Golden Equipment

"Yes! Yes! We need to hurry, or we'll be dead if we run into them!"

Although Zhang Yao had mostly meant to scare him, his warning could still come true. So after hearing Zhang Yao's words, Luo De immediately picked up his somewhat sluggish pace.

How far was ten kilometers? Zhang Yao had only a rough number in his head; he had no real sense of the distance. After swimming for nearly an hour and seeing nothing but the empty, endless sea, he couldn't help asking Luo De beside him:

"How much longer do we have to swim?"

"At our current speed, it'll probably take another half hour or so to reach somewhere safe. Um, Zhang Yao, let's rest for a bit. I don't think the navy is heading in the same direction as us. Otherwise, with how fast their ships are, they would've caught up long ago!" Luo De gave his estimate, then asked for a break.

"All right."

Luo De's face, already pale from soaking in seawater, had grown even paler. Knowing that his stamina was nearly at its limit, Zhang Yao immediately agreed. To be honest, Luo De's stamina was already quite impressive. Zhang Yao figured that if he hadn't lucked into so many levels, he probably wouldn't have been able to keep up with him.

As Luo De bobbed in the water, relaxing his body, Zhang Yao kept himself busy by examining the equipment he'd obtained from Sea Wolf. He hadn't had time to look while they were fleeing, so this was the perfect chance to see what goodies Sea Wolf had contributed.

Bewitching Siren Boots: High-grade gold equipment. Defense: 25. Special effects: Movement speed increased by 20%, agility +3. Granted skill: Afterimage. Description: Rare equipment Sea Wolf obtained by chance during a robbery. He treasured these boots as much as his own life. Requirements: Agility 15, constitution 15. Exchange value: 3,000 Gold Coins.

Afterimage: Creates an afterimage of the user to confuse opponents. The afterimage cannot attack or move and lasts for 3 seconds. Activating Afterimage consumes 5 True Qi. Cooldown: 300 seconds.

Spyglass: Special item. Allows observation of objects within 5 kilometers. Special effect: Observe distant objects regardless of weather conditions. Has a 15% chance to see through illusions or surroundings. Description: An indispensable item for any captain. No requirements. Exchange value: 1,000 Gold Coins.

Basic Battle Aura: D-rank combat skill. An introductory skill for warrior-class professions. Improves combat power and physical attributes to a certain extent. Requirements: Constitution 10, spirit 10. Exchange value: 500 Gold Coins.

Gem: Luxury item. Many people love these glittering objects, even to the point of risking their lives for them. Exchange value: 100 Gold Coins each.

Damaged Nautical Chart: Special item. A nautical chart severely damaged by age. Requires a professional to decipher.

Gold equipment! I never expected to get gold equipment! Zhang Yao was thrilled as he examined the finely crafted boots, which gave off a faint golden glow. Even without the granted skill that could save his life at a critical moment, the 20% movement speed increase alone had him over the moon. Add in their considerable defense, and he equipped the boots the moment he saw them.

Although the Spyglass couldn't be equipped, Zhang Yao loved its special properties. He carefully placed it in his inventory in case he needed it later.

As for the ten Gems, Zhang Yao didn't pay them much attention. He casually tossed them into his Spatial Ring, planning to exchange them for spending money later.

Another Skill Book remained, but this time Zhang Yao didn't hesitate at all. He clicked to learn it immediately. Although Basic Battle Aura was a low-rank combat skill, the part about improving physical attributes deeply appealed to him. Having already tasted the benefits of increased stats, he welcomed any skill that could improve his attributes.

Basic Battle Aura: D-rank combat skill. An introductory skill for warrior-class professions. Improves combat power and physical attributes to a certain extent. Level 1, 0/100. Special effects: Channeling battle aura during combat increases strength by 5%, agility by 5%, and overall defense by 10%. Consumes 2 battle aura per second. No cooldown.

By learning Basic Battle Aura, the Chosen One has gained battle aura: 20.

A higher-grade energy of the same type, True Qi, has been detected. Battle aura can be merged with it. Proceed with merging? Yes/No.

"Merge!" Zhang Yao heard the prompts as soon as he clicked to learn Basic Battle Aura and immediately chose to merge the energies. After all, he had high hopes for True Qi. Besides, the prompt had already identified it as a higher-grade energy of the same type. Why keep the battle aura? He might as well merge it directly.

Beginning merge. Merge complete! Battle aura removed. True Qi increased by 5.

Because True Qi has merged with battle aura, the skill Basic Battle Aura has changed.

Basic Battle Aura (Mutated): D-rank combat skill. An introductory skill for warrior-class professions. Improves combat power and physical attributes to a certain extent. Has undergone a degree of mutation after being merged with the user's True Qi. Level 1, 0/500. Special effects: Channeling battle aura during combat increases strength by 20%, agility by 20%, and overall defense by 20%. Consumes 1 True Qi per second. No cooldown.

Yes! Seeing the results of the merge, Zhang Yao mentally flashed a victory sign. Although the experience required to level it up had increased considerably, its power had improved by far more than a little. All in all, the benefits vastly outweighed the drawbacks. He'd hit the jackpot!

After checking his attributes and equipment, Zhang Yao felt that Luo De had rested long enough and prepared to close the Attribute Panel and set off again. Just then, however, he noticed a new icon at the very bottom of the panel: an ancient copper coin, round on the outside with a square hole in the center. When he focused on the icon, a piece of information immediately appeared in his mind.

Spacetime Shop: A special space established for Chosen Ones who enter Rodos. Various transactions can be conducted and commissions accepted here.

"Hmm?" The information immediately piqued Zhang Yao's interest, and he was about to click through for a look. Before he could select the option, however, Luo De spoke beside him, interrupting him.

"Zhang Yao, I've rested enough! Let's keep going!" After resting for a while, Luo De's breathing had finally steadied. Although his body still felt exhausted, the thought of a Heaven Tier naval expert somewhere in the nearby waters left his heart pounding with fear. As soon as he recovered a little stamina, he suggested that they continue onward.

"All right, let's keep swimming!" Seeing Luo De's condition, Zhang Yao had no choice but to put aside his plans to enter the Spacetime Shop for now. He decided to find a chance to look inside after completing his mission to escort Luo De.

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