After dealing with the creature, Qin Ziwen felt a devouring urge from his innate talent.

His subconscious was asking if he wanted to plunder a talent from the Tridacna.

Qin Ziwen closed his eyes in thought and decided against it.

The main reason was that the creature’s talents were all rather morbid and unsuited for a human.

’If I chose Spirit Pearl Gestation, it wouldn’t look right for a grown man like me to be popping out pearls every day.’

’It produces Spirit Pearls, not the divine Spirit Pearl from the legends.’

’If they were the legendary kind, maybe I’d actually consider it...’

’Growing a hardened shell is even more out of the question.’

’I could hide the Spirit Pearl Gestation, pass it off as a personal hobby.’

’But if a new shell grew on my back, I could cosplay a Clam Spirit without needing any props.’

’How would I ever show my face in the Gated Community again?’

’I bet it wouldn’t even take a day for a new nickname to start flying around.’

He averted his gaze, his eyes landing on Red Hare.

The steed had finally broken through.

He’d thought completing this task was a distant dream, probably doomed to fail. He never expected that just when all hope seemed lost, a solution would present itself in the sea.

Now, the evolved Red Hare had undergone a certain indescribable transformation.

It lowered its head and trotted over, affectionately nudging its head against his chest.

"You..." Qin Ziwen trailed off, a look of surprise on his face.

He realized that Red Hare’s movements had been incredibly fast just now.

It wasn’t moving like it was underwater, but as if it were on land.

He looked at the second ability Red Hare had gained from its evolution.

All-Terrain Adaptation.

Although he had no proof, he suspected it was related to this ability.

The "all-terrain" part must include all sorts of complex environments.

He tested it and confirmed that Red Hare could now run on the seabed faster than most fish could swim.

He just didn’t know if All-Terrain Adaptation also included the ability to breathe underwater. Red Hare could currently breathe down here, but that was thanks to the effects of Deep Sea Oxygen.

Would it still be able to breathe on the seabed without Deep Sea Oxygen?

That was something to test later.

As for Red Hare’s first ability, Indestructible Body, it was related to Defense Power. That could also be tested later; after all, he couldn’t just take a knife and stab the horse to see if it worked.

The last ability was more esoteric.

He had vaguely felt its effects while riding Red Hare.

He felt that his thoughts seemed to become more active, but other than that, there were no other obvious effects. This ability would require further testing. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

After hunting the Tridacna, Qin Ziwen went forward and pried open its shell.

By now, its internal structure had been completely pulverized.

In the very center, a fist-sized pearl emitted a shimmering blue light.

The pearl’s surface was covered in scratches, likely from being pierced during the fight.

It was a bit of a shame, but it couldn’t be helped.

Under the circumstances, there had been no other way.

At least Red Hare had completed its evolution.

It wasn’t a total loss.

[Marvel] Level 1 Sea Tear (Can be socketed into oceanic or aquatic structures)

Under his Insight, the pearl was revealed to be a Marvel.

Apparently, the fine scratches on its surface didn’t affect its properties.

He stored away the Tear of the Sea and, after a brief rest, led the team forward once more.

The terrain in this area was relatively flat and open. The only disturbance was the cloud of silt stirred up by their movements, which was now slowly settling.

Suddenly, the light dimmed.

A massive shadow passed over their heads.

Qin Ziwen sensed the water being pushed aside in all directions.

The creature had approached from behind and was now cruising slowly through the water.

It was right above them, only a dozen or so meters away.

For a creature of its size, that was not far at all.

Everyone held their breath, on high alert and ready to counterattack at a moment’s notice.

Fortunately, it showed no signs of aggression. Once it had moved on, the team cautiously resumed their exploration.

’From what I’ve seen so far,’ Qin Ziwen mused, ’it seems the creatures of the sea don’t have a strong desire to attack us humans.’

’It’s probably because we’re new faces down here.’

’We’re not on most animals’ menus yet.’

After the creature was a safe distance away, Qin Ziwen led the team onward.

The massive creature had just passed through this route.

In theory, that made it relatively safer.

After proceeding for another hundred meters or so, Qin Ziwen’s expression shifted, and he looked ahead.

"What is that?"

In the dim light of the deep sea, an ancient altar stood in silence.

It was built from rough-hewn stone, its surface encrusted with algae and coral.

Qin Ziwen gave a hand signal, and the team spread out into a fan formation, slowly approaching the altar.

As they drew closer, he saw that the altar’s surface was carved with various complex patterns.

It looked somewhat similar to the altars where they had previously obtained Cards, but there were differences.

’But if this is an altar that spawns Cards, there should be a Card on it.’

’Since there isn’t one, perhaps it’s not that kind of altar. It might just be a coincidence that they look similar.’

’Of course, there’s another possibility: it does spawn Cards, but today’s has already been taken.’

Compared to the first theory, the second one was far more unsettling.

"Who’s there!?"

Qin Ziwen whipped his head to look forward and to the right.

Just a moment ago, he’d had the distinct feeling of being watched.

He vaulted onto Red Hare and gave chase in the direction he had looked.

The other party was fast and knew the surrounding terrain well. It blended into the nearby coral reefs and, after a few turns, quickly vanished from sight.

Qin Ziwen pulled on the reins, signaling Red Hare to a halt.

His expression was grim. Though the figure had escaped, he had managed to get a glimpse of its silhouette.

It was definitely humanoid!

He was certain he hadn’t seen wrong.

’An Extraordinary Being from the opposite island?’

’Or a native inhabitant of the sea?’

Qin Ziwen leaned toward the latter possibility. If that was the case, they would have to be much more careful from now on.

’And since I spotted it here, does that mean its home is nearby?’

Qin Ziwen gathered his focus and led the team on a cautious search of the surrounding area.

They found no obvious signs of native life. The silt and reefs on this part of the seabed remained untouched.

However, just behind a large thicket of sea fans, a shadowy silhouette—far larger and more imposing than the altar—gradually pierced the dim waters and came into view.

It was a shipwreck.

It lay tilted on its side, like the carcass of a great, beached whale.

The visible portion of its length alone was over forty meters.

Its overturned hull was covered in a dense layer of barnacles and oysters.

Its thick mast was snapped. A huge, jagged hole gaped open in the side of the hull—perhaps the very wound that had sent it to the bottom.

A small school of fish swam out from the breach.

Just as he was about to turn away in disappointment, Qin Ziwen suddenly remembered the special effect of the Ghost Ship Dock: if a damaged or rotting vessel is hauled to the dock and supplied with the necessary shipbuilding materials, the Ghost Ship Union will repair it. There’s also a small chance of awakening the ship’s Ghosts, who would then become special crew members.

He looked at the shipwreck.

The corners of his mouth slowly turned up into a smile.

’Such a massive, ready-made frame... if I can get it repaired and plate it with a layer of Ghost Gold, wouldn’t this be the perfect ship I’ve been dreaming of?’

...

...