Upon arriving at Mock Town, Yun Lie's primary objective was to find the Saruyama Alliance.
The Shoujou members of this pirate crew had been salvaging in these waters for years, and while they didn't know the exact time and location of the Knock-Up Stream's eruption, finding it would be much easier with their help.
Mont Blanc Cricket, with a chestnut-shaped head, was the leader of the Saruyama Alliance.
"Who are you?" Cricket pushed open the weathered wooden door, and the sea breeze, carrying sand and dust, swept into the room.
He narrowed his eyes, his murky gaze sweeping over Yun Lie and his companions, confirming he had never seen these faces before, and cautiously asked.
Yun Lie didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Uncle, we want to go to Sky Island. We'd like to ask for your help in finding the upcoming Knock-Up Stream and use its power to send us to Sky Island."
"You sure dream big, kid," Cricket shook his head and chuckled. "Leaving aside whether Sky Island even exists, the Knock-Up Stream is a perilous journey with a nine-out-of-ten chance of death. For so many years, countless pirates have tried to reach Sky Island using it, but almost all of them ended up smashed to pieces. I can't help you with this."
As soon as he finished speaking, he unceremoniously closed the door, muttering under his breath, "Who knows which young master is running wild, bringing so many female companions to such a dangerous place."
But as soon as Cricket turned around, he was horrified to find that a group of people had appeared in his room at some point—it was Yun Lie and the others whom he had just turned away.
"Ho-how did you get in?" His face instantly changed, and he instinctively grabbed the weapon behind the door.
"I'm very sorry, Uncle Mont Blanc Cricket," Yun Lie said urgently. "Sky Island truly exists, and the Golden Bell is real too. Your ancestor, the great liar Nola, did not lie. I have reliable intelligence channels to prove it."
The name Mont Blanc Nola pierced Cricket's heart like a thorn.
This "great liar," mocked by the world for a century, was Cricket's ancestor.
Mont Blanc Nola's story was widely known, and it brought ridicule upon Cricket and his entire family.
Cricket himself once disbelieved his ancestor's words and, in a fit of anger, went out to sea as a pirate. Only later did he begin to believe that Sky Island might have merely sunk to the bottom of the sea.
Thus, he formed the Saruyama Alliance Salvage Team, diligently salvaging in these waters, solely to prove his ancestor's innocence.
"You... are you telling the truth?" Cricket's voice trembled, and he slowly lowered the weapon in his hand.
"Of course, Sky Island does exist, there's no doubt about it." Yun Lie nodded seriously, then described in detail the appearance of Sky Island and the characteristics of the Golden Bell as he remembered them.
As he listened, Cricket's eyes gradually reddened.
This was the first time someone had stood up and admitted that his ancestor had not lied!
"I knew it, my ancestor wasn't a big liar!" Cricket could no longer control his emotions; tears streamed from his eyes, and he sobbed uncontrollably like a child who had been wronged for years and finally found comfort, his shoulders shaking continuously.
After crying for a good while, he wiped away his tears with his rough sleeve and said with determination, "I will help you find the Knock-Up Stream, staking the honor of our Saruyama Alliance Salvage Team!"
"Then we'll leave it to Uncle Cricket." Yun Lie showed a grateful smile.
Soon, Cricket sent word to gather the members of the Saruyama Alliance Salvage Team. In less than half a day, the team members rushed back.
When they confirmed the authenticity of Sky Island and the Golden Bell from Yun Lie's words, everyone embraced and wept.
After calming down, everyone immediately took action, setting off with great enthusiasm to search for the Knock-Up Stream.
Even Cricket himself left with the team, completely disregarding the identities of Yun Lie and his companions, leaving them at the Salvage Team headquarters with such trust.
It wasn't until noon the next day that the Saruyama Alliance Salvage Team finally returned, each person's face beaming with excited smiles.
"Mr. Yun Lie, we've found two Knock-Up Streams that are about to erupt!"
Cricket, disregarding his soaked clothes, said eagerly, "One will erupt in two hours, and the other in five hours."
Yun Lie turned to look at his female companions, and seeing that none of them had any objections, he decided, "Then we'll take the current that erupts in two hours. We'll still need you to lead the way."
........
In the afternoon, the scorching sun baked the sea surface, and fine salt particles floated on the beach.
The Infinite Space and the Saruyama Alliance Salvage Team's ships sailed together from Jaya Island, their sails flapping loudly in the wind.
But just a few dozen kilometers out, the clear sky suddenly became covered by lead-gray storm clouds.
Gale-force winds howled and swept in, the waves became turbulent and surging, their crests frothing with menacing white foam. The Infinite Space rocked violently in the waves, and the wooden crates on the deck rolled everywhere.
"Do you see that whirlpool?! That's where the Knock-Up Stream will erupt!"
Cricket stood at the bow, shouting through a megaphone, his voice torn and fragmented by the wind and waves.
"Once inside, follow the direction of the whirlpool, but whatever you do, don't enter the center! The current is about to erupt, we can only take you this far!"
"Don't worry, Uncle Cricket! We will definitely ring the Golden Bell and prove that your ancestor didn't lie!" Yun Lie shouted back.
As the farewells of the Shoujou and Masira faded into the distance, the Saruyama Alliance Salvage Team's ship slowly sailed away.
"We're at the spot, Yun Lie, furl the sails!" Nami keenly sensed the timing and quickly reminded him.
Yun Lie quickly furled the sails, and the Infinite Space smoothly caught the current.
At this moment, the whirlpool was continuously expanding, its radius the size of an island, and the seawater formed a bottomless funnel shape.
At the edge of the whirlpool, several giant Sea Kings were caught in it. Their thick tentacles furiously slapped the water, emitting deafening wails, struggling desperately but unable to escape.
"Nojiko, prepare the barrier! Everyone, hold on tight!"
Yun Lie's eyes glowed with a silver light as he concentrated on adjusting the ship's position, continuously using his spatial abilities to adjust the Infinite Space's position to prevent it from being sucked into the center of the whirlpool.
Soon, the Infinite Space's hull began to tilt violently, its dragon-headed bow rising high.
Soon, the Infinite Space's hull began to tilt violently, its dragon-headed bow rising high, and the ship groaned under the strain.
"Gogogo, here we go!"
The next second, a loud bang came—"Boom!" A colossal column of water shot into the sky, carrying the Infinite Space with it, whistling towards the heavens!
"Everything is up to you all."
Mont Blanc Cricket stood on the shore, shouting loudly. The Saruyama Alliance group in the distance stared intently at the Knock-Up Stream, their expressions tense, silently praying for them.