Embrace the light

In the early morning of the next day, everyone still got up early and headed for today's destination - the ends of the earth.

It was eight o'clock in the morning when everyone arrived, and many tourists had already gathered at this time.

The beach here is paved with off-white fine sand, the sea water is light blue and clear, the sky is blue and clear, and there are no clouds in the sky.

"Travelers who visit 'The End of the World', please note that it is 10:[-] in the morning, and there are still [-] minutes before the ebb tide. Please find the corresponding beach car according to your ticket information. We will officially start at [-] o'clock. Passengers who haven't found the location of the special car please go there as soon as possible, and the tickets for the scenic spots in Tianya Haijiao will be automatically invalidated for passengers who don't take the car after the official departure." A broadcast announcement from the service desk came out from multiple speakers on the beach at the same time.

Announcements are broadcast every 10 minutes, with each utterance repeated three times.

"'The ends of the earth', do we want to wait for the tide to ebb, and then we go to the depths of the sea?"

Mino answered Ian's question, "Yes, there are more than one 'Tianya Haijiao', but they are all in the deep sea. Let's find the corresponding ATV first. After we find it, we can look at the sea view and take pictures near the ATV. of."

The ATVs are all nine-seaters, and there is a large signboard in front of each car, with the number of the ATV clearly written on the signboard.

The group quickly found the corresponding ATV, and after checking the ride information with the owner, they went to the beach not far away to take pictures.

Now the shallow water area is like dumplings, with men, women and children in all kinds of swimsuits playing in it.

After everyone took some photos, they took off their shoes and socks one after another, feeling the softness of the fine sand with their feet.

On the beach near the sea, there are many shells in various shapes, such as round, fan-shaped, spiral, pentagonal, etc.

Ian collected one of each and put it in his pocket.

When Harvey saw it, he asked Ian, "Do you want to commemorate it?"

Ian nodded.

Harvey pointed to the beach shop not far away, "There should be many more exquisite shells there. I just glanced at it and saw shell wind chimes hanging inside."

Ian heard the words and looked at the store, "Then I'll go and have a look after today's visit."

Although he decided to buy shells and wind chimes in the store, the shells he picked up himself are more memorable and can be brought back to the hut in the capital to do some DIY, so Ian continued to hunt for treasures on the beach.

Minuo strolled leisurely on the beach, feeling the charm of the sea breeze, warm sun and fine sand.

Suddenly feeling a tingling pain in the soles of his feet, he looked down and saw a sharp corner emerging from the sand.After removing the covering sand, a beautiful large conch was revealed.

"Look at this." Mino held the conch shell in his hand and showed it to Ian.

This conch is much wider than Mino's hand. The shell is a mixture of beige and brown, with red lines on the opening. Four, the middle thorn is the longest, about two centimeters, and the outer thorn is shorter, about one centimeter.

Pretty and quirky.

This is the consensus of the eight people.

"What kind of breed is this? It looks very unique." Harvey leaned over and asked.

Mino shook his head, he did not study shells.

Jessica said: "Let's ask the uncle driver or the service staff later. I think this conch is very beautiful, and it is also very good for decoration on the table."

Mino nodded, then carefully looked at the conch shell in his hand, and thought it was indeed good.Pick it up and put it to your ear, you can hear the sound of sea wind and waves inside.

At this time, the broadcast sounded again, and the sea water was about to ebb, and the tourists who were required to play in the sea water were notified to return to the beach first.

Due to the resurgence of the crowd, everyone had to retreat back to the ATV.

The uncle driver was enjoying the shade under the shade of a tree, holding a coconut-like fruit in his hand, raising his head to drink a few sips of juice from time to time.

Seeing the conch shell in Mino's hand, he said, "Lucky young man, this 'Oath' conch shell is very rare."

Mino heard the words and walked over, "Master, do you know this conch shell?"

The uncle driver nodded, "The name of this conch shell is 'Mountain League Oath', and we call it 'Oath of Alliance' for short. There is a poignant love story behind this name, do you want to listen to it?"

Anyway, waiting for the departure time was boring, so everyone sat around the driver uncle and listened to him tell the story behind the conch.

"This kind of sea snail is not common in shallow water, not even near the 'end of the earth'. When this kind of sea snail is still alive, it grows in deep water, and the total number is very rare. Because the shell is extremely hard and has spikes , so big and small fish in the sea seldom eat it. This kind of conch meat is actually very delicious, but because of its scarcity, we humans don’t catch much from the sea. The artificially raised conch meat is actually delicious, But the shape is obviously different from wild conch." The driver uncle pointed to the two rows of spikes on the conch shell in Minuo's hand, "The artificially bred conch will not grow these nine thorns. In the deep sea, the vowed conch is the largest His natural enemy is the mermaid."

"Mermaid!?!" Everyone exclaimed in unison, except Mino.

Mino winked at the other seven people, "Yes, this is what I said yesterday, one of the other races on Senlan Planet."

Seeing the surprised look of the seven people, the uncle driver couldn't help smiling, "Don't young people nowadays do travel guides?" Then he continued: "Mermaids are very good at finding oath conchs, and they have special skills that other fish don't have. hands, so eating the delicious sworn conch meat is a unique advantage."

Jessica asked curiously: "Aren't mermaids in the legend webbed between their fingers? Like us humans, they can flexibly use their ten fingers to manipulate tools?"

The uncle driver said: "One thing that needs to be explained is that although we Senlan people believe in the existence of mermaids, no one has actually seen a mermaid or taken a photo of a mermaid at close range. Our understanding of mermaids is limited to legends. We can’t give a clear answer to their inheritance, their real appearance, action trajectory, living habits, etc. But even so, we still list mermaids as one of the races of Senlan Planet, but do humans on alien planets recognize them? As for the true existence of mermaids, it can only be said that everyone has their own judgment."

"No wonder." Alex scratched his head, "I just said that if there is a case of this special species, why wouldn't the textbook introduce the relevant knowledge?"

Mino smiled, "Be in awe of the wonder of life. As long as we firmly believe in the existence of mermaids, then they really exist in the interstellar world."

Ian nodded. Mermaids are also frequent protagonists in his works. He has written many heartwarming stories about mermaids.

Harvey asked the driver uncle, "Master, if this conch is just a mermaid's favorite food, why is it named 'Oath'?"

"Then I will continue. The reason why the oath conch shells are rare is because the number of live ones is small, and the second is because it is said that mermaids like to collect these conch shells. They hide the oath shells in their lairs, and their lairs They are all in the depths of the ocean. Under normal circumstances, the deep sea is calm, and the oath shell will not be swept away. The origin of the name is because of these thorns. You count, these thorns are exactly nine, which also symbolizes "Eternal and everlasting". Second, when the mermaid and her lover make love, they will hold one side of the oath shell with each hand, and let these thorns be pierced into the palm of the lover respectively, and the blood will flow to the hole along the lines of the conch shell. "The driver uncle pointed to the orifice of the conch shell on Mino's hand, "These red lines are said to be traces left by the blood of the betrothed mermaids. It is very meaningful. After we human beings get it, it is equivalent to getting the blessing of the sea god. When you meet your beloved, you can also hold the oath conch shell in your hand, and soak the nine oath thorns with the blood of the two palms, so that the oath conch will I will bless your love for a long time."

"Then, can this conch bless many couples for a long time?" Jessica asked, "Isn't it said that it is rare? Then if I can't find it, I can borrow this conch from Mino to get the blessing of the sea god." ?"

The uncle driver shook his head, "According to our legend, the sworn conch is the one who recognizes the owner. Whoever finds it first and gets it will have an effect on that person. Other people's blood oath will not work."

Hearing this, Jessica could only sigh in disappointment.

Liang Xiao comforted her, "After the visit is over, let's look around on the beach, maybe we can find another one."

Jessica nodded and looked at Mino, "Mino, you are so lucky to have received the blessing of Sea God."

Mino smiled at her, "All of this is just a legend. Who knows if this conch has recognized its owner before? You can't pin the stability of your relationship on one thing, you have to believe in the relationship between you and Liang Xiao , as long as you work hard, you will definitely have a long life."

Jessica looked at Liang Xiao, but said nothing.

"I really don't know how to judge whether you have already recognized the Lord. I didn't pay attention to this part of the legend. In addition, I also know a legend." The driver uncle smiled mysteriously, "Wait for you on the ends of the earth, the huge waves When the sky is in full swing, you can take out the oath conch and blow it, and it is said that a mermaid will appear if you do so.”

Ian asked in surprise: "Has anyone practiced this? Has it been successful?"

The uncle driver only said: "It doesn't make sense, just try it for yourself. If others don't work, it doesn't mean you are the same."

While talking, the sea receded and receded, revealing more sandy beaches.

But there are no small fish and shrimps that are stranded on the beach, which is also amazing.

The uncle driver explained, "The tide ebbs and rises here every seven days. The fish and shrimps living in the sea are already used to it. Before the tide is about to ebb, they have found a place to stay long ago."

At nine o'clock, everyone got on the ATV and fastened their seat belts, and the uncle driver officially set off.

When it was almost ten o'clock, the car arrived at the destination, Tianya Haijiao No. [-].

The tall rock in front of me is like a miniature island.

Ian asked the uncle driver: "Is this huge cobblestone the end of the world?"

The driver uncle nodded, then lifted two large food boxes from the car, and explained to everyone, "This is your meal package. Now everyone, take the straight elevator to the highest point first."

The driver uncle lightly pressed a part of the stone, and the whole part of the stone was removed, revealing an elevator car.

The top of the rock is very flat, about five meters in length and width, and the top of the rock is covered with a semicircular transparent material.

There is a stone table in the center, surrounded by eight round stools, and the stools are also made of stone.

There is a locker next to the table. The driver uncle opened the locker and showed the contents to eight people.

"There are ten breathing devices inside, and they are put on like this." The driver uncle demonstrated twice, and then asked eight people to try them on by themselves. After confirming that the movements and steps are completely correct, he asked everyone to temporarily put down the breathing devices.Then he picked up another life jacket and demonstrated it twice, and the eight people followed suit one by one.

Finally, the uncle driver moved to a large cylinder, "This is the first aid device. Although our protective cover is very strong and checked every day, just in case, if there is a rupture or other emergency, you must go to the hospital as soon as possible. There is an emergency communication button in the compartment, which will automatically connect with the emergency center of our scenic spot when you press it. You can press the button on the door of the first aid compartment to enter and close it. The operation is very simple. You should practice first. Twice."

Everyone opened the door and entered the car in an orderly and quick manner. The uncle driver nodded appreciatively after reading it twice.

"Good, good, very standard. After I go down, the elevator door will be locked. From now until six o'clock in the evening, the tide will go out again, and you will not be able to leave here. There is no signal here, and your mobile phones cannot make calls or connect to the Internet. .In addition to lunch, there are many snacks, fruits, etc. in the food box. If you are bored in the middle, you can eat snacks to pass the time."

In the end, the uncle driver repeatedly instructed him to wear the breathing apparatus, wear the life jacket, and use the first-aid equipment in turn, then took the straight elevator down and drove away.