Stepping out of the Mushroom House, Xiao Jin could clearly sense that the atmosphere of the hotel was different from the previous two days.
The sun was still shining brightly, and the sea breeze was still gentle, but the expressions on the players' faces lacked some of the pure relaxation and instead showed a sense of urgency that "the holiday is almost over."
After all, this is the last day. Players who are eager to enjoy themselves should try their best on the last day if they don't want to end up with nothing.
Many people were in a hurry, exchanging information with each other:
"There's a quest in the eastern jungle to collect fluorescent mushrooms. The rewards are good, but the mushrooms are poisonous, so be careful!"
Who took the hidden treasure chest at the water park's "Rapid River Ride"? I need clues to earn points!
"The pet-pacification task in the Pet Paradise is too difficult! Any experts out there who can share their experience? I'll pay a high price!"
Xiao Jin ignored the noise and walked straight to the beach.
The golden sand was soft beneath her feet, and the waves gently lapped at the shore. She hadn't come here on purpose; she was just habitually surveying her surroundings.
Just as Xiao Jin was strolling along the tide line, a sudden change occurred!
"Whoosh—!"
A tremendous, sigh-like sound of the receding tide resounded. It was as if an invisible giant hand had instantly siphoned away vast swathes of seawater!
The rocky area that was originally covered by seawater in front of Xiao Jin was being exposed at a visible speed!
Even more astonishingly, behind several huge black reefs covered with barnacles and seaweed, a deep and mysterious cave entrance, eroded by the sea, was revealed.
The entrance to the cave was covered by a flowing, pale blue light membrane, like a curtain of water, and you could vaguely see the boxes stacked inside, emitting various colors of precious light!
At the same time, all the players' watches near the beach started vibrating wildly!
[Major Random Event: The Gift of the Tides!]
[Event Description]: A mysterious sea cave has been revealed due to the receding tide, and an ancient treasure chest is hidden inside! However, the path to the treasure chest is blocked by obstacles washed away by the sea.
We hope that players will work together to overcome the challenges and obtain the generous rewards within the treasure cave!
[Reward Description]: The system will distribute points and items based on the player's contribution and the quality of the treasure chest obtained.
[Tip]: You can team up or challenge yourself solo! Tidal times are limited, so hurry!
Holy crap! A hidden map!
"Charge!!"
After a brief silence, the beach erupted in chaos. Players, like sharks smelling blood, charged toward the revealed cave entrance with bloodshot eyes.
The interior of the cave is more complex than I imagined.
The ground was slippery and rugged, covered with smooth, strange rocks polished by the sea and tough, glowing seaweed.
Embedded in the cave walls are some glowing starfish that need to be lit in a specific order to remove the energy barrier.
Deeper still, several massive boulders, each weighing several tons and covered in slippery moss, completely blocked the passage leading to the central area, the one that radiated the most dazzling light.
Ancient runestone discs that require multiple people to rotate are scattered around.
Most players opted to team up.
"Three strong guys, let's move this big rock together!"
"Is there anyone who can solve this puzzle? Come and see how to activate this starfish array?"
"Healers, be careful to keep your status active; this vapor is poisonous!"
In an instant, the cave was bustling with noise, flashing skill lights, and a mix of shouts, chants of moving boulders, and debates about solving puzzles, creating a lively and extraordinary atmosphere.
Xiao Jin stood in the shadows at the cave entrance, coldly observing the bustling "treasure hunt".
Team up? Collaborate?
For her, it was too inefficient.
Her gaze swept across the chaotic scene like the most sophisticated scanner.
Xiao Jin lightly touched the ground with her toes, leaping over the slippery moss and landing precisely on several dry protrusions. Her movements were as graceful as a ghost, ignoring the traps beneath her feet that had caused other players to tumble and fall.
Along the way, she also encountered glowing seaweed that tried to entangle her.
The tip of Xiao Jin's knife flashed with light, and the tough seaweed was instantly severed by the sharp blade, withering silently.
She didn't touch the runestone discs that required multiple people to rotate, nor did she light up the starfish array that required a specific order.
Xiao Jin's goal was extremely clear—to go straight to the deepest part of the cave, to the core area that was doubly sealed off by a giant rock and a layer of light blue water film!
If you're going to take something, then take the best.
There's no countdown for the cave treasure hunt, but based on Xiao Jin's experience, it certainly won't take too long.
Her gaze quickly settled on an inconspicuous crevice in the rock next to the boulder blocking the road.
There, half-buried in the mud and sand, a corner of its white surface, distinct from the other reefs, is warm and smooth like jade, with what appears to be indistinct patterns etched on it.
While the other players were still working together to push a boulder, sweating profusely, Xiao Jin's figure, like a cheetah blending into the shadows, darted through the chaotic area in a few leaps and appeared beside the crevice in the rock.
She crouched down, ignoring the astonished gazes of the players around her, and precisely probed the mud and sand with her fingers, prying out a palm-sized, pure white seashell covered with ancient and intricate wave runes!
The moment this seashell was unearthed, it seemed to have stirred something!
Buzz!
The pale blue water film that blocked the largest treasure chest rippled like a lake surface tossed with a pebble, then vanished silently.
Meanwhile, although the several boulders blocking the road still existed, a path made of tiny blue lights quietly appeared in the gap between the bottom of the boulders and the ground, just wide enough for one person to pass sideways!
Clearly, this is the "optimal solution"!
"Damn! Someone found the key!"
"It's that path of light! Quick! Follow her!"
Players with quick reflexes immediately wanted to rush over.
However, Xiao Jin acted even faster!
She squeezed into the narrow path of light, her figure instantly disappearing behind the boulder.
The moment Xiao Jin entered the stone passage, the gap healed instantly, leaving all the players behind her empty-handed.
"..."
"What do we do? They beat us to it."
The group of people stared at each other in disbelief.
Another player said irritably, "What else can we do but look for other treasure chests!"
——————
The core area of the cave is not large. In the center, a treasure chest about half a person's height, made of some kind of deep blue crystal, stands quietly, radiating precious light, without any other obstacles.
Without hesitation, Xiao Jin stepped forward and opened the treasure chest!
[Ding! Event reward received: 4000 points!]
[Ding! Obtained special item: [Ocean Heart Fragment (1/3)] x1! (Legendary water-type material/powerful amulet, containing the surging power of the ocean and the will of protection)]
[Ding! You have obtained a [Random High-Tier Enhancement Material Box] x1! (Guaranteed to contain enhancement items of gold quality or higher)]
A flash of light, and the reward is instantly deposited into your account!
When persistent players finally managed to move some of the boulders or solve the puzzles and rush in, they only to find Xiao Jin putting the last item into his backpack.
And behind her was the empty, dark blue crystal treasure chest, devoid of any luster.
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