In the profound deep blue, a magnificent underwater palace quietly stood, as if a relic of a lost civilization. The palace before them seemed constructed from million-year-old coral and shells—every detail revealed the exquisite craftsmanship of ages past, yet had become hard as stone through the baptism of time. Every inch covered with intricate patterns seemed to narrate stories of ten thousand years.
The colors of the coral reefs ranged from soft pink to deep purple, interweaving to form a natural painting; the seaweed covering them swayed gently in the water currents, like an oceanic forest. Occasionally, schools of brilliantly colored tropical fish darted through, adding a touch of vitality to this tranquil space.
And this was the Mermaid Palace.
It belonged to the magnificent wonders of the great sea, and was also the Sea Princess's dwelling. Even situated in the deep sea, the surrounding sea region appeared exceptionally vibrant due to its rich ecology and pure water quality. Numerous structures stood around it, serving as residences for other mermaids.
Stepping into the outer hall, they arrived at the inner palace.
Its dreamlike transparent quality seemed to be meticulously polished and stacked from thousands of pearls and shells. Whenever sunlight penetrated the seawater and shone upon it, the entire palace would refract seven-colored radiant light, like rainbows dancing and leaping in the water. The palace dome was cleverly connected by enormous spiral conch shells, open at the top, seemingly connected to the sea surface through some unknown means. When the full moon night arrived, silver brilliance would pour down like the Milky Way falling into the mortal world—a spectacular sight.
The main passage into the palace was an arched bridge surrounded by colorful coral, with various marine vegetation growing on both sides, small fish darting through, and coral flowers occasionally spraying gorgeous water droplets as a natural welcome gift for visitors. Enormous seahorse statues guarded the passage, wisdom flashing in their eyes.
This deep sea forbidden land that ordinary people could hardly step into had, in just a few short days, once again welcomed humans.
"Please."
Under the Sea Princess's personal guidance, Chen Junting's group of three rode in a transparent bubble, arriving before this passage.
Just moments ago, when the Sea Princess recognized Snow Empress, her attitude toward the three underwent a complete 360-degree transformation.
However, this wasn't because the Sea Princess was giving the Snow Empress face, but because she had learned about spirit souls from Huo Yuhao's mouth. This also meant that Chen Junting's group's speculation was half confirmed.
Perhaps Huo Yuhao wanted to persuade one of the mermaid clan to become his spirit soul, so he displayed his own spirit souls—naturally including Ice Empress's existence. And somehow, he learned from the mermaid clan that the Sea Princess and Snow Empress were old acquaintances, thus using Snow Empress to play the emotional card. This also meant that the news of Snow Empress being a spirit soul was learned by the Sea Princess.
Precisely because of this, the Sea Princess laid down her weapons.
Confirmed as friendly forces!
"This underwater palace can truly be called a marvel of divine craftsmanship."
"Magnificent and beautiful, incomparably gorgeous."
"..."
Inside the bubble, the three's praise was unstinting.
Regarding this, smiles appeared on many mermaids' faces. After all, no creature would refuse such words of praise.
Also at the moment they rode the bubble into the passage, the bubble suddenly sank from mid-air, and the moment Chen Junting's group of three touched the palace's passage, it quietly burst.
What astonished them was that there was actually no seawater in this passage. It was as if the interior of this palace, through the inner hall's gate, was isolated from the outside great sea.
At the same moment, the Sea Princess's swimming fish tail also separated from the seawater. The moment she stepped on the passage, her fish tail transformed into legs, and a magnificent and luxurious golden long skirt covered them.
Instantly, this attracted the three's attention.
"Curious? This is the mermaid clan's ability."
The Sea Princess spoke with a charming smile, possessing both the nobility of a clan leader and approachability.
"When we leave the seawater, we transform into human appearance, but only for a short time, or we will die. And generally, the palace interior is filled with seawater. It's just because of the arrival of human guests that we expelled the seawater from the palace interior, letting air fill it."
Hearing this, Ning Tian couldn't help but ask curiously, "This is also the mermaid clan's ability?"
"Of course not."
The Sea Princess shook her head, her words appearing reverent.
"This is Lord Sea God's power."
"Sea God Tang San, uh... Lord?"
Chen Junting heard this, withdrew his examining gaze, then asked curiously. Only he couldn't help but pause in the middle of speaking.
"Of course not, it's the first generation Sea God Lord Bo Saidong."
The Sea Princess shook her head, not concealing anything. After all, this matter wasn't some clan secret, completely unnecessary to hide.
However, Chen Junting secretly raised his brows slightly.
Although the Sea Princess didn't directly express her emotions on her face, he could see that compared to Bo Saidong, this Sea Princess, while extremely respectful toward Tang San, was far from being as respectful as toward the former.
It was as if...
What she respected wasn't Tang San, but the Sea God position.
In other words, for a mermaid who had lived several hundred thousand years, she had experienced the changes of the great sea's history, and absolutely had experiences of acquaintance with Bo Saidong. Such a being's respect for Tang San was only because he was Bo Saidong's inheritor.
Thinking to this point, Chen Junting suddenly noticed something. Accompanied by a shock in his thoughts, he discovered the Sea Princess was looking at him.
Seeing she was discovered, the Sea Princess only smiled in response. Then she led the group to continue walking inside along the passage.
This made Chen Junting puzzled.
His feeling just now was as if he was about to be seen through.
Did the Sea Princess have mind-reading abilities?
But regardless, when sensing the Rakshasa mark hidden at his brow, Chen Junting restrained his mind. He was clear that he absolutely hadn't been successfully read, or it would definitely have been detected.
Entering the palace interior, the light gradually brightened.
On the hall ceiling hung countless pearl chandeliers, including ten-thousand-year ones. They swayed and shone under the water's fluctuations, emitting soft light illuminating the entire space.
The ground was covered with fine soft white sand—every step could be felt for its delicacy. The walls were inlaid with various precious gems, shining with enchanting light under the illumination.
Not to mention the night pearls embedded in the walls, they illuminated the entire space simultaneously, creating a mysterious yet tranquil atmosphere.
The center of the palace was an enormous and crystal-clear pool, inhabited by various marine creatures living in harmony, enjoying freedom and peace in this artificial small ecological environment. The pool water was incomparably clear—one could even see the colorful pebbles and variously shaped coral at the pool bottom.
As for the tables, chairs, and arrayed delicacies placed on both sides of the palace, without exception they indicated that a grand banquet had just taken place.
However, what attracted Chen Junting's group of three the most wasn't these...
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