Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 791 - 330: The Outsider Race

Excluing other demon races, the Mermaid Race is the first alien race Ji Yuan has ever encountered.

Since this is the case, why wouldn’t he try to establish contact?

Ji Yuan descended from the seawater, landing upon a large rock. A light stomp of his foot dislodged a piece of broken rock, which he swiftly kicked out with immense force.

This fragment instantly transformed into the most potent weapon in this oceanic region. It shot through the sea like a cannonball, directly impaling the sea beast’s head.

So, killing demons, huh?

No need for ostentatious techniques; a single stone suffices.

The chipped stone pierced the sea beast, shattered a distant rock, and then dissolved into nothingness.

The group of merfolk, who had been vocalizing in chaos, instantly fell silent. A one-eyed merfolk, having narrowly escaped being devoured by the sea beast, began crawling out using its hands and tail.

Before it could utter a sound, it noticed the other merfolk gazing in the direction behind it.

It too flicked its tail and propelled itself upwards, looking towards the area behind.

Within the darkness there, a figure, somewhat resembling their own kind, gradually sharpened from a blur.

The merfolk remained silent for a moment, then, one by one, they pointed towards the figure before them and began squawking noisily again.

One younger-looking merfolk, exhibiting particular bravery, swam circles around Ji Yuan.

They were scrutinizing Ji Yuan, and Ji Yuan, in turn, was examining them with his divine sense.

This contingent of merfolk comprised exclusively males.

More accurately, their anatomy suggested they were male.

In terms of physique, these adult male merfolk were considerably more robust than the average human, particularly their upper bodies.

As for their appearance…

Human-like mouths, piscine eyes, gills adorning their temples, and chartreuse-blue scales sprouting near the corners of their eyes and on their foreheads.

It must be said, their looks did not align with Ji Yuan's perception of human aesthetics.

Regarding their strength, there was little to remark upon; not a single one had even reached the Body Foundation Establishment stage.

Of the six individuals, only the one-eyed merfolk was injured; the others were unharmed.

The merfolk who appeared strongest, wielding a long spear, advanced three feet and declared with evident excitement:

"@～/:#"

Ji Yuan: "..."

He gestured towards the merfolk’s mouth, shook his head, and then articulated:

"I cannot comprehend your language."

Upon hearing Ji Yuan speak, the merfolk exhibited confusion, the excitement in its eyes gradually subsiding.

However, an alternative merfolk, also armed with a spear, emerged and conversed briefly beside the first. The initial merfolk seemed to experience a sudden realization, its frown eased, and it addressed Ji Yuan once more, with renewed enthusiasm.

Yet, it quickly remembered that Ji Yuan was incapable of understanding.

After a moment of contemplation, it turned, pointed behind itself, then to its own mouth, and finally towards Ji Yuan’s head.

…Could this imply that their tribe harbored a merfolk capable of communicating in human tongues?!

A surge of elation coursed through Ji Yuan’s heart.

If communication could be established, unforeseen possibilities would unfold!

He also pointed to himself, then indicated the direction of this particular merfolk.

The latter nodded vigorously in agreement.

Subsequently, it vocalized a few commands to the remaining four merfolk, who dutifully approached the sea fish slain by Ji Yuan.

Stationing themselves at four points, they uttered a synchronized chant. Abruptly, a faint sanguineous glow emanated from their backs.

The colossal sea fish was borne aloft by these four merfolk as they resumed their journey southeast.

Ji Yuan, keenly perceiving the anomaly, deployed his divine sense for a closer examination.

Upon the backs of the four merfolk, he detected… tattoos!

The tattoos depicted a… turtle.

Very well.

Observing this with clarity, Ji Yuan nearly succumbed to laughter but, in a display of respect, suppressed the urge.

He noted that the turtle tattoo appeared to augment the strength of the merfolk.

"Ah, so this is some form of body cultivation technique? Akin to the spells or arts employed by magic cultivators."

This notion flashed through Ji Yuan’s mind as he utilized his divine sense to meticulously scrutinize the back of the merfolk before him.

He discerned that this merfolk also bore a tattoo.

However, it differed; while the previous four were adorned with turtles, this one sported a wolf!

Divergent tattoos implied divergent effects.

The smallest merfolk bore a dog tattoo upon its back.

…If this indeed constitutes a body cultivation technique, I wonder if I could acquire it.

Even if it meant adopting a somewhat brutish appearance.

But that is inconsequential; any method that enhances one's power is a valuable method!

With this thought, Ji Yuan proceeded to follow the merfolk on their southeastern trajectory.

Nevertheless, while the merfolk propelled themselves by flicking their tails, Ji Yuan, reliant on his two legs, seemed rather out of place.

Not long into their progression, Ji Yuan detected a low growl emanating from the throat of the merfolk bearing the dog tattoo.

The other four merfolk, still carrying the fish’s carcass, instantly relinquished their burden and brandished their short spears, assuming a defensive posture.