Return to the City: The Strongest King

"The sea environment is unpredictable, and the ancient wooden ships couldn't withstand the strong winds and waves. Only the Dan Boats of the Dan People could sail without hindrance, relying on this small pearl."

Song Xiaodong reached into the water cup, took out the Dinghai Pearl, and gently shook the cup. The water inside immediately rippled.

"No wonder the Dan People can spend their entire lives on a boat. With such a treasure in hand, the raging waves feel as smooth as walking on flat ground." Lin Feng couldn't help but exclaim.

"Within the Dan People, there are actually two factions. Those who still live by the seaside today are actually Han People who have chosen a unique lifestyle. The other faction is a true maritime nation, living at sea all year round, occasionally staying on islands. Zheng Chenggong's father, Deng Zhilong, was from the true Dan People," Song Xiaodong said.

"I didn't know there was such a story," Su Lie listened, captivated.

"The Dan People have lived at sea for a long history. As early as the Spring and Autumn Period, the idea of overseas mystical mountains with gods prevailed in the Qi and Lu Region. The gods they saw were the Dan People."

"Before the Han Dynasty, the Dan People were very prosperous because they could live at sea for long periods and were free from the mainland emperors' rule. However, after the Han Dynasty, the Dan People suddenly lost their ability to sail far, began depending on the mainland, and merged with the Han People. This is the origin of the first kind of Dan People. Although these Dan People inherited the habit of living at sea, their culture has been assimilated by the Han Ethnicity."

"Another group of Dan People still chose to live at sea, but the Dan People's superb sailing techniques suddenly vanished. This part of the sea-faring Dan People soon disappeared from history."

"Why did this happen?" Chu Xianling asked.

"The Dan People could venture to sea because of the Dinghai Pearl. We could return because of the Dinghai Pearl. I suspect maybe during the Han Dynasty, the Taoist Alchemists who ventured out to sea did see the gods in their eyes, which were the Dan People, and then stole their Dinghai Pearl, preventing the Dan People from roaming the seas again."

"Xu Duoduo went after the Dinghai Pearl!" Lin Feng immediately understood.

Song Xiaodong nodded.

"I never expected that, something from two thousand years ago, the Dark Night Sect remembers, the Dragon Gate remembers, and even the Dan People remember!" Lin Feng couldn't help but exclaim.

"Xu Duoduo thought I was after the Dinghai Pearl, but I didn't even know about it. Before we went underwater, Xu Duoduo released half of the air from my gas tank, planning to leave me with no way back from the depths." Song Xiaodong said calmly.

"What?" Chu Xianling and Sun Yiyi both shouted in surprise, looking angrily at Song Xiaodong.

"Coach Xu, all talk about wanting to keep you safe, yet he intended to harm you! Truly sinister!" Chu Xianling was fuming, her eyes wide in anger, eyebrows raised, utterly irate.

"Hey, calm down!" Song Xiaodong motioned for Chu Xianling to relax.

"Sect Leader, is this really true?" Lin Feng obviously couldn't believe it.

Song Xiaodong nodded.

"Sect Leader, it was my fault! I just wanted to find a good swimmer to protect you, but ended up bringing such a treacherous person!" Lin Feng wanted to stand up and admit his guilt.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't rush, let me finish talking." Song Xiaodong waved his hand.

Everyone calmed down and listened to Song Xiaodong continue.

"Under the sea, Xu Duoduo asked why I wanted this item. I said I wanted to destroy it. Xu Duoduo realized we weren't looking for the Dinghai Pearl. At this moment, my tank's low-pressure alarm sounded. At that depth, without oxygen, I couldn't swim up." Song Xiaodong explained.

"Before each dive, Xu Duoduo emphasized checking each other's equipment. It was for her convenience to tamper with it. Such a woman has a venomous heart!" Chu Xianling couldn't help but spit venom again.

Song Xiaodong said nothing but gave Chu Xianling a look, and Chu Xianling stayed silent.

Song Xiaodong continued: "But at that time, Xu Duoduo suddenly realized I wasn't there for the Dinghai Pearl. I knew nothing about it. She regretted a bit. Just then, a Whale Shark and Great King Squid fighting in the currents outside suddenly rushed in, and the tentacles of the Great King Squid broke Xu Duoduo's gas tank."

"Ha, karma!" Chu Xianling couldn't hold back.

Song Xiaodong looked up at Chu Xianling and said, "Xu Duoduo then gave me the Dinghai Pearl, and she was carried away by the struggling Whale Shark."

"Why give you the Dinghai Pearl?" Chu Xianling was puzzled.

"That Dinghai Pearl can absorb air from the sea. Holding the Dinghai Pearl, bubbles started to form on my body, entering my nasal cavity. I relied on this breath to swim up. Xu Duoduo saved me." Song Xiaodong finally finished.

"That's not really saving you, she endangered you first!" Chu Xianling was still angry.

"Alright!" Song Xiaodong soothed Chu Xianling, continuing, "Think about how many times she saved us?"

Sun Yiyi, Chu Xianling, and Lin Feng exchanged glances, realizing Song Xiaodong was right.

"She could have run herself, but she didn't. She exchanged her life for mine." Song Xiaodong sighed, telling everyone.

Now, no one had anything to say.

"I promised Xu Duoduo's boyfriend that I'd bring her back, but now it's terrible; I can't even find the body." Song Xiaodong thought for a bit, feeling sorry for Xu Duoduo's boyfriend.

"Sect Leader, don't be too sad. We can compensate Xu Duoduo's boyfriend," Su Lie comforted Song Xiaodong.

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