The night sea howled beneath a gloomy wind, its waves surging violently.
From the depths of the black seabed, a string of luminous pearls suddenly lit up. Then came impassioned drumbeats and clear qin music, echoing through the roar of the waves.
Several dozen merman warriors led the way, clad in classical armor fashioned from seashells as they held aloft a huge snow-white shell and rose toward the surface. Behind them, merfolk sang and danced around Xie Hanmo and Dong Lei. Further behind came countless more merfolk, burning with enthusiasm as they awaited the final trial.
The giant shell surfaced, and waves crashed against it, throwing sprays of water into the sky.
Around the shell, the merman warriors strained with all their strength, barely managing to steady it.
The shell slowly opened, revealing a natural stage.
This shell was no ordinary thing. It had been left behind after the death of the desolate beast Giant Sound Shell. It bore an immense number of Sound Dao Marks; even an ordinary person speaking inside it could have their voice amplified and carried far, far away.
Dong Lei was the first to step onto the shell.
Countless merfolk floated on the sea, craning their necks in anticipation.
In one corner, inside a Gu House shaped like a tower ship, Bu Sulian watched while saying to Clan Leader Hanchao beside her, "You have that much confidence in Dong Lei? Going on stage first puts her at an innate disadvantage."
Clan Leader Hanchao smiled faintly. "Just wait and see. The subtlety of this cannot be put into words."
Bu Sulian gave Clan Leader Hanchao a deep look, then turned her gaze back to the Giant Sound Shell.
Dong Lei began to sing.
Her singing was clear, graceful, and utterly captivating. The merfolk were drawn one