The submarine stopped at the entrance and didn’t proceed further. Bai Lixin shifted his gaze from the mural to the group of merfolk in the hall.
The merfolk stood in front of the mural, kneeling with a devotion ten times more profound than when they knelt before the stone statues.
In this moment, their melodious song echoed through the space.
Merfolk songs were always enchanting. The song of a single merfolk could captivate passersby in the ocean, let alone the chorus of hundreds of merfolk.
It was as if they had countless rehearsals, and their ethereal and melodious singing seemed kissed by deities.
Bai Lixin couldn’t understand the lyrics, but the charm of the song lay in feeling the emotions through the melody, even without understanding the words.
It was an incredibly solemn and devout hymn.
The marvelous song reverberated in the space, and Bai Lixin felt a myriad of emotions overflowing and then slowly settling in his heart.
In a trance, before him appeared a deep blue ocean. Whales slowly swam in front of him, but the water remained undisturbed.
Even this vast ocean was smoothed by the merfolk’s song.
Suddenly, there was a swaying motion. In a daze, Bai Lixin seemed to see countless translucent merfolk’s shadows appearing in the room.
Some retained the appearance of lamprey eels, some were in the midst of transformation, and some had already evolved into human-like faces and skin tones.
In this dreamlike scene, Bai Lixin momentarily couldn’t distinguish if he was in a dream or reality.
His gaze followed the souls of these merfolk, and he saw the serene azure figures nestling together, listening to the merfolk’s song.
Among these azure merfolk, he seemed to spot the former Old Patriarch and the green haired merman waving at him.
Suddenly, there was a surge of consciousness, and Bai Lixin blinked. When he looked ahead again, everything had returned to normal.
Bai Lixin: “…”
This was not just a hymn but also a spiritual song to comfort the souls of the dead.
This was the merfolk’s faith.
It wasn’t about a specific merfolk or personal heroism; their faith was the spiritual heritage passed down by merfolk from ancient times to the present.
The appearance of a hero might briefly save a community, but what truly ensured its long-term continuity was not the hero; it was the collective soul of the race.
Bravery, fearlessness, perseverance…etc., and other virtues were the most precious legacy left by the merfolk’s ancestors for future generations.
This was the merfolk’s faith.
[Ding! Congratulations, player. Task 3 progress increased by 50%. You have currently completed 85% of task 3, with only 15% remaining for the final completion. The last 15% requires filling in the answer to complete the task. Please continue your efforts, fill in the correct answer to complete the task!]
The system’s voice suddenly rang out in Bai Lixin’s mind. He looked at the merfolk before him, opened the task bar after a two-second contemplation, shifting his consciousness to Task 3.
He had filled in the wrong answer once, and he still had two chances left.
*Previous chapter said one chance, I guess I’ll have to go back and change it.The Escape System’s voice rang out in Bai Lixin’s mind: [Master Bai Lixin, have you decided? If you fill in the wrong answer this time, you will only have one chance left. Isn’t it too hasty for you to fill in two answers within a short two-hour timeframe? Why don’t you observe a bit more?]
Bai Lixin took a deep breath: [No need, I’m confident this time. Besides, even if I fill in the wrong answer, I still have one last chance.]
After responding to the Escape System, Bai Lixin filled in a few words on task 3: Spiritual inheritance of the merfolk.
After a prolonged wait, the system’s notification sound abruptly rang out.
[Ding! Congratulations, player. The answer you filled in overlaps with the standard answer by more than 90%. The system judges it as a correct answer.]
[Congratulations, player. You have gained 15% progress for task 3. Your total progress for task three has reached 100%.]
[Ding! The progress with the first three tasks is satisfactory, triggering the fourth random hidden task.]
[The hidden task is now released.]
[Player, please rescue all the trapped merfolk in the research institute. After rescuing the merfolk, the player can receive generous rewards.]
[Friendly reminder: This hidden task is not mandatory. Players can choose to abandon the task, and there will be no punishment if the player cannot complete the task.]
[Accept the task / Reject the task]
Bai Lixin pressed “Accept Task,” and the system’s voice promptly rang out.
[Ding! Congratulations, player, for accepting the hidden random task — Rescue Merfolk.]
[Player, please rescue all the trapped merfolk in the research institute. (Rescued merfolk: 0, Merfolk awaiting rescue: 51)]
Bai Lixin: […]
‘Trash system, I already rescued a Red-tailed Mermaid, and she’s not counted here.’
The Escape System’s voice echoed in Bai Lixin’s mind: [Wow, Master Bai Lixin, you really did it! You actually guessed it. You’re so brave! You must be a genius, right?]
Bai Lixin: [Thank you, thank you.]
His sleeve was suddenly tugged, and Bai Lixin turned around to see Xia Chi looking at him with a gaze filled with both confusion and astonishment.
His eyes seemed to say: Brother, where is this?! How did I end up here?!
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘Should I say it, or not?’
A flash of inspiration: “…”
‘Ah, I was caught up in the merfolk’s song and got sent back. Annoying, I don’t feel like talking.’
Xia Chi stared at the merfolk in front of him in a daze, his eyes in a trance.
He felt bewildered and panicked.
This wasn’t the first time.
Probably starting from the last copy, he discovered that he had a bad habit of sleepwalking.
Xia Chi gulped.
Initially, it was indeed sleepwalking.
When he slept off at night, he would wake up during the day and find a few extra props beside him. His body inexplicably had bruises, and sometimes there was muscle soreness.
After the sleepwalking started, he investigated a lot of information and began trying to use healing cards.
At first, he thought he genuinely healed himself because, after that, he no longer experienced sleepwalking.
But after entering a copy, something was off again.
He sleepwalked again.
That time… he directly cleared it, even defeating the boss.
Of course, it was Li Cancan who told him what happened later.
It was outrageous.
She actually told him that his sleeping self was so cool and handsome.
???
It was outrageous, too outrageous.
Isn’t he always cool and handsome?!
But can someone be both cool and explosive in dreams? Was this game driving him crazy, forcing out a second personality?
Xia Chi: [Brother.]
After struggling for two seconds, Xia Chi decided to confess to Bai Lixin, the person he trusted the most.
Bai Lixin: [The answer is “Spiritual Inheritance of the Merfolk.”]
Just as Xia Chi typed two words in the chat window, Bai Lixin’s private message came over.
He paused for a moment, deleted the typed words, and replaced them with one word: [What?]
Bai Lixin: [Fill in the answer for Task 3.]
Xia Chi: [!!!!]
All the anxiety instantly dissipated, and Xia Chi quickly pulled up the task bar, writing down the answer for task 3.
[Spiritual Inheritance of the Merfolk.]
[Ding! Congratulations, player, the answer is completely correct. You’re amazing.]
Xia Chi frowned. The system’s voice sounded odd today, it lacked its usual vigor.
[Congratulations, player, Task 3 is completed successfully, reaching 100% progress.]
Xia Chi’s doubts were momentarily cast aside.
‘Yay, Task 3 is done! Is this the satisfying feeling of hugging a thigh?!’
The system’s somewhat lazy voice continued: [Congratulations, player, the progress for the first three mandatory tasks is satisfactory, triggering a hidden random task.]
[The hidden random task you’ve triggered is — A Beautiful Night.]
[The player is invited to have a good sleep one night in the future. ]
[After completing the task, you can receive abundant rewards and have a chance to obtain random rare items.]
[The hidden random task is non-mandatory, and there’s no punishment for failure. The task can be canceled.]
[Please make a choice.]
[Accept Task/Reject Task]
Xia Chi stared at the hidden random task, then asked doubtfully: [Does ‘having a pleasant night’s sleep’ mean I can complete this task by simply sleeping?]
The system’s voice remained languid: [Yes, your luck is high, so the randomly assigned task is straightforward. It’s highly rewarding, and we recommend you accept it.]
Xia Chi quickly pressed the [Accept Task] button.
[System,] after the fourth task appeared in the task bar, Xia Chi didn’t immediately divert his attention but asked: [You sound a bit off today. Are you sick? Can the system catch a cold?]
The system fell silent for two seconds, then spoke slowly: [Thank you for your concern, but I don’t catch colds. I just had extended working hours, so I have activated my self-sleep program.]
Xia Chi faintly heard a very low yawn in his mind.
Xia Chi: [???]
The system can get drowsy too?
System: [Well then, have a pleasant gaming experience. See you next time.]
Xia Chi: [Oh, okay. Goodbye, good night.]
The light in his mind flickered twice, and just when Xia Chi thought the system had fallen asleep, its voice slowly came through: [Mmm, good night.]
Xia Chi: […]
———————————–
In the live broadcast room
[… If it weren’t for being able to see the players’ tasks from the live stream, I wouldn’t believe how varied the world is.]
[Why is God Xin’s hidden task so difficult? Rescue all 51 merfolk? Xia Chi’s hidden task is just sleeping? Ah, if God Xin knew, how sad would he be?]
[Haha, God Xin is sending you a warning.]
——————————
Bai Lixin: [Xia Chi, did you complete Task 3?]
Xia Chi quickly replied: [It’s completed, thank you, Brother. I love you, hearts.]
Bai Lixin: [Did you accept the hidden task?]
Xia Chi: [Yes.]
Bai Lixin: [That’s good. It’s okay if you can’t complete Task Four, but with me around, we’ll definitely succeed. Even without this task, I planned to rescue all the merfolk in the research institute. Now with the task, we can get some extra rewards, which is not bad.]
Xia Chi looked at Bai Lixin in confusion: [Brother, what’s your hidden task?]
Bai Lixin: [Rescue all 51 merfolk in the research institute. Isn’t yours the same?]
Xia Chi: [Mine isn’t. Mine is “Have a good night’s sleep.”]
Bai Lixin: [???]
‘Maybe I should just leave the group.
Oh, there’s no group, let’s unfriend then.’
Xia Chi: [Brother, let me ask you something.]
Bai Lixin: [Okay, go ahead.]
Recalling the strange reaction from the system earlier, he hesitated for two seconds before asking: [I’m just wondering, does your system get drowsy or take naps?]
Will Brother think I’m crazy for asking such a crazy question?
Bai Lixin: [Although it hasn’t napped, my escape system is quite lively. I think these systems are companionship-based and gradually develop humanized voice modules and personalities as they accompany you.]
Xia Chi: [Oh, so it’s normal even if it takes a nap?]
Bai Lixin glanced at Xia Chi meaningfully: [Is your system napping?]
Xia Chi touched his ear awkwardly: [Yeah, and I was a bit worried about it.]
Bai Lixin: [It should be fine. Wait until tomorrow and call it again to see its reaction. Each system’s personality may change with the host’s different personalities. My system tends to lean towards an innocent and pure character style, and yours might have developed a lazy workaholic personality.]
Xia Chi suddenly realized, [I see. Thank you, Brother. I’ve learned another lesson. Task 3 is completed; what do we do now? Go back?]
Seeing that the merfolk maintained a devout kneeling position even after singing, Bai Lixin nodded, [Yes, let’s go back.]
On the way back, Xia Chi scratched his head, looking very puzzled.
He always felt like he forgot something important.
What was it?
Ah, forget it.
There’s no need to dwell on it!
Hurry back to complete the fourth hidden task!
Maybe he could even get a rare hidden item.
They returned the same way, and after two hours, they came to the first two huge stone statues.
Bai Lixin didn’t rush to leave but piloted the submarine to the spot where the red-tailed mermaid had pointed before.
The red-tailed mermaid had shown him a mural and pointed at this name. At the time, she even pointed to him, and he thought she was just showing him the name.
But now, perhaps the red-tailed mermaid was indicating that this name belonged to him?
Starting with him, names were engraved here.
Since then, it seems the names of all the merfolk who passed away would be carved here.
The old patriarch, the two mermen who took care of him, and others—their names should all be here.
They had long departed but seemed never to have left.
While their bodies dispersed, their souls obtained eternal rest, quietly guarding their clans mates and descendants.
He suddenly remembered the words of the old patriarch when he sacrificed himself.
He said he was willing to support the sky for the children with his flesh and blood.
He said life changes, and new life comes from death.
He said everything would be okay, and everything would start anew.
For merfolk, thousands of years have passed.
Perhaps among the merfolk, the image of the old patriarch has long become blurred, and the exact words he once spoke are forgotten.
But the legacy of the old patriarch has never disappeared.
Suddenly, Bai Lixin felt a genuine sense of relief in his heart.
A race that has stood tall and undefeated for thousands of years won’t be easily defeated.
This era of prosperity for the merfolk is just as the old tribe leader wished.
Building upon the blood and bones of their ancestors, they lay the foundation for the glory of future generations.
When one generation falls, there are new ones to follow, a continuous cycle of life.
This is the merfolk’s legacy, and it will never be lost.
After thousands of years, he coincidentally returned to the plane of the Deep-Sea Mermaid. As if in a reincarnation, he came here instead of the old patriarch and witnessed the resilient and flourishing merfolk race.
The gears of destiny formed a closed loop.
Isn’t this also a form of legacy?
———————————
They left here and continued moving forward. Not far from their exit, several dozen small red dots appeared on their submarine.
Oddly enough, these red dots weren’t moving towards them but seemed to be wandering around randomly like headless flies.
Bai Lixin: [s419M, is this your doing?]
S419: [I planned to do it, but didn’t get the chance. You can see for yourself who did it. Don’t worry, those detectors can’t detect you.]
A brief flicker of doubt crossed Bai Lixin’s mind. He quickly piloted the submarine towards the location of the red dots.
Xia Chi couldn’t help but turned pale when he saw this, “Brother, don’t do anything rash!”
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘Who’s being rash here!’
He quickly arrived near the area with the red dots. When he saw the gigantic whale in front of him, Bai Lixin chuckled, “Xia Chi.”
Xia Chi also noticed that the detectors had been eaten by the whale and immediately responded, “Yes!”
Bai Lixin pointed at the behemoth, “It seems your intuition and luck are still quite reliable. No wonder you said you’re afraid of whales. You were afraid it might swallow us whole, turns out it can indeed swallow, but not us.”
Xia Chi: “Uh.”
For a moment, he wasn’t sure if his brother was praising or teasing him.
Before leaving, Bai Lixin glanced back at the huge whale.
This whale seemed to have been lingering here; he saw it last time he came, and it’s still here now.
Perhaps, this whale is also a guardian of the merfolk?
Even if not a guardian, it might have some symbiotic relationship.
It seems his worry about the merfolk was unfounded. So, the next step was to rescue all the merfolk in the research institute.
The escape plan is officially underway!
The submarine stopped at the entrance and didn’t proceed further. Bai Lixin shifted his gaze from the mural to the group of merfolk in the hall.
The merfolk stood in front of the mural, kneeling with a devotion ten times more profound than when they knelt before the stone statues.
In this moment, their melodious song echoed through the space.
Merfolk songs were always enchanting. The song of a single merfolk could captivate passersby in the ocean, let alone the chorus of hundreds of merfolk.
It was as if they had countless rehearsals, and their ethereal and melodious singing seemed kissed by deities.
Bai Lixin couldn’t understand the lyrics, but the charm of the song lay in feeling the emotions through the melody, even without understanding the words.
It was an incredibly solemn and devout hymn.
The marvelous song reverberated in the space, and Bai Lixin felt a myriad of emotions overflowing and then slowly settling in his heart.
In a trance, before him appeared a deep blue ocean. Whales slowly swam in front of him, but the water remained undisturbed.
Even this vast ocean was smoothed by the merfolk’s song.
Suddenly, there was a swaying motion. In a daze, Bai Lixin seemed to see countless translucent merfolk’s shadows appearing in the room.
Some retained the appearance of lamprey eels, some were in the midst of transformation, and some had already evolved into human-like faces and skin tones.
In this dreamlike scene, Bai Lixin momentarily couldn’t distinguish if he was in a dream or reality.
His gaze followed the souls of these merfolk, and he saw the serene azure figures nestling together, listening to the merfolk’s song.
Among these azure merfolk, he seemed to spot the former Old Patriarch and the green haired merman waving at him.
Suddenly, there was a surge of consciousness, and Bai Lixin blinked. When he looked ahead again, everything had returned to normal.
Bai Lixin: “…”
This was not just a hymn but also a spiritual song to comfort the souls of the dead.
This was the merfolk’s faith.
It wasn’t about a specific merfolk or personal heroism; their faith was the spiritual heritage passed down by merfolk from ancient times to the present.
The appearance of a hero might briefly save a community, but what truly ensured its long-term continuity was not the hero; it was the collective soul of the race.
Bravery, fearlessness, perseverance…etc., and other virtues were the most precious legacy left by the merfolk’s ancestors for future generations.
This was the merfolk’s faith.
[Ding! Congratulations, player. Task 3 progress increased by 50%. You have currently completed 85% of task 3, with only 15% remaining for the final completion. The last 15% requires filling in the answer to complete the task. Please continue your efforts, fill in the correct answer to complete the task!]
The system’s voice suddenly rang out in Bai Lixin’s mind. He looked at the merfolk before him, opened the task bar after a two-second contemplation, shifting his consciousness to Task 3.
He had filled in the wrong answer once, and he still had two chances left.
*Previous chapter said one chance, I guess I’ll have to go back and change it.The Escape System’s voice rang out in Bai Lixin’s mind: [Master Bai Lixin, have you decided? If you fill in the wrong answer this time, you will only have one chance left. Isn’t it too hasty for you to fill in two answers within a short two-hour timeframe? Why don’t you observe a bit more?]
Bai Lixin took a deep breath: [No need, I’m confident this time. Besides, even if I fill in the wrong answer, I still have one last chance.]
After responding to the Escape System, Bai Lixin filled in a few words on task 3: Spiritual inheritance of the merfolk.
After a prolonged wait, the system’s notification sound abruptly rang out.
[Ding! Congratulations, player. The answer you filled in overlaps with the standard answer by more than 90%. The system judges it as a correct answer.]
[Congratulations, player. You have gained 15% progress for task 3. Your total progress for task three has reached 100%.]
[Ding! The progress with the first three tasks is satisfactory, triggering the fourth random hidden task.]
[The hidden task is now released.]
[Player, please rescue all the trapped merfolk in the research institute. After rescuing the merfolk, the player can receive generous rewards.]
[Friendly reminder: This hidden task is not mandatory. Players can choose to abandon the task, and there will be no punishment if the player cannot complete the task.]
[Accept the task / Reject the task]
Bai Lixin pressed “Accept Task,” and the system’s voice promptly rang out.
[Ding! Congratulations, player, for accepting the hidden random task — Rescue Merfolk.]
[Player, please rescue all the trapped merfolk in the research institute. (Rescued merfolk: 0, Merfolk awaiting rescue: 51)]
Bai Lixin: […]
‘Trash system, I already rescued a Red-tailed Mermaid, and she’s not counted here.’
The Escape System’s voice echoed in Bai Lixin’s mind: [Wow, Master Bai Lixin, you really did it! You actually guessed it. You’re so brave! You must be a genius, right?]
Bai Lixin: [Thank you, thank you.]
His sleeve was suddenly tugged, and Bai Lixin turned around to see Xia Chi looking at him with a gaze filled with both confusion and astonishment.
His eyes seemed to say: Brother, where is this?! How did I end up here?!
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘Should I say it, or not?’
A flash of inspiration: “…”
‘Ah, I was caught up in the merfolk’s song and got sent back. Annoying, I don’t feel like talking.’
Xia Chi stared at the merfolk in front of him in a daze, his eyes in a trance.
He felt bewildered and panicked.
This wasn’t the first time.
Probably starting from the last copy, he discovered that he had a bad habit of sleepwalking.
Xia Chi gulped.
Initially, it was indeed sleepwalking.
When he slept off at night, he would wake up during the day and find a few extra props beside him. His body inexplicably had bruises, and sometimes there was muscle soreness.
After the sleepwalking started, he investigated a lot of information and began trying to use healing cards.
At first, he thought he genuinely healed himself because, after that, he no longer experienced sleepwalking.
But after entering a copy, something was off again.
He sleepwalked again.
That time… he directly cleared it, even defeating the boss.
Of course, it was Li Cancan who told him what happened later.
It was outrageous.
She actually told him that his sleeping self was so cool and handsome.
???
It was outrageous, too outrageous.
Isn’t he always cool and handsome?!
But can someone be both cool and explosive in dreams? Was this game driving him crazy, forcing out a second personality?
Xia Chi: [Brother.]
After struggling for two seconds, Xia Chi decided to confess to Bai Lixin, the person he trusted the most.
Bai Lixin: [The answer is “Spiritual Inheritance of the Merfolk.”]
Just as Xia Chi typed two words in the chat window, Bai Lixin’s private message came over.
He paused for a moment, deleted the typed words, and replaced them with one word: [What?]
Bai Lixin: [Fill in the answer for Task 3.]
Xia Chi: [!!!!]
All the anxiety instantly dissipated, and Xia Chi quickly pulled up the task bar, writing down the answer for task 3.
[Spiritual Inheritance of the Merfolk.]
[Ding! Congratulations, player, the answer is completely correct. You’re amazing.]
Xia Chi frowned. The system’s voice sounded odd today, it lacked its usual vigor.
[Congratulations, player, Task 3 is completed successfully, reaching 100% progress.]
Xia Chi’s doubts were momentarily cast aside.
‘Yay, Task 3 is done! Is this the satisfying feeling of hugging a thigh?!’
The system’s somewhat lazy voice continued: [Congratulations, player, the progress for the first three mandatory tasks is satisfactory, triggering a hidden random task.]
[The hidden random task you’ve triggered is — A Beautiful Night.]
[The player is invited to have a good sleep one night in the future. ]
[After completing the task, you can receive abundant rewards and have a chance to obtain random rare items.]
[The hidden random task is non-mandatory, and there’s no punishment for failure. The task can be canceled.]
[Please make a choice.]
[Accept Task/Reject Task]
Xia Chi stared at the hidden random task, then asked doubtfully: [Does ‘having a pleasant night’s sleep’ mean I can complete this task by simply sleeping?]
The system’s voice remained languid: [Yes, your luck is high, so the randomly assigned task is straightforward. It’s highly rewarding, and we recommend you accept it.]
Xia Chi quickly pressed the [Accept Task] button.
[System,] after the fourth task appeared in the task bar, Xia Chi didn’t immediately divert his attention but asked: [You sound a bit off today. Are you sick? Can the system catch a cold?]
The system fell silent for two seconds, then spoke slowly: [Thank you for your concern, but I don’t catch colds. I just had extended working hours, so I have activated my self-sleep program.]
Xia Chi faintly heard a very low yawn in his mind.
Xia Chi: [???]
The system can get drowsy too?
System: [Well then, have a pleasant gaming experience. See you next time.]
Xia Chi: [Oh, okay. Goodbye, good night.]
The light in his mind flickered twice, and just when Xia Chi thought the system had fallen asleep, its voice slowly came through: [Mmm, good night.]
Xia Chi: […]
———————————–
In the live broadcast room
[… If it weren’t for being able to see the players’ tasks from the live stream, I wouldn’t believe how varied the world is.]
[Why is God Xin’s hidden task so difficult? Rescue all 51 merfolk? Xia Chi’s hidden task is just sleeping? Ah, if God Xin knew, how sad would he be?]
[Haha, God Xin is sending you a warning.]
——————————
Bai Lixin: [Xia Chi, did you complete Task 3?]
Xia Chi quickly replied: [It’s completed, thank you, Brother. I love you, hearts.]
Bai Lixin: [Did you accept the hidden task?]
Xia Chi: [Yes.]
Bai Lixin: [That’s good. It’s okay if you can’t complete Task Four, but with me around, we’ll definitely succeed. Even without this task, I planned to rescue all the merfolk in the research institute. Now with the task, we can get some extra rewards, which is not bad.]
Xia Chi looked at Bai Lixin in confusion: [Brother, what’s your hidden task?]
Bai Lixin: [Rescue all 51 merfolk in the research institute. Isn’t yours the same?]
Xia Chi: [Mine isn’t. Mine is “Have a good night’s sleep.”]
Bai Lixin: [???]
‘Maybe I should just leave the group.
Oh, there’s no group, let’s unfriend then.’
Xia Chi: [Brother, let me ask you something.]
Bai Lixin: [Okay, go ahead.]
Recalling the strange reaction from the system earlier, he hesitated for two seconds before asking: [I’m just wondering, does your system get drowsy or take naps?]
Will Brother think I’m crazy for asking such a crazy question?
Bai Lixin: [Although it hasn’t napped, my escape system is quite lively. I think these systems are companionship-based and gradually develop humanized voice modules and personalities as they accompany you.]
Xia Chi: [Oh, so it’s normal even if it takes a nap?]
Bai Lixin glanced at Xia Chi meaningfully: [Is your system napping?]
Xia Chi touched his ear awkwardly: [Yeah, and I was a bit worried about it.]
Bai Lixin: [It should be fine. Wait until tomorrow and call it again to see its reaction. Each system’s personality may change with the host’s different personalities. My system tends to lean towards an innocent and pure character style, and yours might have developed a lazy workaholic personality.]
Xia Chi suddenly realized, [I see. Thank you, Brother. I’ve learned another lesson. Task 3 is completed; what do we do now? Go back?]
Seeing that the merfolk maintained a devout kneeling position even after singing, Bai Lixin nodded, [Yes, let’s go back.]
On the way back, Xia Chi scratched his head, looking very puzzled.
He always felt like he forgot something important.
What was it?
Ah, forget it.
There’s no need to dwell on it!
Hurry back to complete the fourth hidden task!
Maybe he could even get a rare hidden item.
They returned the same way, and after two hours, they came to the first two huge stone statues.
Bai Lixin didn’t rush to leave but piloted the submarine to the spot where the red-tailed mermaid had pointed before.
The red-tailed mermaid had shown him a mural and pointed at this name. At the time, she even pointed to him, and he thought she was just showing him the name.
But now, perhaps the red-tailed mermaid was indicating that this name belonged to him?
Starting with him, names were engraved here.
Since then, it seems the names of all the merfolk who passed away would be carved here.
The old patriarch, the two mermen who took care of him, and others—their names should all be here.
They had long departed but seemed never to have left.
While their bodies dispersed, their souls obtained eternal rest, quietly guarding their clans mates and descendants.
He suddenly remembered the words of the old patriarch when he sacrificed himself.
He said he was willing to support the sky for the children with his flesh and blood.
He said life changes, and new life comes from death.
He said everything would be okay, and everything would start anew.
For merfolk, thousands of years have passed.
Perhaps among the merfolk, the image of the old patriarch has long become blurred, and the exact words he once spoke are forgotten.
But the legacy of the old patriarch has never disappeared.
Suddenly, Bai Lixin felt a genuine sense of relief in his heart.
A race that has stood tall and undefeated for thousands of years won’t be easily defeated.
This era of prosperity for the merfolk is just as the old tribe leader wished.
Building upon the blood and bones of their ancestors, they lay the foundation for the glory of future generations.
When one generation falls, there are new ones to follow, a continuous cycle of life.
This is the merfolk’s legacy, and it will never be lost.
After thousands of years, he coincidentally returned to the plane of the Deep-Sea Mermaid. As if in a reincarnation, he came here instead of the old patriarch and witnessed the resilient and flourishing merfolk race.
The gears of destiny formed a closed loop.
Isn’t this also a form of legacy?
———————————
They left here and continued moving forward. Not far from their exit, several dozen small red dots appeared on their submarine.
Oddly enough, these red dots weren’t moving towards them but seemed to be wandering around randomly like headless flies.
Bai Lixin: [s419M, is this your doing?]
S419: [I planned to do it, but didn’t get the chance. You can see for yourself who did it. Don’t worry, those detectors can’t detect you.]
A brief flicker of doubt crossed Bai Lixin’s mind. He quickly piloted the submarine towards the location of the red dots.
Xia Chi couldn’t help but turned pale when he saw this, “Brother, don’t do anything rash!”
Bai Lixin: “…”
‘Who’s being rash here!’
He quickly arrived near the area with the red dots. When he saw the gigantic whale in front of him, Bai Lixin chuckled, “Xia Chi.”
Xia Chi also noticed that the detectors had been eaten by the whale and immediately responded, “Yes!”
Bai Lixin pointed at the behemoth, “It seems your intuition and luck are still quite reliable. No wonder you said you’re afraid of whales. You were afraid it might swallow us whole, turns out it can indeed swallow, but not us.”
Xia Chi: “Uh.”
For a moment, he wasn’t sure if his brother was praising or teasing him.
Before leaving, Bai Lixin glanced back at the huge whale.
This whale seemed to have been lingering here; he saw it last time he came, and it’s still here now.
Perhaps, this whale is also a guardian of the merfolk?
Even if not a guardian, it might have some symbiotic relationship.
It seems his worry about the merfolk was unfounded. So, the next step was to rescue all the merfolk in the research institute.
The escape plan is officially underway!
