Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 792 - 330: The Different Human Race

However, Ji Yuan turned out to be the surprise!

The lead Patterned Wolf Merfolk recoiled several feet in astonishment upon witnessing the marine creature that suddenly materialized.

A collective cry of panic erupted from the other merfolk.

It was evident they all understood the terrifying nature of this sea beast.

Inaction was not an option. The Patterned Wolf Merfolk tightened his grip on his spear, and the intricate tattoo adorning his back began to pulse with a crimson light just as he prepared to strike.

Abruptly, he perceived a figure shimmering into existence directly before him.

A bipedal figure.

This individual appeared precisely beside the sea beast’s head.

What transpired next was a sight etched into the Patterned Wolf Merfolk's memory forever: he observed this person raise their right hand, bringing it down with the force of a hammer blow. Instantly, the sea beast, a creature capable of ending his life... perished.

Its head was pierced through with startling ease by the strike.

"%￥#@&"

"..."

The remaining merfolk collectively gasped.

Ji Yuan nonchalantly rinsed his right hand in the seawater before subtly shifting his posture to cast a glance at the leading Patterned Wolf Merfolk.

The latter immediately comprehended the unspoken request and hastily bowed towards Ji Yuan.

He then took the initiative to advance, grasping the tail of the slain sea beast and resuming their forward progress.

The other four merfolk hoisted the carcass of the sea fish and followed in close pursuit.

When their gazes fell upon Ji Yuan once more, they were filled with a mixture of dread and profound respect.

Ji Yuan, maintaining his consistent approach, positioned himself at the rear, serving as their protector.

From that point onward, their journey proceeded with significant ease, until a full day later, when they encountered another sea fish of the same species.

As anticipated, it was Ji Yuan who intervened once more.

This time, however, he demonstrated greater foresight, securing a stone beforehand to shatter the creature's skull.

The haul was so substantial they could not transport it all, necessitating Ji Yuan to carry a portion himself.

Reflecting on the numerous Tier Two Sea Beasts he had vanquished along their path, it struck him as a considerable waste.

Eventually, the group of merfolk reached the vicinity of an immense underwater mountain range. Ji Yuan had already detected it with his Divine Sense, revealing an opening in the rock face ahead.

The lead Patterned Wolf Merfolk paused and engaged in a brief exchange of sounds before the other five merfolk strained to drag the sea beasts’ remains into the rocky aperture.

...An array?

Or perhaps an illusory realm?

Ji Yuan’s curiosity was instantly piqued.

An array was improbable, given that the Fallen Immortal Gully forbade the presence of Spiritual Qi.

The Patterned Wolf Merfolk returned to Ji Yuan’s side and gestured for him to proceed.

...The merfolk’s gestures bore a striking resemblance to those of humans, suggesting a potential, albeit inexplicable, connection between their races.

Ji Yuan offered a slight nod and continued swimming forward.

Upon reaching the rock wall, just as the Patterned Wolf Merfolk prepared to guide him, Ji Yuan had already stepped through the solid rock.

Following that decisive step, his vision expanded dramatically.

What greeted Ji Yuan's eyes was a vista akin to a dreamscape.

Within the underwater mountain range lay a vast expanse. Stalactites lining the cavern walls were embedded with luminescent stones, casting a daylight-like radiance throughout the area. Numerous colossal shells were also present, appearing as both decorative elements and potential domiciles.

Merfolk of both genders navigated the water.

The male merfolk possessed rather formidable appearances, while the female merfolk were exceptionally alluring.

Each displayed exquisite features, with busts that evoked the boundless immensity of the seas.

...Indeed, like oceans embracing all rivers.

Regrettably, they were all veiled by their shells.

Their skin possessed an extraordinary fairness, which, under the cave's internal luminescence, seemed to possess a radiant quality.

The sight of these merfolk invariably brought Ji Yuan's thoughts back to Yun Qianzai.

During their time in Coastal City, his second senior brother had enthusiastically recommended these very merfolk.

Ji Yuan had eventually conceded and accompanied him for a visit.

It transpired that the so-called merfolk were, in fact, female cultivators who had mastered a highly specialized cultivation technique.

'I never imagined that true merfolk existed in this place.'

Further ahead, a bustling plaza teemed with merfolk. More of their kind were converging from all directions, their anticipation palpable as they approached to examine the sea beasts’ carcasses.

Their excitement was palpable, suggestive of a prolonged scarcity of such abundant catches.

However, a gradual hush fell over some merfolk as their attention was drawn to a peculiar figure at the entrance!

An anomalous individual, starkly different in appearance from themselves.

A few timid female merfolk began to shriek, inadvertently alerting those who had not yet noticed.

Swiftly, every merfolk present became aware of Ji Yuan's presence, their gazes shifting from excitement to wariness.

Primarily, however, their expressions conveyed a sense of profound curiosity.

After all, it mirrored Ji Yuan's initial reaction upon first seeing these merfolk with their piscine lower halves.

For them, too, it was their inaugural encounter with a two-legged being.

Swiftly, the Patterned Wolf Merfolk surged in from the entrance.

Upon entry, a series of high-pitched sounds were emitted, and from the assembled merfolk, a smaller one emerged.

Ji Yuan observed with clarity that this was indeed the Patterned Dog Merfolk from earlier.

The smaller merfolk responded with a few sentences, which immediately quelled the agitated Patterned Wolf Merfolk.

Doubts were nonexistent for Ji Yuan, as his Divine Sense had already been extended, perceiving every detail.

Trailing behind the merfolk, an elder merfolk advanced, gripping a cane and accompanied by four imposing young merfolk.

Ji Yuan's Divine Sense also discerned the tattoos adorning the backs of these four, depicting... crabs!

A crab that radiated an aura of potent might.

However, with the elder merfolk, the deep wrinkles etched into his skin obscured a clear view of his tattoo.

As the elder merfolk drew near, the surrounding merfolk parted, offering obeisance and uttering sounds beyond Ji Yuan's current comprehension.

This elder merfolk was likely... the chieftain of the merfolk clan?

Or perhaps their supreme leader?

Ji Yuan gracefully glided forward, halting before the elder merfolk and executing a slight bow.

He then watched as the elder merfolk commenced speaking, gradually shifting to a tongue familiar to Ji Yuan.

"Never... never did I anticipate that within my... my lifetime, I would... would witness the presence of the Human Race."

"The last encounter my clan had with the Human Race dates back to the era of my... my... grandfather's grandfather."

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