“Cang Liu, I think you should know that this is already the new century, nearly ten thousand years since the old one,” Bai Cha said, pressing her temples as she looked at Cang Liu’s unchanging icy expression. “You are the Crown Prince of the Sea Kingdom.”
“I know,” Cang Liu replied, his head bowed, not moving.
Bai Cha’s brow furrowed even tighter. The strange feeling from the carnival returned.
“You know me,” Bai Cha stated, staring at Cang Liu with certainty in her tone.
Every time Cang Liu saw her, he seemed unsurprised, as if everything she did was expected. His eyes even held a peculiar emotion, as if they had known each other for a long time.
“I came to find you,” Cang Liu said after a long silence, his head still bowed so Bai Cha couldn’t see his expression. “I am the Flood Dragon.”
The luxurious restaurant was bustling, but the atmosphere at their corner table suddenly dropped to freezing point. Mo Ziye, about to speak, was stopped by Michael, and could only look on, bewildered, as everyone froze in that instant.
“Sit down and eat. We’ll talk at the training grounds after school,” Bai Cha said first, recovering her composure. She withdrew the dagger from the table, her expression returning to normal. Lucifer naturally stood up to add a chair for Cang Liu, and then picked up a food tray to get him some food.
The meal was eaten in silence, but Bai Cha’s doubts only grew. For the first time in her life, she felt a fleeting, elusive sensation in her heart.
It wasn’t until six o’clock in the afternoon that the group reconvened behind the training ground hill.
The afterglow of the sunset spread through the silent woods, scattering like blood across the earth, reflecting off the blood-red crystal on Bai Cha’s neck, refracting an even more brilliant and vibrant hue.
“Talk,” Bai Cha said, leaning against a tree trunk and looking at Cang Liu, who was completely wrapped in a black cloak. “Why are you so certain you’re the Flood Dragon?”
In the prophecy, the Qilin, Phoenix, Mahamayuri, Flood Dragon, and Cloud Crane were perhaps just code names. It referred to people with different abilities who gathered together, not specific individuals, and selection was made from those who possessed the abilities.
The personnel could not be fixed either. Meng Qinghuan’s family totem being the Mahamayuri was one reason, and another reason Bai Cha acknowledged was that Meng Qinghuan was the strongest of the Meng family. It would be preposterous if he wasn’t the Mahamayuri.
Although Yun He’s name matched the Yun He in the prophecy, whether he could ultimately bear the responsibility as prophesied still needed consideration. While Bai Cha already saw that Yun He had exceptional talent and was very hardworking, it was uncertain if his position would remain secure if more outstanding juniors emerged later.
Regarding the Flood Dragon, Bai Cha had intended to visit the Sea Kingdom to make a selection. Resonance didn’t mean everything. Even if one resonated with the Sea Dragon, if their disposition and talent were not up to par, Bai Cha would still consider other options. But Cang Liu had stated with certainty that he was the Flood Dragon from the outset, which was unusual.
Resonating with the Sea Dragon and being the [Flood Dragon] were entirely different matters.
Cang Liu wrapped his cloak tighter around himself, his back to the sun.
He seemed to fear the light, always covering himself in black clothing. His body temperature was lower than seawater, and standing beside him, even without touching him, could make one feel a chill.
“Miss Bai, you should know how our Sea Tribe determines the Crown Prince. Our guardian deity is the Sea Dragon, who resides in the Arctic Ocean and resonates with a鲛人 every three thousand years,” Cang Liu said, taking a deep breath. A faint cold mist, illuminated by the setting sun, shimmered with a brilliant orange-red. “Humans who resonate with dragons will share the dragon’s lifespan, but 鲛人 do not. The Sea Dragon will continue to exist, while a Flood Dragon will die at the end of their three-thousand-year lifespan, and the Sea Dragon will seek a new contracted partner.”
“I know that,” Bai Cha nodded. Almost everyone knew this; textbook knowledge was hardly a secret.
“However, there is a secret of the Sea Tribe that humans are unaware of: all contracted partners of the Sea Dragon are the same person,” Cang Liu said calmly. “The reincarnation is endless, but it is always the same soul, a form of curse. Only I possess this power.”
As he spoke, Cang Liu gently touched his left pupil. Instantly, the dragon pattern in his left eye flickered, emitting a dazzling blue light, like a colossal dragon sleeping in the depths of the ocean. The deep blue, as vast as the ocean, actually surpassed the setting sun’s crimson afterglow. At the same time, Cang Liu’s aura began to climb geometrically, reaching a point where even Bai Cha felt a sense of danger.
“Dragon Seal.” Bai Cha recognized the mark coiled within the sea-blue iris. It was the crest of the Sea Tribe.
“Yes, 鲛人 can only resonate at the age of twenty,” Cang Liu said, closing his eyes. He tapped his fingers twice, and his eye returned to normal. “After death, everyone in the Sea Kingdom can be reborn as various creatures, be it other animals or humans. However, the Crown Prince of the Sea Kingdom, although he has no memory of his previous life, can only remain in the sea for generation after generation.”
It seemed to be a curse. Only his soul could resonate and travel to the land, bearing the fate of the Sea Kingdom and seeking a way to lead them back to daylight.
Of course, it had never succeeded.
Life after life, until everyone became numb, and only a few elders remembered this mission but were helpless.
Bai Cha pondered. She believed Cang Liu’s words. Perhaps only Cang Liu truly possessed the power, but this still didn’t explain why he was so familiar with her, as if he had known her for a long time.
Bai Cha raised her hand, interrupting Cang Liu. “Why did you come to find me?”
“I…” Cang Liu paused at this point, then looked calmly at Mo Ziye. “At first, I was considering Mo Ziye, as he is the future leader of the Light faction. But he is completely unqualified.”
His words were rather blunt. Mo Ziye was displeased as soon as he heard them and immediately jumped out to retort.
“Hey! What do you mean I’m completely unqualified!” Mo Ziye said indignantly. “I’m number one! Number one! If we were to fight, you wouldn’t be able to beat me!”
“You only rely on Michael,” Cang Liu said, his expression unfazed, even showing a hint of disdain.
“Huh? What are you talking about! I’m filled with divine power, you can’t even get close to me!” Mo Ziye was naturally unhappy and immediately retorted.
After all, he was a proud scion of the Light faction, praised as a genius since childhood in both studies and combat. Then, someone suddenly appeared and said he was inadequate in every way. Mo Ziye was naturally displeased.
“Little Bai, what do you think?” Meng Qinghuan leaned in and whispered to Bai Cha. “Little Mo is indeed very powerful. Light and heat seem to be the weakness of Little Cang.”
“That’s only from a certain perspective, and it requires Mo Ziye to be able to use his abilities,” Bai Cha glanced at Meng Qinghuan and said softly, “Just like you and me.”
“Uh, hey hey~ That makes sense~” Meng Qinghuan rubbed his shiny head, which reflected the sunlight, feeling a bit awkward.
Indeed, Bai Cha, with her keen offense and strong offense combined, was theoretically restrained by Meng Qinghuan, who was primarily control-oriented but all-rounded.
However, theory was just theory. In a real fight, Meng Qinghuan would only be beaten to a pulp.
Cang Liu snorted. “People like you lack the big picture and are too saintly. Have you noticed how many small factions there are among them?”
“Huh? How is that possible! Why are you trying to sow discord? Our Light faction is very united, how can we be factionalized?” Mo Ziye was somewhat displeased. Had it escalated from personal attacks to factional attacks?
“Xiao Bai, say something too,” Mo Ziye said, glaring at Cang Liu indignantly. Like a wronged primary school student, he ran to Bai Cha’s side and hugged her neck like a pendant, grumbling unhappily, “Look how excessive Cang Liu is! How can he criticize someone so thoroughly, from their personality to their faction!?”
Bai Cha looked at Mo Ziye, who had come to complain, feeling helpless. She really didn’t know what to say, because Cang Liu’s words were undeniably accurate, but if she affirmed them, it would be too discouraging.
Moreover, Bai Cha could tell that Cang Liu seemed to harbor strong hostility towards Mo Ziye.
Looking down, she realized Mo Ziye had suddenly fallen silent.
A gentle breeze blew, carrying a subtle fragrance.
The faint light of the setting sun fell on Bai Cha’s long hair, like the waves of the sea at sunset. Even her long eyelashes were adorned with golden light, and her lips were like errant cherry blossoms. In that moment, Mo Ziye cast aside all the words he wanted to say.
He suddenly fell silent, afraid of disturbing her blossoming.
If someone hadn’t suddenly appeared to disturb him.
“Please, maintain, distance! Mr. Mo!” Lucifer smiled menacingly, almost pulling Mo Ziye back by his collar. “Before my master agrees to your courtship, this is rather improper of you.”
Michael did not stop his host from getting close to Bai Cha. He and Mo Ziye considered each other brothers, and brothers should stand by each other.
Furthermore, what surprised Michael was not Mo Ziye suddenly getting close, but Lucifer’s loss of composure.
This hypocrite, who maintained a nonchalant demeanor even before the Creator, had shown no gentlemanly conduct with his rough pulling.
“No way…” An unrealistic guess suddenly popped into Michael’s mind. He grinned and touched his chest, indicating that his little heart had been greatly startled.
“Actually, what Cang Liu said isn’t wrong,” Bai Cha fiddled with her left bangs and sighed. “What else did you observe?”
Cang Liu finally snapped out of his silence. A flicker of joy rose in his heart.
What else did he observe?
This was a command, meaning Bai Cha had accepted him.
“Mo Ziye’s thinking is too idealistic. He always wants everyone to be well, which is a common problem for the entire Mo family,” Cang Liu paused. “Also… he is not suitable for you.”
Bai Cha: “?”
“You say that as if we’ve been together,” Bai Cha said in surprise. “You are very familiar with me.”
Cang Liu lowered his head and remained silent. He realized he had lost his composure, but he still firmly knelt down, on one knee.
“Please let me follow you,” Cang Liu said, looking directly into Bai Cha’s eyes. This familiar feeling made Bai Cha feel as if those eyes had known her for thousands of years.
“No need to kneel, I was planning on it anyway,” Bai Cha nodded. “Transfer your file under Meng Qinghuan. From now on, you’ll learn with Yun He and follow Meng Qinghuan.”
“Don’t you doubt me?” Cang Liu pulled down his straw hat, his tone as calm as ever when he asked.
“It’s not important. If someone is not qualified, someone else will replace them,” Bai Cha glanced at her phone, her brow furrowed slightly, but her voice remained unchanged. “It’s the same for everyone. If you’re not qualified, step down and let others take your place, including me.”
“Lucifer, urgent mission.”
After speaking, Bai Cha called Lucifer and they ascended into the air. Black energy rippled beneath their feet, and soon Bai Cha merged into the night.
“Ah! Xiao Bai! Wait for me, I want to go too!” Mo Ziye was about to follow, but Meng Qinghuan grabbed him.
“Alright, don’t cause any more trouble~” Meng Qinghuan threw an arm around Mo Ziye’s neck and forcibly dragged him back. “Let’s go back, let’s go back~”
“Ah! Teacher Meng! Let go of me!”