The whale's powerful sneeze sent Long Fei and Shui Yi tumbling through the air, the vast ocean spiraling into a blur. His grip tightened around her, his qi weaving around them, guiding their fall as they soared through the mist. She looped her arms around his neck, caught in the adrenaline rush, her scream swallowed by the howling winds—a thrill coursed through her veins, an exhilaration from this new experience.
With a soft thud, they landed on solid ground—somewhere entirely different from the ocean world they had just left behind. He lowered her gently to her feet, his gaze sweeping over their surroundings. The sounds of the ocean had vanished, replaced by an eerie tranquility. They had arrived in a strange, mist-laden land.
Veil of the Tides Realm. A realm suspended between the ocean's vastness and the mortal world shrouded in a ghostly purple glow. The red full moon radiated an eerie light, casting flickering shades across the starless sky. The fog clung to the ground, undulating like an ocean wave. It rolled against their skin, carrying a faint saltiness. As they moved, the mist whispered, faint echoes of forgotten tongues. The tranquility was unsettling, every step they took amplified in the silence, as if the land was waiting with bated breath. Translucent trees stretched toward the dim sky, their branches trembling with untold secrets. The mist curled around them chilling them. The trees swayed, though there was no wind, their branches creaking under some unseen pressure. Shadows danced across the ground, fleeting, as if something were lurking just out of sight.
She took a deep breath, feeling the cool, soft earth beneath her feet. The robe draped around her body slipped off, resting precariously around her waist. The familiar weight, the reminder of her lost tail, comforted her. It felt like a part of her had returned. Still, she made no effort to adjust it. What was the point? She had spent her entire life as a mermaid, appreciating the natural state of things. In this unknown world, it should be no different.
Long Fei immediately turned his back with a slight cough. "You should… adjust your robe properly."
She tilted her head, her wide eyes scanning him with innocent curiosity. "Is something wrong with it?"
His ears reddened, though he refused to turn around. "You must be cold. Wrap the robe tighter around yourself to keep you warm," he muttered, his tone carrying an undertone of discomfort.
She didn't quite understand, but she was more concerned with the unfamiliar surroundings. A sudden flicker of energy caught her attention—a familiar energy, but it didn't emanate from him. She refocused back to the Sacred Pearl. She glanced at him, wondering - was the kiss necessary? It transferred so easily, by just breathing into him, but now, it felt so difficult to retrieve it. But... she had to return home. Her father had banished her until the pearl was hers.
With that resolve, she puckered her lips, preparing to take the Sacred Pearl from him again. This was simply a matter of retrieving what was once hers. The thought of a kiss seemed natural to her. She had no idea of the boundaries it crossed, nor of the effect it would have on him.
Meanwhile, his gaze drifted toward the figure emerging from the haze. His body tensed, a quiet storm brewing within him. He had hoped for this moment. He had silently wished for his guardian pet to appear, and now that she had, relief washed over him. He had vowed to protect the mermaid. He couldn't afford to let his sentiments cloud his judgment now. But every time she touched him, even innocently, his resolve began to chip away. She was a princess, his responsibility, and yet she made his chest tighten in a way he couldn't explain. He suppressed the unease, reminding himself that he was only here for her safety—not to explore his feelings. Each time her fingers brushed against his skin, a heat spread through his body, his pulse quickening despite his efforts to stay calm. He clenched his fists at his sides, feeling a fire that made him uneasy and inexplicably drawn to her innocence. He was an immortal, used to controlling his emotions, yet this was different.She was different.
He shifted uneasily, still holding his ground. His discomfort was because he couldn't help feeling the pull of her innocence. He couldn't reject her bluntly, not after everything she had been through. Yet, the steady build-up of unfamiliar emotions was starting to trouble him.
Then, from the shifting fog, Shui Yi noticed a figure materialize. A cold breeze swept through the air as the silhouette of a tall, sleek figure emerged from the haze. Long, silver-blue hair cascaded down her back like an ethereal waterfall, shimmering faintly in the moonlight. The most striking feature, was her attire—reminiscent of the ocean. A long tail trailed behind her, a whale's tail that glided gracefully across the mist-laden ground.
Her eyes widened. She almost forgot about the Sacred Pearl. Her pulse quickened, and she turned her focus on Long Fei, entirely consumed by the thought of reclaiming the Sacred Pearl.
His body was tense, and his mind was a whirlwind, but his expression remained impassive. Ling Yue had arrived.
He hadn't realized just how desperately he had hoped for her arrival. Shui Yi's persistent familiarity, her innocent misunderstanding, had begun to take its toll on his composure. His mind had been preoccupied with the thought of Ling Yue coming to his aid, and now that she was here, he allowed himself to relax.
Shui Yi, oblivious to everything, reached for his face, her fingers lightly brushing his skin. He clenched his fists at his sides, feeling the heat spreading to his chest, a fire he couldn't control. He had no time for this. She was the princess, a delicate, naïve soul entrusted to him. But with each fleeting moment, each time they touched made him feel... different. He suppressed those thoughts. His eyes flicked toward the figure standing behind her, relieved to see his guardian pet.
As Shui Yi leaned in, a part of her hesitated. Was it right? She had to get the Sacred Pearl back - but with every step closer to him, a strange sense of familiarity made her pulse quicken. Was this the only way? Or was she merely chasing a desire she didn't understand?
Then she felt a cold hand pressing firmly against her mouth, stopping her from proceeding further. Her bewildered eyes opened wide, and she turned toward the mysterious figure.