TYMIMA Chapter 98

Before leaving, Sandro instructed Ryan to hide and not meet with any humans. If he came, he would again speak their words of love.

 

“I’ll think of a way. Wait for me three more days.”

 

Ryan gently swayed its tail tip and nodded in agreement.

 

Sandro recovered for a while, then transformed into a jellyfish again, paddling through the green seawater toward the corridor.

 

He would eventually face Selarl, face the enemies of Tasman hidden behind Selarl.

 

Ryan watched him reluctantly, using its tail to gently lift the little jellyfish’s skirt edge.

 

The jellyfish’s tentacles brushed past its smooth scales, finally exerting force and swimming away.

 

The bodies of the two guards remained permanently in the underground city. When Sandro stepped onto the corridor, he discovered more people were arriving one after another.

 

Leading them were two of Selarl’s followers, also S-level Awakened ones who had joined the Tasman Pirate Nation as adults—great white shark form animal-type and bay crocodile form animal-type.

 

According to Selarl, these two were his university classmates. Since their parents also held certain positions in the Federation, they initially hadn’t planned to join Tasman.

 

Later, at Selarl’s suggestion, they decided to follow their awakened attributes, return to the ocean, and bring the knowledge they had learned over the years to Tasman.

 

But Sandro wasn’t so easily fooled. These two people’s words and actions didn’t seem like well-educated top students, but more like desperados.

 

Seeing the king emerge completely unharmed, both were stunned.

 

“How did you come out by yourself? Where are Lati and Hexi?”

 

Sandro’s expression was indifferent, his tone cool: “To protect me, they fought the mutant beast and died gloriously in service. Pass down the order to properly handle their funeral arrangements.”

 

“……” The two S-level Awakened ones stared at the king, momentarily speechless.

 

In this underground city, besides that most dangerous S+ mutant beast, the rest were at most A-level.

 

Two A-level guards with rich combat experience dying simultaneously in service sounded quite unrealistic.

 

But with their status, they weren’t qualified to publicly question the king.

 

“You brought quite a few people. Since I’ve come out safely, everyone return to your respective posts.” After Sandro finished speaking, he brushed past the two S-levels and walked toward the underground city exit.

 

The two exchanged glances, grinding their teeth behind Sandro’s back, forcing themselves to smile through their anger: “Your Majesty, may we ask what you came to the underground city to do? You acted without notifying the guard and caused the deaths of two A-level Awakened ones. This is truly worrying.”

 

Sandro said coldly: “You’re not qualified to question me.”

 

“I—” The great white shark guard had just started to glare when the bay crocodile guard pressed down on his arm.

 

The bay crocodile smiled coldly: “Yes, naturally we’re not qualified to question you. This opportunity to show concern should rightfully go to Prince Selarl.”

 

Sandro paid them no more attention, walking straight through the crowd, using his scale to open the underground city’s iron door and stepping into the deep sea.

 

Sandro’s loyal subordinates approached with concern, supporting his arm.

 

They had just seen several strands of the king’s thick purple hair broken off in the seawater, which meant the king’s tentacles had been severed.

 

“Are you really alright?”

 

“I’m fine.” Sandro supported himself on his subordinate’s hand, stepping up from the depths of the trench on bleached coral.

 

“The people Selarl brought are really too unreasonable. He should really manage them himself. If he won’t, then we’ll do it for him!” his subordinate said indignantly.

 

Sandro remained noncommittal.

 

Now Tasman’s backbone had been either exiled or assassinated by Selarl, already in complete disarray. This was also why he had to be constrained by Selarl.

 

But he knew that with just the white sharks, bay crocodiles, glass squids and others around Selarl, it would be impossible to severely damage the underwater elite forces. Behind this, there must be the Federation government’s handiwork.

 

In recent decades, as Phobos Bay welcomed more and more investment, Federation residents had gradually gathered in this bay with its suitable temperature and beautiful scenery.

 

Passion County was no longer the barren, scorching hot place of exile it once was. Now the housing prices there rivaled those of Capital City.

 

In this open area of Phobos Bay, more and more Federation residents had witnessed the customs of other nations.

 

Among them, the Pacific Island Nation was remote and isolated from the mainland, the Caribbean Chieftain State was poor and backward with an unenlightened populace, the Polar Glacier Organization was extremely cold and difficult to survive in. Only the Tasman Pirate Nation was open and equal, with abundant life, generous welfare, and comprehensive security.

 

The so-called sea boat houses had already formed a considerable scale. From afar, they looked like a movable small island, with no discomfort for those living on them.

 

Tasman’s immigration policy was very lenient. As long as one was a marine life form Awakened one without extreme criminal records, they could bring close relatives to join the Tasman Pirate Nation and enjoy the same treatment as citizens.

 

Therefore, in recent years, Tasman’s immigration applications had increased exponentially, most of them from Federation residents.

 

With more and more people, the Tasman Pirate Nation’s national strength was also growing stronger. With the concerted efforts of foreign immigrants, Tasman not only had its own fleet but had even built a complete underwater public transportation system.

 

Someday, when kelp tree bubbles perfectly merged with underwater buildings, their families living on boat houses could also freely travel underwater.

 

The Federation certainly wouldn’t allow the Tasman Pirate Nation to continue developing, but land-dwelling Awakened ones found it difficult to fight Tasmans in the sea. So their only option was to disintegrate Tasman from within.

 

The great white shark and bay crocodile watched from afar as the king boarded an underwater speedboat and left Wonderland Trench in a cloud of dust.

 

But they didn’t leave. Instead, they picked up rare lead ore weapons and explored inward.

 

Exiting the corridor, it was still that vast mangrove forest. The green seawater bubbled like a boiling cauldron.

 

“Do you think the king comes to the underground city repeatedly to find that monster?” Although the great white shark didn’t have Selarl’s vision to see the carved words on the wall clearly, from repeatedly torturing that monster, he had also discovered clues.

 

As long as Selarl imitated the king’s voice, the monster would be attracted and swim toward the sound, falling into their traps again and again.

 

“Heh, who knows what happened in the underground city during the year he disappeared.” The bay crocodile showed disdain, conjuring unpleasant images. “I’m afraid even if something did happen, the king wouldn’t have the guts to let people know. After all, who would accept an omega who submitted to a monster as king?”

 

“His ability is also weirdly perverted. In our Utopia, if an omega was defiled by a mutant beast, they would have committed suicide in shame long ago. But he can’t even die.” The great white shark sneered.

 

“Oh, brother is from Utopia?” The bay crocodile was surprised.

 

“You know about Utopia too?” The great white shark asked back.

 

The bay crocodile grinned meaningfully: “Who doesn’t know Utopia is a paradise for criminals? Then I understand why you ended up in AGW Special Dangerous Death Row Prison.”

 

The great white shark said coldly: “You’re wrong. Precisely because I did nothing—just tried to escape Utopia—I was thrown into AGW Special Dangerous Death Row Prison.”

 

The bay crocodile was surprised: “What?”

 

The great white shark: “Well, that’s all in the past. Now Selarl has given me a chance to see daylight again. I just want to live comfortably in Tasman for the rest of my life.”

 

The two carefully searched the underground city’s waters but didn’t find any trace of that monster.

 

“That guy is hiding. Strange, with such heavy injuries, it still has energy to run around.”

 

“It probably sank to the seabed. Don’t worry, with such a big target, it can’t hide.”

 

“I suddenly have a bad feeling. We’re not prepared enough today. Let’s not go deeper. Let’s go back and notify Selarl first.”

 

“Alright, who knows what tricks the king pulled.”

 

“Leave a few people. Starting today, guard this place. Don’t let the king meet with the monster alone again.”

 

“Mm, Selarl said the weapon will arrive soon. Then we won’t need to fear this guy anymore.”

 

After discussing, the two slowly withdrew from the underground city.

 

When Sandro returned to the palace, he indeed found himself under even stricter surveillance. The spies following him from afar had changed from the original two A-levels to seven A-levels.

 

He acted as if he hadn’t noticed, walking into his bedchamber on his own to change his soaked clothes.

 

He had just fastened the last button of his nightgown when Selarl barged in without regard.

 

Sandro immediately raised his eyebrows and lifted a tentacle to strike at Selarl.

 

Selarl, as the strongest Awakened one underwater, easily grabbed Sandro’s tentacle and pressed it down with a cold laugh.

 

“What, throwing a tantrum as soon as you return?”

 

“I was changing clothes. Get out.” Sandro pulled back his tentacle, anger in his tone.

 

“But you’re done changing now.” Selarl looked at Sandro’s perfect figure hidden beneath the nightgown, immediately feeling somewhat parched. “Besides, we’re about to be engaged. After engagement comes marriage. Are you still afraid of your future husband seeing?”

 

“This is propriety.” Sandro raised his neck, proudly reproaching Selarl.

 

Selarl narrowed his eyes, looking at his seductive, tormenting appearance, and laughed: “What did you just go do? You cost me two capable subordinates.”

 

“Nothing much, just went to the underground city to advance my abilities.” Sandro had already thought of his excuse.

 

Current human research on abilities generally believed that training in underground cities was the most regular way to advance abilities.

 

When human life was threatened, it would stimulate the body’s potential, causing the Spirit Realm system to be stimulated and synthesize more aggressive abilities.

 

Selarl knew Sandro wasn’t telling the truth. He secretly clenched his fists.

 

Such blatant dismissiveness made him want to immediately grab Sandro’s neck, press him hard onto the bed, and leave marks to vent his anger.

 

But he couldn’t.

 

He knew that once he got rough with Sandro and left injuries on his body, the wedding would be immediately canceled and he would completely lose the hearts of the Tasman people.

 

In the eyes of Tasman people, Sandro was still a god-like existence. The common people were enthusiastic about this marriage because he had shown deep affection and loyalty to Sandro.

 

Those foolish, impulsive young people were mostly also bewitched by his persona, believing the king was arrogant and ungrateful, which was why they had turned to his camp.

 

These young people were indeed easy to use, but once they discovered they had been deceived, their backlash would be even more violent.

 

Force couldn’t suppress all Tasman people. If Selarl wanted to maintain his current position, he had to temporarily appease this king.

 

“Good thing you weren’t hurt. Those two people died for a worthy cause.” Selarl put on an affectionate appearance. He walked over, reached out to lift Sandro’s damp hair, inhaling the sweet moss fragrance on Sandro’s body, saying intoxicatedly, “Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility for the fright you suffered today.”

 

Sandro’s heart tightened.

 

But Selarl had already released his hair and left, leaving only a meaningful smile.

 

Time passed through the dark deep sea, leaping dolphins, tranquil falling stars, landing on every sleeping face.

 

Night passed in a flash. The sun leaped from the horizon like a gust of wind, blowing away the dense blue sky.

 

Mist fell rustling down, hiding again beneath the sea surface. Ahead of the Manxing Sea, a stretch of exquisite boat houses appeared.

 

They had finally reached Tasman’s heartland—Peach Blossom Spring Village.

 

Though called a village, the scale of these boat houses was no different from a city that could accommodate a million people.

 

This city floated on the sea surface. Underwater was a crystal ore power system supporting the entire boat house area. Once a rare storm occurred here, the power system would carry the entire city to calmer waters.

 

Because of this, outsiders found it very difficult to pinpoint the exact location of Tasman people.

 

In today’s itinerary, tourists would be invited to board Peach Blossom Spring Village, tour the boat houses, taste Tasman specialty foods, and admire antique artifacts from various dynasties that Tasman people had salvaged from the seabed.

 

Of course, this didn’t include the various guilds about to participate in the bidding.

 

While tourists joyfully disembarked and landed at Peach Blossom Spring Village, various guilds lay on balconies, watching from afar, smoking melancholy cigars.

 

While tourists ate, drank, and took crazy photos, various guilds huddled in restaurants, feeling dejected, drinking vodka that added sorrow to sorrow.

 

While tourists rushed into museums, exclaiming in amazement at thousand-year-old artifacts, various guilds put on suits, picked up laptops, and listlessly headed to the bidding hall.

 

In the top-floor suite, Li Bang was in high spirits, spreading his arms to let two guards dress him.

 

“Captain, I heard all the guilds have arrived at the bidding hall and are eagerly waiting for you!”

 

“As expected, those small guilds must be rubbing their hands together in anticipation.”

 

“I can imagine their ecstatic faces.”

 

“With such a big order from our Tasman, who wouldn’t be envious?”

 

“Speaking of which, Gudeshao’s death was really timely. The finance minister position has much more oil and water than guard captain. From now on, captain will be these small guilds’ only connection in Tasman, haha.”

 

“Right, whoever wins the bid will have to show proper respect to our captain, won’t they?”

 

“Hahaha.” Li Bang was so flattered he beamed with joy, shaking off quite a bit of powder from his face.

 

Realizing this, he hurriedly pressed down the corners of his mouth and faced the mirror to touch up the powder on his scar.

 

After finally covering the scar, Li Bang carefully pressed down his round hat and used shadows to block it before strutting out of the room.

 

At the elevator entrance, Chen Shun’an, who had finished vacuuming the carpet, pulled out a towel and wiped the sweat from his neck.

 

He was so unremarkable that when Li Bang swaggered through the central hall, he didn’t notice this familiar face or see those eyes burning with anger.

 

The door plated with copper water and wrapped with red silk stood before him. Li Bang straightened his suit collar.

 

The guard beside him put on a fawning expression, enthusiastically pushing open the door for Li Bang, saying emotionally: “Warmly welcome Captain Li Bang to the Manxing Sea! Everyone’s applause can start now!”

 

The door suddenly opened, brilliant dazzling lights spilling out, but Li Bang’s smile quickly froze on his face.

 

The originally most active Archer Guild and Dragon Guild representatives were now leaning against their chairs, sleeping in disarray, drool flowing from their mouths onto their laptops, whose bright screens displayed Happy Monopoly and dress-up games for beautiful women respectively.

 

Nearby, Planet Guild and Crocodile Guild representatives stared blankly, having maintained the same posture for a long time, their consciousness clearly having drifted elsewhere.

 

The Dead Sea Guild representative sitting in front was diligently studying chess patterns. He had lifted his buttocks several times, wanting to disturb the red-haired young man from Ghost Eye Guild, but had shrunk back under the death stare of High Tower Guild’s intern.

 

The other guilds also looked listless and dispirited. Some had even taken out sunflower seeds and were cracking them in small groups.

 

Li Bang: “……”

 

The guard felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly cleared his throat: “Didn’t everyone hear? Our Tasman’s Captain Li Bang has come to host the bidding ceremony for everyone!”

 

A few people turned to glance back, then silently turned their heads back.

 

The guard took a deep breath: “Captain Li Bang—”

 

“Oh, are you done yet? Hurry up, we’re anxious to go back and catch up on sleep. Can’t you see Archer Guild is about to sleep to death?” Finally someone impatiently interrupted the guard’s loudspeaker act.

 

Li Bang had already sensed something strange, but with the bidding imminent, he couldn’t investigate further.

 

“Distribute the bidding quotation forms to everyone.” He instructed, his gaze scanning the various faces in the venue.

 

This was a lot of money that should have caused fierce competition, but he couldn’t see any excitement on anyone’s faces.

 

Well, not everyone—High Tower Guild and Ghost Eye Guild were still quite excited.

 

Especially High Tower Guild—three adults surrounded a blue-haired little girl tightly. The little girl was writing furiously on the bidding quotation form. After finishing, she quickly locked it with her arms, looking around vigilantly like preventing classmates from cheating during final exams.

 

Li Bang sneered inwardly. Effort was useless—as if anyone would choose you.

 

Lily said vigilantly: “No one’s peeking, right?”

 

Dream Witch stroked her blue braids, saying lovingly: “I never thought there’d be a day when you’d cover your answers. This honor that teachers and classmates never gave you, you’ve finally experienced.”

 

Lily said sadly: “……My grades are galloping forward.”

 

Though Dream Witch couldn’t bear to shatter her beautiful fantasy, while the child was still young, she still delivered a reality check: “Baby, at your age, Little Golden Retriever had already won first place in the global math olympiad. Haven’t you noticed it takes him a long time just to understand why you got something wrong?”

 

Lily: “……”

 

Zhan Pingchuan asked curiously: “Who’s Little Golden Retriever?”

 

Dream Witch smiled: “Lily’s tutor.”

 

Zhan Pingchuan raised an eyebrow: “Quite a novel name.”

 

Lily drooped her mouth corners: “It’s a nickname. His real name is O—”

 

Not far away, Lance suddenly pressed his chest and coughed heavily twice, coughing until his eyes were slightly red.

 

Zhan Pingchuan instantly forgot about Lily’s tutor and quickly turned to Lance: “Baby?”

 

Lance lowered his hand and showed him an innocent, clear smile: “I’m fine, husband.”

 

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)