Heroes' Prison

Chapter 480 - 470: The Sea God’s Maid

The bitter cold of the sea instantly enveloped Huang Yi, causing him to shiver slightly, but that was all there was to it; it didn’t cause any more significant negative impact.

If it had been an ordinary person who jumped into the boundless ocean, they might be feeling a sense of helplessness by now, but Huang Yi at this moment was like a dragon returning to the sea, incredibly smooth as he dived directly toward the ocean floor. He had previously evolved into a White Dragon Form, which meant he faced little resistance in the water, and he had become a Dragon Palace Councilor not long ago, acquiring many benefits. The ocean was no different to him than land, he didn’t even need to breathe and could stay in the water indefinitely.

Huang Yi’s figure brushed past one after another of the massive deep-sea creatures, whose fierce and stern shapes remained mostly unseen, with only the occasional scale or claw faintly visible. Yet they paid no attention to Huang Yi; none of the creatures in this Sea Dragon territory would actively attack a Dragon Palace councilor.

Gradually, Huang Yi’s speed increased, he dived deeper and deeper as if slowly isolating himself from the human world and entering a mysterious realm inaccessible to outsiders.

After more than ten minutes, amidst the endless darkness, some lights started to appear, twinkling on the ocean floor like pearls, and Huang Yi desperately made for them.

Soon, the lights grew larger and filled his entire field of vision, revealing themselves to be an underwater city. This city was built from glowing giant pearls, resplendent in the dark sea, and from afar one could vaguely see mermaids moving about inside, leading a tranquil life untouched by the outside world.

This underwater city, known as Pearl City, was Huang Yi’s destination because it was the city nearest to the Hero’s Continent within the Dragon Sea. From this city, one could teleport directly to the Dragon Palace, without the need to waste a lot of time transferring through Glazed Glass Island.

Huang Yi quickly descended and arrived in Pearl City. This was a city of the Mermaid Race, merely an average city within the vast territory of the Sea Dragon Emperor, with no particularly remarkable aspects.

Just then, three mermaids with gray scales saw Huang Yi, an unexpected visitor, arrive. They held fierce harpoons in their hands and swayed their fish tails, ready to confront him. But when they saw the distinguished golden dragon-shaped tattoo on the back of Huang Yi’s hand, their bodies shuddered, and they lowered their beautiful heads, respectfully greeting Huang Yi with, "Greetings, Lord Councilor of the Dragon Palace." Their tone was full of sincere respect from those of lower status towards someone of higher standing.

"Take me to the Teleportation Circle," Huang Yi nodded and told them. A Dragon Palace Councilor in the Dragon Sea region was an absolute VIP. These ordinary mermaids were just one among the countless creatures of the Sea Dragon, of no status at all in front of a member of the Dragon Palace.

The three mermaids respectfully led the way, swimming ahead. Huang Yi’s presence felt like a leader on an inspection tour, with all the mermaids bowing and showing utmost respect upon seeing him.

"Respected Lord Councilor of the Dragon Palace, greetings! I am Silver Tail, the city lord of Pearl City." Just then, a mermaid emerged from a huge pearl tens of meters high beside them. Her tail was covered in silver-white scales, shimmering and indestructible, extending up to her chest, tightly wrapping around her bosom, revealing snow-white expanses of skin, breathtakingly beautiful. Yet she carried herself with dignity and a faint aura of authority, and did not show the same restraint as other mermaids when facing Huang Yi.

"Hello!" Huang Yi nodded at her. As a Dragon Palace Councilor, he could clearly see the mermaid’s Level; she was at Level 102, just beyond the Holy Domain, only five levels higher than Huang Yi, but her strength was far greater than his.

At that moment, Huang Yi glanced at the silver-white scales on her body and was reminded of Tidal-Caller Nami, the Guardian of Hero Harbor, and the Mermaid Princess of the Sea Monsters he had encountered earlier, whose scales were colorful; he wondered if there was a specific significance to the coloration.

"Why do the colors of the mermaids’ scales appear different?" Huang Yi’s gaze shifted from Silver Tail’s scales to those of the average mermaids. Their scales were unremarkable gray, not nearly as pretty to look at.

Unabashedly, Silver Tail replied, "The color of our Mermaid Race’s scales signifies one’s social standing; the stronger the power or the more pure the bloodline of a mermaid, the prettier the color of their scales."

"What about the multicolored scales?" Huang Yi asked further.

"Multicolored scales!" Silver Tail took a slight breath, a look of longing in her eyes, "Multicolored scales represent the royal lineage, a status far above others, and it’s said that they can only be found near the Central Continent. The rest of the regions virtually never see them."

"Have you heard of Tidal-Caller Nami? It seems she has multicolored scales," Huang Yi continued to inquire, aware that while Tidal-Caller Nami was the Guardian of Hero Harbor, her activities were confined to the Sub-territory, and it was unlikely that she had been to these deep-sea areas—these mermaids would not have seen her.

"Hm? You’ve actually heard of the legends about our mermaid race?" Silver Tail was slightly surprised when she heard Huang Yi mention Tidal-Caller Nami. As they walked, she said, "Tidal-Caller Nami is a legendary hero of our entire mermaid race, and mermaids all over the world have heard her story. She was once the daughter of the leader of our mermaid tribe, and later followed the Sea God, becoming one of the Maiden Guardians. However, after the Sea God fought a great battle with the King of the Fallen, he had an epiphany and soon ascended to the Heaven Realm, while Tidal-Caller Nami disappeared without a trace and was never found again."

"I didn’t expect her to be a Maiden Guardian of the Sea God." This was indeed beyond Huang Yi’s expectations. Although Tidal-Caller Nami was a criminal in Heroes’ Prison, the Book of Heroes only recorded some details of her imprisonment and did not mention her connection with the Sea God.

"Yes! Otherwise, she wouldn’t have become a legend of our mermaid tribe, one that has been passed down to this day!" There was a hint of pride in Silver Tail’s eyes.

As Huang Yi walked, he stroked his chin in thought. The revelation that Tidal-Caller Nami had a connection with the Sea God during the Distant Ancient Era was significant.

The Sea God was one of only ten God Sealers in the history of the Second World. Huang Yi had a slight connection with him because Huang Yi was now on his way to find the Sea Dragon Emperor to return the Sea-Calming Divine Staff. This staff was just a small part of the Sea God’s Divine Artifact, the Pillar of Sea God, which had been shattered into pieces by the King of the Fallen and scattered across the world. Even this small portion of the staff held tremendous power, of which he had become keenly aware these past few days, growing more desirous of claiming the Sea-Calming Divine Staff as his own. However, it was ultimately the treasure of the Sea Dragon Emperor and did not belong to him.

Huang Yi also wanted to find such a Divine Artifact Fragment. If he could, his strength would increase significantly, and now he finally had a glimmer of hope. As a former Maiden Guardian who had been close to the Sea God, Tidal-Caller Nami might help him find some fragments of the Pillar of Sea God.

"Councilor, how did you come to know the legend of Tidal-Caller Nami? There are countless legends in this world, so why do you know this one?" At that moment, seeing Huang Yi lost in thought, Silver Tail couldn’t hold back and asked.

"Because I’ve met her," said Huang Yi with a slight smile. "Perhaps soon, you’ll see her with your own eyes."

Hearing this, Silver Tail thought Huang Yi was joking and didn’t take it seriously.

As the two of them talked and walked, they arrived at the Teleport Plaza of Pearl City, where they saw a Teleportation Circle made of magical pearls—an exquisitely beautiful work of art just by appearance.

Seeing these pearls, an idea struck Huang Yi, and he turned his gaze toward Pearl City, scanning over the shiny, enormous pearls. Such pearls were hard to find on the various continents and were considered quite valuable, selling for high prices, but they were abundant here.

He pondered for a moment and then turned to Silver Tail, "I have a Hero Harbor on Hero’s Continent facing the Dragon Sea, conducting Transoceanic Trade with the whole world. How about you trade some pearls with us for items that can only be found elsewhere? It would be beneficial for both of us. What do you think? You could personally visit the waters near Hero Harbor and negotiate with the Guardian there. She’s also a mermaid and I believe you’ll be quite surprised."

"Oh? Who exactly is this mermaid?" Silver Tail appeared to be quite curious and couldn’t help asking. Although she was a city leader, a woman’s curiosity remained unchanged, regardless of their status.

"You’ll know when you go there. Feel free to negotiate the price of the pearls with her, and you can ask for whatever price you want," said Huang Yi, his expression mysterious. Should Silver Tail meet Tidal-Caller Nami, she would probably not dare to negotiate the price any longer. This deal was definitely worthwhile.

"Alright, thank you for leading the way. I’m off to the Dragon Palace now," Huang Yi said, thanking the mermaids who had accompanied him along the way, then stepped into the Teleportation Circle and disappeared from sight.

"Quick, notify the guards, I’m off to Hero Harbor immediately. I must see for myself who this mermaid is that will leave me so astonished!" In that moment, as Huang Yi vanished, Silver Tail issued a command with the air of a queen.

A few minutes later, several mermaid guards of Pearl City surrounded Silver Tail like stars around the moon, speeding towards the direction of Hero Harbor.

...

Meanwhile, Huang Yi had once again arrived at the Dragon Palace. However, upon arrival, he sensed a tense atmosphere, with people around him hurrying along with furrowed brows. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote at Starting Point (qidian.com) with Recommendation Tickets and Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)