Coo Coo Coo, From Now On, You're My Real Dad

Morel's Purple Smoke shapeshifting was truly a sight to behold.

The Purple Smoke monster clung to a pillar as it slid downward. Nearing the lake, it twisted its body, molding out long hair, shoulders, a back, and half a fish tail.

Even through the tree hollow entrance, Bai Zhu wanted to applaud him.

The old guy usually smoked with a pipe slung over his shoulder and looked rough around the edges, but when it mattered, his handiwork was incredibly meticulous.

The Purple Smoke merfolk slipped into the water along the edge of the monster tide and mingled with the outer ring as it circled halfway around.

Milluki held his breath.

"It's getting close to the lead singer."

Bai Zhu watched the center of the lake.

That merfolk in the inner ring was still circling the White Whale. It began each round of song half a beat earlier than the others.

As long as Morel's Purple Smoke got close enough and tore open its throat, the ritual would most likely fall apart.

Most likely.

The most annoying thing about this damned place was "most likely."

Bai Zhu kept a hand on his blade and said nothing.

Morel's expression was grim, and he did not put his pipe back in his mouth. He controlled the Purple Smoke merfolk as it slowly approached.

Gela Jiang held up a hand, keeping the water membrane pressed over the tree hollow entrance, ready to reinforce it at any time.

The Purple Smoke merfolk was still about ten meters from the lead singer.

Eight meters.

Five meters.

Milluki's eyes were practically glued to the screen.

Now!

The Purple Smoke merfolk raised a hand.

Its arm dispersed underwater, turning into an extremely thin smoke blade that stabbed straight toward the lead singer's nape.

The words It worked had