A Glimpse of the New Era

The morning sun of Skysea City shone through the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm patches of light across the polished floor. Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena sat by the window, enjoying the breakfast delivered by the hotel. Outside, the city had already begun its orderly rhythm, with vehicles streaming along the aerial rails, yet the scene carried a strange sense of tranquility.

"Where do you want to go today?" Tang Wulin pushed a cup of hot milk toward Gu Yuena.

Gu Yuena looked toward the sea, its surface glimmering gold in the morning light, her gaze gentle. "Let's take a walk by the shore."

Unlike Eastsea City's untouched natural coastline, Skysea City's waterfront had been developed into a vast Human–Soul Beast Coexistence Demonstration Zone. When the two arrived aboard a city sightseeing soul bus, they both paused at the sight before them.

In the azure bay, several gentle sea soul beasts played with humans wearing specially made protective suits. Farther away stood a massive, semi-transparent domed building by the sea, its streamlined exterior blending perfectly with the marine environment. The light screen at its entrance displayed the words: "Skysea City Marine Soul Beast Co-Nurturing Research Center."

"It's very different from what I remember," Gu Yuena said softly. Most fragments of her memories regarding the relationship between humans and soul beasts remained fixed in an era of tension and opposition.

As they strolled along the sightseeing path, a gentle fluctuation of soul power suddenly came from the direction of the research center. It was not a warning, but more like an open invitation. The content on the light screen at the research center's entrance shifted, revealing a line of words: "Public Open Day: Soul Guide Day. Welcome to visit."

As the words appeared, a spirit dolphin with pale golden spiritual markings on its forehead leaped lightly from the bay and let out a series of crisp, melodious calls. The sound seemed to possess a peculiar infectious quality, making the surrounding tourists smile unconsciously.

"It's inviting us." A trace of surprise flashed through Gu Yuena's violet eyes. She could clearly sense the friendly, open spiritual fluctuations emanating from the ten-thousand-year spirit dolphin.

Tang Wulin felt its goodwill as well. Taking Gu Yuena's hand, he said, "Then let's go take a look."

The research center was bright and spacious. Transparent observation walls lined both sides of the visitor corridor, allowing them to see all kinds of marine soul beasts swimming leisurely through simulated natural habitats. Many parents had brought their children to visit. The children excitedly pointed at the passing soul beasts, but all tacitly kept their voices at an appropriate volume.

At the spirit dolphin exhibit, they saw the spirit dolphin that had invited them earlier. Under the guidance of a female researcher, it was forming a spiritual link with a soul device, sealing its special ability within it! The female researcher then used the soul device to reproduce that ability.

"That's Xiaoyu, a member of our center." A gentle voice sounded beside them. The two turned and saw an elderly man with graying hair in a researcher's uniform. He was Elder Li, the man who had been discussing matters with the young researchers outside the research institute last night. He wore a friendly smile, his eyes filled with pure scientific enthusiasm.

"It volunteered to take part in these demonstrations?" Gu Yuena could not help asking, her violet eyes carrying an unquestionable scrutiny.

Elder Li smiled and nodded. "Entirely voluntarily. Our relationship with our soul beast partners is built on mutual respect." He pointed toward the observation wall. "If Xiaoyu doesn't wish to participate, it can return to its habitat at any time. Moreover, it is a special ninety-thousand-year sea soul beast capable of taking human form. In fact, it voluntarily requested to perform today, saying that it sensed a special aura."

His thoughtful gaze swept over Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena, but he did not press further. Instead, he warmly invited them, "If you two are interested, you can visit our interactive experience area. There happens to be a special cooperative demonstration today."

Following Elder Li, they arrived at a larger circular exhibition hall. At its center was an enormous seawater pool. The seats around it were already filled with eager spectators, while inside the pool were not only Xiaoyu the spirit dolphin, but also several researchers wearing specially designed soul guide equipment.

After the demonstration began, the researchers activated a sophisticated set of soul guide devices, while Xiaoyu cooperatively emitted specific sound waves. As the sound waves intertwined with soul guide energy, holographic images began to emerge above the pool—the scene beneath the deep sea. Corals swayed, schools of fish darted about, and everything looked vividly lifelike.

"This is the Deep-Sea Perception System that we developed together with our soul beast partners," Elder Li explained softly beside them. "Using the spirit dolphin's unique sonar perception abilities and our soul guide technology, we can display scenes from the deep sea here in real time. It helps us humans better understand the deep-sea environment, and it also helps our soul beast partners show us their home and resolve some unknown dangers."

Gu Yuena quietly watched the deep-sea soul beasts gliding leisurely through the holographic image. They looked healthy and at ease. She could clearly sense Xiaoyu's delight as it used its ability—a pride at being able to display its special powers to both races.

"The times really have changed," she said softly to Tang Wulin. The frost in her violet eyes had unknowingly melted a little.

After the demonstration ended, Xiaoyu swam to the observation wall and let out a series of rising and falling calls in Gu Yuena's direction. Elder Li showed a surprised expression. "Xiaoyu says it senses an extremely ancient and noble aura. It wants to give you a gift."

Under the researchers' operation, a special transfer window opened in the observation wall. Xiaoyu used its snout to gently push a pearl-like object radiating a soft blue glow toward Gu Yuena.

"This is a Deep-Sea Moonlight Pearl. It has remarkable benefits for nourishing a soul master's spiritual power. Even god-level powerhouses can gain some benefit from it," Elder Li explained. "It can only be nurtured in specific waters jointly maintained by soul beasts and human researchers. Only a few are produced each century. It says this is a token of its respect for you."

Gu Yuena carefully picked up the Moonlight Pearl, its warmth and smoothness reaching her fingertips. The moment she held it, fragments of memory naturally surfaced—not conflict and pain, but the offerings made by her subordinates when she had been the Silver Dragon King ten thousand years ago, and from an even more ancient era, the fortune power that the auspicious beast Golden Lion had returned to her.

She gave the spirit dolphin behind the observation wall a slight nod. Her divine consciousness silently entered its spiritual awareness and left something behind. Since awakening, this was the first time she had revealed a heartfelt gentleness toward this world.

By the time they left the research center, it was already afternoon. Sunlight scattered over the sparkling sea, while several flying soul beasts soared alongside soul guide gliding enthusiasts in the distance.

"It's very different from what I imagined." Gu Yuena played with the Moonlight Pearl in her hand, a trace of relief in her voice. "Though there's still a lot to understand, at least... the way things are now isn't bad."

Tang Wulin looked at her profile, especially gentle beneath the sunlight, and unconsciously tightened his grip on her hand. "It seems we need to get to know this world all over again."

The sea breeze fluttered the corners of their clothes. On the distant horizon, a scientific expedition vessel was slowly sailing toward the deep sea, the emblem of the Human–Soul Beast Joint Scientific Expedition on its hull gleaming brightly in the sunlight.