The Storm Sea, the territory of the crocodile people, inside a cave on a barren island reef.
The air in this island cave is damp and the light is dim. By any standards, the conditions are quite harsh, yet it is the stronghold of the crocodile people, the residence of their chieftain.
The chieftain of the crocodile people is a powerful old crocodile, the main bloodline source of this tribe, enjoying a high status among them.
"Chieftain! You really have grown old!"
At this mont, Gu Gucha entered the cave and witnessed his old chieftain, whom he had not seen for years, exclaiming with a sigh.
He saw an elderly, massive crocodile lying on a stone slab before him, but this old crocodile had entirely lost the power and majesty he rembered. The old face had lost most of its scales’ color, turning pale, and the body appeared very weak, occasionally emitting labored breaths even when lying there doing nothing.
"Gu Gucha... you have returned."
Upon hearing the blunt greeting from the imposing crocodile in front of him, the old crocodile lying on the slab opened his eyes, revealing his rather cloudy gaze.
"It is I! In the past, you forbade from leaving the tribe, saying that without the protection of the tribe, I would surely die at the hands of those cunning humans, but you were wrong! I’ve proved I can live well!"
Gu Gucha’s words did not carry much respect for the old chieftain, even tinged with resentnt.
"Cough... cough... yes... Gu Gucha, you have won."
The old crocodile, after hearing the sowhat agitated Gu Gucha, did not show much expression on his aged face, rely coughed twice, acknowledging his past mistake.
"You have co to ... it must be for sothing."
He then closed his eyes again, weary, responding slowly.
Gu Gucha felt a bit gloomy upon hearing this. This ti he returned because he wanted to prove he was not wrong, to triumphantly stand before the firm chieftain, but he didn’t expect the other already weakened like this, so simply and casually admitting his mistake of the past, lacking the stern deanor of his mory.
"My human partner wants to collaborate with the tribe. He provides Jinlan currency, and we help him search for an island called Forbidden Fruit Island in the Storm Sea."
Gu Gucha proceeded with business. Through Wang Zhifan’s efforts, part of the tribe had already been convinced. To secure the rest, particularly the assistance of the old crocodile in front of him, was necessary.
"Cough... Gu Gucha... you know... I don’t like... cough... collaborating with humans..."
The old crocodile opened his mouth to refuse as expected, his tone weak but his intent quite firm.
"Heh heh... Old chieftain, you are still the sa, unable to adapt."
Gu Gucha showed a slightly mocking smile on his face.
"Stop clinging to your outdated ideas! Admit it! Humans are the rulers of this world! If we don’t cooperate or learn from them, we are destined to face extinction!"
He retorted disrespectfully, challenging the old crocodile before him.
But the aged and feeble crocodile didn’t seem to mind much. After listening, he paused briefly before speaking slowly:
"Gu Gucha... you are too young... many things you haven’t experienced... resulting in such naive thoughts... everything I’ve done... is for our crocodile tribe... I won’t agree to other mbers contacting humans..."
Upon hearing such a firm refusal, a trace of "as expected" flickered in Gu Gucha’s eyes, but he wasn’t flustered, continuing his taunt:
"Old chieftain, you are too old! The matters of the tribe are no longer solely decided by you! I will persuade the other mbers. When they see the benefits, they will surely choose my path!"
Having said this, he decisively turned to leave, not intending to continue entangling with this feeble and obstinate chieftain, as the latter’s current state had drastically reduced his influence on the tribe, making his opinion negligible.
However, Gu Gucha underestimated the old chieftain’s determination. Just as he turned and took a few steps, he heard the weary yet clear voice of the old crocodile from behind:
"Stop... Gu Gucha... I know... where to find... Forbidden Fruit Island... spare... my tribesn..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Gucha turned back with a slight surprise.
Soti later, in the captain’s cabin of the Great Horn Shark.
"Did your chieftain tell you the location of Forbidden Fruit Island? Has he been there?"
At this mont, Wang Zhifan was a bit surprised by the news Gu Gucha brought. Initially planning to rely on the crocodile tribe’s advantage as a marine race to help him find the island, he didn’t expect them to know the sought-after information directly.
"The chieftain didn’t say much, just told how to get there."
Gu Gucha shook his head at Wang Zhifan, not going into details because the old one was too aged, lacking the energy for detailed discussions.
"Is this information reliable? Your chieftain isn’t the kind to boast, is he?"
Wang Zhifan hesitated, considering his investigations suggested the position of Forbidden Fruit Island was indeed very concealed, with only a handful of people in the world having truly visited it.
"I’m not entirely certain... but it should be reliable. My intuition tells he wasn’t lying."
After a brief thought, Gu Gucha replied.
"Alright then..."
Wang Zhifan, finding this crocodile partner generally reliable, decided to believe him, mulling over his options, he said:
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