Chapter 270: 270. The Tragic State of the Merfolk Tribe

270. Chapter 270: The Tragic State of the Merfolk Tribe

Following Natasha's movements, the originally calm and ripple-free surface of the lake began to stir. Immediately after, many people with human bodies and fish tails appeared. Upon seeing Natasha, they all flocked toward her.

Soon after, a very elderly man appeared. The man had white hair and a silver beard, and his golden eyes held a trace of age and decadence.

Natasha looked at him and communicated using the unique language of the Mermaid Race.

For some reason, tears suddenly flowed from the man's eyes, and he then gently stroked Natasha's hair.

The other members of the Mermaid Race also began a unique ritual, circling Natasha incessantly. Their demeanor was very solemn, yet not at all sorrowful; it was like a joyous welcoming ceremony.

"Master, you and your friends have come over. The one before me is the patriarch; he wishes to thank you personally."

Natasha sent a voice transmission to Su Chen.

After hearing this, Su Chen did not act coy. After all, the Mermaid Race was a race that valued relationships and righteousness, and since Xiaoxian's tribe had yet to be found, perhaps the Mermaid patriarch, having stayed in the Western Wasteland for so many years, knew where they were.

Thinking of this, Su Chen led the others over.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Su Chen walked up, the other merfolk all transformed their legs to walk on the ground. Perhaps because they were facing humans, their vital parts were covered, unlike their uninhibited state in the Desolate Ancient Secret Realm.

Even so, compared to other living beings, they were still somewhat sexy and exposed.

"Hello."

Su Chen took the initiative to greet them.

"Hello, kind soul. I am Aoweide, the patriarch of the Merfolk Tribe. I am very grateful that you were able to bring Natasha back from the distant Desolate Ancient Secret Realm."

Aoweide looked at Su Chen with a face full of affection, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"I was entrusted by her mother; this was just a small effort. Being able to let Natasha return to her roots is something I am also happy to see."

Facing such a kind-hearted old grandfather, Su Chen suddenly did not know how to respond and spoke stutteringly.

He had imagined what the Merfolk Tribe would look like many times, but he never expected it to be like this—it looked very much like a slum in modern society, and it was clear they had suffered great torment.

"Natasha is my great-granddaughter. If it weren't for you, I fear I would not have been able to see her one last time before I died."

Aoweide's eyes were already somewhat moist. He had never dreamed that in his lifetime, he would be able to see his daughter's granddaughter.

It was just that his poor daughter...

Forget it, forget it; this is all heaven's will.

"Natasha is your... great-granddaughter?"

Su Chen was slightly surprised. At the time in the Desolate Ancient Secret Realm, the situation was too perilous, and he had not had the chance to learn much.

He had assumed she was just an ordinary mermaid; he never expected her to be an orphan entrusted by the patriarch's daughter.

"But why is Natasha unable to transform into human form, nor able to speak, while all of you can..."

Su Chen was slightly surprised, then immediately asked.

Hearing this, Aoweide sighed and continued: "Normally, every mermaid born into the Mermaid Race must receive a blessing to grow legs and speak. But because Natasha was not born within the Mermaid Race, she can only maintain her mermaid form."

Speaking of this, he looked at Natasha with an unbearable expression.

"All who come are guests. Since you were able to bring Natasha back, you are benefactors of our Mermaid Race. Please allow me to prepare a sumptuous feast for you," Aoweide said softly.

As his voice fell, the other merfolk began to tidy up.

They were led into the depths. This place was like a natural cave; below was a water pool, and the remaining dry areas lacked any furniture for human survival.

These busy merfolk were mostly thin, some even gaunt, feeling as if they suffered from long-term malnutrition. Even Aoweide, as the patriarch, was no better off.

His frame was withered, thin to the point of being skin and bones, with only that layer of skin hanging over him. His two eye sockets were sunken, and there were faint fish scales on his arms and waist, but they had lost their luster, looking like dead things.

It was hard to imagine that this was the beautiful Mermaid Race described in books.

Even those merfolk living in the Desolate Ancient Secret Realm were each peerlessly handsome, showing nothing of this current appearance.

Watching her own kin fall into such a miserable plight, Natasha could not help but shed tears. She wanted to ask what exactly had happened, but she never found the opportunity.

Lv Luo did not feel well either. Staying by Luo Shen's side, she could not help but ask: "They look so pitiful in this state. Clearly, in my memories, the Mermaid Race was very beautiful."

Luo Shen sighed leisurely. In such a predicament, it was likely eight or nine parts related to that Western Wasteland envoy.

For a moment, she did not know what to say, feeling that silence was best at this moment.

Yi Zhuyue pursed her lips, also feeling unable to bear it.

As a Spirit Beast herself, Xiaoxian looked at them starving to this state, and thinking of how uncomfortable she would be if she were not fed, it was clear they had been unable to eat their fill for a long time.

Thinking of this, Xiaoxian also hurried to help, wanting to share the burden for the Mermaid Race.

Those merfolk were initially very afraid when they saw Xiaoxian, but thinking that she was a Spirit Pet brought by their benefactors, they slowly accepted her.

Su Chen sat on a crude chair; the corner of the table had even fallen off, looking very shabby.

"I remember the Mermaid Race was clearly a very prosperous race, but why..."

Su Chen could not continue; he felt that doing so was picking at the Mermaid Race's scars.

The question he asked was one Natasha was equally curious about. She did not understand why the Mermaid Race her mother described was clearly a peaceful and beautiful place.

How had it now... become like this?

"To tell you the truth, benefactor, since you have come to the Western Wasteland, you must have heard the rumors. It is because of the outsiders who came here hundreds of thousands of years ago, constantly capturing Spirit Beasts with deep Spiritual Power. Now, the highly respected elders of the Mermaid Race have all been captured by him."

By the time Aoweide finished speaking, his eyes could not help but moisten. When he was young and not yet the patriarch, the Mermaid Race relied on the protection of those elders.

But now, everything is different. The entire Mermaid Race has been suppressed to the point of being battered and exhausted, with even basic survival becoming a problem.

Even other tribes are all in danger; at such a juncture, no one can look after anyone else, and just surviving as one's own tribe is already very difficult.

Upon hearing this, Su Chen knew it was the handiwork of that Lanbo. When reading the book before, he only felt that Lanbo's strength was profound but he was defeated by the protagonist's halo, so he always felt a bit unconvinced.

But now, being personally immersed in this book, he finally discovered how atrocious the things Lanbo had done were. (End of chapter)