It meant that their seemingly useless E-grade talents could potentially evolve into S-grade, or even stronger!
In this damned world, what could be more important than becoming stronger?
Moreover, Lin Ji’s performance just now was truly bizarre.
It was as if he had activated a Full Map Hack, heading straight for this bow.
He could even predict their movements.
This was definitely not something an ordinary person could do!
"Whether it’s true or not, we have to try!"
Gu Yihan was a woman of action.
She glanced at Su Qingyue. "Qingyue, we need to stick close to him."
"If he really has a way to evolve talents, then even if we have to pay some price..."
At this point, she gritted her teeth, her eyes turning resolute.
"It’ll be worth it!"
The two exchanged a look, reaching an agreement.
Thus.
The two rafts accelerated again, chasing after Lin Ji.
"Lin Ji!"
Gu Yihan’s voice came from behind.
Carrying a hint of flattery and a trace of probing.
"Um... I have something to ask you."
Lin Ji stopped his raft and turned to look at them.
A faint, ambiguous smile played on his face.
"What? Is the campus belle still thinking about this bow?"
"It’s not about the bow."
Gu Yihan took a deep breath and brought her raft closer.
"I heard from Qingyue... you have a way to evolve talents?"
"Is it true?"
She stared intently into Lin Ji’s eyes, trying to detect even a flicker of guilt on his face.
But she was disappointed.
Lin Ji’s expression was unnervingly calm.
"What if it is? What if it isn’t?"
He replied indifferently.
"If it’s true..."
Gu Yihan’s heart began to race.
She subtly straightened her posture, showcasing her proud assets.
"I want... I want to ask you to help me evolve."
"As long as I can become stronger, I can..."
"You can what?"
Lin Ji interrupted her, his gaze sweeping over her.
There was a hint of aggression in his eyes.
It made Gu Yihan slightly uncomfortable, but she forced herself not to back down.
"I can join your team."
"And... I’ll listen to you."
"Including..."
Her voice grew softer, and a blush spread across her cheeks.
"Including some... excessive demands."
Beside her, Su Qingyue was stunned.
Was this still the proud Miss Gu?
To become stronger, she was even willing to say such things?
Lin Ji merely smiled.
He didn’t lose his composure over this tempting offer.
He raised a finger and lightly tapped the longbow in his hand.
"Evolving isn’t that simple."
"It requires consuming a large amount of resources, and... absolute loyalty."
"As you are now, you’re not qualified."
After speaking.
Without caring about the two women’s reactions, he simply sat cross-legged on his raft.
"However..."
"Since you’re so sincere, I can give you a chance."
"Follow me."
"Whether you can seize this opportunity depends on your own performance."
Lin Ji neither agreed outright nor refused.
It was like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey.
He gave them hope while maintaining his own mystique and authority.
Gu Yihan and Su Qingyue exchanged a glance.
Both saw the pleasant surprise in each other’s eyes.
There was a chance!
That was enough!
As long as they could follow him, as long as they could grow stronger.
What did a little grievance matter?
The two women no longer hesitated, quickly steering their raft to closely follow behind Lin Ji.
Afraid of losing this lifeline.
As for Lin Ji.
Looking at the flickering [Eye of Insight (B+ grade)] on the panel.
And the newly unlocked [Divine Evolution System] interface.
He paid no attention to the two fish that had taken the bait behind him.
Seeing the single remaining use of [Intelligence] on the panel, he did not hesitate in the slightest.
"Activate Intelligence Mode!"
Hum!
The familiar stream of data once again converged before his eyes.
This time, the green arrow pointed toward...
Lin Ji was taken aback.
The arrow was actually pointing in the direction behind him!
That was the sea area they had just left—the initial landing point!
[Intelligence: Near your initial landing point (500 meters southeast), a sealed Red-quality Weapon—Frostglove—is hidden!]
[Note: This weapon is exclusive to Ice-type Awakeners. It is currently in a Dormant State and requires Specific Talent Activation.]
[Remaining Time: Will be swept into the deep sea by ocean currents in 20 minutes.]
Red Quality!
Frostglove!
And it was ice-type exclusive!
A flash of insight instantly crossed Lin Ji’s mind.
He recalled a few messages he had just seen in the Chat Channel.
"Holy crap! I awakened the F-grade Spark Technique, and right next to me, I found a Flamethrower! Is this the wife the system sent me?"
"Brothers! I have the Lumberjack Talent, and I also found a Fire Axe! With one swing, the wooden planks shattered!"
"What’s going on? There’s only a pile of junk next to me..."
He hadn’t thought much about it before, but now, combined with this intelligence.
Lin Ji instantly understood the hidden mechanism of this game.
Initial benefits!
Aside from the so-called Novice Protection Period, near each person’s initial landing point.
A matching Exclusive Weapon had actually spawned for everyone!
However, these weapons were well-hidden and had a time limit.
If not discovered and obtained within a short time, they would be swept away by ocean currents and disappear completely.
That guy who got the Flamethrower was either incredibly lucky or the thing was just too conspicuous.
As for most people, like Su Qingyue earlier.
They would only focus on the obvious junk packages, thus missing the real treasure.
"So that’s how it is..."
Lin Ji glanced at the Storm Hunter Bow in his hand and touched the Crystal Ball Remnant in his pocket.
The bow belonged to Gu Yihan.
The crystal ball was prepared for himself.
And that Frostglove...
Clearly, it was prepared for Su Qingyue!
"Hah, interesting."
A playful smile curled at the corner of Lin Ji’s mouth.
The system was indirectly screening people.
Only those who were lucky, observant.
Or those like him with scouting talents could obtain this first bucket of gold at the start.
Gu Yihan possessed the [Wind Listening] talent, with astonishing observational skills, which was why she had discovered the Storm Hunter Bow.
"Let’s go!"
Lin Ji steered the raft, abruptly changing direction.
"Huh?"
Gu Yihan and Su Qingyue, following behind, were startled.
"What’s wrong? Why the sudden turn?"
Gu Yihan asked nervously.
Was there danger ahead?
"We’re going back."
Lin Ji uttered only two words, then pushed the raft to full speed, charging back in the direction they had come from.
Though the two women were utterly confused, they dared not ask further and could only struggle to keep up.
A few minutes later.
They returned to the spot where a large amount of debris was floating—the very place where Su Qingyue had been collecting trash earlier.
Lin Ji’s gaze swept across the sea surface like lightning.
The Green Arrow finally settled on an inconspicuous white foam box.
The box looked tattered, half-submerged in the water, no different from the surrounding trash.
If not for the Intelligence guiding him, Lin Ji would never have given this thing a second glance.
Earlier, because his Eye of Insight skill was only at a low level, he couldn’t identify red-tier items like this one.
At most, he could only detect up to green-tier items, which was why he hadn’t discovered the crystal ball initially—instead, it was the lucky Su Qingyue who found it.
"Over there!"
Lin Ji steered the raft closer.
He extended the iron hook in his hand, accurately snagging the foam box.
With a forceful pull.
The box was hauled onto the raft.
"What is this?"
Su Qingyue and Gu Yihan also leaned in, curiously eyeing the shabby box.
"Trash?"
Su Qingyue frowned with a hint of distaste.
She had been hooking this kind of junk here for a long time earlier and had already developed a psychological aversion to it.
Lin Ji said nothing.
He directly kicked open the lid of the box.
Crash!
Shattered foam scattered.
Revealing its true contents.
A silver-white glove with a silk-like texture lay quietly inside.