Chapter 30 - 27: Becoming a Mermaid_1

The young whale, stranded and unable to move, stared unblinkingly at Si Yan. A tear escaped from the corner of the young whale’s eye. As it hit the ground, it transformed into a dazzling pearl. "Stop crying. As long as I’m here, you won’t die," Si Yan said impatiently. She glanced at the pearl that had formed from the merman’s tear, then looked away. In her world, pearls were cheap; a large bag could be bought for just a few dozen coins. This one was larger and rounder than usual, but still not worth much. Still, the fact that a merman’s tears actually turned into pearls was rather novel. Si Yan’s remark seemed to calm the young whale considerably. She focused intently, infusing her Wood-based Ability. Although it was only Level Three and not very high, thankfully the poison hadn’t spread too extensively through the young whale’s body. She managed to extract it, albeit with some difficulty. After a while, once her Wood-based Ability had been mostly infused and the toxins within the young whale seemed under control, Si Yan paused to catch her breath. She checked her own condition: her Wood-based Ability was almost completely depleted. Now would not be a good time to encounter any enemies. Without the use of her Special Abilities, her strength would be greatly diminished. Yet, at that very moment, a Sea Scorpion—one that had previously left—reappeared before her. The male Sea Scorpion stood two meters tall. He had a purple carapace on his head, and his lips and eyelids were also purple, giving him a sinister appearance. The male Sea Scorpion licked his lips, his eyes lighting up when he saw Si Yan. "There’s actually a lone female here!" he exclaimed. Females are the most precious resource in the Beast World. If I can take this one back to the tribe, our Sea Scorpion Tribe will have a chance to produce more offspring! "According to the rules of our tribe, if I’m the one who brings you back, I get to be your mate," the male Sea Scorpion said, sizing up Si Yan. "Though you do look a bit unhealthy." Si Yan was speechless. She knew her own body perfectly well—how on earth was she unhealthy?! The young whale, sensing Si Yan was in danger, began to cry out anxiously. Si Yan reached out to soothe the young whale, then turned to observe the male Sea Scorpion. The male Sea Scorpion’s Beast Crystal was brazenly displayed in the middle of his forehead. Drawing on the knowledge she had gained from Mu Xiao, Si Yan immediately recognized him as a Green Crystal Beastman. The young whale whimpered mournfully, looking at Si Yan. It seemed deeply concerned for her, wanting her to flee. A weak female, and one as emaciated as she is, has virtually no chance against a Green Crystal male. I’m going to be a burden to her. This kind female... she’s going to suffer because of me. Teardrops streamed from the young whale’s eyes, scattering pearls all over the ground. The Sea Scorpion looked at the small female before him. As cold-blooded scorpion Beastmen, no females are willing to join our tribe. The only way for us to get females is by plundering! Such a small female... I’m sure I could restrain her with just one finger! Excited by this thought, the Sea Scorpion advanced towards Si Yan. She slightly lowered her head, a smirk playing on her lips. Suddenly, Si Yan moved. The Sea Scorpion hadn’t imagined such a slight female could move so quickly. He was completely unguarded; to her, he was riddled with openings! She dashed forward like lightning, instantly closing the distance. A purple light flashed from her snake scale. Then, she stood gracefully poised. The male Sea Scorpion behind her, still comprehending nothing, felt his vision begin to blur. Si Yan retracted her snake scale and turned back to the young whale. The Sea Scorpion Beastman gazed at her in confusion one last time before collapsing to the ground, lifeless. The young whale forgot to cry, staring blankly at Si Yan. Si Yan glanced at the fallen Sea Scorpion. Green Crystal Beastmen are somewhat formidable. If he hadn’t been so arrogant and careless, I wouldn’t have won so easily. But now... Si Yan looked at the young whale. How am I going to get it into the sea? Si Yan ran back and forth, pouring bucket after bucket of water over the young whale. Exhausted from running, she sat on the ground, looking at the shallow puddle of seawater with a feeling of helplessness. Still, the young whale had at least received some moisture from the meager seawater, which considerably soothed its sun-bleached skin. "How am I going to get you into the water?" Si Yan murmured. In the post-apocalyptic world, there was heavy machinery that could drag such a large whale, but that’s probably not an option in this era. The young whale, however, wasn’t as troubled as Si Yan. It felt cheerful, as if it had already been rescued simply because Si Yan was by its side. The young whale slapped the small amount of water, splashing Si Yan all over. Si Yan felt both helpless and amused. "Don’t play with the water I worked so hard to bring over," she chided gently. The young whale chirped joyfully. Just then, a green light began to swirl from within the young whale’s body. Si Yan immediately stood up. The young whale wriggled closer to Si Yan, yearning for her touch. Understanding, Si Yan reached out and touched its skin. At that moment, green and blue lights emanated from within the young whale, swirling around it like a miniature aurora. This... is truly magical, Si Yan thought, her eyes wide as she stared intently at the young whale. The young whale’s body began to change. It shrank, growing smaller and smaller. Water-blue hair sprouted on its head, tiny pink fists unfurled, and its tail diminished, becoming very small. Before her, the massive whale had transformed into what looked like a two or three-year-old merman boy, with water-blue hair and soft, pale skin. Si Yan had seen Beastmen transform before, but she found it magical every time she witnessed it. "Another little rascal," Si Yan said with a wry smile. Four snake cubs back at home, and now a merman cub in front of me. The merman toddler excitedly jumped at Si Yan, who, startled, quickly caught him. This is good. Smaller means lighter; I can carry him to the ocean now. But... hadn’t Mu Xiao said before that merfolk can’t transform until they’re mature? Si Yan picked up the little merman, placed him in a wooden bucket, and walked unhurriedly towards the sea. Reaching the shore, she filled the wooden bucket with seawater and placed the merman toddler inside. Looking at the lively little one before her, Si Yan felt an unexpected sense of relaxation wash over her, perhaps due to the vastness of the surrounding sea and sky. This unplanned trip was definitely worthwhile. Once in the bucket, the merman toddler came alive, leaping from the water to plant a soft kiss on Si Yan’s cheek. Si Yan felt his gratitude and couldn’t help but smile, gently and carefully stroking his soft, water-blue hair. "My own cubs haven’t even kissed me yet," she mused aloud. "You’re really getting a good deal, little one." Well, not entirely true. Bei Ji did sneak a kiss on me when he was in his snake form. A warm feeling spread through Si Yan at the memory, and a soft smile touched her lips. The merman toddler swam cheerfully around in the wooden bucket. Si Yan waited on the shore for a while. Soon, a white hawk swooped down from the sky, landed steadily, and transformed into human shape. It was Mu Xiao. "Little Female! Huh, where’s the fish?" Mu Xiao asked. Si Yan stepped aside, letting him see the merman toddler. Amused, she noticed that many sea turtles had already gathered around the little merman’s bucket. Mu Xiao ran up, surprised. "How did he turn into this?" Si Yan spread her hands. "I don’t know. But I think we need to find his mother."