Chapter 294: Section 82: Hustle—A Genius Among Fishmen!
Without giving it much thought, the Fishman youth made his decision, “I want to learn Wave Stepping.”
It wasn’t a difficult choice.
Ironscale had its drawbacks, and the Helical Blade was just icing on the cake; with Wave Stepping, the youth’s agility would greatly improve, allowing him to come and go as he pleased in many battles. While it wasn’t an offensive or defensive Combat Skill, it could still greatly enhance the youth’s combat abilities.
Old Brown Scale’s eyes slightly brightened, “Wise choice, I will teach you the route for channeling your Fighting energy, which is rather complex.”
The routing itself wasn’t complex, but given the intelligence of Fishmen, the youth was able to grasp it with ease.
After trying a few times and experiencing several failures, water surged under the Fishman youth’s feet, and in a sudden burst, he propelled himself just above Old Brown Scale’s head.
...
Old Brown Scale was stunned.
“Is, is that it? You’ve learned it?” Pickled Mustard opened his mouth wide in shock; it had taken him two whole years to learn this Combat Skill, a full two years!
The old Fishman Shaman was also deeply moved, her gaze fixed on the youth, “Could you have the bloodline of a Spellcaster? I am aware of the Wave Stepping Combat Skill; the route for channeling it is complex, comparable to some Basic Magic. Your spirit is exceptional, and your understanding is very strong—who were your parents? What kind of bloodline do you have?”
Therefore, the Fishman youth’s expression dimmed as he recounted his tragic past of losing both parents.
“My mom raised me after my dad fell in battle against a terrifying sea beast during the great migration. After she taught me how to survive on my own, she fell ill and passed away.”
“Sky Pillar Sea Eye wasn’t truly my home.”
“So that’s how it is. I can relate; I’m an orphan too. It was my master who raised me,” said Pickled Mustard. Old Brown Scale was like a foster father to him, and it was for this reason, with a lack of a suitable bloodline successor, that Old Brown Scale considered him as a potential heir.
The Fishman youth glanced at Pickled Mustard, not expecting his fabricated excuse to dissolve most of the hostility from the latter, eliciting a sense of pity for their shared affliction.
“Child, you can absolutely consider this place your home,” the old Fishman Shaman said soothingly.
The Fishman youth shook his head, “No, I prefer being by myself in the wild rather than living with other Fishmen.”
Old Brown Scale and the old Shaman exchanged glances, the former smiling, “Since that’s how you feel, we won’t insist on keeping you. However, before you leave, you two must have another fight, don’t forget.”
Pickled Mustard’s fighting spirit surged, “This time I won’t be careless; I’ll use my true power.”
The Fishman youth snorted contemptuously, pride of a natural talent in his tone, “Do you think you still stand a chance after I’ve learned these two Combat Skills?”
Old Brown Scale laughed heartily, saying to the Fishman youth, “If you win again this time, I will teach you another Combat Skill.”
The Fishman youth shook his head in rebuttal, “No, I will take those two Bronze scimitars, and you’ll have to teach me two!”
Old Brown Scale said, “If we are going to fight, we won’t take advantage of you. We’ll give you a week to practice the Combat Skills.”
The Fishman youth shook his head again, “No need, the day after tomorrow is fine.”
He didn’t want to stay here any longer; a week was too long.
The youth’s pride deeply irritated Pickled Mustard, who glared at him, “A day is enough for you to practice? Boating, you’re underestimating me too much. I will make you taste defeat in the duel the day after tomorrow!”
The news of the upcoming duel between the two spread.
The Fishmen of the town were all looking forward to it. It was the general belief among the Fishmen that Pickled Mustard had not shown his real strength in the first fight.
But on the day after tomorrow, everyone’s anticipation was interrupted by unexpected visitors.
The leader of the Fishmen, tall and powerful, had a physique more than twice the size of Old Brown Scale’s.
He held a long-handled great scimitar, his fish head massive, his body clad in a layer of steel battle armor that radiated a faint magical glow.
“I am Man Ying,” the Fishman’s voice was hoarse, his silver aura strong and robust, “I am here to summon Fishmen to campaign against the lobstermen of the Suction Trench.”
The Fishmen of the town gathered together, saluting Fishman Man Ying in unison.
Even the town elder Shaman was no exception.
Although Man Ying cultivated fighting energy, within the Fishman Tribe, the magic profession held a higher status. But Man Ying’s position was even higher; his backing power, the Barbarian Fish Clan, was one of the three superior tribes within the Sky Pillar Sea Eye.
This Fishman village town was one that had aligned with the Barbarian Fish Clan, receiving its protection and offering tributes on schedule.
The old Shaman inquired, “How many Fishmen do you need?”
Old Brown Scale was very worried. The lobstermen in the Suction Trench were sizable in number, even a victory would result in heavy Fishmen casualties. It was quite possible the town would be nearly emptied, effectively ruined.
The old Shaman shared the same concerns.
However, unexpectedly, Man Ying said, “Not many are needed, what I require are Extraordinary warriors to execute a surprise beheading strike. Helical Blade Town contributed two Black Irons and seven Bronzes. You should provide the same scale of force. Of course, I would be very welcoming if the elder Shaman personally joined the fight.”
Before the Shaman could speak, Old Brown Scale interjected, “I’ll go! Mayor, you are struggling with a serious illness. It would be best for you to stay and recuperate in town.”
Of course, the old Shaman wasn’t sick, but he cooperated by coughing twice, making an excuse, “Such bad luck…”
Before he could finish speaking, Man Ying interrupted with a raised hand, “All right, I know, you’re guarding against Helical Blade Town. After all, their Mayor isn’t participating in the battle either.”
“Enough, no more talk. I still need to go and summon more from Stone Skin Town. Call out your warriors quickly.”
The old Shaman then used a spell to summon the Extraordinary warriors of the town.
“Master, let me fight in your place this time,” Pickle said to Old Brown Scale.
Instantly, Old Brown Scale scolded, “Nonsense, you haven’t mastered your combat skills yet. What are you going to do? Get yourself killed?”
The Fishmen from Helical Blade Town suddenly spoke up, “Lord Man Ying, I know of this Pickle, personally trained by Old Brown Scale, and he is very strong. By comparison, Old Brown Scale is already old and weakened.”
“Oh? Then you shall replace your master in the battle,” Man Ying glanced over and casually gave the order, an attitude leaving no room for objection.
Old Brown Scale’s face immediately changed color.
It wouldn’t matter if he died in battle, being of such an old age, but Pickle was young, Pickle was the future hope of the town.
However, since Man Ying had spoken, Old Brown Scale could only nod in agreement.
The Fishmen from Helical Blade Town immediately revealed a triumphant smile.
“I will also join,” at this moment, the Fishman youth stepped out from the crowd, volunteering to participate.
Seeing that he too was Black Iron, the Fishmen from Helical Blade Town were filled with surprise and suspicion— who was this unknown warrior? Why was there no information about him?
As a Black Iron, he was already the backbone of the Fishman village. It made no sense for an enemy town to have fostered a Black Iron Level fighter without their side having any information.
This Black Iron Fishman seemed to have suddenly emerged from the mud and sand.
Seeing the Fishman youth step forward, the old Shaman and Old Brown Scale both looked at him with grateful and approving eyes.
“Good brother!” Pickle was overjoyed, punching the Fishman youth’s chest in excitement.
In fact, the Fishman youth had his own plans.
His primary purpose for this trip was to gather intelligence. Therefore, Man Ying was a more suitable target than the old Shaman and old Brown Scale; he needed to get close to Man Ying.
“You!” the Fishman youth, holding a Black Iron Scimitar in his hand, pointed at a Fishman from Harpoon Town, “You had quite a lot to say just now. Come and fight me!”
The youth openly issued a challenge.
Everyone was shocked.
After they recovered, old Brown Scale let out a low shout, anxiously saying, “Bonpo, don’t be reckless!”
The Fishman from Harpoon Town who had been intentionally provoked by the youth showed an angry and offended expression.
He bared his teeth and through gritted teeth said, “Very well, daring to challenge Sword Scar, allow me to teach you a lesson.”
The old Shaman looked at Man Ying with pleading eyes, “Sir, you are about to embark on a campaign…”
But Man Ying snorted coldly, interrupting the Shaman again, “No matter, let them fight. I also want to understand the true combat strength of my subordinates. At the same time, I’m curious to see what kind of courage lets this young Fishman challenge a renowned expert.”
Fishman Sword Scar was second only to the Harpoon Town Mayor in skill.
He was long notorious, with a fierce reputation.
In the eyes of Man Ying and the others, the Fishman youth was audaciously courageous to provoke him!
The fight quickly began, surrounded by the watching Fishmen.
Sword Scar ran his palm over the fin on his forearm, revealing a sinister smile, and did not take the initiative to attack.
He had obvious features of the Sword Fin bloodline—fins on the outer side of his forearms and calves, as well as the whole fish head and back, which were erect and dark silvery, with razor-sharp edges.
Compared to a normal Fishman, the physique of Sword Fin Fishmen was more slim and slender.
Sword Scar was at least two heads taller than the Fishman youth.
The Fishman youth twisted his wrist, and his Black Iron Scimitar flurried into a series of blade flowers.
Then he directly employed the combat skill Red Scale Frenzy.
In the next moment, the Fishman youth pounced toward Sword Scar.
Sword Scar had no weapon in his hands, but the pair of sword fins on the outside of his forearms was his natural weapon.
He raised his arms, and his sword fins collided with the Black Iron Scimitar, sparking a cascade of sparks.
Sword Scar possessed Black Iron Level power, and the quality of his sword fins had also reached Black Iron, showing no fear of clashing with the youth’s Black Iron Scimitar.
Seeing his attack obstructed, the youth was not discouraged, but his offensive grew even fiercer.
The scimitar continued to chop rapidly, stirring the water into a frenzy.
Sword Scar was relaxed and composed, stepping back and then advancing with ease, while waiting for a chance to move as he fended off the youth’s fierce attacks.
Pickled Mustard cheered loudly as he saw the youth gaining the upper hand.
The Fishmen from the town were also waving flags and cheering for Bonpo.
“No good!” old Brown Scale, on the other hand, showed a look of concern.
So did the Shaman.
The rest of the Sword Fin Fishmen, some with folded arms watching and some laughing coldly, were confident in Sword Scar.
Old Brown Scale grew increasingly worried, “Bonpo is too reckless, he’s using his full strength right from the start. I know this Sword Scar guy very well, he’s planning to ambush Bonpo! Since the fight began, he’s never taken the initiative to attack, always conserving his energy. While Bonpo recklessly assaults, his physical strength will deplete quickly. Once his stamina falters even slightly and he reveals an opening, that will be the moment for Sword Scar to counterattack!”
“Sword Scar’s true attack will be incredibly fast. Bonpo must be facing the Sword Fin Fishmen for the first time and might find it difficult to adapt to their speed. He could end up being ripped open by the sword fins!”
But anxiety was of no use.
Old Brown Scale and the Shaman had both lost control of the situation.
As old Brown Scale had predicted, after a protracted offense, the Fishman youth’s strength waned, and the speed of his blade gradually declined.
Sword Scar smirked and suddenly attacked!
“Be careful!!” old Brown Scale exclaimed.
But Sword Scar’s forearm harshly thrust forward towards the Fishman youth, his rigid sword fin on the verge of slicing into the youth’s chest.
Combat Skill—Wave Stepping!
In the next moment, a strong current suddenly surged beneath the Fishman youth’s feet, pushing him several steps away.
Sword Scar’s strike hit empty space.
He glared at the youth, very surprised.
“Huh?” Man Ying also seemed a bit astonished.
The youth quickly retreated to a safe distance, then once again fiercely stomped on the seabed, using Wave Stepping once more to propel himself toward Sword Scar.
The ferocious scimitar assault resumed.
This time, Sword Scar was pushed into a disadvantage again.
But he no longer maintained his composure and appeared to be in a very awkward position.
The accompanying Sword Fin Fishmen were no longer calm, looking in surprise at the struggling figure of the youth.
“What’s going on?”
“Am I seeing this right?”
“This Bronze Scale Fishman is actually using two combat skills at once?!”
Old Brown Scale and the Shaman were both thrilled with delight.
Pickled Mustard revealed admiration; he had also cultivated Red Scale Frenzy and Wave Stepping, and he knew very well how difficult it was to use these two combat skills simultaneously!
Even old Brown Scale was unable to do so.
But the Fishman youth had managed this feat!
“His bloodline must be extraordinary! He is a genius!” the thoughts in the Shaman’s heart were also echoed by the Fishmen spectating the battle.