207: identity

After speaking, he pulled back the curtain and swam out.

Bai Yao watched his figure disappear into the halo of the bioluminescent moss, suddenly feeling the mark on her chest begin to ache faintly again.

It wasn't physical pain.

It was something deeper, growing silently within the water pressure of the deep sea.

Outside the healing hall, Liu Xi leaned against a coral pillar and slowly slid down to a sitting position.

He raised his hand and looked at his palm, where the warmth of Bai Yao's fingers still lingered.

It was very cool, yet it burned so hot it made his heart tremble.

In the distance, Cang Ming's figure appeared at the end of the corridor.

He swam over, stopped in front of Liu Xi, and looked down at the one who was once his younger brother.

"The Council has decided,"

Cang Ming said, "Bai Yao's mark does indeed align with the prophecy. She will be granted the status of 'Deep Sea Envoy,' allowing her to travel freely between the two realms. And you..."

He paused.

"As the individual whose bloodline resonates most deeply with hers, the Council requires you to serve as her guardian and guide. No title, no stipend, just... staying by her side."

Liu Xi looked up: "Is this an order?"

"Yes."

Cang Ming nodded, "But you can refuse. If you refuse, you will be sent to the shallow sea border, never to see her again for the rest of your life."

Liu Xi was silent for a long time.

Then he smiled. It was a very faint smile, yet it looked more painful than crying.

"Do I even have a choice?" he whispered.

Cang Ming didn't answer. He simply patted Liu Xi's shoulder and turned to leave.

The deep-sea currents surged gently, carrying the faint sound of singing from the distant palace.

Liu Xi closed his eyes, feeling the slow beat of his heart beneath the gray scales, and the subtle resonance deep within his heart core that was connected to Bai Yao's mark.

He knew that from this day forward, his fate no longer belonged to the deep sea, nor did it belong to himself.

It belonged to that daughter of the lu realm who carried fire in her palm and the sea of stars in her eyes.

And he accepted it gladly.

Three days later, the sea flame mark on Bai Yao's chest stabilized.

The deep-sea shaman was an elderly mermaid with silver hair that almost trailed down to her ankles.

After a careful examination, she nodded to Liu Xi, who was standing by.

"The Power of Prophecy has merged with her own bloodline."

The Old Shaman's voice sounded like shells rubbing together, "But the fusion is incomplete. She needs to return to the deep sea periodically to nourish the mark with the power of the abyssal core. Otherwise, the mark will backlash and burn her heart vessels."

Liu Xi's brow furrowed: "How often?"

"At least once a month."

The old healer looked at Bai Yao, "Each time, she must stay in the Hall of Resonance for twelve hours. If she misses three consecutive times, the mark will spiral out of control."

Bai Yao, sitting on a diagnostic table carved from glowing coral, fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.

Once a month meant she couldn't leave the deep sea for long periods.

But on shore, Xing Che still needed follow-up treatment, Caesar was waiting, and there were her own family, friends, and unfinished business... "Is there any other way?" she asked.

The Old Shaman shook her head: "The Power of Prophecy is the accumulation of a thousand years of the deep sea; it's not something a mortal body can easily endure. It's already a miracle that you survived; maintaining balance is the only way."

She paused, then added: "However, if someone could share it with you..."

"I'll do it," Liu Xi interrupted her.

The Old Shaman and the other merfolk in the room all looked at him at once.

Bai Yao also looked up, somewhat startled.

"The backlash of your gray scales hasn't faded, and your heart core is damaged. Sharing the Power of Prophecy will only accelerate your petrification," the Old Shaman said disapprovingly.

"But my bloodline resonates most deeply with hers."

Liu Xi's voice was very calm, as if stating a fact, "In the Forbidden Sea Tower, her mark was able to reverse my petrification. Conversely, my bloodline should also be able to stabilize her mark."

"That is only a theory."

"Then let's verify it."

Liu Xi looked at Bai Yao, a certain undeniable resolve in his sea-like eyes, "If it fails, I will bear the consequences."

The room fell silent.

From afar came the chime of bells unique to the deep-sea palace—the sound of the Council convening.

The Old Shaman finally sighed: "I need to consult the Council."

"No need."

The pearl curtain was pulled back, and Ya Qi swam in.

Today she wore a simple deep blue robe, her silver hair draped loosely; she looked less majestic than before and a bit more weary.

Her gaze swept between Liu Xi and Bai Yao, finally resting on Liu Xi's face.

"The Council has already passed the resolution."

She said, "Liu Xi Hange will serve as Bai Yao's guardian and guide, accompanying her as she travels freely between the deep sea and the Land. And as the price..."

She paused, her voice dropping slightly: "He must enter the Hall of Resonance with Bai Yao every month to nourish her mark with his own bloodline.

This process will continuously consume his life force, but it will also delay the spread of the gray scales; the Power of Prophecy and the royal backlash will counteract each other."

Bai Yao stood up abruptly: "Consume life force? Then wouldn't that mean..."

"It's my own choice."

Liu Xi interrupted her and turned to Ya Qi, "I accept."

"Liu Xi!"

Bai Yao grabbed his arm, "Are you crazy? You were already..."

"Already dying?"

Liu Xi finished the sentence for her, a very faint curve touching the corners of his lips, "But with your mark, I can live longer. This is a trade, a very fair one."

He said it very casually, but Bai Yao could hear the absolute resolve beneath that casualness.

Ya Qi looked at them, her expression complex.

After a long while, she took a deep blue ring from her sleeve and handed it to Liu Xi.

"This is the 'tidal covenant'."

She said, "Wearing it, you can maintain human form on Land for twenty-four hours. Once the time is up, you must return to the sea, or your body will begin to dehydrate and fester. On the night of every full moon, you both must return to the Hall of Resonance to complete the nourishment ritual."

Liu Xi took the ring.

It was forged from some kind of deep-sea metal, its surface carved with fine wave patterns and a glowing pearl set in the center.

He put it on his left index finger; the ring automatically constricted to fit his skin.

"By wearing this,"

Ya Qi added, "your status in the deep sea has completely changed. You are no longer a prince, nor a mere commoner. You are the Envoy's Guardian, representing the connection between the deep sea and the Land Realm. Your actions will directly affect the relationship between the two realms."

Liu Xi nodded: "I understand."

"And you,"

Ya Qi looked at Bai Yao, "the Deep Sea Council recognizes your status as a Prophet and grants you the authority to enter and exit freely.

But remember—prophecy is not a blessing, it is a responsibility.

Connecting the two realms means you must balance the interests of both sides and bear the conflicts of both sides. This path... is very difficult."

Bai Yao pursed her lips and finally said: "I'm ready."

Ya Qi said nothing more.

She turned to leave, but before swimming out of the curtain, she looked back at Liu Xi once more.

That look was brief, but Bai Yao saw the deep-seated pain of a family member within it.

The curtain fell, leaving only the two of them in the room.

"Now,"

Liu Xi turned to Bai Yao, "it's time for you to return to the Land. Xing Che needs follow-up treatment, and Caesar must be getting anxious."

Bai Yao looked at him, at the patch of dull gray scales on the side of his neck, at the deep blue ring on his finger, and at the no longer calm deep sea in his eyes.

"Together?" she asked.

Liu Xi nodded: "Together."