As the cloak was lifted, a cascade of thick, jet-black hair cascaded down, the strands falling freely across her face and obscuring half of it. A faint, ethereal light shimmered between the strands.
Once she had completely removed her cloak, her face came into view.
Her face was as pale as paper, devoid of any color, as if she had been ill for a long time. Beneath her skin, faint blue veins were faintly visible, like a fine spider web, adding a touch of eeriness to her sickly beauty.
However, even so, her features were very delicate, with eyebrows like distant mountains, a straight nose, and thin but full lips.
However, what is particularly striking are her eyes, which gleam with a dark blue light like a deep pool, inspiring awe yet compelling one to explore them.
She stood there quietly, her figure somewhat frail, a black robe making her appear even paler, as if a gust of wind could blow her away. That sickly beauty and the aura she exuded intertwined, making her unforgettable at first glance, and unconsciously arousing a sense of pity and curiosity in one's heart.
When Nuantang saw Yue Lishan's true face, an indescribable envy welled up in her heart. Although Yue Lishan's beauty was tinged with illness, it possessed a unique charm, like a poppy blooming in the darkness, captivating all who beheld her.
The fox tail instinctively nestled into Qin Luo's palm, as if seeking comfort, or perhaps declaring something. The soft fox tail caressed Qin Luo's palm, carrying a hint of warmth and intimacy.
But the next moment, when Nuantang realized what she had done, her face turned even redder, and the blush quickly spread to her ears.
Witnessing Nuantang's actions, Yue Lishan inwardly cursed:
"What a shameless vixen."
She wasn't unaware that a fox's tail was an extremely private matter for the fox clan, but this scene was truly beyond her expectations. Nuantang actually allowed a human to casually stroke her fox tail in public.
A flash of contempt and disdain crossed her eyes, a behavior no different from that of prostitutes who flaunt their charms in brothels.
But this seemingly unintentional scene made her involuntarily think about her future.
His eyes dimmed instantly. He thought that he was also powerless to control his own destiny. In order to survive, he had to obey You Yueying and compromise. A bitter feeling welled up in his heart.
Thinking of this, a nameless fear welled up in her heart: if after that soul gift, she too would become a tool to be manipulated at will like Nuantang, and be wantonly played with in front of everyone, how tragic would that be?
If Qin Luo knew the importance of this fox tail, he would definitely cry foul. After all, he only saw that Nuantang was usually well-behaved and cute, and that her light purple fox tail was soft and fluffy. He couldn't help but stroke it on a whim and didn't think much about the deeper meaning behind it.
Just like petting a cat, if you find it cute, you can't help but reach out and gently stroke it...
Although Yue Lishan's face could indeed be described as exquisite and exotic, Qin Luo had seen many stunning beauties before. He quickly recovered from his amazement and turned his gaze to Yue Lishan, his eyes filled with scrutiny.
"The Holy Maiden of the Merfolk? I remember we had quite a few grudges between us when you left. I'm curious what could make you swallow your pride and come here to beg for a spot."
Qin Luo was clearly unaware that Yue Lishan's actions were actually due to her life being threatened.
The fact that You Yueying had previously asked for a spot for her had already planted a preconceived notion in Qin Luo's mind, leading him to believe that Yue Lishan's actions were for the sake of the festival's spot, but he never imagined that she would be acting against her will.
Hearing Qin Luo's words, Yue Lishan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. She thought to herself: This was probably all an arrangement made arbitrarily by that senior out of consideration for the human before him.
However, in order to survive and to avenge the blood feud she had never committed, she had no choice but to humble herself.
"All that happened before was indeed due to my lack of consideration and offended you, young master." Yue Lishan bowed deeply, her posture extremely humble, her eyes filled with a hint of pleading. "If you help me regain my ancestral bloodline in the ancestral pool during the ceremony, I will gladly offer my soul to you!"
"Huh? A soul gift!!!"
Before Qin Luo could ask again, Nuantang, who had been quietly standing beside him and trying her best to suppress her emotions, let out a gasp.
This made Qin Luo subconsciously turn his head to look at her. When he saw his questioning gaze, Nuantang, her face already flushed, breathed out a fragrant breath and explained softly to him:
"Young Master Qin, I have heard of the Soul Gift of Warm Begonia. It is a unique talent bestowed upon the Merfolk, and each Merfolk has only one chance to use it in their lifetime. Once the Soul Gift is used, the beast soul power contained within oneself will be given to another without reservation, and the recipient will gain immeasurable benefits to their soul. In the Merfolk, this Soul Gift is extremely precious and is always given only to someone with whom one can spend one's entire life."
"Moreover, the person must be willing to use the Soul Gift, because..." As she said this, Nuantang's voice gradually lowered, and the blush on her cheeks became more intense, like a ripe apple.
She stole a glance at Qin Luo and saw that he was waiting intently for her to continue. Feeling even more shy, she hesitated for a long while before finally mustering the courage to express herself tactfully:
"Because when performing a soul bestowal, one must reach a state of perfect harmony with the recipient, and both parties' souls and bodies must be deeply intertwined in order to complete this process."
Upon hearing Nuantang's explanation, Qin Luo's eyes narrowed, and he turned his gaze to Yue Lishan again, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.
He didn't believe Yue Lishan would willingly pay such a huge price for just one spot. However, it was clear that asking her directly at this moment would hardly yield any useful information.
It seems that to find out the reason behind this, we need to ask You Yueying for clarification.
Qin Luo frowned, his deep gaze slowly sweeping over Yue Lishan and Nuantang. After a moment, he released the fox tail he had been holding and said:
"That's all for today. Nuantang, you should go back and rest. You may also leave for now. I will send someone to inform you if there are any further arrangements."
At this moment, Nuantang's cheeks flushed crimson, and her eyes unconsciously revealed a hint of dazedness.
Upon hearing Qin Luo's words, she nodded subconsciously, her voice trembling slightly: "Yes, Young Master Qin, then Nuantang will take her leave."
After she finished speaking, she suddenly woke up, covered her cheek, turned around and hurried away. Her back view seemed to carry a frivolousness that was rare in her usual life, as if she was driven by some indescribable emotion.
Yue Lishan was also very uneasy, as she keenly sensed Qin Luo's suspicion towards her.
However, in this situation, she had no choice but to comply. She then turned and slowly walked away.
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