CHAPTER 463: CHAPTER 360: BEAR-STYLE COUNTER-TERRORISM: THE FATES OF BANDITS AND HOSTAGES INTERTWINED!

The Dream Black Tide Town quickly overlaid the real Black Tide Town. Their appearance, size, and architectural layout were all identical. Except that the Dream Black Tide Town was even damper, mostly submerged in water, and there were many more grotesque Divine Statues scattered throughout, especially the Divine Statue standing in the center of the square, which was the biggest. It was carved from a slick, dark green rock, identical to the materials used in the buildings of Luanyun City that Violet had seen. Nobody knew whether it was dismantled from that Old God’s mansion.

The Divine Statue was generally in the typical Kin form of a fish-headed humanoid. But it was at least three times the size of normal members of the Deep Sea Clan, its dorsal fin sharp as a blade, and it clenched a deep blue trident in its hand, gruesome yet exuding majesty.

As soon as Byron laid eyes on it, he heard a series of eerie, moist-sounding, ethereal prayers:

"Ancient one of the Deep Sea Clan, loyal guardian of Luanyun City, the Abyssal Horror that dominates the ocean currents, Dagon!"

"We thank Dagon for bestowing upon us food, technology, and goods, allowing us to prosper..."

The chants, turning tangible, filled the entire Dream Black Tide Town and then overflowed, merging with the prayers from the real world. The longer one listened, the more one started to doubt if water had begun to seep into their ears. Shaking one’s head, it almost seemed possible to hear a SLOSH SLOSH SLOSH of water within.

But those mortals engaged in their kneeling prayers could not see the vision before them. Only Transcendents like Byron and Violet, who possessed the corresponding Dream Realm abilities, could simultaneously observe both layers of the world.

"Byron, look quick, the [Jackdaw] is at the docks!"

The two Black Tide Towns converged at the docks. Aside from a few whaling ships with a hint of the New Continent and the damaged [Ironclaw Vessel], another adventure ship they were all too familiar with was indeed present. The ship’s slim body was hard to miss with its two masts topped by a dozen red sails that seemed ablaze with flames. The main sail, even half-furled, shone with a brilliant light, embroidered with the image of a silver fish that spread its fins wide and bore a slight resemblance to a bird. It was the [Jackdaw], which had sought their aid three days prior.

Looking at the situation before them, a multitude of Deep Sea Clan members with indescribable appearances had also gathered at the base of the Divine Statue in the square. With the mortals on one side and themselves on the other, they packed the circular square to the brim. The number of grotesque, baring-fanged large fish in the central pond had also suddenly increased by more than half, now totaling at least two hundred. Clearly, the extra fish were most likely the crew members of the [Jackdaw].

Such was the nature of adventure at sea. Every person on a ship was part of a whole, sharing a common fate. One misstep often meant the entire crew was lost, with hardly any chance for a minor defeat. Without comrades, there was no escape.

Based on a normal adventure ship’s crew count, the townsfolk could have feasted on the [Jackdaw]’s crew for three days, so the remaining numbers seemed reasonable.

But with so many fish, which one is Hawkeye James? This guy wouldn’t have been eaten already because the Third Order Mermaid’s Tear was too delicious just after he turned into a fish, right?

From the viewpoint of a foodie, there are two types of people in this world. One kind prioritizes immediate gratification, consuming the tastiest parts first, all about seizing the moment. For them, a bird in hand is better than two in the bush. The other prefers delayed gratification, enduring temporary restraint for more significant gains, saving the best part for last.

Hopefully, these members of the Deep Sea Clan belonged to the latter, saving the most delicious fish until the end.

Otherwise, Byron could only regretfully inquire where James Kent’s family lived. He would then sincerely offer his condolences at the man’s grave with the words, "Your wife, I shall provide for."

Pushing such inauspicious thoughts to the back of his mind, he continued to closely observe the large fish in the pond. Their true bodies and Sailing Logbooks were not here. As he looked at one and then another, each pair of death-staring fish eyes was filled with a longing for life.

It was as if they were saying:

"Save me! Save me!..."

Apart from James, the other fish needed rescue too. It wouldn’t do to watch them get eaten by monsters. To anyone else, even if they could reach this place, they would be helpless to intervene. But Byron was different.

[Blood of Immunity] was invincible. If he could cure those Coralians suffering from coral disease before, he could now save these Fishmen. Moreover, Byron was now stronger than when he had dealt with the scourge of the blood frenzy. The activated perk [Invincible Against All Diseases] allowed him instant antibody production, eradicating the need to wait 24 hours as before. To perform a rescue, all he needed was his true "Doctor-form" body to arrive and administer an injection, returning them to their original state.

Seeing that the ascension ritual had already begun, he stopped hesitating. The true body aboard [The Golden Deer] issued a formal "Operation Fish-Eat" directive to Little Snail.

Since Dagon had already personally taken his followers to siege the [Ocean Throne], Byron did not believe the remaining townspeople could withstand the onslaught of [The Golden Deer] and nearly ten Third Order Transcendents.

At the same time, from the crowd of dream-based Deep Sea Clan members opposite, two particularly imposing and taller Fishmen emerged, moving to the very front.

"Divine Son!"

"Goddess!"

The other Transcendent Species Kin, still retaining their senses and speech, bowed their heads deeply.