Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer

"Are you sure? That's the source of the dark explosion; it could be dangerous."

Alka nodded. "I'm sure. Didn't we look at the materials provided by the Church before? The source of the explosion has long been explored by Church Staff. Although it's dangerous, given our strength, the danger isn't too great."

Forces like the Holy Mother Church had explored this kind of explosion source several times. The earliest exploration was shortly after the cataclysm occurred 400 years ago. The sudden destruction of two large powers had shifted the attention of nearly all surrounding factions there; even the entire world's focus had converged on this place. At that time, the danger there prevented the Church team from even approaching the epicenter; they were forced to halt at the edge of the central zone.

However, in the following years, the Church often dispatched teams to operate within the Realm of Pitch Darkness. About 200 years ago, they managed to reach the core area of the explosion, but the Dark Energy still blanketing the Island led to their failure once again. It wasn't until a few decades ago, as these Dark Elements weakened further with the passage of time, that they restarted their explorations. This time, they successfully landed on the Island.

The information provided indicated that the Island's terrain and environment had been completely altered by the dark explosion. It was filled with dangers; the once-living inhabitants of the Island had been grotesquely mutated by the explosion, becoming evil and highly aggressive. In essence, they had become skeletons. The exploration requirement was set at Two Spirals; only those who had reached this Level were qualified to explore there. The Church's team had merely circled the Island, collected some basic data, and then departed.

Their current objective was to circle the Island and gather cartographic information to create a map. As for any conspicuously dangerous locations, they could simply avoid them, significantly reducing the risk. Besides, decades had passed since the last major exploration; the concentration of darkness had diminished further, and correspondingly, so had the danger. Now, even ordinary people could spend some time in the central area.

Chadite glanced at Alka, then her gaze shifted to Julia at the ship's bow. She couldn't help but ask, "Even if our strength is enough to mitigate the danger, what about the Merfolk lady's capabilities? Can she withstand the encroachment of darkness there?"

Chadite had also reviewed the information. The primary reason the Church Staff hadn't explored more extensively at the source of the dark explosion was the extreme density of Dark Elements. The Evil Spirits and skeletons on the Island were not the main problem; the environmental hazards posed the most critical threat. During their last attempt, the Church Staff had endured for less than a week before being forced to retreat immediately. In that short week, many of them had heard the whispers more than four times.

Now, the darkness had receded further. With Alka and the others possessing Spiritual Protection, they were no longer apprehensive about the encroaching darkness. Even if it could still inflict harm, a week should be sufficient for them to chart the Island. But what about the Merfolk lady? Chadite had no idea about her actual strength. She felt it was necessary to consider this and thus reminded Alka.

Hearing this, Alka slapped his forehead. Ever since leaving the Island, he had been preoccupied with evading pirate pursuit and contemplating the Treasure, completely forgetting this crucial detail. Chadite was certainly more thorough in her considerations.

He nodded and patted the Magic Mirror on his chest. Lucilia's head popped out directly from Alka's chest. Chadite was already accustomed to this sight. However, Pororo and Julia, who happened to glance over at that moment, visibly flinched. Alka paid them no mind, but Chadite, noticing their reaction, couldn't help but cover her mouth to stifle a giggle. There's a certain pleasure in watching others stumble into the same pitfalls you once did, she thought.

Lucilia, having poked her head out, looked sleepy. Had she just been napping? Do ghosts even need to sleep? Alka had never pondered such a question before. Lucilia's usually smooth green hair was now fluffy and disheveled. Why does it seem like she's not paying much attention to her appearance lately?

As if sensing her own untidiness, Lucilia quickly ducked back inside. A second later, she poked her head out again, now restored to her usual exquisite and beautiful appearance, smiling as if nothing had happened. "Is something the matter, Alka?"

Snapping back to his senses, Alka immediately said, "Lucilia, please ask Julia what her strength Level is and how resistant she is to the Dark Elements in the current environment. Our next destination is the source of the dark explosion, where the Dark Elements will be even more concentrated. Ask her if she can withstand it."

Lucilia nodded promptly. Her entire form emerged from Alka's chest, and she flew towards Julia, who was looking their way from the ship's bow. Lucilia then floated in mid-air, conversing with Julia. Throughout their discussion, occasional gasps of surprise could be heard. Alka frowned upon hearing these exclamations.

Before long, Lucilia flew back, her expression somewhat shocked as she looked at them. "Julia's strength is... Six Spirals."

...?

Alka, Chadite, and Pororo fell silent simultaneously. For a moment, none of them knew what to say; their astonishment was plainly written on their faces. Julia's consistently gentle and seemingly fragile demeanor had led them all to assume she was of comparatively modest strength.