Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer

After finishing all this, the village chief finally turned to look at Alka and the others. Leaning on his cane, he bowed deeply.

Alka quickly stepped forward to help him up. They couldn’t possibly accept such a grand gesture.

”Thank you for your contributions, thank you for your willingness to lend a hand.”

The old man knew clearly that if that front fell, even if reinforcements came, it would be very difficult for them to reach their village in time. At that point, it would be uncertain how many people in their village could survive. It could be said that Alka and his companions had indirectly saved Piaoqiu Village.

Even Quik, who had previously looked upon them with displeasure, came over. He knelt on one knee in the water, supporting himself with his Trident, and deeply bowed his head to Alka and his companions.

”Thank you for your help. Please forgive me for my previous offense. You are all respectable and valiant individuals.”

Seeing these people offer such profound respect, Alka helplessly rubbed his forehead.

Jason, seeing Alka still supporting the village chief, stepped forward, patted Quik on the shoulder, then squatted down and slung an arm around his neck.

”If you’re really feeling guilty, buy us a round of drinks.”

”Of course, of course!”

They chatted for quite a while. Only then, guided by the village chief’s account, did they truly enter the village.

One could see that the vine houses still riddled with unrepaired gaps and holes appeared to be those whose owners had perished. Furthermore, among the damaged structures, houses where villagers had survived, or that were still occupied, were prioritized for repair.

”Would you like to rest in the village? We will treat you well.”

Seeing the village still in a state of disrepair, with repairs and rebuilding happening everywhere, Alka shook his head. He didn’t want to add to their burdens.

”There’s no need. We have a very important and urgent matter to attend to, so we must hurry back. Perhaps next time.”

The village chief nodded with some regret but didn’t insist further.

Jason looked at Quik beside him and said, ”Prepare some good wine; we’ll drink it next time we visit.”

Quik smiled and nodded; he had already become somewhat friendly with Jason by then.

”Of course! It will surely be the village’s... no, the best wine in this entire region!”

Seeing that Alka and his companions were about to leave, the village chief and Quik, along with Madru and others, prepared to escort them to the village entrance.

Suddenly, Alka felt a tug on his sleeve. He turned to see Chadite.

Chadite narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression tinged with sorrow, then she leaned against his waist.

Lucilia, who was sitting on Alka’s shoulder, also noticed something was amiss. She and Alka looked to the side together.

There stood the house of Uncle Mark, the man who had brought them here. The fence originally used to enclose the school of fish was already broken. Only a large school of fathead fish swam listlessly around the spherical structure, gathered near the damaged home. The large, unrepaired hole in the vines at the back of the spherical house was a stark sight, and dried blood still caked the surrounding area.

Alka opened his mouth, but didn’t know what to say.

Lucilia had already turned her head away, hugging Alka’s neck and burying her face.

He reached his right hand around his neck and gently patted Lucilia’s back. With his left hand, he drew Chadite, who was pressing against his side, into his embrace.

The Feiyan continued forward silently. It didn’t linger, pausing only for a moment.

Quik took a deep breath, glanced at the broken vine house, and forced himself to look away. The village chief also let out a soft sigh, doing his best to muffle the sound.

Thus, an unspoken silence fell over the group as they journeyed to the village entrance.

”May flowers pave your way forward.”

”May the Holy Mother bless you.”

They exchanged the most heartfelt blessings.

Alka and his companions once again received the village’s local specialty: products made from those fathead fish.

Aboard the Feiyan, they began to journey towards the coast. This leg of the journey remained calm and peaceful. No unexpected incidents arose.

「 」

Melodious and beautiful singing drifted from afar. Even before Alka and his companions reached the seaside, they could already hear joyful songs emanating from the Sound of Dawn. It had been some time since they had last seen it, and the Sound of Dawn seemed to miss them a little.

”Ha, we’ll be the first ones up!” Jiu exclaimed, laughing as she led her team, their wings fluttering.

About ten Puppet Girls fluttered their wings, swiftly departing the Feiyan and soaring towards the Sound of Dawn. Their actions made the remaining Puppet Girls extremely anxious.

”AAAAH, they’re cheating!”

Alka and his companions simply smiled at their antics.

The Feiyan maintained a steady speed, gliding towards the coast. They could already see the Sound of Dawn from afar, anchored quietly by the marshy coast, which was enveloped in green vines and bathed in sunlight. Its distinctive bird-headed prow was as eye-catching as ever.

Soon, they finally arrived beside the Sound of Dawn.

Three members of a sea-dwelling Race leaped directly from the water, landing on the deck.

Alka controlled the Feiyan, retracting its mast and sails, and slowly steered it through an opening at the prow into the interior of the Sound of Dawn.

The group ascended the stairs to the deck.

The Crystal Dragon, sprawled on the deck, restlessly shifted a few paces; she had grown even larger. This made the once-spacious deck feel somewhat cramped.

Seeing this, Alka could only shrug helplessly. Still at the Third Stage and not yet having reached the Fourth Stage, he was temporarily powerless to do anything about it.