Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 790 - 330: The Merfolk

The spearhead discovered was not a formidable Magical Treasure, but rather fashioned from a robust oak stone, painstakingly polished to an acute sharpness.

Remarkably, fish tendons served as the binding agent, securing this stone point to a short branch that functioned as the spear's shaft – a rudimentary, yet distinctly human, innovation.

The condition of the spearhead and the intact fish tendons suggested a recent origin, not an relic from ages past, but rather a tool left behind in the not-too-distant past.

"In this treacherous underwater world, could there truly be others?"

"Perhaps someone else has met the same fate, trapped in the Fallen Immortal Gully like myself?"

Ji Yuan scanned his surroundings, his vision limited by the dim seabed and the occasional passing sea beast. No other sentient beings were apparent.

Without delay, Ji Yuan deployed his Divine Sense.

This ability, powered by the strength of the Divine Soul, allowed Ji Yuan's formidable Divine Sense to function even within the confines of the Fallen Immortal Gully.

His Divine Sense radiated outwards, probing the depths.

Before long, Ji Yuan detected another similar spearhead at a different location.

Additionally, he identified several round stones resembling... pellets.

Humans. The evidence pointed unequivocally to the presence of living people nearby.

They, like him, were likely aware of the suppression of Spiritual Power in this area, resorting to traditional methods for hunting sea beasts, since the creatures too were likely affected by the same power limitation.

Despite the full exertion of his Divine Sense, Ji Yuan could not pinpoint any other individuals.

"Could my senses be deceiving me?"

"No, it's impossible for these items to appear here without a reason; there must be other signs in the vicinity."

Ji Yuan meticulously continued his Divine Sense sweep. Indeed, he soon discovered numerous similar indications to the southeast, including fresh scratch marks on a cluster of rocks.

These markings appeared to be only a few months old.

"At my current pace, I should have already entered the Jiyuan Continent's vicinity."

"According to the nautical chart consulted earlier, advancing further leads to the territory of Tier Four Sea Beasts. If I can locate survivors here... I can gather intelligence about the path ahead."

"There's no need for undue concern regarding safety; my current Body Cultivator strength, coupled with the Spirit Devouring Armor I wear, should suffice, provided I don't encounter a Body Cultivator at the Golden Body Profound Bone Realm."

"However, my knowledge suggests that the Cangluo Continent, and by extension the Jiyuan Continent, has no known Body Cultivators of that caliber."

Engaged in thought, Ji Yuan subtly adjusted his course, heading southeast.

The traces he had discovered were approximately thirty miles in that direction, a distance he could cover in mere moments even while proceeding with caution.

He landed amidst the rubble, meticulously examining the surrounding evidence.

"It wasn't just one person; it must have been a group. They were apparently cornering the twin-clawed, fish-like sea beast I encountered previously, but... wasn't that merely a Tier One Sea Beast?"

"To struggle even against a Tier One Sea Beast suggests that this group's combat prowess is not particularly high."

"Yet, they demonstrated remarkable caution; despite the chaotic state of the battleground, there are no discernible footprints or other traces left behind."

"..."

Lost in contemplation, Ji Yuan once again unleashed his Divine Sense, this time directing its focus keenly towards the southeast.

As expected, upon reaching that area and extending his Divine Sense, a multitude of additional traces became apparent.

Evidence of combat littered the seabed, with signs of conflict appearing every few miles.

Amongst these, numerous marks from Water Blades were clearly visible.

This indicated that the group possessed the ability to utilize Water Blades for offense against sea beasts, or perhaps these were Water Blades unleashed by the sea beasts themselves in their final moments... but then, why have I not encountered them yet?

Ji Yuan pressed onward towards the southeast.

Periodically, he would pause to deploy his Divine Sense and conduct thorough investigations.

Approximately an hour into his journey, Ji Yuan abruptly halted his advance.

Movement was detected directly ahead!

He swiftly projected his Divine Sense forward, and the scene unfolding within the underwater gully materialized instantly within his mind.

"What in the world is that..."

Beneath the protective layer of the Spirit Devouring Armor, Ji Yuan involuntarily gasped.

The spectacle before him was extraordinary.

A group of 'beings' were engaged in combat with a black-and-white striped sea fish.

This particular sea beast appeared to be native to the Extreme Abyss Continent, a creature Ji Yuan had never before laid eyes upon.

He noted its considerable size, though its offensive capabilities seemed lacking. Its primary attribute appeared to be its formidable defense, but Ji Yuan knew that against him, it would likely succumb to a single blow.

A mere Tier One Sea Beast, comparable in strength to a Qi Cultivation Cultivator; Ji Yuan's current Body Cultivator might equated to that of a Core Formation Cultivator.

However, this was not the most crucial observation.

The true point of interest was the group of individuals engaged in the fight.

What sort of beings were they?

Merfolk.

Their upper bodies bore human resemblances, while their lower halves were those of fish.

It was truly that straightforward.

Each of them wielded either the short spears Ji Yuan had observed earlier or were equipped with slingshots, relentlessly assaulting the marine beasts before them.

"@#￥%&"

"*#@!"

"..."

The Merfolk uttered peculiar sounds, and with each utterance, bubbles escaped their mouths.

To breathe... where their lengthy ears ought to have been, fish gills had taken their place.

This was how they managed to subsist beneath the waves.

As for their Cultivation...

There was none to be found.

They possessed merely extraordinarily potent physiques. Judging from the short spears they hurled, Ji Yuan surmised they possessed at least the physical prowess of late-stage Qi Cultivation.

Capable of breathing underwater without Cultivation, relying solely on sheer physical might—it was no wonder they could endure in this Fallen Immortal Gully.

Understanding dawned upon Ji Yuan in an instant.

So, should I attempt contact with them now?

Following a brief period of deliberation, Ji Yuan resolved to make an attempt. Naturally, a significant factor in this decision was that this marked his inaugural encounter with such a distinct race of humanoids.