’If only Song Wanning were a junior of the Mo Family...’

Mo Wentian wouldn’t have been so arrogant all these years!

She focused her gaze on the Merfolk once more.

The Merfolk’s eyes were now empty and vacant, a clear sign it was resisting Song Wanning’s invasion.

She watched with a tense expression, her attention also on any movement outside the door.

Meanwhile, in the Mo Family’s main courtyard, Mo Wentian sat cross-legged in his training chamber, his eyes tightly closed.

Just then, his Sea of Consciousness detected the fluctuations of a Divine Soul coming from the Merfolk. ’It seems the Merfolk has made its move!’

He opened his eyes and let out a cold laugh.

If he hadn’t been worried about Mo Rou detecting anything unusual, he would have left his own Divine Soul Mark on the Merfolk long ago.

Still, leaving a faint connection on the Merfolk’s Divine Soul Origin was enough. When the time was right, he would go directly to Mo Rou’s main hall and force her to personally promise that he would be the next Family Head. Then, his plan would be complete.

Mo Rou had been incredibly cautious over the years, leaving him no opportunity to make a move.

But her old injury, which had plagued her for over two hundred years, was a constant affliction. If he missed this opportunity, who knew how long he would have to wait for another!

Mo Wentian slowly opened his eyes, glancing toward Mo Rou’s main hall.

"Mo Rou, just wait. I’ll be there to collect your corpse."

...

Within the Merfolk’s Sea of Consciousness, Song Wanning relentlessly searched for its Divine Soul Origin. But the creature resisted. Howling waves crashed down, attempting to block her path, and the Merfolk intentionally blurred its own Sea of Consciousness, trying to keep her from sensing the Origin’s location.

A cold glint appeared in her eyes. ’Since you won’t cooperate, I don’t have to be polite anymore.’

With a tremor of her Divine Soul, the Black and White Tai Chi Diagram materialized, pressing down on the Sea of Consciousness with an air of absolute supremacy.

The Sea of Consciousness trembled violently, and the waves immediately began to roil with greater ferocity.

The Black and White Tai Chi Diagram, enraged by the resistance, unleashed concentric rings of light that instantly spread across the sea.

The rings of light pulsed with a terrifying aura, completely enveloping the entire seascape in mere moments.

The next moment, the rings of light erupted in a blinding flash, constricting the sea as if it were a tightening band.

Crushing, colliding, consuming...

The rings of light were overpowering, attempting to devour the Merfolk’s Sea of Consciousness outright.

"AHHH—"

Song Wanning heard a piercing shriek, and in the next instant, the Merfolk’s Divine Soul materialized before her.

With a PLOP, the Divine Soul fell to its knees before her. It clasped its hands, pleading ceaselessly. Though it could not speak, the terror and agony in its eyes were unmistakable.

"Are you begging me?"

Song Wanning tilted her head, her gaze flippant.

The Merfolk nodded frantically. In just a few short moments, its eyes had already filled with tears.

"Fine, then."

Song Wanning smiled, raising a hand to retract the rings of light.

The terrifying, all-consuming power vanished in an instant. The Merfolk’s Divine Soul collapsed weakly to the ground, panting heavily, its face a mask of lingering fear.

A closer look would reveal that in that short span of time, its Divine Soul had already grown considerably fainter.

If it had resisted any longer, it likely wouldn’t have been long before...

The Merfolk’s gaze toward Song Wanning filled with even greater terror. ’Just who is this person?’

’Mo Wentian clearly said there was no danger...’

"Take me to your Divine Soul Origin."

Song Wanning looked down at it, her commanding gaze both majestic and terrifying. Without a second thought, the Merfolk nodded frantically and led her swiftly toward its Divine Soul Origin.

With no more obstacles, she soon laid eyes on the Merfolk’s Divine Soul Origin.

Song Wanning turned to face the Merfolk and said coldly, "Initiate a contract with me now."

"You have no other choice."

Although their name contains the word for "person," the Merfolk do not belong to the Human Clan. They are members of the Beast Clan.

As such, they can form a Master-Servant Contract with humans.

The Merfolk trembled at her words, tears instantly welling up in its eyes again.

Its aggrieved and piteous expression was a truly pathetic sight.

But when it raised its head and saw the murderous intent in Song Wanning’s eyes, its tears vanished in an instant.

In the end, it had no choice but to obediently form the contract with Song Wanning.

As a Divine Soul Mark was imprinted on the Merfolk’s Divine Soul Origin, Song Wanning’s eyebrows arched, and a smile touched her lips.

’Just as I suspected!’

Her guess was right.

This was a male Merfolk!

Ever since she learned the Merfolk was connected to Mo Rou’s death, she had wondered how a powerful Nascent Soul Cultivator like Mo Rou could be killed by a mere Merfolk. She had suspected back then that there was something unusual about its gender.

Now, she had finally confirmed it.

"You’re quite good at keeping up a disguise,"

she praised with a laugh. The Merfolk could only offer a bitter smile in response.

To think that a secret buried so deep could be discovered by Song Wanning.

"Master,"

it called out within the Sea of Consciousness.

Now that the contract was formed, they could communicate.

"All right, talk. What’s really going on here?"

Song Wanning crossed her arms, waiting leisurely for an explanation.

Merfolk are divided into male and female. Both sexes possess the Water Control Ability, but only female Merfolk have healing powers. Males not only lack this ability—their bodies are full of poison!

In the past life, when Mo Rou had the Merfolk treat her injuries, she was practically walking to her own death.

Furthermore, Mo Rou’s Divine Soul was not as powerful as her own. If Mo Rou had chosen to form a contract with the Merfolk, she would have fallen for the trap all the same.

Either way, Mo Wentian would have gotten what he wanted.

But Song Wanning was extremely curious. How had this Merfolk managed to conceal its gender so well?

If not for the contract, even she wouldn’t have discovered its true sex.

The Merfolk averted its gaze, saying sheepishly, "I—I’m a mutated Merfolk. I can... switch my gender at will..."

"What?"

Song Wanning froze, staring at the Merfolk in stunned disbelief.

’It can switch genders at will?’

’This has never been recorded in any of the ancient texts!’

Her expression grew serious. Staring at it, she asked grimly, "Does Mo Wentian know about this?"

The Merfolk nodded. "He’s the only one who knows. That’s why he..."

"Oh?"

A glint flashed in Song Wanning’s eyes.

’Mo Wentian just earned himself another reason to die.’

"Then tell me why you’re helping Mo Wentian."

At the mention of this, the Merfolk looked like it was about to cry again.

It lowered its head, its voice full of grievance. "I was living peacefully in the Wuyou Sea, but one day, Mo Wentian suddenly took my beloved captive! To save her, I had no choice but to agree to help him kill Mo Rou. He promised I could return to the Wuyou Sea afterward!"

’But now... now I’m bound by a contract to a human.’

SOB SOB SOB...

’Oh, my beloved... ’

As it thought about it, the Merfolk actually started to cry.

God only knew how much it had missed its beloved over these past days. No, its beloved Merfolk.

Song Wanning: "..."

"Work for me, and do a good job. I’m going to the Wuyou Sea in a couple of days. You might even get to see your old flame."

She quickly extended an olive branch. The Merfolk’s head shot up at her words, a snot bubble hanging from its nose.

"Really?"

The Merfolk’s eyes lit up.

"Mm-hmm."

Song Wanning nodded. The Merfolk instantly sucked the snot bubble back in with a SNIFFLE.

Song Wanning: "..."

Never judge a Merfolk by its cover. What a waste of such a beautiful appearance.