Chapter 35: Return to the Undersea City

The system had previously mentioned that the volcanic creature’s vocal frequency was inaudible to human ears and could only be analyzed by the system. While it was unclear if other colossal beasts operated the same way, it seemed likely that the system had communicated something to them, resulting in this scene of them surrounding her en masse.

"I didn't say anything! They followed us on their own. I merely introduced them to the fact that you are the sole, great master from the Blue Star! Then, they asked for an audience with you, so I told them to wait in line."

What on earth? Wait!

Chu Qiuci scanned the scene. Dozens of colossal beasts were gathered in a wide circle around her. She spoke up directly, "You are all members of the Beast Clan!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the beasts before her grew agitated. Claws, tentacles, and whiskers began to wave vigorously. Many emitted strange sounds, each one more excited than the last, and their massive heads bobbed up and down with heavy thuds.

So, they really were the Beast Clan.

The reason this place had become an endless Sea of Death was likely because it was the sole habitat of the Beast Clan.

"Senior Chu, what exactly are these beasts..." The socially anxious young man couldn't hear her conversation with the system. He only knew that shortly after she entered the seal, the volcanic beast had chased them down. He had been prepared to fight back, only to find the beast suddenly frozen (as it was busy communicating with the system via low-frequency waves). Then, more beasts arrived, leading to the current situation, though for some reason, they hadn't attacked.

"Don't worry," Chu Qiuci said, giving him a reassuring look. "Well... I just remembered that my ancestors had some relations with them, so they won't attack us."

"Ah! Huh?" The young man was stunned. Such a connection actually existed?

Chu Qiuci had already flown toward the volcanic beast that had spoken so foully earlier; it was clearly the leader of the group.

"Friends of the Beast Clan, is there something you need by waiting here for me?" she asked directly.

The volcanic beast no longer showed the temperament of one who would hurl molten spikes at the slightest provocation. Even its lava-covered face seemed to shimmer with a fiery red glow. Its massive mouth opened, emitting a series of sonic waves. The system immediately activated real-time translation.

"It says: Greetings to the Creator of Miracles, the Savior of the Beast Clan, the Opener of the Divine Path, the Interdimensional Being, the Eternal Ally, and the Great Master from the Blue Star!"

Chu Qiuci: "..."

No, this familiar scent of flattery—what on earth did you say to them, you useless system? And what kind of strange things have you been updating into your database?!

"My name is Chu Qiuci! You can just call me by my name," Chu Qiuci said, a vein pulsing on her forehead. "The Blue Star and the Beast Clan have a pact of peace and mutual assistance. If there is anything I can do to help, I will try my best."

The volcanic beast exchanged glances with the nearby creatures, appearing somewhat reserved, before finally speaking.

"Great Master from the Blue Star, legend says you are omnipotent and can grant any wish of the Beast Clan. We wonder if you could help us... realize our wish."

No way. In their legends, she had become Aladdin’s lamp.

"I cannot grant any wish, but you can tell me, and I will see if I can help you!" Chu Qiuci replied earnestly.

The volcanic beast paused, and the other creatures looked at one another before one finally spoke.

"Great Master from the Blue Star, the Beast Clan has drifted in this sea for a thousand years. We... we want to go home. We want to return to our Holy City. C-can we?"

Chu Qiuci was stunned. She hadn't expected them to be waiting here for so long just to return to the city at the bottom of the sea.

Thinking back to what Bo Yi had said—that the elders of the Beast Clan had resealed the great formation, locking the entire Holy City within it—it made sense. The remaining members of the Beast Clan had been forced to leave the city and survive in the surrounding waters. For all these years, they had been patrolling this area, keeping everyone away, just to guard their city.

They had wanted to return to the Holy City all along!

"Alright," she nodded, pointing to the faint blue shimmer ahead. "I will do my best to repair the city's equipment and reset the seal so that you can all go home."

As soon as she said this, the entire herd erupted with excitement. Strange, cacophonous cheers filled the air. Countless tentacles waved in the water, and even the volcanic beast began to erupt with bursts of lava.

The scene was truly grand.

Chu Qiuci was almost splattered by lava and ink. She quickly raised a hand to stop them. "Alright, alright, calm down! Although I have promised you, repairing your Holy City... might take some time. Before that, I have one request."

The herd quieted down, looking at her in unison. The volcanic beast blinked its massive, ruby-like eyes, looking as obedient as if it would agree to anything she said.

"Only I can enter your Holy City for now. So, during this time, my friend here will remain outside. You must ensure his safety, can you do that?" She pointed to the socially anxious young man behind her.

The beasts nodded frantically, thumping their chests and raising their claws in a vow to protect him. One beast even brought over a fruit larger than a human face, offering it to the young man in a fawning gesture.

The young man: "..." Thanks?

Although he hadn't understood the exact agreement between Senior Chu and the beasts, he couldn't help but feel like he had just been left in their care.

"Young man!" Chu Qiuci turned and patted his shoulder. "I have things to attend to, and I might be busy for a while. I’ve already told them that they are to protect you within this sea. You can choose to return to the sect or wander around to seek your own fortune. I will contact you when I am finished."

The young man nodded. He trusted Senior Chu implicitly. Besides, these colossal beasts clearly showed him no hostility, proving that what she said was true; not only would they not attack him, they would protect him.

Ultimately, he decided to train in the sea. Such an opportunity was rare; this was a region no cultivator had dared to set foot in for a thousand years. It was no exaggeration to say it was filled with opportunities. With these beasts around, he didn't have to worry about anything—he just had to go out and claim them.

After settling the young man, Chu Qiuci and the system returned to the underwater city, heading straight for the central control hub.

Unlike the research labs filled with light screens of the past, the control center was a massive cylinder. A few red indicator lights flickered on it, and a faint glow emanated from within. It looked like a reactor, but it was on the verge of dying out.

The moment the two entered, the system’s small light orb dove directly into the cylinder.

[Connected to the central power equipment. Taking over all administrative privileges. Comprehensive data scan in progress...]

A series of rhythmic, mechanical beeps echoed from the cylinder. Before long, the system’s voice returned.

[Ding! Master, the central control system has been scanned. Authorization is required to take full control. Do you grant authorization?]

"Authorize!" Chu Qiuci commanded.

[Ding! Genetic sequence ********* detected. Confirmed as the sole highest-level sequence. This sequence holds top priority. Forced takeover initiated. Ding! Takeover successful!]

Immediately, Chu Qiuci heard a series of clicks, as if an ancient machine had begun to churn once more. The dying cylindrical hub suddenly emitted a dazzling white light, turning its previously dull surface snowy white, with a faint blue glow pulsing from within.

Countless data characters flashed across the surface and spread out along the walls like a digital spiderweb, instantly covering the entire city.

Within seconds, the whole city seemed to light up, and every building began to emit a faint, white luminescent glow.

[Master! Master! I have received all the data for this city. The data shows that it was never just a pure underwater city; it was a dual-purpose city for both land and sea.]

"What do you mean?" It was clearly built on the seafloor, and the beasts who wanted to return were all sea creatures.

[It means that the city we see now is only half of it—the portion meant for land. Beneath this seafloor, there is another half that is currently buried.]

"..." It was that massive?