Not long after the man came ashore, he made eye contact with A Fen, one of the Three Idiots.
A Fen had just intended to find a quiet spot to relieve himself, never expecting such a calamity. Looking at the densely packed Trench dwellers in the water and then at the man, covered in blood and wielding a trident, A Fen's mind went blank. Terrified, he turned and fled.
Seeing A Fen escape, the man gave chase without a word.
Initially, the man had only intended to escape the pursuit of the Trench dwellers by coming ashore. But now that he encountered a living person, and judging by the other's attire, he didn't seem like someone who had drifted to the island after a shipwreck. This meant the other party possessed means to contact the outside world. As long as he could get in touch with the Justice League, perhaps with the League's power, they could help Atlantis out of its current predicament.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, save me, someone wants to kill me!"
A Fen, desperately fleeing, saw Bai Qi like a savior. He scrambled to Bai Qi's feet, weeping uncontrollably.
Bai Qi had long been aware of the man's presence and showed little surprise upon seeing him. The man, however, was filled with shock upon seeing Bai Qi.
They stared at each other for several seconds, neither speaking first. Then, the man seemed to make a decision, walked quickly to Bai Qi, and knelt down with a thud.
"Lord Holy Lord, I beg you, save Atlantis."
This man was none other than Arthur Curry, the King of Atlantis. He was the illegitimate son of Queen Atlanna of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis and Thomas Curry, a lighthouse keeper in Amnesty Bay, Maine. Possessing both human and Atlantean blood, he became King of Atlantis after thwarting the schemes of his half-brother, Ocean Master Orm.
At this time, Basha was leading a massive invasion of Atlantis with numerous Trench dwellers. To prevent Atlantis from being destroyed, they were forced to use a forbidden art.
Even after employing the forbidden art passed down from ancient times, which summoned an indestructible magical shield to protect Atlantis by consuming the life force of its people, it was merely a temporary measure, or perhaps more aptly described as a slow death. While Basha could not breach Atlantis and wreak havoc under this forbidden art's protection, the spell required the lives of two Atlanteans daily to maintain.
At this rate, without Basha even lifting a finger, Atlantis would eventually perish as time wore on.
For the sake of Atlantis's survival, the Sea King had to seek other solutions. However, with Basha and the Trench dwellers blockading them, ordinary people could not escape.
Ultimately, King Arthur steeled himself and personally led a detachment, braving the encirclement of the Trench dwellers to break through, leading to the scene just witnessed.
Bai Qi was no philanthropist, unwilling to act just because someone fell to their knees and begged. Even though Bai Qi intended to deal with Basha, he wouldn't do so for free.
Bai Qi looked at Arthur, who was kneeling before him, and said, "I know you, the King of Atlantis. Basha is likely attacking Atlantis, isn't she? As the King of Atlantis, why are you here instead of leading your people in a bloody battle? And why should I help you?"
Bai Qi's words left Arthur speechless for a long time.
Originally, Atlantis had no prior dealings with Bai Qi, let alone the fact that Basha and Bai Qi were of the same kind. Arthur had approached with a glimmer of hope, but now it seemed there was truly no way.
Just as Arthur was at a loss, Bai Qi's tone shifted. "However, it's not impossible for me to help you."
Hearing Bai Qi's words, Arthur's dejected mood resurfaced. He quickly said, "My Lord, please tell me. If you are willing to help Atlantis overcome this crisis, I will do anything."
"Really? Anything?"
Seeing Bai Qi like this, Arthur suddenly felt a sense of impending doom, but for the survival of Atlantis, he nodded.
After all, compared to Bai Qi, Basha's hatred for Atlantis was real. If she were to breach the kingdom, it was likely that not a single living soul would remain.
Bai Qi stated, "It's not impossible for me to help Atlantis, but I have three conditions."
"My Lord, please speak."
To Arthur, as long as Bai Qi could save Atlantis from this disaster, three conditions, or even thirty or three hundred, would be acceptable.
"First, Atlantis must pay homage to Curtor and send thirty Atlanteans to study at the magic academy annually. Upon completion of their studies, they must serve the magic academy and Curtor for three years before they can leave."
"Agreed."
"Second, Atlantis shall mine undersea resources for Curtor. Of course, Curtor will not take your resources for free. Curtor will acquire them at a price five percent above market value."
"No problem."
"Third, I want you to send one of your children to Curtor. Rest assured, Curtor will not mistreat him; he will have food and drink, and live without want."
"But my Lord, I have no children yet?"
"Then you shall send him when you have one."
"Ye-yes, alright."
Although Arthur was displeased with these three conditions, he had no choice for the sake of Atlantis's survival.
The purpose of the first condition was simple: sending thirty people to the magic academy each year. Who could guarantee that they wouldn't be brainwashed by Curtor during their studies and become spies planted in Atlantis?
The second condition was relatively acceptable.
The most detestable was the third condition, which, in plain terms, was for the Sea King to offer his offspring as a hostage in Curtor. This would at least ensure that Atlantis would not openly resist Curtor.
In the current situation, Arthur had no choice but to agree; reality offered him no room for resistance.
Arthur did not know that these three conditions laid out by Bai Qi were not as simple as he thought. While Bai Qi did not think much of Atlantis, if managed well, when Arthur eventually passed away years later, Curtor could support his son, who was held as a hostage, to ascend to the throne, thereby achieving control over Atlantis.
Of course, Bai Qi would not live to see all of this.
After the transaction was concluded, Bai Qi did not immediately head to Atlantis. Instead, he opened up the Shadow Realm and had Arthur wait inside for a while. He would go once he finished what he was currently occupied with.
What Bai Qi referred to as his current task was none other than releasing the Earth Demon, Di Kui.
During Bai Qi's conversation with Arthur, the Three Idiots, on Bai Qi's orders, had already located the precise position of the Hellgate using the Panku Treasure Box, awaiting Bai Qi's arrival.
With a command from Bai Qi, the Panku Treasure Box was released, and a green light flared, opening another Hellgate.