Dusk was like melting honey, slowly spreading across the surface of Sea God Lake, dyeing the golden-red ripples a gentle orange. In the distance, lanterns lit up in Sea God's Pavilion, their warm yellow glow spilling through the window lattices onto the upturned eaves. Bronze bells chimed softly in the evening breeze, blending with the faint sounds of fish leaping in the lake like an improvised little tune.
Wu Feng finished the last piece of soul beast tendon, licked her fingers, and suddenly sat up, pointing at the lake. "Look! There are glowing fish in the lake! They're starting to gather!"
Sure enough, as the sky darkened completely, the blue light in the lake grew denser and denser. Thousands upon thousands of translucent little fish gathered together like a flowing blue ribbon, circling the reef at the center of the lake with the current. Xiao Xiao held her breath as she watched, even forgetting to bite into the glutinous rice lotus root in her hand, until Wang Dong nudged her arm. "Try reaching out. They aren't afraid of people."
Xiao Xiao hesitantly stretched out her hand. The moment her fingertips touched the water, a school of glowing fish surrounded them, their tails brushing over her fingers and leaving behind a cool sensation and scattered blue light. She gave a startled cry and pulled her hand back, making everyone laugh.
"Scaredy-cat." Wang Dong teased her, but quietly rolled up her own sleeve and reached out to play with the fish too. A mischievous little fish promptly splashed water all over her face, drawing even louder laughter.
Huo Yuhao smiled and handed her a handkerchief. Wang Dong snatched it and wiped her face haphazardly, but her ears had turned red. She secretly glared at him—when he reached out earlier, the fish had