The Flying Swallow sailed across the dark green water.
The crew sat in a huddle, forcing the larger Pororo to relocate to the rear propulsion deck.
"The lingering aura of the ritual has dissipated. It's time to decide who will wield this treasure," Alka said to the group after carefully examining the seed in his hand.
The seed in his hand was none other than the treasure left behind by Master Meister, whom he had obtained a few days ago at the border between life and death.
A treasure symbolizing spring.
It should have been given to the companions a few days ago, but the aura of its previous owner still lingered.
Because the ritual had just ended, even though Master Meister hadn't used it for a while, a trace of it still lingered.
It was faint, but it was sure to have an impact.
So, he waited several days for the aura to dissipate completely before handing it out to everyone for testing.
Narvi sat nearby, his face brimming with curiosity. This was arguably the first time he'd seen someone possess a treasure.
He was also even more convinced of the absurdity of the treasure hunters before him.
A team of less than ten people possessed over ten treasures.
Who would believe this?
He certainly didn't believe it himself; it completely shattered his worldview.
Looking at the treasure, its aura completely purged, it looked like an ordinary seed.
Alka gently placed it in his hand.
He poured his magic power into it.
With the influx of magic, the seed barely emitted a single glimmer before it was blasted away by a merciless force.
Juanlu, with his quick eyes and hands, grabbed it mid-air.
"What's going on?" Sofia asked Alka, puzzled.
Everyone present could see that the seed flew out because of the impact of Alka's magic. It was like he had deliberately thrown it out.
"I didn't expect the Galaxy's magic to repel it so much, and the mirror was also very repulsive to it. The two combined, and it simply ejected it."
Alka said with an awkward smile.
He possessed three treasures: one neither repelled nor accepted them, while the other two fiercely repelled them.
Although Alka had decided to replace the Galaxy if the opportunity arose, the mirror also disliked it.
Naturally, this treasure was not suitable for him.
Juanlu casually handed the seed to Julia beside him.
The treasure's former owner was also a mermaid, and like Julia, a believer in life.
Of them, Julia was naturally the most likely to be the treasure's owner.
However, they also knew that Julia already possessed a treasure, and whether or not it was suitable depended primarily on how well it matched the treasure.
Julia didn't hesitate, placing the treasure in her hand.
A faint magical energy flowed from her palm and penetrated the seed.
However, the tiny seed didn't appreciate it, rejecting the magical energy outright.
"No," Julia shook her head regretfully. "This seed repels my treasure."
Mastering an attached treasure was such a hassle.
Either you dislike me, or I dislike you.
Or we dislike each other.
Forget finding a compatible treasure, even mastering two mutually compatible treasures was a remarkable feat.
Then everyone took turns experimenting.
When Lucylia took it in her hand, it was completely unsuccessful.
Lusilia might be the person in their team, aside from Alka, who has the most difficulty finding a suitable treasure.
After all, Lusilia wasn't even a Toucher originally, capable of possessing her current power. This was simply the result of her deep connection to the Bloody Flag.
They once thought Lusilia could only possess this one treasure, but after so much growth, she's learned a great deal.
To find a treasure suitable for Lusilia, one must find it most compatible with her.
That treasure must be highly compatible with the Bloody Flag, allowing Lusilia to wield it.
Even if the two aren't mutually exclusive, it won't work.
It would probably have to be even more compatible than Alka's mirror and dreamcatcher.
Sofia took it. It's completely incompatible. It's hard to find any compatibility between light and seeds.
As for Jason, it all depends on whether the treasure is compatible with Urulius. Because Jason himself could be considered to be without a treasure at this stage, any treasure was generally compatible with him.
But Ululius was different. She was a newly born divine being, carrying a treasure within her body. After she and Jason had formed an extremely close bond, the two were considered one.
However, this treasure was clearly incompatible with the divine essence within Ululius.
When Juanlu once again took the treasure, as he infused it with magic power, the seed emanated a emerald green glow.
"The compatibility is quite good," Alka said with a smile as he watched.
The fact that it could be infused with magic power meant that the seed and the treasure within Juanlu were at least not mutually exclusive.
Juanlu sensed the connection and nodded. "It's just that neither side is mutually exclusive, which isn't the best outcome."
This meant that even if he possessed the treasure, the two treasures' abilities wouldn't complement each other; at best, they wouldn't interfere with each other.
After finishing, he passed the seed to Porolo, who was standing beside him.
Now everyone possessed a treasure.
So, each person needed to experiment with the new treasure to find the most suitable candidate.
This time, it was Porolo's treasure that resisted the seed.
Then it was passed down like this.
Until finally, when Matresha received it, the seed, even before it could be infused with magic, began to emit a faint green hue.
As Matresha's magic flowed into it,
A brilliant green hue emanated, bringing with it a subtle fragrance in the air.
"It's a very good match."
There was basically no need for explanation; everyone could see that this treasure was perfectly compatible with Matresa.
It was perfectly compatible with her previous treasures.
"Then this treasure belongs to Matresa. No objections, right?" Alka asked, looking at everyone.
Everyone shook their heads.
Even Juanlu, who could also use it, had no objection.
It's incredibly difficult for a second treasure to be compatible with the first.
This is how their treasure hunt operates.
Narvi, standing next to him, had become somewhat numb.
This is a treasure! Why are these people acting so nonchalant?
Having grown up in the Infinite Sea and now an adult, he knew full well that uneven distribution of benefits was the biggest problem for any team.
Especially for treasure hunts.
Many treasure-hunting groups are formed on short notice, making it difficult for any to survive long-term.
If you were to ask which groups on the ocean are most prone to betrayal and internal rebellion, it would undoubtedly be treasure-hunting groups.
Well-known treasure-hunting groups either have exceptionally deep bonds or employ a highly rational and fair distribution system, with a powerful leader to keep them in check.
Otherwise, it's difficult to sustain.
But in his opinion, Alka and his group's distribution method was neither fair nor rational.
It was completely arbitrary.
It was as if the distribution was merely a few hundred golden sails.
They were so carefree about the world's greatest treasures, something others coveted but couldn't obtain.
Especially Juanlu. Although Narvi didn't possess any treasure, treasures in the vast ocean weren't something to be hidden.
After sailing for so long, they naturally knew some information.
After possessing one treasure, it was a rare feat to possess another.
That it had been given up so easily puzzled him.
Of course, he didn't say it, and the others didn't seem to want to explain.
Mathelyssa watched the seed in her hand, infusing it with magical energy, sensing its power.
As the magical energy poured in, a faint green light transformed into emerald vines, entwining themselves around Mathelyssa.
Everyone waited quietly by the side. This was a ritual of control, unfolding differently depending on the treasure.
For them, it was a familiar process.
Buds sprouted from the vines, and green leaves emerged.
After a while, the vines dissipated into the air, and the seed vanished into Mathelyssa's hand.
Lucelia eagerly reached over to Matresa's shoulder and asked, "What abilities does this seed have?"
This was a point everyone was curious about.
"It can communicate with some plants, control their growth, and help identify their full characteristics.
This also allows you to collect plant life and use it in the desired way when needed."
Matresa briefly summarized the abilities the seed possessed.
After hearing this explanation of these abilities, Julia smiled and said, "Then this treasure is truly perfect for you."
For Matresa, she was already a healer on the ship.
Controlling plants, controlling their growth, communicating with them, and fully understanding their characteristics—for a healer like her, the benefits were self-evident.
Not to mention the ability to extract a certain amount of life force from plants for manipulation.
There was no need to dwell on it; the abilities of this treasure perfectly matched hers.
All that remained was to wait for Matresha to become familiar with it, and then begin using it as she saw fit.
Seeing Matresha concentrating on controlling the treasure in her hands, the others didn't bother her.
As the boat sailed on,
The destination wasn't far to begin with, and they soon arrived.
"We're here."
Upon hearing this, everyone stood up, and Matresha turned her attention back.
Looking down at the emerald green water and the clearly visible vines below,
"Jason, you, Urulius, and the puppet army stay up there. Everyone else, follow me down," Alka said.
Everyone nodded, and Pororo was about to jump down, cutting a large hole in the vines.
Suddenly, the vines below began to move, slowly withdrawing, naturally revealing a large hole leading down.
Seeing this, everyone turned to look at Matresha, who was in the water.
A tender sprout sprouted from Matlisa's palm, seemingly the state she displayed when using a treasure.
"Not bad, isn't it? Although I'm still not proficient, I should be able to control these vines with some ease."
"Once you're proficient, there won't be many on Zehai who can rival you," Sofia said with a smile.
After all, the vast majority of the Zehai is made up of vines.
In a place like this, Matlisa's advantage is self-evident.
Led by Pororo, the group swam downward from the cave entrance.
Transparent bubbles appeared above the heads of the few who couldn't breathe underwater.
A truly classic underwater breathing spell.
Led by Pororo, they began to swim through the jungle of countless vines.
But this time, it was much better than the last time. All the vines gave way to them, no longer entwining and blocking them as before.
Slowly moving and swaying, they made way for a path, and soon reached the place where the treasure was bound.
Narvi looked at the treasure before him.
It was hidden within the sea, bound and dragged by countless vines.
He slowly swam upward, brushing away the weeds and dirt on it.
"Is this the family's former treasure?" he muttered to himself.
The others gathered around without interrupting.
He stared at it for a long moment before turning and nodding to Alka.
Alka came beside him and placed his hand on the central pattern.
Dazzling holy light energy surged out.
He could sense the aura of the Mother within the holy light energy.
The holy light energy immediately ignited the outermost circle, absorbing and spreading the energy throughout. Soon, the outermost circle began to illuminate, spreading downward, stopping at the second circle. No need to say more.
Narvi placed his hand over it and closed his eyes.
Then his body suddenly took on a grayish-white hue, a flash of light like energy before vanishing.
A black and white intertwined within the circle's lines. Then, a blood-like liquid began to flow, spreading across the lines.
The second circle also lit up.
The blood-like liquid and holy light energy intertwined and spread toward the keyhole in the center.
Narvi's face looked slightly pale, and he stepped aside.
"Are you okay?"
"It's okay. Just a little weakness. It won't affect you."
Hearing Narvi's words, Alka nodded and also moved aside.
It was then that Simon swam over, a simulated key already appearing in his hand.
"I've always been curious. How did you get this key? And does it work?" Narvi, standing nearby, a little frail but still curious, asked.
"Why do you say that? Have you ever seen a real key?"
Hearing Simon's words, Narvi nodded. "Grandpa once showed us a similar atlas. Real keys have patterns representing flowers and the Virgin Mary's wheat ears. There's also the family symbol."
Hearing this, Simon simply smiled and inserted the key into the keyhole.
"It's not real, but it works."
The keyhole perfectly matched, and the energy and the two converged colors intertwined, eventually surrounding it.
The entire treasury shook slightly.
A large amount of dust and dirt fell from the treasury, instantly obscuring the view.
But in an instant, Pororo manipulated the seawater to gather it to one side.
At that moment, Simon let go and said to Narvi, "Come on, I'll leave it to you."
Narvi, standing nearby, was slightly surprised, but nodded, swam up, and grasped the key with both hands.
"Thank you."
After that, he turned the key vigorously.
As it turned, everyone in the water could clearly hear the crisp sound of gears turning from within the treasure house.
They could feel the spell beneath the treasure house begin to operate.
"Click!"
The loud sound of the flow stopped abruptly, like the sound of huge rocks colliding and clashing.
Narvi also stopped.
My own movements.
Everyone nearby couldn't help but breathe heavier.
Even though it was a treasure without any treasure, they were still very excited.
After all, they had spent a considerable amount of time searching for this treasure, and they had high hopes for it.
Narvi, with a bubbly face, took a deep breath and turned to look at everyone.
Seeing everyone nod, he grasped the key again with both hands and used it as a doorknob, pulling it hard outward.
With the sound of a large amount of dust being pulled, the mechanical sound could be heard again.
The circular magic circle was completely cut out and then floated beside the treasure house.
Only then could everyone see through the back of the cut circle and the sides of the hole how rigorously the treasure house was protected by spells.
The inside was almost completely engraved with spells and some strange material, shimmering with light.
"What an incredible structure! It's powered by a key, holy light, and some kind of energy from blood."
Simon seemed to understand the reason and couldn't help but exclaim.
Everyone looked inside curiously.
The entrance to the vault was covered with a thin membrane, which blocked all the seawater out. It also made it difficult for anyone outside to see what was inside.
Narvi gently inserted his hand.
His hand passed through the membrane and entered smoothly.
Nothing unexpected happened. He pulled it back and checked his hand, finding no wounds.
This indicated that the membrane was safe.
After ensuring it was safe, he turned to the others.
"Hello, let's go."