Closer to Revealing My True Self
Chapter 287 - 213 Mark_1

Chapter 287: Chapter 213 Mark_1

Without much time to dwell on the issue of "appropriate amount," unable to figure it out, Feng Yi eventually decided to leave it to his instincts.

In matters related to survival skills that he had never experienced before, instincts tended to be more reliable.

He had to complete the task of marking his territory as soon as possible. Whether or not it would be successful, he needed to get moving first.

His true form must not be exposed for too long; the longer he stayed out, the greater the risk.

Below the surface of this marine area, there weren’t only fish and starfish.

Without further delay, Feng Yi took action.

Releasing the marking substance was actually an act that could be controlled at will. It sounded complicated, but in practice, it was simpler than spitting.

Of course, this also consumed energy, but fortunately he had eaten a lot for dinner. After completing the marking, he would buy some late-night snacks on his way back to the dorm to replenish his energy.

Invisible and extremely small chemical substances followed Feng Yi’s will, seeping from his body and dispersing in the water.

These substances were the same as the ones he used to experiment with sparrows during the day. Although his ancestral DNA informed Feng Yi that the marking substances would slightly vary depending on the circumstances, he was not yet able to figure out exactly what those differences were.

With more use and practice over time, he would naturally understand.

For today’s task, Feng Yi was not too demanding. It was his first attempt at marking territory, and he was not seeking perfection; some effect would suffice.

If there was no effect, he’d consider it a familiarization with his original form and a chance to practice a few more skills.

Balancing the swimming speed and the release rate per unit time, Feng Yi began marking along the route he had planned.

Since starfish primarily moved slowly across the seabed using their tube feet, and his goal tonight was precisely the starfish, he swam close to the seabed.

In the darkness of the nocturnal seabed, ordinary people could hardly see anything without the use of tools, but for Feng Yi, light was not a necessity.

Here, his "vision" was not just through his eyes.

He could sense the aquatic animals and plants around him, the magnetic fields of the submarine cables; to his "vision," those magnetic fields were almost as conspicuous as if they were glowing.

Feng Yi was careful to avoid the submarine cables along the way; accidentally snapping one with his tail could lead to unforeseen consequences.

Besides those, there were unmanned submersibles, which Feng Yi detected in advance and avoided.

He recognized the type of unmanned submersible; it was a scientific model, not for military use, requested by the investigation team after the starfish outbreak.

Data couldn’t be uploaded in real-time, and its intelligence was limited. It would complete its mission according to its pre-set program before moving to a designated location to upload data.

By the time the investigation team got the data, Feng Yi would already be back in his dormitory asleep.

Avoiding the unmanned submersible, he continued to mark his territory.

His tonnage of weight was surprisingly agile in the water.

Feng Yi: [Such a nimble and agile figure I have~~~]

Having not transformed into his original shape for many days, he now felt incredibly relaxed and comfortable; with a sense of his muscles stretching, every cell was excited and full of vigor.

Before, when he followed the investigation team underwater to help, he had also swum further out by himself. The difference was that he wore a diving suit back then, which was quite suffocating, and he was under surveillance.

Now, with no restrictions, he could swim any way he wanted, in an S-shape or whatever else—for no one would know.

After enjoying the vastness of the sea, how could he care for the confines of a swimming pool?

[When I’ve saved enough money...]

Feng Yi thought about his life goals while not neglecting the task at hand.

In this marine area close to Mo City, he drew an arc-shaped "shield."

He hoped the remote starfish armies wouldn’t gather on this side anymore.

As for those within the arc, a few busy days of fishing boats would settle things.

That was what Feng Yi envisioned.

The overall situation was still unclear now, but it would be known by tomorrow.

The marking task completed, Feng Yi lingered in place for a while, observing. He felt there was no major issue, everything looked as expected.

Done!

This was his first long-line marking, and there was some pressure, a clear sense of fatigue setting in.

Feng Yi made his way toward where Jia was.

It was when he resumed his usual appearance that Feng Yi actually felt somewhat unaccustomed.

Back on the boat, he took the towel Jia handed him to dry off, then changed his clothes.

On the return trip, Feng Yi saw sparse lights scattered on the sea surface, all from people who had sailed out for night fishing.

Perhaps due to not catching anything and boredom setting in, some were chatting, others scrolling through their phones, their accents mostly from out of town.

Someone complained loudly, "The breeze is unusually strong tonight, colder than yesterday. Is the weather changing? Can’t even see the stars!"

"The weather forecast didn’t mention rain though."

"Weather at sea changes in an instant, who believes the weather forecast! Let’s wait another half hour, if we still can’t catch anything we’ll head back. No starry sky to photograph, no fish either, who the hell said you could catch big fish at night! Fell for it good! Achoo—"

Noticing Feng Yi’s boat returning, the person who had just sneezed shouted, "Heading back already? Caught anything?"

All around were people out for night fishing, never considering that someone might be out here in the cold of night for something else.

Jia responded, "Didn’t catch a thing, it’s too cold, no point in freezing out here any longer. Better wait for warmer weather before coming back."

Hearing their words, some people hesitated about whether to return as well.

Feng Yi rubbed his chin.

He had a feeling that tonight they might not catch anything at all.

He had Jia persuade them a bit more.

A few followed Feng Yi and the others back, but some stayed, firmly believing they would catch a big fish that night.

Feng Yi didn’t press further, saying too much would seem odd.

When they reached the dock and secured the boat, Feng Yi and Jia went to find food in the night market, strolling past a barbecue stand, ending up infused with its scent.

By this time, it was late at night. Entering the southern gate of the dormitory area, Feng Yi and Jia coincidentally met Professor Li and others returning from a meeting, exchanging greetings.

Smelling the barbecue on Feng Yi, Professor Li and the others didn’t ask further, as it’s common for young people to go out for late-night snacks and gatherings.

Feng Yi also learned from Professor Li that because of a few issues that caused endless debate, the high-ups had a late meeting today, but it was unrelated to his own activities that night.

"I’ll head back first, Professor Li. You all should rest early too," Feng Yi said.

Professor Li was different from Professor Ding.

Professor Ding was usually talkative, but at those important meetings with the higher-ups, he preferred not to say too much. Some issues were so clear to him that he knew speaking out wouldn’t make much difference, and it would only leave him with internal frustration. He preferred to fulfill his own duties then do his own thing. He took it easy, laughing off things that were futile to discuss.

Professor Li, though less talkative in daily life, was more direct and stubborn regardless of the fact that he saw issues with equal clarity. He wouldn’t hesitate to tear off the fig leaves covering certain people or matters without any consideration for their feelings.

As he went upstairs, Feng Yi looked back. The sorrowful mood on Professor Li seemed even stronger, mixed with a profound heaviness and fatigue.

Feng Yi felt a complex mix of emotions. He wondered if they would be able to sleep well that night.

Unaware of Feng Yi’s thoughts, Professor Li, upon returning to the dormitory, quickly washed up and sat down at his desk to review documents and record key information needed for tomorrow’s meeting.

Past two in the morning, Professor Li pinched the bridge of his nose, closed his notebook, and lay down in bed.

Just as his eyes closed, the phone started ringing insistently.

Glancing at the caller ID, Professor Li quickly picked up.

"What’s the matter... Abnormal data from the submersible? I’m on my way!"

In the wee hours of the dormitory, most people were deep asleep, with only two or three lights remaining on. But in under a minute, as different ringtones chimed, light by light came on—ten or so in total.

And then, more and more.