Chapter 483

Chapter 483: The Earliest Ichthyosaurs, But They Were Fake

“Hmm…”

“So many of these ‘little fellows’ had grown bigger…”

“They were still the ichthyosaur pioneers.”

“Many creatures in this world seemed to have grown by eating gold nuggets.”

Trilobite watched those fellows from a distance.

Though he could only see the group of little creatures from afar, it didn’t stop him from recognizing them.

Some features were too obvious for a professional paleo researcher.

“Long body, wide tail, weak limbs that could hardly support its body.”

“Let’s not even talk about moving fast on land like a crocodile; they probably couldn’t even walk like a sea lion.”

“At most, they could only crawl awkwardly like seals… or more like sea turtles.”

“Of course, the clearest feature was the head; the snout was long and thin, a bit like fish-eating crocodiles such as the gharial, but the neck was fairly long.”

“This fellow belonged to the Mesozoic Dragons!”

“As for which specific type…”

“It was likely the Namibian Mesozoic Dragon!”

The Mesozoic Dragon was a reptile from the early Permian period.

Many scholars called it a Secondary Reptile, but some thought the Mesozoic Dragon split off before reptiles and Secondary Reptiles separated, making it one of the most basic and primitive lizard-like species.

They had a long tail over half their body length, webbed feet, a slim body, and a mouth full of tight, sharp teeth.

These traits all pointed to some noodle-shaped ichthyosaurs from the Mesozoic Era.

In fact, studies showed the body structure made it hard for them to move on land; they probably had to spend most of their lives in water, much like sea turtles.

It was surprising that as early as the start of the Permian period, lizard-like creatures were already heading for an aquatic ecological niche.

Maybe many familiar with ichthyosaurs pictured them swimming in the sea, waving strong tails and hunting cartilaginous and bony fish.

But…

From that time, no fish were found, not even soft animals like squid.

Only some shrimp-like crustaceans were around.

For example, the amphipods.

Lots of amphipods!

Current fossil evidence suggested these crustaceans were the only companions of the Mesozoic Dragon.

This raised a big question.

The whole ecological chain was too simple: algae, amphipods, and Mesozoic Dragons…

No ecosystem, in freshwater or seawater, could be that simple.

The only answer was that the Mesozoic Dragons weren’t real ichthyosaurs.

They lived in a high-salinity lake similar to the Dead Sea.

In that place, apart from some salt-tolerant algae and amphipods that fed on algae, no other plants or animals could survive.

This peculiar and barren salt lake existed relatively stably for millions, even tens of millions, of years, providing the Mesozoic Dragons enough time and motivation to evolve into nearly fully aquatic reptiles.

“Hmm…”

“This is getting interesting.”

“With a body type like the Mesozoic Dragon and the ability to survive in saltwater lakes, they should be able to seamlessly transition to seawater or freshwater.”

“And those fellows…”

“They are disproportionately large!”

“How did a four-meter-long Namibian Mesozoic Dragon grow like that!?”

Mesozoic Dragons weren’t usually big, with lengths ranging from half a meter to two meters.

Perhaps the narrow lake ecosystem and small crustaceans couldn’t support the Mesozoic Dragons in continuing to grow larger.

“Hmm…”

“Maybe a more bountiful and diverse ecosystem in the swamp provided the Namibian Mesozoic Dragons with plenty of food, allowing them to grow!”

“That makes sense.”

“However…”

“Even if you grow bigger, you are still just ‘fake ichthyosaurs’ living in a salt lake.”

“How can you compare to true ichthyosaurs!?”

“Hmm…”

“Considering you can’t run fast…”

Trilobite did not charge in but instead turned and walked to a gap by the sandbank, crouching down to observe.

“I’ll just block your escape route.”

—-

“Hiss…”

The chaotic dragon rolled its eyes and slowly sank down.

A large amount of divine blood flowed from its neck, and its forelimbs frantically scratched at its neck, futilely trying to stop the bleeding.

But it was all in vain.

Its fall was already doomed.

The remaining three chaotic dragons changed from attackers into a wailing, fleeing defense.

They were in a dire situation.

However, even in this state, Albert Drake was quite dissatisfied.

“Damn it!”

“Are you a sea eel hiding in a rock crevice!?”

"Where did you just go!?"

"Ha… Ha…"

Inside the "avatar body," Albert Drake gasped for breath.

Her full chest rose and fell repeatedly.

The blood around her mouth had already disappeared.

She was furious.

Just a moment ago, when she fought fiercely with the group of chaotic Dragon Gods, Fourth Living Saint Angna stayed inactive.

Only after Albert Drake knocked one down and bit another, while a third prepared to attack her, did Angna finally arrive. She knocked away the demon god trying to strike Albert Drake, chased it relentlessly, and bit through its neck.

Though the crisis ended and she killed a chaotic Dragon God, Albert Drake still felt unhappy.

"Alright, alright."

Facing Albert Drake’s anger, Angna soothed her.

"I’m here now, right?"

"Attacks need good timing."

"It works best when they focus on you and I strike then."

"The plan clearly worked."

"And without your help, mighty Albert Drake, I couldn’t have slain him."

"Your fighting spirit was the main reason we won."

Angna had been a gladiator.

Normally, years of enslavement and battle should have made her brutal.

But the Giant God’s wisdom and light gave her gentle peace.

To Angna, the Giant God saved her, freed her people, and punished the Trinitum Clan who enslaved her and ruined her home!

So she shed the rage from her gladiator days, becoming the most easygoing and calm living saint.

When she disagreed with her sisters, she never slammed tables like Albert Drake or ignored things like Loseta. She explained patiently.

Even if Albert Drake said harsh words, Angna didn’t mind.

"Alright…"

Through the Soul Network, Angna sensed Albert Drake’s "rising" blood pressure easing.

But she didn’t relax her tense state.

"Now isn’t the time for these small worries…"

"Hiss…"

Another chaotic dragon swam closer, followed by the huge Outer God army.

Leading the Outer Gods were three blood octopus Outer Gods with fleshy fins.