Translator: CinderTL
Whoosh!!
Countless hurricanes surged like dragons, continuously rising within sight.
The surrounding seawater transformed into dozens, even hundreds, of swirling water columns, with streaks of silver snakes flashing within, as startling as lightning.
The several mermaids who had followed wore serious expressions. Chen Feng stood on the dark, jagged reef, overlooking the storm scene in the deeper depths of the sea.
"Sir, the ocean tide is receding."
"If we enter now, the dangers are unpredictable."
Delia stood nearby, her tone grave. The residual waves of the underwater hurricanes blew past her, causing strands of ribbon to flutter up and down.
Chen Feng remained silent for a moment but ultimately chose to step forward.
He wanted to uncover the secrets of this place, including the deeper seabed that continuously produced Blue Heart Stones.
If it truly was a mineral vein, its significance would be self-evident.
Whoosh! In an instant, a massive shadow appeared behind them.
Turning around, they saw the Silver-Gray Colossus, clad in golden armor, gliding through the depths of the sea, soaring into the sky as if flying.
Swoosh!!
In the next second, the figure moved.
One man and one colossus charged off the cliff, descending continuously into the dark abyss, heading straight for the underwater hurricane.
The mermaids looked on in astonishment. Normally, even if they wanted to collect Blue Heart Stones, they could only wait nearby for the tide to bring a few.
As for venturing deeper?
In the history of the merfolk, there were those who had tried, but they either disappeared or returned severely injured, eventually succumbing to their wounds.
Splash!
Unaware of the others' thoughts, Chen Feng stood on the shoulder of the Holy Shield Colossus, watching the approaching underwater storm.
Each swirling water column was dozens of meters in size, stirring the surrounding currents into a frenzy. A powerful suction force emanated from within, accompanied by the violent sound of churning water.
Streaks of silver snakes appeared within, indistinguishable from lightning except for the absence of thunder.
Whoosh!!
Just as they reached the outer edge, nearly a kilometer away.
Small whirlpools began to form, something they hadn't been able to see from a distance.
The swirling water seemed capable of grinding any solid object to pieces.
Chen Feng kept his gaze steady, while the Holy Shield Colossus charged forward without hesitation.
Boom!!
The whirlpools shattered. The sixth-tier Holy Shield Colossus was capable of unleashing most of its power even underwater.
The two pressed onward, and Chen Feng took the opportunity to look deeper into the heart of the storm.
Swirling columns of white and blue water spun densely, obscuring much of the view.
Occasionally, a few Blue Heart Stones floated up from the whirlpools below, only to be quickly pulverized by the storm.
Faintly, Chen Feng caught a glimpse of a blue light emanating from the source below and immediately ordered the Holy Shield Colossus to dive downward.
Swoosh!!
A silver snake suddenly appeared, striking with a speed akin to lightning.
At the critical moment, golden light erupted. The golden patterns on the Holy Shield Colossus transformed into armor, protecting Chen Feng as well.
Boom!!
The powerful impact reverberated, echoing like thunder.
The surrounding water seemed to momentarily form a vacuum. Chen Feng stared solemnly at the dissipating lightning, as golden energy spread across his body, forming protective armor.
"That was a strike nearing the power of a sixth-tier Saint."
He was certain of the level of power behind that lightning strike, and this was only the outer edge.
His vigilance heightened, and he immediately amplified his senses, maintaining a mental link with the Holy Shield Colossus, directing it to move left and right.
In his focused state, the world seemed to freeze, and the flow of time appeared to slow.
One man and one colossus dived forward, but soon they had to approach two hurricane tornadoes blocking their path.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!
The sound of violent water currents emerged, and the entire world rapidly shrank, as if only the terrifying hurricane, dozens of meters in diameter and soaring into the sky, remained.
After a moment of contemplation, Chen Feng ultimately stayed in place.
The Holy Shield Colossus continued forward, its stone wings vibrating, attempting to pass through the gap between the two tornadoes.
But soon, as the distance closed, a powerful suction force erupted from within the hurricane, as if trying to pull everything in and destroy it beneath the storm.
Chen Feng's expression turned grave. Through the shared vision, he clearly sensed the Holy Shield Colossus's struggle to advance.
One meter, three meters, seven meters—the condensed, high-pressure hurricane was like dense Titanium blades, continuously breaking through defenses, seeking to tear everything apart.
Just as it seemed about to lose balance and be swept up by the hurricane, the diamond-shaped crystal beneath the crown flickered, eventually igniting the golden patterns across its entire body.
Boom!!
The stone wings vibrated again, and the golden force transformed into an impact, propelling the Holy Shield Colossus to break free from the suction force and swiftly pass through the gap between the two hurricane tornadoes.
Immediately after, the darkness brightened for an instant.
Silver serpents danced, striking the colossus.
The golden armor was scorched, a large portion of it blackened, and the radiant golden light was torn open, leaving a gaping hole. Even the sturdy, ash-gray, rock-like flesh was marked with a charred wound nearly half a meter long.
Without hesitation, the massive body suddenly dissipated into illusion.
Chen Feng stood before the two hurricanes, staring intently at the seabed beneath the tornadoes, the source of the whirlwinds and the Blue Heart Stone.
Everything returned to darkness, the sound of the violent, swirling currents incessant.
It seemed like the exploration had failed, and further progress was impossible.
However, through the shared vision and the silver serpents of lightning from earlier, he had clearly seen a glimpse of the seabed.
An enormous, human arm-like pillar of coral, at least a hundred meters tall.
Hurricanes raged across its surface, and faint blue lights flickered, continuously shattering like arm guards, releasing scattered blue ore fragments that floated upward.
"Could it really be... a divine battle?"
Chen Feng's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly recalled a legend Delia had told him when he first arrived here.
The Storm God had once clashed with the Sea God here, and the Blue Heart Stone was remnants of the latter's armor.
Previously, he had thought it was an exaggeration, but now...
"Incredible."
Speculations rose in his heart, and then he felt the surrounding suction force suddenly intensify.
With the ebb and flow of the ocean tides, Chen Feng dared not linger any longer.
Blood-patterned wings instantly appeared on his back, and with a powerful flap, they stirred the water currents, propelling him away from the area.
The radiant golden light in his mind was dimmer than usual, and Chen Feng thanked the Holy Shield Colossus for its efforts.
It was only because the Holy Shield Colossus could slowly repair its injuries and vanish into illusion at the most critical moments, allowing it to be stored within his consciousness, that he dared to let it take such risks.
As the thought flashed through his mind, the sound of swirling water currents grew distant behind him.
Occasionally, silver serpents lit up the dark, cliff-like seabed as he glided back with his wings.
On the cliff, several Mermaid warriors widened their eyes in shock and awe.
Even Delia was filled with doubt and surprise.
She knew very well that he hadn't merely lingered at the periphery but had truly ventured into the dangerous zone.
And yet, he had returned safely?
"Huh?"
Suddenly, she noticed that the Saint-level creature had disappeared.
Could he have perished here? She couldn't believe it, nor did she think Chen Feng would be so reckless.
Her mind was filled with speculation, but in the end, she watched as Chen Feng returned to the cliff.
"Lord Feng Chen, have you discovered anything?"
Her attitude was slightly more respectful than before, wisely refraining from asking about the whereabouts of the Holy Shield Colossus.
"Not much to report."
Chen Feng shook his head, concealing part of the truth.
If the legends of the divine war were true, then what he found might be a fragment of a deity's body. The implications were too significant, and he had no desire to test the limits of human nature.
"Is that so?"
Delia didn't press further, well aware of how terrifying the underwater storms beneath the cliff were.
Even the storms in the White Mist region were merely the overflow of power from this place, a result of its influence.
Both of them tacitly avoided discussing the matter further, and Chen Feng temporarily set aside his plans to continue exploring the area.
At least, for the most part, it aligned with what the Merfolk Clan had said. The Blue Heart Stones could indeed only be collected with the help of ocean tides, and even then, it was a struggle.
The quantity was limited, and it wasn't the imagined vein of ore.
However, even so, he had no intention of giving up on this place.
If the Blue Heart Stones were truly fragments of a deity's armguard, then the potential power they held if he could retrieve them in the future was beyond words.
Soon after, the group returned to the Merfolk's palace.
Chen Feng took the opportunity to expand his senses once more, carefully observing the area.
Although the effects of the Blue Heart Stones had diminished, having some was still better than nothing.
Unfortunately, the palace grounds were vast, and he didn't spot any additional Blue Heart Stones.
After some thought, he brought up the matter of their transaction.
"I am currently wanted by the Steel Kingdom."
"Moreover, most of the Merfolk are deep within the continent, where the dangers are greater. Our transaction might need to include some additional conditions."
Chen Feng spoke as he sat back on the coral seat within the palace, the surface cold to the touch.
These were objective difficulties, much like how his Steel Bones were now harder to improve.
At the same time, he suspected that the Merfolk Clan, having lived here for so long, might have accumulated and stored a certain amount of Blue Heart Stones in a place unknown to him.
"This..."
Delia's eyes flickered, feigning difficulty.
She had actually anticipated such a situation and quickly engaged in a discussion with Chen Feng.
In the end, the reward was doubled.
Additionally, she gifted Chen Feng an item.
"This conch is one of the Extraordinary Artifacts passed down within our clan. When activated, it can forcibly command some low-level marine creatures."
"Furthermore, there are rumors that it can bestow a certain blessing from the Sea God."
As Delia explained, Chen Feng looked at the conch placed before him on the crystal table.
It was about a dozen centimeters in size, with a white and yellow body, adorned with intricate dark golden patterns.
He reached out and picked it up, and in the next moment.
[You have discovered a treasure from the world of the dead—the Ocean Spiral!]
[A secondary imitation of the Sea God's Spiral, possessing a trace of its divine essence.]
[Effect 1: When activated, it can emit the song of the Merfolk, commanding low-level marine life within its range!]
[Effect 2: Grants the holder a blessing in the ocean, enhancing recovery, stamina, and defense. Long-term possession may accelerate the growth of marine creatures!]
[Drawback: Non-marine creatures who possess it for an extended period may undergo mutations, developing some marine characteristics. A special ritual is required to eliminate these effects.]
Prompt after prompt swiftly appeared, and Chen Feng was somewhat surprised by the origin and effects of this conch.
An imitation of the Sea God's Spiral, the Ocean Spiral? It actually has a connection with a deity?
As the thought flashed through his mind, he looked at the corresponding effect prompt.
Command over low-level sea creatures, receive the blessings of the ocean.
Moreover, it even accelerates the growth of marine life.
The magnitude of its effects is self-evident, and its flaws now seemed insignificant.
"Is this an Extraordinary Artifact?" Chen Feng asked, having seen quite a few before.
Whether it was Adler or Duke Charles's possessions, each had its own unique effects.
But unfortunately, they were either destroyed by him or difficult to seize.
"Yes, it was crafted by our ancestors using special materials."
"Like other Extraordinary Artifacts in the world, it also comes with a certain cost of use. However, with your nearly Saint-level abilities, it shouldn't pose much of a problem," she said with a smile.
Chen Feng remained silent for a moment.
Through the panel's prompts, he knew this gift was not ordinary and held significant value.
The reason the other party was so generous was more for the sake of their mutual transaction.
"Aren't you worried that after obtaining this treasure, I might break our agreement?" he asked.
"I trust Lord Feng Chen," she said earnestly.
Delia, having judged countless people, felt she could roughly discern the principles and character of the black-haired young man before her.
After all, possessing Saint-level abilities yet still willing to negotiate so equally with their Merfolk clan was a powerful testament in itself.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Chen Feng remained silent for a while before averting his gaze.
He had indeed considered forcibly taking the Merfolk's treasures and the Blue Heart Stone.
But the other party was not evil, nor were they as cold and treacherous as the Serpentfolk. He asked himself and found it difficult to violate his principles.
"I understand."
Tucking the Ocean Spiral into his chest, he knew the other party was pleading with him to rescue as many other Mermaids as possible.
Without making any further promises, he then stood up, intending to leave.
"I'll see you off."
The tension in Delia's heart dissipated, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
As they parted, a giant sea turtle carried Chen Feng upward, surfacing.
The sound of the waves wasn't too loud, but several sailors on the opposite mast ship looked over cautiously, drawn by the commotion.
At the same time, Tulin, who had been sitting cross-legged on the deck with his eyes closed, visualizing water elements, opened his eyes and saw the movement.
"Master Feng Chen!!"
The crowd shouted excitedly, and Chen Feng nodded in farewell to Delia and the others, leaving the sea turtle and stepping onto the mast ship, walking on the water.
"Where's Lei Long?"
"Lord Lei Long hasn't returned yet."
Nodding, Chen Feng shared Gata's vision through the Soul Flame, seeing the situation within the White Mist.
Without further questions, after some instructions and communication, the double-masted sailboat set off again, charging into the White Mist.
Delia, accompanied by several Merfolk warriors, watched as he left. Some looked expectant, while others showed complex emotions.
Their Merfolk clan had indeed fallen on hard times.
Even their lost clansmen had to rely on a human to help find them.
"Elder Delia, what about the Sharkfolk Clan..."
"Politely decline. Lord Feng Chen is more trustworthy than them."
Delia's eyes were deep as she made her decision.
The other Merfolk warriors remained silent for a moment before finally nodding without further objection.
Then, amidst the sound of splashing water as they submerged.
They disappeared, and the distant double-masted sailboat once again entered the White Mist.
Stormy water columns rose to the sky, with hurricane-like whirlwinds, lightning, and thunder.
White mist poured down like a torrential rain, drenching everyone's hair and leaving their clothes soaked with droplets.
The terrifying scene had been witnessed countless times, yet the crowd had no room for other emotions as they all turned their gaze toward the blurred figure at the center of the stormy water column.
It felt somewhat familiar. He was actually standing within the stormy water column, as if having undergone some kind of baptism.
Seeing this, Chen Feng's expression softened.
He knew that he had finally gained a loyal fourth-tier subordinate in the Dead Crow Secret Realm.
(End of the Chapter)
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