I was just fishing, how did I become a Great Old One?

Jianghai City, Old Wharf.

The wind was a bit noisy today, and the waves were crashing against the embankment, making a pattering sound.

But compared to the commotion on the dock, the sound of the waves was like the buzzing of a mosquito.

"Zzzzzzz—!!!"

Blinding blue welding arcs flashed across the deck of the Black Pearl, sparks flying everywhere.

Wearing a protective mask and holding a modified "welding torch" (actually Mi Goe's laser cutter), Jiang Li was making the final installations on a huge, round metal device.

The device was as big as a house, made entirely of an unknown silver alloy, with dark blue energy patterns flowing across its surface, and a low-frequency hum emanating from its core that sent chills down one's spine.

【Antimatter Energy Reactor】(A+ Class Core Power Source)

This is the "boiler" that Jiang Li salvaged from the crashed Mi-Go Fortress.

"Boss... are you sure this thing is for boiling water?"

Liu Wei (Thousand-Faced Ghost) stood to the side, handing over a wrench, his legs trembling as if he were fluffing cotton.

He knows his stuff.

This is a miniature controlled nuclear fusion... no, it's an antimatter reactor!

Once this thing explodes, not only this ship, but the entire Jianghai City will be turned into a deep crater!

"Nonsense! What else could it be for if not boiling water?"

Jiang Li said without turning his head, "Look, there are pipes up here! I've figured it out. As long as we connect these pipes to the ship's hot water system, we won't have to worry about running out of hot water when we take a shower at sea! And this fire is so strong, it'll be perfect for a sauna!"

"But……"

"No buts! Hand me that 'chimney' over there right now!"

Jiang Li pointed to a thick metal tube next to him (the barrel of a particle-accelerated railgun).

"That chimney looks pretty thick; the exhaust must be flowing smoothly!"

With tears in his eyes, Liu Wei handed over the cannon barrel.

孽 孽!

Using an antimatter reactor as a boiler and a particle cannon as a chimney... If this ship were to sail out, wouldn't it blow up the Earth?

"Big Yellow! Stop chewing on that 'steering wheel' (spaceship control rudder)! That's for steering the ship!"

Jiang Li shouted again towards the driver's seat.

Big Yellow spat out the titanium alloy steering wheel from its mouth, looking completely innocent.

It thought the round thing tasted good, a bit like a teething biscuit.

After a full day of "remodeling," the Black Pearl was finally transformed... or rather, became completely unrecognizable.

The once rustic and gloomy wooden hull is now covered with various futuristic metal patches. A huge jet nozzle (propeller) has been added to the stern, a bio-radar (sensors connected to Migo's brain) has been installed at the bow, and even a huge stainless steel pot (for cooking) has been set up on the deck.

This mix of "abyssal punk," "wasteland sci-fi," and "farmhouse" style is enough to give any normal ship designer a stroke on the spot.

But in Jiang Li's eyes, this was perfect.

"Hmm, not bad! Now that's what a big ship should look like!"

Jiang Li patted the reactor, "With this 'giant boiler,' we'll be able to go anywhere much faster!"

"Er Gou! Everyone assemble! Roll call is coming!"

"Yes, Captain!"

Wang Ergou blew the assembly whistle.

Soon, all members of Deep Blue Aquatic's "deep-sea fishing team" lined up on the deck.

The composition of this team can be described as extremely complex and "luxurious".

Captain: Jiang Li (Abyss Angler).

First Mate: Wang Ergou (Former Cardinal of the Church of God, Rank B).

Chief Engineer: Liu Wei (Former Black Tower Ace Assassin, A- Rank).

Head Chef/Bodyguard: Lei Meng (Gourmet Hunter, Rank A).

Technical Advisor: Wang Defa (The Undying Captain, the Living Dead).

Security Captain: Ao Bing (Fallen Dragonman, S-rank).

Navigator: Mi Go's Brain (an alien scientist who is now just a brain).

Mascot/Henchman: Big Yellow (Tindaros Hound, Mythical).

And... dozens of Deepsea servants (C-rank cannon fodder) dressed in sailor suits.

This lineup is more than enough to conquer a small country, let alone go fishing.

"Comrades! Employees!"

Jiang Li stood atop a tall box and delivered his farewell speech.

"The place we're going to this time is called R'lyeh! I've heard it's a wonderful place, with beautiful scenery (underwater ruins) and abundant resources (full of monsters)!"

"Our goal is clear: stock up! Stock up! And more stock up!"

"We want to plant the Deep Blue Seafood flag at the ends of the earth!"

"Do you have confidence?!"

"have--!!!"

The believers and the monsters roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

Only Ao Bing, standing in the corner, looked utterly dejected.

R'lyeh...

That's the place where Cthulhu, the Great Old One, sleeps!

These lunatics are actually going to "buy" from a place like that? And they're going to turn it into a fishing ground?

"I must be crazy to have gotten on this pirate ship..." Ao Bing covered his face.

"Hey, you with the horns, don't slack off! Go and lift that anchor!"

Jiang Li pointed at Ao Bing.

"...Yes, boss."

Ao Bing resignedly walked to the bow of the ship, grabbed the several-ton Star Anchor (made from the toe bones of the Star Clan) with one hand, and lifted it up easily.

"set sail!"

"Boom—!!!"

As Jiang Li pressed the start button, the newly installed [antimatter reactor] was instantly activated.

A terrifying torrent of blue energy surged into the Heart of Leviathan at the bottom of the ship.

That heart, which had been beating mechanically, now seemed to have been injected with stimulants and was beating wildly!

"Thump thump thump thump!!!"

The entire ship trembled violently, emitting a roar like a giant beast awakening.

A blue plume of flame, hundreds of meters long, shot out from the jet nozzle at the stern!

"Whoosh—"

Instead of accelerating slowly like an ordinary ship, the Black Pearl accelerated like a race car launching from a launch point, even lifting its bow and skipping across the sea!

"Holy crap! Slow down! Slow down!"

The people on the boat were thrown about by inertia.

Wang Ergou clung tightly to the mast, his face contorted by the wind: "Captain! It's too fast! We're about to take off!"

"That's what you call speed and passion!"

Jiang Li stood steadily at the bow of the ship, her hair styled in a flamboyant, punk-like fashion, but she looked excited.

"This boiler is really powerful! Much better than the previous diesel engine!"

The Black Pearl transformed into a streak of black light and vanished instantly at the horizon, leaving behind only a white, rippled wake that lingered for a long time.

……

shore.

Su Qingge and her team from the Abnormal Bureau watched the monster ship disappear into the distance, speechless for a long time.

"Captain...they really went to R'lyeh?" The team member swallowed hard.

"Um."

Su Qingge nodded, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Hopefully... that sleeping god... will have a better temper."

"Or... hopefully it can take a beating."

She remembered Jiang Li's butcher knife and suddenly felt that the one who should be worried was not Jiang Li, but the ancient ruler.

……

Sea voyages are tedious.

Especially at its current speed, the Black Pearl took only one day to cross the Misty Sea, traversing thousands of nautical miles to reach the uninhabited South Pacific region known as the "end of the world".

This is the legendary "Point Nemo".

This is the farthest place from any land, and also the loneliest and quietest sea on Earth.

The sky was always gray and the sea was as calm as a huge black mirror. There was no wind, no waves, and not even the shadow of a seabird could be seen.

An oppressive, deathly silence enveloped the place.

"Boss, we've arrived."

Wang Defa held the compass, his hands trembling slightly. "The coordinates are just ahead."

Jiang Li was playing frisbee with Da Huang on the deck (using the Deep One's shield as a frisbee) when he heard this and stopped.

"arrive?"

He walked to the side of the boat and looked down.

The seawater was unfathomably deep and so black it was unsettling.

But he had a vague feeling that something enormous was calling to him from the depths of this abyss.

The feeling was like someone who had been starving for a long time smelling the aroma of braised pork.

"There's something delicious down there..."

Jiang Li licked his lips.

"But why is this place so quiet? There isn't even a fish?"

"Because...no living thing dares to approach this place."

Ao Bing walked over with a pale face. As a member of the dragon race, he was most sensitive to the oppressive aura of those in power.

"Below this... lies the palace of the gods. Any creature that approaches will be twisted by the overflowing dreams and driven mad."

"A dream?"

Jiang Li asked curiously, "You mean that giant octopus down there is dreaming?"

"Do not address him by his given name!"

Ao Bing was so frightened he almost covered Jiang Li's mouth. "That's great..."

"Alright, alright, I got it."

Jiang Li waved his hand impatiently, "Isn't he just a fat guy who loves to sleep? Look how scared you all are."

He turned to look at the [Mi-Go Brain] that was placed on the table.

"Hey, brain, scan me and see where the entrance is."

The brain flashed red and emitted a buzzing electrical sound.

"Severe spatial distortion detected... Coordinate correction in progress... Warning! Extremely high energy reaction below! Values ​​off the charts! Immediate evacuation recommended!"

"Retreat my ass! We're already here!"

Jiang Li slapped his forehead. "Find me the entrance!"

"...Three thousand meters directly below, there is a huge spatial rift," the brain said, sounding aggrieved.

"Okay! Dive!"

Jiang Li gave the order.

"Wait! Boss!"

Liu Wei stopped him, "Our ship has been modified, but it doesn't have a diving system! If we go down, we'll have to hold our breath, and the water pressure..."

"Who said it wasn't installed?"

Jiang Li pointed to both sides of the ship's side.

Suddenly, the metal plates on the ship's side, which had looked like decorations, flipped over, revealing a transparent, blue-glowing film.

This is the [Bio-Force Shield]!

It was a defense system salvaged from the Mi-Go Fortress, which Jiang Li forcibly converted into a diving shield.

"Activate shields! Seal the hull! Let's sail like a submarine!"

"Buzz—"

The blue shield instantly closed, enveloping the entire Black Pearl and forming a giant bubble.

"Get in the water!"

The Black Pearl plunged its bow downwards, like a giant black whale diving into the inky black sea.

……

The descent was a long and suffocating process.

As the depth increased, the light disappeared completely, and the surroundings were utterly dark.

Only the pale green light from the two large "eyes" (searchlights) at the bow of the ship barely illuminated a small area ahead.

"Thump...thump..."

The sound of the ship's heart beating under its hull was exceptionally clear in the silent deep sea.

When it descended to about two thousand meters.

A sudden change occurred.

"Hehehe..."

"Come play with me..."

"I'm so hungry... I want to eat meat..."

A series of eerie whispers suddenly echoed in everyone's minds.

The ordinary believers in the cabin began to become restless. Some had unfocused eyes, some began to talk to themselves, and some even picked up knives and wanted to kill their companions.

Whispers of the Abyss!

This is spiritual pollution emanating from R'lyeh!

"Oh no! Everyone, stay alert!"

Wang Ergou shouted and began chanting the Heart-Cleansing Mantra (although he was a cultist, he had to chant it to survive).

Even powerful figures like Ao Bing and Lei Meng could barely put up a fight, but they were pale and sweating profusely.

Only Jiang Li.

He was sitting in the captain's chair, holding a bag of spicy strips, eating them with great relish.

"Huh? What's wrong with you guys? Seasick?"

Jiang Li looked at the swaying crowd with a puzzled expression.

"Boss...didn't you hear that? That sound..." Liu Wei said, clutching his head in pain.

"A sound? What sound?"

Jiang Li listened intently.

"Oh, you mean that buzzing sound like a mosquito? That must be tinnitus, right? Or is the ship not well-sealed and leaking air?"

He was completely immune to this S-level mental pollution.

In his view, it was just a little bit of background noise.

"Don't make a fuss, everyone! Stay alert! We're here to buy goods, not to listen to ghost stories!"

Jiang Li stood up and clapped his hands.

"Since everyone's feeling sleepy, I'll give you a little wake-up call!"

He took the [Screaming Magic Pot] out of his bag.

"Open the lid! Let some acid fumes out! Wake them up!"

Big Yellow ran over and slapped open the jar lid with one paw.

"call--"

An extremely strong, pungent smell, a mixture of aged vinegar, garlic, chili peppers, and the wails of countless vengeful spirits, instantly filled the entire cabin.

This smell is even more potent than a biological weapon!

"vomit--!!!"

The believers who were originally in a hallucination were instantly sobered up by the smell and collapsed to the ground, vomiting uncontrollably.

"Are you awake? If not, smell me again!" Jiang Li fanned himself with a fan.

"He's awake! He's awake! Boss, have mercy!"

Everyone was almost in tears.

Compared to the taste in this jar, that whisper from the abyss was simply heavenly music!

"That's more like it."

Jiang Li closed the lid. "Now that you're awake, let's get to work! Check the radar! There's something ahead!"

……

really.

At the end of the searchlight beam.

A colossal, breathtakingly magnificent city ruin slowly emerged.

The buildings are not of any style on Earth; the massive stones are twisted at angles that defy geometry and are covered with glowing moss and giant anemones.

At the highest point of the city, there is a huge, tightly closed stone gate.

The door is engraved with that famous octopus head relief.

R'lyeh!

"We've arrived..." Ao Bing looked at the door, trembling all over. "That's... the palace of the gods."

"We've finally arrived!"

Jiang Li walked to the window, looking at the huge city, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"This place... looks much bigger than the Dragon Palace! How much cargo can it hold?"

"But why is the door closed? Is it not open for business yet?"

He turned to Ao Bing and asked, "Do you have a key?"

"I... how could I possibly have such a thing!" Ao Bing shook his head frantically.

"Tch, useless thing."

Jiang Li took out the [Dragon King's Eye] (crystal ball) from his pocket.

"Try this."

He placed the crystal ball on the control panel and aimed it at the door.

The crystal ball suddenly lit up, shooting out a dazzling beam of starlight that shone directly onto the relief carvings on the stone gate.

"Crack—Boom—"

The gate, silent for billions of years, slowly opened at this moment.

An ancient, decaying, yet infinitely majestic aura wafted out from the crack in the door.

"It's open! It's open!"

Jiang Li shouted excitedly, "Brothers! Grab your weapons! Get ready to rob... no, get ready to stock up!"

however.

Just as the door was fully opened.

No treasure was revealed.

Instead, a huge, green tentacle covered in suckers emerged from within!

The tentacles were thicker than those of the Black Pearl, and with unparalleled speed and power, they swept towards the ship!

【Cthulhu's Tentacles】(The Limbs of God)!

"Holy crap! Those squid tentacles are huge!"

Upon seeing this, Jiang Li not only didn't dodge, but jumped up excitedly.

"This is the real teppanyaki ingredient!"

"Big Yellow! Old Liu! Hold it down! We're having barbecue tonight!"

A great war is about to break out!