Azure Dragon Whale Cave Heaven, Merfolk Holy City.
The atmosphere in the inn room was oppressive and heavy.
"What do we do?"
"The next trial — Zhao Lu's follower will be taking the stage. That person is someone famous across the sea. With him in the fight, we don't stand a chance of winning at all."
Both elders wore grim expressions.
Su Yi, the white-scaled merfolk, sat upright in the seat of honor, holding a teacup. She stared at the tea inside as though lost in a daze.
"Young Mistress, you can't keep hesitating."
"That's right. The Sea God Festival has already come down to just us and Zhao Lu. Everyone else has been eliminated. And after this next trial, it will be the final challenge. If we can just get past this hurdle, we'll be able to make our final push for the Holy Maiden throne."
The two elders urged her anxiously.
Su Yi sighed. "But what can we do?"
The elders quickly stepped forward, moving before Su Yi.
"Young Mistress, hasn't our clan also invited a powerful fighter who can rival theirs?"
"Exactly. As long as we have that strong fighter take part, we may not win, but the gap won't widen enough for us to be eliminated."
Su Yi's gaze remained fixed on the tea in her cup as she let out a long, quiet sigh. "I understand both of your suggestions perfectly well. But there is one thing you may have forgotten. I only have four follower slots in my competition for Holy Maiden, and we've already filled all of them. Even if the clan has invited a powerful fighter, I have no way to fit them in."
The two elders exchanged a glance, a sharp gleam flickering in their eyes.
"So that's it — the Young Mistress already had this in mind, but it was something she couldn't bring herself to say aloud." They understood immediately.
Elder Rong whispered, "Young Mistress, this matter is difficult if you think about it that way, but it can also be quite simple. All we need to do is discard one of the followers!"
"Indeed," the other elder continued. "According to the rules of the Sea God Festival, followers cannot be casually dropped. However, if any of them are found to have committed embezzlement, favoritism, or other misconduct, then for the purity of the Sea God Festival and the Holy Maiden, we would be perfectly justified in expelling them. The vacated slot could then be given to the powerful fighter the clan has invited!"
Su Yi's expression shifted slightly, and she refused. "That's not appropriate. During such an important celebration as the Sea God Festival, creating a scandal like this would brand the person involved with a lifelong stigma — one they could never wash away. Besides, all four of you followers have helped me immensely. How could I repay kindness with betrayal?"
"My dear Young Mistress, one who achieves great things cannot afford to fuss over small details. What's a tiny sacrifice in comparison?"
"I suggest we target Xia Lin. Her background is shallow, completely transparent — just a little merfolk girl no one particularly likes. Who knows what kind of luck she stumbled upon to obtain that Fifth Transformation Oil-Drilling Gu. And seeing Su Yi's displeased expression, Elder Rong quickly added, "Of course, we wouldn't frame her. We'd reason with her and appeal to her emotions. Xia Lin looks like a sensible, understanding girl. Young Mistress, why not leave this matter to me? I'll go talk to her. Even if it costs us something, it's worth it. Compared to the position of Holy Maiden, everyone knows which is more important!"
"This..." Su Yi looked conflicted.
The other elder immediately chimed in. "Young Mistress, this isn't us forcing Xia Lin, and it isn't us trying to harm her. It's a cooperation between us. And when you think about it, what is a little reputation worth? Xia Lin comes from a poor background — she cares more about material things. Most likely, when she hears our proposal, she might even be delighted! She'd be eager to strike a deal with us — lose a bit of reputation in exchange for enormous material gain!"
"You may withdraw. Let me think about it further..." Su Yi's brows furrowed slightly as she dismissed her guests.
The two elders exchanged another glance and had no choice but to leave.
Several days later, rumors about Xia Lin spread everywhere like a tidal wave.
"That's her! The shameless merfolk girl, selling out Su Yi who had done her a kindness, all to cling to wealth and power!"
"No wonder Young Mistress Su Yi has been at a slight disadvantage. Turns out there was a traitor in her ranks."
"If I ever see that kind of person, I'd love to skin her alive!"
"And she still has the nerve to come see Su Yi? Utterly shameless!"
Xia Lin pressed her lips tight. Under the pointing and whispering of the crowd, she walked up the stairs of the inn.
"Stop." Halfway up, Merfolk Elder Rong blocked her path with a cold expression.
"I've been wronged! I need to see Sister Su Yi!" Xia Lin looked up at Elder Rong, her face full of urgency.
Elder Rong sneered. "Xia Lin, what kind of act are you still trying to put on? Your treachery has been exposed, and the Young Mistress is deeply hurt. At this critical moment of the Sea God Festival, and you still want to see Young Mistress Su Yi? How sinister and vicious — you want to disgust our Young Mistress so she'll perform poorly in the trials ahead, don't you?"
"That's not how it is, Elder Rong. Please listen to me..."
"What more is there to say? There's nothing to talk about! You shameless wretch — we were blind to take you in. Get out!" Elder Rong lost her patience, her voice sharp and aggressive.
"You don't believe me, but I believe in Sister Su Yi. If I don't see her face, I'm not leaving!" Xia Lin's eyes reddened, but the light within them was stubborn and unyielding.
"So you're trying to force me to act?" Elder Rong said, her tone venomous.
"Stop." At that moment, Su Yi finally appeared, slowly drifting down the staircase.
"Sister Su Yi!" Xia Lin was overjoyed and tried to step forward, but Elder Rong spread her arms and blocked her once more.
"Xia Lin..." Su Yi looked at Xia Lin, her tone complicated.
"Sister Su Yi, you have to believe me. I would never be the one to sell you out!" Xia Lin protested.