Chapter 100: Water Heart Stone. Xiao Chong smiled slightly, turned around, caught a flying ice cone, and crushed it easily. "Don't worry, these guys are nothing but a piece of cake to me." After saying that, he threw himself into the battle again. Every time the sword shadow passed, it was accompanied by the gecko's shrill scream. After a while, all the threats were eliminated. After the battle, Zi Yan approached Xiao Chong and whispered, "Brother Xiao Chong, you are getting stronger." The two smiled at each other and continued to explore. Just as they were about to step into the seemingly ordinary but extremely critical clearing in the forest, a melodious song suddenly floated in the air. The melody was beautiful and ancient, like a call from ancient times, which made people feel awe. "This is..." Zi Yan's expression changed slightly, and she tightened her grip on Xiao Chong's hand involuntarily. "Singing?" Xiao Chong looked firmly into the unknown depths of the fog ahead. The singing became clearer and clearer, as if guiding them towards an ancient and mysterious agreement. Xiao Chong and Zi Yan followed the singing and came to a lake. The lake water shone with a faint blue luster, reflecting the moonlight and stars, without any ripples, like a huge gem inlaid in the dense forest.
Zi Yan and Xiao Chong walked slowly along the winding path. The strange singing led them through the last layer of mist, and the view in front of them suddenly became clear. The lake was quiet and silent, with only the singing lingering in the air, becoming clearer and more seductive. "This is it." Xiao Chong whispered, his eyes full of curiosity and vigilance. Zi Yan leaned close to him, her eyes flashing with desire for the unknown and a hint of subtle nervousness. They stepped onto the soft grass by the sea, step by step approaching the source of the singing. In the center of the sea, under the moonlight, a mermaid girl with a human body and a fish tail sat on the water. Her long hair was like silk, smoothly spreading on the blue waves. She held a conch in her hand, and it was this conch that released the fascinating melody. The girl's eyes reflected the two people's images, and a flash of panic flashed across her eyes, then turned into vigilance and preparedness. "Who are you? Why are you here?" The mermaid girl's voice was as clear as spring water, with a slight tremor. She was obviously surprised and uneasy about their appearance. Xiao Chong took a step forward to show his friendliness: "We have no intention of offending you, we are just attracted by your singing. My name is Xiao Chong, and this is my friend Zi Yan. We are both explorers, looking for miracles and secrets on this land." Zi Yan also stepped forward and added gently: "Your singing is really beautiful and piercing. We have no ill intentions, please don't be afraid." The mermaid girl relaxed her tense body a little, but still kept her distance: "I am Leah, the guardian of this sea. Long, long ago, my people set up a ban here, not allowing outsiders to approach easily. However, since you can hear my singing and find this place, perhaps this is fate's arrangement." "Destiny?" Xiao Chong pondered for a moment, then looked at Leah, his eyes flashing with determination, "So, Leah, can you tell us the story about this lake and your people? Maybe we can help each other." Leah hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded, her voice softening: "There is an ancient secret hidden under the sea, which concerns the balance between power and peace. In recent years, that power has begun to fluctuate, threatening our peace and the peace of the outside world. If you are willing, you may be able to help us restore this balance." Zi Yan heard this, her eyes full of excitement: "Of course, we are willing to help!" Leia looked at them, and for the first time, trust shone in her eyes: "I believe in you. But before that, I must teach you how to breathe and move underwater. This is the prerequisite for entering the lake bottom world." As night falls, the stars disappear, leaving only a few thin clouds wandering in the dark sky. The faint moonlight penetrated the clouds, barely adding a little brightness to the dull night. On this unusual night, Leah led Xiao Chong and Zi Yan on a journey to explore the secrets at the bottom of the lake. The three of them stood on the beach darkened by the night by the sea. Leah's figure looked particularly mysterious and elegant under the moonlight. She took out two faintly fluorescent beads from her bosom and handed them to the two people in front of her. "This is the 'Bi Bo Pearl', which can help you breathe freely in the water. Hold it in your mouth, and it will blend with your breath, granting you the breath of life underwater."
Xiao Chong and Zi Yan took the beads, their hearts filled with curiosity and excitement, and they gently put them into their mouths according to Leah's instructions. With a light sigh, Leah stepped into the sea, her body gradually sinking beneath the clear water, her trail undulating as if she had merged into one with the water. Xiao Chong and Zi Yan followed closely behind, and the moment they stepped into the sea, a miracle happened - instead of feeling suffocated, they could breathe freely as if in the air. The energy released by the Bi Bo Pearl formed a transparent shield that surrounded them, allowing them to walk in the water as if on flat ground. The underwater world slowly unfolds like a gorgeous painting, with colorful coral reefs, swaying seaweed, and all kinds of marine creatures shuttling around, creating a vibrant scene. As they went deeper, a palace made of pearl-like stones appeared in front of them. It was the residence of Leah's people - the mermaids. The door of the palace opened quietly, and they were greeted by a group of mermaids dressed in gorgeous scales. There was surprise and friendliness in their eyes. One of the older mermaids, who was obviously the elder of the tribe, swam over slowly and said in a gentle but majestic voice: "Welcome, visitor from the land. I am Elsa, the protector of the tribe. Leah has told us about your deeds. Courage and kindness are the qualities that we mermaids respect most." Xiao Chong looked around and couldn't help but exclaim: "This place is so beautiful, it's completely different from the world we know." Zi Yan asked Leah curiously: "How many years have you lived here? How does everything here remain so harmonious and beautiful?" Leia smiled and pointed to a wall inlaid with exotic gems deep in the palace. "There lies our secret, and the power that maintains the balance of these waters. But now, we must deal with the most pressing problem. Recently, an unknown force has begun to disturb the lake bottom, threatening our survival. We must find its source and restore the balance." "We are ready. No matter what challenges we face, we will face them together." Xiao Chong responded firmly, his eyes flashing with determination. "Very good," Elder Elsa nodded with satisfaction. "Tomorrow morning, we will hold a ceremony and use the ancient code to guide us to find the location of that power. Before that, please have a good rest. May the God of the Ocean grant you a peaceful night." (End of this chapter)
