The plant-type ability on the boat stepped forward immediately, but after a single glance, one said,
"No, it's too far. Our vines cannot reach that far."
"Can the boat move closer?" Captain Zhang asked.
"Even closer won't work. Our powers are not that strong."
There were three plant-type ability on the boat. They extended their vines, and it was clear the vines could reach far. But to reach the circle of fish, the distance was still too great.
What to do? What to do?
Everyone's mind was screaming the same question. No solution came easily. On land, no matter how hard, they could grab weapons and fight. But now, with something unknown under the water, they could not dive in.
Just as everyone grew anxious, an irritating voice sounded nearby,
"Why not just jump in and fight them? You four are so strong. Can't you solve such a small problem?"
Captain Zhang frowned, about to say something, but Lan Jin spoke first,
"What you say is easy. Jump in yourself and show us how it's done."
Unexpectedly, Pei Xin rolled her eyes and said bluntly,
"I don't have powers. Besides, it's not my job. Why should I…."
Before she could finish, a fish suddenly leaped from the water on the right side of the boat. It was as big as a grown adult. Its head took up one-third of its body. Its jaws opened wide in midair as if targeting Pei Xin, and it lunged straight toward her.
Pei Xin screamed in terror, stumbling backward to avoid the attack. No one else could move fast enough to help. Immediately, dozens of fish leapt around the boat, aiming at the people on Deck A as if they had preselected their targets.
The people on Deck A drew weapons or used powers and attacked together.
Lan Jin used the Violetbane Ring to conjure a whip, swinging it to strike all the leaping fish around her back into the water.
Shen Zhiyan, standing beside her, had not even acted yet. Their side had already handled the immediate threat.
A strange phenomenon appeared. Fish attacking elsewhere, even when injured and falling back into the water, could leap again. But Lan Jin's side? Once struck, the fish dropped and could not move again.
Shen Zhiyan examined the situation. Lan Jin's ring carried electricity. Any fish struck by the whip were electrocuted instantly, flipping onto their backs in the water, unable to act.
The people on Deck A were not passive either. Several rounds of attacks forced the large fish under the water, also flipping them onto their backs.
Under the scorching sun, Deck A's people were exhausted and panting heavily after the attack.
After a while, no fish leapt again, but their vigilance never dropped.
Pei Xin, finally recovering, wailed at the four of them,
"You four are so strong. Why didn't you save me just now?"
Lan Jin ignored her, rolling her eyes and checking the surroundings of Deck A.
Pei Xin's unreasonable behavior caused the others to frown, continuing to observe their surroundings carefully.
The immediate danger had passed, but who knew what hidden threats remained? A single misstep could be fatal. When they looked toward the three small boats again, it was too late. All three had capsized, completely silent. The survivors were gone.
Captain Zhang looked regretful. "Twenty-four people… all gone."
Not only were the people gone, the circle of fish that had surrounded them had dispersed as well.
Shen Zhiyan said, "So they were hunting just now? Could this happen again? We need a solution fast, or…"
Before Shen Zhiyan could finish, Pei Xin lunged forward, attempting to push Shen Zhiyan into the water.
Shen Zhiyan, standing beside Lan Jin, reacted quickly, pulling Pei Xin back and slapping her across the face. The slap was not revenge. It was a necessary response. They knew that if someone fell into the water, they might never surface. Pei Xin had been reckless and malicious.
Lan Jin had anticipated Pei Xin might push her, so she was particularly alert. Her strength was immense. The slap stunned Pei Xin, ringing her ears and leaving her dazed.
Shen Zhiyu, who had wanted to act, was pulled back. The three of them approached Captain Zhang. After a brief discussion, before Pei Xin could recover, she was escorted by several people toward the cabin.
Halfway there, Pei Xin regained her senses, struggling and shouting,
"What are you doing? Lan Jin, you actually hit me. Who do you think you are? How dare you hit me, believe me…"
Before she could finish, another large fish leaped from the water on the left side toward Pei Xin. Lan Jin used the Violetbane Ring to conjure a spiked projectile and thrust it into the fish's belly. The fish struggled briefly before being electrocuted into stillness.
Such power. Lan Jin barely acted and the fish was already dead.
Lan Jin tossed the dead fish in front of Pei Xin and said,
"You are part of the professor team, right? Study these things. Cut it open. Maybe you can figure something out from inside."
Pei Xin was incredulous. "What? I study, not kill fish. What do you take me for?"
Ling Jiang laughed. "We are not asking you to kill it. The fish was already dead. But it's so strange, cutting it open to study might reveal something."
Shen Zhiyan, almost pushed into the water moments ago, stepped forward. "Yes, I have never seen such a fish. Maybe there is really something wrong. If it needs study, study it. Land creatures are allowed, so why not sea creatures? Or are you just not capable…"
Shen Zhiyan smirked at Pei Xin, who looked frustrated. Pei Xin had acted wrongly, but what could they do to her?
"I am not killing it. I don't believe you can force me to death," Pei Xin said defiantly.