Looking at the giant whale in the distance, Feng Yuan exclaimed in surprise,
"The Giant Continent Whale, a continent upon the Starlit Sea, one of the few spirit beasts unafraid of the natural disasters of the Starlit Sea."
"Unafraid of the Starlit Sea’s natural disasters?"
Peering at the massive whale that had surfaced far away, Guo Huai felt some confusion. Weren’t the Island Jellyfish at their feet creatures unafraid of storms at sea? With a complex expression, Cheng Yong stared at the Giant Continent Whale and said,
"Are you talking about the real Starlit Sea?"
"That’s right, the Black Sea doesn’t count for much. Basically, any legendary-level sea spirit beast isn’t afraid of those oceanic storms, but the Starlit Sea is different. Island Jellyfish would be done for if they ran into a storm on the Starlit Sea."
"By your words, then, could it be that there is nothing alive in the Starlit Sea?"
Skeptically eyeing Feng Yuan, Guo Huai recalled the abundant resources of the Starlit Sea and even modern fearless development groups exploring the Starlit Sea. Shrugging his shoulders, Feng Yuan said reluctantly,
"That’s not what I said. As long as you don’t directly confront the storms of the Starlit Sea, there’s not much of a problem. It’s just that there are various currents in the Starlit Sea, and if you dare to dive, I guarantee it won’t take long before you don’t know where you’ve ended up."
"It’s not that exaggerated. There are fixed currents deep in the Starlit Sea. You can determine your location using those currents."
Perhaps too lazy to maintain silence, Delong Tower rarely spoke up to explain. Feng Yuan smiled and said,
"That will only work if they can dive deep into the Starlit Sea. Do they really think the water pressure is a joke?"
"A legendary being should be able to manage it, but whether they have the ability to recognize their location through the currents is another matter."
Kui Shui Xuanwu glanced at the gradually approaching Giant Continent Whale and yawned. At this time, Guo Huai was busy checking the information displayed in the system and didn’t keep up with the group. Seeing Guo Huai standing there puzzled, Liu Wenli spoke up,
"Want a closer look? Just ask them to take you later."
Guo Huai looked at Liu Wenli, somewhat confused, then turned his gaze towards the Giant Continent Whale. Liu Wenli said calmly,
"It must be the old man who invited it here. If you want to see, you can always ask him for permission."
"The Maritime People got here first."
In dissatisfaction, Cheng Yong muttered under his breath. Mo Li said surprised,
"The Maritime People?! Didn’t you have a conflict with them?"
"That’s right. But, Master Xia Yu believes that this trip to Omeilia must be discussed with them. I really don’t know what they are thinking."
Cheng Yong kicked a pebble at his feet in frustration, sharing the common bewilderment. Feng Yuan glanced at Cheng Yong and said,
"My mentioning Omeilia was originally meant to help you all reconcile. What’s wrong with him inviting them?"
Remembering how every time they encountered the Maritime People at sea, they could hardly avoid being bullied, Cheng Yong’s face immediately displayed his displeasure. Spreading his hands in resignation, Feng Yuan said,
"So do you really want to make it a blood feud? The kind where there’s no chance of reconciliation? What’s the point? Without the Maritime People’s deterrence, how could those people on land trade with you in a relatively fair manner?"
Cheng Yong always felt something was off, and Mo Li, picking up on his peculiar demeanor, understood why. He sometimes did similar things—despite discomfort, he had to force a smile and face it because his position didn’t allow him the freedom to express his likes and dislikes as openly as Cheng Yong could. Of course, Cheng Yong would be punished if he were to act on these feelings openly.
Feng Yuan saw that Guo Huai was still observing the Giant Continent Whale and suggested out loud. Realizing what was said, Guo Huai shook his head,
"No need, I was just looking at the information on the Giant Continent Whale. But if the Maritime People have such powerful spirit beasts, then why..."
"Both sides are restraining themselves, aren’t they? Otherwise, with their horde of Sea Kings and Sea Serpents, it would be rather simple for them to crush the Aquatic People, wouldn’t it?"
Feng Yuan shrugged as he spoke. In reality, when he learned that most of the Maritime People were composed of the unsplit former Maritime Forces, he guessed this would be the case. He didn’t believe ordinary citizens could wield more powerful forces than the military—it’s not like divine beasts seeking Divine Pact Makers, there aren’t so many inexplicable occurrences.
Thinking of Divine Pact Makers, Feng Yuan curiously observed Delong Tower. Although he knew Delong Tower wouldn’t seek a Divine Pact Maker, he was still curious about what the criteria would be if it did.
"They’re here quickly."
The mayor remarked in a low voice as the Giant Continent Whale approached. Master Xia Yu stroked his beard and said,
"That’s normal. Although he didn’t mention it, I know they’ve always followed us closely. Don’t forget they just attacked that city."
Even if the Sea King and the Sea Serpent are Legendary Level existence, they wouldn’t bring the Maritime People too far away from their dwelling place simply out of habit, rather than a matter of protection. If they really took enough supplies, the Sea King and the Sea Serpent could take people straight from the Divine Land to Omeilia.
"So you mean to say, they’ve been tracking us all the time."
The mayor’s expression looked rather upset. The old man sighed and said,
"What of it if they track us? If they really take action, do we truly have a chance to resist? I don’t intend to persuade you to forgive them, as I am not qualified to do so, but I hope you can consider the Aquatic People’s perspective."
The mayor said in a low voice, concealing the anger in his heart. He prepared to welcome the Maritime People with a smile, while the old man sighed deeply, unsure of how to comfort him.
"Is this Sea God Lake? I thought it might be lava—although that seemed unlikely."
Feng Yuan commented with a laugh, looking at the vast blue lake, while Guo Huai surveyed the surroundings, saying,
"It really does look like a volcanic crater... It’s a mystery why such an environment exists here."
"It’s probably because the island is too small. To create a lake, they had to find a place ."
Feng Yuan said, then seemed to remember something, and added,
"If it were a Giant Continent Whale, it wouldn’t be such a hassle. Their small continents can accommodate much more than just a little lake, but then again, a bit larger... and it might actually not fit."
Feng Yuan said gleefully. Although the land on the back of a Giant Continent Whale is much larger than an Island Jellyfish’s island, the lake before them was not small. The continents on the whale’s back consist of plains and lakes, as well as other various environments, so the area that could be allocated to a lake was not vast.
"Come on—let’s go down and take a look—"
Feng Yuan said, and promptly slid down the sloping hillside towards the lake below. Xiao Ji, who had initially curled up in Feng Yuan’s embrace, leapt out abruptly at the sight of Feng Yuan seemingly set to slide all the way into the lake. As a result of its carelessness upon landing, Xiao Ji tumbled down the slope.
Feng Yuan caught Xiao Ji just in time to prevent it from rolling into the lake. Xiao Ji cried sadly in Feng Yuan’s arms, and with a gentle pat on Xiao Ji’s back, Feng Yuan helplessly said,
"You little rascal, it was you who jumped down, and yet it’s as if it’s my fault."
Xiao Ji looked wronged at Feng Yuan. If it hadn’t been for his frequent mischievous pranks, it wouldn’t have tried to jump away. Scratching his head, Feng Yuan guessed it was due to his frequent pranking of Xiao Ji and had no choice but to comfort it softly. Guo Huai glanced at Feng Yuan and said,
"Did you play a trick again just now? Why did you suddenly throw Xiao Ji out? Doesn’t it hate water the most?"
Feng Yuan looked pitifully at Guo Huai and replied,
"It wasn’t me. Xiao Ji jumped out all by itself. How can you blame me?"
"Who’s going to believe you with your history of mischief?"
Although Guo Huai didn’t believe Feng Yuan’s words, he didn’t feel like arguing. Feng Yuan turned his head to see Amon and Tuk carrying Liu Wenli and Wei Dingwu down in a princess hold, and said somewhat enviously,
Guo Huai, speechless, glanced at the White Ape who seemed intent on mimicking Amon and carrying Wei Fangwu down in a princess hold. At that moment, Wei Fangwu was awkwardly rejecting the ’kind’ offer.
"Such an unusual lake."
Mo Li, releasing Mo Ling, whom he had been protecting, assessed their surroundings. This was his first time seeing a lake situated like a volcanic crater. Feng Yuan placed Xiao Ji down and dipped his hand into the water of the lake, saying,
"It’s really not a volcanic lake, what a shame."
"The water isn’t hot, otherwise..."
Seeing Feng Yuan’s mischievous grin, Guo Huai immediately understood and said exasperatedly,
"You don’t mean to say you wish the lake had its own heating, so that any fish swimming in would get cooked, do you?"
Feng Yuan looked at Guo Huai with feigned horror and replied,
"How could you think that! You are so cruel!"
"Oh, please, like your expression isn’t fake?"