Chapter 3328: Unity As Cure Lin Mu turned fully toward the patriarch. "You have Merkin and Fishkin mixed blood descendants in your clan. I saw them walking among your people. They are already living the unity your ancestors dreamed of." The patriarch blinked in surprise. "But none of them ever went to the ancestral island." "And that," Lin Mu said firmly, "might be the mistake." Several elders exchanged shocked glances. Lin Mu continued. "Your ancestors did not intend for only pure blooded Shanhu to approach the island. They intended unity. That means mixed blood descendants might be the key to weakening or lifting the curse." The patriarch leaned back as if struck. "We... never thought of this." Daoist Chu chimed in. "Merkin and Fishkin cultivators have grown strong in these seas. Their bloodlines might interact with the cursed array differently." An elder spoke up quietly. "We never brought them because we feared the island. It became a place associated with death. The curse terrified us." Lin Mu nodded. "Fear blinded you to the very answer your ancestors left behind." The patriarch bowed his head. "You are right." Another elder added, "Our ancient unity was fractured. Yet in recent generations, we began restoring it through marriage and shared culture. Perhaps this is the first step to dissolving the curse." Lin Mu nodded again. "Only one way to know. When the island appears again, bring everyone. Not just the pure blooded ones." Shanhu Haiyang inhaled deeply, courage returning to his eyes. "Then that is what we shall do. We will prepare. There are a hundred years until the island surfaces again. By then our mixed blood clansmen and those of the Merkin and Fishkin will be ready." He bowed deeply toward Lin Mu. "You have not only saved our youth. You have restored the purpose our ancestors left behind. Our entire clan owes you a debt we can never repay." Lin Mu smiled lightly. "I only followed the clues your ancestors left behind." The patriarch smiled with gratitude and relief. "Nevertheless, you have returned hope to a forgotten legacy. For that, we shall forever honor you." The news of the successful ritual and the safe return of the youngsters spread through the Shanhu Clan like a tidal wave. By evening, the entire island was alive with celebration. Lanterns made from translucent coral shells glowed softly in shades of blue, violet, and sea-green. The scent of grilled ocean fish, roasted mollusks, spiced kelp cakes, and sweet tide coconut jelly filled the air. Musicians played on long water harps while shells chimed in the wind, creating a harmonious melody that seemed to echo through the floating platforms. The banquet was held across the central plaza, the largest of the floating platforms. Hundreds of clansmen gathered, though most gave respectful distance to Lin Mu’s group, watching them with a mixture of admiration and awe. Lin Mu and the others were guided to the main table, a long coral slab polished until it gleamed like pearl. Fresh flowers, woven from living sea vines, decorated the edges. Little Shrubby sat proudly at Lin Mu’s side in his smaller form, his tail swaying contentedly. Lin Mu smiled and said, "Looks like the snakes would like this too." With a tap on his chest, he released Xiao Yin and Xiao Yang. The twin snakes popped out and instantly began looking around with bright eager eyes. When they saw the tables full of food, both let out excited hisses and slithered toward the dishes with visible anticipation. Several Shanhu Clan children squealed in surprise and delight at the sight of the snakes. Some hid behind their parents while others pointed and whispered. Daoist Chu chuckled. "Looks like they have gained quite the fan base." Lin Mu nodded gently. "They have their charm." The banquet began with a traditional toast. The patriarch lifted a large shell cup filled with Spiral Conch Pearl Wine. The wine shimmered faintly, as if tiny fragments of moonlight floated in it. "To the saviors of our clan," Shanhu Haiyang proclaimed. "May the sea’s blessings follow them always." Everyone echoed the sentiment and raised their cups. Daoist Chu downed his wine with elegance and seemed pleasantly surprised by the taste. "Interesting. Salty, sharp, and clear. A bit like brine mixed with gemstone dust." Cattaleya threw back her cup in a single gulp. Her eyebrows lifted. "Not bad. This would go great with greasy smoked beast meat." A moment later Meng Bai took a cautious sip. His face contorted instantly and he slapped his hand over his mouth. "BAH!" Daoist Chu laughed. "Not to your taste?" COUGH COUGH COUGH Meng Bai coughed violently. "It tastes like someone squeezed seawater through a rusty anchor." Cattaleya snorted loudly and slapped the table, nearly making it tremble. "Kid, your descriptions keep getting better." Lin Mu tried a sip himself. The wine was indeed briny and sharp... almost metallic, but with an underlying mineral sweetness. Interesting. But his mind turned quickly in a different direction. He tapped Little Shrubby on the head. "Shrubby... what do you think?" Little Shrubby leaned forward, dipped his tongue into the wine, and instantly cringed. "Tastes weird," he said telepathically, "but..." Lin Mu sensed his thought process shift. The beast rubbed his paws together, his whiskers twitching. "This taste. Sharp but salty. Good for cooking. Very good. Better than salt when used correctly. It can tame bitterness. And remove the rancid taste from some strong beasts whose meat tastes bad." Lin Mu chuckled. "So it is an ingredient for you." Little Shrubby nodded vigorously. "I can make at least five dishes. Maybe more." Daoist Chu overheard and grinned. "Shrubby cooking inspired by the sea. I look forward to it." Fortunately, the elders had gifted them several full barrels of the wine as part of the reward. Judging by Little Shrubby’s excitement, those barrels would be empty before long. Food of every type arrived. There were grilled tide-snapper fish glazed with a sweet fermented kelp syrup. There were shell cakes stuffed with spiced clam meat. There were plates of coral blossom salad sprinkled with fine Immortal pearl dust.