Chapter 416 - 388: Thank-You Gift
To personally tame an underwater target more than a thousand times your own weight.
Based on Yan Da’s weight, that would probably be at least a hundred tons.
Even on the last Island, very few could meet this standard.
No wonder Yan Da gave up immediately.
"Second Gear is pretty good too. I heard Instructor Du say that Second Gear makes you a hero. For a simple fisherman like me who used to live by the river, becoming a hero is something I never even dared to dream of before," Yan Da said with a carefree laugh.
"Haha, Big Brother, if Mom knew we were going to be heroes, she’d be so happy." Yan San’s words made Yan Da and their second brother fall silent.
Then, Yan Da said, "The buildings here are miraculous. Maybe in the future, they’ll give us a chance to see Mom and Dad again."
Yan San shook his head. "Forget it. This place is exciting, but it’s not necessarily a good place for old folks."
As the few of them were talking, Lorne, who was in the group, approached Qin Ziwen.
"Leader, these local Fishmen are completely unruly. They’ve attacked us so many times. I’m willing to lead a team to hunt them."
"You mean, you still want to..." Qin Ziwen’s gaze fell on the figure behind him.
Behind Lorne stood a towering figure over five meters tall. It had a sharp nose, a wide face, and a powerful, shark-like build.
Ever since they arrived, he had stood silently behind Lorne, like a statue.
It was none other than Luo Hai, the Fishman Leader who had transmigrated along with the Gated Community.
Having been singled out, Luo Hai spoke up. "Leader, we all feel the same way. We’re all Fishmen. Let us teach these kin of ours who live underground what rules are."
Qin Ziwen said, "They’ve lived here for many years. Their roots run deep. Their foundations are different from yours."
Hearing this, Luo Hai’s mouth split into a grin, revealing a mouthful of serrated teeth. "Anything they can do, we can do. They’re just a bunch of losers who only dare to hide underground. Nothing to be afraid of."
"I like your confidence. In a bit, I’ll have someone send those two Dark Tide Fishmen to you. You can interrogate them for specific intel yourself."
Before long, the two Dark Tide Fishmen were sent to the Fishman Cave.
Upon entering the Fishman Cave, the two Dark Tide Fishmen were first startled, then captivated by their surroundings.
The environment here made them feel very comfortable.
Lan Tu and Lan Xie exchanged a glance. The same thought occurred to both of them simultaneously.
’This must be the holy land where we Fishmen are meant to live.’
They didn’t find it cramped at all. Compared to their narrow underground environment, this place felt incredibly spacious.
But as they descended deeper, they saw a large number of dark figures swarming toward them.
The two Fishmen subconsciously moved closer together.
Then, a trace of shock appeared in their eyes.
The figures surrounding them all appeared to be Fishmen, but not of the same clan. Moreover, these Fishmen were much larger than them.
To the Fishmen who had already settled down in the Fishman Cave, these two newcomer Dark Tide Fishmen looked rather peculiar.
Not only were they small, but their skin was also pale, giving them a novel appearance.
"Hey, are you two Fishmen too?" one of the Fishmen shouted.
Lan Tu nodded warily.
As a fellow Fishman, he could naturally understand their language.
But adhering to the principle that "the more you say, the more you might say wrong," Lan Tu remained silent.
"If you’re Fishmen too, then why are you so ugly?" a half-grown Fishman asked curiously.
Lan Tu was a little annoyed. In his entire life, this was the first time he’d ever been called ugly.
Lan Xie shot the other Fishman a disdainful look. ’Calling me ugly? You’re not much better, all dark blue and monster-like.’
Surrounded by the throng of Fishmen, they were led deeper into the water.
Before long, the surrounding Fishmen parted, and two figures, one tall and one short, approached.
Lan Xie’s gaze first fell on Lorne, then shifted to Luo Hai.
"Artisan Race?" Luo Hai asked, puzzled.
"No, Sacrificial Race," Lorne said, opening his eyes. "But the Sacrificial Race bloodline is very thin. It’s mostly Artisan Race, with probably some Hunting Race mixed in... It’s too diluted."
Hearing their conversation, both Lan Xie and Lan Tu were somewhat confused.
Seeing their confused expressions, Luo Hai laughed. "Is your bloodline so muddled that even your heritage has been lost? No wonder you’re so small."
Since they met, the pair opposite them had done nothing but throw insults, first about their "thin bloodline" and then their "small stature." Not a single kind word had been spoken.
The expressions on Lan Xie and Lan Tu’s faces gradually darkened. "What are you trying to..."
Lorne said, "But I can purify your bloodline and make you grow taller."
Lan Tu’s expression froze. He asked tentatively, "...Really?!"
Lan Xie wanted to curse Lan Tu for being spineless, but when he thought about what was being offered, he couldn’t help but fall silent. He actually had another question in his heart.
Why were these Fishmen in a human settlement?
Although they had been captured, they still held a shred of pride in their hearts.
Because Mogu, the one who captured them, was also a Fishman, they believed they hadn’t lost to humans, but to other Fishmen.
But now, seeing so many Fishmen living here, Lan Xie’s thoughts began to race, and a bold speculation couldn’t help but form in his mind.
’Could it be that these Fishmen are the true masters behind the scenes here?’
’Are the humans just puppets they’ve pushed to the forefront?’
Lorne said, "However, purifying the bloodline requires a lot of raw materials."
Lan Tu asked eagerly, "What materials?"
Lorne’s voice was like a devil’s whisper: "Your clansmen."
Lan Tu froze.
Lorne’s voice echoed in his ear. "Heh, of course, other treasures can do it too, but do you really think you’ll ever have the chance to get your hands on them?
Besides your own clansmen, is there any cheaper and more effective substitute?
Think about it carefully. Do you want to purify your own bloodline, let the glory of your ancestors bloom anew within you, and restart a pure-blooded line of the Dark Tide Fishman Race? Or will you live on, guarding the mottled, messy, dirty blood in your bodies? I think the choice isn’t difficult. Even your ancestors would support you if they knew."
"You’re a true demon," Lan Xie snarled through clenched teeth. "How many clansmen?"
"The more clansmen, the purer the bloodline. To be honest, I truly envy you, having over ten thousand brothers and sisters of the same origin and clan." Lorne sounded somewhat regretful.
Luo Hai gave his son’s back a suspicious glance. ’He wouldn’t actually be thinking about that, would he?’
...
When the convoy came to a stop, Bai Shu lifted the carriage curtain. Through the flickering firelight, he saw several tall buildings before him.
"Help me down," Bai Shu said, extending a hand. Bai Che took his father’s hand and helped him out of the carriage.
Bai Zheng followed behind them.
Although the man had been saved, his face was covered in scars from where the giant leeches had gnawed at him.
The dense wounds had nearly ruined his face. It was now wrapped in bandages, with only his eyes showing.
"Welcome!"
Qin Ziwen came out to greet them personally.
After all, the man was the leader of another Tuiyuan.
It might be different with others, but since this leader had come in person, it was proper to show him the respect he was due.
"It’s shameful to say, but we are allies and should have helped each other. Yet, we’ve faced disaster twice, and both times we were saved thanks to Lord Qin’s help. This is just a small token of my gratitude; I hope it is not too shabby." Bai Shu took out two metal Cards glowing with blue light from his robes and handed them to Qin Ziwen in front of everyone.
...
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