Strong light could repel the parasites active within the Rock Island Crab, preventing disaster.
According to Bruna, the white light at the bottom of the lake comes from a type of luminous algae. However, to keep the algae glowing continuously, they needed to be supplied with energy… specifically, the kind of crystal that Law dug out from the Siren's corpse.
In simple terms, the energy the algae required was life force. Although Law hadn't tried using Nen as an energy source, it was likely that Nen could also power the algae's glow.
A Life Crystal the size of a fist, like the one Law had given Bruna, could keep the algae at the bottom of the lake glowing for fifteen days, providing protective effects.
There were four similar safe zones like the Buru Tribe's settlement within the Rock Island Crab, each inhabited by different magical beast races.
The prey swallowed by the Rock Island Crab would roll down into its body through four esophaguses.
Law and the others were lucky to have landed in the area where the Buru Tribe resided. The other three magical beast races weren't as friendly as the Buru Tribe. If they encountered Law's group outside, they wouldn't even bother talking and they'd likely attack on sight.
It was worth noting that the four safe zones were far apart. The parasites only emerged when the Rock Island Crab was feeding, so the dark areas outside were relatively safe when the crab wasn't eating.
However, the Rock Island Crab's feeding times were irregular. Therefore, traveling long distances through the dark areas still required immense courage and luck. This was also why the magical beast races in the four settlements didn't rashly invade each other.
Otherwise, given the Buru Tribe's absolute weakness, their settlement would have long been conquered by the other three magical beast races, even turned into a colony for farming, with regular raids to plunder crystals.
Law had given Bruna one crystal, causing the entire Tribe to radiate beautiful colorful light and become ecstatic. When Law took out the remaining Life Crystals, the Buru Tribe was nearly overwhelmed with joy.
Their combat ability was extremely weak, unlike the other three magical beast races, who could confront the parasites. If they wanted to obtain Life Crystals, it mainly relied on one word: sneak.
Unable to fight meant unable to compete. They could only rely on picking up leftovers. This is the difficult survival strategy of the Buru Tribe within the Rock Island Crab's body.
In fact, both the parasites and the four magical beast races in the safe zones are merely striving to survive. Their residence within the Rock Island Crab's body is a form of seeking shelter, allowing them to escape the extremely cruel seas and land.
Predators and prey continue to evolve within the vast ecosystem, all for the sake of ensuring the better continuation of their races.
Every magical beast race aspires to become a top-tier creature like the Rock Island Crab, positioned at the pyramid's peak… never becoming the hunted prey but always being the hunter.
However, such is their innate nature. From the moment of their birth, they must strive to survive.
Not to mention the Dark Continent, where hunting scenes unfold incessantly, even the seas and skies are stages for survival struggles.
To hunt or to be hunted?
In any place far removed from the Six Continents, the cruel essence of existence is vividly displayed everywhere.
The Buru Tribe is inherently frail and lacking in combat ability, arguably at the very bottom of the Dark Continent's ecosystem. Yet, they have tenaciously survived, solely because they have found the right path to survival.
Countless years ago, the ancient humans and magical beasts who left the Dark Continent were also seeking a path to survival.
Thus, they fearlessly ventured into the vast, seemingly endless ocean ahead, traversing numerous dangers and obstacles, and eventually arrived at the Six Continents of Lake Mobius.
The same applies to the Chimera Ant Queen that drifted onto the Six Continents.
To express their gratitude, the Buru Tribe hosted a feast for Law and the others. The food served was unprocessed fish, sourced from the lake beneath the island.
In the shimmering white light of the lake, various peculiar fish could be seen swimming freely, along with shellfish hiding by the rocks… these are the primary food sources for the Buru Tribe.
The Buru and humans are not significantly different in size, so when Law and the others arrived at the shell dwelling area, they did not feel out of place.
At the very least, the chairs and tables crafted from shells by the Buru were quite comfortable to use.
They enjoyed slices of raw fish while engaging in lively conversations with the Buru, though communication was troublesome, as it required being attached to many tentacles.
They obtained a great deal of useful information from the Buru, giving them a more direct understanding of the Rock Island Crab. However, Law and the others were more concerned about finding a way to leave the Rock Island Crab.
Law held a pink, arc-shaped shell with several thumb-sized green algae on it, known as water algae. On the table was a small shell specifically used to hold fragments.
These fragments came from life crystals. Just a tiny amount fed to the water algae could instantly transform into a bowl of pure freshwater.
Law quietly channeled a small amount of Aura and fed it to the water algae. As he had speculated, the water algae absorbed the Nen and successfully produced pure water.
From this, it seemed that the luminous algae growing at the bottom of the lake could also emit light by absorbing Aura.
Regardless of the practicality of the luminous algae, the green water algae were highly practical. Carrying some of them would completely eliminate concerns about water sources.
Law inconspicuously drank the pure water transformed by the water algae in the shell, 'Perhaps Aura could serve as an energy source for many peculiar creatures in the Dark World to convert functions.'
He temporarily set aside his speculation and turned to Bruna, who was at the same table. After roughly understanding the current situation of their location, he asked the question he cared about most.
"Bruna, do you know of a way to leave the Rock Island Crab?"
Bruna blinked but did not answer. Instead, she looked toward the eldest tribe chief.
This question was clearly beyond her ability to answer, as she had only recently reached adulthood.
The tribe chief took over the question and replied, "Since our tribe arrived within the Rock Island Crab, we have never left. So, we are not sure of the method to leave. However…"
At this point, the green light among the seven-colored light on the chief's body deepened.
Green represents fear.
Biscuit and Tonpa were also connected to the chief's communication tentacles and were eagerly anticipating his answer. Seeing him pause midway, they felt exasperated.
"However, what?" Law urged when the chief did not continue.
The chief's body rippled, akin to a human taking a deep breath to calm themselves. After a moment, he said solemnly, "The ruler of the parasites seems to know the method to leave. Moreover, while the Rock Island Crab usually moves on the seabed, it occasionally climbs onto land to rest for a period of time."
Hearing the chief's answer, Law and Biscuit briefly exchanged glances.
'Land?'
If the land it climbs onto is the Dark Continent, that would be the best outcome. After all, the Lawlie had been destroyed. Even if they found a way to leave the Rock Island Crab's body, they would still be at a loss facing the vast ocean.