[What an unexpected surprise...]
Li Hao’s gaze no longer focused on A Ke, as he knew from the moment the opponent advanced to become an Ascender, the battle was already without suspense.
Ascenders are not exactly synonymous with Power.
But every qualified Ascender must undoubtedly possess formidable strength as a guarantee.
No longer bound by the laws of Physics and the world’s rules is merely the first step to becoming a qualified Ascender.
For any weaker Ascender either dies before Ascension to Divinity or becomes "material" for those attempting Ascension thereafter.
Compared to Gu Sheng and A Ke’s group, Li Hao was now more curious about the situation on the Merfolk’s side.
As a wise species born in the ocean, yet possessing a body structure and ecosystem similar to mammals.
This too is a unique Race never seen on Earth, making it hard for Li Hao, as part of the Earth race, not to let his imagination run wild.
[Do Merfolk build cities at the ocean floor?]
With this curiosity, Li Hao’s gaze delved into the ocean and soon found the target of Gu Sheng’s journey.
Unexpectedly, yet unsurprisingly...
Merfolk living in the ocean have not built cities.
Or rather, Merfolk have not constructed the kind of underwater city Li Hao imagined.
Merfolk living on the seafloor are not a weak Race.
They consume flesh and drink blood, possessing sharp fangs...
They are not at all similar to the "Mermaid" of Legend, nor could they be more unrelated.
If not for the fact that the lower half of Merfolk is indeed a fish tail, one might truly question their identity.
Besides that noticeable fish tail, the second most striking feature of Merfolk is the large fin on either side of their heads,
where one would expect human ears to be, Merfolk have a pair of prominent fish fins.
Through these fish fins, Merfolk can keenly perceive the water ripples within a few hundred meters, used to preemptively detect or avoid dangerous sea creatures.
Perhaps it is precisely because of these traits that Merfolk can tame a kind of coral that disturbs water ripples.
Ordinarily, Merfolk live within these giant coral reefs made of coral, hiding themselves while also conducting routine hunting.
Once they detect a certain dangerous sea creature, Merfolk will decisively retreat into the depths of the coral reef.
This wondrous symbiotic relationship reflects the current state of the Merfolk Tribe as seen by Li Hao.
.........................................................
Inside a large coral reef, in a round deep-sea space.
Merfolk either lazily lay on corals or frolicked around them...
Only one robust Merfolk silently turned to look at the huge altar behind him while picking his teeth. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel(ꜰ)ire.net
Like land creatures, the Merfolk are a wise Race worshiping the Creator.
However, unlike land creatures, the altars constructed by Merfolk appear more abstract, looking like a complex of corals at first glance.
Only from a distance can one tell that the huge coral complex presents the shape of an eye.
"What did the Prophet say?"
Slowly drifting out from the "pupil" at the center of the altar.
A female Merfolk, wearing a necklace made of various corals and shells, spoke.
Within the matriarchal clan structure of Merfolk, this female was the Queen of all Merfolk.
However, under normal circumstances, the Merfolk Queen only handles reproduction and nurturing, not any other affairs.
This rare appearance by the Queen demonstrated the importance she placed on this matter.
"What’s that old hag got to say?"
"She was the one who signed the so-called peace agreement with that ’Bone King’, this time won’t be any different either."
With a hint of disdain, the robust Merfolk stopped his tooth-picking behavior.
"I still say, I oppose yielding to those Skeleton scraps!"
"The ocean is our advantage, those Skeleton scraps can’t possibly harm our foundation."
Hearing this, the Merfolk Queen merely sighed lightly.
"Cang Lin, do you remember what that Immortal who once helped awaken our Wisdom said?"
"Though we Merfolk can lay hundreds of viable eggs, only one or two truly grow into Merfolk."
"The rest either die prematurely or become beast-like faceless fish."
"And the technology possessed by the Skeleton Race happens to address our shortcomings, enabling our Race’s population to truly expand."
The technology mentioned by the Merfolk Queen actually refers to the ability of the Skeletons to tame Bone Beasts.
If Merfolk could tame those faceless fish like the Skeletons, they would become true ocean rulers.
"Then let’s take it!"
"Since those Skeleton scraps have such an ability, let’s just take it from them!"
Cang Lin bared his mouth viciously, revealing sharp teeth.
One can’t really blame Cang Lin for hating the Skeletons so, as both his parents died in that previous major war.
Although Merfolk generally don’t hold deep sentiments toward their fathers, a mother’s death is enough to leave an indelible mark.
Especially for Cang Lin, a Merfolk who was raised by his mother rather than the Queen herself.
The reason he could integrate into the current Merfolk Tribe as a "Foreigner" is due to his deep-seated hatred.
It’s worth mentioning that before the "War of Divine Punishment" began, Merfolk did not live together as they do now.
As a Race standing at the top of the ocean food chain, most Merfolk back then hunted as family units within the same region.
Until realizing the power and danger of other races, they began imitating the settlement patterns of the Skeleton Race, forming the current scale of gatherings.
"This is why I did not let you participate in this meeting."
Fixing Cang Lin with a deep gaze, the Merfolk Queen’s perspective was far superior to his.
"Aside from hatred, we really have no conflict with the Skeleton Race..."
"Even the initial hatred stemmed from a mere accident."
The reason the Merfolk Race joined in besieging the Skeleton Race.
Simply because a thoughtless Skeleton extracted a type of oil from a Merfolk’s corpse.
This oil possessed characteristics far superior to other biological oils, even burning without ceasing to some extent.
Out of anger, out of fear, out of empathy...
The Merfolk were persuaded by the Lingyu to join the war, realizing their backwardness during the process.
For a considerable time thereafter, the Merfolk have been pursuing the Skeletons’ civilization progress.
This peace negotiation is clearly a rare opportunity.
☞☞Monthly Ticket☜☜/☞☞Recommendation Ticket☜☜