Heading to the 7th Island
The group reached a consensus and followed Yuyuer to the small port outside the village. The port was not large, but several boats woven from wood and vines were docked there, with strange totems painted on the hulls, emanating a mysterious aura. An elderly reptilian boatman stood by the boat. Upon seeing Yuyuer, he grinned, revealing a few sharp teeth. "Going to the 7th Island? Get on board, I'll take you there."
Fa and the others boarded the boat. The boatman skillfully paddled, and the boat slowly sailed away from the port, heading toward the vast sea. The sea breeze blew, bringing a touch of coolness, and the boat gently rocked on the water, making everyone feel incredibly relaxed. In the distance, islands loomed faintly, with volcanic smoke outlining a gray arc in the sky. On the boat, Fa gazed at the sea surface and said softly, "Zhamisi is your close friend and our important ally. We need to find her quickly."
Yuyuer nodded, his eyes flashing with determination. "Yes, I believe she needs our help too. The peace of the Salto Islands cannot be destroyed."
Rex calmly analyzed, "The 7th Island is located in the center of the archipelago, a transportation hub. We might encounter some challenges there."
Kayla waved her thunder claws, boldly saying, "No matter what challenges, we'll solve them together!"
Along the way, the group admired the beautiful scenery of the Salto Islands, with swamps covered in dense jungles. Reptiles appeared and disappeared in the swamps, occasionally a giant python emerging from the water, but retreating under Yuyuer's magical deterrence.
After half a day's voyage, Fa and the others finally arrived at the seventh island of the Salto Archipelago. As the boat slowly approached the shore, the group heightened their vigilance, gripping their weapons tightly and scanning the surroundings. However, when the island's residents—a group of turtle folk clad in heavy shells—recognized Yuyuer, their wariness instantly turned into enthusiasm. An elderly turtle islander slowly stepped forward, his back shell etched with the patterns of years, his eyes shining with friendliness. "Yuyuer, you're here!" His deep voice carried joy, then he turned to Fa and the others, nodding in greeting.
The scenery of the seventh island was unique and spectacular. At the center of the island was a huge freshwater lake, its water clear as a mirror, reflecting the azure sky. Surrounding it were dense mangrove forests, with roots intricately intertwined into the water, forming natural barriers. The turtle folk's village was built by the lake, with houses in the form of stilted wooden huts suspended above the water, connected by winding wooden walkways, like a floating maze. The roofs were covered with thick thatch, and the walls were painted with totems symbolizing longevity and wisdom, exuding a primitive and mysterious aura. On the lake surface floated dots of faint light, condensed by the turtle folk's magic from natural sources, illuminating the village and hiding some protective power. In the distance, several large water birds skimmed over the lake, emitting crisp calls, adding vitality to this serene land.
The elderly islander pointed to a larger stilted hut by the lake, "The elder is holding a meeting in the Turtle Heart Hall! Zhamisi is arguing with representatives from the 2nd and 4th Islands! You can go and see." He paused and added, "But the atmosphere is a bit tense, be careful."
Arya gently stroked the Storm Bow, the five elemental crystals faintly glowing: "Let's go quickly, don't let Zhamisi handle it alone." The group followed the turtle islander through the mangrove forest, the walkway underfoot woven from vines grown from cracks in turtle shells, each step releasing a few glowing spores.
The Tense Atmosphere of the Meeting
Before entering the stilted hut, the group heard intense arguments coming from inside. Through the gaps in the leaves, they could see a meeting hall transformed from a natural depression in a turtle shell, with magical lamps carved from whale bones hanging from the ceiling, and shell maps embedded in the walls, marking the positions of the thirteen islands in the Salto Archipelago. An angry female voice rang out first: "You all know that the main island's 'Defense Resource Requisition Order' is plunder!" Zhamisi's voice carried a hiss like a venomous snake, "The herb garden on the 3rd Island has already been requisitioned seventy percent, and half of the larva breeding pools on the 5th Island have dried up! Are you going to watch all the islands become the main island's slave gardens?" This voice was full of power, with an unquestionable determination. Fa guessed this must be Zhamisi.
"We just seek stability!" Another rough, hoarse male voice responded. Yuyuer peered through the door crack; the speaker was the crocodile representative from the 2nd Island, his scales still caked with swamp mud. "The main island has ancient protective magic arrays; only they can resist external threats! Besides..." He paused, his tone suddenly softening, "Besides, the main island promised to provide our 2nd Island with agricultural enhancement potions..."
"Enough!" Zhamisi's snake tail heavily slapped the ground, causing the shell cups on the meeting table to jump. "You think selling out your people's future can exchange for temporary peace? Have you all forgotten the blood oath our reptilian clans made back then?" Her golden-green scales flushed with angry red, and her deep purple hair rose with emotion, like burning flames.
Then, an old and steady voice responded: "Zhamisi, calm down. We need to find a peaceful solution; we can't easily provoke conflict." This voice was deep and wise, clearly from a respected elder, probably the turtle elder.
At that moment, Zhamisi's voice came again, laced with obvious anger: "But, Elder, they've already been bought by the main island! They don't care about the life and death of other islands; they just want to curry favor with the main island for benefits. This isn't an alliance; it's slavery!"
The Meeting and the Five Waters Strategy
Yuyuer couldn't listen anymore, pushed open the door and walked in, saying loudly: "Elder Xuanjia! Zhamisi, don't worry, perhaps there's another way!"
The arguments inside the room instantly fell silent. All eyes turned to the door. Zhamisi stood in the center of the room, her form as Yuyuer described: upper body human-like, skin shimmering with golden-green scales, lower body a long snake tail coiled on the ground. Her hair was deep purple, eyes sharp as knives, exuding a heroic aura. At this moment, she was glaring ahead, but upon hearing Yuyuer's voice, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes. She turned her head, seeing Yuyuer, her tone softening: "Yuyuer, why are you here?"
Zhamisi's snake tail circled around the meeting table, stopping in front of Yuyuer. Her golden-green scales gleamed under the magical lamps, her deep purple eyes sweeping over the group, finally landing on Yuyuer's face: "You've grown taller." Her voice was as light as the wind in the swamp, but the next second it suddenly rose, "No, what's with you? The sea clan prince should stay properly in the sanctuary; why come to this mess to join the fun?"
Elder Xuanjia's voice was like a stone sunk in the water, thick and warm, "Yuyuer, why are you here? Come, sit and talk." He waved his staff, and vines automatically wove several chairs. "These are representatives from the 2nd and 4th Islands, and who are these?" He looked at those behind Yuyuer.
Yuyuer smiled and stepped forward, introducing: "Zhamisi, Elder Xuanjia, these are my companions—Fa, Arya, Tisk, Salsa, Rex, and Kayla. We heard about the problems between the islands and came specially to help you."
Zhamisi nodded, her gaze sweeping over the group with a hint of scrutiny: "Thank you. However, the situation now is very complicated; the main island's power is very strong."
In the room, Elder Xuanjia slowly spoke, an elder with a broad back shell and deep eyes. He looked at Yuyuer and asked: "Yuyuer, you just said there's another way; what do you mean?"
Yuyuer asked in a serious tone: "How much do you understand about the situation in Salto?"
Elder Xuanjia and Zhamisi exchanged glances and said: "Now the main island leader is forcibly requisitioning resources, causing dissatisfaction among the islands. Currently supporting the main island are the 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 11th Islands." She lightly tapped the shell map with her fingertip, earth magic displaying different colored auras on the map. "What about the remaining islands?"
Elder Xuanjia sighed: "The 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 12th Islands are still watching, the 6th, 9th, 10th, and 13th Islands oppose like us, but they are weak alone."
"So we need to unite the neutral factions and isolate the main island." Yuyuer said, "I've carefully thought about the terrain and clan situations of the Salto Islands; perhaps we can use five strategies to respond."
Zhamisi raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Let's hear it."
Yuyuer nodded solemnly: "The first strategy, called 'Swamp Shadow Labyrinth'. The main island's army is unfamiliar with swamp waters; we can set up 'Bubble Mirage' in the herb garden on the 3rd Island—use my water magic to create a floating water sphere array. Under sunlight refraction, it will form thousands of illusions. Then ask Arya to use wind elements to drive the mist, causing the enemy to lose direction in visual confusion and withdraw voluntarily."
Arya nodded: "The Storm Bow can summon mini tornadoes, cutting the water mist into flowing maze walls, indeed disrupting enemy judgment."
"The second strategy, 'Shell Letter Estrangement'." Yuyuer took out a blank shell, water magic manifesting a false main island secret text on it. "The main island and affiliated islands use shell carrier pigeons for messaging. Salsa can lead shadow demon wolves to night raid the pigeon nests, replacing the carried shell letters. These forged letters will 'show' that the main island will deprive affiliated islands of noble privileges, intensifying internal contradictions."
Salsa's soul body floated out of the mechanical cat shell, shadow energy condensing at her fingertips: "The demon wolves can manipulate the pigeons' memories, making them believe they saw it with their own eyes, more convincing than just stealing letters."
"The third strategy, 'Tide Pattern Connection'." Yuyuer pointed to the 5th Island on the shell map. "This island's larva breeding pools now rely on the main island's water source. I can set up a water resonance array at the pool bottom, so the fifth island no longer relies on the main island, thereby cutting off the threat of water cutoff. At that time, the breeding pools will emit specific ripples, allowing the 5th Island folk to sense our intentions and support, thus firming their alliance determination."
Elder Xuanjia stroked his palm in approval: "At that time, the water snake clan won't be dominated by the main island anymore, and we can directly establish trust with them."
"The fourth strategy, 'Phantom Boat Exaggeration'." Yuyuer looked at Rex and Tisk. "Rex's drones can hang glowing vine-woven 'soldier' models, and Tisk can use metal magic to create oar splashing sounds from afar, making the main island mistake us for mobilizing a large water army. In reality, these 'fleets' are just light and shadow illusions, consuming very little magic."
Tisk excitedly rubbed his hands: "I can also scatter some noisy shells on the water surface, simulating army clamor; absolutely indistinguishable from real!"
Finally, Yuyuer's voice was steady: "The fifth strategy, 'Turtle Shell Offering Map'. The main island leader covets the secrets of ancient magic arrays. I am willing to use the tidal maps of the sea clan sanctuary as bait, luring him to come personally to the 7th Island for negotiation. At that time, we can suspend their actions and expose the truth of their resource monopoly."
Zhamisi listened, her eyes flashing with surprise and approval: "All five strategies avoid island soldiers, yet strike at vital points everywhere. Yuyuer, you've truly grown into a strategist who can stand on his own."
The crocodile representative from the 2nd Island frowned: "Easier said than done; would the main island easily believe the bait?"
Salsa's mechanical cat shell suddenly jumped onto the meeting table, amber eyes reflecting a projection of the main island leader: "Based on my stealth reading of the main island's secret files, the leader has secretly searched for sea clan maps, even sending crocodile poachers into the sanctuary. Yuyuer's identity and the maps are temptations he can't refuse."
Yuyuer said solemnly: "There are risks, but compared to bloody conflict, it's worth a try."
The Five Waters Strategy
In the Turtle Heart Hall on the 7th Island of Salto, Yuyuer's five strategies received everyone's approval. Fa and the others, along with Zhamisi, Elder Xuanjia, and representatives from other islands, quickly sprang into action, preparing to execute these strategies to counter the main island's oppression and restore peace and harmony to the Salto Islands.
After the meeting, Yuyuer and Zhamisi reunited, exchanging brief pleasantries before diving into the tense strategy deployment. Fa stared at the distant lake, a silver light flashing in her right eye, trying to see through the main island's movements, but mist and magical interference prevented her from probing fully. She turned to Yuyuer and said gently: "We must act quickly; the main island won't give us much time."
Yuyuer nodded, his staff flashing blue light in his hand. "Yes, the five strategies must interlink to disrupt the main island's plans." He turned to the group, "Are you ready?"
Arya gently stroked the Storm Bow, the five elemental crystals emitting faint light. "Ready to start anytime."
Tisk patted his warhammer, his beard shaking. "I've been waiting forever!"
Salsa's soul body floated out of the mechanical cat shell, shadow energy flashing in her eyes. "Intelligence in place, let's move."
Rex's mechanical eye scanned the surroundings, calmly saying: "Drones calibrated, on standby."
Kayla waved her thunder claws, grinning. "Come on, let them see our power!"
Zhamisi's snake tail lightly slapped the ground, her eyes burning with fighting spirit. "Good, Yuyuer, lead us!"
Swamp Shadow Labyrinth
The first strategy "Swamp Shadow Labyrinth" unfolded in the herb garden on the 3rd Island. Fa and the others arrived at the swamp edge. "Arya, please let the wind cut in from the southeast corner." Yuyuer stood by the water, pointing his staff at the swamp. He closed his eyes, chanting incantations, the blue gem at the staff's top blooming with light. Ripples appeared on the swamp surface, tens of thousands of water spheres rising into the air, refracting rainbow-like spectra under the sunlight. Sunlight penetrated the water spheres, refracting colorful illusions. Arya lightly plucked the Storm Bow, a silver wind thread rising as the string sounded. "Mini tornadoes ready; what level of wind force?"
"Level three is enough; don't destroy the herbs." Sweat beaded on Yuyuer's forehead as the water sphere array began to rotate slowly, forming a spherical mirage hundreds of meters in diameter. Fa stood on a treetop on alert, silver light gleaming in her right star eye. "Water sphere refraction stable, layered illusion effect achieved. Perfect, the main island army absolutely can't see through."
Fa gazed at the mist, her right eye glowing, confirming the illusions were flawless. "Perfect, the main island army absolutely can't see through."
Tisk suddenly thrust his warhammer into the mud, metal magic pulsing as iron chains rose from the swamp bottom, fixing floating plants into natural stepping stones. "First solve the footing problem! These damn vines always trip me!"
Soon, the main island army arrived, clad in heavy armor, holding long spears, aggressively stepping into the swamp. However, upon entering the mirage, thousands of illusory figures burst from the water mist, wielding spears condensed from light. The leading captain raised his shield, but saw countless reflections of himself on the shield surface, each roaring in different directions. "Don't panic! It's illusions!" The captain's roar was torn by the wind, and suddenly a huge water bubble surged under his feet, carrying him in the complete opposite direction.
"Three stragglers in the southeast corner." Fa swung her short blade, earth magic condensing lava patterns under her feet, instantly moving behind the targets. As the short blade slashed, it carried water fluctuations, three ice spikes bursting from under the army's feet, nailing them to the mangrove roots. "Remember, disarm not kill; we're not here to make enemies."
Arya watched the enemy army bumping around in the mirage, a smile curling her lips. "Yuyuer, your bubble mirage plus my wind blade maze walls is simply perfect visual deception." Yuyuer wiped his sweat, watching the gradually retreating crocodile troops. "Don't praise yet; wait until the army really retreats..."
The captain tried to steady the troops, but the mist made his commands futile. Finally, the formation scattered, and the army was forced to retreat in disarray.
Zhamisi watched the enemy backs, praising: "First strategy success; Yuyuer, this move is really ruthless!"
Yuyuer scratched his head and smiled. "Still have to thank Arya's wind."
Shell Letter Estrangement
As night fell, the second strategy "Shell Letter Estrangement" began execution on the 8th Island. Salsa's soul body floated away from the mechanical cat shell, silently infiltrating the main island's carrier pigeon nest. The tower was heavily guarded, but posed no threat to Salsa.
Dozens of carrier pigeons were preening their feathers, the shells on their feet making light sounds with movement. "Replace the shell letters of the first, third, fifth, and twelfth pigeons." With a thought, Salsa waved her fingers, shadow energy turning into tentacles, touching the pigeons' heads, shadow energy surging into the birds' minds. "Manipulate their memories: the letters say the main island will deprive affiliated islands of noble privileges—false information." She replaced the forged shell letters on the leg rings, and the pigeons suddenly took flight in alarm, their eyes reflecting false flames and shouts.
"Mission complete, retreat. Tomorrow morning, communications between the main island and affiliated islands will turn into chaos." Salsa chuckled lowly, her soul body quickly retreating, disappearing into the night.
The next day, affiliated island nobles received the shell letters, anger and panic spreading:
"The main island wants to deprive us of our rights?"
"Can't tolerate it; we must resist!"
Internal contradictions on the main island intensified, nobles dissatisfied with the leadership, buying precious time for the team.
Fa smiled: "Salsa, your dark magic is unmatched."
Salsa returned to the mechanical cat shell, amber eyes flashing. "Intelligence warfare, my specialty."
Tide Pattern Connection
By the larva breeding pools on the 5th Island, Yuyuer executed the third strategy "Tide Pattern Connection." The 5th Island's larva breeding pools were filled with pale green glows. Yuyuer removed his top, revealing the sea clan's unique gill patterns, pressing his hands on the basalt by the pool. Zhamisi coiled her snake tail sitting nearby, venom magic condensing into glistening green droplets at her fingertips. "Need me to use venom mist to block main island scouts?"
"Don't act yet; wait for the resonance array to activate." Yuyuer closed his eyes, feeling the water flow pulses, suddenly bursting blue light from his hands, complex water array patterns rising on the basalt surface. "Arya, please use wood elements to stabilize the pool bottom silt; don't let the array patterns be covered by sand."
Arya inserted the Storm Bow by the pool edge, her hands stroking the water surface, countless vines bursting from the pale green halo, fixing the pool bottom structure like a network. "Done; now the pool water can withstand level three magic vibrations."
She looked up toward the distant main island. "If we cut off the main island's supplied water source, what will happen here?"
Yuyuer: "Let the fifth island no longer be controlled by the main island, and it will emit subsonic waves only the water snake clan can hear."
Zhamisi suddenly perked her ear feathers. "Wait, footsteps!"
Several main island soldiers burst from the mangrove forest, holding short spears inlaid with shells. Kayla roared, thunder claws waving as frost iron ore shards flew, ice and thunder attributes weaving into arcs. "Get lost! Don't disturb Yuyuer's casting!" She flashed, transforming into giant leopard form after three stages, sharp claws sweeping the soldiers several meters away.
Soon after, the main island army cut off the water source, trying to force the 5th Island to submit. Yuyuer finally engraved the last array pattern into the pool bottom. The resonance array activated immediately, strong ripples and water flows spreading through the pool bottom.
The water snake clan folk on the 5th Island closed their eyes to sense, the water snake elder exclaiming in surprise: All water flows form micro vortices inside the array patterns; we no longer lack water. Distant exclamations came, thousands of water snake clan warriors emerging from the swamp, eyes brimming with moved tears.
"They received it." Zhamisi gently stroked Yuyuer's soaked hair. "The 5th Island won't hesitate anymore."
The water snake clan people said: "This is Zhamisi and their intentions!" "They're helping us; we won't submit anymore!" The folk firmed their alliance determination, refusing the main island's threats.
Elder Xuanjia sensed this through magic, praising: "Yuyuer, this move strikes straight at the heart."
Yuyuer smiled. "Water magic isn't just for battle; it can also convey hope."
Phantom Boat Exaggeration
The fourth strategy "Phantom Boat Exaggeration" unfolded on the coast of the 7th Island. Rex stood at the 7th Island port, his hands rapidly tapping virtual keyboards, hundreds of nano drones popping from his body, each hanging vine-woven soldier models. Tisk squatted by the dock, his warhammer striking specially made shells. "This sound is like oars, right? Add some metal echoes—" He waved metal magic, several scrap irons floating in the air colliding, emitting booms like warships docking.
"Sound wave simulation reaches 92% similarity." Rex's mechanical eye projected remote monitoring screens; on the main island port's watchtower, sentries suddenly raised bronze mirrors to observe. "They're hooked. Tisk, release the fluorescent algae."
Tisk scattered several bags of green powder into the sea, expanded instantly under water magic into hundreds of fluorescent points. Rex controlled the drone swarm to fly above the fluorescence, the vine soldier models casting huge shadows under moonlight, swaying with waves like an entire fleet sailing.
"Report—! Suspicious fleet spotted!" The main island sentry's shout came through a magic amplifier. Tisk rubbed his hands chuckling. "Time for Kayla."
Kayla was already standing on distant reefs, thunder claws waving to summon several ice pillars, their surfaces refracting the drones' light, forming intricate light-shadow matrices. Chaos came from the main island, even several ancient magic cannons starting to bombard—of course, all shells fell into void illusions.
"Rex, record the main island army's bombardment frequency." Yuyuer, covered in breeding pool mud, said. "This data can help us calculate their magic inventory." Rex nodded, the drone swarm beginning to record and analyze fire trajectories.
Tisk laughed heartily. "This sound even fools me!"
Kayla waved her thunder claws, excited: "This strategy is brilliant; no need to fight at all!"