The next morning, at the entrance of the Eastern Gate of White Bone City.
Crack!
Accompanied by a crisp sound of bones rubbing against each other.
Huge tangled bones, like thorns, slowly opened, revealing a city gate ten meters high and eight meters wide.
The normally lazy and indifferent Skeletons were, for once, leaving their homes and gathering near the Eastern Gate.
The formation was chaotic, yet they maintained an extraordinary silence...
The Skeletons looked at Gu Sheng and his team, who were slowly approaching the city gate, and with a uniform salute, expressed their respect for their leader.
Until Gu Sheng's team disappeared at the horizon's edge, the Skeletons maintained that solemn silence.
"So, is that why it is reluctant to become the Prophet?"
Also watching Gu Sheng's team depart, Xiong Pi couldn't help but recall his first encounter with Gu Sheng.
At that time, Xiong Pi had wondered why Gu Sheng so firmly declared that he wasn't the Prophet and could never become the Prophet.
Thinking back now, perhaps from that moment, it already had the notion of becoming the leader of the Skeletons.
Not for personal glory, but to lead their race completely out of ignorance...
For this, even if it meant giving up its past and enduring countless hardships, it was willing to do so.
"It is not the Messenger of God, but the leader of the Skeletons."
"It did not offer its faith to God, but chose to dedicate its life to its race."
Whispering softly, A Li once again recalled Shuli's last evaluation of Gu Sheng before leaving.
"It is our undisputed leader!"
.........................................................
The East Sea is the largest ocean in the Mountain and Sea Realm, and also once the Land of the Fallen Dark Sun.
Setting out from Skeleton City, it took Gu Sheng and his group a full seven days to arduously traverse the daunting jungle and chaotic swamp, barely reaching the East Coast.
However, gazing at the endless sea, everyone knew this was only the starting point of their true goal.
Under this vast sea, within that endless expanse, lay the abode of the Merfolk tribes.
In fact, there weren't significant conflicts between the Merfolk and Skeletons.
After all, in whatever aspect, both sides had little chance of crossing paths.
The Merfolk joined the ranks of the Hundred Races entirely because of their close relationship with the amphibious Lingyu.
Human-faced, fish-bodied creatures with limbs that could walk and emit terrifying howls...
This was the first impression the Lingyu left on the Skeletons—fearsome creatures dwelling in the streams.
"This is the territory of the Lingyu."
Standing away from the coastline, Gu Sheng was the first to stop.
And as if to confirm Gu Sheng's words, many "giant salamanders" suddenly emerged along the coastline.
They had limbs and feet, but a face resembling a human's.
When they completely crawled onto the shore, the leading "giant salamander" suddenly stood on its hind legs and let out a terrifying growl full of intimidation towards Gu Sheng and his group.
"Ho! Ho! Ho!"
Each howl could trigger a tide, and each tide could further blur the boundary of the coastline.
This was the ability of the Lingyu, a special ability to create tides through high-frequency sound waves.
"Elder Lingyu, we mean no harm!"
Raising his voice, Gu Sheng responded to the Lingyu's calls with a vigorous tone.
"We are here seeking peace, and the Merfolk should have already informed you of this matter, right?"
The Lingyu were a subordinate race to the Merfolk, and were a branch evolved from them in the past.
Unfortunately, due to a great war back then, the Lingyu were forced to withdraw from the stream regions of the Mountain and Sea, returning to the shallow seas.
To this day, few Lingyu remain in stream areas, and even fewer live near White Bone City.
Only this group, stationed on the East Coast, served as a warning against a potential comeback by the Skeletons.
"Of course we know your purpose."
Just when Gu Sheng thought the Merfolk had not informed the Lingyu of the negotiations, a hoarse voice suddenly emerged from among the Lingyu.
"But, you didn't mention bringing a lunatic with you before."
As the Lingyu slowly dispersed, an elderly Lingyu with two long whiskers appeared before everyone.
Though trying hard to suppress their hatred,
the elderly Lingyu couldn't help but show anger when seeing A Ke, shrouded in a black cloak.
"Lunatic" was the sole impression the Hundred Races of Mountains and Seas had of the Second Generation Skeletons.
Because in the final "Battle of Jiuli," these brutal killing machines caused over fifty percent of the casualties—indiscriminately.
"A Ke is not a lunatic; they are the warrior responsible for my safety on this journey."
With a gesture, Gu Sheng stilled the slightly restless group behind him, retorting in a composed yet dignified manner.
"While we pursue peace, if you seek to provoke conflict, we will not shy away!"
"Skeletons never refuse any challenge nor fear a war of fragmented bones!"
Upon hearing this, the elderly Lingyu fell silent.
To seek peace does not mean blind compromise, and having experienced war firsthand, Gu Sheng understood this better than anyone.
Only by demonstrating sufficient strength and resolve could Gu Sheng achieve the peace he truly desired.
"Hmph! I hope you can do as you say."
Unwilling as they were, the elderly Lingyu ultimately waved for their kin to disperse, opening a direct path to the sea.
"We Skeletons always do as we say, that is an undeniable truth."
Stepping forward firmly, Gu Sheng replied to the elderly Lingyu's words.
"Let's go! Where we're heading next is truly the domain of the Merfolk."
Among the Lingyu's vigilant escort, Gu Sheng suddenly smiled and spoke to his team as they reached the shore.
"Relax a bit; the ocean isn't as terrifying as you imagine."
"Next, I will prove this to you."
Breaking off a section of his finger bone, Gu Sheng turned and threw it into the sea.
Splash!
In the next moment, that piece of bone rapidly grew and transformed at a speed visible to the naked eye.
In just a few breaths, a completely crystalline bone ship appeared before everyone's eyes, entirely made of bone.
"The skeleton can bear all things, and our Skeletons' very bones are proof of this power."
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