End of All Realms
Chapter 226

Hades Is My Name

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Night!

The Black Pearl sailed toward the island where the Fountain of Youth was located, with the Queen Anne's Revenge keeping a safe distance behind it. Barbossa was on that ship, having obtained Blackbeard's longsword. With only a few crew members, the large ship could be started.

The Queen Anne's Revenge was originally a military frigate. After changing hands and undergoing several modifications, it finally shone brightly in Blackbeard's hands. Barbossa was very satisfied with his new ship. He ordered the hull to be dismantled, Blackbeard's pirate flag to be lowered, and he was officially promoted to captain.

As the two-day voyage drew to a close, the Black Pearl finally approached its destination. The fog on the sea gradually thickened, and the hazy shadows of distant islands could be faintly seen.

Russell stood at the bow of the ship, a fleeting blue light flashing in his eyes. "Jack, is this White Hat Bay?"

"Yes, Captain." Jack stood beside Russell, pointed to the sea ahead, and said apologetically, "I know I shouldn't disturb your rest at this time, but the situation is rather tricky. In addition to the reefs, there are also beautiful ladies blocking our way. We can't safely cross this area."

A gentle sea breeze carries the scent of the ocean and the melodious strains of singing. The soft voice paired with the moving love song evokes the wistful lament of lovers under the moon, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.

The mermaid of White Hat Bay!

The sailors on deck began to whisper among themselves. The five mermaids in the captain's cabin often conjured legs and sang at the bow of the ship. Their beautiful figures and unparalleled beauty kept them awake at night, and they even started to look at their good brothers with shining eyes.

For a time, everyone was filled with panic!

Mermaids are the subject of many legends on the sea. Besides their beautiful appearance and songs, the most common tales revolve around their cunning and cruel nature, and their fondness for eating humans. They lure sailors with their songs, then drag them into the sea to devour them. Even knowing this, many sailors still eagerly rush to become mermaids' meals.

It's understandable. Men who frequently drift at sea often go ten days or half a month without seeing a woman, and their bodies are no longer under their brains' control. They're even capable of backstabbing their brothers, so the mere risk of being eaten can't stop their desire to interact with mermaids.

"There are too many reefs in the surrounding waters. Have the sailors prepare to land here." The blue light in his eyes faded, Russell looked away, and took out his trident, raising it high.

The thick fog, mixed with Magic Power aura, was most likely laid down by mermaids to protect the island.

Poseidon was a master of manipulation. If the Fountain of Youth easily attainable, people wouldn't appreciate its value. Those who successfully reached it wouldn't kill their companions; they would immediately return, bringing slaves to try again, thus gaining youth without enduring the test of humanity.

Increasing the game's difficulty changes everything. No one will be so lucky as to think they can succeed a second time. Siblings will turn against each other, brothers will become enemies, and betrayal will inevitably occur.

As Russell raised the trident, layers of mist parted to create a waterway, revealing mermaids on both sides. Groups of mermaids sat on rocks of varying sizes, their long, wet hair hanging down, their fish tails gently slapping the water.

Without revealing the hideous face of the deep-sea monsters, every mermaid here can be described as a beauty, with eyes that seem to both refuse and welcome, making it hard for anyone to have the heart to resist.

I'm in love!

"Don't be ridiculous, they just want to eat you..."

"Really? But I think the person they want to eat isn't us, it's the captain."

The deck was crowded with pirates, their eyes gleaming as they stared at the mermaids like wolves. Unfortunately, the mermaids didn't even glance at them, each one staring intently at Russell, swallowing hard.

In the captain's cabin, the five mermaid servants seemed to sense the ambition of their kind. One by one, they jumped into the water, revealing vertical pupils and sharp teeth, and roared to warn those around them.

Russell leaped down, stepping onto their backs, his goal the island at the end of the waterway.

Hundreds upon hundreds of mermaids swam in from all directions. Jack, imitating Russell, jumped off the ship, and immediately a mermaid pushed him to the surface. The pirates howled and jumped into the sea, using the mermaids' backs to move forward.

The Black Pearl and Queen Anne's Revenge were suddenly deserted. Surfing on mermaids was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; who would want to stay and guard the ships?

The waves crashed against the rocks on the shore, splashing up several meters high. Russell stood on the shore, surrounded by five mermaid servants. Even after coming ashore, they would still roar at the sea from time to time.

The pirates reluctantly landed, their faces flushed with excitement as they whispered amongst themselves, having just managed to plunder quite a bit.

"Will, did you touch him too?" Elizabeth asked with a displeased expression, reaching out to pinch a piece of flesh on Turner's waist.

Jack suddenly leaned out to defend Turner's innocence. "Elizabeth, you have to believe in Will's character. He only loves you."

Turner nodded repeatedly. "That's right, I didn't do anything."

Jack continued, "Believe me, I saw it clearly. Will didn't get the better end of the deal. It was just that the mermaid's back was too slippery, and he couldn't get up after he fell."

Turner: "..."

Upon reaching the island, the group walked along the coast, found an open space to rest, and prepared to resume their activities at dawn. Barbossa and Jack, along with the others, went to search for the silver cups from the Santiago. Working together, they successfully retrieved both silver cups before daybreak.

Then a few minor incidents occurred. Jack and Barbossa weren't interested in immortality, and with the compass, they could only find rum. Elizabeth and Turner were the same; the compass needles both pointed to each other. Russell's compass was ineffective as well, because he disliked the mission, and the needle spun wildly, unable to locate the Fountain of Youth.

Fortunately, there were too many people among the pirates who wanted to live forever, so this small problem was quickly resolved!

After braving thorns and brambles for two hours, the group finally arrived at the foot of the waterfall in the center of the rainforest and found a huge Cavern in the mountain stream.

"Immortality, how alluring! I'm starting to regret it," Turner, looking at the cave with a hint of fascination in his eyes.

Jack shrugged, placed the compass in his hand, and the pointer instantly pointed at Elizabeth without the slightest hesitation.

"Will, you're lying!"

"Haha, it seems that's really true..." Turner chuckled softly, and said with a touch of emotion, "Immortality is too long. I'm afraid I won't be able to love someone forever, so things are fine as they are now."

Jack looked disgusted. "Will, I never knew you were so disgusting, but your worries are unfounded. The captain said that the Fountain of Youth can only add a few decades to one's lifespan; it cannot grant immortality."

"Jack, what about you?"

Jack pinched his pinky finger and said narcissistically, "It's only been a few decades. Even without them, the legend of Captain Jack will remain great forever."

"But you're just a boatswain."

"I'll be the captain of the Black Pearl soon!"

With the trident present, the illusion of increasing the game's difficulty was instantly broken, and Russell led the way into another world within the cave.

The underground pit supported by stone pillars is surrounded by a babbling brook and a light mist. A Stone Path leads to the center of the pool, where birds sing and flowers bloom, creating a scene resembling a fairyland.

The Fountain of Youth is located on a small island in the center, where a strangely shaped, arched rock stands. Tiny drops of water flow from the cracks in the rock, dripping onto the ground and turning into a small stream.

The scenery was beautiful, but the thought that Poseidon had once hunted here and even urinated here immediately dampened Russell's interest in appreciating the view.

He took out a silver cup, and the five mermaids immediately fought over it. In the end, the mermaid with the strongest fighting ability won the fight and smiled as she dripped her tears into one of the silver cups.

To be honest, Russell didn't remember her name; he didn't remember any of the five mermaids.

Russell, holding a silver cup in each hand, walked across the Stone Path toward the central island. Beneath his feet lay piles of withered bones, many more of them accumulating in the pool below—the victims, those who betrayed their companions or were betrayed by them.

No need for sympathy or pity, just like the pyramids built one upon another, the path to immortality is always paved with bones.

The principle behind the Fountain of Youth is to fill two silver cups with the spring water, one of which contains a mermaid's tear, and have two different people drink from it. The person who drinks from the cup containing only the spring water will sacrifice their own life and soul, while the person who drinks from the cup containing the mermaid's tear will gain the lifespan of the other person.

The key to the problem was to make the mermaid shed tears. Russell embarked on his quest to find the trident, and by sheer coincidence, he became acquainted with Poseidon. He easily overcame the most difficult hurdle, which made the World Quest seem less challenging.

Before this, Russell's plan was to have Turner sacrifice his good looks. In this world where appearance matters, Turner has the face of an Elf Prince, and it shouldn't be a problem for him to charm three or five mermaids.

If all else fails, he'll personally step in and make the mermaid cry; there are plenty of ways to do that!

Russell filled the two cups with spring water and heard the system notification in his ear: the World Quest was complete.

[Bite!]

[Host has completed the World Quest to find the Fountain of Youth. Calculating mission rewards.]

[Bite!]

[Rewards are as follows: 6 points of Free Attribute Points, 40,000 Wealth Points, and 3 chances to Lottery Draw.]

[Host: Russell]

Strength: 56 (35+21)

[Body: 70 (56+14)]

[Wisdom: 61 (42+19)]

[Wealth: 137,900]

The character attributes have been refreshed. The changes in 'Strength' and 'Constitution' are due to a mutation in physical constitution. The system determines that Russell's attribute values correspond to these values.

[The host has completed the World Quest. You may end the world process immediately or remain in this world for a maximum of 24 hours. Please make your decision as soon as possible.]

Will the stay be 24 hours?

Russell didn't feel he would gain anything by staying any longer, but his obsession made him inclined to stay for another day. However, he didn't rush to answer. Out of caution, he first turned around to look around, wondering if any troublemakers were hiding in the bushes trying to ambush him.

Behind him, a figure draped in a black Cloak strolled out. He lowered the hood, revealing handsome features. His black hair cascaded down his shoulders, and his golden eyes were the most striking feature, exuding a noble and elegant aura.

Russell: "..."

Damn it, thank goodness I was smart!

"A keen intuition, no wonder you're the New Gods who defeated Zeus; you spotted me the moment you appeared. Let me introduce myself, my name is Hades..."

"Hehe!"

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