They recalled the perilous scene from just moments ago.
Indeed.
If that person had truly rushed near their boat and self-detonated.
The three fragile support players among them would likely have been wiped out instantly.
"So."
Lin Ji took a step forward, his aura unleashed without reservation.
"It’s not that I need you."
"Rather, it’s you who need my protection."
He patted Gu Yihan beside him.
"Beauty Gu Yihan, D-grade talent [Light Body], paired with the Red Weapon [Storm Hunter Bow]."
"Can take a head from a thousand meters away."
Gu Yihan cooperatively twirled her bow with a flourish, her gaze proud and aloof.
Lin Ji then raised his right hand.
The [Frostglove] emitting a chilling cold gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight.
"And me."
"Although my talent is support-type."
"I hold the second Red Weapon in my hand."
Sizzle!
Lin Ji casually brushed his hand over the railing.
A thick layer of frost instantly coated the wood, radiating a bone-piercing chill.
"Hiss..."
The three women opposite collectively drew a sharp breath.
Two Red Weapons!
And both combat-type!
This firepower setup was so luxurious it was almost despair-inducing!
Keep in mind, most survivors right now didn’t even have a decent iron hook.
Yet they were already armed to the teeth!
The light in Shen Manyun’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.
She was a smart person.
She knew how crucial it was to latch onto a powerful ally at a time like this.
And Lin Ji was undoubtedly the most formidable one in these waters!
"Then..."
Shen Manyun took a deep breath, her tone becoming even more respectful.
"Captain Lin Ji, may I ask what your talent is..."
She was very curious.
What kind of heaven-defying talent had this man, who could command these two proud campus beauties and acquire so much Divine Equipment, awakened?
Could it be S-grade?
Everyone’s gaze focused on Lin Ji.
Even Gu Yihan and Su Qingyue were somewhat curious.
Although they knew Lin Ji could evolve talents, what his original talent actually was had always been a mystery.
Lin Ji smiled.
"My talent?"
"It’s simple."
"Intelligence."
"I can see things you cannot."
As he spoke, he turned sideways, casually adjusting the sailboat’s angle.
The scene beneath the rain shelter was instantly exposed to everyone’s view.
That was...
A mountain of supplies!
Crates of mineral water, self-heating hot pots, bread, engineer shovels...
There were even several metal sheets and plastic boards that looked very high-end.
Although not much compared to later stages, at this point when everyone was struggling for a sip of water.
This was immense wealth!
"My goodness..."
Tang Ling’s eyes went wide.
As an Artisan, she recognized those materials at a glance.
"Is that... High-Density Alloy Plate? And Polymer Plastic?"
"How is this possible? How could such high-level materials spawn in the current sea zones?"
She lacked materials even to make a screwdriver, yet he already had a pile of high-grade goods!
Shen Manyun also swallowed hard.
Looking at that food, her stomach let out an involuntary growl.
Although they had some supplies too, they had nearly exhausted them during their journey and escape.
As for Bai Taotao, her eyes shone brightly, fixed on that box of chocolate, practically drooling.
"Follow me, and you’ll eat well."
Lin Ji casually tossed out the final bait.
"Not only safe, but also well-fed."
At that moment.
The psychological defenses of the three women completely crumbled.
There was a strong ally to rely on, a sense of security, and supplies to obtain.
What was there to hesitate about?
Shen Manyun and Tang Ling exchanged glances, both seeing determination in each other’s eyes.
"Alright!"
Shen Manyun turned around and bowed solemnly to Lin Ji.
"Captain Lin Ji, we agree to let you be our captain and lead us."
"From now on, please take good care of us!"
Even the proud Tang Ling awkwardly lowered her head at this moment.
"Well... as long as you give me materials, I’m not completely unwilling to help you work."
Looking at these three women who had finally bowed their heads.
Gu Yihan and Su Qingyue both breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a hint of smug satisfaction.
It seemed their judgment was still good—they had secured a strong ally early on.
And just now, Lin Ji’s demeanor during the negotiation was really impressive, securing more benefits for their side.
However.
Just when everyone thought it was a happy ending.
Lin Ji suddenly put away his smile.
He crossed his arms, looking down at the approaching sailboat.
His voice was cold.
"Hold on."
Shen Manyun was taken aback. "What’s wrong?"
"You agreed?"
Lin Ji interrupted her, his eyes mocking.
"But..."
"I don’t think I’ve agreed yet, have I?"
"I refuse."
These three words, uttered lightly from Lin Ji’s mouth, felt like a heavy hammer smashing into the hearts of the three women across from him.
The air seemed to freeze in that instant.
The smile on Shen Manyun’s face stiffened; her confident expression hadn’t even had time to fade before turning into a comical look of shock.
Tang Ling’s eyes widened even more, as if she couldn’t believe her ears.
Even Bai Taotao, who had been staring at the sea, looked up in surprise, blinking her big eyes with a bewildered expression.
Refuse?
He actually refused?
They were three great beauties, after all!
And three beauties with top-tier support talents at that!
Healing, crafting, Beast Taming.
This was practically the perfect logistics support team!
Any normal man faced with such temptation would probably be overjoyed and lose his bearings.
But Lin Ji...
He refused so decisively?
"You... what did you say?"
Tang Ling was the first to react. Her face flushed with anger, and her hand trembled as she pointed at Lin Ji.
"You refuse? On what grounds do you refuse!"
"All three of us are willing to lower ourselves to team up with you, and you’re still not happy about it?"
"Have you lost your mind?"
Lin Ji glanced at her coldly.
"The ones who’ve lost their minds are you."
"I said, my ship doesn’t carry freeloaders."
"Although your talents are indeed somewhat useful, but..."
He paused, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"More people may mean greater strength."
"But it also means chaos, means unpredictability."
"I don’t want to have to stay on guard while sleeping, worrying about whether a so-called teammate might stab me in the back."
"Especially certain..."
Lin Ji’s gaze meaningfully swept over the Mechanical Crossbow in Tang Ling’s hand.
"Hot-tempered young ladies who are also armed."
"You!"
Tang Ling was furious. She was about to raise her crossbow to retaliate but was firmly restrained by Shen Manyun.
Shen Manyun took a deep breath, suppressing the shock and confusion in her heart.
She looked at Lin Ji, trying to make one last effort.
"Classmate Lin Ji, I think you’ve misunderstood."
"Since we’ve chosen to form a team, we will naturally abide by the team’s rules."
"Moreover, this is clearly a win-win cooperation!"
"You have combat strength, we have logistical support."
"As long as we join forces, we’ll have the means to survive in these waters!"
"Why refuse?"
She truly couldn’t understand.
Why would Lin Ji reject something that offered so many benefits and no drawbacks?
Could he really be a lone wolf by nature?
Lin Ji offered no explanation.
He simply waved his hand, as if shooing away a fly.
"Not interested."
"Alright, it’s almost dark, we need to rest."
"Ladies, please head back."
With that, he turned around, wrapped his arm around Gu Yihan’s waist, and led Su Qingyue away without looking back, disappearing into the shelter.
Leaving only the three women on the opposite sailboat, utterly bewildered in the wind.