Finding something amiss, Bawang swiftly propelled himself through the water, drawing closer to the enigma that had caught his attention. The longer he observed it, the more apparent it became that this place was unlike any other he had encountered. Every gaze cast upon it unveiled its distinctiveness and set it apart from its surroundings.
At the base of the colossal mountain, various stones of various sizes lay scattered about. Some were thick, plate-like slabs, while others presented themselves as solid blocks. Overlord approached the scene, tidying up the area and removing the surface layers concealing the "big rocks." To his surprise, the unveiled objects revealed themselves as fragments of grey-black metal.
Bawang's intuition warned him that this place possessed an abnormal quality. Whenever faced with something peculiar, he always felt compelled to consult his trusted confidant, Liu Yong.
"Master, please come and take a look. What could be happening here?" Bawang inquired, seeking Liu Yong's guidance.
Liu Yong, equipped with a third-party perspective, had a clear view of the location situated beneath the "big mountain." Countless pieces of grey-black metal were scattered haphazardly across the area, varying in size. Some were merely a meter long, while others weighed an estimated one to two tons.
Liu Yong began to comprehend the situation. The grey-black metal fragments found within the enormous cavity must have originated from this spot, likely brought here by a colossal octopus.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I see! The gray-black metal inside the giant cavity must have originated from this place," Liu Yong concluded.
However, there was an inexplicable phenomenon that baffled Liu Yong. He noticed no other parts of the "big mountain" were littered with grey-black metal like this location. It stood alone, adorned with a vast collection of grey-black metal pieces in varying sizes, accumulating to a staggering tens of thousands of tons.
"Goodness gracious! There are so many!" Liu Yong exclaimed in astonishment.
Visually estimating the weight, tens of thousands of tons at the current market price of 20 million per ton amounted to an astronomical sum. Liu Yong's heart fluttered excitedly, and he took a few deep breaths to steady himself.
After carefully surveying the surroundings, Liu Yong made a decision. "Bawang, I believe we should excavate this place. There might be something significant waiting to be discovered."
Overlord questioned, "Master, what about the location I have been digging for the past two days?"
Liu Yong responded, "Temporarily abandon that spot and focus on this new one. Spend a few days clearing away the soil and debris here. We might stumble upon something valuable."
"Very well, but I am feeling hungry now. The giant octopus in the cave has been consumed. I shall hunt another one and return," Overlord suggested, contemplating his next course of action.
Liu Yong nodded in agreement, saying, "There's no hurry to clean up and excavate. First, go and hunt down the octopuses."
With that, Liu Yong turned off his third-party vision and pondered the immense fortune that lay beneath the "big mountain." He had a hunch that unearthing whatever secrets resided there would profoundly impact humanity as a whole. However, he knew such a discovery would inevitably attract envy and greed. Thus, Liu Yong began strategizing on safeguarding and making the best use of this newfound treasure.
Meanwhile, Overlord embarked on a journey armed with his mighty spear, headed towards the vast and deep trench, and dived into its depths. As the depth increased gradually, surpassing 3,000 meters and then 4,000 meters, it plunged further into the abyss, reaching depths exceeding 5,000 meters. In the past, Bawang would have begun feeling the mounting pressure at this depth, but this time was different. Bawang was determined to test the limits of its descent, driven by its ever-increasing weight.
Approaching a remarkable milestone, Bawang's current weight stood at 982 tons. With a growth rate of two or three tons per day, it was estimated to reach 1,000 tons within a week. This impending milestone presented a challenge, as Bawang was uncertain how to surpass it. Nevertheless, Bawang decided to push the boundaries of its exploration, eager to discover how deep it could reach.
The motive behind Bawang's ambition to reach the deepest point stemmed from its weight nearing 1,000 tons. It believed that once this mark was surpassed, it would attain a greater understanding of its own capabilities. The journey downward continued, each stroke taking Bawang deeper into the Great Trench. Progress was deliberate, accompanied by heightened sensory perception.
Soon, the depths surpassed 6,000 meters, and the pressure from the surrounding seawater grew intense. Undeterred, Bawang pressed on, reaching approximately 6,800 meters—a chasm that signalled the limits of its current capabilities. In a matter of days, Bawang's weight would reach the coveted 1,000-ton milestone, and its maximum diving depth was estimated to be around 7,200 meters.
Just as Bawang contemplated resurfacing, the weight of the water pressing against it, a stunning sight caught its attention within the expansive range of its super perception—an enormous octopus. Unlike any encountered before, this specimen surpassed them all in size, its massive form occupying a large cave nestled within the trench's cliff.
The sight of this colossal octopus ignited Bawang's culinary desires. A self-proclaimed foodie, Bawang couldn't resist the temptation of such a delectable meal. Ignoring the mounting water pressure, Bawang swam closer to provoke the creature.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAs expected, the giant octopus was incensed by Bawang's provocation. As the undisputed ruler of its domain, it had never been challenged before. Instantly, its fury erupted, igniting like a powder keg, and it shot out of the cave with tremendous speed.
Witnessing the octopus's response, Bawang swiftly ascended, swimming against the current to evade the approaching threat. A thrilling chase ensued, with Bawang battling against the relentless pursuit of the enraged creature.
Amidst the chase, Bawang's super perception unveiled a startling discovery—a plethora of grey-black metal pieces residing within the cavernous hole where the giant octopus had concealed itself. Ranging in size from several tons to mere hundreds of kilograms, these metal fragments dotted the chamber.
Reflecting on this revelation, Bawang marvelled at the accuracy of Liu Yong's insight. These giant octopuses appeared to have a penchant for collecting the grey-black metal. Pushing aside thoughts of the metal, Bawang quickly swam back up to a depth of over 5,000 meters, turning around and stopping.
The giant octopus also halted, maintaining a distance of around three to four hundred meters from Bawang. Puzzled by Bawang's sudden stop, the octopus observed its opponent, unsure of its intentions.
As Bawang observed the creature, it couldn't help but acknowledge the colossal size of the octopus. Each tentacle was not only thick but also exuded an aura of power. With nearly two hundred meters in length, this massive cephalopod weighed at least 1,500 tons, making it a substantial meal for Bawang.
Unbeknownst to the giant octopus, Bawang had considered it as potential sustenance. Thoughts of devouring the creature and savouring multiple meals crossed Bawang's mind. Little did it know that entertaining such studies would only incite the octopus's wrath.
After a few seconds of tense confrontation, the giant octopus made its move. Fueled by confidence, it charged toward Bawang with rapid swings of its massive limbs, intending to overpower its opponent.
However, in Bawang's eyes, the octopus's speed was lacklustre. Unimpressed, Bawang decided not to engage in a sprint and instead charged directly at the creature, wielding its formidable giant spear.
The clash between the colossal octopus and the Overlord began, and the outcome hung in the balance.