At dawn, Coral Harbor lay shrouded in pale violet morning mist. Ning Xiaochuan stood at the edge of the dock, gazing at the thin line of gold where sea met sky. The wound on his shoulder had already scabbed over; the Sacred Source Power and the energy of the Four Inverse Scales had accelerated the healing process.
"The ship is ready." Yun Yi walked up from behind him and pointed to a strangely designed submarine in the harbor. "That's the Abyssal Walker, lent to us by the Merfolk Tribe."
Ning Xiaochuan examined the vessel. Its entire body was streamlined, its hull covered in some sort of biological scales, and its bow was carved into the shape of a sea dragon head. Most eye-catching were the "fins" on either side of its underside, which looked like retractable mechanical devices.
"How deep can it dive?"
"Theoretically, infinitely deep," Yun Yi answered. "Merfolk technology far surpasses that of the Land Race. This ship runs on bioenergy and can self-repair."
Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon also arrived at the dock. Little One seemed deeply interested in the sea, constantly darting through the waves, diving beneath the water now and then before joyfully leaping back above the water surface.
"It adapted so quickly." Su Linger smiled as she watched the Sacred Spirit Dragon play.
Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "The Four Inverse Scales gave it powerful adaptability. I'm guessing the last scale, the Scale of the Deep Sea, will allow it to breathe underwater."
Elder Yun Xiao and Feng Yu came to see them off, bringing gifts from Sky City—three Cloud Crystal Charms.
"They can help you withstand the pressure of the deep sea," Yun Xiao explained. "But remember, the Merfolk Territory has its own rules. Do not violate them lightly."
Feng Yu handed Su