Chen Lin set down his teacup and pressed the answer button.
"Advisor Chen, something has happened." Ye Wenjun's voice on the other end was heavy with undisguised exhaustion and concern. "Over the past twenty-four hours, there have been more than a hundred water monster attacks across the waterways of twelve inland provinces."
Chen Lin's expression remained unchanged as he listened quietly.
"Heavy casualties?" Chen Lin asked.
"No. That's what the expert team finds strangest." Ye Wenjun drew a deep breath and spoke rapidly. "Most of the attacks targeted fishermen who strayed into those waters. The monsters slipped into major rivers, but they haven't used the currents to attack cities along the banks. Based on our satellite thermal imaging and movement analysis, they seem more like they're... patrolling? Or conducting a blanket search."
"Looking for something?" Chen Lin tapped his fingertips lightly against the stone table, producing crisp clicks.
"Exactly," Ye Wenjun said firmly. "They're following the waterways upstream, even making detours around high dams. They have a very clear objective. The senior think tank's analysis is that these sea beasts haven't entered the interior in such force simply to hunt for food. They're searching for a crucial target."
"Understood. I'll handle it."
After hanging up, a cold glint flashed in Chen Lin's eyes.
The Sea Beast Clan had lain dormant on the ocean floor for twenty thousand years. Now that they had just awakened, instead of rushing to devour humans and recover their strength, they were sneaking into inland waterways to search for something.
Whatever could spur an ancient clan to such lengths was certainly no ordinary thing.
Chen Lin rose and looked toward the back courtyard.
On a stone platform, Heavenly Hatred True Lord held a rag and lovingly polished a newly completed Black-Armor Puppet beside him.
It belonged