The Storm Sea, the territory of the crocodile people, inside a cave on a barren island reef.
The air in this island cave is damp and the light is dim. By any standards, the conditions are quite harsh, yet it is the stronghold of the crocodile people, the residence of their chieftain.
The chieftain of the crocodile people is a powerful old crocodile, the main bloodline source of this tribe, enjoying a high status among them.
"Chieftain! You really have grown old!"
At this moment, Gu Gucha entered the cave and witnessed his old chieftain, whom he had not seen for years, exclaiming with a sigh.
He saw an elderly, massive crocodile lying on a stone slab before him, but this old crocodile had entirely lost the power and majesty he remembered. The old face had lost most of its scalesā color, turning pale, and the body appeared very weak, occasionally emitting labored breaths even when lying there doing nothing.
"Gu Gucha... you have returned."
Upon hearing the blunt greeting from the imposing crocodile in front of him, the old crocodile lying on the slab opened his eyes, revealing his rather cloudy gaze.
"It is I! In the past, you forbade me from leaving the tribe, saying that without the protection of the tribe, I would surely die at the hands of those cunning humans, but you were wrong! Iāve proved I can live well!"
Gu Guchaās words did not carry much respect for the old chieftain, even tinged with resentment.
"Cough... cough... yes... Gu Gucha, you have won."
The old crocodile, after hearing the somewhat agitated Gu Gucha, did not show much expression on his aged face, merely coughed twice, acknowledging his past mistake.
"You have come to me... it must be for something."
He then closed his eyes again, weary, responding slowly.
Gu Gucha felt a bit gloomy upon hearing this. This time he returned because he wanted to prove he was not wrong, to triumphantly stand before the firm chieftain, but he didnāt expect the other already weakened like this, so simply and casually admitting his mistake of the past, lacking the stern demeanor of his memory.
"My human partner wants to collaborate with the tribe. He provides Jinlan currency, and we help him search for an island called Forbidden Fruit Island in the Storm Sea."
Gu Gucha proceeded with business. Through Wang Zhifanās efforts, part of the tribe had already been convinced. To secure the rest, particularly the assistance of the old crocodile in front of him, was necessary.
"Cough... Gu Gucha... you know... I donāt like... cough... collaborating with humans..."
The old crocodile opened his mouth to refuse as expected, his tone weak but his intent quite firm.
"Heh heh... Old chieftain, you are still the same, unable to adapt."
Gu Gucha showed a slightly mocking smile on his face.
"Stop clinging to your outdated ideas! Admit it! Humans are the rulers of this world! If we donāt cooperate or learn from them, we are destined to face extinction!"
He retorted disrespectfully, challenging the old crocodile before him.
But the aged and feeble crocodile didnāt seem to mind much. After listening, he paused briefly before speaking slowly:
"Gu Gucha... you are too young... many things you havenāt experienced... resulting in such naive thoughts... everything Iāve done... is for our crocodile tribe... I wonāt agree to other members contacting humans..."
Upon hearing such a firm refusal, a trace of "as expected" flickered in Gu Guchaās eyes, but he wasnāt flustered, continuing his taunt:
"Old chieftain, you are too old! The matters of the tribe are no longer solely decided by you! I will persuade the other members. When they see the benefits, they will surely choose my path!"
Having said this, he decisively turned to leave, not intending to continue entangling with this feeble and obstinate chieftain, as the latterās current state had drastically reduced his influence on the tribe, making his opinion negligible.
However, Gu Gucha underestimated the old chieftainās determination. Just as he turned and took a few steps, he heard the weary yet clear voice of the old crocodile from behind:
"Stop... Gu Gucha... I know... where to find... Forbidden Fruit Island... spare... my tribesmen..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Gucha turned back with a slight surprise.
Sometime later, in the captainās cabin of the Great Horn Shark.
"Did your chieftain tell you the location of Forbidden Fruit Island? Has he been there?"
At this moment, Wang Zhifan was a bit surprised by the news Gu Gucha brought. Initially planning to rely on the crocodile tribeās advantage as a marine race to help him find the island, he didnāt expect them to know the sought-after information directly.
"The chieftain didnāt say much, just told me how to get there."
Gu Gucha shook his head at Wang Zhifan, not going into details because the old one was too aged, lacking the energy for detailed discussions.
"Is this information reliable? Your chieftain isnāt the kind to boast, is he?"
Wang Zhifan hesitated, considering his investigations suggested the position of Forbidden Fruit Island was indeed very concealed, with only a handful of people in the world having truly visited it.
"Iām not entirely certain... but it should be reliable. My intuition tells me he wasnāt lying."
After a brief thought, Gu Gucha replied.
"Alright then..."
Wang Zhifan, finding this crocodile partner generally reliable, decided to believe him, mulling over his options, he said: