Chapter 49: The Finest Pearl

Chapter 49: The Finest Pearl

Given the size of such a large clam, the pearl wasn't particularly large, but it was exceptionally round, bright, and could even glow in the night.

Even without knowing much, Leng Xiyue could tell this pearl was a rare treasure.

How old could this clam be?

Living undisturbed in the riverbed's dark hole, given its size, it must have a lifespan of at least several hundred years.

Leng Xiyue suddenly had a bold thought: could this clam have become a spirit?

She really wanted to take the pearl but worried about offending the clam. What if the clam had indeed become a spirit and decided to eat her?

After weighing her options, Leng Xiyue decided it was better not to be greedy. Besides, she had been holding her breath for quite some time and couldn't last much longer.

So, she decisively turned to leave the riverbed.

But just as she turned, she remembered something Second Darling had said:

— "Mommy, Fifth Darling told me she wanted to go to the river to find pearls."

Finding pearls...

Fifth Darling loved pearls, and the finest pearl in the world was right before her eyes.

Since she had seen it, why should she pass up the opportunity?

Leng Xiyue quickly turned back and swam towards the clam.

She was determined to get the pearl and give it to Fifth Darling.

It's rare to venture to the riverbed, so it only makes sense to bring back a souvenir.

Leng Xiyue swam up to the clam and quietly reached out her hand.

Finding the clam unresponsive, she quickly grabbed the pearl and held it tight.

But after holding it for a while, she let go, feeling like a thief at that moment.

How much pain must the clam have endured to produce such a pearl? To just take it seemed overly presumptuous.

Better not to take it after all.

Just as she was about to put the pearl back, the image of Fifth Darling's face came to mind.

Fifth Darling really likes pearls.

Maybe... take it after all?

As she gripped the pearl once again, the clam suddenly closed its shell.

The moment it closed, a powerful current flipped Leng Xiyue out of the dark hole.

Eh, I'm out?

In that case, no need to be polite!

Seizing the opportunity, Leng Xiyue vigorously swam towards the surface.

The clam seemed to be angered, suddenly moving its massive body, emerging from the dark hole, and half-opening its shell, relentlessly pursuing Leng Xiyue.

Its body was massive, almost gliding in the water, much faster than Leng Xiyue.

After catching up to Leng Xiyue, it suddenly opened its shell, then quickly closed it, determined to trap Leng Xiyue inside.

My goodness, this clam really has become a spirit, it's trying to eat people!

Leng Xiyue was terrified, swimming as hard as she could with all her strength.

But her swimming speed was limited, no match for the clam's gliding, and soon she was trapped inside the shell.

Damn, had I known, I wouldn't have taken the pearl.

However, now that the clam was enraged, even if she returned the pearl, she could not escape death.

In that case, she had no choice but to fight the clam to the end.

The inside of the clam was spacious, with room to spare in all directions, allowing Leng Xiyue to freely turn around.

There was no excess water inside, so Leng Xiyue could breathe freely, though the smell was quite unpleasant.

But she knew she couldn't last long; the clam, in revenge, would tighten its shell increasingly until a vacuum formed inside.

The worst part was, once a foreign object entered the clam's body, it would feel a strong irritation. To alleviate this sensation, it would continuously secrete nacre, enveloping the foreign object layer by layer, which is how pearls are formed.

If Leng Xiyue didn't escape soon, it wouldn't be long before she turned into a new pearl.

To survive, Leng Xiyue held the glowing pearl in her mouth and pounded the clam's flesh with her hands.

She believed that as long as the clam felt pain, it would surely open its shell.