Ice Witch let out a cold snort.

Facing the challenge issued by the sky's supreme ruler, the Blizzard Dragon King!

I choose you! Black Hunter!

Seeing Chen Qi didn't put up much resistance, Ice Witch held her tea, gently blowing on the steam:

"Alright then, you rest well for now. Tomorrow, I'll personally give you special training."

Personal special training... Chen Qi no longer hid his gaze, staring at Ice Witch like a hungry wolf.

Chen Qi felt quite speechless internally.

In fact, right now on the entire ship, aside from the weakened Ice Witch, almost no one else had any combat capability.

Therefore, as a Blade-Lamp affinity Transcendent, he himself had wanted to challenge the Blizzard Dragon King.

However, being forced to challenge the Blizzard Dragon King using Time Stop still made him inexplicably irritated.

Once something you wanted to do got forced upon you, it would change in nature.

Chen Qi gritted his teeth and said:

"Ice Witch, I..."

I have no choice either... Ice Witch interrupted:

"Praise your courage, Qi. As a monster profession, you've passed."

"Alright everyone, is there anything else?"

Burry raised his hand:

"Ice Witch, I heard there's still a Sea God statue in the Merchant's Coffin, and also a Lord of Condensation!

When are we setting off to destroy them!"

Lord of Condensation, Sea God statue... Ice Witch furrowed her brows slightly and said softly:

"Hmm..."

Chen Qi answered for Ice Witch:

"In that place, a terrifying disaster occurred. The Lord of Condensation and Sea God temporarily don't need dealing with."

Don't need dealing with? What exactly happened there? Ice Witch's eyes lit up, looking suspiciously at Chen Qi.

Just earlier, she had seen a little tentacle monster hiding in the shadows, blinking its eyes, staring intently at Chen Qi.

This guy has stirred up quite a bit of trouble... Ice Witch said:

"Qi, if you can pass my trial, you'll be one of the strongest legends!"

After speaking, Ice Witch stood up, squinted her eyes, patted Chen Qi's shoulder, left the area, and skillfully entered the guest room.

The scene left only the utterly shocked crowd.

Hah... Chen Qi rubbed his chin, sat on the deck, and looked up at the Blizzard Dragon King in the sky.

The Blizzard Dragon King gently flapped its wings, layers of cold wind rolling and intertwining.

A massive storm violently tore through the area, sweeping across the already extremely cold ship.

Under the storm, the surrounding temperature dropped rapidly... Chen Qi instinctively hugged himself tighter, using Flame Forging to strengthen the bonfire on the deck.

Most people on the ship had suffered frostbite from the cold, their lips chapped and purple, their figures thin and gaunt.

Little Crow had also lost a full ten pounds in just over a week, becoming like a withered branch.

The entire sky also showed one enormous crack after another...

The Great Sea Coffin, as the first A-tier dimensional rift to appear in the Witch Sea, would eventually completely collapse and spread across the entire sea, causing an unimaginable super disaster.

As expected, at the edges of the 'Great Sea Coffin,' there were already many navy and meteorological bureau investigators.

In the wind, Chen Qi sat on the deck, his eyelids drooping, his consciousness growing increasingly blurry.

Hopefully nothing happens before we leave the rift... Chen Qi thought silently.

So sleepy...

Chen Qi couldn't help but open his mouth and let out a long yawn.

Immediately after, an indescribable sense of fatigue instantly spread throughout his body.

In that moment, all the running around, practice, and fighting along the way pressed down on him at once...

The boundless cold also pushed his physical strength to its limit.

Chen Qi closed his eyes, ignoring the curious looks from everyone, and fell asleep.

"???"

Little Crow, who was drinking soup, froze.

He can fall asleep like this? You should know, many people want to ask Chen Qi various questions... Little Crow touched her hair and waved her hand at those preparing to approach Chen Qi.

"He's asleep..."

Fen tiptoed over, placing Water Spirit No. 2, filled with the scent of medicine, under the back of Chen Qi's neck.

Then she took out a warmed blanket and covered Chen Qi's face, asked Little Crow for a hot water bottle, and placed it on his legs.

"You've worked hard."

Fen and Little Crow said very softly.

……

The third day.

Chen Qi opened his exhausted eyes.

Through the window, he could see the entire sky filled with rolling black clouds at the horizon, with snowflakes covering almost the entire world before his eyes.

[The Great Whale's tides surge here, permeating this place. Dimensional rift mutation rate increased by 5%, currently 80%!]

The Great Whale's power merging with the rift ultimately affected the entire rift... Chen Qi rubbed his eyes and looked around.

He, who had originally fallen asleep on the deck, was now lying on the bed in the captain's cabin.

Chen Qi sat up.

Besides that, on the bedside table and at the corner of his mouth, there was fresh hot soup.

Someone had fed him soup while he was asleep.

Additionally, at some point, he had also taken off his heavy hunter clothes and changed into a more comfortable woolen pajama set.

"Qi, you're awake..."

Fen entered the room carrying fresh hot soup.

Then she looked at Chen Qi's pajamas, turned her head aside, blushed, and coughed twice:

"Water Spirit No. 2 helped you change!

I didn't see anything, and I didn't touch..."

"You know? The Canary family has rules;

elegant people cannot casually... take off others' clothes, and cannot look either!"

Fen turned her head aside, anxiously explaining a few sentences.

"???"

Who asked you? But, is this really a rule of the Goldenfinch Kingdom families? The Goldenfinch family has such conservative rules?

Chen Qi glanced at Fen and asked:

"Thank you, Fen. So? Nothing bad happened?"

Fen placed the hot soup on the bedside table and frowned:

"Last night we encountered a snow woman tide. A group of snow woman monsters with two-meter-long legs and disheveled hair attacked us."

"These five snow women each had legendary-tier strength. Teacher, to test us, did not intervene."

"Although we won in the end, Palu and Little Crow were severely injured, and the others aren't in good condition either."

"But thankfully, there weren't major casualties."

Fen frowned. Without the teacher and Black Hunter, their combat power resisting five fourth-tier monsters was still too difficult.

Is that so... Chen Qi took the hot soup, drank a mouthful, and continued asking:

"What about the Blizzard Dragon King?"

Fen's brows furrowed even tighter:

"Still tracking us. Vice-Captain Ben has used spatial jumps twice consecutively, but still couldn't shake off the Blizzard Dragon King's pursuit. Once it sets its sights on you, you can never escape..."

"It's waiting for a moment when disaster strikes!"

The broth tastes good... Chen Qi finished the hot soup in one go, nodded, and continued asking:

"What is Ice Witch doing?"

Fen answered quietly:

"Helping Little Crow advance. Under teacher's guidance, she's about to advance soon."

Guidance? Chen Qi asked curiously:

"Little Crow is about to advance?"

"Yes, teacher understands the Disaster Messenger very well and thinks she might be somewhat useful, willing to give her some guidance."

Ice Witch is really kind... After finishing his soup, Chen Qi also got up and put on his hunter clothes.

He also needed to find Ice Witch quickly to complete his spiritual energy sublimation.

Fen directed Water Spirit No. 2 to clean up the bowls and chopsticks.

Then, frowning, she said:

"Oh right, Qi, I didn't tell you before, but actually teacher quite likes to tease people. Back at the Winter Convent, she was known as the Prank Queen...

You must be careful!"

There's such a thing?... Chen Qi nodded:

"I understand."

Afterwards, Chen Qi gathered his equipment and headed to Ice Witch's room.

……

Nethersea Ghost Ship, large guest room.

"Excuse me, Ice Witch!"

Chen Qi no longer used honorifics for Ice Witch, pushing open the half-closed door.

However, the moment he entered, he heard terrifying sounds.

Slap!

Slap slap slap!

What's that sound? Chen Qi looked inside the room.

He saw Ice Witch sitting on a rocking chair, crossing her long legs, drinking flower tea:

"Little one, speak."

Little Crow was kneeling on the ground holding a whip, tears at the corners of her eyes, saying devoutly:

"Great Witch, I confess, in order to survive, I personally injected a highly respected doctor with black whale blood."

"To make some pirates fear me, I often whipped patients to maintain my terrifying image."

Little Crow, while crying, held the whip and continuously lashed her own back.

The force was so heavy that distinct bloody welts appeared one after another on her back.

Ice Witch would accept others' confessions like the Sea Goddess, and if the person reformed, she would even grant them blessings... Chen Qi couldn't help but frown.

He saw, in a place the pitiful Little Crow didn't notice, Ice Witch wore a faint smile.

Speaking of which, Chen Qi originally thought Little Crow had developed sadistic tendencies during her long pirate career.

But now it seemed Little Crow was just pretending.

However, if Little Crow was just pretending, then Ice Witch might be the true sadist!

Indeed, priest-like roles are often perverts... Chen Qi couldn't help but comment:

"I confess! Witch Lady! But... I had no choice! I had no power, I couldn't do anything!"

"If I did nothing, I would die!"

Little Crow said hoarsely, eyes full of tears, the emotions suppressed for so long due to being an undercover agent erupting at this moment.

After fifty lashes, Ice Witch rested her chin on her hand, gently patted Little Crow's head:

"That's enough, I have accepted your confession. As for your contamination, I will also help you cleanse it."

Alright, you may go.

And, no suicide allowed..."

Little Crow bit her bleeding lip, nodded, stood up and bowed:

"Thank you for your flogging! Great Witch Lady!

This makes me feel much better."

After saying this, Little Crow's face flushed with an inexplicable blush, revealing a smile.

Then, she put away the whip, turned around, and saw Chen Qi waiting at the door.

Instantly, Little Crow's face turned bright red, tears sprang from the corners of her eyes, and she stammered:

"I was just forced... I didn't... didn't, I didn't commit unforgivable sins, sins that cannot be committed… and I don't like being hit... Qi..."

Little Crow defended herself vehemently, wanting to maintain her pirate doctor image in Chen Qi's mind.

Who asked you again? Chen Qi nodded.

Qi... The tearful Little Crow's face was crimson, she wiped her tears, and quickly left the place.

Ice Witch took a sip of tea and explained:

"That little one was an undercover agent for the Blackfin Crew and took a special poison."

"Unfortunately, the toxin on her is of the highest grade. Even for me, it's very difficult to deal with the black whale poison created by the Black Death Doctor."

Ice Witch let out a long sigh.

Little Crow was now a time bomb polluted by black whale blood and Black Death Poison.

But she also couldn't handle Little Crow's condition.

Highest grade Black Death Poison... Chen Qi recalled Little Crow's behavior along the journey.

Along the way, in places unknown to others, Little Crow had been quiet, rarely speaking, suppressing her inner self, often engaging in self-harm behaviors like biting her nails, pinching the flesh on her chest, etc.

Ice Witch's actions could be considered as guiding Little Crow.

Then, Ice Witch lifted her chin. Proudly looking at Chen Qi, she said:

"Little Black Hair, do you have anything you need to confess? Like attacking at night..."

Ice Witch looked at Chen Qi with a questioning gaze.

"No, my heart is as clear as a mirror."

Chen Qi said decisively, giving Ice Witch a fierce glare.

What kind of look is that... Ice Witch instinctively turned her head away guiltily.

From his words and gaze, she almost thought she was the one who should be piously confessing!

"Ahem."

Ice Witch brought the topic back on track:

"According to the fate I have glimpsed, the Blizzard Dragon King will only attack before the rift collapses, which is in five days."

"That is to say, you have five days for spiritual energy sublimation and, simultaneously, mastering a brand new power..."

Brand new power? Chen Qi looked confused:

"???"

"A power you are extremely familiar with, but have never truly mastered."

Extremely familiar power... Chen Qi showed a curious expression, playing along with Ice Witch's performance.

Ice Witch explained:

"After reaching the fourth tier, one's personal Spiritual Sea has already been fully expanded. No matter how powerful the meditation techniques or talents are, what they can improve is extremely limited."

"In history, countless legends have sought methods to advance to Saint. Many obtained legendary fifth-tier profession cards but couldn't digest them due to their own spiritual energy.

Because they lacked the most crucial part.

That is the source that grants them power—the dimensional rift."

"Dimensional rift..."

Hearing 'that term,' Chen Qi thought for a moment, memories gradually surfacing in his mind.

Ice Witch explained:

"The essence of a fifth-tier powerhouse's vast spiritual energy is because their Spiritual Sea is connected to a dimensional rift!

This rift is part of their spiritual energy source;

they can continuously draw spiritual energy from the rift!"

Dimensional rift... Chen Qi nodded.

Although fourth-tier legends are powerful, ultimately, they still rely on their own Spiritual Sea to fight.

However, fifth-tier Transcendents directly absorb spiritual energy from dimensional rifts.

To use an analogy, it's like integrated graphics versus a dedicated graphics card—the gap is enormous.

"Of course..."

Ice Witch continued to add:

"Connecting to a rift isn't easy. Besides that, to advance to the fifth tier, two other conditions must be met."

Ice Witch explained the fifth-tier advancement conditions she knew.

Advancing to the fifth tier requires simultaneously satisfying three conditions: First, spiritual energy sublimation—one's own spiritual energy must reach the peak of legend!

Second, oneself must be connected to a B-tier or higher dimensional rift.

Third, a fifth-tier profession card. Typically, unless obtaining the highest evaluation, rifts do not drop fifth-tier profession cards.

Creating a fifth-tier profession card requires vast knowledge and countless materials.

However, this point doesn't need too much worry. As the Witch Queen, Ice Witch certainly knows the method to create fifth-tier profession cards.

Ice Witch, like an excellent teacher, explained the fifth-tier advancement method to Chen Qi in detail.

"You should know what the most critical point of fifth-tier advancement is, right? And why, in normal eras, fifth-tier Transcendents are scarce?"

Ice Witch asked.

Chen Qi answered without hesitation:

"Rift resources."

Fifth-tier Saints require a rift that must be at least B-tier.

Simultaneously, this rift must match the Transcendent's unique affinity.

That is to say, they must contain at least a B-tier rift with zero mutation rate that matches their affinity.

However, in ordinary eras, let alone B-tier rifts, even C-tier rifts are almost inaccessible to ordinary people.

Plus, many rifts are difficult to contain. Therefore, even for people from major families, those who can advance to the fifth tier are very few.

In major supernatural families, often only after fierce competition does one gain the qualification to advance to the fifth tier.

"Good comprehension."

Ice Witch drank a cup of tea and murmured:

"Therefore, the fifth tier is a product of the era. Of course, if one has enough courage to go to the Fringe World, there are countless rifts there, even forbidden existences beyond A-tier rifts..."

"By the way, the fifth tier is connecting to a rift;

the sixth tier is integrating the rift into one's own Spiritual Sea, and this rift must be A-tier. As for the seventh tier, that's the domain of gods;

you'd better not know..."

Ice Witch lifted her chin, proudly raised her head, and coughed twice.

After all, she was someone who had once reached the seventh tier!

"Impressive!"

Chen Qi clapped, playing along with praise.

Ice Witch put down her flower tea:

"Of course, the fifth tier is somewhat distant for you. After all, containing a rift is not an easy task.

What you need to do is complete the first step, finish spiritual energy sublimation as soon as possible, and face the Blizzard Dragon King."

"Simultaneously, adapt to the new power!"

The next second, Ice Witch extended her slender hand and opened her palm.

In her hand was a black-red rotating energy sphere!

"???"

This... On Chen Qi's face, a knife scar suddenly appeared, dripping a terrifying line of blood.

And that small black sphere was like a black hole!

It expanded silently, devouring surrounding light, making the entire space tremble. This miniature energy sphere, though small, contained terrifying gravity, tearing the boundary between reality and illusion.

But simultaneously, when it expanded to a certain extent, it rapidly contracted, remaining in a stable state.

Staring into it, one could see a miniature world. In that world, on a mountain of war, there were countless rust-covered blades!

A Blade affinity rift sphere?

Ice Witch piqued Chen Qi's interest, showing a 'plan successful' expression:

"If you want to know what this is? Confess one of your sins to me..."

"The materialization of a rift! Who made it? Steam Hand Workshop, or another workshop?"

Chen Qi answered first.

What Ice Witch held was a rift weapon, an extremely difficult weapon to manufacture.

Transforming a rift into a weapon is mostly only achievable by fifth-tier Transcendents whose unique affinity is Scale or Hammer.

Simultaneously, it requires a super-large factory.

Therefore, precisely speaking, rift weapon manufacturing is a capability unique to Beiguo!

Ice Witch's unique affinity is Ice, her lifelong faith and ascetic practice.

On the forums, Ice Witch did not have the ability to create rift weapons.

Correct... Ice Witch shed a drop of sweat:

"World Workshop under one of the thirteen major supernatural organizations, the Artisans. As long as you have enough supernatural currency, they are willing to ignore Beiguo's taboos and forge rift weapons for you. I have a close friend there."

So that's how it is... Memories surged in Chen Qi's mind.

World Workshop is one of the few top workshops that don't obey the Beiguo king.

At this moment, Ice Witch suddenly stared intently at Chen Qi's mouth, unblinking, like a cat watching a mouse.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Qi asked.

Ice Witch rested her chin on her hand and said coldly:

"What did Fen prepare for you to eat? Why is there such a large piece of meat stuck between your teeth?"

Is there? Chen Qi opened his mouth to check.

Whoosh!

The next second, Ice Witch Angela swiftly threw the newly materialized rift sphere directly into Chen Qi's mouth.

"?"

In that instant, Chen Qi felt a foreign object sensation in his throat and an extremely intense cutting sensation.