"Ah!?"

Little Crow's small hands fluttered anxiously, her eyes flashing with confusion and urgency!

Nineteen containers' worth of work would be extremely difficult to accomplish unless using some brute force methods.

You're not some reckless brute, are you? You didn't already damage any of the sea beast containers, did you?

She immediately checked all the sea beast containers, terrified that precious medicinal ingredients might have been compromised.

Just as Chen Qi had said, nineteen containers of medicinal ingredients had already been extracted, and the extraction was done beautifully.

Moreover, the sea beasts she normally raised usually appeared listless, but today they were unexpectedly full of vitality!

This indicated there had been very few operational errors.

Completed beautifully... Little Crow sighed with relief internally, her face slightly blushing, feeling somewhat happy.

But then she thought again - there was no reason to whip him now. Little Crow let out another long sigh:

"Ai..."

Chen Qi immediately tensed up again, as if struck by a leather whip.

What are you sighing about? I spent half an hour laboriously completing this difficult task!

Chen Qi could sense that even though he had completed the work beautifully, the other party genuinely, from the bottom of her heart, wanted to whip him!

Little Crow adjusted her mask.

She didn't actually want to whip him, nor was she a sadist.

As a firm deep sea enthusiast, she just wanted to find an excuse to make Chen Qi take off his shirt again, to take another look at the sea beast pattern on his back.

Then symbolically whip his buttocks a couple of times.

But this was nineteen containers! Quite a substantial workload!

Maybe I should whip him nineteen times too, no no no, that's just crazy, a hellish idea... Little Crow rejected the thought.

Presumably the other party must have put considerable effort into it, carefully reading every word of the "Sea Beast Medicinal Ingredient Extraction Guide," racking his brains to accomplish this.

He was even frightened by the terrifying sounds of the sea beasts midway, but despite that, he still conquered his inner fears and completed the work beautifully!

Moreover, he did this on an empty stomach!

With such diligence, she couldn't very well follow Captain Blackeye's instructions and deliberately find fault with him.

Little Crow, exhausted from the long day, slumped into her chair and smiled:

"Nineteen containers? How did you manage it?"

Relying on effort alone would be very difficult to achieve.

Chen Qi thought back to the original owner's memories and rubbed his hands:

"I was born in Damarro Town in the Moonstone Archipelago, helped fishermen process some sea beasts, and previously took university entrance exams, so my comprehension is somewhat decent."

In this post-apocalyptic world, after hundreds of years of peace, various nations had established specialized academies to train Transcendents.

The country where his starting point was located was called the Beiguo, a nation that valued money and had developed industry, with the education sector in an upward trend.

In Beiguo, there were many excellent academies for training Transcendents.

But unlike Earth's colleges, the admission thresholds for these academies were much stricter, with the vast majority of students being nobles or descendants of powerful Transcendents.

For commoners to get into academies, they needed sufficiently high inspiration talent and had to pass various difficult specialized exams to qualify for entry, with extremely low acceptance rates.

"Oh? You also took university entrance exams?"

Little Crow hadn't expected this little slave to be, like her, someone who had taken university entrance exams.

Even among commoners, families willing to pursue education had some assets, so becoming a slave on a pirate ship was a low-probability event.

Chen Qi replied:

"Yes, I have some inspiration talent. I took the Royal University entrance exam twice, but failed both times."

"I applied for the Medical Academy jointly operated with the Goldenfinch Kingdom."

"Oh, did you get in?"

Chen Qi asked. In the player-made game materials, it only mentioned Little Crow had good medical skills but didn't mention her educational background.

As soon as the question left his mouth, the warm atmosphere instantly became somewhat frozen.

"..."

Images of whips immediately flashed through Chen Qi's mind - he probably shouldn't have asked this question.

If I had gotten in, why would I be on a pirate ship, acting like a crazy female pirate all day, chatting and laughing with a captured slave... Little Crow felt somewhat speechless, propping her chin on her hand:

"What do you think? You should know, these jointly operated medical academies have very few spots available to us commoners - we only get the leftovers after nobles and wealthy merchants take their pick...

Of course, my own abilities weren't up to par back then either. I became complacent after just reaching first-tier Transcendent 'Physician Apprentice' and missed that precious opportunity.

After I obtained my Physician Apprentice certificate, for various reasons, I went out to make my way in the world."

As Little Crow spoke, she inexplicably began feeling somewhat sad.

"Physician Apprentice certificate!?"

According to the kingdom's laws, only those with a primary physician certificate could become legitimate 'doctors.'

An apprentice certificate didn't qualify one to practice medicine.

Chen Qi was slightly surprised. In his impression, Little Crow's medical skills were quite impressive - she had actually ventured out after just obtaining her apprentice certificate.

This was unlicensed practice! A genuine black-market doctor!

But on a pirate ship with all sorts of dubious characters, this was actually quite normal.

Feeling looked down upon... Little Crow clenched her fist and boasted:

"Don't judge me just because I only have an apprentice certificate - that's just because my identity isn't suitable for certification.

In deep sea disease research, I might be even more skilled than the legendary Healer, the Flower Witch!"

"Oh, I see."

Gurgle~

Suddenly, a soft gurgling sound came from Chen Qi's stomach.

He was hungry.

According to the ship's rules, newly joined crew members weren't qualified to eat in the dining hall. Only after completing a mission with the pirate ship could they eat hot meals in the dining hall.

The tired Little Crow looked at the bread on the cabinet and immediately sat up.

She was here to establish authority while rewarding Chen Qi - how had they ended up chatting?

And chatting quite happily at that!

At this rate, all her authority would disappear - afraid that in a few days, he'd be calling her "Little Crow" behind her back... Little Crow handed him two pieces of bread:

"Have some bread first, it has dried fruit."

Chen Qi took the bread and took a bite. The slightly sweet taste of dried fruit burst on his taste buds.

Heavenly!

Compared to modern bread, it was practically as hard as stone, but for Chen Qi who had been hungry all day, this was the ultimate delicacy.

Little Crow picked up her medical kit:

"Almost forgot - your reward."

According to their agreement, if he could complete more than ten containers of work, he would receive special potions.

"Transcendent potions..."

Chen Qi swallowed. As an expert player, he deeply understood the importance of potions.

If you wanted to fight monsters above your level in the early game, whether healing potions or strength potions, they were essential items!

Little Crow opened the hidden compartment of her medical kit. Inside were stored several precious Transcendent potions!

Chen Qi took another bite of bread, his eyes showing anticipation.

Little Crow muttered to herself while searching:

"This one... no, this medicine is too strong, your body can't handle it. This one's for dogs, no good either... This one's for women, also no good..."

Finally, she grasped a yellow syringe potion.

Golden liquid glowed with gold-like radiance within the syringe!

Chen Qi's eyes sparkled - that was very likely the most useful Transcendent potion in the early game - Yellow Needle!

"This is too expensive, also not..."

She bit her lip, hesitating for a moment.

Although they hadn't known each other long.

Her impression of Chen Qi was quite favorable - he didn't act like a slave, handled tasks diligently enough, and had decent learning ability.

Plus he was around her age, possessing limitless potential.

"This is the improved version..."

Little Crow felt somewhat conflicted. Giving this potion to a newcomer was being overly generous.

And he had that unknown sea beast on his spine - who knew how long he would live.

Little Crow turned her head, looked at Chen Qi again, and showed a sympathetic expression.

With this physique, if he didn't take some nourishing potions, whether he could survive the return voyage was questionable.

And if she didn't give it to him, that greedy Captain Blackeye would eventually swindle it away anyway.

"Forget it, I'll just take the loss!"

After all, as his direct superior, as long as he stayed alive, she could eventually extract greater value from him.

Little Crow handed the special yellow potion to Chen Qi.

"Your reward, take it! Remember, this was given to you by Sister Crow, ship doctor of the Blackfin Crew's Sawshark! And it's my improved masterpiece!"

"Thank you, Sister Crow! I'll remember this in my heart!"

Chen Qi held the bread in his mouth and accepted the precious yellow syringe with both hands.

Ethereal text appeared before his eyes again.

[Yellow Syringe - Improved:

Affinity: Goblet

Description: A special potion produced from dimensional rifts in the Goldenfinch Kingdom region,

Can greatly enhance a person's energy and stamina within twenty hours,

And slightly enhance self-healing ability, attribute values, and venom resistance, while permanently increasing constitution and randomly changing attributes.

This potion has been remixed with special deep sea medicinal ingredients, possessing stronger effects than the original version.

Note: Most potions that permanently increase attributes cannot take effect repeatedly.]

Yellow Needle! Excellent stuff!

If he weren't eating bread, Chen Qi would definitely have shouted "Whoo-hoo!"

It could not only enhance combat ability but also permanently increase attributes.

Among the potions ordinary players could obtain in the early game, there weren't many that permanently increased attributes, and Yellow Needle was among the best.

Although it said it randomly changed attributes, according to data statistics, overall, Yellow Needle's random attributes tended to be positive.

This kind of rare imported goods would cost quite a lot of money.

If the pistol Collector could buy five slaves like him, then Yellow Needle could definitely buy ten! A full ten!

Wait, why have I become a unit of measurement... Chen Qi mentally complained.

Little Crow made a gesture as if preparing to give an injection and showed her signature pirate sneer:

"Do you know what this is?"

"I know, I've heard of this kind of potion in big cities. It's quite expensive. Thank you, Sister Crow."

Chen Qi said sincerely.

You know about it! Little Crow's mouth twisted into an even more creepy smile:

"Hehehe~

This is my improved product, remixed with sea beast fluid, obtained through multiple experiments - a superior product.

If I were in medical school, I could definitely apply for my own patent with this potion!"

Little Crow closed her medical kit, restraining her smile to avoid losing her superior's dignity:

"Good things come with costs. Only if you can complete nineteen containers of sea beast medicinal ingredient extraction work every day from now on will you be able to earn back the cost of this potion.

By the way, my improved product takes time to take effect. We'll just reach the dimensional rift tomorrow morning, so use it then.

In the rift, you'll just need the power provided by the potion."

"Reaching the dimensional rift tomorrow morning!"

Chen Qi looked at the golden potion in his hand, analyzing his current situation.

Today, he had spent some time learning about the Sawshark's situation and information about the dimensional rift.

The Sawshark was not highly ranked among the Blackfin Crew ships, with approximately sixty-plus crew members.

And due to manpower issues, the dimensional rift exploration operation required full crew participation, with most slaves on the ship also being used for the rift.

Additionally, to prepare for emergencies, they were equipped with five steam boats with propellers.

These steam boats were at the stern and wouldn't be difficult to obtain.

Everyone would participate in the dimensional rift instance, and there were also escape boats available.

The escape plan wasn't some castle in the air but a feasible plan.

However, this plan required perfect timing - a moment when everyone was in chaos.

Seeing Chen Qi's thoughtful expression, Little Crow thought he was afraid.

Not everyone was like pirates, so blinded by treasure that they lost their reverence for life.

Little Crow comforted him:

"Don't worry. Although dimensional rifts are dangerous, the Blackfin Crew gives rewards to crew members who participate in major operations.

This dimensional rift expedition is one of the major operations.

The Black Whale Pirates have substantial resources - as long as you have six months of seniority, you have a chance to obtain a profession card and become a Transcendent.

After this dimensional rift expedition concludes, if you can follow the Sawshark on a few more missions and accumulate six months of seniority,

I can help you apply for a Goblet affinity [Physician Apprentice] profession card. If you're lucky enough, reaching second-tier profession isn't just a fantasy."

"Goblet affinity 'Physician Apprentice' profession card..."

Chen Qi propped his chin thoughtfully.

Profession cards came from dimensional rifts, like magical potions, essential items for becoming Transcendent.

Additionally, each profession card had affinity attributes.

In the New Sun World setting, there were thirteen affinities total, representing different powers and symbols, similar to the five elements, serving as important attributes for supernatural powers.

For example, the Goblet affinity of the [Physician Apprentice] profession card represented evolution, flesh and blood, life, eternity, and other symbols.

As an expert player, Chen Qi remembered the abilities of nearly a hundred Transcendent professions.

[Physician Apprentice], first-tier profession card, could grant two passive abilities: basic disease resistance and basic self-healing constitution, increase comprehension for medical knowledge learning, and include a basic spiritual energy healing technique.

Little Crow imitated Captain Blackeye's tone and continued:

"Whether within the Black Whale Pirates or elsewhere, doctors are scarce and respected positions.

This dimensional rift is quite important. If we can find the Hunter treasure from the mission, that would be a great achievement!

If we find the treasure, it could even be said that as long as you can survive coming out of this rift, even if you don't participate in dangerous voyages afterward,

After enduring six months, you can obtain the precious [Physician Apprentice] profession card!"

Six months... Chen Qi frowned and asked a question:

"Sister Crow, will I really live to see six months from now?"

Little Crow's mouth seemed stuffed with something, rendered speechless.

Indeed, as a new pirate, how easy would it be to survive six months in a pirate crew?

Not to mention that the Black Whale Pirates' voyages were becoming increasingly dangerous, and the kingdom's navy was cracking down more severely due to their reputation as one of the Four Pirate Emperors.

Chen Qi already had his answer internally.

Sorry, but he had zero interest in healer professions right now! What a garbage profession!

If this were a peaceful era and he didn't have Deep Sea Affinity talent, he might actually consider becoming a ship doctor.

But according to the game background, world-destroying forces were returning, and the Blackfin Crew had gone completely mad in pursuit of ancient power...

Little Crow also died, transformed into a monster while trying to stop the Blackfin Crew's city-massacring actions.

If he really followed Little Crow to become a ship doctor, diligently studied medicine, and continued advancing along this path...

Perhaps soon, he would achieve Ending 1 in this world - after working hard in the Blackfin Crew, ultimately dying at their hands like Little Crow.

Studying medicine couldn't save the world, nor could it save himself.

Not to mention that this Transcendent profession would take a full six months to obtain.

Staying with the Blackfin Crew was definitely not a wise choice.

The atmosphere between the two became somewhat subtle. With the dimensional rift approaching, neither of them might survive.

The night had deepened. Little Crow shook her head:

"Don't worry, you're already a member of the Blackfin Crew. Nothing will happen tomorrow. Get some rest early, I still have some work to do.

There are no extra crew rooms, so sleep here. There's a blanket by the bookshelf."

"Okay..."

Chen Qi's eyelids drooped.

Fighting the Black Bull, combined with long-term malnutrition, had left his entire body extremely fatigued.

A brand new world, perhaps not bad after all...

Chen Qi lay down and covered himself with the blanket. Fatigue temporarily made him forget the chaotic information in his mind.

He finally watched as Little Crow sat at the desk, then slowly closed his eyes.

His breathing gradually became steady, the sounds of pirate revelry and ocean waves seemingly still echoing in his ears.

Even though she still had considerable work, Little Crow didn't move her pen for a long time.

Chen Qi's final question was like a sharp sword, disturbing her thoughts until they couldn't find peace.

She mentally mocked herself - she was just an unqualified ship doctor on a pirate ship, a failure who couldn't get into medical school.

Forget about him - could she herself truly survive six months?

Little Crow listened to the sound of ocean waves and lay her head on the desk.

On these ocean waves, how many people could truly control their own destinies?

Amid her worries, she slowly closed her tired eyes and fell asleep.

In the gentle sound of ocean waves, both of them slept very soundly, very soundly...

Until the new day, when the pale sky's sunlight once again shone upon the Sawshark's deck.

Amid the sound of waves crashing against the ship, Chen Qi slowly opened his eyes, hearing the voices of pirates.

Footsteps on the deck grew increasingly numerous, the pirates' voices growing more excited.

The dimensional rift... had arrived...