"Chef?"
An's eyes shifted as she followed Gold-Tooth Captain's gaze, suddenly spotting Chen Qi's small houseboat!
He returned without saying a word... An muttered silently in her heart, tiptoeing with light cat-like steps to sneak behind Chen Qi.
She had encountered Chen Qi's small houseboat once before in Sea Monster Gorge.
But due to navy operations, she could only warn Chen Qi not to enter Sea Monster Gorge.
After that, An hadn't seen Chen Qi again.
Where exactly had this guy gone? What happened in Sea Monster Gorge?
An had many questions, but finally started with:
"Welcome back, Qi."
A familiar voice... Chen Qi firmly closed the boat door and clapped his hands:
"Teacher An, long time no see."
An nodded:
"Not that long. Didn't we meet in Sea Monster Gorge? You've advanced to second tier, Qi. Did anything happen during your travels there?"
Some things couldn't be said... Chen Qi replied excitedly:
"Nothing happened. I honestly sold barbecue on Sea Monster Island and made good money."
Honestly?
You and honesty are strangers! An's blue eyes rolled like a suspicious white kitten:
"Didn't do anything else?"
Do I look that suspicious? Chen Qi smiled:
"Well, I did visit the dimensional rift, got some good stuff like skill cards, and completed some commissions along the way."
Quite the harvest... The corners of An's lips curled into a faint smile:
"Is that so? Good thing you didn't go deep into Sea Monster Gorge, otherwise you might have become a plaything for the Flower Witch and Black Hunter. I heard from the navy they killed many pirates there.
Not only that, on the night everything ended, that Black Hunter used python-like tentacles to cruelly torture investigators from the Beiguo Meteorological Bureau, planting evil seeds within them."
"Like this!"
An wiggled her fingers to mimic tentacles, but her short fingers made it look more like a lucky cat waving hello.
"???"
When did I ever torture them... Chen Qi paused.
How did the rumors get this exaggerated?
An recalled the scenes from Sea Monster Gorge - she had witnessed that battle too.
Unfortunately, because of the sea witch, she couldn't experience the true strength of the Black Hunter and Flower Witch.
"Sorry, got sidetracked."
An turned sideways to examine Chen Qi's battered small houseboat.
The hull bore countless scars from merciless waves - the once smooth wooden surface now covered with cracks and scratches, some areas even torn open.
Originally just a small boat pieced together from junk, after enduring storms, it looked even more battered.
Encountering Coastal Apex Predators, ghost ship disasters, and storms on the way back... An frowned.
How unfortunate...
But honestly, daring to sail this wreck to the Rift Sea was practically suicidal!
If anything, surviving the trip meant he had Lady Luck's blessing.
He needed a new boat, but current prices...
With the Dimensional Tide, ship prices had skyrocketed! Some famous vessels tripled in value.
An shook her head and took out her work log:
"Many ships have been lost recently. Damarro Town hired many shipwrights. I'll book one for you - you can go to the dry dock in an hour."
"Thanks, Teacher An."
"Don't mention it, it's my duty. By the way, Qi, you're free tonight, right?"
"Tonight?"
Chen Qi tilted his head.
Even repaired, the small houseboat wouldn't be livable.
After handling sea beast base matters, he planned to return to Damarro Town for proper sleep.
"After the boat's fixed, I might go to Moonstone City. Should be back by tonight. Why?"
An blushed and coughed twice:
"Recently, a friend of mine... no, a dwarf craftsman in Damarro Town wants to celebrate with a meal."
Really just because you're craving food, right? Chen Qi asked: "Need a chef?"
An swallowed hard.
"Mmm, and... if possible, could you make some desserts? That devil-spicy Celestial Firebird was absolutely terrifying."
An rubbed her bottom as unpleasant memories surfaced!
Her bottom tingled with phantom pain - this chef didn't just specialize in normal dishes, but devilish ones too!
Last time should have been a wonderful culinary experience!
But all she remembered was Chen Qi's stir-fried devil-spicy Celestial Firebird!
"No problem."
Chen Qi considered.
An flipped through her work log:
"Qi, if you're buying a boat, I might know someone who can help tonight."
"Okay."
Damarro Town had developed well recently - defense facilities, shops, and boat houses all upgraded.
Chen Qi found a place to hide the Sea Clouds and water spirits, then went to Damarro Town for ingredients, baking tools, an oven, and new clothes.
...
...
That afternoon.
After repairs, Chen Qi piloted his battered small houseboat back to his sea beast base.
Surprisingly, the net cage remained intact, and the Ghostfire Fish behaved well.
Unfortunately, the Coastal Apex Predators had disappeared.
"Sea Clouds, little sea witch, this is your home from now on."
Chen Qi eagerly released ten fluffy Sea Clouds into the net cage.
Meanwhile, Small Green Algae swam around White Tree Shallows.
"Wibbly wobbly! (This place is our territory!)"
The Sea Clouds declared sovereignty over White Tree Shallows!
"???"
Hot-tempered Ghostfire Fish instantly flared up - this was Master Chen Qi's domain! Below them were the Deepsea Water Spirits and Coastal Apex Predators, then the Ghostfire Fish.
How dare these newcomers claim White Tree Shallows!
Ghostfire Fish erupted in flames, battling the Sea Clouds!
Stop fighting - you're burning my money away... Chen Qi shook his head and took out the Heart of the Tree Fruit obtained from the deep-sea titan's territory.
Legendary food of the deep-sea titan.
But tree fruits weren't suitable for barbecue, boiling, or stir-fry - better for desserts.
Only through proper cooking could Soul Seasoning's true power emerge.
Also, after digesting the fruit, one needed proper sleep.
Chen Qi had been waiting for the right moment to consume the Heart of the Tree Fruit.
Its flavor leaned toward pineapple, perfect for desserts.
Chen Qi diced the fruit, prepared baking tools, mixed egg whites, corn oil, milk, and flour, added lemon juice in batches, stirred into batter, then baked into cake layers.
Finally, he whipped fresh cream with sugar and a Damarro Town baker's secret powder.
Layering cake and cream, he added diced fruit and prepared pineapple jam to create a five-tiered cake.
Lastly, he sprinkled the most important ingredient - Soul Seasoning!
Instantly, a delicious five-tiered tree fruit cake was complete.
[You've cooked transcendent tree fruit cake (pineapple flavor), gaining 700 Spirit Points!]
700 Spirit Points!
Not bad. Chen Qi took a bite - the sweet-sour fruit and creamy flavors exploded in his mouth.
The fruit's texture resembled pineapple with a hint of sweetness.
"Pretty good flavor."
Gradually, powerful energy surged through his body.
As the fruit digested, miraculous changes occurred - his muscles tightened powerfully, every inch brimming with vitality.
His bones and blood underwent dramatic transformations.
Most importantly, his heart changed.
It grew stronger and more vigorous.
Chen Qi clearly felt his endurance and strength improving.
Thump! Thump!
[You consumed tree fruit cake, gaining +10 Constitution! +8 Strength!]
[You gained Medium Self-Healing ability, enhancing bodily recovery.]
[You gained Medium Poison Resistance]
"Medium Self-Healing!"
Chen Qi couldn't help exclaiming.
Medium Self-Healing - a guarantee for perfect genetic surgery implementation!
From eating Goldenfin Fish, he'd gained Minor Self-Healing.
But Medium Self-Healing was a special trait usually only obtained by second-tier Cup-Pattern Transcendents or monsters!
It didn't just accelerate wound recovery - it enabled slow limb regeneration.
With healing potions and bandages, one could even reattach severed limbs on the spot!
Quite an impressive trait.
Next, Chen Qi checked his Strength and Constitution.
+10 Constitution and +8 Strength - his highest single attribute gain yet.
Now his Constitution reached 38, enough to rival monsters.
This is what development period plus top-tier transcendent fruits can do... Chen Qi marveled.
Just then, bubbling sounds came from underwater.
"Waku waku! (Master, help, help!)"
Deepsea Water Spirits No.1, 3, and 4 surfaced carrying a green-flamed Energy Core.
The water spirits are surprisingly strong... Chen Qi helped place the Energy Core on a tree.
"Good job, little ones."
Chen Qi patted their heads and examined the Energy Core together.
This massive core, nearly one meter wide, continuously emitted warm green flames.
Chen Qi gently touched it.
[Ghostfire Energy Core:
Affinity: Hammer, Lamp
Description: An energy core born from a master ghost craftsman, containing powerful transcendent energy that provides strong propulsion for engine construction!
When fully activated, its energy can even reshape a vessel's (or other creation's) appearance, generating massive green ghostflames.]
Reshape appearance? Chen Qi studied the core.
Maybe I can ghostfire-speedboat across the seas?