Chapter 139 Awakening the Talent

Chapter 139: Talent Awakened

Hua Diao’s face was a mixture of undisguised surprise and delight as she gazed at the exquisite azure scepter in her hands. It bore a striking resemblance to the one wielded by the Mermaid Priestess she had encountered in the illusion. The scepter itself appeared as two crystalline blue dragons, intricately coiled and intertwined, their heads at the apex, each exhaling a luminous blue pearl that orbited a central, shimmering blue gem.

The dragons’ tiny horns, flowing manes, and piercing eyes were rendered with such lifelike precision, appearing utterly natural. It possessed both the refined elegance of a masterwork and the imposing aura unique to an epic-tier artifact. One glance was enough to captivate the eye. A faint, cerulean glow emanated from the scepter, and drawing closer, one could sense the surging, aqueous energy swirling around it.

Truly worthy of an epic-tier artifact!

Hua Diao was utterly smitten with this staff, aptly named the "Supreme Scepter of Azure Tides." What thrilled her most were the three words inscribed in its description: "Growth Potential."

This meant it was an evolving weapon. No need to splurge on materials, or bother with upgrade recipes and forging stations. As long as she accumulated enough proficiency, it could ascend to the pinnacle—a mythical-grade staff.

*Gasp—*

This surprise was so sudden, and Hua Diao was ecstatic.

"Thank you, Koi Deity, for bestowing such good fortune upon me!"

Rubbing her hands together with fervent excitement, Hua Diao felt so invigorated that she could now confidently charge at another Level 61 Minotaur, sleeves rolled up, ready for a direct confrontation.

But today’s surprises didn’t end there. From the treasure chests she and Xie Tingsheng had opened, they also obtained two rare-grade Water Pearls. Without a second thought, she instinctively rinsed them clean and popped them into her mouth. To her astonishment, her long-dormant talent finally awakened.

Unlike previous attempts where consuming Water Pearls yielded no reaction, this time, the moment the two pearls entered her stomach, she felt an immediate change. First, a gentle warmth spread from her lower abdomen, followed by a soft, watery embrace, as if currents were flowing within her. This sensation swiftly dispersed along her meridians, permeating her entire body. She felt as though she were submerged in a soothing, warm spring—a sensation of unparalleled comfort.

She involuntarily closed her eyes, savoring the moment.

Xie Tingsheng, who had been constantly by her side, was the first to notice her unusual state. However, before he could react, a soft, watery membrane pushed him back three or four steps.

Regaining his balance, Xie Tingsheng’s face paled with alarm as he looked up. His wife stood motionless, clutching the azure scepter, her eyes closed, enveloped within a swirling sphere of blue water. Tiny bubbles gurgled within, creating the illusion of a true underwater environment.

Had it not been for her serene expression, her brows relaxed in blissful enjoyment, Xie Tingsheng would have long since plunged in to tear the water apart and rescue her.

"Brother Sheng, what’s happening to Sister-in-Law?" Zhu Bin asked, suppressing his own urge to intervene, his face etched with worry.

Xie Tingsheng’s handsome, stern brows furrowed slightly. Recalling the two Water Pearls she had swallowed just before the water enveloped her, he immediately had a theory. "She might be awakening her talent."

Zhu Bin’s eyes lit up. "Awakening her talent? That’s wonderful news!"

Instantly, his worries dissipated. But then, he quickly felt something was amiss. "Several members of our team have awakened talents before, but none had such a dramatic reaction. They said they only felt a slight warmth in their abdomen, and nothing else. They only realized they had awakened their talent after checking their personal stats."

Xie Tingsheng gave him a cool glance. "That’s because their talents were weak. Two or three elemental pearls were enough to trigger their awakening. As for your sister-in-law, how many Water Pearls do you think she’s obtained with her luck so far?"

Zhu Bin didn’t even need to think. "Sister-in-Law’s luck is exceptional. She must get at least one a day, wouldn’t you say?"

A proud smile touched Xie Tingsheng’s lips. "At least five. She’s accumulated 178 so far. With today’s two, that makes a total of 180."

*Hiss—*

Zhu Bin unconsciously sucked air through his teeth. Compared to Sister-in-Law, he hadn’t even acquired half that many.

As they spoke, He Yongxin and the others nearby pricked up their ears. Upon hearing "180 pearls," they instantly felt like pickled cabbage in a jar—sour to the core.

How powerful must a talent be to require 180 elemental pearls to awaken?!

And she had accumulated 180 Water Pearls in just a few days?

Was she even human?

Could she be a human embodiment of the Koi Deity?

"Brother Sheng, have you awakened your talent yet?" Zhu Bin asked impulsively. Surely, being around Sister-in-Law, Brother Sheng must have also been blessed by her luck and collected plenty of elemental pearls.

Xie Tingsheng turned to him, giving him an indifferent look, then turned back, his eyes fixed intently on the figure within the water sphere.

Zhu Bin: "..." Understood. He hadn't awakened yet either.

Instantly, he felt a tiny bit more balanced. Since he hadn’t awakened either, having Brother Sheng in the same boat made him feel less left behind.

As they conversed, Hua Diao within the water sphere began to change again. Xie Tingsheng, who had been watching her intently, was the first to notice the crimson ear-fins sprouting from her ears. Initially as thin and translucent as cicada wings, they gradually deepened into a dazzling, mesmerizing scarlet—identical to the red fish scales at the corners of her eyes.

Was she about to awaken a racial talent?

A thought stirred within Xie Tingsheng. His expression turned serious as he swiftly pulled out an item: "Pitch-Black Cloth."

A swirling black mist, like an inky drape, enveloped him and Hua Diao, completely obscuring them from the sight and sound of others. Inside, it felt like a self-contained, sealed space.

The crowd, eagerly awaiting Hua Diao’s awakening: "????"

They were left hanging just as things got interesting?

No way, was their captain really that petty?

A chorus of grumbles and pointing fingers rose from the disgruntled group.

Zhu Bin, however, had matured into a seasoned subordinate. Seeing that nothing more could be observed, he didn’t press the issue and quickly directed everyone to return to their tasks.

The monster wave wasn’t over yet—the next surge could arrive at any moment. Those needing treatment should be treated, unopened treasure chests should be opened, and supplies replenished.

Meanwhile, within the black shroud, Xie Tingsheng bore witness to Hua Diao’s transformation.

A sharp tearing sound echoed from the water sphere as Hua Diao’s pants split apart, replaced by a crimson fishtail that undulated gracefully within the water.

Human above, fish below—her scarlet scales gleamed like exquisite rubies, refracting dazzling hues in the water. Her upper body remained human: lips full and crimson, eyes lined with crimson, features breathtakingly exquisite. Her black hair fanned out like seaweed, floating weightlessly, giving her the ethereal beauty of a siren—so captivating it was impossible to look away.

What a breathtakingly beautiful mermaid she made!