Chapter 525 - Gathering (3) (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

It would be great if they could master the technique of harvesting salt. It would be much easier for the beastmen in this village. They could even exchange salt with the other tribes and prosper from the trade.

Bluepool, who was proud of this, said with a smile, “This is an ability possessed only by us merfolk. I can remove the oxygen from the seawater and let the females live in the sea, and I can also separate salt from the seawater. It doesn’t matter even if I tell you guys, for you won’t be able to do it.”

Bai Qingqing was shocked. “So that’s how you harvest salt.”

“But salt crystals would form by themselves in the cracks of some reefs. Just like the one Curtis brought back,” Bluepool said after a glance at the salt in Bai Qingqing’s bowl. “One look and I can tell this salt is not harvested by us. The color is mixed, and there are impurities inside.”

“Brilliant.” Bai Qingqing expressed her admiration. “Then, how much salt can you harvest in a day?”

Only upon hearing this question did Bluepool sense a plot brewing. He stared at Bai Qingqing and asked, “Why are you asking?”

“Can you help them harvest salt? They’ll give you the compensation you deserve,” said Bai Qingqing.

“That’s impossible!” Bluepool refused immediately, sounding quite agitated.

“Why?”

Bluepool bit a chunk of the meat and said, “Harvesting salt is a painful and slow process that consumes a lot of energy. Each merman only has to turn in one fistful of crystallized salt every year, and that’s it.”

“Forget it, then.” Bai Qingqing hurriedly shook her head.

The tribal head, who had his ears pricked up as he listened in on their conversation, felt his hopes dashed at this revelation.

Curtis suddenly looked up at the tribal head and asked, “Which merfolk tribe are you going to exchange salt with?”

The three-striped tribal head felt a chill run down his spine for some reason under the stare of the snake. That fear that arose in his heart baffled him.

“The merfolk tribe over at the Sea Cliff is the closest to us. Their terms are also fairer. Hence, we usually go there.”