Chapter 117: The Mermaid Tribe

Recent experiments have yielded preliminary conclusions. Although humans are considered the most intelligent of all beings, the effects of spirit stone energy on the human body are far less pronounced than on animals. Many test subjects who consumed a safe dosage of spirit stones experienced only a modest increase in physical strength. Out of thousands of participants, fewer than one hundred exhibited mutations, resulting in a mutation rate of approximately five percent. Among them, two individuals were particularly noteworthy. One human, named Li Chao, sprouted a pair of wings on his back and is currently capable of flight. Another developed a controllable, powerful magnetic field within his body, capable of disabling metal objects within a certain range, including missiles. Naturally, inheritors of ancient martial arts sects in the country seem to possess a greater tolerance for spirit stones.

Overall, animal bodies demonstrate higher tolerance and a significantly higher rate of mutation, reaching nearly twenty percent. Consequently, scientific research departments have proposed a "Beast Taming Program," which involves raising young animals from birth to establish emotional bonds with humans, thereby allowing these mutated creatures to attack enemies under human command. However, this program has just begun, and no results have been seen yet. Additionally, researchers have found that ordinary humans who wear spirit stones for long periods can improve their sleep quality, enhance their physical constitution, and even treat certain chronic illnesses. Countries across the Blue Star have realized that spirit stones are an untapped treasury. Their appearance is highly likely to change the direction of future human technological development. However, there is currently no effective method for fully utilizing the energy contained within these stones. Meanwhile, on the black market, a single Grade 1 spirit stone has already fetched a price of over one million, with demand far outstripping supply.

***

Lu Chen’s first stop in his deep-sea exploration was naturally the waters near the giant kelp forest. He had always felt there was something strange about the stone archway in the seabed fissure. Especially after discovering the different-dimensional space at the deep pool waterfall, Lu Chen developed new theories, and the mystery remained constantly on his mind. As expected, the entire giant kelp forest was still growing rapidly. They had now completely occupied the entire circular pit, and more plants were beginning to spread toward the outer seabed. It was predictable that if left unchecked, they would eventually control this entire maritime area. Sensing Lu Chen’s presence, many giant kelps immediately drifted their vine-like tentacles toward him. Clearly, they had forgotten their previous experience of being ravaged.

Boom...

Lu Chen did not intend to waste time and greeted them directly with a compressed energy blast. In the next moment, the memory of the giant kelp forest was thoroughly awakened, and they became docile once again. Before Lu Chen could even get close, they proactively moved their tentacles aside, opening a spacious passage.

Descending safely to the seabed, Lu Chen discovered new mermaid remains among the reefs. This time, there were three of them, and they were also wearing spirit stone necklaces. One of the skulls wore a crown and held a trident, suggesting it was a leader-level entity. Judging by the condition of the bones, they had not been dead for long. This convinced Lu Chen even more of his previous assessment: the mermaids had descended to Blue Star through a spatial rift from another world, and the stone archway in the deep sea was likely the portal. The three deceased creatures before him were likely scouts or pathfinders for a mermaid tribe. They were simply unlucky, failing to anticipate the presence of the treacherous giant kelp forest near the archway and falling victim to it.

Guided by his speculations, Lu Chen soon dived to the bottom of the fissure. Indeed, he found fresh signs of use on the stone archway, with spirit stones placed in several grooves. These must have been used by the three mermaids to activate the passage in preparation for their return; now, they were to Lu Chen’s benefit. As his cultivation realm improved, his craving for spirit stones grew ever stronger. His departure from home, aside from seeking the latest information on Blue Star humans, was also driven by the intention to locate new spirit stone veins. However, Lu Chen did not touch the stones for the time being, choosing instead to lie in wait near the archway. He was curious to see if the real mermaids were as beautiful as the legends described. He also wanted to see if he could engage in "cordial and friendly" communication, perhaps to inquire about their purpose in coming to Blue Star, or perhaps to acquire more spirit stones. Of course, if they refused to communicate, Lu Chen would not mind taking other measures. Although those few mermaids were easily devoured and killed by the kelp forest, Lu Chen felt the situation was not that simple. In the near future, more formidable beasts or mermaid tribes would surely pass through the spatial portal and reappear in the Blue Star world.

He stood guard on the seabed for two days, but saw no further activity at the stone archway. Having other matters to attend to, he could not stay there indefinitely and decided to check back when he had more time. With his mind made up, Lu Chen collected the spirit stones from the archway and swallowed them all at once. He then left the seabed and began swimming in the direction of the Xia Kingdom.

He had barely swum a hundred miles when he suddenly froze.

Is that... a volcano!?

He saw a massive mountain rising abruptly from the ocean several dozen miles ahead. The mountain stood thousands of fathoms high, shooting flames and billowing thick smoke that soared straight into the sky! Within the smoke, a massive shadow appeared to be moving.

Something was wrong; Lu Chen quickly realized. Although he had never experienced a volcanic eruption, he was familiar with the data. During the largest volcanic eruptions in his past life, smoke rose to nearly a thousand meters, and ash fell four to five hundred kilometers away, even triggering tsunamis with forty-to-fifty-meter waves that cost countless lives. If a volcano were truly erupting a few dozen miles away, the sea surface could not be this calm.

It was a mirage... no, it should be called a phantom from another dimension. It seemed his previous speculation was entirely correct; aside from the giant tree phantom in the Madura primitive jungle, anomalies were occurring elsewhere on Blue Star. Speaking of these phantom anomalies, after discovering the waterfall’s interdimensional rift, Lu Chen had specifically run to the location of the giant tree once before, only to find it forever out of reach. He wondered if this volcanic phantom was similar.

With these doubts, Lu Chen changed his direction, but the result was the same. Though the sight was clearly visible just a few dozen miles away, he could never get any closer. In the end, he had to give up on the idea. In truth, the formation of these phantoms would not continue indefinitely. One day, the phantoms would descend into reality. The strange beasts living in those other spaces would appear in the Blue Star world on a massive scale. By then, it would likely be a catastrophe for both humans and all other living things. Thus, for him, increasing his own strength as quickly as possible was the most important thing.

Over the following days, Lu Chen continued his journey. He observed that marine life was increasing rapidly in both size and number. This was similar to the growth of animals within the Madura primitive jungle. The "golden rain" from over a month ago had not only brought spatial rifts to Blue Star but had also bestowed opportunities upon countless creatures. And this was only the beginning. He believed that as time went on, the creatures of Blue Star would experience another explosive growth.