That meant he could trade anything.
If someone was injured, as long as they agreed, he could trade for their wounds with money—or even with something as trivial as dirt—allowing him to transfer the injury onto himself, producing an effect similar to a healing skill.
And the wounds he traded for could then be given directly to an enemy, essentially turning them into an attack. He could even trade away lifespan, or exchange abilities mastered by others, and so on.
As long as he could provide what the other person needed, there would always be someone willing to sell anything. In a sense, this skill was frighteningly versatile.
As long as the other party agreed, and he had something of equal value to trade, then physical things, non-physical things, even concepts themselves could be exchanged.
Both affection skills he obtained today were extremely good.
And Xiangling's affection toward him was almost maxed out. One more affection gain, and it should finish. Nolan couldn't help looking forward to what kind of affection skill he might receive from her.
Just as joy and anticipation rose in him, he sensed many powerful deep-sea monsters being drawn toward the glowing region around them.
Nolan thought for a moment and activated Layla's affection skill, "Blessing of the Starry Sky." Instantly, the entire sea around them was rendered into a "star map" before his eyes.
The "star map" resembled a night sky. Many points of light floated on it—each representing the surrounding creatures or treasures.
The green lights represented Beidou, Xiangling, Yanfei, and the others—entities friendly toward him.
Red lights represented hostile beings. Gold lights marked treasures such as chests.
Right now, the only green lights on the map were Beidou and her group, while there were many red ones, slowly drifting in their direction. There were also a few gold lights, but not many.
Some lights were large, some small—the larger they were, the stronger the creature, or the more valuable the treasure.
Nolan casually opened one of the red lights closest to their position. It was a small one, likely not a powerful monster.
Fischl's and Yae Miko's affection skills activated alongside "Blessing of the Starry Sky," and the detailed information popped out:
[Level: 68]
[Deep-Sea Fang Octopus: A deep-sea monster skilled at restraining enemies with its tentacles. Its suckers contain hidden barbs capable of injecting neurotoxin. It can spray a special ink composed of Hydro Element energy mixed with poison from its ink sac, confusing enemies while inducing paralysis. It sensed abnormalities in the region ahead and is instinctively approaching in search of food.]
Nolan was still somewhat surprised by these details.
A level 68 monster was already extremely strong on land, yet in the deep sea, such strength seemed… common.
Perhaps because few adventurers ventured into the depths, monsters were able to develop steadily, leading to an overall higher level range.
Speaking of which, Teyvat's understanding of the ocean was not high. There might be countless unknown species living in the deep sea.
When something like a submarine eventually appeared, it would probably open a new era of ocean exploration.
After all, most chests and treasures on land had already been found, but many of the sea's treasures remained untouched.
This was fatally enticing to adventurers—Teyvat simply lacked the ability for large-scale deep-sea expeditions for now.
After checking the details of this relatively weak monster, Nolan shifted his gaze toward the brightest, largest red light on the "star map."
If something as small as that other dot was level 68… then this massive red dot rapidly approaching—just how strong would it be?
Nolan looked over with a spark of interest:
[Level: 102]
[Ancient God · Beisht: Wife of the "Vortex God" Osial, also a special lifeform born of the Hydro Element. Compared to Osial's nine heads, she has only three and is slightly weaker, yet still wields tremendous Hydro-Elemental "Authority." She has sensed the presence of her husband, the Vortex God, and is rushing toward this sea region, attempting to rescue her sealed mate.]
Oh? So this was Osial's wife.
Nolan raised a brow. Had opening the seal allowed Osial's aura to leak, letting her sense it?
The seal of the Vortex God was located on the first layer. When he first opened it, it was indeed possible that traces of Osial's aura escaped.
As Osial's wife, she would certainly be extremely familiar with his aura, so her coming wasn't strange at all.
Of course, this was only his guess. It was also possible that Osial deliberately leaked his aura to summon his wife for rescue.
On the star map, the bright red dot representing Beisht streaked toward them like a scarlet meteor. Other red lights scattered in panic.
Some were too slow—instantly vanishing from the star map, likely devoured or destroyed by Beisht in passing.
Seeing that Beidou and the others had already caught plenty of deep-sea fish and shrimp, Nolan felt it was about time to leave.
Through the "Waymark," he informed them that Beisht was approaching and told them to regroup near him to avoid being attacked.
When Beisht arrived, he could just send her off to reunite with Osial, rather than letting her wander the seas and endanger passing ships.
Hearing his reminder, Beidou and the others quickly returned to his side.
Yanfei was startled.
"So that ancient God Osial actually has a wife still roaming outside? I thought the Geo Archon had already sealed every dangerous Ancient God!"
She'd heard from her father that Liyue had no Ancient Gods left who posed threats to humanity—most were sealed by the Geo Archon, while others fled elsewhere out of fear.
Could this 'wife of the Vortex God' be one of the escapees?
"A powerful aura really is heading our way!"
Beidou stared grimly into the distance.
After Nolan's warning, she focused more carefully and indeed sensed a rapidly approaching power, one extraordinarily similar to Osial's.
"Hehe, relax! With Nolan here, a mere Ancient God is no problem at all!"
Xiangling clung to Nolan's arm, full of security. Even knowing an Ancient God was approaching, she felt no fear.
Guoba voiced agreement with two cheerful squeaks.
"That's true."
Yanfei glanced at Nolan. Any budding worry vanished instantly—she had just watched him casually knock out an entire group of Ancient Gods.
Never mind something that was merely Osial's wife.
Beidou had just nodded slightly when a massive shadow appeared before them—three serpentlike heads swaying.
"It's here at last," Nolan said.
A shape similar to Osial's emerged from the darkness, its Hydro-Elemental body merging subtly with the surrounding sea, making its form difficult to discern.
"Human—tell me. Where is Osial?!"
Beisht had sensed Osial's aura resurfacing and immediately rushed here.
Last time Osial appeared, she had sensed the presence of that damned Geo Archon and didn't dare approach.
This time, she did not sense that damned Geo Archon, and afraid of missing this once-in-a-century opportunity, she rushed here at full speed!
But she was still a step too late.
Osial's aura vanished quickly. When she arrived, she found a bright area on the seafloor.
Approaching, she discovered several insignificant humans—yet these humans carried faint traces of a familiar aura.
It was Osial's aura.
These people must have seen Osial just moments ago!
"Yep, I know where he is. I'll send you two to reunite."
Nolan smiled lightly and didn't bother wasting words. His vast spiritual power burst outward, faster than light, and struck directly at Beisht's consciousness.
"Wha—"
Beisht felt all three of her heads go dark at once; before she could react, she collapsed unconscious.
She never imagined that a mere human could one-shot her.
[Defeated A Powerful Enemy, Obtained 120,452 Adventure EXP.]
The difference in strength was too huge. Beisht had no chance to resist. When facing enemies vastly weaker than himself, Nolan simply crushed them with pure spiritual force.
Unless the opponent was equal to him or far stronger, he rarely needed to use any other abilities.
Spiritual power was just too convenient—fast, clean, and perfect for dealing with weaker foes.
With a booming crash, Beisht's massive body hit the sea floor, sending waves of sand and mud everywhere.
The entire area instantly turned murky.
"As expected of Nolan—one move and an Ancient God is down."
Xiangling nodded as if everything was perfectly normal.
"What do you plan to do next?"
Yanfei exhaled in relief and looked toward him.
"I said I'd send her to reunite with Osial. Naturally, I'll keep my word."
Nolan maneuvered his Hydro-Element shield, approached Beisht's unconscious form, used a Command Seal to bind her, and stored her into the Void Star Sea.
"Heading back to the sealing grounds?" Beidou asked.
"Yes. To be quick, we'll just teleport."
Nolan reached out his free right hand to hold Yanfei's hand, then signaled Beidou with his eyes to hold onto him as well.
"You really do have luck with women, don't you…"
Beidou chuckled and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind.
Of course she could see through his little intentions.
"Ahem."
Nolan coughed awkwardly—and suddenly felt weight on his left leg.
Guoba had latched onto him too.
Alright then, front, back, left, right… completely surrounded.
Nolan couldn't help laughing inwardly as he locked onto the seal's location with spiritual power.
A moment later, they vanished.
The glowing sphere above faded away, and darkness returned to the sea.
---
Several figures appeared from the void.
Nolan once again used the Talisman to open the seal and enter the first layer of the sealed space.
Osial, still bound, stared in confusion—why had that disgusting human come back again?
Then he saw Nolan casually fling a huge shadowy figure toward him.
"Beisht?!"
Before Osial could even be shocked, Beisht's body slammed into him, knocking him flat.
"Haha—brought your wife back for you. No need to thank me.
Be a good god from now on and stop making trouble everywhere."
Laughing twice, Nolan immediately exited and re-sealed the place.
"You really looked like some major supervillain just now."
Yanfei snickered.
"Uh… yeah, maybe a little."
Nolan touched his nose. He suddenly realized his tone was a bit too smug.
With someone like Osial, who he knew well enough, it was fine.
But if he behaved like that in the interstellar realms and accidentally spoke that way to some idle Star God disguised as a passerby… that could be a problem.
He remembered reading on the Interastral Peace Network that Aha, the Aeon of Elation, once disguised himself as a Nameless and blew up the Astral Express just for fun.
Another time, he acted as a strategist helping a rebel seize a throne—only for the rightful king's son to show up during the coronation and kill the rebel instantly.
Turns out Aha had been secretly helping both sides because watching all that effort crumble in an instant was "joyful."
A thoroughly wicked Star God.
Nolan absolutely did not want to accidentally offend someone like that and become their entertainment.
No matter how strong you are, there will always be someone stronger.
Keeping a humble mindset isn't a bad idea.
Having reflected on himself for a moment, Nolan returned to the Alcor with Beidou and the girls.
Today's mission was perfectly completed.
They anchored the Alcor near Guyun Stone Forest as dusk approached, then returned to Wanmin Restaurant.
With all the rare deep-sea ingredients they caught, Xiangling naturally insisted on cooking a feast.
But since it was the evening rush hour, the restaurant was getting crowded.
So they helped out for a while, waiting until 7–8 PM when business slowed, then started preparing their seafood banquet.
After dinner, it was already late at night.
Nolan looked at the girls and smiled:
"Now that I think about it—after fighting Ancient Gods and fishing in the deep sea all day, everyone must be tired.
How about we go soak in a hot spring and relax?"
"Hot spring? There aren't any in Liyue Harbor."
Beidou did know that Natlan's hot springs were famous—travelers said that if you visit Natlan without soaking in a hot spring, your trip doesn't count.
(End of Chapter)
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