I've been in the Merfolk Tribe for many days now. Every day, I take Blueflame Warden and Eugenia with me, weaving through the Merfolk forest, searching for information about the Realm Keeper. Quite a few strange beasts have heard rumors about the Realm Keeper. That Nine-Tailed Fox spends all day playing with the children in the Merfolk Tribe. I remind her often—not to get any wicked ideas.
Because I've seen the Nine-tailed Fox get that excited look—like she's spotted food—around those children more than once.
The Merfolk chief once said: the Realm Keeper only appears when there are stars but no light, when there's moonlight but no sun. I have no clue what this riddle means, but I'm doing my best to gather every bit of information.
"Hey, you lot, if you dare lie to us, I'll eat you first."
Eugenia looks adorable, mouth wide open as she lets out a howl. The bizarre beasts in front of us recoil several steps in fear. I shoot her a sideways glance.
"You know, I've told you countless times—ask nicely and they'll tell us what we want to know."
Just then, a beast that looks like a little mouse speaks up.
"Really, I heard it from my grandfather's generation. The Realm Keeper actually lives among us quite often. My grandfather saw him once, and the Realm Keeper said he could only tell others about it before he died—or else he'd die right then. Of course, my grandfather didn't dare say a word. Later, before he was eaten by a stronger predatory beast, he told my father about it."
I blink.
"That really is a sad story."
I sighed, and Eugenia squatted down, pressing the little mouse's head.
Did your father ever tell you what the Realm Keeper looks like?
The little mouse shakes its head. Eugenia immediately loses her temper, and the small beasts around us scatter in fright. I press down on Eugenia's head.
Stop it.
Blueflame Warden sighs nearby.
Qingyuan, I think you shouldn't trust these things too much. Many of these rumors may be false, since nobody can say for sure what the Realm Keeper actually looks like.
Thinking about it, I have to agree.
Didn't expect you to be so clear-headed.
I smile helplessly and sigh. After searching for so many days, we haven't even found a trace of what Nuwa asked us to look for, let alone the Realm Keeper. I can't help but start doubting whether the rumors about the Realm Keeper are true or not.
Just then, there was a sudden disturbance behind us. As I turned to look, I saw Jade May swiftly emerge from the water.
Qingyuan, a fat bear came over, said he had something urgent for you, but wants us to give him food before he'll talk. He got into a scuffle with the Nine-Tailed Fox, so you'd better go check.
I let out a surprised sound, and Eugenia instantly brought us back to the Merfolk village. As soon as we arrived, I saw several Merfolk children staring at a bear-like guy stuffing food into his mouth—Brute, of course. The Nine-Tailed Fox lounged nearby, yawning.
Drip drip—magma-like drool flowed from Chaos Fiend's mouth, burning through the ground. Many Merfolk watched warily. At that moment, the Nine-Tailed Fox suddenly spoke languidly.
Immediately, Chaos Fiend clamped a hand over his mouth, drool dripping out, eyes wide. Suddenly, Eugenia kicked him hard, sending Brute sprawling to the ground.
For a moment, Chaos Fiend got up and glared viciously at Eugenia.
Seeing the two about to argue again, I grabbed each of them and pulled them apart. Chaos Fiend now looked like a shrunken plush toy bear, barely over a meter tall—a far cry from his previously terrifying size and strength.
At that moment, Jiaomei curiously pressed a hand to Brute's soft fur, finding it amusing. Many Merfolk children crowded around, touching Brute, some even tugging on his ears.
I glanced at Jiaomei, who giggled and ushered the children away. Chaos Fiend licked his tongue.
After a while, I grabbed the Nine-Tailed Fox's tail with my left hand and Brute's ear with my right, forcibly dragging the two onto the back of Southwind.
Of course, we're here to help the Merfolk, right?
For a moment, Chaos Fiend nodded, drool spilling out and instantly dripping onto Zephyr's back. Zephyr let out a startling roar and immediately sped off, carrying us far away and straight through a rising fireball.
Just as my vision cleared, I saw two of Chaos Fiend's teeth fly out of his mouth, knocked loose by a punch from Eugenia as she struck him from Zephyr's back.
With a thunderous crash, Chaos Fiend's massive body returned to its original form. Zephyr roared, its two heads snapping together in pain. I pressed my hand to Zephyr's burned back, releasing Buddha's power to heal the wound quickly.
Chaos Fiend shouted, but Eugenia made a face at him. Zephyr carried us onward, flashing through scene after scene. We passed through many illusions, and some creatures tried to greet us, but we sped by.
Why did you only just arrive, Zhang Qingyuan? I'm about to lose my mind here.
The woman in front of me, with a pretty face but a sarcastic tone, calls herself Mr. Ouyang. I have no idea how to describe her.
Ouyang Meng grabbed my hand.
Indeed, when ghosts and trees are combined, this outcome is inevitable.
Is there any beast here with scholarly knowledge about trees?
Didn't you go there when you sealed the Ghost Blood Jade? The master of that great forest.
That's all I need to know—that person used to be my friend. No other reason is necessary, whether I'm alive or dead. And as you said, even my wife has no solution. If she can't do it, then I'll do it. I don't know why, but I know what I can do now.
We started moving and instantly arrived at the great forest we'd investigated before. Sure enough, as soon as we arrived, that sticky, smelly thing emerged, licking its huge mouth.
I'm here to ask you: do you know if there's any way to bring a dead tree back to life?
I've already told you—no need to thank me. By the way, when you return, could you please pass on a message for me? Maybe you can do it through a dream. I hope to see my wife.