Mermaid: I Want to Stand on My Own

A wondrous melody, Mental Vibration, quietly echoed in Li Ziran's mind, like a midnight serenade—serene, sweet, and captivating.

This was a completely new territory for him; the three Mermaid before him were his treasure.

But the appearance of such a treasure in Hippo Ancient City, which is controlled by the Dark Council, is definitely not a good thing.

Arbitrarily Judgment Soul is too dangerous. Not to mention in Hippo Ancient City, even in the Black-Red Slave Shop, stepping out of this room would probably be the beginning of disaster.

Now, he must instill some ideas, some ideas that won't cause trouble.

The three girls were huddled together whispering, completely unaware of the dangerous situation they were in.

Li Ziran walked up to Ivy and asked, "Ivy, I heard that you can Judgment more than thirty people at once, is that true?"

"Of course!" Ailey interjected proudly, "Thirty or so is considered a small number! At my peak, I could Judgment fifty or sixty in one go!"

Li Ziran rolled his eyes. This little girl was really bragging without thinking. If she really had that ability, she would have eradicated the Dark Council long ago.

"Could you tell me in detail how you Judgment?" Li Ziran asked with the curiosity of an Apprentice.

If you want to persuade someone, you need to understand their interests.

When he was very young, his teacher told him that everything should start with interest.

"It's simple. Just have someone tie them up, set them on fire, and then we'll hold Judgment," Ailey chuckled. "I could do fifty, let alone thirty."

Li Ziran was speechless for a moment. She really was a girl from a noble family. He now felt a little sorry for Cavis. What was the difference between such Fighter and a wet nurse?

He was basically just a menial worker.

Undoubtedly, the three Mermaid girls possess unparalleled talent in the Judgment Art, but shouldn't the key to Judgment be finding the Judgment?

Clearly, these girls were not familiar with the later stages of the process.

He could imagine the girls being Judgment by a group of cultists on racks, and he could even imagine how figures like Cavis would gradually collect spiritual nourishment and fix it to the stake.

The three in front of me are spoiled, overgrown children.

Seeing Li Ziran still with a frown, Ivy asked curiously, "Li, is there a problem?"

Li Ziran shook his head. There was no problem at all. The only problem was himself. He couldn't possibly spoil the other person like Cavis did.

Even if he had the ability, the Survival Law would never allow him to do so.

Looking at the girl's innocent face, Li Ziran was very worried. If he were to reveal the harsh realities of survival to her, it might directly destroy her values.

With her delicate and charming appearance, I wonder if she'll go crazy after realizing the cruelty of the world.

Why...

Let them retain some of their kind values; at least, they can serve as mentors to me.

"By the way, anyone want to get a skin swap?" Li Ziran asked with a smile. "Ailey, tell me, what kind of creature do you like?"

Ailey frowned, not understanding what was going on. "Living beings? You mean you're going to skin them and put their skin on me? That's too cruel."

"Of course not," Li Ziran quickly retorted, rubbing his spatial ring. A tiny insect appeared on his body as he explained, "This is Split Bug. It can replicate infinitely by taking a small piece of skin from the host. Tell me, which race do you want? Butterfly, Swan Smile, Moon Elves, or Flower Beauty? Their skin is the finest in the entire world."

He deliberately pulled Emily closer, lifted her hand, and said, "You can feel the Butterfly Girl's..."

The three girls were undeniably much more naive; they didn't care at all where the Split Bug's energy came from. When their little hands touched Emily's skin, they exclaimed in surprise:

"This is so fine, Li, can I have such smooth skin too?"

Li Ziran smiled and nodded, "Sure."

At this moment, Emily chimed in, "My three sisters, actually my skin is quite old. Among us Butterfly Girl, fifteen is the most tender. If you pinch it lightly, it's almost like water will slide out. Also, you haven't seen the Moon Elves. Their skin is truly delicate, especially under the moonlight. Tsk tsk, it makes people's mouths water."

Upon hearing Emily's words, Ivy and the other two's eyes lit up.

Li Ziran watched from the side and laughed. "If we're talking about refinement, your skin and flesh are definitely the best among all species, yet you're thinking about other races."

How ridiculous.

However, he couldn't point it out.

"Is the Moon Elves's skin really that good? Sister, where have you seen it before? Can we have it?"

"Of course! Li's technique is excellent; he'll definitely be able to give the girls a good transplant. Plus, he can even help you grow taller. Oh, Ivy, you could also get your little nose adjusted, and your chin can be slimmed down a bit. That would be perfect."

Ivy exclaimed in surprise, "I thought so too, Li, is it really okay?"

Li Ziran nodded firmly; this was what he wanted.

Interest is like a fat piece of meat in a trap; it always manages to cleverly lure you in.

Seeing the growing curiosity in the girl's eyes, Li Ziran's lips curved into a smile, but he needed to let out a heavy sigh.

Why...

It's all just helplessness.

"Li, what's wrong? Are our expectations too high?" Ivy asked.

Li Ziran shook his head, "What's this small request? What I'm lamenting is my own powerlessness."

"Why? Is it because of a lack of technical skill?" Ailey asked with concern.

"Technical skills are minor issues. Forget about Moon Elves, even transplanting the Elves Queen's skin wouldn't be a problem. I only regret my own lack of ability to find the skin you need."

"Then... Li..." Ivy asked hesitantly, "How can we get the skin?"

Li Ziran seemed unwilling to answer. After looking up at the three people's concerned faces, he reluctantly said:

"Skin is on someone else's body, so it's understandable to want a piece. But think about it, who would be willing to give up their skin so easily? Besides, witchcraft is rampant in this world, and Curse Art are everywhere. If you're not careful, you could use skin to cast a curse, and the consequences would be endless. Especially with such a stunning beauty, there aren't many people who would be willing to give her up."

Therefore, if you want to get the skin, you'd better give them enough compensation.

"How will you compensate me?" Ailey asked with concern, her eyes fixed on Li Ziran.

Li Ziran was speechless. He had already explained it to this extent, but the three still didn't understand. "Of course, it's gold coins. They're hard currency and can show our sincerity."

The three of them nodded in unison, agreeing with this viewpoint.

Li Ziran smiled inwardly, but his expression grew increasingly bitter. "Alas, what I lack most right now is gold coins. This is, after all, a skin that is a matter of life and death. If I give too little, my conscience will not be at peace, but if I give too much, I am powerless. The three of you have treated me so well, I should do my best, but alas... I am powerless!"

This statement makes it sound like a small piece of skin is more important than a major organ like the heart.

However, the Mermaid girl took it seriously.

"No, Li, we can help. I can ask the family for it. How much do you need?"

Li Ziran's heart skipped a beat. This was not his intention. These three girls were involved with North Sea Port. If the family was notified, he would have no chance to take advantage of them.

"How can this be? A family is a family after all. Do you think the three of you need to rely on the family to change your skin? Sigh, I thought you were ambitious people, but I never expected you to be parasites of the family. I was even thinking of asking you for advice on the method of Judgment. Oh well, I misjudged you. Let's part ways today." Li Ziran stood up, pretending to leave.

Ivy was startled and quickly grabbed Li Ziran's arm, saying, "No, I didn't mean that, but how are we going to make money if we don't know anything?"

"Who said it can't be done?" Li Ziran turned around and glared at the other person. "You can even do Mental Vibration? Is making a little money really that hard for you? You're only fifteen or sixteen years old now. You have a long life ahead of you. Are you going to spend it like this? Can such a small thing really be that hard for you?"

Upon hearing this, the three women looked bewildered, as they did not recall anyone ever throwing a tantrum like this before.

Li Ziran remained calm, but his eyes were wide open. He had no confidence at all; if the three girls truly lacked ambition, then what he had just said was nothing but empty talk.

In the midst of this stalemate, Ailey, who was furthest away, spoke.

"Don't underestimate me. This little thing is no problem for me, Li. Tell me, what can I do?"

Li Ziran was speechless; the tone was clearly that of someone giving orders.

However, this prompted Ivy to say softly, "Li, you're right. This is my own business, and I really can't rely on my family."

Li Ziran sighed inwardly. What a silly girl. Sigh, that brain of hers is worth nurturing.

However, they must have taken the bait.

"Very good. I've made up my mind. I'll open a shop in Hippo Ancient City for now. If the three of you don't mind, you can help out. We can run this kind of small cosmetic transplant business. I believe we can earn enough money quickly."

"I agree!" Emily raised her hands immediately, then, as if surprised, specifically instructed the three Mermaid girls, "I want to be self-reliant."

The three Mermaid girls immediately raised their fists and confidently declared, "We will also rely on ourselves!"

Li Ziran breathed a long sigh of relief; he had finally fallen into the trap.

However, we must strike while the iron is hot.

He leaned back in his chair, scrutinized the three girls, and said, "Ivy, I'm glad you've joined, but money doesn't fall from the sky. We need patience, perseverance, and often, we'll even have to endure some unfair treatment."

"We're not afraid!" Ailey shouted.

Li Ziran nodded. "Alright, it seems you're really willing to start a business with me in Hippo Ancient City?"

The three girls nodded in unison.

"Alright!" Li Ziran slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Then let's start a business together. However, starting a business is not a joke, nor is it just empty talk like we are now. It requires others to put money out of their pockets and bring it to us. As for the three of you, you have no experience at all. In the market, we usually call people like guinea pigs."

"White mouse? What does that mean?" Ailey asked.

Li Ziran asked with a smile, "Even if you get ripped off, those shrewd and experienced businessmen will take advantage of your ignorance, set traps, and make you lose all the money you've worked so hard to earn. So, before starting a business, you should at least know some basic rules of entrepreneurship."

Seeing the three of them looking completely unconcerned, he turned to Ivy, who was the calmest, and asked, "Perhaps you think what I'm saying is unnecessary, but Ivy, let me ask you, how did I fare with the Judgment Spell?"

Ivy an awkward smile, not wanting to point it out.

"Newbies, right? In your eyes, I can't even retrieve the simplest 'Holy Scripture'. But think about it, what level are you in my eyes when it comes to making money? If I could, wouldn't I knock you out right now and resell you?"

"I... I... I..." Ivy was stunned for a long time, unable to speak. Ailey and Aimer, who were standing next to her, also became serious. "What should we do? Are we going to be scammed by them? You just said we could make money."

Li Ziran smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm here. How about this, we make a deal: you teach me the Judgment Spell, and I'll tell you how to become rich. We'll be even, how about it?"

Upon hearing this, the three women's eyes lit up. "Great! No, Li, we've already told you how to store the Holy Scripture. You're taking advantage of us."

Li Ziran couldn't be happier to repay it now.

He coughed lightly and said solemnly:

"Alright, before we set off, I'll give you a brief business lesson. Hmm... Ivy, I have a question for you. If I were on my way to choose a shop and saw a Demon, would I immediately Judgment it, follow it, or ignore it?"

Li Ziran asked the question calmly, but inside he was extremely anxious.