Chapter 352, Latent Potential
Wu Heng frowned.
Goodness, so this is what you call standing up for someone?
You're just stirring the pot!
That captain named 'Babchi' was already trying to suppress his anger, ready to let it go.
But after what you said, who could keep calm?
Especially when we're talking about a bunch of aggressive pirates—of course they fought.
Now those two pirate crews probably can't cooperate anymore.
"You didn't get involved, did you?" Wu Heng continued.
"Don't worry about that. I'm staying out of both sides," Philipa replied.
Wu Heng sighed. Is that what I meant?
Still, from the sound of it, Philipa was doing quite well on her side.
She was also gradually integrating herself among the pirates.
"Why are you even thinking about sailing with pirates?"
Philipa answered, "It's to provide you with information. Once we're at sea, I can let you know our course, and you can come catch them."
So it's for me after all.
At least she hadn't forgotten her duty.
Wu Heng replied directly, "There's been some changes here on Gold-Silver Island. Don't risk collecting information for now. I'll let you know when it's safe to resume."
Philipa, her mouth full, mumbled, "Those two might fight for a while. I'm not in any rush. By the way, if I kill pirates, do I get any merit points?"
"If you kill pirates, it'll expose your identity. If you bring back their bodies, I'll reward you based on their bounty."
"Fine, not like I need the money now anyway."
Wu Heng thought for a moment, then asked again, "Anything else besides the pirate infighting?"
Philipa pondered, then said, "I looked into that blank envelope thing. They said these envelopes can show up at any time. Initially, everyone was scared, but they found out the information provided was accurate. It was always intel related to the areas near each pirate crew, and they made quite a profit."
"They all received them?"
"Most pirate crews seem to have gotten them. There's even a rumor among pirates that the Pirate King, unwilling to see them being hunted like rats, is helping everyone."
"The Pirate King?"
Outside of comics, this was Wu Heng's first time hearing that name.
So there really was a Pirate King?
"It's an old tale. The Pirate King is said to have the power to control the seas, claiming the right to rule the ocean. People in coastal regions have all heard of the story," Philipa explained.
Wu Heng kept that in mind. He'd look into the Pirate King when he got the chance.
He then asked, "Are you safe? Everything alright on your end?"
Philipa said plainly, "All good. Next time I come back, give me some more money. I'm almost out, and I want to recruit some tougher crew members."
Wu Heng reminded her, "The money I gave you last time was enough for several major convoy trips."
Philipa replied, "You don't get how expensive it is being a pirate. The ship needs repairs, the crew costs money, and there's equipment and weapons. You wouldn't want me in danger, right?"
Wu Heng relented, "Alright, next time we meet."
"Thanks," Philipa said, then her tone shifted, "How's my mother doing?"
Wu Heng said, "I just came from her tavern this morning. She's running it pretty well."
"She really opened the tavern? She's not being bullied, is she?"
"Your mother is not as weak as you think. I'll arrange some help for her soon, to ensure her safety," Wu Heng said plainly.
Both mother and daughter were collecting intel for him.
They were basically his subordinates now.
Some basic needs still had to be met.
"Thanks! Just take good care of her for me, and I'll get you the pirate intel."
"Sure. Things are busy here, so stay safe," Wu Heng reminded.
"Got it!"
"Alright, keep me posted if anything comes up."
"Will do."
Ending the call, Wu Heng walked out of the room.
Philipa seemed to be doing well. Her personality really fit the pirate life.
Wu Heng even wondered if she would have been better off as a Bard.
A few words from her could get two pirate crews to fight.
That sounded just like a Bard's ability to influence people with their words.
Leaving the room, he climbed up to the fourth floor.
...
Minnie was in the bedroom, changing the bedsheets.
Wu Heng glanced in, then went over to the alchemy lab.
A few alchemical skeletons were still busy with their work.
On the nearby shelf, there were several bottles of finished potions.
Wu Heng walked over, his eyes lighting up immediately.
[Strengthening Potion]... [High-Efficiency Potion].
Besides the common healing and spirit potions.
There were also six level-one corpse-core potions and three level-two corpse-core potions.
They were all made from cores gathered through trades or zombie kills.
Over the past few days, they had all been processed.
Wu Heng collected the potions and went straight to the study.
He placed the three level-two corpse-core potions on the desk.
This whole situation was putting some pressure on him.
Especially since he still didn't know what his enemy's objective was.
Now that the level-two corpse-core potions were ready, he could use them to boost his own stats.
With higher stats, the threat from enemies would be greatly reduced.
Having made up his mind, he opened a bottle, tilted his head back, and drank.
The sour liquid flowed into his stomach, heat spreading through his body, followed by a painful stretching of his bones and an aching of his muscles.
This pain wasn't a side effect of the virus.
It was the discomfort caused by the potion forcing his body to improve.
Even so, it was very painful.
As the pain subsided, a system notification appeared.
[Strength +3, Constitution +2]
Still a five-point increase.
Stat-wise, that was like gaining five and a half levels.
The effect was notable.
He rested in the chair, waiting for the sweat on his body to dissipate.
Then he drank the second bottle.
Again, the sensation of his bones and muscles being forcibly pulled and stretched.
He gritted his teeth, and another notification appeared.
[Strength +2, Constitution +2, Agility +1]
[Ability Unlocked: Latent Potential]
Hearing that notification, Wu Heng's eyes widened.
He finally awakened a skill.
[Latent Potential]: Temporarily enhances the body, boosting physical capabilities and reducing pain and the impact of negative effects.
Wu Heng looked at the skill description.
He frowned.
This ability... Where had he seen it before?
He recalled when he killed 'Chen Jinlong' in the zombie world. Didn't he have a similar skill?
When activated, his whole body turned red, unleashing abilities far beyond normal.
He even jumped from the fourth floor without harm and kept running away.
"I awakened the same ability?"
"Seems kind of useless for a mage, though."
As a mage, standing behind the skeletons, he probably wouldn't need it.
"Whatever, better to have it than not!"
After resting for a while, he took the third bottle and drank.
[Strength +1, Constitution +2, Agility +1]
"Only four points this time? The effect of the level-two potion is diminishing."
Based on his experience with level-one potions, after consuming a certain amount, the effects would start to decrease.
Now the level-two corpse-core potions were showing the same pattern.
...
Wu Heng opened his status panel, checking his attributes.
[Attributes: Strength 40, Agility 30, Constitution 43, Intelligence 37, Perception 24, Charisma 28]
Wow, his Strength and Constitution were now higher than his Intelligence.
He closed the panel, walked over to the mirror, and lifted his shirt.
His muscles were now more defined.
The kind of muscles full of power.
Feeling somewhat restored.
Wu Heng stood by the window and called, "Minnie, Viel, come in."
"Coming!" After some running footsteps.
Minnie and Andviel came in through the door.
"What's up, Master?" Minnie asked.
Wu Heng took out several potions, "Here are three potions each. Drink them now."
"So many!" Minnie exclaimed.
Andviel also looked surprised.
"Hmm." Wu Heng nodded.
"Thank you, Master."
Each of the two took three bottles and began drinking.
...
Outside the courtyard.
A cloaked figure holding a thin sword stood in the shadows, eyes fixed on a distant building.
Soon, a semi-transparent bird flew back from afar.
It plunged into a scroll that the figure held open.
In the next moment, an image appeared on the blank part of the scroll—a four-story building, flower beds, a pool, and arranged skeleton guards.
"Hmph! So many skeletal servants. Someone who made it to Deputy Steward isn't that simple."