Into The Sea

Behind Qianyun Peak, nestled within a series of rolling mountains, lies an expansive lush forest that stretches for miles. Blessed with a warm climate and abundant spiritual energy, it was home to a variety of spirit beasts, most of them gentle and possess clear spiritual awareness. It was from this very forest that Qin Yu had captured Ji Lingyue’s white crane, Danbai, many years ago.

Ye Qingjun, known for her laid-back teaching style, received the Sect Leader’s approval to open the Spirit Beast Forest barrier and promptly herded all the disciples inside.

Being at the Foundation Establishment stage, Lan Wu didn’t dare to venture too deep into the forest. She instinctively glanced at Ji Lingyue, only to find her standing with Qing Zibai and two other female disciples, her expression unreadable. After a brief exchange with Qing Zibai, Ji Lingyue nodded and headed deeper into the forest with her companions, quickly disappearing from sight.

Yu Shanye asked Lan Wu if she wanted to join them, but Lan Wu knew that if she tagged along, Yu Shanye wouldn’t be able to reach the areas where the mid to high-level spirit beasts resided. So, she shook her head and headed southwest on her own.

The outer edges of the forest were mostly populated by ordinary animals with no spiritual awareness. Lan Wu wandered leisurely until she reached a clear spring. Seeing that no one was around, she sat down, intending to relax for a bit before returning to the dreadful task of copying scriptures.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from behind her. Lan Wu froze, her ears perked up as she cautiously turned to look.

Through the dappled shadows cast by the trees, she saw a squirrel emerge from the bushes, clutching a pinecone in its tiny paws. It tilted its head and looked at Lan Wu with big, bright brown eyes.

Lan Wu let out a sigh of relief and beckoned it over. The little squirrel obediently ran up to her and rubbed against her fingers.

“Good little thing.” Lan Wu stroked its head. Sensing that it possessed no spiritual awareness, she let it go. She turned back to wash her hands in the spring, but as she bent down, a dark shadow shot up from the depths of the water towards her.

Lan Wu’s eyes widened in surprise.

The shadow broke through the surface, a pair of pale, wet arms wrapping around her neck, dragging her down into the water.

Lan Wu choked as water rushed into her mouth. She quickly cast a water-repelling spell, but all she could see was her own hair, swirling around her like seaweed. She thrashed wildly, kicking and punching at her assailant.

She didn’t know where she hit, but a muffled groan sounded by her ear. Then, an exasperated but pleasant voice exclaimed, “Lan Wu! Have you lost your mind?!”

Hearing this familiar voice, Lan Wu froze, her eyes widening in shock. She pushed aside her hair and finally saw clearly who was before her.

Floating in front of her was a mermaid who looked strikingly similar to herself. Silky silver hair flowed smoothly in the water.

Lan Yuan’s features were beautiful, her ears delicately pointed, her blue eyes, slightly narrower than Lan Wu’s, tilted upwards at the corners, accentuated by a teardrop mole at the corner of her eye. She frowned and glared at Lan Wu, her red lips pressed tightly together. Beautiful silver scales covered her bare chest and extended gracefully along her waist, forming a long fish tail that swayed gently in the water.

Lan Wu stared at her blankly for a long moment. Seeing the faint scar on Lan Yuan’s right chest, her eyelashes trembled, and her eyes reddened. She wanted to hug her, but she hesitated. After a long pause, she choked out, “I’m sorry.”

“So, you do know how to apologize,” Lan Yuan said through gritted teeth. “You were pretty quick to protect that human, weren’t you?”

Lan Wu said nothing, floating listlessly in front of her, looking downcast.

Lan Yuan, feeling her chest tighten with anger, held back for a moment before asking coldly, “I’ll deal with all of this later. First, tell me honestly, what exactly happened to you?”

Lan Wu snuck a few anxious glances at her. After a moment of hesitation, she cautiously recounted the events that had led her here. As expected, Lan Yuan’s expression grew more and more twisted as she listened. Finally, unable to contain herself, she grabbed Lan Wu’s ear. “Are you an idiot? How could you recklessly take such a medicine?! And if that wasn’t enough, you had the nerve to follow humans here to become their disciple! Do you have a death wish?!”

Lan Wu didn’t dare to speak, enduring the scolding with a pitiful, teary-eyed expression. Seeing her like this, Lan Yuan’s anger deflated, replaced by a wave of exasperation. “How did I end up with a sister like you?”

Lan Wu hung her head, wishing she could disappear into the water.

“Enough,” Lan Yuan said, letting go of her ear and speaking sternly, “I’m injured right now, too tired to argue. Once I’ve recovered, you’re coming back with me.”

“But…”

“What? You’re still unwilling?”

Lan Wu pressed her lips together and said softly, “I don’t want to.”

The anger that Lan Yuan had just managed to suppress flared up again. “Is the human realm so wonderful that you’re unwilling to return home?”

“But what would I do if I went back?” Lan Wu countered. “You and Eldest Brother are always busy with Father, helping him with official matters. I’m always left alone in the palace. Even when I try to help, I’m always turned away. They all say… the little princess shouldn’t worry about anything and just enjoy herself.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Is it?” Lan Wu’s voice was barely a whisper. “It’s like I’m just a pretty shell, waiting to be married off to another sea clan when the time comes. I can see my entire life laid out already.”

“That’s not true. You’re the youngest, that’s all. Father… they just dote on you a little more. They don’t want you to shoulder such heavy responsibilities…”

As she spoke, she suddenly remembered the reason for coming out to find Lan Wu, and her body stiffened.

Wait, if it really was because of that…

Lan Wu didn’t notice her distraction and continued. “But I don’t want that kind of love. The sea doesn’t need me. Out here, I can learn skills without bothering anyone. Why must you insist on taking me back?”

Lan Yuan came back to herself, though turmoil still churned in the depths of her heart. That thought was too terrible to contemplate further, so she only said. “But how long can you hide, Lan Wu? Even now, there are humans who hunt mermaids for immortality. If you could always be safe, I wouldn’t interfere. But if something bad happens, can you bear the consequences?”

“I can,” Lan Wu replied firmly.

Lan Yuan was taken aback by her sister’s resolute answer and couldn’t help but frown as she scrutinized Lan Wu.

Lan Wu’s eyes were gentle, her expression calm—none of the stubbornness or defiance Lan Yuan had expected.

She was serious.

After a long silence, Lan Yuan sighed and conceded. “Fine. Since you insist, I won’t force you anymore.”

“Really?”

Lan Yuan nodded. “But Lan Wu, you can stay in the human realm, but not here. I don’t want to push things too far, but if you persist, I won’t hesitate to cause a scene and expose your identity in front of them.”

“But…”

“There’s no room for negotiation.” Lan Yuan’s voice was firm. “I’m injured now, so you have some time to think about it. But if you haven’t made up your mind by the time I recover, I’ll make the decision for you.”

Half an hour later, Lan Wu climbed out of the water, dressed in her usual white robes. In her palm, she held a shimmering sphere of water. Inside, a small, silver fish swam lazily, flicking its tail.

In this form, Lan Yuan’s demonic aura was practically nonexistent, her powers suppressed. She could easily pass for an ordinary silver carp.

They hadn’t reached an agreement about leaving, but Lan Yuan reluctantly agreed to let Lan Wu take her back to heal. Seizing the opportunity while everyone was busy capturing beasts and forming contracts, Lan Wu planned to sneak back to Qianyun Peak early. Unexpectedly, after walking for half an hour, they were still wandering in the forest.

Lan Wu stopped and looked around in confusion. “I think… we’re lost.”

“Seriously?” Lan Yuan sighed. “Let me see.”

She swished her tail, turned around in the water ball, and looked at the almost identical trees around them. After a moment, she nodded her head in a direction. “That way.”

“Alright,” Lan Wu said, trusting her judgment.

She strode confidently in the direction Lan Yuan had indicated, but all she saw was more of the endless forest. Another hour passed, and Lan Wu’s pace slowed. Finally, she stopped and asked, “Are you sure you know where we’re going?”

“Of course, I do.” Lan Yuan looked up at the sun. “It’s afternoon now, isn’t it? So that must be north.”

Lan Wu paused, “It’s not even noon yet.”

Realizing their mistake, the two embarrassed fish turned around and hurried toward the Spirit Beast Forest exit. By the time they emerged from the forest, it was too late to sneak back to Qianyun Peak. The clearing was already bustling with returning disciples, crowding around Ye Qingjun, eager to show off their newly formed bonds.

The gentle and elegant Ye Qingjun stood smiling among the crowd. Noticing Lan Wu, she said, “Ah, you’re back, my disciple?”

Lan Wu froze, forcing a smile. “Master…” she mumbled.

Ye Qingjun nodded and walked toward her. “And this is…? Your contracted beast?”

“Huh?” Lan Wu blinked, looking between Ye Qingjun and the small fish in her palm. For some reason, her mind went blank. “Y-yes,” she stammered.

Lan Yuan: “?”

Ye Qingjun frowned at the small fish in her palm. The pretty silver fish looked back at her, and after a moment, it blew a bubble at her, flicked its tail, and turned its back to her.

Feeling uneasy, Lan Wu asked, “Master, does this… count?”

Ye Qingjun pondered for a moment. “I asked you to bring back a low-level spirit beast after forming a contract. But does a fish count as a spirit beast?”

“Doesn’t it?” Lan Wu mumbled. “She’s quite powerful.”

“Oh? In what way? Blowing bubbles? Or perhaps serving as your mount? Seems to me you’ll need to keep water around for it every day.”

Her words were met with chuckles from the surrounding disciples. Even Yu Shanye couldn’t help but tease, “A fish? Out of all the spirit beasts you could have chosen, you bring back a fish? You’re something else, Lan Wu.”

Ye Qingjun sighed, shaking her head. “Ji Lingyue.”

Lan Wu’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up to see Ji Lingyue, who had been standing silently at the edge of the crowd, meet her gaze briefly before quickly looking away. “Disciple is here,” Ji Lingyue responded.

“Show everyone your contracted beast.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ji Lingyue stepped forward. With a series of hand seals, her fingertips glowed with spiritual energy, and a complex, golden formation gradually materialized on the ground. Once the formation stabilized, she furrowed her brow and commanded, “Come forth.”

In an instant, a fluffy white tiger materialized in the center of the formation. The crowd gasped and stepped back in unison.

The white tiger lay on the ground, lazily swishing its tail, then rose and sat at Ji Lingyue’s feet, surveying the humans around it with its large yellow eyes.

“Impressive,” Ye Qingjun praised. “Forming a contract with a high-level spirit beast on your first attempt is commendable and worth learning from. Let’s do this—Lan Wu.”

Startled at being addressed, Lan Wu responded a beat late, “Yes?”

“For the next few days, you’ll study with Lingyue on how to properly form a contract. By next Fireday, I expect you to have formed a contract with at least a low-level spirit beast. Otherwise,” Ye Qingjun’s voice turned stern, “you will copy the Beast Chronicles five hundred times. Understood?”

Lan Wu glanced at Ji Lingyue, who remained cold and distant. Feeling hesitant, she mumbled. “I can manage on my own…”

“If you could manage, you wouldn’t have brought back a fish, would you?” Ye Qingjun interrupted. Turning to Ji Lingyue, she said, “You’re talented and a good friend of Lan Wu. I trust you can help her with this, yes?”

Ji Lingyue, who had been staring at the ground, remained silent for a moment. Finally, she replied in a low voice, “Yes, Master.”