Chapter 469: Fishing and Diving
'There's something in the pool... leaving the water... attacks from an unknown source...'
Lin Ye pondered the previous exploration process, gradually forming some ideas.
'So, there really is something in the water, it's just that we can't see or sense it?'
Lin Ye took out the Dragon Fishing Rod and cast a line into the pool.
The Captain walked near Lin Ye but did not stop his actions.
Dr. Wells watched the fishing line in the water, lost in thought.
Lin Ye didn't feel the sensation of hooking a fish, but he still lifted the Dragon Fishing Rod, bringing the fishhook out of the water.
There was nothing on the fishhook, but neither the hook nor the line was damaged.
Lin Ye cast a few more times. Each time, the hook came up empty. The researchers watching nearby began whispering among themselves.
"There's nothing in the pool. What is he fishing for?" "Perhaps it's some kind of attempt, but I must say, he doesn't know how to fish at all. His technique is too crude, somewhat wasting such a good rod."
"Indeed, there's absolutely no skill or technique, just brute-force fishing."
...
Lin Ye continued casting somewhat speechlessly. He hadn't expected so many fishing enthusiasts among the researchers.
Just as Lin Ye was pondering the relationship between fishing enthusiasts and researchers, the fishhook left the water again. This time, something with a bizarre shape was attached below the line.
Lin Ye violently swung it in front of the Captain, who grabbed the creature in one hand and used spiritual energy to stun it.
A nearby researcher brought out a glass container, and the Captain stuffed the creature inside.
Lin Ye used his mental energy to carefully sense the body structure of the pool creature. He found it was just an ordinary Mutation Creature, only its appearance looked rather peculiar, like a black plastic bag that kept changing shape.
'No special structures inside its body. So, is that phenomenon mainly caused by the pool itself? Or are there other special pool creatures down there?'
Lin Ye continued casting. Learning from the previous experience, this time he only cast twice before hooking another pool creature.
Although Lin Ye's efficiency had improved, those fishing enthusiasts clearly looked down on his fishing method, muttering things like 'this isn't fishing at all,' 'you might as well use a net to scoop fish with this method,' 'I've caught fish over twenty pounds,' and so on.
Lin Ye completely ignored them, just kept pulling fish out one after another. Soon, the area beside the pool was piled high with all sorts of bizarrely shaped pool creatures.
"Enough. These are just ordinary Mutation Creatures. Pulling up more won't be meaningful. We should still think about how to leave this place."
After dissecting several pool creatures, Dr. Wells reached the same conclusion as Lin Ye.
He could also use mental perception to study the pool creatures, but that was prone to errors, especially since they couldn't even perceive the things inside the pool.
"Through fishing, I've gained some conjectures.
First, the pool affects the flow of information between its interior and the outside world.
Second, there are many pool creatures in the pool. After something entering the pool is attacked within it, those attacks are settled when it leaves the water's surface, though we can't confirm if it's the same for things entering the pool.
Finally, I've caught over twenty pool creatures today. The longest one was a full five meters. Fishing is really so much fun."
Lin Ye casually voiced his speculations.
"You are quite suited for research work. If you ever consider changing jobs in the future, you can come find me."
Dr. Wells handed Lin Ye a business card with his contact information.
"If we can't find a way to leave here, we might not make it back. The current problem is, if we enter the pool, will we be able to see the things in the water?"
The Captain interrupted the friendly exchange between Lin Ye and Dr. Wells.
"I believe we can, but to get a definitive conclusion, we need to send someone in to test it."
Dr. Wells thought of the data previously transmitted by the probe. He couldn't think of any other method at the moment.
"Attaching mental energy to a scout creature won't work either. I tried that just now. However, if you're willing to wait a while, I can try using scout creatures to clear out this pool."
Lin Ye Alienated another Red Frog and threw it onto the pile of pool creatures. The Red Frog burrowed into a pool creature's body and began using their bodies to hatch more Red Frogs.
"I can go in and take a look. As long as I don't go deep into the pool, it shouldn't be too dangerous."
A member of the combat squad spoke up.
"Be careful."
The Captain agreed with the squad member's suggestion. He stood at the pool's edge, ready to rescue at any moment.
"First, put on a sealed diving suit. We still can't confirm the composition of this liquid."
Dr. Wells had just analyzed the pool water brought out by the pool creatures. The pool water was similar to water but contained some difficult-to-analyze impurities. He hadn't figured out what they were yet.
After changing into the diving suit, the squad member gradually lowered his body into the pool. However, he didn't suspend himself just below the surface as planned. Instead, he quickly descended deep into the pool, disappearing from their sight in the blink of an eye.
"Is this situation normal?"
Dr. Wells looked at the Captain.
"He wouldn't act against the plan unless there was an irresistible force."
The Captain knew his squad members well. He believed the other man must have had a reason for doing this.
"What we see may not be the reality. Perhaps he's fighting those pool creatures right now, or maybe he's entangled by them. I can have my scout creatures go support him."
Lin Ye controlled the Red Frogs hatched from the pool creatures to enter the pool. This time, Lin Ye didn't control the Red Frogs with his consciousness. Instead, he gave them the command to clear out pool creatures and assist humans.
After entering the pool, the Red Frogs quickly dove into the depths. A few minutes later, that squad member surfaced. Instantly, numerous wounds appeared all over his body.
"Cough, cough... After entering the pool, I could see those pool creatures. Injuries aren't delayed either. I was pulled deep into the pool by a tendril right after entering. The depths are full of monsters everywhere, even some high-level creatures among them. If it weren't for those Red Frogs, I might not have made it back."
The squad member lay beside the pool. Another squad member was treating his wounds.
"A large number of pool creatures inside? That's troublesome. Did you see an exit inside?"
Dr. Wells didn't think they could clear out those creatures inside the pool.
"No. But I didn't have any time to look for an exit at that moment, so I'm not sure if the exit is inside the pool."
The squad member injected a Treatment Syringe and quickly recovered to a normal state.
The Captain was considering whether to enter the pool. He was the strongest in this team, but he also wasn't confident about fighting those high-level pool creatures underwater.
With one misstep, he might not even be able to escape.
"It seems we can only use that weapon. I didn't expect to encounter such a troublesome situation right after entering."
Dr. Wells sighed and said.