"Heavens..." Coral Cetus’s lips parted slightly, her eyes filled with incredulous shock.

She stared at Evangeline, her gaze reflecting a breathtaking, stunning beauty.

It was common knowledge that females couldn’t fully transform into their beast forms after reaching adulthood. Even among the Mer Clan, they only retained some Tideborn features, like a few fine scales on their legs or a thin webbing between their fingers; they couldn’t manifest a true fishtail.

But the sight of Evangeline completely overturned her understanding of the world.

A hazy halo of light flowed over her porcelain-white skin like a thin veil. Below her waist, layer upon layer of pearlescent scales rippled with a crimson sheen, every inch exuding a soul-stirring, magnificent color.

She had never imagined that an adult Mer Clan female could be so beautiful.

Stellan was equally stunned. His gaze was locked on Evangeline, his knuckles unconsciously tightening. It wasn’t admiration he felt, but shock—undisguised shock.

’A female from the terrestrial Fox Clan can actually transform into the beast form of the Mer Clan in the Deep Sea?’

’This is far beyond the power of an ordinary witch. Could the Beast God truly favor her this much? Has he even granted her the ability to switch between being a Tideborn Beastman and a Terrestrial Beastman?’

’Or... does Evangeline possess a power and secrets that even the Beast God avoids and fears?’

Stellan snapped back to his senses, crushing the terrifying thought.

With a gentle twist of her slender waist, Evangeline’s crimson fishtail streaked through the water like a ray of light. Her form was graceful, and in an instant, she had glided up beside Coral Cetus and Stellan. Her red lips parted. "Let’s go."

When the Tideborn spoke underwater, their voices carried a unique, ethereal echo characteristic of the Deep Sea.

Coral Cetus’s eyes widened as she curiously sized up Evangeline’s fishtail. Unable to resist, she finally reached out and gently touched the crimson, pearlescent tail. The feel was cold and smooth, no different from Stellan’s fishtail. ’It’s real!’

She looked astonished. "These... these are real scales! Have you truly turned completely into one of the Mer Clan?"

Evangeline tilted her head, the corners of her lips lifting. Her fishtail swished, stirring up a trail of crystalline bubbles. Her enchanting voice held a touch of that ethereal quality. "Let’s just say I’m one of the Mer Clan for now."

The Transformation Spell, which worked on oneself, was similar to an Animagus transformation from the world of HP, but it wasn’t so limited.

’There is a rift between the Tideborn Beastmen and the Terrestrial Beastmen. The Mer Clan, in particular, probably harbors a deep-seated animosity toward Terrestrial Beastmen because of what happened with Danton. If I visit them rashly and without showing sincerity, it will only backfire.’

’Danton’s wish is to return to his tribe. To complete my mission, the first thing I must do is bridge this divide.’

At this moment, her crimson fishtail swayed in the seawater, every single scale shimmering with a genuine luster.

’Such an exquisite Transformation Spell is not just a disguise; it’s the key to breaking down the barrier. After all, to make the wary Mer Clan lower their guard against me, what could be more persuasive than appearing as one of their own?’

’Now that I’ve taken the form of a Mer Clan member, even if they don’t see me as a true kinsman, I can at least win some goodwill. The approval of a Deep Sea tribe often carries more weight than personal grievances.’

’Then, with the help of the Mer Clan, Danton’s hatred and hostility toward me will be greatly alleviated.’

The corner of Evangeline’s eye twitched as she glanced at Stellan, keenly catching the fading disgust and hatred in his gaze.

His arm was wrapped around Coral Cetus’s waist. He said coolly, "We need to return to the Mysticeti Tribe first."

"Of course." Evangeline nodded, her crimson fishtail tracing a graceful arc in the current. ’Having just returned from the surface, they certainly need to report to their tribe’s leader, especially since they’re bringing back a guest with such a special status. It’s impossible to keep me a secret.’

"Keep up," Stellan said. With a powerful thrust of his dark cyan fishtail, his body shot like a streak of light toward the Deep Sea, startling a host of sea creatures in his wake.

Coral Cetus looked back at Evangeline.

She saw Evangeline’s crimson fishtail give a gentle flick. Without creating the slightest eddy, she shot forward like an arrow released from its bow, catching up to them in the blink of an eye. She moved with such ease that it seemed she was the true Tideborn Beastman.

She was filled with amazement and couldn’t help but lean close to Stellan’s ear, her voice full of awe. "Evangeline is incredible! She swims faster than any Tideborn female! It’s like the ocean is her domain."

In the treacherous Deep Sea, Tideborn females were naturally constrained by their beast forms. Their swimming speed was not as fast as the males’, and their Scale Armor wasn’t as tough, making them targets for predators when swimming alone.

In the Deep Sea, females needed the protection of males all the more.

Of course, Tideborn females rarely left their tribal territories under normal circumstances. Besides the fierce Wild Beasts in the vast ocean, treacherous undercurrents were everywhere. A moment of carelessness could lead to disaster.

Tideborn females didn’t need to spend their days hunting like the males. The seafloor was rich with resources, so they didn’t have to toil to gather food. Every morning, they would travel in groups to shallower waters, leisurely weaving through the vibrant Coral Groves to select the most lustrous and beautiful pearls or to weave seaweed textiles to adorn themselves.

Stellan glanced down at Coral Cetus’s admiring gaze, his lips pressing into an almost imperceptible thin line.

A deep, inscrutable darkness churned in his eyes.

’It is precisely because Evangeline is so capable, so powerful and dazzling, that I feel so uneasy.’

’A female so favored by the Beast God could have any male she wanted. As long as she was willing, countless Warriors from countless tribes would gladly grovel at her feet.’

’Since she was cruel enough to abandon Danton back then, why bother trying to make amends now? What’s the point?’

He glanced back at the shimmering ripples Evangeline created as she swam, and his heart grew heavier. He couldn’t see through this female. She was like an unknown danger lurking in a deep-sea trench—impossible to see in full, inspiring a primal fear.

He was afraid this momentary calm would swell into a tidal wave, creating an irreversible vortex with consequences he could not bear.

Perhaps sensing the oppressive aura surrounding Stellan, Coral Cetus looked away from Evangeline and turned to him gently. She rested her head lightly on his shoulder, her charming voice wrapped in that ethereal rhythm. "Don’t be afraid."

"No matter what happens, I’ll be by your side."

"The Mysticeti Tribe and I will always be your unbreakable reef."

Stellan’s arm tightened, holding Coral Cetus’s slender waist securely. His dark cyan fishtail beat faster, propelling them toward the Mysticeti Tribe at high speed.

Evangeline trailed behind them at a leisurely pace, her posture relaxed and a smile playing on her lips.

She deliberately kept a perfect distance, not wanting to disturb Stellan and Coral Cetus.

As they descended deeper, the inky black water seemed to be torn open. The darkness receded, replaced by a pearlescent radiance that illuminated the gloomy seabed as if bathed in moonlight.

She looked up at the dark surface of the sea. This place felt like a dividing line.

Lush green seaweed swayed with the currents, stretching and flowing. Schools of colorful fish swam among them, occasionally releasing strings of crystal-clear bubbles that refracted the pearly light into a dreamy rainbow of colors.

There were also half-man-high scallops that opened and closed slightly, revealing round pearls inside. Crabs and lobsters waved their claws as they scurried into rock crevices. The place was teeming with life, not so different from the world on land.

Evangeline was taking it all in with great interest when she suddenly felt the current ahead become sluggish. She looked up and saw that Stellan had abruptly slowed down.