Ankit's exploration of the two aquatic beasts revealed a instinct driven cultivation system. Satisfied, he waved a hand, folding space to hurl both beasts back into the distant ocean depths, unharmed but far from human shores.
His curiosity shifted. Why had these aquatic mutants grown so disproportionately strong compared to land beasts? An idea formed: origin points— where essence flow pooled densely, accelerating mutation and growth.
Oceans, covering 71% of Earth with vast untapped resources, likely hosted far more such points than land. The sheer volume of water, biomass, and unexplored vents made it a breeding ground for power.
Ankit extended his divine sense outward, a 1000 km radius sweeping the Indian Ocean near India's coast. Within minutes, he pinpointed three origin points: swirling vortices of essence.
If this density held—three in roughly 3.14 million square kilometers—what of the entire ocean? Extrapolating, the global seas (361 million km²) could hold around 345 such points, perhaps more given the ocean's richer, layered ecosystems and hydrothermal vents channeling essence from Earth's core.
Closer to home, a quick scan of India revealed two origin points on land, and three near the coastal sides.
India spanned just 3.287 million km²—barely 2% of global land (149 million km²). If densities were uniform, Earth's landmasses might conceal about 227 origin points. But oceans, with their superior resources and area, skewed the total higher—Ankit estimated 570–600 worldwide, weighted toward the seas. The implications were staggering.
He mentally connected to his Sacral clone back at the fortress. "Craft ocean-adapted puppets... Deploy them here soon for mapping and resource harvest."
Sanya tugged his sleeve, staring at the empty space where the beasts had been. "Brother, where did they go?"
Rudra tilted his head, whining softly in confusion.
Ankit smiled faintly. "Back to the sea. Want to explore the ocean yourselves?"
Sanya's eyes lit up. "Yes!"
Rudra, mimicking her enthusiasm, nodded vigorously despite not fully understanding.
Ankit adjusted the shield for underwater pressure and breathability, then plunged them downward. The platform pierced the waves smoothly, descending into the azure depths.
Schools of mutated fish darted past—some cow-sized with armored fins, others building-tall jellyfish pulsing with faint essence glows.
Normal tuna swam alongside bizarre new species: tentacled rays that hunted in packs, bioluminescent eels forming living nets.
Deeper in, tension built. A colossal shadow loomed—a mutated shark, swollen to 200 meters long, rivaling the length of two football fields or the height of a 60-story skyscraper. Its jaws could swallow a submarine whole, essence-thickened teeth gleaming like obsidian blades.
It glided past silently, oblivious to their shielded presence.
Sanya froze, face pale, gripping Ankit's arm. Rudra whimpered, pressing against his leg.
The shock lingered even after it vanished into the gloom—the raw scale of oceanic power etched in their minds.
Sanya quickly collected herself, her training kicking in to steady her breath. But Rudra was still trembling violently against Ankit's leg.
The colossal mutated shark—200 meters of essence-hardened muscle, jaws lined with serrated teeth longer than buses—had radiated pure, overwhelming bloodthirst. Even shielded, its primal killing intent had pierced Rudra's young instincts like a spear.
Ankit knelt briefly, running a calming hand along the trembling child back. "Easy, boy. It's gone."
Rudra whimpered, still shaking.
With a faint smile, Ankit glanced toward the distant fading shadow of the shark. He raised his hand in a casual grabbing motion, fingers closing as if seizing empty air.
He clenched his fist, then opened it palm-up.
In his hand rested a perfectly smooth, translucent pearl the size of a marble. Inside, swirling blue water encased a tiny, furious shark—exact miniature replica of the shark, now only 5 cm long, thrashing angrily against invisible walls.
Sanya blinked, question marks practically floating above her head.
She stared at the pearl, then at the distant direction the massive shark had swum—the same direction her brother had "grabbed." The dots connected instantly.
"Brother… is that cute shark the same as the terrifying one from before?" she asked, voice a mix of awe and excitement.