Stellan’s expression changed drastically. He snapped his head toward the leader and asked urgently, "Did they say what the important matter was?"

His fingertips unconsciously dug into his palm, and his voice held a thunderous tremor.

Quinn Cetus slowly shook his head. "They only said it was urgent."

As he spoke, he half-closed his eyes and said in a low voice, "However, it’s likely related to the Megalodon Tribe."

"The Megalodon Tribe?" It was as if those words had struck a vital point. Stellan’s face instantly darkened.

Seeing this, Coral Cetus, who was beside them, forgot all about Evangeline and quickly let go, rushing to Stellan’s side.

She seized his trembling hand, her voice laced with anxiety. "Stellan! Calm down! Don’t worry, we’ll head back to the Mer Clan right now. We’ll definitely find a way to solve this."

Stellan’s face was ashen as he nodded. His fingers tightened, squeezing Coral Cetus’s hand until her knuckles turned white.

His voice was hoarse, his eyes swirling with emotion. "Leader, I must return to the Mer Clan’s territory immediately. A lot happened during this trip to the shore..."

Stellan’s throat bobbed as he swallowed the rest of his words. "When I return, I will report to you in detail."

Quinn Cetus watched him for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Go. Protect Coral Cetus."

As he finished speaking, his gaze shifted to Evangeline, his deep eyes thoughtful.

Meeting the Mysticeti Tribe leader’s gaze, Evangeline held it calmly and gave a faint nod.

She swayed over to Stellan and Coral Cetus. The swish of her Fintan stirred up a trail of crystalline bubbles as she said, "Since the Mer Clan has summoned you urgently, we shouldn’t delay. Let’s set off as soon as possible."

Stellan glanced at her, his eyes lingering for a fraction of a second, his lips pressed into a thin, white line.

’After seeing how the members of the Mysticeti Tribe madly adored Evangeline, he suddenly didn’t want to bring her to the Mer Clan’s territory. No matter how Evangeline had become a Mer Clan Beastman, he could guarantee that her appearance would cause a huge uproar among his people. With the whole affair with Danton in the past, he feared it would stir up trouble all over again.’

’Besides, the Megalodon Tribe’s visit was already fraught with danger. Adding Evangeline and her unpredictable methods into the mix...’

"Let’s go!" Coral Cetus decisively grabbed Evangeline’s wrist, her ear fins trembling slightly. She said to Stellan, "If you and Evangeline pull me along, we’ll be faster. We can’t delay the Mer Clan’s important business."

Just then, Arion Cetus, holding a steel fork, came forward. The dark steel fork glinted coldly in the water.

He bowed slightly, his voice low as he addressed Quinn Cetus, "Leader, since Stellan is a member of our tribe, the Mer Clan’s business is the Mysticeti Tribe’s business. Please allow me to go with them!"

As he spoke, the Six-star Pattern on his forehead suddenly flashed, and the currents trembled around him.

As the most valiant warrior of the Mysticeti Tribe’s younger generation, his strength surpassed even Stellan’s. His presence on the journey to the Mer Clan would be a huge asset.

Hearing this, Coral Cetus’s eyes flickered. She glanced at Evangeline’s serene profile but said nothing.

’Arion Cetus was proud and arrogant. He usually treated Stellan and her with cold indifference, never giving them a pleasant look. But this time, he was uncharacteristically offering to help the Mer Clan. She refused to believe it had nothing to do with Evangeline.’

Quinn Cetus’s gaze swept over Arion Cetus, paused subtly on Evangeline, and then he nodded. "Go."

That single word of approval made Arion Cetus sigh in relief. The light from the Star Pattern on his forehead softened.

He straightened up and swam to Evangeline’s side, holding out a broad, steady palm toward her. "The little maiden, the waterways to the Mer Clan’s territory hide many undercurrents, and the Wild Beasts are fierce. You’d better let me protect you."

The steel fork in Arion Cetus’s hand gleamed with a cold light. The muscles of his arms tensed into sharp lines in the current, exuding an overwhelming sense of power. His words were quite persuasive.

As he spoke, Arion Cetus’s gaze swept over Evangeline’s abdomen. He unconsciously turned his steel fork so the sharpest edge faced outward, his powerful body acting like a reef to shield her from some of the finer turbulence.

A pregnant female truly needed a male’s careful protection.

At that moment, a dark shadow shot out from the Mysticeti Tribe.

It was an extremely tall and mighty male, his bronze-colored body strong and powerful.

Unlike Stellan’s handsome features, this one looked somewhat simple and honest. However, the moment his tiger-like eyes landed on Coral Cetus, they instantly rippled with tenderness.

He shouted, "I’m coming too!"

"Buck!" As soon as Coral Cetus saw him, her ear fins unfurled, and she swam happily toward him.

She wrapped her arms around Buck’s strong neck and even nuzzled him affectionately. Her voice was soft and syrupy sweet. "Did anything happen in the tribe these past few days? Did you miss me?"

Buck’s powerful arms suddenly tightened, pulling Coral Cetus completely into his embrace.

He rested his head on her shoulder, his voice a muffled tremor. "I missed you... a lot!"

Evangeline’s gaze swept right past Arion Cetus, who still had his hand outstretched to her, and landed on the unfamiliar male embracing Coral Cetus. ’No need to ask. This must be Coral Cetus’s other partner.’

Arion Cetus’s outstretched palm bobbed in the current, fine bubbles rising from between his fingers.

He watched Evangeline in silence, his expression taking on a calm as deep as The Deep Sea. He twirled the steel fork in a graceful arc at his wrist. He didn’t look humiliated or angry; instead, he calmly withdrew his hand. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

’A beautiful, pregnant female always requires more patience and tolerance from a male, doesn’t she?’

Evangeline glanced sideways at Stellan. His brow was tightly furrowed and his gaze was heavy; he paid no mind to the scene before him.

’He must still be worried about the Mer Clan’s affairs. They really are an exceptionally united and harmonious people. Even after leaving the clan through a Contract, he’s still so concerned about his homeland.’

The corners of her eyes lifted slightly as she shot him a sideways glance. "Aren’t you leaving yet?"

Stellan took a deep breath and said, "Buck, you’ll be faster with Coral Cetus."

Buck looked up, his gaze meeting Stellan’s, and gave a silent nod.

He grabbed Coral Cetus’s wrist, pulled her over to Stellan’s side, and in an instant, his form twisted and changed.

"WHOOSH—"

A colossal manta ray appeared before them. Its wingspan was nearly twenty meters, and its pig-iron-colored back gleamed with a cold light. As it moved, it generated a vortex-like force field around its body, no less powerful than that of a great whale from The Deep Sea.

Evangeline looked at the manta ray that blotted out the light, the corner of her lips curling up as she let out a soft click of her tongue.

’Tideborn Beastmen really are several times larger than Terrestrial Beastmen. If they weren’t unable to leave the water for long periods, they would probably crush the furred and horned races on land completely.’

’Still, she was very curious... how did the Tideborn Beastmen and the females manage the size difference?’

Coral Cetus sat on Buck’s back, holding onto his two thick cephalic lobes.

Stellan’s dark cyan Fintan gave a flick, and he shot forward like a streak of light.

Evangeline tilted her head slightly. Her crimson Fintan, like a wisp of gauze, swayed in the current, carving a crystalline arc. With a sudden flash, she instantly caught up to Stellan.

As she sped along, Evangeline suddenly felt the current behind her tremble violently. A huge wave surged toward her, the furious tide pushing her forward dozens of yards. A shadow fell over her as another behemoth caught up.

It was a killer whale as massive as a mountain. Its dark gold vertical pupils glowed with a faint blue light, locked tightly on Evangeline. After just a moment, it slowed its pace to stay by her side in a protective posture.

Evangeline half-closed her eyes. ’Arion Cetus.’

’Killer whales are already apex predators of the sea. No wonder Arion Cetus is so arrogant.’

’The Great Fish Clan of the Mysticeti Tribe truly live up to their reputation. Anyone who can establish themselves in this sea and be called an overlord is a formidable character.’