23: Chapter 23 Unexpected Gain and the Whisper of Pearls

In the captain's cabin, the air seemed to have frozen. The truth revealed by the ship's log weighed heavily on everyone; two thorny paths lay ahead, and whichever one they chose promised an even more brutal battle.

Just as Li Mubai was about to gather everyone for a vote, Zhang Hao, who had been silently observing every corner of the room, had his attention drawn to a highly concealed hidden compartment beneath the navigation table. It was covered in thick dust that blended almost perfectly with the floor, but his [Logical Connection] Talent allowed him to notice a faint energy fluctuation, completely different from the undead resentment, as well as a nearly worn-down wooden texture that required a specific pressing sequence.

"Wait." Zhang Hao squatted down, brushing away the dust with his fingers, carefully identifying the nearly invisible texture. "Silver Star, assist in calculating the pressing sequence and simulate the internal spring structure."

"Analyzing... Structural model established... Recommended pressing sequence: top left, bottom right, center-left..." Data flowed in [Silver Star]'s eyes, and it quickly provided the answer.

Zhang Hao followed the sequence calculated by Silver Star, carefully pressing on the textured area.

"Click."

With a slight mechanical sound, the compartment popped open, revealing a small treasure chest carved from dark sea-sinking wood and inlaid with seashells. The chest had no lock, yet it exuded an aura of tranquility and sorrow.

Everyone's gaze was drawn over.

Zhang Hao took a deep breath and gently opened the treasure chest.

In an instant, a soft, pure blue light filled the entire captain's cabin, dispelling some of the chill and decay. The chest was lined with dark blue velvet, and in the center, a flawless pearl the size of a pigeon egg lay quietly. It emitted a hazy halo, and inside, blue seawater seemed to be flowing slowly, breathtakingly beautiful.

[Obtained Key Item: heart of the ocean (Mermaid's Tear)]

[Basic Mission: Find the Mermaid's Tear, Completed.]

A mission completion prompt popped up instantly in the team channel!

Everyone was stunned, and then an uncontrollable ecstasy erupted!

"Completed?! Just like that... completed?" Sun Yu rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

"Great! We don't have to go down there and risk our lives!" Qian Xiaomin was so happy she almost jumped up.

Even the steady Li Mubai and the cold Bing Li wore expressions of relief. Zhao Hu punched his palm heavily, and Zheng Gang slumped to the ground, exhaling a long breath. This meant they had at least secured the basic success of their upgrade mission and could choose to return at any time!

However, Zhang Hao stared at the "heart of the ocean," his brows slightly furrowed. The mission was completed too easily, which actually made him feel uneasy. Why was this pearl here? Did the captain hide it secretly? For what? Moreover, the hidden mission was not yet completed; that imprisoned, suffering Little Mermaid...

A sudden thought crossed his mind. He reached out, not touching the pearl, but slowly and tentatively infusing his own [Dream Power] into the mysterious "heart of the ocean."

"Zhang Hao, what are you doing?" Lin Wan asked in surprise.

The moment the Dream Power touched the pearl, a change occurred!

The "heart of the ocean" suddenly erupted with a sapphire light several times stronger than before, illuminating the entire captain's cabin like an underwater palace! At the same time, a massive, sorrowful stream of consciousness, carrying endless attachment and pleading, washed over everyone's Soul like a gentle tide!

It was not language, yet it formed images in their minds more clearly than any language:

Endless deep blue seas where mermaids sang freely.

A crazed and greedy human face (the First Mate), carrying a book of black magic.

She was caught in a net, dragged onto this ship, and her neck's pearl was coveted.

She hid the pearl (the image showed she used some mermaid secret technique to teleport the pearl to the captain's cabin she trusted).

She was imprisoned in the dark, damp bottom hold, with cold chains and torture day and night.

A strong, heartbeat-like plea — "Save me... free them..."

This stream of consciousness came and went quickly, the light faded, and the pearl returned to its original state. But that sorrow and plea, stemming from the depths of the Soul, were deeply imprinted in everyone's hearts.

Everyone fell silent, and the previous ecstasy vanished. They had "heard" her crying, felt her despair, and understood the reason why this pearl appeared here — it was her last hope and the entrustment of her trust.

Wang Jingjing's eyes turned red, and she whispered: "She... she sent the most important thing to the place most likely to be safe, while she herself was below..."

Chen Rui clenched his fists. He was accustomed to hiding and observing, but at this moment, that pure sorrow made it impossible for him to remain calm.

Li Mubai looked around at his team members. In their eyes, he saw the same thing — reluctance, and a sense of responsibility ignited by that trust.

"Everyone," Li Mubai's voice was steady and firm, "The basic mission is complete, and we can choose to return safely. But, are you willing?"

Answering him were the firm eyes of the group and their silent headshakes.

Zhang Hao carefully picked up the "heart of the ocean," feeling the invisible connection between it and the faint life force in the lower deck. He raised his head, his eyes flashing with calm and analytical light, but his tone carried unquestionable determination:

"This is not the end of the mission. Now, this is our true [Upgrade Mission] — go to the bottom of the ship, free her, and end this undead nightmare."

The accidentally obtained pearl was not a shortcut, but gave this adventure a deeper meaning. Holding the "heart of the ocean," the ten members of the [Dream Society], carrying a heavy entrustment, once again set their direction firmly — towards the deepest, darkest part of the ghost ship, moving forward.