An hour earlier...
After leaving the World Trade Building, Zeng Shen continued his journey toward Silver Sea District, aiming to trigger all possible first-time encounters in the area and surrounding villages.
Of course, if luck was on his side and he encountered a group of intelligent beings, he'd collect them all without hesitation.
However, just as he was driving toward Jinhai Bay Town and hadn't yet hit the highway, his phone buzzed with a WeChat message.
It was from Liu Miao.
"I'm coming back to Jinhai tomorrow," Liu Miao said.
"How's your grandfather's condition?" Zeng Shen typed back.
"He's better for now, but he's drifted back into a coma. The doctors say they're not sure if he'll make it through the year," Liu Miao's message conveyed fatigue and sadness.
"It's okay, everything will get better," Zeng Shen reassured her.
Suddenly, he thought about his healing skills, the potions he had, and the warehouse full of Green Dew Imperial Jade. Perhaps they could help Liu Miao's grandfather wake up or at least hold on until the apocalyptic change, when everyone would become gods, extending lifespans and making cells extraordinarily active.
With that in mind, Zeng Shen replied, "What time will you be back in Jinhai tomorrow? Let's grab a meal together."
"Around 2 PM. But I'll need to visit my grandfather's clam farm first to handle some matters before meeting up."
"Alright, send me the location. I'll drive to the clam farm to meet you," Zeng Shen sent a voice message.
Soon, Liu Miao sent the location, and Zeng Shen continued driving toward Silver Sea while chatting with her.
An hour later, after exiting the Jintie Expressway, Zeng Shen didn't immediately enter Silver Sea City. Instead, he had No. 1 drive through the old roads of the villages and towns on the outskirts.
By noon the next day, Zeng Shen had No. 1 parked in the farthest, most deserted village on the eastern outskirts of Silver Sea City.
He opened his attribute panel to review his gains from the past day.
[Survival Points: 37,310]
Satisfied with the progress, he noted that he had triggered 36 first-time encounters in the southeastern direction of Silver Sea's outskirts.
At this pace, once he had traversed all of Silver Sea's outskirts and city areas, he should be able to accumulate another 100,000 survival points.
Zeng Shen exited his vehicle, used a wormhole card to set a waypoint at the location, then stored No. 1 in his backpack before returning to his home.
Later, he quickly left his house, found a secluded spot, and released No. 1 to drive toward the clam farm Liu Miao had mentioned.
Liu Miao's grandfather's clam farm was located 40 miles away from Jinhai Bay Dock, on a stretch of shallow sandy beach.
With no villages or towns nearby, Zeng Shen had never visited this area during his previous explorations of the western outskirts.
As No. 1 turned toward the sandy beach entrance, Zeng Shen noticed a concrete plaque reading "Liu Xiang Clam Farm."
He recalled Liu Miao mentioning that the farm was named after her grandfather.
"So, her grandfather's name must be Liu Xiang," Zeng Shen thought.
At that moment, as No. 1 drove past the plaque, an unexpected notification sounded in his ear.
[Warning! Warning! This area is the shared domain of a Tier 4 Light God and a Tier 3 Water God, along with their kin. Entering this area may result in subjugation, capture, or enslavement. Please leave immediately.]
"Hmm? This area will give rise to a Tier 4 Light God in the future? And it's a shared domain?" Zeng Shen murmured, instructing No. 1 to drive toward a row of large sheds ahead.
These sheds were the breeding points for clams.
As Zeng Shen parked and stepped out, a familiar voice filled with longing came from behind him.
"Shen."
Turning around, he saw a slender figure approaching from the sheds—it was Liu Miao.
Today, she wasn't wearing her usual heels, black stockings, or fitted business suit. Instead, she wore a tight white short-sleeved shirt, covered by a blue raincoat, with long jeans and black water shoes—giving off the vibe of a seaside fisherwoman.
Having not seen her for about ten days, Zeng Shen felt she had lost weight, and despite her smile, he could sense the sadness, fear, and strength in her eyes.
These qualities were part of why Zeng Shen liked her so much.
Without hesitation, he embraced her tightly, then released her to gaze into her beautiful, expressive eyes before leaning in for a kiss.
He savored the warmth, softness, and enchanting fragrance he had missed for so long.
Moments later, they parted.
Looking at Liu Miao's lovely, full profile, Zeng Shen found himself momentarily speechless, so he casually asked, "Did you finish your business?"
"Almost," Liu Miao replied, her face slightly flushed.
"Then you finish up, and I'll wander around. Once you're done, we can grab a bite."
"It's no trouble," Liu Miao shook her head. "The remaining tasks can be handled by Aunt Zhao and the others. Come, let me show you around the clam farm."
Hearing Liu Miao refer to herself as "sister" again, Zeng Shen played along, "Then I'll trouble sister to guide me on a clam tour."
With a chuckle, Liu Miao led Zeng Shen to tour the shed where clams were bred and raised.
Afterward, they wandered the vast beach.
Many clam farmers were busy at work on the sand.
Liu Miao nestled against Zeng Shen, like a little wife, pointing out a field shaped like a "Tian" character in the distance.
"That area is where mature clams are harvested from the sand for sale."
"Those plots with pearl flags are for cultivating pearl-producing clams," she explained.
"I see," Zeng Shen nodded.
Soon, they reached an edible clam field.
Suddenly, a warning blared in Zeng Shen's mind.
[Danger! Danger! The host is near a Tier 3 Water God's enslaved kin and will be suppressed by its most enchanting follower, draining all divinity and becoming enslaved. Escape immediately!]
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!