Chapter 2468: Bitter

Zu An was puzzled.

He suddenly realized he had unconsciously limited his thinking. Upon hearing "Renjiandao" (the Human Realm), his immediate thought was of the human race, leading him to assume it was a world centered around humans.

However, the other party's reminder brought him to a sudden realization: who said the Human Realm could only be inhabited by humans?

Later generations had proven that the world of cultivation *was* the Human Realm; it was simply that the demon race was much stronger in this era.

As he pondered this, something seemed to click in his mind, but when he tried to grasp it, the thought slipped away.

Nevertheless, the insights gained from this encounter were immense, and he offered his sincere gratitude: "Thank you for your guidance, Senior."

The voice calmly replied, "If your gratitude is sincere, then simply fulfill your promise in the future."

Immediately after speaking, as if fearing Zu An might ask further questions, the surrounding space distorted. There was no need for the young attendant to escort them; Zu An and the two women found themselves back on the crystal boat.

When they looked around, there was no island or Fire Cloud Cave in sight.

"Was that all a dream?" Princess Peacock rubbed her eyes, momentarily disoriented.

"It wasn't a dream," the Mermaid Queen confirmed, her voice trembling slightly as she gazed at the elixir in her hand, inhaling its subtle medicinal fragrance.

Gazing at the vast, open sea, Zu An couldn't help but sigh with admiration, "The intricacy of this formation is truly rare in the world."

He observed that only the open sea remained behind them, meaning the island they had just been on had been moved away by some unknown means. His heart was filled with shock at the power of the person residing in the Fire Cloud Cave.

He then wondered if that person was truly the successor of the Yan Emperor...

The Mermaid Queen looked at the elixir in her hand, her heart lifting at the thought that her people were now saved. But then the realization of their imminent parting dawned on her, and her smile instantly faltered.

Just then, Princess Peacock, seemingly unaware of the awkwardness, piped up, "Queen Sister, why don't we accompany you back to the Dragon Palace to deliver the medicine first?"

The Mermaid Queen, seeing right through her intentions, nevertheless shook her head. "You both have important matters to attend to. I won't delay your journey."

She then looked at Zu An and asked, "May I speak with you privately?"

Seeing the pleading expression in her beautiful eyes, Zu An's heart softened. He hummed in assent and followed her to the other side of the deck.

The Mermaid Queen opened her mouth. She had a multitude of things she wanted to say to him, but with their parting imminent, she suddenly found herself speechless.

The two stood together in silence for a long time before Zu An finally broke the quietude. "Please be careful on your journey back. You can use this crystal boat to return."

The Mermaid Queen gently shook her head. "This crystal boat was a gift from the Dragon King to you; how could I take it back? Besides, we are still some distance from land, so it can carry you for a while longer."

A slight smile played on her lips. Without this crystal boat, wouldn't Brother Zu have to carry Princess Peacock all the way, flying through the air?

Princess Peacock had just tried to outmaneuver her, and this was her small act of retaliation.

"But if you go all that way by yourself..." Zu An expressed his concern.

The Mermaid Queen offered a dazzling smile. "Have you forgotten what race I am? The ocean is my true domain."

Zu An realized she was right; mermaids possessed great abilities in the water.

Silence fell between them once more, until the Mermaid Queen finally realized it was time for her to depart.

"Could we share a hug before I go?" she suddenly asked.

Zu An was taken aback, not expecting such a request.

He hesitated, considering a refusal. After all, he wasn't from this era and didn't want to overly influence her life.

As if discerning his intention to refuse, the Mermaid Queen offered a melancholic smile. "After this parting, perhaps we will never meet again. Does the friendship we've shared these past days not even warrant a single hug?"

As she spoke, a single clear tear traced a path down her cheek and dropped onto the deck, making a delicate, ringing sound.

The tears of the mermaid race would transform into pearls upon touching the ground.

Zu An understood clearly that they belonged to different eras, and this separation might indeed mean they would never see each other again.

Moreover, she was merely appealing to their friendship.

His heart softened, and he opened his arms to embrace her, but a trembling figure was already clinging tightly to him.

Zu An felt a pang of loss. In that moment, he tasted something akin to bitterness.

He had never considered himself a pure-hearted, faithful man. Under normal circumstances, he certainly wouldn't have refused to pursue a relationship with her.

However, the inherent problems of different timelines left him feeling utterly helpless. He knew there was no future for them, and rather than endure greater pain later, it would be better to sever any emotional ties from the very beginning.

No wonder, he mused, so many love stories in the literary works of his previous life were riddled with various obstacles. He used to scoff at such narratives, but only now did he understand that many impediments and difficulties cannot be resolved simply by strong will or effort.

He sighed inwardly. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw the Mermaid Queen's face draw impossibly close, and a pair of soft lips pressed against his.

Zu An's eyes widened in an instant. He had never anticipated such a move from her.

The ruby lips, envied and coveted by countless men in this world, were now actively kissing him. Yet, he found no joy in it; instead, his mind was a chaotic mess.

Just then, a sharp pain jolted him. He instinctively touched his lips, finding a faint trace of blood.

The Mermaid Queen had already released him and moved to the ship's rail, a mischievous smile playing on her face. "I don't know if we'll ever meet again after this, so I want you to remember that moment forever."

"Farewell, my love."

She silently whispered the words to herself, then leaped into the ocean, transforming into a beautiful mermaid and swiftly swimming away into the distance.

She did not look back, fearing that if she did, she would not be able to bring herself to leave.

The setting sun cast a glittering shimmer across the sea. For a moment, Zu An couldn't tell if the sparkling points were the crests of waves or her departing tears.

After an unknown period, Princess Peacock appeared behind Zu An, letting out a somewhat melancholic sigh. "Queen Sister has finally gone."

A flicker of regret crossed her mind; she truly shouldn't have been so cunning just now.

In truth, Brother Zu was destined not to belong to this era, so what was the point of vying for his attention?

"Brother Zu," she said, "after you've completed your tasks with the demon race, you can always return to the Sea Clan."

Zu An shook his head slightly, remaining silent.

He carried a great responsibility this time, and given the unpredictability of life, who knew if he would ever have the chance to return?

Over the next few days, the two traveled continuously towards the current royal court of the demon race.

The Dragon King's crystal boat was capable of both sailing across the ocean and soaring through the sky.

However, as it was an artifact of the Sea Clan, its aerial speed was noticeably slower than its aquatic speed, though still far greater than the airplanes of his past life.

Along the way, Princess Peacock subtly probed Zu An for stories about the Peacock Clan woman from his future, while Zu An, in turn, questioned her about the current state of the demon race.

Days turned into nights, and they finally reached the demon race's current temporary royal court.

Several demon experts were already waiting at the periphery, apparently having been specifically anticipating their arrival for days. "Princess," one of them greeted, "this must be the great hero the Saintess spoke of, correct? The Saintess has been awaiting your arrival for a long time!"