Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Liao Ning furrowed her brow. Seizing a moment when no one was looking, she discretely placed her pricked finger into her mouth, staunching the bleeding with her saliva. She couldnât be certain whether her blood had triggered the peculiar scent in the air.
The door of the airship swung open, and Zhou Ling headed out to negotiate with Mika.
âHello there, what was that scent earlier? Did it have something to do with medicine?â Mikaâs eyes sparkled with curiosity.
He had been patrolling the island when he suddenly caught a faint whiff of medicinal fragrance in the air. And it wasnât just him; many people around him had also detected it.
Uncertain why they were heading toward the airship, Mika watched as the medicinal aroma dissipated. He wondered if these refugees might have some medicine in their possession.
Rather than immediately revealing the antidote, Zhou Ling hesitated. âWeâre merchants from the Planet Empire. In the past, weâve traded for elven antidotes with other merchants, but weâre not sure which one you require. So, weâre unsure if we can exchange it for fuel.â
âAbsolutely!â Mikaâs excitement was palpable. âElven potions are exceedingly rare. We must attempt it if thereâs an antidote available. If the antidote you provide works, the Sea Demons will reward you generously.â
Mika was convinced that these high-ranking merchants must possess valuable medicine. If they could truly cure the elder, it would restore hope for the Sea Demons.
âButâ¦â Zhou Ling seemed skeptical. âMy airship requires a substantial amount of fuel. Can you guarantee that Iâll receive enough fuel in exchange for the antidote?â
Seeing the doubt in Zhou Lingâs eyes, Mika grew anxious. Fuel was an extremely precious commodity on Deep Sea Planet, often traded with numerous merchants. Not only was the airship before him sizable, but it also appeared to be carrying weapons, suggesting it would require an extensive supply. If the antidote proved ineffective, would the Sea Demons waste a significant amount of fuel?
After a moment of contemplation, Mika proposed, âOn behalf of the Sea
Demons, I can extend an invitation to you and your family to visit our Sea Demon tribe. Once the antidoteâs effectiveness is confirmed, we will uphold our promise. Even if it doesnât work, I pledge to provide you with a portion of fuel to ensure you can fly to the next planet to replenish your supplies.â
Zhou Ling accepted Mikaâs proposal and returned to the airship to brief the others.
âEveryone, not everyone should accompany us. Miss Liao, Liao Nai, and Davies, please remain on board,â advised Zhou Ye. âDeep Sea Planet has always been shrouded in mystery and potential dangers. We must leave someone on the airship, especially given the influx of refugees. We canât afford to have someone hijack the airship and disrupt our plans.â
While the others had no objections to Zhou Yeâs reasoning, Liao Ning disagreed vehemently.
âIâm the one who prepared the medicine. I understand its properties, so I must go,â she insisted. âBig Brother, you stay behind and take care of Liao Nai. Davies can provide us with scale powder to maintain our current state.â
Liao Ning had thought her decision through carefully. She needed to witness the Sea Demonsâ situation firsthand, hoping to find a way to undergo transformation.
After some deliberation, Zhou Ling lent strong support to Liao Ningâs suggestion, and the two of them left the airship.
Outside the airship, the Sea Demons were already prepared. They swiftly guided Zhou Ling and Liao Ning to the Sea Demon tribe atop a colossal manatee tamed by the Sea Demons.
The majority of the tribe members had either white or gray hair, with only a fraction of them possessing blue eyes. Moreover, many Sea Demons hadnât fully transitioned into human forms and still retained webbed hands and feet.
Mika guided them to a distinctive castle. The structure was constructed primarily from seashells, yet it emitted no oceanic odor. The walls were softly illuminated by the luminescence of shellfish, exuding an understated sense of luxury.
Eventually, they arrived in a spacious room, unmistakably a bedroom, with numerous young Sea Demons bustling about.
As Mika entered, all the young Sea Demons bowed respectfully to him. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
A small Sea Demon approached with red eyes and spoke, âThe elder remains unconscious. Today, he coughed up more black blood.â
Gently unfolding a handkerchief in her hand, she revealed it stained with thick black blood, emanating a fishy odor.
He then elucidated to Zhou Ye and Liao Ning, âThe individual afflicted is an elder of the Sea Demons and serves as the purifier of Deep Sea Planet. Should she perish, it will have dire consequences for both the Sea Demons and the other races inhabiting Deep Sea Planet..â