326: Mermaid

“Xiao Xiu, catch!” A Little Merman forcefully swung its tail, kicking a soccer ball-like object to another Little Merman.

“Here it comes, watch me!” The other Little Merman was clearly a young girl, her voice tender, and she caught the ball with a swing of her pink and blue tail.

After a moment of preparation, she gave a powerful flick of her tail, kicking the ball towards the third Little Merman.

“Haha, are you an idiot? Kicking the ball to me, watch how I… wait, wait.” The Little Merman’s smile had just appeared on his face, confidently about to intercept the ball.

But the next moment, as his tail touched the ball, his smile instantly froze.

The ball hit his tail, sending him and the ball flying out of the sea.

“You… chea… ted!”

As he flew, his voice came in broken sentences.

Finally, that Little Merman and his ball plunged straight back into the sea.

The other Little Mermen gathered together, laughing heartily.

In the deep sea, there were merman tribes of various sizes, scattered across different sea areas.

And they were the merman tribe living near this sea area.

Their tribe had a Demon Emperor Realm expert guarding it, making them one of the top tribes among all merman tribes.

For instance, some mermen belonged to tribes that had neither a Demon Emperor Realm nor even a Demon Domain or Demon Transformation Realm.

They lived their days constantly hiding, either from predators in the sea or escaping human pursuit, without a stable territory of their own.

Their branch was different; with a Demon Emperor Realm expert guarding them, ordinary individuals dared not provoke them.

Even the marine Demon Beast tribes living nearby had to offer tribute to them regularly.

So, although the elders in the tribe always said not to run around often, especially on the surface of the sea, as it was prone to danger.

But they didn't take it seriously at all; since childhood, how many times had they secretly snuck up to play, and nothing had ever happened.

They believed the elders were fear-mongering, deliberately trying to scare them so they wouldn't run around.

The fallen Little Merman resurfaced, holding the ball in his arms, looking around for his companions.

“Hey, Little Bao, over here.” The Little Merman named Xiao Xiu waved her arm, shouting loudly at the little companion she had kicked away.

“Ah, coming!” Hearing the call, Little Bao immediately found his direction and quickly swam over, wagging his tail.

“Xiao Xiu, you cheated again!” As soon as he returned to his companions, Little Bao immediately complained.

“I’m sorry!” Xiao Xiu apologized to Little Bao, still feeling a bit guilty, and after thinking for a moment, she said, “How about this, you make a request, and consider it compensation.”

“Okay, I’ll take the kickoff next round.” Hearing this, Little Bao’s eyes lit up, and the previous incident was instantly thrown out of his mind.

“Since that’s the case.” Xiao Xiu nodded, looking at another Little Merman, “Xiao Hua, do you have any objections?”

When Xiao Xiu looked at him like that, Xiao Hua quickly shook his head, “No, no, I have no objections, Sister Xiu, you are the best.”

Glancing at the impatient Little Bao, Xiao Xiu smiled, “Get ready, next round…”

However, they were completely unaware that a figure had quietly arrived beside them.

Just as the three Little Mermen were about to start another round, a voice suddenly interrupted them.

“Excuse me, I’d like to ask for directions.”

Chen De showed what he thought was his friendliest expression, looking at the three Little Mermen in front of him.

“Ah!”

Hearing Chen De suddenly speak, the three Little Mermen were startled.

However, they didn’t run; after realizing what happened, they instead gathered around Chen De and stared at him.

“Sister Xiu, look, this fish actually has no tail.” Xiao Hua looked at Chen De from side to side, exclaiming in surprise.

“Idiot.” Xiao Xiu patted Xiao Hua’s head, who covered his head and said it hurt, Xiao Xiu ignored him, “This isn’t a fish at all.”

“If my guess is correct.” Xiao Xiu propped her arm, supporting her chin, looking thoughtful, “This should be a human!”

After saying that, she turned to look at Chen De, “Are you a human?”

“I am!” Chen De nodded, confirming.

“A human!” The two Little Mermen exclaimed, and then, the next moment, “Sister Xiu is amazing, Sister Xiu is so smart, Sister Xiu is awesome!”

Xiao Xiu was very pleased with the flattery from her two little companions, showing a satisfied smile.

Chen De, on the other hand, looked at them gently, without urging them.

“Ahem.” At this moment, Xiao Xiu seemed to remember Chen De, turning her head towards him, “Human, you said you wanted to ask for directions.”

Her tone was confident, like a little adult.

“Yes.” Chen De nodded, “I am a traveler, the ship I was on accidentally encountered a large sea demon and was capsized, and I passed out.

When I woke up, I was already here, but I don’t know where this is, so I wanted to ask for directions.”

“Is that so?” After hearing this, Xiao Xiu quickly believed Chen De’s words.

In fact, mermen like them, especially beautiful mermen, are highly sought after by humans.

Many powerful and wealthy individuals would try to keep a few mermen.

But this place is very close to the Southern Xuan Domain, which is the Demon Domain, and ordinary humans without sufficient strength dare not come here.

As for those with strength and who dare to come, they wouldn't be here for their merman tribe.

For example, these three Little Mermen had never seen a human since birth.

Many mermen in their tribe had also never seen a human.

So, facing this human, what they felt was not fear, but curiosity, intense curiosity.

Therefore, Xiao Xiu readily answered Chen De’s question, pointing to a certain place,

“Do you see that direction? I heard from the elders in our tribe that if you keep going straight in that direction, you will reach your human territory.”

“Thank you, I’m very grateful for your help.” Chen De thanked her.

Then, his expression became a little troubled, “Um, I have a small request, I wonder if you could help?”

“What kind of help?” Xiao Xiu looked at Chen De and thought his attitude was quite good, so helping him wouldn’t be a problem if it wasn't too difficult.

“That’s good!” Chen De breathed a sigh of relief, “I want to visit your tribe.”

“What?” Hearing this request, Xiao Xiu quickly shook her head, refusing with firm words, “No!”

The other two Little Mermen shook their heads with her, shouting loudly, “No, no, no!”

“Why?” Chen De asked in confusion, “Wouldn’t it be alright for a kind person like me to visit?”

On this point, Xiao Xiu’s stance was unwavering, “No matter who you are, good person or bad person, the elders in our tribe said that if you are human, it’s not allowed.”

“Is that so?” Chen De murmured, nodding, and then praised, “I understand, you really are a good child of your tribe, you are the little hero of your tribe!”

As Chen De spoke, his hand quietly reached towards Xiao Xiu’s forehead…

The three little ones, however, were completely unaware, immersed in Chen De’s praise.