"Huh? End my life?" The merman echoed Xu Kai's words, his voice laced with disbelief and a hint of amusement.
"I think you've completely lost your grip on reality." His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Xu Kai, a spark of recognition lighting up his gaze.
"Oh wait, are you Wu Xie?" He let out a laugh, the sound echoing around them. "Haha, I remember you now. It seems you've graduated from being a loser to a madman."
His words were sharp, cutting through the tension like a knife. He shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "I actually have more pressing matters to attend to right now. I can't afford to waste my precious time here, engaging in a pointless conversation with a delusional mortal who's trying to 'save' a merman from returning to his own home."
With a final, dismissive glance at Xu Kai, he prepared to dive back into the ocean, leaving Xu Kai alone with his thoughts.
Xu Kai found himself once again in a state of shock and speechlessness, his mind reeling from the recent events.
He stood at the edge of the vast ocean, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the azure sky met the sea in a seamless blend of colors.
The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled his ears, but his mind was elsewhere, lost in a whirlpool of questions and confusion. He was a stranger in this world, a world that was as fascinating as it was bewildering.
After what felt like an eternity, but was merely five minutes, he tore his gaze away from the hypnotic dance of the waves.
With a deep breath, he turned around and made his way back to the bustling street where he had first found himself in this strange world. The street was alive with activity, a stark contrast to the serene solitude of the ocean.
Upon his return, Xu Kai's attention was immediately drawn to a lively crowd of people gathered around a shop.
The shop was hosting a game of 'War', a popular card game where each player draws a card from a meticulously shuffled deck, and the player with the higher card wins. Intrigued by the spectacle, Xu Kai found himself drawn towards the crowd.
He wove his way through the throng of spectators, his height giving him a clear view of the ongoing game. His eyes scanned the faces of the people around him, each one a mix of excitement and anticipation.
Their eyes were glued to the deck of cards in the center, their expressions mirroring the ebb and flow of the game.
Among the crowd, a young and handsome man caught his attention. The man exuded an air of confidence, his eyes focused on the deck of cards in front of him.
He was about to draw a card from the deck when Xu Kai, acting on a hunch, suggested that he draw the third card instead.
The man hesitated at first, his hand hovering over the deck. But then, he decided to follow Xu Kai's advice. To his surprise, he drew a higher card and won the round.
A cheer erupted from the crowd, and the man's face lit up with a triumphant smile.
Encouraged by this unexpected victory, the man continued to follow Xu Kai's advice. Round after round, he drew the winning card, his pile of winnings growing with each victory.
The crowd watched in awe, their cheers growing louder with each round. And through it all, Xu Kai stood by his side, guiding him towards victory.
Overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of his fortunes, the man could hardly believe his success.
In the heat of the moment, he reached out and grabbed Xu Kai's arm, his grip firm with gratitude. He led Xu Kai away from the crowd, their cheers and applause fading into the background as they moved towards a quiet corner of the street.
The man turned to face Xu Kai, his eyes shining with gratitude. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a hefty pouch, the clinking sound of coins echoing in the silence. "This is for you," he said, offering Xu Kai 30% of his winnings. "Consider this a small token of my gratitude for your help."
Xu Kai looked at the pouch, then at the man. He could see the sincerity in the man's eyes, feel the genuine gratitude in his words.
With a smile, he accepted the offer, his heart warmed by the man's generosity. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.
However, the man was looking at Xu Kai with a strange and curious expression. His eyes were narrowed, his gaze intense as he studied Xu Kai.
It was as if he was trying to decipher a complex puzzle, his eyes flickering with a mix of curiosity and confusion.
This intense scrutiny made Xu Kai feel a bit uncomfortable, a sense of self-consciousness creeping up on him.
Feeling the weight of the man's gaze, Xu Kai couldn't help but touch his face, wondering if there was something amiss. "What happened? Is there something on my face?" Xu Kai asked, his voice laced with a hint of uncertainty.
He rubbed his cheek, half-expecting to find something out of place. But all he felt was the familiar texture of his skin, leaving him even more puzzled by the man's intense gaze.
The bustling street around them seemed to fade into the background as Xu Kai awaited the man's response, the anticipation hanging heavy in the air.
"No, there's nothing on your face," the man reassured Xu Kai, his voice steady despite the surprise that was evident in his eyes.
He paused for a moment, his gaze still fixed on Xu Kai as if he was trying to piece together a puzzle. "I'm just shocked," he finally admitted, his words hanging in the air between them.
His eyes narrowed slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
It was as if he was questioning not just Xu Kai, but his own understanding of the world around him. "Because you're not Wu Xie," he added, his tone filled with certainty.