Chapter 980: Chapter 487: Abyssal Stream (Part 2)
Later, since [Teeth Hunting] was gradually developed in the ocean environment, he tried walking on water and releasing battle skills underwater to simulate the effect of space. It was remarkably effective, slightly overcoming his psychological resistance to underwater combat.
Even so, he only dared to fight enemies in shallow seas where the ocean floor was visible.
Meanwhile, the experience of fighting underwater made Xia Nan increasingly aware of his own shortcomings.
On one hand, it was endurance. The viscous sea water felt like a swamp around his body moving rapidly, causing his energy consumption rate to exceed that on land. Even with a decent 8 Constitution Attribute, it was entirely insufficient. After about ten dashes in the water with [Teeth Hunting], he could clearly feel his muscles aching and fatigued.
On the other hand, the key limiting him from prolonged underwater combat was naturally oxygen.
Xia Nan was a pure-blooded regular human, with maybe just slightly better physical fitness, but without gills on the sides of his neck, he couldn’t breathe underwater like Sea Elf hybrids or Fishmen.
Many times, even when his stamina was relatively ample, because of oxygen limitations, he had to abandon the enemy within reach temporarily and use [Teeth Hunting] to dash up to the surface like a dolphin to breathe.
Now, the additive effects of [Abyssal Stream] in underwater environments, such as "movement speed", "energy consumption", and "underwater breathing", perfectly complemented the few shortfalls he urgently needed to improve while adventuring in the Southern Islands.
Though not fully adapted, it wasn’t as embarrassing as before, allowing him to face enemies using the ocean as the main battlefield more calmly.
As for the final [Bloodthirsty Instinct], like a shark that can smell a trace of blood in the sea, Xia Nan, with his already outstanding Perception Attribute, feared that when wearing this equipment in underwater combat, he could capture every move of an injured enemy like using a three-dimensional radar, just by relying on his Perception Attribute.
Altogether nine special effects.
Xia Nan even thought that viewing the Quality Level of [Abyssal Stream] as purple (Rare) seemed just fine.
But upon carefully examining the attribute panel, Xia Nan realized why this set of equipment, despite having such excellent attributes, still hadn’t achieved a higher grade.
[Abyssal Stream] isn’t just a single piece of equipment; it’s a set formed by blue-quality inner lining and outer armor.
One must admit that this will somewhat affect the wearer’s combat power ceiling.
If the equipment holder already possesses another piece of enchanted inner-lining equipment, they would have to choose between the two pieces of armor—forcefully wearing both could severely affect the wearer’s body flexibility, potentially having negative effects.
Of course, for Xia Nan, who has an exaggerated armor explosion rate and for whom upper body equipment is almost used up as soon as it’s worn, with no other enchanted armor, this is something he doesn’t need to consider.
What truly limits the grade of [Abyssal Stream] is this equipment’s strict environmental requirements.
It was almost entirely made for underwater combat, with nearly half of the nine special effects only activating in water, and placed on land, it fearfully becomes just an ordinary piece of green equipment with excellent defensive capabilities.
But...at least it’s a piece of Rare Quality equipment, and Xia Nan thought, no matter how aggressive he might be in combat, it shouldn’t damage too quickly.
After all, he already acquired a space storage tool, [White Pot], so after leaving the Southern Islands in the future, if there’s more suitable armor, he could keep [Abyssal Stream] in the watch space, using it as a backup armor and, on the other hand, for when needed in water, as a secret weapon.
Of course, that’s something he would need to consider later.
At least for now, in Suo Yu Bay, throughout the Southern Islands, the attribute effects of [Abyssal Stream] place it not far behind those ordinary Rare Quality equipment.
Entering the fitting room of the tailor shop, Xia Nan took off his shirt and changed into the full set of [Abyssal Stream] equipment.
Looking at the mirror image of his slender figure in the full-length mirror inside the compartment, the corner of his mouth couldn’t help but curl up into a smile.
This appearance, tsk tsk...
It’s not that Xia Nan is narcissistic, well, maybe just a tiny bit.
But mainly because the effect of [Abyssal Stream] on his body is too fantastic!
At the onset of its creation, Celeane very carefully and fully measured Xia Nan’s body data. Celeane’s slightly obsessive-compulsive perfectionist nature perhaps made the equipment creation seem too slow, or even tedious, but the finished product is undoubtedly perfect.
The steel-gray sharkskin inner lining was like professional garments worn by athletes in past lives, fitting but not tight, as if a thin film had been applied to the skin’s surface with no trace of bulkiness.
At the same time, it perfectly highlighted the perfectly honed and nearly flawless body lines Xia Nan had refined after countless training sessions, and you could clearly see the powerful muscles contouring underneath the inner lining.
The outer armor matched the inner lining in style, harmoniously blending, with a streamlined exterior made of blue-gray metal and white bones. Even though it covered more area and was heavier than previous plate-chain composite armor, the cleverly adjusted weight distribution tailored to Xia Nan’s unique physique made it unexpectedly feel lightweight when worn.
Additionally, it’s unknown if Celeane paid particular attention to Xia Nan’s equipment by accident or deliberately.
The outer armor of [Abyssal Stream], made from fish bones and special metals, looked particularly in harmony with the [Bone Binding Iron Leg] leg armor Xia Nan was wearing.
Like a complete set of equipment from top to bottom.
"Fit perfectly!"
Xia Nan was more than satisfied with the first piece of blue-quality armor he obtained since his transmigration.
There’s no need to say more about the attributes; even its appearance matched his aesthetics perfectly, understated yet not cheap.
Wearing this outfit out, he wouldn’t attract too much attention, nor would anyone underestimate him.
Even among ordinary people completely ignorant of extraordinary powers, upon seeing his equipment, they’d instinctively think, "This is an elite adventurer."
And adventurers with a bit of professional know-how could discern the value of his armor.
"How do you like it, satisfied?"
Seeing Xia Nan emerge from the fitting room wearing the armor, Celeane, with a demeanor more like a statement than a question, confidently inquired.
"It’s fantastic." Xia Nan didn’t hold back his praise.
Having meticulously crafted equipment earn the purchaser’s approval would never feel stale, even to those legendary Forging Masters who enjoyed a lifetime of praise.
Having almost fully utilized the materials Xia Nan entrusted him with, meticulous down to the styling, striving to align with his aesthetics.
Hearing Xia Nan’s response, the smile on the Half Elf’s face grew even more radiant, causing even the small gills on both sides of his neck to quiver slightly.
"By the way," he extended his slender fingers and pointed airily at the vortex-like pattern on Xia Nan’s chest of the armor, "The fish bladder of the Shark Beast is embedded in there, serving as the core connecting the outer armor and inner lining."
"I’m just mentioning it so you know its location."
"You don’t have to pay much attention to it during normal combat, after all, that piece of metal is already the thickest and toughest part of the armor. If even the fish bladder inside is destroyed, there’s no point worrying about the rest."
Upon hearing this, Xia Nan couldn’t help but touch the whirlpool pattern on his chest armor, feeling the cool sensation against his fingertips, nodding slightly to indicate he understood.
Yet his gaze flickered, as though reminding him of the numerous armors he had ruined in these two years.
Suddenly noticing the look before him, he raised his head, seeing the tailor shop owner, the Half Elf named Celeane, standing behind the counter with an enigmatic expression directed towards him.
"Ahem." Seeing Xia Nan missed his hint, Celeane deliberately cleared his throat a few times before opening his mouth again.
"You see...about the balance payment for this equipment..."
