welded to the ground—

No traps nearby. Not a mimic monster… Chen Qi checked again. There was a distinct latch on top of the chest.

After double-checking, he gently pressed down on the latch.

With a soft click, the lid of the chest slowly opened, revealing the treasure inside.