Chapter 3: Encountering Danger on the Way to Search for the Pearl in the Clam
In the moment when the dazzling light faded, Tai Shici saw a clam the size of a grinding disc. The size and shape of the clam indicated that it had lived for at least one hundred years. Tai Shici suppressed the joy in his heart, controlling his body to slowly float above the grinding disc clam. ... He had to wait for the moment when the clam would open its shell again; at that moment, he would take the large pearl from within the clam's body with the utmost speed ...
On this day, in order to quickly cure his mother's persistent headache, Tai Shici hastily finished his meal and set out alone in a small boat to sea. The other fishermen were aware of Tai Shici's extraordinary diving skills, so no one accompanied him. At just fourteen years old, he was more robust than an adult and possessed remarkable strength: he easily lifted a canoe weighing five hundred pounds. Such an extraordinary young man truly did not need anyone else to accompany him
In the dim depths of the sea, each clam leisurely and boldly opens its shell, exchanging energy with the seawater. Meanwhile, the pearls within the clam meat radiate a shimmering glow. For a moment, Taishi Ci felt as if he were amidst a dazzling and colorful starry sky, so enchanting and so relaxed.
After experiencing the unexpected disappearance of her son, the intense pain remarkably healed Liu's persistent headaches. In the years that followed, Liu lived a methodical life in tranquility. Every leisurely evening, she would sit on the rocks by the sea, gazing blankly at the distant surface of the ocean
As time passed second by second, due to the immense and irresistible pressure of the deep sea, blood began to seep from Taishi Ci's ears, and hot blood surged from his nostrils... Yet, Taishi Ci felt none of this; all his focus and spirit were concentrated on the grinding sea clam.
In the afternoon, the sun blazed high in the sky, and the sea breeze was filled with a strong scent of the ocean. The intense sunlight and scorching air could not hinder Tai Shici's steps. Due to his exceptional learning ability, Tai Shici, a newcomer to the outer fishing village, had mastered the techniques of maritime navigation in a remarkably short time: for instance, determining the timing for setting out to sea or returning based on the ebb and flow of the tides, deciding the course according to celestial phenomena, and inferring the presence of shallow reefs near the coast based on distinctive coastal features, among other navigational methods using charts.
After many days of diving, Tai Shici discovered his potential: he could stay underwater without eating or drinking for an entire day. The greatest obstacle while swimming is breathing, yet Tai Shici, who was not versed in martial arts, surprisingly managed to exchange oxygen from the water through the pores of his skin: the impure air within his body was released through his skin and hair, while the oxygen from the water entered his body through the skin and hair, reaching his respiratory organs, thus ensuring the normal functioning of all his bodily organs
The destination of Tai Shici's voyage was Coral Island, located twenty miles from the coastline. As the name suggests, Coral Island is formed by the aggregation of coral polyps. Situated at the confluence of cold and warm currents, Coral Island attracts a multitude of marine life, creating a unique food web. Even at high tide, a significant portion of the island remains above the water's surface. If there were a beach here, along with a barrier to withstand severe typhoons, the fishing village would have immediately relocated to this place. The entire Coral Island is barren, presenting a uniform dark brown hue, with its uneven terrain creating a distinct pattern of dark brown.
In the shimmering light akin to starlight, with his eyes squinted, Tai Shici found himself at the center of a dazzling radiance resembling a small sun among books. Without needing to think much, Tai Shici already knew the size and quality of the pearls within the clams there. He tightly gripped his spear and cautiously swam forward
The vast sea surface, the expansive beach, the diminutive woman, beneath the blue sky and white clouds ... ! ... A tangible space, endless longing !
The vast cluster of clams was a first-time discovery for Taishi Ci. This indicates that clams aged a hundred years might be among them. Overwhelmed with excitement, Taishi Ci momentarily forgot the pressure of the deep sea and swam vigorously towards the clam cluster
On the fourth day, the villagers came here to search for the whereabouts of Taishi Ci, but only found a broken fishing spear. When they returned to the fishing village and informed Taishi Ci's mother, Liu, of this matter, Liu, who had been worried about her son's whereabouts, had spent the past few days in deep anxiety. Now, upon learning that her son was missing, Liu's sorrowful gaze instead became resolute, not the common expression of utter grief.
Tai Shici was unaware that the blood he shed was detected by the ferocious fish, which excitedly searched for the source of the blood
Such a skilled navigator truly does not require assistance from others However, is this really the case with the development of facts and literature
This unusually emotional reaction left everyone perplexed. The old village chief, Xu Da, fearing that Liu might take her own life, kindly advised her with a gentle expression: "Sister Liu, there is no need to worry. In my opinion, Ci'er is not someone who would die young..."
Diving to a depth of 200 meters, the ordinary physique of Taishi Ci could no longer withstand the pressure of the deep water: his eardrums were in excruciating pain, and his eyes could only squint into a narrow slit. Suddenly, on a gently sloping seabed, despite the dim light, Taishi Ci still discovered a large cluster of clams.
In the midst of a dire crisis, the clam, as large as a grinding wheel, finally opened its wide shell once again, and dazzling light radiated from the slowly opening shell. Tai Shici focused his mind and gathered his energy, gripping the spear tightly, poised to strike.
As the water surged and the ground shook, the fierce fish retreated far away, and all the clams slowly closed their shells... A strong undercurrent surged in, swiftly sweeping away the body of Tai Shici... In an instant, Tai Shici's consciousness became hazy, plunging him into darkness, and the fish spear he tightly gripped automatically slipped from his hand, carried away by the torrent towards the reef island
Opportunities and risks coexist; this is the situation of Tai Shici. In order to alleviate the headache of his mother and his beloved, what is there that he would not dare to do? Just as Tai Shici was about to launch a powerful strike at the large pearl within the clam, suddenly, the surrounding seawater began to surge violently.
In the midst of unexpected injury, the unconscious Taishi Ci was unaware that amidst the tremors of the earth and mountains, the brilliant clear sky was suddenly shrouded in dense clouds, and fierce winds, torrential rains, and flashes of lightning accompanied by thunder erupted. The harsh weather persisted for three days and three nights, after which a towering mountain island, a thousand meters high, suddenly appeared in the location where the original coral island had been, with the original coral island situated at the highest point of the mountain island.
The ferocious and bloodthirsty fish in the deeper waters have already come into view of Tai Shici. In the sea, who would dare to provoke the patience of fierce fish with the scent of blood? The outcome is self-evident
Tai Shici skillfully navigated his small boat and arrived at Coral Island smoothly. He secured the boat to the coral reef with a thick rope, and then, holding a spear gun, he leaped into the sea.
Upon hearing this, Liu slightly nodded, expressing gratitude, and then calmly walked back to her house. The others shook their heads and sighed, truly, the heavens are unpredictable. ... What a wonderful child ... ... How desolate Liu is ... ...