From some perspectives, these surfing otters are even more suitable for the job than humans!
First off, the main food of these spiritual beasts – the surfing otters – is fish and shrimp, so they won’t go snacking on the spirit plants.
Additionally, they mostly have mastered two water-element moves: rain invocation and ocean current convergence, which can enrich the water-element spiritual power on this small island, thereby enhancing the quality of the spirit plants produced!
What’s more important, these surfing otters’ basic demands... seem quite easy to meet!
In other words, their wages are super cheap!
After thinking it over, Chen Mo approached the very first surfing otter he encountered.
"Tata, how would you like it if you and your tribe could eat delicious grilled fish every day?"
Chen Mo asked with a smile.
He had given this surfing otter the name Tata.
The surfing otter nodded repeatedly.
Having once enjoyed the taste of grilled fish, it found raw fish somewhat distasteful now.
It also understood that fire was needed to grill fish, and without Chen Mo, they wouldn’t be able to enjoy this kind of cooked delicacy.
"I can have my spiritual beast provide you with a flame that won’t extinguish for a very long time. In exchange for this flame, you will need to help me take care of the spirit plants on this island. How about that?"
Chen Mo asked, gesturing to the purple crystal coral and ice sea grass nearby.
The surfing otter Tata agreed without hesitation.
The island wasn’t large, so looking after these spirit plants wouldn’t be too strenuous for them.
Mainly after having tasted the grilled fish, they had fallen deeply in love with the flavor. Just like how one won’t find the darkness unbearable until they’ve seen the light.
Xiao Jiu shook its head, feeling that its Spirit Master was getting increasingly skilled at sweet-talking spiritual beasts.
With just a little bit of incentive, he had recruited these surfing otters for "labor" – and they were even eager to do so.
There’s definitely some talent of a capitalist in him.
"You go and spread the news, then call everyone over, and I’ll explain things simply."
Tata was quick and agile, swiftly conveying the message to the rest of its kin.
Soon, a group of over 40 otters from the otter tribe sat neatly in front of Chen Mo.
Their proactiveness even gave Chen Mo the illusion of being a teacher.
"Cough cough, next, I will assign each otter to a specific area, and the spirit plants within that zone will be your responsibility. Anyone who disagrees, please raise your hand."
Chen Mo decided to go with a "contract system."
The surfing otters all nodded.
"You can store the mature spirit plants. When I come back next time, you can exchange them for more delicious food. I can assure you, grilled fish is just the most basic delicacy – I have even more delicious foods here."
Then, Chen Mo started to "draw the pie" for them.
After finishing, he took out a rare quality charcoal-grilled silver scale fish from his space ring – it was actually a "failure" due to Tuantuan not having controlled the fire properly when grilling it.
But as it was of rare quality, it was still a lot tastier than ordinary grilled fish.
The Time Rice Dumpling Spirit used its food technique in full force, causing the grilled fish to instantly enlarge nearly ten times in size.
After cutting it up, Chen Mo gave each otter a taste.
"Tata!" (So delicious!)
"Tata Tata!" (Yummy!)
The otter group chewed on their food, filling the air with constant praise.
"Cough cough, there are delicacies more delectable than this. As long as you all work hard, not only will you have grilled fish, but you’ll also have tastier grilled spirit fish!"
Chen Mo continued to motivate them.
"Tata Tata Tata!" (This is awesome!)
Ultimately, all of the surfing otters unanimously approved the plan Chen Mo had drafted.
"So, from now on, this small island will temporarily become your home."
Surfing otters as a species don’t have a concept of home; they don’t have fixed dwellings, the ocean is their home, the sky their blanket, the sea their bed, wherever they float to is where they stay.
Chen Mo had previously read a small story about surfing otters in the Encyclopedia of Spiritual Beasts.
A pair of surfing otter spouses cuddled together to sleep on the sea surface, and upon waking, they found themselves separated by the waves.
But the surfing otter couple didn’t seek out their wife (husband); instead, they just snuggled with another nearby surfing otter and continued sleeping.
It could be said they were very nonchalant.
Xiao Jiu left a kindling of the Corona Flame inside a building, with a "blessing" from the Wish Technique.
Barring any surprises, this thread of Corona Flame could burn for half a year.
"I’m also leaving you this barbecue grill, a big iron pot, and various seasonings. This way, it’ll be more convenient to grill fish," Chen Mo said with a smile.
Just the barbecue grill alone – he had several different types in his space ring. Leaving one for the surfing otters was almost no loss for him, and it would also score him a huge wave of goodwill, boosting their enthusiasm for work - so why not?
After all, in a certain sense, these otters were about to become his very first set of employees!
"Tata!" (Thank you, generous Mr. Chen Mo!)
Tata was excited and respectfully addressed Chen Mo with an honorific. The little fellow had already started fantasizing about the upcoming life of grilling fish freely.