In this cyberpunk era, why are you still playing the traditional villain?

Not getting the answer she wanted, Xie Qingyan paused for a moment, then chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Since we don't know either, let's not talk about this for now and let's talk about something serious."

"for example?"

"For example, the matter concerning that 'Sea God'."

The woman, abandoning her delicate femininity, sighed and said seriously, "I've heard quite a bit from them these past few days, and I've actually found some clues."

"What's the situation?"

"Information regarding your implanted superpower."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 214 Will You Watch the Stars With Me? (Alliance Leader 34)

Poseidon

This was one of the major events that Xu Shi and his group learned about after they came into contact with Silver Pine Island.

After all, they have now discovered that the people of Silver Pine Island, or rather, those who radiate throughout the entire Hualan Empire, all have faith in God. Just look at how Pan Cheng keeps talking about "the Lord God" – that's a small example of the bigger picture.

Including their understanding of "ascension ability," they called "rust mist" "divine breath," believing it to be a gift from some god. It can only be said that such ethereal things have long been deeply rooted in their hearts.

In this situation, anyone who can be associated with the word "god" is definitely not an ordinary person.

Even if this "sea god" is probably not a positive character... otherwise why would we want to fight against him? But to be given such a name is anything but simple.

"Here, look."

He pulled him to sit down on a rock, and Xie Qingyan took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to him. "Your Xia Wuyou only listens to the story of the Sea God, but I have already had Shanshan and Yu Xingchuan make a profile of this guy based on their descriptions. This may be its general appearance?"

"It's not advisable to praise one while criticizing another."

Xu Shi defended his Xia Xiaomao, saying she wasn't as bad as he made her out to be...

Then he took the drawing paper, looked at it, and came to the conclusion that...

"What is this drawing?"

It's not surprising that he has this problem; the so-called profiling is indeed somewhat abstract.

At first glance, it should look like an octopus? But upon closer inspection, it's not quite—it's more like the outline of an octopus, but it also has many things that don't belong to an octopus.

For example, the mouth of a swordfish, the fin of a shark, and even... the shell of a sea turtle?

It's giving me a creepy feeling. What kind of indescribable Cthulhu Old God is this? It's just a Frankenstein's monster!

"You find it strange too, right? I felt the same way when I saw it."

Xie Qingyan smiled, "But considering what the islanders are saying, that's really the case."

Upon realizing this, Xu Shi remained noncommittal.

He hadn't listened carefully to the story of the sea god, but he roughly knew it. It was about an exceptionally powerful and terrifying being that lurked in the sea, and all the other creatures in the sea were its followers. Its huge mouth could devour everything with a single opening, and its tentacles were thick and powerful, leaving no passing ships unscathed.

That means...

"This so-called 'Sea God' might originally have just been some kind of creature from the ocean, but through some fortuitous event, it awakened supernatural abilities?"

She continued her analysis along these lines, "And this superpower is very likely..."

"Integration, right?"

Xu Shi continued his sentence.

Regardless of the actual situation, this appears to be the most likely scenario at present.

Because it can integrate the special abilities of other creatures, it grows into this form—the parts that do not belong to it are the most distinctive or powerful parts of other creatures.

"It sounds a bit fantastical."

Xie Qingyan couldn't help but sigh.

"But it's not impossible."

Xu Shi said slowly, "In short, we have now come to another world. Many things are difficult for us to understand, but that doesn't mean they don't exist."

For example, that giant shark with superpowers was a revelation for everyone in Night City.

Jiang Chengcheng has compiled all the materials used by the people of Silver Pine Island to build their ships over the past few days—the dense forests that can be seen everywhere on the island, called Silver Pine, which naturally have a certain resistance to "rust fog".

Although it can't compare to the composite material Jiang Chengcheng researched in terms of effectiveness, it's all-natural and can withstand corrosion at sea for nearly a month. With a few improvements, its effect might not be much worse, and it might even be able to drive down the price of ships...

The island has no protective force field, yet people are largely unaffected by the "rust fog," which is why the island's name is derived from this plant.

"Well, you're right."

The woman didn't deny it at all, saying, "You'll only know if it's true or not after seeing it with your own eyes. If it's true, then it's even more valuable."

Because the ability of "fusion" is rare and powerful, how could it not be powerful to be able to seize the abilities of others for one's own use? Although there is no precedent in the City of Night Sin, if they were to assign a rating, it would have to be at least S+, and SS would not be an exaggeration.

Perhaps God is a fabrication, but some things are real and will not change.

"Moreover, this ability is also of great research value."

Xie Qingyan continued, "Aren't we currently working on a dual-ability transplant project? If such a natural ability truly allows us to achieve this, could we use it to further improve existing technology?"

She suffers from seasickness, but she didn't stay idle during her time at sea. The specimens that Xia Ke'an recorded were usually sent directly to her so that these marine creatures could be studied further.

Especially after learning that they also possessed the ability to ascend to higher levels, she found an even more precise approach.

"You really are thinking about me, huh?"

Xu Shi, however, understood her subtext and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Come on, my goal is to make the transfer of superpowers smoother and simpler."

The dog-like woman glared at him and said, "As for you... you're just an accessory, don't try to make yourself look good."

This is Chairman Xie's usual arrogance, but he is also thinking about Xu Shi's affairs—who can blame him for being the only exception at the moment?

Not to mention that she was his attending physician, she wouldn't feel at ease until her problems were completely resolved.

"Anyway, I'm quite touched."

Xu Shi laughed heartily, "Thank you, my dear fiancée."

"You're welcome, you naughty fiancé."

Xie Qingyan smiled too; it was clear that this was the kind of relationship she hoped for.

"Hey, how come he's a bad fiancé in my eyes?"

Xu Shi, however, was indignant and pointed out her linguistic error directly.

"do not you?"

The woman retorted indignantly, "You leave your fiancée aside, but you're willing to find someone else to be your wife. If that's not bad, then what is?"

She must feel really aggrieved about this. At best, she's still his "fiancée," but at worst, she's just his fiancée...

Don't forget, this was Xu Shi's first real relationship, and now everyone else has caught up and surpassed her, while she's still stuck in the same place...

Regardless of whether it's your fault or not, if you're unhappy, you're unhappy!

"Then you should be a bad fiancée too."

Xu Shi chuckled, "Alright, it's such a waste to waste such a nice day arguing. Let's enjoy the sea breeze instead."

As he spoke, he leaned back and lay down on the large rock, admiring the sky above him.

The weather on Silver Pine Island was indeed pleasant. The vegetation provided little protection from the "rust fog," and the sea breeze brought only coolness, making it very comfortable.

Moreover, perhaps due to its more pristine environment, although the "rust fog" still shrouded overhead, the perception of the changing sun and moon was indeed clearer than in the City of Night Sin.

For example, you can feel that the sky is getting darker now, and you can guess that it is already evening.

"It would be even better if we could see stars."

Xu Shi couldn't help but sigh.

"Ok?"

Xie Qingyan was a little curious, "You're talking as if you've actually seen stars, stop pretending."

Xu Shi wanted to say, "Of course I've seen it, but that was in my past life... No one in this life has that right. We can only go to the planetarium to watch simulated images from hundreds of years ago."

So what came out in the end was, "Maybe there will be such a day?"

"You really have this idea?"

The woman was even more surprised. "So what are you going to do? Remove this 'rust fog'?"

"Why not?"

Xu Shi replied lazily, "Isn't what 'Heavenly Principle' is doing related to it? Then why can't that person be me?"

"...That sounds like a lot of boasting."

Xie Qingyan was stunned. Was this also his ambition? He had never heard anyone else mention it before. In fact, everyone was used to living under the "Rust Fog" and had never thought of such a possibility.

She simply couldn't imagine what the world would be like without the "Rust Fog," even after watching those simulations.

But for some reason, when Xu Shi says it, it doesn't sound out of place at all.

So instead of discouraging or questioning, she simply thought about it seriously and then tentatively asked, "If that day ever comes... would you watch the stars with me?"

It's true that they haven't seen real stars, but the documents are there, and everyone knows it's a very romantic thing. Many young couples in Night City even spend money to go to the planetarium just for this.

"Well... you'll know the answer when that day actually comes."

Xu Shi stretched and started yawning again.

Riddler, get out of Silverpine Island!

"You might as well just say you'll wait until you die of old age."

The woman rolled her eyes at him, but couldn't help making sarcastic remarks.

Xu smiled without saying a word, quietly enjoying the precious moment.

"Brother Xu, where is everyone? The banquet is ready! We're just waiting for you to begin!"

Before long, Pan Cheng's shouts came from afar.