Chapter 37: Visiting the Empire, Section 9

Black Hair could not understand the thoughts of marine creatures. Just as he could not turn into a fish.
In these creatures’ minds, there was no concept of a self at all. Birth, aging, sickness, and death were all part of nature’s cycle. Even being eaten by higher-level creatures was merely a part of life for them—there was no need for fear.
So the dolphins did not see their actions as sacrifices. They simply thought they were doing something entirely normal. Losing some members for the sake of the herd’s survival—wasn’t that an inevitable part of any herd’s growth? What was there to be surprised about?
It was just unfortunate that this time, the ones who died were themselves.
The dolphins did not understand the suddenly changed looks of the Blood Wolf warriors. But that didn’t stop them from quickly sending the strongest member back to report. Black Hair noticed that this member was likely the only one among them who was unharmed, physically intact, and probably one of the strongest as well.
The injured went to die, while the healthy and strong returned to report. Was this to ensure the herd’s strength? Black Hair pondered, gradually understanding the dolphins’ way of thinking.
Despite possessing advanced intelligence, they still lived by ancient rules. This waters truly were a wonderful place.
Amidst Black Hair’s sighs, the Storm Wind set sail once again.
With the dolphins leading the way, their speed was significantly faster than before, and the journey was extremely smooth. Not only were there no sharks in sight, but not even other aquatic creatures could be seen. Outside the Storm Wind’s windows, only clear liquid swayed.
Everyone knew it was thanks to the dolphins. As local natives, they were clearly more familiar with the environment than anyone had thought. The routes they chose were the safest and most peaceful. Moreover, every three hours, there would be a gathering of fish—probably their source of food.
Such a quiet route naturally meant smooth sailing. So, two days later, they easily spotted the “stone ball” mentioned by the dolphins.
It was a small celestial body. In the eyes of the Blood Wolves, it was probably no more than an asteroid—small enough to possibly disintegrate at any moment.
With a diameter of just a few hundred kilometers, its surface was covered with green algae, just like other celestial bodies. But a long, wide crack ran across it diagonally, like a long scar, disrupting the harmony of the entire body.

It was still a long distance away. Li Feng’s holographic scan had already displayed the entire scene of this star body before everyone. Sure enough, at first glance, they saw a huge transparent object inside the crack. In the clear seawater, it resembled a huge white worm, ugly and crawling within the crack.

It was a bubble. The crew members became excited upon seeing this. Although the image from the holographic scan wasn’t clear, they could still distinguish the unique white color of the bubble. In clear water, only the air inside a bubble could appear so starkly white.

Of course, what the air inside contained wasn’t something they cared about. Even if it was poison, what could they do? All Li Feng needed was a space to accelerate energy.

The destination had been found. Hei Fa naturally wouldn’t forget his promise. So, the Dolphin Squad split into two groups again. One group took a hundred Sunsets and Blood Moons straight to the habitat, while the other stayed behind.

Through conversations with the dolphins, Hei Fa learned that taking control of a habitat wasn’t complicated. Marine creatures had their own rules, and each habitat had a dominant fish group as its ruler. As long as that group could be driven away, control of the area could be obtained without dispute.

But the habitat the dolphins had discovered this time was different. It was an area where no dominant group had yet emerged, so it contained the richest food and supplies. Unfortunately, when they tried to take it over, the Sak tribe also set their sights on this place, leading to their current predicament. As long as Hei Fa could ensure those Sak warriors were driven away, he would have fulfilled his promise.

The Sak tribe were sharks. After the last battle, Hei Fa had figured out their combat tactics. So this time, most of the mechs sent were Blood Moons. Relying on the Blood Moons’ long-range attack capabilities, taking control of that area shouldn’t pose any problems—just requiring some time.

Using this time, Hei Fa conducted a thorough scan of where the bubble was located.

You really don’t know until you scan—once you do, you’re shocked.

A dense cluster of light points. At first glance, it was impossible to count them all. Even someone who wasn’t good at math could tell that there were tens of thousands of units gathered around that bubble.

If all those tens of thousands of units were Sak tribe members, that is, sharks, wouldn’t that mean they were walking straight into a trap? At the thought of this, everyone’s face turned pale.

Time passed slowly, and the results of the scans finally brought relief to everyone. It turned out that although there were many creatures in that waters, most of them were fish that the dolphins hunted. In other words, it was also a habitat. As for the Sak tribe, the greatest threat, their numbers were actually less than a thousand.

It made sense—if powerful creatures like sharks could reproduce in large numbers, wouldn’t that sea have long become their paradise? How could other creatures survive there?

By this point, everyone no longer needed more information. They just had to wait for the mech squad sent to assist the dolphins to return, after which they could rush into that bubble. The remaining dolphins would act as bait to lure the sharks hovering near the bubble, giving Li Feng enough time.

In the silent waters, Li Feng floated motionless, with the large dolphin swimming back and forth in front of him, seemingly anxious. Two hours had passed, yet its companions who went to take control of the habitat hadn’t returned, making it increasingly frustrated. Their original habitat had long been depleted. If they didn’t seize this new habitat, their young would starve. So it simply couldn’t afford failure.

“Should we help them? Li Feng’s food factory should have enough surplus, right?” The monkey in the cabin suddenly suggested, looking at the anxious dolphin. Hearing this, the eyes of the other crew members also lit up.

Yes, why not help these dolphins? As the strongest long-range assault ship in Huaguo, Li Feng’s factory was extremely well-equipped. The food it produced each day was enough to feed 50,000 people, yet the total crew size was only a few thousand. The excess food could be given to these dolphins.

Although they had only known each other for a short time, these dolphins really won everyone’s affection. They were dedicated, ungreedy, kept their promises, and weren’t afraid of death. In every way, they were a hundred times better than the allies of the Blood Wolves in the past. Seeing them now willing to sacrifice themselves generously for a little food and so anxious made everyone feel reluctant to abandon them.

But Hei Fa mercilessly shattered their hopes.

“There’s no problem supplying them with food. But who can guarantee that after giving them food, they’ll still help us wholeheartedly? Moreover, the food produced by Li Feng is composite, meant for reproduction. It can’t possibly meet their needs.”

“Every race has its own eating habits. Dolphins, used to eating fish, may or may not be able to accept other food. No one can explain this. So it’s better to wait quietly. Once our warriors secure that habitat for them, we’ll leave. This is the greatest help we can offer them.”
Sipping his red wine in silence, the dark-haired man spoke those words expressionlessly. His gaze fixed on the window outside was deep, and for a moment, everyone felt lost.
Was he heartless?
When had their leader become so cold-blooded?
“Are you afraid of disrupting the natural balance here?” Monkey broke the silence. He rolled his lips impatiently. “It sounds so nice, but it’s still about fearing the disruption of nature’s balance.”
“You’re right about that,” the dark-haired man said nonchalantly, shrugging. “The creatures here revere nature, and as outsiders, why should we disrupt that balance? Yes, I can leave enough food, even an entire food-production system. But then, who can guarantee the dolphins’ future will be happy?”
“Don’t forget that a life of ease and laziness only leads to the rapid decline and eventual destruction of a race. Isn’t it precisely because of the pressures of life that these dolphins are active in these waters? And once they have enough food, will they still strive to find it and fight for it?”
The dark-haired man sneered. “I’m afraid you’ll only see a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings waiting to die. Or they might become food for other stronger fish groups.”
The brief discussion ended. Yet everyone’s heart could no longer remain calm. The seemingly heartless yet philosophically profound words of the dark-haired man made each of them feel uneasy. It had to be admitted that his words made sense. But if they applied to dolphins, why not to themselves and all humans?
A life free from worries about food and clothing, spent in drunken indulgence—what a dream for many. But if such a life could be obtained without effort, was humanity truly progressing?
Or was it, as the dark-haired man said, the beginning of destruction?
No one spoke anymore; they had lost interest in talking. Just then, a very distinct bright spot flashed on Li Feng’s screen, followed by urgent voices.
“They’re back.” The dark-haired man stood up instantly, a faint smile on his face.
“It’s time to leave now. Guys, show some courage. Tell the dolphins ahead to start acting!”

“Yes!” The crew in the cabin responded in unison, immediately getting to work.