We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 157 Small but Cute Too, An Inextinguishable Flame

[Chaotic Demonic Runes]

Quality: Poor

[Type: Talent]

[Description: According to legend, magic runes were first discovered and used by elves.]

Because they firmly believe that language and writing inherently possess wondrous and mysterious power.

[The magical runes were originally meant to work only on inanimate objects, but after being corrupted by a certain deity, they became chaotic and unpredictable, yet still serve as containers for storing mystical power.]

As a cool and refreshing energy flowed into his body, Xia En looked down.

On the surface of the projected body, several faint black lines extended from the chest.

However, at this moment, these magical runes seemed empty and unusually dim, and soon disappeared from the surface of the body.

"This is the magic rune?"

A realization dawned on Xia En: "Its essence seems to be a container of some kind of secret power."

"It can store secret power within and release it when needed."

He also thought of the [Magic Cannon] on the ship and analyzed it.

"Some magical runes can continuously absorb secret power to achieve a balance between income and expenditure."

Although a new talent has been unlocked, it is still only of "low quality" at this point. Whether it is useful or not will only be known after the quality is improved.

"But...an elf...an elf?"

Xia En looked down at the town below, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

Most of the residents in this town are ordinary humans, but after searching, he also found several ice sculptures with elven features.

These people may not be pure-blooded elves; they could be hybrids.

Even so, it is enough to show that there may have been many elves living on this land before it was submerged by the flood.

So, is this disaster that froze the entire town related to the elves?
As Xia En pondered, he continued exploring the frigid seawater.

……

……

About three hours later.

Xia En exited the [Submerged] state.

To be honest, aside from witnessing the unique ecological environment of the Frigid Sea, his gains from this dive were not particularly significant.

Xia En was not discouraged; it was just a spontaneous action after all.

It's best to gain something, but it's not a loss if you don't.

And isn't there also a fat seal?
Because the seal was too big, Shane could only receive the trophy on the deck.

With a thud, the seal's carcass landed on the deck, attracting the crew's attention.

"Captain, it's huge!"

Joey looked at the plump seal and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"Is this animal called a seal? I just flipped through a book about creatures from the northern seas, and its name is in it."

"That's right, this is a seal."

Xia En also felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Seals are creatures of the sea, so in essence, they are "fish" that you catch yourself from the sea. Which angler wouldn't want to show off if they caught such a "big fish"?
"Its skin, flesh, and fat are all good things, so don't waste them."

"Tonight, let's have a seal feast!"

Vivian's figure suddenly appeared: "Captain, Captain, I want some too!"

"hiss……"

Xia En was startled by the ghost that suddenly appeared in front of her, but still said, "Don't worry, you'll get your share."

"But Vivian, could you please change this habit of suddenly revealing yourself to others? It's kind of scary."

Vivian said innocently, "But I'm a ghost, so I'm supposed to appear and disappear unpredictably."

"In this way, you can say something before each manifestation to indicate your presence."

Xia En instructed like a mother hen: "And don't reveal yourself too close to others. If you scare the other crew members, they won't take you to meals anymore."

"...Ugh! No way! I don't want that kind of thing!"

Vivian let out a small, mournful cry.

"correct."

Xia En suddenly remembered something else, and his eyes sharpened.

"What have you been doing on the ship these past few days when you're lucid?"

As a ghost, Vivian undoubtedly enjoys a high degree of freedom, and she also possesses an ability similar to "invisibility," meaning that only Shane can see her presence through the [Ghost Vision].

However, even Shaen wouldn't activate [Ghost Vision] all the time.

"It's nothing, really."

Vivian's tone rose, her eyes darting around somewhat.

"I just wandered around the ship."

Xia En questioned, "You were peeping at me when I was showering in the bathroom, weren't you?"

After the Black Swan was upgraded, he naturally converted several extra cabins into washrooms and had Fei Ya install a boiler and pipes for bathing.

"No! But..."

After denying it, Vivian cautiously glanced at the white-haired girl not far away.

Xia En's eyes widened immediately.

So you peeked at her, huh? I haven't even seen her yet!
Seeing this, Joey's face visibly flushed red as she glared at Vivian with shame and indignation.

"An accident! That was truly an accident!"

Miss Ghost was also aggrieved: "I just wanted to see what was in that room, but I didn't expect to run into this little sister Joey."

"But we're all girls, so it doesn't really matter."

"I'll let you watch it again another day!"

As she spoke, Vivian puffed out her chest.

Although she has a slender figure, there is an unexpectedly ample part under her witch's robe, and when she straightens her waist, it has a rather undulating texture.

"Woo!"

This time, it was Joey's turn to let out a mournful cry.

Having been dealt a severe blow, she had reason to suspect that the ghost had done it on purpose!

Vivian carefully added, "Miss Joey, actually I think... small ones are also very cute."

"hateful……"

Joey let out a weak whimper, barely able to utter a mournful cry.

To be honest, Shane found it quite amusing to watch their interactions, but as the captain, he couldn't just let Vivian continue to wander around the ship as an "invisible person."

After all, every crew member has their own privacy.

So, Shane spoke in a rather stern tone.

"Vivian, from now on you will not be allowed to enter other people's rooms without permission, nor will you be allowed to eavesdrop on other people's conversations."

"Yes……"

Vivian lowered her head apologetically: "I'm sorry, Captain, it won't happen again."

"That's good."

Seeing that she was remorseful and had a good attitude, Xia En did not pursue the matter further.

Strangely enough, he hadn't known this ghost for very long, and they had only exchanged a few words.

Yet they got along very well, as if they had known each other for many years.

Before long, Ann, Fei Ya, and Xiange came up to the deck, surprised by the appearance of the plump seal. If Shane hadn't lacked a large enough hook, he would have certainly claimed to have caught it himself!
Just as the crew was sharpening their knives, ready to deal with the seal.

Suddenly, Xia En saw a patch of snow-white ice on the sea some distance to the north.

The ice layer was not like ordinary, scattered ice floes, but a single, island-like shape, with icebergs of varying heights standing on it.

"Could it be... an island?"

Xia En's eyes lit up.

He's worried because he can't figure out where he is!

If there are residents or other distinctive features on the island, the next route can undoubtedly be determined.

"Little Black, bring the boat closer to me!"

【Yes, master! 】

Under Shane's orders, the Black Swan silently increased its speed and moved closer to the northern ice sheet.

A moment later, an island made of ice and snow came into view for Shane and his crew.

However, their attention was soon drawn to an iceberg on the icy island.

This wasn't because the iceberg was particularly unusual, but because...

On the summit of that icy mountain, a figure stood out, burning fiercely!
That's right, it's burning!
With Xia En's keen eyesight, he saw the strange sights on the iceberg even more clearly.

On the snow-covered mountaintop, the tall man was enveloped in orange-red flames.

The flames were so magnificent and so raging that neither the cold air nor the ice beneath their feet could stop them from burning!

The other party is like a torch that will never go out.

On this desolate iceberg, it radiates its own light and heat in solitude.

In a daze, Shane recalled the scene he saw when he passed through the [Gate of Embers].

This man bears a striking resemblance to the Lord of Cinder who sits on the throne!
"Who is he?"

While Xia En and his companions were secretly alarmed, the fiery man on the iceberg also noticed the peculiar ship and couldn't help but show a surprised expression.

After all, the island had not been in contact with outsiders for decades.

But after a brief moment of surprise, the man waved enthusiastically to Xia En and the others, as if inviting them to come closer.

"...Is he waving at us?"

Upon seeing this, Joey asked in surprise, "Is this a welcome for us?"

Xia En looked at the iceberg with a strange expression.

When a normal person sees an unfamiliar ship approaching, shouldn't their first reaction be to be cautious and vigilant?

Hiding away and observing the situation is a normal reaction.

What do you mean by waving to me first?
Because of the man's appearance shrouded in flames and the extraordinary aura he exuded, Xia En naturally regarded him as a mysterious and powerful figure.

But his performance was truly beyond Xia En's expectations.

After a moment's thought, Shane said to the crew, "I'm going to see him. You all wait on the ship."

You can't blame Xia En for being so cautious.

This island was a completely unfamiliar area to them, and they had no idea whether the fire man was friend or foe.

To avoid this being a trap, it would be safer for him to go and scout ahead first.

With this in mind, Xia En set foot on the icy island alone, heading towards the iceberg.

At that moment, the man engulfed in flames jumped down from the iceberg and came to stand in front of Xia En.

Upon getting closer, Shane realized that his appearance was slightly different from what she had imagined.

The man was extremely tall, about 2.5 meters, taller than even Ann, who was wearing armor, and gave off a sense of oppression.

But what truly surprised Xia En was...

The flames on a man's body are not merely attached to his body, but are intimately connected to his skin and flesh.

in other words.

The fuel for this flame is none other than the man's flesh!
Fresh granulation tissue continuously grows on the skin and flesh, which is then ignited and carbonized at high temperatures, forming a layer of coke.

This is how the inextinguishable flame was born.

The only two places that were not burned by the flames were the man's head and the man's feet.

Realizing this, Xia En's eyes changed slightly, and he couldn't help but blurt out a sentence.

"...Doesn't it hurt?"

As soon as he said it, he regretted it.

I couldn't believe I'd asked such a question to a complete stranger I'd just met.

This is not something he, who is usually rational, would do.

Upon hearing this, the man was also taken aback.

He scratched the back of his head and smiled shyly, "It hurt a lot at first, but now I'm used to it."

"Oh, by the way, my name is Yan Yan. What's your name?"

Although enveloped in flames, Yan Yan is quite handsome, with black hair and eyes, resembling a sunny and cheerful young man.

His enthusiastic attitude was among the best of everyone Xia En had ever met.

"My name is Shane, and I am the captain of the Black Swan."

As soon as Xia En finished introducing himself, Yan Yan excitedly said, "So you're the captain of that ship! That's amazing!"

"No other ships have docked at this Ice Island for many years."

"Besides, your ship is beautiful and looks very sturdy."

"It's just... a little small."

"But it's okay, small ones are cute too..."

Once Yan Yan started talking, he seemed unable to stop, his words coming out like a barrage of bullets.

It's also possible that he's become a bit talkative because he hasn't spoken to anyone for a long time.

After hearing these words, Xia En's worries dissipated considerably.

His intuition told him that Yan Yan meant him no harm; he was simply waving at him out of curiosity and excitement.

Thinking of this, Shane waved towards the Black Swan, indicating that they could go ashore.

At the same time, Shane asked, "Besides you, are there any other people on [Ice Island]?"

"Yes, I have."

Yan Yan frankly stated, "There is a small village in the southwest, but..."

Seeing his hesitant expression, Xia En asked curiously, "Just?"

Yan Yan sighed: "The villagers have bad tempers, and I have a very bad relationship with them."

“If it’s not necessary, I suggest…”

Suddenly, Yan Yan stopped speaking.

He looked at the darkening sky above and said with certainty, "A blizzard is coming soon!"

"You all need to come with me and hide!"

"snowstorm?"

Xia En was not surprised but delighted: "Is this really true?"

Yan Yan asked, puzzled, "Of course, why would I lie to you?"

"Great!"

Xia En's heart pounded, and he said to Yan Yan, "Take my crew to avoid the snowstorm. I have more important things to do."

After saying that, he rushed off towards the Black Swan, leaving Yan Yan bewildered in the increasingly fierce cold wind.

"...Huh? What do you mean?"

(End of this chapter)