Chapter 269: The Fisherman Profits (Third Update) |
Qin Ziwen observed for a moment. To better view the battle, he simply rode the Crowned Eagle to a position directly above the two colossal beasts.
The two behemoths locked in a white-hot struggle below had no energy to spare for observing their surroundings.
"This is interesting. It seems the Ichthyosaur is faster; the Mosasaur has barely managed to bite it at all," Qin Ziwen noticed the Ichthyosaur was very agile, circling the Mosasaur and tearing at its back.
Even during unavoidable collisions, it wouldn't allow its body to be bitten by the Mosasaur.
Although both were Sea Colossi, their sizes were vastly different.
The Mosasaur's body length exceeded the Ichthyosaur's by nearly half.
Its frame was significantly larger than the Ichthyosaur's. That massive maw filled with sharp teeth came close to clamping down on the Ichthyosaur several times.
But perhaps due to its injured eye, the Mosasaur's movements were somewhat off-target.
He noticed an arrow embedded in the Mosasaur's left eye.
Was the Mosasaur going to lose?
Qin Ziwen felt the Ichthyosaur was winning too easily.
He looked at the Mosasaur, thinking it might not be that simple. Judging by its performance when they hunted it earlier, this creature wasn't stupid; it was cunning and sly.
Yet right now, the Mosasaur was acting somewhat "wooden."
In the sea, the Ichthyosaur bit down, clamping onto the Mosasaur's belly. With a backward yank, it tore off a huge chunk of flesh.
Blood gushed out.
At that very instant, the Mosasaur suddenly moved. It whipped its tail, slamming heavily into the side of the Ichthyosaur's head.
The strike was swift and fierce. The Ichthyosaur's movements froze.
Abruptly, the Mosasaur erupted into action, its jaws snapping shut on the Ichthyosaur's neck.
With a shake of its head, it performed a death roll right there in the sea.
The Ichthyosaur's neck was nearly bitten through, instantly losing a large, mangled section.
Qin Ziwen had seen it use this move before. When the Mosasaur hunted the Plesiosaur earlier, it was this same technique.
That time, it directly ripped the Plesiosaur's neck apart. This Ichthyosaur's neck was thicker than the Plesiosaur's.
Qin Ziwen waved to the ship.
Upon receiving his signal,
the Lost Homeland began approaching. On deck, the Heavy Crossbow was ready.
Sensing the movement of the Lost Homeland, the Mosasaur, which had been tearing into the Ichthyosaur, halted its actions. It turned its head to look at the Lost Homeland, then without hesitation, flipped over and dove into the deep sea.
It was decisive, its movements too fast. The Lost Homeland didn't even have time to get close.
Realizing its intent, the ship fired the Heavy Crossbow, splashing up columns of water, but the Mosasaur had already escaped.
"Ran away? Or is it lurking nearby for now?" Qin Ziwen scanned the surroundings, but the turbid sea surface revealed nothing.
The Lost Homeland had already reached the vicinity of the Ichthyosaur.
The Ichthyosaur, missing half its neck, floated on the sea surface.
The approaching ship's shadow reflected in its eyes. Its mangled body twitched once.
Its fins feebly slapped the water.
It tried to dive, but its broken neck made complex maneuvers difficult.
It could only let its massive body slowly circle on the sea's surface.
"Creak... creak..."
From the deck came the sound of the Winch Drum tightening.
"Thwump!"
A dull, resonant thrum echoed over the deck.
[Completed Hunting Ladder Level 2 Task: Hunt Adult Ichthyosaur *1]
[Reward Obtained: Designated Ordinary Building Card *2, 5 points]
The dead Ichthyosaur floated on the sea. The Lost Homeland sailed over, using Iron Hooks to secure its hide and flesh, and the ship began its return journey.
Successfully hunting a Sea Colossus filled the deck with cheers.
.....
"They've started heading back." Huang Tao gazed into the distance, observing the large ship beginning its return journey.
"I see it." A flicker of complexity passed through Zou Jianghe's eyes.
Huang Tao said, "The task to hunt the Ichthyosaur is complete."
"Mhm." Zou Jianghe gave a slight nod.
"You're planning to give up?"
"I wouldn't call it giving up. But it seems we have guests coming." Zou Jianghe looked toward the distant sea surface. A wooden boat was approaching their location.
Several people on board were rowing with oars.
"Interesting. Daring to come over directly with just one boat." Huang Tao looked at Zou Jianghe. "The Qin Alliance's elite forces are probably all on that ship. The other side wouldn't think that just because the Qin Alliance members left, our residential complex is undefended, would they?"
"They've raised a white flag." Zou Jianghe pointed into the distance. On that boat, a white pole had been erected, with a piece of White Cloth attached.
"Is this a surrender?" Zhang Bo was stunned, his hands gripping the Railings as he leaned forward, trying to see clearly.
Huang Tao, however, felt something was off because the other boat kept moving closer to the residential complex.
Even though they were flying a white flag, it gave him an indescribably strange feeling.
Zou Jianghe suddenly said, "I heard from Qin Alliance members that Guild Leader Qin has an ability, something about being able to set up a node, allowing teammates to reach the other side through it.
What do you think? Could the people on the other side have this ability too?"
"That would make sense." Huang Tao turned around. "Guild Leader, we can't let them get close to the Island Reef."
"Go call people. Stop them outside the island." Zou Jianghe headed downstairs.
Zhang Bo looked back; the two were already far away.
He hurried to catch up.
Zou Jianghe's footsteps thudded loudly as he quickly ran down from the residential complex, gathering Alliance members he saw along the way. He simultaneously sent Huang Tao to call for more people and Zhang Bo to notify the Qin Alliance.
Zou Jianghe rushed out of the residential complex, arriving at the west side. Seeing some people fishing by the reef, he immediately shouted, "Get up here, now! Be careful!"
Although the Alliance was declining, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Zou Jianghe still commanded some residual authority.
Most people by the reef, half-believing, half-doubting, scrambled up. Only a few individuals remained by the water's edge.
By now, the small wooden boat was less than a hundred meters from the Island Reef.
A white flag fluttered on the wooden boat. Perhaps worried they wouldn't see it, the small boat actually had two white flags.
"Who has ranged weapons?" Zou Jianghe scanned the area. At that moment, outside the Island Reef, it was mostly people fishing with nets or using homemade harpoons. Basically, no one had bows or crossbows.
"Guild Leader." Huang Tao ran over from behind. Four people followed him, each holding a Longbow.
"Only four?" Zou Jianghe glanced behind them, finding just these four.
Huang Tao said, "More are coming from behind. I told others to spread the word. I was afraid it would be too late, so I brought these people first."
"Good. Shoot them."
"Shoot directly?!" The four who were brought were somewhat shocked.
Jianghe said decisively, "Shoot directly. They're definitely suspicious. After seeing us gathering on the shore, they didn't slow down but instead sped up. They didn't stop to communicate either. People surrendering wouldn't act like this."
These four looked in the direction Zou Jianghe pointed and indeed noticed something amiss. The other side seemed too eager.
They hurriedly raised their bows and shot toward the sea.
However, because they were shooting at a moving target and the distance was somewhat far,
the Arrows sailed past the boat, barely grazing it.
On the opposing boat, a red-haired young man looked up. "They've noticed. Seems there's a smart one among them."
After saying this, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes. "Row faster! Speed up and close the distance! As long as we can land, break into the residential complex, we win! Everyone can have what they want!"