Viewed from this angle, the turtles' mortality rate was actually far from low.
Newly hatched turtles could easily die as they grew, whether from illness, injury, or being hunted by other species. That was why, after all these years, the entire group numbered only a thousand or so.
How should he put it? Their population was smaller than that of the crabs on the neighboring mudflats. They could easily go extinct.
"Ahem!" Zhang Ming cleared his throat. This was his first time holding such a formal meeting on a race's survival, and he was rather nervous.
He said to Old White Turtle, "The fellow occupying the middle of the island has most likely run away. It probably won't come back."
Upon hearing the news, Old White's turtle face actually displayed a remarkably human expression of delight. The turtle roared excitedly, "Awooo!"
We won!
All the turtles cried "Awoo, awoo!" A few even rolled around on the ground. They were clearly thrilled.
They had defended their homeland!
Watching their jubilant commotion, Zhang Ming waited patiently for a while.
Only after the turtles settled down did he slowly say, "But without those two powerful beings in the middle of the island, ask yourselves honestly: can you hold on to an island this big?"
"All sorts of monsters will try to occupy the places with the most food. More races will make their way here!"
"Land is such a scarce resource in this vast ocean!"
"You need to consider the difficulties you may face in the future, instead of only looking at the present!"
Old White Turtle fell silent for a while, then translated his words into turtle language.
Yes, the turtle had to consider the challenges that would arise once their ancestor's protection was gone.
The future would not be easy.
Soon,