Leaving Sea God Island

Mu Yu settled down on Sea God Island, and she stayed there for two years.

During that time, her relationships with everyone on Sea God Island rapidly grew closer. The Seven Sacred Pillar Douluo all treated Mu Yu like their own granddaughter, doting on her endlessly and wishing they could pluck down the stars and moon for her.

She also welcomed her fifth birthday, calculated from the day she arrived on Sea God Island. Everyone on Sea God Island gathered together.

In the hall, everyone offered Mu Yu their blessings. Only Bo Saixi remained silent.

Seeing this, Mu Yu struggled free from Sea Horse Douluo's arms and toddled toward Bo Saixi on her short little legs.

"Great Enshrined, hug~" Mu Yu tugged on Bo Saixi's skirt and gave it a shake.

Bo Saixi looked down at the little one and helplessly picked her up.

Only then did Sea Horse Douluo notice that something was off about Bo Saixi's expression.

"Great Enshrined, do you have something troubling you? You've seemed down this whole time."

At Sea Horse Douluo's words, all the Titled Douluo turned to look at Bo Saixi.

Bo Saixi shook her head. "It's nothing serious. It's just that the Sea God said that once Xiao Yu's birthday is over, she is to be sent to the mainland."

Mu Yu froze when she heard Bo Saixi's words. Was she leaving so soon? She had not enjoyed this wonderful life nearly enough yet!

Thinking back on these past days, she had truly experienced what it meant to have clothes brought to her and food served right into her hands.

Even when she walked, the seven Sacred Pillar Douluo took turns carrying her.

Still, sending her to travel the mainland should have been the Space God's idea. The Space God would surely not harm her.

When the Douluo heard that the little one would be leaving tomorrow, they were all instantly depressed. They could not bear to let her go. They would not be on the mainland—what if she got bullied? What if someone with ill intentions abducted their Xiao Yu?

Mu Yu could tell what they were thinking. Nestled in Bo Saixi's arms, she said softly, "Xiao Yu is super amazing! No one will bully Xiao Yu~ Xiao Yu will come back to visit Grandpa and Grandma too!"

Mu Yu's words moved the Douluo deeply. "That's right, our Xiao Yu is the best!"

"If anyone bullies Xiao Yu, make sure you come back and tell your grandpas."

"Xiao Yu, you have to come back often!"

Mu Yu nodded, then immediately changed the subject. "Grandpa Sea Ghost! Xiao Yu wants cake!"

She then pointed her chubby little finger at the birthday cake on the table. "Come on, Sea Ghost, hurry up and cut the cake. Xiao Yu is hungry."

The lively atmosphere returned, and several traces of a smile appeared on Bo Saixi's face as well.

The next day, Bo Saixi and the seven Sacred Pillar Douluo came to see Mu Yu off. Each of the seven Sacred Pillar Douluo gave her a few gifts. There were not many, but every one of them was precious. Among them, one necklace caught Mu Yu's attention.

A pale pink gemstone hung from the necklace, and anyone who saw it for the first time would find themselves drawn in.

Mu Yu remembered that Sea Delusion Douluo had given it to her. Pointing at the gemstone, she asked, "Grandpa Sea Delusion, what is this?"

Everyone followed Mu Yu's gaze, and Sea Woman Douluo said excitedly.

"This is a Mermaid's Tear. It is a mermaid's tear, produced only when a mermaid is extremely sad or extremely excited. It is a natural Soul Tool with storage capabilities. If you are in the sea, it can even attract mermaids!"

Sea Woman Douluo grew more excited the more she spoke. "This is good stuff, Xiao Yu! You've struck it rich!"

Mu Yu was stunned. Though she had never heard of it, it was definitely something good. She picked up the necklace and wanted to try putting it on, but Sea Woman Douluo stopped her. "Xiao Yu, that's not how you use it."

Sea Woman Douluo took Mu Yu's hand. "Xiao Yu, drip a drop of blood onto it."

Seeing Mu Yu's bewildered gaze, she sighed helplessly. She condensed Soul Power into a tiny needle, pricked Mu Yu's finger, and squeezed a drop of blood onto the gemstone.

The other Titled Douluo did not stop Sea Woman Douluo. They merely watched quietly from the side. In truth, they did not know much about this either, but Sea Woman Douluo was different. She was considered part of the mermaid race, and they also had the most basic trust in their companion.

Sea Woman would never do anything that could harm Mu Yu.

The instant the blood fell onto the gemstone, a powerful pale pink light burst forth. The intense Soul Power fluctuations startled the Titled Douluo. Sea Dragon Douluo was the first to react and rushed toward Mu Yu, but Sea Woman Douluo stopped him. "Don't go over. This is one of the ways the Mermaid's Tear protects its master."

Mu Yu felt a burst of intense light. Then everything around her turned into a magnificent blue-and-pink palace. As the light faded, she noticed that her surroundings had become an underwater scene: dreamy, beautiful coral and fish of all kinds swimming around her. Before she could react, a ripple spread out, and all the fish bowed toward the center of the hall. There stood a seat decorated with shells and coral. Someone was reclining upon it—no, a mermaid. Judging by his features, he was a man. He gestured for the fish to swim away, then studied the girl before him with an appraising gaze.

"You, what is your name?" the mermaid asked.

Mu Yu felt an immense pressure descend upon her and frowned slightly. "Mu Yu."

"Mu Yu..." The mermaid murmured her name thoughtfully, then raised his head to look at the girl before him again. Mu Yu felt the pressure around her lessen considerably.

"Hmph, what an interesting little girl." Mu Yu was slightly stunned by the mermaid's words. Interesting? What was interesting? She thought this big fish was pretty interesting too. Wait...

Thinking of Sea Woman Douluo's ability, Mu Yu had an idea. He could read minds too... Didn't that mean he had heard her mocking this man just now...

Feeling a little guilty, she met the mermaid's gaze again.

"Hmph, you're quite clever to have guessed my ability. But I heard every word when you mocked me. (ꐦÒ‸Ó)"

Mu Yu felt a little embarrassed, but she refused to show weakness. "Who even are you? You brought me to this place, and I don't even know who you are. Of course I was scared... So I complained about you a little..."

The mermaid looked at the guilty little girl and smiled with interest.

"I am the leader of the mermaid race, the Mermaid King, Xi Ruo. You were brought here because of the contract between us."

"A contract? What contract?" Mu Yu looked utterly confused.

"Didn't you drip your blood onto the Mermaid's Tear? That is how the contract is formed."

Mu Yu was a little shocked. "So..."

"If I were an ordinary mermaid, we could form a contract as long as we sensed and acknowledged each other. Unfortunately, I am the Mermaid King. I certainly would not obey a human. However..."

The Mermaid King's tone shifted as he looked at Mu Yu with amusement. "We can cooperate."

"Cooperate?"

"That's right. Help me fulfill a wish of mine, and I can promise to protect you whenever you are in danger. What do you say?"

No matter how she looked at it, she was getting the better deal. Mu Yu quickly nodded. "Okay, okay, okay! I agree."

Seeing the little girl's serious expression, the Mermaid King found it amusing.

"You agreed without even hearing what I want you to do. Aren't you afraid I'll ask for your life?"

Mu Yu thought for a moment. "What do you want me to help you with?"

This child was a little too innocent. "Forget it, you're still a child. What can you help me with? We can talk about what I need once you're older. I'm in a hurry. If you need anything, use the necklace to summon me. Normally, it works just like an ordinary Soul Tool. Bye-bye~"

Before leaving, the Mermaid King even gave Mu Yu a wink.

Mu Yu: ...Thanks, I guess.

After leaving the sea of consciousness, Mu Yu found herself surrounded by the seven Titled Douluo.

"Xiao Yu, how do you feel?" Bo Saixi asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, Great Enshrined. I'm really fine." Only after hearing Mu Yu's words did the Titled Douluo relax. Amid their endless reminders, Mu Yu put all her belongings into the Mermaid's Tear.

"Xiao Yu, once you reach the mainland, you must protect yourself. You absolutely must..."

"Okay, okay, okay, Grandpa, I know. You don't need to keep talking."

Before they could finish, Mu Yu jumped onto Xiao Bai's back.

"Big Sister Xiao Bai, hurry up!"

"Roger!"

"Goodbye, Grandpas and Grandmas!"

Watching Mu Yu's departing figure, the seven Titled Douluo and Bo Saixi fell silent. Sea Dragon Douluo was the first to speak.

"Ah... That child, honestly." Sea Horse Douluo echoed him.

"Yeah. Who knows when we'll see her again..."