Chapter 265: Level 3 Backtrack |
Qin Ziwen said, "The ship is built. We'll launch it into the sea when the time is right. However, I've heard the three of you are exceptionally skilled in the water. How about accompanying me for a look?"
The three Yan brothers readily agreed.
Having just arrived in a new place, it was only natural for them, as newcomers, to properly showcase their abilities.
Following Boss Qin outside, the three of them saw the small buildings of the residential complex. Although curious, after a few extra glances they withdrew their gazes, which ultimately settled on the sea outside.
"Here..." Yan Da looked around, discovering their location was precisely on the island reef, surrounded on all sides by sea.
They had seen the ocean before; Taicang Prefecture bordered the coast, and the three brothers sometimes went out to sea to fish, so the sea was not unfamiliar to them.
"Big Brother, let me go." Yan San was eager to try.
Reaching the shore, he took off his clothes, revealing a bare upper body, leaving only a pair of trousers. His dark torso gleamed under the setting sun.
He leaped into the air, diving into the sea like a fish.
A dripping wet head emerged from the sea. Yan San grinned, raising his hand from the water. In his grasp, a plump grouper was desperately thrashing its tail.
"Haha, impressive skill!" Qin Ziwen praised.
Previously, after consuming the Deep Sea Oxygen, they could move in the water, but they were still affected by water resistance. Compared to being on land, their movements were restricted. Stabbing a grouper with a long spear was possible, but trying to catch one barehanded was almost impossible.
"Big Brother, let me show Boss a trick too!"
Before Yan Wu's words even finished, he had already slipped into the sea.
Unlike Yan San's nimble fish-like dive, his entry into the water created almost no splash, leaving only a rapidly expanding ring of ripples before his figure silently vanished beneath the surface.
This time, the passage of time felt particularly long.
The setting sun sank another fraction, staining the sea with a deeper, rustier gold.
Five minutes, six minutes...
Someone on shore began counting softly under their breath.
Just as Qin Ziwen leaned forward to look, about seventy or eighty feet from the entry point, near a cluster of black reef rocks, the water suddenly began to churn unnaturally.
With a tremendous splash!
Yan Wu surged up, bringing a large spray of white foam. His right arm was outstretched, his five fingers clamped like a vice, gripping a wildly writhing moray eel!
The eel was as thick as a grown man's forearm, its thrashing body slapping against Yan Wu.
In his left hand, he also clutched a large lobster as thick as a forearm.
Treading water, he seemed to float up from the depths. With a few leaps, he scrambled up the reef rocks onto the shore.
Yan Wu grinned. "Boss, the grouper Second Brother caught is fine for sashimi, but for drinking, my catch here packs more punch."
Seeing this, Yan San laughed and cursed, "You, Yan Laowu! Stepping on your older brother's head to climb up, eh?"
Many residents of the residential complex witnessing this scene on the shore applauded and cheered loudly.
These past few days, practically every household had tried fishing from the shore.
Fishing with a rod or nets was one thing, but diving into the sea to catch fish was a bit beyond most of them.
On one hand, there was the issue of swimming ability; on the other, this stretch of sea was dangerous to enter, teeming with various fierce marine creatures.
Those who could dive into the sea and catch seafood barehanded were truly tough individuals.
Seeing both his younger brothers had displayed their skills, Yan Da also prepared to enter the sea. He was pondering how best to make an impression when Qin Ziwen stopped him.
"Alright, I've seen your abilities. It's getting late now, let's head back first."
At this moment, the sun at the horizon was about to set.
Both the temperature and light on the sea surface were dropping.
Although Yan Da felt some regret, he didn't insist forcefully.
After all, Second Brother and Fifth Brother had already shown off. He believed the boss now understood their aquatic prowess.
Returning to Home, Qin Ziwen called for Du Yu, Li Tieshan, and others, having his recruiters meet them, and everyone ate together.
The eel Yan Wu caught was sliced into large pieces, placed over a fire to grill, and sprinkled with some cane sugar or cumin powder.
Along with other dishes to go with the drinks, everyone enjoyed themselves immensely.
Qin Ziwen took a moment to check Jia Liangcai's attributes; still one star.
It seemed there was still some distance to go before breaking through to three stars.
So after the meal, he called the three Yan brothers aside and presented them with a grand gift.
"Since you call me 'big brother,' I can't let you do so in vain. I have a card that can enhance strength. However, there's only one. You three discuss and decide who gets it first." Qin Ziwen looked at the three of them.
Yan San and Yan Wu spoke in unison, "Boss, give it to Big Brother."
Qin Ziwen looked at Yan Da. Yan Da hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.
In the past, whenever the three brothers had something good, they basically took turns according to their birth order.
Qin Ziwen took out the Human Constitution Enhancement Card and used it on Yan Da.
"Pop~"
Shattering green light merged into Yan Da's body.
Beside him, Yan San and Yan Wu's eyes revealed curiosity and anticipation.
A long while later, Yan Da opened his eyes, clenched his fist, then looked at Yan San. "Second Brother, come test it."
With that, he extended his right arm.
The brothers' palms met.
They both exerted force simultaneously.
The next second, Yan Da achieved victory with overwhelming dominance.
Both Yan San and Yan Wu were shocked. In the past, their strengths were roughly equal; such a crushing defeat was absolutely impossible.
It was definitely the effect of that mysterious card just now!
Thinking this, the two exchanged a glance, their eyes burning with fervor.
They just wanted to quickly earn merits and receive rewards from the master!
After talking with the three for a while, Qin Ziwen called for Shi Hu and Zhang Meng. These two were the hunters recruited earlier.
Although only three stars, after joining the team, they worked diligently without complaint, giving their all whether in the Archery Workshop or following on hunts.
Qin Ziwen bestowed the remaining two Enhancement Cards to the two of them respectively.
Raising both their constitutions to four stars.
The two were moved to tears of gratitude, feeling all their hard work during this period was worthwhile.
Afterwards, Qin Ziwen called for Liu San, Dazhuang, and others. For these non-combat personnel, he gave a different kind of reward.
He gave them some fresh meat, vegetables, and some cane sugar.
Finally, it was Qian Muzhen, Doctor Qian.
Qin Ziwen was surprised to discover Qian Muzhen's physical fitness had somehow quietly improved to three stars.
Upon asking, he learned that in his spare time, Qian Muzhen would go to the Martial Training Ground to exercise.
"Master," Qian Muzhen straightened his posture slightly, a trace of worldly detachment flashing in his eyes. "This old man has practiced medicine his whole life. Even wealthy gentry with vast fortunes, when illness strikes like a landslide, all their gold is useless. A good body is priceless; this training ground is truly a good place."
"Is there anything you need?"
"There is, Master. When will my clinic be available?"
"..." Qin Ziwen felt a headache. He genuinely hadn't drawn a clinic building card.
Actually, others in the residential complex had obtained some, but by the time he got the news, they had either been taken by Renhe Hall for use or used by the individuals themselves.
"I'll pay more attention," Qin Ziwen could only say this. "Aside from the clinic?"
Qian Muzhen shook his head. "Master can bestow whatever you see fit."
At his age, he had long since grown indifferent to many things.
Qin Ziwen thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Since you want a good body, wait a bit longer. We'll talk about it again in a while."
"Thank you, Master." Qian Muzhen clasped his hands in a salute and departed gracefully.
After Qian Muzhen left, Qin Ziwen remembered a function card obtained from the last weekly settlement that he hadn't used yet.
He took out the Level 1 Backtrack Card.
Crushing the card, the red card transformed into light and merged into the Home little glowing ball.
[Function Activated: Level 3 Backtrack]
[Authority has been elevated. Authority upgraded. Current Authority: Level-4 Authority (2/16)]
[Level 3 Backtrack: Opens a passageway. This passageway can select any map the residential complex has traversed. Duration: 12 hours. Cooldown Time: 7 days. If other residential complexes exist on the selected map, it will be temporarily unavailable to open.]
The cooldown time hadn't changed, but the duration had doubled.
A full daytime's worth, whether for gathering supplies or investigating the surroundings, provided much more ample time.
Night fell. The sea wind grew wild, whipping up gusts of howling.
Outside the residential complex, the waves, borrowing the wind's force, crashed against the reefs and mudflats with increasing heaviness.
Above the sea surface, at the center surrounded by that archipelago, a vast, silent depression had formed at some unknown time.
A massive whirlpool was slowly taking shape, as if the deep sea had opened a giant, pupil-less eye.