Ocean Lords: Start Harvesting Double from Dice Rolls Chapter 627 - 318: Fisherman’s Identity, Ten Thousand Years of Past (Part 2)

The final curse unleashed by the Ancestral Emperor manifested as a power within the cosmos, gradually coming under the control of a unique assembly of souls. These were known as 'Sorcerers.'

Masters of curse-weaving and conversers with enigmatic soul entities, they drew upon this connection to gain extraordinary might and abilities far beyond ordinary comprehension. Thus, the world entered the age dominated by the 'Sorcerers.'

Meanwhile, the descendant who held the Dragon Stone, his form gaunt and weary, clutched the artifact and retreated into the shadows. He tended to his wounds in solitude, enduring the Ancestral Emperor’s terrifying curse, observing the world's transformation from a distance, powerless to intervene.

Fang Yu's eyes widened, his heart overwhelmed with profound shock. At that precise moment, a resplendent golden dragon erupted from the Dragon Stone, transforming into a radiant beam of light. This beam surged directly into the depths of Fang Yu’s soul, seamlessly integrating with it.

"Roar!!!"

The colossal dragon let out a thunderous roar, and concurrently, Fang Yu’s internal panel and his sea vessel underwent a silent metamorphosis...

...This period marked the passage of ten thousand years...

"Unwittingly… ten thousand years have elapsed…"

"The transgressions I committed then have exacted a ten-thousand-year penance; should I not now be granted the liberation of my soul?"

Upon an isle situated in close proximity to Lanyun’s capital, a figure, withered and shrouded in darkness, clad in a coarse straw cloak and simple garments, sat silently atop a colossal seaside boulder. His gaze, tranquil and contemplative, was fixed upon the expanse of the sea before him.

Were anyone to stand beside this individual, they would undoubtedly discern a sinuous trail of black light coursing beneath his fractured skin, relentlessly gnawing and consuming it.

The profound darkness of his complexion and the rugged texture of his skin might not solely be attributed to prolonged exposure to the elements, but rather to the insidious work of that terrifying black light.

He bore the searing agony inflicted upon his skin with remarkable stoicism, his countenance revealing little emotion, only an all-encompassing sense of profound numbness. These torments had been his lifelong companions.

Yet, fortunately, as time marched onward, these oppressive forces also began to gradually wane.

No power, however potent, can endure indefinitely for ten thousand years without succumbing to entropy. Even if the architect of these forces was the most formidable being in existence—a personage far surpassing anyone encountered in ten millennia, one who, by merely wielding the residual fragments of his might, conjured an epoch of dread—even such overwhelming power eventually faced its decline.

It was precisely due to the diminishing potency of the curse afflicting his body that a nascent ember of extravagant hope began to flicker within him.

"You once declared… that I would never achieve the pinnacle in this lifetime."

"Fated to descend into solitary madness in the years to come."

"But… I persevered."

"Ten thousand years, I… still endured…"

This individual was none other than the Fisherman. As he contemplated the sea before him, his eyes were filled with the weight of ages, reflecting immense exhaustion and profound bitterness. The sheer burden of ten thousand years of solitude and suffering had nearly plunged the Fisherman into utter madness.

But… he ultimately endured, drawing strength from a stubborn, unyielding hatred festering in his heart, or perhaps it was remorse, or even sheer lunacy. Regardless of its nature, this deeply complex sentiment compelled the Fisherman to persist until this very moment.

"It was my error back then."

"But how could you possibly be so cruel!"

"I refuse to accept this fate; I will not be cowed! I intend to prove to you that not only did I survive, but I will also shatter your curse and ascend, step by arduous step, to the very apex!"

Beneath the placid surface of the Fisherman’s eyes, a deep-seated madness and unwavering resolve lay concealed. Over the course of ten thousand years, he had, in fact, teetered on the brink of utter insanity!

But… a resolute conviction now sustained him, fueling his determination to achieve a glorious ascent, to become a formidable individual whose stature would rival that of the Ancestral Emperor!

"Fang Yu, ah, Fang Yu… mature swiftly… grow quickly… your sea vessel… remains far too fragile at present…"

The Fisherman’s gaze slowly reverted to a state of tranquility, returning to that ancient, composed demeanor.

"Mom, look, there’s an old fisherman sitting here."

"How odd, his fishing rod has no line, haha, Mom, come and see! What a peculiar old man!"

From a short distance away, the cheerful voices of children could be heard. A woman, accompanied by two young twin boys, was strolling by, seemingly enjoying a leisurely outing on the island.

At this juncture, the two children spotted the Fisherman and could not resist giggling mischievously, their curious gazes fixed upon the Fisherman's rod, which appeared to amuse them greatly.

"Xiaoyun, be courteous; do not mock others so freely. Perhaps the old gentleman is merely lost in thought here."

The woman quickly moved forward, taking her child's hand, and then offered an apologetic smile to the Fisherman: "I apologize; the children are young and unaware, and they have disturbed your peace."

"It is quite all right… quite all right… I am indeed merely lost in thought here…"

"It's fine for the children to be a bit noisy; a little liveliness is good."

"Too much quietness can make one uneasy."

The Fisherman displayed no anger, instead flashing a rare smile as he reached out to gently pat the heads of the two children.

"Twins... a true blessing."

He murmured softly.

Upon hearing his words, the woman offered a slight smile, about to respond.

But in that instant, the sound of surging tides enveloped them. Despite the island's tranquility, it was as if immense ocean waves roared around, filling the air with the rush of water.

Amidst the ebb and flow of the tide's sounds, a figure materialized from the void.

The woman, poised to speak, flinched as someone suddenly appeared beside her.

An immense pressure, reminiscent of the crushing depths of the ocean, bore down on her.

Before she could even let out a scream, the pressure obliterated her body, shattering her into pieces right there.

"Mom!!"

The two children stood utterly still, paralyzed by the horrific scene unfolding before them.

After a moment of stunned silence, they erupted into heart-wrenching cries, their small bodies running uncontrollably towards their mother's mangled remains.

"So noisy."

A chilling voice cut through the air, followed by the instant explosion of one of the children under the same oppressive force. He dissolved into a mist of blood that swiftly dissipated.

The remaining child was so consumed by terror that he remained frozen, his eyes wide with unadulterated fear, his teeth chattering uncontrollably, utterly incapable of even crying out.

"Sigh... what's the point..."

Witnessing this grim spectacle, the Fisherman offered no intervention, merely letting out a faint sigh as he softly spoke.

"What's the point?"

The intruder scoffed coldly. He reached out, his hand closing around the last remaining child, pulling the terrified boy before him. He gazed down with a mocking amusement."Hey, kid, you're the lucky one. I really can't be bothered to kill people today. Here's the deal: I'll grant you ten years to train and grow strong. Ten years from now, I will return for you."

"Then you'll have the chance for revenge."

"Of course, if you fail to seize this opportunity... I won't offer you another!"

The figure chuckled, casually flinging the child away. He watched with a dark amusement as the boy, a mixture of terror and hatred in his eyes, scrambled and crawled off into the distance, his laughter growing even more boisterous.

"Hahaha!"

This individual was the renowned alchemical master, Yuanqi.

At this very moment, Yuanqi observed the boy's desperate escape, his eyes alight with a profound sense of amusement.

After a while, once the boy had vanished far from sight, Yuanqi shook his head with a sardonic chuckle."Heh... fooled you. How could I possibly leave a potential threat lingering around me?"

In the very next instant, he flicked a finger. Instantly, the fleeing boy froze mid-stride, collapsing to the ground, utterly devoid of life.

"At your level, why do you still find pleasure in harming the defenseless?"

The Fisherman shook his head, his voice gentle.

"Defenseless?"

Yuanqi scoffed, shaking his head."The weak are no different from pigs and dogs. To have their lives end for my amusement is a privilege for them."

The Fisherman's expression remained placid, his gaze steady."Incomprehensible."

"Enough with the pleasantries. Why are you obstructing my path?"

Yuanqi sneered coldly, his gaze sweeping over the Fisherman before him, his eyes chilling."I highly doubt you just happened to be meditating here."

Upon hearing Yuanqi's words, the Fisherman slowly retracted his fishing rod. Without rising, he continued to gaze out at the sea, then softly articulated:

"You are searching for Fang Yu, are you not..."

Yuanqi raised an eyebrow nonchalantly."None of your concern."

"It is my concern."

The Fisherman let out a faint sigh, then spoke with quiet solemnity."You will not reach Fang Yu. It would be best if you turned back now."

"Hmm?" Yuanqi's lips curved into an amused smile."What if I am determined to find him?"

"If that is your decision..."

The Fisherman uttered these words as he slowly stood and began to walk towards Yuanqi."Then I shall have to persuade you..."