As night fell, everyone set up tents on the glacier. One advantage here was the abundance of auroras at night. Perhaps due to the extremely strong electromagnetic field, the auroras were exceptionally brilliant. From afar, the entire sky was illuminated in green, a color representing the magnetic field, a phenomenon typically seen only at the North and South Poles. This display would be even more intense during periods of high solar activity.
Some took this opportunity to admire the beautiful night scenery, as such powerful auroras were a rare sight. Most people wouldn't venture to the Arctic just to watch them. However, this was no longer the world they once knew, where one could freely explore uninhabited places. People now huddled in large cities or sought refuge in tropical regions, constantly wary of shortages in food and energy. Being able to relax and witness the magnificent auroras was a welcome respite.
Yet, as people were engrossed in the night's beauty, many suddenly collapsed in their tents as if drunk, feeling dizzy, weak in their limbs, and completely disoriented. Something was clearly amiss.
When others discovered this situation, they frowned. If only one or two people were affected, it might be attributed to secret drinking. But with so many experiencing the same symptoms simultaneously, it was cause for serious concern; it was impossible for everyone to have indulged together.
In cold climates, a bit of strong liquor could help raise body temperature, leading to a habit of drinking spirits in many such regions. Over time, natural selection favored those with high alcohol tolerance. This explained why many old men in Siberia could down a bottle of 60-degree vodka.
Although they were in a combat situation, there weren't many strict rules among the ability users. Bringing a bottle or two of strong liquor onto the glacier wouldn't be an issue, as it could help them endure until the next day. However, the simultaneous incapacitation of so many was alarming.
Speculation began about the cause of this drunken state. Fortunately, among the ability users was a former doctor. After examining several of the dazed individuals, he made a diagnosis: "This isn't due to drinking alcohol; it's from inhaling too much oxygen. We're experiencing oxygen intoxication!"
His pronouncement surprised many, as they had never heard of such a thing. Oxygen was essential for human survival, and indeed for most aerobic life. The idea that inhaling too much of it could lead to such symptoms seemed impossible.
"Oxygen is generally beneficial for humans, as it's necessary for our metabolism to continue," the doctor explained earnestly. "However, oxygen is also a potent poison. If the concentration is too high, it can cause oxygen intoxication!"
He recalled how people who had lived at high altitudes, like in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, sometimes felt dizzy when they flew to lowland areas, particularly in the southeast. This was due to the transition from thin, high-altitude air to the richer oxygen levels of the plains, causing a form of oxygen intoxication due to the body's inability to adapt.
Normally, such a condition would resolve with a few days of rest. Most healthy individuals wouldn't even experience symptoms. But for the exceptionally robust ability users to be affected indicated that the oxygen concentration in the air must be extremely high.
"Is there any way to test the oxygen content in the air?" people began to ask. The more astute individuals were already returning to their tents to retrieve gas masks.
Ordinary people couldn't measure the oxygen concentration accurately, as many electronic instruments were no longer functional.
However, those who had paid attention in their middle and high school chemistry classes noticed something: the solid fuel they had ignited was burning exceptionally vigorously. This indicated a plentiful supply of oxygen; otherwise, the combustion rate wouldn't be so rapid.
"That's right, the current oxygen content in the air is very high. Quickly put on your gas masks, or inhaling this much oxygen will lead to oxygen poisoning!" the doctor exclaimed upon seeing the distant bonfires. He immediately urged those around him to don their masks and isolate themselves from the external air.
Everyone then put on their masks and began investigating the cause of the elevated oxygen levels.
Later, it was discovered that tiny bubbles were emerging from the sea. These bubbles were so small that they were imperceptible from a distance. Only those near the water's surface or ability users with enhanced vision could detect the anomaly in the sea.
People finally understood why the oxygen content in the air was so abnormal. It was due to countless bubbles of oxygen being released from the sea. If this continued, it would be catastrophic, as ordinary plants couldn't produce oxygen at such a rate, especially at night when photosynthesis wasn't occurring.
"These sea beasts are despicable! They're releasing oxygen into the air while we're resting, forcing us to fight with gas masks!" Tom cursed indignantly upon discovering the situation.
However, others rolled their eyes at his words, finding it amusing that he would call the sea beasts shameless. It was he who had used potent chemical agents first, and their retaliatory release of oxygen was merely an equalizing measure. Yet, in Tom's words, it was the sea beasts who were the epitome of shamelessness.
"There's no point in discussing this now. It's night, not our strong suit. Many are unaccustomed to fighting in the dark, and even with illuminated flares, the visibility is limited. Let's wait until tomorrow," Andorf suggested.
Tom was eager for revenge but understood that this was not the opportune moment. He reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"Let's wait until tomorrow. We must deal with these sea beasts completely, or they will continue to resist!"
After nightfall, everyone wore gas masks. Without them, they would have succumbed to oxygen poisoning, as oxygen was continuously bubbling out of the water.
The molecular formula for water is H₂O, or dihydrogen monoxide, as some laymen called it. It contains both hydrogen and oxygen elements. Electrolysis yields hydrogen and oxygen gases. Hydrogen can be used as an energy source due to its combustibility, and oxygen can be used as a chemical raw material.
It was clear that people couldn't stop the sea beasts from producing oxygen, as long as there was water, oxygen could be generated.
Meanwhile, Shen Bowen was seated with ability users from the island nation, with Saya-ka by his side. He was not wearing a gas mask, as he knew he could handle the oxygen in the air without one.
"Young master, what are you thinking about? You should rest now, as there will be intense battles tomorrow. If you don't get enough rest, something might happen," Saya-ka reminded him.
Shen Bowen replied, "I want to help my father complete his plan, but... I don't know how to go about it, so I'm lost in thought."
"There's no need to overthink this. Our nation's policy has never changed. Our strategy remains the same: we will align ourselves with whoever emerges victorious. If we remain humble, we can learn valuable skills from the strong and become even stronger!" Saya-ka said with a sigh.
Shen Bowen understood her meaning. Their choice was to align with the ultimate victor. Whoever had the last laugh would control the world, and they could live by relying on the strong, even if they couldn't be the leader, being second or third was acceptable.
"If that's the case, then we can only pray that Father gains the upper hand in the upcoming battle!" Shen Bowen remarked with emotion.
Fortunately, these individuals were well-prepared. Perhaps it was because many in their group were ability users who employed poison gas, requiring them to wear gas masks to prevent friendly fire. This foresight ensured they had enough masks to immediately don them when the atmospheric anomaly occurred.
By the next day, most people had recovered. However, the group looked somewhat comical. Despite being powerful ability users, they were all wearing masks, rendering their faces unrecognizable. They could only distinguish each other by their attire.
Bubbles continued to rise from the sea. Humans were unable to adapt to high concentrations of oxygen. Prolonged exposure to elevated oxygen levels would lead to symptoms of oxygen poisoning, starting with blurred vision and insomnia, followed by damage to the lungs and brain, ultimately causing death by ruptured blood vessels.
However, the sea beasts were highly adapted to high oxygen concentrations. In fact, their immense size was likely due to their access to abundant oxygen. Conversely, if the oxygen concentration in the air decreased significantly, they would suffocate from lack of oxygen.
Tom immediately issued instructions: "All poison-wielding ability users, move to the bottom of the canyon. Tie ropes to yourselves, and we'll pull you up if anything unusual happens. Your mission is to use your abilities to inject various poisons into this seawater, thereby poisoning the creatures within!"
The so-called tactic was to attack the enemy's weaknesses with one's strengths, a principle outlined in Sun Tzu's Art of War over two thousand years ago. Everyone understood this concept. Humans' strength lay in their ability to operate on land, while sea beasts could not. However, humans' weakness was fighting underwater, where they would surely lose to the marine-dwelling sea beasts. Thus, the most reliable strategy was to remain on shore and continuously poison the waters.
This method, though appearing cruel and underhanded, was effective. As long as it worked, it was considered good, even if it meant being labeled despicable. Ultimately, victory was the goal, and they could write whatever they pleased in the history books afterward.
Thus, twenty ability users stepped forward, tied nylon ropes around themselves, and slid down the glaciers on either side of the canyon. The glaciers here were slightly lower, about fifty meters from the sea surface. As they approached the water, they devised ways to use their abilities to create large amounts of poison and inject it into the sea.
Generally, even material-controlling ability users couldn't create matter out of nothing. The elements present in the universe were formed during the Big Bang. If one could create a new element, it would undoubtedly be divine. In fact, even gods couldn't achieve such a feat.
However, these ability users had learned to utilize local resources. The sea contained various elements besides water. By harnessing these, they could produce corresponding compounds, many of which were highly toxic. Not only humans but even dinosaurs would have been poisoned here.
The sea beasts were already quite weakened. After being poisoned by ten tons of Agent Orange, they exhibited various symptoms. Fortunately, their robust physiques allowed them to survive the potent toxins, remaining alive and capable of using their abilities.
But now, countless people were releasing various toxic agents into the sea. These highly poisonous substances, upon entering the seawater, would further damage the sea beasts' bodies. Trapped here, they lacked the advantages of favorable geography, climate, and human cooperation. If this continued, they were undoubtedly doomed.
However, changes were occurring among the sea beasts. Many suddenly surfaced and began attacking the humans at the water's edge.
Over a dozen giant sea beasts appeared on the surface, their dark forms rapidly expanding. The people on the glacier quickly pulled on their ropes, retrieving the ability users who had been lowered, lest they be killed by the sea beasts.
As the sea beasts surfaced, they commenced their attack. Their assaults were not random; they launched various sharp weapons from their bodies – some were ice spikes, others were blades, and some were numerous plastic shards.
"Clang, clang, clang..." The sharp weapons struck the ice, producing clear ringing sounds. When blades hit the ice, sparks even flew.
Two unfortunate ability users, unable to dodge in time, had their nylon ropes severed by sharp shards. Although the shards didn't hit their bodies, they instantly cut through the ropes at their waists, causing the two ability users to fall into the water.
"Splash..." A series of splashes erupted from the water, and then numerous tentacles grabbed the two individuals, dragging them into the depths, never to be seen again.
Witnessing this, people warned each other: "Absolutely do not fall into the water, or you'll never come back up!"
There was no need for reminders. All the ability users understood a fundamental truth: falling into the water meant facing the immediate and ferocious attacks of the sea beasts. Survival would be impossible. It was better to pray while still alive. Once in the water, there was no hope of survival.