"That's fine. Lanpo, take good care of Lu Lu. If there's anything you need, come to me," Jin Yang said.
"Don't worry, Brother. I will," Lanpo replied.
"Actually, there's one more thing, Brother. I'm going to live on land for a few days with this little female, but of course, when we mate, we'll return to the sea," Lanpo told his brother.
He brought Si Lu to meet his brother specifically to let him know he'd be spending a few days on land with her, and to make it clear that he already had a beloved female.
He didn't want his brother trying to set him up with the clan's mermaid females, because he really didn't like any of them. His heart was already set on this female—and thankfully, he had found her.
"You're going to live on land for a while? Aren't you going to stay underwater?" Jin Yang asked, surprised. He could sense some other beastman aura coming from Si Lu.
Though surprised, he realized it wasn't really a problem. After all, such a beautiful female must have had companions on land. It made sense.
Still, his brother had grown up in the sea—would he really adapt to living on land? Land and ocean weren't just different in words; the differences were enormous.
"Yes, I've already decided. But when we mate, we'll naturally return to the sea, so don't worry, Brother. You know I've been running along the shore all this time, and I feel that life on land is actually quite adaptable. You can even come to visit us on land."
"Lu Lu and her companions live in the giant crocodile tribe along the coast, Brother. If you want, you can come too," Lanpo said, smiling at his brother.
His mind was set—no matter how much his brother tried to persuade him, he wouldn't change his mind.
Of course, Jin Yang didn't try to stop him; he was just surprised.
Hearing his brother, Jin Yang understood. He knew about the Giant Crocodile Tribe by the shore. Being the ruler of the sea, he was familiar with the coastal tribes.
The Giant Crocodile Tribe was indeed close to the coast, and their beastmen were of good character, often sheltering those fleeing from the forests. Occasionally, oceanic and land beastmen would trade everyday items—sea salt, underwater foods, pearls, animal hides, or merfolk shed skins. The oceanic tribe would trade some food or herbs in return.
The ocean wasn't as rich in flora as the land, so the two groups had maintained good relations over many years, trading and supporting each other. Cooperation, not conflict.
Thus, his brother living near the coastal tribe wasn't a problem; there was no friction, no danger.
As for mating…
"If you want to go, go. I won't stop you. You've grown now—handle things yourself. Just don't let down those you care about," Jin Yang said, glancing at Si Lu.
Thinking about his brother living on the shore made Jin Yang feel a strange unease—an unfamiliar, helpless feeling.
"Thanks, Brother. Then we'll leave now," Lanpo said, smiling, taking Si Lu's hand. He still had preparations to make for living on the shore, such as extra clothes for Si Lu. Merfolk attire was much better than land beast hides, so he wanted her to have plenty.
"Wait! You're leaving already? Aren't you going to stay and enjoy the merfolk for a few more days? The scenery is beautiful, and the people are kind and friendly," Jin Yang said, a little anxious.
"Brother, we need to reach the shore before sunset. Lu Lu's companions are waiting there," Lanpo explained.
He, too, felt conflicted—wanting to let Si Lu enjoy the clan more, but her companions were waiting, and he hadn't yet officially joined them. Moreover, he knew how much these companions mattered to her and didn't want to inconvenience her.
"Alright, then. Next time you return for mating, tell me. Spend a few extra days playing then," Jin Yang said slowly, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
"Okay, Brother. We'll pack and leave now," Lanpo said, leading Si Lu toward the exit.
"Brother, we'll come again next time," Si Lu said with a smile.
"Take care on the way. Come to me if you need anything," Jin Yang said, a reluctant expression in his eyes.
Si Lu nodded, and the two left the hall. She thought Jin Yang was quite nice.
Jin Yang returned to his seat, but he couldn't focus on the reports in front of him. His mind was full of Si Lu's bright face and clear, sparkling eyes.
He sighed and looked toward the hall's entrance, now empty. His heart was a mess—completely unbalanced, leaving him defenseless. Suddenly, this one person had entered his heart, and it would never return to its former calm.
Meanwhile, Si Lu followed Lanpo back to his quarters.
"At first, I thought the important person you mentioned was your parents. Turns out it's your brother?" she said.
"Exactly. At first, I thought you meant my parents too," Lanpo said. "But my parents are no longer on the Beastman Continent. Their cultivation surpassed the limits of this continent, so they moved to higher realms. You probably didn't know that yet."
"I'll explain it to you slowly."
"Our continent is low-tier. Above it are middle-tier and high-tier continents. When one's cultivation hits the limit here, one must ascend to a higher continent to improve further. My parents did exactly that—the continent can only support Silver-tier power."
"To surpass Silver-tier, one must go to a higher continent," Lanpo explained to Si Lu.
"Both my brother and I are Silver-tier. My brother, as the merfolk clan leader, is far more capable than I am—calm, intelligent, and composed. I prefer a relaxed life. My brother, however, has no partner or romantic interest. Many females in our clan wish to pair with him, but he has high standards. Before, he kept urging me to find a partner. Now, since I've brought you back, he won't pressure me anymore. I already have my beloved female," Lanpo said proudly, gently patting Si Lu's head.
Si Lu laughed—so this matchmaking pressure exists everywhere, it seems. She also realized that Jin Yang was single. Given his abilities, looks, and status, she'd assumed he already had a partner.
"Actually, I had guessed this possibility before, but now hearing it confirmed, I truly believe it."
"You said the higher realms might be more prosperous? Will they have the same mix of races as our continent? I'm curious," Si Lu asked.
"Wow, little female, you're smart. You guessed all that before I even spoke. Actually, I don't know much either. To ascend to a higher continent, one must surpass Silver-tier. Even then, Silver-tier is just ordinary there—like a commoner. My parents hypothesized all this. After leaving, they never returned. I'd also like to visit a higher continent—maybe I'll even find my parents. I suspect there are other restrictions; high-tier beings coming here must make great sacrifices, otherwise we'd have seen them. Even if they did come, their power would be capped at Silver-tier to protect the life on this continent. Every continent has its own rules, maintaining balance," Lanpo explained.
"I understand. Then we'll train hard, improve our strength, and one day ascend together. Maybe we'll even meet your parents," Si Lu said, holding his hand. She saw the longing in his eyes whenever he spoke of them.
"You're remarkable, little female. You're destined to break the balance, a unique existence," Lanpo said gently.
He truly wanted to meet his parents, tell them he had a beloved female, and introduce Si Lu to them. He would cultivate diligently, so he could accompany her to the higher realms.
Thanks to everyone for the support and reading so far! More updates would come later in the evening, and the author promised even more chapters in the coming days.