At this moment, Da Fei was yawning continuously on the reef, glancing through this dull notebook filled with various sailing charts and coordinate numbers, only stopping to look more closely at the sections with text—these were nothing more than various annotations of climate, hydrology, and geography. As for the location of Mithril Island, even if he looked at it himself, he was completely in the dark.
Speaking of which, to a mage, mithril should be a more precious strategic material than gold, right? So how should I deal with this map? Offer it as a treasure? Sell it? Develop it myself?
Offering it as a treasure or selling it seems too shortsighted, and if I develop it myself, doesn't that mean I'd be directly making an enemy of what's-his-name, Duke Makar? I've heard that in the game, tackling a major instance requires the combined force of a large guild, so how could a mere ordinary player like me possibly complete an epic quest on my own? Collaborate with someone? Fuck, just like that Blood Sea Wave, I can't trust players either!
Just then, a line of text leaped out.
—May 12, 155, foggy. Today is my dear Selvia's 10th birthday, but I am not by her side. It's been 5 years since I left home, I wonder if she has gotten used to life in the church? I wonder if she still waits for me at the dock at Saint Paul Port every morning? I wonder if she can still recognize her father now? These five years we've been at sea experiencing extreme survival, all of us have become unrecognizable, I can't even recognize myself in the mirror. May God bless my Selvia with well-being.
Da Fei's eyebrows twitched. This has got content? What is this? A hidden storyline? It must be! I am a self-taught expert! Saint Paul Port, a daughter living in the church, right? Hmm, it seems in the game, those sailors with no relatives all send their children to be cared for by the church. 155 years and 10 years old, that means she is 15 now, right?
15 years old! Hehehe! Uncle, go in peace, I am grateful for your generosity in imparting your skills, and I'll certainly look after her!
With his spirits lifted, Da Fei continued flipping through the pages.
—September 24, 155, sunny. The prolonged autumn gloom of many months finally ended, and everyone took their quilts out of the dorm to bask in the sun. To everyone's delight, we discovered many, many fleas in the quilts, so each person caught a bottleful, mixed them with treasured butter, and spread it on dry bread, what a joyful lunch!
Holy fuck!
—November 4, 155, sunny. The sea is calm, the sky is clear. We arrived at the edge of the pirate-infested Caribbean. I kept vigilant watch, not daring to slack even a bit. At 12 p.m., everyone started lunch, and I suddenly noticed an unnatural ripple in the water far from the side of the ship. Was I seeing things or was it an illusion? Or maybe just a fish?
No! None of the above! My instincts told me it had to be the legendary Pirate King's supreme technique "Mysterious Stealth Navigation"! They could create illusions with water curtains to conceal their ship and approach their prey unnoticed even in broad daylight! I immediately raised the alarm! But it only brought laughter from the crew! I began to regret my rashness and paranoia!
But Captain Renior firmly supported me. The whole ship immediately changed course, setting sail with the wind at full speed to escape. Just then, an incredible thing happened—a pitch-black pirate battleship suddenly appeared on the open sea! It was indeed the legendary Pirate King Red Beard, whose very name made people tremble! Seeing us start to flee, he immediately discarded his disguise and gave chase at full speed!
At that moment, a golden light bathed my whole body. I finally broke through my boundaries and reached Master-level Reconnaissance Skill! I succeeded! Oh God! I praise You! I can finally enter the realm of the Divine-level!
...
Seeing this, Da Fei was taken aback for a moment! It makes sense to upgrade to grandmaster after seeing through another's supreme technique, but "can finally enter the realm of the Divine-level," what does that mean? Does becoming Divine-level after Grandmaster become simple?
Da Fei hurriedly flipped further on!
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The content that follows shows how Juan occasionally discusses the principles of the skill with Captain Renior and the accompanying Mage, Makar. They comprehensively analyze and believe that the Mysterious Stealth Navigation is not purely in the realm of Sailing Skills. It possibly integrates some magic, some Reconnaissance Skills, and might even be related to the material of the ship itself. Moreover, this skill does not seem to be something one person can complete alone; it should be accomplished by a team, a Combination Skill.
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So, it's a Combination Skill! Just as Da Fei turns the page again,
——System Prompt: You have learned from a predecessor's insightful writings, gaining 2000 Experience points. You have obtained related information about the skill "Mysterious Stealth Navigation".
——Beginner's Tip: A player gaining skill information triggers the skill research system, allowing the player to develop it themselves or inquire NPCs for more detailed intelligence or find someone to apprentice under to learn the skill, and so on.
——System Prompt: Congratulations, you've reached Level 3! You have gained 1 strategic attribute point, 1 Skill Point, your Life Value has increased by +2, and your Command Power by +1.
Skill information! Da Fei's jaw drops to the floor!
This Mysterious Stealth Navigation is a skill not recorded in the Sailing Skill books! Could it be a unique skill of pirates? A Divine-level Skill? This means the diary is an essential research treasure! It's a key item for me to learn Divine-level Skills and it's something I can't turn in yet!
Da Fei reviews the contents carefully once more, noticing that after numerous interactions with Makar, Juan began to notice something off about him, and so on. Then there are no more System Prompts.
This means that to learn this skill one must assemble a talented team. Of course, even if not for this skill, talents are necessary. The reason why the Saint Anthony was able to turn dangers into miracles and create wonders is precisely because the entire crew is talented.
For someone like Da Fei, an independent contractor, assembling a team is too lofty, so the only choice is to recruit NPC talents. To recruit excellent NPC talents, and even NPC heroes, a player's reputation becomes essential. No one wishes to follow a nobody.
There are many ways to gain reputation, such as completing quests, earning military merits, and more. And the method Da Fei currently has to obtain reputation is just perfect—the Reconnaissance Skill's sub-skill Intelligence Collection!
——Intelligence Collection: The hero can gain knowledge of the attributes of unknown monsters when in battle and create Intelligence Cards. Selling these Intelligence Cards to scholars or nobles can gain gold, reputation, and favor from certain NPCs.
The surroundings of this deserted island are filled with unknown Ocean Creatures, perfect for collecting intelligence! There's bound to be one or two pieces of intelligence that are very valuable, such as this Plant Monster Anemone!
Having just leveled up to 3 and earned another Skill Point, there's no question about it—skills need to be learned. Da Fei takes out the Skill Book and decisively learns!
——System Prompt: You have spent one Skill Point to learn the passive skill Intelligence Collection! The longer you are in contact with unknown entities, the more detailed the intelligence you collect will be.
Right, passive is good; passive skills are my favorite.
By this time, the sky has darkened, and the tide has once again receded with a whoosh, exposing a vast expanse of damp land. Da Fei, whose status is fully prepared and at its peak, invigorates his spirit and with a splash jumps into the sea, swimming toward the glowing red pools of light in the distance...
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