Chapter Ninety: Risking Life and Limb

Hearing Li Fu's words, a look of understanding appeared on Li Mingbo's face. He then turned his gaze toward another person; seeing that person nod hurriedly, Li Mingbo knew that Li Fu's words contained not a shred of falsehood.

Li Mingbo proceeded to ask for more details. One had to admit, Li Mingbo was someone who had experienced many strange events; his questions were precise, each one striking at the heart of the matter—about the creature's appearance and its primary methods of attack.

In truth, Li Fu had not gained much from his descent this time. All they managed was to glimpse the monstrous being in its entirety and learn that the ropes attacking them were merely tiny parts of that immense creature.

As Li Fu recounted his experience, Li Mingbo's face remained expressionless, yet inwardly he began to worry deeply for Ke Bei.

After hearing Li Fu's account, Li Mingbo's gaze shifted once more to Fang Yuan.

This time, Fang Yuan sensed an intimidating pressure.

He knew that Ke Bei's predicament was ultimately his responsibility, though he had not forced Ke Bei to come to his rescue. Even without Li Mingbo's urging, Fang Yuan would never abandon Ke Bei's loyalty.

As everyone stood at a loss, unsure what to do next, Fang Yuan suddenly leapt into the sea.

Li Mingbo's eyes had already conveyed a dangerous warning. Fang Yuan felt certain that if he stayed any longer, his fate would not be pleasant.

Fang Yuan disliked owing others anything, so if Ke Bei was still alive, he would do whatever it took to rescue him.

Compared to Li Mingbo's heavy weaponry, Fang Yuan had many advantages.

If he remained submerged in the vast ocean, it would be difficult for him to be discovered.

His plan was simple: if he could follow the colossal creature, perhaps he would uncover some secrets. As soon as he found an entrance into the beast, he would slip inside.

He believed the creature was fast; if accompanied by others, he could never keep pace. But alone, Fang Yuan was ninety percent confident he could succeed.

When he dove beneath the waves, he worried that the creature might have vanished. Yet once below, he saw that the monster had not moved at all.

Whether it ignored Fang Yuan and the others or something was wrong with it, it remained still, motionless.

Fang Yuan swam around in the water, truly invisible in comparison to the giant before him—like an ant before an elephant.

After circling the beast, he found nothing. He lingered nearby, observing quietly for a long time, but still found nothing.

Could it have been damaged by the depth charges earlier?

He recalled how the creature had attacked the ships not long ago; now, it was utterly silent. Even as he approached, it made no move. Fang Yuan suspected his guess might be right.

“Master, look, there’s a pair of eyes watching us from that little hole,” came a loud voice from Chong Chong, who rarely spoke.

To avoid distracting Fang Yuan, Chong Chong always kept silent unless Fang Yuan’s safety was threatened or there was a significant discovery.

Since Fang Yuan had entered the sea, Chong Chong had been silent. But just now, it saw a tiny head poking from a small hole.

The little creature was sensitive; realizing it had been seen, it quickly withdrew. Yet Fang Yuan managed to glimpse the tiny being, with two antennae growing from its head.

Now, Fang Yuan could no longer communicate with Chong Chong through his consciousness. Seeing the little creature, he didn’t hesitate—he darted forward.

He drew his short blade and stabbed straight at the small hole where the creature had appeared.

His speed was clearly inferior; just as he thrust his blade, he looked up and saw the little creature emerge from another opening.

This time, Fang Yuan saw it clearly—the antennae atop its head swayed constantly, and small eyes on the tips watched him curiously.

Curiosity? That was just as well.

While the creature stared at him in fascination, Fang Yuan struck suddenly, severing its head.

It wasn’t bloodlust or a penchant for killing; these seemingly harmless creatures were in fact extremely vicious.

If Fang Yuan was correct, the ropes that had attacked the ships earlier were likely produced by this seemingly innocent creature.

Sure enough, as Fang Yuan chopped off its head, the creature’s body slid out from the small hole.

Fang Yuan stared at the opening for nearly a minute before the entire body emerged.

By rough estimate, this creature was about four to five hundred meters long.

Thankfully, the pilot earlier had quick reflexes and raised the helicopter in time; otherwise, Fang Yuan and Pei Xi would have been dragged into the sea.

Perhaps sensing a trace of threat, the motionless beast stirred ever so slightly.

Only a slight movement, yet Fang Yuan felt the surrounding sea tremble violently, as if shaken by an earthquake.

His body, which had been still, was now tossed uncontrollably as the water shuddered.

What was happening?

Despite Fang Yuan's efforts to maintain his balance, the turbulence grew so intense that he was tossed about as if in space, spinning ceaselessly.

Unable to control his equilibrium, his sensory cells nonetheless keenly detected the changes in the water.

It felt as though a massive whirlpool lay ahead, and his body was slowly, inexorably drawn toward it.

Fang Yuan fought to keep his mind clear, but soon his consciousness faded into blankness.

Pain—intense pain.

In his sleep, Fang Yuan felt his body crushed by some force, the agonizing pain so fierce it seemed his bones would shatter.

“Master, you’re awake?” Sensing Fang Yuan’s pain, Chong Chong spoke happily.