Misty Isles

At dawn, a sloop quietly sailed away from the northern coast. Ning Xiaochuan stood at the stern, watching the receding white continent, his exhaled breath dissipating in the morning light. Three months ago, they had arrived in this world of ice and snow via a teleportation array; now, as they left, they carried secrets heavier than expected.

"The wind's good. We'll reach the Misty Belt before dark," the old captain said, a pipe in his mouth, his rough fingers adjusting the sail ropes. He was a "trustworthy man" introduced by the Third Elder, specializing in clandestine transport between continents.

The cabin door creaked open, and Su Linger emerged, her face still a little pale. The Sacred Spirit Dragon immediately flew from Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder and circled her solicitously.

"How are you feeling?" Ning Xiaochuan handed her a cup of hot tea.

Su Linger took the cup, her fingertips brushing his hand, a warmth passing between them. "Much better. It's just..." She looked north, a flicker of complexity in her eyes. "I never expected the truth to be like this."

Ning Xiaochuan knew she was referring to Su Xue'er's situation. Ever since the battle in the Marrow Cave, Su Linger had become much quieter. The night she was betrayed by her sister and ultimately found salvation had left an indelible scar on her heart.

"At least you know now that it wasn't your fault that night," Ning Xiaochuan said softly.

Su Linger shook her head, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "That's precisely why it hurts more. I've lived with guilt all these years, while Xue'er... she hated me all along."

Ning Xiaochuan didn't know how to comfort her, so he could only hold her hand. The sea breeze blew, carrying a salty, damp scent. The Sacred Spirit Dragon landed on the ship's railing, curiously gazing at the shimmering sea.

"Did you look at the jade slip the Third Elder gave you?" Su Linger changed the subject, her voice regaining its usual calm.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded and took out the ice-blue jade slip from his bosom. "It says the Sacred Origin Tribe left ruins in the Eastern Isles, and there might be a third Primal Fragment there."

"The Eastern Isles..." Su Linger mused, "That's the Thousand Islands Alliance's territory, and they've always been at odds with the Northern Territory. We'll have to proceed with caution."

The old captain suddenly coughed and pointed ahead. "We're about to enter the Misty Belt. You two had best head back to the cabin. The sea fog isn't to be trifled with."

Following his gesture, Ning Xiaochuan saw a gray-white band appearing at the distant horizon, like an endless wall stretching across the sea.

"What is the Misty Belt?" Ning Xiaochuan asked curiously.

"A natural barrier separating the major sea areas," the old captain squinted. "Some say ancient sea beasts live within, while others say it's the ruins of a lost civilization. In any case, if a living person goes in, they're more likely than not to not come out."

Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger exchanged glances, seeing the vigilance in each other's eyes. If the Misty Belt was truly as dangerous as legends claimed, why would the old captain dare to take this route?

As if sensing their doubts, the old captain grinned, revealing a few gold teeth. "This old man has his ways. I've traveled back and forth seventy-two times in thirty years without a single mishap."

He took out a bronze compass, its surface etched with strange fish-like symbols. "This is the 'Merfolk Guide,' a treasure given by the natives of the Misty Belt."

Ning Xiaochuan took the compass and examined it closely. He noticed the needle didn't point north but constantly shifted direction, as if being pulled by some invisible force.

"Hold on tight!" the old captain suddenly shouted, wrenching the helm.

The sloop plunged into the thick fog, and their surroundings instantly became a blur. Ning Xiaochuan felt a blast of damp, cold air, carrying the scent of decaying seaweed and some indescribable ancient aura. Visibility dropped to less than ten paces, and even the top of the mast was obscured.

"Hold onto me," Su Linger suddenly grabbed Ning Xiaochuan's arm, her voice taut. "There's something in the fog."

Ning Xiaochuan immediately became alert, Sacred Source Power circulating within him. The Sacred Spirit Dragon also bristled its scales, warily watching the dense fog to their right.

Splash--

The water beside the ship suddenly broke, and a blurry dark shape flashed by. Ning Xiaochuan only caught a glimpse of a massive tentacle covered in suckers, as thick as a bucket, before it vanished back into the water.

"Don't worry, as long as you don't provoke them, the giant deep-sea squids generally don't attack ships," the old captain said calmly, his eyes fixed on the Merfolk Guide. "But if you get lost..."

He didn't finish, but the implication was clear. In this eerie fog, deviating from the course meant facing unknown horrors.

The sloop traveled through the dense fog for about two hours. The surroundings were eerily silent, broken only by the sound of the hull cutting through the waves and occasional strange gurgling noises from beneath the water. Ning Xiaochuan remained vigilant, Sacred Source Power flowing at his fingertips, ready for any sudden developments.

"We're almost there," the old captain suddenly said. "Look ahead!"

A hint of light appeared in the dense fog, gradually expanding as the ship moved forward. When the sloop finally broke through the Misty Belt, the view opened up before them—

Under a sky as blue as washed jade, dozens of islands of various sizes were scattered, like a handful of emeralds sprinkled on blue silk. On the nearest island, tall coconut trees swayed in the wind, and the white sandy beach reflected the sunlight, a beauty unlike any earthly realm.

"Welcome to the Thousand Islands Alliance," the old captain chuckled. "This is the outer Emerald Isles. The true core of the Thousand Islands lies further east."

Ning Xiaochuan was stunned by the scenery, speechless for a moment. Compared to the ice and snow of the Northern Territory, this was practically another world. Su Linger also widened her eyes slightly, her tense shoulders relaxing a bit.

"You'll disembark on Turtleback Island," the old captain adjusted the course. "It's a neutral zone, a mix of all sorts of people, the best place to gather information."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon excitedly flew high into the sky, circled a few times, and then landed back on Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder, gesturing excitedly with its little claws.

"The little guy says there's something big underwater," Ning Xiaochuan translated, though he wasn't sure if his interpretation was correct.

The old captain nodded. "The Merfolk Tribe. They are the guardians of the Misty Belt and the de facto rulers of the Thousand Islands Alliance. On the islands, never offend anyone with a fish tail... if you're 'lucky' enough to meet them."

In the afternoon, the sloop docked. Turtleback Island was named for its resemblance to a giant turtle. The island had a bustling port town, bustling with people of all kinds. There were desert merchants wrapped in headscarves, northern hunters clad in animal skins, and even a few individuals in strange metal armor that didn't look like they were from the Open Source Continent.

"I'll be sailing back in three days. Be at the pier on time if you want a ride," the old captain said after collecting the payment, then lowered his voice. "It's been a bit uneasy on the island lately. Heard there are people from the 'Black Tide' active. Be careful."

After thanking him, Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger stepped onto the pier. The heat washed over them, a stark contrast to the cold of the Northern Territory. Both had changed into light clothing suitable for the tropical climate, but Ning Xiaochuan still felt unbearably stuffy.

"Let's find a place to stay first," Su Linger looked around. "Then we'll inquire about the Sacred Origin Tribe's ruins."

They walked along the crowded street, the Sacred Spirit Dragon hidden in Ning Xiaochuan's collar, only its curious eyes peeking out. Street vendors hawked various seafood and tropical fruits, and the air was filled with a mixture of spices and the smell of fish.

"Look, look! Deep-sea pearls! Merfolk Tears!"

"Authentic volcanic grilled meat! Three copper coins a skewer!"

"Fortune telling! Predict the future!"

Amidst the calls, a hoarse voice caught Ning Xiaochuan's attention: "Ancient scrolls... secrets of lost civilizations..."

It was an old woman huddled in a corner, a dirty cloth spread before her, displaying several tattered booklets. When she looked up, Ning Xiaochuan was surprised to find her eyes had no pupils, only a cloudy white.

"Two guests from afar..." the old woman grinned, revealing sparse yellow teeth. "Want to buy knowledge?"

Su Linger cautiously pulled Ning Xiaochuan. "Don't pay attention to her, she's probably a骗子."

But Ning Xiaochuan had already crouched down, his gaze drawn to a book with dragon patterns on its cover. "What is this?"

The old woman fumbled and picked up the book. " Records of Strange Islands. It details all the mysterious places within the Thousand Islands Alliance... including the lost islands of the Sacred Origin Tribe."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart jolted, and he exchanged a look with Su Linger. What a coincidence to meet someone who knew clues about the Sacred Origin Tribe?

"How much?" he asked tentatively.

The old woman gave a cryptic smile. "It's not for money... just a drop of blood."

"What?" Su Linger immediately drew her sword, the tip pressing against the old woman's throat. "Who are you?"

The surrounding pedestrians seemed unfazed, giving them a wide berth. The old woman remained composed under the threat of the sword. "I'm just doing business. My eyes can't see, but I can 'see' many other things... like the Sacred Source Power within this young master."

Ning Xiaochuan held Su Linger's wrist. "Wait." He turned to the old woman. "Why do you want my blood?"

"To verify a conjecture," the old woman said mysteriously. "About the ancient covenant between the Sacred Origin Tribe and the Merfolk Tribe."

Ning Xiaochuan hesitated for a moment, then finally agreed. He pricked his finger with a needle and squeezed a drop of blood onto a jade slip prepared by the old woman. The moment the blood touched the jade, it turned golden and emitted a faint glow!

"As expected..." the old woman's voice trembled with excitement. "The last Sacred Source Bloodline truly still exists!"

She shakily pulled out a fishbone token from her embrace. "Take this and go to Coral Port to find the Merfolk Priest. They will guide you to where you need to go."

Ning Xiaochuan took the token and found a strange symbol carved on it, similar to the fish-shaped symbol on the old captain's Merfolk Guide compass.

"Beware of the Black Tide," the old woman warned one last time. "They have been hunting Sacred Source Bloodlines for a long time..."

Before Ning Xiaochuan could ask more, the old woman packed up her stall, leaned on her cane, and shuffled away, quickly disappearing into the crowd.

"Do you think she's trustworthy?" Su Linger asked with a frown.

Ning Xiaochuan put away the fishbone token. "At least she recognized the Sacred Source Power. Let's find an inn first and then make plans."

The two found a small inn called "Tidal Sound" near the pier and checked in. The room was simple but clean, and from the window, they could see the azure sea and passing fishing boats.

After settling in, Ning Xiaochuan took out the jade slip given by the Third Elder and the newly purchased Records of Strange Islands, comparing them to study.

"According to these two documents, the ruins of the Sacred Origin Tribe on the islands should be located in the 'Starfall Archipelago' to the northeast," he said, pointing to a blurry map in the book. "But that is a sacred land of the Merfolk Tribe, and ordinary people are not allowed to enter."

Su Linger was wiping her long sword. "What organization is this Black Tide that the old woman mentioned?"

"The book says it's a cult that worships the 'Eye of the Deep Sea,' and it's rumored to have ties to the Dark Source Soul Hall," Ning Xiaochuan flipped to the relevant chapter. "They have been searching for the Sacred Origin Tribe's ruins, their purpose unknown."

The Sacred Spirit Young Dragon suddenly flew in from the windowsill and chirped urgently a few times, its little claws pointing downstairs. Ning Xiaochuan immediately understood and made a shushing gesture.

"Someone's following us?" Su Linger asked in a low voice.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded, tiptoed to the door, and suddenly pulled it open--no one was outside, but there were a few wet footprints on the floor, leading all the way to the staircase.

"Not ordinary humans," Ning Xiaochuan examined the footprints. "There are traces of webbing between the toes... Merfolk?"

Su Linger went to the window and cautiously observed the street. "There are several people below staring at our window. They're wearing black robes, they should be from the Black Tide."

Ning Xiaochuan pondered for a moment. "It seems we'll have to split up. I'll go to Coral Port to find the Merfolk Priest, and you stay here to keep the Black Tide occupied."

"That's too dangerous," Su Linger flatly refused. "Let's go together."

"No, if they are truly connected to the Dark Source Soul Hall as the book says, then our whereabouts might have already been exposed," Ning Xiaochuan explained. "You pretend to go out alone and lure them away. I'll use a disguise to find the Merfolk Priest, and the little guy will follow me."

Su Linger wanted to object further, but seeing Ning Xiaochuan's determined gaze, she finally sighed. "Be careful. You must return before sunset."

Ning Xiaochuan changed into local attire, covering most of his face with a headscarf. Su Linger, on the other hand, swaggered out the front door, and sure enough, a few black-robed figures quietly followed her.

After they were gone, Ning Xiaochuan slipped out the back door, the Sacred Spirit Young Dragon hidden in his clothes. Following the old woman's instructions, Coral Port was at the easternmost end of the town, a place where the Merfolk Tribe and humans traded.

Passing through several narrow alleys, the salty smell in the air grew stronger. After turning the last corner, the view suddenly opened up--a semi-circular natural harbor appeared before them, with over a dozen strangely shaped ships docked, their hulls painted with fish-like patterns.

Several figures stood by the harbor. From a distance, they looked no different from humans, but as Ning Xiaochuan approached, he noticed webbing between their fingers and faint gill marks behind their ears.

"Halt! Humans are not allowed to approach Merfolk territory!" a tall Merfolk guard stopped Ning Xiaochuan, his trident gleaming coldly.

Ning Xiaochuan took out the fishbone token. "I'm looking for the Priest."

Seeing the token, the guard's expression changed drastically, and he respectfully stepped aside. "Esteemed guest, please follow me."

He led Ning Xiaochuan towards a coral hut at the end of the harbor. The hut was entirely made of living coral, colorful and shimmering in the sunlight.

Inside sat an elderly Merfolk, her silver-white hair adorned with pearls. The scales on her fish tail had faded, but her eyes were still as bright as stars.

"You have finally arrived, Son of Sacred Source," the old priestess's voice was like waves gently lapping the shore. "We have waited for a thousand years."

Ning Xiaochuan asked in surprise, "You knew I was coming?"

"The prophecy foretold it," the old priestess took out a scroll of seaweed paper, on which was depicted a human figure standing before a giant dragon. "When the last Sacred Source Bloodline reappears in the world, the Merfolk Tribe will fulfill the ancient covenant and help you find the Primal Fragments."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart jolted. "Do you know where the Primal Fragments are?"

The old priestess nodded. "Deep within the Starfall Archipelago, in the 'Star Gazing Platform' left by the Sacred Origin Tribe, the third fragment is sealed--the Primal Star Core."

Her tone shifted. "But the Black Tide is also looking for it. The 'Eye of the Deep Sea' they worship is actually a sealed clone of a World Devourer, eager to devour the power of the Primal Fragments."

Ning Xiaochuan recalled the Primal Dragon's warning; the World Devourers were the great enemies the Sacred Origin Tribe had fought for generations.

"How can I get to the Starfall Archipelago?"

The old priestess clapped her hands, and a young Merfolk warrior walked in. "Lan will take you. But remember, the Star Gazing Platform has trials set by the Sacred Origin Tribe. Only true bloodline inheritors can pass."

After thanking her, Ning Xiaochuan prepared to leave. The old priestess suddenly called out to him, "Wait, you have the aura of a dragon on you... is that a Sacred Spirit Young Dragon?"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon poked its head out from Ning Xiaochuan's collar, looking curiously at the old priest.

"As expected..." The old priest's face showed reverence. "Legend has it that the Sacred Spirit Dragon is a descendant of the Primal Dragon, capable of traversing between worlds. Nurture it well, and it may become key to fighting the World Devourers in the future."

Leaving the coral house, Ning Xiaochuan hurried back to the inn. As he turned into a small alley, he suddenly heard fighting ahead. His heart tightened, and he quickened his pace—

He saw Su Linger being surrounded and attacked by five black-robed figures, with three already down on the ground. Her swordsmanship was sharp, but the black-robed figures' moves were bizarre, each attack carrying a viscous black energy, clearly the style of the Dark Source Soul Hall!

Just as Ning Xiaochuan was about to step forward to help, a cold voice suddenly sounded from behind him, "Don't move, Son of Sacred Source."

A dagger was pressed against his back.