Mermaids (2)

Do mermaids really exist in the world?

As a time traveler, Shi Jianxia is skeptical about this.

The so-called Cinnamon Festival mermaids singing to the moon is probably a gimmick created by the Tianchenxing government to boost the local tourism economy.

Otherwise, if there really was a good thing that one could awaken mimicry by hearing the mermaids singing, Cinnamon Town would have been controlled by the federal government long ago. No matter how powerful the mermaids were, they would have been kept in captivity and made to sing every day. How could ordinary people have a chance to get a share of the pie?

However, the doctor determined that the fifth star core is in Yugui Town, so I'm afraid this legend is not completely false.

Perhaps someone in Cinnamon Town had indeed awakened mimicry, but not because they heard the mermaids singing, but because they accidentally absorbed the power of the star core.

The doctor was able to think of the existence of a star core in Yugui Town on Tianchen Star from this, so it made no sense that the Zerg Investigation Office, which was also very concerned about the location of the star core, had not noticed it.

The doctor's attitude was ambiguous and he didn't provide her with any data or information related to Cinnamon Town. If she went there directly, it would be no different from groping in the dark. It would be better to know something in advance.

For example, whether the star core is related to the mysterious legend of the mermaids.

Just like in the movies, TV shows or novels she had watched before, what the protagonist wanted to find existed in an area isolated from the outside world, and that area could only be opened at a specific time.

Therefore, after the doctor learned the whereabouts of the fifth star core, he did not send people to seize it directly, but waited until the Cinnamon Festival.

Zhuang Mingyue should know something.

Thinking of this, Shi Jianxia unfolded his intelligent brain, found Zhuang Mingyue's terminal number and dialed it.

After a beeping sound, the communication was connected and Zhuang Mingyue's image appeared on the virtual screen.

She seems to be in an office, with her back against a floor-to-ceiling window. On the shelf behind her are several pots of small indoor plants, bringing some vitality to the cold-toned office.

Zhuang Mingyue was quite surprised to receive her call at this time. She asked, "Isn't today the Nan Teng Military Academy's anniversary? Why are you calling me so late at night? Are you feeling too idle and want to take on some missions?"

This was obviously a joke.

Shi Jianxia glanced at the time and was silent.

It was time to rest, and it was indeed inappropriate for her to call someone at this time.

But the call has already been made, so I can't just hang up and wait until tomorrow. Besides, since it involves the red spider lily, the conscientious Director Zhuang probably doesn't mind working a little overtime.

Shi Jianxia organized his words and said, "The doctor contacted me today."

As soon as these words came out, Zhuang Mingyue immediately sat up straight, and her originally lazy expression became extremely serious. "What did he say to you?"

"Did Jun Xiaoyi tell you that Dr. T asked me to bring him back to Bianhua?"

Jun Xiaoyi was the mouthpiece for this matter. After Shi Jianxia talked to him about it, he received no feedback.

Zhuang Mingyue nodded. "Yes, I mentioned it. I've made a plan on my side. So? Did he ask you to kidnap Jun Xiaoyi back?"

Jun Xiaoyi is the only Zerg symbiote discovered so far.

He was different from those dormant semi-parasites. He did not die after being parasitized, but retained a clear sense of self. He was even able to communicate with the cattail fly hidden deep in his consciousness and use some of its power.

After Zhuang Mingyue discovered his situation, she immediately kept it secret and conducted research. The people who knew about it were all her confidants.

Otherwise, if the news leaked, even with Ji Yang at the forefront, Jun Xiaoyi would still be caught and dissected due to the involvement of multiple interests.

When Zhuang Mingyue learned that the doctor was interested in him, he became very alert and made various response plans.

"Almost, but it will be after the Cinnamon Festival on Tianchen Star." Shi Jianxia replied.

There is still a week left until the Cinnamon Festival, which is neither long nor short.

Zhuang Mingyue frowned slightly, "Yugui Festival?"

Judging from her expression, she knew about this festival.

"Star core?" Zhuang Mingyue asked sharply, then immediately said, "Impossible, there's no way he could have gotten that star core."

Is there really a star core in Yugui Town?

"Why?" Shi Jianxia asked curiously.

Could it be that the star core is the same as the sixth star core in King's Landing, used to block a high-level worm vortex, and conventional means cannot separate it?

It’s strange to say, who used the star core to block the worm vortex?

This doubt in Shi Jianxia's heart has never been resolved since the incident in King's Landing.

Before King's Landing was built, the star core and the worm vortex were blocked together, and the power of the cattail fly was restricted and weakened.

If Number Five had not secretly supplied it with insect crystals, the tragedy of the massacre in King's Landing would not have happened.

Because she was afraid that the doctor would know that "Classic of Mountains and Seas" could devour insect vortexes, she did not ask the doctor about this matter.

Later, when I confronted Zhuang Mingyue, I did ask her this question, but she said she could not help.

To be precise, even the Jun family who built King's Landing didn't know where it was. They only knew that it and the cattail fly's vortex had been hiding in that underground area for a long time.

"Do you know the mermaids?" Zhuang Mingyue explained patiently.

Shi Jianxia nodded. She had just seen the legend about them on the news. When she heard Zhuang Mingyue ask this, she was surprised and asked, "Could this race really exist?"

There are indeed many new species in the interstellar age, but their intelligence is limited and none of them can compare with humans.

The mermaids that Shi Jianxia knew about before she traveled through time only existed in legends and stories, and no one knew whether they really existed.

Zhuang Mingyue was even more surprised than her, "Of course it exists."

This matter-of-fact tone, as if Shi Jianxia was a country bumpkin from somewhere, made her wonder if she had really lived in the interstellar era for nearly twenty years. Otherwise, how could she be so unable to change her pre-time travel ideas?

"Tell me. What is the relationship between them and the star core?" She pretended to listen attentively and did not intend to show off her shallow knowledge anymore.

Zhuang Mingyue smiled and said, "The mermaids are not under the rule of the Federation."

Shi Jianxia widened her eyes slightly.

In her understanding, the Federation is a unified country with only one regime in the entire galaxy. Except for terrorist organizations like Higanbana, all groups are under the jurisdiction of the federal government.

"Their existence is indeed unknown to outsiders, but you are the holder of the jade token of the red spider lily, so I thought you knew about this." Zhuang Mingyue said with a hint of ridicule in her eyes.

With the ability of the red spider lily, it is not impossible for it to fail to figure out this secret that is not really a secret.

Shi Jianxia was silent for a moment, "I seem to have told you that I lost some of my memory, and I still haven't fully remembered it."

Zhuang Mingyue spread her hands and said, "Okay."

She continued, "The reason why the mermaids are not under the rule of the Federation is because they have powerful saints and live in a remote corner, without conflict with the world."

If I remember correctly, the Federation has announced that there are four powerful Sanctuary masters, and there is also a suspected Admiral Pei Qin, so there are only five in total.

"Can they also awaken mimicry?" asked Shi Jianxia.

Zhuang Mingyue shook her head. "The mermaids are born with the ability to resonate with the stars. They lived there before the Federation discovered Tianchen Star and possessed very powerful combat capabilities."

"They are born with the strength equivalent to that of a Level 5 ability user. Upon reaching adulthood, they are directly promoted to extraordinary powerhouses. By borrowing the power of the stars, their combat effectiveness will be further increased to another level."

Shi Jianxia was shocked.

The mermaids are simply the darlings of God. Their starting point is much higher than that of humans, and they do not need to hunt Zerg to improve their strength. This means that their bodies have a very high absorption rate for the energy floating between the stars.

If such a naturally superior race had not lived in seclusion and lived in peace with the world, and if it had not been powerful enough, it would have been skinned and stripped of its tendons by humans and studied thoroughly from the inside out.

Even so, there may still be people secretly obtaining and studying their genes in dark corners that are difficult to see.

Zhuang Mingyue: "The reason why I said that Higanbana couldn't get the star core of Yugui Town is because that star core is in the hands of the mermaids. To be more precise, it is in the hands of the mermaid leader, the powerful Saint Realm master."

“Unless there are also strong people in the Saint Realm in Higanbana, it is impossible for them to obtain the star core using conventional means.”

To put it another way, even if the red spider lily really hides a powerful person from the holy realm, he will not come out to fight with the leader of the mermaid tribe.

The Federation and the mermaids don't interfere with each other on the surface, but they still have connections in private.

After all, they are neighbors, and it is definitely more appropriate for them to be friends than enemies. If Higanbana dares to attack the mermaids openly, the Federation will certainly not sit idly by.

Taking a step back, the red spider lily has a more powerful secret weapon, and it relies on it to besiege the mermaids. Zhuang Mingyue is not worried about the safety of the mermaids, and even thinks that the red spider lily is seeking its own death.

The most senior Sanctuary expert in the Federation had come into contact with the mermaids and revealed that the mermaids probably had more than one Sanctuary expert.

It may not be able to defeat one alone, so how can the red spider lily withstand two together?

After hearing what she said, Shi Jianxia frowned slightly.

She didn't know whether there were any powerful saints in the red spider lily, and even if there were, the doctor probably didn't plan to use them.

His mission order was given to her, and he specifically warned her not to let Number Nine participate, nor did he mention whether he would send other people.

Such a casual attitude made her feel that the doctor was not so afraid of the mermaids, and was not even worried that she could not get the star core.

The Doctor has such strong confidence in her?

Now think about it, whether it is the first star core that appeared in the underground laboratory of the Shuiyuanxing Chamber of Commerce Building, the second star core in the secret treasure house of the Nanteng Military Academy, or the sixth star core in Junlin City, they are all related to her.

She is not the strongest fighter under the doctor. No. 1 to No. 13, and even No. 77 who was thrown to Sky Star by No. 9, any one of them is stronger than her.

Why is it that she is the one who completes one mission after another related to the star core?

Why is the doctor reluctant to kill her?

"Classic of Mountains and Seas" may be one of the reasons, but it is definitely more than that.

The doctor thinks she can definitely get the star core?

But in the doctor's eyes, the first star core should have fallen into the hands of the cross-dressing man, and the second star core disappeared with the death of No. 5.

Because of my father's participation, the sixth star core was given to the doctor.

There was another thing that Shi Jianxia found very strange. Based on her understanding of her father, even if he was controlled by the doctor and worried about her safety, he would never do things for him sincerely. How could he hand over the star core to him so easily?

Unfortunately, the last time she saw her father, he was in a coma and she couldn't talk to him, otherwise she wouldn't have to guess blindly like she is now.

This could also be something the doctor did intentionally, preventing them from communicating and making them hostage each other.

Shi Jianxia frowned and thought.

Zhuang Mingyue also sorted out the information she had learned so far. In the end, she still felt that the red spider lily should not be underestimated, so she said, "I will find a way to inform the mermaids that the red spider lily has intentions towards the star core in their hands. The Zerg Investigation Office will also keep a close eye on the situation in Yugui Town."

"However, we and the Mermaids have always kept our distance from each other and have agreed not to approach each other's territory. Without their permission, neither the military nor the Zerg Investigation Office would be able to mobilize a large number of personnel to station on Tianchen Star."

The Federation and the mermaids only maintain superficial polite exchanges. Given the arrogance of the mermaids, even if they knew that Higanbana had some plans, they would not seek help from the Federation as if they were facing a major enemy and allow a large number of Federation combat forces to enter Tianchen Star.

After all, in the eyes of the mermaids, the Federation is not without designs on them, and rashly intruding into their territory will only bring them displeasure.

Putting aside the mermaids for the moment, Shi Jianxia brought the topic back to Jun Xiaoyi and discussed with Zhuang Mingyue how to destroy the nest of the red spider lily while protecting him.

The source of evil is the red spider lily and the doctor. As long as she gets rid of the red spider lily and kills the doctor, no matter how powerful the forces behind it are, she won't have to worry about the sword of Damocles hanging over her head all the time.

It's easy to forget the time when talking about serious matters. The two talked a lot about the next plan and even got Jun Xiaoyi out of bed to participate as the person involved.

Jun Xiaoyi was still rubbing his eyes, looking drowsy as if he had not woken up yet. When he heard Xia T say that he was going to take down the headquarters of the Red Spider Lily, he immediately stood up and showed great enthusiasm.

Although his people were killed by cattail flies, it was the red spider lily that handed over the butcher knife. As long as the red spider lily is not removed, he will not be able to comfort the souls of his people in heaven.

Ever since the cattail fly hidden deep in his consciousness disappeared, the remaining power has been absorbed by him one after another, and Jun Xiaoyi is now also a level five ability user.

His little dandelion also developed a second talent, which made him no longer a weakling who was powerless. He could protect himself when encountering danger at critical moments, but the doctor didn't know this yet.

Before I knew it, it was daybreak.

The plan to go deep into the headquarters of Higanbana was barely discussed.

The details still need to be considered. This operation will be kept absolutely confidential and participants will be strictly screened.

The three ended the communication.

Despite not getting a night's rest, Shi Jianxia felt full of energy.

Kill the doctor and destroy the headquarters of Higanbana!

She might not be able to do it alone, but with Zhuang Mingyue and Ji Yang, they have weapons and manpower, and are the best external aid.

With such a mood, Shi Jianxia had a dream. She dreamed that the doctor was stepped on by her and begged for mercy in fear and despair.

She laughed happily, kicked him into the pit, marinated him, and then had the robot fish him out and hand him to Zhuang Mingyue.

Zhuang Mingyue covered her nose and scolded her for not just killing the person directly but sending him to disgust her.

Then her father appeared beside her and said protectively that killing the doctor would be too easy for him and he should suffer while alive.

The Doctor gnashed his teeth in hatred and wanted to control Number Nine to kill her, but Number Nine kicked him hard twice, and then he started cursing them for being in cahoots with each other.

At this time, the imposter suddenly jumped out and shouted that she was Shi Jianxia, ​​she was an imposter, and she wanted to rescue the doctor.

In the blink of an eye, the doctor, the fake, number nine, and her father were all gone. Zhuang Mingyue fell to the ground covered in blood, and it was unknown whether she was alive or dead.

Shi Jianxia was frightened and broke out in a cold sweat. He suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.

During the long dizziness, she raised her hand to press her solar plexus and heard the violent heartbeat coming from her chest.

朏朏, who was sleeping beside her, seemed to notice her uneasiness. He grumbled softly and unconsciously rubbed against her hand, burying his little head in her arms. His big tail also stood up and gently covered her belly, like a caring little blanket.

Shi Jianxia felt its warm body temperature, and her heart suddenly settled down. She gently hugged the big fat cub and waited quietly for her heartbeat to calm down.

In the quiet atmosphere, Shi Jianxia turned over his hand and pressed his fingertips against his forehead, bringing forward a plan he was about to make.

Counterfeit goods cannot be kept.

She looks no different from her, and has lived on Shuiyuan Star in her place for ten years without being discovered. If someone pretends to be her and does something tricky, it would be impossible to guard against her.

After making a plan, Shi Jianxia immediately sat up from the bed, returned to Nandong Military Academy, packed his things and asked for leave.

Zhuang Mingyue probably informed Nanyuan, and the principal directly approved her leave.

Shi Jianxia summoned back Gonggong and other mimics, and when he had almost packed up his things and was about to leave the dormitory, Wen Qiuqiu pushed the door open from outside.

When she saw Shi Jianxia's neatly tidied bed and table, she was slightly stunned. "Are you leaving again?"

Shi Jianxia nodded and said, "I have something to deal with, so I have to leave for a while."

It’s unknown how long it will take to deal with the counterfeit. Who knows, she might go directly to Cinnamon Town after that.

The Doctor wants the star core, and she wants it too.

"Classic of Mountains and Seas" is only S-level now. Perhaps after swallowing two more star cores, it can be upgraded to 3S-level. By then, the efficiency of the cubs in absorbing insect crystals and insect vortices will be higher, and the speed of level upgrade will also be accelerated.

Although after Zhuang Mingyue's words, she also felt that the probability of seizing the star core from the mermaid leader who was a powerful figure in the Holy Land was almost zero, she had to give it a try anyway.

It is impossible that the doctor does not understand this principle, but he still lets her carry out this task. Maybe the factor that increases the probability lies with her.

Wen Qiuqiu received her affirmative answer, pursed her lips slightly, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally mustered up the courage to say, "Can I...can I go with you?"

Shi Jianxia didn't expect her to say that. Thinking about the risks of this operation, he shook his head and said, "It's very dangerous. You——"

"I'm not afraid!" Wen Qiuqiu interrupted her before she could finish.

"I'm not afraid of danger, and my mimicry is very useful. I can help you!" She said anxiously, releasing the colorful jade waist and purple lantern.

A colorful butterfly gently fluttered its wings in her palm, gorgeous and well-behaved, and it was completely impossible to tell that the race it belonged to was the culprit for the fall of Ziqiong Star.

The purple lantern stretched out its body naturally, and the opened flower swayed gently, with some pollen in the stamen falling off during this small arc movement.

A faint floral fragrance wafted across the air, and the colorful jade waist seemed to sense it. It followed the fragrance and flew to the slowly blooming petals, quietly extending its tentacles into the buds.

They are like a miniature of a corner of nature, beautiful, comfortable and leisurely.

Sensing the auras of the two mimics, Shi Jianxia said in surprise: "Your mimicry level..."

Wen Qiuqiu smiled and took the initiative to explain, "Although my Colorful Jade Waist and Purple Lantern are only S-level and cannot compare to those SS-level geniuses, they have a special feature that SS-level mimics cannot match."

"They act as catalysts for each other. Putting them together to absorb insect crystals, the energy conversion efficiency is very high. They are already at level five, and it won't be long before they reach level six."

So fast!

Shi Jianxia had never heard of such a situation, and there was no record of this in the books and documents related to mimicry that she had read.

This accompaniment situation is most likely a very special example of twin mimicry.

Xia Shuxing was quite discerning. He picked her and Wen Qiuqiu, the two most difficult freshmen to surpass, as his opponents.

I don’t know how he is doing now. I hope that the decline of the Xia family on Canglong Star will help him grow. Then he can come back to be beaten by her and all the past grudges between them will be wiped out.

Seeing that she didn't respond immediately, Wen Qiuqiu hurriedly said, "I won't hold you back!"

She bit her lower lip lightly. "You saved me twice and solved my worries... But when you were in danger before, I couldn't help you at all. Can you let me go with you this time?"

In the face of continuous crises, Shi Jianxia got used to being alone.

She once thought that the only thing she could trust wholeheartedly was the mimicry in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, but the last time she was on Xiaohan Star, fighting side by side with Gongye Jiwang and No. 9, the feeling was not bad.

They were clearly in a hostile relationship, but because of her, they made peace, put aside their respective positions, and became trustworthy friends in that unexpected encounter.

Shi Jianxia still doesn't know why he rescued Wen Qiuqiu, with whom he had never met before, and told her such an important code.

But she always believes in the decisions she makes at any time and in any situation.

Wen Qiuqiu is someone who can be trusted!

In a short and anxious silence, Shi Jianxia nodded and said, "I'll take you there, but you have to ask the principal for leave first."

Wen Qiuqiu smiled immediately, her eyes slightly red. She nodded heavily, "Okay!"

Zhuang Mingyue couldn't hide the fact that they left together, and someone was secretly watching her. Shi Jianxia had some concerns and didn't want to reveal all her cards.

So, after asking for leave, they used the invisibility ability of the Seven-Colored Jade Waist and slipped out of the Nan Teng Military Academy.

During this period, Shi Jianxia discovered that there were people dressed as tourists following her downstairs of her dormitory building. She suspected that they were sent by Su Cheng or someone else who wanted to test her.

The two of them left quietly, and by the time the people who were following them reacted, it was too late.

Before Zhuang Mingyue contacted him, Shi Jianxia took the initiative to tell her that he had something to do and would arrive at Yugui Town on time.

An hour later, Shi Jianxia brought Wen Qiuqiu into a private interstellar port.

Number Nine stood with his arms folded against his chest in front of the giant support pillar in the interstellar port. When he saw Wen Qiuqiu, he raised his eyebrows slightly and asked bluntly, "Why did you bring this piece of trash here?"

It's really his usual speaking style, one sentence can choke people to death.

Wen Qiuqiu didn't expect to see him. The experience of being chased by No. 9 emerged in her mind. Her arm, which had been eroded by the extreme cold ice, felt a dull pain. She subconsciously hid behind Shi Jianxia.

Number Nine scoffed even more, "Rubbish."

Shi Jianxia: "..."

It's true that you can't expect a dog to spit out ivory.

She said angrily, "Speak more politely and don't attack people at every turn."

Number Nine snorted and turned his head, not knowing whether he heard it or not.

Only then did Shi Jianxia notice that there was a person standing behind the giant support pillar. He was wearing a pure white cloak with bright silver patterns on the edge, as if it was the one that No. 9 had worn before.

She frowned slightly, "Who is he?"

Because she wanted to go to Sky Star and couldn't take the normal route, she contacted Number Nine.

The Jiang family is extremely wealthy, with private interstellar ports spread across the Federation. As a young master, Jiang Jiuhan can just use one or two interstellar spaceships, which is not worth mentioning at all.

Number Nine glanced at the man and said indifferently, "My little brother, you can trust him."

Shi Jianxia looked at him suspiciously.

This guy has always been arrogant. She has never seen him look up to anyone. Who is so powerful that he can recognize him as his younger brother?

Number Nine cleared his cough and took the initiative, saying, "Why? You can take care of my younger sister, but I can't take care of my younger brother?"

Shi Jianxia: "..."

What's a weird way to describe little sister?

Okay.

Let him go.