Chapter 20: The Bright Moon Rises Over the Sea

“These old fools really are past their prime—it’s time they were moved from their seats.” None of the clan elders realized that, as Xu Bancheng narrowed his eyes, he had already decided their futures. The elders gathered in the conference room looked into the eyes of this young man and, for reasons they could not explain, found themselves growing uneasy.

“I believe we shouldn’t report this just yet,” Xu Bancheng’s father, Xu Mingzhe, spoke up. “This matter could turn out to be something minor or something monumental. If we file a report now, before anything is certain, it would be reckless.”

“Continue,” Xu Bancheng said, leaning back in his chair, interested to hear his father’s reasoning.

“At the moment, all we have is a single photograph and Xu Bing’s account. We in the Xu family can trust Xu Bing, but the outside world certainly will not. If we report this hastily, it could damage the Xu family’s reputation,” Xu Mingzhe weighed the pros and cons.

In this age of the internet, after all, a single wave of public opinion could completely ruin a person for life. The Xu family, with its vast fortune and influence, had to act with prudence. Nothing unconfirmed could be allowed to leak.

“That’s all?” Xu Bancheng raised his brows at his father. “Is there anything else?”

Xu Mingzhe looked at his son, a trace of pride in his eyes. This outstanding man was his own blood. After a moment’s thought, Xu Mingzhe continued, “We have our seafood business—let’s send our fleet to observe the area closely and keep detailed records. Only when we have sufficient evidence should we make a report.”

The clan elders nodded in agreement; it seemed a prudent suggestion.

Xu Bancheng nodded slightly. “That will do. Tell the fleet to be cautious. If they encounter any danger, they are to return immediately.”

With that, Xu Bancheng stood and strode from the room. The elders rose in turn and followed him out.

Five minutes later, in Xu Mingzhe’s study, Xu Bancheng knocked and entered.

“Father,” Xu Bancheng stood respectfully before the desk.

Xu Mingzhe closed his book and looked at his son, nodding slightly. “Speak.”

Without preamble, Xu Bancheng said, “I believe what my sister says. She would not have the courage to lie to me. That means the dolphin capable of writing messages truly exists. Therefore, I have decided to report this.”

“Oh?” Xu Mingzhe regarded him with suspicion. “Then why did you agree earlier?” He referred to the meeting where Xu Mingzhe had supported the cautious approach, confused by his son’s sudden change.

Xu Bancheng replied, “This matter can’t be concealed. If the ocean is truly changing, it will be discovered sooner or later, and no one can guess what will happen then. So we should quietly report the facts now, so those above are alerted to the danger.”

“I see,” Xu Mingzhe nodded. “You are the head of the Xu family. Do as you see fit.”

“Yes, sir.” With a slight bow, Xu Bancheng turned and left the study.

…

Ten days later, beneath the deep sea, an ancient city appeared before Lin Qiu’s eyes. He was utterly stunned.

The city stretched endlessly, its scale impossible to grasp. Each brick and tile was immense, the sprawling avenues a hundred meters wide. Suspended above the city was a luminous orb, as large as a small plaza, casting a gentle radiance and illuminating the entire metropolis.

The system informed Lin Qiu that this was no mere pearl, but a product of advanced technology. When that distant civilization sank, the power source had been shut down. Now, as the sea beasts mutated and ancient memories awakened, they had returned to this city beneath the waves and, following the instructions encoded in memory, reactivated the city’s energy systems. This glowing sphere was just one of the city’s many illumination devices.

Around the city, coral, seaweed, and countless marine beasts gathered. Yet within the city’s bounds, these sea creatures became orderly and subdued. Most astonishing of all, a sea beast over three hundred meters long entered the city and, before his very eyes, shrank at a visible rate—until it was barely a meter in length.

Lin Qiu stared, his heart pounding wildly. A creature more than three hundred meters long reduced to a mere meter—how was such a thing possible?

“Host, there’s no need for surprise. This is the wonder of high technology. When technology reaches a certain level, it grants abilities that seem miraculous. The reason these sea beasts shrink is that the city’s advanced systems alter the structure of space itself,” the system explained.

“Then if I go in, will I shrink down to a single cell?” Lin Qiu shivered, looking at his diminutive frame with deep concern. If a three-hundred-meter giant became so tiny, what would happen to someone his size?

“Host, do not worry. Upon entering the city, the system will automatically assess all entrants. According to its settings, every living creature is resized to exactly one meter. Since you are currently less than a meter tall, the system will actually enlarge you to reach one meter upon entry.”

“There’s such a function?!” Lin Qiu was again astounded. He could only marvel at the ingenuity of this ancient civilization.

Compared to the technology of this bygone era, modern advancements seemed utterly insignificant. If the Water-Blue Star was so powerful in ancient times, what could the universe’s foremost warrior nation be like? Immortal beings, capable of shattering stars with a single blow, bending space to cross the galaxy in an instant—he could scarcely imagine it.

Next to such civilizations, he realized, calling himself ignorant would be a compliment.

Still, a flame of ambition ignited in his heart. The system had told him: as long as he continued to devour and evolve, his growth would be limitless. In the future, he could not only gain immortality and shatter stars with his fists—he could even surpass the strongest warriors in the cosmos.

Thinking of what lay ahead, his spirit blazed ever brighter.

“Since I have been granted a new life, I will defy destiny and stand atop the pyramid, overlooking the myriad stars of the universe.”

At that moment, Lin Qiu made this oath and, following the dolphin clan, entered the ancient city.

The instant he crossed the threshold, he was startled once more. Just as the system had said, his body began to grow. In the blink of an eye, he reached a full meter in height. At his side, Lin Ling experienced the same transformation. Among the dolphin clan, the adults all shrank, becoming no larger than a meter.