WHOOSH!

Scalding fresh blood showered down from the sea beast’s body, searing Shi Ming’s skin. His right arm rapidly absorbed the power within it, while the rest of his body felt the pleasant sensation of a hot spring bath.

A C-class sea beast, the Thousand Cave Shark!

Physical Strength +5!

The sea beasts of the Sea of Boiling, transformed by their unique environment, all had scalding hot blood!

"So refreshing!"

Shi Ming plunged into the sea to wash off the remaining blood.

The crew began to retrieve the dead Thousand Cave Shark, which had been brutally cleaved in two. They collected its heart and harvested other valuable parts from its body.

They had reached the edge of the Sea of Boiling, where the water temperature was an absurd 80 degrees Celsius!

The Sea of Boiling wasn’t massive. Its area was roughly the size of the Great Congo from Shi Ming’s previous life, with an estimated total expanse of over two million square kilometers. However, it was known as a true land of death, a forbidden zone for humans.

A true paradise for sea beasts.

But on the outskirts, there were still some daring Awakened who came here to hunt.

The number of sea beasts here was higher than in other regions. Moreover, hunting the sea beasts here offered a "double reward": their blood could be used for one’s own Awakening or sold, and their hearts could be dug out and sold to Black Gold for points.

The more expensive the fish, the bigger the waves.

According to statistics, there were at least five documented cases of Silver-level Wandering Ships sinking in the Sea of Boiling each month, and there were also cases involving Gold-level ships. Even the famous General-class Wandering Ship, the Golden Bodhi, had once fled from the Sea of Boiling in disgrace.

If Edward were still alive, he probably could have salvaged quite a few Sailing Crystals from this sea region.

The temperature here was already at the limit of what most of the crew on the Grand Fortune could endure.

"Captain..."

"Hm?"

"I want to take an advance on three months’ worth of Contribution Points in exchange for a chance to Awaken a B-class skill."

Stone Pillar scratched his head as he made his request to Shi Ming.

"I feel like I’ve completely mastered my C-class skill, Lightning Blade. I think I might be able to take it a step further."

The crew members had now become quite adept at using Shi Ming’s "contribution loan" system.

In theory, with the Map of the Endless Sea, Shi Ming could have trained every one of them into high-level Awakened without any cost or compensation. But upon deeper reflection, it becomes clear that a gift without a price does more harm than good. Power gained without difficulty only erodes one’s inner resilience and can never forge a truly strong person.

Therefore, setting up even a small barrier was far better than simply force-feeding them power.

"No problem."

"Lin Hai also applied yesterday. The two of you were the ship’s original exploration team captains, so it’s only right that you shoulder greater responsibility."

Shi Ming nodded.

One B-class sea beast should be enough for two people to Awaken. If there was any leftover energy, he would use his Right Arm Red Pattern to absorb the rest, ensuring nothing was wasted.

’Every little bit counts, after all.’

’The more points, the better.’

’Besides, there are probably thresholds for absorbing the power of higher-level, S-class sea beasts. For instance, that "Nameless Cocoon" claimed that absorbing its power required 300 Spiritual Power and 500 Defense Power? The Nameless Cocoon was definitely exaggerating; its deception was far too crude. But I also feel that there has to be some kind of threshold, just not that high.’

’500 points?’

’Even the Great Black Heaven Dragon wouldn’t dare demand such a high requirement!’

...

"Detected a B-class sea beast seven nautical miles ahead."

"When we get there, I will kill it. Stone Pillar, Lin Hai, be ready to absorb the power from its blood. Also, any other crew members who feel they’ve mastered their current skills and want to take out a loan to advance should make their requests today."

"The offer expires after today."

’Once the two exploration team captains advance to B-class, the task of killing beasts for the other crew members’ promotions can be handed off to them. It’s also a chance for them to ’repay’ their loans. Although I enjoy killing sea beasts myself, I also have to give my subordinates a chance to practice.’

"Captain, we’ve reached the target area. Should we deploy the bait?"

Shi Ming waved his hand, giving the signal.

SPLASH!

Dozens of kilograms of useless flesh and blood from the Thousand Cave Shark were tossed overboard from the Grand Fortune, a perfect way to make use of waste. The scent of blood spread extremely quickly in the high-temperature seawater. It wouldn’t be long before their prey took the bait.

The Grand Fortune activated its stealth mode, masking all biological signatures.

In less than forty minutes, a creature resembling a mutated Hexagonal Sea Star surfaced. It was six meters long and looked to be full of blood and flesh.

This time, Shi Ming didn’t raise his blade and charge forward as he usually did.

’The Right Arm Red Pattern isn’t so accommodating. The moment it touches something, it’ll start absorbing! At that point, what would be left for the crew?’

Sometimes the crew found it strange. How come the sea beasts the captain had just slain had no energy left in their blood? Was this the overwhelming power of an S-class Awakened?

But that wasn’t the case. Even S-class Awakened had to follow the basic laws of physics.

The Right Arm Red Pattern, however, did not.

HUFF...

The giant Hexagonal Sea Star greedily devoured its prey, seemingly oblivious to the massive ship before it.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! Dazzling ice crystals began to form above the ocean. In an instant, amidst the terrifyingly high temperatures, they coalesced into an Ice Sword radiating a frosty aura. At the same time, the crew felt as if they were experiencing both fire and ice.

Shifting from cold to hot, from warm to frigid.

BANG!

Before the B-class sea beast could react, it was struck by justice from the heavens. The sword plunged straight into its central body and then violently exploded. The 80-plus-degree seawater froze in an instant, and the Hexagonal Sea Star was frozen solid along with it.

It looked like a marine specimen encased in amber.

...

For the first time in countless years,

a glacier appeared on the seas of the Equator.

...

The sea star, normally a soft-bodied creature, had been frozen stiff. Fortunately, the temperature of the Sea of Boiling was extremely high, and with no energy to sustain it, the glacier rapidly melted. The still-living Hexagonal Sea Star, barely clinging to life inside, was successfully finished off, becoming a casualty of cannon fire.

Sea stars were different from normal marine life. They didn’t have blood in the strictest sense. Like the Mist Jellyfish, their internal coelomic fluid could also trigger an Awakening.

Shi Ming returned to the captain’s quarters.

On deck, the crew once again brought out two large barrels. A colorless, viscous liquid that pulsed with power was poured into them.

The sea star’s carcass was temporarily stored on the deck, ready to have more of its slime added to the barrels if the energy proved insufficient.

A little over an hour later, both of them successfully Awakened.

B-class skill: Hot Sea Beam.

’Not bad. A fairly powerful attack-type skill.’

The sea star’s bodily fluids had been completely drained, just enough for two people to Awaken. The residual fluid in its cavity only increased Shi Ming’s Defense Power by a single point.

The two captains got their skills, the crew got a feast, and Shi Ming got a Sea Beast Heart to exchange for points. The sacrifice of one sea star had left the entire ship’s company very satisfied.

"Skills, materials, and points. Killing three birds with one stone!"

"No wonder so many people risk their lives to come hunt sea beasts in the Sea of Boiling."

Shi Ming looked at the sea star’s carcass, contemplating his next move.

’Perhaps the Grand Fortune can stay here and ’fish’ while I explore deeper into the Sea of Boiling, killing B- and C-class sea beasts. With its current overall strength, plus the mortars on board, it could easily fend off an A-class sea beast attack even without me. And if worst comes to worst, retreating would be no problem at all.’

’There aren’t any A-class sea beasts in this area anyway.’

’The Sea Beast Hearts from those B- and C-class beasts can be exchanged for Black Gold’s points. The redemption list has several items that look pretty good.’

’It’s settled then.’

The crew’s strength was steadily increasing.

They couldn’t just do administrative work; it was time for them to start fighting and generating income.

...

...

...

After explaining the details and granting the two captains basic authority over the Grand Fortune, Shi Ming set off alone. He stood on the Sunshooter, surfing across the Sea of Boiling.

He had his own mission:

1. Hunt and raise his stats.

2. Take the Formless Pure Ice into the Core Area of the Sea of Boiling, explore its secrets, and find a way to counteract the ice.

3. If the opportunity arose, he wouldn’t mind killing the Three-Eyed Golden Crow. But to be honest, that would be extremely difficult. To complete that task, the timing, location, and circumstances all had to be perfect; not a single element could be missing.

Of the three tasks, completing even two would be a huge win!

"Moss, based on the sea beast distribution points I submitted, plan the most efficient route into the depths of the Sea of Boiling. Requirements: prioritize A- and B-class sea beasts, balance travel time with target locations, and pass through the maximum number of sea beast distribution points over the shortest possible distance."

"Of course, Master. Moss has planned three options for you, balancing sea beast strength with travel distance in nautical miles. Please select your preferred option."

Shi Ming glanced at them. They were all excellent.

"Proceed with the route from Option Two."

"Yes, Master."

The Sunshooter engaged its autopilot function. Shi Ming stood on the canoe, feeling the ever-increasing heat, ready to deliver coolness and "blessings" to the lucky sea beasts of this region.

Wherever he went, sea beasts bled.

The sea beasts of the Sea of Boiling had encountered a Humanoid Fierce Beast, the likes of which hadn’t been seen in thirty years.

Utterly terrifying—

The Sunshooter pierced through a high-flying Fish-like Huang Fish, leaving a red trail of blood in its wake. The massive Fish-like Huang Fish crashed into the sea, not a shred of energy left in its blood.

Attack Power +2!

An ice lotus blossomed in the scorching waters of the Equator! Amidst the devastatingly beautiful ice explosion, pale blue blood bloomed like a siren’s flower, and an octopus let out a silent scream, frozen in place like the stamen of a flower.

Endurance +4!

Battle.

Exhilarating!

For an ordinary person, the Sea of Boiling was a place of certain death.

But for Shi Ming, who possessed the Map of the Endless Sea, it was a rare treasure trove, the perfect place to level up.

It was teeming with sea beasts, and it was an uninhabited zone.

So much better than the European Sea Region! He absolutely loved it here!

...

...

...

"Hm?"

’Is that a super-dreadnought up ahead?’

A colossal ship appeared in Shi Ming’s field of vision, its massive silhouette impossible to hide even in the faint white mist of the Boiling Sea.

Its hull was carved with golden bodhi flowers.

The General-class Wandering Ship known as "the Wealthiest"!

The Golden Bodhi!

The Golden Flowers on its hull were said to be made of real gold. They showed no concern for the gold being worn away during battle or navigation, replenishing any losses with molten gold every month to keep the glittering emblem looking brand new.

The Golden Bodhi was also a General-class Wandering Ship.

Its minor level was higher than the Sunshooter’s.

According to the minor level classification of the Brain of Creation, it was at level 4, three minor levels higher than the Sunshooter.

But every ship has its specialty. The hull integrity and sailing speed of the Golden Bodhi were far inferior to the Sunshooter’s. Its detector level, however, was more or less the same.

A few seconds after Shi Ming spotted them, they also spotted him.