246 RI
The sea at night was turbulent with vicious waves, wild winds were howling.
From the black depths of the sea, a chain made of pearls of light started to shine. Next, intense drumming and zither music could be heard reverberating in the waves.
The tens of merman warriors wore ancient armor made from seashells, they held up a huge white shell shield. Behind them, mermen danced and sang, surrounding Xie Han Mo and Dong Lei. Behind them, countless mermen were watching this final test with high spirits.
The seashell floated to the surface of the sea, waves landed on the huge shell and caused waves to splash.
Surrounding the seashell, merman warriors did their best to stabilize it.
The huge shell slowly opened up, this was a natural stage.
The seashell had a great origin, it was left behind by the desolate beast giant music shell, there was a vast number of sound path dao marks on the seashell, even if a mortal stood inside, their voice would be spread far and wide.
Dong Lei was the first to ascend the shell.
Countless mermen floated to the surface of the sea, watching in anticipation.
At a corner, in a boat-like Gu house, Bu Su Lian watched as she said to Frost Tide tribe's leader: "Are you so confident in Dong Lei? The first person to perform has a natural disadvantage."
Frost Tide tribe's leader smiled: "Just watch, I cannot explain it in words."
Bu Su Lian looked at Frost Tide tribe's leader deeply before turning towards the giant music shell.
Dong Lei started to sing.
Her voice was clear and elegant, it was quite mesmerizing, all of the mermen started to indulge in this beautiful song.
At once, due to the giant music shell's effect, in the radius of a thousand li, Dong Lei's beautiful singing could be heard. Even the torrential tides were suppressed.
Mermen were born with a throat that could sing better than other species, they could produce incredibly beautiful singing.
1According to human standards, each merman was a natural born singer.
This was because each merman's body had abundant water path dao marks. And in their throats, there was a particular cartilage that was filled with sound path dao marks.
There was a point in history where humans slaughtered mermen to take away the sound path cartilage in their throats, it was an excellent sound path Gu material.
And the mermaids competing to become saintess had even better singing than most mermen.
Those who live near the sea would often hear similar rumors about sailors who would get mesmerized by the singing of mermaids, they would forget time, forget their direction, they would not notice even if their ship hit a reef.
This was not an exaggeration, it was the truth.
Dong Lei's singing was superb, most of the people were listening in enjoyment, only Fang Yuan and the rest became furious, their expressions were ugly and they frowned tightly. Even Xie Han Mo, who was usually calm, had a change of expression, sadness and shock was expressed in her eyes.
"What is going on?"
"Why is Dong Lei singing the song that we prepared?!"
The red scaled and blue scaled guards were furious with wide opened eyes.
Fang Yuan's expression was grim, he gritted his teeth: "Isn't this obvious? There is a spy among us, he informed the enemy of our song!"
Both guards looked at each other before turning to Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan looked at them fearlessly: "Only the four of us know what songs we prepared, the traitor must be one of you. Who is it?"
Xie Han Mo could not be the traitor, so among Fang Yuan, blue scale and red scale, one of them had to be the traitor.
"Bullshit!"
"You are the traitor!"
Both guards were furious with red faces as they denied it.
Xie Han Mo sighed, shaking her head: "There might not be a spy, they might have found out about our preparations through special information path methods."
"Hahaha." Far away, Frost Tide tribe's leader laughed loudly in his Gu house.
Bu Su Lian had been observing Xie Han Mo and the rest long ago, seeing their expressions, she understood as her eyes shined: "You planted a spy near her?"
Frost Tide tribe's leader laughed continuously: "Of course! Xie Han Mo is too young and too naive to compete with me. Do you know the huge price I paid in order to get a spy this close to her?"
Bu Su Lian's eyes flickered with bright light: "As expected and befitting of Frost Tide tribe's leader, the price you paid is worth it. Now that Dong Lei has sang her song, Xie Han Mo cannot use it again, she is almost helpless now that she has no song to sing."
Xie Han Mo had truly fallen deeply into the plot of Frost Tide tribe's leader!
The final round of the saintess competition was to sing three songs. These three songs needed special preparation, sound path Gu worms were needed for them, including lots of practice.
Each song needed to produce a different effect.
The first song was to calm the sea waves. The second song was to attract living beings, and the third song was to repel sea beasts.
Thus, even though Xie Han Mo prepared three songs, after Dong Lei stole the first song, her remaining two songs were different and could not be used in its place.
"What do we do?" Both guards were extremely flustered and anxious.
"Damn it, damn it, we got so far but still fell for a trap at this moment."
"It is no use, it is too late to prepare now!"
"This must be the scheme of Frost Tide tribe's leader, we will expose it and ruin his reputation!" Red scale screamed.
Fang Yuan looked at him like he was an idiot: "Do you have proof? Who would believe us? They would use this chance to counterattack and accuse you instead, what do we do then?"
"Oh." Red-scaled guard was stunned.
Xie Han Mo sighed deeply: "In that case, forget it."
"Saintess?" Both guards were stunned.
Xie Han Mo smiled bitterly: "You can still leave now, hurry. While there is still some time, leave this place."
Xie Han Mo would lose the competition for the saintess position, she would no longer be the saintess. This way, she would face the attack of the new saintess Dong Lei and Frost Tide tribe's leader, she would have a terrible end.
To not implicate her three followers, even if there was a possible spy among them, Xie Han Mo wanted to fight for some time.
"Saintess..." Understanding Xie Han Mo's intention, both of her guards started to choke with tears.
This situation had attracted everyone's attention.
"What happened to Xie Han Mo?"
"Something bad seems to have happened!"
"They are panicking, haha, it seems that Lady Dong Lei's singing has sent them into despair!"
"Xie Han Mo is finished." Inside the Gu house, Bu Su Lian sighed deeply.
Frost Tide tribe's leader smiled sinisterly: "Even though I can't deal with that foolish old grand elder, I will definitely torture that Xie Han Mo after this to vent my anger and hatred!"
Dong Lei stepped down the stage as she raised her eyebrows: "I have already calmed the sea by five feet, I will anticipate sister Xie Han Mo's performance next."
-x-X-x-
Xie Han Mo looked at her deeply in the eye as she ascended the stage.
She had just entered the stage when she got stunned.
"Why are you..." She looked at Fang Yuan who was beside her with deep shock.
Fang Yuan interrupted her: "As your follower, I am of course qualified to be your accompaniment."
"Quickly leave..." Xie Han Mo swiftly said, but anxiety was all over her face for once.
"You want to sing the same song? Even if you sing better than Dong Lei, the rules will disqualify you. Trust me, I have a song for this." Fang Yuan interrupted Xie Han Mo as he transmitted.
Xie Han Mo's heart wavered.
Songs could not be changed easily, because they needed to be paired with Gu worms and needed lots of practice.
By changing the song, the Gu worms used also needed to be modified.
In this situation, Xie Han Mo could no longer change her Gu worms, this meant that the new song and the original song needed to have the same rhythm and melody.
It might be possible given a hundred days of preparation, but in this rushed situation, the chances were close to zero.
"The song is not the same of course, but don't forget that I had participated in our song composition. I have a similar song here, but I need you to adapt to it on the spot, take note of the cooperation between my song and the Gu worms." Fang Yuan transmitted: "And these are the lyrics and tune."
Xie Han Mo was stunned before nodding: "Okay."
Fang Yuan breathed in deeply: "Then let's start."
Xie Han Mo breathed in deeply, she shut her eyes, this was her usual habit before singing.
Everyone became quiet.
They waited quietly...
And waited...
"Why is she not singing yet?" Gradually, some people became impatient.
"Hahaha, how can they sing? They have no songs to sing!" Frost Tide tribe's leader laughed loudly with a face flushed red.
"Oh, sorry, can anyone lend me a zither Gu?" Fang Yuan broke the silence.
Everyone: "..."
You are the accompaniment but in this important Sea God Ceremony, you did not even prepare a zither Gu?"
Is it really okay to be so lax?
"I need a rank three zither Gu, can anyone lend me one?" Fang Yuan added, looking towards the grand elder.
The grand elder understood his words, Xie Han Mo met with an accident, she had anticipated this and quickly asked someone to send a zither Gu.
Fang Yuan obtained the zither Gu and said: "This is too important, let me refine the Gu on the spot."
Everyone: "..."
What? At the last round of the Sea God Ceremony, you want to refine Gu?
Are you serious?
What was this human Gu Master thinking? He was toying with everyone!
The mood of all the mermen turned bad.
Frost Tide tribe's leader quickly instructed his lackeys, a voice suddenly resounded: "You are purposely stalling for time!"
Everyone was about to clamor when Fang Yuan shouted loudly: "Are you saying that the Sea God Ceremony has a rule against refining Gu? This is for the sake of the song, we will start after the Gu is refined."
Grand elder quickly added: "There are no such rules indeed, I will allow it. Quickly refine the Gu and start, what does everyone think?"
The other elders looked at each other, some wanted to speak while others stayed silent.
Lackeys of Frost Tide tribe's leader shouted again: "The Sea God Ceremony is such an important ceremony, you want all of us mermen to wait for your Gu refinement?"
Fang Yuan quickly rebuked: "I am refining Gu for the Sea God Ceremony, are you all unable to wait a little bit for this important ceremony? Whoever has no patience can stand up now! You can leave right away."
Everyone went silent.
"You have a sharp tongue! But when you end up in my hands, I will make sure I smash all your teeth and pull out your tongue." Frost Tide tribe's leader snickered.
On the giant shell that was floating on the sea's surface, the merman warriors were exerting themselves while stabilizing it.
Some of the mermen floated to the surface, some only had their heads above the water, but all of them were looking at Fang Yuan refine his zither Gu.
1Xie Han Mo was instead ignored.
She stood beside Fang Yuan feeling very strange. She had attended the Sea God Ceremony once before and became the saintess. She had seen countless Sea God Ceremonies, but never had such a thing ever happened!
Fang Yuan's refinement speed became faster and faster, this was because the zither Gu's owner cooperated with him.
After getting the zither Gu, Fang Yuan stood up and went behind Xie Han Mo, saying confidently: "Alright, the real show starts now."
"Finally." The mermen let out breaths of air, feeling resentful.
"Go ahead and sing, I want to see what song you can come up with!" Frost Tide tribe's leader snickered.
Below the stage, the grand elder and both guards had worried expressions.
Xie Han Mo shut her eyes.
At this moment, the zither started playing.
Fang Yuan had activated the zither Gu, it let out a long and deep melody, the tune was extremely beautiful to listen to.
Xie Han Mo shut her eyes, she started to sing1 —
1The white moonlight is somewhere in my heart.
It is so bright, yet so icy cold.
Everyone has their own sadness.
Wanting to conceal it, but it just became more obvious.
...
Everyone was silent, only the sound of waves could be heard.
Her beautiful voice intoxicated everyone, they could not stop savoring it.
...
The white moonlight lightens the horizons of the world.
It's in my heart, but not by my side.
I could not wipe the tears off your face back then.
The road is too long, I could not seek forgiveness.
...
The tune was sorrowful but simple and elegant, it progressed smoothly with each verse, a feeling of intense sadness and agony filled everyone's hearts.
Xie Han Mo had a pure and penetrating voice, she was gentle and warm, just like the pale white moonlight that seemed cold and also a little warm on the inside.
The giant shell started to emit a white light, the waves did not seem to want to disturb her beautiful singing, they became weaker.
...
The white moonlight lightens the horizons of the world.
The fuller it is, the more loneliness I feel.
Unable to wipe the tears in my recollection.
The road is too long, how can I make amendments to you?
...
Xie Han Mo was also engrossed in it, her gaze shifted towards Fang Yuan, who was standing there activating the zither Gu with his full concentration.
She thought to herself: "Is there sorrow in your heart as well?"
Countless mermen shed tears.
The pain of love and affection, these tears were hidden deep in their hearts.
Was there true fulfillment in this world?
Loneliness always existed.
...
The white moonlight is somewhere in my heart.
It is so bright, yet so icy cold.
Everyone has their own sadness.
Wanting to conceal it but it just keeps growing.
...
As the song ended, the crowd remained silent.
In the Gu house, Frost Tide tribe's leader was stiff like a statue, shock expressed all over his face.
The sea was calm and the dark clouds scattered, pure moonlight shone down on the giant seashell, enveloping Xie Han Mo and Fang Yuan.
The two turned around slightly, looking at each other.
-x-X-x-
As the music ended, the mermen started to converse among themselves.
"What song is this? This is the first time I have heard it, it is simply too amazing."
"Did you all notice, the song was superb but Xie Han Mo was not skillful, her Gu worm manipulation had lots of errors." Many mermen talked about it with strange expressions.
The true reason was that Fang Yuan and Xie Han Mo did not practise this earlier. If they had even one practice, they would not make such mistakes.
But even so, reaching such a level of cooperation in their first attempt, Xie Han Mo's personal attainment was truly profound.
"Right now, the sea is calm and the weather has changed, the dark clouds scattered and the moonlight reappeared. Regardless of Xie Han Mo's mistakes, the results are evident."
"This should be a draw, in fact, Xie Han Mo should have a slight lead."
"It will depend on the next two songs."
The mermen were getting more excited about the rest of the Sea God Ceremony.
The grand elder could notice many things, she let out a breath of air as the worry in her heart lifted.
"What is going on?!" In the Gu house, Frost Tide tribe's leader screamed.
"It seems that although your scheme succeeded, an accident occurred." Bu Su Lian squinted her eyes, focusing her gaze on Fang Yuan, she sighed in amazement: "This man is not so simple, no wonder Xie Han Mo took interest in him. I am a song expert, this is likely his own creation, this shows that this human has very high attainment in sound path."
2Frost Tide tribe's leader expressed his suspicions: "There are countless songs in this world, how can you be sure that this was his creation?"
Bu Su Lian smiled lightly, looking at Frost Tide tribe's leader with an expression of disdain in her eyes: "You don't understand."
Frost Tide tribe's leader's face became even darker: "Bu Su Lian, can you speak clearly?!"
Bu Su Lian chuckled coldly, ignoring Frost Tide tribe's leader as she looked towards Fang Yuan with glistening eyes.
Others would fear Frost Tide tribe's leader's political power but Bu Su Lian was an exception.
This was not only because she was the spouse of a former tribe elder, but also because of her own talent and schemes.
But Bu Su Lian guessed wrongly in the end, Fang Yuan was not the creator, this song was originally from Earth.
"This song is unique and unheard of, it has to be a new creation by you. To think that you would have such high attainment in sound path, Fang Yuan." Xie Han Mo walked down the stage and transmitted to Fang Yuan, showing appreciation and praise in her tone.
Fang Yuan smiled bitterly: "I am flattered, you saw for yourself, I even had to borrow a zither Gu, I do not have such a high sound path attainment."
"No need to be humble, being able to create such a song means that your sound path attainment is beyond ordinary, you might have a future if you change to cultivating sound path." Xie Han Mo looked at Fang Yuan with a sincere and bright gaze.
1Fang Yuan had already anticipated this.
He did not want to explain it, because that was not important and he could not explain it clearly either.
"The important thing now are the next two songs, if I am not wrong..." Fang Yuan hesitated.
They walked down the stage as Dong Lei went up.
Fang Yuan and Xie Han Mo might have had an impressive performance, but she was not flustered, she remained calm and composed.
She started to sing, her moving voice attracted lots of fish groups to her.
"As expected." Fang Yuan snickered.
Xie Han Mo's gaze also became increasingly cold.
Both guards looked at each other with bright red faces: "This bitch stole our song again!"
"Don't worry, I have a song prepared." Fang Yuan smiled with deep confidence.
After Dong Lei went down the stage, the two of them went up again.
Fang Yuan played the music1
while Xie Han Mo sang and danced.
...
When did the bright moon first appear? One raises a cup and asks the blue sky.
One does not know in the celestial palace, what year it is this evening.
...
Once the song started, the atmosphere changed, all of the mermen shut their eyes in enjoyment.
...
I wish to ride the wind and return there, yet I fear the jade towers; in a high dwelling, one cannot bear the cold.
Starting to dance with one's own shadow, how can it compare to life in the mortal world?
The moon revolves around the red pavilion, hanging upon the silk windows, the light shines upon the sleepless.
...
Xie Han Mo thought about about the time she was saintess, even though she had high authority, she was all alone, she became filled with deep emotions at this moment.
I wish to return by riding the winds, but the position of saintess is like the jade tower that locks me in. The cold atmosphere is chilling, I cannot sleep, who is here to dance with me?
...
I should not have resentment; but why is the moon always full at times of separation?
People feel sorrow and joy upon partings and reunions, the moon can be dark or bright, full or crescent.
These problems have existed since ancient times. Yet one hopes for longevity, a thousand miles apart, seeing the moon's beauty together.
...
As the song ended, the world went silent.
Fish, prawns, turtles, crabs, all of the aquatic animals floated on the surface of the sea, scattered all over the place.
Birds were fluttering in the sky, many were birds that flew in the day, they were drawn over from their slumber by this beautiful song.
Beautiful lyrics and an enchanting tune, it pierced deep into everyone's hearts, the mermen could not help themselves but listen.
Xie Han Mo looked at Fang Yuan, she thought: "Was this a song he made for me?"
She could feel resonance in the lyrics, she felt consolation and warmth from it. She was pure like the icy jade, but was maligned by outsiders, right now, all of the sadness and annoyance in her heart had faded, none of the rumors from before could affect her heart anymore.
"He is someone who knows me." At once, Xie Han Mo felt an indescribable feeling in her heart, she was truly moved.
The results were clear, Fang Yuan and Xie Han Mo won by a margin again.
Dong Lei's face turned pale below the stage, she understood that if not for Xie Han Mo and Fang Yuan's imperfect cooperation that led to certain mistakes, she would not even be able to sing the third song.
"This person is a huge threat!" Frost Tide tribe's leader gritted his teeth, slamming his fist onto the window of the Gu house.
"You finally realized?" Bu Su Lian said plainly, mockery was in her words.
Frost Tide tribe's leader snorted, he did not want to argue with Bu Su Lian.
He needed to resolve this problem now, because at this rate, after the third song, Xie Han Mo was bound to win.
"Fang Yuan is it? To think he is such a problem!"
"I need to get rid of him!"
Frost Tide tribe's leader was determined to do this, but felt a huge headache. In normal times, he had countless methods against Fang Yuan, but now during the Sea God Ceremony, under everyone's watchful eyes, he could do close to nothing.
"What do I do?" Frost Tide tribe's leader thought about it rapidly, his forehead was covered in sweat.
After a long period of consideration, Frost Tide tribe's leader finally acted.
"Fang Yuan, I am Frost Tide tribe's leader!" He directly transmitted to Fang Yuan, this was the most useful choice of action.
Fang Yuan's expression changed but he did not reply.
Frost Tide tribe's leader chuckled: "You can just listen to me, I know you are a smart guy but you are too young, you have aspirations that are too unrealistic and naive."
Fang Yuan laughed coldly as he replied: "I am not naive, this is my ideal, you won't understand."
"That's why I said you are foolish, lad, don't think that you two are basking in fame now by standing there, you are just pawns. Look at the flag fluttering in the wind, its foundation is the pole. Think about it, what are you relying on?"
"The grand elder? Just go ask around, what kind of person is she? She had the political power to suppress our faction but she chose to let you people be the vanguard. When Xie Han Mo investigated the corruption case, did she help you? She might have given you some clues or what not, but trust me, it was really not much of an effort."
Frost Tide tribe's leader was quite eloquent, he added: "Or rather, even if you win and defend the title of saintess, so what? Do you think I will die? No, Frost Tide tribe is the largest faction in the Sacred Court, if I die, the entire Sacred Court will be in turmoil or even break apart. The grand elder does not have the guts or determination to do that, she only wants to keep me in check and prevent me from acting out of line."
"So in the end, no matter what you find out, I will still continue to live as Frost Tide tribe's leader, at worst, I will sacrifice a few scapegoats and stop my overbearing actions."
"In the Sea God Ceremony, almost every saintess candidate is backed by their own force. Do you think this is simply a competition for the saintess position? No, this is a game, this is a way for the higher-ups to distribute resources for the next few decades without internal conflict. The force that has a saintess will get a bigger share of the pie, those who don't will receive less."
"Fang Yuan, you might hate or detest these games that we play in the dark, but you must understand that in this sea, darkness is the true ruler. The so-called light merely shines at the surface of the sea, ordinary people might enjoy or indulge in its dazzling beauty, thinking that light is the truth of the sea, but they are just... too naive."
Fang Yuan was silent.
-x-X-x-
Inside the blue dragon whale grotto-heaven, the Merman Sacred City.
The atmosphere in the inn was heavy.
"What do we do?"
"In the next test, Zhao Lu's follower will be taking part. That person is famous in the seas, with him around, we have no chance of winning."
The two nannies had grim expressions.
White-scaled merman Su Yi sat at the center as she held a cup in her hand, she was in a daze while looking at the tea inside.
"Missy, you cannot hesitate anymore."
"That's right, the Sea God Ceremony has already gone on for so long, only us and Zhao Lu are left, the rest have been eliminated. After the next round is the final test, once we get past this hurdle, we will be able to vie for the saintess position."
The two nannies urged anxiously.
Su Yi sighed: "But what can we do now?"
The nannies quickly came forward to Su Yi's side.
"Missy, didn't our tribe find a strong expert that can fight against the enemy?"
"That's right, as long as we get him to fight, even if we cannot win, we will not get eliminated at least."
Su Yi's gaze was lingering on the cup, she said in a long sigh: "I understand your suggestion, but did you forget something, I can only have four followers in this competition, these spots are all used up now. Even if the tribe invites an expert, we cannot use him."
The two nannies looked at each other with bright gazes.
"So that's it, Missy had such plans already but she could not say it personally." They understood the reason now.
Among them, one nanny said in a soft voice: "Missy, this matter can be easy or difficult depending on us. We just need to abandon one follower!"
"That's right." The other nanny added: "According to the Sea God Ceremony's rules, we cannot abandon followers easily, but if they are corrupted or have committed crimes, for the purity of the Sea God Ceremony and the saintess, we can expel them with proper reason. With that freed follower position, we can then invite the expert into our group, right?"
Su Yi's expression changed as she rejected: "This is not appropriate. The Sea God Ceremony is such a huge event, if a scandal occurs, that person's reputation would be tarnished for life, they would never be able to clear their name. All of my followers have helped me greatly, how can I repay gratitude with enmity?"
"Oh Missy, a great person would not mind small sacrifices, so what if we have to give up someone?"
"I would suggest we target that Xia Lin. She has no background and is a mermaid that nobody will care about, who knows what luck she had to be able to obtain that gather oil Gu." Seeing Su Yi's displeasure, Nanny Rong added: "Of course, we are not framing her, we are trying to move her with logic, Xia Lin looks like an understanding young lady after all. Missy, leave this to me, I will negotiate with her, it is okay if we pay a small price. Compared to the saintess position, it is evident which is more important!"
"This..." Su Yi hesitated.
The other nanny quickly added: "Missy, we are not forcing or harming Xia Lin. We are seeking her cooperation, in any case, so what if she loses some reputation? Xia Lin is a poor girl, she needs some materialistic gains more. It is very likely that after hearing our suggestion, she might become very happy and would want to deal with us, she is merely trading reputation for huge benefits!"
"Leave, let me consider it first..." Su Yi frowned as she asked them to leave.
1The two nannies looked at each other before leaving.
Days later, rumors regarding Xia Lin spread throughout the city.
"That's her, the shameless mermaid who betrayed her benefactor Su Yi just to gain the favor of the rich and noble!"
"No wonder Lady Su Yi was always at a disadvantage, she had a traitor after all."
"I want nothing more than to tear the tendons and skin out of this scoundrel."
"She is truly shameless, I can't believe she is still coming to find Su Yi at this time!"
Xia Lin bit her lips, walking up the inn's stairs under everyone's accusations.
"Stand there." Halfway through, mermaid Nanny Rong blocked Xia Lin with a cold expression.
"I was framed, I want to see Sister Su Yi!" Xia Lin raised her head, looking at Nanny Rong with an anxious expression.
Nanny Rong laughed coldly: "Xia Lin, you still want to act? Missy was very upset after hearing the news, you still want to see her now during a crucial moment of the Sea God Ceremony? You are truly vicious, you want to annoy our Missy and cause her to make mistakes in the competition later?"
"That's not it, Nanny Rong, listen to me..."
"Listen to what? What is there to say! You are a shameless scum, we were blind to accept you into our group. Scram!" Nanny Rong lost her patience, she screamed in a shrill voice, being very overbearing.
"You don't believe me but I believe in Sister Su Yi, if I don't get to see her, I will not leave!" Xia Lin's eyes were red, a light of stubbornness flickered in them.
"You are forcing me to chase you away?" Nanny Rong said sinisterly.
"Stop." At this time, Su Yi appeared, walking down the stairs.
"Sister Su Yi!" Xia Lin was overjoyed, she wanted to move forward but Nanny Rong's arms blocked her path.
"Xia Lin..." Su Yi said to Xia Lin with a complex tone.
"Sister Su Yi, you need to believe me, I did not betray you!" Xia Lin shouted.
"Do you need us to investigate it?" At this moment, a group of mermen charged into the inn, they drew all the attention away.
This group of mermen walked towards Xia Lin as they said: "Xia Lin right? I am the Sacred City's investigator, someone reported you for corruption, you betrayed Su Yi and tried to ruin the sacred Sea God Ceremony, you tried to manipulate the saintess' competition. We are now arresting you, follow us and tell us everything that you did."
"No, I am innocent!" Xia Lin turned pale from fright, she shouted loudly in retaliation.
"We will investigate whether you are innocent or not." The investigator was very cold.
"No, I will not leave with you, I was framed, someone framed me!" Xia Lin was frightful, she continued to shake her head.
"You don't want to leave with us? Hmph, you don't have a choice! Come, arrest her!" The investigator ordered as the merman Gu Masters behind him acted.
"Wait." At this moment, Su Yi spoke.
"Sister Su Yi!" Xia Lin's eyes shined with a light of hope.
But Su Yi shook her head: "Sister Xia Lin, I do not believe that you betrayed me, but the investigator is here, we need to believe in Sacred City's justice! I believe that they will clear your name, go with them, as long as the results come out, your innocence will be proven, right?"
"Sister Su Yi..." Xia Lin's eyes turned dim.
"Go, go with them."
Xia Lin lowered her head, walking towards the investigator: "I was framed, but I will go with you."
The investigator nodded in satisfaction: "That's right, come with us."
Xia Lin was quickly brought into the interrogation room.
COMMENT
"These information path Gu worms are all evidence, take a good look, I will give you some advice, don't think you can get out of this!" The investigator smiled sinisterly, pointing at the information path mortal Gu on the table.
Xia Lin looked into them one by one.
Soon, shock was expressed all over her face: "These videos and voices are all fake, I have never said such things!"
"That is your explanation against all this evidence? Who would believe you?!" The investigator chuckled.
"I have never said such things! I..." Xia Lin was anxious.
The investigator raised his arm, stopping Xia Lin from talking, he smiled: "I know you were framed."
Xia Lin was stunned: "What, what did you say?"
"You were framed." The investigator repeated himself.
Xia Lin was stunned, she blinked before saying: "In that case, why did you..."
"Because this was Lady Su Yi's request." The investigator laughed again.
"What do you mean? Don't try to sow discord between us!" Xia Lin was enraged.
"You are truly a naive little girl. Let me explain it to you then. You know who Lady Su Yi's father is right? Do you know the current situation of the Sea God Ceremony..."
The investigator spoke as Xia Lin went into deep shock upon hearing his words.
After a long while, she reacted: "I do not believe that this is sister Su Yi's plot! If she wants me to step down, I can leave. If she told me herself, I would not have rejected her."
The investigator looked at Xia Lin with a mocking expression, rebuking mercilessly: "Is the Sea God Ceremony an event where you can just leave like that? If anyone could just step down, this competition would just be a pure contest between forces. The only way to step down is by force, at the same time, that position left behind could be filled again."
Xia Lin said in a daze: "A situation like this..."
The investigator smiled: "Indeed, you've grown smarter. Alright, you have two choices now, the first choice is to deny this evidence and fight for your innocence. But this evidence is concrete, nobody will believe your words."
"The second choice is to cooperate with us, admit to the crime and even though you will lose reputation, we will repay you with abundant resources. Choose now."
Xia Lin smiled bitterly, lowering her head.
Did she have a choice?
The other party tricked her into this interrogation room, at this point, she could no longer reject them.
Even if she tried to, she would still be framed and trialled as guilty.
She did not have the strength to resist them, she did not have the right to reject them!
Silence.
After a long silence.
The investigator spoke: "Xia Lin, if you keep silent any longer, I will take it that you accept our proposition. The facts are simple and clear, I believe a smart person will make a wise choice. This benefits both of us, isn't that right?"
"I reject the offer." Xia Lin suddenly raised her head as she spoke.
-x-X-x-
"Reject?" The investigator frowned, a cold light flickered in his eyes and his tone became much tougher: "Young lady, think properly. You are young, you should not be impulsive, you need to know the weak cannot contend with the strong, let alone that you can't even be considered weak."
"I know I have no one to rely on, I am just a small character, which was why you all targeted me, isn't that so?" Xia Lin looked straight at the investigator, her tone was filled with mockery but also bitterness and helplessness: "But you don't have to worry, I won't make a useless retaliation or file a complaint. I accept your false accusation, I will consider it as paying back Sister Su Yi's kindness. I don't want any compensation, from now on, we no longer have any debt to each other, we will just be strangers."
1The investigator revealed a surprised expression as he looked at Xia Lin firmly. In the dim room, Xia Lin's eyes seemed to shine brightly. This pair of bright eyes directly shined on the investigator's heart, making him unable to match her gaze!
He quickly moved his gaze: "You can leave, I hope you can uphold what you said."
"I will." Xia Lin stood up and left with a calm expression that contained no anxiety.
Several days later.
"Lady Xia Lin, it is not that our inn does not want to do business with you but that the public sentiment is too fierce and many people have made reports. If we continue to let you stay here, they will..." The innkeeper said with a bitter expression.
Xia Lin stopped him from continuing the story: "I understand your situation, I will leave then."
"I thank you for the understanding, Lady Xia Lin, you truly are a good person." The innkeeper said as he thanked profusely and gratefully.
Xia Lin packed up her luggage and left her room, walking down the stairs.
"Look, it is her!"
"This woman secretly betrayed Lady Su Yi for her own personal gains."
"This kind of person is simply tarnishing the Sea God Ceremony and our Sacred City."
The Gu Masters inside the hall saw Xia Lin and started discussing while pointing fingers at her.
Xia Lin heard them but walked out of the inn with a calm and composed expression.
When she arrived at the wide main street, a bustling tide of people was moving along the path.
"Today is the day of the second last test of the Sea God Ceremony."
"I can barely wait, today is sure to be spectacular!"
"Do you guys know? Su Yi had been in a disadvantageous position for so long because there was a spy by her side."
"Who does not know of it? It's Xia Lin! As the saying goes, no matter how vigilant one is, they cannot defend against an internal threat."
...
Most of the people did not recognize Xia Lin, their attention was on the Sea God Ceremony as they hurried towards the central square.
Even if some people recognized Xia Lin, they were not absolutely certain. The Sacred City was extremely crowded at this time, it was normal for there to be one or two people with similar appearances.
The atmosphere was bustling, the people were jostling through the street as joy filled everyone.
Xia Lin mixed in with the crowd, her expression was tranquil, a stark contrast with her surroundings.
She had felt happy before, but now, it was like layers of heavy mist had gathered in her nostrils, making her feel difficulty in breathing.
She could no longer feel happy in this Sacred City or satisfy her curiosity.
"Maybe, I will never come here again in my life." Xia Lin raised her head slightly, looking at the tall buildings.
These buildings seemed to be slanting down, the whole Sacred City seemed to be pressing towards her.
Xia Lin felt increasingly depressed and frustrated, she quickened her pace and left the crowd, walking into a dark alley.
The alley was dim and dark, trash was piled up in corners, spreading stench throughout the alley.
Xia Lin, however, felt her breathing become much smoother as if a huge weight had been lifted out of her heart.
Walking in this dark alley devoid of people, Xia Lin's raised head drooped slowly.
"How did I reach this state?" She asked herself but obtained no answer.
Her eyes reddened and she soon turned tearful.
She was still a young girl, her previous strong attitude was just a facade.
"Hello, young lady!" Three mermen suddenly walked out of a corner of the alley.
Xia Lin was dazed for a moment before turning vigilant.
These three mermen were hooligans, their ill intentions were clearly exposed by their gazes. More importantly, every one of them was a rank two Gu Master.
Xia Lin was also only rank two.
"What do you want?" Xia Lin took a step back.
"What do we want? Hehehe!" The three mermen looked at each other, laughing deviously at the same time.
"Young lady, our encounter was fated, why be in a hurry to leave?"
"Even if you want to leave now, it is too late."
At this moment, two rank two merman Gu Masters walked towards Xia Lin from behind.
1Xia Lin's heart sank, not only was it five against one, both the front and rear paths were blocked. Although this alley was not far from the main street, these people were all Gu Masters and had clearly been lying in ambush; they definitely had methods to suppress the commotion.
The five mermen approached Xia Lin menacingly.
1Xia Lin was panicking, she retreated again and again till her back touched the wall.
The cold wall made her feel even more helpless.
She gritted her teeth, her brows rose as she suddenly said: "Come, even if I die, I will drag you down with me."
"Oh dear, the little girl has guts!"
"Quite fiery, big brother likes such girls."
The five mermen giggled in amusement, they showed no fear but their footsteps had slowed down.
Bump.
Suddenly, Xia Lin felt an intense dizziness.
She was attacked!
Her mind was filled with fright as she turned to look back with difficulty, she saw the wall melt down from which the sixth merman Gu Master walked out.
"They got me!" The moment before she fell unconscious, Xia Lin's heart turned cold.
"She is down..."
"Hahaha, boss, your method is truly amazing!"
"Quickly clean up this place, the Sea God Ceremony is currently ongoing after all!"
The six mermen gathered around Xia Lin.
"Wake up, wake up..." A deep voice lingered in the darkness.
Xia Lin slowly opened her eyes, the alley was once again reflected in her eyes. The pain behind her head reminded her, she got a fright and quickly struggled to stand up.
She then saw the six mermen lying on the ground motionless in strange postures.
A human Gu Master was standing in the middle of the six mermen.
Xia Lin cried out with joy: "Master Chu, it's you!"
"It's me. I have been observing the Sea God Ceremony from the start, I heard of your matter as well, you were tossed aside by Su Yi, right?" Fang Yuan slightly smiled.
Xia Lin's tear immediately started to fall as she sobbed: "Master Chu, you..."
"I have good judgment of people, although I have only met you a few times, you are not that kind of person." Fang Yuan continued.
Xia Lin could not hold it in anymore as she covered her face and started crying, like a wronged child finally getting vindicated.
Fang Yuan quietly watched her cry for sometime before patting her shoulder: "Let's go."
"To where?" Xia Lin was slightly dazed.
"I am also slightly responsible for your current situation." Fang Yuan sighed: "If I did not give you gather oil Gu, you would not have been targeted by Su Yi and participated in this Sea God Ceremony. So, I am taking you with me, follow me and leave."
"Okay." Xia Lin nodded, she no longer had no interest in Sacred City.
Fang Yuan led the way while Xia Lin obediently followed behind him.
At the end of the alley, there was another branch of the main street, it was also crowded with the stores at the sides enjoying bustling business. At the center of the street, there was a lion dance team.
Facing the crowd again, Xia Lin immediately felt some fear and disgust, but Fang Yuan had already walked ahead so she could only follow.
Snap.
The moment they walked out of the alley, Fang Yuan snapped his fingers.
The next scene stupefied Xia Lin, her mouth opened so wide that it could swallow an egg. She shockingly saw the whole street coming to a standstill.
"This, this..." She was unable to speak.
"Just a small trick, come." Fang Yuan waved towards her before entering the crowd.
Xia Lin quickened her pace, following behind closely.
This was a wondrous situation that she had never experienced before!
She walked right past two mermen who looked like they were having a close conversation and seemed to be lovers. She looked at a store where a customer seemed to be haggling price with the clerk, spittle flew out of the clerk's mouth and was suspended in the air, almost landing on the customer's face.
There was a dog which was moving past the tightly packed legs and merman tails. Its body was bent as it was moving around a blue scaled merman, its three legs were raised high while one was on the ground.
Xia Lin stared widely at these people with various lives, the liveliness in them made her forget her depression and frustration.
Fang Yuan was extremely agile and walked quite quickly, it was quite tiring for Xia Lin to follow him.
Bump.
In a moment of carelessness, she bumped into a sturdy human Gu Master.
The human Gu Master swayed, his posture was still the same walking posture from before but his feet had almost left the ground, he started tilting to the side.
"Sorry!" She was just about to prop up this human Gu Master when she was grabbed by Fang Yuan.
2"Here." Fang Yuan gave her a mask.
"Master Chu, this..." Xia Lin was puzzled, Fang Yuan did not lead her away from the street but brought her in front of that lion dance team.
The mask that Fang Yuan gave her was colorful and made from fish scales and bird feathers.
Fang Yuan pointed to the lion dance team: "Don't you think it lacks two key characters?"
Xia Lin nodded: "They are playing the sea lion winter spring opera, they are short of the male and female leading characters, a filial fisherman and a traveling mermaid princess. But I think this performance was a spontaneous idea, they are not a real opera team, it is normal for them to not have all the characters."
Likely at the start, one Gu Master put on the opera costume and makeup for his own entertainment. Later, along the way, more Gu Masters joined in.
These people were generally opera fans and loved such culture.
In fact, there were all kinds of traditional opera and plays that existed in the grotto-heaven, it was the trending entertainment of this paradise.
"My method can only last for a short while, put on the mask quickly, we will move with the crowd." Fang Yuan hurried Xia Lin, not giving her the chance to refuse.
"Oh, okay." Xia Lin subconsciously took the mask and when she wore it, her heart suddenly calmed down.
No one would recognize her like this.
The mental pressure on her had greatly reduced.
But shortly afterwards, her face blushed. Because she saw Fang Yuan wear a mask and it was the mask of the filial fisherman.
"Doesn't this mean that Master Chu and I are the main male and female characters?"
Xia Lin's heart started to race wildly!
-x-X-x-
Snap.
Fang Yuan snapped his fingers once again.
5The surroundings immediately started moving again from the motionless state.
That merman couple continued to walk forward while holding hands.
Amidst the haggling at the stall, the saliva spit landed on the customer's face but he did not realize it.
The small dog's three legs landed on the ground, it smoothly moved past the blue scaled merman and continued to pass nimbly through the crowd of legs.
Xia Lin took everything in with surprise and curiosity.
This was too magical!
"Master Chu's methods are truly powerful! This is probably a rank five time path killer move."
1Xia Lin guessed.
Plop.
That male Gu Master, who Xia Lin had collided into, fell down to the ground and even affected the person behind, creating a small chaos.
"You are so big, don't you know how to walk?" Someone scolded.
"Sorry, sorry." The well-built male Gu Master politely apologized. This was, after all, the Sacred City of the mermen, meanwhile, the people in this paradise were less irritable than in the five regions.
"I was walking properly, how could I trip? Strange." The male Gu Master looked puzzled as he quickly stood up and moved with the crowd.
Xia Lin apologized softly while gazing at the receding figure of the male Gu Master.
However, she felt a bit of joy like that of a prankster. Just as she was about to criticize herself, her hand was grabbed by Fang Yuan.
"Follow me!" Fang Yuan dragged her to the lion dance team.
The lion dance team was stunned at first before dancing even more joyfully, the accompanying music was immediately raised.
"We have all the characters now, haha!" One dancer laughed heartily.
"You know how to dance, right?" Fang Yuan smiled and moved his legs, he was playing the role of the filial fisherman, his movements were subtle and natural, having their own beauty.
2The surrounding people immediately cheered and hooted, Fang Yuan followed the crowd while dancing towards Xia Lin.
"Your turn." Fang Yuan's voice was secretly transmitted to Xia Lin's ears.
Xia Lin's heart was beating loudly from nervousness. Despite her practising this play often when she was a child, she had never performed before a large crowd.
She began to dance with stiff movements.
Fang Yuan laughed as he took her hands and led her.
He secretly used wisdom path methods, Xia Lin immediately started feeling nimble, all kinds of dance postures of this play surfaced in her mind with extreme clarity.
The two sang and danced and moved along with the crowd.
The lion dance team was wearing colorful costumes and strange-looking masks. There were also some who jointly acted as an enormous golden sea lion. They attracted attention wherever they moved.
And as the male and female protagonists of the team, even more eyes were focused on Fang Yuan and Xia Lin.
Xia Lin was extremely tense at the start but the more she danced, the better and more confident she felt. She was immersed in the joyful atmosphere, forgetting about the injustice she suffered as cheers, shouts, and whistling filled her ears.
Even when Xia Lin made some mistakes in her movements, there was only kind laughter.
The crowd continued to move, some left the lion dance team while some joined.
Unknowingly, Xia Lin started laughing brightly.
An unprecedented level of happiness which she had never felt before in the Sacred City filled her heart.
She was immersed in this happiness, unable to extricate herself from it. At the same time, she felt fear that this was not real.
"It truly is like I am dreaming!" Xia Lin's heart was filled with emotions, her gaze never leaving Fang Yuan.
"Time to leave." Suddenly, Fang Yuan's movements changed, he dragged Xia Lin away from the opera team and walked to the side of the street.
Xia Lin was caught unprepared and got pulled directly into Fang Yuan's embrace.
She bumped into Fang Yuan's chest, a strong manly smell entered her nose. She quickly held the mask that had almost fallen down, hiding her reddened face.
"Here." Fang Yuan moved quickly while pulling her, walking into an alley.
It was another lonely alley with dim lighting and the stench of garbage.
Fang Yuan released Xia Lin's hand and quickly walked ahead.
Xia Lin immediately felt an empty feeling as she followed behind.
The two moved in the long alley, one in front and another in back. Fang Yuan did not utter a sound, the alley echoing his monotonous footsteps.
The sounds from the rowdy street became softer and softer as they moved further into the alley.
A lonely and cold feeling pervaded Xia Lin's body and heart.
The previous happiness and joyful feelings started disappearing from Xia Lin's heart. Gradually, worries began to find her once again, and her previous depression began to surge.
Xia Lin wanted to find some topics to talk with Fang Yuan, but Fang Yuan had been moving ahead without even turning his head back. The oppressive atmosphere made Xia Lin not dare to casually speak.
Finally, they reached the exit of the alley.
The street here, although not as lively as the previous, was also filled with crowds and was boisterous.
Fang Yuan suddenly stopped and turned towards Xia Lin: "Have you thought it through?"
Xia Lin was stunned: "Thought... thought what through?"
Fang Yuan smiled, pointing at the mask Xia Lin was wearing: "Do you want to wear it to cross the street or do you want to walk in the crowd showing your own face?"
Xia Lin was stunned again.
Fang Yuan continued: "I took off my mask when I entered the alley, but you are still wearing it. Why? Do you feel ashamed? Do you feel afraid of looking at people with your face? Worried that if you confront life, you will lose the happiness from earlier?"
A series of questions caught Xia Lin unprepared and unable to reply.
After a while of silence, she seemed to have understood something as she took down the mask, revealing her face: "Master Chu, I understand your intentions, thank you, I truly thank you. I am only an ordinary mermaid..."
Fang Yuan stretched out his hand, interrupting her: "I have said it before, your current situation is largely because of me, I need to compensate you for this."
"Master, what are you saying? You have shown enormous kindness to me by gifting me gather oil Gu. You don't owe me anything at all, in fact, it is I who owes you everything!" Xia Lin quickly said.
"That is how you interpret it, not me." Fang Yuan shook his head, his expression turning solemn: "Look back on it, you were previously taunted and jeered by others, but just earlier, you were showered with welcomes and cheers, what is the reason for such a big difference? Could it because of this mask? But in fact, you had been yourself all along, isn't that so?"
Xia Lin nodded.
Fang Yuan looked at the street outside the alley and pointed at the passing crowd: "Take a look now, these people don't want to inspect your true self and who Xia Lin truly is. When we were dancing and singing, they also did not want to know our names. They are only expressing their attitude, the true situation is not important to them. Ordinary people chase after the truth because they are usually angry and indignant about being made a fool of."
"So to them, we are not important at all, and to us, their attitude should similarly not be important."
Xia Lin took a deep breath: "Master Chu, thank you for comforting me, I truly can't thank you enough..."
"I have not finished speaking. Since the attitude of outsiders is not important, what is truly important in our lives?" Fang Yuan asked with a smile.
Xia Lin was stunned for the third time: "Master, forgive my ignorance..."
Fang Yuan pointed at Xia Lin and then pointed at himself: "It is us, ourselves. It is our truest feelings. Ask yourself, listen to the voice in the depths of your heart. What do you want to do, what kind of person you want to become, where do you want to go? You will obtain the answer in the depths of your heart."
"If you want to travel, then travel around the world. If you want to treat others well, then treat them properly. If you want to attempt flying, then collect money and resources to purchase and practice flying Gu worms."
Fang Yuan pointed at the alley then at the street: "If you want to remain in the alley, you can stay. If you want to walk into the street and enjoy the event with others, then walk out. Don't mistreat your own feelings because of their attitude. If you mistreat yourself frequently, then you will end up with regrets, you will constantly wear a mask to act as another person, you will no longer be yourself."
1The moment she heard that, Xia Lin felt that her mind had cleared up, it was as if she received enlightenment, all her previous worries and distress were swept away entirely.
-x-X-x-
"Master, I will never forget your guidance in my life!" The mermaid took a step back and bowed solemnly towards Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan laughed heartily: "My efforts were not in vain. But sometimes, it is easier said than done, I'll ask you now, what is it that you want to do the most at this moment?"
Xia Lin hesitated.
"I want to follow you!" This was the first thing that popped up in her mind.
But before she spoke, she saw Fang Yuan shaking his head: "You still haven't thought properly, you have time to think about it later. Actually, I am not concerned about what you want to do. Do you know what I want to do?"
Xia Lin shook her head, but at the next moment, her eyes opened wide and her body stiffened.
Because Fang Yuan had slowly stretched out his hand and stroked her face.
Thump thump thump thump thump!
Xia Lin's face blushed red, her heart thumped wildly, and watery ripples appeared in her eyes.
She felt Fang Yuan's wide palm and the warmth from it, this feeling was like a slight electric shock that transmitted to her body and mind. It was clearly an ordinary action but Xia Lin was unable to even budge.
Fang Yuan took back his hand: "You still have a mask on."
Xia Lin was puzzled but she heard Fang Yuan speak: "Sometimes, we wear a mask of our own initiative, sometimes, others force us to wear a mask. Right now, I want to take away the mask on your face, cooperate with me, okay?"
"Mas... master, you don't need..." Xia Lin vaguely knew what Fang Yuan wanted to do as she stuttered.
Fang Yuan shook his hand: "I will not be happy unless I take this mask off. I don't want to betray my feelings, since you feel that you owe me, then cooperate with me as compensation, okay?"
How could Xia Lin refuse after hearing this?
She knelt on the ground and made three kowtows to Fang Yuan before quietly standing up: "Master Chu, I will do whatever you want me to do!"
"Okay, then become the saintess."
"What?!"
Several days later.
The Sea God Ceremony's final test had gathered the attention of everyone.
Su Yi was looking at Xia Lin with shock as if she had seen a ghost.
The two nannies were also stunned.
Following the grand elder's explanation, the crowd went into a commotion.
Su Yi was very confident of victory because her competitor had suffered heavy injuries in the previous round and was unable to step up to compete in such a short duration.
But who could have thought that a surprise would occur.
The competitor's younger sister who had been separated for many years was found, it was this mermaid, Xia Lin!
"Isn't this too melodramatic?"
"Unbelievable!"
"Xia Lin... isn't she the person who betrayed Su Yi for her own gains?"
"That is a lie that Su Yi's supporters spread intentionally. The true reason is that Su Yi wanted to free up a follower quota. I heard that investigator pleaded guilty, his conversation where he pressured Xia Lin was recorded and is ironclad evidence!"
"This is more dramatic than an opera play."
The discussions among the audience became more heated.
The two nannies conversed secretly:
"What is going on?"
"How did the public sentiment change all of a sudden?"
"Also, we never arranged for the investigator, why did he admit guilt for no reason?"
Su Yi's expression was extremely unsightly, while Xia Lin was calmly looking at the crowd. Fang Yuan's guidance had elevated her mind and spirit to another level.
Su Yi felt even more stifled when she saw that Xia Lin did not even look at her, she snorted coldly: "Xia Lin, I truly didn't think we would meet again and in this way."
"I also didn't expect this." Xia Lin looked at Su Yi and said honestly. The huge setbacks and gains that she experienced over these days felt like a dream.
Su Yi snorted once again: "No matter what scheme you have, this last test is not something a casually selected mermaid can pass. This Sea God Ceremony's saintess position is mine."
"Oh." Xia Lin lightly replied.
Su Yi felt like her provocation had ended up hitting air, she felt terribly irritated.
Xia Lin scanned through the surrounding crowd once again, there were too many people.
"Master Chu said he will watch me from the crowd. But where is he? I am not able to find him at all. Could he have disguised his appearance? He has vast mystical prowess, if he wants to hide, I will never be able to find him."
"After this matter is over, I will tell him I want to follow him. I wonder if he will agree?"
Xia Lin's mind lingered on this question, compared to the answer to this question, the saintess position did not have any attraction to her.
In the first round, Xia Lin was slightly better than Su Yi.
In the second round, Xia Lin won against Su Yi by a little.
This result greatly surpassed expectations, causing the audience to be in a commotion, everyone revealed shock.
Fang Yuan, who was hiding among the audience, looked shocked like the surrounding people, but his heart was tranquil.
He had trained Xia Lin over these days, using immortal level time path methods to gain a large amount of time to train her to a certain level.
Along with Fang Yuan's personally chosen songs, which were unique, and the sound path Gu worms he prepared specially for Xia Lin.
Moreover, when Su Yi and Xia Lin stepped on the stage to sing, Fang Yuan had even secretly tampered and influenced their performances. The former's performance became choppy while the latter's performance became increasingly better due to his support.
"Besides us outsiders, there is probably no Gu Immortal in this grotto-heaven. Now that I am using immortal level methods, is there any worry that I can't control this grand ceremony of mortal Gu Masters?"
"What should we do? The third round is about to start." The two nannies were sweating from anxiety, they were sent by the clan to specially assist Su Yi. If Su Yi did not get the saintess position, they would have to suffer the punishment.
Su Yi was pale as she looked at Xia Lin.
Everything felt like a dream!
As far as Su Yi was concerned, Xia Lin was a dull and ordinary girl. It was only because she possessed gather oil Gu and was a mermaid that Su Yi had used her.
Although she had not felt comfortable doing this to Xia Lin, she did not feel like it was a huge deal.
Even if Xia Lin wanted to take revenge, what revenge could she take? She, a person with no background and only rank two cultivation, wasn't she asking for others to use her?
If not for the saintess position being in sight and Su Yi not wanting to divert her attention, she would have taken the chance to scheme for Xia Lin's rank five Gu worm.
This was not considered repaying kindness with enmity!
Could a rank two Gu Master protect a rank five Gu worm?
A person's wealth is their own ruin by causing another's greed.
So, to Su Yi, rather than Xia Lin being killed by others in the future, it was better to persuade Xia Lin to offer gather oil Gu to the clan of her own initiative. Like this, her own side would obtain benefits and she would also not die, it could also be considered as Su Yi helping her.
This was a small plan in Su Yi's mind. But, as the saintess position was too important, Su Yi did not dare to split her attention and also did not want to attract criticism, so she could only spare Xia Lin for the moment.
If it were before and someone told her Xia Lin would be her biggest obstacle in becoming the saintess, Su Yi would have replied with only a chuckle: Hehe.
Now though, Su Yi wanted to say 'hehe' to herself, life was truly too cruel.
With Fang Yuan personally forging a fake identity for Xia Lin, who would be able to see through it?
Nobody in this huge Sacred City could!
So this evidence which proved Xia Lin's identity was irrefutable and ironclad. Even Su Yi believed Xia Lin's identity was truly like so.
"Oh destiny, this is truly too big of a joke." Su Yi heaved a deep sigh.
"Young miss, what should we do?" The two nannies were out of ideas.
"We cannot do anything in front of such a large crowd, we also don't have the time. There is only one option left, I will personally persuade her." Su Yi remained silent for a while before uttering through clenched teeth.
She transmitted her voice to Xia Lin: "Xia Lin, I am Su Yi."
Xia Lin was surprised, but her expression calmed down quickly as she replied: "What's the matter?"
Su Yi organized her thoughts and said: "I want to make a deal with you, lose the next round and let me be the saintess. I swear in the name of the Sea God that I will pay a price that will satisfy you completely. Even if my power is not enough, my family will be able to satisfy you."
Xia Lin remained silent for a moment before saying: "Sorry but I...."
"Don't be in a hurry to reject me, Xia Lin. You are too young, maybe you still don't recognize the significance of the saintess position. What do you think the saintess is? Just a belief? Or a superficial selection? Both are wrong! It involves benefits, it involves the interests of the whole Sacred City's higher-ups, this is a political game."
"I know you want to take revenge against me, but do you know your situation is extremely dangerous right now. Once you become the saintess, you will be in an even bigger danger. Your elder sister's side pushed you to the stage because they did not have other candidates, so they are only putting up a front. Once you become the saintess, they will use all their strength to make you into their puppet, they will make you do things that match their benefits."
"Although I have not been in much contact with you, I understand you. You are pure and kind, if you become the saintess, you will probably try to fight for benefits of the mermen and mermaids. But you definitely won't succeed because you are not a person of any political force, you are just an outsider. Unless you join one of the forces and become the representative of their benefits, or else you will be excluded by everyone and will become the most powerless saintess in history."
"But if you choose to transact with me, the benefits you will obtain will surpass your imagination. It will be much more than the benefits you can obtain from your elder sister's side. Please believe in my sincerity!"
Su Yi had an amazingly eloquent tongue, even Xia Lin felt moved.
But she replied: "Lady Su Yi, I understand your sincerity, but I cannot agree to you in this matter."
"Why?" Su Yi's tone was hurried: "You think I am deceiving you? Although it is cruel, what I have said are all truthful. Stop being so... so naive, okay?"
Xia Lin remained silent.
-x-X-x-
Fang Yuan's first life of five hundred years.
Sea God Ceremony.
Naive?
Facing Frost Tide tribe's leader's long-winded speech, Fang Yuan fell into silence.
But he only fell silent for a short period before he chuckled and transmitted his voice: "You think I am not aware of what you said? You think I am an inexperienced youngster? No, I understand all these tricks, clearly in fact. I know these truths and have accepted them."
Fang Yuan was forced to leave Qing Mao Mountain, wandering about in Southern Border before going to Western Desert and then to Eastern Sea. He struggled at the border of death, he had to worry about one or two primeval stones. He had to bow down and grovel before the strong and this destitute life. He had also once gained a high status, listening to reports from his subordinates while drinking tea.
He had been lowly, he had been glorious, he had been lofty, he had been ordinary.
Considering his life on Earth and the experiences after crossing over to this world, his vision was already beyond normal people, his experiences were plentiful, and he was very knowledgeable.
How could such a person not understand these worldly affairs?
Frost Tide tribe's leader was frustrated, replying quickly: "Since you know these truths, then you should know you are taking great risks now! This is our merman internal political battle, what are you, a weak human Gu Master, doing by meddling? You like Xie Han Mo? I can guarantee that after this matter is finished, I will gift you many more beautiful mermaids! Don't doubt my sincerity, I can swear an oath to the Sea God!"
"There is indeed no need to doubt the sincerity of a merman who swears an oath to the Sea God. But..." Fang Yuan continued: "Although I accept these truths, it does not mean I like them. You think I like Xie Han Mo? No, no, I only want to help her. Why am I taking such risks to help her? Because I have my own principle, favors must be repaid, hatred must be returned."
"I have used lifespan Gu, I have lived much longer than you can imagine. I used to wish for a long life before, but now, I am tired of this thought. Life has become increasingly boring. Sometimes, the final destination of the journey is not important, the important thing is the process of the journey and how you feel during the journey."
1Frost Tide tribe's leader involuntarily opened his eyes wide at these words, it was hard for him to understand Fang Yuan's way of life: "You are saying the position of saintess is not important, the important thing is helping Xie Han Mo in this competition?"
"Correct, but there is still more. You talked of the dark side of politics and promised to gift me mermaid beauties, both have no importance to me. Let me put it this way so you might understand a little, I have lived long enough that I am already sick of wearing a mask to live. Death is not scary to me at all. Right now, I only want to live using my truest emotions and feelings, I will achieve my goals in my own way. Only by living like this can I feel the excitement of life and the desire towards living!"
Frost Tide tribe's leader was dumbstruck and stupefied, he finally understood as he shouted: "So that's it, you are a lunatic! You have said so much but they are nothing more than saying you have lived long enough and don't want to live anymore! So be it you were a Gu Immortal, but you, a mere rank three Gu Master, want to live life your own way? You are dreaming!"
Fang Yuan smiled: "You think becoming a Gu Immortal can allow people to live according to their will? Live without wearing a mask? A place with people has society and conflict. Survival and living are two different things. The way you want to live does not have to depend on your strength and cultivation level, but your own heart."
After a brief pause, Fang Yuan continued: "Actually, low strength is also quite interesting. When you live without a mask, low strength will allow you to face more difficulties and challenges of reality; surpass these difficulties, face these challenges, and life becomes much more wonderful."
Frost Tide tribe's leader stood stupefied, his eyes and mouth were wide open as he was unable to say anything!
His sight moved across the crowd of people, landing on Fang Yuan, he saw a slight smile. A chill rose in his heart: This person has such strange and deviant thoughts that differ from common logic, he has an inclination towards self destruction. He has likely turned demonic!
It would not matter if he did not play by the rules, the more terrifying thing was he did not think according to the rules. His thought process was completely different from ordinary people, he was already too far away from the norm!
This was a demon!
"This is a true demon!" Frost Tide tribe's leader felt a chill. He felt this was Fang Yuan's true nature, even though Fang Yuan did not wantonly slaughter lives, even though Fang Yuan currently still committed acts of kindness like repaying favors!
Frost Tide tribe's leader felt a deep powerlessness at the same time.
If it were an inexperienced youngster, he could have disguised himself as a senior to guide him and let him know the complexities and some dark truths of society.
But Fang Yuan understood them well, he almost knew everything way too clearly. What made him even more helpless was that Fang Yuan's thoughts completely differed from others!
"He is too strong-minded and stubborn. He clearly only has rank three cultivation, how dare he? Unreasonable, unreasonable! A lunatic, a madman! He is too arrogant, he actually shows contempt for life and death!! Right... he does not even fear death, what would he not dare to do? All the wealth, beauties and status in the world might be useless when compared to his own true feelings! What else do I have to entice him?"
Frost Tide tribe's leader was going crazy.
The more he thought, the more he realized, the more he knew Fang Yuan had no fear and would not be enticed. There might be a day when he is enticed, but it would be because he himself wanted to be enticed and it would be his genuine intention.
It was not easy for people to live in this world!
That was the case for mermen as well.
Frost Tide tribe's leader had high authority and status, but it was even harder for him.
The elders of merman Sacred City were pressuring him from above, while many of his subordinates were scheming against each other or coveting his position. He had a lot of children who were looking for power and authority, and there were deep conflicts between his many wives. Everything required his supervision and arrangements.
Was it wrong for him to be corrupt?
No!
What was corruption?
Corruption was no more than obtaining more benefits and these benefits made other benefit holders feel unfair.
It was similar to dividing a cake, in normal cases, you take a piece and I take a piece. Now, I secretly took another piece which made you jealous. You complain: "You broke our distribution agreement, what gives you the rights to take so much?"
This was corruption.
Did you think the grand elder's side which supports the saintess was not corrupt?
There would be more or less some corruption. Even if the grand elder herself was not corrupt, what about her subordinates? Her children? It was just that they were not as heavily corrupt as Frost Tide tribe's leader.
Even if the grand elder's side was completely free from corruption, they were still higher-ups, people who enjoyed the cake and also people who exploited others.
From this aspect, everyone was an exploiter, what difference was there?
They were all the same!
So, Frost Tide tribe's leader had never felt his corruption was wrong, he only wanted to obtain more wealth, beauties, and authority.
As his corruption increased, he was gradually pushing beyond the distribution agreement. But he did not want to stop, the greed in him did not allow him to stop.
"No, it is not greed. It is my aspiration!" Many times, Frost Tide tribe's leader would shout this inwardly.
There was a joke which was not a joke —
The father asked his son: What is your aspiration when you grow up?
The son replied: I want wealth and beauties.
The father slapped his son!
The son replied again: I want career and love.
The father smiled and nodded his head lightly!
Therefore, while career and love were aspirations, wealth and beauties were also aspirations.
So, Frost Tide tribe's leader was confident in himself, was there anything wrong with him chasing wealth, beauties, authority, and fame?
Did you think it was crude?
These were all aspirations!
Which person's life was not filled with such aspirations?!
Frost Tide tribe's leader liked this aspiration from deep down because this aspiration spurred him on, and also enticed others to pay and sacrifice for their aspirations and help him, Frost Tide tribe's leader, to achieve his aspiration!
There was nothing wrong with his corruption, this was his aspiration!
Aspirations should be practical and required effort to reach.
When Frost Tide tribe's leader fell into corruption for the first time, he knew there would be a time when he would be opposed and blamed by others.
But so what?
These were natural and were difficulties and pains that he must experience in realizing his aspiration!
As long as he passed these difficulties and subdued this suffering, Frost Tide tribe's leader could realize his aspiration.
As long as he used a series of political techniques like secret manipulation, indirect approaches, threats and so on, he could realize his aspiration.
Frost Tide tribe's leader, who had an authoritative status for a long time, was confident in this aspect. He indeed had the capital to be confident, if not for Fang Yuan appearing out of nowhere, he would have already pushed down Xie Han Mo and promoted his own pawn to the saintess position.
Once he accomplishes this, he would have defeated the grand elder and successfully defended the fruits of success from his corruption.
He would then use the puppet saintess to issue several policies which would be for a good future of the mermen and also for Sacred City. He would be able to turn his corrupted history into legal events that would clear his reputation for good.
At that time, who could say he was corrupted?!
But right when Frost Tide tribe's leader was about to succeed, he failed, he completely failed.
Because he ran into Fang Yuan.
2This person had no 'aspirations'!
No, that was not exactly right. Frost Tide tribe's leader believed Fang Yuan liked wealth, beauties, power and fame too, but he liked to live by his own feelings even more! That was his aspiration.
What was the point of having such a grand aspiration?
With such an aspiration, wouldn't the majority of other people end up looking crude and ordinary?
He was really courting death!
Frost Tide tribe's leader gritted his teeth with hatred, this hatred was intensified because of an unknown fear in the depths of his heart.
Frost Tide tribe's leader wished he could flay Fang Yuan, he wished Fang Yuan would immediately die!
But he could not do so right now as this was the Sea God Ceremony.
The final song.
Xie Han Mo and Fang Yuan walked to the stage together.
Fang Yuan played the accompaniment while Xie Han Mo's song spread to the surroundings1.
...
The blue sea is laughing, the tidal waves are surging.
Drifting with the waves, only caring about today.
Heaven laughs, at this hectic mortal world.
1Who will win, who will lose, only heaven knows.
...
Human lives have ups and downs like the waves, sometimes high, sometimes low. Why do we have to be always concerned about victory or defeat?
The natural romanticism intoxicated the crowd.
...
The rivers and mountains laugh, the misty rain is far away.
How many great men and heroes, have the tides washed away?
Smiling at the breeze wind, lost in quiet solitude.
Heroic feelings remain, reflected in the cold night.
...
Bold and lofty, free and unrestrained, all kinds of 'aspirations' would be washed away by the waves. Even life itself will perish. But what is the big deal?
A noble man is not a slave to external matters, aloof from the world, forgetting gains and losses.
Destiny is fickle, so why uphold your disposition, throw away your mask and find your true self.
True self is unyielding, true self is lonely. Even if my life is the setting sun, I will live my own splendor.
The audience was entranced.
Frost Tide tribe's leader was pale, his body shivered as he understood his loss was certain!
...
The blue sea is laughing, the tidal waves are surging.
Drifting with the waves, only caring about today.
Heaven laughs, at this hectic mortal world.
Who will win, who will lose, only heaven knows.
The rivers and mountains laugh, the misty rain is far away.
How many great men and heroes, have the tides washed away?
Common people laugh, there is no more loneliness.
Yet the unyielding spirit in me is still laughing crazily.
...
I struggle to survive in the mortal world, I came to life and I joined the world. I lived my own life, I lived according to my own feelings, even if the waves toss me up and down, sending me to the border of death, I will never grieve, lament, fear, or worry; I will savor these flavor thoroughly, I will still laugh crazily until the end.
1I am true to my nature.
I am a true person1!
On the stage, Fang Yuan was wholeheartedly activating the Gu worm with his eyes closed, the sound of the zither spreading throughout the area.
Frost Tide tribe's leader looked at him blankly, involuntarily mumbling: "This, this demon..."
Xie Han Mo was also entranced as she sang. She looked at Fang Yuan, an extraordinary brightness shining in her eyes as she thought: "Such a free and unrestrained life, isn't this what I yearn for? Fang Yuan is able to create such a song, he has the disposition of an immortal!"
Back to the present.
Dragon Whale grotto-heaven, Merman Sacred City.
Sea God Ceremony.
Xia Lin went on stage for the third song.
The blue sea is laughing, the tidal waves are surging. Drifting with the waves, only caring about today.
Heaven laughs, at this hectic mortal world. Who will win, who will lose, only heaven knows...
The entire place was shocked, Su Yi turned pale. The outcome was already certain.
Xia Lin was already entranced in singing.
At this moment, Master Chu's image was elevated infinitely in her heart, there was a moon and slight breeze in the background along with faint fog.
The familiar melody rang once again in Fang Yuan's ears and intertwined with his memory.
He had once stood on the stage as an accompanist, closing his eyes and slightly smiling.
Now, he stood outside of the stage as a spectator, his eyes hiding dark light.
After living for several hundred years, the vast power of time had changed him, but it also seemed like nothing had changed.
He had always been Gu Yue Fang Yuan.