Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer

The Feiyan sailed across the emerald-green sea surface.

The originally blue seawater was now dyed green because of the vines sprawling below, as broad as the earth itself.

Onboard were Chadite and the others, but the puppet girls—usually the most numerous—were nowhere to be seen.

This time, there wasn’t a single puppet girl present.

”Why didn’t we bring them along this time?” Lucilia, sitting on Alka’s shoulder, asked curiously.

Just earlier, before they left camp, Alka had specifically instructed the puppet girls to stay in camp; they could not join this mission.

Not just Lucilia—Chadite and the others nearby had the same question, turning to look at Alka.

Alka explained, ”Because this mission is pure combat—not only them, but you all need to help stand guard on the perimeter. You can’t join the battle directly.”

Before anyone could ask further, Alka continued: ”The enemies this time are abominations from the era of the ancient gods. They’re purely spiritual and soul-based monsters; all their attacks target the soul.

It’s not just about you—even for the puppet girls who have only just begun to awaken their souls, this would be absolutely fatal. It could cause irreparable damage to them.”

The puppet girls were, to begin with, soulless dolls.

It was only because of the special way Alka and the others made them—using their own hair—and with Lucilia’s enhancements, that the puppet girls gradually began to develop intelligence.

This budding spirituality still wasn’t enough to form a complete soul. If they were attacked at this vulnerable stage—

No matter how you look at it, it would surely disrupt their soul-coalescing process in an irreparable way.

It might even make it impossible for them to ever form true souls. That was something they couldn’t allow.

Besides, there was no need for them to participate in this phase of the mission, so for safety’s sake, Alka left them at the camp.

As everyone pondered this, Alka spoke on.

”I can’t guarantee I’ll definitely succeed this time. Those monsters are very powerful, after all.

My main goal is to probe them. If it’s possible, I’ll try to finish it all at once and take the thing.

If not, I’ll still be able to retreat unharmed.

My soul is much stronger than yours, and with my Dream World powers, my soul defense is extremely high. Ordinary soul attacks barely affect me.

But it’s different for you. Soul wounds are hard to heal, and if your soul is seriously damaged, it could have even greater consequences.”

After saying this, Alka looked at everyone and said, ”So you just need to support and back me up from above. Don’t worry, we’ve all worked together for so long—I’m not exactly reckless.”

After hearing Alka’s words, everyone thought it over, then nodded.

Just as Alka said, there really wasn’t much they could do to help this time.

Even though they’d reached Fourth Stage strength, it would still be hard for them to face soul-attacking monsters underwater.

After all, their soul’s resilience and strength were nowhere near Alka’s own.

Not just Alka—in the Endless Sea, 99% of people couldn’t match his level of soul defense.

At this point, he was basically one-of-a-kind.

As they talked, the Feiyan was already nearing the area they’d explored before.

Soon, the Feiyan slowed to a stop above the marked spot.

Alka looked down at the vine layer’s opening they’d previously excavated.

The hole was almost fully repaired, though it seemed a bit thinner than the rest and the vines were a fresher green.

These vines grew very quickly.

Pororo swam over and, without hesitation, slashed with his claws—again cutting through the newly grown, intertwined green vines. The opening to the depths below was revealed once more.

Besides Pororo, Matilda and Julia also dove into the water.

However, they didn’t go down through the hole, just waited nearby.

”Wait a moment, Pororo. You three will go down with me, but only to 150 meters. Wait there and be ready to back me up. This is important, understood?”

The three nodded.

Then Alka turned to Chadite. ”Give me a long-lasting, strong Dark Vision.”

Without Dark Vision in the deep sea, you’d stand no chance. Even just seeing your surroundings would be hard enough.

Chadite nodded, and a circlet of yellow triangular gemstones appeared on her forehead. She pressed her hand gently to Alka’s eyes.

Powerful Dark Vision spread across Alka’s pupils.

Even in the pitch-dark deep sea, Alka could see everything around him as clearly as in broad daylight.

A mirror appeared in his hand. Alka brushed the stray hair from his forehead and carefully inspected the flower-shaped mark hidden beneath.

The mark was still clearly imprinted on his brow, and he could distinctly feel the blessings it conferred.

Only then did he nod with satisfaction.

Jason walked over and grabbed Alka’s left forearm with his right hand. Layers of crystal formed along Alka’s arm,

shaping into a crystalline arm guard.

”Can you use it?”

”Relax, I’ve tried it before.”

Hearing that, Jason nodded.

Then Juanlu stepped forward, producing his treasure.

He waved the three orbs on top, and they floated over to Alka’s side.