The following day, Fanli woke up with a mild headache, only to find that her and Dangdang’s itinerary had been upgraded to a "VIP Deluxe Edition," complete with private shuttle service for the entire trip. A red, sports-utility private vessel bobbed in the seawater outside the hotel. Equipped with an excellent rear suspension and propeller drive, it was designed to handle turbulent currents with ease. A pilot stood by the door to open it for them; one look at the craft told Fanli that the daily rental fee must be astronomical.
Dangdang screamed with delight and dove inside, rolling and swimming around the spacious cabin while shouting, "This is amazing! This is so great!"
While Fanli enjoyed the aristocratic service, her mind went elsewhere: *If only we could trade the rental and hotel fees for cash and go back to riding those old junkers, how much money would that be...*
But soon enough, she was having too much fun to worry about such trifles.
The economy of the Resurrection Sea was struggling, but its sense of culture and history was profound. The architectural style was a riot of imagination: prayer minarets, rugged vaults, grand domes, and polylobed arches. Much of it resembled the oasis architecture found on land, projecting a powerful "Resurrection Sea" aesthetic.
The region was a major producer of advanced papyrus made from wetland plants. Upon heading out to sea, one could see numerous merfolk working on land, clearing debris from tsunamis. Superior mirages, caused by differences in air density, shimmered in the distance. The sailboat hotel they had stayed in the night before had already been reduced to a pile of wreckage on a natural rock shelf. The poor owner, having failed to take proper disaster precautions, was currently in a state of deep distress while wholesaling a second batch of sailboats.
Most of the Resurrection Sea consisted of tropical waters with little upwelling. The exchange of matter between the surface and the seafloor was minimal, leading to nutrient-poor waters. However, because the metabolism of tropical marine life was fast, carcasses were quickly scavenged. This resulted in water so crystal clear it was better suited for resorts than anywhere else.
After touring various cultural landmarks and natural wonders, the day passed quickly. Dangdang was exhausted and desperately wanted to return to the hotel to rest, but Fanli was acting as if she’d been injected with stimulants, insisting on dragging her to the night market.
In the night market, the seawater was illuminated into a golden-orange hue by the brilliant lights. In a conservative region like the Resurrection Sea, even women of the Predator tribes weren't as bold as they were elsewhere; they couldn't show their arms, and their tails had to be half-covered. Women of the Ocean tribes couldn't even show their hair, covering it with fabric. As for the Sea God tribe women, they were permitted to show only their eyes... Consequently, the streets were filled with women wrapped up like characters from *Assassin's Creed*.
Dangdang yawned, following Fanli as she wandered aimlessly. Fanli was in a world of her own, completely absorbed in studying the local culture with zero communication. One moment she was poking at sea lilies—echinoderms that originated 485 million years ago—at a stall; the next, she was fiddling with an octagonal ring featuring a snake’s head and tail at either end. Then she was seen discussing the thirty million red crabs that migrate to the surface every October with a stall owner, or crouching down to stare blankly at a "living fossil" coelacanth hauled up from the deep. She even got kicked out of one stall after arguing with the owner that their Great White Shark serrated razors were fakes... She was acting exactly like an archaeologist.
Dangdang didn't care how intoxicated the "archaeologist" was by foreign cultures; she only knew she was hungry and tired. She headed straight for a night stall named "Coral Whip Oil Dragon," sat down, and pulled out money to buy fish.
Fanli had no choice but to follow and sit. She discovered that the "Oil Dragon" being sold was the Resurrection Sea specialty mentioned in her travel guide: the Scaly Pipefish.
The Scaly Pipefish was bright red all over, shaped like a sea snake, with a snout as long as its seahorse relatives. It could grow longer than a merman. When swimming, it held its body upright like a seahorse, resembling a moving red whip—hence the nickname "Coral Whip." Because it was a famous oily delicacy, it was also known as the "Oil Dragon."
Fanli naturally wanted to order cooked food, but unfortunately, this place lacked the sophisticated service of the Red Moon Sea. She had to brace herself to eat sashimi. However, from the very first bite, she was a convert—the white meat had no fishy smell and possessed a natural sweetness. It was rich but not greasy, with a moist texture that made her feel faint with happiness. She joined Dangdang in exclaiming, "So good, so good!"
"Rich people in the Resurrection Sea are so strange," Dangdang whispered halfway through the meal, pointing at the tails of a group of women. "Why do they like hanging pearls and gold on their caudal fins so much? Isn't it heavy? It’s not like they’re getting engaged..."
"Maybe hanging pearls and gold near the tail is the only way to show their utter disdain for wealth?" Fanli mused.
"But doesn't that make it really inconvenient to swim?"
This question stumped Fanli. The answers she’d given Dangdang earlier were all from books. She hadn't considered the answer to this one.
Just then, a man’s low, cool voice rang out: "It proves they usually have luxury mounts to transport them. They don't need to swim much."
Then, a figure sat down beside them, shrouded entirely in a cloak like a noblewoman of the Sea God tribe. When he looked up, revealing blade-like brows and golden eyes, Fanli felt as if her body’s "pause" button had been pressed.
Dangdang nearly slid off her stone bench. She immediately cast a soundproofing spell to enclose the three of them. "Whoa, whoa, whoa..."
"Lord Su Shiye, why are you..." Fanli said in surprise.
"I heard your voices from upstairs, so I came out to see."
The moment her eyes met his, she saw the flickering lights of the night market reflected in them, mixed with the cold indifference of the deep sea and the passion of a blazing fire. He was a natural contradiction. Fanli whispered, "Upstairs?"
Su Shiye pointed toward the Resurrection Sect Divine Palace a kilometer away. Fanli was speechless.
"Lord Su Shiye, what a pity," Dangdang sighed. "If only you had been with us during the day. We went to so many fun places."
"I was in meetings during the day and couldn't get away. Will you still be here tomorrow?" Su Shiye dispelled the soundproofing.
"Yes!"
"We’re returning to Luoya tomorrow."
The simultaneous, conflicting answers from Dangdang and Fanli were a bit awkward. Hearing Dangdang’s reply, Fanli lamented her own poor social reflexes; she really should have said "It depends on your schedule..." Fanli quickly tried to adapt, handing a newly arrived plate of sashimi to Su Shiye, intending to order another for herself. But Su Shiye didn't take it; he simply ordered his own.
Seeing that Su Shiye had no food yet, Fanli felt it would be rude to keep eating. She put down her chopsticks and waited for his portion with him.
"Is the Oil Dragon here fresh? Pick a piece up so I can see," Su Shiye said.
Fanli picked up a piece of fish and held it before him. Su Shiye leaned down, looked at it, and then ate it.
"The flavor is quite good," Su Shiye said nonchalantly, acting as if he couldn't see the petrified expressions on the two girls' faces. "Boss, give me ten more portions."
"Ten portions?!" the owner’s voice rose. "Sir, our portions are very substantial. What tribe are you from to want ten? Looking at your build, eating two might even..."
He stopped mid-sentence because he saw Su Shiye’s face. He gasped and quickly lowered his head. "My mistake, my mistake. I’ll go prepare them for you right now."
For the next while, Fanli and Dangdang watched in stunned silence as Su Shiye polished off portion after portion of Scaly Pipefish... His chewing appeared slow and his posture elegant, but he ate a lot in every bite, perfectly synchronized with the speed at which the owner served the dishes. Fanli didn't know where to focus her attention: his staggering appetite, his incredible eating efficiency, or that face of his that hit every one of her aesthetic buttons?
"Before you depart tomorrow, let me know," Su Shiye said. "The simulated currents are too slow. I’ll arrange a private vessel for you."
"Actually, it’s not that much trouble. The simulated currents are quite nice, and there’s a lot of beautiful scenery along the way," Fanli smiled.
"Don't say that! I want to take a ship back," Dangdang said, quickly tugging at Fanli’s clothes under the table. "We’ve already seen the scenery on the way here. Besides, my boyfriend has never seen Lord Su Shiye. I want to let him witness the elegance of the Light Sea Dictator."
"Oh, oh, okay."
During the conversation, she and Dangdang helped him by bringing dishes and clearing plates. Every time, Su Shiye would say "Thank you." Eventually, Fanli felt a bit embarrassed and whispered, "It’s just a small gesture. You don't need to be so polite with us."
"Hmm?" Su Shiye picked up a piece of sashimi but didn't put it in his mouth. Instead, he looked up and said casually, "Does Miss Fanli mean she wishes for me to be *impolite* with her?"
Fanli froze.
"How should I be impolite?" Seeing that she was about to start steaming even underwater, he smiled. He didn't seem to expect an answer and took another bite of sashimi.
Dangdang’s mouth fell open as she slowly turned her head to stare at Fanli.
***
After finishing their walk through the night market and returning, Fanli felt like her brain was mush. She didn't even want to brush her teeth, collapsing straight into her soft, floating bedding.
"Lili..." Dangdang swam slowly to the side of Fanli’s bed, her tail coiled in a half-circle as she sat. "Why do I feel like... Lord Su Shiye likes you?"
"What?" Fanli’s heart skipped a beat. She thought about it and looked up. "Impossible. He’s nice to me for other reasons—academic ones."
"What academic... I don't understand that. I just know that tonight, while you were talking to me, he was always looking at you. And the way he looked at you when he dropped us off downstairs just now... plus, he let you feed him! There’s too much evidence; I don't even know where to start."
"An illusion."
"It would be better if it were an illusion," Dangdang said, resting her chin in her hand. "I’ve always believed that true love disregards tribe, class, and appearance—"
"It only regards houses, right?"
"Oh, don't interrupt me, it’s not about houses. I’m trying to say that even as someone who loves to daydream like a little girl, I think you and him... it won't work." Dangdang straightened her back. "I’m not jealous, don't misunderstand. I truly feel that if you fall for Lord Su Shiye, you’ll definitely get hurt."
"I won't fall for him." After saying it, Fanli felt her momentum was too weak, so she cleared her throat and added, "Who would fall for a regular fixture of the news headlines?"
"That’s good then... I always feel like he’s just playing a part. If our baby Lili takes it seriously, it would be too tragic. Compared to him, I think Xinghai is much better—handsome, pure, and his eyes only see you. Xinghai is probably the person least likely to hurt you. As your 'mother-in-law,' I declare that I accept Xinghai!"
"Mother-in-law my foot! You’re just taking advantage of me!" Fanli slapped the back of her hand and smiled. "Thanks, Dangdang. You’re really looking out for me."
"Sigh, even so," Dangdang said, looking conflicted as she propped up her chin. "Lord Su Shiye is seriously super sexy. He has something Xinghai doesn't. Sigh, me advising you is just a case of 'standing while talking doesn't hurt the back.' If it were me, I probably wouldn't be able to withstand his flirting at all. The charm of a mature man... I can't take it, I can't take it..."
***
On their third day in the Resurrection Sea, they visited the ancient "Sephiroth" monument in the city center and the Sephi Clan Museum.
Sephiroth was the ancestral progenitor god of the Resurrection Sea and the part of the Deep Blue spirit fragments that symbolized "selflessness." In religious mythology, he possessed the revelatory power to govern and manipulate the illusions and dreams of the merfolk, as well as the ability to command lightning at sea. Consequently, pure-blooded members of the Sephi clan were exceptionally gifted in lightning-based occult arts.
The statue of Sephiroth depicted him surrounded by seaweed, his Eye of Revelation open. Fanli pulled a 1-float coin from her bag; the statue was indeed a 3D version of the pattern on the back of the coin. Furthermore, the coin had been issued during the Golden Age—it was the type of currency least likely to be redesigned in any sea territory. Just like the artifacts in the museum, it preserved the painting and sculpture styles of twenty million years ago and refused to change, giving Fanli the constant illusion that she was living in history.
When they emerged from the museum, a bright yellow private vessel, the "Light Demon 97," pulled Fanli back to the modern era.
The vessel’s engine was still running, but the sight of the red-haired Orca man standing beside it made Dangdang’s non-stop chatter die out. She and the man stared at each other for a few seconds before she suddenly screamed and rushed over, hanging onto him and wrapping her tail around his like a snake. After the two of them were affectionate for a long while, Dangdang finally swam toward Fanli and introduced him as her boyfriend, Burn.
Fanli was surprised—Dangdang’s boyfriend was actually from a Predator tribe. No wonder Dangdang thought it was fine for her to be with Xinghai.
"Dangdang’s classmate Fanli, right?" Burn gave her a left-handed salute. "We meet again. Hello, Lili. Dangdang mentions you every day."
"Hello, Burn." Fanli returned a right-handed salute. "But what do you mean by 'meet again'?"
"Haha, you don't remember? We have met. On your first day of school, on the Luoya city-loop blue whale, you and Dangdang were together..."
"I remember now!" Fanli clapped her hands. "So her boyfriend was you! But didn't you two fail to exchange contact info that day?"
"Yes, Lili has a good memory." He put an arm around Dangdang’s shoulder and smiled. "We met again later at Bu Keni’s wedding."
Though Burn was an older man, he was very handsome. Standing with Dangdang, there was none of the jarring contrast seen between Bu Keni and Miss Bubble.
"I see. You two really are fated. Congratulations."
"By the way, let me introduce my daughter to you." Burn turned toward the "Light Demon 97."
The "Light Demon 97" was a two-door supersonic private vessel from the Starry Sea, released in the year 10528 of the Combustion Era. The rear of the ship could be flipped open, allowing the engine to be inspected from three directions, and it could reach speeds of 923 kilometers per hour.
Seeing this vessel, Dangdang instinctively shrank back. She knew that among the Orca tribe, Burn’s financial status was below average; he absolutely couldn't afford such an expensive ship. Burn was usually so gentle with her that she almost forgot he was a pure-blooded Orca, and the Orca tribe was known for producing powerful females. Burn’s daughter might not be as easy to get along with as the daughters of the Ding’s Threadfin Parrotfish tribe.
The vessel’s glass windows were black; one could see out from the cabin, but not in. This meant her boyfriend’s daughter had already seen her. However, the daughter didn't come out, nor did she open a window. The vessel sat there for ten seconds before it roared to life and shot away, leaving them covered in bubbles.
The remaining three looked at each other.
"My daughter has always had a bit of a temper." Seeing Dangdang nod silently, Burn coughed and pulled out his communicator. "I don't know what’s wrong with her. I told her before that my girlfriend is from an Ocean tribe and about the same age as her, and she seemed to accept it easily. Logically, she shouldn't have such a big reaction... Sorry, excuse me for a moment. I’ll go give her a call."
In the end, Burn couldn't coax his daughter back. He told Dangdang to let it go for now and that she’d have a chance to meet her later.
Dangdang could only agree. She felt it was a pity; she had really wanted to get along well with Burn’s daughter...
Afterward, Fanli, Dangdang, and Burn went to thank and bid farewell to Su Shiye. When the guards of the Resurrection Sect Divine Palace heard that Miss Fanli had arrived, they immediately let them in and invited them to the dining hall to see Su Shiye.
Su Shiye had just started his lunch. When he saw them, he exchanged pleasantries for a while and then asked them to go downstairs first, saying he would follow shortly to see them off.
"I really didn't expect the Lord Autocrat to be so polite," Burn remarked. "And he actually has an interest in Lili. How interesting."
"No, no." Fanli shook her head emphatically. "He looks out for me because of my grades."
"Oh, I didn't really notice him looking out for you. What I noticed is that when he speaks to you, he releases far more pheromones than when he speaks to me or Dangdang."
"I knew it! Lord Su Shiye definitely has those intentions!" Dangdang clapped her hands excitedly. "But... what are these pheromones? Is he releasing them? Why can't I sense them? Is it because I’m from an Ocean tribe?"
"Yes. Pheromones are external hormones used to attract the opposite sex. Although the Lord Autocrat and I are of different classes and tribes, many things among the Predator tribes are universal. For example, every time I see you, I release a lot of pheromones, baby." At this point, Burn couldn't help but kiss Dangdang, then looked up at Fanli. "Lili, there’s one thing you should pay special attention to: the release of pheromones is an instinct. Ordinary Orcas and Sharks can't control it, but the Lord Autocrat’s Ether Body can. Yet, he isn't controlling it. Do you understand what I mean?"
Fanli understood that because Orcas and Sharks favored a non-monogamous, polygamous system, they hadn't needed to signal loyalty to a mate for over four hundred million years. As a result, through the long course of history, they had never evolved the physiological function to hide their "sexual interest" in a new member of the opposite sex. Being able to bluntly let the other party know their interest actually increased the success rate of mating. But she didn't understand Su Shiye’s confusing behavior. She frowned and shook her head. "What do you mean?"
"He wants you to realize he likes you, and he wants a response."
"A... a response!" Fanli stammered in shock. "How... how am I supposed to respond?"
"You tell me."
"No, impossible. From any angle, I think it’s impossible..."
Fanli was mid-sentence when she saw Dangdang make a "shh" gesture. She roughly guessed what had happened but didn't dare turn around, simply sitting stiffly and waiting.
Sure enough, a few seconds later, Su Shiye’s voice sounded beside her. "Dangdang, Burn, I’ve arranged a return vessel for you. It’s right outside the door."
"Thank you, Lord Autocrat."
"Thank you, Lord Su Shiye!!"
"Okay, thank you, Lord Su Shiye." Fanli stood up, wanting nothing more than to launch herself like a rocket toward the door. However, as she swam past Su Shiye, her wrist was caught. Looking down at that large hand with its long fingers, she froze like a herbivore pinned by a predator.
"Miss Fanli, you stay." Su Shiye pulled her toward him. "I’ll take you to the Winter-Coming Sea for two days."
"Why?"
Su Shiye smiled. "Does having fun require a reason? I’ll have someone send you back separately in two days."
"But you’re so busy with work, I don't want to take up your time..." Fanli cast a pleading look toward Dangdang and Burn. However, Dangdang was just holding her face, looking expectant as if watching the most melodramatic scene in an 8:00 PM soap opera. Burn had "I told you so" written all over his face. No one intended to save her.
"I won't be. It’s time I took a vacation too," Su Shiye said.
"But why just me..."
"I see." Su Shiye looked at Dangdang and Burn. "Do you two want to come along?"
And those two traitors gave the most infuriatingly tactful answers:
"No! Not at all!"
"Lord Autocrat, I want to spend two days alone with Dangdang. My apologies."
"Your friends don't want to go." Su Shiye looked back at Fanli. "Since we both happen to have two days of vacation, do I have the honor of Miss Fanli’s company?"
"I..."
Clearly, this wasn't a question, but a command. Before Fanli could answer, he added, "Accompany me while I finish my lunch first. You can think about it while we eat."
And so, after a forced farewell to the other two, Dangdang pulled Fanli aside for a soundproofed moment.
"Lili, let me give you a heads-up. Predator tribes and Ocean tribes are different. Take things slow—" Dangdang clutched her chest, looking conflicted. "It hurts. It really, really hurts at first. Even though Lord Su Shiye looks like he has plenty of experience, you should still be careful. Don't get hurt."
"What hurts?" Fanli paused, only then snapping out of her confusion over Su Shiye’s actions. "I won't get hurt, don't worry. It’s just that I still find it very strang—"
Before she could finish, Dangdang gave her shoulder a solemn pat and slipped away.
Fanli was forcibly led by Su Shiye toward the dining hall.
What was happening? What on earth was Su Shiye thinking? She didn't understand!
At the entrance to the dining hall, Su Shiye finally let go of her hand. The waiter received his instructions and immediately went inside to tell the chef to prepare the food, while another waiter came to lead them in.
But just as that waiter turned around, Fanli felt a hand gently encircle her waist, lifting her body slightly. She looked down at Su Shiye’s hand and then looked up in panic. What appeared before her was a close-up of the lower half of Su Shiye’s face as he tilted his head.
Then, her lips were touched by something soft.
Her body trembled slightly. Fanli covered her mouth with both hands, her face quickly becoming hot as if she had a fever. Her voice came out muffled from between her fingers: "Why... what are you doing..."
"I said, I don't kiss drunk women," Su Shiye whispered into her ear. His voice was magnetic, like hot sand soaking in the Resurrection Bay. "But that was for yesterday’s portion. For today’s portion, you take the initiative later, alright?"
***
### Glossary Table
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
复活海 | Resurrection Sea | A tropical sea region known for its clear water and ancient architecture.
鳞烟管鱼 | Scaly Pipefish | Scientific name for the "Oil Dragon."
珊瑚鞭油龙 | Coral Whip Oil Dragon | A local delicacy in the Resurrection Sea, also known as the Scaly Pipefish.
赛菲乐思 | Sephiroth | The ancestral deity of the Resurrection Sea, symbolizing selflessness.
临冬海 | Winter-Coming Sea | A sea region Su Shiye invites Fanli to visit.
光魔97 | Light Demon 97 | A high-end supersonic private vessel model.
伯恩 | Burn | Dangdang's boyfriend, a member of the Orca tribe.
逆戟族 | Orca Tribe | Also known as the Killer Whale tribe; a powerful Predator tribe.
以太之躯 | Ether Body | A specialized physical or spiritual state mentioned in relation to Su Shiye's abilities.
信息素 | Pheromones | External chemical signals used by Predator tribes to signal sexual interest.
浮 | Float | The currency unit used in this world.
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