Survival on the Internet: A Bizarre Start at Sea

Stimulated, the phosphorescent flower's petals suddenly contracted, and a bright blue phosphorescent light shone from its center, releasing a powerful surge of energy mixed with a sweet fragrance!

The ripples disturbed the underwater area.

"Shhh..."

Beneath the half-hidden box on the beach, a dense, chilling rustling sound emanated.

A dozen or so palm-sized, dark green, and scarlet compound-eyed crab-like creatures emerged from the sand, brandishing their pincers and crawling restlessly, disturbed by the unusual activity of the phosphorescent flowers.

【Light-Eating Mud Crab】

[Type]: Contaminated

[Level]: Lv.3

[Status]: A mutated crustacean affected by phosphorescent flower pollution, sensitive to changes in phosphorescence and possessing a certain degree of aggression.

[Information]: It lives in groups and feeds on phosphorescent flower litter and contaminated seaweed. Its shell contains trace amounts of contaminant crystals.

They are just level 3 monsters, and there aren't many of them.

Su Zhixu glanced at it and felt relieved.

These small creatures are nothing to fear, but they do indicate that the area around the box is not entirely undefended.

Going into the water or getting too close without permission could lead to a sneak attack and trouble.

He manipulated the fishing rod again, the hook drawing an arc in the air. This time, it didn't touch the phosphorescent flower, but landed directly on the exposed corner of the metal box.

"clang."

With a soft click, the fishing hook precisely caught on a rusted protrusion on the edge of the box.

Su Zhisu tightened his grip and slowly reeled in the line. The box was heavier than he had expected, but he could still manage it.

"rustle!"

The light-devouring mud crabs, sensing that their "treasure" was being attacked, became even more agitated. Several of the bolder ones crawled toward the box, attempting to use their pincers to clamp the fishing line.

Su Zhisu raised an eyebrow, his hand holding the fishing rod twitched slightly, and a wisp of more condensed, strange power carrying the purifying aura of the Night Watcher's Heart Flame was transmitted down the fishing line.

"laugh!"

The power erupted at the point of contact between the hook and the box. It was very weak, but it was the purifying aura of the Night Watcher's Heart Flame. It made several approaching Light Devouring Mud Crabs suddenly retract their claws and retreat in panic, as if they had touched a red-hot iron.

Taking this opportunity, Su Zhisu intensified her efforts.

"Splash!"

The rusted metal box was completely dragged out of the shallow water and sand, splashing water as it traced a parabola before landing with a "thud" on the deck of the Redemption.

Almost as soon as the box left its spot, the dark green water surged violently, and a larger shadow seemed to flash by underwater, but it did not appear and gradually calmed down.

"Is there anything else?"

"There's no need to pay attention to it."

They ignored anything else that might exist underwater, because their objective had been achieved.

He put away his fishing rod and walked to the box.

The suitcase is about the size of a small suitcase, made of cast alloy, heavily rusted but structurally intact.

There was no lock on the surface, only a latch-like device, which had long since rusted shut.

He gripped the curved blade facing the storm, inserted the tip into the gap in the box lid, and gently pried it open.

"Creak..."

After a sickening metallic scraping sound, the lid was lifted.

There was no standing water inside; it was covered with a waterproof, somewhat brittle tarpaulin.

Under the tarpaulin were several things.

The most eye-catching item was a roll carefully wrapped in waterproof animal hide.

Next to the scroll is a small, flat, square box, also made of metal.

There were also a few dull but uniform silver coins, and a small, well-sealed bag of what looked like some kind of dark blue crystal sand.

Su Zhisu picked up the bag of crystal sand first.

Refined Deep-Sea Cold Iron Sand

[Quality]: Excellent (Green)

[Information]: Deep-sea cold iron ore sand that has undergone preliminary refining contains good ice and cold properties and energy conductivity, making it a good material for crafting low- to mid-level ice or water attribute equipment and constructing energy circuits.

"A good harvest. It will be very valuable, whether I try to refine or forge it myself in the future or use it for trading."

He put down the crystal sand and picked up the metal box.

The box wasn't locked; it opened with a gentle press. Inside was a soft velvet cushion, on which lay a thumb-sized, pure silver badge, sculpted in the shape of an anchor.

The badge has a fine texture on its surface, and a rice-grain-sized sky-blue gemstone is set in the center, which shimmers with a warm luster in the misty morning light.

Exquisite seaman's insignia

[Quality]: White (jewelry)

[Bonus 1]: Naval Honor: When given to a Hydelander, it slightly increases their favorability.

[Information]: The seaman's insignia of an old sailor, symbolizing the end of his seafaring career. It is not a magical item, but it carries the weight of time, friendship, and complex emotions towards the sea.

Su Zhisu wore a meaningful little accessory on the lining of her coat.

Finally, he picked up the animal skin scroll.

It was heavy in his hand, the animal hide tough and bearing the marks of time. He untied the rope and slowly unfolded it.

The scroll begins with a line of slightly hasty but elegant handwriting:

"Addendum to the Voyage Log - Observational conjectures and some measured data regarding the 'echo rift' and 'skew' phenomena... Private record, do not distribute. — Recorder: Astrologer Edwin C."

"Astrologer? Echoing Rift? 'Deflection' phenomenon?"

Su Zhisu's heart stirred slightly.

The research on echo fractures and 'skewness' recorded in this log was very important to him!

It helps him deepen his understanding of the world.

He immediately focused his attention and continued reading.

The diary dates back to a very early period.

The first part recounts how an astrologer named Edwin, during a voyage, accidentally observed "echo rifts" and "skewness" phenomena occurring in certain areas of the sea through a special astronomical instrument.

This piqued his interest, and he suspected that these phenomena were related to some maritime rumors he often heard.

The logbook contained a large number of complex astronomical symbols, mathematical formulas, and descriptions of energy fluctuations, which Su Zhisu could not quite understand.

But he could tell that the astrologer was extremely fascinated by it and was trying to design some experiments to verify and detect these phenomena.

In the latter half of the diary, the handwriting becomes hurried, even excited.

"...The third directional probe was a success!"

"Near the southeastern outer edge of the 'storm area,' at fuzzy coordinates, I detected a strong, unnaturally formed 'skew' force field! Its characteristics closely match theoretical predictions!"

"The core of the force field shows signs of being dominated by a highly intelligent consciousness, ruling out the possibility of a natural phenomenon..."

"This is very likely a 'man-made' or 'actively maintained' 'skewed area,' but what exactly created it...?"

"Could it be... that legendary... marine iguana?"

"I must get closer and investigate! If I can find it..."

The record ends here.

The next few pages were blank animal hides.

Su Zhisu slowly rolled up the journal, her heart filled with turbulent emotions.

"This astrologer, Edwin C., actually located the 'skewed' position of the storm area a long time ago through observation and detection?"

"Where did he end up? Is this box one of his belongings?"

Did he see the marine iguana again?

Did he succeed or fail?