Come to the room for a moment... Fen, who was currently massaging her teacher's back, sprouted a small question mark of confusion above her head.

Everyone's gazes also involuntarily fell upon Chen Qi, but they didn't feel particularly surprised.

After all, he was that Black Hunter!

It could be said that Chen Qi was the greatest contributor to this operation - operating the Ghost Ship to support them, battling Carol to the death, and somehow summoning the Deep Sea Monster Tentacle Merchant.

Without Chen Qi, whether it was the Ice Demon Pirates or the Flower Witch, they would likely all be ghosts in the Blackfin Crew's experimental base by now.

Palu looked at Chen Qi. After the intense battle, his spiritual energy field remained abundant.

When everything settled, Palu's mind cleared and he couldn't help but feel astonished.

Moreover, wasn't Chen Qi's current condition a bit too good?

Normally, within the Great Sea Coffin, physical strength should gradually weaken, but his condition was lively and energetic, far surpassing everyone else.

And not only that, Chen Qi had also brought along a Tentacle Merchant and a super ghostly new ship burning with green flames!

Palu asked curiously:

"Qi, where did this ship come from?"

Good question... The Ice Witch wasn't in a hurry to have Chen Qi enter the room either. She gently sipped her tea, revealing a slightly curious expression.

A ship of this strength, without support from a major family, would require ultra-rare materials from B-tier dimensional rifts to construct.

No, in terms of strength alone, one could even say only materials from A-tier rifts could forge it!

Chen Qi was momentarily stunned.

This matter was extremely complex.

To summarize, the Sea God owed him money because he ate too much, and then told his followers to repay the debt.

At this moment, Little Crow, who had witnessed the entire course of events, had her pupils slightly widen. It was difficult to describe the scene at that time.

She couldn't exactly tell everyone that Chen Qi had sacrificed the Great Sea's big boss, the Lord of Condensation!

Chen Qi thought for a moment and summarized:

"Experienced some indescribable events. Simply put, I bought it in the Merchant's Coffin."

"Bought it?"

Upon hearing this, the Ice Witch stood up and surveyed Chen Qi's ship.

The current Ghost Ship, after undergoing comprehensive modifications in the Merchant's Coffin, was completely transformed from its former self.

Now, besides the most essential areas like the dining hall, captain's cabin, medical room, witch's alchemy room, water spirit lounge, meeting room, and washroom, Chen Qi had specifically prepared ten guest rooms, a large storage warehouse, and other empty rooms to accommodate more facilities in the future.

The entire ship had received a comprehensive upgrade. It could not only traverse the Fog Sea but to some extent, could even explore the unknown Fringe World.

Most impressively, the Ghost Ship's Nether Sea Engine was incredibly powerful. The mighty Nether Sea Engine and hull allowed the Ghost Ship to continuously use spatial leaps while also possessing the ability to resist Releases!

Even the full-powered Release from the fourth-tier legend Carol only caused some negligible scratches when striking the Ghost Ship.

One must know that even the famous Great Shark Battleship of the Witch Sea couldn't withstand the full Release of a fourth-tier powerhouse!

"An interesting ship..."

The Ice Witch withdrew her curious gaze and waved her hand:

"Alright, follow me, Qi."

Now? Chen Qi was momentarily stunned.

The proud Ice Witch didn't offer much explanation before striding with her long legs into Chen Qi's bedroom.

...

Ghost Ship, Captain's Bedroom.

Shortly after, the Ice Witch skillfully sat in Chen Qi's captain's chair, swirling the flower tea in her hand before taking a sip.

The fragrant tea flowed smoothly down her throat, gradually spreading throughout the Ice Witch's body.

Delicious! As expected from my disciple's flowers. The Ice Witch's face slightly flushed, her white hair naturally falling onto her shoulders as she showed an expression of enjoyment, like a happy ragdoll cat.

Although legends depicted the Ice Witch as cold and ruthless, upon closer inspection, she didn't seem as serious as the stories suggested... Chen Qi couldn't help but recall the scene during the time freeze.

The Ice Witch gently set down her teacup, propped her face with her hand, and said softly:

"Alright, take off your clothes."

"???"

Chen Qi raised an eyebrow, his face full of confusion.

Again?

What was this witch saying?

Chen Qi suddenly realized that it seemed many people really wanted to take off his clothes.

The Ice Witch said calmly with a reddened face:

"Don't misunderstand. I need to check the Sea Beast Disease on your back and measure your current strength."

"Only then can I give you your reward."

If Fen wasn't mistaken, it was Chen Qi who saved her.

According to their agreement, as the Witch Queen, she had to give Chen Qi a generous reward.

Snap!

The Ice Witch snapped her fingers.

Soon, a small wormhole opened in space, revealing the treasures hidden within.

Chen Qi's eyes gently peered into the opening.

Within that wormhole were numerous treasures, all forbidden items that only fifth-tier powerhouses could master!

Witch treasures that didn't belong to this era!

The Ice Witch said calmly:

"Take it off. I have plenty of treasures."

"..."

Why did that sound a bit strange?

The Ice Witch is a proper person... Chen Qi thought for a moment, then took off his upper garment, revealing the powerful muscles beneath his clothes.

During these days in the Witch Sea, his physical strength had broken through to another level.

Before entering the Witch Sea, his constitution was around 170 points.

After consuming the large amount of materials from the Merchant's Coffin, plus using the Lamp Sea medicine crafted from white sea fruit, Chen Qi's constitution these days had reached an astonishing 200 points!

For non-Goblet affinity legends who don't extensively modify their bodies, around 250 points is roughly the physical limit.

Additionally, Chen Qi faintly felt his spiritual energy was also strengthening.

Although his spiritual energy hadn't sublimated, in terms of combat power alone, he could already engage in bloody battles with any legend.

However, during this battle, he hadn't used one of his trump cards - the monstrous 'Crimson Stance'.

This battle hadn't let him fight to his heart's content!

The Ice Witch's gaze fell upon Chen Qi's operated back as she drank some tea:

"Oh ho? You've trained well~"

Then, she carefully examined Chen Qi's spiritual energy field again.

Just as Fen had said, Chen Qi's strength shouldn't be underestimated.

Apart from his spiritual energy not having sublimated, he was already a fourth-tier Transcendent capable of standing on his own. In today's seas, no one could ignore his combat power.

In this great era of dimensional tides, legends would become increasingly common. However, achieving so much in such a short time was extremely rare.

Next, the Ice Witch gently brushed her cold palm over Chen Qi's back and asked:

"How did you obtain your deep sea talent?"

The Ice Witch could clearly sense that Chen Qi possessed certain special talents.

These talents made Chen Qi's body emit a smell that she found extremely repulsive.

The unique scent of the deep sea!

The Ice Witch's sharp index finger gently pressed into Chen Qi's back.

If Chen Qi didn't answer properly, as an enforcer of the seas, she needed to give him some punishment.

Chen Qi took a deep breath and answered:

"Inspiration talent."

Talent? The Ice Witch was momentarily stunned.

Inspiration talent is a special state of spirituality.

Like Fen's inspiration talent - Fen had possessed undeveloped Nature Affinity since childhood. This special affinity allowed her to more easily glimpse the beauty of supernatural plants and master floral aspect skills.

Of course, while these inspiration talents seemed random and innate, they actually followed traceable patterns.

For example, sacrifices to the Sea God, pollution from other worlds, curses from rift monsters, family bloodline blessings, etc...

Sea Beast Disease, inspiration talent... The Ice Witch closed her eyes.

In the Witch Sea, people with deep sea inspiration talents weren't uncommon.

Deep Sea Hunters, Whale Father, and the Sea God Crew's leader 'Sea God' were all people with talents.

What was truly surprising was that although Chen Qi possessed deep sea power, he showed no signs of contamination himself.

In the Witch Sea, obtaining such power inevitably came with contamination.

"A good answer."

The Ice Witch nodded.

Although it sounded incredible, in the Ice Witch's long memory, this possibility wasn't nonexistent.

On the contrary, the disorder of fate was what truly surprised the Ice Witch.

Why hadn't this world followed fate's guidance? The Ice Witch frowned.

The only explanation she could think of was the invasion of forbidden dimensional rifts exceeding A-tier, which caused some deviations.

But no matter what, fate would return to its proper anchor points.

The Ice Witch scanned Chen Qi from head to toe.

Then, she sat back in the captain's chair, swirling the black tea in her hand:

"Not bad, I'm satisfied. In this era, you have the qualifications to advance to the fifth tier."

Hmm? Chen Qi wasn't surprised by this answer.

He already knew some methods for advancing to the fifth tier himself, but those methods were too dangerous, requiring contact with ultra-high-tier rifts.

The Ice Witch gently sipped her black tea:

"First digest this. Afterwards, I'll explain the path of advancement to you in detail."

After speaking, the Ice Witch handed Chen Qi a page filled with spiritual energy runes.

Chen Qi accepted the page.

The text on the page was written in ancient runes, winding and intertwining with each other like lively spirits dancing on the paper!

A gentle touch could make one feel subtle energy currents gently rippling through the body!

Chen Qi's mind was instantly filled with knowledge and immense energy, and a prompt appeared before his eyes.

[Witch's Page

Affinity: Book

Effect: A rune page commissioned by the Ice Witch from the Book Saint, taking a full twenty years to create. Can activate a Transcendent's spiritual energy potential and quickly help them achieve spiritual energy sublimation.

Book Saint's Note:

Still frustrated by diligent study, staying up late every night, yet unable to achieve spiritual energy sublimation?

Purchase the Witch's Page - one night, return with a miracle!]

What kind of advertising slogan is this note... Chen Qi gently rubbed the page.

Normally, spiritual energy sublimation required painstaking meditation plus assistance from a large amount of supernatural resources.

Only fifth-tier powerhouses could create Witch's Pages.

Additionally, precious A-tier rift materials were needed!

Although the note was somewhat strange, undoubtedly, this was an extremely rare ultra-rare item.

In the White Tower Federation, only special-grade hunters with outstanding merits could obtain a small page!

Chen Qi accepted the page:

"Thank you, Witch-sama."

The Ice Witch smiled slightly, then said:

"After I handle some matters, I'll explain the fifth-tier advancement methods to you."

"Next, please call Fen over."

"Fen?"

Chen Qi asked curiously.

He could vaguely guess the Ice Witch's purpose.

Within the Great Sea Coffin, Fen's condition had worsened again.

If not for the Merchant's Coffin's medicine, Fen might have even consumed twenty years of lifespan during this trip just to maintain normal bodily functions.

The Ice Witch sipped her tea:

"Yes, I have some matters to discuss with her."

Chen Qi nodded, finally asking:

"By the way, Ice Witch, is there anything you'd like to eat?"

Food? The Ice Witch swallowed.

She hadn't eaten anything good for many years.

In her dreams over these years, she had countless times dreamed of enjoying grand feasts.

The Ice Witch swallowed, a terrifying hunger spreading from her stomach throughout her entire body.

She really wanted to eat fragrant roasted meat! Wanted to eat sweet cake!

But in the Great Sea Coffin, food was extremely scarce.

Reaching the Great Sea Coffin's exit wasn't easy.

And as the days increased, the Great Sea Coffin would become increasingly dangerous.

Everyone else was severely injured, so now wasn't the time to be picky about food.

The Ice Witch said gently:

"Anything, I'm not very hungry. I can eat anything, just cook according to your ideas."

Chen Qi asked:

"Really no requirements?"

The Ice Witch raised her head, adding somewhat proudly:

"Really, I've practiced special secret techniques that allow me to go a month without eating anything while not hibernating."

"I currently don't feel any hunger at all!"

The Ice Witch's eyes curved slightly, inexplicably proud!

You weren't saying that before... Chen Qi looked completely speechless.

This person's mouth might be even more stubborn than Fen's.

Forget it, let me make something delicious for the witch.

After all, the Ice Witch is really weak right now... Chen Qi accepted the Witch's Page and went to the deck to call Fen.

After Chen Qi left, the Ice Witch curiously examined this bedroom.

Water spirit carpet, desk, supernatural knowledge books, chef cooking books...

On the windowsill, the Canary family's little yellow flowers!

Wait!

The Canary family's little yellow flowers! The Ice Witch's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.

In the Canary family, little yellow flowers were given to closest loved ones!

She, Fen's great teacher, the great witch who taught Fen countless knowledge, only received one little yellow flower on her birthday, and it was smaller than this one!

Fen and that hunter's relationship was perhaps a bit too good... The Ice Witch gently bit her cup:

"Although strong and able to control his power, he really is a detestable fellow..."

Knock knock.

A light knocking sound was heard.

"Come in."

The Ice Witch said.

"Okay, teacher."

Fen dragged her tired body into the room and closed the door.

Currently, Fen's body had some frostbite treatment ointments applied:

"Sorry, teacher, Little Crow the ship doctor briefly treated my wounds, so I'm late."

After speaking, Fen lifted her head, straightened her chest, and tried hard to stand upright.

Her teacher had taught her that as a witch, one must maintain elegance and mystery at all times and places!

Fen vaguely remembered that in her mind, her teacher had never made mistakes. No matter what difficulties she encountered, she always maintained a calm, composed expression!

She had never seen her teacher show any fear, unease, embarrassment, panic, or terror on her face.

Facing any unexpected situation, her teacher could handle it properly.

Because of this, Fen trusted her teacher so much.

She believed that with her invincible teacher, all difficulties would be resolved.

After the battle ended, the Ice Witch examined her disciple.

Just as the prophecy wrote, that little one who once had difficulty even walking had become strong.

The Ice Witch said:

"Fen, take off your clothes."

"Huh???"

Fen's face instantly turned bright red. This was the first time someone had said this to her.

Fen's face was almost completely red.

Why do you both have the same expression? Do I look like an improper person... The Ice Witch said gently:

"I'm just checking your Blood Blossom Disease and measuring your spiritual energy field and physical strength."

Fen said flustered:

"No, that, this is Qi's bedroom..."

"Take it off!"

The Ice Witch said expressionlessly, staring intently at Fen.

Alright... Fen turned around, trembling as she removed her clothes, revealing the bright red blood blossoms on her back.

Fen's skin was very pale, like a meticulously crafted porcelain doll, or like morning dew.

However, on that porcelain-like back, blood-colored flowers grew wildly on the fragile skin.

One after another of clearly visible blood roots were embedded beneath the fragile skin.

Beauty coexisted with fragility and cruelty.

The Ice Witch drank her flower tea while staring at Fen's back:

"As expected, not ordinary Blood Blossom Disease. The deterioration is quite severe..."

"Fen, pay attention to your body and the use of your power, otherwise, you'll die soon!"

Fen put her clothes back on and nodded nervously:

"I'll pay attention, teacher."

In that brief moment, the Ice Witch used her teacup to conceal her expression. Looking at the optimistic Fen, she sighed silently.

Just as fate indicated, Fen, you're really about to die...

This was the calamity caused by the Canary family's reckless use of rift power. To resolve it, one must contact the rift contained by the Canary family.

This required her to personally visit the Canary family and meet those stubborn old monsters.

But whether we can survive the great disaster and leave the Witch Sea is a problem... Forget it, although she's my disciple, she was originally just a tool to resurrect me... The Ice Witch justified to herself.

However, if not for Chen Qi's help, the current Fen would likely have consumed at least thirty more years of lifespan...

At that time, even if I exhausted everything and begged the Canary family's leader, I probably couldn't save Fen!

Thank you, little black hair... The Ice Witch silently thanked Chen Qi in her heart.

At this moment, Fen narrowed her eyes, pursed her lips, raised both arms, flexed her small muscles, and said confidently:

"So? Teacher, have I become very strong!"

Very strong? The Ice Witch examined Fen.

If not for Life Affinity and being able to exchange lifespan for life force, Fen's current constitution was that of a glass cannon who couldn't withstand even one Release.

Such a weak body... The Ice Witch evaluated.

It formed a sharp contrast with Chen Qi's body!

Fen's physical strength was probably only one-third of Chen Qi's.

No, in terms of spiritual energy field, she was also far inferior to Chen Qi!

Fen sprouted little yellow flowers on her head:

"Teacher! I've become stronger, right!"

During these days, whenever she had free time, she devoted herself entirely to medicine making and spiritual energy practice!

Fen struck a spell-casting pose, showing off her lake-like spiritual energy field.

The Ice Witch murmured:

"A very mediocre level."

Fen asked confused:

"Mediocre means?"

The Ice Witch said:

"Simply put, you're trash!"

Trash! Fen was as if struck by lightning. The little yellow flowers on her head instantly wilted, turning into sad little blue flowers.

The witch pinched Fen's soft, plump cheeks.

Was this the same witch as the one in the fate vision - that cold-eyed, weather-beaten witch who simultaneously battled two Pirate Generals alone?

Compared to the Fen in fate, the current Fen was at least twice as weak!

The Ice Witch even suspected that she might not be a match for the Pirate General Dragon Tamer King.

And she seemed to have become a bit more chubby.

"You're too weak! Fen!"

The Ice Witch sighed.

But then, she smiled and said:

"However, Fen, you're much, much healthier than I imagined."

Healthy! Fen answered happily:

"Qi's cooking is very delicious!"

So that kid has been feeding her... The Ice Witch internally complained.

Then, Fen lowered her head and said softly:

"Teacher, you're the same as before. Your smile is really beautiful."

In Fen's memory, her teacher's smiles were mostly triumphant laughs after defeating enemies, or elegant smiles.

Most of the time, her teacher maintained an extremely cold, icy expression.

She rarely showed such a brilliant smile.

Was I smiling? The Ice Witch was momentarily stunned, then said calmly:

"As a witch, eating too much delicious food isn't necessarily a good thing."

Is that so... Fen thought about it.

Ice represented ideals and asceticism. Her teacher was also an abstinent ascetic witch.

Not overeating was also an essential elegance lesson for a witch.

After speaking, the Ice Witch gently brushed her snow-white hair back, propped her face with one hand, and once again revealed her composed, confident expression:

"Fen, remember, as a witch, you must always maintain elegance."

However, before she finished speaking, she caught a whiff of a fragrance.

A detestable aroma of meat!