Arriving at Salto Island
After a full two days of arduous trekking beneath sea level through this magical passage, Fa and her companions finally reached their destination—the outskirts of Salto Island. This journey was far from smooth; although Lantis's magic sustained the passage, walking at the bottom of the deep sea, gazing up at the endless walls of water overhead, and feeling the profound darkness on both sides along with the occasional massive shadows swimming by, tested everyone's resolve. They measured this miraculous path with their own feet, taking turns to rest when tired and eating carried dry rations or fresh fish caught by Yuyuer using magic when hungry. The towering water walls on both sides stood like transparent crystal, with sunlight penetrating the sea at different times, refracting the golden-red of dawn, the brilliant gold of midday, and the purple hues of dusk, adding countless dreamlike colors to this underwater journey and temporarily dispelling the monotony and fatigue.
Now, standing at the end of the parted-sea path, the group gazed ahead at the island's outline, clearly visible through the clear seawater, a surge of excitement mixed with accomplishment and anticipation welling up in their hearts. The fatigue from the long trek seemed to vanish in an instant.
Yuyuer stood at the front of the group, tightly gripping the staff embedded with a deep blue gem—this was another gift from Lantis—his eyes shining brighter than the gem itself. He turned around to face his companions, his voice slightly raised with excitement: "We're here! We've finally arrived at Salto Island!" His fish tail lightly slapped the sea surface supporting them, splashing a series of tiny, joyful water droplets, fully revealing his lively and cheerful personality.
Fa focused intently on the island just within reach, the starlight in the depths of her right eye flickering as she tried to penetrate the faint, ethereal mist enveloping the island to see its true appearance beneath. However, the mist seemed to contain some natural magic that interfered with perception, preventing her from probing as clearly as usual. She furrowed her brows slightly and softly raised the immediate practical question: "The sea path seems to end here. How do we step onto the island?"
A confident smile spread across Yuyuer's face. He patted his chest, and the staff drew a graceful blue arc in the air: "That's easy, watch me!" He raised the staff high and began chanting a melodious ancient incantation with strange syllables. As the spell was recited, the blue gem at the top of the staff suddenly shone with dazzling blue brilliance, as if resonating strongly with the surrounding seawater.
In an instant, the calm sea surface beneath their feet began to ripple, followed by a gentle yet immense force surging from the deep sea. The seawater obediently gathered and lifted, forming a wide and steady massive wave. This wave lacked the wild and uncontrollable nature of natural sea waves; instead, it was like the palm of a gentle blue giant, softly and firmly lifting every member of the group. Then, this "hand of seawater" carried them steadily and smoothly toward the island's shore.
The wave's speed was just right, allowing everyone to clearly see the schools of tropical fish swimming in the clear water below and the vividly colored corals. As the wave gently touched the beach, it dispersed silently like a completed mission, merging back into the ocean without leaving a trace, as if everything had just been a wonderful illusion. Fa and her companions now stood steadily on Salto Island's white, fine sand beach.
"Wow! Amazing! That water magic was so slick!" Tisk clapped vigorously in praise, shaking water droplets from his beard that sparkled in the sunlight, making his round figure and excited expression look somewhat comical and endearing.
Yuyuer scratched his sea-blue short hair a bit embarrassedly, his tone casual but unable to hide his inner pride: "Hehe, it's really just a small trick, all thanks to Master's good teaching. In a place like Salto Island, rich in water elements, it's especially easy to cast."
Salto Island - The Homeland of the Reptilian Clan
With their feet truly on solid ground (though it was a beach), the group finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to leisurely survey their surroundings. The unique scenery of the Salto Archipelago unfolded before them like a scroll.
This archipelago, composed of thirteen islands of varying sizes and shapes, resembled emeralds scattered on blue silk. Each island boasted distinctly different natural landscapes, from the entrance island they were on with its white beaches, to the towering islands in the distance covered in dense tropical rainforests, and even farther to what seemed like a volcanic island emitting wisps of steam—layered and ever-changing. These islands were connected by winding natural waterways and cleverly woven sturdy vine suspension bridges by the reptilian people, forming a intricate, vibrant, and mysterious ecological network.
The entrance island they were on featured miles of white sandy beaches, with grains as fine as powder, glistening with dazzling white light under the sun. The beach's edge was dotted with scattered tall, swaying coconut and palm trees, their broad leaves casting patches of cool shade. Beyond the beach, it didn't transition directly to jungle but to a vast and peculiar marsh wetland. The muddy water surface reflected the changing sky and sunlight like shattered mirrors, with the air filled with a rich, slightly humic damp scent. The marsh was dotted with various oddly shaped, brightly colored aquatic plants—giant lotus leaves, sword-like standing water grasses, and mushroom-like plants emitting faint phosphorescence—creating a scene full of exotic charm yet with a touch of eeriness.
Beyond the marsh lay the island's main body—a dense tropical jungle so thick it barely let light through. Towering giant trees rose from the ground, their canopies layered and overlapping, competing for sunlight. Vines as thick as pythons dangled from branches or twisted through the forest. From the jungle's depths came various strange calls, rustlings, and whispers, indicating active life within. The air grew more humid and stuffy, mixed with the fragrance of soil, the scent of decaying leaves, and the rich aromas of exotic flowers and fruits, blending into a unique atmosphere belonging to a primal rainforest—both inexplicably exciting and subtly alerting to the unknown.
More eye-catching were the villages subtly built in harmony with the natural environment at the jungle's edge and marsh's depths. These villages were evidently the homeland of the reptilian clan. They were mostly constructed atop sturdy mangrove clusters in the marsh or on higher earthen mounds. Houses were mainly built from local hard mangrove wood, flexible bamboo, and sturdy vines, with roofs covered in thick thatch or giant leaves to effectively withstand heavy rains and scorching heat. The walls were painted with vibrant, bold totems and runes using natural mineral pigments, depicting the reptilian clan's worshiped nature spirits, ancestral deeds, and various beast forms, emanating a primitive, wild, and mysterious aura. Between villages, residents built simple yet practical walkways and suspension bridges from driftwood, stone slabs, and tough vines, facilitating travel through the complex marsh and jungle terrain.
Soon, they encountered the true inhabitants of Salto Island—the reptilian clan residents. These residents varied in form, but most had bodies covered in protective, camouflaged scales that glistened with a moist sheen under the sunlight. Their head features were diverse: some had sharp horns or bony crests, others were adorned with brightly colored feathers or fleshy crests, indicating different tribes or lineages. Their eyes were usually cold vertical pupils, flickering with intelligence, vigilance, and a wildness integrated with nature. Skin colors were mostly deep green, brown, dark red, or earthy yellow—tones close to the environment for excellent natural camouflage. Some reptilian warriors held spears with tips made from sharpened obsidian or hard shells; others carried baskets woven from flexible bark or hides, filled with herbs, roots, shellfish, or shiny ores freshly gathered from the marsh or jungle, silently showcasing their lifestyle deeply connected and harmonious with this land.
"This place... it's a beauty full of wild power," Arya softly admired, her elven affinity for nature allowing her to keenly sense the island's vibrant vitality. "It's like untamed primal nature perfectly combined with the survival wisdom of an ancient wise race." She subconsciously stroked the Storm Bow on her back, and the five-element crystals on the bow seemed to sense the dense natural aura in the environment, emitting a warmer and more active glow than usual.
Fa nodded, her senses similarly capturing the island's powerful vitality fluctuations, distinctly different from the deep sea yet equally strong. "Indeed. This environment is full of tension; every inch of land, every leaf tells stories of survival and competition. This vitality is wild and direct." Her right eye glowed faintly, continuously sensing the subtle magical fluctuations flowing in the air, which seemed oddly connected to the island's flora, fauna, and even the reptilian clan itself.
At the boundary between the beach and marsh, several giant beetles with hard shells the size of large dogs were slowly crawling by, their backs displaying gorgeous metallic sheen and complex geometric patterns that sparkled under the sun. In the marsh's depths farther away, the water rippled, and a massive lurking crocodile slowly emerged its bumpy head, its cold, emotionless yellow eyes indifferently scanning the uninvited guests on the shore before silently submerging back into the murky water, leaving only expanding ripples.
Tisk widened his round eyes, his craftsman's instinct instantly ignited. He pointed at the giant beetles, excitedly whispering: "Look, you guys, see those beetle shells? That color! That hardness! Perfect material for crafting lightweight shields and armor inlays! When I get the chance, I have to get some back to study!" He was already rubbing the handle of his war hammer at his waist, mentally sketching designs.
Salsa's soul form floated to a slightly higher position, her amber eyes carefully scanning the surrounding complex ecosystem, analyzing: "The ecosystem structure here is very complex, with extremely high species diversity and a unique energy flow pattern. My intuition tells me that beneath this archipelago, or in the depths of some island, there must be hidden natural secrets or ancient ruins."
Rex's mechanical eye continuously emitted a faint red light, performing a rapid and comprehensive environmental scan. He reported the data in his usual calm, objective tone: "Based on preliminary scan results: Current area air humidity at 85%, temperature 32 degrees Celsius. Vegetation coverage over 90%, with 60% broadleaf rainforest vegetation and 30% marsh wetland vegetation. Reptilian species population density and biomass far exceed average values for typical continental or island ecosystems by several orders of magnitude. Multiple unknown energy signal sources detected, distributed in the jungle and marsh depths, requiring further probing."
Kayla flexed her wrists, the blue-white electric arcs on her signature lightning claws jumping restlessly, emitting a chill and a scorched scent. She grinned, revealing sharp canines, her fighting spirit evident: "This hot, humid place full of lurking dangers is perfect for stretching my muscles! I can already smell the challenge! Hope the folks here are tough enough—don't disappoint me!" Her beast ears twitched alertly, capturing any unusual sounds in the wind.
Yuyuer stood at the front of the group, deeply inhaling the familiar yet slightly unfamiliar air, gazing at this land where he had spent an unforgettable time, his eyes flickering with complex emotions—nostalgia, excitement, and a hint of homesickness. "This is Salto Island," his voice carried a barely noticeable tremor and deep affection, "I once stayed here for quite a while, learning, living... making important friends. It feels... like coming back to another home." His gaze involuntarily drifted toward a specific direction in the island's depths.
After a brief rest, Yuyuer, relying on his past memories, led the group along the beach's edge and soon found a path leading inland. This path was muddy and slippery, evidently frequently trodden by the reptilian clan and local creatures. On both sides were dense mangrove forests and various moisture-loving shrubs, with strange flora and fauna everywhere: colorful lizards like rainbows agilely climbing wet tree trunks, fist-sized beetles with spiked shells buzzing low as they vibrated their wings to fly, and massive purple fungi like tents quietly growing at tree roots. The air was filled with an even richer mix of floral fragrances and the marsh's unique damp decay scent. All this made the newcomers feel both utterly unfamiliar and filled with the novelty of exploration.
Yuyuer and Zhamisi's Acquaintance
The group proceeded along the walkway, with Yuyuer leading the way, his steps light. Fa walked beside him, curiously asking: "Yuyuer, how did you and Zhamisi meet?"
A faint blush appeared on Yuyuer's face. He scratched his head and began recounting the past: "That was a few years ago. Back then, I was under too much pressure from studies—I couldn't stand learning three sea clan languages every day, reading various military strategy books, and practicing water magic for eight hours, not even having enough time to sleep. In a fit of anger, I ran away from the Vortex Sanctuary."
He paused, a flash of reminiscence in his eyes. "I didn't think about anything, just swam and swam, ended up getting lost, and somehow ended up at Salto Island. I was exhausted and hungry, lying on the beach, when suddenly a massive crocodile burst out of the water, jaws wide open to bite me. I tried to fight back with magic, but I wasn't proficient enough yet—the staff's glow had just lit up when the crocodile slapped it away with its tail. I thought I was done for."
Arya listened intently, softly asking: "And then?"
A spark lit in Yuyuer's eyes. "That's when Zhamisi appeared. She rushed out of the jungle like a shadow, her snake tail whipping and directly coiling the crocodile up, throwing it dozens of meters away. She was so fast I didn't even see it clearly! She turned to look at me, frowning and saying: 'How are you so clumsy? Can't even handle a crocodile.'"
Tisk burst into laughter, patting Yuyuer's shoulder. "Kid, sounds like you were pretty pathetic back then!"
Yuyuer scratched his head embarrassedly. "Yeah, I was really awkward then. Then I told her why I ran away. After hearing it, Zhamisi didn't laugh at me; instead, she said she also hated those tedious rules in her clan and dreamed of leaving Salto Island one day to see the outside world. We chatted and got familiar."
Yuyuer's tone lightened. "Later, she took me back to her village, let me stay on the island for a few days. She took me to catch fish in the marsh and taught me how to survive there and communicate with the island's reptiles. She said a 'dumb fish' like me would get eaten sooner or later without someone watching. I also taught her some simple water magic, and she learned it so quickly!"
Fa smiled and said: "Sounds like she's a very kind person."
Yuyuer nodded, his eyes full of warmth. "Yes, she's especially nice. We explored the island together, and I shared sea clan stories with her, as well as my life in the deep sea. We talked a lot and gradually became friends."
Kayla asked curiously: "What does she look like?"
Yuyuer thought for a moment and said: "Zhamisi is a snake woman—upper body like a human, lower body a long snake tail, skin like snake scales shimmering with a faint golden-green glow. Her hair is deep purple, eyes very sharp, like they can see through everything. She's fast in movement and especially skilled in fighting with her snake tail, water, and poison magic."
Salsa's soul form floated over, softly saying: "Sounds like she's very powerful."
Yuyuer nodded vigorously. "She should be; she's considered quite formidable on Salto Island. I've always seen her as my best friend. This time, I have to find her!"
Arya listened entranced, softly saying: "Sounds like your friendship with Zhamisi is very special."
Yuyuer nodded, a touch of gentleness in his eyes. "Yes, she was the first friend I made in the outside world. If not for her, I might have died in that crocodile's mouth long ago."
Fa smiled and said: "She sounds like a very kind and brave person. I'm starting to look forward to meeting her."
Tisk interjected: "Hey, kid, why are you blushing? Do you like her a bit?" He laughed heartily, his beard shaking, looking particularly teasing.
Yuyuer's face turned even redder, waving his hands quickly: "No way! I just see her as a friend!" His fish tail slapped faster, drawing a round of good-natured laughter from the group.
Arriving at the Village and Zhamisi's Whereabouts
After about an hour and a half of trekking, the group finally reached Zhamisi's village. This village was situated deep in the marsh, with houses built around mangroves, suspended above the water like floating oases. The walkways were lined with houses arranged in a staggered fashion; some had vine-hung shell wind chimes tinkling crisply in the wind; others had bark-carved reptilian totems at the doors, emitting a faint herbal scent, appearing both primitive and full of vitality. The village residents were all reptilian people, their skin covered in fine scales—some green, others with brownish-red spots. They moved agilely, eyes flickering with vigilance, but upon seeing Yuyuer, they all showed friendly smiles.
"Yuyuer, you're here!" A young reptilian ran forward, his head crest trembling slightly, eyes full of joy.
"Long time no see, Yuyuer!" Another snake-like resident laughed, holding a skewer of roasted insects and handing it to Yuyuer.
Yuyuer smiled back: "Hello everyone, I'm here!" He took the roasted insects and shared them with his teammates.
Fa and her companions followed behind Yuyuer, curiously observing this unfamiliar village. Tisk couldn't help asking: "Yuyuer, you're pretty familiar with these reptilian people, huh?"
Yuyuer nodded. "Yeah, after I ran away that time, I stayed here for a while. Zhamisi introduced me to many friends. They're all very welcoming and taught me a lot of island survival skills."
The group passed through the village streets and arrived at a larger house. At the door stood an elderly reptilian, dressed in a long robe and holding a staff carved with runes—clearly the village elder. His scales were dark red, eyes exuding wisdom and authority.
"Yuyuer, you've come," the elder smiled and said, "This time with so many friends."
Yuyuer bowed respectfully. "Hello, Elder. I've brought friends to see Zhamisi. Is she here?"
The elder shook his head, sighing with a touch of concern in his tone. "Zhamisi isn't here. She took some clanspeople to other islands."
"Went to other islands?" Fa asked puzzledly. "What happened?"
The elder's expression grew solemn. "Recently, there's been some issues within Salto Island. A new leader has demanded that each island contribute more resources, saying it's to strengthen the main island's defenses. But this allocation is too unfair; it'll make it hard for many villages' clanspeople to survive. Zhamisi doesn't agree with this approach. She hopes to negotiate with other islanders to find a peaceful solution. Based on the timeline, she should be on the 7th island now, trying to unite everyone to go to the main island and protest."
"Protest?" Tisk frowned. "Sounds like the situation isn't good."
The elder nodded. "Yes. Zhamisi hopes to resolve it peacefully, but the main island's leader is hardline; there might be conflict."
After hearing this, a flash of worry crossed Yuyuer's eyes. "Then we have to go find her!" He turned to Fa, firmly saying: "Zhamisi is my best friend; I can't let her face this trouble alone."
Fa nodded, gently saying: "Alright, we'll go find her. What's the fastest way, do you think?"
Yuyuer thought for a moment and said: "The 7th island is in the center of the archipelago. Going by land is too slow, and the marsh is hard to traverse. We can take a boat; there's a small port outside the village with boats that can carry us."
Tisk patted his war hammer, excitedly saying: "Taking a boat sounds good! I haven't ridden one in a place like this—it's bound to be interesting!"
Arya gently said: "Then let's go together." Her voice was soft yet firm, her eyes showing trust in her teammates.