Survival at Sea: I Became Number One by Growing Mushrooms

As Xu Jiawei stepped through the portal, ready to open her arms to welcome the sunlight, she opened her eyes again and found that the scenery around her had not changed. She thought she hadn't been teleported yet.

She moved her arms and sensed her surroundings. The pressure here was different from the previous place. Although both were underwater, the place she was in now was different from before.

Her face immediately fell. She had thought she could return to land, but when she opened her eyes, she wished it was still a hallucination.

But what Xu Jiawei didn't know was that the system did it on purpose. There was nothing they could do; after all, Xu Jiawei could move freely underwater, so who else would they exploit if not her?

Apart from her, there are very few people who can move freely underwater, except for a few people with special talents, but even they would have a hard time dealing with ordinary pollution sources.

Solving this kind of high-level pollution source still has to be done by Xu Jiawei. There's no other way; she's the only one. Even if we don't want to exploit her, we have to.

Xu Jiawei was unaware that she would be spending the next period of time adrift at the bottom of the sea.

Little Pink was also listless. After all, she didn't like water, and her recovery speed slowed down in the water. She hadn't recovered the energy she had consumed from the previous source of pollution.

The red earthworm tried extending the branch into the sea and, finding that it could withstand the pressure, happily ran out. Only Little Grey was left alone in the pet backpack, feeling very depressed.

Although there was air at the source of pollution last time, the monsters were too densely packed. Little Pink and Red Earthworm didn't have the energy to protect it, and it couldn't cause any more trouble, so it stayed obediently in the pet backpack, preparing to go out for a stroll on the next island. Unexpectedly, the next island was also underwater.

That's terrible. Unlike those three non-animal things, it's a bird and it needs to breathe.

At least on the last island, it had the red earthworm for company, but on this island, it was the only bird left, and even the red earthworm could go out and play.

Once the red earthworms emerged, they were like wild horses, darting around the seabed in a chaotic mess, swimming like an octopus, but even more disorganized.

After wandering around for a while, the red earthworm returned to Xu Jiawei's side. Xu Jiawei, Little Pink, and even Little Gray all looked numb, but the red earthworm was very excited. No, we should also add Rainbow. It was Rainbow's first time moving freely on the seabed. She excitedly looked around and even teased the little fish.

Xu Jiawei numbly embarked on her new island adventure, wondering when this kind of life would end.

By the way, the treasure chest hasn't been opened yet. Why don't we open it first and see if there's anything we can use?

[Ding! Congratulations! You have obtained the following items from the chest: Underwater Shield*1, Advanced Compass*1, Healing Fruit*3, Waterproof Gear*1, Energy Stone*100, Gold Gear*4, Epic Gear*3, Pollution Purification Gear*1, Diving Gear Blueprint*1, and Random Herbs*40]

Xu Jiawei opened four treasure chests in a row, which was pretty lucky.

Unexpectedly, when my compass broke, the system knew to replace it with a new one, which was even more advanced than the original.

As for the underwater protective shield, Xu Jiawei discovered that this shield was used to protect against pollution. It required energy stones as energy, and the more severe the pollution, the more energy stones it consumed. This thing could prevent her from being polluted near the pollution source.

There are also gold and epic equipment. She doesn't need the gold equipment, and the epic equipment is already duplicated with what she has, so she can only put it aside. She plans to post it in the guild group later to see who needs it. As for the waterproof equipment, it can form a protective shield, just like the kind of shield used against underwater pollution sources before, which can isolate water sources and provide oxygen.

If you're underwater, this equipment is a godsend for making potions. It seems I can make potions underwater now. Xu Jiawei put the equipment away.

The healing fruit is similar to a recovery potion; eating one will instantly restore your health to full, no matter how low it is. It's a lifesaver, so Xu Jiawei put it in her mustard seed space for future use.

As for the pollution purification equipment, Xu Jiawei initially thought it had the same function as the underwater protective shield, but when she opened the equipment introduction, she immediately exclaimed, "This is amazing! The system is even willing to give us something like this!"

[Pollution Purification Equipment: This system-produced equipment purifies pollution sources. Unlike previous disposable equipment, it is reusable and can purify pollution sources of any level. After use, it automatically absorbs energy from the air to replenish itself.]

This is the thing that purifies pollution sources. Xu Jiawei originally wanted to ask the system for one, but the system gave it to her directly. It's even rarer than the one used to purify pollution sources, and it can be used multiple times. The system actually gave her this thing, so can she use it anytime?

You can purify whatever you want when the time comes, and the best part is that it can automatically recover.

In the end, the most useless thing was actually the blueprint. It was completely useless to her. She had already become a fish-woman, so what did she need the diving suit for? Xu Jiawei decided to sell the blueprint later.

As for this latest incident of entering the underwater island, Xu Jiawei decided to demand an explanation from the system. How could she possibly return to land after inexplicably entering the underwater world again? It must be the system's doing.

Although the system was very generous, giving her a new compass and various special equipment, that didn't stop her from demanding an explanation.

"System, what's going on? How did I end up at the bottom of the sea again?" Xu Jiawei asked.

[Ding! The player is the only high-level player capable of surviving underwater, therefore the pollution in the ocean needs to be cleaned up by the player.]

The system spoke with such confidence that Xu Jiawei was so angry she almost choked. What did it think she was?

How could she possibly purify such a vast ocean all by herself? What was she thinking?

Do you want to work her to death?

[Ding! Players, don't worry. Ocean purification will begin after you've purified your island. In preparation for the next natural disaster event, the system will automatically create an air shield for all players. You've simply activated it ahead of time. (Of course, you're not the only one purifying.)]

Xu Jiawei: ...Thank you.

Although there are many sources of pollution in the ocean, the sources of pollution on land are not easy to find either. There are also top-level sources of pollution. At the player's level, who knows when the ocean sources will be unlocked? Does she have to stay at the bottom of the sea forever?

[System reminder: Other players are relying too much on you. This is an opportunity for them to grow. If they encounter a source of pollution that other players cannot resolve, it is still your responsibility to solve it.]

"Thank you so much, System. You really don't want me to be idle," Xu Jiawei said.

[Ding! Player, please don't be shy. This is a decision made by the system after careful calculation, and it is more beneficial to the development of all players.]

Xu Jiawei: ......

It's okay, she's used to being alone, she doesn't need companions...

Ahhh, it's so reassuring to be with my companions. Right now, with only a few pets whose brains can't even be fully integrated, it's a bit lonely to be alone in the deep sea.

[Ding! No problem, if you feel lonely, you can chat with the system. The system is always available.]

Xu Jiawei pondered for a moment and then refused outright. Chatting with a pet was better than chatting with a dog; at least it could provide emotional support, and she could also send messages to chat with her companions.