Chapter 1060, Naval Preparations

Translator: Silavin

 

Su Bai sat eating a large slice of watermelon, a fruit drawn from a package the System had produced.

 

He had been genuinely surprised when it appeared. Previously, the only fruits that had ever come out were oranges and bananas, nothing else. So, receiving a watermelon was a welcome development, particularly because the seeds could be kept.

 

A single casting of the Growth Acceleration Skill would be enough, and those seeds could be set aside for future use.

 

“Shaman, I wonder how Ah’Hua and the others are doing.” Yu Ying’s face was creased with worry.

 

“Stop worrying. They’re very capable. They know how to look after themselves.” Su Bai said.

 

“I guess you’re right.” Yu Ying took a large bite of watermelon.

 

She was rather fond of this fruit. It was sweet and crisp with a satisfying crunch, and the juice was plentiful.

 

“You understand how to cultivate watermelons, right?” Su Bai asked.

 

When the watermelon had first appeared, he had taken the time to explain the process in full to Yu Ying. From selecting seeds that were plump and full, through sun-drying and sterilisation, to sowing them in loose, breathable humus-rich soil.

 

He had covered the sunlight requirements. Since watermelons are sun-loving plants that need all-day natural exposure.

 

Finally, he mentioned water and fertiliser. He had to emphasise how fertiliser was needed, and timely watering was needed. He had gone into considerable detail, for the simple reason that Su Bai himself wanted to eat watermelon on a regular basis.

 

“I have memorised every word, Shaman.” Yu Ying nodded at once.

 

“Good. Come and ask me if anything is unclear.” Su Bai took another bite.

 

“Shaman, there is something I have been meaning to ask for a long time now.” Yu Ying’s voice was soft and tentative.

 

“What is it?” Su Bai straightened up.

 

Yu Ying set down her half-eaten slice and wiped her hands before speaking. “Shaman, our Tribe is situated along the river, right? And there are many Ferocious Beasts in the river. Why have we never tried to catch them and use them as transportation vehicles?”

 

Yu Ying had been holding the question back ever since she had first heard talk of capturing birds for the same purpose.

 

“That is a good idea. The honest answer is that I have not come across anything suitable for that purpose yet. Unless you have a suggestion for me?” Su Bai asked.

 

He had to admit he had never thought along those lines before. Now that Yu Ying had raised it, the idea seemed workable. Travelling by ship carried its own dangers, and the Ferocious Beasts in the river remained a constant threat.

 

A large beast encountered in the water could be close to impossible to deal with, and without Totem Warriors aboard, a ship would be helpless.

 

“I remember there is a kind of Ferocious Beast that surfaces at regular intervals. I don’t know why they came up, but they do so on a predictable cycle.” Yu Ying tapped her lower lip with one finger. “Despite being Ferocious Beasts, they are remarkably docile. So long as a person does not provoke them, they will not attack us.”

 

“There are beasts like that? What are they called?” Su Bai asked, his eyes kindling with interest.

 

“Let me think. I recall my Father mentioning it before. I think they are called… Long Toothed Turtles.” Yu Ying retrieved the name from memory.

 

She had seen them herself as a child. Her Father had taken her to the river to watch them before. It was a precious memory, so the sight of it remained quite vivid.

 

“Long Toothed Turtles. A species of sea turtle?” Su Bai sat forward. “If so, they would make great aquatic transportation vehicles, far more useful than any ship.”

 

“I do not know what a sea turtle is, but I know their shells are very hard. Warriors tried driving long spears into them from the bank and could not pierce through.” Yu Ying shook her head.

 

“From that description, they sound very much like the same creature.” Su Bai nodded with quiet satisfaction. “How large are they?”

 

“Quite large. Roughly the size of one of our Tribe’s small ships. Four or five people could ride on top of one comfortably.”

 

Yu Ying swished her pink fox tail. “The Tribe attempted to Tame them before, but no one could ever get close enough to capture one. Despite their gentle nature, they never come to the riverbank. Also, their shells are so hard that there was simply no way to restrain them.”

 

She had watched it all herself from the riverbank as a child, surrounded by Family. In time, after repeated failure, the Tribe had given up. There was no point wasting effort on a beast that could not be caught. And even if one were caught, no one had any idea how to Tame it.

 

“When do they normally surface?” Su Bai pressed, his mind already beginning to take shape around an idea he found rather promising.

 

If these creatures could be Tamed, a proper water-based force would no longer be a distant ambition.

 

The concept had been forming for some time, what one might call a naval force. Yan Hua and the others were at the Hunting Ground now, catching flying beasts not merely as transportation vehicles but as groundwork for an air force.

 

The natural next step was to develop both ground and water forces. The ground side already had the Six Eyed Red Birds, few in number as they were, but a promising beginning nonetheless.

 

In time, he could have those Ferocious Beasts venture out to contact their own kind and bring them back.

 

The Six Eyed Red Birds at the Flame Dragon Tribe lived extremely well. Their environment was excellent, their daily feed more than enough. If they were sent to find their kin, they would surely return with others.

 

Beasts communicated within their groups, after all. Once word spread that the Flame Dragon Tribe offered abundant food and genuine safety, they would have no reason to keep their distance from Humans.

 

In this Primitive Era, food was everything. Any creature that claimed otherwise simply was not being honest.

 

“They appear every day, actually. Did the Shaman not know this?” Yu Ying’s pink eyes went wide.

 

She had always assumed Su Bai was aware, which was precisely why she had held back this question for so long. However, her curiosity had finally won out.

 

“I had no idea. If you had not said anything, I would have remained ignorant of this.” Su Bai spread his hands openly.

 

“They might even be out there right now. Would you like to go and see?” Yu Ying asked.

 

“Right now? Then let us go. What are we waiting for?” Su Bai rose to his feet immediately.

 

He had been hoping for precisely this. If the beasts were out there, he intended to begin Taming one without delay.

 

A transportation vehicle of that quality was not something to let pass by. Beyond its practical uses, the Long Toothed Turtle could serve as the mount of his naval force. It was ideal for engaging other Tribes on water. Primarily, of course, for defence. However, if necessary, he would not shy away from striking first.

 

“Very well.” Yu Ying fell in behind him at once.

 

Ye Jiu immediately set about organising an escort. As the riverbank, like the forest, was a place of genuine danger. No one ever truly knew what lurked beneath the surface of the great river.

 

In the forest one could at least rely on sight. The river, one could only hope that there was nothing beneath those waters.

 

“No need to rush. Relax.” Su Bai smiled.

 

“Yes, Shaman.” Ye Jiu’s cheeks flushed a little.