Misty Isles

At dawn, a single-masted sailboat quietly departed the Northern Territory coast. Ning Xiaochuan stood at the stern, watching the white continent gradually recede as his breath misted away in the morning light. Three months ago, they had arrived in this world of ice and snow through a Teleportation Array. Now, as they left, they carried secrets heavier than they had expected.

"The wind's good. We'll reach the Misty Belt before nightfall." The old captain puffed on his pipe, his rough fingers adjusting the rigging. He was a "reliable man" introduced by the Third Elder, specializing in covert transport between continents.

The cabin door creaked open, and Su Linger stepped out, her face still somewhat pale. The Sacred Spirit Dragon immediately flew from Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder and circled her anxiously.

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

Su Linger accepted it, her fingertips brushing his by accident as warmth passed between them. "Much better. It's just..." She looked northward, a complicated gleam flashing through her eyes. "I never expected the truth to be like this."

Ning Xiaochuan knew she meant Su Xue'er. Since the battle in Marrow Cave, Su Linger had grown far quieter. That night, when she had been betrayed by her sister yet ultimately found redemption, had left a wound on her heart that would not easily heal.

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

Su Linger shook her head, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of her lips. "That only makes it hurt more. All these years, I lived with guilt, while Xue'er... she hated me all along."

Ning Xiaochuan did not know how to comfort her, so he could only take her hand. The sea breeze swept past, carrying a salty, damp scent. The Sacred Spirit Dragon landed on the rail, curiously peering at the glittering sea.

"Did you read the jade slip the Third Elder gave us?" Su Linger changed the subject, her voice returning to its usual calm.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded and took the icy-blue jade slip from his robes. "It says the Sacred Origin Tribe left ruins among the eastern islands. There may be a Third Fragment there."

"The eastern islands..." Su Linger pondered. "That's Thousand Islands Alliance territory. They've never gotten along with the Northern Territory. We need to be careful."

The old captain suddenly coughed and pointed ahead. "We're entering the Misty Belt. You two should head back into the cabin. Sea fog isn't something to take lightly."

Following his finger, Ning Xiaochuan saw a grayish-white band at the distant meeting point of sea and sky, stretching across the ocean like an endless wall.

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

"A natural barrier separating the major seas." The old captain narrowed his eyes. "Some say ancient sea beasts live inside. Others say it's the ruins of a lost civilization. Either way, once living people enter, nine times out of ten, they don't come back out."

Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger exchanged a glance, each seeing wariness in the other's eyes. If the Misty Belt was truly as dangerous as the legends claimed, why did the old captain dare sail this route?

As if sensing their doubts, the old captain grinned, revealing several gold teeth. "This old man has his own way. I've made the trip seventy-two times over thirty years, and never once had an accident."

He pulled out a bronze compass engraved with strange fish-shaped 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 found that its needle did not point north. Instead, it kept shifting directions, as if drawn by some invisible force.

"Hold tight!" the old captain suddenly shouted, wrenching the wheel around.

The sailboat plunged into the dense fog, and everything around them instantly became blurred. Ning Xiaochuan felt cold, damp air rush at his face, carrying the smell of rotting seaweed and an indescribably ancient aura. Visibility dropped to less than ten paces; even the top of the mast vanished from sight.

"Stay close to me." Su Linger suddenly grabbed Ning Xiaochuan's arm, her voice tense. "There's something in the fog."

Ning Xiaochuan immediately became alert, Sacred Source Power circulating through his body. The Sacred Spirit Dragon also raised its scales, watching the thick fog to their right vigilantly.

Splash—

The water beside the ship suddenly burst apart, and a blurry dark figure flashed past. Ning Xiaochuan caught only a glimpse of an enormous tentacle covered in suckers, as thick as a bucket, before it vanished beneath the water again.

"Don't worry. As long as we don't provoke them, giant deep-sea squid generally don't attack ships." The old captain remained composed, his eyes fixed on the Merfolk Guide. "But if we lose our way..."

He did not finish, but the meaning was obvious. In this bizarre fog, if they strayed from the route, the unknown horrors awaiting them would be unimaginable.

The sailboat traveled through the dense fog for roughly two hours. The surroundings were terrifyingly silent, broken only by the sound of the hull cutting through waves and the occasional strange gurgle from below. Ning Xiaochuan remained on guard throughout, Sacred Source Power flowing around his fingertips as he prepared for any sudden danger.

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

A streak of brightness appeared in the fog and gradually expanded as the ship advanced. When the sailboat finally burst through the Misty Belt, the view before them opened up—

Under a sky as blue as a fresh wash, dozens of islands of varying sizes lay scattered like emeralds spilled across blue silk. On the nearest island, towering coconut trees swayed in the wind, and white beaches reflected the sunlight, beautiful beyond belief.

"Welcome to the Thousand Islands Alliance." The old captain chuckled. "These are the outer Emerald Isles. The true core of the Thousand Islands lies farther east."

Ning Xiaochuan was stunned by the sight and could not speak for a moment. Compared to the frozen wastelands of the Northern Territory, this was practically another world. Su Linger's eyes widened slightly as well, and her tense shoulders relaxed a little.

"You'll be getting off at Turtleback Island." The old captain adjusted their course. "It's neutral territory, with all sorts of people gathered there. It's the best place to gather information."

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

"Little One says there's something huge underwater," Ning Xiaochuan translated, though he was not entirely sure he understood correctly.

The old captain nodded. "The Merfolk Tribe. They are the guardians of the Misty Belt and the true rulers of the Thousand Islands Alliance. Whatever you do, don't offend anyone with a fish tail on these islands... if you're lucky enough to encounter them."

In the afternoon, the sailboat docked. Turtleback Island was named for its resemblance to a giant turtle. It had a bustling harbor town, with people of every sort moving through its streets. There were desert merchants wrapped in headscarves, Northern Territory hunters clad in animal hides, and even several people wearing strange metal armor that did not look like the attire of Open Source Continent.

"I'll be heading back in three days. If you want a ride, be at the docks on time." After taking the payment, the old captain lowered his voice and added, "The island hasn't been peaceful lately. I hear Black Tide people have been active around here. Be careful."

After thanking him, Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger stepped onto the pier. A wave of heat hit them head-on, a sharp contrast to the Northern Territory's cold. Both had changed into light clothes suitable for the tropical climate, yet Ning Xiaochuan still found the heat stifling.

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

They made their way through the crowded streets. The Sacred Spirit Dragon hid in Ning Xiaochuan's collar, with only its two curious eyes exposed. Street vendors hawked all kinds of seafood and tropical fruits, while the air was filled with a mix of spices and fishy odors.

"Take a look! Deep-sea pearls! Merfolk Tears!"

"Authentic volcanic barbecue! Three copper coins a skewer!"

"Fortunes told! Futures revealed!"

Amid the cries of the vendors, a hoarse voice caught Ning Xiaochuan's attention. "Fragments of ancient tomes... secrets of lost civilizations..."

An old woman was curled up in a corner, a filthy cloth spread before her with several tattered books laid across it. When she looked up, Ning Xiaochuan was startled to find that her eyes had no pupils, only murky white.

"You two are travelers from afar..." The old woman grinned, revealing sparse yellow teeth. "Would you like to buy knowledge?"

Su Linger warily pulled Ning Xiaochuan back. "Ignore her. She could be a swindler."

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 for the book and picked it up. "Records of Strange Islands. It documents every mysterious place in the Thousand Islands Alliance... including the vanished islands of the Sacred Origin Tribe."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart jolted, and he exchanged a look with Su Linger. Was it really such a coincidence that they had encountered someone who knew clues about the Sacred Origin Tribe?

"How much?" he asked cautiously.

The old woman smiled mysteriously. "No money... just one drop of blood."

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

The surrounding pedestrians seemed accustomed to such scenes and simply detoured around them. Facing the blade, the old woman's expression did not change. "I'm merely doing business. These old eyes cannot see, but they can 'see' many other things... such as the Sacred Source Power within this young master."

Ning Xiaochuan pressed down 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 cryptically. "One concerning the ancient covenant between the Sacred Origin Tribe and the Merfolk Tribe."

Ning Xiaochuan hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. He pricked his finger with a needle and squeezed a drop of blood onto the jade shard the old woman had prepared. The instant the blood touched the jade, it turned golden and emitted a faint glow!

"Just as I thought..." The old woman's voice trembled with excitement. "The last Sacred Source Bloodline truly still exists!"

Trembling, she pulled a fish-bone token from her robes. "Take this and go to Coral Harbor to find the merfolk priest. They will take you where you need to go."

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

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

Before Ning Xiaochuan could ask more, the old woman packed away her stall, hobbled off with her cane, and soon disappeared into the crowd.

"Do you think we can trust her?" Su Linger asked with a frown.

Ning Xiaochuan put away the fish-bone token. "At least she recognized Sacred Source Power. Let's find an inn first, then decide what to do."

The two found a small inn near the docks called Tide Song. The room was simple but clean, and through the window they could see the azure sea and fishing boats passing by.

After settling in, Ning Xiaochuan took out the jade slip given by the Third Elder and the Records of Strange Islands he had just bought, studying them together.

"According to these two sources, the Sacred Origin Tribe ruins in the archipelago should be in the northeastern Starfall Archipelago." He pointed to a blurry map in the book. "But it's sacred ground to the Merfolk Tribe. Ordinary people aren't allowed in."

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

"The book says it's a cult that worships the Eye of the Deep Sea, and it supposedly has ties to the Dark Source Soul Hall." Ning Xiaochuan flipped to the relevant section. "They've been searching for the Sacred Origin Tribe ruins all this time, though their purpose is unknown."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly flew in through the window, chirping "Goo Chu" urgently as its little claws pointed downstairs. Ning Xiaochuan immediately understood and made a silencing gesture.

"Someone is following us?" Su Linger asked in a lowered voice.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. He crept to the door and suddenly pulled it open—the corridor outside was empty, but several wet footprints remained on the floor, leading all the way to the stairs.

"Not ordinary humans." Ning Xiaochuan examined the prints. "There are webbed marks between the toes... merfolk?"

Su Linger went to the window and carefully observed the street. "A few people down there have been watching our window. They're wearing black robes. They should be Black Tide."

Ning Xiaochuan thought for a moment. "It seems we'll have to split up. I'll go to Coral Harbor and find the merfolk priest. You stay here and keep the Black Tide people occupied."

"That's too dangerous." Su Linger refused flatly. "We'll go together."

"No. If they really are connected to the Dark Source Soul Hall as the book says, our movements may already have been exposed." Ning Xiaochuan explained, "You'll pretend to go out alone and draw them away. I'll disguise myself and find the merfolk priest. Little One will come with me."

Su Linger wanted to object, but when she saw Ning Xiaochuan's determined gaze, she finally sighed. "Be careful. You must be back before sunset."

Ning Xiaochuan changed into local clothes and used a headscarf to cover most of his face. Su Linger strode out through the front entrance, and sure enough, several Black Robes quietly followed after her.

After they had gone far away, Ning Xiaochuan slipped out through the back door, the Sacred Spirit Dragon hidden in his clothes. According to the old woman's directions, Coral Harbor was at the easternmost edge of town, where the Merfolk Tribe traded with humans.

After passing through several narrow alleys, the salty, fishy smell in the air grew stronger. Turning the final corner, his view suddenly opened up—a semicircular natural harbor lay before him, with more than a dozen strangely shaped ships moored within it, their hulls painted with fish patterns.

Several figures stood by the harbor. From afar, they looked no different from humans, but when Ning Xiaochuan drew closer, he noticed webbing between their fingers and faint gill marks behind their ears.

"Halt! Humans are forbidden from approaching merfolk territory!" A tall merfolk guard stopped Ning Xiaochuan, the trident in his hand gleaming coldly.

Ning Xiaochuan took out the fish-bone token. "I'm here to see Lord Priest."

The guard's expression changed drastically when he saw the token. He immediately stepped back respectfully. "Honored guest, please follow me."

He led Ning Xiaochuan toward a small coral house at the end of the harbor. The house was entirely formed from living coral, dazzling with color and shining under the sunlight.

Inside sat an elderly merfolk, pearls woven through long silver-white hair. The scales on his fish tail had dimmed somewhat, but his eyes still shone as brightly as stars.

"You have finally come, Son of Sacred Source." The old priest's voice was like waves softly lapping against a shore. "We have waited for a thousand years."

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

"The prophecy was written long ago." The old priest took out a scroll of seaweed paper, upon which was drawn a Humanoid Form standing before a giant dragon. "When the final Sacred Source Bloodline reappears in the Present World, the Merfolk Tribe shall fulfill its ancient oath and help him seek the Primal Fragments."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart shook. "You know where the Primal Fragment is?"

The old priest nodded. "Deep within the Starfall Archipelago, inside the Star Gazing Platform left behind by the Sacred Origin Tribe, the Third Fragment is sealed—the Primal Star Core."

Then his tone shifted. "But Black Tide is searching for it as well. The Eye of the Deep Sea they worship is actually a sealed avatar of the World Devourers, which yearns to devour the power of the Primal Fragments."

Ning Xiaochuan recalled the warning of the Primal Dragon. The World Devourers were the great enemy the Sacred Origin Tribe had fought against for generations.

"How can I reach the Starfall Archipelago?"

The old priest clapped his hands, and a young Merfolk Warrior entered. "Lan will take you there. But remember, the Star Gazing Platform contains a trial set by the Sacred Origin Tribe. Only a true inheritor of the bloodline can pass it."

After thanking him, Ning Xiaochuan prepared to leave, but the old priest suddenly stopped him. "Wait. You carry the aura of a dragon... Is it a Sacred Spirit Young Dragon?"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon poked its head out of Ning Xiaochuan's collar and looked curiously at the old priest.

"Just as I thought..." Awe appeared on the old priest's face. "Legend says the Sacred Spirit Dragon is a descendant of the Primal Dragon and can travel between worlds. Raise it well. It may become the key to fighting the World Devourers in the future."

After leaving the coral house, Ning Xiaochuan hurried back toward the inn. Just as he turned into an alley, he suddenly heard the sounds of fighting ahead. His heart tightened, and he quickened his pace—

Su Linger was surrounded by five Black Robes, with three already lying on the ground. Her swordsmanship was fierce, but the Black Robes' techniques were strange. Every attack carried thick Black Qi, unmistakably the style of the Dark Source Soul Hall!

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

A dagger pressed against the center of his back.