Chapter 1099: Chapter 1098: Guardians
A piercing, prolonged howl echoed, a command from the Wolf King signaling the Sea Wolves to attack. Upon receiving the order, the Sea Wolves swarmed into the water, causing splashes to rise all around.
The Wolf King, watching the fleeing Mermaids in the distance, let out another roar. Accompanied by several Sea Wolves, it leaped into the water as well.
Despite the Mermaids acting as bait taking the lead, the distance between them and the Sea Wolves gradually shortened.
Feeling the imminent danger, driven by the instinct to survive, the Mermaids exerted all their strength, fiercely swinging their tails to swim faster.
Jiang Cheng and Yanran watched the scene in the sea from afar, silently hoping the Mermaids serving as bait would return safely.
However, would their hope be fulfilled?
Jiang Cheng’s plan against the Sea Wolves was officially underway, with every detail meticulously prepared.
Except for the necessary Mermaids left outside, all the remaining Mermaids retreated into a secluded cave within the bay, which was very safe, especially with Ba Lv’s protection, greatly increasing the safety level.
Though Ba Lv wished to fight on the front lines against the Sea Wolves, Yanran successfully persuaded her to stay and protect the Mermaids.
Yanran guarded the narrow entrance, the bay’s only external passage. Guarding this place blocked the Sea Wolves’ retreat, trapping the ones entering the bay with no escape.
Being a person with immense power, Jiang Cheng was responsible for clearing the bay of Sea Wolves, and under his assault, surviving sufficed was nearly impossible for them.
The Flaming Firebird was also assigned part of the task. Now fully grown, the beautiful bird could eject powerful flames with unique properties that wouldn’t extinguish even in water.
Everything was ready, and the Mermaids acting as bait launched into action.
These were Mermaids in their prime, healthy and skilled, possessing courage beyond others, stepping up resolutely to undertake the bait task for their entire race’s safety.
The Mermaids executed their task with exceptional perfection.
With superior vision, Jiang Cheng and Yanran watched from afar. Under the Mermaids’ lure, almost all the Sea Wolves pursued them.
Even the Wolf King, accompanied by a few Sea Wolves, swam slowly behind. Despite the front-running Mermaids pushing with full force, their distance from the Sea Wolves kept shrinking.
Among the Sea Wolves were some clever ones that guessed the Mermaids’ escape route, choosing not to follow behind but instead heading straight to the entrance of the Mermaids’ habitat, waiting for them.
Faced with formidable foes ahead and pursuers behind, among the bait Mermaids, two mentally broke down.
Already slower than the Sea Wolves, their disarray made their swimming movements uncoordinated, slowing them further, quickly lagging behind their companions.
Other Mermaids knew going back to aid their lagging companions was futile now, especially with their ongoing task.
The Sea Wolves rapidly closed in on the two trailing Mermaids, who barely had time to let out a sound wave before the Sea Wolves seized them. In mere moments, the two Mermaids became food for the Wolves.
Their sacrifice bought precious time for the remaining Mermaids, who widened the gap between them and the Sea Wolves while the latter were preoccupied with devouring their companions.
Yanran’s tears fell upon seeing the Mermaids devoured by the Sea Wolves.
Though she knew that the bait Mermaids would likely not return, witnessing it firsthand still filled her with sorrow.
She cherished these beautiful, kind creatures, wishing they wouldn’t perish in the mouths of the vicious Sea Wolves.
As the surviving bait Mermaids neared their habitat, the danger peaked. Some Sea Wolves were eager to intercept, rushing to greet the Mermaids heading toward the entrance, while others blocked it.
Yanran watched the scene woodenly during this critical moment for the Mermaids, helplessly watching, praying the predators wouldn’t seize them, seeing the helpless Mermaids changing direction but unable to escape, seeing despair on their faces, witnessing them fall into the clutches of Sea Wolves.
Yanran’s tears kept falling, blurring her vision.
Jiang Cheng remained composed, silently observing everything without comforting Yanran or discussing with An Si.
Competition among creatures is inherently cruel, unaffected by human will. Survival of the fittest and natural selection are Nature’s laws.
A young Mermaid darted left and right amidst the Sea Wolves. Although her companions continued falling to the Sea Wolves, her survival courage never wavered. Diving and leaping amid the pack, after a sharp turn, exploiting a gap left by two colliding Sea Wolves, she exerted all her might to leap forward, her slender body tracing a graceful arc in the air.
A splash echoed as the Mermaid entered the passage at the entrance, swiftly moving with her tail, narrowly escaping the Sea Wolf lunging after her, swimming into the Mermaids’ habitat.
Behind her, the Sea Wolves issued angry roars, mixed with frustration.
The waiting Mermaid guards at the entrance, unable to initiate an attack, let out a sharp call, a powerful sound wave directed at the entering Sea Wolves.
Almost simultaneously, hidden among the pack, the Wolf King emitted a piercing howl. The Mermaid barely escaping the Sea Wolves’ encirclement invoked the king’s wrath, prompting it to command its subordinates to attack.
Under the Sea Wolves’ fierce assault, the Mermaids guarding the entrance quickly faltered.
Previously supported by many companions as a backup, they were now isolated and the resistance was fleeting.
The Mermaid guards began retreating as the swarming Sea Wolves soon filled the entrance, entering the bay continuously under the Wolf King’s command. Soon, the usually empty bay was crowded with Sea Wolves.
Jiang Cheng remained hidden behind a rock, calmly observing the Wolf King. With most subordinates inside the bay, the Wolf King, guarded by several Sea Wolves, also entered.
