Xueqing Ting ignored Bright Crystal’s frantic flailing. It looked at the danqi pearl in its claw with confusion, then heard Mingxi’s explanation.

“This is a danqi pearl. Holding it allows you to breathe freely underwater.”

Although Emerald Green had produced many breathing potions and the Time Realm stored a large number of oxygen tanks, breathing potions had a limited duration, and oxygen tanks hindered movement. Ultimately, neither was as good as a danqi pearl.

It could at least provide Xueqing Ting with some sense of security.

Feeling the silent, spring-like gentleness from its Beast Tamers and companions, Xueqing Ting indeed felt at ease.

“Hard.”

It thanked the arrogant Bright Crystal and placed the danqi pearl into its cheek pouch... During the initial stretch of the sea, the lightning and thunder in the sky could still penetrate, staining the seawater a magnificent blue-purple.

Countless schools of colorful fish, like flowing brocade, curiously circled this peculiar team.

But as the depth increased, the light was rapidly swallowed, and the surroundings plunged into an eternal, deep blue, then almost ink-black.

Emerald Green had placed a small flowerpot inside several Rainbow Bubbles early on.

This allowed it to catalyze the growth of lantern flowers for illumination.

The gentle, serene glow of the lantern flowers dispelled the claustrophobic darkness brought by the deep sea.

Of course, the ocean itself also glowed.

Jellyfish of various forms often passed by, their hair-like tentacles unfurling like swaying ghost lanterns;

Grotesque fish were dotted with specks of bioluminescence, like moving star rivers;

Huge coral reefs emitted a soft phosphorescence, forming a silent yet vibrant forest on the seabed.

Strange, gigantic algae danced in the slow currents like colossal pythons draped in luminous veils.

There were also all sorts of marine Transcendent creatures, many of which glowed.

The serene and mysterious ocean world was always filled with fantastical colors that captivated the eye.

However, beneath this beauty, a clear anomaly lurked.

Although separated by the Rainbow Bubbles, due to her physique and mental strength, Mingxi keenly sensed that the surrounding seawater was not uniformly cold.

Occasionally, a bone-chilling cold current would sweep past, and at other times, a scorching hot, spring-like water body would be encountered.

The alternating hot and cold had no pattern, as if the seabed was riddled with out-of-control energy valves.

Even more striking were the wild Transcendent creatures.

They were far larger and more ferocious than their shallow-sea counterparts, with many individuals exhibiting unnatural mutations—extra eyeballs, overly developed fangs, or energy crystals congealed on their carapaces.

Their eyes were mostly filled with primal madness and aggression.

If not for Saliya and the Ghost Sea Mermen radiating a powerful tribal aura to deter them, and guiding the team to cleverly avoid certain specific areas, they would likely have pounced and launched relentless attacks long ago.

Wild Transcendent creatures, especially marine wild Transcendent creatures, are typically wild and aggressive.

But their condition was clearly... a loss of the Transcendent creature’s reason and spirituality.

That is, they possessed the shell of a Transcendent creature but lacked the soul of a Transcendent creature.

They were more like ordinary marine creatures.

Of course, not all Transcendent creatures were like this, but the proportion was not small.

“Landwalker.”

Saliya, accompanied by Black Pearl, swam not far from Mingxi, secretly observing the human girl.

Wise and observant, she quickly noticed the girl’s confusion.

So she once again ‘transmitted her voice in secret’: “Have you noticed the anomaly of this ocean?”

Without waiting for Mingxi’s reply, she continued to speak to herself: “This sea of ours is called ‘Abyss Silence Sea’.”

Mingxi was stunned.

Guangguang, who was listening in, was also stunned.

Only the old Ghost Sea Merman leisurely dropped a bombshell: “This sea is one of the world’s wounds.”

What the heck?

Mingxi was shocked, bewildered, and flustered.

World’s wound?!

What does that mean? The universe can also be riddled with holes?

“Master, just as you humans can get injured, the world, or rather, the multi-dimensional universe, can also get injured.

And some ‘wounds’ can heal naturally, while others cannot, at least not in a short time.

This is how the concept of a world’s wound came about.”

Guangguang’s voice dispelled the fog covering Mingxi’s eyes and opened the door to a new world for her.

Whenever she felt she was an omniscient and omnipotent god,

this world would viciously slap her across the face and ask her: “Are you awake yet? Do you know your place yet?”

It really hurt her face.

“No wonder this sea area is so strange, it turns out to be a world’s wound!”

“That’s right!”

“I actually didn’t think of it, a miscalculation.”

“But I can’t be blamed for this, who would have thought it was a world’s wound, it’s too rare.”

Guangguang was still muttering to itself.

At this moment, Saliya was also explaining in unison: “...Deep in this sea area, a monster named ‘Abyss Silence Will’ slumbers. You can understand it as a parasite or bacteria attached to the world’s wound, growing by absorbing the world’s energy as nourishment.

Its unconscious energy dissipation distorts the environment of this sea area, giving rise to these Transcendent creatures that have lost their reason and ability to think, and also attracting the endless thunderstorms in the sky that attempt to purify them.”

This is outrageous.

The world has a wound, and bacteria even grew on the wound.

The bacteria absorbed world energy and thrived, thereby affecting the world’s environment.

Are these things normal?

Guangguang, however, spoke in a tone that suggested this was very normal and understandable, “It’s an invasive world worm from an external wound.”

“Then this place is a bit dangerous.”

It then changed its tone, adopting the attitude of a Taobao sales customer service promoting goods.

A cheap, approachable, greasy texture.

“However, if you, Master, can find a way to resolve this world worm, it might allow this world’s wound to heal naturally, and the benefits gained at that time will definitely not be small.

Such as world blessings.

And energy infusion.

Even directly gaining the power of the world.

Take a look at the situation, consider it, dear.”

Mingxi: ???

“Is it that? Is healing the world’s wound very important to you, oh no, to the Time Realm?”

Guangguang: “...”

“There are some things I’m really tired of saying.”

“Master, you are indeed very perceptive.” It sighed and explained: “How should I put it? As you know, the Time Realm is also a special multi-dimensional universe world, but its function is rather special, and it must rely on an existence like you to operate normally.

But an existence like you must belong to a certain multi-dimensional universe, which involves issues of world merger, fusion, coexistence, and so on.

It’s quite complex, and you’re certainly not interested, so I won’t explain too much here.”

Mingxi, who had a heart aspiring to be an omniscient and omnipotent god, silently closed her mouth.

Alright then.

She could be uninterested for now.

She listened intently to Guangguang’s impromptu mini-lesson: “All in all, in order to contract with you and become your strongest cheat, the Time Realm actually made a deal with the universe world you are in. As for how they made the deal, I am not sure.

However, one of the terms of the deal was that when the Time Realm’s contractor, which is you, encounters a world’s wound, you must find a way to solve this problem for this world.”

So, they hit it off and made a deal, but it was she who had to risk her life for it.

Damn it... speechless!

After all, she did indeed receive substantial benefits from their transaction.

If it really was a transaction of the world’s will, she really had to figure something out.

While Mingxi and Guangguang were communicating privately, Saliya had been talking voluminously, and Mingxi was multitasking.

“...Our clan has been suppressing this place as guardians since ancient times. All clan members are not allowed to leave the Deep Sea Fortress because only our water-element energy can maintain the sealing array.

Because of this, all members of our clan have not been exposed to sunlight for many years, and their eye color has faded to grayish-white.

Perhaps because of this, our clan has not given birth to a royal family with powerful bloodline for many, many years.”

Mingxi felt its gaze and immediately understood the profound meaning behind its words.

The appearance of Black Pearl was too important to the Abyssal Mermaid clan.

That’s why their entire clan made a decision that went against their ancestors for Black Pearl, leaving the fortress without hesitation to offer their loyalty.

It seemed to hope that Black Pearl would stay.

Mingxi understood, but unfortunately, she was destined to disappoint this clan that had guarded the sea for thousands of years, or perhaps even longer.

“Saliya... madam.”

“Some things are not that I don’t want to satisfy you, but that I cannot.”

The contract between a Beast Tamers and a pet could not be easily dissolved, let alone the life contract between her and Black Pearl.

Even if she wanted to forcefully dissolve it, she couldn’t.

Unless both of them were willing to die.

Seeing Saliya’s cold, murderous expression, Mingxi sighed: “But I will do my best to resolve that Abyss Silence Will, so that you are no longer bound by your mission.

This way, your clan will naturally give birth to a new Ghost Sea Merman King.”

Since it was a task that had to be completed, Mingxi had no hesitation or indecision.

Just get it done.

“...”

Regarding Mingxi’s ‘boasting’, Saliya felt like a simple old person encountering a chuunibyou Dragon King.

Couldn’t understand it.

And just wanted to roll her eyes.

She really wanted to retort: “Who do you think you are? You’re not old, but your tone is quite big.”

But out of respect for the King, she ultimately held back and didn’t say it.

Mingxi saw that it didn’t believe her.

Alas.

It knew nothing of the power of an omniscient and omnipotent god.

At this moment, they had arrived at the territory of the Abyssal Mermaid clan.

Deep Sea Fortress, City of Phantom Light.

Passing through a natural arch made of giant glowing corals.

The scene before them suddenly opened up.

The Abyssal Mermaid’s fortress was not built on the seabed, but rather constructed around an unimaginably vast coral tree that had long since petrified and emitted a constant, soft glow.

Countless dome-shaped buildings, like heavy fruits, were embedded within the coral tree’s massive branches. They were made of smoothly polished deep-sea rocks, giant shells, and some flexible algae weave, shimmering with a gentle luminescence.

Winding staircases and tunnels illuminated by clusters of glowing jellyfish cleverly connected the various buildings.

The entire fortress was enveloped by an extremely faint energy membrane, almost merging with the seawater. This membrane resisted the abnormal external water pressure and occasional violent energy currents, but it also appeared precarious, as if it could shatter at any moment.

Of course, it only seemed so.

In reality, its defensive capabilities might be on par with star sea watch, or even higher.

Countless Abyssal Mermaids cleared a path for them, standing on both sides of the road. The numbness in their pale eyes seemed to have completely receded, replaced by an almost reverent excitement and anticipation, silently watching the arrival of their new King.

This was a sanctuary in the deep sea, a forgotten kingdom.

“King, distinguished guests.”

“This way, please.”

Led by Saliya, Mingxi and Babao moved through this deep-sea fortress built around the giant glowing coral tree.

Even the well-traveled Mingxi and her group were amazed by this beautiful underwater world.

She wondered if the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) former wondrous illusion, Black Pearl’s hometown, was also so beautiful?

Mingxi looked at Black Pearl beside her. It was now a completely different fish from before, with deep, distant eyes and a serious, profound expression.

It looked like a leader attending a parade.

In fact, it was.

At this moment, was it also thinking of its homeland?

And its mother, who, even sealed in amber for its sake, still stubbornly provided it with nourishment.

Perhaps sensing the oppressive and heavy atmosphere, even Bright Crystal, whose big eyes were always half-closed, who swaggered everywhere and challenged anyone who dared to defy it, remained silent at this moment.

It was as if their group had come to attend a funeral.

Bah, bah, bah, unlucky. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

“Saliya, is that your clan’s sacrificial altar?”

Mingxi suddenly broke the Silence. Her gaze fell upon an ancient, massive, and somewhat familiar altar.

It was a circular, translucent, water-colored altar. Its edges were engraved with intricate and ancient patterns, and in the center was a recessed, peculiar hole that seemed capable of holding some kind of key.

The entire altar exuded a distant, ancient aura, yet also carried an indescribable sense of confinement.

Both its size and the intricate patterns on the altar were identical to the hidden altar in the wondrous illusion sea.

“Yes, Landwalker.” Saliya was indeed very wise and immediately noticed the shock in Mingxi’s emotions.

“Have you seen it before?”

Mingxi didn’t hide it and nodded.

“On the planet where I live, deep in a certain sea area, there is such an altar, but there are no Ghost Sea Mermen living there anymore.”

She didn’t mention that all the Ghost Sea Mermen there might have been transformed into monsters by the Mortal Devouring Transformation Array.

The Ghost Sea Merman clan valued bloodlines and kin. If they knew that such a branch of their bloodline had been wiped out by humans,

Mingxi didn’t know if the other party would be furious, but she knew she didn’t want to be innocently implicated.

“...Is that sea realm related to the King?”

“Not sure, but it obtained Poseidon’s Rest there.”

Saliya paused slightly, then looked at Black Pearl. Well, the dead fish eyes showed no light at all, but Mingxi just felt there was something more in its gaze.

It was a deeper, more intense fervor and respect than before.

It seemed that the wondrous illusion might indeed be related to Black Pearl’s origins.

“It’s a pity our clan cannot leave here, otherwise I would truly want to visit the place you mentioned.”

The Abyssal Mermaid’s fortress was not built on the seabed, but rather constructed around an unimaginably vast coral tree that had long since petrified and emitted a constant, soft glow.

Countless dome-shaped buildings, like heavy fruits, were embedded within the coral tree’s massive branches. They were made of smoothly polished deep-sea rocks, giant shells, and some flexible algae weave, shimmering with a gentle luminescence.

Winding staircases and tunnels illuminated by clusters of glowing jellyfish cleverly connected the various buildings.

The entire fortress was enveloped by an extremely faint energy membrane, almost merging with the seawater. This membrane resisted the abnormal external water pressure and occasional violent energy currents, but it also appeared precarious, as if it could shatter at any moment.

Of course, it only seemed so.

In reality, its defensive capabilities might be on par with star sea watch, or even higher.

Countless Abyssal Mermaids cleared a path for them, standing on both sides of the road. The numbness in their pale eyes seemed to have completely receded, replaced by an almost reverent excitement and anticipation, silently watching the arrival of their new King.

This was a sanctuary in the deep sea, a forgotten kingdom.

“King, distinguished guests.”

“This way, please.”

Led by Saliya, Mingxi and Babao moved through this deep-sea fortress built around the giant glowing coral tree.

Even the well-traveled Mingxi and her group were amazed by this beautiful underwater world.

She wondered if the former wondrous illusion, Black Pearl’s hometown, was also so beautiful?

Mingxi looked at Black Pearl beside her. It was now a completely different fish from before, with deep, distant eyes and a serious, profound expression.

It looked like a leader attending a parade.

In fact, it was.

At this moment, was it also thinking of its homeland?

And its mother, who, even sealed in amber for its sake, still stubbornly provided it with nourishment.

Perhaps sensing the oppressive and heavy atmosphere, even Bright Crystal, whose big eyes were always half-closed, who swaggered everywhere and challenged anyone who dared to defy it, remained silent at this moment.

It was as if their group had come to attend a funeral.

Bah, bah, bah, unlucky.

“Saliya, is that your clan’s sacrificial altar?”

Mingxi suddenly broke the Silence. Her gaze fell upon an ancient, massive, and somewhat familiar altar.

It was a circular, translucent, water-colored altar. Its edges were engraved with intricate and ancient patterns, and in the center was a recessed, peculiar hole that seemed capable of holding some kind of key.

The entire altar exuded a distant, ancient aura, yet also carried an indescribable sense of confinement.

Both its size and the intricate patterns on the altar were identical to the hidden altar in the wondrous illusion sea.

“Yes, Landwalker.” Saliya was indeed very wise and immediately noticed the shock in Mingxi’s emotions.

“Have you seen it before?”

Mingxi didn’t hide it and nodded.

“On the planet where I live, deep in a certain sea area, there is such an altar, but there are no Ghost Sea Mermen living there anymore.”

She didn’t mention that all the Ghost Sea Mermen there might have been transformed into monsters by the Mortal Devouring Transformation Array.

The Ghost Sea Merman clan valued bloodlines and kin. If they knew that such a branch of their bloodline had been wiped out by humans,

Mingxi didn’t know if the other party would be furious, but she knew she didn’t want to be innocently implicated.

“...Is that sea realm related to the King?”

“Not sure, but it obtained Poseidon’s Rest there.”

Saliya paused slightly, then looked at Black Pearl. Well, the dead fish eyes showed no light at all, but Mingxi just felt there was something more in its gaze.

It was a deeper, more intense fervor and respect than before.

It seemed that the wondrous illusion might indeed be related to Black Pearl’s origins.

“It’s a pity our clan cannot leave here, otherwise I would truly want to visit the place you mentioned.”