Moreover, you should know that everyone who managed to obtain the Deep Sea Hunter treasure, without exception, became a renowned figure at sea."
The salvager didn't speak, but silently picked up the processed parasitic sea beast and pressed it hard against his right arm.
The parasitic sea beast sensed the human presence and suddenly extended its tentacles, stabbing into him!
"Ah!"
The salvager gritted his teeth, allowing the sea beast to seep into his body.
The deep sea's aura—Chen Qi indeed felt it as the sea beast parasitized, and the salvager's body indeed had a faint trace of deep-sea aura.
Just as Little Crow said, the aggressiveness of these four parasitic sea beasts was greatly diminished; even ordinary people could bear it for a while.
"Whew!"
The salvager then advanced slowly according to the parasitic sea beast, stepping over the terrifying crack line.
One step, two steps, three steps—
He had taken full three steps!
The Blood Eye Wall still had not attacked.
Everyone widened their eyes; the Blood Eye Wall before them would not attack him!
That meant the plan was feasible!
Black-eyed Captain's hand gripped the Black Blade, trembling slightly as the once unreachable treasure was now within reach!
They didn't need to fight the Blood Eye Wall and could still obtain the legendary treasure!
Chen Qi observed the salvager.
He could feel that the parasitic sea beast on his shoulder had noticed something amiss and was about to escape him.
"Keep moving forward!"
Black-eyed Captain opened his arms, encouraging.
The salvager slowly ascended the steps, wanting to quicken his pace!
However, the next moment, he clearly felt the parasitic sea beast on his shoulder beginning to detach from him!
At that instant, his mind was completely covered by endless blood-red eyes.
"I can't! I can't!"
He felt a surge of fear.
Driven by instinct, he ignored the Captain's orders, quickly turned around, and jumped sharply toward the crack line!
The parasitic sea beast detached from his body.
Boom!
The tentacles on the wall extended again, lashing fiercely.
In an instant, the salvager's legs turned to blood foam at the edge of the crack!
He crawled on the ground, covered in blood, struggling to crawl toward their direction.
Following Little Crow's instructions, Chen Qi, as the ship doctor, stepped in, approached him, pulled him up, then bandaged him, administering painkillers and healing medication.
If this were Earth, such injuries in such a place could already be declared hopeless.
But this was New Day World, a steampunk world where technology is explosively divergent.
Such leg injuries could be treated by transcendent surgery if you have money and status.
Of course, ordinarily, even nobles would have to consider the cost of such a level of surgery.
But no matter what, there was still a ray of hope.
At this moment, amidst this bloody scene, Black-eyed Captain's mouth couldn't help but curve into a smile where sadness should have been expressed.
Though they failed, the salvager stepping over the crack line indicated the method was indeed feasible!
Also, unlike before, the Blood Eye Wall didn't open its eyes after attacking.
Next, they just had to keep trying!
Black-eyed Captain surveyed all the crew present:
"Is there anyone else willing to undertake this task?"
He pondered, besides the salvager, who else possessed sea beast resistance?
At this moment, Little Crow sensed something and silently stepped forward, gently on tiptoe, using his not-so-tall body to block Black-eyed Captain's view, shielding Chen Qi behind him.
"Ah..."
Chen Qi was stunned by this heartwarming scene, vaguely understanding what it meant.
People infected by sea beasts could endure longer.
Isn't that him!?
And he's not just infected; he's currently being infected!
To others, this was undoubtedly a death sentence!
But just now, he could confirm that the Blood Eye Wall wouldn't attack him.
He was indeed the chosen one!
However, this required testing one's acting skills... Chen Qi looked at the crack line, pondering.
Black-eyed Captain assessed everyone present, considering each person's worth.
As pirates, many had been attacked by sea beasts.
But they had to choose the most suitable person, the one with the highest adaptability, and simultaneously, the one with the lowest value!
All the pirates were trembling with fear, afraid of being picked by Black-eyed Captain.
Black-eyed Captain glanced at Little Crow, shook his head, and his gaze subtly shifted.
And right then, a bizarre occurrence happened.
The parasitic sea beast on the ground twisted in a certain direction, slowly wriggling toward Chen Qi.
Everyone's gaze followed the direction of the parasitic sea beast's movement.
Oh... Chen Qi anticipated this scene, looking toward the slowly wriggling parasitic sea beast.
This wasn't strange; parasitic sea beasts were also beasts, instinctively attacking the weakest person.
Among those present, aside from the slaves, no one was weaker than him.
This was an opportunity...
Chen Qi glanced warmly toward the steps above, at the Deep Sea Hunter's treasure.
If he missed this chance, it would be challenging to reach here again.
Why not take this opportunity to check out the Deep Sea Hunter's treasure!
Deep Sea Affinity was his active skill, he could turn it off, but didn't do so considering various factors.
But perhaps trying to turn it off first... Chen Qi's mind slightly moved, then felt as if he lost a layer of aura on him.
After turning it off, the parasitic sea beast still wriggled toward Chen Qi's direction at a very slow pace.
It seemed useless.
Does this little thing love me that much... Chen Qi thought helplessly, and reopened Deep Sea Affinity.
With this, at least he wouldn't be attacked and killed by the sea beast.
Seeing this, Black-eyed Captain excitedly lifted the parasitic sea beast, leaping over Little Crow, heading toward Chen Qi:
"Hmm, the new warrior on my ship, have you been infected by a sea beast?"
"Yes."
Chen Qi nodded, not denying it, as his back would reveal everything.
The parasitic sea beast in Black-eyed Captain's hand extended its tentacles, twisting a few times in Chen Qi's direction.
It appeared the parasitic sea beast was eager to parasitize this person; in that case, it might sustain a while longer... Black-eyed Captain smiled warmly:
"It seems this sea beast is eager to eat you, but rest assured, it has already been defanged.
Young man, I've always felt you have great courage.
Now, do you have the confidence to cross that crack line?"
Confidence? Instead of asking if I was willing to cross?
Chen Qi felt a bit emotional inside, realizing the man didn't even give him a choice.
Though he performed well, using his life for a slim chance at the Deep Sea Hunter treasure, viewed through pirate eyes...
No, to many, it would definitely be worth it!
A bloody profitable deal!
Ultimately, he was merely a slave who had just become a crew member, cannon fodder.
Leaving the Black Whale Group was the right choice.
Then let's do it! Chen Qi took a deep breath.
Just then, Little Crow coldly said:
"No!
Captain, he's my subordinate, and his body is too fragile to reach the steps above under the parasitism of the sea beast.
This is a sheer waste of personnel!"
Little Crow's cold gaze beneath the mask fixed tightly on the Captain, a tense atmosphere instantly enveloped them.
Ah... Chen Qi never imagined his immediate superior, Little Crow, would openly challenge the Captain of the Sawshark.
The pirates dared not interrupt; in terms of status, Little Crow was even above the chief officer, second only to the Black-eyed Captain.
The Black-eyed Captain was silent for three seconds, then coldly spoke:
"Are you saying we should return empty-handed?"