Endless Ocean: Survival Begins with a Dugout Canoe-Chapter 47 - 45: Exploring the Sunken Ship
[Evolved Navigation Device.]
[A high-tech instrument with slightly improved anti-interference capabilities. It can accurately determine heading using the geomagnetic field and is a capable assistant for the captain of a Wandering Ship.]
[Level: 3]
[Upgrade requires: High-Level Sea Crystal Stone x3, Iron Ore x30, Magnetite x30]
’The upgrade materials are ready!’
’Confirm upgrade!’
Because the amount of materials was relatively small, the various stones before Shi Ming vanished in the blink of an eye. They transformed into energy that swirled around the Nautical Instrument, using a wondrous power to reshape the tablet-sized device.
Just one minute later, Shi Ming received a notification that the upgrade was successful.
[Advanced Navigation Device.]
[An expensive Navigation Device that is standard equipment on General-class Wandering Ships. Its anti-interference capabilities have been greatly enhanced, making it a beacon to prevent getting lost during a disaster. It also possesses a course-correction function. After confirming coordinates on the map, the device will constantly correct your course, keeping you on the right path!]
[Level: 4]
[Upgrade requires: High-Level Sea Crystal Stone x10, Iron Ore x30, Magnetite x50]
’Excellent!’
’According to the description, this Advanced Navigation Device is only standard on General-class Wandering Ships! With this level of anti-interference, I refuse to believe I can’t get out of this mist!’
’You Mist Jellyfish, just wait. Once I get my Wandering Ship out of this dangerous area, I’ll be back to deal with you!’
’And the treasure on that sunken ship—wait for me!’
Shi Ming quickly confirmed a coordinate outside the Lost Sea on the Nautical Instrument and replotted the Wandering Ship’s course.
’A strategic retreat!’
The Wandering Ship rumbled through the dense fog. A long train of blue jellyfish followed in its wake, like a tail, carving a halo of blue light through the water and mist.
If one could ignore the external threats—like the corrosive jellyfish and the sleep-inducing fog—the scene was actually quite romantic.
"You two, assist each other! Follow the course on the Nautical Instrument and proceed at full speed!"
"Aye!"
Shi Ming’s steady demeanor and conviction gave the crew a strange sense of security. The helmsman gripped the ship’s wheel firmly, eyes glued to the direction displayed on the Nautical Instrument, periodically correcting any deviation from the course.
Meanwhile, Shi Ming kept a constant watch on the changing environment.
"Captain, the Crystal Stone concentration in the seawater is dropping. It’s now at 280%."
"Some of the jellyfish attached to the hull have left on their own."
"Surface visibility, 80 meters!"
’Looks like we’re out of it,’ Shi Ming thought.
Thinking back, the magnetic field in this area of the sea was extremely strong.
If they had just followed a regular Nautical Instrument or relied on experience alone, they would have certainly become lost in the dense fog, unable to escape. Not only would the ship’s hull have been corroded by the jellyfish, but the crew themselves would have fallen into a deep sleep.
The final outcome would have been sinking in this stretch of sea, just like the *Yellowstone* before them.
「...」
The night air remained chilly, but the dense fog on the sea’s surface had thinned to the point of being nearly invisible.
"Captain, the Sea Crystal Stone concentration here is 150%, which meets our initial expectations. Also, all the Mist Jellyfish attached to the hull are gone."
"Good. Anchor the Wandering Ship here. The Mist Jellyfish aren’t active in this area, but that doesn’t mean other sea beasts won’t attack! Have the maintenance crew repair the corroded sections of the hull. Everyone is to remain on high alert."
"Understood."
Shi Ming took the Nautical Instrument and walked into the captain’s quarters.
The Wandering Ship was now anchored and no longer needed the Nautical Instrument, but Shi Ming needed it for the exploration to come.
The threat on the surface had receded. This area was on the border between the Lost Sea and regular waters. Normally, no other powerful sea beasts would venture into Mist Jellyfish territory to attack, and the Mist Jellyfish themselves weren’t active in these fringe areas where energy was scarce.
After two hours of observation, it was confirmed to be a reasonably safe area.
He had already instructed the crew not to disturb him unless absolutely necessary until 6:00 AM.
Now it was time for some solo exploration.
After resting for a while and recovering his energy and Physical Strength in a sleep pod, Shi Ming took a decent-looking high-pressure diving suit from Chunyi’s collection and put it on.
Fundamentally, he didn’t need such equipment when using the Golden Wandering Ship’s diving mode.
But if he found the *Yellowstone*, he would definitely need to board it and explore.
Shi Ming released the canoe-style, Gold-grade Wandering Ship from his warehouse. He silently took the level-4 Nautical Instrument with him and boarded the Golden Ship.
"MOSS, activate diving mode."
Shi Ming addressed the Golden Ship’s artificial intelligence.
"Yes, Master. Friendly reminder: diving mode will consume a large amount of Sea Crystal Stone energy. Depending on the depth, it will consume 10-100 Sea Crystal Stones per hour. Please monitor your energy reserves at all times. The Wandering Ship will activate its waterproof shield in ten seconds. Please prepare your own oxygen supply to prevent asphyxiation."
The diving suit Shi Ming wore came with its own oxygen tank and matching mask. Furthermore, he had an ample supply of extra oxygen tanks and emergency equipment stored in his system warehouse.
"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..."
"Diving mode activated. Beginning descent."
Shi Ming sat at the front of the canoe.
A Golden Ship truly lived up to its name. After being supplied with power, a holographic screen materialized above the small console of the canoe, looking far more technologically advanced than Shi Ming’s Silver ship!
The holographic screen displayed a 3D map of the ocean depths, along with the canoe’s current coordinates.
To avoid getting lost in the Lost Sea, Shi Ming also placed the Nautical Instrument in the most conspicuous spot.
The Wandering Ship slowly dove, moving forward as it descended, gradually returning to the area that had been shrouded in dense fog.
Of course, before they had been on the surface; now, Shi Ming was deep beneath it.
Minus 500 meters, minus 800 meters...
"Warning, warning. Unidentified group of organisms detected 1000 meters ahead. Descend to a deeper level to avoid the group?"
"Yes!"
Shi Ming’s eyes already had excellent night vision capabilities. Even in the deep sea, he could clearly see the distant blue points of light.
This unidentified group of organisms was the Mist Jellyfish.
These small jellyfish weren’t very threatening individually, but their numbers were immense. If he got caught in the middle of them, he would likely run into a lot of trouble.
It was best to avoid them if possible.
Considering the possibility of underwater combat, Shi Ming had already used the Brain of Creation to upgrade his diving suit. The upgraded suit was light and form-fitting, easy to move in, and wouldn’t be cumbersome in a fight. Moreover, it could withstand even greater underwater pressure.
He also saw schools of bizarrely shaped fish occasionally passing by his Wandering Ship.
Some even seemed to stare curiously at the unidentified object before them, circling it a few times before silently departing.
These were just ordinary fish, possessing no intent or ability to attack.
The most important thing right now was to find the sunken ship, the *Yellowstone*.
Shi Ming had extremely high expectations for the supplies aboard the *Yellowstone*.
It was hailed as the strongest Golden Ship, a pearl from the Land Era, and one of the pride and joys of America. The treasures on board were sure to be plentiful.
