Chapter 257: Strange Eye Soup

Chapter 257: Strange Eye Soup

At this moment, a shrill alarm sound finally erupted from the front section of the Airship.

"Attention all passengers! Return to your cabins immediately! Repeat, all passengers must return to their cabins immediately!"

A tense male voice echoed across the deck through the Airship's broadcast system:

"Massive harpy formation detected approaching! This is not an exercise! All passengers must evacuate the deck area immediately!"

Panic erupted on the deck. Passengers who had been lazily admiring the scenery suddenly snapped to attention, eyes darting in confusion.

When they spotted the dark swarm rapidly closing in from the distance, fear spread like wildfire.

"Heavens! There must be dozens of them!" A middle-aged merchant gasped, his telescope clattering to the ground from trembling hands.

"Run! During mating season, these damned creatures drain men dry!"

Another traveler who clearly knew harpies' habits shouted a warning, grabbing his companion's arm and sprinting toward the cabin.

The deck descended into chaos. Men scrambled to flee, some stumbling and falling in the rush, trampled by those behind them.

Airship staff tried in vain to maintain order, quickly overwhelmed by the stampeding crowd.

"Defense team! Assemble immediately!"

The Security Chief - a tall, middle-aged man - bellowed orders while waving at the uniformed guardsmen.

More than ten guardsmen swiftly gathered from various locations, each wielding a mana spear.

These specialized weapons fired electrified mana beams, specifically designed to repel aerial threats like harpies.

Yet judging from the pale faces and trembling fingers of the guardsmen, even they lacked confidence against such overwhelming numbers.

"Captain, there's at least forty of them!"

A young guardsman reported shakily, his voice barely steady:

"With our equipment, we can barely handle ten at most!"

"There are two Full Mages aboard this Airship!"

The Security Chief shouted:

"Send people to find them immediately! Only mages can handle an attack of this scale!"

"Carry it out now!"

An elder guardsman immediately responded, turning to the others:

"Split up! Find those two mages! Hurry!"

The guards dispersed rapidly, scouring the Airship for the mages.

Meanwhile, the harpies had closed to within a hundred meters, their piercing shrieks slicing through the air like a death knell.

The lead harpies extended their razor claws, eyes glowing blood-red, fully prepared to tear apart any prey in their path.

"Activate emergency barrier protocols! All personnel with mana weapons, assume combat positions!"

Several mana cannons on the Airship adjusted their angles, locking onto the incoming harpy swarm.

However, everyone knew these weapons would likely prove futile against such sheer numbers.

"They're going to crash into us!" Someone screamed, despair heavy in their voice.

Suddenly, when the harpies were less than fifty meters from the Airship, the situation shifted.

A strange melody abruptly emerged, as if an ancient musical instrument had been plucked in the void.

The sound wasn't loud or sharp, yet it pierced through the space in an incomprehensible manner.

It seemed to originate from everywhere and nowhere simultaneously, spreading through the air in a way that defied normal acoustic laws.

Suddenly, countless semi-transparent chains materialized from the void, radiating outward like ripples in water, rapidly extending toward the approaching harpies.

These chains appeared as delicate as gossamer yet carried unfathomable power.

They ensnared the harpies' bodies in a flash, pinning the raging creatures mid-air.

No matter how fiercely they struggled, the harpies couldn't break free from this strange restraint.

"Have the mages already acted?"

An experienced old guardsman let out a sigh of relief.

As the first harpies were bound, a sharp vibration suddenly filled the air, like someone scraping their nails across glass.

This subtle vibration rapidly spread, creating a unique Echo Effect.

Each subsequent echo grew stronger and more penetrating, creating a terrifying geometric amplification.

The bound harpies shrieked in agony, their cries filled with pain and despair.

Their bodies vibrated violently under the invisible sound wave impacts, feathers raining down like snow. Some even began bleeding from their mouths and noses.

More sinisterly, while these sound waves possessed enough power to destroy these supernatural creatures' internal organs, they were precisely controlled to induce unconsciousness rather than death.

Each vibration perfectly avoided vital organs, yet completely deprived the targets of combat capability.

In less than half a minute, the once-ferocious harpy swarm had been almost entirely neutralized, plummeting like broken kites.

Yet strangely, despite losing mobility, they all maintained faint vital signs, merely slipping into unconsciousness.

"What... what spell was that? Why did we not sense anything?"

A young guardsman stammered, eyes wide with confusion.

"Of course you wouldn't sense it - and they didn't want us to", the elder guardsman replied, voice trembling.

At the Airship's stern, Luo En and Reynolds stood side by side, perfectly composed.

Reynolds' gaze brimmed with astonishment as he looked at the young mage beside him:

"Luo En, your 'Sound Wave Oscillation' was absolutely breathtaking."

A faint smile touched Luo En's lips:

"You flatter me, Reynolds. Actually, your binding spell was perfectly executed. Without your precise control, I couldn't have applied the sound wave impact so accurately."

Despite the polite exchange, Reynolds' inner shock remained profound.

As a Dawn Star Rank Mage who had ascended long ago, he understood every variation of spells intimately.

Yet Luo En's "Sound Wave Oscillation" had completely surpassed his knowledge.

This wasn't just ordinary sound wave manipulation - it was a masterful application of the "Echo Effect."

By creating specific frequency resonances within the target's body, it achieved geometric power amplification with minimal mana investment.

Such precise mana transformation efficiency was extremely rare even among veteran Dawn Star Rank Mages.

He subtly adjusted his posture and attitude.

Unconsciously, he had previously regarded Luo En as a "junior" needing guidance.

But now, this young mage's expertise in certain areas likely equaled his own.

As Reynolds pondered, Luo En retrieved a small, octagonal crystal bottle from his Storage Bag.

The bottle was crystal clear, its surface etched with complex runes that shimmered brilliantly under sunlight.

"The harpy bloodline essence is quite valuable", Luo En's eyes gleamed with interest:

"Especially these mating-season specimens. Their mana vitality is nearly twice normal levels - perfect for my research."

He raised his gaze to Reynolds: "Would Reynolds-Mage like to collect some samples as well?"

Reynolds shook his head slightly, a smile playing on his lips:

"Harpy research doesn't interest me. You can keep them all."

"In that case, I won't be modest", Luo En nodded gratefully, then activated the crystal bottle.

The bottle's runes began glowing, emitting obsidian-blue energy fluctuations.

This mana extended like fine threads toward the falling harpies, precisely connecting to specific acupoints on each unconscious creature.

As the connections formed, colorful liquid began flowing from the harpies' bodies, traveling along the mana threads into the crystal bottle.

This substance appeared exceptionally rare, shimmering with a rainbow-like luster, flowing like mercury yet swirling like mist.

Reynolds watched Luo En's alchemical apparatus with fascination, opening his mouth to speak - but was interrupted by the Captain and a group of guards arriving.

"Respected Mages", the Captain bowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude:

"Thank you both for intervening! Without your swift action, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"Just a small effort", Luo En responded calmly, neither seeking credit nor excessive humility.

"The Airship Guild has regulations", the Captain continued enthusiastically:

"Mages who successfully protect an Airship are entitled to special rewards. Are there any requests we can fulfill for you, sirs?"

Reynolds and Luo En exchanged glances. Then Reynolds shook his head:

"No need. We were simply fulfilling our duty. However..."

He turned to Luo En: "These harpy samples will help your research, correct?"

Luo En nodded:

"Indeed. If possible, arrange for these unconscious harpies to be moved to a designated location. I need to extract further research material."

"Of course!"

The Captain immediately agreed, motioning to the guards to carry out the task:

"It would be our honor!"

The crystal bottle had completed its initial bloodline essence extraction, accumulating about half its volume with radiant colorful liquid, shimmering subtly with stable, pure energy fluctuations.

Luo En carefully stowed the Crystal Bottle into his Storage Bag, his eyes flickering with satisfaction.

The essence he collected would be more than enough for his follow-up experiments, particularly the further refinement of Daire’s bloodline.

Judging preliminarily, harpies’ genes originated from ancient Sirens. Perhaps fusing this with Daire’s Siren bloodline could produce some unexpected effects.

The rest of the voyage was smooth sailing.

Through the porthole, Luo En saw the outline of the Crystal Archipelago growing increasingly distinct—emerald green vegetation blanketed the blue-gray rocks. Under sunlight, they shimmered with a rainbow-like halo, living up to its name “Liuli” (Crystal).

The airship gradually descended, passing through wisps of thin clouds as it approached the towering Berthing Tower at the island’s center. As distance closed, the island’s scenery sharpened into clarity.

The main island curved like a crescent moon, its center bustling with a town. Buildings of blue-white hues blended seamlessly with the sapphire sea and sky. Streets swarmed with merchants—humans, fish-people, and other aquatic species. The harbor bristled with ships of all sizes: traditional wooden sailboats and mana-powered airships alike.

“Dawnwalker” finally docked steadily at the platform atop the Berthing Tower.

Since the journey was nearing the Central Lands, the airship would refuel briefly here and depart early tomorrow.

The gangplank lowered, and passengers disembarked in an orderly line.

“Mage Luo En,” Reynolds intercepted him at the gangplank. “This is your first time in Crystal Archipelago, right? Would you like to join me for dinner? There’s a renowned magical creature restaurant on the island. Their ‘Strange Eye Soup’ is famous across the Endless Sea.”

Luo En paused thoughtfully, then nodded. “An honor. I’d love to learn more about the Central Lands—and Mage Reynolds is undoubtedly one of the best guides.”

“Excellent!” Reynolds grinned. “Let’s meet at the lighthouse plaza on the main island at six tonight?”

After finalizing arrangements, they parted ways. Luo returned to his cabin to brief Ai Lan and Daire on the brief shore leave plans. Then, carrying necessary items, he stepped onto the Crystal Archipelago’s soil.

The air here was more humid than aboard the airship, heavy with sea salt and faint tropical fruit fragrances. Warm but gentle sunlight bathed his skin, and a soft sea breeze refreshed his spirit.

Islanders greeted the Mage Insignia with respectful bows, some even offering directions or recommending local specialties.

As the sun dipped, the sea turned golden-red, and the lighthouse’s warm yellow glow illuminated the bustling plaza. Reynolds was already waiting, now in a relaxed deep-blue robe, looking far more casual than aboard the airship.

“You’re right on time!” Reynolds greeted, stepping forward. “The restaurant is just a five-minute walk.”

They strolled along a path paved with colorful cobblestones. Shops lined the streets—selling coral jewelry, exotic spices, and deep-sea materials. Each exuded local charm, luring tourists and merchants alike.

“This is it—‘Deep Blue Bay.’”

Reynolds gestured toward a three-story building ahead. The restaurant’s grandeur was evident: its façade built from translucent blue stone glowing softly under lights. Two elegantly dressed fishmen attendants stood by the door, bowing politely to guests.

Inside, the decor was even more stunning.

A massive aquarium dominated the center, housing rare marine life—some bioluminescent, others shape-shifters, and some that changed color at will. The ceiling, assembled from countless crystal fragments, mimicked the underwater lighting effect, creating an illusion of being submerged in the deep sea.

“Mage Reynolds!” A large-bellied fishman manager hurried forward, struggling slightly to bow. “Huff… Welcome back! Your private room is ready.”

“Thank you, A Nuo.” Reynolds nodded, turning to Luo En. “This is Mage Luo En, a lineage specialist of remarkable talent.”

“Mage Luo En, welcome!” The manager bowed again, reverently. “Honored to host two esteemed mages. Please, follow me.”

He led them through the main hall to a secluded corner. A semi-transparent shell door opened to reveal a finely crafted private chamber.

Not large, but cleverly designed. The circular table, crafted from rare deep-sea wood, emitted a faint blue glow. The walls were embedded with luminescent coral, casting soft light. Most striking was the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the bay. At night, the sea shimmered like a flowing galaxy of stars.

“Please, sit.” The manager pulled out chairs and handed over the menu. “We just received fresh ‘Eye-Tentacle Octopus’ today. Also, the ‘Lightning Ray’ from two days ago is still extremely fresh—highly recommended…”

Reynolds nodded to Luo En. “This place’s specialties are all worth trying, especially the Strange Eye Soup. Rumor says it enhances spiritual perception.”

Luo En flipped the menu—its magical creature cuisine was astonishingly diverse. From common sea fish to rare Lightning Rays, from ordinary seaweed to precious Soul Spirit Algae, all meticulously documented with origins, cooking methods, and peculiar effects.

“Go with your recommendations,” Luo En closed the menu. “Clearly, Mage Reynolds is very familiar with this place.”

Reynolds chuckled, placing orders for several main dishes and side dishes. As the manager departed, conversation began.

“How’s your first impression of Crystal Archipelago?” Reynolds asked, pouring Luo En a glass of clear blue liquid—a local specialty tonic made from deep-sea plants.

Luo En sipped, feeling a cool, slightly salty tingle on his tongue. “Quite unique. Unlike the oppressive Black Mist Jungle, the mana here feels more active yet balanced, not as chaotic as I’d imagined.”

“This archipelago’s uniqueness lies precisely in this,” Reynolds explained. “This sea lies at the intersection of three major mana flows, creating a rare equilibrium. Combined with the surrounding waters’ regulating effect, this region boasts both stability and mana abundance.”

As he spoke, the first dish arrived—a seemingly ordinary soup glowing faintly. Thin fish slices floated atop, centering a complete, translucent octopus eye, its interior swirling with mana.

“Strange Eye Soup,” Reynolds gestured. “Try it—don’t forget the eye. That’s the essence.”

Luo En lifted a spoonful. Contacting his tongue, an unprecedented umami exploded, accompanied by subtle energy fluctuations—a tingling current weaving through his veins. Beyond taste, it was a mana experience.

Chewing the eye, a spiritual calm washed over him. His interface flashed—spiritual attributes slightly increased.

“Felt it, didn’t you?” Reynolds grinned at Luo En’s surprised expression. “This perception boost works best on first try. Diminishes afterward.”

Next dishes were equally enticing. Grilled Lightning Ray—its residual electric energy fused with special seasonings, each bite delivering subtle shocks that heightened taste and slightly accelerated neural reactions. A cold dish, “Starsea Algae Salad,” crafted from rare bioluminescent deep-sea plants, improved mana circulation efficiency.

As they dined, conversation turned to the Central Lands.

“Speaking of the Central Lands,” Reynolds wiped his mouth after a special sea beast meat. “I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I guarantee—it’s unlike anywhere you’ve ever seen.”

He reminisced, clearly recalling his own experience. “The biggest shock for first-timers is the omnipresent, hyper-concentrated mana. In the air, rocks, flowing water—even dust particles. Newcomers often suffer headaches, dizziness, or other discomforts due to sudden ‘mana overload.’”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end