The sea glittered beneath the golden morning light. A gentle breeze swept across the water, and several thresher sharks leaped above the surface before plunging back in.
Xia Lun stood at the bow of the Submarine, hands clasped behind his back, gazing calmly at the horizon.
It was early morning, with half the sun just risen above the water. Yet here, in the middle of the vast sea, Xia Lun spotted the carcass of a stranded whale.
Its body was enormous, like an island. From a distance, its swollen, rotting white flesh looked like a massive reef, while the yellowing fat clinging to it resembled a shifting beach. Vertebrae pierced its skin, their translucent bones supporting the long-decayed body like some grotesque arch.
By all rights, something so heavy should have sunk to the seafloor and vanished into the dark, lifeless depths. Strangely, the colossal carcass lay stranded on the sea, bathed in morning light, without moving an inch.
At the sight of it, Xia Lun's eyes flickered. He could not help remembering the golden salmon he had encountered before.
"Although Manhunter is dead, you still have a chance to bring him back. Head toward the rising sun and find the whale stranded in the middle of the sea. Go beneath the Sea Abyss, and you can still bring him back." He silently recalled the golden salmon's words.
There was no doubt about it. The final destination of this voyage, the Sea Abyss, was close.
"Time to act." Xia Lun lowered his gaze.
His perception was exceptionally high, allowing him to see the stranded whale from a great distance. The Submarine was still at least two hours away.
But even after spotting their destination, Xia Lun did not rush to call the others. As usual, he went to the Smoked