"Agreed."
Han Ning nodded in approval.
The group took a brief respite to tend to their wounds and replenish their supplies of water and food. Those too injured to continue were assisted back by less wounded companions.
Despite their severe injuries, Chairman Wu and other leaders chose not to retreat. Instead, they regrouped the remaining combat-capable Awakened and cautiously advanced toward the berthing area.
By this point, the floodwaters had risen dramatically, submerging most areas up to chest level. Each member demonstrated their unique abilities to navigate the treacherous waters.
The churning white mist had thickened again. Even with his Molten Gold Eyes granting superior vision, Han Ning found the deeper fog as dense as sludge, severely limiting visibility. Clearly, the death of the Coral Monster hadn't dispersed the mist at all.
Remnant creatures still lurked along their path. Lone Vortex Shell Crabs, twisted Human-faced Jellyfish, and even giant leeches lurking in the muddy depths continued launching fearless attacks.
"Two Vortex Shell Crabs at three o'clock!"
"Something's surfacing from below—stay alert!"
Yu Na's warnings rang out intermittently.
"Snowflake, clear the path!" Han Ning commanded.
With a fierce roar, the tri-color crystal scale on Snowflake's forehead shimmered. At times it unleashed invisible Mental Shrieks that paralyzed approaching monsters. Other moments saw it firing concentrated Tri-Color Beams that pierced through carapaces and flesh.
Other Awakened supported Snowflake, desperately fending off threats from the flanks and rear. Enhanced strikes, searing fire trails, high-velocity water projectiles, and various other peculiar abilities flashed through the thick mist.
Finally, after navigating waters littered with floating container debris and construction waste, they reached a more open ship berthing area—the remnants of what was once a bustling dock.
The turbid waters held an assortment of vessels in various sizes and conditions, most partially submerged with only sections of their hulls visible. Their surfaces were encrusted with silt, algae, and unidentified barnacle-like organisms, presenting a derelict appearance. Some had broken masts or tilted hulls, while others had become nests for massive aquatic creatures.
Vortex Shell Crabs crawled across hulls, their movements clearly visible. Slick-skinned leeches clung near waterlines, slowly undulating. Even several fish with terrifying maws—resembling the earlier Tuna—patrolled the ships' sides.
Left unattended for nearly a month, this place had become a monster-infested stronghold.
Yet despite everything, the sight of these vessels brought visible relief to most faces in the group.
"Finally... ships..."
"We're saved!"
Muted discussions spread through the ranks as the oppressive tension of recent days seemed to lift slightly at this sight. These ships represented hope—that even if their city drowned beneath the floods, they could still set sail toward potential land.
Han Ning surveyed the devastated dock, his brow furrowing slightly.
His knowledge of navigation and ship models was limited to what Xu Ming had previously described. At the moment, he couldn't immediately discern which of these ships were usable or which were better.
"Chairman Wu, Boss Lin," Han Ning turned to the two who were directing the others in clearing the remaining monsters nearby, "I have something to attend to and need to go back for a while. You can continue exploring first."
"What?"
Chairman Wu was taken aback and was about to ask further.
But he found that Han Ning had already swum far away, disappearing from the water's surface in just a few strokes, moving at an astonishing speed.
"This…" Chairman Wu looked at Lin Qianqian, seeking an explanation.
Did he just run off?
Lin Qianqian thought for a moment before replying uncertainly:
"I remember Han Ning has a friend who's knowledgeable in maritime matters—an ordinary person. He probably went back to bring this friend here to help assess the ships."
"Ah, he didn't have to be so formal. Our team has plenty of experienced sailors. There was no need for him to make a trip back." Chairman Wu sighed.
Lin Qianqian smiled but said nothing.
After some consideration, Chairman Wu issued an order:
"Everyone, take a break where you are. Stay alert, clear the remaining monsters, and wait for Mr. Han Ning to return! Without him, venturing recklessly into the berth area would be far too dangerous."
Though impatient, everyone understood the stakes. They had all clearly witnessed the combat prowess Han Ning and Snowflake had displayed earlier.
Suppressing their excitement, they set up temporary defenses using half-sunken containers and debris from buildings, vigilantly guarding their surroundings.
Time passed minute by minute.
Just over ten minutes later.
Splash!
The water behind them rippled with waves as a figure, riding on Snowflake's back, burst through the surface like a Sea-Patrolling Yaksha.
It was Xu Ming.
With Snowflake's Mental Power dispersing the surrounding mist, Xu Ming, an ordinary person, remained unharmed.
However, his face was slightly pale—clearly startled by Snowflake's even faster swimming speed.
The others, seeing Han Ning return, perked up immediately.
Chairman Wu, swaying weakly, quickly jumped into the water from atop some wreckage and spoke respectfully, "Mr. Han Ning, you're back! And this is…?"
Han Ning had already noticed that Chairman Wu's group hadn't moved an inch in his absence, all eagerly awaiting his return.
He found it amusing but felt little emotion otherwise. These people saw him as their savior, but he, in turn, saw them as bait. It was mutual exploitation.
"My friend," Han Ning replied casually.
"Let's move. Yu Na, come over here."
Yu Na glanced at Lin Qianqian, who showed no reaction.
Then she obediently moved behind Han Ning.
Having followed Han Ning and enjoyed the benefits along the way, and with Lin Qianqian—her closest ally—silently approving, she naturally preferred staying with Han Ning over the less familiar Chairman Wu and his group.
"You're responsible for protecting Lao Xu. Snowflake, you go ahead and clear out any monsters that get too close."
"Lao Xu, help me pick out a ship."
"Everyone clear on their roles?"
Han Ning addressed the small group of two humans and one lizard.
"Mhm!" "Awoo!"
A shimmering blue aura enveloped Xu Ming, providing him with double protection.
As Han Ning and his group led the way toward the dock area.
The larger team slowly began to follow.
Xu Ming, being a former sailor, was an excellent swimmer.
As he swam, he squinted, straining to examine the ships hidden in the mist.
"Boss, Chairman Wu, take a look!"
He pointed to the nearest white-hulled vessel with sleek lines, rattling off the model and specifications of the moored boats like popping beans:
"That's the 'Blue Water 46' monohull sailboat, about 14 meters long, fiberglass hull with an auxiliary diesel engine."
"This type of boat is designed for long voyages—good stability, relatively reasonable space. If we can get it started, it'd be a solid choice."
"Though... judging by its waterline, the lower cabin might be flooded. Needs checking."