Chapter 797 - 157: Human Head Grass
"When navigating the sea, there are only three things you need to pay attention to: what’s above the sky, what’s on the sea, and what’s beneath the sea. - Nautical Journal (Jian Beifang)"
Besides ships, there are other possibilities on the surface of Water Planet’s ocean.
For example, like the lamp bulb seaweed encountered before, and the sunken sea wood that can grow from the seabed to above the sea surface.
Or... some strangely shaped statues.
The "Gray Sparrow" collided with these statues and was forced to stop abruptly.
Fortunately, thanks to Han Zhan’s captain talent bonus, the thick hull didn’t smash a hole.
What’s unexpected is that these strangely shaped statues showed no signs of damage either.
These statues, twisted and bizarre in shape, stand tall above the sea, each almost seven or eight meters high.
Their surface color is tinged with yellow amidst the white, seemingly eroded and washed by the waves, with more or less damage appearing on the lower parts.
"These are..."
"Angels?"
Looking at the wings extending from their backs, Han Zhan, who had come to the deck, remarked in surprise.
"More precisely, they are salted angels," at this moment, Shang Siteng, who also came to the deck, added.
She found records of these statues from the compiled nautical journal.
"They are natural salt formations of Water Planet, ’carved’ into angel-like appearances by the erosion of waves."
"In fact, they are made of yellow-white sea salt crystals."
The other Contracted Spirit Girls listened wide-eyed, looking at these lifelike angel statues, finding it hard to imagine they were crafted by the sea waves.
"Isn’t this amazing?"
"There’s something even more amazing." In Shang Siteng’s mind, the information about "Salted Angels" and its related contexts were instantly filtered out.
"Around the salted angels, some black iron boxes mysteriously appear."
"No one knows where they come from or how they appear, they’re found at the feet of ’Salted Angels,’ near those salt heaps."
"Even the most turbulent of waves cannot wash them away."
It seemed to verify Shang Siteng’s words.
When everyone’s gaze fell at the feet of the salted angels, they did discover some inconspicuous black spots.
These black iron boxes, either half-buried in the salt heaps or lying spread out atop, were waiting for their discoverers.
"What’s inside the black iron boxes?" Han Zhan looked at Shang Siteng and asked.
The latter shook her head.
"Jian Beifang’s nautical journal doesn’t mention it."
"Whether it’s overlooked or simply not mentioned, no one knows."
"Should we try to open them and see?"
The last sentence was directed at Han Zhan.
Just like the teasing in the restaurant earlier, Han Zhan’s captain talent, with a 99% probability boost for special events, always brought them many unique experiences.
After thinking for a moment, Han Zhan nodded slightly.
He was indeed curious about what might be inside these seemingly worn-out iron boxes.
But before that, he decided to anchor the "Gray Sparrow" close to the salted angels.
The "Gray Sparrow" can completely dispel evil curses. Within its aura range, any evil curse from the deep sea would have nowhere to hide.
This was why Han Zhan dared to make such a decision.
The ship ladder was released from the "Gray Sparrow," and half of the people stayed on board, while Han Zhan, Feng Xiaozao, Shang Siteng, and Xia Youwei climbed the salt heap via the ladder.
Stepping on the salt heap, the feedback from the soles felt just like stepping on a beach.
Han Zhan bent down, picked up a handful, and spread it out in his palm. The composition of the salt heap was just like those tiny white granules in his hand.
Judging by the color and shape, it resembled salt, and likely was.
With this thought, Han Zhan took a few more steps forward to a black iron box.
He signaled Xiao Zao and the others with his eyes, then, alone, approached the black iron box and forcefully flipped it open.
With a clang.
The opening of the iron box lid made a slightly dull crashing sound.
A burst of the ocean’s salty, moist scent hit him.
Soon, one face after another faced him, swaying gently with the sea breeze.
This bizarre and startling scene created a significant visual impact, tightening Han Zhan’s heart.
He resisted the urge to kick over the iron box and calmed himself down.
These faces were tiny, only the size of bean sprouts. No, wait, these "faces" seemed fake?
Recomposing, Han Zhan examined these "faces" again cautiously.
He realized these "faces" merely resembled human facial patterns.
Because they were so abstract, combined with the sudden appearance upon opening the iron box, it only seemed terrifying.
"I think I know their name!" At this moment, Xia Youwei, standing aside, exclaimed with a slap on her forehead.
Though not detailed in the nautical journal, there was another book, the recipe book Xia Youwei found in the kitchen.
From the recipe, Xia Youwei remembered the description about them.
"Their name is Human Head Grass."
"As the name implies, their sprouts look too much like human heads, hence the name."
"The growth pattern of Human Head Grass resembles bean sprouts, but unlike sprouting from seeds, they grow their sprouts directly from the stalk."
"Human Head Grass sprouts are round, with facial-pattern-like features similar to humans, adorned with silvery white fine hairs, looking just like heads from a distance, lifelike."
"The recipe also includes ways to consume it, either raw or cooked."
"For raw consumption, just pluck the spherical heads off the fragrant grass."
"For cooked consumption, you can grill it on an iron plate. The moment Human Head Grass is heated, its head (fruit) falls, releasing white bristles."
For some reason, upon hearing Xia Youwei’s description, Han Zhan and the other girls felt an unsettling sensation.
Looking at the Human Head Grass, their gaze grew more awkward and complicated.
"Don’t underestimate this dish," Xia Youwei noted their expressions and explained, "This is a special delicacy at sea."
"Because it can significantly increase Spiritual Value."
On Water Planet, in some particularly challenging sea areas, Spiritual Value depletes rapidly.
And most common ingredients can only modestly increase Spiritual Value.
Hence, Human Head Grass became a sought-after mental supplement for sailors.
"Is this really a case of you are what you eat?" Han Zhan remarked after hearing Xia Youwei’s words.
Imagining himself casually picking a dozen thumb-sized tiny human brains (fruits), tossing them into his mouth to chew, with burst juices and a sticky texture, the tanginess...
"If it wasn’t absolutely necessary, I really wouldn’t want to eat them!"