CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: ABANDONED MERFOLK

The Purple Merfolk and Pink Merfolk have lived in the seas near the Western Continent for generations, so besides their own language, being proficient in Ancient Western Language is also normal.

It’s just that seeing them here truly surprised Fang Ka a little.

Is this island located in seas near the Western Continent? Or did Kain bring them back from the seas near the Western Continent?

Fang Ka did not know which waters this island was located in, as Kain had never informed him, nor had he taken him out.

When he was picked up by Kain, he was wrapped tightly and flew over on Kain’s Nightmare Beast, unable to distinguish even the cardinal directions.

His gaze lingered on these Merfolk’s faces for a few seconds. Fang Ka spoke slowly in Ancient Western Language again: "I am a disciple of Teacher Kain, and when Teacher Kain went out for research, I accidentally discovered the Water Element Magic Array here, so I came to take a look."

Fang Ka’s words made these Merfolk instinctively exchange glances. The leading Pink Merfolk hesitated for a moment, then looked somewhat complex: "If what he says is true, then it seems Mage Kaen really has forgotten about us."

The other Merfolk’s expressions also instantly turned dejected.

Seeing this, Fang Ka couldn’t help but slightly furrow his brow: "Why exactly are you here?"

The leading Pink Merfolk scrutinized Fang Ka for a while: "Do you have anything to prove your identity? Something that can make us believe you are a disciple of Mage Kaen."

"Who knows if Mage Kaen has completely left this island and changed his residence over these many years?"

Listening to the other’s tone and observing their demeanor, Fang Ka had basically determined that these Merfolk harbored no animosity towards Kain.

In fact, they were filled with respect.

After pondering for a brief moment, Fang Ka took out a Demon Core: "You can sense the magical aura on this Demon Core, can’t you?"

Among this group of Merfolk, the leading Pink Merfolk was a Mage. Fang Ka could feel the faint magic waves surrounding the other.

However, the other’s power level was stronger than Fang Ka’s, so Fang Ka couldn’t determine the other’s power level through their magic waves, but he was sure it hadn’t reached the level of a High Tier Mage.

In the Mage hierarchy, the lowest is the level of a Magic Apprentice, followed by Low Tier Mage, Middle Tier Mage, and High Tier Mage.

After reaching the level of a High Tier Mage, magic waves are usually completely hidden within the body and don’t just faintly emanate out.

It’s only when using magic that magic waves overflow.

Therefore, it can be determined that this Pink Merfolk should be a Low Tier Mage or Middle Tier Mage.

The Demon Core can usually be wrapped with magic power or covered with special materials to conceal the magic aura it emits.

For instance, the stone box that stores the Demon Core in the Underground Library is made of a special material, hence Fang Ka never sensed the presence of the Demon Core until now.

He now places it on himself, using his own magic power to enclose it, thus the others didn’t sense the presence of the Demon Core.

At this moment, Fang Ka withdrew the magic power enveloping the Demon Core, instantly allowing the Pink Merfolk to feel the terrifying yet familiar magic aura emanating from it.

This magic aura was identical to that of the Water Element Magic Array, but its strength was not at the same level at all.

The Pink Merfolk instantly believed Fang Ka’s words.

The creation of a Demon Core is exceedingly difficult, requiring incredibly precious materials, and typically only made for people whom a Mage deeply treasures to protect them.

Given the powerful magic aura of this Demon Core, one can imagine how much effort Kain expended and how greatly Fang Ka was treasured by Kain.

The Pink Merfolk floated up, exposing her entire upper body, and slightly bowed to Fang Ka, with her arms tightly against her belly.

Her skin was tender and jade-white, appearing much like white jade.

This is exclusive to the Merfolk, as their jade-white skin is unique to them.

Completely different from the kind of fair whiteness of humans.

Her entire upper body was covered with many pink scales, encasing it so only her belly and arms were exposed, appearing as if she were wearing a pink vest.

It exuded an unusual sense of beauty.

At this moment, her actions were the highest etiquette of the Merfolk Race when dealing with outsiders.

"Honorable disciple of Mage Kaen, pass my regards to Mage Kaen and thank him once again for his life-saving grace back then."

"May I ask how I should address you?"

Fang Ka was slightly taken aback for a moment, then somewhat curiously asked: "My name is Fang Ka. You mentioned life-saving grace? Could it be that you were rescued by Teacher Kain and brought here?"

The Pink Merfolk’s gaze turned a little wistful.

After a long pause, she slowly began: "We are just a small branch of the Purple Merfolk and Pink Merfolk. Twenty years ago, due to some reasons, we were falsely accused of rebellion and hunted by the Merfolk Kingdom. Originally, we thought we were doomed to die..."

"It was Mage Kaen who saved us at a critical moment and brought us to this island."

"He let us live in this underground cave and arranged the Water Element Magic Array to provide us a comfortable environment."

"We also promised Mage Kaen that without his permission, we would never leave this underground cave."

"For all these years, we have adhered to the agreement..."

Listening to her account, Fang Ka quickly understood why, when they felt Kain had forgotten them, they had shown such expressions.

Living in this underground cave for twenty years, they certainly wished to go out.

As for whether Kain truly forgot them, Fang Ka wasn’t certain.

Fang Ka sized up the beautiful and captivating Pink Merfolk: "What is your name? Are you the only mage here?"

The Pink Merfolk sighed lightly: "My name is Xia Lin. Currently, I am the only mage here. My father, along with Parod’s father, sustained serious injuries during that hunt twenty years ago, barely surviving for over five years before they went to serve the Sea God one after another."

On one side, a Purple Merfolk saluted Fang Ka: "Lord Fang Ka, Parod greets you."

Fang Ka gently nodded, glancing around the water-filled cave below: "Only this many of you remain?"

Xia Lin gently shook her head: "No, there are other tribesmen on the western side of the cave, fending off Sea Sirens."

Upon hearing the term ’Sea Sirens,’ Fang Ka instinctively furrowed his brow.

He had read about ’Sea Sirens’ in books; they are, in fact, Merfolk who have mutated.

The Merfolk Race is different from other races; if their emotions are unstable for a long time and they remain in a negative state, they gradually lose their sanity, their skin changes to a blue color, becoming Sea Sirens.

Because Sea Sirens lose most of their sanity, their intelligence becomes very low, and they have a strong urge to attack and devour other creatures, hence they are also known as ’Abandoned Merfolk.’