Qiao Xixi closed her eyes, her fingers clenching unconsciously.

Xijing’s lustrous skin instantly flushed crimson. He frantically pulled Qiao Xixi’s hand away.

’Could it really be her?’

Qiao Xixi was woken by the sound of splashing water. She habitually reached out, her hand patting around beside her. After finding a fluffy little cub, she gave Xiya’s small hand a gentle squeeze.

’Good, both cubs are sleeping soundly.’

She stretched, then got up and looked toward the pool behind her. The seawater churned, and a moment later, a flash of blue broke through the surface.

His eyes were covered with a strip of white Jue Sha, lending him an air of mystery. Specks of golden light dappled his pearlescent skin, which looked as silky and tempting as fresh cream.

Qiao Xixi had expected him to swim over to the reef and sit down as before. Instead, his body slowly rose from the water, his massive, pale blue fishtail gradually transforming into a pair of long, straight legs.

The instant his legs appeared, a length of blue Jue Sha Clothes materialized to cover his body, obstructing Qiao Xixi’s line of sight for any... deeper exploration.

"Xixi, are you watching me?"

His voice was a low thrum, like a cello, plucking at one’s heartstrings.

Caught staring, Qiao Xixi shamelessly changed the subject. "Your Beast Soul Star Rank... has it fully recovered?"

Xijing walked over to Qiao Xixi and pulled down the Jue Sha from his shoulder, revealing the lustrous skin beneath.

"Yes. See for yourself."

Qiao Xixi glanced at the nine stars on his shoulder, but her gaze involuntarily drifted to his collarbone.

’Hsss... Qiao Xixi, get a grip!’

"I’ve already made breakfast. You should get up and eat."

’He’s quite diligent, starting to work right after recovering.’

"Okay."

Hearing the commotion, Xiya also sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"Father!"

Seeing Xijing standing before her, Xiya cried out happily. Her shout startled the soundly sleeping tiger cub, whose little paws kicked out as it rolled over and snuggled closer to Qiao Xixi.

Qiao Xixi chuckled and patted the cub, letting it sleep a while longer.

Xijing brought Qiao Xixi a roasted fish. But perhaps because he couldn’t see, he hadn’t controlled the heat well, and the fish was burnt to a crisp.

"I... I’ve never cooked food like this before. But I thought yours was so delicious that I got some embers and wanted to try."

Xiya looked at the blackened fish, not having the heart to disappoint her father.

She picked up the fish, peeled off the charred bits, and placed the tender meat inside into Qiao Xixi’s bowl.

"Auntie, this is Father’s new recipe! It’s delicious, too."

Qiao Xixi took a bite of the fish. Surprisingly, it was incredibly fresh, tender, and juicy, even without any seasoning.

Hearing Qiao Xixi eating, the corners of Xijing’s lips turned up in an unconscious smile.

After they had eaten their fill, Xijing spoke up. "Xixi, you can tell me now what you need me to do for you."

This was the condition Qiao Xixi had set in exchange for the Jue Pearl.

Qiao Xixi said, "I want to make Tiger Beast City lose that salt field. Do you have a way?"

Xijing’s pale blue eyebrows knitted together slightly. "It’s very dangerous..."

"It’s the only reason I’m here."

Xijing froze. ’The only reason...’ So her appearance wasn’t for him and his daughter.

"That salt field was once the territory of the merfolk. But the beastmen of Tiger Beast City used all sorts of schemes to seize it, gravely injuring my people in the process. Now, the merfolk are scattered across the seas. To take back the salt field, we would need to summon them."

Qiao Xixi had already suspected the salt field was connected to Xijing, but she hadn’t expected it was once their territory.

"Alright. What can I do to help?"

"You don’t have to do anything. It was our home to begin with. Taking it back is only right."

The words had barely left Xijing’s lips when they heard coarse voices from outside the cave.

"The scent of merfolk is strong in this reef cave. They might be inside."

The corners of Xijing’s mouth turned down. Xiya’s face paled, and she subconsciously grabbed her father’s hand.

"Father, they’ve found us."

Qiao Xixi stood up, holding the tiger cub. "Is it people from Tiger Beast City?"

Xijing nodded. "When they seriously wounded me before, I used it as a chance to escape. But they’ve never stopped hunting us. We have to leave."

"Right."

As they turned, Qiao Xixi quickly stored all their things away.

Xiya was just a cub, and with her mind on high alert, she didn’t notice such a detail.

The moment Qiao Xixi entered the water, Xijing’s arm wrapped around her waist. The water around her body instantly receded.

"It’s safer if I carry you."

"Then I’ll have to trouble you."

Just as the two Black Bear Beastmen walked in, Qiao Xixi’s group had already sunk beneath the waves.

One of the Black Bear Beastmen sniffed the air inside the reef cave.

"I can smell them. They were definitely hiding here before."

The two beastmen stared grimly at the pool. "We’re a step too late. They’ve likely fled into the sea. Go back and tell the leader they got away."

The taller of the two Black Bear males asked, confused, "Why does the leader still want to hunt down those merfolk? Is he really afraid they’ll come back for revenge? With their pathetic bit of strength?"

"Hmph. You underestimate them. The merfolk are extremely territorial, and they use Illusion Techniques. Have you forgotten how your own brother died at their hands? The leader says that salt field is vital to Tiger Beast City. If the merfolk take it back, we’re all dead."

’That’s why they had to be exterminated. Not a single one could be left alive!’

Unlike being led by Xiya, Xijing’s speed was more than double. To keep her balance, Qiao Xixi had no choice but to lean against him.

Feeling her press closer, Xijing instinctively sped up again.

Xiya swished her tail with all her might. She realized her father was getting faster and faster—she was about to be left behind!

"If you can’t hold on, get on my back. I’ll carry you."

"Okay." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Qiao Xixi figured Xijing must be in a hurry, so she didn’t feel right asking him to slow down. Instead, she took his hand and moved onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind. Her body was now pressed almost completely against his.

Feeling her soft form pressed against him, Xijing’s speed involuntarily dropped.

Xiya, who had been frantically trying to keep up, wasn’t paying attention and shot right past them!

’Aaaah, what is wrong with Father?!’

This time, Xijing took Qiao Xixi deep into an undersea canyon. As a Land Beast, Qiao Xixi had an instinctive fear of the deep sea. The pitch-black darkness surrounding them made her hug Xijing tighter without thinking.

"Don’t be afraid. Most sea beasts don’t dare to come near here."

A glow emanated from Xijing’s fingers, illuminating the path ahead. The warm, gentle light helped to dispel some of the fear in Qiao Xixi’s heart.

"Where are we going now?"

"To a domain where I can summon more of our people."

Using the light, Qiao Xixi curiously peered into the darkness. Suddenly, she felt a powerful, oppressive presence bearing down on them.

Her arms tightened around Xijing, her chest pressing flat against his back. Her voice was laced with anxiety.

"Xijing, is something coming?"