19: Siren Attack 1

Time flowed slowly, slipping away quietly amidst busyness and anticipation. In the blink of an eye, nearly half a month had passed since they landed on Iron Sand Island. This period witnessed this wild land painstakingly yet resolutely shedding its old appearance, radiating the first glimmer of a burgeoning civilization.

The 150-mu cultivation area designated by Linn had undergone a massive transformation. The originally scattered shrubs and rocks had been cleared away, leaving the dark brown soil exposed to the sunlight; though barren, it carried the hope of nurturing life.

A series of crude yet practical water canals extended like veins from the stream to the ridges of the fields, ensuring the nourishment of the breath of life. More than half of the fully reclaimed land had been planted with hardy rye and tuber crops. At this moment, patches of sparse but resilient tender green had broken through the soil, swaying gently in the breeze.

The changes in the residential area were even more revolutionary. On the gentle slope backed by hills and facing the farmland, rows of standardized wooden houses had replaced the initial chaotic shacks.

Under Linn's strict orders and the rigorous execution by Clay, Angus, and others, the prototype of planned streets was clearly visible. A dedicated toilet area was strictly managed, and anyone who dared to relieve themselves anywhere—whether slaves or a carefree fellow like Ocean—would be subjected to severe flogging. In the central area, the warehouse and Linn's residence already stood tall; the large and exquisite wooden house had become the core symbol of the entire camp.

At the natural harbor selected on the east coast, everything was in full swing. Under Barton's command and Ocean Jack's assistance, a simple pier-style dock had begun to take shape. Thick logs were driven into the seabed as supports, and sturdy wooden planks paved the bridge deck. The sea wave and Blood Claw could now safely dock alongside, no longer troubled by tides or wind and waves. This dock would be the throat connecting Iron Sand Island to the outside world, securing supplies and hope.

During this time, the entirety of Iron Sand Island had been surveyed by everyone. There were no dangerous Demonic Beasts, and some edible wild animals had been penned up by Linn's men for self-breeding.

Karl led the Second Squad and two blacksmiths to discover a small mountain on the north side of Iron Sand Island that was rich in iron ore. Upon learning of this, Linn immediately dispatched some slaves to mine the iron and ordered the construction of a Smelting Workshop. With weapons and equipment currently scarce, it was imperative to quickly forge a batch of weapons to fully arm his army.

Over this half-month, the high-quality potions provided by Linn played a vital role. The elven maid Elise, relying on her own talent and the assistance of the potions, finally broke through her Bottleneck and successfully promoted to Bronze High Rank. Her perception became more acute, her archery more precise, and the natural magic flowing within her body grew much thicker, adding a reliable force to Linn's side.

The two brothers Shirei and Evan also successfully promoted to Apprentice Knights. Linn even granted them level one potions to assist their cultivation. Linn thought very highly of them; among all his people, if ranked by Aptitude, their talent was the best aside from Elise. Next was Ocean. Linn's heavy investment in their development filled the two brothers with gratitude and admiration for him.

The strength of others showed little change, as the speed of cultivation slows down significantly at the Silver Rank. Linn would need to refine level three potions to be of help to Silver Rank professionals. However, he currently only had level two potion Materials in hand.

For the past half-month, besides meditation, Linn had been constantly studying knowledge regarding potions. The magic plants planted in the breath of life last time had already reached over a year of medicinal age according to external time. Linn planned to refine a batch of level two potions once they were all mature, and then head to Tianhai City for their first trade.

Everything seemed to be on the right track. However, this place known as the "Storm Sea Region" never lacked fangs hidden beneath the calm. The ocean here was vast and mysterious, nurturing countless known and unknown dangers. From deep-sea behemoths to the mysterious Siren Race, from unpredictable weather to undercurrent-surging reefs, even the most experienced old sailors would not dare to claim they could pass through here unscathed. The peace of Iron Sand Island at this moment was but a brief interval before the storm.

As the night deepened, the moonlight poured down like liquid silver, casting a hazy glow over the bay. The sea was exceptionally calm, with only the gentle sound of waves rhythmically lapping against the beach and the newly built dock, like a lullaby. Aside from the fixed sentries, the vast majority of people, exhausted from a day's work, had fallen into deep sleep, their snoring rising and falling. The campfire in the center of the camp had also gone out, leaving only scattered sparks flickering.

Inside the breath of life.

"Master, you have now mastered the theoretical production methods for various types of level three potions. All that's left is to practice once the Materials arrive," Dolia said, sitting on Linn's shoulder as she watched him study potion theory.

"Indeed!" Linn said with a touch of helplessness. "The territory is currently in its initial construction phase, and the distribution of the surrounding sea areas and the power situation haven't been clarified yet. I can't leave to return to the mainland for procurement!"

"I really want to go out and see Master's new territory! I'm almost bored to death here; my range of movement is limited. Fortunately, now that you're here, Master, I feel much happier." Dolia was full of yearning for the outside world.

Linn asked Dolia, "Dolia, can you really never leave the breath of life?"

"No, Master. Once you reach Gold Rank strength, the breath of life will become even more expansive and will gradually begin to operate on its own. I will be able to leave the breath of life for short periods. Even if I don't leave, with your permission, I can establish a shared vision with you."

While Linn and Dolia were chatting and studying inside the breath of life, a group of uninvited guests arrived at the coastline of Iron Sand Island.

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"Hiss... Gurgle..."

An almost inaudible, wet, and slimy friction sound, mixed with the sound of the waves, came from beneath the pitch-black surface of the sea.

A soldier belonging to the Third Squad, who was patrolling along the coast, seemed to hear a strange noise. He alertly gripped the spear in his hand and took a few steps closer to the water's edge, squinting his eyes as he tried to look out.

Suddenly, a dark green shadow lunged out from the knee-deep seawater at a staggering speed! The thing was about half a man's height, its skin slimy and its back covered in sharp spines. Its huge, bulging eyes reflected a ghastly white light in the moonlight, and its bloody maw split open all the way to its ears, revealing rows of densely packed sharp teeth.

The soldier didn't even have time to give a full alarm; he only managed a short "Ugh!" before the monster's powerful, webbed, and clawed forelimbs swung violently. The cold claw blades instantly slashed open his throat, and warm blood sprayed out.

However, this muffled sound of death still alerted another sentry not far away.

"Enemy attack! There are monsters! They're coming up from the sea! Ah—!" The shrill and fear-filled cry pierced through the tranquil night sky of Iron Sand Island like a sharp sword!