My Name is Haiyuan, Guardian of the Sea

As the night deepened, the palace at the bottom of the sea was immersed in tranquility.

Xiao Chong and Zi Yan lay on a soft bed of seaweed, reflecting on the series of incredible experiences they had encountered. Their hearts were filled with anticipation and excitement for the adventure that awaited them the next day.

The following morning, the sunlight pierced through the deep waters, illuminating the underwater world with a crystalline clarity. It was as if the entire kingdom had been coated in a dreamlike shade of blue.

The seaweed swayed gracefully, and the coral stood tall, with colorful fish darting between them, adding a sense of vitality and mystery to the impending adventure.

In an open area at the bottom of the sea stood an ancient and solemn altar, constructed from massive stones of an unknown era. Its surface was carved with intricate oceanic totems, each stroke seemingly imbued with ancient power and wisdom.

Surrounding the altar, the mermaids formed a circle, their melodious voices intertwining with the gentle murmur of the waves, creating a sacred and solemn atmosphere.

Elder Elsa, dressed in a robe adorned with silver wave patterns, stood at the center of the altar, holding an ancient parchment scroll in her hands. It was the mermaid clan's codex, passed down through generations, its cover embedded with various pearls and shells that emitted a soft glow.

As Elsa slowly recited the ancient and complex incantations, the runes on the altar began to glow, rotating around her and releasing warm yet powerful energy waves.

"Eye of the Abyss, Sea of Stars, guide us on the path to truth..." Her voice, though soft, resonated through the water, as if it had touched upon some ancient resonance.

Suddenly, a beam of light shot out from the codex, pointing into the distance and forming a radiant trail in the water. The gazes of all the mermaids followed it, their eyes filled with awe and hope.

Elsa opened her eyes, her expression solemn.

"We have found it. The source of that power lies in the Shadow Abyss of the Northern Domain, a place even we dare not venture into lightly," she said, turning to Xiao Chong and Zi Yan with trust and expectation in her eyes. "It is a forgotten realm, said to hold ancient secrets and endless dangers. But for the sake of our home, we must explore it and unveil the veil of that power."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chong furrowed his brow slightly before straightening his chest. "No matter how perilous the path ahead, we will find a solution. Zi Yan, let's prepare to depart."

Zi Yan nodded slightly, her eyes filled with unwavering determination. "I am ready."

Just as the two were about to leave, a young mermaid swam up and respectfully presented them with two sets of shimmering armor, glowing with the brilliance of water elements. It was clear that these were no ordinary items.

"These are the most precious pieces of equipment in our clan. May they protect you on your journey."

Xiao Chong and Zi Yan exchanged a smile, taking the heavy armor and putting it on. Instantly, they felt a warm surge of power flowing through their bodies, as if they had established a special connection with the ocean.

"We will return with hope, for the future of everyone," Xiao Chong promised.

"Then set off now" Elsa voice rang out behind them, filled with blessings and strength.

As the figures of the two gradually faded into the vast expanse of blue, the songs of the sea folk grew even more resounding, as if singing a magnificent ode to the journey of the two brave souls.

The Land of Shadows, a corner forgotten even by the sunlight, was enveloped in thick darkness that seemed capable of devouring all light. The air was filled with a nauseating musty dampness, accompanied by eerie murmurs from afar, making the entire environment even more oppressive and terrifying.

Xiao Chong tightly held Zi Yan hand, their breathing unusually clear in the dead silence. Their eyes sparkled with determination as they fearlessly stepped into this unknown territory.

"This is the core of the Land of Shadows," Xiao Chong whispered into Zi Yan ear, the map in his hand emitting a faint glow, guiding their path. The map, marked with ancient sea folk script, indicated the location of the energy seal they were seeking.

Zi Yan frowned slightly. Her senses were several times sharper than an average person's, and in this oppressive environment, she could feel the lurking dangers around them.

"Be careful, something is approaching," she warned softly, her fingers flicking lightly to release a string of purple light points that encircled them, forming a protective barrier.

Suddenly, a cold wind swept through, and the surrounding shadows seemed to come alive, twisting and morphing. Shadow beasts with sharp claws and teeth emerged from the void, their eyes glowing with greedy red light, locking onto the two intruders.

"Come on, since we're here, there's nothing to fear!" Xiao Chong shouted, his inner power surging forth. The armor in his hand seemed to respond to his will, its surface rippling like water, transforming into an indestructible water shield that stood in front of them.

The battle was imminent. Zi Yan was not to be outdone. As her fingers danced, the purple light points came to life, turning into sharp rays of light that precisely pierced the weak points of the shadow beasts. Each hit was accompanied by a shrill howl, and the creatures of the darkness fell one by one.

"The seal should be nearby," Zi Yan panted during a lull in the fierce battle, her eyes scanning the surroundings, trying to catch the deliberately hidden energy fluctuations.

"Look there!" Xiao Chong pointed to an inconspicuous rock wall where the texture of the stone seemed different, revealing a hint of unusual light.

The two quickly moved forward and together pushed aside a large boulder. A faint but pure energy light shone through, marking the location of the seal they had been searching for.

Suddenly, a low and hoarse voice echoed through the space, as if it had endured endless ages.

"The seal... finally... is broken..."

As the voice faded, a disheveled man appeared before Xiao Chong and Zi Yan.

His eyes flickered with complex emotions, a mix of relief and confusion.

Zi Yan and Xiao Chong exchanged a surprised glance, caught off guard by this sudden turn of events.

The man before them had the robust upper body of a human and the elegant tail fin of a mermaid, creating a strange yet harmonious image.

"Who are you?" Xiao Chong asked warily, while secretly gathering the surrounding spiritual energy, just in case.

The man gave a faint, bitter smile.

"My name is Hai Yuan, and I was once the guardian of this sea. Hundreds of years ago, to seal away a great calamity, I willingly sacrificed myself, sealing both me and that evil here. Time has passed, and I've forgotten what the world looks like."

"A great calamity? What kind of calamity?" Zi Yan asked with curiosity, her eyes sparkling with the light of exploring the unknown.

Hai Yuan shook his head. "It's a painful memory. Now that the seal is broken, it means that evil may be stirring once more. You two don't seem ordinary. Would you be willing to lend me a hand and help prevent this disaster?"