"Don’t worry, since I’m going, I’ll bear all the consequences myself and won’t implicate others."
"And even if I do encounter any danger, I might not be able to fight, but I can still run."
Hearing this, Kong Xiangdong knew Zhao Ya’s mind was made up, and it was impossible to change it, so he nodded.
"Alright!"
Afterwards, Zhao Ya and Kong Xiangdong discussed Poison Dao matters for quite some time, dispersing late in the evening.
Early the next morning, before dawn, Zhao Ya had already arrived at the brothel.
Kong Xiangdong was also up early, and the two quickly made their way to the seaside, where they saw that the Sea Gatherers were already prepared.
Now, as the temperature was gradually dropping, in just over half a month, the only window suitable for sea gathering during the year would end.
To earn a little more before the end, these Sea Gatherers were not afraid of hardship and had come early.
It was evident that Kong Xiangdong had briefed these Sea Gatherers the previous night.
Therefore, when Zhao Ya arrived, these people didn’t show any unusual reactions.
However, when Zhao Ya, in simple cotton clothing and without even a fork, just carrying a bucket, joined the group, some of them couldn’t help but show a hint of icy coldness in their eyes.
In their view, this kid who appeared out of nowhere, seemingly intending to experience sea gathering life, was simply courting death.
Even though his status was probably very noble, which was why the chief personally accompanied him, the Wuyang Sea treats everyone equally.
Only those Sea Gatherers with years of experience by the sea, accumulating rich experience, can benefit from this mysterious and unpredictable sea area.
Yet, although these people were contemptuous in their hearts, they didn’t show it on the surface, just decided with firm resolve to stay far away from him later, to avoid getting dragged down.
At this moment, the glimmer of light on the horizon brightened a bit, and the tide began to gradually recede.
All the Sea Gatherers were ready, curling up in their thick leather cotton clothes like tigers and leopards before setting out, ready to move.
Only Zhao Ya stood at the back with an indifferent expression, continuously observing the beach and seabed being revealed in the distance.
Suddenly.
Someone shouted, "Charge!"
Then, like a flood released from a dam, the Sea Gatherers frantically rushed toward the seashore.
Zhao Ya followed unhurriedly at the back and finally stepped onto the moist seabed.
Upon reaching here, Zhao Ya’s first sensation was damp cold.
Incredibly damp cold.
And this cold did not come from the surface of the body, but rather from a feeling that seeped from the bones.
No wonder just now, before setting out, each of these Sea Gatherers drank a small jar of strong liquor.
Otherwise, relying solely on flesh and blood, it would be difficult to withstand this damp cold.
However, this was not an obstacle for Zhao Ya.
The strong heart beat slowly, with each beat bursting forth with scalding blood, dispelling the omnipresent chill.
The Heart Devotion and Red Transformation ability granted Zhao Ya near-invincible cold survival capability.
If not to avoid being too shocking and sensational, Zhao Ya wouldn’t even need to wear cotton clothing; a single layer of clothing would be enough to fend off the cold here.
At this time, the other Sea Gatherers were frantically picking up the fish left by the tide.
Zhao Ya noticed that these people were highly selective, only picking silvery fish, ignoring fish of other colors.
In fact, when they encountered creatures with overly bright colors, these Sea Gatherers would actively avoid them.
The first rule of survival in the Wuyang Sea: When encountering oddly colored unknown creatures, do not be curious, avoid them as much as possible.
Zhao Ya scanned the scene, trying to find the shells he had seen from Kong Xiangdong.
The result was fruitless.
Zhao Ya didn’t mind much, after all, if such things could be encountered easily, it would be bizarre.
After all, Kong Xiangdong had been stationed here for many years, yet he had only accumulated a few shells at hand, indicating their rarity.
Zhao Ya carried a wooden bucket, wandering around the seabed with interest, especially studying those creatures others dared not touch, without hesitation.
The result was somewhat disappointing to Zhao Ya.
Although these creatures were all poisonous, the toxins were quite average, with nothing particularly unusual.
But just then, out of the corner of his eye, Zhao Ya suddenly glimpsed something flashing in the distance.
His heart stirred, and he rushed over immediately.
This area was close to the sea surface, just a step away from touching the white mist.
This was Zhao Ya’s first close encounter with the Wuyang Sea.
The sea exhibited a bizarre ink-purple hue, sharply contrasting with the white mist above.
And a strong sea smell filled the air.
Even with Zhao Ya’s Eye Power and Perception, being so close, he still couldn’t see half a meter through the mist.
This phenomenon, akin to the previously encountered purplish-red mist, could block human perception.
However, Zhao Ya’s focus was elsewhere as he kept searching the seabed intently.
The result was once again fruitless.
Other than the exposed black rocks and wet, soft silt, there was nothing.
But Zhao Ya was very certain that the flash he saw earlier came from here.
After searching fruitlessly for a while, Zhao Ya reached behind him, took out a wine gourd, opened the cork, and began to evenly pour the liquid.
This trick indeed worked. Moments later, Zhao Ya indeed spotted a seashell, as large as an adult’s fist, wedged between two rocks.