Translator: CinderTL
Beep! Beep! Beep!
[Biological experiment data analysis initiated!]
[Blood purification in progress: 1%... 5%...]
In an underground laboratory, sophisticated instruments whirred incessantly. A virtual display floated above, displaying real-time data, experimental progress, and warning alerts. Vial after vial of fresh blood drawn from Martial Artists flowed into the lab, where white-coated researchers worked tirelessly.
Peering inside, one could see a massive transparent glass container connected by a network of black tubes. Within it submerged a mass of crimson matter, resembling blood but unnervingly viscous, more akin to congealed flesh. Occasionally, the surface trembled with what appeared to be living movement.
"Progress seems promising?" Si Wen, a refined man with gold-rimmed glasses surrounded by security personnel, entered the lab, his gaze fixed on the glass container.
"Not yet," a slender woman standing nearby replied calmly, shaking her head.
The refined man with gold-rimmed glasses paused, then noticed a warning flashing on the holographic display:
[Warning: Insufficient blood energy. Purification halted!]
[Warning: Signs of instability detected in the Primordial Creature Blood Essence!]
[Warning:]
A stream of alerts flooded the screen, causing the man's brow to furrow deeply.
"How could this happen?" he demanded. "Miss Feng, didn't you say the serum derived from Martial Artists' blood could suppress these unstable genes?" His voice was tense, betraying his awareness of the research's critical importance.
The elegant woman in the white lab coat calmly retorted, "Secretary Liu, this is Legendary-grade bio-essence. I need substantial quantities, not these paltry drops. This is no small-scale operation."
Secretary Liu frowned, lightly adjusting his glasses. Sensing his impending protest, the woman turned to meet his gaze and stated coolly, "There's no turning back from this experiment now. Secretary Liu, hurry."
Sha!!
The sea churned violently, with flickering flames illuminating the waves. In the distance, the island continued to burn, its former splendor reduced to ashes.
"The war still rages on," the man murmured.
From high above, Chen Feng stood atop the Holy Shield Colossus, towering above the clouds as he gazed down at Hurricane Island.
He had once again entered the Dead Crow Secret Realm.
But Hurricane Island was now devoid of seagulls, and only a handful of merchant ships dotted its harbor.
The island was now occupied by warships of the Two Great Kingdoms, their cannons booming as artillery shells exploded in the sky.
Faintly, Chen Feng sensed the presence of several unfamiliar Saints, whom he suspected were High-Sequence Practitioners from the Two Great Kingdoms participating in the war.
Shaking his head, he decided not to intervene.
Soon, the Holy Shield Colossus turned toward Merman Bay.
Lei Long and the others had already arrived there, and Chen Feng could finally use the Blue Heart Stone as nourishment to fuel Steel Bones' breakthrough and advancement.
Sha!!
Ripples spread across the water, and white mist swirled.
Multimasted sailing ships bobbed near a crescent-shaped islet, rising and falling with the waves.
Figures moved about on the beach and in the island's green fields, creating a lively scene.
"Your food tastes amazing!"
"Absolutely! Especially this malt ale—it's so good!"
"Can I have some more, please? And another piece of that roasted meat?"
A drunken voice rang out, and mermaids surfaced along the island's shore. Some carried fruit baskets overflowing with vibrant red and green fruits as gifts for the gathering, while others cradled seashell cups brimming with malt wine, savoring each sip with evident satisfaction.
"Of course," Tulin replied with a grin. "We brought plenty. Help yourselves!" Nearby, sailors tended to a crackling charcoal fire, roasting meat skewers. The aroma of cooking wafted through the air, drawing more and more mermaids to the shore.
"This is delicious... hic!"
"Fanny, why is your face so red?"
"I... hic... don't know... hic..."
Some mermaids were already tipsy, while sailors raised their cups in cheerful toasts. Humans in thick cotton jackets mingled harmoniously with the merfolk, their fish tails shimmering in the sunlight. In the distance, a massive sea turtle slowly swam toward the Deep Blue Reef, its shell laden with platters of malt wine and roasted meat.
"Lord Gata," a sailor addressed the turtle with reverence.
But before he could finish, splash!
The seawater rippled as the giant reef suddenly shifted. Thick tentacles surged from the depths, writhing toward the turtle. With astonishing agility, they snatched the entire feast from the turtle's back and dragged it beneath the waves.
"Sha!!"
Within seconds, joyful cheers erupted from the seabed, and the mermaids and sailors on the beach raised their glasses in another toast.
Seeing this, a mermaid in a long yellow floral gown smiled gently, her silk ribbons fluttering in the breeze.
"With the constant warfare plaguing these waters, the Merfolk Clan naturally welcomes Mr. Lei and your group's decision to settle here," Elder Delia said warmly. "Moreover, we owe you a debt of gratitude for escorting our three kin back safely. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."
Lei Long, standing opposite her, sighed in relief and nodded slightly. The ongoing conflicts on Hurricane Island had disrupted order in the seas surrounding the Steel Kingdom and Tulip Kingdom. Pirate bands roamed freely, seizing the opportunity to plunder at will. In contrast, Merman Bay offered a rare haven of temporary refuge. Moreover, with the Merfolk Clan's assistance in providing essential supplies, they could set aside their concerns and settle here for an extended period.
"By the way, this is a token of our appreciation for Lord Feng Chen and everyone else," Delia announced. A mermaid warrior appeared beside her, carrying two coral boxes. A blue light flickered through the gap in one box's lid—the agreed-upon reward of thirty Blue Heart Stones.
As for the other box...
Click!
The lid swung open, revealing a dazzling gleam of gold and silver that illuminated Lei Long's face.
The chest was filled with gold coins and silver tableware—a substantial fortune.
"This..." Lei Long said, surprised.
"Hurricane Island is plagued by constant conflict," Delia explained. "Without Mr. Lei and your crew's protection, our three young Merfolk would have struggled to return safely. Please accept this small token of our gratitude."
Delia smiled warmly. Lei Long remained silent for a moment before finally accepting the gift. He wasn't alone on the ship; he had reliable crew members and their families to support. Whether for their daily needs or ship maintenance, they needed ample funds.
"Thank you," Lei Long said with a nod, raising his wooden bowl filled with malt ale.
They clinked bowls. Delia waved her hand, signaling the Mermaid Warriors behind her. Unable to resist the aroma of roasted meat any longer, they dispersed, leaving only the two of them near the reef.
"When do you expect Lord Feng Chen to arrive?" Delia asked curiously. Lei Long shook his head, indicating he didn't know.
Noticing her hesitation and recalling the earlier gift, he ventured, "Elder Delia, is there anything else we can assist with?"
"Alas, Mr. Lei, I won't hide it—we do face a troubling matter," Delia sighed, abandoning any pretense of diplomacy. "Two days ago, an envoy from the Sharkfolk Clan arrived from Riftsea Canyon, bearing a message."
"They seek to unite the major tribes in the surrounding seas and demand that our Merfolk Clan submit to their rule, jointly venerating the Black Shark Saint as their supreme leader."
"Negotiations have been fraught with difficulty, and I've felt increasingly uneasy lately," Delia added.
After her explanation, Lei Long roughly understood the situation.
The waters around Merman Bay had long been dominated by the Merman Tribes, hence its name. Dozens of these tribes, varying in strength and constantly at war, occupied the northern part of the bay, spreading outward from Riftsea Canyon.
In the past, the Merfolk Clan had managed to maintain its territory in the southern bay by mediating conflicts among the Merman Tribes, barely holding their own amidst the chaos.
However, in recent months, the clan's power had dwindled significantly due to the disappearance of several Elders and their chieftain. Compounding their woes, the Sharkfolk Clan had produced a new Saint, threatening to unite the northern Merman Tribes under their banner. This had plunged the Merfolk Clan into a precarious situation.
"Elder Delia, are you worried they might launch an invasion?" Lei Long asked, his expression growing grave.
He had narrowly escaped the war on Hurricane Island, thinking he had found a safe haven in this secluded place. Now, it seemed he might be drawn into another conflict after all.
"That is precisely what I fear," Delia replied.
Delia sighed and nodded, explaining why she had decided to provide supplies to the fleet. She hoped to implore Lord Feng Chen to intervene and mediate the dispute with the Merman Tribe, preventing further conflict.
"Lord Feng Chen's whereabouts are unpredictable," Lei Long said gravely, his voice low. "I can only do my best to relay this message to him."
He understood the urgency. They were dealing with a Merman Tribe led by a Saint, a force even Master Feng Chen would approach with caution.
Delia was immensely grateful for his promise to deliver the message. She pledged to command the surrounding marine life to expedite the delivery of their new supplies.
As they spoke, cooking smoke still billowed near the beach. Fresh mead was poured into wooden bowls, and Tulin and the other barbecue chefs grew increasingly familiar with the Mermaid Warriors.
The enormous sea turtle, having finished its meal with a satisfied burp, lumbered back into the sea, heading toward the Deep Blue Reef, a kilometer offshore, to deliver fresh food to the watchful sentries.
Splash!
Suddenly, the seawater rippled, as if distant waves were approaching. Tulin and the others paused in surprise, but the Merfolk Clan, with their deep understanding of the ocean's currents, reacted instantly, their eyes fixed on the horizon.
Beyond the horizon lay a region shrouded in White Mist, a natural barrier that transformed Merman Bay into an otherworldly sanctuary.
It should have been empty, yet...
The splashing continued, and within the White Mist, the vague silhouette of a colossal object slicing through the waves became visible.
"It's a fleet," Lei Long said gravely, sensing something amiss. The sea breeze carried a faint perception to him, a vague warning of impending danger.
Beside him, Delia, harnessing her connection to the ocean, detected the anomaly at once. She immediately dropped what she was holding and ordered all Mermaid Warriors to prepare for battle.
In an instant, spears were raised. Even drunken Merfolk expelled the alcohol from their bodies through sheer force of will, forcing themselves into sobriety.
Splash!!
Finally, the massive object burst forth from the White Mist.
Seven enormous multi-masted sailing ships appeared, each dozens of meters long. Black cannons lined their flanks, and pirates brandishing curved cutlasses or rifles stood on the decks.
On the lead ship, several figures exuding powerful auras were visible. One stood out, draped in a faded, dark brown admiral's coat and wearing a wide-brimmed pirate hat. Behind them, sails billowed, carrying the crimson flag of the Blood Sea, its ominous symbol dancing in the wind.
Lei Long's expression flickered briefly, and a ripple of unease spread through the crew, including Tulin.
"It's the Blood Sea Vice Admiral!"
How had this infamous pirate returned to Merman Bay?
(End of the Chapter)
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